Saturday, September 12, 2026

News and Ideas Worth Sharing

Shaw Israel Izikson

Shaw Israel Izikson is Managing Editor for The Berkshire Edge. Izikson is an award-winning journalist, editor, and photographer from Baltimore, Maryland. He was the winner of the 2015 New England Better Newspaper competition in editorial writing. Izikson is the former editor of The Winsted Journal newspaper from 2014 to 2017. He was also the editor of The Winsted Phoenix from 2019 to 2021, and most recently The Country Journal in late 2021. He has been in the journalism field for over 20 years, starting as a reporter for The Irregular newspaper in Kingfield, Maine. He worked at The Lakeville Journal company for 11 years, working as a reporter at all three newspapers owned by the company before serving as the editor for The Winsted Journal from 2014 to 2017. Izikson is an award-winning journalist, editor, and photographer from Baltimore, Maryland. He was the winner of the 2015 New England Better Newspaper competition in editorial writing. Izikson is the former editor of The Winsted Journal newspaper from 2014 to 2017. He was also the editor of The Winsted Phoenix from 2019 to 2021, and most recently The Country Journal in late 2021. He has been in the journalism field for over 20 years, starting as a reporter for The Irregular newspaper in Kingfield, Maine. He worked at The Lakeville Journal company for 11 years, working as a reporter at all three newspapers owned by the company before serving as the editor for The Winsted Journal from 2014 to 2017. Photo by Jamie Tilley.

written articles

BSO patrons start campaign in support of music director Andris Nelsons

BSO musicians, patrons, and Berkshire County businesses are pushing back against the Boston Symphony Orchestra's decision not to renew music director Andris Nelsons' contract, as two longtime patrons launch a grassroots "red flower" campaign demanding transparency and a public town hall.

‘We’re still here’: Bard Academy Provost and Vice President of Simon’s Rock Weinstein discusses state of college

More than a year after closing its Great Barrington campus, Bard College at Simon's Rock is in a "much better viable financial model," but questions about the campus sale and former president Leon Botstein's ties to the college remain largely unanswered.

Great Barrington DPW Superintendent Aberdale set to resign on September 30

The administrative leave and resignation letter was signed by Department of Public Works Superintendent Joseph Aberdale and Town Manager Liz Hartsgrove on June 29.

Great Barrington Selectboard subcommittee begins review of town governance policies and procedures in unbroadcasted meeting

A Selectboard subcommittee met Wednesday in an unbroadcast session to begin reviewing town policies, including whether board members should be allowed to respond directly to residents during public comment.

MassDOT seeking comments on potential ‘Brown Bridge’ design

MassDOT has offered to potential designs for the bridge crossing the Housatonic River, each paying homage to the current span's iconic color and structure in some way.

Selectboard continues Searles School project discussion to July 27 meeting

Ten years after approving a special permit for a luxury hotel at the former Searles School, the Great Barrington Selectboard is weighing whether to hold a show cause hearing to determine if that permit has lapsed, with the developer's attorney arguing the hearing would be premature.

New season of Berkshire Busk! opens in Great Barrington

“I love this audience because it is a listening audience,” said New York City-based singer-songwriter Jacob Shipley. “This audience stops by and gives their time and attention to musicians in a real way. Every audience I’ve played for at [Berkshire Busk!] has always been nice and friendly to me.”

Multicultural BRIDGE hosts a quiet celebration of America’s 250th birthday in Housatonic

"We can't let leadership take away our America... That's what we are doing here today," said the founder and executive director of Multicultural BRIDGE, which marked the Fourth of July with a community picnic in Housatonic reflecting on where the country stands while celebrating the freedoms worth fighting for.

After nearly a decade, Great Barrington Selectboard finally getting impatient with lack of progress on Searles School project

Ten years after plans were first approved for a luxury hotel at the former Searles School property, the Great Barrington Selectboard is scheduled Monday to take potential action on the still-uncompleted project.

A celebration of the importance of the arts: Shakespeare & Company’s annual gala

After overcoming financial challenges and eliminating its debt, Shakespeare & Company leaders say the Lenox theater is thriving by making live performance accessible to the Berkshire community.

Great Barrington agrees to contract with Southern Berkshire Ambulance Squad

After months of contentious negotiations over funding increases that the town felt were unsustainable, Great Barrington and Southern Berkshire Ambulance Squad agreed to a three-year contract—locking in annual increases of 7.5 percent and creating a new oversight committee to govern the relationship.

At Special Town Meeting, Selectboard tables $1 million vote for funds in contractor’s lawsuit

While voters approved every other item on Monday's Special Town Meeting warrant, the Selectboard withdrew a $1 million funding request tied to a contractor's lawsuit, drawing sharp questions over why residents were not informed of the litigation before the Annual Town Meeting in May, considering that the contractor filed the lawsuit in early April.

Great Barrington Town Planner Rembold returns to work after being placed on paid administrative leave

However, Department of Public Works Director Joseph Aberdale remains under paid administrative leave.

All five towns in Southern Berkshire Regional School District approve proposed fiscal 2027 school budget

The proposed budget will now go into effect for fiscal 2027, which begins on Wednesday, July 1.

Live updates from Great Barrington’s special town meeting – full results

The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. and The Berkshire Edge will provide live updates

Relay for Life brings hope, strength, and unity in the fight against cancer

This year's Berkshire County Relay for Life raised an estimated $50,000 to support the American Cancer Society.
spot_img

The Edge Is Free To Read.

But Not To Produce.