News & Notes: KB Shedding Workers; Cheshire Seeks Principal
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The effect of KB Toy Co.'s plans to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and means layoffs for 240 of its 270 employees between now and February.
The employees who will receive the pink slips will feel the pain the most, especially during this holiday season and beyond. In fact, about 100 employees have already packed their belongings and went home without a job.
The departure of 240 employees will leave the KB Toy headquarters building on West Street almost empty, a shadow of its former self. The Pittsfield-based toy company blames dismal holiday shopping as the main cause for liquidation.
New Principal Sought For Cheshire Elementary
ADAMS, Mass. — The Adams-Cheshire Regional School District is searching for a new Cheshire Elementary School principal.
Longtime Principal Pamela St. John has decided to take an early retirement when the current school year comes to a close. The school district has 15 applications from prospective candidates to choose from, but school officials say that St. John will be difficult to replace.
A subcommittee made up of teachers, parents, Plunkett Elementary Principal Kristen Gordon and an at-large person who is not connected to the school will screen the applications and set up interviews. A new principal should be in place by the start of the new school year.
Gasoline Prices Holding Steady
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Gasoline prices in the Berkshires are holding steady with little or no change in prices over the past week.
As of Sunday, Adams still had the lowest price in the Berkshires of $1.71 a gallon for regular. North Adams and Pittsfield averaged between $1.73 and $1.75 a gallon. In Great Barrington, Lee and Lenox, prices were just about the same. The cheapest gas is still to the east of us in the Pioneer Valley where prices are as low as $1.59 a gallon for regular in Southwick.
According to AAA of Southern New England, this is the 13th week straight that prices in Massachusetts have fallen, an 8 cent drop that leaves prices at their lowest point since the winter of 2004.
AAA's Dec. 15 survey of prices in Massachusetts found self-serve, regular unleaded averaging $1.669 per gallon, 8 cents less than last week, and $2.42 less than the record high of $4.08 back in July. The last time prices were this low was in mid-February, 2004.
Salvation Army And Car-Wash Owners Continue Team Up
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Last week, we told you that the Pittsfield Salvation Army has teamed up with Barbalunga Enterprises to collect non-perishable food items at the company's two car-wash locations on Elm Street and Tyler Street.
Inclement weather held the food drive down last week but, hopefully, more food items will be brought to the car washes this week. Just leave donations with the attendants between the hours of 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. and they'll transport the food to the Salvation Army headquarters on West Street. Nonperishable items would include one-meal deal items like soups, macaroni and cheese, etc.
Disaster Relief For Mass. Farmers
BOSTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved disaster relief for farmers in eight Massachusetts counties, including the Berkshires. The special "Secretarial Designation" is in response to farmers who experienced losses to their crops, buildings and livestock because of severe weather over the summer.
The USDA made the designation on Nov. 20, six weeks after Gov. Deval Patrick sent a letter to federal officials requesting aid. In the letter, the governor said severe weather including hail, high winds, excessive rainfall, and excessive heat between June 15 and Aug. 24 caused damage to crops including alfalfa, pumpkins, and apples, while lightning strikes damaged buildings and livestock. Farmers have until July 20, 2009, to apply for loans from the USDA Farm Service Agency.
Provided by the Berkshire News Network, Radio Stations WNAW/WUPE, news partners of iBerkshires.
