News & Notes: Local Athletes Place at Special Olympics
Gold Medal Win for North Adams Skier.jpg) iBerkshires file
James Cowell and Jenna Montgomery after learning they were going to the Winter Games. |
The 15-year-old cross-country skier won her medal in the 1-kilometer freestyle with a time of 9:15:6 and took a fifth-place in the 500-meter freestyle.
Fellow Berkshire County competitor James Cowell of Pittsfield also placed in his divisions, picking up a third in the 500 meter and a sixth in the 1 kilometer. Cowell, 24, was also on the fourth-place Team USA Nordic relay team.
Jenna, a member of the Greylock Tigers Special Olympics team, and Cowell, who trains with them, learned early last year they were going to Idaho after picking up gold medals in the state games. This was the first World Games for both.
Jenna has been involved in Special Olympics for seven years also participates in soccer and track and field. Cowell works as a custodian at the YMCA and BFAIR and is involved in basketball, bowling, soccer, golf, tennis.
Closing ceremonies are today and the athletes will visit Salt Lake City, Utah, before winging home on Sunday.
2009 Dog Licenses Available In Williamstown
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The 2009 dog licenses are now available in the town clerk's office. The cost is $5 for neutered and spayed dogs and $12 for all others. It's also required that all dog owners show proof of current rabies vaccination to obtain their license.
Residents may renew by mail if they send in a copy of the current rabies certificate, a check for the correct amount and a self-address-stamped envelope. The town clerk's office is open from 8:30 to 4:30 weekdays. Anyone who doesn't renew their license before June 15 will be subjected to a $10 late fee.
BRTA Schedules Public Meetings To Discuss Bus Routes
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Regional Transit Authority is looking to change bus routes and times to better accommodate the county's needs. Survey results from riders indicate they would like to see Sunday and evening service.
BRTA officials will hold discussion sessions around the county to allow further input from residents. They have scheduled three public hearings to look at recommendations for improving the efficiency of the fixed route bus service.
The first meeting will take place in the council chambers at City Hall on Wednesday, Feb. 25. The second meeting will take place in the Western Gateway Heritage State Park Shipper's Office at 115 State St. in North Adams on Wednesday, March 4, and the final meeting in the Mason Library Community Room on Bridge Street in Great Barrington on Thursday, March 12. All three BRTA public input sessions will begin at 6:30
Berkshire DA Drops Bomb Threat Case
GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Berkshire District Attorney David Capeless has decided to terminate the prosecution of a case against 18-year-old Thomas Kie of West Stockbridge.
The student had been charged with one count of making a false bomb threat in connection with an incident at Monument Mountain Regional High School on Nov. 4 of last year. Capeless said he took the step because the principal witness recanted the information he provided to police investigators. That information formed the basis for Kie's arrest and prosecution, and no other evidence linking Kie to this incident and two others has been forthcoming to this point.
Capeless said although there is not sufficient evidence to proceed at this time, he has been assured that Great Barrington Police will continue to investigate the case.
Provided by the Berkshire News Network, Radio Stations WNAW/WUPE, news partners of iBerkshires.
