Pittsfield Woman Seriously Injured in Route 2 Crash

Staff reportsiBerkshires
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A city woman was seriously injured and her companion killed in a motorcycle accident Saturday afternoon on Route 2 in Templeton. State police are requesting information in determining the cause of the crash.

Lysa M. Ranti, 41, was the passenger on a 2001 Yamaha Royal Star Trike that was towing a trailer eastbound on Route 2 between Exits 19 and 18 at about 3:41 p.m. when the operator apparently lost control and rolled over on the highway, according to preliminary investigation by Trooper David Fleming.

The operator of the Yamaha, identified as 38-year-old Robert P. TaliceoJr. of Chicopee, was transported by medical helicopter with serious injuries to University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, where he was subsequently pronounced dead.

Taliceo's identity was released by police Sunday morning after his next of kin had been notified.


Ranti, a veterinary technician at Allen Heights Veterinary Hospital, suffered serious injuries as a result of the crash and was also transported by medical helicopter to UMass Memorial Medical Center.

Route 2 was closed for approximately two hours and traffic diverted at Exits 18 and 19 for the crash investigation and vehicle removal. The accident remains under investigation with the assistance of the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section and Crime Scene Services Section. The Templeton Police and Fire departments and the Phillipston Police Department assisted troopers at the scene.

State police at the Athol barracks are seeking witnesses or others with information about the crash; contact the barracks at 1-978-249-4341.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Former Harry's Supermarket Under Construction for Restaurant

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Construction is underway to transform the former Harry's Supermarket into a restaurant

Late last month, the Conservation Commission greenlit some tree pruning on the property. New windows and a new door can be seen in the front of the building. 

"It's a substantial renovation that's currently underway here," Brent White of White Engineering said, speaking on behalf of the applicant and owner, Huajie Zhu. 

A fire gutted the longtime Wahconah Street supermarket in 2023, and the following year, Zhu purchased the property for $460,000 two years ago to build a restaurant with hibachi in the existing footprint of the more than 100-year-old building. 

White explained that the project has been ongoing for over a year, and the Community Development Board granted the property a waiver to reduce the minimum required number of parking spaces so that additional spaces aren't needed.  

He noted that, looking at the site plan, there is very little room to do so. A mirror will be installed near the sharp turn on Bel Air Avenue to alleviate traffic concerns. 

Pruning will be done on trees in the southeast corner of the existing paved parking lot, as a number of branches are hanging over. The new owners also intend to patch, sealcoat, and re-stripe the parking lot. 

A fire tore through the building less than an hour after the supermarket closed for the day three years ago. An automatic sprinkler system is required for the new use. 

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