Downing Sets 'Coffee & Conversation' in Peru

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PERU, Mass. — State Sen. Benjamin B. Downing, D-Pittsfield, is bringing his rolling series of open monthly meetings, dubbed Coffee & Conversation, to Peru on Friday, Sept. 18.

It will be held at the Peru Community Center, located downstairs at Town Hall, 3 East Main St., from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Downing hosts these public forums 10 months out of the year, rotating them through communities across his Berkshire, Hampshire and Franklin counties Senate district.

"Holding roving office hours in communities throughout my district will create an additional platform by which my constituents may be heard," said Downing. "People will be able to share with me the issues affecting them, and become more engaged in state government."

All are welcome to drop by the conversation to register their thoughts, ideas and concerns, or to simply say hello and share a cup of joe.

Downing will provide the free coffee and open, unscripted conversation to all people interested in speaking with their state senator face to face about issues ranging from housing and economic development to human services and health care and everything in between.

While Downing's community relations and constituent services hub is his 20 Bank Row district office in Pittsfield, he said he recognizes that serving the largest, most rural district presents communication gaps that he intends to fill. Downing's district, comprised of 48 municipalities in the westernmost counties of Massachusetts, covers the widest geographic area in the Senate. His Pittsfield office is open during normal business hours Monday through Friday, and walk-ins are always welcome.

To learn about future Coffee & Conversation events, visit www.senatordowning.com and click on "Upcoming Events."
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Multiple Departments Respond to Lanesborough Structure Fire

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Multiple fire departments responded to a structure fire off Narragansett Avenue on Wednesday afternoon. 

The Fire Department received a call from the owner of 6 Bangor St. reporting a smoke and flames at around 1:44 p.m.

Firefighters arriving on scene reported heavy smoke emanating from the the 1940s single-family ranch home in the thickly settle neighborhood.

The blaze was brought under control in less than an hour and there were no civilian or firefighter injuries. 

"The homeowner was outside doing some work, evidently, opened the door when she came back in the house, and there were flames and smoke, so she backed out and called us, and that's all we know right now," Deputy Fire Chief Glen Storie said around 2:35 p.m. 

The fire was out at that time, and first responders observed "quite a bit of damage" to the home. The cause is still under investigation. 

Lanesborough, Cheshire, and Pittsfield departments responded to the scene, and Hancock covered the station during the call. 

"The first crew in knocked the fire right down with the first engine," Storie said. 

Smoke could be seen coming from the back of the home. Part of Narragansett Avenue and Bangor Avenue were blocked off while firefighters battled the blaze. 

 

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