Snowy Conditions Cause Accidents on Route 7

Williamstown Investigating Rash of Business Break-ins

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Police Department is investigating a series of break-ins at businesses on Water Street and Main Street that occurred late Friday or early Saturday morning.

Town Manager Peter Fohlin was asked about the crime spree at Monday's meeting of the Board of Selectmen.

"I didn't mention it [in the Town Manager's Report] because I don't usually comment on cases under investigation," Fohlin said in response to a question from Selectman Hugh Daley. "But what you said is true. Chief [Kyle] Johnson tells me they have a person of interest."

According to reports received by iBerkshires.com, businesses affected by the break-ins include U:A Fine Hair Studio, the American Legion, Redstone Properties and Hot Tomatoes on Water Street and Olympic Pizza on Main Street.

The perpetrators apparently broke windows or jimmied doors to get into several buildings. One of the building owners believed the target had been cash since electronics and other items had reportedly been left behind.

New York Man Killed in Bus Collision in Williamstown

The state police reconstruction team is investigating a fatal accident that occurred Wednesday afternoon at the Five Corners. Above, the headlight of a bus involved in the crash lies next to a barrel of flowers.

Update Thursday, Aug. 21:

WILLIAMSTOWN,Mass. — The driver of a small sedan was killed Wednesday afternoon after a collision with a bus.

The accident occurred at about 4:10 p.m. at the Five Corners intersection, where Route 43 crosses Route 7.

"It appears that the vehicle entered into the path of a Peter Pan bus," said Officer Shuan William.

The name of the victim, a man in his 50s, was being withheld at this time pending notification of kin. One person on the bus was taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure but no one else was hurt in the incident.

Traffic was detoured over Brodie Mountain Road for several hours. Southbound traffic eventually was allowed to detour around the crash through Bloedel Park on the west side of Route 7.

The state police accident reconstruction team was investigating the crash.

It appeared the bus was southbound when the car entered its path on the west side. The driver's side was heavily damaged and piece that appeared to be part of the bumper was under a third car, a white sport utility vehicle, parked just north of the bus  next to the traffic island on east side of Route 7.

The bus incurred damage to the front end and pieces of its front bumper were scattered across the intersection. One of its headlights ended up on the lawn edging the store at Five Corners.

Williamstown Police and Fire responded to the scene. The road was still closed and vehicles had not yet been removed at 6:45. The area was expected to be closed for some time.

Lanesborough Fire and Police blocked Route 7 from the south end and detoured traffic toward Route 43. The Fire Department had borrowed a large electronic sign from the sheriff's department to warn motorists of the detour. Hancock Fire Department was on Route 43 blocking traffic there.
 

Williamstown Accident Snarls Traffic; Sends One to Hospital

Former Ambulance Manager Ordered to Repay $240K

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The former general manager of Village Ambulance pleaded guilty Wednesday to stealing $240,000 from the service over a five-year period.

Albert Miller, 59, pleaded guilty to a single count of larceny, an ongoing and continuing offense.

He and his wife, Cara Miller, 58, who was the service's office manager at the time, were accused of overpaying their salaries and using the service's credit card.

The couple first entered not-guilty pleas to the charges in February.

On Wednesday, Albert Miller changed his plea to guilty and was placed on three year's probation and ordered to pay the $240,000 back in restitution by Judge Daniel Ford.

Cara Miller's case is still pending.

The Millers were fired after an audit uncovered irregularities in the service's books in 2011.  The investigation was conducted by state police detectives assigned to the district attorney's office.