NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — D'Amours Big Y was closed Wednesday morning after construction workers were apparently overcome by carbon monoxide.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Area businesses are being warned not for fall for a scam targeting their electricity accounts.

At least one business owner fell for the con in which someone calls up claiming to be from National Grid and threatens to turn off the electricity unless the victim pays through GreenDot MoneyPak payment cards.

Williamstown Police Chief Kyle Johnson said four business owners have already contacted him about the scam, which has been floating around at least since this past April.

National Grid, in a press release, said it has "received numerous calls from electric customers saying they have been contacted by phone by individuals claiming to be from National Grid and advising the customers they have a past due balance on their utility bill."

The utility notes that is does contact customers with overdue accounts to offer payment options, "but never demands direct payment over the telephone."

Colleen Taylor of the Freight Yard Pub was contacted by the scammers on Tuesday morning and immediately brought it to the attention of Johnson and iBerkshires and gave us the scammer's number at 801-850-6225 in Provo, Utah. The number appears to be routed through Ymax Communications Corp., purveyors of the magicJack phone service.

We called and spoke first with a man named Mike Wallace who sent us to his "supervisor" Jason Roberts.

Roberts informed us that we needed to purchase those GreenDot cards to pay our bill because the technicians "have a van with every single customer's information, credit card, Social Security, checking routing number, so on and so forth" and if it got stolen, the thief would have all our information.

That's why if there's an hour cancelation they won't accept a check or cash payment.

No, that doesn't make any sense, but the scammers do talk a good line trying to make it sound reasonable. Really, if your utility asks you to go buy some money card at Cumberland Farms — hang up.

National Grid says to call its Customer Contact Center at 1-800-322-3223 if you receive any suspicious calls demanding account information or immediate payment. Western Massachusetts Electric Co. is also aware of the scam, which hit the Springfield area in July. WMECo customers can call 1-877-OK- WMECo.

After getting off the phone with Mr. Roberts, Charles Anderson of the "National Grid Disconnect Department" called us back, saying a technician would arrive at 2 p.m. to disconnect us. We can't wait.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Several police responded Friday afternoon to help out the state police with a traffic stop.

According to the police log, three North Adams Police officers were dispatched to the intersection of Ashland Street and Washington Avenue to assist state police.

On scene, police were seen searching a motor vehicle. North Adams Police responded at 3:15 p.m. and cleared the scene at 4:04 p.m.

A total of seven law enforcement vehicles lined Ashland Street and three men were seen being questioned by officers outside of a vehicle.

No further information was immediately available.

Cases heard before Judge John Agostini on Tuesday, September 17.

Kevin Reale, 20, of Pittsfield pleaded guilty to a single count of possession of heroin with intent to distribute.

The case was continued without a finding for one years. The charge stems from an incident in Pittsfield on February 12, 2013.

Cases heard before Judge John Agostini on Wednesday, September 18.

Mark Yannone, 31, of Pittsfield had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on 13 counts of larceny by false pretense and single counts of larceny over $250 from a person 60 years old or older and filing a fraudulent insurance place.

He was released on personal recognizance. Yannone is accused of taking money and jewelry from customers while doing business as M. Joseph Jewelers between March 20, 2011 and August 13, 2013.

Michael Vickery, 23, of Pittsfield had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on two counts of larceny of a firearm and a single counts of breaking and entering in the daytime.

He was released on personal recognizance. Vickery allegedly broke into a home in Hinsdale and was in possession of stolen property. The incidents allegedly occurred between January 19, 2013 and February 25, 2013.

Daniel Martin, 29, of Pittsfield pleaded guilty to single counts of possession of a sawed-off shotgun, resisting arrest, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and illegal ownership of a fire arm.

He was sentenced to two and a half to four years at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution at Cedar Junction on the possession of a sawed-off shotgun charge. He was given concurrent two years sentences at the Berkshire County House of Correction on the other charges. The charges stem from the execution of a search warrant on Parker Street in Pittsfield on March 7, 2012.

Eugene Jones, 37, of Pittsfield pleaded guilty to a single count of conspiracy to violate drug laws, to wit distribution of cocaine.

His case was continued without a finding for one years. Jones conspired with others to sell cocaine in Pittsfield between March 9, 2012 and April 20, 2012.

Cases heard before Judge John Agostini on Monday, September 23.

Jerrel Hall, 21, of Pittsfield had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on single counts of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, illegal possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition without a firearm identification cared and improper storage of a firearm.

He was ordered to be held at the Berkshire County House of Correction on $10,000 cash or $100,00 surety bail. The charges stem from an investigation of shots being fired in the area of Columbus and Circular Avenues in Pittsfield on August 19, 2013.

Jamar Holloway, 20, of Pittsfield had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on single counts of illegal possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition without a firearm identification card and improper storage of a firearm.

He was ordered to be held at the Berkshire County House of Correction on $2,500 cash or $25,000 surety bail. The charges stem from an investigation into reported shots fired in the area of Columbus and Circular Avenues in Pittsfield on August 19, 2013.

Cases heard before Judge John Agostini on Wednesday, September 25.

Justin Larimore, 36, of Pittsfield pleaded guilty to single counts of operation under the influence and operating to endanger causing serious bodily injury, operating to endanger, operation under the influence of alcohol - his second offense, failing to stop for a police officer and operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license - his second offense.

He was sentenced to two and a half to five years at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution at Cedar Junction on the charge of operating under the influence of alcohol and operating to endanger causing serious bodily injury. He was given concurrent sentences at the Berkshire County House of Correction on the operating under the influence of alcohol, operating to endanger and operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license. He was ordered to pay a $100 fine for the failing to stop for a police officer charge.

Larimore was operating a motor vehicle that struck a bridge abutment on Route 20 in Lee on August 26, 2012. A 28-year-old passenger suffered serious injuries in the crash.