NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — An early morning fire at 170-172 Bracewell Ave. left about 10 people homeless Wednesday despite being snuffed out quickly, according to the Fire Department.

Firefighters were able to prevent the blaze from expanding throughout the old wooden structure but the residents will be displaced until some minor renovations are completed, Fire Department Lt. John Paciorek said Wednesday afternoon.

"It was good that they were that fast. Another few minutes on a balloon-frame structure makes a big difference," Paciorek said on Wednesday. "It was a great stop on their part."

A resident on the second floor of the building that houses two apartments reported the smell of smoke from the attic at about 3:45 a.m. Upon arrival Lt. Joseph Beverly and the city's group C firefighters used thermal imaging to find a fire between the ceiling of the second floor and the attic, according to Paciorek.

All city firefighters were later called in and had to tear up attic floorboard and break windows to prevent the blaze from expanding. There were no injuries, he said.

"Everybody got out safely," Paciorek said. "Which is great considering the time of night."

The building is structurally sound but there is smoke and water damage that will have to be fixed before residents can move back in, he said.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation but it does not appear to be suspicious, Paciorek said.

An air truck from the Adams Fire Department assisted on the call and an engine from the Clarksburg Fire Department covered the city's station. Firefighters were on scene for about four hours and then a fire watch unit stayed until about 10 a.m. looking for hotspots.

Cases heard before Judge Daniel Ford on Monday, May 23.

Ronald Johnson, 23, of Pittsfield pleaded guilty to single counts of indecent assault and battery on a person who has attainted 14 and assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon.

Johnson was sentenced to two years at the Berkshire County House of Correction on the indecent assault and battery charge and place on 18 months probation on the other. An additional count of assault and battery was dismissed by the state. The incident involved a 20-year-old woman in Dalton on December 9, 2009.

Daniel Seddon, 32, of Adams had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on single counts of distribution of methadone and conspiracy to violate drug laws.

Seddon was released on personal recognizance. The incidents are alleged to have occurred in Adams between November 1, 2010 and Nob ember 25, 2010.

Lealon Russell, 49, of Dalton pleaded guilty to 20 counts of possession of child pornography.

Russell was released on $2,500 cash or $25,000 surety bail until sentencing on Tuesday.

Daniel O'Neil, 44, of North Adams had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on single counts of distribution of methadone and conspiracy to violate drug laws.

O'Neil was released on personal recognizance and the incidents are alleged to have occurred in North Adams between November 1, 2010 and November 25, 2010.

Jody Adamczyk, 36, of Adams had not guilty pleas entered on her behalf on three counts of distribution of methadone and one could of conspiracy to violate drug laws.

Adamczyk was released on personal recognizance. The incidents allegedly occurred in Adams between November 1, 2010 and November 25, 2010.

Cases heard before Judge Daniel Ford on Wednesday, May 25.

Shaniqua Reale, 20, of Pittsfield pleaded guilty to one count of possession of heroin.

Reale was sentenced to 351 days at the Berkshire County House of Correction. The charged stem from the execution of a search warrant at 82 Lincoln Street in Pittsfield on June 9, 2010. An additional charge of drug violation within a school zone was dismissed  by the state.

Thomas Parker, 38, of Pittsfield pleaded guilty to five counts of assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon, three counts of assault and batter and one count of malicious destruction of personal property over $250.

Parker was ordered to serve three to four year sentences at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution at Cedar Junction on the three counts of assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon, one count of intimidation of a witness and one count of malicious destruction of personal property. Parker was also placed on one year probation on the remaining counts of assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon and concurrent sentences to the Berkshire County House of Correction on the assault and battery charges.

An additional count of armed assault with intent to murder was dismissed by the state. The charges stem from a domestic dispute involving a 37-year-old woman and a 15-year-old boy in Pittsfield on January 9, 2010.

Jordan Errichetto, 18, of Pittsfield pleaded guilty to one count of burning a dwelling house and one count of possession of an infernal machine.

Errichetto was sentenced to serve two and a half years at the Berkshire County House of Correction on the burning a dwelling house and an additional two and a half years on the possession of an infernal machine charge - he will serve a total of four years. He was also placed on three years probation.

Errichetto set a Dalton home on fire on April 12, 2010.
 
Howard O'Brien, 59, of Williamstown pleaded guilty to one count of rape and three counts of indecent assault and battery.

O'Brien was sentenced to serve concurrent three to five year sentences at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution at Cedar Junction. An additional count of rape and three counts of indecent assault and battery on a mentally retarded person were dismissed by the state. The incidents occurred in Williamstown between June 1, 2009 and September 20, 2009 on a 66-year-old woman.
 
Michael McLean, 28, of Beacon, N.Y. pleaded guilty to single counts of assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon, larceny from a person and assault and battery.

McLean was sentenced to serve concurrent two year sentences at the Berkshire County House of Correction on the larceny and assault and battery charges. He was placed on 18 months probation on the other charge. Additional single counts of mayhem and assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon and intimidation of a witness were dismissed by the state.

McLean assaulted a 19-year-old male in Great Barrington on September 16, 2009.

Cases heard before Judge Daniel Ford on Thursday, May 26.

Chelsea Sigsbury, 25, of North Adams had not guilty pleas entered on her behalf on three counts of distribution of cocaine - her second offense - one count of distribution of heroin - her second offense - three counts of drug violation within a school zone and three counts of conspiracy to violate drug laws.

She will be held at the Berkshire County House of Correction on $20,000 cash or $200,000 surety bail. The charges stem from incidents that occurred in Pittsfield between Jan. 7 and May 5.

Shamel Robinson, 32, of Bronx, N.Y. had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on single counts of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, one count of drug violation within a school zone and one count of conspiracy to violate drug laws.

Robinson will be held at the Berkshire County House of Correction on $35,000 cash or $350,000 surety bail. The charges stem from incidents that occurred in Pittsfield on May 5.
 
Donnel Robinson, 30, of Bronx, N.Y. had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on single counts of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute - his second offense - drug violation in a school zone and conspiracy to violate drug laws.

Robinson was ordered to be held at the Berkshire County House of Correction on $2,000 cash or $20,000 surety bail.
Judge Ford ordered that he be held at the Berkshire County

Vanessa Alicea, 21, had not guilty pleas entered on her behalf on two counts of distribution of cocaine, one count of distribution of benzylpiperazine, one count of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, four counts of drug violation in a school zone and one count of conspiracy to violate drug laws.

Alicea was ordered to be held at the Berkshire County House of Correction on $100 bail. The charges stem from incidents that occurred in Pittsfield between Jan. 7 and May 5.
 
Alicea also pleaded guilty to five counts of distribution of cocaine, four counts of conspiracy to violate drug laws, two counts of drug violation in a school zone and one count of inducing or abetting a minor to distribute controlled substances for an incident between October 6, 2009 and December 16, 2009 in Pittsfield. She also pleaded guilty to single counts of distribution of cocaine and drug violation in a park zone in connection to an incident in Pittsfield on April 12, 2010.

Alicea was given five to seven year sentences in state prison on the charges of inducing or abetting a minor to distribute controlled substances, three counts of distribution of cocaine and two counts of conspiracy to violate drug laws. She was given concurrent state prison sentences on the other charges.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Pittsfield Police Department is investigating a theft of several thousands of dollars from Pittsfield High School. 

The incident is believed to have occurred during a senior "prank night" during the overnight hours of Wednesday, May 25, and Thursday, May 26. 

Reports say about $9,000 was removed from a teachers' desk. The stolen funds were intended to be used for senior events including the senior banquet, class trip and prom.

There is a reward of $500 for information leading to the identity of the responsible party or parties. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Detective Bureau at 413-448-9705. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A former Adams police sergeant pleaded guilty Friday morning in Berkshire Superior Court to 10 counts of child pornography.

Alan C. Vigiard, 46, appeared before Judge Daniel Ford and pleaded guilty to 10 counts of knowlingly possessing visual material of a child depicted in sexual conduct. A single count of lasciviously posing a child in a state of nudity was dismissed at the request of the commonwealth.

Vigiard was released on personal recognizance pending sentencing, which will take place on June 22 at 3 p.m.

The veteran officer was being investigated after a folder with pornographic images was found on a CD sent to the district attorneys. Vigiard was caught viewing pornography on a police computer at the station on Oct. 29, 2009.

He was placed on administrative leave and then resigned. As of last year, he was receiving retirement benefits accrued during his service but will lose those if the retirement board determines his crimes were linked to his employment.

The investigation was conducted by state police detectives assigned to the district attorney's office and members of the Adams Police Department. 

Cases heard before Judge Daniel Ford on Wednesday, May 18.

Michael Bannister, 24, of Adams had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on two counts distribution of oxycodone, two counts of drug violation within a school zone and one count of conspiracy to violate drug laws.

Bannister was released on personal recognizance. The incidents allegedly occurred between November 1, 2010 and November 25, 2010 in Adams.

Jeffrey Baribeault, 42, of North Adams was sentenced to a two year sentence at the Berkshire County House of Correction on one count of assault and batter and placed on two years probation on a single count of intimidation of a witness.

Baribeault pleaded guilty to the charges on May 3 from the incident that involved a 39-year-old woman in Adams on July 20, 2009.

Nicholas Bondini, 27, had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on five counts of possession of oxycodone with intent to distribute, seven counts of distribution of oxycodone, two counts of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, nine counts of drug violation within a school zone and one count of conspiracy to violate drug laws.

Bondini was released on personal recognizance. The incidents allegedly occurred in Adams and North Adams between November 5, 2010 and November 25, 2010.

Edward Jennings, 24, of Pittsfield pleaded guilty to single counts of assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon and larceny from a person.

Ford sentenced Jennings to two years at the Berkshire County House of Correction on the assault and batter by means of a dangerous weapon and two years probation on the larceny charge.

Jennings assaulted and took money from a 42-year-old man in Pittsfield on March 9, 2010.

Rodney K Lewis, 46, of Pittsfield pleaded guilty to one count of unarmed robbery.

Lewis was sentenced to serve four to five years in state prison at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution at Cedar Junction. Lewis robbed a clerk at Convenience Plus on Tyler Street on October 2, 2008.

Jeffrey V. Williams, of Pittsfield, had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on single counts of illegal possession of a firearm, rifle or shotgun, receiving stolen property over $250, one count of possession of ammunition without proper identification and improper storage of a firearm.

Williams was released on personal recognizance. The charges stem from a motor vehicle stop in Pittsfield on October 23, 2010.

Cases heard before Judge Daniel Ford on Thursday, May 19.

Timothy Kasuba, 28, of Lanesborough had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on two counts of distribution of oxycodone and one count of conspiracy to violate drug laws.

Kasuba was released on personal recognizance. The incidents are alleged to have occurred in Lanesborough between November 1. 2010 and November 25, 2010.

Michael LaPrise, 35, of North Adams had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on one counts of distribution of oxycodone and conspiracy to violate drug laws.

LaPrise was released on personal recognizance. The incidents allegedly occurred in North Adams between November 1, 2010 and November 25, 2010.

Marc Tucker, 32, of North Adams had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on two counts of distribution of marijuana - his second offense - and two counts of drug violation within a school zone.

Tucker was released on personal recognizance. The incidents allegedly occurred in North Adams on November 5, 2010 and November 15, 2010.