PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The 911 system has been sporadically out of commission statewide on Friday and affecting most of Berkshire County.

 

The Massachusetts State Police released a statement shortly before 7 a.m. encouraging residents to call their local public safety departments directly instead of using the emergency reporting system. The issue was affecting both cellular and landline service.

 

"A nationwide outage affecting CenturyLink, an internet communications company, is impacting wireless 911 call capability in various parts of the country," reads the statement from state police.

 

Shortly after 1:30, MSP released an update saying the issue had not been resolved and encouraged residents to contact the local agency needed.

 

"You may hear a fast busy signal, hear a recording saying 'all circuits are busy' or something similar, or you may get connected to a different emergency call center than you were expecting," state police said.

 

"While you should always try to dial 9-1-1 in an emergency, if the call will not go through because of this outage, you should make a second call to the 10-digit emergency number of your local police/fire department. These numbers are available on the Internet and available through Directory Assistance. Remember, it is important that you give your exact location to the dispatcher as it may not automatically display for the dispatcher."

 

CenturyLink released a statement saying full restoration has not been resolved and multiple dispatch municipalities reported sporadic outages. 

 

The Berkshire County Sheriff's Office, which serves the dispatch center for 26 towns, told residents to call 911 but "if you are still having issues calling 911 please call your local police department."

 

Cell phones buzzed throughout the county about noon with notifications about the problem from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency and a second alert was sent at 1:36 p.m.

 

Pittsfield shortly afterward released a statement saying the outage has no impact on its system and residents there should continue calling 911.

 

North Adams, the next largest community that also runs its own dispatch center, has been affected.

 

"In any case where there is a need for 911 services and your call does not work or go through, please hang up and dial (413) 663-3313 which will be routed directly into our 911 Call Center," North Adams Police wrote on its Facebook page.

 

CenturyLink released a statement saying it will continue to provide updates throughout the day as it works to resolve the problems.

 

State police said if one cannot find the local number to call 508-872-2508 and tell the dispatcher the exact location of the emergency, including city or town, and they will connect to the correct department.

Cases heard before Judge Daniel Ford on Thursday, Dec. 13.

 

Tarrin Daniels, 33, of North Adams pleaded guilty to a single count of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.

 

He was placed on probation for one year. The charge stems from a motor vehicle stop in North Adams on January 18, 2018.

 

Cases heard before Judge Daniel Ford on Friday, Dec. 14.

 

Randy Ruusukallio, 35, of Pittsfield had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on single counts of assault and battery on a correctional officer, assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon, and assault and battery on a disabled person.

 

He was ordered to be held at the Hampshire County House of Correction on $2,500 bail. Ruusukallio is accused of assaulting a 60-year-old employee of the Berkshire County House of Correction on October 31, 2018.

 

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

 

William Belisle, 63, of Lee had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on 10 counts of illegal possession of a large capacity feeding device, three counts of illegal ownership of a rifle, two counts of illegal ownership of a firearm, two counts of improper storage of a firearm, and single counts of possession of ammunition without a firearm identification card, and threat to commit a crime, to wit: assault by means of a dangerous weapon.

 

He was released on personal recognizance. The charges stem from the execution of a search warrant at Belisle's home on September 27, 2018.

 

Jeffrey Roraback, 49, of Great Barrington had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on single counts of possession materials depicting a child in sexual conduct, and disseminating visual material of a child in a state of nudity or sexual conduct.

 

He was released on $2,500 bail. Roraback is accused of distributing child pornography on June 25, 2018 and possessing materials depicting a child in sexual conduct during the execution of a search warrant at his home on September 11, 2018.

 

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

 

Gerard Menard Jr., 40, of Dalton pleaded guilty to single counts of breaking and entering in the nighttime and larceny from a building.

 

He was ordered to serve concurrent two to three years at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution at Cedar Junction. Menard broke into Lipton Mart on South Street in Pittsfield on April 18, 2018.

 

Cases heard before Judge Daniel Ford on Friday, Dec. 21.

 

Hassan Delia, 30, of North Adams had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on single counts of trafficking in heroin, trafficking in cocaine, illegal ownership of a firearm, improper storage of a firearm, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, and failure to stop for a police officer.

 

He was ordered to be held at the Berkshire County House of Correction on $30,000 bail. The charges stem from a motor vehicle stop in North Adams and the execution of a search warrant at his home on November 4, 2018.

 

David Mackie, 38, of Pittsfield pleaded guilty to single counts of possession of heroin with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of oxycodone with intent to distribute, possession of clonazepam with intent to distribute, and possession of lorazepam with intent to distribute. 

 

He was ordered to serve 29 days of a two-year sentence to the Berkshire County House of Correction. He was also placed on probation for two years. 

 

The charges stem from the execution of a search warrant at his home on January 8, 2018. 

 

Lionel Vega, 51, of Pittsfield pleaded guilty to three counts of assault and battery on a family or household member, and single counts of strangulation or suffocation, threat to commit a crime, to wit: murder, resisting arrest, and disturbing the peace.

 

He was given concurrent six-month sentences to the Berkshire County House of Correction on the threat to commit a crime charge. He was placed on 18-months probation on the assault and battery on a family or household member and strangulation or suffocation charges. The charge of resisting arrest was dismissed.

 

The incidents occurred in Pittsfield on August 5, 2017 and involved a 43-year-old woman. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Family Dollar on North Street was robbed at gunpoint Tuesday night. 

 

Police say at about 4:05 p.m. the robbery was reported. An individual described as being a black man wearing a dark-colored trench coat, hooded sweatshirt, sunglasses, and possibly a wig, showed a gun to the clerk at the registered and demanded money. 

 

The man took an undisclosed amount of cash and then fled the store and was last seen running toward the rear of Advanced Auto Parts. Officers attempted to track the individual.

 

No one was injured during the robbery and Police are now conducting an investigation including reviewing video surveillance. Police say a number of leads are being tracked down and photos of the suspect are not currently being released.

 

However, if anybody has any information regarding it, they are asked to contact the Detective Unit at 413-448-9705.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Police were able to secure a scene in which an individual made threats to harm themselves.

 

Authorities say at 12:45 p.m. the department received a call about the individual and that the subject had access to a firearm. There was at least one other person inside the home with the subject.

 

Officers established a command post and staging area, bringing in additional resources. Police were able to speak with both the despondent subject and the other occupant. By 1:34 p.m., the scene was declared secured.

 

There were no injuries, arrests or charges. Police said several firearms were removed for safekeeping. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Police are investigating a shooting that sent a 19-year-old man to the hospital.

 

Police say Sunday night at 7:12 ShotSpotter activated for gunfire in the area of Francis Avenue and Union Street. Responding officers found the man with a gunshot wound to the leg.

 

The victim was transported to Berkshire Medical Center and was uncooperative with officers attempting to interview him, according to police. The injuries were determined to be non-life threatening. 

 

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact the Detective Unit as 413-448- 9705.