PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A pedestrian was reportedly killed while walking on the training tracks.

 

Authorities have not released information regarding the incident but that the accident happened shortly after 6 p.m. near Center Street. The pedestrian was reportedly walking on the tracks and the Amtrak train heading from Boston to Chicago was unable to stop in time.

 

None of the passengers or crew were injured in the collision.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Smoking materials are believed to be the cause of a fire at the American Legion on Saturday night that forced the closure of the club. 

 

A fire was reported as being in the walls of the American Legion Drive structure shortly after 8 p.m. on Saturday. At least two dozen people were evacuated from the building and firefighters were quickly on the scene — the fire station is across the street from the post. 

 

The blaze appeared to be concentrated in the wall of the exit on the north end of the building, where a disposal container for cigarettes is located. Firefighters cut through the wall and up to the ceiling of the one-story building. The fire was considered contained by about 8:30 p.m. but firefighters were still using axes to open up the wall and spraying it with water. 

 

Fire Director Stephen Meranti said the building had to be closed because of smoke and the use of a fire extinguisher. The building was going to be ventilated and the building inspector would determine if it was suitable to reopen. 

 

Patrons, who gathered under nearby trees to avoid the rain, were told they would be allowed back to recover their belongings once some of the smoke was removed. 

 

No one was injured but the north entrance incurred significant damage from the fire and the efforts to contain it. 

READSBORO, Vt. — A New York man incurred minor injuries on Friday afternoon when he lost control of his motorcycle and it hit a retaining wall. 

 

Michael Bolognani, 19, of Hoosick Falls, was northbound on Main Street on his 2009 Kawasaki Versys  Main Street when he slid off the roadway and collided with a retaining wall, reported state Trooper Nicholas J. Cervero of the Shaftsbury barracks.

 

The accident occurred near the county line at about 4 p.m. The weather conditions were clear and the road paved. 

 

Northern Berkshire Ambulance Service in North Adams, Mass., responded and Bolognani was taken to the North Adams campus of Berkshire Medical Center. Members of Readsboro Fire Department assisted at the scene. 

Cases heard before Judge John Agostini on Monday, July 30.

 

Robert Turner, 36, of Pittsfield had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on single counts of possession of heroin with intent to distribute and conspiracy to violate drug laws.

 

He was released on $2,500 bail. The charges are in connection with a motor vehicle stop in Pittsfield on June 20, 2018.

 

Cases heard before Judge John Agostini on Tuesday, July 31.

 

John Pierce, 42, of Pittsfield pleaded guilty to a single count of assault by means of a dangerous weapon.

 

He was ordered to serve 122 days at the Berkshire County House of Correction. He was given credit for 122 days served for the time he spent in jail waiting for the case to be resolved.

 

The charge stems from an incident in Pittsfield on July 20, 2017 and involved a 41-year-old woman. 

 

Two counts of kidnapping and a single count of intimidation of a witness were dismissed by the state.

 

Omar Enriquez, 42, of Pittsfield was found guilty on a single count of disseminating harmful matter to a minor. 

 

The jury found that he had sent a girl, who is now 18 years old, images and messages that contained sexual content between October and November of 2016. He was ordered to serve two and a half years at the Berkshire County House of Correction.

 

The jury did not reach a decision on three counts of rape and abuse of a child. A mistrial was declared on those charges.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Two people were severely injured after being hit by a pickup truck early Tuesday evening while walking on the sidewalk along West Main Street.