State Plans Closure of Juvenile Court

We've been informed that Mayor Richard Alcombright has set a press conference on Tuesday at noon to talk about the planned closure of Northern Berkshire Juvenile Court.

The closing's one of the many actions being taken by the Trial Court System to stem a $21 million budget gap in this year's budget. Some 15 courts across the state are slated for closure or consolidation and estimates of 200 to 300 jobs lost.

The Juvenile Court  in North Adams is the only space targeted in Berkshire County; administrative office space in Springfield is being closed and ceremonial and storage space in Northampton. The full list is here.

The court's located off Holden Street in the old Registry of Motor Vehicles office, for those who can remember that far back. Probation Officer Alexander Daugherty was able to grab Gov. Deval Patrick for a quick spin through the court last August to try to impress upon him the importance of keeping a juvenile court in North County. The main court is on North Street in Pittsfield.