North Adams Police Seek Information on Armed Robbery Suspect

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Police are seeking information on a man who brandished a handgun during an attempted armed robbery on Monday morning.

The incident occurred at about 9:21 a.m. at Quadlands Flowers & Gifts on Holden Street.

The suspect is described as a clean-shaven white man, standing about 5-foot-6, weighing 130 to 140 pounds and with light hair in a buzzcut.

According to police, the man entered the store and brandished a handgun that had been tucked in his waistband. He did not get any money and no one was injured.

The suspect was last seen wearing a dark blue shirt, gym shorts, and had a black backpack. He was running east by Little's Pharmacy on Eagle Street.


Police are asking anyone with information about the suspect or who witnessed him running in this area during this time to contact the detective bureau at 413-662-3105.

North Adams Police Investigate Report of Stabbing

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – Police shut down a portion of Church Street on Saturday morning to investigate an apparent stabbing incident.

North Adams Police answered a call around 1 a.m. from a woman near Church Street reporting that someone had been stabbed.

Nearly half an hour later, police received another call that there was a stabbing and the victim was at 181 Church St. and had sustained serious injuries. The victim was transported to Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield.

State Police investigators tapped off 185-187 Church St. and 181 Church St. and investigated outside and inside of the properties throughout Saturday morning.

The street finally opened again at 1:20 p.m.

The incident is under investigation.

This story will be updated when more information becomes available.

North Adams Firefighters Douse Brush Fire; Warn of Dry Conditions

The fire was in a hilly area off River Street.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Firefighters wrangled a small brush fire on the hill between Parker Street and the Porches early Thursday evening.

Lt. Michael Goodson said firefighters closed off the blaze and knocked down the approximately 1,000 square feet of fire.

"We knocked the parameter down around it," Goodson said. "It was hard because of the thick brush and steep terrain but we got it knocked down pretty quick ... we had it under control in maybe less than 10 minutes."

The fire was called in shortly before 6 p.m. and smoke could be seen from Marshall Street. The area affected was a brushy hillside surrounded by narrow Parker that runs between Houghton and North streets, Veazie Street, the Porches Inn property and the steep bankings on the edge of Bracewell Park.

The cause of the fire was not yet known but the police are investigating, Goodson said.

Scanner reports indicated that some children were being questioned about the fire.

Goodson said the small blaze wasn't helped by the dry conditions and urged residents not to burn at this time.

"Right now it is super dry and the state is not allowing any burning because of the dry weather conditions," he said. "Hopefully, people will listen."

Firefighters expelled nearly 1,200 gallons of water from a firetruck parked at the staging area. A second truck was on scene to supply extra water. Firefighters also used indian pumps to extinguish the flames.  

North Adams Ambulance was on scene for support, however, there was no injuries or damage.

North Adams Police Arrest Two Local Men on Drug Charges

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — On Wednesday Feb. 24, detectives and officers of the North Adams Police Department conducted a probable cause motor vehicle stop on a white 2012 Honda Ridgeline bearing Massachusetts registration #154VW5.

The vehicle was stopped based on a several month investigation conducted by Detectives into the distribution of illegal narcotics in the North Adams area. The motor vehicle stop resulted in the seizure of heroin, crack cocaine, and prescription medication all pre-packaged for sale and distribution.

The operator, Matthew Schilling, and the passenger, Scott Kastner, were both arrested by the North Adams Police Department. Schilling was charged with Possession of a Class A substance (heroin) with intent to distribute, Possession of a Class B substance (crack cocaine) with intent to distribute, and Possession of a Class C substance (Diazepam and Lorazepam) with intent to distribute.

Kastner was charged with Possession of a Class B substance (cocaine).

North Adams Woman Injured in Collision With Box Truck

The RAV 4 was peeled open to extricate the driver. Photos provided by a reader.

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — A 19-year-old North Adams woman is expected to be taken to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield after her vehicle collided with a box truck Tuesday morning.