Update: The hiker was reportedly found about noontime Wednesday.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Northern Berkshire first-responders are looking for a self-reported missing hiker on Mount Greylock State Reservation.

State Police Sgt. Michael O'Neil said a call was first received from the hiker around 2 a.m. Wednesday.

 

"Overnight he called 911 saying he was essentially lost," O'Neil said. "He was not expressing any issues like he was injured. He was just lost in the woods. He got turned around." 

 

O'Neil said the hiker is a 38 and from eastern part of the state and was unprepared for an extended hike. 

 

"I would say he is not prepared for an extended hike that is why we are out in force now," he said. "Weather is on our side. What is not is he is unprepared."

 

Through the three 911 calls the hiker made, they were able to "ping" his phone and believe he is on the Bellows Pipe Trail working north toward where a staging area was set up in the Notch Road parking area.

 

North Adams Fire, Northern Berkshire EMS, state police, Department of Conservation and Recreation personnel, and Berkshire Mountain Search and Rescue had been on the scene since about 5 a.m. O'Neil said currently they are checking trails and various outlets.

 

At the moment it is believed that his cell phone is dead or dying and they have been unable to communicate.

 

"We can't read this guy's mind and we don't know. He could have gone back to where he started off," O'Neil said. "We are just checking the general area and all of the typical places where people pop out." 

 

O’Neil said a K-9 has recently been deployed toward Bellows Pipe Trail and a helicopter has been dispatched.

 

"We just have the helicopter working this side of the ridge between the reservoir and the meadows," he said. "We have some issues with the canopy where the infrared can't see past. It is thick."

 

O'Neill asked all hikers and others using the mountain to keep an eye out for the hiker.

 

"If people are coming up to hike just keep on the lookout for a 38-year-old male unprepared," he said.

 

 

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Police on Saturday night were investigating whether someone had shot at a house on Liberty Street. 

 

Neighbors in the area called 911 around 10 p.m. to report hearing several shots. Police blocked off the street at the corner of North Holden for more than an hour and were reportedly looking for a vehicle that may have been at the scene. 

 

While officers declined to confirm a shooting, citing an active investigation, their focus appeared to be the home of Raymond Moore, a leading voice in the local Black Lives Matter movement. 

 

Moore said he didn't hear anything and was first alerted when officers arrived and the family could see flashlights shining through their windows. 

 

Moore emailed iBerkshires on Sunday morning and said he had heard what sounded like gunshots while upstairs. When he went downstairs, the police were already at his door. 

 

No one was injured but Moore said he's been getting threats about the BLM protests — one is scheduled for Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. — and his calls for the resignation of City Councilor Robert Moulton Jr., whose comments last week about BLM being terrorist group and trivializing of COVID-19 has sparked denouncements from his colleagues on the council and School Committee. Moulton has already had to resign from his post as president of the local ambulance service because of his remarks.  

 

The local Black Lives Matter group is planning protests of City Council meetings until Moulton steps down. The first rally is at 3 p.m. at City Hall on Tuesday. Both the School Committee and council will be meeting that day to vote on resolutions of censure against the six-term councilor. 

 

Moore on Saturday night said threats weren't going to stop the protests. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A local woman was killed in a motorcycle accident Saturday afternoon on Route 2. 

 

The accident occurred about 5 p.m. near the Florida town line. 

 

According to a release from the Berkshire district attorney's office, Daryl Rougeau, 42, of the town of Florida, lost control of the 2009 Harley Davidson motorcycle he was operating about one half-mile east of the Hairpin Turn. His passenger, Kristin Rougeau, 38, also of Florida, died after being ejected from the motorcycle. She was pronounced dead on the scene by emergency medical personnel. 

 

Daryl Rougeau was taken by ambulance to Berkshire Medical Center's satellite emergency facility in North Adams. Hospital personnel treated his injuries and released him.

 

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Westfield took custody of the body to perform an autopsy. The investigation into the collision is ongoing.

 

Berkshire State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Berkshire District Attorney's Office, North Adams Police, Clarksburg Police, State Police Troop B,  State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, State Police Crime Scene Service Section, and the Florida Volunteer Fire Department responded to the scene.

 

Route 2 was closed from West Shaft Road to the town line for several hours Saturday night. 

 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Police have arrested a juvenile in connection with the Tuesday night's shooting on River Street.

 

According to a statement from Mayor Thomas Bernard, the arrest was made on Wednesday and the suspect is being held in a correctional facility in Worcester.

 

 

The shooting victim, a 62-year old man, continues to receive treatment at Albany (N.Y.) Medical Center for his injury. Wood said his condition "is reported to have improved substantially."

 

 

Police say the man, who has not yet been formally identified, was walking along River Street shortly after 7 p.m. on Tuesday night when he was struck in the neck. He staggered across the street and fell on the lawn at 71 River. 

 

Officer Stephanie Mirante was able put pressure on the wound until North Adams Ambulance personnel arrived. 

 

"I want to commend the North Adams Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police and detective assigned to the Berkshire District Attorney's office for their thorough and professional response to this shooting," said Bernard. "The police officers and detectives involved in the investigation responded quickly to understand the details of the case, to ensure there was no further risk to public safety related to the shooting incident, and to pursue evidence and leads resulting in the apprehension of a suspect."

 

The mayor said the investigation is ongoing.

 

"Finally, I want to commend the work of North Adams Police Officer Stephanie Mirante who provided lifesaving treatment to the victim at the crime scene," he said.

 

Update: July 15, 2020: The victim in Tuesday night's shooting is a 62-year-old man. His identity is still being withheld but he was transported by helicopter Tuesday to Albany (N.Y.) Medical Center where he underwent surgery and continues to receive treatment. 

 

Police say there is no public danger resulting from this incident and that further information will be released after the investigation. Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Vivori of the North Adams Police Department at 413-664-4944.

 

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Police are investigating a shooting on River Street on Tuesday night that severely injured a man.

 

The victim was walking on River Street when he was struck at about 7:20 p.m.

 

"A male about 50 years old was shot in the neck with a projectile," said Police Chief Jason Wood at the scene. "He stumbled across the road and fell into the yard of 71 River St."

 

Wood said officers arrived at the scene and put pressure on the wound until emergency medical technicians arrived. He was taken to Berkshire Medical Center's satellite emergency facility and stabilized and transported elsewhere by a medical helicopter nearly two hours later. 

 

Police have not determined the type of gun or caliber at this time.

 

River Street was closed off from Marshall to Eagle, although limited traffic was being allowed from Freeman to Eagle. The street was expected to remain closed for at least several more hours.  

 

North Adams Police were being assisted by state police and Clarksburg Police. The state police's Crime Scene Services had been called to the scene. 

 

The identity of the victim was not being released at this time. 

 

Wood said he expected to have more information on Wednesday and would be releasing a statement.