Cases heard before Judge John Agostini on Wednesday, August 6.

 

Kirk Palmer, 49, of Pittsfield pleaded guilty to a single count of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.

 

He was ordered to serve six months at the Berkshire County House of Correction. The charges stem from the execution of a search warrant at his home on November 21, 2013.

 

Cases heard before Judge Daniel Ford on Wednesday, August 6.

 

Kelly Simonetta, 35, of North Adams had not guilty pleas entered on her behalf on single counts of reckless endangerment of a child, possession of heroin and possession of lidocaine.

 

She was released on personal recognizance. Simonette is accused of allowing her 13-month old child to have access to prescription medication, which the child ingested.

 

Andrew Saunders, 41, of Pittsfield pleaded guilty to single counts of trafficking in oxycodone and conspiracy to violate drug laws.

 

He was ordered to serve concurrent four to four and a half years at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution at Cedar Junction. The charges stem from a motor vehicle stop in Richmond on June 2, 2013.

 

Rayquan Watford, 22, of Pittsfield pleaded guilty to single counts of possession of heroin with intent to distribute and resisting arrest.

 

He was ordered to serve two and a half to three years at the Berkshire County House of Correction on the charge of possession of heroin with intent to distribute.

 

Watford was given concurrent time at the Berkshire County House of Correction on other charge. 

 

The charges stem from an incident on North Street on December 8, 2013. A single count of disorderly conduct was dismissed by the state.

 

Cases heard before Judge Daniel Ford on Thursday, August 7.

 

Stansbury Johnson, 34, of Pittsfield had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on a single count of distribution of cocaine - his second offense. 

 

He was released on $200 bail. Johnson is accused of selling cocaine in Pittsfield on June 17, 2014.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Lightning stuck an Onota Street home Tuesday night, setting it on fire and damaging the electrical systems.

 

According to Deputy Chief Michael Polidoro, three engines responded to a structure fire at 24 Onota St. and upon arrival found a small fire. Firefighters quickly snuffed out the blaze, which damaged the exterior siding and the utilities on the two-family structure.

 

Onota Street was closed to traffic from West Street to Schuyler Street for more than an hour while three engines, Police, Berkshire Gas, the building inspector and Western Mass Electric Co. responded in the thunderstorm. 

 

The lightning struck the home at about 9:30 p.m.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Police say the driver of the car that slammed into the front of Pittsfield High School in January was high on PCP.

 

The January crash killed Tariq Sally, 34, and Ernest Duck Jr., 37.

 

The two were in a white 2013 Nassan Altima, owned by Hertz Corp., that was traveling more than 100 mph through the Second Street intersection when it slammed into the wall outside of the school. 

 

Police on Wednesday said toxicology showed the driver, Duck, was found to have phencyclidine (PCP) and marijuana in his system. PCP is commonly mixed with marijuana and has hallucinogenic properties. 

 

Duck reportedly had 270 nanograms per milliliter in his system, police say, and studies from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has shown that patients with half that dosage have shown psychotic behavior — such as mania, depression and schizophrenia.

 

"Based upon all available evidence, it is apparent that the cause of the crash is the fact that Mr. Duck Jr. was under the influence of PCP and was not able to safely operate a motor vehicle," according to the police report.

 

Police have also ruled out that the vehicle itself was defective. Police say the vehicle was being actively steered and was negotiated through traffic as it approached East Street. The vehicle's airbag control recorded no diagnostic trouble codes for any component of the throttle or braking system. The vehicle accelerated for the five seconds leading to the crash with only some last second braking, police said.

 

Duck was not wearing a seat belt at the time; Salley was.

 

Witnesses also attested that the vehicle was not being chased, despite multiple rumors following the crash that they were.

 

The crash not only triggered a massive response from the police and fire departments but also fueled an array of rumors as to what led to the crash. Police had suspicions then of the cause but hadn't released any information until this week, after medical examination reports were returned.

 

Because of a large influx of family and friends of the victims descending on the hospital at the time, Berkshire Medical Center implemented additional security measures, which fueled even more speculation.

 

Hospital officials at the time said some secondary doors were locked earlier than normal and the Berkshire County sheriff's department assisted hospital security in ensuring access during the "considerable influx" of people to the emergency room.

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Police are asking residents to report anything suspicious as they try to halt a rash of home break ins.

 

Police posted on Facebook Tuesday afternoon asking residents to call them at 443-4107 if they see anything suspicious.

 

"We expect most reports to be unfounded or explainable, however, if you observe someone or a vehicle that seems unusual or out of place, or a stranger is looking for directions or a lost pet, do not hesitate to call as soon as possible with whatever information you are able to gather. You are not being a bother or overreacting!" Police wrote.

 

"Helpful information could include the subjects physical description and clothing, vehicle description and plate number, and direction of travel. With smart phones so common, photos and video of the incident could prove invaluable."

 

Police say most of the break in occurred during the work day hours. The homes have most often been left unlocked.

"A very common statement from victims and neighbors is 'We never lock our doors.' So, please, make sure your homes and your vehicles are secured," Police wrote.