PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A 17-year-old boy was shot Thursday evening.

 

Police say the new gunshot detection system, ShotSpotter, alerted officers to shots fired at the intersection of Wahconah and Canal Street at about 7:45 p.m. Patrols found the 17-year-old juvenile with a gunshot wound. The juvenile was transported to Berkshire Medical Center and treated for non-life threatening injuries.

 

Police are still investigating the shooting and are asking for anyone with information to contact them at 413-448-9705 or submit tips through the drug hotline, 413-448-9705. 

 

Authorities say there is no indication that the safety of the general public is at risk.

CLARKSBURG, Mass. — The husband of a missing Clarksburg woman was found dead inside his garage on Friday. 

 

Charles M. "Chad" Reidy, 42, of 61 Hall's Ground was discovered in his garage by police officers conducing a well-being check at the request of his family. 

 

Based on the circumstances discovered at the scene, investigators believe Reidy took his own life.

 

Reidy's wife, Joanne Ringer, has been missing since March 2. She was expected to begin a new job that evening driving a cab in Easthampton but never arrived. Her car, a green 2001 Volkswagen Jetta sedan, was found abandoned in Easthampton, more than an hour away from her home. 

 

Family and friends have been posting flyers and keeping up a Facebook page, "Bring Jo Ringer Home," in hopes someone can provide information on her disappearance. 

 

Reidy and Ringer were married this past December and Reidy purchased the home last October.

 

His death and her disappearance are being investigated by state police detectives assigned to the Berkshire district attorney's office, the State Police Crime Scene Services section and the Berkshire Sheriff's Department with the assistance of the Clarksburg, North Adams and Easthampton police departments.

 

Cases heard before Judge John Agostini on Friday, March 31.

 

Jason Pennell, 28, of Holyoke had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on single counts of possession of heroin with intent to distribute - his second offense - and conspiracy to violate drug laws.

 

He was ordered to be held at the Hampden County House of Correction on $5,000 bail. The charges stem from the execution of a search warrant in Williamstown on January 18, 2017. 

 

Terry Martizna, 26, of Lanesborough pleaded guilty to single counts of illegal possession of a large capacity feeding device, armed career felon, illegal possession of a firearm, and possession of ammunition without a firearm identification card.

 

He was ordered to serve three and a half to four and a half years at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution at Cedar Junction on the illegal possession of a large capacity feeding device, armed career felon, and illegal possession of a firearm. He was given concurrent time at the Berkshire County House of Correction on the ammunition charge. 

 

The charges stem from a motor vehicle stop in Pittsfield on December 12, 2016. A single count of illegal possession of a loaded firearm was dismissed by the state.

 

Gregory Frye, 45, of Pittsfield had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on single counts of illegal possession of a firearm - his second offense - illegal possession of a loaded firearm, and armed career felon.

 

He was ordered to be held at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution at Cedar Junction on $50,000 cash or $500,000 surety bail. Frye allegedly was in possession of a firearm when he was arrested in Williamstown on January 9, 2017 on a parole violation.

 

James Scace, 48, of Dalton was found guilty on four counts of assault and batter, and a single count of disturbing the peace.

 

He was ordered to serve two years of probation on three assault and battery charges and the disturbing the peace charge. He was given a one-year suspended sentence at the Berkshire County House of Correction on the remaining assault and battery charge.

 

Scace assaulted four youths - ages 18,16,16, and 14, - in Dalton on October 24, 2015. He was found not guilty on two counts of assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon and a single count of intimidation of a witness.

 

Cases heard before Judge Daniel ford on Wednesday, April 5.

 

Devyn Banister, 23, of Pittsfield had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on single counts of motor vehicle homicide while under the influence of drugs and  negligently operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. 

 

He was ordered to be held at the Berkshire County House of Correction on $10,000 bail. Banister is accused of operating a motor vehicle on West Housatonic Street in Pittsfield on December 8, 2016 when it struck Arthur Meyrick, 74. Meyrick died on January 28, 2017 from the injuries. 

ADAMS, Mass. — A relaxing hot tub soak could have turned into a tragedy on Wednesday night when the unit's motor malfunctioned. 

 

Firefighters responded to what was reported as an electrical problem with a hot tub about 9:24 p.m. The quick response of a relative of the homeowner, who also happens to be an assistant fire chief, is credited with keeping it under control.

 

"He got here quick. By the time he got here, he had fire showing in the cellar around the hot tub, around all the wood that contained the hot tub," said Fire Chief Paul Goyette. 

 

The owners had seen smoke but at first thought it was steam coming off the water, he said. When they realized it was a fire, they immediately put in the call. 

 

It took about four fire extinguishers and 50 gallons of water to completely douse the blaze. There was some difficulty in venting the smoke, which continued to spill from the single family home for about an hour. 

 

"It was a good knockdown," Goyette said. 

 

Despite the small size of the blaze, a full contingent was one scene, including equipment and personnel from the Forest Wardens, Cheshire and Savoy. Narrow Walling Road lies outside the Fire District and Goyette said he wanted the right equipment on hand. 

 

"There's no hydrants, so that's why I called for tanker and I would have called for more if it was worse," he said. 

 

Adams Police and Adams Ambulance Service also responded. There was minimal water damage to the house.

 

"The hot tub is totaled, it will never be used again," Goyette said, adding jokingly, "nor would they want to put another one in there."

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A middle school student was arrested for allegedly threatening to blow up a school bus.

 

Police say shortly before 1 p.m. on Monday three calls were made by a 15-year-old to a School Department employee's cell phone saying, "I'm going to blow up 126 today." The "126" reference was the bus number the employee was assigned to work. 

 

At the time, the bus was in the School Bus Operations Center on Merrill road after completing the morning routes. Authorities worked with the School Department to remove all other buses from the yard and the Pittsfield Fire Department relocated the 126 to a remote and isolated location.

 

Just before 3 p.m. Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad finished an inspection and found no threat existed. The bus was placed back in service.

 

Pittsfield Police continued the investigation and identified the middle school student as a suspect. He was arrested and charged with a single count of threat concerning the location of a dangerous item. He was arraigned in Pittsfield Juvenile Court.