BCC Honors Vaccine Collaborative Volunteers, Staff, Supporters

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — After six months of work delivering the COVID-19 vaccine to tens of thousands of residents of Berkshire County and beyond, the Berkshire Vaccine Collaborative was given a much-needed break. 
 
On Thursday, Aug. 5, Berkshire Community College welcomed volunteers, staff and supporters of the collaborative at a celebration held at the Paterson Field House on BCC's campus. 
 
The celebration honored those who administered vaccines at BCC, St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish Center in North Adams, and the W.E.B. Dubois Middle School in Great Barrington, which often handled hundreds and even thousands of vaccinations per day in the initial phases of the vaccine rollout. 
 
"We're so proud to have worked with the Berkshire Vaccine Collaborative in this critical public health initiative," said Andrea Wadsworth, BCC Vice President of Administration and Finance. "We could not have done it without the assistance of the countless people who stepped up to help, often volunteering to work long hours and weekends to get as many people vaccinated as possible. This was a small way of saying thank you." 
 
The event was sponsored by Berkshire Bank, with additional support from Greylock Federal Credit Union. 
 
The Berkshire Vaccination Collaborative is a partnership of the Berkshire County Boards of Health Association, Berkshire Health Systems, Community Health Programs, Northern Berkshire EMS, and public health nurses. For more information, visit www.getvaccinatedberkshires.org

Tags: BCC,   COVID-19,   


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Pittsfield Man Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On Friday, Jan. 17, Laquan M. Johnson, 29, of Pittsfield, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and seven charges connected to the April 4 killing of Stephan Curley.
 
The Honorable Judge Agostini of Berkshire Superior Court sentenced Johnson to 12 to 15 years in state prison. The sentence exceeds sentencing guidelines, which recommend 9 to 13.5 years. The plea took place prior to the result of a jury verdict from a trial that began on Jan. 8.
 
The Commonwealth requested a state prison sentence of 15 to 20 years, while the defense requested a sentence of 10 years to 10 years and one day.
 
"My thoughts are with Mr. Curley's family during this difficult time," District Attorney Timothy J. Shugrue said. "While Laquan Johnson's lengthy sentence will never bring Mr. Curley back, I hope it offers some measure of comfort to his loved ones. Gun violence affects not only the perpetrators and victims but the entire community. Today's plea represents a step toward healing, offering Ms. Satrape, Mr. Curley's family, and the community an opportunity to look forward toward a new day."
 
Johnson also pleaded guilty to additional charges, with sentences running concurrently:
  • 5 to 7 years for armed assault with intent to murder.
  • 2 to 3 years each for two counts of assault and battery by discharging a firearm.
  • 2 years in the House of Corrections for possession of a firearm without an FID card.
  • 2 years in the House of Corrections for possession of ammunition without an FID card.
  • 2 to 4 years in state prison for possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
  • 2 to 4 years in state prison for possession with intent to distribute a Class B substance.
On April 4, 2022, Johnson shot and killed 26-year-old Stephan Curley of Springfield and injured 28-year-old Dominique Satrape of Pittsfield.
 
At approximately 4:22 p.m., Pittsfield Police responded to ShotSpotter activation detecting five gunshot rounds near 71 King Street. At about 4:27 p.m., police were also dispatched to Berkshire Medical Center following a report of a person with a gunshot wound, later identified as Curley.
 
Police investigating the scene at 71 King Street observed Meilani Eurquhart, Johnson's sister, outside leaning over a garbage can. When questioned, she admitted to hearing gunshots but dropped several spent shell casings when asked to raise her hands. Officers also found additional spent shell casings on the porch.
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