Hancock Holiday Nights

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — This December, Hancock Shaker Village will display a month long multi-sensory experience called Hancock Holiday Nights.
 
The 19th century New England setting will be transformed with festive decorations in five art light projections.
 
"If you've never experienced Hancock Shaker Village at night, you're in for a treat," said Hancock Shaker Village Director Jennifer Trainer Thompson. "There is an exquisite beauty, a palpable peacefulness and sense of wonder. We are thrilled to celebrate the holiday spirit."
 
There will also be a fire. Cocktails and food will be available.
 
Hancock Holiday Nights runs Dec. 2 through Dec.5, Dec. 9 through Dec. 12, and Dec. 16 through 19, and Dec. 27 through Dec. 29. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for kids 6-18, and free for five and under. Advanced purchase of timed tickets is required. (Tickets are not required for children ages 2 and younger). Entrance to the Village is ticketed in 15-minute increments between 5 and 8PM. Tickets can be purchased here.
 
Those who wish may bring a simple gift of new hats, coats, or mittens to be donated to Berkshire Community Action Council.
 
Highlights:
  • Timber Frame of Wishes – The Timber Frame entrance becomes a wonderland of lit trees capturing visitor wishes.
  • Luminous Wonder – Illuminated projections by artist Joe Wheaton.
  • Lantern-light Strolls - Experience the charm of Hancock Shaker Village by lantern-light, strolling past candlelit buildings.
  • Goodnight Barn – Visit with our farm animals tucked into their stalls for the night.
  • The Mercantile – Shop for Shaker-inspired artisanal gifts and decor.
  • Festive Fire & Bar – Warm up around our fire pit while you enjoy delicious adult and kid beverages.
 
 

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Pittsfield Police Arrest Maine Murder Suspect

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Police arrested a man on a warrant for murder in Maine after a pursuit Friday that prompted Pittsfield schools to enact a brief lockdown.

Keith Thorpe, 42, of Bangor is wanted in the homicide of 39-year-old Virginia Cookson, who was found dead in her home Wednesday. 

Police posted on social media that officers were actively tracking a stolen vehicle from in a neighboring state earlier in the morning. Thorpe was caught near Euclid Avenue after making contact with a cruiser.

Thorpe is also being charged with numerous motor vehicle offenses and is expected to be arraigned at Pittsfield District Court and to extradited to Maine.

"As a precaution during the motor vehicle pursuit, all local schools were asked to shelter in place and based on the location of Taconic High School, that school was locked down," the Pittsfield Police Department wrote in a press release.
 
"The school safety actions lasted approximately five minutes."
 
A post-mortem examination was conducted Thursday on Cookson at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta, Maine, and her death was determined to be a homicide and an arrest warrant was issued for Thorpe for murder.
 
Just before 4 a.m. on Friday, the Pittsfield Police responded to a single motor vehicle crash near the intersection of West and Onota Streets. The car was unoccupied and items within led officers to believe that the operator may have been Thorpe, sparking an unsuccessful area search.
 
A few hours later, police responded to a report of a stolen vehicle on West Housatonic Street, and a "be on the lookout" was broadcast.  Around 8:30 a.m., the stolen vehicle was located and officers were led on a motor vehicle pursuit that included the areas of West Street and intersecting streets.
 
"The suspect vehicle crossed the center divider, passed cars in a no-passing zone, and failed to stop for police," according to police.
 
"It should be noted that school bus operations were active at this time. The vehicle was eventually stopped in the area of Euclid Avenue after making contact with a police vehicle. No significant injuries were reported."
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