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Owner of Pittsfield Veterinary Hospital Dies in Kayaking Incident

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RICHMOND, Mass. — The Berkshire State Police Detective Unit is investigating the apparent accidental death of a John Reynolds, owner of Pittsfield Veterinary Hospital
 
Reynolds, 58 of Richmond, died Thursday at Berkshire Medical Center after his kayak overturned in Richmond Pond.
 
At approximately 7:05 a.m. Berkshire County Dispatch received a 911 call reporting an individual in Richmond Pond calling for assistance. Troopers assigned to the State Police Lee Barracks, Richmond Fire, Stockbridge Fire, West Stockbridge Fire, Berkshire County Sheriff's Office, Action Ambulance, and County Ambulance responded for an attempted rescue.
 
Firefighters with the Stockbridge Fire Department rescued Reynolds from the water and immediately administered CPR. Action Ambulance transported Reynolds to Berkshire Medical Center, where doctors and nurses attempted to save Reynolds' life.
 
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner took custody of the body for further examination. The early evidence suggests that the death was accidental. The Berkshire State Police Detective Unit's investigation is ongoing.
 
The Berkshire Humane Society took to Facebook to share their condolences: 
 
"Ever since Dr. Reynolds established his practice in Pittsfield in 1996, he has been a friend of Berkshire Humane Society. In 2012 he became a member of our board of directors and in 2016 we named him our Volunteer of the Year. We will miss Dr. Reynolds on so many levels -- his compassion to animals, his veterinary prowess, his leadership on our board, his service to community, his vision and foresight and most of all, his friendship. Our deepest condolences to the Reynolds family and employees of Pittsfield Veterinary Hospital/Shaker Hill Pet Resort."

 


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Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.
 
This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.
 
The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.
 
DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.
 
"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths. 
 
"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."
 
Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.
 
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