Lee Schools Seek Info on Water Bead Shooting

Staff ReportsiBerkshires
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LEE, Mass. — School officials say members of the Lee High cross-country team were targeted by someone with an airsoft gun on Monday. And they're asking for help in identifying the culprit. 
 
"This afternoon a very upsetting incident occurred," Superintendent Gregg Brighenti wrote in an email to parents late Monday night. "As the members of our cross country team were running down East Street, a dark SUV drove past them and targeted the group with an airsoft gun (or something similar)."
 
He said six students and a coach were hit. 
 
"Fortunately, none of the injuries were serious ... but it could have been much worse," he wrote.
 
The incident has been reported to the Lee Police Department but Brighenti said he's also asking the community for help because "in a small town, information often spreads by word of mouth."
 
Brighenti said it's possible the incident is related to an old TikTok challenge, called the "Orbeez Challenge," in which people are shot with the water beads. 
 
"I ask all members of our community to call the school if you hear any information that may be related to this incident," the superintendent wrote. 
 

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Butternut Fire Expands to Sheffield, Covering 1,100 Acres

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

The fire expanded during to the night to cover more than 1,100 acres. 

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Butternut Fire has expanded tenfold, now covering almost 1,100 acres of forest and spreading to Sheffield.

Just before noon on Wednesday, the town reported that the wildfire near Brush Hill Road off East Mountain had unexpected growth overnight. It spread over 100 acres on Tuesday and on Wednesday, was estimated to cover slightly less than 1,100 acres.

The town remains in a state of emergency, as declared by the Select Board on Tuesday, but first responders assure that Great Barrington is not in danger.

Around 2 p.m., the Great Barrington Fire Department reported via Facebook that "significant fire" was extinguished by using a Blackhawk helicopter to drop 600 gallons of water. Water is now being pulled from Three Mile Pond in Sheffield.

The blaze is being referred to as the Butternut Fire due to its proximity to Ski Butternut, which has confirmed there is no damage to the ski area.

"At this time the fire is more than a quarter of a mile from the nearest structures and there are not any immediate threats to the public. There have NOT been any evacuation orders at this time. We have strategically placed structural fire crews in the areas where there is the POTENTIAL for us to operate in a protection mode to protect homes and property," the town's press release reads.

"In the event of a need for an evacuation order, residents will be notified through Code RED along with in-person door-to-door notifications of the affected area — an information post will be shared on how to sign up if you are already not signed up."

The fire was first reported Monday evening and by 9 p.m., firefighters were pulled from the mountain because of the hazardous conditions. On Tuesday morning, neighboring departments were called in to help contain the blaze.

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