Pittsfield Man Killed in West Housatonic Crash

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A city man was killed Saturday evening when the dirt bike he was operating was struck by a pickup truck. 
 
According to police, John Tyska, 34, was westbound on West Housatonic Street when he was struck by a 2022 Honda Ridgeline operated by Peter Schettini, 53, also of Pittsfield, who was traveling south on Plymouth Street. 
 
Tyska was pronounced dead at the scene. 
 
The crash occurred near 664 West Housatonic at about 6:50 p.m. Police, Fire and County Ambulance responded to the scene. 
 
West Housatonic was closed to traffic from Osceola Street to Cadwell Road for approximately four hours while the investigation took place and roadway cleared.
 
The incident is under investigation and police did not report any charges at this point. 
 
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has any information should contact Police Officer Anthony Dayton at 413-448-9700, Ext 543.

Tags: fatal,   MVI,   

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Berkshire Carousel Offer Withdrawn, Volunteers Plan Reopening

By Brittany Polito

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— The Berkshire Carousel offer has been withdrawn, and a volunteer group plans to reopen it.

Tuesday’s City Council agenda includes withdrawing an order to accept a conveyance and donation of land at 50 Center St. (the Berkshire Carousel.) While the carousel, owned by James Shulman, opened to enthusiastic fans in 2016, it has not operated since 2018 after leadership and funding fell apart.

“On January 17, 2025, I received an email from Mr. Shulman notifying me of his withdrawal of the gift of the carousel and conveyance and donation of land at 50 Center Street,” Marchetti wrote.

“Given this set of circumstances, I no longer intend to create a committee to study the carousel project.”

The mayor’s office said it understands that Shulman is working with friends of the carousel group on other operations plans.

On Friday, iBerkshires.com received a press release from a volunteer group affiliated with the Berkshire Carousel, Inc., announcing the course's reopening in the spring.  It explains that when the volunteers learned that the ride could be revived, they began working with the Berkshire Carousel, Inc. to offer an opportunity for it to be run “By the people who love it most.”

The group reports that an opening date will be announced soon.

“We are excited to reintroduce the Berkshire Carousel to our community,” said Janet Crawford, volunteer group coordinator.

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