CHP ParentChild+ Program Accepting South Berkshire Families

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GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — ParentChild+, a CHP Family Services program for school-bound toddlers and their parents/caregivers, is accepting new enrollments in Southern Berkshire.
 
The free home-based program provides peer mentoring for parents/caregivers and their young children, age 16 months to 3.5 years, who will be heading to pre-school or kindergarten in the next year or two. The program runs in parallel with area school calendars.
 
Parent Child+ families meet twice weekly for 30-45 minute with an early learning mentor who shares reading and creative play skills that support child development. 
 
Mentors share reading resources and play skills that support child development and socialization, which help with eventual success in school.
 
ParentChild+ is a free, nationwide mentoring program that helps young children (ages 16 months to 3 years), and their families get ready for the transition to school. Participants in ParentChild+ through CHP Family Services must reside in Southern Berkshire County (Lenox and south). Spanish-language mentors are available as well.
 
There are no income requirements, and all are welcome.
 
For information contact Katelyn Parks, (413) 528-0457, or visit https://chpberkshires.org/parent-child-home-program/.

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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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