NORTH ADAMS, Mass. &mdash A second round of severe storms is set to hit the North Berkshires into Pittsfield through Friday evening.
The National Weather Service in Albany, N.Y., says it could bring more hail and rain, along with high winds.
The city's already been hit by a severe storm that dropped marble-sized hail across the city and flooded areas around River Street, Ashland and Church street as mud and debris blocked storm drains.
The hail started around 2:30 p.m. on Friday, pummeling trees and plantings and rattling windows. The disturbance set off a number of fire alarms, including some at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.
The hail and heavy rain took down a large tree in front of the Ashland Park Apartments and flooded Ashland Street from Washington Avenue to NARA Sushi. Department of Public Works personnel worked in water up to their hips trying to clear the drains and cut up the tree for removal.
Elmwood Avenue and that part of Church Street were covered in mud; crews were scraping it up as the light dimmed on Friday evening. They used the debris as a quick fix for a large pothole that opened that water opened on the east side of Elmwood.
Dirt and leaf debris could be seen across the downtown and someone took a picture of what appeared to be a funnel cloud at Alcombright Field in West End.
A section of Eagle Street is blocked off with cones where water eroded the pavement from just above Liberty Street south on the west side.
Numerous residents posted images of piles of hail on their lawns and decks and flooding.
Much of the rain and damage was limited to the northeastern part of the county; Williamstown did not get much and skies were cloudy but no precipitation south to Lenox.
Temperatures that had been in the 80s the last couple days are expected to fall over the weekend.
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Clarksburg Has Buyers for Cruisers; OKs Exemption Income Hike
By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
CLARKSBURG, Mass. — The Select Board will be deciding next week who will get the town's police cruisers.
At Monday's meeting, it also approved changes in the property tax exemptions, including raising the income limit.
The board had voted to dissolve police department in March and rely on the State Police. The two cruisers, including one purchased in 2021, have been taking up space in the garage ever since.
Town Administrator Ronald Boucher on Monday said Adams, Cheshire and Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts had all evinced interest in the vehicles.
MCLA Lt. Mark Denault attended Monday's meeting and said the college was ready to purchase the newer cruiser.
"I'm here to just hear what the board has to say and where they're headed," said Denault. "We're ready now. MCLA is ready. So if we have a purchase-sale agreement tomorrow, we're ready to cut a check tomorrow."
The Adams Finance Committee was reviewing a possible purchase of both vehicles that night. Police Chief F. Scott Kelley had told the Adams Selectmen at a budget workshop in April that the department needed to get on a schedule to update its fleet.
The cuts include a reduction in hours in the school for the dean of students, cutting the tuition to Drury High by a third, imposing tuition for 4-year-olds in prekindergarten and trimming supplies and training.
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Village Pizza owner Christina Nicholas took to Facebook to announce the closure with an emotional goodbye, explaining that medical issues were forcing her hand.
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