A key deadline is today for the Berkshire Museum art-sale controversy. The Berkshire Eagle reports that a week ago, the Attorney General’s Office faced a judge’s deadline to report on the status of its investigation into a proposed $60 million selling of the museum’s most valuable pieces of art. Instead of revealing its findings, however, the AG’s Office asked for another week. It wanted to analyze its findings after gathering more than 5,000 documents and interviewing dozens of people. A decision that came late Thursday from Justice Joseph Trainor extended an injunction barring the art sales until today. It was the third time Trainor had initiated or renewed hold on the sale. Today, those involved in the art industry, are looking on to see where things go from here as the latest deadline arrives. The museum announced in mid-July that it would sell 40 of its artworks including two paintings by Norman Rockwell, to address financial problems that if not addressed could lead to the closing of the museum. Sotheby's has confirmed that it has custody of works, including Rockwell works. No sale dates have at this point been scheduled.

 

New Dialysis Center Opens At BMC In Pittsfield

The new Berkshire Medical Center renal dialysis center on Conte Drive is now open. The Berkshire Eagle reports that the opening of the Central County Dialysis Center marked the completion of Berkshire Medical Center's three-year, $6 million project to expand dialysis services. The center with its 21 stations is open Monday through Saturday and is treating about 84 people a week. Berkshire Medical Center is one of two hospitals in the state that offers outpatient dialysis. Dialysis patients in the southern and northern Berkshires also have options. The South County Renal Dialysis Center in Great Barrington was fully renovated last year and is open three days a week, serving about 20 patients in nine treatment chairs. Meantime, the North County Renal Dialysis Center opened in the fall of 2016 at the BMC North Campus and serves 35 patients Monday through Saturday.

 

Cheshire Vying To Have The Best Drinking Water In The U.S.

The town of Cheshire is vying for a national title of sorts. The Berkshire Eagle reports that this week, the community's drinking water will be pitted against the best small town H2O from the 49 other states in the 18th annual Great American Water Taste Test held at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Cheshire is the current state champion under the auspices of the Massachusetts Rural Water Association, an affiliate of the National group, which sponsors the two-day contest. A panel of judges will sample each entry tomorrow for taste, smell and clarity, narrowing the field to a top five. The Finalists will be judged on Wednesday to determine the best drinking water in the country.

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