Attorney General Maura Healey’s office in September was only a few weeks into its investigation into the Berkshire Museum's proposed art sales. At that time the office suggested privately to museum officials that they might need a court's permission to sell the works. That was not what the museum wanted to hear. The Berkshire Eagle reports that on Friday, that same remedy seemed to provide a breakthrough. If a recent petition to the Supreme Judicial Court is successful, the museum will be back in the driver's seat, and able to sell art works. A move they say is needed to fix their financial woes. According to the Eagle, the AG’s Office, which in November lost the only court ruling to date on the issue, faced the likelihood of coming up short again, due to a state law that gives the office oversight of public charities, but limits their power over how they are run. The deal announced will keep Norman the Rockwell painting, "Shuffleton's Barbershop" accessible to the public, and include a lengthy exhibition in the Berkshires, but that painting and possibly 39 other works would likely be sold outside the county. The local arts advocacy group, Save the Art, was planning to meet today (Monday) to discuss options.

 

Up To 3 Years In State Prison For A New York Woman

A New York woman who was found in the road with a bloodied face, missing teeth and carrying tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of heroin, has been sentenced to up to three years in prison. The Berkshire Eagle reports that 30 year old Deidra Walker, of Port Jervis, was found injured and bleeding on Stoddard Avenue in Pittsfield shortly after 7 a.m. on March 26th of last year. According to police, she said she was injured after jumping from a moving vehicle, but refused to disclose anything further. She pleaded guilty in Berkshire Superior Court on Friday to one count of possession of heroin with intent to distribute and was sentenced to 2 1\2 to 3 years in state prison.

 

Paid Administrative Leave For Lee’s DPW Superintendent

The top guy at the Lee Department of Public Works is ow off the job until further notice. The Berkshire Eagle is reporting that according to Lee/Lenox Chief Administrative Officer Christopher Ketchen, DPW Superintendent Christopher Pompi has been placed on paid administrative leave. Ketchen told the newspaper that he placed on leave on February 2nd, but he wouldn’t give any details as to why. The Eagle says that it has been unable to reach Pompi for comment. In Pompi's absence, according to Ketchen, the heads of the DPW's highway, water and sewer divisions will report directly to him. Pompi was hired nearly 14 years ago to lead the local DPW.

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