The Great Barrington Police Department has arrested a Housatonic man after he allegedly sold drugs to an undercover police officer. According to Great Barrington Chief of Police William Walsh, 18 year old Ethan Morris, of Housatonic, was arrested and charged with Distribution of a Class C Drug and Possession of a Class C Drug with intent to distribute. On Tuesday, February 6th, at approximately 4:19 p.m., following an investigation that revealed Morris was involved in illegal drug distribution – police conducted an undercover drug buy from the suspect. After Morris provided officers with several Xanax pills, he was placed under arrest. A subsequent search of Morris’s home yielded an additional quantity of Xanax, which officers seized.

"These drugs are very potent, and can sometimes be mixed with Fentanyl and cause blackouts, making them extremely dangerous," Chief Walsh said. "I commend our officers for conducting a thorough investigation that prevented these potentially deadly pills from being further distributed."

Morris was released on personal recognizance and will be arraigned at a later date in Southern Berkshire District Court. The department is also putting out a reminder that these are allegations and all suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.

Great Barrington Police seized several pills following the arrest.

(Courtesy Photo: Great Barrington Police)

BRTA Work Stoppage Imminent

The Berkshire Regional Transit Authority looks to be headed for a work stoppage. According to a press release from the BRTA, the transit authority received word late Tuesday that the membership of Paratransit Management of Berkshires, who are represented by International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 404, have voted to reject the “Best and Final Offer” that was presented at a January 26th meeting. The membership has authorized the strike to begin in 10 days from the time of the announcement. The action may also cause the BRTA bus service to cease and halt maintenance that is performed on BRTA vehicles. The BRTA has an annual ridership of more than 600,000, with close to 80,000 of those depending on the paratransit service.

Cheshire Has The Best Water In The State, But Not In The Country

The town of Cheshire was shut out at the Great American Water Taste Test. The reigning state champion as having the best municipal water in Massachusetts didn't make the finals of the two-day competition sponsored by the National Rural Water Association. That’s according to the NRWA website. The Berkshire Eagle reports that the event ended yesterday with a panel of judges declaring the Arcadia Water Utility in Arcadia, Wisconsin, the gold-medal winner, with the state winners from North Dakota and Louisiana taking home the silver and bronze, respectively.