Friday March 8, 2013

Below is a preview of the major stories the Transcript staff is working on for the weekend edition. The Transcript posts breaking news and updates on Twitter (@natranscript), on Facebook www.facebook.com/natranscript, on our mobile app and here on our homepage. Have a story idea or have something to contribute to a story below? Feel free to reach out to reporters or contact Editor-in-Chief Michael Foster at mfoster@thetranscript.com or 413-663-3741, ext. 223.

Cable Mills caught by funding: WILLIAMSTOWN -- An important funding piece from the Department of Housing and Economic Development will not come through for the Cable Mills project, leaving the development in a lurch. Construction was slated to begin by the summer, but the developer is still working to proceed with work this year.

Ed Damon is writing this story and can be reached at edamon@thetranscript.com, on Twitter @NAT_DigitalEd, or by phone 413-663-3741, ext. 224.

Talking transportation: NORTH ADAMS -- Berkshire Regional Transportation Authority Administrator Gary Shepard has a lot of plans to improve rural transportation in the region -- extended hours, expanded routes and small bi-directional buses running every half-hour, which connect with larger buses on dedicated lines.

But those plans won't

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come to fruition without dedicated funding, he said during the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition's monthly forum at the First Baptist Church on Friday. The forum also included ideas on how residents could help local legislators secure funding and about why we need to begin thinking as a "Western Mass" region to secure funding.

Jennifer Huberdeau is writing this story and can be reached at jhuberdeau@thetranscript.com, on Twitter @NAT_DigitalJen, or by phone at 413-663-3741, ext. 227.