MCLA to Hold Annual Sam Gomez Race

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NORTH ADAMS, MASS.— The Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) Student Government Association's (SGA) 45th annual Sam Gomez Road Race will again be a hybrid event this year, with an interactive virtual race that will be run from March 24 th through March 31 and the in-person event will be held on April 1. 
 
This year's race will benefit Tapestry of North Adams. 
 
Through the event, the SGA has raised over $30,000 for Berkshire-based organizations for almost 20 years. 
 
Runners can register at mcla.edu/samgomez. Community members can also donate to beneficiaries as well. 
 
The April 1 race kicks off at 11 a.m. Check-in time will be from 9:30 a.m.- 10:45 a.m. on the second floor of the MCLA Campus Center in the Achievement Lounge.
 
Virtual runners can complete their run any time between March 24 and March 31. Runners will be emailed a link to submit their virtual time through our partner organization, the Berkshire Running Center. 
 
Runners are asked to post a photo on social media using #SamGomez2023 and tag @MCLAStudentGovernment. 
 
Runners who register will receive a race T-shirt and medal.
 
As of Feb. 21 this year's race sponsors are Becks Printing Company, Inc., Countryside Landscape Services, Donovan O'Connor, Dodig LLP, Gajda, Arnold, & McConnell, PC, H.A. George Fuel Corporation,
Monarch Realty, Inc, RK Miles, Walmart, and The Williamstown Motel.
 
Sam Gomez was a professor at MCLA (then North Adams State College) and founded the school's cross-country team. Coach Gomez believed in the importance of the relationship between the local community and MCLA. 
 
In honor of Coach Gomez and his legacy of giving back to the Berkshire community, each year SGA selects a Berkshire County charity to receive the proceeds from the race bearing Coach Gomez's name.
 
 

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MassDOT Warns of Toll-fee Smishing Scam

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation was alerted that a text message-based scam, also known as smishing, is fraudulently claiming to represent tolling agencies from across the country. The scammers are claiming to represent the tolling agency and requesting payment for unpaid tolls.

The targeted phone numbers seem to be chosen at random and are not uniquely associated with an account or usage of toll roads.

Customers who receive an unsolicited text, email, or similar message suggesting it is from EZDriveMA or another toll agency should not click on the link.

EZDriveMA customers can verify a valid text notification in several ways:

  • EZDriveMA will never request payment by text
  • All links associated with EZDriveMA will include www.EZDriveMA.com

The FBI says it has received more than 2,000 complaints related to toll smishing scams since early March and recommends individuals who receive fraudulent messages do the following:

1. File a complaint with the  Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov; be sure to include:

The phone number from where the text originated.
The website listed within the text

2. Check your account using the toll service's legitimate website.

3. Contact the toll service's customer service phone number.

4. Delete any smishing texts received.

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