Ski Butternut Hosts Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge

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GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Ski Butternut will be hosting the 22nd annual Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge on Sunday, Jan. 29. This is the longest running and farthest-reaching ski and snowboard race competition in the United States.

The day will include of racing, music and giveaways and the event is open to skiers and snowboarders of all ages and abilities.

Participation in the race is free with the purchase a lift ticket a completed registration form. Children younger than 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
 
Registration is open from 8 to 11 a.m., with a race starting time of 11.

Product samples, contests and raffles will be available and all race contestants will automatically be entered to win a snowboard, Hot Finger Gloves, T-shirts, sweat shirts, hats and more.

The Victory Party starts around 2:30 with a raffle and concludes with an awards ceremony for the top three finishers by gender in their respective age and category.

Winners will be presented with a medal, as well as a qualifying packet and lift ticket to attend the Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge Finals at Mount Snow in Vermont on March 31 to compete alongside some of the best skiers and snowboarders in the Northeast. Go to www.SnoCountry.com for more information.
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Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.
 
This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.
 
The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.
 
DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.
 
"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths. 
 
"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."
 
Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.
 
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