Raceway Media Magazine joins Racing Against Cancer Team

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Raceway Media Magazine is teaming up with Racing Against Cancer to help drive the cause to victory lane. The North Adams, Massachusetts-based company has agreed to donate 10 percent of new subscription revenues from Raceway Media Magazine, signed through the Racing Against Cancer website, to the Racing Against Cancer organization. The goal is to increase awareness of the Racing Against Cancer effort, and to offer racing fans an opportunity to get involved. While visiting RacingAgainstCancer.com, visitors can click on an icon for Raceway Media Magazine and subscribe online. Ten percent of the subscription cost will automatically be forwarded to Racing Against Cancer. "Our magazine reaches thousands of racing fans, who share a concern about the devastating toll of cancer," said Raceway Media's Paul Renaud. "Racing Against Cancer is a magnificent organization and we're glad to help out in any way we can." Even if a new subscriber does not sign up through the Racing Against Cancer website, ten percent of the cost will be donated to Racing Against Cancer if the subscriber mentions the cause when ordering by telephone, or by noting on a payment check. "The racing community, fans, racers and media alike, have really shown a willingness to join the fight against cancer," said Scott Gregory of Racing Against Cancer. "This affiliation with Raceway Media Magazine will help us reach even more people, and hopefully, raise more money for cancer research." The Racing Against Cancer Program is a 501C3 non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds for cancer research, patient services, youth tobacco educational programs, and awareness. For more information on the Racing Against Cancer team and its associated projects and promotions, visit the website at RacingAgainstCancer.com. Raceway Media Magazine is a quarterly publication highlighting the Northeast Racing scene. The magazine features color photos, interviews, driver profiles, racing statistics, standings, schedules and more. The company also manages RacewayMedia.com, featuring constantly updated racing information, photos and events coverage. For more information, visit RacingAgainstCancer.com or RacewayMedia.com. For magazine orders via the web visit http://www.RacingAgainstCancer.com or call Raceway Media direct at (413) 663-3496. Mail in orders can be submitted by sending a check with name, address, city, state and zip for $9.95 to Raceway Media Magazine, 121 Union St. North Adams, MA 01247
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Armed North Adams Man Arrested Following Domestic Standoff

Staff Reports

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Matthew Parker, a 44-year-old North Adams man, is set to face multiple counts of attempted murder and weapons charges in Northern Berkshire District Court on Friday morning following an hours-long, armed standoff at a Houghton Street home.

The defendant is being arraigned for:

  • Domestic Assault and Battery
  • Assault with the Intent to Murder (3 counts)
  • Carrying a Firearm While Under the Influence of Alcohol (3 counts)
  • Possession of a hi-capacity firearm (4 counts)
  • Improper Storage of a hi-capacity firearm (2 counts)
  • Improper Storage of a firearm (6 counts)

According to a report, on June 10, at approximately 8:42 p.m., officers responded to 365 Houghton St. following a report of a domestic assault and battery. The caller said she and her husband had been involved in a physical altercation.

She said her husband was intoxicated, making suicidal statements about shooting himself, and had access to both a shotgun and a pistol.

Upon arrival, officers made contact with both the caller and Parker. During the encounter, Parker threatened to shoot officers before retreating into the home and refusing to exit.

Officers believed that Parker was armed.

To ensure public safety, police established a perimeter around the home and requested assistance from the Berkshire County Special Response Team (SRT) and North Adams Police crisis negotiators. The Brien Center was also contacted and promptly provided an emergency mental health clinician to assist with the incident.

Special Response Team personnel deployed drones to monitor the residence and provide aerial illumination. During the operation, officers saw Parker exit the house carrying a rifle. He pointed it at the drones, stated a report. Parker subsequently pointed the rifle toward several officers positioned behind their cruisers. After officers attempted to de-escalate the situation, Parker returned inside the residence.

Trained crisis negotiators maintained communication with Parker for several hours in an effort to peacefully resolve the situation. At approximately 2 a.m., Parker ceased communication with negotiators.

Drone operators later observed Parker unconscious in a recliner on the first floor of the residence, with a rifle and shotgun on the floor nearby.

Members of the Berkshire County SRT then executed a coordinated operation. Diversionary devices were deployed through a window while an entry team simultaneously entered the home, secured the firearms, and took the defendant into custody.

A search warrant was executed after Parker was in custody. North Adams Police seized four shotguns, six rifles, two handguns, and thousands or rounds of ammunition from the home.

During the operation, one SRT member sustained a minor injury related to a less-lethal bean bag deployment. Parker also sustained non-life threatening injuries during the arrest and was transported to Berkshire Medical Center for medical evaluation.

"We thank the community for its patience and cooperation throughout this incident, particularly residents in the affected area who complied with temporary shelter-in-place requests," Police Chief Mark Bailey said.  "The North Adams Police Department extends its sincere appreciation to the agencies that provided mutual aid and assisted by handling calls for service during this incident. We are especially grateful to the Berkshire County Special Response Team for its professional and decisive response, the Brien Center for the rapid deployment of a mental health clinician, and our crisis negotiators whose efforts helped maintain dialogue and contributed significantly to the safe resolution of this incident."

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