MCLA Women, Men Fall to Westfield State

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WESTFIELD, Mass. -- Jordan Grant and Melissa Gray combined for 44 points as the Westfield State women's basketball team defeated MCLA, 106-37, on Sunday.
 
The Owls climbed to 11-9 on the season, and 5-2 in conference play after defeating MCLA on Sunday afternoon at the Woodward Center in Westfield, Mass. MCLA, which played with just six players and missing several regular starters, slipped to 0-16 overall and 0-6 in the MASCAC.
 
Drury High graduate Brooke DiGennaro was a bright spot for MCLA, as she led the Trailblazers in scoring with 25 points along with 10 rebounds. 
 
MCLA travels to Fitchburg State on Wednesday.
 
Men's Basketball
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. -- Westfield State's Brendan Hamilton scored 21 points and pulled down nine rebounds to lead the visiting Owls past MCLA Trailblazers 83-57.
 
The Owls (15-4, 5-2 MASCAC) never trailed in this one as they took control early. A quick 6-0 burst opened the game and a few minutes later when Kuany Teng buried a three, it was 18-7. The Owls increased the margin to nineteen at 40-21 with 5:59 left til halftime before MCLA (6-10, 1-4) made a little run. The Trailblazers got within 15 at halftime and then tighten things up further in the opening moments of the second half.
 
After Westfield led 46-31 at the break, MCLA got within eight points at 50-42 on a Quentin Gittens drive to the hoop, still with 15:50 left to play.  After trading baskets, the Owls would respond with a 9-2 surge to take a 61-46 advantage capped by a jumper from Gerry McManus. MCLA got within 11 on another Gittens bucket, but four straight points from Kumar Brown put the game out of reach. The Owls led comfortably the rest of the contest as both teams subbed frequently.
 
MCLA was paced by Noah Yearsley's team-best 20 point effort. He was 7-for-19 from the floor.  Taconic grad Gittens scored 15 points in the loss for MCLA.
 
The Trailblazers could not overcome 17 turnovers and a 31% shooting night.
 
MCLA will play on Wednesday night when they head to Fitchburg State.
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North Adams Housing Authority Director Steps Down

Staff Reports

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Jennifer Hohn, the longtime executive director of the North Adams Housing Authority (NAHA), has stepped down after 24 years with the agency.

The Berkshire Eagle reported that Hohn resigned from her position on Thursday. The NAHA Board of Commissioners is currently developing a transition plan.

Her resignation follows rising tension between Hohn and the tenants association. Residents—particularly at the Spring and Ashland Park apartments—have raised specific concerns regarding building security, drug activity, and trespassers.

This summer, Tenants Association President Corey Fortin posted a video on social media demonstrating that door alarms in some of the buildings were not functioning.

Shortly after the video was posted, the tenants association's office was locked. Members alleged Hohn locked the space in retaliation, while Hohn maintained it was a matter of tenant safety. Hohn also stated that NAHA does not officially recognize the association because it has yet to go through official channels for certification—a claim the tenants association disputes.

The dispute culminated in plans for a formal grievance hearing between Hohn and the association. Both sides agreed to hold a meeting on Oct. 3, but the hearing had not yet been scheduled at the time of her resignation.
During her tenure as director, Hohn oversaw significant changes at NAHA, including expansion and the dissolution of Housing Opportunities Incorporated, a program founded over 30 years ago to assist first-time homebuyers. Most recently, she led efforts to transition NAHA properties from traditional public housing models to the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program. She also directed the rebuilding of a Greylock Valley Apartments building after it was severely damaged by a fire.

The NAHA Board of Commissioners meets monthly, typically on Mondays.

 

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