Four Young People Injured in Saturday Morning Crash in Florida

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FLORIDA, Mass. — Four young people were injured in a motor vehicle crash early Saturday morning on Olson Road. 
 
A 2002 Hyundai Sonata operated by an 18-year-old Adams teen failed to stop at the stop sign at Tilda Hill Road next to the firehouse at about 1:30 a.m. and drove across the Mohawk Trail onto Olson Road, where he struck to parked two parked Ford F-150 pickup trucks. The call came in about 1:41 a.m. 
 
The driver incurred minor injuries, as did his two 19-year-old male passengers -- one from Berkshire and another from Adams. A juvenile passenger incurred serious injuries. All were transported to Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, although one is said to have been then taken to Bay State Medical Center in Springfield. 
 
The driver and passengers were not identified by State Police. 
 
State Police said the incident is still under investigation. The operator of the Hyundai was issued criminal summons for negligent operation, attaching plates, failure to drive in right lane, uninsured motor vehicle, unregistered motor vehicle and failure to stop at the sign.
 
Speed may also have a factor, with one Tilda Hill resident posting on Facebook that it "sounded like a rocket ship" passing by his house at about the same time. An image posted to Florida Kiosk shows the Hyundai crumpled and its front end smashed into the front of a red pickup. The speed limit on Olson Road is 20 mph. 
 
State Police, Florida Fire Department and Northern Berkshire EMS were among those that responded. 

Tags: motor vehicle accident,   MVI,   

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NAHA Board Accepts Director's Resignation, Unlocks Tenants Association Office

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The North Adams Housing Authority Board of Commissioners officially accepted the resignation of Executive Director Jennifer Hohn and restored access to the Tenants Association office.

The board held a special meeting Thursday to vote to accept Hohn's resignation and determined that there are currently no plans to replace her.

"We didn't make any final determinations in terms of the executive session so we will schedule another meeting at another time," Chairwoman Leigh Uqdah said after returning from more than an hour session. "Day-to-day operations will continue to be managed as normal by staff."

Per their bylaws, board member Marie Harpin will continue to handle finances, and Uqdah will manage contracts.

Hohn stepped down on Oct. 8 after 24 years leading the agency. Her resignation followed rising tension between her and the NAHA Tenants Association, culminating in the scheduling of a formal grievance hearing between both parties.

The boiling point was the locking of the association's office this summer. Tenants alleged the lockout was retaliation for posting a video on social media depicting improperly functioning door alarms. Hohn claimed the office was locked for tenant safety and to stop the spread of misinformation.

Tenants Association President Corey Fortin asked if Hohn's security access had been removed. Uqdah confirmed her credentials were revoked the day she resigned, meaning she can no longer monitor security cameras remotely.

Jennifer Barbeau, a former city councilor who was liaison to the Housing Authority, asked when the board met to discuss Hohn's severance package. Uqdah stated that Hohn did not have one.

The board also accepted the resignation of Commissioner Richard Lavigne, though they will vote officially on the matter at their next meeting.

The open portion of the meeting was brief, with nearly an hour and a half spent in executive session. Before entering executive session, the board opened the floor to tenants.

"The tenants requested an opportunity to talk to the board," said Uqdah. "It has been quite a while, but we have decided to honor that."

Fortin, who posted the original video to social media, was the first to speak. He was clear in his request: unlock the office door.

"Let's cut straight to the chase tonight. The former resigned Director Jennifer Hohn ordered the office locked," he alleged. "She is gone. The lockout is a direct violation, and the board has a duty to end that tonight."

He cited federal and state laws that mandate the tenants association be provided with office space, including computer and network access.

"We are here with a direct administrative demand. We demand that the board vote tonight to unlock the doors," he said. "Do not let a resigned director's illegal action remain the board's ongoing liability. Open our door tonight, and let us get back to work."

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