Two Arraigned on Drug Possession Charges in North Adams

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Two people were arraigned in Northern Berkshire District Court on Monday in connection to alleged trespassing and trafficking cocaine and crack cocaine from a March 22 incident. 
 
Kayla Stojda, 31, address unknown, and Joseph Mathews, 25, of Adams were both charged with trafficking in cocaine, 200 grams or more, and trespassing after notice. 

The commonwealth requested Stojda be held on $100,000 bail. The court imposed $2,500 bail. Additionally Stojda had bail recorded on underlying cases. 

The court imposed $200,000 bail without prejudice for Matthews, who had bail revoked on underlying trafficking charges. 
 
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts police officers were performing routine checks of the college campus on at about 9:19 p.m. on March 22 when they say they observed unusual activity at 228 East Main St. (a private property next to a building belonging to MCLA). 
 
Police identified themselves to an individual (later identified as Mathews) in the building's vestibule and informed him that he was trespassing on private property. Mathews refused to leave the building, according to police. MCLA officers then requested assistance from the North Adams Police Department. 
 
Campus and city police officers entered the building at approximately 9:31 p.m. and took Mathews into custody. He seemed agitated and was not cooperating with police directions, according to police, and attempted multiple times to lead officers away from the building claiming his girlfriend was outside and that they were supposed to meet up. 
 
Additional police officers on the scene returned to the vestibule where Mathews was originally spotted, located Stojda and brought her into custody without incident. Stojda was carrying a backpack on her shoulder but claimed it was not hers. When officers lifted up the bag they said they felt many small rock-like objects in the bag's bottom. Officers opened the bag and saw a large quantity of cocaine and crack cocaine. 
 
Along with those items, Mathews and Stojda had approximately 1,029 grams of cocaine/crack cocaine in their possession, according to the police report. This has a street value of approximately $61,740 to $102,900. 
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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.

Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.

We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.

In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.

Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear. 

The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.

"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."

Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.

In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.

The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.

"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.

They are hoping their display carries on the tradition of the Arnold Family Christmas Lights Display that retired in 2022.

The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.

In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.

"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said. 

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