Adams Holiday Home Decorating Contest Registration Open

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ADAMS, Mass. — The Events Committee in Adams has announced the details for the 2024 Holiday Home Decorating Contest. 

All residents within the boundaries of the Town of Adams are eligible to participate.  Entry applications are available on the Town's website and must be received no later than 5 pm on Friday, December 6, 2024.  Once all registrations have been received, a map will be created and posted online Wednesday, December 11.

Contest is for exterior decorations only, including decorations in windows that are visible from the exterior.  Judging will be done from outside the residence only and from the street; community members are not to enter the property to view back or side yards.   

Three prizes will be awarded:  One 1st prize - $150.00 Gift Card to the Adams Hometown Market, One 2nd prize - $100.00 Gift Card to the Adams Hometown Market and One 3rd prize - $50.00 Gift Card to the Adams Hometown Market.  The Community Choice award winner will receive a gift card.

The community is encouraged to drive around and view all the entries and cast a vote using the online voting form.  Judging will be done from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Friday, Dec. 13 – Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024.  The on-line app will be open until 8 pm on December 15 for community members to cast their votes.  A Judging Panel will choose 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners.  The community will choose the Community Choice winner. 

Holiday Home Decorating participants should ensure that all lights, animations and decorations are in place and activated for the judging periods on both nights.

Entry is free as there are no costs or fees to apply to participate.  The Committee encourages residents to be creative, festive, fun and safe this holiday season.

Visit https://www.town.adams.ma.us/ to sign up or learn more about this event.

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Adams Man Sentenced to State, Federal Prison for Child Rape

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — An Adams man pleaded guilty on Friday in Berkshire Superior Court to multiple counts of aggravated rape of a child and aggravated indecent assault and battery on a child under 14. 
 
Brian Warner, 39, was sentenced by Judge Michael K. Callan to 25 to 28 years in state prison. 
 
The defendant pleaded guilty to the following:
  • Two counts of rape of a child with force
  • One count of aggravated rape of a child
  • Two counts of rape of a child, aggravated, five-year age difference
  • Four counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14
  • Fourteen counts of aggravated indecent assault and battery on a child under 14
  • Nine counts of posing a child in the nude
  • Two counts of possession of child sexual abuse material
Callan attributed the lengthy sentencing to the egregious nature of the defendant's crime. In his sentencing memo, the judge wrote, "In fashioning this sentence I have also considered the Sentencing Guidelines, which were established by a Sentencing Commission created by our Legislature and consisting of prosecutors, defense counsel, public safety and correctional officials, and victim-witness advocates. 
 
"While not mandatory, these guidelines were designed, among other goals, to promote consistency in the sentencing process in our judicial system. The guidelines utterly fail in some circumstances and this is one of them."
 
Warner produced child sexual abuse material, otherwise known as child pornography. In doing this, the defendant raped and assaulted a child over a period of two years. Law enforcement uncovered hundreds of images produced by Warner.
 
"Justice was served today, but Warner's crimes are deeply disturbing. When a child in our community is harmed, it naturally causes us to reflect on how we can do more to protect our children. To the survivor and their [singular] family, this outcome cannot undo the trauma you endured; however, I hope it offers some comfort in knowing that your abuser has been held accountable under the law," stated District Attorney Timothy Shugrue. 
 
Chief of the Child Abuse Unit Andrew Giarolo, an assistant district attorney, represented the commonwealth and Ian Benoit the victim witness advocate on behalf of the DA's Office. The Adams Police Department led the investigation with support from the Berkshire State Police Detective Unit's digital evidence lab.  
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