image description

Local Girls Lacrosse Teams Excel at Tournament

Community submissionPrint Story | Email Story
DEVENS, Mass. — Two girls lacrosse travel teams in the Equinox Lacrosse program turned in strong performances at The Chill, a college recruiting tournament held Oct. 18 and 19.
 
The Equinox 26/27 team capped off a dominant day by bringing home the championship, battling through a competitive field that featured some of the strongest club teams from across New England. The group’s teamwork, hustle, and determination were on full display as they earned the top spot in their division.
 
The 28/29 team also impressed, going toe-to-toe with high-level competition and showing major growth throughout the tournament. Their energy and resilience caught the attention of spectators and college coaches alike.
 
Athletes from Manchester, Vt.’s, Burr and Burton Academy and Mount Greylock Regional School played key roles for Equinox. Coached by Ken Stefanak and Jeff Stripp, the teams’ strong play contributed to Equinox’s success against some of the best talent in the region. 
 
“It was a great day for both teams,” said Stripp, the varsity girls coach at Mount Greylock. “The girls worked hard, supported each other, and played with confidence against some really talented programs. We’re proud of the way they represented Equinox Lacrosse.”
 
This season marks the second year that Equinox has offered both summer and fall lacrosse programs for boys and girls in the region, reflecting the organization’s continued growth and success. The fall season began in September, with weekly practices for all teams and concludes with teams playing tournaments.. 
 
“Our mission has always been to grow the game in southern Vermont and the surrounding region,” said Edmund Edwards of Equinox Lacrosse. “We’re not just focused on developing skilled players—we’re committed to honoring the game through sportsmanship, teamwork, and a positive culture that teaches our athletes to compete the right way. It’s exciting to see the program expanding every season.”
 
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Williamstown Fire Committee Sees FY27 Budget with Sizable Operational Increase

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff

The Prudential Committee held its first meeting in the new station in late March with Treasurer Billie Jo Sawyer, left and committee members Lindsay Neathawk, David Moresi and Craig Pedercini.
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Prudential Committee last week reviewed a draft annual fire district meeting warrant that includes an operational expenses budget up 9.4 percent from the figures approved at the May 2025 annual meeting.
 
And, with a new line item added to the district's operational budget the total increase is closer to 24 percent.
 
Last May, meeting members — the meeting is open to all registered voters in town — approved an FY26 spending plan that totaled $686,991.
 
On July 1, the first day of the fiscal year, a special district meeting voted to allocate $40,000 from the district's stabilization fund to the operating budget, effectively raising the baseline to $726,991, a 34 percent increase, year over year, from FY25 to FY26.
 
The July 1 meeting moved $20,000 of stabilization funds to the firefighter pay line and $20,000 to the maintenance and operation line — nearly doubling the former and raising the latter by 75 percent from FY25 to FY26.
 
Both those lines are up again in the planned FY27 budget, but more modestly: 2 percent for M&O (up from $123,000 to $125,500) and 27 percent for firefighter payroll ($110,000 to $139,900).
 
Most of the other line items net out to no significant change; some are up a little, some are down a little.
 
View Full Story

More Williamstown Stories