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Local Girls Lacrosse Teams Excel at Tournament

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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.”
 
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Williamstown's Cost Rising for Emergency Bank Restoration

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The cost to stabilize the bank of the Hoosic River near a town landfill continues to rise, and the town is still waiting on the commonwealth's blessing to get to work.
 
Department of Public Works Director Craig Clough was before the Finance Committee on Wednesday to share that, unlike the town hoped, the emergency stabilization work will require bringing in a contractor — and that is before a multimillion dollar project to provide a long-term solution for the site near Williams College's Cole Field.
 
"I literally got the plans last Friday, and it's not something we'll be able to do in-house," Clough told the committee. "They're talking about a cofferdam of a few hundred feet, dry-pumping everything out and then working along the river. That's something that will be beyond our manpower to do, our people power, and the equipment we have will not be able to handle it."
 
Clough explained that the cofferdam is similar to the work done on the river near the State Road (Route 2) bridge on the west side of North Adams near West Package and Variety Stores.
 
"We don't know the exact numbers yet of an estimate," Clough said. "The initial thought was $600,000 a few months ago. Now, knowing what the plans are, the costs are going to be higher. They did not think there was going to need to be a coffer dam put in [in the original estimate]."
 
The draft capital budget of $592,500 before the Fin Comm includes $500,000 toward the riverbank stabilization project.
 
The town's finance director told the committee he anticipates having about $700,000 in free cash (technically the "unreserved fund balance") to spend in fiscal year 2027 once that number is certified by the Department of Revenue in Boston.
 
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