image description — The Hoosac Valley High School cheerleadering team celebrates its Western Mass Championship. Members seen are: First row, from left, Taylor Boulger, Aurora Brackett and Captain Rylin Larabee. Second row, Brooklyn Gregory, Captain Leyah Brown, Vanessa Biddy. Third row, Peyton Albano, Captain Gracie Rhinemiller, Captain Cameron Lovato, Captain Eva Akroman, Hanna Borer.

Hoosac Valley Cheerleaders Win Western Mass Title

Community submission09:57AM / Monday, March 02, 2026Print Story | Email Story

CHESHIRE, Mass. -- The Hoosac Valley High School cheerleading team is headed back to the state championship meet after winning a Western Massachusetts title for the third year in a row.

The team is captained by Ava Akroman, Leyah Brown, Rylin Larabee, Cameron Lovato and Gracie Rhinemiller and includes Payton Albano, Vanessa Biddy, Hanna Borer, Taylor Boulger, Aurora Brackett and Brooklyn Gregory.

The team is coached by Nataleigh Harrington, Katie Wood, Sacia McClary and Michelle Mason.

The state championship is March 8 at Worcester State University.

iBerkshires.com Text Ads

Greylock Youth SummerFest

Come join in on the wealth building fun! August 3-8. Click for event details. Insured by NCUA.

www.greylock.org

rk MILES Blding Materials

Are You Ready to Update Your Home? Start With rk MILES. 4 Locations (800)670-7433

www.rkmiles.com

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

Cheshire Hires Adams Officer as New Police Chief

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
06:00PM / Friday, August 21, 2026

Matthew Wright shakes hands with board members and Town Administrator Jennifer Morse on Friday after being offered the post.

CHESHIRE, Mass. — Adams Police Sgt. Matthew Wright has been tapped as Cheshire's next police chief.

The four present board members unanimously voted to hire him after an interview on Friday afternoon held during a special Selectmen's meeting.

Wright was the only finalist for a police chief search that lasted several months. The only public who attended, other than iBerkshires, was interim Police Chief Timothy Garner and Wright's wife.

The board will meet in executive session with Wright for contract negotiations then set an open session to establish a start date.

Board member Scott McWhirt recused himself from the interview as he had worked with Wright in the Adams Police Department prior to his retirement in 2016.

Wright highlighted his deep roots in Cheshire, where he was born and raised, being a Hoosac Valley High School graduate and earning an associate degree in criminal justice from Berkshire Community College and later a bachelor's from Westfield State University.

Now, he is raising his own family in town, following in his father's footsteps by giving back to the community by being a volunteer coach and participates in local festivities.

View Full Story