Pepper Spray Deployed in Drury High Library; Student May Face Charges

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Drury High School's upper level was temporarily evacuated on Tuesday afternoon after a student used pepper spray in the library. 
 
According to a news post on the school's website, the incident occurred during the lunch period. 
 
"The student who sprayed the substance was identified and removed from the building. The police are currently investigating the incident and the school will pursue criminal charges," according to the post. 
 
Any of the students and staff affected by the spray were given medical attention. 
 
It is not against the law to possess pepper spray for self-defense, although minors between ages 15 and 18 must have a firearms identification card and guardian permission. It is illegal to use in criminal actions.
 
Pepper spray contains capsaicin that causes eye irritation and a burning sensation, and may cause temporary blindness. 
 
A cleaning crew as brought in to air out and upper level and cleaning the carpet. The library was closed for the remainder of the day but the rest of the building was unaffected. 
 
School adjustment counselors were on site should any student have needed additional support, according to the post. 
 

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MCLA Announces 2025 Commencement Speaker, Honorees

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Award-winning author and Rice University professor Kiese Laymon will be the speaker at the 126th commencement exercises at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.
 
This year's commencement will be held Saturday, May 17, at 11 a.m., in the Amsler Campus Center Gymnasium.  
 
In addition, MCLA will confer honorary doctorates to Laymon, NAACP Berkshire County Branch President Dennis L. Powell, North Adams Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Barbara Malkas, and state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier. 
 
"I am excited to have professor Kiese Laymon as the commencement speaker for this year's ceremony," said MCLA President James F. Birge. "His perspective on the world and the value he places on liberal arts learning are more necessary than ever as the college reaffirms its mission of providing a life-changing education to all who seek it. 
 
"I look forward to the inspiration and wisdom professor Laymon will undoubtedly share with our graduating class." 
 
Kiese Laymon, Doctor of Humane Letters
 
Kiese Laymon is a Black southern writer from Jackson, Miss. He is the Libbie Shearn Moody Professor of English and Creative Writing at Rice and a 2022 MacArthur Fellow. He is the co-host of "Reckon True Stories" podcast with Deesha Philyaw. 
 
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