News
The sun finally broke through the clouds Sunday afternoon to greet the new graduates of the Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School as they processed, smiling and holding hands, into a tie-dye-swathed tent. Nine strong, the class of 2012 — Erica Bartlett, Emma Bleiler, Cherilla “Coco” Brown, Aedan Greene, Elias Brown, Gavin Harrer, Anna “Zen” Hughes, Meagan McDonough and Jake Meegan — filed onto the stage to Neil Young’s Old Man, sporting wreaths of blue flowers and clothing of their choice.
A benefit will be held at the Ritz Cafe in Oak Bluffs on Sunday at 3 p.m. for Sophia Periera, an Islander who is battling cancer and must travel for treatments. Tickets are $20 at the door; there will be live music, food and raffles. “Help us help her with her fight against cancer — that’s the slogan,” said Janet King, the owner of the cafe who is helping to organize the event.
Nine students will bid farewell to their Charter School education on Sunday in an intimate outdoor graduation ceremony. Th graduation will take place at 1:30 p.m. at the school at 424 State Road. All are welcome to attend.
No casino in Lakeville — that was the overwhelming opinion from voters in a special election held in this southeastern Massachusetts town on Saturday. Turning out in strong numbers for the single-question, nonbinding referendum, Lakeville voters joined their neighbors in Freetown by coming out against the casino planned by the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah). The Vineyard Wampanoags want to build a $167 million casino and resort on 515 acres spanning the two towns.
Travel advisory: Steamship Authority ferry service in and out of Oak Bluffs has been diverted to the port of Vineyard Haven today due to rainy, windy conditions. Detailed information is posted on the boat line’s Web site at steamshipauthority.com. Ferry service between Hyannis and Nantucket was cancelled Saturday morning due to the weather. Vineyard service has been running all day between Woods Hole and Vineyard Haven. There is some traffic congestion around the Vineyard terminals today; if you are traveling on the ferry, allow extra time.
The Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) hit another roadblock in its effort to build a casino this week after Freetown voters overwhelmingly opposed a tribal gambling facility in their town.
The nonbinding special election vote was 954 to 308 on the question of whether to allow a Class III casino. A total of 1,262 voters turned out to the polls, about 22 per cent of those registered. Freetown assistant town clerk Diane Souza said the annual town election in April saw a 13 per cent turnout.