State officials and congressional delegates claimed victory and expressed relief this week about a recently released report that indicates Otis Air

Boatline Governors See Proposed Fare Increases Across Board Next Year

By James Kinsella
Gazette Senior Writer

HYANNIS - Islanders and summer visitors alike will pay more to travel on Steamship Authority ferries next year.

The only question now is how the rate increase will be divided up among passenger, car and truck fares.

Fuel Costs Drive Rate Hikes at SSA

By JAMES KINSELLA
Gazette Senior Writer

Vineyard and Nantucket governors on the Steamship Authority anticipate that fuel costs will drive boat line rates higher in the coming year.

"We haven't had a rate hike since 2003," said Vineyard governor and board chairman Marc Hanover. "We're certainly due . . . we've had a nice ride of it, but the ride is over."

"We're hoping for a little more efficient operation, but there's only so much you can do," Nantucket governor Flint Ranney said.

MVC Advises Additional Review of Draft Bill for Housing Bank

By IAN FEIN

The Martha's Vineyard Commission last week recommended that draft legislation for the proposed Martha's Vineyard Housing Bank receive one more round of public comment across the Island before it is filed with the state legislature.

Housing bank representatives said yesterday they do not think it is necessary.

The fall sports season is under way for the athletes at the Martha's Vineyard Regional High School, with all the teams other than football having played their opening games. Both varsity field hockey and boys' soccer are looking to repeat their tournament runs of last year - and with a strong cadre of upperclassmen returning to each, they are positioned to do just that.

Six stripers over 30 pounds each were weighed in in the first 36 hours of the Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby, and if the early catch is any indication it is going to be an exciting 35 days of fishing.