The 144th annual Martha's Vineyard Agricultural Society Livestock Show and Fair set records in attendance, and participation, resulting in shortage

State Health Officials Document Increase in Tick-Borne Illnesses

By BRIEN HEFLER

Massachusetts public health officials have confirmed eight cases of tularemia on the Island this year, the highest number since 2000, when 15 people were diagnosed. The report raises the number of confirmed tularemia cases to 37 since the summer of 2000 and marks the sixth successive summer that the rare disease has been documented on the Island.

It may be only a few minutes shy of 10:30 in the morning, but as Rocky Magnuson reminds the stream of people walking by, it's never too early to enjoy a little kettle corn.

Fisheries scientists reported this week that despite the tightest fishing regulations in history, cod stocks on Georges Bank declined as much as 23

MVC Chairman Blazes Housing Trail

By IAN FEIN

A pending proposal by the chairman of the Martha's Vineyard Commission to carve a one-acre affordable housing lot off her West Tisbury property has drawn criticism from one of the Island's most vocal affordable housing advocates who lives next door.

Planning board members, who are now considering the proposal, in turn criticized the housing advocate last month for what they suggested was a hypocritical opposition.

Boat Line Will Purchase Replacement Fast Ferry to Ply Nantucket Route

By James Kinsella
Gazette Senior Writer

NANTUCKET - If at first you don't get it right, spend almost $10 million to do it again. That is the approach taken by the Steamship Authority, whose board of governors yesterday approved spending $9.5 million to buy a high-speed passenger ferry to replace the the problem-plagued Flying Cloud. The vessel is planned for the Hyannis-Nantucket route.