The state's fire control plans for the 5,200-acre Manuel F. Corellus State Forest have come under attack by the scientific community and the Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER), a watchdog organization. The advocacy group threatens possible legal action to block state forest teams from clearing hundreds of acres of woodland along strategic fire lines.

Overall traffic on Steamship Authority ferries is either flat or down slightly for the year, but in fact peak-season summer traffic on ferries to t

Just when the stress of the summer season starts to ease up for most Islanders, it's a whole different story for teachers and children in the school system.

Television police dramas depict officers arriving at the scene of the rape - often a dark public park - where they meet a shaken young woman who de

Labor Day Holiday Marks Turn In the Rhythms of Vineyard Life

By MANDY LOCKE

There's something different in the Vineyard air these days.

The goldenrods stand sturdy along the side of the road. Cars now manage to work their way along Upper Main street faster than pedestrians. Morning delivers an autumn chill before it builds to afternoon heat. Red and white "help wanted" signs hang pleadingly on store windows. Children's dreams of days on the beach fade to thoughts of the first day of school.

Boat Line Forum Pushes Plan to Boost Passenger Traffic with Fast Ferries

By JULIA WELLS
Gazette Senior Writer

A plan to pump up passenger traffic to the Vineyard and pay millions of dollars to develop the port of New Bedford in the years ahead was pitched to the people of the Island this week as a way to increase operating revenues for the public boat line, reduce car traffic in the port towns of Falmouth and Hyannis and open up more space on ferries for Island residents.