It's one thing to hire cashiers, clerks and ice cream
scoopers, train them and trust them for a summer's worth of
work. But try hiring 42 summer cops, training them, handing them
guns and putting them on the street.

Scientists cast a wide net this week in the search for clues to why a rare disease called tularemia has a foothold on the Vineyard. They drew blood samples from landscapers, dragged for dog ticks and trapped rodents.

Against a backdrop of growing concern about the direction of
the Steamship Authority and also about a new alliance between
the Vineyard SSA governor and the mainland port communities, an
emerging grass roots citizens group on the Island has issued a
call to reunite Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket on boat line
issues.

"We want to make sure that the focus is on the two Islands
and that they are staying together.

Even though the sun took the Fourth of July off, people
across the Island found plenty of ways to celebrate Independence
Day.

The sharp breezes and daunting sky kept folks off the beach.
A survey of Norton Point Beach at midday showed only a handful
of people, most of whom traded sunblock for sweaters. In fact,
more state police than vacationers braved that territory.

The weather and slow morning nudged people toward their
favorite restaurants for a leisurely breakfast.

Fireworks Marred by Accident

By MANDY LOCKE

Quick response by emergency crews averted disaster when fire
broke out on the barge launching the Independence Day fireworks
over Edgartown harbor.

"It could have been a big disaster. It wasn't. No one was
hurt," Edgartown fire chief Antone A. Bettencourt said.

The accident began about 25 minutes into the half-hour,
$16,000 show, just before a sequence of rockets introduced the
grand finale.

On a Fibar-covered floor at the indoor riding arena at Red Pony Farm, celebrated modern dance choreographer Paula Josa-Jones found a new stage.

When Ms.

It's time to pull out the red, white and blue and join with other Islanders for Independence Day festivities. Edgartown plays host tomorrow to a Fourth of July parade and
fireworks display. If you want to join the holiday fun, read along for details about the day.

Are rabbits really to blame for last summer's outbreak of tularemia and for what could be a repeat performance this year?

Sam Telford, a parasitologist from Harvard University and the newest member of a team sent here to investigate why such a rare disease has taken hold on the Vineyard, doesn't think so. What's more, Mr. Telford is just as skeptical about the prevailing theory that most victims breathed in air particles contaminated with the tularemia bacteria.

Not even a last-ditch effort - complete with a petition, more rhetoric and a town health official's surprising endorsement - could stop the smoking ban that went into effect Sunday in Island bars.

Golf Developers Target MVC

By JULIA WELLS

The developers who want to build a luxury golf club in the
southern woodlands section of Oak Bluffs aimed conflict of
interest charges at five members of the Martha's Vineyard
Commission last week, just days before a public hearing was due
to open on a new plan for the golf club.