There it was, perched serenely on the 35-17 runway sign of the Katama airfield: a red-footed falcon, Falco vespertinus, the first sighting of its species on this side of the Atlantic Ocean.
The news was heralded on the front page of The New York Times, in the Boston Globe, across the Internet. In birding circles, this was a spectacular event - once in a lifetime, some called it, that a species would be recorded venturing thousands of miles off-course, settling so far from its natural range.
The pilot and passenger of a single engine plane apparently escaped serious injury last evening after crashing their four-seater Mooney aircraft into the scrub oak and low brush just a couple hundred yards shy of the approach to runway 15 at the Martha's Vineyard Airport.
Police and ambulance crews from at least four Island towns responded, shortly after 6 p.m., to the scene at the border of the Manuel F. Correllus State Forest and the airport, finding a dismembered plane and two men, both conscious.
It was in the Italian countryside five days ago that it finally hit
home.
Putting in Place a Plan to Save Our Ponds Costly and Politically
Tricky, Forum Hears
By CHRIS BURRELL
By the time anyone notices that a coastal pond or bay is choked with
floating drifts of green algae, the events that caused it happened
decades ago.
Nitrogen leaching from septic systems and runoff of pollutants from
black-topped roadways and parking lots did their damage 20 or 30 years
ago, said marine scientist Brian L. Howes, a professor at University of
Massachusetts, Dartmouth.
Bus Owners Pledge to Deliver Students
But Superintendent Cash Has Doubts; ‘Unprofessional and
Irresponsible,' He Says of Island Transport
By CHRIS BURRELL
One week after accusing Vineyard school leaders of destroying a
20-year business relationship, Island Transport vice president Scott
Dario abruptly reversed gears yesterday, saying his bus company is now
ready to honor its contract and roll the buses when school opens in just
three weeks.
But the about-face gesture may be too late for the schools'
top administrator.
Postscript to Possible Dreams: Added Prize Raises Final Total
By ALEXIS TONTI
In an unexpected turn following the annual Possible Dreams Auction,
one donor decided to offer two Vineyard residents the chance to buy the
dream that just last Monday slipped through their fingers.
At least one homeowner in downtown Oak Bluffs has figured out a way to solve the summer parking crunch. Rather than rack up more parking tickets, Ralph Nelson and his family are sacrificing yard space in order to park cars.
Old land use battles were a silent backdrop last week when the
Martha's Vineyard Commission had its first look at a new bank
project now planned for the site of the former Nobnocket garage in
Vineyard Haven.
School Committee Meets Tonight; Bus Company Threat Is the Topic
By CHRIS BURRELL
Faced with a school bus company that wants to back out of its
contract to transport Island schoolchildren, school leaders are expected
tonight to issue a stern warning to Island Transport Inc. if they
don't roll the buses come September.
"It's a breach of contract as far as we're
concerned," Vineyard schools superintendent Dr. Kriner Cash told
the Gazette yesterday.
Aquinnah Officials Ask for Public Input on How to Raise Revenues,
Hold Taxes
By JULIA WELLS
How to boost revenues without raising property taxes in the second
smallest town in the commonwealth - Aquinnah selectmen will tackle
the topic at a public meeting this week.
The selectmen voted to schedule the special session during their
regular board meeting last week.
