Police Continue to Investigate Fraudulent ATM Withdrawals

The Martha’s Vineyard Savings Bank, local police and the FBI are continuing to investigate automatic teller machine skimming devices that led to the theft of about $180,000 from various bank customers early this month.

This week, more information has emerged about fraudulent withdrawals made on customer accounts over Labor Day weekend. The scam took place at a Martha’s Vineyard Savings Bank ATM in Oak Bluffs, but police said members of other banks were also impacted.

High Risk Nurse Leads Way in Preventive Care

Patients with cancer, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension and renal dialysis all fall under Cheryl Kram’s purview. She’s not their doctor — and she reminds them that she is not their mother — but Ms. Kram is certainly their advocate.

Ms. Kram is the high-risk care manager for Martha’s Vineyard Hospital’s new integrated care management program. The world of medically complex ailments can be overwhelming and foreign, Ms. Kram said in an interview this week, but knowledge is power.

Sheldon Hackney Was Noted Historian and Humanitarian

Sheldon Hackney, a noted historian, humanitarian and longtime Vineyard resident, died Thursday, Sept. 12, at home, surrounded by his family. He was 79. The cause was amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Mr. Hackney was a well-known figure on and off the Vineyard. Born in Alabama, he was a professor of Southern history who became president of Tulane University and later the University of Pennsylvania and served as chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities during the Clinton administration.

Oyster Farms on Ice

September quiet settled over Katama Bay this week, as a handful of sailboats scudded in and out of the harbor. It was quiet too on the twelve oyster farms scattered across the broad saltwater bay that lies at the eastern end of Edgartown.

Vacant Downtown Businesses Cause of Concern in Oak Bluffs

As the summer season comes to a close, business owners in Oak Bluffs begin to reflect on the season, its successes and failures. And they start to plan for next season.

Representatives of town government and the Oak Bluffs Association have also begun a discussion of the summer’s economic performance.

Continued Deferrals Over Circuit Avenue Lot Raises Ire of Owner

A months-long dispute between the Oak Bluffs selectmen and a Circuit avenue businessman came to a head this week when the owner of an unbuilt lot at 16 Circuit avenue saw fresh opposition to his latest proposal for a business venture.

Menemsha Boathouse Construction Begins

The summer crowds and seasonal yachts have left Menemsha and were replaced this week by a 55-by-185-foot barge and crane for construction of the new U.S. Coast Guard boathouse.

The large barge arrived Tuesday night in Menemsha harbor, tugged in by the Jaguar of New Bedford and the Patrick J. Hunt of Narragansett, R.I.

“It’s finally here, which is a great thing,” said Lou Vinciguerra, project manager for the Coast Guard boathouse.

Program Gives Students Tools, Toys to Choose Own Adventure

Only a few weeks into the job, and already regional high school vocational director Bob Drobneck was on a mission. It was a late Wednesday afternoon when Mr. Drobneck climbed into his black sedan, one of a handful of cars still remaining on school grounds at the end of the day, and pulled out onto the Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road.

Chilmark Green-lights Landfill Solar Array

Chilmark will contract with the local energy cooperative Vineyard Power to build the town’s first solar array.

Pending final approval from town counsel, the Chilmark selectmen Tuesday voted to approve a contract for about 530 solar panels at the town landfill off Tabor House Road. The 173-kilowatt system is planned to produce up to 215,000 kilowatt hours a year, enough energy to power the town buildings.

The project will cost $1.25 million to build and is being financed by an unnamed Chilmark resident.

Trash Pickup Triggers Noise Complaints

Tisbury selectmen issued a warning to town trash pickup vendors and truck delivery companies this week after complaints continued to surface about early morning deliveries in violation of a town bylaw. Building inspector Ken Barwick told the selectmen Tuesday that he had spoken with both Bruno’s and ABC companies, but complaints continued about truck activity before 7 a.m. Mr. Barwick said he was also talking with other truckers who deliver in town.

A town bylaw prohibits noise before 7 a.m. in residential neighborhoods.

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