State Officials Confirm Probe of Doctor in Island Prescription Drug Abuse Case

Officials at the state medical licensing board confirmed this week that their agency last year began investigating allegations that a Vineyard physician was abusing the highly addictive prescription drug, OxyContin, and writing excessive prescriptions for the drug.

Town and Wireless Telephone Company Clash

The Edgartown planning board criticized wireless phone companies Tuesday night for claiming space on the North street telephone tower.

"When is enough enough? When do we get to say enough is enough?" asked planning board chairman Norman Rankow of representatives from AT&T Wireless.

The standoff took place during a public hearing for AT&T's request to replace three antennas, add six cables and install an air conditioner and radio equipment at the North street tower site - one of only two in Edgartown.

Cruise Liners Bolster Harbor

The Oak Bluffs harbor is a money machine for the town, but the question facing leaders after yet another record-breaking year of revenue is whether they can squeeze more cash from the operation.

Golf Plan Stirs Heated MVC Debate Over Club Membership Restrictions

The developer of the Down Island Golf Club told the Martha's
Vineyard Commission last week that the members of the private luxury
golf complex he hopes to build will be "rich people" who
will bring no real benefit to the town of Oak Bluffs or the Island.

Report Finds Windfall for Golf Developer

Report Finds Windfall for Golf Developer

By JULIA WELLS
Gazette Senior Writer

The developers of the Down Island Golf Club stand to clear more than
$70 million in profits if they are permitted to build a private luxury
golf club in the southern woodlands section of Oak Bluffs, while the
financial benefits to the town and the Vineyard community will be
minimal by comparison.

Chasing the Bass and the Blues: It Will cost You a Few Extra Bucks

Chasing the Bass and the Blues: It Will Cost You a Few Extra Bucks

By BRETT FERRY

During the month-long fishing derby, while derby fever is running
high, people may be questioning what it takes to be a contender in this
local, world-class event.

Sure, you can hang around the tackle shops or diners and pick up on
the buzz - where the hot spots are, what time of day to be there,
what the fish are eating. But what if you're a greenhorn, a
landlubber without any gear? Where do you start? And, more importantly,
what kind of damage will it do to your wallet?

Community Services Marks Anniversary with Tributes to Volunteers and Staff

Community Services Marks Anniversary with Tributes to Volunteers and
Staff

By MANDY LOCKE

The staff, volunteers and supporters of Martha's Vineyard
Community Services gathered together Saturday night to offer one last
happy birthday to the 40-year-old health and human services agency.

Community Services embraced middle age in style this year, and the
evening's tribute to volunteers and employees was no exception.

Charges Are Possible in Auto Death Case

Cape and Island prosecutors are seeking to charge a former Tisbury
police officer with placing a fake inspection sticker on a 1979 Jeep.
The vehicle in question later crashed in an accident blamed on defective
steering, killing high school senior Eric MacLean.

New Bedford Distorts Fast Ferry Picture

New Bedford Distorts Fast Ferry Picture

By JULIA WELLS
Gazette Senior Writer

The pitch came fast and hard at the last Steamship Authority meeting
for new high-speed ferry service between New Bedford and the Vineyard
next summer. David J. Oliveira, the freshman member of the boat line
board from New Bedford, said a new ferry was under construction and
would be ready to go by spring. He urged the SSA to move quickly on the
license request from Boston Harbor Cruises.

Alliance Campaigns Against Wind Farm in Nantucket Sound

The leading critics of the 170-turbine offshore wind farm proposed for the shallow waters of Horseshoe Shoal made their way across Nantucket Sound to rally Vineyard opposition to the project.

"I've seen grocery stores take longer to get permitting in front of the Cape Cod Commission than it took for Cape Wind to get [a data tower permit] from the Army Corps of Engineers," said Isaac Rosen, executive director of the Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound, to less than a dozen officials at the all-Island selectmen's meeting Wednesday night.

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