News Briefs
Woman attacked, Tisbury Police seek witnesses
The Tisbury Police department would like to speak to anyone who witnessed a man attack a woman outside the front doors of the Vineyard Haven Stop and Shop supermarket at approximately 5:15 pm on Tuesday.
Detective Mark Santon said the man has been identified, and police want more information about what happened during the event, before seeking charges. Police described the man as a 47-year-old white man. Detective Santon declined to provide the man's name, because there has been no arrest and charges have not been filed.
"We know there is at least one woman that tried to intervene, and we urge anyone who may have witnessed it or has information to contact the Tisbury Police Department or me," Detective Santon said.
Although the woman was acquainted with her alleged attacker, Detective Santon said he would not characterize the incident as a domestic dispute.
To contact the Tisbury police department, call 508-693-4240.
Edgartown extends bay scallop season
Edgartown selectmen extended the commercial scalloping season in Cape Poge Bay. They acted Monday on the recommendation of the town's shellfish committee. At their March 16 meeting, the shellfish committee voted 3-0 with one abstention to recommend a longer season.
Cape Poge Bay will remain open until April 15, adding 11 days for commercial fishermen. Shellfish constable Paul Bagnall told selectmen that scallops have been plentiful this winter, and fishermen are still gathering their limits in about four hours. "Currently we have 10 to 20 limits a day being landed," Mr. Bagnall said. "There is some seed in Cape Pogue for next year, and we are moving seed to the gut during this period as well."
Click on photo to enlarge. File photo by Ralph StewartThe trout man cometh
The Vineyard fishing season opens unofficially Thursday when the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (DFW) truck carrying a full load of trout from the state fish hatchery arrives.
DFW stocks Island ponds twice each spring with hundreds of brook, brown, rainbow, and tiger trout. The stocking program is funded by the sale of sporting licenses.
The trout truck will begin its route about noon and stop at Duarte's, Uncle Seth's, and Old Mill ponds in West Tisbury, and Old Mill Pond at the head of Lagoon Pond in Oak Bluffs.
Fishermen are allowed a limit of three trout per day from ponds. Fishermen 15 years of age and older must have a Massachusetts freshwater fishing license. Licenses are available from town clerks and online at www.sport.state.-ma.us/.
Grant and donation fund Sheriff's Meadow interns
The Sheriff's Meadow Foundation has received a total of $10,000 in two grants to fund a summer intern program. The nonprofit conservation group received a $5,000 grant from Newman's Own Foundation, and a generous donor who has not been identified contributed another $5,000, according to a press release.
"Because of these grants, Sheriff's Meadow Foundation will be able to improve the management of its lands and offer four summer jobs in 2010," Adam Moore, foundation executive director, said in a press release.
Mr. Moore said the additional funding will allow the foundation to pay particular attention to properties that receive the greatest degree of public use.
Cedar Tree Neck Sanctuary in West Tisbury is the most visited of the foundation's holdings, yet staffing of the sanctuary had been limited to weekends, he said. "Now the foundation will provide a welcoming, informative, professional presence at the sanctuary seven days a week during the summer."
The foundation will continue to offer a Henry Beetle Hough internship, named in honor of the foundation's founder, and a Cedar Tree Neck Sanctuary ranger position for weekends.
Newman's Own Foundation donates all net royalties and profits after taxes from the sale of Newman's Own products to charity. Before his death, the actor Paul Newman was a frequent Island visitor.
For more information, go to www.sheriffsmeadow.org.
Women's Network offers grant for small business
The Martha's Vineyard Women's Network (MVWN) is offering a $2,500 grant to a local business person looking to improve, grow, or start a small business on the Island. The project or program should be consistent with MVWN's mission to promote economic development on Martha's Vineyard, according to a press release. The grant is open to all Vineyard business people, men and women.
There is no application fee for MVWN members; for non-members, the fee is $100, which includes a one-year membership in MVWN.
Applications and instructions can be found at www.mvwomensnetwork.org. Questions may be sent to info@mvwomensnetwork.org.
Linguini bridge contest goes for broke Monday
Now that the winter Olympics are over, experience the thrill of victory and the agony of snap, crackle, pop at Martha's Vineyard Regional High School's 13th Annual Linguini Bridge Contest, in the Performing Arts Center on Monday, March 29, 7:30-10:30 am.
The competition is open to individual students or teams of two in math and technology teacher Ken DeBettencourt's classes, who construct bridges made of Prince-brand linguini held together with Elmer's glue.
Bridges are due tomorrow. To qualify for Monday's contest, they must weigh less than one pound and be able to support a minimum of 25 lbs. During the competition, weights are added until a bridge fails.
Since the popular event was not held last year due to scheduling problems, Mr. DeBettencourt said many students are looking forward to it, especially since they had an extra year to work on their designs.
The winning bridge in 2008 supported 1,080 pounds, and the 2007 winner, 2,115 pounds.
MVCS will form a parent support group
Martha's Vineyard Community Services (MVCS) announced a new support group for parents and caregivers of children with developmental disabilities. The group will meet weekly from March 25 through June 24, at the MVCS campus in Oak Bluffs. Each session will begin with a social time from 5:30 to 6 pm, and the group will run from 6 pm to 7:30 pm. Island Counseling clinician Judy Golden, LICSW, will facilitate, according to a press release.
A variety of parent suggested topics will be covered. The intent of the group is to provide parents and caregivers the opportunity to connect with others and to broaden their network of support.
For more information, contact Kathi Hackett at Martha's Vineyard Community Services, 508-693-7900, ext. 249, or via email at khackett@mvcommunityservices.com.
Sengekontacket fans hope for dry summer
Sengekontacket Pond, a popular shellfishing spot for thousands of summer visitors and residents alike, will be open to shellfishing once again this summer, except immediately after heavy rainfalls, according to verbal assurances from the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries.
For the past three summers, the salt pond shared by Edgartown and Oak Bluffs was classified as a "conditionally approved area." Because of sustained high levels of fecal coliform bacteria primarily attributed to waterfowl waste, the pond was closed to shellfishing. Beginning this summer, Sengekontacket Pond will be classified as a "rainfall closure area." The pond will be closed to shellfishing after a rainfall measuring three quarters of an inch or more.
"It is my hope that we may be able to increase the amount of rain that would trigger a closure," said Edgartown shellfish constable Paul Bagnall, in his report to selectmen Monday. "This is a huge step forward."
After a heavy rainfall, the pond will remain closed for five days, with water samples taken to measure bacteria levels over the closed period. The time immediately after a rainfall often results in high bacteria levels, because pollution on surrounding roadways, lawns, and islands is washed into the water by the rain. Typically, the bacteria levels fall quickly to a safe level several days following a heavy rainfall.
"Obviously we're not out of the woods yet," said Duncan Ross, the vice chairman of the Friends of Sengekontacket committee and an Oak Bluffs selectman. He credits the committee for taking steps to improve water quality. "It's exciting that the pond will be open before the dredging is completed."
The town of Oak Bluffs has planned a dredging project to improve circulation and navigation in the pond.
Cape Air offers Islanders a New York getaway
Cape Air, the Island's Hyannis-based regional airline, announced a weekend getaway rate for travel between the Vineyard and Westchester County Airport in White Plains, New York. The fare is $299 round trip and includes all taxes and fees.
"The New York special is proving to be so popular, we are extending the offer through May 23," Cape Air communications director Michelle Haynes said. "You can catch the 4:55 pm out of the Vineyard or the 4:15 pm out of Nantucket and arrive in New York City in time for the curtain to rise on your Broadway show." Call 866-227-3247.
Whether scales or tails, pet service handles all
Whether family pets howl, meow, slither or swim, Katherine Welch, owner of Kat's PetCare Service, says she can handle them all.
Ms. Welch started her new Vineyard Haven-based mobile business at the end of February. Ms. Welch also offers many in-home services, such as visiting and administering medications to pets whose owners are away from home during the day. For more information, call Kat's PetCare Service at 508-654-2514 or email katspetcare@hotmail.com.
In a story published on March 18, "Charter School presents 'Alice in America-land,'" the author of the book was reported incorrectly in the text. "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" was written by Lewis Carroll.
