Not one taker stepped forward Wednesday to put in a bid on the Steamship Authority's high-speed ferry, the Flying Cloud.

The lack of interest in the vessel, for which the boat line hoped to obtain at least $5 million, is the latest chapter in the Flying Cloud's mostly troubled six-year history at the boat line. The SSA paid $8 million for the ferry in 2000.

State Primary Is Tuesday; Polls Open Until Evening

By JAMES KINSELLA

The key prelude to the state election in November arrives Tuesday with the Democratic and Republican party primaries. Polls will be open in each of the Vineyard towns from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

How have the wind and choppy seas affected the fishing during the first week of the 61st Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby? That depends on whom you ask.

Island Fall Fishing Classic Begins with Thirteen-Pound Striped Bass

By MARK ALAN LOVEWELL

Vying to be the first to weigh in a fish in the 61st annual Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby, a sleepy Jim Cornwell arrived at the downtown Edgartown weigh station at 4 a.m. Sunday. Armed with a striped bass caught on East Beach on Chappaquiddick, Mr. Cornwell - a 69-year-old retired chemist from Edgartown - proceeded to wait for the opening at 8 o'clock.

Still Rural, Mullen Way Sparks Heartfelt Debate Over Old Neighborhoods

By IAN FEIN

Saying that the changing character of historic middle-class neighborhoods is a concern better addressed Islandwide, the Martha's Vineyard Commission last week opted against creating special zoning regulations for Mullen Way, a narrow tree-lined side street in Edgartown.

With less than a week to go until the state Democratic primary, the three party candidates for governor have kicked it into high gear to sway undecided voters when they go to the polls next Tuesday.

Candidates Chris Gabrieli, Deval Patrick and state Attorney General Tom Reilly recently exchanged barbs at a forum hosted by local minority groups in Roxbury, made numerous public appearances and buffeted the airwaves with their advertisements.