Francis (Pat) West Jr. Dies at Age of 96: Islander, Engineer and Man of the Sea

Francis (Pat) West Jr., a major Island personality enjoyed by all who knew him, died at the age of 96 at his Lake Tashmoo home on July Fourth.

Mr. West was one of the founding organizers and commodore for life of the Holmes Hole Sailing Association, which became the sponsor of the now well-

Tisbury Street Fair Draws Thousands

Festivities Celebrate All Things Vineyard in July Highlight

By JOSHUA SABATINI

A stroller entering the 31st annual Tisbury Street Fair was overwhelmed from every direction by the sounds of music, the wafting scents of foods - from raw oysters to crispy fried chicken - and the sights of wares pushed by shop owners, educational displays, glow sticks, balloons and painted faces.

Smoke from Canadian Forest Fires Contributes to Airport Traffic Snarl

By JOSHUA SABATINI

Smoke from about 45 fires burning in northern Quebec and fanned by winds out of the north spread a haze throughout New England on Sunday that contributed to record delays at Martha's Vineyard Airport.

Amid high numbers of passengers and air traffic volume typical of the Fourth of July holiday, airport manager Bill Weibrecht said the wall of haze slowed operations.

Showcase Car Dealer Shuts Island Doors End of This Month

By MANDY LOCKE

In 10 days, the Island will lose its only new car dealership when Showcase Isuzu Suzuki of Martha's Vineyard closes due to an inability to recruit and retain employees.

Nearly five years after Bourne auto dealer Bob Scena renovated the former Old Colony Service Corporation in Edgartown, his company will clear out of its home on West Tisbury Road in Edgartown on July 19.

A 22-year-old inmate at the Edgartown House of Correction will be arraigned on Thursday on three charges of escape. David Luce, who was captured by local police after he was discovered missing from the jail on Saturday, May 4, has also been charged with possession of counterfeit $10 bills.

In a three-way partnership that will protect the last key piece of undeveloped land at one of the oldest wildlife sanctuaries on the Vineyard, the