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.

Family, Friends, Island Gather to Honor Life of Marc Widdiss

By JOSHUA SABATINI

Friends and family of the late Marc E. Widdiss gathered in the Aquinnah cemetery Saturday afternoon for a graveside ceremony underneath a clear sky, meeting later at Aquinnah Circle for a celebration of his life.

Mr. Widdiss, of Aquinnah, died June 17 at age 54 after a three-year battle with leukemia. His wife, Beverly, was at his bedside at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.

Almost 10 months after Sept.

An insect species never before recorded on Martha's Vineyard has attacked spruce trees Islandwide, damaging many and even killing a few, say area scientists and tree experts.

The pest was identified this month as a Spruce aphid (elatobium abietinum) by a cooperative effort of scientists at the University of Massachusetts.

County Announces Deep Budget Cuts

Officials at Health, Human Services And Housing Agencies Express Dismay Over Austerity Budget for FY2003

By JOSHUA SABATINI

A budget that aims to tighten Dukes County's belt in the upcoming fiscal year was sent off to the state for approval this week amid criticism from leaders of underfunded agencies.

Island Summer Labor Market Avoids Shortages of Past Seasons

By JOSHUA SABATINI

The word spread from Martha's Vineyard to prospective summer workers all over the world: The Island has a high cost of living and there were fewer jobs available at the start of the season.