While Schools Here Rank High in Per-Pupil Dollars, Enrollments Head Down

By JULIA WELLS
Gazette Senior Writer

School spending on the Vineyard is steadily rising on a flood tide of property tax money and now ranks in the top third for the state, while enrollment is steadily falling and expected to ebb even more in the next five years.

This is the latest profile of public education on the Vineyard, sketched through an array of statistics from the state department of education and the local schools.

Marketing Push Will Be Needed, Say Backers of Fast Ferry Service

By JULIA WELLS
Gazette Senior Writer

Marketing the Vineyard.

That is the key to developing successful high-speed passenger ferry service between New Bedford and the Vineyard, a partner in a new business consortium has told the Dukes County county commissioners.

Limits on nighttime access to the beach, except for fishing.

Court Dismisses Lawsuit Brought by New Bedford, but City May Sue Again

By JULIA WELLS
Gazette Senior Writer

Quoting archaic academic political scientists and pointedly avoiding a position on any substantive issues of law, a federal judge this week dismissed a lawsuit between the city of New Bedford and the Steamship Authority.

Economic Forecast: Sunshine, After All

Rental Market Season Begins Slowly, but Bookings Even with Last Year; Ferry Reservations Filling Up

By JULIA WELLS
Gazette Senior Writer

The war in Iraq, four straight months of vicious winter weather followed by something that only vaguely resembled spring - perhaps it's little wonder that the economy on the Vineyard this year is like the lilacs: late to bloom.

Martha's Vineyard Commission Defers, Yet Again, Its Decision on Elder Housing

By JULIA WELLS

In an effort to iron out a series of confusing events that began last week, the Martha's Vineyard Commission voted last night to go back to the drawing board and take a new vote on a plan for a small addition at a well-known elderly housing complex in Vineyard Haven.

The new vote on Hillside Village III will not take place until next week.