Confusion continued this week over the cancellation of Angel Flights during President Obama’s visit.

On Monday Angel Flights Northeast coordinator Paula Strasser told the Gazette that the nonprofit organization, which flies people who are critically ill to off-Island medical appointments, had cancelled its 8 to 10 scheduled flights due to flight restrictions in place for the duration of Mr. Obama’s vacation from August 23 to August 30, to protect air space.

Media responsibility in the national health care debate and plans for the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital were among the topics at a panel discussion held at the Old Whaling Church in Edgartown Tuesday night.

Panel members included Dr. Pieter Pil, a surgeon and chief of the medical staff at the Island hospital, Peter Slavin, president of Massachusetts General Hospital, and Lynn Nicholas, president of the Massachusetts Hospital Association.

Angel Flights, the nonprofit organization which flies people who are critically ill to off-Island medical appointments, has shut down Martha’s Vineyard operations this week, apparently in reaction to flight restrictions in place for the duration of the presidential vacation visit to the Island.

The move came despite assurances that special dispensation was made for the mercy flight operators during temporary flight restriction (TFR) orders to protect air space over Martha’s Vineyard from August 23 to 30.

State efforts to enable quick growth in wind power with two draft bills which together would strip local zoning powers and focus all Massachusetts offshore wind projects in waters off two Dukes County towns has left Chilmark town leaders fuming.

The Ocean Management Plan Act released in draft form last month identifies waters near the towns of Chilmark and Gosnold (collectively the Elizabeth Islands) as the primary sites for as many as 166 turbines to generate enough electricity to power 200,000 homes.