Rape Case Ends with 'Not Guilty'

A Dorchester man accused of raping a Martha's Vineyard woman nearly a year ago has been freed after a judge found the evidence against him to be inconsistent, according to the Island newspapers.

Ten and a half months after he was jailed on suspicion of rape and attempted murder, 33-year-old Bryant K. Brown of Dorchester walked free Tuesday morning after a judge found him not guilty of the charges against him, the Martha's Vineyard Times reports. The Vineyard Gazette also reported on the trial. Brown, who has a violent criminal history, was accused by a Martha's Vineyard woman of raping her in a Menemsha inn cottage after a night of partying with her and his fiance last Memorial Day weekend. But according to the Times report, Associate Justice Gary A. Nickerson said "gross inconsistencies" in the evidence presented at Brown's rape trial left him with reasonable doubt, requiring him to acquit. Among the inconsistencies, reports the …

• Photos (1)

Ocean Storm Expected To Slam Islands, Cape

The rain and wind are already tuning up, with heavy winds and coastal flooding expected to storm the Vineyard, according to the National Weather Service.

Martha's Vineyard can expect more high winds and potentially destructive flooding on Thursday and Friday. The National Weather Service has issued a high wind advisory, a coastal flood warning and a hazardous weather outlook for Dukes County. "A strong ocean storm will bring strong winds to Block Island, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket tonight through Thursday night," according to the NWS. A coastal flood warning remains in effect from 5 a.m. Thursday though 10 a.m. Friday. Coastal flooding and severe beach erosion is likely during the high tides from Thursday morning to Friday morning, the NWS said in their warning statement: "The storm surge is projected to be 2.5 to 3 feet at most East Coast locations from Thursday morning though Friday …

•  11 Comments
• Photos (1)

Peter Hufstader

1:36 pm on Thursday, March 7, 2013

There is a reason "t" and "y" are next to each other on the ytpewriter.   more ›

Menemsha Coast Guard Station Faces Sequestration Cuts

But Dukes County's only Coast Guard station will remain open regardless of federal budget cuts, said officer in charge Jason Olsen.

The United States Coast Guard would see a direct impact if the automatic spending cuts under sequestration go into effect on Friday. But the Coast Guard station on Martha's Vineyard won't close its doors, officer in charge Jason Olsen said Thursday. "Station Menemsha will still be running," said Olsen, adding that there are 26 men living at the station. It is the only Coast Guard facility in Dukes County. Lt. Paul D. Rhynard of the Coast Guard Office of Public Affairs said he is being cautious in discussing what effect sequestration might have on the service. However, he said that local officers like Olsen will be given "a certain amount of flexibility" in implementing bidget cuts if sequestration takes place. "Nobody knows beter what …

• Photos (1)

Five Things to Know: Feb. 22, 2013

Things to know, do and watch for on Martha's Vineyard this last Friday of February.

For more things to do on Martha's Vineyard today and tonight, check out our Weekend Planner and Events Calendar. You can add your own events for free. We even have Facebook login to make posting a snap! Stay Patched in: Follow Martha's Vineyard Patch on Twitter | Like Martha's Vineyard Patch on Facebook | Sign up for the daily email with links to the latest news | Got something to say? Start a blog and share your views.

• Photos (2)

Up-Island Businesses Hang On Through Winter

What off-season? Chilmark Chocolates is open through Feb. 17 and Menemsha Fish Market is selling and serving seafood daily.

Fish for Tuesday You've got to hand it to Stanley Larsen. Even in the depths of a Martha's Vineyard winter, he's kept the doors open at Menemsha Fish Market (formerly Poole's), selling seafood and a surprisingly diverse menu of carry-out meals. At lunchtime Tuesday, people lined up for fish sandwiches — freshly steamed, your choice from the day's catch of salmon, cod or whatever's freshest, served on a bun— lobster quesadillas and the market's signature hot lobster rolls. Ask for it by name Linda Thompson of Chilmark drove to the fish market for a delicacy that isn't on the fish market's menu. Thompson calls it "Half and Half," a straightforward name for her preferred 50-50 mixture of Larsen's clam chowder and his lobster bisque. Combining…

• Photos (4)

Chef at Home: Teddy Diggs

Bluefish brings the family together for the chef of the Home Port Restaurant and Beach Plum Inn

Chef Teddy Diggs, who took over the kitchen at the Home Port Restaurant last summer, has added the Beach Plum Inn to his resume this summer. Now, in addition to getting all of that freshly caught and locally sourced fish at the Home Port, diners will also be treated to a menu created and executed by Diggs at the Beach Plum Inn as well. “Visitors to the Beach Plum can look forward to a fresh, ever changing menu that focuses on the special location where we live and work,” said Diggs who plans to use “The Vineyard's delicious bounty and great hard working fishing and farming community to help determine our menu.” The Beach Plum will also be serving breakfast this year with such delights as lemon ricotta doughnuts, Dutch baby pancakes, and …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (2)

A Vineyard Moment: Menemsha Sunset

A hop, skip and jump down the jetty may be the perfect way to end the long weekend

• Photos (1)

Beetlebung Coffee House Moves to Menemsha

The Vineyard Haven coffee house of seven years heads up-Island into space next door to their retail shop in Menemsha

Beetlebung Coffee House, located for seven years on Beach St. in Vineyard Haven, will move to 24 Basin Rd. in Menemsha, into the location of the previous Menemsha Cafe. The Coffee House joins Beetlebung’s retail store of three years at that location. Owners Renee and John Molinari say ever since they started designing Island- inspired clothing they have wanted to unite the Coffee House and retail business at one location. “We’re excited to be able to bring the two together in the fishing village of Menemsha  - a terrific fit for Beetlebung,” said Ms. Molinari.  “Our designs relate to the sea, including our first design the Rorschach Lobster - several of our most popular menu items do, too, like 'the Quitsa,' our crab melt Panini - and our …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)