EXTRA...

Cicadas cause hurricanes; No casino compact talks yet; Zip to Brewster

No casino compact talks yet between state, tribe

Gov. Deval Patrick on Tuesday praised the state's relationship with the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe but said no negotiations had begun over a compact for an Indian casino.  He described the state's talks with the tribe as "very candid, very professional and very open."

"Our intention is to meet with them to discuss issues around their land-in-trust application for Middleboro and to be in position if that application is approved..."

Members of his administration have been meeting with tribal representatives to discuss issues the state has raised concerning the tribe's federal application to take land in trust in Middleboro for a casino. They include transportation, public safety and environmental concerns.  The tribe's "first priority right now is to get land in trust," Gov. Patrick told reporters in response to a question about whether compact negotiations had begun.

Daniel O'Connell, the governor's top aide on casinos, later said the state would not necessarily gain an advantage in negotiating a compact before the tribe gets land in trust. He said the tribe, even if it gets land, would still have to negotiate for a full-fledged Class III casino, which requires legislative approval.

"As the governor said, our intention is to continue to meet with them to discuss issues around their land-in-trust application for Middleboro and to be in position if that application is approved to be able to engage with them," said Mr. O'Connell, secretary of Housing and Economic Development... Standard-Times.
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17 years ago: Cicadas AND hurricane Bob

Cape Codders are starting to recall that the last cicada attack here occurred the same summer as Hurricane Bob.

Not to be caught short again, local hardware store are stocking up with generators, tree-trimming equipment, portable lamps, and the hundred other things we may need it the lights go out for a while.
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Brewster is tomorow's Zip Trip on FoxTV

Fox Boston is Zip Tripping to Brewster on Friday. Not sure if they will have any additional info at www.myfoxboston.com .

Since it's Friday, they most likely will also be doing Firehouse Friday in Brewster.

It's at Drummer Boy Park on Route 6-A, so set your alarm and go say hi to V.B. and the gang.

The photo on right show VB at Bourne's Zip Trip earlier this summer.