The gibbous moon dominates our sky this weekend. On Monday night, it appears near the bright red planet Mars and both are near the bright star Regulus. All three form a close triangle in the zodiacal constellation Leo. Regulus is the principal and brightest star in Leo. Up against the brighter Mars and the moon, Regulus is not so impressive.

The Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) has vowed to go to federal court if necessary to win the right to build a casino, after Gov. Deval Patrick rebuffed the tribe’s attempt to come to the negotiating table last week.

Claiming the state has the right to regulate gambling on Indian lands, an attorney for the governor wrote in a letter that the Vineyard tribe waived its sovereignty more than 20 years ago when it signed a settlement agreement. But the tribe contends that federal Indian gaming law trumps state law.

Steven A. Schwab, a prominent Island insurance executive and well-known Chilmark resident, was arrested and charged last week with child molestation stemming from incidents in West Tisbury and Chilmark in which he allegedly exposed himself to a child.

At a potluck lunch on Tuesday afternoon to honor Frank Fenner on his retirement after 12 years as a Chilmark selectmen, Chuck Hodgkinson, who has worked on many special projects with Mr. Fenner, read a top ten list of things the town employees will miss about Mr. Fenner.

“Number eight - receiving a 92 item punch list with details such as ‘front bedroom on right is missing a nail where the gable meets the closet.’”

A Falmouth-based fuel company was fined $25,000 and sentenced to three years probation in Dukes County superior court this week for charges related to an Oak Bluffs oil spill.

A Main street Vineyard Haven restaurant that has sat empty for years was singled out for biting criticism by one of the town selectmen this week, who openly questioned whether the owner was acting in good faith.

“I see Cafe Moxie opened up this morning,” said selectman Jeffrey Kristal at the Tuesday board meeting. “No, I’m kidding,” he added with evident sarcasm.

Longtime town finance committee member Jon Snyder is the newest member of the Tisbury board of selectmen after narrowly edging out town health agent and former selectman Tom Pachico in Tuesday’s town election. Mr. Snyder garnered 473 votes, while Mr. Pachico earned 426.

A total of 926 out of 2,930 residents, or just over 31 per cent of eligible voters, cast ballots in the election.

After the results were read at the American Legion Hall in Vineyard Haven, Mr. Snyder shook Mr. Pachico’s hand and thanked him for a hard fought election.

Chilmark voters elected a new selectman, pledged money for studying town ponds and approved a hefty budget hike at the annual town meeting and election this week.

Voters elected real estate agent and Chilmark Store owner Bill Rossi for a three year term to the board of selectmen on Wednesday. Mr. Rossi won with 186 votes. He succeeds longtime selectman Frank Fenner, who did not seek reelection after four terms. A late write-in campaign by Alan Porter earned him 54 votes.

Nectar’s, the popular Island nightclub and current torch holder for the Vineyard music scene, may be gone by the coming summer, as the company pursues plans to transfer the alcohol license it now holds to its partner, Flatbread Pizza Company.

The sun fell behind the Chilmark Pond the other day, casting long shadows across the landscape as sheep grazed above at the Allen Farm. It was one of those April days where the spring air felt washed and clean, like a fresh batch of laundry snapping on the line. A brisk wind made little ripples across the pond. And for just a minute it felt like everything was right with the world.