Business Grant

The Martha’s Vineyard Women’s Network has extended the application deadline for a small business grant to Friday, April 13. The $2,500 grant will be awarded to a local small business person (man or woman) based on the Vineyard who plans to improve, grow or start a new business. The applicant’s project or program should promote economic development on the Island, in keeping with the mission of the Women’s Network.

Honors List

Claire Chatinover of Edgartown and William Kadison of Vineyard Haven have been named to the Tabor Academy honors list for the first semester for the 2011-2012 academic year.

A few months after an unauthorized dredge project was carried out in Katama Bay, the Edgartown selectmen Monday agreed to a plan to reconfigure the town’s dredge advisory committee.

The new committee will consist of one member of the marine advisory committee, one member of the conservation commission, one member of the shellfish committee and two members at large. The harbor master, shellfish constable and conservation agent will have advisory rolls but will not vote.

Nearly a year after talks began to renew a 10-year franchise with Comcast for cable television service on the Vineyard, the Island cable advisory committee chairman said this week that she now expects to see a contract completed by May or June.

Committee chairman Jennifer Rand said service to Chappaquiddick remains a key and unresolved sticking point.

“We have always been supportive [of running cable service to Chappy], but quietly,” she said. “We’re not being quiet anymore.”

The Bunch of Grapes, the landmark Vineyard Haven bookstore that has been the go-to place for Islanders and summer visitors alike — including sitting U.S. presidents — to buy their books for more than 40 years, will relocate, owner Dawn Braasch announced last week.

Protecting Firefighters

Firefighters’ work is stressful enough. Now, thanks to legislation passed by the Massachusetts House of Representatives, they may have one less burden to bear.

The beef additive known as pink slime is off the menu at all Vineyard public schools.

Vineyard schools superintendent Dr. James H. Weiss said this week that as of two weeks ago all the meat in question has been put aside. “We are not using it in any student lunches across the Island, anywhere,” he said.

A statewide sweep by criminal investigators of child pornography suspects this month has resulted in the arrest of more than 30 people across the commonwealth, including an Oak Bluffs man. The sweep was led by Massachusetts state police and the state Attorney General.

Josemar Boldrini, 43, of Oak Bluffs, was arraigned in Edgartown district court on Thursday, April 5, on charges of possessing and disseminating child pornography. The following day the Hon. H. Gregory Williams set bail at $200,000 cash.

West Tisbury voters voiced their resounding approval for the sale of beer and wine, a new library and the repaving of most major town roads at Thursday's election.

Voters agreed to the sale of beer and wine at restaurants in the long-dry town by a margin of 499 to 202. 

"We're thrilled, and thank you, West Tisbury," said Mary Kenworth, co-owner of State Road Restaurant and a leader of the effort to bring beer and wine sales to the town. The popular restaurant was filled with celebratory diners just after the polls closed Thursday evening.

The Island Food Pantry’s last distribution day for the season will be Friday, April 13. Those in need of emergency food assistance after this date may call the pantry at 508-693-4764 to schedule a food pick-up. The Island Food Pantry will distribute gift cards again in the fall.