For Islanders who have passed by or sought out groceries at Stop & Stop stores in Edgartown and Vineyard Haven in recent days, one thing is clear: Change is finally underway.

Due to poor water quality, the Martha's Vineyard Land Bank is advising visitors at Great Rock Bight in Chilmark to swim at their own risk.

Doug McConnell entered the water off Nantucket at 8:45 a.m. attempting to swim to the Vineyard to raise money for ALS. But the currents defeated him again and at 1:50 p.m. he was pulled up onto a boat by his guides.

The red-grade notice is the strongest health warning that the Island Boards of Health can issue in the event of a cyanobacteria bloom.

At the Martha’s Vineyard Animal Shelter’s Celebration of Pets, every dog — and alpaca and horse — had its day.