Meeting over a period of months beginning last summer, the Oak Bluffs selectmen were deeply torn over whether to fire John Rose for inappropriate behavior and lying about it, executive session minutes show.

Under pressure to clarify the status of fire chief John Rose following a settlement involving sexual harassment claims, selectmen stood behind their embattled department head.

The Steamship Authority freight ferry Gay Head had a minor scrape with a construction barge at the Woods Hole terminal over the weekend. Windy conditions were a factor in the incident.

Paved roads on Cuttyhunk will be getting long-awaited repairs this year after the state announced an $800,000 grant to the Elizabeth Islands town of Gosnold.

Less than a month into the calving season, four baby North Atlantic right whales have already been spotted off the coast of Florida and Georgia, offering a glimmer of hope for the species.