With an end-of-the-year stroke of the pen, Gov. Charlie Baker signed legislation last Friday extending state and local occupancy taxes now paid by hotels to short-term rentals such as those offered through Airbnb.

The historic Edgartown Inn was sold to Milton-based real-estate investor and hotelier Charles C. Hajjar for $5 million.

The regional high school district committee tentatively set a $22 million operating budget last week.

What follows are 10 of the stories that engaged Gazette readers in print and online over the past year.

This year may be best remembered as the year Islanders learned just how fragile their bridge to the mainland is. And while the Steamship Authority dominated the news and conversation, it was not the only news.