A week after winter had officially come to an end, an early spring gale battered the Vineyard Wednesday, shutting down ferries and sending Islanders indoors for one more snow day.

Low numbers of smokers, lower rates of obesity and crime all contribute to making Dukes County the second healthiest county in the state. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute released rankings on Wednesday.

The lanes planned for downtown Oak Bluffs will be allowed to sell alcohol but with earlier closing hours than Circuit avenue bars, the town selectmen decided Tuesday. The bowling alley project is the brainchild of architect Reid (Sam) Dunn.

The title of this column is somewhat misleading as the animal shelter is nearly out of animals to adopt. Three cats — Penny, Daisy and Pepper — all found homes last week.