Legislative leaders released a sweeping redistricting plan this week that will move Martha’s Vineyard to a new congressional district and prompt the Island’s current congressional delegate, Rep. William Keating, to relocate. Changes in the nation’s population according to 2010 census data are forcing Massachusetts to cut the number of districts from 10 to nine.

On Wednesday morning Dukes County veterans agent Jo Ann Murphy took a phone call from a World War II veteran to thank her for an unusual errand. Ms. Murphy had delivered him bread-and-butter pickles, his favorite, more than six months ago.

After more than two years without primary care on the Island, a group of Vineyard veterans blasted the Veterans Administration and Partners Healthcare yesterday for failing to restore medical services that had been available on the Island for years. The veterans met with a team of national representatives from the American Legion in the hope that they will bring their message back to Capitol Hill.

With Menemsha falling away behind and the open sea ahead, the U.S. Coast Guard boat headed due west three miles off the coast of Aquinnah Wednesday afternoon. Then the engine was cut. The sun sank in the blue November sky as officers lowered the flags to half-mast and gathered on deck to say goodbye to one of their fondest shipmates, Bridger.

It was a committal service at sea fit for a commander. Coast Guard Station Menemsha crew members said goodbye to their mascot, Bridger, a yellow Labrador who died on Sept. 22 from complications of old age. He was 12.