Regional high school principal Steven Nixon presented a $16.6 million draft operating budget to a school subcommittee Monday night, a 1.01 percent increase over last year. Even with many staff and faculty receiving contractual step increases this year, the budget remains nearly flat due to retirements and the elimination of the home economics program.

Please Adopt Us

The featured animal this week at the Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard is a black Lab cross named Nina. Nina is a handsome black dog with the most beautiful velvet coat. She came to the shelter from a Lab rescue. She loves people, cats and other dogs. She loves to ride in cars and would be the perfect pet for anyone looking for a real buddy. Please stop by to see Nina and take her for a walk.

Dirt biking at Nip ’n Tuck farm does not rise to the level of a public nuisance, West Tisbury zoning inspector Ernie Mendenhall said at Wednesday’s meeting of the West Tisbury selectmen.

“I wrestled with this one,” Mr. Mendehall told the board. “I think dirt bikes really can be a nuisance. I’ve been back and forth with the bylaws and went over there to listen and in my opinion it’s a residential accessory use.”

The All-Island School Committee approved a $3.85 million 2012 shared services budget for Vineyard schools presented by superintendent Dr. James H. Weiss last Thursday.

The budget is up 7.65 per cent over last year, mainly due to three new programs. The superintendent’s office will expand the Bridge Program for children with autism, add an at-large physical therapist and expand the summer school program.

Dean’s List

William Ledden of Oak Bluffs has been named to the dean’s list for the fall quarter at the New England Institute of Technology.

Tisbury police believe they are getting closer to identifying the town’s peeping Tom, who remains active despite publicity about the case and the arrival of colder weather.

Det. Mark Santon said police now believed the man had been active since the summer, peering in windows over a large area of town. The most recent report of his activities came in on Wednesday.