The Martha’s Vineyard Regional Transit Authority will receive just over $1.8 million of the $15 million total stimulus cash awarded to Massachusetts last Friday to fund improvements in transit systems. The stimulus program is part of the Federal Recovery Act, signed in February by President Obama.

The money will be used to purchase nine new buses for the Vineyard transit authority.

Shelter Hours

The Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard in Edgartown (at the former MSPCA location) is open Wednesday to Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

With approval in hand from all but one Vineyard town, Vineyard schools superintendent Dr. James H. Weiss was all set to move ahead on a plan to relocate the superintendent’s headquarters when Chilmark selectmen grabbed his arm going out the door.

If there was one word to describe the weather the Vineyard has been experiencing now for weeks, it is Seattle — that northwest city that has a reputation for its gray, rainy weather.

It’s been like that on the Vineyard this spring. Skies are often gray and there is unscheduled rain, making it hard to plan the day.

The weather improved a bit mid-week with some sun, although temperatures remained quite cool. But according to the National Weather Service New England is caught in a cycle that just won’t quit.