It is 9:20 a.m., low tide, and a mild breeze is blowing across the Lagoon Pond drawbridge. Light from the eastern sky skips across the pond until it reaches the bridge's shadow, which darkens the outer harbor. The hum of the drawspan, which vibrates with traffic, has stopped. There is only the water below, lapping against the timber spiles.

In Historic First, Vineyard Boys Reach Soccer Championship; Game Tomorrow

By ALEXIS TONTI

For the first time in school history, the varsity boys' soccer team has advanced to the regional championships, with a 1-0 victory over Sandwich last night in the regional semi-final.

The regional final will be played at 2 p.m. tomorrow at Brockton High School againstMiddleboro, which advanced with a 2-1 win over Somerset.

The Lagoon Pond drawbridge will be closed for repairs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. all next week while MassHighway workers replace some of the bridge's structural steel. Traffic along Beach Road will be diverted to the Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road during those hours.

"This is part of the ongoing effort to make interim repairs as we work toward installing the temporary bridge and eventually the replacement," MassHighway spokesman Jon Carlisle said yesterday.

Island Commercial Flights Dip; Airport Business Still Thrives

By ALEXIS TONTI

Although airline passenger traffic on the Island is down more than 10 per cent from last year, the Martha's Vineyard Airport continues to do strong business headlined by continued growth in general aviation.

Airport manager Bill Weibrecht said the travel slump has not negatively impacted the airport, where income continues to exceed expenses. He added that the timing of the downturn comes as no surprise.

Amid growing concern that a MassHighway plan to build a temporary drawbridge will threaten the health of Lagoon Pond, Island residents are calling for Oak Bluffs and Tisbury to speak with one voice when it comes to confronting state officials about the replacement for the 68-year-old bridge.

Tisbury Grants Administrator a Raise, but the Search for Successor Has Begun

By ALEXIS TONTI

After months of delay, denials and appeals, the Tisbury personnel board this week granted the town administrator a four per cent salary increase. But the news was bittersweet for town administrator Dennis Luttrell: Just the week before, the selectmen agreed to form a search committee to seek his successor.