Tisbury fire Lieut. Joseph K. Tierney was sworn in as assistant fire chief by the selectmen Tuesday, taking over for Russell Maciel, who is retiring from the department after 44 years of service. Capt. Daniel Feeney also is retiring after 24 years.

Held Saturday evening, the third Chilmark Potluck Jam of the season was the biggest yet — with the onset of winter, the jams provide a venue for much-needed socializing and entertainment.

Bundled up against the wind chill and holding handmade signs, more than 80 Vineyarders gathered at Five Corners on New Year’s Day for a march of solidarity. The event was organized by the Martha's Vineyard chapter of the NAACP.

It’s basketball season, and Maureen Hill is on the move. This year is her first as head varsity coach for the regional high school girls’ basketball team, but she’s still coaching the middle school girls’ travel team that last year went 23-2 and made the state tournament finals. Afternoons are packed with basketball practices as she zips back and forth between the high school and the middle schools for drills and scrimmages.

Most high school sports feature a trickle-up effect, in that athletes begin playing their sport before reaching freshman year, and have gained the skills needed to succeed at the higher level of play. Some sports, like hockey, require a bit more specialization, making the trickle-up even more important. And this year, participation gaps at the youth hockey levels have led to disparities on the high school teams.

A dead coyote was found washed ashore early this week on Lambert's Cove Beach, the second coyote to wash up in that location this year. An Island naturalist said the coyote likely came from Naushon, which hosts a large population of coyotes, and drowned.