An Edgartown police car led the way. A young boy in a Santa hat rode in the passenger seat, yelling out a hearty “Merry Christmas!” to the crowd over the cruiser’s PA system. Children and parents alike echoed the refrain.

The event began 40 years ago as an antidote for a town with a dearth of holiday cheer. Since then the town has shaken its holiday enthusiasm deficiency. For four days this weekend the town will be a magnet once again for all things Christmas.

A long-envisioned community housing project at Peaked Hill Pastures in Chilmark took a step forward this week when the town select board reviewed a recommendation from the planning board for developing part of the property.

The Edgartown and West Tisbury select boards pressed the pause button this week on a draft article to create an Islandwide housing bank, after a review by town counsel raised questions.

Matthew Heineman's latest documentary film, The First Wave, goes to the front lines at the Long Island Jewish Medical Center in Queens during the first months of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ingrid Moore, a senior at the regional high school, recently became the Island’s first female Eagle Scout, an arduous process that involves earning 21 merit badges. She began at age 16.