In the wake of the devastating Independence Day fire that destroyed Café Moxie and badly damaged the Bunch of Grapes bookstore, the U.S. Small Business Administration has made emergency low-interest loans available to small businesses across the Island that were negatively affected by the blaze.

A 23-year-old West Tisbury woman was arrested on multiple drug charges on Saturday after she was reportedly caught with 60 grams of heroin she planned to bring to the Vineyard on the Island Queen ferry.

Lyndsey Gonsalves was charged with possession of heroin (subsequent offense) as well as distribution of and trafficking heroin after police caught her with approximately $20,000 worth of heroin in Falmouth. Ms. Gonsalves was accompanied by her three-year-old child at the time of her arrest, Falmouth police said.

West Tisbury selectmen at their meeting this week unanimously agreed to authorize executive secretary Jennifer Rand to enter into a contract with a Falmouth-based general contractor to begin work on the long-awaited town hall renovation project.

J.K. Scanlon of East Falmouth was awarded the bid after coming in approximately $600,000 lower than expected.

West Tisbury selectmen on Wednesday approved a plan to start removing a number of dead trees around town, some of which are hanging over well-traveled roads and pathways and raising concerns about public safety.

Tree warden Jeremiah Brown told selectmen that an estimated 300 trees directly abutting public roads are threatening to drop their branches or fall over. He said approximately 30 of the trees need immediate removal. “Some of these need to be dealt with now . . . we cannot wait,” Mr. Brown said.

Selectmen in Oak Bluffs are spearheading an effort to create more uniform taxi regulations and fares, which among other things could end the practice of some companies doubling their rates after closing time for Island bars and nightclubs.

Selectmen have discussed the issue at two recent meetings, and chairman Ronald DiOrio has stated publicly that stopping double taxi fares after hours should be a priority. He said the practice discourages people from taking a cab after a night of drinking.

In keeping with a theme of innovation, the Island Affordable Housing Fund and Island Elderly Housing this week announced they will raffle off the last remaining unit in the Jenney Way affordable housing subdivision to raise money for affordable housing and programs benefitting seniors on the Vineyard.