Spring Street builder sues critics

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Immigration advocates are raising alarm about a recent bill that passed the U.S. House that would lead to the deportation of undocumented immigrants for non-violent crimes.

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Spring Street developer countersues

The 97 Spring Street housing project is back in court, this time in a new suit from developer Xerxes Aghassipour. His complaint in Dukes County Superior Court seeks damages from neighbors and town planning board members, alleging that they conspired to attack his reputation and property rights. Two defendants are Martha’s Vineyard Commissioners; the agency is set to review the project on January 23. Read more

Immigrants warn of ‘brutal’ consequences

The U.S. House last week passed a bill that could lead to the deportation of undocumented immigrants for committing non-violent crimes; the Senate is expected to vote and pass it today. Local advocates warn that the impacts could be damaging, and some immigrants working at Island businesses already considering leaving the country. Read more

Islanders come together for Steamship reform

A new group of frustrated Vineyarders are out for change at the ferry line. They're called the MV SSA Citizen's Action Group, and they're strategizing toward improvements in the ferry service's reservation system, considering amendments in its foundational enabling act, and calling for reparations for canceled reservations. Aides of state Sen. Julian Cyr and state Rep. Thomas Moakley were at their first meeting this past weekend. Read more

Fire Chief Rolston

Patrick Rolston is Tisbury's new fire chief. He's been Acting Fire Chief for seven months, impressing the town select board, who voted unanimously to hire him. It was a tough choice, they acknowledged, between Rolston and candidate Kenneth Temple, a longtime captain in Winchester. Read more

AT A GLANCE

Boys' Hockey bounces back in Lowell

COMMUNITY

Learning to balance

From the Vineyard to Florida to Great Britain, people are finding their center at Kanta Lipsky's "Virtual Balance Class," based on the Chinese wellness practice chi kung. Lipsky told The Times that her class, now popular with seasonal residents as well as people on the older side, began in 2017 as tai chi sessions. Read more

HAPPENINGS

Today

You're invited to bring a dish highlighting local food to the first of three Local Food Community Potlucks this winter at the Ag Hall. You'll enjoy warm meals and company. It's from 5:30 pm to 7 pm at 35 Panhandle Road, West Tisbury. Please bring your own dishware, utensils, and drinks. Read more

Tomorrow

Vineyard youth aged 10–18 can meet young adult librarian Laura H. on Mondays for a multimedia arts-and-crafts class. Supplies are provided. It's from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm, at the LG conference room downstairs in the West Tisbury Library, 1042 State Road, West Tisbury. Read more

Movies

View the lineup of feature films and documentaries at Island theaters and libraries here.

Libraries

Check out free programs for all ages at the Island's six public libraries here.

MEETINGS

The Oak Bluffs select board meets at 4:30 pm tomorrow. Agenda here.

The Chilmark select board meets at 5 pm tomorrow. Agenda here.

Real News For Real Islanders

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Quote of the Day

“I can't imagine the size of the impact, but I know it will be huge and brutal because many immigrants here have companies that provide work that generate the Island's economy.”

—Meiroka Nunes on a new bill passed by the U.S. House that could change immigration policy and impact the Island

What's for dinner tonight?

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Name This Islander

Name this bowler! We'll throw all winning answers into a pot at the end of the month and someone will win a free MV Times T-shirt.

Email your answer to newsletters@mvtimes.com, and let us know which day you are guessing about. For a previous Name This Islander, see our archive.

Friday's contest answer:

Desiree Richards

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