PROVINCETOWN — The calendar of events that structures summertime in Provincetown has been nearly wiped clean. Bear Week, Family Week, and the Provincetown International Film Festival have all been suspended […]
ECONOMY
Businesses Encouraged to Apply for Crisis Relief Now
SBA loan programs are complex; advice from experts is simple
PROVINCETOWN — The Small Business Administration (SBA) has given birth to twins. Two huge, messy loan programs with complex instructions and chaotic rollouts have been dropped on its doorstep — and […]
CORONAVIRUS
Task Force Organizes Volunteers in Provincetown
The aim is to build capacity for unexpected needs
PROVINCETOWN — The Ptown Covid-19 Task Force came together a month ago as a channel for volunteer energy to help deal with the coronavirus. The pandemic creates challenges across many […]
DISASTER HELP
How Workers and Businesses Can Find Relief
Rescue funds include loans and expanded unemployment benefits
PROVINCETOWN — More than $600 billion of the $2 trillion federal financial rescue package that became law last week will go to beefing up unemployment benefits and small business loans […]
LODGING
Health Board: Short-term Rentals Should Stop
Hotels are mostly closed; only ‘essential travel’ is permitted
PROVINCETOWN — The board of health is directing short-term rental property owners in Provincetown to refrain from renting their properties, at least through the end of April. Hotels and guest […]
CLOSING DOWN
Provincetown Halts All but the Essentials
Airbnb rentals, visitor parking suspended after 2 test positive for COVID-19
Editor’s note: This article has been updated as of Sunday, March 29. PROVINCETOWN — Town officials were notified of the first two positive tests for coronavirus on Sunday, March 22. […]
SOCIAL SERVICES
Who to Call if You Need Help
There’s a network of support for those in need
PROVINCETOWN — Both the lives and finances of many on the Outer Cape have been rapidly undone by the coronavirus. With movement restricted and the economy at a halt, new […]
CIVICS
Town Meeting Likely to Be Put Off
Voters will eventually consider Harbor Hill, water bottles, and off-leash beach rules
PROVINCETOWN — The annual town meeting is unlikely to take place on its scheduled date, Monday, April 6. Gov. Charlie Baker issued an emergency order on Sunday limiting gatherings to […]
CORONAVIRUS
Volunteering in a Time of Contagion
You want to help, but aren’t sure how
You want to help, but aren’t sure how
HEALTH
Medical Weed May Not Reach Outer Cape
Lots of marijuana for recreation, but no assurances for patients
PROVINCETOWN — Recreational marijuana stores are coming to the Outer Cape in a big way, but it’s not clear that any of them will provide medical formulations of the drug […]
RISING WATERS
Buildings Are Raised Against Future Floods
But for now, only a few will be lifted
PROVINCETOWN — The Old Reliable Fish House property at 227R Commercial St. may be getting rebuilt on piers, and in the applications there’s an eye-popping number for their height: 17 […]
THE HOUSING PUZZLE
Harbor Hill: Why Provincetown Is Subsidizing Market-Rate Apartments
A bleeding-edge strategy for a pressing housing problem
The housing crisis is so widely recognized on the Outer Cape that it feels elemental, like the sun, wind, or tide. It’s behind the second question most employers ask in […]
CIVICS
A New Tool for Enforcing Rental Rules
It’s not too late to get certified without a penalty
PROVINCETOWN — Since 2005 the board of health has required landlords who rent their property year-round, seasonally, or short-term (fewer than 30 days) to have a rental certificate. These certificates […]
ECONOMY
Outer Cape Sees Boom in Rooms Tax Receipts
First full quarter of ‘weekly tax’ brings in an extra $1 million
PROVINCETOWN — After a year of commotion and confusion, the expansion of the rooms occupancy tax to cover short-term rentals is beginning to produce its intended dividends. In the first […]
CIVICS
Cheryl Andrews Sets Sights on County Commission
Provincetown Select Board veteran looks to fill Democratic slot on November ballot
PROVINCETOWN — Cheryl Andrews, a veteran elected official in Provincetown, is the first challenger to declare her candidacy for the Barnstable County Commission race this fall. The commission is the […]
