WELLFLEET — The 328 voters at the April 28 annual town meeting owed their first unexpected vote to resident Brian Stern, who moved to block a $225,000 capital budget item […]
Next Generation
RIGHT WHALES
In the Bay, One New Calf and One Dire Entanglement
Center for Coastal Studies reports numbers are up, but only slightly
PROVINCETOWN — Late April marks the peak of the North Atlantic right whale season in Cape Cod Bay. Since January, more than 180 of these endangered animals have made an […]
TOWN MEETING
Eastham Gets a Preview of 9 (Really 23) Warrant Articles
A petitioned article seeking a ‘tax strategy’ consultation dominates discussion
EASTHAM — The comments at an April 22 select board session on this year’s warrant articles had Town Moderator Scott Kerry looking forward to Monday’s town meeting. “It sounds like […]
EASTHAM WASTEWATER
June Town Meeting to Consider $50M Sewer Loan
The sewer system would serve 1,600 homes — a fourth of the town
EASTHAM — A special meeting of the select board on Thursday, April 17 had a limited agenda: “administrative matters — wastewater project.” That brief description packed a big punch, however: […]
ENVIRONMENT
A Tale of Two Recycling Systems
Wellfleet’s multi-stream approach wins on price and efficiency, while other towns opt for ease
WELLFLEET — If there’s one thing Cape Codders can be proud of, it’s being good recyclers. That’s according to Kari Parcell, whose job is to be picky. Parcell is the […]
MARINE BARNYARD CHORUS
Annie Lewandowski Hears Jazz in Whale Songs
With help from cetaceans, a composer and her students learn to improvise
On their last day in Provincetown earlier this month, a group of Cornell University students piled into a van and drove to Herring Cove Beach at dusk. Though their artistic […]
NATIONAL SEASHORE
ADU Rules Are Debated by Advisory Commission
State law makes ADUs legal by right — but not in the Seashore
EASTHAM — The Cape Cod National Seashore Advisory Commission advertised the topic of its April 7 meeting with just five words: “Protecting the Seashore District Character.” The meeting, at the […]
CLIMATE
Scientists Say ‘Cold Pulse’ Is Linked to Surge in Dolphin Strandings
Warming water changes the food supply, leading animals closer to shore
PROVINCETOWN — Cape Cod has always had more dolphin strandings than anywhere else in the world. But 2024 was the worst year for strandings ever recorded here, and scientists have […]
THE SHAPE OF THINGS
For Young Professionals on Cape Cod, Connection Is Critical
At small business leadership summit, seeing hope in staying local
HYANNIS — Over 300 young people, many in their 20s and 30s, gathered on April 9 in Hyannis to discuss the future of the economy on Cape Cod — and […]
GREAT WHITE
State Bans All Large-Shark Fishing on Outer Cape
To get around rules, fishermen claimed to be pursuing other species than great whites
WELLFLEET — A group of fishermen using baited hooks delivered by drones to fish for sharks at LeCount Hollow Beach last September got into an altercation with surfers that led […]
WELLFLEET MARINA
Fire Severely Damages Pier, Fishing Vessel
With no insurance, town may be on the hook for costly repairs
WELLFLEET — A devastating fire that started in the early morning on April 3 at the Wellfleet marina severely damaged the town’s deteriorating wooden L-pier and destroyed a fishing vessel, […]
HOUSING
Wellfleet Considers 250-Unit Proposal for Maurice’s Campground
Some are supportive while others want to stop a ‘Mega City’
WELLFLEET — Residents debated whether a master plan for year-round housing at Maurice’s Campground would help bring young people and families with children into town at a community meeting at […]
HOUSING AT MAURICE’S
A Master Plan for Campground Is Unveiled
Planners project that number of year-round units will drop from 300 to 250
WELLFLEET — Nearly three years after the select board signed a purchase-and-sale agreement for the 21-acre Maurice’s Campground, a master plan for affordable housing there is coming into view. Members […]
ENVIRONMENT
The State of the Birds on Cape Cod
Shorebirds and saltmarsh sparrows are among those at a tipping point
WELLFLEET — A new report on research by leading bird conservation scientists, published by Cornell University, confirms that North American bird populations are continuing a steep decline. The North American […]
ARGUMENTS
Nauset’s Mock Trial Team Finishes in State’s ‘Elite Eight’
Three seniors get perfect scores in championship match against Sharon
BOSTON — Nauset High senior Thomas White isn’t a lawyer, but he certainly sounds like one. He’s honed a presentation style that’s both eloquent and concise during his three years […]
