PROVINCETOWN — Over two days last week, two different bias crimes are alleged to have happened on Bradford Street: a physical attack on a gay man near the intersection of […]
News
Fresh local news that brings you closer to your neighbors and the community.
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HEALTH CARE
State Makes Moves to Protect Transgender Care
A new trust fund would try to replace threatened federal dollars
This article was updated on July 14, 2025. PROVINCETOWN — This spring, the U.S. House of Representatives took a cue from the 27 Republican-controlled states that have restricted gender-affirming health […]
ENTITLEMENT
Sextons Fail Again in Wellfleet Land Grab Attempt
Appeals Court upholds Land Court ruling that Fred Bell Way is on town property
WELLFLEET — Chellise Sexton and her son Kevin Sexton have failed again in their effort to wrest the land at Fred Bell Way from the town. The Sextons have pursued […]
LAND USE
In Truro’s Seashore, a Two-Year-Old Dispute Continues
Martin now says he’ll build a house at former site of Jack’s Gas
TRURO — A state Land Court judge has set a pretrial conference for Aug. 14 to discuss three appeals related to whether the bulk sale of landscaping material on the […]
HOUSING
On One Parcel, a Land Trust Becomes a Reality in Wellfleet
Finding a nonprofit to own the land could make the process easier for others
WELLFLEET — As house prices become increasingly unaffordable on the Outer Cape, interest is growing in ways that individual property owners could help create opportunities for year-round residents to own […]
BLUE ECONOMY
Scallop Landings at Outer Cape Ports Are in Steep Decline
Last year’s catch was only one-third of the 2021 haul
PROVINCETOWN — State data finalized in April show that 2024 saw the smallest sea scallop haul from the Outer and Lower Cape’s ports since at least 2019. The in-shell weight […]
PUBLIC WORKS
Provincetown Plans to Renovate Its Restrooms in Spring
Design work is proceeding, but town meeting will need to approve construction funds
PROVINCETOWN — The town is moving forward with plans to renovate its public restrooms to the gender-inclusive standards in the state’s newest building code — a shift that would replace […]
CIVICS
Three Are Reappointed to Ad Hoc Group Over Areson’s Objection
‘Sideshows’ have detracted from building committee’s work, says board chair
This article was updated on July 10. TRURO — With the terms of all the members of the ad hoc building committee set to expire at the end of June, […]
BIRDWATCHING
A Secret Planter of Oaks
Giving blue jays the credit they deserve for reforesting the Outer Cape’s woodlands
It doesn’t seem possible that these hills around us were planted. We know they were clear cut; Europeans and their ships had not seen trees this size in centuries. It […]
THE SCUTTLEBUTT
A Perfect Fourth, Except for the Boaters
Striped bass are in an old spot that’s new again; blues are nowhere to be found
The waterfront was alive with activity this past week, culminating in a spectacular fireworks show on one of those 10-out-of-10 Chamber of Commerce perfect summer days. Given how much awful […]
NATURAL SELECTION
Love Is Like a Butterfly Weed
If Dolly Parton were a flower, she might just be a butterfly weed. Just like Dolly, Asclepias tuberosa is small in stature but bursting with life (native bees and bugs […]
RARA AVIS
This Week’s Bird Sightings
Confirmed bird sightings on the Outer Cape in the week preceding the Independent’s deadline on Tuesday, July 8 included the following, based on a report prepared by Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet […]
WEATHER
Long-Term Data Confirm: It’s Getting Muggier
If you watch the news or follow the weather at all, chances are you’ve heard of the Bermuda high. Meteorologically, the Bermuda high is really an extension of the Azores […]
PROVINCETOWN: THIS WEEK'S CURRENTS
Seasonal Communities Outreach
Meetings Ahead
Most meetings in Provincetown are held in person, typically with an online-attendance option. Click on the meeting you want to attend on the calendar at provincetown-ma.gov for a link to […]
TRURO: THIS WEEK'S CURRENTS
Walsh Advisers
Meetings Ahead
Meetings in Truro are often held remotely. Go to truro-ma.gov and click on the meeting you are interested in for an agenda and details on how to join. Thursday, July […]
