TRURO — Townspeople were lined up outside the gift shop at Truro Vineyards and South Hollow Spirits on Shore Road on Saturday, respecting the social distance and patiently waiting their […]
Civics
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. […]
CORONAVIRUS
In Oldest County in State, Gray Areas of Elder Care
Residents of independent living centers have few protections in pandemic
PROVINCETOWN — Last Friday, March 20, Seashore Point condominium owner Bruce Mason had just returned from a meditation class with other residents. At the same time in Yarmouth Port, Fran […]
HEALTH
An Isolation How-to
Social distancing is hard, but it’s not forever
As cases of COVID-19 begin to be diagnosed in our towns, Cape residents are taking social distancing seriously. “We’ve been really rigorous about it. No play dates. No socializing with […]
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
MARCH MADNESS
Spring Sports Suspended Until at Least April 27
Coronavirus halts activities here and across the country
Editor’s note: This article has been updated since the publication of the March 19 edition of the Independent. EASTHAM — The local sports schedule has been put on hold due to […]
FOOD SECURITY
Outer Cape Adapts to Coronavirus Crisis
Schools, restaurants, and community members rise to the challenge
As the coronavirus pandemic increasingly disrupted everyday life here in the past week, Outer Cape schools, community organizations, and businesses began looking for ways to make sure children and neighbors […]
CIVICS
A Strategic Effort Works to Attract Volunteers
Eastham’s recruitment strategy is different
EASTHAM — There’s nothing casual about the way this community seeks volunteers to serve on its boards and committees. In 1982, the home rule charter created a standing search committee […]
REGIONAL SCHOOLS
Committee Ponders Future as Long Shutdown Looms
Safety of students and community trump concerns about MCAS
BREWSTER — The Nauset Regional School Committee was considering the possibility of a district-wide shutdown in response to the coronavirus pandemic when it met on March 12. Since then, the […]
PUBLIC SAFETY
Route 6 Improvements Come with Rail Trail Extension
Sidewalks and bike lanes proposed by state transportation planners
WELLFLEET — The state Dept. of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and Dept. of Transportation (MassDOT) presented updated plans on March 12 for a two-mile bike path extension ending at Route […]
CIVICS
Select Board Says No to Video Policy
Divided vote leads to argument about transparency
WELLFLEET — The select board voted 3-2 on Feb. 28 not to adopt a policy requiring the videotaping of all regulatory town board meetings. The vote perpetuated Wellfleet’s status as […]
CIVICS
Primary Election Results
CANDIDATES DEMOCRAT Provincetown Truro Wellfleet Eastham Deval Patrick 4 2 4 6 Amy Klobuchar 26 18 25 56 Elizabeth Warren 365 230 311 347 Michael Bennet 6 1 1 0 […]
HEALTH
Navigators Help Police Deal With Crisis Calls
Mental health and substance abuse are most pressing issues
Last year, 600 to 700 calls to the Wellfleet Police Dept. resulted in police reports. Of those, half involved mental health or substance abuse issues. Providing crisis intervention is now […]
TECHNOLOGY
Town Website Glitch Cancels Four Meetings
Open meeting law required rescheduling in Eastham, Wellfleet
The Eastham, Wellfleet, and Truro town websites were unreachable for much of last Monday and Tuesday, forcing the last-minute cancellation and rescheduling of at least four local board meetings. The […]
