TRURO — The candidate selected to become the new town manager taking Rae Ann Palmer’s place turned out to be the wrong man for the job when negotiations over salary […]
Civics
TAXES
Eastham Again Nixes Resident Tax Exemption
Town officials looking for ways to help year-rounders in need
EASTHAM — While the select board once again decided not to adopt a residential tax exemption (RTE) this year, the controversial measure will be back on the table for 2022, […]
TOWN ELECTION
Wellfleet Ballot Includes $3.8 Million for Water Main
Special election Sept. 8 has 10 budget votes
WELLFLEET — A special town election taking place on Tuesday, Sept. 8 features 10 ballot questions, all involving budget overrides and exemptions from Proposition 2½ limits. Large purchases that involve […]
JOURNALISM
Commission on Local Newspapers Passes House Vote
Concern for future of journalism grows as chains take over
An amendment to an economic development bill calling for a statewide commission to look at what’s happening to local newspapers passed the Mass. House of Representatives on July 28 and […]
POLITICS
Cyr Nearly Alone in Speaking Out Against Morse Smear
Vague sex allegations have ‘chilling effect’ on gay candidates, he says
PROVINCETOWN — A Democratic congressional primary race in Western Massachusetts wouldn’t normally make the news on Cape Cod. But the race for the nomination in the rural 1st district, covering […]
ENFORCEMENT
Willy’s Owner Fined $101,000 for Wage Law Violations
Widow of tennis pro who died on the job will be compensated
EASTHAM — Barbara Niggel, the owner of Willy’s World Wellness & Conference Center, has been fined $101,466 by the state attorney general’s office for a litany of labor law violations. […]
RACISM REPORT
Black Lives Matter Signs Provoke Vandals
Wellfleet police warn of ‘zero tolerance’ for spray painting
When Barbara Rushmore’s “Black Lives Matter” sign was stolen from in front of her house on Commercial Street in Provincetown’s East End around July 4th, she assumed that someone from […]
ANIMAL KINGDOM
Bats Take Over Town Hall
Eastham learns how to gently remove flying mammals from public buildings
EASTHAM — Bats took over town hall last week, displacing town employees and moving last weekend’s early voting for the Sept. 1 primary election outdoors. Town Administrator Jacqui Beebe said […]
BALLOTS
How, When, Where to Vote on Outer Cape
Navigating a process threatened by Covid-19 and federal assault
PROVINCETOWN — While the U.S. Postal Service is being hobbled by national political forces that aim to privatize it and perhaps sabotage the upcoming federal elections during a pandemic, there’s […]
CIVICS
Texan Chosen as Next Truro Town Manager
Robert Wood was selected over Barnstable County health official
TRURO — Robert Wood, a Texan, will become the next town manager here, succeeding Rae Ann Palmer, who chose not to seek a renewal of her contract this year. Though […]
DARK OF NIGHT
Mail Slowdown Is Political, Say Critics
Trump, rejecting new funding, calls voting by mail ‘ridiculous’
Third in a series of reports on the local effects of the crisis in the U.S. Postal Service. The Trump administration’s unprecedented assault on the Postal Service, which has affected […]
SENATE PRIMARY
Cape Votes May Decide Markey-Kennedy Primary Race
Incumbent environmentalist challenged by former Cape prosecutor
Less than two weeks away from the U.S. Senate Democratic primary, progressive incumbent Sen. Ed Markey and current Congressman Joe Kennedy III are still fighting to see who will be […]
CIVICS
3 Democrats Compete to Unseat Beaty
Andrews, Forest, and Lyons are on Sept. 1 primary ballot
In the Sept. 1 primary election, three Democratic candidates for the Barnstable County Commission are vying for two places on the Nov. 3 ballot. They’re hoping to replace Mary Pat […]
YOUTH EMPOWERMENT
Young People’s Participation in Politics Is Growing
Allowing 16-year-olds to vote in town elections could boost engagement
The day Nauset High senior Garrison Guzzeau went to take his driver’s test, he left the Registry of Motor Vehicles with both his license and his completed voter preregistration, so […]
DEBT OF GRATITUDE
Friends of Willy’s Coach Press Niggel to Pay His Widow
Remembrance and protest on the anniversary of Joe Abbott’s death
EASTHAM — About 50 people gathered outside Willy’s World Wellness & Conference Center on Aug. 7, marking one year since the death of tennis coach Joe Abbott, who collapsed at […]