I’m starting to sound like a broken record: we are still waiting for the big charge of striped bass to arrive in our waters. There have been reports of spotty […]
NO SERVICE
DOGE Cuts Cancel Grants for AmeriCorps
County officials and nonprofits scramble to preserve jobs
WELLFLEET — AmeriCorps, the federal agency that funds community service projects, has terminated $530,000 in grants for work on the Outer Cape undertaken by AmeriCorps Cape Cod (ACC) and through […]
DEVELOPMENT
Sexton Subdivisions in Wellfleet Put Access at Risk
One could block access to Duck Pond landing, another could impede firefighting
WELLFLEET — Two subdivisions proposed by Kevin Sexton for undeveloped land on Old King’s Highway got considerable pushback during site plan reviews conducted by the planning board over the past […]
IMPROVEMENTS
As Seasonal Workers Arrive, Seashore Park Inn Becomes Habitable
Town officials say new owners are on track to meet health and safety requirements
ORLEANS — Seasonal workers have begun arriving on Cape Cod to provide much-needed support for the region’s businesses over the summer. “We expect to have close to 5,000 this summer, […]
ENVIRONMENT
Beebe Wants to Get Real About the Eastham Sewer
Questions range from purpose to location to smells from future wastewater treatment facility
EASTHAM — Last month’s news that the town had qualified for a renewable $50-million low-interest loan from the state Dept. of Environmental Protection for a sewer system to protect the […]
WATER POLITICS
Truro Makes Plans for Water, and for Misinformation
As housing and infrastructure advance, the town aims to communicate more clearly
TRURO — At a recent meeting with residents of Short Lots Lane, which runs just south of the 70-acre town-owned Walsh property, zoning task force chair David Bannard heard a […]
THE SCUTTLEBUTT
President Opens Seamounts Marine Monument to Commercial Fishing
Flounder fishing continues while we wait for the whales to leave and the stripers to arrive
As the striped bass continue their sluggish trek north, the canal remains quiet, as does the south shore of the Cape. So, we wait and wait some more. But not […]
THE SCUTTLEBUTT
Flounder and Mackerel Are Here, but Haddock Are Not
We’ll be getting the blues early this year
The water temperatures off Cape Cod are only sluggishly increasing this spring, reaching the upper 40s and in some spots the low 50s last week. If all you’re thinking about […]
ECONOMY
After ‘Nerve-Wracking’ Pause, Feds Resume Processing H-2B Visas
Many Cape Cod employers rely on ‘returning worker’ visas that were delayed
PROVINCETOWN — The seasonal economy of the Outer Cape relies heavily on a workforce that many tourists seldom see: the chefs, dishwashers, and housekeepers who keep hotels looking pristine and […]
TAX POLICY
Exploring the Numbers for a Residential Tax Exemption in Eastham
Because the tax rate changes, financial impact can vary widely
EASTHAM — Ever since the select board voted in January to begin planning for a residential tax exemption (RTE) in the upcoming fiscal year, opposition to the policy from part-time […]
THE SCUTTLEBUTT
Cold Water Has Stripers Staying South
When they get here, we’ll be measuring these fish differently
It’s strange, given our warming climate, but the ocean water temperatures off our shores are still running in the low to mid 40s — that’s cold for this time of […]
TOWN MEETING PREVIEW
Wellfleet Will Debate Plans for Campground
No operating overrides; $600K for marina won’t address fire damage
WELLFLEET — For the second year in a row, the annual town meeting warrant does not propose any Proposition 2½ overrides to raise local taxes above the state’s statutory limit, […]
TRANSPORTATION
Cape Air Resumes, But Provincetown Still Seeks Year-Round Carrier
Loss of passengers will eventually mean loss of FAA funds
PROVINCETOWN — In three weeks, commercial flights between Provincetown and Boston will resume after a six-month hiatus. Cape Air — the only carrier to offer scheduled flights to Provincetown since […]
THE SCUTTLEBUTT
Watching Whales and Studying Squid
The CeeJay crew mourns the death of a young angler
The striped bass are getting a little closer to our waters as we finally get some warmer spring weather. The canal remains quiet, but I am hearing about catches in […]
HOUSING IN THE WORKS
Cloverleaf Breaks Ground; Leaders Look to Future
Decade-long project timelines are an urgent problem in a worsening crisis
TRURO — At a groundbreaking ceremony for the 43-unit Cloverleaf affordable housing project on April 11, the mood was equal parts festive and frustrated. Construction is expected to be complete […]