EASTHAM — Barbara Niggel’s quest to expand her Stow Away self-storage business at 4730 Route 6 ended at the planning board’s Aug. 18 hearing, with board member Joe Manas casting […]
News
Fresh local news that brings you closer to your neighbors and the community.
Browse all News stories below or dive into a topic:
THE NEWS INDUSTRY
While Chain-Owned Newspapers Struggle, Many Independents Thrive
Obscured by reports of newsroom job losses, a ‘rebirth of local journalism’
It’s a familiar story: “Hedge fund buys paper, guts newsroom.” Countering that narrative is another, much less familiar, but increasingly common one: “Local paper gains ground, wins subscribers.” The financial […]
HOUSING ANALYSIS
Surprises in Short-Term Rental Data
Community impact fee could apply to many properties here
PROVINCETOWN — The conversion of year-round rental property to short-term rentals has played a starring role in the housing crisis here. But it’s not the only player. An Independent analysis […]
MILLION-YEAR PICNIC
Here Be Dragons
Finding the constellation Draco to expand your celestial map
You can always spot an amateur astronomer. When we step outside after sunset, we’re the ones who pause, look up, and turn slowly. We’re finding the Moon, noting its phase […]
RARA AVIS
This Week’s Bird Sightings
Confirmed bird sightings on the Outer Cape in the week preceding the Independent’s deadline on Tuesday, Aug. 24 included the following, based on a report prepared by Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet […]
THE SCUTTLEBUTT
Henri’s Wallop Is More Financial Than Physical
Boats haul out, but squid, bluefish, and dolphins are here
The summer of big storms continues, with our first named storm rolling into the Provincetown waterfront over the weekend. Henri was initially predicted to hammer Cape Cod, but its sharp […]
PROVINCETOWN: THIS WEEK'S CURRENTS
RTE to Remain 25%
Meetings Ahead
Some Provincetown meetings are in-person only, some are remote only, and some are a hybrid where you can choose to participate in person or through a remote link. Go to provincetown-ma.gov, […]
TRURO: THIS WEEK'S CURRENTS
RTE Goes to 25 Percent
Meetings Ahead
All meetings in Truro are remote only. Go to truro-ma.gov and click on the meeting you want to watch. The agenda includes instructions on how to join. Thursday, August 26 Truro School […]
WELLFLEET: THIS WEEK'S CURRENTS
Dish on Mac’s Tables
Meetings Ahead
All meetings in Wellfleet are remote only and can be watched online. Go to wellfleet-ma.gov and click on the meeting you want to watch. Follow the instructions on the agenda. Thursday, August […]
EASTHAM: THIS WEEK'S CURRENTS
Nauset Light Beach Blues
Meetings Ahead
Most meetings are being held in person, but some are still remote or virtual. Go to eastham-ma.gov/calendar-by-event-type/16 and click on the meeting you are interested in to learn about meeting locations and […]
IN THE WILD
Cape Coyotes Are Emboldened by Human Negligence
Feeding them counteracts their natural fear of people
PROVINCETOWN — Coyotes have been in the news here recently, and wildlife experts say the trouble they sometimes cause is the result of uninformed human behavior. A three-year-old girl was […]
DEMOGRAPHICS
2020 Census: Big Population Increases Here
Wellfleet grew 30%, Provincetown 25%, in 10 years
PROVINCETOWN — The first tranche of data from the 2020 U.S. census was released last week, and it shows something new for the Outer Cape: substantial population growth. The 2010 […]
PROBATE
They Worked for Napi for Years; Now They’re Being Evicted
After being fired by new management, they say, Jamaican workers must leave longtime homes
PROVINCETOWN — Anton “Napi” Van Dereck Haunstrup, the late art collector and owner of Napi’s Restaurant, had no children. But Ellis Wilson, he often told friends, was “the son he […]
BACK TO SCHOOL
Masks Likely to Be Required at Schools on Outer Cape
With no remote option, all students will be back in classrooms this fall
As vaccination rates ramped up last spring and the daily count of Covid-19 cases came down, many hoped this fall’s start of school could feel more like normal. That no […]
HIGH SCHOOL RENOVATION
NRHS Completion Date Pushed Back a Year
The new school is now slated to be finished in August 2025
EASTHAM — The estimated completion of the Nauset Regional High School building project has been moved out a year from August 2024, the date advertised by the building committee in […]
