Most meetings in Eastham are in person, typically with an online-attendance option. Click on the meeting you are interested in on the calendar at eastham-ma.gov for details. All meetings are […]
News
Fresh local news that brings you closer to your neighbors and the community.
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SUMMER CAMP
Camp Lightbulb Cancels Summer Sessions Here
Counselors from previous two years describe an organization in disarray
PROVINCETOWN — Camp Lightbulb, a summer program for queer youth, is not returning to the Outer Cape this year, ending a run that began in Provincetown more than 14 years […]
THE JUSTICE SYSTEM
ICE Arrests Defendant Outside Orleans Courthouse
Biden-era limits on arrests at criminal courts were canceled in January
ORLEANS — Thiago Bastos, 27, who lives in Hyannis with his children, ages 4 and 5, his girlfriend, and her toddler, was arrested by state police on Saturday, May 10 […]
GOING NUCLEAR
Healey’s Energy Bill Opens Door to New Nuclear Reactors
Bill repeals 1982 protections, as Holtec readies its ‘SMR’ plans
PLYMOUTH — Gov. Maura Healey’s energy bill, now before the state legislature, contains a provision that would clear the way for development of new nuclear energy facilities in Massachusetts. According […]
MONEY MATTERS
Wage Theft and Fraud Alleged at Pilgrim House
Several lawsuits, six wage complaints, and a venue drained of performers
PROVINCETOWN — At one of Provincetown’s premier drag performance spaces this season, the lights and lineup have dimmed. The Pilgrim House, a hotel and entertainment venue, used to host “three […]
EDUCATION
Despite Freeze, Title I-A Grants Are on the Way to Outer Cape
School leaders crunch numbers and wait for news on other federal funding
PROVINCETOWN — Although the federal government’s move to cut funding for public education across the nation has put some financial support for Outer Cape schools on hold, local school leaders […]
INCARCERATION
Barnstable Jail Sees Sharp Rise in Women Inmates
A large number of Essex County women are moved to the Cape’s county jail
This article was updated on July 29, 2025. PROVINCETOWN — The number of women locked up at the Barnstable County Correctional Facility in Bourne has ballooned in the last 15 […]
ADMINISTRATION
Select Board Appoints Clark as Truro Town Manager
Now 41, Clark started working for the town when she was in high school
For Kelly Clark, Friday, July 18 — the day after Truro’s select board unanimously voted to offer her the job of town manager — was a lot like many of […]
TRANSPORTATION
There Is Finally Such a Thing as a Free Bus Ride
CCRTA institutes new fare policy to comply with state rules
PROVINCETOWN — The state budget requires all transportation districts in Massachusetts to provide free bus service, and Cape Cod is finally getting on board. For most of the state, this […]
CABLE NEWS
Newscasts Seek New Home After Lower Cape TV Layoffs
Funding issues began with purchase of new building, former director says
ORLEANS — Friday, July 18 was the last day of work for five employees at Lower Cape TV: Executive Director Teresa Martin; studio administrator Emma Fillion; production director Rafal Kowalczyk; […]
HOUSING
Planning Board Considers Eastham’s First Inclusionary Zoning Project
The president of Cape Associates proposes six new rental units on Massasoit Road
EASTHAM — At the planning board’s July 16 meeting, chair Dan Coppelman said the board had entered “new territory” — the first application submitted to the town under its inclusionary […]
THE SCUTTLEBUTT
Bass, Blues, Fluke, Squid — We’ve Got Them All on the Bay Side
So far, Chatham’s the hot spot for Atlantic white shark sightings
Fishing really ramped up this week. Two conditions coincided to make that happen: we got a stretch of good weather, and the fish cooperated in a big way. Striped bass […]
BIRDWATCHING
Lament for the Heath Hen
Imagining a grouse that once lived in our oak forests
Imagine these woods as they were before Europeans arrived. Trees were not easily felled. Instead, fire was used to clear land, allowing roots to survive and new growth to easily […]
NATURAL SELECTION
Root Moocher
A tiny flash of yellow draws the eye to the bloom of a low-lying plant — one that is otherwise growing rather inconspicuously on the floor of the Beech Forest. […]
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 22 included the following, based on a report prepared by Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet […]
