PROVINCETOWN — In response to the Trump administration’s decision on Jan. 21 to lift restrictions barring U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers from making arrests in “sensitive locations” including […]
News
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RADIOACTIVITY
Panel Hears Risks of Radioactive Material Stored in Casks at Pilgrim
Holtec has no plan to deal with tons of radioactive spent fuel stored on-site
PLYMOUTH — The 62 concrete-and-steel casks storing more than 4,000 radioactive spent fuel assemblies from the former Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station’s 47 years of operation still sit on the site, […]
H5N1
Avian Flu Is Spreading, Affecting Wild Birds Most
Waterfowl hit hardest, with poultry and pets at risk; more surveillance underway
WELLFLEET — If you feel like you’ve been noticing a lot of dead birds lately, you’re not alone. According to State Ornithologist Andrew Vitz, we are in the midst of […]
LONG TIMELINE
Future Is Unclear for Wind Leases off Cape Cod
Existing leases have not been canceled, and a five-year deadline leaves some time
WELLFLEET — On his inauguration day, President Donald Trump signed an executive order meant to start fulfilling his campaign promise to kill offshore wind development “on day one.” The executive […]
WELLFLEET MARINA
Cavanaugh Aims to Clean Up Harbormaster’s Act
He plans upgrades to infrastructure and a new approach to engaging fishermen
WELLFLEET — A Jan. 18 notice from the harbormaster raised eyebrows among shellfishermen here. Winter dockage fees for use of the pier, due on Jan. 31, were being increased dramatically […]
NAUSET SCHOOLS
Glenn Brand Is Unanimous Choice for Superintendent
Pending contract negotiations, he will succeed Brooke Clenchy on July 1
ORLEANS — The Nauset Regional School Committee and members of the four town elementary school committees that make up the Nauset district voted unanimously last week to offer the superintendent’s […]
HOMECOMING
Nauset’s New Auditorium Made a Holiday Debut
A key component of the high school’s renovation was unveiled at a student-alumni concert
EASTHAM — Nearly two years after Brait Builders got to work in February 2023, every component of the first phase of Nauset Regional High School’s $170-million reconstruction project is complete. […]
NATURAL SELECTION
The Birches Stay Forever Young
You can spot plenty of native gray birch trees in the brush next to Bound Brook and Pole Dike roads in Wellfleet: just look for the chalky bark with the […]
RARA AVIS
This Week’s Bird Sightings
Confirmed bird sightings on the Outer Cape in the week preceding the Independent’s deadline on Tuesday, Feb. 4 included the following, based on a report prepared by Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet […]
PROVINCETOWN: THIS WEEK'S CURRENTS
Traffic on MacMillan Pier
Meetings Ahead Most meetings in Provincetown are held in person, typically with an online-attendance option. Click on the meeting you want to attend on the calendar at provincetown-ma.gov for a […]
TRURO: THIS WEEK'S CURRENTS
Goals for Town Manager
Meetings Ahead Meetings in Truro are often held remotely. Go to Truro-ma.gov and click on the meeting you are interested in for an agenda and details on how to join. […]
WELLFLEET: THIS WEEK'S CURRENTS
ADUs and Wastewater
Meetings Ahead Most meetings in Wellfleet are in person, typically with an online-attendance option. Click on the meeting you are interested in on the calendar at wellfleet-ma.gov for details. All meetings are […]
EASTHAM: THIS WEEK'S CURRENTS
Beach Sticker Changes
Meetings Ahead 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 […]
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Enrollment Declines Steeply in Wellfleet and Truro
Wellfleet isn’t part of regionalization study with the rest of Nauset district
This article was updated on Jan. 30, 2025. WELLFLEET — With young families finding the Outer Cape increasingly unaffordable, elementary school enrollment has plunged by about 30 percent since the […]
ENVIRONMENT
Wellfleet Adopts New Septic Regulations
Priorities: upgrades, cesspool removal in stages, and case-by-case decisions
WELLFLEET — The board of health approved a new set of septic system regulations at its Jan. 22 meeting. The rules are an essential part of the town’s Targeted Watershed […]
