When bids to build affordable housing were opened in the last two weeks, describing plans for the former VFW site in Provincetown and for 95 Lawrence Road in Wellfleet, a […]
News
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COEXISTENCE
Shark Mitigation Is Still an Uncertain Art
Scientists say education is key, because sharks are here to stay
WELLFLEET — In the three years since a shark attack at Newcomb Hollow Beach — the first fatal attack on the Atlantic coast since 1936 — the debate about how […]
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. 17 included the following, based on a report prepared by Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet […]
THE SCUTTLEBUTT
Bluefish Reign, but Hypoxia Threatens South End of Bay
A major factor is lawn fertilizer raising nitrogen levels
As the water heats up, the bluefishing just keeps getting better and better. I recorded some extraordinary surface water temperatures last week: 77 degrees in the harbor, and 75 degrees […]
PROVINCETOWN: THIS WEEK'S CURRENTS
Aug. 25 Deadline for Sal’s
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 […]
TRURO: THIS WEEK'S CURRENTS
Steer Clear
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 19 […]
WELLFLEET: THIS WEEK'S CURRENTS
Masks Up
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. […]
EASTHAM: THIS WEEK'S CURRENTS
Assessing an Assessment
Meetings Ahead
Meetings are being held in person. 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 any remote options that may be […]
ECONOMY
Jamaican Business Owners Come to the Front of the House
After decades of hard work and saving, a few have managed to succeed
PROVINCETOWN — When Omar Neil first arrived on the Outer Cape in 2001, he shared a three-bedroom house with 19 other Jamaican temporary visa holders. Every day, a truck picked […]
CASE LOAD
Truro Sees a Jump in Covid-19 Cases and Takes Action
The town reinstates a mask mandate both indoors and outdoors in crowds
TRURO — New Covid-19 infections here, some connected to the July Provincetown cluster, have led officials and business owners to reinstate pandemic protocols. At the beginning of July, Truro had […]
THE CRISIS
Year-Round Rental Housing Melts Away as Real Estate Booms
New ideas for preserving existing rental units emerge on Nantucket
PROVINCETOWN — Early in the morning of June 11, seven Provincetown residents received the email that every renter here fears: “It’s been wonderful being your landlord, but I’m getting older […]
BUSINESS SCENE
Restaurant Relief Fund Brings Almost $9 Million to Outer Cape
23 P’town restaurants, plus one each in Wellfleet and Eastham, get funding
PROVINCETOWN — The Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF), created by Congress in March of this year to help restaurants and bars that suffered extreme loss of revenue due to the Covid-19 […]
SQUID INK
Squidding With Ish and a Sea of Sweet Mystery
A too-early curfew, a secret spot, and a shower of ink
PROVINCETOWN — “Call me, Ishmael,” I said, as Ish walked to his parked car. “Otherwise, I will pick you up just before sunset.” “I’ll text ya,” he yelled over his […]
CONTRACTIONS
Stow Away Storage Expansion at Willy’s, Continued
Attorney Zehnder won’t promise not to come back for more
EASTHAM — A proposal by Willy’s Gym owner Barbara Niggel to expand the number of storage units at 4730 State Highway has been scaled back after a Cape Cod Commission […]
VALUES
Officials Differ on Whether to Call Truro ‘Rural’
A discussion of priorities for next year reveals conflicting views
TRURO — An open-ended discussion of the select board’s values last week exposed conflicting points of view on several questions, including whether the town should describe itself as “rural.” Another […]
