The native Sassafras albidum is a tree full of wonders — scents of cinnamon and citrus from root to bark to tip; whimsical leaves shaped like mittens and tridents and footballs; resplendent […]
News
Fresh local news that brings you closer to your neighbors and the community.
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RARA AVIS
This Week’s Bird Sightings
Confirmed bird sightings on the Outer Cape in the week preceding the Independent’s deadline on Tuesday, May 14 included the following, based on a report prepared by Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet […]
PROVINCETOWN: THIS WEEK'S CURRENTS
Blinking Stop Sign
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
Additional Candidates
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. Thursday, May […]
WELLFLEET: THIS WEEK'S CURRENTS
Cemetery Spring Cleaning
Meetings Ahead Most meetings in Wellfleet are remote only, but some are held in person. Go to www.wellfleet-ma.gov/calendar and click on the meeting you want to watch, then follow the […]
EASTHAM: THIS WEEK'S CURRENTS
Pressure Treated Pressure
Meetings Ahead Most meetings in Eastham are in person, typically with an online-attendance option. Click on the meeting you want to attend on the calendar at eastham-ma.gov for a link […]
TRURO TOWN MEETINGS
DPW Plan Sent Back; Voters OK Walsh Proposal
A two-day 12-hour marathon showed solid support for housing
TRURO — Last weekend’s town meeting marathon saw overwhelming support for multi-pronged efforts to build affordable housing. But when it came to plans to upgrade a dept. of public works […]
WELLFLEET TOWN MEETING PREVIEW
For Once, a Town Meeting With No Override Votes
An abundance of free cash helped smooth out this year’s town budget
WELLFLEET — Voters whose thumbs are sore from opening their wallets will find relief at this year’s annual town meeting, scheduled for May 20 at 6 p.m. at the Wellfleet […]
EASTHAM TOWN MEETING
Voters OK 2 Overrides, Short-Term Rental Rules
Hiring 2 new police officers and specialized energy code are approved
EASTHAM — Town meeting voters overwhelmingly approved a $44.2-million fiscal 2025 operating budget with a $1-million Proposition 2½ override on Saturday, May 4. By an even larger margin, they endorsed […]
TOWN ELECTIONS
Provincetown Has Contests for Select Board and School Committee
$11.7-million Motta Field plan also requires voter approval
PROVINCETOWN — At the town’s annual election on Tuesday, May 14, voters will choose between two candidates for one seat on the select board — incumbent Leslie Sandberg and challenger […]
ENVIRONMENT
U.S. Proposes 8 Wind Energy Areas in Gulf of Maine
Local fishermen’s alliance will question effects of offshore turbines
The U.S. Dept. of the Interior announced last week the proposed auction of eight offshore wind lease areas in the Gulf of Maine. The areas selected by the department’s Bureau […]
CLEARCUT
Truro Campground Makes Slow Amends for 2016 Violations
Work is underway on environmental restoration and a long-delayed sewage system
TRURO — Eight years after the owners of Horton’s Camping Resort in Truro illegally cleared 11 acres of land abutting the Cape Cod National Seashore, a habitat restoration project is […]
HEARINGS
Huskies’ Owner Seeks to Overturn ‘Dangerous’ Designation
The select board’s requirement that a kennel be built has not been met
EASTHAM — The owner of two huskies designated as “dangerous dogs” by the select board last month is seeking to overturn that ruling and the accompanying requirements in Orleans District […]
KILO MIKE ONE CHARLIE CHARLIE
Amateur Radio Enthusiasts Talk to the World From Wellfleet
Celebrating the inventor of wireless radio transmitters
WELLFLEET — About a dozen ham radio operators were here on April 27 to mark the 150th birthday of Guglielmo Marconi. It wasn’t really the inventor’s birthday — that’s April 25 […]
REAL ESTATE
Wellfleet Board Wants Gestalt Center for Office Space
Select board sets special town meeting and debt exclusion vote for June
WELLFLEET — The select board has called a special town meeting for June 17 and a town election for June 18 to ask voters to consider the purchase of the […]