The colorful nightly parade of planets that began in January continues this month and next, with Venus, Jupiter, and Mars all visible after dark — clouds permitting. These planets can […]
News
Fresh local news that brings you closer to your neighbors and the community.
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NATURAL SELECTION
Invasion of the Pretzel Sticks
The brown pretzel sticks seen trailside at the Twine Field in Truro are the thick twigs of Ailanthus altissima, the so-called tree-of-heaven, an infamous invasive that has established a grove […]
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. 18 included the following, based on a report prepared by Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet […]
PROVINCETOWN: THIS WEEK'S CURRENTS
Town Election
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
Town Election
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
Blasch Demolition
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 […]
EASTHAM: THIS WEEK'S CURRENTS
Town Election
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 […]
BOOK BANS
Cyr Speaks to CLAMS Members About ‘Right to Read’ Bill
Local librarians worry but are not facing many demands for censorship
CHATHAM — A cloud of worry hung over the group of librarians gathered on Jan. 24 at the Eldredge Public Library for the CLAMS network’s annual legislative luncheon. Staff from […]
IMMIGRATION
Sheriff Says Her Staff Will Not Act As ICE Agents
287(g) agreement won’t be revived, but ICE is notified when people with detainers are released
PROVINCETOWN — Despite a Jan. 21 memo from the federal Dept. of Justice directing U.S. attorneys to crack down on state and local officials seen as uncooperative with immigration enforcement, […]
TURNOVER
After 4 Years, Truro’s Town Manager Is Out
Kelly Clark takes on Darrin Tangeman’s duties at town hall
TRURO — Town Manager Darrin Tangeman has resigned effective April 8 after four years on the job and with two years remaining on his three-year contract. Assistant Town Manager Kelly […]
GUT PUNCH
Wellfleet Considers Legal Action Against Owner of House on Bluff
Key is showing imminent harm to harbor and economy should Bonomi let the house fall
WELLFLEET — The massive house on the edge of the eroding bluff at 1440 Chequessett Neck Road is a cliff-hanger in more than one way. In January, the town’s conservation […]
TOWN MEETING
Provincetown Plans Budget Override for Fire and Police
Six experienced leaders would be added to the town’s fire department
This article was updated on Feb. 16. PROVINCETOWN — At the April 7 town meeting, voters will decide on a proposed $1.4-million operating override that would expand the leadership ranks […]
CLIMATE SCIENCE
WHOI Resets Ocean De-Acidification Test for This Summer
Comments on EPA permit to conduct experiment in Wilkinson Basin are positive so far
WOODS HOLE — With the federal government following a blueprint to deter climate research at agencies like the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), scientists at the Woods Hole Oceanographic […]
CUTTING CARE
Mental Health Center Closing Would Ripple Across Cape, Officials Say
State budget cuts would affect access to the Cape’s only inpatient psychiatric care
Editor’s note: Because of a production error, the last section of this article did not appear in the print version of the Feb. 13 edition. The full text of the […]
MORNING FLIGHT
Bird Love Knows No Bounds
Sex and mating stories in the bird world appear to be as diverse as they are in the human one
Though winter’s grip has not loosened on the Outer Cape, the birds are already signaling the changing season. Chickadees, song sparrows, and house finches are beginning to sing more frequently, […]
