Confirmed bird sightings on the Outer Cape in the week preceding the Independent’s deadline on Tuesday, July 15 included the following, based on a report prepared by Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet […]
News
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WEATHER
The Humidity Heads Out to Sea
After cooling down late last week and remaining on the cooler side of things through the weekend, temperatures have climbed back to well above average this week. And those warm […]
PROVINCETOWN: THIS WEEK'S CURRENTS
Housing Rehab Funds
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 link to […]
TRURO: THIS WEEK'S CURRENTS
A More Authentic Seal
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, July […]
WELLFLEET: THIS WEEK'S CURRENTS
Select Board Sewers Up
Meetings Ahead
Most meetings in Wellfleet are in person, typically with an online-attendance option. Click on the meeting that interests you on the calendar at wellfleet-ma.gov for details. All meetings are at […]
EASTHAM: THIS WEEK'S CURRENTS
Fire on the Marsh?
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 meetings are […]
PUBLIC SAFETY
Provincetown Responds to Two Anti-Gay Bias Crimes
An alleged attack on Howland Street is being investigated; slurs heard on Bradford result in charges
PROVINCETOWN — Over two days last week, two different bias crimes are alleged to have happened on Bradford Street: a physical attack on a gay man near the intersection of […]
HEALTH CARE
State Makes Moves to Protect Transgender Care
A new trust fund would try to replace threatened federal dollars
This article was updated on July 14, 2025. PROVINCETOWN — This spring, the U.S. House of Representatives took a cue from the 27 Republican-controlled states that have restricted gender-affirming health […]
ENTITLEMENT
Sextons Fail Again in Wellfleet Land Grab Attempt
Appeals Court upholds Land Court ruling that Fred Bell Way is on town property
WELLFLEET — Chellise Sexton and her son Kevin Sexton have failed again in their effort to wrest the land at Fred Bell Way from the town. The Sextons have pursued […]
LAND USE
In Truro’s Seashore, a Two-Year-Old Dispute Continues
Martin now says he’ll build a house at former site of Jack’s Gas
TRURO — A state Land Court judge has set a pretrial conference for Aug. 14 to discuss three appeals related to whether the bulk sale of landscaping material on the […]
HOUSING
On One Parcel, a Land Trust Becomes a Reality in Wellfleet
Finding a nonprofit to own the land could make the process easier for others
WELLFLEET — As house prices become increasingly unaffordable on the Outer Cape, interest is growing in ways that individual property owners could help create opportunities for year-round residents to own […]
BLUE ECONOMY
Scallop Landings at Outer Cape Ports Are in Steep Decline
Last year’s catch was only one-third of the 2021 haul
PROVINCETOWN — State data finalized in April show that 2024 saw the smallest sea scallop haul from the Outer and Lower Cape’s ports since at least 2019. The in-shell weight […]
PUBLIC WORKS
Provincetown Plans to Renovate Its Restrooms in Spring
Design work is proceeding, but town meeting will need to approve construction funds
PROVINCETOWN — The town is moving forward with plans to renovate its public restrooms to the gender-inclusive standards in the state’s newest building code — a shift that would replace […]
CIVICS
Three Are Reappointed to Ad Hoc Group Over Areson’s Objection
‘Sideshows’ have detracted from building committee’s work, says board chair
This article was updated on July 10. TRURO — With the terms of all the members of the ad hoc building committee set to expire at the end of June, […]
BIRDWATCHING
A Secret Planter of Oaks
Giving blue jays the credit they deserve for reforesting the Outer Cape’s woodlands
It doesn’t seem possible that these hills around us were planted. We know they were clear cut; Europeans and their ships had not seen trees this size in centuries. It […]