As climate change causes more frequent, more intense, and slower-moving storms, people on Outer Cape Cod are having to adjust their ideas about how quickly its beaches are eroding. A […]
News
Fresh local news that brings you closer to your neighbors and the community.
Browse all News stories below or dive into a topic:
MORNING FLIGHT
New Winter Birds That Are Here to Stay
Climate change has altered the birds we see as ‘ours’
Charles Townsend was an acclaimed ornithologist who lived on the North Shore of Boston. Studying the birds around him, he quickly rose to prominence as an expert on the bird […]
MIGHTY PHRAGMITES
America, the Invaded
The view across a Cape marsh in winter can be downright lyrical, with beautiful, spacious skies and amber waves of Phragmites australis, the invasive common reed. Soaring up to 20 […]
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. 13 included the following, based on a report prepared by Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet […]
PROVINCETOWN: THIS WEEK'S CURRENTS
Expanding the Housing Office
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
A House Convoy
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, Feb. […]
WELLFLEET: THIS WEEK'S CURRENTS
8 Years of Roadwork?
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
Election Season
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 […]
WHALE WATCH
Entanglement Leads to Death of Young Right Whale
Scientists offer facts, but misinformation grows with help from climate deniers
This article was updated on Feb. 28, 2024. PROVINCETOWN — A North Atlantic right whale was found dead near Edgartown on Martha’s Vineyard on Jan. 28. The death represents a […]
CIVICS
Provincetown Adopts a ‘Phased Approach’ to DPW Renovation
Instead of a $31-million building, the town will start with a $5-million garage
PROVINCETOWN — Almost two years ago, departing Dept. of Public Works Director Rich Waldo made a pitch to the select board for a new DPW facility slated to cost $31 […]
LOCAL SPAT
Hiring a Shellfish Deputy Becomes a Pitched Battle in Wellfleet
Changes in the shellfish dept. generate accusations despite town counsel’s approval
WELLFLEET — The addition of a fourth full-time employee of the shellfish dept. has stirred turmoil between town officials and members of the shellfishing community, who claim the process by […]
THE TALK IN TRURO
In Winter’s Civics Vortex, Reviewing a Meeting That Might Have Been
Voters talk about their reactions to a special town meeting that was postponed
TRURO — The buzz about the special town meeting was not put off until May 4 — even if the meeting itself was. Debate over its two most controversial subjects, […]
CERTIFIED
Eastham Takes on the Housing Management Problem
Seven units owned by the affordable housing trust will be managed by town staff
EASTHAM — Last July, the Eastham Affordable Housing Trust’s housing management contract with the nonprofit Community Development Partnership (CDP) expired, and the trust didn’t renew it. Instead, it decided to have […]
JUST POSTERS
Black History Month Gets Little Attention at Nauset High This Year
With the Black Students Union inactive, no events are planned for February
EASTHAM — Nauset Regional High School’s observance of Black History Month last year caused controversy when an “All Lives Matter” banner was hung in a school hallway. This year, students say, […]
SHARK SMART
So Far, Experiments With Shark Barriers Don’t Sway Local Experts
Growing acceptance of sharks’ presence shapes understanding of ‘mitigation’
WELLFLEET — Great white sharks have become as synonymous with Cape Cod summers as lobster rolls and bridge traffic. But as their population has rebounded after decades of decline, so […]
