EASTHAM — Even in the best of circumstances, accessing mental and behavioral health care can become a Herculean journey. The country’s mental health care system is byzantine, there are rarely […]
News
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ON PAUSE
Political Signs Are a Reminder of Unenforced Bylaw
‘Save Cape Cod’ did not register its spending with state, yet its signs linger on Route 6
TRURO — A fleet of roadside signs urging drivers to “Vote NO” on Question 7 remained on the public right-of-way along Route 6 for weeks before and after election day […]
DEVELOPMENT
With Septic Plan Approved, Collins Cove Sale May Proceed
Lawyers say they’re close to deal on cottages that buyer will convert to condos
EASTHAM — Despite a bitter disagreement between the sellers and a prospective buyer, the Collins Cove Cottage Colony, a cluster of summer rentals on the shore of Town Cove owned […]
MORNING FLIGHT
When a Bird Ignores Its Zugunruhe
Looking for lingerers and finding the reasons some birds stay here for the winter
Zugunruhe is one of those perfect German words that have no equivalent in English, so we Anglophones just decided to steal it outright. The word translates as “migration-anxiety” and describes […]
RARA AVIS
This Week’s Bird Sightings
Confirmed bird sightings on the Outer Cape in the week preceding the Independent’s early deadline on Monday, Dec. 23 included the following, based on a report prepared by Mass Audubon’s […]
NATURAL SELECTION
Never Too Soon for Sunscreen
Last week we marked the winter solstice, the daylight’s yearly nadir; now, each subsequent day will bring with it incrementally more sunshine. Xanthoria parietina is ready. The orange coloring of […]
PROVINCETOWN: THIS WEEK'S CURRENTS
Winter Wednesdays
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
Rescued by Rescue Plan
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. Monday, Dec. […]
WELLFLEET: THIS WEEK'S CURRENTS
A Charge of Bullying
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
Taxpayer Assistance Fund
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 […]
DRY RUN
Town and Neighbors Join Up to Face Future Floods
DPW tests new barriers as Howland Street residents organize against rising tides
PROVINCETOWN — Serious flooding used to be rare in Provincetown, but since 2018 four major floods have struck. And after a December 2022 flood brought water as deep as five […]
GROUNDED
At Near Empty Airport, Plans for Next Winter
The town is talking with other airlines and pursuing federal funds
PROVINCETOWN — Out on Race Point Road at the windswept end of the Cape Cod National Seashore, the lights are still on at Provincetown’s airport. The building is open every […]
GREAT EXPECTATIONS
Select Board Works on Town Manager Goals for 2025
Five goals are focused on training, community engagement, and infrastructure
TRURO — After three public work sessions totaling six hours of discussion, the select board moved closer on Dec. 12 to finalizing a list of goals for next year for […]
ASSESSED VALUE
Eastham Board Will Reconsider Residential Tax Exemption
The optional state policy would shift more of tax burden onto seasonal houses
EASTHAM — At the select board’s last discussion of the residential tax exemption (RTE) in January 2024, the four members who were present were evenly split: Aimee Eckman and Jerry […]
STATE HOUSE
Arts Community Lobbies for State Legislation
With two weeks left, MassCreative has a win, a loss, and three bills in limbo
PROVINCETOWN — The arts advocacy group MassCreative had a shopping list of legislation it was promoting this year, including at an event at the Fine Arts Work Center on Oct. […]
