After trudging over the blinding, desert-like mountains of sand that compose the first half of Provincetown’s grueling dune shack trail, a hiker then stumbling across the floating, twinkling hairballs […]
News
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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, Oct. 8 included the following, based on a report prepared by Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet […]
PROVINCETOWN: THIS WEEK'S CURRENTS
Land Trust Meeting
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
Undelayed Demolition
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, Oct. […]
WELLFLEET: THIS WEEK'S CURRENTS
Upping the Ambulance Fees
Meetings Ahead Most meetings in Wellfleet are held online and in person. Go to www.wellfleet-ma.gov/calendar and click on the meeting you want to watch, then follow the instructions on the […]
EASTHAM: THIS WEEK'S CURRENTS
Where Are They Now?
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 […]
THE BREACH
More Studies Planned for Breakwater Gap
Officials warn that opening might not stop invasive marsh crabs
PROVINCETOWN — An on-again, off-again effort to install a gap in the Long Point Dike, more commonly called the West End breakwater, took a small step forward last week at […]
RECOVERY
A New Wellness Center Offers In-Person Support
Its focus is on helping those affected by substance use disorder
WELLFLEET — Outer Cape Health Services has opened a new behavioral health facility in Wellfleet. It will be open year-round to help people recovering from substance use disorder. The A.I.M. […]
CONVERSION
Condo Owners’ Long Wait for Year-Round OK
Truro says inadequate staffing was the reason for a drawn-out approval process
TRURO — Elaine Eliopoulos told the Truro Select Board on Sept. 10 that she and the other owners of the 13 residential units at the Anchorage on the Bay condominiums […]
TURTLES
Conservationists Seek ‘Endangered’ Designation for Terrapins
Funds for local research and challenges for dredging could come with listing
WELLFLEET — A petition submitted to the National Marine Fisheries Service on Sept. 19 by a coalition of 20 nonprofit organizations led by the Tucson, Ariz.-based Center for Biological Diversity […]
RADIOACTIVITY
DEP Wants to Allow ‘Intervenors’ in Holtec Appeal Hearing
Environmental, fishing, and real estate groups join forces against wastewater release
PLYMOUTH — The state Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP) determined in July that Holtec Decommissioning International’s proposal to discharge up to one million gallons of wastewater from the Pilgrim Nuclear […]
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Wall-Raising Set for 4 Habitat Homes in Wellfleet
Despite increased earning limit for participants, fewer vie for deed-restricted deals
This article was updated on Oct. 18, 2024 with new dates for the community kickoff and wall-raising. WELLFLEET — The winners of a lottery to become owners of four affordable […]
ON THE WARRANT
Wellfleet Special Town Meeting to Consider a Series of Tidy-Ups
Money for marina and town offices and changes in the way town meeting works
WELLFLEET — The special town meeting set for Oct. 21 may be far from special. Town Administrator Tom Guerino told the select board on Sept. 17 that what voters will […]
ENVIRONMENTAL HISTORY
How Puritan Beliefs Shaped Cape Cod’s Landscape
At John Doane’s Eastham home, evidence of rapid deforestation but no wild meat
EASTHAM — Somewhat surprisingly, given that Cape Cod is an enormous glacial sandpile, the first European settlers to build permanent homes on the Outer Cape were in search of dirt. […]
THE SCUTTLEBUTT
The Ocean Gets a Good Mixing
Whales, dolphins, bass, and blues
Our recent inhospitable fall weather continued to dominate the waterfront, with east and northeast winds making going out and catching fish challenging. Despite the lack of southerly winds, though, water […]