WELLFLEET — A nationwide mass firing of federal employees who were in their “probationary” first year on the job included three full-time staff at the Cape Cod National Seashore: archaeologist […]
Next Generation
RESIGNATION
Truro Bids Its Town Manager a Costly Goodbye
Darrin Tangeman’s departure comes with a $237K payout and a split select board
TRURO — Town Manager Darrin Tangeman will receive a $237,370 lump-sum severance payment from the town after his resignation takes effect on April 8, according to a signed copy of […]
SHELLFISHING
How to Bring In Four Bushels of Wild Winter Oysters
A day on a dragger, in pursuit of deep-water Wellfleets
WELLFLEET — When Dave Seitler got up at 5 a.m. on Sunday, the first thing he checked was the temperature. Through nearly all of February, low temperatures had stymied his attempts […]
IMMIGRATION
Locals Ask If ‘Safe Community’ Policies Endure
Outer Cape police say requests to hold arrested people are ‘incredibly rare’ here
PROVINCETOWN — The Trump administration has already begun to implement its plans for large-scale deportations, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in major cities and legal threats to state […]
UNHAPPY TAXPAYERS
Part-Time Residents Question Eckman’s Reversal on RTE
EPRTA’s McNamara suggests that some may switch residence so as to vote in Eastham
This article was updated on Feb. 27. EASTHAM — After changing her mind on the residential tax exemption (RTE), select board chair Aimee Eckman defended her decision in front of […]
WASTEWATER
Workshop Makes Wellfleet’s Sewer Plans Seem Less Murky
Select board hears how other towns have ‘planned to adapt’
WELLFLEET — At a workshop organized by the select board on Feb. 11, the way toward finalizing Wellfleet’s targeted watershed management plan became less murky. The board invited representatives from Mashpee […]
PUBLIC HEALTH
Outer Cape Prepares for Federal Ruling on HIV Prevention Meds
Public health leaders focus on shoring up state support and private donations
PROVINCETOWN — When Jeff Schaffer learned in January that the Supreme Court would hear a case that threatened coverage of lifesaving HIV-prevention medications, he was not surprised. Schaffer, a registered nurse […]
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, […]
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, […]
CLIMATE OF FEAR
Schools React to Federal Moves on Immigration
Catholic Charities and Provincetown businesses are also watching new rules
PROVINCETOWN — In response to the Trump administration’s decision on Jan. 21 to lift restrictions barring U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers from making arrests in “sensitive locations” including […]
H5N1
Avian Flu Is Spreading, Affecting Wild Birds Most
Waterfowl hit hardest, with poultry and pets at risk; more surveillance underway
WELLFLEET — If you feel like you’ve been noticing a lot of dead birds lately, you’re not alone. According to State Ornithologist Andrew Vitz, we are in the midst of […]
WELLFLEET MARINA
Cavanaugh Aims to Clean Up Harbormaster’s Act
He plans upgrades to infrastructure and a new approach to engaging fishermen
WELLFLEET — A Jan. 18 notice from the harbormaster raised eyebrows among shellfishermen here. Winter dockage fees for use of the pier, due on Jan. 31, were being increased dramatically […]
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Enrollment Declines Steeply in Wellfleet and Truro
Wellfleet isn’t part of regionalization study with the rest of Nauset district
This article was updated on Jan. 30, 2025. WELLFLEET — With young families finding the Outer Cape increasingly unaffordable, elementary school enrollment has plunged by about 30 percent since the […]
ENVIRONMENT
Wellfleet Adopts New Septic Regulations
Priorities: upgrades, cesspool removal in stages, and case-by-case decisions
WELLFLEET — The board of health approved a new set of septic system regulations at its Jan. 22 meeting. The rules are an essential part of the town’s Targeted Watershed […]