On Outer Cape Cod, mom-and-pop shops famously reflect their owners’ personalities. That’s true, say local liquor store owners, even when what’s for sale — beer, wine, and spirits — is […]
Archives for December 2019
News
Fresh local news that brings you closer to your neighbors and the community.
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HEALTH
AIDS Support Group Hires New President
From HIV to heroin, the focus remains helping the marginalized
PROVINCETOWN — The AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod board has named Dan Gates as president and CEO. Gates, 47, replaces Joe Carleo, who resigned in late October. Spokeswoman Leslie […]
CONSUMER WATCH
How to Be an Educated Electricity Consumer
When going green, avoid deceptive pitches from suppliers
Letters advertising low electricity rates seem to fill my mailbox every few months. These come-ons are from companies with innocuous and confusingly similar names, such as Think Energy, Direct Energy, […]
PUBLIC SAFETY
Willy’s Gym Closed for ‘Numerous Violations’
The timetable for reopening the fitness center is uncertain
EASTHAM —Willy’s World Wellness and Conference Center on Route 6 was temporarily shut down on Dec. 12 after Eastham Building Commissioner Thomas Wingard found the facility “unsafe.” Wingard’s notice, posted […]
CIVICS
VFW Building Scheduled for Demolition
Any use of the land involves removing the structure, officials say
PROVINCETOWN — The VFW building at 3 Jerome Smith Road was built entirely by veterans, says VFW post member Paul Mendes — volunteers who donated their skills as carpenters or […]
THRIFT
Mass Appeal Told to Vacate by Landlord
‘We are hoping we can change their minds,’ says its director
WELLFLEET — After 23 years in the same location on Route 6, Mass Appeal must find a new home. The nonprofit that gives out free used clothes to residents of […]
TAXES
Eastham May Adopt Resident Tax Exemption
Select board is considering new policy that assessors oppose
EASTHAM — The select board is considering making Eastham the seventh Cape Cod and Islands town to implement a residential tax exemption [RTE] that could give an estimated 90 percent […]
HEALTH
New Laws Would Help Teens Get PrEP and Abortions
Sen. Cyr and Rep. Peake would allow access without parental consent
Two bills being promoted by the Outer Cape’s representatives in the Massachusetts legislature would expand minors’ access to medical care without the consent or knowledge of their parents. One concerns […]
CIVICS
Truro Planning Board Called Out for Opposing Housing
A lobsterman takes the board to court and wins
TRURO — A local lobsterman feels vindicated after a judge reversed two conditions that the Truro Planning Board had imposed on his building proposal. Orleans District Court Judge Robert Welsh […]
DEVELOPMENT
A Hotel on the Beach Gets Past the ZBA
Former Old Reliable Fish House is one step closer to becoming a hotel, bar, and restaurant
PROVINCETOWN — The zoning board of appeals on Dec. 5 granted a variance and the special permits necessary for a new hotel, bar, restaurant, and pier to be constructed at […]
CLIMATE
Another Winter Without a Dune Protecting Gosnold St.
Shifting sands and legal tangles lead to temporary measures
PROVINCETOWN — The Jan. 4, 2018, nor’easter brought a storm surge with it that seemed to lift water out of Provincetown harbor and pour it down Gosnold Street like a […]
ECONOMY
The Counterintuitive Possibility of Becoming a Cape Cod Fisherman
Alliance offers class on everything from knot-tying to networking
CHATHAM — The Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance (CCCFA) plans to offer a six-day course to teach people the basic skills needed to work on a commercial fishing boat. That […]
HOUSING
Cloverleaf Foe Raises Fears of Blue Baby Syndrome
Truro ZBA to weigh affordable housing benefits against health issues
TRURO — Several residents, including three members of the Truro Planning Board, objected to the so-called Cloverleaf affordable housing development during a zoning board of appeals hearing on Dec. 5. […]
MILLION-YEAR PICNIC
The Geminids Are the Death Fireworks of Meteors
Or maybe just a few shooting stars
I do a lot of my stargazing in New York City. That’s where I watched the transit of Mercury last month. I set up my telescope (with a solar filter) […]
CURRENTS
Fire Cause: Woodstove, Electrical, or Portable Heater
PROVINCETOWN — The state fire marshal and Provincetown Fire Chief Michael Trovato have determined the cause of the Nov. 21 fire that killed John Eder was accidental. According to an […]
