EASTHAM — The select board has unanimously recommended Article 8 on the June 12 annual town meeting warrant, which would increase the short-term rental excise tax from 4 to 6 […]
Archives for May 2021
News
Fresh local news that brings you closer to your neighbors and the community.
Browse all News stories below or dive into a topic:
FISCAL CRISIS
Wellfleet Funds Not Certified by State Since 2018
The town has no general ledger or access to ‘free cash,’ says Interim Administrator Sumner
WELLFLEET — The town’s “free cash” account has not been certified by the state Dept. of Revenue for the last three years. This is just one of the mind-bending problems […]
OLD EXIT 12: BREWSTER ELECTION
Critic of ‘Liberal Mob’ Recruits School Board Candidates
Two in Brewster have links to Lange’s United Cape Patriots
BREWSTER — Voters will have an array of school committee candidates to choose from at the May 25 town election, including one who wants to reduce the number of school-choice […]
COVID-19
Baker Ends Nearly All Pandemic-Related Restrictions
Business closures, rules for gatherings will disappear May 29
PROVINCETOWN — Citing a first-in-the-nation vaccine rollout and a plummeting count of Covid-19 cases, Gov. Charlie Baker moved the state’s “end of restrictions” date from the previously announced Aug. 1 […]
ENVIRONMENT
With Disclaimers, Select Board Signs Nauset Dredging Memo
Eastham and Orleans have differing priorities, says Eckman
EASTHAM — The select board voted on May 17 to sign the second memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Orleans on the Nauset Estuary Dredging Project, agreeing to continued coordination between […]
OLD EXIT 12: SCHOOL CHOICE
Brewster Voters Reject Move to Ditch School Choice
The same proposition, by citizen petition, is on the Orleans warrant for Saturday
BREWSTER — The first of two citizen-petition articles seeking to reduce school choice enrollment in the Nauset Regional Schools was defeated by Brewster voters 144 to 75 at their May […]
LEARNING
Young Queer People Teach Their Teachers
Getting beyond pronouns, Nauset High students seek more inclusive history and culture
EASTHAM — A weird and difficult and rarely-touched-upon part of being a young queer person is that, often, you have to take on the role of educator. Most obviously, there’s […]
ENVIRONMENT
Critical for Vaccine Production, Horseshoe Crabs Are Threatened
Spawning now on the Cape’s bay side, an ancient arthropod that saves lives
If you’ve gotten your Covid-19 vaccine, give a nod of thanks to the horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus). This animal is truly a “blue blood” — its blood contains copper instead […]
ECONOMY
The Housing Crisis, Up Close and Personal
Staff members at one small business share a work ethic and worries
PROVINCETOWN — When Relish owner Frank Vasello opened his West End deli and bakery in 2001, attracting customers was his main concern. Now, it’s finding staff. The trouble, Vasello says, […]
BULLET POINTS
In Eastham, a Second-Amendment Session
‘Ladies’ Day’ at the Nauset Rod and Gun Club includes lunch and ammo
EASTHAM — At the Nauset Rod and Gun Clubhouse in the Cape Cod National Seashore, Jon Green unhooked his mask, uncrossed his arms, and welcomed 18 women to what he […]
RARA AVIS
This Week’s Bird Sightings
Confirmed bird sightings on the Outer Cape in the week preceding the Independent’s deadline on Tuesday, May 18 included the following, based on a report prepared by Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet […]
CANNABUSINESS
Wellfleet’s First Pot Shop Doesn’t Look Like One
Cape Cod Cannabis has no visible sign — for now
WELLFLEET — For the past month, since the Cape Cod Cannabis dispensary opened its doors at the old South Wellfleet General Store on April 20, Allan Kronfeld, the manager of […]
CURRENTS: THIS WEEK IN PROVINCETOWN
Another OK for Old Reliable From Planning Board
Meetings Ahead
Due to the pandemic, meetings are held remotely. Go to provincetown-ma.gov and click on the meeting you want to watch. Thursday, May 20 Board of Health, 4 p.m. Zoning Board of […]
CURRENTS: THIS WEEK IN TRURO
Fund Set Up for Patrolman Roda
Meetings Ahead
Meetings are held remotely. Go to truro-ma.gov, click on the meeting you want to watch, and open its agenda for instructions on how to watch or take part online. Thursday, May 20 Housing […]
CURRENTS: THIS WEEK IN WELLFLEET
Books of Genesis
Meetings Ahead
Meetings are held remotely. From wellfleet-ma.gov, hover over a date on the calendar on the right of the screen and click on the meeting you’re interested in to learn how […]
