This article was updated on June 5, 2025. WELLFLEET — As housing costs have made the Outer Cape increasingly unaffordable for young families, local schools are recruiting students from other […]
News
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SITES
Prep Work for Redeveloping the Truro Motor Inn Has Begun
‘No surprises’ emerge on inspection, but buildings will likely be torn down
TRURO — Progress on the dilapidated Truro Motor Inn is happening slowly, with the work in view now focused on preparing the site for redevelopment. The property was taken from […]
BUSINESS
Wellfleet Nixes Use of Lot as Staging Area for Rental Turnovers
Select board debates company’s past use of marina and its purpose
WELLFLEET — The select board at its May 13 meeting turned down a request by Del Mar Vacations, an Orleans-based short-term rental management company, to park its trailer on the […]
SCHOOLS
Nauset Students Advocate for Drama Teacher’s Return
Although Hamilton’s contract won’t be renewed, school committee says program is not at risk
ORLEANS — Eight students filed into the bright yellow Nauset Room at the middle school here during the May 22 meeting of the Nauset Regional School Committee. Three more appeared […]
GROWING WILD
A Novel Assemblage of Species, at Home on Cape Cod’s Sandplains
Keeping oaks and pines at bay for the butterflies and birds
Not far into the Audubon sanctuary’s Bay View Trail, which skirts the shore on South Wellfleet’s bay side before making a long loop back to its starting point, a side […]
BIRDWATCHING
Drink-Your-Tea, the Towhee Sings, and Don’t Clean Up the Understory
Berries and brambles provide food and shelter for birds and other animals
I wasn’t sure I’d heard it at first. The rustling might just have been a pine cone dropping into the leaf litter. But another rustling sound made me stop in […]
THE SCUTTLEBUTT
A Late Nor’easter Takes Boats and Stalls Stripers
When storms track west, beware on the bay side
Just when the striped bass were starting to take hold, with good numbers of large fish settling into the area around Billingsgate Shoals, along comes a late-season winter-like nor’easter. This […]
NATURAL SELECTION
Frogs and Worts
The Virginia marsh St. John’s wort is no longer placed in the Hypericum genus with the others; its pink-blooming flowers each have three orange glands and nine stamens grouped in […]
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 27 included the following, based on a report prepared by Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet […]
PROVINCETOWN: THIS WEEK'S CURRENTS
Expanded Bus Hours
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
Herding Elephants
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. […]
WELLFLEET: THIS WEEK'S CURRENTS
Changes at the Marina
Meetings Ahead Most meetings in Wellfleet are in person, typically with an online-attendance option. Click on the meeting that interests you on the calendar at wellfleet-ma.gov for details. All meetings […]
EASTHAM: THIS WEEK'S CURRENTS
What’s a DPU Hearing?
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 […]
EASTHAM VOTES
Bryan, Cerasale Are Re-Elected to Select Board
Higgins and Rowe win library trustee slots; duplex purchase passes
This article was updated on May 22, 2025. EASTHAM — The 569 people who turned out for Eastham’s annual town election on Tuesday, May 20 returned incumbents Jerry Cerasale and […]
BLUE ECONOMY
Rock Harbor Redevelopment Is Delayed by Weather
With a new bulkhead installed, wharf will be operational by mid-June
ORLEANS — The wharf renovation on the Orleans side of Rock Harbor that was expected to be completed by early May won’t be finished before the summer boating season begins, […]
