The marine ecosystem around Cape Cod is built on the backs of Atlantic herring. These baitfish school in massive numbers, providing food for marine mammals, seabirds, and large fish like […]
News
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NATIONAL SEASHORE
A Year Later, Dune Shack Leasing Contest Concludes
Longtime occupants of Watson and Jones shacks selected for 10-year leases
PROVINCETOWN — The public leasing contest for eight dune shacks on the windswept back shore of Provincetown and Truro that began on May 1, 2023 has nearly come to an […]
HABITATS
A ‘Cape Cod Lawn’ Can Be a Haven for Turtles
Invite nesting by keeping a scrubby yard with sandy patches, not a swath of green
When people design a back yard suitable for wildlife, they tend to create places that are appealing to birds and butterflies. That makes sense, because these animals are appealing visitors […]
MILLION-YEAR PICNIC
Reflections on Totality
Awed by the spectacle, strangers fleetingly become friends
Last month I watched the solar eclipse from a park in Westport, N.Y. by Lake Champlain. The lake and mountains beyond were a beautiful sight — a proper setting for […]
THE SCUTTLEBUTT
The Whales Have Moved North, and the Stripers Are Here
Special speed rules to protect whales are lifted for the season
The bass are here, and the right whales are not. The whales left a week ago, and the latest aerial survey found no right whales in the area, so NOAA […]
CHEERS
Say It With Sassafras
The native Sassafras albidum is a tree full of wonders — scents of cinnamon and citrus from root to bark to tip; whimsical leaves shaped like mittens and tridents and footballs; resplendent […]
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 14 included the following, based on a report prepared by Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet […]
PROVINCETOWN: THIS WEEK'S CURRENTS
Blinking Stop Sign
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
Additional Candidates
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, May […]
WELLFLEET: THIS WEEK'S CURRENTS
Cemetery Spring Cleaning
Meetings Ahead Most meetings in Wellfleet are remote only, but some are held in person. Go to www.wellfleet-ma.gov/calendar and click on the meeting you want to watch, then follow the […]
EASTHAM: THIS WEEK'S CURRENTS
Pressure Treated Pressure
Meetings Ahead Most meetings in Eastham are in person, typically with an online-attendance option. Click on the meeting you want to attend on the calendar at eastham-ma.gov for a link […]
TRURO TOWN MEETINGS
DPW Plan Sent Back; Voters OK Walsh Proposal
A two-day 12-hour marathon showed solid support for housing
TRURO — Last weekend’s town meeting marathon saw overwhelming support for multi-pronged efforts to build affordable housing. But when it came to plans to upgrade a dept. of public works […]
WELLFLEET TOWN MEETING PREVIEW
For Once, a Town Meeting With No Override Votes
An abundance of free cash helped smooth out this year’s town budget
WELLFLEET — Voters whose thumbs are sore from opening their wallets will find relief at this year’s annual town meeting, scheduled for May 20 at 6 p.m. at the Wellfleet […]
EASTHAM TOWN MEETING
Voters OK 2 Overrides, Short-Term Rental Rules
Hiring 2 new police officers and specialized energy code are approved
EASTHAM — Town meeting voters overwhelmingly approved a $44.2-million fiscal 2025 operating budget with a $1-million Proposition 2½ override on Saturday, May 4. By an even larger margin, they endorsed […]
TOWN ELECTIONS
Provincetown Has Contests for Select Board and School Committee
$11.7-million Motta Field plan also requires voter approval
PROVINCETOWN — At the town’s annual election on Tuesday, May 14, voters will choose between two candidates for one seat on the select board — incumbent Leslie Sandberg and challenger […]
