CHATHAM – This past summer, the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge attracted more plovers and terns than previous years, although productivity was mixed. According to a report by refuge wildlife biologist Kate Iaquinto, more piping plovers and terns nested on Monomoy this summer, and while tern productivity was up, fewer plover chicks fledged than last year. The refuge saw 52 pairs of federally-threatened plo...

CHATHAM — Though the headline article is the acquisition of the former Eldredge Garage property, the Jan. 23 special town meeting has a few other items to pique voter interest. The board of selectmen voted last week to close the warrant, which contains 11 articles. Selectmen voted 4-1 to recommend approval of Article 4, the acquisition of the Eldredge Garage land at 365 Main St., for possible use as open ...

When dawn broke Sunday, Lower Cape residents were greeted by about a foot of snow.  Official measurements were still being made, and the region was still expecting an additional inch of two of snow from ocean-effect squalls throughout the day.  Those who ventured out to shovel were greeted by bitterly cold temperatures. Read more, and see updated information and cancellations on our Storm Center page . ...

Thirty years ago, the ocean broke through North Beach opposite Chatham Lighthouse.  Today, the effects of the inlet that formed soon after are still being felt.  Watch this Chronicle video to learn more.    

CHATHAM – The Avis Chase cottages in the Old Village, vacant for the past two seasons, may once again host visitors from Philadelphia this summer. In a decision handed down last month, the Massachusetts Appeals Court reversed a Barnstable Superior Court decision awarding the three properties to the Young Women's Christian Association of Boston. The Boston organization had sued the Young Women's Christian Assoc...

 See a photo gallery of Chatham's 26th annual First Night activities here.

CHATHAM – An iconic windmill that's been a landmark along the town's eastern shoreline for nearly 90 years will be preserved, although in a new location. The process is underway to move the windmill at 66 Briggs Way, constructed as a summer cottage in about 1930, onto neighboring property owned by the grand niece of Herbert Briggs, the man who built the windmill cottage and two other homes in the area. The ...

CHATHAM – On Jan. 2, 1987, Cape Cod was engulfed in a fierce northeaster. Winds gusted to 68 miles per hour, driving an eight- to 12-foot storm surge, adding to tides already unusually high due to a full moon and a rare celestial alignment called syzygy. When the afternoon high tides sent waves crashing over a narrow section of North Beach opposite Chatham Light, few anticipated that the impact of the “breakth...

CHATHAM – A proposal to require that all letters sent to boards, committees and commissions be read out loud at public hearings was rejected by the board of selectmen last week. The board declined to include a general bylaw amendment regarding the reading of correspondence at public hearings on the warrant of the Jan. 23 special town meeting. A majority of board members felt the bylaw impinged on the rights of...

A sold-out First Night was underway Saturday, with large crowds downtown celebrating the New Year's Eve holiday.  See a photo gallery of the day's activities here.

CHATHAM – Selectmen voted Tuesday to support town purchase of the Eldredge Garage property at 365 Main St. “It's a potential gem for the town, to accomplish multiple purposes,” said Selectman Dean Nicastro. Although primarily being considered to expand downtown parking, the 1.2 acres could also serve as open space and for historic preservation, he said. The $2.5 million purchase will be put before voters at...

CHATHAM – By early this week, some 80 percent of this year's 7,500 First Night Chatham buttons had been sold. While the New Year's Eve event regularly sells out, the buttons are disappearing faster and faster every year. Usually they're gone by the early afternoon Dec. 31; last year it was 10 a.m. A steady stream of button buyers stopped by First Night headquarters, tucked just off Main Street behind Bella o...