CHATHAM — Richard Clifford, perhaps best known locally as the creator of the Countdown Cod sculpture that helps Chatham celebrate New Year’s Eve each year, has died at the age of 76. A trained engineer and landscape architect, Mr. Clifford made a career working for the Connecticut state parks department before retiring to his Chatham vacation home with wife Judi in 1997. In retirement, he was a founding member...

CHATHAM – There's no stopping the Cookie Express. The annual holiday event sponsored by the First Congregational Church, which stops at the Chatham Congregational Church this Saturday, Dec. 14, has been chugging along for many years, perhaps two or three decades, first as part of a church Christmas fair, and on its own for at least the past 15 years. What's crystal clear, however, is that its ongoing popularit...

CHATHAM – Taking action ahead of a new state law set to go into effect June 1, the board of health last week approved regulations banning the retail sale of all flavored tobacco products in town. Last summer the board banned flavored tobacco sales in regular retail stores, but allowed the sales in adult-only smoke shops. The latest revision of the town's tobacco control regulations, slated to go into effect Ja...

Run, run Rudolph, Santa has to make it to town Santa make him hurry, tell him he can take the freeway down Run, run Rudolph, reeling like a merry-go-round – Chuck Berry, “Run Run Rudolph” CHATHAM – There will be a lot of Rudolphs running in downtown Saturday thanks to a new event that's been added to this weekend's 41 st annual Christmas By The Sea celebration. “Rudolph's Flight” takes off on ...

CHATHAM — When it comes to shaping the airport master plan, it’s not enough for airport commissioners to accept public comment before forging ahead with their vision; they need to seriously consider public concerns. That was the message from the board of selectmen this week, which said the process for vetting the plan has been flawed from the outset. “I think you guys think you’re inclusive, but it doesn’t ...

CHATHAM – The historical commission is looking at using zoning incentives—and disincentives—to encourage preservation of historical structures. Possible changes to the zoning bylaw include flexibility in dimensional regulations, allowing smaller lots than allowed to be created for historic structures and restrictions on lots where historic structures are not preserved. The concepts grew out of work the Cape...

CHATHAM – If you're the sort of person who often racks up hefty fines after forgetting to renew or return that library book or DVD, then you've got an early Christmas present coming your way. Eligible material borrowed from libraries in the Cape Libraries Automated Materials Sharing—CLAMS—system will now be automatically renewed up to three times. Borrowers don't have to do anything; just return the item when ...

CHATHAM – For the first time in 45 years, the town will usher in Independence Day with a fireworks display at Veterans Field. The display, scheduled for Thursday, July 2, is a cooperative venture between the Chatham Athletics Association, Chatham Bars Inn, the chamber of commerce, Chatham Cookware and the town. It's a “community effort to do something special for the biggest weekend of the year,” said CBI Gene...

CHATHAM — Seeking to boost turnout from young people and senior citizens, selectmen have chosen a new date and time—Saturday, Jan. 4 at 1 p.m.—for a special town meeting laying the groundwork for a new senior center. Holding town meetings on a weekend is a recommendation of the Chatham 365 Task Force, which seeks to make it easier for young, working families to take part in town government. And having a sessio...

SOUTH CHATHAM — Maybe it was the years of breathing sawdust and fiberglass particles, or maybe it was a fluke of genetics. Or perhaps it was completely random. But 44-year-old Rick Merrill now has severe scarring on his lungs, and he’s waiting for the double lung transplant that will save his life. A Chatham native and 1993 graduate of Chatham High School, Merrill is a big man with a firm handshake and kind ey...

CHATHAM – The new owner of the Monomoy Theatre property is proposing to restore and add on to the historic theater building and antique Greek Revival home at 774 Main St., as well as construct housing for people 55 years of age and over at the rear of the lot. Greg Clark of Chatham Productions LLC was before the historic business district commission last Wednesday with conceptual plans for the redevelopment of...

CHATHAM — This week, Gov. Charlie Baker signed a new law that makes it illegal for people to use hand-held cell phones while driving. Among those who lobbied for years in favor of the law is the father of the late Katie Brannelly, who spent many summers in Chatham before her untimely death at the hands of a distracted driver in 2013. “You can’t explain what you’ve gone through when you lose a kid,” Tom Brannel...