Family legend says I took my first steps on a beach. It was well documented with photos as I was a first child and grandchild. In all the pictures I am smiling and laughing. Obviously walking in wet sand and water was the best thing ever. I still feel that way, these few years later. OK, maybe it’s a few more years than a few. Even as a tiny tyke I collected pebbles and shells. I dug for mole crabs in the ...

William “Bill” McClellan Jr. of Chatham, age 79, passed away peacefully on July 28, 2020.             Bill graduated from Boston Technical High School in 1959. After spending a year fishing out of Harwich and Chatham, he went to Massachusetts Maritime Academy, graduating with a marine engineering degree in 1963. Bill went on to work in the Merchant Marines for 23 years, obtaining his Chief Engineer License for...

ORLEANS - Jeff‘s battle with cancer ended on July 13, 2020, which was fitting as 13 was his lucky number. He was 69 years old.         He leaves behind his partner Pam Banas of Orleans; his daughter Jenata Spencer of Arlington, Virginia; sister in law, Joan Keene of Weymouth; sister, Carol Edmunds of Richmont, Texas; sister, Priscilla Drollett( Frank) of Plymouth; and brother, Glenn Spencer (Peggy) of Quincy; ...

Michael H. Ward, age 76, died peacefully at home on July 30th, 2020. Born July 1st, 1944, he was the beloved son of the late A.J. Ward and Anna Mary (Murray)Ward.               Mike grew up in Omaha, Nebraska and eventually moved to Boston before settling full time in Chatham. Mike taught English at the college level for several years. In 1980 he became a certified Transactional Analyst and was a psychother...

October 15, 1964 - July 9, 2020           CHATHAM - Kara Leanne Sissell was born October 15, 1964, in Boston and through the compassionate guidance of Boston Childrens' Services, she was adopted by Sherleene Funk Sissell and William E. Sissell Jr. on December 15, 1964. Her family and friends in Chatham called her Leanne, but because her name was difficult to say in Spanish, she went by Kara professionally and ...

BREWSTER - Astrid Nakashian McLean, 72, of Brewster crossed into the end zone on Friday, July 24, 2020.  Her loving partner of 17 years, Fred Byrne, was by her side.  She fought a short, but courageous, battle with cancer.      Astrid, who wanted simply to be named “Jane,” was born on September 7, 1947, in White Plains, NY.  She was the daughter of Dr. Meran and Astrid Nakashian.  Her father was a family docto...

    Joshua Nathaniel Briggs Wordell passed away unexpectedly on Monday, July 27, at his home in Chatham. Josh was born on January 15, 1977. He was 43 years old.  He was the beloved son of Nathaniel and Joy Wordell. He leaves behind numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends whom he adored!  He felt especially close to his Uncle Jon Wordell, who predeceased him in 2019, his Aunt Toni Wordell of South Chatha...

Figuring out how, when and where great white sharks are likely to feed on seals close to the shore is the goal of a study now underway by Dr. Greg Skomal, shark scientist with the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries. Skomal's work, using different tags that collect a variety of information, will paint a broad picture of the behavior. Bryan Legare, a biologist at the Center for Coastal Studies, hopes that h...

Wildlife advocates are scratching their heads over the discovery of an unusual number of sick terns in the region. Nearly 20 emaciated and dehydrated juvenile terns have been brought to Wild Care in Eastham over the past few weeks, found in towns from Chatham to Provincetown. Most have died; three remain in the care of the wildlife rehabilitation facility, according to Executive Director Stephanie Ellis. The m...

CHATHAM — At least part of a 19-acre tract of town-owned land off Middle Road should be used for affordable and attainable housing, selectmen said last week. But board members appear to be split on whether to use the whole parcel for housing, or to hold some of the land in reserve for other potential uses. Meeting last week, the board voted unanimously to ask staff to develop a plan for using a portion of th...

CHATHAM — Despite severe overcrowding Monday, the board of health says that parking restrictions and other efforts are reducing congestion on the beach at Schoolhouse Pond. The board ordered additional parking deterrents in a bid to keep COVID-19 from spreading among beachgoers who are not social distancing or wearing masks. On Friday, the town installed signs along Sam Ryder Road limiting parking to residen...

CHATHAM – All of the 33 people who attended last week's pop-up clinic at the annex tested negative. The town originally reported that 34 people were tested, and that all were negative with one pending. In a press release issued Wednesday, officials said that the Visiting Nurse Association of Cape Cod (VNA) and Cape Cod Healthcare verified that 33 people were tested. The results come as a relief to local off...

With unemployment on Cape Cod standing at 28 percent and food pantries seeing unprecedented demand, it’s clear that many local families are on the edge financially. Without federal action, many of them will be facing the loss of their housing this fall. Given that uncertainty, local towns and housing groups are hurriedly knitting together a new safety net. “With Federal Pandemic Unemployment Insurance en...

CHATHAM – Two non-profit organizations are teaming up with the town's historical commission to try to save what many believe is the oldest house in town. The house at 68 Shell Dr., which sits on Bassing Harbor, is believed to have been built by the son of Chatham's first European settler, William Nickerson, around 1700. A demolition delay on the house imposed by the historical commission expired last month, an...

HARWICH — A report by state Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission investigators alleges the Port Restaurant and Bar violated several safety standards under the emergency order the commonwealth has in place to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. This is the second alleged violation of emergency regulations by The Port. Attorney Raymond Tomlinson said the restaurant is being targeted. “There is plainly a push in th...

Parents Given Option Of Continuing Remote Learning   HARWICH – While many school districts are preparing plans for three possibilities – a full return to school, a partial or hybrid return, and the continuation of remote learning – the 47-page draft Monomoy plan only includes a hybrid learning plan and plans to shift back to remote learning if necessary. A full reopening, said Superintendent of Schools Scot...