CHATHAM — Judging from the crowded parking lots, busy shops and restaurants, and the steady traffic on roadways and waterways, the Independence Day weekend was a busy one – despite COVID-19. As of early this week, there had been 150 deaths from the novel coronavirus in Barnstable County, with a case count of over 1,500 people since the start of the pandemic. “The public health data continues to show us po...

CHATHAM – When Abigail Dudley moved from Massachusetts to Oregon six years ago, she knew it was going to be temporary. When it came time to move back, she wanted to look for a job in a small school system, and after doing some research, the only district she applied to was Monomoy. “It just all seemed so exciting, just so much more innovative and kind of like cutting edge from what I would think a teeny little...

Popular Tourist Attraction Finally Completed A Year Behind Schedule CHATHAM – The newly rebuilt observation deck at the fish pier is getting rave reviews for its solid construction and spaciousness. It better be; the $1.7 million project took 18 months to build, more than a year more than originally planned. “I thought it was awesome,” said Selectman Jeffrey Dykens. “It's just too bad it took so long.” B...

CHATHAM – Nearly 18 months after construction started, the new fish pier observation deck finally opened to the public Thursday. A few visitors were watching fishing boats unload and seals swimming in Aunt Lydia's Cove from the new, spacious deck. A board of health order mandates that face masks be worn on the observation deck from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Construction of the $1.7 million deck began in January 2019...

CHATHAM – For the first time in eight years, “Jaws” won't be playing on Chatham's Main Street. The summer blockbuster has become a popular favorite at the Chatham Orpheum Theater, showing to sell-out crowds despite the fact that it was released 45 years ago. But with the ongoing pandemic, the Orpheum remains dark, with no indication of when it will reopen. “We're hoping for this fall, September or October,”...

CHATHAM — For many, the end of 2020 will be a milestone worth celebrating. But because of the pandemic, they won’t be marking New Year’s Eve the usual way at First Night Chatham. Late last week, event organizers announced that because of the pandemic, First Night Chatham will not be held as a live event. “It’s a tremendous disappointment,” First Night spokesman John Reed said. More than 300 volunteers loo...

CHATHAM — There are many workers on Cape Cod who are ready to return to their jobs, but can’t do so because of the lack of child care. State rules designed to limit the spread of COVID-19 have hobbled preschools, day care centers and summer recreation programs, and those that do open will have very limited enrollment. On Saturday Night, Theresa Malone of Monomoy Community Services learned that their request to...

When approximately 1,000 demonstrators marched through Harwich Center June 6 to protest the death of George Floyd, standing behind the banner leading the crowd, which was held by the two high school students who initiated the event, was Harwich Police Chief David Guillemette. “I think it's important for police departments to send the message to the community that what occurred was unacceptable,” Guillemette sa...

CHATHAM – Carolyn Wass has wanted to vote in a political election for some time, and now, after becoming an American citizen, she can and couldn’t be more excited, even if the ceremony was far more understated than is typical due to the ongoing pandemic. Wass’s son was the first in the family to obtain US citizenship some time ago. His ceremony was held at Mechanics Hall in Worcester where he was one of at lea...

CHATHAM – The two incumbent Monomoy Regional School Committee members beat back two challengers to win new terms in Thursday's annual town election. Nancy Scott and Jacqueline Zibrat-Long were re-elected to new three-year terms, outdistancing Robert Hessler and Elizabeth Taylor. Scott received the most votes, 366, one vote more than Zibrat-Long. Hessler received 201 votes and Taylor 174. Scott said she was ...

CHATHAM – A woman wearing a face mask walked into a downtown restaurant and heard a quack. No, that's not the setup for a joke. It's what one local resident related happened to her last week, saying she felt ridiculed for wearing a mask, even though a board of health order makes face coverings mandatory downtown. Heading into the July 4 holiday weekend, the number of visitors to town is rising and officials...

CHATHAM – The two incumbent Monomoy Regional School Committee members beat back challenges to win new terms in Thursday's annual town election. Nancy Scott and Jacqueline Zibrat-Long were re-elected to new three-year terms, outdistancing Robert Hessler and Elizabeth Taylor. Scott was the top vote getter in the race with 366, one vote more than Zibrat-Long. Hessler received 201 votes and Taylor 174. A total ...