While COVID-19 case numbers, hospitalizations and other metrics offer hope that the pandemic is finally starting to ebb, other figures show the virus continues to spread easily in areas where people congregate. Speaking at last week’s meeting of the Cape Cod COVID Response Task Force, Barnstable County Human Services Deputy Director Vaira Harik observed that numbers of new cases had dropped somewhat, wit...

CHATHAM – Last March, artist Steve Lyons began noticing flashes of light on the left side of his peripheral vision. An exam revealed spots on his brain, and he was eventually diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. Lyons, who lives in Chatham and has a gallery and studio on Main Street, began treatment at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. After learning about clinical trails ...

Appointments May Not Be Available At First In news that is likely to be welcome in Chatham and Orleans – demographically two of the oldest towns in New England – Gov. Charlie Baker announced this week that 75-and-older residents have been moved to the front of the line in Phase 2 of the state’s COVID-19 vaccine roll-out, with people 65 and older next in line. But local public health officials warn that, as of ...

CHATHAM – The sale of single-family homes in town increased by more than 50 percent during 2020, reflecting an unprecedented year in real state sales Cape wide. COVID-19 was a major factor driving the super-charged market, with buyers seeking second homes away from populated areas. People nearing retirement age moving up plans to buy on the Cape also contributed to the increase in sales, said Ryan Castle, CEO ...

CHATHAM — Though it’s not moving ahead as a top priority just yet, plans are coming together for the potential renovation of the historic filling station at the former Eldredge Garage property. Last week, an architect presented two plans: one that keeps the same building footprint, and another for replacing it with a slightly larger building. Kurt Raber of Catalyst Architecture said his team thoroughly surve...

In news that comes as no surprise, a survey conducted by federal fishing regulators and the University of Florida has found that COVID-19 has taken a toll on the commercial fishing industry, from fishermen and charter boat operators to seafood processors and dealers. The first round of the phone survey was conducted in July and August, and the second round is underway now. Chosen at random, people in the fishi...

Special town meetings will likely be held in Chatham and Harwich in the fall to consider changing the way school costs are apportioned to each community in the Monomoy Regional School District agreement. The change would address the financial disparity in elementary school costs that has developed due to declining enrollment in Chatham, and would essentially call for each town to pay for its own elementary sch...

Extra Elementary School Funding, Land Purchase On Tap For May Meeting CHATHAM — While the select board praised the town manager for presenting a slimmed-down FY22 operating budget to help the town weather the remainder of the pandemic, they vowed to move ahead on big-ticket town meeting articles for a new senior center and affordable housing, saying those needs can’t be ignored. The board also agreed to s...

CHATHAM – There's no question that the house at 351 Barn Hill Rd. has been renovated and added on to over the years. But at the core is a building that dates from before 1923, perhaps as early as 1740, and historical commission members hope they can find a way to save it. Last week the commission placed a one-year demolition delay on the structure, asking the owner to reconsider plans to completely tear down t...

  While the upward climb of COVID-19 cases continues unabated, Barnstable County officials are bringing more resources to bear on the pandemic, thanks to a boost from lawmakers. Your Questions About the COVID-19 Vaccine, Answered Under legislation filed by State Rep. Sarah Peake, D–Provincetown, and State Senator Julian Cyr, D–Truro, the state has absorbed the annual pension liability for retired...

CHATHAM – For some, the prospect of closing Chatham Elementary School is giving up on the town as a vibrant, diverse, year-round community. “If we lose our elementary school, the opportunity for a future where we can attract families and gain ground on making Chatham an affordable place to live that's diverse loses ground,” said Brett Tolley. Tolley served on the now-disbanded Chatham 365 Task Force, which ...

CHATHAM — A panel of engineers and project leaders working on the West Chatham Route 28 roadway redesign project took questions from the select board and the public last week. While the project is not yet complete, it is likely too late for any significant design changes, they said. A number of people spoke at last week’s meeting to express support for the new design, which slows traffic using roundabouts at...