CHATHAM – The contours of Cape Cod’s iconic coastline tell a story of a landscape dramatically and dynamically defined by Atlantic storms. At the heart of the peninsula's narrative are the nor’easters and hurricanes that shape and reshape the Cape’s shorelines each year.  This summer, the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season is setting records. As of early this week, the Atlantic had experienced 11 named storms...

CHATHAM – At least six times this summer, water samples taken at Pleasant Street Beach have failed to meet state water quality standards, resulting in the beach being closed to swimming. The cause of the high Enterococci counts, however, remains a mystery. “I am concerned about it,” said Natural Resources Department Director Robert Duncanson. “Clearly there's something going on down there that's unusual.” ...

Andrew Harding’s Lane Beach Safer After Inlet Shifts CHATHAM — Though the move is largely symbolic, the board of health this week voted to lift a ban on swimming at the end of Andrew Harding’s Lane in the Old Village. The ban had been in place so long that current members of the health board didn’t seem to know it was in effect. “It’s not as treacherous as it was when the board of health originally banned...

CHATHAM – In a report earlier this year, a finance committee housing working group raised the question of what the town's future will look like given the wildly escalating cost of real estate. “Will we be a vibrant, thriving and hard-working community comprising a range of age, race, family size, income, occupational prospects and other demographics?” the report read. “Or shall we continue on the arc of exclus...

CHATHAM — While sunbathing and swimming is a bit more complicated than it used to be, thanks to rules designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19, those rules don’t seem to be keeping people from heading to the beach. Parks and Recreation Director Dan Tobin said sales of beach parking permits are on par with ordinary years, and the town has already sold more weekly permits than any other year in his memo...

With the state primary election approaching, here are some deadlines and details to keep in mind. For those currently not registered, the last day to register to vote or change party affiliation for the Sept. 1 primary is Saturday, Aug. 22. With town halls closed or limited in hours and access, voters can register to vote online through the Massachusetts Secretary of State's office or download registration for...

CHATHAM – More than $1 million went into dredging the Stage Harbor entrance channel this past winter and spring. While the channel appears to have held up through the height of the boating season, that's expected to change, and officials anticipate dredging of the access channel will be a regular occurrence. “It's not going to go away, that's for sure,” said Coastal Resources Director Ted Keon. “The substantia...

CHATHAM – For two summers, the Monomoy Theatre has been dark. Unless a zoning change can be made soon to pave the way for redevelopment of the property, the theater is likely to remain closed for at least three more years, its owners say. In the coming week, Alexandra Properties, which purchased the 2.7-acre property at 776 Main St. and 70 Depot Rd. for $3.65 million last September, will be collecting the 200 ...

CHATHAM – For two summers, the Monomoy Theatre has been dark. Unless a zoning change can be made soon to pave the way for redevelopment of the property, the theater is likely to remain closed for at least three more years, its owners say. In the coming week, Alexandra Properties, which purchased the 2.7-acre property at 776 Main St. and 70 Depot Rd. for $3.65 million last September, will be collecting the 200 ...

Baker Freezes Reopening Plan Citing a surge in parties like the one in Chatham July 12 where at least 13 people may have contracted COVID-19, Gov. Charlie Baker Friday announced a freeze on the state’s economic reopening plan, new restrictions on public gatherings, and new enforcement of those rules at parties – even ones on private property. “There have been many reports of pool parties, birthday parties, ...

A spike in great white shark sightings along the Cape's eastern coast, coinciding with the popular “Shark Week” on the Discovery Channel, prompted officials this week to issue reminders about adhering to “Shark Smart” guidelines. The Cape Cod National Seashore issued a press release Monday explaining that sharks — and seals — are part of the Cape's natural, wild ecosystem, and that while sharks rarely bite hum...

CHATHAM – Fish chowder is a Cape Cod tradition, and the Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen's Alliance hopes a new program centering around the staple will facilitate two goals: supporting local independent fishermen and providing food pantries with delicious, nutritious ready-to-serve meals. The program takes advantage of the wide availability of small haddock, which don't bring a strong price in the marketplace (d...