CHATHAM — On a remote sandbar east of Morris Island, a life-and-death drama played itself out this weekend, with rescuers struggling to rescue five pilot whales that came ashore in a mass stranding. Ultimately, two of the animals were saved. “So we do consider that a success,” said Brian Sharp, who leads the International Fund for Animal Welfare’s Marine Mammal Rescue and Research Team. The three other pilo...

CHATHAM – A lot of history will be on display in Chatham this weekend. History Weekend, sponsored by Historic Chatham, highlights the town's past by focusing on its museums and other institutions that promote history. Nine local organizations will be participating in events that begin on Thursday. The weekend happens to coincide with the 125 th anniversary of the Nickerson Family Association, which will sp...

Outdoor Watering Restrictions Remain In Place For Now   by Tim Wood CHATHAM – One of the two drinking water wells shut down last year due to PFAS contamination is up and running again, pumping water filtered through a treatment system into the municipal water system. With the additional water supply coming online, the select board opted to wait to review the town's mandatory outdoor watering ban, de...

CHATHAM – Friends, family and donors of the Ukrainian Relief Mission gathered in Pate’s Restaurant on June 10 to hear about founder Tom Johnson’s latest trip to Poland. Johnson, who started the fund on March 29, has already traveled to Poland four times since, providing aid for Ukrainian refugees. On June 10 he discussed his most recent trip and mission’s vision, which he said splits into three parts: advocacy...

CHATHAM – Deputy Police Chief Michael Anderson, a 26-year veteran of the department, was named Tuesday to replace retiring Chief Mark Pawlina as of July 1. Anderson has held every rank in the department and is well qualified to take on the department's leadership role, said Town Manager Jill Goldsmith. “He is well known in the community and has exceeded my expectations in his performance as deputy police ch...

CHATHAM – The likelihood of paid parking being instituted at the municipal fish pier this summer seems remote, although the select board is scheduled to discuss the fate of the proposal at its June 21 meeting. Members of the town's parking solutions working group last week heard from the purveyors of a system that could be used to allow payment for parking through smartphones. Although the system could be up a...

Shoaling, Obstructions Means Local Knowledge Critical For Boaters CHATHAM – Just a few years ago, Harbormaster Stuart Smith called all three of the inlets mariners used to access the Atlantic from Chatham Harbor “lousy.” Conditions have improved; Smith says the inlets are now “OK, in Chatham terms.” Which means that although the inlets are less dangerous than in past years, they are still tricky to navigate...

CHATHAM – What appeared to be a handgun was found last week when a desk was being moved in the town offices. Police were called to the 549 Main St. building, which was unoccupied at the time, and determined that the weapon was an unloaded BB gun. The owner voluntarily surrendered the weapon to police, and an investigation determined that no laws were broken, according to Police Chief Mark Pawlina. Even so, ...

CHATHAM — Whether it’s about putting a new coat of paint on the rescue boat on the lawn out front or reassuring local boaters that the Coast Guard is ready to respond in an emergency, the new commander of Station Chatham says he’s looking to build strong relationships with the Lower Cape community. Senior Chief Petty Officer Ross Comstock took command in Chatham last month, taking the corner office from former...

 CHATHAM – A pilot paid parking program for the upper lot at the municipal fish pier could be in place early this summer. But rather than using a kiosk through which visitors pay for parking, officials are considering taking advantage of a system already in use for waterways permits whereby visitors scan a QR code with a smartphone and pay online. “It's a lot simpler” than a kiosk, Harbormaster Stuart Smith...

CHATHAM — When boaters in distress in Pleasant Bay or other inland waterways find themselves literally up the creek, they can now count on the Coast Guard to help. Though it has lost the ability to use its boats for surf rescues, Station Chatham has a new rescue boat capable of responding in the shallows, previously only accessible by fire department inflatable rescue boats. The station is now home to a 27-foo...

CHATHAM – What appeared to be a handgun was found last week when a desk was being moved in the town offices. Police were called to the 549 Main St. building, which was unoccupied at the time, and determined that the weapon was an unloaded BB gun. The owner voluntarily surrendered the weapon to police, and an investigation determined that no laws were broken, according to Police Chief Mark Pawlina. The prese...