The good news is that Lower Cape schools generally scored above the state average in the spring round of MCAS tests. The bad news is that, in several key subject areas and grades, the state average is markedly down since pre-pandemic times. Statewide results show that many more students had gaps in their knowledge of math and English compared to students in the same grades before the COVID-19 pandemic, and few...

HARWICH – Homeowners have two years to connect to town sewer once it is available, according to new sewer connection regulations approved by the board of health last week. The new provisions, “enacted for the protection of public health, safety, welfare and the environment, wetlands and the public water supply,” were approved on Friday. There was one language adjustment by the board, and no public input was gi...

HARWICH – The Harwich Cranberry Festival used to be known as “the biggest small town festival in the country,” but today it is on the brink of folding its tent. Without additional volunteers, this year's festival may have been the last, according to HCF President Ed McManus. The festival has been around for 45 years and only twice in that time frame was it canceled: last year because of the pandemic and abo...

HARWICH – The efforts of students in John Dickson’s eighth grade civics class at Monomoy Regional High School have been rewarded with the approval of legislation that honors and recognizes veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The students in the Project Citizen program pushed for legislation to have the Route 137 bridge over Route 6 designated the “Hidden Wounds Memorial Bridge.” Next...

HARWICH – Use of the West Harwich Schoolhouse could help boost economic activity along the historic stretch of Route 28 through West Harwich, a nonprofit group told the selectmen Monday. The non-profit Historic West Harwich Schoolhouse group bid $1 for the building, which was constructed in 1871. The group’s proposal is to preserve the building and use it as a community learning center, possibly as a sa...

HARWICH – Monday was a day of culmination for Freedom Cruise Line Captain Barry Fuller, who has spent 60 years crossing seas near and far and has enjoyed every minute of those voyages.  Fuller, 80, navigated the Freedom passenger ferry into the Saquatucket Harbor channel at 5:20 p.m., escorted by the Coast Guard and the Harwich Harbormaster’s boat, both honoring a man who has spent his life on the sea. ...

HARWICH – The Harwich Conservation Trust has received a $146,700 grant to begin the Hinckleys Pond-Herring River Headwaters Eco-Restoration Project, which strives to restore water quality in the watershed.  The Southeast New England Project (SNEP) grant was announced last week by Congressman Bill Keating. Grant selections were made by Restore America’s Estuaries and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Th...

EAST HARWICH – Less than 100 feet from where state Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy greeted Paul Fox, owner of Harwich Paint and Decoration, Dunkin’ Donuts sat dark and shuttered, the business closed because of a lack of staff. Kennealy has been taking tours across the state, visiting downtowns and villages, communicating with small business owners to better understa...

HARWICH – Former selectman Julie Kavanagh will return to the board of selectmen after out-distancing Jeffery Handler by 30 votes in Tuesday’s special election. The turnout was light, with 1,383 voters casting ballots, just 12 percent of registered voters.  Kavanagh received 582 votes, Handler 552 votes and Mark Kelleher  243 votes. Kavanagh served one term as a selectman from 2016 and 2019,...

HARWICH - The two-day Harwich Cranberry Arts and Music Festival and Chamber of Commerce fireworks display will be held on Saturday and Sunday. “ We’ve got talented crafters, terrific music and great food vendors and there is an opportunity to address a thirst,” Harwich Cranberry Festival President Ed McManus said of the festival’s return after a year off due to the pandemic. “We’re expecting a good time...

HARWICH – Voters will be facing a 14-article special town meeting on Oct. 18 that seeks to raise taxes on short-term rentals and fund a number of wastewater initiatives, including changes to the town’s comprehensive wastewater management plan. Selectmen heard protests Sept. 7 over the proposed increase from 4 to 6 percent of the local tax on hotel, motel and short-term rentals. Selectmen want to direct a...

HARWICH – Town officials are not happy with the single bid received for the sale of the historic West Harwich Schoolhouse. The bid was submitted by the nonprofit Historic West Harwich Schoolhouse group based in West Harwich and proposes the purchase of the property for $1 for use as a community learning center. Selectmen Chair Michael MacAskill said he hoped the board and Town Administrator Joseph...