Cape & Islands News

Challenges in Truro murder case... Court backs town to oust landscaper.. Plover problem persists... Museum closes... MORE

Lower Cape news of the week
June 30, 2006

Christopher McCowen, 34, is scheduled to go on trial for the 2002 murder of Truro resident Christa Worthington, 46, on Oct. 30. But he’ll be in the Barnstable Superior Court before that, on July 5 and 6, when a number of motions filed by his attorney, Robert A. George of Boston, will be heard and ruled on. George hopes to get the judge to throw out all statements McCowen made to the State Police during the seven hours they interrogated him April 14, 2005, the day he was arrested. McCowen, who was Worthington’s trash collector, admitted at that time to being at Worthington’s house the night she was murdered. However, he claimed he was having consensual sex with her, and that a Wellfleet man who came to the house with him killed the fashion writer, after Worthington discovered the man stealing from her... [more]

BREWSTER - Firefighting equipment aficionados and children with dreams of one day joining the ranks of the bravest will be disappointed to learn that the New England Fire and History Museum in Brewster will not be opening its doors this summer. "It’s been tougher and tougher to just operate on admission fees," said Noel Beyle, a member of the museum’s board of directors. The closure comes after the board agreed to search for additional funding sources and an inventory of the museum’s collections was overdue... [more]

Read the rest of  The Cape Codder here, and comment below. 

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Man-of-Wars close Vineyard beaches, 5 swimmers stung

The Vineyard Gazette  today boosts two stories which our cape newspapers missed;

Chilmark Beaches Closed Temporarily to Swimming

By RACHEL NAVA ROHR

Chilmark town beaches Lucy Vincent and Squibnocket remain closed to swimming after droves of Portuguese man-of-war began washing up on the southern shore of the Island Monday, stinging five swimmers within minutes at Lucy Vincent. Two of the swimmers were hospitalized and released for wounds from the jellyfish-like creatures.

 "Right after that happened, we decided to close swimming," assistant supervisor to Chilmark beaches Karyn Pietruska said. "Every morning since then, we've gone out to see how many there are."

Ms. Pietruska said the beaches will remain closed to swimming until the man-of-war, with their distinctive blue bubbles and their stinging tentacles, are no longer washing up. An offshore breeze will be necessary to push the creatures away, she said... (The photo is of Squibnocket Beach and Pond on the southwest corner of Martha's Vineyard)

Read the rest of this Gazette story here, and comment below. 

And that island's weekly examines a aspect of their resident's recent theft of rare maps;

Thefts of Rare Maps Shatter The Small World of Collectors

By JAMES KINSELLA

To the modern eye, the maps are wildly out of whack.

Continents are bunched together or simply absent. California usually is in the wrong place. Major rivers wander off into mysterious voids.

But these maps, drawn up to 400 years ago, are literal touchstones in the evolution of human culture.

"It's who we are, and where we've been," said Nicholas Basbanes of Oak Bluffs, an author who's written about people passionate about rare manuscripts. "It's our history"... (You can click the map to see it full-size.)

Read the rest of this Gazette story here, and comment below.

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Double tragedy, Medicare fraud, MCAS improves, Selectmen squabble

Upper Cape Cod news of the week

Around Sandwich
HS start time pushed back Sandwich High School students will have an extra 19 minutes to get ready for school each morning, beginning in September,... [more]

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Charges in Vokey non-appointment, Asst. Principal leaving, More Chatham beach parking, MORE

Chatham & Harwich news of the week
June 28, 2006

Chatham Band Begins Another Season Friday
By Debra Lawless. Red, white and blue bunting. Popcorn and cotton candy. Balloons. The Chatham Band, as American as apple pie. The ever-popular Chatham Band will kick off its 2006 summer season this Friday at 8 p.m. with a patriotic Fourth of July concert. Kenneth Eldredge directs the Chatham Band. “We remain popular because the band is not afraid to wave the flag and be patriotic and be family oriented,” says Kenneth Eldredge, who has directed the band since 1995. “And the setting is just perfect with the bandstand at the bottom of a natural bowl”...

Bergstrom Alleges Backroom Discussion In Vokey Dismissal
CHATHAM — After a brief discussion, selectmen voted 3-2 Tuesday afternoon not to reappoint Maureen Vokey to a seat on the zoning board of appeals. In response, Selectman Ronald Bergstrom—who supports Vokey—accused the board’s majority of having violated the Open Meeting law by discussing the matter before the meeting...

Boat Trailer Parking Increased At OMBY --- But Just A Little
CHATHAM --- There will be a few additional boat trailer parking spaces at the town-owned Old Mill Boatyard parking lot this summer. But just a few. ...

Samuel De Champlain’s Bark Lands In Chatham
CHATHAM — French explorer Samuel De Champlain’s coastal bark, which landed in Stage Harbor four centuries ago, has returned to the place he called Port Fortune. A miniature model of the historic ship, commissioned by the Chatham Chamber of Commerce to mark the quadricentennial, was presented to the Chatham Historical Society last month.... (On right is a French attempt at reconstruction in 1908)

More Nutritional School Lunches To Come With Higher Price
HARWICH --- The cost of school lunches will increase next year, based on reduced revenues from the program and state and federal pressures to promote better ...

Superintendent Will Have Final Say On Principal’s Future
HARWICH --- Any decisions on Harwich High School Principal Kevin A. Turner’s future at the school will rest with the superintendent of schools, Dr. Daniel ...

After Initial Success In Chatham, Summer Food Collection Program ...
CHATHAM --- The start of the summer has been somewhat less than relaxing for Lynne Fletcher O’Brien. She’s spent a lot of time ...

Residents Want To Slow Commercial Creep In East Harwich
HARWICH --- The message from the 60 residents who attended the East Harwich Community Association’s vision forum last Thursday night was to slow commercial ...

Spirituality On The Beach
by Debra Lawless. Something about a beautiful beach setting, such as Chatham’s Oyster Pond, can be conducive to spirituality.

Assistant Planner Greenhalgh Leaving For Truro Job
HARWICH --- Assistant Town Planner Charleen Greenhalgh will be leaving next week to take a new position as assistant town administrator/planner in the town of ...

Parents, Coaches Open Dialogue With Park And Rec Commission
CHATHAM — More than a dozen parents and coaches sounded out to the park and recreation commission last Thursday, suggesting ways to improve the quality of ...

Read the rest of The Chronicle here, and comment below.

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Building collapse still a mystery, ORV stickers are hot, New attempt at needle exchange, more

Mid Cape news of the week
June 30, 2006

Cause of building collapse remains a mystery By Nicole Muller/ nmuller@cnc.com A week after the landmark Henderson’s Hardware store collapsed in Dennisport, no one knows why it happened. "It was under the care of structural engineers, and there was no apparent sign that it would collapse," said David Maslin, owner of the property at 863 Route 28. "I can’t imagine how that happened. For three years my son [Jonathan, 22] has waited for his gallery, a cultural center that would serve the community with painting, sculpture, music and dance education" ... [more] Dennis ORV stickers are hot this summer By Nicole Muller/ nmuller@cnc.com "Our four-wheel-drive vehicle sticker sales are skyrocketing," Dennis Natural Resource Officer Brian Malone says. "We normally sell about 1,400 a... [more] Black history museum will highlight ’quiet’ contributions By Joe Burns/ jburns@cnc.com In Hyannis, just a stone’s throw from Zion Union Church, where there now stands a red brick shopping plaza, was once a small house with no electricity,... [more]

Read the rest of the Register here, and comment below. 

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Mar-of-wars hospitalize South Shore man

One man sent to hospital by attack of jellyfishlike animals
Sightings at Falmouth, Buzzards Bay, recently

The Standard-Times reported that a bather had to be treated for the stings from these flooding, almost invisible animals which drifted here from the Carribean.

The newspaper quoted Ed Enos, superintendent of the Aquatic Resources Division at the Marine Biological Laboratories in Woods Hole, saying,  "What has probably happened is that a group of them congregated in the Gulf Stream and an eddy spun off — they can be 50 miles wide — and that column of warm water and the wind carried a whole little cluster in our direction". 

The Portuguese Man O' War (Physalia physalis), also known as the bluebottle, is commonly thought of as a jellyfish but is actually a siphonophore—a colony of four sorts of polyps. The Standard-Times story begins;

Man-of-wars invade coast
Jellyfishlike animals spotted in waters across SouthCoast

Troubling numbers of Portuguese man-of-wars were found in SouthCoast waters yesterday from Horseneck Beach to Aucoot Cove in Mattapoisett, likely transported by eddies broken off from the Gulf Stream, according to a local marine life expert.
The sightings follow a confrontation with two man-of-wars off East Beach on Monday night involving New Bedford lawyer Philip N. Beauregard, who was admitted to St. Luke's Hospital overnight for treatment after suffering numerous stings...

Read the rest of the story here, and comment below. 

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Sierra Club sues Pentagon over wind farm delay

Sierra Club Calls on Rumsfeld, DOD to Stop Blocking Wind Farms
Suit filed against Defense Department for delaying study of windmill threats to security

he Sierra Club today filed suit against Donald Rumsfeld and the U.S. Department of Defense for creating a virtual moratorium on the construction of new wind power plants.

The nation's most respected environmental organization charged that Rumsfeld and DOD have failed to complete a congressionally mandated study of windmills' impact on radar.

In the meantime, DOD, Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Aviation Administration have halted wind farm construction "within radar line of sight" of any military radar--which has effectively stopped construction across the U.S.

"While the Defense Department drags its feet studying if wind farms are a threat to national security, Americans are missing out on cleaner, cheaper energy," said Kristin Henry, staff attorney for Sierra Club. "If the military can have windmills and effective radar at Guantanamo, why can't we have both in the Midwest?"

The suit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, claims that the Department of Defense has violated the Administrative Procedure Act and will seek to "compel agency action unlawfully withheld or unreasonably delayed." 5 U.S.C. § 706(1).

The move by the Bush administration to link wind power to national security threats is especially ironic given that it took a recent decision of the Ninth Circuit Court to get the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to consider the potential impacts from a terrorist attack on nuclear facilities when conducting environmental reviews.

"The same administration that didn't want to consider terrorism when building nuclear plants is saying that windmills may be a threat to national security," said Henry.

The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006 contained a last-minute amendment, inserted by Senator John Warner of Virginia, requiring Donald Rumsfeld and DOD to complete a study on the effect of windmills on military readiness and the operation of military radar installations by May 8, 2006.

Beltway bureaucratic stalling  charged

In order to operate and construct a windmill in the U.S., an energy developer must obtain a notice from the FAA stating that the installation is not a hazard to air navigation. The Federal Aviation Administration is interpreting DOD's "Interim Windmill Policy" to mean that it cannot approve any wind projects "within radar line of sight." Instead, the agency has been issuing "Notices of Presumptive Hazard," which decline to provide the required notice until more information is obtained regarding possible interference with military radar installations. Since much of the nation and almost all of the Midwest is "within radar line of sight," this policy has a sweeping effect and has essentially created a de facto moratorium on new wind power projects.

15 wind farms stalled 

Federal officials have declined to reveal how many wind projects have been blocked from construction, but, according to media reports, at least 15 wind farm proposals in the Midwest have been shut down so far. The list of stalled projects includes one outside Bloomington, Illinois, which would have been the nation's largest source of wind energy, generating enough electricity to power 120,000 homes in the Chicago area. Coal and natural gas will likely replace the lost wind generation, resulting in higher energy costs and increased soot, smog and global warming pollution.

"Paralyzing wind energy development could not have come at a worse time," said David Bookbinder, senior attorney for Sierra Club. "The Department of Defense has provided no indication of when it intends to complete the required study, even though the deadline has already passed. Meanwhile the window for claiming tax credits on wind projects is closing next year.

On June 2, 2006, Senators Russ Feingold, Dick Durbin, Herb Kohl, Kent Conrad, Byron Dorgan, and Barack Obama wrote a letter to the Department of Defense and the Federal Aviation Administration requesting that they stop unnecessarily obstructing the construction of clean, renewable energy sources.

Threat to tax credits seem as ploy to stop the wind 

If the moratorium persists through the summer, it may not be possible to complete wind projects in time for their developers to claim applicable federal tax credits, which were extended last August through the end of 2007. The direct and indirect economic damage that will result from suspension of wind farm construction could easily reach tens of millions of dollars.

The Sierra Club attornies claim that wind energy is the fastest-growing source of power on the planet. With our national wind resources, they say, the United States can become a world leader in wind energy. Already, wind turbines in this country produce enough electricity to meet the needs of more than 1 million households. A single modern wind turbine can produce enough power to meet the annual electricity needs of 500 average homes.

The suit filed in U.S. District Court in San Francisco claimed that Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and the Pentagon missed a deadline for completing a study that is holding up more than a dozen wind farm projects in the Midwest.

"The end result is the wind industry is being crippled," said attorney Kristin Henry of the Sierra Club. The study was ordered earlier this year by Congress. The Federal Aviation Administration has halted projects in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, North Dakota, and South Dakota until the agency can determine their impact on military radar. Delayed construction on wind farms could make developers ineligible for federal tax credits available until the end of 2007, dealing a severe blow to efforts to develop clean, renewable energy sources in the United States, Henry said.

Senator Warner protecting Osterville trophy homes

The amendment ordering the study, authored by Sen. John Warner, R-Va., came as a last-minute addition to a national defense bill passed in January. The bill gave the Defense Department until May to complete the study. Mr. Warner's daughter own a summer home in Osterville.

Wind industry backers have accused Warner of trying to scuttle an offshore wind farm proposed for Nantucket Sound in Massachusetts.

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DOR charges rock Ptown, Pilgrim Monument begun 100 years ago, more

Outer Cape news of the week
Jaune 28, 2006

State Dept. Of Revenue charges ‘rock’ Provincetown
PROVINCETOWN — Dirty laundry was aired this week when the state Dept. of Revenue announced that it would delay third and fourth quarter aid to the town, roughly $240,000 worth, due to late document filings, unrealistically high revenue projections and what has been described as the unabated handholding that state officials give to the town...

100 years ago: Laying the cornerstone of the Pilgrim Monument “In the name of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts I now proclaim that the corner stone of the structure to be here erected -The carefully planned ceremony had begun the morning of August 20, 1907, when the presidential yacht “Mayflower,” with President Theodore Roosevelt aboard, sailed into Provincetown Harbor around 10 o’clock. As it rounded Long Point and entered the harbor, it passed down a passage created by eight battleships composed of two squadrons. The president received a 21-gun salute from each battleship as he passed. Observers on High Pole Hill said it seemed as though their view of the “Mayflower” would be lost in a smoky haze of gunpowder ...

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ORV's off limits, E. Harwich pans, Plover need help, Turner in court, more

Harwich news of the week

Read the rest of this week's Oracle stories here, and comment below.

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Delahunt, others, get free trips to Wequassett

Globe says lobbyist spent $22,000 on them since '96
The lobbyist represents firms which get millions from state

According to today's Boston Globe, four Massachusetts Congressman, US Representative Richard Neal,  Michael E. Capuano, William D. Delahunt and the late J. Joseph Moakley, all received free visits to Harwich's Wequassett Inn Resort. The Globe story refers to the inn's mailing address. The property on Pleasant Bay & Round Cove is on Route 28 in East Harwich between Orleans and Chatham.

According to the inn's web site, their July Fourth Package for three nights, one dinner for two and a round of golf starts at $1,455 while their better rooms cost almost that for one night. The Globe story states: 

A lobbyist link in congressmens' visits to Cape

By Michael M. Grynbaum, Globe Correspondent | June 28, 2006

WASHINGTON -- Four Massachusetts congressmen have attended luxurious Fourth of July weekends at Cape Cod's exclusive Wequassett Inn in Chatham with representatives of various interest groups, courtesy of a little-known nonprofit group started by a longtime lobbyist.

The lobbyist, Jeanne Campbell, received millions of dollars in contracts to lobby Congress through her Washington-based firm, Campbell-Crane. Her clients, including several Massachusetts agencies and companies, routinely attend the Fourth of July events.

The trips to the Wequassett Inn, where room rates range from $475 to $1,300 per night, are intended as seminars where industry representatives can discuss legislative issues with members of Congress. But government watchdog groups say they represent a common route around federal lobbying restrictions.

The firm has paid more than $22,500 to cover Massachusetts congressmen attending the sessions since 1996, the first year for which records are available. Nearly $11,000 went to cover food and lodging expenses of US Representative Richard Neal, a Springfield Democrat, who has attended every year but 2002...

The story goes on to say that people who attended the Wequassett's Fourth of July events say the attendees include many clients of Campbell-Crane. Watchdog groups say that lobbying firms have found a way around the current regulations by linking up with nonprofit groups to sponsor travel.

Delahunt dissembles

Our own congressman, William Delahunt on right, attended the July 4 events at the resort for three years but said he did not recall details about the weekends. He did say that the groups at the Wequassett soiree  "would have access to Massachusetts representatives anyhow."

Local observers thought this statement was misleading at best since access to elected officers is hardly a simple matter for ordinary folks.

Read the rest of the story here, and comment below.

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Delahunt, others, get free trips to Wequassett

 Globe says lobbyist spent $22,000 on them since '96
Firms lobbyist reps get millions from state

According to today's Boston Globe, four Massachusetts Congressman, US Representative Richard Neal,  Michael E. Capuano, William D. Delahunt, and the late J. Joseph Moakley all received free visits to Harwich's Wequassett Resort.

A lobbyist link in congressmen's visits to Cape

By Michael M. Grynbaum, Globe Correspondent | June 28, 2006

WASHINGTON -- Four Massachusetts congressmen have attended luxurious Fourth of July weekends at Cape Cod's exclusive Wequassett Inn in Chatham with representatives of various interest groups, courtesy of a little-known nonprofit group started by a longtime lobbyist.
The lobbyist, Jeanne Campbell, received millions of dollars in contracts to lobby Congress through her Washington-based firm, Campbell-Crane. Her clients, including several Massachusetts agencies and companies, routinely attend the Fourth of July events.

The trips to the Wequassett Inn, where room rates range from $475 to $1,300 per night, are intended as seminars where industry representatives can discuss legislative issues with members of Congress. But government watchdog groups say they represent a common route around federal lobbying restrictions.

The firm has paid more than $22,500 to cover Massachusetts congressmen attending the sessions since 1996, the first year for which records are available. Nearly $11,000 went to cover food and lodging expenses of US Representative Richard Neal, a Springfield Democrat, who has attended every year but 2002.

 Read the rest of the story here, and omment below.

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Walrus skull found off Cape Cod

Species usually found only in Labrador or the Artic
Skull found in 300 feet off Orleans' Nauset Beach on June 13

The Lebanon NH Reporter carries a story last night reprinted from the Glouster MA Daily Times which reports on a Massachusetts fishing boat dredging up what appears to be part of a large walrus skull off Nauset Beach this month. Here's the start of the story;

Fishermen find walrus skull off Cape Cod
Boat hooks bone far from species' habitat
By Peter K. Prybot, Glouster (MA) Daily Times

GLOUCESTER, Mass. — A trio of Gloucester fishermen hauled in an unusual catch off the coast of Cape Cod this month: a walrus skull.

The crew of the 78-foot-long Midnight Sun snagged the upper part of the skull with the vessel’s groundfish net 300 feet down off Nausett’s Beach on June 13.

“We’ve never seen anything like that,” said vessel owner and skipper Tom Testaverde Sr., 50, shown on right holding the skull. The crew consists of his son Tom Testaverde Jr., 21, and Bobby Gross, 45.

Many active and retired fishermen along the Gloucester waterfront who have netted human and whale bones, bombs, shipwrecks and even pocketbooks have also never heard of anyone ever pulling up the bones of a walrus...

The story went on to explain that walruses are only found in the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic. The nearest habitat is the Canadian territory of Labrador and walruses  can grow to be 10 feet long and weigh 3,000 pounds. 

Read the rest of the Glouster Daily Times story from the Lebanon NH Reporter here, and comment below. 

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CG Bill passes Congress, Sen. Stevens still threatens

Coast Guard Authorization Finally Ready for Bush
Had been held up by political manouvering by Sen. Ted Kennedy

Washington, June 27, 2008 - The House of Representatiives took final action today on a long-delayed $8.7 billion fiscal 2006 Coast Guard authorization bill, adopting a conference report on the measure (HR 889 — H Rept 109-413) one day after members approved revised language related to a wind farm off Cape Cod, Mass. 

The bill gives the CG Commandant, Vice Admiral Thad Allen, the decision on whether the project is safe for shipping. 

The 413-0 vote on the 2006 legislation came the day before a House committee is slated to mark up a fiscal 2007 authorization bill for the Coast Guard.

The last-minute revision to the bill which the Senate adopted last week and the House approved Monday, strikes a provision that would have granted Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney veto power over a wind-turbine generating facility planned for the waters off Cape Cod. Romney, a Republican, is a vocal opponent of the project, known as Cape Wind.

The Senate agreed last week to automatically clear the bill once the House accepted the revised language, meaning the legislation now heads to the president’s desk. The Massachusetts Governor veto provision drew objections from key energy lawmakers in both chambers and stalled the legislation for almost three months.

Cape Wind Resolution
In an email Tuesday night to friends and supporters, Cape Wid President Jim Gordon said, "Cape Wind can now move forward in the ongoing permitting review process being carried out by seventeen federal and state agencies.  Cape Wind looks forward to delivering cleaner air, new jobs, lower electricity costs and greater energy independence, as soon as possible."

The Cape Wind impasse ended last week when Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chairman Pete V. Domenici, R-N.M., and ranking Democrat Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico reached a deal with the Senate’s two staunchest Cape Wind opponents: Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., and Ted Stevens, R-Alaska. The four agreed to remove the gubernatorial veto and replace it with language that would give the commandant of the Coast Guard sole authority over navigational safety issues related to the offshore wind project.

The new language quelled a dispute in the House, where Republican Charles Bass of New Hampshire led a group including Energy and Commerce Chairman Joe L. Barton, R-Texas, that opposed the veto provision. Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Don Young, R-Alaska, who first proposed language blocking the wind farm, also signed off last week on the compromise language. Domenici and Bingaman had threatened to block consideration of the conference report on the Senate floor unless the gubernatorial veto was removed.

They said the language ran counter to congressional efforts to encourage renewable energy production. Kennedy’s family compound is located just miles from the proposed project, and Stevens is chairman of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, which wrote the Coast Guard bill.

Sen. Stevens still threatens Cape Wind

Although Kennedy and Stevens backed off their insistence on a gubernatorial veto, it is uncertain whether the new language will allow the project to proceed. Stevens told fellow senators June 22 that they “must remain open to the possibility that the commandant may find that no amount of mitigation could be sufficient to eliminate the potential detrimental effects of the specific siting of this development.”

Source: Wind Facts

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Kerry touts wind power, but not in his own backyard

Billed as his major public policy address on energy
Did not mention wind projects in Nantucket Sound or Buzzards Bay

John Kerry, who owns a home on Nantucket, managed to give a "major" speech yesterday about America's need for wind energy and less reliance on foreign oil without mentioning either wind projects proposed offshore in his own state.

An avid wind-surfer on the sound, he is shown on right on his Harley at a rally in '04. 

In the speech in Boston's historic Faneuil Hall,  Kerry called for wind power to be a part of the nation's new energy mix reminding his listeners that America has only 3% of the world's oil reserves. 

He emphasised, "there is simply no way to drill our way out of this crisis."  

The Standard-Times reported the story thus; 

Still mum on local plans, Kerry touts wind power  

BOSTON — U.S. Sen. John F. Kerry yesterday called for a nationwide energy policy that embraced ideas like wind power and hybrid cars to wean America off Middle East oil.
"We can't respond to climate change, and we can't wage and win a real war on terror if we don't at last take bold, real steps toward energy independence," Kerry told a crowd of environmentalists, politicians and other guests at Faneuil Hall. "For too long, we have allowed fundamental problems in the Middle East to fester by signaling corrupt Arab regimes that we don't care what they do so long as they keep the oil flowing."
But his speech, billed as a major public policy address on energy, did not mention the Nantucket Sound wind farm or a new proposal for up to 120 wind turbines in Buzzards Bay...

Read the rest of the Standard-Times story here, and commenmt below. 

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Tugboat at Buzzards Bay Rotary to be destroyed

^{_{Shown above in better days around 1953 shoving a passenger liner around in New York's North River, old NY Central Tugboat #16 which has welcomed visitors to Cape Cod for a quarter century at the Bourne rotary may soon meet the wrecher's ball.}}

Landmark since 1982 to disappear unless $250,000 is raised fast
Group asks CVS to give it more time

In a story first reported here in January, the old tugboat which greets visitors to the cape at the Buzzards Bay rotary, may to razed very shortly without help from the public. #16 steam tugboat was launched in 1924, and she was rescued from a shameful death as a derelict in Witte's Junkyard in Staten Island, and moved to Bourne in 1982, see file photo on right  taken that year.

She was the last steam tug to remain afloat. Steam-powered tugs are from a by-gone era, and old #16 plied the waters of New York City Harbor for many years during her working lifetime.

CVS pharmacies is about to close on the property and says the structure is rotten and unsafe.  The boat received an 11th-hour reprieve recently because developers are in a dispute with the town over traffic lights on the property.The Boston Globe covered the boat's imminent demise today in this manner;

Bourne tugboat in need of rescue
Landlocked vessel faces demolition

By Megan Tench, Globe Staff, June 27, 2006

Ever since Charles Schneider was a teenager, an old tugboat, New York Central No. 16, signaled the start of his family's summer Cape Cod vacation as they drove past the landlocked vessel near the Bourne Bridge.

When Schneider, now 42, learned a few months ago that the old tug that fascinated him as a youth will be demolished soon to make way for a CVS pharmacy, the Raynham man started working to save the boat. But with an estimated $250,000 needed to rescue the tug, its future is murkier than the waters of New York Harbor it once plowed.

"I've been looking at this thing for the 24 years it has been sitting there and wondering what's going happen to it," Schneider said. "It's a shame really."  Developers said this month they plan to destroy the old tug...

Read the rest of this Globe story here, and comment below. 

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Martha's Vineyard Town wins controversial tax case

UPDATE:  State Tax Board Upholds West Tisbury in Graham Case
The Massachusetts Appellate Tax Board on Tuesday ruled in favor of the West Tisbury assessors and against town resident William W. Graham in a residential property tax appeal that has attracted attention across the commonwealth.

The highly anticipated decision granted minor abatements on two of the seven parcels owned by Mr. Graham. Of the $51 million in property values challenged in the case, the appellate tax board lowered the assessments by a total of $520,000 — a decrease of roughly one per cent. Mr. Graham owns 235 acres at Mohu off Lambert's Cove Road.

According to the tax board decision, the town will reimburse Mr. Graham $5,460 in property taxes from fiscal years 2003 and 2004. Mr. Graham has stated previously that he would appeal such a decision to the Massachusetts Court of Appeals... Read the rest here.

( Below is the original story which ran on Tuesday)

Island tax case with ramifications statewide
Challenges way towns conduct townwide revaluations

Tuesday, June 27, 2006  - The Vineyard Gazette reports today on a tax assessment case which is being watched by town across Massachusetts. It is the longest and costliest residential property tax hearing in the history of the commonwealth.

The Gazette story reports that both sides acknowledged that it is a highly unusual property tax appeal. Attorneys for the property owner charged that West Tisbury assessors undermined the integrity of their valuation system by intentionally manipulating property data, while the town attorney countered the owner never proved that the values placed on his property were wrong. The story states;

Decision Set for Today in Graham Tax Case

By IAN FEIN, Vineyard Gazette

The Massachusetts Appellate Tax Board is expected to rule this morning in favor of the town of West Tisbury and against resident William W. Graham in a property tax appeal that began three years ago and has attracted attention across the commonwealth and beyond.

It is understood that the appellate tax board is set to vote this morning on the Graham decision, and that the decision heavily favors the town. A source close to the tax board, who did not wish to be named because of the confidential nature of the deliberations, confirmed yesterday that a decision has been drafted and that board members have been briefed on the details. All that remains is a final vote.

 A favorable ruling would be a key victory for the West Tisbury assessors, whose practices were put under a spotlight by the high profile appeal that challenged the way they conduct townwide revaluations. The case roiled the town of West Tisbury this year, and has been followed closely by state officials and assessors throughout the region...

Read the rest of the Gazette story here, and comment below. 

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Extraordinary home foreclosure rate on Cape Cod

The Boston Globe reported Monday that the foreclosure rate on homes here has skyrocketed.

While the state as a whole was hit hard with the foreclosure rate 40% above 2005, here in Barnstable County the number of foreclosures was up an even 300% with Dennis and Sandwich hit hardest state wide. The Globe story goes on to state;

Home foreclosures double in May

ForeclosuresMass.com said today that May foreclosure filings against Massachusetts homeowners have more than doubled, a trend that is accelerating as the housing market slows and mortgage rates increase.

ForeclosuresMass.com, which tracks monthly filings by financial institutions against homeowners in the state's Land Court, said there were 1,613 filings last month, compared with 788 in May 2005.

"That's over 50 a day every day of the month," said Derek Beckwith, spokesman.

The biggest increases occurred in Barnstable County on Cape Cod, 96 in May 2006, up from 32 in May 2005; Suffolk County, 171, up from 71; and Bristol County, 143, up from 64...

 Read the rest of the Globe story here, and comment below.

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Kennedy stand on immigration may bring boycott to state

Conservatives and border states want Senator to  MYOB
Minutemen to hold rally in Boston next month

Our Senator's advocacy of amnesty for immigrants angers many in border states as well as some well-funded conservative groups who want their members to boycott Massachusetts to get our attention. The Herald story states;

Groups push Bay State boycott:
Right-wingers decry Kennedy-McCain plan for immigrant amnesty
By Jay Fitzgerald, Boston Herald GeneraL

Outraged conservative groups opposed to giving illegal immigrants amnesty in the United States are calling for a nationwide tourism boycott of Massachusetts to protest Sen. Edward M. Kennedy’s stance on the hot-button political issue.

“Massachusetts seems to have lost its way,” said Barry Weinstein, a writer for the influential right-wing Human Events magazine, in which Weinstein recently urged hundreds of thousands of like-minded activists to boycott the Bay State when going on vacations or short visits.

“It’s the only thing they understand - getting hit in the pocketbook,” said John Clark, congressional liaison for the American Immigration Control Foundation, which has about 230,000 members...

Read the rest of the  Herald story here, and comment below. 

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New England's marshes are dieing

Die-off  is most evident in the marshes of Cape Cod.

The Hartford Courant reports this morning that the very heart of our shellfish and marine growth cycle id fast disappearing. Scientists are calling the mysterious phenomenon sudden wetlands dieback.

Scientists Investigating Marsh Die-Off

Something is killing New England's salt marshes, and scientists are trying to figure out how large the problem is, and how to stop it.

Parts of the marshes, normally teeming with cord grass, fish and birds have turned mud brown and bare of life except for fiddler crabs.

"No one recalls seeing anything like this," Ron Rozsa, coastal ecologist with Connecticut's Department of Environmental Protection, told the Day of New London as he surveyed a section of the Oyster River salt marsh in Old Saybrook. "We're talking about a crime scene investigation some forensic ecology, if you will."  ...But the problem is not limited to Connecticut. Dieback has been reported in all five of the coastal New England states and is most evident in the marshes of Cape Cod.

The story states that it would be impossible to exagerate this danger to all marine life.   The death of the grasses effectively means that section of marsh ceases to exist as a productive habitat.

Irregular margins of gray-brown marsh soils are exposed by the die-back which allows the marsh grasses to be dragged away by tides and sea action whiuch forms serrated terraces and holes in the creek banks.

The Courant story quotes Susan Adamowicz, a land management research and demonstration biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service saying, "We don't know what's causing it, and we don't know how to stop it. Is it a disease, or a response to a combination of factors? We want to get a handle on what this thing is."

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Romney ignores Cape's moths, axes funds for JFK statue

Holds up $150,000 to stop our bugs
He also kills $75,000 for JFK Statue

The Standard-Times reports today that Cape Cod is in danger of a major loss of trees due to Gov. Romney's veto of a bill to fund  attacks on moths.

The story states;

Entomologist: No pork in winter moth project

Leaf-eating winter moths have been dubbed one of the 10 most unwanted pests, labeled an invasive species and targeted by scientists with caterpillar-killing parasites. Last year alone, the grayish-brown bugs with the one-inch wing span defoliated 34,000 acres of trees in eastern Massachusetts.
One thing winter moths are not, entomologist Joseph Elkinton says, is political pork.
Gov. Mitt Romney held up a $150,000 earmark to fund Elkinton's winter moth control project as one of the worst examples of "unnecessary and wasteful" spending by the Democrat-dominated Legislature when he vetoed $225 million Saturday from two economic stimulus bills passed by lawmakers last week... 

e moths have attacked tree from Cape Ann to Cape Cod. They devour the leaves on maples, oaks and fruit trees.

That’s tourism.  That’s our economy, say Sen. Murray

The Cape's "other" state Senator, Therese Murray, chair of Senate Ways and Means, said "the winter moth has decimated trees along the coast. Maybe in Belmont (the wealthy enclave where Romney resides)  he doesn’t have the winter moth, but we have it in southeastern Mass.  That’s tourism.  That’s our economy. That’s our cranberry crop and our farmers.”

Meanwhile, back on Main Street, Romney's "Veto-Pen" still works

The Political Notes column in today's CCTimes reports that Romney vetoed the $75,000 needed to complete the statue of martyed President John F. Kennedy planned for Main Street in Hyannis.

Mid-Cape state rep Demetrius Atsalis, who sponsored the bill for the statue's funding, says that the Democratically-controlled legislature will easily override the governor's veto. ''If he wants to give his finger a workout, he can do it, but it's an exercise in futility," Atsalis is quoted as saying. "We will have enough votes to override it.''

Among the governor’s other vetoes were $250,000 for the Hopkinton Athletic Association, $100,000 for a gazebo on Sunset Lake in Braintree and $4 million to research the “efficiency” of the internal combustion engine, according to a statement from Romney’s office.

Romney also reduced a 15 percent pay raise for judges to a more modest 4 percent.  

Read the rest of the Standard-Times story here.

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Yarmouth wreck requires "jaws of life", 2 others, plus rain

SUNDAY JUNE 25th, 2006
DRIVER TRAPPED, CRITICALLY INJURED IN YARMOUTH
Photos courtesy of R. Copley.
YARMOUTH – Looking at this twisted wreckage its amazing anyone survived. The car slammed into a tree on West Yarmouth Road sometime around 7 AM demolishing it. Firefighters spent an extended amount of time using the Jaws of Life to free the occupant.

Bad weather of course grounded Medflight so the driver was rushed to Cape Cod Hospital. Yarmouth Police are seen looking on in the second photo waiting for the driver to be freed. They will be investigating if speed and wet roads were among factors in the crash.

SATURDAY JUNE 24th, 2006
SERIOUS INJURY REPORTED IN CENTERVILLE CRASH
CENTERVILLE – Four people were injured, at least one seriously in a crash in Centerville Saturday evening. The crash happened shortly after 8 PM on Route 28 at Cottage Lane near Phinneys Lane. The injured were taken to Cape Cod Hospital. Barnstable Police are investigating if heavy rain may have played a role in the crash. Further details were not immediately available.

DON’T RAIN ON MY PARADE
PROVINCETOWN – Someone didn’t get the message as a driving rain forced the shortening of the annual Portuguese Festival Parade in Provincetown. An annual tradition of the parade is kids getting to ride on fire engines in the parade and many used firefighter’s helmets and coats to try to stay dry while the many bands and other floats got drenched. The downpours were so hard organizers decided to stop the parade as it approached town hall downtown instead of going all the way down Commercial Street to Franklin Street. To compound matters firefighters barely had time to drop off kids to their parents when a report of heavy smoke from a chimney at 36 Nelson Avenue was called in. Firefighters arrived to find the house’s oil burner was plugged up and needed service. Meanwhile the other highlight of the weekend the annual blessing of the fishing fleet is still scheduled for Sunday afternoon at Macmillan Wharf at 1 PM.

PERSON RECUED AFTER PINNED UNDER CAR
DENNIS – A man was taken to Cape Cod Hospital with leg injuries after the vehicle he was working on apparently slipped off its jack pinning him. Firefighters responded to a Telegraph Road residence about 10 AM Saturday and used air bags to hoist the vehicle and free the man. Further details were not immediately available.

Read the rest of Cape Wide News here, and comment below. 

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Gas prices? Phooey, they're still heading to The Cape

$3 a gallon for gas doesn't slow up our seasonal visitors
Some markets seem immune to any gas spike.

According to a story in today's Albany Times-Union, the tourists are still coming.

The story documents that "vacations are sacred" and only lousy weather, not fuel prices, can deter summer travelers who will put their holiday off a few days, or drive around less when they get here, or even substitute an expensive meal for a cheaper restaurant, but they will still come;

On the road again, despite gas prices
Summer vacationers appear to be working around higher fuel costs, not canceling getaways

By KEVIN HARLIN, Business writer, Sunday, June 25, 2006

At $2 a gallon, motorists shuddered. At $3, they vented.
Something had to give, they said, predicting the summer of 2006 would bring belt-tightening and parking the car at home. Maybe that big trip would be sidelined, they vowed.

Then Memorial Day weekend arrived. We got in our cars and hit the highways.

High gas prices and worries about the economy did not stop Americans from traveling on that May weekend, the unofficial start of the summer season. With fuel prices moderating a bit this month, many in the travel industry think the number of people hitting the road in 2006 -- and the total each will spend -- will be the same or slightly more than in past years.

The story goes on to say that the Travel Industry Association believes vacationers driving thirsty recreational vehicles will probably still take them on trips. But they will probably park them longer in one place, rather than roving about.

But an industry spokeman said history shows vacations are sacred. A fancy meal, on the other hand, may not be. In past years vacationers cut back on food spending when pressed, but even that's not bad news for all restaurateurs.

"If you're a fast-food restaurant or a family restaurant, this is going to be a great summer, because they still have to eat," said Allen Kay, spokesman for the Travel Industry Association of America, a Washington, D.C.-based trade group.

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Sailor rescued 71 miles off cape, woman rescued 150 east

Our local Coast Guard performed two rescues off Cape Cod Sunday, and the second one was from the Carnival crusie line ship "Victory".

irst rescue a  HH-60 Jayhawk helicopter (file photo on right) from Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod air lifted a 53-year-old man in medical distress off the motor vessel AV Kastner 71 nautical miles east of Provincetown, Mass. today.

The 520-foot Bermuda registered bulk carrier was enroute New York City when it radioed Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England at 9:25 a.m. and reported one of its crew was experiencing severe abdominal distress.

The helicopter arrived on scene at 12:15 p.m., hoisted the ill crewman and landed at Hyannis Airport at 12:53 p.m.

A waiting ambulance transferred the crewman to Cape Cod Hospital. His current condition is unknown.

Woman air fifted from Carnival Cruse Line "Victory" 150 miles east of cape 

In a related event, a 36-year-old cruise ship passenger who was experiencing severe stomach pain was flown to a Boston hospital on Sunday by the Coast Guard as well.

The Carnival cruise ship "Victory" was 150 nautical miles east of Cape Cod when the Coast Guard was notified.  The ship was enroute to New York City from Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Another Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Cape Cod arrived at the ship at 11 a.m., and landed in Boston two hours later where the woman was brought to Massachusetts General Hospital.

Coast Guard Lt. Mike Imbrogna would not release the woman's name or hometown. He did not know the woman's condition. He said the woman is not pregnant.

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Healey hems & haws, O'Leary orates outrage

Counter rally decries GOP's  ignorance of the facts
Bill's sponsor accused opponents of failing to show any evidence

A front page story in this week's Bay Windows lambasts Lt. Governor Kerry Healey's stand against the needle exchange program, while law officers and Senator Rob O'Leary mount a counter demonstration at the State House. Larry Day of the AIDS Action Committee (AAC) said, “I’ve got to say that I’m absolutely appalled and frightened as a citizen and as a registered voter of the Commonwealth that one of the candidates for the highest elected office in the Commonwealth stood before the media and stood before the public and fear-mongered her way into making you believe that this bill was a bad thing. …This bill will save lives, and she totally dismissed that."

The Bay Windows story by Ethan Jacobs states; 

Clean needle bill sparks clash on Beacon Hill

Lt. Governor Kerry Healey’s June 22 press conference to speak out against the pharmacy access bill was clearly designed to position her as tough on crime and as a champion of public safety issues, but the GOP gubernatorial candidate was outgunned when she spoke on the steps of the Statehouse. As Healey, flanked by a handful of Republican legislators, addressed reporters, she fought to be heard over a crowd of about 60 supporters of the bill lined up across the street, carrying signs and chanting “Pharmacy access now!” and “Clean needles save lives!” throughout the entire press conference. And while she claimed the bill, which would decriminalize needle possession in the state and allow syringes to be sold in pharmacies without a prescription, would present a public safety hazard to both law enforcement and the public, the only criminal justice official present at the conference, Middlesex District Attorney Martha Coakley, spoke out at a counter press conference in support of the bill, arguing that it would likely increase officer safety... Both Healey and state Sen. Scott Brown (R-Wrentham), who also spoke out against the bill, agreed that the bill may reduce HIV infection rates but said they could not support it...

Following Healey’s press conference, the crowd’s attention shifted to the front entrance of the Statehouse, where the state Democratic Party held a press conference in support of the bill. Coakley rebutted Healey’s claim that the bill would pose a danger to law enforcement...  State Sen. Robert O’Leary (D-Barnstable), the sponsor of the bill, accused opponents of failing to show any evidence that it would threaten public safety or increase drug use.

“The people who are speaking in opposition to this have regularly said over and over again that decriminalizing needles promotes drug use,” said O’Leary. “And what we’ve said back is give us one statistic, give us one study that demonstrates that. And there has been a dead silence.”

Larry Day, AAC’s manager of community relations, accused Healey and opponents of the bill of ignoring the reality of drug abuse and said that he himself struggled with IV drug abuse for 25 years before getting clean. Day, who is HIV positive, said he expects there are enough votes to override Romney’s veto. He accused Healey of “fear-mongering” in an effort to derail the bill. 

Read the rest of the Bay Windows story here, and comment below.
Text and photo courtesy of Bay Windows. Top photo courtesy of AAC.

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Mansfield is paying for your electricity

But that town near RI doesn't get any of our juice
"God bless the people who live on Cape Cod, but what do we have to do with a blackout on the Cape?"

According to a story in today's Attleboro Sun Chronicle, residents of Mansfield and North Attleboro which are near the Rhode Island border 65 miles from Hyannis are outraged that they must help pay the costs of running the Cape Cod Canal Power Plant even through they don't get any of it's electricity.

The story states by Michael Gelbwasser;

Paying for the Cape
Mansfield, North electric customers foot bill for power plant they can't use

Electric customers in Mansfield and North Attleboro will help foot the bill for a power plant on Cape Cod Canal, but won't see so much as a flicker of light for their trouble.

The surcharge, which applies to municipal electric utilities, is being assessed by a consortium of electric suppliers to bolster electric capaci ty on the Cape, which has been subject to brownouts and black outs during periods of peak demand... "Can they make us pay this?' Mansfield Light Commissioner David McCarter said. "God bless the people who live on Cape Cod, but what do we have to do with a blackout on the Cape?"

Read the Sun Chronicle story here, and comment below.

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Fires rage in Truro, Yarmouth, Jewelry theft, 4 accidents

SATURDAY JUNE 24th, 2006
FIREFIGHTERS SAVE HOUSE AFTER GARAGE FIRE
YARMOUTH – Quick work by Yarmouth firefighters kept a garage fire from spreading into the attached house. The garage was fully involved when firefighters arrived about 3 AM at 93 North Main Street. The fire was knocked down in about 10 minutes. No injuries were reported and the cause is under investigation

FIRE GUTS TRURO BARN
TRURO – Fire gutted a barn in Truro. Tankers had to shuttle water to the scene at 4 Old County Road after the 12:10 AM alarm. Mutual air from Provincetown, Wellfleet and Eastham helped out. No injuries were reported and no animals were hurt. The cause of the fire is under  investigation.

FRIDAY JUNE 23rd, 2006
DENNIS POLICE LOOK FOR LARCENY SUSPECT
Sketch provided by Dennis Police.
DENNIS – Dennis Police are looking for two subjects who pulled off a larceny of rings afternoon at Coppelman’s Jewelers on Route 6A Thursday afternoon. One of the suspects engaged the clerk in conversation while the other allegedly took the rings. The theft was not noticed until they left.  Stolen were the following items: 1. an 18K platinum gold 1 ct round diamond ring, size 8, 2. an 18k yellow gold, wide, wedding band with different shapes in design, 3. platinum and diamond narrow eternity wedding ban, size 6, 4. an 18k oval rail band made of yellow gold with a center stone of approximately ¼ ct trillion diamond in a triangle shape.  This item had two smaller diamonds on either side. The total value of the items stolen was more than $12,000.

The suspects are described as follows: suspect number 1 was in his late 30’s to early 40’s, approximately 5’7” in height with a medium build and olive complected skin.  This subject has Brown hair which is styled over the ears and brown eyes.  He was wearing dark clothing and spoke with a possible New York or Boston accent. This is a composite sketch of him. The second suspect is described as mid to late 40’s, approximately 5’10” in height and thin build.  This subject had a pale complexion with dirty blonde short hair.  He was wearing khaki pants and a light colored shirt. Anyone with information is asked to call Dennis Police at (508) 394-1315

ONE INJURED IN ROUTE 132 CRASH
Photo courtesy of Frank Paparo.
WEST BARNSTABLE – One person was taken to Cape Cod Hospital after this three vehicle crash on Route 132 by the Burger King in West Barnstable Friday afternoon. The driver of the jeep was taken to CCH with injuries that are not believed to be life threatening. Barnstable Police are investigating the cause of the crash.

TWO ESCAPE SERIOUS INJURY IN YARMOUTH HEAD-ON
YARMOUTH – Two people escaped serious injury but a head-on crash did tie up traffic this afternoon in Yarmouth. The crash happened around sometime after 3:30 PM on West Yarmouth Road at Sheffield Road. The driver had to be extricated from the wreckage. Police detoured traffic until the mess was cleared. They continue to investigate the cause of the crash.

ONE SERIOUSLY INJURED IN ORLEANS CRASH
ORLEANS – Two people were injured, one seriously in a crash in Orleans. The crash happened just before 3:30 PM by the Mobil station at Route 6A and Main Street. Orleans Police are investigating the crash.

Read the rest of the Cape Wide News here and comment below. 

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Flex hits snags, Eastham mulls wind turbines, Extreme measure for Plovers, more

Lower Cape news of the week, June 23, 2006

Bringing back a bog
By Bill Fonda/ bfonda@cnc.com
ORLEANS - It wasn't a barn-raising Jim Bast held at his Orleans home Tuesday - it was more like a "bog-building." "This is how you... [more]

Read these stories in The Cape Codder here, and comment below.  

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Speed limits set to save Right Whales

NOAA Adopting Ship Speed Limits to Save the Right Whale
Ship Strikes Are Largest Threat to Critically Endangered Marine Mammal  

Washington, DC — The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) today announced a plan for ship speed limits in order to protect the highly endangered North Atlantic right whale.  Speed limits are a key element in a long-delayed right whale recovery strategy, according to Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER), which has been campaigning for adoption of these measures.

In the photo on right a team of federal, state and non-profit biologists and scientists attempt to rescue an entangled North Atlantic right whale off the southeast US coast .

Limits proposed for Cape Cod Bay 

Off the Massachusetts coast, where right whales feed from January through July, restrictions would be implemented in Cape Cod Bay from Jan. 1 through mid-May; off Race Point at the northern end of Cape Cod from March 1 through April 30 and the Great South Channel from April 1 through July 21. Federal vessels would be excluded.

Ship strikes are the leading cause of death for the right whale, considered one of the planet’s most endangered species with less than 300 animals left in existence. In the past year, five percent of the total female breeding population has been killed, as well as two near term calves.  

NOAA is proposing speed limits of 10 knots (or 11.5 miles per hour) for shipping along the eastern seaboard during the migration of right whales between Florida and New England.  This action by NOAA dovetails with a May 24, 2006 proposal by the U.S. Coast Guard to change shipping routes from Florida to Boston to minimize collisions during right whale migrations.

“For whales, speed kills when it comes to collisions with ships,” stated New England PEER Director Kyla Bennett, a former federal biologist, who has waged a two-year long effort for speed limits and other ship strike reduction measures.  

In January 2005, the Marine Mammal Commission wrote to William Hogarth, head of NOAA Fisheries, asking that his agency implement “emergency rules…aimed at reducing ship strikes,” adding that “further delays in taking action will result in additional right whale deaths and increase the likelihood that the population will never recover.”  NOAA did not act on that warning for another 18 months.

A large cohort of calves born last summer is the slow-moving whale’s only chance for survival. Right whale calves are particularly vulnerable to ship strikes due to their undeveloped diving capability.

“This welcome step is long overdue,” added Bennett, noting that NOAA overcame strong opposition to speed limits from both the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard. “NOAA deserves congratulations for doing the right thing in the face of stiff resistance. This action will, hopefully, be in time to save the remaining population.”  

The proposed speed limits will be open to public comments until August 23rd.

Source; PEER. 

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Vineyard dealer pleads to art thefts, SSA wants to sell souvenirs

In yet two more examples of how well a local weekly newspaper can still cover their turf better than all others, today's Vineyard Gazette carries two stories by longtime former CCTimesman Jim Kinsella which demonstrate the value of the "institutional knowledge" being lost in the media's current epidemic of down-sizing to squeeze out profits for Wall Street.

Chilmark Resident Admits Map Theft
Edw. Forbes Smiley 3rd. agrees to pay $1.8 million restitution
NEW HAVEN - Edward Forbes Smiley 3rd of Chilmark yesterday pleaded guilty in federal and state courts in New Haven, Conn., to the theft of rare maps from a Yale University Library - part of a string of 97 maps that he stole between 1998 and 2005.

As part of his guilty plea before U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton, Mr. Smiley specifically recounted how he went into the Yale University Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library on June 8 2005, and stole five rare documents.

According to another story on the theft in today's New York Times, the map shown was stolen from Yale University where the Chilmark resident was caught on a surveillance video removing it. Mr. Smiley can expect 57 to 71 months in prison.  His arrest in June, 2005, shocked the rare books institutions that had allowed him to visit their collections, but the full scope of his larceny was not fully appreciated until his back-to-back guilty pleas in federal and state court in New Haven yesterday.

Though he pleaded guilty to one count of theft of a major artwork in federal and three counts of larceny in state court, he admitted in plea agreements with prosecutors to having stolen 97 maps from seven institutions, including the 5 maps he was caught with last June after leaving Yale's Beinecke Library.

Read the rest of this Vineyard Gazette story here, and comment below.

Boat Line Considers Merchandise Sales
"I think we're missing the boat," Flint Ranney
The elusive Holy Grail of supplemental Steamship Authority revenue  - the marketing of Authority cups, glasses, T-shirts and other marine-related items - reappeared Tuesday at the monthly boat line meeting in Oak Bluffs.

Nantucket governor Flint Ranney proposed issuing a request for proposals to market Authority-branded items.

Read the rest of this Vineyard Gazette story here, and comment below.

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Vandals spread homophobia at Aptucxet, Gray Gables

Homophobic graffiti defaces Bourne signs, mural and walls

By Paul Gately, the Upper Cape Codder

Vandals went on a hate-filled tear late last week throughout Bourne village and Gray Gables, defacing walls, signs, a park and rail underpass with homophobic graffiti.

The recently painted murals at the Aptucxet rail underpass were spray-painted with anti-gay messages, and the nearby Joseph Jefferson windmill and Bourne Historical Society sign were similarly defaced.

Read the full story from the Upper Cape Codder here and comment below.

Read the story, "Residents hope spray paint trail will lead to vandals"  from the Enterprise here.

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Dennis fire this morning, Rt. 28 closed by building collapse

FRIDAY JUNE 23rd, 2006
FULLY INVOLVED HOUSE FIRE IN DENNIS
DENNIS – Dennis firefighters were called to the scene of a reported fully involved house fire early this morning. A second alarm was sounded just after the initial 5:15 AM alarm at 25 Howes Street just off Route 6A in East Dennis. The large house was apparently unoccupied at the time. Firefighters from Harwich, Yarmouth and Brewster helped out at the scene.

They were force to fight the fire from the outside as flames roared through the roof. No injuries were reported. The state fire marshal has been requested to investigate the cause. We’ll bring you further details as they become available. Photos courtesy of R. Copley

THURSDAY JUNE 22nd, 2006
BYSTANDER CREDITED WITH SAVING SWIMMER
DENNIS – Officials credit the quick thinking of a summer resident with saving the life of a man who ran into trouble while swimming in Bass River. According to the Times Tracy Lubin-Giacchetti heard screams for help and saw the man start to go under. She jumped in and managed to drag the man toward shore until she could reach bottom. The unidentified 35-year old man was evaluated by EMTs but did not need to go to the hospital.

MAN AIRLIFTED AFTER ISLAND CRASH
NANTUCKET – One man was Medflighted from Nantucket after he was ejected when his SUV crashed. Olmer Villanueva was allegedly speeding on Old South Road around 7 PM when the crash happened. Nantucket Police are still investigating.

PART OF RT 28 CLOSED IN DENNIS AFTER BLDG COLLAPSE
DENNIS – A block of Route 28 in Dennisport was been closed all day after the roof of a vacant building suddenly collapsed.

Officials in Dennis had been alerted to a buckling wall at the old Henderson’s Hardware Store yesterday and ordered the owner to make necessary repairs. Then about 9 AM this scene (right) unfolded as the roof caved in. Adjacent businesses were evacuated and utilities were shut off as a precaution.

The property owner hired a demolition crew which was on scene this afternoon razing the building. Route 28 was finally reopened this evening and businesses next door should be reopened in the morning.

Read these Cape Wide News stories and more here, and comment below. 

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Harwich PD shorts; State frowns on "hard solution"; ORV users fuming

News of the week from the Cape Cod Chronicle for the week of June 22, 2006

Resignations And Staff Shortages Impact Police Services
HARWICH--Police Chief William Mason is concerned with staffing levels in his department heading into the busy summer season, with resignations from one veteran officer and a dispatcher in the past two weeks...[full story]

State Frowns On ‘Hard Solution’ For Restoring Barrier Beach
HARWICH--The proposal by the town and the Wequassett Inn to build up the barrier beach separating Pleasant Bay from Round Cove hit a snag this week when a Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act review emphasized that the use of hard structures is inconsistent with state policy...[full story]

Wind Tower Will Be In Operation At High School Next Week
HARWICH--The town will once again begin testing wind sources in the hunt for a suitable place to locate one or more wind turbines. Working with the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative and the Renewable Energy Laboratory of UMass Amherst, the town will raise a test tower on land at Harwich High School next week...[full story]

Beach Closure Leaves ORV Users Fuming, Camp Owners Wondering
CHATHAM--In a bid to protect piping plover chicks, regulators are expected to put the brakes on off-road vehicle use on all of North Beach south of the gatehouse in Orleans...[full story]

Park Commission Reverses Stance On A’s Baseball Camp
CHATHAM — The Chatham A’s youth baseball camp will go on as planned at Veterans Field this summer.  On a split vote Tuesday night, the park and recreation commission decided to allow the camp to go forward now and wait until the fall to iron out disagreements with the Chatham Athletic Association...[full story]

Marina Owners Seek Assurances They Can Keep Their Moorings
CHATHAM--Strictly by the books, moorings owned by commercial marinas should be handled no differently than private moorings.  When one becomes available, it should go to the next person on the town’s mooring ever-growing waiting list... [full story]

Harwich’s Dream Season Comes To A Perfect End
LOWELL--Fred Thacher, an incredulous look on his face and near tears in his eyes, stood speechless at the front of the bus. After taking a few moments to scan each row of Harwich players and let sink in what just happened, a smile began to form. And that’s when the old ball coach finally broke his silence...[full story]

Read these stories and more from the Cape Cod Chronicle here and comment below.

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Portuguese Fest; Red tide blooms; Church plans prevail

News from the Provincetown Banner for the week of June 22, 2006

Time again for the annual Portuguese Festival and Blessing of the Fleet
This week Provincetown celebrates its annual Portuguese Festival with dances, dinners, parades, costumes, fishing derbies and more. It culminates in the traditional Blessing of the Fleet on Sunday. [more here]

Check out the official Provincetown Portuguese Festival site here.

Red tide blooms
By Kaimi Rose Lum, Banner Staff
High concentrations of Alexandrium cells, which make up the algae known as red tide, were detected recently at monitoring stations in the vicinity of the so-called Outfall Pipe, leading some to say that the outfall may have an exacerbating effect on the red tide and others to maintain that they have yet to find the “smoking gun.” [more here] 

Church plan prevails, amid discord
By Mary Ann Bragg, Banner Staff
PROVINCETOWN — The Roman Catholic parish here received permission to demolish an old house, move its rectory and rebuild St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church following contentious — but ultimately fruitful — appearances before the Historic District Commission. [more here]

Doing the divas
Randy Roberts brings Bette, Cher & himself to the stage
By Ann Wood, Banner Staff
Whether you are a gentleman — or a lady, for that matter — who prefers blonds, brunettes or redheads, Randy Roberts has got the show for you. [more here]

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Arnold sues over Worthington murder book

Cape man sues, claiming book fingered him as Worthington's killer

Tim Arnold, the man who found the body of Christa Worthington in 2002, filed suit in Barnstable Superior Court on Tuesday against Maria Flook, author of  "Invisible Eden" and the book's publisher, Random House.  The suit alleges that Arnold "has suffered greatly, and continues to suffer from this imputation that he committed the murder."

Arnold was considered a suspect in the brutal killing, until police arrested and charged Christopher McCowen, Christa's trash collector, in April of 2005.

Last week, Arnold had approached Flook and the publishing house to settle, but his out-of-court was refused.  Arnold maintains that Flook's book paints him as the killer in a section depicting a conversation between the author and Cape and Islands DA Michael O'Keefe.

Read the Herald article in its entirety here and comment below.

Read the Globe story from 6/22/06 here.

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Governor's veto of Cape Wind removed from Coast Guard funding bill

The four senators have agreed to a concurrent resolution that will replace Section 414 of the conference report, which would have given the governor of Massachusetts unilateral veto power over the Cape Wind project. The concurrent resolution drops any reference to the governor of Massachusetts and gives the commandant of the Coast Guard the authority to spell out terms and conditions for the project which are necessary for navigational safety.

Chairman Domenici’s statement:

“I’m pleased that we’ve been able to address the concerns of my colleagues while preserving the integrity of the siting procedure we outlined in the Energy Policy Act. In this instance, the governor veto is gone and the Coast Guard is only allowed to address navigational safety concerns. For all future projects, we will use the siting model we created in the energy bill.

That’s a sound model. It gives the Coast Guard and other federal agencies a voice; it gives local and state governments a voice; but it prevents local special interests from torpedoing a reasonable and much-needed energy project in federal waters.”

Senator Bingaman’s statement:

“The Energy Policy Act of 2005 gave the Secretary of the Interior the authority to issue permits for alternative energy projects on the Outer continental Shelf. But it did not diminish the Coast Guard’s authority over navigational safety, and it expressly required the Interior Department to consult with the Coast Guard before granting leases for projects like Cape Wind. The new language for Sec. 414 confirms the Coast Guard’s role for
ensuring the navigational safety of the Cape Wind project. This is an appropriate clarification to make and it ensures that Cape Wind’s proposal will receive a fair and unbiased consideration on the merits.”

The agreement was finalized late Tuesday with House and Senate leaders. The House is expected to pass a concurrent resolution with the agreed-upon changes, based on a statement released today by the Senate Energy Committee.

Source. 

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Body found in Chatham; Fatal fire; Gun shots fired

UPDATED, THURSDAY JUNE 22, 2006

WEDNESDAY JUNE 21st, 2006
TWO DENNIS COPS INJURED BREAKING UP DOMESTIC
DENNIS – Two Dennis police officers were injured trying to break up a domestic disturbance shortly before 6 PM Tuesday evening. The Times quoting a press release from police reports 29-year old Rory V. Banion was yelling at a woman when police answered a 911 call at 657 Old Bass River Road. He allegedly tried to stop the woman from leaving by pounding his head and fists into her car damaging it. When Officer Henry Jessop tried to intervene Banion allegedly fled into the back yard and threw a lawn chair at Ofc. Jessop. Jessop and Ofc. Nicholas Patsavos cornered Banion in a bathroom of the house but Banion then allegedly bit Ofc. Patsavos before finally being subdued. Both officers and Banion were all treated and released at Cape Cod Hospital. Banion was due to be arraigned on two counts of assauly and battery with a dangerous weapon (chair/teeth), three counts of assault and battery on a police officer, malicious destruction of property (police cruiser) and resisting arrest Wednesday in Orleans District Court.

MAN ARRESTED FOR DISCHARGING GUN
MARSTONS MILLS – Barnstable Police arrested a Marstons Mills man for allegedly discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling. Police responded to the report of gunfire on Wakeby Road around 8 AM and apprehended 66-year old James West. He reportedly told police he was training his dog and shooting at squirrels. No one was injured.

TWO-ALARM FATAL FIRE IN OSTERVILLE
photo courtesy of R. Copley.
OSTERVILLE – A two alarm fire gutted a house in Osterville this morning killing one person. The fire broke out around 5:15 AM at 143 Hickory Hill Circle. Shortly after they arrived firefighters were forced out of the building by intense flames and had to make a defensive stand. Smoke from the fire was visible for some distance and several towns were called to either respond to the scene or to cover empty fire stations. The state fire marshal has been requested to the scene and District Attorney Michael O’Keefe is also reportedly on his way to the scene leading to speculation the fire may be being termed suspicious. A Cape Wide News remains on scene and will be forwarding more dramatic pictures from the scene and any further details which we will pass on as we get them.

BODY FOUND ON CHATHAM BEACH
CHATHAM – A beachcomber made a gruesome discovery in Chatham Tuesday evening. The body of a white male was found on Harding’s Beach around 7 PM. The victim had no identification on it. The body was taken to the medical examiners office where an autopsy was performed. Chatham and State Police are investigating. Wednesday afternoon police identified the body as that of 29-year old Glenn W. Edwards of Boston. His death is not considered suspicious.

CRASH CUTS POWER IN WELLFLEET
WELLFLEET – Power was knocked out to part of Wellfleet after a vehicle hit a pole on Old County Road early Wednesday morning. The driver was not hurt and Wellfleet Police are investigating the crash. Meanwhile travelers on Route 6 overnight were stalled several times as traffic by Exit 7 was stopped to allow NStar to make major progress in moving high-tension power lines as part of the Willow Street widening project.

 TUESDAY JUNE 20th, 2006
CRASH KNOCKS OUT POWER AGAIN IN SANDWICH
SANDWICH – For the second time today a vehicle vs pole crash knocked out power to parts of Sandwich. The crash happened about 5:45 PM on Great Hill Road. No one was injured. Sandwich Police are investigating the crash.

MAN MEDFLIGHTED WITH BURNS IN DENNIS
DENNIS – A man was seriously burned after apparently putting accelerant a pile of brush he was burning on Dunes View Road around 11 AM. He was taken to Barnstable Municipal Airport and flown to a Boston Hospital Further details were not immediately available.

Read the rest of the Cape Wide News here, and comment below

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N. Eastham teen raises money to help service members

Teen raises money to help servicemembers

from the American Forces Press Service, June 21, 2006

Most teenage girls worry about homework, after school jobs and boyfriends, but not 17 year old Brittany Bohannon of North Eastham who has already set her mind to it and raised over $8,000 for "Operation Air Conditioner".

Founded by Frankie Mayo, "Operation Air Conditioner" was originally intended to raise funds to purchase and send air conditioners to deployed soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq.  The non-profit organization has since expanded its goal to also provide the troops with other useful necessities.

Says Brittany, "It just seemed like a very worthy organization to be raising money for, and it fit in with what we wanted to help the country with," Bohannon said.

Read the entire story here and comment below.

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Turner reaction hot in Harwich, more

Harwich news of the week

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Fish agency relocates to New Bedford

Fish agency lands in city

State relocating fisheries station

by Becky W. Evans, Standard Times staff writer

According to an article in today's Standard Times, the Massachusetts Division of State Fisheries is closing the doors of its Cape Cod field office and relocation to the city of New Bedford.  The move is being made in an effort to strengthen research bonds between the fishery division and the US Dartmouth.

In early August, approximately 5o employees will move from the Pocasset office to an office in New Bedford. 

Says New Bedford's mayor, Scott Land, the move will have "tremendous dividends for the city in the long run."

Read the Standard Times story in its entirety here and comment below.

The Mass. Division of Marine Fisheries web site is here.

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Storms and the Cape's communication capacity

Wireless Internet service would be less vulnerable to Cape's storms
System would allow for emergency communication on the Cape

TMCnet, June 19, 2006

The warnings of hurricanes and bad storms this season has prompted many Cape Codders to speculate about our ability to communicate with the outside world and one another in such an event.  The fear is that as in past storms, strong winds could disable our power and telephone lines causing a communication breakdown.

Dan Gallagher, the IT director for Cape Cod Community College warns that our power could be "knocked out for weeks at least." A retired Navy information technology specialist, Gallagher is working with the Cape Cod Technology Council to develop a wireless Internet plan.  The plan, called "CapeOpen", would provide wireless Internet capability for Cape residents during emergencies.  The transmitters would be located near emergency shelters from the bridge to the tip of the Cape.

According to Teresa Martin, the director of the council, we are long overdue.  Martin and Gallagher both see this as a very important service for Cape Cod.  Says Martin, "There's a hurricane with our name on it floating around out there somewhere."

A free summit will be held at Cape Cod Community College on Thursday, June 22nd.  Although the summit is free,  attendees are asked to register.

Read the article about OpenCape in TMCnet here.
Learn more about OpenCape and to register for the summit  here.
The Cape Technology Council's website here.

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Falmouth home invasion & boat fire, Harwich, Ptown & Sandwich crashes

TUESDAY JUNE 20th, 2006
SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS HIT CAPE
After one round of storms earlier this morning stronger storms moved across the region within the hour. A severe thunderstorm warning just expired. Parts of Barnstable were hit with Main Street in Hyannis reportedly closed at Bassett Lane due to power lines being down from the storm. A possible lightning strike was reported on Commercial Street in Wellfleet but there did not appear to be any damage.

Scattered power outages and surges have been reported across the Cape. A garage off Meetinghouse Road in Eastham caught fire shortly before 9 AM, lightning may be to blame. Wet roads may be to blame for a crash on Independence Drive at Breeds Hill Road in the industrial section of Barnstable. Two people had to be extricated from the wreckage but none of the injuries are believed to be serious. Radar shows all the activity out to sea now and there will be a lull for awhile but more storms are possible later this afternoon as a cold front approaches.

HOME INVASION REPORTED IN FALMOUTH
FALMOUTH – Falmouth Police are reportedly investigating a home invasion early this morning. We’re awaiting a press release from police and will bring you further details as we get them.

MONDAY JUNE 19th, 2006
FALMOUTH FIREFIGHTERS BATTLE BOAT FIRE
FALMOUTH – Falmouth firefighters battled a difficult fire on a boat in their town late this evening. Reports from the scene say the ship was loaded with wood chips and partially sank at some point. Firefighters had to cut part of the ship apart to reach the fire and extinguish it. No injuries were reported and the cause is under investigation.

ONE PERSON CRITICALLY INJURED IN HARWICH
HARWICH – Harwich Police have a mystery on their hands mystery tonight. About 9 PM a person possibly a child was reportedly found lying in Route 28 by the Sundae School ice cream store. The unidentified person was rushed to Cape Cod Hospital in critical condition after a Medflight helicopter was unable to respond due to weather. Police still aren’t sure if the victim was struck by a passing car or not. We’ll bring you further details as we get them.

POLICE INVESTIGATE PROVINCETOWN CRASH
PROVINCETOWN – Provincetown Police are investigating the cause of a three vehicle crash at the Route 6 & Conwell Street traffic lights. One of vehicles was a Ptown D.P.W. pickup. Two people suffered serious but non life-threatening injuries. Two others were treated and released at the scene. Further details were not immediately available.

CAR VS POLE KNOCKS OUT POWER IN SANDWICH
SANDWICH – A vehicle vs pole crash caused some power outages in Sandwich early this morning. The crash happened on Race Lane around 6:30 AM. The driver suffered non life-threatening injuries. Race Lane will be impacted through the morning while NStar makes repairs. Meanwhile another vehicle vs pole on the Yarmouth Road section of Willow Street in Hyannis forced the closure of the road beyond Camp Street causing major headaches for morning commuters.

Read the rest of the Cape Wide News here, and comment below, 

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Study: Cape Radar Not Causing Health Problems

No link found between radar and health problems

(AP) CBS4 Boston

Upper Cape residents have been told to put their concerns to rest about elevated cancer rates  due to the radar pulses emitted by the Air Force's PAVE PAWS radar station. 

According to Albert Price, the chairman of the PAVE PAWS Public Health Steering Group, no connection between the radar emissions and health problems have been made.  This announcement comes after millions of dollars  spent by the Air Force to search for such a connection.

As no links have been found, the group also noted that there will be no need for any future large-scale studies.

Read the article in its entirety here and comment below.

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Circuit City coming to the Mid Cape?

Permitting starts for Hyannis Circuit City store

Former Star City Grill and current Rogers & Gray building would be razed

by David Still II, editor Barnstable Patriot

Looks like Best Buy in Hyannis may be getting some competition.  According to Still's article in this week's Patriot, it has been confirmed that Circuit City, an electronics chain has been "nosing" around Route 132 in Hyannis for a new store location.

An application  for this "knock-down/rebuild" project will be presented to the Cape Cod Commission shortly.

For the specifications of the project and an overview of the impact it will have on the Route 132 area of Hyannis, read the article in its entirety here and comment below.

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Community reacts to OUI; Condo conversions; Wormy weather

News of the week from the Cape Codder, June 16, 2006

Community reacts to principal's OUI arrest
By Douglas Karlson
News that their principal, Kevin Turner, had been arrested and charged with drunken driving has left Harwich High School students in what one parent... [more]

Inn is out: Condo conversion a sign of the times
By Marilyn Miller
EASTHAM - It’s check-out time at the Eastham Inn. Owners of the motel closed its doors and took down its sign even though the Cape is entering... [more]

Wormy weather on the Cape
By Rich Eldred
The gloomy weather may be denting the tourist trade but this has been a great year at the caterpillar café. All sorts of leafy dishes have... [more]

Orleans vet rides for MS Society
By Bill Fonda
Dr. John Kelley’s brother gave him a really nice bike - a Softride with a suspension designed to be easier on the rider’s body. And Kelley... [more]

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Battle flares over school consultant; Housing gap grows; more

This week's news from the Provincetown Banner, June 16, 2006

Battle flares over school consultant
By Pru Sowers, Banner Correspondent
PROVINCETOWN — It was a tumultuous week for the people involved in exploring the possible restructuring of the Provincetown school system. 

 The School Committee, Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee met in a joint meeting last week to discuss whether to hire educational consultant Jan Williams to help the school district explore possible restructuring options. At the end of that meeting, the selectmen and Finance Committee had committed to paying half of William’s $40,000 fee.

Read the whole story here.

Housing gap grows
By Pru Sowers, Banner Correspondent
TRURO — With a large disparity looming between local housing prices and what the average resident can afford to pay, Truro’s need for affordable housing is becoming acute, according to a consultant hired by the town’s Housing Authority.

Karen Sunnarborg, a Boston-based housing, planning and community development consultant, presented a draft of her study of Truro’s housing needs to the Housing Authority on Friday. In it, she said there is a $350,000 “affordability gap” between the median home price in Truro and what a local resident with a median income can afford.

Read the whole story here.

Youth, truth and much that’s uncouth
Highlights of the Provincetown International Film Festival
By Howard Karren, Banner Correspondent

Here on the Outer Cape, cineastes, film buffs and movie lovers of all persuasions get but one chance a year to thoroughly overindulge their favorite pastime, and that’s at the Provincetown International Film Festival. This year, from June 14 through 18, there are more than enough screenings and events to satisfy an enthusiast’s greediest expectations.

Read the whole story here.

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Search for missing sailboat called off

USCG UPDATE: Monday, 6/19/06

Coast Guard calls off search for sailboat , 4 presumed lost

The U.S. Coast Guard on Sunday suspended its search for four people last heard from aboard a sailing boat that was reported to be in distress 230 miles south of Halifax, Nova Scotia. There were reportedly four person aboard,  three British citizens and one American, and all are now presumed lost at sea.

Rescuers from the US and Canada spent three days searching for the "Free Spirit," a 41-foot vessel that left Newport, Rhode Island, bound for Europe. The boat's operator made an emergency call Thursday morning, reporting seas of 30 feet.

DEBRIS OF MISSING SAILBOAT 290 MILES EAST OF CHATHAM

U.S. Coast Guard, Canadian Air Force and Canadian Navy crew members have located a debris field in the vicinity of the sailing vessel Free Spirit's last known position approximately 200 nautical miles south of Halifax, Nova Scotia and 290 nautical miles east of Chatham today.

Items found in debris field include: a wooden door, bleach bottle, milk carton with line attached, and gasoline can.  None of these items have been directly linked to the sailing Free Spirit.

Ships and planes currently assisting in the search and rescue efforts or en route to the search area include:

    * Air Station Cape Cod HU-25 Falcon Jet
    * Canadian H-3 Sea King
    * Canadian Air Station Greenwood C-130
    * Naval Air Station Brunswick P-3
    * Coast Guard Cutter Spencer
    * HMCS Halifax (442-foot frigate)
    * CCGS Earl Gray

Weather conditions in the search area today are reported to be unlimited visibility, seven-foot seas, 51-degree water temperature and 12-knot winds.

Total nautical square miles searched exceed 6,500.

The Coast Guard received a call at 11:55 a.m. Thursday from the stepdaughter of Jacek Bielecki, the operator of the sailing vessel Free Spirit, stating that the vessel and crew were in distress and needed to be rescued immediately.

While en route to Europe from Newport, R.I., Bielecki, a 56-year-old United Kingdom citizen and Newport, R.I. resident, made a distress call to his stepdaughter via satellite phone and provided the vessel's coordinates.  There has been no further communication with the vessel's crew since noon Thursday.  

The three other passengers aboard the Free Spirit include:

    * Jack Bielecki, a 19-year-old UK citizen
    * Richard White, a 34-year-old UK citizen
    * Molly Finn, a 21-year-old U.S. citizen and Newport, R.I. resident

SOURCE: US Coast Guard.

Update: It has been reported that Bielecki was a British attorney who declared bankruptcy for the second time last week.  More on Bielecki on Bloomberg.com here. 

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Mashpee crash; Eye injury; Retirement Complex blaze; Stolen jeep found

UPDATED - MONDAY

SUNDAY JUNE 18th, 2006
PERSON MEDFLIGHTED AFTER SUFFERING EYE INJURY
HYANNIS – One person was Medfighted to a Boston hospital after suffering what was described as a serious eye injury around 6 PM in Hyannis. Reports from the scene suggest a sports injury may have been to blame but further details were not immediately available.

SEVERAL INJURED IN MASHPEE CRASH
MASHPEE – Several people were injured in a crash in Mashpee early Sunday afternoon. The crash happened on Route 151 by the Gold’s Gym. One of the injuries was described as serious but not life-threatening. The crash is being investigated by Mashpee Police. Further details were not immediately available.

SATURDAY JUNE 17th, 2006
CHILD ON BIKE STRUCK BY CAR
DENNIS – A child riding a bike was struck by a car on Upper County Road near the Ocean State Job Lot around 6:45 PM Saturday evening. The driver did stop and remain at the scene. The child was taken to Cape Cod Hospital where his injuries were not believed to be life-threatening. Further details were not immediately available.

BLAZE DAMAGES YARMOUTH RETIREMENT COMPLEX
photos courtesy of R. Copley
YARMOUTH – A small fire made a big mess in Yarmouth this afternoon. Crews were called to the Heatherwood retirement community on Kings Way off Route 6A in Yarmouthport for an alarm sounding shortly after 5:30 PM. They quickly noticed a burning smell and then smoke in the 2200 building. A fire apparently started in the roof and heat from the flames activated the sprinkler system. It’s not clear what started the fire but firefighters had to bring in numerous salvage covers to try to save valuables from being damaged by the water until the sprinkler system could be turned off. No one was injured. A Barnstable ladder is seen here assisting at the scene because the Yarmouth ladder was temporarily out of service. Other out of town units from Hyannis and Centerville covered the Yarmouth stations during the incident.

TWO INJURED IN FALMOUTH CRASH
FALMOUTH – Two people were taken to Falmouth Hospital after a crash early this morning in Falmouth. The collision happened around 2:30 AM on Gifford Street by the Lawrence Lynch plant. The injuries were described as non life-threatening. Falmouth Police are investigating the crash.

FRIDAY JUNE 16th, 2006
FOUR INJURED IN SCENIC HIGHWAY HEAD-ON
BOURNE – Four people were injured in a head-on crash on the Scenic Highway in Bourne Friday evening. The crash happened about 9:10 PM at the entrance to the Bourne Scenic Park. Ambulances from Bourne, Wareham and Sandwich took the victims to Tobey Hospital in Wareham. Two of the injuries were described as serious but not life-threatening. Police are investigating the cause of the crash.

MOTORCYCLIST MEDFLIGHTED AFTER CRASH
BOURNE – A motorcyclist suffered a broken leg and other injuries in a collision at the Otis Rotary about 5:20 PM. Traffic was halted on the north side of the rotary to allow a Medflight helicopter to land and fly the victim to a Boston Hospital. Police are investigating the crash. Further details were not immediately available.

STOLEN JEEP FOUND ABANDONED IN WATER
Photo courtesy of Frank Paparo/NEVN
HYANNIS – Rescue crews were alerted after people called 911 thinking someone might have been trapped in this jeep found in the water of East Beach. Barnstable Police responded and it appears someone stole the jeep and ditched it in the water after smashing out the windshield. Police are continuing to investigate. Eyewitnesses look on as a tow truck driver determines how to remove the vehicle from the water.

Read the rest of Cape Wide News here, and comment below. 

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Mihos paid Mass. no tax on his yacht

Avoided sales, excise levies with R.I. address

Totals more than $24,000

by Frank Phillips, Globe Staff

Quite the discovery regarding Independent gubernatorial candidate Christy Mihos reported in today's Boston Globe. 

It seems that Mihos avoided paying taxes in Massachusett on his 36 ft yacht, Ashley, by establishing a corporation in Rhode Island at the recommendations of his accounts and lawyers.

From the article:

Asked if the issue of paying a Massachusetts sales tax was raised at the time he bought it, Mihos said: "At the time I was advised by counsel, we didn't have to. I took him at his representation. It is what it is."

Read the Globe article in its entirety here and comment below.
Follow up on the Hub Politics site  here.

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Cable, resolutions and baby boomers

Barnstable News for the Week of June 16th, 2006

Consultants like what they see
The captains of the good ship Barnstable Public Schools haven’t thrown anyone overboard for two years, and it appears the crew is satisfied with the course they’ve decided to sail.

Town-owned cable?
With the ever-increasing cost of cable and the prospect of less municipal control over the industry, could a municipally-run system be the competitive answer for cost containment?

Wind power resolution splits Compact
For a motion that never was formally made, Fred Fenlon’s resolution that the governing board of the Cape Light Compact support wind power on-shore and off certainly generated a lot of heat Wednesday.

Extended care: Cape doctor sees patients in Guatemala
The doctor lingered as she was about to board the bus and waved to the men, women and children lining the dusty roadside who had come to say goodbye.

Beckoning the Boomers
For many months now the Barnstable Senior Center has been chanting a unique mantra, according to director Elyse DeGroot. “We’ve been saying, ‘The Boomers are coming, the Boomers are coming!’” she said. “Actually, the Boomers are here.”

Cape Cod Academy sends 40 on to college and adulthood
The 40 members of Cape Cod Academy’s Class of 2006 took more than just diplomas away from Saturday’s 30th commencement. They also took umbrellas.

Read all the news in this week's Barnstable Patriot here and comment below.

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Victim stabbed; Gas leak evacuation; Wellfleet B&Es

THURSDAY JUNE 15th, 2006
CRASH CUTS POWER TO SEVERAL TOWNS
YARMOUTH – A vehicle struck a pole on White Path in Yarmouth near Great Western Road just before noon knocking out power to nearly 10,000 NStar customers in Yarmouth, Dennis and Brewster. Downed wires kept rescuers at bay until NStar made the scene safe then the young female driver was taken to Cape Cod Hospital with non life-threatening injuries. Most of the power was quickly restored except for some customers in the immediate area. The crash is under investigation by Yarmouth Police.

WEDNESDAY JUNE 14th, 2006
VICTIM STABBED MULTIPLE TIMES IN BOURNE
BOURNE – A man was critically injured after being stabbed multiple times in Bourne just after 10:30 PM Wednesday. A Medflight helicopter was not available so  42-year old Todd Wheeler was rushed to Tobey Hospital in Wareham. Crime scene units were at the scene on Buzzards Bay Road looking for evidence. The suspect fled but was caught a short time later on Wilson Road. 24-year old James Rooney was held on $50,000 bail pending arraignment today on charges of assault with intent to murder and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. The motive in the attack is not known. We’ll bring you further details as they become available.

GAS LEAK PROMPTS EVACUATION
EASTHAM – A gas leak prompted the temporary evacuation of a couple of Eastham homes. The leak happened when a contractor his a two inch main on Boreen Road around 12:20 PM. Keyspan crews were able to get the gas shut off so repairs could be made. No injuries were reported.

TUESDAY JUNE 13th, 2006
WELLFLEET POLICE ON HUNT FOR MV B&Es SUSPECT
WELLFLEET – Police are asking for the public’s help in solving a rash of motor vehicle break-ins over the weekend. About 16 vehicles were hit in the downtown area with money and other items taken. Anyone with information can contact Wellfleet Police at (508) 349-3702.

Read the rest of Cape Wide News here, and comment below. 

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Can the CC Commission be more business friendly?

Growth vs. Regulation
Cape Business Special Report

by Joseph Santangelo

In his article in the most recent issue of Cape  Business, Joseph Santangelo poses the question, "can the Cape Cod Commission become more business friendly?"

The push of towns, developers and entrepreneurs for more business presence on the Cape has left many of them  with a sense of hopelessness as they come head to head with the Cape Cod Commission. 

According to Santangelo, 15 years after its creation, the Cape Cod Commission are leaving many down right angry and ready to fight.  But can there ever be a common ground?

From the article:

Now, more than 15 years after the agency was established, disgruntlement is intensifying to open revolt. Three towns – Bourne, Hyannis and Sandwich – are discussing secession. Business owners are organizing to plot strategies to challenge the commission. County political leaders – during an election year – are wondering where to position themselves in this debate of growth versus regulation.

A new organization called the Alliance to Educate Cape Cod Voters is launching, modeled along the lines of the Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound. It aims to create a grassroots campaign that will advocate steps ranging from secession by towns to changes in state legislation to make the commission a planning agency only without its regulatory powers.

Read the complete article about this very important Cape issue in Cape Business  here and comment below. 

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Insurers see risk of major storm

Insurers see risk of major storm

Homeowners face huge rate hikes

by Matt Caroll, Globe Staff

Concern over the risk of a significant hurricane hitting our area could result in a whopping increase in home insurance premiums for Cape residents. 

Equally problematic for homeowners on the Cape is the increasing number of policy nonrenewals for that same reason.

From the article:

"If we didn't do it, we'd be out of business" if a hurricane struck, said Bruce Arnold , a senior vice president with Hingham Group.

Read the rest of the Boston Globe article here and comment below.

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Rescue at sea, Police favor no-knock, Driver trapped...

TUESDAY JUNE 13th, 2006
RESCUE AT SEA - MAN AIRLIFTED AFTER INJURED ON SHIP
CHATHAM – A man reportedly suffered a serious head injury on board a vessel off Chatham this evening. The man was brought into the Chatham Fish Pier by a U.S. Coast Guard boat around 9 PM and was then taken by ambulance to Chatham Airport where a waiting Medflight helicopter flew him to a Boston hospital. Further details were not immediately available.

POLICE SUPPORT DO NOT KNOCK BILL
 BOSTON – The Yarmouth Police Department is among those supporting a new state bill that would create a do not knock list for door to door solicitors just like the do not call list for phone solicitors. The action comes in the wake of several harassment and intimidation complaints and reportedly even the rape of a woman in Concord, NH. Religious and non profit organizations would be exempt under the law. State Rep Cleon Turner is expected to file the bill on Wednesday afternoon.

MONDAY JUNE 12th, 2006
DENNIS POLICE LOOK FOR ROBBERY SUSPECT
DENNIS – Dennis Police are looking for the man who robbed the Tedeschi’s in West Dennis around 3 AM. A white male in his early 20’s entered the store dressed all in black and with his lower face covered. The frightened clerk fled and called 911 from outside but reportedly did see the subject take an undetermined amount of cash from the register. He’s further described as having a stocky build and brown hair. On Tuesday police released this surveillance photo of the suspect in the store. Anyone with information is asked to call Dennis Police at (508) 394-1315 (Dennis PD photo)

DRIVER TRAPPED IN EASTHAM ROLLOVER
EASTHAM – Rescuers had to extricate the driver of a vehicle after a rollover crash in Eastham. The crash happened around 3:30 PM on Bridge Road by the bridge. Firefighters were reportedly using air bags to stabilize the vehicle to get the driver Edward Schultze out of the vehicle. He was taken to Cape Cod Hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

Read the rest of Cape Wide News here, and comment below. 

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HS Principal OUI, Birds close North Beach, Call 911 for Pets, more

Harwich news of the week
June 14, 2006

Read the rest of the Oracle stories here, and comment below. 

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Tidal Flow Slow, No Underwater Utility?

California Think Tank Challenges Sound's Tidal Power Possibility
Stories in today's Vineyard Gazette and Boston Globe disagree

According to a story in today's Vineyard Gazette the tidal movements in the propsposed Middle Ground (area in yellow on right) between Falmouth and Martha's Vineyard average 3  knots and this technology requires water speeds of between 5 and 6 knots.

Engineering analysis has raised questions about the practicality of a proposed tidal energy farm near the Middle Ground in Vineyard Sound.

Roger Bedard, ocean energy leader at the Electric Power Research Institute in Palo Alto, Calif., said the tidal flow through the Sound is not fast enough to make a tidal turbine energy project feasible.

The nautical term "knot" is used at sea and is approximately 1.5 miles per hour. The Gazette story by senior writer Jim Kinsella goes on to state that that the firm which announced its intention to build the project, Massachusetts Tidal, has stated in its applications it will construct underwater turbines which would each generate between 500 kilowatts and two megawatts of power.

Kinsella quotes Roger Bedard saying,  "There's no room in the Vineyard Sound for those things. They don't know what they're talking about."  Bedard said they had conducted a study of six possible tidal energy sites in Massachusetts but dismissed two Vineyard Sound sites as lacking sufficient power density. 

Given the fact that Senator John Kerry's family owns Naushon Island near where the proposed tidal energy project would be submerged, it will be amusing to hear his yet unstated reaction to the plan.

Meanwhile the story gets National Media attention

Ironically, on the same day the proposed underwater project made headlines in the National Press, today's Boston Globe story further fed the frenzy to find renewable energy sources as the average price of a gallon of gas rose above $3. 

The Globe story by Stepahnie Ebbett and Beth Daley states in part:

The Massachusetts Tidal Energy Co. is considering building an underwater tidal energy project in state waters off Martha's Vineyard and Naushon Island, the private island owned by the Forbes family and used by US Senator John F. Kerry. While plans are preliminary -- even the technology is still under development -- the developer is seeking approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for a feasibility study in parts of the Sound extending from Woods Hole to the southern tip of Naushon Island.

The project would harness ocean currents by using underwater propeller blades 20 to 50 feet in diameter connected to a generator. The devices would be anchored at varying depths, and the power would be sent to electric transmission lines in Falmouth or Tisbury, Martha's Vineyard...

Read the Gazette story here.
Read the Globe story here.

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Frightening injuries prompt move away from aluminum bats

School Sports Heads Debate Safety Of Aluminum Bats
CCBL switched to wooden bats a quarter century ago

cross America more and more teams as well as entire leagues are following Cape Cod's example and switching from aluminum to wooden baseball bats.  Every few days  bring another story about a  serious injury attributed to the faster ball speed using the metal.

Jim McGonigle, spokesman for the Cape Cod League said he has no doubt that if the major leagues ever switched to aluminum bats the game would become too dangerous to play. Had, for example, the batter who hit a line drive that struck Red Sox pitcher David Wells on May 26 been using an aluminum bat, Wells would have suffered much more than a bruised right knee. "We'd be fixing him up for a prosthesis," McGonigle said, only half joking.

In New Jersey coaches and parents wonder how to prepare for the next time a young baseball player is hit in the chest in the aftermath of the freak accident like the one  that felled Steven Domalewski of Wayne NJ earlier this week.

The 12-year-old remained in a medically induced coma Friday, three days after a baseball batted with aluminum hit him in the chest and stopped his heart. He was revived at the scene, but the incident has provoked talk of new safety measures and gear. 

In a similar story in Illinois today, 

...(16 year-old pitcher) Bill Kalant never had a chance to get out of the way of the baseball that put him, as doctors told his father, "on the cliff of death."

The pitcher's parents, sitting a few feet away, heard the familiar "ping" of ball hitting a metal bat, followed an instant later by a sickening thud, but never caught a glimpse of the ball. It was more the position of Kalant's body -- still bent over from throwing a pitch, his glove still near the ground -- than what they'd seen that led coaches to conclude they'd never witnessed a ball hit so hard.

Moments later, the 16-year-old Oak Lawn High School sophomore lost consciousness and like that, even before he came out of a coma two weeks later, he was thrust into an emotional debate over the use of aluminum bats... (read the read here)

No clear evidence of difference but leagues switch to wood 

Although there is no empirical evidence that aluminum bats drive a baseball harder or faster than wood, the Cape Cod Baseball League, the most famous wood bat league in the nation which attracts the top college players in the country every summer here, moved to wooden bats in 1983, and today many other leagues are doing the same.

Here is a partial list of  the other leagues which switched to wood;

• Great Lakes Valley Conference (Division II college conference) 14 teams in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri and Wisconsin switched to wood bats in 1998.
• Northeast-10 Conference (Division II college conference) 15 schools throughout New England and New York snitched to wood bats in 2003.
• New York Collegiate Baseball League, 12-team league in New York which attracts college players from all over America.
• Central Illinois Collegiate League, 7 team league, switched to wood in 1990.
• Texas Collegiate League is that state's first collegiate wooden bat league has 9 teams.
• Sandlot Wood Bat League, 8-team summer league of college players in Tennessee whose younger age groups play their World Series games with wood bats.
• Nassau Suffolk Catholic High School Athletic Association, 7-team league on Long Island switched to wood bats last year.
• North Dakota High School Activities Association, the state's 105 high school teams will switch to wood bats next season.
• Greater Boston League, 12-team high school league that has switched to wood bats last year after a pitcher in the league was seriously injured by a batted ball. 
  

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Insurnace cost hurt affordable housing, Spotted Turtles off list, Herring funds sought

Lower Cape news of the week
June 9, 2006

State delists spotted turtles By Rich Eldred/ reldred@cnc.com They'll still have their shell but spotted turtles have lost one layer of protection, they've been taken off the state list of species of speciall concern. On May 23, the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife voted 5-0 with one abstention and one absentee to remove the spotted turtle and seven other animals, along with three plants, from the list of special concern, threatened or endangered species. Mass Audubon opposed the delisting as did numerous herpetologists and the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions... [more]

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Wind-Power Projects Halted by political pressure

Washington Post story blames halt on pols scheming to stop Cape Wind

hile the number of applications for new wind projects is double of just a year ago, US Senator Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) said the Defense Department study which has put a dozen renewable energy projects on hold  could have a chilling effect on the development of wind power nationwide.

So far through May of this year the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has received more than 4,100 wind turbine applications. In all of 2005 the FAA received  4,300 applications and less than half than number, 1,800,  in 2004.

Today's Washington Post story lays the blame for the halting of all the wind projects throughout the American Midwest at a time of skyrocketing energy prices on  moves by powerful Senators like Ted Kennedy and John Warner. They both have homes near Cape Wind's proposed Nantucket Sound project.  The story states,

More than 130 wind turbines are proposed for the hilltops of central Wisconsin, but that project and at least 11 others have been halted by the Defense Department as it studies whether the projects could interfere with military radar.

Wind farm developers, Midwestern legislators and environmentalists say the farms pose no risk, noting that there are already numerous wind farms operating in military radar areas. They say a renewable, domestic source of energy such as wind is crucial to energy security and independence. They say their wind turbines are victims of the ongoing dispute between Cape Cod residents and developers of the proposed Cape Wind farm in Nantucket Sound. The Defense Department study was put in the 2006 Defense Authorization Act -- inserted, say wind farm developers, by senators who want to block Cape Wind.

The story goes on to quote a farmer saying, "In this part of the country, we have a certain construction season, and if you get beyond that season you're looking at a whole year's delay. A farmer who has a turbine on their land gets $4,000 to $5,000 per year for that turbine. This comes down to the individual farmer losing money they thought they'd have this year." 

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Tide going out for Cape home sellers

Sales of vacation homes drop precipitously
But prices remain at record highs

This Boston Globe story tells of bad timing for a Western Massachusetts couple who bought a home here five  years ago only to have their children move to Florida for cheaper housing and work.

Sales of second homes in the United States rose at a torrid 17 percent pace in 2005, as relatively low interest rates and the sluggish stock market performance drove more people to put their money into real estate. But sales on Cape Cod fell nearly 10 percent last year, and that trend has only worsened this spring. A slowdown has cooled once-hot vacation markets such as Carmel, Calif., and Sarasota and Naples, Fla., although some spots -- such as Myrtle Beach in South Carolina -- are holding their own.

Sales of single-family homes on the Cape fell 19 percent between January and May, according to the Cape Cod & Islands Association of Realtors Inc. The median house price, which soared 70 percent between 2001 and 2005, stabilized at $399,000. The glut of homes for sale is threatening to drive prices down, and more sellers are reducing their asking prices, agents and housing specialists said.

Read the rest here, and comment below.
First quarter Mass. Realtors report here.

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Falmouth 15 year-old assaulted, Mashpee approves BusRadio, Sandwich septic snafu, Bourne crash-rate

Upper Cape news of the week

 Falmouth   
Residents Turn Out For Sewer Update
Dozens of neighbors on both sides of the New Silver Beach sewer controversy filled the Falmouth selectmen’s meeting room last night for an update on where the project stands.
   
Dr.Gagosian Will Step Down As Director Of WHOI
Robert B. Gagosian of Falmouth announced this week that he would step down as president and director of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, a position he has held since 1994.
   
Fellow Student Assaults 15-Year-Old At High School
Almost five minutes into period four at Falmouth High School on Friday, an announcement came over the loudspeaker from a school administrator.

Mashpee   
Fundraisers For New Library Project Must Meet Goal Or Town Takes Over
The Mashpee Board of Selectmen has agreed to wait until the end of September before deciding whether to take control of the Mashpee Public Library expansion project.
   
School Committee OK’s BusRadio For All Ages
The Mashpee School Committee has approved a five-year contract with BusRadio and will be part of the company’s fall 2006 rollout.
   
Loss Of TV Show Slows Adoptions From CLAWS
Five years ago it was must-see TV, not just in Mashpee but on most of the Cape.

Sandwich   
Bayview Farms Project Approved, Finally
Irving B. Freeman and his sister Priscilla F. Rorstrom are closer than ever to being able to tap into their retirement nest egg. This week, the Sandwich Planning Board approved plans to put a six-home cluster development on 30 acres of land owned by Mr. Freeman and Ms. Rorstrom.
   
A Shipwreck’s Secrets
Former Sandwich Resident Leads Dive Team In Recovery Efforts
On October 15, 1761, the Auguste of Bordeaux, a merchant ship carrying 121 men, women, and children set sail from the port of Quebec on the St. Lawrence River and headed for France.

Septic System Backup Sends Forestdale Students Packing
The Forestdale School was closed yesterday after Wednesday’s heavy rains caused a backup in the school’s wastewater treatment system. The decision was made to close the school but not cancel classes.

Bourne  
Crash Rate Discussed, Options Outlined For Otis Rotary
When considering locations plagued by a high number of car crashes in Bourne, the Sagamore and Bourne rotaries immediately come to mind for many residents.
   
Bourne Officers Awarded State Medal for Saving Fellow Officer
In the early morning hours of February 7, a car driven by Bourne Police Officer Wendy Noyes unexpectedly veered off Route 28 North in Bourne, and after traveling down an embankment, smashed into a tree. The tree splintered and crushed the rear of Officer Noyes’ vehicle.

Region  
Master Gardeners Open Up The Horticultural World For All Ages
Making the Cape a greener place since 1987.

Read the rest of the stories in the Enterprise Newspapers here, and comment below.

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Attempted abduction, Nitrogen in the bay, C of C report, more

Harwich news of the week
June 8, 2006

Nitrogen reduction key to Pleasant Bay By Rich Eldred/ reldred@cnc.com Report available at www.pleasantbay.org or at local libraries Nitrogen reduction key to Pleasant Bay recovery The target has been set, nitrogen level wise, for Pleasant Bay and the bull’s-eye is a 52 percent reduction in septic system waste entering the bay. Whether the reduction will be realized depends upon the actions of the towns of Orleans, Chatham and Harwich that are part of the Pleasant Bay Alliance, and to a lesser degree, Brewster, which is not... [more]

East Harwich planning forum June 22
Citizens interested in the future of the East Harwich Village Center, at the intersection of routes 39 and 137, will have an opportunity to share ideas at a planning forum set for Thursday, June 22, at 6:30 p.m. at the Wequassett Inn. The forum is designed to offer citizens a voice in shaping a plan to guide future development in the area... [more]

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They're singing our song

 The headline from today's Orlando Sentinel could have been written by any Cape Cod newspaper editor,

Windmills, not oil rigs may dot Florida's coast
Proponents applaud lack of pollution, but critics say the three-prong blades are an eyesore that would kill migrating birds

And the story under could have been lifted verbatim out of  our local daily newspapers circa 2001;

ORLANDO, Fla. - Florida critics of offshore oil drilling say rigs would blight Gulf of Mexico vistas. So imagine a different kind of energy-harnessing rig looming over offshore waters: windmills hundreds of feet tall, with three-prong blades slicing through the sky to generate relatively pollution-free electricity.

For now, environmental activists and federal regulators cannot say whether such an offshore wind farm would be a welcome picture or yet another attack on Florida's signature attraction. "This is emerging for all of us," said Maureen Bornholdt, a Minerals Management Service director for renewable energy in offshore waters. 

The story goes on to state that Florida has been always opposed pressure for offshore drilling for oil and natural gas because of potential harm from spills, etc.

Yet residents might soon be pressed about offshore rigs that capture energy from wind, waves, currents or sun rays -- in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. The price of wind-generated power is already competitive with power from newly built power plants that use natural gas and may soon be competitive with all others as more wind farms are built and the cost of equipment starts to benefit from economies of scale.

Read the rest of the Orlando (FL) Sentinel story as reprinted in the Contra Costa (CA) Times story here  and comment below.

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Overcrowding ordinances approved, Growth incentive ok'ed

Barnstable news of the week
June9, 2006

Growth Incentive Zone wins final county OK
By Edward F. Maroney. The Town of Barnstable took the planning and regulatory reins for downtown Hyannis from the Cape Cod Commission ...

Housing and hardship on Cape Cod
By Kathleen Szmit Manwaring. Just as areas of Cape Cod have been mapped as resources for water protection, potential places to build ... 

Pit bulls victims of human relations gone awry
By David Still II. Bullets killed three pit bulls in two separate incidents in Barnstable last week. Two were slain in a hail of ...

Reasons to like Chapter 40B
By Rick Prebrey www.haconcape.org. “I never saw a 40B I didn’t like,” the head of a town housing committee told me today. I think it is a terrifi c law. ...

Munafo’s school budget vote
By Paul Gauvin. Four men seated at a picnic table are arguing vehemently about the local school budget. Finally, one man blurts out ...

Growing support for Cape Wind
Sixty-one percent of Cape and Islands residents surveyed support the Cape Wind project, according to the Civil Society Institute of Newton. ...

Overcrowding ordinances approved
By David Still II. Residents looking for relief from overcrowded homes in their neighborhoods found some with last week’s approval ...

Principal named for  Hyannis East
By Edward F. Maroney. A Cotuit resident who’s principal of a New Bedford school notable for its rising achievement test scores ...

Town Cable meetings available online
By David Still II. Can’t catch that zoning board of appeals meeting live or on rebroadcast? Not to worry, you can get it online anytime. ...

Barnstable looks to wire intranet on Comcast’s dime
By David Still II. Barnstable is already wired for cable, but with the activation of a somewhat dormant provision within the town ...

It's hold to your hats
By David Still II. Threatening skies may have put it off for a day and the wind made for a blustery event, but the 405 graduates ...

Entertainment vs. enjoyment
By Edward F. Maroney. What does downtown Hyannis want to be when it grows up? A quiet little seaside strand where residents can tuck ...

Read the rest of these Patriot stories here, and comment below. 

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Harwichport boat saved off Nantucket

Nantucket, Mass. – Crews from Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod and Station Brandt Point (on right), coordinated by Sector Southeastern New England, saved a fishing vessel taking on water ten miles east of Great Point, Nantucket today.

Fishing vessel Chamy, a 34-foot Harwichport, Mass.-based boat with a crew of four, called for help at 1:39 p.m. after a rogue wave hit and the vessel's pump system stopped.

The near-by fishing vessel Rachel T relayed the Chamy's position to Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England.

Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England sent an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast as an Air Station Cape Cod HH-60 Jayhawk helicopter diverted to the scene. The helicopter crew lowered a pump to the Chamy and instructed them how to run it. A Station Brandt Point 41-foot utility boat then escorted the Chamy towards Harwichport until they were no longer in distress.

There were no reported injuries and the vessel successfuly dewatered.

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Rare Pygmy Whale beaches, Whale Monitors needed Fire in "ER"

SUNDAY JUNE 11th, 2006
RARE PYGMY SPERM WHALE BEACHES IN WEST DENNIS
Photos courtesy of Jake O’Callaghan.
DENNIS – Despite valiant efforts the Cape Cod Stranding Network was unable to save this rare Pygmy Sperm whale after it beached this morning at West Dennis Beach.

The adult female had to be euthanized after efforts to refloat it failed. It’s not clear if the whale suffered trauma from a boat or may have already been sick when it beached. A crowd gathered as word spread of the stranding.

The 16 foot whale will be taken to a lab in Woods Hole to find out why it was stranded.  There are less than 400 Pygmy Sperm Whales in the wild.

PCCS needs Shore Monitors now
The Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies (PCCS) will recruit and train 20 citizen scientists to assist in its new Cape Cod Bay Ocean Sanctuary & Monitoring Program.  These citizen scientists will work in teams of two – ten teams in all – and will retrieve water samples along shorelines from Provincetown to Plymouth at least twice a month through October.  PCCS scientists and researchers will test the samples at the new PCCS Marine Lab in Provincetown to collect data on the health of Cape Cod Bay.

“We can’t be everywhere,” says Associate Scientist Amy Costa, who added, “we need people to get involved.” PCCS will sponsor two training sessions at Cape Cod Community College in Lecture Hall C on Tuesday, June 6 and 13, from 6 to 8 p.m.  To register for training, call Dr. Amy Costa at 508.487.3623 x122, or by e-mail at:  acosta@coastalstudies.org.  or visit PCCS online.

SMALL FIRE SMOKES OUT “ER” AT CAPE COD HOSPITAL
HYANNIS – A small fire in a light fixture caused smoke to build up in the emergency room at Cape Cod Hospital about 3:30 PM this afternoon. The fire was quickly extinguished and Hyannis firefighters set up fans to clear out the smoke. Patient care was not disrupted and no injuries were reported.

MALFUNCTION CAUSES GAS LEAK
WEST BARNSTABLE – A malfunctioning valve apparently caused a gas leak along the Service Road in West Barnstable shortly before 2 PM. Keyspan quickly stopped the gas but a couple of nearby homeowners were advised to open their windows to ventilate the houses.

SATURDAY JUNE 10th, 2006
NO ONE INJURED AS SHOTS RING OUT IN HYANNIS
Photos courtesy of Frank Paparo/NEVN.
HYANNIS – The sound of gunfire is becoming all too familiar in the Hyannis area. For at least the third time in a month shots have been fired. Barnstable Police received several calls for shots fired on Fresh Holes Road around 1:30 AM. When they arrived no one was talking but shell casings were reportedly found at the scene. No one was apparently injured but the surge in shootings is alarming. One of the gun incidents occurred in broad daylight another in the evening.

Officials are taking various approaches to alleviate late the night problems with youths congregating such as mandatory closing hours, curfews and stepped up enforcement of laws dealing with overcrowded rentals. Barnstable Police were back on Fresh Holes Road in the daylight collecting evidence. Only Cape Wide News cameras were there as police discovered this large hole in a house (both photos on right) where one round pierced the siding. K-9 dogs were used in the search for evidence that will be analyzed by ballistic experts as the investigation continues.

BOURNE CRASH LEAVES ONE SERIOUSLY INJURED
BOURNE – One person was seriously injured in a crash on Route 25 westbound in Bourne late Saturday evening. The victim was reportedly ejected from the vehicle when it crashed. A Medflight helicopter could not respond due to the weather so the victim was rushed to Tobey Hospital in Wareham. Further details were not immediately available.

FRIDAY JUNE 9th, 2006
TASK FORCE MAKES MAJOR HEROIN BUST
HYANNIS – The Cape Cod Drug Task Force comprised of State, County and Local law enforcement officers has made a major dent in the trafficking of heroin on Cape Cod. Late Thursday night agents raided a Hyannis apartment on Sea Street. 33-year old Shane “Biggie” Gomes and 32-year old Briea Gomes were charged with distribution of heroin, possession with intent to distribute heroin and possession of a class B substance-suboxone (a synthetic pain killer). State Police Lt. John Allen called Shane Gomes a “major supplier of heroin to the Mid-Cape area” Also charged were 41-year old Dean Hatem with possession of heroin with intent to distribute, conspiracy to violate controlled substance laws and possession of class B-suboxone, and 36-year old Kelley Meaney for possession of heroin, being present where heroin is kept, possession of a hypodermic needle, and conspiracy to violate controlled substance laws. A fifth person leaving the building was charged with unrelated operating after their license was suspended. 10,000 grams of unbagged heroin was seized said to be worth about $1,000 a gram on the street along with $1,760 in cash. The Gomes and Hatem were held overnight while Meaney made bail. All were scheduled for arraignment in court Friday.

PERSON TAKEN TO CC HOSPITAL WITH STAB WOUNDS
HYANNIS – One person was taken to Cape Cod Hospital with non life-threatening stab wounds this evening. The victim reportedly flagged down a Hyannis ambulance on Main Street around 8;15 PM. Police were reportedly not looking for any suspects so its unclear at this time how the incident occurred.

TWO INJURED IN ROUTE 6 CRASH
HARWICH – Two people were taken to Cape Cod Hospital with non life-threatening injuries after a crash on the old “suicide alley” section of Route 6. The crash happened between Exits 10 & 11 on the Harwich/Brewster town line just after 6 PM when the vehicle apparently went out of control and struck a tree. Rescuers used the Jaws of Life to free the victims. State Police are investigating if wet roads played a factor in the crash.

HOME DAMAGED BY FIRE IN MARSTONS MILLS
MARSTONS MILLS – A basement fire made a Marstons Mills home temporarily uninhabitable Friday afternoon. Fire crews were called to 49 North Precinct Road just before 5 PM and quickly knocked down the flames. Everyone made it out safely and no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation. 

TWO ALARM FIRE IN BREWSTER
BREWSTER – A two alarm fire heavily damaged a building in Brewster this morning. Heavy smoke was reported showing from the structure at 84 Underpass Road which houses several businesses including the Brewster Barber Shop. Mutual from Orleans, Chatham, Harwich and Dennis and Eastham was called in to help.

Fire officials noted the building had a dangerous truss roof and ordered firefighters to stay clear which turned out to be fortunate as part of the roof collapsed at the height of the fire which has now been declared under control. The cause will be investigated by the state fire marshal’s office. Two firefighters were treated by EMTs but are expected to be okay. Photo courtesy of R. Copley.

Read the rest of the Cape Wide News here, and comment below.

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Chowdah Champs, D-Y turbines, Bird barge, Worldwide wind, more

Mid Cape news of the week

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Noxious weed? Bournes braces for 4 elections

Sandwich & Bourne news of the week

June 7, 2006

New focus at Oak Crest Cove
By Silene Gordon/ sgordon@cnc.com
Even the prediction of heavy rains on a Cape Saturday couldn't upstage the excitement of the day's events at the new Oak Crest Cove Yacht Club off... [more]

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Chatham 40B on Main St., Harwich Rt. 124 lights

Chatham & Harwich news of the week
June 7, 2006

Middle School Students Lobby For After-school Program Coordinator
Students in Ann Morgan’s eighth grade humanities class recently made a presentation to the school committee advocating for the hiring of an activities ...

Application Filed For 40B Development On Main Street
CHATHAM --- A project eligibility applications has been submitted to the Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency for a proposed 40B housing development at the ...

Culture Clash
by Debra Lawless. One day 400 years ago this fall, French explorer Samuel de Champlain and a small ship of Frenchmen ran into trouble ...

S. Chatham Liquor License Granted Despite Reservations
CHATHAM --- Selectmen granted a beer and wine license to a South Chatham restaurant Tuesday, but not before warning the owners that they would be closely ...

A Story Is Told Of A Lucky Fish In The Elementary School
HARWICH --- This is a fish story, a true story of a goldfish named “Lucky” who now resides in second grade teacher Candice Wroe’s class at the Harwich ...

CBI Sale Finalized
CHATHAM --- The sale of Chatham Bars Inn to a New York real estate investment and development firm has been completed. Great American Financial Resources, Inc. ...

HHS Music Teacher Rose Richard State Teacher Of The Year
HARWICH --- Harwich High School music teacher Rose Richard will be honored Thursday at the State House as the state’s distinguished arts educator of music. ...

‘Flash’ Gordon Honored For Service By Selectmen
HARWICH --- Allyn “Flash” Gordon was described as “a significant personality” in town by Board of Selectmen Chairman Robin Wilkins last week on the ...

Congested Route 124 Intersection Considered For Traffic Lights
HARWICH --- Over the past several years changes to the Route 124/Queen Anne Road intersection have resulted in backups during heavy traffic volume periods and ...

Waiver Policy Examined For Community Center Use Fees
by William F. Galvin. HARWICH --- Fee assessments for use of rooms at the community center by local clubs and organizations have ...

‘Bright Spot’ In Fisheries Management
At some point a few years back, officials at the Cape Cod Commercial Hook Fishermen’s Association realized that the federal government’s days at sea ...

Delahunt: Lack Of Dredge Money Endangers Cape’s Harbors
CHATHAM --- Federal budgetary pressures caused by the war in Iraq and the federal deficit threaten to undermine the navigability of the Cape’s harbors ...

West Harwich Resident On Primary Ballot For Lieutenant Governor
HARWICH --- Primary candidates for lieutenant governor usually do not register high on the political recognition meter. But “Andrea ...

Read the rest of the Chronicle stories here, and comment below.

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Rogue wave nearly sinks Harwichport fishing boat, Two elderly sailors saved off Martha's Vineyard

Coast Guard saves fishing boat from sinking
Rogue wave swmps fishing vessel Chamy off Great Point

Nantucket, Mass. May 8, 2006 – Crews from Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod and Station Brandt Point (on right), coordinated by Sector Southeastern New England, saved a fishing vessel taking on water ten miles east of Great Point, Nantucket today.

Fishing vessel Chamy, a 34-foot Harwichport, Mass.-based boat with a crew of four, called for help at 1:39 p.m. after a rogue wave hit and the vessel's pump system stopped.

The near-by fishing vessel Rachel T relayed the Chamy's position to Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England.

Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England sent an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast as an Air Station Cape Cod HH-60 Jayhawk helicopter diverted to the scene. The helicopter crew lowered a pump to the Chamy and instructed them how to run it. A Station Brandt Point 41-foot utility boat then escorted the Chamy towards Harwichport until they were no longer in distress.

There were no reported injuries and the vessel successfuly dewatered.

CG Albatross saves 81 year old female sailor & seasick husband
Oak Bluffs Fire Dept. makes rescue

May 7, 2006 -- Two elderly sailors were brought safely into port today after a harrowing experience in Nantucket Sound.

Coast Guard Station Chatham, Mass. received a distress call at 11:48 a.m. from an 81-year-old woman who reported that her vessel, a chartered 34-foot sail boat, was taking on water. The woman was unsure of her location and only knew that she and her husband left Nantucket at 9 a.m. and were heading west.

Her 79-year-old husband was unable to assist due to extreme seasickness. Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England took over radio communications, and through further investigation, found that the vessel was in the vicinity of Edgartown Harbor in Martha’s Vineyard. After continuing to take on heavy amounts of water in the choppy 4-8 foot seas, the woman called out MAYDAY over the radio and halted further communications with the Coast Guard.

Immediately, Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod dispatched an HH-60 Jayhawk helicopter to search for the sail boat. An Urgent Marine Information Broadcast was also issued to advise other boats in the area of the situation.

The NOAA research vessel, ALBATROSS (above right), responded to the broadcast and found the sail boat approximately three miles north of Edgartown Harbor. The ALBATROSS could not get close enough to render assistance; however, they did give a detailed location of the sail boat to the Coast Guard helicopter.

When the Coast Guard helicopter arrived on scene it was found that the distressed sailors did not need a rescue hoist from their vessel. Rather, the Oaks Bluffs Fire Department sent a boat and escorted the vessel to safety. The two people on board are safe and did not receive any severe injuries from the ordeal.

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Toddler found wandering streets, Fishermman falls from jetty

WEDNESDAY JUNE 7th, 2006 DEVELOPING STORY:
TODDLER FOUND ROAMING STREETS
HYANNIS – It was probably the last thing they expected to see. A little before 1 AM a Centerville-Osterville-Marstons Mills ambulance returning from the hospital spotted a toddler walking up Route 28 by the Barnstable Middle School in the driving rain. The EMTs notified police and took the little boy believed to be two years old to the hospital to be checked out. A short time later the boy’s parents called 911 after realizing the boy was gone. He apparently walked out an open door from the family’s apartment complex not far from the school. The parents and their child were reunited at the hospital. Barnstable Police are investigating what appears to be an innocent mistake.

TUESDAY MAY 6th, 2006
UTILITY ROOM FIRE SMOKES PTOWN CONDO
 PROVINCETOWN – Anxious moments at a Provincetown condo complex when smoke started filling the courtyard. Firefighters were called to 9A Conwell Street about 8 PM to find a fire in a utility room. Some clothes were on fire and were quickly extinguished by your editor who happened to be the first firefighter on the scene. One civilian was treated for smoke inhalation. Various cleaning chemicals in the room could have easily caused rapid fire spread. Fire Chief Michael Trovato, Deputy Chief Warren Alexander and District Chief Gerard Menangas are seen here investigating the scene and examining the clothes on the ground. The cause remains under investigation. One theory is spontaneous combustion of rags in the clothes but nothing has been ruled out.

MAN INJURED AFTER PINNED BY CAR
SANDWICH – A man was pinned under his vehicle when it apparently slipped off a jack while he was working on it. Crews rushed to 52 Boardley Road in Sandwich and found bystanders had extricated the man who was rushed to a hospital. He is expected to recover.

FIRST ON CAPE WIDE NEWS
FISHERMAN INJURED IN FALL OFF JETTY
DENNIS – A fisherman had to be rescued by boat after falling off a jetty in Susuit Harbor around 10:30 AM. Dennis Firefighters and the Dennis Harbormaster responded and brought the victim to shore where he was taken by ambulance to Cape Cod Hospital reportedly suffering from head injuries. Further details were not immediately available.

HARWICH POLICE SEEK POSSIBLE KIDNAPPER
HARWICH – Police are investigating an alleged assault and possible attempted abduction of a 20-year old woman in East Harwich Monday. The Times reports the suspect is described as a white male in his 30’s with short possibly spiked brown hair. He was driving a black pickup with a toolbox in the back and a chrome stripe along the bottom. Anyone with information is asked to call Harwich Police at (508) 432-7542.

ONLY ON CAPE WIDE NEWS:
CHILD “HOME ALONE” REMOVED FROM HYANNIS HOME
HYANNIS – Barnstable Police and the Department of Social Services are investigating a case at this home on Kelly Road in Hyannis on Monday. A 2-year old child was reportedly left home alone and police believe the parents may have been under the influence of illegal drugs. D.S.S. removed the child from the residence while police reportedly detained the parents. Further details were not immediately available.

Read the rest of the Cape Wide News stories here, and comment below.

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Forget about restoring Cape Cod's beaches

Dredging sand to combat erosion futile, experts say
Billion wasted so far in futile effort to fight rising ocean levels

lthough coastal cities dredge millions of cubic feet of sand to replenish eroding shorelines, experts conclude the effect is only temporary due to the increased power of hurricanes and the steady rise in ocean levels due to Global Warming.

Between 1995 and 2006, 17 states spent $1.25 billion in federal funds alone on beach replenishment, and local and state governments have to spend hundreds of millions more. Virginia Beach, Virginia completed a $120 million beach-replenishment and sea project in 2002 which was sweep away shortly thereafter.

The Asbury Park Press reports this week that beach replenishment would ruin Long Beach Island sandbars, "The jetties will be buried and with them go the sandbars, all under eight to ten feet of sand. LBI's beachscape will be drastically altered. The sandbars will be history... The summer images of children wading and playing safely on the bars at low tide, while their parents and grandparents look on, will disappear. People who look forward to walking the beach's low-tide hard pack will have to change their plan. Shelling will be a thing of the past. Fishing routines will be disturbed..."

Both coasts affected, 54 million cubic feet of sand lost in 2 years 

Increased storm activity and rising water levels have accelerated the erosion of beaches on both coasts of the United States. The city of San Diego, Calif., dumped 54 million cubic feet of dredged sand on 12 badly eroded beaches in 2001, the biggest beach-replenishment project ever attempted on the West Coast. Most of the sand was gone in two years.

According to a paper published in the journal Global and Planetary Changes in 2001, erosion rates in the greater New York City and Long Island region are projected to double by 2020 and increase six times by 2050, making it impossible to dredge up enough sand to keep up.

Last year, a Surfrider report declared 75% of Florida's shoreline, 47% of New York's shoreline and 26% of New Jersey's and Virginia's shorelines are critically eroding.

"Dredging sand from someplace else for beach replenishment is a temporary fix because the waves will simply wash it away again," said Rick Wilson, coastal management coordinator for The Surfrider Foundation (Stephen Leahy, Wired News, June 2).

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21 st Century Dan Boone is shooting at Wind Mills

Renegade enviro fights peers. NY Times story picked up around US

A couple centuries ago Dan'l Boone fought the wilderness, now his latter day namesake is fighting wind farms all over America.

For half a decade Dan Boone has made every argument he can muster against local wind-power projects: they kill birds and bats; they are too noisy; they are inefficient, making no more than a symbolic contribution to energy needs.  The Sierra Club, Greenpeace and even the Izaak Walton League of America disagrees. "There's no free lunch. Not in my backyard' is not environmentalism." said Paul Hansen, executive director of the latter.

The story (linked here to the Vermont Times-Argus which does not require registration) compares Boone with Ted Kennedy - both own property affected by the wind projects. Here's a sample; 

National groups like Greenpeace and the Sierra Club used to uniting against specific projects are now united for renewable energy in general. And they are particularly high on wind power — with the caveat that a few, but only a few, special places should be turbine-free.

"The broader environmental movement knows we have this urgent need for renewable energy to avert global warming," said John Passacantando, executive director of Greenpeace USA. "But we're still dealing with groups that can't get their heads around global warming yet."

Indeed, the best winds, especially in the East, tend to blow in places that are also ideal for hiking, sailing, second homes and spirit-soothing views. These include the Green Mountains, the Adirondacks, the Chesapeake Bay, Cape Cod and the ridges of northern Appalachia. Local opposition to unwanted development remains a potent force...

Read the rest of this New York Times story here (reprinted in the Vermont Times-Argus which does not require registration), and comment below. 

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Falmouth murder, Woods Hole Senior Housing, Elect. Rates lowered, New Tech Park, Canalside again

Upper Cape news of the week from
Falmouth, Mashpee, Sandwich and Bourne,
click town to see local news. June 2, 2006

Falmouth
Woman Fatally Stabbed In Her John Parker Home
An 73-year-old East Falmouth woman was stabbed to death in her John Parker Road home yesterday morning, and police are still searching for a suspect.  

Plans Afloat For Senior Housing In Woods Hole
The historic Woods Hole Inn on the corner of Water Street and Luscombe Avenue is among the properties that Falmouth Housing Director Robert H. Murray is eyeing for affordable housing in the future.
    
State Official Gets Grand Tour Of Affordable Housing Projects
Regional Director Impressed With Creative Solutions
    
Underwater Turbine System Proposed Between Woods Hole and Vineyard
Less than a week after plans for a 120-turbine wind farm in Buzzards Bay were unveiled, a federal agency gave notice that another developer wants to place up to 150 underwater tidal turbines between Woods Hole and Martha’s Vineyard. (See the Legal Notice of application here, and Vineyard Gazette story here.)

Mashpee
    
Cape Light Compact Cuts Rates: NSTAR To Follow
NSTAR customers are poised to receive their second rate cut within the past six months.
    
Supt. Reports On Bomb Scares Plus Four New School Positions
Superintendent Ann M. Bradshaw’s monthly report to the Mashpee School Committee Wednesday evening at the Quashnet School will include a report on the internal investigation into the March bomb scares at Mashpee High School.

Sandwich
    
Forging Connections To Aid Exploited Women
A few weeks ago, Sarah J. Symons was working downstairs in her Sandwich home filling orders for handmade items—scarves, purses, and other crafts—made by women rescued from the exploitive sex trade openly practiced in their home countries, including Nepal, Thailand, and India.
    
PA Landers To Unveil Plans For Tech Park
It has been more than a year since the land swap between the town and PA Landers became official, and the Cape Cod Commission gave its blessing to the deal.
    
Nye House Owner Critical Of Review Process, Town Boards
Marthe T. McKinnon of Princeton, New Jersey, bought the Seth Nye House, overlooking Sandwich Town Hall on Main Street almost three years ago with the intention of renovating the building and overseeing the operation of an antique store in the same place where Richard Strand had operated Strand Antiques for many years. The experience, she said, has been a miserable one.

Bourne
    
Parenting...Again
Program Aims To Assist Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

Decision Deadline Extended For CanalSide Commons
The Cape Cod Commission’s date for a final decision on developer Lenord G. Cubellis’s CanalSide Commons project has been extended for another 30 days.
    
Bourne Officers Awarded State Medal for Saving Fellow Officer
In the early morning hours of February 7, a car driven by Bourne Police Officer Wendy Noyes unexpectedly veered off Route 28 North in Bourne, and after traveling down an embankment, smashed into a tree. The tree splintered and crushed the rear of Officer Noyes’ vehicle.

Region
    
Assembly Holding Hearings On Changes To County Charter
The Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates will hold public hearings next week on proposed changes to the county charter
    
Senate Adds Tax Breaks To Budget
The Senate continued its work on its Fiscal Year 2007 budget this week and very quickly embraced a long-denied state income tax rollback as part of the spending plan.
    
Parking Lot Expansion Plans At Old Prison Too Expensive
Some planned renovations to the former Barnstable County House of Correction in Barnstable Village have been put on hold due to unexpectedly high costs.

Read the rest of these Enterprise Newspapers stories here, and comment below.

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Ptown could get 7 new package stores, Schooner Rose wins cup

Outer Cape news of the week
June 1, 2006

Population estimate allows 7 new seasonal package stores
PROVINCETOWN — An obscure seasonal population estimate that towns in Massachusetts can use each year to set limits on new seasonal package store licenses has been unearthed in Town Hall, to the dismay of year-round package store owner ...

In the Arts
See this week’s Banner to read about former Fine Arts Work Center Fellow Thomas O’Malley’s first novel about a sweet Irish boy searching for a role model ...

Memorable Memorial Day
By Emily Sussman & Pru Sowers.
OUTER CAPE — A lot of prayers were answered this weekend when terrific weather drew crowds to the ...

From the archives;
The Fishermen’s Cup won by the schooner Rose ...
It’s ironic that the man whose name has become synonymous with cups of tea and fancy trophies never won the cup he most coveted... (On right: Rose Dorothea leading Jessie Costa in first Fishermen's Race for Lipton Cup)

Ritchie pushes Nauset into postseason
By Michael Iacuessa. Kyle Ritchie played less than two innings Monday afternoon, but his impact was enormous. He emerged as the winning ...

Novel experiences
When writers are lucky, their characters come along and take their book away from them. When they are very lucky, those characters ...

Read the rest of these Banner stories here and comment below. 

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Hard landing for airport plan, New chance for 40B

Barnstable news of the week
June 1, 2006