☀ Balloon ban & shark rules

Plus: $1M overdose tracking system

Author

Cape Coddah
April 11, 2025

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Good morning Cape Cod. First things first, we’d like to wish John from The Curb Cafe & The Cordial Camper an early Happy Birthday as he celebrates on April 16th! 🎂 

To earn your own birthday shoutout, keep reading and check out the “Share the Cape Coddah” section.

In this week’s Cape Coddah:

  • Are tiny homes a big solution?

  • OUI tragedy

  • Events and live music


    Let’s get to it.


CAPE DIGEST


🎈Childhood Memories → Balloon Ban

Falmouth recently banned the intentional release and sale of lighter-than-air balloons thanks to 16-year-old Faye McGuire's efforts. Her concern began at age 8 during family boat trips when she helped collect balloon trash from the water. Through a school project that evolved into community action, McGuire researched similar bylaws, gathered petition signatures, and worked with town officials to develop the prohibition.

At a town meeting, she explained how balloons break down into permanent microplastics and how their ribbons harm marine life like sea turtles that mistake them for jellyfish. McGuire hopes to inspire other teens to pursue similar environmental protections in their communities. Read the full story.


📊 $1M Overdose Tracking System

Cape Cod is launching a new system to track drug overdoses and connect victims with help through a $1M partnership between the District Attorney's Office and Cape Cod Healthcare. The Critical Incident Management System (CIMS) creates a real-time database where police log overdose details, triggering immediate outreach services.

DA Robert Galibois hopes to build on promising trends - fatal overdoses on the Cape dropped 35% in 2024. The database tracks overdose locations, drugs involved, and naloxone doses administered, with Cape Cod Healthcare using peer navigators and recovery coaches for follow-ups. This data-sharing hopes to close coordination gaps between organizations fighting the drug crisis on Cape Cod. Read the full story.


🌊 Join the Chatham Harvesters Spring Fish Share! 🐟

Support Cape Cod’s hardworking fishermen while enjoying the freshest, wild-caught seafood delivered straight from the ocean to your table. The Spring Fish Share Program by Chatham Harvesters connects you directly to the source — a cooperative of local, independent fishermen committed to sustainable, responsible harvesting.

Each share includes a weekly selection of premium-quality, traceable fish and seafood specialty products — perfect for creating healthy, delicious meals. By participating, you’re not only choosing wholesome, nutrient-rich seafood, but also helping preserve Cape Cod’s rich fishing heritage and protect ocean ecosystems for future generations.

Sign up today and make a meaningful impact with every bite.

🐟 Fresh. Local. Responsible. 🌱 Better for you. Better for the ocean.


🏠 Tiny home, big solution?

After unexpectedly losing her husband last year, 71-year-old Jayne O'Brien of Brewster found a housing solution through an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) being built in her son's backyard. Massachusetts' new Affordable Homes Act, which took effect in February, now requires municipalities to permit ADUs in single-family zones - a change particularly beneficial on Cape Cod where housing costs are sky high.

For O'Brien, who will soon move into her 642-square-foot home, the ADU offered an affordable solution that works for both her and her son while preserving independence and privacy for each of them. Read the full story.

@THECAPECODDAH

📸 @capecodartandnature | 📍 Paines Creek

Tag @thecapecoddah to get your photos in the Coddah!

🦈 State Cracks Down on Shark Fishing

New regulations aim to stop shark fishing along the Outer Cape following a September showdown between fishermen using drones to bait sharks and surfers at LeCount Hollow Beach. The Marine Fisheries Advisory Commission banned equipment typically used for shark fishing - including long metal leaders, large hooks, daytime chumming, and drone bait delivery - in areas where great whites dominate.

While fishing for great whites was already federally banned, enforcement was difficult since anglers could claim to target other species. The rules, which passed 5-1, protect both the federally protected sharks and public safety by preventing fishermen from luring sharks into shallow water frequented by swimmers and surfers. Read the full story.

AROUND THE CAPE  

Brewster baby raccoons rescued from fireplace reunited with mom who carried them to new den.

Blind Cape race car mechanic Jay Blake uses app to connect with volunteer vision helpers when working on NHRA funny cars.

Orleans breaks ground on long-awaited Veterans Memorial Park renovations.

Independent film "The Weekend on Cape Cod When Everything Changed" begins shooting, seeking unpaid background actors.

WATCH: Metal detecting on Cape Cod nets buried treasures.

LOCAL BUSINESS

💧 From Bar Napkin to Big Business

Cape Cod Gutter Monkeys, which started as napkin scribbles in Maui ten years ago between college roommates Dennis Siggins and Andy Brennan, has grown into American Gutter Monkeys with seven franchise locations. Operating from a 7,000-square-foot Mashpee warehouse, the business provides gutter cleaning, repair and installation services using on-site aluminum extrusion technology.

The founders brought in two more Bentley University connections - Bruce Duffy (legal/IT) and Chris Collins (marketing) - to support their expansion. Despite aluminum price fluctuations and busy fall cleaning seasons when crews work nearly seven days a week, the company maintains its focus on workplace culture while planning further franchise growth. Read the full story.


THE ISLANDS  

Nantucket ferry, The Eagle smashed a concrete dolphin during Saturday departure, sending the structure into the harbor.

Three MV towns vote to phase out gas-powered leaf blowers over three years despite objections from landscapers.

Nantucket senior Eli Holland becomes island's 11th Eagle Scout since 2022.



🫙 THE TIP JAR

Celebrate our one-year anniversary and become a monthly or annual supporter. Thank you to everyone who has supported us. We love you! ❤️

CIVIL NEWS

⚖️ Local Man Charged with Manslaughter

A Centerville man faces manslaughter and OUI charges after a fatal collision in Harwich that killed 48-year-old Mario Da Paixao Andrade of Hyannis. According to police, multiple witnesses reported seeing Zachary Fena, 49, swerving with erratic speed changes before crossing the Route 6 median into oncoming traffic around 5:30 PM Thursday.

First responders found Andrade beyond resuscitation at the scene, while Fena was transported to Cape Cod Hospital where officers determined he was under the influence of alcohol and placed him under arrest. The court set bail at $5,000 with conditions of release, below the $10,000 requested by prosecutors. Read the full story.


PET OF THE WEEK

👋 Meet: Panda
🐾 Australian Cattle Dog
🎂 1 year old
♀︎ Female
Available to adopt at MSCPA-Cape Cod

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’


FRIDAY

Paul Chesbro @ Osterville Library | 11 AM
Blindfolded Dinner @ Cult. Cent. CC | 6 PM
Every Little Things @ Cotuit Center | 7 PM
Mary Poppins @ St. John Paul II School | 7 PM
The Prom @ Tilden Arts Center | 7:30 PM
Comedy Night @ Red Nun (DPort) 8:30 PM


SATURDAY

Veterans Coffee @ Falmouth Elks | 9 AM
Egg Hunt @ Johnny Kelly Park | 10 AM
Egg Hunt @ Mashpee Community Park | 10 AM
Decorating Easter Cookies @ Cult. Cent. CC | 10
Egg Hunt @ CC Mall (Macy’s) | 10:30 AM
Monotype Printmaking @ Highfield Hall | 11 AM
Peep Palooza @ Underground Bakery | 11 AM
Pickleball Workshop @ Osterville Library | 11 AM
Navigation Lecture @ Chatham Comm. | 1 PM
Poetry Class @ Snow Library | 1 PM
Self-Defense Class @ W. Falmouth Library | 1:30
Mary Poppins @ St. John Paul II School | 1 & 7
Kathy Aspden @ Bourne Library | 2 PM
Jimmy Cash Comedy @ The Coonamessett | 6
The Prom @ Tilden Arts Center | 7:30 PM
Off Beat Tap Co @ Cotuit Center | 7:30 PM

SUNDAY

Sips & Socials @ Snowy Owl (E. Sand) | 11 AM
Easter Eggstravaganza @ Hyannis Elks | 12 PM
Cooking w/ Bacon @ Highfield Hall | 12 PM
Wine Glass Painting @ Osterville Library | 1 PM

LIVE MUSIC  🎸


FRIDAY

Bode Corona @ CC Beer | 5 PM
Boston Naturals @ Chatham Squire | 6 PM
Whiskey Princess @ Smith Family Beer | 6 PM
Super Soulshine @ Hog Island | 6 PM
Night for Singing @ Dennis Union Church | 7:30
Karaoke @ Jake Rooney’s | 8 PM
Grab Brothers @ Lanes Bowl & Bistro | 8 PM
Sarah Burrill @ The Barley Neck | 8:30 PM
Rizz & The Round-Up @ Rod & Rail | 8:30 PM

SATURDAY

Liam & Jonny @ CC Winery | 1 PM
Long Ago & Faraway @ Barnstable PAC | 2 PM
Derek Dibbern @ CC Beer | 5 PM
Bart Weisman @ The Vine | 5:30 PM
Rose Clancy @ Red Nun (DPort) 5:30 PM
John Ebersold @ Father’s Kitchen | 6 PM
Cape Coda Band @ VFW 5988 | 7 PM
John Redden @ Naukabout | 7 PM
Giocosa Chamber @ Wellfleet Pres. Hall | 7 PM
Greg Abate Jazz @ Cult. Cent. of CC | 7:30 PM
That 80s Band @ Dino’s Sports Bar | 8 PM
Thee Midnight Society @ Pilot House | 8 PM
Eric & Tim @ The Barley Neck | 8:30 PM
Pat Dowling @ Chatham Squire | 9:30 PM

SUNDAY

Jared McMurray @ Cotuit Center | 2 PM
Student Concert @ Cult. Center of CC | 2 PM
Mike Garavan Group @ The Barley Neck | 2:30
Lucy Wijnands Trio @ W. Falmouth Library | 4
Rose Clancy @ Chatham Squire | 5 PM

Nothing in this section is sponsored. We'll always let you know when something's sponsored.

WEATHER

Friday

45 🌡️ 37 | 🌧️ | 💧55% | 💨 ENE 12 mph

Saturday

42 🌡️ 40 | 🌧️ | 💧 98% | 💨 NNE 22 mph

Sunday

43 🌡️ 41 | 🌧️ | 💧 86% | 💨 NNW 20 mph


💧🌡️ Water temperature = 41.7ºF


HOME OF THE WEEK

88 Whiffletree Ave, Brewster
Asking $2.395M
5 🛌 
4.5 🛀 
3,906 square feet

1.5 acre lot

Nothing in this section is sponsored. We'll always let you know when something's sponsored.

THANKS!

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