The Cape Coddah
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☀ Bridge woes & beer bros

☀ Bridge woes & beer bros

Plus: Cape's bee scene is buzzing

Cape Coddah
April 18, 2025

Together with:

Good morning Cape Cod. It’s Easter weekend and we’re hopping right to it. We’d like to wish Leda P. from W. Yarmouth an early Happy Birthday as she celebrates on April 22nd!🎂

In this week’s Cape Coddah:

ADUs on the National Seashore?
Fighting for the family business
Events and live music

Let’s get to it.

CAPE DIGEST

🚧 Bridge Neighbors Face Harsh Reality

More than 100 people attended a meeting where residents affected by the Sagamore Bridge replacement confronted state suits about losing their homes. Joyce Michaud will lose both her home and wedding cake business, while Marc Hendel described the "unbearable stress" of facing eminent domain. Dave Collins, an 81-year-old veteran keeping his home, saw his property value drop $100,000 due to the upcoming construction.

Luisa Paiewonsky from the Office of Megaproject Delivery acknowledged the disruption but explained the state compensates only for direct property impacts, not decreased value or construction woes. The Sagamore Bridge replacement may now take seven to eight years once construction begins in winter 2027-2028. Read the full story.

🪲Honey, I'm Home!

Cape beekeepers are checking their hives as spring begins, with veterans like Claire Desilets of East Sandwich monitoring bees she's kept for 38 years. Beekeepers help colonies overcome challenges including overpopulated hives, parasitic varroa mites, and Cape Cod's short nectar season - while May and June offer abundant blooms, July and August bring scarcity affecting bee temperament.

The Barnstable County Beekeepers Association is testing special queens that can detect and remove destructive mites. Honey bees remain vital pollinators for local agriculture, especially apple orchards and cranberry bogs, with beekeepers recommending pollinator-friendly plants like pepper bush, herbs, maple trees and goldenrod to support the bee population. Read the full story.

@THECAPECODDAH

📸 @drichterphotography | 📍 Highland Lighthouse

Tag @thecapecoddah to get your photos in the Coddah!

🦞 Lobsterman Fights to Save Family Business

A 66-year-old Cape lobsterman is fighting to keep selling his catch from his West Yarmouth home after receiving a zoning violation that threatens to end a family business dating back to 1957. Jon Tolley had his second appeal rejected by the Yarmouth Zoning Board on Thursday, with Chairman Sean Igoe refusing to let Tolley's attorney argue their case or allow dozens of supportive residents to speak.

The decision sparked outrage among locals, with some shouting "Generations are leaving Cape Cod!" The dispute began when a resident complained about a business sign Tolley put on Route 28, despite fishing being allowed in every district and Tolley having a state permit to sell lobsters. The Institute for Justice has joined the fight, arguing the shutdown violates constitutional protections. Read the full story.

AROUND THE CAPE

County health officials schedule MMR vaccination clinics across Cape Cod.

Assembly declares housing crisis on Cape Cod where median home prices jumped 62% in 4 years.

Falmouth launches food truck pilot program for public beaches this summer.

Sheriff unveils "Bridge Center" to provide post-release services for inmates, part of new "Public Safety 2.0.”

LOCAL BUSINESS

🍻 Two Beer Brands, One Historical Connection

Orleans brewery owner Mike McNamara is expanding his beer business by purchasing Plymouth-based Mayflower Brewing Company, adding the established 17-year-old brand to his portfolio that includes Hog Island Beer Co. and the Hog Island Surf Lodge in Wellfleet. The acquisition makes sense geographically and historically—McNamara noted the connection between the Cape and Plymouth through the Mayflower, which wrote its famous compact in Provincetown Harbor before landing in Plymouth.

Both breweries share a similar community-focused approach with live music and events, and they already use the same distributor, which will ease the transition. While there are no immediate plans for a new Cape location, McNamara mentioned the possibility of someday opening a Mayflower-themed brewery in Provincetown. Read the full story.

THE ISLANDS

23-year-old MV native earning $85K/year enjoys island's "movie life" atmosphere but plans August move to LA.

Bobby DeCosta wins professional shucking competition at inaugural "Scallopalooza" event.

Proposed bill would require motorcycle licenses for MV moped operators.

Elin Hilderbrand releases Nantucket travel guide in May alongside sister-led bus tours showcasing island spots.

Developer offers to convert planned commercial units to 36 affordable housing units in Oak Bluffs project.

🫙 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

⚖️ Feds Arrest Woman for Child Sex Crimes

A 53-year-old Brazilian woman, Ilma Leandro De Oliveira, has been arraigned in Falmouth District Court on multiple charges including rape of a child, aggravated statutory rape, indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, and incest. According to court documents, a 14-year-old victim alleged physical and sexual abuse by her father and stepmother spanning years, from ages 5 to 13.

Feds revealed Leandro had previously been arrested and deported in 2007 after illegally entering the country, but had returned at an unknown date. Following her March 18 arraignment, Leandro was arrested by a joint operation of ICE Boston, FBI Boston, and ATF Boston on March 20 in Falmouth. Read the full story.

PET OF THE WEEK

👋 Meet: Maple
🐾 Labrador Retriever
🎂 1 year old
♀︎ Female
Available to adopt at MSCPA-Cape Cod

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Brunch Train @ CC Central Railroad | 11:30 AM
Choux Pastry @ Highfield Hall | 12 PM
Peeps, Pups & Pints @ Bad Martha Beer | 3 PM

LIVE MUSIC 🎸

SUNDAY

Jazz Jam @ Cult. Cent. of CC | 2:30 PM

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

WEATHER

Friday

59 🌡️ 48 |⛅| 💧5% | 💨 SW 13 mph

Saturday

62 🌡️ 52 |⛅| 💧 18% | 💨 SW 17 mph

Sunday

59🌡️ 40 |🌤| 💧 1% | 💨 NW 14 mph

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 44.4ºF

HOME OF THE WEEK

6 Short Lots Lane, Truro
Asking $1.35M
3 🛌
2.5 🛀
2,346 square feet 
0.78 acre lot