☀ Whale rules sunk, fast ferries saved

Plus: Our first restaurant review

Author

Cape Coddah
January 17, 2025

Good morning Cape Cod. This is The Cape Coddah, the newsletter that’s the PB&J of local news – we mix Cape news and events to make a tasty, snackable read. 🥪

In this week’s Cape Coddah:

  • Local mom saves the prom after-party

  • Will Shank Painter Road get a makeover?

  • Events and live music


    Let’s get to it.

CAPE DIGEST

🐳 Islands Win Fight Against Speed Limits

The feds have dropped their plan to slow down boats along the East Coast to protect right whales, bringing huge relief to the islands. The rule would have forced boats over 35 feet to creep along at 10 knots, basically killing Nantucket's fast ferry service and costing the island millions.

While Nantucket's Select Board chair did a "happy dance" over the news, whale experts are furious, saying boat strikes keep killing the 370 remaining right whales and this rule could have helped save them. Read the full story.

⚾️ Cape League's 2025 Schedule Sets Summer Stage

The Cape Cod Baseball League has released its 2025 schedule, with Opening Day set for June 14 when defending champs Harwich host Bourne in a championship rematch.

Each team will play 40 games over eight weeks, with the Y-D Red Sox hosting the All-Star Game on July 19. The season wraps up with playoffs starting August 5, giving fans all summer to catch future MLB stars in action at ballparks across the Cape. Read the full story.


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🪩 Mom's Mission: Bringing Back Bourne's After-Prom Party

A Bourne mom is stepping up to bring back after-prom parties after the high school stopped hosting them, hoping to give kids a safe place to “turn-up” until 5 AM. Kristi Hawkes launched the project after her son Ty remembered helping with his siblings' after-proms and wanted the same for his class.

While she's already secured the community center and raised some cash toward her $25,000 goal, she's facing extra costs since the school isn't involved. Town officials hope to make it a regular event, saying one mom shouldn't have to raise all this money to keep kids safe on prom night. Read the full story.

@THECAPECODDAH

📸 @poetry_with_a_camera | 📍 Rock Harbor Beach

Tag @thecapecoddah to get your photos in the Coddah!

🖥️ Cyber Attacks Target Bourne & Eastham

Two Cape towns got hit with cyber attacks last week - Eastham dealt with fake emails pretending to be from their Town Manager, while Bourne's IT network was breached. Both towns say essential services are still running, and Eastham claims no sensitive info was stolen. Bourne police are investigating what happened to their system. Read the full story.

🦺 Ugly Duckling Road Could Get $18.9M Transformation

P-town has big plans to transform Shank Painter Road from an ugly but essential strip into a more walkable, livable neighborhood. The $18.9M makeover would turn the half-mile stretch into a denser, pedestrian-friendly zone with new sidewalks and buildings closer to the street instead of behind parking lots.

While the road isn't pretty now, it's crucial to town life - home to the only supermarket, laundromat, and several affordable housing complexes. Town meeting voters will decide in April on new zoning rules to help make this vision happen. Read the full story.

AROUND THE CAPE  

Sheriff's Office launches free program to give Cape kids inside look at public safety careers.

After 20 years of just beer, Cape Cod Beer jumps into seltzer game.

WATCH: Take a video flythrough of the rendering of the replacement Sagamore Bridge.

Brewster man's Arizona hike turns into dramatic helicopter rescue.

P-town wants police chief who "understands unique character" of town.

Wrestling saved his life in high school, now he's giving back as Barnstable's coach.

RESTAURANT REVIEW

🍽️ Hyannis' Roadhouse Cafe Still Hits All the Right Notes

Friend of the newsletter and Cape foodie @geegoestothecape recently visited The Roadhouse Cafe and shared his experience with us:

“The Roadhouse Cafe in Hyannis delivers both stellar Italian dishes and smooth jazz vibes, proving why it's been a Cape favorite for 40 years. The Stracciatella appetizer shines with creamy bufala, truffle oil and fresh tomatoes, while standout entrees include a perfectly executed Chicken Piccata with house-made spaghetti and a classic Carbonara with guanciale. Live jazz adds the perfect backdrop to this cozy yet elegant spot, and the light, fluffy Tiramisu makes for an ideal finish.”

THE ISLANDS  

"Too many deer": State proposes winter hunt as Nantucket herd tops 10,000.

Vineyard towns crack down on vacation rentals as housing crisis worsens.

FedEx closing Airport Road office but keeping island service through Poet's Corner.

MV ranks 3rd in nation for canceled home insurance, driving premiums through the roof.

Former cop threatens to blow up Vineyard ferry terminal, sparks evacuation.

Pickleball's pop has some Nantucket neighbors saying stop.



🫙 THE TIP JAR

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CIVIL NEWS

⚖️ Falmouth Bookkeeper Gets Prison for $1.3M Theft

A 73-year-old Falmouth woman is headed to club fed for stealing $1.3M from her employer, a local flooring company. Susan Figuerido, who worked as a bookkeeper, spent eight years writing herself checks and hiding them from the company's books. She'll serve two years in prison and has to pay back $1.7M, including $353,000 in unpaid taxes on the stolen money. Read the full story.

PET OF THE WEEK

👋 Meet: Khanie
🐾 Korean Jindo
🎂 1 years old
♀︎ Female
Available to adopt at MSCPA-Cape Cod

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’


FRIDAY

  • Dungeons & Dragons @ Falmouth Public Library | 6 PM

  • Outermost Contra Dance @ Wellfleet Preservation Hall | 6:15 PM

  • Salsa Night @ St. Peter’s Episcopal | Osterville | 7:30 PM

  • Friday Night Social @ Dino’s Sports Bar | Mashpee | 8 PM

SATURDAY

  • Winter Antique Show @ The American Legion #20 | Sandwich | 8 AM

  • Lego Club @ Snow Library | Orleans | 11 AM

  • Roaring 20s Talk @ Osterville Village Library | 1 PM

  • Movie Matinee: Tracks @ Brewster Ladies Library | 2 PM

  • Dinner & a Movie @ Redfield Auditorium | Woods Hole | 7 PM



    SUNDAY

  • Winter Antiques Show & Sale @ Coonamessett Inn | Falmouth | 10 AM

  • Sunday Funday Variety Show @ Naukabout Brewery | Mashpee | 11 AM

LIVE MUSIC  🎸

FRIDAY

  • Dan Felix @ CC Beer | Hyannis | 5 PM

  • Riptide @ Chatham Squire | Chatham | 6 PM

  • Rick Lockwood Trio @ Hog Island Beer | Orleans | 6 PM

  • Tony Disavino @ CC Coffee | Mashpee | 6 PM

  • Leah & Colleen @ Captain Parker’s Pub | W. Yarmouth | 7 PM

  • Karaoke @ Jake Rooney’s | Harwich Port | 8:30 PM

  • HeyDay @ The Barley Neck | Orleans | 8:30 PM

SATURDAY

  • Andrew Lowenstein @ CC Beer | Hyannis | 1 PM

  • The Jesse Liam Band @ Snow Library | Orleans | 2 PM

  • Open Mic @ First Church UCC | Sandwich | 5 PM

  • Debbie Barrette @ The Sagamore | Sagamore Beach | 5 PM

  • Bart Weisman Jazz Group @ The Vine | Falmouth | 5:30 PM

  • Randy Davis @ CC Coffee | Mashpee | 6 PM

  • PHT @ Grumpy’s Pub | Falmouth | 6 PM

  • Bounce @ Hog Island Beer | Orleans | 6 PM

  • The Suitcase Junket @ Cape Symphony | Falmouth Campus | 7 PM

  • Mozelle Andrulot @ Pelham House Resort | Dennis Port | 7 PM

  • Jack & Oriana @ Ocean Edge Resort | Brewster | 8 PM

  • The Eric Hutchin’s Duo @ The Barley Neck | Orleans | 8:30 PM

  • Just Like That @ Oliver’s & Planck’s | Yarmouth Port | 9 PM

  • ARLO @ Grumpy’s Pub | Falmouth | 9:30 PM

  • Dirty Water Dance Band @ Chatham Squire | Chatham | 9:30 PM

SUNDAY

  • Jordan Renzi @ Navillus Bar & Grill | Orleans | 11 AM

  • Jazz Jam @ Cultural Center of CC | S. Yarmouth | 12 PM

  • Rose Clancy & Max Cohen @ Brewster Ladies Library | 2 PM

  • Another Lady Sings the Blues @ CC MOA | Dennis | 3:30 PM

  • Alexis Cole Trio @ W. Falmouth Library | 4 PM

  • Too Much Fun Trio @ The Loft Restaurant | W. Yarmouth | 5 PM

  • Rose Clancy @ Chatham Squire | Chatham | 5 PM

  • Candlelight: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons @ Cape Cinema | Dennis | 8 PM

  • Josh Ayala @ The Barley Neck | Orleans | 8:30 PM

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

WEATHER

Friday

35 🌡️ 27 | 🌤️ | 💧15% | 💨 NW 7 mph

Saturday

43 🌡️ 38 | 🌧️ | 💧 70% | 💨 S 17 mph

Sunday

43 🌡️ 22 | 🌥️ | 💧 25% | 💨 NNW 13 mph

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 38.5ºF

HOME OF THE WEEK

44 Leeward Run, Yarmouth
Asking $1.9M
4 🛌 
3 🛀 
4,056 square feet

0.41 acre lot

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

THANKS!

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