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- ☀️ Some heroes wear swimsuits
☀️ Some heroes wear swimsuits
Plus: Green buses, dune shacks & more
Good morning Cape Cod. This is The Cape Coddah. Like John Cena on Shark Week, we’re guiding you through this week’s sea of thrilling news.
In this week’s Cape Coddah:
Dune shack headaches
Attempted child assault
Events and live music
Let’s get to it.
THE DIGEST
Some heroes wear swimsuits 🩱
When a 46-year-old swimmer found himself in deep water at Dowses Beach in Barnstable, Frances Lonergan, a 33-year-old mom vacationing from Longmeadow, sprang into action. Without hesitation, she plunged into the treacherous channel and began pulling the struggling man to safety. A tourist from New York joined the rescue, and together they brought the swimmer ashore.
The man, caught off guard by the beach's sudden dropoff and swift current, was conscious but got a free trip to Cape Cod Hospital for a check-up. Barnstable police praised Lonergan's "heroic actions," noting that her quick thinking "undoubtedly saved the swimmer's life." Read the full story.
From Boston to the Beach: Green buses 🚎
The Federal Transit Administration is following the Christmas in July theme, doling out nearly $60M to Massachusetts transit agencies for a greener fleet. The MBTA is the big winner, scoring $40M for 40 new electric buses.
Cape Cod's getting a $14.6M slice of the pie for 13 hybrid buses. The Cape routes are longer and a fully electric bus could run out of juice. Meanwhile, Martha's Vineyard is sailing away with $3.9M for their electric buses.
This cash comes courtesy of the Low-and No-Emission program, supercharged by the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. With funding increased tenfold, it looks like Massachusetts is on the fast track to a cleaner, greener public transit future. Read the full story.
The dune shack is a little old place where..🏖️
The dune shacks in Provincetown and Truro are at the center of some local drama. These 19 rustic cottages, most owned by the National Park Service, are at the center of a lease renewal kerfuffle affecting both nonprofits and long-time, private lessees.
While nonprofits get to skip the competitive bidding process, private individuals faced a surprise 29-page request for proposals last year. Janet Armstrong, whose family has tended a shack for 78 years, nearly got evicted.
The Cape Cod National Seashore Advisory Commission, recently reauthorized after a five-year lapse, is working to address these issues. The commission aims to balance federal responsibilities with the interests of private individuals, but acknowledges it’s complicated. Read the full story.
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📸 @capeimagesbyamie | 📍 Nauset Beach
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Yarmouth man arrested for attempted child assault 🚔
A 27-year-old South Yarmouth man, Ryan Evans, was arrested on Wednesday following an alleged attempted sexual assault of a 5-year-old child at Peter Homer Park. The incident occurred during a soccer game on Tuesday, where Evans reportedly lured the child behind restrooms. The child's screams deterred the attacker, who fled on an electric bike.
Yarmouth Police launched an extensive search, deploying multiple resources including plain clothes cops and bike patrols. Evans was apprehended during a vehicle stop on Wednesday evening. He faces charges of assault to rape a child, kidnapping of a child, and indecent assault and battery on a child under 14.
Police noted that Evans was previously known to them, having faced similar charges in 2021. The incident has prompted increased security measures in the area. Read the full story.
AROUND THE CAPE 🗞️
SUV crashes into the kitchen of a Falmouth home.
Watch: 48 Hours - Murder on the Cape
Floridian wins $1M lottery prize during Cape vacation.
Hyannis man perishes in Wednesday morning house fire.
Six endangered sea turtles finished rehab and returned home.
Meet Cape Cod’s “hydrangea whisperer.”
LOCAL BUSINESS
Nestled near Cape Cod Gateway Airport, Pain D'Avignon has been quietly kneading its way into New England's heart for over 30 years. This 24/7 bakery churns out up to 25,000 pounds of dough daily.
From cranberry pecan loaves to croissants that could make a Frenchman weep, Pain D'Avignon's artisanal creations grace the shelves of Whole Foods and the tables of fancy Boston restaurants. But they're not just about bread - there's a French restaurant for those who want to see where the magic happens, and a newly opened pizzeria. CEO Mario Mariani credits Cape Cod's hospitality for their rise to fame. Read the full story.
Nothing in this section is sponsored. We'll always let you know when something's sponsored.
THE ISLANDS ⛴️
MV Hospital nurses vote to join the union.
Judith Belushi, mother of John Belushi, passed away.
Have a spare $30M? This beach compound could be yours.
Jared Ravizza, MV stabbing suspect, found “dangerous.”
The spot on Nantucket where nearly everyone takes a selfie.
The Winnetu Oceanside Resort named #1 in New England.
8 swimmers to attempt the 18 mile swim from island to island.
CIVIL NEWS
DA has mental health in mind ⚖️
Cape and Islands District Attorney Rob Galibois is playing a game of "Show Me The Money" with state officials, pointing out that his office is $3.4M short compared to the similarly-sized Northwest District. Galibois isn't just after a bigger piggy bank; he's got plans to boost mental health resources.
The DA's office has already dipped its toes into the mental health pool with a new specialty court, but Galibois hopes to hire social workers to tackle everything from school hate incidents to elder fraud cases.
Town officials are on board, recognizing the need for mental health resources. As Galibois prepares his fall funding proposal, there's hope state officials will acknowledge the importance of mental health in the justice system. With an estimated 80% of Barnstable District Court cases involving mental health or substance abuse, the DA's office hopes to address root causes of criminal behavior. Read the full story.
PET OF THE WEEK

👋 Meet: Rockie
🐾 Poodle Miniature Mix
🎂 2 Years Old
♀︎ Male
Available to adopt at MSCPA-Cape Cod
WHAT’S HAPPENIN’
Friday
Escape the Wizard’s Tower @ Sandwich Public Library
Aparna Nancherla @ Payomet PAC, N. Truro
Greek Food Festival @ St. George, Centerville
Saturday
204 Thrift & Flea Market @ Cultural Arts Municipal Building, Harwich
3rd Annual Dog Center Fest @ CC Dog Center, Mashpee
July Craft Fair @ Brooks Park, Harwich
Brewster Conservation Day @ Drummer Boy Park, Brewster
The Patriot Artisans Show @ Nauset Middle School, Orleans
The JFK Wedding @ The JFK Museum, Hyannis
Red Hawk Singers & Dancers @ Eastham Library
CC Ballroom Dancers @ Hyannis Village Greene
Paul Schulenburg Reception @ Addison Art Gallery, Orleans
Artisans Faire @ Soares Flower Garden Nursery, Sandwich
Walk with our Archaeologist @ CC Museum of Nat. History, Brewster
Sunday
Summer Book Sale @ Wellfleet Public Library
Jazz Brunch Train @ CC Central RR, Hyannis
Sunday Brunch @ CC Beer, Hyannis
Live Music 🎸
Friday
SummerTown @ The Restaurant & Pub Next Door, Dennisport
Bone Head Stew @ Wellfleet Preservation Hall
The Carole King Musical @ Cape Playhouse, Dennis (Fri & Sat)
Sarah Burrill Band @ O’Shea’s Olde Inne, W. Dennis
Phelix’s Yacht Rock @ The Sand Dollar, S. Dennis
Rip Tide Band @ Dennis Yacht Club
The Moonlighters Band @ Tomatillos, Sandwich
Mr. Gotcha @ Hog Island Beer, Orleans
The Mojo Kings Band @ The Sagamore, Bourne
The Conspiracy of Noize @ Smith Family Beer Garden, Hyannis
Nolan Driscoll & Friends @ The Wood Shed, Brewster
Saturday
Being Petty @ Naukabout, Mashpee
Voyage @ CC Melody Tent, Hyannis
Grateful Dub @ The Flying Bridge, Falmouth
Rip Tide Band @ Jake Rooney’s, Harwich
Thee Midnight Society @ Pilot House, Sandwich
Mark O’Toole @ Tomatillos, Sandwich
The Dirty Water Dance Band @ Hog Island Beer, Orleans
Mike Dumas Band @ Smith Family Beer Garden, Hyannis
The Stripers @ The Wood Shed, Brewster
Sunday
Eight to the Bar @ The Music Room, W. Yarmouth
Chris LeBeau @ Cape Cod Winery, E. Falmouth
Los Lobos @ Payomet PAC, N. Truro
Dane Vannatter & Jazz Quartet @ CC MOA, Dennis
Rip Tide Band @ Hog Island Surf & Beer, Wellfleet
Not Your Average Cover Band @ The Sagamore, Bourne
Fred Clayton Band @ Smith Family Beer Garden, Hyannis
John Hill @ The Wood Shed, Brewster
Nothing in this section is sponsored. We'll always let you know when something's sponsored.
WEATHER
Friday
84 🌡️ 73 | 🌤️ | 25% | 💨 SW 14 mph
Saturday
79 🌡️ 71 | 🌩️ | 48% | 💨 SW 12 mph
Sunday
86 🌡️ 72 | 🌤️ | 3% | 💨 WSW 7 mph
💧🌡️ Water temperature = 70ºF
LISTING OF THE WEEK
26 Captain Aldens Lane, Barnstable, MA
Asking $749,900
3 🛌
1.5 🛀
1,832 square feet
0.35 acre lot
Nothing in this section is sponsored. We'll always let you know when something's sponsored.
THANKS!
Thanks for reading The Cape Coddah today. If you found something useful or entertaining, please share it with a strong swimmer.