The Cape Coddah
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☀ Fishing for ghost gear

☀ Fishing for ghost gear

Plus: Orleans kids make TV news

Cape Coddah
March 28, 2025

Good morning Cape Cod. If everyone crosses their fingers, and wishes really hard, perhaps we can get the weather man to change tomorrow’s high temperature to 70º.

In this week’s Cape Coddah:

Bridge testing starts
Snapchat video leads to arrests
Events and live music

Let’s get to it.

CAPE DIGEST

🚧 Soil Sampling Begins for Bridge Project

Soil testing for the bridge replacement project will begin this spring, with MassDOT contractors conducting borings near the Sagamore Bridge to analyze soil strength and composition. The work will require some vegetation removal to allow access for drilling equipment and may cause temporary lane closures on several roads including Route 3/Route 6 and the Mid-Cape Connector.

Initial borings through November will only take place on US Army Corps of Engineers or state property, with private property testing scheduled for later. MassDOT spokesperson Jacquelyn Goddard noted that property owners will be given a heads up before any work on private land begins and will be compensated for any damage resulting from the testing activities. Read the full story.

🧹 Fishing for Lost Gear

A team from the Center for Coastal Studies hauled more than 20 abandoned lobster traps plus ropes and netting from Provincetown Harbor on Tuesday as part of their ghost gear removal program. This ongoing effort, now in its 10th year, has removed over 86 tons of lost fishing equipment from Cape Cod Bay since 2013.

Program director Laura Ludwig explained they're focused on removing plastic debris from the ocean floor before it breaks down into microplastics, clarifying that ghost gear isn't responsible for whale entanglements as many believe. The recovered equipment is documented and, when possible, returned to owners, with the remainder recycled or incinerated. Funded by NOAA and the Bilezikian Family Foundation, the program will continue its recovery work through April. Read the full story.

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📸 @coastalchatham | 📍 Water St. Beach

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🎯 Transcript Reveals Unresolved Range Concerns

A newly-released transcript offers insights into the National Guard's controversial machine gun range proposal for Joint Base Cape Cod, which was effectively killed by Governor Healey last fall. The 65-page doc reveals that despite the $53K the Guard spent on bringing together experts for a closed-door meeting in October, significant scientific beefs persisted between the Guard and the EPA over potential drinking water contamination.

Independent experts at the meeting criticized the Guard's copper study as needing "major revisions" and lacking reliable data on whether copper from bullets could reach the Cape's aquifer. The transcript also shows the Guard's frustration with the project's cancellation, with one official calling the situation "an existential threat" to their other training facilities on Cape Cod. Read the full story.

AROUND THE CAPE

Hyannis store sells winning $1M lottery ticket, with five more million-dollar prizes still unclaimed across Massachusetts.

Orleans Yacht Club aims to make sailing accessible through scholarship program.

Eversource partners with Arbor Day Foundation to give away 1,000 free trees.

Truro moves to implement its voter-approved affordable housing trust after three-year delay.

LOCAL BUSINESS

🚤 Come for Boat Repairs, Stay for Cappy

The Fedeles bought Chatham Boat Company two years ago and kept things simple - same staff, same boat services, but with a few personal touches. Their shop still fixes anything your skiff needs - woodwork, fiberglass repairs, engine work - plus they handle storage and launching.

The place is also home base for the Beachcomber Seal Tours (which even locals bring their visitors to) and the North Beach shuttle that runs all summer. Their retail shop has gotten a makeover with more gifts alongside the usual boating supplies, managed by their daughter Morgan. And if you stop by, you'll likely meet Cappy, the sweetest silver lab who belongs to Captain Justin and spends his summers riding the shuttle boat. Read the full story.

THE ISLANDS

Scientists to begin drilling off Nantucket for freshwater aquifer that could serve as future water source for island residents.

MV Film Festival celebrates 25 years with 15 films, celebrity guests iand signature curry dinners.

Foggy Nantucket owners return next week with new "Puck Cafe" at ice rink, replacing longtime Thai takeout spot.

Cancer nonprofit expands from hosting off-Island patients to offering free vacations for Vineyard residents battling cancer.

🫙 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

⚖️ Snapchat Video Leads to Arrests

Two Cape residents, Isabella Medeiros, 18, and Jacob Ladner, 22, were arraigned on multiple charges connected to the November fire that destroyed Anthony's Cummaquid Inn in Yarmouth Port. The pair pleaded not guilty to burning a building, trespassing, breaking and entering, and property destruction after police discovered Snapchat video evidence of the fire that matched the date of the incident.

Both were released on personal recognizance with conditions including remaining drug and alcohol free, while Ladner must also wear a GPS monitor and observe a curfew. The vacant restaurant on Route 6A, valued at $2.4M and owned by Anthony's Pier Four Inc., was reduced to just walls, chimneys and debris after the November 3rd blaze. Read the full story.

PET OF THE WEEK

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

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Easter Paint Brunch @ Color Me Mine | 9:30 AM
Mastering Meringue @ Highfield Hall | 12 PM

LIVE MUSIC 🎸

SUNDAY

Unraveled @ The Parrot | 4 PM
Dave Zinno Trio @ Highfield Hall | 4 PM
Rose Clancy @ Chatham Squire | 5 PM
Open Mic @ The Auld Triangle | 5 PM

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

WEATHER

Friday

56 🌡️ 44 | 🌥️ | 💧0% | 💨 W 17 mph

Saturday

46 🌡️ 37 | ☁️ | 💧 25% | 💨 NNW 17 mph

Sunday

45 🌡️ 42 | 🌧️ | 💧 80% | 💨 E 8 mph

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 41ºF

HOME OF THE WEEK

96 Shore Drive, Dennis
Asking $4.5M
4 🛌
4.5 🛀
3,239 square feet 
0.63 acre lot