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☀ Midnight Rescue Off Hyannis Port

☀ Midnight Rescue Off Hyannis Port

Plus: Former Church Hall Transforms into Arts Venue

Cape Coddah
May 09, 2025

Together with:

Good morning Cape Cod. I’d say I hope you got something nice for Mom by now but I think most of our audience is moms so I hope someone’s gotten something nice for you by now. Happy Mother’s Day!

In this week’s Cape Coddah:

P-town’s plans to stay above water
Lobsters are on the move
Events and live music

Let’s get to it.

CAPE DIGEST

💰 After Closure Threat, Mental Health Center Gets $50K

The Massachusetts House approved $50K to improve mental health rooms at the Pocasset Mental Health Center, Cape Cod's only state-run psychiatric hospital which Governor Healey nearly shut down in January. State Rep David Vieira requested $200K for eight additional rooms, but the Ways and Means Committee reduced the amount.

Vieira also filed an amendment requiring the facility to maintain at least 16 inpatient beds and conduct a review for future investments. The center, which serves adults with serious mental illness and children with emotional disturbances, employs 56 staff and offers services including medication management, therapy, and suicide prevention.

Healey's January closure announcement sparked widespread protests and a petition with over 2,500 signatures, ultimately forcing her to pause closure plans and form a study group to review the facility's future. Read the full story.

🌊 Late-Night Rescue Saves Three

Three fishermen were rescued Monday night after their small boat capsized in rough conditions off Hyannis Port. Philip Tran and his friends spotted the men clinging to their overturned boat while out squid fishing. "We saw a bright light in the water... and we saw three boaters on top of their boat," Tran explained. The rescuers battled waves to pull the freezing men aboard their own boat.

Barnstable police and Hyannis firefighters responded but arrived after the good Samaritans had already saved the men. Officials noted that two of the fishermen weren't wearing life vests, prompting Lt. Joseph Green to remind boaters to prepare properly for ocean conditions. Though the rescued men declined hospital treatment, their boat remains capsized in the harbor awaiting towing. Read the full story.

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📸 @christophersetterlund | 📍 Brewster

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🦞 Warming Waters Drive Lobsters from Mating Grounds

Cape lobsterman Damien Parkington is noticing changes in lobster migration patterns at Stellwagen Bank, a historically productive fishing ground about 25 miles east of Boston. For generations, lady lobsters have migrated to this underwater plateau in spring to release eggs, followed by the males, creating reliable fishing opportunities.

But last summer brought a disturbing change. After briefly appearing, the lobsters completely abandoned Stellwagen, leaving it "barren" until mid-August - costing lobstermen nearly three months of dependable income. The lobsters instead moved to shoal waters off the backside of Cape Cod.

Parkington believes warming water temperatures and changing currents are causing the shift, with hot surface water no longer mixing with colder layers below. He's now considering joining other fishing boats to help scientists collect data. Read the full story.

AROUND THE CAPE

County's Department of Health and Environment is gearing up for beach season by monitoring water quality at over 350 beaches weekly.

"The Mystery of the Cape Cod Tavern" features Asey Mayo investigating a murdered tavern owner.

Actress Sara Rue, moved her family to Cape Cod during Hollywood's pandemic, discovering a passion for DIY home renovation projects.

A rare manuscript in Henry David Thoreau's own handwriting describing Eastham's sand dunes and surprising corn crops sold at auction for $12,183.

LOCAL BUSINESS

🎞️ Former Church Hall Transforms into Arts Venue

A new arts venue is emerging in downtown Hyannis at 81 Willow Avenue, tucked behind the Federated Church. The Hyannis Arts Hall occupies the church's former fellowship hall, featuring a 3,000-square-foot auditorium with arched ceilings and a proscenium stage.

Board members Bill Ferrall and Sherrie Scudder envision the space hosting film screenings, stage shows, concerts, and a year-round "Hyannis Arts and Flea" market modeled after Brooklyn Flea. The first flea market is scheduled for May 24.

The venue needs approximately $150,000 in renovations including new curtains, paint, and kitchen updates. Operating as a nonprofit, the Hall has a two-year lease with hopes to eventually purchase the building. Read the full story.

THE ISLANDS

Martha's Vineyard Airport is racing to secure a $15M FAA terminal renovation grant set to expire this summer.

Billie's, a new American steakhouse and martini bar set to open on Nantucket in mid-June, has named Steve Rhee as executive chef.

The annual MV Kid's Trout Tournament drew young anglers and their families to Duarte's Pond on Saturday.

Nantucket Harbormaster and local boaters are objecting to the U.S. Coast Guard's plan to discontinue six navigational buoys around the island.

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CIVIL NEWS

🚨 Body Cameras Go Live for Eastham Officers

Eastham Police Department launched its body worn camera program Wednesday after officers completed training with Motorola staff. Chief Adam Bohannon announced the initiative aims to enhance evidence collection, document police interactions accurately, and promote officer safety and accountability while maintaining community trust.

The Chief praised his officers for seamlessly accepting the program as part of their commitment to transparent policing. The cameras and related policies are designed to ensure professional interactions while respecting public privacy. Chief Bohannon invites community members to reach out with any questions about the new initiative. Read the full story.

PET OF THE WEEK

👋 Meet: Kali
🐾 Pit Bull Terrier
🎂 2 years old
♀︎ Female
Available to adopt at MSCPA-Cape Cod

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

FRIDAY

Beachcombers Walk @ Centerville Library | 11
Artist Leonora Sullivan @ Wellfleet Pres. Hall | 4
Something Rotten Jr. @ Fisherman Hall | 6:30
SpongeBob Musical @ Bourne HS | 7 PM

SATURDAY

LIVE MUSIC 🎸

SUNDAY

Rickie Lee Jones @ P-town Town Hall | 5 PM
Soulja Band @ Chapin’s Bayside | 5 PM

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

WEATHER

Friday

56 🌡️ 50 | 🌧️ | 💧75% | 💨 E 10 mph

Saturday

62 🌡️ 52 | 🌦️ | 💧 59% | 💨 WSW 21 mph

Sunday

66🌡️ 44 | 🌤️ | 💧 0% | 💨 NW 13 mph

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 48.4ºF

HOME OF THE WEEK

15 West Road, Eastham
Asking $875K
2 🛌
4 🛀
2,342 square feet 
0.48 acre lot

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

THANKS!

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