On March 9, 1774, a tornado or waterspout moved ashore in Nantucket Harbor and destroyed a lighthouse along with several barns and shops. The US National Weather Service Boston has shared the following recount.
Nantucket
Posted inNews, Weather
Strong winds and waves batter Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard as Hurricane Erin moves out to the sea
By ALLEN G. BREED and JOHN SEEWER Associated Press RODANTHE, N.C. (AP) — Strong winds and waves battered Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard and dangerous rip currents threatened from the Carolinas to New England as Hurricane Erin made its way farther out to sea. The storm was forecast to cause possible coastal flooding into the weekend along the East Coast […]
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Wind turbine maker to pay settlement after blade broke apart and washed up on Nantucket beaches
NANTUCKET, Mass. (AP) — The maker of a massive wind turbine blade that broke apart off Nantucket Island and washed up on beaches for months has agreed to a $10.5 million settlement to pay local businesses for their economic losses, officials said Friday. Fiberglass fragments of the blade began washing ashore last summer during the peak of […]
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A stormy season for short-term rentals on Nantucket
by Jennifer Smith, CommonWealth Beacon July 9, 2025 THE FATE short-term rentals on the small, wealthy island of Nantucket is, for now, treading water. For an island that booms from around 14,000 to over 80,000 residents between the off-season and the so-called “high season,” vacation rentals are an existential issue. Though the rentals are essential […]
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ICE raid in Nantucket sees 12 removed by Coast Guard boat
At least 12 people were detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Nantucket on Tuesday, May 27, according to local news. Footage from the Nantucket Current shows several handcuffed people on board a US Coast Guard boat departing the island on Tuesday afternoon. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reposted the video, using it […]
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Nantucket plans public webinar on Vineyard Wind turbine failure
The Town of Nantucket and federal officials are set to hold a public information session to address questions about a wind turbine blade failure that happened last summer. The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement and the Nantucket Select Board will host a Zoom webinar on Feb. 3, 2025, at 5 p.m. to discuss the […]
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3 fishermen plucked from Atlantic waters off Nantucket by Coast Guard helicopter crew
BOSTON (AP) — Three fishermen who were not wearing life jackets were plucked alive from ocean waters by the Coast Guard five miles east of Nantucket off the Cape Cod coast Saturday afternoon. At about 12:48 p.m. the First Coast Guard District command center received an alert from an emergency radio beacon registered to the […]
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Judge rejects lawsuit by Nantucket residents to block wind turbines, protect right whales
By STEVE LeBLANC Associated Press BOSTON (AP) — A federal judge has rejected a lawsuit brought by Nantucket residents who argued that the planned construction of dozens of wind turbines off the affluent resort island threatens the survival of endangered Northern Atlantic right whales. Nantucket Residents Against Turbines said Vineyard Wind’s proposed project of some […]
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Nantucket carpenter wins $1 million prize on instant ticket game, plans to build house
Kevin Purcell of Nantucket has won a $1 million prize in the Massachusetts State Lottery’s “$5,000,000 100X Cashword” instant ticket game. According to Massachusetts Lottery, Purcell chose the cash option on his prize and received a one-time payment of $650,000 (before taxes). A carpenter, Purcell tells Massachusetts Lottery that he plans to put his winnings toward […]
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Nantucket schools targeted by ransomware attack
NANTUCKET, Mass. (AP) — Public schools on the Massachusetts island of Nantucket remained closed on Wednesday a day after a ransomware attack targeted the district’s computer system and prompted officials to send students home early. “Together with outside data security experts, our Information Technology Department has been working very hard all day to restore our […]
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Ocean Effect snowstorm to impact parts of Cape Cod, Islands, and coastal RI Saturday afternoon into Sunday
A rare ocean effect snow storm is expected to dump several inches of snow over Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, and Block Island Saturday afternoon into Sunday morning. The storm may also impact the southern Rhode Island coast with some light snow, where less than an inch is expected. Read the text of the National Weather Service […]
Posted inWeather
Coastal Flood Watch issued for parts of Massachusetts and Rhode Island
A Coastal Flood Watch has been issued for parts of eastern, northeastern, and southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island from late Thursday night through Friday afternoon. According to the National Weather Service, one to two feet of inundation above ground level is possible in low-lying areas near shorelines and tidal waterways, with the potential for pockets […]
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Nantucket’s topless beaches bylaw approved by state
NANTUCKET, Mass. (AP) — A bylaw that allows anyone, regardless of gender, to go topless on Nantucket’s beaches has been approved by the Massachusetts attorney general’s office. The Gender Equality on Beaches bylaw amendment passed 327-242 at the resort island’s town meeting in May, but the attorney general’s office had to review the measure to ensure that […]
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Fire rips through historic, 17th-century inn on Nantucket
NANTUCKET, Mass. (AP) — A fire ripped through a historic landmark on Nantucket Saturday morning, leaving the centuries-old structure heavily damaged. Firefighters battled the blaze that tore through the Veranda House inn, which dates back to the late 17th century. The inn is located in downtown Nantucket. Multiple firefighters from around the Cape Cod area […]
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Sea Tow Cape and Islands now operating from Nantucket
Sea Tow Cape and Islands today announced that it is now operating out of Nantucket. With crews residing directly on the island, this added port will provide even better response times while increasing peace of mind for Sea Tow members, according to Sea Tow. “In New England, there is a very real limitation for available marine technicians […]
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Counties with highest COVID-19 infection rates in Massachusetts
Real Window Creative // Shutterstock Counties with highest COVID-19 infection rates in Massachusetts The vaccine deployment in December 2020 signaled a turning point in the COVID-19 pandemic. By the end of May 2021, 40% of the U.S. population was fully vaccinated. But as vaccination rates lagged over the summer, new surges of COVID-19 came, including […]
Posted inWeather
Weather: Dense Fog Advisory in effect until 8 am on Friday
The National Weather Service has issued a Dense Fog Advisory for Newport County, Rhode Island, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, and additional portions of Massachusetts. The Dense Fog Advisory is in effect until 8 am on Friday, May 13. MAZ005>007-013>024-RIZ005-007-131200-/O.NEW.KBOX.FG.Y.0012.220513T0000Z-220513T1200Z/Central Middlesex MA-Western Essex MA-Eastern Essex MA-Western Norfolk MA-Southeast Middlesex MA-Suffolk MA-Eastern Norfolk MA-Northern Bristol MA-Western Plymouth MA-Eastern […]
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MIT researchers propose fighting Lyme on Nantucket with mice
NANTUCKET, Mass. (AP) — Scientists at MIT are proposing releasing hordes of genetically altered mice on the posh vacation destination of Nantucket to combat the growing scourge of Lyme disease. Researchers with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Media Lab’s Mice Against Ticks project explained their plan to residents of the island off Cape Cod at a recent […]
Posted inColumns
Gerry Goldstein: What’s in a name? Sometimes, vitriol
The next several days promise to be bad ones for a former American president who uncharacteristically may be left at a loss for words. Chances are, though, he’ll ignore an upcoming observance that our country – still awash in insults – needs as never before. Hold onto your hat (or actually, your tongue), Mr. ex-president, […]
Posted inStyle & Shop, Things To Do
47th Annual Christmas Stroll returns to Nantucket this weekend
The Nantucket Island Chamber of Commerce will host its 47th Annual Christmas Stroll Weekend this weekend Friday, December 3 through Sunday, December 5, 2021. Christmas Stroll Weekend features a visit by Santa Claus, Santa’s Village Marketplace, live entertainment, craft shows, tours, local specials. and much more. See a full schedule of Nantucket Island Chamber of Commerce […]
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Sour Grapes by Tim Jones: Honesty
Here’s this week’s Sour Grapes, enjoy! About Tim Jones / Sour Grapes Tim Jones is the creator, artist and writer of the widely popular, self-syndicated comic strip, “SOUR GRAPES”; a comic about “Aesop”, a miserable flying dog and his odd friends, all living in a problematic and troubled world. Sour Grapes is currently published in […]
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Photos: ‘Hocus Pocus 2’ filming location in Newport
Washington Square and Eisenhower Park have been transformed into Salem, Massachusetts for the filming of the Hocus Pocus sequel, Black Flame (a.k.a. Hocus Pocus 2). Up until now, crews have been busy building the Sanderson Sisters’ home and setting up the scent for the 27th Annual Salem Scare Fest. Filming is rumored to take place […]
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Gerry Goldstein: Horse sense from a cowboy philosopher
A look around our country these days, where divisive politics and the howling of cultists grab many of the headlines, should have us all looking forward with anticipation to a much-needed November holiday – and I’m not talking about Thanksgiving. Created in 2015 by author-blogger and educator Bud Bilanich, Nov. 4 is “Use Your Common […]
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New England Aquarium aerial surveys show 15 North Atlantic right whales south of Nantucket
As North Atlantic right whales travel south from Canadian waters, the New England Aquarium aerial survey team recently captured stunning photos of more than a dozen whales in southern New England. A group of male right whales surfacing together between feeding dives. CREDIT: New England Aquarium, taken under NMFS Permit #19674 Right whales have been […]
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MVYRADIO awards first ‘Business Diversity Initiative’ grants
MVYRADIO announced this week that it has awarded the first round of quarterly ‘Business Diversity Initiative’ grants.This first round of grantees includes Tap Tastings, Al Fresco Tails Pet Sittings, and The Monarch Studio. Tap Tastings Craft Brew Excursions & More: A woman, veteran and LGBTQIA+ owned business, offering private excursions to local (Cape Cod area) […]