A new Jewish community center has opened in downtown Plymouth amid the increasing antisemitism that has surfaced nationwide since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel. “Especially with what is going on in Israel, people are looking and wanting to be part of a community,” said Rabbi Levi Lezell, who leads Chabad of the South […]
Author Archives: Fred Thys - Independent Staff
Posted inPolice & Fire
Plymouth Public House, Tavern on the Wharf hit with huge labor law fines
The owners of the Plymouth Public House and Tavern on the Wharf restaurants have been fined nearly half a million dollars for violating state labor laws. Peter Lucido and Paul Tupa have been ordered pay a total of $476,351 in civil penalties and in restitution for violating child labor, sick time, wage and hour compensation, […]
Posted inGovernment
‘She’s not supposed to be here’
In October, the Planning Board suspended member Birgitta Kuehn from being its representative on the Community Preservation Committee. Nonetheless, Kuehn showed up at Thursday night’s meeting to take a seat at the board’s table. Her presence set off fireworks. Kuehn was determined to defend what she says is her right to serve on the committee. […]
Posted inGovernment
By a narrow margin, voters reject ban on nip sales
Plymouth residents who prefer drinking their alcohol by the nip will not have to drive to neighboring towns to buy one after voters narrowly overturned a ban on the tiny containers that was approved by Town Meeting in October. After a long and often heated campaign by opponents and proponents of a prohibition on the […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Group seeks to stop Holtec from evaporating Pilgrim plant’s radioactive water into the air
A group concerned about the decommissioning of the Pilgrim nuclear power plant has asked the state to prevent Holtec, the company charged with securing the Manomet site, from releasing radioactive water vapor into the air. The appeal comes as questions about how the decommissioning will proceed remain unanswered. A lot depends on decisions from the […]
Posted inGovernment
Nip ban opponents outspending supporters by a wide margin
All those “no” signs sprouting up on lawns all over Plymouth were paid for by a fundraising campaign that has brought in five times the amount of money raised by supporters of a prohibition on alcoholic beverage nips. Plymouth voters will decide on Saturday, Jan. 13, whether to uphold the ban, which was passed by […]
Posted inGovernment
Nonprofits distance themselves from liquor store ad urging nip ban rejection
Peter Balboni, owner of Pioppi’s Liquors, is facing pushback from some nonprofit organizations he has supported after he took out an advertisement in the Old Colony Memorial newspaper urging them to return the favor by backing his efforts to overturn Plymouth’s nip ban. Some of the groups listed said that their policies prevent them from […]
Posted inGovernment
As nip ban vote nears, it’s litter reduction versus convenient consumption
It’s a typical day for Paul Tosi – he’s picking up discarded plastic nips, this time along Court Street. Tosi, a runner for years, had often seen the tiny plastic liquor bottles – 100 ml or less – along the side of roads on his route, but he didn’t give them much thought. Then on […]
Posted inBusiness
Free parking on Main and Court streets might expire
Finding a coveted parking spot on Main and Court streets downtown depends on the time of day and season. Midday on a Monday or Tuesday in December is easy. Saturday after 5 p.m. can be tougher as restaurants and bars fill up. Summer can be even more of challenge. Sure, there are public lots and […]
Posted inGovernment
Contentious Planning Board meeting marked by charges of racism, disrespectful behavior
Wednesday’s marathon Plymouth Planning Board meeting was marked by an apology, a call for punishment, and a fair amount of confusion. Following a four-hour session, the board allowed member Birgitta Kuehn – an outspoken critic of development – to remain as its representative on the Community Preservation Committee. But Kuehn can’t actually serve on that […]