Navy Research Ship for Woods Hole Nears Completion

Named for the first man to set foot on the moon, the R/V Neil Armstrong will be operated by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution after it is launched later this year.

Flags Ordered to Half-Staff Saturday

Governor Deval Patrick's order to lower the flags from sunrise to sunset honors decorated Army specialist Ryan A. Goldie, 28, a Wareham native who died of non-combat causes in December.

Falmouth Sues Itself Again in Wind Turbine Conflict

The town has filed a second lawsuit against its own Zoning Board of Appeals for siding with wind turbine neighbors who say their health is being harmed, the Cape Cod Times reports.

Obamacare Regulations Cripple State’s Health Connector

The state’s website needed to make changes to comply with the new federal Affordable Care Act.

Billions Are Being Wasted in the Massachusetts Health Care System

There isn’t a link between high-spending hospitals and high quality.

Massachusetts Launches New Electronic Medical Records System

Health care leaders say electric medical records can help improve care while lowering costs.

Flu Cases on the Rise in Massachusetts

Health officials say the virus is now widespread throughout the state.

For Sale: Nobska Lighthouse

Woods Hole's iconic Nobska Lighthouse could be in new hands within a year, the Falmouth Enterprise reports.

How Do You Rate Falmouth's Plowing?

Feel free to give praise or thanks, express frustrations or offer up constructive criticism in the comments below.

Town: Falmouth Library Open Friday; Drivers Cautioned

Emergency contacts, shelter information and more from the town of Falmouth. For updates throughout the day on Falmouth weather, closings and cancellations, bookmark the Falmouth Patch Storm Center page.

Blizzard Warning Issued for Barnstable County

We could see more than a foot of snow and driving may become impossible overnight as driving winds and heavy snow create white-out conditions with dangerously low temperatures, warns the National Weather Service.

Winter Storm Watch: Cape, Islands Could See 'Blizzard Conditions'

Heavy snow, hazardous wind chills and possibly blizzard conditions could be coming our way, according to the National Weather Service, which is tracking the first storm of 2014. We'll keep you posted in our Falmouth Storm Center.

Flu is Widespread in Massachusetts

State health officials are asking people to get flu shots.

Tick Bites Can Kill You, Health Officials Say

Deer ticks, already known to carry debilitating Lyme disease and other illnesses, may also be infecting humans with the potentially deadly Powassan virus, the Boston Globe reports. What's worse, Powassan may infect us more swiftly than Lyme.

State to Private Employers: Send Your Workers Home Early Tuesday

The Secretary of State asks private businesses to send their employees home before 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Vegas Kingpin Seeks Changes to Massachusetts Casino Law

Steve Wynn aims to build a $1.3 billion casino in Everett.

Judge Orders Falmouth Turbine Hours Cut Back

For the second time this month, a judge has sided with Falmouth wind turbine neighbors. The turbines have been ordered cut back to 12 hours of operation, Monday through Saturday, and idled Sundays, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's.

Falmouth SSA Boardmember Quits After Public "Contention" Over Terminal Plans

After a public meeting in Woods Hole turned acrimonious, the town of Falmouth's longtime appointed representative to the Steamship Authority's board of governors has stepped down. Now what?

Massachusetts Getting $34 Million in JP Morgan Settlement

Money will pay fines, attorney fees, homeowners “hurt by questionable mortgages” and the Pension Reserves Investment Management Board.

Massachusetts Senate Passes Minimum Wage Increase

Bill now moves to the House of Representatives for debate.

Mass. Seeks Input on Wind Turbine Locations

The state of Massachusetts has opened an investigation into best practices for wind turbine siting, and the deadline for public comments is approaching.

Falmouth Voters OK $7 Million in Spending

The two-day town meeting tackled 45 articles.

Falmouth Town Meeting Continues Wednesday

Town meeting resumes at 7 p.m. at Lawrence School. Still to come are a number of municipal and community preservation funding articles and several petitions, including one asking selectmen to operate the town wind turbines "full-time."

Casino on Martha's Vineyard? Wampanoag Tribe Says It Has Federal OK

The Wampanoag Tribe of Aquinnah announced Tuesday that it will move ahead with plans for a temporary casino on Martha's Vineyard until a permanent one can be constructed.

What Child Care Costs Mean for You and Your Family

Salaries, Contracts, Playgrounds, Turbines: 45 Falmouth Annual Town Meeting Warrant Articles, Nov. 12, 2013

What's on the annual town meeting warrant for Falmouth? Here are all 45 articles voters will decide on Tuesday evening.

Three Ways the Shutdown Hurt the Economy

A recent report from Washington lays out damage done by last month’s government shutdown.

Could Marijuana Be Legalized in Massachusetts by 2016?

Group hoping for referendum to go before voters in next presidential election.

MA Residents Frustrated Trying to Sign Up for Health Plans Under Obamacare

Boston Herald report finds frustrated applicants due to computer glitches

Jury Duty? Respond Online at Mass. Juror Service Website

Once you receive your summons for jury duty, you can follow up on the state’s juror service website.

NOAA Drops Paper Charts for Mariners

In April, the federal government agency in charge of our fisheries and seas will stop publishing the large buff-colored navigational charts with which generations of mariners have plotted their courses. Will you miss them?

Falmouth Turbine Foes Fall Short at Health Board Meeting

Despite the urging of wind turbine neighbors and other opponents, the Falmouth Board of Health voted unanimously not to order the town to change the hours the turbines are operating, the Cape Cod Times reports.

Turbines vs. Sleep? Health Board to Discuss

Friends and foes of the Falmouth wind turbines have been battling for public opinion on Patch as the town Board of Health discusses potential health effects from loss of sleep among turbine neighbors. Here's a round-up of recent posts and comments.

FAA Allows Most Electronic Devices Throughout Flights

Cape Rail Service to Return in 2014

The CapeFLYER will provide weekend rail service from Boston to Hyannis, Memorial Day through Columbus Day and the state department of transportation will study the feasibility of year-round weekend service, Gov. Patrick announced Tuesday.

New State Survey Lets Drivers Sound Off

Tell the Department of Transportation what you think about their efforts.

IRS Tax Season Delayed by Federal Shutdown

The 16-day closure of the federal government will delay the start of filing season by up to two weeks. But the April 15 tax deadline is set by statute and will remain in place.

How Dry Has it Been This October?

Now that the federal shutdown has ended, the U.S. National Weather Service in Boston is again posting frequent weather and climate updates on Facebook.

Falmouth Wind Turbine Neighbors Must Wait for Health Board Discussion

The postponement came on the same day the national "Good Morning America" television show aired a brief segment about Falmouth residents who say they suffer from ill health effects caused by the turbines.

Senate Approved Bill Includes Funds for Low Income Heating Assistance

Bill includes $20 million for heating assistance to address delays in funding following the federal government shutdown.