Rockport
News, meetings, schools and sports from Rockport.
Cape Ann Votes: Your guide to the Nov. 3 election is live
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
Where and when to vote in each town, a Gloucester polling place map, every race on the Cape Ann ballot, the nine statewide questions and who is paying to pass or defeat them, all in one place.
Listen: the Rockport Daily Brief
Monday, October 5 · 3:10
Cape Ann Votes guide launches and Select Board meets. Read by Kerry Jane. How we work More Rockport episodes · Full Cape Ann brief
Latest
Rockport Select Board to weigh Christmas in Rockport plans and a joint lawyer for Comcast talks Tuesday
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
The board also interviews a Finance Committee candidate, takes up the Nov. 3 election warrant, votes on four public works contracts and gets a budget and Town Meeting update.
New: compare property taxes in Gloucester, Rockport, Essex and Manchester on one page
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
Our new property tax page has a bill calculator for all four towns, 10 years of average bills, and state and Census figures that update on their own. Here is what it shows.
The drought eased. Why did Rockport ban outdoor watering?
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
The state's regional rating improved, but Rockport's reservoirs kept falling. How both can be true, what neighbors are doing, what would end the ban and how far saving water goes.
Cape Ann this week: Plein Air turns 10, an Annisquam craft show and open studios next weekend
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
The symphony's storm postponed concert is this afternoon. Then a week of painters at work outdoors, a free castle day for Gloucester residents, jazz in Rockport and two school building meetings in Essex and Manchester.
Town news
Rockport planners start drafting rules for tiny houses
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
Voters' approval of a state 'Seasonal Community' designation in April means the town must allow homes of up to 400 square feet, and year-round housing on smaller lots, within two years.
Gloucester Republican wins Governor's Council ballot spot as a write-in
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
William Falcetano will face incumbent Democrat Eunice Delice Zeigler of Methuen for the 5th District seat on Nov. 3.
Meetings
Gloucester planners take up Sargent Street subdivision Thursday as council panels weigh police grants
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
Also this week: Essex selectmen meet with public works and finance boards, and Essex's school community meetings are set for Oct. 8 and Oct. 13.
Public Safety
Ten days after Rockport fire, no official word on the Broadway building or displaced families
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
The state fire marshal's office has called the Sept. 20 fire that destroyed Rockport House of Pizza accidental, a spokesperson told the Boston Globe.
Our new police log: what's in it, where it comes from and what we're learning
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
Cape Ann's police calls are now searchable in one place, starting with Manchester-by-the-Sea and Rockport. We add more every day as departments send their logs.
License plate readers and Cape Ann: the crime numbers, the unions, the money and the questions to ask
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
Automated license plate readers are spreading across the North Shore, but not on Cape Ann. Here is what local crime data, the research, police unions, Washington and the companies selling the cameras say about whether our towns should have them.
Schools
What's for lunch in October: every Cape Ann school menu, side by side
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
Pizza Fridays in Gloucester and Rockport, fish on Fridays in Manchester and Essex, a new protein bowl at Rockport High, and no lunch listed on two Gloucester half days. All of it is free.
School calendar: committee meetings, an Oct. 7 half day and an Essex Elementary forum
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
Manchester Essex students have a half day Wednesday, Oct. 7, and the Essex School Building Committee holds a community meeting the next night.
Sports
Rockport boys soccer rallies from two goals down to beat Georgetown
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
The Vikings put five goals past the Royals in the second half. Rockport is back to .500 in the Cape Ann League.
Gloucester volleyball swept at Swampscott; Rockport boys soccer falls 1 to 0 at North Reading
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
Gloucester's three match winning streak ended in a league loss. Rockport held North Reading scoreless for a half before the Hornets broke through.
Scoreboard: Rockport visits Manchester Essex in field hockey, Gloucester soccer takes on Marblehead
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
Four varsity games today after a quiet weekend, and Gloucester field hockey hosts Beverly Tuesday in a meeting of the Northeastern Conference's two unbeaten teams.
Scoreboard: Gloucester and Beverly field hockey meet Tuesday in a week of rivalry games
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
No Cape Ann varsity games this weekend after Friday's football. This week brings Rockport and Manchester Essex three times, Beverly at Gloucester and Salem at Newell Stadium.
Weekly roundup: Gloucester field hockey reaches 8 and 0, and football wins on homecoming night
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
Beverly visits the unbeaten Fishermen on Tuesday. Rockport and Manchester Essex meet three times this week, and Gloucester hosts Rockport in a soccer doubleheader Saturday.
Gloucester's Fiona Black and Mia Rodolosi top the area field hockey scoring list, with Hornets close behind
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
Goalie Aleena Brown leads area keepers. Manchester Essex has three players among the leaders, and Rockport's goalie makes the list too.
Unbeaten Gloucester field hockey ranks ninth in Division 3 in the MIAA's latest power rankings
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
Manchester Essex field hockey is 10th in Division 4. Gloucester football sits fourth in Division 5, in rankings counted before Friday's win over Winthrop.
Scoreboard: Gloucester football wins its homecoming game, 28 to 7, and Amesbury beats Manchester Essex
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
The Fishermen are 3 and 1 after beating Winthrop. The Hornets fell to 0 and 4. No varsity games for Cape Ann schools on Saturday, and field hockey's big one is Tuesday.
Winless Manchester Essex hosts Amesbury, the team behind its only league loss last fall
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
The Hornets are 0 and 3 and the Redhawks are 2 and 1. Kickoff is 6:30 p.m. at Hyland Field in a Cape Ann League game.
Amesbury beats Manchester Essex 46 to 8
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
The Hornets fell to 0 and 4 at Hyland Field. They visit Hamilton-Wenham next Friday.
Scoreboard: Gloucester field hockey stays unbeaten at 8 and 0, plus Thursday's results and Friday football
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
The Fishermen beat Danvers 5 to 2 and host Beverly, the NEC's other unbeaten team, on Tuesday. North Reading beat Rockport girls soccer 5 to 1, and both football teams play Friday night.
College roundup: Gordon, Endicott and Salem State
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
Endicott football rolled at homecoming and Gordon volleyball has won seven straight. Local players to watch include a Gloucester defender and a Manchester forward at Salem State.
Scoreboard: Gloucester boys soccer edges Saugus; Hornets football still seeking first win
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
Short takes on the rest of the week's local high school results, Sept. 24 to 30, and what's next.
Manchester Essex field hockey posts another shutout; Rockport ties North Reading
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
The Hornets beat Newburyport 2 to 0 for their second straight shutout. Gloucester field hockey puts its perfect record on the line Thursday against Danvers.
Gloucester field hockey stays perfect as Hornets and Vikings set up a week of rematches
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
The Fishermen are 7 and 0 after three straight shutouts. Football opens league play Friday against Winthrop.
Business
12 Cape Ann Artisans open their studios for 43rd fall tour Oct. 10 and 11
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
The self-guided tour of working studios in Gloucester and Rockport adds two new members this year. The group is taking applications for 2027 through Oct. 31.
Events
Rockport Harvest Fest is Oct. 17, and apple pie bake-off entries are open
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
The free downtown festival runs 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Harvey Park, Barletta Park and Dock Square, with free parking at Blue Gate Meadow and a free shuttle.
Rockport Music's October calendar: Ruthie Foster, Neko Case and Cheyenne Jackson
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
October concerts at the Shalin Liu Performance Center begin Oct. 1.
This weekend on Cape Ann: dahlias, a blessing for pets, three art openings and a cake swap
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
Saturday brings the Boulevard dahlia sale and a Blessing of the Animals in Gloucester and new shows at the Rockport Art Association. Sunday has opera on the big screen, short films and a cake swap in Rockport.
Topsfield Fair today: dock dogs finals, horse pulling and a lumberjack show
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
The fair runs through Monday, Oct. 12. Sunday's program has sheep shows, racing pigs, State Police dogs and music on four stages from 10 a.m. into the evening.
Cape Ann Museum's October: a free day for residents, a Dogtown walk and a Folly Cove printing class
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
The museum is free for Cape Ann residents on Saturday, Oct. 10. Registration is open for a four-week block printing course and a guided walk through historic Dogtown.
This week on Cape Ann: plein air painters, a storm-delayed symphony opener and a Dogtown dog walk
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
Picks for Oct. 1 to 7, including the start of Cape Ann Plein Air's 10th year and Gloucester's Community Safety Day.
DPW and Roads
Cape Ann water rules: Rockport bans outdoor use, Gloucester limits it, Manchester lifts its ban
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
Rockport bans all outdoor water use and Gloucester allows hand watering only, while Manchester has dropped its restrictions and Essex asks only for voluntary conservation.
Harbor and Environment
Sunny and milder Monday, then a gusty, cooler Tuesday with a small craft advisory on the bay
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
A high near 67 today, then 58 Tuesday. A small craft advisory covers Massachusetts Bay and Ipswich Bay from 3 p.m. today to Tuesday morning, and evening high tides run near 9.7 feet.
Mostly sunny Sunday, showers tonight, then a breezy, milder Monday
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
A high near 60 today, a 40% chance of showers this evening and a high near 66 Monday. Northwest winds pick up on the water Monday night, and evening high tides run near 9.7 feet.
Sunny and cool on Cape Ann this weekend, with showers possible Sunday night
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
Highs near 61 Saturday and 59 Sunday under mostly clear skies. A milder Monday follows, and afternoon high tides run close to 10 feet.
Warm Friday with a chance of evening showers, then a crisp, sunny weekend on Cape Ann
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
Highs near 74 Friday give way to the low 60s Saturday and Sunday. Afternoon high tides run near 10 feet.
Warm start to October, then a sunny, cooler weekend on Cape Ann
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
Highs reach the low 70s Thursday and Friday before a chance of showers Friday night. Afternoon high tides run near 10 feet through Saturday.
Cape Ann mostly spared as nor'easter brings 61 mph gust and needed rain
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
Weather service reports show strong gusts off Rockport and Gloucester Saturday night and up to about 2 inches of rain in Manchester, with little damage reported.
Official sources