Welcome to Osterville Cape Cod 
Osterville - Cape CodZip Code - 02655 |
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SKYFIELD BY THE SEA BED & BREAKFAST
Greetings from Skyfield by the Sea, In Cotuit, The Most Beautiful Village on Cape Cod. Come share with us the beautiful surroundings of Skyfield by the Sea Miniature Horse Farm, B&B, and Artisans Studio.
A lovely century-old home just minutes from Cape beaches and bays, only ten minutes from Hyannis or Falmouth.
A quarter mile south of Route 28, Skyfield by The Sea is off the beaten track but close to the best Cape Cod has to offer. Just five minutes from Mashpee Commons and half way between Hyannis and Falmouth, ten minutes each.
151 Main Street, Cotuit, MA
phone: 508-420-2343
map / details
| Falmouth Teen Arrested for Alleged School Shooting Threats, Held Without Bail Friday September 12, 2025 |
| ABOVE: Ian Fotheringham's Falmouth PD booking photo
HN NOTE: The following is based on a media statement from the DA's office.
FALMOUTH, MASSACHUSETTS ? An 18-year-old Falmouth resident, Ian Fotheringham, was arraigned on Friday, September 12, 2025, in Barnstable District Court on charges of threatening to use a deadly weapon in a public building. The arrest follows an investigation by the Falmouth Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Cape & Islands District Attorney's Office, prompted by allegations that Fotheringham was planning a school shooting.
In August 2025, Falmouth Police received information alleging that Fotheringham had expressed intentions to ?shoot up a school? and was refurbishing firearms in his room. Although a consensual search of his residence at the time found no illegal firearms, concerns escalated in early September when school safety monitors in the Falmouth School District reported a suspicious male, later identified as Fotheringham, walking in the woods behind a school. The monitors suspected he was ?casing? the premises.
Further investigation uncovered photos of the Columbine High School shooting on Fotheringham's phone. A subsequent search of his home, conducted under a warrant, led to the discovery of a large 3D printer capable of producing a firearm.
On Thursday, September 11, 2025, at approximately 12:30 p.m., Fotheringham was taken into custody by state and local police and transported to the Falmouth Police Department. Following his arraignment, the court detained him without bail pending a hearing on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, to determine if he poses a danger to the community.
Cape & Islands District Attorney Robert J. Galibois praised the collaborative efforts of local and state law enforcement, crediting their swift response for preventing a potential tragedy. The investigation remains ongoing, and District Attorney Galibois emphasizes that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
FILE IMAGES:
ABOVE: HN file images? examples of homemade, 3D-printed firearms? posted for educational purposes, courtesy of Wikipedia? NOTE: NO illegal firearms were found? however, as mentioned, a ?large 3D printer capable of producing a firearm? was discovered.
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| FORMER BOSTON BRUIN, BARNSTABLE HIGH SCHOOL HALL OF FAMER ARRESTED FOR ENTICING MINOR CHILD FOR PAID SEX, COPS SAY [HN VIDEO] Friday September 12, 2025 |
| BARNSTABLE, MASSACHUSETTS ? Eric Nickulas, 50, of West Barnstable, was arraigned today in Barnstable District Court for ?Enticement of Child Under 18 by Electronic Communication,? according to court documents. More specifically, Nickulas, allegedly by ?electronic communication, knowingly enticed a child under the age of 18 to engage in Prostitution (and/or Commercial sexual activity ? a felony). Nickulas is known for his professional hockey career, having played for the Boston Bruins, St. Lois Blues, and Chicago Blackhawks between 1999 and 2006, according to ESPN. Nickulas, born in Hyannis, also played ice hockey for Barnstable High School in the early 1990s, and was inducted into the BHS Athletic Hall of Fame in 2014, according to online sources.
The following are excerpts from the actual report submitted by Detective Erik McNeice of the Barnstable Police Department:
On Thursday, September 11, 2025, I Detective Erik McNeice was on duty [?] At about 1A.M., I posted an online advertisement on [redacted] using an undercover law enforcement account. This account was previously setup with the assistance and knowledge of [redacted]. [Redacted] is an online classified advertising site that is known primarily for adult / escort advertisements.
The fictitious online profile I created was to appear to offer sexual encounters with an adult female, however, during text message conversations, the persons age was communicated as 16 years old. These ads are designed to target individuals seeking to pay for sex with minors. When the suspects respond the advertisements and the age is disclosed, meetings are arranged by undercover officers posing as the minor. This strategy allows law enforcement to identify and arrest offenders while preventing the exploitation of actual children. It should be noted that I have conducted numerous similar online investigations resulting in several arrests in Plymouth County, MA and was formerly assigned as a Human Trafficking Investigator while employed with the Lakeville, MA Police Department.
At about 12:25 P.M., I received a text message on my Text Now phone number [redacted] which is attached to my department issued cell phone. This text came from [redacted]. All communications related to the incident took place between this number and my Text Now number. The person texting from this number would later be identified as Eric D. Nickulas [redacted]. Using a law enforcement database, I determined that [redacted] was an AT&T cellular phone attached to a company [?] which would be determined to be Nickulas's employer.
[?]
Nickulas inquired about [availability] for an ?in-call,? which I know through my training and experience means to meetup at the poster's location, such as a hotel room, house, or apartment. I sent a text message saying I was under 18 years old and wanted to be straight with him. I said if that was a problem to let me know. Immediately following this text, Nickulas asked for a photo and asked my age. I responded saying I was 16 and sent a photo of an actual photo of myself that had been digitally altered by artificial intelligence (AI) to make me look like a female. This photo was generated using Face App, which is a photo editing application that uses AI to transform photos. It is known for its ability to make people look older or younger, as well as change gender appearances. I have used this same photo in previous investigations. The profile photo used in the initial [?] ad was the same photo with an emoji pasted over the face. [?]
Nickulas responded saying I was beautiful and asked to send the meeting location. When asked what he was looking for, he replied, ?I'm looking for some fun FS?. I know through my training and experience that FS means ?full service?. I know full service typically means sexual intercourse along with oral sex with regards to commercial sex activity. I responded saying it would be $150 for a full hour which he said was perfect. I asked if he wanted just oral or FS and asked if he had a condom. He replied, ?FS!?, asking if I had a place for an in call. I told him I was at an apartment complex and asked if he had cash and again inquired about a condom. He replied that he had cash and asked if he needed to get a condom and I told him yes. He asked if oral was not covered, which means without a condom with regard to commercial sex activity.
Nickulas asked for the address to meet and was provided with [redacted] [HN note: the address was for an apartment complex in Hyannis]. I told him my name was Jess and he told me his name was ?Nick?. Initially we planned to meet at 2:00 P.M. but the time was changed to 2:30 P.M. to coordinate with other detectives. At about 2:00 P.M., Nickulas texted, ?Jess can I lick that . A peach emoji, with regards to commercial online sexual activity, typically means vagina. I told him to park towards the front of the building when he arrived and to call me.
[?] At about 2:25 P.M., detectives observed Nickulas pull into the [redacted] apartment complex his 2025 Nissan Armada [?] After he backed into a parking space, Nickulas was approached by several detectives and taken into custody without incident [?]
I advised Nickulas that he was being charged with Enticement of a Child Under 18 by Electronic Communication and read him his Miranda rights. On his person, an unopened box of 3 Trojan condoms [?] were located and seized as evidence, along with $266.00 cash [?] I completed a motor vehicle inventory of his vehicle prior to it being towed. Nickulas was transported to the Barnstable Police Department by Officer Brandon Sanders. Nickulas's iPhone was also seized and later secured in the forensic lab [?] Screen shots (photos) of the text message conversation were taken and will be retained as evidence.
At about 3:07 P.M., following the booking process, I again read Nickulas his Miranda rights from a departmental Miranda form. He stated he understood his rights. After I read the Miranda waiver, he agreed to waive his rights and signed the waiver, which was witnessed by Det. Sgt. Ruggieri. This interview was recorded both on body camera and the interview room video recorder. Nickulas admitted that he knew what he did was wrong and had a bad feeling about it. He stated that he had gone to an ATM to get cash [? and] admitted to going to a convenience store on Willow St. in Yarmouth to purchase the condoms prior to meeting. Nickulas also signed a consent to search digital devices form, authorizing an examination and analysis of his cell phone, also providing the passcode. This form was read to him and provided for his review. Det. Sgt. Ruggeri and I also signed the form.
Based on the aforementioned facts and circumstances, I believe probable cause exists to charge Nickulas with the following offense:
MGL c. 265/26D ? Enticement of Child Under 18 by Electronic Communications, because:
a. Nickulas, by electronic communication, knowingly enticed a child under the age of 18 to engage in Prostitution (MGL c. 272/50 or 53A and/or Commercial sexual activity (MGL c. 265/49).
Supplemental report(s) will be submitted following the extraction of Nickulas's cell phone.
Respectfully submitted,
Detective Erik McNeice #352
* HN reminder: all defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The following Hyannis News video highlights today's arraignment of Nickulas in Barnstable District Court. The sound system and spoken audio inside the courtroom are difficult hear. Nickulas is scheduled back in Barnstable District Court on the 17th of this month for a pretrial hearing.
[HN VIDEO ? PRESS PLAY]
P.S. ? Today's Hytown Vignette is a brought to you by the Charles Pillow Large Ensemble?
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| Man acquitted for confrontation in Hyannis caught on film Friday September 12, 2025 |
| BARNSTABLE ? A Barnstable Superior Court jury has found John Shea of Hyannis not guilty of charges including threatening to commit a crime, assault and battery to intimidate, a civil rights violation with injury, and witness/juror/police official intimidation. The charges stemmed from a high-profile incident on May 31st, 2023. During a confrontation at the Embargo [?]
The post Man acquitted for confrontation in Hyannis caught on film appeared first on CapeCod.com. |
| Marstons Mills Man Arrested on Child Pornography Charges Following CyberTip Investigation Friday September 12, 2025 |
| MARSTONS MILLS, MASSACHUSETTS ? According to a Barnstable Police media statement, on September 4, 2025, a 39-year-old Marstons Mills resident, Dane Hitchins, was arrested on charges of possession of child pornography following a coordinated investigation by the Barnstable Police Department, the United States Secret Service Cyber Fraud Task Force, and the Barnstable Police K-9 Unit. The arrest stemmed from a search warrant executed at Hitchins's residence, prompted by a CyberTip received by the Massachusetts State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
The CyberTip alleged that a device at Hitchins's home was uploading child sexual abuse material to an online server. During the on-scene investigation, authorities discovered at least one digital device containing child sexual abuse material, including an image referenced in the original tip. Several digital devices were seized and are currently under examination as the investigation continues.
Hitchins was arrested at the scene and booked at the Barnstable Police Department on a single count of possession of child pornography. He was arraigned at Barnstable District Court on September 5, 2025, with a probable cause hearing scheduled for October 6, 2025. The case is being prosecuted by the Cape & Islands District Attorney's Office.
This arrest highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat the spread of child sexual abuse material, with collaboration across local, state, and federal agencies proving critical in addressing such crimes. The investigation remains active as authorities continue to analyze the seized devices for additional evidence.
P.S. ? Today's Hytown Vignette is brought to you by Denis Solee?
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| 39-year-old Marstons Mills man arrested on child pornography charges Thursday September 11, 2025 |
| MARSTONS MILLS ? From Barnstable Police: On September 4, 2025 Barnstable Police Detectives, with the assistance of the United States Secret Service Cyber Fraud Task Force and the Barnstable Police K-9 Unit, executed a search warrant at a residence located in Marstons Mills, MA. As a result of the search warrant and on scene investigation, [?]
The post 39-year-old Marstons Mills man arrested on child pornography charges appeared first on CapeCod.com. |
| Cape and Islands faces by worsening drought Wednesday September 10, 2025 |
| BARNSTABLE ? Drought continues for the Cape and Islands, with some communities seeing even drier conditions despite recent rains. The State's Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) office says Cape Cod remains under a Level-2 Significant Drought, while Nantucket has worsened to Level-2. Martha's Vineyard is still in normal conditions. Groundwater levels on Cape Cod and [?]
The post Cape and Islands faces by worsening drought appeared first on CapeCod.com. |
| Open house exploring Barnstable County ins and outs Wednesday Wednesday September 10, 2025 |
| BARNSTABLE ? Barnstable County will hold an open house Wednesday to give residents an opportunity to learn the ins and outs of the regional government's services. From 11 am to 3 pm, residents visiting the County Complex will be able to experience a health fair showcasing health services and interactive activities, guest speakers like Tales [?]
The post Open house exploring Barnstable County ins and outs Wednesday appeared first on CapeCod.com. |
| 2025 Barnstable Adult Community Safety Day Event Promo Video Tuesday September 09, 2025 |
| 2025 Barnstable Adult Community Safety Day Event Promo Video |
| NEW JERSEY PREDATOR SENTENCED TO 12-14 YEARS FOR AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ASSAULT OF HYANNIS CHILD Tuesday September 09, 2025 |
| Cape & Islands DA Secures Conviction After Extensive Police Investigation Uncovers Damning Evidence Against Cheldon Clare
BARNSTABLE, MASSACHUSETTS ? On Monday in Barnstable Superior Court ? September 8, 2025 ? Cheldon Clare, a 46-year-old man from Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, was sentenced to 12-14 years in state prison for the aggravated rape of a 14-year-old girl, according to a media statement from the office of Cape & Islands District Attorney Robert J. Galibois. The conviction, the result of a coordinated investigation by the Barnstable Police Department and Bergen County law enforcement, marks a significant victory in the fight against sexual predators.
The case began on September 6, 2021, when the fourteen-year-old victim and her mother bravely reported the assault to Barnstable Police. The girl disclosed that Clare, a family member, had driven from New Jersey to her home in Hyannis on August 27, 2021, where he sexually assaulted her in his vehicle. What emerged during the investigation was a chilling pattern of predation: Clare had spent a month grooming the victim, manipulating her trust before committing the assault.
Barnstable Police Detective Andrew Johnson led the investigation, uncovering critical evidence that sealed Clare's fate. Phone records revealed the extent of Clare's grooming, showing a calculated effort to exploit the young girl. Investigators also confirmed that Clare's phone was at the victim's home on the day of the assault, corroborating her account. Perhaps most damning, forensic analysis identified Clare's DNA on the victim's pants.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Dana Hatchell and Victoria Piacentini, with Victim Witness Assistants Deb McCoy and Caitlin Carroll working with the young survivor throughout the process. After a six-day trial, a Barnstable Superior Court jury deliberated for just 2.5 hours before finding Clare guilty of aggravated rape of a child and two counts of indecent assault and battery on a person 14 or older.
The court sentenced the defendant to 12 to 14 years in state prison on a rape charge, 2 ½ to 3 ½ years to run concurrent on one count of indecent assault and battery and 5 years' probation from and after the committed sentence on the other indecent assault and battery charge. Clare will be required to register a sex offender.
Cape & Islands District Attorney Robert J. Galibois praised the courage of the young victim, whose bravery in coming forward was instrumental in securing the conviction.
?My office will continue to stand with survivors and work alongside our law enforcement partners to hold offenders accountable,? Galibois said in a media statement, while also praising the commitment of law enforcement officers to secure evidence in the pursuit of justice.
* NOTE: HN is working on obtaining the latest booking photo of Cheldon Clare? and will post it here if it becomes available.
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| D.A.: Extensive and coordinated investigation leads to a sexual assault conviction of a male predator from New Jersey who groomed a 14-year-old girl Tuesday September 09, 2025 |
| HYANNIS ? From the Cape & Islands District Attorney's office: Cape & Islands District Attorney Robert J. Galibois announced Tuesday that on September 8, 2025, Cheldon Clare, 46 years old, of Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, was sentenced in the Barnstable Superior Court to 12-14 years on sexual assault charges. On September 6, 2021, a fourteen-year-old [?]
The post D.A.: Extensive and coordinated investigation leads to a sexual assault conviction of a male predator from New Jersey who groomed a 14-year-old girl appeared first on CapeCod.com. |
Next Barnstable Cape News Update at 13:30 PM EST
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