Xiarhos: Memorials not enough to support police

May 20, 2026

I am honored to have an op-ed published in today’s Boston Herald. Sadly, the subject is the tragic deaths of so many members of law enforcement and other heroic first responders here in Massachusetts.

These brave men and women perform jobs that are dangerous by nature, but their service becomes even more dangerous when violent criminals are allowed to roam our streets with impunity.

It is time for the Legislature to act on proposals that hold dangerous offenders accountable and help protect not only our police officers and first responders, but the public as well.

The victims of crime are not anonymous. They are sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, friends, and neighbors — real people taken from us far too soon.

Fixing the failures that contribute to these tragedies is a choice. We must choose to act. We cannot allow more lives to be lost on our watch.

Read Steve’s Op-ed Here

The Pledge

January 22, 2026

I was especially honored to represent my son, Nicholas, and stand shoulder to shoulder with Massachusetts Gold Star Families as we led the Pledge of Allegiance tonight at the State of the State address in the People’s House. A moment I will carry with me forever. May God Bless America, our Commonwealth, and our fallen heroes.

Happy Thankful Thursday

January 22, 2026

I am filled with gratitude for Habitat for Humanity of Cape Cod and the incredible work they do making dreams come true for people right here in our community.

This is also a joyful follow-up to the story of my wonderful friend Lisa. I first met Lisa two years ago when she was working full-time on Cape Cod, born and raised here, yet without a home of her own. At the time, she was living in a tent in the state forest in Sandwich. She asked me to come and visit, and that visit began a friendship that has lasted through the years.

Lisa’s strength, kindness, and perseverance deeply inspired me. Her story is one of the reasons I chose to join Executive Director Wendy Cullinan and serve on the board of directors for Habitat for Humanity of Cape Cod. I saw firsthand how working people can fall through the cracks—and how compassion, community, and commitment can change lives.

I am beyond happy to share that yesterday Lisa and her friend signed the papers for their brand new home in Wellfleet. They moved in, and this morning Lisa sent me a photo of her very first cup of tea in her new home. From living in a tent in the woods to sitting at her own table in a safe, beautiful, energy-efficient home that she and her housemate will enjoy for the rest of their lives.

This is what Habitat for Humanity does. This is what happens when donors, sponsors, volunteers, and believers in people come together to lift someone up.

Happy Thankful Thursday, Lisa—and happy Thankful Thursday to everyone who makes stories like this possible.

God bless!

Wind Turbine Failure in Bourne / Plymouth Area

November 8, 2025

State Representative Steve Xiarhos (R – 5th Barnstable) has issued the following statement:

While I was in Boston yesterday, I was informed of a serious incident involving one of the wind turbines on the town line between Bourne and Plymouth near Head of the Bay Road.

According to Plymouth Fire Chief Neil Foley, a neighbor called in the early afternoon after noticing one of the three blades on the 300 foot turbine was missing. Firefighters found the detached blade, about 75 to 100 feet long, several hundred feet away in a cranberry bog. Thankfully no one was hurt and the turbine shut itself down as designed.

We were fortunate this happened in an open area and not near homes, but it raises real concerns for nearby families and the environment. These turbines sit close to working cranberry bogs and wetlands. If a blade filled with contaminants breaks loose, it can affect water quality, farmland, and wildlife. Offshore, similar failures threaten marine life, fishing, and tourism. Cape Cod’s natural beauty and economy depend on strong environmental protection.

I have filed or co-sponsored several bills addressing these concerns, including safety, local input, emergency planning, siting near neighborhoods, and recycling turbines when they are no longer in use:

  • H.3579 – An Act Providing for a Wind Farm Study
  • H.D.4318 – An Act Establishing an Extended Producer Responsibility Program for Offshore Wind Energy Equipment
  • H.3479 – An Act Relative to the Onshore Siting of Infrastructure Associated with Offshore Wind Projects
  • H.3585 – An Act Establishing a Special Commission to Study the Potential Risks to Cities and Towns from the Onshore Electrical Infrastructure Supporting Offshore Wind Energy Projects

Public safety and environmental protection must always come first. I will be working closely with my colleague State Representative Michelle Badger, who represents the district bordering this area of Bourne and Plymouth, to make sure residents get answers and that this site is cleaned up promptly and safely.

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FOOD PANTRIES AND NUTRITION SERVICES ON CAPE COD

November 3, 2025

Cape Cod is a community that looks out for one another. Across every town, there are dedicated volunteers and organizations making sure that no one goes hungry. Below is a list of local food pantries and programs by town. Please share this information with anyone who may need a helping hand.

⸻

BARNSTABLE

Cape Cod Community College Family Pantry

Building #7 (Grossman Commons Cafeteria)

Tuesdays 12–2 PM, Wednesdays 11 AM–1 PM

Open to all students, faculty, and staff

774-330-4857

First Baptist Church Pantry

486 Main Street, Hyannis

Tuesdays 9 AM–12 PM

508-775-1846

St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry – St. Francis Xavier Church

21 Cross Street, Hyannis

Tuesdays and Fridays 10 AM–12 PM

508-775-3073

Salvation Army Pantry and Soup Kitchen

100 North Street, Hyannis

Pantry by appointment Monday through Thursday 10–11:15 AM

Breakfast 8:30–9:30 AM, Lunch 11:30–12:30 PM

508-775-0364

Faith Family Kitchen

154 Bearses Way, Hyannis

Monday, Wednesday, Friday 5:30–6:30 PM

508-775-5073

Cape and Islands Veterans Outreach Center Pantry

223 Stevens Street, Hyannis

Thursdays 9 AM–6 PM

508-778-1590

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BOURNE

Friends Food Pantry

121 Main Street, Buzzards Bay

Tuesdays 9 AM–12 PM

508-759-3351

Empowerment Center (JBCC)

1015 South Inner Road, Buzzards Bay

Monday and Friday 10 AM–1 PM, Wednesday 1–4 PM

(For those with base access)

⸻

BREWSTER

Lower Cape Outreach Council Pantry

Brewster Baptist Church, 1848 Main Street

Mondays and Thursdays 10 AM–12 PM

508-240-0694

lcoutreach.org/pantry-hours

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CHATHAM

Lower Cape Outreach Council Pantry

St. Christopher’s Church, 625 Main Street

Tuesdays 4–6 PM, Thursdays 3–5 PM

508-240-0694

First United Methodist Church Pantry

16 Cross Street, Chatham

Thursdays and Fridays 11 AM–2 PM

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EASTHAM

Lower Cape Outreach Council Pantry

Eastham United Methodist Church, 3200 State Hwy (Route 6)

Monday 4–6 PM, Tuesday 10–12, Thursday 2–4 PM

508-240-0694

Community Fridge

2500 State Hwy, Eastham (between Town Hall and Police Dept.)

774-801-3229

Cape and Islands Veterans Outreach Mobile Pantry

Eastham Elks Club, 10 McKoy Road

2nd and 4th Tuesdays 10 AM–1 PM

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FALMOUTH

Falmouth Service Center

611 Gifford Street

Tuesday 10–12, Wednesday 3:30–5:30, Thursday 10–12, Friday 10–12

508-548-2794

A Place at the Table – St. Barnabas’s Episcopal Church

91 Main Street

Hot lunches Tuesday and Thursday 11 AM–1 PM

508-548-3863

St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry – St. Patrick Church

511 Main Street

Tuesday and Friday 10 AM–12 PM and 1–3 PM

508-563-7775

Cape and Islands Veterans Outreach Mobile Pantry

Falmouth AmVets, 366 Palmer Ave

1st and 3rd Tuesdays 10 AM–1 PM

⸻

HARWICH

The Family Pantry of Cape Cod

133 Queen Anne Road

Tuesday 10–3:30, Wednesday 10–12, Thursday 10–7, Saturday 9–12

508-432-6519

Lower Cape Outreach Council Pantry

St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 73 Main Street

Monday 1–3, Tuesday 3:30–5, Wednesday 12:30–2:30, Friday 10–12

508-240-0694

The People’s Fridge – Harwich Community Center

100 Oak Street

508-430-7509

⸻

MASHPEE

Christ the King Food Pantry

5 Job’s Fishing Road

Wednesdays 9 AM–12 PM

508-477-7700

Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Food Pantry

483 Great Neck Road South

Tuesday through Thursday 12–4 PM

508-477-0208 ext. 189

⸻

ORLEANS

Lower Cape Outreach Council Pantry

Orleans Methodist Church, 73 Main Street

Tuesdays 10 AM–12 PM

508-240-0694

⸻

PROVINCETOWN

Lower Cape Outreach Council Pantry

United Methodist Church, 20 Shank Painter Road

Wednesday and Thursday 10 AM–2 PM

Soup Kitchen in Provincetown (SKIP)

Same location

Monday through Friday 12:30–1:30 PM (November through April)

508-487-8331

Crop Swap – Provincetown Library

356 Commercial Street

Open during library hours

⸻

SANDWICH

Sandwich Food Pantry

331 Cotuit Road

Wednesday 10–12, Last Wednesday 6–7:30 PM, 3rd Saturday 10–12

508-888-3816

St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry

322 Quaker Meetinghouse Road

Thursdays 9:30–12 PM

508-833-1555

Empowerment Center (Non-Base Access)

117 Route 6A

Monday and Tuesday 10–1, Thursday and Friday 12:30–4

774-205-7232

⸻

SOUTH YARMOUTH

Cape Cod Community Food Pantry

845 Route 28, Unit 16 (Lighthouse Landing Plaza)

Tuesday and Thursday 5:30–6:30 PM

508-394-0880

St. David’s Episcopal Church

205 Old Main Street

3rd Wednesday each month

508-394-4222

⸻

WELLFLEET

Lower Cape Outreach Council Pantry

Our Lady of Lourdes Parking Lot, 2282 Route 6

Monday and Wednesday 3–6 PM, Thursday 10–12 PM

⸻

WEST YARMOUTH

Canaan Church Food Pantry and Community Garden

204 Route 28

508-266-1439

⸻

TRURO

Truro Community Kitchen

Christian Union Church, 27 Shore Road

Deliveries on Tuesdays

508-514-1833

Lower Cape Outreach Council Pantry

Community Center, 7 Standish Way

Tuesday and Wednesday 10–12:30 PM

⸻

Cape Cod’s food pantries are open and ready to help. If you or someone you know needs food assistance, please reach out to one of these local programs.

If you have any questions, please email my office at Steven.Xiarhos@mahouse.gov

Rep. Xiarhos Announces Committee Approval of “Colby’s Law”

October 30, 2025

BOSTON – State Representative Steven Xiarhos (R–Barnstable) is proud to announce that Colby’s Law has received unanimous support from the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security and will now move forward in the legislative process.

Representative Xiarhos expressed deep gratitude to House Chair Dan Cahill and members of the Committee for their support, as well as to the Lippincott family and the many friends, advocates, and community members who traveled to the State House in July, testified virtually, or submitted written testimony in support of the bill.

“We did it,” said Representative Xiarhos. “This is a big step forward — turning tragedy into triumph in memory of a young Sandwich man who gave his all. Colby’s Law will help keep the sport of BMX motocross going strong and safer for everyone.”

Representative Xiarhos also thanked his legislative colleagues who co-sponsored the bill and helped make this milestone possible — Representatives Paul McMurtry, Patrick Kearney, Margaret Scarsdale, and Richard Wells, along with Senators Patrick O’Connor and Dylan Fernandes.

“Your support means so much,” added Xiarhos. “Together, we’re honoring Colby’s spirit and making a real difference for riders and families across Massachusetts.”

Colby’s Law would require that organized BMX motocross tracks and events in Massachusetts implement basic safety standards, equipment checks, and emergency response protocols to better protect young riders and participants.

The legislation is named in memory of Colby Lippincott, a young man from Sandwich who lost his life doing what he loved — riding BMX motocross. The bill seeks to promote greater safety standards and awareness within the sport, ensuring that Colby’s legacy continues to inspire others.

FOR COLBY. FOREVER FOURTEEN.

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Other Recent Posts:

State Representative Steve Xiarhos

September 3rd

State Representative Steve Xiarhos
GOOD MORNING THANKFUL THURSDAYI would like to sincerely thank each of the many people who cast a vote for me in the state primary election. I am grateful, as always, for your support. Now it is on to the November General Election.Every day I serve on your behalf, I am reminded of how Massachusetts is a special place. It is where our nation’s story began 250 years ago, and we should be proud of the history, values, hard work, innovation and independence that helped make this Commonwealth and our country great.But we have some basic things that need fixing, and I believe common sense needs to come back to the way we govern.We need to amend the Right to Shelter law and stop spending billions of taxpayer dollars on people who do not live in Massachusetts while our own residents struggle with the high cost of housing, food, energy, insurance and taxes.We need to end cashless bail. When someone is arrested and a judge determines that bail is appropriate, taxpayers should not automatically be responsible for paying that cost.We also need to take a hard look at the millions of dollars the Commonwealth is spending providing internet-connected tablets to inmates. There are legitimate uses for technology in correctional facilities, but taxpayers should not be paying for unnecessary internet access and services that go beyond what is needed for education, rehabilitation and communication.We need to complete the full forensic audit by the State Auditor, as Massachusetts voters have demanded. The people deserve transparency and accountability for every taxpayer dollar we spend. We should know where the money is going, how it is being spent and whether government programs are actually delivering results.We need to fix Massachusetts’ gun laws and protect the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens. Responsible, law-abiding people should not be treated like criminals simply because they choose to exercise their Second Amendment rights.And we need to get back to the fundamentals:- Build the new Sagamore and Bourne Bridges.- Fix our roads and infrastructure.- Stand up for public safety.- Protect our environment, especially here on Cape Cod.- Lower the cost of living for Massachusetts working families.- Keep people and businesses in Massachusetts.- Return more state funding directly to our cities and towns so they can fix roads, improve public safety, strengthen schools and provide essential services without constantly asking taxpayers for overrides.And we do not need new bridge tolls or higher taxes to accomplish these things.The taxpayers of Massachusetts pay enough.We have substantial resources. The question is whether we are spending those resources wisely and responsibly.We need to prioritize Massachusetts residents, eliminate waste, demand accountability and make sure the money we collect is actually addressing the problems people see every day.Most importantly, we need to listen to the people.That is how this Commonwealth was founded. The people spoke, leaders listened, and ordinary citizens stood up and demanded a government that worked for them.Two hundred and fifty years later, that principle should still guide us.This is not about Republicans or Democrats. It is not about the primary election. It is about governing.As we move toward the General Election and then the next legislative session, and as we finish the important work still before us in this session, I remain committed to working with anyone—regardless of party—who is willing to put common sense, fiscal responsibility, public safety, constitutional rights and the people of Massachusetts first.Here in the FIGHTIN’ 5TH, we know what it means to roll up our sleeves and get the job done.Massachusetts has always been a special place. We should make sure it remains one.Let’s spend our money wisely. Let’s fix what needs fixing. Let’s protect what makes Massachusetts great. Let’s listen to the people. And let’s get to work.Common sense matters.Thank you.- Steve Xiarhos🇺🇸🫡#RepX #Fightin5th #ProudAmerican #ServiceBeforeSelf #CommonSenseLeader #Barnstable #Sandwich #Bourne #CapeCod #Massachusetts ...

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State Representative Steve Xiarhos was live.

September 2nd

State Representative Steve Xiarhos
LIVE FROM THE PEOPLE’S HOUSEGood afternoon from the Massachusetts State House in Boston. Proud to serve. Proud to be here.The People’s House🇺🇸😊🏡🫡#RepX #Fightin5th #ThePeoplesHouse #ProudAmerican #ServiceBeforeSelf #CapeCod #Massachusetts #MaPoli ...

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State Representative Steve Xiarhos

September 2nd

State Representative Steve Xiarhos
MEMORIAL FLAG OF THE FALLENProud to be back in Yarmouth today with my longtime friends, Matt and Ken, at Thirwood Place, where this very special Memorial Flag of the Fallen is on display for the public through September 11th.This is the flag I was honored to receive and then proudly gift to Ed Lambert at WXTK 95 Radio. Now, it is traveling around Cape Cod so people can see it, feel it and remember the thousands of American servicemen and women whose names are displayed across its red and white stripes.As we celebrate America’s 250th birthday—the story of our nation that began right here in Massachusetts—we must also remember that 25 years ago, America was attacked, and thousands of Americans answered the call to defend our country. Many of them never came home.Freedom is never free.This flag stops you in your tracks. I encourage everyone to stop by, read the names and take a moment to reflect on the sacrifices represented by every one of them.As a Gold Star Father, I can feel the pain carried by these families. I want every Gold Star family to know that their loved one’s sacrifice is not forgotten and was not in vain.Being here, in Nicholas’s hometown of Yarmouth, makes this visit mean even more.Thank you to Matt, Ken and everyone at Thirwood Place for displaying this flag and making it available to the public.May we always remember what it means to be an American—and always respect those who sacrificed everything so we could remain free.🇺🇸😔⭐️🙏🏻🫡#RepX #Fightin5th #ProudAmerican #ServiceBeforeSelf #CommonSenseLeadership #USA #Iraq #Afghanistan #CapeCod #Massachusetts #MaPoliThirwood Place2nd Battalion 8th Marines- Front Toward HeroThe Nicholas G. Xiarhos Memorial FundBig Nick's Ride for the FallenTown of Yarmouth Massachusetts95 WXTK ...

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State Representative Steve Xiarhos

September 2nd

State Representative Steve Xiarhos
GOOD MORNING, CAPE COD!I am beyond thankful to everyone who voted yesterday and cast a vote to place me on the November ballot to serve another term as your State Representative.It is my distinct honor, pleasure and privilege to serve you, and I never take that responsibility for granted.Our mission continues.There is a lot of work still to be done—making Massachusetts safer and more affordable, protecting our communities, fixing our roads and bridges, being responsible with your tax dollars, protecting our environment and listening to the people we are elected to serve.The primary is over. Now it’s time to get to work.I pledge to always work hard on your behalf to make Cape Cod a safe, affordable and great place to live, work and raise a family.Thank you for your trust, your support and your friendship. I am truly grateful.🇺🇸😊👏🏻#RepX #Fightin5th #ProudAmerican #ServiceBeforeSelf #Grateful #CommonSenseLeadership #Bourne #Barnstable #Sandwich #CapeCod #Massachusetts #MaPoli ...

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