Police prepare for Biketoberfest

The Daytona Beach Police Department is asking visitors to follow guidelines during Biketoberfest activities.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Police in Daytona Beach are warning that crowds are expected in October as two events will roll into town.

Daytona Beach Police Chief Craig Capri made a statement on Tuesday saying thatBiketoberfest will take place on October 15th through 18th, with Trucktoberfest following the next weekend.

"Despite the city commission not issuing event permits due to the coronavirus, were expecting big crowds on both those weekends, especially on beachside," Chief Capri said. "Weve been in close contact with the event organizers to make sure things run smoothly with minimum interruption for everyone, including our residents."

He added that police will also be paying special attention to those in beachside neighborhoodsso that eventgoersdo not use those roads to avoid traffic on main roads like Atlantic Avenue, citing that "large gatherings like these will likely make many people nervous, especially with their potential to become super spreader events."

MORE NEWS:Hurricane Delta makes landfall in Mexico on its way to the U.S.

Chief Capri recommends that people follow CDC guidelines, including social distancing, washinghands, and wearing face masks.

"Thats the same message Im giving to all those who wear the Daytona Beach Police Department badge, especially those working during Biketoberfest and Trucktoberfest. Their safety and the safety of the families and loved ones is a priority and we wont be sending them into large crowds unless its necessary," he said. "You can never be too careful in these kinds of situations. If the President of the United States can get this virus, so can you. Until we have a cure or a vaccine in place, please do what you feel you must to keep yourself and those you love safe."

He ended his statement by wishing that those who attend the upcoming events have a good time and take proper safety precautions, stating that "this virus is no joke and its my hope that everyone takes this as serious as it needs to be."

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE

Tune in to FOX 35 Orlando for the latest coronavirus news.

Read the original here:

Daytona Beach police give warning on crowds as Biketoberfest nears - FOX 35 Orlando

A "mystery creature" found at Padre Island National Seashore has left researchers at the beach a bit confused. They say they can't tell if it's a snake, eel or a combination of both.

On Monday, PINS shared a picture on its Facebook page of the animal a visitor found at its beach. The beach-goer sent a photo to PINS, and at first, researchers stated in the post that they thought the long, skinny creature might be a Texas blind snake, which looks like an earthworm.

"Given all the coastal flooding that has been occurring, we thought this might be a pretty good guess," PINS wrote.

READ ALSO:Blue indigo snake found in Uvalde County bedroom

However, after looking at the picture more, PINS said the body structure of the creature resembled an eel more than a snake, which led the researchers to believe it may have been a snake eel.

Snake eels are known as burrowing eels and often hide in mud or sand to catch their prey, which is typically small fish or crustaceans, PINS wrote. Sometimes, snake eels can mimic the coloring of venomous sea snakes to deter predators, and are often washed ashore by large storms, the post noted.

PINS wrote that its team still doesn't know what the creature is, even after "endlessly researching" eels and snake eels that might live in the Gulf of Mexico on the Texas coast. But, for now, PINS wrote that it is sticking with snake eel.

"What do you think it might be?" PINS asked its Facebook followers.

Priscilla Aguirre is a general assignment reporter for MySA.com | priscilla.aguirre@express-news.net | @CillaAguirre

View post:

Padre Island National Seashore shares photo of 'mystery creature' discovered at beach - mySA

Spotty Tracking, Confusing Language and Limited Public Outreach Hamper Water Contamination Monitoring

For Immediate Release:

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

WASHINGTON Toxic algae and bacteria forced the closure of at least 116 U.S. beaches and triggered health warnings at 162 more this spring and summer, according to an investigation by the Environmental Working Group.

From May 5 to September 10, health officials and other entities in 36 states issued 278 closures of or warnings about lake and ocean beaches, EWG found through a search of online news reports nationwide and a sampling of public health agency websites in nine states in the Southeast and upper Midwest.

We found a troubling mishmash of public safety measures for toxic algae and bacterial contamination of beaches across the country, said Anne Schechinger, EWG senior analyst of economics and a coauthor of the report. Dozens of different government agencies and other organizations issued warnings with inconsistent wording, unclear direction and insufficient explanations of human health threats.

EWG identified 96 different entities that issued warnings. More than half 56 were health officials at the city, county, regional or state level. Others included cities, the Army Corps of Engineers, state agencies that oversee parks or the environment, and nonprofit organizations.

They relied on an inconsistent array of terms for their warnings, such as beach advisory, beach closure, contact advisory, contamination advisory, health advisory, high bacteria advisory, recreational advisory, swim advisory and water quality advisory.

Sometimes it wasnt clear what was actually meant by a warning, or whether a beach was closed to human activity. And many warnings were vague about why they were issued for example, recommending that people stay out of the water but not specifying why going into the water could be unsafe.Most advisories were posted online temporarily, and almost no entity archived older warnings.

Michigan had the most reported closures and advisories by far, with 69. Florida had 22, and Iowa and Ohio each had 19. But more warnings could simply indicate that water quality monitoring in a given state is more thorough, or that it is easier to find information about warnings.

The bacteria that spurred the advisories were E. coli and enterococci, which are found in the digestive systems of people and animals. Some strains of both bacteria can cause serious illness.

A toxic algae outbreak occurs when an algae bloom made up of microscopic organisms called cyanobacteria emits toxins that are dangerous to humans, pets and wildlife.

Farm runoff, a major cause of water pollution that largely is not regulated, is closely linked to toxic algae outbreaks and bacterial contamination. It is likely that both issues coexist in many locations, but most health departments and other agencies monitor for one contaminant only.

Our investigation calls into stark relief the need for a nationwide beach monitoring program, Schechinger said. It also points to the need to hold the agriculture industry accountable for water pollution and even more importantly, to prevent pollution before it contaminates our waters.

Because no standard system exists for monitoring water quality at beaches, EWGs report is almost certainly missing many sites where warnings were issued. And there is no way to know how much contamination was not monitored at all or was found but not covered in the news media.

EWG tracks all news reports of algae outbreaks throughout the year. All of its work on the issue can be found at http://www.ewg.org/toxicalgae.

###

The Environmental Working Group is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization that empowers people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment. Through research, advocacy and unique education tools, EWG drives consumer choice and civic action. Visit http://www.ewg.orgfor more information.

Originally posted here:

Toxic Beaches: Hundreds of Closures and Health Warnings in 2020 - Environmental Working Group

A woman on vacation with her family in North Wildwood drowned Tuesday when she tried to save her three children from dangerous rip currents, authorities said.

The 49-year-old woman, whose name was withheld, ran into the ocean when the children ages 8, 10 and 19 began having trouble about 3 p.m. at the 18th Avenue beach, according to police and fire officials.

The mother was calling out to them to come back and when she saw they were having trouble, she jumped into the water, said Fire Chief Dominick J. McClain.

The woman picked up the two youngest children both boys in the breakers and carried them to shore, McClain said.

The 19-year-old daughter continued struggling in the water and the mother apparently went back in after her, the chief said.

Rescuers arrived moments later and pulled the teenager out of the water. The mother was found unconscious about 150 yards from the shoreline, according to the police and fire departments.

Emergency responders began life-saving measures as they took her to Cape Regional Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead, according to the chief.

McClain said the womans husband had been with the couples other children at Montego Bay Resort, where the family had been vacationing. He said the man arrived on the beach as his wife was pulled out of the water.

The children were all taken to the hospital, where they were evaluated and released, McClain said. The family is from Wernersville, Pennsylvania.

McClain said there were no lifeguards at the beach and that the day was overcast with cold, churning waters.

It was not at all a beach day. The water was very rough and the rip currents were very dangerous, he said, adding there was only one other visitor at the time.

North Wildwood officials on Wednesday said they were renewing a warning for people not to swim at beaches without lifeguards.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Continued here:

Mom drowns trying to rescue her 3 children from rip current at Jersey Shore beach - NJ.com

Beach sands around the world are laced with the chemical bisphenol-A (BPA), according to new research that calls attention to a less well-known source of exposure to the hormone-mimicking chemical.

Scientists from South Korea and Japan analyzed sand and seawater samples from beaches in 19 countries. They found BPA to be ubiquitous. Substantial amounts of the chemicalused in can liners, paper receipts and plastic products including food and beverage containerslittered all of the beaches, peaking at upwards of 200 milligrams of BPA per kilogram of sand in Greece. That would be equivalent to about 200 credit cards scattered across an American football field.

"The high BPA concentrations found on sandy beaches in this study should be a global concern," write the authors.

Scientists had already shown that people can be exposed to BPA through many sources including the air, food and water. "This is another study inventorying the extent of plastics contaminating our living environment," Rolf Halden, a sustainability scientist at Arizona State University, who was not involved in the study, told EHN. "It makes us aware that when we lie on the beach, we're not only lying on a bed of sand but a bed of plastics."

BPA-containing plastics break down over time into tiny pieces, known as microplastics and nanoplastics, often with the help of the sea, surf and sand. The sand samples tested by the researchers included these fragments mixed with sand, as well as sand particles on which BPA and other chemicals have hitched a ride. They discovered that BPA concentrations were significantly higher in the sand than in seawater, and varied widely between beaches. A factor of nearly 10,000 separated levels in sands sampled from Greece and Slovenia, for example. Samples from six U.S. beaches ranged between 0.4 and 45 milligrams per kilogram, or parts per million.

The BPA concentrations uncovered in the new study surprised Thomas Zoeller, a biologist at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. "Parts per million quantities, in many of these places, is pretty outrageous," Zoeller, who was not involved in the study, told EHN.

Zoeller noted that exposure to such highly contaminated sand could be enough to cause health effects. However, he also cautioned that the study faced some significant limitations. "It's difficult to extrapolate from these numbers. They don't represent some average for a country, or even a single beach," he said. "Still, everywhere they looked they found it."

In a statement to EHN, Steven G. Hentges, senior director of the Polycarbonate/BPA Global Group at the American Chemistry Council, an industry trade group, said that "government agencies around the world consider BPA to have a low potential to accumulate to any appreciable extent in organisms that come into contact with it in the environment." BPA is "one of the most widely studied chemicals in the world, and government scientists around the globe have found that it does not pose a health risk at typical exposure level," he stated.

Thousands of peer-reviewed studies from academics, however, have concluded that absorbing or ingesting BPA may harm people at doses 20,000 times lower than what the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says is safedoses comparable to levels at which most of us are exposed. In November 2019, EHN published a year-long investigation which found U.S. regulators were willfully ignoring research that increasingly links low-dose BPA exposures to harmful health impacts ranging from birth defects to cancer.

"This is a chemical people should not be exposed to," Frederick vom Saal, a professor of biology at the University of Missouri-Columbia, told EHN. He lamented the lack of progress in the U.S. on regulating BPA. "There are other parts of the world that are taking this seriously," said vom Saal, who was not involved in the new study. France banned the use of the chemical in food and beverage packaging and utensils after an assessment by the French Agency for Food, Environmental Health and Safety determined that it is hazardous at much lower levels than the FDA considers hazardous.

Beachgoers may be particularly at risk due to the use of sunscreen and other oils and lotions. Vom Saal published a study in 2014 that found chemical mixtures used in a variety of personal care products facilitate the movement of BPA and other chemicals through the skin. More than 300 different chemicals can act as permeation enhancers. The use of hand sanitizer before handling receipts can increase BPA absorption through the skin by up to 200-fold, according to vom Saal's study. Beachgoers today, amidst a pandemic, may well be lathering up with sanitizer, too.

"BPA is a very sticky chemical," said vom Saal. "So, would it stick to sand? Absolutely. And if you're using sunscreen or skin lotions or hand sanitizer, then this stuff goes right through your skin."

Meanwhile, Halden's research has detected BPA and other molecules from commonly used plastics in human liver and fat tissues. More recently, his team detected plastic as well as BPA in all 47 samples they took from human lungs, liver, spleen and kidneys.

"These are materials we're using on a tremendous scale without thinking about their afterlife and the consequences they pose to our health," said Halden.

Bum Gun Kwon from Chosun College of Science and Technology in South Korea, and author on the study, expressed the same concern. "Although there may be differences in degrees, large amounts of discarded plastic are too common," he told EHN in an email.

"Strict new rules for the use of sandy beaches should be set and followed," said Kwon. "For example, rules restricting the use of plastic materials derived from petroleum."

Visit link:

The chemical BPA is widespread on beaches around the world - Environmental Health News

West Palm Beach Police have identified a person of interest in a hit-and-run incident that left a pregnant woman dead.According to officials, police are looking for Priscila Nicolas Antonio.They believe she may be connected to the hit-and-run incident that happened Tuesday in the 3800 block of Pinewood Avenue.Officials said the suspect, who has not yet been identified, ran over a woman and a child.The victim was identified Wednesday as Catarina Reymundo Marcos. She was pregnant. The toddler, Jessica Guzman, was also injured and sustained a traumatic brain injury. The fetus survived. The car involved in the incident, a 1997-2001 silver Honda Odyssey with a missing front bumper, was found Tuesday evening in the 3300 block of Pinewood Avenue. The suspect is still on the run. Officials with the police department say the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to call West Palm Beach Police.

West Palm Beach Police have identified a person of interest in a hit-and-run incident that left a pregnant woman dead.

According to officials, police are looking for Priscila Nicolas Antonio.

They believe she may be connected to the hit-and-run incident that happened Tuesday in the 3800 block of Pinewood Avenue.

Officials said the suspect, who has not yet been identified, ran over a woman and a child.

The victim was identified Wednesday as Catarina Reymundo Marcos. She was pregnant.

The toddler, Jessica Guzman, was also injured and sustained a traumatic brain injury. The fetus survived.

The car involved in the incident, a 1997-2001 silver Honda Odyssey with a missing front bumper, was found Tuesday evening in the 3300 block of Pinewood Avenue.

The suspect is still on the run.

Officials with the police department say the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to call West Palm Beach Police.

More:

Police identify person of interest in deadly West Palm Beach hit-and-run - WPBF West Palm Beach

A 20-year-old man was stabbed Monday night in the parking lot of a Cape Cod beach, police said.

The stabbing was reported in the parking lot at Corporation Beach in Dennis, the towns police department said in a Facebook post.

The victim, who is from Dennis, was taken to Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis with serious injuries. His wounds were not life-threatening, though, according to the department.

Law enforcement in Yarmouth notified Dennis police around 8:45 p.m. that they were investigating the stabbing and that the victim told them the incident took place at Corporation Beach, authorities said.

Dennis patrol officers were dispatched to the beach, where they found evidence of the stabbing in the southwest area of the parking lot, according to police.

This is an open and active investigation, and it appears that this was not a random event, the Dennis Police Department said.

Read more:

20-year-old man stabbed in Cape Cod beach parking lot - MassLive.com

More than 450 pilot whales have become stranded off of Tasmania's west coast, in what is the worst whale stranding event the Australian island has ever seen.

Earlier this week, 270 pilot whales were found stranded on sandbars and along the beach at Strahan, a coastal town in Tasmania around Macquarie Harbor. But while rescue efforts were underway on the ground to pull the living whales back into deeper water, recent aerial surveys revealed another gruesome scene not far away.

Surveyors found an additional 200 whales that were stranded about 4.3 to 6.2 miles (7 to 10 kilometers) farther south in the dark waters of the Macquarie Harbour, bringing the count of stranded whales up to around 470 whales, according to a statement released today (Sept. 23) by the Tasmanian government's Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment.

Related: Photos: pilot whales in trouble off Everglades

"From the air most of the additional whales detected appear to be dead, but a boat has headed over there this morning to do an assessment from the water," Incident Controller and Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS) regional manager Nic Deka said in the statement. Dozens of rescuers, including a local fisher, have used equipment such as slings to pull the living whales back into deeper water, according to the BBC.

The rescuers have so far managed to save 50 of the whales and are working to save another 30 that are stranded but still living. But strong tides have made rescue efforts difficult, as some of the rescued whales were brought back to shore, according to the BBC. "Our focus is on those animals that are still alive," Deka said. "The mortality has increased, but there are a significant number that are alive so we will continue to work with those."

The additional whales discovered in Macquarie Harbor by aerial surveys are thought to be part of the same stranding event, according to the statement.

Before this mass stranding, the largest stranding event in Tasmania occurred in 1935 and involved 294 long-finned pilot whales in Stanley, a town on the northwest coast of the island state. It might even be the largest Australia has ever had, Karen Stockin, an associate professor at Massey University in New Zealand told The Guardian.

"It's fair to say this will probably rank third or fourth globally," she said. The largest documented stranding in the world occurred in 1918, when around 1,000 whales beached themselves at the Chatham Islands, about 500 miles (800 km) east of New Zealand, according to New Zealand's Department of Conservation.

Scientists don't know exactly why massive groups of whales end up stranded together, Live Science previously reported. One hypothesis is that the pilot whales' echolocation, or the use of soundwaves to locate objects, doesn't work as well in shallow waters next to sloping coastlines, according to the New Zealand Department of Conservation.

The whales could have failed to detect the shoreline when, say, they followed fish their food to shore. What's more, pilot whales are highly sociable creatures, living in tight communities. It's possible that one of the whales could have misled the whole faithful group to shore, according to the BBC and the Department of Conservation.

Originally published on Live Science.

See the article here:

Mass stranding event beaches 450 whales in Tasmania - Live Science

A trio of Jersey Shore towns is set to undergo a new round of beach replenishment work.

On Thursday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will begin adding new sand to beaches in Long Branch, Monmouth Beach and Sea Bright.

Barring any weather or equipment delays, the Army Corps expects the work to be done by the end of November.

It is the second phase of a project that began earlier this summer. U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone (D-6th Dist.) said the work done earlier was considered a higher priority.

The total cost of the project is $52 million, according to Jason Shea, a project manager for the Army Corps. The first phase cost $31.5 million, while the second phase will cost $20.5 million.

That burden is split between the federal, state and local levels. The federal government pays for 65% of the project. The remaining 35% will be shared, with the state paying three-quarters of that amount and local authorities assuming the rest.

In total, the project brings 2.7 million cubic yards of new sand onto the beaches in the three towns. The first phase used 1.7 million cubic yards, and the second round is slated to add another million cubic yards.

In this phase, beaches will be enlarged in Long Branch from South Broadway to Joline Avenue, extending partially into Seven Presidents Park. In Monmouth Beach, sand will be added from Cottage Road north, reaching to Garden Way in Sea Bright. And the rest of the work will be done in Sea Bright between Tradewinds Lane and Center Street.

Beach replenishment is viewed by local leaders as an economic lifeline, ensuring tourists continue to visit the area to spend time on large, sandy beaches. The replenishment work is also touted as critical to protecting the towns from future storm damage, a threat amplified by climate change.

As much as the beach replenishment has certainly helped the tourism its nice to have a wide beach that people can come and sit on and swim thats not why we do it," Pallone said Monday while speaking on the Long Branch boardwalk. "The reason we do it is because whenever theres a disaster declaration, and the federal government comes in, they have to spend millions and millions of dollars putting back the boardwalk, the infrastructure, the streets, the utilities.

Monmouth Beach Mayor David Stickle described the project as critical infrastructure" for his borough.

Monmouth Beach is between an ocean and a river. We get a lot of high tides," he said. The town is way better off and way safer with this project.

Beach replenishment work was last done in the area following Superstorm Sandy. Typically, sand needs to be added to the 21-mile stretch of beach from Sea Bright to Manasquan every six years to keep up with erosion, Shea said.

Climate change could speed up that cycle, requiring the expensive replenishment work to be done more frequently. Shea said the Army Corps is prepared to begin a study of how beach replenishment needs will change in Monmouth County in coming decades, but the agency is waiting for funding.

When we say six years, it could be an area that goes for 12 years, and another area that has to be done after one or two years, Pallone said. But it is true that as we have more frequent storms, it may have to be done more frequently. And I do believe that these frequent storms are linked to climate change.

As of 2015, more than $1 billion had been spent on beach replenishment work in New Jersey over a three-decade span.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is developing a state climate resiliency plan, which is expected to give guidelines for how Shore communities should adapt to a future of higher sea levels, stronger storms and more frequent flooding. That plan was originally due this month, but its publication has been delayed by the coronavirus pandemic.

Bill Dixon, the director of the DEPs Division of Coastal Engineering, said continued beach replenishment is expected to be a key part of the state plan. But he added that other resiliency strategies, like the restoration of dunes and wetlands, will also be important.

Its going to include an array of alternatives, and some may work in some areas and some may work in others," Dixon said. "But theres going to have to be a lot of hard decisions that have to be made between the state, counties and towns on how to adapt to future climate change.

In Congress, Pallone is sponsoring the Living Shorelines Act, which would give federal funding to cities and towns that want to develop natural coastal protections like dunes, wetlands and oyster reefs. That bill has been passed by the House of Representatives, and is awaiting consideration in the Senate.

This only passed the House. Ive got to get past the Senate, and theres that problem called [U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky]. But well see after Nov. 3, Pallone said, referring to the upcoming election. Maybe we wont have that problem anymore.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Michael Sol Warren may be reached at mwarren@njadvancemedia.com.

Go here to see the original:

New phase of $52M Jersey Shore beach replenishment project starts this week in 3 towns - NJ.com

With October beginning Thursday, all local towns that allow driving on the beach will be open for vehicle access.

As we realize, all of us who take to the sand will at one time or another succumb to the plight of soft, airy sand, me included. However, if you drive on the beach, you will also realize that many, if not most, bad events can be traced to operator error and bad decisions.

A typical example occurred this past week. An angler and his wife, as the tide fell, decided to move their SUV from the upper beach to the lower, now uncovered sandbar. However, between the upper beach and lower bar was a narrow watery slough with the equivalent of quicksand.

You already know the outcome. Luckily, the tide was still falling, and with the help of at least three good Samaritans, the vehicle was hoisted back onto hard, drivable sand to save the day. I only mention this, not to mock or pillory the couple involved, but to point out how easily one can get in trouble on the beach by making unwise decisions, and that there are many good Samaritans out there to help in ones time of need.

So here are some tips to help you make good decisions and avoid the embarrassment and/or expense of calling for a co$tly tow. First, I know this sounds basic, and it is, but you wont believe the number of people who forget to place their vehicle in 4-by-4 drive! Reduced air pressure in your tires can be a real help for increased traction. Many drop their tire pressure to around 20 psi. This can be done by hand with a pressure gauge or by one of the tire deflators that automatically deflate to a set pressure. If you do this, remember to repressurize your tires to factory specs to avoid unnecessary wear and tear on your now underinflated tires.

Things to keep on board when you are on the beach include a tow rope, strap or chain, a good shovel, and in case of a flat tire, a wooden board upon which to jack up your vehicle. Also, how about a tide table? Plenty are available free at the tackle shops, but most of you can more conveniently download a tide app to your smart phone. And check it before you drive up onto the beach!

Now how about some tips on going. Start with your wheels straight ahead. Start slowly, never gun your engine, dont throw sand! When possible, select damp, hard-packed sand to drive on. Remember, in the sand, air is your enemy, so the low-tide, hard beach is great, and after a rainfall, gives you better footing. As you are going, plan your turns and dont cut them sharply. Be gentle and plot your spot. I like to make turns in locations where I am going downhill from soft to hard sand. It's a killer to turn from the low, hard sand near the water, uphill onto something resembling grits.

Then there is momentum. Keep your mo(mentum) whenever you go. This is often needed in the performance of Olympic-class, off-road maneuvers or when exiting the beach onto a vehicular access point which is always uphill, soft and rutted. Watch for entering vehicles. Who has the right of way anyway?

Next week, I will cover stopping and when you get stuck before you call the truck.

---------------------

Fishing has gotten into real fall mode with a great variety of fish fired up with the shorter hours of daylight, falling water temperatures and an abundance of bait.

Along the surf, the reds (slot and above) are being caught from Fort Macon to Emerald Isle with fish bait being best, but catches also being made on metal artificials. In the mix also include pompano, blues to 5 pounds and some pounder specks (I saw the pics), and I even landed a Spanish on a fat and slow Catch-2000 MirrOlure.

One other exciting guest was the appearance of the speedy false albacore. Surf flounder were mostly throwbacks. My best last week was 14 inches. Remember, the season closes after midnight tonight, Sept. 30. By the way, the red drum bite at Ocracoke Island is on fire as well.

---------------------

Near the beach and close-in artificial reefs and rock ledges, such as 45-Minute Rock, are yielding big Spanish, snake kings and above, false albacore and still keeper flounder.

Please dont confuse snake kings with big Spanish. Check for the black spot on the front of the dorsal fin that will indicate a Spanish. With no black spot, youve got a small king where a minimum length of 24 inches applies.

---------------------

Inside, I have had scattered success at the Highway 24 creeks and little or no success at Pettiford Creek or at the VFW access of Highway 58 north of the Emerald Isle bridge.

But others are having better success with specks and red drum in the White Oak River, as well as New and Neuse Rivers, with some topwater baits catching reds and big trout.

The Newport River is heating up at The Haystacks on live bait and topwater lures, and live mullet are catching reds and big trout as you work your way up Core Creek.

If it still trout you want, the Morehead City Turning Basin is still giving up keepers, as well as the Atlantic Beach causeway bridge and by Radio Island in front of the fuel tanks. Interestingly for the second week in a row, I have heard of tarpon sightings in the Morehead City Port area.

From large to small, I finally heard of spots being caught just where you guess they would turn up, Gallants Channel by the remnants of the drawbridge. The only caveat is that the bite was at night.

The Neuse River old drum are still being caught, but this is nearing the end of their 2020 season. Now, fish are being caught outside the inlets and from the surf and ocean fishing piers.

---------------------

Offshore, with things finally settling down from Hurricane Teddy, good catches of wahoo and mahi are being reported from the 90-Foot Drop on out.

---------------------

Now for the piers.

Fishing is nicely picking up, but spots only showing on Topsail Island piers and some, but not many, pompano.

Oceanana Pier reports a good week after the surf calmed with Spanish and blues, along with loads of puppy drum and trout.

Bogue Inlet Pier has had big fat specks and red and black drum, some sea mullet, flounder, blues and Spanish, a couple kings to 32 pounds and even a false albacore. Speaking of reds, on Wednesday, Sept. 23, the pier experienced an epic redfish blitz of slot keepers to citation size, with most of the big fish overmatching typical pier gear.

Seaview Pier has had a good week too with lots of sheepshead around the pilings as they exit for the year, with over- slot reds, flounder, sea mullet, croaker and spots starting to show.

Surf City Pier reports sea mullet, some spots, red and black drum, no trout, but surf fishers are getting some specks from the beach.

Jolly Roger Pier reports blues, specks and above-slot red drum.

It was fun to post a positive report this week. It can only get better. Be kind, be safe, catch fish and enjoy our lovely this fall beaches.

Bogus notes

1) Check me out at http://www.Facebook.com/Dr.Bogus.) Log onto my web site at http://www.ncoif.com. Its repaired and up and running and better than ever.

2) "Ask Dr. Bogus" is on the radio every Monday at 7:30 a.m. WTKF 107.1 FM and 1240 AM. The show is also replayed on Sunday morning at 6 a.m. Callers may reach me at 800-818-2255.

3) Im located at 118 Conch Ct. in Sea Dunes, just off Coast Guard Road, Emerald Isle, NC 28594. The mailing address is P.O. Box 5225, Emerald Isle, NC 28594. Dont forget a gift certificate for your favorite angler for fishing lessons or my totally Bogus Fishing Report subscription. Please stop by at any time and say Hi or call 252-354-4905.

Continued here:

Beach drivers succumbing to the plight of soft, airy sand; fishing in real fall mode - Carolinacoastonline

From todaysDown in Alabamapodcast:

Several plaintiffs have filed a lawsuit against Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey and public health officer Dr. Scott Harris over some of the COVID-19-related orders in place now under the Safer at Home order and in place previously under the Stay at Home order, reports AL.coms Paul Gattis.

Representing the plaintiffs, by the way, is one former Alabama state Chief Justice Roy Moore.

(Just when you write off Roy Moore as a newsmaker, he shows back up like Bobby Ewing grinning in the shower after Pams dream.)

On todays podcast episode well talk a little about that case.

Well update you on the status of some coastal beaches and parks.

And well bemoan the temporary loss of a really cool high school football tradition.

The Down in Alabama podcast is short and free. Listen to it by clicking on the player above or subscribe by looking for Down in Alabama on the device of your choosing. Get this and otherAL.comnewslettershere.

Click here for the Spotify podcast page

Click here for the Alexa skill page on Amazon

Click here for the iTunes podcast page

Click here for the Stitcher podcast page

See the rest here:

A lawsuit over COVID restrictions, a beaches update and a prep tradition on hold - AL.com

A car crashed through a Long Beach dining parklet late Wednesday night at Michaels on Naples. Though no one was hurt, the sidewalk extension in dining area was completely demolished.

As reported by the Long Beach Post (where you can see a surveillance photo of the damage), a witness saw a driver crash his white sedan while speed racing on the wrong side of the road at 11:20 p.m. The impact was so severe that the car flipped on its side in front of the Belmont Shore restaurant. Restaurant owner Michael Dene alleges the driver fled in a second vehicle before police arrived. Long Beach Police report the driver also struck city-designated barricades.

These temporary parklet dining areas are popping up throughout Long Beach and Los Angeles. Since indoor dining is still restricted in LA County, parklets provide restaurants with much-needed outdoor seating to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.

In other news:

The Los Angeles Times published a thoughtful explainer on ghost kitchens, its expanding presence during COVID-19, and how Los Angeles is now the national epicenter for this billion dollar side of the restaurant industry.

The Gold Coast, West Hollywoods 39-year-old bar, became the fourth LGBTQ bar to close due to COVID-19, according to WeHoTimes. Over the last two months, Gym Bar, Flaming Saddles, and Rage announced closings. All bars were prominent spots in Boystown on Santa Monica Boulevard.

Santa Barbaras Paradise Cafe announced it will close permanently. The 37-year-old restaurant closed in March and never reopened. Acme Hospitality group announced the closure via email, and noted that a future restaurant is in the works.

Restaurant reservation app Resy is hosting a drive-thru experience on October 15 through 16 with 10 participating chefs and restaurants. The Resy Drive Thru will transform the Hollywood Palladium into a maze where diners can eat a 10-course meal in the comfort of a car at designated stops. Its a steady bunch of LA players with Alta Adamss Keith Corbin, Nightshades Mei Lin, Curtis Stone, Jon & Vinnys, Trap Kitchen, and Nyesha Arrington and others. Tickets are $95 per person on Resy.com/DriveThru. Tickets go on sale September 30.

Hermosa Beachs MOSA Coastal re-opened with a new completely revamped menu. Chef Ray Martin transformed the former seafood and pasta house into one that features chilaquiles, fish and chips, and skirt steak with chimichurri.

Alta Adams announced a fall friends dinner series every Monday. Chef Keith Corbin prepped a four-course vegan dinner last Monday. On September 28, visiting chef Dominique Crenn will produce a $195 five-course menu. The ticket price includes a signed copy of Crenns book Rebel Chef: In Search Of What Matters. Book reservations on Resy.

Sign up for our newsletter.

Read the rest here:

Driver Racing Crashes Into And Demolishes Long Beach Restaurant Parklet - Eater LA

Social distancing on beaches gains grudging acceptance and becomes the new normal at the Jersey Shore. Asbury Park Press

A growing number of Jersey Shore towns are planning on extending the beach season past Labor Day this year.

That means beach badges will still be required -- and lifeguards will be present --when beaches are open in September.

This list will be updated as more towns finalize their plans.

July Fourth in the Seasides in Seaside Heights and Seaside Park. (Photo: Peter Ackerman)

The beach season will be extended through Sept. 30. Beaches are scheduled to be open seven days a week.

Beaches will be staffed through Sept. 30, and will be open seven days a week..

The trusted place to find the best home service providers. Find local pros.

Ocean Grove

The beach will be open and staffed -- weather permitting -- on the weekends of September 12 to 14 and 19 to 20. Beach badges will be required and capacity will be limited.

For questions about the beach, call 732-988-5533.

Airport expansion: Ocean County Airport in Berkeley to undergo $2.8M expansion

On the boardwalk: MTV VMAs Moon Persons hit Asbury Park boardwalk, Point Pleasant Beach is next

A visitor to Ocean Grove beach sits in the shade of the pier as she looks over selecton on her iphone. Ocean Grove - Bradley Beach: Day at the Beach on July 15, 2020. (Photo: Peter Ackerman)

Beaches will be open and staffed seven days a week through Sept.30. All beaches will be open on weekends, while during the week, four of the borough's beaches are scheduled to be staffed. The Borough Council is expected to finalize plans for extending the summer season at its Sept. 2 meeting.

Beaches will be open and staffed on weekends through September.

More: 14 great Shore spots for dock and dine

Jean Mikle: 732-643-4050, jmikle@gannettnj.com

Read or Share this story: https://www.app.com/story/news/local/communitychange/2020/08/31/nj-beaches-extending-season-list/5665270002/

Continue reading here:

Some NJ beaches are extending the summer season. Here's the list - Asbury Park Press

As summer comes to an end, Americans are eager to make the most of the last remaining beach days and across the country, some public pools and beaches are open with restrictions.

In Los Angeles County, for example, beaches reopened on May 13 for recreational activities including swimming and surfing. In Georgia, pools reopened the same day, provided the facilities could follow guidelines like limiting capacity to 10 people if they can't maintain six feet between patrons.

New York City reopened 15 of its public swimming pools on July 24 and Aug. 1. In Florida, lap swimmers can exercise in pools while following precautions like remaining six feet from other swimmers, limiting their time to one hour, and being prepared to swim only, since the showers and locker rooms are closed.

New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Delaware opened state beaches and lakeshores (though not those in New York City) at half capacity on May 22. Outside of the US, the French Riviera is open to recreationalists including swimmers, but they can't sunbathe afterwards.

But some swimmers are wary: Some viruses, bacteria, and parasites thrive in water. Last year, for example, there was an uptick in crypto infections, which can lead to diarrhoea and vomiting, at pools and water parks due to a parasite called cryptosporidium that's highly resistant to chlorine.

Fortunately, it seems highly unlikely you'll catch the coronavirus through water, but, as always, you can catch it from other people. Here's what to know about the risks of swimming, and how to make the smartest decision for you.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "there is no evidence that the virus that causes COVID-19 can be spread to people through the water in pools, hot tubs, spas, or water play areas." It says that treating these types of facilities with chemicals including chlorine should "should inactivate the virus in the water."

Even fresh or salt water is highly unlikely to spread the coronavirus since other coronaviruses aren't stable in water, Angela Rasmussen, a virologist at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, told The New York Times.

That seems to be in part due to the fact that water dilutes the spit droplets that can transmit the disease, Dr. Leonard A. Mermel, a professor of medicine at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, said during an Infectious Diseases Society of America seminar on May 19.

And, although coronavirus RNA has been found in faeces, which could theoretically spread through water if you accidentally get some in your mouth, the virus in faeces "doesn't appear to be in an infective state," Krista Wigginton, an associate professor of environmental engineering at the University of Michigan's College of Engineering, told Insider.

"The bigger risk from all of these activities would be from interacting with others who are talking, coughing, or sneezing nearby," she said.

Plus, because catching the coronavirus usually involves inhaling it, not swallowing it, water is an unlikely route of transmission, Joseph Eisenberg, chair of the epidemiology department at the University of Michigan's School of Public Health, told Business Insider.

"In general, respiratory pathogens don't survive in the water," he said.

There's still a lot researchers don't know for sure about how this coronavirus acts in water.

There's a chance it could be spread in places where ocean water mixes with untreated wastewater that's contaminated by the virus. The waves could then, in theory, launch the virus into particles that the wind carries back to shore, according to the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

Kim Prather, an atmospheric chemist at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in San Diego, is currently studying whether that's the case.

Charles Gerba, a professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Arizona, told WebMD the virus could be in ocean water near sewage runoffs, but isn't particularly worried about it.

"I'd be more worried about hepatitis, swimming in raw sewage discharge, or many of the other pathogens," he said. "They present a far greater magnitude of risk, even if it turns out that coronavirus is transmitted by water."

No matter the activity, the risk of contracting COVID-19 mostly depends on the same few factors: How close are you to how many people, and for how long?

"The general principle should be: Outside is better than inside; open is better than closed; fewer is better than more people; and stay away from sick people," Dr. Erich Anderer, a neurosurgeon and founding member of the North Brooklyn Runners group, previously told Insider.

When it comes to swimming, then, "swimming in an uncrowded pool, lake, or ocean is likely low risk compared to indoor activities and crowded outdoor activities like going to restaurants, malls, stores, and concerts," Wigginton said.

Broken down further: Jumping in a private chlorinated outdoor pool is about as safe as you can get, while riding waves on a busy ocean-front is riskier, particularly if you're clamoring for space to set up your towel on the sand afterward.

As for pools, lap swimming in a well-treated pool where you have your own lane and empty lanes next to you is pretty low-risk, while splashing around in a crowded indoor pool is higher risk because you'll likely be in close contact with others' spit as they yell "Marco Polo" or cough when accidentally gulping down some water.

It's even more dangerous if you're also using the locker room, where you may not only be in close proximity to strangers who aren't wearing masks, but also touching surfaces like doorknobs and shower handles that can harbour the virus.

Ultimately, use common sense. Swimming brings massive physical and mental benefits. If you can do it with a risk level you're comfortable with, dive in.

This article was originally published by Business Insider.

More from Business Insider:

Continued here:

Swimming Is One Thing in The Pandemic. The Crowd at The Beach Is Something Else - ScienceAlert

Heading to the Delaware beaches this weekend?

Here's what you need to know if you're planning to stick your toes in the sandthe weekend of Aug. 28-30 and what might be different than normal at the beaches in the summer of COVID-19.

Delaware's beach towns are open to the public, but government and public health officials warn that everyone's help is neededto curb the spread of COVID-19.

Social distancing is encouraged in all public spaces, and people should maintain at least 6 feet of distance from those who are not members of their immediate household.

CORONAVIRUS IN DELAWARE: Our latest coverage

As for face masks, they are required to be wornin public spaces where social distancing is difficult, and inside businesses that are open.

Face masks are recommended,but not required, on most beaches themselves, but social distancing is a must.

Masks must be worn on the streets, sidewalks, boardwalk and inside businesses in Rehoboth Beach city limits.

RELATED: Sea Witch Festival delayed until 2021

Autoplay

Show Thumbnails

Show Captions

Lewes also requires masks to be worn outdoors in the city's downtown area, public beach parking lots, and while crossing the Savannah Road drawbridge between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. There are similar guidelines inBethany Beach, where people in violation of mask rules can face up to a $100 fine.

Swimming is permitted at all beachesunless dangerous weather conditions arise.Make sure to check in with the local lifeguards before you dive in to learn about any potential hazards in the water or on the sand.

At beaches within the Delaware State Parks system, like Cape Henlopen State Park, Fenwick Island State Park and Delaware Seashore State Park near the Indian River Inlet, there are limits on how many people will be admitted.

The number of vehicles allowed in iscapped at 60% of parking capacity, according to parks officials. Masks or face coverings are required in bathhouse and concession areas at all three parks and strongly encouraged on the beach, as well.

At Cape Henlopen, when the gates are closed, admission also is restricted for those with surf-fishing tags. Natural Resources police will be enforcing the 20-foot minimum distance between vehicles on drive-on beaches.

Delaware is in its second phase of reopening businesses previously restricted due to the coronavirus pandemic. Gov. John Carney announced in late June that the state was pausing moving into the next phasedue to concerns about people not following guidelines.

In late June, he also announced that bar service at the Delaware beaches had to shut downahead of the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

This affects taprooms and bar service in the following towns: Lewes, Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, Long Neck, Bethany Beach, South Bethany, Fenwick Island, West Fenwick Island, Ocean View and Millville, according to the order.

Customers can still get service at tables or outdoors.

Crowds came out on July 4th to Rehoboth Beach, as seen from atop the Atlantic Sands.(Photo: Chuck Snyder/Special to Delaware News Journal)

Current reopening plans allow restaurants to have up to 60% of the people who would be allowed in the building by the fire marshal, not including staff, but they must still adhere to social distancing guidelines. Some have increased outdoor seating to try to accommodate more diners.

Carney's additional restriction on beach bars means bar seating within restaurants is also off-limits. Those bar restrictions have not yet been lifted.

People are encouraged to call ahead for reservationsand to check on any changes in normal operating hours or other restrictions.

Hot weather and clear skies brought thousands of visitors to Rehoboth Beach on Saturday, June 27, 2020. Social distancing did not appear to be followed very strictly on either the beach or boardwalk, with mask usage also not ubiquitous.(Photo: Chuck Snyder/Special to Delaware News Journal)

That 60% capacity cap also applies to personal care services such as hair and nail salons, tanning, tattoo, massage therapy services and spasthat were previously required to keep occupancy at 30%.

No additional announcements have been made on when Delaware will enter phase three of the state's rolling reopening plan. For more details on the state's reopening, go togovernor.delaware.gov/delawares-recovery.

Parking permits or metered parking are in effect in all of Delaware's beach towns from Lewes to Fenwick Island.

In Lewes, city officials are supporting businesses by offering free downtown parking from 9 a.m. to noon for shoppers. Rehoboth Beach is offering free parking on Monday nights through Sept. 14, and Dewey Beach also offers free parking in the evening Monday through Wednesday. Bethany Beach, too, is offering free parking from 4-11 p.m. onTuesdays in August, followed by a whole month of free parking in September.

Each town has different rules and rates for parking. For more information, visit an individual beach town's website or call Town Hall in the beach town you plan to visit before arriving.

Below are links to each oceanfront beach town's parking policies:

Bans on out-of-state travelers and short-term rentalswerelifted in early June. Delaware's reopening plan saysleisure travel "should be avoided" at this time, but it's allowed if people and businesses can adhere to social-distancing-related recommendations, according to the state.

Meanwhile, Delaware has been on and off ofquarantine lists for a few neighboring states, but as of Thursday, Aug. 26, First State travelers were in the clear.

Delaware hotels and other accommodations are accepting reservations for vacation stays, though there may be limits and restrictions in gathering areas like lobbies.

Delaware's daily DART beach bus service is running. People can take advantage of the Park & Ride options in Lewes and Rehoboth to avoid heavy beach traffic south of Lewes.

Face coverings are required on public transportation.

Hot weather and clear skies brought thousands of visitors to Rehoboth Beach on Saturday, June 27, 2020. Social distancing did not appear to be followed very strictly on either the beach or boardwalk, with mask usage also not universal.(Photo: Chuck Snyder/Special to Delaware News Journal)

The Lewes Park & Ride is at 17616 Coastal Highway, just south of Five Points, and the Rehoboth Park & Ride is off Route 1 at 20055 Shuttle Road, just north of the entrance to Rehoboth Avenue. Parking is free at both lots.

Cash-only fare for aone-way trip,due upon boarding, is $2, and an all-day daily pass is $4.20. Seven-daypasses also are available for $18, while a 30-day pass costs$65. For more information, go towww.dartfirststate.com/information/programs/beachbus/index.shtml#parkride.

DART's beach connection, which runs from Wilmington to Rehoboth Beach on weekends and holidays, is also now available.

This weekend's weather forecast might put a damper on some people's beach plansunless the rain holds off. Forecasts can change as the weekend gets closer.

The National Weather Service forecast for Friday, Aug. 28,inRehoboth Beach is mostly sunny with a high near 87degrees. There is a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening.

Saturday will be mostly cloudy, windy and likely rainywith a high near 84degrees. There is a 60% chance of showers, mainly after 3 p.m. Patchy fog is expected in the morning, before 9 a.m.

Sunday should be a breezy, sunny day with a high near 80.

Water temperatures off the coast of Lewes are reaching thehigh 70s this week, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

As of Friday, Aug. 28, Delaware hasseen a total of 16,976 cases since the first case was detected in March, data shows.

Of those cases, 7,927have beenin New Castle County, the most populated county in the state. Another 6,208 have been detected in Sussex County.

The pandemic has been linked to the deaths of 604people in Delaware.So far, over 228,000 people have been tested statewide, and 9,101 people have recovered from the viral disease. As of Friday, Aug. 27, 57 people were hospitalized in Delaware, 15of whom were considered critical.

Contact reporter Maddy Lauria at (302) 345-0608,mlauria@delawareonline.com or on Twitter @MaddyinMilford.

Read or Share this story: https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/local/2020/08/27/heading-delaware-beaches-weekend-what-you-need-know/5583073002/

Aug. 28, 2020, 7:47 a.m.

Aug. 27, 2020, 9:35 p.m.

Aug. 27, 2020, 9:04 p.m.

Aug. 28, 2020, 11:26 a.m.

Aug. 28, 2020, 10:24 a.m.

Aug. 26, 2020, 10:37 p.m.

Go here to see the original:

Delaware beach guide: What you need to know for your late August trip - The News Journal

The COVID-19 pandemic didnt dampen Manti Teos wedding day.

Over the weekend, the NFL linebacker who was at the center of a catfishing scandal in 2013 revealed he had married longtime love Jovi Nicole on Saturday in an intimate beach ceremony.

I couldnt give you the world but I think I did betterI gave you my last name and it looks good on you Mrs. Teo, Teo captioned the Instagram snaps from the couples special day.

Jovi, a personal trainer, also shared a collection of photos from the pairs nuptials, which had been altered due to the global health crisis.

Yesterday I got to marry my best friend and the love of my life in an intimate beach ceremony, Jovi posted. Although this was not how we envisioned our ceremony, it was perfect. We will be having our reception and celebration when Temples and venues open back up so we can share this special occasion with our families and I couldnt be more excited. #joviteo.

Teo was first linked to Jovi in early 2016.

Prior to his romance with Jovi, the 29-year-old athlete fell victim to an elaborate hoax, in which his terminally ill girlfriend is said to have never existed.

Teo was selected 38th overall by the San Diego Chargers in the 2013 NFL Draft. Four years later, he signed a two-year deal with the New Orleans Saints. Teo is currently a free agent.

Here is the original post:

Manti Te'o introduces fans to the real 'Mrs. Te'o' after beach wedding - New York Post

WAKULLA COUNTY, Fla.(WTXL) The Florida Department of Health in Wakulla County has issued a high bacterial level advisory for Shell Point Beach.

Officials say swimming is not recommended at this time due to an increased risk of illness.

DOH-Wakulla will be conducting follow up sampling and testing and will remove the advisory when levels are within an acceptable range.

In order to protect the health of the public visiting Floridas coastal and intracoastal waters, DOH-Wakulla has been systematically sampling the local beach waters for indicators of human and animal pathogens.

Authorities say enterococci are enteric bacteria that normally inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals.

The presence of enteric bacteria in beach water can be an indication of fecal pollution, which may come from stormwater runoff, pets and wildlife, and human sewage.

If they are present in high concentrations in recreational waters and are ingested while swimming or enter the skin through a cut or sore, they may cause human disease, infections or rashes.

For more information, visit the Florida Healthy Beaches website here.

View original post here:

Swimming advisory issued for Shell Point Beach due to high levels of bacteria - WTXL ABC 27

If youre looking for a bit of last minute summer fun, it might be worth checking out Marthas Vineyard.

Rough Guides, a global travel brand that provides travel advice, named Menemsha Beach the best beach on the East Coast.

Calm waters lap the shore of the peaceful haven of Menemsha Beach in Massachusetts, which boasts sprawling views of the Elizabeth Islands and surf ideal for relaxed swimming, Rough Guides wrote. Make sure you stay for sundown, as Menemsha Beach is most stunning come early evening, when its one of the best spots to catch sunset on the island.

The Chilmark beach beat out multiple Florida beaches, including Siesta Beach in Sarasota and South Beach in Miami. Neither made the top three.

Coney Island in New York and Cape May, New Jersey were ranked second and third on the list.

With more states spanning the coastline than its western counterpart, the best East Coast beaches in the USA, reaching from ruggedly charming Maine down to the tropical climes of Florida, offer style and substance to rival the most famous west coast beauty spots, the website states.

Earlier this year Race Point Beach in Provincetown was one of only two New England beaches to land on Trip Advisors top 25 list.

On that list Florida and Hawaii cluttered the top 25. Four Florida beaches fell within the top five with Floridas Siesta Beach in Siesta Key ranking No. 1.

Related Content:

Go here to read the rest:

Marthas Vineyard beach named the best on the East Coast, beating out Florida, Jersey Shore - MassLive.com

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) An act of vandalism marred what should have been a typical Sunday morning for residents in the Eaglewood area of Virginia Beach.

They woke up to find their tires slashed.

Troy Brimmer lives in Eaglewood. He provided WAVY TV 10 surveillance video that shows individuals going around the neighborhood vandalizing cars that were parked along the street.

If you listen closely, you can actually hear the air escaping from a newly slashed tire in the video.

You feel violated. You get upset when you see this happening to your neighbors, said Brimmer.

He first noticed the damage on his Sunday morning walk.

I was walking my dog this morning and I saw a few people working on their cars. I thought they were just getting a little work done on the weekend until I noticed car after car and really, as Im walking my dog, I just saw a whole string of cars with flat tires, he said.

Brimmer said it wasnt long before he put the pieces together.

On the Nextdoor app a lot of people were alerting each other and I had three neighbors right in a row all three changing tires at the same time as well as many others. So, you could definitely see that this was a little bit more than your typical vandalism, he said.

Almost every car along Dove Drive, parts of Woodcock Lane, and parts of Hummingbird Lane had damage to either one or two tires.

I dont feel good, said resident Joe Doherty.

He had two of his vehicles damaged. He says he didnt realize one of them until he was already driving and had to change the tire on a busy road.

You need to test drive your vehicles today because even if it doesnt look like it flat, it could be flat, he offered as advice.

Doherty seemed in good spirits despite the damage, but pointed out he feels like the people responsible were being inconsiderate.

If 22 vehicles, according to the police, have flat tires, thats in the neighborhood of $5,000. When does that add up? And its disrupting everybodys life. Why do it, you know? said Doherty.

Officers are investigating several destruction of property cases of vehicles in the Eaglewood area. If you reside in the area and have discovered damage to your vehicle overnight please call Virginia Beach Police non emergency at 385-5000 to file a police report @CityofVaBeach

Brimmer said the only good thing he saw from this was his neighbors willingness to help each other.

Police are still investigating this incident. If you are in the area and believe your vehicle was damaged, youre encouraged to reach the Virginia Beach non-emergency number at 757-385-5000 and file a report.

Excerpt from:

Nearly 2 dozen vehicles found with slashed tires in Eaglewood area of Virginia Beach - WAVY.com

It is usually the domain of hangover-nursing sunbathers and rowdy tourists getting an early start on beach parties. But this year as quarantines, restrictions and advisories take a toll on travel the white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters of Magaluf on the Spanish holiday island of Mallorca have some new visitors: Mallorcans.

This is the first time weve ever come Mallorcans do not come to Magaluf, laughed Laura, 31, as she settled in for a day on the beach with her friends. We came this year only because we knew there were no tourists.

Its a scene playing out across Europe as locals reclaim sites ceded long ago to throngs of tourists. Plazas once filled with the sounds of suitcases rattling over cobblestones now ring with childrens voices, while near-vacant landmarks offer locals an intimate experience of the top sights in their backyards.

Earlier this year Mallorcans began quietly spreading word of a nearly deserted, picture-perfect beach, resulting in a stream of locals traipsing out to Magaluf.

I would have never brought my daughter here before, Consuelo Merchante told the news website Ultima Hora. It was her first time visiting Magalufs beach in four decades. We stayed away because of the British tourists, she said.

The novelty of being a hometown tourist, however, comes at a steep cost. In Magaluf and across tourist sites in Europe, the backdrop is one of shuttered shops and hotels, hinting at the devastating economic impact of the plunge in tourists.

Its bittersweet, said Vesna Celebic, a tour guide in the Croatian city of Dubrovnik. In recent years locals had resigned themselves to sharing the walled old town with millions of visitors, enduring the relentless arrivals of mammoth cruise ships and the clatter of helicopter tours overhead.

Then the pandemic brought these drawbacks into sharp relief. At the moment its wonderful, she said. The old town is definitely the place that the locals reclaimed. Now you see a lot of kids riding bikes and playing soccer in some of the public squares, you hear the locals again. You hear the local language.

Still, the dire reality facing the tourism-dependent city was unescapable. Celebic had just wrapped up her fifth tour of the season, when normally she would have racked up 100 or so at this point. The things is, there is this economic disaster looming upon us, she said.

In Italy, cities and beaches usually thronged with foreign tourists have become a draw for Italians. Locals have flocked to the Riviera Romagnola, a stretch of golden beaches overlooking the Adriatic sea.

With the advent of low-cost flights to foreign destinations, young Italians had preferred to spend their holidays in Spain or Greece, the deputy mayor of Rimini, Gloria Lisi, told the Guardian.

But the pandemic appears to have reversed this flow, with the riviera now playing host to a crop of first-time visitors. This summer, Rimini is crowded with people in their 20s who come from neighbouring regions. This hasnt happened for decades.

At some of the continents most popular landmarks, the emptiness itself has become an attraction. Last month photos circulated online of nearly deserted rooms at the Louvre gallery in Paris, in jarring contrast to last year when almost 10 million people passed through its doors.

The chance to take in some of the worlds best art without elbowing through crowds has been a draw for some. Morning at the Louvre to take advantage of the lack of tourists, author Mira Kamdar wrote on Twitter last week. Paris as we Parisians rarely get to experience it.

For many, its an experience that has been tempered by fears over what lies ahead for the economy in Europe, where tourism contributes about 10% of the GDP. In Spain, one industry lobby group estimated that the steep fall in tourists could translate to nearly 100bn (90bn) in lost revenues, with the Balearic Islands, home to Magaluf, and Catalonia expected to be among the hardest-hit regions.

In Barcelona, which before the pandemic was receiving an average of 155,000 visitors a day, arrivals have slowed to a trickle. Tourism had been pushing out residents, in some ways, said Arlene Bayliss, a marketing professional based in the city. Now its the reverse: its tourists that get lost among the locals.

She is now seeing the city in a new light, marvelling at the ability to snap photos alone on the steps of the citys cathedral, or use the time she had once spent navigating a sea of tourists to focus on the citys stunning architecture.

The lack of visitors, coupled with the departure of city residents on August vacations, has emptied the usual tourist haunts such as the Gothic quarter. You can wander through and theres not a soul, she said. Then you come across a plaza filled with locals and kids playing. Its very different.

The situation has demonstrated what is at stake for cities and other hotspots in striking a balance between attracting tourists and catering for local residents.

Celebic, the tour guide in Dubrovnik, raised the issue of packed public transport and the proliferation of tourist flats that price out residents. While I think this is a disaster and economically its scary, I think its also a moment to pause and reflect, she said. Tourism should be a pleasure, not only for those coming in but also for those staying in and residing in [the city].

See the rest here:

Locals rediscover streets and beaches in resorts absent of foreign tourists - The Guardian