The snack bar at a major state beach in Rhode Island has been closed after an employee tested positive for coronavirus, the state Department of Environmental Management announced.

The agency said it was notified Saturday afternoon of the positive test result at the concession at Scarborough South State Beach by the vendor that runs the facilities at the state beaches.

DEM said the employee last worked at the snack bar July 24 and that the beach had been closed July 21 to July 23 for high bacteria levels in the water.

The agency declined to identify the worker but said the state health department will conduct contact tracing. DEM also said the concession wont reopen until its deep-cleaned and disinfected.

A look at other coronavirus developments across New England:

Connecticut

Coronavirus cases among teens and young adults are rising in Connecticut.

The Hartford Courant reports nearly 40% of people diagnosed with coronavirus from July 5 to 18 were under the age of 30.

The newspaper reports people between the ages of 20 to 29 accounted for nearly 25% of coronavirus cases reported from July 5 to 18, despite representing less than 13% of the more than 48,000 cases reported in the state since the pandemic started.

Youths in the 10-to-19-year-old age range accounted for more than 12% of the cases reported from July 5 to 18, despite only representing 3% of cases overall during the pandemic.

Kids are socializing because thats what kids do, but they need to realize that theyre not immune to COVID either, Lynn Sosa, a deputy state epidemiologist, told the newspaper.

Massachusetts

Bostons popular Museum of Science reopened Sunday to the wider public with new restrictions to prevent spread of the coronavirus.

The museum, which reopened to members only earlier this week, is requiring all visitors to reserve tickets in advance, wear face masks and submit to a temperature check at the door.

Exhibits have also been modified to improve social distancing and interactive ones will be cleaned regularly, officials said.

The wider opening comes nearly two weeks after the state moved into the third phase of its virus recovery plan, which allowed museums, art galleries and other public institutions to reopen.

Museum officials say they waited to reopen to come up with a plan to keep as many exhibits open as possible.

Meanwhile, the Holyoke Medical Center in western Massachusetts will be receiving nearly $9 million in additional federal funding, Congressman Richard Neal announced Saturday.

Neal, who chairs the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, said the funding is on top of the hospitals original allocation of about $3 million distributed in early April.

MassLive reports the Holyoke hospital was treating less than 100 coronavirus patients in April, but then received an influx of patients from the nearby Holyoke Soldiers Home, the site of one of the deadliest COVID-19 outbreaks in a nursing home in the nation.

Spiros Hatiras, the hospitals CEO, said the extra funding will help bring some of the facilitys 300 furloughed workers back as the initial funds were used on protective equipment and medical supplies.

And state health officials Sunday reported 19 new deaths and more than 270 additional positive cases of COVID-19. That brings Massachusetts death toll to 8,310 deaths and its total cases to more than 108,000 since the pandemic started.

New Hampshire

For the first time in more than a century, hikers in the White Mountains this summer wont be able to take advantage of a system of popular backcountry lodges.

The Appalachian Mountain Clubs eight huts, which are spaced about a days hike along roughly 50 miles of trail, have remained closed to overnight visitors this season because of pandemic concerns, the Boston Globe reports.

The huts arent reachable by road and can each house up to 90 people in communal living quarters that include prepared meals, bunk beds and shared, cold-water bathrooms.

The system dates to 1888 and generates about 40% of the Boston-based groups operating income. The Appalachian Mountain Clubs car-accessible facilities in Pinkham Notch and in Crawford Notch, however, remain open, though officials report stays are down about 50% at those sites.

The community aspect that usually is a huge driver in our organization is also a barrier for our success right now, James Wrigley, the director of the organizations White Mountain lodges, told the newspaper.

Vermont

The COVID-19 pandemic is giving new life to the grandparent scam, said Vermont Attorney General T.J. Donovans office.

There have been 93 reports of the grandparent scam since the beginning of the year, and 34 since June 1, the office said.

Scammers, posing as the grandchildren of unsuspecting grandparents, call and pretend to be in the hospital, in jail, or stranded overseas and in urgent need of wire transfers, gift cards, or cash.

The office recommends people who receive such a call hang up and contact a friend or other family member to verify before sending any money.

Meanwhile, state health officials reported four additional cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, bringing Vermonts tally to 1,400 since the pandemic started. Most have since recovered.

The states death toll remains 56, and one person is hospitalized with the virus, officials said.

More here:

Scarborough Beach snack bar closed after positive COVID-19 test - The Westerly Sun

The Long Beach Police Department released surveillance videos Saturday showing a man they identified as the thief who killed a liquor store clerk in a hit-and-run crash.

The crash happened on Anaheim Street near Magnolia Avenue on Thursday night, according to the department.

Officers said they arrived at the location to find a man in his 50s on the ground. Investigators later determined that the man was a clerk at a liquor store in the 300 block of West Anaheim Street, and that he had climbed the roof of a thiefs gray or silver four-door sedan in an effort to stop him.

The thief continued to drive for several blocks, and the clerk was thrown from the vehicle and died, according to police.

The Police Department released three videos of a man walking around the store, one video that captured the suspected sedan involved traveling on the street and another that showed the vehicle swerving and who appeared to be the clerk falling from the cars hood.

Authorities urged anyone who can identify the suspect to come forward. Police did not release the identity of the victim.

Those who have information can contact Detectives Oscar Valenzuela and Eric Thai at (562) 570-7244. People who wish to remain anonymous can call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), text TIPLA and their tip to 274637 (CRIMES) or visit lacrimestoppers.org.

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Long Beach police release videos in killing of liquor store clerk who tried to stop thief - KTLA Los Angeles

LOWELL, Mass. (AP) A 21-year-old man drowned at a beach on the Merrimack River in Massachusetts on Saturday afternoon, prosecutors said.

Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryans office said the Weymouth resident drowned while swimming off Rynne Beach in Lowell.

Emergency officials responded to a report of a male swimmer that had gone missing, the office said. The victim, whose name has not yet been released, was found at about 4:30 p.m. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Ryans office said the incident remains under investigation, but foul play is not suspected.

The area where the man drowned is a popular swimming spot, but warning signs note there are no lifeguards on duty.

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Weymouth man drowns off Merrimack River beach; foul play not suspected - Boston.com

New London native Melissa Eccleston wants her daughter to have the same childhood experiences she had growing up, like spending summers at Ocean Beach Park.

But this summer, Eccleston said thats proved nearly impossible as Ocean Beach, which is allowingfewer visitors in than usual due to the coronavirus pandemic, has filled to capacity before 10 a.m. most weekends. Eccleston said she works during the week so cant go then when it is usually less busy.

"I've been here my whole life, and now as a parent, I would like my daughter to have the same childhood experiences at Ocean Beach that I had growing up, but with the limited capacity regulations, it is almost impossible to get even halfway down Ocean Avenue to even get close to entering the beach, she said.

While its not uncommon during the summertime for places such as Ocean Beach, which is city-owned, and state parks like Rocky Neck and Harkness to close on weekends due to being full or for there to be a long line of cars waiting to get in, reduced capacity limits as a result of the coronavirus pandemic have led them to close even earlier than usual.

Ocean Beach, for example, has closed at 9:30 a.m. and reopened around 4 p.m. most weekends. Posts on the beachs Facebook page have advised those traveling from a distance not to come on weekends so as not to be turned away when they get there because the beach is at capacity.

In addition to reduced capacity limits, several towns are only allowing residents to access their beaches orselling a limited number of day passes for nonresidents, and theyoften charge much higher fees for nonresidents, making the persistent problem of beach access in Connecticut, with much of its shore privately owned, an even bigger issue this summer.

These measures are also being put in place in other communities across the country.

Invariably, these measures are justified in the name of public health and concerns about the spread of the virus shouldnt be taken lightly. But exclusionary measures that predominantly white and wealthier communities have eagerly adopted, combined with the fact that many cities and towns are keeping public swimming pools closed to help narrow budget gaps, mean many Americans who rely on public facilities for outdoor recreation disproportionately lower income families and people of color will step outside this summer only to find that there are few places left for them to go, wrote Andrew Kahrl, a professor of history and African-American studies at the University of Virginia and the author of Free the Beaches: The Story of Ned Coll and the Battle for Americas Most Exclusive Shoreline, in a recent Op-Ed for the New York Times.

DEEP spokesman Will Healey said, DEEP has worked very hard throughout the pandemic to maintain safe access to the beaches it oversees. Shoreline swimming areas have remained open throughout the pandemic, thanks to the hard work of our Parks staff. We are proud of the fact that we were able to keep shoreline beaches open and operating at the maximum capacity allowed by the parking and acreage available at each of those beaches. The value of these recreational resources has never been more clear as evidenced by the approximately 300% increase in the number of at-capacity events at our beaches this year as compared to last. Last week, DEEP also opened swimming areas at eight of its inland state parks. DEEP has also created the https://portal.ct.gov/whatsopenoutdoors webpage to help residents plan their beach outings.

Demand for outdoor spaces has grown in Connecticut potentially a symptom of people being cooped up indoors for months due to the pandemic. When much else was closed in Connecticut this spring, state parks remained open with reduced visitor capacity. TheConnecticut Trail Census, which tracks usage of the multiuse trails around the state, found huge increases in March, April and May but said additional analysis would be needed to determine whether the jumpcan definitively be attributed to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and stay-at-home orders.

Being outdoors and in nature has proved benefits for one's mental health, a fact that has taken on newimportanceaftermonths of isolation.

"Just 15 minutes a day can make a big difference in someone'sclarity of mind, mood and stability of emotions as well as reducing cortisol levels and overarching reduction of stress and depression," said Janelle Posey-Green, a licensed clinical social worker who co-owns Magnolia Wellness LLC in New London.

The reality is that not everyone has the sameaccess to outdoor spaces, so Posey-Green tells her clients that even sitting outsidecan be beneficial.

"You dont have to live in a wooded area or near theocean to receive those benefits," she said. "Sitting out on the front steps for five minutes, absorbing thesunlight and observingthesounds aroundyou will make a significant difference in your mental health, clarity and cognitive function."

j.bergman@theday.com

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For many in Connecticut, COVID-19 restrictions have made it harder to go to the beach this summer - theday.com

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas At Thursday's City-County COVID-19 press briefing, officials announced that beaches will be closed beginning Friday, July 24 at 12:00 p.m.

This decision made by officials is due to what will soon beTropical Storm Hanna. Beaches will reopen Monday at 6 a.m.

Nueces County Gulf Piers and the parking lot at Bob Hall Pier will be closed as well. All County and City Gulf beaches, Packery Channel Parking Lot and Windward Parking Lot, along with McGee Beach and North Beach will also be closed. There will not be any lifeguards on duty at the beaches.

Due to weather conditions, officials encourage residents to refrain from pedestrian access on the beach.

For the latest updates on coronavirus in the Coastal Bend, click here.

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Nueces County beaches are closed to pedestrians, vehicles and will reopen Monday, July 27 - KIIITV.com

UPDATE (Saturday, July 25): Saturate OC revival meeting held in Huntington Beach despite city orders to cancel

The thought of walking into a cold church seems intimidating to Stefan Marchand. But the beach? Not so much.

So, on a recent Friday, he joined hundreds of Christians in a revival worship and baptism in Huntington Beach, right by lifeguard tower 20. It was about 6 in the evening when Marchand, an actor, took a dunk in the cold water. He was enthralled by the magical lighting and sheer intensity of the experience, he said.

When I act, everything feels more intensified, he said. It was the same feeling I had when I came out of the water, except it was that times 100. It was the most incredible feeling.

For the past three Fridays, starting on July 3, Costa Mesa couple Jessi and Parker Green have organized the events, which are part revival, part worship and part baptisms, all rolled into one. They draw hundreds to the beach even though Orange County is experiencing a surge in coronavirus infections. Just this week, the county overtook Riverside County for the second largest number of coronavirus cases in California.

Last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered several types of businesses and houses of worship to close again because of the recent surge in COVID-19 cases. But the state orders do not preclude churches from having outdoor services as long as they take precautions, such as social distancing and wearing masks. The closure orders have been a point of contention for some faith leaders, who believe it is imperative for them to remain open to fulfill their essential services to congregants. Some congregations have opted for drive-in services and others have continued to operate in violation of state orders.

Parker and Jessi Green of Costa Mesa with their children: Ethan, 2, David, 3, and Summer, two months, stand on the beach north of the Huntington Beach Pier on Wednesday, July 22, 2020. The couple have been holding beach baptisms at Huntington Beach for the last three Fridays with hundreds in attendance, when most churches are closed or are doing online services due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Saying a prayer, Chris Daniels, center, prays with Stefan Marchand after he was baptized as over 500 worshipers participate in a Christian religious service with baptisms at lifeguard station 20 Friday, July 17, 2020 in Huntington Beach. The ritual is performed every Friday in July. The event is hosted by Saturate OC, a group of over 60 churches from California and beyond.(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

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Minister Parker Green speaks to over 500 worshipers as they participate in a Christian religious service with baptisms at lifeguard station 20 Friday, July 17, 2020 in Huntington Beach. The ritual is performed every Friday in July. The event is hosted by Saturate OC, a group of over 60 churches from California and beyond.(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

Over 500 worshipers sing praise and participate in a Christian religious service with baptisms at lifeguard station 20 Friday, July 17, 2020 in Huntington Beach. The ritual is performed every Friday in July. The event is hosted by Saturate OC, a group of over 60 churches from California and beyond.(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

Missionary Troy Cline and his bird Ezekiel speak to some of the over 500 worshipers participating in a Christian religious service with baptisms at lifeguard station 20 Friday, July 17, 2020 in Huntington Beach. The ritual is performed every Friday in July. The event is hosted by Saturate OC, a group of over 60 churches from California and beyond.(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

Just baptized, Jane Marczewski, right, receives a hug as over 500 worshipers participate in a Christian religious service with baptisms at lifeguard station 20 Friday, July 17, 2020 in Huntington Beach. The ritual is performed every Friday in July. The event is hosted by Saturate OC, a group of over 60 churches from California and beyond.(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

People are baptized as over 500 worshipers participate in a Christian religious service with baptisms at lifeguard station 20 Friday, July 17, 2020 in Huntington Beach. The ritual is performed every Friday in July. The event is hosted by Saturate OC, a group of over 60 churches from California and beyond.(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

Over 500 worshipers participate in a Christian religious service with baptisms at lifeguard station 20 Friday, July 17, 2020 in Huntington Beach. The ritual is performed every Friday in July. The event is hosted by Saturate OC, a group of over 60 churches from California and beyond.(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

The Mayfield family is baptized as over 500 worshipers participate in a Christian religious service with baptisms at lifeguard station 20 Friday, July 17, 2020 in Huntington Beach. The ritual is performed every Friday in July. The event is hosted by Saturate OC, a group of over 60 churches from California and beyond.(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

Sergio Blanco and his son Matteo listen to a sermon as over 500 worshipers participate in a Christian religious service with baptisms at lifeguard station 20 Friday, July 17, 2020 in Huntington Beach. The ritual is performed every Friday in July. The event is hosted by Saturate OC, a group of over 60 churches from California and beyond.(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

People lay hands on Revivalists Jessi, left, and Parker Green as over 500 worshipers participate in a Christian religious service with baptisms at lifeguard station 20 Friday, July 17, 2020 in Huntington Beach. The ritual is performed every Friday in July. The event is hosted by Saturate OC, a group of over 60 churches from California and beyond.(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

Parker and Jessi Green of Costa Mesa stand on the beach north of the Huntington Beach Pier on Wednesday, July 22, 2020. The couple have been holding beach baptisms at Huntington Beach for the last three Fridays with hundreds in attendance, when most churches are closed or are doing online services due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

People young and older sing praise as over 500 worshipers participate in a Christian religious service with baptisms at lifeguard station 20 Friday, July 17, 2020 in Huntington Beach. The ritual is performed every Friday in July. The event is hosted by Saturate OC, a group of over 60 churches from California and beyond.(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

Parker and Jessi Green of Costa Mesa stand on the beach north of the Huntington Beach Pier on Wednesday, July 22, 2020. The couple have been holding beach baptisms at Huntington Beach for the last three Fridays with hundreds in attendance, when most churches are closed or are doing online services due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Over 500 worshipers participate in a Christian religious service with baptisms at lifeguard station 20 Friday, July 17, 2020 in Huntington Beach. The ritual is performed every Friday in July. The event is hosted by Saturate OC, a group of over 60 churches from California and beyond.(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

The Greens, who call these beach revivals Saturate OC, said the timing of the events wasnt planned. The couple moved from New York City to Orange County in 2016, after Jessi Green said she had a vision of doing baptisms in the waves at Huntington Beach. She was employed with a social media marketing agency and her husband was a pastor at a local church.

When the couple arrived in Orange County, they started a microchurch movement called Salt Churches, which are small groups that meet to worship in peoples homes, parks or beaches.

Weve taken the last year to prepare for this event, she said. We had no idea we would do it in the middle of a pandemic when most churches are closed. But thats just the way it turned out.

In May, they decided to hold the first worship on July 3, a holiday, followed by three more each Friday in July. Newsom had ordered all beaches closed for the holiday weekend, but the city of Huntington Beach decided to keep its beaches open until July 3, which allowed the Greens event to proceed as planned.

I was worried if anyone would even come, Jessi Green said. But, about 300 people showed up and it was amazing.

In the following two weeks, hundreds more showed up as the word got out on social media.

Jane Marczewski of Long Beach said she heard about it on Instagram. Marczewski recently moved to Southern California from Nashville after she was diagnosed with breast cancer and was given three to six months to live.

My husband left me shortly after that and I was devastated, she said.

Marczewski says she miraculously became cancer-free just four months after going through alternative treatments combined with a mild dose of chemotherapy.

I came to the revival because I need to let go of my traumatic past and begin my life as a new person, she said. When I stepped into the waves, I felt like I was washing off my past. I left all that pain in the water and came back as a new person.

The Greens said they were not too concerned about the coronavirus spreading through their events because they are held outdoors, although they urge all attendees to wear masks and practice social distancing.

So far, we havent heard of anyone who became ill because of coming to our worship, Jessi Green said. And thats a good thing.

Her husband, Parker, said they welcome anyone who is comfortable being there.

If youre nervous, wear a mask, keep your distance, he said. I dont feel like there is an overbearing risk. Were just trying to pray, listen and be open.

Both Marczewski and Marchand said they were not concerned about contracting the virus.

I guess I shouldve been concerned, Marczewski said. But I thought if I can beat terminal cancer, I can survive COVID-19. It was just more important for me to have this experience.

But these types of events, where a large number of people congregate in one place, still pose significant risks, said Clayton Chau, director and acting health officer at the countys health care agency.

The longer the community continues to practice risky behaviors causing widespread community transmission, the longer our county will remain on the states monitoring list, he said. Being on this list will prolong the shutdown stage, causing a negative economic effect for the entire county, on top of putting vulnerable citizens at high risk.

While the states rules do allow worship outdoors, any large gathering outdoors be it church or protests can be risky, Chau said.

Thats especially true if people are hugging or having physical contact and not wearing masks, he said. When you have 1,000 people in one place, thats a big concern.

The Greens list several church partners that have lent their support for the beach events, including Harvest Christian Fellowship, Rockharbor and Fathers House OC. They initially had planned to end these worships by July 24. But now, after seeing the popularity of the beach baptisms, theyve extended them to Aug. 7.

Parker Green said he and his wife believe in their purpose to help people find their purpose and meaning in life.

You have all these churches trying to get people to come to them, he said. We are going to where the people are. We really want to see believers activated, not just passively listening to a sermon in church.

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Hundreds gather in Huntington Beach to be baptized with cold dunk in the ocean - OCRegister

If you head to the beach, look out for the sea turtles. Their odds of survival are not good; Escambia County says 1 in 1000 hatchlings will survive to adulthood.

Escambia Countys seaturtlenesting season has just passed its halfway mark, with a total of 17 nests located on Perdido Key and Pensacola Beach. Fifteen nests are Loggerhead, the most commonturtleto county beaches, and the other two are rare Kemps Ridley nests.

Nesting may occur through the late summer; however, the first nests are expected to hatch in early August. Seaturtlehatchlings face many threats on their first trip to the Gulf, both natural and human-caused.

Bright artificial lights from homes, cars and businesses may disorient hatchlings, leading them away from the Gulf and into danger. Furniture, toys, holes and other obstacles on the beach may trap hatchlings or cause serious injury.

Hatchlings that dont reach the Gulf quickly are easy prey for predators and at risk of dehydration, starvation and death.

If you see a nest hatching or encounter hatchlingsturtleson the beach, call Escambia County Marine Resources at 850-426-1257. If you encounter a nestingturtle, turn off all lights and retreat a safe distance away.

Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

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Sea Turtles Are Hatching On Escambia's Beaches. Their Odds Of Survival Are Not Good. - NorthEscambia.com

A slew of local beaches and state parks were forced to shut as early as around 9:30 a.m. Sunday because they had already reached capacity amid the blazing heat and coronavirus social-distancing rules.

Robert Moses State Park on Long Island was closed by 9:20 a.m., followed by such hot spots as Jones Beach, Orient Beach and Sandy Island, according to the state Department of Parks, Recreation and Historical Preservation. Bear Mountain State Park was among others shut down by 1 p.m.

The state police blocked off the entrances to some of the areas, including at Jones Beach, which had to turn visitors away by 11:50 a.m.

The beaches and parks are operating at reduced capacity because of social-distancing guidelines.

The mercury was set to hit 94 degrees with a real-feel temperature of 98 degrees in the metro area Sunday, according to Accuweather.

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Jones, Orient Beach forced to turn away visitors early amid hot temps - New York Post

A report released Thursday suggests social distancing shouldn't be the only concern as people flock to beaches this summer.

The annual analysis of water quality at the state's beaches by the group Environment Massachusetts found testing at 257 beaches last year discovered potentially unsafe levels of fecal bacteria on at least one day. That's out of 559 beaches that were tested.

Tenean Beach in Dorchester and Kings Beach in Lynn and Swampscott had the greatest number of failing tests in the state.

"Most of our beaches in Massachsuetts are safe for swimming most of the time," said Ben Hellerstein of Environment Massachusetts. "Unfortunately, all too often our beaches are plagued with pollution that can make swimmers sick."

Hellerstein said one reason for that is outdated water infrastructure. In many places, the problem comes from storm water runoff. And in 19 communities in the state, sewage and storm water flow into the same pipes.

"These combined sewer systems can become overwhelmed during heavy storms discharging untreated sewage into nearby waterways," Hellerstein said.

"Collectively, we are still discharging about 3 billion gallons of untreated sewage into rivers and bays every year," Gabby Queenan of the nonprofit Massachusetts Rivers Alliance said.

It's a problem that's likely to become more common as climate change leads to more extreme precipitation events. And, Queenan said, it correlates to economic and racial disparities in the state.

"You are three times more likely to have combined sewer overflow infrastructure in your community if you're identified as an environmental justice community," Queenan said. "Which I think just points to the fact that some communities, honestly, have been left behind when it comes to having those resources to actually fix the infrastructure."

A bill currently before the state legislature would shine a light on such discharges.

"It would require the operators of combined sewage overflow systems to tell the public, to notify the public, when sewage is being dumped in the waters," said state Sen. Pat Jehlen, who is one of the authors of the bill.

"We don't like to know that it happens at all," Jehlen said. "But we should know when it does."

The U.S. House of Representatives is set to vote Friday on an $11 billion water infrastructure bill that Hellesterin says he hopes will provide funding to help fix some of Massachusetts' water quality trouble spots.

Beaches are closed to swimmers when they test above safe limits for bacteria. But Bruce Berman of the nonprofit Save the Harbor/Save the Bay said that beachgoers who see a posted flag that designates whether the water is safe to enter are not necessarily getting an accurate reflection of the current water quality. It takes a day for communities to get the those testing results, he said.

"If there's a red flag, it means it was dirty yesterday, not that it's dirty today," Berman said. "If you swim with a green flag, it means it's clean yesterday. But if there was a rainstorm last night, it might not be clean today."

Berman said communities should take this into account, and proactively close a beach after a heavy rain if that has historically caused poor water quality.

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One More Thing To Worry About At The Beach: Water Quality - wgbh.org

Book Now

Southwest Floridas gentle Gulf Coast is where to find Sarasota County. Sarasota is a sophisticated coastal town, thats rich with the best of metropolitan art, music, media, performances, and galleries. Once the winter home of the Ringling Brothers Circus, Sarasota offers visitors an eclectic blend of arts and culture, history, fine dining, and of course the powder white sand of Trip Advisors 2020 Top Beach: Siesta Key. The beach itself is 99 percent pure quartz, and that pure white sand stays cool to the touch even in the Florida heat. The Gulf waters are calm and always perfect for a swim, but you can boat, fish, jet ski, and parasail, too. And all this wonderful beachside fun adds to the party atmosphere after the sun sets. Siesta Key Beach is so beautiful, its no wonder its one of the Florida beaches locals want to keep secret (although the MTV series Siesta Key may make that a lot more difficult now). Check into Sea Spray Resort, a favorite of visitors (it has a perfect five-star rating on TripAdvisor!) which puts you close to the sand and just a few blocks to all the action in town. There are beautifully landscaped grounds, a pool, and kitchenettes in the apartment-like rooms, providing everything you need for a relaxing beach vacation.

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These Are the Beaches Travelers Can't Wait to Return To - Reader's Digest

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 1 win & 5 nominations. See more awards Learn more More Like This

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U.S. entertainer Eddie Sparks wants to bring some fun to the soldiers during World War II and contacts singer/dancer Dixie Leonard for help. They become the perfect team and tour from North... See full summary

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A cruel but beautiful heiress mocks and cheats a hired carpenter. When she gets amnesia after an accident, he decides to introduce her to regular life by convincing her they're husband and wife.

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Chronicling a strong, but eccentric woman's devoted relationship to her daughter through the years.

Director:John Erman

Stars:Bette Midler,John Goodman,Trini Alvarado

When the New York child performer CC Bloom and San Francisco rich kid Hillary meet in a holiday resort in Atlantic City, it marks the start of a lifetime friendship between them. The two keep in touch through letters for a number of years until Hillary, now a successful lawyer moves to New York to stay with struggling singer CC. The movie shows the various stages of their friendship and their romances including their love for the same man. Written bySami Al-Taher

Budget:$20,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA: $198,361,26 December 1988

Gross USA: $57,041,866

Cumulative Worldwide Gross: $57,041,866

Runtime: 123 min

Aspect Ratio: 1.85 : 1

Looking for some great streaming picks? Check out some of the IMDb editors' favorites movies and shows to round out your Watchlist.

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Beaches (1988) - IMDb

Atlantic City BeachesThere are so many things to do in Atlantic City, and enjoying the free beaches is certainly one of them. Surfers can ride the perfect wave on Downtown Beach at Raleigh Avenue, Crystal Beach at New Hampshire Avenue or the Delaware Avenue Beach. Kayakers, windsurfers and boogie boarders are allowed at the Jackson Avenue Beach.

Barnegat BeachBarnegat Township was one of the leading seaports in the region, located right on the Barnegat Bay. It now offers a public dock for boat launching, crabbing and fishing, along with a boardwalk and the beach. Also at your leisure, you may go on the historic walking tour throughout downtown.

Bay FrontIn Lower Township, enjoy the wide-open spaces and the natural environment along the waterfront stretch from West Miami Avenue to Lincoln Boulevard.

Beesley's PointTucked along Great Egg Harbor Bay, this sandy shoreline is an ideal spot for launching a kayak to explore the bay. After enjoying a quiet afternoon in the sunshine, stop by the nearby Tuckahoe Inn Restaurant & Tavern, a family-owned restaurant serving up fresh seafood dishes.

Highlands BeachDiscover small pockets of beaches nestled between bustling marinas, where you can watch sailboats, fishing boats and other seafaring vessels as they venture into the sparkling waters. These beaches are conveniently located near a number of seafood restaurants, shops and fishing rental spots.

Ideal Beach, Middletown TownshipFor sunbathers looking for a quiet beachfront retreat, Ideal Beach is well, ideal. It offers less congestion without a boardwalk, great fishing, bird watching and plenty of peace and quiet.

Jennifer Lane Bay BeachTake in some sunshine along the Manahawkin Bay at the Jennifer Lane Bay Beach. During the summer months, lifeguards are on duty and there are several parks nearby for activities such as volleyball, paths for walking and biking, fishing pier and a roller hockey pit.

Keansburg BeachThis kid-friendly beach is perfect for family fun in the sun. Spend the day on the beautiful shoreline, and then take a stroll on the Keansburg Pier to take in the breathtaking sunset. Also on the boardwalk is Keansburg Amusement Park & Rapids Water Park.

Leonardo Beach, Middletown TownshipThis 1.3-acre beach can be accessed through the parking area for Leonardo State Marina, located four blocks off Route 36 in Leonardo. On this free beach, you can enjoy swimming and fishing.

Strathmere, Upper TownshipBetween Ocean City and Sea Isle City, youll find Strathmere, offering a low-key, off-the-beaten path beach experience for free! While theres no boardwalk, visitors can enjoy the natural splendor of this oceanfront escape.

Union BeachHead to the northeastern point of Union Beach, where youll find a quiet beach running along the edge of extensive salt marshesa great vantage point for birding. Just park in the lot at the end of Front Street, and choose your sun-drenched spot along the shoreline.

The WildwoodsFor fun in the sun, look no further than the free beaches at The Wildwoods. The 5-mile stretch of powdery sand welcomes beach goers of all ages, who come to enjoy boogie-boarding, body surfing, playing Frisbee, sand castle building and just relaxing. These beaches also host a number of events throughout the summer. Learn more about City of Wildwood, North Wildwood and Wildwood Crest beaches.

William Morrow Beach, Somers PointThis small Somers Point Beach features plenty of sandy shoreline to spread out your blanket, but its biggest draw is the free concert lineup on Friday nights during the summer. Bring a beach chair, pack your cooler, and enjoy a live music performance featuring everything from R&B to reggae.

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Free Beaches in New Jersey | VisitNJ.org

GARY, Ind. (CBS) The scorching heat this weekend drove people to seek shade and cool water on beaches.

But of course, the problem is that there arent too many beaches open due to COVID-19 closures. As CBS 2s Marissa Parra reported Saturday, it seems like Indiana Dunes National Park has one of the last beaches standing within driving distance from Chicago.

The lines of cars waiting to get into Indiana dunes beaches is nothing new, especially on a 90-plus-degree scorcher like Sunday was.

Well probably just be swimming, because its so hot and we dont want to burn up a lot, said one young Indiana Dunes beachgoer named Travis Sears.

Seeing license plates from states other than Indiana is not new either.

Theres a lot of Illinois and Michigan too, Sears said.

Sears is not kidding when he says a lot. And that is new.

A lot more folks from Illinois this year, said Indiana Dunes National Park Ranger Julie Waters.

It is yet another consequence of the coronavirus pandemic that rages on.

Weve seen record numbers just this summer, Waters said. Obviously, Chicago is still shut down. A lot of the other beaches Michigan City and the state of Michigan, they shut down a lot of their beaches as well.

But Indiana Dunes State and National Park beaches are still open for business.

This is the most packed its been since COVID, said Miguel Dieter.

You can see not a lot of people are wearing masks on the beach, but I guess try to stay away from people, said Jennie Dicosola.

Indiana Dunes State Park has about 4 to 5 miles of beachfront to work with, while the Indiana Dunes National Park that surrounds it has about 15.

But even so, not everyone wants to stay in their own space.

Social distancing is a big thing folks that want to social distance versus folks that dont, Waters said. Thats creating little tiffs among visitors here.

Park rangers like Waters said as far as social distancing and masks are concerned, they can strongly recommend that people comply with them, but they cant actually enforce it.

But they can enforce citations for things like disorderly conduct and possession of drugs.

Large crowds have led to the national park issuing more than 600 citations in a month more than they usually do in a year.

Indiana Dunes National Park Superintendent Paul Labovitz said closing the beach is not out of the question.

Everything and anything is possible based on the best public health information and recommendations at local, county, state and federal level, Labovitz said. Closure of federal beaches here would be a last resort.

Labovitz added that crowds are exacerbated because there is less beach because the Lake Michigan is also higher with rising levels.

On Sunday, Indiana health officials reported 860 new cases of COVID-19, and eight additional deaths with the seven-day moving average of cases now almost double what it was at the start of July.

A statewide mask order goes into effect on Monday.

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On A Scorching Weekend, Crowds Flock To Indiana Dunes Beaches As Theyre Among Few That Are Open - CBS Chicago

FAIRFIELD, CT Fairfield's beaches have gone from "a complete and utter disaster" to "a much safer situation" after the town last weekend began limiting admission to residents only, according to the first selectwoman.

Large numbers of visitors caused excessive traffic, left garbage, and made it impossible for beachgoers to practice social distancing measures intended to prevent transmission of the coronavirus, First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick told the Board of Selectmen at a meeting held Monday via teleconference.

"Our beaches literally were like something you would see on television from Florida," she said.

Fairfield responded by restricting beach use to residents only on Saturday and Sunday, erecting temporary fencing, and posting extra signs explaining parking fines increased to $200 from $80, according to Kupchick. Police were also present.

Kupchick deemed the first weekend with the new rules a success.

"We received literally hundreds of positive comments from our residents for the changes that we made," she said.

Fairfield's beach season has been far from typical this summer. A total of 5,000 more residents bought beach passes this year compared to last year, according to a town news release an influx compounded by large numbers of visitors from out of state, Kupchick said. Selectwoman Nancy Lefkowitz confirmed with Kupchick that out-of-towners visiting friends and family who live in Fairfield will be granted access to the beach.

In response to a question from Lefkowitz about the legality of banning nonresidents, Kupchick said Fairfield's town attorney has assured her she can limit beach access to residents in a situation involving public safety. She also noted neighboring Westport has similar beach restrictions.

"I have to put public safety as the No. 1 priority for our community," Kupchick said.

The coronavirus pandemic has drastically affected life in Connecticut for months, although both new cases and virus-associated deaths have leveled off in the last several weeks.

As of Wednesday, Fairfield had 618 confirmed coronavirus cases and 51 probable cases, compared to 593 confirmed cases and 48 probable cases a month ago, according to state data. The most recent town numbers indicate Fairfield has had 145 deaths connected to the virus, compared to 137 deaths as of June 20.

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Utter Disaster At Fairfield Beaches Led To Residents-Only Rule - Fairfield, CT Patch

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Rhode Island encouraging CT residents not to visit beaches this weekend - WFSB

Day trippers heading to Gloucester beaches this weekend can once again park at the citys beach lots, which are reopening in a limited manner.

Last weekend, the city closed the parking lots at Stage Fort Park, Good Harbor Beach,and Wingaersheek Beach to non-residents after complaints of excessive traffic, illegal parking, and littering. City officials were also concerned about social distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic.

On Saturday and Sunday, the beach lots will welcome Gloucester residents and a limited number of non-residents, at a reduced capacity, according to a city press release. Stage Fort Park will also be open to the public, with the Visitors Center welcoming guests Thursday through Monday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Last weekend when the parking lots were closed to non-residents, the beaches had far less traffic, Mayor Romeo Theken said in a press release. The police still issued 153 parking violations and towed five cars, according to the release. Nearly three dozen streets were temporarily classified as resident parking only to reduce traffic, according to the city, which said it will classify more streets near the beach as such to limit non-resident street parking.

The city said it will closely monitor parking violations for the rest of the summer.

Gloucester is also stepping up police patrols on its beaches, and beach rangers will assist city staff by monitoring safety guidelines and limiting capacity at Stage Fort Park and Gloucester beaches to allow for proper social distancing.

Residents with either a 2019 or 2020 beach sticker or a car registration and license with a Gloucester address can continue parking in the lots. Those who arent residents of Gloucester will be required to pay daily parking rates. Beach parking lots usually fill up by 9 a.m. on weekends, noted the city, but will reopen in the afternoon.

If our beaches become overwhelmed or if capacity is reduced because of tides, we may have to limit access again in the future, Theken said.

For the remainder of the summer, beachgoers will find announcements about weekend parking restrictions posted on Wednesdays, according to the city, and can go to the Gloucester beaches Facebook pagefor information.

Please be respectful when visiting our City and follow the rules in place, Theken said in a statement. The safety of City residents, employees and guests is our priority. COVID-19 doesnt take a summer vacation, and we must all continue to do our part to keep each other safe. Please wear a face covering in public, maintain social distancing, wash and sanitize your hands often and stay home if youre sick.

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Gloucester is reopening public beach parking lots this weekend at a reduced capacity - Boston.com

by: Kristina Bravo, Carlos Saucedo, with reporting by Alexis Lewis

A liquor store employee who was trying to stop a thief was fatally struck by the suspect in Long Beach Thursday night, authorities said.

Officers responded to a call about a crash involving a pedestrian near Anaheim Street and Magnolia Avenue around 10:30 p.m., according to the Long Beach Police Department.

Police arrived at the scene to find a man in his 50s on the eastbound lanes of Anaheim Street, but with the suspects vehicle gone, the department said.

According to a preliminary investigation, the clerk had tried to stop a thief and climbed the hood of his sedan.

The victim remained on the vehicle as the thief drove for about three blocks, before the driver maneuvered to get the clerk off the car, police said.

The victim fell onto the eastbound side of Anaheim Street.

Police earlier said a utility van that subsequently came by fatally struck the victim, but now investigators believe the vans driver had actually stopped to help the man and that he died from injuries sustained when he was thrown off the suspects hood.

Coroners officials will determine an officials cause of death.

The Long Beach Fire Department responded to the location and tried to save the mans life but ultimately pronounced him dead at the scene.

The county coroner has yet to notify his next of kin, the Police Department said.

Authorities described the thief as a black man whos around 40 years old and 5 feet, 7 inches tall. He has a skinny build, short, dark hair and a mustache, and he was wearing a black short-sleeved shirt and blue jeans, police said. Official only described his vehicle as a four-door silver sedan.

Detectives were canvassing the area for any video that might have captured the incident, Benson told KTLA.

Anyone with information can call Detective Kelsey Myers or Detective Shawn Loughlin at 562-570-7355.Those who wish to remain anonymous can submit tips to L.A. Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-8477, using the P3 Tips app or visiting lacrimestoppers.org.

Officials provided no further details about the case.

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Long Beach liquor store clerk killed in hit-and-run crash while trying to stop thief: Police - KTLA Los Angeles

If you have been thinking about a beach vacation this summer and want to know what to expect while in the middle of this pandemic, here is my experience at Ocean Isle Beach, NC in late July 2020.

Honestly, I was hesitant to venture out right now, but after speaking with the hotel office about their safety precautions, I felt much better about being away from home for a couple days.

We spent two nights at the Ocean Isle Inn. Over the last 10 years, I have stayed at this hotel many times and we have always enjoyed it. Thankfully, even during a pandemic, this trip was no exception.

Ocean Isle Beach is about 2 hours and 35 minutes from Raleigh. It's an easy drive and most of the trip is spent on I-40 East and 140 (which you get on just before you get to Wilmington, NC).

Just after you cross over the Intercoastal Waterway, you'll find the lovely little town of Ocean Isle Beach. See more about the history of this small community at oceanislebeach.com.

I have found this beach to be much less crowded than the larger beaches in the bigger towns nearby. It's also very family friendly. You'll find more ice cream places, restaurants and gift shops than bars. There is also a little putt-putt place in the middle of town.

The hotel has 3 floors. The first floor is for parking and the office. The 2nd and 3rd floors are guest rooms. There is an elevator available. We took the stairs the whole time and found it easy to socially distance because there are multiple stairways to each section of the hotel.

Check-in is anytime after 3 and check-out is by 11 am. Parking is free and we have not had an issue finding a space, although they do fill up sometimes. There is parking right across the street if that happens, though.

The hotel is smoke-free and pets are not allowed.

They offer a free continental breakfast every morning from 7 am to 10 am. I'll share more about the breakfast and how things have changed because of COVID-19 below.

This hotel is definitely not new, but it is clean and has been updated. I also love that the rooms have tile floors, which are much easier to keep clean than carpeted floors at the beach.

At this time of this article, ocean view rooms in early August 2020 on a weekday start at approx. $189 per night.

Check out the video below that I took from the gazebo at the hotel. You can see how beautiful the view is from the hotel and you can also see that the beach really is not crowded. The video also shows the outdoor hotel pool and the walkway to the beach. We walked on the beach multiple times a day and we were able to social distance with very little trouble, especially earlier in the morning and in the evenings.

When we arrived at the hotel, we found the sign below on the office door when we went to check in. The front desk also had plexiglass barriers between the employees and guests.

We were told that housekeeping would not be entering our room while we were staying there and if we needed any additional toiletries or towels that we would pick them up at the front desk. They even had a bucket for guests to put the pen they used after they signed the check-in paperwork. The sign on the bucket indicated that the pens would be cleaned before they were used again.

When we got to the room, I thoroughly wiped down everything I could with Clorox bleach spray cleaner I brought from home. I have no idea if I needed to do that extra level of cleaning, but it made me feel better and allowed me to relax a little more in the room.

Did I remember to take any photos of the inside of the room? No. No, I did not.

But, you can see what the rooms and the whole hotel look like on the Ocean Isle Inn website.

Each room has a mini fridge, microwave and coffee/tea/hot water maker. The rooms facing the ocean also have a porch with 2 chairs and a little side table. We spent a lot of time just sitting in the rocking chairs on the porch watching and listening to the ocean. We also ate all of our meals there since we got take out from local restaurants for lunch and dinner both days we were at the hotel.

I brought a book to read but never even cracked it open because it was so peaceful and relaxing to just sit and watch the ocean and the many birds that flew by!

We had a room on the top floor. If you decide to stay here at any point, I recommend the rooms at the far end of the hotel on the top floor with the ocean view. You won't hear the pool chatter as much if you are at the far end of the hotel. The view is better on the top floor than the lower floor (although those views are still beautiful).

The hotel is right on the beach and there is a nice walkway from the pool to the beach (that you can see in the video above). You'll also find a rinse station on the walkway so after hanging out at the beach, you can rinse off outside in your swimsuit to get a lot of the sand off of you.

Next to the pool is a lovely little gazebo with a great view of the beach.

The sunsets are gorgeous and the beach is very quiet at night.

There were even some folks on the beach from a turtle rescue organization monitoring a nest near the hotel. They were waiting for the little ones to hatch so they could guide them to the water without getting hurt.

The hotel offers a complimentary breakfast each morning and everything is now grab and go. Guests cannot eat in the breakfast room at this time. They did a great job of making sure guests were social distancing in the breakfast room and the very nice woman responsible for managing the breakfast area was wearing a mask each morning when we went to get our meal.

We took our food back to the room each day and enjoyed our meal on the deck overlooking the ocean. As I mentioned above, each room comes with a microwave oven and a coffee maker with coffee and tea in the room.

Here you can see the pre-packaged, single serve items they offered for the free breakfast including granola bars and cereal cups that you just pour the milk right in to so you don't need a separate bowl. They had a mix of sugary cereals and somewhat healthier options like Raisin Bran.

They also had oatmeal packets, muffins and fruit cups.

There were a number of breakfast sandwiches available that can be heated in the microwave in the hotel room.

Yogurt, milk, juice, peanut butter and jelly were also among the offerings.

We brought some additional proteins including hardboiled eggs and nuts because we expected the breakfast foods would be heavy on the carb side.

Since we were only there for 2 days and it was just the two of us, we decided to get take out for lunch and dinner (which only included 1 lunch and 2 dinners). The day we checked out, we were back home for lunch since it is only a 2.5 hour drive.

If you are looking for a more frugal option to dining out, especially if you are going to be there for many days or you have a big group to feed, the mini fridge in the room can store your cold foods and you can use the microwave to heat up meals. The fridge isn't very big so you may want to bring a cooler, as well. Our mini fridge did not have a freezer at the top, as I have seen at some hotels. They do have an ice machine on-site at the hotel.

In addition, there are Publix and Lowes Foods grocery stores 2.5 miles from the hotel, if you need to pick up any grocery items or non-food essentials.

Once of the best things about the Ocean Isle Inn is that it is in walking distance to most of the restaurants, shops and putt-putt golf which are all only .3 to .5 miles from the hotel. We parked the car the first afternoon we arrived and didn't move it again until 2 days later when we were headed home.

The first night we ordered take out from Jinks Creek Waterfront Grille. They had a separate entrance for take out, they were all wearing masks and the food was delicious. I had a crab cake, asparagus and cole slaw and it was all very tasty.

The next day for lunch, we got sandwiches from a great little place that I just discovered on this trip. Drift Coffee is a small local business with 3 cafes on the NC coast including 2 in Wilmington and 1 in Ocean Isle Beach. They have coffee, tea, sandwiches, pastries, fruit smoothies, brunch and more.

They required a mask to enter and all the employees had on masks. They do have outdoor seating available, but we took our sandwiches and drinks back to the room to enjoy on the porch with the fabulous ocean view. In addition to trying the egg, avocado and cheese sandwich on multi-grain bread, I also had the iced chai tea and iced coffee with caramel (the next morning). Everything was so good that a few hours later, we went back for fruit smoothies, which were also delicious! I definitely recommend the strawberry and banana smoothie!

Finally, for dinner the last night, we got take-out from Pelican's Perch Bar & Grill. We ordered at the restaurant, because they do not take call in orders. We were told it would be about 45 minutes before the food was ready. There was basically no social distancing going on while we were there and I do not think I saw anyone, employees or customers, wearing masks.

While the food was being made, we went to the next building over and enjoyed a beer at the Coastal Wine Room, a wonderful locally owned business. It is adjacent to Drift Coffee. We sat outside at a table and there was nobody else outside or anywhere near us. The tables were spread far apart to easily allow for social distancing. The owner chatted with us and was very friendly. He, and all the employees, wore masks and you had to have a mask to go in to the business.

When we are in Ocean Isle Beach again, we will plan to have a full meal there including small plates and wine. I was very impressed with the selection on the menu and the safety precautions they took.

We also enjoyed Hershey's ice cream from Breakers Pizza, Grill and Arcade. We had planned to go to the big ice cream place in town but it was packed with customers and there was no social distancing going on and very few face masks to be found. We felt much more comfortable at Breakers.

During past visits, we have dined at Sharky's Restaurant and Ocean Isle Fish Company but they are not really in walking distance from the hotel for to-go meals so we decided not to go there this time.

All in all, we had a very nice time. Many places made an effort to provide a safer environment for customers and we were able to find plenty of options where we felt relatively comfortable.

Am I ready to head back out on vacation again this summer? I don't think so.

Do I regret going in the first place? Not yet, but I guess we'll know in about 2 weeks.

We all have our own individual comfort level regarding this virus and going in public.

I am now more comfortable going to the grocery store during less busy times (very early morning or later at night) than I was in April. Some people are still not going in any places and some people are going everywhere with no hesitation.

If you are very anxious about any exposure at all to people not wearing masks, a beach vacation may not be the best option for you at this time.

If you are being cautious, but are still willing to venture out, I think Ocean Isle Beach is probably one of the better beaches you can go to regarding social distancing and safety because it isn't very crowded and there are plenty of good restaurants offering take-out and outside seating. We did not see any restaurants offering delivery.

I hope that helps to give you an idea of what it is like to vacation at Ocean Isle Beach this summer. I can say that I very much look forward to staying at the Ocean Isle Inn again next summer!

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Wondering what it's like to vacation at the beach during the pandemic? Here's my experience - WRAL.com

As Brad Colburn whisked his metal detector over the tan sands of Huntington Beach, a rejection of Orange Countys spiking coronavirus infection rates surfaced.

I dont believe it. I dont believe the rates are rising, Colburn said. Theyre inflated. Its another way of shutting everything down of the Democrats trying to get what they want.

For the record:

10:47 AM, Jul. 22, 2020In an earlier version of this article, YouTubers/comedians Tom Allen and John Parr were identified by their pseudonyms, Chad Kroeger and JT Parr, respectively.

The 58-year-old Huntington Beach resident said he has yet to wear a mask outside of shopping. Standing by a beach path as cyclists and in-line skaters zoomed by, he offered his own alternative policy to restrictive coronavirus health orders.

If you dont want to go outside, dont go outside, Colburn said.

More than any other place in California, Huntington Beach has come to symbolize resistance to many of the coronavirus safety rules government officials have imposed in recent months. Its not as though no one in the city is wearing masks and social distancing.

But many who oppose mandatory mask rules and other measures like closing beaches have been outspoken here, and used the tourist mecca as a platform for their views. In May, angry demonstrators converged a block away at the now mostly quiet Huntington Beach Pier to protest the state-ordered shutdown of local businesses.

Since then, many roaming through the citys downtown area are proudly not wearing masks. And the stance has even inspired a parody video that went viral on social media in recent weeks.

Fred Smoller, a professor of political science at nearby Chapman University, described Huntington Beach as a conservative stronghold and said that the attitudes about the coronavirus there reflect larger political divides.

Their ideology is a lens through which they are viewing the coronavirus, Smoller said. I would imagine many people there see it as a hoax, which the president has encouraged them to do in order to up his chance of reelection. Im sure theres quite a bit of animus toward the governor. Theyre viewing [state restrictions] as further evidence of the deep state and of an intrusive government.

Huntington Beach Mayor Lyn Semeta said the city would continue its educational efforts to keep residents safe. Masks, she said in an email statement to The Times, are critical in keeping people healthy and helping our businesses operate safely in the limited capacity they are able to.

When asked about opposition to COVID-19 restrictions in Huntington Beach, Semeta said she was aware people around the state are uncomfortable with the use of face coverings.

I can certainly understand that sentiment. However, while there is still much we are learning about this virus, health experts have come out strongly recommending face coverings as an effective measure that helps stop the spread of COVID-19, Semeta said, urging residents to wear them.

The number of Orange County coronavirus cases has surged in recent weeks, with more than 31,000 confirmed cases and more than 500 deaths. The number of hospitalizations has tripled in the last two months and overall infections have grown so dramatically that the county is now second in the state to Los Angeles County.

There is widespread acceptance that masks play a key role in slowing the spread of the coronavirus, and their widespread use in other countries is credited with slowing infections dramatically.

But skepticism abounds over the seriousness of the outbreak.

Hundreds gather this month for the weekly Saturate OC worship event in Huntington Beach.

(Raul Roa / Daily Pilot)

The Orange County Board of Education voted last week to approve recommendations for reopening schools that did not include mandatory use of masks or increased social distancing in classrooms. The board, however, did leave reopening plans up to individual school districts.

But those concerns became moot Friday when Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an order that would not allow most California schools to reopen when the academic year begins, shifting instead toward full-time remote learning in response to the summer surge in coronavirus cases.

In a viral video thats generated more than 1.5 million views since last week, YouTubers Tom Allen and John Parr offered Huntington Beach residents face coverings.

Allen and Parr, who use the pseudonyms Chad Kroeger and JT Parr, respectively, are West Hollywood-based comedians who run a web series called Chad Goes Deep. Previously, they advocated for house parties during an L.A. City Council meeting.

No one here has a mask, but we brought our own supply to fix the problem, Allen said at the beginning of the video, which showed mostly spiteful reactions to the offering. The two quickly learned the dearth of face coverings didnt stem from need.

We found out that its not really a shortage, people just kinda think they suck, Allen told The Times. Parr said Huntington Beach seemed relatively safe during their visit in early July, when the duo passed out all 20 packs of masks they brought. The mask promotion angered some residents, however.

Some dudes tried to fight us, which was scary, Parr said.

Hauling an orange surfboard toward Huntington Beachs famous waves last Thursday afternoon, one young man, face covered in drying sunscreen, offered his own appraisal of masks.

Wack. Never wear it, said the man, who declined to give his name as he got to the ocean.

It hasnt affected me at all, besides that I cant go to a bar and have a drink and really kick it with the boys, the man said. He called the restrictions pretty lame but acknowledged the deadliness of the gnarly coronavirus.

After hailing a beach path biker who had dropped a wallet, Sophia Darr shared her thoughts on the pandemic.

Im not afraid of it. I do think its overplayed. I think the media made it something it shouldnt be, Darr, 15, said. She wears a mask covered in pink peaches when she delivers food to the hungry, but said she didnt feel like she typically needs to wear one.

I wear it to respect the other people around me. Personally, I dont really care, Darr said. Before Newsoms order was issued, she said she wouldnt wear a face covering when returning to Huntington Beach High School for her junior year. She supports some of the loosened restrictions, like being able to eat outside, she said.

On the pier, Enoc Step fished for whatever bites, which on this day was Spanish mackerel and sardines. A home health nurse, he said he follows professional protocol but wants to see less government-mandated health policy and more individual accountability.

If I get it, I get it, Step, 52, said of the virus. Im doing the best I can: wash your hands, dont touch your face, put on a mask in an enclosed room and stay away from people.

He said hes seen a sharp reduction in work over the last few months, which he related to shutdowns he found unnecessary.

People are tired of it. People must be given responsibility for their own actions, said Step, a Fullerton resident. Newsom needs to stop being a monarch. The government should focus on information sharing, he said.

How can you fight something that you have no control over, he said.

Eleanor Dunais mask was fixed to her wrist as she passed Main Streets now outdoor-only restaurants on her way home from the post office. She said she wears the face covering in enclosed spaces but not outside where theres a beach breeze.

I think its kind of off-the-cuff, Dunai, 57, said of the states COVID restrictions. She thinks gyms shouldnt have opened before salons, which she feels safer in. Both gyms and salons have shut down again.

It seems like the smallest fraction of the population are getting their way, not the majority, she said. Polling shows a slight majority of Californians believe the state reopened too quickly, and more than three-quarters of the population are concerned they or their family members will contract COVID-19. She said she worries, too, but thinks strict health orders no longer make sense.

If we continue to hide and be totally isolated, were dragging it out, Dunai said. People need to take responsibility for their own actions.

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Huntington Beach is a symbol of mask resistance - Los Angeles Times

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) Its going to be yet another hot and humid weekend in West Michigan. The beaches will be a popular place to be as people search for ways to escape the heat.

There were rough conditions on Lake Michigan last weekend but this weekend should be calmer. Sunday will likely be the day with the roughest water.

Most buoys are recording surface water temperatures in the 70s and the average surface water temperature on Lake Michigan remains a few degrees warmer than normal.

Friday will be an all-around pleasant day. Temperatures will be in the mid-70s by Lake Michigan, and mid-80s inland. Winds will be from the northwest around 10 knots by the lake. Plenty of sunshine is expected through the day. Waves should be less than 1 foot.

The heat and humidity will start to surge back in for Saturday and Sunday. Inland temperatures on Sunday should end up around 90 and temperatures at the lakeshore will be in the upper 70s to around 80. Mostly sunny conditions are expected through the day. Winds will come from the south at 10 to 15 knots, and waves will build to around 1 to 2 feet. The waves could be slightly higher for beaches north of Grand Haven.

The largest waves are expected on Sunday. Winds will come from the southwest at 15 to 20 mph, and waves will be around 3 to 5 feet. Much of the day will be dry and partly sunny, though there will be a chance of a few showers or thunderstorms during the late afternoon and evening. South-facing beaches will be the most susceptible to strong currents.

TheLake Michigan Beach and Boating forecastis sponsored byJacobson Heating and CoolingandAdventure Credit Union.

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Beach and Boating forecast: July 23, 2020 - WOODTV.com