Im walking my dog down our lonely road in Newtown when a driver pulls over to ask directions.

Is there a beach around here?

The Pup and I were just pondering how to end this column about beaches. Then this guy arrives to serve as start and finish.

The driver and I stare at each other for a moment. Hes probably wondering why this would be a difficult question. Meanwhile, Im contextualizing. Thirty miles from the nearest sand along Long Island Sound might seem like around here to someone from, say, South Dakota.

Um, sorry, I finally reply. You probably saw the lake around the corner. Theres no beach.

Stamford Advocate and Greenwich Time Editorial Page Editorial John Breunig won honorable mention in the print humor category in the National Society of Newspaper Columnists annual column contest. Breunig is a repeat winner in the category and a past honoree in the general interest category.

Well loop back to that in 625 words.

Yes, Im being a tad strict with my beach definition. Having lived near a shoreline most of my life, I confess to mourning its absence since moving from Stamford a couple years ago. So does The Kid. He also misses city life, so we drive two hours with Mom to visit a friend in Queens, New York, for a one-day vacation at Americas largest urban beach.

Dont look, its a surprise, he warns before dawns early light. My eyes are still closed, so this game works for me.

But I am surprised, as he is making sandwiches for the first time in his eight years. He also crams blankets, a pop-up tent, umbrella, chairs and a bucket of beach toys into the trunk of our Honda Civic.

The Civic briefly surrenders a couple miles into the trip when the plastic undercarriage splash shield sags after popping a button. Not to be thwarted, I perform meatball surgery with zip ties.

One of the many wonders of Rockaway Beach is that it is free. The only price is the walk of shame in lugging said blankets, tent, umbrella, chairs, bucket and cooler from a space in front of a neighborhood house.

They refer to people like you as being Down for the Day, our friend says of her neighbors. She says some carry so much they resemble the Grinch tilting in his overstuffed sled.

The Kid and I further dress the part by wearing Hawaiian shirts. I make a silent pledge to don a Ramones Rockaway Beach T-shirt should we ever return to Hawaii.

Choosing a spot on the beach during the pandemic reminds me of movie-goers shuffling for the best seat in the Avons smaller theater in Stamford. A woman on the horizon settles into her spot. A family parks on her left, apparently too close for comfort. So she does the crab crawl to the right. A couple lands and traps her on the other side.

Beach policy calls for masks when not in the water, with parks staff offering them as needed. While social distancing is respected, people clearly dread bringing home a mask tan even more than COVID. As a nudge to passersby, I make masks from napkins and put them on a couple of Barbie dolls that were stowaways in the bucket of toys. It is a dud, as a pack of nearby high schoolers squeeze together for a self-declared moment-in-time selfie. If theres any age group to maintain social distancing from right now, its recently retired high schoolers.

My fellow day tripper, meanwhile, pretends to charge the waters like the Beatles running from girls at the opening of A Hard Days Night (hes been binging), poses as Mr. Narwhal rising from the Arctic waters in Elf, and rolls in the sand to do his impersonation of a cinnamon doughnut.

As always, I am able to mine curative powers from the ocean. Rather than rub salt to sting wounds, the salt water is a magical elixir of healing properties. It cures the toothache in my heel, the poison ivy in my soul and clears sinuses clogged with anxiety.

It also is a chance to consider the NOMB (Not on My Beach) issue from the other end of the periscope. The matter of New Yorkers storming beaches is a hot topic in Stamford right now, and has always sizzled in Greenwich. I get it, but have never been able to get past the elemental reasoning that the waterfront should be available to everyone.

So, here we are, Connecticut Yankees putting the flip-flop on the other foot. I learn that the Rockaway neighbors like to forego their driveways in favor of street parking to block out space invaders. Its like Shippan with street smarts.

So, 625 words and a day later, were back in Newtown trying to advise steamy travelers in search of sand. I recommend nearby hiking trails, only to read disappointment in their faces.

I can understand, I offer sympathetically. We used to live in Stamford and miss the beaches.

Oh, we came from Stamford, they reply.

I guess were all going against the tide.

John Breunig is editorial page editor of The Stamford Advocate and Greenwich Time. Jbreunig@scni.com; twitter.com/johnbreunig.

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John Breunig: Flip-flop is on the other foot when visiting beaches in New York - CT Insider

A pair of whale strandings in Maine are concerningscientists and marine mammal rescuers.

Over the past month, two beaked whales, a rarely seen type of whale with teeth, have washed ashore and died in the state, first in June in York and then weeks later in Phippsburg.

Last Saturday, a Phippsburg family contacted Marine Mammals of Maine, which responds to strandings, after they saw what they thought was a pilot whale or dolphin that was beached on a mudflat.

They discovered her around that low tide period and heard her breathing, said Lynda Doughty, founder of Marine Mammals of Maine.

Divers in Thailand saw a whale shark with a nylon rope tied around its tail. The tense video shows one of the divers attempted to use a knife to cut off the rope but was unsuccessful.

She lives in Phippsburg and went to the flat to check on the whale.

While neither animal could be saved, Doughty said it is clear the two whales are two different species of beaked whale, one that's never been seen before in Maine.

She also said that, despite how sad the deaths are, they allow scientists to gather important information about an animal that typically lives in deep water, far offshore, with few specimens retrieved for study.

The last beaked whale spotted in Maine was a carcass thatwas found in Cape Elizabeth in 2014.

We do get to learna lot of valuable information from this species, and the dissection -- and actually the first whale and parts of the second whale -- will be going to the Smithsonian for them to look at as well, Doughty said.

The tissue analysis and research, especially into what contributed to the whales deaths, will take some time, quite possibly months.

Until then, Doughty said, its difficult to speculate what caused them to come so close to shore.

Its too early to tell and until we have all the facts wedont assume anything, she explained.

If someone does see a beaked whale or another mammal on the beach, Doughty said they can call the stranding hotline on the Marine Mammals of Maine website.

She advised people who are not trained to rescue these types of animals to stay away from them, because they will not know humans approaching them are there to help and may thrash at them in a dangerous way.

Read more here:

2 Rarely Seen Beaked Whales Die on Maine Beaches Within Weeks - NECN

After a sunny hot weekend that drove beach goers to Gloucester, beach parking lots will be closed to non-residents this weekend, city officials announced Tuesday night.

Reports of excessive traffic from residents prompted the closures that will be in place on July 18 and 19, according to a joint statement by the City of Gloucester, the Gloucester Health Department, and the Department of Public Works.

The last thing we want to do is close our parking lots to visitors, but our City was had an influx of traffic this past weekend, Gloucester Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken said in the statement. We need to reduce the amount of traffic, which is a challenge we face every year but has certainly been compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic.

City staff will be working at Stage Fort Park, Good Harbor Beach, and Wingaersheek Beach parking lots to ensure non-residents do not park there, the statement said.

Romeo Theken said people who are looking to go outside after staying at home for months, along with limits placed on travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic, have made traffic worse for Gloucester residents.

It isnt a sustainable situation for our residents, she said.

Additionally, high tide is expected to take place early in the day at 10:21 a.m. Saturday and 11:07 a.m. Sunday, reducing the area of beach available for visitors, according to the statement.

Residents can get access to the parking lots with a 2020 beach sticker, a 2019 beach sticker, or a license and registration with a Gloucester address, the statement said.

Beaches in Gloucester are currently open to a limited number of non-residents on weekdays. Visitors are still allowed to park at public beach parking lots on weekdays, the statement said.

Visitors are asked to maintain at least 12 feet between toweling and blanket areas, according to the statement.

Gloucester officials will announce next week whether or not the parking lots will be open to non-residents for the weekend of July 25 and July 26, the statement said.

Andrew Stanton can be reached at andrew.stanton@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @_andrewstanton.

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Gloucester beach parking lots to be closed to non-residents this weekend - The Boston Globe

NEW ORLEANS (AP) Tropical Storm Cristobal ate away the beach of Louisianas only inhabited barrier island to the huge sand-filled tube at the core of a protective levee, and the Army Corps of Engineers says permits and studies keep it or anyone else from repairing much of the beach until well after hurricane season.

State and local officials say the work needs to be done now because its hurricane season -- and expected to be an intense one, The Times-Picayune / The New Orleans Advocate reported. Two tropical storms formed before the seasons official June 1 start, and Tropical Storm Fay, which hit New Jersey last week, was the earliest sixth-named storm on record.

This is an emergency situation. Hell, youve got half the beach thats gone, and some parts there is no beach, Chip Kline, head of the state Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, said during a CPRA meeting Wednesday.

But without an imminent threat such as a hurricane bearing down on the island, the Corps schedule for previously planned work on the levee it built in 2014 is bound by earlier agreements and permitting timelines, said the Corps deputy district engineer, Mark Wingate.

We all understand its urgent, he said.

The storm in early June damaged nearly 2,000 feet (610 meters) of the levee along the islands west side, sweeping away about 85 feet (26 meters) of sand outside the levee to expose the tube, which locals call the burrito.

Another storm could burst the tube, destroying homes and businesses behind it, says Mayor David Camardelle. Im worried to death this island will be cut in half, he told the newspaper in June.

The second phase of a $15 million Corps project would add 400,000 cubic yards of sand across the beach, behind five recently completed stone breakwaters installed as phase 1. But the beach work is not scheduled to start until January, with completion expected in June 2022.

Were prepared to take some temporary action on our own, and do some temporary fixes in the event theres a storm in three weeks, Kline told Corps representatives Wednesday. At least wed have some rocks or some additional sand to protect that segment of levee.

CPRA wants to take over the project and get the sand in as soon as possible, with the Corps reimbursing it for costs, which could top $8 million.

The Corps unwillingness to agree to full reimbursement rankled Kline.

That is ridiculous to me, he said. CPRA and Jefferson Parish paid for repairs after a mild winter storm in 2016. The Corps wouldnt papy because the damage was not caused by an extraordinary event like a hurricane, agency officials said.

It was supposed to withstand a Category 3 hurricane but continues to fail during tropical storms and rainfall events, Kline said.

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'In some parts there is no beach': Storm ate at island levee - Associated Press

MOREHEAD CITY State standards for beach fill projects remain unchanged, with state officials Thursday readopting technical standards for such efforts.

The N.C. Coastal Resources Commission met for a special meeting via teleconference Thursday to take action on three rules. N.C. Division of Coastal Management Deputy Director Mike Lopazanski, who was present for the meeting, said the three rules were due for their 10-year reassessment under state statute.

The CRC is the state rulemaking body which creates regulations for coastal development, while the DCM is the agency which enforces those rules and conducts research and studies for the CRC.

Mr. Lopazanski said a public comment period was held from May 15 through Tuesday for the reassessed rules. No comments were received and no changes were proposed.

The commission unanimously readopted the technical standards for beach fill projects during Thursdays meeting. The projects include beach nourishment, dredged material disposal, habitat restoration, storm protection and erosion control projects.

The readopted standards set the criteria for conducting beach fill projects, including how to characterize recipient beaches, how to characterize the sediment placed on the beach or beaches in question, the criteria for determining sediment compatibility and excavation and placement criteria.

The CRC also unanimously readopted rules for coastal development project periods, commencement and continuation, including rules for commencing or continuing development in an ocean hazard area of environmental concern.

The CRC also unanimously readopted rules for extending coastal development project periods. The rule allows extending minor Coastal Area Management Act permits for beach bulldozing one time by 30 days.

It also allows extending CAMA permit for up to two years for a project that hasnt begun yet. Projects with substantial development begun and ongoing may be granted as many two-year extensions as necessary to complete the initial development.

Contact Mike Shutak at 252-723-7353, email mike@thenewstimes.com; or follow onTwitter at @mikesccnt.

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State OKs standards for beach fill projects, other coastal development rules - Carolinacoastonline

SAN DIEGO Residents around San Diego County who plan on taking a dip in the ocean this weekend can look forward to warm water.

The elevated temperatures, reported by forecasters and noted in an article Thursday by the San Diego Union-Tribune, will account for some of the warmest water around the region recorded on this week over the past 10 years.

The water was around 71.6 degrees at Mission Beach on Friday, 72.3 degrees in Oceanside, and over 74 degrees in both La Jolla and Encinitas. Under clear, sunny skies, the water temperatures should be elevated throughout the weekend, even reaching 77 in some spots.

Beaches remain open in San Diego County during the coronavirus pandemic, but residents are urged to only visit with members of their immediate household and to maintain social distance from others.

As the U-Ts Gary Robbins points out, its also always a good idea to shuffle your feet as you enter and exit the water to scare off stingrays.

Click here for your forecast and more San Diego weather information.

Excerpt from:

Leave the wetsuit home: Warm water forecast for local beaches - fox5sandiego.com

This trail leads right around and goes down to the beach.

Charlie Young pointed to a little pathway off a road in Madison thats technically state property. He says its a 15 minute walk to the beach, which is causing major problems on the roads.

People were just walking with their coolers and their umbrellas and their kids down the street to walk to the park, said David Donahue, owner of Donahues Clam Castle.

People are finding other ways into Hammonasset State Park afterit reaches the reduced parking limit under COVID-19 guidelines.

A lot of out of state plates, a lot of Connecticut platesbut Ive never seen the side streets down here so full of parked cars, andpeople walking into Hammonasset, said Young.

I get that question all the time from people coming in canwe park here and go to the beach? and I have to unfortunately say to them no,said Donahue.

Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Katie Dykes reiterated the message today, telling people not to walk in to state parks.

We are doing this to keep you safe. Please do not park on aside street and try to walk in, said Dykes.

Madison resident Vincent Siniscalchi agrees.

I wouldnt let the people walk, theyre walking down Route 1 which is dangerous, said Siniscalchi

Madison police say theres little they can do on the roadsand paths that are state property. Theyre aware of the parking headaches, sotheyve added new no parking signs on town streets.

If youre parked in front of a fire hydrant or you're blocking a driveway or blocking a driveway, you will be towed. I mean thats the law, said Capt. Joseph Race of the Madison Police Department.

He says people who have driven hours from out of state arentlikely to go home if they find Hammonasset closed when they get to Madison. So theyrewilling to work with people if they follow the rules.

The town of Madison has three beaches that are open to thepublic, only the parking is restricted to residents.

The train station does have plenty of parking up that way, there is on-street parking in the center of town, said Race.

Theyre also reducing capacity at the town beaches whereMadison recreation staff will monitor the number of people in the sand.

At a certain point, we may have to close the gates to walk-ins as well.

He adds theyll have extra patrols out this weekendmonitoring parking and handing out tickets, so plan ahead and pack patience.

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Officials Warn of Beach Parking Problems In Madison - NBC Connecticut

We are struggling to keep the crowds under control at the beaches, Raimondo said.

Even with parking capacity limited, Rhode Island beaches saw 50,000 more cars last month than at the same time last year, she said. And last weekend, the state received reports of numerous social distancing and face mask scofflaws at the beaches, particularly people in their 20s.

It got out of control last weekend, Raimondo said. Im hearing from far too many businesses that often young employees are getting harassed by patrons who are cranky about keeping social distance or wearing a mask. You shouldnt have to deal with that.

So the state will place parking limits on those two popular beaches while also stepping up enforcement to ensure that beach-goers take health precautions and dont park illegally on surrounding roads. Temperatures are predicted to be in the 90s this weekend.

Im sorry that we have to do this, but its necessary, Raimondo said.

The governor said she understands the desire of Ocean State residents to hit the beach. I get it, she said. Vacations have been canceled. Everyone has been stuck in the house. Lots of summer camps are still canceled. You dont know what to do with your kids. Its 90 degrees. Its time to go to the beach.

But if people are going to go to the shore, they must wear face masks when using the restroom, going to the concession stand, or gathering on pavilions in groups.

If people continue to flout those rules, the state could see the virus surge as it has in other states, Raimondo warned. For example, she said, Florida saw the number of COVID-19 cases double in 15 days, Arizona saw a 300 percent increase in cases in June, and Texas saw its hospitalizations double in just 14 days.

The point is: This changes quickly, Raimondo said.

And if a similar surge hits Rhode Island, the governor said she will be forced to clamp down and close parts of the economy that have reopened since the pandemic began.

On Tuesday, the Department of Health reported 102 new cases of COVID-19, marking the first time since June 10 that the state reported at least 100 new infections, and the 3.5 percent positive test rate was the highest since the end of May.

By Wednesday, the numbers were back down: The state reported 52 new cases, the positive test rate was down to 1.8 percent, and Raimondo said Rhode Island remains in a good place relative to other states.

But, she said, If we let our guard down, we are going to see a surge. Thats not my opinion. That is just a fact. This virus is lurking with us and will be every day until we have a widely available vaccine.

Raimondo warned that while the statewide positive test rate is back under 2 percent, 7 percent of Rhode Islanders in their 20s are testing positive, and she said that too many people in that age bracket are congregating at beaches while ignoring face mask and social distance rules.

You guys got to do better, she said. I know its summer. I know you want to party. I know you want to go to the beach. I know you want to go out.

But she said a resurgence in the virus would make it harder for people to return to work, for businesses to reopen, and for students to return to school.

Department of Health Director Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott said its crucial that Rhode Islanders remain vigilant.

We are absolutely seeing social gatherings as a source of these new cases, whether on the beach where people are close together and not masking, or on boats, at home, and other places, she said. We have to address this together with kindness and consideration.

On Wednesday, the Department of Health reported that two more Rhode Islanders had died of COVID-19, bringing the state death toll to 987. The 52 new cases brought the total number of positive tests to 17,640. A total of 59 people are hospitalized with the virus, five are in intensive care, and three are on ventilators, the state reported.

Alexander-Scott announced that Rhode Island will launch a second round of serology testing to see how many people have coronavirus antibodies in their blood. The testing will give health officials a better understanding of how prevalent the virus is in the state, she said. Rhode Island is one of just three sites in the country doing this round of testing, along with Detroit and New York City, she said.

Also, Raimondo provided details of her plan to use federal coronavirus relief funding to help small businesses.

She announced that $50 million will be made available to support small businesses that were hit hardest by the pandemic, such as restaurants, caterers, and other businesses with 20 or fewer employees. Grants of up to $15,000 will go to businesses that can show they have lost significant portions of their revenue in past few months, she said.

Raimondo said 20 percent of the funds will be set aside for minority-owned businesses.

If the initial $50 million goes quickly, that can be replenished with additional federal funds, she said. This is a first step. This isnt it. This is the beginning.

Raimondo announced that another $26 million in federal stimulus money will be made available for critical small business support services, including nonprofit grants, technical assistance to businesses, and a repositioning program to help change business models.

We have heard a lot from small businesses that, yes, they need some money to keep the lights on, but they also need a hand to adjust their business model for this new economy how to sell things online, how to allow people to work from home, she said.

Raimondo announced that another $20 million will be made available from the Small Business Development Fund that the General Assembly authorized last year, and the state is working with federal Economic Development Administration to provide $5 million to help the states tourism industry.

Raimondo had criticized the Small Business Development Fund when it was proposed last year, but she said it has been transformed into a program that can help small businesses hurt by the coronavirus outbreak.

With all those funding sources are combined, Raimondo said the result is that $100 million will quickly go out the door to small businesses.

But the applications wont be available online for a couple of weeks, she said, adding that the framework for the funding would be posted later Wednesday at commerceri.com.

Edward Fitzpatrick can be reached at edward.fitzpatrick@globe.com

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Its been party hearty at Rhode Islands beaches, and Raimondo is cracking down - The Boston Globe

ROXBURY, NJ As the weekend forecast calls for temperatures in the 90s, heres some good news: The township is now selling a limited number of same-day passes to Horseshoe Lake Beach.

The decision was announced Tuesday by Roxbury Mayor Bob DeFillippo.

Although the beach in Succasunna has been open since June 27, those who wanted to go there but didnt want to buy season passes had to pre-registerthe day before their visit if they wanted day passes.

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We have been monitoring beach attendance, as we said we would, and staff has determined, based on their review, that we can offer a few day passes each day, DeFillippo said. Ten day passes will be available on days when registration is otherwise not full.

In an effort to ensure sufficient social distancing at the beach, attendance is limited to 280 people at one time. The mayor said this plan seems to be working.

"I am pleased to report that Township Manager John Shepherd tells me all is going well at the beach and, for the most part, beach-goers are practicing social distancing, DeFillippo said. We want to thank everyone for their cooperation while visiting the beach.

The on-the-spot day passes will be available at the beach on a first-come-first-served basis. They will cost $5 for a resident and $10 for non-residents.

DeFillippo said Roxbury Councilman Tom Carey was the chief advocate for offering daily passes.

Masks and Distancing 'Not That Much to Ask'

Speaking on July 14, DeFillippo said 17 more Roxbury residents were determined to have COVID-19 since he last gave an update on June 23. That brought the total to 303 reported cases, he said.

While the number of confirmed cases has dramatically slowed, we did see a slight uptick since our last report a reminder that Covid-19 is not yet through with Roxbury, said the mayor.

He urged people to wear masks when they are outside and unable to be at least six feet away from others, as dictated by Gov. Phil Murphys recent order.

We ask that residents be considerate to others and practice social distancing in our parks and on our trails, DeFillippo said. We have received several reports that people are not keeping a safe distance when using our recreational facilities and are not wearing masks.

He contended it is very inconsiderate and potentially dangerous to others when you do not follow those rules, and asserted that adhereing tothe guidelines is not much to ask, and we simply do not understand why anyone would object.

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Roxbury Offers On-the-Spot Beach Passes as Hot Weekend Approaches - TAPinto.net

All of our doctors agreed that by driving to the beach house, which had touchless check-in, and aiming to stay there for the week with minimal trips into town, we were taking a fairly safe, low-risk trip. Because my family is all clustered in Northern Virginia and own their cars, they were only crossing one state border.

The biggest logistical question was how I could get there from New York. A friend who had just tested negative for a live COVID-19 test and was in my quarantine bubble ended up driving me to my mother's house, and from there I rode to the beach with my mom. The drive from New York to Virginia goes through four states, including New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Marylandand we did not plan a single stop, rather pulling over as we needed to eat or use the restroom, and sussing it out from there. It's hard to emphasize how consistently safe the rest stops felt across all states, from New York to North Carolina. Masks were required, social distancing was being practiced, and sanitation appeared high.

Lastly, we plotted out all of our meals for the duration of the trip in a shared spreadsheet, well in advance, with different adults assigned to various meals. This allowed us to do as much advanced shopping as possible, and bring in a majority of our groceries. In the end, only a few stray stops into town for fresh ingredients, like seafood, were needed.

We brought all of our own beach chairs, umbrellas, and boogie boards, mainly because we already had the gear we needed for a week of beach days. Our days were loosely structured around meals, with a group breakfast starting at 8 a.m. (though some slept in), hitting the beach around 10:30 a.m., and lunch on the sand, preferably with a Modelo in hand. In the evenings, cocktail hour and a group dinner were always on the agenda.

On the beach, we collected seashells, swam, read, and someone was always napping in the sun. After coming from such a densely populated city like New York, where there's no choice but to wear masks wherever you go, it was such a relief to be on a wide, open beach where the next stranger was at least 50 yards away. We had read up on bubbling for a trip like this, and all our prep work made it possible to hang up our masks while at our homebase, and hug constantly. We pretty much kept to the house, but when we did venture into town, it was masks on, six feet away from other people, and hand sanitizer at the ready. But another thing that came as a surprise, after my months in a crowded city? At the local Food Lion, the parking lot was so large you couldn't get near anyone else. Ditto inside the actual store, which was so massive, I only got within feet of another person at check-out.

One of the reasons I'm so in favor of the beach house trip is that once you've arrived, the rest is easy. Despite being so simple, this trip was especially poignant: I'd been quarantining in my Brooklyn studio since March; they'd been doing the same in their respective homes (with children, no less). Six weeks before the plan came together, we weren't even sure when we'd be together again. But here I was, building Legos with my niece and nephew; cuddling up for a movie the one day it rained; screaming as we jumped over large, salty ocean waves together. Every night, as we sat down to dinner and toasted over crab cakes and steaks fresh off the grill, the ocean right behind us, it made every bit of preparation worth it.

We're reporting on how COVID-19 impacts travel on a daily basis. Find all of our coronavirus coverage and travel resources here.

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How We Planned a Multigenerational Beach Trip to Emerald Isle, N.C. - Cond Nast Traveler

U.S. beach volleyball teammates Kelly ClaesandSarah Sponcilwere all packed and minutes from driving separately to Los Angeles International Airport in mid-March when they received the notification.

An FIVB World Tour event in Sydney, Australia, their first of the Olympic year, was canceled due to the emerging coronavirus pandemic.

We called each other, Sponcil said. We kind of were in that moment of now what? Like everyone else.

Claes, 24, and Sponcil, 23, then spent nearly the entire spring apart. Sponcil drove to her native Arizona. Claes hunkered in Southern California, where stay-at-home measures were instituted. Beaches closed. Beach volleyball tournaments, in the U.S. and abroad, were wiped off the calendar. The Olympics were postponed to 2021.

It was heartbreaking, especially given Claes and Sponcil accepted the risk of flying abroad back in March. While other teams withdrew from the Sydney event, they were entered right up until the cancellation.

We were prepared to go out and play and get quarantined out there, Claes said. We had friends in Australia. Well quarantine with them.

Every tournament could be vital for Claes and Sponcil over the next year, starting with the AVP Champions Cup. The three-legged substitute for a season is being held in the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center parking lot with imported sand. Matches are the next three Saturdays and Sundays with coverage on NBC Sports.

Next year, Claes and Sponcil can become the youngest U.S. Olympic beach volleyball team in history. So every extra opportunity to play together is viewed as beneficial.

Theyre also ranked third more than halfway through U.S. Olympic qualifying. The top two teams go to Tokyo. Thats why they were so intent on flying to Sydney. The No. 2 team of Kerri Walsh JenningsandBrooke Sweat, plus others, withdrew before the event was canceled.

We want to pursue the Olympics, Sponcil said. If our health is on the line, were going to risk it.

The AVP is not part of Olympic qualifying. But Claes and Sponcil will continue to season a partnership that is not yet two years old. All of the other teams going for U.S. Olympic spots are in the AVP Champions Cup field, except for Walsh Jennings and Sweat, given the three-time gold medalist is no longer under AVP contract.

In U.S. Olympic qualifying, world silver medalists April RossandAlix Klinemanhold a substantial 1,800-point lead over Walsh Jennings and Sweat. Claes and Sponcil are another 320 points behind. When international play resumes, the standings can change in a week. A team can earn as many as 1,200 points for a top-level international title.

Walsh Jennings, who is 41, is trying to become the oldest Olympic beach volleyball player ever. She has said this will be her last Olympic run. If Claes and Sponcil accomplish their goal of qualifying for Tokyo, they will also likely end the Olympic career of a legend.

I havent thought about it all that much, Claes said. Theres so many different outside voices and pressures. Weve been just trying to stay in our own little bubble and focus on what we need to focus on.

Plenty has kept them busy since partnering in September 2018.

Weve gone to hell and back, Claes said last year on the beach volleyball podcast Sandcast.

Claes won NCAA beach volleyball titles with USC in 2016 and 2017. She and fellow TrojanSara Hughesbegan playing internationally with a pedigree to become the next great U.S. team. Their bond was so strong that Hughes turned down Walsh Jennings proposal to partner up in 2017.

But in 2018, Hughes decided to pair withSummer Rossfor a Tokyo Olympic run (which ended after Ross suffered a 2019 back injury). Claes finished the 2018 season with veteranBrittany Hochevar, then had to decide about a Tokyo Olympic run.

Claes interviewed multiple potential partners. She reached out to Sponcil, a promising player who was still competing collegiately for UCLA.

Sponcil was a revelation during her summer break from the Bruins. She made her AVP main-draw debut with Rio Olympian Lauren Fendrickand reached a final, dropping two close sets to April Ross and Klineman. Sponcil and Fendrick trained together once or twice before the tournament, which took place two weeks after Sponcil and the Bruins won the NCAA beach title.

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Before that, I didnt really have a future planned, said Sponcil, a setter for UCLAs indoor team after transferring from Loyola Marymount, where she was that schools Female Athlete of the Year. I kind of wanted to go the indoor, USA national team route, but after we did so well in that tournament, it kind of flipped a switch. I kind of wanted to pursue beach.

The late summer/early fall of 2018 was the crucial time. Olympic qualifying was about to start. Partner switches were happening. April Ross and Klineman paired a year earlier. Hughes and Summer Ross (no relation) earlier that year.

When Claes and Sponcil molded their team over lunch at a Southern California burrito joint, Walsh Jennings was still on the lookout. Claes was one of the players who worked out with Walsh Jennings. All of the players flew to China in early autumn for tournaments.

I think it was still a little open in my mind, to consider a partnership with the triple gold medalist, Claes said. I mean, Kerri Walsh Jennings, amazing athlete. Five Olympics under her belt. I felt like I could learn a lot from her.

Claes and Sponcil, in their first tournament together, finished third in a mid-level event in Qinzhou. Claes had agreed the next week to play with Walsh Jennings, who then right before the tournament announced Sweat as her new partner for the upcoming Olympic run.

Claes and Walsh Jennings, both blockers at 6 feet and change, still played that one event together. They won their first two matches. In the third, they went a set up on April Ross and Klineman, who already established themselves as the top U.S. team. Ross and Klineman rallied to win in three. Claes hasnt played with anyone other than Sponcil since.

[Walsh Jennings] and Sarah were, like, top of my list, said Claes, who also tried out with April Ross in 2017 before Ross teamed with Klineman. Each one would have been such a unique journey to go down. Im so thankful it worked out the way it has because I get to now experience life with Sarah. I get to experience this journey fresh with Sarah, and we get to do it together versus if I had decided to play with Kerri, so much experience on her end. It would be me, I kind of feel like, tailing along and figuring out things as I go in that regard versus getting to live it with my partner.

Sponcil said she felt confident that Claes would not leave her for the most decorated Olympic beach volleyball player in history.

Theres always those thoughts, but I dont think it really rattled me too much, Sponcil said. [Claes] was looking for a partner that was younger that she could kind of grow with.

Claes and Sponcil forged ahead. Sponcil came up with a team name Slaes. They write songs and perform them in videos.

Were both so goofy and dorky, said Claes, a fan of Comic-Con, Dungeons & Dragons and the cartoon Rick and Morty. We play off of each other so well.

In competition, they opened the 2019 season in the hell that Claes mentioned. The U.S. was so deep in teams that Claes and Sponcil had to play an all-American qualifier just to get into the normal qualifying tournament for an FIVB World Tour main-draw event in Itapema, Brazil. Its called a country quota.

This country quota came against Walsh Jennings and Sweat. That made it key, given the Olympic qualifying race. The veteran Olympians doused Claes and Sponcil 21-12, 21-14 in 28 minutes. Claes and Sponcil traveled all the way to Brazil for 28 minutes of competition. The early loss meant their travel expenses would not be reimbursed. Plus, they had to play in hurricane-like conditions.

I was holding the ball out on my hand, and it was blowing out of my hand, Claes said.

The early exit turned out to be a blessing. Claes and Sponcil used the extra time before their next tournament in China to train for a week straight. Before that, they were together on sand once or twice a week given Sponcil was finishing her last season with UCLA.

That really changed the momentum for us for the rest of our season, Claes said.

From there, Claes and Sponcil made the semifinals of all four of their AVP starts. They made the final of an FIVB World Tour event in Espinho, Portugal.

There is still room for growth. They have yet to beat April Ross and Klineman or Walsh Jennings and Sweat, according to BVBInfo, but should get plenty of opportunities before Olympic qualifying closes next year.

I really feel like were going to qualify and go the distance here, said Claes, who as a teenager fractured her spine and underwent a cardiac ablation to treat supraventricular tachycardia. I honestly think we have the most to gain from this kind of pause time because we are the youngest team and we have the least experience together. I think we have all the advantages of this time to gain some more experience before this last push before the Olympics.

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MORE: Champions Cup marks beach volleyballs socially distanced return

Kelly Claes, Sarah Sponcil want to be the youngest U.S. Olympic beach volleyball team ever originally appeared on NBCSports.com

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Kelly Claes, Sarah Sponcil want to be the youngest U.S. Olympic beach volleyball team ever - Yahoo Sports

The top infectious disease expert in the U.S. issued a warning to young people as cases of the coronavirus continue to climb, with many infections occuring in younger Americans. (June 26) AP Domestic

Florida's record-setting spike in COVID-19 caseshasn't stopped visitors from partyingin Miami Beach, which its mayor, Dan Gelber, calls "the epicenter of the epicenter."

While the fact that Miami is a tourist hot spotis typically a positive, it's exactly the opposite at a time when the city has more than 69,000 cases, the most of any Florida county and more than twice as much as neighboring Broward, the next on the list, according to USA TODAY data.

Florida has recorded more than 77,000 cases in the past week alone and over 300,000 in all. The state all on its own has more infections than the United Kingdom or Spain, reports The Tallahassee Democrat, part of the USA TODAY Network.

Still, crowds continue to gather on Ocean Drive and on party boats, often promoted on Eventbrite, according to Gelber.

R-0 may be the most important scientific term youve never heard of when it comes to stopping the coronavirus pandemic. USA TODAY

Kristen Rosen Gonzalez, a resident of Miami Beach and a former commissioner ofMiami Beach, told USA TODAY that she was on South Beach's iconic Ocean Drive on Monday night as the areastarted to fill with revelers.

"We have this huge party every single night on Ocean Drive," she said, addingthat the party has gone on nightly for years, though it originally began as a holiday weekend tradition. There are "throngs of people in the streets with open containers, nobody is wearing masks, no one is social distancing,no police presence and it presents a real danger."

She said that most attendees are tourists from across the country and notedshe spoke to somefrom New York City and Chicago.

Mitch Novick, who owns the Sherbrooke All Suites Hotel, which is situated behind a nightclub, echoed Rosen Gonzalez's concerns about the parties which both noted havebeen happening for years.

"It's a public safety issue not just with the risk of coronavirus infectionbut with getting shot and stabbed and sexually assaulted all at the same time," Novick said."The latter of incidents I referenced have been going on for years."

Novick said he has seen very few people social distancing or wearing masks in the area which features tight spaces and called the area a "hotbed" for infection

The "chaos," which Novick said happens daily at varying hours, is brought on by tourists. "It's a spring break type of crowd," he said. "Teenagers, 20-somethings just doing what should not be happening now with this global health crisis."

Gelber told USA TODAYthat one statistic stood out during a Wednesday briefing from the Florida Department of Healthhighlighting that the parties are part of the problem.

"By multiples, the largest group of cases is the 18-to-34 age category in Miami-Dade," he said, noting that those people are likely infecting family members ofother age groups in the area."That group is the most likely to be ignoring the social-distance instructions and are also the ones most likely (to get COVID-19)through whatever parties they're having."

And that is worrying for another reason: The surge in casesis straining the county's resources.

"As of today, our county capacity for intensive care patients was 423 beds and we currently have 438 COVID patients," hesaid in a Tuesday statement."That means our county is 'over'capacity."

But the stats aren't enough to discourage all vacationers.

We know theres a pandemic going on but its not like youre not going to live your life, Tamia Young, a 36-year-old visiting from Brooklyn told Reuters.

As a result of the rising cases, Miami-Dade County shut down indoor dining and has imposed a 10 p.m.curfew. The city also put a ban on vacation rentals, including Airbnb, Gelber said.

"If these actions dont reverse these upward arcs, then most certainly in a few weeks or less well have to consider more drastic measures," he said in the statement Tuesday, urging people to wear masks.

On Wednesday, Gelber told USA TODAY that shutting down Ocean Drive entirely could be on the table.

And while authorities have been able to stop some promoted bar parties and may be able to shut down areas of the city, there are other party problems that are less easy to solve.

"The boats are a big issue the promoted party boats have expanded dramatically since weve been stopping promoted parties at bars," Gelber explained, referencing the state's late-June order that essentially shut down bars again. He notedthat some boat parties are organized and others are more impromptu.

But the issue of stopping private parties goes beyond the boats. Gelber said it has been tough to enforce social distancing at private parties.

"We cant really stop private homes from doing stupid things," he said, noting that they are trying to stop people from violating social distancing rules. "There are clearly too many people who are not even trying ... they are actively not complying."

Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber says he hasn't ruled out shutting down Ocean Drive, which has attracted young crowds looking to party despite Florida's high COVID-19 infection rate.(Photo: S_Hoss/Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Florida Gov.Ron DeSantis acknowledged Monday that coronavirusis spreading and urged people to take precautions such as wearing masks in public places, social distancing and avoiding crowds.

We have to address the virus with steady resolve. We cant get swept away in fear, we have to understand what is going on, understand that we have a long road ahead but we also have to understand that within the context of the moment, he said during a Miami news conference.

While the outbreak has been spreading through much of the state, it has hit South Florida particularly hard, both now and throughout the pandemic. Its three counties Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach only make up about a quarter of the state's population but have been responsible for about half the new cases. That rise promptedallthree counties to closetheir beaches for the July 4th weekend.

Florida International University epidemiologist Dr. Aileen Martycalled the region's situation extremely grave, warning thatthe public is not taking this virus seriously enough andignoring the guidelines DeSantis and others have been pushing.

They have not adhered to guidelines, Marty said at an online news conference with Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez. They have been in those closed spaces without taking the appropriate precautions, and thats the main reason we are where we are.

People are enthusiastically flocking: Florida begins reopening beaches amid coronavirus crisis

Contributing: The Associated Press

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'Epicenter of the epicenter': Young people partying in Miami Beach despite COVID-19 threat - USA TODAY

Olympic beach volleyball hopeful Tri Bourne was more eager than most to get back to competition after the coronavirus pandemic shut down the sports world.

But first, he needed to have a talk with his doctor.

Bourne missed most of the previous two seasons after being diagnosed with dermatomyositis, a chronic inflammatory muscle disease that puts him at greater risk of serious complications if he contracts COVID-19. So when the domestic tour announced it would be returning this weekend for the start of the AVP Champions Cup, Bourne paid special attention to the infection control measures.

It was definitely something that was on my mind, Bourne said in a telephone interview on Friday. Right from the get-go it definitely put my mind at ease to know how many precautions they were taking. Every email they sent to us, it was like a new protocol.

A native Hawaiian who was third in qualifying for one of the two U.S. spots for men at the Rio Olympics, Bourne then missed much of the next two years after being diagnosed. He and current partner Trevor Crabb finished tied for ninth at this seasons FIVB opener in Doha in March before the rest of the international tour was suspended.

We had to get back from Qatar before they shut down the border, Bourne said. This offseason is where I finally had the chance to get back to peak form, and then the season got canceled. I really didnt have a chance to put that on display yet. This AVP Champions Cup is really my first chance.

The AVP canceled what had been an eight-tournament season and replaced it with the Champions Cup -- three events on successive weekends in Long Beach, California, with qualifying matches starting Friday. Teams will play for $700,000 in purses, including a $100,000 bonus pool for the pairs that do the best over the series.

Among those entered in the womens brackets are the top two teams in the world: two-time Olympic medalist April Ross and her partner Alix Klineman, and Canadians Sarah Pavan and Melissa Humana-Paredes. Olympic champion Phil Dalhausser (2008) and his partner, Nick Lucena, are the top seed on the mens side, with three-time Olympian Jake Gibb and Taylor Crabb, Trevors brother, as the second seed.

AVP spokeswoman Megan Hanson said all of the athletes have passed the pre-tournament protocol, which included weekly testing since July 6. A confirmed positive test would take a player out of the tournament.

Although the competitors and staff will not be sealed inside a bubble-like environment, players will remain separated as teams in pods in a holding tent until it is time for their match. Their only contact with the opponent will be play at the net; balls will be sanitized after each point.

Sack lunches will replace the usual buffet-style catering.

We all miss live sports, AVP owner Donald Sun said. Our team has been working around the clock to build out this site and create a beach that our athletes can safely compete on with the smallest footprint possible and give fans the opportunity to cheer them on without having to risk a sunburn.

Bourne, who manages his illness with daily medications, weekly injections and monthly transfusions, said he liked that testing started before the tournament, so he knew the teams he was training against had tested negative.

It allows us to really focus on the game -- especially for me, he said. I get to have my mind at ease and just focus on playing.

Although beach volleyball is one of the most watched broadcasts from the Olympics, the sport prides itself on its in-person party atmosphere, with a DJ to fire up the crowd and dance teams entertaining fans between points.

To make up for the fan-free experience, the tour is planning to mic up the referees and coaches, with additional sound from the court that might not have been heard over the crowds. The tours hype man, Jeremy DJ Roueche, will be on-site.

It will for sure be different, especially when we first step out there, Bourne said with an audible sigh. But well adapt really quickly, and I dont think anyone will be using it as an excuse.

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Volleyball returns to the beach with AVP Champions Cup - Associated Press

HUNTINGTON BEACH (CBSLA) Two YouTubers went to Huntington Beach to hand out free masks to beachgoers during the coronavirus pandemic.

The video titled Solving the Mask Shortage in Huntington Beach has been viewed more than 2.3 million times.

Chad Kroeger and JT Parr started out the video saying, Guys, we have a cure for the mask shortage. They were holding a big sign that said Free Masks and a box of masks as they walked near the beach.

They got turned down by multiple people, who under Orange County guidelines, should be wearing face coverings at all times in public. One man also appeared to want to fight them and they responded, Were not trying to fight anyone. We just want to hand out masks.

It is interesting how people interpreted it as a personal judgment, Kroeger said.

Kroeger, who surfs and eats in Huntington Beach frequently, said he noticed many people werent wearing face coverings and thought one way to approach the issue would be to hand them out at no cost since his friend had a free supply.

Kroeger and Parr are behind the comedy YouTube channel, Chad Goes Deep, that posted the mask video. They admit being initially doubtful about the effectiveness of masks but took it more seriously after a friend who refused to wear one tested positive for coronavirus.

At this point, we dont want that to happen to anyone else, Kroeger said.

The pair said as soon as they get an additional supply of masks, theyre going to try to give them away in San Clemente.

RELATED: Orange County Reports 911 New Coronavirus Cases, 20 Additional Deaths

Orange County health officials reported 911 additional coronavirus cases and 20 new cases on Wednesday. To date, the countywide total is now at 27,031 cases and 455 deaths.

Several videos have shown confrontations over face masks in various parts of the country. In Los Angeles, a maskless Trader Joes shopper called people telling her to wear a mask Democratic pigs. A security guard who authorities say shot a man outside a Gardena store after they fought over him not wearing a mask was charged with murder. Elsewhere in Florida, a man was seen on video shouting in the store after reportedly being asked why he was not wearing a face covering, as required at all Costco locations.

The Centers for Disease Control recommends wearing clean cloth face coverings in public settings where other physical distancing measures are difficult to maintain. Many counties, including Los Angeles County and Orange County, have also issued their own guidelines requiring the use of masks in public.

The CDC on Tuesday affirmed that the latest research shows face coverings as a tool that can be used to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.

We are not defenseless against COVID-19, said CDC Director Dr. Robert R. Redfield. Cloth face coverings are one of the most powerful weapons we have to slow and stop the spread of the virus particularly when used universally within a community setting. All Americans have a responsibility to protect themselves, their families, and their communities.

Read more from the original source:

YouTubers Turned Down Trying To Hand Out Free Masks In Huntington Beach - CBS Los Angeles

The two men allegedly threatened the deputy and his family. According to a report, one of them said I know where your wife and daughter are at. I know where you live. The deputy replied: I'll end you if you come to my house.

Two men allegedly harassed and threatened a Palm Beach County Sheriff's deputy in Palm Beach Shores and, at one point, the deputy threatened the two men as well, according to a report.

Fred Patrick Spring, 24, and Carson Shoaf, 23, who live at the same address in Palm Beach Shores, were booked early Wednesday at the Palm Beach County Jail. Spring remained there Thursday morning on no bond. Shoaf left jail Wednesday afternoon on $21,000 bond.

Each is charged with aggravated stalking of a law enforcement officer and threat to an officer.

>>Authorities: Lake Worth Beach man found with missing 12-year-old Georgia girl

According to a PBSO report, Deputy Darrell Russian, 43, lives in and is assigned to the 10-square-block town at the tip of Singer Island.

On the afternoon of July 4, Russian told investigators he and a colleague were patrolling near the ocean at the southeast corner of the town when they encountered the two men walking with spear guns.

Russian said he reminded them beaches were closed because of the coronavirus pandemic and that spear fishing was illegal in the Intracoastal Waterway. Russian said Spring cursed him, using both the "F" word and a gay slur.

On the morning of July 9, Russian said, he helped PBSO's narcotics unit with a search warrant at the home where Spring and Shoaf lived. The report said deputies found two guns.

>>As coronavirus cases continue climb in Florida, deaths set another record

Russian said Spring and Shoaf cursed him and said they know where he lives, which is a few houses away.

On Tuesday, the report said, Russian was off-duty and driving his personal vehicle when he saw a car, with Shoaf driving and Spring inside, tailing him.

Russian said he pulled into the Sailfish Marina and the car blocked him. He said he stepped out and Spring, fists clenched, physically threatened him, accusing him of setting up the narcotics search. Russian said Spring told him, "I know where your wife and daughter are at. I know where you live."

Russian said he told Spring, "I'll end you if you come to my house."

One of the arriving deputies later said she heard Spring threaten the marina manager and also heard him say, "I hate cops."

>>Life after unbearable loss: Legislator Emily Slosberg finds her way amid the pain

The other deputy said Spring cursed him and said, "take off your badge. I'll beat your (expletive.)"

On Tuesday, the report said, Shoaf declined to speak to investigators. Spring said he hadn't liked Russian's attitude during their encounters. He also said he saw Russian parked Friday in front of his home, and said Russian earlier in the day nearly collided with his car.

After an investigator said marina security video gave a different version about the encounter than Springs, Spring answered, "We are done."

A call to a phone number listed for Russian was not returned.

"We deny the allegations," West Palm Beach lawyer Jonathan Wasserman, representing Spring, said Thursday. He said he did not want to comment beyond that for now.

"We certainly dispute almost all of the allegations in the probable cause affidavit," Ian Goldstein, a West Palm Beach lawyer representing Shoaf, said Thursday. "This officer has actually been the one harassing my client. He absolutely denies making any threats to the officer, ever."

PBSO said Thursday that "if the suspects felt threatened by the deputy, they are welcome to file a complaint."

The agency said Russian came to PBSO from Palm Beach Shores when the agency contracted with the town in November. Palm Beach Shores said hed been with that department since October 2013.

Palm Beach County Circuit Court records show five previous felony cases for Spring between 2014 and 2017. Convictions on battery, gun, and traffic charges led to jail time. One case, on drug charges, was dropped. In January 2017, Spring was sentenced to 16 months in state prison on a felony battery conviction. He left in March 2019.

Court records show only two traffic charges for Shoaf.

ek@pbpost.com

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Palm Beach Shores men accused of harassing deputy: I know where your wife and daughter are at - Palm Beach Post

For immediate release

GLOUCESTER Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken, Director of Public Works Michael Hale and Public Health Director Karin Carroll report that the City of Gloucester will close all beach parking lots to non-residents this weekend.

The decision to close the parking lots to non-residents on Saturday, July 18 and Sunday, July 19 follows numerous resident complaints of excessive trafficthis past weekend.

The last thing we want to do is close our parking lots to visitors, but our City was had an influx of traffic this past weekend, Mayor Romeo Theken said. We need to reduce the amount of traffic, which is a challenge we face every year but has certainly been compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic.More people are understandably looking to get outside after staying home for months to reduce risk of exposure to the virus, but that has meant traffic is worse and it isnt a sustainable situation for our residents.

This issue is exacerbated as well by the limitations people have on travel, which means more people are taking day trips, Carroll said. However, its critical we ensure there is plenty of space for social distancing on the beach and that residents can go about their daily lives.

Additionally, high tide is expected to take place early in the day Saturday and Sunday, at 10:21 a.m. and 11:07 a.m. respectively according to US Harbors, a factor which significantly reduces the area of beach available for visitors, particularly at Good Harbor and Half Moon Beaches. At Good Harbor, a portion of the beach is also sectioned off as conservation land for Piping Plovers.

This poses a significant challenge as people continue to practice social distancing to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19. Beach goers are asked to maintain a minimum of 12 feet of distance between toweling and blanket areas.

All parking lots to public beaches will be closed to non-residents this weekend, including the lots at Stage Fort Park, Good Harbor Beach and Wingaersheek Beach. Residents will be able to gain entry with a 2020 beach sticker, 2019 beach sticker, or if they are still waiting to receive their 2020 sticker, a license and registration with a Gloucester address.

The City of Gloucester will make an announcement next week whether the beach parking lots will be re-opened to non residents for the weekend of July 25-26.

Gloucesters public beaches are currently open to a limited number of non-residents, and visitors to the area will still be permitted to park at public beach parking lots in Gloucester on weekdays, for the time being.

Additional city staff will be working at the Stage Fort Park, Good Harbor Beach and Wingaersheek Beach parking lots to ensure non-residents do not park there this weekend.

All beachgoers are reminded of the following guidance from City officials:

Gloucester Beaches will operate as follows:

Beach visitors are also asked to review all signage before entering the beach to ensure rules and regulations will not be inadvertently violated.

This is the first in a series of measures that will be implemented to address beach parking and traffic concerns.

Follow Gloucester Beaches on Facebook for parking updates.

###

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City of Gloucester to Close Beach Parking Lots to Non-Residents this Weekend - John Guilfoil Public Relations

(WNCN) Welcome to episode seven of Tracking the Tropics, your weekly in-depth look at topics concerning the Atlantic Hurricane season.

On this weeks show, WOWK Chief Meteorologist Spencer Adkins from Charleston, West Virginia talks from North Carolinas Outer Banks about beach renourishment.

It is the middle of hurricane season which also means the middle of vacation season at the beaches. The battle of keeping those beaches full of sand despite year after year of tropical systems is a tough one. Adkins takes us inside that fight and talks about the dynamic of beach renourishment.

Also, CBS 17 Meteorologist Brian Hutton Jr. dives into the importance of hurricane shelters, with an unfortunate twist.

This year has been an odd one with the COVID-19 pandemic going on. What are we to do when it comes to evacuating during the pandemic? Do we still seek out the states many shelters? What are the alternatives? Hutton Jr. spoke with emergency management officials about what you should do if you have to evacuate during these difficult times.

Join CBS 17 every Tuesday night at 8 p.m. for Tracking the Tropics.

More:

Tracking the Tropics, Week 7: beach renourishment & hurricane shelters amid COVID-19 - WOWK 13 News

Lifeguards in Delaware have a lot of responsibilities, and COVID-19 is adding another layer to the risk they face on each beach day. Delaware News Journal

Heading to the Delaware beaches this weekend?

So is Tropical Storm Fay, which is bringing stormy conditions to Delmarva and forcing the closure of some beaches for the safety of both lifeguards and the public.

Here's what you need to know if you're planning on dipping your toes in the sand the weekend of July 10to 12 and what might be different than normal at the beaches in the current phase of Delaware'sreopening plan.

Swimming is permitted at all beaches, unless 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.

RELATED: Tropical Storm Fay to bring rain, rough surf to Delaware; some beaches closed to swimming

The National Weather Service is warning of a high risk of dangerous rip currents on Friday, which means the surf in Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach and Bethany Beach will be temporarily off-limits to swimming. Rehoboth Beach lifeguard patrols also plan to close the sand for people's safety.

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.

In recent weeks, public health and government officials have raised concerns about spikes in cases at the Delaware beaches, particularly in Rehoboth Beach and Dewey Beach. Officials have reported that a few teens celebrating senior week in mid-June may have exposed more than 100 people to the virus, and several lifeguards have also tested positive for the virus.

CORONAVIRUS IN DELAWARE: Our latest coverage

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

As for face masks, they are required to be wornin all 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 requirementon the beach.

Face masks are required in all public places in the city of Rehoboth Beach, although local officials on Tuesday changed requirements for masks on the beach itself.

Masks must be worn on the streets, sidewalks, Boardwalk and inside businesses in Rehoboth Beach city limits. They should also be worn on the beach if social distancing is difficult, officials say.Some exceptions apply, like for children 12 and under and those for whomwearing a mask would present a health risk.

RELATED: What to know about mask requirements at Ocean City, Delaware Beaches

Lewes also requires masks to be worn outdoors in the city's downtown area. Masks on the beaches in Lewes are recommended, but not required.The same goes for Bethany Beach, where people in violation of mask rules can face up to a $100 fine.

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 will be limits on how many people will be admitted.

Boaters found a good spot to fish, swim and party at a sandbar near Indian River.(Photo: Courtesy of Maj. Gary Emeigh, Civil Air Patrol)

The number of vehicles allowed in will be capped 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 will be 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 on June 25 that the state is pausing moving into the next phase, due to concerns with people not following guidelines.

In late June, he announced that bar service at the Delaware beaches had to shut downahead of the Fourth of July holiday weekend.This new guidance will affect only bars in certain ZIP codes in eastern Sussex County, state officials said Tuesday.

GOV. CARNEY: Bars at Delaware beaches to close ahead of July 4 weekend due to coronavirus spike

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.

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

Carney's additional restriction on beach bars means bar seating within restaurants also will be off-limits. It's unclear when those bar restrictions will be lifted.

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

RELATED: After reopening, some Delaware beach restaurants are reclosing due to coronavirus surge

As of June 22, that 60% capacity cap also applies to personal care services (such as hair and nail salons, tanning, tattoo, massage therapy services and spas)that were previously required to keep occupancy at 30%.

The state is also allowing sports tournaments to resume, as of June 20, pending the approval of submitted safety plans and other requirements.

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.

Moving toward normalcy means that summer parking fees are also back in place. Parking permits or metered parking is in effect in all of Delaware's beach towns from Lewes to Fenwick Island.

In Rehoboth Beach, a few areas within the first two blocks along Rehoboth Avenue closest to the beach and boardwalk have barricades set up so restaurants can have expanded outdoor seating. Parking is not permitted in those areas.

In Lewes, city officials are supporting businesses by offering free downtown parking from 9 a.m. to noon for shoppers.

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:

Previous 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.

Hotels and other accommodations also are now 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 fully operational. 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 due upon boarding for aone-way trip is $2, and an all-day daily pass is $4.20. Seven-daypasses also are available for $18, and 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 is looking to be far less thanpicture-perfect for a trip to the beach. However, forecasts can change as the weekend gets closer.

The National Weather Service forecast for Friday, July 10,inRehoboth Beach is for a stormy day with a high near 80degrees. There is a 100% chance of precipitation with a warning that tropical storm conditions are possible.

FRIDAY STORM: Tropical Storm Fay to bring rain, rough surf to Delaware

Parts of southern Delaware, including Fenwick Island and Rehoboth Beach, are under a flash flood watch until 4 p.m. Friday. A tropical storm warning also has been issued for the area.

There is also a high risk of dangerous rip currents that could sweep swimmers into deeper water on Friday, and that risk could linger into Saturday,the weather service warns.

Saturday will be mostly sunny with a high near 87degrees, and a 40% chance of rain and thunderstorms during the day.

Sunday should be a sunny day with a high near 87.

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

As June transitioned into July,Delaware's positive COVID-19 case countswere increasingbymore than 100 new casesper day on average. As of July 9, Delaware had seen a total of12,531 cases, data shows.

Of those cases, 5,626 are in New Castle County, the most populated county in the state. Another 5,008 have been detected in Sussex County.

The pandemic has led to the deaths of 517Delawareans since mid-March. So far, over 130,000 people have been tested in total, and 6,901 people have recovered from the viral disease.

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/2020/07/08/heading-delaware-beaches-weekend-here-tips-your-trip/5382909002/

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Heading to Delaware beaches this weekend? What you need to know about masks, restrictions - The News Journal

Galveston County has seen a recent spike in COVID-19 cases as tourists pack the island.

GALVESTON, Texas Fun in the sun on the sand and in the surf is possible again on Galveston Island.

But open beaches are a mixed blessing on the island as COVID-19 continues to spread.

According to the Galveston County Health District, coronavirus cases have doubled over the last two weeks to more than 5,300 cases. And the county is currently averaging more than 200 positive cases per day.

Galveston recently overtook Fort Bend County -- which has more than twice the population -- to become the county with the second most cases in Greater Houston behind Harris County.

Beaches closed last weekend because of soaring COVID-19 cases.

I know last weekend it was closed on the 4th of July," said visitor Tasha Nelson. "So I just wanted to come out here this weekend because the kids have been in the house all week.

The closure cut deeply into the bottom lines of island businesses like Bennos on the Beach.

"It was way off," said Benno's GM Tracy Deltz. "I was probably off a little better than 50% of what I shouldve done.

The City of Galveston is trying to control crowds by restricting access in some areas. Parking along a busy stretch of Seawall Boulevard is prohibited through Sunday.

And beach accessibility has been a concern among local health officials since Memorial Day.

"Can you go to the beach safely?" Galveston Co. Health Authority Phillip Keiser recently asked. "Yeah, I think you can, but if you come to the beach and its really crowded and theres not a good place where your family can be safe, perhaps thats not a good thing to do.

Businesses told us they continue to abide by social distancing and other measures and encourage island visitors to do the same.

"Hopefully, well be able to get the numbers down on this coronavirus to be able to keep beaches open, you know, through Labor Day, said Deltz.

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Galveston beaches are open this weekend but most Seawall parking is banned - KHOU.com

A driver was arrested Tuesday in Huntington Beach after allegedly fatally hitting a bicyclist and fleeing the scene, police said.

The Huntington Beach Police Department said it responded to a report of a traffic collision involving a vehicle and a bicycle at 12:25 a.m. Tuesday, near the corner of Beach Boulevard and Sunrise Drive.

Police found a male bicyclist in the roadway, and he was pronounced dead by responding paramedics, HBPD Sgt. Joshua Page said. The involved vehicle was later located and the driver arrested for fleeing the scene.

Police did not release the names of the deceased or the arrested driver.

The investigation is ongoing, Page said, and being investigated by the HBPD Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team. Anyone with information is asked to contact traffic investigator Doug Demetre at (714) 536-5670.

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Driver arrested after allegedly fatally striking bicyclist in Huntington Beach and then fleeing - Los Angeles Times