Tips for beach drivers when Stopping and options when IT happens – Carolinacoastonline

Last week, with off-season beach driving open on many of our local beaches, I offered some tips to avoid the inevitable, at least to avoid getting stuck as the result of avoidable errors and bad judgement. I covered Things to now before you go and Going. This week, how about Stopping and options when IT happens.

First of all, don't hit the brakes but let your car coast to a stop. Gravity and friction are your friends in stopping. And when you are going to be stopping, plan ahead. You should choose the time and place to stop, start and turn.

Remember, the next thing you will want to do is GO. Stop on a down slope where possible, Keep gravity on your side. Pick out a down slope with the firmest sand you can find. After you stop, kick out the sand that piles up, especially ahead of the front tires. Know thy tides and watch the time. The beach shrinks quickly on the rising tide from hard sand to soft sand.

But when IT does happen, do not under any circumstance put your pedal to the metal, throwing sand and bottoming out on your undercarriage. Instead, dig out before you bottom out. Move sand away from the tires and smooth out tire ruts. Give yourself enough room to find mo(mentum) again. If going forward fails, try backing out. Sand is flatter where you were than where you are going. And oh, by the way, lower tire pressure now if you haven't already, with 18 to 20 pounds tire pressure giving you way more traction.

Now were getting serious. It may be time to find a good Samaritan 4 x 4 with a tow strap or chain. There are often fellow anglers with appropriate heavy-duty gear willing to pull you out. Pushing helps, but remember, it's bad form to run over the pusher or bury them in sand.

Sometimes, more IT happens! How does changing a flat tire on something not quite unlike grits sound? This is where your wooden board comes into play as support for your car jack. This is not an uncommon problem, especially during hurricane season when nail-laden debris can litter the beach. And make sure you carry a real spare tire, not one of those cartoon donuts. They will not cut it on the beach. As you drive, also be aware of other possible hazards like beach-going bathers, still active turtle nests and those holes in the sand that look like someone dug with their beach backhoe.

When all else fails, its time to call the tow truck. Does your local garage do beach calls ($$$.00)? How about your local bulldozer? Yes, we have seen a bulldozer rescue in recent memoryI have the photos (thanks Bil G.).

Finally, remember the local speed limit is 20 mph. Drive responsibly, or we may lose the privilege. And please let common sense and common courtesy rule. Well, good luck on the beach, and may your tires find only the firmest of sand.

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Fall is in the air, and fish are starting to respond.

This past weekend, there was a successful surf fishing tournament out of Freemans Bait and Tackle on the Atlantic Beach causeway. I mention this because from the catches weighed in, we can get a feel for the surf fishing. The tourney was held from the Fort Macon rock jetty to what is left of the pier at the Double Tree (formerly Sheraton) Hotel.

So how did it go?

Best catches were the bluefish, many in the 4- to 5-pound range, and how about sea mullet to 2 pounds? As far as the drum, there were good numbers of slot black drum but a disappointing number of red drum. Best reports of red drum catches? Ocracoke appears in blitz mode. And there are reports of above-slot fish in the White Oak River.

Other incidental tourney catches include scattered spots and croakers, some medium-sized pompano and a decent number of Spanish up to 2 pounds and over.

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Interestingly, if you go west along Bogue Banks to The Point area of Emerald Isle, the main catches are blues, some big, but not a lot of other fish.

In the area around Bogue Inlet Pier and the main ocean access areas of Emerald Isle, there are scattered spots, sea mullet and pompano, along with the blues.

Another fall visitor is the speedy false albacore, and there are fish from the beach on out to 10 miles. Fish have also been landed from the surf and both Oceanana and Bogue Inlet piers. Speckled trout in the surf remain very scattered.

I mentioned spots, and no, I havent seen the spot yachts stacked up in the Intracoastal yet, but it may not be far away. The fish are moving out of the backwaters into the surf as they ready for spawning season. There are good catches reported in the Morehead City Turning Basin and around Beaufort Inlet and some showing at the piers too. So, soon!

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As we wait for the surf speckled trout season to get into high gear, the inside catches remain strong.

And did ya hear about the 7.76-pound speck landed from The Haystacks on a topwater Zara Spook? It doesnt get any better that that. Wow!

I checked out the local creeks over the weekend, and but for the rain, would have limited out throwing a Betts Halo Shrimp along the edges of the schools of abundant peanut menhaden. Fish werent big but were still very frisky 15- to 16-inchers.

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Now for the piers:

Oceanana Pier had a good week, releasing a 25-pound red, along with catches of blues to 4 pounds, Spanish, pompano and scattered spots.

Bogue Inlet Pier had a great king week with nine weighed in up to 32 pounds. Of course, this week is their annual king mackerel tournament. I hope they do as well. There are also big Spanish, blues, slot reds, small pompano and sea mullet, mostly small. And there has been a real bluefish blitz with most fish pushing 5 pounds.

Seaview Pier also reports several kings last week, along with a good spot bite, pompano, mullet red and black drum.

Surf City reports spots, pompano, Spanish and blues, but no kings.

Finally, Jolly Roger Pier reports muddy water, some Spanish, mullet and spots.

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Offshore, the wahoo bite is back on as you now can get there from here.

There are also mahi and blackfin tuna.

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It was fun to post a positive report this week. It can only get better.

So be kind, drive the beach safely, catch fish, and enjoy our lovely this fall beaches.

Bogus notes

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

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

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

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Tips for beach drivers when Stopping and options when IT happens - Carolinacoastonline

Virginia Beach firefighters warn about the dangers of kitchen fires – 13newsnow.com WVEC

It's Fire Prevention Week. This year's campaign theme is Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen.

The kitchen is the heart of most homes and as we prepare for the holidays, the Virginia Beach Fire Department has a warning for all families.

Just a moment away from the stove can lead to a race against the clock in the kitchen.

Virginia Beach firefighters demonstrated how that can easily happen in any home during a fire demo on Wednesday. The presentation was part of National Fire Prevention Week. This years campaign theme is Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen.

For the first nine months of this year, in Virginia Beach alone, we responded to well over 60 kitchen fires, said Virginia Beach Fire Department Spokesperson Art Kohn.

Kohn said firefighters even responded to a kitchen fire on Wednesday morning.

Unattended cooking is the leading cause for residential fires and the second leading cause for home fire injuries, Kohn said.

Kohn said people should put out smaller fires by first turning off the stove and covering the flames with a metal lid.

Baking soda also does the trick.

Dont try to pick up that pan and move it, Kohn said.

Kohn said a small kitchen fire can create a lot more damage and even turn deadly if people try to throw water on it. He said its the last thing you should do.

Weve all heard the expression its like throwing gasoline on a fire, Kohn said. Well, you see what happens when you throw water on a grease fire.

In a study, the National Fire Prevention Association reported that between 2014 and 2018 U.S. firefighters battled more than 172,000 house fires per year that started in the kitchen. They caused more than 500 deaths and over 4,000 injuries.

They are often relatively small fires contained to the point of origin, yet people are dying in these fires, Kohn said. So, thats why it is important.

Kohn said a golden rule is to never leave the stove unattended.

The things that are common sense are the things that we are most likely to take for granted, Kohn said. Thats why simple stuff like this, we have to keep in mind.

Fire Prevention Week runs through October 10.

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Virginia Beach firefighters warn about the dangers of kitchen fires - 13newsnow.com WVEC

Beach Fire Ordinance Update Delayed; Councilors Ask Staff To Survey Property Owners on Bluff Between 6th Street and Battery Point – Lost Coast Outpost

Jessica Cejnar / Today @ 5:14 p.m. / Community, Local Government Beach Fire Ordinance Update Delayed; Councilors Ask Staff To Survey Property Owners on Bluff Between 6th Street and Battery Point

Revelers build bonfires on the beach in Crescent City on July 4, 2018. Photo: Jessica Cejnar

Previously

'We're Going to be Southern California Before We Know It'; Mayor Pro Tem Balks At Extending Beach Fire Ban Area

Crescent City Council Gets Heated Over Beach Fires, Calls For Revamping 40-year-old Ordinance

###

Instead of agreeing to an updated beach fire law, City Councilors asked staff to gauge property owners opinions on whether or not they should be banned out right.

The updated ordinance, brought to the Crescent City Council on Monday, extended an existing ban to include the area between 6th Street in the north and Battery Point in the south. It removed existing language referring to city-provided fire pits in that area since there are none. The ordinance sets limits on the fires size, where they can be built and prohibits the burning of inorganic material, City Attorney Martha Rice told Councilors.

The ordinance update also makes it a municipal code violation to build and maintain a fire on private property, Rice said.

(Thats) so private property owners do not have to simply rely on trespass for legal requirements, but they can also have a sort of immediate enforcement tool if theres somebody trespassing and building a fire on private property, she said. It also addresses the abandonment of fire. Its unlawful for anyone on private or public property to abandon a beach fire until it has been completely extinguished.

Though staffs goal was to introduce the ordinance Monday and bring it back for the Council to adopt on Oct. 19, Councilors had a different opinion after listening to several conflicting comments from residents living in the area.

Im wondering, given the fact that weve heard from homeowners and given the fact that we can clearly identify property owners within that stretch, if there would be a value to simply doing outreach to each one of those homeowners and getting input other than just in this public forum, Crescent City Mayor Blake Inscore said. I want to get this right once. I dont want to do it and have four more people (speak) at the next meeting as were getting ready to vote on it and have to start the process again. Id rather put it off for two more weeks than introduce it tonight and upend the cart in two weeks.

Some residents, like Roger and Angela Gitlin, Tamera Leighton and Linda Perry supported the changes to the existing ordinance, which was established in 1980.

Leighton told Councilors she supported the changes as a first step, but that shed also favor a complete ban on fires built in the sand in the residential area between Lighthouse Way and 6th Street. She also advocated for clear prominent signs for the public informing them of the rules regarding beach fires.

Other residents, like Natalie Fahning, who cited cases where homeowners in Carmel, California and Newport complained about smoke from blazes that were up to 350 feet away from them.

Map showing area where beach fires outside city-provided rings are prohibited. There are no rings in that area, according to City Manager Eric Wier.

In Crescent City, most fires are set by people staying at nearby vacation rentals, Fahning said.

A 4-by-4 fire is huge, she said. And just 20 feet from vegetation or other combustibles? On an onshore windy day, imagine that blowing toward our houses. Its way too close to nearby homes.

Herman Rinkel, one of six candidates for Crescent City Council this election who lives on Wendell Street near the bluff, said he understands weighing private property owners rights versus those of the general public. But he argued that fires shouldnt be allowed there because of the density of homes in the area and inability for residents to create a defensible space.

Rinkel also asked Councilors to create a definition that details exactly where fires can and cant be and how far away they should be from vegetation.

I think it is still ambiguous as to where a private property owner can build a fire, he said.

According to Crescent City Fire Chief Bill Gillespie, the proposed 20-foot setback between a beach fire and vegetation is tied to wind conditions. He noted that people burning brush on their properties within the county have a clearance requirement of about 10 feet and said 20 feet was considered allowable on a typical summer type evening with not a lot of wind.

Gillespie also pointed out that the North Coast Air Quality Management District sets burning days based on air quality as well as wind. Calfire also sets restrictions on when brush pile burning can take place, Gillespie said.

Even if the ordinance says 20 feet is the distance, if local conditions dont make (a fire) safe, we would have the ability to say, We understand its 20 feet, however youre blowing sparks into the brush and grass. We need to put the fire out, Gillespie told Councilors.

Inscore and his colleagues Jason Greenough and Alex Fallman said they felt the updated beach fire law was a good balance between regulating peoples behavior and allowing for a bit of freedom for private property owners. The proposed new ordinance also gives law enforcement and firefighters the ability to enforce those regulations, Greenough said, though he also argued for better signs.

Mayor Pro Tem Heidi Kime, though she supported restricting the size of the fire as well as what people could burn, continued to be the lone hold-out among her colleagues on a ban between Battery Point and 6th Street.

Kime noted that for those with beachfront property, their boundaries are ambiguous depending on where the high tide line is.

If I walk along the beach, I could suddenly find myself walking along private property at some point, she said. Am I now no longer going to have that beach access? I wonder. Thats where we start regulating our beaches up here and taking away the wonderful wholesome family fun, the hot dogs and marshmallows that all of us responsible individuals enjoy.

Kime said there should be repercussions against those who burn mattresses, trash and other gross disgusting materials.

Theyre ecoterrorists and they should be dealt with in such a way that if you are dumping garbage on the beach and burning garbage on the beach, there needs to be repercussions for that, she said. The repercussion is not to ban bonfires for wholesome family fun. I cant get behind this.

Crescent City Manager Eric Wier told Councilors that staff could reach out to property owners along that stretch of bluff, including the owners of Oceanfront Lodge at 100 A Street.

Inscore noted that if the requested additional information means the beach fires ordinanced wont be formally introduced until the first meeting in November, a new City Council may vote on the final outcome.

Kime, who is not seeking re-election to the City Council in November, agreed to this.

I dont want to be part of a Council that bans bonfires, she said.

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Beach Fire Ordinance Update Delayed; Councilors Ask Staff To Survey Property Owners on Bluff Between 6th Street and Battery Point - Lost Coast Outpost

Things to do in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach: Green markets, concert, food trucks – Palm Beach Post

Kristina Webb|Palm Beach Post

Looking for something to do this weekend?Events are returning, with new precautions in place to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. Most events require face coverings and ask attendees to practice social distancing. Check with event organizers if you have questions.

More: How Halloween Crawl will work this Saturday in Palm Beach County and how to participate

Food Trucks in the Parks:Food trucks will be stationed in neighborhood parks around Wellington from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday.

Here is this weeks lineup:

For more information, call 561-753-2484.

More: Wellington to have Creepy Crawl a Halloween event fit for a pandemic

Twilight Green Market: Wellington's Twilight Green Market is 5 to 9 p.m. Friday on the new Town Center Promenade along the Lake Wellington waterfront behind the community center, 12150 Forest Hill Blvd. Vendors will sell food, beverages, crafts and more. For more information, including a vendors list and details on COVID-19 precautions, go to http://www.wellingtonfl.gov.

Food Truck Expo and Concert in the Park:Royal Palm Beachs free weekly events are back with new COVID-19 protocols in place, including enforced social distancing and a mask requirement. The event is 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at Commons Park, 11600 Poinciana Blvd. Food trucks will be on-site with a variety of food and drinks. The band Jahzilla goes on stage at 7 p.m. For more information, go to http://www.royalpalmbeach.com.

More: Wellington eyes ways to restrict fireworks in and near equestrian areas

Royal Palm Beach Green Market and Bazaar: Royal Palm Beach's Green Market and Bazaar is back from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays through April next to Village Hall,1050 Royal Palm Beach Blvd. Some new precautions are in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including one-way pedestrian paths and enforced social distancing. Vendors have crafts, fresh fruit and vegetables, beverages and more for sale. For more information, go to http://www.rpbgreenmarket.com.

Free movie: There will be a free showing of "Underwater," rated PG-13 at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Wellington Amphitheater, 12100 Forest Hill Blvd. Spaces are limited and registration is required via Eventbrite. Bring your own seating. Face coverings are required, and attendees are required to following social distancing and public health guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19. No food or drinks will be for sale on-site so people should bring their own. No alcohol, smoking or pets are allowed. Admission is free. To register, go to http://www.eventbrite.com and search "Village of Wellington Florida." You will be asked to show your confirmation QR code to enter. One ticket is required per person ages 3 and older. For more information, go to http://www.wellingtonfl.gov.

Greenacres Green Market and Bazaar:Travel just outside Wellington and Royal Palm Beachfor the Greenacres Green Market and Bazaar from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays through April at Samuel J. Ferreri Community Park, 2905 Jog Road. Local vendors will sell food, drinks, crafts and more. This Sunday marks the grand opening of the markets inaugural season. Facial coverings and social distancing are required. For more information, go to http://www.greenacresgreenmarket.com.

kwebb@pbpost.com

@kristinawebb

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Things to do in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach: Green markets, concert, food trucks - Palm Beach Post

Annexation could bring nearly another 200 housing units to Vero Beach – TCPalm

Janet Begley, Special to TCPalm Published 5:01 p.m. ET Oct. 7, 2020

Vero Beach City Hall(Photo: SAM WOLFE/TCPALM)

VERO BEACH Nearly 200 new housing units could be built here after the City Council Tuesday approved annexing land along Indian River Boulevard.

Schwerin Asset Advisors of Vero Beach had asked the city to annex the 24 acres, at the southeast corner of Indian River Boulevard near 41st Street. The council voted unanimously for the annexation and set a final adoption hearing for Nov.17.

City zoning rules would allow construction of up to 10 units per acre, butSchwerin Asset Advisors said it would limit development to the eight units per acre currently allowed by the county zoning code.

More: Vero Beach closer to getting classic-car museum on U.S. 1

However, because of the lands proximity to the Indian River Lagoon, Vice Mayor Laura Moss questioned why it is not considered environmentally sensitive.

As you can see, eventually everything that can be developed will be developed, said Moss. And when you have development, it has impact, and it is environmentally sensitive since it isso close to the lagoon.

The land is located near other multi-use properties along Indian River Boulevard,according toCommunity Development Director Jason Jeffries.It is bordered on the east by conservation land owned by the Indian River Land Trust; onthe north by aresidential community; and on the west by land under development for apartments.

More: Post-pandemic plan unveiled for Three Corners development

A traffic study commissioned by developers found the property has the potential for 189 multi-family units such as townhomes.

Those additional homes would create 1,028 additional vehicle trips per day, well within the road's capacity, the study found.

City Manager Monte Falls said it makes sense for property owners to seek annexation into the city.

"Id like to think everybody would like to annex into the city of Vero Beach because of the service they get from us and the personal attention, said Falls. "We have a great law-enforcement group, and I think they get personal attention here at all times.

Janet Begley is a local freelance writer. If you like articles like this and other TCPalm coverage of Treasure Coast news, please support our journalism and subscribe now.

Read or Share this story: https://www.tcpalm.com/story/news/2020/10/07/vero-beach-could-gain-more-housing-result-24-acre-annexation/5912044002/

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Annexation could bring nearly another 200 housing units to Vero Beach - TCPalm

Husband says missing mother-of-4 went to Bradenton Beach to proselytize day before disappearance – FOX 13 Tampa Bay

Venice woman missing since Sept. 30

Kimberly Kuizon reports

VENICE, Fla. - Venice police are asking for the publics help finding Tracey Lynn Rieker, 44, who left her home Wednesday, September 30, and hasn't been seen or heard from since.

Tracey is described as apetite 5-foot-4, 120-pound woman, and has blonde hair and brown eyes, with a heart tattooed on her ring finger.

A wife and mother of four,Tracey's disappearance weighs heavily on her loved ones.

"This is completely opposite of who Tracey is.Its alarming," said Tracey's husband, Christian Rieker. "She was having trouble sleeping and wasnt eating a whole lot."

Christian said he last saw his wife Sept. 30 around 3 a.m. at their home in Venice. He said when he woke up that morning, her cell phone and wallet were left behind. Tracey and her car were gone.

Tracey and Christian Rieker

Christian said his wife had been focused on religion and talking to others about God, especially amid the pandemic.

"She was so concerned about COVID [that]she wouldnt go anywhere, but the importance of her message has kind of freed her of that fear, I think," he said.

Christian said the day before Tracey left, she was spreading her message at Bradenton Beach.

"I really think she was just going to talk about God. I dont know if she meant it to be an extended leave," he said.

Venice police, along with her friends and family, are searching for Tracey. A Facebook page created to help her now has more than 1,000followers.

"I'm absolutely worried that someone would take advantage of her kindness and her free spirit and shes just out there just trying to help people and deliver a message she thinks is more important than anything else," said Christian.

Groups of Tracey's friends and strangers are searching beaches, parks, and areas Tracey was known to visit. Christian said he just wants to find Tracey and bring her home.

"Tracey, we need you home, we just want to know youre OK. More than anything tell us what your plan is, we will support whatever you are trying to get done. We just want to let you know we love you," he said.

Venice police say she has been frequenting area beaches to talk with people about God. They say she visited Lido Beach and Bradenton Beach on Sept. 28. She is also known to visit the North Port area.

Tracey drives a green Nissan Xterra with Florida tag PO8116. She has a heart tattoo on her ring finger.

Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to contact the Venice Police Department at 941-486-2444.

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Husband says missing mother-of-4 went to Bradenton Beach to proselytize day before disappearance - FOX 13 Tampa Bay

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

Police prepare for Biketoberfest

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE

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

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

Padre Island National Seashore shares photo of ‘mystery creature’ discovered at beach – mySA

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

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

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

READ ALSO:Blue indigo snake found in Uvalde County bedroom

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For Immediate Release:

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The suspect is still on the run.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Now for the piers.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bogus notes

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

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

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

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

Mass stranding event beaches 450 whales in Tasmania – Live Science

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

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

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

Related: Photos: pilot whales in trouble off Everglades

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Originally published on Live Science.

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Mass stranding event beaches 450 whales in Tasmania - Live Science

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

From todaysDown in Alabamapodcast:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In other news:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Some NJ beaches are extending the summer season. Here’s the list – Asbury Park Press

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ocean Grove

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

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

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

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

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

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

Beaches will be open and staffed on weekends through September.

More: 14 great Shore spots for dock and dine

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This article was originally published by Business Insider.

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