Delaware beach goers were encouraged to social distance as COVID-19 continues to spike in beach towns. Wochit

Heading to the Delaware beaches this weekend?

Here's what you need to know if you're planning on dipping your toes in the surfthe weekend of July 31to Aug. 2 and what might be different than normal at the beaches in the current phase of Delaware'sreopening plan.

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

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

CORONAVIRUS IN DELAWARE: Our latest coverage

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

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

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

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

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

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

The number of vehicles allowed in 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 June 25 that the state was pausing moving into the next phasedue to concerns about 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 affects taprooms and bar service in the following towns: Lewes, Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, Long Neck, Bethany Beach, South Bethany, Fenwick Island, West Fenwick Island, Ocean View and Millville, according to the order.

Customers can still get service at tables or outdoors.

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

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

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

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

Hot weather and clear skies brought thousands of visitors to Rehoboth Beach in June.(Photo: Chuck Snyder/Special to Delaware News Journal)

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

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

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

In Lewes, city officials are supporting businesses by offering free downtown parking from 9 a.m. to noon for shoppers. Rehoboth Beach is offering free parking on Monday nights until Labor Day, and Dewey Beach also offers free parking on some weeknights.

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.

In late July, Delaware was again added to the quarantine lists for a few neighboring states. People traveling from Delaware to New Jersey, New York, Connecticut or Washington, D.C., will be asked to self-quarantine for 14 days.

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.

Rehoboth Beach visitors stroll in the sunshine in June.(Photo: Chuck Snyder/Special to Delaware News Journal)

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

Cash-only fare for aone-way trip,due upon boarding, is $2, and an all-day daily pass is $4.20. Seven-daypasses also are available for $18, 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 offer somerelief from the heat wave for those taking a trip to the beach. However, forecasts can change as the weekend gets closer.

The National Weather Service forecast for Friday, July 31,inRehoboth Beach is for a mostly cloudyday with a high near 84degrees. There is a 40% chance of rain and some thunderstorms.

Saturday will be mostly sunny with a high near 85degrees.

Sunday should lookpartlysunny with a high near 87, though there also is a 40% chance of rain.

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

As of July 29, Delaware hasseen a total of 14,476 cases since the first case was detected in March, data shows.

Of those cases, 6,588 have beenin New Castle County, the most populated county in the state. Another 5,564 have been detected in Sussex County.

The pandemic has been linked to the deaths of 580 Delawareans. So far, more than 174,000 people have been tested statewide, and 8,076 people have recovered from the viral disease.

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

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The latest on Delaware's beaches: Your weekend trip guide for the first weekend in August - The News Journal

LONG ISLAND, N.Y. Two additional reported shark sightings Wednesday forced several Long Island beaches to close for swimming for the third day in a row.

Early Wednesday afternoon, 18-year-old lifeguard Ethan Grassini saw a 6-foot-long shark from his chair at Nickerson Beach. He said it was about 15 to 20 feet offshore.

Red flags went up along miles of Nassau County beaches.

About two hours later, Town of Hempstead officials said another shark was spotted near Point Lookout beach.

As of Wednesday afternoon, beaches from Point Lookout to Long Beach were closed to swimming.

"You can come down here, enjoy somewhat of a breeze on a hot day but right now unfortunately you can't swim in the water," Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Clavin said.

Some of the sharks seen out in the water this week appear to be bull sharks, Clavin said.

Grassini said all the swimmers at Nickerson beach cooperated when the red flag went up.

"At the end of the day we just want to make sure everyone who goes into the water, comes out of the water as well, he said.

These are the seventh and eighth shark sightings, respectively, along South Shore beaches since Monday. The sightings have shut down more than 13 miles of sand, according to the Town of Hempstead.

A ninth came later Wednesday.

Town officials in Tobay Beach spotted a shark at the shore break.

Greg Skomal, a Fisheries Biologist at the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, said this many sightings in one area over a such a short period of time is a lot.

As a precautionary measure, it doesnt hurt to close the beaches to swimming, at least swimming at great distances from shore, Skomal said. He identified a great white that killed a New York woman off the coast of Maine this week.

Officials said of the six other shark sightings since Monday, two were at Long Beach, one was at East Atlantic Beach, two were at Lido West Beach and one was at Point Lookout.

Tuesday's Jones Beach sighting was inconclusive and deemed a non-sighting, Clavin said.

Nassau County has stepped up marine and air patrols to look for sharks.

"We will intensify these patrols on the coast to supplement the outside lifeguards who are trained to spot sharks," Nassau County Executive Laura Curran said on Wednesday.

Beachgoer Stella Zizzo said the sightings make her nervous.

"I'm just scared! I am fresh meat over here. They are going to come get me, she said.

Minutes later, the shark sighting at Nickerson Beach was reported and everyone was ordered out of the water.

"I would say that we are getting more than double the number of shark sightings reported to us, said Paul Sieswerda, the president of the marine research organization Gotham Whale.

Warm water and ample fish are attracting the sharks, according to Sieswerda.

Curran said people should stay close to shore, swim in groups and avoid swimming at dusk and dawn. That is when sharks feed.

Swimmers also should avoid wearing shiny jewelry. A shark can think it's a fish scale. And definitely don't swim while bleeding.

Despite the increased sightings, Skomal said swimmers should be cautious but not fearful.

Sonya Healy and her son Christopher were trying to take that approach as he rode the waves on an appropriately themed boogie board.

"We try to do the best that we can and you know, keep it safe," Healy said.

Skomal also noted that sometimes other animals can be confused for sharks from a distance.

Still, he suggested swimming in shallow water if you do go in the ocean once the red flags are lifted. If you do see a shark, he said, don't panic or scream, and move toward the shore slowly without splashing around.

When people ask me, What should I do when I go to the beach? I typically say drive safely because youre more likely to be injured in your car than via shark, Skomal said.

Each year there are only about 100 shark attacks around the world and less than 10% of those are fatal.

Skomal said with so many people out on the water in boats or swimming at area beaches, he expects more sightings throughout the summer.

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Shark sightings off LI coastline close several beaches for swimming for third straight day: officials - WPIX 11 New York

Neponset pollution seen as key

Water quality at Dorchesters three beaches worsened last year, according to a new report by the non-profit Save the Harbor/Save the Bay that tracks year-to-year data at urban beaches.

In 2019, the overall safety rating for regional beaches managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation was 88 percent overall, a decline from the 2019 score of 94 percent. In Dorchester, Malibu Beach scored at 83 percent, down from the previous years 91. Savin Hill Beach declined from 100 percent to 79 percent and Tenean Beach went from 78 to 67 percent, making it the unsafest beach for swimming.

The scores reflect the percent of samples that complied with the Massachusetts Department of Public Healths single sample limit for bacteria, which the report calls the most straightforward way of evaluating beach water quality and potential impacts on human health.

Four of the regions fifteen public beaches Carson Beach, M Street Beach, City Point Beach, and Pleasure Bay, all in South Bostonachieved a perfect score of 100 percent. Water quality at Carson and M Street beaches actually improved from the year before.

Data gathered from weekly water quality testing at Bostons regional beaches began on May 23 of last year. Supplemental daily testing of Constitution Beach, Kings Beach, Malibu Beach, Tenean Beach, and Wollaston Beach began on June 13; and all testing concluded on September 1.

Changes in the intensity and frequency of summer rainstorms last year is seen as a likely factor contributing to the variation in water quality, said Bruce Berman, director of strategy and communications for Save the Harbor /Save the Bay.

The period that we looked atin this report included 12 months of the largest rainfall that weve had in 141 years of recorded history, said Berman. And water quality of the three beaches in Dorchester is profoundly affected by rainfall. Of all of them the one thats most consistently affected is Tenean.

Still, the drop in scores for Dorchesters three beaches has raised some concern for nearby residents.

Its disappointing that over time the water safety quality has decreased at our beaches when most of the others have improved, said Paul Nutting, a longtime Savin Hill resident who has been a leading advocate for local beaches and waterfront amenities in Dorchester.

I know theres a seasonality to the testing and rain, but it seems like that might skew all of the results and not just the Dorchester ones.

Nutting said he suspects that pollution in the Neponset River which empties into Dorchester Bay near Tenean Beach might explain some of the discrepancies in water quality.

Theres definitely the influence of the Neponset River for our beaches, whereas at M Street beach or Carson theyre getting more of an ocean flushing influence, he said. During thunderstorms, all of it washes it down, and most of the others dont have the influence of a river coming into them nearby that could potentially affect the quality.

Berman agrees that the Neponset is likely a major contributor to the drop in scores last year. The Boston Water and Sewer Commission, he said, has done a terrific job in addressing combined sewer and storm water overflowsnear Tenean. Still, he added: No matter what you do to clean up the pipes at Tenean, the Neponset continues to be a challenge. A lot of the problems in the Neponset dont come from pipes; they come from runoff and stormwater.

Maria Lyons, who lives in Port Norfolk near Tenean Beach, said storm overflow is a very troublesome problem there. The beaches in Dorchester are where the people of Boston go who dont have a house on the Cape or dont have a ton of money to leave the city, she said. We have this wonderful opportunity and a lot of the time people cant go in the water, which, she added, I consider an environmental injustice issue. Tenean was always the poor mans beach and it still is.

Lyons has for many years complained that the use of the adjacent Victory Road Park as an off leash dog park also contributes to poor water quality at Tenean.

Nobody regulates that area and its worn down and eroding away into the ocean. And of course all of the dog waste goes over to Tenean Beach, she said Lyons.

On Monday, a jet skier enjoyed a ride across from the gas tank near where a man was killed when his jet ski crashed into a sailboat on Sunday.Efficacy of flag system queriedThe report, issued last week, also identified a critical weakness with the way state officials alert the public to potential water quality hazards at the beaches. Currently, beach-goers are signaled by a red or blue flag flown from lifeguard stations at the beaches. (Blue means safe, red means unsafe.)

But, flag postings are always a day late, Berman said, since officials have to wait 24 to 36 hours to get test results that inform the warnings.The flagging system is fairly simple. You take a sample, put it in a temperature-controlled room, and leave it for 24 hours, said Berman. The tests identify the numbers of enterococcus bacteria in the samples, and if there are more than 103 colonies per milliliter of water, it exceeds the sample. This means that the flags are always 24 hours late, and thats a problem.

Berman says one potential solution to do modeling, and look and see just how much storm water it takes to make a beach dirty. When you think youre going to have that much rain you put up a flag as a precaution.

Nutting also pointed to the issues with the current beach flagging system, noting that there has been talk for some time about changing the model of the signs to avoid a lag and improve accuracy.

The current water quality testing system creates a lag time between when the test is taken and when the results come back and the flag goes up. Its flagged for the interim, but we dont know what happened in the interim, he said.

There had been some talk about a year ago over creating some sign of modeling based on the amount of rain you get, meaning that beaches would close when we get a storm. You know, at what point does the amount of rain trigger a beach closure?

Save the Harbor/Save the Bay plans to host three forums and a conference later this year and early in 2021 on the future of public beaches. The organization says it will collaborate with community partners in waterfront neighborhoods and beachfront communities to address systemic racism, sea level rise, and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Berman says that lower rainfall this summer so far will likely lead to better water quality scores in next years report.

I expect that when we look at the water quality this year, were going to see an improvement on almost all of our beaches, because there was less rain not because there were changes to the infrastructure, he said. The past few years were good for farmers but bad for beaches, and this year it looks like its going to be good for beaches and bad for farmers.

He added: No matter what flag you see on the beach, use caution. If it rained in the last 24 hours, use caution.

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Study: Water quality dipped at Dot beaches last year - Dorchester Reporter

Great beach and amazing sunset, a review featured next to Race Point Beach stated.

The No. 1 beach in the US was Siesta Beach in Siesta Key, Florida.

The winners on the Tripadvisor list were calculated based on the quality and quantity of the millions of reviews, opinions and ratings collected on Tripadvisor in 2019, prior to the pandemic, a statement from the Needham-based company says. The hallmark of winners continues to be remarkable service and quality experiences for travelers and diners, the statement says.

The list also includes categories for most popular destinations, attractions/amusement parks, restaurants, hotels, experiences, airlines, and trending and emerging destinations. Each category has top 25 winners worldwide, in the US, and by region.

This has been a tough year for our industry, but the global desire to go and explore, whether the destination is an hour away or across the world, remains strong, said Lindsay Nelson, chief experience and brand officer at Tripadvisor, in the statement. Were passionate about guiding travelers to the good out there, especially the good found within these recognized hotels, restaurants and airlines that rise to the occasion in offering the best of the best.

In addition to beaches, Massachusetts had a strong showing in the hotels category, as the Nantucket Hotel & Resort was ranked the second best hotel in the US. A review next to the ranking described the resort: Warm, friendly, impeccably clean, perfectly located to town, inviting public spaces, great bed, nautical decor. We loved every minute.

In fact, Massachusetts and New England at large are home to some of the best hotels in the US, when looking at several of the sites subcategories. Lands End Inn in Provincetown was ranked sixth in the small hotel category, while The Inn at Thorn Hill & Spa in Jackson, N.H., came in 11th, the Lyme Inn in Lyme, N.H., came in 13th, Union Street Inn in Nantucket came in 17th, The Chanler at Cliff Walk in Newport, R.I., ranked 19th, and LakeHouse Inn in Lee came in 24th.

In the luxury hotel category, Boston Harbor Hotel in Boston ranked 12th. Midway Motel in Cape Cods Eastham was named 18th best bargain hotel, and The Trellis House in Ogunquit, Maine, came in at No. 13 in the bed and breakfast/inn category.

New England was also represented on the US amusement parks list: Santas Village in Jefferson, N.H., was ranked No. 14, and Canobie Lake Park in Salem, N.H., came in at No. 19.

And on the US trending destinations list, Portland, Maine, ranked No. 19, while Cape Cods Chatham came in at No. 22.

Jaclyn Reiss can be reached at jaclyn.reiss@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter: @JaclynReiss

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These 2 New England beaches were just ranked in the top 25 in the US - The Boston Globe

Rapid buses to connect beaches, downtown St. Pete

Lloyd Sowers reports

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Within 18 months a new mass transit system could be carrying passengers between St. Petersburg and Pinellas County beaches. Eventually, planners say, it could part of a 41-mile route connecting St. Pete Beach with Wesley Chapel.

I think its the beginning of a new chapter in our region, said Pinellas County Commissioner Janet Long, a member of the board of directors of Pinellas Suncoast Regional Transit Authority (PSTA).

Long was among the members who voted unanimously to spend around $22 million for construction of SunRunner, a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system that would carry passengers on buses that operate similar to trains, making limited stops on semi-dedicated lanes. The buses would run every 15 minutes taking passengers from Downtown St. Petersburg to the beaches or vice versa in less than 35 minutes. The trip will cost $2.25, normal bus fare.

Backers say SunRunner will be fast and convenient for visitors and residents.

You hop on not having to worry about parking or paying for parking, said Long. Then when youre ready to come home you just jump back on the bus, not to mention it will take a lot of cars and congestion off the road.

Regional transportation planners at TBARTA say Bus Rapid Transit is the preferred way to attack a glaring need for mass transit which some leaders have said is the Tampa Bay Areas Achilles heel in attracting large companies and national events.

TBARTA has endorsed a proposed 41-mile BRT route that would stretch from St. Pete Beach to Downtown St. Petersburg, across a new, expanded Howard Frankland Bridge, to Westshore, Downtown Tampa, USF Area, and finally Wesley Chapel in Pasco County.

It suddenly opens up all kinds of opportunities and jobs, said Rick Homans, of the Tampa Bay Partnership last year.

PSTA received a $21.8 million federal grant Tuesday. This grant, combined with Florida Department of Transportations New Starts Program and Design Grant, plus contributions made by the City of St. Petersburg and PTSA will fund the entire SunRunner project costing $43.93 million

The proposed 41-mile regional route would cost many millions more. Its now up to other local governments and agencies in Hillsborough and Pasco Counties to decide if and when to fund BRT.

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$22 million SunRunner bus system approved to connect St. Petersburg with beaches - FOX 13 Tampa Bay

HONOLULU (KHON2) With Governor David Ige and Hawaiis county mayors uniting to outlaw large gatherings to no more than groups of 10, Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell says he has a plan to stop those from happening on Oahus beaches: no large tents.

State officials pointed to the 4th of July, and to a lesser extent Memorial Day gatherings, as the ignition for an explosion of COVID-19 cases that Hawaii has seen in the past week.

July 4th came and went where we had a lot of people out. Anybody who went out to the beach that weekend anywhere in the state saw large gatherings people with their tents and there was mingling. So that set up little sparks, Lieutenant Governor Josh Green said.

The state responded by announcing the limiting of gatherings Wednesday afternoon, July 29.

In a meeting with fellow county mayors and Governor Ige, Mayor Caldwell pitched the idea to fold large tents on beaches and parks completely. He also spoke to the Department of Land and Natural Resources about combining state and county leadership to help outlaw the canopies. The DLNR is also cracking down on large gatherings, even closing Kauais Polihale State Park indefinitely.

That kind of condition, those tents provide a welcoming environment to gather close together for long periods of time, Mayor Caldwell said.

Honolulus leader also blamed tents for providing a way for members of different households to intermingle and disregard social distancing guidelines.

Its the structures where we see gatherings. Even if you have a pod of 10 or less you have many pods under one tent sometimes well over 100 and theyre not podding at all theyre not six feet apart theyre next to each other, Mayor Caldwell said.

A decision on tents is something Mayor Caldwell hopes to announce in the coming days.

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Honolulu looks to outlaw large tents at beaches and parks - KHON2

Photos by Jean Hall | DOWNY is the scene at Sand Dollar Islandnewly hatched Black Skimmer chicks.

A Royal Tern newly fledged chick part downy and part houndstooth pattern.

The Reddish Egrets are tall and longlegged withunique feather colorationand they dance for their foodor at least it looks that way to humans.They are the rarest of all egrets in the United States and aredesignated by the State of Florida as threatened species.

Marco Islanders are so fortunate that they do not have to go far to enjoy this rare beautyoften observed by the shallows ofTigertailLagoon stalking their prey.

A juvenile Reddish Egret has been seen regularly in the mornings, right in front of Residents Beach and travels as far south to the JW Marriott. Most mornings this young beauty is flapping his wings, running, zigging and zagging in the watera unique feeding behavior, mesmerizing regular beach walkers and hotel guests.

Caution:This is ararewildbird and as a juvenile must learn to hunt for foodwhich are small fish plentiful by the surf line. FEEDING Wildlifeis not recommended. Enjoy this beauty on our beach and she will continue to bless us with its presence.

Juvenile Reddish Egret frequently seen in the mornings right in front of Residents Beach and JW Marriottstalking his prey by the surf dancing for hisbreakfast.

Be ready to take out your cellphone and record a Jagger type dance from the Reddish Egret! Again,watch respectfully from a distance.

The scene is allDOWNYfurther to the north on the wilder side of Sand Dollar Island. The nesting colony of Black Skimmers are recovering from the effects of Tropical Storm Cristobal. They have re-nested and theDOWNY babies arescampering all over. The colony is looking very healthy according to Jean Hall ofAudubon of the Western Everglades.

Black Skimmer Mom with downy chicks at Sand Dollar Islanddoing verywell having recovered from Tropical Storm Cristobal.

Also, joining the Black Skimmersare the beautiful Royal Terns distinct with their red-orange bill and black tufted cap during the breeding season.Some of their chicks have fledged withplumage showing its houndstooth pattern.

There were also Least Tern nests witheggs,and they are very late.Again,Mother Natureis amazing allowing the Least Terns to re-nest several times.If you happento get too close trying to look for chicks, you will hear a loud warning overhead from a protective parent.

Walk on the wild side of Marco and experience the DOWNY Beauties just emerging!Watch from a distance and respect the posted areas.

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BEAUTIES and the Beach - coastalbreezenews.com

Photos by Maria Lamb | July 20th, 7 AM, Beach-Wide Clean-up sponsored by JW Marriott. Thanks to all the volunteers who joined the beach clean-up event.

On July 20th,at 7AM, aJWMarriottssponsored beach-wideclean-up was underwayfrom theirbeachfront propertyto Crystal Shores.Volunteers scoured the sand and parts of the dunes for collectibles such as plastic cups, lids, bags, straws and also found disposable wipes and masks.

JWs team members were joinedby their beachfront neighbors,the crew of the Marco Island Watersports and Regency Watersports and members of the community.According to Jamie Bowden, JWs Director of GuestExperience and organizer of the July clean-up, 30+ volunteers joined the morning event and collected 50+ poundsof trash.

Andrew Tyler,a beach resident,has been on record arguing that the hotel community of Marco Island needs to be more attentive to trash accumulation as a consequence of their use of our beach.Having attended the beach clean-up,Tyler acknowledged that,The event was a success and he would like to encourage other properties on the beach to consider similar sponsorshipsin the future.

According to Bowden,theJW Marriott has always done a routine beach clean-upwith their staff every day,andthis is their firstsponsored beach-wideclean-up.Bowden added that JW is committed to the cleanliness of the beach and keeping it safe for the nesting sea turtles.

JW Marriotts Team Members.

TracyTirell,JW MarriottsSenior Marketing Manager,shared thatthe resort fosters a clean-up as you go mentality with all of their associates.Ifthestaffseesdebris, they pick it up.Daily beach pick-up occurs twice dailyonce when the resort officially close the beach at nightandwhen the team departs for the evening.Tirelladded that since guests are never prohibited access to the beach in the evening hours, each morning when the team returns there is always a new round of debris from guests.Bowden added that his team is present on the beach from 6:30AM to8:30PM.

Industry research has also shownthat when guests are visiting a beachdestination, a clean beach isvery important to them.In addition, a clean beachis an indicator thatJWs Marco locationis engaged inenvironmental issues such astheprotection of endangered sea turtles.As part of JWs checkin procedure,during nesting season,guests are provided information on the nesting sea turtlesand migratory birds.

In Augustof2018,theJWMarriottmade a commitmenttoreduce plastic pollution on the beach.Amanda CoxtheJW Marriotts Director of Sales and Marketing was proud to announce their commitment to preserve paradiseone sipat a time.TheJW Marriotteliminated the use of plastic straws throughout the resort and replaced them with Aardvark paper straws made in the USA and are 100% compostable and marinedegradable. Cox indicated that JW MarriottsMarcolocation used 60,000 straws per month prior to the plastic straw ban.Thats 720,000 plastic strawsless per year!

Jamie Bowden announced thattheJWMarriottwill move to a quarterly sponsored beach-wide clean-up schedule.BookmarkSeptember 7th, starting at 7AM 8AM.To join the clean-up, please contact:Jamie.Bowden@marriott.com.

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JW Marriott Making a Difference on the Beach - coastalbreezenews.com

Mayor Muriel Bowser announced a new quarantine order for DC Friday, saying that anyone coming into the city from designated high-risk spots must self-quarantine for 14 days. The list of affected states was released today. If youre currently at the beach in Rehoboth, or Bethany, or Deweyor heading there in the next two weeksyou may need to re-jigger some of your plans. Delaware is among the 27 high-risk states on Bowsers list.

The quarantine orders affects people traveling for non-essential activities. Virginia and Maryland are not on the list. Bowsers office has said it will be revising and reissuing the list every 2 weeks.

How will the order be enforced? When asked at a press conference Friday, Bowser didnt directly say. People shouldmonitor their activities and do what is right for their neighbors and the District, she said.

Heres the full list of high-risk states, effective until August 10, when it will be revised:

ArkansasArizonaAlabamaCaliforniaDelawareFloridaGeorgiaIdahoIowaKansasLouisianaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew MexicoNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaSouth CarolinaTennesseeTexasUtahWashingtonWisconsin

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Articles Editor

Kristen Hinman has been editing Washingtonians features since 2014. She joined the magazine after editing politics & policy coverage for Bloomberg Businessweek and working as a staff writer for Voice Media Group/Riverfront Times.

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Going to the Delaware Beaches Soon? DC Says You'll Have to Quarantine When You Get Back - Washingtonian

Nothing beats spending an entire vacation next to the oceanin fact, its a scientific fact that water makes people happier. Even though American travelers might not be able to jet off to the Mediterranean coast or choose a Caribbean island at will right now, there are plenty of hotels in the United States that are perfect for your next beach getaway. Weve rounded up our favorite oceanfront hotels spanning the entire contiguous U.S., and we guarantee theres a listing here for every type of traveler. So whether youre craving an intimate retreat in Big Sur, a family-friendly cabin on Cape Cod, or a five-star high-rise located directly on Miami Beach, this list of the best beach getaways should have you covered.

All listings featured on Cond Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Newport has a long history of catering to the countrys upper-crust, and few places appeal to that Im friends with at least one Vanderbilt clientele better than The Chanler at Cliff Walk. The gilded-age manor was built in 1873 for Margaret Astor Ward (great-granddaughter of John Jacob), but opened its doors to the public as a hotel in 2003. The rooms are decorated in the styles of different historical periods, each somehow more extravagant than the next. Our favorite is the Marthas Vineyard villa, an ocean-view beauty with a mantled fireplace, two prim blue chairs, and a canopied, four-poster bed with intricately carved wooden frame.

Book Now: From $538 per night at Skylark.com

Its no secret that Montauk is one of the best beach getaways for New Yorkers, but booking a room at Gurneys Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa will take your semi-staycation to the next level. With its ocean-fed saltwater pool and in-the-sand daybeds adorned in yellow and cream, the beach scene here is the stuff Hamptons dreams are made of. People come to Gurneys beach club from all over the area just for happy hour, but you can dodge the mid-afternoon crowds in one of the resorts 38 oceanfront guest rooms, complete with private verandas and floor-to-ceiling windows.

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The Best Beach Getaways in the U.S. - Cond Nast Traveler

WESTERLY A series of complaints has led to officers resuming alcohol enforcement along the town's beaches, and in just 10 days the effort has led to the issuance of 141 tickets for various violations.

Westerly Police Chief Shawn Lacey said that from July 18 through Monday, the department had cited a total of 103 individuals for consuming an alcoholic beverage in public and issued 36 tickets to underage persons in possession of alcohol. One person was cited with possession of marijuana and another faces a misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge.

The department had already issued another 12 alcohol-based violations as of 2 p.m. Tuesday, but details of those summonses were not available as officers were still in the middle of enforcement.

"It is by far the most I've seen in such a short period," Lacey said Tuesday. "I know for many, that already sounds like a lot, but the number of violators is likely even higher. For every summons, officers must do approximately 30 minutes of paperwork. They've been busy."

The Westerly Police Department has traditionally conducted early-season enforcement involving plainclothes officers in an effort to set a tone for the season, Lacey explained. Due to the COVID-19 restrictions and other unusual circumstances, the department did not conduct their normal early-season enforcement in 2020.

Over the first few weeks of July, however, he said the agency began to receive "numerous complaints" from residents, business owners and beachgoers regarding unruly behavior, drinking and smoking of marijuana. The complaints continued to pour in after the July 4 holiday, which ultimately led to police organizing the beach patrols.

Unlike in years past, officers are not in plain clothes. Lacey said due to national tensions and concerns regarding public perception that such operations are too covert, he ordered officers to instead utilize their bicycle-officer uniforms, which include shorts and a police-labeled golf shirt, while on the beach.

"They aren't the traditional black uniforms, but they are still in uniforms," Lacey said.

Over the course of the first 10 days, Lacey said officers conducted the patrols along the entire 9-mile length of Westerly's beaches. He noted that, as a result of an executive order from Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo pertaining to COVID-19, there are certain sections of the beach near local bars that are designated to allow for patrons to drink, allowing more opportunity to do so legally than in years past.

Most of those charged were not local, Lacey noted, with charges split primarily between beachgoers from Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island who had driven 30 minutes or more.

Consumption of alcohol in public is an infraction that carries carries a minimum fine of $100 and violators are issued a summons to Westerly Municipal Court. Minors in possession of alcohol, ages 18 to 21, are referred to Fourth Division District Court, and violators face a minimum penalty of a $200 court-ordered contribution to a charitable organization, 20 hours of community service, and a 60-day loss of their driver's license. Cases involving those under 18 are referred to Rhode Island Family Court.

Lacey said daily enforcement would continue "for at least another few weeks," then the agency will reevaluate and determine whether further daily efforts are still needed.

"Typically we'd found with the early enforcement, word spreads around, and we get a voluntary compliance from most people," he said. "Unfortunately, that just hasn't been the case this year."

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141 tickets issued for alcohol, other violations at Westerly beaches in past 10 days - The Westerly Sun

Thimble jellyfish, whose larval form is known as "sea lice."

Thimble jellyfish, whose larval form is known as "sea lice."

Photo: Ethan Daniels Contributed / Getty Images/WaterFrame RM

Thimble jellyfish, whose larval form is known as "sea lice."

Thimble jellyfish, whose larval form is known as "sea lice."

Itchy invaders: Sea lice reported at Dariens Weed Beach

Darien beaches have certainly been popular throughout the summer to the point of having to close parking lots. But last Friday, there was a different kind of visitor.

Bathers were warned of the presence of sea lice at Weed Beach on July 24 after a swimmer spotted them. Lifeguards were immediately instructed to post signs.

Parks & Rec Director Pam Gery and Health Department Director David Knauf said all we can do is warn people.

The worst thing is there is no way to predict how long they will be around. They are found in the warm waters and swim in blooms. They can get stuck in bathing suits and sting in defense, Gery said.

Sea lice are no relation to head lice, according healthline.com. They are actually jellyfish larvae. They get trapped underneath bathing suits and the pressure causes them to release inflammatory, stinging cells that cause itching, irritation and red bumps on the skin. Doctors also call this sea bathers eruption.

According to National Geographic, sea lice are the larvae of a small species of jellyfish called thimble jellyfish. It also reports they are transluscent so they are hard to avoid in the water.

Not everyone gets virtual itches from even the concept of sea lice. Though it was canceled this year, the annual international sea lice convention has been rescheduled for September 2021 in the Faroe Islands off Scotland. Begun in 1992, attendees can have a unique opportunity to interact with internationally renowned sea lice researchers.

Early bird registration ends on May 29, 2021.

Swimmers are advised to remove bathing suits promptly, shower and wash the suit before wearing it again.

Hydrocortisone cream provides some relief for the itch, which will go away in a week or so. That appears to be the worst of the effects, according to Knauf and Gery.

For the latest on Darien beaches and updates from the health department, visit Darienct.gov.

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Itchy invaders: Sea lice reported at Dariens Weed Beach - Darien Times

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A fire that spread within a row of Midland Beach homes Tuesday night left one firefighter injured.

The FDNY responded to the scene located at 1187 Father Capodanno Boulevard at around 9:45 p.m., a department spokesperson said, and worked to quell a fire that was on the second floor and roof of the residence.

Sal Monforte, 56, who lives in the immediate area, said there was a lot of smoke coming from the building but that no one lived in the home where the fire is thought to have begun.

The family in the adjoining home were able to safely leave the building, he said.

Firefighters could be seen removing debris from the second story of two conjoined homes after the fire was put out. Traffic was restricted along Father Capodanno Boulevard during the emergency response.

It was not immediately clear what caused the fire. It was officially placed under control at 10:49 p.m., an FDNY spokesman said.

The injured firefighter was transported to Staten Island University Hospital in Ocean Breeze. The extent of the firefighters injuries was not immediately available.

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FDNY battles fire in Midland Beach townhouses; 1 firefighter injured - SILive.com