LUDINGTON, MI Longtime Ludington fans know to expect it, but it still catches first-time visitors by surprise: that sparkling expanse of Lake Michigan, lapping right at the edge of downtown.

Ludington is one of those true Michigan beach towns where everything is designed to take advantage of the water. The towns main thoroughfare leads right to it. Gorgeous beaches flank it, not only in the city, but just up the road where a gem of a state park is neatly sandwiched between the Great Lake and a popular inland lake - and its connecting river.

Add into that a downtown with lots of local shops and a handful of great restaurants and breweries, and its not a surprise some vacationers dont consider themselves having reached Northern Michigan until theyve landed in Ludington.

Thats kind of how we describe ourselves Were the front door to Up North, said Brandy Miller, executive director of the Ludington Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.

While summer and fall are the top tourist times, this spot has really become a four-season getaway. If youre hitting the road for Ludington, here are a few suggestions to round out your trip:

Dunegrass along Lake Michigan at Ludington State Park.

BEACHES

Stearns Park Beach: This one is right in town. Its got a half-mile of sandy beach, playground and concessions. Its a great gathering place to stay and play during the day, or stroll at the waters edge at sunset.

Buttersville Park Beach: Typically a quieter spot, this beach is located on the south side of the Pere Marquette River channel, and has a nearby campground.

Ludington State Park: This is the ultimate beach experience. The popular state park boasts several miles of shoreline and sandy beaches on both Lake Michigan and the inland Hamlin Lake. There are beachside playgrounds, picnic tables and concessions. You can follow the shoreline all the way to a lighthouse, or float down the Big Sable River until you reach Lake Michigan.

Hiking and biking trails abound in the Ludington area. Photo courtesy of the Ludington Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

HIKING AND BIKING

Pack your comfortable walking shoes or day hikers and dont forget to load up your bike or plan to rent one from the bike shops in town. The Ludington area has miles of trails built for exploring. If youre headed to Ludington State Park, its got a bike trail connecting all three of its modern campgrounds, as well as a non-paved road out to the Big Sable Point Lighthouse that draws bikers. The state park offers a 4-mile canoe trail, 10 miles of cross-country skiing trails in the winter, and more than 25 miles of hiking trails that range from backdune to forest to marshland. Hint: the Lost Lake Trail is a favorite for kids, with its boardwalk, shady pathways and wildlife viewing spots.

Closer to town, try the Cartier Park Pathway, which offers trails for walking, road biking and a twisty, contoured, single-track mountain biking route called The Dragon. Cyclists say its as fun to ride as its name implies.

A stretch of beach in Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area.MLive.com

GET A LITTLE WILD

Want a little deeper back-to-nature experience? Check out Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area. These 3,400 acres stretch along Lake Michigan, north of Ludington State Park. This national forest land offers hiking and rustic camping. The wilderness area is popular for hiking, camping, hunting, nature study and wildlife viewing, according to the U.S. Forest Service. There are approximately 10 miles of trail that can be accessed from two developed trailheads at the end of Nurnberg Road and Lake Michigan Recreation Area. It can be a day trip or a mini-vacation, depending on your timeline. For trail maps and details on camping regulations, check the Nordhouse Dunes website.

The S.S. Badger car ferry leaves Ludington to take passengers to Manitowoc, Wis.Ken Stevens | MLive.com file

S.S. BADGER

No trip to Ludington would be complete without seeing the S.S. Badger. This 600-passenger ship is a National Historic Landmark, and the last coal-fired car ferry operating on the Great Lakes. It currently makes one round-trip a day between its Ludington berth and Manitowoc, Wisconsin. It can accommodate 180 vehicles for those who want to drive off and start an adventure on the other side of Lake Michigan. Its also full of interesting things to do and see (Hint: Check out the Badger Bingo game), and its top deck has plenty of room to spread out and enjoy the waterfront view for the four-hour trip. Private staterooms can also be reserved. For more information on travel times and amenities, check the Badgers website.

Big Sable Point Light pictured at sunset.MLive.com

LIGHTHOUSES

The Ludington area has two spots for lighthouse lovers. The biggest draw is Big Sable Point Lighthouse, a towering black-and-white column that is best accessed via a 2-mile trail in Ludington State Park. The point itself was named by French explorers, and the lighthouse was built in 1867. In the 1940s, it became the last Great Lakes lighthouse to get electricity. While the tower itself is not open for visitors during the 2020 season, the lighthouse gift shop is open for weekend visitors.

The North Breakwater Light is another popular spot, this one right in town at Stearns Park Beach. Its a great spot to walk out to see the sunset, or wave at the S.S. Badger as it heads across the lake, or is pulling into port.

HIDDEN GEM

If youve got kids in tow, make sure to try the citys Waterfront Park for a little down time. Its not only a great place to see the S.S. Badger, but it sits between two marinas, so theres plenty of boat-watching to be had. Theres a big playground for kids and a unique sculpture park that gives visitors a little history lesson about the area. The sculptures also have QR codes, allowing you to scan them for a little audio tour of the artwork and what they represent.

A longtime brewery in Ludington, check Jamesport's rotating brew roster to pick your favorite.

RESTAURANTS AND BREWERIES

Some are relatively new additions, while others are Ludington staples. Heres a rundown of some spots to check out when youre on the hunt for a meal or a craft beer and a snack. Some of these come with amazing rooftop or waterfront views.

House of Flavors Restaurant, 402 W. Ludington Ave. Now in its third generation of Neal family ownership, House of Flavors flagship location is a downtown magnet for ice cream and sundae lovers, and those seeking a bit of 50s diner-style nostalgia. Each year, the manufacturing side of the operation produces more than 30 million gallons of ice cream. Favorites include Strawberry, classic Chocolate, Blue Moon and Orange Pineapple. Up for a challenge or planning to bring friends? Order The Pigs Dinner and get a collector pin.

Old Hamlin: 122. W. Ludington Ave. A family-owned restaurant right downtown, this place is a staple. Its known for its big menu and Friday Fish Fry. To see its menu and specials, check its website and Facebook page.

Blu Moon Bistro: 125 S. James St. This eatery draws people in with an eclectic menu fusion, sushi, Americana with a twist, anyone? and delights them with a rooftop deck, one of two outdoor seating options. Find updates on their Facebook page and a menu on their website.

PM Steamers Restaurant: 502 W. Loomis St. A waterfront locale and a steak-and-seafood menu make this a spot for locals as well as vacationers. See the website for seating times and more details.

The Q Smokehouse: 225 S. James St. Slow-smoked meats are the hallmarks of this eatery. Currently, it offers online ordering and a convenient outside ordering/pickup system. You can do strictly take-out, or enjoy your food outside on tables. Find the menu on the website and see the Facebook page for updates.

Jamesport Brewing Company: 410 S. James St. More than a century ago, this spot was a saloon whose seats were filled by sailors and lumbermen. Now its a place for craft beer lovers who want a good meal served up alongside their brew of choice. Check their website for the latest beer list and their Facebook page for updates.

Ludington Bay Brewing Co.: 515 S. James St. With about 20 brews on tap daily, youll want to check this brewerys website for the latest seasonal lineup. Menu runs from solid pub food to an array of creative pizzas and a conversation-starter Adult Mac & Cheese entre, which you can load up with chicken, bacon or grilled fresh jalapenos.

For more information about planning your next trip to Ludington, go online to pureludington.com.

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Beaches, trails, waterfront eats make Ludington the front door to Up North - MLive.com

TRAVERSE CITY Maria Hall, 30, and her fianc Joshua Dillon, 35, have always appreciated the earths natural beauty.

The couple who both grew up in Michigan share a love of travel that has taken them to places including Jamaica, Iceland, and California where they lived for a few years. There, they visited every national park in the state, according to Hall.

The couples affinity for nature rings especially true when it comes to their appreciation of the natural wonder of northern Michigan.

We love the sand dunes. We love the beautiful blue water, said Hall. The ocean is awesome but its not our lakes.

So, when it came time to plan their July 2020 wedding, they knew a beach ceremony with Lake Michigan as a backdrop would best capture their love adventure.

An added plus? The couples out of area family could also soak in northern Michigans majestic views.

To show them how gorgeous really our state is, Hall said. Lets be real, the pictures are going to be beautiful.

Pictures, in this time of COVID-19, will be how most of her friends and family experience her wedding.

And northern Michigan pictures can say 1,000 words if not more, according to Corey Weber, owner of The Weber Photographers.

For him, beach ceremonies are the total visual package.

They really do incorporate every single aspect that is the big draw to northern Michigan, he said.

Some of Webers most popular beach wedding settings include downtown Traverse City, Petoskey State Park, Vans Beach in Leland and a spot in Charlevoix.

But getting married with ones toes in the sand may not be well suited for the risk averse.

After all, there are no guarantees when it comes to the weather.

Its like throwing a dart on a calendar and hoping for 75 degrees and sunny with 5 mph wind and no more, Weber said. Its quite the crap-shoot.

Wind can be a major adversary come wedding day, according to Rev. Crystal Yarlott, the owner of Northern Michigan Wedding Officiants.

In officiant world, were always talking about good ways to keep the pages from our scripts from flipping all over the place, said Yarlott, whose pages were held in place during one ceremony by the couple exchanging vows.

Besides factoring in for the wind, Yarlott recommends keeping umbrellas at the ready, and turning programs into fans to combat potential heat.

Also, if a couple incorporates pets, they should keep in mind the water can be a huge distraction.

Take, for example, the time two tuxedo-clad black labs were on hand.

They (the dogs) were pulling and barking. They wanted to get in the water. she said.

Even with the weather risks, the potential rewards of an outdoor beach gathering can be unparalleled.

During one ceremony, Yarlott said she witnessed the gray clouds repeatedly part to reveal flashes of rainbows.

It was magical, she said.

Some of Yarlotts most popular destinations include Peterson Beach at Sleeping Bear Dunes, the Old Mission Peninsula and Bayside Park in Acme.

If a couple opts to get married on a public beach, despite a permit, they still must share the space with the public.

That means wave runners, sunbathers and picnicking families may be unofficial guests.

We dont cordon off anything. You cant make something inaccessible, said Merrith Baughman, Chief of Interpretation and Visitor Services at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

There are also certain stipulations that apply to public beaches such as those at Sleeping Bear Dunes.

For example, there is a $150 permit fee, receptions arent allowed, and ceremonies cant be scheduled on certain holiday weekends.

Artificial structures like archways are a no-no, and only a small number of chairs can be used.

Parking restrictions, restroom availability and the number of people allowed all vary.

Thats why Brooke Dumas, owner of Stellaluna Events, recommends booking a private area that comes with its own beach.

Then you are able to have a really intimate ceremony, she said.

Some of her recommendations include the Inn at Bay Harbor, The Homestead in Glen Arbor and The Leelanau School, also in Glen Arbor. Thats where Abby and Neal Kostry exchanged vows in July 2019, surrounded by a ring of greenery on the private schools Lake Michigan beach.

We had visited Traverse City a few years before and fell in love (with the area), said Abby Kostry, a Seattle teacher. We got engaged on Lake Michigan.

With social distancing guidelines in place that limit private and public gathering due to COVID-19, Dumas said many of her clients are postponing or opting for smaller elopement type ceremonies.

Thats Maria Halls plan.

Shes swapped her initial idea for an event with about 100 guests with a plan that includes just the couple and both sets of parents at Sleeping Bear Dunes.

Then, next year theyll invite family and friends to northern Michigan to watch the replay of their wedding.{div}We would feel more comfortable with people not traveling and being around each other at this time, Hall said. We were supposed to have many traveling from outside the state, by plane, with children.

We believe everyone will be able to come to next years celebration more safely. We were able to reschedule the venues to next summer, she added. I thought it would be kind of cool to kind of relive that moment.

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Pictures speak volumes as weddings get smaller on area beaches - Traverse City Record Eagle

PARIS Parisians heading to the opening of Paris Plages, the yearly transformation of sections of the Seine river into man-made beaches, were met with a new attraction on Saturday: COVID-19 test centres.

A series of indicators across the country, including in the French capital, have suggested the virus could once again be gaining momentum. Authorities are pushing an aggressive testing policy to avoid a return to the peaks seen from March to May.

"At Paris-Plages people have got the time and they really want to know whether they have been sick ... and there are those who need a certificate to travel on some airlines to go on holiday," Muriel Prudhomme, a doctor and deputy at the townhall's health department, told Reuters as a steady stream of people of all ages came to be tested.

The artificial beaches on the banks of the Seine in central Paris and the Bassin de la Villette, a man-made lake in the northeast of the city, have been a raging success since they were launched by Paris mayor Bertrand Delanoe in 2002.

As well as sand and views of central Paris architecture, Paris Plage offers sporting opportunities such as fencing, giant table-football, and open-air gyms looking out over the Seine, although this year the tighter health restrictions have limited some of the activities.

Along the banks of the river and the Bassin de la Villette, medical teams are now in place at two locations until the end of August offering serological and standard PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests with a capacity to carry out 150 to 200 a day.

"I'm taking all necessary precautions, but there are so many people that don't seem to care," said pensioner Nicole Gressier. "I'm going to see my granddaughter who I haven't seen for nine months, so when I was strolling here I saw it was possible to be tested, so why not?"

The disease has killed more than 30,000 people in France. While it has been under control with fatalities and the number of people in intensive care falling, daily cases have increased ahead of the summer holiday season as people gather in larger groups and travellers come to and from France without specific quarantine measures.

Kais Arbi, 25, who lives in a northwestern Parisian suburb, took the test knowing that he was travelling to see his family in Tunisia in the coming weeks.

"I did the PCR test so I know my current state of health," said Arbi, who tested negative. "I don't want to spread it to another country."

(Reporting by John Irish; Editing by Hugh Lawson)

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Going to the Beach in Paris? Why Not Test for COVID-19? - The New York Times

The longtime San Diego battle between beachgoers and the neighborhoods where they park has risen to a new level this summer in La Jolla Shores, where someone illegally painted 150 feet of curb red so no one would park there.

City crews repaint somewhere between 10 and 25 illegal red curbs each year, mostly in beach areas, but also in congested neighborhoods like Hillcrest and North Park.

But its rare for residents frustrated by throngs of visitors to illegally paint the curb of an entire block of street red, as someone did on the north side of Camino del Collado in La Jolla Shores.

The Surfrider Foundation, which discovered the illegal paint job thanks to a tip from a surfer, says illegal red curbs have become an equity issue, because wealthy residents are making it harder for ordinary people to access the beach.

Just because youre lucky enough to be an elite coastal homeowner, doesnt mean you have a right to better coastal access, said Kristin Brinner, a Surfrider volunteer. There should be equitable access to the beach.

While its easy to empathize with beach-area residents whose neighborhoods get flooded with people who are sometimes discourteous, Brinner stressed that residents were aware of the proximity to the beach when they rented or bought there.

People who illegally paint red curbs which typically happens secretly and late at night often get away with it for long periods because the city hasnt taken a proactive approach to enforcement.

Red curbs mean no parking any time.

A city spokesman said San Diego typically only responds to complaints about illegally painted red curbs, which average about 200 per year.

The lions share of complaints end up being erroneous, because the city hasnt compiled maps of every curb that is legitimately painted red. Such a map would allow so residents to go online to determine when curbs have been illegally painted red.

The city spokesman, Anthony Santacroce, said city officials do keep careful track of where red curbs have been approved.

While there is no public facing database or map currently being developed, the Transportation and Storm Water Department keeps an extensive records system that is used to check for the legality of the painted curbs, he said.

City crews repainted the illegal red curb on Camino del Collado last weekend, shortly after Surfrider alerted them to the situation. But repainting can sometimes take as long as 90 says, Santacroce said.

Brinner said Surfrider estimates the curb was illegally red for roughly a month, shrinking the available beach parking in La Jolla Shores during one of the busiest times of the year.

Illegally painting a curb is a misdemeanor. The city couldnt provide data on how many arrests there have been for the activity.

There have been reports that some local stores specialize in providing paint that matches the shade of red that the city uses.

Santacroce said the illegal jobs can usually be spotted because they are less neatly done and the paint is fuzzier on the edges of the curb.

Brinner said she thinks it would be difficult for someone to tell the difference and have the confidence to park in front of a red curb, which typically leads to a car being towed, not just a ticket.

It would have fooled me, she said of the La Jolla Shores illegal red curb.

A related issue, Brinner said, is the city approving more legitimate red curbs in coastal areas in response to resident requests.

She said an example is in La Jolla Farms near Blacks Beach, where Surfrider spent two years fighting what she characterized as an excessive number of red curbs.

The city recently restored 11 spots that had been painted red, but Brinner said the long and complex fight was frustrating and required help from the California Coastal Commission.

I can see why people dont bother, she said. People in La Jolla are slowly chipping away at public parking.

Read more from the original source:

San Diego's beach neighborhoods use secret weapon to limit parking illegally painted red curbs - The San Diego Union-Tribune

Want to know even more information about the beach before you leave the house? You can help.

Mote Marine Laboratory reports daily beach conditions on visitbeaches.org. The scientists and data crunchers at Mote are now gathering public input to get a better idea of what people want to see reported on the site.

Before heading out for a day of sun and surf, beachgoers can learn ahead of time what the air and surface water temperatures are, wind directions and speed, whether debris is sloshing up onto the shoreline, the size of any waves, whether rip tides are present or not.

The reports cover public beaches from Florida's Panhandle, Clearwater south to Marco Island, Jacksonville and Lake Worth Beach on the East Coast. Most reports are posted 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily.

Especially important when red tide algae is blooming, Mote reports whether or not people suffer respiratory irritations -- a sign of toxic levels of red tide is present -- and whether dead marine life from fish kills are washing ashore. The reports also lets beachgoers know when jellyfish are in the shallows.

Since 2015, Tracy Fanara, Mote staff scientist and program manager, said, Mote added reports of crowd size at public beaches. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, knowing the size of the crowd can be important to those who want to maintain social distance while sunbathing.

Lifeguards, county and municipal employees, and other trained volunteer "beach ambassadors" provide Mote with daily reports, Fanara said.

The public can take the survey online at https://forms.gle/bmeYVpqAtzeNq5Ns5.

Among the questions, the survey asks respondents what condition reports they deem most important. People can also write in additional information they would like to see reported that isn't reported now.

Respondents are also asked whether they'd like to see beach closures reported. Do they want other daily condition reports for parks, lakes, rivers, nature preserves and sanctuaries? Or do they want Mote to stick with beach conditions?

People will also be asked if they would sign up to be a beach ambassador volunteer who will report beach conditions twice daily using a cell phone app.

For more information, visit Mote's website at mote.org or visitbeaches.org.

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What do you want to know about the beach? - yoursun.com

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

Heading to the Delaware beaches this weekend?

Here's what you need to know if you're planning on dipping your toes in the sand the weekend of July 17to 19 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 people who are not members of their immediate household.

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

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

CORONAVIRUS IN DELAWARE: Our latest coverage

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

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. Masks on the beaches in Lewes are recommended, but not required.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 will be 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 on June 25 that the state is pausing moving into the next phase, due 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 new guidance affects only bars in certain ZIP codes in eastern Sussex County, state officials said.

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 on Saturday, June 27, 2020. Social distancing did not appear to be followed very strictly on either the beach or boardwalk, with mask usage also not ubiquitous.(Photo: Chuck Snyder/Special to Delaware News Journal)

That 60% capacity cap also applies to personal care services (such as hair and nail salons, tanning, tattoo, massage therapy services and 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.

Moving toward normalcy means that summer parking fees are back in place. Parking permits or metered parking is 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.

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

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

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

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

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

Face coverings are required on public transportation.

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

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

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

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

This weekend's weather is looking a little rainy, butpicture-perfect weather for a trip to the beach could arrive on Sunday. However, forecasts can change as the weekend gets closer.

The National Weather Service forecast for Friday, July 17,inRehoboth Beach is for a mostly cloudy day with a high near 85degrees, but there is a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 3p.m.

Saturday will be mostly sunny with a high near 83degrees. There is a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 3 p.m.

Sunday should be mostly sunny with a high near 87.

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

As of July 16, Delaware hasseen a total of 13,114 cases, data shows.

Of those cases, 5,935 are in New Castle County, the most populated county in the state. Another 5,171 have been detected in Sussex County.

The pandemic has led to the deaths of 521Delawareans since mid-March. So far, nearly 145,000 people have been tested in total, and 7,269 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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Heading to the Delaware beaches this weekend? Here's what you need to know for your trip - The News Journal

Its July in Jersey, were tired of being stuck home, and flying to exotic locales isnt in the cards, so down the Shore we go.

But how can Shore towns enforce social distancing rules and prevent crowds on sunny weekends, especially when so many people want to plant their chairs in the popular areas near bathrooms, restaurants and amenities?

Its complicated.

Officials in Long Branch faced just that scenario on Sunday afternoon, causing police to temporarily block beach access near Pier Village, advising visitors to try again in an hour and directing them to other areas of the 2.5-mile beach.

In nearby Belmar and Point Pleasant, beach access points were also closed during parts of the day due to overcrowding.

And its all got Gov. Murphy a bit concerned.

The ability to social distance is somewhat related to how many bodies there are in a given plot of real estate, Murphy said during his Monday coronavirus briefing in Trenton. If we dont manage capacity at beaches and we cant get social distancing, were probably playing with fire.

We talked to officials and legislators to find out what Shore towns can do to keep their beaches safe and the obstacles theyre up against. Heres what they had to say.

Who is in charge of how many people can go to any given beach?

The Shore towns themselves.

Murphy reopened the beaches in May, allowing towns to set the guidelines.

Every beach will be required to establish capacity limitations, but we will leave it to local leaders to determine the method that would be best for their community, he said at the time.

Murphy said he continues to have conversations with officials on how to execute his guidelines, but continues to leave the management of crowd control to local authorities, while urging restrictions on parking capacity and the beach tag sales.

How are Shore towns supposed to limit capacity?

According to Murphys May executive order, towns are required to implement reasonable restrictions, including non-discriminatory capacity restrictions. Those capacity limits, determined by local officials, could be achieved through limiting beach badge sales or monitoring the crowds with technology.

I think both are good options, says Monmouth County Sen. Vin Gopal (D). I think the towns have got to handle this on their own. They know their beaches, they know their entry points, they know their populations, and I think the state has to enforce it.

Which option are Shore towns choosing for limiting capacity?

It seems the many Shore towns arent setting limits on badge sales, but instead are monitoring for crowding.

In Long Branch, officials used drones to determine when to set limits, and several other towns have also chosen monitoring and closing access when necessary.

It sounds to me like Long Branch handled it well (Sunday), says Monmouth County Sen. Declan OScanlon (R). They did a limited closing and then reopened as quickly as they could. It would have been pretty easy to just close everything down for the duration of the day. They didnt do that, which makes their job harder, but its the right job to do, I think. For me, the real-time limiting of access points when you have a problem is the preferable way to go.

Some towns, like Avon-by-the-Sea and Spring Lake, went for option B cutting the number of beach tags sold each day.

But limiting badge sales could affect neighboring towns. Belmar Mayor Mark Walsifer said the limitations imposed by Avon and Spring Lake sent day-trippers to Belmar instead.

Other towns have gotten creative: To enforce capacity limits at several beaches in Point Pleasant, each person is given a wristband, which they return when they leave for the day, allowing another person to enter.

Who decides how many people are allowed at any given towns beach?

The towns themselves.

In Point Pleasant Beach, the boroughs engineer took measurements from the high water mark to the dunes and calculated how many groups spaced six feet apart could fit in the area, Mayor Paul Kanitra, said.

In Bradley Beach, the towns engineer took a photo of the beach and did a similar assessment, deleting space for lifeguard stands and walkways, according to a report in the Asbury Park Press.

Can Shore towns give locals special access and limit outsiders?

Nope.

A township cannot actually legally restrict folks from outside of their township, Murphy said. So thats not actually within their right to do so.

What happens when the beach closes before you get on?

This is the problem, says Sen. Robert Singer (R).

I think that a lot of the beaches are going to have to do what the state does with Island Beach State Park, Singer says. People know in advance, Were full. Theres limited parking.' That kind of stuff. What happens is people get to the beach, they drive there, they cant buy badges in the normal places, so now they go get in line to buy the badges, and then they get there and theres no parking or the beach is full. I think maybe these towns are going to have to rent portable signs on the roadway so people know up front. Weve got to get it out to the public faster if there is a problem so people dont waste their time or by badges theyre not going to be able to use.

How does this all affect Shore town businesses?

For their economies, for the whole states economy we need people out there enjoying themselves and spending money, says OScanlon. But for everybodys safety, its got to be balanced. We definitely dont want to get to the point where our enforcement, our restrictions drive people away. Im confident were deep enough into the summer that theres a balance where we can keep people safe and keep our economy humming.

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Avalon Zoppo contributed to this story.

Jessica Remo may be reached at jremo@njadvancemedia.com.

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How can Shore towns keep beaches from being overrun by crowds? Its complicated. - NJ.com

Sandy Beach, far left, was one of six 2003 inductees into the Buffalo Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame. With him are (from left,) Carol Jasen, Larry Levite and Tim Russert.

Talk show host Sandy Beach is ending his 23-year run at WBEN-AM at the end of July.

The announcement was made Wednesday night in a memo to the staff from Entercom Buffalo leader Tim Holly that also was attributed to operation manager and program director Tim Wenger.

The memo termed the announcement as bittersweet.

A member of the Buffalo Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame, the New York State Broadcasters Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Beach has had a 60-plus-year run in broadcasting.

His Buffalo career started in 1968 when he arrived after several years in Hartford to become a disc jockey at WKBW-AM in its glory days.

The memo referred to Beach as a provocative and edgy talk show host who entertained with distinct humor.

His membership in three Halls of Fame speaks to Beachs skills as a talk show host. The Lunenberg, Mass., native also was a three-time nominee for Billboard Magazine Personality of the Year.

Buffalo News critic Jeff Simon has referred to Beach as "maybe the most gifted performer in the history of Buffalo radio."

Beach also had his critics, who might laugh at the memos kind assessment as loudly as Beach's signature guffaw on his program.

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Sandy Beach to retire from WBEN at the end of July - Buffalo News

Visitors will love this spacious campground, which offers a secluded camping experience just 1.5 miles from the white sand and bustling beach towns of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. While Gulf State Park isnt technically on the beach, were including it on this list because its stellar amenities and proximity to the beach make it worth a look, especially for families with young kids. Between biking, fishing, hiking, kayaking, swimming, and paddleboarding, campers hardly need to leave the park, but just in case, scores of restaurants, the Fort Morgan Historical Site, and the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo are close by.

The park is home to 496 full hookup campsites and comprehensive facilities that include a pool with a splash pad; laundry facilities; an Interpretive Center; a Nature Center and Learning Campus; a camp store; tennis, volleyball, and pickle-ball courts; organized weekly activities; bathhouses; and an on-site restaurant, Woodside. (Be aware that playgrounds are closed as of this writing due to COVID-19 restrictions, and the pier is closed for maintenance. Check the site for updates.)

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The Best 25 Spots Where You Can Camp on the Beach - Reader's Digest

At 2:30 p.m. a landspout developed right behind Tallwood Elementary School near the intersection of Centerville Turnpike and Kempsville Rd.

See the tube-like structure? Thats the signature look of a landspout, which is similar to a waterspout. Landspouts are a type of tornado that can cause injury by flying debris. There were no injuries or damage as the landspout briefly touched down over the Virginia Beach Landfill behind Tallwood Elementary School. When I talked to Jonathon, who took these pictures, he mentioned that mulch, plastic, and paper from the landfill were flying up in the landspout towards the cloud.

There was a thunderstorm nearby when it developed in the area. The key difference in a landspout is that the thunderstorm is not rotating and they can also form near the ground, then connect with the parent thunderstorm as it develops. Part of its updraft.

Once again, landspouts can be dangerous, there have been reports of other ones creating minor damage. If you see one, its best to seek shelter as flying debris, or simply the strong wind speed can cause injury.

Meteorologist Jeff Edmondson

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Landspout spotted over Virginia Beach on Saturday - WAVY.com

GLOUCESTER (CBS) Itll be harder to get to the beach this weekend in Gloucester unless you live there. The city is closing all public beach parking lots to non-residents on Saturday and Sunday.

I know youre on vacation and usually you go everywhere else, said Gloucester Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken. But COVID didnt take a summer vacation. Its still here. I have to protect the people that I represent.

This Saturday and Sunday, shes limiting the parking lots at beaches to Gloucester residents only. She says since high tide is expected at peak hours this weekend, social distancing will be a challenge and last weekend got out-of-hand. People were knocking on peoples doors and asking if they could park in their driveways, said the mayor. I have a lot of seniors who still own homes, and they were scared, and they were calling the police.

A lot of people come to this beach. It gets pretty crowded, said Erika Lucien, who visited from Cambridge this week. Like others, she said she tries to stay away from crowds.

I mean, outside is best, but still, how close do you want to be? You dont, said Brad Hutchins, who visited from Stow.

Gloucester plans to bring in extra staff to monitor the parking lots this weekend, and crews are posting no parking signs on surrounding streets. They say they will be out ticketing and towing. Violators face a $75 fine.

Visitors from out-of-town are still welcome on weekdays, and city leaders say theyll assess later next week how theyll proceed the following weekend.

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Gloucester Closing All Beach Parking Lots To Non-Residents This Weekend - CBS Boston