Please enable Javascript to watch this video

MILWAUKEE -- An arrest was made following a deadly assault on Bradford Beach Sunday night, July 12 -- an attack the Milwaukee County sheriff said "appears to be random."

Milwaukee County sheriff's officials said the victim was physically assaulted on the beach around 9 p.m. The victim was found unresponsive -- not breathing with no pulse. Life-saving measures were unsuccessful, and the victim was later pronounced dead.

The attacker, who initially fled, was arrested upon returning to the scene on a bicycle -- spotted by a deputy.

Sheriff Earnell Lucas noted Monday evening MCSO is in the early stages of this investigation, but a witness statement pointed to a person of interest who is the person who was arrested in this case. The sheriff said there's no familial connection between this person and the victim.

Music, swimming and picnics made for a very enjoyable scene Monday at Bradford Beach. Sadly, this was not the case Sunday night.

"A lot of sheriffs," said a witness. "It was chaos."

Flashing lights from squad cars illuminated the darkness at Bradford Beach, as deputies put up tape after this shore side site turned into a crime scene.

"It's bad," said Domique Watson, witness. "I'm born and raised here, and I've seen it go from one way to another," said Domique Watson, co-founder of Stop the Violence 53206.

Watson saw the response Sunday night and returned Monday afternoon, learning more about what happened.

"It has to stop somewhere," said Watson. "We are taking our violence out on each other. To know that something like that can happen here to anyone is really sad, and my heart is really out for that family, as well."

43.061287-87.873655

Read the original here:

Appears to be random: Arrest made in deadly assault on Bradford Beach - WITI FOX 6 Milwaukee

The East Haven Town Beach, West Haven beaches and Branford beaches are closed after a sewage spill in the nearby Mill River.

East Haven Mayor Joseph Carfora said on Wednesday that the town beach is closed to swimming and shellfishing immediately for a period of several days or until local health officials determine the water is safe to enter again.

Unfortunately due to a leak that was not immediately stopped in New Haven the nearly 2 million gallons of untreated sewage was discharged into the water. The beaches unfortunately need to be close for several days to fishing, shellfishing and swimming," Carfora said in a release.

The West Haven Parks and Recreation Department posted on social media that the city's beaches are closed for swimming and fishing only until further notice.

The town of Branford has also closed its beaches and shellfishing areas until further notice. In a Facebook post, officials said they expect the closure to last two to three days while they work on water quality testing. The closure affects both public and private beaches.

Authorities estimate 2.1 million gallons of sewage went into the Mill River earlier this week. Clean up is currently underway.

Anyone with questions should contact the Mayor's Office at (203) 468-3205.

More here:

East Haven, West Haven and Branford Beaches Closed Due to Nearby Sewage Spill - NBC Connecticut

Eliot Kleinberg @eliotkpbp

MondayJul13,2020at1:34PM

A special Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue team rappelled down to the man.

A window washer dangled for close to an hour about 15 stories up at the Old Port Cove condo in North Palm Beach before firefighters rappelled down and rescued him, authorities said.

The man had been washing windows at the condo's 23-story Lake Point Tower, 100 Lakeshore Drive, when the line he used to move up and down came loose at about 10 a.m., North Palm Beach Fire Rescue District Chief Scott Freseman said.

Five North Palm Beach firefighters quickly were joined by colleagues at nearby Palm Beach Gardens and from two nearby Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue stations, including a county special operations team, Freseman said.

He said the man was not on a platform but instead was in a special basket-type seat harness.

Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue said the man was "yelling for help."

The county team dropped ropes from the roof, then rappelled down to the man and attached to him. The team and the man then lowered to the ground, Freseman said.

"The individual was able to make it to ground level with both feet on the ground," Palm Beach County FIre-Rescue said.

Freseman said the washer was looked over but didn't require medical attention.

"He was very thankful that we were able to respond so quickly and get him down," Freseman said.

Authorities said the man was about 55 but did not name him, citing medical privacy rules.

Freseman, whose been in the department since 2001, said the village has many high-rise condos but he believe an incident such as this hasn't happened in the village since some time in the 1990s.

ek@pbpost.com

@eliotkpbp

Listen to today's top stories from The Palm Beach Post:

View post:

Window washer rescued 15 floors up in North Palm Beach condo - Palm Beach Post

NORTHAMPTON Musante Beach officially opened this month, but it doesnt quite look the same. Brightly-colored Xs in the sand and yellow flags create spaces for groups to sit while remaining socially distant from other beachgoers.

Things are very different this year, said Brian Cannon, a lifeguard, while sitting at the beachs check-in table on Monday.

As of Monday, groups of up to five people must pay $15 if they are residents and $20 if they are non-residents and can reserve spots in advance or in person if they are available, according to the citys website. Beach spots are 12 square feet and are spaced out from each other, said Jim Miller, aquatics director of the Northampton Parks and Recreation Department.

Kate Kelly and her family have been very cautious about social distancing during the pandemic. She limits shopping to once a week and her kids, 4 and 7, are not having play dates. Kelly, a Florence resident, has asthma and before the pandemic worked as a nurse practitioner. They hadnt spent time with another family until they went to Musante Beach last week to meet up with two other families with similarly-aged kids. She strategically picked a weekday, hoping it would be less crowded.

Oh my gosh, it was so nice to see friends and have an in-person conversation, she said.

The safety precautions combined with the relatively lower case count in Massachusetts made her feel comfortable going.

Im not going to go every day if its $15 per day, she said, but she also said she understands that putting in new safety precautions is extra work, and she is happy the beach is open.

Im grateful to the rec department for even trying, Kelly said.

Between lost days at the start of the season and the cost of new safety protocols including hiring someone to sanitize the bathrooms daily the price of a day pass for a single person increased. Last year, it was $4 for a Northampton resident adult and $3 for a senior or youth, according to Miller. Later this week, Miller said the Parks and Recreation Department plans to change the fees to $5 for one resident, $10 for two, and $15 for 3 to 5 people. Some who come to the beach alone requested a change in the fee structure, Miller said.

This year, there are also no memberships, which last year cost $80 per year for families who are residents and $95 for those who are non-residents, Miller said.

With a family pass, you can come here and expect to have a spot on the beach, he explained. Nowadays with restricted spacing, we cant guarantee that people with a pass would have a spot.

The number of people who visit the beach fluctuates, but Miller said that on Sunday, there were about 70 or 80 people in the morning and the same number in the afternoon.

Only two groups of people were at the beach midday Monday. Leo Schapiro, 22 months old, was there with his mom, Catya Schapiro, and grandparents, Joan Wiener and Stan Schapiro. Its a good spot for kids, said Stan Schapiro.

Wiener worried about the fee at Musante Beach. I feel bad, she said. Its pretty steep. She added, There are so few places you can go swimming.

But the group felt safe with the new precautions at the beach. I think its great how they marked the spots, Wiener said.

Read the original here:

'X' marks the spot: Musante Beach open with new precautions, fees - GazetteNET

The move comes after the beaches were closed entirely for the July 4th weekend.

GALVESTON, Texas The City of Galveston is putting new parking measures in place for the weekend to prevent overcrowding during the coronavirus, city leaders announced Thursday.

Beginning Friday morning and continuing Saturday and Sunday, "parking will be blocked on the north side of Seawall Boulevard (the landward side) between 25th Street and 37th Street. This is to allow for public safety officer staging and to address some of the crowding issues that have occurred in this location in recent weeks."

The city goes on to state, "parking will also be restricted at Diamond Beach, at the west end terminus of the Seawall near Cove View Blvd. Parking will also be restricted at Fort San Jacinto, which is at the far east end of the Seawall. "

Unlike the July 4th weekend, the city stated its beaches are presently open and "a beach closure is not contemplated at this time."

"As a reminder, Gov. Greg Abbott issued a statewide mask mandate last Thursday requiring all people over the age of 10 to wear a mask when in public and unable to social distance. There are exceptions, such as when a person is consuming food or drink or when a person is exercising. We ask that all residents and visitors of Galveston please be mindful of the uptick in COVID cases and practice safe social distancing."

More:

Galveston's beaches will be open this weekend, but you may have trouble finding a parking spot - KHOU.com

To the Editor:

The following letter was sent to Edgartown town administrator James Hagerty.

Please forward this email to Art Smadbeck, as the Edgartown selectman on the Dukes County Advisory Board, and to the two other select persons, Margaret Serpa and Michael Donaroma.

The purpose of this email is to alert you all to the dangerous situation that exists on County Beach, between the Bend in the Road and Little Bridge. Its dangerous to the health and safety of beach users and the environment in Sengekontacket Pond and the Atlantic Ocean.

By my count last summer, 500-plus cars are parked each day in summer on that stretch of county highway, which translates, conservatively, to more than 1,000 people using the beach daily without the availability of any nearby bathrooms, causing men, women, and children to urinate into the ocean and defecate where they can, which is often in the dunes along Sengekontacket Pond. I observed this 20 years ago, wrote letters to the editors of the Gazette and The MV Times, and was relieved when Edgartown put porta-johns at Katama, a state beach, but horrified when no porta-johns were put on Sylvia Beach in Edgartown or Oak Bluffs.

The logical place for porta-johns is at Bend in the Road, Big Bridge, and Little Bridge the number to be decided in each spot. The selling of food at Little Bridge adds to the problem. Food selling, especially liquids, is necessary for people spending all day at the beach, but when people eat, if their alimentary systems work properly, the urge to defecate follows. There is no provision at Sylvia Beach to allow beachgoers to relieve themselves. The result is very damaging to people and the environment.

My hope is that the Dukes County Advisory Board will take up this issue. I have spoken with Tristan Israel, chairman of the Dukes County commissioners, and he is in agreement with me that porta-johns are needed in the aforesaid areas. I plan to contact the Friends of Sengekontacket to get their thoughts on the issue. If necessary, I will also speak with the parks department, conservation commission, and board of health in both Edgartown and Oak Bluffs to see if some positive movement can be made in the direction Edgartown has already taken at South Beach/Katama.

Norma Norton HolmesEdgartown

Follow this link:

The unspoken problems at the beach - Martha's Vineyard Times

The heat will continue to soar in Southern California Sunday, a day after temperatures hit the triple digits in the inland areas and sent many people flocking to the beach.

On Saturday, temperatures reached 108 F in the San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys, 106 F in the Antelope Valley, and 102 F in Ventura County. Anaheim broke its daily record at 99 F, and Riverside tied its own at 105 F.

Even coastal communities felt the heat, with Long Beach Airport recording a high of 94 F and Los Angeles International Airport reporting a high of 79 F.

Many people went to cool down in Santa Monica, where temperatures reached 80 F.

It was like 105 degrees, its much nicer here, said beachgoer Anastasia Pozdlnyakova, whos originally from Russia but now lives in the San Fernando Valley.

People appeared to be following health guidelines, Pozdlnyakova said.

We just try to keep our distance, mask on, and just breathe a little more fresh air, she said.

Others came to the beach from places as far as Chicago and Fargo, North Dakota.

Southern Californias beaches closed in the earlier weeks of the coronavirus pandemic, then again over the July 4th weekend to prevent large gatherings.

Beaches in L.A. County reopened on July 6, with facial covering and social distancing rules to curb the spread of COVID-19. (Click here for the countys beach guidelines.)

As of Saturday, the county has reported more than 130,000 positive cases. A total of 3,793 people, or about 2.9% of cases, have died.

Whether beaches will close again is ultimately up to the L.A. County Department of Public Health, according to the countys Department of Beaches and Harbors.

Beach openings can change as cases or . If you visit the beach, respect those around you and protect your household by using a face covering and keeping your distance . Visit https://t.co/scxVfsCXEo for up-to-date openings/closures. pic.twitter.com/qYwt8l8DlO

This includes the beach! Face coverings are required on all L.A. County beaches when you are out of the water and around others. https://t.co/QGOL1IhuGm

Temperatures will likely break records again in a few areas Sunday, according to the National Weather Service. Cities within reach of their records include Newport Beach at 82 F, Anaheim at 98 F, Riverside at 107 F and Palm Springs at 120 F.

Forecasters expect onshore winds to bring down temperatures by several degrees on Monday.

Lancaster Fox Field tied their record high today at 107. The old record was 107 set in 2002, 1964, 1961 and 1953. This record will likely be broken. Other locations may possibly set records this afternoon including Palmdale, Sandberg, and Paso Robles. #LAHeat #LAWeather #cawx

Originally posted here:

We just try to keep our distance: As heat wave scorches SoCal, many head to the beach to cool down - KTLA Los Angeles

Among the people marking their spots on the sands of Huntington Beach, the Sheppard family from Glendora was determined to make this an all day beach day.

Its 102 at home... this is the only place you can get relief, Sharon Sheppard said.

They set up early, with shade, chairs and games, seeking the ocean breeze. And theyre not alone.

With temperatures soaring to triple digits in areas of Southern California, Huntington Beach Fire's lifeguards are expecting more visitors on the surf and sand. They'll keep their eyes on the water with the smaller surf as people head into the ocean for a break from the sun.

Chaysie Iloreta and her 4 year old daughter were also looking for relief from the heat, willing to cross state lines to cool off.

It's too hot in Vegas, so it's nice to be around the beach, Iloreta said.

Finding relief from the heat is hard enough, but it's even harder for those who have to work in it. Jane Yamamoto reports for NBC LA at 6 p.m. Saturday July 11, 2020.

For Alhambra resident Matt Hsieh and his family, a front row seat to the water is just how his wife wanted to spend her birthday.

Definitely we enjoy the ocean breeze. We're enjoying just having some fresh air, and seeing the sights. There's some good surfing. We're going to do some bodyboarding as well, he said.

Even though it's cooler at the beaches, lifeguards warn people to watch out for symptoms of heat related illnesses.

Stay in the shade, stay healthy, stay hydrated. Make sure you use proper sunscreen. And if you're starting to feel woozy or dizzy or have any fever-like symptoms, please separate yourself from the group, Lt. Eric Dieterman, of Huntington Beach Fire Marine Safety, said."See a doctor, see a lifeguard and we'll help you out."

Huntington beach lifeguards say that whenever there's a heat wave, they tend to see the number of water rescues go up. They'll be staffed accordingly throughout the weekend.

Original post:

People Turn To SoCal Beaches To Escape Triple-Digit Temperatures - NBC Southern California

There is a moderate for rip currents along all Dare County beaches as well as Ocracoke beaches Sunday, July 12. Only experienced ocean swimmers who know how to escape a rip current should enter the water.

The National Weather Service reports a low risk for rip currents along Currituck County beaches.

It is advised to never swim alone and always take a floatation device with you. If help is needed, call 911.

If caught in a rip current, remain calm. Dont fight the current. Swim in a direction following the shoreline. When out of the current, swim back to shore. If tired, float or tread water until out of the rip current. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.

The National Weather Services beach forecast also advises the UV index for Dare and Hyde is in the very high category, which indicates a very high risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. For Currituck beaches, the UV index is in the extreme category, which indicates extreme risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure.

READ ABOUT MORE NEWS AND EVENTS HERE.

RECENT HEADLINES:

See the original post here:

Moderate risk of rip currents reported for Dare and Hyde beaches - The Coastland Times - The Coastland Times

Watch out for a weather change today that will take gorgeous swim waters to dangerous.

While todays weather out of the sky wont be great beach weather, the late afternoon and evening will have sky conditions enticing you to the southern Michigan beaches of Lake Michigan.

Most of the danger will develop along these popular beaches from Indiana north through Muskegon to Leelanau County.

.

The dangerous conditions are expected to develop by 2 p.m. this afternoon and continue through Saturday.

Heres a forecast animation showing the wind shift to the northwest coming across Michigan. The northwest wind will end the heatwave for a few days, but kick up waves on the Lake Michigan shores, Lake Superior shores and the west side of the Thumb.

Wind forecast from 10 a.m. Friday, July 10, 2020 to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 11, 2020.

High waves, strong currents and dangerous swimming conditions are going to develop this afternoon along the Lake Michigan shoreline, the eastern side of Saginaw Bay and the Lake Superior shoreline.

Current record high water levels are putting calm waters of Lake Michigan only a few feet below the top of pier walkways. With the winds kicking up to over 15 mph out of the northwest, waves will easily start crashing over the top of piers.

I was at the Frankfort pier last week and realized it would only take three foot waves for water to come over the pier.

So watch for a change in the wave activity on all of Michigans Great Lakes this afternoon. Stay out of the water as the waves increase. Strong currents can pull any level of swimmer into deeper water. Stay off the piers. The north side of piers will be especially dangerous, but stay off the piers altogether.

If you feel like you have to be in the water, WEAR A LIFE JACKET.

Sunday should go back to being a better swimming day. However, it will be cooler with highs near 80 degrees.

View original post here:

As wind switches today, Michigans most popular beaches will turn dangerous - MLive.com

To the editor: You can blame President Trump for our failure as he has abdicated responsibility for protecting American citizens, disseminated false information and flat-out lied. But that is just the tip of the iceberg. (A nurses plea: Please tell me my life is worth a LITTLE of your discomfort? July 8)

We know what we need to do: Wear a mask, social distance and wash our hands. But many refuse to take this simple set of actions because it is inconvenient or a violation of our freedom or unconstitutional (what?). Nobody is asking us to storm Omaha Beach (although given Europes reaction to our incompetence, it might be the only way Americans can visit France in the near future).

I am embarrassed that we have fallen so far short of how my fathers generation responded. We are a failed society, and we will fail when the inevitable next pandemic or other crisis arrives.

Peter Kinman, Laguna Beach

..

To the editor: A real-life example shows why I wear a mask.

I was exposed to COVID-19. The woman who exposed me didnt know that she herself had been exposed. When she found out a few days later that someone she had been with had tested positive, she notified those she had been in contact with and got tested.

Her test was positive, but she had no knowledge for several days that she had the potential to infect others.

Fortunately, during our contact we were both wearing masks and were socially distanced. My test results were negative.

So, thats why I wear a mask to protect myself and to protect others in case I unknowingly contract COVID-19. To me, its a social contract.

Nancy Gardner, Corona del Mar

..

To the editor: I live in Orange County. Many here are not just skeptical about masks, they are downright defiant. (Many in Orange County resist masks even as coronavirus cases soar, July 8)

Forceful and raucous protest led the Board of Supervisors to cave on Orange Countys mask order; now it only strongly suggests that residents wear a mask in public, despite the state order.

Your article soft-pedaled Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes position in the subject. He said (on video, for the record), We are not the mask police. Those of us who live here and are concerned about the spread of COVID-19 are told to stay home if were scared.

I remain bewildered that others can be so selfish that wearing a mask is a bridge too far.

Elise Power, Garden Grove

Read more:

We're told to wear a mask, not storm the beach on D-Day - Los Angeles Times

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) From Memorial Day weekend when the Chicopee Memorial State Park was allowed to open, wearing of masks seemed to be less of a priority than the enforcement insisted upon at the opening of state pools this weekend.

22News hoped to find out from swimmers and beach-goers Sunday why those not wearing a mask were clearly in the majority.

Im staying clear of everybody else, said Darien Alvarez of Springfield. I think its alright, the wind is blowing, we do wear a mask, one day off you know.

When this whole pandemic started, I was super scared about the whole situation, I wore masks, I would do everything to protect, overtime I kind of realized no matter what you do, you cant control you might get it, added Gabriel Mijal of Chicopee.

Many park goers enjoyed their day in the sun wearing a face covering Sunday. Visitors told 22News, they believe in the protective value of the mask.

Since the Memorial Day reopening of Chicopee State Park, visitors have insisted repeatedly, they were led to believe they could skip wearing a mask as long as they obeyed the rules of social distancing.

In recent weeks, with an upsurge in coronavirus cases elsewhere in the country, face coverings have taken on a greater urgency as Massachusetts doubles down on its efforts to slow down the spread.

Here is the original post:

Masks at the beach? Local residents have mixed feelings - WWLP.com

Tourists have resorted to sleeping on beaches because hotels they booked are still closed, according to a new report.

The unlucky British travellers were left disappointed when they turned up to their destinations and discovered some hotels were still closed following the coronavirus lockdown.

Consumer watchdog Which? said travel agency Loveholidays was one of the main culprits for booking hotels that were not open,the Times newspaper reported.

British tourists have been forced to sleep on beaches due to some hotels remaining shut due to coronavirus. Source: Getty Images

Other Brits who decided not to sleep on beaches or return home had to find alternative accommodation.

Paul Davis, 48, booked a $2720 trip to Spain on July 1 when international travel advice was relaxed in the UK.

But when he arrived three days later in Salou on the Costa Daurada, the 4R Regina Gran hotel he was meant to stay in was closed and he had to arrange an alternative.

He lost a $450 deposit when he later transferred to aLoveholidays hotel, according to the report.

Mr Davis, from Lincolnshire, told the Times he thought he mustve had the wrong hotel when he arrived.

When we pulled up I thought we must have the wrong hotel it was all shut and hadn't been opened for a good while, he said.

It's disgusting. We were fortunate enough to have the money to stay somewhere else but lots of other people probably aren't in that position.

Another Brit, Sammy Liperis, was also left disappointed when she arrived in the Canary Islands and found the Sol Fuerteventura Jandi hotel was closed.

A couple who arrived in Spain with their son, 10, also said their hotel was not open.

We wholeheartedly apologise to the affected customers for the inconvenience and distress this has caused, a Loveholidays spokesperson said.

While some were forced sleep on beaches abroad, others were forced to return home or find alternative accomodation. Source: Getty Images

Our customer services team is in contact with them to resolve matters to their satisfaction and ensure that they can enjoy the rest of their holidays.

We are not aware of customers sleeping on the beach and would be horrified if this was the case as we have a 24/7 in resort helpline number that customers can and should call if they face issues at their destination using the number set out in their booking documentation and on our website.

We are working closely with all our suppliers to understand which hotels are open for customers but unfortunately some closures were not communicated to us prior to customers travelling to those hotels.

Yahoo UK

Do you have a story tip? Email:newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us onFacebook,InstagramandTwitterand download the Yahoo News app from theApp StoreorGoogle Play.

Excerpt from:

'It's disgusting': Tourists forced to sleep on beaches after lockdown - Yahoo News Australia

Daniel Uhlfelder, who sued the state's Republican governor earlier this year saying he prematurely opened beaches, has spent the last several weeks warning beachgoers of the coronavirus's rising danger while dressed as the Grim Reaper -- complete with a dark cloak and a giant scythe.

"Unfortunately, when I started this work in March, I had a bad belief that this was going to get really bad. Unfortunately, my predictions have exceeded what I thought," Uhlfelder -- this time dressed in a light blue shirt and pink tie -- told CNN on Monday.

Criticizing DeSantis for leaving decisions like masks and beach access up to local officials, Uhlfelder said, "he needs to issue a mask order because masks work."

"Local officials have instituted mask mandates in their respective counties, including Miami Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Orange, Hillsborough and Duval. These are Florida's largest counties, therefore most of the state's population is under a mask mandate," Cody McCloud, press secretary to Gov. DeSantis told CNN. "Some counties have experienced significant cases of COVID-19 and others relatively few, which is why the input from municipal leaders is important to determine the best course of action for a particular community. A mask mandate may make sense in Miami-Dade County, but not in Florida's more than 20 rural counties, some with fewer than 50 COVID-positive cases."

DeSantis said earlier on Monday that the state's high positivity rates are in part due to an increase in the number of tests done throughout the state. He went on to say that the median age of everybody testing positive right now is 36 and that barring comorbidities the "fatality rate is pretty close to zero."

The costumed attorney says he is targeting beaches because they are drawing people into the state from around the world, which is in part resulting in increased case numbers.

Since the beginning of his tour on May 1, Uhlfelder has traveled to beaches from Miami to Jacksonville, receiving at least some push back from beachgoers.

"Coming out here and dressed as the grim reaper, you know, saying 'You're dead for being out here,' I think that's a little bit much," beachgoer James Rivera told CNN at Jacksonville Beach. "Let's not give everything up because we're sick. As crazy as that sounds, it's a bit too much."

Regardless of the opposition, however, Uhlfelder has continued his tour in hopes of being "a voice for the people of Florida."

He says his main concern is not necessarily Floridian beachgoers, but rather the tourists who come from out of state.

"It's not necessarily the act of being on the beach," says Uhlfelder. "They're getting fresh air, they're exercising, and I don't have a problem with that type of conduct. It's the fact that people come to Florida to come to use our beaches."

His worry is that small towns, like his own in Escambia County, may not have sufficient infrastructure to support the surge in cases of coronavirus. The solution, he says, is statewide guidance such as the desired mask order.

"We don't have a comprehensive state plan to deal with this," he says. "The governor has decided to defer to the local areas, like cities and counties, to make the decisions, which are tough decisions."

CNN's Rosa Flores, Artemis Moshtaghian and Sara Weisfeldt contributed to this report.

View original post here:

A Florida man visiting beaches dressed as the Grim Reaper says governor should require masks statewide - CNN

It's been a quiet Sunday but that won't be the case on Monday.

Sunday has been not as humid with highs in the 90s under a mostly sunny sky in Southern New England while temperatures in the 80s with scattered showers to the north. It's been a perfect beach day with a lower risk for rip currents, except on south facing beaches.

Showers will return Monday and early Tuesday. Scattered strong to severe thunderstorms are possible Monday afternoon, between noon and 6 p.m., with the main threat being for damaging wind and torrential rain and possibly flooding.

Less humid air takes over Tuesday night and Wednesday as high pressure settles over the region, with highs in the 70s and low 80s, but the comfortable air will be short-lived as the humidity returns Thursday with a mid-summer pattern in control through the end of the exclusive First Alert 10-day forecast, with some areas capable of a reaching 90 degrees for three consecutive days.

Warm air returns by the end of the week with increasing humidity, as well. Temperatures could reach 90 next weekend and we stay warm through the next week.

Read more here:

Perfect Beach Day Closes Out Weekend Before Scattered Severe Weather Returns Monday - NBC10 Boston

BULLHEAD CITY, AZ Bullhead City Mayor Tom Brady issued a proclamation on July 7, 2020, closing down all City beaches and boat launches on weekends.

The proclamation declares that all City beaches, boat launches and associated parks will be closed for the remainder of the summer on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays to slow the spread of COVID-19. The parks will be open to the public Monday-Thursday.

Closed Friday, Saturday and Sunday:

Today I am issuing an order to close the beaches and boat launches in Bullhead City parks from Friday through Sunday of each week through Labor Day weekend. This decision, along with the decision regarding the wearing of face coverings, has been an extremely difficult one to make, and it is done with a full understanding of the repercussions to our citizens and our business community.Throughout this entire pandemic, I, as well as the city manager and police chief, have been involved in countless daily meetings and briefings with the top medical professionals, health care administrators, first responders and the governors office. Our top priority in every decision has been the ability of our medical community and first responders to safely deliver all the resources necessary to those who need treatment from this disease. This includes hospital beds, ventilators, personal protective equipment, testing, and adequate staffing to name just a few. Until recently, the information we received locally was that we were prepared and our number of confirmed cases was low.Now we are being told that hospitals elsewhere in Arizona are being overrun and that they are transferring them to rural hospitals that still have capacity. That hasnt happened yet in Bullhead City, but our number of positive cases is spiking and our hospital admissions are climbing enough that it is time to take further actions.Initially we resisted the mandatory face covering order and strongly encouraged our citizens and businesses to voluntarily comply. That didnt work and with the numbers rising dramatically, I was forced into the hard decision of making them mandatory in all indoor public spaces.I had hoped that since we control only a few areas of the Colorado River shoreline, we could keep them open by reducing the numbers of visitors allowed to an acceptable level for social distancing. However, last weekend our out-of-towners figured out a way to thwart our plan, and they crowded our beaches to socially unacceptable levels. In trying to control large crowds moving forward, I now realize our limitations and believe that no matter what the City does, non-compliance and overcrowding will continue to occur, which is not acceptable in trying to stem the spread of this virus. As such, under a new proclamation with further details, I am closing city controlled beaches and boat launches and associated parking lots on Fridays through Sundays.Together we will get through this pandemic, but it requires each of us to do our part in stopping the spread. Lets all pray that it ends quickly with no more suffering or fatalities.

(Bullhead City Parks and Recreation news release)

Read more:

Bullhead City, AZ to close beaches on weekends through September amid COVID-19 - VVNG.com

Beaches in the Clarence Valley along the NSW Mid North Coast remain closed after a fatal great white shark attack yesterday.

Surf Life Saving NSW said drones and jet skis would patrol the waters to assist a Department of Primary Industry investigations.

It has advised people in the region not to enter the water until further notice.

Mani Hart-Deville, a 15-year-old student from Minnie Water, died after being attacked at Wooli Beach on Saturday afternoon.

He was helped to shore by several surfers and was treated for a serious leg injury but died at the scene.

He had suffered a bite to the upper left thigh.

A family friend who did not want to be named said Mani had lived in Minnie Water all his life, loved the ocean, was into art and made several of his own surfboards.

A statement from the Clarence Valley Council said it was a sad loss for the community.

"Minnie Water is a small, close-knit village and the communities of Minnie Water and Wooli will be hurting," it said.

"We will be doing all we can to support the community through the shock and grief."

It said the beach was not patrolled this time of year but all beaches in the council area would remain closed.

Attempts will be made to locate the shark over the coming days, it said.

The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) confirmed it was a great white shark based on photographs from the scene.

Loading

Coffs-Clarence Police District Chief Inspector Joanne Reid said police would work with the Department of Primary Industries to identify the shark.

"They'll be setting drumlines out off the coast in an attempt to capture or release any sharks that may be in the area," she said.

"It's also important to note now during the school holidays that all beaches in the Clarence Valley will be closed and we'll reassess that on a day-by-day basis."

Mani was surfing at Wilsons Headland at Wooli Beach near Grafton yesterday when he was attacked just before 2:30pm.

His school posted several helpline phone numbers as support for the teen's fellow students.

"One of our Year 10 students died suddenly and tragically," the school statement said.

"Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathy are with the student's family and friends."

Beachgoers are being urged to follow advice from Surf Live Saving NSW and check the DPI's website and SharkSmart app.

Wooli woman Helen Dobra said the victim of the attack was a friend of her son's.

"It was a really traumatic scene, my heart's still really pumping," she said yesterday.

See the original post:

Beaches remain closed for investigation after teen killed by shark on NSW Mid North Coast - ABC News

Significant flooding in Toronto earlier this week means that three of the citys beaches are currently unsafe to swim.

As of Friday afternoon, Marie Curtis Park East Beach, Sunnyside Beach and Hanlans Point have all been deemed unsafe for swimming due to increased levels of E. coli. After major rainfalls, conditions are ripe for bacteria.

So whats happening to our waterways when it rains? According to Roberto Quinlan, an associate professor of biology at York University, major rain events in urban areas lead to a big pulse of debris and nutrients into the waterways.

These nutrients fuel bacterial growth, which in turn lead to water conditions that arent safe for swimming, Quinlan said. In some cases, after a heavy rainfall the sewage system becomes overwhelmed and you just get to release the raw sewage directly into Torontos waterways.

Thats a big health concern especially for those hoping to swim and cool off in the lake this weekend. Unless there is increased capacity for storm runoff, were going to see more of these type of events where youre going to have sewage overflows into waterways, Quinlan said.

Beaches could be closed more often due to poor water quality as extreme storms become more frequent. With temperatures rising, conditions will be ripe for blue-green algae, which is highly toxic to humans and animals alike. (Algae) are expected to bloom more frequently in warmer water temperatures, even if you dont change the amount of nutrients that goes into water, Quinlan explained.

So even if we do a really good job of keeping the water quality the same as it always is, just because of temperature increases alone, we would expect to see more frequent cyanobacteria blooms in the future.

Miriam Diamond, a professor of environment science with the University of Toronto, said that Ontarios developed shoreline means more waste heading to the lake after major rainfalls. Were dirty. We drive cars, we have pets that poop, we create a lot of waste. It collects on the street, and especially when it hasnt rained a lot ... it gets flushed into the lake.

While the lake can clean itself to some extent, it cant when theres too much rain, she said. Normally, animal feces would usually sink into the forest floor something that isnt as possible in an urban environment.

We have some trees, but there are vast swaths of lawns that are terrible at taking up these kinds of contaminants. That means that waste that would typically break down into the soil is flushed down into the late especially when theres a storm surge, Diamond said.

Both Diamond and Quinlan urged Torontonians that are hoping to take a dip this weekend to check for water advisories before they go.

People should be looking out for signs and either the OK or not OK to go into the water, Diamond said.

Never miss the latest news from the Star, including up-to-date coronavirus coverage, with our email newsletters

Toronto Public Health updates lake water conditions every 24 hours following E. coli samples. Swimmers should check their local beach before heading out.

In an email, Torontos associate medical office of health Vinita Dubey said that while the health department is still encouraging folks to get outside during the weather, we are still advising to avoid public gatherings and large crowds where physical distancing cannot be maintained, including beaches, due to COVID-19.

Read more from the original source:

Several beaches deemed unsafe as Toronto staggers into another blazingly hot weekend - Toronto Star

BARNSTABLE (CBS) Marstons Mills residents are upset toxic algae is invading their ponds again this summer.

Delia and her husband bought their home because it sits on Long Pond. Its now closed to swimming because of cyanobacteria.

Its kind of sad because there are a lot of young couples in the neighborhood who bring their children down here to play in the water because its easier than taking them to the ocean obviously. Its safer, said Delia.

Long Pond is one of several closed in the town of Barnstable. Others are on the warning list.

So were monitoring ponds with permanent beaches and ones that are in trouble for Cyanobacteria, Town of Barnstables Coastal Health Resource Coordinator Karen Malkus-Benjamin said.

Cyanobacteria blooms are also called blue-green algae. They can produce harmful toxins and cause serious illness to humans and pets.

A regular person, if they were exposed to maybe a small amount, might feel nauseous or might be dizzy. It could vary, Malkus-Benjamin said.

Two ocean beaches in Barnstable are also closed to swimmers because of another type of bacteria, possibly caused by wastewater. Veterans Beach and Ropes Beach failed sample tests.

Its really disappointing because its a very picturesque area, and, you know, from time to time, youd like to maybe just put your feet in here, said Nancy Pelland, of Barnstable.

Continued here:

Bacteria Closes Several Beaches And Ponds In Barnstable - CBS Boston

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) COVID-19 has brought challenges to the hotel industry, leading people to ask: Is it safe to stay at a hotel during the coronavirus pandemic?

Some Myrtle Beach hotels have restructured operations and adopted new cleaning procedures amid COVID-19.

Check-ins will likely look different at first glance. Plexiglass barriers minimize face-to-face exposure and metal key fobs eliminate touch on common contact surfaces.

Downtown Myrtle Beachs Westgate Resort is one of the large hotel chains turning to new policies during COVID-19 to limit guest-employee contact.

We have pretty much re-imagined the entire guest experience, Westgate Resort General Manager Carlos Brador said.

New technology is also playing a role in helping guests navigate a new and safer experience.

From the guest checking in with a QR code where you dont have to touch anyone elses pen you can check-in through the application from your phone, Brador said.

As guests enter the lobby they can use a mobile device to scan a QR code that will prompt them to check-in. They can provide their credit card, virtually sign, and there is simply no contact with the front desk.

Its all a part of hotels working harder and smarter. Daily housekeeping, bellhops, luggage service, and beach chair rentals are among the list of services put on pause.

We are no longer providing daily housekeeping services yet, Brador said. If a guest requires service we ask them to vacate the unit and then we will go in and clean the property.

Hotel experts say the major touch points in any hotel are doorways, handles, kitchen surfaces, bedding, bathrooms, switches, electronics, furniture, and temperature controls. Fitness centers and elevators are also among the list of high contact surfaces being cleaned every half hour to hour.

There are a lot of good coming out of this such as the applications and measures being taken, I think some will remain after its all said and done, Brador said.

Continue reading here:

Myrtle Beach hotels restructure operations, adopt new cleaning procedures - WBTW