August 1, 2012 Manchester closes two beaches

By Times Staff Gloucester Daily Times The Gloucester Daily Times Wed Aug 01, 2012, 01:32 PM EDT

MANCHESTER Two local beaches have been closed temporarily closed to swimming, having failed the weekly beach water testing.

The Board of Health has closed White Beach and Tuck's Point Beach. Retests are being taken and should they be satisfactory the two beaches would reopen to swimming for the weekend.

Bacteria counts over 104 is a failure for bathing in beach water. The count at White Beach was 259 while it was 173 at Tuck's Point Beach.

Manchester's other beaches West Manchester, Singing, Black and Grey passed the weekly testing and are open to swimming.

Updates available on the town's website, as well as from the Board of Health office at 978-526-7385.

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Manchester closes two beaches

BEACHES-WASAGA Brian Labelle Wasaga is the longest freshwater beach in the world, and a popular destination for Torontonians, as its only 90 minutes from downtown. BEACHES-PORT ELGIN Gem Webb/Explorethebruce.com Located on the beautiful Lake Huron coastline, Port Elgin features long stretches of beaches, beautiful sunsets and local entertainment. BEACHES-CRYSTAL Brian Li Crystal Beach has been a much-loved destination since the late 1880s when its famed amusement park first opened.

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Photo Gallery: Best Beaches

Three Pinellas County beaches lost a total of 630,900 cubic yards of sand during Tropical Storm Debby, according to a study by the University of South Florida.

Initial estimates put the cost of repairing the erosion caused by the storm at $25 million, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

USF researchers Dr. Ping Wang and Tiffany Roberts collected data about two weeks before the storm at Long Key, where St. Pete Beach is located, Sand Key, just south of Clearwater Beach, and Treasure Island.

They returned about one week after Debby and found the sand loss along various sections of the beach. Most of the sand accumulated on the nearshore bar, which saw a gain of 657,700 cubic yards of sand, researchers said.

The study was presented to Pinellas County, which is applying for emergency funds to restore its beaches.

It was also presented to the Army Corps, which could use it to re-evaluate its preliminary damage assessment.

When the storm hit, the Army Corps was working on nourishing Sand Key, which involved 1.25 million cubic yards of sand at a cost of $31.5 million.

If emergency funds are obtained for Pinellas, it could be an opportunity to revise the Army Corps' ongoing work and expand the nourishment project to other beaches in need, said Mary Burrell, spokeswoman for Pinellas County.

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Study shows scale of erosion from Debby at Pinellas beaches

Longer hours also boost revenues at Long Branch beaches

BY KENNY WALTER

Staff Writer

Long Branch beaches have become safer and more profitable just one month after the City Councils decision to extend lifeguard hours from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the weekends, according to Dan George, Long Branch beach manager.

George said during the July 24 council workshop meeting that the extra revenues would cover all the expenses related to keeping the beach staffed with lifeguards and ticket takers for the extra two hours.

I think it is definitely going to cover the cost of what we would incur from keeping it open, he said. From a lifeguard standpoint, we have a natural resource that everyone flocks down to, especially with these heat waves.

The decision to extend lifeguard hours came after two drownings off local beaches. A 17-year-old swimming with family members drowned on May 27 at an unprotected Long Branch beach. His body was not recovered until June 2 in the ocean off Pier Village.

A second incident occurred off the coast of Bradley Beach, where a 24-year-old swimmer drowned while swimming after hours on May 29.

George explained the procedures for the extra two hours that the beach now remains open.

Basically we are keeping it open from Morris Avenue to Laird [Avenue] because that is where the concentration of lifeguards are, he said. We have lifeguards patrolling the north and the south just to keep an eye out.

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Beach mgr.: Extended lifeguard shifts making beaches safer

Recreational beaches in a large area of Western Washington have been closed to shellfish harvesting because of dangerous levels of paralytic shellfish poison (PSP), the State Department of Health announced Tuesday.

The area affected by the sometimes-fatal poison includes beaches in parts of King, Snohomish, Pierce, Kitsap, Island and Jefferson counties, the department said in a news release.

The department said affected beaches have signs warning not to collect shellfish including clams, oysters, mussels, scallops and geoducks. Crabs are OK to harvest, but only the meat, not the "crab butter," is safe to eat. The poison cannot be cooked out.

PSP symptoms can appear within minutes or hours of eating contaminated fish and usually begins with tingling lips and tongue that moves to the hands and feet, according to the Health Department. Difficulty breathing and potential death can follow. Medical help should be called immediately for anyone affected.

The department also warns that people cannot know if PSP is present by looking at the water or shellfish and that the "red tide" some associate with PSP is not inaccurate indicator. Presence of the poison can only be determined through lab testing.

Shellfish collected from commercial beaches in the area should be safe to eat because of regular testing showing their waters are safe, the department said.

PSP is produced by algae that is more common during warm parts of the year, according to the department.

Those wishing to check for updated closures can call the department's Biotoxin Hotline at 800-562-5632, or check the department's interactive closure map (seati.ms/OlFk0t) or lists (seati.ms/NTc6EA) updated on its website.

Alexa Vaughn: 206-464-2515 or avaughn@seattletimes.com. On Twitter @AlexaVaughn.

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Shellfish harvesting shut down on some recreational beaches

July 31, 2012 Updated Jul 31, 2012 at 10:46 AM CDT

Duluth, MN (Northland's NewsCenter) --- Beach goers are advised not to enter the water at four Northland beaches due to elevated E. coli bacteria.

Water contact is not advised at the following beaches: 1. Kadunce Creek Beach at Kadunce Creek picnic area north of Grand Marais, on the north-west side of the Kadunce Creek mouth.

2. Agate Bay Beach in Two Harbors.

3. 20th Street / Hearding Island Canal Beach on the harbor-side of Park Point, at 20th Street.

4. Sky Harbor Parking Lot Beach on the harbor-side of Park Point in Duluth, at the end of Minnesota Avenue.

The elevated E. coli bacteria levels could be due to fecal contamination around the beaches.

If you become sick after contact with the water at these beaches, please call the Minnesota Health Department.

Water samples will be taken again at these beaches on July 31st.

Posted to the web by Krista Burns

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Water Contact Not Advised at Four Northland Beaches

The senior league team from South Beaches and the junior league team from Rockledge will play in upcoming regional tournaments.

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South Beaches seniors, Rockledge juniors head to regional baseball tournaments

Related To Story

POSTED: 1:37 pm PDT July 29, 2012

UPDATED: 3:32 pm PDT July 29, 2012

Copyright 2012 by 10News.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Project Aims To Add New Sand To Local Beaches

I've been laying on the Gordon beach for months now, without paying a shekel. Even though you have the opportunity to rent chairs or beds for a few shekels, it has never been a problem putting your towel down without one. Maybe an aerial photo isn't the best way to measure the beach?

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Are Tel Aviv and Herzliya beaches really free of charge?

MAYVILLE, NY (WIVB) - The Chautauqua County Health Department has closed two area beaches due to high bacteria levels.

Point Gratiot and Wright Beaches in Dunkirk will remain close after testing for unsafe levels of bacteria that could pose health dangers. Beaches are closed on the same day testing shows unhealthy conditions.

You can check the status of Chautauqua County beaches by going to the Chautauqua County Health Department website here.

All other Chautauqua County beaches are at a satisfactory level.

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Two Chautauqua Co. beaches closed

Four Halifax-area beaches reopened Saturday after bacteria levels proved safe for swimming. Birch Cove, Kinsmen, Black Rock and Dingle beaches closed last week due to health concerns about elevated bacteria counts.

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Four city beaches reopen

Seeking relief from temperatures that keep soaring into the 90s and above, hundreds of thousands of visitors are flocking to the state's shorelines, pushing attendance at Michigan's state park beaches to the highest levels in years.

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State beaches make big splash

North Beaches Neighbors: Meet the candidates on Monday Meet the Candidates night begins at 7 p.m. Monday at the North Shores Improvement Association's Community Center, 120 Meadow Ave. Come early so you can get a seat.

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North Beaches: Meet the candidates on Monday

Two Bryan County Beaches Reopened For Swimming Two Bryan County Beaches Reopened For Swimming BRYAN COUNTY, OK -- The Army Corps of Engineers says they have reopened two beaches that were closed earlier this week due to blue-green algae. The Burns Run East and Burns Run West swimming beaches wereMore >> BRYAN COUNTY, OK -- The Army Corps of Engineers says they have reopened two beaches that were closed earlier this week due to blue-green algae. The Burns Run East and Burns Run West swimming beaches wereMore >> Wind Gusts Leave Damage in Calera Wind Gusts Leave Damage in Calera CALERA, OK -- Strong gusts of wind caught Bryan County residents off guard early Thursday evening. Power went out in a number of businesses and some damage was left behind. Just before 6:00 pm, 72 mileMore >> CALERA, OK -- Strong gusts of wind caught Bryan County residents off guard early Thursday evening. Power went out in a number of businesses and some damage was left behind.More >> Sherman/Denison Area Next in Line to Get New Mobile Network Sherman/Denison Area Next in Line to Get New Mobile Network SHERMAN, TX -- A new wireless network is quickly expanding across the U.S. and the Sherman/Denison area is next on the list to get it. The Sherman/Denison area is a part of the second group of citiesMore >> SHERMAN, TX -- A new wireless network is quickly expanding across the U.S. and the Sherman/Denison area is next on the list to get it.More >> Whitewright Introduces Chamber of Commerce App Whitewright Introduces Chamber of Commerce App WHITEWRIGHT, TX -- Whitewright is the latest city to jump on the chamber App bandwagon. The chamber has joined Chambers To Go, an App you can get for free on your mobile device. You just download it andMore >> WHITEWRIGHT, TX -- Whitewright is the latest city to jump on the chamber App bandwagon. The chamber has joined Chambers To Go, an App you can get for free on your mobile device.More >> Students Pitch In At New Pottsboro Park Students Pitch In At New Pottsboro Park

POTTSBORO, TX -- A new park unlike anythingthis town hasever seen is almost ready to open, and some students did their partto help.More >>

POTTSBORO, TX -- A new park unlike anythingthis town hasever seen is almost ready to open, and some students did their partto help.More >>

FANNIN COUNTY, TX -- Funeral arrangements are set for a Bonham woman who died in a head-on wreck on Highway 82.More >>

FANNIN COUNTY, TX -- Funeral arrangements are set for a Bonham woman who died in a head-on wreck on Highway 82.More >>

BRYAN COUNTY, OK -- The Army Corps of Engineers says they have reopened two beaches that were closed earlier this weekdue to blue-green algae.

The Burns Run East and Burns Run West swimming beaches were temporarily closed after test results showed high algae cell counts, but now theArmy Corps of Engineers says the beaches are safe for swimming.

"Test results have shown that toxin levels are below the state of Oklahoma guidelines. The beaches were temporarily closed earlier this week while the Corps of Engineers awaited toxin results," says a statement posted on the Corps website.

Earlier in the week, the Corps reported thattest results from July 17 at Burns Run East showed cell counts over 1.5 million cells per milliliter of water. At Burns Run West, a July 20 sample showed blue-green algae cells about 1.3 million cells per milliliter.

The Corps had said they were closingthe beaches as a precaution, but now they will be open again for swimming.

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Two Bryan County Beaches Reopened For Swimming

NEW YORK, July 26 (UPI) -- Four people have been pricked by needles on New York City beaches in the past three weeks, police say.

Most recently, an on-duty lifeguard stepped on a needle at Rockaway Beach in Queens Tuesday, WNBC-TV, New York, reported.

All the other incidents happened at Staten Island beaches. A 63-year-old woman stepped on a hypodermic needle on Cedar Grove Beach on July 16. On July 14, a 37-year-old man placed his hand on a needle while sitting on South Beach. And on July 4, a 40-year-old man was pricked a needle also at South Beach.

"You don't know where these needles come from," said Crystal Matis of Elm Park, who was at the beach Wednesday. "It's very scary."

The Parks Department said Wednesday it conducts daily beach cleanings, but tight budgets only allow for so much sand maintenance.

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4 people stuck by needles on NYC beaches

Latin music in Toronto once meant Herb Alperts annual visit to town in the 60s, playing Lonely Bull with his Tijuana Brass.

The distance travelled since then can be found in the Latin Boardwalk Stage at the Beaches International Jazz Festival, Thursday to Sunday, with its wide range of salsa, mambo, Cubano jazz, all-round rhythmic madness and butt waggling.

Tapping into the sexy machismo drive of the HeavyMambo band and the sophisticated charts of The Latin Jazz Ensemble, festival artistic director Bill King brings to the 24th edition of the annual festival an attitude of physicality. Jazz is getting back its dance groove. Funk, soul, R&B, reggae and a variety of Afro-beats are to be found throughout the festival stretching some two kilometres along Queen St. E.

Rick Lazar didnt start this although his band, Samba Squad, occupies a prominent position at the fest, playing nightly at 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. at the southeast corner of Woodbine Ave. and Queen St. E. But without the 64-year-old percussionists presence in the city over the years, this festival wouldnt likely have the breadth of resources it draws on to shape its Latin identity.

After studying percussion at the powerhouse Indiana School of Music, Lazar did what any serious, classically trained artist would do: he hooked up with Barry White to tour with the singers Love Unlimited Orchestra. Lazars arrival back in Toronto in the 70s coincided with the early blossoming of a local Latin presence with heavily political videos from Central America being shown in art spaces, and art from South America and from Cuban refugees appearing in galleries.

Lazar grew ever closer to the citys Latin heart while performing with the Toronto jazz-fusion band Manteca in the early 80s.

Its all about the drum, he said. Im a Canadian with a Middle Eastern background. But as a kid I got into James Brown and when you get into that you get into Afro-music, then the Brazilian thing. It is very addictive.

Following Manteca, Lazar founded Coconut Groove, prominent in the citys dance scene in the late 80s. Samba Squad itself appears in more than just one iteration around town. The more percussion-centre version is the street version of the thing, says Lazar. Theres also a club version.

Purists arent happy with the squads Brazilian credentials; some places wont book the band, and Lazar understands. I dont sell Samba Squad as a Brazilian thing, he explains. My dream was never to copy Brazilian music. . . . But if you want to have a show, if you want to dance and lots of rhythm, well be OK then.

More information at beachesjazz.com

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Beaches Jazz Festival finds prominent place for Samba Squad’s leader

BURLINGTON, Vt.Two beaches on Lake Champlain have been closed to swimming after testing turned up high levels of E. coli bacteria.

North Beach and Leddy Park Beach in Burlington were closed to swimmers on Tuesday and Wednesday because of high bacteria levels.

Officials told WPTZ-TV ( http://bit.ly/QJwLP0) that the beaches will remain closed until the E. coli drops to normal levels. New test results were expected Thursday.

Even though the beaches were closed to swimming, a number of people still went to the beaches Wednesday to lounge in the sand, have a cookout and take walks.

Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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E. coli forces closure of 2 Vermont beaches

Seven beaches in Quincy and two in Hingham have been closed to swimming because of bacteria contamination.

Mound Beach was 11 times over the maximum considered safe, Merrymount Beach was eight times over and Delano (Back) was three times over. Broady (Baker) and Germantown Fire Station beaches were slightly over the limit.

The Channing Street and Sachem Street sections of Wollaston Beach were also closed as a precaution, although the water tested within safe limits.

Kimball Beach is Hingham was more than 20 times the limit and Wompatuck Beach was almost three times the limit.

Health officials in both communities attribute the high readings to the heavy rain on Tuesday. The water has been retested.

With heavy rains expected on Thursday, contamination levels are likely to spike at other beaches in the coming days.

All other beaches on the South Shore are open.

See water quality test results for each community and for Cape Cod, the South Coast and North Shore.

For more on Quincy beaches, call 617-376-1288, or visit tinyurl.com/ledger-quincy-beaches. For more on Wollaston Beach, call 617-626-4972.

Seventy-five salt water beaches on the South Shore are tested for enterococci, intestinal bacteria found in humans and animals. High levels of enterococci indicate the waters may also contain other disease-causing microbes that are present in sewage but are more difficult to detect. Bacterial colonies are filtered from three ounces of water and placed on a gel infused with nutrients and chemicals designed to promote growth. Left in an incubator, the single cells isolated on the filter grow explosively, forming colonies visible to the naked eye.After one day, the colonies are counted and if they exceed 104 colonies, the beach is closed to swimming.

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Seven beaches in Quincy, two in Hingham closed

(photo credit: Thinkstock)

So, sitting in Cape Cod traffic isnt your thing? Good news. There are some great beaches around Boston you can get to without even having to set foot in a car. Paul Revere never had to pay for parking, so why should you? (Theres your tie-in to the title.) Thats why we came up with the list of best beaches accessible by MBTA.

Singing Beach in Manchester-By-The-Sea (credit: singingbeach.com)

119 Beach Street Manchester By The Sea, MA 01944 Line: Rockport Stop: Manchester Distance To Beach: 0.5 miles Cost: $8.75 for a one way ticket. $5 beach walk on fee.

Non-resident parking can be almost impossible to come by at Singing Beach. When you set foot on the soft white sands, youll understand why. The sands do actually sing (learn about it here). The beach is immaculate, the views are breathtaking, and the amenities (changing rooms, restrooms, etc.) make life a little bit easier.

The North Shore cycling option: The MBTA runs a special bike train on weekends in the summer. Its a short ride (but a long walk) to a number of gorgeous beaches in Gloucester, Rockport, or Newburyport.

(Photo Credit: Mass.gov)

Hull Shore Drive Hull, MA 02045 Line: Greenbush Line Stop: Nantasket Distance to beach: 2-3 miles

The South Shore is tough if you want to walk to the beach. Everything is about a couple miles away. So why not ride? Bikes are allowed on all commuter rail trains during off-peak hours. And the Greenbush Line has a special cycle train running on weekends. Nantasket is one of the South Shores most popular beaches. Its great for activities. Nantasket is close to mini golfing, a carousel, an arcade, ice cream places, restaurants, and plenty more. You can also lock up the bike, rent a kayak and do a little cross-training.

(Photo: Carson Beach) credit: Elizabeth Evans

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Two If By T: Best MBTA-Accessible Beaches Around Boston

(credit: Scott Olson/Getty Images)

EVANSTON, Ill. (CBS) The City of Evanston has closed all of its lakefront beaches for the day, after water tests showed dangerous levels of E. coli bacteria.

The five public beaches in Evanston at South Boulevard, Lee Street, Greenwood Street, Clark Street and Lighthouse beaches are all closed. Only the dog beach at Church Street remains open.

Northwestern University also operates a private beach, which is also closed.

LISTEN: WBBM Newsradios Bob Roberts Reports

The City of Evanston tests the water daily at all the beaches daily. When E. coli counts exceed 235 CFU, or chloroform forming units, it is likely that bacteria are forming colonies in the water.

On Wednesday, the samples showed counts to between 238 and 800 CFU at Evanston beaches.

E. coli occur naturally in the fecal waste of humans and other warm-blooded animals. Some strains can be harmful, and they can indicate the presence of other disease-causing bacteria.

A variety of factors can cause E. coli pollution, including illegal sewer connections or discharges, malfunctioning sewer systems, storm runoff after rainfall, or even swimmers pooping in the lake, the City of Evanston said.

The bacteria will dissipate as a result of natural die-off, wind and wave action, or ultraviolet light from the sun. It usually takes 24 hours, but the timeframe is unpredictable, the City of Evanston said.

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All Evanston Beaches Closed Due To High Bacteria Levels