To the Editor:

There are some sounds that I readily accept as being normal or even pleasant when enjoying an afternoon at the beach. The cries of small children playing in the waves, the mewing of gulls, the chatter of teenagers these are all entirely within the bounds of what I expect to encounter.

The whine of a drone is not.

As a regular visitor to the Vineyard over the past 32 years, Im disturbed by the increased presence of drones Ive observed this summer. A whirring drone zipping over my head does not enhance my experience of a Menemsha sunset. Drones are inimical to the pastoral nature of the Island.

Besides being damn annoying, both aurally and visually, there are other issues with drones. Flying them over a crowded beach in a gusty wind invites accidents and injuries. And they are invariably equipped with cameras am I being photographed or videoed? By whom?

Municipalities across the country are implementing ordinances to restrict the use of drones. Its a question of both safety and privacy. On the Vineyard, its more than that its about preserving the beauty and the ambiance here that we so highly value. I urge Vineyard communities to take up the question of placing reasonable restrictions on the use of drones.

Frederick HewettCambridge

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Vineyard beaches are no place for drones - Martha's Vineyard Times

Grand Haven fireworks beach clean-up

Staff , WZZM 3:12 PM. EDT July 05, 2017

Grand Haven State Park gets cleaned up after Fourth of July festivities. (Photo: John Linsley, WZZM 13)

GRAND HAVEN, MICH. - Now that the holiday is over, volunteers have combed the Grand Have State Park to remove trash and litter left by visitors.

On Wednesday morning, citizens volunteers for the "Adopt-a-Beach" Clean Up hosted by the Alliance for the Great Lakes, which says that litter left behind on beaches and shorelines is a growing issues. As you can imagine, there was quite the mess left behind after last night's fireworks show in Grand Haven.

"It's really about balancing our natural resources with our economy and our tourism," said Adopt-a-Beach manager, Jamie Cross. "We want people to come out and we want people to enjoy the beaches and the shorelines, but we want to make sure that they understand the beauty and how important it is of a resource -- so, we're trying to figure out how to make that balance."

Related: Large fight closes Grand Haven State Park Related: Conversation Officers work to keep booze off Grand Haven State Park Beach

Volunteers spent the morning picking up trash, blankets and among other things. Organizers say among the cans and bottles picked up, only 26 were recyclable and more than 250 items were not.

Wednesday's clean-up is one of two held at Grand Haven State Park this summer.

More information can be found on the Adopt-a-Beach website.

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Volunteers clean up holiday litter, trash on Grand Haven beaches - WZZM

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie enjoys the beach with his family over the Fourth of July weekend. Andrew Mills / NJ Advance Media

Christie became one of the

Christie has only six months left in office, with the state election taking place this November. Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, the Republican candidate for governor in November, slammed Christie in a Facebook post on Sunday, saying she sure wouldn't be sitting on the beach if taxpayers didn't have access to state beaches. It's beyond words."

Without a budget agreement by the deadline of July 1, the state government was forced to shutter all but essential operations. During the shutdown, 30,000 government employees were furloughed, according to the Star-Ledger.

It was a scandal made for the internet, with the image of Christie lounging in his beach chair photoshopped into the Oval Office, scenes from classic movies and in the middle of a basketball game.

Explaining how he caught the governor lounging around with his family and reading a Brad Thor thriller,

But when Sunday's weather looked good, and the governor's schedule was open except for an afternoon press briefing in Trenton, I wondered, "What are the chances ...?"

I called the pilot.

"Let's take a shot," I said. "Worst-case scenario is we get some great aerial shots of the crowded and empty beaches and we try again on Tuesday."

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NJ Gov. Chris Christie Dismisses Criticism of Beach Trip Photos - NBCNews.com

OCEAN CITY If not for a sign posted near the dunes at the south end of Central Avenue, Corsons Inlet State Park would be indistinguishable from the municipally owned beaches north of 59th Street.

But unlike the local beaches, for the three days before July 4, Corson's Inlet beach was closed, along with all other state-operated non-essential services, due to failure of the New Jersey Legislature to agree on a budget.

The shutdown ceased late Monday night after legislators came to a deal and the closures sparked a New Jersey senator to introduce a bill to make sure parks are not affected in future shutdowns.

Sen. Nicholas Scutari Tuesday said he would introduce legislation to keep state parks and beaches open for seven days in the event of a government closure, similar to the law that keeps casinos open.

The effect is not only that people cannot go to their favorite beach, watch fireworks or camp at a park, but if these crowds do not show up the ancillary businesses that rely upon them also suffer, he said.

Beachgoers at Corsons Inlet Tuesday were happy that the state-operated beaches were open and many said they had plans to hit the beach even if it wasnt.

We were planning on coming down here either way, said Amy Huddle, 19, of Glenolden, Pennsylvania.

Huddle, who said this was her first time at the free, unguarded beach, had heard about the shutdown, but wasnt concerned.

Neither was Charles Lotka of Marmora, who comes to Corsons Inlet year-round.

Its like a great secret. Not that many people know about it and it seems to be less crowded down here, he said.

Lotka said he wasnt happy that the shutdown affected so many services and could have impacted peoples travel plans.

I thought it was a really big oversight to let this happen on a holiday weekend, he said. People count on this all year.

Lisa Kirth and Julie Phreaner, both of Philadelphia, made a last minute decision to hit the beach Tuesday morning. If Corsons Inlet was closed, they said they would have just gone to one of Ocean Citys beaches.

We probably would have sat on an overcrowded beach and been mad, and been cursing (Gov.) Chris Christie, Phreaner said.

Read more here:

Corson's Inlet, other state-operated beaches reopen Tuesday - Press of Atlantic City

EAST CHICAGO, Ind. It's fitting a dog named River is keeping seagulls and Canada geese away from the water at Lake Michigan beaches managed by East Chicago.

River is just one of many trained border collies from Wild Goose Chase, a bird management company out of Chicago Ridge, Illinois, who along with their trainers patrol the beaches daily from May 1 through Aug. 31 to keep nuisance birds such as gulls and geese from loafing there.

The goal is to keep seagulls and Canada geese off the long, contiguous stretch of beach that includes Jeorse Park Beach and Buffington Harbor Beach. The birds are being chased because they are one source of E. coli that negatively affects water quality, said Sue Hagberg, president of Wild Goose Chase.

This marks the second full year Wild Goose Chase dogs are patrolling the beach in a program fully funded through a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency that is applied for and administered by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.

Hagberg said the city is just looking for ways to bring people out to the beach and swim in the lake.

"The beach has had a complete turnaround with the amount of money they've invested in it," she said. "Word is getting out it's a great place to spend time."

It's all about the dog's eye contact

Hagberg said it's not so much about the chase when it comes to bird management it's the ability of a border collie to make eye contact to the birds, which is threatening. Border collies are herding breeds and motivated by work, Hagberg said. They use their eyes to move animals, whether sheep or goats or ducks.

"Birds have incredible eyesight," Hagberg said. "I can be walking down the beach with a golden retriever that is not as threatening as somebody staring and stalking at you in a crowd. That's what we're trying to mimic."

Hagberg said they generally walk the dog up and down the beach even if they only see a few of the targeted birds. Some birds are not pursued because they do want to increase the diversity of the waterfowl.

Hagberg said few pest control companies have the ability to help this way because most of what her business is about is observation.

"Why are the birds there?" she asked. "They're looking for food opportunities, a way to raise their young. You can't kill a lot of the birds because they're protected. We have to find a way to manage them and coexist."

Hagberg said seagulls are extremely resilient.

"You may not have one in your visual view and someone throws a potato chip in the air and you have 100," she said. "More people at the beach means there is generally more food at the beach, which means there is more attractants to the birds."

Keep beaches clean, don't feed the birds

Hagberg said if people want to visit the beach, one of the things they can do to help keep beaches clean is to not feed the birds.

"It's not healthy for them," she said.

Giving Canada geese bread, for instance, can cause a deformity in their wings and affect their ability to fly, Hagberg said.

Wild Goose Chase has about 30 dogs, some of who are rescue dogs that have been trained. The company has other divisions, too, including scent detection where dogs can sniff out bed bugs or oil or gas leaks.

Wild Goose Chase also is doing bird counts at Whiting's Whihala Beach where staff literally counts nuisance birds to see if there is a significant number of them. Hagberg said it's step one of the program to see if it "becomes a chase."

Natalie Adams, general manager of the East Chicago marina and lakefront, said the dog program has had an impact as the city works to reduce bacteria at lakefronts and beaches. She said the city is dedicated to keeping the beaches as clean as possible.

According to IDEM, the number of samples exceeding the state's recreational water quality standards has decreased as compared to the same time in 2016.

Jeorse Park Beach, divided into two sections, is down 25 and 18 percent. Buffington Harbor has a 33 percent decrease. After the completion of the first year of the program, the 2016 beach season, IDEM said the beaches showed significant improvement with decreases at Jeorse Park of 43 and 50 percent and 25 percent at Buffington Harbor

IDEM said the 2016 exceedance rates for these beaches were the lowest recorded since the beach monitoring program administered by IDEM started in 2004. The results led IDEM to seek additional funding from the EPA to implement the program again this year.

------

Source: The (Northwest Indiana) Times.

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Trained dogs patrol Lake Michigan beaches to keep birds away - Fort Wayne Journal Gazette

Portuguese man-of-wars venomous, jellyfish-like creatures have been found on Seagull Beach in Yarmouth.

Here come the Portuguese man-of-wars, just in time for the holiday.

In a Facebook post Monday, officials at the Yarmouth Division of Natural Resources warned beachgoers theyd received multiple reports of the venomous, jellyfish-like creatures washing up on shore in recent days.

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There was one reported yesterday, and two reported this morning, said Bill Bonnetti, field supervisor for the Yarmouth Division of Natural Resources. He added that all three sightings occurred at Seagull Beach.

Known for their painful sting and exotic look, the creatures are actually not jellyfish at all, according to National Geographic. Instead, theyre classified as siphonophores meaning theyre composed of multiple organisms coexisting.

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They carry venom in their tentacles, and people who come into contact with one of the creatures or even a floating piece of a tentacle can experience a painful sting resulting in a welt or abrasion, Bonnetti said.

In some cases, a sting can result in the victim being sent into anaphylactic shock, though such cases are rare.

The creature has occasionally caused problems on Cape Cod beaches. In 2006, for instance, temporary swimming bans were put into effect after at least 14 people were stung by a swarm of the invertebrates. Some victims received hospital care following their run-ins.

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So far, though, the recent encounters have been far less serious. On Monday, the department hadnt received any reports of anyone being stung, Bonnetti said. He noted that people should avoid the creature if they do come across one.

They can call us, or notify whatever public official is on the beach, he said.

See more here:

The Portuguese man-of-war has returned to Cape Cod beaches ... - The Boston Globe

After a government shutdown left the state beaches of New Jersey closed during the Fourth of July weekend, thousands of people had to find other ways to enjoy their long holiday break.

Except for one: Gov. Chris Christie.

Christie and his family were spotted on Sunday lounging on the sand at Island Beach State Park one of the numerous parks and beaches closed by the government shutdown.

In pictures published by The Star-Ledger of Newark, the Christie family appeared to have the sun and the sand which would normally be a packed with families enjoying the holiday weekend all to themselves.

Many New Jerseyans including his own lieutenant governor, Kim Guadagno, the Republican candidate for governor in November were not pleased when the images emerged.

Guadagno publicly chastised Christie in a Facebook post on Monday morning.

"If I were governor, I sure wouldn't be sitting on the beach if taxpayers didn't have access to state beaches. It's beyond words," Guadagno wrote. "We need to end the shutdown now. It's hurting small businesses and ordinary New Jerseyans."

After being spotted on the beach Sunday, Christie flew to Trenton to speak with reporters about the government shutdown.

The Christie family was using a state residence, which the governor mentioned he had been using for the weekend during the news conference.

"That's where my family is sleeping, so that's where I'll sleep," Christie said during the news conference Sunday. "When I have a choice between sleeping with my family or sleeping alone, I generally like to sleep where my family is."

During the news conference, a tanner-looking Christie was asked whether he had gotten any sun, to which he responded that he hadn't.

Later Sunday, when the photos surfaced, the governor's spokesman, Brian Murray, reiterated that sentiment, saying Christie had not, in fact, gotten any sun because he was wearing a hat while on the beach.

The photos show that Christie was, indeed, wearing a hat.

Murray later said on MSNBC that he was being a "smart aleck" when he made the hat comment and that Christie was on the beach for only 45 minutes before heading back to Trenton.

"They didn't ask, 'Are you on the beach?' They asked, 'Did you get some sun?'" Murray told MSNBC's Katy Tur. "So no, he didn't."

He added that the part of the beach Christie was photographed on is part of the governor's residence and is closed to the public year-round.

In the shots of the governor enjoying the beach, taken by NJ Advanced Media photojournalist Andrew Mills, Christie is seen with his toes in the sand, lounging back in a beach chair with his wife, Mary Pat.

"We have a residence in Princeton, as well. And that place is a place where people can go and tour, but they can't if the government is closed. Am I supposed to move out and stay in a hotel?'' Christie asked Monday during a phone interview with WTXF-TV of Philadelphia.

Mills said the newspaper originally planned to book a plane to photograph reveling beachgoers baking in the sun and enjoying a weekend off along the Jersey Shore in juxtaposition with empty stretches of beach.

Once at the airport, Mills spotted the governor's helicopter and knew that Christie was in the area, he said in a Star-Ledger article.

He decided to try the state residence where Christie could be staying, and in a moment of unparalleled luck, he spotted the governor and his family and took the shot.

"I really wonder about journalists who spend money flying planes to look for people where they actually said they'd be," Christie told WNYW-TV of New York.

Christie defended his use of the beach house, saying: "That's the way it goes. Run for governor, and you can have the residence."

The governor reiterated the sentiment to WTXF, telling those critical of his use of the closed beach: "Well, I'm sorry. ... They're not the governor.''

On Monday morning, Christie tweeted out a photo of a New Jersey beach and noted that a large percentage of the state's beaches were still open and could be enjoyed by the public.

"NJ beaches are open in 119 of our our [sic] 130 miles of coastline. Come and enjoy them but use sunscreen and hydrate!" Christie tweeted.

Christie later tweeted again, saying, "Another beautiful day at the Jersey shore. Our beaches are open & full of people. Come & see for yourself! And you can hit the boardwalk!"

Ironically, the images accompanying Christie's tweets were taken by Mills on the same flight during which he snapped the picture of the governor on the closed beach. Christie did not attribute the images to Mills, but they appear as images 18 and 22 in a gallery on NJ.com.

The cause of the shutdown hinges on the state's budget and legislation to overhaul the state's biggest health insurer, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Christie blamed the shutdown on Democratic Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto. The speaker is blocking a vote on a bill to restructure Horizon because he believes it is a bad policy, according to NJ.com.

The bill has bipartisan support and was approved by the Senate.

Prieto, for his part, pushed back on Christie's claims.

"The Assembly is the only one trying to pass a budget to get government going again," he told reporters after Christie's news conference, according to Politico. "I will not be bullied into doing something that's not good for the state of New Jersey."

Christie said he would call New Jersey lawmakers back to Trenton on Monday, which would be the third official day of the shutdown.

Related: Reunited? Christie and Trump to Work Together on Curbing Opioid Abuse

Christie said that without the Horizon legislation, he would veto about $350 million of the Democratic priorities.

"It should end today. Send me a budget," he said. "I'm ready to work, but I can't work if I don't have any money. These guys have to get their act together."

Democratic Senate President Steve Sweeney, an ally of Christie, called for a meeting with lawmakers and Horizon's chief executive, Bob Marino, to try to hash out a way forward. Marino will attend the meeting, but he opposes the proposal, the company said.

Christie ordered the shutdown of nonessential state services, like parks and motor vehicle offices, on Friday after he and lawmakers failed to agree on a state budget.

While New Jerseyans hoping to enjoy a traditional Independence Day weekend won't be able to use the state's beaches and parks, several other Garden State institutions will remain open, including New Jersey Transit, state prisons, the state police, state hospitals and treatment centers, as well as casinos, race tracks and the lottery.

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NJ Gov. Chris Christie Pushes Back After Being Spotted on Beach Closed by Government Shutdown - NBCNews.com

Headed to the beach this summer? A new list tells you how to find surf and avoid sickness.

Statewide, Californias overall water quality during summer is excellent, with 96 percent of the 416 monitored beaches monitored getting an A or B grades, according toHealtheBays recently released Beach Report Card.

Santa Cruz County beaches performed well in summer dry weather, with 85 percent of its 13 monitored beaches receiving A or B grades.

San Mateo Countys 21 monitored beaches followed suit, with 90 percent earning A or B marks in the summer.

But EastBaybeach grades took a dip this year, with 75 percent of eight monitored sites receiving an A or B grade in the summer. And three out of four beaches in Contra Costa and Alameda counties received C-to-F grades in the winter, more than double that of the countys five-year average.

The report card by the Santa Monica-based non-profit organization is based on data filed by county health departments, which are required to test beach water quality samples for three types of bacteria at least once a week during the summer season.

Three local beaches landed on HealtheBays infamous Beach Bummer List, which ranks the 10 most polluted beaches in the state:

But other local beaches earned stellar grades for cleanliness, such as:

To find a clean beach near you, check the grades for local Bay Area beaches, by county:

Get top headlines in your inbox every afternoon. Sign up for the free PM Report newsletter.

Santa Cruz County:

San Mateo County

Alameda and Contra Costa Counties

San Francisco County

To reach the full report, go to: http://www.beachreportcard.org

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Polllution testing reveals health of Bay Area beaches - The Mercury News

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Monday, July 3, 2017, 4:10 AM

It was all so easy. Just some plywood, two-by-fours and screws to construct simple privacy walls to give male swimmers at Hamilton Fish Pool on the Lower East Side a place to change their clothes not in full public view.

Congratulations to the Parks Department for rectifying a sexist situation after we complained.

Thus all 36 of the citys main outdoor pools, which opened for the summer on Thursday, have full changing areas. While female swimmers have always had a real Ham Fish locker room (even equipped with a bench), long ago the boys/mens lockers were converted to a computer room. The guys were exiled to outdoor lockers fully exposed.

The choices for modest males were 1) use an out-of-the-way toilet stall or 2) arrive in your bathing suit and stay in your bathing suit or 3) try the old towel-around-waist-while-wiggling-your-suit-on-and-off technique.

The fix the workmen installed at Ham Fish last week is the same already in place at the Sunset Park, Highbridge and McCarren pools: A few wooden walls attached together. No floors or ceilings or electric or plumbing. Just privacy.

Now the parkies should deliver the same idea of basic changing areas to the citys seven beaches. The 14 miles of sand and shore are Orchard Beach, Coney Island/Brighton Beach, Manhattan Beach, Rockaway, South Beach/Midland Beach, Wolfes Pond and Cedar Grove.

Even though master builder Robert Moses created them with changing areas, just as he made 11 giant pools like Ham Fish, no city beach now provides a place other than toilet stalls to change from street clothes to bathing suit and back again.

Moses also built Long Island beaches, run by the state. There are seven, covering 14 miles: Jones, Robert Moses, Sunken Meadow, Wildwood, Heckscher, Orient and Hither Hills. Same number, same mileage, but all have changing areas four each at Jones and Robert Moses.

The same at more than 80 state-run beaches upstate. All have free to use changing areas apart from the toilets. How can the city do any less?

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Unsuitable beaches with no place to change - New York Daily News

WATCH LIVE

(Published 6 hours ago)

Another day of gorgeous weather is expected with mostly sunny skies and temperatures rising into the middle to upper 80s.

Take a look at our high temperature forecast for today. High temperatures ranging from the middle 80s along the water to the upper 80s for inland parts of the state.

The weather will be spectacular if you're hitting the beaches or heading out on the boat. Make sure to wear plenty of sunscreen as the sun index is forecasted at an 8 out of 10.

Here's a look at the beach and boating forecast which features a light wind out of the west, current water temperature of 66 degrees, and waves less than a foot.

The weather will remain quite for Independence Day and right through the end of the week.

Let us know how you're enjoying the beautiful weather. Tweet at us or Facebook us using the hash-tag #NBCCT.

Published at 7:49 AM EDT on Jul 3, 2017 | Updated 5 hours ago

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Beautiful Weather from Inland Connecticut to the Beaches | NBC ... - NBC Connecticut

Public parks and state beaches would be added to the list of no-smoking zones in California under a bill from a Democrat that cleared another legislative hurdle last week.

The proposed restrictions which would apply to cigarettes, cigars, marijuana and e-cigarettes will prevent wildfires, curb pollution and protect animals that mistake life-threatening cigarette butts for food, supporters say.

Smoldering cigarette butts have caused major wildfires, Sen. Steve Glazer, D-Orinda, said in a statement. They are a major polluter on our beaches and oceans.

Senate Bill 386 was passed by the Senate late last month. And on Tuesday, it cleared the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee on a 10-4, mostly party-line vote. Republican Steven Choi, of Irvine, broke ranks with his party by voting in favor of the ban. Assemblyman Rudy Salas, a Democrat from a swing district in Bakersfield, voted against it.

Some areas including Los Angeles, Long Beach, Santa Cruz, San Diego and most communities along the South Bay coast already have ordinances banning smoking in parks and public beaches.

The measure along with a similar bill from Democratic Assemblyman Marc Levine, of Marin County is just the latest attempt by lawmakers to bring an end to smoking and smoking-related trash in public parks and on beaches not covered by local bans. An almost identical bill passed the Legislature last year, only to be vetoed by Gov. Jerry Brown, who called it too broad and punitive. Former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger nixed another such attempt in 2010.

Glazers bill would prohibit smoking at all state beaches, estuaries and bays, slapping violators with fines of up to $250.

The proposed ban includes all of the state parks system in California, which encompasses 40 miles of coastline, 970 miles of lake and river frontage and 4,500 miles of trails. About 67 million people visit state parks each year.

The proposal would outlaw smoking along Orange Countys five state beaches Bolsa Chica, Huntington, Crystal Cove, Dana Point and San Clemente and comes nearly a decade after cities along Orange County tackled the issue and extinguished smoking on the sand.

The ban would also include Los Angeles state beaches such as Leo Carrillo State Park north of Malibu and other state parks along the coast that include camping areas. Most Los Angeles beaches are run by the county, which already have an ordinance in place restricting smoking in areas.

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In Orange County, state parks also manages the trails, open space and camping areas of Crystal Cove and El Morro. County beaches in Orange County have also not passed smoking bans on the beach, so areas such as Salt Creek or Capo Beach in Dana Point, or Sunset Beach in Huntington, still allow smoking.

Rick Erkeneff, Surfrider Foundation South Orange County chapter chairman, said he went to Strands Beach in Dana Point this week and was greeted by the stench a man puffing on a cigar.

The whole beach could smell it, it was nasty, he said. People say its personal freedom. When your personal freedom affects my quality of health or quality of life, I have a problem with that.

In 2004, Huntington Beach was one of the first cities to ban smoking on the sand at city beaches. Huntington Beach recently extended its ban into beach parking lots.

The past decade has seen a major push against smoking in public, including bans at city parks, most college campuses and the OC Fair. Laguna Beach recently became the first in the county to ban smoking in the entire city.

Last year, San Clemente introduced an ordinance that outlaws smoking at beach entrances.

Some state parks, like San Onofre State Park, areas have already addressed fire concerns.

While smoking is legal on state beaches, it is banned on hiking trails located in the upland section of San Onofre State Beach extending well inland from I-5.

The proposed ban would also cover public parks, but was amended to include some wiggle room, allowing local parks directors to establish smoking zones.

Because the no-smoking signage would cost the state roughly $1 million, the bill must be approved by the Assembly appropriations committee before advancing to the Assembly floor. The proposal has no formal opposition and is backed by the American Lung Association, Save the Bay, the California State Lands Commission, the California Statewide Firefighters Association and the California Statewide Law Enforcement Association.

Jennifer Savage, Surfrider Foundation California policy manager, said the non-profit is hopeful the legislation will not again by vetoed by Brown.

Were optimistic its going to pass again because theres a lot of support for it, she said. For decades, cigarette butts are always the most littered items. Its really a simple fix, if theres no cigarettes, theres no cigarette butts. That eliminates a major source of trash on our beach.

Read the rest here:

Why California lawmakers may snuff out smoking at beaches and parks - LA Daily News

Bradenton Herald

Summer mornings a special time at Manatee beaches | Bradenton ... Bradenton Herald Summer has arrived. But before the heat comes up every day, Manatee County's beaches offer gentle breezes and soft, cool sand just after sunrise, an early ... and more »

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Summer mornings a special time at Manatee beaches | Bradenton ... - Bradenton Herald

Gov. Chris Christie got blistered online Monday after he was photographed sunning himself with his family on a New Jersey beach that he had closed to the public because of a government shutdown.

Christie defended his use of the beach, saying he had previously announced his vacation plans and the media had simply "caught a politician keeping his word."

The Republican governor was photographed Sunday by NJ.com at Island Beach State Park lounging on a beach chair in sandals and a T-shirt.

"I didn't get any sun today," Christie told reporters at a news conference later in the day in Trenton. Then, when told of the photos, his spokesman told NJ.com that was true because Christie was wearing a baseball hat.

The deeply unpopular governor then returned by helicopter to the state-owned governor's beach house, flying right into the middle of a growing storm of his own making.

He was widely mocked online, with memes using the image of Christie in his beach chair.

"Let them eat funnel cake," blared a headline in the tabloid Trentonian newspaper.

"SON OF A BEACH," screamed London's Daily Mail.

Christie ordered the shutdown of nonessential state services over the July Fourth weekend, including parks, beaches and motor vehicle offices, in a stalemate over his demand that Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield be overhauled so that the state can tap into the nonprofit insurer's surplus to finance drug treatment.

Christie, who is heading into his final six months in office with approval ratings at an abysmal 15 percent, made supporting the $34.7 billion state budget contingent on the overhaul.

He has blamed a top Democratic lawmaker for the shutdown, with the state plastering CLOSED signs at parks with Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto's picture and office phone number.

"That's the way it goes," Christie said Saturday about his family's use of the beach home. "Run for governor, and you can have the residence."

Later, after he was photographed on the beach, he sarcastically called it a "great bit of journalism."

"They actually caught a politician being where he said he was going to be with the people he said he was going to be with, his wife and children and their friends," Christie said in an interview with the New York Fox TV station. "I am sure they will get a Pulitzer for this one."

Christie's Horizon proposal has perplexed some conservatives, who are fighting the legislation. Union groups that typically align with Democrats, such as the state's largest teachers union, also oppose the idea.

Among those affected by the shutdown over the weekend were Cub Scouts forced to leave a state park campsite and people trying to obtain or renew motor vehicle documents.

Liberty State Park was closed, forcing the suspension of ticket sales and ferry service to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. But the two sites remained open.

Prisons, state police, state hospitals and New Jersey's bus and commuter railroad remained open.

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NJ Governor Chris Christie is blistered over his day at the beach - CNBC

Across the state, confusion blended with anger. Public golf courses were flooded with calls from frantic golfers wondering whether their tee times were off (they were not). Social media was awash with worries about the casinos (they remained opened), the racetracks (those, too) and the courthouses (closed). The governors office released a full list of affected agencies at midnight.

The shutdown stems from a brinkmanship between Mr. Christie, who is a Republican, and Vincent Prieto, the speaker of the State Assembly and a Democrat. Mr. Christie is demanding that the $34.7 billion state budget include a provision requiring that Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield spend some of its reserve fund on public health initiatives particularly the governors drug treatment initiative. Absent that provision, Mr. Christie has threatened to veto any budget that lawmakers send him.

Prospects for any progress on the budget negotiations in Trenton appeared dim on Saturday, as the same caustic tone that marked the deadlock persisted into the weekend. Protesters, reporters and members of the State Assembly were greeted at the Statehouse by hundreds of signs plastered on doors and walls with a picture of a smiling Mr. Prieto.

This Facility is CLOSED Because of This Man, the signs read, listing a telephone number for Mr. Prietos office. Similar signs were spotted at other closed locales, including Island Beach State Park.

The signs were authorized and made by Mr. Christies office, which called them official government advice.

This is embarrassing, and its pointless, Mr. Christie said of the government shutdown during a news conference on Saturday, accusing Mr. Prieto of a temper tantrum.

As gridlock in Washington manifests itself daily, almost as a way of life, statehouses are locked in their own budget impasses. The tough talk and refusals to compromise could hamper government operations in states across the country.

At least nine states failed to reach budget deals by late Friday before the start of their July 1 fiscal year, experts at the National Conference of State Legislatures said, though many states have provisions that allow operations to continue so the consequences will not be felt immediately by residents.

Not so in New Jersey, where the states Constitution requires the government to suspend spending aside from public safety and emergency services if a balanced budget is not in place by the start of the fiscal year.

Illinois on Saturday entered an unprecedented third year with no full state budget, as lawmakers continued meeting in Springfield. Residents were no longer able to buy tickets for two multistate lotteries, and at least one credit rating agency warned that the states rating could be lowered to junk, below any other state.

In Maine, the state government shut down on Saturday after a budget impasse between Gov. Paul R. LePage, a Republican, and lawmakers from both major parties stretched beyond the midnight deadline.

Mr. LePage said he would not sign a budget that included tax increases but did not lower the income tax, which has been a longtime goal of his. A compromise budget gained the support of Senate Republicans and House Democrats who agreed to repeal a voter-approved tax on the states highest earners to finance education but it did not get enough support from House Republicans, many of whom are closely aligned with Mr. LePage.

Late Friday night, Mr. LePage presented lawmakers with his own list of demands. Sara Gideon, the Democratic House speaker, told fellow lawmakers that Mr. LePage had a temper tantrum when the demands could not all be met, The Portland Press Herald reported.

State employees rallied outside the Capitol in Augusta on Saturday morning. Some government services, including the Maine State Library and the state Lottery, were shut down, according to The Bangor Daily News. But Mr. LePage had designated a long list of government functions as emergency services that were to stay open during a shutdown, including food assistance payments, law enforcement and the operation of state parks, which are likely to be busy during the holiday weekend.

In New Jersey, protesters outside the Statehouse in Trenton directed most of their anger toward Mr. Christie, chanting Bridgegate 2! a reference to the political scandal around the closing of lanes on the George Washington Bridge that hampered Mr. Christies presidential ambitions.

Mr. Christie is in the final months of his second term in office and was barred by term limits from running again for governor.

At Island Beach State Park, some would-be visitors turned around and headed home, while others walked a few blocks and paid the $8 badge fee.

But some were not even granted beach access, like a family from Philadelphia who had brought their dog 2-year-old Andy, a white-haired Maltese-Bichon mix to the only beach in the area that allows dogs to romp around. Its horrible that they cant just figure it out, said Boguslawa Rama, as her three children helped load up a beach wagon and leash Andy. They should budget like everyone else.

The family has been coming here for years, and as they walked away to try an entrance at a public beach just up the road, Ms. Rama expressed her frustration.

We were just coming for the day, she said. We always come to Island Beach. Its our favorite spot on the shore. I hate this.

At least one person managed to penetrate the police blockade, though. Early Saturday morning, Henry Walker, a local fisherman who has been casting off the inlet at Island Beach for more than 50 years, said he had seen a vehicle approach the police officers at the barricade.

Im talking to the park ranger; hes a good friend of mine, Mr. Walker said. A car pulls up, a BMW. He walks up to it, I hear the girl say, Im the governors daughter. He steps back. O.K., go on in.

The governors office has a residence in Island Beach State Park, and Mr. Christie confirmed that his family was spending the July Fourth holiday there.

Mr. Walker was not pleased.

Ill tell you what, he said, before unleashing a stream of unprintable invective.

He headed back to linger just outside the police blockade and watch more vehicles pull up in anticipation, only to swing around and head back north.

Jess Bidgood contributed reporting from Hooksett, N.H., and Monica Davey from Chicago.

A version of this article appears in print on July 2, 2017, on Page A21 of the New York edition with the headline: Shutdown Closes New Jersey Parks on Holiday Weekend.

View original post here:

Going to a New Jersey State Park or Beach? Not This Holiday Weekend - New York Times

Beachgoers enjoy the nice weather at Wrightsville Beach on Saturday, July 1, 2017. (Photo: Justin McKee/WWAY)

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC (WWAY) The holiday weekend is well underway and that means the beaches of the Cape Fear are packed with people looking to enjoy it.

Parking was in short supply Saturday at Wrightsville Beach as many tourists and locals converged on the town to soak up the sun and enjoy the water.

Much of the day was rain-free, a nice change of pace after extremely wet weather on Friday.

As Wrightsville and other area beaches gain a reputation as July 4th hot spots, it can only help Wilmington grow as a community.

A lot of people for Memorial (Day) or July 4th and all the other holidays, so I think its a big importance for the state or for Wilmington to emphasize on Wrightsville Beach, said Raleigh resident Matt Dalgetty.

Be sure to celebrate the holiday weekend safely and responsibly. Hot and humid conditions are expected through the 4th.

The rest is here:

Tourists and locals alike hit the beaches for the holiday weekend - WWAY NewsChannel 3

Life is better in Vigo County because of its parks. They are gems.

The facilities operated by the Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department vary from the vast spaces of Fowler, Hawthorn and Prairie Creek parks, to historic Markle Mill Park, unique Griffin Bike Park, eye-catching Wabashiki Fish and Wildlife Area, and family friendly neighborhood parks in West Terre Haute and Prairieton. They offer solace, natural scenery, fitness opportunities and outdoors activities to county residents and visitors, with free basic admission.

The parks encompassing 2,690 acres of land and 143 acres of water have earned a stellar reputation. Ninety-one percent of residents rated the Vigo parks "great" or "good" in a survey conducted for the department's 2015-2019 master plan. Those same respondents said the most important attributes they consider in choosing a park to visit are the availability of recreational amenities (76 percent) and cleanliness (62 percent).

Most likely, the people who answered that survey are not the miscreants who are vandalizing and abusing the Vigo County Parks' two public beaches. Because of the damages and liabilities from those misdeeds, parks officials are considering closing the beaches at Fowler and Hawthorn parks. Given the nature of the problems, the parks officials' contemplation of such a drastic step is understandable.

Nonetheless, the community should actively support an appropriate strategy to curtail the vandalism and irresponsible behavior. The county should not have to close its public beaches as a result of hoodlums and no-accounts. Such a quality-of-life setback would send an inaccurate picture of Vigo County to the rest of Indiana and beyond.

The problems leave rational parks goers shaking their heads in disgust. In a Monday meeting of the Vigo Parks Board, superintendent Kara Kish and assistant superintendent Adam Grossman described "a ton of vandalism," as he put it, and breathtaking incidents of parental neglect. Shower heads in the beach houses and restroom stall doors have been stolen. Feces get smeared across restroom walls. People climb atop the beach houses, sleep on picnic tables, swim beyond the designated areas, burn doughnuts with cars in the parking lots, curse parks staffers and pelt them with beer bottles when trying to enforce rules, and leave kids as young as 5 years old unattended at the beaches.

Parks administrators are flummoxed in trying to "figure out how to resolve this situation so that it's a safe, healthy environment," Kish told the board.

One option they pitched was closing one beach, and shifting its attendant to the remaining beach, doubling its staffing without extra taxpayer cost. Another idea is to offer kayaking or other water recreation. In the short-term, the administrators agreed to use a board member's suggestion putting up a sign, warning visitors the vandalism and irresponsibility must stop within a month, or the beaches will close.

In the long term, it may be time for the county to team with the Terre Haute Parks Department in sharing a parks ranger. City parks superintendent Eddie Bird has previously cited the need for a ranger to monitor the city parks, which are a completely separate entity from the county parks system. Despite the two parks systems' separate divisions, the situation merits consideration of a joint effort in this specific case.

Whichever remedy is chosen, public support is crucial in maintaining safe, beautiful and active Vigo County parks.

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Tribune-Star Editorial: Public support crucial in keeping parks' beaches open - Terre Haute Tribune Star

By Kelsey Bradshaw, mySA.com / San Antonio Express-News

Photo: Smiley N. Pool, Houston Chronicle

-Nueces County

One area reporting low levels and another medium levels

-Nueces County

One area reporting low levels and another medium levels

- Nueces County

Level: Low

- Nueces County

Level: Low

- Nueces County

Level: Low

- Nueces County

Level: Low

- Nueces County

Three areas with low levels, another reporting high

- Nueces County

Three areas with low levels, another reporting high

Galveston County

Level: Low

Galveston County

Level: Low

- Nueces County

Level: Four areas reporting low

- Nueces County

Level: Four areas reporting low

- Calhoun and Matagorda counties

Level: Three ares reporting low levels and one reporting high

- Calhoun and Matagorda counties

Level: Three ares reporting low levels and one reporting high

Galveston County

Level: Eight areas reporting low levels and two reporting medium

Galveston County

Level: Eight areas reporting low levels and two reporting medium

Galveston County

Level: Two areas reporting low levels and one reporting medium

Galveston County

Level: Two areas reporting low levels and one reporting medium

Galveston County

Level: Two areas reporting low levels and two reporting medium

Galveston County

Level: Two areas reporting low levels and two reporting medium

Galveston County

Level: Two areas reporting low, one reporting high levels

Galveston County

Level: Two areas reporting low, one reporting high levels

- Nueces County

Level: Low

- Nueces County

Level: Low

Aransas County

Level: Three areas reporting low

Aransas County

Level: Three areas reporting low

- Nueces County

Level: Low

- Nueces County

Level: Low

- Nueces County

Level: Five areas reporting low

- Nueces County

Level: Five areas reporting low

- Nueces County

Level: Four areas reporting low levels

- Nueces County

Level: Four areas reporting low levels

- Nueces County

Level: Two reporting low

- Nueces County

Level: Two reporting low

- Nueces County

Level: Three areas reporting low levels

- Nueces County

Level: Three areas reporting low levels

- Cameron County

Level: Two reporting medium levels

- Cameron County

Level: Two reporting medium levels

- Cameron County

Level: Two areas reporting low levels

- Cameron County

Level: Two areas reporting low levels

- Cameron County

Level: Five areas checked reporting low levels and four reporting medium levels

- Cameron County

Level: Five areas checked reporting low levels and four reporting medium levels

- Cameron County

Level: Two areas reporting low levels

- Cameron County

Level: Two areas reporting low levels

- Cameron County

Level: Six areas reporting low levels

- Cameron County

Level: Six areas reporting low levels

- Jefferson County

Level: Two areas reporting medium levels and one reporting low

- Jefferson County

Level: Two areas reporting medium levels and one reporting low

- Nueces County

Level: Low

See more here:

Texas: Fecal bacteria levels at Gulf beaches ahead of Fourth of July holiday weekend - mySanAntonio.com

Photo: Jay Howard / Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park

Even packed on a Monday: The beach at Sand Harbor, Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park, is packed on Mon., June 19, 2017. In the summer, even Mondays are busy at this popular beach.

Even packed on a Monday: The beach at Sand Harbor, Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park, is packed on Mon., June 19, 2017. In the summer, even Mondays are busy at this popular beach.

Regan Beach, South Lake Tahoe on June 29, 2017: With Lake Tahoe at nearly full capacity, the beach is practically nonexistent.

Regan Beach, South Lake Tahoe on June 29, 2017: With Lake Tahoe at nearly full capacity, the beach is practically nonexistent.

The same spot on Lake Tahoe on July 7, 2016: Amid the drought, the lake level is low and lakebed is exposed creating a larger beach.

The same spot on Lake Tahoe on July 7, 2016: Amid the drought, the lake level is low and lakebed is exposed creating a larger beach.

The same spot on Lake Tahoe on August 22, 2015: Amid the drought, the lake level is low and lakebed is exposed creating a larger beach.

The same spot on Lake Tahoe on August 22, 2015: Amid the drought, the lake level is low and lakebed is exposed creating a larger beach.

Even packed on a Monday:The beach at Sand Harbor, Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park, is packed on Mon., June 19, 2017. In the summer, even Mondays are busy at this popular beach.

Even packed on a Monday:The beach at Sand Harbor, Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park, is packed on Mon., June 19, 2017. In the summer, even Mondays are busy at this popular beach.

On a summer day in late June, 2017, the parking lot at Sand Harbor, Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park, is filling up fast.

On a summer day in late June, 2017, the parking lot at Sand Harbor, Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park, is filling up fast.

Don't mind the traffic on this epic March 2017 day with gorgeous weather and snow-capped peaks. The scenery is stunning around Mount Rose.

Don't mind the traffic on this epic March 2017 day with gorgeous weather and snow-capped peaks. The scenery is stunning around Mount Rose.

A summer day? No, that's Lake Tahoe at winter in March 2017.

A summer day? No, that's Lake Tahoe at winter in March 2017.

A snow-covered cabin on the West Shore of Lake Tahoe, March 2017

A snow-covered cabin on the West Shore of Lake Tahoe, March 2017

A picturesque view of Lake Tahoe in March 2017

A picturesque view of Lake Tahoe in March 2017

Winter in Lake Tahoe, March 2017

Winter in Lake Tahoe, March 2017

Winter in Lake Tahoe, March 2017

Winter in Lake Tahoe, March 2017

Winter in Lake Tahoe, March 2017

Winter in Lake Tahoe, March 2017

Tahoe City, winter, March 2017

Tahoe City, winter, March 2017

Snowy trees on theWest ShoreofLake Tahoe, March 2017

Snowy trees on theWest ShoreofLake Tahoe, March 2017

Guidebook writer Jannine Sprout took this photo of people along the snowy shores of Lake Tahoe on March 14, 2017.

Guidebook writer Jannine Sprout took this photo of people along the snowy shores of Lake Tahoe on March 14, 2017.

Heavenly Ski Resort, Presidents' Day weekend, February 2017

Heavenly Ski Resort, Presidents' Day weekend, February 2017

Winter day at Tahiti Beach, Lake Tahoe, March 13, 2017

Winter day at Tahiti Beach, Lake Tahoe, March 13, 2017

Worm Moon Setting on the Sierras, March 2017, Mike Herron Photography

"With how amazing the Worm Moon looked rising last night, I knew I wanted to capture a shot of it setting this morning," wrote Mike Herron on his Facebook page. "I set my alarm, and was thinking about going somewhere special for a shot. When I woke up, I realized I didn't need to make any special trips, I could see this amazing moon right out my bedroom window, so I just got my camera out, and went outside to watch it set. It sure looked beautiful in the Alpenglow on top of the snowy Sierras, and I am very happy I was able to capture this shot, as I've been craving getting a good moon capture. I hope everyone has an amazing day and can take a minute or two to enjoy this view of the 'Worm Moon Setting on the Sierras.'"

Worm Moon Setting on the Sierras, March 2017, Mike Herron Photography

"With how amazing the Worm Moon looked rising last night, I knew I wanted to capture a shot of it setting this morning," wrote Mike

Tahoe resident and photographer Sean Sarsfield captured the beauty of Lake Tahoe in March 2017. "It was an amazing day with hours spent seeking out light and shadow in the pristine wildness by her shores," wrote Sarsfield.

Tahoe resident and photographer Sean Sarsfield captured the beauty of Lake Tahoe in March 2017. "It was an amazing day with hours spent seeking out light and shadow in the pristine wildness by her shores,"

Lake Tahoe snowy and beautiful, March 2017

Lake Tahoe snowy and beautiful, March 2017

Perfect day hiking into Fallen Leaf Lake, March 2017

Perfect day hiking into Fallen Leaf Lake, March 2017

Lake Tahoe, winter, March 2017

Lake Tahoe, winter, March 2017

A dog named Levi enjoys the snow and pretty Lake Tahoe view, March 2017

A dog named Levi enjoys the snow and pretty Lake Tahoe view, March 2017

Winter wonderland, Lake Tahoe, March 2017

Winter wonderland, Lake Tahoe, March 2017

Photo taken from atop Diamond Peak on Jan. 12, 2017

Photo taken from atop Diamond Peak on Jan. 12, 2017

First visible sunrise for sometime in the Tahoe area, Feb. 25, 2017

First visible sunrise for sometime in the Tahoe area, Feb. 25, 2017

Lake Tahoe dazzles with natural beauty, March 2017

Lake Tahoe dazzles with natural beauty, March 2017

This garage has about 10 feet of snow piled on it and as the weather warmed, it curved down like a wave.

This garage has about 10 feet of snow piled on it and as the weather warmed, it curved down like a wave.

Clearing storm over Lake Tahoe, with sun streaming through the trees, making shadows through the clouds, March 2017.

Clearing storm over Lake Tahoe, with sun streaming through the trees, making shadows through the clouds, March 2017.

Nalu the husky enjoying the awesome Tahoe winter, March 2017

Nalu the husky enjoying the awesome Tahoe winter, March 2017

Clearning a driveway in Tahoe, March 2017

Clearning a driveway in Tahoe, March 2017

Nalu the husky enjoying the awesome Tahoe winter, March 2017

Nalu the husky enjoying the awesome Tahoe winter, March 2017

The Lake Tahoe area under a bluebird sky and blanketed with snow, March 2017

The Lake Tahoe area under a bluebird sky and blanketed with snow, March 2017

Nalu the husky enjoying the awesome Tahoe winter, March 2017

Nalu the husky enjoying the awesome Tahoe winter, March 2017

A snowy beach on Lake Tahoe, March 2017

A snowy beach on Lake Tahoe, March 2017

The river glistens and the snow sparkles under the sun's rays. Photo taken in the Tahoe region, March 2017.

The river glistens and the snow sparkles under the sun's rays. Photo taken in the Tahoe region, March 2017.

The Lake Tahoe area blanketed with snow, March 2017

The Lake Tahoe area blanketed with snow, March 2017

Diamond Peak skiing, March 2017

Diamond Peak skiing, March 2017

Footsteps through the snow, March 2017

Footsteps through the snow, March 2017

Dog play in the Tahoe snow, March 2017

Dog play in the Tahoe snow, March 2017

East shore of Lake Tahoe, March 2017

East shore of Lake Tahoe, March 2017

Kingsbury view, Lake Tahoe area, March 11, 2017

Kingsbury view, Lake Tahoe area, March 11, 2017

Kingsbury view, Lake Tahoe area, January, 2017

Kingsbury view, Lake Tahoe area, January, 2017

The Lake Tahoe area in all its natural beauty, March 2017

The Lake Tahoe area in all its natural beauty, March 2017

The Lake Tahoe Area covered in a carpet of snow, March 2017

The Lake Tahoe Area covered in a carpet of snow, March 2017

Emigrant sunrise, Lake Tahoe area, March 2017

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Lots of water in Lake Tahoe means smaller beaches, sunbathers 'packed like sardines' - SFGate

GLOUCESTER John McCarthy, Gloucester's interim police chief, says that since the recreational use of marijuana became legal last December, many people think it's OK to smoke it in public including on Gloucester's beaches.

It's not, he says. Neither is drinking alcohol in public places.

So on this extended Fourth of July weekend, city police will be stepping up patrols at Good Harbor, Wingaersheek and other city beaches to ensure that beachgoers abide by the city's ordinances against public drinking and marijuana use, with an eye toward ensuring that a Gloucester beach visit is a good experience for all.

"We had a lot of complaints on a few of the hot days," McCarthy said. "There are a lot of young families at our beaches, and this (marijuana smoking) isn't what we want."

While both uniformed police and some plainclothes officers will be stepping up their presence, that doesn't necessarily mean offenders will be facing a full-fledged crackdown with multiple arrests.

"For the first week or so, my orders are to just try to educate the public," McCarthy said. "If somebody is being rowdy and disruptive, well, then we will arrest them. But right now, we want to be sure that people are aware of what they can and cannot do. It's kind of a soft opening."

Public Works Director Mike Hale, whose department manages and maintains the city beaches, said his office hasn't been flooded with complaints, but he has heard from lifeguards and other beach staffers that beachgoers smoking pot and other issues, such as loud radios, have been concerns. Playing radios excessively loud is also against beach rules.

"Everyone's got to be able to enjoy themselves," Hale said, "and smoking and loud music doesn't fit everyone's idea of a good time at the beach.

"It's not so much the couple sitting quietly and having a drink that's the problem," he said. "It tends to be large groups that can get to be obnoxious and they can be messy when it comes to cleaning up. That's where the problems come in."

McCarthy said he hopes the presence of officers in uniform on the beach will help the situation. He added that, while lifeguards can report issues to police, they should not be expected to carry out police work.

"That's not what they do," he said. "We want them to keep their eyes on the swimmers."

Staff writer Ray Lamont can be reached at 978-675-2705, or via email at rlamont@gloucestertimes.com.

More:

Police: Smoking pot not allowed on beaches | Local News ... - The Salem News

The San Luis Obispo Tribune

California may soon ban smoking, vaping at beaches, parks | The ... The San Luis Obispo Tribune Public parks and state beaches would be added to the list of no-smoking zones in California under a bill that cleared another legislative hurdle this week. and more »

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California may soon ban smoking, vaping at beaches, parks | The ... - The San Luis Obispo Tribune