HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC (WSAV) Two days into sea turtle nesting season and already two nests were found in Georgia beach towns.

According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, a nest was found Saturday morning on Little Cumberland Island. Georgia Sea Turtle Cooperative members reported a second nest Sunday on Sea Island.

Hilton Head Island is anxiously waiting for its first nest and wants to make sure these little ones have a good shot at a long life.

We havent had anything major happen except for the Pandemic which the turtles dont care about, said Amber Kuehn of the Hilton Head Sea Turtle Patrol.

Amber Kuehn, head of the Sea Turtle Patrol says that could be good news for our nests. Last year there were only 291 found on the beach, primarily loggerhead turtles. This year Kuehn expects more than 300.

But why is that so important for the area?

Sea turtles are a keystone species, explains Kuehn. They have been on the planet for 80 million years. We dont really know what would happen if they were gone but we do know like a Jenga puzzle, you start taking things out, and eventually, it is going to collapse.

This is why the 16 volunteer members of the Sea Turtle Patrol work so hard to keep the turtles, and their nests of about 120 loggerhead babies, only 5 centimeters at birth, safe.

My goal is to get them from the nest to the water and that is more difficult than you think, says Kuehn. We say 1 in 100 makes it from the nest to their destination because from Hilton Head its a 70-mile swim to the Gulfstream.

Thats compared to Florida, which is only a one day swim for the species, 3-5 miles in all.

They face other dangers as well even when they make it to the water.

Pelicans eat them from above, fish eat them from below.

Volunteers will work hard, but they are counting on the people who use the beach during the day to make sure the turtles can get to the water at night

Holes need to be filled in at the end of the day so they dont fall in and get eaten right away at sunset, or at sunrise, Kuehn explains that filling in those beach holes is part of a recent town ordinance. We need to make sure personal property is off the beach because sea turtles come out of the nest and run into that. They turn around and they dont nest. Hatchings can hit that get distracted and lose their way

Leave the nests undisturbed. Dont touch the eggs in the nest or the turtles when they come out.

Always always stay behind the turtles they need to have a clear path, said Kuehn.

The latest revision to Hilton Heads lighting ordinance for beach properties may add to our annual numbers according to Kuehn.

Instead of only the 2nd floor being considered it is now the 2nd floor and 1st floor, explains Kuehn. We also added interior lights to the ordinance because these new glass beachfront homes, which used to be beach cottages, now there is plenty of light coming out of those homes. Interior is also to be considered.

With the bright light on the porch, it just consumes them, they are mesmerized by it. It makes them go the opposite direction and thats what we dont want to see happen.

As for exterior lights at pools or in yards of those homes.

They have to be downward facing and shielded if they are on after 10pm.

Adding an amber bulb to those lights does not exclude you from using a downard facing light or shield.

If you would like to learn more about the sea turtles, the Turtle Patrol will be holding special talks at Lowcountry Celebration Park every Monday in June, July, and August at 8 pm. Each talk will take about 45 minutes, and everyone is welcome to attend.

Read more here:

Sea turtle nesting season has started on Hilton Head beaches, do you know the rules? - WSAV-TV

Nestled inside an old card catalog cabinet on the main floor of the Huntington Beach Central Library lies a Garden of Eden just waiting to be planted after a long pandemic closure, the seed library is back.

Closed in spring of 2020, the special collection was fully reopened to the public in mid-March and has since seen a surge in seed seekers, as residents sheltering in place this past year have looked to enrich their living environments.

People love it. They get so excited to come in and see what we have now, said library services clerk Cynthia Flores. With spring and planting season, Ive seen all the excitement as kids come in and pick out seeds. Teachers are teaching kids about the cycle of the seed.

Flores estimates that since the library began offering to hold seeds for visitors at the front desk in January, more than 650 seed packets have made their way to area gardens a pace well beyond the 1,400 packets checked out in a typical year.

Master Gardener and seed librarian Sheryl Kellner sorts out donations to the seed library at Huntington Beach Central Library on Tuesday, May 4, 2021.

(Kevin Chang / Staff Photographer)

Hoping the trend will continue, workers may place a seasonal growing chart or gardening tips next to the seed cabinet to inspire visitors picks. Nearby book displays offer titles on related topics to help bring new readers to the librarys book collection.

Cultivating a sense of sustainability and a connection to where food comes from is a primary objective of the seed library, first brought to the Talbert Avenue branch in May 2016 through a partnership with Arizona nonprofit Garden Pool, which also builds sustainable, self-sufficient food systems for areas in need.

A key player in that relationship is Huntington Beach resident and master gardener Sheryl Kellner, a longtime plant and garden lover who became the branchs official seed librarian and now oversees an inventory of more than 50 varieties of roots, greens herbs, fruits and flowers.

With daughter Michaela Whitney assisting, Kellner restocks drawers and reaches out to see if area seed companies might have extra supplies they could lend to the cause.

A seed library at Huntington Beach Central Library allows card holders to check out four seed packets monthly. The idea is to help locals, including kids and schools with community gardens, learn more about food and sustainability.

(Kevin Chang / Staff Photographer)

Now, at any given time, we could have 15 different varieties of tomatoes, instead of one or two, she said, describing how officials recently agreed to include the seed library as a line item in the city budget. Were taking it to a whole different level and getting more attention.

The seed library was forced to close its drawer when Huntington Beach libraries were shuttered at the onset of the pandemic. Its closure was felt, since about that same time people sheltered in place with little to do naturally turned to at-home pursuits, like baking and gardening, to pass the time.

When Central Library began to bring some of its services back online last year, Kellner and Whitney began finding ways of putting seeds into the hands of those who made requests online even if it meant delivering packets directly to peoples homes.

We dropped off 20 or 30 small bundles as something to offer people, said the 34-year-old Whitney, who assembles handwritten cards for each seed packet. But with the library closed, there wasnt anything we could do but hang on to our stock and wait for it to reopen.

Since the seed library fully reopened in March, members of the public can check out up to four envelopes per month on their regular library cards. Many seed packets contain information on an individual variety, along with instructions on watering, sun and spacing.

Master Gardener and seed librarian Sheryl Kellner, left, her daughter, Michaela Whitney, center, and library clerk Cynthia Flores, right, each have a role in managing the seed library at Huntington Beach Central Library.

(Kevin Chang / Staff Photographer)

Unlike books, users are not required to return the seed materials they check out.

Still, Kellner said, many often clean up and return the seeds from what they grow or bring in entirely new varieties. A seed depository built into the cabinet collects donations that may help diversify the librarys inventory of pits, pips and stones.

The drop-offs are a good sign home gardening is continuing to thrive, even as coronavirus infections subside for the first time in more than a year.

I think the pandemic has given a lot of people a different perspective, Kellner said. Everybodys working in their backyards and finding their own oases. People have taken on a new appreciation of what home is, and gardening has taken off.

Thats what I want, the 61-year-old plant enthusiast continued. I want people to grow.

Huntington Beach Central Library is located at 7111 Talbert Ave. For information, call (714) 842-4481.

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Nurtured by pandemic habits, Huntington Beach Central's 'seed library' is sprouting new interest - Los Angeles Times

In the early 1900s, Willa and Charles Bruce were among a wave of Black Americans who had migrated to California from across the country. The entrepreneurs owned two plots of oceanfront property in what is now the Los Angeles suburb of Manhattan Beach, where they opened a resort known as "Bruce's Beach." It was among the first oceanfront properties that was owned by and serviced Black residents.

"This was an opportunity for a leisure business to provide services to African Americans who wanted to come to the beach," said Dr. Alison Rose Jefferson, a historian who has spent years researching the history of Black Americans in California beach towns. "They would be less harassed in this area because there was this African American business that could provide them with, you know, something to drink, or a place to change their clothes."

Then members of the local White population started trying to run them out.

"So even while the business was successful, from day one, they were harassed with tactics to chase them out of the area," Jefferson explained.

Volunteer police officers were enlisted by a local developer to keep the Bruces' clients from the beach. Residents, including members of the Ku Klux Klan, began a harassment campaign.

Despite threats and acts of violence, the Bruce family refused to leave. Eventually, though, they didn't have a choice.

"The city said that it was taking this land-- the eminent domain to build a park," Jefferson said. "And the Bruces and some of the other families fought this effort, but they weren't successful in the fight."

The Bruces and four other Black families had their property taken by the city via eminent domain. The Bruces requested $70,000 for their property, but the city ultimately paid them just $14,500.

The family then left Manhattan Beach for good. The city population is now less than 1% Black.

The land that once housed the resort is now a lifeguard training center. Local realtors told 60 Minutes+ that, today, the Bruces' plots would be worth about $20 million.

This week, 60 Minutes+ correspondent Wesley Lowery reports on Bruce's Beach and the efforts to return the land to the Bruce family. Those efforts have been met with strong opposition from some Manhattan Beach residents, beginning with a 2006 fight to change the name of the park near the former resort land back to "Bruce's Beach."

Former Manhattan Beach mayor Mitch Ward helped lead the movement to change the name.

"Race is a very difficult issue to talk about," Ward told 60 Minutes+. "Even when you're talking about renaming a park for a Black or a brown person. So I'm sure there was a lot of that involved. There were individuals-- I lost friends as a result."

The city voted three-to-two in favor of the name change. But as more people learned about what happened to the Bruces, some residents began to feel the city hadn't done enough. Now, a bill is making its way through the California Statehouse that would clear the way for the property to be given back to the Bruces.

"It's not inheriting. This is something that we have already owned," 38-year-old Anthony Bruce told Lowery as they walked along the shoreline of the property where the resort once stood. "They stole it from us and so we want it back."

Bruce, who currently works as a security guard in Tampa, Florida, said regaining the land would change his family's lives.

See more of the story on 60 Minutes+. Streaming now on Paramount+.

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Returning Bruce's Beach in California to the Black family who originally owned it - 60 Minutes Plus - CBS News

Conceding that nothing could be done to alter the path set forth by their predecessors, Palm Beach County commissioners approved a land transfer that gives Scripps Research Instituteprime land in Palm Beach Gardens for $1.

"While I don't think this board would have approved something similar today, it is what it is," Commissioner Melissa McKinlay said, noting that she wasn't an "enthusiastic cheerleader" on this decision.

Five commissioners supported the land transfer on Tuesday, while Mayor Dave Kerner was absent from the vote and Commissioner Mack Bernard dissented. The vote had been delayed by two weeks at the commissioners' request so more information could be gathered about the land value and whether Scripps had held up its end of the bargain.

More: Palm Beach County commissioners delay Scripps land transfer, want more answers

More: Scripps deal 'was an unqualified success,' business leaders say

More: Scripps' biotech hub never happened, but some say investment was worth it

More: Biotech bet: Taxpayers gave $580 million; now Scripps will get prime Palm Beach Gardens land

"I want to demonstrate that Palm Beach County is open for business, and we are here to embrace the businesses coming here," Vice Mayor Robert Weinroth said.

The decision at hand was formalizing a deal struck by county commissioners in 2006 that brought Scripps to Jupiter. The bioscience research nonprofit contractually was obligated to create545 jobs and remain in the county for 15 years,after which it would receive 70 acres for a biotech village on the southeast corner of Interstate 95 and Donald Ross Road, an areaknown as the Briger tract.

The county bought 40 acres of that land for the deal in 2006 for $16 million, with the remaining 30 acres donated by the property owner.

For Bernard, part of the issue was the taxpayer dollars $310 million from the state and $269 million from Palm Beach County that went into this effort to attract Scripps, while the other part was the countygiving away land for almost free.

In a presentation, county staff members shared three appraisals that had been done on the property. Two in 2006 put the market value between $33.5 million and $36.6 million, and another appraisal in 2012 valued the property at $40 million.

The county did not have a more recent appraisal performed for theproperty, instead using the assessed value given by property appraiser's officein 2020, putting that value at $27.5 million.

The assessed value of a property, though, is a percentage of the market value, which is used to determine the property's worth. A nearby land deal went for $1 million per acre, which would mean the Briger tract could be worth $70 million.

Douglas Bingham, Scripps Research executive vice president of Florida operations, refuted that valuation, since the land has biotech use restrictions on it until 2026 on the 30-acre parcel and until 2031 on the larger parcel.

"Once the restrictions are removed, we're basically approving property worth close to $70 million for $1," Bernard said. "As a county commissioner, I just don't think it's appropriate for me to support giving a $70 million property for $1."

During Scripps' time in Jupiter, Bingham said the nonprofit has had a $3.2 billion economic impact over more than 15 years, created 14 spinoff companies and trained 1,826 people, including 823 high school or undergraduate interns.

Bingham noted Scripps' efforts to build the bioscience industry, including recruiting other companies like Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, as well as hiring a firm that searched for 18 months to try toattract interested parties to the Briger tract.

Commissioner Maria Marino, who represents the district where Scripps lies, said she received no letters or calls demandingthat the deal be called off.

Michael DeLoye, husband of Scripps spokeswoman Stacey DeLoye, wrote in a public comment supporting the land transfer that the nonprofit was an "unqualified success story" that made financial impact on the community and provided educational opportunities.

But if the county hadn't approved the transfer, he warned it "would just be a continuation of the legacy of Corruption County and be yet another black eye for the county," as well as "cast a dark cloud" over Scripps.

"If the county chooses not to stand by its word and complete the requirements of this contract, Palm Beach County will forever be branded as an untrustworthy business partner," he wrote. "Any business thinking of starting an operation in the county will think twice about doing so."

McKinlay agreed with the sentimentthat a "no" vote could affect efforts to bring businesses to the county.

"I think that not approving it sends the wrong message to other organizations that may be looking torelocate in Palm Beach County and may have to be dependent upon similar type contracts and contractual obligations and incentive programs," she said. "To approve something and then 10 years later say you don't like it isn't a good standard."

Commissioners received several emails in support ahead of Tuesday's meeting, including from Scripps professor Matthew Disney andAlphazyme chief executive Chad Decker. Noel Martinez, president and CEO of North Palm Chamber of Commerce, also offered his support of the transfer.

Alphazyme's Decker said one of the main reasons the customenzyme manufacturing companychose Jupiter was Scripps.

"The presence of Scripps Florida allows companies like Alphazyme to save on startup expenses by giving us access to very expensive equipment and scientific services that are best in class. This in turn allows for us to invest in people to grow our business at the bench level. A win for both Alphazyme, Jupiter and Palm Beach County."

Disney called it "one of the greatest joys of my life" to work at Scripps, where he and his research group looks for treatments for diseases such as cancer, muscular dystrophy and ALS.

"The work that we have done we hope benefits mankind in the form of medicine to treat those that urgently need it," Disney wrote. "Those returns on investment are often long and hard with failures along the way, however, we do it not because it is easy but because it is hard. It is in that difficulty that we diligently work as the payoff would be immense and a fulfillment of my lifes mission."

hmorse@pbpost.com

@mannahhorse

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Despite some hesitation, Palm Beach County OKs 70-acre transfer of prime land to Scripps for $1 - Palm Beach Post

SOUTH WALTON, Fla., May 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --The award-winning Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa on Northwest Florida's Gulf Coastis looking to fill a variety of full-time and part-time positions ahead of summer, including beach attendants, guest services, culinary, spa, security and others. In addition to offering competitive pay and exceptional benefits such as health care benefits, paid vacation, childcare assistance and more, the resort hopes to attract job candidates who are ready to trade their high-stress job for a more relaxing career in Florida's #1 industry with an "office" view that is hard to beat. Information on available job opportunities at the resort can be found online.

"From education and technology, to law enforcement and healthcare, the obstacles of this past year have made some of the most difficult jobs even more challenging, which has a lot of people looking to make a career change," said Kristina Mackenzie, Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa director of human resources. "Travel is on the rebound, which is creating some great opportunities for success and advancement in our industry. What better place to start a workday than our beautiful stretch of Florida beach?"

Employment at Hilton Sandestin, the largest full-service beachfront resort on Northwest Florida's Gulf Coast,provides ample opportunity for growth and variety in career experiences. With flexible work hours, current job opportunities include beach attendants, engineering and maintenance specialists, housekeeping attendants, food and beverage positions, guest services roles, security, spa, bellman/valet and more.

The generous range of benefits available to employees at Hilton Sandestin includes a 401K program, health care benefits, paid vacation, free daily meal service, team member travel program, childcare assistance reimbursement, licensing reimbursement, bridge toll reimbursement and education reimbursement. "We invest not only in the overall health and wellness of our employees, but also in their future success, which is reflected in the benefits package we offer," added Mackenzie.

For more information on current job opportunities at Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, go to Careers.HiltonSandestinBeach.com/jobs.

About Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & SpaHilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, managed by Sandcastle Resorts & Hotels, is located on the sugar-white sands and emerald-green waters of Northwest Florida's Gulf Coast near Destin in South Walton, Fla. Northwest Florida's largest full-service beachfront resort hotel boasts 590 spacious accommodations, more than 40,000 square feet of indoor award-winning meeting space, a 20,000 square foot outdoor deck, a world-classspa andstate-of-the-artfitness center, seven on-site seasonal dining options includingthe Emerald Coast's only AAA Four-Diamond steakhouse abundant resort recreation options, access to championship golf courses, and close proximity to the area's best attractions.A place where moments become memories that last a lifetime, at Hilton Sandestin Beach it's all right here. For more information on the premier hotel, visit HiltonSandestinBeach.com, or stay up-to-date withits latest news and promotions on itsFacebook,TwitterorInstagram.

Media Contact: Lindsay RiceHayworth Public Relations[emailprotected]

SOURCE Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa

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Hospitality Jobs at Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa are "Day at the Beach" Compared to More High-Stress Careers - PRNewswire

MYRTLE BEACH Thousands of bikers, welcomed or not, will rumble their way to Grand Strand communities through most of May as Horry County comes to grips with tradition-rich riders yearning for outdoor entertainment.

Communities like Atlantic Beach, which traditionally host events such as the Memorial Day Bikefest, which is formally canceled this year, are buckling down as the area prepares to host the largest crowds this area has seen since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We don't want them here," said Atlantic Beach police clerk Kim Mujas. "We hope by next year we can open up full swing, but not this year."

Bikers from up and down the eastern seaboard, from as close as North Carolina and as far as Virginia and the Washington, D.C., area all moderate to high places for COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are expected to flock to outdoor beer gardens and concerts planned for Myrtle Beach Bike Week Spring Rally, known as Harley Week, planned for May 7-16.

They'll head to places like The Beaver Bar on Murrells Inlet and its nearby neighbor Suck Bang Blow, which had a run-in with the law during the 2020 Spring Rally for violating Gov. Henry McMaster's executive order against large groups congregating during the pandemic. The bar was fined more than $17,000 for the violation.

According to the Department of Health and Environmental Control, 30 percent of South Carolina residents have completed their COVID-19 vaccination, which means herd immunity is still a ways away. Seventy percent of the population needs to be vaccinated in order to achieve herd immunity, according to Johns Hopkins University.

Less than a third of the states eligible population is fully vaccinated. Yet South Carolinas providers were giving fewer vaccines in late April than they did in early March when eligibility was widely expanded, according to data from the CDC.

"The potential is extremely high for a lot of visitors. ... We're not unused to those kind of numbers," said Randy Webster, assistant county administrator for public safety. "But I think moving forward, the vaccine issue won't really come into play, except it could end up generating higher visiting numbers."

When asked how the county plans to prepare for these events in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the county said it will maintain similar public safety measures as in years' past.

"We're looking forward to this year being a bit of a challenge with all the festivities being canceled, folks are still coming,"said Horry County Police Chief Joseph Hill."They may not be in Atlantic Beach, they're gonna be in other places."

Atlantic Beach Bikefest, commonly referred to as Black Bike Week, traditionally happens Memorial Day weekend. In past years, visitors became so unruly that the county implemented a traffic loop that moved traffic in one direction on Myrtle Beach's Ocean Boulevard and "looped" it around other roads, crippling visiting traffic and wreaking havoc for unsuspecting tourists staying at oceanfront hotels.

The event drew hundreds of law enforcement personnel from around the state to assist the State Law Enforcement Division in maintaining peace on the streets.

In more recent years, barricades were placed along the loop but did not block intersections. It allowed traffic to flow normally, but police were ready to institute the loop if crowds got out of control.

Cpl. Tom Vest. of the Myrtle Beach Police Department said police will have additional presence during both rallies and that the city has plans in place. He said additional information would be presented at the City Council meeting May 11.

Webster said the county is gearing up for a busy May.

"Everybody recognizes from what we've seen so far, that we are anticipating an extremely busy year for visitors that want to visit our location, and you know others that want to get out," Webster said. (We've) been cooped up for a year myself included in that it is time to move forward and try to get our lives back to some sort of normalcy again."

Reach Alex Brizee at 843-637-9881. Follow her on Twitter @alexbrizee.

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Atlantic Beach police official to bikers: 'We don't want them here ... not this year' - Charleston Post Courier

A Hawaii tourist claims she was pressured to leave the beach by a mom who told her that her bikini was inappropriate and "in the way" of her kids.

Savannah Simssaid she was sunbathing in a two-piece green bathing suit on Hawaiis Big Island when she had the "worst" encounter with a woman there with her boyfriend and children.

WOMAN GIVES BIRTH MID-FLIGHT EN ROUTE TO HAWAII, ACCORDING TO VIRAL TIKTOK

"I look up and shes looking at me. So I asked if theres an issue and she says she doesnt want to be seeing my butt and lady parts,"Sims said in a video posted to TikTok.

Sims said she then asked her what the problem was with the bikini, to which the woman replied the issue was with her children nearby.

"She said that she wanted me to leave. I was in the way," Sims said. "So I got up and left. And she said, Mahalo and it ruined my day."

Meanwhile, she said the woman was wearing a "straight thong bikini."

"To call me out, and then take off your skirt and be rocking G string. Either youre a hypocrite or it wasnt about what I was wearing," Sims said.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

The video, which has been viewed nearly 1 million times, attracted a flood of comments defending Sims.

"You should have never left!! Nothing is wrong with what you have on and if she doesnt want her kids/hubby to see the flesh STAY HOME!!!" wrote one user.

A local added, "We really just dont like tourist [sic] but this is just wrong. As a local I am sorry because the local girls do the exact same."

Original post:

Hawaii tourist claims angry mom pressured her to leave beach over bikini - Fox News

A Beach Park man who stepped out of his vehicle with a gun during a traffic stop was shot with a Taser before his arrest Monday night and later pepper sprayed while resisting jail officers, authorities said Tuesday.

Quentin Newbrey, 34, of the 38700 block of North Sheridan Road, faces three counts of felony unlawful possession of a firearm and misdemeanor charges resisting arrest and reckless driving, authorities said.

Lake County sheriff's Lt. Christopher Covelli said a deputy on patrol saw Newbrey driving in a reckless manner before pulling into the Beach Mobile Home Park about 7 p.m. Monday. The deputy followed Newbrey and saw him get out of his car and quickly walk to the front door of a nearby mobile home while armed with a semi-automatic pistol, Covelli said.

Newbrey dropped the weapon when ordered to by the deputy but then urinated on the side of the mobile home, according to Covelli. The deputy shot Newbrey with a Taser and took him into custody, sheriff's police said.

Newbrey, who authorities say was not injured, was taken to the Lake County jail, where he resisted the staff and was pepper sprayed, police said.

He remained in jail Tuesday on $75,000 bail. He is due in court May 20.

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Sheriff: Beach Park man arrested after stepping out of vehicle with gun - Daily Herald

If this past year has you craving some type of relaxing vacation or even just a fun, long-weekend-style escape from reality, you should look no further than a hotspot in our very own state: Virginia Beach.

But dont assume that a beach vacation limits you to the sun and the sand.

You could enjoy the water during the day and then head downtown at night, or split your time between the beach and the city. There are probably a million ways to do it.

In Virginia Beach, when we reference the city experience, were talking about the cosmopolitan Town Center district. Its less than 10 miles from the shoreline, and it offers upscale and premium shopping, seemingly unlimited culinary options, and a cultural hub chock-full of arts and entertainment options.

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Make no mistake: Virginia Beach Town Center belongs on your Virginia Beach itinerary. Theres truly something for everyone.

For example, if you feel more comfortable with nationally known and adored restaurants, the district has some favorites, such as Ruths Chris Steak House and The Cheesecake Factory. Same goes for shopping: Anthropologie, anyone? But if youd rather seek out the gems that can only be found locally, the downtown district boasts plenty of those, as well. Without further ado, well share some recommendations.

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Dreaming of a Virginia Beach getaway? This Town Center district has something for everyone - WSLS 10

An interview with Hernando County Tourism Development Director Tammy Heon

Q: How many tourists visit Hernando Beach per year and where are they from for the most part?

TH: Hernando Countys visitors in the winter and spring months are primarily traveling down the I-75 corridor, some starting all the way from Canada, and including Minnesota, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and then into Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia. The average trip is 3-4 days and generally includes outdoor recreation activities including cycling, kayaking, and fishing. In the Summer and Fall, we see more Floridians. Our number one visitor is another Floridian, though they definitely avail themselves of our less crowded season, particularly scallop diving.

Q: Are they day-trippers or overnight visitors?

TH: We see both day-trippers and overnight guests. Its much harder to approximate the day-trippers, but we know they are avid fans of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, our fishing and scalloping, and our trails.

Q: What is the biggest attraction in Hernando Beach?

TH: I would say the biggest attraction in the Beach is probably the Gulf of Mexico. The number of rental boats available thru marinas, hoteliers, and private rentals is growing exponentially. Of course, the Weeki Wachee Preserve is another popular destination for hiking and bird-watching.

Q: How is Hernando Beach different from other coastal Florida communities?

TH: The biggest difference is probably the lack of a beach! It creates a few challenges from a marketing perspective, but there are so many opportunities to enjoy the Gulf, with either a rental boat or your own, its enormously popular.

Q: Is there a tourism season in Hernando Beach?

There are two main seasons; the winter snow-bird season, where we see a great number of Canadians (when were not having a pandemic) and those from the northern states. Then in the summer, scallop diving season is incredibly popular with both other Floridians and those from around the southeast. Pasco County now has a short, 2 week Scallop Season, but we are still the southernmost region that has a full season for recreational scallop diving. Our fishing is also incredibly popular, and again, draws a great number of Floridians to our shores. Golf, while not in HB, is another activity that draws folks from south Florida to our region as its much cooler here.

Q: What accommodations are available in Hernando Beach? We've heard that vacation rentals are increasing in the area.

TH: We have approximately 475 vacation rental homes in Hernando County, the majority of them are in Hernando Beach, in addition to the Hernando Beach Motel and The Captains House. Weve seen a notable increase in TDT collections from Vacation Rental Homes, particularly during the pandemic. These days they contribute about 30% of our collections. The majority of the homes in HB have 2 or 3 bedrooms, allowing for parties of 4-6 comfortably.

Excerpt from:

Tammy Heon Talks Tourism on Hernando Beach - Hernando Sun

By Kevin Kuzminski, WRAL multiplatform producer, and Rosalia Fodera, WRAL reporter

Goldsboro, N.C. A 21-year-old is dead after an ATV accident at Busco Beach and ATV Park in Goldsboro.

The incident occurred Friday night as nearly 30,000 people are expected this weekend for Mud Bash Week.

To allow easier access for emergency personnel, the park posted to Facebook that additional guests would not be allowed in to the otherwise 24-hour grounds.

The Wayne County Sheriff's Office says the 21-year-old driver was thrown backward from the ATV which caused him to strike his head on the vehicle. The driver was wearing head protection but died on the scene.

Witnesses told WRAL News there was a second accident Friday with injuries, but details on that incident were not yet available.

Busco Beach is a privately owned outdoor recreation facility with a man-made beach, a lake for swimming and fishing, campsites and 2,000 acres of trails.

The park has been the site of seven fatalities linked to ATV use over the past 15 years, and five drownings over the past 20.

"It does," said Savannah Hill when asked about if the deaths raise concerns with her. "I wouldn't say it of the people who own the place. It's not their fault, because they can't control what you do." Hill was there on Saturday to pick up a friend.

The name of the 21-year-old hasn't been released. WRAL is working to learn if any new restrictions have been put into place at the park following the death.

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Fatal ATV accident at Goldsboro's Busco Beach one of several tragedies at park in recent years - WRAL.com

Many travelers have scrapped international plans this summer in favor of getaways closer to home due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to Conde Nast Traveler, and a Massachusetts island is among the best destinations in the nation for family trips to the shore.

Nantucket was recently named among the best family beach vacations in the U.S. by the travel publication, a list of 15 destinations centered around great amenity-rich hotels and resorts.

The best family vacations are about finding the right place to plop down, so you can unplug from Zoom meetings and e-learning, and instead spend your days swimming, scavenging for seashells, unwinding in a hammock, and staying up late to roast smores and stargaze together, wrote the magazine.

Heres what the magazine wrote about Nantucket:

Thirty miles off the coast of Massachusetts by flight or ferry, Nantucket isnt exactly the easiest to reach. But once you arrive, the trek instantly feels worthwhile. Situated between Childrens Beach and Brant Point lighthouse, the chic, gray-shingled White Elephant resort attracts families with small kids. The hotel exemplifies the islands signature laid-back luxury, with Radio Flyer wagons, stocked with boogie boards and beach toys, that guests can borrow and wheel to the little beach (the shielded harbor means its ideal for small swimmers). Rooms can also be stocked with diaper genies, Pack N Plays, and strollers upon request. Dine at the restaurants on site or make the short walk over cobblestoned streets to town, where youll find plenty of kid-friendly eateries and Juice Bar, a creamery selling some of Nantuckets best sundaes and homemade waffle cones.

Two other New England destinations made the list: Southern Maine and Tiverton, R.I.

In Maine, families who stay at the Sanford-based glamping resort Huttopia find a host of activities will keep the whole family entertained, from the kids club, where five- to 12-year-olds can treasure hunt and do crafts, to lawn games, pottery workshops, and nightly outdoor movies or magic shows. In Rhode Island, families who stay at Moore House Cottages experience beach bungalows with kayaks, Apple TVs, Sonos speakers, and games.

View the entire list of best family beach vacations in the U.S.

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Mass. destination named one of the best family beach vacations in the U.S., according to Conde Nast Traveler - Boston.com

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--UBS Wealth Management USA announced today that a seven-person team managing $2 billion in client assets has joined the firm in Newport Beach, California. The team, led by Financial Advisors Thomas (Tom) J. Nieto and Frederick (Fred) D. Grand Jr., have built a successful business focused on high-net-worth individuals and families, entrepreneurs, and institutions.

The team also includes John Hurford, CFA, Senior Wealth Strategy Associate Rebecca Zahabian, Team Administrator Laura Holland, Senior Client Service Associate David Q. Kuang, CFP and Registered Client Service Associate Victor Morales.

Were excited to welcome Tom, Fred and their team to UBS, said Justin Frame, Los Angeles & Orange County Market Head at UBS Wealth Management USA. The scale and caliber of this team is nothing short of impressive, and were looking forward to working with them to help our clients grow multi-generational wealth and build a meaningful legacy.

Tom served as a Private Client Advisor at Bank of Americas Private Bank (formerly U.S. Trust) for 25 years before joining UBS, helping clients to identify and achieve their wealth goals. He is a former board member of the Blue Ribbon Committee at California State University at Fullerton, a former committee member of the Orange County Performing Arts Business Partnership and a former executive board member of the United Way of Orange County. Tom earned a B.A. in Political Science from California State Polytechnic University at Pomona.

Prior to joining UBS, Fred served as a Private Client Advisor at Bank of Americas Private Bank, and a Global Commercial Banker for Bank of America Merrill Lynch. On the team he is responsible for providing clients with customized wealth strategies and planning services. Fred earned his B.A. and M.B.A. in Accountancy and Financial Planning from The University of San Diego, where he graduated with honors. He continues to serve at his alma mater as a top-ranked adjunct professor, teaching finance and accounting.

John previously served as a Senior Portfolio Manager at Bank of Americas Private Bank. He focused on providing guidance to clients in asset allocation and risk-based strategies. Before moving to Orange County, John was actively involved with City Hope in San Francisco, an organization that provides a safe space for marginalized residents in the citys Tenderloin neighborhood. He earned an M.B.A. in Financial Engineering from UC Berkeleys Haas School of Business and a B.A. from The University of San Diego.

Notes to Editors

About UBS Global Wealth Management

As the world's largest wealth manager, UBS Global Wealth Management provides comprehensive advice, solutions and services to wealthy families and individuals around the world. Clients who work with UBS benefit from a fully integrated set of wealth management capabilities and expertise, including wealth planning, investment management, capital markets, banking, lending and institutional and corporate financial advice.

About UBS

UBS provides financial advice and solutions to wealthy, institutional and corporate clients worldwide, as well as private clients in Switzerland. UBS's strategy is centered on our leading global wealth management business and our premier universal bank in Switzerland, enhanced by Asset Management and the Investment Bank. The bank focuses on businesses that have a strong competitive position in their targeted markets, are capital efficient, and have an attractive long-term structural growth or profitability outlook.

UBS is present in all major financial centers worldwide. It has offices in more than 50 regions and locations, with about 30% of its employees working in the Americas, 31% in Switzerland, 19% in the rest of Europe, the Middle East and Africa and 20% in Asia Pacific. UBS Group AG employs over 68,000 people around the world. Its shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).

UBS 2021. All rights reserved. The key symbol and UBS are among the registered and unregistered trademarks of UBS.

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$2 Billion Advisor Team Joins UBS in Newport Beach, California - Business Wire

That time of the year is almost here again: spending a lovely day at the beach.

And there is no better beach for locals and visitors than Virginia Beach, right?

With so much to do and so many adventures to be had, we decided to pick out some of the best ways you and your family can have the most fun on the water. With crystal clear water and refreshing temperatures, the water at Virginia Beach is just waiting for you to get in.

It doesnt matter if youre casting a line, hoping to catch a big ole fish, or going on a kayaking adventure, there is something to do on the water for everyone.

If youve got your own kayak, youre good to go to explore the numerous waterways around Virginia Beach, such as the inland waterways off of the Chesapeake Bay.

However, if you need to rent a kayak, you are in luck. There are local outfitters like Surf and Adventure Company and Go Kayak! that make it super easy to get on the water.

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7 ways you can have fun in the sun at Virginia Beach - WSLS 10

As the weather grows warmer and vaccination rates steadily increase, beaches and other popular attractions throughout California are once again experiencing packed crowds some of the largest theyve seen in over a year.

Over the weekend, thousands of people descended upon tourist hotspots such as the Santa Monica Pier, the Venice Beach Boardwalk and Old Town Pasadena to celebrate spring break and relish in visiting with friends in person. However, local health experts have expressed concerned about the lack of masks worn by the crowds, as well as the sheer number of out-of-towners flooding the streets.

On Tuesday, Los Angeles County public health officials announced plans to move into the orange tier, expanding capacity at indoor venues while allowing businesses including outdoor bars that dont serve food to reopen. Expanded activities were permitted the next day, but many businesses wont officially resume operation until Monday, April 5, said public health director Barbara Ferrer.

California again seems keen on jump-starting its economy, rolling out reopening dates for the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Universal Studios Hollywood and Disneyland this month alone; however, Ferrer urged visitors to exercise caution and continue to wear masks as experts eye a potential surge in case rates. More than 30% of residents have received at least one dose of the vaccine, according to the L.A. Times, but health officials estimate that percentage will need to be as high as 85% for the population to reach herd immunity.

It will be essential that each of us not get sloppy, Ferrer said last week as she reported 26 additional deaths and 386 new cases in Los Angeles County.

Even so, more than 100,000 people visited the Santa Monica Pier over the weekend, reports the Guardian. In response, city leaders announced plans to restrict numbers on the pier Saturday by cutting off access to newly arriving visitors at 7 p.m. three hours before the attraction closes. Theyre also planning to assemble a handful of health ambassadors, who will pass out free masks at the pier and remind people wear face coverings.

MORE: 'I hit the lottery': Here's how 7 SF Bay Area residents got vaccine appointments

Dolores Park filled up with sunbathers on Mar. 31, 2021, when skies over San Francisco were clear and sun-filled.

In San Francisco, 46% of residents over 16 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and as temperatures climbed toward the mid-80s last week, crowds began to congregate across the city from Dolores Park to Ocean Beach.

Meanwhile in Oakland, officials led by City Council President Nikki Fortunato Bas have established new policies at Lake Merritt due to reported crowding, traffic, high noise levels and littering.Illegal street vendors were another topic of concern, and though the city is setting up a designated area for them to resume business, many refused to go because they believe the cost to operate there is too high.

Were just trying to survive, a vendor who went by Drea told KPIX. I lost my job a whole year ago and I havent been able to get a job that pays the rent.

Implemented on Friday, those new regulations have led to the deployment of a new park ambassador program as well as an increased police presence, reports Oaklandside, and will be enforced through Labor Day weekend. Oaklands City Council is expected to hold a meeting to discuss the allocation of funding for the measure on April 12.

With many people vaccinated, more activities nowpresent less of a risk, but health officials still recommend proceeding with caution: continue to wear a mask when out in public, and don't travel unless you absolutely have to.

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California's beaches and popular attractions are becoming flooded with crowds again - SF Gate

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) Police have made two arrests related to Saturday nights shooting in Virginia Beach that killed one teenager and sent two others to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Virginia Beach Police have charged 20-year-old Davoll Deshamp James Jr. with murder, shooting into an occupied vehicle, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and two counts of aggravated malicious wounding.

Also arrested in connection to the incident was 19-year-old Jarquavivs Webb. Hes charged with robbery, an attempt to commit a non-capital offense, and conspiracy to commit a felony.

According to police dispatch, the call for the shooting incident came in just after 10 p.m. in the 1600 block of Hiawatha Drive.

When police got to the scene, they say three teenage victims were found with gunshot wounds, one of them was pronounced dead at the scene. The two others, a male and a female, were sent to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The preliminary investigation led detectives to obtain and serving a search warrant on Hiawatha Drive. Law enforcement says evidence was recovered but did not say what it was.

Great work by responding @VBPD officers from 4th Precinct and follow-up by our Homicide Unit to bring quick closure to yet another tragic occurrence of gun violence in our city. https://t.co/7dIs7mjepo

This is breaking news and will be updated.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP (1-888-562-5887) or submit a tip online.

Get the free WAVY News App, available for download in the App Store and Google Play, to stay up to date with all your local news, weather and sports, live newscasts and other live events.

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Arrests made in Virginia Beach triple shooting that killed one teenager, injured two others - WAVY.com

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Now that spring has sprung and it looks as if an end to the pandemic might be in sight, many Americans are again planning vacations and they're booking beach destinations in a big way, says Trivago.

The online global accommodations platform, based in Dusseldorf, Germany, has seen "clickouts" users clicking on trip deal links to other travel booking sites steadily increase since the start of the year, with 27% month-over-month growth in March, compared to 17% in January. (Increasing clickouts indicate more people are looking to book travel, according to Trivago.)

Source: Trivago

Most of those clicks were for trips to warm weather climes.

The top destinations for March 2021 as tracked by Trivago included Miami Beach and Panama City Beach in Florida; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; and Cancun, Mexico. Also trending with U.S. travelers were San Juan, Puerto Rico, and other overseas sun-and-fun destinations like Playa Bavaro in the Dominican Republic and Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

"With many Americans craving safe, warm weather getaways, beach destinations have been the No. 1 choice for travelers as the country reopens," said Axel Hefer, CEO of Trivago. "In fact, our recent consumer travel survey found that nearly a fourth of U.S. travelers' idea of a 'dream vacation' post-pandemic is being on a tropical island."

More from Personal Finance:Top-rated frequent flyer programs can cut travel costsHere's what post-pandemic travel might look likeHow travelers could benefit from hotel industry struggles

Hefer said a year of lockdowns and new progress in the fight against Covid is behind the surge in travel interest to sunny stretches of seaside sand.

"The pent-up demand, as well as significant progress in recent weeks on the vaccination front, has led Americans to pursue spring break trips to coastal destinations where social distancing is easy, as well as neighboring international cities like Cancun and Playa Bavaro," he said.

In other findings, Trivago said domestic travel represented 79% of clickouts by Americans in February and March, and same-day and next-day travel remained the most popular to book accounting for 14% of total clickouts in March.

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Beaches top dream vacation wish lists for Americans as travel takes off - CNBC

Some Huntington Beach residents found flyers near their homes Sunday, promoting the Ku Klux Klan.

The discovery comes about a week before white lives matter demonstrations are scheduled to take place across the country, the Orange County Register reported.

One resident spotted the KKK propaganda on the south end of 19th street and notified police about 7 a.m. Sunday morning, Huntington Beach Lt. Julio Mendez told the newspaper.

The flyers featured a drawing of a robed-and-hooded figure standing in front of a burning cross beneath the words white lives do matter, which was shared on social media posts, the paper reported.

Shaun Wallace was walking his dog down 18th street when he came across a neighbor who appeared upset while holding one of the fliers at about 7:30 a.m., the paper reported. The two of them collected at least 14 that were left in the area, then dumped them in the garbage.

It's really disheartening to see openly racist material in our neighborhood, Wallace told the Register. Almost everyone who lives in this area that I've shown this to feels the same way.

However, Wallace also told the newspaper there are people who hold bigoted views in his community, and other Huntington Beach residents he has communicated with online have defended the propaganda, which asserts that some white people are afraid to stand up for their heritage because they are afraid of being called a racist.

He disagrees with them, but is glad that conversations regarding bigotry, diversity and inclusivity are happening in his community.

We should own this as a community, not push this issue away, Wallace told the newspaper.

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KKK Flyers Found in Huntington Beach Week Ahead of `White Lives Matter' Events - NBC Southern California

County officials expect a busy weekend on the beach despite cooler temperatures.

I think it will be a busy weekend, but the weather is calling for some really cool temperatures, so I dont know how busy its going to be in the water as opposed to the beach, said county Recreation and Parks Director Lisa Gurganus. I think that there will be more folks coming our way if gas prices dont keep them from traveling.

Lifeguards wont be on duty full-time until May 28, the Friday before Memorial Day, but sandbar patrols begin this weekend. Until Memorial Day weekend, county lifeguards will patrol the beach and sandbars every weekend during varying hours in the early morning and mid to late afternoon.

We dont recommend people go swimming out to the sandbars, but they do (anyway), Gurganus said.

Incoming tides immerse the sandbars under water, often catching swimmers off guard and having to cross deep water to return to shore.

She asks those who go to the beach to be exceedingly careful. Watch out for rough surf and be aware of undertow.

No current advisories had been issued for St. Simons Island or Jekyll Island, but beachgoers should be wary of rip currents, she said.

Currents can be really swift, so even if theyre out in knee-deep water a child could get swept away, Gurganus said.

She also reminds visitors of regular health risks, like dehydration and sunburn.

For your first exposure to the summer sun this season, dont go crazy, Gurganus said, urging sunseekers to apply sunscreen protection.

Lifeguard Paris Wyland reported seeing large numbers of jellyfish on the beach in recent days. Gurganus said the stinging invertebrates are another hazard to keep an eye on.

The county still has openings for lifeguards. Anyone interested in being a lifeguard may apply at glynncounty.org/jobs.

The lifeguard crew was short-handed before, but Gurganus said a recent directive from the Glynn County Commission to assign a new team to monitor Goulds Inlet during the peak summer season has created more openings.

The job is seasonal, offering 40 hours per week between the weekends of Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Were really stressing the need for people to apply. Thats going to be our challenge in the next couple of months, getting people to apply, Gurganus said.

Applications are down this year compared to past years, which she said could be due to any number of factors. Fear of contracting COVID-19 is a possibility.

She said high school and college students are typically their most abundant source of lifeguard candidates. That pool comes and goes as the students take other jobs, have greater scholastic burdens or graduate.

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Busy weekend expected on local beaches | Local News - Brunswick News

The pain wasnt too bad, he said. The whipping sensation felt like a wet towel, and he has experienced worse stings from Bluebottle jellyfish, he said.

Still, he thought it was best to pack up the tent and return to their resort to monitor the lash, which left clearly visible red marks, and make sure it didnt get worse, he said.

As a volunteer lifeguard for many years, he would normally suggest the sting be treated with vinegar, he said. But since there wasnt any available at the resort, they were forced to improvise with another acidic substance: His stood in the bath while his wife poured soda down his back, he said.

The stinging sensation went away almost instantly, he said.

Judit Pungor, who researches octopuses at the University of Oregon, suggested that Mr. Karlson may have coincidentally been struck by one of the many stinging, tentacled, jellyfish that are abundant in Australian waters.

Octopuses, she said in an email, do not have venom in their suckers, and any venom they do have (in their bites, not on their arms) would not be alleviated by pouring something acidic over it.

The animals, which are usually solitary, have been captured on video winding up and punching fish, however. Peter Ulric Tse, a professor of cognitive neuroscience at Dartmouth College who studies octopus cognition, said they can express what we would call aggression when they feel threatened or when they feel their territory is under threat, he wrote over email.

My guess is that the octopus here is sending a warning meaning back off, he said after watching Mr. Karlsons video. Octopuses will lunge or shoot an arm out when they feel a fish, another octopus or a human is in their space. I think this is often pre-emptive aggression, meant to signal dont mess with me, rather than aggression seriously meant to harm the invader.

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The Angriest Octopus Lashes at a Tourist on an Australian Beach - The New York Times