beaches

They need your help this weekend!

We now enter day three of the first major storm of 2017 with the Nor'easter coming in over the weekend and tapering off by Tuesday evening, but the cleanup from what some of the heavy winds caused is just underway at the shore.

The summer of 2016 looked to be a success around the Shore, but Monmouth County officials and businesses want you to know the fun hasn't reached the finish line just yet.

No beaches are closed, but bacteria levels in excess of state standards trigger swim advisories at nine ocean beaches, according to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Seven are on Long Beach Island.

High levels of bacteria are causing warnings to be issued for some Jersey Shore beaches.

The National Park service is thinking about raising the daily parking fee at Sandy Hook from $15 to $20 and the season pass from $75 to $100. Oversize vehicles would pay $50 daily or $200 per season.

The number of Ocean County bay, river, lake and creek beaches registering high bacteria levels is dropping. But the number with levels high enough to keep swimmers out has grown since Wednesday.

At ocean beaches monitored by the Ocean County Health Department, it's "come on in, the water's fine." But bacteria levels keep closures in place at two lake beaches in the county. Swim advisories continue at seven Ocean County river- and bay-front beaches.

In the time remaining before heavy rains arrive tonight and Friday, here is the list of closures and swim advisories pertaining to beaches monitored by the Ocean County Health Department.

One of the things that I love the most about Ocean County is the variety of ways that you can spend a nice day outdoors without going far.