🌱 11-Hour Manhunt In NMB + Two Ceremonies For Grand Strand Officers

Hey, Grand Strand! I'm back with your new copy of the Myrtle Beach Daily, fresh off the presses. Today is Friday, July 22, 2022. Here's all the local news you need to know right now...

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Friday continues our typical summer weather pattern:

Humid; a stray p.m. t-storm. High: 86 Low: 76. Ocean temp: 83 degrees.

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Here are the top five stories in Myrtle Beach today:

1. North Myrtle Beach police captured a suspect after an 11-hour manhunt focusing on the Barefoot Resort and Briarcliffe RV Resort neighborhoods on Thursday. The suspect who is accused of firing a gun at officers that came to his house to serve a warrant, was identified as William Alston. He was later apprehended at the RV resort. He was brought to the hospital for a gunshot wound to his foot. Authorities say no officers were injured. The incident happened during the early morning hours at Alston's home on Oyster Catcher Drive in the Barefoot Resort neighborhood. Some nearby residents were evacuated, then returned to their homes when the suspect relocated himself to Briarcliffe RV Resort. Residents of the RV park were under shelter-in-place instructions until early afternoon when Alston was captured. A SWAT team and police dogs were used. (WMBF) (Myrtle Beach Patch) (WBTW)
2. In a separate case, a man who escaped from a Pennsylvania prison was captured in North Myrtle Beach at Barefoot Landing. Robert Vargo, and his girlfriend Amanda Mae Saxer, were found at the popular gathering place according to the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force and the District Attorney. Vargo had escaped the Luzerne (PA) County Correctional Facility on Sunday. He and Saxer are each being held at Long Detention Center. Vargo is awaiting extradition back to Pennsylvania. Saxer is likely to be charged with hindering an apprehension in relation to Vargo's escape from prison. (WBTW)
3. Beginning the week of July 25, Horry County will be conducting aerial mosquito spraying throughout the county. Spraying will happen one hour before sunset, and one hour after sunset, weather permitting. The county says the chemicals used are EPA-approved and pose minimal risk to humans and animals. Spraying dates for specific neighborhoods will be available on Horry County's website. (Press Release Desk)
4. A joint celebration with Myrtle Beach Fire Department and Horry County Fire Rescue on the Fantasy Harbor Bridge is happening on August 5 at 3 p.m. The road will be re-named for Officer Jacob Hancher in a dedication ceremony. The westbound side of the bridge will be blocked for the ceremony for about one hour. Hancher was shot and killed in the line of duty in October of 2020. (Myrtle Beach Police Department via Facebook) (WMBF)
5. The organization Beyond the Call of Duty drove through the area Wednesday morning to honor Sgt. Gordon Best. Beyond the Call of Duty's truck was given police escort by a motorcycle motorcade, as seen in this video shared on Facebook by the department. Sgt. Best died in the line of duty on January 1, 2021 in a vehicle crash while responding to a call. (North Myrtle Beach Police via Facebook)

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Myrtle Beach pic of the day:

Today's pretty picture was sent in by Sharon Roscoe. This two-tone waterlily peeking out from a pond in Sharon's neighborhood is super cool! It looks like there may be a frog beside the flower, as well. Thanks for the great photo, Sharon!

Would you like to see your photo in the Myrtle Beach Daily? Send one in. Be sure to give Patch permission to republish the photo, and tell us that you own the rights to the photograph. Send your pic to myrtlebeach@patch.com. Please note photos are posted in the order received.

Today in Myrtle Beach:

• Vereen Gardens Committee Meeting @ C.B. Berry Center, Vereen Gardens (9 a.m.)
• The Markleys @ K-Rae's Waterway Bar & Grille (5 p.m.)
• Vibe & Paint On The Beach @ Palace Resort (6 p.m.)
• Dean Ford & The Beautiful Ones - Prince tribute @ Tin Roof (7 p.m.)
• Movie Under the Stars — Encanto @ Valor Memorial Gardens, Market Common (8:25 p.m.)
• Hells Bells - AC/DC tribute band @ 3001 Nightlife (9 p.m.)

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From my notebook:

• The Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach reports that Sir Teddy Day truly was special. The shelter sent out a thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate the beloved pup and honor his legacy on Wednesday. It was a day filled with love and compassion. Teddy touched so many lives during his time with the shelter and made quite the impact on our community. (The Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach via Facebook) (WMBF)
• Starting today, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans and Campers Inn RV are hosting 'Pack the Camper' — a school supplies drive to help Horry County students plan their return to school. The drive will last until August 5, at Pelicans Ballpark. Fans will get a free wristband to Rockin' Jump Fun Zone (for kids 12 and younger) with their donation. Drop off supplies at Guest Services during any Pelicans game. (WMBF)
• An Horry County veteran received a brand new roof as part of Monarch Roofing's Roof for Troops program. Dawayne Jones lives in the Burgess community near Murrells Inlet. Jones served in the U.S. Army for six years. The new roof has a 50-year warranty. (WBTW)
• Myrtle Beach Area Chamber Of Commerce has released a video, "Hit Reset On Your Mental Health" that features Danielle Lewis of R.E.A.C.H. Empowerment, Inc. and Dr. Jessica Greene. They discuss simple ways to rejuvenate and become more motivated just by making small changes in one's day-to-day life. (Press Release Desk)
• There will be intermittent road closures and detours during the Postal Way Extension road construction project that is currently in progress. The closures will be around Renee Drive and Carolina Commercial Drive, Waccamaw Pines Drive and elsewhere in that general area, as part of the RIDE III Program US Highway 501 Corridor Improvements. (Press Release Desk)
• Barnabas Horse Foundation in Murrells Inlet will be holding its second annual Pony Swim, a virtual fundraiser, on Saturday, July 23. The fundraiser starts at 9 a.m. Donors can sponsor "ponies" for various sums of money. The first three ponies to cross the finish line in the virtual race will win prize packages valued up to $500. The whole thing can be watched on the foundation's Facebook page. Proceeds will go towards purchase of an Equicizer — that's a mechanical horse that can help disabled people therapeutically. (Barnabas Horse Foundation via Facebook)

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You're all caught up for Friday everyone! See you Saturday morning for your weekend Myrtle Beach update.

— Kathy Mandell

About me: The best decision I ever made was relocating to the Myrtle Beach area from New England a few years ago, with my three dogs and three cats. I enjoy dogs, cats, road trips, photography, writing, vegetarian food, live music, bicycling and above all my daily walks on the beaches in and around the Grand Strand.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Myrtle Beach Daily? Contact me at myrtlebeach@patch.com