🌱 Brittanee Drexel's Killer Sentenced To Life + NMB Bus Service Plan

Hello, everybody! I'm back in your inbox this morning with your Thursday, October 20, 2022 edition of the Myrtle Beach Daily. Here are all the most important things to know about what's happening locally, including:

• Brittanee Drexel's killer pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life in prison.
• Developers eyeing River Oaks subdivision withdrew a controversial rezoning request.
• North Myrtle Beach could see a return to bus service from Coast RTA.

---

Here is a quick peek at Thursday's weather:

Sunny. High: 66 Low: 45.

---

Here's to the wonderful local business who sponsors this newsletter. Check out what they can do for you:

Thinking of a move to the Myrtle Beach area, but don't know where to start? What if we could connect you with a real estate agent that not only has over 100 5-star reviews on Zillow — but has lived through a relocation herself and understands the process well. Val Lyons at Realty One Group knows that details matter. If you're downsizing, relocating, or curious about home taxes in a new area, Val knows the market and understands communication is key. Message or call her at 774-259-8937.

Click here to get your business featured in this spot.

---

Here are the top five stories today in Myrtle Beach:

1. Raymond Moody pleaded guilty in the 2009 murder, kidnapping and rape of Brittanee Drexel at a hearing in Georgetown County on Wednesday. Drexel's family had the opportunity address the court at the hearing. Moody declared "I was a monster" in a brief statement of apology he made to Drexel's family in the courtroom. The judge accepted Moody's guilty plea. He was sentenced to life in prison. Sensitive details of the case are outlined in the attached news articles and may be disturbing for some readers. (WMBF) (WBTW) (wpde.com)
2. A Blythewood man has been charged with murder in Myrtle Beach after a body was found near Highway 501 and 3rd Avenue on Monday morning. Authorities acted swiftly in an investigation after finding a deceased person in an area near Canal Street and determining that the death was an apparent homicide. The man arrested knew the victim and was the last person to see the them. He was also seen leaving the area. The deceased individual has not been identified as of the time of this posting. (Myhorrynews) (WBTW) (WMBF)
3. South Carolina Department of Natural Resources has released additional information from its report on the Cherry Grove boat fire that hurt three adults and a toddler on Labor Day. The report details the sequence of events before and after the incident. It also states that the primary cause of the explosion was "fault of machinery" while the secondary cause was a "failure to vent."(WMBF)
4. In a small victory for residents of the River Oaks Golf Club subdivision, the developers of a 500-home proposal have withdrawn the controversial rezoning request. Horry County Government Planning Commission announced that the request had been withdrawn Wednesday. No details were given as a reason for the withdrawal. Around 500 additional single-family homes were intended to be built on the remaining 18 holes of the golf course. (WMBF)
5. North Myrtle Beach vacationers and residents alike will be excited to learn that Coast RTA is thinking about expanding bus service to the city. The idea is to make it easier to get around in North Myrtle without needing to have a car. It has been 14 years since the transportation authority provided bus service in that city. The idea has been proposed to city council leaders and if approved bus routes could begin as soon as summer of 2023! (WMBF)

---

In partnership with T-Mobile:

Do you know a Myrtle Beach student athlete who's making a difference in the community? We want to hear about them! Click here to learn how you can nominate an athlete to be featured on Patch.

---

Myrtle Beach pic of the day:

Today's photo was sent in by reader Teri V. of Michigan! Teri took this photo towards the end of the summer from a balcony at Holiday Sands North. Great photo, Teri! Thank you so much!

Hold onto those Myrtle Beach photos, folks! We are working on a backlog of photos submitted recently. Thank you so much for your patience.

Today in Myrtle Beach:

• Mopars at the Beach cruise-in @ Grand Strand Brewing (5 p.m.) Mopar events thru Oct. 23 at various locations
• Fore the Kids Fundraiser @ Top Golf (5 p.m.)
• Conway Ghost Walk @ 428 Main St, Conway (6 p.m.)
• Fall Bike Night @ The Sneaky Beagle (6 p.m.)
• Root 65 @ Captain Archie's (6 p.m.)

---

From my notebook:

• Are you in the mood for some in-person house hunting in the Myrtle Beach area? If so, check out these five upcoming open houses courtesy of Patch. (Myrtle Beach Patch)
• The 75th annual Touchstone Energy Cooperatives North & South Bowl in Myrtle Beach is on and players for both teams have been selected. The event will take place December 10 at Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium. The full roster for the North and South teams is listed here: (WBTW)
• The Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach: "GET READY TO DISCO! YOU are invited to our upcoming Caturday Night Fever 70s Party at HOTO's - "Harold's On The Ocean" on Saturday, November 5 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Get ready to do the hustle and boogie the night away to support the shelter." (The Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach via Facebook)
• House of Blues Myrtle Beach: ⭐ ON SALE NOW ⭐ Pandora's Box - The Ultimate Aerosmith Tribute is playing the House of Blues Myrtle Beach Friday, December 23! Grab your tickets NOW. 🎟️ 🎸 (House of Blues Myrtle Beach via Instagram)
• Myrtle Beach Convention Center: Have you ever been to an RV Show? Well, if you haven't, you're missing out. So much to see, whether you're a weekend, cross-country, nomad, or somewhere in-between traveler. There is something to see at this weekend's event! It all starts Friday, October 21 at 9 a.m. (Myrtle Beach Convention Center via Facebook)
• Free fall festival this weekend at the Shops on Main in North Myrtle Beach! The family-friendly event will feature some DIY pumpkin craft projects, a petting zoo, games, a costume contest and face painting. Even trick-or-treating for the kids is included! The fun starts Saturday at 10 a.m. (wpde.com)

---

You're all caught up for today. I'll see you bright 'n' early Friday for another edition of the MB Daily including a rundown of the weekend's events.

— 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