Building Collapse+Grim Milestone+Boat Crashes+Drowning+Lottery

Good morning, Myrtle Beach! Here's everything you need to know to get this Thursday started off right on the Grand Strand today. Today I'll tell you about a building collapse, South Carolina hit a grim COVID-19 milestone, a report on boat crashes on the ICW, another visitor drowned this week, and a local man won the lottery twice in two weeks.

Here's a quick glance at the weather to start things off: Abundant sunshine. High: 87 Low: 75.

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Here are the top stories today in Myrtle Beach:

1. On Wednesday afternoon, a building on Jordan Lake Road near Conway collapsed. Horry County Fire Rescue responded to a call at the location, and extracted an injured person from underneath the building. The person was flown to a hospital by helicopter. No additional information is available at this time. (WBTW)
2. SCDHEC director Dr. Edward Simmer announced that the state of South Carolina hit a COVID-19 milestone on Wednesday with COVID-related deaths numbering 10,000 since it began in 2020. Simmer said there is "no statistic for grief" for those who have lost loved ones. He urged more people to get vaccinated, and expressed his view that the pandemic was improving about a month ago, but then the Delta variant created a surge. (WMBF)
3. The Intracoastal Waterway in Myrtle Beach has the dubious distinction of leading the state in boat crashes in 2020. The ICW is tied with Lake Murray for the highest number of crashes last year, with each location seeing 19 crashes. SC Rep. William Bailey plans to hold a number of meetings to plan ways to make the waterway safer for boaters. Despite these grim statistics, South Carolina's boating accidents have decreased over several decades' time. (WBTW)
4. A vacationer visiting from Maryland drowned in Myrtle Beach on Tuesday, according to the Horry County Coroner's Office. Tamara Willard, chief deputy coroner, said that Wilber Guerra, 34, of Maryland, was swimming Tuesday afternoon and was pulled from the water. Guerra was transported to Grand Strand Medical Center, where he later died of asphyxiation from drowning. (MyHorryNews.com)
5. What are the odds? Pretty good, apparently! A Myrtle Beach man who won a $40,000 lottery prize two weeks ago scored again when he won $3 million on a Mega Millions ticket this week. The winner said both wins were "quick picks" and he missed both full jackpots by just one number. Both tickets were purchased at Murphy USA #7752 on Kings Road. (WMBF)

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Today in Myrtle Beach

• Healthcare Heroes Appreciation Breakfast @ McLeod Health Carolina Forest (7:00 AM)
• Job fair by Carolinas Staffing Solutions @ 3691 Palmetto Pointe Blvd, MB (10:00 AM)
• Hiring event for Registered Nurses @ Grand Strand Medical Center (12:00 PM)
• Hammock Shops Summer Music (2:00 PM)
• Talking About Books (TAB) - Surfside Beach Library (3:00 PM)
• Terrariums at the Aquarium - Ripley's Aquarium in Myrtle Beach (4:00 PM)
• Happy hour with adoptable dogs by Kind Keeper No-Kill Animal Rescue @ Buoys On The Boulevard (5:00 PM)
• The Tonez @ Music On Main Concert Series (6:00 PM)
• The Brewery Comedy Tour @ Tidal Creek Brewhouse (7:00 PM)

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Myrtle Beach Patch Notebook

• DHEC says hospitals in our region are the most full in SC, with only 4 ICU beds open in Horry County. (WBTW)
• Horry County has issued a warning that there could be increased wait times for ambulance service due to the increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations. (WBTW)
• McLeod Health and SCDHEC, along with the U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services are rolling out monoclonal antibody treatments at four McLeod locations for patients who are at high risk for developing severe COVID-19 illness, and have tested positive for the virus. (WPDE)
• The CDC says 59% of Horry County adults have had at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose. (WBTW)
• Athletic Directors in Horry County voted to move forward with high school football, even amid recent COVID-19 outbreaks. (WPDE)
• Horry County school district says there are at least 40 teacher vacancies ahead of the start of school next week. (WPDE)
• There were no injuries in a single car crash near North Myrtle Beach in the floodwaters near Highways 22 and 31, authorities say. (WPDE)
• Horry County firefighters help battle wildfire in Montana. (wpde.com)
• Myrtle Beach Pelicans: With tonight's win, Buddy Bailey becomes the fourth winningest manager in Minor League Baseball history. (Instagram)
• Family and friends reflect on the life of Myrtle Beach video production icon. (Myhorrynews)
• A 'Sea monster' roamed the Grand Strand in 1884 | Visit (Myhorrynews)
• Indo Thai chef, owner taking her popular sauces to bigger markets. (Myhorrynews)
• New Brookgreen Gardens wildflower exhibit caters to pollinators. (WBTW)
• A suspect arrested in NC for murder was extradited to Horry County. (wpde.com)
• Surfside Beach council is preparing to close on new town hall. (wpde.com)
• 'She was a role model': CCU professor honors student killed in Alaska plane crash. (WMBF)
• Gospel festival, LGBTQ celebration, Jeep Jam slated to be held in Myrtle Beach. (Myhorrynews)
• Horry County police search for missing 26-year-old man last seen in the Myrtle Beach area. (WMBF)
• Grand Strand researchers watch sea levels as U.N. report warns of climate change. (WBTW)
• Horry County sued over road maintenance fee. (Myhorrynews)
• WWII veteran, inspiration for Veterans' March in Myrtle Beach has died. (wpde.com)
• The Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach: Thank you to the residents of The Parks at Carolina Forest for the goodies! (Facebook)
• The Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach: Today's featured Pet Of The Day is The Dude! His adoption fee is being sponsored today by Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate. (Facebook)
• Myrtle Beach Police Department will be hosting another Recruitment Expo from 9-11 a.m. on Saturday, August 21st! (Facebook)
• Visit Myrtle Beach, South Carolina: This one's going out to all the music lovers. Myrtle Beach is building its very own mixtape and we want YOUR help! (Facebook)

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That's it for Thursday. See you all Friday morning for another update!

If you're feeling these newsletters, consider inviting some of your friends and neighbors to read along. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— 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? Reach out anytime to myrtlebeach@patch.com.