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Community Corner

🌱 CDC Lowers Horry County COVID Rate + Growth Impact On Wildlife

The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Myrtle Beach.

Kathy Mandell's profile picture
Kathy Mandell, Neighbor
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(Patch Media)

Good morning, Myrtle Beach! Today is Wednesday, March 2, 2022. Let's get you all caught up to start this day off on an informed note as we see what's happening on the Grand Strand.

First, today's weather:

Plenty of sun. High: 69 Low: 51.

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Here are the top five stories today in Myrtle Beach:

  1. The Centers for Disease Control has lowered Horry County's COVID-19 transmission rate from "high" to "substantial." The announcement of the change happened Tuesday. The "substantial" category means the transmission rate is between 50-99 cases per 100,000 people in a seven-day period. (WBTW) Also on Tuesday, the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control started scaling back the number of COVID-19 testing sites managed by the agency. Most, if not all, SCDHEC testing sites will be closed by April 1. (WMBF)
  2. SC Law Enforcement Division's investigation of the shooting death of Tristan Vereen last September in Loris is complete. The solicitor's office announced that it determined Trooper Whitney Benton shot Vereen in self-defense and Benton will not face criminal charges. Vereen's family was advised of the decision before the findings were released to the media. (WBTW)
  3. North Myrtle Beach had a shortage of beach lifeguards over the last few years. The city has increased lifeguard pay from $15-$17 per hour to $17-$19 per hour for the upcoming season, in the hope of enticing people to join the NMB Ocean Rescue team. Additionally, a dispatch system, a public dashboard using QR coding posted on lifeguard stands, and three taller lifeguard towers are all being put in place all in an effort to keep beachgoers safer. (WMBF)
  4. North Myrtle Beach's St. Patrick's Day parade is happening March 12, starting at 9 a.m. on Main Street. The city's St. Patrick's Day festival will start at 11 a.m. that day. The parade route will begin on Ocean Boulevard and end at Ye Olde Kings Highway. Portions of Ocean Boulevard will be closed to traffic, and barricades will be in place. (WPDE)
  5. The wildlife in Horry County are feeling the effects of explosive growth and development of the area. The number of building permits issued since 2020 has doubled, and all the construction is impacting the natural habitat of birds of prey, squirrels, opossums, and other species. The Department of Natural Resources says that humans have to learn to live with the wildlife, and develop areas while keeping a smaller footprint. Otherwise the creatures' habitat will disappear. Some affected species are federally protected, such as bald eagles and the red-cockaded woodpecker. (WBTW)

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Today in Myrtle Beach:

  • National Adoption Week continues @ PetSmart to benefit Kind Keeper Rescue (10:00 AM)
  • Rodney Millsaps @ Ocean Annie's Beach Bar (2:00 PM)
  • Jimmy Porter @ 88 Keys Piano Bar (8:00 PM)

From my notebook:

  • Paid parking season is now in effect for Myrtle Beach. The season runs now through October 31. The same applies to North Myrtle Beach. (WMBF) (ExploreNorthMyrtleBeach.com)
  • The Grand Strand's largest job fair is happening March 9 at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center. Find your dream job! The fair starts at 11:00 a.m. and goes until 6:00 p.m. (MyrtleBeachConventionCenter.com)
  • As dog mom to a "tripawd" who lost his leg when he was a puppy, this post from The Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach warms my heart! Dogs are amazing! PUPDATE‼️ Diesel, our sweet pup who needed to have one of his legs amputated, is doing amazingly well! Within 24 hours of the surgery he was right back to jumping around like a typical puppy! He's already adjusted to the tripod life and hasn't slowed down one bit! (Facebook)
  • Do you want to spend time with a new furry friend? The Myrtle Beach area shelters are full of lovable pets just waiting for a new home. The latest feline and canine adoptables are listed here, courtesy of Patch and PetFinder. (Myrtle Beach Patch)
  • The Chicora Rotary Club of Myrtle Beach is having its tenth annual "Waves of the Future" celebration of Horry County Schools on April 4 at the Carolina Opry. More than 900 students from grades K-12 are set to showcase their theatrical talents. 100% of ticket sales goes to Horry County Schools Fine Arts Department. (ChicoraRotary.org)
  • Sandy Grove Missionary Baptist Church's 20th annual charity golf tournament is happening on July 2nd. Proceeds go to Habitat for Humanity. For more info, call Ronnie Sherman at (843) 457-2186, or (843) 448-3281. Thank you to reader Budd S. for sending in this info, and for the great feedback. Much appreciated! (Sandy Grove MBC.org)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed on this Wednesday. See you all Thursday for more Myrtle Beach news and highlights!

— 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.

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

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