🌱 Coast RTA Announces New Fare System + Chilifest Seeks Volunteers

Welcome back, Myrtle Beach! I'm here in your inbox today to get you caught up on everything you need to know about what's going on in town. Because community news matters! Today is Wednesday, September 7, 2022. Here's the lowdown...

First, today's weather:

Humid; a stray p.m. t-shower. High: 89 Low: 74. Ocean temperature: 82.4 degrees.

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Here are the top five stories in Myrtle Beach today:

1. Horry County Council voted unanimously to approve a resolution that would investigate the nearly 1,400 Democratic absentee ballots that were mailed to Republican voters before June's runoff election. The resolution will answer several questions that have gone unanswered since the incident occurred. (WMBF)
2. Coast RTA will unveil its cashless fare collection system beginning September 22. During the pandemic, bus rides have been free. The fare boxes on the buses are unreliable and aging. With the new system, rides will cost one dollar. Passengers can use a debit or credit card for payment. (WBTW)
3. Three adults and one child were injured in a boat fire near Cherry Grove on Labor Day. The fire happened Monday afternoon at Johnny Causey Landing boat ramp. North Myrtle Beach Fire Rescue reports that crews arrived on scene to find one boat in the water in flames. The four injured people were taken to the hospital. There is no word on their conditions at this time. SCDNR is investigating the cause of the fire. (WBTW) (North Myrtle Beach Fire Rescue via Facebook)
4. A North Carolina man is accused of driving away from a Myrtle Beach traffic stop with a child in his car who was not in the proper child restraint seating, according to police arrest reports. Officers stopped Justin Brannon of Gaston, NC on Sunday near 7th Avenue North and North Ocean Boulevard. The arrest warrant does not specify why the traffic stop occurred. Police said Brannon drove away from officers and had a child in the passenger seat of the car. The report also says proper child restraints were not being used in the vehicle. Police then say Brannon "drove recklessly through the backstreets" and onto Kings Highway where he was eventually stopped by officers. He has been charged with unlawful neglect of a child and for failure to stop for a blue light. (WMBF)
5. The organizers of the upcoming Beach'n Chilifest and the 55th Annual World Championship Chili Cook-off (WCCC) are looking for volunteers to help at the event September 23, 24 and 25 at Burroughs & Chapin Pavilion Place. Volunteers will get to see the inner workings of a professional chili competition, assist with the production and meet "chili heads" from across the nation. They will receive a t-shirt and complimentary food during breaks. Volunteers can register online at: (EatGreatChili.com)

Myrtle Beach pic of the day:

This photo is so sweet! Here's a pic of an adult swan and a baby swan sent in by Judy Banas. The photo was taken at Doolittle Lake near Market Common. Thanks for the adorable picture, Judy!

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

Today in Myrtle Beach:

• Myrtle Mom Mixers @ Carolina Forest Library (8:30 a.m.)
• Horry County Animal Care Center adoption event @ Socastee Library (10 a.m.)
• Kids Yoga ages 4-12 @ Chapin Memorial Library (4 p.m.)
• Yappy Hour w/Kindcare Animal Rescue @ Boathouse (4 p.m.)
• Peyton Benton Duo @ Local On The Water (6:30 p.m.)
• The Garth Guy - Garth Brooks tribute @ Legends (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Are you looking for a furry friend now that summer visitors have gone home and the weather will be cooling off a bit? Patch and PetFinder have compiled this weeks list of dogs, cats and pets available for adoption in the Myrtle Beach area. Adopting a pet can give back to the Grand Strand community by freeing up valuable space in a shelter or foster home. Not only that but you'll save a pet from the shelter environment which is not an ideal situation for an animal. Clive, Comet, Frankie, Larson and others are just waiting to find a cozy place to call their furever homes! (Myrtle Beach Patch)
• ICYMI: Visit Myrtle Beach is launching a new reality TV show called Chef Swap At The Beach. The first 30-minute episode premieres on the Cooking Channel October 1 at 7 p.m. A dozen Grand Strand restaurants are participating in the show. (Press Release Desk)
• As a huge fan of Queen and Freddy Mercury from way back, I would have loved to have seen this in person! A group of local line dancers gathered at Hard Rock Café in Myrtle Beach on Monday to pay homage to Mercury on what would have been his 76th birthday. The group danced to three iconic Queen hits. (wpde.com)
• South Carolina's Largest Garage sale is a few days away. Over 250 vendors will be selling vintage items, holiday décor, local honey and more. Breakfast and lunch are available at concession stands. #SCLargestGarageSale2022 (Myrtle Beach Convention Center via Facebook)
• Bank of America has named Kelly Tyler as president of the Myrtle Beach branch. Tyler has been with BOA for 16 years, holding several positions in the organization. She also serves on the board of directors of A Father's Place and the Fine Arts Club of Conway. Tyler is filling the vacancy created by the departure of Robin Agnew, who retired after 34 years with BOA. (MarketScreener.com)
• Thursday, September 8, Bubba's Fish Camp and Smokehouse, a spin-off of Bubba's Fish Shack, will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate its grand opening. The ceremony will happen at noon. (Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce)

That's it for Wednesday, everyone! I'll see you tomorrow morning for your Thursday edition of the Myrtle Beach Daily.

— 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