🌱 Deceased CCU Student Identified + Judge Orders Lack's To Pay $20M

Hey, everybody! It's me, Kathy Mandell, your host of the Myrtle Beach Daily. Keep reading for the most important things happening on the Grand Strand today, Friday, December 2, 2022. This issue includes:

• Two people have been hospitalized with serious gunshot wounds. MBPD is investigating.
• CCU released the name of a student who died last week at campus housing.
• A Circuit Court judge upholds a ruling in a wrongful death suit against Lack's Beach Service.

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Now, Friday's weather:

Mostly sunny. High: 62 Low: 57.

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Here are the top five stories in Myrtle Beach today:

1. Two people were found with life-threatening gunshot injuries early Thursday morning near the 1300 block of Hemingway Street in Myrtle Beach. MBPD is investigating and there are few details at this time. The victims were brought to the hospital and are receiving treatment. (WMBF) (Myrtle Beach Police Department via Facebook) (wpde.com) (WBTW)
2. Safe Haven 4 Cats SC is a nonprofit in Horry County that has no shelter or building — the cat rescue operates entirely with foster home volunteers. The organization is sending out the message that the cat population in Horry County is exploding amid a drop in both adoptions and donations. Safe Haven 4 Cats operates a trap, neuter and release program to help curb the feral cat population. The nonprofit is in desperate need of adoptive families and donations. (WMBF). In another animal shelter story, Grand Strand Humane Society has received a $10,000 donation for its critical care fund. (WMBF)
3. The North Myrtle Beach community rallied together to get a homeless widower and his dog some help. After losing his wife to cancer, the man, identified as Brad, and his dog, Dragon, fell on hard times and lost everything. Local resident, Julie Page, was shopping at Publix when she learned that Brad and his dog needed assistance. With the help of several community members and a GoFundMe account, the pair are getting some much needed assistance. The next step is for Brad to find a job working in a local kitchen or restaurant. (wpde.com)
4. Coastal Carolina University has released the identity of the student who was found dead in a residence hall Sunday. Devonte Grant of Little River was a theatre major at CCU and was very active in university events and organizations. The coroner's office has declared that Grant died of natural causes. Grant will be remembered in April during CCU's Memorial Program that is held each year. (WMBF)
5. Lack's Beach Service has been ordered to pay over $20 million to the family of a drowning victim by a circuit court judge. Zerihun Wolde of Silver Spring, Maryland drowned in a rip current in 2018. The wrongful death lawsuit claims that lifeguards did not come to Wolde's aid. A jury awarded the family $20.7 million back in August, but Lack's had filed a request for a new trial asking for a lower amount of damages. The judge ruled that the damages award would stand. (wpde.com)

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From our sponsor:

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Today in Myrtle Beach:

• The Carolina Opry Christmas Special Matinee @ Carolina Opry (1 p.m.)
• Christmas Tree Lighting @ Memorial Park, Surfside Beach (4 p.m.)
• Jingle Jam @ Carolina Forest Community Church (5 p.m.)
• Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting @ Downtown Loris (6:30 p.m.)
• Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical (adults only) @ Dream House Theatre (7 p.m.) thru December 11
• Absolute Queen | Queen Tribute Band @ House Of Blues (7 p.m.)

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Special notice:

Patch has partnered with T-Mobile for two new series: Local Heroes and Star Student Athletes. The goal is to highlight heroes and star athletes in Myrtle Beach!

• If you want to nominate a local hero, click here
• If you want to nominate a local athlete, click here.

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From my notebook:

• Myrtle Beach Area Chamber Of Commerce: Give back this holiday season by supporting local nonprofits and charities. (Press Release Desk)
• Horry Georgetown Technical College has announced that the college is making history. For the third year in a row, HGTC students are the champs of the Carolinas Turf Bowl Championship. HGTC has won the prize eight out of the last ten years! (Press Release Desk)
• If you're looking for a new home in the Myrtle Beach area and are tired of seeing the same ol' real estate listings over and over, check out this list of five new Grand Strand homes courtesy of Patch's Real Estate News department! (Myrtle Beach Patch)
• The Cherry Grove Pier repair process is starting soon. The pier was broken in two by Hurricane Ian. Cherry Grove visitors and residents alike love going to the pier and the surrounding area for fishing and just to hang out and be on the gorgeous beach in North Myrtle. Repairs are expected to begin during the first two weeks of January 2023. (WECT)
• North Myrtle Beach Fire Rescue: "Did you know? More than one-third of home decoration fires are started by candles. More than two of every five decoration fires happen because decorations are placed too close to a heat source. Try battery operated candles instead." (North Myrtle Beach Fire Rescue via Facebook)
• Myrtle Beach Convention Center: "Brides-to-be, mark your calendars for January 29, 2023. The Grand Strand Bridal Expo is showcasing the finest wedding show on the Grand Strand. 👰🤵‍ #MyrtleBeachConventionCenter #WeddingPlanners" (Myrtle Beach Convention Center via Facebook)

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More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Get Free Stuff And Great Perks Every Week (December 6)
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You're officially in the loop for today! See you tomorrow for your Saturday 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