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Community Corner

🌱 DHEC Eyes Post-Pandemic + Counselors May Assist MBPD Calls

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

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Kathy Mandell, Neighbor
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(Patch Media)

Happy Saturday, neighbors! Today is February 19, 2022, and here's what's going on around Myrtle Beach today.

Here's a quick check on today's weather:

Sunshine. High: 59 Low: 36.

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Here are the top five stories in Myrtle Beach today:

  1. SCDHEC will stop reporting COVID-19 case counts next month, and is pivoting away from drive-through testing sites. At-home rapid tests will be the preferred mode of testing going forward. DHEC says it is "pleased" to be able to make these changes. The closure of testing sites will be gradual, finishing up throughout the state in April. Case counts will no longer be announced beginning March 15. Hospitalizations and COVID deaths will continue to be reported. New guidance for contact tracing and schools will be announced next week. (WBTW) (WPDE)
  2. Coastal Carolina University has announced an end to the school's indoor mask mandate, effective immediately. Masks will still be required in certain areas of the campus such as Student Health Services and Counseling Services departments, on university shuttles, minibuses, and vans. (WMBF)
  3. Governor Henry McMaster gave the keynote address at Friday's South Carolina Technical Education Association's annual conference at the Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort. Lt. Governor Pamela Evette also spoke in Myrtle Beach on Friday, at the Chicora Rotary Club meeting held at the Dunes Golf & Beach Club. (wpde.com)
  4. The Horry County Republican Party is considering amending bylaws that would allow executive committee members to endorse primary candidates. Chad Caton said that executive committee members would be endorsing candidates as individuals, rather than using their position to endorse a candidate. The party has a long-standing policy of remaining neutral during primaries, so this would be a break with that tradition if the amendment passes. If it does pass, the amendment would be effective in April 2023. (Myhorrynews)
  5. A group called The Coordinated Team Effort of Myrtle Beach met this week to decide on adding counselors and specialists to the Myrtle Beach Police Department to assist with mental health-related calls. Officers can request a social worker or counselor on some calls, and there would also be addiction and homelessness specialists available. A grant proposal is being drafted to pay for additional staff. (WMBF)

Myrtle Beach pic of the day:

Maxi Lardiere completed 105 charity quilts in 2021 for The Grand Strand Quilt Guild. Quilts were given to Habitat for Humanity, 2 shelters, and kids. Maxi also makes quilts for Quilts of Valor (photo courtesy of Maxi Lardiere)

This weekend in Myrtle Beach:

Saturday, February 19:

  • Kind Keeper Animal Rescue Golf Tournament (9:00 AM)
  • Spring Home Improvement & Outdoor Living Show @ MB Convention Center (10:00 AM)
  • Caleb Wygal Book Signing at Macaroni Mania! NMB Park & Sports Complex (11:00 AM)
  • Macaroni Mania @ NMB Park & Sports Complex (11:00 AM) (wpde.com)
  • 13th Annual Shuckin' on the Strand Oyster Roast @ Hot Fish Club (12:00 Noon)
  • Ronnie O'Briant @ Inlet Provision Company (5:00 PM)

Sunday, February 20:

  • Spring Home Improvement & Outdoor Living Show @ MB Convention Center (11:00 AM)
  • Bandito's Charity Brunch for MB Fire Cares @ Bandito's Cantina (11:00 AM)
  • February Beach Trash & Treasure Hunt @ Garden City Beach, Oak Ave Entrance (12:00 PM)
  • 100 Grand Band @ Local on the Water (5:30 PM)

From my notebook:

  • The Spring Home Show is happening this weekend at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center with all sorts of vendors, contractors, landscapers, and designers, as well as adoptable pets from St. Francis Animal Center. Admission is $5 for adults. Kids 16 and under, free. (WMBF)
  • It's our flavor-ite time of year! MarshWalk Restaurant Week starts February 21st and goes for seven days. Food specials abound, and all the restaurants on the Murrells Inlet Marshwalk are participating. The week culminates in the annual outdoor festival, Taste of the MarshWalk, next weekend, February 26 and 27. (wpde.com)
  • House of Blues Myrtle Beach: ⭐WE'RE HIRING! ⭐️ House of Blues Myrtle Beach is hosting a job fair on February 23 from 11AM-3PM for nearly all positions, including: -Supervisors -Bartenders -Cocktailers -Servers -Hosts -Security -Retail -Box Office -Line Cooks -Dishwashers and more! (Instagram)
  • This week, the Horry County Sheriff's Office honored a retired deputy who served 19 years on the force. Jerry Delpercio recently passed away. Delpercio was remembered on the department's Facebook page, as someone who was "one of a kind," "a true patriot" and someone who served the country in the U.S. Air Force, as well as faithfully serving the citizens of Horry County. Rest in Peace, Deputy Delpercio. (wpde.com)
  • North Myrtle Beach, SC: This weeks #FoodieFriday is looking yummy 😋 @FlyingfishMB 🍽️ Let us know your favorite NMB Eats by commenting below and you might see your favorite restaurant featured! (Instagram)
  • The Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach: Join us tomorrow at our 4th Annual Macaroni Mania event for some of the best music along the Grand Strand! We are so excited to have Kevin Nichols, Jordan Pickett, Julio Navarro, Taylor Richardson Music, and Lindsay Baker performing! The fun starts at 11:00 a.m. and goes until 4:00 p.m. at the NMB Park & Sports Complex. (Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Saturday. I'll catch up with you bright and early Sunday with your next Grand Strand update!

— 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.

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