🌱 Ex-Coroner Stays In Jail + Eviction Botched + Bingo Hall Trial

Hey, people of the Grand Strand! It's me again, Kathy Mandell, your host of the Myrtle Beach Daily.

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Shoutout to our premier local sponsor, Lapiere and Josie Senior Insurance Consultants, for helping so many people in our area with their Medicare questions and health plans. They are local independent agents representing all companies and plans in this area. Click here for more info or assistance.

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Before we check news and events, let's look at Thursday's weather:

Mostly sunny and pleasant. High: 78 Low: 67.

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Here are the top stories in Myrtle Beach today:

1. Former Horry County deputy coroner, Chris Dontell, who is accused of murder in the shooting death of Gregory Vincent Rice a year ago, will stay in jail until his trial. Dontell's attorneys had asked for revocation of his bond, but the request was denied by Judge William Seals because Dontell allegedly had contact with his co-defendant, in violation of the agreed-upon conditions of bond. A trial date was not specified in this report. (WBTW)
2. Officers arrived at a home to evict a resident and found a deceased man and dog inside the home on Water Tower Road in Longs on Wednesday. The man had barricaded himself inside the dwelling when police arrived, and there was a structure fire as well. A SWAT team was called in to assist the HC Sheriff's office. An arson investigation is underway. The deceased person has not been identified pending notification of his family. (wpde.com)
3. Limits on construction noise in Horry County passed a second reading this week at the Horry County Council's meeting. The council voted in favor of limiting the hours that building construction can occur in residential areas. At the moment, crews can work from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., 7 days a week. Homeowners have lodged a number of complaints with the council about the noise. The new ordinance, when passed, will shorten the evening hours, and extend weekend start times later in the morning. (WMBF)
4. At the same meeting, Horry County council passed the Highway 90 funding resolution, and rejected funding for Interstate 73. The vote on Highway 90 was unanimous, and the rejection of I-73 was a narrower vote. The public spoke out against the interstate during the open part of the meeting. The council felt that Horry County should not be on the hook, solely, while no other government entities have stepped up to pitch in to the costs. (wpde.com)
5. The trial of a man charged with the Horry County "bingo hall murders" that happened in 2019 continues this week. Father and son owners of Waccamaw Bingo Hall, Steve "Sparky" Johnson, Jr. and Steve Johnson, Sr., were both killed by gunfire during an armed robbery at the venue located in Forestbrook. Two men, Derrick Rivera of Georgetown, who is charged with two counts of murder, and Bradford Britton who was charged as an accessory are having separate trials. (MyHorryNews.com)

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Today in Myrtle Beach:

• LinkedIn for Business promo @ MB Chamber of Commerce (8:30 AM)
• Red Cross blood drive @ YMCA of Coastal Carolina, Myrtle Beach (9:00 AM)
• Public Hearing Board of Fee Appeals @ HC Judicial & Gov. Complex (3:00 PM)
• 17th Annual Fore the Kids Golf Classic @TopGolf Myrtle Beach (5:00 PM)
• Tailgating Wines @Homewood Suites by Hilton, Coastal Grand Mall (6:30 PM)
• Conway Ghost Walk and trolley ride @ Conway Visitor Center (Oct 21, 22 & 23)

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Myrtle Beach Patch Notebook

• The Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach: Help wanted! Sign on bonus of $1K for full-time employees after 90 day probationary period. We have immediate positions open! Come join our fantastic team and help us save lives. - Part-time, approximately 24 hours per week - Full-time, 40 hours per week with vacation & sick time. (Facebook)
• ABC15 Pet of the week: Frankie, an 8-year-old yellow tabby cat who's curious and loved by the staff at St Francis Animal Center. Frankie needs a furever home! (WPDE)
• Horry County Police have two new bloodhound puppies. They introduced the 11-week-old litter mates, Pepper and Reba, on the department's Facebook page on Wednesday. The pair has a lot of training to complete over the next year or so. (WMBF)
• Visit Myrtle Beach welcomes Chris Mowder as Associate Creative Director. Mowder has two decades experience in tourism, marketing, journalism and design. (Press Release Desk)
• The owner of GatorTails bar on Broadway Street has requested that the Myrtle Beach Planning Commission allow her to extend her operating hours past midnight, citing a loss of business as a result of having to close at that time. (WBTW)

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You're all caught up for Thursday, October 21st! I'll be in your inbox Friday morning with a new update on all things Myrtle Beach.

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— 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.