🌱 Flight Training Academy At MYR + Mustang Parade Sets U.S. Record

Hey, everybody. I'm back in your inbox this morning to walk you through everything you need to know about what's happening in Myrtle Beach on this Friday, July 29, 2022. Follow along for the latest.

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In Friday's weather report, the heat advisory continues:

Humid; breezy in the p.m.. High: 91 Low: 80. Ocean temperature: 81.5 degrees.

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Here are the top five stories in Myrtle Beach today:

1. Myrtle Beach International Airport will soon be hosting a flight school for commercial pilots. Indianapolis-based Leadership In Flight Training (LIFT) is affiliated with Republic Airways. MYR has been selected as the next location for LIFT academy as it expands its training programs amid a worldwide pilot shortage. LIFT is beginning operations in Myrtle Beach as soon as October, and will use a temporary hangar for the first group of flight training students who will be coming here from Indiana. (Myhorrynews)
2. The city of Myrtle Beach did not renew Mustang Week's contract for use of the Myrtle Beach Convention Center last year, and that contributed to the group deciding that this week's get-together will be the last. Mayor Bethune reports that the city receives a lot of complaints about noise during the week-long event. Bethune was met with some criticism after she made a social media post indicating that the city has no involvement with the event. The convention center is owned by the city. Organizers of the two-decades-long Myrtle Beach Mustang Week event, as well as business owners who benefit from the large crowds, are disappointed. Many felt that the Grand Strand was the "perfect" location for the event. They are taking a step back and assessing the situation, looking at other locations for future Mustang Weeks. The event will culminate on Saturday with its final "cruise-in" and awards ceremony at Myrtle Beach Mall. (WMBF)(WBTW) Breaking News: The Mustang Week parade set a new U.S. record! Full story here. (WMBF)
3. All lanes on Highway 17 Bypass near Myrtle Beach International Airport were blocked mid-morning on Thursday after a crash that left one vehicle on its side in the southbound lane. The wreck occurred at Lauderdale Bay between Harrison Boulevard and Farrow Parkway. Little information is available about the number of vehicles involved, or any injuries sustained as of the time of this posting. (WMBF) (WBTW)
4. Two organizations partnered to bring an adaptive golf camp to Myrtle Beach this week. Effie Baldwin of the nonprofit Believing In a Better World and Brandon Worley of Upstate-Carolina Adaptive Golf got together for some training sessions with the goal of this week's four-day golf camp for children with all abilities. The camp is happening now through July 31 at Tupelo Bay Golf Course. Baldwin, known as the "One-Handed Lady Golfer" is on a mission to make golf more inclusive for everyone. (WMBF)
5. A North Myrtle Beach mother and daughter team have opened Mermaid Adventure Swim at Avista Resort. The pair offers private and group swimming lessons, parties, photo shoots, obstacle courses and summer camps with a mermaid and shark theme. Kids wear "mermaid" or "shark" costumes as the instructor guides them through water activities at the resort. Lynn Stone is the owner and instructor of the classes, and her daughter takes care of the company's website. (wpde.com)

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Myrtle Beach pic of the day:

Today's pic of the day is a photograph of a beautiful painting done by reader and local artist Debanjana Bhattacharjee who painted "Morning Sky" last Sunday then snapped a photo of the painting and sent it to Patch. Thank you so much, Debanjana!

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:

• Mustang Week Car Show by CJ Pony Parts @ Myrtle Beach Mall (8 a.m.)
• Community Blood Drive @ MBACC, 1200 N. Oak St., Myrtle Beach (10 a.m.)
• Nancy Olive @ American Legion, Little River (5 p.m.)
• Travis Weddington @ Tavern in Surfside (6 p.m.)
• Grand Strand Music Festival Muzika! presents Carmen @ MB High School (7 p.m.)
• Movie Under the Stars featuring Encanto @ Valor Memorial Gardens (8:25 p.m.)

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From my notebook:

• Tidelands Health and the YMCA of Coastal Carolina are joining up in a new partnership. Starting October 1, Tidelands will become the exclusive health system partner of YMCA of Coastal Carolina which includes all of the existing and future YMCAs in Georgetown and Horry counties. The YMCA will take over management of the Tidelands HealthPoint Facility in Pawleys Island. Some of the facilities will be renamed to reflect the partnership. Current HealthPoint members and YMCA members will be able to take advantage of new benefits. (TidelandsHealth.org)
• Officials in Surfside Beach announced that the restoration of the famous pier that was destroyed by Hurricane Matthew six years ago has been delayed. The town had originally estimated completion in November, but now says the pier will be completed between December and February. It is estimated to be fully operational by March. (WMBF)
• Two social media posts from Visit Myrtle Beach, South Carolina are focusing on music. 🎶 The Beach is alive with the sound of music! 🎶 Check out some of our favorite spots for Live Music. You can check out even more live music spots at The Beach here. The world's most spontaneous singing show is coming to The Beach! Tune in Friday for the first episode of Myrtle Beach Karaoke as we tour the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and see if visitors have what it takes to keep up with our human jukebox, Julio Navarro. (Visit Myrtle Beach, South Carolina via Facebook)
• Fallen Grand Strand and Pee Dee officers were inducted into the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame on Wednesday. Sgt. Gordon Best (North Myrtle Beach DPS), LCpl. Melton Gore (Horry County Police), and Deputy John Price (Marion County Sheriff's Office) were honored in the ceremony held in Columbia. (North Myrtle Beach Police via Facebook) (WMBF)
• He's being called "the best boy." Horry County deputies will hold escort for retired K-9 officer Kane on Friday. Kane was diagnosed with terminal cancer. His handler, Cpl. Misty Puckett decided to have him euthanized to ease his suffering. Deputies will escort Cpl. Puckett and Kane to Murrells Inlet Veterinary Hospital on Friday. They will leave the Government and Justice Center at 11:30 a.m. Puckett says Kane is a gentle giant who always had her back. Kane was in service as a narcotics detection dog for eight years. He retired in December. (WCBD News 2) (wpde.com) (WMBF)
• Horry County officers recently participated in a unique training course on how to spot horse neglect and abuse. Officers learned how to evaluate horses in the field, prepare for large animal seizures and assess horses' living conditions and physical condition. The class was held by the Horry County Animal Care Center in conjunction with Kershaw County Animal Control, the Humane Society of the U.S. and The Farm At One Under Lane. (WMBF)

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That's it for Friday, everybody. See you all Saturday morning for another 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.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Myrtle Beach Daily? Contact me at myrtlebeach@patch.com