Gardner Admits Wrongs+MB Resort Standoff+Tidelands Team Vax Rule

Hello, people of the Grand Strand! Kathy Mandell here with a fresh copy of the Myrtle Beach Daily. It's Saturday, July 17th, and today I'll tell you about an ethics violation for a county council chairman, a police negotiation with a man who locked himself in a fiery hotel room, Tidelands Health announces mandatory COVID-19 vaccines for all team members, an update on the Highway 90 challenges, and a list of the best-paying jobs for high school graduates in the Grand Strand.

Let's take a quick check of the weather, first: Oppressive humidity throughout the day. High: 87 Low: 77.

Here are the top stories today in Myrtle Beach:

1. Horry County Council Chairman, Johnny Gardner was ordered to pay a $3,650 fine for ethics violations relating to failure to disclose the source of campaign loans. Gardner admitted to accepting money from his campaign manager and another individual, and says he failed to accurately name the source of the funds. The money was returned to those individuals, and the documents were updated to reflect accurate information. The fine consists of a civil penalty and administrative fee. (WMBF)
2. A Mullins man barricaded himself in a room at the Yachtsman Resort in Myrtle Beach, then set the room on fire. A bomb threat to the nearby Olympic Pancake House was also made. After lengthy negotiations from an adjoining room at the resort, police were able to take the man into custody. The fire was contained by the resort's sprinkler system. (WBTW)
3. Tidelands Health has mandated the COVID-19 vaccination for all employees, volunteers, learners and contractors affiliated with the network of hospitals and physicians' offices as a condition of employment. Team members have until September 7, 2021 to comply, but most have already received the vaccine. The health system's affiliate, MUSC Health, made the same mandate a few months ago. (WPDE)
4. Horry County officials held a meeting at Tilly Swamp Baptist Church Thursday night with community members to discuss the Highway 90 growth problems and potential solutions. The church was standing-room-only because so many residents attended the meeting. Many expressed their concerns over flooding, traffic and highway incidents, as well as the hope for a moratorium on rezoning the area. Another meeting will occur in September. (WPDE)
5. Stacker has released a list of the highest paying jobs in the Myrtle Beach area for high school graduates. The top paying jobs were in transportation and distribution. Second in line are real estate brokers. The hospitality industry ended up in the middle. Postal jobs brought up the rear, in 20th place. The area studied includes Myrtle Beach, Conway, and North Myrtle Beach. (WBTW)

Today in Myrtle Beach

• Myrtle Beach Police Department Recruitment Expo at the Training Annex in Market Common. (8:00 AM)
• Moving Sale - EVERYTHING MUST GO! (9:00 AM)
• New Directions Charity Golf Tournament (9:00 AM)
• Myrtle Beach Family Fest at Coastal Grand Mall (10:00 AM)
• Summer Fun Arts Festival at Southern Splendor in Murrells Inlet (10:00 AM)
• Community Yard Sale is back! At Inlet Square Mall in Murrells Inlet (10:00 AM)
• Coastal Carolina Mustang Club OPEN Cruise-in at World Of Beer NMB (1:00 PM)
• Did you see Fleetwood Max Friday night? You can check out another Fleetwood Mac tribute band, Rumours ATL, tonight at House of Blues. $17-40 tickets. (7:30 PM)
• Miracle Max and the Pet Monsters '80s party at Bar Louie, Broadway at the Beach (8:00 PM)

Myrtle Beach Patch Notebook

• Lakewood Camping Resort has its High Steppin' Country Show every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday night through the summer. $12 for adults, $6 for kids. (WMBF)
• Grand Strand beaches have seen 31 loggerhead turtle nests so far in the 2021 season. Authorities remind beachgoers that there are certain rules that apply to keep the creatures safe. (wpde.com)
• A man who drowned in Myrtle Beach this week has been identified as an Ohio coach and teacher who was vacationing here with his family. (WMBF)
• Horry County is looking for ways to fund stormwater and transportation now that the two impact fee categories were removed from the budget. (Post and Courier)
• The Surfside Beach town council has decided to move employees to a new location after finding mold in the town offices building. (wpde.com)
• A Sumter man pleaded guilty to attempted murder and was sentenced to 15 years for a December 2020 stabbing in a Myrtle Beach hotel lobby. (WPDE)
• Strong bonds are built during open mic nights at Fresh Brewed Coffee House, and I should know because someone very near and dear to me has participated in the fun event. (WMBF)
• A new toy store in downtown Conway apparently has something for everyone. Check out Small Town Toys next time you're in town. (Myhorrynews)
• There are more than 2,000 open teaching jobs available in South Carolina! (WPDE)
• The Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach: Today’s featured Pet of the Day is Wren! Her adoption fee is being sponsored today by Atlantic Heating & Cooling. (Facebook)
• Myrtle Beach Convention Center: Online vendor registration for spaces at the largest yard sale in South Carolina will begin at 8:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 20, 2021. The registration link will be on the Convention Center's website. (Facebook)

Alrighty, you're all caught up for Saturday, July 17th. See you all Sunday morning for another update!

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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? You can reach me at myrtlebeach@patch.com.