Icy Power Failure+Virtual Learning Upgrades+Abandoned Boats Going

Hey, people of the Grand Strand! Kathy Mandell here with a brand-new edition of the Myrtle Beach Daily. Today, I'll tell you about an icy power outage, Governor McMaster's reiteration of COVID-19 policies, Horry County Schools virtual learning program gets improvements, the abandoned boat problem in county waters, and churches implementing mask wearing again amid a COVID-19 case surge.

But first, let's check Tuesday's weather: A mixture of sun and clouds with humidity increasing in the evening. High: 85 Low: 75.

---

Here are the top stories today in Myrtle Beach:

1. A truck carrying bags of ice overturned near Barefoot Resort on Water Tower Road in North Myrtle Beach, leaving approximately 5,000 Horry Electric customers without power for at least two hours. Authorities say there were no leaks from the vehicle, and no one was injured. Water Tower Road was closed to enable a towing service to remove the truck. (WMBF)
2. At a press conference on Monday morning, Governor McMaster reiterated that he will not mandate mask wearing at public schools. McMaster stated that parents should make their masking choices individually. The governor also said that he encourages residents to strongly consider getting vaccinated, and talked at length about the three vaccines available. (WBTW)
3. Improvements are being made to Horry County Schools virtual learning program ahead of the start of classes next week. Approximately 1600 families made the decision, at the end of last school year, to stay virtual in the 2021-22 academic year. But some students did fall behind in 2020-21 due to various issues. The program added a data quality clerk, a secretary, some administrators, and guidance counselors because of communication issues last year. (WMBF)
4. How many abandoned boats are in Horry County? The SCDNR is about to find out. The department will soon be doing an audit of all abandoned vessels in the county's waterways. They will identify owners, when possible, and take steps to remove dangerous craft from the area. The latter is a lengthy process, but one the agency is determined to fulfill. (WBTW)
5. Grand Strand church leaders say they feel a sense of 'grief' as the Delta variant changes their masking rules. Reverend Rob Donehue of St. Anne's Episcopal Church and Father Anthony Zaki of St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church strongly encouraged their congregants to wear masks during this past Sunday's gatherings inside their churches. (wpde.com)

---

Today's Myrtle Beach Daily is brought to you by Ring, makers of home alarm systems. Ring alarm systems start as low as $199, and Ring offers free advice by phone on how to set up a system in your own home. Click here to learn more. Thank you Ring for helping to make local news happen in Myrtle Beach!

---

Today in Myrtle Beach

• Healthcare Heroes Appreciation Breakfast @ McLeod Health Carolina Forest (7:00 AM)
• Horry County Public Safety Committee Meeting (9:00 AM)
• Business Commitee Meeting - Town of Surfside Beach (10:00 AM)
• Nancy Olive @ Duplin Winery NMB (12:00 PM)
• Horry County Parks & Open Space Board Meeting (12:00 PM)
• Friends of the Socastee Library meeting (1:00 PM)
• Workforce Housing Advisory Board - Myrtle Beach City Hall (2:00 PM)
• Divorce Boot Camp - SC Hub No-Cost Webinar (5:30 PM)
• Town Council Meeting - Town of Surfside Beach (6:30 PM)

---

Myrtle Beach Patch Notebook

• Data compiled by News13 shows how each airline performs out of MYR, and indicates that Spirit canceled fewer flights than the other airlines that utilize the air field. (WBTW)
• Myrtle Beach drivers are paying slightly less at the pump, and further decline could come soon as summer is winding down. (WMBF)
• Local jobs! Check out who's hiring in Myrtle Beach (Patch)
• The faith-based organization that supports area teens, Ground Zero, needs more volunteers as Horry County students head back to class. (wpde.com)
• Shelter dog, Apollo, from All 4 Paws Animal Rescue in Pawley's Island has been adopted by the Somerset, New Jersey Sheriff's Office. (WPDE)
• The Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach: 236: How many days Mistletoe called our shelter home. 429: The number of adoptions during Mistletoe's residency. 430 is her lucky number, because Mistletoe got adopted over the weekend! (Facebook)
• Myrtle Beach Pelicans: What a week. We sweep the Fireflies to cap off the two week road trip. We'll bring our six-game winning streak to Myrtle Beach on Tuesday. (Instagram)
• The Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach: Today's featured Pet Of The Day is Galileo! His adoption fee is being sponsored today by Murray Law Offices. (Facebook)

---

That's it for Tuesday. I'll see you Wednesday for a mid-week check-in!

If you're feeling these newsletters, consider bringing some friends and neighbors along for the ride. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— 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? I'm all ears. You can email me at myrtlebeach@patch.com.