Mayoral Race Is On+Nichols Record Release+Rescue Doggie Road Trip

Good day, neighbors! It's me again, Kathy Mandell, your host of the Myrtle Beach Daily. It's Saturday, August 21, 2021 here on the Grand Strand. Here are today's top stories: the mayoral run has begun, local doctors say vaccines are safe even though they aren't yet approved by the FDA, Kevin Nichols band is releasing its first single on Sony Records, a pedestrian was killed near CCU, and a disabled local shelter dog gets a cross-country road trip to her new home.

Let's look at Saturday's weather: Partly cloudy with scattered thunderstorms. High rip current risk at beaches. High: 84 Low: 75.

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Here are the top stories in Myrtle Beach today:

1. The run for Myrtle Beach mayoral election is officially open, and incumbent Brenda Bethune was the first to file her paperwork for re-election. Two others will run against Bethune: Tammie B. Durant, a retired Florence police officer, and photographer Gene Ho. Others wanting to run for mayor must file by September 3rd for the November 2nd election. (WBTW)
2. Chief Medical Officer of McLeod Health, Dr. Dale Lusk, and State Epidemiologist, Dr. Linda Bell, say COVID-19 vaccines are safe, even though they have not yet been fully approved by the FDA. In statements to WMBF News, both doctors explained emergency use authorization. The FDA issued its own statement, stating that a timeline for full authorization is yet to be determined. (WMBF)
3. Local country artist, Kevin Nichols, has released his band's first single on Sony Records. The song is called "Girl Like That", and is now available for pre-order. Nichols, a Myrtle Beach native, has been performing in and around the Grand Strand for over a decade, and played at the Carolina Country Music Festival in 2019. The single will be available for download starting September 3rd. (WPDE)
4. A pedestrian was killed on U.S. 501 near Coastal Carolina University early Friday morning. South Carolina Highway Patrol reports that the driver of a 2012 Chevy SUV was traveling south and attempted to turn onto University Boulevard when they struck the pedestrian who was apparently lying in the roadway. (MyHorryNews.com)
5. A shelter dog from Grand Strand Humane Society went on a special road trip across the U.S. to her permanent home at an animal sanctuary in Washington state. The dog's name is Promise, and she was brought to the shelter last year with a severed spine that had left her paralyzed. GSHS set up an Instagram page for Promise, and she has a doggie wheelchair that helps her get around. Shelter staff member Jocelyn Huffman Emerson and her mom drove Promise across the country on a 5-day road trip to the sanctuary. (wpde.com)

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Today in Myrtle Beach

• Red Cross blood drive @ Myrtle Beach Blood Donation Center (7:45 AM)
• 7th Annual 5K Run for the Kids @ Morse Park Landing Murrells Inlet (8:00 AM)
• Kind Keeper Animal Rescue Golf Tournament @ Crown Park Golf Club (10:00 AM)
• Burger Cook-Off Children's Cancer Partners of the Carolinas @ The Marina Bar (12:00 PM)
• 6th Annual Compassion Through Fashion @ New Directions of Horry County (6:00 PM)
• This is Me @ Painting With A Twist (7:00 PM)

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Myrtle Beach Patch Notebook

• Myrtle Beach works toward housing solutions amid rising cost of living. (WBTW)
• Check out the summer lineup at Legends in Concert in Myrtle Beach. (WMBF)
• The Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach: Today's featured Pet Of The Day is Casper! His adoption fee is being sponsored today by Murray Law Offices. (Facebook)
• Enter to win the Back To School Photo Contest. Submission and voting ends September 6th. (MyHorryNews.com)
• Jason Aldean will perform at the 2022 Carolina Country Music Festival. The event will happen June 9 - 12, 2022. (WPDE)
• MBACC kicked off the 42nd class of its Leadership Grand Strand program at BELFOR Property Restoration in Myrtle Beach. 27 Grand Strand professionals are participating in this year's program. (MyrtleBeachChamber.com)

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Alrighty, you're all good for Saturday! See you all Sunday morning for another update on all the happenings in and around Myrtle Beach and the entire Grand Strand.

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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? Reach out anytime to myrtlebeach@patch.com.