🌱 MBPD Wrap-Up + Trials & A Shooting + Stranded Boats Removed

Happy Saturday, neighbors! Here's everything you need to know to start today off on an informed note today in Myrtle Beach.

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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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First, let's check on Saturday's weather:

Sunny and pleasant. High: 76 Low: 59.

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Here are the top stories today in Myrtle Beach:

1. Myrtle Beach Police report that they responded to around 15,000 calls along a 27-block section of Ocean Boulevard from 21st Ave North to 6th Ave South from April through September this year. The incidents occurring in that specific area of the city enabled police to concentrate their coverage there. The report was given during a "Summer Wrap-Up" meeting hosted by police and several businesses and agencies. (WMBF)
2. The prosecution and defense have both rested in the trial of alleged Waccamaw Bingo shooter Derrick Rivera. Father and son bingo hall owners, Steve and Sparky Johnson, were shot and killed at the venue in 2019. The final day of the trial focused on cell phone records connected to Rivera's phone, and ballistics reports from a firearm forensic examiner. Closing arguments happened on Friday, and now the jury has the case. (WBTW) (Myhorrynews)
3. Georgetown siblings were convicted of murder in the death of Leon Harrison, Jr. whose body was found in the Black River in March of 2017. Harrison was the spouse of Tiesh Annette Rhue, who, along with her brother, Alexander Rhue, Jr. were found guilty of murder on Thursday after an eight-day jury trial. The pair's father, Alexander Rhue, Sr. was previously sentenced to eight years in prison for obstruction of justice in the case. (WBTW)
4. Horry County Police have taken over an investigation of a shooting that was believed to have occurred in Myrtle Beach, after finding out it actually happened outside city limits. The shooting happened Thursday afternoon around 3:00 p.m., and the person shot was treated for their injuries. It was thought that the incident happened near Pine Drive in Myrtle Beach, but it was soon determined that it occurred in the Racepath section of Horry County. (WPDE)
5. Five abandoned boats were removed from the Intracoastal Waterway thanks to an effort by the Coast Guard, the SC Department of Natural Resources and Wounded Nature Working Veterans. Black Water Dredging and Recovery donated a barge to the effort, and the city of North Myrtle Beach sent in dumpsters as its contribution. There are various reasons why boats become abandoned in the area. Owners are contacted before the organizations step in to remove the vessels. (WBTW)

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Today in Myrtle Beach:

• ALS Walk @ Charleston Landing North Myrtle Beach (9:00 AM)
• Drug Take Back Day @ Grand Strand Medical Center (10:00 AM)
• Myrtle Beach Out of the Darkness Walk @ Broadway at the Beach (10:00 AM)
• Grand Strand Young Professionals Cornhole Tournament @ Local On The Water (11:00 AM)
• Grand Strand Optimist Club Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser @ Beachfront Kitchen 201 74th Ave N., Myrtle Beach. $10 (5:00 PM)
• Hotel California Eagles Tribute Band @ Alabama Theatre (7:00 PM)

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Myrtle Beach Patch Notebook

• Home prices are going up, inventory remains pretty tight in Myrtle Beach, and is expected to stay hot for quite some time, according to a recent report from Redfin. (Patch)
• The real estate pickin's are slim, but here are five open houses happening this weekend in the Myrtle Beach area! Maybe you'll find your dream home! (Patch)
• Construction is set to begin on the bridge over Highway 501 in Conway this coming Monday, October 25th. There will be detours, and road closures for parts of SC 22 and US 501 throughout the process, which should last until November 8th. Plan accordingly, and bring along some patience. (WPDE)
• While the Myrtle Beach Area ALS Walk is happening today in North Myrtle Beach, the statewide event, which is also available as a virtual walk, is happening October 30th. There is still plenty of time to register or donate. (alsa.org)
• Local artist Jaime Latesta gifted a hand-painted portrait of Surfside PD Corporal Pinto and his K-9 colleague, Sif, a chocolate lab who joined the SSPD in 2019. (WBTW)
• The Horry County Coroner's office has released the identity of a man who died in a fire during an eviction process earlier this week. 49-year-old Andrew Brent Lewis died in a residential fire, along with his dog, after barricading themselves inside the dwelling when officers showed up to enforce eviction. (wpde.com)

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You're officially in the loop for Saturday, October 23rd. See you all Sunday morning for another Grand Strand 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? Contact me at myrtlebeach@patch.com.