Community Corner
🌱 McLeod Requires Vax + Post Office Crash + DUI Teacher Resigns
Your five-minute guide to the most important things going on today in town.
Hey, people of the Grand Strand! It's me again, Kathy Mandell, your host of the Myrtle Beach Daily. Today is Friday, November 12, 2021.
Just a shout out 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. Please click on lapiereandjosie.com for more info or needed assistance.
How about a look at Friday's weather before we get to top stories?
A shower and thunderstorm. High: 73 Low: 50.
Here are the top stories in Myrtle Beach today:
- McLeod Health has announced that it will require all employees of its healthcare system to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by January 4, 2022. In its statement, the organization said "This is not a McLeod Health decision," citing the executive order from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid that requires healthcare workers to get the shots. Workers must have their first shot by December 5th. The organization said that anyone who fails to comply will be fired. (WBTW)
- One person was injured and taken to the hospital by Horry County Fire Rescue after a car crashed into the Little River Post Office on Thursday afternoon. The person had to be extricated from the vehicle, and there was significant damage to the post office building at 4299 N. Horseshoe Road. SC Highway Patrol is investigating the incident. (WBTW) (WMBF)
- A Myrtle Beach teacher with a history of alcohol-related incidents has resigned from his job at Ocean Bay Middle School after being arrested for a fatal DUI last month. Michael Oerther drove into a Honda Civic on October 25th in the Carolina Forest area, and killed a passenger in that vehicle. Oerther's educator certificate was then suspended by the board of education. Reports of a known history of alcohol-related incidents, including previous DUIs, surfaced shortly after the fatal crash. (Myhorrynews) Related article: (WCBD News 2)
- Two decades ago, or more, it was necessary to cross-train and certify North Myrtle Beach first responders to do each other's jobs. Now? Not so much. So, the city has plans to move away from cross-training for police officers and firefighters, in favor of using the money normally spent on that task towards hiring more people. Both departments are on board with the changes, as they feel a new system is long overdue and they've outgrown the need for the outdated training measures. (WMBF)
- The City of Myrtle Beach recently removed health insurance benefits for city retirees under age 65, and that resulted in a backlash. Now, the city is responding with two choices for those affected. Option A gives them the opportunity to stay on the current plan, but with a substantial monthly premium increase. Option B has the retirees finding coverage on their own, but with access to the city's clinic for a fee of $112 per month. Another option would see them opting out of both choices and finding private insurance. Some of the retirees said a better choice would be to keep them on the group insurance, with no changes. It's unlikely the city will do that. Affected retirees need to make their choice by mid-January. (WBTW)
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Today in Myrtle Beach:
- Red Cross blood drive @ Keller Williams Myrtle Beach, 601 21st Ave (10:00 AM)
- Beaks & Brushes @ Ripley's Aquarium in Myrtle Beach (4:00 PM)
- THERAPY @ Acme Bar, Murrells Inlet (7:00 PM)
- Better Together - Date/BFF Night @ Painting With A Twist (7:00 PM)
- Ronnie Coco @ Riptydz (7:00 PM)
- 100 Grand Band @ Dead Dog Saloon (8:00 PM)
Myrtle Beach Patch Notebook
- You & your dog can take pictures with Santa while helping Grateful Goldens this coming Saturday in Murrells Inlet at Pet Galley near the Marshwalk. (wpde.com)
- Also near the Marshwalk will be the famous Murrells Inlet Christmas Parade — happening on December 5th (that's a Sunday). The parade starts at the intersection of Highway 17 Business and Wilcox Avenue at 3:00 p.m. (Facebook)
- The non-profit group eMYRge, is collaborating with the City of Myrtle Beach to open a co-working office hub in the downtown area. The HTC Aspire Hub will be located on 9th Avenue North, and will have two conference rooms, workstations, and work areas for rent. The space will be rented on a first come-first serve basis to entrepreneurs and business groups. (WPDE)
- Also on 9th Avenue North, LeManna, a European bakery and sandwich shop, will take up residence in the long-vacant Myrtle Beach Bakery. (WMBF)
- Myrtle Beach Police Department: The Myrtle Beach Police Department has a yearly angel tree for the Grand Strand Humane Society to promote its adoptable pets and gather donations for the homeless pets of Myrtle Beach to brighten their holiday season. We would like for you to meet Maine, this will be her 3rd year as an angel on the tree, and she's looking for a furever home. (Facebook)
- Leaders in Horry County are thinking about making a fireworks-free zone in the Arcadian Shores area of Myrtle Beach. Enforcing the order could be complex, and the Public Safety Committee will need to approve three readings in order to pass a new ordinance. (WMBF)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday off right! See you all Saturday 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? I'm all ears. You can reach me at myrtlebeach@patch.com.
