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Community Corner

🌱 Missing Man's Body Found + Free Gov't Issue N95 Masks Scarce

The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Myrtle Beach.

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Kathy Mandell, Neighbor
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(Patch Media)

Happy Thursday, Myrtle Beach neighbors! Today is February 3, 2022. Let's get you all caught up on what's happening along the Grand Strand to start today off on an informed note.

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A glance at Thursday's warmer weather:

Warmer; breezy in the p.m.. High: 68 Low: 60.

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Here are the top five stories today in Myrtle Beach:

  1. Horry County Deputy Coroner Darris Fowler has confirmed that the body of 61-year-old Ralph Whitehead was found on Wednesday. Whitehead went missing from his Forestbrook home, prompting an extensive search that expanded at least a mile away from his neighborhood. Whitehead had left his home wearing a t-shirt and slacks, with no coat, on Friday. Authorities expanded the search for him on Monday, and a farmer reported that Whitehead had been spotted near his property along McCormick Road. The body was found near the Steeple Chase subdivision. An autopsy will be performed. Foul play is not suspected. (WMBF)
  2. The former site of the failed Hard Rock Park may be getting another chance at success, this time as a business plaza instead of a theme park. The site, also known as Freestyle Music Park, may house a Fedex package distribution facility, as well as an RV repair center. Sites for other businesses are also mapped out in the plans for a 251,000-square-foot business complex that were filed with Horry County last month. (Myhorrynews) (WMBF)
  3. Looking for those free government-issued N95 masks? Evidently, they are not easy to find at Grand Strand pharmacies. Kroger, Walgreens, and CVS each reported that the masks are unavailable at many Grand Strand area locations, with the vendors posting signage to that effect on their entrance doors. Each of the stores are monitoring the mask deliveries closely and hope to have them available shortly. Once available, individuals can get three masks apiece at no cost. (WBTW)
  4. U.S. Rep. Tom Rice nominated eight candidates from the 7th District to armed forces academies this week. The students will attend the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado; the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York; and the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. The students nominated from Myrtle Beach are Jaden-Grace Anderson, Chad Caudle, and Jonathan Mallon. Chloe Johnson of Little River was also nominated. (WMBF)
  5. On Tuesday, students at St. Andrew Catholic school in Myrtle Beach walked in solidarity for the hungry. The school has been organizing the hunger walk annually for a decade. Donations raised benefit the Community Kitchen of Myrtle Beach. In previous years the group raised between $5,000 - $6,000, and hopes for a similar amount this time. (wpde.com)

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Today in Myrtle Beach:

  • Take Your Child To The Library Day @ Carolina Forest Library (9:00 AM)
  • Greg Rowles @ Duplin Winery (1:00 PM)
  • Horry County Planning Commission Meeting @ Gov't & Justice Center (5:30 PM)
  • Vereen Gardens Committee Meeting @ C.B. Berry Center Vereen Gardens (5:30 PM)
  • Mark Starnes @ Calli Baker's Firehouse (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

  • Did you miss Punxatawney Phil? Not to worry! Grand Strand Gertrude did just fine predicting whether winter is going to stick around in Myrtle Beach on Wednesday. Gertrude made the rounds on social media all day long. Maybe you saw her pop up?! (wpde.com) (Facebook)
  • Here are two open houses scheduled for Saturday, February 5th, in the Myrtle Beach area. (Myrtle Beach Patch)
  • The two-day 2022 Model Train Show at Myrtle Beach Mall is happening February 12 and 13. The cost is $5, or free for children 12 and under. The Grand Strand Model Railroader's Club is at the mall every Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., too. (wpde.com)
  • COVID-19 hospitalization numbers are in for Horry County for the week ending January 27th. At the three hospitals reporting for Horry County, 172 inpatient beds were used by confirmed and suspected COVID-19 patients that week. There were 40 ICU beds occupied by confirmed and suspected COVID-19 patients during that week. (Myrtle Beach Patch)
  • Horry-Georgetown Technical College is hosting a virtual addiction and recovery series this week. The virtual lecturers will include a retired airline pilot, a former NFL linebacker, and Jim Sonefield, the drummer from Hootie & the Blowfish. The series starts today. (wpde.com)
  • Myrtle Beach Planning Commission has rejected a gas station zoning request that has been in the news a lot recently. Several commission members said their vote against the request was based on the wording of the proposed code. The city council will make the final decision, at an as-yet-undetermined date. (WMBF)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Thursday. I'll be back in your inbox Friday with your next Myrtle Beach update!

— 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.

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

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