🌱 Office Building Fire + SBB Owner Remembered + Teacher Gets DUI

Hey, neighbors! Kathy Mandell here with a fresh Myrtle Beach Daily. Today is Thursday, October 28, 2021 and here's everything you may want to know.

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A check on Thursday's weather:

Showers and a heavier t-storm. High: 72 Low: 63.

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Here are the top stories today in Myrtle Beach:

1. Myrtle Beach firefighters contended with a three-alarm fire on Tuesday night that destroyed an office building on 48th Avenue North near Grissom Parkway. The building became unsafe during the fire department's efforts, causing them to evacuate and switch to a defensive posture partway through the mission. There were no injuries. (WBTW)
2. The motorcyclist killed in a crash in Garden City over the weekend has been identified as Stephen Pease, one of the co-owners of Myrtle Beach's favorite biker bar, Suck Bang Blow (SBB). A spokesperson for the iconic bar in Murrells Inlet, named after the sounds a Harley-Davidson makes, said the 34-year-old Pease is survived by his wife and two daughters. A GoFundMe account has been set up for his family. A funeral service will be held on Friday. (WPDE)
3. A Myrtle Beach math teacher, Michael Oerther, was arrested and charged with felony driving under the influence with death in a fatal crash that happened Monday night at the intersection of Carolina Forest Boulevard and Stafford Drive. South Carolina Highway Patrol charged Oerther after he crashed his Jeep Wrangler into the rear of a stopped Honda Civic carrying three people. A passenger in the back seat of the Honda, identified as 27-year-old Leza Watts, was killed. Oerther, who has a previous history of DUI offenses, has also been placed on administrative leave from his job at Ocean Bay Middle School. (WMBF)
4. Grand Strand Humane Society has set up a $6 million fundraising campaign to get a new facility after it was forced to close its original location due to a pest control issue. The animal shelter is currently located in temporary quarters near Tanger Outlets on Highway 501. Officials are looking for specific property requirements in the city of Myrtle Beach, and will even accept a land donation. (WPDE)
5. Horry County homeless shelters are preparing for colder weather and an increase in people. New Directions of HC is adding 74 beds to its men's shelter. It is also creating a waiting list and developing systems for emergency overnight visits to help with the homelessness demand in the area. New Directions provides a safe place to live where the homeless can reside temporarily while they work toward finding a more permanent solution. (WBTW)

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Today in Myrtle Beach:

• Ribbon-cutting ceremony @ Palmetto Goodwill Market Common (9:00 AM)
• Multigenerational Workplaces EVOLVE seminar @ MB Chamber of Commerce (10:30 AM)
• Recreation Advisory Committee @ Myrtle Beach City Hall (11:00 AM)
• Brian Roessler @ Tin Roof Myrtle Beach (6:00 PM)
• Fall Bike Nights Finale with Costume Contest @ Boathouse (6:00 PM)
• American Elton - Elton John Tribute Show @ GTS Theatre (7:00 PM)

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Myrtle Beach Patch Notebook

• Myrtle Beach City Council has approved the first reading for a redevelopment settlement agreement concerning the Market Common district. (Myhorrynews)
• The future of South Carolina cities: Myrtle Beach. A city that depends almost solely on tourism is seeing younger folks move way and housing prices on the rise. Will the Grand Strand offer a future to the younger generation? (Rock Hill Herald)
• SCDNR is making a great effort at improving the safety of the Intracoastal Waterway. With twice as many boats recently, and limited space, the recreational area has seen more than its share of hazardous conditions this year. (WBTW)
• Myrtle Beach Area Chamber Of Commerce: A number of chamber investors were recognized on the Best of the Beach list for 2021, published by Sun News. (Press Release Desk)
• The Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach: Want to help animals, but just aren't able to adopt another one? Please consider sponsoring a shelter pet! What does a sponsor do? It's simple! You sponsor a dog or cat for $50, which helps to cover the cost of food and preventative care. (Facebook)
• Open house! Check out these reasonably-priced Grand Strand area properties in-person this coming weekend! (Patch)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Thursday. See you all Friday morning for another Myrtle Beach 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.