🌱 Puzzling Gunshot Wound + Laser Strikes + COVID Decreasing

Hello, Myrtle Beach! This is Kathy Mandell, and I'm back from a few days off. Special thanks to Nicole Fallon-Peek for covering the local happenings in my absence. It's Thursday, and let's get you started with everything you need to know happening today on the Grand Strand!

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First, a glance at Thursday's weather:

Partly sunny and humid. High: 82 Low: 66.

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Here are the top stories today in Myrtle Beach:

1. Deputies in Georgetown County are scratching their own heads after a man with a gunshot wound to the head showed up at Tidelands Georgetown Hospital on Tuesday night. Hospital employees contacted law enforcement about the 30-year-old shooting victim. Sheriff's investigators are working on the case, and ask anyone with information to call (843) 546-5101. (WMBF)
2. At the Public Safety Committee meeting on Tuesday, Horry County took the next step in passing stricter laws to protect animals from abuse. The Horry County Animal Code was passed, and includes new provisions to protect animals including an effective end to "puppy mills", a trap-neuter-release program for feral cats, and strict regulations for care of outdoor animals. Horry County Council still needs to approve the laws. (wpde.com)
3. Myrtle Beach passengers and airline workers may be a little spooked by a spike in laser strikes against aircraft happening lately. The annual number of laser strikes here is about five per year in each of the past few years, and in 2019 there was one strike. In 2021, there have been ten strikes already in Myrtle Beach; while in the first nine months of 2020 there were 35. Officials say the increase could be due to the public reporting more incidents, as well as laser pointers becoming more widely available. (WBTW)
4. SCDHEC's reporting from the week ending October 10 shows Horry County experiencing another drop in COVID-19 cases. The decrease is nearly 20% from the previous week. The number of confirmed cases dropped below 500 for the first time since mid-July. However, the number of quarantined school children throughout the county has increased slightly. The school board decided not to impose a mask mandate on district schools, as reported earlier this week, due to the lower number of cases. (Myhorrynews)
5. On October 20th, the Carolina Forest community will get to decide about a rezoning request to develop Wizard Golf Course at a meeting with a representative from G3 Engineering, the firm that would eventually develop the area. Horry County council member, Danny Hardee, says it's up to the people to decide if the project will move forward. There are concerns about infrastructure, and there was already some pushback by residents against earlier development attempts. (WBTW)

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Today in Myrtle Beach:

• Myrtle Beach Greek Festival @ St. John The Baptist Greek Orthodox Church (this is a drive-thru event due to COVID-19 concerns) (Oct. 14 through 16 @ 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM)
• Horry County Government: Horry County To Conduct Aerial Mosquito Spraying Thursday, October 14, 2021 (Press Release Desk)
• Gary Lowder & Smokin Hot @ Music on Main, NMB (6:00 PM)
• Keith Atwood @ Star Tavern (7:00 PM)

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Myrtle Beach Patch Notebook

• Pooch-A-Mania was postponed last Sunday (October 10th) due to heavy rain the night before, resulting in some flooded ground conditions at Grand Park. A new date has not yet been announced by Meadowlawn Animal Services and its partners. (WRNN's Facebook page)
• Kind Keeper Animal Rescue has announced that its Denim & Diamonds gala has been cancelled for this coming weekend (October 16th) due to lack of attendance. A gala will be held in the future. (Kind Keeper Animal Rescue's Facebook page)
• These shelter pets are looking for a home in Myrtle Beach! (Patch)
• The Grand Strand loves festivals! The SC State Fair is underway now in Columbia, and goes until October 24th (WMBF). Country star Luke Bryan will be the 2nd headliner for the 2022 Carolina Country Music Fest in Myrtle Beach (WBTW), and Myrtle Beach has approved the 2022 Dragon Boat Festival (WMBF).
• Need a job? Here's a list of who's hiring in the Myrtle Beach area! (Patch)
• The Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach: We can't wait to see you all Friday from 4- 6 pm. We'll be taking photos of you and your pets for donations. You don't want to miss the gorgeous fall pumpkin house that our friends at Barefoot Landing have put together! (Facebook)

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That's it for Thursday! I'll be in your inbox Friday morning with your next 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 contact me at myrtlebeach@patch.com.