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Community Corner

🌱 RIP HC Deputy Gause + Toys For Tots Deadline Extended

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 Wednesday, neighbors! Here's everything happening today in Myrtle Beach, as we head into the Christmas holiday.

Here's a glance at Wednesday's weather:

Warmer; a morning shower. High: 58 Low: 34.

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Here are the top 5 stories today in Myrtle Beach:

  1. Horry County deputy Kent Gause passed away on Monday. A cause of death was not announced, but the death occurred at his home while he was off duty. Gause was a law enforcement professional for over 35 years, including time with the Myrtle Beach Police Department. He was also an ordained minister with Cedar Branch Baptist Church. (wpde.com) (WMBF)
  2. South Carolina Highway Patrol is asking for the public's help in locating the driver of a vehicle involved in a hit-and-run that killed one person last Friday, December 17th. The make and model of the vehicle is not known, but there is likely damage to the front and passenger side of the car. The pedestrian who died was struck at 9:04 p.m. on Friday night on Breezewood Boulevard in the Amberwood subdivision. (WMBF)
  3. Toys for Tots of Horry County has extended its donation deadline through Christmas Eve. The organization lacks donations for older children aged through 16 years of age. Donations will be accepted at 1241 38th Ave North in Myrtle Beach from 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. through Christmas Eve, and possibly Christmas morning (the article is unclear on this detail). Monetary donations can be made online as well. (WBTW)
  4. With the omicron variant of the coronavirus circulating basically everywhere, experts say it's unlikely to result in restrictions in the Myrtle Beach area, or South Carolina as a whole. "I think that we are all learning to live with the variant." said MBACC President Karen Riordan. South Carolina state and local governments are not supportive of mandates, but people are encouraged to get COVID shots (or a booster). We may see mask and social distancing recommendations in some government buildings or businesses. (Myhorrynews)
  5. Riordan also weighed in on 2021's tourism numbers in Myrtle Beach, saying that a 'new benchmark' was set for the area. This was a record year for tourism, she reports. Both the Myrtle Beach and Virginia Beach markets fared best with increased profit margins on hotel rooms bringing the two east-coast beachy destinations to the top of the list for the 2021 summer season. There has been difficulty hiring workers in the hospitality industry on the Grand Strand, though. The projection for 2022 is that the area will shatter more tourism records. (wpde.com)

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Today in Myrtle Beach:

  • Harlequin Duo @ La Belle Amie Vineyard (12:00 PM)
  • Winter Wonderland At The Beach @ Burroughs & Chapin Pavilion (3:00 PM)
  • 2nd Annual Polar Bus Express @ Seacoast Artists Gallery (5:00 PM)
  • Beachfront Ugly Sweater Party @ Beachfront Kitchen & Bar (5:30 PM)
  • Thomas Road @ Murphy's On The Beach (6:00 PM)
  • Festive Brass of Myrtle Beach @ Duplin Winery (6:00 PM) (FestiveBrassofMyrtleBeach)

From my notebook:

  • Cats, cats, cats, and some dogs. All of these shelter pets are waiting for a new home. Maybe you want to adopt a pet before the holidays, or maybe after everything settles down for a New Year's resolution. Help a shelter pet! Here are Myrtle Beach area pets looking for fur-ever homes. (Myrtle Beach Patch)
  • Following up on a story from the end of the summer, a Florida couple has filed a lawsuit against South Bay Inn & Suites. The suit indicates that the vacationers were bitten by bed bugs at the hotel, and that they brought the infestation home to Florida with them. The hotel is accused of a number of charges. The couple experienced medical expenses, emotional distress and more. (WBTW)
  • The Salvation Army of Horry County is distributing Christmas gifts to 500 families, thanks to their Angel Tree program. Families picked up their gifts at a drive-thru distribution area on Monday. Gifts can still be dropped off at the Salvation Army office in Conway. (wpde.com)
  • The American Red Cross is giving folks a chance to win Super Bowl tickets by donating blood and plasma in the Myrtle Beach area. People who donate blood or plasma during the month of January will be automatically entered into a chance to win tickets to Super Bowl LVI scheduled to be held in Los Angeles, including airfare, hotel, a tailgate event, and a $500 gift card for expenses! There is also a chance to win a home theatre package. (Myrtle Beach Patch)
  • Horry County Council is finalizing the purchase of 23-plus acres of land along Highway 31. Plans for the Augusta Plantation Interchange will alleviate traffic congestion by connecting Augusta Plantation to Revolutionary War Way. The land purchase closed on December 17th. An exact timeline on the start of the project is being evaluated. (Myrtle Beach Patch)
  • The Atlantic Beach Police Department says it's experiencing a decrease in violent crimes in 2021. There were fewer shootings, domestic violence and sexual assault cases this year, as compared to 2020. Assaults and trespassing cases were slightly up, but the town reported a significant decrease in vandalism, petty larceny and harassment cases. (WBTW)

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That's it for Wednesday, December 22, 2021! I'll be in your inbox Thursday morning with your next Grand Strand news 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.

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