🌱 ShrimpFest + COVID Down + Mental Health App + More Cottages

Happy Friday, neighbors! Here's everything you need to know to get this day started. Here's what's happening today in Myrtle Beach.

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Shoutout 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. Click here for more info or assistance.

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A quick peek at Friday's weather:

A shower and t-storm; humid. High: 80 Low: 67.

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Here are the top stories in Myrtle Beach today:

1. This weekend is going to be chock-full of outdoor events, so bring along your patience and cautiousness when out on the roads. The Little River ShrimpFest is back, Saturday and Sunday, after being cancelled last year due to the pandemic. The event brings seafood fans from all over the southeast, over 170 vendors, live music, and of course... shrimp! (WPDE)
2. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. In observation of the campaign, Horry County is working towards building a new 20-bed shelter for domestic violence victims that will help take some of the load off the 9-bed shelter in Georgetown that is currently shared by both counties. Meanwhile, Coastal Carolina University students and staff are having several events on campus about dating violence and sexual violence. (WMBF) See also: (WBTW)
3. COVID-19 cases have dropped almost 60% in Horry County over the last week or so. For the second week in a row, cases have dropped significantly. Schools in the county are experiencing a similar decline in quarantines with six active cases and eight people in quarantine. None of the county's schools are conducting virtual learning. (Myhorrynews)
4. Attorney John McCoy of the Floyd Law Firm launched a mental health app that is available nationwide on iPhones and Androids. The app, called White Flag, is available on the App Store and Google Play. McCoy designed the app due to his own experience with PTSD, and beta tested it for several months before releasing the app to the public. (WMBF)
5. The construction of additional cottages in North Myrtle Beach's Barefoot Resort has been approved by City Council. The Sea Glass neighborhood, located near Barefoot Landing, on the Intracoastal Waterway, will have 92 additional cottages added to the plan that is already in progress. The cottages replace a nixed commercial space that had been planned initially. A pool and traffic lights will also be included in the project. (Myhorrynews)

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Today in Myrtle Beach:

• Red Cross blood drives: American Red Cross, 3531 Pampas Dr, MB @ 10 - 3; and Loyal Order of Moose, 479 Burcale Road, MB @ 1 - 5 PM. (All day)
• Cruisin' the Beach @ Broadway at the Beach (Oct 7 - Oct 9)
• Myrtle Beach RV Show @ MB Convention Center (Oct 8 - Oct 10)
• Cindra's Watercolor Workshop @ R&R Dance Studio (Oct 8 - 10)
• Myrtle Beach Oktoberfest @ Market Common (Oct 8 & Oct 9)
• Movies at McLean — tonight's feature Hocus Pocus (7:00 PM)

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Myrtle Beach Patch Notebook

• Visit Myrtle Beach, South Carolina: Hungry for a good time this weekend? Then come show some love to everyone's favorite tiny crustacean at the 17th Annual Little River ShrimpFest. (Facebook)
• Four years ago, Brenda Bethune was elected mayor of Myrtle Beach. If she wins a second term in November, she says her priorities will be crime and public safety. (WBTW)
• One candidate running against Bethune is Vietnam vet and retired Washington, DC businessman, Bill McClure. The focus of his campaign is crime, homelessness, mental health, and infrastructure. (WBTW)
• Four candidates are vying to become Myrtle Beach mayor. Three faced off in a debate on Wednesday, while Bethune hosted a previously-scheduled meet and greet. Election day is November 2nd. (WMBF)
• HGTC's John Dove has been accepted into the invitation-only Forbes Technology Council, an elite community for tech execs. (HGTC.edu)
• The author of "Death On The Boardwalk" is releasing a second novel set in Myrtle Beach. Caleb Wygal will be at Little River Shrimp Festival this weekend to sign copies of his earlier books, and he is already working on a third book. (WPDE)

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You're officially in the loop for Friday, October 8, 2021! I'll see you Saturday for more news and a rundown of weekend events. Be careful out there! Grand Strand traffic will be heavy again all weekend.

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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? You can reach me at myrtlebeach@patch.com.