Community Corner
Tax-Free Weekend+Drowning+17 Biz Revamp+Chef In NOLA Cook-Off
The latest on what's happening in Myrtle Beach, delivered right to your inbox.
Good day, neighbors! It's me again, Kathy Mandell, your host of the Myrtle Beach Daily. It's Saturday, August 7, 2021 and we are in the middle of tax-free weekend in South Carolina! In today's news, Spirit Airlines cancelled more flights out of MYR on Friday, a vacationer drowned in Myrtle Beach, big improvements are coming to Highway 17 Business in Garden City, Horry County approved two residential construction requests despite residents' opposition, and a local chef heads to New Orleans for a seafood cook-off.
A look at Saturday's weather: Thunderstorm and humid throughout the day and evening. High: 82 Low: 72.
Here are the top stories in Myrtle Beach today:
- Tax-free weekend started Friday, and Grand Strand stores prepared for a busy weekend. The focus is on back-to-school items, including clothing, and even masks. Printers, bedding and bath items are tax-free, but digital cameras, smartphones, jewelry, glasses and furniture are not. Items can be purchased tax-free in-person or online. (WBTW)
- Travelers continue to be stranded at Myrtle Beach Airport for the sixth day, with some passengers now saying they will most likely have to drive home. The Department of Transportation says passengers are due a refund for cancelled flights. Spirit Airlines has stated that the delays and cancellations are due to operational challenges, staffing shortages, and weather. The airline said 40% of its flights nationwide were cancelled on Friday. (WPDE)
- The Horry County Coroner's office says a 44-year-old man vacationing in Myrtle Beach from Lawrenceburg, Kentucky drowned late Wednesday night. The man had been swimming with family members in the ocean at Myrtle Beach when he was pulled from the water at approximately 10:00 p.m. and transported to Grand Strand Medical Center. He later died of asphyxiation from drowning according to Chief Deputy Coroner Tamara Willard. (MyHorryNews.com)
- Highway 17 Business in Murrells Inlet and Garden City will see some improvement starting in 2023. SCDOT officials released their new plan at a community meeting on Thursday. The Garden City Connector at Pine Avenue will be a key improvement, with an additional turn lane added near the Wal-Mart. There will also be more turn lanes added to Atlantic Avenue and Jamestown Drive. The well-known "double stop light" near the Inlet Square Mall and 17 Business is likely to be eliminated. (WPDE)
- The Horry County Planning Commission has approved two requests for 500+ new homes along Highway 90, in spite of residents' repeated pleas to curtail development of the area. One rezoning request plans for 97 townhouses, while the other shows over 500 single-family homes on approximately 200 acres in Longs. Horry County Council will review the plans next. (WBTW)
- Myrtle Beach chef, Nick Huckabee, is competing for the title of America's Best Seafood Chef at the 2021 Great American Seafood Cook-Off in New Orleans today. Huckabee is the only chef from South Carolina in the competition, and has worked as a chef on the Grand Strand for two decades. A SC chef has never won the annual contest. Best of luck, Nick! (WPDE)
Today in Myrtle Beach
- Pet Supplies Plus new location in Murrells Inlet, Grand Opening! Free gift cards, pet foods, grooming services, and other offers will be give out this weekend. (9:00 AM)
- Donate a 24-pack of water for first responders at participating Firehouse Subs today and get a free sub. (WPDE)
- Fill The Bus backpack/school supply drive at Harley Davidson MB and NMB. (WPDE)
- Tobacco Heritage Day at L.W. Paul Living History Farm, Conway (9:00 AM)
- Dog Training In Your Home monthly tune-up class at Market Common Dog Park (9:00 AM)
- Local Market Craft Show at Inlet Square Mall (10:00 AM)
- Southern Palmetto Farms Festival & Farm Fun (10:00 AM)
- Car Wash at Sandhills Bank NMB to benefit Kind Keepers Animal Rescue (11:00 AM)
- Back to School Bash! at North Strand Rec Center in Little River (11:00 AM)
- Cyndi Wheeler at Patios Little River (12:00 PM)
- Mommy and Me Unicorn Tea at Painting With A Twist (12:00 PM)
- Tropical Jammers Steel Drum Band at Castaway Beach Bar & Grill (2:00 PM)
- If Birds Could Fly at Crooked Hammock Brewery (4:00 PM)
- We Belong Together Saving Grace Music School Showcase 2021 at Socastee HS (4:30 PM)
- Kolby Oakley at Calli Baker's Firehouse 2021 Summer Concert Series (7:00 PM)
- Jim Quick & Coastline at Local On The Water (7:00 PM)
Myrtle Beach Patch Notebook
- McLeod Health plans to bring a new campus to Conway that is reported to include numerous facilities, but exact details are unavailable at this time. (MyHorryNews.com)
- A former McLeod Seacoast Hospital nurse was charged with stealing controlled substances this week. (MyHorryNews.com)
- Coastal Carolina University is planning to build a soccer stadium estimated at $5 million by 2023. (MyHorryNews.com)
- South Carolina's new open carry law will go into effect August 15th. (WBTW)
- Also on August 15th the "Move Right" law goes into effect. That's a law that prohibits slow travel in the left lane on SC highways. (WMBF)
- Police: Conway man turns himself in on 2019 warrant for sexual exploitation of a minor (WBTW)
- Conway council sided with a 106-year-old woman whose lifelong residential neighborhood was being considered for commercial re-zoning. (MyHorryNews.com)
- The MB Community Appearance Board put aside decisions on a gas station and 7-Eleven store in the Living Dunes neighborhood near 82nd Parkway, after residents filed a restraining order against the project. (WMBF)
- Conway considers raising the limit on the height of buildings in its Business District (MyHorryNews.com)
- Myrtle Beach City Council members unveiled their revitalization efforts for downtown at a special workshop this week. (WMBF)
- Here are Myrtle Beach's most reviewed restaurants. (WBTW)
- Dare Danyel: Take a look at the North Myrtle Beach Junior Survivor Challenge learning how to start a fire with a coconut! (WMBF)
- Russell Fry launched a campaign to unseat Congressman Tom Rice and represent the Grand Strand. (MyHorryNews.com)
- Senator Tim Scott's group of lawmakers are putting the finishing touches on a federal bipartisan police reform bill, which should be revealed in a few weeks. (WMBF)
- The Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach: Today's featured Pet Of The Day is Shy! Her adoption fee is being sponsored today by Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate (Facebook)
From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!
Events:
- Divorce Boot Camp – South Carolina Hub ~ No-Cost Webinar (August 10)
That's it for Saturday. I'll see you Sunday for more news, weather and weekend updates!
If you're into these newsletters, consider bringing some friends and neighbors along for the ride. You can send them this link to subscribe.
— 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.
