This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

🌱Vereen Attorney Speaks Out + Sen. Hembree Works With Teachers

The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Myrtle Beach.

Kathy Mandell's profile picture
Kathy Mandell, Neighbor
|
(Patch Media)

Morning, neighbors! Kathy Mandell here with a fresh issue of the Myrtle Beach Daily. Today is Thursday, March 3, 2022, and here's what you may want to know in and around the Grand Strand.

A glance at Thursday's summer-like weather:

Warm with plenty of sunshine. High: 74 Low: 51.

Attention, top law firms! We're now offering sponsorship opportunities for local firms interested in building lasting connections with clients in Myrtle Beach. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top five stories in Myrtle Beach today:

  1. The attorney for Tristan Vereen's family issued a statement saying that state Trooper Whitney Benton violated SC Highway Patrol policy by initiating an unlawful traffic stop and then pursuing Vereen, creating a perilous situation. The case shows that Benton stopped Vereen because Vereen's vehicle had a cracked windshield. The attorney's statement says that, according to SC state law, a vehicle with a cracked windshield is not a traffic violation. It was announced earlier this week that Benton would not face criminal charges in the case. (WBTW)
  2. A sobering report released by SCDHEC on Tuesday revealed that deaths due to overdose spiked during the pandemic. The report indicates that South Carolina experienced a 59% increase in opioid-involved overdose deaths between 2019 and 2020. More than 1,000 people died of opioid overdoses in the state in 2020, versus 876 in the previous year. Fentanyl is the drug medical experts are blaming for the dramatic increase in overdose deaths. (WMBF)
  3. Horry County Council Chairman Johnny Gardner announced that he will be running for re-election, opposed by his predecessor, Mark Lazarus, and Councilman Johnny Vaught. As all three vie for the same council chairperson seat, it should be an interesting local election to watch! (WBTW)
  4. SCDHEC says it supports the CDC's new focus on severe COVID cases, rather than daily numbers. The agencies are going to focus less on daily COVID numbers, and track hospitalizations instead. Director Dr. Edward Simmer said the COVID-19 virus is still deadly, but state and federal guideline changes are geared toward creating a sense of normalcy going forward. (WPDE)
  5. A mid-year update from CERRA, the Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention, & Advancement, shows that since the beginning of the current academic year, almost 1,000 SC educators have quit their jobs. Adding to the already vacant teaching positions — also numbering over 1,000 — these departures are alarming to the South Carolina Education Association. Senator Hembree (R-Horry County) is working with several groups to come up with solutions to the problems causing teachers to leave their jobs. (WMBF)

From our sponsor:

Hey Myrtle Beach, are you looking to buy a house, refinance or just explore your options? Check out the new Patch Mortgage Center for all your home financing needs!

Today in Myrtle Beach:

  • USA Prep Basketball @ J. Bryan Floyd Community Center (All day)
  • National Adoption Week continues @ PetSmart benefiting Kind Keeper Rescue (10:00 AM)
  • Dave Walsh @ Patio's Tiki Bar & Grill (4:30 PM)
  • Elton John Tribute Show featuring Bill Connors @ GTS Theatre (7:00 PM)
  • Sweet Sweet @ Pawleys Island Tavern (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

  • The Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach: Looking for a new best friend? Join us at PetSmart in North Myrtle Beach Saturday & Sunday from 11 am - 4pm for our Spring Fling Adoption Event, and let us help you find your new best fur-iend! Adoption fees for animals adopted at the event are waived, thanks to being generously sponsored by Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate Elliott Coastal Living. (Facebook)
  • The Myrtle Beach amusement park, Funplex, will re-open for the season on March 11. The park will have more refreshments and snacks available this year. Last year was its first operational year. The park is also now hiring personnel. Passes and tickets can be purchased online, or as you go through the various rides on-the-spot. (WBTW)
  • Local author, James Robert Fuller, has released his latest crime thriller. "Deadly Connections" is the seventh book in Fuller's series, Myrtle Beach Crime Thriller. His eighth book is already underway. Fuller will be appearing at several upcoming events along the Strand, including next week's St. Patrick's Day Parade & Festival in North Myrtle Beach. (WPDE)
  • Four Myrtle Beach area law enforcement employees were honored for their work in solving a 2016 murder. The recognition took place at this week's Coastal Carolina Shields Law Enforcement Officer of the Year awards event. Nancy Livesay, Greg Lent, David Dudley, and Tony Allen were honored for their work in solving the murder of Timothy Buckley. It took five years, but the case was solved and two people were convicted. (WBTW)
  • Although some of you might have missed the Open Houses on Wednesday, there are other opportunities to see amazing Myrtle Beach real estate. Check out this Patch article for Open Houses for the rest of this week. (Myrtle Beach Patch)
  • The Leadership Grand Strand Board of Regents has two at-large positions open for Class 43. The nine-month program starts in August. The positions are open to citizens who have resided in either Horry or Georgetown County continuously for at least six months prior to the application date, plus other requirements. Apply by March 31 for consideration. (MBACC.com)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

Events:

  • Taxes in Retirement Seminar 3/7 & 3/9 (March 7)
  • Divorce Boot Camp – Vesta's South Carolina Hub (March 8)
  • 2022 Mrs2Me Summit - The #1 summit for empowered divorced or divorcing women (March 25)
  • Add your event

Loving the Myrtle Beach Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

Alrighty, you're all caught up for Thursday. See you all Friday morning for another edition of the Myrtle Beach Daily.

— 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.

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Myrtle Beach