North Myrtle Beach Times Serving our Community and the Grand Strand for over 50 years

By Diane Billard On Sunday, March 1, 2026, Rotary District 7770 Governor Sandy Morckel and Area 11 Assistant Governor Diane Billard presented the Rotary International Avenues of Services Award to Renee Hembree.  This was part of the program at the Spirits of Giving Mardi Gras Fundraiser at Hurricane Juel’s. This award recognizes Rotarians who have received district-level recognition in all five Avenues of Service: Club Service, Vocational Service, Community Service, International Service and Youth Service. Club Service — In 2018, Renee Hembree heard some students were suffering at her neighborhood high school due to homelessness, lack of support, or living …

By Ruben Lowman The long-debated I-73 project, a multi-billion dollar infrastructure plan designed to link the North Carolina border to the Grand Strand, may soon have an official name. On Thursday, March 5, the South Carolina House of Representatives officially passed a resolution to name the yet-to-be-built stretch of road the President Donald J. Trump Highway. The resolution, known as House Bill 4982, cleared the House floor with a 76-28 roll call vote. The bill was a collective effort from a large contingent of Grand Strand leaders, introduced by Representative Heather Ammons Crawford and co-sponsored by several Horry County representatives, …

By Ruben Lowman South Carolina’s six-month grace period for the Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act officially ended at the beginning of this month. Drivers in Horry County and all across the Palmetto State are now subject to active enforcement and financial penalties rather than the warning citations that have been issued since the law was first enacted in September 2025. The South Carolina Department of Public Safety confirmed that first-time offenders will receive a $100 fine. Those caught a second time or more face a $200 fine and will have two points added to their driver’s license. These penalties apply …

By Ruben Lowman If you were planning on spending your St. Patrick’s Day holiday watching the hopefuls for South Carolina’s highest office trade barbs in Conway, you might want to find a new set of plans. The S.C. Republican Party has hit the brakes on its original schedule, effectively moving the Grand Strand area from the front of the line to a wait-and-see position at the very end of the primary season. The original schedule, laid out back in December, had the candidates for governor debating at Coastal Carolina University on March 17. However, the updated itinerary now shows a …

PalmettoPride is launching the 2026 SC Sweep, a 10-day statewide campaign inviting South Carolinians to take action against litter and help keep their communities beautiful. Taking place during the first 10 days of spring, the campaign capitalizes on the warmer weather, when many residents are already planning to spend time outdoors and enjoy all our state has to offer. Families, schools, businesses, civic groups and individuals are encouraged to sign the PalmettoPledge and make a simple commitment: pick up even just one piece of litter, join a local cleanup or organize their own during the SC Sweep. With more than …

By Mary Templeton On a delightfully, glorious Tuesday, March 2, 2026, the ladies in the Yaupon Garden Club took a scenic walk through Vereen Gardens in Little River. Club president Phillis Newman was the guide and began the tour at the CB Berry Center. A historical display housed in an attractive case provides articles and artifacts associated with Vereen Gardens. Jack Bambach, husband of Yaupon Garden Club member Dorothy Bambach, prepared the display case and graciously gifted it to the CB Berry Center. President Newman led the YGC members through the scenic gardens. Along the tour, club members were shown …

By Bonnie McIver The Waterway Art Association (WAA) announces its Spring Art Show and Sale Monday, April 20, through Saturday, April 25, at the Sunset River Gallery in Calabash, N.C. The 35th annual judged exhibit features painters from the greater Calabash region of the Carolinas. A raffle of original art raises scholarship funds for aspiring college bound art students. This year’s judge is Wilmington artist and teacher Todd Carignan. Todd teaches at the Cameron Art Museum, has judged numerous competitions, and shows in galleries throughout the country. Primarily working in oil, he specializes in figures, portraits and land and seascapes. …

Do you want to learn more about the role of planning and zoning in unincorporated Horry County? Do you want to know how to get involved in the decision-making process and guiding the future of our county? Then you may be interested in participating in this education series. Registration for Citizen Planning Academy opened on Sunday, March 8. Applications will be accepted until Sunday, May 31, 2026, and attendees announced by Monday, June 15. The Academy will meet in the multipurpose rooms at the Government and Justice Center located at 1301 Second Avenue in Conway.

By John Smithson The North Myrtle Beach High School boys and girls varsity track and field teams won the Alan Connie Relays last Saturday at The Hank.  Ten schools attended the event and competed in track team relay events and individual field events while compiling points for individual or team finishes. Alan Connie was present for the start of the events and commented on what it means for the track season. “It’s great to be out here. This is always the kickoff of the outdoor track and field season in beautiful spring weather. This is such a beautiful facility for …

By John Smithson The North Myrtle Beach Lady Chiefs opened their home softball season last Friday night against the number one ranked Aynor Lady Blue Jackets and the visitors took advantage of Chiefs errors to spoil the home opener with a 7-2 victory. The Chiefs dropped a fly to left field to open the game, and a second error on a sacrifice bunt scored the first run of the game for Aynor. The Chiefs got the run back in the bottom of the first, loading the bases on three walks and plating Hadley Leonhart on a fielders choice grounder by …