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

By Lauren Jessie During the Monday, May 18, North Myrtle Beach City Council meeting, John Galganski was officially sworn in as the City of North Myrtle Beach’s eighth Fire Chief. Chief Galganski joined the City in 2023 as Deputy Fire Chief following a distinguished fire service career in New Jersey and South East Virginia. Since then, he has demonstrated a strong commitment to the Department, its personnel and the North Myrtle Beach community. The City of North Myrtle Beach congratulates Chief Galganski on this well-deserved appointment and looks forward to his leadership as the North Myrtle Beach Fire Department continues …

By Ruben Lowman The town of Atlantic Beach is finalizing preparations to host its annual Memorial Day Black Pearl Cultural Heritage and Bike Festival, set to run from Friday, May 22, through Monday, May 25. Celebrating over 40 years of tradition, the rally is expected to draw thousands of motorcyclists and spectators to the Grand Strand once again, with high-density crowds arriving early in the week and lingering past the holiday. While official festival operations, including live music stages, vendors and cultural exhibits, remain centralized on Atlantic Street from Highway 17 South to Ocean Boulevard, the massive holiday footprint will …

The North Myrtle Beach City Council met in a regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, May 18, at 6 p.m. at City Hall. There were nine items on the consent portion of the agenda: A. MOTION TO APPROVE: Anderson Estep Surfing Championship to be held on June 6, 2026 (APPROVED). B. MOTION TO APPROVE: Shepard Center Day of Adaptive Surfing to be held on June 13, 2026 (APPROVED). C. MOTION TO APPROVE: North Myrtle Beach Ocean Rescue Junior Lifeguard Camp to be held June 16, 2026, to August 13, 2026 (APPROVED). D. RESOLUTION: To amend the terms for the City’s option …

Melanie Wellons, Republican candidate for Horry County School Board Chair, was in North Myrtle Beach on Tuesday, May 19, as part of a countywide listening tour.  Wellons has hosted ice cream socials in every area of the county in an effort to meet with voters and to hear their concerns ahead of the upcoming Tuesday, June 9, Republican Primary. Wellons said the conversations have been very positive and that she has been encouraged by the support she has seen for Horry County Schools. “I have really tried to focus on transparency and fiscal responsibility,” Wellons said.  “It’s so important that …

By Ruben Lowman In a decisive maneuver to mitigate the environmental impacts of rapid local development, The Nature Conservancy in South Carolina has finalized the acquisition of more than 4,600 acres of former timberlands in the Waccamaw Heritage Preserve in the Longs area. The targeted real estate, purchased from FD Timber properties, is slated for a systematic administrative transfer to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources’ (SCDNR) Heritage Trust Program by early 2027. Once the state agency officially assumes title, the transaction will immediately expand the existing 7,000 acre Waccamaw River Heritage Preserve by a staggering 60%, establishing a …

The North Myrtle Beach Memorial Gardens 77th Annual Veterans Service will be held on Monday, May 25, 2026. This community veterans event is open to the public as we take a moment to thank and honor the men and women of our uniformed services who have given their lives in service to our country and for our freedom. Bring a lawn chair for your comfort and invite your family, friends, neighbors and children and most of all veterans. Entertainment and refreshments begin at 10:30 a.m. The service begins at 11 a.m. The event is hosted by North Myrtle Beach Memorial …

By James Pease II Destination NMB held a ribbon cutting ceremony for Sandal World located on Sea Mountain Highway on Tuesday, May 19. The store is an add on of the already extensive Boulineau’s family of stores, including the Boulineau’s IGA, Ace Hardware, Platt’s Seafood, Boulineau’s Express gas station, Shell gas station and car wash, Barnacle, Dairy Hut and the Cherry Grove Creamery. Brynn Burton, store manager for Sandal World, gave some of her thoughts on the grand opening. “I think it went really well this morning. We’ve had a lot of people come in and out and we had …

By Jennifer C. Hulon As one of the region’s largest and most honored healthcare networks, McLeod Health is looking for talented, dedicated individuals to join their team. A recruitment event for coastal McLeod Health hospitals will be held on Wednesday, May 27, at The Conference Center at Barefoot Resort located at 2250 Premier Resort Boulevard in North Myrtle Beach. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. All clinical departments are hiring. To pre-register and for a complete listing of positions available, visit www.mcleodhealth.org/coastal-recruiting-event-5-27-26/. McLeod Health offers competitive salaries, flexible …

By Ruben Lowman The final weekend of the 87th Annual Spring Myrtle Beach Bike Rally dissolved into streetfights in the North Strand, leaving multiple law enforcement officers injured and resulting in several arrests. The altercations, which occurred on the night of Saturday, May 16, forced a large-scale, multi-agency tactical response in the heavily congested Main Street commercial district of North Myrtle Beach. According to official statements and field reports from the North Myrtle Beach Police Department (NMBPD), ground units responded to a sequence of rapidly escalating disturbances, fights and assaults centered around the bar area of Main Street. As officers …

By Jennifer Ulrich On Monday, May 18, Dr. Annie Andrews, candidate for the U.S. Senate, inspired some 200 women and men during a luncheon hosted by the VOICE organization. She outlined reasons for running at this time, citing concern for her children’s future and for healthcare issues. As a pediatrician, Dr. Andrews has extensive insight into the health challenges posed by poverty, inequality, and mental health issues. She highlighted her desire to not become a career politician but to help solve problems. “I’m type A, goal oriented, with tenacity and grit, and I will bring all of that with me …