By John Smithson Last month, just as the various spring sports were getting underway at North Myrtle Beach High School, the seasons just as quickly ended. South Carolina schools closed in mid-March and besides parents and kids going to virtual classrooms for learning, thousands of student athletes statewide learned their sport and games and matches were placed on hold. Baseball, soccer, track, softball, tennis, lacrosse and golf might have a video game equivalent but for high school coaches and players, the end of their sport schedule meant no practice, no games and not even the thrill of winning or the …

By John Smithson As the North Myrtle Beach varsity lacrosse team began their season, I had the chance to talk with coach Dan Rosa. At that time many weeks ago, I witnessed an energetic group of boys and girls, players going through drills and practice guided by assistant coaches. Two students were there that day to volunteer their time as managers for the team. Rosa was pleased with his program and its growth in such a short time. He was even setting a goal for his boys team to end their season with a winning record. On Sunday, I again …

By John Smithson Obviously, we were having a great start to the season going 6-0 and being  first in the Region. All that is attributed to the hard work and sacrifice these young men gave to the program. Since we took over the program last June, these young men have been together roughly twice a week every week we were allowed leading up to this season. Whether that be in the weight room or on the field. They fully committed to the goals they set out and it was really difficult to see them cut short of those goals. There …

By Ruben Lowman and Andrea Maestre Gov. Henry McMaster made the announcement last Wednesday that all K-12 schools in the state will be closed for the remainder of the school year. The governor, accompanied by State Superintendent Molly Spearman, decided to extend his previous executive orders closing schools through March and April in order to combat the spread of COVID-19. “The decision we have made after much consultation with a comprehensive group of people, including parents and teachers, administrators, health experts and otherwise, we decided not to reopen schools for the rest of the school year,” McMaster said. The governor …

By Pat Dowling The North Myrtle Beach COVID-19 Economic Recovery Task Force formed by the mayor and City Council on April 20 met for the first time on April 21. Listen to the complete meeting recording at https://youtu.be/nAA0barN9qg. The members of the task force and the categories they are involved in are Mendel Bell (medical spa and interactive media), Frank Boulineau (retail), Brandon Cox (vacation rentals), Jim Eggen (accommodations), Johnathan Fussell (hospitality), Joe Gosiewski (residents), Chad Hatley (development, motels and the Grand Strand Business Alliance), Cheryl Kilday (North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce & CVB), Mike Mahaney (city), Jeff Martini …

On April 3, 2020, the City of North Myrtle Beach adopted an Emergency Ordinance prohibiting short-term rentals and long-term rentals through April 30, 2020. However, on April 3, 2020, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster issued Emergency Order Number 2020-19 prohibiting short-term rentals to persons from New York State, New Jersey, Connecticut and other areas “with extensive community transmission of COVID-19.” This Order, recently extended by the Governor on April 27, 2020, through May 12, 2020, specifically provides that the Governor’s Order supersedes and preempts the City’s Emergency Ordinance as it pertains to short-term rentals. Therefore, the Governor’s Executive Order 2020-19 …

Robert “Clark” Roth Jr., 77,  of Little River lost his battle with the coronavirus on Thursday, April 23, 2020. Born on May 11, 1942, in Washington, Pa., he was the son of the late Robert Clark and Margaret Jeffers Roth Sr. He graduated from Chartiers-Houston High School and served his country proudly in the United States Army. He worked at U.S. Steel as a machinist and Western Pennsylvania Water Company in the meter service department. Upon retirement Little River, became their home. He was a lifelong Pittsburgh Steeler fan, enjoyed model trains, his 55 Ford Crown Victoria and spending time …

Patricia Lynn Brown Tyler, 75, of Loris passed away on Monday, April 20, 2020, at her home. Mrs. Tyler was born on Aug. 7, 1944, in Loris,  to the late Solomon C. Brown and the late Deaette Miller Brown. She worked with Hardee’s IGA and Tiny Tot’s Daycare and was of the Christian faith. Survivors include her two daughters, Amy Johnson and husband Kevin of Aynor and Lisa Graham of Lumberton, N.C.; three sisters-in-law, Sue Brown, Roselyn Brown and Kaye Brown; four grandchildren, Lynn Thompson and Stephanie of Loris, Wayon Graham Jr. and Amanda, John Lee Graham and Tiffanie Graham, …

Jeffrey Carl Filer, 64, formerly of New Castle,  P.a., passed away in Little River, on Wednesday, April 22, 2020. Born in New Castle on Oct. 2, 1955, Jeffrey was the son of the late Carl “Leroy” and Eleanor McFerren Filer. He is survived by his wife, the former Roberta Wright, who he married on Feb. 11, 1978. Jeffrey attended Shenango High School. He retired after working for many years as a self- employed truck driver with Filer Trucking. He enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid hunter. Jeffrey enjoyed socializing with friends and cherished the times he spent with his …

Eunice Pearl Edwards Martin, widow of  H. L. Martin of the Lawndale section of Loris, passed away on Wednesday, April 22, 2020, at Conway Medical Center in Conway. Born on July 10, 1927, in Loris, she was the daughter of Lewis A. Edwards and Emma Jean Rogers Edwards. In addition to her husband of 65 years and her parents, she was predeceased by four sisters; Janie E. Graham, Lula E. Graham, Cletus E. Gore and Beulah E. Cullen as well as four brothers;  Grady Edwards, Ernest Edwards, O. C. Edwards and Huger Edwards. A member of Lawndale Baptist Church, she …