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

By Mary Templeton Friday, December 5, 2025, was a special day for the Budding Ecotots in Kim Holloway’s kindergarten class at Ocean Drive Elementary School. The ladies from the Yaupon Garden Club came to tell them all about Arbor Day. Mary Templeton discussed the origin of Arbor Day and how important trees are to our environment. Lynne Payne read “The Giving Tree”, which taught the students the many ways trees help provide for our needs.  Susan Platt led the students in a tree project with the assistance of Donna Belski, Margaret Graham, Sue Hagen, Joy Murray, Gail Norden, Lynne Payne, …

By John Smithson The North Myrtle Beach Chiefs varsity basketball teams start week three of competition this week, continuing non-region games and getting more experience for the schedule ahead. The boys team started the season with a 3-0 record but lost three games in a row and stand at 3-3. The Chiefs lost the final game of the Green Sea Floyds tournament and then last week lost 41-33 to West Florence on Tuesday at Florence. The Chiefs were behind 26-18 at halftime and couldn’t get any closer in the second half. No player scored in double figures. Mason Walker scored …

By John Smithson The 2025 class of the North Myrtle Beach High School Athletic Hall of Fame was inducted last Saturday evening in the school auditorium. The Hall of Fame was established in 2014 to celebrate the accomplishments of former Chief athletes and honor others who have made significant contributions to the school’s athletic programs. A Hall of Fame committee annually selects new inductees and honors them each fall during an induction ceremony. Nine individuals and two former athletic teams were honored last Saturday. The 2025 Hall of Fame Inductees are: James Thomas Moore — James Moore was in the …

By Kaye Collins The Loris Chamber of Commerce announced through Facebook last week that their annual Christmas Parade scheduled for Friday, Dec. 5, was cancelled due to the forecasted inclement weather. After several months of preparation and securing the date Mother Nature delivered a rainy and lower temperature for the night. “While we are disappointed to cancel the Christmas parade so many residents of Loris look forward to attend each year,” explained Samantha Norris, executive director of the chamber, “we are also disappointed.” She shared that a parade takes a tremendous amount of coordination to move safely and successfully, from …

By Kaye Collins The Christmas list of God’s Gift begins with the generosity of others. Stella McDowell created the Facebook group God’s Gifts, allowing community members to share their needs or donate items. All offerings within this nonprofit group are provided free of charge. For many years, God’s Gifts has made sure that teenagers aged 13 to 18, both boys and girls, can enjoy the spirit of Christmas. “The demographic we assist frequently outgrows Toys for Tots and might not experience a Christmas without the kindness of the community in supplying gifts,” McDowell remarked. They are in search of unwrapped …

By Gianna Forbis At Monday night’s council meeting, Mayor-Elect J. Baldwin, along with newly elected and re-elected Council Members Trey Skidmore, Bubba Collins and Jeri McCumbee, took their oath of office for the City of North Myrtle Beach. This oath is a legally binding promise made by all public officials before they take their seat as mayor or on city council, affirming their commitment to uphold the law and faithfully serve our community. They will serve the following terms: Mayor J.O Baldwin III: 2025-2029. Councilman Bubba Collins 2025-2029. Councilman Trey Skidmore: 2025-2029. Councilwoman Jeri McCumbee: 2025-2029. A vacant seat sits …

By John Smithson The 41st Intracoastal Christmas Regatta, like those before it, did not disappoint the thousands of spectators who lined the Intracoastal Waterway last Saturday evening. It was a clear and cold evening for viewing a parade of spectacular-colored lights and creative designs on boats from 24 to 55 feet in length. The Regatta began its waterway journey at Little River Inlet and ended at the Dock Holidays Marina. Along the way people lined the shore to cheer and react to the beautiful display and happy disposition of those on the “floats” of the parade. The regatta was the …

By Diane Woods Recently, three emergency service organizations in North Myrtle Beach received generous donations from the Scott A. and Phyllis P. Crabtree Family Foundation. Summer Crabtree, daughter of Scott and Phyllis Crabtree, stated, “Thank you again for all your hard work keeping the City of North Myrtle Beach safe all year long.” Pictured are members of the North Myrtle Beach Fire Department, North Myrtle Beach Police Department and the North Myrtle Beach Rescue Squad.  Mr. and Mrs. Crabtree’s grandchildren, Parker Rose and River, presented the donations to the three agencies.

By Kathy Heagen The GFWC North Myrtle Beach Woman’s Club is proud to present one of its most cherished and time-honored traditions, the Annual Christmas Candlelight Tour of Homes, on Friday, December 5, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.  This year marks the 30th anniversary of this beloved event, a milestone that fills the club with pride and excitement. “We are thrilled to celebrate three decades of opening doors, sharing holiday joy and supporting our community,” says event chairperson Rhonda Atkinson. This year’s tour features six beautifully decorated homes throughout the North Myrtle Beach and Little River areas.  Each home …

The North Myrtle Beach City Council met in a regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, December 1, at 6 p.m. at North Myrtle Beach City Hall. Topics Covered: Development, Signs and Murals. Approved: 4 Denied: 0 Postponed: 3 RESULTS: UNFINISHED BUSINESS ITEMS ORDINANCE/FIRST READING: Amendments to Chapter 23, Zoning, of the Code of Ordinances of North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, revising murals (APPROVED). RESULTS: NEW BUSINESS ITEMS MOTION TO APPROVE: 2026 City Council Meeting Schedule (APPROVED). ORDINANCE/FIRST READING: Amendment to the Parkway Group Planned Development District (PDD), revising Parcel Three of the McDowell Corporate Center (APPROVED). SECOND PUBLIC HEARING: Regarding the …