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

During the Monday, March 16, North Myrtle Beach City Council Meeting, Mayor J. Baldwin along with City Council, proclaimed the month of April as Child Abuse Prevention Month throughout North Myrtle Beach and asked all South Carolinians to dedicate themselves to protecting the quality of life for all families and children so that we can end child neglect and abuse. Effective child abuse prevention activities succeed because of the partnerships created between child welfare professionals, education, health, community and faith-based organizations, businesses, mental and behavioral health, law enforcement agencies and families. The city acknowledges that we must work together as …

By Ruben Lowman The North Myrtle Beach City Council is tapping the brakes on a plan to bring a new Chick-fil-A to the Gator Hole Plaza shopping center. In a unanimous 6-0 vote during their meeting earlier this month, city councilmembers opted to table a proposed amendment to the Gator Hole Planned Development District. The project aims to demolish the former TGI Friday’s building, which has been shuttered since October 2024, to make way for the high-volume fast-food chain, which has been operating at a smaller location in the shopping center for decades. While city leaders expressed a clear desire …

By Sandy Barker The Garden Club of South Carolina is welcoming a new Federated Garden Club in North Myrtle Beach. North Myrtle Dunes and Blooms Garden Club is excited to join the community of garden lovers who share a passion for plants, flowers and the joy of cultivating beauty. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting your journey, you’ll find plenty of inspiration, support and friendship here. The members of the club are primarily transplants from other states and as a group are interested in learning what will grow in this coastal climate and how to help the lawns, …

By Jill Roman Driftwood Garden Club’s March meeting, “A Daffodil Tea and Herbs of the Bible”, was held at the home of Jill Roman. A dinner of quiche, salad and shortbread cookies was served. Jill Roman conducted a rousing round of Scottish trivia which was won by Joan Schuster and Jeanette Bell. Lucy Lewis was in charge of the floral design section of the meeting and showcased her gorgeous daffodil planter. She also read a poem by William Wordsworth entitled “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud”. Linda Sweatt explained that daffodils represent good luck, renewal and have been around for …

By Ruben Lowman The transformation of the former JC Penney site at the Myrtle Beach Mall in Briarcliffe Acres is entering its final stages as signs for Downtown Flavortown are officially going up. After more than a year of anticipation following the initial announcement in late 2024, officials with FACE Amusement Group have confirmed that the massive 50,000 square foot entertainment complex is slated for an opening in June 2026. While a specific day has not yet been circled on the calendar, developers are aiming for a summer launch to coincide with the peak tourism season on the Grand Strand. …

By Dorothy Bambach What do you get when you have five hard-working conservationists and two hours of volunteer time?  A cleaned- up natural green space welcoming birds and other delights of nature. Under the leadership of Yaupon Garden Club President Phillis Newman and members Karen Melotti, Susan Platt, Phyllis Green and Mary Templeton, ten thirty-gallon garbage bags were filled and taken to the dump. Let it be a reminder to all enjoying our beautiful community to think before littering.

America’s Boating Club North Strand is offering free vessel safety exams to help local boaters ensure their vessels meet current safety requirements before the boating season. The voluntary exam, conducted by trained members of the club, checks for required safety equipment and compliance with guidelines from the U.S. Coast Guard and South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Items reviewed include life jackets, fire extinguishers, navigation lights, sound-producing devices and other essential safety gear. The inspection typically takes about 15–30 minutes and is provided at no cost. Boats that meet safety standards receive a Vessel Safety Check decal. No citations or …

By  Diane Woods Recently the North Myrtle Beach Rescue Squad Water Rescue Team was invited by North Strand Sail and Power Squadron, part of America’s Boating Club, to share details of their water rescue operations.  Greg Richardson, a Boat Captain, shared how the water rescue team conducts operations on the inlets, Intracoastal Waterway and Atlantic Ocean. He explained that their amphibious boat “Merlin Bellamy aka Merlin” is a three vehicle that goes 7 miles per hour over the roadway, then over the sand when the boat reaches the water, wheels go up, motor goes down and off they go. Daniel …

By Ruben Lowman The landscape of local taxation in Horry County got a major green light from the state’s highest legal office this week. Following a formal inquiry, the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office issued a legal opinion confirming that Horry County is legally permitted to ask voters for an additional one percent Local Option Sales Tax (LOST). The primary concern for county leaders was whether the existing taxation in Myrtle Beach would act as a legal barrier. Since 2009, Myrtle Beach has collected a one percent Tourism Development Fee (TDF), a unique assessment used for out-of-state marketing and residential …

By John Smithson The NMB Lady Chiefs beat Hartsville last Wednesday 12-4 in a non-region game before losing to St. James last Friday 5-2 in their first 6AAAAA region game. Sierra Bendik got the night started with a quick three outs in the top of the first inning against the Red Foxes. Hadley Leonhardt singled to left and Bendik hit a grounder to third. The Hartsville throw to second failed to get Leonhardt and both runners were safe. Lilly Carney singled to right and scored Leonhardt with Bendik to second. Izzy Bruno’s ground ball out to second moved the runners …