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

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 …

By John Smthson The North Myrtle Beach Chiefs varsity baseball team followed their CIT championship performance with an 11-7 victory last Wednesday at South Florence in a non-region game. The Chiefs opened the top of the first inning with a Kaden Lank single to left. Lank went to third on a double by Porter Gallup and Evan Steudl walked to load the bases. Sawyer Smith singled and drove in Lank for a 1-0 Chiefs lead. Trevor Mitchetti followed with a grand slam home run to left and 5-0 lead going to the bottom of the first. The Chiefs Noah Nance …

By John Smithson The North Myrtle Beach Lady Chiefs track and field team finished third at the Island Invitational track meet last Saturday. The Chiefs were third out of fourteen girls team competing in the meet and were led by Fenna Hollo, who was named the Runner of the Meet for her performance. Hollo won first place in both the 1600 meter run and the 3200 meter run, crossing the finish line at least 15 seconds ahead of the second-place runner in both races. Her accomplishments anchored a third-place finish for the Lady Chiefs in the final team standings. The …

By John Smithson The North Myrtle Beach High School Lady Chiefs lacrosse team won two of three games last week while splitting region games with Carolina Forest and Myrtle Beach. The Chiefs opened their week last Monday at Carolina Forest and lost 18-8. The Chiefs continued to make progress against the established teams they play as they build their program under coach Danielle Lowrimore. Five different players scored in the game. Ava Patel led the Chiefs with three goals; Jasmine Watts netted two goals and the team’s leading scorer Aryanna Kipybida had a goal as did Oaklee Castle and Lexi …

Boys and girls soccer — Since the season opened with the Nash Tournament the boys varsity soccer team has won five matches. Their most recent win was a 5-0 shutout of Conway on Wednesday, March 11. The girls team is 3-3 so far this spring. The Lady Chiefs won their last match 2-0 over Conway. Bridget Mount scored the first goal for the Chiefs and Raphaella Nunes scored the second goal. Clara Cloninger had three saves in goal. Boys tennis — The Chiefs boys tennis team is 2-0 so far this season. They beat Laney on Wednesday, February 25, and …