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

By James Pease II On Friday, April 17, the Loris High School FFA (Future Farmers of America) team competed in the SCenvirothon in Columbia, S.C. The competition was held at Sandhill Research and Education Center and put FFA teams against each other in skill stations to test their knowledge with topics including: soils, aquatics, forstery, wildlife and nonpoint source polution. At the end of the day, students gave a 10 minute presentation on storm water. Loris High School FFA students took home second place in the FFA division. The team is advised by Clair Hammonds and Brooke Hall.

By James Pease II Congratulations to the Thursday, April 16, Sing It! Loris winners, Lora Harper and Tabatha Tullis! The Loris Chamber of Commerce held the event at the State Theatre on Main Street in Loris, at 6 p.m. Each contestant was allowed one song entry to compete with. Lora Harper sang “At Last” by Etta James, and Tabatha Tullis sang “Independence Day” by Martina McBride. Each of them received a prize package from the Chamber of Loris and two gift cards from the event sponsor, Bravo Entertainment LLC. “Usually the only big thing every year in Loris is the …

Four Horry County residents have filed as candidates for the November election, challenging what they say is an “out of touch and unresponsive” Horry County Council. Candidate filing for the 2026 S.C. election has ended. The four, Genesis Bordner of Surfside Beach (D5), Kristi Burch (D2), and Chris Hennigan (D7) of Myrtle Beach and Dylan Thompson of Conway (D11), are running as Forward Party candidates, choosing it over a Republican Party that has dominated the Council for two decades. The Forward Party is the fastest-growing political party in South Carolina, having elected candidates in Charleston, North Charleston and most recently …

By James Pease II On Monday, April 13, 2026, World War II veteran Gus Preno celebrated his 109th birthday at River Park Senior Living retirement home in Little River. The celebration was put together with the help of Mission BBQ owner Kristy LeVasseur and the staff of River Park Senior Living. Starting at 2 p.m., a parade route led by Horry County Police Department made it’s way to Presno’s front door to wish him a very happy birthday. Close to one hundred guests came to say hello to the veteran after the parade, with many giving him cards and gifts. …

Wednesday, April 8, 2026, was a day of celebration for Betty Skeen of North Myrtle Beach, former manager of the South Carolina Welcome Center in Little River for 36 years. Many friends and family members were there to help her celebrate her 90th birthday including her daughter, Renee Holbert from Miami, Florida, who planned the entire, wonderful gathering. Two former managers of the South Carolina Welcome Center in Little River, Sissy Bolstad and Wanda Bellamy, were also on hand to help celebrate Betty’s birthday. Sissy preceded Betty as manager and hired Betty as her replacement when Sissy’s husband-to-be returned home …

By William La Monte Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10804 Life Member and River Park resident Dan Farley thought it was not right that the entrance foyer at the River Park Senior Living did not have an American Flag in the lobby. After discussing it with Diane Renner, River Park’s Community Manager, Dane brought the idea to VFW Post 10804. Post members voted to take on the project and post leadership went about finding and purchasing the flags and stands. Dan’s wife Cathey thought the flag idea would also be appropriate for the lobby of the River Park Assisted Living …

Keep an eye out in coming weeks for these bright green envelopes that say “Horry County Exemption Audit Notice”. If you receive one, please do not throw it out! This is your reminder that the Assessor’s Office is missing documentation regarding legal residence applications. Missing documents can be submitted via email, fax or mail. These notices are being sent this week to anyone who was given “provisional or conditional” approval of their legal residence status. The deadline to turn in missing documents to avoid a rebill at the higher rate is May 31, 2026. Have questions? Contact the Horry County …

By Ruben Lowman The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has officially mobilized crews for a vital dredging and maintenance project at the Little River Inlet, with operations having commenced this Monday, April 13. This federal navigation project is designed to address significant shoaling within the channel by removing approximately 65,000 cubic yards of sand, which will then be repurposed to stabilize the northern jetty. For the residents and local businesses in Little River, this inlet serves as the lifeblood of the local maritime economy, providing the only direct access to the Atlantic Ocean for miles in either direction. Maintaining the …

America’s Boating Club North Strand will host the nationally recognized ABC Safe Boating Course on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the Tidewater Plantation Amenities Center’s large meeting room located at 1601 Spinnaker Road in North Myrtle Beach. This comprehensive, full day course is designed for new boaters, experienced boaters and anyone considering boating. Participants will learn essential boating knowledge, including: types of boats and choosing the right one; boating laws and regulations; required safety equipment; safe boating practices; basic navigation; handling common boating problems; trailering, storage and boat protection; and considerations for hunting, fishing, water-skiing and river boating. While the …

By Dorothy Bambach The ladies of the Yaupon Garden Club recently took a journey in a time machine which carried them to a Myrtle Beach of long ago. It was in the 1940’s, along Highway 17. There were fresh water lakes, native tree canopies and undeveloped Atlantic Ocean beaches. It was a peaceful, quiet Myrtle Beach, which calmed the soul and provided respite from the busy highway just yards away. It was a special place: the 500-acre Meher Baba Spiritual Center. Their travel leader, Janet Files, pointed out the various native plants and trees along the way to the delight …