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

Vista Lanett Kinard-Hovde, 56, of Conway  passed away on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, at her home following a sudden illness. Mrs. Kinard-Hovde was born on Sept. 26, 1964, in Charleston to Vista Wyvonia Mishoe Kinard and the late Edward Charles Kinard Sr. She worked in retail sales with Food Lion until her retirement and was a longtime member of Cherry Hill Baptist Church where she played the piano for many years. Lanette will be most remembered as a kind and loving wife and daughter who had a special place in her heart for her dogs and cats that she loved …

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Elena M. Benitez. A loving and devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother and confidant, Elena Benitez, aka Abuela, Nona, Mama, Mamita, Grams, Grammy and GG, passed away peacefully on Sept.  28, 2020. She was born in Argentina on Dec. 17, 1930, to Jose Mariani and Maria (Sarto) Mariani. In 1966 the Benitez family immigrated to the United States where they settled in Maryland. Elena and Luis retired from their government jobs in 1989 and relocated to North Myrtle Beach. Elena was predeceased by her husband, Luis Benitez, in 2013, her …

Fred P. Hamilton, 69, of Little River passed away unexpectedly on Friday, Oct. 2, 2020, following a brief illness. Born in Lexington to the Rev. Kenneth Littlejohn Hamilton and Sara Davis Hamilton, Fred spent the majority of his life in North Myrtle Beach. A much loved individual in the community, he was a life-long member of Ocean Drive Presbyterian Church in North Myrtle Beach. He was a graduate of Wampee-Little River High School and of the University of South Carolina with degrees in political science and accounting. In keeping with his kind hearted and charitable nature, Fred was a longtime …

By John Smithson The North Myrtle Beach Chiefs varsity football team beat South Florence 35-7 last Friday at the Hank Hester Field on senior night to go 2-0 in the 6AAAA region. The Chiefs followed up their big win at Darlington last week with another solid team performance on both offense and defense to send the visiting Bruins home with their second loss, in their first game played against North Myrtle Beach. South Florence won the toss and following the usual long kickoff from Zane Smith, they began play on their own 20 yard line. Billy Barlow stopped the Bruins …

By Pat Dowling The North Myrtle Beach City Council met on Oct.  5 at City Hall for a 6:30 p.m. executive session and a 7 p.m. meeting. During the executive session, City Council received a legal briefing regarding the proposed development agreement for Chestnut Greens, a residential development proposed for the former Possum Trot Golf Course, and Council discussed the appointment of one member to the Planning Commission. Council took no action. During the meeting, City Council presented a Proclamation and Plaque to Dan Moore for his contributions to North Myrtle Beach. City Council appointed Dan to the Planning Commission …

All schools throughout the district will continue with the hybrid learning plan for students until at least the end of next week, through Friday, Oct. 16.

By Ruben Lowman North Myrtle Beach officials recently passed an ordinance that was intended to prevent “predatory towing” of vehicles from parking lots within city limits. The ordinance was discussed at length by the city council during a workshop and two public hearings, council meetings, before being passed into law at the end of September. The most noteworthy aspect of the ordinance is that the presence of a police officer is required for all tows inside North Myrtle Beach going forward. Councilwoman Nikki Fontana commented that the ordinance was in response to the proper paperwork not being fully completed and …

By Annie Rigby The NCUSSSA softball tournament held Sunday, Oct. 4, ten teams pivoted fields opposing the teams that made the bracket to move on to the next game. The teams consisted of 8U to 14U and two high school teams. The teams wore pink in support of breast cancer awareness month. The team Revolutions was a hard hitting and strong willed team consisting of 10 players and two coaches. The end game was against The Bandits who also had hard hitting young ladies giving the Revolution a run for the win. One team member of the Bandits hit a …

By Annie Rigby Brandon Harrelson, interim city administrator for the city of Loris, addressed the council after they returned to the regular council meeting after a lengthy executive session where he confirmed his resignation effective Friday, Oct. 16. Harrelson said, “As you all already know last Monday, Sept. 28, I gave the mayor my resignation;” he continued, “I have received another position at the city of Conway.” He stated that it was a difficult decision, he said, “I love Loris, it’s my home, I wish nothing but the best for the city of Loris.” He stated he is grateful for …

John Wayne Pressley, Sr., 71, of Ocean Isle Beach, N.C., passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 23 2020. Born in Charlotte, N.C., on Oct. 15 1948, John was a son of the late Clyde Shannon and Elva Watterson Pressley. In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by a brother, Douglas Shannon Pressley. John and his wife Karen moved to the Myrtle Beach area in 1983 and later moved to Ocean Isle Beach, NC. He worked in the construction aggregate industry. He was a member of the Seaside Masonic Lodge # 419 A,F.M., Myrtle Beach, SC. John was an …