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

By Annie Rigby The Loris City Council met on Monday, June 29, at 5:30 p.m. in the council chambers at city hall. Due to COVID-19 pandemic the Special Council Meeting is open to the public and press via Zoom, the social media outlet through the App or dial in to attend the meeting. Mayor Todd Harrelson stated in last week’s meeting that social distancing was a priority, only council members and city staff are able to meet in person. Present at the meeting were council members Joan Gause, Lewis Hardee, Terrence Hardee, Carroll D. Padgett, Jr., Mike Suggs, Jan Vescovi …

By Annie Rigby Many activities were planned for high school graduates for the class of 2020, the biggest first milestone marked in many diaries, yearbooks and memories. However, there are two other milestones in the Loris community that were almost overlooked; the 5th grade graduation at Loris Elementary School (LES) and Daisy Elementary School (DES), and the 8th grade graduation at Loris Middle School (LMS). Loris Elementary and Daisy Elementary fifth graders were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, they missed the end of the year activities, the Field Day was cancelled, PTO activities and their recognition with their peers to …

By RUBEN LOWMAN North Myrtle Beach City Council unanimously approved the first reading of a $89 million amended budget on Tuesday that raises property taxes within city limits. The proposed budget would cut a little over $30 million in major projects and carry a tax increase of 7.9 mils, bringing the city’s rate to 45 mils. At a workshop last week Councilman-at-large Hank Thomas was the only member to voice opposition to the proposed increase, saying he was concerned about the impact it would have on businesses and second homeowners. After deliberating with the rest of the council this week, …

By Ruben Lowman The primary elections for Horry County Council District 9 and Horry County Auditor were close enough last week to necessitate a runoff between the top two candidates in each race. Mark Causey and Terry Fowler will compete for the District 9 council seat, while R.A. Johnson and Beth Calhoun will vie to be the next county auditor. Both individuals who currently hold these seats are retiring after long and illustrious careers serving the public from these positions. Paul Prince is retiring after nearly two decades as the district’s councilman and hoped to pass the baton to his …

The city of North Myrtle Beach has been unable to hold their two summer concert series, Music on Main and the Sounds of Summer, so far this summer. Currently, concerts are not permitted by Governor McMaster and if/when he does eventually allow them the city will then make the decision whether to proceed with the performances. City spokesperson Pat Dowling said the city is stressing the importance of wearing masks and maintaining social distancing while in public to prevent the spread of COVID-19, which is rising in our area. “These small precautions are known to reduce and sometimes halt its …

By Ruben Lowman North Myrtle Beach City Council held a workshop on Tuesday to evaluate the ways in which they can remedy the issues with the city budget resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The council initially proposed $119 million in expenditures in February at the annual budget retreat in Pinopolis, which is $27 million more than the previous year. City officials are now looking at a projected $30 million shortfall and will take the next two weeks to deliberate before voting on an $89 million budget. The key issue during the workshop hinged on whether or not to temporarily increase …

By Ruben Lowman After being under various states of quarantine and lockdown throughout the spring, the summer season truly kicked into swing with the return of the farmers market to North Myrtle Beach and Little River. For city resident Tara Gurry it was a chance to get back out and purchase fruits and vegetables that have been grown locally from smiling faces, both familiar and new. She said that the farmers market is a unique place, a gathering spot of individuals who all share a passion for clean, healthy eating. Locals like Tara Gurry were ecstatic to see the return …

By Ruben Lowman The nesting season for sea turtles who make North Myrtle Beach and other localities along the South Carolina coast home began last month. The Times spoke with Linda Mataya of the North Myrtle Beach Sea Turtle Patrol to find out more information about our summer guests and the ways residents and visitors can help protect them and their delicate environment. Mataya was asked to update the newspaper when the first nest was officially found on our beaches. She was excited to break the news that the Sea Turtle Patrol, aided by city sanitation workers, found the first …

On Monday, June 8, the North Myrtle Beach City Hall and the North Myrtle Beach Public Safety Buildings reopened to the public for regular business hours. The city encourages its customers to continue to use online, drive-thru and telephone resources to conduct business, if possible.For the safety of customers and employees, persons who have recently had a fever, cough or shortness of breath should not enter any building. All customers should practice social distancing, avoid touching surfaces as much as possible, wash hands before and after visiting, and if they feel the urge to cough, cover it. Customers are encouraged …

North Myrtle Beach announced on Tuesday the 4th of July fireworks display has been canceled that was scheduled to take place at the Cherry Grove Pier in the Cherry Grove section of the city. The city said the show was canceled after payment for the event was due early in the COVID-19 pandemic. City officials were unsure when the emergency would be over and how it would affect the city’s revenue.