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By Tom O’Dare The staff at Ascent Christian Academy in North Myrtle Beach saw the writing on the wall as the COVID-19 virus was ramping up everywhere. By the time the order came down to close South Carolina schools, the administration and staff at ACA already had everything in place to begin distant learning immediately. Using online classrooms and face-to-face virtual meetings, education at the school never missed a beat. The school, located at the Barefoot Community Church on Main Street in North Myrtle Beach, has students from pre-kindergarten through high school that come from as far away as Myrtle …

A couple of children spent their Saturday playing at McLean Park. They are making sure to adhere to the social distancing guidelines and limiting their groups to under three. By Ruben Lowman and Andrea Maestre The coronavirus pandemic crisis currently enveloping the globe has overwhelmed hospital systems and funeral homes, locked down major cities and entire countries all over the world and brought the global economy to a standstill. This is an unprecedented situation that is unfolding rapidly, collectively, and in real time. The North Myrtle Beach Times has spoken with many residents and asked them to share their experiences …

As part of its ongoing response to the COVID-19 coronavirus threat, Tidelands Health is issuing an urgent appeal to community residents who can sew. The health system has several thousand new, never-used N95 respirators in its warehouse. The respirators were acquired during a previous public health emergency but never used. While the N95 respirators themselves are in new condition, the elastic straps have become brittle over time. Before the respirators can be made available to clinical staff, the straps need to be replaced. “We are reaching out to our community and asking for your help,” said Pam Maxwell, the health …

Purses with Purpose event will postpone and set a new date soon! North Myrtle Beach Annual Awards Gala has been postponed to a later date.

By Pete Brooks The United States Chamber of Commerce, at its board meeting last week, awarded the North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce, Convention & Visitors Bureau with 5-Star Accreditation for its sound policies, effective organizational procedures and positive impact on the community. “Accreditation validates a chamber as having programs that benefit its local economy and positively influence its community,” said Raymond P. Towle, IOM, CAE, U.S. Chamber vice president of Federation Relations and Institute for Organization Management. “We applaud these organizations for advancing the principles of free enterprise.” Accreditation is the only national program that recognizes chambers for their …

Decorated golf carts have always been a big part of the North Myrtle Beach Annual St. Patrick’s Day parade. The 32nd Annual North Myrtle Beach St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival will be on Saturday, March 14, on Main Street in North Myrtle Beach. The parade begins at 9 a.m. and the festival runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The one-day rain or shine event attracts more than 40,000 people annually. The North Strand Optimist Club organizes the parade and all entry fees go to help the youth of the community. The festival offers over 150 food, arts and …

Prior to the March 2 City Council meeting, Council met in a 6:15 p.m. executive session to receive a legal briefing concerning the lawsuit between the City of Myrtle Beach and Horry County regarding local accommodations and hospitality taxes. Council took no action. City Council approved a special event permit for the 32nd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, on Saturday, March 14, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Main Street. The St. Patrick’s Day Festival follows on Main Street from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The City of North Myrtle Beach and the North Strand Optimist Club of North …

During their March 2 meeting, North Myrtle Beach City Council members recognized the detectives who worked to solve the 1996 Shawn Marie Neal case. Neal was murdered on June 2, 1996 in North Myrtle Beach. Detectives and SLED  investigated, but with few leads, the case went cold. North Myrtle Beach detectives did not give up on the case and in 2017, relying on advances in DNA collection and cataloging, detectives reopened the Neal investigation, hoping to bring closure for the victim’s family members and to serve justice. Some murder scene items suspected of containing additional DNA material were sent to …

The following information was released by the city of North Myrtle Beach. The city of North Myrtle Beach received some phone calls and emails asking about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and how to avoid contracting it. Here is some basic information: SYMPTOMS – Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure. The most common symptoms are fever, cough and shortness of breath. Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed COVID-19 cases. Existing underlying heart, respiratory or other medical conditions, coupled with older age, may play a significant role in cases where people have died …

Jeri Lorraine McCumbee was born and raised in Horry County and graduated from Green Sea Floyds High School. She is the daughter of Toni Phillips and Bobby McCumbee. She grew up in the farming world of tobacco, a major crop when she was a child. After graduation, she attended Spartanburg Methodist College. There was no keeping the salt out of her hair, so she returned to the coast. Of course, the only jobs for young people on the beach in the 80’s were the tourist and restaurant industries. Jeri worked at several iconic businesses including Crazy Zacks, The Farmer’s Daughter …