Loris

By Kaye Collins The City of Loris conducted the swearing-in ceremony for the City Council on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at 10 a.m. in the Council Chambers of Loris City Hall. Three council members who were re-elected, Andrea Coleman, Kelli Gerald, and Carroll D. Padgett, Jr., took their oath of office in front of Municipal Judge William N. Hutson. Loris Council member Joan Gause, Mayor Mike Suggs, and City Clerk Melinda Price were present at the ceremony, along with residents of Loris and the families of the three individuals taking the oath. the Rev. Thessalonia Graham, Pastor of Mt. Rona …

By Kaye Collins In 2025, extending into early 2026, the Loris City Council has focused on modernizing infrastructure, overseeing substantial growth proposals, and tackling administrative financial challenges. The significant infrastructure enhancements involve upgrades to water and sewer systems. In 2025, the city initiated a multi-phase project costing $5.3 million to replace outdated utility lines, which includes 10-inch water mains located in the downtown region. This initiative, primarily financed by a $4.5 million grant, also encompasses the installation of new digital water meters to resolve persistent billing discrepancies. Sewer rehabilitation efforts commenced with the Pinewood Drive Sewer Rehabilitation project, which employs …

By Kaye Collins The new year will introduce various changes to the laws in South Carolina, with significant legislation coming into effect starting Friday, January 1, 2026, and additional measures scheduled to be implemented later in 2026. One of the most notable changes affects bars and restaurants that offer alcohol, after years of worries from business owners regarding increasing insurance expenses. A new law regarding liquor liability and insurance requirements will come into effect on Thursday. According to a statute from 2017, bars and restaurants that serve alcohol after 5 p.m. were mandated to maintain a $1 million liability insurance …

By Kaye Collins As the wildfire season draws near, the South Carolina Forestry Commission has issued a statement regarding the potential risk of wildfires in the coming months throughout the state and specifically in Horry County. The Storm Prediction Center has released a fire weather outlook for the region. Communication Director Doug Wood mentioned that the period from January to April is the peak season for wildfire outbreaks. He noted that approximately 2-3 incidents occur daily throughout the state, totaling around 1,400 annually. He explained that these wildfires are triggered by a combination of factors. The period from January to …

By Kaye Collins Later this month, lawmakers in South Carolina will reconvene at the State House, where income tax reform, modifications to DUI laws, and transportation priorities will be at the forefront of their agenda. South Carolina legislators are set to reconvene at the State House later in January for the second year of the two-year legislative session, in anticipation of a much-anticipated gubernatorial race and several significant issues coming to the forefront. Republicans maintain majorities in both the House and Senate, and House GOP leaders indicate that reforming the state’s income tax system is their primary focus as they …

By Kaye Collins Many of us observe Christmas in a similar manner; following Thanksgiving, we adorn our homes with a Christmas tree embellished with sparkling lights and vibrant ornaments. In the past, individuals would thread popcorn and create chains from construction paper to enhance the tree’s decoration. Meeting Santa Claus at shopping malls and stores brings joy to children as they express their wishes for what they hope to find under their Christmas tree. The lists are endless, including items like baby dolls, action figures, remote-controlled cars, doll cradles, candy canes, and much more. Photographs with Santa Claus have become …

By Kaye Collins In 2026, South Carolina will unveil a new standard license plate to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution. This plate will showcase a Revolutionary soldier and the phrase ‘Where the Revolutionary War Was Won,’ replacing the current primary option of “While I Breathe, I Hope” alongside the ‘In God We Trust’ plate. The new plate will be available on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2026, and will be issued until 2032 for new registrations or renewals. Existing plates will continue to be valid until they reach their standard 10-year replacement cycle first issued in 2016. As required …

By Kaye Collins The core of Christmas is celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. It wasn’t until the 19th century that Americans began to embrace Christmas by reinventing Christmas from a loud carnival holiday into a family-centered day of peace and nostalgia. Old family Christmas photos often show simple joys, like kids with new toys (Barbies, teddy bears), families in matching outfits or paper crowns, decorating trees with tinsel, opening presents and gathering for festive dinners, evoking wistfulness for simpler times. Bonnie Young recounted the Christmas Day traditions her family celebrated over the years. “My daddy would head into the …

By Kaye Collins On Thursday, Dec. 18, Loris went up against the Carolina Forest Panthers in a matchup featuring two of the leading teams in the state. The Lions secured a convincing 74-38 win. This season, the Lions have consistently dominated their rivals, achieving victories in three games by a margin of 23 points or greater. The Lions rank 5 in AAA Region and 10 in the state. The Lions’ achievement stemmed from a well-rounded offensive strategy that involved multiple players contributing, with Khalil Sherman (1) taking the lead by nearly achieving a double-double, scoring 16 points and grabbing nine …

By Kaye Collins Since 1998, Cookie Tisdale has been providing food for the homeless in Loris, Conway and Myrtle Beach. She later started collecting donations for warm winter clothing and essential items to help keep them comfortable. “God placed it in my heart to assist those who are less fortunate than I am,” Tisdale stated. “It brings me joy to offer items that help keep them warm, even if it’s just a hot meal.” She created the 501C nonprofit Blessed are Those Who Bless Others, through which she gathers donations and feeds the homeless a hot meal once a day. …