North Myrtle Beach

By Ruben Lowman During its regular meeting on Monday, May 4, the North Myrtle Beach City Council gave final approval to an ordinance banning smoking and e-cigarettes on all public beaches. The new regulations, which take effect on Jan. 1, 2027, amend the city’s Health and Sanitation code to include the shoreline and all public access points, such as walkovers and dune crossovers. City officials stated the expansion of the “public beach” definition is intended to prevent smoking from congregating at entrances and to reduce the amount of cigarette-related litter impacting the environment and public safety. Councilmembers noted that the …

By Carol Kurtz Community pride was on full display as the Rotary Club of Little River sponsored an environmental clean-up effort in preparation for the upcoming World Famous Blue Crab Festival on Saturday, May 16, and Sunday, May 17. Volunteers from the Rotary Club of Little River partnered with the Kiwanis Club of North Myrtle Beach-Little River and the North Strand Optimist Club to help beautify key areas throughout Little River. The project began at the “Welcome to Little River” sign off Mineola Avenue, where volunteers weeded flower beds, picked up leaves and spread fresh mulch before moving to the …

By Diane Woods The North Myrtle Beach Rescue Squad is proud to announce the appointment of Gary Clark as its new Chief and Director of Operations. Clark brings more than two decades of emergency medical experience and a proven record of leadership and service to the organization. Clark joined the North Myrtle Beach Rescue Squad in 2019 and quickly rose through the ranks, serving as Captain beginning in 2020. His extensive background, commitment to excellence and dedication to community service made him a natural choice for the department’s highest leadership role. In addition to his administrative duties, Clark also responds …

A longtime Main Street staple is officially back open and serving customers once again. Ocean Drive Barbershop, located at 233 Main Street in the Ocean Drive section of North Myrtle Beach, has reopened its doors after recently being brought under local ownership by the Worley family. The historic shop, which has been part of the Main Street community for decades, is now operating under local ownership with Jason Porter operating the shop. The reopening continues a long-standing Main Street tradition in Ocean Drive. “We wanted to see the barbershop stay a barbershop,” said HG Worley Jr. “This place has a …

By Ruben Lowman Local residents looking to prioritize health and community connection have two significant, cost-free opportunities as Horry County launches back-to-back wellness initiatives this week. From mental health advocacy to beachfront athletics, these events utilize the area’s natural landscapes to provide accessible resources for families and individuals. The weekend begins on Friday, May 15, with the “Steps Against Stigma” Mental Health Action Day at Vereen Memorial Historical Gardens in Little River. Organized by Horry County Behavioral Services and Parks and Recreation, this event runs from 10 a.m. to 12 noon and features a Wellness Walk and Resource Fair. Participants …

By Carl MacLeod and Matt Davis A new effort is underway to turn a long-planned 9/11 tribute in Little River into a physical landmark and organizers say community donations will determine how soon construction can begin. Space Air Land Sea HQ Veterans Post 1 (SALS), working alongside the Little River Chamber of Commerce and a volunteer committee, is asking residents, veterans, groups, civic organizations and local businesses to help fund the memorial’s first phase, including site preparation and core materials. Planned as the Veterans, First Responders & Patriots 9/11 Memorial, the project is intended to offer a place for remembrance …

Lilian Canfora and Jacquelyn Strickland, both recent Coastal Carolina University graduates, have been awarded the DKG Education Scholarship. Lilian will be teaching at the Academy for Technology and Academics (ATA) where she hopes to instill in her high school students the love of learning her parents and teachers instilled in her. While a student at Coastal Carolina University, she served as chair of the Teacher Cadet program in Horry County Schools which provided valuable experience and a strong support system in the field of education. Jacquelyn majored in early childhood education and looks forward to making a positive impact on …

By Dorothy Bambach The ladies of the Yaupon Garden Club were recently reminded of the sage advice to live in the present by Chaplain Lynne Payne who delivered the meditation at their Tuesday, May 5, meeting. The members truly enjoyed living in the present at their luau-themed meeting, thanks to décor provided by hostess Belinda Roy along with hostesses Kathy Jenkins, Sue Hagen, Pam Maness and Lynne Payne. President Phillis Newman welcomed visitors Honey Chiocco, Kay Schwaiger and Jennifer Grue. She also requested the members to pray for Susan Platt who recently lost her father and for Mary Templeton who …

By James Pease II The Loris High School DECA business competition team recently competed at the 2026 International Career Development Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. This is the first year the school has had a team make it to the final rounds. Caitie Black and Luke Martin competed as a team and placed in the top eight percent of 240 teams competing in the Entrepreneurship Team Decision Making event. The pair had to complete a 100 question test and build a solution to a case study that was then judged. Black and Martin competed in the region and state levels in …

By Ruben Lowman Following a board retreat and a comprehensive budget unveiling last week, Horry County Schools’ Superintendent Clifford Jones has laid out a vision for the 2026–27 school year that is as much about “unplugging” as it is about “leveling up.” The headline is a staggering $1.2 billion budget, a record-breaking figure that officials said would also avoid a property tax increase. Jones is also proposing to decrease the use of technology and screens in the classroom and by students in general. The plan includes a 10 p.m. blackout, using the Linewise monitoring system to remotely shut down all …