North Myrtle Beach

By Ruben Lowman The transformation of the former JC Penney site at the Myrtle Beach Mall in Briarcliffe Acres is entering its final stages as signs for Downtown Flavortown are officially going up. After more than a year of anticipation following the initial announcement in late 2024, officials with FACE Amusement Group have confirmed that the massive 50,000 square foot entertainment complex is slated for an opening in June 2026. While a specific day has not yet been circled on the calendar, developers are aiming for a summer launch to coincide with the peak tourism season on the Grand Strand. …

By Dorothy Bambach What do you get when you have five hard-working conservationists and two hours of volunteer time?  A cleaned- up natural green space welcoming birds and other delights of nature. Under the leadership of Yaupon Garden Club President Phillis Newman and members Karen Melotti, Susan Platt, Phyllis Green and Mary Templeton, ten thirty-gallon garbage bags were filled and taken to the dump. Let it be a reminder to all enjoying our beautiful community to think before littering.

America’s Boating Club North Strand is offering free vessel safety exams to help local boaters ensure their vessels meet current safety requirements before the boating season. The voluntary exam, conducted by trained members of the club, checks for required safety equipment and compliance with guidelines from the U.S. Coast Guard and South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Items reviewed include life jackets, fire extinguishers, navigation lights, sound-producing devices and other essential safety gear. The inspection typically takes about 15–30 minutes and is provided at no cost. Boats that meet safety standards receive a Vessel Safety Check decal. No citations or …

By  Diane Woods Recently the North Myrtle Beach Rescue Squad Water Rescue Team was invited by North Strand Sail and Power Squadron, part of America’s Boating Club, to share details of their water rescue operations.  Greg Richardson, a Boat Captain, shared how the water rescue team conducts operations on the inlets, Intracoastal Waterway and Atlantic Ocean. He explained that their amphibious boat “Merlin Bellamy aka Merlin” is a three vehicle that goes 7 miles per hour over the roadway, then over the sand when the boat reaches the water, wheels go up, motor goes down and off they go. Daniel …

By Ruben Lowman The landscape of local taxation in Horry County got a major green light from the state’s highest legal office this week. Following a formal inquiry, the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office issued a legal opinion confirming that Horry County is legally permitted to ask voters for an additional one percent Local Option Sales Tax (LOST). The primary concern for county leaders was whether the existing taxation in Myrtle Beach would act as a legal barrier. Since 2009, Myrtle Beach has collected a one percent Tourism Development Fee (TDF), a unique assessment used for out-of-state marketing and residential …

By Diane Billard On Sunday, March 1, 2026, Rotary District 7770 Governor Sandy Morckel and Area 11 Assistant Governor Diane Billard presented the Rotary International Avenues of Services Award to Renee Hembree.  This was part of the program at the Spirits of Giving Mardi Gras Fundraiser at Hurricane Juel’s. This award recognizes Rotarians who have received district-level recognition in all five Avenues of Service: Club Service, Vocational Service, Community Service, International Service and Youth Service. Club Service — In 2018, Renee Hembree heard some students were suffering at her neighborhood high school due to homelessness, lack of support, or living …

By Ruben Lowman The long-debated I-73 project, a multi-billion dollar infrastructure plan designed to link the North Carolina border to the Grand Strand, may soon have an official name. On Thursday, March 5, the South Carolina House of Representatives officially passed a resolution to name the yet-to-be-built stretch of road the President Donald J. Trump Highway. The resolution, known as House Bill 4982, cleared the House floor with a 76-28 roll call vote. The bill was a collective effort from a large contingent of Grand Strand leaders, introduced by Representative Heather Ammons Crawford and co-sponsored by several Horry County representatives, …

By Ruben Lowman South Carolina’s six-month grace period for the Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act officially ended at the beginning of this month. Drivers in Horry County and all across the Palmetto State are now subject to active enforcement and financial penalties rather than the warning citations that have been issued since the law was first enacted in September 2025. The South Carolina Department of Public Safety confirmed that first-time offenders will receive a $100 fine. Those caught a second time or more face a $200 fine and will have two points added to their driver’s license. These penalties apply …

By Ruben Lowman If you were planning on spending your St. Patrick’s Day holiday watching the hopefuls for South Carolina’s highest office trade barbs in Conway, you might want to find a new set of plans. The S.C. Republican Party has hit the brakes on its original schedule, effectively moving the Grand Strand area from the front of the line to a wait-and-see position at the very end of the primary season. The original schedule, laid out back in December, had the candidates for governor debating at Coastal Carolina University on March 17. However, the updated itinerary now shows a …

PalmettoPride is launching the 2026 SC Sweep, a 10-day statewide campaign inviting South Carolinians to take action against litter and help keep their communities beautiful. Taking place during the first 10 days of spring, the campaign capitalizes on the warmer weather, when many residents are already planning to spend time outdoors and enjoy all our state has to offer. Families, schools, businesses, civic groups and individuals are encouraged to sign the PalmettoPledge and make a simple commitment: pick up even just one piece of litter, join a local cleanup or organize their own during the SC Sweep. With more than …