12-ft gator headed to museum after swallowing 80-pound NC dog

By WNCT News

Signs are now posted at Mill Creek Green where Tuesday night an alligator attacked and ate an 80 pound Husky.

JACKSONVILLE, N.C. - The alligator killed for eating a dog in Jacksonville is slated to be put on display at a local museum.

WNCT reports the 12-foot, 500 pound gator will be put on display at the Onlsow County Environmental Education Center and Library on N.C. Highway 210 in Sneads Ferry.

Continue at:

http://www.wbtw.com/story/22932130/warning-signs-posted-after-gator-eats-80-pound-nc-dog

By Leah Mishkin

Jul 27, 2013


MURRELLS INLET, S.C. (WBTW) -


The 6th annual Rick Mommsen Jr. memorial golf tournament was held Saturday at the Blackmoor Golf Club.

All the money raised from the fundraiser went towards Katherine's Camp. Katherine's Camp is organized by the Hospice and Palliative Care Foundation for children ages 5 to 18 years old who experienced the death of a loved one.

Continue at:

http://www.wbtw.com/story/22948427/golf-tournament-held-in-murrells-inlet-to-benefit-katherines-camp

Horry County News Releases

HORRY COUNTY ANIMAL CARE CENTER TO HOLD PET

VACCINATION CLINIC

Conway, South Carolina – The Horry County Animal Care Center will hold a vaccination clinic, 15 August 2013, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the animal shelter located at 1923 Industrial Park Road in Conway.  The Clinic will offer the following services:

            Distemper/Parvo                                          $10--must be at least 8-weeks old

            (canine)

            Bordatella                                                      $10--must be at least 8-weeks old

            (canine)

            Rabies                                                                        $10--must be at least 4-months old

            (canine & feline)

            Microchip                                                      $15--must be at least 8-weeks old

            (canine & feline)

            Rhinotracheitis/Calici                                  $10--must be at least 8-weeks old

            (feline)

Dogs and cats are both welcome; dogs must be on a hand-held leash and cats must be in a pet carrier.

The Animal Care Center will be holding these clinics monthly.

To help homeless animals in Horry County find loving homes, the Animal Care Center will offer discounted adoptions Friday, September 6, 2013, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Saturday, September 7, 2013, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.  Potential adopters are encouraged to visit and spend time with the animal they are interested in.  Most of the animals are already spayed or neutered and have their shots up to date, however younger animals may need to be returned later to have shots and/or spay/neutering done.  The paperwork is easy and only takes a few minutes to fill out.  For this event, adoption fees will be discounted to just $40 for dogs (normally $80) and $25 (normally $50) for cats which includes spaying/neutering, vaccines including Rabies, heartworm or leukemia testing, heartworm and flea preventative, intestinal parasite treatment and micro-chipping.  Qualifying new pet parents also get 30-days free pet health insurance and coupons from local pet businesses. 

To view the animals currently available for adoption or for more information on the monthly vaccination clinics, contact the Horry County Animal Care Center at 843-915-5172, follow us on Facebook, or visit our website at http://www.horrycounty.org/depts/pubsafety/AdoptAnimals.asp .

KNOW YOUR ZONE HURRICANE TOWN HALL MEETINGS

Conway, South Carolina –Horry County Emergency Management will host several town hall meetings for the public on the Know Your Zone hurricane evacuation zones.

 

North Strand/Little River Areas - July 30 at 6:00 p.m.

C.B. Berry Community and Historical Center, 2250 Highway 179, Little River

South Strand Areas - August 6 at 7:00 p.m.

South Strand Recreation, 9650 Scipio Lane, Myrtle Beach

 

Bucksport Area - August 13 at 6:00 p.m.

James R. Frazier Community Center, 1370 Bucksport Road, Conway

 

Carolina Forest Area-August 21 at 6 p.m.

Carolina Forest Recreation Center, 2254 Carolina Forest Boulevard, Myrtle Beach

 

There are three hurricane evacuation zones, which incorporates more land mass and requires additional people living in those areas to leave during certain hurricanes based on surge inundation instead of category of storm.  It will be important for every resident to know if they live in a hurricane evacuation zone and what to do when asked to leave. Residents can visit the Horry County Emergency Management’s website at http://emd.horrycounty.org/ to view the hurricane evacuation zone maps and related information on how to prepare for the upcoming hurricane season.

 

To Know Your Zone and to learn more about hurricane planning, please visit Horry County Emergency Management at http://emd.horrycounty.org/ or call 915-5150.

HORRY COUNTY PLANNING & ZONING TO HOLD COMMUNITY MEETING

Conway, South Carolina — Horry County Planning & Zoning will hold a Community meeting July 30, 2013, at 7 pm at the South Strand Recreation Complex meeting room, located at 9650 Scipio Lane, Myrtle Beach, to discuss proposed changes to the Planned Development District zoning for Cameron Village by Beazer Homes.  The change involves a reduction in the number of Presidential lots (10,000 sq. ft. minimums) to allow for more Heritage lots (7,500 sq. ft. minimums).  Horry County Council representatives, Planning & Zoning Department staff and Beazer Homes representatives will be on hand.  The rezoning may be on the August 13, 2013, Horry County Council meeting agenda.

For more information, contact Carol Coleman, Horry County Planning & Zoning Deputy Director, at 843-915-7894.

Keep Horry county beautiful community clean up

Conway, South Carolina – The Keep Horry County Beautiful Committee will assist two local groups Saturday, July 27, 2013, in an effort to keep our communities clean.

Members of the Chicora Indian Tribe of South Carolina will conduct a clean up at the Socastee Landing Park starting located beside the Peachtree Boat Landing starting at 4 p.m. 

The Harbor Towne homeowner’s association (Backgate area off Highway 17 Bypass) will be cleaning a 1Ž4 mile portion of Port Drive between Malibu Lane and Harbor Towne Drive beginning at 8 a.m.

For more information, contact Nancy Tindall with Horry County Planning & Zoning at 843-915-5340.

ROAD CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

July 28-August 3, 2013

US17 BYPASS & 707 INTERCHANGE IMPROVEMENT

Descr:            This project will be the construction of an overpass at US17 and SC707.           

Status:            New lane shifts are in place.  US 17 on 7-28-13 (Sunday night) between 10:00 pm and 6:00 am. approx. 1Ž2 mile  North of the intersection of S.C. RT. 707 and U.S. RT. 17.  Both of the inside lanes of North and South 17 will be closed.

3^rd AVE. MYRTLE BEACH- ROAD AND UTILITY IMPROVEMENTS

             

Descr:            Road and Utility work

Status:            Periodic lane closures and traffic delays thru the summer of 2015.  Use alternate routes whenever possible.

                           

NOTES: 

Red Bluff Road – ROAD CLOSED due to flooding.  Local traffic only.

S-14 Depot Rd. in Conway is closed from US 501 Busi. to S-345.

3^rd Ave S – Shoulder closures

SC 9-SC 905-US 76 and Gapway Road -will have mobile operations for pavement markings and rumble strip installation for the following roads Monday thru Friday 7am-7pm.

# # #

Proposed Change Ruffles Neighborhood

By Steve Jones

July 26, 2013

MYRTLE BEACH — Residents at Cameron Village who are upset about proposed changes to the development’s planned development district may find that builder Beazer Homes has made concessions that could lessen their concern.

Horry County Councilman Bob Grabowski said he didn’t know the specifics, but he believes that Beazer has made concessions on the size of lots it originally wanted to create and included open space in the plan because neighbors said they didn’t like the original proposal.

Beazer wants to reduce the number of 10,000-square-foot lots and increase the number of 7,500-square-foot lots in the development, according to a news release from Horry County about a public meeting to discuss the proposal.

Continue at:

http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/2013/07/26/3607703/proposed-change-ruffles-neighborhood.html

Plan to boost industry in Horry Co. could generate billions

Jul 24, 2013 

By Erika Gonzalez


HORRY COUNTY, SC (WMBF) - Bringing in big business to Horry County comes at a high cost. A brand new economic development plan is in the works, and it could impact taxpayers' wallets.

The new aggressive approach created by the consulting firm Strategic Development Group Inc. was presented to Myrtle Beach Regional Economic Development board members during Tuesday's meeting.

The new plan provides steps meant to enhance what the county has to offer to prospective companies. Leaders with the MBREDC say so far their team and the county have come a long way with economic development. However, say there is major room for improvement. The team says they hit major road blocks when trying to real in companies looking to relocate.

Continue at:

http://www.wmbfnews.com/story/22926219/plan-to-boost-industry-in-horry-co-could-generate-billions

Protect your tomato plants after heavy rain

Gardening in the Myrtle Beach area

Published: July 18, 2013

Heavy rains are turning Brent Barbee's farm into a quagmire, and the tomatoes are splitting and some rotting on the vine.


By Debbie Menchek — Gardening

This summer’s wet weather is wreaking havoc with tomatoes – cracks, yellow leaves, curled leaves, wilt, watery flesh, rot, worms.

Wet weather has cut down the need to water, but the moisture has been uneven and sometimes excessive. That and the accompanying reduction in sunlight have not been kind to tomato plants.

Bacterial and fungal diseases are more likely in rainy weather. Wet weather leads to leaf diseases and wilt. It also aids the development of disease in both green and ripe fruit.

Continue at:

http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/2013/07/18/3588878/gardening-protect-your-tomato.html#storylink=cpy

Myrtle Beach International Airport records second-busiest June

Published: July 16, 2013

New flights and more seat capacity led to a double-digit percentage increase in the number of arriving passengers at Myrtle Beach International Airport in May.

By Dawn Bryant

MYRTLE BEACH — More passengers flew into Myrtle Beach International Airport last month than any other June except the record-setting June 2011, according to airport statistics.

About 96,696 passengers arrived through the gates last month, up about 14 percent from June 2012 and the second-busiest June behind 2011, when a June record of 108,722 passengers arrived in Myrtle Beach.

Continue at:
http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/2013/07/16/3587968/airport-records-second-busiest.html

Rock and Roll, Economics and Rebuilding the Middle Class

By Simone Pathe

Alan Krueger, outgoing chair of President Barack Obama's Council of Economic Advisers"

[blockquote]The music industry is a microcosm of what is happening in the U.S. economy at large. We are increasingly becoming a "winner-take-all economy," a phenomenon that the music industry has long experienced. Over recent decades, technological change, globalization and an erosion of the institutions and practices that support shared prosperity in the U.S. have put the middle class under increasing stress. The lucky and the talented -- and it is often hard to tell the difference -- have been doing better and better, while the vast majority has struggled to keep up.

These same forces are affecting the music industry. Indeed, the music industry is an extreme example of a "superstar economy," in which a small number of artists take home the lion's share of income.

The music industry has undergone a profound shift over the last 30 years. The price of the average concert ticket increased by nearly 400 percent from 1981 to 2012, much faster than the 150 percent rise in overall consumer price inflation.

And prices for the best seats for the best performers have increased even faster.

At the same time, the share of concert revenue taken home by the top 1 percent of performers has more than doubled, rising from 26 percent in 1982 to 56 percent in 2003.

The top 5 percent take home almost 90 percent of all concert revenues.

This is an extreme version of what has happened to the U.S. income distribution as a whole. The top 1 percent of families doubled their share of income from 1979 to 2011.[/blockquote]

Excerpt from:

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/businessdesk/2013/07/rock-and-roll-economics-and-rebuilding-the-middle-class.html

Murrells Inlet: Group finds data lacking on fireworks pollution

By Charles Swenson 
Coastal Observer 

There is little data about the effect of fireworks on the salt marsh, but to get it from Murrells Inlet, where weekly shows began this summer, will require at least three years of monitoring. That means another three more summers of Monday Night Lights launched from the Marsh Walk as a promotion for six area restaurants. 

The Murrells Inlet 2020 revitalization group started looking at the environmental impact of fireworks after the Marsh Walk restaurants began the series last month. The group is also at work on a watershed management plan with the Waccamaw Regional Council of Governments to help maintain the water quality in the estuary for shellfish harvesting. 

Continue at: 

http://www.coastalobserver.com/articles/2013/071113/2.html 

When Will It Stop? Flooding Threat Shifts to the Southeast...Again

It seems like we've been talking about rain for weeks, as parts of the Southeast are once again dealing with a chance for heavy rain and the potential for flash flooding.  
In the last seven days, rain has doused a large swath of the Southeast, dropping up to 19" in some locations from the Florida Panhandle into the southern Appalachians, Tennessee and Kentucky.

All this rain has saturated the ground and swelled waterways throughout the region, leaving some on edge as they keep a close eye on rising waters.

Now, an upper-level low trapped between two domes of high pressure aloft will drop southwestward from the Appalachians to the Southern Plains this weekend. 

Unfortunately, this will continue the wet trend into Saturday, locally adding another couple of inches of rain and creating a recipe for localized flash flooding in areas that have already been soaked.

Continue at:

http://www.weather.com/news/weather-forecast/flash-flood-ohio-kentucky-pennsylvania-heavy-rain-20130710

The Weather Channel

Murrells Inlet scout gets Eagle Scout Award

July 9, 2013


Timothy “Timmy” Clayton Ward, 13, son of Mr. and Mrs. Tim Ward of Murrells Inlet, was presented the Eagle Scout Award during his Court of Honor at Belin Memorial United Methodist Church on June 22. Timmy received the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest rank attainable in Boy Scouts, on May 7 following his presentation of the Eagle Scout Service Project to a seven-member board of review. He is a member of Troop 396 which is chartered by Belin Memorial United Methodist Church in Murrells Inlet.

Timmy’s Eagle Project was a Math Garden built for the child development, kindergarten and first-grade students of St. James Elementary School in Murrells Inlet. The SJES Math Garden provides the young students an outdoor place to explore math in fun and interactive ways.

Read more here: 
http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/2013/07/09/3576927/murrells-inlet-scout-gets-eagle.html#storylink=cpy

Weber Automotive bringing 84 jobs to North Charleston Jul 08, 2013 

NORTH CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) -

Weber Automotive, a maker of vehicle parts, will establish its new manufacturing operations in North Charleston, the company announced Monday.  The more than $51 million investment is expected to generate 84 new jobs over the next four years.

“We are thrilled about setting up new operations here in North Charleston. South Carolina offers us an excellent business environment and a talented workforce in a region that is growing as an automotive hub. We appreciate all the support we’ve received from state and local officials,” said Daniel Weber, chief financial officer and chief officer of sales for Weber Automotive.

Continue at:

http://www.wmbfnews.com/story/22782469/weber-automotive-bringing-84-jobs-to-north-charleston

Upcoming Myrtle Beach area health events

Published: July 7, 2013

GEORGETOWN

Many of these classes, events and meetings are sponsored by Georgetown Memorial Hospital, but some take place at different locations. Call the numbers listed for more information or visit www.georgetownhospitalsystem.org.

Chronic kidney disease education | Varying schedule, varying locations in Horry and Georgetown counties. Free. 866-647-9396 or www.ultracare-dialysis.com/TOPS.

Read more here: 
http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/2013/07/07/3574855/upcoming-myrtle-beach-area-health.html#storylink=cpy

Award

At the annual meeting of the Prince Creek Master Community Association on June 27, 2013 the first Spirit of Community Award was presented to the Greater Burgess Community Association.  A photograph of the award is attached.  Below is a summary of Russ Campbell's remarks.

Prince Creek Master Community Association

On behalf of the Prince Creek community it is a pleasure to welcome special guests today. They are representatives of the Greater Burgess Community Association.

In 1998 when the Prince Creek area was still timber lands, the Rev. Anna Miller gaveled the first Burgess Association meeting to order. Since that beginning seven volunteer leaders have served as President.

Most folks say Prince Creek's good friend and neighbor, Mr. Wilber Marlow is the steady hand behind the scene advising each Burgess President. ..It is a fact Mr. Wilber campaigned tirelessly and quietly for the Burgess Area that he loves and wants to see reach its full potential.

In 1990 the population of Burgess was 2,000. Today it is approximately 25,000 and encompasses 28 square miles. . .if Burgess was incorporated, it would be the second largest city in Horry County.

At last count the Greater Burgess Community Association represented 37 different communities.

When Al Jordan was elected President in 2007 the Prince Creek Master Community Association became a member and, several Prince Creek residents have served in active roles in the resurgence of Burgess as a wide area community voice.

The Burgess programs have been numerous—not surprisingly many related to roads and highways. Of particular importance has been its leadership in the Burgess Area Community Plan and recently updating the Burgess Area Overlay Zone which applies to Highway 707 and Holmestown Road.

In recognition of this continuing program of community leadership, the Prince Creek Master Community Association board of directors has established a Spirit of Community Award.The Award will recognize area organizations with vision that represent the characteristics of community working to enhance what is good, preserving the best and restoring things of value.

Four Primary Elements define Community. . .

Membership

Influence

Needs

Share Emotional Connections

Time will not allow me to describe each of these four elements but I do feel called to quickly mention the five characteristics of the first—

Membership--They are:

Boundaries—a defined area.

Security—an emotionally safe zone.

Identification—a sense of belonging.

Personal Investment—money, of course, but also your time.

And a Common Symbol—the area name, landmark, logo, style or theme.

The Greater Burgess Community Association has stamped this area, including Prince Creek, with these characteristics.

At this time, I would appreciate if Al Jordan, 7th President of the Greater Burgess Community Association would step forward to receive the first Prince Creek Master Community Association Spirit of Community Award.

U.S. Postal Service Logging All Mail for Law Enforcement

By RON NIXON 

Published: July 3, 2013 

WASHINGTON — Leslie James Pickering noticed something odd in his mail last September: a handwritten card, apparently delivered by mistake, with instructions for postal workers to pay special attention to the letters and packages sent to his home. “Show all mail to supv” — supervisor — “for copying prior to going out on the street,” read the card. It included Mr. Pickering’s name, address and the type of mail that needed to be monitored. The word “confidential” was highlighted in green. 

“It was a bit of a shock to see it,” said Mr. Pickering, who with his wife owns a small bookstore in Buffalo. More than a decade ago, he was a spokesman for the Earth Liberation Front, a radical environmental group labeled eco-terrorists by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Postal officials subsequently confirmed they were indeed tracking Mr. Pickering’s mail but told him nothing else. 

 Continue at: 

 http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/04/us/monitoring-of-snail-mail.html

 

Highway 17: Median coalition hits dead end with road committee

By Charles Swenson
Coastal Observer

The reason opposition is growing to a plan to remove the paved median from Highway 17 through a portion of the Pawleys Island business district is that details of the project have emerged only after the end of the public comment period last year, according to one of the leading opponents. 

Steve Goggans, owner of SGA Architecture, last week asked the intergovernmental group that approves road projects for federal funding to recommend that Georgetown County Council create a task force to review the project. He is one of the organizers of the Citizens Coalition for Ocean Highway. 

Continue at:

 http://www.coastalobserver.com/articles/2013/070413/2.html