COVID Update+Housing Market Jump+Stinging Massage+Senior Scam

Hello Myrtle Beach! It's Thursday, June 24, 2021. In today's news, you'll hear about SCDHEC's COVID-19 update, another fire in Myrtle Beach, the booming local real estate market, a massage parlor sting operation, and cyber scams targeted at seniors.

Let's have a snapshot of today's weather:

Bright sunshine! High 81, low 70. Scattered thunderstorms developing late night.

Today's top 5 news stories for Myrtle Beach:

1. South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control had a briefing Wednesday to update the state on COVID-19 status and a change in the way they will report the virus statistics going forward. Cases are down significantly statewide, and particularly here in the Low Country area of SC. DHEC also discussed vaccination as well as breakout cases. (WPDE)
2. The kitchen at Scooby's Ice Cream shop at the Grand Atlantic Ocean Resort caught fire early Wednesday morning. Guests of the resort were evacuated, but were apparently not in any danger according to fire official Captain Evans of MBFR. Ocean Boulevard was shut down for about an hour. (WPDE)
3. The real estate market in Myrtle Beach continues to set records, according to a report issued this week by the Coastal Carolinas Association of Realtors. A 67% drop in inventory for single family homes, coupled with a 17% increase in home prices didn't seem to make any impact on a dramatic increase in sales over the last year or so. The area, always known as primarily a retirement community, is seeing growth with an influx of all types of buyers. (WMBF)
4. A North Carolina sting operation involving massage parlors and bribery leaves six women charged with collecting bribe payments. Some of the women live in Little River, according to reports from the U.S. Attorney's Office. The women allegedly paid an undercover law enforcement officer a total of more than $15K to hide their operations from police scrutiny. (WBTW)
5. The FBI reports that over 1,300 South Carolina residents aged 60 or older were victim to cyber scams in 2020. The amount of losses in SC totaled over $10 million. Scams against seniors increased in 2020 nationwide, probably because of online purchasing and elders being targeted by cyber criminals. The FBI has an Elder Fraud Hotline that victims can call for additional information. (WMBF)

Today's events on the Grand Strand:

• Fit n Fab low-impact aerobic class, Socastee Library (9:30 am)
• The Searchers (1956) starring John Wayne. Classic film at Movie Matinee, Surfside Beach Library (10 am)
• 1-on-1 Tech Class — call ahead for an appointment to get an individualized class on computer technology skills. North Myrtle Beach Library (10 am)
• Cat 5 Band at the Shoe Center, North Myrtle Beach (1 pm)
• Horry County Planning Commission Workshop (3 pm)
• Horry County Memorial Library Board of Trustees meeting at HC Government & Justice Center (4:30 pm)
• Flirt! at Daddio's in Little River on the waterfront. (6 pm)
• Thursday Trivia is back at 810 in Market Common. This week's theme: Family Sitcoms. Happy hour beforehand from 4-7 pm. (7 pm)
• American Elton — Elton John Tribute Show, starring Bill Connors. GTS Theatre (7 pm)

Myrtle Beach Patch Notebook:

• Myrtle Beach Adoptable Pets of the Week: Tangerine, Shaggy, Max, Boomer, Simon and others! (Details here)
• Grand Strand area Job Openings — look for the latest jobs available in Myrtle Beach. (Details here)
• Be sure to check out Salute From the Shore on July 4th, as they celebrate 12 years of flyover salutes on the Carolina coastline. The event will start at 1 pm on the 4th, about 40 miles north of Myrtle Beach, and end in Bluffton. (Details here)
• American Airlines flight 1603 made an emergency landing at MYR this week, due to mechanical problems. (Details here)
• Horry County Board of Education is using CARES Act funds to replace Whittemore Park Middle School. The cost is estimated at $58 million. (Details here)
• A six-year-old Kentucky boy whose family vacations in Myrtle Beach annually had a dream come true when he presided over Tuesday's Myrtle Beach City Council meeting as "mayor", gavel and all! (Details here)

Featured events:

• June 24: Top 10 Divorce Mistakes & Avoiding Them free Zoom webinar

Featured Classifieds:

• Gigs & Services: Residential Pest Control Services
• Gigs & Services: Advanced Termite and Pest Control

You're all caught up on Thursday's stories. Return again on Friday for a sneak peek at what's coming up for the weekend in busy Myrtle Beach! Until then, have a safe and stress-free day!

-Kathy

About me: The best decision I ever made was relocating to the Myrtle Beach area from New England a few years ago, with my three dogs and three cats. I enjoy dogs, cats, road trips, photography, writing, vegetarian food, live music, bicycling and above all my daily walks on the beaches in and around the Grand Strand.

For tips or suggestions about this newsletter, email myrtlebeach@patch.com