Happy July 4th+New Marriott+Sorry, Wrong Surfside+No Coquina Here

Hey, people of Myrtle Beach! Kathy Mandell here with the latest Myrtle Beach Daily. Here's everything worth knowing today on the Grand Strand. Today is Sunday, July 4, 2021. Happy Independence Day, America! Here are the stories I'm bringing you today: the Grand Strand is prepared for July 4th crowds, Garden City business owners want changes, a new Marriott hotel goes up in Myrtle Beach, hello? wrong Surfside! and Little River residents try to block the Coquina Harbor high-rise with a lawsuit.

But first, let's glance at the 4th of July weather: Clear throughout the day. High: 87 Low: 73. A near-perfect beach day!

Here are the top stories in Myrtle Beach today:

1. Grand Strand businesses prepared for busy July 4th crowds ahead of the holiday weekend. The Chamber of Commerce says vacation rental bookings are up 15% from this date in 2019. After being shut down during the summer of 2020, business owners are overwhelmed and short staffed, but very happy to see the crowds. (WMBF)
2. Some Garden City business owners want to change part of a newly-proposed flood ordinance. Dozens of business owners in the area have reached out to Councilmember Tyler Servant, who represents their district with concerns about the new restrictions and timespans in the new proposal. (Charleston Post Courier)
3. The new Marriott Hotel being constructed on Ocean Boulevard hit a milestone when it reached its vertical peak. To commemorate the successful build of the Courtyard and Springhill Suites combined property, construction crews held a "topping off" ceremony. (WMBF)
4. Surfside Beach, SC, is 675 miles north of Surfside, Florida. That hasn't stopped hundreds of people from trying to send donations and make calls to Surfside's fire station on the Grand Strand since the building collapse in Florida about a week ago. From folks wanting to donate, to heartbreaking calls, to national news personnel and military officials, the SSFD has had to explain to the callers that they contacted the wrong Surfside; but they were happy to field information and pass it along. (Charleston Post Courier)
5. A Little River resident, Katrina Morrison, has filed a lawsuit against Horry County Council in an attempt to block the 12-story building planned to be erected in the neighborhood of Coquina Harbor. Many Little River residents are not thrilled about the proposed high-rise building to be placed on a plot of land on Highway 17. (MyHorryNews.com)

Today in Myrtle Beach

• Neck Breaker's Car and Truck Show, at Dasha's All Natural Hair Salon (11 AM)
• Salute From The Shore —The Carolinas' 4th of July tradition flyover. Starting north of Cherry Grove and heading south all the way to Beaufort. (1 PM)
• July 4th Celebration on the Murrells Inlet Marshwalk! Parades, fireworks and more! (3 PM)
• Red, White & Blue Weekend at Myrtle Beach Pelicans stadium (5:30 PM)
• Surfside Beach 4th of July Celebration at Martin Park, featuring the Goofy Footers, Rick Cannon, and fireworks! (6 PM)

Myrtle Beach Patch Notebook

• Better bring along some patience! AAA says this is the "summer of the great American road trip," and Myrtle Beach is one of the hottest destinations for drivers and flying passengers. (WBTW)
• There are no itsy-bitsy spiders going up THIS waterspout that formed off the coast of Myrtle Beach. (WMBF)
• The Myrtle Beach Pelicans beat the Wood Ducks on Friday night. (Facebook)
• But the South Carolina Stingrays had the opposite experience. There's always next year! (Instagram)
• North Myrtle Beach Fire Rescue announced that Lt. Jayson Edge is the department's new Fire Inspector. He'll switch from Engine 5 to Car 13. Congrats Lt. Edge! (Facebook)
• Myrtle Beach Police answered an assault call at the 2900 block of South Ocean Boulevard to find two women were arguing over a child's water gun. No charges were filed. (WBTW)
• A new report out of Charleston shows South Carolina's teenage drivers may not be doing so great... but nine other states fared worse. (WMBF)
• Having personally lived on Cape Cod, and now here on the Grand Strand, I can attest to the fact that locals hunker down to avoid holiday crowds, while visitors dive in completely! Either way, enjoy the holiday, and be safe! (WPDE)

Now you're in the loop for Sunday, and ready to commence your 4th of July celebrations! I'll see you Tuesday for all the latest news in Myrtle Beach. Stay safe out there, everyone!

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— Kathy Mandell

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.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Myrtle Beach Daily? Email all inquiries to me at myrtlebeach@patch.com.