Post Office Blaze+Overworked First Responders+Benefits Go Bye-Bye

It's Sunday, June 27, 2021 on the Grand Strand! In today's news, I'll tell you about a post office fire that re-routed mail to North Myrtle Beach, near approval of a long-contested high-rise in Little River, overtime pay amounts equate to overworked employees in Horry County emergency departments, a reminder that unemployment benefits expire today, and the governor vetoes a number of budget items.

But first, let's take a look at today's weather:

Cloudy morning leads to a sunny afternoon! High 82, low 73

Today's top 5 news stories for Myrtle Beach:

1. Fire officials in nearby Longs battled a 2-alarm fire at the local post office, and have asked customers served by the facility to use the North Myrtle Beach post office until further notice. Customers will need photo ID to retrieve their mail that has been redirected to NMB. The Longs facility sustained heavy damage, resulting in the USPS suspending operations there. (WBTW)
2. Despite complaints and pleas from area residents, plans for a 12-story combined-use building on Coquina Harbor in Little River appear to be forging ahead. Horry County Council passed a second reading on the proposal. There is still one more reading before the project becomes a reality. Construction is not imminent, but it appears the combined residential/commercial building will be approved in the end. (WMBF)
3. During the pandemic, Horry County spent over $5 million in overtime pay for emergency workers. HCFR had the biggest overtime accrual, along with EMS and police. The recent hiring shortage could be partially a result of overwork of the staff during the pandemic. The Sheriff's Office said morale is low because of mandatory overtime and employees are overworked. (WPDE)
4. Federal pandemic-based unemployment benefits will expire today in South Carolina, and unemployment rates appear to be declining statewide. Starting today, the only unemployment program available in South Carolina is the standard State "UI" benefit program. All pandemic-related and federally-funded unemployment programs have now ended. (WYFF4.com)
5. Governor McMaster vetoed approximately $11 billion from the state budget in a call out to lawmakers to cut local spending projects. The governor wanted to make a point that spending should be done through grant programs. McMaster issued at least 15 budget vetoes on Friday. (WPDE)

Today's events in Myrtle Beach:

• Myrtle Beach Crafts & Vendor Event, Broadway At The Beach (10 am)
• Book signing: Caleb Wygal signs copies of his new book, Death On The Boardwalk, at Broadway At The Beach (11 am)
• Sunday Funday Rides with Bubba's and Barnacle Bill's. Starting at Bubba's (12:30 pm)
• City Lights Trio at Marina Bar & Grill (5 pm)
• Jason Jackson Duo at Filet's Restaurant, Little River (6 pm)
• Vacation Bible School nightly from 6 - 8:30 pm at Forestbrook Baptist Church June 27 through July 1 (6 pm)
• Southern Country Outlaws at Calli Baker's Firehouse 2021 Summer Concert Series (7 pm)

Myrtle Beach Patch Notebook:

• Coastal Carolina University and Conway National Bank have renewed their contract to keep the CNB Kickoff Classic at Brooks Stadium. (Details here)
• Conway native Alex Mitchell is determined to become "the" Elvis tribute artist of the world! (Details here)
• A woman was struck and cut by broken glass from a bottle thrown from a car on North Kings Highway in Myrtle Beach. (Details here)
• An already busy thoroughfare is about to get busier as the Ride 3 Project near Socastee begins phase one of a 161-home development. (Details here)
• Crews doused a structure fire on Dennison Avenue near Life Ministries on Saturday. No injuries were reported. (Details here)

Featured Events:

June 29: Coping with Emotional Issues of Divorce webinar by South Carolina Hub.

Featured Classifieds:

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

That's all for Sunday's news, weather and updates. See ya Monday!

-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