Shelter Override+Scum On The Water+July 4th Calendar+Peeping Tom

Up and at 'em, Myrtle Beach! It's Saturday, July 3, 2021! Let's get you started with everything worth knowing in the Grand Strand today. Today's top news stories include Horry County getting a domestic violence shelter, harmful algae in South Carolina waters, all the events and activities you need for the 4th of July, a patrol officer loses his job, and a local 9/11 memorial is being relocated.

But first, let's take a peek at today's weather: Possible light rain in the morning. High: 86 Low: 72.

Here are the top stories today in Myrtle Beach:

1. Horry County will get a domestic violence shelter after a $1.5M funding request was vetoed by Governor McMaster, but overridden by SC State Legislators. South Carolina has one of the worst records of domestic violence in the country. Currently, the closest shelter of this kind is in Georgetown County, but there is a satellite office in Myrtle Beach. (Charleston Post Courier)
2. DHEC has issued a warning about harmful algae blooms in waters throughout the state. Boaters and swimmers who use lakes and rivers in the state are cautioned to stay away from the bad smelling, thick scum that can appear on affected waters. Toxic organisms dwell in the algal blooms and can seriously affect the health of people, pets, and wildlife. (WYFF4.com)
3. The list of possible activities for 4th of July weekend all around the Grand Strand is pretty long. We have fireworks, obviously, but also golf cart and boat parades, flyovers, and other events to keep everyone entertained. Above all, stay safe out there and enjoy yourselves! (WMBF)
4. A North Myrtle Beach patrol officer has been fired after nearly 10 years on the job for being an admitted "peeping tom" and voyeur. The former officer also admitted to using prescription medications and steroids while on the job. A separation agreement was filed in June. (WBTW)
5. The Unity Memorial that was located on 29th Avenue North is being relocated to Market Common's Warbird Park on Farrow Parkway towards the end of the summer, in time for the 20th anniversary of 9/11. The memorial features a steel beam from the World Trade Center. It was given to the City Of Myrtle Beach by New York firefighters. (WMBF)

Today in Myrtle Beach

• Marla's School of Dance in Surfside Beach presents JoJo Dance Camp (9 AM)
• Flirt! at Duplin Winery (12 noon)
• Tropical Jammers steel drum band at Castaway Beach Bar & Grill (2 PM)
• All City Choir July 4th Cantata at Alabama Theatre. Saturday and Sunday (3 PM)
• Diversity Band at Local on the Water, North Myrtle Beach (7 PM)
• Klocker's Tavern 4807 Hwy 17 Bypass, Myrtle Beach is having Military & First Responder Appreciation Night (8 PM)

Myrtle Beach Patch Notebook

• Horry County Schools food distribution program is not operating during the holiday weekend. Service will resume on Tuesday, July 6. (MyHorryNews.com)
• Music on Main is back! Every Thursday evening on Main Street in North Myrtle Beach. This one has a special place in my heart -- it's where I met my husband! (Myhorrynews)
• Hot Summer Nights returns to Plyler Park at the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk after being canceled in 2020. (Myhorrynews)
• The Down East Wood Ducks yielded to the Myrtle Beach Pelicans Thursday night after the Pelicans scored eight runs in two innings! (Neuse News)
• More than 50,000 scheduled airline seats are departing from MYR this weekend. That's a whopping 94.2% increase from July 4, 2020. (wpde.com)
• Residents of the Booker T. Washington neighborhood and Myrtle Beach Police are saying the fireworks problem in that area is dangerous and not improving. (wpde.com)
• There will be no Surfside Beach Pier this summer after all. The plan is to finish the rebuild of the pier that was destroyed by several storms, by July 4, 2022. (WMBF)
• Crime is increasing in South Carolina, and authorities are seeing gang members getting younger and younger. (WBTW)
• Throughout the month, Santa is in town on vacation, and will be making several Christmas in July appearances! (WMBF)
• Surfside Beach Police are seeking two men suspected of a series of car break-ins (WMBF)
• House of Blues Myrtle Beach has announced its summer lineup of star-studded performers and tribute acts. (Instagram)

You're all caught up for Saturday! I'll be back again on Sunday for your official 4th of July update!! Until then, please stay safe out there -- it's really busy on the Grand Strand this weekend.

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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.