Tax-Free Weekend + Horry Now Hiring + New Hospital + Rabid Fox

It’s Friday, June 25, 2021 on the Grand Strand! In today’s stories, I’ll tell you about tax-free weekend, unemployment benefits ending as local businesses hope to hire new faces, Tidelands announces an extended care facility, a fox found near a campground is rabid, and Horry County looks to hire new staff after its budget was approved.

But first let’s take a peek at Friday’s weather:

A mixture of sun and clouds, with some scattered thunderstorms. High 81, low 73.

Today's top 5 news stories for Myrtle Beach:

1. The dates have been announced for South Carolina’s Tax-Free Weekend. The SCDOR scheduled the three-day tax holiday August 6, 7 and 8, 2021. Certain items such as cameras, jewelry, eyeglasses, furniture, footwear and smartphones are not included in the tax-free weekend. (WFXB)
2. Pandemic-related unemployment benefits in South Carolina are ending on June 30, 2021. Local business owners are hoping the end to pandemic benefits will result in more people applying for jobs. Many businesses in the area are hiring, but few workers have been applying for jobs overall. (WBTW)
3. Tidelands Health makes the news again after announcing that a planned 24-bed long-term care facility will be proposed to go along with the Carolina Bays Hospital in Socastee. There are no extended care facilities in either Horry or Georgetown counties. Both new facilities are not expected to be built or opened quickly, though. (WBTW)
4. SCDHEC has confirmed that a fox located in Myrtle Beach at the KOA Resort tested positive for rabies. No humans or pets were exposed to the fox, that was brought to DHEC’s lab a few days ago, after being found near Oak Street and 5th Avenue South. DHEC authorities put out reminders about giving wild animals a wide berth, keeping pets up to date on vaccines, and what to look for if exposed to an infected animal. (WPDE)
5. Public safety is at the forefront of Horry County’s quest to hire new staff after facing shortages this year. A new budget was approved for the county, and goes into effect on July 1, the start of the new fiscal year. There will be close to 200 public safety jobs available including police, fire and rescue as well as 911 operations. (WBTW)

Today's events in Myrtle Beach:

• Book sale Horry County Library in Little River (9 am)
• Children’s Storytime Class Carolina Forest Library (11 am)
• Happy Hour Paintings, BFFs and Blossoms at Painting With A Twist, Myrtle Beach (4:30 pm)
• Festive Brass Double Quintet performs at Brookgreen Gardens (7 pm)
• The Tonez at Duck’s Beach Club in North Myrtle Beach (8 pm)

Myrtle Beach Patch Notebook:

• A police chase ended in a fatal crash and an overturned vehicle Thursday in Little River on Highway 57 during the early morning hours. The driver was killed. (Details here)
• One person was hospitalized after gunshots were heard near the Wayfair Motel on North Ocean Boulevard. Police have not apprehended the suspect, who fled the scene. (Details here)
• After a series of thefts targeting beachgoers in Myrtle Beach, a local man has been arrested and charged with possession of stolen items, obtaining goods under false pretenses, and resisting arrest. (Details here)
• Surfside Beach and Huntington Beach State Park rank high on Plum Guide’s list of the Very Best South Carolina Beaches, and we couldn’t agree more! (Details here)
• Horry County Schools has named Jason Cox as district athletics director. (Details here)
• Through June 27, SC animal shelters are having the PickMeSC free adoption program, statewide. (Details here)

Featured Classifieds:

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

That’s all for Friday, Myrtle Beach! Check back with me again tomorrow for all you need to know to get through a busy weekend! Until then, stay safe and cool!

-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