North Myrtle Beach Times Serving our Community and the Grand Strand for over 50 years

Starting on June 15, all public parking lots along Ocean Boulevard in North Myrtle Beach will charge $2 per hour, payable by downloading an app to a smartphone and using a credit or debit card. Those who live in the city and have vehicles registered there will be able to use a residential permit system to allow them free parking, though the details are still being worked out, and the number of vehicles allowed may be limited, according to a press release. Up to now, the parking fee had only applied to four existing parking lots at 4th Avenue North …

The city of North Myrtle Beach has found its new police chief after two rounds of searches and interviews. He is Greg Purden, a commander in the Brevard County, Fla., Sheriff’s Department. He is set to start the first week of May. A committee of area law enforcement chiefs all voted unanimously on Purden, who has 33 years of experience including in tourist areas in Florida, though that was not the main reason for his selection, according to North Myrtle Beach Public Safety Director Jay Fernandez. “We truly believe he’s going to be a great asset,’’ Fernandez said, explaining that …

The city of North Myrtle Beach St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival drew a huge crowd as it was celebrated on March 16. Tens of thousands lined Main Street to watch what has become the largest St. Patrick’s Day event along the Grand Strand. The North Myrtle Beach Times team joined in the celebration featuring their own best dressed pet contest. Entertainers of the “Rhythm and Blues Show” supported the cause. Said local entertainer and Jake Blues impersonator, “The boys had a great time at the North Myrtle Beach Times during the St. Patties Day Parade. We handed out free …

Pirates, Privateers and Buccaneers, the South Carolina State Museum’s traveling exhibit, will make patrons avast (that’s stop in pirate lingo) and gasp as the world of pirates comes alive, which opened Thursday, March 21, at the North Myrtle Beach Area Historical Museum. The story of Blackbeard, who blockaded Charleston Harbor in 1718 prior to his death in North Carolina, can be found in this traveling exhibit along with the stories of many other pirates. The exhibit will thrill those who have always been fascinated by these desperadoes of the seas. This exhibit will dispel a number of popular myths about …

The North Myrtle Beach Chiefs baseball team won a big conference matchup Tuesday evening, beating visiting Hartsville 4-2 at the North Myrtle Beach sports complex. The Chiefs started the evening by throwing out a Hartsville runner at the plate in the first inning as he broke from third while the Chiefs were making a throw to first to complete a strikeout in the dirt. In the bottom of the first Ewin Vasquez hit a single to right and stole second. Colton Kingston walked and Dalton Simpson singled to left to load the bases. Garrett Pearlstein singled in Vasquez. The Chiefs …

North Myrtle Beach High School spring sports teams are past the halfway point of their seasons as they continue play this week. Here is a review of recent events and teams and a look ahead. Girls Softball The girls softball team traveled to Wilson High School last Tuesday and lost by a 7-2 score in a conference game. The Lady Chiefs then came back on Wednesday, March 20, with an 11-1 victory over Loris in a non-conference game, aided by two four-run innings in the fourth and sixth. Last Friday the Lady Chiefs couldn’t get anything going and lost 4-0 …

The 31st Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade was hailed as the biggest and best ever according to reports by those in the know. Lending to the success of the event was the beautiful weather that prevailed throughout the day. Taking part in the almost two hour parade were floats, cars, golf carts, bands, dignitaries, leprechauns, animals, children and much more. The winners for the Saturday, March 16, St. Patrick’s Day Parade are: The Freedom Boat Club received the second place award for Business Category. Business Category – First – Thomas Real Estate Second – Freedom Boat Club Third – RE/MAX …

My column for this week is from John 19, “Jesus sentenced to be crucified.” Verse 1 – Then Pilate took Jesus and had Him flogged. Pilate hoped a flogging would satisfy the Jews and enable him to release Jesus. The Romans used a whip made of several strips of leather, for their floggings, into which were embedded (near the ends) pieces of bone and lead. The Jews limited the number of stripes to a maximum of 40 (in practice to 39 in case of a miscount), but no such limitation was recognized by the Romans, and victims of Roman floggings …

Jerry P. Thompson, 78, of Longs died on Friday, March 22, 2019. Born on Nov. 4, 1940, in Conway, he was the son of the late Carl L. and Katherine Bellamy Thompson. Mr. Thompson served his country proudly in the U.S. Army for more than 20 years. He started Jerry Thompson Construction Company in 1983. Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Virginia Watts Thompson; daughters, Kimberley Lyn Thompson and Donna Maria Causey (Johnny Jr.); brothers, Jimmy, Ricky, Larry, Rex and Don Thompson; sister, Judy Neilson; six grandchildren, Joel (Amy), Keri (Chane), Tess, Logan, Courtney and Brooke; two step-grandchildren, Erica …

Joseph Angelo Ruisi, 82, of Little River died March 10, 2019, at home surrounded by his loving family. Born on October 4, 1936, in Buffalo, NY, he was the son of Rose F. DiJohn Finnegan and the late Angelo Ruisi. Joseph worked for Lutheran Brotherhood for 27 years. He was an editorial cartoonist. He was a deacon and worship leader at Risen Christ Lutheran Church and intern chaplain for McLeod Health System. He loved singing and playing guitar and was especially known for his amazing spaghetti sauce. Survivors include his wife of 27 years, Cynthia A. Smith Ruisi; two sons, …