Bethel Zion Ministries located on Main Street in Loris began a new program they call Empowerment Kids Café`. Samone Spain-Farewell and her mother, Pastor Phyllis Spain wanted to create a program that would give the children who need a place to go during the summer daytime hours. The mission is to educate and motivate the children and youth to achieve curriculum standards for their grade level; to help those in resource classes to be academically prepared to enter into a regular classroom setting. As a unit they are working collectively with the Horry County School curriculum specialists to prepare all …

The Buck Creek Foundation is a nonprofit organization for teens and adults with special needs.  Their focus is harvesting independence for people with special needs with a long-term goal of building homes for these young people to be able to live on their own with limited supervision.  They would be responsible for their daily care, chores to keep their homes clean and a work schedule to give them the independence to make the decisions that they can.  Of course some of these young adults will need assistance making difficult decisions, if they are able to manage their money, pay bills …

The Miss South Carolina and Miss South Carolina Teen competitions were held in Columbia this past weekend.  Ragan Dennis, Sarah Carroll, Samantha Norris and Jenn Causey traveled to Columbia with the hope of returning with another crown. Miss Loris Bog-Off Teen, Sarah Carroll, climbed to the top 15 contestants in the pageant.  This is Carroll’s second year attending the Miss South Carolina Teen competition.  In 2018 she was presented as Miss Myrtle Beach, also making the semi-finals.  In the 2019 competition she was listed in the top 15.  Carroll has a beautiful voice and presents herself well in competitions. Miss …

The Loris City Council met on Monday, July 1, at the American Legion Hall at 6 p.m.  Mayor Todd Harrelson tapped the gavel to begin the meeting stating, “Good evening everybody and welcome to the city of Loris regular council meeting.” Present at the meeting were council members Joan Gause, Lewis Hardee, Terrence Hardee, Mike Suggs and Jan Vescovi.  Department directors were Brandon Harrelson, Tom Cocke, Lt. Larry Williams, Samantha Norris, Kenneth Moss and Kenya Wright. Harrelson asked Terrence Hardee to present the invocation and lead the pledge of allegiance. Harrelson asked for a motion to accept the minutes of …

The Back to School Supply Drive is a new project created by city of Loris employees Tonsheka Neal, Amanda Hawley-Causey, Deborah Cannon, Jenna Winborne and Kenya Wright.  Wright said, “We would like to do this annually, however, it depends upon the response we get.  We will see what feedback we get and what donations are made and make adjustments to it next year.”  She said, “Our goal is to collect 150 book bags this year, and if we are able to provide just one child with a book bag filled with items we have met the need of that one …

City administrator Damon Kempski announced at the council meetings that Main Street is scheduled for repaving from Broad Street to Loris Elementary School.  On Thursday, June 20, Palmetto Corp. of Conway began scraping the street of the old pavement.  Paving began on Thursday, June 20, and will be complete on Wednesday June 26. Traffic has been redirected and single lanes were open for cars traveling on Main Street.  Residents will be pleased with the results as there will be no more potholes and front-end alignments of their vehicles.

The Loris Chamber of Commerce holds the Miss Bog-Off pageant in September each year to promote the October event and to select the Miss Loris Bog-Off Festival Queen and Teen who work throughout the year preparing for the Miss South Carolina Pageant that is held in June each year. This week Ragan Dennis, Miss Loris Bog-Off Festival Queen, and Sarah Carroll, Miss Loris Bog-Off Festival Teen, headed to Columbia to compete in the two pageants that began on Tuesday, June 25, at the Township Auditorium.  The preliminary competitions will be held each night through Thursday, June 27, when the 2019 …

Jordan Waste Management owners Jonathan Powell and Jason Martin presented a check in the amount of $12,000 to Mayor Todd Harrelson on Monday, June 24, at 2 p.m.  The funds are designated to benefit the Loris Recreation Department. This is the first annual contribution made to the city; Jordan Waste donates approximately $1 for each residential garbage tote.  Pictured left to right are Jonathan Powell, Todd Harrelson, Tish Sealy and Jason Martin.

The Loris High School class of 2019 walked into the gymnasium at 6 p.m. to “Pomp & Circumstance” on Thursday, June 6. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Tanner Kennedy. Callie Osment sang the National Anthem and the invocation was given by Ashlyn Buffkin.  Ellison Gore welcomed the graduating class of 2019, the parents and families, the teachers and staff witnessing the seniors of Loris High School receiving their diplomas. William Palomares, the class laureate, spoke of memories of the journey to this moment will forever be within the hearts of the graduating class, which was a stepping stone …

The Election Commission met on Thursday, June 13, at 10:30 a.m. for the official announcement that Todd Harrelson is the new mayor of Loris.  It was official as Damon Kempski and Kenya Wright placed their signatures executing Election Commissions results. On Thursday, June 13, at 6 p.m. Kempski welcomed guests present to witness Harrelson taking the oath of office.  After Councilwoman Joan Gause gave the invocation and led the pledge of allegiance, Harrelson and his wife, Sheila, stood by Wright as she read the oath of office.  The Bible that Harrelson used to place his left hand on was his …