Santee Cooper earned the American Public Power Association’s (APPA) Safety Award of Excellence for safe operating practices in 2019. The utility earned first place in the category for utilities with 1,000,000 to 3,999,999 worker-hours of annual worker exposure. “Strong safety programs are essential to ensuring that electric utility employees are informed and trained on safe work procedures,” said Brandon Wylie, chair of the APPA’s Safety Committee and director of training and safety at Electric Cities of Georgia. “The utilities receiving this award have proven that protecting the safety of their employees is a top priority.” More than 335 utilities entered …

Floyd Bennie Stephens, 86, of Loris passed away on Monday, April 13, 2020, at his home. He was born on May 5, 1933, in Granite City, Ill., to the late Clarence Stephens and the late Della Cumins Stephens. Mr. Stephens served his country with pride, honor and courage in the United States Marine Corps. He worked as a diesel mechanic with Ogden Diesel until his retirement. Survivors include his two sons, Glenn Stephens of Loris and John Stephens of Little River; two daughters, Diana Lynn Mitchel and husband Frank of Missouri and Emm Beals and husband Walter of Concrette, Wash.; …

Eric Johannes Lubberts, 61, of Longs died on Thursday, April 16, 2020, at McLeod Seacoast Medical Center in Little River. Born on Jan. 6, 1959, in Passaic, N.J., he was the son of Nelly Bokhorst Lubberts and the late Taeke (Tom) and Carolina Lubberts. Eric spent the majority of his life living near Rochester, N.Y., and retired to Longs in 2018. Eric is survived by his wife of 38 years, Janine Hermenet Lubberts; one son, Eli Lubberts; two daughters, Nisha Schreiber (Chris) and Cori Sigafoos (Randy); two brothers, Roy Lubberts (Cindy) and Dean Lubberts (Kathy); one sister, Ingrid Dowd;  a …

It is with profound sorrow that we share the passing of Richard Wayne “Rich” LeDuc on Saturday, April 4, 2020, in Myrtle Beach following a long illness. Rich was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. Son of the late Lillian E. (Desrochers) and Oliver N. LeDuc, Rich grew up in Naugatuck, Conn., and graduated from Naugatuck High School and from Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, Mass. He proudly served in both the Connecticut and Massachusetts Army National Guard for a total of six years while attending school and beginning a lifelong career in the building sciences and …

Deborah “Debbie” Brown, 65, of Loris passed away after a long illness on Friday, April 17, 2020, at home with her family by her side. Debbie was born on Jan. 4, 1955, in Conway, a daughter of the late John Brooks Paul Jr. and Mavis Porter Paul.  Debbie was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, whom which her “ Nana “ spoiled and loved to play with. Being a proud tomboy all her life she enjoyed watching her kids and grandchildren in all sports and her great-grandchildren playing outside in the yard. She was frugal and very giving. Debbie …

Trey, age 9, Kendall, age 2, Parker, age 4, and Brycen, age 7, children of Cassie and Ben Browning of Loris, paid a surprise visit to their great-grandparents, Judy and Dave Mackes, who live on the 10th floor of Barefoot Resort in North Myrtle Beach on Easter Sunday.

By Izzy West The Little River Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center has postponed the 39th Annual World Famous Blue Crab Festival held along the historic waterfront until October.  “Due to the uncertainty that surrounds the Covid-19 pandemic, the Little River Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center has chosen to postpone the World Famous Blue Crab Festival and combine it with the Little River ShrimpFest currently scheduled for October 10-11, 2020,” says Jennifer Walters, president /CEO of the Little River Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center.  “We continuously monitor the guidance of local, state and national officials and agencies and …

Kenneth Wesley Adkins, 93, passed away on Sunday, April 5, 2020, at his home in Florence.  Mr. Adkins was born on Dec. 30, 1926, in Sarcoxie, Mo., to the late Edison G. Adkins and the late Inez Capitola White Adkins. He served his country with courage, honor and dignity in the United States Navy during World War II. After World War II, he joined the United States Marine Corps and served in both Vietnam and Korea retiring with over 24 years of distinguished service. Mr. Adkins was a member of Living Water Baptist Church in Longs. Survivors include his daughter, …

Glen M. Galezewski, 61, of Longs died on Wednesday, April 8, 2020, at McLeod Seacoast Medical Center in Little River. Born on July 15, 1958, in Milwaukee, Wis., he was the son of Lawrence and Rose Hoffmeier Galezewski. Glen served his country proudly in the U.S. Army.  He was a member of Little River VFW Post 10804. Glen is survived by his wife of 20 years, Jane Danielsen Galezewski; two sons, Michael and Alex; three brothers, Jack, Jim and Rob; and one special nephew, Brian. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a celebration of Glen’s life will be held at a later …

Jerry “Jay” Boyd of Loris,  37,  passed  away  on Monday, April 6, 2020, at his residence.  Jay was born on Nov. 9, 1982 in Loris.  He enjoyed music, art, shooting pool and especially spending time with his daughter.  Jay was predeceased by  his mother, Sallie McCormick Boyd, his grandparents, Kelly and Agnes McCormick, and two uncles, Donald Larry McCormick Sr. and Charles McCormick. Survivors include a  daughter, Zoey  Jane Mcafee of Loris,  a sister, Denise “Dee Dee” Long (John) of Conway, a special cousin, Larry McCormick (Sandra) of Tabor City, N.C., two aunts, Patsy Elliott of  Irmo  and Phyllis McCormick …