Jo Ann Stone, 78, of Little River died on Saturday, June 27, 2020, at Grand Strand Regional Medical Center in Myrtle Beach.Born on June 11, 1942, in Washington, D.C., she was the daughter of the late William T. and Mabel Lou Barbee Beavers.Mrs. Stone is survived by her children, John F. Stone Jr. (Sandy Davis Stone) and Julie Ann Stone Page (Richard Page); sisters-in-law, Lottie Beavers and Joyce Cross; five grandchildren, Jeffrey Page, Ashley Page, John Stone Jr., Matthew Stone (Jessie Belch Stone) and Amanda Stone; one great-granddaughter “on the way”, Olivia Regan Stone; her partner, James Parks; and her …

Carmen J. DiLabio, 89, of Little River died on Sunday, June 21, 2020, at Embrace Hospice House in Myrtle Beach.Born on July 16, 1930, in Bridgeton, N.J., he was the son of the late Camillo and Concetta Rodi DiLabio.Mr. DiLabio served his country proudly in the United States Army. He was a member of Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church in North Myrtle Beach.Survivors include two daughters, Lisa Hale (Kelly) of Loris and Lori Dame (Wayne Adams) of Little River; and two grandchildren, Nicholas Dame and Covington Carmen DiLabio. He is also survived by his sister, Jackie DiLabio …

Billy L. Jones, 89, of North Myrtle Beach passed away on Saturday, June 20, 2020. He was born on Dec. 21, 1930, in Stedman, N.C., to Stacey and Ora Mae Jones. Billy attended Stedman High School. In 1953 he married Barbara Jean Whitaker. Together they raised two sons and a daughter. Billy proudly served in the U.S. Army for 30 years as a Green Beret. After three tours in Vietnam, he retired in 1979 as a Command Sergeant Major. Billy was a decorated veteran including a Purple Heart, Bronze Star with Valor and the Army Commendation Medal with Valor. After …

Billie Livingston Todd, a mother, sister, grandmother and friend took her final breath surrounded by loved ones at her home in Little River singing one of her favorite hymns, “Amazing Grace,” on Wednesday, June 24, 2020.Her weak body immediately became strong as she saw her Lord and Savior and surely she is dancing on those streets of gold. We believe she was greeted by her husband, the love of her life, and her daughter, Tammy Drew Todd, who died at the age of seven in 1965 in Little River. That day by far was the saddest day of her life …

Barrie Lee Harrelson, 79, of Loris passed away on Saturday, June 27, 2020, at McLeod Hospice House in Florence. Born on June 21, 1941, in Mullins, he was the son of the late David Henry Harrelson and the late Elizabeth Drew Harrelson. Mr. Harrelson served his country with courage, honor and distinction in the United States Marine Corps for eight years. After his service he was the owner and operator of Harrelson’s Seafood in Murrells Inlet until his retirement. Mr. Harrelson was a loving husband and father with many interests outside of his work. He and his wife raised Appaloosa …

By RUBEN LOWMAN North Myrtle Beach City Council unanimously approved the first reading of a $89 million amended budget on Tuesday that raises property taxes within city limits. The proposed budget would cut a little over $30 million in major projects and carry a tax increase of 7.9 mils, bringing the city’s rate to 45 mils. At a workshop last week Councilman-at-large Hank Thomas was the only member to voice opposition to the proposed increase, saying he was concerned about the impact it would have on businesses and second homeowners. After deliberating with the rest of the council this week, …

By Ruben Lowman The primary elections for Horry County Council District 9 and Horry County Auditor were close enough last week to necessitate a runoff between the top two candidates in each race. Mark Causey and Terry Fowler will compete for the District 9 council seat, while R.A. Johnson and Beth Calhoun will vie to be the next county auditor. Both individuals who currently hold these seats are retiring after long and illustrious careers serving the public from these positions. Paul Prince is retiring after nearly two decades as the district’s councilman and hoped to pass the baton to his …

The city of North Myrtle Beach has been unable to hold their two summer concert series, Music on Main and the Sounds of Summer, so far this summer. Currently, concerts are not permitted by Governor McMaster and if/when he does eventually allow them the city will then make the decision whether to proceed with the performances. City spokesperson Pat Dowling said the city is stressing the importance of wearing masks and maintaining social distancing while in public to prevent the spread of COVID-19, which is rising in our area. “These small precautions are known to reduce and sometimes halt its …

By Ruben Lowman North Myrtle Beach City Council held a workshop on Tuesday to evaluate the ways in which they can remedy the issues with the city budget resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The council initially proposed $119 million in expenditures in February at the annual budget retreat in Pinopolis, which is $27 million more than the previous year. City officials are now looking at a projected $30 million shortfall and will take the next two weeks to deliberate before voting on an $89 million budget. The key issue during the workshop hinged on whether or not to temporarily increase …

By Ruben Lowman After being under various states of quarantine and lockdown throughout the spring, the summer season truly kicked into swing with the return of the farmers market to North Myrtle Beach and Little River. For city resident Tara Gurry it was a chance to get back out and purchase fruits and vegetables that have been grown locally from smiling faces, both familiar and new. She said that the farmers market is a unique place, a gathering spot of individuals who all share a passion for clean, healthy eating. Locals like Tara Gurry were ecstatic to see the return …