Community

The North Myrtle Beach community paid its final respects to Sgt. Best last week as the young officer was laid to rest following a police processional and funeral fitting for the real-life hero that he was to so many people.

Hunter, executive director of The Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach, recently earned her Certified Animal Welfare Administrator certification through The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement.

By Ruben Lowman Councilman Bob Cavanaugh has served the city of North Myrtle Beach for the last time and will resign and move to Virginia in order to be closer to his family. Cavanaugh made the decision a few months ago to give up the seat he has held on the council for nearly 20 years so he can spend more time with his wife, children and the rest of his family in Richmond, but was waiting until he was able to line up a buyer for his home in the Tidewater community before he made the move. Mayor Marilyn …

By CONNIE ROSS-KARL Longtime North Myrtle Beach City Council Member at Large Robert “Bob” Cavanaugh and his wife, Mary, a distinguished educator for more than 20 years in North Myrtle Beach, were recognized and lauded by representatives of the city, South Carolina legislature and friends, neighbors and well-wishers at Tidewater Plantation on Saturday, Nov. 14. They were also joined by members of Quilts of Valor, who presented Cavanaugh with a personalized, handmade quilt to commemorate his military service in the U.S. Army, as he was flanked by his fellow veterans who live in Tidewater. Presenters included Kathleen Williams and Theresa …

By Ruben Lowman North Myrtle Beach’s Ocean Drive Elementary was named a National Blue Ribbon School last Thursday by the Department of Education, the highest achievement a school can receive. The school, located on 11th Avenue North between Highway 17 and Ocean Boulevard, is just the fourteenth in Horry County to earn the distinction. Ocean Drive Elementary Principal Renea Fowler said that her school was extremely honored to get such a coveted award, especially for her teachers and faculty to be recognized for their hard work and dedication in educating and enriching their students. Fowler explained that the school got …

By Ruben Lowman A large crowd of local law enforcement supporters came out to the North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex last Saturday to voice their approval for officers in the midst of a tumultuous moment between police departments and the public all over the world. The “Defend Your Police” rally took place at the amphitheatre at the sports complex after organizer Tracey Lutz-Danka was forced to change the location from the North Myrtle Beach City Hall to better accommodate the large response they received from the public. The passionate crowd was decked out in American flag apparel and …

By Ruben Lowman Thomas G. “Tommy” Dennis was named North Myrtle Beach Chief of Police by Public Safety Director Jay Fernandez on Monday, Sept. 14, after serving as interim police chief since early in the summer. In announcing Dennis’ promotion, Fernandez said that, “Tommy performed in the role of interim chief of police just as we thought he would. He is effective, fair-minded, has the ability to see the big picture and at the same time can zero in to help resolve specific challenges. He effectively relates to all types of people. We are glad for Tommy and know that …

By RUBEN LOWMAN North Myrtle Beach City Council unanimously approved second and final reading on this fiscal year’s $89 million amended budget, as well as a 7.9 mils property tax increase within city limits, during a council meeting held last week. City officials have been left reeling financially by the effects of the coronavirus pandemic since March and as a result, have been forced to cut around $30 million from the projected budget that emerged from their annual retreat in Pinopolis in February. When passing the ordinances last Monday, June 29, Mayor Marilyn Hatley acknowledged the challenging choices those officials, …

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 …