🌱 HCS To Scrap Virtual Learning + Rural Civic Center Planned

Kathy Mandell
Updated ·5 min read

Welcome back, Myrtle Beach! It's Wednesday, February 16, 2022, and here's everything you need to know about today on the Grand Strand.

A look at Wednesday's slightly warmer weather:

Mostly sunny and pleasant. High: 62 Low: 55.

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Here are the top five stories today in Myrtle Beach:

  1. In an 11-1 vote, the Horry County School Board has voted to end the virtual learning program after the current school year ends. A report released about a month ago revealed that more than 40% of virtual students failed at least one class during the first semester of this school year. Educational leaders could bring back a tweaked version of virtual learning in 2023, but it will need to be demonstrably better than the program that is ending. (wpde.com)

  2. One Grand Strand lottery player had a happy Valentine's Day when their Palmetto Cash 5 ticket won them $100,000! The ticket was sold at Scotchman #3143 on Seabord Street. The winner has 180 days to claim their hundred grand. (WMBF)

  3. The city itself hopes to "cash in" as thousands of student-athletes from across the United States plan to visit the Grand Strand. Myrtle Beach is also looking for volunteers to work the various track meets that the city is hosting in March and April. The meets will happen at Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium near Myrtle Beach High School. At least 23 states will be represented by over 60 colleges for the two events in March. In April, the high school event should bring about 1,000 athletes from more than 40 schools. (WBTW)

  4. Horry County officials are working toward bringing a rural civic center to the inland part of the county about 20 miles or so from the beach. To offer an alternative to the "beach vacation," officials would like to see an arena that would be used for agricultural events like equestrian competitions, cattle auctions, and rodeos. The committee is looking at about five different locations west of the beaches. (WMBF)

  5. A group of women in Surfside and Murrells Inlet handmade over 100 Valentine's day cards for residents of the NHC HealthCare facility in Garden City. The group, who has a Facebook page, makes cards every holiday and gives them out at the rehab facility. The group's leader, Marley Kennedy, says the residents at the facility enjoy the time they spend with the card makers, rather than the actual cards, although they appreciate the handmade cards, too! The group is growing (now 100 people) and they hope to start visiting facilities in Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach soon. (WBTW)

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Today in Myrtle Beach:

  • Eric Metts @ Grumpy Monk NMB (5:00 PM)

  • Wednesday Night Racing @ Beach RC & Hobbies practice all day, race at (7:00 PM)

  • Time Warp @ Carolina Opry (7:00 PM)

  • Songwriter Night @ Bourbon Street Bar & Grille (9:30 PM)

From my notebook:

  • Daily COVID-19 case numbers dropped below 1,000 on Sunday for the first time since December. SCDHEC reports there were 55 confirmed cases in Horry County, and 23 probable cases. (WBTW)

  • Horry County Schools: The 2022-2023 Student Calendar is available! Visit https://www.horrycountyschools... to access our next school-year's dates. (Facebook)

  • The Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach: Teddy will be attending our 4th annual Macaroni Mania this Saturday, February 19th at the North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex! He's especially excited for Macaroni Mania because proceeds from the event will be going towards our new building fund! Our fun-filled event will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with tons of vendors and kid-friendly activities! Teddy will be hanging out from 11-noon and then taking a little cat nap to rest up to help judge the macaroni cook-off at 2 p.m. *Teddy has terminal cancer and is not available for adoption.* (Facebook)

  • But these furry friends ARE up for adoption in the Myrtle Beach area, and looking for a new home with you! (Myrtle Beach Patch)

  • Brookgreen Gardens hosted its annual wedding vow renewal event on Valentine's Day, and as usual it was a success. One couple, in particular, stood out in the crowd. Linda and Mike McCarthy got married in the 1980s, got divorced, got married again, and then renewed their vows at the event on Monday! (WBTW)

  • Saving the Carolinas: April O'Leary, president and founder of Horry County Rising, discusses the financial toll of climate change on the Carolina coast, along with other experts, in this timely report. (WCBD News 2)

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You're officially in the loop for this Wednesday! See you Thursday morning for all the Myrtle Beach area news you can handle!

— Kathy Mandell

About me: The best decision I ever made was relocating to the Myrtle Beach area from New England a few years ago, with my three dogs and three cats. I enjoy dogs, cats, road trips, photography, writing, vegetarian food, live music, bicycling and above all my daily walks on the beaches in and around the Grand Strand.

This article originally appeared on the Myrtle Beach Patch