šŸŒ± Waterpark Coming To MB + SCDHEC Test Results Backlog Cleared

Kathy Mandell
Updated ·5 min read

Happy Friday, people of Myrtle Beach! Let's get you all caught up to start today off on an informed note.

First, today's weather:

Chilly with periods of rain. High: 48 Low: 34.

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Here are the top five stories in Myrtle Beach today:

  1. Landmark Resort will be building a 9,800-square-foot water park at its Ocean Boulevard location. The new facility will cost about $3 million to construct, and will be an exclusive amenity for Landmark guests. The waterpark is scheduled to open this coming summer, and will have several water slides as the main attraction. (MyHorryNews.com)

  2. The trial for the two former Horry County deputies charged in the drowning deaths of Wendy Newton and Nicolette Green during Hurricane Florence in 2018 has been delayed again. The trial, originally set for February, was moved due to a scheduling conflict with key witnesses. The new trial date will be some time in May. (wpde.com)

  3. The Horry County school board increased its budget for athletic facilities' improvements by $600,000 during a special meeting held Wednesday night. Some of the improvements include adding artificial turf at various fields, as well as new grandstands, and some tennis and track improvements. The increase brings the budget up to just over $8 million. (WBTW)

  4. SCDHEC has announced that testing backlogs among its vendors have cleared and normal turnaround times (48 hours) for COVID-19 test results are in place again. A surge in testing caused the backlog. The testing vendors hired more staff and added equipment to correct the problems. (WPDE)

  5. Court documents show Nicholas Languerand's involvement in the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot. The Little River man was living in Vermont at that time, and drove to Washington, DC to attend the rally. He posted some photos on social media during and after the riot. Some time after January of 2021, he moved to Little River, and was arrested at his grandparents' home there in 2021. Languerand pleaded guilty to charges in connection with the riot, and was sentenced to 44 months in prison this week. (WBTW)

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Today in Myrtle Beach:

  • Jimmy "O" @ Island Bar & Grill Surfside (12:00 PM)

  • Red Cross blood drive @ Palmetto Pointe Church of God (2:00 PM) - chance to win Super Bowl package, or home theatre package.

  • Father Daughter Dance @ Ripley's Aquarium in Myrtle Beach (6:00 PM)

  • Billy King @ Grumpy Monk North Myrtle Beach (6:00 PM)

  • The Music of REO Speedwagon performed by Richrath Project 3:13 @ Carolina Opry (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

  • Myrtle Beach Pelicans: Applications for game day positions are now being accepted! Check out the list of available jobs and apply on our website.- - -#MBPelicans (Instagram)

  • Carolina Opry has some great shows coming up within the next few days! The Music of REO Speedwagon kicks off the new shows tonight at 7:00 p.m. performed by the Richrath Project 3:13. Saturday it's a tribute to the Carpenters called Top of the World. On Sunday night, there will be Eaglemania, the Eagles tribute band. Wednesday, February 2nd will be Time Warp, an energetic show featuring a variety of music from the '60s, '70s, and '80s! (Myrtle Beach Patch)

  • A Grand Strand trade school is trying to fill the need for aviation maintenance technicians. The industry has a lot of vacancies right now due to mechanics retiring. The Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics is near Market Common and offers its airplane fixing program year-round. (wpde.com)

  • Parents and educators are weighing in with reactions to Horry County Schools' proposal to eliminate the virtual learning programs for K-12 students. (MyHorryNews.com)

  • Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce has a new logo. The new look has curvy lines representing the ocean, and different shades of blue. It was designed by MMGY Global. (Press Release Desk)

  • Johnny Vaught has thrown his hat in the ring in a bid to run for Horry County Council chairman. Vaught currently represents District 8 on the council, and his term is expiring at the end of 2022. Johnny Gardner is the current chairman. (WBTW)

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Alrighty, you're all caught up for Friday, January 28, 2022. I'll see you Saturday for your weekend Grand Strand update!

ā€” 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