MyrtleBeachOnline.com: Local

Patriotic bonanza

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:56 EDT

Under beach-perfect skies, the Grand Strand began what is usually its busiest tourist weekend of the year with Independence Day activities as varied as its string of communities. Here's a look at the Fourth of July up and down the beaches.

Myrtle Beach

The Market Common displayed more than 3,000 flags along the walkways to honor the July Fourth holiday. As visitors went about their shopping and movie-going, some shared their thoughts on the holiday's significance.

Amber Campbell Beijing bound

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 18:35 EDT

Former Coastal Carolina track and field athlete Amber Campbell is Beijing bound thanks to a second-place finish in the hammer throw at the Olympic Trials in Eugene, Ore., on Saturday.

Campbell reached the finals with a throw of 69.07 meters and then bested six other competitors with a throw 69.24 meters on her final throw. Former UCLA athlete Jessica Cosby won the Trials with throw of 70.72 meters.

Campbell is sponsored by Sports Doctors High Performance Center, which is where she also works when not competing.

Former Republican Sen. Jesse Helms dies at 86

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 12:32 EDT

Former Sen. Jesse Helms, an unyielding champion of the conservative movement who spent three combative and sometimes caustic decades in Congress, where he relished his battles against liberals, Communists and occasionally a fellow Republican, died on the Fourth of July. He was 86.

"It's just incredible that he would die on July 4th, the same day of the Declaration of Independence and the same day that Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died, and he certainly is a patriot in the mold of those great men," said former North Carolina GOP Rep. Bill Cobey.

An iconic figure of the South, remembered by many for his opposition to the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Helms had faded from public view as his health declined. He died of natural causes early Friday morning at the Raleigh convalescent home where he had lived for the past several years. "He was very comfortable," said former chief of staff Jimmy Broughton.

Conway fills out walking options

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:38 EDT

With the addition of several sidewalks, Conway leaders hope to increase the connectivity for and the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists.

The city's sidewalk budget had a surplus of about $14,000 left over from the previous fiscal year, so officials decided to add new pathways where residents are forced to walk alongside several busy roads.

"I feel like if we've got the money leftover, we should fill in those gaps," Councilwoman Alys Lawson said after hearing of the extra money.

Club Clipboard

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:42 EDT

Quilting and stitching

Chicora Stitches, Myrtle Beach. 651-9457

Grand Strand Knitters. 293-1960

S.C. soldier to serve on panel to coordinate inauguration

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:38 EDT

A 1986 graduate of the former St. John's High School in Darlington has joined the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee, which is preparing to support the 56th Presidential Inauguration on Jan. 20.

Maj. Daniel Hood will serve as the officer in charge of operations on the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee, or AFIC, a joint service organization that coordinates all military ceremonial support for the inauguration. It includes members from all service branches of the Armed Forces of the United States, including units from the Reserve and National Guard.

Hood is responsible for the overall operation of AFIC transportation, training and supervising joint service operators, acquiring vehicles and allocating resources.

Racing a barrel of fun for 7-year-old boy

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:38 EDT

Zachary Billings may only be 7 years old, but he's discovered a sport that he wants to spend his life doing.

We're not talking tee-ball, basketball or football, either.

Billings is, in fact, a third-generation barrel horse racer.

Officials hope holiday aids search

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:38 EDT

A search continued on Lake Murray for a couple missing for a week, and officials said they hope the extra boaters taking to the water this holiday weekend will help them find the man and his wife.

Randy Adkins Jr., 46, and Kimberly Adkins, 44, were last seen June 28 near Pine Island. Their empty boat was found in working order with fuel and life jackets, Department of Natural Resources spokesman Lt. Robert McCullough told The (Columbia) State.

McCullough said he hasn't had a case like this in his 25 years with the agency.

Mistake leads to 40 cent gas

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:45 EDT

STATE NEWS IN BRIEF

ORANGEBURG

Gas gaffe: Mistake leads to 40-cent gas

Obama plans Monday visit to N.C.

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:45 EDT

STATE NEWS IN BRIEF

CHARLOTTE

Obama visits Monday to talk about economy

AB building ban expires

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:45 EDT

Building ban expires

A partial ban on building in Atlantic Beach that lasted two years expired this week.

The so-called "moratorium" required that any commercial buildings, condominiums or multifamily structures come under strict scrutiny by the town's planning commission, though traditional homes were still allowed.

Holiday closings

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:42 EDT

The following will be closed today for the Independence Day holiday:

Town halls

Andrews

One dead after 3-vehicle crash

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:45 EDT

POLICE

MYRTLE BEACH

Three-vehicle wreck causes fatality

'Smart growth' goal for U.S. 17

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:23 EDT

North Myrtle Beach developers may have to reduce sign clutter along U.S. 17 and build businesses closer to the highway.

The city plans to give its stretch of U.S. 17 an entire new look within the next 15 to 20 years, part of an effort by city officials to enhance the city's image and identity along its most heavily traveled corridor.

"We see businesses would be more visible and parking would be in the back," said Mayor Marilyn Hatley.

Bidding Quiz

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:23 EDT

You are South, both sides vulnerable, and the bidding has gone:

North East South West

1 h 2 f ?

ONLINE

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:34 EDT

Read how to be safe in the pool and keep your pool squeaky clean

Try energy saving tips during hot summer days

See how sundials can dress up a garden

Newsmakers

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:23 EDT

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

Brown finishes basic training

Army National Guard Pfc. Dwayne L. Brown has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia. He is the son of Leo and Melia Brown of Andrews.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Talk it out

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:34 EDT

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Talk it out. If an issue disturbs you, express your feelings to those who will listen tolerantly. Do not keep it bottled up.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Know your place. You may want to make waves, but it would be wiser to maintain a low profile.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Keep intentions and communications crystal clear and avoid confrontations. Sidestep making irrevocable decisions.

N.C. governor's wife gets pay raise

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:23 EDT

First lady Mary Easley got a $79,700 pay raise from N.C. State University this week.

Her salary as an executive-in-residence and senior lecturer - a job created for her in 2005 - went from $90,000 to $170,000.

Her job title has not changed, but university officials said they have greatly expanded the duties for Easley, a former prosecutor and lawyer who has taught law courses.

In Our Towns

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:24 EDT

LOCAL

GRAND STRAND

Road improvements shut down some lanes