Police | Firefighters continue to battle wildfire

Police

CONWAY

Firefighters continue to battle wildfire

Despite scattered heavy rains Monday, state forestry firefighters expect to be busy this week battling a persistent blaze along Hardwick Road in Horry County, according to Scott Hawkins, public information director with the S.C. Forestry Commission.

Even though the fire remains contained, smoke is expected to be a problem in the area of S.C. 22 and Hardwick Road, Hawkins said. The fire, which began with a June 14 lightning strike, broke out again twice over the weekend. Thirty acres were involved in one of those weekend incidents.

Firefighters will increase their response to the wildfire because the persistently hot, dry weather has negated any benefits from previous rainfall on the area, Hawkins said. The fire has been more aggressive in the hotter, windier afternoon hours.

Motorists in that area of Conway should be aware of smoke issues and emergency vehicles responding to the blaze, Hawkins said.

HORRY COUNTY

Driver charged in crash on U.S. 501

State troopers responded Monday afternoon to a collision that snarled traffic on U.S. 501, according to authorities.

The incident happened after 3:30 p.m. Monday on U.S. 501 near Dick's Pawn Shop when a 2005 Lexus attempted to cross U.S. 501, failed to yield the right-of-way, and pulled out in front of a 2004 Buick sport utility vehicle heading southbound on U.S. 501, said Lance Cpl. Sonny Collins with the S.C. Highway Patrol.

The crash caused the Lexus to overturn, Collins said. Some of those involved suffered minor injuries. The driver of the Lexus was charged with failure to yield right-of-way, Collins said.

SURFSIDE BEACH

Bicyclist charged with stolen property

A Surfside Beach man was released on $3,936 bail after police charged him with drug possession, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and other charges after he ran from officers who'd tried to stop him while he rode a bicycle, according to a news release.

Brandon Wyatt, 21, was charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, simple possession of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance and a bicycle equipment violation, police said.

Plainclothes officers saw Wyatt riding a bicycle at 3:30 a.m. Saturday near 15th Avenue South and Dogwood Drive and tried to stop him. He jumped off his bike, dropped it on the ground and tried to run away. As he ran, police said they saw him throw a bag to the ground before they stopped him.

Inside the bag, police said they found a Garmin GPS unit, a personalized liquor flask and a pill bottle that contained marijuana and LSD, according to police. Police learned some of the items were reported stolen from a vehicle in Horry County police jurisdiction.

On Sunday, police searched Wyatt's home and found property that was reported stolen, according to the release. On Monday, police also charged Wyatt with receiving and possession of stolen property.

HORRY COUNTY

Firefighters battle three weekend blazes

Horry County firefighters responded to three weekend fires in Conway and Longs, according to Leslie Yancey, spokeswoman for Horry County Fire Rescue.

The first incident was reported at 11:55 a.m. Saturday at 315 Soho Court in Conway and involved a doublewide mobile home, Yancey said. Six Horry County fire units responded and Conway Fire Rescue also provided assistance.

One firefighter was treated and released for injuries suffered during the incident, Yancey said. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation and the home was destroyed. The American Red Cross was called in to assist the family.

The first of two Sunday incidents was reported at 3:37 p.m. at 5428 Highway 668 in Conway, Yancey said. The fire in a detached garage and shed was ruled unintentional, but it did cause minor damage to the home.

Five units responded at 9:24 p.m. Sunday to 938 Pint Circle in Longs for a fire that destroyed a singlewide mobile home, Yancey said.

That blaze was also ruled unintentional. The Red Cross assisted the family.

MYRTLE BEACH

Police look for man who exposed himself

Myrtle Beach police searched for a man who exposed himself to a 31-year-old North Carolina woman and her 11-year-old daughter, according to a police report.

The woman told police she was walking with her daughter through a parking lot at Sixth Avenue South and Ocean Boulevard at 11 p.m. Friday when the man jumped from between two parked cars and exposed himself, police said.

The woman called 911 and the man ran away, according to the report.

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SURFSIDE BEACH

Town council to discuss pier eatery

The Surfside Pier restaurant lease will once again be discussed by Surfside Beach Town Council today.

The pier was purchased by the town in 2008, throwing into question the future of Nibils restaurant.

Nibils' lease is up in December, and town procurement policies require the town to solicit proposals to find the best tenant for the pier-side space.

The agenda calls for the town council to go into executive session to discuss the restaurant lease and the applicants for the town administrator position.

The Town Council meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. in the council chambers at town hall, 115 U.S. 17 N.