Police
MYRTLE BEACH
Cause of nightclub fire undetermined
Myrtle Beach firefighters have not been able to determine the cause of a fire early Thursday that caused heavy damage at a nightclub downtown, according to Myrtle Beach Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Bruce Arnel. Police continue to investigate the fire.
The fire occurred at the Time Out Bar and Nightclub shortly before 3:30 a.m. Arnel said Friday that fire officials finished their investigation, but the cause of inconclusive.
Arnel added there didn’t appear to be an accelerant that was used. The point of the fire’s origin was a storage area, he said.
The chief called it a “perfect area for a fire.”
The Myrtle Beach Police Department have taken up the investigation, and Capt. David Knipes said, “There’s nothing to show arson right now.”
No one was in the building at the time of the fire.
MURRELLS INLET
St. James High student hit by car
A pedestrian hit Thursday on S.C. 707 near Murrells Inlet was a female freshman at St. James High School, said Teal Britton, spokeswoman for Horry County schools.
Britton could not disclose any information regarding the 15-year-old’s condition.
She said the school administrative team met Friday morning to discuss the situation. Extra counselors and school psychologists were available to assist students.
“It was shocking and upsetting,” Britton said about the incident. “You hear a lot of people expressing the need for prayer.”
Emergency crews were called to S.C. 707 at Vestry Road for a wreck with injuries at 4:48 p.m. Thursday
Lance Cpl. Sonny Collins previously said the victim was walking on the shoulder of the road when a vehicle lost control and hit her. She was taken to an area hospital.
Local
HORRY COUNTY
Bridges may close to maritime traffic
Swing bridges, including two on the Grand Strand, may be closed this weekend to boat traffic if winds from Hurricane Sandy high winds hit the coast, according to the S.C. Department of Transportation.
Winds reaching a sustained 25 mph, or greater, could mean swing and draw bridges will be closed to maritime traffic and will not be swung open or raised allowing boats or other craft to pass.
In Horry County, two bridges over the Intracoastal Waterway could be affected – the Socastee Swing Bridge and the Little River Swing Bridge.
Other bridges affected are in Berkeley County over the Wando River and two in Beaufort County.
In Charleston County, the Wappoo Cut, Ben Sawyer, New Ashley and Old Ashley bridges also may be closed to boat traffic.
MYRTLE BEACH
Air Force Base closure reunion planned
The Myrtle Beach Air Force Base has planned the 20th Year Base Closure Reunion.
Any former military or civilian ever assigned to Myrtle Beach Air Force Base and their families are invited to the 20-year reunion of the base’s closure.
The reunion is April 6, but RSVPs are required by Dec. 15. For more information, visit www.mbafbreunion.com.
GEORGETOWN COUNTY
Road closures planned for bridge repairs
A bridge at the Horry-Georgetown County line on U.S. 701 will be closed overnight starting next month for repairs, the S.C. Department of Transportation said.
The bridge, which was built in 1953, is on U.S. 701 at the Great Pee Dee River over Yauhannah Lake and nighttime closures start on Nov. 5.
The bridge will be closed from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. on weekday evenings, including Friday. Additional weekend closures are possible but will be limited.
Traffic will be detoured about 51 miles from the intersection of S.C. 51 (Brown’s Ferry Road) and U.S. 701 (North Fraser Street) to the south near Georgetown at the intersection of U.S. 701 and Lucas Bay Road.
The repairs will stop the bridge’s foundation from settling and will continue through the end of the year, S.C. DOT. Electronic message boards will be placed on U.S. 701 to notify drivers of the closures.
CONWAY
Christmas card contest entries accepted
The City of Conway is accepting entries for the 2012 Christmas card contest.
The winning design will be used as the official Christmas card for the City of Conway this season. The winner will receive a savings bond and a gift card.
A Conway theme should be included in the design. This contest is open to children ages 5-12. The card format is 8 1/2 inches by 11 inches paper folded in half (5 1/2 inches by 8 1/2 inches). Other sizes will not be considered.
Children may design the front and inside right or inside top of the card only, depending on configuration. Parents may give guidance, but the card itself must be the work of the child. On the back of the card, put the child’s name, parent’s name, age, address, phone number, email address, school and grade.
Submissions may be hand delivered to the Conway Parks, Recreation & Tourism, 1515 Mill Pond Road, or mailed to “Christmas Card Contest,” Conway Parks & Recreation, PO Box 1075, Conway, SC 29528. All submissions must be received no later than 5 p.m. on Nov. 2.
For more information, visit www.conwayparksandrecreation.com or call 248-1740.
From staff reports
