Police

Hemingway

Suspects leave one injured in home invasion

One person was injured during a home invasion in Hemingway early Sunday morning, according to the Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office.

According to a police press release, deputies responded to the 22000 block of Choppee Road in the Hemingway community of Georgetown County at about 4:30 a.m. for a reported home invasion. The deputies spoke with the two victims who said three suspects entered the home with what appeared to be a handgun and demanded money.

The suspects bound the victims and searched the house. Police said one victim escaped out of a bedroom window and called 911 from a neighbor’s house. The suspects fled the house in an unknown direction.

One victim was taken to Grand Strand Regional Medical Center in Myrtle Beach to be treated for injuries. Spokeswoman Carrie Cuthbertson could not confirm type of injuries the victim sustained, citing the active investigation.

Police also released no information describing the suspects.

The sheriff’s office asks anyone with information about the incident or the three suspects to contact them at 546-5101. Anonymous tips can be sent using Text-A-Tip by dialing 247637 from a cell phone and sending the word “GCSOTIP” and the message.

Local

SURFSIDE BEACH AREA/PAWLEYS ISLAND

Cat spay-and-neuter clinics

Bikini Beach Cat Rescue will have low-cost spay-and-neuter clinic for felines, all of which include a basic exam and a one-year rabies vaccination, at:

• The Cat’s Meow, 1144 S.C. 544, just east of U.S. 17 Bypass, near Surfside Beach, Tuesday, and Feb. 5, 12, 19 and 26; $45 neuter or $55 spay.

• The Animal Hospital & Laser Center, 13057 Ocean Highway, Suite D, in Pawleys Island, Thursday and Feb 7, 14, 21 and 26; $40 for feral cats for a laser neuter or spay.

For appointments, call 655-7881.

Myrtle Beach

Shagging with the Stars, Collegiate Shag Championship winners announced

Barry Thigpen with the National Shag Dance Competition released the names of the Shagging with the Stars and collegiate winners from Saturday’s fundraising event.

Winners were:

Shagging with the Stars, female – Debbie Conner, Coastal Carolina University

Shagging with the Stars, male – Stephen Balok, NASCAR official artist

Collegiate Shag Championship – Aaron Brooks and Danielle Bouchery from East Carolina University

For more information about the National Shag Dance Competition, visit www.shagnationals.com.

MYRTLE BEACH

Dispose of your live Christmas tree

Beginning in January, the city of Myrtle Beach will pick up Christmas trees from the curb and take them to be recycled. In February all of the collected trees will be ground into mulch, which will be available to the public for free.

Residents are asked to place trees at the curb – making sure to remove all decorations and tree stands and not to cover any utility boxes or meters.

Those who don’t want to wait for curbside pickup can drop off trees on Mr. Joe White Avenue at 21 Avenue North Extension, behind Myrtle Waves Water Park.

MYRTLE BEACH

Get city parking decals

The city will soon offer the two-year parking decals for 2013 and 2014. Letters will be sent to the owners of vehicles that are registered in city limits.

The decals allow residents to park their vehicles for free at the city’s parking meters, in the Pavilion Parking Garage and at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center.

Eligibility for decals is tied to where the vehicle “lives” – it is eligible if it is registered inside city limits and city property taxes have been paid on it. Properly registered golf carts also are eligible for parking decals

The parking meter season begins March 1 and runs through Sept. 30.

Additionally, all vehicles with valid handicapped plates or hand-tags and vehicles with valid Purple Heart, Disabled American Veteran or Medal of Honor license plates already are able to park free.

HORRY COUNTY

Rolling Thunder to honor women in military

The local chapter of the Rolling Thunder will honor women in the military in April. The group is holding a ceremony at the Grand Strand Senior Center in Myrtle Beach on April 6 at 1 p.m. called “Salute to Women of the Military, Past and Present.”

It’s the second year the event has been held and is meant to recognize women who have served in the military.

Registration by March 15 is required by calling 910-579-3668.

From staff reports