MyrtleBeachOnline.com: Local

Debate Watch blog recap

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:22 EDT

County votes down plan for airport expansion

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:29 EDT

Squabbles over timing threatened to derail the expansion of the passenger terminal at Myrtle Beach International Airport on Tuesday as the Horry County Council voted against the project but gave the second of three required approvals to a $250,000 stipend for federally required environmental studies.

Disagreements arose over whether it was the time to embark on an expansion as state legislators consider creating an authority to govern the airport and take control of the facility away from the county, which runs the airport as a county department.

The council did agree on one thing: asking the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base Redevelopment Authority to put up the $12 million required to extend Harrelson Boulevard to 22nd Avenue South, providing the airport a second entrance.

Yom Kippur sees growth

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:29 EDT

The large number of people expected to celebrate Yom Kippur, which begins at sundown tonight, is a sign that Jewish congregations across the Grand Strand are establishing roots in the community.

Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, continues through Thursday.

Crowds are expected fill the synagogues in Horry and Georgetown counties for the 24-hour observance, according to local religious leaders.

Deputy scuffles with ax-wielding suspect

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:27 EDT

POLICE

SHALLOTTE, N.C.

Deputy scuffles with ax-wielding suspect

Boardwalk's funds, foliage sought

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:34 EDT

Now that Myrtle Beach's planned boardwalk has the Community Appearance Board's approval, discussions are turning green - meaning landscaping and money.

At today's Downtown Redevelopment Corp. meeting, Executive Director David Sebok will update his group on the appearance board's conditional OK. On Oct. 21 he will talk to the Myrtle Beach City Council about funding the project.

The appearance board last week gave boardwalk plans a thumbs up but reserved the right to further examine the Downtown Redevelopment Corp.'s plans for landscaping the milelong shorefront walkway, because board members said they hadn't spent sufficient time discussing that aspect of the plans.

Crowd mixed on McIntyre opponent

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:29 EDT

If someone were rating the Meet the Candidates night at Brunswick Community College on Tuesday, it's a good bet they would say Will Breazeale had the best one-liners of the night and that teaching creationism in public schools remains an issue for the Brunswick County board.

"Defeat all incumbents," Breazeale said to general applause when asked the best way to improve the image of the U.S. Congress.

A Republican, Breazeale is hoping 7th District U.S. House voters will choose to replace incumbent Democrat U.S. Rep. Mike McIntyre with him. McIntyre didn't accept the invitation to the event because of a previous family commitment, said Hans Wagner, chairman of the committee that organized the night for the Alliance of Brunswick County Property Owners Associations.

Georgetown County plan adds impact fees for builders

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:29 EDT

In order to help pay for Georgetown County's $330 million capital improvement plan, developers would pay more than $1,000 to construct new homes under a proposal presented Tuesday night to the County Council.

Under the draft, developers would pay $1,347 to $2,468 in fire, library and transportation impact fees on new homes in unincorporated Georgetown County. On the Waccamaw Neck, developers of new homes would pay $1,548 to $2,761. The impact fees to build businesses would be much less - from 46 cents to $3.52, according to the analysis prepared by consultants TischlerBise.

If approved, the impact fees could generate about $20 million by 2017 to use for road improvement projects, new libraries, facility improvements and cultural buildings.

North Myrtle Beach growth to pay off, city says

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:29 EDT

City officials say the addition of 1,300 acres to North Myrtle Beach will lead to more jobs in the city and surrounding areas and a boost for the city's tax base within about 20 years.

Thousands of homes, shops and a marina will be added to the city through the Parkway Group Planned Unit Development.

"A large portion of it is commercial," Mayor Marilyn Hatley said Tuesday. The project will create jobs and a tax base that will subsidize current residents, Hatley said.

Horry County GOP gets pumped up

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:29 EDT

Republicans mingled quietly Tuesday night in Conway, chowing on chicken and talking issues - until Sarah Palin showed up toting a rifle.

OK, it wasn't really Palin. But look-alike Suzanne Fox of Georgetown County got the party started all the same.

"Our nation is facing challenges that look dark," she told the crowd at the Peanut Warehouse as she encouraged people to vote for Sen. John McCain and Alaska Gov. Palin. "Honor your past and embrace your present."

Shot man charged in death of estranged wife at Lowe's

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:29 EDT

North Myrtle Beach police on Monday charged a man they said shot his estranged wife to death on Sept. 26 in the parking lot of Lowe's Home Improvement in North Myrtle Beach, then shot himself.

Robert A. Parker, 61, of Little River, was jailed at J. Reuben Long Detention Center on Tuesday, after his release from New Hanover Medical Center in Wilmington, N.C.

He spent 10 days at the hospital, where he was treated for a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest, according to North Myrtle Beach Public Information officer Nicole Aiello.

Pawleys lawmaker pushed on spending

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:29 EDT

Candidates for S.C House District 108 sparred Tuesday night over spending decisions and the record that incumbent Rep. Vida Miller, D-Pawleys Island, has established during 12 years in office.

Jill Kelso, the Republican challenger, said Miller has had time to make a change in office but has failed to do so.

Miller said she has brought at least $136 million in money for projects to her district, more than any other district in Georgetown County.

Waccamaw Middle will retain single-gender class

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:29 EDT

In an about-face, Waccamaw Middle School is keeping its single-gender program in place for the second semester.

Principal Bill Dwyer said he received an overwhelming amount of community support for single-gender classes from parents the day after letters were sent announcing a halt to the program.

Dwyer's Sept. 24 letter said more long-term planning was necessary to make sure there was an alternative for students who wanted to "opt out" of the all-female or all-male English or math classes. The program, by law, is supposed to be completely voluntary.

3 CCU golfers charged with alcohol violations

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:29 EDT

Three Coastal Carolina University golf team members have been charged with alcohol violations.

The incident is the latest in a string of alcohol-related citations and arrests involving CCU students. The school has organized events this month to teach students about responsible alcohol use, officials said.

Coastal golf coach Allen Terrell said the players will be suspended for one tournament. The alcohol did not belong to them, he said.

Budget summit seeks fixes

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:29 EDT

S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford asked the leaders of state agencies Tuesday to suggest ways to shave spending from their budgets, saying that if lawmakers make the cuts for them it could be more painful.

About 100 agency leaders, staff and lobbyists gathered for Sanford's budget summit, one day before the state's economic advisers are expected to reduce the state's projected revenues by 4 percent or more.

"Come up with solutions, ideas, as opposed to budget cutters," Sanford said to open the 90-minute meeting.

Dear Abby

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:29 EDT

Dear Abby: I was a lonely widow for many years until I met "Carl." We married two years ago, but separated after two weeks.

Afterward, my daughter, "Gail," and her husband, "Don," and their two kids lived with me for 18 months. I was the only one working. Gail helped a little around the house, but Don wouldn't even mow the grass.

During that time I had two heart attacks and an angioplasty. Two weeks before my first heart attack, Gail and I had a terrible fight, and the police were called.

On this date in history

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:29 EDT

In 1934, Bruno Hauptmann was indicted for murder in the death of the son of Charles A. Lindbergh.

In 1945, Truman said the secret of the atomic bomb would be shared with Britain and Canada.

In 1956, Don Larsen pitched the only perfect game in a World Series to date as the Yankees beat the Brooklyn Dodgers in Game 5.

Former teacher settles lawsuit

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:25 EDT

A former Gaston County teacher who was unmarried and pregnant has settled her discrimination lawsuit against the county school system.

Heather Zampogna received $99,500 in a settlement, The Gaston Gazette reported Tuesday.

Zampogna filed the federal discrimination lawsuit in March 2007, claiming she was demoted a year earlier from a high-performing class at Tryon Elementary School to an at-risk class at Rhyne Elementary.

Clergy back immigration reform

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:24 EDT

A new grass-roots initiative on immigration reform says more than 300 clergy and religious leaders have signed up to support the N.C. group.

The N.C. Religious Coalition for Justice for Immigrants held a news conference Tuesday in Raleigh to discuss immigration reform. Five religious leaders were to speak, including the Rev. William Barber, who is president of the N.C. chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

Other speakers were Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Catholic Diocese of Raleigh; Iman Oliver Muhammad of the As Salaam Islamic Center of Raleigh; the Rev. Cookie Santiago of the N.C. Conference of the United Methodist Church; and Rabbi Eric Solomon of Beth Meyer Synagogue in Raleigh.

Hilton Head setting priorities

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:24 EDT

Hilton Head Island is in a tough financial spot this year, but it could be a lot worse. Now is the time for town leaders to get in front of the problem and start laying out a plan for the future, or else the money the town relies on to operate and grow won't be there.

That was the message Monday afternoon as the town began a deep review of its finances and an overhaul of its priorities. The slumping economy partially is to blame, but most of the concern comes from the town's maturity. As the island approaches build-out, there are fewer new developments and fewer options for additional revenue sources, such as taxes on real estate transfers, food and beverages and overnight lodging.

Instead of looking toward the ambitious growth in recent years - charging ahead with new pathways, roads, parks and other projects - the town will have to take a step back and make sure it first has enough money to pay its debts and operate Town Hall, finance director Susan Simmons told the Town Council. Then it can decide which construction projects to tackle.

Rock Hill police find 42 cats, 3 dogs at house

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:25 EDT

Police say they found 42 cats and three dogs at an abandoned house in Rock Hill.

The Herald of Rock Hill reported Tuesday the cats were inside and the dogs were tied up outside.

Fifty-five-year-old William McCleery is charged with two counts of abandonment of animals and two counts of ill treatment of animals.