Coastal Observer

Nonprofits: With SNAP benefits on hold, food pantry filled the gap

Virginia Boyles gets an $84 monthly medical benefit from United Healthcare. She said she uses it to help stretch her grocery budget. Boyles, who has diabetes, said many senior citizens like her age must...
Read More

THE WEEK’S TOP STORIES

Education: Waccamaw schools retain ‘excellent’ ratings on state report cards

Report cards released this week show that a majority of schools within Georgetown County School District are on an upward trend toward meeting the state’s education goals. Of the 19 schools within the district,...
Read More

Land use: S.C. Supreme Court backs county in marina zoning change

The state Supreme Court has upheld Georgetown County’s approval of a zoning change that allowed construction of a new restaurant at Marlin Quay Marina, saying even if the county didn’t make the best decision...
Read More

Incorporation: Sheriff rejects request to provide policing for proposed town

The Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office won’t enter into an agreement to provide law enforcement for a proposed municipality in the Pawleys Island-Litchfield area. The decision last week by Sheriff Carter Weaver leaves proponents of...
Read More

Georgetown County: Council chairman seeking seat on Public Service Commission

Georgetown County Council Chairman Clint Elliott is one of three candidates seeking a seat on the state board that regulates public utilities. If successful, he would have to step down from the council in...
Read More

Education: Board adopts new calendars with two objections

It was expected that Board Member Jarrod Ownbey would vote against the Georgetown Country School District’s “modified year-round calendar.” But Chairman Keith Moore gave a double-take when he heard Board Member Eileen Johnson join...
Read More

Nonprofits: Pawleys native will take charge Bunnelle Foundation

After searching for a new executive director for almost five months the Frances P. Bunnelle Foundation found her close to home. Ashley Nelson, the foundation’s senior director, was selected by the nonprofit’s board this...
Read More

Environment: Easements protect 25K acres in county from development

Over 25,000 acres of timber land in western Georgetown County will remain undeveloped under conservation easements signed last month as part of $66 million initiative. State and local officials gathered this week at Pea...
Read More

Georgetown: City planners reject proposal for waterfront development

While sweeping changes are underway along former industrial sites on the Georgetown waterfront, a plan to redevelop one of the city’s oldest commercial sites has drawn opposition from residents who say it will change...
Read More

Education: District refines reporting of P-card purchases

The Georgetown County School District is changing its procurement card procedures following questions from concerned citizens. School board members said this week they welcome the changes. “I don’t think that our P-card system is...
Read More

Tourism: Public safety initiatives lead requests for tax grants

Public safety has jumped past tourism promotion in requests for a share of Georgetown County’s accommodations tax revenue. That follows a series of highly-publicized drownings in the ocean off the town of Pawleys Island....
Read More

Incorporation: Study group seeks 2-year guarantee for police coverage

The group that wants to form a town in the Pawleys Island-Litchfield area has proposed a two-year agreement with Georgetown County for continued law enforcement coverage. It would be up to the new town...
Read More

THE WEEK’S FEATURED STORIES

Pawleys Island: Push for $100 golf cart permits settles on $50

The cost to operate a golf cart on Pawleys Island will double next year under a budget proposal approved this week by Town Council. It isn’t the money; it’s the frustration. The increase in...
Read More

BUSINESS NEWS

Observer staff earns top honors in news contest

Coastal Observer staff won 20 awards for writing, photography and design – including the President’s Cup for excellence among mid-sized weeklies – in the S.C. Press Associatioin’s annual news contest. It was the 10th...
Read More

LOCAL EVENTS

Meetings

Georgetown County Board of Education: First and third Tuesdays, 5:30 p.m., Beck Education Center. For details, go to gcsd.k12.sc.us . Georgetown County Council: Second and fourth Tuesdays, 5:30 p.m., Council Chambers, 129 Screven St., Georgetown. For details, go to georgetowncountysc.org. Pawleys Island Town Council: Second Mondays, 5 p.m. Town Hall, 323 Myrtle Ave. For details, go to townofpawleysisland.com. , .

COASTAL OBSERVER