Coastal Observer

Crime: Suit over sex offender at church school seeks over $25M in damages

A class action lawsuit seeking at least $25 million in damages from Pawleys Island Community Church and its Christian Academy was filed Friday, four days after a parent reported that a man on the...
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THE WEEK’S TOP STORIES

Environment: Island sees record number of sea turtle nests

Pawleys Island has set a new sea turtle nesting record for the second consecutive year with 45 nests, up from to 39 last year. And more are expected as the nesting season continues. Nearby...
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Traditions: Vintage aircraft offer a flying tribute to vets

With a puff of white exhaust smoke the twin-blade propeller turned over and the Georgetown County Airport turned back the clock. The SNJ-5 that rolled off the assembly line in 1943 taxied to the...
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North Litchfield: Kids bring out the big guns – and water guns

Candy and beaded necklaces were tossed out of golf carts down Hanover Street, where children hollered and laughed, jumping to catch the treats and racing each other to see who could grab the fallen...
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Murrells Inlet: Spark of freedom lights fires of creativity at boat parade

Something had been missing at the Murrells Inlet Fourth of July Boat Parade ever since the pandemic. “People just rode through and didn’t really decorate,” said Suzanne King of Murrells Inlet. Participation was never...
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Pawleys Island: History rises to the top in a parade of characters

If anyone complained about the Pawleys Island Fourth of July Parade starting an hour earlier than usual, it wasn’t the ones wearing the wigs or colonial costumes who were celebrating America’s 250th birthday. “It’s...
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Education: School board raises taxes as three members look for cuts

Georgetown County School Board approved a $128 million operating budget with a 3.1-mill tax increase for the fiscal year that began last week. It passed in a 6-3 vote. The district increased spending by...
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Pawleys Island: For parade’s grand marshal, tradition stretches back 60 years

Rocky Holliday doesn’t remember the details about that Monday morning in 1966 when the first parade made its way down Myrtle Avenue on Pawleys Island. But one thing’s for sure. “I would have been...
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Georgetown: Dredging provides visible sign of waterfront redevelopment ahead

The largest vessel to enter the Georgetown Harbor in a decade will arrive this month, giving a public face to the waterfront revitalization that has existed in plans and drawings. The 350-foot dredge will...
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Pawleys Island: Emergency ramp, still awaiting permit, called a lifesaver

Emergency workers were able to rescue a Kentucky man struggling in a rip current on the north end of Pawleys Island last week, the same area where a swimmer drowned last summer. Pawleys Island...
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Pawleys Island: Both sides say Appeals Court erred in beach easement dispute

The town of Pawleys Island and three south end property owners contesting efforts to obtain easements for beach renourishment have found some common ground. Both sides say a three-judge panel of the state Court...
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Education: Clear bag policy faces opposition from parents

Parents widely oppose the Georgetown County School District implementing a clear backpack policy for students. The district received more than 600 responses within five minutes of sending out a survey via text, said Kristi...
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THE WEEK’S FEATURED STORIES

Passages: Graham remembered as national leader focused on local issues

Bill Otis remembers the time Sen. Lindsey Graham invited him to Washington, D.C., for a meeting about beach renourishment. The Pawleys Island mayor, Otis walked into a room where Graham had assempled top staff...
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BUSINESS NEWS

Observer staff wins top awards in news contest

The Coastal Observer staff won 19 awards for writing, photography in design in the S.C. Press Association’s annual news contest, including the President’s Cup for excellence and Weekly Journalist of the Year for its...
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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