Coastal Observer

Sales tax: Committee campaigns for passage of two sales tax proposals

A shakeup in the U.S. presidential election will be felt in Georgetown County, where a group assembled by the Chamber of Commerce is preparing to pitch a pair of 1-cent sales tax referendums to...
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THE WEEK’S TOP STORIES

Education: Survey results back next superintendent to make changes

An online survey found that eight in 10 people want to see the next superintendent take the Georgetown County School District in a different direction. A third of the respondents want to see significant...
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Incorporation: Land use disputes drive effort to form a new town

Twenty-five years after a legal challenge derailed an effort to form a new town on the Waccamaw Neck, a group says it has spent more than a year studying the issue and is ready...
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Waccamaw High: ‘Shine Tyrese’s light,’ students told after senior’s drowning

Tyrese Haynes had what Chris Overbeek called an “infectious smile.” “Good kid, good student. He was loved by his peers,” said Overbeek, the coach of the Waccamaw High School boys basketball team. “Those are...
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Land use: Neighbors file appeal of staff ruling on townhomes

A proposed townhouse development on Petigru Drive will cause drainage and traffic problems and conflict with the county’s future land use plan, opponents say. But that’s only part of the reason they have asked...
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Churches: Growing family of worshipers drives $6.7 million expansion

Pawleys Island Community Church is bursting at the seams and recently unveiled a $6.75 million expansion plan. “Our church is very grateful it’s growing and we’ve added a lot of new people in the...
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Beaches: An 80-foot right of way, but no room for parking

A group of Pawleys Island area residents this week appealed to the town to do something about property owners encroaching in the state road right of way on the island’s north end. “There’s been...
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Pawleys Island: Town rules take their licks during July Fourth parade

The Pawleys Island Fourth of July Parade was headed north along Myrtle Avenue. The crowd was headed south, drawn not by the lights, sirens and stirrings of patriotic tunes, but by the music-box tinkling...
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Health: Grand Strand hospital plans ER for inlet

A freestanding emergency room is a step closer to being built at the corner of Bypass 17 and Wesley Road. Grand Strand Regional Medical Center wants to build a one-story, 11,000-square-foot facility on the...
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Roads: Planners hone strategies to cut traffic congestion

Two of the most congested roads in the region meet in Murrells Inlet. A formula adopted by the regional agency that allocates money to road projects is intended to ensure funding is available for...
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Hurricanes: Updated state plan reduces evacuation times

The worst-case scenario for a hurricane evacuation in Georgetown and Horry counties shows it will take more than a day to get residents and visitors out of harm’s way. That’s based on the peak...
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Pawleys Island: Celebration provides an XXL fundraising opportunity

If you wear a youth-sized T-shirt, you’re in luck. If not, you’re out of luck. Record sales of Pawleys Island Fourth of July Parade shirts have left the shelves empty at the Old Town...
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THE WEEK’S FEATURED STORIES

Land use: Move to cut density follows approval of land plan

Georgetown County will move quickly to reduce the number of dwellings allowed in its highest density zoning district after this week’s approval of an updated land use plan. The top limit of 16 units...
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BUSINESS NEWS

Observer staff wins 15 state press awards

The Coastal Observer staff received 15 awards for reporting, writing, photography and design, in the S.C. Press Association’s annual news contest. The paper won first place for General Excellence among the state’s medium-sized weeklies....
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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. , .