Coastal Observer

Safety: Keeping watch over the Flocks

A camera on Highway 17 south of Georgetown alerted the sheriff’s office last week that a stolen vehicle had just passed. A deputy found it being towed on a trailer. Two men said they...
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THE WEEK’S TOP STORIES

Land use: UDO proposal would cut 450 units on 141 acres

A proposed change in Georgetown County’s zoning would eliminate 450 future dwellings on the Waccamaw Neck. That would require County Council to change the zoning on 96 vacant parcels totaling 141.6 acres from “general...
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Education: Veteran teacher takes over as headmaster at Lowcountry Prep

Vannah Scarborough has walked the halls of Lowcountry Preparatory School for a decade. This year, she’s the one in charge as the new headmaster. Teaching is a love of labor, and it’s also a...
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North Litchfield: IRS gives nonprofit status to group seeking to buy land for green space

An effort to buy property at the entrance to North Litchfield to keep it from being developed is halfway toward its goal of raising $2 million with pledges from over 100 people. “We need...
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Environment: Along the marsh, it’s another nesting season

The nest under the oak and magnolia trees in a quiet Litchfield neighborhood won’t draw the sort of crowds that gather on the beachfront for sea turtle nest inventories. But it has captured the...
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Education: District’s review of test scores focuses on trend toward improvement

One year’s results from state standarized tests aren’t enough to give a full picture of the Georgetown County School District, officials say. “We’re not where we want to be yet. But if you look...
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Education: Palmetto’s Finest middle school works hard and plays hard

By state law, all Ginny Haynes needs to do is give Waccamaw Middle School students 20 minutes to eat lunch. State law doesn’t say the principal of Palmetto’s Finest middles school needs to let...
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North Litchfield: Plan to buy tract for park awaits IRS approval to turn pledges into cash

North Litchfield property owners have gathered close to $1 million in pledges to help fund the purchase of 6.7 acres to keep it from being developed. But over the three months since the fundraising...
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Legislature: Funds for county projects fall victim to budget impasse

Earmarks for $10 million in state funds for projects in Georgetown County were left out of the budget passed by the General Assembly last week, and local lawmakers know who to blame. “We can’t...
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Sales tax: Council gets pitch to shift more money to tax relief

An extra 1-cent sales tax will provide an estimated $12.2 million to reduce property taxes in Georgetown County. Council Member Raymond Newton thinks the county should do more. The council voted last week to...
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Education: District sees test scores rise, but still lag state averages

Students in Georgetown County School District improved their scores on the state’s standardized tests this year, but still lag behind state averages, according to results released this week. Scores for students in the Waccamaw...
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Pawleys Island Community Church: Sex offender scandal leads to school closure

Kelly Pope hoped to start her fourth year as the lead teacher at Pawleys Island Christian Academy this fall. After the discovery last month that a registered sex offender had been allowed to work...
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THE WEEK’S FEATURED STORIES

North Litchfield: County will clear roadsides to increase beach access parking

Georgetown County plans to clear its rights of way in North Litchfield to increase parking for beach access. Officials say they hope that will inspire the state to do the same. Property owners on...
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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