Coastal Observer

Murrells Inlet: State budget includes funds to restore bike path parking

A “no parking” zone along the Bike the Neck route in Murrells Inlet will be replaced with 13 parking spaces using funds included in this year’s state budget. The parking area on the west...
Read More

THE WEEK’S TOP STORIES

Culture: Juneteenth events start a new tradition

Ronald Coleman wasn’t aware of Juneteenth. For 91 years, his summer activities included the Fourth of July, picnics and trips to the beach. “I never thought of June and the abolishment of slavery ,...
Read More

Land use: Commission wants more input on plan to curb density

A proposal to cut density for some tracts on the Waccamaw Neck by increasing the amount of open space required in new developments is on hold while planners try to determine if there is...
Read More

Pawleys Island: Town finds new administrator close to home

Dan Newquist has never been to the Pawleys Island Fourth of July Parade. He’ll be there this year, two weeks before starting work as the new town administrator. “I’ll be working, watching, helping in...
Read More

Environment: Engineers outline plan for dredging port’s inner harbor

A recently released study of Georgetown’s port recommends dredging part of the inner harbor to support existing commercial and recreational needs. The project to deepen the harbor’s two channels is estimated to cost around...
Read More

Waccamaw High: Mom pleads for place for nonbinary students

A frustrated Waccamaw High mother told the Georgetown County School Board last week that her child was one of a handful nonbinary or transgender students who were left out of the school yearbook because...
Read More

Elections: Area voters back Russell Fry in ousting U.S. Rep. Tom Rice

Georgetown County voters joined the wave that swept U.S. Rep. Tom Rice from his 7th Congressional District seat in Tuesday’s GOP primary. State Rep. Russell Fry garnered 51 percent of the overall vote in...
Read More

Pawleys Island: Pawleys renourishment prompts second suit over erosion

A group of property owners at Prince George filed suit this week to have Pawleys Inlet restored to its location prior to beach renourishment by the town of Pawleys Island. They are also seeking...
Read More

Education: Last of the original Warriors leaves the classroom

Thirty-two years after joining the staff of Waccamaw High School, Cara Cook walked out of the school for the last time on Friday. “This place has given me a lot. It’s been family. It’s...
Read More

Environment: Scenery with a slight image problem

Wetlands are a defining feature of the South Carolina coast, but they have an image problem. Everyone is aware of the salt marsh. They are less familiar with bottomland hardwoods or Carolina bays, said...
Read More

Education: District plans 3 percent tax increase

The Georgetown County School Board approved a 3.5-mill property tax increase to fund raises for employees in the coming year and increase salaries in the future. That’s a rise of 3 percent. The proposal...
Read More

Environment: A 6.5-foot variance protects an oak 6.5 feet around

The proposal to protect a pair of live oaks with trunks more than 6 feet in diameter was met with a silence that seemed to stretch as wide as the trees themselves. Meghan and...
Read More

THE WEEK’S FEATURED STORIES

Books: After 25 years, literary lunches will become more bite-sized

When James Patterson spoke at a Moveable Feast this month, 360 people sat down for lunch at Pawleys Plantation to hear the best-selling author. Preparing for the event was like planning a major wedding,...
Read More

BUSINESS NEWS

Observer wins 10 state press awards

Coastal Observer staff won 10 awards from the S.C. Press Association for their work in 2019 and 2020, including third place for General Excellence among the mid-sized weekly newspapers. Awards were presented last week...
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., Howard Auditorium, Hawkins Street, Georgetown. For details, go to georgetowncountysc.org.

Pawleys Island Town Council: Second Mondays, 5 p.m. Virtual meetings.For details, go to townofpawleysisland.com.

, .

COASTAL OBSERVER