Coastal Observer

Pawleys Island: As inlet continues to migrate Prince George group files lawsuit

The migration of Pawleys Inlet has prompted a third lawsuit against the state, the town of Pawleys Island and its contractors seeking to shift the inlet north to its location before the town conducted...
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THE WEEK’S TOP STORIES

Pawleys Island: Town halts golf cart permits as council considers fee increase

The town of Pawleys Island has put a freeze on golf cart permits while Town Council considers whether to raise the annual permit fee, currently $10. “There’s a lot of work involved,” Council Member...
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Georgetown County: Proposed rules for county meetings can lead to ban for disrupters

People who disrupt the “peace and decorum” of county government meetings can be removed, and those who are removed face a 12-month ban from attending further meetings under an ordinance up for final approval...
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Environment: Litter numbers add up, but so does trash

Tom Martin likes to leave a little trash alongside Highway 17. But it’s always bagged, and it never stays there too long. The problem, said Martin: “It keeps coming. It just keeps coming.” Over...
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Land use: Third suit in a year challenges county zoning decision

A lawsuit filed by neighbors and citizens groups seeks to overturn Georgetown County Council’s decision to change the zoning on an undeveloped tech park at Pawleys Island to allow 90 townhouses. The suit was...
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Education: District hopes enthusiasm for magnet schools will spread

Magnets attract. Students from the Waccamaw Neck, Georgetown and Andrews are what the Georgetown County School District is hoping will be attracted to the Carvers Bay area in August when its five schools transition...
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Passages: Conservation group leader dedicated life to sea turtles

Jeff McClary couldn’t find a job in his chosen field, working with wildlife. Instead, he made it his life’s work. As the co-founder and long-time coordinator of S.C. United Turtle Enthusiasts, he led an...
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Georgetown County: Impact fee update will fund more beach and water access

An update to Georgetown County’s impact fees is estimated to raise between $18.5 million and $22.7 million for infrastructure improvements over the next decade. At the same time, the fees paid for residential construction...
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Education: Ending 20-year freeze in school board pay could trigger 58% raise

Members of the Georgetown County School Board get paid like it’s 2002, not 2022. If the board decides to change district policy, it will mean an extra $3,391 a year for the nine members....
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Flood: New building codes take stricter standards beyond the beachfront

New building codes that local governments must adopt by Jan. 1 will extend the construction standards required along the beachfront to be used for buildings farther inland, raising costs and making existing structures nonconforming,...
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Pawleys Island: Creek debris is last target of hurricane cleanup

The last remnants of debris left from Hurricane Ian are due to be removed from Pawleys Creek in the next few weeks. That includes debris that floated beyond the town limits. “In order for...
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Traditions: These Christmas bells sound a different note

They followed their star and wound up in a field in front of Pawleys Island Community Church. For the 24 musicians, Christmas provides a chance to be a star. “It wouldn’t be Christmas without...
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THE WEEK’S FEATURED STORIES

Georgetown County: Sheriff questions enforcement of rules for meetings

A set of rules that will allow for the removal of people who disrupt Georgetown County meetings is due to take effect March 1. County Council agreed to delay implementation to allow for law...
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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...
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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