Coastal Observer

Tourism: Rise in local visitors stood out in tough year for state

The COVID-19 pandemic kept people from visiting most of South Carolina in 2020, but not Georgetown County. While the statewide occupancy rate on short-term rentals was down by 23 percent in the last seven...
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THE WEEK’S TOP STORIES

Arts: A production 30 years in the making

Thirty years ago, Ronnie Hunter designed a set for “On Golden Pond” for a college class. That set never got built, until now. “This is my labor of love from my college days,” Hunter...
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Georgetown County: Rural residents see opportunity in new library

Seven years after a group of residents started talking about bringing amenities to the southern part of the county, the doors of the new Southern Georgetown Community Library opened for the first time last...
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Environment: Too much of a good thing for water utility

Increased rainfall is raising the cost of providing drinking water at the same time it is reducing demand from customers of the Georgetown County Water and Sewer District. “All the rain we’ve been getting...
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Education: School board approves five-day classes for students

For the first time in almost a year, Georgetown County students will return to classrooms five days a week starting next month. The school board approved a reopening plan this week that expands in-person...
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Georgetown County: Bike path expansion tops project list for sales tax surplus

The aging sidewalk along Waverly Road should be replaced by a multi-use path by the end of 2022 under a proposal to spend the remaining funds from Georgetown County’s capital improvement sales tax. County...
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Pawleys Island: Marker will help preserve chapel as it educates

The Pawleys Island Chapel has secured its place in history. This summer, there will be a marker to prove it. The state Department of Archives and History has approved an application by the nonprofit...
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Land use: Rezoning fight raises profile for tech park property

Opposition to a proposed apartment complex on Petigru Drive drew attention from buyers who could use the 14.5-acre site under its current zoning, according to Georgetown County’s director of Economic Development. “It has actually...
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Nonprofits: Pandemic recession brings rise in visits to Baskervill Food Pantry

The Baskervill Food Pantry kept up with an increase in visits since the start of the pandemic, as businesses closed and jobs were lost. The pantry had 3,964 visits from March through December, up...
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Roads: Study scraps wider highway for all but one mile

The public will get a chance to comment on a package of $53.3 million in recommended improvements to Highway 17 before they go to Georgetown County Council for approval. Support from local government will...
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Education: Another first day of school for students

Travis Klatka couldn’t see the smiles behind his students’ masks on Monday, but he knew they were there. “You could see it in their eyes that they’re excited to see friends they may not...
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Georgetown County: Restoration of computer system continues after ransomware found

Georgetown County is still working to restore its computer system after its network was breached by ransomware last month. The county will need to draw on its cash reserves to upgrade the system and...
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THE WEEK’S FEATURED STORIES

Georgetown County: Outcry over library delays approval of sales tax surplus plan

Work to complete the Bike the Neck path along Waverly Road and to install devices that give fire and rescue vehicles priority at traffic signals will be delayed at least a month while County...
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BUSINESS NEWS

No monopawley on good ideas as classic game gets a local spin

Here’s a deal. You buy Myrtle Avenue for $170, put up four beach houses for $100 each, then sit back and collect $750 from everybody who stops by. And if you want to get...
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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., 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.

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COASTAL OBSERVER