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Making News Today

The former CEO of Hard Rock Park says the new owners FPI entertainment should pay him for the idea.  According to Federal Court documents the former CEO says the idea of a rock and roll style park was his idea and the new owners should pay him $500,000 a year as a licensing fee.  

Communities across the state blighted by abandoned and foreclosed property will soon see improvement through a $44 million dollar infusion from the U.S. Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP).  The Housing Authority of Myrtle Beach will be receiving 2.5 million for improvements. 

There has been a lot of talk about a proposed increase in taxes to raise money for tourism promotion.  Today we'll look at how other tourist destinations get their money for promotion.

Those are just a few of the stories we're working on.

Tune in to WMBF Live, Local, Late Breaking News at 4pm for those stories and more.

 

 

Making News Today

It's been a busy morning for the authorities in Florence today.  Around 9 A.M. law enforcement chased a vehicle along Interstate-95 to Florence.  The suspects in the car ditched the vehicle behind Delmae Elementary School on S. Cashua Dr.  Authorities have caught two suspects and are still searching for a third.  Delmae Elementary school and Sneed Middle School have been on lockdown all morning.

The Florence Police Department is still looking for an alzheimer's patient that has not been seen for about a week.  Eighty-year-old Newell Benjamin Cain, who goes by Bobby, disappeared March 18th around 6pm.  He was last seen on West Palmetto Street.  Police officers and others will be out searching in Maple Park this afternoon at 3 P.M.

Business leaders in the western part of Horry County are hoping to cash in on bikers who want to avoid Myrtle Beach this May.  Several businesses have applied for event permits with Horry County to create what they are dubbing "the northern run" to attract bikers.

 

Making News Today

Happy Monday,

Here's what we're working on today...

A man on a mission, veteran William Rife is proud to be a veteran and would like show it where ever he drives.  The state has a number of vanity plates for display but requires a certain number to be produced.  In order to get the state veteran's license plate he needs 399 other vets to join him. 

This weekend Atlantic Beach set their sights on bike rallies deciding to welcome bikers for the annual events. How will this impact events in neighboring cities?

A bill that would allow taxes to be hiked to pay for tourism promotion is making its way through the Legislature.  But will you ever actually have to pay it?  And if so, how will be money be spent?

 

Making News Today

Happy Friday Grand Strand and Pee Dee!!!

Here's what we've been working on today. Many leaders have been coming out opposing Governor Sanford's ideas for federal stimulus money. State Representative Robert Williams is the latest to speak out at a press conference held this afternoon.

We've been telling you about changes that may need to take place in the Horry County School System in order to save money. One possible change has members of a community pleading to keep their beloved coach.

Rezoning is being considered in Carolina Forest to alleviate over crowding. Chandi Lowry talks with school officials about the situation.

Finally two puppies that once were suspected of having distemper have found a home. We met up with the new owner as she visited the two puppies still quarantined at the Grand Strand Humane Society animal shelter.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!!

Beautiful Weather

I must say, this GORGEOUS weather today is such a tease for what's to come this summer!  Right now is probably one of my most favorite times of the year -- the beautiful weather, flowers and blossoming trees kind of just puts a little hop in your step :)

But as the nice weather comes -- so does a few trips to the beach.  I'm looking for some new places to go this summer that are not jam packed with tourists.  Any suggestions?

Send me a tweet at www.twitter.com/wmbfmegmiller

Enjoy the weather! :)

Meghan Miller | Web Producer

Making News Today

Good Afternoon,

Here's what WMBF is working on for you today.

The boat that sank off Sandy Island killing three people may have been found.  South Carolina Deparment of Natural Resouces went out this morning to confirm the find by Robert Gecy of Beaufort.  Gecy says he found the boat Wednesday afternoon.  Finding the boat will help authorities determine how it sank. 

Around the country people are receiving texts warning women to avoid going to Walmart tonight.  According to the text police say women may be killed as part of a gang initiation.  What's the real story here.

Low cost carriers survive in Myrtle Beach.  On it's three-year anniversary Myrtle Beach Air announces it expanding it's flights. 

And how secure is your debit card if it's lost.  Pin numbers, signatures, even a picture of you may not be enough to keep others from using your card.  WMBF News travelled the Grand Strand to see if having a picture on your card would keep others from using it.

Making News Today

Happy Day after St. Patrick's Day,

Last month the Mayor of Florence announced he was cracking down on abandoned buildings in the city.  The city is giving owners time to clean up their property or it will be demolished.  Reporter Lindsay Housaman spoke with one owner decided not to wait for the city and demolished the home themselves.

In this tough economy most companies are having to cut back and that has meant cutting some employees.  School systems are no different, Horry County School System says it will have to cut about 150 positions next year and more may be to come.

Budget for Horry County itself is also being strained.  Tomorrow night the Horry County Administration Committee has a meeting where they are expected to get a budget update for the county.  The county is facing a $20 Million budget short fall and more salary cuts for county employees are not out of the question.

 

Lastly WMBF News is Rejecting the Ression.  We making a commitment to find positive stories showing how our local friends and neighbors are doing their part to Reject the Recession and we’ll showcase those stories during WMBF News and online at wmbfnews.com.  If you know of someone who is helping others through these tough times or doing something special to create a positive spirit please share those stories with our news team. 

Making News Today

Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone,

So in these tough times most folks are cutting back on expenses.  As we've seen in the news businesses and municipalities are cutting back too.  Everyone is being forced to do more with less.  That's why some people are asking why a county council member is spending tax money for a trip to Dubai. 

Apparently some people were not happen with the recent re-installations of parking meters in the city of Myrtle Beach.  According to police reports four parking meters were recently stolen. 

Horry County Council will make their final vote tonight on a waste management plan that requires all trash to be brought to one county owned land fill.  Recently the City of Myrtle Beach said they oppose the county's plan and the City of Conway says they support the idea.

So with all this talk about ordinance changes that will affect bike rallys we wanted to know what the differences are in each city.  We'll break it down for you.

 And since today is St. Patrick's Day do you know what the popular phrase Erin Go Bragh means?  It's an adaptation of the phrase "Éire go brách", or "Éirinn go Brách", which means "Ireland Forever".  

Johnsonville Founders Day Celebration

I made a wonderful trip to Johnsonville this morning, and it reminded me of the first time I was there several years ago.  I was there for the city's founders day celebration, which was a wonderful time to meet some of the folks in Johnsonville.

The first time I traveled to Johnsonville, I met with the town's mayor Steve Dukes. We met at town hall in council's chambers and talked for a good little while on the history of Johnsonville. Did you know that it was originally called Witherspoons Ferry? I didn't either at the time. The town we know today as Johnsonville, originally settled closer to the Lynches river, and in later years the town moved away from the river to where the center of the city is today. 

There was a ferry at the river ran by Mr. John Witherspoon operated the ferry, and by that is how the name Witherspoons Ferry arrived.  Later William Johnson ran the ferry, and owned a plantation in the area. It's on that plantation that the town of Johnsonville was built on.  Johnson was responsible for the post office establishing here, and the Johnson family gave land for the first church to be built.

The area was the site of several battles during the Revolutionary and Civil wars.

Here are some pictures from the site of Witherspoons Ferry in the area of Johnsonville.

   

Kyle Grainger | Kgrainger@wmbfnews.com

Making News Today

Good Afternoon…

Last night a plane crashed at an airport in Darlington County, we’ll have an update on the investigation.

Today an Horry County School Board member Chris Shannon was arrested for stealing $100,000 from a former employer.

A rash of burglaries have hit Conway.  A store that helps the blind had their audio clocks stolen. 

This afternoon brush fires threatened homes in Hartsville.  Ten small fires lined Patrick Highway for about 2 miles Thursday morning.  Authorities say sparks from a trailer being dragged started the fire. 

Thanks for logging on and tune in to WMBF News at 4, 5 and 6 for your Live, Local, Late Breaking news.