🌱Drive Responsibly This Weekend! + It's Warming Up For The Weekend

Good morning, friends! It's Saturday in Myrtle Beach and I'm back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening locally. Because community news matters! Today's briefing includes updates on...

• Mac and Cheese contest. Who has the best?
• Drive carefully this weekend!
• Myrtle Beach is a hot spot for tourism and sports in 2023.

But first, today's weather:

Occasional afternoon rain. High: 67 Low: 55.

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Here are the top five stories today in Myrtle Beach:

1. Let's see who has the most delicious mac and cheese along the Grand Strand? Sign up today to become a cook-off competitor at the Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach's 5th Annual Macaroni Mania on Saturday, February 25 and help support the organization. Restaurants and chefs can sign up today at https://humanesocietynmb.org/macaroni-mania-food-vendor.../!
   Vendors are also being sought for the event. Spots fill up quickly, so sign up now at https://humanesocietynmb.org/macaroni-mania-vendor.../! For more information on becoming a sponsor, please visit https://humanesocietynmb.org/macaroni-mania-sponsorship.../. Hope to see you there! (The Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach via Facebook)
2. According to WBTW, "two buildings and several vehicles were damaged by fire Thursday afternoon near Aynor, according to Horry County Fire Rescue. HCFR was dispatched at 2:13 p.m. to the fire, which covered approximately two acres near the 3000 block of Vick Road. A residence, an abandoned structure and several vehicles were damaged, but no injuries were reported, HCFR said." (WBTW)
3. Drive carefully this holiday weekend because Myrtle Beach police will be cracking down on traffic enforcement. According to WMBF, "law enforcement continues to stress to the community that roads around Myrtle Beach are busier this time of year. Now with the New Year coming along, Myrtle Beach police said they’re increasing their presence and cracking down on traffic violations, no matter what they may be. Sgt. Tom Vest took WMBF News around Myrtle Beach and stressed the importance of still getting to enjoy your holiday parties but doing so responsibly and safely. “As far as holiday traffic safety goes, we’ll have additional officers working not only the events but also the entire city. A lot of that focus is on traffic enforcement,” Vest said." (WMBF)
4. The winter freeze is over for now and the thaw has begun! According to WBTW, "the warmer weather continues for the next several days. This weekend will be twofold. [Today] we will see clouds hanging around, with showers and thunderstorm chances increasing by afternoon into the evening. The front will try and clear the area by 10 p.m.–midnight. It will be warm both [today] and Sunday. [Today] will be in the upper 60s, to near 70. Sunday will be partly cloudy with temperatures near 70 area wide. A warm, but unsettled week looks to come up next week. Temperatures trends right now, remain in the 60s to 70 range. We see a few chances of precipitation through midweek." (WBTW)
5. Myrtle Beach is poised to be even more of a hot spot for sports and tourism in 2023. According to WMBF, "as the calendar turns to a new year, officials in Myrtle Beach are expecting a big 2023 when it comes to welcoming visitors. According to Karen Riordan, president and CEO of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, sports tourism actually makes up for two-thirds of all tourism to the city and keeping that strong will be a focus in 2023.'We are kicking off our 2023 campaign right after New Year’s to hopefully capture those folks that are dreaming of a beach vacation mode. Overall we are expecting a good year in 2023,' said Riordan." (WMBF)

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Myrtle Beach Photo Of The Day:

Today in Myrtle Beach:

• Noon Years Eve (11:00 AM)
• Food for Life: Kickstart Your Health (1:00 PM)
• Asher's Red Velvet New Year's BIG BAND Gala (3:00 PM)
• The Carolina Opry Christmas Special (7:00 PM)
• Ring Ring Ring in 2023 - Myrtle Beach (9:00 PM)
• A Southern Times Square New Year's Eve Celebration (9:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Myrtle Beach Police Department: "Wreath laying for 20th anniversary of line of duty death of PFC. Joe McGarry" (Myrtle Beach Police Department via Facebook)
• The Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach: "Fireball just spent her second Christmas with us, and her official two year anniversary at the shelter is quickly approaching. Fireball absolutely LOVES people and always explodes into a room! We’ve never seen a dog wiggle as much." (The Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach via Facebook)
• South Carolina Stingrays: "Congrats to Head Coach Brenden Kotyk on being named the Eastern Conference Head Coach for the 2023 @warriorhky ECHL All-Star Classic!" (South Carolina Stingrays via Instagram)
• The Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach: "Lost Dog: Bailey, a 1 year old spayed female, has been missing from Happy Valley Lane in Shallotte since Dec. 1. Please call Sophia at 910-553-1490 with any information on Sophie. *Report lost/found pets at www.hsnmb.org." (The Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach via Facebook)
• Myrtle Beach International Airport: "Our newest furriend, Milo, will be making his first visit to MYR tomorrow at 11! Keep an eye out for the fluffy boy if you're traveling! #PETSMYR #PupsEasingTravelStress #AirportTherapyDog" (Myrtle Beach International Airport via Facebook)
• The Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach: "Today’s featured #PetOfTheDay is Duke! His adoption fee is being sponsored today by Anderson Brothers Bank. Duke is happy and energetic! This boy loves being active and playing with his doggy friends." (The Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach via Facebook)
• Visit Myrtle Beach, South Carolina: "Prove to us that you are the ultimate sports fan! Submit your best fan photo through the link below for your chance to win a weekend getaway to The Beach. https://bit.ly/3dKFzqZ" (Visit Myrtle Beach, South Carolina via Facebook)

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That's it for today! I'll be in your inbox tomorrow morning with another update.

— Karena Garrity

About me: Journalism is in my veins. I have been a community reporter for the better part of the past 20 years. I love my small-town community and I am honored to be a part of Patch.com. You can reach me at; karena.garrity@patch.com.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Myrtle Beach Daily? Contact me at karena.garrity@patch.com