🌱 Futrell Park Is Open And Ready For Fun + Animals Rescued By PETA

Good morning, everybody! I'm back in your inbox this morning with your new edition of the Myrtle Beach Patch newsletter. Here's all the community news you need to know right now, including:

• Beached whale couldn't be saved.
• Women shot and killed outside her home.
• Futrell Park now open.

But first, today's weather: A passing shower or two. High: 76 Low: 63.

Shoutout to the awesome local business that keeps this newsletter running:

Do you know the difference between an appraisal and a home valuation? One of the key things that Val Lyons at CBRE can help you with is understanding that difference, in simple terms, and help you make informed decisions about your home. Val also provides quarterly updates on your home's value so you can stay up to date with the market and make strategic decisions. Whether you're planning to sell your home soon or are just curious about its current value, visit Val here or call 774-259-8937.

Want to see your business featured in this spot? Click here to get started.

Here are the top stories today in Myrtle Beach:

1. A group of beachgoers banned together Thursday afternoon off the coast of Myrtle Beach State Park in an effort to save a whale from beaching itself. Reportedly, after over an hour of efforts to keep the whale in the water and get it to swim out, the whale ultimately beached itself and ended up dying. The cause of death at this time is unknown. According to WCTI12.com, "Officials said it was either a Pygmy sperm whale or a juvenile sperm whale; however, it's not yet confirmed." (WCTI12.com)
2. Thursday night, 40-year-old Sadiyya Salim was reportedly shot "multiple times" outside of her home in the Surfside Beach area on the 700 block of Plantation Drive. According to Myhorrynews, "the coroner's office said, she died at the scene. Horry County Police Department is investigating." (Myhorrynews)
3. Complete with turf surfacing, the new state-of-the-art playground at Futrell Park in Myrtle Beach opened Friday! Offering benches and play area for 2- through 5-year-olds as well as bigger kids up to 12 years-old, the playground is ready to be used. (wpde.com)
4. The nine remaining animals were rescued this week from the Myrtle Beach Waccatee Zoo, by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), along with the Wild Animal Sanctuary. The animals included one llama, two North American black bears and six emus. All nine animals are reportedly on their way to a sanctuary in Colorado. According to WMBF, "Waccatee spent years exploiting vulnerable animals and allowing suffering ones to languish in cramped enclosures, but now these survivors will get the care they so desperately need and deserve,” [said] PETA General Counsel for Captive Animal Law Enforcement Brittany Peet.
   The organization said both black bears, who are thin and suffer from a chronic skin condition, will receive immediate veterinary care. PETA added that the llama and emus will have a massive enclosure with space and where they can also take shelter from the wind and rain." (WMBF).

Today in Myrtle Beach:

• Laughternoons with the Comedy Shoppe: R.C. Smith! (9:00 AM)
• The Carolina Opry (7:00 PM)
• Charles Bach Wonders! Magic & Illusion Show (7:00 PM)
• Fin & Tonic Cocktail Class — Ripley's Aquarium in Myrtle Beach (8:00 PM)
• Comedy Hypnosis Hour (9:15 PM)

Myrtle Beach Photo Of The Day:

Would you like to see your photo in the Myrtle Beach Daily? Send one in. Be sure to give Patch permission to republish the photo and tell us that you own the rights to the photograph. Send your pic to karena.garrity@patch.com.

From my notebook:

• South Carolina National Guard: "This National Guard family just graduated college with ZERO debt! Find out about the South Carolina National Guard College Assistance Program (SCNG CAP). The SCNG College Assistance Program will pay 100 percent of college tuition and fees." (South Carolina National Guard via Instagram)
• Horry County Schools: "Congratulations to Kelsea Konwin of Carolina Forest High School! She has been selected as one of the Top 5 Finalists for HCS Rookie Teacher of the Year." (Horry County Schools via Facebook)
• Horry County Schools: "Congratulations to Chloe DeRocker of St. James Intermediate! She has been selected as one of the Top 5 Finalists for HCS Rookie Teacher of the Year." (Horry County Schools via Facebook)
• Horry County Schools: "Congratulations to Meredith Millen of Myrtle Beach High School! She has been selected as one of the Top 5 Finalists for HCS Rookie Teacher of the Year." (Horry County Schools via Facebook)
• The Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach: "Today’s featured #PetOfTheDay is Barry! His adoption fee is being sponsored today by Bully's Pub. Barry is full of personality! He can be a bit of a Houdini and climb fences to escape. He is very affectionate and loves his people. He enjoys playing with his canine friends. To meet Barry, please call 843-249-4948 to schedule an appointment, or you can submit an application at https://humanesocietynmb.org/dog-adoption-form/." (The Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• Taxes in Retirement Seminar on May 8th and 10th at North Strand Recreational Center (May 8)
• Social Security Seminar on May 9th and 11th at General Robert H. Reed Recreation Center (May 9)
• Crossing Over With Psychic Medium John Edward Live! (May 17)
• Add your event

That's it for today! See you tomorrow for your next 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 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 Patch newsletter? Contact me at karena.garrity@patch.com