🌱Helping Families, Pets In Need + Pedestrian Killed Crossing Road

Hi all. It's me, Karena Garrity, your host of the Patch newsletter. Here's all the community news you need to know right now. Today you'll find these stories and more...

• Gas prices are up.
• Help families and their pets.
• A pedestrian was struck and killed while crossing the street.

But first, today's weather:

Cloudy, a shower in the p.m.. High: 67 Low: 51.

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Click here to get your business featured in this spot.

Here are the top four stories in Myrtle Beach today:

1. With peak tourist season approaching quickly, gas prices in Myrtle Beach have risen. They are up approximately 21 cents from the previous month. However, the good news is they are down almost 75 cents from last year at the same time. (WMBF)
2. People are not the only ones in need during a period of economic crisis. Understanding that, the Keep Our Pets Food Bank helps owners who are struggling, by providing a supply of pet food for families who can’t afford it. The organization recently celebrated its expansion which includes a new warehouse where more pet food can be stored. According to WMBF, "The organization is also raising money to provide free spay and neuter services at its Murrells Inlet location." (WMBF)
3. On March 23, in the area of 3rd Avenue South and Withers Swash Drive Myrtle Beach Police pulled a vehicle over for reportedly failing to stop at a stop sign and “failing to maintain its lane in the same area.” Kohle Sumpter, the driver of the vehicle along with passengers Candice Todd and Terence Caskey were arrested after, “multiple torn plastic baggies with what appeared to be a white powdery residue on them” and an open bottle of alcohol was found in the vehicle along with a digital scale and multiple empty baggies underneath the front passenger seat as well as two plastic bags “with a clear crystal-like substance” and another with “a tan rock-like substance.” According to WMBF, "the clear substance and liquid both tested positive for methamphetamine, while the tan substance tested positive for fentanyl. All three suspects denied possession of the narcotics, police said. Sumpter, Todd and Caskey were each charged with trafficking methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and open container of liquor in a vehicle. Sumpter was additionally charged with driving under suspension, failure to maintain lane and failure to obey a traffic control device." (WMBF)
4. Gabriel Carrillo Palma, 53, was struck by a vehicle as he was crossing 707 at Weeks Drive on Saturday evening. According to Myhoorynews, "[Gabriel] died at the scene of multiple traumatic injuries, said chief deputy coroner Tamara Willard. A 2014 Buick Enclave was traveling north on S.C. 707 when it struck [Gabriel]. The crash happened about a mile and a half south of Myrtle Beach. The driver, who was the only occupant of the Buick, was not injured." (Myhorrynews)

Today in Myrtle Beach:

• Charles Bach Wonders! Magic & Illusion Show (7:00 PM)
• The Carolina Opry (7:00 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:

• Myrtle Beach Pelicans: "Wishing a very Happy Birthday to Pelicans Broadcaster, Sam Weiderhaft!" (Myrtle Beach Pelicans via Facebook)
• House of Blues Myrtle Beach: "Heads Up, Myrtle Beach! We're down to our last tickets for Nothing More with Crown the Empire & Thousand Below THIS Saturday night! Grab your tickets while you can at the link in our bio and we'll see you here!" (House of Blues Myrtle Beach via Instagram)
• The Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach: "Today’s featured #PetOfTheDay is Miller! His adoption fee is being sponsored today by Heavenly Paws Pet Crematory. If you are looking for a big, strong and handsome dog, then Miller is for you! Miller is young and full of energy! He would be the type to go chop firewood and then run a marathon. Miller likes to be rough and rowdy, and you will win him over if you play with him all day! Miller LOVES being the center of attention and will do best in a single-family home without small children. Miller has can be selective when it comes to making friends with other dogs. He does best with other high energy dogs, who like to play rough and are not an alpha. Call 843-249-4948 to meet Miller, or you can submit an application at https://humanesocietynmb.org/dog-adoption-form/ (The Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach via Facebook)

You're officially in the loop for today. I'll be in your inbox tomorrow 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 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