🌱Horry County Police Need Your Help! +100 Shots Fired, No One Was Hit

Good morning, neighbors! It's Wednesday in Myrtle Beach and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on the most important things happening locally. Today's briefing includes updates on

• Help Horry County police find a missing person.
• Donate toys to Toys For Tots!
• Shot fired, but no one was hurt!

But first, today's weather:

Increasing cloudiness. High: 57 Low: 53.

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Here are the top five stories today in Myrtle Beach:

1. Your help is needed! According to WBTV, "Horry County police have asked for the public’s help finding a missing 36-year-old man. Matthew Brandon Loughran was last seen on Dec. 1 near Coachman Lane outside of Surfside Beach, HCPD said in a Facebook post. He is about 5-foot-10 and 125 pounds with blue eyes and blond hair. Loughran may currently be or recently have been in the South Ocean Boulevard area, HCPD said. Anyone with information is asked to call HCPD via dispatch at 843-248-1520. (WBTW)
2. Will out-of-state students get the opportunity to pay in-state tuition? According to WBTW, "Rep. Tim McGinnis (R-District 56) proposed a bill that would allow a limited number of out-of-state students in states that border South Carolina to receive the in-state tuition rate.
   Francis Marion University requested McGinnis propose the bill. South Carolina State University is one of the few schools that said it didn’t want to be part of the bill. Other schools, such as Coastal Carolina University, Winthrop University, Horry-Georgetown Technical College, and branch campuses of the University of South Carolina have agreed to participate. The bill caps the number of out-of-state students who could receive the in-state tuition rate at 250 students per school. The schools would be responsible for how they would make up for the lost revenue, but state money couldn’t be used to make up for any lost revenue. Rep. Terry Alexander (D-District 59) is the only other representative co-sponsoring the bill. If passed, the bill would go into effect for the 2024-2025 school year."(WBTW)
3. If you’re hoping to add a fluffy ball of four-legged love and affection to your family, look no further than these shelters in the Myrtle Beach area for a pet you can take home. There are thousands of dogs, cats and other animals of all ages without a home throughout South Carolina — and many are located in your area. For those looking to adopt, a great place to begin the search for your new fur child is at Forgotten Whiskers, where Fig the cat is waiting patiently, or another local rescue center. If you aren't sure if you have time to take care of a pet year round, many shelters also offer opportunities to foster pets until they are placed in permanent homes. With help from our friends at Petfinder, Patch has compiled this week’s list of animals available for adoption near you. Whether you’re looking for cuddles or companionship, one of these animals could be the perfect fit for your family. (Myrtle Beach Patch)
4. Help make kids happy this holiday season and head on down to East Coast Honda and Volkswagen who have partnered with Toys for Tots for a donation drive. The dealership will accept donations through 8 p.m. Friday. Participating is simple. Just go to the dealership at 8756 Highway 17 and drop off your donation. Toys for children of any age are being accepted. According to WBTW, "service manager Matt Martin said it’s an awesome event that he and his co-workers look forward to every year. “Every Christmas, to give back to the community,” Martin said. “The participation is so great from our customers. We even had one lady drop off 20 bears, we’ve never seen that before, so 20 bears. We’ve got bikes for kids. It really is an awesome project we look forward to every year.” Martin said it’s the generosity of strangers that keeps this initiative going annually." (WBTW)
5. Luckily no one was injured, however, there were several shots fired in the Loris area Monday evening. According to WBTW, "Horry County police are investigating after an officer reported hearing about 100 gunshots fired in the Loris area, according to a police report obtained by News13. Police were called Monday evening after a person reported gunshots being fired at a home along Highway 476, according to the report. An officer in the area said they also heard “approximately 100 shots being fired.” Officers found several shell casings in the street after arriving at the home, according to the report. Several vehicles and a home were damaged, but no one was injured, according to police." (WBTW)

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Today in Myrtle Beach:

• Photos with Santa (5:00 PM)
• The Carolina Opry Christmas Special (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• South Carolina Aquarium: " New this year, you can be the first to ring in 2023 at Aquarium Aglow! Celebrate New Year’s Eve on December 31 from 5:30–9:30 p.m. at a family friendly evening filled with festive fun, lively music and a special ball drop before bedtime." (South Carolina Aquarium via Instagram)
• Horry County Schools: "Congratulations to the Mock Trial Team at Ten Oaks Middle! They took the stand on December 2 and 3 in Columbia at the 2022 SC Bar Middle School Mock Trial State Competition, where the top 12 middle school teams in South Carolina competed. Four of their team members received special recognition for their performance there. Peers and judges named Bryson Gibson and Amelia Miksa the most effective witnesses, while Charlotte Ward and Caleb Zahn were named the most effective attorneys. Visit www.horrycountyschools.net/2022_tom_mocktrial to read more!" (Horry County Schools via Facebook)
• The Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach: "Jake and Simba are still available for adoption. This bonded pair is anxiously waiting for some holiday cheer to come their way! Here are the basics on Jake (tan) and Simba (white): 🐾 They are both almost 7 years old and 70 pounds." (The Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach via Facebook)
• The Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach: "Simba, a 2-year-old intact male, has been missing from Dune Street in NMB since Dec. 2. If you have any information about Simba please call Richard at (843) 222-0330. *Report lost/found pets at www.hsnmb.org." (The Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach via Facebook)
• The Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach: "Stray intake Dec. 12. Please remember these animals are not up for adoption yet. The purpose of these posts are to reunite lost pets with their owners. Animals will be held for five days to allow an owner time to reclaim them." (The Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach via Facebook)
• Myrtle Beach Police Department: "There is still time to enter the raffle!! The Myrtle Beach Police Foundation is raffling off a 2016 Harley Davidson Motorcycle. Ticket sales must take place in person and the Foundation will be selling them until 5 p.m. on Thursday, December 15. Each ticket is $100 and to purchase, please visit the Warren S. Gall Police Annex Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets must be purchased in person and with cash. The drawing for the winner will take place at noon on Friday, December 16." (Myrtle Beach Police Department via Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Wednesday off right! See you all tomorrow for 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 Daily? Contact me at karena.garrity@patch.com