🌱Increase In Human Trafficking Cases +Additional Fire Personal Needed

Hey, neighbors. I'm here with your Wednesday edition of the Myrtle Beach Daily. Keep reading to find out all the most important things happening in town, including updates on:

• Horry County Fire Rescue needs more employees!
• Increase in paid parking inside North Myrtle Beach.
• An uptick in human trafficking cases.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny. High: 58 Low: 50.

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Here are the top stories in Myrtle Beach today:

1. Horry County Fire Rescue is looking to expand its team. According to WMBF, "Although they host hiring campaigns twice a year, spokesperson, Tony Casey said this year is different.
   “We are busier than we’ve ever been before. Horry County is an incredibly busy place, and honestly, that’s what brings in prospective first responders,” said Casey. As of 2022, Horry County Fire Rescue received nearly 77,000 calls for service. So far this year, they’ve received more than 1,600.Casey said they’re looking to fill between 30-40 positions, ranging all the way from entry-level, to certified paramedics. He said the specialty teams available at HCFR include: Peer Support, HazMat, Wildfire, Investigations, Honor Guard and Marine/Dive. More information can be found here for those looking to apply. (WMBF)
2. According to wpde.com, "The North Myrtle Beach City Council has unanimously approved a resolution to increase paid parking inside the city, which means it will now cost $3 an hour. Paid parking will resume in March and run through October.Paid parking rate increase approved in North Myrtle Beach (wpde.com)
3. Combating human trafficking in the Palmetto state. According to WMBF, "The South Carolina Attorney General’s Office and the South Carolina Human Trafficking Task Force released their annual report on Monday detailing human trafficking cases in the state in 2022.
   It found there was a substantial increase in labor trafficking cases throughout S.C.. The report also found the number of children identified as sex trafficking victims continues to rise. According to numbers from the State Law Enforcement Division, there were a total of 416 cases of human trafficking in South Carolina in 2022, with 399 cases involving minors.Kathryn Moorehead, the director of the South Carolina Human Trafficking Task Force, said focusing on labor trafficking reports will be a 2023 goal. To report an incident or seek victim services, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888. The Hotline is confidential and open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. (WMBF)
4. Do you want to add a new member to your family? Look no further than these Myrtle Beach animal shelters for a pet available for adoption. There are thousands of dogs, cats and other animals of all ages and sizes without a home throughout South Carolina — and many of them are located within driving distance. For those looking to adopt, a great place to begin the search for your new fur child is at Grand Strand Humane Society, where Raisin the cat is waiting patiently, With help from our friends at Petfinder, Patch has compiled this week’s list of animals available for adoption near you. (Myrtle Beach Patch)
5. Good news for travelers. According to WBTW, "Delta will add seasonal non-stop flights from Myrtle Beach to Boston beginning in May, according to an airline spokesperson. The route will begin on May 27, according to the airline. The flights will be twice weekly on Saturdays and Sundays, the airline said. The flight will depart from Boston-Logan International Airport at 11 a.m., arriving in Myrtle Beach at 1:20 p.m. and will depart Myrtle Beach International Airport at 2 p.m. and arrive in Boston at 4:20 p.m., according to the airline’s online reservation system. (WBTW)

Today in Myrtle Beach:

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. Thanks!

From my notebook:

• Visit Myrtle Beach, South Carolina: "The Beach is home to some of the best nightlife around. From live music to dancing and themed trivia nights, there's never a shortage of things to do!" (Visit Myrtle Beach, South Carolina via Facebook)
• Myrtle Beach Police Department: "Congratulations to Officer Mercurio and Officer Wayte on being sworn-in with us at MBPD! Both Officer Mercurio and Officer Wayte come to us from NYPD and were pinned by Officer DeBiase, who came to MBPD from NYPD." (Myrtle Beach Police Department via Facebook)
• South Carolina Stingrays: "Putting in the hours for the big week ahead." (South Carolina Stingrays via Instagram)
• Myrtle Beach International Airport: "Traveling tomorrow? Everyone's favorite gal, Orio will be on-site and ready for pets at 10! #PupsEasingTravelStress #PETSMYR #AirportTherapyDog" (Myrtle Beach International Airport via Facebook)
• The Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach: "Today’s featured #PetOfTheDay is Sampson! His adoption fee is being sponsored today by Lisa Bernadyn from Plantation Realty Group! This handsome mutt is almost 50lbs of pure hunk! Sampson can be a spitfire, and he loves to have FUN! " (The Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach via Facebook)
• North Myrtle Beach, SC: "The Society of Stranders is holding their Mid Winter Break Jan 12-15 - more info available on our website!" (North Myrtle Beach, SC via Instagram)
• The Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach: "We have 36 dogs in our care right now that need sponsors! What does a sponsor do? It's simple! You sponsor a pet for $50, which helps to cover the cost of food and preventative care while the pet is in our care." (The Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach via Facebook)

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— 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