🌱Mating Season For Black Bears + Beach Accessible Wheelchair Donated

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, including:

• Beach-accessible wheelchair donated for public use.
• Expanding living opportunities for CCU students.
• Living with American Black Bears.

But first, today's weather: Sunny and delightful. High: 81 Low: 68.

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Here are the top stories in Myrtle Beach today:

1. After finding out the City of Myrtle Beach was ending its free beach wheelchair service, Luke Sharp, founder of Adaptive Surf Project, and his team donated a beach-accessible wheelchair to the Second Avenue Pier for free public use. According to wpde.com, "[Sharp} said he wants Myrtle Beach to be a welcoming atmosphere and his goal is to have a beach wheelchair at every pier along the Grand Strand. But he's not stopping there — eventually, he wants to have a chair at every pier from Key West to Maine." (wpde.com)
2. Expanding living opportunities for Coastal Carolina University students, the school has reportedly entered into a five-year lease agreement with owners of The Cove apartment complex. This will provide another 400 living spaces for students in the midst of record-breaking attendance at the University. (wpde.com)
3. It's mating season for American Black Bears, which means they are more active than usual, and they are out and about in the area, not only in the forests and preserves but also the streets and neighborhoods as well. This heightened activity will often lead to bears making their way into people's neighborhoods, and if available, their trash. "Bears are opportunistic omnivores, who have a great sense of smell and are attracted to backyard and neighborhoods because of garbage and bird feeders. According to wpde.com, "Horry and Georgetown counties are where the vast majority of that Coastal Bear population is," said Kayla Brantley, a biologist with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. "If you see a bear just passing through your yard, you should feel lucky to have seen a wild bear." For more information on living responsibly with black bears, click here. (wpde.com)
4. Hooray! The first Myrtle Beach Classic is scheduled to be played at The Dunes Golf and Beach Club in late spring or early summer of 2024. This is huge news for area! According to Myhorrynews, "The Heritage has received exceptional support from players with ties to South Carolina over its 55 years, and the event in Myrtle Beach will likely receive the same backing from eligible players from the Palmetto State. They will likely also have inroads to sponsor exemptions, if needed. 'Being able to drive from home and play a tour event is sweet,' said Kevin Kisner of Aiken, who is one of four PGA Tour members who are members of the historic Palmetto Golf Club in Aiken, along with Matt NeSmith, Richy Werenski and Scott Brown. '[The Heritage has been] our only South Carolina event and being from South Carolina I consider it a home event.'" (Myhorrynews)

Today in Myrtle Beach:

• Breakfast with a Mermaid — Ripley's Aquarium in Myrtle Beach (8:00 AM)
• Sensory Friendly — Ripley's Aquarium in Myrtle Beach (9:00 AM)
• Laughternoons with the Comedy Shoppe: Buddy Harris! (9:00 AM)
• Caleb Wygal Book Signing at Barnes & Noble — Market Common (12:00 PM)
• Moose Lodge BBQ Fundraiser (2:00 PM)
• Tribute to Chicago — Leonid & Friends (7:00 PM)
• Charles Bach Wonders! Magic & Illusion Show (7:00 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:

• Myrtle Beach Police Department: "The Myrtle Beach Police Department has three people in custody connected to a shooting incident that took place at the 1300 block of Highway 15 on Wednesday, May 10. " (Myrtle Beach Police Department via Facebook)
• Horry County Schools: "Are you the parent of a 2- or 3-year-old? We are actively recruiting families of children 24 months to 3 years old for the ParentChild+ Program for the 2023-2024 school year." (Horry County Schools via Facebook)
• The Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach: "Y'all meet Annabelle, the sweetest and most charming southern belle you'll ever meet! This gorgeous dog is a true beauty with a heart of gold. Annabelle is looking for a loving family to share her southern hospitality and affection with." (The Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach via Facebook)
• Myrtle Beach Police Department: "The Myrtle Beach Police Department Is hosting a recruitment panel on Wednesday, May 17 from 6-8 p.m. at the Ted C. Collins Law Enforcement Center. The panel will consist of Officers from multiple divisions within MBPD." (Myrtle Beach Police Department via Facebook)

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You're officially in the loop for today.

— 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