🌱Rico and Cleo At Ripley’s Sloth Valley + Tusk At The Opry Theater

Hi all. It's me, Karena Garrity, your host of the Myrtle Beach Patch newsletter — here to explain everything that's fit to print about what's happening in town these days. Including news about...

• Sloth Valley at Ripley’s Aquarium is open!
• Fifteen-year-old Damien Rodriguez is being tried as an adult.
• Fleetwood Mac fans take note.

But first, today's weather:

Humid with clouds and sun. High: 78 Low: 68.

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Here are the top stories today in Myrtle Beach:

1. Sloth Valley at Ripley’s Aquarium officially opened yesterday and is now the new home to two-toed sloths named Rico and Cleo. Rico is three years old and his favorite treat is butternut squash and his companion Cleo, short for Cleopatra, is seven years old and has been deemed the 'queen of the canopy'. Step into the jungle at Ripley's Aquarium and visit Rico and Cleo soon. (WMBF)
2. Fifteen-year-old Damien Rodriguez is being tried as an adult for the murder and attempted murder of two juveniles in Conway last summer. According to WMBF, "Rodriguez was charged on August 13, 2022 in Horry County in the death of 14-year-old Christopher Noah Garrett. Deputy Coroner Tamara Willard said Christopher Garrett was shot multiple times in a wooded area near his home in Conway." (WMBF)
3. If you are a Fleetwood Mac fan take note, on Sunday, May 21, at 7 p.m. at the Carolina Opry Theater, Tusk, the number one Tribute to Fleetwood Mac in the world will be performing recreating the music of Fleetwood Mac to perfection. Tusk covers all the great hits of Fleetwood Mac. The five seasoned, well-respected musicians comprising Tusk have been making music together in various combinations and styles, for over twenty-five years. Tickets are on sale now! (Patch.com)
4. Plans for an apartment complex slated to be built on the 15 acres of open land off Pine Island Road that sits directly across from Coastal Grand Mall include four, 3-story apartment buildings, which will house 230 apartment units, along with a pool, a dog park, and an open-air pavilion. Plans for this project got both footprint and landscaping approval at Thursday night's Myrtle Beach Community Appearance Board meeting. The next Community Appearance Board will be on June 1. (WMBF)

Today in Myrtle Beach:

• Laughternoons with The Comedy Shoppe: Kevin Downey, Jr. (9:00 AM)
• Scout Oceanography Badge Workshop - Ripley's Aquarium in Myrtle Beach (12:00 PM)
• The Carolina Opry (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:

• Horry County Schools: "Congratulations to Sarah Beth Spears, a special education teacher from Whittemore Park Middle School, our 2024 Rookie Teacher of the Year!" (Horry County Schools via Facebook)
• Myrtle Beach Police Department: "Thank you In-N-Out Concrete pumping for stopping by and dropping off lunch and dinner for our officers this week! Another thank you to all of our community that has stopped by this week and shown their support for Police Week!" (Myrtle Beach Police Department via Facebook)
• The Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach: "Today’s featured #PetOfTheDay is Bella. Her adoption fee is being sponsored today by Lisa Bernadyn from Plantation Realty Group. This spunky little girl is full of energy and loves to play with toys of all kinds. To meet Bella, please call 843-249-4948 to schedule an appointment, or you can submit an application at https://humanesocietynmb.org/cat-adoption-form/" (The Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach via Facebook)
• South Carolina Artists: "New SCA exhibit at Crepes and Croissants featuring photography & original paintings by Alanna Suttle, Jeanee Bourque and Sharon Funderburk." (South Carolina Artists via Instagram)
• Myrtle Beach Convention Center: "This weekend...Southern Throne showcases duels like no other. Spectators are welcome, visit https://nuwaycombat.com/southe... for event details. Children 5 and Under free." (Myrtle Beach Convention Center via Facebook)

Alrighty, you're all good for today. I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow morning with 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