🌱 Sharks In The Water Off The Coast + Brookgreen Gardens 5K Run/Walk

Good morning, everybody! It's Thursday in Myrtle Beach and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on all the most important things happening locally, including news on...

• There are sharks in the water, beware!
• Former teacher pleaded guilty to reckless homicide in drunk driving accident.
• Hope to see you at the 10th Annual Brookgreen Gardens 5K Run/Walk .

But first, today's weather: Mostly cloudy and windy. High: 75 Low: 59.

Here are the top stories in Myrtle Beach today:

1. Just in time for Memorial Day weekend festivities, several great white sharks were recorded swimming in the waters just off the North and South Carolina coasts. According to WRAL News, "Breton, a 1,437-pound great white, pinged off of the South Carolina coast near Myrtle Beach on Monday around 7:30 p.m. [and] Crystal, a 460-pound, 10-foot great white, pinged near the Outer Banks on Monday at 10:25 a.m. [Last weekend], Freya, another great white, last pinged outside of South Carolina near Myrtle Beach on Saturday at 11 a.m. She weighs in at a whopping 883 pounds and is 11 feet and 8 inches long." Swim safely this weekend and keeps your eyes open! (WRAL News)
2. Fifty-two-year-old Michael Oerther, a former Ocean Bay Middle School teacher, pleaded guilty to reckless homicide earlier this week and was sentenced to eight years in prison. According to Myhorrynews, "On Oct. 25, 2021, [Oerther] crashed his Jeep Wrangler into a Honda Civic that was stopped at a light on Carolina Forest Boulevard. Leza Watts, 27, was killed in the wreck. Watts' family and fiancé were given an opportunity to speak about the impact of her death. 'I was the driver in the Honda Civic in the case,' said Cody Morris, fiancée of the late Leza Watts, speaking to the courtroom. 'During that, we were rear-ended. I was briefly knocked unconscious. I woke up to my fiancée in the back seat dying. The other person in the car, who could not be here today due to moving out of state, was fully aware and witnessed her death in its entirety, leaving us both with significant trauma.' Oerther has been charged with numerous vehicle and DUI related violations, according to a State Law Enforcement Division background check. The math teacher was charged with DUI in 2005, 2009 and 2011, with convictions for the charges in 2009 and 2011, court and SLED records show." (Myhorrynews)
3. The 10th Annual Brookgreen Gardens 5K Run/Walk and 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk in Murrells Inlet will be held on Sunday, May 28 at 6 p.m. Brookgreen Gardens is a sculpture garden and wildlife preserve, located just south of Murrells Inlet. The 9,100-acre property includes several themed gardens, the Lowcountry Zoo and trails through an array of ecosystems in nature reserves on the property. For more about the race click here. (WMBF)
4. Looking for an unconventional pet to complete your family? According to wpde.com, "An abundance of animals are available for adoption at the Horry County Animal Care Center, including 153 laying hens, 10 roosters, 38 ducks and two potbellied pigs. For more information, call 843-915-5172 or visit the ACC at 1923 Industrial Park Road in Conway during shelter open hours to adopt." (wpde.com)

This great local business sponsors the Myrtle Beach Patch newsletter. We love what they do, and we think you will, too:

Sell your home quickly and for top dollar with Val Lyons, the expert realtor at CBRE in Myrtle Beach! Val has the knowledge and expertise to help you sell your property fast. And if you're struggling to sell a stagnant property, Val's virtual home staging services can make a huge difference in the amount you get for your home. Contact Val today or call 774-259-8937 to learn more and start your journey towards a successful home sale!

Want to see your business featured in this spot? Click here to get started.

Today in Myrtle Beach:

• 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:

• North Myrtle Beach Fire Rescue: "Join us in welcoming the newest member of our Fire Department family. FF/EMT Kenneth Crooks began with our Department on Monday, May 22. He brings a total of 22 years of firefighting experience with him having volunteered for the Monroeville VFD outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Crooks also spent 11 years working for Allegheny County 911 as a Dispatcher for the City of Pittsburgh. Following orientation this week, Ken will join A-Battalion and jumping right into action this weekend working this Holiday weekend. We are excited to have him join our family!" (North Myrtle Beach Fire Rescue via Facebook)
• Myrtle Beach Police Department: "Memorial Day Weekend Update for Ocean Boulevard. Golf Carts are prohibited on Ocean Boulevard from Friday, May 26- Monday, May 29, when traffic control devices are removed from the Boulevard." (Myrtle Beach Police Department via Facebook)
• The Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach: "Today’s featured #PetOfTheDay is Chloe! Her adoption fee is being sponsored today by Murray Law Group, LLC. Looking for a feline queen to rule your home? Look no further than Chloe! This 5-year-old cat is the perfect combination of sassy and independent, with a prissy attitude that will make you laugh. To meet Chloe, 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)
• The Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach: "Start breaking in your shoes for the 5th Annual Red, White, & Blue 5K Run/Walk! Register now at https://runsignup.com/Race/Reg... 100 percent of the proceeds donated at https://runsignup.com/Race/Donate/SC/NorthM." (The Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Clark's Termite and Pest Control - Myrtle Beach — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Featured gigs & services:

• Get Ready for a Mosquito-Free Memorial Day Weekend! (Details)
• Add your gig or service

Thanks for following along and staying informed! 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 Patch newsletter? Contact me at karena.garrity@patch.com