🌱Tax Help For Area Residents + Do You Have Your Powerball Ticket?

Hi all. I'm back in your inbox this morning with everything you need to know about what's happening in town these days. Today's issue includes...

• Grand Strand Young Professional (GSYP) organization’s award winners
• The area is a hotbed for Powerball winners.
• Do you need help doing your taxes?

But first, today's weather:

A shower and thunderstorm. High: 51 Low: 29.

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Here are the top stories in Myrtle Beach today:

1. It has been announced that Lauren Balogh is the recipient of the Grand Strand Young Professional (GSYP) organization’s 2023 Young Professional of the Year award and Lydia Hancock is this year’s Ambassador of the Year. With an impressive resume, Balogh currently works for AWR Court Reporting and Litigation Solutions as a court reporter. According to a press release, outside of work, she is a board member for SC Smiles Dental and actively involved with St. Michael’s Catholic Church, the Junior League of the Grand Strand and All4Paws. She’s also a member of the 2023 class of ChangeMakers. Equally as impressive, Hancock works as the general manager of InfoQuestHR, joined GSYP in 2019 and quickly became involved with the organization as ambassador and steering committee member where she provides invaluable resources for the organization’s members. Congratulations ladies! (Press Release Desk)
2. Looking for help with your taxes? Assistance is available for those earning an annual income of $60,000 or less. IRS-Certified Volunteers are proving free tax preparation at various locations. Click here for a full list. (wpde.com)
3. If you are a Myrtle Beach resident who registered for a parking decal between January 24 and Wednesday, February 1 the city is urging you to call or email its decal specialist, Tabitha Thomas, to be sure the applications went through. Thomas can be reached at 843-918-1575. There was reportedly a problem with the parking registration portal, which has since been resolved. (WBTW)
4. The North Myrtle Beach Fire Rescue is proud to welcome four new members to the North Myrtle Beach Fire family; Nathaniel Roddy, Joseph Anderson, Jason McWilliams and Ryan Kennedy. They will be reporting to their shift assignments at the end of next week following their orientation with our Training Division. Welcome men!(North Myrtle Beach Fire Rescue via Facebook)
5. Have you purchased your Powerball ticket? The estimated jackpot for Saturday night’s drawing is $700 million and the area is hot for ticket winners. Reportedly in the last week two separate $50,000 winning tickets have been purchased in the area. One at the new Publix store on Wood Duck Drive in Myrtle Beach and another was reportedly sold at a 501 Mini Mart in Conway. Get them while they are hot! (WBTW)

Today in Myrtle Beach:

Horry Georgetown Home Show (All Day)

Diva Royale Drag Queen Show (7 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:

• South Carolina National Guard: "U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Jeff Jones, deputy adjutant general for South Carolina, and members of a South Carolina National Guard command contingent, traveled to Sinai, Egypt, Feb. 1, for a week-long Soldier engagement visit." (South Carolina National Guard via Instagram)
• North Myrtle Beach Police: "It's always fun to meet a local celebrity, but yesterday we had the honor of meeting and talking to a 30 year U.S. Marine Veteran at Mission BBQ in North Myrtle Beach. It was such a pleasure seeing Ed Piotrowski, his mom and his dad, E-9 Master Gunnery Sargeant Thomas Piotrowski. Thank you for your service sir!" (North Myrtle Beach Police via Facebook)
• South Carolina Aquarium: " Announcement! We will be closed to the public on Tuesday, February 7 so our team can participate in an onsite training day! We are excited to have a full day for all staff to engage in team building, camaraderie and continuing education." (South Carolina Aquarium via Instagram)
• Myrtle Beach Pelicans: "Slider isn't interested in what a groundhog says, he wants you to know that there's only 63 days until Opening Day! (April 6)." (Myrtle Beach Pelicans via Facebook)
• The Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach: "Lost Cat: Jack, a 5 year old neutered male, has been missing from Willow Trace in Myrtle Beach since 1-30-2023. His is microchipped and requires prescription food for urinary issues. If you have any information about Jack, please call please call Kelsi at (970) 379-6344." (The Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach via Facebook)

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday. I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow morning with a new 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