🌱Using Positivity As A Conduit For Change + Falling Gas Prices

Hello all. Happy Weekend! It's me, Karena Garrity, your host of the Myrtle Beach Daily — here to impart everything you need to know about what's happening locally. Today you'll read about these stories and more:

• Free cat adoption event today!
• The power of positivity!
• Falling gas prices. Are they here to stay?

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny. High: 53 Low: 31.

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Here are the top five stories in Myrtle Beach today:

1. The Grand Strand Humane Society is hosting a free cat adoption event today from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the GSHS location at Tanger Outlets off Highway 501, across from the Carolina Pottery and next door to The Uniform Outlet. According to WMBF, "The Grand Strand Humane Society will now give feline friends the chance to find forever homes ahead of Christmas. The adoptions also include vaccinations, spaying/neutering, microchipping and deworming along with a stocking full of toys and other goodies." Hope to see you there! (WMBF)
2. Harnessing the power of positivity in a big way, according to WMBF, "The City of Myrtle Beach [is] using ‘positive activation’ to deter crimes in certain areas. One example from the city is Withers Swash Park, where the city transformed some unused areas of the park into a disc golf course and a dog park. The Swashbuckler Disc Golf Course opened at the end of September and has already given the area a positive purpose. The Myrtle Beach Police Department reported a nearly 50% drop in calls for service in October 2022 compared to October 2021. “There has been a significant reduction in calls and significant reduction in the nature of the calls,” said Myrtle Beach police Sgt. Tom Vest. “We still have officers that come and check the park, it’s part of our normal duties. And one thing that everyone has noticed is the feel has changed, we’ve given it a purpose.” Vest said some of the calls officers would receive were in relation to overdoses, drug-related crimes and prostitution in the park. The city spent about $30,000 to transform areas of the park, but Assistant Public Information Director Meredith Denari said it’s money well spent.(WMBF)
3. Do you love to play the game "Clue?” If so, then you would probably enjoy a trip to RigaTony's Murder Mystery Dinner Christmas Show. According to wpde.com, "During the show, bodies are just dropping all around you, and you're trying to figure it out: the whos, whats, whys, wheres, whens, all of that," Reagan Elliot said. The family-friendly show includes music, a meal and the opportunity to try to figure out 'Who dunnit.'It’s an immersive experience with clues, red herrings and actors are everywhere. RigaTony's Murder Mystery Dinner Show is located at 1329 North Kings Highway in Myrtle Beach in the complex behind Taco Bell. The Christmas show runs through Dec. 31." Maybe I will see you there!(wpde.com)
4. Grand Strand residents are getting the gift of falling gas prices this holiday season. According to WBTW, "AAA [reported] the U.S. average for a gallon of regular unleaded gas on Friday was $3.18, a drop of eight cents since Monday. The price in South Carolina has fallen even more during the past week. Friday’s average price was $2.87, down 12 cents from $2.99 a week ago, AAA said on its website. Overall, the state’s average price has fallen 4.7% from a year ago when it was $3.01. As demand remains low and stocks grow, drivers will likely continue to see pump prices decrease through next week.” Happy driving! (WBTW)
5. According to WMBF, "A proposed bill could impose an extra fee on those moving to South Carolina from out of state. State Sen. Stephen Goldfinch (R-District 34) filed the bill, which would require new residents to pay $250 for a driver’s license and vehicle registration. Goldfinch, who represents sections of Georgetown, Horry and Charleston counties, created the bill in hopes of having a fair system having residents catch up to pay for state taxes. ″I’m not trying to build a wall here,” he said in an interview with WMBF News. “What I’m trying to do is allow the system to be a bit fair for us who have been paying." (WMBF)

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Myrtle Beach Picture of the Day:

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Today in Myrtle Beach:

• Photos with Santa (5:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Myrtle Beach Police Department: "Thank you to our Records department for hosting the Grand Strand Humane Society Angel Tree! Hundreds of pounds of dog and cat food, cat litter, dog and cat toys, blankets, towels, kitten milk replacements, harnesses and more were donated." (Myrtle Beach Police Department via Facebook)
• Myrtle Beach Police Department: "Raffle drawing for the 2016 Harley Davidson bike from the Myrtle Beach Police Foundation. Congratulations to Kevin Cast!" (Myrtle Beach Police Department via Facebook)
• North Myrtle Beach Police: "Please vote for the North Myrtle Police Department. We were nominated to receive an awesome forensic computer package from SUMURI and we are one of 6 finalists. This computer would aide our investigations division. PLEASE vote for us and share, share, share!" (North Myrtle Beach Police via Facebook)
• The Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach: "Our dear Jack is hoping you can help fill a hole in his heart. Jack lost his owner and had to fend for himself outside and was constantly watching out for danger. People had seen Jack being mistreated by others, and one day a kind person brought him to our shelter. He was finally safe and warm, and he began receiving treatment for an injured ear. Despite all the hardships he has faced, Jack remains a kind and loving feline. He is always ready to purr and cuddle with any human companions. If you have room in your heart and home for a sweet and loving cat like Jack, please call us at 843-249-4948 to meet him, 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: "Stray intake 12-16-22. Male found on South Ocean Blvd near 45th Ave S. Please remember these animals are not up for adoption yet. The purpose of these posts are to reunite lost pets with their owners. Animals will be held for five days." (The Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach via Facebook)
• The Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach: "View all of our adoptable pets looking for homes this holiday at https://humanesocietynmb.org/adopt/! You can submit an application online, or call us at 843-249-4948 to schedule an appointment to meet them." (The Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach via Facebook)
• Myrtle Beach Mini Marathon & Coastal 5K: "Twinkling Two Miler Participant Sarah Louise Shlatz says "Christmas lights by the beach, what could be better 💁🏻‍♀️." Thanks to everyone who came out! #RunMyrtleBeach" (Myrtle Beach Mini Marathon & Coastal 5K via Instagram)

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Events:

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Sunday. I'll catch up with you bright and early 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