Memorial Day Weekend in the City of North Myrtle Beach

Memorial Day Weekend kicks off our main visitor season. We quickly begin to grow from a city with a permanent population of about 16,000 people to one with a daily population of 100,000-plus.

Memorial Day Weekend coincides with the annual Atlantic Beach Memorial Day Black Pearl Cultural Heritage & Bike Festival. Although sponsored by the adjacent Town of Atlantic Beach, the event affects North Myrtle Beach. Many event participants stay with us and enjoy our city. This means that a large number of motorcycles travel our roads, presenting safety challenges for motorcyclists and motorists. Whether driving a car or riding a motorcycle, everyone should exercise caution and extend courtesy. Continually check to the rear and sides as you drive down the road.

There is an increased presence of public safety officers in North Myrtle Beach during Memorial Day Weekend, including officers from other jurisdictions in South Carolina, and the South Carolina Highway Patrol. They are here for the benefit of all residents and visitors, and their key focus in North Myrtle Beach is traffic management and safety. We want to keep traffic flowing so that gridlock does not occur. When traffic gridlock occurs, frustrations build and people anger more easily.

While law enforcement works to keep traffic moving, everyone must practice patience. If it normally takes someone 10 minutes to get to an attraction, restaurant or other destination, expect it to take longer over Memorial Day Weekend.

EXCESSIVE NOISE

Excessive noise is a key complaint during major holiday weekends.

The City’s Noise Ordinance States: “It is unlawful for any person to make, continue or cause to be continued any excessive, unnecessary or unusually loud noise or any noise which either annoys, disturbs, injures or endangers the comfort, repose, health, peace or safety of others, within the limits of the city.”

Those who violate the noise ordinance can be cited and/or or arrested with a fine up to $1,000.

Please be considerate of others.

COMMON MOTORCYCLE VIOLATIONS

We encourage motorists to watch out for motorcycles on our roads, and we encourage motorcyclists to avoid doing the following things, which are illegal and can endanger others on the road:

-- Speeding

-- Burnouts

-- Weaving between cars

-- "Holding” intersections to allow a group to continue through without stopping for a red light or stop sign.

Those who do these things are subject to a citation and/or arrest with a fine up to $1,000.

Exercise good judgment and respect others.

PREVENT MOTORCYCLE THEFT

Motorcycle thefts increase during Memorial Day Weekend. Expensive, custom and show bikes are popular with thieves. Here are some theft prevention tips:

-- Avoid parking motorcycles in poorly lit areas.

-- Don’t leave leathers, cameras, GPS, helmets, or other valuables on your bike.

-- Lock your motorcycle. Thieves can easily overcome factory-installed ignition locks, so use high-quality disk locks, wheel locks, and heavy-duty cable or chain locks.

WE PRACTICE "COMMUNITY POLICING"

Our law enforcement personnel practice "community policing", which means they try to be accessible and available to interact with residents and visitors. Their goal is to establish mutual trust and respect. When that occurs, good things follow.

They try first to educate people about our laws. If that approach does not work, they may choose to issue warnings. If those approaches fail, they will cite or arrest.

Of course, if flagrant and/or serious violations of law occur, law enforcement will react quickly and decisively.

Visitor or resident, if you have questions about what you can and cannot do in North Myrtle Beach feel free to approach any of our law enforcement personnel. They are there to help all have a safe and enjoyable time.

PRACTICE FIRE SAFETY

-- Grilling: In previous years, there have been some unfortunate incidents caused by improper grilling. Do not operate charcoal burners and other open-flame cooking devices on balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction. Do not cook under tents unless the tent exhibits an affixed NFPA 701 flame-resistance rating. Tents and membrane structures in excess of 400 square feet require a permit.

-- No sky lanterns.

-- Possession and use of fireworks prohibited.

USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS

-- Non-Emergencies: call (843) 280-5511

-- Emergencies: call 911

CITY OF NORTH MYRTLE BEACH INFORMATION OUTLETS

-- Website: www.NMB.us

-- Facebook: www.Facebook.com/cityofnmb

-- Twitter: @cityofnmb

-- City TV: Channel 1303 Time Warner (Spectrum)

-- City TV: Channel 9 HTC

-- Email News Group: Send your email address to pcdowling@nmb.us and receive news releases same time as news media.

-- Sign up for local emergency notifications by phone, email, text at www.Nixle.com

North Myrtle Beach Saltwater Fishing Rules

South Carolina law requires any person who fishes in saltwater to first obtain a saltwater fishing license from the state. For online information visit www.dnr.sc.gov

Additionally, in the city of North Myrtle Beach it is illegal to bait, fish for, catch or otherwise attract sharks in the area of the beach from the shoreline extending seaward for one mile into the Atlantic Ocean or in any saltwater area, including but not limited to inlets, marshes, channels and any portion of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. Also, no person may chum for any marine life in those areas.

If you are fishing in saltwater and catch a shark or other marine animal that you reasonably know may pose a danger to swimmers, waders or people otherwise engaged in activities in the above mentioned areas, you must release it at the place where you caught it immediately upon recognizing the catch as a shark or other dangerous marine animal.

If they perceive a danger or hazard to the public, city lifeguards and public safety officers have the authority to tell anyone who is saltwater fishing to stop. Comply with the order until the lifeguard or public safety officer tells you that you may resume fishing. If conditions permit, the lifeguard or public safety officer might offer you an alternate location in which to fish during the time that the order to stop fishing in your original location is in effect.

All debris, bait, fish line, hooks, and other fishing equipment or tackle must be contained on the beach or any area where saltwater fishing activities occur. Remove the same from the beach or other saltwater fishing area immediately after you stop fishing.

Time to review those beach laws in North Myrtle Beach

Shading Devices

-- May 15-September 15: Use only umbrellas with a circular canopy of up to 9 feet in diameter. NO tents, tarps, cabanas, pavilions, sport-brellas or similar devices, or any other material mounted on supports.

-- Shading devices no larger than 36 inches high, 36 inches wide and 36 inches deep allowed year-round on the beach only to shelter persons 18 months old or younger.

-- No shading device on beach before 8am daily and remove before 7pm daily.

-- Locate all shading devices at least 25 feet seaward of dune line.

-- Do not place within 10 feet of lifeguard stands.

Basic Laws

-- No littering (fines up to $1,000).

-- No alcohol, glass containers, fireworks.

-- Swim within 50 yards of shore, max depth shoulder height.

-- All watercraft must operate 100 yards or more offshore.

-- Stay off sand dunes.

-- Do not damage sea oats and sand fencing.

-- No horses on the beach.

Dogs On the Beach

-- May 15-September 15, 9am-5pm, no dogs on the beach. Leash law in effect at all times. Max leash length 7 feet.

-- Pick up and properly dispose of pet waste.

Surfing

-- May 15-September 15, 9am-4pm, surfing allowed only in designated areas.

Laser Pointers

-- Illegal to provide laser pointers in any manner to anyone under age 17.

-- Illegal for anyone under age 17 to possess laser pointer except within the permanent residence of that minor or under direct supervision of parent, guardian or teacher, who also take full responsibility for its possession and use under the law, and also bear the full consequences of its misuse.

-- Illegal for any person of any age to point a laser pointer at any person, animal (including nest and habitat), vehicle (land, air and sea), structure so as to be visible within structure, mirror or other reflecting surface so as to redirect or amplify beam to accomplish any of the above.

Digging Holes on the Beach

-- If you dig a hole on the beach more than 12 inches deep, you must fill it in before you leave the beach.

Single-Use Plastics on the Beach

-- Please consider not bringing single-use plastic bags, straws, cups and other single-use plastic products on to the beach. If you do bring them, please take them with you when you leave the beach. This helps protect marine life and wildlife, and keeps our beach, ocean and marshes clean.

Lifeguard Safety Flags

-- Green: Safe to swim.

-- Yellow: Swim with caution.

-- Red: Dangerous conditions, max swimming depth knee deep.

-- Double Red Flags: Beach closed, no swimming.

-- Purple Flag: Dangerous aquatic life, ask lifeguard before entering the water.

Nightly SummerFest! Entertainment Series Returns At Barefoot Landing Starting June 1

Barefoot Landing, North Myrtle Beach’s only waterway shopping, dining and entertainment complex, presents SummerFest! June 1 through August 31.

This summer-long event showcases musical, comedic and strolling entertainment nightly throughout Barefoot Landing, and features returning favorites from previous years.
There will be live entertainment in various locations throughout the center every night beginning at 7 p.m.
Returning for his 11th year at Barefoot Landing is “America’s Got Talent” semi-finalist, Nick Pike. Nick’s performs his interactive juggling, unicycle riding and comedic show every Sunday through Thursday night. He not only ‘wows’ guests, but a few lucky ones get to be part of the fun.
Corey Holden, the newest entertainer to join the Barefoot Landing summer lineup, will have the crowd singing, dancing and enjoying a great time Fridays through Mondays with his Dance Party featuring music and games.
Steel Drummers will serenade visitors seven nights a week, and Barefoot Landing’s very own balloon-tying stilt walker can be seen strolling the complex every Sunday through Friday evening.
For the second year, Barefoot Landing will feature live music in Dockside Village. Everything from duos to full bands will play from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday nights on the amphitheater stage. Guests can enjoy all genres of music from toe-tapping tunes to soothing sounds.
In addition to a great lineup of nightly entertainment, a fireworks show will take place at 10 p.m. every Monday night over the lake.
“We can’t wait for the 2019 SummerFest! nightly entertainment series to begin at Barefoot Landing,” said Kim Kelley, marketing manager for Burroughs & Chapin, parent company of Barefoot Landing. “We have an exciting lineup of entertainers that includes new faces as well as a few returning favorites. We look forward to welcoming everyone to Barefoot Landing where they will experience great shopping, dining, and entertainment all while creating memories with their family and friends that will last a lifetime.”
To see the summer lineup calendar or for more information about Barefoot Landing, visit www.bflanding.com, follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or call 843-272-8349.

North Myrtle Beach Farmer's Market Opens May 6, 2019

The North Myrtle Beach Farmers Market opens Monday, May 6 at 925 1st Avenue South, between the North Myrtle Beach Library and City Hall. 

The Market will be open 10:00 .a.m. – 3:00 p.m. each Monday through October 28.

The Market offers vegetables, fruits, baked goods, flowers, plants, seafood, artisan crafts, jams and jellies, and much more.

Parking: Please do not park in the library parking lot. There is some free on-site parking at the Market and plenty of free parking in the adjacent City Hall parking lot.

The North Myrtle Beach Farmers Market is part of the Waccamaw Market Cooperative (www.waccamawmarkets.org), whose members circulate to different Farmers Markets over the course of each week.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston District, Awards North Myrtle Beach Storm Damage Reduction Project Contract

North Myrtle Beach, SC – April 30, 2019 – On May 13, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston District, will begin a storm damage reduction (beach nourishment) project in North Myrtle Beach. Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company, LLC will execute the project.

The public may track the progress of the project on a real-time basis by using the District’s web mapper at https://arcg.is/1591Wu

It will take 30-45 days to complete the federally funded project.

For the first section of the project, the contractor will access the beach from Sea Mountain Highway. The contractor will set up a crane on the beach on Monday, May 6 to assemble the CRAB, the very tall, wheeled machine (see photo) that measures the grade/slope of the beach prior to and after nourishment. Trucks will back out onto beach on mats to provide the parts for CRAB construction.

During active construction, the vast majority of the beach will remain open and available for the public to enjoy.

The project, which replaces some 280,000 cubic yards of sand eroded by Hurricane Florence, originally was to merge with last year’s Hurricane Irma beach nourishment project but delays in completing the Myrtle Beach segment pushed the North Myrtle Beach segment into spring 2019. 

The project stretches for about 2.7 miles along the North Myrtle Beach shoreline from 22nd Avenue North to 54th Avenue North and from Ocean Creek Drive to 43rd Avenue South.

“This storm damage reduction project aims to minimize the impacts to people and property behind the dunes in a storm event,” said Wes Wilson, project manager. “While we acknowledge that people may see temporary inconveniences while the project is underway, the project has many long-term benefits, especially during storm season.”

During construction, Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company works 24 hours a day, seven days a week, usually completing up to 500 feet per day, barring mechanical or weather/sea condition delays. This means that active construction moves quickly and will only be in front of any particular building or area for two or three days.

Beach-goers may cross pipelines running along the beach, outside of any fenced areas, where the contractor places crossover sand ramps. The public should keep away from pipelines and only cross them at the sand ramps.

Since the project takes place during sea turtle nesting season, the contractor will comply with the requirements of the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammals Protection Act.

North Myrtle Beach Tree of the Month for May 2019

The North Myrtle Beach Tree City Board has selected a tulip poplar located on a lot owned by Mrs. Connie Gardner Knotts at 22nd Avenue South and Hillside Drive as Tree of the Month for May. The tree is about 40 years old. 

Tulip poplar is one of the tallest Native American hardwoods. Early North American explorers were impressed with the size of the tulip poplars discovered in the New World and used the tree to create long, straight logs to build cabins.

Samples of tulip poplar went to Europe for cultivation and today it is one of the most popular American trees grown in France and England.

After the Civil War, railroads accessed southern Appalachia and massive logging of tulip poplar ensued. The wood goes into furniture, flooring, general construction, plywood, and paper pulp.

Native Americans used tulip poplar to make dugout canoes and called it canoe tree.

 

Property owners and developers interested in finding out how they can preserve trees on their property may contact the North Myrtle Beach Tree City Board at nmbtreeboard@nmb.us.

The Tree of the Month program began in 2010 as a way to recognize preserved trees in the city. It also provides a platform to remind people of the benefits and importance that trees offer in our everyday lives.

If you have a tree you would like to be considered for Tree of the Month, contact Parks & Grounds Superintendent Jim Grainger at (843) 280-5571 or via email at nmbtreeboard@nmb.us.