Refrigerated Trailer for Rent in Myrtle Beach, SC

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The NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC issued an updated report at 7:35 a.m. on Saturday for strong thunderstorms until 8 a.m. The alert is for Greater Oconee and Greater Pickens as well as Anderson County.

The storms may bring marble-sized hail (0.5 inches) and wind gusts of up to 50 mph.

"At 7:34 a.m., Doppler radar tracked a strong thunderstorm 7 miles south of Seneca, moving east at 45 mph," states the NWS. "Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to outdoor objects is possible."

Locations impacted by the alert include Townville, Sandy Springs, Seneca, Pendleton, Williamston, West Pelzer, Homeland Park, Anderson Airport, Broadway Lake and Anderson.

According to the NWS, "If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until noon for Upstate South Carolina."

This alert is in effect until 8 a.m.

Around 25 million lightning strikes occur in the United States every year, with most taking place during the summer months. The NWS reports that these strikes result in about 20 fatalities annually. The probability of lightning strikes rises as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is directly above. As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.

Here are suggestions for staying safe during a thunderstorm:

If finding indoor shelter is not an option:

What is hydroplaning?

Hydroplaning is the term for when a vehicle begins sliding uncontrollably on wet roads.

This happens when water in front of the tire builds up faster than the vehicle's weight can push water out of the way. The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control. Hydroplaning is most commonly attributed to three factors:

In the event of your vehicle hydroplaning, here's what to know:

Source: The National Weather Service

This story was originally published May 17, 2025 at 5:25 AM.

MYRTLE BEACH — A deal to keep the Pelicans in Myrtle Beach appears to be imploding after Horry County officials proposed tying airport funding and a business park to a new stadium lease for the minor league baseball team.

Myrtle Beach City Council voted May 13 for a 30-year lease to ensure the Chicago Cubs' Single-A affiliate continues playing at Pelicans Ballpark beyond this season. But any lease is contingent upon support from Horry County Council. The city owns 70 percent of the 21st Avenue North stadium while the county controls 30 percent.

Both the city and county had agreed to the initial framework for a lease, but earlier this month county leaders introduced an additional agreement that required certain concessions from the city, including restoring funding for Myrtle Beach International Airport. City officials balked at those terms and did not include them in the documents they approved.

"We are more than willing to discuss any other deals that are going to be beneficial to the county and the city of Myrtle Beach," Myrtle Beach City Councilman Bill McClure said. "There's no question about that. But we're not going to include it in the lease. The lease needs to be clean. It's about the new lease for the Pelicans. ... We're not budging on this."

Although county officials have said they would like to keep baseball at the beach, they have long wanted to get out of the stadium business. Some are opposed to putting more public money into the ballpark.

"Why are we giving them anything?" Horry County Councilman Gary Loftus said of the Pelicans. "Let me point something out. We have got a baseball team here in Horry County that's kicking ass, and the tickets are kind of cheap, and we don't have to pay them a damn dime. (They're) called Coastal Carolina."

Jointly-owned stadium creates headaches

The Pelicans' original lease expired in 2018, and the city, county and team agreed to a series of extensions, all the while discussing the possibility of a long-term solution.

When Major League Baseball mandated stadium improvements in 2020, that presented an opportunity for the county.

Local officials have said they must reach a deal that would allow them to complete the required renovations by the start of the 2026 season or the Pelicans would likely leave Myrtle Beach. They've said Major League Baseball wants a firm commitment by the end of the month.

Under the proposed 30-year lease, the Pelicans' rent would increase from $150,000 per year to $750,000 for the first 10 years, $850,000 for years 11-20 and $950,000 for the final decade, ending in 2055. A new per-ticket fee would help offset the cost of maintenance and capital expenses, according to city records.

The city and county would also be expected to pay for an estimated $20 million in upgrades with the two parties following the same 70-30 split.

What Horry County wants from the city

While the county and city have agreed on some basic lease terms, the county is seeking additional guarantees.

Specifically, the county wants to create an entertainment district in the Myrtle Beach area that would offer economic development incentives to attract businesses. The increased property values in that district would help pay for ballpark improvements, according to the county's proposal.

Perhaps the biggest sticking point involves the county-run airport. The county has recommended that the city restore funding the county previously received from land known as the Seascape Properties.

Myrtle Beach received that land from the federal government following World War II with the original stipulation being that the property be used to benefit airports. For decades, the land has been leased to campgrounds.

In 2004, an agreement reached between the city and county covered about 145 acres, which contained a portion of Lakewood Camping Resort and PirateLand Family Camping Resort.

As part of the agreement, the city sent 75% of the annual lease revenue — about $2.7 million in 2022 — to the county for the airport.

But Myrtle Beach leaders voted to end that agreement in 2022 and the two sides have been entangled in litigation. Now county leaders are attempting to tie the airport funding to the baseball deal.

Under the county's proposal, the city would follow the terms of the 2004 agreement "until all litigation is concluded related to the Seascapes Properties including rent payments received in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025."

County officials insist the Seascape money would go toward airport runway improvements that will cost some $100 million.

"The airport needs this money," Horry County Council Chairman Johnny Gardner said. "If you don't have a runway, you don't have an airport."

Apart from those issues, some county leaders had hoped they could pay $6 million for the stadium upgrades and release their share of the stadium ownership.

"What we did was kind of final," Loftus said. "We said, 'This is it.' And it was $6 million and then the only way we're going to come to the games is to buy tickets."

What happens next?

Finalizing a new lease requires two favorable votes from the city and three from the county. City leaders have already approved the deal, but their counterparts at the county have only voted twice.

County council is scheduled to take a final vote on the stadium lease May 20, though some leaders doubt any agreement will be signed without the city changing its position.

"I don't see how it can be (finalized)," Gardner said of the lease without the airport money. "It just makes more sense to get it all done."

Myrtle Beach Mayor Brenda Bethune said the city is willing to work with the county on the industrial park and airport funding. However, like McClure, she stressed the lease shouldn't be tethered to other projects.

"We just need the county to decide what they’re going to do," Bethune said. "But I’m very excited about this. I think it’s great for our community, great for our youth, for our visitors. They [the Pelicans organization] provide a lot of jobs and they give a lot back to the community. I think that’s what people need to know, that the Pelicans organization truly is very philanthropic in what they do."

A representative for the Pelicans declined to comment on the lease discussions.

And it offers lots of amenities for sun seekers too.

In This Article

Any time spent at the beach is sure to put you in a vacation state of mind. And while there are many important things to consider when planning a trip, blue waters and white sand beaches always earn bonus points. The good news is that if you're heading to South Carolina with family or friends this summer, the beaches are all truly magnificent so there's no wrong decision.

The Best Girlfriend Getaways In South Carolina To Plan Now

The Bluest Water In South Carolina

Coligny Beach on Hilton Head Island is where you should head for the bluest waters. Hilton Head is famous for its beaches, so it’s no surprise that the waters here are extra beautiful. While a good amount of Hilton Head is home to high-end resorts with private beach access, Coligny Beach is open free to the public, which makes it one of the most popular places on the island. Read on to learn more about this spectacular spot.

What Makes Coligny Beach’s Water So Blue?

The sand on Hilton Head Island is bright white, blissfully soft, and very fine, and the water is shallow, especially at low tide. Both of these qualities can make the water appear sparkling blue. When the ocean is relatively calm and shallow, there is also less plankton, sand, particles, and other materials constantly churning in the waves, which gives the water a clearer appearance.

There’s a scientific reason as well, of course. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, this phenomenon occurs when light passes through water and absorbs colors in the red part of the light spectrum, leaving colors on the blue end of the color spectrum.

How To See Coligny Beach’s Water

Coligny Beach, the most popular public beach on Hilton Head Island, is a local favorite for more than its aquamarine waters. It’s easy to access, thanks to a beautifully designed park that includes a pathway and boardwalk that leads you straight onto the sand.

The Coligny Beach Park also has lots of amenities too: gazebos with swings, a fountain with synchronized jets, seating areas (including rocking chairs), beach matting for wheelchair access, outdoor showers, and a free parking area. The Breeze, which is Hilton Head's free public trolley, makes stops as well. (Just be sure to check the seasonal schedule.) It’s truly a beach that everyone can appreciate—for the magical color of the ocean, and more.

For Veronica “Vee” Marcum, buying a motorcycle meant freedom.

Marcum, who owns Fishtails in Myrtle Beach, has spent her entire life riding motorcycles – but not operating them. She grew up riding on the back of her dad’s motorcycle before hopping on the back of boyfriends’ motorcycles as she grew older. But in the 2000s, along with many of her friends, Marcum got her own bike.

“Women didn’t want to wait for whenever a guy was ready to take her for a ride, so a lot of women started getting their license,” Marcum said.

For decades, the motorcycle community was almost entirely male, with women joining as passengers. However, that has changed.

Women’s attendance at the Myrtle Beach Spring Bike Rally, which started on May 9 and lasts until May 19, has grown in recent decades. In 2018, 19% of motorcyclists were women, which is double the riders compared to 9% in 2003, Biker Law reported.

During the rally, many of the bikers gather around Murrells Inlet and Socastee, spending time at bars like Suck Bang Blow, the Rat Hole and Spokes and Bones.

Paula “Momma Paula” Gephart has been bartending at the rally for around 15 years, working at various biker bars. She estimates there are 50% more women riding their own bikes now than when she started working the rallies. In her lifetime, she’s seen many women buy their own bikes and start driving.

“You didn’t see women on motorcycles by themselves back in the day. If you did, it was a rare, rare sighting,” Gephart said. “Now it’s very common.”

For women today, their gender doesn’t seem to stop them from buying a motorcycle.

“I think women have just become stronger individuals than we were back in the day,” Gephart said.

The motorcycle community is not known for being fluffy and feminine — and many women who join are not either.

“You really don’t have any restrictions. (Men) expect you to be a little brash,” Marcum said.

Women bikers hold their own among the men, often using humor or insults to stand up for themselves. Marcum said she had to get used to men’s reactions when working on motorcycles.

Over seven years ago, Marcum opened Fishtails, a motorcycle resale shop, where people can buy used and new motorcycle parts, apparel and trinkets. She used to shop at motorcycle resale shops in Cleveland, Ohio, where she lived before moving to the Grand Strand.

After Marcum got to Myrtle Beach, she noticed there weren’t any places to buy used gear, which is an affordable option for bikers on a budget. She decided to fill the hole and open her own place.

Despite running a motorcycle shop, men still doubt Marcum’s knowledge or feel uncomfortable letting a woman work on their bike. But that gives her the chance to prove them wrong.

“I’ll come out and I’ll show them how to put (a sissy bar) on their bike after they told me it doesn’t fit their bike,” Marcum said. “Everybody at the bar knows that I do this all the time, so they’ll applaud and, you know, hoot and holler.”

Aliyanna “Ali” Lovett has been trying to bring women together for rides since buying her motorcycle last year. Lovett and two other women in her riding group said they didn’t feel hesitant about purchasing motorcycles as women.

Lovett’s group said they love having women-only rides. Raven Bunton said when it is just women, there are no men flirting with her or acting in a sexual manner. She also doesn’t worry about how men will act.

“I feel safer with women, in general, just because we don’t act childish. We’re not trying to impress people in cars,” Bunton said.

Lovett said, “When I’m by myself, I get a lot of comments. If we’re in a group, (men) don’t approach us, we’re intimidating.”

Unfortunately, putting together a women-only ride can be difficult. Many of the women in the group have children, making it hard to coordinate a time that works for everyone.

Laurie Hickey, another member of Lovett’s group, said she’s excited but nervous about her first motorcycle rally. She’s heard mixed results about the treatment of women bikers.

“I’ve heard some women say people tell them they’re not real bikers and that they shouldn’t be riding, and I’ve heard some people just fully accept it and welcome you in with open arms,” Hickey said.

Gephart, who doesn’t ride motorcycles but has been in the community for many years, loves seeing women ride up on their bikes.

“It’s awesome to watch women rolling in. And they’re proud, just like men, but I think they’re even prouder of their bikes because they’re riding them by themselves,” Gephart said.

This story was originally published May 15, 2025 at 6:00 AM.

The Sun News

Emalyn Muzzy is a breaking news reporter for The Sun. She covers everything breaking and everything new in the Myrtle Beach area. She graduated from the University of Minnesota is 2022 with a degree in journalism and Spanish.

A new arcade coming to Surfside Beach will offer a sensory-friendly gaming experience.

Low Tide Gaming at 799 Highway 17 Business S, offers noise-canceling headphones, dimmable LED lights and more than 15 consoles, including PlayStation and Nintendo Switch.

The arcade is part of Beachfront Blessings, a nonprofit in the Myrtle Beach area aimed at spreading awareness for sensory sensitivity.

People with autism, for example, are sometimes more sensitive to loud music or bright lights. Some people find it difficult to communicate when their senses are overwhelmed.

General Manager Will Pamplin said he was born with Asperger’s, and his disability got in the way of his forming a community.

“There’s only a few places that I can go around here because of the live music and I can’t do certain lighting,” Pamplin said. “A lot of people have a hard time meeting new people. I want to make it easier.”

The space has 15 desks with either an Xbox or a PlayStation on it with plenty of games to pass the time. Two of those desks have enough room for two players to play co-op games together.

Low Tide Gaming also has two televisions with a couch, Nintendo Switch, and an Atari 2600 for even more players.

The back of the building features a soundproof tabletop gaming room perfect for a Dungeons & Dragons campaign, Pamplin said.

The Town of Surfside Beach will host a grand opening for Low Tide Gaming at 2 p.m. May 20 before the business’ official opening on May 23.

Business hours are noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.

Guests can play as many games as they want for $20 an hour. Residents of Horry or Georgetown counties get a discounted rate of $15 an hour.

Groups of six or more people also get $5 off per person.

Groups of up to eight people can rent the tabletop area for two hours with an added free hour of gaming for $100.

Party rentals and private events can rent the entire building for $450 after giving 48 hours notice.