Wedding & Event Venue Near Myrtle Beach, SC

Conway, S.C. Mayor Barbara Blain-Bellamy faces an April hearing on 5 counts of campaign violations. Her campaign management team of Lucky Dog Promotions, owned by Donald Smith, is listed in the complaint.

The ethics complaint reads: The State Ethics Commission has determined that there is probable cause to section 8-13-320(10)(i) and (j) code of laws, South Carolina, 1976, as amended in the complaint. The complaint lists 5 counts of campaign violations and sets a date for a hearing on April 13, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. in Columbia, S.C.

Barbara Blain-Bellamy is charged with multiple violations including accepting cash exceeding the “cash contribution limit” of $25 per each individual donor. She is also charged with failure to disclose campaign contributions, failure to disclose campaign expenditures, failure to deposit campaign contributions, and failure to file a campaign disclosure report.

Barbara Blain-Bellamy has the right to be represented by counsel, the right to call and examine witnesses, the right to introduce exhibits, and the right to cross-examine opposing witnesses. This hearing will be open to the public as required by Section 8-13-320(10)(j), Code of Laws, South Carolina,

5 counts of campaign violations

Mayor Barbara Blain-Bellamy is charged with “Failure to Disclose Campaign Contributions.” That Barbara J. Blain-Bellamy, City of Conway Mayor, did in Richland County, fail to report campaign contributions from: (1) Robert Bellamy in the amount of $350.00; (2) three (3) personal contributions totaling $2,900.00; (3) Priscilla Fuller in the amount of $250.00; (4) George Brown in the amount of $150.00; and (5) Caroline Winds Realty in the amount of $250.00, in violation of Section 8-13-1308(F).

Priscilla Fuller is listed on LinkedIn as the Chief Compliance Officer for Nonprofit Organization Management team “Services for the UnderServed”.

Carolina Winds Realty is located at 1905 Main St. in Conway, SC. Per its website: Future development plans include a planned single-family community in the Conway area just off Highway 501.

FAILURE TO DISCLOSE CAMPAIGN EXPENDITURE

That Barbara Blain-Bellamy, City of Conway Mayor, did in Richland County, fail to report campaign expenditures to: (1) Mason Temple Church of God in Christ in the amount of $250.00; (2) four (4) contributions totaling $3,781.88 to Duplicates Ink Print; (3) Lucky Dog Productions in the amount of $1,000.00; (4) Erica Kendell in theamount of $75.00; and (5) Travis Marshall in the amount of $500.00, in violation of Section 8-13-1308(F).

During the election, we reported that Duplicates Ink, located in Conway, S.C., has been a consistent client of Lucky Dog Promotions owned by Donald Smith. However, Mayor Bellamy failed to disclose a payment of $3,781.88 to Duplicates Ink, as mentioned in the complaint. Additionally, she did not disclose a payment of $1,000 made to Lucky Dog Promotions.

Questions regarding whether the payments to Duplicates Ink were made by Lucky Dog or whether the payments were made by the Barbara Blain-Bellamy Campaign during the campaign cycle remained unresolved.

Duplicates Ink provides campaign printing materials for prominent political figures such as Horry County State Senator Luke Rankin and his past campaign rival, Autry Benton. Benton was a client of Lucky Dog promotions as well.

FAILURE TO DEPOSIT CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS

That Barbara J. Blain-Bellamy, City of Conway Mayor, did in Richland County, fail to deposit four (4) campaign contributions totaling $450.00 into her campaign bank account, in violation of Section 8-13-1312.

FAILURE TO FILE CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE REPORT

That Barbara J. Blain-Bellamy, City of Conway Mayor, did in Richland County, fail to file a 2023 Quarter 4 Campaign Disclosure Report, in violation of Section 8-13-1308(B)

ACCEPTANCE OF CASH EXCEEDING CASH CONTRIBUTION LIMIT

That Barbara J. Blain-Bellamy, City of Conway Mayor, did in Richland County, accept three (3) cash contributions over $25.00, in violation of Section 8-13-1314(A)(2).

Mayor Bellamy Campaign Viol… by MyrtleBeachSC news

CHARLESTON, S.C. —During his tenure as President and CEO of Palmetto Railways, Jeffrey McWhorter, aged 63 and hailing from Awendaw, has admitted guilt for participating in a conspiracy to commit honest services fraud.

McWhorter’s introduction of a co-conspirator, referred to as T.B., to a Texas-based company, based on the evidence gathered during the investigation, aimed at assisting T.B. in securing a contract for work in the Charleston area.

Prior to Palmetto Railways awarding the contract to the Texas Company, McWhorter, TB, and an employee of the Texas company (Employee 1), had meetings and discussions about T.B. paying McWhorter and Employee 1 if his company was awarded the contract.

McWhorter and his acknowledged accomplices also reached a mutual understanding that T.B. would transfer funds to Employee 1, and investigations indicated that T.B. indeed sent the money to a bank account registered under Employee 1’s spouse’s business. The arrangement entailed Employee 1 subsequently providing McWhorter with his share in physical currency.

Throughout the course of the conspiracy, the evidence revealed that the payment McWhorter and Employee 1 were receiving caused, or could have caused, economic harm to the Texas company, as well as the reputation of Palmetto Railways.

T.B. ultimately wired at least $400,000 to Employee 1 in Texas and McWhorter received at least $90,000 of this in cash.

McWhorter faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. He also faces a fine of up to $250,000, restitution, and three years of supervision to follow the term of imprisonment. United States District Judge David C. Norton accepted the guilty plea and will sentence McWhorter after receiving and reviewing a sentencing report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

The corporate team of Palmetto Railways were not implicated in McWhorter’s fraudulent scheme and had no knowledge of these activities.

This case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Bower is prosecuting the case.

About Palmetto Railways

Palmetto Railways tracks facilitate the movement of over 100,000 carloads each year.

Palmetto Railways, located in Charleston, S.C., is a division of the SC Department of Commerce and operates as an enterprise agency for the state of South Carolina.

Dog may be man’s best friend, but there are some public places Fido isn’t welcome.

While your dog may seem like good company on a day running errands, South Carolina has some strict regulations about where you can — and can’t — bring your pet.

Some retail stores may be amenable to furry companions, but to protect health and safety, the Palmetto State restricts animal presences in retail food establishments.

South Carolina defines these establishments as anywhere that “prepares, processes, packages, serves, or otherwise provides food for human consumption, either on or off the premises.” In addition to restaurants, that includes places like cafeterias, delis and, yes, grocery stores.

While dogs and other pets are generally prohibited in South Carolina grocery stores, there are some exceptions for animals doing jobs.

Service animals

Service animals, like guide dogs and signal dogs, that are trained to assist people with disabilities are permitted in customer areas that aren’t used for food preparation, like dining and sales areas. These service animals must be controlled by the disabled person they assist and aren’t allowed anywhere they can present a health or safety hazard.

Although service animals are permitted in retail food establishments, the Americans with Disabilities Act doesn’t recognize emotional support or comfort animals, and these companions are prohibited from the same establishments as other pets.

Outdoor dining

If the grocery store has an outdoor dining area allowing pets with signs posted, domesticated cats, dogs and ferrets can join you while you eat. At such an establishment, pets have to be restrained and under the owner’s control.

If you bring a pet, it must be restricted to the outdoor pet dining area and isn’t allowed on food contact surfaces like tables and counters.

Just because your pup can’t keep you company in the grocery store doesn’t mean there isn’t lots to do with your canine companion around Myrtle Beach. The area is home to several restaurants with outdoor pet dining areas and in the tourism off season dogs are welcome on the beach any time of day.

MS

The Sun News

703-944-4132

Maria Elena Scott writes about trending topics and what you need to know in the Grand Strand. She studied journalism at the University of Houston and covered Cleveland news before coming to the Palmetto State.

A new business that provides the Myrtle Beach area with low-intensity exercise will soon start hosting classes.

Powerhouse Pilates in Common is a new studio coming to the Grand Strand. Myrtle Beach area resident Amanda Ord and her fiance, Jeff Morris, will operate the studio. During a Dec. 11, 2024 interview, Ord said that the location will offer Pilates classes for students, including beginners, and feature sessions focusing on mind-body connection, breathing, balance, and core workouts.

According to the website, beginners can pay $15 for an introductory course, while it’s $25 to do a single class.

The studio will open Jan. 1, 2025, at 1620 Farrow Parkway in Market Common. She added the school will also host a grand opening with light refreshments Jan. 5, 2025. Ord said the studio has 14 instructors teaching Pilates and different forms of yoga to class attendees, and classes last 50 minutes to an hour. Ord will teach classes also, and she said she underwent a 500-hour Pilates teacher training course with the national chain Club Pilates, although Powerhouse Pilates operates independently. Ord also said she has a yoga certification via the national chain of studios YogaSix.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, Pilates exercises focus on balance, flexibility and muscle tone to aid practitioners’ physical health and reduce wear and tear. Pilates also uses reformers — which resemble beds — that allow practitioners to lay down or rest and add tension as they undergo the exercises via springs. Ord said the studio has six reformers.

Pilates’ focus on helping deal with injuries and discomfort assisted Ord, too. She said she first started taking Pilates two years ago. Ord added that the exercise helped her engage in fitness activities while being mindful of her postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), which had previously made other workouts more challenging.

“You can lay down on the reformer where you don’t have to be upright the entire time,” She said. “So I can do a whole cardio workout and be laying flat, which was perfect.”

She added that the studio and Pilates benefit people of all ages, from little kids to senior citizens.

“I really want to demystify that and allow people to kind of open up their mind to the fact that it’s not just for women,” Ord said. “It’s for men. Anybody can benefit from it.”

Pilates won’t be the only thing taught at the studio. Ord said that yoga instructors will teach styles like Vinyasa and other variants once Powerhouse Pilates in Common opens. According to the studio’s website, founding members can sign up for $155 per month, which grants them access to preferred class times, exclusive sessions, and other perks. The first 75 sign-ups receive the deal, and Ord said 30 have already become members.

The Sun News

Ben Morse is the Retail and Leisure Reporter for The Sun News. Morse covers local business and Coastal Carolina University football and was awarded third place in the 2023 South Carolina Press Association News Contest for sports beat reporting and second place for sports video in the all-daily division. Morse previously worked for The Island Packet, covering local government. Morse graduated from American University in 2023 with a Bachelor’s Degree in journalism and economics and is originally from Prospect, Kentucky.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year and there’s no better way to stock up on gifts for friends and family than visiting a local Christmas market. The festive street markets are international travel destinations in Europe, but there are local options right here in the Grand Strand.

Whether you’re shopping local this holiday season or simply want to soak up the festive cheer, you won’t want to miss these markets this December.

Rivertown Christmas Celebration Holiday Market

Dates: Dec. 12, 19

Hours: 6 - 8 p.m.

Location: 209 Laurel St., Conway, SC 29526

The Rivertown Christmas Celebration will offer two holiday markets, as well as a host of other events in festive Downtown Conway. Schedules for both dates feature gingerbread house displays, holiday character photos, live entertainment at City Hall and even a live camel.

North Myrtle Beach Holiday Market

Dates: Dec. 13, 20

Hours: 12 - 4 p.m.

Location: 925 1st Ave. S., North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582

Shoppers looking to buy local this holiday season need look no further than the holiday market in North Myrtle Beach between the library and City Hall. Check out wares like handmade gifts, local honey and hand-crafted jewelry and stock up on delicious artisanal foods, drinks and locally-grown produce.

Valor Park Holiday Market

Dates: Dec. 14, 21

Hours: 12 - 4 p.m.

Location: 1120 Farrow Parkway, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

Enjoy the holiday decorations in Valor Park and stock up on locally-made gifts at the holiday market in The Market Common. Visitors can browse unique presents for everyone on their Christmas list or shop seasonal decorations to bring home the holiday cheer.

Wicked Holiday Market

Dates: Dec. 14, 21

Hours: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Location: 4123 US 17 Bus., Murrells Inlet, SC 29576

The Wicked Tuna is hosting its fourth-annual holiday market at the Murrells Inlet MarshWalk. In addition to local vendors, the holiday market offers free craft activities and photo opportunities with Santa Claus and the gingerbread man.

Surfside Beach Holiday Market

Dates: Dec. 17, 21

Hours: 12 - 4 p.m.

Location: Surfside Drive and North Willow Drive, Surfside Beach, SC 29575

The Surfside Beach Holiday Market in Memorial Park features unique gifts and local treats for holiday shoppers. Locally-crafted soaps, jewelry and pottery make great presents and artisanal baked goods, coffee and meats guarantee a delicious holiday season.