Matt Fortin
WBTW News 13
Myrtle Beach, SC, United States
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Past articles by Matt:
Spring break, sports events draw visitors to Myrtle Beach
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — As spring approaches and sports events draw students athletes to Myrtle Beach, hotels in the area are starting to get busier. “It’s a nice change of pace having time off at the beach,” said Henry Bielen, who’s in town for a baseball tournament with his teammates from Delaware Valley University […] → Read More
Myrtle Beach passes resolution condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — Myrtle Beach leaders showed support for the people of Ukraine Tuesday by passing a resolution to support Ukraine’s independence and condemn Russia for its invasion. The resolution said the city stands with the people of Ukraine and its government as it opposes Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion and war against […] → Read More
DHEC gradually closing COVID-19 test sites across Grand Strand, Pee Dee
HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — As South Carolina shifts to an endemic response to COVID-19, DHEC testing sites in Horry County are beginning to shut down. The state Department of Health and Environmental Control has begun scaling back its test sites as at-home tests become more available and demand for drive-up testing drops. “They’re nice […] → Read More
McLeod launches program to help sexual assault survivors
FLORENCE, S.C. (WBTW) — New help is available to survivors of sexual assault in the Pee Dee. McLeod Health launched its forensic nurse examiner program last month and has already seen 13 cases. It’s the first dedicated program of its kind in the Pee Dee region, which until recently was the only area in South […] → Read More
‘Everybody just wants peace:’ Myrtle Beach reacts to Ukraine conflict
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) – The world is watching as the crisis in Ukraine escalates, and for some along the Grand Strand, the conflict hits close to home. Since 2018, Gloria Kuqo has sold food and other products from all over Eastern Europe at her store Europa Market in Myrtle Beach. Kuqo is originally from […] → Read More
North Myrtle Beach looks to hire more than 200 seasonal workers
NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — North Myrtle Beach is looking for help ahead of the summer season to make sure it’s ready to welcome tourists and locals. “Rentals on our beach, Italian ice sales, lifeguards on the ocean,” John Bullard, the city’s director of parks and recreation, said. “It takes a small army to […] → Read More
Here’s when new sea-level projections say parts of Grand Strand could be underwater
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) – Scientists project sea levels along the East Coast could rise another foot in the next 30 years — and even more during the next 100 years. That might put parts of Horry County underwater, according to new maps by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. One of the biggest headlines […] → Read More
South Carolina schools deal with more discipline issues this school year
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — Between teacher shortages, quarantines and catching students up on academics, it hasn’t been an easy year in the classroom. But many school districts are also dealing with an increase in behavioral issues among students. “There certainly seems to have been an increase or uptick in fights compared to a typical […] → Read More
Myrtle Beach unveils new branding for Arts & Innovation district
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — Myrtle Beach is working on transforming its downtown, starting with the all new Arts & Innovation District. The city’s Downtown Development Office showed off its new brand that it’s unveiling for the new neighborhood. City staff want to see the new branding on everything from murals to light posts in […] → Read More
Grand Strand, Pee Dee, North Carolina schools deal with omicron surge
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — Like many other organizations, schools across the area are dealing with absences and staff quarantines as the omicron variant spreads across the country. “We were prepared for these two weeks,” Florence 1 Schools Superintendent Dr. Richard O’Malley said. “We knew the surge would be coming.” O’Malley said since last week, […] → Read More
South Carolina now accepting applications for new hemp farmers
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — South Carolina hopes to grow its hemp farming program as it begins accepting applications for farmers ahead of this coming season. One plus is that permitting fees are half of what they were last year. Justin Lambert, an owner of Your CBD Store of Myrtle Beach, said it’s good to […] → Read More
Locals, visitors enjoy unseasonably warm temps in Myrtle Beach
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) – As our area sees unseasonably warm temperatures, people are flocking to Myrtle Beach’s coastline and boardwalk. Parking spaces, beach volleyball courts and restaurants were all buzzing Tuesday as people enjoyed the warmth in December. “Just been enjoying the beach, spending time with each other, having a lot of fun,” Antonio […] → Read More
Horry County Coroner’s Office hopes to add positions to keep up with growing case load
CONWAY, S.C. (WBTW) – The Horry County Coroner’s Office’s growing case load means many cases are taking longer to handle. Coroner Robert Edge said what was once between 100 and 150 cases a month is now around 300. “Every day, people are overdosing from street drugs,” Edge said. “It’s increased our load so much. Away […] → Read More
Expansion complete at New Directions men’s shelter in Myrtle Beach
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — New Directions of Horry County is in the process of moving people into its newly expanded men’s shelter. The expansion, on the second floor of the shelter, can hold up to 74 additional beds. There are 90 on the first floor. “I couldn’t even count the months, the days, the […] → Read More
South Carolina Red Cross volunteers head to Kentucky, Tennessee after tornado outbreak
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) – As several states face devastation after a deadly tornado outbreak over the weekend, people from South Carolina are stepping up to help out. “Right now we have about six volunteers assigned to go support disaster relief efforts following those devastating tornadoes,” Mandy McWherter, the interim regional communications director for the […] → Read More
Finishing touches underway on HTC Aspire Hub in downtown Myrtle Beach
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) – The city of Myrtle Beach says the upcoming HTC Aspire Hub is set to bring a lot of energy to the Arts & Innovation District. The sign for the co-working space just went up Thursday and crews are working on more final details ahead of its anticipated January opening. “I […] → Read More
Housing Authority of Myrtle Beach needs more landlords to accept vouchers
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) – The Housing Authority of Myrtle Beach is gearing up to open its wait list for Housing Choice vouchers for the first time in nearly three years. Carol McCall, the authority’s operations director, said the office is facing major demand ahead of opening up the pre-applications on Jan. 10. “We are […] → Read More
Myrtle Beach lifeguard companies already recruiting for next season
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) – The beach might not quite be on your mind yet, but Lack’s Beach Service is already working on hiring dozens of lifeguards to line Myrtle Beach’s coast next year. The lifeguard company is working hard to recruit workers from the U.S. and abroad after a challenging year finding help. “We’re […] → Read More
Horry County Administration Committee approves funding resolution for new industrial area
CONWAY, S.C. (WBTW) – Horry County needs more space for industry as it faces a shortage of available buildings. That’s why the Myrtle Beach Regional Economic Development Corporation wants to buy more land to make room. Horry County Council’s administration committee approved a resolution Monday to allow the purchase of a 53 acre piece of […] → Read More
South Carolina lawmakers propose change to eligibility for disaster relief grants
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — South Carolina lawmakers want to change the formula that decides where grant funding goes after a disaster. Representatives Tom Rice and James Clyburn introduced the bipartisan legislation this week, that would change the standards of eligibility for disaster relief grants through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. For […] → Read More