Taylor Hernandez
WBTW News 13
Myrtle Beach, SC, United States
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Past articles by Taylor:
Medical cannabis one step closer to law, South Carolina farmers to get priority over out-of-state companies
CONWAY, S.C. (WBTW) — The medical cannabis bill poised to pass the South Carolina Senate would prioritize existing hemp farmers in the state for certifications to grow marijuana. Janel Ralph is the CEO of ReBotanicals, one of the first hemp farms in South Carolina. She got involved in the cannabis business because of her daughter, […] → Read More
Google eyes Myrtle Beach for subsea internet cable to South America
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C (WBTW) – Google is considering Myrtle Beach as a potential location for a subsea cable project that would boost internet connectivity and the local tech industry. According to Google, the cable would start along the east coast of the U.S. and end off the coast of Argentina. “It’s kind of like an […] → Read More
Rent prices soar 30% in Myrtle Beach since 2019
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — Since the beginning of the pandemic, rent prices in Myrtle Beach have increased 29% according to data from ApartmentList.com. “Myrtle Beach is a market where we are seeing above average rent growth,” said Christopher Salviati, a housing economist for the website. He said nationwide in the past year rent has gone up […] → Read More
Omicron cases expected to peak by the end of the month, DHEC leader says
HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — South Carolina health leaders expect omicron cases to peak by the end of January. Doctors in some parts of the northeast like New York, Maryland, D.C. and Boston have reported a plateau or decline of omicron cases in the past few days. “While those numbers are encouraging, we have to […] → Read More
Grand Strand, Pee Dee hospitals forced to adapt as monoclonal antibody treatments in short supply
HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — Hospitals across the nation, including the Eastern Carolinas, are having to prioritize the patients who need monoclonal antibody treatment for COVID-19 as a shortage of the medication continues. There are currently three FDA authorized antibody treatments, but only one has proven to be effective against the omicron variant. “The allocation […] → Read More
Staffing shortage forces Surfside Beach restaurant to temporarily close
SURFSIDE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — Nearly two years into the pandemic, locally owned restaurants are still dealing with the fallout from the shutdown and staffing shortages. Malibu of Surfside has called Surfside Drive home for nearly eight years. The restaurant is family-owned and operated. “My mother started all the recipes with her great aunt,” Giovanni Massari […] → Read More
Medical marijuana, state budget, broadband expansion and learning loss to be addressed in upcoming General Assembly
HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) – The South Carolina General Assembly returns next week. News13 spoke with Grand Strand and Pee Dee lawmakers to learn what the House and Senate plan to prioritize. Senate Education Committee Chairman, Greg Hembree says much of this session will involve the state budget. “We have about $2.5 billion dollars in […] → Read More
Backlog in criminal trials could lead to more defendants getting bond
DARLINGTON COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — A ‘terrible backlog’ in cases could lead to more violent, repeat defendants getting bond. Paul Burch is the resident 4th Circuit Judge, which includes Darlington, Marlboro, Chesterfield, and Dillon counties. Last month, he said he granted bond to Keith Larry, a man who is charged in two separate deadly shootings, because […] → Read More
Coroner IDs man found dead at Florence home from apparent homicide
FLORENCE, S.C. (WBTW) — The Florence County coroner has identified a man found dead at a Florence home from an apparent homicide. Joshua Dequan Brogsia, 26, was found dead Sunday at a home on Waverly Avenue, according to Florence County Coroner Keith von Lutcken. An autopsy is scheduled for Friday. According to Captain Mike Brandt […] → Read More
New nursing college in Myrtle Beach aims to address nursing shortage
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — A nursing college will open and start accepting students next month in Myrtle Beach. “We’re coming into the community to supplement what is already there,” said Audria Denker, the college’s executive vice president. “There are great nursing programs in the state of South Carolina, but what we found from our […] → Read More
Motorcycle driver dies in Horry County after striking median on Highway 17
HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) – A Murrells Inlet man died Saturday night while driving a motorcycle on Highway 17, according to South Carolina Highway Patrol. Troopers tell News13, the driver of a 2003 Harley Davidson died on scene after he drove into the median, struck the curb, and was ejected from the motorcycle. The accident […] → Read More
Myrtle Beach approves $20 million investment into downtown development
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — Myrtle Beach City Council approved plans to allocate about $20 million toward downtown redevelopment. The money for the projects will come from tax increment finance (TIF) revenue. “We have a tax increment district that covers the downtown area; the Ocean Boulevard area,” City Spokesman Mark Kruea said. “The tax increment […] → Read More
$1 million award will help Conway Medical Center expand telehealth in rural communities
CONWAY, S.C. (WBTW) – Conway Medical Center is investing $1 million dollars into expanding its telehealth options after winning an award from the Federal Communication’s Commission. The Connected Care Pilot Program could help about 2,000 people who live in rural areas of Conway get easier access to healthcare, CMC leaders say. The program will also […] → Read More
Survey: Majority of Horry County residents concerned about ‘lack of police presence’
HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) – A newly released survey from the United Way of Horry County suggests the majority of those surveyed are concerned about a “lack of police presence and positive community engagement.” Below is list of community concerns explained in the survey as it relates to law enforcement and community safety: 43% of those surveyed […] → Read More
Former Marine awarded mortgage-free home on Veterans Day
FORESTBROOK, S.C. (WBTW) — A Grand Strand veteran has a new, free home. Eric Fisher served in the United States Marine Corps for a decade before moving to the area with his wife, Breanna, and their two daughters. Fisher medically retired from the Marines due to traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder from improvised […] → Read More
SC senators react to Biden’s ‘Build Back Better’ spending plan
HORRY COUNTY S.C. (WBTW) – While President Biden touted his Build Back Better plan as bi-partisan on Thursday, both of South Carolina’s senators disagree with much of the $1.7 trillion spending plan. President Biden promises those making less than $400,000 a year will not notice an increase in their taxes and several tax credits (Earned […] → Read More
Conway Police Department hopes to add second K9 unit, needs community support in grant opportunity
CONWAY, S.C. (WBTW) — The Conway Police Department has one K9 unit currently, but if the department gets enough votes in a grant competition, it could add another. Roko is a 6-year-old German Shepherd and Belgian Malinois mix who joined the Conway Police Department five years ago when he finished training. Officer Richard Currier has been […] → Read More
Myrtle Beach International Airport leaders plan projects for the offseason to keep up with growing demand
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — Leaders at Myrtle Beach International Airport plan to use this offseason to prepare for next summer on the heels of a record travel season. Ryan Betcher with MYR said the airport’s worst year led to what will be its busiest year yet because MYR’s post-pandemic recovery rate is higher than the […] → Read More
Students can avoid quarantine if they’ve been wearing a mask, new DHEC guidance says
HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — If a child is exposed to COVID-19 in the classroom, they won’t need to quarantine if they are wearing a mask, according to new guidance from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC). The latest guidance from DHEC relaxes quarantine guidelines for students exposed to COVID-19 in the […] → Read More
Myrtle Beach police, mayor say summer was ‘success’ but department needs more officers
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — After a ‘successful’ summer season, Myrtle Beach Police Department (MBPD) leaders hope to hire more officers to relieve to relieve the shortage. Both MBPD leaders and city leaders said 2021 was a successful summer, especially considering the amount of tourism the city saw. “We had a year that we had […] → Read More