National Wellness Month

Observed every August, National Wellness Month encourages you to prioritize yourself. The annual initiative highlights the importance of small, daily changes like improving hydration, increasing physical activity, and nurturing mental health to manage stress and prevent burnout.

Building long-lasting wellness routines doesn't require a total life overhaul. A few targeted ways to focus on your well-being this month include:

• Stress Management: Dedicate 5–10 minutes daily to mindfulness, meditation, or deep breathing exercises to actively calm your nervous system.
• Physical Activity: Try incorporating 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or walking into your weekly routine.
• Sleep Hygiene: Aim for 7 - 9 hours of quality sleep by establishing a consistent bedtime and limiting screen-time an hour before resting.
• Healthy Habits: Increase your water intake and incorporate more fresh fruits and vegetables into your meals to naturally boost your daily energy.

July 23, 2026

Dear Members, 

Beginning September 1, 2026, membership rates at the North Myrtle Beach Aquatic & Fitness Center will increase by 5% across all membership types.

This decision was made after careful review and consideration. Membership rates at the Aquatic & Fitness Center have not increased since 2009. Over the past several years, the cost of operations, maintenance, staffing, equipment, utilities, and overall facility expenses have continued to rise. In addition, as we continue planning for future improvements and expansion, it is important that our rates support the long-term quality, sustainability, and growth of the facility.

While rate adjustments are a standard business practice, we understand that any increase may impact on our members. Please know that this decision was not made lightly. Our goal is to remain transparent while continuing to provide the high-quality programs, services, amenities, and overall experience that our members expect and deserve.

For example, this 5% adjustment would increase an individual annual membership by approximately $26 per year.

All memberships that renew on or after September 1, 2026, will renew at the updated rate. Members are still encouraged to renew their membership before their expiration date; however, renewing early does not change the rate that will apply if the renewal date falls on or after September 1, 2026.

We sincerely appreciate your understanding, support, and continued membership. The Aquatic & Fitness Center remains committed to serving our members and community with the highest level of service possible.

Thank you for being a valued member of the North Myrtle Beach Aquatic & Fitness Center.

Sincerely,

The AFC Team

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. -- The 37th Annual Beach Sweep/Creek Sweep returns Saturday, September 19, bringing volunteers together to help remove litter from areas throughout North Myrtle Beach. The cleanup will take place from 9 AM to 11 AM.

This statewide event is South Carolina’s largest one-day volunteer cleanup effort. Volunteers will help remove litter from beach accesses, beach dunes, marshes, and parks throughout North Myrtle Beach. Walkers, boaters, and kayakers are encouraged to participate. Volunteers interested in assisting with the marsh cleanup are encouraged to bring a kayak.

Registration begins at 8:30 AM at the Cherry Grove Boat Ramp, located at 53rd Avenue North. During registration, volunteers will receive cleanup assignments and supplies, including litter grabbers, gloves, trash bags, and tally sheets.

Volunteers who are unable to register at the boat ramp may request an assignment in advance by emailing mspetit@nmb.us or knmbb@nmb.us, or calling 843-281-3732 by Thursday, September 17.

Between 11 AM and noon, participants may return borrowed supplies and completed tally sheets to the Cherry Grove Boat Ramp and enjoy food and drinks provided by Keep North Myrtle Beach Beautiful.

The event is also an opportunity for students and employees to earn community service hours.

The City thanks all volunteers for supporting this important cleanup effort. The City also recognizes the South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium for leading the beach cleanup initiative and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources for coordinating the inland cleanup effort.

If the event is canceled due to weather, volunteers and participating groups are encouraged to complete their cleanup on another convenient date for them.

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. -- The North Myrtle Beach City Council met in a regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, August 17, at 6:00 PM at City Hall.

There were four items on the Consent portion of the agenda:

A. RESOLUTION: To approve the evaluation and salary of Ryan Fabbri, City Manager (APPROVED)

B. RESOLUTION: To appoint Keith Hemingway to the Horry County Solid Waste Technical Advisory Committee on behalf of the City of North Myrtle Beach (APPROVED)

C. MOTION TO APPROVE: Richmond Shag Club Annual Tim Sullivan Memorial Beach Ball on September 22, 2026 (APPROVED)

D. MOTION TO APPROVE: Sniffari on the Strand on November 7, 2026 (APPROVED)

There was one item on the Unfinished Business agenda:

ORDINANCE/SECOND READING: Amend Chapter 22, Vehicles for Hire, regarding towing from private property (APPROVED)

There were two items on the New Business agenda:

A. ORDINANCE/FIRST READING: An ordinance to convey a ±1.70-acre parcel of City property located off Long Bay Road to North Strand Helping Hand (APPROVED)

B. ORDINANCE/FIRST READING: Amend Chapter 12, Health and Sanitation, regarding the sale, use, or distribution of single-use carryout plastic bags by retail establishments within the city (APPROVED)

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. -- The City of North Myrtle Beach is preparing to begin Phase 2 of the 30-Inch Water Transmission Line Project.

Construction is expected to begin before the end of August near 27^th Avenue South and Madison Drive. The contractor will install the new 30-inch water transmission line underground, working from that area toward the tie-in point near 32nd Avenue South.

Construction will be limited to public road rights-of-way and areas within permanent and temporary construction easements. Motorists should expect lane closures and traffic detours as work progresses along the transmission line route.

Work is anticipated to continue through January 2027.

Phase 2 builds upon the work completed during the first phase of the project and will establish the remaining connection needed for the new transmission line. Once Phase 2 is complete, the City’s 30-Inch Water Transmission Line Project will be complete.

These improvements will increase the resiliency and reliability of the City’s public water system.

The City will provide additional updates as construction progresses.

Join us for Rock-n-Roll, Hot Rods and an American Classic!

Tickets will be available starting Monday, August 24th! Get your tickets early to join us!

Come find us at the Horseshoe!

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. -- The North Myrtle Beach Police Department invites residents to attend National Night Out on Tuesday, August 4, from 4 PM to 7 PM at the J. Bryan Floyd Community Center.

National Night Out is an annual community-building event that strengthens partnerships between law enforcement and the community while promoting neighborhood safety and crime prevention. This event provides an opportunity for residents to meet their local Officers, learn about public safety programs, and build stronger relationships with those who serve the community.

This free, family-friendly event will feature food, games, a bounce house, petting zoo, dunk tank, and activities for all ages, while giving attendees the chance to interact with members of the North Myrtle Beach Police Department.

Community members of all ages are encouraged to attend and enjoy an evening of family-friendly fun while learning more about the Departments that keep North Myrtle Beach a safe place to live, work, and visit.

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. -- The South Carolina Hands‑Free and Distracted Driving Act takes effect on September 1, 2025, and citations will begin on February 28, 2026. As part of the State’s public safety strategy, this measure prohibits drivers from holding or otherwise supporting mobile electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle on public roads.

What’s Prohibited:

• Holding or supporting a mobile device with any part of your body while driving
• Reading, composing, or sending texts, emails, app interactions, or web information
• Watching motion (such as videos, movies, games, or video calls)

What’s Allowed (Without Holding the Device):

• Voice‑activated or hands‑free communication
• Factory‑integrated systems like Apple CarPlay or Android Auto
• Listening to audio (navigation voice prompts, music, or podcasts)
• Navigation or traffic‑info use that does not require device manipulation
• Reporting emergencies, hazards, or accidents
• Use by First Responders while performing official duties

Enforcement and Penalties:

• Warning Period: For the first 180 days after September 1, 2025, Law Enforcement will issue warnings only
• After Warning Period:
• 1st Offense: $100 Fine
• 2nd and Subsequent Offenses: $200 Fine plus two (2) Points on Driver’s Record

What You Can Do Now:

• Install hands‑free phone mounts
• Use Bluetooth or voice‑activated features
• Program navigation or playlists before you begin driving
• Educate family, friends, and visitors about the new law

By encouraging safer habits behind the wheel, this law is designed to save lives, prevent accidents, and create a safer travel environment for everyone using South Carolina roadways.

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. -- Memorial Day Weekend marks the beginning of the City’s peak visitor season, as North Myrtle Beach grows from a permanent population of approximately 22,000 residents to a daily population exceeding 100,000.

The holiday weekend also coincides with the Annual Atlantic Beach Memorial Day Black Pearl Cultural Heritage and Bike Festival, bringing thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts to the Grand Strand area, including North Myrtle Beach. With increased traffic and a higher number of motorcycles on the roadways, motorists and riders alike are encouraged to remain alert and prioritize safety.

Whether traveling by car or motorcycle, everyone is urged to drive cautiously, stay aware of their surroundings, and extend courtesy to others on the road. Continually check mirrors and blind spots while driving.

There will be an increased presence of Law Enforcement Officers in North Myrtle Beach during Memorial Day Weekend, including supplemental Officers from agencies around the State. They are here for the benefit of all residents and visitors, and their key focus in North Myrtle Beach is traffic management, crime prevention, and overall public safety.

The goal is to keep traffic flowing so that gridlock does not occur. While Law Enforcement works to keep traffic moving, we ask that everyone practice patience. Drivers should remain attentive, watch for motorcycle traffic, and anticipate and be prepared for longer travel times over Memorial Day Weekend.  

Traffic Chute | The North Myrtle Beach Public Works Department will be placing barricades on Friday, May 22, from 37th Avenue South to 27th Avenue South. Any drivers attending the Bike Festival will need to stay in the designated lane. The barricades will be removed on Monday, May 25. 

Excessive Noise | The City welcomes all visitors and reminds motorcycle riders to respect our community and follow local laws, which includes following the City's noise ordinance. We ask that all visitors be considerate of our permanent residents, particularly regarding excessive noise and large gatherings.

Noise ordinance violations will be enforced with citations up to $1,000 and/or arrests.

Quiet hours are 11 PM through 7 AM.

Nuisance Parties | Recently, the City adopted an ordinance to help protect public safety and neighborhood quality of life against nuisance parties. A nuisance party is a gathering where activities create a disturbance or safety concern, such as disorderly conduct or excessive noise.

If it is determined that there is a nuisance party, the Police Department will end the party and all people not residing at the premises will be ordered to leave.

Violations of this ordinance are misdemeanors and may result in citations or other penalties up to and including arrest.

Common Motorcycle Violations | We encourage drivers to watch out for motorcycles on our roads, and we encourage motorcyclists to avoid doing the following, 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

Common Motorcycle Violations will be enforced with citations and/or arrests with a fine of up to $1,000.

Please exercise good judgment and respect others.

Prevent Motorcycle Theft | Motorcycle thefts typically increase during Memorial Day Weekend. Expensive, custom, and show motorcycles are popular with thieves. Here are some theft prevention tips:

• Avoid parking motorcycles in poorly lit areas.
• Do not leave leathers, cameras, GPS, helmets, or other valuables on your motorcycle.
• Lock and secure your motorcycle. Thieves can easily overcome factory-installed ignition locks; therefore, we recommend using high-quality disk locks, wheel locks, and heavy-duty cable or chain locks.

North Myrtle Beach Practices "Community Policing" | The North Myrtle Beach Police Department practices "community policing," which means they work to be accessible and available to interact with residents and visitors. Their goal is to establish mutual trust and respect.

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 Police Officers.

Useful Phone Numbers | Whether you have a question or there is an emergency, we are here for you.

• Non-Emergencies, Call: (843) 280-5511
• Emergencies, Call: 911

We wish everyone a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day Weekend!

Registration for fall youth sports begins July 13th!