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Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Yahoo
Myrtle Beach police reflect on successful Carolina Country Music Fest weekend
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — The Myrtle Beach Police Department said this year's Carolina Country Music Fest was a great one when it came to public safety. Police department spokesperson Randolph Angotti said this year's new, late-night traffic pattern helped significantly in creating an easy walking space for country music fans. Thursday through Sunday last week, police diverted traffic from northbound on Kings Highway to 7th Avenue North, as well as moving flowing southbound Kings Highway traffic onto Mr. Joe White Avenue. 'That allowed us to have an unobstructed intersection at 9th Avenue North. So when gates were opened as people were exiting, they were able to safely and more freely cross the intersection here, and it also allowed the shuttle buses to move very quickly to get the spectators that were using the shuttle service,' he said. Angotti said this system was highly effective, and he hopes to use it again for next year's CCMF. Working with all the city departments, Angotti said the multiple perspectives help with how to progress safety protocols for years to come. 'If the police department ends up needing help or needs a quick hand with something, even if it's not directly public safety-related, other city departments jump in really quickly,' he said. 'We also had extra traffic units throughout the city because we do know that there's extra traffic in our area for an event such as the size.' As months go into planning public safety for CCMF, in addition to the late night traffic pattern changes, hydro and vehicle barriers were placed surrounding the perimeter of the event. 'Those hydro barriers really create the first barrier between vehicles and the pedestrians, wherever they are,' he said. 'Those vehicle barriers just add that reassurance so that there's there's no vehicles entering into a space where there shouldn't be, potentially endangering those that were inside.' Those who have been attending CCMF for all 10 years said that they feel police presence has gotten better each year, adding that they feel that police could be seen inside and outside the event, protecting those in attendance. 'They know more of what's going on and how it's going to happen,' Amanda Crump said. 'So they've been able to better assist us as far as safety as the years progressed.' Jensine Coggin, who lives in Myrtle Beach, said she feels crime has worsened near the Boulevard. She added that she feels less safe walking downtown as the sun goes down. 'I'm going to be honest. I don't walk down here at night by myself. I've never been down here at night by myself,' Coggin said. Coggin said living in the community since 2022, she's felt the police have gotten stronger down by the Boulevard. She said that when there are larger events like CCMF, police are on top of responding to crime. 'But as for like police response, I think they do a great job handling it because, I mean, obviously they don't know when something's going to happen,' she said. 'But you see police guards rotating areas, especially at night, and like areas and stuff like that, you know, that more crime does happen, especially here on the strip is one of them.' Angotti said Ocean Boulevard is still closed between 8th and 9th avenues North as production teams break down the CCMF stage and will reopen Thursday. * * * Gabby Jonas joined the News13 team as a multimedia journalist in April 2024. She is from Columbus, Ohio, and graduated from Kent State University in May 2023. Follow Gabby on X, formerly Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, and read more of her work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Mud, rain & lightning: CCMF bracing for Myrtle Beach weather. Here's what to expect
Carolina Country Music Festival (CCMF) fans preparing for a weekend out in their chicest shoes may want to reconsider. With rainy conditions expected through the weekend, the festival is preparing for muddy grounds. 'We're thinking it's more of a Crocs and flip flops weekend!' the City of Myrtle Beach wrote on Facebook. On Thursday afternoon, the city's Parks, Recreation and Sports Tourism Department spread mulch to level festival grounds and soak up this weekend's rain. Beyond the preventative mulch, CCMF has a mixture of sand and gravel on hand to remedy muddy conditions throughout the weekend. While some rain might put a damper on some of the festival excitement, inclement weather could hold up the festivities. According to a city spokesperson, if lightning strikes within 8 miles of CCMF, the venue has to be cleared for 30 minutes. In addition to on-site announcements, attendees can stay up to date on announcements and weather alerts through the CCMF app. The National Weather Service (NWS) predicts the area will likely see showers and thunderstorms Thursday night. Mostly cloudy with a low around 71 degrees Fahrenheit, there's a 60% chance of precipitation. The CCMF grounds may be muddy Friday, but chances of precipitation are low. Festivalgoers can expect a high near 85 F and mostly cloudy skies as the sun gradually comes out through the day. At night temperatures could drop to around 74 F. Saturday will be mostly sunny with a high near 89, though there's a 40% chance of precipitation. If there are showers and thunderstorms, they'll likely come after 2 p.m. and continue through the night. Temperatures at night are expected around 74 F with a 50% chance of rain. Showers and thunderstorms will likely return on Sunday, mostly after 2 p.m. During the day the high will be around 87 F with a 70% chance of precipitation. At night the chance of precipitation falls to 60% with a low around 73 F. The latest NWS forecast is available here.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Myrtle Beach hotels, motels reflect on this year's season before busy CCMF weekend
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — With the summer season just around the corner, Myrtle Beach hotels and motels are reflecting on this year's season before this weekend's Carolina Country Music Fest. The event draws in thousands of people to the city each year, which means local hotels and motels typically anticipate fully-booked rooms. But Theresa Willey, a desk worker at Midtown Inn & Cottages, says she feels this weekend may look a little different. For years, Willey said the motel has had every room booked for months for the CCMF weekend. She said people who have come each year have turned into family as they watch the concerts from the motel's balconies. But Willey feels this year's lineup may be the reason why not every room is booked. She's unsure if the economy or tariffs play a role in the motel's business this year. 'The big names that they're used to for country music aren't here like they normally are,' she said. 'A lot of people don't look at Kid Rock as a country artist. Jelly Roll, I think because he is the new artist, that a lot of people are excited about him. But they still don't know what side of the fence he's on.' Willey said this year's season for business has been up and down due to weather. With this weekend's forecast showing rain, she hopes it doesn't turn away even more guests. In years past — rain or shine — Willey said country music lovers have made their way to the motel to watch the concert from the motel. Which makes her believe the lineup is the main reason why some familiar faces won't be returning to stay at Midtown Inn & Cottages. 'I'm going to miss a lot of them, because it's like a big family weekend, like a reunion, you know?' she said. 'So I'm going to miss a lot of the people who are normally here. But then you get to meet new faces that are coming in.' Willey said the motel will continue to rely on CCMF for business, but she said they may need to rely more heavily on bike week events moving forward. Down the road along the boulevard, Oceans One Bar Harbor and Bermuda Sands Hotels' executive director of operations, Ray Booth, said this year's season has been steady. But he says the hotel's rates are different. 'The rates are a little bit depressed. A lot of competition in the area, and it seems like people were a little bit more on a budget looking for a deal,' he said. Booth said CCMF is also one of their best weekends for bookings of the entire year. He said they plan to have more bookings made for the event later in the week and anticipates most of the guests coming in Thursday. Booth said he believes inflation has more to do with the hotel's business fluctuation this season. 'I think inflation has more to do than anything than tariffs do,' he said. 'You know, people have had their wallets pinched for the last few years and they're trying to to save as much as they can. But hopefully with some prices coming down now, gas prices are coming down — Hopefully you will see a lot more people traveling this summer.' Although some out-of-towners have been concerned about recent crime on Ocean Boulevard, Booth feels that's not a main reason impacting the hotel's business. 'I've had people call and say, 'Well, I heard there was a shooting or something.' You know, and they wonder whether it's safe. Obviously, you tell them that we are safe, that the police do everything they can do, and hopefully they can limit those types of incidents,' he said. 'Then you ask them where they're from and they tell you Chicago. So, it's all relative. Even though we're a small town, we still have the crime just like everybody else does.' Booth said being in a market where other hotels compete just around the corner, making sure the business stays on top isn't easy. 'Most of the hotels last year, I think, were probably down 6 or 7%. You know, we're still coming off a down year, but increasing prices are not something you do when you're in a market that has heavy competition,' he said. 'We just have to deal with it and overcome it.' Carolina Country Music Fest begins Thursday and ends Sunday. * * * Gabby Jonas joined the News13 team as a multimedia journalist in April 2024. She is from Columbus, Ohio, and graduated from Kent State University in May 2023. Follow Gabby on X, formerly Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, and read more of her work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Myrtle Beach officials talk CCMF safety protocols after Ocean Boulevard violence
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — Myrtle Beach officials held a Carolina Country Music Fest news conference on Monday, after some residents and visitors expressed safety concerns with recent gun-related crimes on Ocean Boulevard. City officials say more than 30,000 people attended each day of CCMF in 2024. The event also brought $50 million to Myrtle Beach. Officials say to keep the event successful, they must keep people safe. 'You'll see several safety features throughout the venue, such as fencing, hydro-barricades, and meridian vehicle barriers will be installed tomorrow,' George Johnson, Myrtle Beach Special Events and Police Master Corporal, said. 'These are all in place to help guide traffic, protect concertgoers, and maintain a secure environment.' The Myrtle Beach Fire Department says dehydration has been the most common medical emergency at CCMF. The department responded to more than 200 heat-related emergencies at last year's festival. Travis Glatki, the city's Emergency Management Coordinator, says that since first responders started treating people at an on-site medical tent in 2022, they decreased the number of transports from CCMF to local hospitals by almost 90%. 'Depending on the time of day, we will feature between five to seven dedicated medical response teams, comprised of certified EMTs and paramedics, stationed exclusively at the event site,' Glatki said. 'This substantial medical presence ensures rapid response capabilities for any health emergency that may arise.' He also says two ambulances will be on standby for anyone who needs hospital care. But with recent gun-related crimes on Ocean Boulevard, some residents and visitors say they are worried about their safety at CCMF. Myrtle Beach police say their staffing and procedures this year will be the same as last year. The police department will still have help from other agencies, but roads around CCMF will have even more barricades this weekend. 'We have reached out not only to our local partners, but also to our federal partners to receive additional assistance,' Johnson said. 'So, for us, all hands will be on deck. We will all be working that weekend to ensure everyone is as safe as possible.' Dana O'Brien, a city Emergency Management Specialist, told News13 that if severe weather forces everyone to evacuate, CCMF officials will let people know through announcements, screen displays, and the CCMF app. 'If lightning or severe weather ever becomes a concern within an eight-mile radius of the event, the grounds will need to be cleared,' O'Brien said. 'So, it's good practice to know your exits and have a plan for where you would seek shelter.' A city spokesperson says 9th Avenue North is the main pedestrian walkway. There are two exits: one on 9th Avenue and Ocean Boulevard, and the other on 9th Avenue and Kings Highway. * * * Skylar Musick is a multimedia journalist at News13. Skylar is originally from Long Island, New York. She joined the News13 team in June 2024 after graduating from Villanova University in May 2024. Follow Skylar on X, formerly Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, and read more of her work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Gun crimes on Ocean Boulevard spark concerns ahead of Carolina Country Music Fest in Myrtle Beach
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — Myrtle Beach residents and visitors have mixed feelings about their safety heading into the Carolina Country Music Festival after recent gun violence on Ocean Boulevard. The latest incident happened Saturday afternoon and left one person with injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening, Myrtle Beach police said. Terrell Moore, 44, of Myrtle Beach, was arrested Sunday in connection with the shooting, which happened in the area of 14th Avenue South and Ocean Boulevard. Myrtle Beach road closures announced ahead of Carolina Country Music Fest Moore was being charged with one count of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature and one count of possession of a weapon during a violent crime and booked in the Myrtle Beach Jail on a $105,000 surety bond, according to online jail records. CCMF officials said more than 30,000 people attended the festival each night in 2024. However, this year, with recent gun violence in Myrtle Beach, some people are changing their plans. 'My son came last year and went with his wife,' resident Larry Paige said. 'This year, they sold their tickets. In fact, they sold them about a week ago. I think it was more about the crimes and the shooting. We shouldn't be dealing with that.' Saturday's Ocean Boulevard shooting is the third gun-related crime in the city of Myrtle Beach in a little more than a month. Two people were charged on May 22 after shooting at officers and crashing a stolen vehicle, police said. Officers chased them along Highway 17 Bypass. On April 26, police said Officer Brandon O'Rourke shot and killed 18-year-old Jerrius Davis of Bennettsville after Davis shot into a crowd on Ocean Boulevard. At least 11 people were injured. News13 spoke to another resident who said the recent crimes should not keep people from going to CCMF. 'My son's going,' Kelly Hubbard said. 'He went last year. It's the same as usual.' Another Myrtle Beach visitor said if he had tickets to the festival, he would think twice about going because of the gun-related incidents. However, he said those crimes will not stop him from visiting the city. 'We come here every year, around this week,' Joe DeMarco said. 'We've never had a problem, never felt unsafe. Unfortunately, I think these things kind of go on everywhere.' Hubbard said the city and Ocean Boulevard are safe, but people should be mindful of how late they are staying out. 'If you're coming late at night, in the hours that you wouldn't go anywhere, you're not going to feel safe,' she said. 'It depends on what you're doing. Just use your own judgment.' News13 reached out to Myrtle Beach police for a report on Saturday's shooting and to CCMF officials for a statement, but we have not heard back from either. * * * Skylar Musick is a multimedia journalist at News13. Skylar is originally from Long Island, New York. She joined the News13 team in June 2024 after graduating from Villanova University in May 2024. Follow Skylar on X, formerly Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, and read more of her work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
