Michael Suggs News Today

Gary officials have allocated nearly $3.5 million to replace and repair all municipally owned streetlights.

The five-member appointed Gary School Board selected Yvonne Stokes on Friday to lead the Gary Community School Corp. once it returns to local control.

The Class of 2034 toured City of Loris facilities and learned about their town on a civics-minded field trip coordinated by the school district, the city and the chamber of commerce.

Loris City Council will be back at full-strength after political newcomer Kelli Gerald won a runoff election on Tuesday, April 9 to fill a vacant seat on the six-member council. Gerald defeated former Council Member Jan Vescovi 236-154, according to results tallied by the Horry County Voter Registration and Elections Office.

A months-long firefight continued at Monday’s Loris City Council meeting, as a pair of Loris Fire Department supporters defended firefighters against claims by a couple who lost a home in a Dec. 14 blaze. Kenya Wright, the daughter of Loris Assistant Fire Chief Kent Wright, said the criticism of the department by Wendell and Wende Boyd of Conway is unwarranted.

It’s March Madness Loris-style, with a special city council election held Tuesday, March 26 headed for overtime. A runoff election will be necessary on Tuesday, April 9 to determine if Kelli Gerald or Jan Vescovi will fill a vacant seat on the council.

A billing snafu led dozens of residents to descend on city hall Monday for the monthly city council meeting.

Mayor Eddie Melton laid out a plan for his first 100 days in office and continued to announce his leadership team during a Gary Chamber of Commerce meeting.

The special election to fill a vacant Loris City Council seat will be held from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26, Mayor Michael Suggs reported at the Monday, Jan. 8 council meeting. A filing period for candidates will run from Jan. 19 to Feb. 2. The new council member will serve a four-year term, and receive $3,120 per year in compensation.

The Gary School Board selected BWP & Associates, a firm based in Libertyville, Illinois to lead the search for the districts next superintendent.