Bridge repairs in two locations
Cape Cod
Massachusetts Department of Transportation and the Army Corps of Engineers are going to utilize around $372 million to work on the two Cape Cod bridges: The Sagamore Bridge and the Bourne Bridge.
A grant program is providing the funding for the massive project, recognizing just how old these two iconic structures are getting.
Both bridges are owned by the Army Corps of Engineers, but ownership will revert to the state after the new structures are completed. Approximately 35 million vehicles use the bridges every year! Yikes!
North Myrtle Beach
Possible repairs to the Barefoot swing bridge are being talked about. So far, the project is only in the talking stages. One repair option would cost approximately $750,000 — a far cry from the Cape Cod project mentioned above!
If you’ve driven over the swing bridge lately, you’ve noticed that the sidewalk is closed off and has been for some time. It looks like the next step beyond talking points hasn’t materialized yet, so it could be a long time before the 80-year-old structure is revitalized.
Worcester County headlines
Spencer
A Spencer man was seriously hurt in a Christmas Eve (1:00 a.m. Christmas morning) crash less than a mile from where I used to live. The 31-year-old man’s name was not released. He was taken to UMass Memorial Medical Center after having to be extricated from the car which crashed into the woods at an apparent high speed at the intersection of Paxton Road and Thompson Pond Road.
An ongoing investigation is in progress. There is speculation that the same driver and vehicle may have been involved in a hit-and-run incident in Worcester shortly before the Spencer crash. Worcester is only a few miles away from Spencer.
Worcester
In an alleged scheme to embezzle funds from a national thrift store chain, a former store manager has been accused of, and was charged with, 6 counts of wire fraud. The man was arrested on charges that accuse him of using his position as manager to falsify working hours for employees (some of whom no longer worked for the store), entering false paid sick leave hours, and producing payments for fictitious work hours, as well as falsifying the productivity records of the store. The indictment alleges that the man intended to redirect some of the wages to himself for personal use. The indictment indicates that the alleged activities occurred from 2019-2021.
Grand Strand headlines
Myrtle Beach
Broadway Grand Prix go-kart track is being sued for negligence and other charges by a family whose child was injured when the go-kart she was in crashed and caught fire. The 13-year-old girl and her family were visiting the area from New Jersey for a softball tournament. Her family states that she is permanently disfigured and has suffered mental anguish as a result of the crash and fire.
Lazarus Entertainment Group is also named in the lawsuit.
North Myrtle Beach
The City of North Myrtle Beach has requested a dismissal of a federal lawsuit brought forward by the owners of Cherry Grove Beach Gear in 2022. A trial is set to begin on March 11, 2024.
The City of North Myrtle Beach is accused by the owners of Cherry Grove Beach Gear of running a monopoly regarding the rental of beach equipment such as umbrellas, beach chairs and other equipment to be used by beachgoers. The lawsuit further indicates that Cherry Grove Beach Gear followed the laws regarding beach equipment rental, the location of the items, the hours that applied to beach equipment placement, and so forth. The company requested that a preliminary injunction be set forth to prevent the City from enforcement of its ordinance. That request was denied by a federal judge in the fall of 2022.
The city argues that it has the power to put measures in place ensuring the safety and enjoyment of beachgoers. The city has requested that a judge dismiss the suit altogether.
Longs
Horry County police responded to a call early Wednesday morning indicating that shots were fired into a dwelling with two people in residence. According to the occupants, some unknown people approached the house and fired shots before taking off. Police found evidence of rounds making impact in several locations, and even one round that went into a neighbor’s home. There were no injuries reported and police are investigating and searching for the suspects.
In another incident, a Loris family’s home was hit by gunfire on Christmas day. The homeowner says there have been three drive-by shootings at his property over the past few months.
This week’s pet & animal news
Georgetown, South Carolina
St. Francis Animal Center in Georgetown, SC is asking for an adopter to step up and give a nine-month-old pup, Wallabee, a fur-ever home. The shelter is also hosting its second annual “Mardi Growl” event on February 10 from noon to 4:00 p.m.
Franklin County, Massachusetts
Officials in Franklin County, MA have issued a statement about an outbreak of canine parvovirus in the area. The Mass. Department of Agricultural Resources says that a dog purchased from a person in Orange, MA was infected with the virus, which is extremely contagious and potentially deadly.
Malden, Massachusetts
Get ready for Great Dog Rescue of New England’s Puppy Love Dance & Fundraiser! February 10 from 7 - 11:00 p.m. at Anthony’s of Malden. The cost is $75 per person and includes dinner and dancing. A silent auction and raffles will produce funds for the rescue organization.
NEW YEAR’S EVE EVENTS
(click the individual links for info)
Grand Strand and surrounding area
Market Common New Year’s Eve Celebration
Plenty to do in North Myrtle Beach for New Year’s
Check out the entire week’s live music lineup at MyrtleLive.com!
Worcester
Gone are the days of “First Night Worcester” (sniffle, sniffle) which ended in 2017 after more than three decades of good times. Therefore, we’ll have to settle for a list of things to do in Worcester for New Year’s.
Cape Cod
List of New Year’s Eve Celebrations around the Cape