Electrical problem blamed for apartment fire

Posted on February 12, 2008 
Filed Under News

MYRTLE BEACH

Electrical problem blamed for apartment fire

An electrical problem in a storage closet at a Myrtle Beach apartment complex is being blamed for a fire that forced tenants outside Tuesday night, police said.

The fire at Dunbar Villas, 1212 Dunbar St., was reported at about 8:30 p.m. No one was injured in the fire, according to assistant Myrtle Beach fire chief Dan Cimini.

Two storage closets were destroyed in the blaze, according to the report.

MURRELLS INLET

Man sentenced in assault and battery case

A Murrells Inlet man was recently sentenced to 90 days in prison for touching two women inappropriately, said Heather Tolar with the 15th Judicial Circuit.

Major Cordell, 60, was charged with three counts of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature. Cordell runs Cordell Realty in Murrells Inlet.

Judge Paul Burch sentenced Cordell on Tuesday to three 90-day sentences, which will run concurrently. Cordell will be allowed to serve his sentence during weekends at J. Reuben Long Detention Center in Conway.

Cordell’s weekend sentence was recommended so he could continue work to help pay for more than $32,000 he owes on a failure to pay laborers in another case, Tolar said.

The women said the harassment began in January 2005 and ended later that year. One woman said Cordell grabbed her breasts and buttocks and made several lewd and obscene comments toward them, according to a warrant. The other woman said Cordell slapped her buttocks several times.

LOCAL

MYRTLE BEACH

Democrats to hear from SCDP director

Joe Werner, executive director of the South Carolina Democratic Party, is the scheduled speaker for the Beach Dems Breakfast at 8 a.m. today at Akels Restaurant in Myrtle Beach. The public is invited and no reservations are required. For information, call Sally P. Howard at 440-1936.

CONWAY

CCU programs receive re-accreditation

The E. Craig Wall Sr. College of Business Administration at Coastal Carolina University received re-accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The school also received commendations for high student national test scores as well as for its curriculum and program design. The re-accreditation designates the college in the top ten percent of business schools internationally, according to AACSB. Out of 10,000 business schools and programs internationally, only 554 have received accreditation.

BOLIVIA, N.C.

Teacher-student relationship case delayed

Motions in the lawsuit that pits Dennis and Betty Hager against the Brunswick County Schools Board of Education was slated to be heard Monday, but a conflict in scheduling has delayed the hearing into March, both attorneys confirmed Thursday.

A new date is scheduled for March 10.

The Hagers are suing the school board for not doing enough to prevent Brenton Wuchae, a former South Brunswick High School teacher, from having a relationship with their daughter, Windy.

The two eventually wed.

Two other lawsuits involving inappropriate relationships between staff and students were filed last summer as well. Court dates for those cases have not been scheduled..

MYRTLE BEACH

Republican group holding breakfast

The South Strand Republican Club’s annual Legislative Breakfast is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 16, at Inlet Affairs Banquet & Catering, 4031 U.S. 17 Business in Murrells Inlet.

Legislators planning to attend include Sen. Ray Cleary (District 34); Sen. Luke Rankin (District 33); Rep. Nelson Hardwick (District 106); Rep. Thad Viers (District 68); and Rep. Alan Clemmons (District 107). Local delegation members will discuss proposed legislation topics such as illegal immigration, taxes, school funding, tourism, health, HOA regulations and more. A 30-minute question-and-answer session will be part of the event.

Cost is $10 for a buffet breakfast, including tax and tip. Everyone is welcome. For reservations or more information, call Bill Schweitzer at 215-5030 or Charlie Soto at 655-1793.

MYRTLE BEACH

Cancer society calling for volunteer drivers

The American Cancer Society needs volunteers to drive cancer patients to their treatments. The next Road to Recovery driver training will be held from 12:45 to 3 p.m. on Feb. 14 at the cancer society office at 950 48th Ave. N. (at Grissom Parkway) in Myrtle Beach. Volunteers must have a valid driver’s license, good driving record and a reliable vehicle. For information, contact Denise Richbourg-Fitz at 213-0333 ext. 208.

HORRY COUNTY

District candidate holding free breakfast

Everyone is invited to a free breakfast for the announcement of Keith Van Winkle’s candidacy for Horry County Council District 3.

The breakfast takes place at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13 at The Donut Man, 200 S. Kings Highway.

Van Winkle, a Republican, will speak on several topics, including county infrastructure, public safety, the environment, airport expansion and landfill, water, sewage and air quality, according to a news release.

The Sun News
From staff reports
2/08/2008