LOCAL

MURRELLS INLET

Gov. Mark Sanford on Thursday visited Georgetown County to announce a new state law passed this session giving local governments the ability to ban casino-boat operations.

At a bill-signing ceremony at Capt. Dick's Marina in Murrells Inlet, the governor reiterated his conviction that local governments should be able to decide what is right in their area, a concept known as home rule.

Georgetown County officials have been fighting efforts by one businessman to bring casino boats to Murrells Inlet. That battle is being waged in the courts. In Horry County, casino boats operate out of Little River.

"I've always felt that the government that governs locally governs best," Sanford said. "Any chance we get to push the decision-making power on local or regional issues closer to the people who are directly affected, that's something we ought to do.

"Washington or Columbia shouldn't be telling Murrells Inlet and other local governments along the coast what to do on this issue. It ought to let those counties and municipalities make the decision that's best for them."

HORRY COUNTY

Swim advisories lifted along campgrounds

S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control officials say water quality has returned to normal along the Grand Strand beaches.

Recent swim advisories at the Pirateland-Lakewood Campground swash and the swash at the southern end of Ocean Lakes Campground have been lifted.

Swim advisories warn of high bacteria levels, and people are advised not to swim in that section of the beach until levels return to normal. Shell hunting, walking in the surf and sunning are fine.

Some areas are more prone to high bacteria levels after rainfall.

HORRY COUNTY

Libraries offer discounted state park passes

The Horry County Memorial Libraries are selling state park passes to local residents at a discounted price.

The passes, valid for one year, usually cost $50. The libraries will be selling them for $25 until Wednesday. After that, the passes will cost $32.50.

Residents must show some form of residency, such as a tax bill, driver's license or voter-registration card.

Each family may receive up to two passes a year. The passes grant admission to any S.C. state park.

Participating libraries include:

Conway Library, 1008 Fifth Ave., Conway

Aynor Library, 500 Ninth Ave., Aynor

Bucksport Library, 7657 U.S. 701 S., Conway

Loris Library, 4316 Main St., Loris

North Myrtle Beach Library, 799 Second Ave., North Myrtle Beach

Socastee Library, 141 S.C. 707 Connector Road, Myrtle Beach

Stephens Crossroads Library, Ralph Ellis Building at 107 Highway 57 N., Little River

Surfside Beach Library, 410 Surfside Drive, Surfside Beach.

LITTLE RIVER

Festival to feature music and wine

There will be a Summer Music and Wine Festival from noon to 6 p.m. June 18 at La Belle Amie Vineyard, 1120 St. Joseph Road (corner of S.C. 90 and St. Joseph Road) in Little River. Music will be performed by the Paul Grimshaw Band, The Delta River Blues Band and Brian Tiernan.