Roofing Contractor in Forest Acres, SC

BEST OF THE REST

The 2025 Forest Acres Classic brought high-level baseball action to A.C. Flora High School in Columbia, SC, showcasing some promising high school talent in the region. Over the course of the tournament, standout performances lit up the diamond – from clutch plays to dominant defensive efforts, several players separated themselves from the pack with their impressive skill sets and leadership. These athletes made their mark and left a lasting impression on Prep Baseball SC scouts and spectators alike. Here’s a look at the standout players who defined this year’s Forest Acres Classic.

Reidar Carlson, 2027, RHP, Lexington

Long 6-3 180-pound frame with some strength present and plenty more to be added on. Shows patience in delivery, didn’t get too rushed down the mound against an imposing lineup in his outing. Long AA with quality and consistent arm speed from a H3Q slot. Good carry on FB up in zone at 84-87 and touched 88. Most impressive pitch of his arsenal was a FC at 79-81 with strong spin between 25-2600 RPM at times. Pitch was effective to both LH and RH hitters, running through the backdoor to freeze LHH and breaking hard into opposite batter’s box vs RHH. Frisbee-like action on pitch that was akin to a hard SL, plays very well off FB coming out of same slot, not to mention he only started consistently throwing this pitch about a month ago. Also mixed in a solid CH at 80-81 with big fade that garnered swing and miss to LHH, maintaining the same tunnel from FB/FC. Also flashed a CB with big depth at 70-71. Ran out of gas into the 6th inning but was efficient overall, finishing with a line of 5.1 IP with 8 punchouts, 5 hits and 2 walks.

2027 RHP Reidar Carlson @BaseballLex Lean frame with plenty of projection remaining. Mixing 3 showing feel for each. FC for swing & miss to RH/LH. Flashed CB at 70-71.FB: 84-87 T88, carryFC: 79-81CH: 80-81, fade to LHH@ForestAcresClas #FACClassic @ShooterHunt pic.twitter.com/A6AGXnnQnX

— Prep Baseball South Carolina (@PrepBaseball_SC) April 16, 2025

Walker Godwin, 2026, SS/RHP, River Bluff

Uncommitted. Lanky frame with plenty of room for more at 6-0 160-pounds, right-handed hitter. Stands with a wide and slightly open base with crouch in the knees, hands even with ear leve land a high back elbow. Good simple load sinking into back hip directly from starting position with a low leg lift. On time stride forward puts him in a decent hitting position and shows good fast hands in the zone with a level and short path. Possibly some holes in swing if not exactly on time with pre-swing movements and footstrike but appears to know his swing well and has a nice approach to the opposite field. More gap-to-gap power to come as he keeps adding on. Athletic player that hopped on the mound as well with a FB up to 82. Hitting line for the FAC: 4-14, 4 singles, 2 RBI, 2 SB

2026 SS Walker Godwin @RBHSBaseball Drives one deep out to CF for a sac fly. Good short swing with fast hands in zone. Wiry frame with some natural loft. @ForestAcresClas pic.twitter.com/zMSn0xR3lG

— Prep Baseball South Carolina (@PrepBaseball_SC) April 14, 2025

Dominick Norton, 2026, 1B, River Bluff

A Myrtle Beach woman was arrested after investigators said her backyard fire spread into a 2,000-acre wildfire, forcing evacuations in Carolina Forest.

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — A woman has been arrested and accused of being responsible for a wildfire that caused multiple evacuations near Myrtle Beach over the weekend.

The South Carolina Forestry Commission said that 40-year-old Alexandra Bialousow of Myrtle Beach was arrested on Thursday on two charges related to a yard debris burn that has since turned into a wildfire covering more than 2,000 acres in the Carolina Forest area.

Witnesses told investigators that Bialousow intentionally started the fire in a backyard fire pit that was close to the tree line in the Covington Lakes subdivision on March 1. The South Carolina Forestry Commission, citing warrants, said she "did not have an appropriate water source readily available" and didn't "have any garden tools on hand to control the fire."

The fire then spread to land owned by the Walker Woods Homeowners Association.

Investigators charged Bialousow with negligently allowing fire to spread to the lands or property of another and starting a fire in woodlands, grasslands, and other places that are unlawful unless certain precautions are taken.

The South Carolina Forestry Commission said that, if convicted for the first charge, Bialousow faces imprisonment for five to 30 days and a fine between $25 and $200. For the second charge, she could be fined up to $200 and imprisoned for up to 30 days.

The blaze, dubbed the Carolina Forest wildfire, was one of more than a hundred reported across South Carolina and one of, if not the largest, fire reported over the weekend. Departments across the state had sent equipment and personnel to assist Horry County Fire Rescue.

Not long after the fire, Gov. Henry McMaster issued a State of Emergency declaration to help facilitate the movement of state agencies and employees to help.

As of Thursday night, the Covington Drive fire was considered 55% contained.

FOREST ACRES — A frozen yogurt and ice cream chain with vegan offerings is planned for a Forest Acres shopping center, adding to the small city's dessert scene.

New York-based chain 16 Handles will bring its first Midlands location to the Trenholm Plaza shopping center at 4840 Forest Drive “soon,” according to the chain’s website and social media pages dedicated to the new location.

The new store is anticipating a late May opening date, a representative said in a message to The Post and Courier. The Forest Acres location’s social media pages first announced the new store in an April 1 post.

“This isn’t just any frozen yogurt; it's a masterpiece of flavors, toppings and ultimate relativity,” the post read. “Whether you’re a cookie crumble connoisseur or a fruit-tastic fanatic, we’ve got you covered with endless possibilities!”

City officials confirmed the chain received construction permits from the city for the new location, which will fill the former Verde restaurant space, which closed in December.

The ice cream shop — echoing the similarly named 1984 Molly Ringwald film — offers “16 rotating flavors and endless toppings bar at every shop,” with frozen yogurt, all-natural and vegan ice cream, according to the chain’s website.

The chain has announced two more locations in Charleston and Myrtle Beach. The three stores would be the first in South Carolina.

There are at least 45 locations operating or planned in Florida, Texas, Arizona and — primarily — in the New York City metro area.

The restaurant will join Publix, Fresh Market and HomeGoods in the Forest Drive shopping center.

Forest Acres has seen several dessert and ice cream offerings come to the city of 10,000 in the past few years, including Mexican gourmet ice pop chain Morelia Gourmet Paletas and Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream.

Another new restaurant could be on the horizon, as officials have reported a potential buyer for the former Zesto location is nearing the finish line.

A Forest Acres synagogue is serving up hot plates of brisket, latkes and other Jewish delicacies this weekend.

The Tree of Life Congregation on Trenholm Road will host its annual Big Nosh festival for anyone and everyone at 11 a.m. March 30. Organizers are planning for an even bigger event after last year broke their unofficial attendance record.

Folks of all religions and backgrounds can stop by the synagogue for a hot plate for $12 to $18, buy some baked goods and tour the synagogue. If that isn’t your speed, you can take your meal to-go.

Beef brisket, pastrami and corned beef sandwiches, hot dogs and many sides such as Matzah ball soup, kugel and more are some of the meals available at the Nosh.

Amy Scully said the Big Nosh is an opportunity to give back to their community with a slice of their culture.

The Nosh, meaning “snack” in Yiddish, originally began as the synagogue sharing a couple of meals with themselves and the outside community. It's since evolved into a major festival featuring synagogue tours and celebrations with traditional Jewish music.

All food is prepared in the synagogue by around 15 to 20 congregation volunteers, cook Andy Tucker said.

Volunteers will cook more than 50 briskets, which are roasted and sliced kosher-style over three days in a special sauce and spice blend. Tucker’s only hint about the secret sauce used to prepare the brisket was that it had tomatoes, beef broth and onions.

Non-kosher ingredients such as pork, shellfish or combining meat and dairy will not be offered at the Nosh, organizers said.

Around 30 volunteers also contribute to a bake sale. There will be more than 100 challahs, hamantaschen cookies and other traditional Jewish baked goods.

The Big Nosh has morphed from a fun event for people around the “Church corridor” along Trenholm Road to an exhibition of Jewish culture, Scully said.

In 10 or so years The Big Nosh has been hosted, more churches and different people have stopped by for a plate and exploration into the Jewish religion and culture.

The Big Nosh hosts tours of the synagogue and plays live Jewish folk music such as the "Hava Nagila," which is commonly played at bar and bat mitzvahs.

Organizers and congregation members said there is a bigger reason to host the Big Nosh than sharing some good food, Scully said.

“Do I really want to do this bake sale?” Scully joked. “I’m getting older, but more this year than any other year, I think it’s important for us to be inclusive.”

What keeps the congregation preparing for the Nosh is the increased diversity they see each year.

Christians, Muslims and people from all walks of life come to tour the synagogue. People see a Torah and find it not so different from the Bible or Quran, organizer Patty Tucker said.

“Just come in and see what it’s all about,” Scully said. “It’s more important than ever for people to see us as neighbors … that we’re more alike than we are different. We share a very strong common heritage.”

Tree of Congregation is located at 6719 N. Trenholm Rd., Forest Acres.

More information about the event can be found at The Big Nosh website.

HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WPDE) — As of Sunday evening, the 1600-acre fire in Carolina Forest is 30% contained, according to the South Carolina Forestry Commission.

It is the largest fire burning in the state right now, according to the South Carolina Forestry Commission.

According to Horry County Fire Rescue, residents of all neighborhoods previously evacuated due to the Carolina Forest wildfire are now able to return home.

Law enforcement checkpoints may be encountered as residents return, according to HCFR.

If emergency assistance is required by any rekindlings of hot spots, please call 911.

The South Carolina Forestry Commission said that as of 3:00 p.m. on Sunday afternoon, there is no reported percentage on containment.

There are 49 SCFC resources on scene with Horry County Fire Rescue and other agencies.

The Carolina Forest Recreation Center will reopen on a delay Monday, March 3, 2025, at 12:00 p.m.

Due to smoke, visibility on roads near Carolina Forest is low, and Horry County Fire Rescue said to use caution when driving.

International Drive will remain closed at the fire gates, as of an update on Sunday evening. Drivers should plan to use alternate routes of Highways 501, 22, and 31.

Officials said the smoke may cause irritation, so limit exposure if it bothers you.

State resources are on site in Horry County, including planes that are dropping water on the fire. The South Carolina Forestry Commission has 34 units on the fire scene and 10 bulldozers. Forestry spokesperson Douglas Wood said that's a great indication of the size and severity of the fire.

Blackhawk helicopters and planes are deployed in the area and are making water drops to help fight the fire.

HCFR said this wildfire may cause wildlife to be displaced. Officials are telling people to not approach, feed or catch the wildlife.

If you see an injured wild animal, call SCDNR wildlife officials at 1-800-922-5431.

BURN BAN: Statewide burn ban issued by SC Forestry Commission amid wildfires

LATEST GENERAL UPDATES:

According to Horry County officials, forestry planes and helicopters have conducted initial air operations and will monitor forecasts to adjust fire responses.

Fire Command and SC Forestry have evaluated fire conditions and determined that positive progress toward containment has been made.

Officials say that they feel comfortable with authorizing reentry while maintaining increased staffing to continue to manage the wildfire and respond to any flare ups that may occur.

Announcements about reentry will be announced at the Carolina Forest Recreation Center, as well as social media, the Horry County website, and Code Red if applicable.

Operations at the Myrtle Beach International Airport have not been impacted by the wildfire.

EVACUATIONS & WHERE TO GO:

As of 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Horry County Fire Rescue officials announced that all neighborhoods previously evacuated due to the Carolina Forest wildfire are now able to return home. Evacuees can head to the Carolina Forest Recreation Center at 2254 Carolina Forest Boulevard. This shelter is still open as of 12:30 p.m. on Sunday. The American Red Cross is partnering with agencies that are responding to the Carolina Forest fire and said they have a feeding plan in place through their partners to help those displaced, therefore they're not taking donations at this time. As of 10 a.m. on Sunday, 52 people were in the shelter. VCA Palmetto Animal Hospital is open for anyone needing to board their pets. To board your pet with the hospital, call 843-903-1900. Home of the Hand Car Wash is offering space for those who may need to park their cars during the evacuations. Reach out to Dean directly at 845-801-3882. Vacation Myrtle Beach, a local hotel group, is offering discounted stays to residents displaced by the fires in Carolina Forest March 1 to March 6. Rising Tides Properties is also offering a special discounted rate for those displaced and in need of a temporary place to stay. ABC15 is working for you on the latest updates from this situation.