Beach moves toward permanent drinking ban

FOLLY BEACH, S.C. (AP) — Folly Beach is moving toward a permanent ban of alcohol on the beach. The city council on Tuesday gave first reading approval to a permanent ban, with Mayor Tom Goodwin casting the deciding vote. The ordinance needs two more votes. The council rejected putting the question on the November ballot. Goodwin said there would be a return to public drunkenness if a referendum on the ban failed. Council imposed a 60-day ban earlier this summer. It happened after dozens of drunken revelers tangled with law officers in a Fourth of July melee. Five officers were hurt and seven people arrested. Folly was only beach in the Charleston area that allowed drinking on the beach.