Last week the Junior Leadership Florence County (JLFC) 4-H Class of 2024-2025 held their graduation ceremony at Francis Marion University.

The class was comprised of 28 sophomore and junior high school students from surrounding Florence County public, private, and home schools. The students completed a ten-month program consisting of monthly sessions with a focus to encourage development in leadership skills while also increasing awareness of our local community needs, career opportunities and volunteer options here in Florence County. This week’s graduation session allowed students to hear a special message from Mr. Ryan White, Leadership Florence County Class of 2025, President.

This program is only successful through the partnership of the Florence County SC 4-H, Francis Marion University, and the Greater Florence Chamber. The advisors are Ms. Freddricka L. Pressley with Clemson Extension- Florence County 4-H, Mrs. Mary Katherine Bland with Francis Marion University, and Ms. Jessica Watts, Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce.

We are proud of this prestigious group of students and look forward to their future endeavors! Again, congratulations Junior Leadership Florence County 4-H Class of 2024-2025.

To see more photos from the event, click here.

Cheers could be heard throughout the hallways at South Florence High School Wednesday afternoon as the school was announced as the winner of the Palmetto’s Finest award. With this prestigious award from the South Carolina Association of School Administrators (SCASA), South Florence is recognized as the best high school in the state. This is the third year in a row that a school in Florence 1 has won this award for excellence.

In order to be considered for the Palmetto’s Finest award, South Florence submitted an extensive application that included information about school culture, student achievement and instructional programs. The school received two visits from the Palmetto’s Finest Committee, who conducted on-site evaluations, talking with students and staff and visiting classrooms to view instruction as it was taking place.

Students and staff watched SCASA’s livestream Wednesday from their classrooms, anxiously waiting for the news that had been several months in the making.

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The announcement came during an aviation day celebration held at the airport, part of South Carolina’s Aviation Week, which highlights the economic impact of airports across the state.

“We just feel it’s time for a rebranding and I think it’s going to be great,” Michael Miller, Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce president said.

City leaders, officials and community members gathered to celebrate the launch of the airport’s new branding. Executive Director Brad Beadles said the new look reflects the improvements the airport plans to make.

“I think what’s important for Florence Airport is to get the word back out there,” Beadles said. “We’re making improvements, and we want the community to be a part of that growth. We’re here for them.”

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HopeHealth welcomes Neva Bailey, LPC, CASII, a Behavioral Health Consultant serving patients at HopeHealth in Timmonsville.

She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Software Applications and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration/Management from Limestone College in Florence, South Carolina, and a Master of Education degree in School Guidance Counseling from Cambridge College in Augusta, Georgia.

Neva has lived in Timmonsville for over 20 years and is passionate about her community. She is involved with the Boys and Girls Club of the Pee Dee and is a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Her clinical interests are stress management, grief and loss, anxiety and depression, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and children and adolescents.

Camp Pee Dee Pride held its 2nd Annual Golf Tournament on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at the Country Club of South Carolina, with the Florence County Sheriff’s Office and presenting sponsor Temple and Hogsette Law Group. Proceeds will benefit Camp Pee Dee Pride, a free summer camp program now celebrating its 28th year of empowering local youth.

The tournament featured more than 20 four-person teams, with each hole sponsored by local businesses for $100. Participants enjoyed an afternoon of golf, catered by Julia Belle’s, while supporting one of the area’s most impactful youth programs. This year’s tournament also featured a raffle for a 2024 Mustang GT. All proceeds support Camp Pee Dee Pride and help keep it free for local families.

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