SPCCU’s Drive Now, Pay Later Promotion

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Darlington, Florence, Chesterfield, & Marlboro Counties, SC – SPC Credit Union is thrilled to announce a special auto loan promotion designed to put you behind the wheel of your dream car this summer. Whether you’re planning a road trip or just looking for a reliable new ride, our offer is the perfect opportunity to secure a new or pre-owned vehicle.

Limited Time Offer: Act Now! This exciting promotion runs from April 1 to June 30. With vehicles selling quickly, now’s the time to make your dream car a reality. Choose from a variety of options, whether you’re interested in a sleek sedan, a spacious SUV, or a powerful truck. Enjoy a 90-day no-payment period* to plan your finances and manage other expenses.

For more information, click here.

Florence Center FPHL Hockey Team Announcement

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The Florence Center announced Last Wednesday at a press conference that a new professional hockey team will be coming to the Pee Dee.

Parker Moskal, managing ownership partner of the Monroe (La.) Moccasins, and new owner of the new Pee Dee hockey team, said hockey is now back to the Florence Center.

The new professional hockey team begins playing in October in the Federal Prospects Hockey League.

Tickets are now on sale at the Florence Center box office.

For more information, click here.

GSSM Students Raise $3,220 For Hartsville’s Night To Shine Through Annual 5K

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Students at the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science & Mathematics (GSSM) recently donated $3,220 in proceeds from the school’s annual 5K Race for Mental Health Awareness to support Hartsville’s 2026 Night to Shine, a prom night experience for people with special needs.

Held on Feb. 15, the race drew 136 registered participants and was hosted by GSSM’s student organization Fun Without Drugs (FWD). In addition to planning the race, nine GSSM students volunteered as “Buddies” during the 2025 Night to Shine event on Feb. 7, providing one-on-one support and celebration for attendees throughout the evening.

To read the full story, click here.

McLeod Launches Life Reach Critical Care Ambulance Team

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As the McLeod Health system grows, the need for a more robust patient transport program is greater than ever. This growth requires an expansion of our current transport services to offer more critical care and advanced life support for hospital-to-hospital transport. This goal is being accomplished as McLeod Heart Reach and McLeod Child Reach become one team with McLeod Life Reach.

McLeod Heart Reach is a Mobile Critical Care Ambulance that provides emergency transport services to hospitals and patients throughout the region and surrounding areas. The Heart Reach team was hired in 1989. They began their training for this new one-of-a-kind program in South Carolina and then started caring for patients in 1990. During their first year of operation, they transported 177 patients. Today, Heart Reach and Child Reach care for more than 750 patients annually.

To read the full story, click here.

El Dos Agaves Holds Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

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El Dos Agave owner Oscar Perez along with staff and Chamber Ambassadors cuts his ribbon welcoming him to the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce.

El Dos Agaves is the second restaurant opened by the Perez’s. This one located at 1520 American Drive (across from MUSC) is the complementary restaurant to El Agave, located downtown.

At El Dos Agaves Mexican Grill, they are passionate about serving authentic Mexican cuisine to our friends and family in Florence, SC. Their menu features a variety of flavorful tacos, made with fresh ingredients and served with love.

To read the full story, click here.

Junior Leadership Florence County – Applications Deadline Approaching

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Applications are now being accepted for the 2025-2026 Junior Leadership Florence County 4-H Program! Current public, private and homeschooled students who live in and/or attend school in Florence County and who will be classified as a high school sophomore or junior next school year are eligible to apply. The deadline is April 30th. Please share! Our applications are fully ONLINE!

Residents of Coward, Florence, Johnsonville, Lake City, Olanta, Pamplico, Quinby, Scranton, and Timmonsville.

Students who attend school in any of the public, private, or homeschools in Florence County, but are not residents of Florence County are eligible to apply.

For more information, click here.

Seniors Helping Seniors Pee Dee Cuts Ribbon On Chamber Membership

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Marie Paul of Seniors Helping Seniors Pee Dee along with Chamber Ambassadors cuts her ribbon joining the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce.

Marie Paul shares her story of leaving health care leadership to open Seniors Helping Seniors® in South Carolina, using a peer-to-peer model to provide meaningful in-home care. As a longtime health care executive, she spent years optimizing revenue cycles for hospitals, helping medical organizations run efficiently. Over time, she realized she wanted to make a more personal impact by serving the community in a way that felt meaningful — not just financially successful. That’s what led Marie Paul to Seniors Helping Seniors®, an in-home care service that allows active seniors to provide companionship and assistance to their less-active counterparts.

To read the full story, click here.

2025 Emerging Leaders Summer Institute

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The Emerging Leaders Summer Institute is a program designed to generate professional training and development, mentorship, community engagement and recruitment opportunities.

The purpose is to identify, develop and empower “Emerging Leaders”, specifically minorities, small business owners and innovative professionals poised to move into the next level of community and business leadership.

The program kicks off with an orientation and reception on Tuesday, June 3rd.  Cost includes lunch and materials for all sessions. While many candidates are sponsored by their employer, a limited number of partial scholarships are available.

For more information, click here.

Floor Coverings International Of Florence Joins Florence Chamber

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Ray Graham Office manager along with Johnny Rishmawi co-owner, family, friends and Chamber Ambassadors cuts the ribbon joining Floor Coverings International of Florence to the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce.

At Floor Coverings International of Florence, SC, they specialize in turning flooring dreams into reality. They deliver high-quality flooring options from Florence to North Myrtle Beach with a personalized touch. Whether you’re seeking durable flooring for a busy family space or elegant finishes for a coastal retreat, they are there to guide you every step of the way. With a wide selection of options, including hardwood, carpet, vinyl, tile, stone, and more, we have the perfect solution for every style and need.

Floor Coverings International of Florence, SC, services include moving furniture and removing old flooring, preparing the subfloor for a flawless finish, professionally installing your new floors, and cleaning and disposing of all materials. They respect your time and space, ensuring a smooth process from start to finish.

To read the full story, click here.

Raldex Hospitality Hosts 13th First Responders Cookout Luncheon

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Raldex Hospitality, a locally owned hotel management company operating five hotels in Florence, proudly hosted its 13th First Responders Cookout Luncheon on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. The event, held at the Raldex corporate office, welcomed hundreds of first responders from across Florence for a complimentary lunch to honor their dedication and service to the community.

First responders from various departments—including Fire, EMS, City Police, Sheriff’s Office, Dispatch, SLED, South Carolina Highway Patrol, and DNR—were invited to enjoy a meal, network with one another, and take plates back to colleagues unable to leave their posts. Parking for the event was provided by the Florence Center, and the luncheon was supported by Raldex staff, including hotel General Managers and employees who volunteered their time to serve the guests.

“This is our way of saying thank you,” said Chad Patterson, CEO and President of Raldex Hospitality. “We try to host this cookout twice a year, and it’s always an honor to feed the people who take care of us every day. They protect our city, they respond to emergencies, and they support our hotels. The least we can do is serve them a great lunch and show our appreciation.”

To read the full press release, click here.