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🌱 Driving I-95 Thursday morning? Check this Florence-Dillon lane closure first.

Florence, South Carolina Patch AM: a 5 min read

Good morning Florence! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Driving I-95 Thursday morning? Check this Florence-Dillon lane closure first.
  • How Florence plans to spend $2.3 million in opioid settlement funds
  • Could you qualify for up to $30,000 toward a Florence home?

Also on today's calendar: FLO NIGHTS Live and 3 more events.

Today's riddle: Why did the cookie go to the Doctor ? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
Today's Florence Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. After investing billions to light up their network from big cities to small towns, T-Mobile is America's Best Mobile Network in the US according to Ookla Speedtest®. Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data 1H 2026. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Florence Patch AM possible.
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Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Humid; a stray p.m. t-storm, with a high of 88 and low of 72 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Friday: Humid; a stray p.m. t-storm, temps: high: 90, low: 72.
  • Saturday: A stray afternoon t-storm, with a high of 91 and low of 73 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. I-95 lane to close Thursday for bridge repairs at Florence-Dillon county line (wbtw.com) — If you’re driving I-95 near the Florence-Dillon county line Thursday morning, expect the southbound right lane on the Great Pee Dee River bridge to close at 4 a.m. for deck repairs. No detours are planned, but SCDOT urges drivers to slow down, follow signs, and watch for crews until the lane reopens later that day.
   

2. Florence councilman shares addiction recovery story as city distributes opioid settlement funds (wmbfnews.com) — Florence is steering more than $2.3 million in opioid settlement money into local treatment, recovery services, and police training, with applications reviewed quarterly at City Hall. Councilman Bryan Braddock, who has two decades in recovery himself, is helping shape how the city partners with agencies so residents struggling with addiction can access more support close to home.
   

3. Florence builds new homes for workers priced out of the housing market (wmbfnews.com) — Florence is rolling out a major affordable-housing push so local workers, including teachers and first responders, can actually buy homes in the city where they work. Partnering with the Housing Authority of Florence, the city has already built more than 40 houses, bought 17 more lots, and is offering up to $30,000 in down payment help for income-eligible first-time buyers.
   

4. Wilson Tigers football preview (wbtw.com) — Wilson High’s Tigers in Florence are gearing up for a tougher 2026 schedule in the new Region 7-4A, facing South Florence, West Florence and other coastal powers. With 17 starters back and a freshman quarterback stepping in, fans can circle Friday, August 21 at 7:30 p.m. for the home opener against Hartsville.
   

5. Timmonsville's new police chief shares plans to grow department (wpde.com) — Timmonsville’s new police chief, Preston Ford III, is prioritizing hiring more officers, securing grants for better equipment, and strengthening community policing as he settles into the job and prepares to move into Florence County. After years of turnover and past financial troubles that once shut the department down, town leaders hope his experience in small towns and larger agencies will stabilize local law enforcement and deepen ties with residents.
   

📸 Around Florence

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Florence

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📣 Florence Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Florence PatchAM possible:

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Pilot Flying J posted a job opening for Janitorial Maintenance in Florence. Apply here.
  • Raines Company posted a job opening for Laundry Attendant in Florence. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Florence here.

Ok Florence! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Because he felt CRUMMY ! (Thank you Michelle S. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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Stay in the loop with what's happening in Florence

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.

Stay in the loop with what's happening in Florence

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.