Good morning Florence! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. โ๏ธ
In today's newsletter:
๐ธ Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Florence? Post it to Florence photos of the day! โ๏ธ ๐ข-๐ -๐ฃ-๐ด-๐ก-๐ต โ๏ธ
Today's riddle: Can February March? ๐ค (Answer below!)
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1. More than 40 new townhomes are set to be built (postandcourier.com) โ Florenceโs planning commission has cleared the way for 44 new townhomes in the Cypress Pointe II subdivision off South Cashua Drive near 2nd Loop Road, expanding an existing neighborhood. The approval caps a busy year of townhome decisions, with several other projects greenlit across the city and at least one denied after public pushback, signaling ongoing growth and debate over housing in Florence.
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2. 2 arrested, hundreds of pounds of THC seized in Pee Dee as part of statewide operation (wmbfnews.com) โ Florence police carried out seven searches at local vape and CBD shops, seizing THC products and psychedelic mushrooms as part of a statewide investigation. Two Florence men were arrested and later released on bond, and authorities say the seized products tested illegal under state law and were marketed in ways that could appeal to children and teens.
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3. Florence 1 Schools achieves 6th clean audit, largest fund balance ever (wpde.com) โ Florence 1 Schools has earned its sixth straight clean financial audit and now holds a record-high $48 million fund balance, far above state-required reserves. District leaders say disciplined spending and contract renegotiations helped add $2.3 million last year, supporting a strong bond rating that could lower borrowing costs for future school projects in Florence.
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4. House of Hope of the Pee Dee opens warming shelter in Florence amid freezing temperatures (wbtw.com) โ With freezing temperatures in Florence, House of Hopeโs Courtney McGinnis Graham Community Shelter is operating as a crucial warming site for unsheltered residents. The shelter is open during below-freezing days and offers emergency overnight space, with staff and local transit helping people reach safety instead of facing dangerous cold on the streets.
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5. MPD Electric Cooperative provides $183K+ investment for economic development (wpde.com) โ Florence County residents are among those served by MPD Electric Cooperative, which just committed more than $188,000 to support economic development projects in Marion County. The funds, made possible by a state rural development tax credit, will go toward infrastructure or community improvements, with the specific project to be announced after planning and compliance are complete.
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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: I don't know, but April May!
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