“Historic” was the adjective of the evening, and hope for a better Florence was the key message as the city’s new mayor and council members took the oath of office.

Florence County’s elections commission received no challenges of the general election results by the passing of the protest deadline.

Florence County’s elections commission has certified Tuesday’s general election results and opened the filing period for protests, at least two of which could be waiting in the wings.

Florence’s mayor-elect and new city council members say they plan to work harmoniously to handle city business when they take office next month.

Members of Strengthening Florence Families are voicing complaints about the results of Florence’s Sunday alcohol sales referendum, which voters passed in Tuesday’s general election.

Florence County councilman Mitchell Kirby says he’s excited to continue serving the residents of his district after winning his fifth term on council. Kirby, a Democrat, received 3,627 votes to defeat Republican opponent Betty Dowling, who got 2,421 votes for the District 4 seat.

The final vote on Sunday alcohol sales in Florence has been settled. The final, uncertified results for the referendum, which asked voters if Sunday alcohol sales should be permitted on-site at local establishments, resulted in 8,039 votes in favor and 7,609 votes against it Wednesday after poll workers attempted to tally the remaining 3,000 or so absentee ballots for the county.

Newcomer Democrats Octavia Williams-Blake and Steve Powers will join Florence City Council this fall, according to preliminary elections results released Wednesday.

Stephen J. Wukela remains the victor in the Florence mayoral race after Wednesday’s counting of absentee ballots.

The S. C. Election Commission was projecting Wednesday night that Republican incumbents Kris Crawford and Phillip Lowe are the winners in the S.C. House District 63 and 60 races, respectively.

Election Day may be over, but several Florence County voters are coming forward and saying they received the wrong ballot while at the polls on Tuesday.

Florence County officials still were in the process Wednesday night of sorting and counting about 3,000 or more absentee ballots. Because of a number of close races, such as Florence City Council, and the Sunday alcohol sales referendum, there is a possibility those results could change.

Votes for Florence’s referendum which asked voters if Sunday alcohol sales should be permitted on-site at local establishments resulted in 6,131 votes in favor of Sunday alcohol sales and 5,434 votes against it at press time Tuesday.

Democrats Octavia Williams-Blake and Steve Powers were leading the other two candidates in the race for two at-large Florence City Council seats at press time Tuesday.

Democratic mayoral candidate Stephen J. Wukela has defeated independent petition candidate and former Mayor Rocky Pearce — and this time his margin of victory was much more than one vote.