West Florence High School sophomore Will Dixon said he used to think law enforcement officers weren’t really focused on helping teens.

State Superintendent of Education Jim Rex is determined to improve South Carolina, whether it gets him elected as Governor or not.

The S.C. Women’s Connection has its last leadership luncheon of the year in Florence on Wednesday with special guest Mignon Clyburn, newly-appointed member of the Federal Communications Commission and a South Carolina native.

This year’s Pecan Festival will feature the first Pee Dee Blues Bash, which will kick off Thursday with a concert in Lake City.

A committee reviewing a curfew ordinance for the city of Florence decided during a work session Wednesday that public hearings must be conducted on the matter.

The S.C. Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association is having its Pee Dee Memory Walk on Saturday at McLeod Health and Fitness Center in Florence.

A pro se divorce clinic will be offered by the S.C. Legal Services at 5:30 p.m. Monday at Poynor Adult/Community Education Center, 301 S. Dargan St., Florence.

The Ladies’ Guild of St. Ann’s Catholic Church will host its annual Harvest Tea at 3 p.m. Sunday in the church and fellowship hall.

On Nov. 9, Florence City Council will vote on a proposed smoking ban in most public places. The ordinance would prohibit smoking in places like restaurants, bars, educational and health care facilities, common areas of apartment buildings as well as many other places.

A Florence man was arrested Monday after police said he severely beat a man and pulled out a woman’s hair, Florence Police Maj. Carlos Raines said.

A Florence woman was arrested Sunday after police said she stabbed her husband several times after he slapped her, Florence Police Maj. Carlos Raines said.

A Pakistani national in Florence has pleaded guilty to filing false statements to gain entry and citizenship, U.S. Attorney W. Walter Wilkins said in a press release.

More than 3,000 people die in home fires each year in the United States; most of whom are in homes without a working smoke alarm.

This week, there will be eight blood drives for the American Red Cross in the Pee Dee area.

The Eastern Carolina Community Foundation is sponsoring a community forum for the Florence Recreational Trails from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at Central United Methodist Church, 225 W. Cheves St., Florence.