MUSC Health Celebrates Completion Of New Behavioral Care Facility

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MUSC Health of Florence and its collaborative partners officially cut the ribbon on the MUSC Health Jean and Hugh K. Leatherman Behavioral Care Pavilion, marking a major milestone in expanding access to behavioral health care across the Pee Dee region.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony drew an enthusiastic crowd of state and local leaders—including Gov. Henry McMaster, City of Florence officials, legislators and community partners—who celebrated this milestone and toured the state-of-the-art facility that promises to shape the future of behavioral health care in the region.

“We are proud to celebrate the completion and opening of the MUSC Health Jean and Hugh K. Leatherman Behavioral Care Pavilion – a milestone made possible through unprecedented collaboration and shared vision. This innovative facility represents a vital step forward in addressing the mental health needs of our region, providing accessible, compassionate care when and where it’s needed most,” said Jay Hinesley, CEO of the MUSC Health-Pee Dee Division.

To read the full story, click here.

Florence Hauling & Junk Removal Holds Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

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Florence Hauling & Junk Removal, owners Troy and Robin Hodge, along with family members, friends and Chamber Ambassadors cut their ribbon joining the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce.

Florence Hauling & Junk Removal, a locally owned and operated business, is proud to announce the expansion of its junk removal services to better serve the growing needs of Florence and surrounding communities. From old furniture and appliances to yard debris and construction waste, the company offers fast, reliable, and eco-friendly hauling solutions for both residential and commercial customers. Troy and his wife Robin are passionate about helping their clients and meeting their needs when it comes to clutter clean up!

To read the full story, click here.

Darlington Raceway Featured On ChamberLink Radio

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Josh Harris, President of the Darlington Raceway was the Florence Chamber’s guest this past weekend talking about the upcoming NASCAR Playoffs Weekend as the Darlington Racetrack Celebrates their 75th Anniversary on August 30-31 with the opening rounds of the NASCAR Cup and Craftsman Truck Series Playoffs.

We encourage you to tune-in every Sunday from 12:00-12:30pm on LIVE 95.3FM in Florence, SC.

This program is brought to you by the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce.

Looking for past ChamberLink Radio Show interviews? Click here:

https://www.flochamber.com/events-programs/podcasts/

MUSC Health Leatherman Behavioral Care Pavilion Business After Hours

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The Greater Florence Chamber held a Business After Hours last evening as part of MUSC’s Health Jean & Hugh K. Leatherman Behavioral Care Pavilion Grand Opening Celebration.

On Monday, the collaborative partners officially cut the ribbon on the new health care facility, marking a major milestone in expanding access to behavioral health care across the Pee Dee region.

The unique collaboration on this project was between MUSC Health, the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, the South Carolina Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Office, The City of Florence, McLeod Health, Francis Marion University and HopeHealth.

The Tuesday after hours event saw 150 area business and community leaders attend as MUSC shared an array of delicious food, beverages and prizes while offering tours of the new Behavioral Care Pavilion.

(Photos by Phillip Guyton Jr.)

To see more photos from the event, click here.

Florence Christmas Parade Set For December 13

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The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce invites your company or organization to participate in the 2025 Florence Christmas Parade! The parade is scheduled for Saturday, December 13th at 11:00am. The parade will begin near the intersection of Sunset Drive and Evans Street and will continue down Evans toward Dargan Street. Performances will be judged in front of the Florence City Center. Have some fun and share your organization’s holiday spirit with the community.

For more information, click here.

Chandler Investment Properties – Properties Available

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Chandler Properties’ thoughtfully designed, luxury townhomes are single-family homes located on spacious lots. With energy efficiency in mind and smart-home technology, these townhomes are great for first-time home buyers and investors alike. Private driveways and fenced-in backyards create a peaceful environment for each resident. Our prime locations provide quick access to local shopping, dining, entertainment and healthcare.

For more information, click here.

Anderson Brothers Bank Honored

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Anderson Brothers Bank is proud to announce it has been awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the Carolina Independent Automobile Dealers Association (CIADA). The award was presented during the organization’s 70th Annual Conference, held in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

The Distinguished Service Award recognizes Anderson Brothers Bank for its long-standing commitment, support, and service to the independent auto dealer community across the Carolinas. The honor reflects the bank’s dedication to helping dealers thrive through dependable financing solutions, personalized service, and strong community partnerships.

The CIADA Annual Conference gathers industry leaders, dealers, and finance partners from across the region. This year’s milestone 70th anniversary made the event even more meaningful, with a special emphasis on honoring organizations that have gone above and beyond in service to the independent dealer industry.

The School Foundation To Honor Haigh Porter At Annual Gala

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Haigh Porter will be honored as The School Foundation’s Distinguished Graduate at the 25th annual School Foundation Gala to be held on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, foundation officials announced recently.

Porter graduated from McClenaghan High School in 1952.  He attended college at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, and after active duty in the U.S. Army Reserve, he attended the University of South Carolina School of Law. After receiving a Bachelor of Law degree in 1965, he was then admitted to the South Carolina Bar by the State Supreme Court and by the Federal District Court and Court of Appeals.  He has served in numerous roles in the community, including serving as mayor of Florence.  He has served as chairman of the Drs. Bruce and Lee Foundation grants committee since it was founded.  In 2011, he proudly received a Doctor of Humanities degree from Francis Marion University.  In addition, the Legislative Delegation recommended the governor appoint him as Master-in-Equity and he was sworn in on March 17, 2018.  He was also assigned to serve as Special Circuit Judge for the Twelfth Judicial Circuit on April 2, 2025.

“Our honoree for this year’s distinguished graduate has dedicated his life to service as a prominent attorney, public servant as mayor of Florence, Master-in-Equity judge, and as grants chairman of the Drs. Bruce and Lee Foundation since it was founded,” stated Jean Leatherman, chair of the foundation’s fund development committee.

The event will be held at the Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing and Technology (SiMT).  It begins at 5:30pm and will end promptly at 9:00pm.  A meal will be served, and the attire is business attire. Tickets start at $100 for F1S educators and $125 for individuals.  Reserved tables of eight begin at $1,000 (bronze sponsorship), $2,500 (silver), $5,000 (gold) and $10,000 (platinum).

Tickets can be purchased by calling Hyler at (843) 662-9996 or by e-mailing dhyler@theschoolfoundation.org.

GSSM Robotics Team Wins AI Award At Carolinas Premier Event

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The South Carolina Governor’s School for Science & Mathematics (GSSM) all-girls robotics team, the Lobotomists, earned the AI Award at the Carolinas Premier Event, held July 25-27 at Salem Academy in Winston-Salem, N.C.

The AI Award recognizes a team that effectively uses artificial intelligence to advance their team’s goals and in designing, building and programming their robot. Competing as Team 327, the Lobotomists include GSSM students Phoenix Zhao (Fort Mill), Miriam Morales (Myrtle Beach), Reagan Mitton (Florence), Aishwarya Prabhakaran (Fort Mill), Sami Freeman (Hanahan), and Priya Raj (Indian Land). The team earned an invitation to the Premier Event after winning the Connect Award at the South Carolina FIRST Tech Challenge State Championship. That award honors teams that actively engage with their communities and demonstrate a clear connection between their outreach efforts and the advancement of STEM opportunities for others.

To read the full story, click here.

SCDOT Names Local Bridges For Replacement

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Five local bridges have been added to the list for improvements under SCDOT’s bridge program.

The U.S. 76 bridge over Middle Swamp and the Hoffmeyer Road Beaverdam Creek bridge are two bridges in Florence County slated for improvements.

In Darlington County, the Lumber Road bridge over Flat Creek is ranked ninth in SCDOT priority. The bridge was built in 1965.

In Marion County, the U.S. 76 East Bound bridge over the Great Pee Dee River and the U.S. 76 bridge over the Little Pee Dee River are both slated for improvements.

The bridges are a part of the SCDOT Commission-approved updates to the state’s bridge program made possible by an additional $200 million appropriated by the S.C. General Assembly.

To read the full story, click here.