Good morning, Florence.

A family in Aynor mourns the loss of a couple killed in a UTV crash over the weekend — the incident occurred in Horry County.

Production trials will begin later this year at AESC's electric car battery plant on Wilson Road in Florence as construction nears completion (the 1.7 million square feet site is almost ready) and manufacturing equipment will be delivered soon (the company is hiring for various positions). Commercial operations will start in 2026 and the plant will add over 1,600 new jobs.

On Sunday morning, a deadly shooting occurred on Rae Street outside Lake City and authorities have identified 28-year-old Maleek Symore Fulton—who is 5-foot-11 and weighs 195 pounds and is considered armed and dangerous—as the suspect while the victim's identity is being withheld pending family notification.

A Lake City man, Kevin Ulysses Adams Jr., 31, was arrested in Florence on kidnapping and second degree domestic violence charges after he assaulted his girlfriend and held her against her will in a vehicle on Richmond Hills Drive in September 2024—he fled before police arrived but was later apprehended by another agency—and he is now held at the Florence County Detention Center.

Rep. Robert Williams said he wants to raise South Carolina's minimum wage from $7.25 per hour because families struggle with rising costs — high food prices make it hard to cover basic needs.

He spoke at a job fair Monday at the American Legion Building in Darlington as he pushed for higher wages to help local workers.

FSO Music of the Knights

7:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. — Francis Marion University Performing Arts Center — Ticketed event — Experience the magic of Britain’s finest songwriters performed by the Florence Symphony Orchestra and special guests.

Youth Mentors of the Pee Dee BBQ Festival

April 11-12 — ECA Fairgrounds — $10 wristband — Taste competition-quality barbecue and enjoy family-friendly activities while supporting local youth mentorship.

Adventurous Scavenger Hunt in Florence

8 a.m. – 5 p.m. — Florence County Library System — Ticket purchase required — Explore hidden gems and enjoy interactive challenges in downtown Florence.

Pee Dee Roundup 13th Annual Event

10 AM – 5 PM — Florence Center — $20 preregistration, $25 day of — Celebrate automotive excellence with awards, music, and prizes.

The Biggest Spring Rodeo Reloaded

5-11:30 p.m. — 1533 Old Ebenezer Rd, Latta, SC — Tickets available — Experience the wildest ride of the season with bull riding, line dancing, and more.