Good morning, Florence.

The Speed & Feed BBQ Festival returns on Saturday as local and visiting teams compete for $12,000 in prize money under the Kansas City Barbeque Society sanction, marking its first run since 2018.

The annual Christian Covenant Fellowship Ministries conference will run from Wednesday, June 24 through Saturday, June 27 at the Florence Center and is expected to draw thousands statewide and nationally.

Hosted by Door of Hope Christian Church in Marion — the free event will feature acclaimed speakers and gospel artists.

Florence-Darlington Technical College named Dr. Debbie Cheek interim president after Dr. Jermaine Ford resigned; Cheek (who has served as Vice President of Finance and Administration since 2022) will lead the college while the commission reviews candidates for a long-term interim lead.

Marion County council members plan to send a letter to SCDOT to request safety improvements on Highway 378—an effort prompted by Florence resident Dana Evans after 83 accidents occurred from 2023 to 2025 and she lost her daughter in a fatal crash.

Jason Springs has been named the new chief of the South Lynches Fire Department in lower Florence County as the department continues to remember former chief David Malone, who died in March after 46 years of service.

Springs said he is committed to leading his team.

Small Business Success Summit

10 a.m. – 2 p.m. — Honda of South Carolina Manufacturing — Free entry — Equip yourself with tools and resources to grow your small business in the vibrant community of Florence.