Criminal Defense Lawyer in Florence, SC

Florence County, SC – Authorities in Florence County are warning residents about a surge in scams targeting local citizens, with fraudsters allegedly posing as law enforcement officers and government agencies in an attempt to steal money.

The Florence County Sheriff’s Office says the most common scam involves a phone call from someone claiming to be with the sheriff’s office who allegedly tells victims they have an outstanding arrest warrant, often for allegedly failing to report for jury duty. The caller then reportedly offers a way to allegedly avoid arrest by paying a supposed fine with a credit card or gift card.

According to the Florence County Sheriff’s Office, these calls are scams and residents should hang up immediately. Officials say scammers may manipulate caller ID to make it appear as though the call is coming from a local number or even the sheriff’s office itself. Some callers allegedly use local accents or falsely claim to be actual deputies.

Law enforcement stressed that legitimate agencies will never call residents to collect money or request payment information for warrants or court fines.

Authorities also warn about another scam in which a caller allegedly claims a family member is in jail, sometimes locally or even in another country, and urgently needs money wired for bond. Officials say scammers repeatedly rely on fear and urgency to pressure victims into sending money.

Text messages posing as the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles have also been circulating. In those cases, scammers allegedly claim the recipient has unpaid traffic tickets and must pay immediately through a link that appears to be official or risk license or registration suspension.

According to the sheriff’s office, these messages are fraudulent and should be deleted without clicking any links.

Officials say additional scams have involved messages impersonating the Internal Revenue Service, Social Security Administration, or sweepstakes notifications.

Residents are urged to never provide personal or financial information over the phone or online to unknown individuals and to report suspected scams to local authorities.

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Anyone who drives a car understands the sting of having to fill up their tank and pulling into the gas station, only to discover that gas prices have skyrocketed. Paying extra for gas means you have less to spend on other things, which, over time, can really put a crimp in your budget.

Cheap Insurance explored some of the reasons behind major changes in gas prices, and compiled a list of the cheapest gas stations in Florence, South Carolina using data from Gas Buddy.

Gas prices fluctuate based on several factors, including the cost of the key ingredient, crude oil, as well as the available supply and demand for gasoline. If the price of oil rises, a major refinery goes offline, or more drivers are hitting the road, for example, then the cost will increase.

In the first half of 2022, a unique confluence of events led to a surge in gas prices. The increased demand stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and a slowdown in oil production all contributed to a national all-time high of $4.93 per gallon on average in June 2022.

Seasons also affect gas prices. Demand tends to drop in winter, but the cost also falls because gas stations switch to a different blend of gasoline that's optimal for lower temperatures—and has cheaper ingredients.

Location also matters. The South and Midwest tend to have the lowest gas prices, while the West, including Hawai'i, has the highest. Californians, in particular, pay more for gas on average than any other state. That's because of its high state excise taxes; its isolation from the country's major pipelines, which causes supply issues; and its requirements that mandate a more environmentally friendly blend of gas that costs more to produce and adds to the price per gallon.

No matter where you live, read on to see if you can get a deal on gas near you.

#1. Exxon- Address: 2401 W Palmetto St, Florence, SC- Price: $2.45

#2. Sam's Club- Address: 200 Beltline Dr, SouthCarolina, SC- Price: $2.97

#3. Murphy USA- Address: 411 Pamplico Hwy, Florence, SC- Price: $2.99

#3. Murphy Express (tie)- Address: 111 N. Beltline Dr, Florence, SC- Price: $2.99

#3. Murphy USA (tie)- Address: 2010 S. Irby, Florence, SC- Price: $2.99

#3. Fast Lane (tie)- Address: 210 E National Cemetery Rd, Florence, SC- Price: $2.99

#3. Mobil (tie)- Address: 2024 W Lucas St, Florence, SC- Price: $2.99

#8. Exxon- Address: 2099 N Irby St, Florence, SC- Price: $3.01

#8. Exxon (tie)- Address: 2105 TV Rd, Florence, SC- Price: $3.01

#10. BP- Address: 400 PAMPLICO HWY, Florence, SC- Price: $3.04

(WPDE) — Florence One Schools’ special education teacher is a finalist for the South Carolina Teacher of the Year.

Megan Johnson works as an Exceptional Education teacher at Royall Elementary School and on Thursday morning got quite the surprise.

South Carolina State Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver walked into Johnson’s classroom with a $10,000 check and told Johnson that she was up for the major award.

Johnson was very emotional and extremely surprised as she gazed at all of the cameras, along with Weaver, her team and district administrators in her classroom.

Johnson has been teaching for 19 years and said she does it because she truly loves educating students.

Johnson’s young daughter was in on the surprise and gave her mother a huge hug for being named a finalist.

Before Royall, she also worked at McLaurin Elementary School and Carver Elementary School.

“I am extremely proud of Mrs. Johnson and all that she has accomplished as a teacher,” said Royall Elementary Principal Chris Rogers. “I have worked with her for many years, and I can honestly say her students always come first. She truly loves and cares for her students while giving each of them the best education possible. It is truly an honor to have her as a teacher at Royall Elementary School.”

MORE: SC 'Where the Revolutionary War Was Won' license plate explained

The South Carolina Teacher of the Year (TOY) is a program of the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) coordinated by the Office of Educator Services.

The TOY program annually identifies, recognizes, and celebrates exceptional teachers and their effective work in and outside the classroom.

The teacher selected as South Carolina’s Teacher of the Year serves for one school year as a roving ambassador promoting the teaching profession and as the state spokesperson for over 60,000 educators.

South Carolina school districts nominate teachers for consideration as state Teacher of the Year.

The SCDE established the South Carolina Education Foundation as a 501c3 nonprofit arm of the agency in order to facilitate private support for the annual Teacher of the Year Gala and other student and teacher recognition programs.

Florence One Schools Superintendent Dr. Richard O’Malley said Johnson is an excellent teacher who takes pride in her career.

She was Florence One Schools’ Teacher of the Year in 2025.

District administrators called Johnson a “shining example of a teacher who gives her all to her students every day.”

Johnson’s principal and fellow teachers at the school believe she’ll bring home the top prize because educating exceptional children is her pride and joy.

MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) - Upcoming weather conditions have led to operational changes for several schools and offices.

The changes come based on potential severe storms, including strong winds, and potential tornado activity across North and South Carolina.

SCHOOLS

Florence-Darlington Technical College

The technical college will be closing early at 12 p.m. Monday.

Horry County Schools

The district says all schools will dismiss 2 1/2 hours early on Monday and that all after-school activities, including Kid-Care and athletic activities, are cancelled for tomorrow.

Horry-Georgetown Technical College

HGTC will close at noon on Monday.

Employees are encouraged to plan accordingly and, where possible, continue working remotely in coordination with their supervisors.

The College is currently observing Spring Break for most academic programs; however, College offices remain open, and some Workforce Development courses and training activities are still taking place.

The Public Schools of Robeson County

On Monday, schools and facilities will be closed.

All after-school activities remain canceled, including Driver’s Education Classes.

Georgetown County School District

On Monday, all schools and offices will be closed.

All after-school activities, including athletic practices, games, meetings, and other events, are cancelled.

Dillon School District Four

Monday will be an eLearning Day.

Dillon District Three

School and all after-school activities will be closed on Monday.

Florence 1 Schools

Florence 1 Schools will operate on an e-learning day Monday.

Students will log into Google Classroom for instruction with their teachers, and attendance will be taken.

All athletics and after school activities are cancelled

Florence County School District 2

The district will operate on an e-learning day Monday.

Students are encouraged to contact their teachers via email or Google Classroom for instructional support.

Staff should work from home unless otherwise.

Florence School District 3

All after-school activities are canceled for Monday, except for J. C. Lynch Elementary and Scranton Elementary after-school programs.

There are no changes to FSD3’s school day or operational schedules.

Florence School District Five

On Monday, all Florence School District Five schools will be closed to students and staff.

After-school activities are canceled.

Marion County School District

The Marion County School District will be closed Monday, and a make-up day will be announced later.

Darlington County School District

The Darlington County School District will be closed Monday.

Atlantic Collegiate Academy

Atlantic Collegiate Academy is having an e-learning day Monday. Assignments for students will be posted by 8 a.m. and must be completed by 4 p.m. for attendance.

OFFICES

Marlboro County

Marlboro County offices will be closed Monday, the county says it will monitor the conditions and provide updates.

Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office

The Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office administration office will be closed to the public Monday.

Deputies will remain on their normal patrol schedules.

City of Darlington

The city of Darlington’s Administrative Offices will be closed Monday and reopen Tuesday at 8:30 a.m.

Darlington County

Darlington County general government services will be closed Monday, which includes services at the courthouse, government building, landfill, recycling/convenience stations, libraries, parks and recreation activities and museum.

All public safety and public works departments will have normal operations.

Stay with WMBF News for updates.

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FLORENCE, S.C. (WPDE) — Residents in Florence said a strong, foul odor that has lingered for months in parts of the city’s west end may finally have an explanation.

Images and videos circulating online appear to show sewage spilling into Jeffries Creek, raising concerns among neighbors who said they’ve seen raw sewage flowing through the waterway behind their homes.

People living near the creek said the overflow includes fecal matter and toilet paper, which they believe may be coming from the city’s sewer system.

Many suspect the issue could be the source of the unpleasant smell that has affected the area for months.

Photos and videos shared on social media over the weekend show what appears to be sewage flowing from manholes into the creek.

Florence resident, Andy Evans, said the odor has become hard to ignore, especially along one of the city’s busiest corridors.

“It’s an embarrassment, David McLeod Boulevard is a major thoroughfare coming into Florence, and when you reach Golden Corral between Kimbrell’s furniture, the stench is so bad it almost makes you want to regurgitate," Evans said.

According to reports from the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES), Jeffries Creek has experienced more than a dozen water overflows since 2023.

The most recent incident was documented less than two weeks ago. A report from the state agency indicates approximately 100,000 gallons of water were released into Jeffries Creek from a manhole, though the discharge description was listed as unknown.

Officials noted that about half an inch of rainfall, along with inflow and infiltration into the sewer system, may have contributed to the overflow.

SCDES said the city is monitoring the site, has applied lime to the affected area, and has begun water sampling.

Jeffries Creek is also protected under Florence’s Unified Development Ordinance as part of a “non-development overlay district,” which is intended to protect water quality and preserve wildlife habitats.

Evans says the continued overflows are concerning, especially in an area meant to be environmentally protected.

“It’s simple,” Evans said. “I simply want them to stop releasing raw sewage into the Jeffries Creek wetland area.”

ABC 15 reached out to SCDES and Florence city officials, asking about the timeline and potential solutions for addressing residents’ complaints about sewage overflow into the creek.

Florence City Manager Scotty Davis responded, saying he plans to provide an update to the city council during their Monday meeting.

This is not the first sewage overflow reported in the area in recent months.

In October of last year, the city said about 5,000 gallons of sewage overflowed into Jeffries Creek following heavy rainfall.

Officials at the time said the incident was addressed with water testing, vacuum truck cleanup, and disinfection of the affected area.

ABC 15 will continue to follow the latest reports and provide updates as more information becomes available.