ALL FLORENCE COUNTY SCHOOLS OPERATING NORMALLY ALL SCHOOLS NORMAL 12:09 AM

Heat Wave Prompts Cooling and Pet Safety Advice for Florence Residents

Residents across the Pee Dee region are bracing for a significant heatwave expected to coincide with the upcoming July 4 holiday. Forecasters are warning of dangerous temperatures and high heat index values, urging individuals to take precautions to stay safe and protect vulnerable populations, including pets and children. The anticipated heatwave underscores the importance of […]

European Heat Wave Prompts Emergency Measures, Disrupts Travel

A significant heat wave is gripping central and eastern Europe, prompting emergency measures and causing disruptions to travel and public services. Several major European capitals are bracing for temperatures to reach as high as 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit) in the coming days. This extreme heat poses considerable public safety risks, particularly for vulnerable […]

New Approval System for Mosquito Repellents Takes Effect July 1 in Florence

A new approval system for mosquito repellents and household pesticides will take effect on July 1, leading to the removal of unapproved products from store shelves. This change requires consumers to verify the approval status of these items before purchase or use. The system aims to ensure that products available to the public meet specific […]

Severe Weather Risk Looms Over Northern Plains and Upper Midwest Sunday

Severe weather is forecast to impact areas stretching from the northern Plains into parts of the Upper Midwest on Sunday, June 28, 2026. Independent weather-risk summaries have flagged a potential for severe thunderstorms across these regions. The primary hazards identified in these non-federal analyses are large hail and damaging winds. While a tornado risk exists, […]

Utah Wildfire Emergency Disrupts Holiday Travel, Prompts Evacuations

A significant wildfire emergency is unfolding in Utah’s Cottonwood area, prompting evacuations and casting a shadow over holiday travel. Non-federal reports indicate the blaze is a major active fire, with emergency declarations in place and continued concerns regarding containment efforts. The situation has national implications, particularly for individuals planning travel during the holiday week. The […]

Hormuz Shipping Risk Escalates Amid U.S.-Iran Tensions, Threatening Global Trade Routes

Increased military activity and retaliatory strikes in the vicinity of the Strait of Hormuz have heightened concerns over the safety of international shipping, particularly for vessels transporting crude oil. Independent reports indicate a series of attacks and counterattacks have occurred following a drone strike on a commercial vessel. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint […]

Heat-Wave Gardening Advice Shifts to Targeted Plant Protection in Florence

As Florence navigates a persistent heat wave, gardening advice is shifting from general upkeep to specific strategies for protecting plants from extreme summer conditions. The focus is moving towards deeper, more targeted watering and shielding vulnerable flora from the harshest sun, rather than broad maintenance that could further stress already heat-affected vegetation. Container plants, in […]

Supreme Court Restores Etan Patz Murder Conviction

The U.S. Supreme Court has reinstated the murder conviction of Pedro Hernandez in connection with the 1979 disappearance of Etan Patz, a case that became a pivotal moment in national awareness of child abduction. The high court’s action effectively reverses a lower court’s decision that had cast doubt on the conviction, marking a significant development […]

U.S. Waives Iran Oil Sanctions for 60 Days Amid Implementation Phase

The United States has issued a 60-day waiver on sanctions targeting Iranian oil and associated transactions, a decision that allows for a temporary easing of economic pressure as diplomatic talks progress into an implementation phase. The waiver, effective immediately and set to expire on August 21, is directly linked to early economic relief measures agreed […]