Personal Injury Attorneyin Florence, SC.

LITTLE RIVER, S.C. — Eighth-ranked South Florence will have to win at home Thursday to keep its season alive. That’s after the Bruins lost 2-1 to top-ranked North Myrtle Beach in Tuesday’s Game 1 of the Class 4A lower-state finals.

“Bottom line is they were able to get the runs in, and we didn’t,” said Kenny Gray, South Florence’s coach. “During the game, we had a few opportunities to score some runs, but we just couldn’t get the big hit.”

Game 2 is 6:30 p.m. Thursday at South Florence. Game 3, if necessary, is 6:30 p.m. Friday back at North Myrtle.

The Chiefs scored on an error in the first, and on a passed ball in the second.

South Florence scratched its run across the plate in the top of the seventh and were in contention to tie it with a runner on third. But winning pitcher Austin Long completed his path of going the distance by striking out Noah Gause to end the game.

The Bruins started their top of the seventh with a walk by losing pitcher Aydin Palmer. Palmer’s courtesy runner, Hunter White, then stole second and got to third while Wyatt Williams reached second on an error. White scored while Hunter McClary grounded out on a check-swing to the pitcher.

Darius Douglas, the pinch-runner for Williams, then was at third but could not advance any farther as the Chiefs earned their third one-run win of the season against the Bruins. North Myrtle won the regular-season meetings by the score of 3-2.

Palmer, the South Florence career strikeout leader who struck out 12 Tuesday, cannot pitch anymore in this series because of pitch count. His career total of strikeouts at South is 377.

Teammate Dylan Wiegel is the likely starter for Thursday’s Game 2.

Those first and second innings are what put the Bruins in Thursday’s crucial situation. After South (24-6) successfully bargained an umpire meeting to overturn a call on which Brayden Robinson was initially ruled out, the Bruins protested again on North Myrtle’s single by Chance Hall that started the bottom of the first. The South coaches argued Hall made the turn after reaching first base and was tagged — therefore, in those coaches’ opinion, Hall should have been ruled out.

But unlike the top of the first, the umpires didn’t meet to consider overturning that call, so Hall remained safe.

After being asked if he tried to get an umpire meeting together on that play, or if the umpires refused the request, Gray said, “He made the call, and that was it. I went out there (in the first inning for Robinson) and I asked for help and they took it. But on a call like that, there’s really not a lot of help we could have gotten. It’s just that’s the judgment of that umpire and that was it.”

Hall went on to steal second and reach third on a groundout. Then, with two outs, C.J. Oxendine’s fly ball to center went off Gause’s glove and Hall scored for a 1-0 lead.

In the bottom of the second, the Chiefs’ Mason Cox reached on a single to right. After Cox stole second and reached third on Allen McCormick’s sacrifice bunt, Cox scored on the passed ball.

Palmer pulled an impressive escape feat in the fifth after three consecutive one-out walks loaded the bases. He responded with back-to-back strikeouts to end that frame.

But the Chiefs (26-5) were the ones celebrating at the end of this game.

“When you reach this point of the playoffs, all the teams are good, and any mistake you make is magnified,” Gray said. “That was evident tonight. They were able to score runs and capitalize, and we weren’t.”

Florence, SC (RestaurantNews.com) East Coast Wings + Grill, a full-service and family-dining restaurant renowned for its variety of buffalo wing sauces and heat indexes, is celebrating the grand opening of its newest location in Florence, SC on May 9th. The new restaurant is located at 1360 Celebration Blvd.

Deep Patel, Co-Owner of the new location, owns several convenience stores in the area, and was looking for a new opportunity. Patel and the rest of the ownership team loved wings and wanted to branch out into restaurant ownership. After researching opportunities, East Coast Wings + Grill was the clear choice due to the franchise’s leadership and ability to support their franchisees in every aspect of their business.

“Deep and his team are extremely passionate about the brand, and are looking forward to being more involved within their community,” says Mark Lyso, Chief Development Officer of East Coast Wings + Grill. “We are happy to have Deep and his team join our franchise system, and help us grow East Coast Wings + Grill’s footprint in South Carolina.”

South Carolina is a key growth market for the brand, as East Coast Wings + Grill recently signed a franchise agreement deal to open a unit in Clemson, SC, plus has plans to open 4 more locations across Columbia and Greenville, SC over the next 3-5 years.

East Coast Wings + Grill is a full-service, family-dining franchise that spotlights Buffalo wings. The thoughtfully-crafted menu also offers a variety of other options to satisfy every family member’s taste buds. With more than 60-nationwide locations currently operating or in various stages of development, the franchise recently secured a top spot on Restaurant Business Magazine’s “Future 50” list of fastest-growing, U.S. mid-sized restaurant chains for the second-consecutive year. Entrepreneur magazine also named East Coast Wings + Grill one of the nation’s top franchise investments, and Franchise Times magazine ranked the company No. 383 on its “Top 200+” list of top revenue-producing U.S. franchises. The concept has also been recognized by The Franchise Grade and Franchise Business Review for transparency during the franchise sales process, franchisee support and overall franchisee satisfaction. For more information about East Coast Wings + Grill or its franchise opportunities, visit www.eastcoastwings.com or www.eastcoastwingsfranchise.com.

Contact:Maddie LaPortaFishman PR847-945-1300mlaporta@fishmanpr.com

There is something about a small town’s main street. Sometimes it’s enough to get this city girl thinking of moving. I’m sure you have a favorite local main street. And one South Carolina main street was recently recognized as one of the top 3 in America. Downtown Florence Main Street in Florence, South Carolina was named as one of three winners of the prestigious 2023 Great American Main Street Award. According to the website the GAMSA “recognizes communities for their excellence in comprehensive preservation-based commercial district revitalization.”

“Downtown Florence Main Street sets a national standard for downtown revitalization rooted in community connections,” said Main Street America Interim President and CEO, Hannah White. “Their success demonstrates the power of creative approaches to engaging stakeholders, creating a strong culture of volunteerism, and fostering pathways to increased downtown housing, while also championing the preservation of historic community assets.”

Downtown Florence spans eight blocks where you’ll find high-quality, local dining, and entertainment venues. There are also “whimsical” public art displays and the quintessential small downtown feel you know and love. Want to know more about the Great American Mainstreet Awards? Do that and learn about the revitalization and growth of downtown Florence’s main street here. Have you visited the main street of Florence South Carolina lately?

This South Carolina Beach Is One Of The "Greatest Beach Towns In America"

If you grew up in the Carolinas chances are you have a favorite beach town you grew up going to. Or one you take your family to now. We have no shortage of fantastic seaside escapes. Even growing up in North Carolina I have to admit I’m typically a South Carolina beach person. While I tend to go to the general vicinity of the Myrtle Beach area (thanks to friends who have houses and free is for me). I’ve already read quite a lot of these types of articles and now have several other SC beaches on my must-visit list. Just need to find the time to get to them! Recently I came across yet another publication naming some of the best beach vacation spots. And my interest peaked like always. And of course, somewhere in South Carolina was included when Thrillist created a list of “The 20 Greatest Beach Towns In America”. But with so many fantastic destinations, which made the cut to be recognized?

The list compiled by writers at Thrillist details 20 of the nation’s beach towns in a variety of states. In addition to a general summary of the destination, they also make sure to let you know the must-eat spots and what you can’t leave without. You can read their full article here. Or keep reading to see which South Carolina town was named one of the 20 Greatest Beach Towns In America! And a couple of others that stuck out to me as personal favorites of mine or bucket list destinations!

FLORENCE, S.C. (WMBF) - Florence’s downtown was awarded the 2023 Great American Main Street Award for excellence.

Great American Main Street Award (GAMSA) recognizes communities for their excellence in comprehensive preservation-based commercial district revitalization.

Downtown Florence Main Street is recognized for developing innovative and forward-thinking approaches to creating community buy-in through representative leadership and inclusive programming.

”Downtown Florence Main Street sets a national standard for downtown revitalization rooted in community connections,” said Main Street America Interim President and CEO, Hannah White. “Their success demonstrates the power of creative approaches to engaging stakeholders, creating a strong culture of volunteerism, and fostering pathways to increased downtown housing, while also championing the preservation of historic community assets.”

For decades, the area suffered from a negative public perception fueled by empty storefronts, racial divides, and a practice of demolishing neglected, yet culturally significant, buildings in favor of new construction.

Efforts to address these issues began in 2002 with limited success, until the organization began implementing a community-informed revitalization plan in 2011.

Through initiatives, dedicated volunteers, established partnerships, and support catalytic projects, this plan generated over 100 units of new housing, $300 million in investment, and over 90 new businesses.

”Being selected as a winner of the 2023 Great American Main Street Award is an unbelievable honor—it’s the once-in-a-lifetime achievement representing the boundless investment, hard work, tenacity, and vision from local investors and partners, small business owners and residents, government officials and leaders, and our statewide Main Street network over the last twenty years—and especially over the last decade,” remarked Hannah L. Davis, Main Street Program Manager at Downtown Florence Main Street. “Once described as too far gone to be saved, Downtown Florence has become the place to be, to live, and to do business in our region, and we aren’t done yet!”

The newly installed North Dargan Street Mural is the latest in the organization’s efforts to honor the legacy of Black entrepreneurship, enhance the downtown’s African American Historic Business District, and foster community trust.

”Florence winning GAMSA is a tremendous achievement. The Downtown Florence Main Street team models exemplary revitalization with strong partnerships, visible transformation, and a commitment to historic preservation,” said Jenny Boulware, State Coordinator at Main Street South Carolina. “Downtown Florence has brought a new level of respect and awareness to the power of the Main Street Approach across South Carolina and throughout our southern region. We are excited to celebrate this prestigious win – and how fitting for it to be awarded during the state Main Street network’s fortieth year.”

Copyright 2023 WMBF. All rights reserved.

FLORENCE, S.C. (WPDE) — The Florence Housing Authority board voted Wednesday in favor of a resolution that asks the Florence mayor to remove a fellow member.

The board held a special called meeting for two days this week to address the matter.

"We have a motion on the floor to adopt a resolution authorizing the submission of a petition to the mayor of the city of Florence requesting the removal of commissioner Linda Becote," said the Board's Vice Chairman Rosa Mullins.

Becote was sick and unable to attend the meeting but voted by phone against the measure.

The resolution reads:

WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of Florence (the "Authority") met at 10:00 a.m. on the 11th ' day of April 2023 and recessed until April 12, 2023, at 11 a.m.; and

WHEREAS, the Authority is organized and operates pursuant to the South Carolina Housing Authorities Law of the South Carolina Code, as amended; and

WHEREAS, the Commissioners of the Authority are required to comply with the South Carolina State Ethics Law Authority ("Ethics Act") and other applicable South Carolina and Federal law; and

WHEREAS, the Commissioners of the Authority are required to avoid conflicts of interest and the appearance of conflicts of interest; and

WHEREAS, the Bylaws of the Authority grant the Authority the power to petition the Mayor of the City of Florence to remove a commissioner that has violated the Ethics Act;

and WHEREAS, the Commissioners of the Authority have determined that Commissioner Linda Becote has violated the Ethics Act, and other applicable law, and the rules and regulations governing the Neighborhood Stabilization Program; and

WHEREAS, the Commissioners of the Authority have determined that the conduct of Commissioner Becote has placed the Authority and the residents served by the Authority at substantial risk.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF FLORENCE:

1. The Authority hereby requests that the Mayor of the City of Florence take immediate action to remove Commissioner Becote from her position as a commissioner on the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of Florence.

2. This resolution shall take effect immediately.

Becote served as chair of the board for several years.

However, as of Wednesday, her name isn't listed on the authority's website.

Becote told ABC15 her attorney has advised her to not make a statement, but she will at a later time.

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Florence City Council appoints the authority's board members.

The city has postponed three hearings to possibly remove Becote for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or misconduct in office.

City officials said they have yet to receive a copy of the resolution and will move forward with Becote's hearing which is now set for Thursday, April 20.

The resolution mentions the neighborhood stabilization program.

According to S.C. Housing," The purpose of Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) is to acquire and redevelop foreclosed properties that might otherwise become sources of abandonment and blight within their communities. The NSP provides grants to purchase foreclosed or abandoned properties and to rehabilitate, resell, or redevelop these properties in order to stabilize neighborhoods and stem the decline of house values of neighboring homes."

S.C. Housing said the neighborhood stabilization isn't a foreclosure prevention program. "HUD has no funding in this for counseling or funds to bring a past due mortgage current. This is strictly to help stabilize neighborhoods negatively impacted by already foreclosed or abandoned property."

The specifics of Becote's alleged ethics violations of the neighborhood stabilization program aren't laid out in the resolution.

The Housing Authority has had quite a shakeup in the past 30 days, including the firing of the executive director, longtime attorney, and human resource director, and a board member who resigned due to health reasons.

The organization is also dealing with a mold problem at one of its apartment buildings, Creekside Village Complex.

Officials have spent more than $554,000 to temporarily relocate residents and provide food vouchers for them.

The authority's interim attorney has asked the staff to come up with a budget that outlines future costs in response to the mold situation.

ABC15 requested yearly and supplemental inspection reports from the past three years on Creekside Village Complex.

The Housing Authority of Florence's website says it "manages Affordable Housing for Cheraw, Marlboro County & McColl Housing Authorities in Florence, Chesterfield, Dillon & Marlboro Counties, South Carolina. All four housing authorities offer low-income families, seniors & veterans (with or without families ) the opportunity to rent an affordable residence, whether apartments or single-family homes."

We will keep you updated with any new developments within the organization.