Personal Injury Attorney in Florence, SC

FLORENCE, S.C. (WPDE) — A Pee Dee teacher was bestowed a great honor on Tuesday.

Rahsaan Perry, an assistant principal at West Florence High School, has been named South Carolina School Administrators Association (SCASA) High School Assistant Principal of the Year.

Administrators presented Perry with the award Tuesday morning in a surprise visit.

Perry was eligible after being named the Florence 1 Schools Assistant Principal of the Year earlier this year.

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He coordinates the STEM Program at West Florence High School and is an adviser to Sharper Knights, a mentoring program.

“When I decided to get into administration, it was because I wanted to be able to impact schools on a larger level than just inside a classroom,” Perry said in a news release from Florence School District 1. “That has been my goal since I’ve been here. I am just glad I am a small part of what happens here. I am proud to be a Knight."

His colleagues also shared their thoughts on Perry winning the award.

“This award is a true testament to Mr. Perry’s commitment to the West Florence community,” said Jeffrey Gaines, principal of Sneed Middle School. “He exemplifies leadership in every aspect of his work from leading the STEM Magnet program to advising students through Sharper Knights. As one of the feeder schools for West Florence, Sneed Middle School reaps the benefits of the strong partnership we have between our STEM and mentoring programs. This would not be possible without the guidance from Mr. Perry. I am very proud to not only call him colleague, but friend!”

“Mr. Perry’s tireless efforts to support students and educators, his commitment to designing and implementing rigorous curricula, and his ability to cultivate a positive school culture highlight his exceptional qualities as a leader,” Dowdell said. “West Florence is fortunate to have his innovative contributions and unwavering dedication.”

Perry has also earned the respect of his students.

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“Mr. Perry will tell you what you need to hear when you need to hear it, and I respect him for that," said Jalen Wallace, a senior at South Florence High School. "In my freshman year, he introduced me to a group called Sharper Knights here at West Florence. This group has taught me many things about manhood and what it takes to be a leader. Furthermore, Mr. Perry has taught me that anything is possible in life and to never give up on my dreams.”

“Mr. Perry has become such an important person in my high school career., said Tiverly Gray, also a senior student at West Florence High School. "He has helped push me to be my best academic self. He truly believed in me and my capabilities to get through the STEM Program. Even when there were days when I wanted to quit the program because of how rigorous the courses are and how heavy of a workload the teachers gave us, even then he gave me so much support which really helped me get through”.

“Knowing Mr. Perry over the past few years has been a profound experience, said Senior Michael James. "His encouragement and guidance have helped me become a better student and a more focused individual. His belief in me, even when I doubted myself, has been a driving force in my academic and personal growth. He’s not just an assistant principal: he’s a mentor, a role model, and a guiding force in our lives.”

Perry now competes for National High School Assistant Principal of the Year.

He's been with West Florence High School since 2021.

FLORENCE S.C. (WBTW) — The American Red Cross and a local church are helping several families whose condos were heavily damaged in an overnight fire in Florence County.

About 30 people were displaced and one person was hurt after the fire broke out at about 10:30 p.m. Monday at a condominium complex on Coventry Lane, the West Florence Fire Department said. It took about two-and-a-half hours to contain the fire, which damaged eight units of the two-story structure.

News13 talked to a witness Tuesday afternoon who said one person jumped out of a top-floor window to escape the flames. The witness said the person was taken to the hospital. Fire officials said no one else was hurt.

The American Red Cross said the fire left 11 families displaced and that its volunteers initially provided blankets to the families.

“We’ve opened recovery cases for 6 families, assisting 15 people by providing financial assistance for immediate needs,” the organization said.

The Palmetto Street Church of God is also collecting items to help those affected by the fire. Church members of the church will be at the gym at the rear of their facility from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday. Donations can be new, unwrapped toys and clothing for adults and children.

The Florence County Sheriff’s Office’s arson unit is investigating the cause of the fire. When crews arrived, authorities said there was heavy fire and reports of people trapped inside the building.

No additional information was immediately available. The West Florence Fire Department was assisted by the city of Florence Fire Department, the Howe Springs Fire Department, the Darlington County Fire Department, the Sardis-Timmonsville Fire Department, and the South Lynches Fire Department.

Count on News13 for updates.

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Jordan White is a Digital Producer at News13. She joined the News13 team in August 2024. Jordan, a Myrtle Beach native, graduated from St. James High School in Murrells Inlet and is a graduate of Coker University. Follow Jordan on Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and read more of her work here.

FLORENCE — Florence leads South Carolina in employment growth from October 2023 to October 2024, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics employment data.

The 3.7 percent increase in employment ranks Florence as the seventh highest in the United States, according to a Dec. 9 press release from the state Department of Employment and Workforce.

South Carolina added 61,000 jobs, a 2.6 percent increase between October 2023 and October 2024. Three South Carolina metropolitan statistical areas placed in the top 15 in the nation.

Florence was No. 7 with 3.7 percent job growth. Florence added 4,205 jobs in those 12 months. As of October 2024, there were 103,071 people employed in the Florence MSA.

Charleston/North Charleston was No. 10 with a 3.4 percent increase and Sumter was No. 14 with a 3.1 percent hike. Charleston/North Charleston added 14,400 jobs, while Sumter added 1,760.

HARTSVILLE — Sonoco Products Company has agreed to sell its Thermoformed and Flexibles Packaging business to TOPPAN Holdings, Inc. for approximately $1.8 billion.

The sale reflects the completion of a strategic review of Sonoco's Thermoformed and Flexibles Packaging business. The sales is subject to customary closing review. It is expected to be completed in the first half of 2025.

Net proceeds from the transactions are expected to be used to repay existing debt.

"The decision to sell our TFP businesses accelerates are portfolio simplification strategy, streamlines our organizational structure and enables more focused capital in our remaining industrial paper and consumer packaging business," Sonoco's President and Chief Executive Officer Howard Coker said.

Sonoco had net sales of approximately $6.8 billion in 2023. It employs approximately 22,000 in more than 300 operations around the world, serving some of the world's best brands.

In early December, Sonoco announced it had completed its acquistion of Enviosys, Europe's leading food cans, ends and closures manufacturing from KPS Capital Partners, LP.

Sonoco announced its plans to purchase Envosys in June. Enviosys will transition to the Sonoco brand over the coming months and will operate under Sonoco’s Consumer Packaging segment.

CADES — The South Carolina EMS for Children Advisory Committee recently designated MUSC Black River Medical Center as a Pediatric Ready Emergency Department.

The designation recognizes the hospital's commitment to providing high quality, family-centered emergency care that meets national guidelines for pediatric health care.

The Black River Medical Center is one of just 10 Pediatric Ready Emergency Department's in South Carolina, and one of two in the Pee Dee.

"The designation reinforces our commitment to evry child and family who walks through our doors," Hospital Executive Director Allen Abernethy said. "Our team continuously worked to ensure that we meet and exceed the highest standards of pediatric emergency care, providing peace of mine in our community."

FLORENCE — Cheney Brothers, Inc. broke ground in early December on its 386,047 square foot refrigerator/freezer distribution facility at the Pee Dee Commerce City East Industrial Park, which is across I-95 from Buc-ee's.

The facility will include 45 loading docks, a Cheney Express and the largest culinary kitchen the company has developed to date. It's the company's first distribution center in South Carolina.

"The new distribution center in Florence will allow Cheney Brothers to enhance our customer service and obtain a higher level of customer satisfaction," Cheney Brothers Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Byron Russell said. "The support we have received from the State of South Carolina and the local communities has been tremendous."

Cheney Brothers, based in Riviera Beach, Florida, was founded in 1925. It 2016, the company bought Pate Dawson company and acquired distribution facilities in Statesville and Greensboro, North Carolina. The company is a food distributor in the southeast region of the United States and more than 100 countries.

At the groundbreaking, Russell announced the facility will employ 600 to 700 people. Some will make around $50 an hour with incentives.

FLORENCE — Behaviorial health consultant Paige Wilson has joined HopeHealth. Wilson will provide integrated behaviorial health services to patients at the HopeHealth Medical Plaza in Florence.

Wilson earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in social work from Limestone University in Gaffney. She is a native of Darlington. Her clinical interests include anxiety, depression, self-esteem and grief.

HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WMBF) - Schools in the Carolinas are implementing safety plans as inclement winter weather makes its way through the southeast.

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The list below will be updated with all closures and cancelations as they become available.

Florence School District 3 - The school district announced it would be implementing early dismissal for Friday.

The dismissal times are as follows:

Lake City Early Childhood, J.C. Lynch Elementary, Olanta Magnet, and Scranton Elementary will dismiss at 11 a.m.

Main Street Elementary will dismiss at 11:10 a.m.

Dr. Ronald E. McNair Junior High School and J. Paul Truluck Magnet will dismiss at 11:50 a.m.

Lake City High School will dismiss at noon.

Dillon School District 4 - All elementary schools will dismiss at 12:15 p.m. and middle/high schools will dismiss at 1 p.m. After-school activities have been canceled.

Dillon School District 3 - Latta Elementary School will dismiss at 1 p.m., while Latta Middle School and Latta High School will both dismiss at 2 p.m. Breakfast and lunch will be served to students.

Marion County School District - The school district will operate on an early dismissal schedule on Friday. Primary and elementary schools will dismiss at noon and middle and high schools will dismiss at 1 p.m. All after-school activities are canceled for Friday.

Public Schools of Robeson County - Classes will be dismissed on Friday at 11:30 a.m. for all schools within the district. All afternoon and after-school activities for Friday are canceled and after-school care will not be available.

Robeson Community College - The college will transition to remote learning and the physical campus will be closed from 5 p.m. on Friday through 8 a.m. on Monday.

Scotland County Schools - The school district announced that all schools will operate on the early release schedule on Friday. The full schedule is below.

All elementary schools: 8 - 11 a.m.All middle schools: 8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.Scotland High School: 7:40 a.m. - 11:20 a.m.Shaw Academy: 8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.Scotland Early College High School: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.District offices: 1 p.m.

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