VOC News

FCSO CEU MAKES BIG MA*****NA BUST
On October 7, 2024 FCSO deputies assigned to the Criminal Enforcement Unit (CEU) stopped a vehicle for speeding on Interstate 95 near the 160 mile marker. After making contact with the driver, deputies conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle, which discovered approximately 250 pounds of ma*****na (see attached photograph). Both occupants of the vehicle were arrested and charged with Trafficking Ma*****na. Deputies estimate the street of the seized ma*****na to be $500,000.00.
Kevin Li and Kang Quan Huang, both of New York are being held at the Florence County Detention Center while awaiting a bond hearing.
SUBJECT: Kevin Li, age 25, of 9410 46th Avenue, Elmhurst, New York, NY was arrested on October 7, 2024 and charged with Trafficking in Ma*****na (S.C. Code Ann. 44-53-370(e)(1)(b)). See FCSO Booking Website for additional information.
SUBJECT: Kang Quan Huang, age 17, 2024, of 4222 165th Street, New York, NY was arrested on October 7, 2024 and charged with Trafficking in Ma*****na (S.C. Code Ann. 44-53-370(e)(1)(b)). See FCSO Booking Website for additional information.

Florence County Sheriff's Department Extends Curfew
The curfew is intended to discourage unnecessary driving at night when road conditions may be more hazardous because of ponding water and low visibility. It is not designed to prevent or discourage business travel, routine driving to or from work or for other necessary purposes. Please share this with your viewing audiences.

FLORENCE COUNTY UNDER MANDATORY CURFEW
The remnants of Hurricane Debby continue to affect Florence County in the form of wind and rainfall as the storm moves through the area. While the storm has decreased in intensity, it still remains a threat to the citizens of Florence County. We can expect tropical storm winds through Thursday in addition to between 8 to 15 inches of rain. Some power outages, localized flooding, washed out or impassable roads and bridges are likely with the effects of the storm lasting through at least Friday morning.
Florence County Council has authorized the County Administrator, the Director of Emergency Management and Florence County Sheriff TJ Joye to impose a mandatory curfew if conditions warrant. As the danger of traveling during this storm increases exponentially at night, a county-wide curfew has been ordered from sundown to sunrise for all non-emergency activities beginning today. Exceptions to the curfew include essential public safety/medical employees and essential business and industry staff until further notice.
Stay tuned to local weather and news outlets as well as Florence County Emergency Management for updated weather reports and download the Florence County Sheriff’s Office free app for I-Phone and Android telephones for instant alerts.

Update From Florence 1 Schools
𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟔𝐭𝐡, 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝟏 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬.
Due to the threat of severe weather, Florence 1 Schools will have eLearning days on Wednesday, August 7th and Thursday, August 8th, 2024. There will be no athletic events or after-school activities on either day. Parents/guardians should check school websites for further information regarding instructions for eLearning days.
𝐍𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞?
If you have any issues during the eLearning day (difficulty logging in, teacher not in the classroom, Google Classroom Access, etc.), please contact the school using the main school number. Staff will be answering phones to help address concerns. For technology-related problems and questions, please call the Technology Hotline at 843-673-1180.

BE AWARE OF ADVERSE DRIVING
CONDITIONS FROM HURRICANE DEBBY

Remnants of Hurricane Debby will pass through Florence County and the P*e Dee area today and tomorrow. According to the National Weather Service, the primary threat to our area is heavy rain, flash flooding and the possibility of strong thunderstorms capable of producing damaging wind gusts and tornadoes. 10 to 15 inches of rain are possible with the heaviest amounts generally along and east of I-95. Power outages due to falling trees on power lines are also possible. Fortunately, these conditions are expected to end sometime early Friday morning although the effects may last for days thereafter.

These conditions can make travel on the roadway more hazardous, so FCSO makes the following recommendations.

• If you don’t have to travel, don’t.
• If you choose to travel, slow down and allow for increased stopping distances. Wet roadways make breaking more difficult.
• Be on the lookout for ponding water on the roadway which can result in hydroplaning.
• Do not drive through flooded areas as you cannot tell the depth of the water. As a rule of thumb, if you cannot see the white or yellow line dividing the roadway due to standing water, it is too deep to proceed. This is especially important at night.
• Be on the lookout for fallen trees, utility lines and debris in the roadway.

Hopefully, these adverse conditions will move out of our area promptly. Until then, be safe on our roadways!