About Florence News Journal
Florence News Journal is a online local newspaper providing news, advertising and information to enrich the lives of the people in the Florence area. Committed to the community, we offer a voice for the people, promote events, recognize achievements and present information in a fair and accurate manner. We desire to be a trusted source of local information and advertising content that is useful and valuable to the readers we serve.
History
The News Journal (Florence News Journal) is committed to the community.
It was founded in 1982 as the Florence County Shopper. By 1984 the paper went to a broadsheet and its name was changed to The News & Shopper to reflect the free community newspaper it had become. In 1993, The News & Shopper had become so accepted as a community newspaper that its name was changed, once again, to The News Journal.
Following a change in ownership in 2002, there were favorable revisions, including a redesign of the paper, updated equipment and a move to a nicer office and a more visible location.
In July 2006, publisher Don Swartz became owner of The News Journal and its sister publications, The Hartsville News Journal and The Marion County News Journal. Property in downtown Florence was purchased in the fall of 2006 and following extensive renovations, The News Journal was relocated to its then home, 312 Railroad Ave., which also housed its own press. On Feb.27, 2007 that press was cranked up and first issues of The News Journal were printed from this press.
The News Journal was a subsidiary of Swartz Media.
Fourteen employees, several of whom have more than 15 years with the company, worked together to produce The News Journal and its sister publications.
The News Journal’s print edition featured home delivery to 16,000 in the city of Florence and close proximity.
In 2018, The News Journal rebranded to Florence News Journal. Today, Florence News Journal represents the Florence County community and operates as a standalone online local newspaper that covers news about Florence County and South Carolina.