About Florence News Journal
Florence News Journal is an 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.
The Florence County Shopper served as its founding name in 1982. In 1984, the paper transitioned to a broadsheet format and changed its name to The News & Shopper, reflecting its transformation into a free community newspaper. The News & Shopper’s acceptance as a community newspaper led to another name change to The News Journal in 1993.
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. In the fall of 2006, Don Swartz purchased property in downtown Florence and, after extensive renovations, relocated The News Journal to its then home, 312 Railroad Ave., which also housed its own press. The News Journal printed its first issues from this press on Feb. 27, 2007.
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 with the focus on Florence County, Columbia and South Carolina.