Happening Now
 Third-party logistics company will create 6 jobs in Sumter
Mayor Chris Brown, second from left, is now suing the town council members seated around him during a March 12 council meeting. They are, from left, Roteshia Benjamin, Jasaad Ricks and Cynthia Massingill.
Mayesville mayor says new town attorney with disciplinary history won't cooperate with him either
Limestone approves charter school for Sumter
PALUMBO
Palumbo ready for district to move to electronic procurement
Check out the April/May edition of The Sumter Item Impact

Sumter's Art in the Park came back better than ever with butterflies, art opportunities for all

Micah Vaughn, Liberty STEAM Charter School Elementary Academy academic counselor, reads a book to children at the 16th-annual Art in the Park, hosted in Memorial Park on Saturday.
It couldn't have been a more perfect day to embrace the beauty of Earth and art as the 16th-annual Art in the Park painted Memorial Park. Sunny with a splash of color could have been the forecast on Saturday, April 20, as thousands ventured out …
CareSouth Carolina to host Community Health Fair in Bishopville
PHOTO PROVIDED
Dorr Farms celebrates Earth Day with critters, crafts
64 compete in Striped Bass Festival Dam Run
Liberty STEAM Charter School network teacher of the year Michelle McDonald, second from right, has been named a top-five finalist for the South Carolina Public Charter School District teacher of the year. From left are Liberty STEAM Elementary Academy Director Sally Harris, elementary academy academic counselor Micah Vaughn, McDonald and elementary academy instructional coach Emily Hatfield.
Liberty STEAM's McDonald named top-5 finalist for charter district teacher of year

Wednesday-Friday, April 24-26, 2024

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Studio Sumter

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Friends to Follow
SPORTS
The Clarendon Hall softball team clinched their region title with two wins over Calhoun Academy last week.
Clarendon Hall claims region title, attention turns to playoff push
Members of the Ebenezer Middle School track team show off their medals from the SCHSL Middle School Track and Field Invitational on Saturday.
Ebenezer boys finish 2nd at SCHSL MS Track Invitational; Bates’ Pinkney also shines
Laurence Manning senior Tyler June is leaving his dream this year, as he'll head to South Carolina in the fall and join the Gamecock baseball team.
The Grind, presented by the Bank of Clarendon: Laurence Manning’s June sets sights on dream with South Carolina baseball
Sumter High seniors, seated from left, Rickell Brown, Keziyah Sanders, Dalashia Brunson and Kiara Croskey are surrounded by teammates after signing to continue their basketball careers on Friday.
Sumter High hoopers sign to continue careers on the court
The Laurence Manning softball team celebrates a home run by Karly Bjork, center, on Friday against Wilson Hall.
Laurence Manning softball topples Wilson Hall; Barons bash ‘Cats
National Data Trends
Snoop Dogg arrives at the world premiere of "The Underdoggs" on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024, at The Culver Theater in Culver City, Calif.
10 pop culture moments that destigmatized weed
Taylor Swift performs during "The Eras Tour" on Friday, May 5, 2023, at Nissan Stadium in Nashville.
Taylor Swift's 'Eras Tour' has defined 2023's zeitgeist—here are some staggering stats behind the most successful tour/film combo in music history
1 in 4 Americans are physically inactive. Here's how that impacts you as you age.
10 states that will likely face the most financial losses from climate change
Using COVID relief funds, Arizona canceled massive medical debt for one million residents

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Schools walk to honor cancer survivors, raise money
Lee County School District earns Cognia Accreditation
Will Thurman, Jason Robinson and Ashley Robinson Thurman stand outside their Liberty Hill home after the front was boarded up after a truck crashed into the house earlier this month. Several other properties around the intersection have also been hit in the past. They hope a traffic light or stop signs can be placed in the area after a traffic study about the intersection by S.C. Department of Transportation.
Traffic study planned after truck hits Liberty Hill home at Summerton intersection and other vehicles have damaged nearby properties
About 100 people attended the Patriot's Wounded Warrior 5K run hosted by the Air and Space Forces Association on Saturday, April 20, at Patriot Park. The run raised money for Wounded Airmen and Guardians Program and Wounded Warrior Project.
Local Wounded Warriors 5K run raises more $2K
April's Homeowner Yard of the Month: Cal and Kimberly Land's home at 617 Henderson St.
April's Homeowner and Business Yards of the Month named

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More Sports
ADAM FLASH / THE SUMTER ITEM Sumter High School hosted a track meet at Memorial Stadium on Wednesday, April 24.
PHOTOS: Sumter High hosts senior night for baseball, track; Lakewood, Crestwood join for meet
PHOTOS: East Clarendon softball hosts Sumter High
The Sumter High girls basketball team celebrates the SCHSL 5A state championship on Mar. 1 at the Florence Center. For the next two years SCHSL 5A will name two state champions in every sport, splitting the classification between larger and smaller schools for the postseason.
SCHSL 5A officially splitting playoffs, what it means for Sumter High
Crestwood's Laniya Rouse, seated center, is surrounded by friends, family and coaches as she signs to play softball at Winston-Salem State on Tuesday.
Crestwood’s Rouse signs to continue softball career at Winston-Salem State
Crestwood's James Dantzler (5) weaves through Lakewood defenders on Friday.
Rivalry night at Lakewood: Crestwood sweeps on the pitch, Gators dominate diamond

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Arts & Entertainment
This combination of images shows promotional art for the Paramount+ series "Knuckles," the Apple TV+ series "The Big Door Prize," and the Netflix series "Dead Boy Detectives.

What to stream this week: A Bon Jovi documentary, Idris Elba in 'Knuckles' and 'Anyone But You'

The Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell romantic comedy "Anyone But You" hitting Netflix and an album by Brazil superstar Anitta are some of the new television, movies, music and games headed to a device …

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Nation & World
Authorities continue to work at the home of suspect Rex Heuermann, who has been charged with killing at least four women in the long-unsolved slayings known as the Gilgo Beach killings, in Massapequa Park, N.Y., July 24, 2023. On Tuesday, April 23, 2024, investigators launched a sprawling search of a wooded area on New York’s Long Island as part of an investigation into the Gilgo Beach killings, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press.
Authorities investigating Gilgo Beach killings search wooded area on Long Island, AP source says

NEW YORK (AP) — Authorities investigating New York's Gilgo Beach killings have launched a sprawling search of a wooded area on Long Island, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press. …

Flowers sit on a fence outside the Christ the Good Shepherd church in suburban Wakely in western Sydney, Australia, on April 16, 2024. Australian police arrested seven teenagers on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, in the stabbing of a bishop in the Sydney church.
Australian police arrest 7 alleged teen extremists linked to stabbing of a bishop in a Sydney church SYDNEY (AP) — Australian police arrested seven teenagers accused of following a violent extremist ideology in raids across Sydney on Wednesday, as a judge extended a ban on social media …
This image supplied by Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, shows a pod of pilot whales stranded on a beach at Toby's Inlet in Western Australia, Thursday, April 25, 2024. Dozens of pilot whales have beached on the western Australian coast and wildlife authorities were attempting to rescue them, a state government said on Thursday.
Over 100 pilot whales beached on western Australian coast have been rescued, officials say MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — More than 100 long-finned pilot whales that beached on the western Australian coast Thursday have returned to sea, while 29 died on the shore, officials said. Ships …
Khalil al-Hayya, a high-ranking Hamas official who has represented the Palestinian militant group in negotiations for a cease-fire and hostage exchange deal, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press, in Istanbul, Turkey, Wednesday, April 24, 2024.
Hamas official says group would lay down its arms if an independent Palestinian state is established ISTANBUL (AP) — A top Hamas political official told The Associated Press the Islamic militant group is willing to agree to a truce of five years or more with Israel and that it would lay down …
Articulated robots move inside the Hanwha Qcells Solar plant, Oct. 16, 2023, in Dalton, Ga. On Thursday, April 25, 2024, the U.S. government issued the first of three estimates of economic growth in the first quarter.
U.S. growth slowed sharply last quarter to 1.6% pace, reflecting an economy pressured by high rates WASHINGTON (AP) — The nation's economy slowed last quarter, growing at an annual rate of 1.6% in a sign that the high interest rates may be taking a toll on borrowing and spending. Thursday's …

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State News
South Carolina Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, R-Edgefield, center, listens during the Senate's budget debate on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, in Columbia, South Carolina.
South Carolina Senate approves $15.4B budget after debate on bathrooms and conference switching

COLUMBIA (AP) — The South Carolina Senate approved its budget Wednesday after debating items like requiring school children use the bathrooms of their sex assigned at birth and whether …

South Carolina Senate Finance Committee Chairman Harvey Peeler, R-Gaffney, talks about the Senate's budget plan on Thursday, April 18, 2024, in Columbia, S.C.
South Carolina Senate wants accelerated income tax cut while House looks at property tax rebate COLUMBIA (AP) — The South Carolina Senate started debating a budget Tuesday that accelerates a planned income tax cut instead of the House plan to use $500 million to give homeowners a one-time …
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life GOOSE CREEK (AP) — Out of air and pinned by an alligator to the bottom of the Cooper River in South Carolina, Will Georgitis decided his only chance to survive might be to lose his arm. The …
South Carolina Sen. Katrina Shealy, R-Lexington, listens to University of South Carolina student Anusha Ghosh testify at a Senate Finance subcommittee hearing on whether to eliminate sales tax on feminine hygiene products on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in Columbia, S.C.
South Carolina making progress to get more women in General Assembly and leadership roles COLUMBIA (AP) — At first glance, the all-male South Carolina Senate subcommittee deciding whether to approve a proposal to remove the sales tax from feminine hygiene products was a reminder …
South Carolina Treasurer Curtis Loftis turns to his staff during a state Senate hearing into how $1.8 billion ended up in an account without anyone knowing where it came from or where it went on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, in Columbia, S.C.
Treasurer denies South Carolina Senate accusation he risked cyberattack in missing $1.8B case COLUMBIA (AP) — Days after a contentious public hearing with state senators, Treasurer Curtis Loftis nearly put South Carolina's entire financial system at risk of a cyberattack by saying he …

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Obituaries

SANDERS

JOSEPHINE T. SANDERS

Josephine T. Sanders, affectionately known as “Joe or Queen Josephine”, was born June 20, 1941, in Hagood to the late Leroy Hickman Sr. and Sinna Thomas Gilliard. She departed this …

LESLEY HAYNESWORTH JR.

Lesley “Shunny” Haynesworth Jr., affectionately known as “Jumping John”, was born on April 23, 1934, to the late Lesley Haynesworth Sr. and Wilhelmenia Jackson Haynesworth in …

BISHOP JOE CANTY JR.

IRVINGTON, New Jersey — On Monday, April 22, 2024, Bishop Joe Canty Jr., "JC", husband of Minister Louise Gadsden Canty, passed away peacefully at his residence. Born on Wednesday, May 26, …

ANDRIA LOVELY

Andria Lovely, 44,  died Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at Prisma Health Richland Hospital, Columbia.  Born in Patterson, New Jersey, on Jan. 5, 1980, she was the daughter of  Elizabeth …

CRAYTON

LOU EMMA GREGG CRAYTON

Lou Emma Gregg Crayton, 91, widow of George Baker and daughter of the late Willie Gregg and Pearline McCoy Gregg, was born on July 31, 1932, in Sumter. She departed this life on Saturday, April 20, …

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Faith
HOLLAND
Column: Control your thoughts or they will control you We all know the feeling of having something on our minds that we have a difficult time letting go of. Similar to an image or a catchy song that gets stuck in our head, commonly called an earworm, negative thoughts can be very difficult to remove, …
SMITH
The Rev. Dr. Clay Smith: Spewing liver I realize most of you grew up in tasteful families with genteel manners, where everyone was born knowing which fork to use for dessert and which fork to use for salad. I grew up in a family that was proud to have forks. We did have some couth. …
RAWSON
Column by First Presbyterian Church Pastor Stewart Rawson: We can build a better community if we try a little harder to be kind My name is Stewart Rawson, and I am the new pastor at First Presbyterian Church here in Sumter. It is my privilege and honor to serve this historic church, and I will look forward to working hard to maintain its commitment to this community. It is …
Mission team members stop to take a photo in front of a church in Guatemala before setting it up into a clinic. Many were from Sumter and were in the country March 2-9.
Healing Guatemala through prayer, teamwork and intentionality Missionary trips are more than just medical missions; these trips are transformative and focus on intentionality, teamwork and gratitude. Twenty-two mission team members, many from Sumter, spent a week in Guatemala seeing approximately 750 …
Celebrations

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Dear Abby
Pets for adoption
PHOTO PROVIDED
Cai is the sweetest boy and a friend to everyone

Cai is a 4-year-old, tan-and-black male golden retriever/German shepherd mix. He is neutered and is the sweetest boy you'll ever meet. Cai has a loving and fun personality and enjoys everyone he …

Weddings

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Engagements
BARWICK, MISS WELCH
Welch-Barwick Allison Lynn Welch of Sumter and Stephen Daniel Barwick of Dalzell announce their engagement. The bride-elect is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Johnny Welch and the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. William R. Tschorn Sr. and the late Mr. and Mrs. …
MR. LEWIS, MISS TOWNES
Townes-Lewis Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Mark Townes of Sumter announce the engagement of their daughter, Whitney Elizabeth Townes of Charleston, to Walter Elliot Lewis of Charleston, son of Ms. Karen Lewis of Jackson, Georgia. The bride-elect is the granddaughter …
Reflections
Neiman's Jewelers opened in November 1945 in downtown Sumter and offered watches and diamonds but also crystal and silver items.

Reflections by Sammy Way: Neiman's Jewelers opened modern store on South Main Street in 1945

Reflections remembers one of Sumter's most beautiful and upscale jewelry stores to open in the downtown area. This new post-World War II business was part of the numerous stores that helped increase Sumter's downtown growth. This new enterprise, …

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Yesteryear
Rufe Watson of Sumter set a world record in the senior class division at the National Skeet Shooting Association's tournament at Dallas, Texas, on Aug. 8, 1949.
Yesteryear by Sammy Way: Horseshoe pitching tourney scheduled; Crime Stoppers telethon returns 75 YEARS AGO - 1949 Aug. 9 - 15 - Rufe Watson of Sumter set a new world record in the senior division at the National Skeet Shooting Association's tournament at Dallas, Texas, on Sunday. Watson copped the senior title in the all-gauge event by …
Making use of the facilities offered by the Community Cannery at Edmunds High School is Mrs. Charles Windham Jr., left, on Aug. 3, 1949. The cannery was operated under the agriculture and home economic program of the high school to help farm families conserve food.
Yesteryear by Sammy Way: Shaw hosts surplus sale; city's 1st Easter egg hunt a success 75 YEARS AGO - 1949 Aug. 2 - 8 - Rebel third baseman Hal Harrigan last night hit his 29th home run of the season to tie the Tri-State league record set last year by Leon Cross of Florence. It was the only prize Anderson could salvage from a …
Gertie Goose, seen in July 1949 while laying the goose eggs for a visiting team, was to come to Riley Park in late July that year to work for Sumter's Chicks. And judging from the way the Asheville Tourists were knocking over Florence, the Chicks would need the good luck of Gertie. James O. Tice, owner of Gertie, was getting the scoreboard ready for the big night.
Yesteryear by Sammy Way: Train car is named for Sumter County; Lee builds new high school 75 YEARS AGO - 1949 July 26 - Aug. 1 - Sumter County runs from New York City to Florida these days, not as a result of "imperialistic conquest" but because of improved service on the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad. It's a gag, of course. Truth …

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From the opinion pages
Columnists
BARONE
Opinion: Maybe larger families would produce better leaders, as in early U.S.
Editorial cartoon: Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Editorial cartoon: Saturday, April 20, 2024
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