Winners, community members gather for 2024 Best of Sumter gala

The Sumter Item hosted its annual Best of Sumter red carpet winners' celebration gala on Tuesday, April 30, at Sumter Original Brewery. More than 500 winners, their co-workers, community leaders, friends and colleagues gathered to support all the …
Studio Sumter

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Friends to Follow
SPORTS
Arts & Entertainment

Nicole Kidman, who 'makes movies better,' gets AFI Life Achievement Award

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Morgan Freeman spoke the words, but pretty much everyone who took the stage at the presentation of the AFI Life Achievement Award agreed: " Nicole Kidman. She makes movies …

Nation & World
Biden administration says 100,000 new migrants are expected to enroll in 'Obamacare' next year

WASHINGTON (AP) — Roughly 100,000 immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children are expected to enroll in the Affordable Care Act's health insurance next year under a directive the Biden …

At time of rising antisemitism, Holocaust survivors take on denial and hate in new digital campaign DUESSELDORF, Germany (AP) — Herbert Rubinstein was 5 years old when he and his mother where taken from the Jewish ghetto of Chernivtsi and put on a cramped cattle wagon waiting to take them to …
Pregnancy-related deaths have fallen to pre-pandemic levels, new U.S. data says NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. pregnancy-related deaths have fallen back to pre-pandemic levels, new government data suggests. About 680 women died last year during pregnancy or shortly after childbirth, …
At least 2,000 people arrested at pro-Palestinian protests on US campuses, AP tally shows LOS ANGELES (AP) — At least 200 people were arrested at UCLA Thursday, bringing the nationwide total of arrests to more than 2,000 at dozens of college campuses since police cleared an …
Hamas is sending a delegation to Egypt for further cease-fire talks in the latest sign of progress BEIRUT (AP) — Hamas said Thursday that it was sending a delegation to Egypt for further cease-fire talks, in a new sign of progress in attempts by international mediators to hammer out an …
State News
Duke Energy Progress proposes cost reduction in annual adjustment for fuel with Public Service Commission of South Carolina

GREENVILLE – Duke Energy Progress is seeking to reduce customer bills to account for the cost of fuel used to generate electricity for South Carolina homes and businesses. If approved by the …

South Carolina Senate approves ban on gender-affirming care for transgender minors COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The South Carolina Senate on Thursday approved a ban on gender-affirming care for transgender minors after supporters defeated efforts to only ban treatments that would be …
What defines a heartbeat? Judge hears arguments in South Carolina abortion case COLUMBIA  (AP) — South Carolina's ban on abortions after roughly six weeks, before many women know they are pregnant, returned to court Thursday with Planned Parenthood and the state …
Senior Day celebrates South Carolina Seniors on May 1 at S.C. Fairgrounds The South Carolina Department on Aging (SCDOA) will host Senior Day at the South Carolina State Fairgrounds in the Goodman Building from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 1, to celebrate Older …
DHEC launches overdose biosurveillance dashboard to tackle drug overdose epidemic COLUMBIA - The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control recently launched an Overdose Biosurveillance Dashboard in an effort to make state- and county-level data on non-fatal opioid overdoses …
Obituaries

CLARKSON

TIJAH MARAUN CLARKSON

Tijah Maraun Clarkson, 25, son of Darnell Lakeith Clarkson and Edna Lenore Marson-Canty, was born on March 14, 1999, in Sumter. He departed this life on Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Sumter. Public …

MOORE

DURELL ANTONIE MOORE

Durell Antonie Moore, 54, son of Carolyn Sallie and the late Robert Anthony Moore, was born on March 18, 1970, in Mt. Vernon, New York. He departed this life on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at Prisma …

SUMTER

FREDERICK ANTONIO SUMTER

Frederick Antonio Sumter, 58, son of the late Isaac Sumter and Sally Smith Sumter, was born on Nov. 14, 1965, in Sumter. He departed this life on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at his residence. …

ABRAMS

ALBERT ABRAMS

Albert Abrams, 60, son of the late Albert Shelton and Georgia Mae Wilder Abrams, was born on July 28, 1963, in Sumter. He departed this life on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at Prisma Health Tuomey …

PRINGLE

MARTHA NELSON PRINGLE

Martha Nelson Pringle, 81, daughter of the late Limas Nelson Sr. and Eloise Dais Nelson, was born on Oct. 3, 1942, in Sumter. She departed this life on Monday, April 29, 2024, at Prisma Health Tuomey …

Faith
United Methodists repeal longstanding ban on LGBTQ clergy CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — United Methodist delegates repealed their church's longstanding ban on LGBTQ clergy with no debate on Wednesday, removing a rule forbidding "self-avowed practicing …
Column: The armor of God includes the belt of truth Have you considered that most individuals are convinced that what they believe is true, and all who disagree with them are not as wise as they are? What is your personal view about this? May I ask, where did you discover your truth? Did God speak …
Church news: Wednesday, May 1, 2024 Love Covenant Church, 245 Oswego Highway, announces: - Saturday, May 4 - A free yard sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Clothing, shoes, household items and furniture will be available. The 7th Episcopal District of the AME Sumter …
The Rev. Dr. Clay Smith: Flies The flies on my cows are bad right now. On my bull, they are a thick blanket. I've got to get some fly dope on them to kill those flies. Flies are bad for cattle. First, they annoy cattle. Annoyed cattle don't eat. Cattle that don't eat get …
Celebrations
Dear Abby
Pets for adoption
Sadie Mae will steal your heart and be wonderful companion

BELOW: Sadie Mae is a 6-month-old, white-and-merle, female Catahoula Leopard Dog mix. She is a lovable girl who will steal your heart with her sweet personality and big crystal blue eyes. Sadie Mae loves to cuddle and has a blast playing with other …

Engagements
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. …
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

Reflections by Sammy Way: United Service Organizations also known as 'home away from home'

Reflections remembers one of the most important aspects of assisting and providing recreational and other services to military personnel assigned to numerous duty posts at home and abroad. This research focuses primarily on Sumter's commitment to …

Yesteryear
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 …
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 …
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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