Business
Sumter City Council approvals could bring coffee roasting facility, restaurant to Sumter

A coffee bean company might be moving in near Riley Park and Morris College. During the Tuesday, March 19, Sumter City Council meeting, council unanimously (though Councilman Anthony Gibson was absent) approved a request to rezone 0.73 acres at …

BizTalk: New convenience store and gas station is coming to Patriot Parkway A new convenience store and gas station is coming to Patriot Parkway on the west side of the City of Sumter. Short Trip, a chain store with 12 locations already in South Carolina, is projected to open in the October-November time frame at 3880 …
Construction projects underway and planned in city and county of Sumter Sumter is building. That's no secret. Here are some projects in Sumter County and in the City of Sumter that are either currently under construction or could be under construction soon. New neighborhood More than 260 single-family homes …
8 things to know about owning a business in City of Sumter and county As of late February, the number of active businesses in the City of Sumter is 3,868, and in the county, there are 3,066 active businesses. Business owners in the City of Sumter and in Sumter County have started receiving their renewals, and they …
Good food and fun at the Guignard Diner It has not been around as long as some people might think, but 23 years of fine "country cookin' with all the fixin's" for breakfast and lunch crowds makes Guignard Diner a classic Sumter business. Co-owners Wayne Lowder and Mickey Brewer opened …
Education
Sumter's Ebenezer Middle School collecting items for homeless blessing bags

Benita Evans' Social Enrichment Group at Ebenezer Middle School is collecting items for blessing bags for the homeless. They are also writing encouraging notes to place in each bag. The group is accepting donations at the school …

Miss Sumter High School visits young students Miss Sumter High School Madison Lyles visits R. E. Davis College Preparatory Academy to read to kindergarten and first-grade classes this week.
Board chair: Morris College's new president is still not named It appears there is division again among Morris College's Board of Trustees concerning the election of a new president. An official news release on Thursday from Morris said a Wednesday meet-and-greet with a college presidential candidate, Said …
Lee Academy students learn about journalism at The Sumter Item Middle school students from Lee Academy visited The Sumter Item's office on Thursday to learn all about the world of journalism, everything from reporting on sensitive subjects in an empathetic way and how to design a page of the newspaper to fun …
Sumter High AFJROTC Drill Team brings home 5 awards On Saturday, March 16, Sumter High School's AFJROTC Drill Team competed in the Battle of the Carolinas Drill Meet at Clover High School in Clover. They brought home five trophies highlighting their achievements. This included a first-place trophy …
Government
Sumter City Council considers request that could bring more affordable housing into area

An apartment complex that would be considered low-income or affordable housing might be built in Sumter city limits. During the Tuesday, March 19, Sumter City Council meeting, council unanimously (though Councilman Anthony Gibson was absent) …

Tiny homes project nearing completion at Sumter United Ministries The five tiny homes made possible by Sumter United Ministries that will be used as transitional housing near the ministry are nearing completion. "We're getting closer," SUM Executive Director Mark Champagne said during the Tuesday, March 19, …
Congressman James E. Clyburn announces reelection campaign for 17th term Congressman James E. Clyburn filed for re-election and discussed everything he has secured for rural South Carolina during a news conference. On Monday morning, March 18, Clyburn spoke at Allen …
Clarendon News

Golfers raise money again for Second Chance Animal Shelter

A Second Chance Animal Shelter's 16th-Annual Charity Golf Classic, held Saturday, March 23, on the Players Course at Wyboo is now one for the record books. But the weather had threatened to not cooperate, with week-long forecasts of rain beforehand. …

Public Record
Meetings
Public agenda: Wednesday, March 27, 2024

To correct any information or to make a submission to Public Agenda, email pressrelease@theitem.com with Public Agenda in subject line. SUMTER CITY-COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION Wednesday, March 27, 3 p.m., fourth floor, Sumter Opera House, …

Lincoln High Alumni Board to hold teleconference
Palmetto Optimist Club's Children's Book Drive is running throughout March. The initiative aims to collect new and gently used children's books to promote literacy and a love for reading among the youth in Sumter. New books can be purchased at …
Public agenda: Saturday, March 23, 2024 SANTEE WATEREE RTA BOARD OF DIRECTORS Monday, March 25, 6 p.m., 129 S. Harvin St. For special accommodations, call (803) 934-0396, extension 103. SUMTER SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES Monday, March 25, 6 p.m., 1345 Wilson Hall …
Public Agenda: Friday, March 1, 2024

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS BOARD Monday, March 4, 5:30 p.m., Sumter Sheriff's Office conference room CLARENDON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT Monday, March 4, 5:30 p.m., Manning High School, lecture hall, 2155 Paxville Highway, Manning SUMTER CITY …

Public Agenda: Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024

Public Agenda: Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024

Public Agenda: Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024

Public Agenda: Weekend, Feb. 24-26, 2024

Support Groups
Support Groups: Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024

AA, AL-ANON, ALATEEN: AA - Monday-Friday, noon and 5:30 p.m.; Saturday, 7 p.m.; Sundays, 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m., 1 Warren St., (803) 775-1852. AA Women's Meeting - Wednesdays, 7 p.m., 1 Warren St., (803) 775-1852. AA "How it Works" Group - …

Support Groups: Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024
AA, AL-ANON, ALATEEN: AA - Monday-Friday, noon and 5:30 p.m.; Saturday, 7 p.m.; Sundays, 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m., 1 Warren St., (803) 775-1852. AA Women's Meeting - Wednesdays, 7 p.m., 1 Warren St., (803) 775-1852. AA "How it Works" Group - …
Support Groups: Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024
AA, AL-ANON, ALATEEN: AA - Monday-Friday, noon and 5:30 p.m.; Saturday, 7 p.m.; Sundays, 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m., 1 Warren St., (803) 775-1852. AA Women's Meeting - Wednesdays, 7 p.m., 1 Warren St., (803) 775-1852. AA "How it Works" Group - …
Pets

PHOTO PROVIDED

Notorious C.A.T. will be a play buddy and couch potato

Notorious C.A.T. is a 7-month-old, black male American Shorthair. He has gorgeous eyes and a personality to match. Notorious has a friendly and loving demeanor and would definitely keep you entertained. He is housebroken and would love to be …

PHOTO PROVIDED

Liberty Belle is a cuddle bug great for any family

Liberty Belle is a 3-year-old, white- and-tan female Lab/Collie mix. She is a sweet soul with a heart full of love to give. She has energy to burn and loves to run and play but is also a cuddle bug. Liberty Belle is a gentle and friendly girl …

FYI
FYI: Sumter Ballroom Dance Club welcomes beginners

The Cass Elias McCarter Guardian ad Litem Program, a division of the South Carolina Department of Children's Advocacy, will offer free virtual training beginning Tuesday, April 2, to those interested in becoming a volunteer Guardian ad Litem (GAL) …

FYI: Have you heard of Sumter Newcomers' Club?
The Sumter Coin Club meets from 7 to 8 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month at Patriot Park Pavilion. All ages are welcome. Join us to learn more about coins and currency. Door prize, raffle and auction at each meeting. Seniors on the Move …
FYI: Sumter County Recreation Department offers after school enrichment programs
The Cass Elias McCarter Guardian ad Litem Program, a division of the South Carolina Department of Children's Advocacy, will offer free virtual training beginning Monday, March 4, to those interested in becoming a volunteer Guardian ad Litem (GAL) in …