Sumter Item Impact Executive Editor Kayla Green: Thank you for reading

Welcome to the second edition of The Sumter Item Impact newspaper. Our motto for this paper is "Local News for Everyone," and we mean it. We think having access to local news is not just important. It's vital. To ensuring our democratic society flourishes at the grassroots level as well as simply improving our quality of life.

That's why we send The Item Impact out to 28,000 of you, both homes and businesses. Even if you cannot afford a subscription to the 129-year-old Sumter Item flagship newspaper, or even if you don't want to, we still think it's important to know what's going on around you.

Inside this edition, you'll find a range of articles. Learn about upcoming events. Meet our public safety officer of the month. Read about top storylines at the school board and places to eat. Stay informed on financial assistance programs and changes to the county's business license ordinance. Get to know how one organization uses sports to create positive outcomes with youth, and meet the new F-16 Viper Demo Team commander at Shaw Air Force Base. The Item Impact also features columns from local community leaders in education and religion.

This monthly paper would not be possible, and we certainly wouldn't be able to mail it complimentary to you, without the support of all the local advertisers you see in these pages. So support them, and thank you for reading.