Sumter's holly jolly holiday happenings

Santa attends the official opening of The Fantasy of Lights at Swan Lake Iris Gardens on Dec. 1, 2021. This year's opening event is Dec. 1 at 6 p.m.
The wintry-wonderful holidays are upon us, and our city begins to glow with lights and laughter in various shades and sounds from all the festive fun that's to take place. From dazzling light displays and enchanting musical performances to visits …
Studio Sumter

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Arts & Entertainment

Sumter Community Concert Band to bring Christmas spirit to Patriot Hall

Looking for a way to kick start the holidays? Spend time with Sumter Community Concert Band. The community band will host its Christmas Concert on Sunday, Dec. 3, at Patriot Hall. Under the direction of its new conductor, Sean Hackett, and …

Nation & World
Retired Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman on the Supreme Court, has died at age 93

WASHINGTON (AP) — Retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, an unwavering voice of moderate conservatism and the first woman to serve on the nation's highest court, died Friday. She …

Haley and DeSantis are relying more on outside campaign groups with time running out to stop Trump DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley are increasingly outsourcing central parts of their campaigns, drawing on the growing urgency …
Israeli military say 10 more Israelis, 4 Thai nationals released by Hamas in latest truce JERUSALEM - Hamas released 16 hostages late Wednesday in the last swap for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel under the current Gaza truce, as international mediators raced to seal another extension to allow further exchanges and prolong the halt …
U.S. life expectancy rose last year, but it remains below its pre-pandemic level NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. life expectancy rose last year — by more than a year — but still isn't close to what it was before the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2022 rise was mainly due to the …
U.S. Air Force Osprey crashes off Japan during training, killing at least one of the eight on board TOKYO (AP) — A U.S. Air Force Osprey based in Japan crashed during a training mission Wednesday off of the country's southern coast, killing at least one of the eight crew members, the Japanese …
State News
Academy Sports is paying $2.5M to families of a serial killer's victims for illegal gun sales

COLUMBIA (AP) - A sporting goods chain is paying the families of three people shot to death by a South Carolina serial killer $2.5 million after one of its stores sold guns to a straw buyer who gave them to the killer, a felon who couldn't legally …

Victims of Murdaugh's financial fraud angrily confront him in court For years, South Carolina attorney Alex Murdaugh looked his anguished clients in the eyes and promised to help them with their medical bills, their suffering or simply to survive. Then he stole some, if not all, of what he won for many of …
Charleston, South Carolina, elects its first Republican mayor since Reconstruction Era COLUMBIA (AP) — The historic South Carolina city of Charleston has elected its first Republican mayor since the Reconstruction Era. William Cogswell, formerly a Republican state lawmaker, …
Trump will be in S.C. for Palmetto Bowl football matchup on Saturday COLUMBIA - Former President Donald Trump is headed back to South Carolina this weekend, attending the biggest athletic event of the year in a state where he boasts strong support heading into next year's Republican presidential nomination …
Alex Murdaugh pleads guilty to financial crimes in state court, adding to prison time BEAUFORT - Alex Murdaugh pleaded guilty Friday to stealing millions of dollars from vulnerable legal clients in schemes lasting over a decade under an agreement that all but ensures more prison time for the longtime lawyer who was convicted of …
Obituaries
GARDENIA COLCLOUGH

Gardenia Colclough, 96, widow of William Colclough, died on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023, at her home. Born on June 4, 1927, in Sumter County, she was a daughter of the late Willie and Clara Jackson Isaac. The family is requesting face masks and …

DR. RICHARD L. ALPERT

GREENVILLE - Dr. Richard L. Alpert, age 88, beloved husband of Linda Alpert, died on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023, at Prisma Health Greenville Memorial Hospital. You may go to www.bullockfuneralhome.com and sign the family's guest book. The family …

MINNIE RUTH NELSON LESANE

Minnie Ruth Nelson Lesane, 78, widow of Eddie Lesane Sr., departed this life on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023, at her residence. She was born on April 27, 1945, in Sumter County, a daughter of the late Josh Sr. and Ophelia Boizer Nelson. The family …

SAMUEL WRIGHT

Samuel Wright, 73, died on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023, at Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital. Born on July 11, 1950, in Sumter County, he was a son of the late Theodore Sr. and Hester Nixon Wright. The family is requesting face masks and social …

TAWANA EVETTE PUGH-SWEAT

Tawana Evette Pugh-Sweat, 47, was born on Aug. 1, 1976, in Pinewood, a daughter of Joe Louis Pugh and Geneva Charles Pugh. She departed this life on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, at her residence. Public viewing will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. today at …

Faith
Church News: Friday, Dec. 1, 2023 Church of Christ, 313 Mooneyham Road, announces: - Saturday, Dec. 9 - Family and friends night, hosted by the China and Harvin families, will be held at 5 p.m. A tribute to Brother Pressly Harvin Sr. The Rev. Patrick Harvin, pastor of Jerusalem …
Project coordinators say 9,548 shoeboxes collected through Operation Christmas Child The greater Sumter region for Operation Christmas Child saw another successful year with 9,548 gift shoeboxes collected for children around the world, but project coordinators say blessings are also seen closer to home. Husband-and-wife team …
Church News: Friday, Nov. 24, 2023 Church of Christ, 313 Mooneyham Road, announces: - Saturday, Dec. 9 - Family and friends night, hosted by the China and Harvin families, will be held at 5 p.m. A tribute to Brother Pressly Harvin Sr. The Rev. Patrick Harvin, pastor of Jerusalem …
Church News: Friday, Nov. 17, 2023 Church of Christ, 313 Mooneyham Road, announces: - Saturday, Dec. 9 - Family and friends night, hosted by the China and Harvin families, will be held at 5 p.m. A tribute to Brother Pressly Harvin Sr. The Rev. Patrick Harvin, pastor of Jerusalem …
Celebrations
5 living generations on each side of child's family Returning to South Carolina in early November for the winter months in 2013, I had planned to go on a day bus trip with the Senior Group from Bethesda Church of God where I am a member. Our plans were to drive to Charleston to attend the Christmas …
What you need to know to publish a 2023 debutante photo Individual photos of debutantes along with club information will publish in the Nov. 25-27 Weekend Edition of The Sumter Item. The deadline is noon Nov. 8. Please email information and photos to …
Centenarian: Sumterite Rita Seth celebrates her 100th birthday on Sept. 26 Sumter resident Rita Seth celebrated her 100th birthday on Saturday, Sept. 23, with six of her seven children. Seth was born Sept. 26, 1923, in Erie, Pennsylvania. After marrying Richard Seth in 1945, she traveled the world as an …
Dear Abby
Pets for adoption
Sumter SPCA's Joey is an active and curious boy who loves cuddles

FAR LEFT: Joey is a housebroken and neutered 10-month-old American short hair. He is an active, curious boy who enjoys chasing and playing with cat toys. Joey is great with other cats and children and loves to be held and cuddled. He would make a …

Weddings
McClam-Will MAYESVILLE - Mariah Elizabeth McClam and James Michael Will, both of Sumter, were united in marriage at 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, at Sublette's Pond House. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Derrick McClam, the granddaughter of Mrs. …
Mann-Young CASHIERS, North Carolina - Baylin Elise Mann of Pensacola, Florida, and Greyson Steele Young of Sumter were united in marriage on Saturday, June 24, 2023, at The Country Club of Sapphire Valley. The bride is the daughter of Mr. Tyler Waite Mann …
Engagements
Reflections

Reflections by Sammy Way: Thanksgiving celebrates friends, food and blessings

Reflections remembers one of Sumter's noted historians and selected an inspiring column she published on Thanksgiving Day. Portia Cuttino Myers was born Aug. 22, 1917, in a large, wood-framed house on Sumter's Church Street. Mrs. Myers wrote a …

Yesteryear
Yesteryear by Sammy Way: 'Better Breathing Club' starts in Sumter; airport gets improvement grants 75 YEARS AGO - 1949 May 4-10 - S. Guerry Stukes, superintendent of the Ashwood schools in Lee County, delivered an interesting talk on the work being done at these schools at the weekly meeting of the Rotary Club in the Coca Cola Community …
Yesteryear: Post sponsors marbles tournament; Gamecocks beat Camden's winning streak 75 YEARS AGO - 1949 April 27 - May 3 - Poinsett State Park will play host to club women and nature lovers from all over South Carolina when the third annual Spring Laurel and Nature Festival is held. An interesting program has been arranged by …
Yesteryear by Sammy Way: City gives away seedlings; law mandates students observe Veterans Day 75 YEARS AGO - 1949 April 19 - 26 - Sumter's Chicks and Knoxville's Smokies battled right down to the wire last night before the hometown club scored a run in the last of the eighth to break a 3-3 tie and win the ball game, 4 to 3. Raymond …
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