A road worth remembering: Freedom Riders retrace historic 1961 route to honor civil rights pioneers and inspire action
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Local stories through a local lens.
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What to do across the Midlands: Stock up for winter at library's annual book sale, get tickets for Sumter Little Theatre's production and Cirque du Luxe
To make a submission to our events list, email pressrelease@theitem.com with EVENTS in the subject line. SUMTER COUNTY Friends of the Library Annual Book Sale began Thursday, Oct. 15, and continues at the following dates and times: - …
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A reel scare: 31 days of Halloween movies
As the air gets cooler, slightly, and the leaves start to turn, slightly, the Halloween season returns to …
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Sepulveda receives award from S.C. Choral Directors Association
A hometown leader and internationally known maestro was recently recognized for her dedication to …
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Sumter Little Theatre's 'Wiley and the Hairy Man' proves fear is only as big as you let it be
Fear is inevitable. Whether it is literal or a figment of our imagination, there is something or someone …
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Mayesville Presbyterian Church to welcome Brass Roots Trio for Rejoicings Series on Oct. 25
Mayesville Presbyterian Church will open its fourth season of the Rejoicings Series with the world-class …
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Sumter native Elijah Bradford to take 'Guess Who's Coming to Mr. Thaddeus' House' to Florence Oct. 24
In October 2025, playwright Elijah Bradford debuted his powerful and heartfelt stage play, "Guess Who's …
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Chamber of Commerce's Porches of Sumter sees record-breaking number of 700 attendees
One great big pumpkin, several cozy porches and plenty of food and fun for everyone. That was …
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'Other Mommy' tops the box office with $27.5M; 'The Social Reckoning' opens to $5.5M
The Jessica Chastain horror "Other Mommy" topped the North American box office this weekend with a …
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Ben Fuller performs for sold-out crowd
Ben Fuller, a Christian artist, performed a sold-out concert at Alice Drive Baptist Church on …
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Sumter Little Theatre brings back 'Wiley and the Hairy Man' on Oct. 16
"There's some mighty scary sounds when the Hairy Man's around," and you can experience it for …
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Dear Abby, Oct. 25, 2026: Neighbor's unruly granddaughter skates on thin ice
DEAR ABBY: My next-door neighbor, "Dee," has a granddaughter, "Sarah." A year ago, I was friendly with Sarah, but months later, she became …
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Dear Abby, Oct. 24, 2026: Disliked dad's daughter receives no condolences after accident
DEAR ABBY: A friend's wife's elderly biological father was killed in a one-car auto accident recently. She had been estranged from him for as …
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Dear Abby, Oct. 24, 2026: Neighbor's unruly granddaughter skates on thin ice
DEAR ABBY: My next-door neighbor, "Dee," has a granddaughter, "Sarah." A year ago, I was friendly with Sarah, but months later, she became …
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Dear Abby, Oct. 23, 2026: Grandparents worry about drug use around grandchild
DEAR ABBY: Our 24-year-old daughter, "Becca," and her 26-year-old boyfriend, "Jason," (the father of our 7-year-old granddaughter) recently …
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Reflections by Sammy Way: Two medical infirmaries served Sumter community
Reflections revisits the development of early medical infirmaries. Webster's Dictionary defines infirmary as "a place for the care of the sick, injured, or infirm. A building or room, as in a school, which served as a hospital or dispensary." The …
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Reflections by Sammy Way: Julius Rosenwald assisted in building several schools
Reflections focuses on the early development of Black schools in South Carolina during the 1920s and …
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Reflections by Sammy Way: Sumter's expansion removed some historic structures
Reflections recalls some historic structures that faced removal and sometimes upgrading due to rapid …
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Reflections by Sammy Way: Cantey-Plowden opens cash and carry grocery store in Sumter
Reflections revisits the early development of Cantey-Plowden Grocery in downtown Sumter during the 1920s …
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Reflections by Sammy Way: Carnegie Library was founded in 1915
Reflections revisits the efforts of the Sumter County Council, the City Board of Education, the Civic …
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Reflections by Sammy Way: Bland's Pond on Shot Pouch
Reflections revisits Bland Pond, which became part of the Iris Gardens through the efforts of H. C. …
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Reflections by Sammy Way: Manchester's day has ended
Reflections revisits one of Sumter County's mysteries, the vanished community of Manchester! This …
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Reflections by Sammy Way: The Hub: Sumter's busiest bargain store
Reflections revisits The Hub, later known as Bergers, one of Sumter's favorite shopping …
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Reflections by Sammy Way: Sumter courthouse space doubles in 1964
Reflections recalls the expansion of Sumter's courthouse in 1964. Construction of courthouses …
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Letter to the editor: We can't afford not to have Murrell Smith at Statehouse
Murrell Smith is a man of his word — somewhat of a rarity in today’s world. He is a life-long resident of South Carolina and has a …
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Letter to the editor: Rep. Smith hears concerns of constituents, helps when he can
I recently read the claim that Speaker Murrell Smith does not do anything for his constituents. People are certainly entitled to their political …
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Letter to the editor: Continuing to serve the public is what Leventis wants to do
I heartily endorse my long-term friend, Phil Leventis's, re-election campaign for the District 8 seat on the Sumter school board. Phil enjoys …
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Letter to the editor: Using military rank in campaigning demonstrates poor judgment
Signs have begun appearing around Sumter for a House District 67 candidate that include a military rank. While the UCMJ (Uniform Code of …
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Letter to the editor: Where is truth found, and how do we know it?
Information is critical to the brain. As an unbelievable storage mechanism, the brain is storing data from the time it forms in the womb. As we …
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Letter to the editor: Ministry thanks community for support of event
Love in Action Outreach Ministries extends our deepest and most heartfelt gratitude to the following local businesses, organizations and …
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