Happening Now
 COVID-19 mobile testing Monday at Weldon Auditorium in Manning
Sumter residents can watch virtual All-American City Award event
Safety overview before Sumter School Board on Monday; trustees, administration will discuss protocols put into place, given COVID-19
A woman sitting on a stoop reading a book in the sun is seen reflected by a closed clothing store's window on West Broadway in the SoHo neighborhood of the Manhattan borough in New York on May 7. The United States added 1.8 million jobs in July, a pullback from the gains of May and June and evidence that the resurgent coronavirus has weakened hiring and the economic rebound.
U.S. adds 1.8M jobs but hiring weakens
WEEKS
Manning man arrested in connection to shooting death

Local churches and Sumter United Ministries team up to roof 7 houses

Westminster Presbyterian Church members finish roofing the last of seven homes that received new roofs this summer thanks to the Sumter United Ministries Summer Restore Project on Friday morning on Harry Street.
Youth members of Westminster Presbyterian Church woke up bright and early on Friday morning to reroof a Harry Street residence with Sumter United Ministries as part of its annual Summer Restore Project. At 7:30 a.m., about 27 volunteers from the …

Sumter School District's plan could get state approval early next week
PHOTOS BY BRUCE MILLS / THE SUMTER ITEM Take 5 Oil Change Assistant Manager Kiara Low, right, speaks with a customer after his oil change is complete in the bay area of the shop on Thursday.
For customers on the go, Take 5 Oil Change is here
Standing helm watch in the Pacific

Saturday-Sunday, Aug. 8-9, 2020

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Studio Sumter

Sumter Today: Coronavirus update Wednesday, August 5 2020

Sumter County, like the state overall, is continuing to see a decrease in new COVID-19 cases per day since a Memorial Day surge peaked in mid-July, but Sumterites continue to test positive at a …

South Carolina quarterback Ryan Hilinski and the Gamecocks had their 2020 schedule set on Friday. Dates for the games are still to be determined.
Auburn, Ole Miss added to USC football schedule
Juan Correa - Lakewood
On the COVID recruiting trail Part 6
Taylor Duncan formed Alternative Baseball in 2016 to give teens and adults with autism and other disabilities a chance to grow through playing baseball. The league is looking to expand to Sumter.
Baseball organization open to autistic athletes looks to expand to Sumter
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney is excited to be back on the field after the Tigers had a slew of players test positive for the coronavirus pandemic earlier this summer.
Clemson's Swinney: "Awesome" to return to field amid virus
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) shoots against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) during the second half of an NBA game at Visa Athletic Center.
Grizzlies roll past Thunder for first win since restart
Poll of the Week

Will you attend a football game, go to a movie theater or attend a concert, etc., now that entertainment venues are allowed to reopen?

For background: McMaster allows limited reopening for entertainment venues, mandates restaurant guidelines Have a question you'd like us to ask? Email editor@theitem.com.

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Is your life out of control because you are in control?
CORLEY
Corley is the only Sumter City Council incumbent seeking re-election
Lisa Dixon, a teacher at Alice Drive Elementary School, shops at Office Church School Supply Co. on Pike on Wednesday afternoon. The store will have its annual Back-To-School Bash on Friday and Saturday to coincide with the state's annual tax-free weekend.
Save on back-to-school items for 3 days on tax-free weekend
STEAM Charter gives last call on name-change suggestions for school
Sumter School Board Policy Committee to meet today

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More Sports
Parris Lowery - senior defensive lineman - Crestwood
Crestwood's Lowery commits to The Citadel
The Sumter Flyers advanced to the second round of the playoffs after completing a sweep of North Central on Wednesday.
Flyers advance to second round, to face Richland on Saturday
Sumter's Josh Burns went 3-for-3, scored three runs, drove in four and launched a 3-run home run in the P-15's 16-1 win over Dalzell-Shaw on Wednesday. Sumter will open its second-round series in the state playoffs against Lexington today at 7 p.m. at Riley Park.
P-15's gear up for series with Lexington after sweeping Jets
Jairen Rogers
On the COVID recruiting trail Part 5
Athletes from Sumter School District are working out together as they wait for permission to have organized team workouts. The South Carolina High School League approved start date for football practices, which was originally Aug. 17, has been pushed back to Sept. 8.
SCHSL: Districts won't be penalized for no sports

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Panorama
The key to grilling bananas is leaving the banana in its protective skin.

Sure, throw hot dogs on the grill. But don't forget bananas, too.

In this pandemic summer, who doesn't want to eat and cook outdoors? And if you're firing up the grill, don't forget dessert. I am bananas for grilled bananas. Fast and easy, they become instant favorites and remind you of classic desserts. And …

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Nation & World
7-year-old Georgia child dies of COVID-19

SAVANNAH, Ga. — A 7-year-old boy with COVID-19 has become the youngest known person to die in Georgia since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. The African-American boy had no other …

Chardae Cooper, left, helps Asia Cooper looks for her personal belongings among the debris in a cotton field along Morning Road after her mobile home was destroyed by a tornado spawned by Hurricane Isaias in Bertie County, North Carolina, on Wednesday. Forecasters are now predicting an amped-up season with 19 to 25 named storms this year.
Hurricane Alpha? Names may run out with revised forecast Already smashing records, this year's hyperactive Atlantic hurricane season is about to get even nastier, forecasters predict. In the coming months, they expect to run out of traditional hurricane names and see about twice as much storm activity as …
Erin Scott / Pool via AP House Majority Whip Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., a Sumter native, is seen at a House Select Subcommittee hearing on the coronavirus July 31 on Capitol Hill in Washington.
Clyburn warns U.S. lacks plan to stop virus Rep. James Clyburn, a Sumter native, said Wednesday the COVID-19 crisis is "much, much worse" than the 2008 Great Recession because the U.S. is without a national strategy to contain the coronavirus. "Our entire economy is at stake," Clyburn told …
Former President Barack Obama
Obama's Medicaid expansion keeps gaining ground under Trump WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump is still trying to overturn "Obamacare," but his predecessor's health care law keeps gaining ground in places where it was once unwelcome. Missouri voters this week approved Medicaid expansion by a 53% to …
People wait to speak with representatives from the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission about unemployment claims Thursday, July 9, 2020, in Midwest City, Okla.
1.2M seek jobless aid after $600 federal check ends WASHINGTON (AP) - Nearly 1.2 million laid-off Americans applied for state unemployment benefits last week, evidence that the coronavirus keeps forcing companies to slash jobs just as a critical $600 weekly federal jobless payment has expired. The …

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State News
In this March 31, 2017, file photo, Boeing employees stand near the new Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner at the company's facility in South Carolina after conducting its first test flight at Charleston International Airport in North Charleston.
FAA: Boeing pressured safety workers at N. Charleston plant

By DAVID KOENIG AP Airlines Writer Federal officials are seeking to fine Boeing $1.25 million, saying Wednesday that company managers pressured employees who were designated to perform safety-related work for the government at an aircraft …

Unemployment claims drop in S.C. COLUMBIA (AP) - New unemployment claims in South Carolina have dropped for the third week in a row, marking the lowest number of weekly claims filed since the pandemic began. The state Department of Employment and Workforce reported that about …
Masks, shields and spread out jurors as trials resume in S.C.
LAURENS (AP) - The first trial in a South Carolina courtroom since the COVID-19 pandemic began included spread out jurors, a glass shield around the witness stand and bailiffs reminding everyone that masks are required. The murder trial started …
AP FILE PHOTOThis GOES-16, GeoColor satellite image taken Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2019, at 17:10 UTC and provided by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), shows Hurricane Dorian moving off the east coast of Florida in the Atlantic Ocean. Hurricane Isaias is forecasted to impact Florida on Saturday and Sunday, and the Carolinas on Monday and Tuesday.
Duke Energy encourages Carolinas customers to prepare for Hurricane Isaias amid coronavirus pandemic CHARLOTTE, N.C. – With North Carolina and South Carolina possibly in the path of Hurricane Isaias, Duke Energy is preparing for potential power outages and encouraging customers to do the …
Prisma Health continues to raise community awareness about shared responsibility, importance of COVID-19 precautions with a team member T-shirt campaign GREENVILLE -- Prisma Health is at the center of caring for many of South Carolina’s COVID-19 patients. As of July 31, the hospital system has cared for more than 2,138 COVID-19 inpatients and …

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Obituaries
PAUL LEONARD FISHER

DALZELL - Paul Leonard Fisher, 71, husband of Cecile Schultz Fisher, died on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, at Prisma Health Richland. Born in Everett, Massachusetts, he was the son of the late Albra Fisher and Amy Fitzmeyer Fisher. Paul was a veteran of …

MOZELL J. FORTUNE

BISHOPVILLE - Ms. Mozell J. Fortune, 104, passed away on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020, at her home. The family is receiving friends at the home, 703 Dog Island Road, Wisacky. Professional and courteous services will be announced later by JP Holley …

SHELLY ANNE BYERLY

Shelly Anne Byerly, age 59, died on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020, at her residence. Arrangements will be announced by Bullock Funeral Home of Sumter.

RICHARD N. HOLLAND

PINEWOOD - Mr. Richard N. Holland, 60, the husband of the late Briggette R. Williams Holland, departed this life on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020, in Sumter. He was born Jan. 19, 1960, in Pinewood to the late John E. and Thelma L. Spann Holland. The …

ABRAHAM KING

MANNING - Abraham "Abe" King, 66, husband of Sheryl Milligan King, died Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020, at McLeod Hospice House, Florence. He was born July 2, 1954, in Manning, a son of the late Ed Louis King and Maggie King. These services have been …

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Celebrations
MR., MRS. BOBBY B. RABON
Rabons celebrate 70 years of marriage Mr. and Mrs. Bobby B. Rabon, of Sumter, celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on Thursday, July 23, 2020, at their home. A celebration with family and friends will be held at a later date. Their two children and their spouses are Teresa …
MR., MRS. GARY CROSKEY
Croskeys celebrate 60 years Gary and Judy Croskey of Sumter celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on Friday, June 19, 2020. Their two children are Yvette White and Jacqui Croskey Hawkey. The couple has five grandchildren.
MR., MRS. ROBERT E. CULBREATH
Culbreaths celebrate 62 years Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Culbreath of Sumter celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary on Tuesday, May 26, 2020, at their home. Their two children and their spouses are: Sabrina and John Budden and Gino and Gwendolyn Culbreath. The couple has …

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Faith
Church News: Friday, Aug. 7, 2020 Knitting Hearts Ministry, which meets at Bethesda Church of God, 2730 Broad St., announces: * Saturday - Knitting Hearts will meet from 10 a.m. to noon. Speakers will be Ed and Patty Garner from Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Inspirational message: …
When cravings hit, pause and talk to Jesus I've stood with the refrigerator door open, searching for something to satisfy my hunger. I see carrots and apples, but I'm craving something sweet. Or salty. Or fatty. What's inside is not what I am craving. I've opened the cabinet and …
Column by the Rev. Dr. Clay Smith: Did Jesus really mean what he said? I was the substitute teacher for the oldest ladies Sunday School class. When you are the pastor of a small church, you are also the substitute teacher for every class, as well as the part-time janitor, occasional soloist and professional …
SMITH
Column by the Rev. Clay Smith: The box When my mother and father first married, the preacher at my family's church came to welcome my mother to the community. As the pastor made inquiries about my mother's spiritual status, he found out she accepted Jesus in her teens at a revival in the …
Dear Abby
Pets for adoption
Matilda adores everyone she meets

Matilda is a housebroken 6-month-old tortoiseshell / tabby American shorthair. She is wonderful with other cats and children. Matilda is a very sweet girl who enjoys much one on one time. She is a …

Weddings
MR. AND MRS. ROBERT T. OUZTS
Burress-Ouzts Emily Caroline Burress of Sumter and Robert Thomas Ouzts of Manning were united in marriage on Sunday, May 3, 2020, in a private ceremony. A celebration of marriage was held at 6 p.m. Saturday, July 11, 2020 at First Baptist Church in Sumter. The …
MRS. JAMES A. GOODSON IV
Segars-Goodson Jane Elizabeth Segars and James Arthur Goodson IV, both of Sumter, were united in marriage at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, July 25, 2020, at LinRan Farm in Sumter. The bride is the daughter of Burrell "Billy" Raymie Segars Sr. and Nicolle Segars of …
MR., MRS. TAYLOR MOREHOUSE
Bradford-Morehouse TIMMONSVILLE - Erin Elaine Bradford of Sumter and Taylor Allen Morehouse of Summerton were united in marriage at 6 p.m. Saturday, June 6, 2020, at The Cabin at Old Spur. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Scott Bradford of Sumter, …
MRS. AUSTIN O'NEIL BOYLE
Weeks-Boyle Erika Meurling Weeks of Greenville and Austin O'Neil Boyle of Augusta, Georgia, were united in marriage at 6:30 p.m. Friday, June 12, 2020, at the home of the bridegroom's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Adville Barnes Boyle III of Sumter. The bride is the …

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Engagements
MISS CURTIS, MR. JOHNSON
Curtis-Johnson Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Curtis of Lenoir, North Carolina, announce the engagement of their daughter, Sara Suzanne Curtis of Lenoir, to Samuel Lawrence Johnson of Sumter, son of Mr. and Mrs. Tommy P. Johnson of Sumter. The bride-elect is the …
MISS JOHNSON, MR. LEE
Johnson-Lee Ms. Tracie Dana Sykes of Sumter and Mr. and Mrs. William Howard Johnson of Manning announce the engagement of their daughter, Dinah Davis Johnson of Sumter, to Christopher Derek Lee of Sumter, son of Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Leroy Lee of …
MR. DEMERY, MISS GAYLE
Gayle-Demery Daniel and Michele Demery of Manning announce the engagement of their son, Treyon Marquise Demery of Smyrna, Georgia, to Melyssa Gayle of Smyrna, daughter of Noel and Althea Gayle of Flowery Branch, Georgia. The bride-elect is the granddaughter …
MR. BURR, MISS GLAZE
Glaze-Burr Lee and Fran Glaze of Sumter announce the engagement of their daughter, Sally Glaze of Conway, to John Aaron Burr IV of Conway, son of John Burr III of Conway and Melody Carter of Longs. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Regi and Yvonne …
Reflections
Bob Montgomery is seen in May 1943. Buster Newberry and Bob Montgomery both brought boxing fame to South Carolina with their wins in the ring. Newberry began boxing in the early 1920s, while Montgomery began his boxing career in 1943. Newberry was born in Florida and came to Sumter as a title holder, while Montgomery was born in Sumter and began his career in Philadelphia.

Reflections by Sammy Way: Sumter boxers were successful in the ring

Reflections remembers two men who entered the field of pugilism and became highly successful. Bob Montgomery and Buster Newberry, who each won national titles, established Sumter as a boxing center in the Southeast. The author used articles and …

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Yesteryear
Rhodes Service Station owners Rose and Bill Rhodes are seen with their son Charles, 8, in front of their prized Esso gas pump inside the store. The store at the corner of U.S. 76 and Mayes Open Road in Mayesville had hardwood floors, fresh bread and cookies, video poker and a lunch counter.
Yesteryear by Sammy Way: Masonic Grand Lodge Temple to be proposed; Pocalla teacher wins S.C. award 75 YEARS AGO - 1945 Feb. 22 - 28 - Tickets are on sale in front of Lawson's Drug Store for the Teen Canteen George Washington birthday dance to be held at the recreation building. Cash prizes will be given to the boy and girl wearing the most …
Slick Gibbons, left, is awarded modified championship at Sumter Speedway by track promoter Pete Kiker on Oct. 20, 1970. Gibbons won 18 races during the 1970 season to become the biggest single-season winner ever at the quarter-mile oval. The Manning veteran earned more than $3,500 for his efforts. Edward Guy "Slick" Gibbons died July 18, 2020, at age 77.
Yesteryear by Sammy Way: Electricity reaches 40% of farms; Sumterites Association meets yearly 75 YEARS AGO - 1945 Feb. 15 - 21 - A group of 433 Cub and Boy Scouts and their parents attended the Parent-Son Dinner held at Edmunds High School, ending Boy Scout week activities which have been carried on in Sumter for the past several days. …
Patrick Veltre, left, former director of the Ninth Air Force Band at Shaw Air Force Base, receives a certificate of commendation from Mayor Robert E. Graham. Given by the Shaw-Sumter Community Council, Veltre received the award for his "outstanding contributions to Sumter-Shaw community relations." The presentation took place at a meeting of Sumter City Council.
Yesteryear by Sammy Way: Shaw photographers win honors in contest; quarterback Solomon almost unstoppable 75 YEARS AGO - 1945 Feb. 8 - 14 - Sumter Frozen Foods, a new corporation formed here by a group of prominent Sumter businessmen, has begun construction on a freezer locker plant to be located on Broad Street extension, one-half mile beyond the …

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From the opinion pages
Columnists
George Will
OPINION: History not yet repeated
PATRICK BUCHANAN
OPINION: As the filibuster goes, so goes the GOP
Editorial cartoon: Friday, Aug. 7, 2020
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