Happening Now
Kaylin Vazquez-Epperson performs with hula hoops as her dad, Jonathan Vazquez, and one of her sisters look on in the background in 2019.
Sumter American Legion Fair will not fly this fall, canceled by COVID-19
A beer is poured at Sumter Original Brewery on their first day of operation, March 16, 2020.
McMaster shuts off late-night boozing in effort to stem SC virus outbreak
Law enforcement looking for vehicle involved in fatal Manning hit and run
School board districts (same as county council districts)
Filing opens Wednesday for Sumter city, school board races
Free mobile testing sites coming to Rembert, Dalzell

A show of support: Shaw, Sumter community honor fallen airman

First Lt. David Schmitz's fellow airmen, family and friends gathered at Shaw Air Force Base on Friday to say goodbye to the pilot whose F-16 crashed at Shaw during training. He came to Shaw with his wife in January.
He lived a fairytale life of travel and adventure. He took off from picturesque landscapes and helped load nuclear weapons onto military aircraft. That life was cut short last week when First Lt. David Schmitz's F-16 crashed at Shaw Air Force …

S.C. HBCUs including Morris get $2.4M to boost distance learning
Alicia, Jordan and Jada Adger wait for a family and friends parade for Jordan's birthday on Wednesday.
A Sumter girl had birthday plans. Then her entire family got COVID-19.
Harvard researchers created a risk mapping tool for showing the rising rates of coronavirus across the United States.
Study: S.C., Sumter at 'tipping point' in the spread of coronavirus

Saturday-Sunday, June 11-12, 2020

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Studio Sumter

Sumter Today: We check in with one of our 20 Under 40 winners to see how he’s adapting his business in the pandemic.

Jerome Robinson was one of our inaugural 20 Under 40 winners, and we’ve had fun following his progress with Team Robinson MMA and fitness.The gym specializes in martial arts training and …

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) and his NBA counterparts have arrived in Orlando, Florida as the league begins practices ahead of its return to action.
Practices begin at Disney as teams begin restart routines
New Orleans forward Zion Williamson (1) has a growing legal fight that now includes an allegation that his stepfather, Mayesville native Lee Anderson, accepted a $400,000 payment from a marketing agency while the Pelicans rookie was at Duke
Zion's stepfather accused of soliciting, accepting $400,000 payment
Robert E. Lee running back Hampton Gaskins and the Cavaliers have been split into small groups as they workout during the coronavirus pandemic.
Robert E. Lee uses small groups to safely work out during pandemic
The Sumter P-15's got back to .500 with a 7-0 win over Camden on Friday.
Big fifth inning lifts P-15’s to 7-0 victory over Camden
PHIL KORNBLUT
USC gets commitment from Marion DE Sanders
Poll of the Week

Descere Summers at Lakewood High School's filmed graduation on Wednesday, May 27.

Do you support Sumter School District and its Board of Trustees' decision to open the school year this fall with online learning?

Background:  Have a question you'd like us to ask? Email editor@theitem.com.

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More local news
MILLER
Sumter School District expects to add $4.4M for year to general fund; CFO says any savings will help in tight upcoming year
SUMTER ITEM FILE PHOTOA sign in the window of the former Bank of Sumter building at Liberty and Main announced that C. Anthony's Menswear would locate there. The store's owner, Chip Bracalente, announced Thursday that he will be closing the store.
C. Anthony's shutting doors for good
SMITH
Column from Sumter's Rev. Clay Smith: A daughter summons courage, takes the plunge
USC Sumter reopening partially
Manning council to reconsider face mask requirement

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More Sports
The Sumter Flyers remain undefeated with an 8-3 win over Florence Green on Thursday.
Sumter Flyers remain unbeaten
Clarendon Hall football head coach Anthony Reitenour says his team's smaller roster size has made coaching during the coronavirus pandemic a little easier.
Smaller team size making workouts a little easier for Clarendon Hall
Sumterite and former USC closer Matt Price was the third leading vote getter for relief pitcher on ESPN's Greatest All-Time College Baseball Team.
USC's Price receives high vote total for ESPN's Greatest All-Time Team
P-15's split games with Camden
Lakewood's Zayveon Wells (2) and the Gators may have a clearer idea when they can return to the field after results come in from a survey sent out by the South Carolina High School League.
Sumter School District will consider proposals from SCHSL return survey

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Panorama

3 money lessons to teach your children

By Rachel Cruze Ramsey Solutions Have you been stressed during budget conversations? Are you anxious at the grocery store checkout when you hear the total? Do you seem to be buying more and more stuff to make yourself feel better about …

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Nation & World
U.S. bets on small company to deliver COVID-19 vaccine

EDITOR'S NOTE - This story is part of an ongoing investigation by The Associated Press, the PBS series FRONTLINE and the Global Reporting Centre that examines the deadly consequences of the fragmented worldwide medical supply chain. When precious …

Philonise Floyd, brother, of George Floyd pauses at the casket during a funeral service for Floyd at The Fountain of Praise church Tuesday, June 9, 2020, in Houston.
Experts: Floyd's pleading didn't mean he could breathe MINNEAPOLIS - As George Floyd repeatedly pleaded "I can't breathe" to police officers holding him down on a Minneapolis street corner, some of the officers responded by pointing out he was able to speak. One told Floyd it takes "a lot of oxygen" to …
Medical group cited by Trump denounces school funding threat A medical association that the White House has cited in its press to reopen schools is pushing back against President Donald Trump's repeated threats to cut federal funding if schools don't open this fall. In a joint statement with national …
AP FILE PHOTO Cardinal Timothy Dolan delivers his homily over mostly empty pews as he leads an Easter Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York. The Archdiocese of New York received 15 loans in taxpayer-backed coronavirus aid worth at least $28 million just for its top executive offices. St. Patrick's Cathedral on Fifth Avenue was approved for at least $1 million.
Catholic Church lobbied for taxpayer funds, got $1.4B NEW YORK - The U.S. Roman Catholic Church used a special and unprecedented exemption from federal rules to amass at least $1.4 billion in taxpayer-backed coronavirus aid, with many millions going to dioceses that have paid huge settlements or sought …
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Des Moines Public Schools custodian Joel Cruz cleans a desk in a classroom at Brubaker Elementary School on Wednesday in Des Moines, Iowa.
Opening classrooms may mean choosing between schools, bars PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - President Donald Trump insists that schools reopen this fall. Many parents, educators, doctors and economists want the same thing. But getting children back to school safely could mean keeping high-risk spots like bars and …

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State News
PHOTOS BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Demonstrators dressed in Civil War attire participate in a flag ceremony in front of a Confederate statue at the Statehouse on Friday in Columbia, left, as more demonstrators protest in front of the statue. Demonstrators gathered for the five-year anniversary of the Confederate battle flag being removed from the Statehouse grounds after a two-thirds vote by the Legislature.
Protesters: Man pulls gun on anniversary of flag's removal

COLUMBIA - Counterprotesters said a passing driver pointed a gun at them Friday and said "All Lives Matter" as competing groups gathered in front of South Carolina's capitol building to mark the five-year anniversary of the state's removal of the …

S.C. will pay postage for all mail-in ballots in November COLUMBIA (AP) - The South Carolina State Elections Commission has agreed to provide prepaid return postage for all absentee ballots by mail this November. The joint agreement, filed in federal court Wednesday, follows a lawsuit by individual …
McLeod Health Clarendon and DHEC partnered to set up a drive-through testing facility on May 13, 2020, in Summerton.
Medicaid to cover COVID-19 testing for South Carolinians without coverage The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced it will immediately begin accepting applications for a new limited-benefit Medicaid coverage group to provide reimbursement for coronavirus disease 2019 testing for those without …
S.C. cashiers thankful for letters given to them by Kentucky girl By JONATHAN LIMEHOUSE The Index-Journal GREENWOOD - Cashiers Kamryn Ashley and Sherry Redmond were having a rough day working at Big Lots at 339 Bypass 72 NW because of the high humidity in the building. Ashley said the protective masks, which …
100+ coronavirus cases reported at S.C. men's prison in Enoree COLUMBIA (AP) - More than 100 inmates have been infected with COVID-19 in a South Carolina prison where one inmate has already died from the disease caused by the coronavirus. According to numbers on the website of the South Carolina Department …

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Obituaries
HARVIN LEE WATSON SR.

MANNING - On Thursday, July 9, 2020, Harvin Lee Watson Sr. departed this life at McLeod Health Clarendon in Manning. Born on June 16, 1961, in Manning, he was a son of the late Otis and Rovena Brunson Watson. In accordance with the …

MARY LOUISE GRANT TISDALE

On July 2, 2020, God sent angels down and carried Mary Louise Grant Tisdale home to glory to be with her family in heaven. Mary Louise Grant Tisdale was born on June 16, 1935, in Sumter, a daughter of the late Boyd Sr. and Julia Grant. Being …

CARRIE G. LEWIS

Carrie G. Lewis entered eternal rest on Monday, July 6, 2020, at 470 Pine Knot Lane, Blythewood. Visitation will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home. Visitors must wear masks and gloves. Funeral service will be held at 11 …

ULYSESS FRANK

NEW YORK, N.Y. - Ulysess "Seal" Frank, 72, died on Thursday, July 9, 2020, at Belveve Hospital, New York. He was born on Feb. 29, 1948, in Summerton, a son of the late Joseph and Mary Bennett Frank. These services have been entrusted to …

FANNIE MAE WILLIAMS

Fannie Mae Williams entered eternal rest on Sunday, July 5, 2020, at her residence, 223 Ridge St., Bishopville. Visitation will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. today at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, S.C. 34, Bishopville. Visitors are asked to please wear …

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Celebrations
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
SMITH
Column from Sumter's Rev. Clay Smith: God Bless America Irving Berlin was born into a Russian Jewish family. The family fled Siberia, looking for a better life in the United States. Berlin was five when the family arrived at Ellis Island in New York Harbor. The family did not find instant wealth; what …
Church News: Friday, July 3, 2020 Knitting Hearts Ministry, which meets at Bethesda Church of God, 2730 Broad St., announces: * Saturday, July 11 - Knitting Hearts will meet from 10 a.m. to noon. Speakers will be Jeannie Smith and Marsha Murphy from Myrtle Beach. A love offering …
SMITH
Column from the Rev. Clay Smith: Could our nation's turmoil be a case of dry rot? I was hauling my boat to the lake to meet up with my family. It was just me, pulling the boat up the interstate. About an hour into the trip, I felt a jerk. I looked at my rearview mirrors and saw my boat trailer leaning to the right. Flat …
Church News: Friday, June 26, 2020 Knitting Hearts Ministry, which meets at Bethesda Church of God, 2730 Broad St., announces: * Saturday, July 11 - Knitting Hearts will meet from 10 a.m. to noon. Speakers will be Jeannie Smith and Marsha Murphy from Myrtle Beach. A love offering …
Dear Abby
Pets for adoption
Super sweet and friendly, Cy would be a great new family member

FAR LEFT: Cy is a housebroken and neutered 5-year-old lab / corgi mix. He is great with children and other dogs. Cy is a super sweet and friendly boy who loves people. He would be an amazing new buddy for any family. The Sumter SPCA is located at …

Weddings
MRS. JAMES ROBINSON
Noonan-Robinson LAKE MARION - Miss Riley Elizabeth Noonan and Mr. James Matthew Robinson, both of Sumter, were united in marriage in a lakeside ceremony at noon Saturday, May 30, 2020, at the Noonan Family Lake Home. The bride is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. …
MR. AND MRS. STEVEN EDWARDS
Jamison-Edwards Deborah Jamison and Steven Edwards, both of Sumter, were united in marriage at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 16, 2020, at St. Anne Catholic Church in Sumter.The bride is the daughter of Brian and Amy Jamison and the granddaughter of Byron and Kitty Jamison …
MR., MRS. GRIFFIN NOLAN MCCABE
Affronti-McCabe Miss Elizabeth Anne Affronti of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Mr. Griffin Nolan McCabe of Manning were united in marriage at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 21, 2020, in a front yard ceremony at 2185 Bethel Church Road. The Rev. Neil DuBose …
MRS. ANTHONY MILES SCOTT
Mayle-Scott Miss Stephanie Nicole Mayle of Sumter and Mr. Anthony Miles Scott of Rembert were united in marriage at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 25, 2020, at Mileston at the Pond. The bride is the daughter of Cheryll Elizabeth Mayle of Lakeland, Florida, and Mr. …

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Engagements
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 …
MR. COMPTON, MISS SEWELL
Compton-Sewell Mr. and Mrs. Michael F. Compton of Sumter announce the engagement of their son, Andrew T. Compton of Sumter, to Emily C. Sewell of Alpharetta, Georgia, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. Sewell of Alpharetta. The bride-elect is the granddaughter …
MISS CROMER
Cromer-Josey Mr. and Mrs. James Paul Cromer III of Sumter announce the engagement of their daughter, SaraLouise Cromer of Sumter, to Matthew Samuel Josey of Florence, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Rene Josey of Florence. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Mr. …
MR. GOODSON, MISS SEGARS
Segars-Goodson Mr. and Mrs. Burrell "Billy" Raymie Segars Sr. of Sumter announce the engagement of their daughter, Miss Jane Elizabeth Segars of Sumter, to Mr. James Arthur Goodson IV of Charleston, son of Dr. and Mrs. James Arthur Goodson III of Manning. The …
Reflections
Girls' High School is seen in its yearbook photo in 1936.

Reflections by Sammy Way: The history of Sumter-area schools, part III

Reflections remembers the development of Sumter's education system and the construction of numerous schools attended by local students. The author used historic data retrieved from The Sumter Item archives. An article written by John Mitchell in the …

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Yesteryear
Glenn Davis, regarded by many as "the fastest thing in football shoes," is about to get his hands on the basketball despite guarding by No. 11, E. Wilby of RPI. Davis and Felix "Doc" Blanchard were Army's two All-America backs but also played other sports.
Yesteryear by Sammy Way: 'Best midway yet' comes to Sumter; kids create Recycle Rob 75 YEARS AGO - 1945 Feb. 1 - 7 - Tuomey Hospital has been awarded Full and Provisional Approval by the American College of Surgeons for the year 1945, as revealed through an annual survey which was conducted in December. The results of this, …
SUMTER ITEM FILE PHOTO William Fudger works on staying within the lines as he colors the American flag at Grace Baptist Summer Day Care on July 3, 1995.
Jewish Welfare Fund holds supper at temple; Shaw hosts F-102 Delta Daggers 75 YEARS AGO - 1945 Jan. 25 - 31 - Officers re-elected for an additional one-year term at the annual Sumter County Game and Fish Association barbecue and meeting were B.L. Montague, president; R. T. Brown Sr., secretary-treasurer; George L. …
Bobby Broach, 9, of Lake City sells watermelons from the back of his father's pickup truck at Sumter's Manning Avenue in June 1995. The next day was to be the start of summer, and Bobby hoped for an increase in sales.
Yesteryear by Sammy Way: Egg exports show Sumter ag growth; former POWs invited to berry farm 75 YEARS AGO - 1945 Jan. 17 - 23 - According to J.A. Raffield, city manager, the movement of 50 house-trailers from Oak Ridge, Tennessee, to Sumter will help alleviate the acute housing shortage here. The house-trailers will be located in the …

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From the opinion pages
Columnists
 Editorial cartoon: Saturday, July 11, 2020
Editorial cartoon: Saturday, July 11, 2020
OPINION: Generations redefining American history
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