Past is Present, presented by Sumter Museum: Sumter's first Black and female police chief Patterson reflects on career of firsts, what it means to leave a lasting legacy
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Local stories through a local lens.
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Patrick Stewart, legendary actor of 'Star Trek' and 'X-Men' fame, dies at 86
Patrick Stewart, the classically trained actor who added Shakespearean gravitas to the "Star Trek" and "X-Men" franchises, has died. He was 86. Stewart died Wednesday in Los Angeles, following …
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Halloween happenings in Sumter, Lee counties
It's almost time - the guys, girls, ghouls and goblins will have their buckets in hand, ready to gather …
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Things to do across the Midlands: GraceFest2026 is happening Saturday; veterans to be honored Nov. 11 in Sumter
To make a submission to our events list, email pressrelease@theitem.com with EVENTS in the subject …
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'You Can See Everything' surges with $19.5M at box office; 'Clayface' takes No. 1
NEW YORK — DC Studios scored a modest, R-rated win with "Clayface," landing a $24 million opening …
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SCETV explores South Carolina's mysterious past, including Bishopville's Lizard Man, in new 'Unknown' shorts
COLUMBIA - South Carolina ETV and Public Radio will premiere "Unknown," a new short-form series exploring …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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Dear Abby, Nov. 2, 2026: Readers call for action to protect neglected senior
DEAR READERS: The mailbox was bursting with responses to the Oct. 9 letter from Frustrated Neighbor, whose 94-year-old neighbor is bedridden and …
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Dear Abby, Nov. 1, 2026: Neighbors tire of maintaining derelict property
DEAR ABBY: How much should a neighborhood do to keep up a vacant house? About 15 years ago, a couple in their 50s moved into the end of my …
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Dear Abby: Beloved niece lacks respect for relatives' time
DEAR ABBY: We live 500 miles from our nearest relatives, but a niece is attending a university about 50 miles away. We invite her to join us for …
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Dear Abby, Oct. 30, 2026: Wedding invitation clashes with dream vacation
DEAR ABBY: I'm 78, and my husband is 79. This past year, he lost $500,000 through a fraudulent bitcoin site. Fortunately, we have $500,000 left, …
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Reflections by Sammy Way: Belk-Stroman, 'Where you may shop with confidence'
In 1943, The Sumter Daily Item referenced Belk-Stroman as "not the oldest store, nor the largest, nor the smallest, but Sumter's shopping center." The reason? Families learned that they could implicitly trust the store's familiar slogan, "Where you …
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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 …
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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 …
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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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Letter to the editor: Murrell Smith delivers results for Sumter, state on education
Sumter County owes Murrell Smith its gratitude for his tireless efforts to create a better place for its residents to work, live and raise its …
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Letter to the editor: Murrell Smith makes our community, our state stronger
I have known Murrell Smith to be a man of integrity who truly cares about his community and the state of South Carolina. Murrell has been an …
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Letter to the editor: Murrell Smith is proven leader for Sumter
I have known Murrell Smith as a lifelong friend, and I can personally attest to his character, integrity and commitment to our community. Born …
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Letter to the editor: Understand where your party stands and vote
Why vote? Any way we choose to measure it, the number of people who have been allowed by their government to vote in any meaningful way is …
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Letter to the editor: Rep. Smith works with all legislators to address needs
As a former member of the South Carolina Senate, I served with Murrell Smith on the Sumter Legislative Delegation for a dozen years. When I …
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Letter to the editor: Rep. Smith's work has reduced numbers of criminal cases over 3 years old, improved our state
During and after the COVID lockdowns, the South Carolina criminal justice system was in crisis. With courts shut down, cases could not move, …
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