Happening Now
 Sumter school board members yet to explain rationale for reopening Mayewood Middle
City of Sumter receives clean audit report with overspending in budget
SIMMONS
Sumter police seek location of man wanted for questioning in case where body was found

Playing through the SCISA 1A state playoffs

Clarendon Hall junior shooting guard Traveon Davis looks to get around Lowcountry Prep freshman guard Cory Appleton in the undefeated Saints' first-round win over the Marlins in the SCISA 1A state playoffs on …
Ribbon cutting set for Turbeville Family Practice
WOMACK
Clarendon County man arrested on child porn charges
Today marks 3 meetings in 3 days for Sumter School Board

Thursday, February 21, 2019

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Studio Sumter

Sumter Today: CCTC offers scholarships for its two-year degrees

Central Carolina Technical College has a unique opportunity to offer two years of college tuition to students right out of high school through its Central Scholars program. CCTC President Michael …

PREP BASKETBALL
Manning boys overcome Strom Thurmond 55-50 in 3A playoffs
Clarendon Hall's Traveon Davis, left, puts up a shot during the Saints' 61-35 victory over Newberry Academy on Tuesday in the SCISA 1A state playoffs at Wilson Hall's Nash Student Center.
PREP BASKETBALL
Unbeaten Saints advance in 1A playoffs
Wilson Hall's Natalie Jackson eyes a path to the basket during the Lady Barons' 62-58 loss to Porter-Gaud on Tuesday in the SCISA 3A state playoffs at the Sumter Civic Center.
Lady Barons fall 62-58 to Porter Gaud
PREP BASKETBALL
Lady Gamecocks move on in 5A state playoffs with 57-54 win over Woodmont
Thomas Sumter's Aubrey Stoddard works the ball against a Dillon Christian defender during the Lady Generals' 48-35 victory on Monday in the SCISA 2A state playoffs at the Sumter Civic Center.
PREP BASKETBALL
Lady Generals shut down Dillon Christian to advance
Poll of the Week

Are you still keeping your New Year's resolution?

Vote on our poll, and look for what our readers answered for this and other polls at TheItem.com, our Facebook and Instagram pages and in The Sumter Item. Have a question you want us to ask? …

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More local news
Sumter Fireside Fund donations help others find joy and relief
Data leads committee to ask Sumter school board to reconsider Mayewood Middle reopening
Owen Pack, 68, of Greeleyville stands next to his 1966 Aztec Bronze-colored Chevrolet Chevelle on Saturday at the 2nd-Annual Hot Pursuit BBQ Cookoff and Car Show at the Sumter Fairgrounds. The car's interior is also Aztec Bronze, and he said it's one of only 200 Chevelles made that year that had the Aztec color scheme on the inside and out. The car is now 53 years old, and Pack has had it for 49 years since he was 19 in 1970. Pack said the Chevelle has won about 20 "best of show" awards since 2000.
Nearly one of a kind at Sumter's 2nd-Annual Hot Pursuit BBQ Cookoff and Car Show
AP FILE PHOTO
Payless files for bankruptcy, Sumter's Broad Street store among closings
PHOTOS PROVIDEDElliott Hitchcock and the Bull Shark is among paintings in Stephen Chesley: Field, Trees, Sky, which opens with a reception Thursday at the Sumter County Gallery of Art, 200 Hasell St.
Major exhibit by Chesley will fill entire Sumter County Gallery of Art
More Sports
Lady Gamecocks move on in 5A state playoffs with 57-54 win over Woodmont
East Clarendon's Talaysia Cooper makes a move to the basket during the Lady Wolverines victory over Gray Collegiate on Monday in the 2A state playoffs.
East Clarendon, Lee Central, Scott's Branh girls all victorious
Robert E. Lee's Carson Shannon shoots over Spartanburg Day's Madeline Becker in the Lady Cavaliers' 60-37 loss in the quarterfinals of the SCISA 2A state playoffs on Monday night at the Sumter County Civic Center.
Lady Cavaliers fall to Spartanburg Day 60-37 in quarterfinals of SCISA 2A state playoffs
Sumter, Lee Central reach upper state finals
5 things to know this week in Sumter Item sports: Playoff basketball, Ja Morant and more
Food
This undated photo provided by America's Test Kitchen in February 2019 shows Rosemary Focaccia in Brookline, Mass. This recipe appears in the cookbook "Tasting Italy."

Rosemary Focaccia straight from your oven

This undated photo provided by America's Test Kitchen in February 2019 shows Chicken Enchiladas in Brookline, Mass. This recipe appears in the cookbook "The Complete Slow Cooker."
Chicken Enchiladas are easier with a slow cooker
This undated photo provided by America's Test Kitchen in February 2019 shows Chocolate Pound Cake in Brookline, Mass. This recipe appears in the cookbook "The Perfect Cake."
Retool the classic pound cake to make it ultra-chocolatey

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Panorama

Children from SBA churches to collect funds Saturday to help build a tiny house for Sumter United Ministries

Children from seven churches within the Santee Baptist Association will be collecting donations at five different locations in Sumter for Children's Missions Day on Saturday to raise money to build a tiny house for Sumter United Ministries. SUM …

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Nation/world
Hoda Muthana/Attorney Hassan Shibly via APHoda Muthana is an Alabama woman who left home to join the Islamic State after becoming radicalized online.
Alabama woman who joined Islamic State in Syria can't return to U.S. WASHINGTON (AP) - An Alabama woman who left home to join the Islamic State group in Syria is not a U.S. citizen and will not be allowed to return to the United States, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday. In a brief statement that …
GRAY
$10,000 reward offered in arrest, apprehension of suspect in murder of Virginia police officer CHARLESTON, West Virginia -- The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has matched the U.S. Marshals Service’s offer of a $5,000 reward for information which leads to the arrest and …
AP FILE PHOTO Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., says his campaign for president in 2020 is about "transforming our country."
Sanders is running for president WASHINGTON (AP) - Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, whose insurgent 2016 presidential campaign reshaped Democratic politics, announced Tuesday that he is running for president in 2020. "Our campaign is not only about defeating Donald Trump," the …
THE ASSOCIATED PRESSWar veteran Duong Van Dau walks between a row of headstones at a memorial for North Korean fallen pilots in Bac Giang province, Vietnam. The 14 headstones of the pilots who died while fighting American bombers alongside the Vietnamese army during the Vietnam war remain as a symbol of Vietnam-North Korea friendship.
Memorial speaks to North Korea's ties to summit host Vietnam BAC GIANG, Vietnam (AP) - In a rice field in northern Vietnam, 14 headstones are an enduring symbol of the wartime friendship of Vietnam and North Korea. They mark the original burial ground of North Korean pilots who died while secretly fighting …
AP FILE PHOTO FLYNN
Report: Flynn pushed to share nuclear tech with Saudis WASHINGTON - Senior White House officials pushed a project to share nuclear power technology with Saudi Arabia despite the objections of ethics and national security officials, according to a new congressional report citing whistleblowers within the …
State news
SNAP benefits issued on March 5 to estimated 231,000 households

FROM STAFF REPORTS The South Carolina Department of Social Services will be issuing March Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits early in order to reduce the time between payments for recipients who received their February benefits …

McMASTER
South Carolina lawmakers suggest changes to education bill COLUMBIA — South Carolina lawmakers introduced proposed changes Wednesday to their massive education reform bill including the addition of a teacher bill of rights, eliminating a stipulation of …
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Lawmaker: South Carolina medical marijuana bill sensible COLUMBIA (AP) — A state senator says legalizing marijuana for medicinal use in South Carolina would empower doctors to better serve their patients. Medical professionals, military veterans and …
Members of the Legislative Black Caucus meet with representatives of Dominion Energy on Feb. 5 to discuss the company's failure to follow through with an advertised $1,000 rebate promised to more than 700,000 South Carolina ratepayers in Columbia. Lawmakers called on the Virginia-based company to apologize to their constituents and fulfill their original promise to customers.
S.C. ratepayers angry over no $1,000 rebate COLUMBIA - For more than 700,000 customers of a private South Carolina utility, the $1,000 rebate checks aren't in the mail. A year ago, Dominion Energy proposed writing the average South Carolina Electric & Gas customer a $1,000 one-time cash …
Bill would reform South Carolina electric co-ops
COLUMBIA (AP) - A new bill at the Statehouse would allow a state watchdog agency to review South Carolina's electric cooperatives for the first time. The bill would allow the Office of Regulatory Staff to audit a co-op and let them know if they …
Obituaries
MERRITT SWINNEY LEXINGTON - Merritt Junior Swinney, age 88, beloved husband of 43 years to the late Marlene Ann Pelletier Swinney, died on Monday, Feb. 18, 2019, at Oak Leaf Assisted Living Home. Born in Nebraska City, Nebraska, he was a son of the late Merritt …
LEON THAMES Leon "God Did It" Thames, 77, died on Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2019, at Lake Marion Nursing Center in Summerton. Born in Clarendon County, he was a son of the late Janie Levy Thames and Johnnie Thames Jr. Friends and family will be received at the …
BELTON O'NEAL COMPTON JR. Belton O'Neal Compton Jr., well-known actor and director, died on Monday, Feb. 18, 2019, at the Dorn VA Medical Center in Columbia. Born on Feb. 5, 1951, in Sumter, he was a son of the late Belton O. Compton Sr. and Dorothy Brunson Compton. A …
WILLIE WALKER JR. Willie Walker Jr., 55, husband of Essie Mae Workman, departed this life on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019, in Sumter. He was born on May 17, 1963, in Boston, Massachusetts, a son of Fannie Gathers Walker and the late Willie Walker Sr. The family will …
SMITH
BARBARA KAYE SMITH GOOSE CREEK - Barbara Kaye Smith, 68, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019, at the home of her sister in Sumter, surrounded by family and friends. Born on March 16, 1950, in Augusta, Georgia, she was a daughter of the late …

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Celebrations
MR., MRS. WOODY MILLS JR.
Millses celebrate 50 years of marriage Mr. and Mrs. Woody Mills Jr., of Sumter, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Friday, Jan. 11, 2019. A family luncheon was given in their honor on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019, at Olive Garden, Columbia, by their daughters, Sandi Mills Dixon …
SPANN
Willie Spann celebrates 101 years Willie Lee Spann Sr. was given a 101st birthday celebration by his niece, Terry Chatman, and other family members on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019, at Chapel AME Church, Paxville. Approximately 101 people were in attendance. Willie, affectionately …
MR., MRS. JAMES SCAFFE SR.
Scaffes celebrate 50 years of marriage Mr. and Mrs. James Scaffe Sr. of Sumter celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Nov. 24, 2018, at Sam Kendall's in Camden. Mrs. Scaffe is the former Lila Berry of Ashwood.
BRENNAN MAX McCONNELL
The McConnells announce birth of a son, Brennan Max Jay and Jennifer McConnell of Waxhaw, North Carolina, announce the birth of a son, Brennan Max McConnell, on Nov. 17, 2018, at Carolinas Medical Alliance, Charlotte, North Carolina. Brennan weighed 8 pounds and 4 ounces. He was 21 inches …
RUTH C. FRANKLIN
Ruth C. Franklin celebrates 101st birthday Ruth C. Franklin, widow of John "Mr. Sing" Franklin, celebrated her 101st birthday on Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018. A pillar in the community of Woodrow for more than 80 years, Mrs. Franklin owned her own beauty shop for more than 40 years, which was …
Faith
SMITH
He died with all a man could achieve, but he was still empty Once upon a time, there was a man who set out to be happy. First, he had to figure out what it meant to be happy. His parents told him the best way to be happy was to get ahead. "Get an education," they said. So, he went to one of the finest …
Church News: Friday, Feb. 15, 2019 Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, 2571 Joseph Lemon-Dingle Road, Jordan community, Manning, announces: * Sunday, Feb. 24 - Black history celebration at 3 p.m. The Rev. Dr. Frankie D. White, of Biggers AME Church of Manning, will speak. Bethel …
Church News: Friday, Feb. 8, 2019 Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, 2571 Joseph Lemon-Dingle Road, Jordan community, Manning, announces: * Sunday, Feb. 24 - Black history celebration at 3 p.m. The Rev. Dr. Frankie D. White, of Biggers AME Church of Manning, will speak. Bethel …
North Korean defector Kwak Jeong-ae, 65, speaks Dec. 21 during an interview in Uijeongbu, South Korea. Experts and defectors say most of North Korea's underground Christians do not engage in the extremely dangerous work of proselytizing. Instead, they largely keep their beliefs to themselves or within their immediate families.
North Korean Christians keep faith underground amid more crackdowns SEOUL, South Korea - One North Korean defector in Seoul describes her family back home quietly singing Christian hymns every Sunday while someone stood watch for informers. A second cowered under a blanket or in the toilet when praying in the …
Dear Abby
Pets for adoption
Starr is a precious girl who deserves love and attention

Precious Starr has been at animal control since the first week of December. She weighs 32 pounds and is approximately 4 years old. Starr seems to have had a rough life and was allowed to have several litters of puppies. She needs a new family …

Weddings
MR., MRS. NICHOLAS DOYLE
Rogers-Doyle Elizabeth Anne Rogers of Irmo and Nicholas Tolan Doyle of Sumter were united in marriage at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, at St. Anne and St. Jude Catholic Church in Sumter. The bride is the daughter of Mr. Daniel Rogers and Mrs. Karen Rogers …
MRS. EDWIN BELSER JR.
McGill-Belser KINGSTREE - Frances Louise McGill of Kingstree and Roy Edwin Belser Jr. of Summerton were united in marriage at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018, at Williamsburg Presbyterian Church. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Julius McGill …
Engagements
TIMMONS, MISS HYATT
Hyatt- Timmons Mr. and Mrs. Ronnie Hyatt and Mr. and Mrs. Isadore Timmons Jr. announce the engagement of their children, respectively, Alicia Gail Hyatt and Steven Eugene Timmons, all of Sumter. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of the late Thomas Mitchum …
MISS SMITH, MR. KENNEDY
Smith-Kennedy Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Smith of Sumter announce the engagement of their daughter, Nicole Elizabeth Smith of Sumter, to Robert James Kennedy of DeBary, Florida, son of Mr. Ed Kennedy and the late Mrs. Robin Kennedy of DeBary. The bride-elect is the …
MISS ALLEN, MR. BARNES
Allen-Barnes Mr. and Mrs. Mark Harper Allen of Greenville announce the engagement of their daughter, Sarah Margaret Allen of Columbia, to Allen Jackson Barnes Jr. of Columbia, son of Mr. and Mrs. Allen Jackson Barnes of Sumter. The bride-elect is the …
MISS GENTELE, MR. CRAWFORD
Gentele-Crawford Edward Louie Jr. and Melanie Gentele announce the engagement of their daughter, Ashleigh Lynn Gentele, to Brandon Tyler Crawford, son of Mrs. Flori W. Anderson and the late Bruce Allan Crawford Sr., all of Sumter. The bride-elect is the …
Reflections
Sumter Daily Item photographer Heyward Crowson photographed a boxcar explosion at a Sumter railroad and won first place in the annual press awards contest for his work. The car filled with explosives caught fire in September 1968 and exploded.

Reflections by Sammy Way: Sumter Item photographer Heyward Crowson won top S.C. press award

Reflections remembers a spectacular explosion which occurred at the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad yard in September 1968, and The Sumter Daily Item photographer Heyward Crowson was there to capture photos. One photo earned Crowson first place in …

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Yesteryear
1994 - Thomas Sumter's Matt Wright dunks over Sumter Catholic's Ricardo Wilson during the Generals' 63-54 win over the Padres.
Sumter woman grows pineapple; library to become gallery 75 YEARS AGO - 1944 Feb. 10 - Feb. 16 - J.C. Penney Co. sold a total of $85,540,036.90 during the Fifth War Loan campaign. It was announced today through the company's publication Pay Day. The Penney store in Sumter also came in for much …
1969 - Well-known clown Emmett Kelly visited the children's ward at Tuomey Hospital to give out coloring books and entertain the children. Here he talks with Richard Elmore, age 7.
Ship named in honor of Sumter; 'Renaissance' program begins 75 YEARS AGO - 1944 Sept. 2 - Sept. 8 - School children who wish to help with the harvest of the county cotton crop will be released from their duties for that specific purpose, Superintendent William Henry Shaw announced, but they will be …
SUMTER ITEM FILE PHOTO 1969 - These teachers at Millwood Elementary School discuss some new ideas in education with two instructors from the Elementary Education Department in the University of South Carolina. Around the table from left are Howard W. Kratz, USC instructor; Doris B. Matthews, USC instructor; and Elaine M. Lareau, Betsy M. Ridgeway, Louise B. Deaton and Pam Cox, all Millwood teachers. This was part of a two-day in-service program conducted by USC.
Scout district sponsors camporee; 'atomic veterans' seek help 75 YEARS AGO - 1944 Aug. 26 - Sept. 1 - Capt. Charles Vincent (Vince) Greffett, who worked for five years at the Palmetto Pigeon Plant before entering the Army Air Corps, was one of the leaders of a bombing flight which dropped ammunition to …

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From the opinion pages
Columnists
 Editorial cartoon: Feb. 20, 2019
WILLIAMS
Opinion: Plunder: An American way of life
BARONE
Opinion: Why are presidential candidates endorsing 'Green Dream'?
Your view
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