Happening Now
 18 men in Sumter indicted on federal drug charges
HARDY
Sumter Chamber of Commerce opposed to medical marijuana
Sumter Genealogical Society to meet, hold party on Monday
PHOTO PROVIDED Sumterite Cynthia Richardson holds the book she authored, "Divine Destiny: Ordered Steps."
'Dream big, but do the hard work': Prisma Health Tuomey nurse writes book about resiliency through pain, how to set and reach goals
PHOTOS BY MICAH GREEN / THE SUMTER ITEMUgly Christmas sweaters, elf costumes and more could be seen Thursday night at the inaugural Eat Drink & Be Ugly. The Young Professionals of Sumter organized the event to draw community members together while raising money for a good cause, Sumter Pregnancy Center. Ticket holders were encouraged to tour downtown beginning at J. O’Grady’s and making stops at Great Southern Homes, Naomi & Warner, Coldwell Banker Commercial Cornerstone, Hyatt Place Downtown Sumter, Gaymon Gibson Group and C. Anthony’s. Each attendee had the chance to eat snacks and sample 17 different types of beer and visit J O’Grady’s After Hours karaoke bar.
Eating, drinking and being ugly (sweaters)

Sumter High AVID students take on service project to provide bathrooms, drinking water to schools in developing world

BRUCE MILLS / THE SUMTER ITEMFrom left, Sumter High School junior AVID students Robert Lancaster, Aniya Newkirk, Danesia Carter and Inga Colclough hold an H2O for Life banner flag on Friday at the school.
For a group of Sumter High School students, it didn't take getting into the Christmas season for them to learn the important trait that "it's better to give than receive." Instead, it happened through a service-learning project with students who …
MICAH GREEN / THE SUMTER ITEM Kristen Jackson, 22, an engineering associate in the City of Sumter's Engineering Department, speaks to a crowd at CCTC's Health Sciences Center on Thursday.
CCTC renews free tuition program for another 5 years
Wintertime indoor farmers market debuts today at Sumter fairgrounds
Electrical fires damage 2 homes in separate blazes on Wednesday

Friday, Dec. 13, 2019

View this issue

Browse other issues

Studio Sumter

Sumter Today: The fire department gives us holiday safety tips

The holiday season bring a festive air to our homes, from trees and lights to cooking and candles. All of that has the potential to be unsafe if not set up and maintained properly, but don’t …

Drew Marlowe, background, watches a couple of his offensive linemen square off during a practice prior to the 2019 season. Marlowe has been named the new football head coach at South Florence High School.
SHS assistant Marlowe new head coach at South Florence
East Clarendon senior guard Tyjhai Calvin (2) has been crucial to the Wolverines' early success this season.
Experience is key as Wolverines get out to hot start
Sumter wide receiver Tylee Craft (13) was one of three local players named to the inaugural South Carolina Football Coaches Association All-State teams along with cornerback teammate O'Donnell Fortune and Crestwood nose guard Jacson Thorne.
Sumter's Craft, Fortune, Crestwood's Thorne on inaugural SCFCA All-State football teams
Haley Ronne McCaffrey, center, is joined by her family as she signs to play soccer at Wofford.
Wilson Hall's McCaffrey signs at Wofford, becomes first female soccer signee in school history
Area boys roundup
Ebenezer stays unbeaten with victory over Furman
Poll of the Week

Have you finished your Christmas shopping?

View results

More local news
PHOTOS PROVIDED New York Times Best-selling Authors, known as Team W, will speak at a book signing for their third collaborative novel, "All the Ways We Said Goodbye," on Jan. 15, 2020, at the Sumter County Museum.
Book signing for newest Team W release Jan. 15, 2020, at Sumter County Museum
CANTY
Sumter School District Board of Trustees goes 10-for-10 with unanimous votes on Monday
Sumter School District audit shows district's reserves now at $14.3M
PHOTOS BY MICAH GREEN / THE SUMTER ITEMJason Velasquez is all smiles in his new winter jacket. The student was one of 112 students at Crosswell Drive Elementary School who received new coats on Monday through the Coats for Kids program put on by the LouVon Family Foundation. Another 100 preschoolers at Rubye J. Johnson Head Start Learning Center also received new coats.
Program warms hearts and bodies: LouVon Family Foundation in 14th year of Coats for Kids distribution
Fireside Fund donations keep heat on for working single mother of 3

More News

More Sports
Double-double by Brunson lifts Bates over Chestnut Oaks
PHIL KORNBLUT
Running back White announces commitment to USC
Garris' double-double carries EC past Bethune-Bowman
J. Scott Sewell / The Sumter Item Crestwood's Sa'vantae Parrott, left, scored 22 points in the Knights' 66-63 victory over Camden on Wednesday at the Camden gymnasium.
Crestwood outlasts Camden with smothering defense
The Sumter Item's Top 125 Sports Figures: No. 5 - Ja Morant

More Sports

Food

Savor the season with cheese boards
FAMILY FEATURES PHOTO
A Comforting Casserole
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY FAMILY FEATURES White Hominy Chicken Chili
Take a chef's advice for stress-free cooking during the holiday

More Food

Panorama
PHOTO PROVIDED Matt Wilt and Kelly Melton as Bertha Bumiller and Arles Struvie check out one of the Christmas trees decorated by citizens of Tuna, the “third-smallest town in Texas.” The comedy, “A Tuna Christmas,” centers on the town’s Christmas lawn decorating contest, as it takes a look at the foibles and pleasures of small town Southern life.

Spend Christmas in Tuna with Sumter Little Theatre

The denizens of Tuna, Texas, are back at Sumter Little Theatre to give audiences an intimate look at the town’s daily life, especially during the Christmas season. Opening Thursday night, “A Tuna …

More Panorama

Nation & World
Chile's Air Force Commander Arturo Merino, center, speaks during a news conference at the Chilean Air Force base in Punta Arenas, Chile, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019. Chile's Defense Minister Alberto Espina said human remains have been found from a military aircraft that disappeared on a flight to Antarctica.The plane was carrying 38 passengers when it took off from southernmost Chile on Monday.Th man on the left is the Chile's Defense Minister Alberto Espina and the right is the Gen. Cristian Pizarr
Chile: Plane that vanished en route to Antarctica found

SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) - Searchers combing Antarctic seas have recovered parts of a military transport plane and human remains belonging to some of the 38 people aboard who vanished en route to the frozen continent, Chilean officials said …

FCC votes to set up 3-digit suicide hotline number By MAE ANDERSON AP Technology Writer NEW YORK - Federal regulators are setting up a new three-digit number to reach a suicide prevention hotline in order to make it easier to seek help and reduce the stigma associated with mental …
Melpomeni Dina reacts during a reunion at the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2019. Dina, a 92-year-old Greek woman who rescued a Jewish family during the Holocaust has been reunited with two of the people she saved and dozens of their family members. Once a regular ritual, such reunions are quickly disappearing due to the advanced age of the rescuers and survivors.
Wealthy German family gives millions to Holocaust survivors BERLIN (AP) - One of Germany's richest families, which owns Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Pret A Manger and other international brands, is giving millions to support Holocaust survivors as it seeks to atone for its use of forced laborers during the Nazi …
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Mark Milley listens during a House committee hearing on U.S. policy in Syria on Wednesday on Capitol Hill in Washington.
U.S. considers leaving smaller number of troops in Afghanistan WASHINGTON - The Pentagon is considering several options to reduce the number of troops in Afghanistan, including one that would shift to a narrower counterterrorism mission, the top U.S. military officer told Congress on Wednesday. Gen. Mark …
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Gabe Steele wipes tears as he sits in his home in West Point, Iowa, and talks about the accidental fatal shooting of his wife, Autumn Steele, by a Burlington, Iowa, police officer in 2015.
Accidental shootings show gaps in some police training SEATTLE - When an Iowa mother tried to take her child from her husband during an argument on a snowy sidewalk in 2015, an officer stepped in to stop the scuffle, but he accidentally fired his weapon as a dog approached. The bullet went through the …

More Nation & World News

State News
Gov. Henry McMaster
S.C. given federal approval to make some Medicaid recipients work

GREENVILLE (AP) - South Carolina has been given permission to require some people receiving Medicaid to work, volunteer or take job training to keep getting their health care, Gov. Henry McMaster said Thursday. South Carolina is the 10th state to …

South Carolina State Rep. Bobby Cox, left, speaks after Gov. Henry McMaster, right, introduces him as his pick to lead the state's veterans' affairs agency on Wednesday at a news conference in Columbia.
Rep. Cox picked as 1st head of new S.C. Veterans' Affairs COLUMBIA (AP) - A military veteran serving as a freshman state lawmaker has been selected as the first secretary of South Carolina's newest Cabinet-level agency. Gov. Henry McMaster on Wednesday named Greenville Rep. Bobby Cox as his choice to …
MCMASTER
McMaster wants to give teachers a $3,000 raise CAYCE - South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster said Tuesday that he wants to give a $3,000 raise for all the state's nearly 53,000 teachers in next year's budget as part of a promise by Republican lawmakers to get paychecks above the national average by …
No accreditation punishment for USC in president hunt COLUMBIA (AP) - The University of South Carolina will not be punished by a group that accredits colleges after accusations it allowed the selection of its new president to be influenced by outside political forces. The university will continue to …
In this 2016 photo, a replica of the great white shark head used in the movie "Jaws" is displayed at the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy's Chatham Shark Center in Chatham, Mass.
Great white sharks are showing up off the Carolinas as winter nears THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Great white sharks are showing up off the Carolina coast as winter approaches. The Charlotte Observer reported Monday that 10 great whites have been recorded off the North Carolina and South Carolina coast in recent …

More State News

Obituaries
LUCILLE A. JOHNSON

Lucille A. "Sister" Johnson, 87, widow of Charles Johnson, departed this life on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019, at her residence. She was born on Sept. 28, 1932, in Sumter, a daughter of the late Rovena Colclough Rivers. The family will receive …

CARRIE M. PRINCE

Funeral services for Carrie M. Prince will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Congruity Presbyterian Church, 3750 Congruity Road, Gable, with Alonza Washington, pastor, and the Rev. Randy Green officiating. Interment will follow at Billie Family …

ALONZA BERNARD HAMPTON

MAYESVILLE - Alonza Bernard Hampton, 65, widower of Ruth Ann Copeland Hampton, departed this life on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019, in Sumter. He was born on Nov. 2, 1954, in Mayesville, to Sarah Moses Hampton and the late Sidney Hampton Sr. The …

RAY CHARLES SHAW

Ray Charles Shaw, 69, died on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019, at Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital. Born on Sept. 13, 1956, in Sumter County, he was a son of Paul and Catherine Edwards Shaw. The family is receiving relatives and friends at the home, 108 …

LEWIS EARL PITTS

Lewis Earl Pitts, 69, was the second child of the late Louis and Lillie Mae Pitts. Earl was born on Dec. 21, 1949, in Sumter. He departed this life on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. At an early age, he joined Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, where he …

More Obituaries

Celebrations
MISS FORT
The Sumter Assembly The Sumter Assembly will present three debutantes on Wednesday, Dec. 18, at Sunset Country Club. Chandler Jewel Curtis, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Warren Stephen Curtis, will be presented by her father and escorted by Connor McCoy Curtis and Turner …
MISS WILLIAMSON
The Lord Clarendon Cotillion The Lord Clarendon Cotillion will present eight debutantes on Friday, Dec. 20, at The Matrix Center in Manning. Adela Carpenter Coffey, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Columbus Coffey III, will be presented by her father and escorted by William …
MRS. FOZER M. ROBINSON NELSON
Fozer M. Robinson Nelson celebrates 100th birthday Fozer M. Robinson Nelson, widow of Franklin Nelson, celebrated her 100th birthday on Oct. 5, 2019, with family and friends. Born on Oct. 5, 1919, in Clarendon County, she is the daughter of the late Zoya and Vinnie Robinson. Mrs. Nelson was …

More Celebrations

Faith
No Christmas tinsel in Iraq, in solidarity with protestors By SAMYA KULLAB Associated Press BAGHDAD - The Christmas tree in the middle of a central Baghdad plaza occupied by anti-government protesters is bare, save for portraits of those killed under fire from security forces. A tribute, the …
SMITH
Room at the inn ... A work conference took me to Chicago. Lewis Grizzard's famous statement about Chicago still holds true: "In Chicago, there are two seasons: winter and the Fourth of July." When I landed at O'Hare, it was 17 degrees. My thin Florida blood was in …
Church News: Friday, Dec. 13, 2019 Allen Chapel AME Church, 471 Lynam Road, announces: * Sunday, Dec. 22 - Christmas program / youth department during 10 a.m. worship service. * Sunday, Dec. 29 - Missionary worship during 10 a.m. service. Deja Lint, of the young adult ministry, …
Library of Congress via AP, File This photograph released by the Library of Congress shows Harriet Tubman in a photograph dating from around 1860-75.
Faith made Harriet Tubman fearless as she rescued slaves Millions of people voted in an online poll in 2015 to have the face of Harriet Tubman on the U.S. $20 bill. But many might not have known the story of her life as chronicled in a recent film, …
Dear Abby
Pets for adoption
Homer has an energetic, loving personality

TOP: Poor Homer spent Halloween and Thanksgiving in his small kennel at the shelter, and we're hoping he doesn't have to spend Christmas there too. Homer is a young guy who is still full of puppy energy. He seems to have been cared for and came to …

Weddings
MRS. JUSTIN GARRISON
Matthews-Garrison COLUMBIA - Elizabeth Annette Matthews of Columbia and Justin Wilson Garrison of Atlanta, Georgia, were united in marriage at 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, at Washington Street United Methodist Church. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. …
MRS. ROBERT YOUNG
Sloan-Young PAWLEYS ISLAND - Brooks Margaret Sloan of Dillon and Robert Scarborough Young of Sumter were united in marriage at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, at Litchfield Plantation. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Roger McLellan Sloan of …
MR., MRS. KELLEN TOMPKINS
DuRant-Tompkins Delta Dawn DuRant and Kellen Richard Tompkins, both of Sumter, were united in marriage at 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019, at Shudwe Farm in Sumter. The bride is the daughter of Ms. Debbie Bramlett DuRant of Sumter and Dr. Eddie C. Durant Jr. of …
MRS. CHARLES BARNES
Posey-Barnes COLUMBIA - Sydne Rae Posey and Charles Segars Barnes, both of Sumter, were united in marriage at 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019, at The Millstone at Adams Pond. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Steven Posey and the granddaughter of …

More Weddings

Engagements
MR. ARMFIELD, MISS WRIGHT
Wright-Armfield Mr. and Mrs. Roger McSwain Armfield Sr. of Sumter announce the engagement of their son, Roger McSwain Armfield II of Sumter, to Lauren Ashley Wright of Summerville, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Brian Wheeler of Mount Pleasant and Mr. Douglas Edwin …
MISS JEKEL, MR. WARD
Jekel-Ward John and Kathryn Jekel of Sumter announce the engagement of their daughter, Rachel Nicole Jekel of Sumter, to Christian Blake Ward of Sumter, son of Allyson F. Lloyd and her husband, Paul, of Hanover, Maryland, and the late Christopher Lynn …
MR. BYRD, MISS BRUNSON
Brunson-Byrd Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Wentworth Brunson III of Alcolu announce the engagement of their daughter, Emily Ann Brunson of Alcolu, to Zachary Daniel Byrd of Sumter, son of Mr. and Mrs. David Henry Byrd of Sumter. The bride-elect is the granddaughter …
MR. TOMPKINS, MISS DURANT
DuRant-Tompkins Ms. Debbie Bramlett DuRant of Sumter and Dr. Eddie C. Durant Jr. of Wedgefield announce the engagement of their daughter, Delta Dawn DuRant of Sumter, to Kellen Richard Tompkins of Sumter, son of Mrs. Brenda Morrison of Greenville and Mr. Richard …
Reflections
U.S. ships at Pearl Harbor burn after the Japanese attacked the U.S. Pacific fleet on Dec. 7, 1941.

Reflections with Sammy Way: Pearl Harbor attacked 78 years ago

On Dec. 7, 1941, The Item headlines stated that the Empire of Japan had attacked the U.S. Pacific fleet stationed at Pearl Harbor. "The White House acknowledged that a bloody toll of 3,000 American military had been killed and wounded in the …

More

Yesteryear
1970 - Sumter Area Technical Education Center students pass 5,500 books into the school's new library by using a human chain line.
Yesteryear with Sammy Way: 4 squadrons to compete in field meet; Finney becomes chief justice 75 YEARS AGO - 1945 June 29 - July 5 - The U.S. Army Engineers have sent an urgent call for able-bodied men for vital war work in Hawaii and the Central Pacific. In addition to unskilled labor jobs, which pay unusually good wages, there are …
1994 - Sumter quarterback John Blanding looks downfield for a receiver as a Dorman defender wraps him up during the 4A Division I semifinal game Nov. 26.
Yesteryear by Sammy Way: Sumter soldier awarded Bronze Star for heroism, Purple Heart; Omaha Stockyard coming in '95 75 YEARS AGO - 1945 June 22 - June 28 - Cpl. George Turbeville, Maxwell Field hurling act, was accredited in a recent feature in the Maxwell newspaper with being the only soldier in the Army with a town carrying his name. Turbeville, son of J. …
SUMTER ITEM FILE PHOTO 1994 - Nat Gist sits on his dove stool as he works with Cricket, in front, and Charlie, two of his Boykin spaniels.
Yesteryear with Sammy Way: Farmers invited to field day; District 17 schools win awards 75 YEARS AGO - 1945 June 15 - June 21 - Holman Marks, Red Cross area representative, will teach the lifesaving instructor's course which will be given at Pocalla from the 9th to the 13th of July. A preliminary course will be given by Miss …

More

From the opinion pages
Columnists
GREGORY
OPINION: Impeachment would improve public health
EDITORIAL CARTOON: Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019
PATRICK BUCHANAN
OPINION: Is it jaw-jaw or war with Iran?
Your view
© Copyright 2019 The Sumter Item | Terms of Use / Privacy Policy | Cancellation / Refund Policy
Powered by Creative Circle Media Solutions