Happening Now
 Palmetto Yacht will create 211 Clarendon jobs, open headquarters in Manning
Travis Jenkins and Douglass Ledwell, with the South Carolina Department of Transportation, cleans up litter on the side of Highway 378 recently.
Sumter County litter program in the works
Sumter County Council reviews its 1st fiscal 2022 draft budget
Sumter native Delaina Pinckney opened her fashion e-boutique, The Stylish Vault, in the Columbiana Mall.
Sumter native opens fashion e-boutique's 1st brick-and-mortar location in Columbiana Mall
Sumter County Council approves 3 projects for submission to House Appropriations Committee

Sumter School District is one of last districts in S.C. to transition to 5 days

Students work in groups in Rita Peelman's 1st grade class on Tuesday at Crosswell Drive Elementary School.
When Sumter returns to five-day, face-to-face instruction Monday, it will be one of the last districts in South Carolina to do so, according to state Department of Education data. Ryan Brown, chief communications officer with the state …
SMITH
Column by Sumter Pastor Clay Smith: Resilience
Image by Pexels from Pixabay
Landowner workshop covers methods to increase profitability, start agricultural businesses
Staff who cared for Sumterite Ryan Nacovitch during his stay at MUSC Health line the halls to watch his bell-ringing ceremony in honor of his lung donor and cheer him on. By coincidence, April is National Donate Life Month.
MUSC Health's 1st COVID-19 lung transplant patient heads home; Sumterite living near hospital to finish rehab after year-long journey

Friday, April 16, 2021

View this issue

Browse other issues

Studio Sumter

Sumter Today: The Sumter Sharks hit the field under the Friday night lights.

Sumter has its very own semi-pro football team, and they took on the Smoky Mountain Ravens in Bishopville last Friday.

The Sumter Sharks are members of the Independent American Football League, a …

More Video from Studio Sumter

SPORTS
Sumter High's Nicole Wells, center, celebrates with teammates after the 4x100-meter relay team won on Wednesday in a meet at Sumter Memorial Stadium. Wells won three individual events.
GIRLS AREA ROUNDUP
Wells wins three events to lead Sumter girls to win
Sumter's Kameron Pearson lands during the long jump in a meet at Sumter Memorial Stadium on Wednesday.
BOYS AREA ROUNDUP
Sumter baseball beats St. James 8-1 in eight innings
East Clarendon pitcher Maddie Newsome has been dominant for the Lady Wolverines this season, leading the team in the circle while providing a lot of offense as well.
East Clarendon softball using tough schedule to prepare for playoff run
South Carolina head coach Frank Martin admitted that he did a poor job leading the Gamecocks this season, but believes he can turn things around after receiving a contract extension.
South Carolina's Martin: 'I did a poor job' with Gamecocks
Wilson Hall's Camryn Bateman, seated, signed to play college volleyball with Columbia International University on Thursday in a ceremony at Nash Student Center. Standing behind her are her mother, Ashley, left, and father Jamie.
Wilson Hall's Bateman signs to play volleyball at CIU
Poll of the Week

Will you attend or send your child in Sumter School District to a drive-through prom?

Have a question you'd like us to ask? Email editor@theitem.com. Read more on this topic: 

View results

More local news
From left, Lakewood High School senior Jason Lee and Sumter High School seniors Jada Kirkland and Palmer Robbins stand outside the USC Sumter campus on Wednesday. The trio are part of the school's Early College program and will graduate with an Associate degree and also a high school diploma later this spring.
Sumter School District students take advantage of Early College program
METZ
S.C. soldiers' heroism at Bellicourt topic for Sumter genealogical society
PHOTOS PROVIDEDThe work of Beverly Smith is on exhibit at the Sumter County Gallery of Art through June 18.
Sumter County Gallery of Art exhibitions explore memory, materials, mark making
Lee County
Lee County Council approves 1st reading of county economic development project, temporary contract between sheriff's office and Bishopville Police Department
PHOTOS PROVIDEDArlene McCloud, left, the lead supervisor for the Sumter County First Steps' Parents As Teachers program, and Dr. Penelope Martin-Knox, Sumter School District superintendent, proudly display a blue ribbon after a partnership between SCFS and Sumter School District earned the Blue Ribbon Award.
Sumter County First Steps earns Blue Ribbon Designation Award

More News

More Sports
PHOTOS: Sumter hosts Manning and Thomas Sumter for track meet
Lee Academy's Ethan Grantham won the Hines Furniture Athlete of the Week after delivering a walk-off hit against Wilson Hall on Friday.
Lee Academy's Grantham wins Hines Furniture Athlete of the Week after walk-off hit against Wilson Hall
Crestwood's Hernandez-Lara scores four goals in victory
PHOTOS: Laurence Manning baseball outlasts Wilson Hall
Laurence Manning pitcher Jackson Clemmons delivers a pitch against Wilson Hall during the Swampcats' 7-4 win on Tuesday.
Laurence Manning holds on to top Wilson Hall 7-4

More Sports

Panorama

Cheesy Asparagus Tart is perfect spring dish

You can almost feel spring in the air, and with the warmer weather comes delicious, delectable foods. From casseroles to fresh fruits and wholesome vegetables, a change of season offers something to …

More Panorama

Nation & World
Police ID suspect in FedEx shooting as 19-year-old man

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Police scoured a Fedex facility in Indianapolis and searched the suspected gunman's home Friday looking for a motive for the latest mass shooting to rock the U.S., as family …

Police trying to identify gunman, motive in FedEx shooting INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Police were working Friday to identify a gunman and determine his motive for opening fire at a FedEx facility near the Indianapolis airport, killing eight people and taking …
U.S. opens more distance in worldwide race against coronavirus
The United States opened more distance between itself and much of the rest of the world on Thursday, nearing the 200 millionth vaccine administered in a months-long race to protect the population against COVID-19, even as other countries, rich and …
Son, father appear in court for hearing in 1996 killing LOS ANGELES (AP) - A former California college student charged with murder in the 1996 disappearance of classmate Kristin Smart and the defendant's father, who is accused of helping hide the young woman's body, made their first court appearance …
A Coast Guard Station Grand Isle 45-foot Response Boat-Medium boatcrew heads toward a capsized 175-foot commercial lift boat Tuesday, searching for people in the water 8 miles south of Grand Isle, Louisiana.
Weather delays divers from searching for shipwreck survivors PORT FOURCHON, La. (AP) - Families anxiously awaited news of the 12 people missing from a capsized oil industry vessel Thursday while stormy weather delayed divers from reaching the ship to search for survivors. Rescuers don't know whether any of …

More Nation & World News

State News
TRAXLER
S.C. taps interim public health director for permanent post

COLUMBIA (AP) — Dr. Brannon Traxler, a familiar face to many South Carolinians following the state's response to the coronavirus pandemic, will become the state's next public health …

S.C. House adds African American documents to college course The South Carolina House approved a bill Thursday that would revise a required college course on America's founding that hasn't been changed since 1924.The bill passed 91-12 on Thursday after …
COBB-HUNTER
S.C. Republicans give expanding voting a brief hearing COLUMBIA (AP) — A bill in South Carolina that would greatly expand voting through no-excuse absentee ballots and eliminating witnesses for votes cast by mail got a hearing in the …
McMASTER
South Carolina sued by private schools COLUMBIA (AP) - A group of private schools is suing South Carolina, saying the racist past of a state constitutional amendment prohibiting spending public money on religious or private schools means it should be overturned. The Liberty Justice …
Soldier charged after video of confrontation with Black man COLUMBIA (AP) — A white non-commissioned Army officer depicted in a viral video accosting and shoving a Black man in a South Carolina neighborhood has been charged with third-degree …

More State News

Obituaries
ELSIE N. PRINGELS

Elsie N. Pringels, 88, widow of Thomas T. "Potts" Pringels, died on Thursday, April 15, 2021, at Prisma Health Richland Hospital. Services will be announced by Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter.

ALICE ALENE ATKINSON

BISHOPVILLE - Alice Alene Atkinson entered eternal rest on Monday, April 12, 2021, at Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center, Hartsville. Graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday at St. Matthew Baptist Church, Bethune. Wilson …

EVELENA JACKSON LUCKY

Evelena Jackson Lucky, 78, widow of Calvin Lucky, departed this life on Wednesday, April 14, 2021, at Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital. She was born on March 21, 1943, in Sumter, a daughter of the late Tossie and Cora Lee Washington Jackson. The …

SHEDARICKA TONJA JEFFERSON

Shedaricka Tonja Jefferson, 50, departed this life on Tuesday, April 13, 2021, at her residence. She was born on Dec. 11, 1970, in El Paso, Texas, a daughter of Rebecca R. Fant Jefferson and the late Edward Jefferson. Job's Mortuary Inc., 312 …

FELDER

PRESTON FELDER

BRONX, N.Y. - Preston Felder, 71, died on Saturday, April 10, 2021, at Lincoln Hospital, Bronx. He was born on Nov. 25, 1949, in Manning, a son of the late James and Mary Jane Thomas Felder. Graveside services for Mr. Felder will be held at 11 …

More Obituaries

Faith
Church News: Friday, April 16, 2021 Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 211 Alice Drive, announces: * Sunday-Wednesday, April 25-28 - Revival will be held at 7 nightly. Pastor Jake Thornhill will speak. Email church news including name of church, church address and event with …
This combination of photos from July 2020 to April 2021 shows 21 nuns from the Felician order who have died from COVID-19. From left, top row: Sisters Mary Clarence Borkoski, Mary Madeleine Dolan, Mary Felicia Golembiewski-Dove, Mary Alice Ann Gradowski, Victoria Marie Indyk, Mary Evelyn Labik and Celine Marie Lesinski; middle row, Sisters Mary Seraphine Liskiewicz, Mary Christinette Lojewski, Mary Michele Mazur, Mary Bronisia Muzalewski, Christine Marie Nizialek, Mary DeAngelis Nowak and Mary Estelle Printz; and bottom row, Sisters Mary Patricia Pyszynski, Mary Martinez Rozek, Mary Danatha Suchyta, Thomas Marie Wadowski, Mary Luiza Wawrzyniak, Rose Mary Wolak and Mary Janice Zolkowski.
'How many of us will be left?' Catholic nuns face loss, pain GREENSBURG, Pa. - At the front desk, the kindly nun who greeted visitors is missing, and in the chapel, where stained glass paints the walls with pastels, she no longer waves hello from the last pew on the left. In the convent's living room, …
Church News: Friday, April 9, 2021 Knitting Hearts for Christ Ministry, meets at Bethesda Church of God, 2730 Broad St., announces:* Saturday, April 10 — Knitting Hearts will meet from 9:45 a.m. to noon. Come celebrate our 17th …
A handler walks Major, one of President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden's dogs, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on March 31.
The Rev. Dr. Clay Smith of Alice Drive Baptist Church: A Major scandal ... There is a Major scandal in Washington. In that dog-eat-dog town, the president's dog, named Major, has bitten not one but two people in the White House. He bit a Secret Service agent. He nipped at a Park Service employee. The Bidens have two …
Celebrations
Mr. and Mrs. Benny Hodge Jr.
Hodges of Sumter celebrate 65 years of marriage Mr. and Mrs. Benny Hodge Jr. of Sumter will celebrate 65 years of marriage on March 24, 2021. The couple has one daughter, Cindy Hodge Timmons, who passed away in 2015. The couple has two grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Mrs. Hodge …
MR., MRS. GARY HALL
Mr. and Mrs. Gary Hall of Sumter celebrate 60 years of marriage Mr. and Mrs. Gary Hall, of Sumter, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. They were married on Feb. 25, 1961. The couple's two children are Randy Hall of McDonough, Georgia, and Michelle Cipov of Sumter. The …
MR., MRS. TOM WINSTEAD SR.
Winsteads of Sumter celebrate 71 years of marriage Mr. and Mrs. Tom Winstead Sr. of Sumter celebrated their 71th wedding anniversary on Monday, Feb. 1, 2021. They were married on Feb. 1, 1950, in San Antonio, Texas. The couple's three children are Tom Winstead Jr. of Elkin, North Carolina, Rick …
ELVIE EVANS SCHUMACHER
Schumachers announce birth of a daughter, Elvie Evans Blake Edmund and Sarah Cutler Schumacher of Columbia announce the birth of a daughter, Elvie Evans Schumacher, on Jan. 13, 2021, at Lexington Medical Center, Lexington. Elvie weighed 8 pounds and 3 ounces. She was 19 1/2 inches …

More Celebrations

Dear Abby
Pets for adoption
Sumter SPCA's Edgar is a cuddly, fun-loving kitten

FAR LEFT: Edgar is a housebroken 7-week-old American shorthair. He is an active, fun-loving boy who is both cuddly and playful. He is great with other kittens and children. There are many other kittens just like Edgar available at the Sumter SPCA …

Weddings
MRS. RAYMOND BRADLEY DAVIS
Wilson-Davis ALCOLU - Olivia Dean Wilson and Raymond Bradley Davis were united in marriage at 5 p.m. Saturday, March 6, 2021, at New Harmony Presbyterian Church. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Joe Wilson Jr. of Manning and the granddaughter of …
MR., MRS. HERVEY FRIERSON
Hodge-Frierson Faith Hodge and Hervey Richardson Frierson were married on Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021, at the home of the couple in Sumter. The bride is the daughter of the late Mr. Judge Thomas Hodge and the late Mrs. Noonie Lee Frierson Hodge. The bridegroom is …
MR., MRS. SAMUEL L. JOHNSON
Curtis-Johnson LENOIR, North Carolina - Sara Suzanne Curtis of Lenoir, North Carolina, and Samuel Lawrence Johnson of Sumter were united in marriage at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, at Yadkin Valley Baptist Church. The bride is the daughter of Jeff and …
MRS. ZACHARY S. COKER
Lynch-Coker Katherine Lorena Lynch of Alcolu and Zachary Scott Coker of Turbeville were united in marriage at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, at First Baptist Church in Sumter. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Neal C. Lynch of Alcolu and the …

More Weddings

Engagements
MISS ALLAN
Allan-Miles Mr. and Mrs. Troy William Allan of Summerton announce the engagement of their daughter, Morgan Addison Allan of Summerton, to Mason Hunter Miles of Manning, son of Ms. Stacy Leigh Mosier and Mr. Laurence Wade Andrew McLeod, both of Manning. The …
MR. WINN, MISS MORRIS
Morris-Winn Mike and Tammie Morris announce the engagement of their daughter, Tiffany Alexandria Morris, to Arthur Ryan Winn, son of Arthur and Eileen Winn, all of Sumter. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of the late James and Edna House and Carol Morris …
MR. SOWARDS, MISS COX
Cox-Sowards Richard and Sherry Cox of Dalzell announce the engagement of their daughter, Allison RayAnn Cox of Dalzell, to Garrett Hunter Sowards of Merritt Island, Florida, son of Bradford and Stephanie Sowards of Melbourne, Florida. The bride-elect is the …
Reflections
This home at 126 Salem Ave. was built in 1885. Salem Avenue was originally known as New Street.

Reflections by Sammy Way: The intersection of Sumter's New and Broad streets

Reflections remembers one of the more impressive intersections found among the roadways of Sumter. Numerous prominent families chose to build magnificent residences on these two streets, particularly at the intersection. The information and photos …

More

Yesteryear
A. L. DuRant of Florence, Clemson Extension specialist, demonstrates a hay curer to Sumter County farmers on their farm tour Sept. 16, 1946.
Yesteryear by Sammy Way: Missing Shaw Field cadet's remains found; Manning voters choose new mayor 75 YEARS AGO - 1946 Sept. 17 - 24 - South Carolina's share of a $12,000,000 fire loss of cotton and property in the United States during the 1945-46 marketing season is too great to accept without real effort to prevent such losses this …
Mrs. J. W. Wilson, of the country club road near Sumter, won this collie dog at the showing at the Sumter Theater of "Courage of Lassie" on Sept. 9, 1946. She came with her family to the movie and held the winning stub. The dog was given to her 9-year-old son, James, a student at Jordan school.
Yesteryear by Sammy Way: Stairway to the Stars held at Sumter NCO Wives' Club; Stateburg residents want zoning change 75 YEARS AGO - 1946 Sept. 10 - 16 - Teenagers will meet at the Birnie Community Center to organize a club for the school year 1946-47, Edward C. Jones, director of the center, announced. Officers will be elected, committees appointed and …
The Jaycee clock, on the corner of Main and Liberty streets, points to five deathless days, Monday through Friday, in the county during the safety campaign conducted in the city in September 1946. Standing from left are Bentley Fishburne, chairman of the Jaycee committee, Fred Baker and Elbert McLeod. The clock was across the street from the state highway trailer, which had a loudspeaker with a person there to call attention to traffic errors.
Yesteryear by Sammy Way: Sumter gridiron gets better lighting for fall games; relay event held at stadium 75 YEARS AGO - 1946 Sept. 3 - 9 - Carolina veterans and others seeking to get automotive parts will have an opportunity to buy some of the $14,000,000 worth of such property to be sold by the War Assets Administration, Sept. 9-14, at Salt Lake …

More

From the opinion pages
Columnists
BARONE
Opinion: Will Joe Biden's Jim Crow big lie boomerang?
Editorial cartoon: Friday, April 16, 2021
Editorial cartoon: Thursday, April 15, 2021
Your view
© Copyright 2021 The Sumter Item | Terms of Use / Privacy Policy | Cancellation / Refund Policy
Powered by Creative Circle Media Solutions