Happening Now
MOONEYHAM
Man shoots 4 people in random, 'active shooter' incident in Sumter on Monday morning
LINGINFELTER
Former Sumter school board candidate calls out trustees for distancing public
Item, Chamber to recognize 20 Under 40 winners at event
The cast of Sumter Little Theatre's musical comedy, "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee."
Want a night of laughter? Attend Sumter Little Theatre's 'Putnam County Spelling Bee'
U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper delivers a speech during a press conference with French Defense Minister Florence Parly in Paris in September. The U.S. may leave some forces in Syria to secure oil fields and make sure they don't fall into the hands of a resurgent Islamic State, Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Monday.
U.S. may now keep troops in Syria to guard oil fields

Cupcake Wars: Sumter Culinary Arts class holds baking competition

Sumter High School senior Mikayah Anderson places her finished cupcakes on her spring display.
Starting the clock at an hour and 45 minutes, Culinary Arts Instructor Chef Kia Smith told her students to start baking as the fifth-annual Cupcake Wars competition commenced at the Sumter Career and Technology Center on Friday. "This year we're …
Afterschool program, Shiloh Project Lift, to hold opening celebration on Saturday
Local author Minnie Dix to sign books Friday
Free trunk or treat set for Oct. 29 at Central Carolina Technical College

Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2019

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Studio Sumter

Sumter Today: Fall for the Arts brings Salsa Night to Downtown Sumter

Recently we went out to La Piazza for Salsa Night, part of Sumter’s annual Fall for the Arts. There was live music, and an instructor taught salsa to the crowd.

Clemson running back Travis Etienne (9) carries the ball during the Tigers' 45-10 win over Louisville on Saturday in Louisville, Ky.
Clemson slides to 4, but why now?
South Carolina's Tavien Feaster runs through the Florida defense during the Gamecocks' 38-27 loss to the Gators on Saturday in Columbia.
No. 9 Florida bounces back with 38-27 win over Gamecocks
Photos: Sumter Middle School Conference volleyball championship
Sumter girls tennis meets West Ashley in 5A state playoffs
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) plays in the first half of an exhibition NBA basketball game against the New Zealand Breakers Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2019, in Memphis, Tenn.
Morant and the Grizzlies are ready to win now
Poll of the Week

What Fall event are you most excited for?

Have a question you want us to ask? Email pressrelease@theitem.com.

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More local news
WILSON
72-year-old Sumter man found safe after being reported missing
Guests at the 2018 Sip and Scream fundraiser for Sumter Senior Services could taste more than two dozen wines at downtown venues, including Hyatt Place Hotel, seen in this photo.
Halloween-themed wine tasting returns to downtown Sumter on Nov. 1
MARTIN-KNOX
Superintendent: Wear blue, tweet on 'Sumter District Day,' Nov. 1
Violet Welch, 86, retired after serving as a crossing guard at Crosswell and Bowman drives for 50 years.
Crossing guard retires after 50 years of service in Sumter
Sumter School District administrators and Hillcrest Middle School faculty and administration cheer themselves on Wednesday afternoon after receiving the school's Palmetto Silver Award banner for achievement from the state Department of Education.
'Banner' recognition given to Sumter's Hillcrest Middle School

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More Sports
Sumter Middle School football semifinal playoff games today
Laurence Manning running back Wyatt Rowland (22) carries the ball against Hammond during the Swampcats' 49-7 loss on Friday in Columbia. Rowland scored LMA's lone touchdown.
Hammond sends LMA from ranks of the unbeaten with 49-7 triumph
Manning's Aaron Smith (11) turns the corner on an 8-yard touchdown run during the Monarch's 47-22 victory over Waccamaw on Friday. Smith scored a total of four touchdowns on the night for Manning.
Manning rolls past Waccamaw 47-22 for Homecoming victory
Sumter linebacker Kirkland Boone and the Gamecocks remained undefeated with a 28-7 win over Blythewood on Friday.
Gamecocks knock off Blythewood 28-7
Turnovers cost Wilson Hall in 35-13 loss to Cardinals

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Food

Warm Pumpkin Bread Pudding and Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes are perfect for fall

Seen is a strudel inspired by the film "Inglourious Basterds" from the cookbook "Binging with Babish: 100 Recipes Recreated from Your Favorite Movies and TV Shows" by Andrew Rea.
New cookbook serves up TV, movie foods
Pumpkin Caramel Spice Cake is the ultimate fall dessert

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Panorama
A boy walks the runway in the second-annual "Gigi's Playhouse Fashion Show" in New York. Gigi's Playhouse is an education and achievement center that prepares young people with Down syndrome to engage more fully in their homes, schools and communities.

Fashion show lets Down syndrome models strut their stuff

NEW YORK - One model sashayed down the runway with a leather jacket and a guitar, basking in applause from the crowd. Another danced and strutted in a multicolored bomber coat. A toddler had a little help with her modeling turn, holding on to an …

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Nation & World
TRUMP
U.S. takes step to require DNA from asylum-seekers

WASHINGTON - The Trump administration is planning to collect DNA samples from asylum-seekers and other migrants detained by immigration officials and will add the information to a massive FBI database used by law enforcement hunting for …

Family and friends who have lost loved ones to OxyContin and opioid overdoses leave pill bottles in protest outside the headquarters of Purdue Pharma, which is owned by the Sackler family, in Stamford, Connecticut, in August 2018.
$260 million deal averts 1st federal trial on opioid crisis CLEVELAND - The nation's three biggest drug distributors and a major drugmaker reached an 11th-hour, $260 million settlement over the toll of the opioids in two Ohio counties, averting what would have been the first federal trial over the …
Turkish-backed Syrian opposition fighters drive to cross the border into Syria in Akcakale, southeastern Turkey, on Friday. Fighting continued in a northeast Syrian border town at the center of the fight between Turkey and Kurdish forces early Friday.
Syria cease-fire off to rocky start amid reports of fighting CEYLANPINAR, Turkey - The cease-fire in northern Syria got off to a rocky start Friday, as Kurdish leaders accused Turkey of violating the accord with continued fighting at a key border town while casting doubt on provisions in the U.S.-brokered …
CLINTON
38 people cited for violations in Clinton email probe WASHINGTON (AP) - The State Department has completed its internal investigation into former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's use of private email and found violations by 38 people, some of whom may face disciplinary action. The investigation, …
1st all-female spacewalking team makes history CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - The world's first all-female spacewalking team made history high above Earth on Friday, working to replace a broken part of the International Space Station's power grid. As NASA astronauts Christina Koch and Jessica …

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State News
Woodruff High School athletic trainers Jennifer Chesson, left, and Jason Currin, pose as Union County hosted Woodruff in high school football in Union. Chesson and Currin helped save the life of a fan that collapsed in the stands during a game.
Team effort helps Woodruff athletic trainers save a life

WOODRUFF - When Jennifer Chesson raced into the stands at Varner Stadium on Sept. 13, she didn't know what she'd find. Chesson, one of Woodruff's athletic trainers, heard people screaming for help and took off. She found a man experiencing a …

Only dairy farm left in Anderson County could be lost TOWNVILLE - Megan Dobbins' entire life was based around the family dairy farm. At its peak, Pine Lane Farm, now called Four M Farm, had 300 cows. Now that she no longer sees them every day, she said …
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS South Carolina Department of Transportation Secretary Christy Hall presents her agency's plans to widen several interstates to a group of state senators on Wednesday in Columbia. The Special Interstate Subcommittee is trying to figure out if South Carolina can accelerate the work on wider highways.
Senators focus on interstate work COLUMBIA - With South Carolina's rapid growth during the past 20 years, a group of senators says it is vital that the state's interstate highways keep up. The Special Interstate Subcommittee met Wednesday for the first time, getting an overview …
Ex-guard charged with drug possession, sexual misconduct CHESTER (AP) - A South Carolina prison guard who was fired Sept. 27 has now been arrested on charges of drug possession and sexual misconduct with an inmate. The Herald reported 23-year-old Justin Jamar Bates has been booked into the Chester …
Warrants: Man on stage shot into crowd, killing 2, hurting 8 in Lancaster LANCASTER (AP) - A man charged with killing two people and wounding eight others at a South Carolina nightclub last month fired shots into the crowd from a stage, according to arrest warrants. Breante Stevens walked on the stage at the Ole Skool …

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Obituaries
RAYMOND JEFFERSON

Raymond Jefferson, 55, husband of Carolyn Oaks Jefferson, died Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, at Palmetto Health Baptist Hospital, Columbia. Born Jan. 14, 1964, in Sumter County, he was the son of Abraham and Marie Keith Jefferson. The family will …

CLEO PEAGLER

Cleo Alfred Peagler, 91, widower of Leah Dorothy Benenhaley Peagler, died Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, at his home. Services will be announced by Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter.

ROLAND FOISEY

HARTSVILLE - Roland Foisey, 62, died on Monday, Oct. 21, 2019, at Carolina Pines. Arrangements will be announced by Bullock Funeral Home.

ELIJAH POTTS

Elijah Potts, son of the late Daisy Potts Conyers and the late Willie Edward Washington, died Sunday night, Oct. 20, 2019, at his residence, 127 E. Newberry Ave., Sumter. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time but will be announced …

CAROLYN H.M. WRIGHT

Carolyn H.M. Wright, wife of Larry Wright, died Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019, at Conway Medical Center in Conway. Funeral arrangements are incomplete but will be announced later by the staff of Sumter Funeral Service Inc. The family will receive …

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Celebrations

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Faith
Church News: Friday, Oct. 25, 2019 Agape Outreach Ministries, 100 E. Red Bay Road, announces: * Friday, Nov. 1, and Sunday, Nov. 3 - Celebration for the ninth pastoral anniversary and church anniversary as follows: 7 p.m. Friday, Bishop Cartrell Woods, of Salem Baptist Church, …
Share of Americans with no religious affiliation growing The portion of Americans with no religious affiliation is rising significantly, in tandem with a sharp drop in the percentage that identifies as Christians, according to new data from the Pew Research Center. Based on telephone surveys conducted …
Church News: Friday, Oct. 18, 2019 Agape Outreach Ministries, 100 E. Red Bay Road, announces: * Friday, Nov. 1, and Sunday, Nov. 3 - Celebration for the ninth pastoral anniversary and church anniversary as follows: 7 p.m. Friday, Bishop Cartrell Woods, of Salem Baptist Church, …
Disappointment at the gates of heaven I found myself standing outside a great walled city. The city sparkled, casting a million dancing prisms across the faces of those standing outside. The walls stretched beyond my sight in either direction. In front of me was an enormous pearl, …
Dear Abby
Pets for adoption
Waffle is an affectionate lap cat

LEFT: Waffle is a spayed and housebroken 1-year-old American short hair. She is great with other cats and children. Waffle is very friendly and seeks out attention. She adores being scratched, hugged and given cuddles. She would be perfect for a …

Weddings

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Engagements
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 …
MR. CHRISTMAS, MISS GENTELE
Gentele-Christmas Edward Louie Jr. and Melanie Bisom Gentele announce the engagement of their daughter, Lauren Brook Gentele, to Clayton Lee Christmas, son of Robert Allen and Lynn Baker Christmas, all of Sumter. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Donna …
Miss COLEMAN, MR. BRUNSON
Coleman-Brunson Mr. and Mrs. Charles C. Coleman Sr. announce the engagement of their daughter, Alison Paige Coleman, to Taylor David Brunson, son of Mr. and Mrs. H. David Brunson, all of Sumter. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Mr. James Arthur Bradley …
Reflections
H.G. Osteen, right, president of Osteen Publishing Co. and founder of The Sumter Daily Item, presses the button that starts the papers rolling off the new Goss press for the first edition of the Item printed in its new home Oct. 26, 1953. Looking on is H.D. Osteen, editor and publisher of the paper.

Reflections with Sammy Way - The Sumter Item: ‘The Voice of the Gamecock City’

Reflections remembers the founding of The Sumter Daily Item and the men responsible for its inception. The newspaper is celebrating 125 years of educating and informing the Sumter community. …

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Yesteryear
1994 - Sgt. Joseph Prody of Shaw Air Force Base fills out an identification form Oct. 13 before leaving for the Persian Gulf at 4 a.m. the next day. Prody left along with about 200 other Shaw personnel that day.
Yesteryear with Sammy Way: Sugar rationing tightened; Crestwood groundbreaking held 75 YEARS AGO - 1945 May 11 - May 17 - Mr. and Mrs. J. Cliff Brown have been notified of the liberation of their son, Sgt. J. Cliff Brown Jr., from a German prison camp. Sgt. Brown, who was a radio gunner with the 8th Air Force, was captured by …
1994 - Maggie Corbett, 3, finds a pumpkin for Halloween at the Pumpkin Patch at the corner of South Wise and Alice drives in Sumter on Oct. 7. That year, the Pumpkin Patch had 48,000 pounds of pumpkins for sale along with sugar cane and corn.
Yesteryear with Sammy Way: Richardson helps bring Mantle, Kubek to Sumter; 'Sumter County Jubilee' coming to 3rd-graders 75 YEARS AGO - 1945 May 4 - May 10 - There will be a memorial service at First Christian Church in honor of Clarence Well, who gave his life on Guam Island last July 21. Clarence was in the Third Marine Corps. He was 20 years of age and the …
1994 - D.J. Vickers twirls his bumper boat in circles at the Sumter County Fair on Sept. 28.
Yesteryear by Sammy Way: Trinity collects money for orphanage; Carnegie building on National Register 75 YEARS AGO - 1945 April 27 - May 3 - Pfc. Henry H. Windham of Sumter and Charleston was killed in action Feb. 28 in Germany, according to his mother, who was notified by the War Department. In addition to his mother, he is survived by two …

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From the opinion pages
Columnists
 Editorial cartoon: Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2019
ERICKSON
Opinion: Christmastime impeachment after dragging out the process
PATRICK BUCHANAN
Opinion: Is Putin new king of Middle East?
Your view
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