Happening Now
Peaceful protesters march, with a police escort, around downtown Sumter on Sunday, May 31.
Curfew initiated for City of Sumter amid George Floyd protests
Members of the District of Columbia Army National Guard stand guard at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington on Wednesday, securing the area as protests continue following the death of George Floyd, a who died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers.
Prosecutors charge 3 more officers in Floyd's death
GIBSON
Sumter pastors back peaceful protests, emphasize King's nonviolence
In this file photo, Sen. Thomas McElveen, D-35, chair of the Sumter County Legislative Delegation, spoke on Feb. 2, 2020, about matters likely to crop up this year in the State Legislature during the Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce's annual retreat, held this year at the Marina Inn at Grande Dunes in Myrtle Beach.
Column from Sumter's Sen. Thomas McElveen: George Floyd's death calls for meaningful, sustained focus on discussion, change
Absentee voting ends Monday ahead of Tuesday primary

Sumter Police Department empty of protesters as curfew takes effect

The Public Safety Complex is seen empty outside Wednesday for the first evening since Friday. The Sumter Police Department is seen below as officers sit next door at the Sumter Fire Department, left. Protesters had been gathering each night starting …

Census Bureau will distribute packets to front doors in Sumter this week
4 Sumter students graduate from South Carolina Connections Academy
CORRIGAN
Kickstart your exercise program with these tips

Thursday, June 4, 2020

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Studio Sumter

Sumter Today: We take a look at current events impacting the Sumter community.

Nearly 1,400 new positive COVID-19 test results have been reported in South Carolina since Thursday. DHEC puts out a daily update of new cases and deaths every day for the public, and on Thursday the …

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant and the rest of the NBA are one step closer to returning to the court, as the NBA has presented players with its plan to restart the season, which was shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic.
NBA presents players with plan for season restart
Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred
MLB rejects 114-game plan, tells union no counter
Former Sumter P-15's head coach Curtis Johnson, background, will be joined by three other coaches to form a Junior team for the South Carolina American League, an independent league being formed by Florence Post 1 head coach Derick Urquhart.
Sumter will have Junior team in independent baseball league
Danny Pearman
Clemson assistant Pearman apologizes for using racial slur
Former Tennessee and Pittsburgh football head coach Johnny Majors, being carried on the shoulders of his Tennessee players, died on Wednesday at the age of 85. Majors won a national championship with Pittsburgh in 1976.
Former Tennessee, Pitt football coach Majors dies at 85
Poll of the Week

Beach goers enjoy the Isle of Palms beach, Friday, March 20, 2020. City authorities are restricting access to the popular beach from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. (AP Photo/Mic Smith)

How has COVID-19 impacted your summer plans?

Have a question you'd like us to ask? Email editor@theitem.com.

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More local news
Sumter voting advocacy group promotes absentee ballots
Learn all about pirates June 27 at the Sumter County Museum
Two-vehicle wreck in Lee County results in 1 fatality
Walmart Supercenter in Sumter is seen at about 8:30 p.m. Monday. The store closed early that day after rumors of a riot at the store circulated online.
Sumter Walmart closes amid riot rumors as protesters try to separate themselves
City of Sumter budget for 2021 to have no tax increase

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More Sports
Sumter County Recreation and Parks Department director Phil Parnell and his team are polling parents about the interest in having softball and baseball this summer.
Rec department polling parents on youth seasons
Interviews taking place for vacant Lakewood AD job
South Carolina men's basketball head coach Frank Martin contracted the coronavirus in May, but has since recovered.
USC's Martin contracted, recovered from coronavirus
Brannon Tidwell, right, is the new football head coach at Thomas Sumter after spending the last three years as football head coach and athletic director at St. Joseph's Academy in St. Augustine, Florida.
Thomas Sumter hires Tidwell as new football head coach
The Sumter School District is still deciding when they will allow its high schools to resume sports activities, including football with Sumter quarterback Hayden Vasquez (15), after the South Carolina High School League announced that each school district will be able to decide when athletics resume.
Sumter School District yet to decide when student-athletes can begin workouts

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Panorama
PHOTOS PROVIDED Penelope Carter, a perennial participant in Art in the Park, will be back with her handwoven pine needle baskets. The outdoor festival and art exhibition will be presented Sept. 19 at Memorial Park. Admission is free.

Sumter's Art in Park will go on

The Heart of Sumter Neighborhood Association plans to go ahead with Art in the Park, members have announced. The 14th outdoor exhibition will go on at Memorial Park on Sept. 19 - with compliance with measures recommended to prevent the spread of …

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Nation & World
THE ASSOCIATED PRESSA member of the Philadelphia bomb squad surveys the scene after an ATM machine was blown-up at 2207 N. 2nd Street in Philadelphia, Tuesday, June 2, 2020.
People are blowing up, or just taking, ATMs in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Explosions have destroyed or damaged 50 cash machines in and near Philadelphia since the weekend, and one man has died, in a coordinated effort to steal them or blow them up …

Pilgrim's Pride CEO among indicted for chicken price fixing WHEAT RIDGE, Colo. (AP) — The CEO of Pilgrim's Pride is one of four current and former chicken company executives indicted Wednesday on charges of price-fixing.The U.S. Department of Justice …
This Tuesday June 27, 2017, photo shows the statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee that stands in the middle of a traffic circle on Monument Avenue in Richmond, Va.
Virginia governor to announce removal of Lee statue RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam is expected to announce plans Thursday for the removal of an iconic statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee from Richmond's prominent Monument …
Derek Chauvin
Prosecutors charge 3 more officers in George Floyd's death MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Prosecutors on Wednesday expanded their case against the police who were at the scene of George Floyd's death, charging three of the officers with aiding and abetting a …
In this 2008, David Dorn is seen at his desk. Dorn, a 77-year-old retired St. Louis police officer who served 38 years on the force was shot and killed by looters at a pawn shop early Tuesday, June 2, 2020, police said. David Dorn was found dead on the sidewalk in front of Lee's Pawn & Jewelry, which had been ransacked after peaceful protests over the death of George Floyd turned violent overnight.
Retired officer, ex-college athlete among victims of unrest One man was a retired St. Louis police captain checking on his friend's shop. Another was the beloved owner of a Louisville barbecue restaurant who provided free meals to officers. Yet another was a man known as "Mr. Indianapolis," a former star …

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State News
Police line up in riot gear Sunday as law enforcement officers watch from the Statehouse stairs in Columbia. Columbia Police and the Richland County Sheriff's Department enacted a curfew on Sunday night.
ACLU asks state police to explain officers' 'violent escalation' during weekend protest

COLUMBIA - Civil liberties advocates in South Carolina are calling on some of the state's law enforcement agencies to explain and apologize for what they're calling a "violent escalation" by officers during …

Consumers will see gas price increase beginning July 1 FROM S.C. DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE For the fourth consecutive year, South Carolina's Motor Fuel User Fee, which helps support road, bridge and infrastructure construction in South Carolina, will increase from $0.22 to $0.24 per gallon beginning July …
In this Sunday, May 31, 2020 photo, police line up in riot gear as law enforcement officers watch from the State House stairs in Columbia, S.C. Columbia Police and the Richland County Sheriff's Department enacted a curfew on Sunday night, marching through the streets and arresting pedestrians who refused to leave immediately. Protests were held throughout the country sparked by the death of George Floyd, a black man who died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers on May 25.
ACLU to SC police: Explain 'violent escalation' at protest COLUMBIA (AP) — Civil liberties advocates in South Carolina are calling on some of the state's law enforcement agencies to explain and apologize for what they're calling a "violent escalation" …
Protesters face a line of law enforcement Sunday in Columbia. Protests were held throughout the country over the death of George Floyd, a black man who died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers on May 25.
Hundreds of S.C. National Guardsmen deploy to D.C. COLUMBIA - South Carolina is sending hundreds of National Guard troops to the nation's capital at the request of President Donald Trump to help tamp down unrest after the death of George Floyd. Capt. Jessica Donnelly told The Associated Press …
Jason Lee/The Sun News via APThe view to the north from Myrtle Beach State Park Pier on May 16 in Myrtle Beach.
Amid outbreak, officials seek safe ways to draw visitors COLUMBIA (AP) — A week into the summer season that typically drives South Carolina's robust tourism economy, finding ways to safely draw visitors to the state amid the coronavirus outbreak is …

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Obituaries
JAMES WITHERSPOON

James Witherspoon, 86, husband of Janie Mickens Witherspoon, died on Wednesday, June 3, 2020, at his residence. Born on Jan. 18, 1934, he was a son of James and Heneretta Butler Witherspoon. The family is receiving relatives at the home, 13 …

MOZZINE W. MONTGOMERY

Mozzine W. "Dollie" Montgomery, 92, went home to be with the Lord in the morning of Sunday, May 31, 2020, at Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center, Hartsville. She was born on Feb. 25, 1928, in the Ashwood area of Lee County, to Hattie Porter …

ALICIA R. RODRIGUEZ

Alicia R. Rodriguez, age 89, died on Tuesday, June 2, 2020, at Sumter Health and Rehab. You may go to www.bullockfuneralhome.com and sign the family's guest book online. The family has chosen Bullock Funeral Home of Sumter for the …

THOMAS LEE ROBERTSON

Thomas Lee Robertson, husband of Lila Brooks Robertson, of 201 Lois Lane, died on Tuesday, June 2, 2020, at Prisma Health Toumey Hospital. The family is receiving friends at the home of his daughter, Tiffani Robertson, 41 Inglewood …

DALE E. SPIDEL

Dale E. Spidel, 61, widower of Eva Selek Spidel, died on Tuesday, June 2, 2020, at Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital. Born on Feb. 21, 1959, in Sumter, he was a son of Shelby Hood Douglas and the late Edward P. Spidel Sr. Mr. Spidel was a carpenter. …

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Celebrations
MR., MRS. ROBERT E. CULBREATH
Culbreaths celebrate 62 years Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Culbreath of Sumter celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary on Tuesday, May 26, 2020, at their home. Their two children and their spouses are: Sabrina and John Budden and Gino and Gwendolyn Culbreath. The couple has …
MR., MRS. CHARLES VERBURG
Verburgs celebrate 50 years of marriage Mr. and Mrs. Charles Verburg of Sumter celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020. They were married on Feb. 6, 1970. Their four children are Susan Verburg of Ann Arbor, Michigan, June and Steve Williamson of Mapleton, …

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Faith
THE REV. DR. CLAY SMITH
Column from Sumter's Pastor Clay Smith: 'My Savior knew exactly how George Floyd felt' Let me state the obvious: I’m not a black man. I’ve never been particularly worried about being stopped by the police. I’ve never coached my son on how to act when an officer of the …
Christ Community Church, at 320 Loring Mill Road, had its first in-person services Sunday, May 24, since the coronavirus shutdown.
A return to the pew in Sumter All our coronavirus coverage is free to the public. It’s the right thing to do as a public service to our community. If you find this article helpful or informative and want to support our …
SMITH
What's the answer to having church again? In the past month, I received several emails asking, "When are we going to have church again?" Some of these inquiries come from folks eager to get back to normal. They long for the rhythm of Sunday: getting up, getting dressed, singing the songs of …
SMITH
Slowed down but still not patient I am not a patient person; few people are. On a scale of one to 10, my urgency is in the high 90s. Being a Southerner, I know not to be rude, but I do not understand why people at the drive-thru window take 10 minutes to give their money and get …
Dear Abby
Pets for adoption
Frank is a smart, sweet and handsome hound

TOP: Handsome hound Frank is looking for a new home. He is a sweet and loving boy who just wants attention. He loves being outdoors playing with other dogs. Frank would prefer a fenced-in yard, so he can get plenty of exercise and then snooze in the …

Weddings
MR. AND MRS. STEVEN EDWARDS
Jamison-Edwards Deborah Jamison and Steven Edwards, both of Sumter, were united in marriage at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 16, 2020, at St. Anne Catholic Church in Sumter.The bride is the daughter of Brian and Amy Jamison and the granddaughter of Byron and Kitty Jamison …
MR., MRS. GRIFFIN NOLAN MCCABE
Affronti-McCabe Miss Elizabeth Anne Affronti of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Mr. Griffin Nolan McCabe of Manning were united in marriage at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 21, 2020, in a front yard ceremony at 2185 Bethel Church Road. The Rev. Neil DuBose …
MRS. ANTHONY MILES SCOTT
Mayle-Scott Miss Stephanie Nicole Mayle of Sumter and Mr. Anthony Miles Scott of Rembert were united in marriage at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 25, 2020, at Mileston at the Pond. The bride is the daughter of Cheryll Elizabeth Mayle of Lakeland, Florida, and Mr. …
MRS. LOUIS GOODSON
Atkinson-Goodson KINGSTREE - Bailey Keels Atkinson of Kingstree and Louis Hayes Goodson of Sumter were united in marriage at 6 p.m. Saturday, April 25, 2020, at the home of the bride. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Chance Atkinson of …

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Engagements
MR. VON MINDEN, MISS JACKSON
Jackson-Von Minden Mr. and Mrs. Brian Paul Jackson of Sumter announce the engagement of their daughter, Miss Sara Ashlee Jackson of Sumter, to Mr. Garrett Richard Von Minden of Hilton Head Island, son of Ms. Laura Von Minden of Hilton Head Island and Mr. Richard Von …
MISS NOONAN, MR. ROBINSON
Noonan- Robinson Dr. and Mrs. William Thomas Noonan Jr. announce the engagement of their daughter, Miss Riley Elizabeth Noonan, to Mr. James Matthew Robinson, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Ronald Robinson, all of Sumter. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Mr. …
MR. PARSHLEY, MISS HORTON
Horton-Parshley Rusty and Vermell Green of Turbeville announce the engagement of their granddaughter, Sierra Horton of Turbeville, to Dustin Parshley of New Zion, son of Jennifer Parshley of New Zion and the late Jeremiah "Jay" Parshley.The bride-elect is the …
MISS TOLBERT, MR. RAMIREZ-GARCIA
Tolbert, Ramirez-Garcia Mr. and Mrs. Will Tolbert announce the engagement of their daughter, Ashley Marie Tolbert, to Adrian Ramirez-Garcia, son of Mr. and Mrs. Adrian Ramirez-Rivera, all of Sumter. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. William R. …
Reflections
Col. Felix "Doc" Blanchard, one of the Army's all-time football greats, boards an F-105 fighter-bomber at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand in March 1968. "Mr. Inside" in the famed West Point backfield during unbeaten seasons 1945-46 logged several missions "inside" North Vietnam as an Air Force pilot. His family stayed in Sumter while he was overseas.

Reflections by Sammy Way: Army's Blanchard was football's 'Mr. Inside'

Reflections remembers one of the greatest football players produced by the state of South Carolina. Felix Anthony "Doc" Blanchard Jr. became a living legend at the U.S. Military Academy during the 1940s. He was commonly referred to as "Mr. Inside" …

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Yesteryear
Alice Drive Elementary School first-graders kick off the school's week of "Field Days" on May 23, 1995. Each grade was allotted a different day for its field day. From left, Alex Barrineau, Samantha Lawson, Kelly Collins, Jeri Anndean, Crystal Garner and Cary Brown compete in a sack race.
Yesteryear by Sammy Way: Perfection Bakery staff thanks customers; Richardson learns about FCA 75 YEARS AGO - 1945 Dec. 21 - Dec. 27 - Gen. George S. Patton Jr., who led the victorious U.S. Third Army from the beaches of Normandy into Czechoslovakia, died today a dozen days after his neck was broken in a traffic accident. The general's …
Passing before their home away from home, the class of the NCO Leadership School performs precision drills under the guidance of Tech. Sgt. Kenneth Kervin on Aug. 18, 1970.
Yesteryear by Sammy Way: Flag pole dedicated on Tricentennial Week; Pinewood hosts Possum Trot Fest for 2nd year 75 YEARS AGO - 1945 Dec. 14 - Dec. 20 - December checks for distribution in Sumter County to needy persons receiving public assistance are being mailed from the state public welfare office in time to be received early this week, it is …
Children from The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club of Sumter toured Dr. Robert R. Hirschberg's 76 Animal Hospital on Broad Street Extension in May 1995. Dr. Hirschberg told the group of 14 children about his career and the services he provides to animals. Seen in the photo is his assistant, Mona Weerts, and some of the children.
Yesteryear by Sammy Way: Morris seeks books to help with accreditation; Tuomey is smoke free 75 YEARS AGO - 1945 Dec. 7 - 15 - Fourteen officers and men aboard five Navy torpedo bombers missing over the Atlantic since Wednesday night and 13 crew members of a plane lost while searching for the bombers today were identified by seventh …

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From the opinion pages
Columnists
HAMILTON
Opinion: Why representative democracy matters to all Americans
Editorial cartoon: Thursday, June 4, 2020
Editorial cartoon: Wednesday, June 3, 2020
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