Happening Now
 Police searching for vehicle, driver in hit-and-run that injured Sumter pedestrian
Gov. Henry McMaster speaks to the Sumter Rotary Club on Monday, March 25, at the O'Donnell House, addressing issues ranging from statewide education reform to recent decisions made by the Sumter school board to the potential sale of state-owned Santee Cooper.
Gov. McMaster: Sumter school board actions 'going to cost us'
Sumter High School Baseball Coach Randy Twitty, center, and athletic director Curtis Johnson, right, teamed up with representatives of St. Paul A.M.E. church at one station during a recent Feed My Starving Children event. More than 50 vocalists and instrumentalists from around the area will join on Tuesday, April 2, to present a benefit concert for Feed My Starving Children.
April concert at Mayesville Presbyterian Church will benefit Sumter Feeds My Starving Children project

Curating cosplay at Patriot Hall at Sumter's Swan Con

Emma Ketchum, as Jubilation Lee, celebrates after being named a winner during Swan Con's cosplay event on Saturday.
The Flash, Green Lantern, Glimmer, Lady Loki, Hermione Granger and a host of other comic book, TV show and movie characters descended upon Patriot Hall on Saturday for a first-ever cosplay contest during Swan Con, a two-day comic book fan event put …
Restaurant news: Food grades in Sumter for March 16-24, 2019
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Murray State's Ja Morant (12) embraces Racers head coach Matt McMahon near the end of Murray State's 90-62 loss to Florida State in the NCAA tournament on Saturday in Hartford, Connecticut. Many think it will be the last college game for Morant, the former Crestwood High School standout, as he is expected to be an NBA draft lottery pick.
Morant's breakout season ends with blowout by Florida State
Guests enjoy the sixth-annual Farm to Table event Thursday.
Sumter Farm to Table celebrates locally grown, owned food industry

Tuesday, March 26, 2019

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Studio Sumter

Sumter Today: Farm to Table celebrates local grown and locally owned food and restaurants

The Sumter Rotary Club held its sixth-annual Farm to Table event at the Civic Center, bringing in locally owned restaurants and locally grown food products, with everything from meat to vegetables to …

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Murray State's Ja Morant (12) embraces Racers head coach Matt McMahon near the end of Murray State's 90-62 loss to Florida State in the NCAA tournament on Saturday in Hartford, Connecticut. Many think it will be the last college game for Morant, the former Crestwood High School standout, as he is expected to be an NBA draft lottery pick.
JA WATCH
Morant's breakout season ends with blowout by Florida State
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS South Carolina guard Tyasha Harris (52) goes up for a basket against Florida State in the Gamecocks' 72-64 win in the second round of the NCAA tournament in Charlotte on Sunday.
USC WOMEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL
South Carolina beats Florida State 72-64 to reach Sweet 16
MICAH GREEN / THE SUMTER ITEMDuke's Zion Williamson (1) goes up for a shot against 7-6 Central Florida center Tacko Fall in the final seconds of their second-round game in the NCAA tournament on Sunday at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia. Williamson hit the basket and was fouled to bring the Blue Devils within a point. Williamson missed the shot, but RJ Barrett grabbed the rebound and put in a layup to give Duke a 77-76 win.
Blue Devils manage to knock off Central Florida 77-76 as two shots hang on rim and fall off
MEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL
No. 1 seed Cavaliers whip Sooners, move to Sweet 16
THE ASSOCIATED PRESSMississippi State center Teaira McCowan (15) shoots a layup past Clemson forward Tylar Bennett (55) during the first half of a second-round women's college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament in Starkville, Miss., Sunday, March 24, 2019.
WOMEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL
McCowan, Mississippi State end Clemson's year with 85-61 win
Poll of the Week

Should students caught in the recent national college admissions scheme be expelled?

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 Police Department offers lawn equipment registry
PHOTO GALLERY: Duke escapes nail-biting second round NCAA tourney game against UCF
MICAH GREEN / THE SUMTER ITEM
Tractor-trailer wraps itself around now-closed Rite Aide in Sumter
South Carolina, Sumter advocates push for ratification of nearly 100-year-old Equal Rights Amendment
3 trustees address 2 Sumter school board issues
More Sports
USC Sumter softball splits doubleheader with Salkehatchie
Fire Ants baseball takes 3 of 4 from Braves at Riley Park
5 Sumter athletes named all-state at strength meet
Virginia guard Ty Jerome (11) brings the ball up as Oklahoma forward Kristian Doolittle (21) defends during the second half of a second-round game in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament on Sunday in Columbia. Virginia defeated Oklahoma 63-51. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Virginia ousts Oklahoma from tournament with 62-51 victory in Columbia, moves on to Sweet 16
Duke's RJ Barrett shoots the game-winning basket against Central Florida during the second half of a second round men's college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament in Columbia. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro)
Duke survives upset bid from UCF, 77-76, in thriller in Columbia
Food
Carl Tremblay / America's Test Kitchen via AP

There's an easy way to tenderize kale

Daniel J. van Ackere / America's Test Kitchen via AP
Bring out the flavor hidden in mushrooms with this pasta dish
Joe Keller / America's Test Kitchen via AP
Highlight the earthy flavor of Brussels sprouts with Gruyere

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Panorama
SUMTER ITEM FILE PHOTOS Wedgefield Presbyterian Church

Learn photography, Sumter history during Sumter Shepherd's Center tours

Two local tours offered through Sumter Shepherd's Center will expand understanding of Sumter for 30 senior citizens while teaching photographic skills. Local historian Sammy Way will lead the May 1 and 2 trips, the first focusing on downtown Sumter, …

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Nation/world

President Donald Trump waves after speaking with the media after stepping off Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House on Sunday in Washington. The Justice Department said Sunday that special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation did not find evidence that President Donald Trump's campaign "conspired or coordinated" with Russia to influence the 2016 presidential election.

Mueller finds no Trump collusion

WASHINGTON - Special counsel Robert Mueller found no evidence President Donald Trump's campaign "conspired or coordinated" with Russia to influence the 2016 presidential election but reached no conclusion on whether Trump obstructed justice. That …

'Extreme stalker' has Utah family's home under siege

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - A Utah family has become the victim of extreme stalking involving unwanted service providers repeatedly being sent to their home, according to the homeowner and police. Walt Gilmore's family in suburban Salt Lake City has …

AP FILE PHOTOThe first load of nuclear waste arrives in this March 26, 1999 file photo, at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) site in Carlsbad, New Mexico, from Los Alamos National Laboratory.

1st-of-its-kind U.S. nuclear waste dump marks 20 years

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - In a remote stretch of New Mexico desert, the U.S. government put in motion an experiment aimed at proving to the world that radioactive waste could be safely disposed of deep underground, rendering it less of a threat to …

THE ASSOCIATED PRESSTewolde Gebremariam, Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines, poses for a photograph after speaking to The Associated Press at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Saturday, March 23, 2019. The chief of Ethiopian Airlines says the warning and training requirements set for the now-grounded 737 Max aircraft may not have been enough following the Ethiopian Airlines plane crash that killed 157 people.

Ethiopian Airlines says pilots got appropriate training

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) - Ethiopian Airlines' CEO says the pilots who flew the plane that crashed on March 10 had trained on "all appropriate simulators," rejecting reports that they had not been adequately prepared to handle the new …

Lori Loughlin

Prison for college schemers? Expert opinions differ

BOSTON (AP) - Could Aunt Becky be headed to prison? It could go either way, experts say. Some of the wealthy parents accused of paying bribes to get their kids into top universities may get short stints behind bars, if convicted, to send a …

State news

Senate President Harvey Peeler: It's time to collect bids, sell state-owned utility

COLUMBIA (AP) - The leader of the South Carolina Senate said lawmakers have studied whether to sell state-owned Santee Cooper enough and it is time to start collecting bids and making a decision on the utility's future. The bill introduced …

SCDC Director Bryan Stirling

Official: Unclear court orders confuse S.C. prison workers, cause errors

COLUMBIA (AP) - South Carolina prison officials say unclear court orders and ambiguous directions have left prison workers confused about how much time offenders should serve. The division director of classification and inmate records at the …

2 arrested in S.C. shooting death of man found in pickup Sunday

GREENVILLE (AP) - Two people have been arrested in the shooting death of a man found in a pickup truck in South Carolina. The Greenville County Sheriff's Department said 22-year-old Adam Thomas Byrum and 21-year-old Corina Veronica Castro have …

I

Faith leaders voice support for S.C. medical marijuana bill

COLUMBIA (AP) - South Carolina faith leaders voiced their support Wednesday for legalizing medical marijuana, saying it is a necessary step toward improving the quality of life for seriously ill people. The diverse group of clergy held a news …

South Carolina lawmakers mull fetal heartbeat abortion bill

COLUMBIA (AP) — Members of a South Carolina House subcommittee considered legislation on Thursday that would ban abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected, about six weeks into pregnancy. The …

Obituaries
JOHN H. EPPS

ELMONT, N.Y. - John H. Epps, 94, died on Saturday, March 23, 2019, at Mayfair Care Center, Hemstead, New York. He was born on Oct. 27, 1924, in Alcolu, a son of the late Louise Epps. Arrangements are incomplete. These services have been …

DONNA JEAN D. BLANDING

NORTH CHARLESTON - On Friday, March 22, 2019, Donna Jean Duckworth Blanding, wife of Arnold Blanding, heard her master's call at Ashley Rivers Tower Hospital in Charleston. Born on May 5, 1963, in Danville, Illinois, she was a daughter of Vertina …

CORINE NICKENS YATES GRANT

Corine Nickens Yates Grant, 71, widow of Tallies Yates Jr. and then Willie Houston Grant, died on Saturday, March 23, 2019, at her home. Born on Dec. 26, 1947, in Sumter County, she was a daughter of the Rev. Bowen and Rebecca Davis …

AMEN'RA ALLAH LILES

BISHOPVILLE - Amen'ra Allah Liles, 20, passed away on Saturday, March 23, 2019. The family is receiving friends at 721 Frierson St., Bishopville. Professional and courteous services will be announced later by JP Holley Funeral Home, …

MURDOCK ALLEN WHITE

MANNING - Murdock Allen White, 96, died on Sunday, March 24, 2019, at Magnolias of Santee. He was born on March 12, 1923, in Manning, a son of the late Wilford G. White Sr. and Rovena Scott White. The family is receiving at the home of his …

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Celebrations
105 and still serving God BRUCE MILLS / THE SUMTER ITEM Mary Cunningham, left, and Kristi Downer of Trinity United Methodist Church share a laugh Friday, March 8, at Covenant Place at a party celebrating Cunningham's 105th birthday. Cunningham is still a member of Trinity …
Marie Bacote Small
Marie Small celebrates 102 years Marie Bacote Small, affectionately known as "Mack," celebrated her 102nd birthday on Saturday at her home with family and friends. Born on March 10, 1917, in Lee County, she is the daughter of the late Spencer and Florence Bacote. She is the …
MR., MRS. WILLIAM BURGESS
Burgesses celebrate 50 years William and Shirley Burgess, of Sumter, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Friday, Feb. 1, 2019. A dinner was given in their honor by their six children, Calvin, Patrese, Derek, Michael, Crystal and Kayce.
MR., MRS. WALTER BRUCE JONES
Joneses celebrate 50 years Mr. and Mrs. Walter Bruce Jones, of Sumter, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019. A party was given in their honor by their daughter and son-in-law, Angie and Ken Rosefield. The couple has one grandson, Evans …
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 …
Faith
Church News: Friday, March 22, 2019 Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, 2371 Joseph Lemon-Dingle Road, Jordan community, Manning, announces: * Saturday, April 6 - Youth conference will be held beginning at 10 a.m. The theme for the conference is "Love." Conference will include …
Speeding, tickets and grace I was traveling to Charleston for a wedding rehearsal. Traffic was heavy on the interstate, which slowed no one down. I was going faster than the speed limit, mostly to keep from being run over by the Friday afternoon traffic, but also because I was …
Church News: Friday, March 15, 2019 Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, 2371 Joseph Lemon-Dingle Road, Jordan community, Manning, announces: * Sunday - Gospel singing at 4 p.m. featuring the mass choir. * Saturday, April 6 - Youth conference will be held beginning at 10 a.m. The …
SMITH
Things you think you really know Everyone knows that Adam and Eve ate the apple and got thrown out of the garden - right? Actually, nowhere in the Bible is a specific fruit named. John Milton in 1644 said it was an apple after French and German artists had depicted apples on the …
Dear Abby
Pets for adoption
Brutus is a big baby just looking for a forever family

Brutus is a 1-year-old Labrador / pit mix. He is great with children and other dogs but doesn't care much for cats. Brutus is very friendly, affectionate and playful. He loves everyone he meets. Brutus is a big baby who is looking for a family …

Weddings
MR., MRS. FELDER W. POPLIN III
Berry-Poplin SUMMERVILLE - Cathryn Denison Berry of Summerville and Felder Wayne Poplin III of Sumter were united in marriage at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019, at St. Paul's Church. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Watkins Berry Jr. of …
MRS. ALLEN BARNES JR.
Allen-Barnes GREENVILLE - Sarah Margaret Allen and Allen Jackson Barnes Jr., both of Columbia, were united in marriage at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 2, 2019, at the Charles E. Daniel Memorial Chapel, Furman University. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and …
MR., MRS. ANTHONY MACCHIO
Briggs-Macchio LAKE CITY - Jessica Hope Briggs of Sumter and Anthony Michael Macchio of Florence were united in marriage at 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018, at The Bean Market. The bride is the daughter of Ms. Norma Briggs of Sumter. She graduated from Sumter …
Engagements
MISS CANNON, HOLLEY
Cannon-Holley Mr. and Mrs. David Hampton Cannon of Sumter announce the engagement of their daughter, Victoria Hampton Cannon of Sumter, to Landon Ryan Holley of Aiken, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph D. Holley Jr. of Warrenville and Mrs. Marcellea Gilreath of …
MISS BAMFORD
Bamford-Schwartz Mr. and Mrs. Bruce William Bamford of Brevard, North Carolina, announce the engagement of their daughter, Jessica Claire Bamford, to Milton Hughes Schwartz, son of Mr. and Mrs. Milton Schwartz of Sumter. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of …
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 …
Reflections
In 1946, football games for Sumter High School were moved from the field beside the old Haynsworth Street campus to the upscale stadium built at the Sumter County Fairgrounds.

Reflections by Sammy Way: Sumter football gets new home

Reflections looks back at the movement of a Sumter public school's football program to the upscale stadium at the fairgrounds during the World War II era. The first football games were first played on the "old race track just beyond Judge Green's …

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Yesteryear
1994 - Zandee Brunson hugs her mother, Mary, upon her return from a trip to Florida with Sumter High School Key Club members.
Yesteryear by Sammy Way: Sumter WASP killed in plane crash; speedway gets facelift 75 YEARS AGO - 1944 Oct. 14 - Oct. 20 - Lt. Col. Frank K. Clarke, 40, well-known Sumter attorney, was one of five officers aboard a missing transport plane for which Third Air Force headquarters at Tampa, Florida, was making a widespread …
1994 - Heyward Hall Henderson was a familiar figure in Sumter.
Yesteryear by Sammy Way: DAV Sumter chapter organized; Shaw holds mock disaster 75 YEARS AGO - 1944 Sept. 7 - Oct. 13 - Capt. William A. Berrian Jr., of the Columbia chapter of Disabled American Veterans, will be in Sumter when the local chapter of DAV is reorganized. A meeting will be held in the courthouse. All veterans …
1944 - The Sumter Hi-Y club was comprised of top row from left Bob McLeod, Archie LeGrande, Richard Bradford, Marion Quattlebaum, Phelps Bultman, Edwin Brogdon, Sam Pringle and Edwin Broadwell. Second row from left are Bobby Morrow, Sunny Hurst, Luke Rogers, Sonny Thorne, Lucius Gulledge, Bobbie Cuttino, Ashby McElveen, Bill Hynds and Bill Link. Bottom row from left are Louis Bryan, Ernest Stroman, Albert Brogdon, Ray Segars, David Cuttino, Leslie Boney and Scott Rumph.
Yesteryear by Sammy Way: Hi-Y club sponsors drive for allies; Sumter organizes SPCA 75 YEARS AGO - 1944 Sept. 30 - Oct. 6 - We do not have to be old to remember when a bale of cotton to the acre was an exceptional yield, even on a pet patch. County Agent S. W. Epps of Dillon said, "I believe this county will average a bale to …

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From the opinion pages
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MARC THIESSEN
Opinion: Trump isn't biggest threat to Constitution
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