Happening Now
 Sumter Planning Commission chair, vice chair elected
Clarendon County Planning Commission welcomes new chairman Larry Johnson
Television journalist Nancy Grace listens to Alex Murdaugh's trial on double murder charges at the Colleton County Courthouse in Walterboro on Wednesday, Feb. 1.
Judge allows testimony on Alex Murdaugh's misdeeds in double-murder trial
Traders on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange watch Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's news conference after the Federal Reserve interest rate announcement in New York on Wednesday, Feb. 1.
Here's what Fed's rate hike means for you
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III, right, greets Western Mindanao Commander Lt. Gen. Roy Galido as he visits Camp Don Basilio Navarro in Zamboanga province, southern Philippines, on Wednesday, Feb. 1.
U.S., Philippines agree to larger American military presence

3 Sumter sheriff's office deputies receive Medals of Valor for 2022 service

From left are Sumter County Councilman Carlton Washington, Lt. Col. Terrance Colclough, Chief Deputy Hampton Gardner, Sheriff Anthony Dennis, Deputy Joshua Kirby, Staff Sgt. Blake Weathersbee, Lt. Robert Reynolds, Maj. Randall Stewart, Capt. Kevin Lindsey and Maj. Chanae Lumpkin.
Awarded for their bravery in the line of duty, three of the Sumter County Sheriff's Office's own reflected on the honor they received last Thursday. According to the South Carolina Sheriff's Association, the Medal of Valor is awarded to officers …
Movies with Isaiah: 'Left Behind: Rise of the Antichrist' required viewing
SMITH
Column by Rev. Clay Smith: Tyre Nichols
Manchester Elementary students celebrate World Read Aloud Day in Sumter

Friday, Feb. 3, 2023

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Studio Sumter

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Local stories through a local lens.  

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Friends to Follow
SPORTS
Lakewood's Bryson Dickens, left, and Markelle Chapman talk during their signing ceremony on Wednesday.
Lakewood's Dickens and Chapman sign to continue football careers
Manning seniors Mike Brown, seated left, and Deandre Canty are joined by, from left, head football coach and district athletic director Reggie Kennedy, coach and athletic director Marion Lewis and Principal Dr. Kelvin Lemon while signing to continue their football careers on Wednesday.
Manning's Brown, Canty sign to play college football
Sumter High football coaches and signees gather for a photo on National Signing Day on Wednesday.
Sumter High's Gregg, Edwards, Heyward make jump to college football
Former Wilson Hall pitcher and current Oakland A JP Sears, left, gets a photo with former New York Yankees World Series MVP Bobby Richardson as the pair made an appearance at the USC Sumter baseball team Bible study.
MLB pitcher Sears speaks to Fire Ants
Wilson Hall's Marybeth Van Patten scored 11 points in the Lady Barons' win over Cardinal Newman on Wednesday.
Wilson Hall basketball splits with Cardinal Newman
National Data Trends
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) is sacked by Cincinnati Bengals' Josh Tupou (68) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022, in Cincinnati.
Year of the quarterback carousel: A look back at the NFL's record number of starting quarterbacks in 2022
Where construction companies are building the most homes
Donald Trump is sworn in as the 45th president of the United States by Chief Justice John Roberts as Melania Trump looks on during the 58th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017.
Experts rank the best U.S. presidents of all time
50 movies to get excited about in 2023
MORGAN FREEMAN
Highest-grossing actors over the age of 50

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Okàn, a new restaurant set to open in spring 2023 at The Bridge Collective in Bluffton and semifinalist in the James Beard Awards for Emerging Chef.
6 restaurants, chefs, hospitality groups in S.C. named semifinalists in 2023 James Beard Awards
Michael Young is a Sumter native who now works in construction for Berenyi, which has an office in downtown Sumter.
New Berenyi employee will lead industrial construction projects in Midlands, beyond
Sumter man, Manning man arrested in carjacking, robbery in 2-day span
Sumter School District Board of Trustees meetings will again be held at the district office after a unanimous vote by the board on Monday.
New Sumter school board appears in agreement to public on committees
Not feeling the love? Get back at that ex this Valentine's Day, help Lee County Animal Shelter

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CAL CARY / THE SUMTER ITEM..10
PHOTOS: Sumter High basketball sweeps Carolina Forest
Sumter High's football signees gather on National Signing Day. Front row from left are Mason Gregg, Marquis Lane, Alijah Brown and Fred Edwards. Back row from left are Nate Butler, Zyeir Gamble and Jordan Heyward.
Sumter High football sends six to college on National Signing Day
Crestwood's Anthony Steele, seated center left, and Nigel Johnson, seated center right, are joined by friends and family as they sign to continue their football careers at the college level. Steele signed with Coffeyville Community College, while Johnson signed with South Carolina State.
2 Crestwood standouts sign to continue football careers
Clarendon Hall's Sidney Berry was named the Hines Furniture Athlete of the Week after leading the Lady Saints to region wins over Andrew Jackson and Calhoun Academy.
Hines Furniture Athlete of the Week: Clarendon Hall's Berry leads Lady Saints to pair of crucial region wins
The Ragin Prep boys basketball team poses for a photo after beating Sandhills Academy to claim the first region title in program history on Tuesday.
Ragin Prep wins 1st region title in program history

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Arts & Entertainment
Showings for "God of Carnage" will be from Thursday, Feb. 9, to Sunday, Feb. 12, and Thursday, Feb. 16, to Sunday, Feb. 19, at Sumter Little Theatre.

Sumter Little Theatre to debut 'God of Carnage' on Feb. 9

A Tony award-winning production is coming to the Sumter Little Theatre stage. "God of Carnage" is Sumter Little Theatre's first production of 2023, and it's bound to be a good one. The production centers on an altercation on the playground …

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Nation & World
A high altitude balloon floats over Billings, Mont., on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023. The U.S. is tracking a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon that has been spotted over U.S. airspace for a couple days, but the Pentagon decided not to shoot it down due to risks of harm for people on the ground, officials said Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023. The Pentagon would not confirm that the balloon in the photo was the surveillance balloon.
China says balloon is for research, accidently strayed

BEIJING (AP) — China's Foreign Ministry said Friday that a balloon the U.S. suspects of conducting surveillance was a civilian "airship" used for research, mainly meteorological purposes.The …

Semi-automatic handguns are displayed at shop in New Castle, Pennsylvania, in 2020.
Expansive federal report on guns, crime released WASHINGTON - The most expansive federal report in more than two decades on guns and crime shows a shrinking turnaround between the time a gun was purchased and when it was recovered from a crime scene, indicating firearms bought legally are more …
This photo provided by the Los Angeles Police Department shows guns and ammunition that were found in an L.A. apartment. A man who reportedly made violent threats was arrested and investigators found a cache of guns and ammunition in his Hollywood high-rise apartment, where several rifles were pointed at a nearby park, police said Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023.
Police: 'High chance' of Hollywood mass shooting prevented LOS ANGELES (AP) — A "high chance" of a mass shooting in Hollywood has been thwarted by police seizing a cache of guns and ammunition in a high-rise apartment where several rifles were pointed …
Daughter charged after mom's body found in Chicago freezer CHICAGO (AP) — A Chicago woman has been accused of keeping her mother's dead body in a freezer for nearly two years while living in a nearby apartment.Eva Bratcher, 69, appeared in court …
In this photo provided by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services, its members search for a radioactive capsule believed to have fallen off a truck being transported on a freight route on the outskirts of Perth, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023.
Radioactive capsule that fell off truck found in Australia PERTH, Australia (AP) - Authorities in Western Australia on Wednesday recovered a tiny but dangerous radioactive capsule that fell off a truck while being transported along an 870-mile Outback highway last month in what an official said was like …

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State News
This July 7, 2010 file photo, shows Nebraska's lethal injection chamber at the State Penitentiary in Lincoln, Nebraska.
S.C. bill shielding death penalty drugmakers advances

COLUMBIA (AP) — Republicans' quest to resume executions in South Carolina overcame another hurdle Thursday.The state Senate Corrections and Penology Committee approved a bill that would shield …

Former U.N. Ambassador and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley speaks during an event sponsored by Turning Point USA at Clemson University, on Nov. 29, 2022, in Clemson. Haley is moving closer to making her presidential campaign official. On Wednesday, supporters of the former South Carolina governor got an email invitation to a Feb. 15 launch event in Charleston, at which she plans to announce her campaign, according to a person familiar with the plans but not authorized to speak publicly about them.
Nikki Haley planning Feb. 15 launch for her 2024 White House bid COLUMBIA - Nikki Haley is moving closer to making her presidential campaign official. On Wednesday, supporters of the former South Carolina governor got an email invitation to a Feb. 15 launch event in Charleston, at which she plans to announce …
S.C. Senate backs expanding school voucher program
COLUMBIA (AP) - South Carolina senators on Wednesday approved a scholarship accounts program that would vastly expand eligibility for private school tuition vouchers - making them available to middle-class families rather than just those who qualify …
South Carolina Senate backs expanding school voucher program COLUMBIA (AP) — South Carolina senators on Wednesday approved a scholarship accounts program that would vastly expand eligibility for private school tuition vouchers -- making them available to …
Alex Murdaugh looks at evidence from his wife Maggie Murdaugh's cellphone during his double murder trial at the Colleton County Courthouse in Walterboro on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023. The 54-year-old attorney is standing trial on two counts of murder in the shootings of his wife and son at their Colleton County home and hunting lodge on June 7, 2021.
Both sides use trove of cell data at Alex Murdaugh trial A state agent testifying Wednesday in Alex Murdaugh's double murder trial meticulously reconstructed activity from his iPhone and the cellphones of his son and wife the night they were killed to try …

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Obituaries
FANNIE B. CALDWELL TALFORD

Fannie B. Caldwell Talford, age 81, entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, at Carlyle Senior Care in Kingstree. Visitation will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. today at Dyson's Home For Funerals, Summerton. Funeral service will be held …

FRANCIS JOSEPH BAKER

Francis Joseph "Buddy" Baker, 74, widower of Barbara Harris Baker, died on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023, at Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital. Services will be announced by Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter.

LARRY JOHNSON

Larry Johnson departed this life on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Sumter. He was born on Sept. 9, 1951, in Sumter, to the late Sonny and Annie Jane Hickman Johnson. The family is receiving friends at the home of Jessie Johnson, 5945 Rooster …

ALTE MAE DAVIS PATTON

Alte Mae Davis Patton, widow of Robert Patton, departed this life on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Sumter. She was born on Dec. 17, 1933, in Sumter, to the late Solomon and Christine Richardson Davis. The family is receiving friends at 4785 …

RHONDA HALL

Rhonda Hall, 74, died on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, at Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital. Born on June 9, 1948, in Knoxville, Tennessee, she was a daughter of the late John D. and Billie H. Cox. She was a longtime employee of the City of Sumter and …

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Faith
Church News: Friday, Feb. 3, 2023 Knitting Hearts for Christ Ministry, which meets at Bethesda Church of God, 2730 Broad St., announces: * Saturday, Feb. 11 - Knitting Hearts for Christ will meet from 10 a.m. to noon. The theme is "The Power of Your Words." Did you know your …
DURHAM
Sumter Pastor Joey Durham: You can be spiritually alive again Our devotion for today is, "How to be Made Spiritually Alive." My text is John 5:24-25, where we read these words, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come …
Alice Drive Baptist Church's official Pocalla sub-campus opened in mid-December. The church has had a ministry outreach in the southern portion of Sumter County for six years, dating back to 2017. PHOTO PROVIDED
Alice Drive's Pocalla sub-campus in Sumter to have grand opening Sunday Alice Drive Baptist Church has gotten off to a good start with its official sub-campus in the Pocalla area since December, and Sunday will mark the grand-opening celebration for the new building. Interim Pocalla Campus Pastor Travis Pruden and …
SMITH
Column by Sumter Pastor Clay Smith: All things come to an end The church I pastored in Louisville recently merged with another church. I say it merged. The truth is, the congregation had dwindled over the years, the neighborhood had changed, and the church was on the verge of closing its doors. A larger church …
Celebrations
MR., MRS. CHARLIE LARKIN
Larkins celebrate 60 years Charlie and Ernestine Larkin of Sumter celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on Friday, Dec. 23, 2022, with a small, intimate gathering. Their two children are Renee Larkin (Phillip) Washington and Brenda Larkin (Tracy) Chamblee of …
MISS KILPATRICK
The Sumter Assembly The Sumter Assembly will present three debutantes on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022, at Quixote Club in Sumter. Margaret Pinckney Kilpatrick, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert McCord Kilpatrick, will be presented by her father and escorted by Kyle Brown …
MISS ELLOISE BETHEA
The Lord Clarendon Cotillion MANNING - The Lord Clarendon Cotillion will present three debutantes at its annual ball on Friday, Dec. 16, 2022, at The Matrix Center in Manning. Elloise Troup Bethea, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Partridge Bethea Jr., will be presented by …
MISS BOYCE
The Carolinian Camellia Ball The Carolinian Camellia Ball of Sumter will present five debutantes on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022, at Quixote Club in Sumter. Mary Kaitlynn Boyce, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Player Boyce Jr., will be presented by her father and escorted by …

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Dear Abby
Pets for adoption
Sumter SPCA's Farrah has a calm, loving nature

Farrah is a 10-month-old Labrador mix. She is terrific with other dogs, children and even cats. Farrah has a super sweet personality with a very calm and loving nature. She adores attention and is extremely sweet and gentle. Farrah would be …

Weddings
MRS. ETHAN LANE
Hubbard-Lane CHARLESTON - Kristen Ashleigh Hubbard and Ethan Foster Lane, both of Mount Pleasant, were united in marriage at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022, at St. Luke's Chapel on the campus of the Medical University of South Carolina. The Rev. Joseph …

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Engagements
MISS GEDDINGS, MR. TRAGESER
Geddings-Trageser Mr. and Mrs. William Thomas Geddings Jr. of Manning announce the engagement of their daughter, Mary Elizabeth Geddings of Charleston, to Nicholas Jay Trageser of Summerville, son of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Jay Trageser of Summerville. The …
WILDER, MISS GRAHAM
Graham-Wilder Tad and Lyndy Graham announce the engagement of their daughter, Hannah Griffith Graham, to David Morris Wilder, son of Jay and Heather Wilder, all of Manning.The bride-elect is the granddaughter of …
MISS SMITH, MR. HORTON
Smith-Horton Mr. and Mrs. Eric Gant Smith announce the engagement of their daughter, Taylor Danielle Smith, to Joseph Samuel Horton, son of Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Lawrence Horton, all of Sumter. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. C.J. "Buddy" …
MISS MANN, MR. YOUNG
Young-Mann Mr. and Mrs. William Jeffrey Young of Sumter announce the engagement of their son, Greyson Steele Young of Sumter, to Baylin Elise Mann of Pensacola, Florida, daughter of Mr. Tyler Waite Mann and Mrs. Allison Bailey Tarrant, both of …
Reflections
Dr. A.J. China was owner and operator of China's Drug Store.

Dr. Alfred J. China, 'A good name is rather to be chosen than riches. We have it.'

Reflections revisits the life and times of Dr. A. J. China and recalls his numerous innovations and successes in the field of pharmacy. The data and photos used to prepare this article were obtained from The Sumter Item archives and the writings of …

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Yesteryear
John Miles, left, and H.H. "Boots" Keith, chairman, Special Gifts Division for the Education Funds Crusade of the Sumter County Unit of the American Cancer Society, begin work on wiping out cancer on March 19, 1973. The general crusade was held in April that year.
Yesteryear by Sammy Way: Children to participate in 'Anything on Wheels' contest; teachers and students prep for 2nd Envirothon event 75 YEARS AGO - 1948 July 6 - 12 - Mom is going to like the Army that's getting her son in the draft. For example, she doesn't have to worry about his learning bad words he never heard before, from some tough sergeant. The Army doesn't let its …
Inch by inch, day by day, whisker by whisker - as their beards grow longer, time grows shorter. Clean-shaven Wayne Dalzell, Jaycee co-chairman of the 1973 Iris Festival, measures the full beard of Sam Holladay while bearded Johnny Alford and Austin Floyd look on and listen to the rules of the beard-growing contest slated for the year's festival and find out they have to shave it all off and start over on March 8, 1973.
Yesteryear by Sammy Way: Beard-growing contest added to Iris Festival events; construction company chosen to build Chestnut Oaks 75 YEARS AGO - 1948 July 1 - 6 - A.J. Hatfield of Sumter, B.M. Gibson of Greenville and T. Belk Ingram of Cheraw were installed as the 1948-52 commission members of the South Carolina Employment Security Commission. The commission consists of …
An exhibition of work by the three award winners of the Sumter Artists Guild fall show in 1973 was to open March 4 that year at the Sumter Gallery of Art. The artists from left are Ysleta Meek, Deane Ackerman and Ray Davenport. Ackerman stands behind her sculpture, while the painting on the left is Meek's and the one on the right Davenport's.
Yesteryear by Sammy Way: Sumter teacher practices curtsy to meet queen; parent volunteer program at schools 75 YEARS AGO - 1948 June 22 - 28 - T. Doug Youngblood, general manager of radio station WFIG, was one of the two men to be named to two-year terms on the board of directors of the South Carolina Association of Broadcasters. The association, …

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From the opinion pages
Columnists
 Editorial cartoon: Friday, Feb. 3, 2023
BARONE
Opinion: Are public employee unions unconstitutional?
Editorial cartoon: Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023
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