Building relationships, creating good environment for employees are keys to Hill Plumbing's success

Hill Plumbing and Air owner Frank Hill and his son, Trey, and daughter, Lauren, said they try to build relationships with their customers, with some customers being served for decades.
It takes a special company to stay in business 99 years and much less still be operated by the same family, but Hill Plumbing and Air meets that mark. Owner Frank Hill and his son, Trey, and daughter, Lauren, spoke recently on the company's …
Studio Sumter

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SPORTS
Arts & Entertainment

Lainey Wilson wins big at the 2024 Academy of Country Music Awards, including the top honor

It was Lainey Wilson 's night, in many ways. She took home female artist of the year and the top prize of entertainer of the year at the 2024 Academy of Country Music Awards. "I've been in Nashville …

Nation & World
Trucks are rolling across a new U.S. pier into Gaza. But challenges remain to getting enough aid in

WASHINGTON (AP) — Trucks carrying badly needed aid for the Gaza Strip rolled across a newly built U.S. pier and into the besieged enclave for the first time Friday as Israeli restrictions on …

Man convicted of attacking ex-Speaker Nancy Pelosi's husband with a hammer sentenced to 30 years SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The man convicted of attempting to kidnap then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and attacking her husband with a hammer was sentenced Friday to 30 years in prison. Judge …
Trump heads to Minnesota to campaign after attending his son Barron's Florida high school graduation ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Former President Donald Trump will head to Minnesota on a day off from his hush money trial for a Republican fundraiser Friday night in a traditionally Democratic state …
Kim's sister denies North Korea has supplied weapons to Russia SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un again denied Friday that her country has exported any weapons to Russia, as she labeled outside speculation …
Severe storms kill at least 4 in Houston, knock out power in Texas and Louisiana HOUSTON (AP) — Fast-moving thunderstorms pummeled southeastern Texas for the second time this month, killing at least four people, blowing out windows in high-rise buildings, downing trees and …
State News
Police conclude investigation into suicide of Boeing whistleblower

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — A former Boeing manager who raised safety questions about the aircraft maker and was found dead after several days of depositions in South Carolina took his own life, …

Judge says South Carolina can enforce 6-week abortion ban amid dispute over when a heartbeat begins COLUMBIA (AP) — A state judge has ruled that South Carolina can continue to enforce a ban on nearly all abortions around six weeks after conception as an appeal continues on what exactly …
S.C.'s top delinquent taxpayers paid $12.3M in 2023 Hundreds of South Carolina's top delinquent taxpayers paid the state more than $12.3 million in 2023 after their debts were listed online, an increase of almost $4 million over the previous year's payments. During the past four years, delinquent …
Walters scores wire-to-wire victory in Bassmaster Elite Series event at Lake Murray PROSPERITY, S.C. — Despite the gloomy weather, Monday brought bright prospects for Patrick Walters , who leveraged the opportunity to inflict a straight-up South Carolina smackdown en …
South Carolina governor happy with tax cuts, teacher raises but wants health and energy bills done COLUMBIA (AP) — South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster said Monday he is glad the General Assembly raised teacher salaries and cut taxes in the 2024 regular session that ended last week, but he …
Obituaries
DEBORAH CAMILLA BILLIE WILSON

Mrs. Deborah Camilla Billie Wilson, 73, of 893 Club Lane, Sumter, entered into eternal rest on Friday, May 10, 2024, at her residence surrounded by her loving family. Funeral services will be …

KNOX

GERALDINE KNOX

Geraldine Knox, daughter of Lizzie Knox Neely and the late Simon Jenkins, was born July 8, 1953, in Sumter. She departed this earthly life on Sunday, April 28, 2024. Geraldine received her elementary …

JERTIE MCLEAN HANNA

Jertie McLean Hanna, 91, widow of Paul Ray Hanna Sr., died Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at Lake Marion Nursing Facility in Summerton. Born Sept. 5, 1932, in the Nesmith Community of Williamsburg …

RICHARD PORCHER JR.

Richard Porcher Jr., AKA “Ricky,” son of the late Richard Porcher Sr. and Rebecca Lonnon Porcher, was born March 29, 1967, in Sumter. He departed this earthly life on Thursday, May …

LOURETTA GAMBLE

Louretta Gamble, 86,  died Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at her home.  Born in St. Charles on April 11, 1938, she was the daughter of the late Isabella Susie Williams. The family will …

Faith
Pastor Stewart Rawson: Trying a little harder to be kind: Part II Last summer I was serving at a church in North Carolina (They think everything is better there than it is in South Carolina. We don't have to tell them the truth, or they will all want to move down here). In the summer, folks typically take …
Church news, May 8, 2024 First Baptist Missionary Church, 219 S. Washington St., announces: - Sunday, May 19 - Pentecost Celebration will be held at 3 p.m. Prophet Eric Olorewaja Dlorunsolas with Soldiers for Jesus World Ministries of Giving and Evangelism in Columbia …
Christ is interceding on your behalf today Some individuals are healthier than others, but the uncomfortable facts reveal the human body is generally frail and vulnerable. I occasionally joke around with my son-in-law about him being from another planet because he claims he's never been …
The Rev. Dr. Clay Smith: Retirement Last Sunday, after serving for 30 years as pastor of Alice Drive Baptist Church, I announced my intention to step down once a new pastor has been found. This whole experience has been a bit unreal. First, the average pastor in North America stays …
Celebrations
Dear Abby
Pets for adoption
Claire is content to lounge and soak up love

Claire is a calm and gentle soul looking for her forever home. This sweet girl is pleasant as can be, always content to lounge quietly and soak up the love from the volunteers. At 43 pounds and 4 to 6 years old, Claire is the perfect size for …

Engagements
Welch-Barwick Allison Lynn Welch of Sumter and Stephen Daniel Barwick of Dalzell announce their engagement. The bride-elect is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Johnny Welch and the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. William R. Tschorn Sr. and the late Mr. and Mrs. …
Townes-Lewis Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Mark Townes of Sumter announce the engagement of their daughter, Whitney Elizabeth Townes of Charleston, to Walter Elliot Lewis of Charleston, son of Ms. Karen Lewis of Jackson, Georgia. The bride-elect is the granddaughter …
Reflections

Reflections by Sammy Way: 82 years of history - a look at Iris Festivals past

Sumter will celebrate its 82nd Iris Festival at Swan Lake Iris Gardens this Memorial Day weekend, with thousands expected to visit the gardens to enjoy good music, food, family friendly events and the blooming of the Japanese irises. Here we take a …

Yesteryear
Yesteryear by Sammy Way: Horseshoe pitching tourney scheduled; Crime Stoppers telethon returns 75 YEARS AGO - 1949 Aug. 9 - 15 - Rufe Watson of Sumter set a new world record in the senior division at the National Skeet Shooting Association's tournament at Dallas, Texas, on Sunday. Watson copped the senior title in the all-gauge event by …
Yesteryear by Sammy Way: Shaw hosts surplus sale; city's 1st Easter egg hunt a success 75 YEARS AGO - 1949 Aug. 2 - 8 - Rebel third baseman Hal Harrigan last night hit his 29th home run of the season to tie the Tri-State league record set last year by Leon Cross of Florence. It was the only prize Anderson could salvage from a …
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