THE SUMTER ITEM
Essentially local. Authentically Sumter.
The Sumter Item is the only source of daily local news in Sumter, Clarendon and Lee counties. We hold the powerful accountable and help you make informed decisions, celebrate your wins and educate your children, all to live your best life. Without us, your stories would often go untold.
Founded by Hubert Graham Osteen, The Sumter Item has been serving Sumter County and the surrounding area in South Carolina since 1894. The Item, as it's commonly referred to, publishes a newspaper five days a week (Tuesday through Saturday) and posts breaking news daily on TheItem.com.
The Sumter Item is the oldest continuously family owned newspaper in South Carolina and one of the oldest in the nation.
Today, The Sumter Item serves Sumter, Clarendon and Lee counties through a full suite of media platforms in addition to the newspaper, including magazines, video, podcasts, social media and digital marketing services. The Item was named one of America's "10 Newspapers That Do It Right" by Editor & Publisher magazine in 2019 and a finalist for the Mega-Innovation Award for newspapers by America's Newspapers and the Local Media Association in 2020. Its staff, news coverage and advertising production has been awarded for its work year after year.
Six generations of the Osteen family have been involved in community newspapering more than 160 years. In addition to The Item, the Osteen family owns weekly publications in Lexington County as well as Alabama, Florida and New Mexico.
To connect. To inform. To build a better Sumter.
We are the microphone. You tell the story.
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The Sumter Item
Best of Sumter
Best of Clarendon
Life is Good in Sumter
Lakeside
Top 20 Young Professionals Under 40
Sumter School District Welcome Guide
A variety of special products, sections and guides
Vince Johnson
Publisher
36 W. Liberty St.
Sumter, S.C. 29150
Kayla Green
Executive Editor
36 W. Liberty St.
Sumter, S.C. 29150
Find contact information for and read bios about our entire staff here.