Business
Home Depot sees 1st annual sales decline in more than a decade as housing streak ebbs, rates jump

After years of explosive growth during the pandemic, Home Depot's revenue during the first quarter fell short of expectations and the company cut its profit and sales outlook for the year, sending shares lower at the opening bell. Home Depot on …

The Sumter Item wins national award for community engagement The Sumter Item is the best small-market media company in the country at building community through contests and promotions, a prominent industry platform announced this month. The Item was named "Best Small Market Program" in the 14th-annual …
Job growth in S.C. continues to see urban/rural divide South Carolina continues to grow, but job growth in the last year is concentrated in the major metropolitan areas, reinforcing the need for rural areas to continue to focus on linking individuals to workforce programs. The Palmetto State has …
Chick-fil-A in Sumter Mall to close next week ahead of new store's opening, mall owner says With a new Chick-fil-A opening on the west side of town, the mall location will close at the end of the month. Jim Hull, owner of Augusta-based Hull Property Group and Sumter Mall, confirmed the upcoming closure on Thursday afternoon with The …
PHOTOS: Sumter restaurant roundup: The Item got the scoop this week from owners and project leaders From the construction sites, any passerby can see new restaurants are on tap for Sumter. The Sumter Item spoke this week with owners and project managers to get the latest scoop on franchises' projected …
Education
Lee County elementary schools to consolidate into 1 by 2024

BISHOPVILLE - Lee County's three elementary schools will be consolidated into one thanks to the former state superintendent allocating millions to the school district. In September 2022, Lee County School District and Clarendon County School …

Sumter School Board to ask council for full 12.75 mills Sumter's school board gave its approval Monday for district administration to request the full amount of millage possible from Sumter County Council next month, but it was not a unanimous vote. In a 7-1 vote, the district's Board of Trustees …
Alice Drive Middle, Sumter High orchestras earn Performance GOLD Awards Alice Drive Middle School Orchestra, top, under the direction of Michael Baier, and Sumter High School Honors Orchestra, under the direction of Erik Hines and Krystin Baier, earned the South Carolina Music Educators Association Outstanding …
Proposed fiscal 2024 budget before school board Monday night It’s May and that means next fiscal year’s proposed budgets are before local government bodies and that will be case for Sumter school board on Monday night. First reading of the …
Morris grads detail faculty shortages, lack of activities, enrollment drop since COVID-19 A lack of professors, staff and activities for students are plaguing Morris College and resulting in continual enrollment declines, according to recent graduates of the school. Those same graduates say students lack a voice now at the private, …
Government
Sumter County budget's 2-mill increase won't impact taxes

Sumter County Council and staff have a balanced budget by its second reading that includes a 2-mill increase and pulling money from the county's fund balance, or reserves. On Tuesday, council and staff held another budget workshop as they near …

City of Sumter residents give input on CDBG spending last year Sumter City Council held a public hearing on Tuesday, May 16, for city residents to give input on how the Community Development Block Grant funds were used between April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023. The Consolidated Annual Performance and …
Sumter City Council: Old V.B. Williams property proposed for future commercial use A small portion of property that once housed the old V.B. Williams Furniture Co. operations may have future commercial use. Sumter City Council considered the first reading of applicant Charles Hodge request to rezone 3.67 acres of a 22.13-acre …
Clarendon News

Summerton remembers, celebrates at annual Briggs v. Elliott Spring Festival

Hundreds gathered for the annual Briggs v. Elliott Spring Festival on May 20-21. In the mid-1950s, the desegregation movement began in the Summerton area with 20 parents fighting against R.W. Elliott, the former president of the school board for …

Public Record
Meetings
Around Town: Cars and Coffee to be held Saturday

EDITOR'S NOTE: Please note that due to the threat of COVID-19, some of the following events may be cancelled or rescheduled unexpectedly. The Sumter County Recreation Department is accepting registrations through Friday, May 26, for youth ages …

Public Agenda: Wednesday, May 10, 2023
SUMTER COUNTY VOTER REGISTRATION / ELECTION COMMISSION Thursday, 5:30 p.m., registration / election office, 141 N. Main St.
Public Agenda: Thursday, April 27, 2023 EDITOR'S NOTE: Due to the ongoing threat of COVID-19, some meetings/events may be cancelled, rescheduled or held virtually. SUMTER COUNTY DEVELOPMENT BOARD Today, 7:45 a.m., 10 E. Liberty St. LEE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF …
Support Groups
Support Groups: Wednesday, May 24, 2023

EDITOR'S NOTE: Some of the following events may be cancelled or rescheduled unexpectedly. AA, AL-ANON, ALATEEN: AA - Monday-Friday, noon and 5:30 p.m.; Saturday, 7 p.m.; Sundays, 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m., 1 Warren St., (803) 775-1852. AA …

Support Groups: Wednesday, May 17, 2023
EDITOR'S NOTE: Some of the following events may be cancelled or rescheduled unexpectedly. AA, AL-ANON, ALATEEN: AA - Monday-Friday, noon and 5:30 p.m.; Saturday, 7 p.m.; Sundays, 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m., 1 Warren St., (803) 775-1852. AA …
Support Groups: Wednesday, May 10, 2023
EDITOR'S NOTE: Some of the following events may be cancelled or rescheduled unexpectedly. AA, AL-ANON, ALATEEN: AA - Monday-Friday, noon and 5:30 p.m.; Saturday, 7 p.m.; Sundays, 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m., 1 Warren St., (803) 775-1852. AA …
Pets

Sumter SPCA's Channing is an active, curious boy

LEFT: Channing is a 3-month-old American short hair. He is housebroken and is an active and curious boy. Channing enjoys exploring, sleeping and playing with cat toys. He is great with children and other cats and is looking for a fun forever …

Sumter SPCA's Forrest is a fun boy who would be a loyal, amazing friend

FAR LEFT: Forrest is a 9-month-old tricolored male hound. He is a friendly and fun boy who is great with other dogs and children. Forrest is active and enjoys playing. He loves everyone he meets and just wants affection, hugs and cuddles. He would …

FYI
Public Agenda: Thursday, May 25, 2023

SUMTER COUNTY DEVELOPMENT BOARD Today, 7:45 a.m., 10 E. Liberty St. LEE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES Today, 6:30 p.m., District Administration Complex Quadplex, 310 Roland St., Bishopville. The public can attend in person or by …

FYI: Sumter's GOP meets on the first Thursday of the month
EDITOR'S NOTE: Please note that due to the threat of COVID-19, some of the following events may be cancelled or rescheduled unexpectedly. The General George L. Mabry Jr. Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 817 meets at 6 p.m. on the third …
FYI: If you're interested in learning the state dance, the Sumter Shag Club meets every Tuesday
EDITOR'S NOTE: Please note that due to the threat of COVID-19, some of the following events may be cancelled or rescheduled unexpectedly. Veterans Service Officer (VSO) meets from 3 to 6 p.m. every third Tuesday at Veterans Memorial 13, VFW Post …