Johnson faces familiar challenger for Sumter school board Area 4 seat
Editor's note: This is the first in a series on the five Sumter school board area seats that are up for election in November. Each week leading up to Election Day, The Sumter Item will analyze at least one area (alternatively called district) race …
Sumter's heirloom seedsman Bradford reopens watermelon sales to the public
It may be fall, but, according to Nat Bradford, watermelon season isn't quite over yet. Bradford Watermelon Farm is back in season and will be available for purchase starting Monday, Oct. 12. Originating in Sumter around 200 years ago, the …
Residents rally behind Clarendon coroner as $142K budget cut strains office
Clarendon County Coroner Jacqueline Blackwell defended her office's workload, staffing and budget before county council at the Sept. 14 meeting, arguing that a more than $142,000 budget cut has hindered her ability to serve grieving families. In …
At least Six Red Cross volunteers from South Carolina deploying to provide disaster relief from Hurricane Isaias
American Red Cross disaster teams are on the ground across the Gulf Coast, working with local officials and partners to provide a haven for those impacted by Hurricane Isaias. At least seven …
Sumter man charged after domestic dispute leads to woman shot
A Sumter man is in police custody after a domestic dispute in Cherryvale led to a woman being shot. The disagreement between the couple occurred on Thursday night, Oct. 8, inside a residence on …
SAFE Federal Credit Union on Monday announced the official signing of a commercial lease that will establish a new branch location in the heart of Sumter. The new branch, at 40 N. Main St. in downtown Sumter, will replace the current facility in …
After additional revenue and expenditure activity tied to fiscal year 2026 to close the month of August, Sumter School District has slightly adjusted its projected net loss downward from $10.1 million to $10 million. Overexpenditures to the …
Sumter County Council passed third and final reading of its animal nuisance ordinance at its regular Tuesday, Sept. 22, meeting, despite public outcry to delay the vote. What it means: Council amended an already existing ordinance, placing …
State advocates welcome new data center moratorium in Clarendon but say gaps remain
Clarendon County Council has adopted a six-month moratorium on new data centers and battery energy storage systems (BESS). Environmental advocates say they are grateful for the pause but want the county to close a loophole and be more transparent …
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I-95 lanes reopen almost 24 hours after multi-vehicle wreck on bridge over Lake Marion
Dozens of cars, trucks and 18-wheelers piled up onto each other in a chain reaction of collisions that …
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Life in the Palmetto State: The Constitution, Revolution and SAR
One of the great things about being a member of Clarendon County Historical Society is that we get to …
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Clarendon briefs: Oct. 4, 2026
Yard sale is Saturday, Oct. 3 MANNING - Manning United Methodist Church, 17 E. Rigby St., will hold a …
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All lanes reopen on I-95 SB bridge over Lake Marion in Clarendon County after multi-vehicle pileup wreck
UPDATE: All lanes are open at 6 a.m. Friday, Oct. 2. UPDATE: As of 8 p.m. Oct. 1, wreckers …
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UPDATED: All lanes open on I-95 southbound bridge over Lake Marion in Clarendon County after wreck
Columbia (Oct. 1, 2026) – All I-95 southbound lanes across Lake Marion in Clarendon County are …
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McLeod Health Clarendon honors Service Awards recipients
MANNING - On Tuesday, Sept. 8, McLeod Health Clarendon employees were recognized for their years of …
To correct any information or to make a submission to Public Agenda, email pressrelease@theitem.com with PUBLIC AGENDA in subject line. SUMTER COUNTY VOTER REGISTRATION / ELECTION COMMISSION Thursday, Oct. 8, at 5:30 p.m., registration / …
Public agenda: Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026
Public agenda: Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026
