Business
Del Monte, the 139-year-old canned fruits and vegetables company, seeks bankruptcy protection

Del Monte Foods, the 139-year-old company best known for its canned fruits and vegetables, is filing for bankruptcy protection as U.S. consumers increasingly bypass its products for healthier or …

Fiberboard manufacturer to bring 300 jobs to Clarendon County Clarendon County has landed possibly its largest economic development announcement ever with a leading European wood paneling maker’s decision to invest $250 million in a new facility and …
Fire blazing at BJ's Wholesale construction site in Sumter   Sumter Fire Department and Sumter Police Department crews are on the scene of a fire at the BJ’s Wholesale Club construction site, just days after officials celebrated the …
Sumter PetSmart now open with grand opening to come Saturday Sumter's PetSmart is officially open with a grand opening celebration to come this Saturday, May 10. Though the store had a soft opening on Monday, May 5, the pet store's grand opening event will be when the store holds its ribbon cutting. There …
Advanced technology jobs available in utilities field About 250 Sumter High School students attended a career outreach by Jet-Vac Equipment Company recently at the school. A utilities vendor, Jet-Vac sells equipment to utility contractors and municipalities that use it, according to company product …
Education
More than 20 states sue Trump administration over frozen after-school and summer funding

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — More than 20 states sued President Donald Trump's administration on Monday over billions of dollars in frozen education funding for after-school care, summer …

Supreme Court allows Trump to lay off nearly 1,400 Education Department employees WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is allowing President Donald Trump to put his plan to dismantle the Education Department back on track — and to go through with laying off nearly 1,400 …
Republicans urge US universities to cut ties with Chinese-backed scholarship program WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans are urging seven U.S. universities to cut ties with a Chinese scholarship program that lawmakers call a "nefarious mechanism" to steal technology for the …
Sumter school board Chairman Ragin still looking for site for his new charter school Sumter school board's chairman is still looking for a facility location for his new tuition-free public charter school that has been authorized to open in about one year. On June 24, Shawn Ragin withdrew a rezoning request that was to be before …
Sumter School District board approves early U.S. history course for pilot Sumter school board approved a pilot program for a new prerequisite course at Sumter High School to help with overall achievement levels in a state-required course with an end-of-course exam at a recent special-called meeting. The new piloted …
Government
2 1990s rural fire trucks replaced with Sumter penny tax money

Two fire trucks for two of the county's rural fire stations are some of the first purchases made with penny tax money after the implementation of the capital projects (penny) sales tax on May 1. One of the trucks is a new combination pumper …

Sumter rezonings approved for single-family developments Two applicants were approved to have their land rezoned to residential zoning for the development of single-family homes at Sumter Planning Commission's latest meeting on Wednesday, June 25. The first request was for a city property at 1445 …
Sumter County, city to hold annual fireworks show Labor Day weekend instead of for July 4 For years, the City of Sumter and Sumter County has hosted its annual fireworks show at Dillon Park to celebrate July 4, but this year the free fireworks show is moving to Labor Day weekend. Last year, according to Sumter County Communications …
Clarendon News

Children enjoy Camp Happy Days away from stress of medical appointments

The annual Camp Happy Days returned to Clarendon from June 29 to July 5, allowing children with cancer and their siblings a chance to forget about doctors' appointments and just have fun for a week. Each year, the camp is held at Camp Bob Cooper on …

Public Record
Meetings
Public agenda: Saturday, July 12, 2025

CLARENDON COUNTY COUNCIL Monday, July 14, at 6 p.m., Administration Building, Council Chambers, 411 Sunset Drive, Manning CITY OF MANNING PLANNING COMMISSION Monday, July 14, at 6:30 p.m., City Hall Council Chambers, 29 W. Boyce St., …

Public agenda: Wednesday, July 9, 2025 SUMTER COUNTY VOTER REGISTRATION / ELECTION COMMISSION Thursday, July 10, at 5:30 p.m., registration / election office, 129 E. Liberty St. CLARENDON COUNTY COUNCIL Monday, July 14, at 6 p.m., Administration Building, Council Chambers, 411 …
Around town: Wednesday, July 9, 2025
To correct any information or to make a submission to Around Town, email pressrelease@theitem.com with Around Town in subject line. Help Sumter kids start the school year right by donating needed supplies to Sumter School District through the …
Public Agenda, July 2, 2025

TOWN OF LYNCHBURG PLANNING COMMISSION Wednesday, July 2, at 4 p.m., Lynchburg Municipal Building, 81 Magnolia St., Lynchburg LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS BOARD MEETING Monday, July 7, 5:30 p.m., Sumter Sheriff's Office conference …

Public Agenda, June 25, 2025

Public Agenda, June 21, 2025

Public agenda: Wednesday, June 11, 2025

Public Agenda: June 7, 2025

Support Groups
Pets

PHOTO PROVIDED

Dopey is housebroken and good with other cats, children

My name is Dopey, and I am a 9-week-old, male, gray tabby American longhair. I am housebroken and good with kids and other cats. My siblings and I are so thrilled to go to our forever homes. I am a …

PHOTO PROVIDED

Nettie is blossoming at the shelter but wants a second chance

Nettie's story began in a wooded area, where she and her three siblings were found all alone. They were brought to Animal Control, scared and unsure of the world around them. Nettie was especially …

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