3 non-election government headlines from the past month to know

City council approves two projects, $12.5 million to go toward water treatment plant

Sumter City Council approved $12.5 million to go toward upgrades to Water Treatment Plant Five at 545 W. Wesmark Blvd. at a city council meeting Tuesday, Nov. 5.

The money for the upgrades will come from ARPA funds, SCIIP grant number: A-23-C194 and utility reserve funds.

Council also approved a procurement resolution for a ditch improvement project at Railroad/Lawton Circle for $194,984 with money for the project coming from the Stormwater Fund.

BJ's Wholesale approved to come to Alice Drive

A new retailer has been approved to come to Sumter: BJ's Wholesale Club.

With a business model similar to Costco or Sam's Club, the retailer was approved by Sumter City Council at a regularly scheduled meeting on Oct. 15 to come to 1475 Alice Drive.

A BJ's representative, Brittany Bowers, said the project is tentatively projected to be completed by 2026 if everything goes accordingly.

Sumter holds its 11th-annual Veterans Day Parade, ceremony

On Monday, Nov. 11, Sumter hosted its annual Veterans Day Parade followed by the recognition of 35 local veterans.

Sumter County has about 13,000 veterans, according to Sumter County Veterans Affairs Director Valerie Brunson.

Col. Kevin Hicok, 20th Fighter Wing commander, was the keynote speaker for the event, and he was preceded by Sumter Mayor David Merchant, who read a proclamation.

This year's lineup included several local JROTC groups, local clubs and local high school bands among other groups unique to Sumter who threw candy into the crowds and handed out mini American flags. In total, the parade lasted about an hour.

After the ceremony, attendees and veterans were encouraged to transition to the back lawn of the old courthouse where more than 45 vendors were giving away information and free food to veterans.