Sumter's Art in the Park came back better than ever with butterflies, art opportunities for all

Micah Vaughn, Liberty STEAM Charter School Elementary Academy academic counselor, reads a book to children at the 16th-annual Art in the Park, hosted in Memorial Park on Saturday.
It couldn't have been a more perfect day to embrace the beauty of Earth and art as the 16th-annual Art in the Park painted Memorial Park. Sunny with a splash of color could have been the forecast on Saturday, April 20, as thousands ventured out …
Studio Sumter

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Friends to Follow
SPORTS
Arts & Entertainment

What to stream this week: A Bon Jovi documentary, Idris Elba in 'Knuckles' and 'Anyone But You'

The Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell romantic comedy "Anyone But You" hitting Netflix and an album by Brazil superstar Anitta are some of the new television, movies, music and games headed to a device …

Nation & World
U.S. banning TikTok? Your key questions answered

No, TikTok will not suddenly disappear from your phone. Nor will you go to jail if you continue using it after it is banned. After years of attempts to ban the Chinese-owned app, including by former …

Biden's long fight with Republicans over Ukraine aid has ended, but significant damage has been done WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden's long, painful battle with Republicans in Congress to secure urgently needed assistance for Ukraine will end Wednesday when he signs into law a $95 …
Blinken begins key China visit as tensions rise over new US foreign aid bill SHANGHAI (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has begun a critical trip to China armed with a strengthened diplomatic hand following Senate approval of a foreign aid package that will …
Supreme Court will consider when doctors can provide emergency abortions in states with bans WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court will consider Wednesday when doctors can provide abortions during medical emergencies in states with bans enacted after the high court's sweeping decision …
When red hot isn't enough: New government heat risk tool sets magenta as most dangerous level WASHINGTON (AP) - Forget about red hot. A new color-coded heat warning system relies on magenta to alert Americans to the most dangerous conditions they may see this summer. The National Weather Service and the Centers for Disease Control and …
State News
South Carolina Senate wants accelerated income tax cut while House looks at property tax rebate

COLUMBIA (AP) — The South Carolina Senate started debating a budget Tuesday that accelerates a planned income tax cut instead of the House plan to use $500 million to give homeowners a one-time …

Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life GOOSE CREEK (AP) — Out of air and pinned by an alligator to the bottom of the Cooper River in South Carolina, Will Georgitis decided his only chance to survive might be to lose his arm. The …
South Carolina making progress to get more women in General Assembly and leadership roles COLUMBIA (AP) — At first glance, the all-male South Carolina Senate subcommittee deciding whether to approve a proposal to remove the sales tax from feminine hygiene products was a reminder …
Treasurer denies South Carolina Senate accusation he risked cyberattack in missing $1.8B case COLUMBIA (AP) — Days after a contentious public hearing with state senators, Treasurer Curtis Loftis nearly put South Carolina's entire financial system at risk of a cyberattack by saying he …
Senate opposition leaves South Carolina energy bill with listless future COLUMBIA (AP) — Before a bill that supporters said will help South Carolina keep the lights on as the state rapidly grows could get debated on the Senate floor, several senators spoke out …
Obituaries
JOSEPHINE SANDERS

Josephine Sanders,  83, died Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital, Sumter. Born in Hagood on June 20, 1941, she was the daughter of the late Leroy Hickmon Sr. and Sinnia E. …

MACK

GLENN MACK SR.

Glenn Mack Sr., son of the late James Mack and Annie Charles Mack, was born on July 31, 1953, in Sumter. He departed this life on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at Prisma Health Baptist Hospital in …

SEEGERS

GREGORY WAYNE SEEGERS

Gregory Wayne Seegers, 51, died Friday, April 19, 2024, in North Charleston. Born in Charleston, he is a son of Debbie Lynn Riles Seegers and the late Roger Allen Seegers Sr. Mr. Seegers was employed …

MITCHUM

CHARLES E. MITCHUM

Charles E. “Charlie” Mitchum, 86, died Sunday, April 21, 2024, at NHC Healthcare Sumter. Born April 20, 1938, in Sumter, he was a son of the late Samuel Mitchum and the late Lucy Barkley …

LOU EMMA GREGG CRAYTON

Lou Emma Gregg Crayton, 91, widow of George Baker and daughter of the late Willie Gregg and Pearline McCoy Gregg, was born on July 31, 1932, in Sumter.  She departed this life on Saturday, April …

Faith
Column: Control your thoughts or they will control you We all know the feeling of having something on our minds that we have a difficult time letting go of. Similar to an image or a catchy song that gets stuck in our head, commonly called an earworm, negative thoughts can be very difficult to remove, …
The Rev. Dr. Clay Smith: Spewing liver I realize most of you grew up in tasteful families with genteel manners, where everyone was born knowing which fork to use for dessert and which fork to use for salad. I grew up in a family that was proud to have forks. We did have some couth. …
Column by First Presbyterian Church Pastor Stewart Rawson: We can build a better community if we try a little harder to be kind My name is Stewart Rawson, and I am the new pastor at First Presbyterian Church here in Sumter. It is my privilege and honor to serve this historic church, and I will look forward to working hard to maintain its commitment to this community. It is …
Healing Guatemala through prayer, teamwork and intentionality Missionary trips are more than just medical missions; these trips are transformative and focus on intentionality, teamwork and gratitude. Twenty-two mission team members, many from Sumter, spent a week in Guatemala seeing approximately 750 …
Celebrations
Dear Abby
Pets for adoption
Cai is the sweetest boy and a friend to everyone

Cai is a 4-year-old, tan-and-black male golden retriever/German shepherd mix. He is neutered and is the sweetest boy you'll ever meet. Cai has a loving and fun personality and enjoys everyone he …

Engagements
Welch-Barwick Allison Lynn Welch of Sumter and Stephen Daniel Barwick of Dalzell announce their engagement. The bride-elect is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Johnny Welch and the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. William R. Tschorn Sr. and the late Mr. and Mrs. …
Townes-Lewis Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Mark Townes of Sumter announce the engagement of their daughter, Whitney Elizabeth Townes of Charleston, to Walter Elliot Lewis of Charleston, son of Ms. Karen Lewis of Jackson, Georgia. The bride-elect is the granddaughter …
Reflections

Reflections by Sammy Way: Neiman's Jewelers opened modern store on South Main Street in 1945

Reflections remembers one of Sumter's most beautiful and upscale jewelry stores to open in the downtown area. This new post-World War II business was part of the numerous stores that helped increase Sumter's downtown growth. This new enterprise, …

Yesteryear
Yesteryear by Sammy Way: Horseshoe pitching tourney scheduled; Crime Stoppers telethon returns 75 YEARS AGO - 1949 Aug. 9 - 15 - Rufe Watson of Sumter set a new world record in the senior division at the National Skeet Shooting Association's tournament at Dallas, Texas, on Sunday. Watson copped the senior title in the all-gauge event by …
Yesteryear by Sammy Way: Shaw hosts surplus sale; city's 1st Easter egg hunt a success 75 YEARS AGO - 1949 Aug. 2 - 8 - Rebel third baseman Hal Harrigan last night hit his 29th home run of the season to tie the Tri-State league record set last year by Leon Cross of Florence. It was the only prize Anderson could salvage from a …
Yesteryear by Sammy Way: Train car is named for Sumter County; Lee builds new high school 75 YEARS AGO - 1949 July 26 - Aug. 1 - Sumter County runs from New York City to Florida these days, not as a result of "imperialistic conquest" but because of improved service on the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad. It's a gag, of course. Truth …
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