Happening Now
Efforts by Shaw Air Force Base to remove harmful "forever chemicals" known as PFAS are underway in May 2023. A trenching site on base is one component of those efforts to "intercept the contamination, capture it, clean it up and reinject clean water into the ground," said Wendell Williams, chief of Environmental Programs at Shaw.
SCDHEC shares plans to protect nearly 2 million affected by PFAS after EPA announces new drinking water standard
Mayor Chris Brown, second from left, is now suing the town council members seated around him during a March 12 council meeting. They are, from left, Roteshia Benjamin, Jasaad Ricks and Cynthia Massingill.
Mayesville mayor sues town council members and town clerk
WRIGHT
Sumter School District Superintendent Wright lays out replacement school model to Master Plan Committee
Clarendon County Administrator Lynden Anthony
New Clarendon administrator salary $55K less than former with no allowances
Check out the April/May edition of The Sumter Item Impact

Commitment to excellence: Sumter School District honors campus teachers of the year and 3 finalists for district teacher of the year

Sumter School District held its annual Celebration of Excellence ceremony on Tuesday at Crestwood High School. From left are the district's Teacher of the Year finalists, Terri Johnson, Rachel Pressley and Octavia Green.
Teachers fulfill a special purpose for today's generation of kids, consistently grow, give and foster positive change. Those words resonated as themes several times Tuesday night when Sumter School District honored many of its finest educators at …
An excavator is used to tear down a dilapidated home at 10 Brent St.on Oct. 10, 2019, as part of a Community Development Block Grant awarded to Sumter County by the S.C. Department of Commerce. The city is in the process of using more grant money to tear down dozens of abandoned homes, mainly in south Sumter.
Sumter city officials talk budget, annexation and dilapidated home demolitions through grants
Wilder Elementary students put on play perfect for the bird lovers
Pack your weekend with a nature walk, Art in the Park, Dorr Farms' Earth Day, a free jazz concert, band battle and more
Clarendon library plans diaper giveaway, Burgers and Badges to meet community leaders, summer reading festival and more

Saturday-Tuesday, April 20-23, 2024

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Friends to Follow
SPORTS
From left, Sumter High head coach Jeff Schaffer sits with Rickell Brown, Keziyah Sanders, Kiara Croskey and Araina Ross as they reflect on their championship season on Wednesday, April 17.
Creating a champion: Sumter High girls basketball team reflect on perfect season
803 United's 15U team breaks down a huddle during practice. The squad has earned national recognition after a series of strong tournament finishes, earning a No. 15 ranking by Pylon, one of the largest 7-on-7 ranking organizations.
Sumter's 803 United making impact on national stage
Thomas Sumter's Lila Kate Stines watches her second home run of the night against Lee Academy last Friday, which helped her earn the Hines Furniture Athlete of the Week.
Thomas Sumter's Stines bashes her way to Hines Furniture Athlete of the Week
Sterling Ta'bon, left, and Travon Armstrong, back center, sit have built the Diamond-Stackz Classic Organization grow far beyond the basketball tournament they started in 2015 to remember their friend, Erick White. Now they have a series of programs focused on improving the youth in Sumter, including the Diamond Effect Leadership Program and the upcoming Empowering Kings Program.
Diamond-Stackz Classic Organization grows far beyond basketball
The Thomas Sumter Academy softball team practices on Monday, April 8.
Thomas Sumter spring invigorated by return of varsity softball, soccer
National Data Trends
Snoop Dogg arrives at the world premiere of "The Underdoggs" on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024, at The Culver Theater in Culver City, Calif.
10 pop culture moments that destigmatized weed
Taylor Swift performs during "The Eras Tour" on Friday, May 5, 2023, at Nissan Stadium in Nashville.
Taylor Swift's 'Eras Tour' has defined 2023's zeitgeist—here are some staggering stats behind the most successful tour/film combo in music history
1 in 4 Americans are physically inactive. Here's how that impacts you as you age.
10 states that will likely face the most financial losses from climate change
Using COVID relief funds, Arizona canceled massive medical debt for one million residents

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SMITH
The Rev. Dr. Clay Smith: Spewing liver
"God's Not Dead: Rise Up," the fifth installment in the movie series, is filmed at Sumter Opera House on Tuesday, April 16, using hundreds of Sumter locals as audience member extras in the background of a debate scene. Actors Ted McGinley, left, and Scott Baio, center, are seen on the set.
Fifth 'God's Not Dead' goes lights, camera, action at Sumter Opera House; film expected to release this fall
Clarendon career center students learn at ICE Lab
BizTalk: Scooter's Coffee named 2nd fastest-growing brand in the country by Yelp, adds 201 stores in 2023
John Gast with Shoreline Capital Group LLC presents zoning certification and sketch plans for a 20-lot subdivision to Clarendon County Planning Commission during a meeting Tuesday, April 16.
20-lot subdivision near existing neighborhood by Lake Marion gets approval despite public opposition

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More Sports
The Laurence Manning softball team celebrates a home run by Karly Bjork, center, on Friday against Wilson Hall.
Laurence Manning softball topples Wilson Hall; Barons bash ‘Cats
Members of the Ebenezer Middle School track team show off their medals from the SCHSL Middle School Track and Field Invitational on Saturday.
Ebenezer boys finish 2nd at SCHSL MS Track Invitational; Bates’ Pinkney also shines
PHOTOS: Laurence Manning baseball, softball host Wilson Hall
PHOTOS: Lakewood hosts Crestwood in soccer, baseball, softball
Thomas Sumter Academy beat Laurence Manning Academy 3-2 at home on Wednesday, April 17.
Thomas Sumter soccer outlasts LMA 3-2

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Arts & Entertainment
This combination of images shows promotional art for the Paramount+ series "Knuckles," the Apple TV+ series "The Big Door Prize," and the Netflix series "Dead Boy Detectives.

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 …

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Nation & World
This booking photo provided by the Monroe County, Mich., Sheriff's Office shows Marshella Chidester. The Michigan woman was arraigned Tuesday, April 23, 2024, on second-degree murder and other charges after prosecutors say she drunkenly smashed her SUV into a boat club that was hosting a child's birthday party, killing the 4-year-old birthday boy and his 8-year-old sister and injuring several other people.
Woman who crashed into building, killing birthday boy and his sister, arraigned on murder charges

A Michigan woman was arraigned Tuesday on second-degree murder and other charges after prosecutors say she drunkenly cashed her SUV into a boat club that was hosting a child's birthday party, killing …

Palestinians transport a captured Israeli civilian from Kibbutz Kfar Azza into the Gaza Strip on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. The militant Hamas rulers of the Gaza Strip carried out an unprecedented, multi-front attack on Israel at daybreak Saturday, firing thousands of rockets as dozens of Hamas fighters infiltrated the heavily fortified border in several locations by air, land, and sea and catching the country off-guard on a major holiday.
Israel's military intelligence chief resigns over failure to prevent Hamas attack on Oct. 7 TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — The head of Israeli military intelligence said Monday he would resign because of Hamas' Oct. 7 attack, becoming the first senior figure to step down over his role in the …
A woman holds a "Free Azov" sign during a rally aiming to raise awareness on the fate of Ukrainian prisoners of war in Kyiv, Ukraine, Sunday, April 21, 2024. The U.S. House of Representatives swiftly approved $95 billion in foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel and other U.S. allies in a rare Saturday session as Democrats and Republicans banded together after months of hard-right resistance over renewed American support for repelling Russia's invasion.
Ukrainian and Western leaders laud U.S. aid package while the Kremlin warns of 'further ruin' KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian and Western leaders on Sunday welcomed a desperately needed aid package passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, as the Kremlin warned that passage of the …
Biden signs bill extending a key U.S. surveillance program after divisions nearly forced it to lapse WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Saturday signed legislation reauthorizing a key U.S. surveillance law after divisions over whether the FBI should be restricted from using the program …
Biden is marking Earth Day by announcing $7 billion in federal solar power grants WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is marking Earth Day by announcing $7 billion in federal grants for residential solar projects serving 900,000-plus households in low- and middle-income …

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State News
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 Sen. Katrina Shealy, R-Lexington, listens to University of South Carolina student Anusha Ghosh testify at a Senate Finance subcommittee hearing on whether to eliminate sales tax on feminine hygiene products on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in Columbia, S.C.
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 …
South Carolina Treasurer Curtis Loftis turns to his staff during a state Senate hearing into how $1.8 billion ended up in an account without anyone knowing where it came from or where it went on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, in Columbia, S.C.
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 …
South Carolina Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, R-Edgefield, speaks about a massive energy bill on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, in Columbia, SC.
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 …
Boeing employees walk the new Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner down towards the delivery ramp area at the company's facility after conducting its first test flight at Charleston International Airport, Friday, March 31, 2017, in North Charleston, S.C. A Senate subcommittee has opened an investigation into the safety of Boeing jetliners, intensifying safety concerns about the company’s aircraft. The panel has summoned Boeing's CEO, Dave Calhoun, to a hearing next week where a company engineer, Sam Salehpour, is expected to detail safety concerns about the manufacture and assembly of Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner.
Boeing pushes back on whistleblower's allegations and details how airframes are put together Boeing is defending the integrity of the fuselages on two of its largest planes, which have come under criticism from a whistleblower who warns that panels on the outside of one of the planes could …

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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 …

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Faith
RAWSON
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 …
Mission team members stop to take a photo in front of a church in Guatemala before setting it up into a clinic. Many were from Sumter and were in the country March 2-9.
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 …
Church news: Wednesday, April 17, 2024 Church of Christ, 313 Mooneyham Road, announces: - Sunday, April 21 - The 28th pastoral anniversary of the Rev. James L. and Lady Alethia Clark will be celebrated at 3 p.m. The Rev. Emmanuel Davis, pastor of New Bethel AME Church in Bishopville, …
The Rev. Dr. Clay Smith: Holding on for dear life When I was a little boy, rodeos had calf scrambles. To give the adult cowboys and cowgirls a break, they would call for all the boys to come into the arena for the calf scramble about midway through the rodeo. The boys were paired up, and then about …
Celebrations

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Dear Abby
Pets for adoption
Tess is waiting for her family at the Sumter SPCA

Tess is a 1-year-old, tan female hound mix. She is very friendly and affectionate and enjoys playing and getting hugs and kisses. Tess has a happy and loving personality and would be perfect for a …

Weddings

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Engagements
BARWICK, MISS WELCH
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. …
MR. LEWIS, MISS TOWNES
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
Neiman's Jewelers opened in November 1945 in downtown Sumter and offered watches and diamonds but also crystal and silver items.

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, …

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Yesteryear
Rufe Watson of Sumter set a world record in the senior class division at the National Skeet Shooting Association's tournament at Dallas, Texas, on Aug. 8, 1949.
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 …
Making use of the facilities offered by the Community Cannery at Edmunds High School is Mrs. Charles Windham Jr., left, on Aug. 3, 1949. The cannery was operated under the agriculture and home economic program of the high school to help farm families conserve food.
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 …
Gertie Goose, seen in July 1949 while laying the goose eggs for a visiting team, was to come to Riley Park in late July that year to work for Sumter's Chicks. And judging from the way the Asheville Tourists were knocking over Florence, the Chicks would need the good luck of Gertie. James O. Tice, owner of Gertie, was getting the scoreboard ready for the big night.
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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From the opinion pages
Columnists
 Editorial cartoon: Saturday, April 20, 2024
BARONE
Opinion: A fail-safe society is sure to fail
Opinion: Disorder on the border remains problem for Democrats
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