Happening Now
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 says new town attorney with disciplinary history won't cooperate with him either
Limestone approves charter school for Sumter
PALUMBO
Palumbo ready for district to move to electronic procurement
Will Thurman, Jason Robinson and Ashley Robinson Thurman stand outside their Liberty Hill home after the front was boarded up after a truck crashed into the house earlier this month. Several other properties around the intersection have also been hit in the past. They hope a traffic light or stop signs can be placed in the area after a traffic study about the intersection by S.C. Department of Transportation.
Traffic study planned after truck hits Liberty Hill home at Summerton intersection and other vehicles have damaged nearby properties
Check out the April/May edition of The Sumter Item Impact

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 …
PHOTO PROVIDED
Dorr Farms celebrates Earth Day with critters, crafts
64 compete in Striped Bass Festival Dam Run
Liberty STEAM Charter School network teacher of the year Michelle McDonald, second from right, has been named a top-five finalist for the South Carolina Public Charter School District teacher of the year. From left are Liberty STEAM Elementary Academy Director Sally Harris, elementary academy academic counselor Micah Vaughn, McDonald and elementary academy instructional coach Emily Hatfield.
Liberty STEAM's McDonald named top-5 finalist for charter district teacher of year
Schools walk to honor cancer survivors, raise money

Wednesday-Friday, April 24-26, 2024

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Studio Sumter

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Friends to Follow
SPORTS
The Clarendon Hall softball team clinched their region title with two wins over Calhoun Academy last week.
Clarendon Hall claims region title, attention turns to playoff push
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
Sumter High seniors, seated from left, Rickell Brown, Keziyah Sanders, Dalashia Brunson and Kiara Croskey are surrounded by teammates after signing to continue their basketball careers on Friday.
Sumter High hoopers sign to continue careers on the court
Crestwood's James Dantzler (5) weaves through Lakewood defenders on Friday.
Rivalry night at Lakewood: Crestwood sweeps on the pitch, Gators dominate diamond
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
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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More local news
Lee County School District earns Cognia Accreditation
About 100 people attended the Patriot's Wounded Warrior 5K run hosted by the Air and Space Forces Association on Saturday, April 20, at Patriot Park. The run raised money for Wounded Airmen and Guardians Program and Wounded Warrior Project.
Local Wounded Warriors 5K run raises more $2K
April's Homeowner Yard of the Month: Cal and Kimberly Land's home at 617 Henderson St.
April's Homeowner and Business Yards of the Month named
Clarendon County Administrator Lynden Anthony
New Clarendon administrator salary $55K less than former with no allowances
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

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More Sports
Laurence Manning senior Tyler June is leaving his dream this year, as he'll head to South Carolina in the fall and join the Gamecock baseball team.
The Grind, presented by the Bank of Clarendon: Laurence Manning’s June sets sights on South Carolina baseball
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
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

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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
The website for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention displays on a computer screen in Glenside, Pa., Monday, April 22, 2024, a new heat risk system developed with the National Weather Service. They unveiled a new color-coded system to warn Americans about heat danger, and it will set magenta as the most dangerous level.
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 …

President Donald Trump speaks during a rally protesting the Electoral College certification of Joe Biden as president on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, D.C.
The Supreme Court will decide whether Trump is immune from federal prosecution; here's what's next WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court is hearing arguments this week with profound legal and political consequences: whether former President Donald Trump is immune from prosecution in a federal case charging him with plotting to overturn the results of …
Sima Gutierrez, right, observes as a teammate examines water at the Flint Community Water Lab on April 3, 2024, in Flint, Michigan. The lab, with more than 60 high school and college interns, has provided free water testing for thousands of residents since 2020.
Children of Flint water crisis make change as young environmental and health activists FLINT, Mich. - Their childhood memories are still vivid: warnings against drinking or cooking with tap water, enduring long lines for cases of water, washing from buckets filled with heated, bottled water. And for some, stomach aches, skin rashes …
Take precautions to prevent the spread of bird flu According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are several ways to reduce the risk of humans contracting bird flu. "People rarely get bird flu virus infection; however, human infections with avian influenza viruses can …
A security person moves journalists away from the Wuhan Institute of Virology after a World Health Organization team arrived for a field visit in Wuhan in China's Hubei province on Feb. 3, 2021. The hunt for COVID-19 origins has gone dark in China.
How the search for origins of COVID-19 turned politically toxic BEIJING - The hunt for the origins of COVID-19 has gone dark in China, the victim of political infighting after a series of stalled and thwarted attempts to find the source of the virus that killed millions and paralyzed the world for months. The …

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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
HOLLAND
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, …
SMITH
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. …
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 …
Celebrations

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Dear Abby
Pets for adoption
PHOTO PROVIDED
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 …

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
BARONE
Opinion: Maybe larger families would produce better leaders, as in early U.S.
Editorial cartoon: Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Editorial cartoon: Saturday, April 20, 2024
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