January 31, 2017

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Suspect charged with 6 counts of murder Man arrested in Quebec mosque terror attack

BY TRACEY LINDEMAN and ROB GILLIES The Associated Press QUEBEC CITY — The 27-year-old suspect in a terrorist attack against Muslims at a Quebec City mosque was charged Monday with six counts of first-degree murder and five counts of

attempted murder.

Alexandre Bissonnette was known for taking right-wing, nationalist positions and supporting the French farright party of Marine Le Pen. The shooting during evening prayers Sunday left six people dead in an attack that Canada’s prime minister called an act of terrorism against Muslims.

Bissonnette has Le Pen and U.S. President Donald Trump as likes on his Facebook profile, and François

Deschamps, an official with a refugee advocacy group, said he was known for his far-right views.

“It’s with pain and anger that we learn the identity of terrorist Alexandre Bissonnette, unfortunately known to many activists in Quebec for taking nationalist, pro-Le Pen and anti-feminist positions at Laval University and on social media,” he wrote on the Facebook page of the group Bienvenues aux Refugiés, or Welcome to Refugees.

More than 50 people were at the Quebec Islamic Cultural Centre when the shooting erupted. In addition to the six who died, five were in critical condition, and 12 others suffered minor injuries, University of Quebec Hospital Centre spokeswoman Genevieve Dupuis said Monday.

The dead ranged in age from 39 to 60.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and

SEE ATTACK, PAGE A9

Looks almost tropical

RICK CARPENTER / THE SUMTER ITEM

Clouds mixed with the sunset present a distinct reflection on the Alex Heise Building recently. The building houses South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control and Department of Social Services.

Help from Fireside can mean lasting change for someone

BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com Fireside Fund donations to Sumter United Ministries have given the ministry more flexibility in finding the best possible solutions to the heating needs of clients, according to Crisis Relief Director Kevin Howell.

Howell said the generosity of the Sumter community has provided the resources to make choices that can have a long-term, instead of temporary, effects.

This week, a client in her 50s with an adult, special-needs son requested kerosene assistance from the ministry, Howell said.

“She lives in a family property, a small, older home that did not have a heat pump,” he said. “She cools the home with window air conditioners and heats with kerosene.”

As the client shared her circumstances, she explained she had two natural gas floor heaters in her home.

One was broken, she said, but both were too old to operate safely, and the natural gas account was closed for

that reason.

“Since natural gas is more efficient and typically safer than the use of kerosene, SUM considered what options were available,” Howell said. “Instead of simply fulfilling the kerosene request, which would have been less time-consuming, a few phone calls were made to local vendors and to South Carolina Electric & Gas.” The ministry provided two new natural gas floor heaters for the client and then assisted with connecting SCE&G to the house, Howell said, providing a credit to last for the first month.

“Not only did this decision provide a better alternative for the client, but it gives us the ability to continue providing adequate and safe heat for many

.com

City’s historic preservation guidelines under review

BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com Residents of Sumter’s historic districts took the opportunity at a Historic District Design Guideline review meeting Thursday evening to express their concerns about

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JIM HILLEY / THE SUMTER ITEM

Architectural historian Allison Blanton explains at a meeting Thursday in City Centre how the city has begun to update its historic design guidelines for the city’s two historic districts.

William N. Bradford Jr. Donald R. Fink Ella Mae S. Maple Vernese W. Lowery Laureen Duren Randy Lowery

James P. Belser Robert A. Smith Vivian B. Edwards Diane C. Carter Lillie Mae P. Frazier Larry A. Turientine

Jack Gainey Dr. Carl B. Ramsey Geneva M. Montgomery William Conyers

houses in the district that are not being maintained and the lack of financial incentives to preserve homes in the districts.

More than 50 people attended the meeting featuring representatives

SEE GUIDELINES, PAGE A9

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017

THE SUMTER ITEM

Call: (803) 774-1226 | E-mail: pressrelease@theitem.com

Family of missing man still has hope

School districts routinely use tax anticipation notes

BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com Seven years after Brandon Rodriques Graves disappeared outside of a club west of Sumter, family and friends gathered for a ceremony Saturday to remember the young man and encourage anyone with information on the case to come forward.

“We haven’t given up hope; we haven’t forgotten,” said Vassie Lloyd, the missing man’s sister.

Graves, who GRAVES was nicknamed “Peanut” because he was so small, attended Morris College and graduated from Coastal Carolina University with a degree in sports management, according to his family.

“Peanut wasn’t that tall,” said his brother Reggie German. “He didn’t let that deter who he was. He had the biggest heart, and he was a determined person.”

Brandon Graves was visiting Sumter during the 2009 Morris College homecoming when he walked out of the club at 3289 Broad St. that was then called Sebastion’s, went around a corner and vanished.

After transferring to Coastal Carolina, he came back to Sumter for reunions.

“Even though he transferred, he would always come here this week to celebrate with his friends and his brothers and sisters,” German said.

“He’s not the kind of guy that would just stray away and

BY BRUCE MILLS bruce@theitem.com

JIM HILLEY / THE SUMTER ITEM

Martha Graves, who, along with her sisters, helped raise Brandon Graves from the age of 3, holds on to seven balloons which were released in the missing man’s memory Saturday. not call someone,” Lloyd said. “We’re still searching for my brother; we haven’t had any luck.”

Brandon Graves’ mother died when he was 3 years old, so he was raised by his aunts.

“I had him since he was 3,” said his aunt Martha Graves.

“Me and my sisters raised him and his two brothers.”

She said Peanut was the youngest of the three boys.

“If it had not been for the Lord, I don’t know where I would be,” she said.

Reggie German said the seven years of not knowing what happened to Brandon have been difficult.

“It’s been rough, a lot of sleepless nights,” he said. “I am just praying for closure.”

He said the family will continue to pray and trust

in God. Sumter County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Ken Bell assured those gathered the case has not been forgotten.

“We are still working on this case,” he said.

He said deputies would be distributing fliers with Graves’ picture and information about the case.

In Peanut’s memory, the group released seven balloons at the ceremony. The brisk wind quickly whisked them eastward.

“We will not give up until we have closure,” said Larry German, one of Brandon’s brothers.

Bell said anyone with information on the case can call Crimestoppers at (803) 4362718 or 1-(800) CrimeSC.

Increase in auto break-ins reported

BY ADRIENNE SARVIS adrienne@theitem.com Sumter County Sheriff's Office is advising residents to take more caution when leaving their vehicles after a high number of auto break-ins have been reported since the start of the year.

Sheriff Anthony Dennis said there has been a rash of break-ins in different areas of the county.

Between Jan. 1 and Jan. 24, there have been more than 50 reported vehicle break-ins, according to Ken Bell, public information officer at the sheriff's office. He said there were 16 reported vehicle break-ins during the month of January in 2016.

This is the highest amount of auto break-ins in a long time, Dennis said.

Most of the break-ins have happened in subdivisions and take place after midnight during the weekend, Dennis said.

He said the majority of the vehicles broken into are left unlocked.

Dennis said deputies have increased patrols in areas where break-ins have already happened and are actively working to prevent break-ins in other areas.

Investigators think some of the suspects are being dropped off in neighborhoods and are getting picked up at other locations after breaking into vehicles, Dennis said.

Suspicious vehicles have been observed in a few neighborhoods, he said.

"We need the citizens' help to catch them," he said.

Report a break-in any time it happens, Dennis said.

Tonyia McGirt, Sumter Police Department public information officer, also urges residents to do the same.

If you suspect that your vehicle has been broken into, alert law enforcement so officers can look for patterns of where the incidents are happening, she said.

McGirt said there has also been an increase in auto break-ins in the city with 388 auto break-ins reported in 2015 and 409 break-ins reported in 2016.

She said people should get in the habit of taking expensive items out of the vehicle at the end of the day.

And do not leave firearms inside vehicles including hunting rifles and firearms that are kept inside the glove box, she said.

These are crimes of opportunity, McGirt said.

The sheriff's office recommends the following: • Park vehicles in a well-lit area by a streetlight or security light; • Lock all vehicle doors; and • Do not leave any valuables in the vehicle where they can be seen. Lock items in the trunk or take them with you.

Outside financial consultant Scott Allan has said Sumter School District will need to issue a tax anticipation note in the range of $20 million to $22 million by June 30, given its debt crisis and low general fund balance.

The loan serves as a cashflow management tool for school districts, given that property tax revenues and other funding streams are often unevenly distributed to districts throughout the year; however, expenses are generally similar each month, according to school board attorney William "Bick" Halligan. A TAN helps a school district pay its bills, until its revenues are received later and used to pay back the loan.

School districts in the state generally issue TANs together as a pool in August or September. Allan has said Sumter will need to issue its TAN on its own earlier, given the debt crisis and its need for cash to pay bills.

Last week, The Sumter Item obtained more informa-

tion on TANs from the leading municipal financial advisory firm in South Carolina, Compass Municipal Advisors LLC of Columbia. Compass will serve as Sumter School District's financial adviser for its TAN, according to officials.

For 2016, 21 of the 82 school districts in the state issued a TAN as an operational loan, ranging from $584,000 to $82 million, according to Mike Gallagher at Compass. Gallagher said Thursday that the 21 total was a fairly average number for a given year.

Compass provides financial services to school districts and other public agencies in the state.

Given the Federal Reserve Bank's indications to raise interest rates this year, Gallagher wasn't able to estimate last week what Sumter's short-term interest rate on its TAN will be. He was also unable to estimate the extra costs Sumter will face for issuing its TAN early and not in the pool with other school districts. He said some firm fees may be negotiated because of the district's financial crisis.

Vote on which SAFE commercial will air during the Super Bowl

BY RICK CARPENTER rick@theitem.com You can help decide which commercial SAFE Federal Credit Union will air during the Super Bowl on Feb. 5.

And producers shot all three commercials in Sumter.

Choices include: "Backyard Party," which depicts friends getting together; "Our Community" focuses on community connection and service; and "Air Force Roots" highlights SAFE's multi-generational history at Shaw Air Force Base.

SAFE plans to run only one of the three 30-second commercials through local Fox affiliate WACH. Ninety percent of SAFE's member-

ship base lives in the Columbia market, which translates to 400,000 member homes with TVs, according to Nielsen ratings that determine TV markets.

To vote on your choice, go to www.safefed.org/you-pickbig-game-commercial. SAFE set a Friday, Feb. 3, deadline to vote.

“As the most-watched sporting event of the year, this is the optimum time to showcase what SAFE is all about,” said Toby Hayes, vice president of marketing for SAFE. “Each of these commercials highlights our community and our commitment to it. Airing one during the biggest football game of the year gives us exposure on a grand scale.”

LOCAL BRIEF FROM STAFF REPORTS

Hydrant tests set for Wednesday, Thursday City of Sumter will perform fire hydrant flow tests on North Lafayette Drive, Corporate Way, Lynette Drive and Union Camp Boulevard on Wednesday and

Thursday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Water customers in the surrounding area may experience temporary discolored water.

Direct any questions or concerns to the City of Sumter Public Services Department at (803) 436-2558.

HOW TO REACH US IS YOUR PAPER MISSING? ARE YOU GOING ON VACATION? 36 W. Liberty St., Sumter, S.C. 29150 (803) 774-1200 Jack Osteen Editor and Publisher / Advertising jack@theitem.com (803) 774-1238 Michele Barr Rick Carpenter Business Manager Managing Editor michele@theitem.com rick@theitem.com (803) 774-1249 (803) 774-1201 Gail Mathis Jeff West Clarendon Bureau Manager Customer Service Manager gail@theitem-clarendonsun.com jeff@theitem.com (803) 435-4716 (803) 774-1259

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017

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Journey tribute will rock Sumter Opera House several times, as well as with Pearl Jam, U2, Keith Urban, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Peter They’re not Journey, but Frampton and several other Resurrection — A Journey top bands.

Tribute band prides itself on Lead guitarist Steve Sheroresurrecting the Steve Perry an’s prowess and versatility era of Journey, creating a made him an obvious choice concert experience designed to play Journey guitarist Neal to transport fans back to Schon’s repertoire. Sheroan those days. And on Friday, taught himself to play almost Feb. 10, when the moon is full, every kind of guitar music at Resurrection will perform its an early age; he’s played with only tour date in South Caronumerous rock bands, classilina at Sumter Opera House. cal groups and country artResurrection’s founders, ists. keyboard player Vic White Ben King sings and plays and lead singer Ryan Christobass guitar with Resurrection. pher, collaborated to create an A big Journey fan, he has authentic Journey experience, played with many artists across the country, including and they both have the talent Briana Tyson, McKenzies and experience to do it.

Mill, Haley & Orangeburg Michaels and native White, a others. big Journey fan WATCH THE In 2014, six since his early TRIBUTE months after youth, has White and played and Sumter Opera House, 21 N. Christopher got toured with such Main St., presents Resurrection tonotables as John Resurrection — A Journey Tribute at 7:30 p.m. Friday, gether and had Berry, Deana Feb. 10. Tickets are $30, $28 researched Carter and and $25. For tickets or more Journey’s Bryan Adams. information, call (803) 436music and muHe’s also the 2616 or visit www. sicians and music director SumterOperaHouse.com. spent many for Resurrechours rehearstion. ing, the band It was a karaperformed its first live show, oke challenge to perform which generated extensive Steve Perry’s version of interest on social media. Res“Don’t Stop Believin’” that urrection was praised as the sealed Christopher in his most authentic-sounding Journey fandom and started Journey tribute band. It had him on his career singing the feel White and Christolead, matching Perry’s vocals pher had been looking for. and mannerisms.

They’ve been in demand ever Drummer Jim Handley acsince. tually played with Journey

BY IVY MOORE ivy@theitem.com

POLICE BLOTTER CHARGES Eugene Davis, 50, of 960 Kingman Ave., was arrested on Saturday and charged with third-degree domestic violence for allegedly hitting his girlfriend on the head and face with his hand during an argument while in the 900 block of Kingman Street about 1 p.m. on Saturday.

STOLEN PROPERTY A silver 2007 Toyota Tundra valued at $8,000 was reportedly stolen while it was parked at a towing business in the 900 block of Bethel Church Road between 8 p.m. on Saturday and about 1:30 p.m. on Sunday. According to an incident report from Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, approximately $1,000 in damage was caused to a metal sliding fence on the property when the vehicle was driven through it.

A brown male pitbull with a red nose valued at $500 was reportedly stolen from a resi-

dence in the 1200 block of Boulevard Road between 1:30 and about 4:30 p.m. on Sunday.

A brown jewelry box containing an unknown quantity of earrings valued at $100; a white free-standing, portable air-conditioning unit valued at $700; a white Bose CD player valued at $500; a pair of binoculars, unknown brand, valued at $150; and a portable radio, unknown brand, valued at $50 were reportedly stolen from a residence in the 4600 block of Old Stone Road between about 3:30 and 4 p.m. on Sunday.

A black-and-brown .357-caliber Smith & Wesson revolver valued at $200 and a blackand-brown revolver, unknown make and value, were reportedly stolen from a residence in the 400 block of East Fulton Manning Road, Pinewood, on Sunday afternoon.

A blue 2004 Ford F-250 was reportedly stolen while it was parked at a store in the 5700 block of Broad Street about 7:40 p.m. Sunday.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Resurrection — A Journey Tribute will be in concert at Sumter Opera House on Feb. 10. Musicians are, from left, lead guitarist Steve Sheroan, bassist Ben King, co-founder and lead singer Ryan Christopher, drummer Jim Handley and co-founder and keyboardist Vic White.

Because Journey will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame later this year, Resurrection has named its tour the 2017 Hall of Fame Tour.

Sumter Cultural Manager Seth Reimer said it’s a thrill to have Resurrection on the stage of Sumter Opera House.

Their show is “guaranteed to be a brilliant reproduction of sights and sounds, complete with a red piano, that will captivate and transport audiences, rekindling memo-

ries for longtime fans and creating new memories for the youngest fans,” Reimer said.

Resurrection will also film a promotional video during its Feb. 10 concert, and audience members could be included in it, said Pam Morse, who does marketing for the band. She’s also married to Christopher and said the band is excited about performing in the Opera House.

“We look forward to wowing Journey fans with our

‘resurrection’ of the Steve Perry era of arena rock,” Morse said, “and also capturing the energy of fans while recording our 2017 promotional video.”

A VIP package will be available for fans to interact with the members of Resurrection.

For an additional $25 on top of the ticket price, the VIP package will include the opportunity to meet the musicians before their show and get some autographed memorabilia.

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Study: Young girls doubt women can be brilliant WASHINGTON (AP) — Can women be brilliant? Little girls are not so sure.

A study published Thursday in the journal Science suggests that girls as young as 6 can be led to believe men are inherently smarter and more talented than women, making girls less motivated to pursue novel activities or ambitious careers.

That such stereotypes exist is hardly a surprise, but the findings show these biases can affect children at a very young age.

"As a society, we associate a high level of intellectual ability with males more than females, and our research suggests that this association is picked up by children as young as 6 and 7," said Andrei Cimpian, associate professor in the psychology department at New York University. Cimpian coauthored the study, which looked at 400 children ages 5 to 7.

In the first part of the study, girls and boys were told a story about a person who is "really, really smart," a child's idea of brilliance and then asked to identify that person among the photos of two women and two men. The people in the photos were dressed professionally, looked the same age and appeared equally happy. At 5, both boys and girls tended to associate brilliance with their own gender, meaning that most girls chose women and most boys chose men.

But as they became older and began attending school, children apparently began endorsing gender stereotypes. At

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO

News anchor Barbie, left, and computer engineer Barbie are arranged for a photo at the New York Toy Fair. Mattel’s “You can be anything” Barbie campaign encourages young girls.

6 and 7, girls were "significantly less likely" to pick women.

The results were similar when the kids were shown photos of children.

Interestingly, when asked to select children who look like they do well in school, as opposed to being smart, girls tended to pick girls, which means that their perceptions of brilliance are not based on academic performance.

"These stereotypes float free of any objective markers of achievement and intelligence," Cimpian said.

In the second part of the study, children were introduced to two new board games, one described as an activity "for children who are really, really smart" and the

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other one "for children who try really, really hard." Five-yearold girls and boys were equally likely to want to play the game for smart kids, but at age 6 and 7, boys still wanted to play that game, while girls opted for the other activity.

"There isn't anything about the game itself that becomes

less interesting for girls, but rather it's the description of it as being for kids that are really, really smart."

As a result, thinking that they are not as gifted as boys, girls tend to shy away from demanding majors and fields, leading to big differences in aspirations and career choices between men and women.

"These stereotypes discourage women's pursuit of many prestigious careers; that is, women are underrepresented in fields whose members cherish brilliance," the authors wrote.

It is still unclear where the stereotypes come from. Parents, teachers and peers and the media are the usual suspects, Cimpian said. But it is evident that action must be taken so that these biases don't curtail girls' professional aspirations. "Instill the idea that success in any line of work is not an innate ability, whatever it is, but rather putting your head down, being passionate about what you are doing," Cimpian said, adding that exposure to successful women who can serve as role models also helps.

Toy companies like Mattel, maker of the Barbie doll, have

taken steps to try to reduce gender stereotypes. Mattel's "You can be anything" Barbie campaign tells girls that they can be paleontologists, veterinarians or professors, among other careers. The campaign also holds out the possibility that a girl can imagine herself to be a fairy princess.

Rebecca S. Bigler, professor of psychology at the University of Texas at Austin, described Cimpian's study "as exceptionally nice work." She suggested that the stereotypes develop in early elementary school when students are exposed to famous scientists, composers and writers, the "geniuses" of history, who are overwhelmingly men. Bigler said it is important to combine that knowledge with information on gender discrimination.

"We need to explain to children that laws were created specifically to prevent women from becoming great scientists, artists, composers, writers, explorers and leaders," Bigler added. "Children will then be ... more likely to believe in their own intellectual potential and contribute to social justice and equality by pursuing these careers themselves."

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Israelis seek to comfort the Holocaust’s lonely survivors

BY ARON HELLER The Associated Press RAMAT HASHARON, Israel — Surrounded by more than 100 fellow Holocaust survivors and young volunteers, a blind Ernest Weiner sat in his wheelchair with a puffy crown on his head as the crowd sang happy birthday and showered him with hugs and greetings.

The widowed and childless 92-year-old Weiner lives on his own, and the cheerful gathering offered him one of life’s most valuable commodities — company.

As home to the world’s largest survivor community, Israel is grappling to serve the needs of thousands of people like Weiner who are living out their final days alone. Various government bodies and private organizations chip in to offer material, psychological and medical support to the survivors, still scarred by the horrors they experienced 70 years ago. But all agree that the greatest burden late in their lives is loneliness.

“It’s not pleasant to be alone,” Weiner said in his apartment south of Tel Aviv.

“It gives a good feeling” to have people visit.

Some 160,000 elderly survivors remain in Israel, with a similar number worldwide. In Israel, about half receive special government stipends, but a third still live under the poverty line, well above the national 20 percent poverty rate.

That’s where the nonprofit sector gets involved. The Association for Immediate Help for Holocaust Survivors was established nine years ago for the purpose of aiding survivors anywhere in Israel, at a moment’s notice. Run solely on donations, it has some 8,000 volunteers across the country.

They help survivors with everything from legal assistance to paying their bills, buying their groceries and driving them to appointments. Several times a year, they throw parties that become a highlight on survivors’ calendars.

The care continues even after death. The association’s modest office houses a number of orphaned dogs and cats left behind by their owners.

“Morally, not just as Jews but as people of the world, we must help them finish their life in dignity without them having to beg for warm food,” said Tamara More, the association’s voluntary CEO. Six million Jews were killed

by German Nazis and their collaborators during the Holocaust, wiping out a third of world Jewry. Israel’s main Holocaust memorial day is in the spring — marking the anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising — while the United Nations designated Jan. 27 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day, commemorating the date of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp in 1945.

As the senior adviser to former Finance Minister Yair Lapid, Naama Schultz spearheaded the ministry’s efforts to boost previously paltry funding to those who survived camps and ghettos. Besides a monthly stipend, the state also provides expanded health care, free medication and discounts on various living expenses.

But Schultz said money couldn’t address their emotional needs. Many survivors kept their pasts to themselves for decades, often alienating even the people closest to them because of their trauma. Only in their final years are many finally ready to open up, and often then there is no one around.

“There is always more you can give them, but what they really want most is someone to just be with them,” she said.

Plenty of organizations try to answer that need by matching soldiers and students with survivors. One highly publicized initiative offered university students rent-free accommodations in return for living with lonely survivors and keeping them company.

Noga Rotman, a 32-year-old computer science student, said she decided to get involved sev-

eral years ago when her grandfather, a Holocaust survivor, became ill.

“I couldn’t help but think about those who didn’t have that,” she said, amid the balloons and flowers at Weiner’s party, which was attended by dozens who were inspired to come by a Facebook post.

“Anytime we have something like this, you just see how much it means to them.”

Weiner said he especially appreciated the company of youngsters. As for fellow survivors, he had mixed feelings.

“On the one hand, it feels good to have all these people.

On the other hand, it reminds

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you of such tough times,” he said. “Happy it can’t be, because it was not happy times, but it is nice to have someone listen.”

When the Nazis invaded his native Austria, Weiner and his sister fled to Holland while their parents stayed behind and died of illness. The rest of the family perished.

After the Nazis occupied Holland, they were placed in the Westerbork transit camp, from where his sister was sent to her death in Auschwitz.

Thanks to his work as an electrician, Weiner got to know the camp well and estimates he escaped deportation

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Israeli Holocaust survivor Ernest Weiner sits during his birthday Wednesday in a restaurant in the central Israeli city of Ramat Hasharon. about 15 times, once after he was placed on a train for Auschwitz. But the harsh conditions took their toll. In the course of his work, he got so many electric shocks that it caused heart damage, and an accident blinded his right eye.

Diabetes later deprived him of

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Now that his wife is gone, Weiner has a caregiver who stays with him and another who visits daily. But the volunteers who arrive several times a week provide most of the conversation.

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017

THE SUMTER ITEM

Plea in murder case comes from the victim, a priest

BY KATE BRUMBACK AND JASON DEAREN The Associated Press ST. AUGUSTINE, Florida — The Rev. Rene Robert devoted his life to helping society's most troubled, working with drug addicts and criminals and even signing a "Declaration of Life" that called for his killer to be spared execution in the event of his murder.

More than two decades after filing that document, his wish will be tested.

Robert's body — shot multiple times — was found in the Georgia woods last year after a MURRAY multistate manhunt led to the arrest of Steven Murray, a repeat offender Robert had been trying to help for months. Police said Murray asked the 71-year-old priest for a ride in Jacksonville, Florida, then kidnapped him and drove him across the state line. Days later, Murray led officers to the priest's body, police said.

Prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty if Murray is convicted of murder, citing the slaying's aggravated nature. That decision was based on the facts alone, Augusta Judicial Circuit District Attorney Ashley Wright told The Associated Press.

"We don't look at whether the victim is a priest, a nun, a philanthropist, a drug dealer or something else," she said.

But Catholic officials from Georgia and Florida plan to protest today on the courthouse steps in Augusta, citing Robert's own words opposing capital punishment.

"I request that the person found guilty of homicide for my killing not be subject to or put in jeopardy of the death penalty under any circumstances, no matter how heinous their crime

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Father Heriberto Vergara looks at a photograph of his slain colleague, Father Rene Robert, in St. Augustine, Florida. Last summer, after a multistate manhunt that started in Florida and stretched to South Carolina, police arrested Steven Murray in connection with the 71-year-old Robert’s killing. or how much I may have suffered," states the document Robert signed in 1995, notarized and witnessed by an attorney, that he insisted be kept in his personnel file.

Prosecutors frequently don't have access to the wishes of a murder suspect's victim when making such decisions, let alone a statement so clearly opposed to capital punishment. Even so, it's one of many factors, and the choice ultimately is the prosecutor's, said Georgia State University law professor Lauren Sudeall Lucas, who lectures on capital punishment.

"There's not a lot of legal precedent for this having any real impact," she said.

On a more subjective level, she said, a prosecutor could decide not to seek the death penalty because of Robert's statement. But ultimately the district

attorney represents the state, not the victim, she added.

Murray's attorney, Ryan Swingle, has been a public defender for 15 years, working exclusively on capital cases for the last four. He's inspired by people like Robert, he said.

"It is both my personal and professional hope that his sincere wishes based on his faith will be honored," Swingle said. He's not sure what weight Robert's declaration will be given by the state, court or jury but said "it should be considered thoughtfully by everyone involved."

Murray smiled and waved at TV cameras during his initial court appearance but has waffled between sorrow and defiance in public.

"I'm very sorry, and if anybody really loves Father Rene, they'll forgive me because he was a man of God and

forgiveness is forgiveness," he said after an early hearing in April. "I have mental problems, and I lost control of myself, and I apologize."

Murray struck a harsh tone after another hearing in September: "Tell the world I say f--- 'em," he told reporters.

Asked about his client's statements, Swingle said, "I think he's expressed sincere remorse and has done so publicly, and I think that speaks for itself."

Since his latest arrest, Murray has twice attempted to kill himself in jail.

He didn't respond to an interview request mailed to the Clayton County jail near Atlanta.

Murray grew up in South Carolina in an abusive family, said his sister Bobbie Jean Murray. A brother is in prison for murder, their father's been in and out of prison, and the abuse led Murray to drugs and crime at an early age. He met the priest through a girlfriend, Ashley Shreve; the couple did drugs together, and Robert often gave them money, against their families' wishes.

"They used him, no doubt," Bobbie Jean Murray said. "He gave Ashley a credit card. They used Father Rene to get what they wanted, and I do feel like he was an enabler."

Robert was so devoted to addicts that he'd lend them his car and walk home alone through high-crime neighborhoods, according to colleagues at San Sebastian Catholic Church in St. Augustine, Florida.

His compassion for the poor compelled him to scrape leftovers from dinner plates into baggies to feed people in the streets, the colleagues said.

"He spent almost all of his money on others and then begged for himself," said the Rev. John Gillespie, the first to report the fellow priest missing. "I teach to students: Do the things Rene did, but don't do them the way he did them."

Miss France crowned Miss Universe MANILA, Philippines (AP) — A 24-year-old dental student from France won the Miss Universe crown Monday in a pageant held in the Philippines, saying MITTENAERE her triumph will make the beauty contest more popular in Europe and help her efforts to put more underprivileged children in school.

Iris Mittenaere from Lille city in northern France buried her face in her hands in shock and joy as the outgoing winner from the Philippines, Pia Wurtzbach, crowned her and the crowd erupted in cheers at the packed Mall of Asia Arena by Manila Bay. Miss Haiti, Raquel Pelissier, a 25-year-old survivor of the devastating 2010 earthquake that destroyed her hometown, was named first runner-up, while Miss Colombia, 23-year-old industrial designer and photographer Andrea Tovar, was second runner-up.

As he closed the ceremony, the host, American comedian Steve Harvey, quipped, "I got it right," referring to his mistaken announcement of Miss Colombia as the winner in last year's pageant in Las Vegas.

He was roundly criticized for the embarrassing error.

"One thing I learned in life, when you make a mistake, you gotta keep on moving forward man, that's all,"

Harvey said.

In her farewell remarks as outgoing winner, a smiling Wurtzbach thanked Harvey for making her "the most popular Miss Universe." Harvey, laughing, thanked her for making him the "most famous" Miss Universe host.

Mittenaere's victory was the first by a French contestant in more than 60 years.

"I think France and Europe

really need a Miss Universe" after failing to win the crown for so long, she said at a postpageant news conference when she was asked how her countrymen would receive her victory.

The contest has not been as popular in France as in other countries, she said, but "French people will love it now, and every year they will be watching Miss Universe."

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THE SUMTER ITEM

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017

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A7

Churches across state take a stand against gun violence

BY TEDDY KULMALA The State Churches across the state on Sunday took aim at an issue that has South Carolina, again, on a list that no state wants to be part of: gun violence.

During Stand Up Sunday, houses of worship addressed gun violence and how to curb gun-related deaths while commemorating gun violence victims.

South Carolina is currently ranked No. 6 in gun violence, according to the Center for American Progress. The state ranks fifth in gun-related murders between 2005-14 and crime gun exports, or guns sold in South Carolina that are later used in crimes in other states.

At Reid Chapel AME Church, con-

gregants found these statistics and other information on South Carolina gun violence in their bulletins.

The Rev. Carey Grady told the congregation gun violence falls under the umbrella of justice, adding when people become active in local government and civic organizations, they see how certain issues overlap.

“There is no fairness, there is no justice, when the United States has the highest incarceration rate in the entire world,” he said. “There is no justice when women still make less than men and are just as or more qualified.

There is no justice when HIV and AIDS are assumed to be a plague on society and not given fair medical treatment. There is no justice when a

black person and a white person commit the same crime, and the black person is given a longer sentence.”

Too often, Grady said, Christians focus on charitable acts instead of justice.

“But finding out why someone is in the soup kitchen or why someone is homeless — that is what justice is all about,” he said.

The Rev. Kylon Middleton is pastor at Mount Zion AME Church in Charleston and chairs Arm in Arm, the nonprofit that started Stand Up Sunday last year. The organization and pastors involved support Second Amendment gun ownership, he said, as well as universal background checks.

“This does not restrict responsible

gun ownership,” he said. “There should be common ground and/or consensus among those who are gun owners and those who are advocates for regulations.”

Middleton said prayer can only do so much before people need to take action.

“If there was a disease that killed people in the proportion that are gunned down daily in our society, it would be an epidemic,” he said.

On the pulpit Sunday, Grady also questioned the need to own high-powered weapons.

“There is nothing wrong with owning a gun,” he said, “but we don’t need an AK-47 assault rifle to go deer hunting. Let the church say amen.”

Storms preview ocean-rise damage to California cities regional efforts to identify and prioritize communities and infrastructure at risk from rising sea level. As proud as Californians are of their climate-change efforts, “I always think, ‘Man, if we are ahead of the curve, I feel sorry for the rest of the country,’” Goldzband said.

A 2009 study by the Pacific Institute, a California-based environment think-tank, estimated $100 billion in property was at risk from ocean rise in California, two-thirds of it in the low-lying San Francisco Bay region. That’s far more than the state takes in from income taxes each year.

Experts say the real cost of raising, shielding or evacuating vulnerable spots, which include mass-transit systems, power plants and sewage plants, could be far higher.

“Astronomical. The San Francisco airport? What would it cost to replace that?”

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Ocean rise already is worsening the floods and high tides sweeping California this stormy winter, climate experts say, and this month’s damage and deaths highlight that even a state known as a global leader in fighting climate change has yet to tackle some of the hardest work of dealing with it.

The critical steps yet to come include starting to decide which low-lying cities, airports and highways, along with threatened landmarks like San Francisco’s Embarcadero, to hoist above the rising water and which to abandon — and where to start getting the many billions of dollars for those climate rescues.

“People always tell us we’re ahead of the curve” on climate change, said Larry Goldzband, head of a regional San Francisco Bay commission that late last year stepped up

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Flooding along Highway 37 near Vallejo, California, is seen on Jan. 14.

Ocean rise already is worsening the floods and high tides sweeping California this stormy winter, climate experts say. asked Gary Griggs, director of the Institute of Marine Sciences at the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Griggs is part of a scientific working group requested

by Gov. Jerry Brown to examine whether new evidence on melting and potential icesheet collapse in the Antarctic, whose ice holds almost 90 percent of the Earth’s fresh water, means sea-level rise may be even higher than the

3 feet projected for California by the end of the century.

The Pacific off California has risen just about 8 inches overall in the past century.

For the next three decades or so, the accelerating pace of

sea rise primarily will make worse the flooding and erosion from big storms like this month’s in California.

“Probably until mid-century, short-term events ... are going to be more damaging than sea-level rise itself,” Griggs said.

In January, a series of powerful storms brought more than a foot of rain to parts of San Francisco Bay, triggered record 34-foot waves off the state’s central coast, killed at least five people and prompted the evacuations of thousands across the state.

The dead included a cab driver who slid off a wet road and into a swollen estuary off Oakland’s airport, which along with San Francisco’s bayside airport is one of the big sites expected to be hit more and more often by flooding as the Pacific Ocean rises a foot during the next 30 years.

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N.G. Osteen 1843-1936 The Watchman and Southron

H.G. Osteen 1870-1955 Founder, The Item

THE SUMTER ITEM H.D. Osteen 1904-1987 The Item

Margaret W. Osteen 1908-1996 The Item Hubert D. Osteen Jr. Chairman & Editor-in-Chief Graham Osteen Co-President Kyle Osteen Co-President Jack Osteen Editor and Publisher Larry Miller CEO Rick Carpenter Managing Editor

36 W. Liberty St., Sumter, South Carolina 29150 • Founded October 15, 1894

COMMENTARY

Trump isn’t your father’s Republican

BY BERNARD GOLDBERG

W

hen I was growing up in the South Bronx, my father, a blue-collar guy who worked in a factory, liked to talk to me about politics.

The Democrats he said were for people like us; the Republicans were for rich people.

He stated it as a simple fact. Democrats were for the little guy. Republicans hung out at country clubs and bought stocks and bonds. In my neighborhood, I’m fairly certain everybody was a Democrat.

Really. Everybody.

Yes, there’s been some movement by the little guy to the GOP, on and off, since the days of Ronald Reagan. But this time around the little guy opted for a billionaire — a billionaire who is not your typical Republican, one who may very well transform the Republican Party into something that will give Democrats headaches for a long, long time.

A typical Republican, in his first week in office, wouldn’t have met for over an hour with private sector union leaders — a long-time reliable piece of the Democrat coalition. President Trump did. And the union bosses left the meeting singing his praise.

Take note Democrats.

And blue-collar guys in places like Ohio and Michigan and Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, who voted twice for Barack Obama, broke with the party of their parents and grandparents because they saw Hillary Clinton as one more liberal Democrat who not only didn’t understand them, but had the nerve to call them names like deplorable and irredeemable. So they voted for the Republican who made the little guy, for a change, feel like a big guy.

Take note Democrats.

My father wouldn’t recognize today’s Democratic Party. He lived through the Great Depression and two world wars and so would have a hard time believing that climate change is the greatest threat to the United States. He wouldn’t know what to make of liberal cupcakes on college campuses who need puppies and “safe spaces” to shield them from people and opinions that make them feel uncomfortable. He didn’t have a lot of formal education, but he knew what socialism was, and I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t have voted for Bernie Sanders. It’s also a safe bet that he’d never vote for a far-out lefty like Elizabeth Warren. And he wouldn’t know why in the world Democrats who had far more education than he ever had were comparing Donald Trump to Hitler and the Nazis.

And what would he think of that woman from Idaho, the executive director of her state’s Democratic Party, who wants to run the Democratic National Committee, the one who said, “My job is to shut other white people down when they want to interrupt.”

I’ll take a wild guess and say my father, and a lot of other little guys, wouldn’t want to belong to a party that has anything to do with a nutty liberal like that.

Ronald Reagan famously said that he didn’t leave the Democratic Party, the Democratic Party left him. Well, the last election showed that it also left a lot of little guys who live between the coasts.

That’s why Democratic leaders met in West Virginia recently trying to figure out how they lost the presidential election and what they can do to not lose it next time around. They’re trying to learn how to connect with people who live in places not called Manhattan, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles or San Francisco. Here’s a hint, Democrats: Try not looking down your nose at them.

In May 2016, then-candidate Trump spoke to the journalists at Bloomberg Businessweek about how he planned to re-make the Republican Party. “Five, 10 years from now—[it will be a] different party,” he said. “You’re going to have a worker’s party. A party of people that haven’t had a real wage increase in 18 years, that are angry.”

Maybe there’s more to Donald Trump than his critics — I among them — think. Maybe, in addition to being a braggart who is way too thin-skinned and vindictive, he’s also a visionary. Maybe he’s the one who can transform the Republican Party and make it a “safe space” for lots of Democrats who live in what the elites call “flyover country.”

If my father were still with us, he might have forsaken his Democratic roots and voted for the Republican billionaire who before he moved to the White House lived in a golden penthouse on Fifth Avenue — even though when my father and I had those political talks we lived in a tenement in the South Bronx.

Take note Democrats.

Emmy award-winning Bernard Goldberg has been a fixture of TV news reporting for CBS News and HBO. He’s also the author of the New York Times bestseller “Bias,” about the distortion of the news by the media.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CHILDREN SHOULD GET A QUALITY EDUCATION All this talk about mismanaged money, taking responsibility, and a “personal” agenda I have, but oddly not aware of.

I wanted to bring something up.

I am curious to hear how the irresponsibility in the district office has directly effected the children. I’ll share with you how it is affecting mine.

I have three kids that go to High Hills Elementary School.

All of them have experienced what happens when you don’t have any substitute teachers.

They have all had teachers that have been absent from school for one reason or another. But instead of a sub coming in, they have to pack their stuff up, the class is then split and sent to other teachers who already have full classrooms. So let’s break this down: Instructional time is disrupted, students are shuffled around while other classes are in session, children are put in a classroom where they are not familiar with the teacher or what he/she expects of them and the burden this places on the teacher. They have all had to do it.

Even my 1st grader. Tell me how this is a quality education. Tell me how this type of environment is conducive to learning. I asked one of the older kids what they did in the other teacher’s classroom. They said, “nothing, so I read and worked on my homework.”

What?!?!

He essentially had a study hall. No instructional time.

Wait, what?!?!

My twins have “switching teachers” this year, two each.

One had two new teachers just before winter break, and the other has had one of his replaced twice, as of Jan. 25.

I am sure it is not mutually exclusive to the schools my children go to.

The superintendent, finance and human resource departments all need to be gutted, and the search for replacements needs to begin.

Finance because they lost track of more than $6.2 million, Human Resources for over hiring by 60 employees, and the superintendent because he was at the helm when this all happened.

My agenda is this: to do my best to ensure our children have the best opportunity to receive a quality education in Sumter County.

BRIAN D. BEAN Sumter

‘GOOD OLD BOY SYSTEM’ IS HERE IN STATE SENATE Political gladhanding is alive and well in our South Carolina Senate. I am appalled that State Sen. Hugh Leatherman resigned his post as Senate pro tem, shirking his responsibility of being appointed lieutenant governor as stated in the S.C. Constitution. Then, the “Good Old Boy

System,” apparently alive and well in our Senate, takes the vote to reinstate this quitter to his previous job, Senate pro tem. He should be allowed to keep his seat that his constituents put him in; the good people of Florence County have depended on him for years. However, he does not deserve to be a controlling factor in our Senate now.

Congratulations to our former governor, Nikki Haley, for her position as the Ambassador to the United Nations. Congratulations also to our new governor, Henry McMaster; I am sure he will do a good job for those of us living in this beautiful state.

JIM AUSTIN Sumter

VETERANS OF FORGOTTEN WAR NO LONGER FORGOTTEN For many years it was known as The (Forgotten War). In October 1955 when my unit, the 319th Fighter Interceptor Squadron (FIS), returned to the USA after cessation of hostilities between North Korea and South Korea there was no fanfare, no dancing in the streets; the one greeting I got when I returned to Florence was from a youngster, after taking note of my winter blues, asked “are you a bus driver?” It was a reasonable question from a small child, to which I replied, “sometimes.” Of course my family was glad to see me.

Since Sept. 11, 2001, I am grateful for the resurgence of patriotism in our American public.

In 2013, I was invited to take an Honor Flight to our nation’s capital for a day of touring D.C. and visiting our military memorials. We were presented a very nice Korean War baseball cap and a distinctive red jacket so our guardians would be able to keep us old soldiers from getting lost. It was a wonderful experience, and I only got lost three times. The grandest part of entire entire day was when we arrived back at Columbia Regional Airport and were welcomed home from a terminal full of wonderful people shaking our hands thanking us for our service and a wonderful welcome home. I am thankful that my wife of 58 years was in the crowd, along with my wonderful daughter Deborah and her husband, Ronz Sarvis, and our youngest granddaughter Michelle Marriot.

While on a visit to Aurora, Colorado, in 2014, I visited the local Denny’s for breakfast; when I asked the waitress for my check, she told me I didn’t get one today. When I asked “why not?” she nodded toward the back of the diner and said a gentleman noticed you were a Korean War veteran and asked for your check and wishes to remain anonymous. I asked her to thank him for me. Then on this same trip I was resting in a seat at the Buckley Air Force Base BX when a major general walking

by noticed my cap and turned my way; I started to rise, and he insisted I keep my seat. He squatted and extended his hand, which I took, and thanked me for my service and asked for my address, which I gave him.

FRANKLIN PARKER Sumter Editor’s note: Because this letter exceeded the 350-word length as stated in our Editorial Page Policies which appears regularly on this page, it can be read in its entirety under Opinion on The Sumter Item’s website, www.theitem.com.

STUDENTS, TEACHERS PAY THE PRICE FOR PROBLEMS I don’t understand why the school district has so many problems with finances because this is not the first time. It’s the second time.

It seems like every time whoever is in charge and something goes wrong or money missing or not enough money for the schools, the students and teachers pay the price.

Citizens pay taxes for schools, and parents send their children to school for a good education, but the kids can’t get it when teachers are cut and a teacher has 30 students instead of 15.

Students work hard for their education, for academic scholarships and sports scholarships because some parents can’t afford to send their kids to college.

I don’t believe that everyone at the district just found out about the budget. “Somebody” had to know what was going on. Where is the “integrity”?

Now jobs will be cut 47, freeze on budget items to balance your budget. The teachers, coaches and students are the ones to pay for somebody’s mistake, and you have the nerve to tell the coaches if they want to quit coaching, they can because they would not get paid a supplement for remainder of the year. They coach because they like it; that should be obvious to you, but I guess not.

Now student educations are jeopardized because you want to innovate change. Make it harder on teachers with more students in a classroom and coaches is ridiculous.

Explain how a student is to have optimism when their future might be in jeopardy. I think whoever is in charge needs an “overseer.”

I don’t know what happened or why there is not enough money.

I do know the teachers, students and coaches should be the first “priority,” not big salaries and bonuses. “The kids come first” and right now it’s obvious they aren’t.

Schools are for students education; wake up. Make a change. This should not have happened.

SHIRLEY TURNER Sumter

HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY? Send your letter to letters@theitem.com, drop it off at The Sumter Item office, 36 W. Liberty St., or mail it to The Sumter Item, P.O. Box 1677, Sumter, SC 29151, along with the writer’s full name, address and telephone number (for verification purposes only). Letters that exceed 350 words will be cut accordingly in the print edition, but available in their entirety at www.theitem.com/opinion/letters_to_editor.

LOCAL | WORLD

THE SUMTER ITEM

GUIDELINES FROM PAGE A1 from Hill Studio, a consulting firm from Roanoke, Virginia. The meeting was intended to introduce the process of revising the guidelines and to get input from the public concerning the revisions. The guidelines apply in the city’s two historic districts, downtown and Hampton Park.

Sumter Planning Director George McGregor told attendees the meeting was just the first of several that will eventually lead to Sumter City Council adopting new guidelines.

“This is the beginning of the project,” he said. “We want to give you a sense of what we are after.”

He said the City of Sumter was hoping to make the guidelines more user friendly, particularly for property owners.

“Our main goal is to learn and help you all figure out what is important to you,” said Allison Blanton, an architectural historian for Hill Studio.

She said that a historic district is the “sum of all its parts.”

“If you are missing houses on a block, it begins to erode the historic value,” she said.

Historic districts have several benefits, she said.

“It gives a ‘sense of place’ everybody values these days,” she said. “It has economic benefits because it ties into heritage tourism.”

She said another benefit is keeping old building materials from ending up in landfills.

Katie Coffield, a historic preservation

FROM PAGE A1 years to come,” he said.

SUM attempts to use the donations of Fireside Fund in the most beneficial and costefficient manner to assist clients with heating needs, Howell said.

“Your donations make this possible,” he said. “Thank you for giving!”

This winter’s Fireside Fund is dedicated to the memory of Sumter philanthropist Phil Edwards, who died in 2016.

Edwards’ generosity can be seen across Sumter and the South Carolina Midlands.

From Sumter County Museum to the expansion of Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, the Williams-BriceEdwards Charitable Trust, set up by Edwards and his wife, Flora, continues to enhance our community.

The recipient of this year’s Fireside Fund contributions is Sumter United Ministries.

Fireside Fund was established in 1969 to help needy families and individuals pay heating bills, buy firewood or heating fuels and stay warm during the winter months.

Since its founding, Fireside Fund has brought in more than $1.5 million in donations from generous readers.

Anyone in need of assistance with heating costs may call Sumter United Ministries at (803) 775-0757.

Donations can be mailed to The Sumter Item, P.O. Box 1677, Sumter, SC 29151 or

dropped off at the office, 36 W. Liberty St. Names, including groups, should be spelled completely.

When making a donation in someone’s honor, the names will be printed as given.

From Jan. 23-26, the Crisis Relief Ministry financially assisted 19 families with utilities

Hampton Street, said the guidelines can be arbitrary, such as a rule saying iron fences can’t be more than 3 feet tall.

“I went through the whole neighborhood, and I didn’t find one iron fence that was 3 feet tall,” he said.

Cleo Klopfleisch said she would like to see more done about vacant and poorly maintained houses and wondered why grants aren’t available to homeowners in the historic district.

McGregor said the city code enforcement department is working with owners of vacant and rundown buildings but said there are no grants available for homeowners.

He said there are tax credits for homes that are “income producing,” such as bed and breakfasts and rental property.

Former City Councilwoman Colleen Yates said the historic guidelines did not prevent a non-compatible project from going in downtown, the Sumter Economic Development Board headquarters.

“That was approved by the Design Review Committee because the guidelines allowed a very modern building to be built in the middle of downtown,” she said. “I was on the design board for eight years, and I never knew it would allow a modern building downtown.”

McGregor said updating the design guidelines is a process first involving the consulting firm making a draft and then taking it to the Design Review Committee, which may edit or rewrite it before it eventually goes before the city council for final consideration.

For more information, call Senior Planner Helen Roodman at (803) 7741636.

and heating, for a total of $3,026.65.

Donations for the week ending on Jan. 30: In memory of Rosa W. Schwartz by Ramon Schwartz Jr., $500; Robert and Jane Gibbs, $250; Westside Neighborhood Association, Birnie HOPE Center, $150; in memory

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ATTACK FROM PAGE A1 Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard both characterized the attack as a terrorist act, which came amid heightened tensions worldwide regarding Trump’s travel ban on seven Muslim countries.

Trudeau said in Parliament the victims were targeted simply because of their religion and spoke directly to the more than 1 million Muslims who live in Canada, saying, “We are with you.”

“Thirty-six million hearts are breaking with yours,” Trudeau said. “Know that we value you.”

The suspect was arrested in his car on a bridge near d’Orleans, where he called 911 to say he wanted to cooperate with police. Authorities, who initially named two suspects, said the other man taken into custody was a witness to the attack and was released earlier Monday.

They said they did not think there were other suspects but were investigating.

Police did not give a motive for the attack.

Trump called Trudeau to express condolences to the Canadian people and to offer any assistance that might be needed.

of the Eastern Star, $50; in memory of Valerie Blunt by Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, $25.

Total combined anonymous: $0 Total this week: $1,375 Total this year: $45,276.18 Total last year: $52,959.60 Total since 1969: $1,537,264.24

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of Thomas L. (Luke) Rogers by members of Road’s End Rogues, $150; Men’s Fellowship Class at Alice Drive Baptist Church, $100; Dora Brogdon Class, $50; in memory of Kathryn C. Brown by Bland Garden Club, $50; in honor of Bob and Suzanne Gibson, $50; and Beuclare Chapter No. 20 Order

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planner for Hill Studio, said municipalities try to preserve historic qualities of neighborhoods using overlay districts and zoning regulations. She said historic preservation guidelines are a tool used by design review boards or committees.

Courts have made it clear that asking property owners to follow additional zoning requirements such as in historic districts requires rules that are “fair and not arbitrary,” Blanton added.

“The guidelines provide fair and consistent decision making by design review boards,” Coffield said.

Blanton said consistency helps maintain property values.

“The investment you make is protected because people down the street can’t do whatever they want,” she said.

Current guidelines in Sumter have not been changed since 1996, Blanton said.

“Technology has changed a whole lot since then,” she said, adding that with today’s technology, guidelines might contain “pull-out” sections and added illustrations to make them easier to use.

Homeowner Tripp Jensen said the current guidelines are difficult to read and understand.

He said he would like to see the guidelines take a more positive approach.

“There are pages of ‘can’t do this, can’t do that,” he said.

“Our houses are our largest investment,” Jensen said. “We want to do the right things.”

He said that while there are government incentives for historic preservation in commercial areas, there are none for homeowners.

Phil Tuggle, who owns a home on

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017

AROUND TOWN Light refreshments will be Area residents are invited to served. Call Bill Remmes at participate in a three-day pubShot Pouch Greenway workshops (803) 495-8225. lic workshop and discussion begin about the Shottoday Pouch GreenThe Sumter Benedict Alumni way, a 3.5-mile trail stretchClub will meet at 6 p.m. on ing from Dillon Park to Monday, Feb. 6, at the North Swan Lake. The public HOPE Center. Call Shirley M. events are scheduled to be Blassingame at (803) 506held at the Swan Lake Visi4019 for details. tors Center as follows: 6 The Sumter SPCA Valentine p.m. today, Public Visioning Dance will be held from 7 to Presentation; 9-10 a.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 1, Property 11 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11, at the Elaine D. Korn MemoOwner Drop-In; and 6 p.m. rial Center, 1100 S. Guignard Thursday, Feb. 2, Final PubDrive. Music will be providlic Workshop Presentation. ed by Terence Lonon & the For more information about Untouchables. Cost is $25 the Shot Pouch Greenway, per person (must be 21 contact Adams-Raczkowski years or older) and all proat the Planning Departceeds benefit the Sumter ment, 12 W. Liberty St., SPCA. Call (803) 773-9292.

(803) 774-1639, or email jadAdults, did you attend Catholic ams-raczkowski@sumterschool in Sumter? All former sc.com.

St. Joseph, St. Jude, St. The Sumter Branch NAACP will Anne, Sumter Catholic and hold a community meeting at St. Francis Xavier students 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 2, are invited to an adult meet at Trinity Missionary Bapand greet from 2 to 5 p.m. tist Church, 155 Wall St. Dr. Sunday, Feb. 12, in the Iris J. Frank will speak.

Room at Central Carolina The Campbell Soup friends Health Sciences Center, 133 lunch group will meet at S. Main St., Sumter. Re11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. freshments will be served.

4, at Golden Corral. All forPlease RSVP to catholicmer Campbell Soup emschoolsofsumter@gmail. ployees are invited to share com or the St. Anne and St. their memories as we celeJude Catholic School office brate our 25th anniversary. at (803) 775-3632.

The Goodwill Cultural Center The Sumter Branch NAACP’s will host internationally known annual black program will be musician and performer Ezra held at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Brown at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 26, at Trinity MissionFeb. 4, at 221 N. Brick ary Baptist Church, 155 Wall Church Road, Mayesville.

St. The Rev. Napoleon A. Donations appreciated.

Bradford will speak.

DAILY PLANNER

WEATHER

seeking volunteers to help Palmetto Health Tuomey Hosmake wishes come true for pice is in need of volunteers. A children across the state. hospice volunteer applicaBilingual volunteers are estion can be found online at pecially needed. Interest www.palmettohealth.org/ webinars are offered at 6:30 giving/volunteer-programs/ p.m. on the second homecare-and-hospice vol- opportunities Numerous volunteer Wednesday of each month. unteers .

Hospice volunavailable Preregistration is required. teers are an integral part of Contact Brennan Brown at the Palmetto Health Tuombbrown@sc.wish.org or ey Hospice team. Volun(864) 250-0702 extension teers are needed for both 112 to register or begin the direct patient care and adapplication process. ministrative duties. If you can provide support, reHospice Care of Sumter LLC is spite, companionship, in need of volunteers in Sumfriendship, acts of kindter and surrounding counness, file, answer the ties. Opportunities availphone, do data entry, or able for you to use your mailings to families, please time and talents to be of consider caring for one paassistance include reading, tient by giving your time, musical talents, compantalents, or gifts of kindness. ionship, light housekeeping, Call the Rev. B.J. Drayton at etc. Call (803) 883-5606 or (803) 773-4663. hospicecareofsumter@ yahoo.com.

Make-A-Wish South Carolina is

PUBLIC AGENDA MID-CAROLINA COMMISSION FOR HIGHER EDUCATION Today, USC Sumter, 200 Miller Road, Bultman Conference Room, Room 201

TOWN OF LYNCHBURG PLANNING COMMISSION Wednesday, 4 p.m., town hall

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Do the best EUGENIA LAST you can and learn from the challenges you face and the experiences you encounter. A strict deadline combined with dedication and a desire to bring about positive change will result in rewarding opportunities.

back away. Aim for greater stability.

The last word in astrology

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Put a little passion into the work you do.

Whether it’s a paying job or just taking care of your responsibilities, treat it like an audition. Anything worth doing is worth doing well.

Your conscientious attitude will result in greater opportunities.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Don’t let stubbornness cause you to miss out on something you really want to do. Tolerance, patience and compromise will help you bypass a situation that is standing in your way. Think for yourself and you will find workable solutions.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): You’ll do well at networking functions.

Sharing your ideas and concerns will draw in people who feel the same way. Romance is on the rise and will encourage you to make a lifestyle change that is conducive to the goals you set.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Observation will be your saving grace. Being able to decipher what people are considering will give you the advantage you need to outmaneuver others and finish what you start. Don’t waste time on idle chatter.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Rely on the past or dig up the facts before you engage in something being hyped by the media. If you want to try something new or make a personal change, do so on your own and for the right reason.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Show compassion toward your peers. You can avoid someone tampering with your reputation if you are thoughtful and sincere when offering suggestions or help. A little effort put into the way you look will be met with compliments.

Romance is encouraged.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Impulsiveness and overdoing it will be your downfall. Rethink how you want to move forward. Don’t stick to a rigid set of rules when thinking outside the box will make you stand out and help you advance.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Visit someone who can offer you wisdom, experience and new possibilities. Emotional limitations will surface if you let anyone put demands on you. Take care of your chores and responsibilities quickly and move on to what you want to pursue.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): An unexpected change concerning financial, contractual or legal status can be expected. Don’t feel the need to respond too quickly. Take your time and make the right choices. If someone pressures you,

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Impulsiveness will lead to costly mistakes. Make a move to work out any kinks before you jump into something prematurely. A disciplined approach will give you the stability you need to see matters through to the end successfully.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Focus on the positive aspects of life. Offer help and encouragement to those in need. Looking past any criticism or discord and pointing out what’s favorable will put you in a position that allows you to call the shots.

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2017

AccuWeather® five-day forecast for Sumter TODAY

TONIGHT

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

Sunny, breezy and warmer

Partly cloudy

Partly sunny and nice

Partly sunny

68°

45°

72° / 47°

66° / 44°

61° / 38°

54° / 35°

Chance of rain: 5%

Chance of rain: 5%

Chance of rain: 5%

Chance of rain: 10%

Chance of rain: 55%

Chance of rain: 10%

SW 10-20 mph

WSW 6-12 mph

SW 7-14 mph

SSE 3-6 mph

NE 6-12 mph

NE 6-12 mph

TODAY’S SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER

Greenville 66/43

Columbia 69/45

Sumter 68/45

Charleston 71/47

Today: Warmer with plenty of sunshine.

High 64 to 71.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny; pleasant. High 67 to 74.

LAKE LEVELS Full pool 360 76.8 75.5 100

Lake Murray Marion Moultrie Wateree

SUN AND MOON 7 a.m. yest.

356.85 75.34 75.02 98.23

24-hr chg +0.02 +0.18 -0.10 -0.17

RIVER STAGES

Precipitation 24 hrs ending 4 p.m. yest.

Month to date Normal month to date Year to date Last year to date Normal year to date

trace 4.54" 3.81" 4.54" 2.30" 3.81"

River Black River Congaree River Lynches River Saluda River Up. Santee River Wateree River

NATIONAL CITIES

REGIONAL CITIES

Today City Hi/Lo/W Atlanta 67/48/s Chicago 39/27/sf Dallas 77/48/s Detroit 37/28/sn Houston 76/56/s Los Angeles 76/50/s New Orleans 75/54/s New York 35/34/sn Orlando 71/47/s Philadelphia 41/34/c Phoenix 73/47/s San Francisco 62/48/pc Wash., DC 52/37/pc

City Asheville Athens Augusta Beaufort Cape Hatteras Charleston Charlotte Clemson Columbia Darlington Elizabeth City Elizabethtown Fayetteville

Wed. Hi/Lo/W 68/49/pc 34/14/pc 70/46/s 36/19/sf 77/59/pc 70/50/s 74/54/pc 45/31/pc 76/49/s 47/31/pc 73/47/s 59/53/c 51/34/pc

Myrtle Beach 66/49

Aiken 71/41

ON THE COAST

53° 33° 56° 33° 79° in 2002 10° in 1966

Florence 68/45

Manning 69/47

Today: Sunny, pleasant and warmer. Winds southwest 8-16 mph.

Wednesday: Partly sunny and pleasant.

Winds southwest 6-12 mph.

Temperature High Low Normal high Normal low Record high Record low

SATURDAY

Cooler with rain and Times of clouds and drizzle sun

Bishopville 68/44

IN THE MOUNTAINS

LOCAL ALMANAC

FRIDAY

Gaffney 65/41 Spartanburg 65/41

Temperatures shown on map are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

SUMTER THROUGH 4 P.M. YESTERDAY

FYI

THE SUMTER ITEM

Today Hi/Lo/W 61/37/s 69/44/s 73/43/s 71/49/s 61/49/s 71/47/s 65/43/s 66/45/s 69/45/s 67/42/s 61/42/s 67/46/s 66/45/s

Flood 7 a.m. 24-hr stage yest. chg 12 9.76 -0.21 19 3.40 -0.50 14 8.95 +0.38 14 2.47 +0.01 80 78.07 -1.01 24 4.50 -3.52

Wed. Hi/Lo/W 63/37/pc 70/48/pc 75/46/s 73/50/s 60/46/pc 74/50/s 68/46/pc 68/48/pc 73/48/pc 67/44/pc 59/41/pc 69/45/pc 70/43/pc

City Florence Gainesville Gastonia Goldsboro Goose Creek Greensboro Greenville Hickory Hilton Head Jacksonville, FL La Grange Macon Marietta

Today Hi/Lo/W 68/45/s 74/46/s 65/41/s 65/44/s 71/47/s 61/39/s 66/43/s 64/39/s 72/49/s 73/46/s 71/43/s 70/44/s 66/45/s

Sunrise 7:20 a.m.

Moonrise 9:36 a.m.

Sunset Moonset

5:52 p.m.

9:47 p.m.

First

Full

Last

New

Feb. 3

Feb. 10

Feb. 18

Feb. 26

TIDES AT MYRTLE BEACH

Today Wed.

Wed. Hi/Lo/W 72/45/pc 78/44/s 66/43/pc 67/42/pc 73/49/s 61/39/pc 68/44/pc 64/40/pc 73/49/s 75/45/s 70/47/pc 72/47/pc 68/46/pc

High 11:13 a.m.

11:27 p.m.

11:57 a.m.

---

Ht. 3.1 2.9 3.0 ---

City Marion Mt. Pleasant Myrtle Beach Orangeburg Port Royal Raleigh Rock Hill Rockingham Savannah Spartanburg Summerville Wilmington Winston-Salem

Low 5:38 a.m.

6:12 p.m.

6:27 a.m.

6:58 p.m.

Today Hi/Lo/W 65/37/s 71/48/s 66/49/s 70/47/s 70/50/s 64/41/s 64/41/s 65/41/s 73/48/s 65/41/s 71/48/s 66/44/s 62/40/s

Ht. -0.4 -0.5 -0.3 -0.4

Wed. Hi/Lo/W 63/38/pc 74/49/s 68/50/s 70/48/s 71/51/s 65/41/pc 66/41/pc 66/40/pc 75/51/s 64/43/pc 73/49/s 69/46/s 61/38/pc

Look no further than your local newspaper for

The right advertising opportunity!

Call (803) 774-1200 and get started today.

PICTURES FROM THE PUBLIC

Jeff Byer comments on his photo submission, “I noticed two turtles sitting on a cypress tree at Swan Lake.

I couldn’t resist taking the photo because of the reflections.”

HAVE YOU TAKEN PICTURES OF INTERESTING, EXCITING, BEAUTIFUL OR HISTORICAL PLACES? Would you like to share those images with your fellow Sumter Item readers? E-mail your hi-resolution jpegs to sandra@theitem.com, or mail to Sandra Holbert c/o The Sumter Item, P.O. Box 1677, Sumter, SC 29150. Include clearly printed or typed name of photographer and photo details. Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for return of your photo. Amateur photographers only please.

Photos of poor reproduction quality may not publish. With the exception of pictures that are of a timely nature, submitted photos will publish in the order in which they are received.

SECTION

B

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017 Call: (803) 774-1241 | E-mail: sports@theitem.com

USC WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

PREP FOOTBALL

Winning streak ends

Lakewood’s Johnson to grayshirt with USC

Tennessee’s 76-74 victory over No. 4 Gamecocks snaps 29-game SEC run

11 other local football players to sign Wednesday

BY PETE IACOBELLI AP Sports Writer Jamie Nared had a career high 27 points including two tie-breaking free throws with 5.9 seconds left to help Tennessee end No. 4 South Carolina’s 29-game home win streak in the Southeastern Conference with a 76-74 victory Monday night.

Nared was fouled after the Gamecocks (18-2, 8-1 SEC) rallied from 11 points down in the final six minutes to tie the game at 74 on Bianca Cuevas-Moore’s 3-pointer with 14.7 seconds left.

Tyasha Harris was called for guarding Nared too closely and the junior, who knocked down the winning shot two weeks ago in Tennessee’s 71-69 victory over No. 6 Notre Dame, calmly made these shots.

Cuevas-Moore’s three in the final seconds bounced away the Lady Vols (14-7, 5-3) were celebrating their third top-10 victory this season, adding South Carolina to No. 10 Stanford in December and the Irish earlier this month.

In this one, Tennessee shut down South Carolina’s twin-post powers in A’ja Wilson and Alaina Coates, who came in averaging more than 30 points and 18 rebounds combined. But the two were held in check because of early fouls that kept them on the bench

BY DENNIS BRUNSON dennis@theitem.com

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Tennessee forward Jaime Nared (31) grabs a rebound against South Carolina forward A’ja Wilson (22) during the Lady Vols’ 76-74 victory over USC on Monday in Columbia. The loss snapped the Gamecocks’ 29-game home Southeastern Conference winning streak. most of the first two quarters and a technical foul on Wilson in the third period that sent her back to sidelines.

Tennessee’s 6-foot-6 Mercedes Russell, with room to move, controlled the middle with 16 points and 10 rebounds for her 12th doubledouble this season.

Diamond DeShields had 21 points for Tennessee.

It was the Lady Vols first win over a top-five team since topping No. 4 South Carolina in 2014 and their first road win over a top-five team since winning at No. 5 UConn on Jan. 6, 2007. South Carolina had not lost an SEC game at home in nearly

four years For South Carolina, it was the first loss at home since Texas A&M’s 50-48 victory nearly four years ago on Feb. 10, 2013. The defeat also opened up what looked like a closed race for the SEC crown.

SEE USC, PAGE B2

PRO TENNIS

Federer savors unexpected title over long-time rival Nadal MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Roger Federer always believed he had more Grand Slam titles left in him.

He just didn’t think it would happen like this, playing in his first tournament following a six-month injury layoff. Or against his biggest rival in the game, Rafael Nadal.

“I said that also before the finals: if I were to win against Rafa, it would be super special and very sweet because I haven’t beaten him in a Grand Slam final for a long, long time now,” Federer said after beating Nadal in the Australian Open final 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3.

A decade, to be exact. Federer’s last win over the Spaniard in a major final came at Wimbledon in 2007. Nadal had beaten him in four consecutive slam finals since then.

Both Federer and Nadal also didn’t expect to be in this position at the Australian Open, coming off long layoffs last season to recover from injuries.

SEE OPEN, PAGE B4

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Roger Federer kisses his trophy after defeating Rafael Nadal during the men’s singles final of the Australian Open in Melbourne, Australia, on Sunday.

Lakewood High School defensive end Tyreek Johnson, a commitment to the University of South Carolina football program for almost a year, will not sign with USC on National Signing Day on Wednesday.

However, he will eventually become a Gamecock.

JOHNSON Johnson will be grayshirted, meaning he won’t enroll at USC until January of 2018, because it was discovered he had an injured labrum in his shoulder and will be undergoing surgery.

Instead of being part of the ’17 recruiting class, Johnson will now be a part of the ’18 recruiting class.

“He’s still going to USC on scholarship,” said Lakewood athletic director Frankie Ward.

“Grayshirts are normally due to academic reasons, but Tyreek’s good academically.

This is because of the injury.”

Johnson, who committed to Carolina in April of ’16, suffered the injury late in the Gators’ season and didn’t tell anyone about it, according to Ward. Johnson played the Shrine Bowl with the injury.

The injury wasn’t discovered until the USC medical staff examined him recently.

He will have surgery performed on the shoulder in the near future.

Johnson had 91 tackles for Lakewood, 43 of them solo and 23 for a loss. He had six sacks and blocked six kicks.

Even with Johnson not signing on Wednesday, there will be plenty of pens going to paper with at least 11 local players signing.

Six of those players will be from Sumter High School, with two signing with Football Bowl Subdivision schools and another with a Football Championship Subdivision School.

Pressley Harvin, considered to be the top punter in the country, will sign with Georgia Tech of the Atlantic Coast Conference. Defensive end Raymond Johnson will sign with Georgia Southern, a member of the Sun Belt Conference.

The FCS signee is offensive lineman Khalil Moore, who will sign with South Carolina State of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. He is the second SHS offensive lineman to sign with a state FCS school.

Daviyon McDaniel is an early enrollee at Charleston Southern of the Big South.

SEE JOHNSON, PAGE B3

PRO FOOTBALL

In enemy territory, nary a bad word about Falcons QB Ryan BOSTON (AP) — The enemies list is long in New England, and it grows with each tweet that dares to doubt Tom Brady’s supremacy or call coach Bill Belichick a cheater.

But there’s one opponent who has escaped the fury of the Foxborough fans, and even has a considerable amount of goodwill in the heart of New England. In fact, it’s hard to find any kind of animosity toward Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, who built his reputation — personally and professionally — at Boston College.

“It’s hard to think of anything bad to say about Matt,” said former BC sports information director Chris

Cameron, who was in the athletic department when Ryan led the Eagles to a No. 2 ranking in The Associated Press poll in the middle of the 2007 season.

“I think there are many people at Boston College who are die-hard Patriots fans who are somewhat torn. But I can’t think of anyone who will wish any ill will on Matt Ryan.”

Peyton Manning is persona non grata in New England because he had the nerve to win a couple of Super Bowls. His original team, the Indianapolis Colts, earned the Patriots’ ire for questioning whether the team’s footballs were properly inflated in a

2015 playoff game.

The Baltimore Ravens and New York Jets were also sucked into the two-year “Deflategate” scandal, drawing the wrath of the local fans. And don’t get the Foxborough Bros started on commissioner Roger Goodell, or on ESPN. But Ryan is the rare New England opponent who doesn’t inspire hatred in the area, even as he prepares to face the Patriots in the Super Bowl on Sunday.

At Boston College, a guard shack displays a poster of “Matty Ice,” the nickname Ryan picked up from his Eagles teammates for his ability to re-

main cool under pressure. In the athletic building, a case is filled with lifesized action shots of Ryan and some of the trophies he won : Johnny Unitas Award, Manning Award, Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year.

Around campus in the run-up to the Super Bowl, they’re telling stories about the humble but talented quarterback who was also a conscientious student and friend.

“He remembers people’s names.

He’s polite to them. There’s really no ego there that I’ve detected, but there’s confidence,” Cameron said.

SEE RYAN, PAGE XX

B2

|

SPORTS

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017

SCOREBOARD

Denver Portland Minnesota

TV SPORTS

PACIFIC DIVISION

TODAY 11 a.m. — Professional Golf: Asian Tour Mynamar Open Third Round from Yangon, Mynamar (GOLF).

2:55 p.m. — International Soccer: English Premier League Match — Chelsea vs.

Liverpool (NBC SPORTS NETWORK).

4 p.m. — College Football: ESPNU Signing Day Preview Special (ESPNU).

5:45 p.m. — Girls and Boys High School Basketball: Chester at Camden (WPUB-FM 102.7).

6 p.m. — College Basketball: Ohio at Western Michigan (TIME WARNER 1250).

6:05 p.m. — Talk Show: Sports Talk (WDXYFM 105.9, WDXY-AM 1240).

7 p.m. — College Basketball: George Washington at Rhode Island (CBS SPORTS NETWORK).

7 p.m. — College Basketball: Maryland at Ohio State (ESPN).

7 p.m. — College Basketball: Pittsburgh at North Carolina (ESPN2).

7 p.m. — College Basketball: Wake Forest at Boston (ESPNU).

7 p.m. — College Basketball: Creighton at Butler (FOX SPORTS 1).

7 p.m. — NHL Hockey: Philadelphia at Carolina (FOX SPORTSOUTH).

7 p.m. — College Basketball: Mississippi State at Mississippi (SEC NETWORK).

7:55 p.m. — International Soccer: Mexican League Match — Toluca vs. Veracruz (UNIVISION).

8 p.m. — College Basketball: Temple at Tulane (ESPNEWS).

8 p.m. — College Basketball: Davidson at St. Joseph’s (TIME WARNER 1250).

8:30 p.m. — NBA Basketball: Oklahoma City at San Antonio (NBA TV).

9 p.m. — College Basketball: Dayton at Fordham (CBS SPORTS NETWORK).

9 p.m. — College Basketball: Georgia at Kentucky (ESPN).

9 p.m. — College Basketball: West Virginia at Iowa State (ESPN2).

9 p.m. — College Basketball: Vanderbilt at Texas A&M (ESPNU).

9 p.m. — College Basketball: Georgetown at DePaul (FOX SPORTS 1).

9 p.m. — College Basketball: Tennessee at Auburn (SEC NETWORK).

9:55 p.m. — International Soccer: Mexican League Match — Queretaro vs. Alebrijes (UNIVISION).

10 p.m. — NBA Basketball: Charlotte at Portland (FOX SPORTS SOUTHEAST).

11 p.m. — College Basketball: Wyoming at San Diego State (CBS SPORTS NETWORK).

TODAY VARSITY BASKETBALL Crestwood at Hartsville, 6 p.m.

Lake View at East Clarendon, 6 p.m.

VARSITY AND JV BASKETBALL

B TEAM BASKETBALL Laurence Manning at The King’s Academy (Boys Only), 5 p.m.

VARSITY AND JV BASKETBALL Trinity-Byrnes at Wilson Hall, 4 p.m.

B TEAM BASKETBALL Thomas Sumter at Orangeburg Prep, 5 p.m.

NBA STANDINGS

By The Associated Press ATLANTIC DIVISION W 29 29 21 17 9

L 18 19 28 29 38

Pct .617 .604 .429 .370 .191

GB — ½ 9 11½ 20

W 28 27 23 19 18

L 20 20 25 30 30

Pct .583 .574 .479 .388 .375

GB — ½ 5 9½ 10

W 32 25 24 21 21

L 14 22 25 26 26

Pct .696 .532 .490 .447 .447

GB — 7½ 9½ 11½ 11½

SOUTHEAST DIVISION

CENTRAL DIVISION

L 7 18 28 32 34

Pct .854 .625 .404 .319 .320

GB — 11 21½ 25½ 26

SUNDAY’S GAMES

MONDAY’S GAMES Sacramento at Philadelphia, 6 p.m.

Brooklyn at Miami, 7:30 p.m.

Detroit at Boston, 8 p.m.

Orlando at Minnesota, 8 p.m.

Cleveland at Dallas, 8:30 p.m.

Memphis at Phoenix, 10:30 p.m.

TUESDAY’S GAMES New Orleans at Toronto, 7 p.m.

New York at Washington, 7 p.m.

Sacramento at Houston, 8 p.m.

Oklahoma City at San Antonio, 8:30 p.m.

Charlotte at Portland, 10 p.m.

Denver at L.A. Lakers, 10:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY’S GAMES Indiana at Orlando, 7 p.m.

Minnesota at Cleveland, 7 p.m.

Atlanta at Miami, 7:30 p.m.

New Orleans at Detroit, 7:30 p.m.

New York at Brooklyn, 7:30 p.m.

Toronto at Boston, 7:30 p.m.

Philadelphia at Dallas, 8:30 p.m.

L.A. Clippers at Phoenix, 9 p.m.

Memphis at Denver, 9 p.m.

Milwaukee at Utah, 9 p.m.

Chicago at Oklahoma City, 9:30 p.m.

Charlotte at Golden State, 10:30 p.m.

THURSDAY’S GAMES

NHL STANDINGS

By The Associated Press EASTERN CONFERENCE ATLANTIC DIVISION W 29 26 25 23 21 22 20 20

L 14 15 21 15 19 22 19 20

Washington Columbus Pittsburgh N.Y. Rangers Philadelphia N.Y. Islanders Carolina New Jersey

GP 49 48 48 49 50 47 48 50

W 33 32 30 31 25 21 21 20

L 10 12 13 17 19 17 20 21

OT 7 6 6 9 10 6 9 9

Pts 65 58 56 55 52 50 49 49

GF 150 127 131 145 116 136 118 123

GA 125 123 135 133 137 146 136 144

OT 6 4 5 1 6 9 7 9

Pts 72 68 65 63 56 51 49 49

GF 160 160 172 167 140 136 126 113

GA 106 114 141 129 155 136 140 144

GF 160 142 138 138 135 150 93

GA 109 132 130 152 157 161 156

WESTERN CONFERENCE CENTRAL DIVISION Minnesota Chicago Nashville St. Louis Dallas Winnipeg Colorado

GP 48 51 49 49 50 52 46

W 32 30 24 24 20 23 13

L 11 16 17 20 20 25 31

OT 5 5 8 5 10 4 2

Pts 69 65 56 53 50 50 28

SOUTHWEST DIVISION W 36 35 28 19 17

L 11 16 21 29 30

Pct .766 .686 .571 .396 .362

GB — 3 9 17½ 19

L 19 20

Pct .612 .583

GB — 1½

NORTHWEST DIVISION W 30 28

GP W L OT Pts GF GA San Jose 50 31 17 2 64 135 116 Edmonton 51 28 15 8 64 152 132 Anaheim 51 27 15 9 63 133 129 Calgary 52 25 24 3 53 134 149 Los Angeles 49 24 21 4 52 123 121 Vancouver 50 23 21 6 52 119 140 Arizona 48 16 26 6 38 108 152 NOTE: Two points for a win, one point for overtime loss.

All-Star Game: Central 3, Pacific 10 All-Star Game: Atlantic 6, Metropolitan 10 All-Star Game Final: Metropolitan 4, Pacific 3

MONDAY’S GAMES No games scheduled

TUESDAY’S GAMES Columbus at N.Y. Rangers, 7 p.m.

Philadelphia at Carolina, 7 p.m.

Nashville at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m.

Washington at N.Y. Islanders, 7 p.m.

Boston at Tampa Bay, 7:30 p.m.

Buffalo at Montreal, 7:30 p.m.

Ottawa at Florida, 7:30 p.m.

New Jersey at Detroit, 7:30 p.m.

Winnipeg at St. Louis, 8 p.m.

Toronto at Dallas, 8:30 p.m.

Minnesota at Edmonton, 9 p.m.

Los Angeles at Arizona, 9 p.m.

Colorado at Anaheim, 10 p.m.

Chicago at San Jose, 10:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY’S GAMES

THURSDAY’S GAMES Montreal at Philadelphia, 7 p.m.

N.Y. Rangers at Buffalo, 7:30 p.m.

Ottawa at Tampa Bay, 7:30 p.m.

Edmonton at Nashville, 8 p.m.

Winnipeg at Dallas, 8:30 p.m.

Chicago at Arizona, 9 p.m.

Toronto at St. Louis, 9 p.m.

San Jose at Vancouver, 10 p.m.

USC FROM PAGE B1 The three-time defending champion Gamecocks took control with last week’s 64-61 showdown win over previously unbeaten and fourthranked Mississippi State.

Now, the Gamecocks fall into a tie for the top with the Bulldogs.

Wilson had 14 points and Coates seven. Cuevas-Moore led the Gamecocks with 18 points.

AREA ROUNDUP

THE TOP 25

Gamecocks earn victory over Carolina Forest

By The Associated Press The top 25 teams in The Associated Press’ college basketball poll, with first-place votes in parentheses, records through Jan. 29, total points based on 25 points for a first-place vote through one point for a 25th-place vote and last week’s ranking: Record Pts Prv 1. Gonzaga (46) 22-0 1594 3 2. Baylor (6) 20-1 1504 5 3. Kansas (9) 19-2 1503 2 4. Villanova (4) 20-2 1479 1 5. Arizona 20-2 1387 7 6. Louisville 18-4 1237 13 7. West Virginia 17-4 1101 18 8. Kentucky 17-4 1083 4 9. Virginia 16-4 1061 12 10. Wisconsin 18-3 1058 15 11. UCLA 19-3 993 8 12. North Carolina 19-4 965 9 13. Oregon 19-3 863 10 14. Cincinnati 19-2 756 19 15. Florida State 18-4 727 6 16. Butler 18-4 717 11 17. Maryland 19-2 518 22 18. Saint Mary’s 19-2 409 21 19. South Carolina 17-4 384 23 20. Notre Dame 17-5 363 14 21. Duke 16-5 339 17 22. Creighton 19-3 307 16 23. Purdue 17-5 264 20 24. Florida 16-5 213 25 25. Northwestern 18-4 106 — Others receiving votes: SMU 69, Xavier 67, Southern Cal 29, Wichita State 8, Akron 5, Middle Tennessee 5, VCU 3, Illinois State 2, New Mexico State 2, Virginia Tech 2, Iowa State 1, Utah 1.

THE WOMEN’S TOP 25

L.A. Lakers at Washington, 7 p.m.

Atlanta at Houston, 8 p.m.

Philadelphia at San Antonio, 8:30 p.m.

Golden State at L.A. Clippers, 10:30 p.m.

GP 50 47 52 47 50 50 48 49

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

By The Associated Press

Boston at Washington, 8 p.m.

Minnesota at Calgary, 10 p.m.

Colorado at Los Angeles, 10:30 p.m.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Utah Oklahoma City

W 41 30 19 15 16

SUNDAY’S GAMES

EASTERN CONFERENCE

San Antonio Houston Memphis New Orleans Dallas

7½ 9 11

PACIFIC DIVISION

WEDNESDAY

Cleveland Indiana Chicago Milwaukee Detroit

.457 .429 .383

METROPOLITAN DIVISION

Carolina Forest at Sumter (Girls Only), 6 p.m.

Bishop England at Manning, 4 p.m.

Lee Central at Pageland Central (No JV Girls), 5 p.m.

Scott’s Branch at Branchville, 4 p.m.

Orangeburg Prep at Wilson Hall, 4 p.m.

Florence Christian at Laurence Manning, 4 p.m.

Thomas Sumter at Calhoun Academy, 4 p.m.

Robert E. Lee at Palmetto Christian, 4 p.m.

Jefferson Davis at Clarendon Hall, 4 p.m.

Emmanuel Christian at Sumter Christian (No JV Girls), 4 p.m.

Atlanta Washington Charlotte Orlando Miami

25 28 29

Atlanta 142, New York 139, 4OT Cleveland 107, Oklahoma City 91 Indiana 120, Houston 101 Orlando 114, Toronto 113 Washington 107, New Orleans 94 Chicago 121, Philadelphia 108 Dallas 105, San Antonio 101 Golden State 113, Portland 111

Montreal Ottawa Boston Toronto Florida Tampa Bay Buffalo Detroit

PREP SCHEDULE

Boston Toronto New York Philadelphia Brooklyn

Golden State L.A. Clippers Sacramento Phoenix L.A. Lakers

21 21 18

The top 25 teams in The Associated Press’ women’s college basketball poll, with first-place votes in parentheses, records through Jan. 29, total points based on 25 points for a first-place vote through one point for a 25th-place vote and last week’s ranking: Record Pts Prv 1. UConn (33) 20-0 825 1 2. Baylor 21-1 789 2 3. Maryland 21-1 748 3 4. South Carolina 18-1 737 5 5. Mississippi State 21-1 689 4 6. Florida State 20-2 663 6 7. Notre Dame 20-3 591 8 8. Stanford 19-3 580 10 9. Louisville 20-4 543 9 10. Washington 20-3 522 7 11. Oregon State 20-2 520 11 12. Texas 16-4 467 12 13. UCLA 17-4 442 13 14. Ohio State 19-5 399 15 15. Duke 18-4 384 14 16. Miami 16-5 320 17 17. DePaul 18-5 235 21 18. Oklahoma 16-6 199 20 19. N.C. State 16-6 177 18 20. South Florida 17-3 168 23 21. Green Bay 19-2 164 24 22. West Virginia 16-6 114 22 23. Arizona State 14-7 113 16 24. Syracuse 15-7 109 — 25. Kentucky 15-6 74 — Others receiving votes: Kansas State 49, Michigan 32, Tennessee 25, Virginia Tech 21, Drake 6, Harvard 6, Northwestern 3, Temple 3, Texas A&M 3, Creighton 2, Oregon 2, Northern Colorado 1.

PGA RESULTS

By The Associated Press

Farmers Insurance Open San Diego s-Torrey Pines (South); Yards 7,698; Par 72 n-Torrey Pines (North); Yards 7,258; Par 72 Purse: $6.7 million Final Jon Rahm (500), $1,206,000 72s-69n-69s-65—275 Charles Howell III (245), $589,600 67n-74s-69s-68—278 C.T. Pan (245), $589,600 70s-69n-69s-70—278 Keegan Bradley (104), $252,590 69n-69s-74s-67—279 Tony Finau (104), $252,590 73s-68n-67s-71—279 Pat Perez (104), $252,590 68n-74s-67s-70—279 Patrick Rodgers (104), $252,590 68n-72s-67s-72—279 Justin Rose (104), $252,590 65n-71s-73s-70—279 Brian Harman (70), $167,500 68s-71n-73s-68—280 Ollie Schniederjans (70), $167,500 69s-69n-71s-71—280 Brandt Snedeker (70), $167,500 68n-69s-70s-73—280 J.J. Spaun (70), $167,500 72n-69s-69s-70—280 Robert Streb (70), $167,500 68n-71s-70s-71—280 Harris English (52), $110,550 71s-69n-69s-72—281 Phil Mickelson (52), $110,550 71n-72s-68s-70—281 Francesco Molinari (52), $110,550 71s-70n-69s-71—281 Rory Sabbatini (52), $110,550 70s-72n-72s-67—281 Kyle Stanley (52), $110,550 70s-73n-68s-70—281 Michael Thompson (52), $110,550 71s-71n-71s-68—281 Jonas Blixt (38), $67,586 68n-72s-69s-73—282 Stewart Cink (38), $67,586 68n-72s-69s-73—282 Ryo Ishikawa (38), $67,586 74s-68n-72s-68—282 Marc Leishman (38), $67,586 69s-72n-68s-73—282 Brendan Steele (38), $67,586 69s-74n-70s-69—282 Tyrone Van Aswegen (38), $67,586 72s-68n-72s-70—282 Richy Werenski (38), $67,586 73s-70n-73s-66—282

MYRTLE BEACH – Sumter High School’s varsity boys basketball team improved to 7-1 in Region VI-5A with a 49-37 victory over Carolina Forest on Monday at the CF gymnasium.

Andrew Tiller scored 14 points to lead the Gamecocks, who are 15-6 on the season. Isaih Moore added 12.

SHS will play host to West Florence on Friday with the region title on the line.

points to lead Mayewood Middle School to a 32-24 victory over Furman on Monday at the MMS gymnasium in a quarterfinal game in the Sumter Middle School Conference tournament.

Joy Goodley added eight points for the Lady Vikings. Tay Pressley and Shadaiya Lee both had four steals.

Mayewood will play host to Hillcrest in a semifinal game on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.

THOMAS SUMTER 52 N. MYRTLE BEACH CHRISTIAN 46

BATES 45 CHESTNUT OAKS 35

DALZELL – Thomas Sumter Academy improved to 7-12 with a 52-46 victory over North Myrtle Beach Christian on Monday at Edens Gymnasium.

Kyle Decker led TSA with 16 points. Zach Fugate had 14 and Astin Coleman added 11.

Bates Middle School defeated Chestnut Oaks 45-35 in a quarterfinal game in the Sumter Middle School Conference tournament on Monday at the CO gymnasium.

Maliasa Rhodes scored 15 points to lead the Lady Bantams. Kayla Williams added 14.

Bates plays at Alice Drive on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. in a semifinal game.

MIDDLE SCHOOL BASKETBALL LEE CENTRAL 66 KINGSTREE 35 KINGSTREE – Lee Central Middle School closed out its regular season with a 12-0 record with a 66-35 victory over Kinsgtree on Monday at the Kingstree gymnasium.

Daveon Thomas led the Stallions with 23 points.

Daurrion Kelly had 19 and Lebron Thomas and Omari Martin both had eight. Javontae Price had 12 rebounds.

GIRLS

GIRLS QUARTERFINALS — MONDAY (1) (5) (2) (3)

Alice Drive 61, (8) Manning 22 Bates 45, (4) Chestnut Oaks 35 Mayewood 32, (7) Furman 24 Hillcrest 29, (6) Ebenezer 21]

SEMIFINALS — WEDNESDAY Bates at Alice Drive, 5:30 p.m.

Hillcrest at Mayewood, 5:30 p.m.

CHAMPIONSHIP — SATURDAY At Crestwood High School Semifinal winners, noon

BOYS QUARTERFINALS — TODAY All games start at 5:30 p.m.

(8) Furman at (1) Alice Drive (5) Bates at (4) Ebenezer (7) Hillcrest at (2) Manning (6) Mayewood at (3) Chestnut Oaks

SEMIFINALS — THURSDAY at higher-seeded team All games start at 5:30 p.m.

Furman-Alice Drive winner vs. BatesEbenezer winner Hillcrest-Manning winner vs.

Mayewood-Chestnut Oaks winner

MIDDLE SCHOOL BASKETBALL MAYEWOOD 32 FURMAN 24

CHAMPIONSHIP — SATURDAY

Trelaija Dennis scored 18

At Crestwood High School Semifinal winners, immediately following girls game

straight quarters between Georgia last Thursday night and Tennessee. two tall stars — and how much they can struggle with Alaina Coates and A’ja Wilson out of the lineup. Coates, who averages nearly 14 points a game, has scored just three points combined in six

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South Carolina travels to No. 25 Kentucky on Thursday night.

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THE BIG PICTURE Tennessee: Watching the Lady Vols play against South Carolina, it seems hard to believe they’ve lost seven games this season coming into this one. Tennessee shot 54.8 percent for the first half, its best showing in its past eight games. DeShields pushed the pace and led the way with 12 points in the opening half. Russell exploited the absence of twin-post powers Alaina Coates and A’ja Wilson (benched with two first-half fouls) to hit four of five shots.

South Carolina: The Gamecocks once more showed how dependent they are on their

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B3

JUCO defensive lineman Kinlaw picks USC Defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw of Jones County Junior College in Mississippi and former of Goose Creek High School made his official visit to the University of South Carolina over the weekend and said everything went great for him though he is leaving Columbia with a head cold.

Kinlaw has narrowed his decision to USC and Southern California with a plan to announce a commitment today. He did not “officially” commit to USC on Sunday, but he said he will be signing with the Gamecocks.

“I’m all set, South Carolina 100 percent,” Kinlaw said.

“Just haven’t committed yet.

They know I’m not going anywhere else. I loved it, being home and knowing a lot of people here. Every time I come here they show me a lot of love.

“They were telling me I’ve got a chance to come in and play early. Me being a JUCO guy and them bringing in a lot of young guys, you can’t depend on young guys; they’re kind of depending on me to come in and play.”

Kinlaw also took an official visit to Southern Cal and he liked it, but he said the comfort level for him at USC overshadows all of that.

“They look out for me here, and I’ve met a lot of people around the school and they help me out a lot,” he said.

“It’s all about relationships.

We (Kinlaw and USC head coach Will Muschamp) have a good relationship.”

Kinlaw said he checked in at USC at 6-feet-6-inches, 330 pounds, but he wants to get back down to 300 pounds.

Defensive back Jamyest Williams of Loganville, Ga., has been a USC commitment for some time, but for all intents and purposes he’s a free agent deciding between USC and Georgia. USC got the final shot with him over the weekend for an official visit and apparently did all it could do to convince him its program is right for him.

USC likes Williams as a cornerback, also working as a nickel and in slot coverage, and in the return game. The USC coaches laid out their

plan for him in detail, but publicly received no assurances from him that he will stick with his commitment Phil Kornblut and sign RECRUITING with them on Wednesday CORNER on National Signing Day. At an awards ceremony in Atlanta last week, JJ Williams told reporters if signing day were then, his son would sign with UGA, which he had visited the previous weekend. Asked on Sunday what his son would do if it were signing day, the elder Williams was non-committal.

Defensive end Devontae Davis of Silver Bluff High in Aiken made his official visit to USC over the weekend.

USC is looking at him as a potential sign-and-place prospect unless his grades improve enough the rest of the school year to qualify.

Davis said he’s also looking at Coastal Carolina. As for JCs, he’s looking at Georgia Military, Jones and Garden City. He’s not sure if he will sign on Wednesday.

DE Aaron Sterling of Tucker, Ga., came out of his official visit to USC on Sunday still undecided between USC and Tennessee. He said it’s a 50-50 deal between the two at this point.

Sterling said Tennessee also gave him a good visit and he couldn’t say one visit was better than the other.

There is a 10 a.m. signing ceremony set for his school on Wednesday.

DE Robert Beal of Suwanee, Ga., who is a UGA commitment, made his official visit to USC over the weekend. He said he’s still 100 percent committed to UGA< but he did like what he saw in Columbia.

Beal said he will be talking with coaches from USC and UGA over the next couple of days.

Offensive lineman Jordan Carty of Hollywood, Fla., also made his official visit to USC over the weekend. He did not commit over the weekend,

but he has been favoring USC. Pendleton High DE Brad Johnson met with USC’s Muschamp and Peterson and with Virginia Tech defensive line coach Charlie Wiles and his recruiter James Shibest at his home on Wednesday. It was the final in-person meeting with Johnson for any coaches from the staffs, and the hope was the sessions would lead to clarity and a decision. Muschamp and Peterson arrived in Pendleton in the late afternoon and first met with Johnson’s mother at her workplace before shifting things to the home and the sit down with the player.

DE Devonte Wyatt of Decatur, Ga., visited Florida over the weekend. USC recruiters and UGA head coach Kirby Smart visited him last week.

He will announce on Wednesday.

DE Jaylen Twyman is set on choosing between USC and Pittsburgh. There is no favorite and Twyman will announce on Wednesday.

Longtime USC running back commitment Kyshaun Bryan of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., announced a decommitment on Saturday while on an official visit to Iowa.

Bryan had been committed since April and was going to be the only RB taken by USC. During the season, however, USC made the decision not to take an RB in the class.

Bryan said USC did offer him a grayshirt opportunity, but he declined.

USC OL commitment Jordan Rhodes of Fairburn, Ga., cancelled his visit to Missouri this past weekend and shut down his recruiting. He said he’s 100 percent with USC. According to his head coach at Arizona Western JC, USC commitment DB Keisean Nixon remains firmly committed and will sign on Wednesday. Nixon had hoped to enroll in January, but had to get another class on his academic record, so he’s home in Compton, Calif., taking that class on line. He now plans to enroll in the summer.

DL Romello Martin of Brooklyn, N.Y., might not be

line responding to comments on an Atlanta newspaper website from fans who were disappointed with the pick.

“I’m not too sure that Atlanta knew too much about Matt,” Cameron said. “I must have responded to 100 of them. I just took it so personally. I must have typed ‘Just wait. Just wait. Just wait’ 100 times.”

Despite growing up in Kentucky — a Bengals fan “I guess,” he said — Cameron became a Patriots fan after living in the Boston area for more than a decade, but also maintained an allegiance to

former BC Eagles in the NFL. (BC linebacker Luke Kuechly played in the Super Bowl last year for the Carolina Panthers.)

Asked about the mixed loyalties in his former stomping grounds, Ryan said in Atlanta last week, “None of my friends have mixed loyalties,” emphasizing the word “my” and drawing a laugh from the assembled reporters.

Count Cameron among them.

“I am a Patriots fan, and I’m rooting for the Falcons. Solely because of Matt,” he said. “On a very personal level, to see someone that good of a person succeed at that level would be incredible.”

RYAN FROM PAGE B1 “He’s just a really nice, caring guy. He’s just got that ‘It’ factor.”

A Philadelphia native who was under-recruited coming out of high school as an option quarterback who also played baseball and basketball, Ryan led Boston College to that No. 2 ranking and finished in the top 10 in Heisman Trophy voting. BC finished 11-3 and No. 10 in the nation, beating Michigan State in the Champs Sports Bowl.

But when the Falcons took Ryan third overall in the 2008 NFL draft, Cameron found himself spending hours on-

JOHNSON FROM PAGE B1 Defensive end Richburg Canty will sign with LenoirRhyne, a Division II school in the South Atlantic Conference. Another defensive lineman, Jakeem Green, will go the junior college route and sign with Hutchinson Community College in Kansas.

Linebacker Kenjae Rose is deciding between defending South Atlantic Conference champion Newberry and University of Charleston, a DII school in West Virginia. Running back Rodney Pitts is also considering Charleston.

Crestwood will have two players signing. Wide receiver Julius Pearson will sign with DII Limestone and defensive tackle Kevin Sharper will sign with Highland Community College, another JUCO in Kansas.

Pearson was a longtime commitment to FBS school Georgia State. However, when former South Carolina assistant coach Sean Elliott was named the school’s new head

coach, the offer was pulled.

Andre Brown, who played tight end and linebacker for

Scott’s Branch High, will sign with S.C. State.

Laurence Manning Academy will have two players signing with Newberry in defensive end Josh Edwards and linebacker Maleke Davis.

announcing his commitment decision on Wednesday because he has to wait for his Scholastic Aptitude Test scores to come back. Martin has USC, Mississippi and UF as his top three schools..

Martin spoke with the USC coaching staff three weeks ago. He talked to the Ole Miss coaches last week and the UF coaches two weeks ago. The last visit he took was an unofficial to USC in August.

DE Sean McGonigal Jr. of Myrtle Beach High signed preferred walk-on papers with USC on Friday. He had 19 1/2 quarterback sacks last season along with 30 tackles for loss and 89 total tackles.

All-American DB Hamsah Nasirildeen of Concord, N.C., shook up USC’s recruiting class when he announced a decommitment from USC and a commitment to Florida State last week.

Nasirildeen committed to USC in August and held firm through the football season despite an official visit to FSU in late October. He said he left his USC official visit earlier this month with his commitment in place. However, the in-home visit from FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher and recruiter Jay Graham, a former Concord star RB, moved him in FSU’s direction.

CLEMSON Clemson opened its new football operations building to recruits over the weekend and with that on display, along with the shiny, new national championship trophy, the Tigers landed commit-

ments from two of the state’s top 2018 prospects. They now have five committed for that class.

DL Josh Belk of Lewisville High and DB Derion Kendrick of South Pointe High in Rock Hill opted to end their recruiting activities before they hardly started. Both also held offers from USC and several other Southeastern Conference and Atlantic Coast Conference programs.

Kendrick played QB last season in leading South Pointe to the 4A state championship and can play wide receiver, but his head coach says he wants to play CB at Clemson.

Clemson added its one RB to the ‘17 class on Thursday in Travis Etienne Jr. of Jennings, La. Etienne chose the Tigers over Louisiana State, Tennessee and Texas A&M. “Just the coaches and the atmosphere when I went there and how everyone treated everyone,” Etienne said in explaining why he chose Clemson. “I felt like I vibed with the coaches and I felt at home over there.

When I was on my visit I knew that was where I wanted to be.”

Etienne rushed for nearly 3,000 yards and 43 touchdowns last season. “I like to say I model my game after (Minnesota RB) Adrian Peterson, that’s someone I really look up to,” Etienne said when asked about his running style.

Etienne takes the final spot in Clemson’s 2017 recruiting class and gives the Tigers 14 commitments.

Keeping Sumter Beautiful

By Katie Altman-Goff, Water Resources Extention Agent More than just wet land

our water. Without them, we’d be investing a lot more money into treatment plants for our drinking water. Wetlands protect our homes and property by helping to reduce the frequency and intensity of floods. They act as natural buffers and store large amounts of floodwater. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, if 15% of a land area is maintained as wetlands, flooding peaks can be reduced by as much as 60%.

This Thursday is World Wetlands Day. Wetlands have a special place in my heart. I’ve spent the last 7 years researching and educating the public about wetlands in South Carolina. There is a lot of wetland area in our beautiful state but not as much as there once was. Wetland area in South Carolina was reduced from an estimated 6.4 million acres in the 1700s to about 4.1 million acres in 1989 (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Wetlands also provide recreation Service). It is a struggle to minimize and food sources for humans. Do wetland impacts when the demand you like to fish? A lot of people do. for development continues to rise As many as 33 million people ages but the effort is well worth it.

16 and up participate in fishing activities and spend about $48 bilWetlands are so much more than lion annually on fishing trips, equipjust wet land. These intersections ment, and licenses (American between land and water provide unique habitats that house amazing Sportfishing Association). Most of that would not be possible without diversity in plant and animal life. I wetlands. Up to 90% of recreationalspent years researching wetland ly caught fish need to spend a porplant communities because I was tion of their life cycle in wetlands. fascinated by the numerous and The same is true of 75% of commersometimes bizarre adaptations of cially harvested fish and shellfish plants that grow in these systems.

(EPA).

Did you know that the Venus’ Fly Trap only grows wild in North and South Carolina, mostly in wetlands? I’ve only scratched the surface of information about wetlands here. If Wetlands in South Carolina host multiple carnivorous plants includ- you’d like to learn more about weting pitcher plants and sundews and lands, check out www.epa.gov/wetlands also provide habitat for many species of birds and other animals.

Are carnivorous plants and waterfowl not your thing? Wetlands don’t just provide valuable habitat. They provide actual economic value to us.

Wetlands remove pollutants like excess nutrients and sediments from

Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer.

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SPORTS

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017

OPEN FROM PAGE B1 Federer has rarely missed significant stretches with injuries throughout his career. This is the man, after all, who played in a record 65 consecutive Grand Slams — a streak that was broken when he withdrew from last year’s French Open with a back injury.

In recent years, however, he’s acknowledged making mistakes by playing through pain instead of taking time off to heal.

Last year, he did things differently — he took an extended break for the first time. And after six months off to fully heal his knee, he came back stronger than ever.

“What I’ve just come to realize is when you don’t feel well, you have too many problems going on, you just won’t beat top-10 players,” Federer

said after his semifinal win over Stan Wawrinka.

“That’s where both, I guess, Rafa and myself said, ‘OK, enough of this already. Let’s get back to 100 percent, enjoy tennis again, enjoy the practice.’”

Hoisting his first major trophy in five years, Federer is certainly enjoying the tennis again.

Here is what else we learned from the 2017 Australian Open:

SERENA’S NEXT GOAL? Serena Williams felt like it took a “really long time” to win her 23rd Grand Slam title and break her tie with Steffi Graf on the all-time major winner list, so she wants to enjoy the victory and not look ahead. How about winning No. 24 and pulling even with Margaret Court, who holds the record for most major titles? She doesn’t know, and doesn’t want to talk about it yet.

OBITUARIES WILLIAM N. BRADFORD JR. BURLINGTON, N.C. — William “Bill” Nettles Bradford Jr., of Burlington, died on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017, at Duke University Medical Center.

Born on Sept. 28, 1937, in Sumter, he was a son of the late William N. Bradford Sr. and Carrie Cain Bradford. He was a graduate of Wofford College, where he played varsity basketBRADFORD ball and was president of his senior class and of his fraternity, Kappa Sigma. He remained a loyal Wofford Terrier throughout his life. He was employed by Western Electric / AT&T / Lucent Technologies as a computer systems analyst for more than 30 years and retired as a distinguished member of the technical staff.

After retirement, he worked six additional years for IBM. Bill was an active member of Front Street United Methodist Church for 50 years and served in many leadership positions. He was a member of the Upper Room Sunday School Class.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Salley Schumpert Bradford, originally of Cheraw; two children, Salley Bradford Wilson and husband, Bruce, of Elon, North Carolina, and William “Willi” N. Bradford III and wife, Amy, of Gibsonville, North Carolina; a sister, Carolyn Bradford Kenyon of Sparta, Wisconsin; a sister-in-law, Susan Schumpert Laney and her husband, Richard H. Laney, of Rocky Mount, North Carolina; and many loving nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by a sister, Cornelia Bradford Rose of Sumter.

The family will receive friends from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. on Wednesday in the Heritage Center of Front Street United Methodist Church. The funeral service will be at 2 p.m. in the sanctuary of the church.

Burial will follow in Alamance Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made to the Christian Service Scholarship Fund, the Relief Fund, or the Endowment Fund at Front Street United Methodist Church, 136 S. Fisher St., Burlington, NC 27216.

Condolences may be offered at www.richandthompson. com.

Rich & Thompson Funeral and Cremation Service of Burlington is in charge of arrangements.

THE SUMTER ITEM

gency Department and later in the Heart Cath Lab and ICU. He then worked at Kershaw Health in the ICU and later with Palmetto GBA (Blue Cross Blue Shield) in Columbia as a supervisor. He loved his family and had a great passion for music. He played the bass guitar and sang for more than 50 years, starting as part of a teen garage band in New York. Upon settling in Sumter, he played in numerous bands, including the St. Jude Church Choir, Sumter local bands, several Christian rock bands, and his latest endeavor, The Bendz.

Don was part of the St. Anne and St. Jude Catholic Parish family for more than 20 years, serving as a lector and playing with the Saturday evening contemporary church choir.

He leaves behind to cherish his memories: his wife, Shirley; two children, Michael Fink and his wife, Jennifer, and Stephanie Fink and her fiancée, Ashley Turner; two grandchildren, Bryson and Emiko; one sister, Debra Edwards and her husband, George; three brothers, Daniel Fink and his wife, Amy, Dana Fink and his wife, Barbara, and Dennis Fink and his wife, Tammy; and several very special nieces and nephews.

A memorial mass will be held at noon on Wednesday at St. Jude Catholic Church with the Rev. Noly Berjuega, C.R.M. officiating.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Bullock Funeral Home and other times at the home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a charity of one’s choice.

You may go to www.bullockfuneralhome.com and sign the family’s guest book.

The family has chosen Bullock Funeral Home for the arrangements.

ELLA MAE S. MAPLE Ella Mae “Coot” Singleton Maple, 72, wife of James W. “Buck” Maple, departed this life on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017, at her residence.

She was born on Jan. 1, 1945, in Sumter County, a daughter of the late Joseph Singleton and Mary Harvin.

The family will receive friends at the home, 4255 Theodore Road, Sumter, SC 29154.

Job’s Mortuary Inc., 312 S. Main St., Sumter, is in charge of arrangements.

DONALD R. FINK

VERNESE W. LOWERY

Donald “Don” Robert Fink, husband of 35 years to Shirley Ann Fink, died on Friday, Jan. 27, 2017.

Born on Sept. 19, 1952, in Binghamton, New York, he was the eldest son of Barbara Oliver Fink and the late Lawrence J. Fink.

Don was educated in the public school system KIRK and graduated from Vestal High School Class of 1970. He proudly served our military in the United States Air Force for 13 years as a weather observer and forecaster, leaving to pursue a career in nursing.

He started his career at Tuomey hospital as a registered nurse working in the Emer-

Vernese Williams Lowery, 86, widow of Arthur Lowery, died on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017, at Palmetto Health Tuomey.

She was born on Aug. 7, 1930, in the Mayesville section of Sumter, a daughter of the late Heatley and Blanche Burgess Williams.

The family is receiving friends at her residence, 422 Charlotte Ave., Sumter.

Services will be announced

by Samuels Funeral Home LLC of Manning.

LAUREEN DUREN Laureen Duren, 86, wife of the Rev. Dr. Carnes Duren Jr., departed this life on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017, at her residence.

She was born on Sept. 30, 1930, in Lynchburg, a daughter of the late Walter and

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Serena Williams, right, embraces her sister Venus after Serena defeated her 6-4, 6-4 on Saturday in the women’s final of the Australian Open.

Eliza George Thomas.

The family will receive friends at the home, 67 Lewis St., Lynchburg, SC 29080.

Job’s Mortuary Inc., 312 S. Main St., Sumter, is in charge of arrangements.

RANDY LOWERY Randy Lowery, husband of Shirlean Lowery, entered eternal rest on Jan. 26, 2017, at Palmetto Health Tuomey.

The family is receiving friends at the home of his mother, Earline Lowery, 584 Main St., Lynchburg.

Visitation will be held from 1 to 6 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Funeral service will be held at noon on Wednesday at St. Matthew African Methodist Episcopal Church, Lynchburg, with the pastor, the Rev. Donna Jackson, officiating.

Wilson Funeral Home, 403 S. Main St., Bishopville, is in charge of arrangements.

JAMES P. BELSER James Pickney Belser was born on Nov. 12, 1932, in Clarendon County, a son of the late Gus and Luanna Belser.

On Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017, James entered eternal rest.

James Belser was educated in the Clarendon County school district. He served in the United States Air Force for four years. James worked more than 30 years in construction in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After his retirement, he moved to Pinewood.

He leaves to cherish his memories: his sister, Ruth Richburg of Pittsburgh; eight daughters, Marilyn (Clarence) Coclough and Brenda Belser, both of Columbia, Yvonne (Albert) Jones of Prosperity, Nina Belser, Michelle Belser and Darlene Crawford, all of Philadelphia, Cynthia Casaudra of California and Deidra Romeo; four sons, James Belser Jr. of Pinewood, Darryl Belser of Philadelphia, Andrew Belser of Alexandria, Virginia, and Melvin Crawford of Philadelphia; 22 grandchildren; a host of greatgrandchildren, nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his two children, Joyce Ellis (Philadelphia) and Kevin Belser (Columbia); three sisters, Susan Anderson (Washington, D.C.), Gussie Baker and Annie Mae Belser (Philadelphia); and two brothers, Johnnie Lee Belser (Washington, D.C.) and Henry Belser (Philadelphia).

Public viewing will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. today.

Mr. Belser will be placed in the church at noon on Wednesday for viewing until the hour of service.

Funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday at New Hope AME Church, 18808 Panola Road, Pinewood.

Interment will follow in New Hope AME Church cemetery.

The family will be receiving friends at 427 Fulton St., Pinewood.

Job’s Mortuary Inc., 312 S. Main St., Sumter, is in charge of arrangements.

Online memorials may be sent to the family at jobsmortuary@sc.rr.com or visit us on the web at www.jobsmortuary. net .

ROBERT A. SMITH Robert Alan Smith, 66, husband of Loretta Rivers Smith, departed this life on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017, at Palmetto Health Tuomey.

He was born on Aug. 20, 1950, in Cleveland, Ohio, a son of Deloris J. Hyatt and Robert Andrew Smith.

The family will receive

friends at the home, 3460 Deer Track Circle, Dalzell.

Job’s Mortuary Inc., 312 S. Main St., Sumter, is in charge of arrangements.

plete and will be announced

by Bullock Funeral Home.

VIVIAN B. EDWARDS Vivian B. Edwards was born on March 3, 1936, a daughter of the late Miley Scriven and Janie Scriven Bethel. She departed this life on Jan. 27, 2017.

She was the widow of Leroy Edwards.

She was educated in the public schools of Hampton and Sumter. She attended Mathis Primary School in Hampton and Lincoln High School in Sumter. At an early age, she accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal savior. She always had a special relationship with the Lord and her faith was the most important part of her daily life. She made sure that her children embraced the Lord Jesus Christ as their savior. Quote: “As for me and my house we will serve the LORD.” Vivian worked as a domestic worker for many years from which she retired. She also worked as a school crossing guard in the late 1960s and early 1970s. She was also employed with Sumter Laundry in the late 1990s. She loved to have all of her family and friends around her. Everyone who came to her home was welcome and treated like family. She really enjoyed fishing with her special sister-in-law, Eva Purdue, and special friend, Louise Miller. She shared a special bond with her sister, Rosa Lee, and they both enjoyed spending time together. Vivian also had a special friendship with the late Marvin Ballard and Connie Ballard.

She leaves to cherish her memories: six children, Leroy Edwards Jr., Audrey (Tyrone) Brunson, Perry (Helen) Edwards, Mark Edwards, Antoinette Farmer and Joshua (Cynthia) Edwards; a special son, Robert Tindal; loving sister, Rosa Lee Hairston; 11 grandchildren; 27 greatgrandchildren, who were very near and dear to her heart; a host of other relatives and friends.

She was a loving mother, grandmother and greatgrandmother.

She was preceded in death by her domestic partner, Israel Tindal, whom she shared 21 years of life with; and two brothers, Bryant Bethel and Ronald Bethel.

Public viewing will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. today at Job’s Mortuary.

Ms. Edwards will be placed in the church at 10 a.m. on Wednesday for viewing until the hour of service.

Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at Jehovah Missionary Baptist Church with Pastor Marion Newton officiating. Interment will follow in Hillside Memorial Park.

The family is receiving friends at the home, 1548 Pinewood Road, Sumter.

Job’s Mortuary Inc., 312 S. Main St., Sumter, is in charge of arrangements.

Online memorials may be sent to the family at jobsmortuary@sc.rr.com or visit us on the web at www.jobsmortuary. net.

DIANE D. CARTER Diane Tyre Davis Carter, age 59, beloved wife of the late Henry Moise Carter, died on Friday, Jan. 27, 2017, at her residence.

Arrangements are incom-

LILLIE MAE P. FRAZIER SUMMERTON — Lillie Mae Pearson Frazier, 98, widow of James Frazier, died on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017, at Lake Marion Nursing Home, Summerton.

She was born on May 27, 1918, in the White Oak section (Santee Lake) of Summerton, a daughter of the late Abraham Pearson and stepdaughter of the late Clara Pearson.

The family is receiving friends at the home of her grandson, Adger and Evangelist Shirley Waiters, 2403 River Road, Greeleyville.

These services have been entrusted to Samuels Funeral Home LLC of Manning.

LARRY A. TURIENTINE Larry Arnold Turientine, husband of Lillie Mae Turientine, departed this life on Jan. 24, 2017.

He was born on Oct. 6, 1950, in Indianapolis, Indiana, a son of the late William Haywood Turientine and Amanda Stephenson Turientine.

The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 4, at Day & Deremiah-Frye Funeral Home of Bloomington, Indiana.

JACK GAINEY Jack Gainey, our beloved, dedicated, forever faithful, loving father, departed this life on Monday, Jan. 30, 2017.

Born on Nov. 29, 1930, he was a son of the late Leroy Gainey and Amy Hendrix Gainey Kirven. Mr. Gainey was a retired roofing contractor and member of the Church of God for 40 years.

His passions were gardening, helping anyone in need, reading and studying God’s word, and spending time with his beloved family.

Mr. Gainey is survived by two sons, Jack Timothy Gainey and Mark Christopher Gainey, both of Sumter; three daughters, Belinda GaineyVrana of Rock Hill, Deborah Gainey-McTernin (Walter) and Karen Gainey-Buddin (Edward “Bud”), both of Sumter; seven grandsons; a greatgranddaughter; and two sisters, Margaret Kirven and Shelby Jean Dollard (Tommy), both of Sumter.

Mr. Gainey was preceded in death by his loving wife of 30 years, Mildred Lucille Gainey; a son, Wendell Eric Gainey; a daughter, Pamela Gail Gainey; and five brothers, Harvey Gainey, Ervin Gainey, James Gainey, Robert Gainey and D.L. Gainey.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday in the Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Tom Kerry officiating. Private burial will be in the Gainey Family Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday at Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, P.O. Box 650309, Dallas, TX 75265.

Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of the arrangements.

DR. CARL B. RAMSEY MANNING — Dr. Carl Bentley Ramsey, 87, husband of Virginia Cothran Ramsey, died on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017, at his home.

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MSNBC NICK SPIKE

36 16 64

SYFY

58

TBS

24

TCM

49

TLC

43

TNT

23

TRUTV TVLAND

38 55

USA

25

WE WGN

68 8

Intervention: Diana (HD)

‘American Experience’ recalls mass transit history

BY KEVIN MCDONOUGH “American Experience: The Race Underground” (9 p.m., PBS, TV-PG, check local listings) recalls the difficult efforts to create America’s first subway system. Building Boston’s electrified underground railway was back-breaking work, but convincing people that travel underground could be safe and even “moral” was the first hurdle.

This “Experience” could really be called the Frank Sprague story. He had the vision and determination to create an electric motor to propel commuter trains. Above ground, horse-drawn trolley cars made the crowded streets dangerous and unsanitary.

While London was the first world city to build an underground, it still used coal-fired steam engines, leaving passengers covered in smoke and soot.

Sprague quit his job with Thomas Edison’s laboratory to follow his dream, and convinced the city of Richmond, Virginia, to take a flier on his electric motor for its streetcars.

Success there inspired Boston to use his motors in its revolutionary underground system. Building it would incite resistance from more than 12,000 businessmen, who warned of endless inconvenience and disruption. There was even dissent of the superstitious variety. Some warned

that traveling underground would put riders in dangerous proximity to hell. When construction excavation uncovered a forgotten.

Revolutionary War-era cemetery, the same voices said it was a warning from God. But more than a quartermillion Bostonians braved Hades and rode the subway on its opening day on Sept. 1, 1897. Within a decade, New York and Philadelphia opened subways. Sprague sold his revolutionary electric motor to the Edison Company, which put their name on it, depriving its inventor of the attention and renown he deserved.

• Tonight’s episode of “Taboo” (10 p.m., FX, TV-MA) takes this lurid period melodrama to a new level of decadent opulence. After watching the first few episodes, I was struck by the series’ distinction between veiled and overt violence. Well, the veil comes off and then some in this blood-soaked episode. There’s also some supernatural “intimacy” that’s anything but dreamy.

Tonight’s “Taboo” also features an extraordinary formal ball captured with stunning cinematography. Nearly every interior shot in “Taboo” can seem like a painting come to life. Like the clipped dialogue of James Delaney (Tom Hardy), this series may be dark, blunt and weird, but it’s also often too gorgeous to take

in with just one viewing.

TV ON DVD TV-themed DVDs available today include season one of the PBS miniseries “Victoria.”

TONIGHT’S OTHER HIGHLIGHTS • Boomer Esiason and Daniela Ruah host “Super Bowl Greatest Commercials 2017” (8 p.m., CBS, TV-PG).

• “Bizarre Foods With Andrew Zimmern” (9 p.m., Travel) enters its 17th season with a salute to explorers Lewis and Clark and a celebration of the cuisine of the Pacific Northwest.

• A celebrity interview creates major buzz on “Being Mary Jane” (10 p.m., BET, TV-14).

CULT CHOICE Will Ferrell shows a serious side in the 2010 drama “Everything Must Go” (9 p.m., Sho 2), based on a short story by Raymond Carver.

SERIES NOTES “The Wall” (8 p.m., NBC, TVPG) * House hunting on “New Girl” (8 p.m., Fox, r, TV-14) * Sue seeks breakup advice on “The Middle” (8 p.m., ABC, r, TV-14) * Gypsy descends on “The Flash” (8 p.m., CW, TV-PG) * An altercation at the club on “The Mick” (8:30 p.m., Fox, TV-

ERIC MCCANDLESS / ABC

Clark Gregg, left, stars as Phil Coulson and Ming-Na Wen as Agent Melinda May in the “Hot Potato Soup” episode of “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,” airing at 10 p.m. today on ABC. 14) * PTA politics on “American Housewife” (8:30 p.m., ABC, r, TV-PG) * A question of confidentiality on “NCIS” (9 p.m., CBS, r, TV-PG) * Recovering from the holidays on “This Is Us” (9 p.m., NBC, r, TV-14) * A tutor to posh students turns up dead on “Bones” (9 p.m., Fox, TV-14) * A Sunday surprise on “Fresh Off the Boat” (9 p.m., ABC, r, TV-14) * Rip needs rescuing on “DC’s Legends of Tomorrow” (9 p.m., CW, TV-14) * A mansion in miniature on “The Real O’Neals” (9:30 p.m., ABC, r, TV-14) * A connected politician has much riding on a conviction on “Bull” (10 p.m., CBS, r, TV-14) * A burning house is too much for Casey on “Chicago Fire” (10

p.m., NBC, r, TV-14) * A race against time on “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” (10 p.m., ABC, TV-PG).

LATE NIGHT Josh Groban, Rachael Ray and Japandroids are booked on “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” (11:35 p.m., CBS) * Jimmy Fallon welcomes Dakota Johnson, Colin Hanks and UB40 on “The Tonight Show” (11:35 p.m., NBC.) * Robert De Niro, Lauren Ash, Asa Butterfield and Kenny Aronoff visit “Late Night With Seth Meyers” (12:35 a.m., NBC).

Copyright 2017 United Feature Syndicate

Stevie Wonder, Tom Petty, Maroon 5 to headline Jazz Fest

BY CHEVEL JOHNSON The Associated Press NEW ORLEANS — Stevie Wonder, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Maroon 5, Usher and Dave Matthews are among some of the big names playing at this year’s New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.

The lineup, announced Friday, includes more than 500 bands covering a diverse array of musical styles over more than a dozen stages set up at the New Orleans Fair Grounds Race Course.

“All but about 80 of the acts are local,” festival organizer Quint Davis said, enthusiastically. “We’ve evolved to a point though where every stage, every day has at least one national

act. It’s taken awhile to get to that point, but we’re there.”

Davis said he was encouraged by the response to the lineup, so far, by fans of the festival.

“A lot of people are really looking at the schedule in depth,” he said.

“They’re paying attention and going deep into it. We’re hearing things like, ‘Wow, Corinne Bailey Rae’s coming’ and after rain ruined Snoop Dogg’s debut last year, people now have a second chance to see him for the first time.”

Some of the other artists appearing include Alabama Shakes, Kings of Leon, Patti LaBelle, Widespread Panic and rappers Pitbull and Nas. The festival also features artists from Louisiana and New Orleans,

such as the Hot 8 Brass Band, Ellis Marsalis, Trombone Shorty, the Soul Rebels, Amanda Shaw and the Cute Guys, Irma Thomas and The Meters.

A full list of participants can be viewed at www.nojazzfest.com .

Jazz Fest’s Cultural Exchange Pavilion will focus on Cuba this year.

Last year, Belize was in the spotlight.

Davis said they’re looking to enlarge the pavilion’s tent this year allowing more fans to “experience the experience.”

“It’s going to be Cuban music all day,” Davis said.

The festival, presented by Shell, takes place April 28-30 and May 4-7.

Tickets currently are on sale for $65 through Feb. 14. The price rises to $70 on Feb. 15 and the gate price will

be $80. Children’s tickets (ages 2-10) remain $5. The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation, the nonprofit owner of the festival, also gives out 8,000 free tickets to community groups annually.

Davis said he’s hoping this year’s event will not include the rain that deluged 2016’s second weekend.

“I’m starting to question my requests to the weather gods,” he said, laughing. “But people are really giving us a lot more slack these days.

Last year’s first weekend was the best ever, the second was the rainiest ever. Still, people came out in huge numbers, saying ‘We’re not, not coming!’ Whether you experience Jazz Fest in the rain or not, you want to be there.”

B6

CLASSIFIEDS

THE ITEM

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017

CLASSIFIED DEADLINES

803-774-12

CLASSIFIEDS BUSINESS SERVICES Business Opportunities Selling professional carpet cleaning and restoration company. Truck and all equipment included. Call for pricing 803-938-5441

Home Improvements All out Home Improvements We beat everybody's price Licensed & Bonded 803-316-8969

For Sale or Trade

TRANSPORTATION

Honda Odyssey Floor Mats, All 3 Seats Call 803-506-2286 Wood bookcase 803-757-4896 Mark

with

drawers.

Rocking chair solid oak, excellent condition. 803-757-4896 Mark Chandelier, antique brass, with 5 lights. $100 803-494-2146 New & used Heat pumps & A/C. Will install/repair, Call 803-968-9549 or 843-992-2364 Dining room table w/4 chairs and china cabinets. $500 803-469-2958 Dining room chandelier, brass with 6 lights. $100 803-494-2146

Legal Service

Desk and book case. White with gold trim.

Like new. $140 803-469-2958 Barca lounger rocker/recliner, burgundy, good condition. $150 803-469-2958

Painting Int/Ext Painting, Pressure washing. 30 yrs exp. References. Quality work/free est. Bennie 803-468-7592

Roofing All Types of Roofing & Repairs All work guaranteed. 30 yrs exp. SC lic.

Virgil Bickley 803-316-4734.

Tree Service NEWMAN'S TREE SERVICE Tree removal, trimming & stump grinding. Lic/Ins 803-316-0128 A Notch Above Tree Care Full quality service low rates, lic./ins., free est BBB accredited 983-9721 Ricky's Tree Service Tree removal, stump grinding, Lic & ins, free quote, 803-435-2223 or cell 803-460-8747.

MERCHANDISE Garage, Yard & Estate Sales Dining room table and chairs.

Excellent condition. 803-757-4896 Mark Electric lift chair, good condition. $250 OBO 803-757-4896 Mark Washer-Dryer good condition. $200 OBO 803-757-4896 Rummage Sale, Fri. & Sat. 11-4 at 1940 Mary Mcleod Bethune Rd. and St. Charles hwy. Stoves, sinks, sowing machines, tables, chairs, pots & pans, commercial sink with heater, mink cape, and lots more.

Bedroom suite solid oak, excellent condition. $800 OBO 803-757-4896 Mark

LARGE GARAGE SALE Every Weekend Tables $2 & $3 FLEA MARKET BY SHAW AFB

Open every weekend. Call 803-494-5500 Pool table, auto return, good condition. $350 OBO 803-757-4896 Mark

For Sale or Trade China and crystal, beautiful condition. 803-757-4896 Mark Bassett crib, solid wood, brown with best mattress. $95 803-469-2958 Gold rocker recliner, good condition. $100 803-469-2958 Framed pictures, wide variety.

803-757-4896 Mark Maple coffee table w/ matching end tables, solid wood. $100 803-469-2958 Split Oak Firewood, $50 for truck load, $100 for trailer load. Delivered stacked. 843-536-6050 Double door refrigerator. $199 803-757-4896 Mark Oak table with 4 oak chairs Call 803-506-2286

We will be happy to change your ad if an error is made; however we are not responsible for errors after the first run day. We shall not be liable for any loss or expense that results from the printing or omission of an advertisement. We reserve the right to edit, refuse or cancel any ad at any time.

OR TO PLACE YOUR AD ONLINE GO TO WWW.THE ITEM.COM/PLACEMYAD

H.L. Boone, Contractor: Remodel paint roofs gutters drywall blown ceilings ect. 773-9904

Attorney Timothy L. Griffith 803-607-9087, 360 W. Wesmark.

Criminal, Family, Accident, Injury

11:30 a.m. the day before for Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday edition.

11:30 a.m. Friday for Sunday’s edition.

EMPLOYMENT

RENTALS Unfurnished Apartments Huntington Place Apartments Rents from $625 per month 1 Month free* *13 Month lease required Leasing office located at Ashton Mill Apartment Homes 595 Ashton Mill Drive 803-773-3600 Office Hours: Mon-Fri 9-5 Senior Living Apartments for those 62+ (Rent based on income) Shiloh-Randolph Manor 125 W. Bartlette.

775-0575 Studio/1 Bedroom apartments available EHO

Unfurnished Homes Beautiful 3BR 2BA Home, Large lot with fenced yard, Carport attached, 4246 Whitney St. $600 + Dep. Call 843-645-9400

Help Wanted Full-Time

3 & 4 Br homes & MH, in Sumter County & Manning area. No Sect. 8.

Rent + dep. req. Call 803-225-0389

Wanted experienced commercial roofers. Apply in person at 1345 N. Pike East.

3BR 2BA Dalzell min. from shaw AFB $500 Dep +$500 Mo. Call 803-316-7535

SEEKING A HIGHLY MOTIVATED RESIDENTIAL PLUMBER WITH A STRONG PROFESSIONAL WORK HABIT. Must have at least 5 years of experience and a valid driver's license. HILL PLUMBING offers competitive pay, incentives and health insurance. Come join Sumter's leading plumbing contractor by filling out an application at: 438 N. Main St., Sumter SC EOE

3BR/2BA DW, large private lot, between Sumter and Manning. $600mo+$600dep Call 803-473-7577

Wrecker driver needed. Good driving record. Class A license, dependable & willing to work. Call Sumter Wrecker 803-773-4955 8 am - 5 pm Monday - Friday.

The #1 Furniture Retail Company in the U.S. is seeking highly motivated individuals with outgoing personalities to join our Sales Team.

Candidates must have a working knowledge of computers. They will be required to build sales volume by providing superior customer service and knowledge of product and finance options. This full time position is based on a flexible work schedule that includes evenings, Saturdays and some holidays. Offering unlimited income potential based on commission and bonuses. Guaranteed salary during training process. Send resume to 2850 Broad St., Sumter, SC 29150 or email to sperkins@ashleysumter.com McCormick County School District Announcement of Vacancies Vacancies: Middle School Math/Science Teacher Secondary Positions English Teacher Math Teacher

•2/3 BR available, no deposit.

•Small commercial 409 Boulevard Rd. 803-775-8560

Mobile Home Rentals Oaklawn MHP: 2 BR M.H.'s, water//sewer//garbage pk-up incl'd.

RV parking avail. Call 803-494-8350 1BR 1BA MH in a small park. Appl. incl., heat pump. Water, sewage & trash provided. $320 mo. Call (803) 464-3437 9am-8 pm American MHP, 2 & 3/BR, lot rentals, water/sewer/garbage pkup inc'd. Sec. 8 ok. 803-494-4300.

STATEBURG COURTYARD 2 & 3 Br, Sec. 8 803-494-4015 3BR & 2BR, all appliances, Sumter area. Section 8 accepted. 469-6978 or 499-1500

REAL ESTATE Homes for Sale 420 Boots Branch Rd, Sumter 3BR 2BA Brick House located on a large lot. C/H/A $65,000 Call 803 481-7903

Qualifications: Applicants must hold a valid SC Certification in the appropriate area.

Manufactured Housing

How to apply: Applicants are asked to complete an on-line application through the www.mccormick.k12.sc.us website.

M & M Mobile Homes, Inc. Now selling New Wind Zone II Champion and Clayton Homes. Lots of floor plans available to custom design your home. Nice used refurbished homes still available also. Bank and Owner financing with ALL CREDIT SCORES accepted.

Call 1-843-389-4215 Like us on Facebook M & M Mobile Homes.

Experienced Tire/Lube Technician needed: Must be able to perform automotive lube, oil, and filter changes. Mount, repair auto tires and other general services. A valid drivers license is needed.

Hourly wage plus commission.

Benefits. Apply in person at Frasier Tire Service, 310 E. Liberty St. 803-773-1423.

Mobile Home with Lots

Top pay for Roofers with flat roof experience TPO, Aspalt, mod bit, epdm, Only Experience roofers need apply. Call 803-968-9833.

Btwn 8am-5pm only Medical Assistant / Scribe needed for specialty medical practice. Must have experience with in-office patient care, strong communication skills, detailed-oriented, time management, computer skills to include the use of EMR. Salary based on experience.

Full-Time with Benefit. Send resume to Box 466 c//o The Item, PO Box 1677 Sumter SC 29151 ATTENTION : NOW HIRING Packers - Cooks - Cashiers Cooks must have 2 yr exp. Interviews will be every Thurs. beginning 1-26-17 @ 2-3pm Location: Golden Chick, 807 Broad St. Sumter, S.C.

Trucking Opportunities Burch's Landscaping P/T & F/T Local Dump Truck Operator Wanted.

Clean CDL and Experience a must!

Retirees welcome. Box 467 c/o The Item, PO Box 1677 Sumter SC 29151

Miscellaneous

MUST SELL! 5 Coulter Dr. Wedgefield, Fleetwood 3br 2ba, den w/ fireplace, completely remodeled. like new, on 0.45 ac lot in cozy neighborhood. Only $47,500.

Please call (803) 468-6029.

Land & Lots for Sale 1 Mobile home Lot remaining on Scenic Lake Dr. $4900!! Call Burch at 803-720-4129 Acre Minutes from Walmart/Shaw, all hookups. $12,900.

888-774-5720

Refurbished batteries as low as $45. New batteries as low as $59.95. Auto Electric Co., 102 Blvd Rd. 803-773-4381

LEGAL NOTICES

Estate Notice Sumter County

Estate Notice Sumter County

NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATES

NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATES

Persons having claim against the following estates are required to deliver or mail their claims to the indicated Personal Representatives, appointed to administer these estates, and to file their claims on Form #371PC with the Probate Court of Sumter County Courthouse, N. Main Street, Sumter, SC, 29150, on or before the date that is eight months after the date of the first publication of this Notice to Creditors, (unless previously barred by operation of Section 62-3-803), or such persons shall be forever barred as to heir claims. All claims are required to be presented in written statements, indicating the name and the address of the claimant, the basis of the claim, the amount claimed, the date when the claim will become due, the nature of any uncertainty as to the amount claimed and the date when due, and a description of any security as to the claim.

Persons having claim against the following estates are required to deliver or mail their claims to the indicated Personal Representatives, appointed to administer these estates, and to file their claims on Form #371PC with the Probate Court of Sumter County Courthouse, N. Main Street, Sumter, SC, 29150, on or before the date that is eight months after the date of the first publication of this Notice to Creditors, (unless previously barred by operation of Section 62-3-803), or such persons shall be forever barred as to heir claims. All claims are required to be presented in written statements, indicating the name and the address of the claimant, the basis of the claim, the amount claimed, the date when the claim will become due, the nature of any uncertainty as to the amount claimed and the date when due, and a description of any security as to the claim.

Estate:/Zane Dale Wright #2017ES4300030 Personal Representative Mary W. Martin C/O William C. Coffey, Jr. PO Box 29102 Manning, SC 29102

Estate:/Barbara Larson #2017ES4300045

Legal Notice Public Storage/ PS Orangeco, Inc. LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE OF PERSONAL PROPERTY Notice is hereby given that the undersigned will sell to satisfy the lien of owner at public sale by competitive bidding on February 9, 2017 personal and/or business property including but not limited to furniture, clothing, tools and other household / business items located at the properties listed.

The sale will begin at 1:00 pm at 1143 N. Guignard Drive, Sumter, SC 29153.

The personal goods stored therein by below named occupant(s); 1143 N.Guignard Dr, Sumter, SC 29150 114 - Wagner, Rebecca 239 - Smith, Marion 311 - Henry-Wright, Joy 329 - Smith, Jason 464 - Sapp, Lisa 466 - Durant, Reginald 510 - Hood, Lavetta 558 - Lawrence, Michael 709 - Gamble, Quaran 724 - Casteel, Damon 747 - Fegins, Shamara 1277 Camden Hwy, Sumter, SC 29153 B016 - Fleming, James B078 - Watcher, Robert B082 - James, Shauna C022 - Bennett, Tequalli C037 - Walker, Vanessa C038 - Fidiaj, Brenda C042 - Harrison, Diane D004 - Lawson, Jacory D008 - Wheeler, Lakisha E004 - Selitte, Mario E031 - White, Matthew E039 - Belcher, Sabrina F045 - Burroughs, Virgil H005 - Rhodes, Kierra J010 - Dixon, Nicholas 3785 Broad St, Sumter, SC 29154 0142 - Nelson, Gretta 0249 - Williams, Lorenzo 0403 - Demmons, Dante 0411 - Rex, Candy 0431/2 - Carraway, Cheryl 0531 - Lane, Loriel 0728 - Lovely, Andria 0736 - Brown, Danesha Purchase must be made with cash only and paid for at the time of sale.

All goods are sold as is and must be removed at the time of the sale. Sale is subject to adjournment.

Estate Notice Sumter County

NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATES Persons having claim against the following estates are required to deliver or mail their claims to the indicated Personal Representatives, appointed to administer these estates, and to file their claims on Form #371PC with the Probate Court of Sumter County Courthouse, N. Main Street, Sumter, SC, 29150, on or before the date that is eight months after the date of the first publication of this Notice to Creditors, (unless previously barred by operation of Section 62-3-803), or such persons shall be forever barred as to heir claims. All claims are required to be presented in written statements, indicating the name and the address of the claimant, the basis of the claim, the amount claimed, the date when the claim will become due, the nature of any uncertainty as to the amount claimed and the date when due, and a description of any security as to the claim.

Estate:/Ollie Huggins Hodge #2017ES4300039

Estate:/Roosevelt Joe #2016ES4300394 Personal Representative Stephanie A. Joe C/O John Moorman Attorney at Law 17 E. Calhoun St. Sumter, SC 29150

Estate:/Azalee M. Lee #2017ES4300055

Personal Representative Julie L. Henderson 3750 Saints Ct. Colorado Springs, CO 80904

Personal Representative Quandra L. Boykin 3755 Delaware Drive Dalzell, SC 29040

Estate:/Willie Jean Munn #2016ES4300013

Estate:/Jackie Coker Dowless #2017ES4300059

Personal Representative Gale M. Doggette 46 Chamblee Road Walterboro, SC 29488

Personal Representative Tabatha Browder 2551 Highview Street Sumter, SC 29154

Estate:/Patsy Hopkins #2017ES4300038

Estate:/Gladys Gilmore aka Glady Gilmore Scarborough #2017ES4300041

Personal Representative Leonard E. Hopkins 2155 N. Kings Hwy. Dalzell, SC 29040

Estate:/Edna O. Ford #2017ES4300050 Personal Representative Shirley Brown 879 Griffin Street Sumter, SC 29154

Estate:/Thomas D. Carty #2016ES4300710 Personal Representative Douglas W. Carty 6185 Carty Lane Wedgefield,SC 29168

Estate:/Joseph Gardner Gore Jr #2017ES4300028 Personal Representative Ann H. Gore C/O Thomas Player, Jr. Attorney at Law PO Drawer 3690 Sumter, SC 29151

Estate:/Emily Cribb Moise #2016ES4300011 Personal Representative David Deleon Moise, Jr. C/O Jack W. Erter, Jr. Attorney at Law PO Box 580 Sumter, SC 29151

Estate:/Thomas W. Goldman #2017ES4300044 Personal Representative David W. Goldman C/O Terry Horne Attorney at Law 600 Yuma Court Sumter, SC 29150

Estate:/Blanche Mae Williams #2017ES4300042 Personal Representative Marian Y. Austin 7568 Pine Gables Drive Riverdale, GA 30296

Estate:/Mary

Elaine

Player Rittle #2017ES4300037

Personal Representative William H. Rittle 1043 Nottingham Dr. Sumter, SC 29153

Estate:/Leynoyette J. Dixon #2016ES4300007 Personal Representative Timothy Dixon 2650 Edmunds Dr. Sumter, SC 29154

Personal Representative Marian Y. Austin 7568 Pine Gables Drive Riverdale, GA 30296

Estate:/Jeffrey A. Routch #2017ES4300035 Personal Representative Elisabeth A. Miller C/O Glenn F. Givens 107 N. Main Street Sumter, SC 29150

Estate:/Martha W. Wright #2017ES4300034 Personal Representative Wayne A. Wright 8610 W. Fairway Woods Dr. N. Charleston, SC 29420

Estate:/Jerry Lynn Price, Sr. #2016ES4300016 Personal Representative Barbara F. Price 5850 Alcott Drive Wedgefield, SC 29168

Estate:/Raymond Allen Walker #2017ES4300049 Personal Representative Daryle Alan Walker 3020 Tara Drive Sumter, SC 29150

Estate:/Lumicha J. Whaley #2016ES4300010 Personal Representative Bruce Whaley C/O Hughey Law Firm Attorney at Law PO Box 348 Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464

Estate:/Gloria Dean Williams #2017ES4300054 Personal Representative Toni J. Williams 1002 Spaulding Avenue Sumter, SC 29150

Estate:/Henry Furman, Jr. #2017ES4300024 Personal Representative Emma Furman 4000 McCrays Mill Rd. Sumter, SC 29154

Estate:/Eartha R. Thompson #2017ES4300040 Personal Representative Robert Thompson 929 Oswego Hwy. Sumter, SC 29153

Estate:/Rebecca W. Carson #2016ES4300015 Personal Representative Kathryn C. Bush 646 Smithville Church Rd. Cheraw, SC 29520

Estate:/William Dean Kolb #2017ES4300020

Estate:/Terry Wayne Edwards #2016ES4300004

Personal Representative Kelly K. Geddings 2729 Browning Ridge Dr. Sumter, SC 29154

Personal Representative Angela M. Edwards C/O Sarah Rand-McDaniel PO Box 12009 Columbia, SC 29211

Estate:/Anne B. Thomas #2016ES4300644 Personal Representative Robert E. Thomas, Jr. 5 Folsom Street Sumter, SC 29150

Estate:/James Kendrick #2016ES4300008 Personal Representative Lottie Rivers McCaw 2510 Raccoon Road Sumter, SC 29154

Estate:/Robert Lee Carter #2017ES4300033 Personal Representative Hyon Roberta Carter 2402 Kingsway Road Ft. Washington, MD 20744

Estate:/Harold G. Kirk #2017ES4300047 Personal Representative Linda K. Parker 2322 Gingko Drive Sumter, SC 29150

Personal Representative Mary C. Hodge 2350 Old Manning Road Sumter, SC 29150

Estate:/Margaret P. Parker #2017ES4300051 Personal Representative Joan A. Parker 712 Indigo Ave. Cayce, SC 29033

Estate:/Frederick Segee #2017ES4300023 Personal Representative Barbara J. Segee 20 Carlos Court Sumter, SC 29154

Estate:/Elizabeth Grubb #2016ES4300001 Personal Representative Grandy Grubb 1904 West Oakland Avenue Sumter, SC 29150

MAYO’S SUIT CITY

TUXEDOS AVAILABLE for rental or purchase

Winter Clearance Sale IN PROGRESS NOW!

If your suits aren’t becoming to you, It’s a good time to be coming to Mayo’s!

Wesmark Plaza • 773-2262 • Mon-Sat 10-7 • www.MayosDiscountSuits.com

THE SUMTER ITEM ·

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017

|

C1

IN MONEY

IN LIFE

Businesses cope with Trump ban

Book review: Trayvon Martin’s parents honor son

01.31.17 SYBRINA FULTON, LEFT, AND TRACY MARTIN BY JACK GRUBER, USA TODAY

PAUL J. RICHARDS, AFP/GETTY IMAGES

Actions do not surprise Trump Nation

Supporters don’t see immigration order as hasty, but on time Rick Hampson @rickhampson USA TODAY

POOL PHOTO BY ANDREW HARRER

President Trump, joined Monday by leaders in small business, prepares to sign an executive order on federal regulations.

10 DAYS 20 ORDERS NEWSLINE

IN NEWS

Quebec suspect anti-immigrant, anti-Muslim Alleged gunman shared feelings on social media

This is an edition of USA TODAY provided for your local newspaper.

An expanded version of USA TODAY is available at newsstands or by subscription, and at usatoday.com.

For the latest national sports coverage, go to sports.usatoday.com

USA SNAPSHOTS©

Body goals

59% of Americans believe the best way to achieve the ideal body type is by eating healthy as opposed to exercising.

SOURCE Muscle Maker Grill via Harris Poll survey of 2,054 adults MICHAEL B. SMITH AND VERONICA BRAVO, USA TODAY

Actions are coming fast and furious — sometimes even outpacing themselves

TRUMP’S 10 FIRST DAYS In his first 10-and-a-half days in office, President Trump has signed more executive actions than any president in modern history, just edging out President Obama.

Gregory Korte @gregorykorte USA TODAY WASHINGTON President Trump has begun his presidency with an unprecedented blizzard of executive action, signing more presidential directives than any president NEWS in modern history.

ANALYSIS As a candidate, Trump criticized President Obama’s “illegal and overreaching executive orders.” Now, he’s using those same orders in ways previous presidents have not.

He has used them to order the approval of permits to specific private companies (the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines).

He has not only reinstated Reagan-era policies but expanded them — as with the ban on federal funding to global health groups that promote abortion. On Monday, he tightened the White House’s grip on the regulatory process, insisting that agencies stick to a quota of regulations approved by the president as part of the annual budgeting process.

And he has even created a new form of executive order called a National Security Presidential Memorandum and used it to give orders to the Pentagon and give his political strategist a seat at the

Previous presidents’ National Procla- Executive Presidential Security 10 1⁄2-day mations Orders Memoranda Directives TOTAL actions:

2

33. Truman

2 2 1 1

4 1 3 3 2 3 1 2 1 2 2 9

5 5 8

2

7

8

34. Eisenhower 35. Kennedy

2 1

36. Johnson 37. Nixon 38. Ford

2

39. Carter 40. Reagan 41. G.H.W.Bush 42. Clinton 43. G.W. Bush 44. Obama 45.

Trump

1

2

1 10 4 10 2 1 3

3

6 1 4 6 13 7 13 6 4 12 8 18

20

Trump DEFINITIONS Proclamation The first and most basic form of presidential action. It can be ceremonial (as with Trump’s declaration of National School Choice Week) — or substantive (Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation).

Executive Order The most scrutinized form of presidential directive, numbered and published in the Federal Register. They often organize the federal government or set government-wide policy.

Presidential Memorandum An increasingly popular form of presidential action, sometimes called an “executive order by another name.” They tend to be regulatory, or direct a cabinet secretary to take a specific action.

National Security Directives Every president calls these something different; Trump’s are National Security Presidential Memoranda. Courts have called these “the functional equivalent to an executive order” in the realm of national security. They’re often classified, but the first three of Trump’s are public.

SOURCE The White House, Federal Register, American Presidency Project, Federation of American Scientists, and Kenneth Lowande of the Washington University in St. Louis.

CONTINUES v STORYSTORY CONTINUES ON 2BON C2

The people who elected Donald Trump president say the furor over his executive order on immigration is nothing compared to the one he’d cause if he did nothing to crack down on travel into the country from nations linked with terrorism.

“This is exactly what he promised during the campaign,” said A.D. Amar, a college professor who immigrated to the U.S. decades ago from India. “If he did not do this, I and many other of his supporters would have been disappointed.”

That, in the Trump camp, is putting it mildly.

If Trump backed down, “I would be furious,’’ said Barbara Cope, a retired hospital employee who lives in Elmwood Park, N.J. “I’d say, ‘This is what you ran on!

You lied like all the other politicians!’ ” Both are members of Trump Nation, an array of Trump voters in all 50 states who’ve spoken periodically with the USA TODAY Network about their hopes and expectations of the new president. Although much analysis of Trump’s order has focused on how his election victory empowers him to make such changes, it’s also true that if he does not make them, there will be a political price.

Trump’s order prohibits entry by all refugees for four months and by Syrian refugees indefinitely, and it calls for “extreme vetting” in the future. It also bars any visitors for three months from seven nations deemed to be sources of terrorism, all of which have Muslim-majority populations. Other nations with Muslim majorities whose citizens have committed terrorist attacks, such as Saudi Arabia, were not covered by the order.

At least part of the backlash against Trump’s order focused on the haste in which it was issued; the confusion it created, especially at airports; and the impression it gave of America turning its back on the world.

But Gene Dunn, a longtime Trump supporter who lives on v STORYSTORY CONTINUES ON 2BON C2 CONTINUES

KARL GELLES, USA TODAY

How little has changed: Our earliest ancestor had a big mouth New species pushes our origins as far back as 450 million years ago Doyle Rice @usatodayweather USA TODAY

The earliest known human ancestor was a microscopic sea creature — and it had one huge mouth.

The freaky-looking thing lived about 450 million years ago and

now takes the prize as humanity’s earliest ancestor, according to a study released Monday.

Scientists believe the creature was a common ancestor of many species and the earliest step yet found on the evolutionary path that eventually led to humans hundreds of millions of years later.

It has been named “Saccorhytus” after the sacklike features created by its elliptical body and gigantic mouth. The species is new to science and was identified from micro-fossils found in China.

It is thought to be the most primitive example of a “deuterostome” — a broad biological category that includes several subgroups, including all vertebrates.

“We think that as an early deuterostome this may represent the primitive beginnings of a very diverse range of species, including ourselves,” study co-author Simon Conway Morris of St John’s College at the University of Cambridge said in a statement.

“To the naked eye, the fossils we studied look like tiny black grains, but under the microscope

ARTIST’S RECONSTRUCTION BY JIAN HAN, NORTHWEST UNIVERSITY, CHINA

Saccorhytus probably was small enough to live between grains of sand on the seabed, but its yapper was hard to miss.

the level of detail is jaw-dropping,” Morris said. The actual creature was probably no more than 1 millimeter in size.

The animal probably lived between grains of sand on the seabed. Its features were wellpreserved in the fossil record — and intriguingly, the researchers found that the evidence suggests the creature may have both eaten and excreted through its mouth.

The study, which was led by Jian Han of Northwest University in China, appeared in the peerreviewed British journal Nature.

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017

· THE SUMTER ITEM

Trump to unveil choice for Supreme Court on Tuesday

IN BRIEF CAMEL APPRECIATION DAY

List of nominees is down to three from appeals courts Richard Wolf @richardjwolf USA TODAY

KARIM SAHIB, AFP/GETTY IMAGES

A camel is covered with saffron during the Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed al-Nahyan camel festival Monday in Abu Dhabi. The festival includes a camel beauty contest and auction.

ALLEGED AIRPORT GUNMAN PLEADS NOT GUILTY

The 26-year-old man accused of killing five people and injuring six others in the Fort LauderdaleHollywood International Airport shooting, pleaded not guilty to nearly two dozen federal charges during arraignment Monday.

Esteban Santiago is charged with five counts of causing death at an international airport, six counts of airport violence resulting in serious injury, five counts of causing death during a violent crime and six counts of using a firearm during a violent crime, according to the indictment.

If convicted, he could be sentenced to life in prison or receive the death penalty.

— Alexi C. Cardona, Naples Daily News DELTA AIR LINES GLITCH JUST LATEST OF AIRLINE OUTAGES

The Delta Air Lines technology glitch that canceled hundreds of flights Sunday and Monday was smaller than other episodes in recent months that cost airlines tens of millions of dollars, but it still served as a reminder of how fragile airline computers are.

Airlines big and small have had problems with outages in recent years. United Airlines grounded flights for an hour Jan. 22 and 23

because of a technology problem that canceled at least 200 flights.

A Southwest Airlines outage blamed on a router in July canceled more than 2,000 flights and cost an estimated $54 million.

A previous Delta outage that involved a fire in August canceled 2,300 flights over three days and cost the airline $150 million in lost revenue.

Delta’s latest outage Sunday occurred about 6:30 p.m.; systems were restored by midnight.

Still, the problem led to 170 cancellations Sunday and 110 Monday as well as numerous delays.

— Bart Jansen ALSO ...

uWestern Sahara and African Union sources have told the Associated Press that Morocco has officially been admitted in to the continental body after 32 years of isolation. The decision for Morocco to rejoin the AU came Monday at the African leaders summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. uAuthorities in Brazil say three more people have died in a yellow fever outbreak, according to the Associated Press. Most cases reported have been in the southeastern state of Minas Gerais, where authorities confirm 109 cases including 40 people who died.

WASHINGTON President Trump said Monday he will announce his Supreme Court choice Tuesday night, two days earlier than scheduled.

“I have made my decision on who I will nominate for The United States Supreme Court,” Trump tweeted. “It will be announced live on Tuesday at 8:00 P.M. (W.H.).”

The long-awaited announcement sets up a high-stakes battle in the Senate, where Republicans who hold a slim, 52-seat majority blocked former president Barack Obama’s choice of federal appeals court Judge Merrick Garland.

Democrats, led by Sen. Charles Schumer of New York, have vowed revenge for what many consider a stolen Supreme Court seat. Unless Trump can win over eight of them, Republicans will have to change the Senate’s rules, eliminating the 60-vote threshold needed to bring the nomination to the floor. Trump endorsed such a move last week.

The new president made his selection from a list of 21 people, nearly all of them federal or state judges, put together months ago by conservative interest groups.

By last week, three favorites had emerged: federal appeals court judges Neil Gorsuch of Colorado, Thomas Hardiman of Pennsylvania and the original favorite, William Pryor of Alabama.

The goal for Trump, his aides and those groups has been to find someone in their 40s or early 50s with solidly conservative credentials who can serve on the Supreme Court for a quarter century or more. That makes the selectionof more far-reaching importance than any of Trump’s nominees for his Cabinet or foreign postings.

Trump also had said he wanted

EVAN VUCCI, AP

Justices Anthony Kennedy, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Stephen Breyer hold the key to the court’s ideological balance. a judge in the Scalia mold — one who follows the Constitution as written by the nation’s founders and federal laws as written by Congress.

While he can expect little cooperation from Democrats, Trump reached out to both sides last week, meeting with Senate leaders as well as the chairman and top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Some Democrats fear Trump wants to pack the high court with conservatives willing to roll back precedents on issues such as abortion, civil rights, environmental protection and government regulations.

Scalia’s death last Feb. 13 and President Obama’s effort to replace him with a moderate-to-liberal judge made the Supreme Court a prominent issue in the presidential election between Trump and Hillary Clinton.

Replacing Scalia will not shift the court ideologically from where it was a year ago, but it will put conservatives one seat short of a commanding majority. With the seat filled, the longest-serving justice, Anthony Kennedy, once again will be the man in the middle — siding with conservatives in most cases but occasionally with liberals on issues such as abortion, affirmative action and gay rights.

Scalia’s replacement won’t

change the direction of the court initially.

What could change in the short term is the court’s occasional willingness to step into disputes conservatives feel are better left to the states. That could spell doom for some of Obama’s forays into areas such as health care, immigration and environmental protection.

Trump whittled his list down to three in recent days: uNeil Gorsuch, Colorado, U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit. At 49 the youngest of the group, Gorsuch is the most natural replacement among them for Scalia. He is a strict adherent of originalism. He also has much of Scalia’s flair as a writer. uThomas Hardiman, Pennsylvania, U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit. A dark horse among the finalists, Hardiman, 51, isn’t unfamiliar to Trump. He sits on the same U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit as the president’s sister, Maryanne Trump Barry. uWilliam Pryor, Alabama, U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit. He’s been the conservatives’ justice-in-waiting for years.

But Pryor is controversial: He once criticized the Supreme Court’s 1973 decision in Roe v.

Wade, which legalized abortion, as “the worst abomination of constitutional law in our history.”

Trump’s approval rating up among Republicans v CONTINUED FROM 1B CONTINUED FROM C1

Long Island, decried what he called the “whining about all the ‘chaos’ ” being caused by the travel ban. “If you want chaos,” he said, “watch what happens when some ISIS maniac yells, ‘Allah Akbar!’ and proceeds to mow down innocent Americans with a machine gun, bomb, big construction truck, or God forbid, one day with WMDs.” Despite the inconvenience or hardship caused by the order, “with something like this, there’s gonna be some toes stepped on,” said Michael McCoy, a saw mill owner who lives outside Weaverville, in the mountains of western North Carolina. He’s one of many registered Democrats who voted for Trump. Now he’s a registered Republican.

Corrections & Clarifications USA TODAY is committed to accuracy. To reach us, contact Standards Editor Brent Jones at 800-8727073 or e-mail accuracy@usatoday.com.

Please indicate whether you’re responding to content online or in the newspaper.

“Trump caught the population off guard on this,” Amar said.

“People did not expect it to happen so soon.”

McCoy was among those who admitted he was confused by what seemed like a complex issue, and he expressed dismay over the case of a South Carolina college student who was stranded by the order. “I don’t truly understand international travel, because I don’t do it,” he said. But, he added, the order and the process it set in motion “seems overcomplicated to me. This nation is great at over-complicating things.”

Amar, however, said there was no way the order could have been worded or issued that would have placated Trump’s critics. “The reaction is very much based on the side to which one belongs,” said Amar, who teaches business at Seton Hall University and lives in rural Warren County, N.J. And they like what they’re seeing. According to a Quinnipiac Poll, although Trump’s job approval among all Americans has slumped to 36% — the lowest on comparable record — since the inauguration his stock has risen among Republicans from 76% approval two weeks ago to 81%.

“Trump caught the population off guard on this. People did not expect it to happen so soon.”

PRESIDENT AND PUBLISHER

John Zidich

A.D. Amar, a Trump supporter who immigrated to the U.S. from India

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Patty Michalski CHIEF REVENUE OFFICER

Kevin Gentzel 7950 Jones Branch Dr., McLean, Va. 22108, 703-854-3400 Published by Gannett The local edition of USA TODAY is published daily in partnership with Gannett Newspapers Advertising: All advertising published in USA TODAY is subject to the current rate card; copies available from the advertising department. USA TODAY may in its sole discretion edit, classify, reject or cancel at any time any advertising submitted.

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After the election, it seemed Trump might get a pass on many of his campaign promises. This was because his supporters’ loved him so much, because his opponents hated his proposals so much, and because of a general acknowledgment that Trump the campaigner was best taken seriously but not literally.

And at first the president-elect seemed inclined to take the pass.

He said he wouldn’t necessarily build a wall along every inch of the Mexican border; would focus deportation efforts not on all illegal immigrants, but on those with criminal records; and try to retain some facets of Obamacare.

Then he took office.

“Only a person like Trump could do such bold things,” Amar said. Cope knew why: “Because he has the toughest skin — tougher than snakeskin.”

ANDREW JANSEN, USA TODAY NETWORK

Andy Sun joins protesters in Springfield, Mo., in a rally against one of President Trump’s most high-profile executive orders: limits on immigration from seven Muslim-majority countries.

‘Swinging for the fences’ CONTINUED FROM C11B v CONTINUED FROM table in National Security Council meetings.

While Trump has signed fewer executive orders than Obama at this point in his presidency, he has signed more presidential memoranda — a kind of first cousin to executive orders that became Obama’s tool of choice as he tried to get around a Republican Congress.

Trump’s party has control of Congress. He’s just impatient.

Trump appears to be trying to make good on every campaign promise at once, which in itself was one of his campaign promises. In speeches last fall, he promised to “cancel every unconstitutional executive action, memorandum and order issued

by President Obama” on his very first day in office. (He didn’t.)

“It’s not unusual for a president to hit the ground running and issue a lot of unilateral directives early in his term,” says William Howell, a political science professor at the University of Chicago. “But to see him swinging for the fences — he’s just letting it rip on all manner of policy issues — is striking.”

Presidential scholars say Trump’s executive orders have followed an escalating pattern after a change of party: Republican presidents rescind Democratic policies and reinstate those of the last Republican president. Democratic presidents do the same with Republican policies.

The Day One executive order on the Affordable Care Act, for

example, was a one-page directive telling federal agencies to allow more flexibility in enforcing the provisions of Obamacare until Congress can repeal it. But the order contained the phrase “to the maximum extent permitted by law,” three times, suggesting that its effects are yet to be determined.

One of the most noticeable differences is in style: While Obama signed most of his executive orders in private, Trump has signed all of his in public, with a headline-generating photo opportunities intended to convey constant presidential action.

“Executive orders are generally used to enact public policies, but some of Trump’s orders seem to have been for more symbolic or rhetorical purposes,” says Graham Dodds, a political scientist at Concordia University in Montreal.

And that seems to be part of the strategy. “We’ve hit the ground running at a record pace,” Trump boasted in his weekly radio address Saturday.

The White House is scheduling executive order signing ceremonies even before it knows which order Trump is going to sign — or whether he’ll sign them at all.

Aboard Air Force One last Thursday, press secretary Sean Spicer said Trump would order an investigation into his spurious claims of widespread voter fraud. That order never came.

Executive orders are also a way to keep control of the narrative.

“Bill Clinton did something similar during his impeachment

where he issued a bunch of executive orders to do things Congress likely would have done anyway,” says Chad Murphy, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington in Virginia.

“But he wanted to show he was busy doing the people’s work while Congress was wasting four years and $40 million investigating his sex life.”

The pace of action has prompted questions about how much agency lawyers have been involved in the drafting of executive orders, which has been standard practice under previous presidents. The order on refugee admissions, for example, appeared to include permanent legal residents — “green card” holders — despite later clarifications from the White House that it wasn’t the president’s intent.

Trump’s orders also show that presidential directives have become political weapons as much as they are policy and management tools, with partisan outrage depending on which president was wielding the pen.

During Obama’s presidency, Trump often criticized what he called “overreaching” orders.

“Why is @BarackObama constantly issuing executive orders that are major power grabs of authority?” he tweeted as early as 2012.

Says Dodds, “The conservatives who criticized Bill Clinton’s orders were largely silent for George W. Bush’s orders, then loudly complained about Barack Obama’s orders, and now are mostly silent about Donald Trump’s orders.”

THE SUMTER ITEM ·

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017

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AWARDS SEASON

WHAT THE SAG AWARDS PORTEND FOR THE OSCARS Brian Truitt @briantruitt USA TODAY

With the Screen Actors Guild Awards over and the Oscars less than a month away, a few categories are clearer while others are getting a lot more interesting.

Best picture might not be an easy win for La La Land, best actor now has a pair of favorites, and Viola Davis seems untouchable.

The actors had their say, but we’ll see where the rest of the vote lands when the 89th Academy Awards show airs Feb. 26 (ABC, 7 p.m. ET/4 PT). SAGs are often a good predictor for the Oscars because actors make up the largest branch of the voting body.

So who’s a contender and who’s a pretender coming out of Sunday’s SAG ceremony?

‘HIDDEN FIGURES’ COULD GIVE ‘LA LA LAND’ A RUN FOR BEST PICTURE.

When Oscar nominations were announced, everybody was singing the same tune: La La Land is going to clean up. But with La La missing from the SAG field for outstanding ensemble, the Space Race drama rocketed past Moonlight and Manchester by the Sea as a potential threat.

In Figures’ favor, four of the past six SAG winners have gone on to take best picture, and Braveheart is the only movie to win best picture without a SAG cast nomination since the latter awards were founded in 1995.

And while Hidden Figures is

HOPPER STONE

Hidden no more: Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe), Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer)

LIONSGATE

Emma Stone looks like a shoo-in for La La Land.

probably still an upset pick, voters may veer more toward a film about unsung civil rights heroines than a candy-colored musical love story, given the country’s political climate.

LOOK OUT, CASEY: HERE COMES DENZEL.

Manchester by the Sea star Casey Affleck, who had been a clear favorite for best actor, just got some serious competition in Fences’ Denzel Washington, who beat him for the SAG lead-actor award. While Affleck deals with past sexual harassment allegations, Washington’s new addition to his trophy case gives him momentum in this twohorse race. History is also on Washington’s side, with the last 12 SAG winners snagging Oscar.

EMMA STONE BREAKS FROM THE BEST-ACTRESS PACK.

Amid a crowded field, La La Land’s Emma Stone put some space between herself and others by following up a Golden Globe

win with a SAG lead-actress trophy. Fellow Globe winner Isabelle Huppert (Elle) and Natalie Portman (Jackie) are also in the hunt, but SAG has long been a good predictor for this category, with only one winner (Viola Davis in 2012) in the past seven years not taking an Academy Award, too.

ter now for Ali than they were, though Hell or High Water’s Jeff Bridges is lurking as a dark horse.

JUST GIVE VIOLA HER OSCAR ALREADY, PEOPLE.

Viola Davis looks fairly unstoppable for best supporting actress. Like Brie Larson, ‘MOONLIGHT’S Leonardo ALI SHINES AS DiCaprio and SUPPORTING Matthew ACTOR TO BEAT. McConaughey in recent What was the bigyears, the gest scramble of all DAVID LEE Fences actress looks a smidge has run roughclearer after Maher- Viola Davis (with Denzel shala Ali’s win for Washington) looks primed shod through awards season Moonlight. A strong for her first Oscar win. and seems descandidate from the start of awards season, Ali got tined to receive her first Academy beat by Nocturnal Animals’ Aaron Award for a universally beloved Taylor-Johnson at the Globes. performance.

As if she needed the extra help, Taylor-Johnson didn’t even get an Oscar nod, although his co- the past seven supporting SAG honorees took home the golden star Michael Shannon did.

The odds are considerably bet- guy as well.

MUSIC

Rising pop star Jake Miller talks music, modeling and social media He doesn’t have a full-length record yet, but he’s headed out on tour Feb. 7

Maeve McDermott @maeve_mcdermott USATODAY

He’s performed alongside music’s biggest names at Jingle Ball, recruited Simone Biles for music videos, opened for Fifth Harmony and built a fan army — called “the Millertary” — around his lighthearted pop songs and Wilhelmina Models-approved looks.

Are you paying attention to Jake Miller yet?

The 24-year-old singer’s path to success is emblematic of young pop stars today, building his name with a string of EPs while amassing staggering numbers of social media followers. And as industry friends such as Charlie Puth and Meghan Trainor have translated their starpower and years of work into chart-topping songs, Miller seems to be on the precipice of the next level of fame.

Before Miller embarks on his Overnight tour, which kicks off Feb. 7 in Orlando, learn more about the singer with a giant year ahead.

HE’S PART OF A RISING CLASS OF YOUNG STARS.

Miller performed at Madison Square Garden for the first time in December, singing with DNCE at Z-100’s Jingle Ball. But he’s no stranger to the other rising talent he shared the stage with that evening. “Just from being in the industry for a few years now, I’ve become closer with a lot of people, even people that I used to listen to and look up to,” he says.

HE OPENED FOR LONGTIME FRIENDS FIFTH HARMONY.

From growing up in the same city to rising through the industry ranks together, Miller has nothing but glowing things to say

PHOTOS BY MAX VADUKUL

“I’m slightly addicted to social media. ...

When I wake up in the morning, I check every account.”

about Fifth Harmony, who invited him on tour with them last year.

“I grew up in the same city as two of the girls in Fifth Harmony (Lauren Jauregui and since-departed member Camila Cabello also grew up in the Miami area), we were MTV Artists to Watch together, so it was before either of us had any major success. Obviously, they’re just on another level, so I’m really proud of them.”

AND HE HELPED SIMONE BILES BREAK INTO ACTING.

How exactly did Miller strike up an unlikely friendship with the Olympic gymnast? “One of my fans tagged me in a tweet from Simone Biles from two years ago, like, ‘Jake Miller is hot,’ ” he says.

Fast-forward to 2016, when Biles became a household name for her performances in Rio, and a Miller fan dredged up her tweet.

“I just gave her my number, we started talking … and when she got back from Rio I asked if she

wanted to be in the Overnight music video. She had never been in a music video before, she was just as excited as I was. It was a very organic, authentic thing.”

HE’S A MODEL, THOUGH HE’S YET TO BOOK A MAJOR JOB.

Miller signed with Wilhelmina last year, though he’s less focused on modeling than his music. “It’s really not something I have the biggest passion for; music is my baby,” he says. “I’d always had an interest in it, so when I moved to Los Angeles I had a few meetings with a few different agencies.”

But keeping up the physique he shows off on Instagram isn’t easy when he’s on tour. “There’s almost never a gym around,” he says, “so you have to rely on pullups and push-ups and running. ...

But my rule is when I’m home, I try to work out every single day, so I can eat anything I want.”

BUT HIS REAL CALLING CARD? THE MILLERTARY.

Without a full-length record, Mil-

ler has built an online following of more than 1 million Instagram followers and 665,000 Twitter fans. He considers managing his social media accounts an essential part of his job.

“I’m slightly addicted to social media. ... When I wake up in the morning, I check every account, first my texts and my email, then I go to Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, my Spotify stats,” he explains.

Miller offered a quick class in online etiquette; he uses Instagram to reach the most people, and Snapchat to share his day-today life with his fans.

“I want to make the fans feel like friends; I don’t want to feel just like some abstract person,” he says, referencing a favorite rapper whose lack of engagement taught him what not to do. “One of my favorite artists is Eminem, but I never see any pictures of him in the media, I never see him interacting with fans — if I was to get a tweet back from him, I would be the happiest person in the world.”

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COMICS

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017

THE SUMTER ITEM

BIZARRO

SOUP TO NUTZ

ANDY CAPP

GARFIELD

BEETLE BAILEY

BORN LOSER

BLONDIE

ZITS

MOTHER GOOSE

DOG EAT DOUG

DILBERT

JEFF MACNELLY’S SHOE

Sister doubly angry after brother abandons wife DEAR ABBY: When my children were small, my husband left me. He married the other woman the Dear Abby day after our divorce ABIGAIL was final. It VAN BUREN was the worst thing that has ever happened to me, and I suffered greatly in the years that followed.

Recently my brother did the same thing to his wife of many years. I find myself feeling very angry and hurt that he would do this. He said it was wrong when it happened to me, but now he expects me to support his decision to abandon his wife.

He also expects me to be-

JUMBLE THAT SCRAMBLED WORD GAME

By David L Hoyt and Jeff Knurek

friend his new wife.

I can’t help but identify with his ex. My heart goes out to her, and I’m furious with my brother and his new wife. Am I wrong for feeling this way? Must my loyalty to my family override my principles?

Loyal to a point in Mississippi DEAR LOYAL: That you would identify strongly with your former sister-in-law isn’t wrong; it is normal under the circumstances.

Not knowing how close your relationship is with your brother, I can’t decide for you whether blood is thicker than water. But I can certainly understand your distaste at the idea of befriending the woman he cheated with.

Whichever you decide to

THE DAILY CROSSWORD PUZZLE

do, continue to be kind to your ex-SIL. She needs all the emotional support she can get now that your brother is cozily ensconced in his new love nest.

DEAR ABBY: I’ve often wondered what happens to people with an immediate problem that you are unable to answer in print in a timely manner. For example, a bride with an upcoming wedding, or someone trying to decide where to spend Thanksgiving or Christmas.

Do you write them outside of your column?

Just wondering in Harrisburg, Pa. DEAR JUST WONDERING: Yes. Time-sensitive questions are often dealt with separately, apart from my column.

SUDOKU HOW TO PLAY: Each row, column and set of 3-by-3 boxes must contain the numbers 1 through 9 without repetition.

By C.C. Burnikel

S

ACROSS 1 Greek sandwich 5 Happy gatherings 10 Baby cow 14 Control for an equestrian 15 In full view 16 Buckeye State 17 Horse feed 18 TV’s “The Practice,” e.g.

20 “Bummer!”

22 Ford fiasco 23 Provides staff for 24 “That makes sense” 26 Champagne stopper or popper 27 Genius Bar pro 29 JFK’s successor 32 High-card-wins game 33 Enjoy 35 Submitted tax returns with a click 38 Door holder’s witticism 41 Part of Congress 42 Somali-born supermodel 43 Wide shoe size 44 Frat. counterpart 45 Aid in a felony 47 Traps in an attic?

49 Deborah of “The King and I”

1/31/17 51 Fictional Hawaiian police nickname 52 Rage 55 Procter & Gamble laundry detergent 60 Australia’s “Sunshine State” ... or where you might find the ends of 18-, 20-, 38- and 55-Across?

62 “Go back” computer command 63 Sch. near the U.S.-Mexico border 64 Tweak, say 65 Raise a big stink?

66 Pops a question 67 Outlaw chasers 68 Hours next to flight nos.

DOWN 1 Branch out 2 “Okey-dokey” 3 Second actress to win an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony 4 GM system with an AtYourService app 5 Helps with the laundry 6 Happily __ after 7 Maker of the Genesis game system

8 Like many Shakespeare plays 9 MLB Cardinal’s cap letters 10 Lear’s youngest daughter 11 “I get it” cries 12 Green citrus fruit 13 Baby horse 19 Lousy grade 21 Sock that covers the joint it’s named for 25 Biblical queendom 26 Pet store enclosures 27 Ref’s ring decision 28 Spine-tingling 30 Margarine that shares its name with Texas’ state flower

31 Ballet leaps 32 “Now, where __ I?” 34 “Sadly ... “ 36 Red Sox ballpark 37 Hair coloring 39 Cocktail makers 40 Ambulance fig.

46 S.O.S shelfmate 48 Make certain of 50 Fish-eating eagle 51 Rapper with a title 52 Poolside shade 53 Pecans and cashews 54 Nerdy type 56 37-Down containers 57 Singles 58 Binged (on), as snacks 59 Pans for potstickers 61 Maple extract

Monday’s Puzzle Solved

©2017 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

1/31/17