February 1, 2017 by The Sumter Item

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Trump names Neil Gorsuch U.S. Supreme Court nominee comes widely respected A7

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James’ election to Supreme Court seems certain Sumter judge only candidate left standing BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com Judge Dianna Schafer Goodstein has withdrawn her name from consideration to the South Carolina Supreme Court, leaving Third Judicial Circuit Court Judge George “Buck” James as the only

remaining candidate. Lindi Legare, a staff member with the South Carolina Judicial Merit Selection Commission, confirmed Goodstein’s withdrawal Tuesday. JAMES James, who is from Sumter, has been a circuit court judge since 2006. In addition, Family Court Judge George McFaddin Jr. appears poised

to become an at-large circuit judge after two other candidates for that position reportedly withdrew their nominations. Judge Jeffrey Young is the current at-large circuit court MCFADDIN judge and recently announced his intention to retire as soon as a replacement could be sworn in. A joint meeting of the S.C. General

Assembly will vote on judicial nominees beginning at noon today in the House Chamber of the S.C. Statehouse in Columbia. Rep. Murrell Smith Jr., R-Sumter, who is chairman of the Judicial Merit Selection Commission, said having a Sumter resident on the S.C. Supreme Court is something the community can be proud of.

SEE JUDGE, PAGE A8

Returning the favor

REQUESTED ITEMS TO ASSIST VICTIMS • blankets and sheets • pillows and pillowcases • washcloths • towels • jackets • socks • flashlights and batteries • cleaning supplies • toothbrushes, toiletries and soap • school supplies • diapers and wipes • pre-packaged food (crackers, cookies, soups, etc.) • dog and cat food • cardboard boxes (for loading)

COLLECTION SITES Recovery supplies can be dropped off from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday through Feb. 14 at two Sumter locations: United Ministries, 36 Artillery Drive, and Bynum Insurance, 1170 Wilson Hall Road

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

A rescue worker enters a hole in the back of a mobile home Monday, Jan. 23, 2017, in Big Pine Estates that was damaged by a tornado, in Albany, Georgia. Fire and rescue crews were searching through the debris, looking for people who might have become trapped when the deadly storm came through.

After receiving flood aid in 2015, Sumter organizes effort to help ravaged Georgia town BY BRUCE MILLS bruce@theitem.com In an act of reciprocity, the Sumter community is responding to recent tornado victims in Albany, Georgia, after that city reached out to Sumter during the historic statewide floods in October 2015. It was 16 months ago that Sumter endured extreme flooding in a 1,000year flood event, during which some parts of the county received up to 20 inches of rain. Truckloads of food and supplies came in to assist more than 1,000 Sumterites in need during the recovery efforts. One truckload of sup-

plies came from Albany. Now, Sumter is trying to return the favor. Albany’s helping hand to Sumter two years ago was directed by resident Ted Durant, who is a Sumter native. An employee of a local truck rental company in Albany, Durant wanted to do something for his hometown. The owner of the truck rental company donated a tractor-trailer and told Durant he’d also pay for the fuel if Durant would ask the Albany community to fill the trailer. The community responded, and the supplies were eventually delivered to Sumter United Ministries.

After Albany was hit particularly hard with a tornado Jan. 22, Gene Durant — Ted’s father and a Sumter resident — reached out to United Ministries’ Executive Director Mark Champagne and asked if there was any way Sumter could now help Albany in its recovery. “Some things just seem like the right thing to do,” Champagne said. “I told Gene: ‘Yeah, we absolutely need to do this.’” And so United Ministries is now kicking off a campaign to deliver at least a trailer of needed supplies to Albany. Champagne has talked with Ted Durant and others in Albany and com-

piled a list of needed supplies. These include blankets, sheets, pillows and pillowcases, washcloths and towels, jackets, socks, flashlights, cleaning supplies, toiletries, school supplies and pre-packaged food items, among others. Champagne said requested items will be collected from now until Feb. 14. Items can be dropped off Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at United Ministries’ fairgrounds location, 36 Artillery Drive; or at Bynum Insurance, 1170 Wilson Hall Road.

SEE FAVOR, PAGE A8

Company offers 24/7 on-site drug testing for local industry BY RICK CARPENTER rick@theitem.com When a local drug-screening company shuttered its facility about three years ago, it left a void that particularly affected industrial plants in the Sumter area. But when Dr. Clay Lowder and owners of Colonial Healthcare saw a business need in the community, they acted quickly to inject a drug-

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screening program complete with a mobile unit. And while plant operators rarely use the mobile unit, when they need it, they need it right away. To understand that need, imagine the damage an intoxicated forklift driver could cause in an industrial plant where forklifts zip back and forth at head-turning speeds. Besides the obvious threat to humans, forklift drivers move

thousands of dollars of products within a plant from production to packaging to shipping. Forklift drivers often follow a miniature roadway system within a plant where yellow lines of demarcation establish routes and boundaries through buildings. But what happens when someone drives outside the lines, perhaps running into a wall or knocking over prod-

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ucts, thereby endangering lives as well as company products? And what steps can plant managers take to determine the sobriety of a driver? This example just uses the forklift drivers to highlight the situation. Any employee could go to work intoxicated and face a similar scenario. That situation rarely arises, according to the two plant managers The Sumter Item contacted for this story who

said together they deal with fewer than a handful of cases a year for their combined 1,500 employees divided into shifts that run 24/7. But when a company suspects an intoxicated employee is working on a shift, it needs to take immediate action to protect all employees and to possibly clear the suspect. And usually, that requires

SEE DRUGS, PAGE A7

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Exhibition celebrates ‘Rite of Spring’

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BY IVY MOORE ivy@theitem.com

FROM STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

Sumter man wins $1M with scratch-off lottery ticket

n idea for a collaboration between Sumter County Gallery of Art and Covenant Place Continuing Retirement Community has been overwhelmingly successful, according to gallery director Karen Watson and Melissa Linville, director of sales and marketing at Covenant Place. The two entities work together to mount three annual art exhibitions in Covenant Place’s Mezzanine Gallery. The partnership enters its fifth year on Thursday evening, when a show titled “The Rite of Spring” opens with a 5-to7 p.m. reception at Covenant Place, 2825 Carter Road. The exhibitions were the brainchild of Sue Fienning, a board member of both the gallery and Covenant Place, who suggested a “satellite gallery” for changing exhibitions; the same art had hung there for years without change, she’d noticed. Now, not just Covenant Place residents, but also the general public have the opportunity to view outstanding exhibitions by talented local artists. Linville said Covenant Place residents “like to see the changing exhibitions and open up their home to visitors. This partnership has been a win-win proposition for the greater Sumter community, the gallery and Covenant Place.” Watson said the exhibitions have been equally exciting for the gallery, offering as they do another important venue for local artists to show their work.

A Sumter man, who asked not to be identified, won $1 million Monday with a Black Ice Millions scratch-off ticket he purchased from Fuel Express on Broad Street. The very first number he scratched off revealed the win. Fuel Express received a commission of $10,000 for selling the claimed ticket. Players can continue to enter nonwinning Black Ice Millions tickets into a final drawing to win an additional $1 million prize. The draw date has yet to be announced, for updates and details visit sceducationlottery.com.

City to repair water lines in Millwood area today, tomorrow RICK CARPENTER / THE SUMTER ITEM

Gardner Cole Miller, curator of Sumter County Gallery of Art, uses a level as he hangs an Amanda Cox painting in Covenant Place’s Mezzanine Gallery. The show, organized through the gallery and Covenant Place, will open on Thursday featuring works by Cox and Tari Federer. Gallery Education Director Amanda Cox and Tari Federer are the featured artists in “The Rite of Spring.” Both will be present at Thursday’s opening. Federer said of her work, “In pursuit of my passion, I choose landscapes as my subject because of my experiences hiking, horseback riding and canoeing. It is the beauty and timelessness of these mental images that inspire me to share what I see with others. Rather than the completed work, it is the process of making art — exploring new ideas and techniques — that excites me most. It is a never-ending journey. My work has grown out of experimentation with abstraction, photomontage, collage and a wide variety of media.” Cox decided to concentrate primarily on paint-

ing a little more than a year ago and set a goal to excel as an artist in that medium through live and online workshops, plus countless hours in her studio. She works mainly in acrylics, preferring bright, opaque colors and free, broad strokes with large, flat brushes to achieve the hard lines and geometric impressionism seen in many of her paintings. Her typical subjects are landscapes, florals and abstract compositions, an appropriate complement to Federer’s work for this exhibition and well-suited for the show’s focus on spring. Cox finds color and light very important in the pieces, as she often uses complementary colors to create tension and interest. She said that in a world that often seems full of hidden meanings and in-

tentions, she prefers creating art for its own sake. Sumter County Gallery of Art and Covenant Place invite the community to the 5-to-7 p.m. Thursday opening of “The Rite of Spring,” featuring art by Amanda Cox and Tari Federer that celebrates the upcoming season. Linville said music for the opening reception will be performed by harpist Kipper Ackerman, and the exhibition will be catered by Covenant Place dietary manager Brandy Lane and Chef Lloyd Spaulding. Admission is free, and the public is invited to attend the opening at Covenant Place, 2825 Carter Road. For more information, call Linville at (803) 469-7007 or the gallery’s curator Gardner Cole Miller or director Karen Watson at (803) 775-0543.

Shaw medical group set for move to new facility FROM STAFF REPORTS The 20th Medical Group at Shaw Air Force Base will be closed Friday through Monday to facilitate the move to its new facility and equipment testing, according to an article posted on the base’s website. The new facility will reopen to patients Tuesday. “We will offer the same services in the new facility that we currently provide, to include family health, women’s health, mental health, physical therapy, optometry, pharmacy, laboratory and radiology,” said Lt. Col. James Ulrich, 20th Medical Group administrator. “The current facility was originally an inpatient hospital, so its design and function do not match our current requirements.” The new building is designed to provide better patient flow, an improved care experience and in-

creased energy savings, he said. Several offices once located in outlying buildings will be consolidated into the new clinic, including pediatrics, flight medicine, bio-environmental, public health and TRICARE administration, according to the article. The dental and veterinary clinics will remain in their current locations. “The bio-environmental engineering staff is very excited to move to the new, state-of-the-art medical facility,” said Maj. Alfred Doby, 20th Aerospace Medicine Squadron bio-environmental engineering flight commander. “The move will place the majority of our support services under one roof while enhancing logistics, resource availability, emergency response capabilities, training, customer satisfaction and the overall customer experience.”

The new building is clearly marked and designed to make patient flow easier, Ulrich said. Staff members will be available to assist patients with finding their way around during the initial weeks, as well as an information desk and an interactive tool that can be used with smartphones. A roundabout in front of the new facility can be used to drop off patients, though patients will continue to park in the current lots, the article said. There is a second phase of the project, anticipated to begin late spring, which includes tearing down the old facility and expanding the parking lots, Ulrich said. Anyone who requires care while the 20th Medical Group is closed can call the Nurse Advice Line at 1 (800) 847-2273. In case of an emergency, call 911 or proceed to the nearest emergency room.

The City of Sumter will be making repairs to the water lines in the Millwood Gardens Subdivision. This work is scheduled to be completed between today and Thursday. There will be minor service interruptions to customers during this project. The immediate area may experience some red water during this period as valves are exercised and as work is performed on the lines. Please direct any questions or concerns to City of Sumter Public Services Department at (803) 4362558.

Poll worker charged with trying to coerce SC primary voters COLUMBIA — A polling official in Sumter County has been charged with trying to coerce voters as she worked at the polls during last summer’s state primary election. South Carolina Law Enforcement Division says 64-year-old Sara H. Benenhaley was arrested Monday and charged with willful neglect or corrupt conduct by officers other than election manager. SLED says Benenhaley used her position as a polling official to tell voters whom they should support in the primary and subsequent runoff election. State police warrants didn’t say which candidate Benenhaley was telling people to support. It was not immediately clear if she had a lawyer. If convicted, Benenhaley could spend three years in prison or pay a $500 fine. According to Sumter County Third Judicial Circuit Court, a judge set a $500 personal recognizance bond for Benenhaley on Monday, which she posted that same day.

Lee Council receives report from 2016 audit on Thursday Lee County Council will meet in a special called meeting at 9:30 a.m. Thursday in the County Council Chambers of the Lee County Courthouse, 123 S. Main St., Bishopville. Council will receive a fiscal year 2016 audit report from the accounting firm Sheheen, Hancock & Godwin. Immediately following the council meeting, the Ways and Means Committee will meet to review the county coroner budget and to review a personnel matter in executive session. For more information, call (803) 484-5341, extension 323.

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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The Sumter Item is published five days a week except for July 4, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day (unless those fall on a Sunday) by Osteen Publishing Co., 36 W. Liberty St., Sumter, SC 29150. Periodical postage paid at Sumter, SC 29150. Postmaster: Send address changes to Osteen Publishing Co., 20 N. Magnolia St., Sumter, SC 29150 Publication No. USPS 525-900

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POLICE BLOTTER STOLEN PROPERTY A pair of rear rims and tires were reportedly stolen from a blue 2016 Toyota Tundra and a white 2016 Toyota Tundra while the vehicles were parked at an auto dealership in the 2500 block of Broad Street about 10:45 p.m. on Saturday. A 40-inch Vizio flat-screen TV valued at $595; undergarments, unknown brand, valued at $100; four pairs of shoes, unknown brands, valued at $250; and a microphone set, unknown brand, valued at $450 were reportedly stolen from a residence in the first block of Bradford Street between 3 and 5 p.m. Friday. According to an incident report from Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, approximately $175 in damage was caused to the front door of the residence during the alleged theft. A white 2001 Ford Ranger truck valued at $2,000 was reportedly stolen from a convenience store parking lot in the 1000 block of Manning Road about 6:30 a.m. Sunday.

STATE BRIEF FROM WIRE REPORTS

Agency seeks to reduce contraband with netting COLUMBIA — South Carolina’s prisons agency wants to install netting along the fences that surround its high- and medium-security prisons to prevent people from tossing over cellphones and other contraband. The State Fiscal Accountability Authority on Tuesday approved the project’s design phase, expected to cost $113,400. The netting is a low-cost way of stopping the flow of contraband to prisoners through backpacks, duffel bags and other packages thrown into prison yards over the razor wire, said Corrections Director Bryan Stirling. Last year, officers at prisons statewide discovered 225 throw-overs, with monthly confiscations ranging from seven last March to 28 in December, according to the agency.

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Students fill their lunch trays Jan. 25 at John F. Kennedy Elementary School in Kingston, New York, where all meals are now free under the federal Community Eligibility Provision. A donor inspired by a tweet raised money to pay off lunch debt in districts across the country, as well as thousands of dollars in overdue lunch fees at other schools in the Kingston district. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Donors help erase students’ lunch debts BY MARY ESCH The Associated Press Ashley C. Ford felt driven to act by a sad fact of life in the nation’s school cafeterias: Kids with unpaid lunch accounts are often embarrassed with a substitute meal of a cold cheese sandwich and a carton of milk. Ford, a New York City writer, appealed to her 66,000 Twitter followers with a solution. “A cool thing you can do today is try to find out which of your local schools have kids with overdue lunch accounts and pay them off.” In the nearly two months since, people across the country have been inspired to donate thousands of dollars to erase debts owed by parents that can follow kids throughout their school careers.

In Minnesota, an online fundraising effort has paid almost $100,000 in lunch debt in Minneapolis schools and $28,000 in St. Paul’s. Donors, mostly anonymous, erased $6,000 in debts in Topeka, Kansas; $2,000 in BelFORD levue, Washington; $1,200 in Wilmington, Delaware; and $900 in Herminie, Pennsylvania. “It really hit home for me,” said Kristina Arwood of Evansville, Indiana, who launched a campaign that raised $20,000 to pay lunch debts in her region. “I grew up on free and reduced-price lunches, but even that 40 cents was hard to get together with four kids. There were times I wouldn’t eat because I didn’t have money

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and didn’t want to be labeled as the poor kid.” Jill Draper, a yarn maker in the Hudson Valley town of Kingston, New York, said she was inspired by Ford’s tweet to collect money toward the $6,000 in debts owed by 600 students in her city’s schools. “It seemed like a really easy way to make a positive difference locally,” said Draper, who has no children. “It’s amazing how one tweet became this crazy movement.” Draper said the effort drew some criticism from people who said some of the money is owed by parents who can afford the $2.50 for lunch but let their accounts run into the red. “But the response has been mostly positive, with really sweet notes from people who donate,” she said. Children from the poor-

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est families get free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch. But some struggle to pay even reduced prices, and some families who would qualify for free or reduced prices fail to fill out the necessary paperwork. Some of the IOUs come from kids who simply forget their lunch money or parents who can afford to pay but neglect to keep prepaid accounts up to date. Most school districts allow children to run a tab for a certain number of meals if they come up short. Others give them an alternate meal of a cheese or peanut butter sandwich and fruit. If parents ignore school notices about their child’s overdrawn lunch account, the debt may be sent to a collection agency. Ultimately, taxpayers may have to cover it.

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Scouts allows transgender kids into boys-only programs DALLAS (AP) — A New Jersey woman whose son was asked to leave his Boy Scouts troop after leaders found out he is transgender said she has mixed emotions about the organization’s decision to allow transgender children who identify as boys to enroll in its boysonly programs. The Boy Scouts of America announced Monday that enrollment in its boys-only programs will now be based on the gender a child or parent lists on his application to become a scout, rather than the gender listed on the child’s birth certificate. Eight-year-old Joe Maldonado was asked to leave his scout troop in Secaucus, New Jersey, last fall after parents and leaders found out he is transgender. The organization’s statement did not specifically mention Joe’s case, but said it changed the policy because of the larger conversation about gender identity taking place around the country. “For more than 100 years, the Boy Scouts of America, along with schools, youth sports and other youth organizations, have ultimately deferred to the information on an individual’s birth certificate to determine eligibility for our single-gender programs,” the statement said. “However, that approach is no longer sufficient as communities and state laws are interpreting gender identity differently, and these laws vary widely from state to state.” Kristie Maldonado, Joe’s mother, said she had mixed emotions Monday night when a Boy Scouts representative called to tell her the organiza-

AP FILE PHOTO

Cub Scouts watch a race during the Second Annual World Championship Pinewood Derby in New York’s Times Square in June 2016. The Boy Scouts of America announced Monday that it will allow transgender children who identify as boys to enroll in its boys-only programs. tion would allow her son to reenroll in his troop. Maldonado said she would like her son to rejoin the Secaucus troop, but only if the scout leader who threw him out of the troop leaves. She said Joe, who will turn 9

today, has spoken publicly about the incident. She called him a “ham” and noted he had a big birthday party on Saturday with the mayor of Secaucus in attendance. “I’m so grateful. I really am that they’re accepting and

that there won’t be any issues,” Maldonado said by phone Monday. “It’s a big change for everybody that all are accepted now ... I’m so delighted that they finally called and they did say this, but I’m still angry.”

Maldonado said the decision to remove her son from the troop made him feel different, and she wanted to make sure he knew the troop made a mistake. The Boy Scouts said the enrollment decision goes into effect immediately. Zach Wahls, co-founder of the groups Scouts for Equality, called the decision historic. “The decision to allow transgender boys to participate in the Cub Scouts and the Boy Scouts is an important step forward for this American institution,” he wrote in a statement posted to social media. “We are incredibly proud of Joe Maldonado — the transgender boy from New Jersey whose expulsion last year ignited this controversy. We are also proud of the Boy Scouts for deciding to do the right thing.” Boy Scouts of America leaders lifted a blanket ban on gay troop leaders and employees in July 2015 amid intense pressure. The group decided in 2013 — after heated debate — to allow openly gay youth as scouts. The national Girl Scouts organization, which is not affiliated with the Boy Scouts, has accepted transgender members for years.

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Speaker defends Trump immigration order amid GOP concerns WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Paul Ryan on Tuesday defended President Trump’s divisive executive order on refugees and immigration, arguing that while the rollout was bumpy, the policy is consistent with Republican principles. “The president has a responsibility to the security of this country,” Ryan told reporters. “What is happening is something that we support, which is, we need to pause. And we need to make sure the vetting standards are up to snuff so that we can guarantee the safety and security of our country. That is what this does.” “I think it’s regrettable that there was some confusion on the rollout of this,” Ryan said, adding no one wanted to see legal permanent residents caught up in the immigration ban, which initially happened before the administration clarified that they should not be. Even though GOP congressional leadership was frozen out of the drafting of the order, Ryan told rank-and-file Republicans in a closed-door meeting before speaking to reporters that he backed the decision to stop the U.S. refugee program and ban

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

House Speaker Paul Ryan leaves a Tuesday news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., after a GOP strategy session. all entries from seven Muslimmajority nations for 90 days. The action triggered mass confusion and chaos worldwide, split families and set off protests at airports across the country. In the aftermath, Ryan told the GOP that the “rollout was a little bumpy, been a few potholes in the road but the actual policy he agreed with,” Rep. Phil Roe, R-Tenn., said. Ryan warned lawmakers to expect protests at their offices,

Roe said, but reminded them that the policy is in line with legislation the House has strongly backed in the past. Another lawmaker, Rep. Dennis Ross of Florida, said the speaker’s message was, “‘Look this shouldn’t be a surprise to anybody, this is what we all campaigned on ... We’re looking at eight years of a legacy that we’re essentially undoing.’” Said Rep. Chris Collins, R-N.Y.: “The speaker was very out in front today reminding

our conference this is something we should be embracing.” Ryan’s reassurances weren’t enough to quiet frustration from some members. “Basically, I think the thrust of the executive order should have been a very positive move,” said Rep. Pete King, R-N.Y. “The way it was handled though put the Republicans on defense, and also caused great inconvenience to too many people. But the political question you ask, yeah, they’re losing political capital for no reason. It was a self-inflicted wound.” Top congressional leaders of Trump’s party, including Ryan, were left to find out the same way the general public did: from news reports as Trump signed the order on Friday. “I guess one of you guys probably told me about it. Thank you for that,” Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., who chairs the Foreign Relations Committee, told reporters Monday. Then, as lawmakers struggled to gather details for constituents about the order, at least one prominent GOP senator was told that the State Department had been instructed not to communicate with Congress.

“There’s not a lot of answers as of today. In fact my staff was told the State Department, as of today, was ordered not to talk to Congress about this issue,” said Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida. “That cannot be a permanent position, we expect answers here fairly soon.” Next followed the surprising news, first reported by Politico, that the administration’s repeated claims that Hill Republicans were involved in drafting the executive order apparently referred to staffers on the House Judiciary Committee who acted without the knowledge of GOP leadership. Each new revelation set off alarm bells on Capitol Hill where Republicans, eager to give Trump the benefit of the doubt barely a week into his presidency, are confronting repeated bouts of chaos of the administration’s own making. The failure to consult with lawmakers ahead of time on the immigration executive order set the stage for highprofile Republicans to criticize the measure once it started attracting widespread controversy, and so they did, despite leadership remaining generally supportive.

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2017

THE SUMTER ITEM

Race is on to develop flying car

AP FILE PHOTO

A worker pushes shopping carts in front of a Wal-Mart store in La Habra, California. Wal-Mart is replacing a program that offered free shipping but had an annual fee with one that has a lower free shipping threshold and faster delivery as it hopes to answer Amazon’s powerful Prime membership success.

Wal-Mart opts for free and faster shipping on essentials NEW YORK (AP) — WalMart is replacing a program that offered free shipping but had an annual fee with one that has a lower free shipping threshold and faster delivery as it hopes to answer Amazon’s powerful Prime membership success. The retailer says it will reduce shipping time to two days on 2 million of its most popular items including essentials like diapers and pet food as well hot toys and Electronics. Wal-Mart’s average shipping time has been three to five days. Starting Tuesday morning, it’s also reducing the spending necessary for free shipping to $35 from $50. Wal-Mart’s ShippingPass had allowed members to buy more than a million items for free shipping at Walmart.com. Last year, it trimmed its shipping time frame to two days from three, and it cut the annual fee by a dollar to $49. Bentonville, Arkansas-based Wal-Mart said the service worked well, but that it concluded shoppers shouldn’t have to pay a membership fee for free shipping. The strategy shift is one of the first big moves by Walmart.com’s CEO Mark Lore, who joined the company when Wal-Mart bought online retailer Jet. com last year. And it’s an illustration of how WalMart is trying to figure out a way to compete with Amazon and its dominant Prime plan.

Amazon’s membership program costs $99 a year, but includes services like streaming music and video that have created fierce loyalty. Analysts say Amazon Prime members buy more frequently and spend more money. Amazon doesn’t disclose a Prime subscriber total, but it’s estimated to be around 65 million. Wal-Mart wouldn’t say how many ShippingPass subscribers it had, but all will receive a refund of their membership fee. Lore declined to comment on Amazon, but said lower prices, a wider assortment of eligible goods and faster shipping alone can build loyalty. Lore promised more moves ahead to spur Wal-Mart’s online business. “Two-day, free shipping is table stakes,” he said in a conference call Monday. “We’ve upped the ante. On a very fundamental level, we don’t have to charge for membership. We can save customers both time and money.” Lore said he believes the new approach will dramatically increase sales. WalMart’s online sales had been slowing over the past two years, but notably accelerated during last year’s third quarter. Wal-Mart reports fourth-quarter results next month. Wal-Mart said purchases outside the 2 million “essentials” will count toward free shipping, but won’t get the faster delivery.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Even before George Jetson entranced kids with his cartoon flying car, people dreamed of soaring above traffic congestion. Inventors and entrepreneurs have long tried and failed to make the dream a reality, but that may be changing. Nearly a dozen companies around the globe, including some with deep pockets such as European aircraft maker Airbus, are competing to be the first to develop a new kind of aircraft that will enable commuters to glide above crowded roadways. A few of the aircraft under development are cars with wings that unfold for flight, but most aren’t cars at all. Typically they take off and land vertically like helicopters. Rather than a single, large main rotor, they have multiple small rotors. Each rotor is operated by a battery-powered electric motor instead of a conventional aircraft piston engine. It’s no sure bet that flyingcar dreams will turn into reality. There are many obstacles, including convincing regulators that the aircraft are safe, figuring out how to handle thousands of new lowflying aircraft over cities without collisions and developing batteries that will keep them aloft long enough to be useful. But entrepreneurs are moving forward. They see a vast potential market for “air taxis” and personally owned small aircraft to transport people from the fringes of metropolitan areas to city centers as urban areas grow more congested and people spend more time stuck in traffic. They envision tens of thousands of one or two-person flying taxis delivering passengers to the rooftops of office buildings in city centers and other landing pads during rush hours. “In as little as 10 years, products could be on the market that revolutionize urban

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

This artist rendering provided by Airbus shows a vehicle in its flying car project, Vahana. Inventors and entrepreneurs have tried and failed to make the dream a reality, but that may be changing. Nearly a dozen companies around the globe, some of them with deep pockets such as Airbus, are working to develop personal aircraft that let people hop over crowded roadways. travel for millions of people,” said Zach Lovering, the leader of Airbus’ project to develop an autonomous flying taxi called the Vahana. The name means the mount or vehicle of a Hindu deity. Uber released a 98-page report in October making the business case for air taxis, which the company sees as the future of on-demand transportation. Uber doesn’t have any plans to develop a flying car itself, but the online transportation network is advising several companies that have aircraft in the works. Some of the aircraft are drones that passengers will be able to program for flight using a smartphone. Others will be operated from the ground or a command center, and some are designed for human pilots. It’s unclear yet how much the aircraft will cost, although prices are likely to vary significantly. Some of the aircraft are designed to be individually owned, while others are envisioned more for commercial use. Designers hope that if demand is high, prices can be kept affordable through economies of mass production. Several recent developments could make these aircraft possible. Advances in computing power mean the rotors on

multi-copter drones can be adjusted many times per second, making the aircraft easy to control. Drones have also benefited from advances in battery and electric motor technology. Some companies, like Chinese dronemaker EHang, are scaling-up drones so that they can carry people. Key for many of the designs will be the development of longer-lasting lightweight batteries. Currently available batteries could probably keep an air taxi aloft about 15 to 30 minutes before it would have to land, experts said. Depending on how fast the aircraft flies, that probably isn’t quite enough to transport passengers between nearby cities or across metropolitan areas, experts said. Another hurdle will be winning Federal Aviation Administration certification for any radical new kind of aircraft when approval of even small changes in aviation technology can take years. The FAA said in a statement that it is taking a “flexible, open-minded, and riskbased approach” to flying cars. FAA officials have discussed with several manufacturers the certification of aircraft that will be flown with a pilot in the beginning, and later converted to an autonomous passenger aircraft.

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LOCAL | NATION

THE SUMTER ITEM

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2017

Trump nominates Neil Gorsuch for Supreme Court radan, and Anthony Kennedy before earning a philosophy degree at Oxford University and working for a prominent Washington, D.C., law firm. He served for two years in President George W. Bush’s Justice Department before Bush apGORSUCH pointed him to a seat on the Denver-based 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in 2006. He is the son of Anne Gorsuch, who served as EPA administrator during the Reagan administration.

BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Neil Gorsuch, named Tuesday as President Donald Trump’s nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court, is known for his clear, colloquial writing, advocacy for court review of government regulations, defense of religious freedom and skepticism toward law enforcement. Gorsuch is a Colorado native who earned his bachelor’s degree from Columbia University in three years, then earned a law degree from Harvard. He clerked for Supreme Court Justices Byron White, a fellow Colo-

cians and launched the service last summer. Now, companies can send a referral sheet to McCall, and she initiates a screening test, depending on the needs of the client. Mobile units as well as emergency rooms and urgent care facilities can process a urine or breath test on site for immediate preliminary results and follow that up with detailed blood alcohol, hair follicle and other tests to determine the accuracy of the preliminary test. Drug screeners can receive the preliminary test results in a matter of minutes, while the more detailed tests take as long as two days, McCall said. The preliminary test helps clear an employee and get him back to work or sent home as soon as possible. Colonial drug and alcohol screening tests range from $15 to $150. Colonial charges $50 an hour for on-site testing plus the cost of the test. After hours, mobile testing costs $85

DRUGS FROM PAGE A1 performing some type of drug or alcohol test. Until recently, some industrial plants escorted employees suspected of intoxication to the emergency room at Palmetto Health Tuomey. That ties up an employee and a manager as an escort for hours for tests that often take days to process. And it diverts ER employees from treating more serious cases, not to mention the high cost of going to the ER. Kevin Johnson, plant manager at Becton-Dickinson and chairman of the Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce Industrial Association, said when the drug-screening company closed, it left a void. Johnson and other industrial association members put the word out last year that industrial plants in particular needed a similar company to provide mobile service 24/7 to

Gorsuch has contended that courts give too much deference to government agencies’ interpretations of statutes, a deference that stems from a Supreme Court ruling in a 1984 case. He sided with two groups that successfully challenged the Obama administration’s requirements that employers provide health insurance that includes contraception. David Lane, a prominent Denver plaintiff’s attorney who frequently clashes with law enforcement, praised Gorsuch as fair and open-minded. Lane won a $1.8 million jury verdict against the Denver Police Department

perform drug-screening tests. Marie McCall, drug-screening coordinator for Colonial Healthcare, said the company learned that some industrial plants were taking employees to Palmetto Health Tuomey’s emergency room. McCall said Colonial knew it could process patients through its urgent care location faster than Palmetto Health Tuomey’s emergency room without tying up the hospital’s medical staff. “But industrial plants are interested in after hours and weekends,” she said. The plants needed drug screeners to go to an industrial plant. By building into the program a mobile unit available 24/7, Colonial could meet that need and make the services even more responsive. Colonial Drug Screening beefed up its number of certified drug-screening techni-

plus the cost of the test. But for industrial companies that pay employees $15 to $50 an hour, idling workers while waiting for results becomes expensive. Robert Williams, plant manager of Eaton, which employs 750 workers, said employee health and safety ranks at the top of the company’s priorities. When a manager observes probable cause to test an employee, the plant needs to test that employee immediately. And he said that while many industrial plants have nurses on site, the company

needs an independent third party to conduct an objective test. “We need to validate the observed behavior by someone outside of the company,” he said. Williams said a preliminary test provides enough information to allow the plant management team to determine appropriate action, whether that includes putting an employee back to work or sending the employee home to wait for a more detailed report that might warrant corrective action.

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in a brutality and wrongful arrest case. The city appealed and the case ended up before Gorsuch. Lane said the judge tore into the city’s lawyers and urged them to go to mediation rather than drag out appeals for years to deny the plaintiffs their reward. The mediation led the case to be settled for $1.6 million. “He is a very, very smart man. His leanings are very conservative, but he’s qualified to be on the Supreme Court,” Lane said. “I don’t know that Judge Gorsuch has a political agenda and he is sincere and honest and believes what he writes.”

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2017

THE SUMTER ITEM

JUDGE FROM PAGE A1

RICK CARPENTER / THE SUMTER ITEM

Volunteer Aaron Koenig lines up a pallet as Sumter United Ministries employee Jacqueline Butler rolls up her sleeves as she starts lining up volunteers to carry items from a truck from Albany, Georgia, in November 2015.

FAVOR FROM PAGE A1 Champagne is also asking for volunteers to come and load supplies onto trailers. “As supplies come in, we will organize them by commodity,” Champagne said. “If volunteers can give an hour or two, they can load and help organize items on the trailer.” Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Champagne at (803) 7750757. Five people died in Alba-

ny’s natural disaster 10 days ago when a swarm of tornadoes tore through several Southern states. Georgia had 16 total casualties and the death toll across the South was 21. The single tornado that hit Albany was more than a mile wide at times, had wind speeds that reached an estimated 150 mph and was on the ground for an hour and 12 minutes, according to the National

Weather Service. It tore a 71-mile path through parts of five Georgia counties. Officials in Albany, a city of roughly 77,000 in southwestern Georgia, described the damage as looking as if a nuclear bomb had gone off. “It is just total devastation and destruction,” Dougherty County Emergency Management Agency Director Ron Rowe said in a news conference. “We have several neighborhoods that have just been removed.”

“I think that’s an honor and distinction he has worked a career achieving,” Smith said of James. “It is very important for Sumter to have someone on the Supreme Court.” Smith noted that James is following in the footsteps of Ernest Finney Jr., another Sumter resident who went from the circuit court to the S.C. Supreme Court. “It’s a recognition of Buck James’ distinguished judicial career that he has developed over the last 11 years,” Smith said. “His reputation was a tremendous assistance to him in garnering votes in the General Assembly.” State Sen. Thomas McElveen, D-Sumter, also praised James’ impending election to the Supreme Court. “It’s certainly a proud day for Judge James and his family and a very proud day for our legislative delegation because we worked hard to put support together for him,” McElveen said. “I would just say as a legislator, it’s easy for us when you have a candidate who’s as strong as Judge James,” he said. “I think he has a reputation as being one of the most cerebral, well-reasoned and intelligent judges that we have on the trial bench right now.” McElveen said the election of McFaddin to the circuit court position is also important for Sumter. In the Third Judicial Circuit, which includes Sumter, Lee, Williamsburg and Clarendon counties, there are two resident judges: James and

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Judge Ferrell Cothran, who is from Manning, he said. With James moving up to the Supreme Court and Young set to retire, the Third Circuit faces the prospect of having only one resident circuit court judge for the next year, McElveen said. The at-large position is not elected by the circuit but by the state level and would not necessarily have to come from the Third Judicial District. “We were very concerned about losing that seat and having it pulled away from Sumter,” he said. Smith said as chairman of the Judicial Merit Selection Commission, he will place the names of judges in nomination before the General Assembly. “It’s going to be a special honor for me,” he said. “This is a tremendous time for Sumter for us to have another Supreme Court justice, and I am proud to play whatever part I had in this, along with the rest of our delegation. “These are accomplishments that few delegations achieve in their time in the General Assembly,” Smith said. “When you stop and you look in the grand scheme of things, electing judges just seems routine, but electing someone from your county to serve on the Supreme Court is a great accomplishment for any community.”

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THE SUMTER ITEM N.G. Osteen 1843-1936 The Watchman and Southron

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2017 H.G. Osteen 1870-1955 Founder, The Item

H.D. Osteen 1904-1987 The Item

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COMMENTARY

Public outrage about the budget crisis is justified, aimed at wrong person

hen parents in Sumter learned that the school district had $6.2 million in extra-budgetary expenditures, they had every right and reason to demand an explanation as well as a swift and immediate solution. While acknowledging this in one of my previous columns prior to the announcement of budget cuts, however, I cautioned the public to be wary of Christian who they Compton blame as well as to be wary of the outcome of budget cuts made under pressure. I urged caution because public outrage without moderation and critical thought is nothing more than mob justice, which is never an appropriate solution to issues pertaining to the public. In my previous column, I attributed the overage in part to Sumter School District’s lack of proper funding in comparison to its neighbors. When concerned teachers held a rally at the old courthouse to organize for more funding, they were vilified, chastised, and disparaged by members of the community in later letters and social media postings. Opponents say that the rally’s real intention was to support superintendent Dr. Frank Baker, in spite of the rally’s organizers making it clear that this was not the case. The reason why people are upset with attributing the overage to a lack of school funding is because it dismantles their one and only charge against Baker. This is why critics believe that the two causes are synonymous with one another. Without the ability to pin the entirety of the blame for this crisis on Baker, their entire motivation to oust him falls apart immediately. For days now, the superintendent has been denigrated and belittled on every possible public forum. Two school board members intentionally stood in the way of rectifying the budget issue simply to protest against the superintendent’s plan, which was punctual in its timing and meticulous in its composition as a solution to the fiscal crisis. As painful as the cuts were, they were necessary and the only option. In many cases, the former superintendent, Randolph Bynum, and his administration is brought up. Many have alluded to the fact that Bynum overcame a $5 million deficit in his two years as if to imply that his ousting was unnecessary. Let me be clear: the community did not attempt to remove Bynum because of financial mismanagement;

there were numerous other problems (think Sweet 16). He was clearly responsible for the policies that he brought on as superintendent and consequently was asked to resign because of the unpopularity of these policies and programs. That situation has nothing to do with the current budget crisis. Baker is not a man with a history of questionable acts of scandal and policies that orient the classroom around the satisfaction of arbitrary metrics versus academic growth. Baker has consistently shown that he is a man of integrity and one who places nothing above the best interests of the students he is tasked with ensuring receive a quality education. There are numerous students in the district who by way of Baker’s personal intervention were able to turn their lives around and better themselves. I encourage these people to speak out against the bandwagon that threatens to remove a true advocate for education. It’s not just that he has a big heart, however. Baker has been an educator for decades and understands the intricacies, challenges, and problems that modern educators have to deal with. He is competent and more than capable of running the district successfully — this budget fiasco is hardly enough to challenge this notion, particularly when you consider the more complex reasons behind the overage that are out of the district’s control. I reiterate that the public has every right to be outraged about the budget crisis. It is an issue in immediate need of address, but nobody is more uniquely qualified to get the situation in order than the man who understands the school district better than anybody else in Sumter — Dr. Frank Baker. Ousting him in the interest of retribution will serve only to hurt public education in Sumter. Passion and outrage are all important catalysts to necessary change. Without them, change is oftentimes too slow and too tempered. Nonetheless, they need to be rooted in a sound and sensible mission rather than false notions and misunderstandings. Those pinning the blame for this crisis on Baker and calling for his resignation are merely searching for a scapegoat rather than trying to address the underlying issue. I’m happy to see the public being so involved in the education system. That’s an inherently positive thing. It is absolutely crucial that the public ensure that it is truly familiar with a situation before declaring a final judgment. Christian Compton is a senior at Lakewood High School. He is editor-in-chief of the school yearbook as well as the student

EDITORIAL PAGE POLICIES EDITORIALS represent the views of the owners of this newspaper. COLUMNS AND COMMENTARY are the personal opinion of the writer whose byline appears. Columns from readers should be typed, double-spaced and no more than 850 words. Send them to The Sumter Item, Opinion Pages, P.O. Box 1677, Sumter, S.C. 29151, or email to letters@theitem.com. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR are written by readers of the newspaper.

They should be no more than 350 words and sent via e-mail to letters@ theitem.com, dropped off at The Sumter Item office, 36 W. Liberty St. or mailed to The Sumter Item, P.O. Box 1677, Sumter, S.C. 29151, along with the full name of the writer, plus an 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.

Lower conduct standards for liberals

ne can only imagine the widespread media, political and intellectual condemnation of Republicans and conservatives if, after the inauguration of Barack Obama, they had gone on a violent and vicious tear all over the nation as did Democrats and liberals after the inauguration of President Donald Trump. They committed acts such as assaulting Trump supporters, setting fires and stoning police. Suppose Republicans/conservatives had carried signs that read ‘’F— Obama’’ or talked about ‘’blowing up the White House.’’ The news media, instead of calling them protesters, would have labeled them evil racists, obstructionists and everything else except a child of God. The reason for the difference in treatment is simple. Republicans and conservatives are held — and hold themselves — to higher standards of behavior. By contrast, Democrats and liberals are held — and hold themselves — to less civilized standards of behavior. Let’s look at some of the history of conservative and liberal behavior. One of the nastiest more recent liberal events was the Occupy movement around the nation. During Occupy protests, there were rapes, assaults, robberies and holdups. These people publicly defecated and urinated on police cars. The mess they left after their demonstrations can be described as no more than a pig sty. Does anybody recall any Democratic official, from the president on down, admonishing them to behave? Contrast their behavior with that of tea party protesters. Tea partyers didn’t set fires, stone police or engage in the other kinds of despicable

COMMENTARY behavior the liberal Democrats did. On top of that, they left the areas where they protested Walter clean. Williams Ask yourself whether you have ever seen Republicans/conservatives rioting, turning over police cars, looting, setting places of business on fire and shouting obscenities while marching. Have you ever seen conservatives marching with chants calling for the murder of police officers? You may have heard liberals yelling, ‘’What do we want? Dead cops! When do we want it? Now!’’ In fact, virtually all of the violence against police — whether it’s throwing stones, ambushing or murdering — is committed by liberals or people who’d identify as Democrats. The fact of the matter is that if we were to examine criminality in America — whether talking about murderers, muggers or prisoners — it would be dominated by people who would be described as liberals, Democrats and Hillary Clinton supporters. Democrats and liberals accuse Republicans of conducting a war on women. Assault, rape and murder are the worst things that can be done to a woman. I would bet a lot of money that most of the assaults, rapes and murders of women are done by people who identify as liberals, and if they voted or had a party affiliation, it would be Democratic. One of the most glaring examples of how liberals

are held to lower standards comes when we look at what they control. The nation’s most dangerous big cities in 2012 were Detroit, Oakland, St. Louis, Memphis, Stockton, Birmingham, Baltimore, Cleveland, Atlanta and Milwaukee (http://tinyurl.com/qeusjj4). The most common characteristic of these cities is that for decades, all of them have been run by Democratic and presumably liberal administrations. Some cities — such as Detroit, Buffalo, Newark and Philadelphia — haven’t elected a Republican mayor for more than a halfcentury. It’s not just personal safety. These Democraticcontrolled cities have the poorest-quality public education despite the fact that they have large and growing school budgets. Most of these dangerous cities have suffered massive decreases in population. Some observers have suggested that racism has caused white flight to the suburbs. But these observers ignore the fact that black flight has become increasingly significant. It turns out that black people do not like to be mugged and live in unsafe neighborhoods any more than white people. Republicans and conservatives, including President Trump, should not gripe or whine about different treatment by the liberal media. Magnanimity commands that we have compassion and try to understand our fallen brethren. We should make every effort to sell them on the moral superiority of personal liberty and its main ingredient — limited government. Walter E. Williams is a professor of economics at George Mason University. © 2017 creators.com.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR COLUMN FALSELY SUGGESTS TRUMP’S IMMIGRATION ORDER BASED ON RELIGION Graham Osteen’s commentary on Sunday is exactly why those of us in America who get it understand why Trump and conservatives in great numbers are upset with the media. We are under no illusion that the media is even trying to be fair. Mr. Osteen invokes the 1st Amendment and infers that the POTUS is violating it. One by calling the biased media out about their one-sided reporting and then adding that the ban is based on “country of origin and (adds) religion”. One, the mainstream media declared that Trump was so bad that normal reporting criteria does not apply. Two, to falsely shout “FIRE” in a crowded venue is a crime. Three, looking at the added religion reference, which is not in executive order, let’s look at the largest countries with the most Muslim populations. Indonesia- 204,847,000, Paki-

stan- 178,000,000, India-172,000,000, Bangladesh-145,607,000, Nigeria-93,834,000. Notice that none of those countries are on the banned list. So much for the false religion aspect. You will however notice the list contains those countries with KNOWN terrorist ties. For example, Syria over 20% of country supports ISIS. Words have meaning, and one misplace word can change the entire meaning. Mr. Osteen purposely placed “and religion” in his commentary to get his biased view across to the readers that the ban was on religion and not countries that sponsor state terrorism. I long for the day when I could pick up and read the daily newspaper and watch the evening news and get accurate, pro or con, information so that I could make an informed decision. Sadly, those days are long gone and will probably never return anytime soon. ROBERT COLBY Sumter

A10

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2017

SUPPORT GROUPS Tuesday, 5:30-7 p.m., Birnie AA, AL-ANON, ALATEEN: HOPE Center, 210 S. Purdy St. AA — Monday-Friday, noon Feb. 1, 2017 Support Groups: Open to anyone who has lost and 5:30 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a loved one to murder in a vip.m.; Sundays, 10:30 a.m. and olent way. 7 p.m., 1 Warren St. (803) 775Multiple Sclerosis Support Group 1852. — Third Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., AA Women’s Meeting — Carolinas Rehabilitation HosWednesdays, 7 p.m., 1 Warren pital, 121 E. Cedar St., FlorSt. (803) 775-1852. ence. Call (843) 661-3746. AA Spanish Speaking — SunEFMP Parent Exchange Group — days, 4:30 p.m., 1 Warren St. Last Tuesday, 11 a.m.-noon, (803) 775-1852. Airman and Family Readiness AA “How it Works” Group — Center. Support to service Mondays and Fridays, 8 p.m., members who have a depen1154 Ronda St. Call (803) 494dent with a disability or ill5180. ness. Call Dorcus at (803) 8951252/1253 or Sue at (803) 847441 AA Support Group — Mon2377. days, Tuesdays and Fridays, 8:30 p.m., Hair Force, 2090-D WEDNESDAY MEETINGS: S.C. 441. Sickle Cell Support Group — Last AA Summerton Group — Wednesday, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Wednesday, 8 p.m., town hall. South Sumter Resource CenManning Al-Anon Family Group ter, 337 Manning Ave. Call — Thursdays, 7:30 p.m., Be(803) 774-6181. havioral Health Building, 14 Divorce Care — Wednesdays, Church St., Manning. Call 6:30 p.m., Bethel Baptist (803) 435-8085. Church, 2401 Bethel Church C/A “Drop the Rock” Group — Road. Call (803) 481-2160. Thursdays, 9:30 p.m., 1154 Grief Share — Wednesdays, Ronda St. Call (803) 607-4543. 6:30 p.m., Bethel Baptist Church, 2401 Bethel Church MONDAY MEETINGS: Road. Call (803) 481-2160. Sumter Vitiligo Support Group — Second Monday, 5:45-6:45 THURSDAY MEETINGS: p.m., North HOPE Center, 904 TOPS S.C. No. 236 (Take Off N. Main St. Call (803) 316-6763. Pounds Sensibly) — Thursdays, The group is also on Face9 a.m., Spectrum Senior Cenbook. ter,1989 Durant Lane. Call (803) 775-3926 or (803) 469TUESDAY MEETINGS: 4789. Heroin Anonymous — Tuesdays, Alzheimer’s Support Group 9:30-10:30 p.m., 4742 Broad St. through S.C. Alzheimer’s AssociaCall (803) 494-5180. tion — First Thursday, 6-8 p.m., Sumter Connective Tissue SupNational Health Care, 1018 N. port Group — First Tuesday of Guignard Drive. Call (803) 905January, March, May, July, 7720 or the Alzheimer’s AssoSeptember and November, 7 ciation at (800) 636-3346. p.m., 180 Tiller Circle. Call Journey of Hope (for family mem(803) 773-0869. bers of the mentally ill), Journey Mothers of Angels (for mothers to Recovery (for the mentally ill) who have lost a child) — First and Survivors of Suicide Support Tuesday at noon and third Group — Each group meets Tuesday at 6 p.m., Wise Drive every first Thursday, 7 p.m., Baptist Church. Call (803) 469St. John United Methodist 6059, (803) 979-4498, (803) 469Church, 136 Poinsett Drive. 4506 or (803) 938-8544. Call (803) 905-5620. Sumter Combat Veterans Group Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Peer to Peer — Tuesdays, 11 Group — Fourth Thursday a.m., South HOPE Center, 1125 each month, 10-11:30 a.m., S. Lafayette Drive. Veterans Palmetto Health Tuomey Hoshelping veterans with PTSD, pice, 500 Pinewood Road, coping skills, claims and benSuite 2. Call (803) 773-4663. efits. “The Gathering” — Second FRIDAY MEETINGS: Tuesday, 5:30-6:30 p.m., North Celebrate Recovery — Fridays, 6 HOPE Center, 904 N. Main St. A p.m. dinner, 7 p.m. program, community support group for Salt & Light Church, Miller teens and adults with special Road (across from Food Lion). needs. Call (803) 972-0051 or For help with struggles of al(803) 468-5745 or email thecohol, drugs, family issues, gathering23@aol.com. smoking, etc. Parkinson’s Support Group — Wateree AIDS Task Force SupSecond Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., port Group — Third Friday, Carolinas Rehabilitation Hos11:30 a.m., 508 W. Liberty St. pital, 121 E. Cedar St., FlorCall (803) 778-0303. ence. Call (843) 661-3746. SATURDAY MEETINGS: Sumter Amputee Support Group — Second Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy/ Sumter Prosthetics & OrthotComplex Regional Pain Syndrome ics, 259 Broad St. Call (803) Support Group — Third Satur883-4356. day, 1:30 p.m., 3785 Blackberry Lane, Lot 7. Call (803) 481Sumter Chapter Parents of Mur7521. dered Children (POMC) — Third

DAILY PLANNER

THE SUMTER ITEM

WEATHER

AccuWeather® ﬁve-day forecast for Sumter TODAY

TONIGHT

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Partly sunny and nice

Partly cloudy

Partly sunny

A bit of morning rain; cooler

Decreasing clouds

Mostly cloudy, afternoon rain

73°

48°

67° / 45°

56° / 37°

53° / 34°

61° / 43°

Chance of rain: 5%

Chance of rain: 25%

Chance of rain: 65%

Chance of rain: 5%

Chance of rain: 65%

WSW 7-14 mph

WSW 4-8 mph

NE 4-8 mph

NNE 4-8 mph

NE 7-14 mph

SSE 4-8 mph

TODAY’S SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER

Gaﬀney 67/44 Spartanburg 67/45

Greenville 68/46

Columbia 74/48

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

IN THE MOUNTAINS

Sumter 73/48

Aiken 73/46

ON THE COAST

Charleston 75/50

Today: Mostly sunny; pleasant. High 68 to 75. Thursday: Mostly sunny; pleasant in southern parts. High 63 to 73.

LOCAL ALMANAC

LAKE LEVELS

SUMTER THROUGH 4 P.M. YESTERDAY

Today Hi/Lo/W 69/50/pc 35/14/pc 73/45/s 36/18/sf 79/61/pc 70/50/s 76/54/s 45/33/pc 75/50/s 47/31/pc 74/48/s 59/53/c 50/36/pc

SUN AND MOON 7 a.m. yest. 356.81 75.22 75.04 98.29

24-hr chg -0.04 -0.12 +0.02 +0.06

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

0.00" 4.54" 3.94" 4.54" 2.30" 3.94"

NATIONAL CITIES City Atlanta Chicago Dallas Detroit Houston Los Angeles New Orleans New York Orlando Philadelphia Phoenix San Francisco Wash., DC

Full pool 360 76.8 75.5 100

Lake Murray Marion Moultrie Wateree

72° 35° 56° 33° 82° in 1975 10° in 1966

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

Thu. Hi/Lo/W 65/46/pc 26/13/pc 57/42/c 25/15/pc 77/61/pc 66/54/pc 73/57/pc 40/25/s 77/54/pc 42/24/s 75/50/s 62/54/r 47/29/s

Myrtle Beach 71/51

Manning 74/49

Today: Partly sunny and pleasant. Winds west-southwest 6-12 mph. Thursday: Clouds breaking and mild. Winds northwest 3-6 mph.

Temperature High Low Normal high Normal low Record high Record low

Florence 74/48

Bishopville 73/48

Flood 7 a.m. 24-hr stage yest. chg 12 9.71 -0.05 19 3.40 none 14 9.01 +0.06 14 2.90 +0.43 80 77.77 -0.30 24 4.87 +0.37

Sunrise 7:19 a.m. Moonrise 10:13 a.m.

Sunset 5:53 p.m. Moonset 10:50 p.m.

First

Full

Last

New

Feb. 3

Feb. 10

Feb. 18

Feb. 26

TIDES AT MYRTLE BEACH

Today Thu.

High 11:57 a.m. --12:17 a.m. 12:47 p.m.

Ht. 3.0 --3.0 2.9

Low 6:27 a.m. 6:58 p.m. 7:20 a.m. 7:48 p.m.

Ht. -0.3 -0.4 -0.1 -0.4

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

Today Hi/Lo/W 63/39/pc 71/48/pc 76/48/s 74/51/s 62/48/pc 75/50/s 69/45/pc 68/49/pc 74/48/pc 71/47/pc 62/40/pc 71/47/pc 71/46/pc

Thu. Hi/Lo/W 56/37/pc 70/46/pc 74/50/pc 73/52/s 55/41/pc 73/51/s 63/40/pc 67/47/pc 69/47/pc 62/43/pc 54/33/pc 61/41/s 63/39/pc

Today City Hi/Lo/W Florence 74/48/pc Gainesville 77/44/s Gastonia 69/44/pc Goldsboro 68/45/pc Goose Creek 75/50/s Greensboro 63/42/pc Greenville 68/46/pc Hickory 65/43/pc Hilton Head 74/51/s Jacksonville, FL 76/46/s La Grange 73/49/pc Macon 72/48/pc Marietta 68/48/pc

Thu. Hi/Lo/W 65/43/s 78/46/s 62/42/pc 61/36/pc 72/51/s 56/35/pc 66/43/pc 60/38/pc 71/51/s 75/47/s 69/47/pc 73/48/pc 63/42/pc

Today City Hi/Lo/W Marion 63/42/pc Mt. Pleasant 75/51/s Myrtle Beach 71/51/s Orangeburg 74/49/s Port Royal 72/51/s Raleigh 67/43/pc Rock Hill 68/43/pc Rockingham 69/44/pc Savannah 75/51/s Spartanburg 67/45/pc Summerville 75/50/s Wilmington 72/47/s Winston-Salem 63/41/pc

Thu. Hi/Lo/W 58/39/pc 72/51/s 65/48/s 68/50/pc 71/52/s 59/37/pc 62/40/pc 59/38/pc 75/51/s 62/43/pc 72/51/s 63/42/s 57/35/pc

Weather(W): s–sunny, pc–partly cloudy, c–cloudy, sh–showers, t–thunderstorms, r–rain, sf–snow ﬂurries, sn–snow, i–ice

Brown’s

“Where Quality Matters”

FURNITURE & BEDDING

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

Fall In Love with our New Styles!

31 West Wesmark Blvd • Sumter, SC

774-2100

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Physical EUGENIA LAST activity will keep you out of trouble. Find a healthy way to channel your energy. Situations will spin out of control if you jump to conclusions. Be conscious of the way others feel. Offer help, not criticism.

The last word in astrology

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Communication is encouraged. Speak up if there’s something you want to share. Offering suggestions that will help others will put you into the spotlight, giving you the opportunity to bring about positive changes. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Get involved in your community. Be a passionate leader and you’ll find ways to make life better for yourself as well as others. Put your energy and charm to work and take advantage of whatever comes your way. CANCER (June 21-July 22): Choose to be a witness when it comes to disturbances and arguments. Observation can be a valuable tool that leads to fast-tracking your way to success. Learn from the mistakes others make and offer your best. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Network and get involved in educational pursuits. The people you encounter and information you gather could result in interesting plans. A lifestyle or vocational change will allow you to use your skills successfully.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): You can spend your time arguing with people or you can look for a way to get along with them. Emotional ups and downs will wear you out. Don’t miss out on something great because you’re too exhausted to take part. Call the shots. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Whether you just need a challenge or are trying to get into shape, taking up a sport or routine that will help strengthen you mentally, physically and emotionally should be your goal. Romance is encouraged. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Find your comfort zone. Take refuge where you feel the most secure, and work on making personal gains or improving your relationships with those you love. Trust in yourself, not what someone else tells you. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Keep your thoughts to yourself and your plans a secret. Not everyone will see things your way, and emotional interference is likely to get in your way if you aren’t careful. “Moderation, simplicity and discretion” should be your mantra.

SUMTER ANIMAL CONTROL PET OF THE WEEK Wyatt, approximately 4 months old, is a mixed breed boy who is full of puppy curiosity and kisses. He needs an inside Wyatt is full of home with a family that has puppy curiosity, time to provide the proper kisses training so he can grow into a well-mannered adult. We believe Wyatt will be a mediumsized adult. Wyatt is in kennel 26 at Sumter Animal Control, 1240 Winkles Road, (803) 4362066. Thank you for considering a homeless animal. You can view more adoptable pets on our Facebook page — Sumter Animal Control. Remember to check with us if your pet is lost.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Make a couple of changes to the way you do things and you’ll gain respect and the chance to take on responsibilities that will help you grow and prosper. Reconnecting with past peers will encourage new beginnings.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): You may need a reality check if you differ VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): You don’t from the general consensus. have to overspend to make an Reconsider your take on events and impression. Use your intelligence situations and listen to someone and you’ll find better ways to grab attention. Take an unusual approach who has been a trusted ally in the past. You have much to gain if you to the way you treat people and compromise. you’ll get good results.

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

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2017 Call: (803) 774-1241 | E-mail: sports@theitem.com

PREP BASKETBALL

Monarchs fall short Bishop England girls top Manning to claim Region VII-3A crown

Barons bounce back, knock off Orangeburg Prep WH girls improve to 4-0 in region

BY EDDIE LITAKER Special to The Sumter Item

BY DENNIS BRUNSON dennis@theitem.com

MANNING — It was a playoff atmosphere Tuesday at John F. Thames Arena as two of 3A’s top three girls basketball teams squared off with a region title hanging in the balance. A win by Manning, ranked No. 3 in the state, over No. 2 Bishop England would force a tie for Region VII’s top spot with one region game to play. While the Lady Monarchs enjoyed some initial success, a combination of mistakes and cold shooting would prove to be MHS’s undoing as the Lady Bishops clinched the region crown with a 64-50 victory. The win kept BEHS perfect in the region at 7-0 while running its overall record to 18-3. “We made some shots and we missed some shots, and part is being disciplined,” said MHS head coach Darren Mazyck, whose team dropped to 18-5 and 5-2, with both region losses coming to the Lady Bishops. “We got a little bit uncharacteristic of what the game plan was supposed to be. We knew we weren’t going to get any big, substantial lead on them but we wanted to concentrate more on the defensive end. Slow it down just a little bit offensively so that we could stand a better chance down the stretch.” Mahogany Green helped MHS get out to a quick start, scoring five points in a 6-1 game-opening run, before BEHS answered with a 6-0 run to take its first lead at 7-6. A low-post bucket by Green and two Keyshaunna Walker free throws put the Lady Monarchs back up 10-7 but an 8-0 run would

Eddie Talley needed an extended period of quiet reflection with his Wilson Hall varsity boys basketball team to make a point. After hoisting up 10 3-point shots among its 25 shots in the first half of their game against Orangeburg Prep on Tuesday — hitting just one — the Barons took just three shots from long range among their 25 second-half. While they didn’t hit any of those, they were 18for-22 on the others. Getting a closer look at the basket helped WH to a 62-52 victory at Nash Student Center. “I tried to tell them that in the first half,” the Wilson Hall head coach said with a laugh when asked of his team’s switch to getting the ball down low in the second half. “I was able to express it to them better at halftime that that is what we wanted to do in the second half. “We took some good shots (from 3-point range). I just didn’t want them to settle for 3s though. We talked about pushing the ball and being

RICK CARPENTER / THE SUMTER ITEM

Manning’s Measha Jones (35) puts up a shot during the Lady Monarchs’ 64-50 loss to Bishop England on Tuesday at John F. Thames Arena. put the Lady Bishops up by five and BEHS would not trail again, taking a 17-13 lead into the second quarter. The lead was still four, 22-18, with 4:53 left in the half before another 8-0 Lady Bishops run made

it 30-18. Ariyonia Busby connected for a three in the dying seconds of the half to cut MHS’s deficit to nine heading into the break.

SEE FALL, PAGE B3

more aggressive in the second half.” That the Barons were. After leading just 20-17 at halftime, they posted 19 points in the third quarter. However, the Indians scored 22, leaving the score tied at 39-39 entering the final quarter. WH posted 23 in the final stanza while limiting OP to 13. “I was proud of the way we handled ourselves after we got the big lead and they came back to tie us,” said Talley, whose team led 36-27 before Prep rallied. “We played very smart in the fourth quarter.” A trey at the thirdquarter buzzer by Orangeburg Prep’s Markise Wilson tied the game. However, Wilson Hall scored the first six points of the fourth quarter. After Wilson, who finished with 31 points, hit another 3 to make it 45-42, the Barons ran off 10 straight points to go up 55-42 with 3:29 left in the game. WH, coming off a 71-40 loss to Laurence Manning Academy, had four players score

SEE BARONS, PAGE B3

USC MEN’S BASKETBALL

Focus on next game, not SEC title BY PETE IACOBELLI AP Sports Writer COLUMBIA — Sindarius Thornwell understands No. 19 South Carolina’s opportunity, he’s just cautious about thinking too big, too early. Sure, the Gamecocks (17-4) at 7-1 in the Southeastern Conference are tied for top with No. 8 Kentucky. But Thornwell’s not ready to start counting down to a possible league championship. “Our focus hasn’t changed,” Thornwell said. “We’re going to do what we need to do, what coach (Frank Martin) wants us to do.” South Carolina has emerged as a gritty, tough defensive-minded group led by Thornwell’s relentless play. He had 16 points and 11 rebounds last Saturday when the Gamecocks overcame a stagnant AP FILE PHOTO showing to win at Missouri, 63-53 — South Carolina’s Sindarius Thornwell (0) slam dunks a place where South Carolina lost a past Missouri’s Kevin Puryear on Saturday night in year ago with similar aspirations the Gamecocks’ 10-point victory, 63-53, over the Ti- on the line. Their next challenge comes gers in Columbia, Missouri.

Wednesday night at LSU, another struggling opponent that on paper should not pose much of a problem. Thornwell said he the team’s other seniors have talked to the Gamecocks about maintaining focus on what’s right in front of them and not something far down the road. “That could all change with a couple of losses,” said Thornwell, a senior guard. Martin, in his fifth season, has not changed his approach to things either. A few seasons ago when South Carolina struggled — the Gamecocks went just 15-39 in SEC play Martin’s first three years — Martin taught them to block out the disappointing noise from fans frustrated with the continued losing. Now, with things on the upswing, Martin wants his players to once more keep their own counsel and not yet buy into the praises about their play. “We need to communicate with our players every single day about everything,” Martin said he tells his coaches. “If we don’t, don’t get

mad if they listen to a different message.” Martin wants the Gamecocks excited about their play right now because he knows that’s the best way to keep moving forward. Now at the halfway point, Martin knows his team could be on pace for a historic season. South Carolina’s high-water mark in SEC basketball came during the 1996-97 season when the Gamecocks went 15-1 and clinched the crown with a win at Kentucky on Senior Day. That achievement will be honored when South Carolina holds its annual Legend’s Weekend around the team’s home game with Georgia on Saturday. That group 20 years ago featured a stellar, high-scoring three-guard combo led by BJ McKie, who is the program’s all-time leading scorer playing from 1995-96 to 1998-99. Like McKie, Thornwell is heartbeat of this team.

SEE FOCUS, PAGE B2

PRO FOOTBALL

’Bama brothers Hightower, Upshaw set for Super Bowl duel BY KYLE HIGHTOWER AP Sports Writer HOUSTON — Football ties run deep in the South. And the bonds of guys that have played for the Alabama Crimson Tide may be about as strong as they come. They’ll be on opposite sidelines in Sunday’s Super Bowl, but there will be a ton of shared respect between Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower and Falcons linebacker Courtney Upshaw when they take the field in Houston. It was nine years ago that

the two small-town products — Hightower from Lewisburg, Tennessee and its population of just over 11,000, Upshaw from Eufaula, Alabama and its population of about 13,000 — arrived as freshmen together in Tuscaloosa. It was the start of what each says is now an unbreakable friendship. “That’s my ace,” Hightower said of Upshaw. “One of the few guys we actually got real close to coming in together. Coming from Alabama there was only like three guys from Tennessee that actually went like out of state or whatever.

So me and Upshaw got jelled pretty close.” Upshaw said stepping onto the football field with Hightower was like looking in a mirror. “He’s one of the first guys that once I got there I gravitated to,” he said. HIGHTOWER “We became best friends.” Rooming together as sophomores in 2009, Upshaw was on the sideline when Hightower suffered a season-ending knee injury in Alabama’s

fourth game of the season against Arkansas. Upshaw was inserted as part of a shuffling of players to replace him, and would eventually help the Crimson Tide win the national championship against Texas. Upshaw also UPSHAW had an up-close view of how Hightower rehabbed and bounced back from that injury. He was side by side with him two years later when Alabama shut out LSU 21-0 in

the 2012 BCS national championship game. It was at Alabama that Hightower said he first discovered other players that were born with that “dog in them” to succeed. He says Upshaw was and remains the embodiment of that type of player. Likewise, Upshaw says he has come to appreciate that, and several of Hightower’s other go-to phrases. “Most definitely. He said that a lot,” Upshaw said. “But one of the things he said that

SEE DUEL, PAGE B4

SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2017

SCOREBOARD

WEDNESDAY’S GAMES

TV, RADIO TODAY

8 a.m. – College Football: ESPNU Signing Day Special (ESPNU). 10 a.m. – College Football: National Signing Day (CBS SPORTS NETWORK). 10 a.m. – College Football: SEC Signing Day (SEC NETWORK). 11 a.m. – Professional Golf: Asian Tour Mynamar Open Final Round from Yangon, Mynamar (GOLF). 11:30 a.m. – Women’s College Basketball: Kansas at Oklahoma (FOX SPORTS SOUTHEAST). Noon – College Football: ESPNU Signing Day Special (ESPN2). Noon – Women’s College Basketball: Fordham at George Washington (NBC SPORTS NETWORK). 2:55 p.m. – International Soccer: English Premier League Match – Hull vs. Manchester United (NBC SPORTS NETWORK). 5 p.m. – College Football: ESPNU Signing Day Special (ESPNU). 6 p.m. – Women’s College Basketball: Ohio at Central Michigan (TIME WARNER 1250). 6:05 p.m. – Talk Show: Sports Talk (WDXY-FM 105.9, WDXY-AM 1240). 7 p.m. – College Basketball: Richmond at Virginia Commonwealth (CBS SPORTS NETWORK). 7 p.m. – NBA Basketball: Minnesota at Cleveland (ESPN). 7 p.m. – College Basketball: Syracuse at North Carolina State (ESPN2). 7 p.m. – College Basketball: Central Florida at Houston (ESPNU). 7 p.m. – College Basketball: Villanova at Providence (FOX SPORTS 1). 7 p.m. – College Basketball: Marquette at St. John’s (FOX SPORTS 2). 7 p.m. – College Basketball: Georgia Tech at Clemson (FOX SPORTSOUTH, WWBD-FM 94.7, WPUB-FM 102.7). 7 p.m. – College Basketball: Alabama at Arkansas (SEC NETWORK). 7:30 p.m. – College Basketball: Texas Christian at Kansas State (ESPNEWS). 7:30 p.m. – Women’s College Basketball: Kansas State at Texas Tech (FOX SPORTS SOUTHEAST). 7:50 p.m. – International Soccer: Mexican League Match – Dorados vs. Monterrey (UNIVISION). 8 p.m. – NHL Hockey: Boston at Washington (NBC SPORTS NETWORK). 8 p.m. – College Basketball: St. Bonaventure at Duquesne (TIME WARNER 1250). 9 p.m. – College Basketball: Cincinnati at Tulsa (CBS SPORTS NETWORK). 9 p.m. – College Basketball: Baylor at Kansas (ESPN2). 9 p.m. – College Basketball: Texas Tech at Texas (ESPNU). 9 p.m. – College Basketball: Seton Hall at Xavier (FOX SPORTS 1). 9 p.m. – College Basketball: South Carolina at Louisiana State (SEC NETWORK, WDXY-FM 105.9, WNKT-FM 107.5, WDXY-AM 1240). 9:25 p.m. – International Soccer: Mexican League Match – America vs. Coras F.C. (UNIVISION). 9:30 p.m. – NBA Basketball: Chicago at Oklahoma City (ESPN). 9:30 p.m. – College Basketball: East Carolina at Southern Methodist (ESPNEWS). 10:30 p.m. – NBA Basketball: Charlotte at Golden State (FOX SPORTS SOUTHEAST). 10:30 p.m. – NHL Hockey: Colorado at Los Angeles (NBC SPORTS NETWORK). 11 p.m. – College Basketball: New Mexico at Nevada-Las Vegas (CBS SPORTS NETWORK). 11 p.m. – College Basketball: Southern California at Washington (ESPNU). 11 p.m. – Professional Golf: European PGA Tour Dubai Desert Classic First Round from Dubai, United Arab Emirates (GOLF).

NFL PLAYOFFS The Associated Press

NHL STANDINGS The Associated Press EASTERN CONFERENCE ATLANTIC DIVISION GP W L

OT Pts GF

Montreal Ottawa Boston Toronto Florida Tampa Bay Buffalo Detroit

7 6 6 9 10 6 9 9

150 127 131 145 116 136 118 123

125 123 135 133 137 146 136 144

METROPOLITAN DIVISION GP W L

OT Pts GF

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

6 4 5 1 6 9 7 9

106 114 141 129 155 136 140 144

49 48 48 49 50 47 48 50

29 26 25 23 21 22 20 20

33 32 30 31 25 21 21 20

14 15 21 15 19 22 19 20

10 12 13 17 19 17 20 21

65 58 56 55 52 50 49 49

72 68 65 63 56 51 49 49

160 160 172 167 140 136 126 113

WESTERN CONFERENCE CENTRAL DIVISION GP W L

OT Pts GF

Minnesota Chicago Nashville St. Louis Dallas Winnipeg Colorado

5 5 8 5 10 4 2

109 132 130 152 157 161 156

48 51 49 49 50 52 46

32 30 24 24 20 23 13

11 16 17 20 20 25 31

69 65 56 53 50 50 28

160 142 138 138 135 150 93

PACIFIC DIVISION GP W L

OT Pts GF

San Jose Edmonton Anaheim Calgary Los Angeles Vancouver Arizona

2 8 9 3 4 6 6

116 132 129 149 121 140 152

50 51 51 52 49 50 48

31 28 27 25 24 23 16

17 15 15 24 21 21 26

64 64 63 53 52 52 38

135 152 133 134 123 119 108

NOTE: Two points for a win, one point for overtime loss.

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.

CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Sunday, Jan. 22 Green Bay at Atlanta, 3:05 p.m. Pittsburgh at New England, 6:40 p.m.

PRO BOWL

Sunday, Jan. 29 At Orlando, Fla. AFC 20, NFC 13

SUPER BOWL LI

Sunday, Feb. 5 At Houston Atlanta vs. New England, 6:30 p.m. (FOX)

NBA STANDINGS The Associated Press EASTERN CONFERENCE ATLANTIC DIVISION W 30 29 21 18 9

L 18 19 28 29 39

Pct .625 .604 .429 .383 .188

GB — 1 9½ 11½ 21

W 28 27 23 19 19

L 20 20 25 30 31

Pct .583 .574 .479 .388 .380

GB — ½ 5 9½ 10

W 32 25 24 21 21

L 15 22 25 26 27

Pct .681 .532 .490 .447 .438

GB — 7 9 11 11½

L 11 16 21 29 30

Pct .766 .686 .580 .396 .375

GB — 3 8½ 17½ 18½

L 19 20 25 28 29

Pct .612 .583 .457 .429 .396

GB — 1½ 7½ 9 10½

L 7 18 29 34 33

Pct .854 .625 .396 .320 .313

GB — 11 22 26 26

WESTERN CONFERENCE SOUTHWEST DIVISION

MONDAY’S GAMES Philadelphia 122, Sacramento 119 Miami 104, Brooklyn 96 Boston 113, Detroit 109 Minnesota 111, Orlando 105, OT Dallas 104, Cleveland 97 Memphis 115, Phoenix 96

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.

BY STEVE MEGARGEE AP Sports Writer Alabama is on the verge of making history if it can stay a step ahead of Ohio State as top high school prospects finalize their college decisions Wednesday on national Signing Day, which will h have less suspense than usual. The Crimson Tide are on pace to top the team recruiting rankings for a seventh consecutive year, according to composite rankings of recruiting services compiled by 247Sports. Alabama also has an opportunity to have one of the highest-rated classes since 2002, which is as far back as 247Sports’ data goes. The top-ranked class during that stretch is Florida’s 2010 haul that included firstround draft picks Dominique Easley, Matt Elam and Sharrif Floyd. “Realistically, the best-case scenario would bring (Alabama) just short, but we’re talking about decimals short,” said Barton Simmons, the director of scouting for 247Sports. “The top-rated class in the country this year will probably be the secondhighest rated class of all time if things fall according to plan.” Simmons said Ohio State still has an outside chance to move atop this year’s team standings “if Alabama doesn’t close the way they’d like.” The national scope of their classes reflects how much Alabama and Ohio State have dominated recruiting. Tua Tagovailoa of Honolulu, Hawaii, rated by the 247Sports Composite as the nation’s top dual-threat quarterback, already has enrolled at Alabama. Another Alabama early enrollee is running back Najee Harris, the No. 2 recruit in California. Ohio State’s list of early enrollees includes three of the top six prospects in Texas: cornerback Jeffrey Okudah, outside linebacker Baron Browning and running back J.K. Dobbins. The large number of recruits already on campus exemplifies the lack of drama heading into Signing Day. Of the top 24 prospects in the 247Sports Composite , the only uncommitted player is defensive tackle Marvin Wilson of Bellaire, Texas. Wilson is considering LSU, Ohio State, Florida State, Okla-

homa and South Florida. Other uncommitted players in the top 50 include defensive tackles Aubrey Solomon and Jay Tufele, defensive ends LaBryan Ray and K’Lavon Chaisson, wide receivers Joseph Lewis and Jeff Thomas and offensive tackle Austin Jackson. While history shows some committed prospects inevitably sign elsewhere, there aren’t as many undecided elite recruits as usual. “There are less five-stars committing (on Signing Day) this year than in any year I’ve ever done this - and I think less Rivals100 kids,” said Mike Farrell, the director of recruiting for Rivals. “I think that’s an anomaly. I don’t think it’s a trend.” These early decisions by top prospects come as an NCAA recruiting reform proposal including a December signing period awaits approval. Some things to know on Signing Day:

GOOD YEAR FOR BLOCKERS Five of the top 16 prospects in the 247Sports Composite are offensive tackles: Alex Leatherwood, Foster Sarell, Walker Little, Trey Smith and Isaiah Wilson. Leatherwood has enrolled at Alabama and Smith has enrolled at Tennessee. Sarell and Little are verbally committed to Stanford. Wilson has committed to Georgia. “You’re going to see a lot of these guys three to four years from now on draft boards,” Farrell said.

QUALITY RUNNING BACKS Another strong position in this year’s class is running back. Two of the top three players in the 247Sports Composite are Florida State early enrollee Cam Akers and Alabama’s Harris. Simmons said this is the best group of running back prospects since the 2014 class that included Leonard Fournette, Christian McCaffrey and Dalvin Cook.

SCHOOL TO WATCH Florida is seeking a late run to salvage what had been a disappointing recruiting season up to this point. Simmons noted that Florida was 30th in the team rankings just a few days ago. The Gators now are hovering around the top 20 and still have several spots available. “They really need to pull a couple of surprises to be up in the regular Florida range,” Farrell said.

WEDNESDAY’S GAMES

Boston at Washington, 8 p.m. Minnesota at Calgary, 10 p.m. Colorado at Los Angeles, 10:30 p.m.

Columbus at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m. Calgary at New Jersey, 7:30 p.m. Edmonton at Carolina, 7:30 p.m. Anaheim at Florida, 7:30 p.m. N.Y. Islanders at Detroit, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday Atlanta 36, Seattle 20 New England 34, Houston 16 Sunday Green Bay 34, Dallas 31 Pittsburgh 18, Kansas City 16

W San Antonio 36 Houston 35 Memphis 29 New Orleans 19 Dallas 18 NORTHWEST DIVISION W Utah 30 Oklahoma City 28 Denver 21 Portland 21 Minnesota 19 PACIFIC DIVISION W Golden State 41 L.A. Clippers 30 Sacramento 19 L.A. Lakers 16 Phoenix 15

FRIDAY’S GAMES Toronto at Orlando, 7 p.m. Indiana at Brooklyn, 7:30 p.m. Minnesota at Detroit, 7:30 p.m. Chicago at Houston, 8 p.m. L.A. Lakers at Boston, 8 p.m. Memphis at Oklahoma City, 8 p.m. Milwaukee at Denver, 9 p.m. Dallas at Portland, 10:30 p.m. Phoenix at Sacramento, 10:30 p.m.

FRIDAY’S GAMES

DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS

Cleveland Indiana Chicago Milwaukee Detroit

THURSDAY’S GAMES 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.

THURSDAY’S GAMES

WILD-CARD PLAYOFFS

Atlanta Washington Charlotte Miami Orlando CENTRAL DIVISION

Alabama could be No. 1 once again in recruiting rankings

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.

Jan. 7 Houston 27, Oakland 14 Seattle 26, Detroit 6 Jan. 8 Pittsburgh 30, Miami 12 Green Bay 38, N.Y. Giants 13

Boston Toronto New York Philadelphia Brooklyn SOUTHEAST DIVISION

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

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.

50 47 52 47 50 50 48 49

THE SUMTER ITEM

TRANSACTIONS The Associated Press BASEBALL American League CLEVELAND INDIANS — Agreed to terms with C Adam Moore on a minor league contract. MINNESOTA TWINS — Named Tyler Burks strength and conditioning coach of Rochester (IL), Jake Mauer manager and Javier Valentin hitting coach of Chattanooga (SL), Doug Mientkiewicz manager and Steve Singleton hitting coach of Fort Myers (FSL), Tommy Watkins manager of Cedar Rapids (MWL), Davey La Croix trainer of Elizabethton (Appalachian), Toby Gardenhire hitting coach of the GCL Twins, Wladimir Morales trainer of the DSL Twins and Victor Gonzalez Florida operations assistant. NEW YORK YANKEES — Agreed to terms with Cs Wilkin Castillo, Kellin Deglan and Francisco Diaz; LHPs Jason Gurka, Joe Mantiply and Evan Rutckyj; RHP Nick Rumbelow; and INFs Ji-Man Choi, Pete Kozma, Donovan Solano and Ruben Tejada on minor league contracts. SEATTLE MARINERS — Agreed to terms with LHP Nick Hagadone on a minor league contract. TORONTO BLUE JAYS — Agreed to terms with RHP Lucas Harrell on a minor league contract. National League WASHINGTON NATIONALS — Agreed to terms with RHPs Joe Nathan and Matt Albers on minor league contract.

BASKETBALL National Basketball Association ATLANTA HAWKS — Announced their new NBADL team intends to play in Erie, Pa., for the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons and will relocate to College Park, Ga. for the 2019-20 season.

FOOTBALL National Football League BUFFALO BILLS — Announced Bobby April, John Blake, Aaron Kromer, David Lee, D’Anton Lynn, Tim McDonald, Pat Meyer, Chris Palmer, Ed Reed, Eric Smith, Kathryn Smith, Dennis Thurman, Jason Vrable and Jeff Weeks will not be part of the team’s coaching staff for the 2017 season.

HOCKEY National Hockey League DETROIT RED WINGS — Assigned LW Drew Miller to Grand Rapids (AHL). Removed C Dylan Larkin from injured reserve. NASHVILLE PREDATORS — Activated D Petter Granberg from injured reserve and assigned him to Milwaukee (AHL). NEW YORK ISLANDERS — Signed G Thomas Greiss to a three-year contract extension.

COLLEGE

ARIZONA STATE — Named Billy Napier offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON — Named Jamaal Walton associate athletic director for external operations. DAYTON — Named Alyssa D’Errico assistant women’s volleyball coach. STANFORD — Named Kevin Hambly director of women’s volleyball.

SPORTS ITEMS

No. 12 Tar Heels hold off Panthers CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Justin Jackson scored 20 points and No. 12 North Carolina held on to beat Pittsburgh 80-78 on Tuesday night. Joel Berry II had 19 points, Isaiah Hicks added 18 and Kennedy Meeks finished with 10 for the Tar Heels (20-4, 8-2 Atlantic Coast Conference). The league leaders never trailed but also never got comfortable against the last-place Panthers. Cameron Johnson matched a career high with 24 points and hit a careerbest six 3-pointers, Michael Young finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds and Jamel Artis had 17 points for Pitt (12-10, 1-8), which lost its seventh straight but kept this one tight throughout by shooting nearly 56 percent. The Panthers had a chance to win it at the buzzer after Artis took an inbounds pass with 4.8 seconds to play and hurried down the right side before uncorking an offbalance 3-pointer that caromed harmlessly off the glass. That came after Artis made it 79-78 by hitting two

free throws with 5.4 seconds left. The Panthers fouled Hicks, who hit 1 of 2 free throws to make it a twopoint game and set up the Panthers’ final shot. Chris Jones finished with 12 points, and his contested 3 with 13.5 seconds left pulled the Panthers to 78-76.

(22) CREIGHTON 76 (16) BUTLER 67 INDIANAPOLIS — Justin Patton, Khyri Thomas and Marcus Foster all scored 15 points, and Creighton made 13 3-pointers as it ran away from Butler. The Bluejays (20-3, 7-3 Big East) have won two straight to move into second place in the conference standings. Kamar Baldwin finished with 14 points for Butler (185, 7-4), which has lost two straight at home. Creighton’s shooters were simply too much for the Bulldogs. After Butler scored the first five points of the second half to take a 38-37 lead, the Bluejays went on a 17-4 run to make it 54-42 with 14:05 left. The Bulldogs answered with seven straight points to make it a five-point game,

FOCUS FROM PAGE B1 The Gamecocks went 3-3 while Thornwell sat out a six-game athletic department suspension. They are 14-1 with Thornwell in the lineup, the lone loss coming at Kentucky earlier this month. Thornwell acknowledged wondering if his time off the court would taint national selectors when picking postseason award winners. He questions if some of what the Gamecocks do now is clouded because of his suspension. “I think nationally it affects us more than in conference,” he said. Another perception problem: the Gamecocks excel in categories that are not flashy, like scoring defense and field-goal percentage defense where they lead the SEC in each.

but Creighton quickly rebuilt a double-digit lead and the Bulldogs couldn’t get closer than seven again.

(17) MARYLAND 77 OHIO STATE 71 COLUMBUS, Ohio — Justin Jackson had 22 points and 12 rebounds as Maryland held off Ohio State down the stretch to win. The Buckeyes pulled within one point four times in the second half but the Terps always had an answer. A jumper by Melo Trimble with 32 seconds left put Maryland up 75-71, and Jared Nickens hit two free throws with 14 seconds left to seal it. Trimble had 13 points and Anthony Cowan added 11 as Maryland (20-2, 8-1 Big Ten) won their seventh straight. The Terps haven’t lost since Jan. 1 and have won all six of their games on the road this season. Jae’Sean Tate scored 20 points and Marc Loving added 18 for the Buckeyes (13-10, 3-7 Big Ten), who have lost three of their last four in what has turned into a disappointing season. From wire reports

“It’s ugly. Why can’t they play prettier?” Martin said, mocking critics this season. Martin’s just fine with South Carolina’s style, as long as Thornwell’s front and center. He leads the team in scoring (19.3 points a game), rebounding (7.2 per game) and steals (35). The 6-foot-5 Thornwell also is unafraid to mix it up down low, leading the Gamecocks with 104 trips to the foul line where he’s hitting 84.6 percent of his attempts. More so, Martin said, is Thornwell’s positive effect on the rest of the roster, keeping them grounded and grinding through the long season. “That’s why Sindarius is a winner, he gets it,” Martin said. Now, it’s up to the Gamecocks to stay focused over the final month of SEC play.

SPORTS

THE SUMTER ITEM

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2017

FALL FROM PAGE B1

BARONS FROM PAGE B1

Dow landed baskets to open the second half, cutting the lead to five, and a Green three with 2:21 left in the third made it a two-point game, 38-36. Then the Lady Monarchs seemed to run out of gas as the Lady Bishops closed the quarter on an 8-0 run that would stretch to a 12-0 run that would finally be broken with two Karisma Kennedy free throws with 6:54 left in the game. Kennedy’s free throws would begin an 8-0 MHS run which would be answered with a 10-0 BEHS run that gave the Lady Bishops their largest lead, 60-44. Green, who topped the Lady Monarchs with 21 points, would get a few layups off two late steals but BEHS would salt the game away by hitting on four of six free throws in the final 30 seconds. “It was very heartbreaking, because after we got it down to two we had two crucial turnovers, one right underneath their basket and then I think we took a quick shot or had a turnover on a loose ball on our end that they capitalized on,” Mazyck said. “On those two turnovers, right quick, I know (the momentum turned) and from that point in time they were able to do what they do best. Down the stretch they made their free throws and around the basket they beat us on the boards. You can’t account for size, and we were getting one shot where sometimes they were getting three and four shots at the basket. We’re still trying to get our girls to be a little bit more physical around the basket to be more competitive.” Katie Brooks scored 15 and Katie

in double figures. Drew Talley led the way with 17. Greyson Sonntag and Chandler Scott both had 12 and Easton Ward had 10. “We would be happy to have that (four in double figures) every night,” said Coach Talley, whose team has struggled at times on offense. Wilson Hall improved to 10-8 on the season and 3-1 in SCISA Region II-3A. Orangeburg Prep, coached by Sumterite Michael Nelson, dropped to 11-10 and 0-3. Griffin Provost Wassel added 11. In the varsity girls contest, Wilson Hall used its press to limit Orangeburg Prep to no more than seven points in a quarter on the way to a 41-24 victory. The Lady Barons improved to 15-4 overall and 4-0 in region play. “I was really pleased with the way we executed the press, using it to force turnovers,” said WH head coach Glen Rector. “It was very effective for us. We struggled offensively early and we decided to use it to shake things up.” OP scored just six points In the first quarter, but Wilson Hall had just four. The Lady Indians again scored six in the second quarter, but the Lady Barons had 12 for a 16-12 halftime advantage. WH took control in the third quarter, outscoring Prep 17-5 for a 33-17 lead. Haley Roone McCaffrey led Wilson Hall with 10 points. Liza Segars and Susanna Hutson both had six. Marlee Robinson led OP with nine points and Brooke Nettles had eight.

RICK CARPENTER / THE SUMTER ITEM

Manning’s Keyshaunna Walker (20) gets doubled teamed by Bishop England’s Katie Brooks (20) and Kelly Drummond (35) during the Lady Monarchs’ 64-50 loss to Bishop England on Tuesday night at John F. Thames Arena. 12 field goals (in a 67-40 MHS loss on Jan.17) and the game got real lopsided. I think that was misleading about what kind of team that we have, so I was pleased with the way we played (Tuesday).” Manning closes out regular season play next Tuesday on the road against Timberland, with a win clinching Region VII’s No.2 spot heading into the state playoffs.

Cullum added 10 to pace the Lady Bishops. Mazyck said that, even with such a marquee, high-stakes matchup, he felt his players were ready for the moment. “It was no different (than any other game); no added pressure,” Mazyck said. “We wanted to play better. We went down to their place and, unfortunately, were only able to hit about

AREA ROUNDUP

Alice Drive, Bates advance to tournament semis Alice Drive Middle School advanced to the semifinals of the Sumter Middle School Conference tournament by defeating Furman 65-30 on Tuesday at the ADMS gymnasium. The Hawks were led by Quindon Sanders and Trevonte Brunson who each recorded a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds. Marcus Lane had 11 points, four assists and five steals. Alice Drive will host Bates on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. BATES 39 EBENEZER 14

Justus Boone scored 10 and had six rebounds as Bates earned a 39-14 victory over Ebenezer on Tuesday at the EMS gymnasium to advance to the semifinals of the Sumter Middle School Conference tournament. Justice Singletary, Umar Lawson and Brandon burns each scored six points for the Bantams. Cameron Jenkins scored four points and had five assists. Bates will travel to Alice Drive on Thursday for a 5:30 p.m. contest. QUARTERFINALS — TUESDAY (1) (5) (2) (3)

Alice Drive 65, (8) Furman 30 Bates 39, (4) Ebenezer 14 Manning 72, (7) Hillcrest 12 Chestnut Oaks 40, (6) Mayewood 29

SEMIFINALS — THURSDAY Alice Drive vs. Bates, 5:30 p.m. Manning vs. Chestnut Oaks, 5:30 p.m.

CHAMPIONSHIP — SATURDAY At Crestwood High School Semifinal winners, immediately following girls game

SCOTT’S BRANCH 41 SPAULDING 23 SUMMERTON – Scott’s Branch Middle School ended its regular season with a 5-3 record after beating Spaulding 41-23 on Monday at the SBMS gymnasium. Tari Coard led the Eagles with 14 points. Zake Randle had nine and Terrence Pusher added six. Scott’s Branch will play host to Spaulding again on Thursday at 6 p.m. in the first round of the Upper Pee Dee Conference tournament. QUARTERFINALS — THURSDAY All games at 6 p.m. East Clarendon at Kingstree Hannah-Pamplico at Johnson Spaulding at Scott’s Branch C.E. Murray at Lee Central

Crestwood players in double figures as the Knights defeated Hartsville 86-77 on Tuesday at the HHS gymnasium. Dakota Jennings added 15 points for CHS followed by Carlin Benjamin with 13 and Cody Lambert and Trevion Webber with 10 each. Crestwood hosts Lakewood on Friday. LAURENCE MANNING 71 FLORENCE CHRISTIAN 25

MANNING – Nazir Andino scored 18 points as Laurence Manning Academy routed Florence Christian School 71-25 on Tuesday at Bubba Davis Gymnasium. Seth Green added 12 points for the Swampcats followed by Jalil Robinson with 10. LMA improved to 20-6 and will host Cardinal Newman on Friday.

both had seven. LAURENCE MANNING 47 FLORENCE CHRISTIAN 24

MANNING – Chase Lee had 15 points as Laurence Manning Academy earned a 47-24 victory over Florence Christian on Tuesday at Bubba Davis Gymnasium. Bryce Carmac added seven points for the JV Swampcats, who will host Cardinal Newman on Friday. WILSON HALL 43 ORANGEBURG PREP 32

Emory Moore had 20 points to help lead Wilson Hall to a 43-32 victory over Orangeburg Prep on Tuesday at Nash Student Center. Nathan Harris added eight points for the Barons, who improved to 12-5 overall and 3-1 in the region and will host Trinity-Byrnes today.

Thomas Sumter Academy improved to 5-3 with a 32-27 victory over Dillon Christian on Saturday. Landon DeLavan and Brandon Murray both had nine points to lead TSA. Logan Oxendine had seven.

JV BASKETBALL SUMTER 49 CAROLINA FOREST 41

MYRTLE BEACH – Sumter High School improved to 16-1 with a 49-41 victory over Carolina Forest on Monday at the CF gymnasium. Omar Croskey led the Gamecocks with 17 points. Tyre Smalls had 12 and Kwaleek Jones and Eric Watts

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

SEMIFINALS — TODAY Bates at Alice Drive, 5:30 p.m. Hillcrest at Mayewood, 5:30 p.m.

CHAMPIONSHIP — SATURDAY At Crestwood High School Semifinal winners, noon

VARSITY BASKETBALL CRESTWOOD 54 HARTSVILLE 34

MIDDLE SCHOOL BASKETBALL ALICE DRIVE 61 MANNING 22

FLORENCE CHRISTIAN 51 LAURENCE MANNING 28

Stevye Sinkler scored 17 points and had four steals to lead Alice Drive Middle School to a 61-22 victory over Manning Junior High on Monday at the AD gymnasium in a quarterfinal game in the Sumter Middle School Conference tournament. Markia Wilson added 16 points for the Lady Hawks, while Inga Colclough had seven points, nine rebounds, five assists and three steals. Tajanique Johnson had six points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals. Jalyn Matthews also had six points. Alice Drive plays host to Bates today at 5:30 p.m. in a semifinal game.

MANNING – Olivia Coker scored 12 points, but the Lady Swampcats fell to Florence Christian School 51-28 on Tuesday at Bubba Davis Gymnasium. Brooke Bennett and Lexi Bennett each scored six points for Laurence Manning Academy.

GIRLS

SUMTER 63 FAIRFIELD CENTRAL 43

THOMAS SUMTER 32 DILLON CHRISTIAN 27

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

HARTSVILLE – Destiny Jamison had 16 points, Tyanna Saunders finished with a double-double and Crestwood earned a big 54-34 victory over Hartsville on Tuesday at the HHS gymnasium. Saunders had 13 points and 11 rebounds to go along with six assists. Jah’Che Whitfield added 13 points for the Lady Knights followed by Lindsay Rogers with seven. CHS hosts Lakewood on Friday.

B TEAM BASKETBALL Sumter High School improved to 9-3 with a 63-43 victory over Fairfield Central on Monday at the SHS gymnasium. Justice Wells led SHS with 14 points. Vance Ragin had 11 points, while Caldrelle Cooper had 10 points and five assists. O’Dell Fortune scored nine points and grabbed seven rebounds.

Destyni Crim added eight. Hillcrest will play at Mayewood today at 5:30 p.m. in a semifinal game.

HILLCREST 29 EBENEZER 21

DALZELL – Hillcrest Middle School defeated Ebenezer 29-21 on Tuesday in a quarterfinal game of the Sumter Middle School Conference tournament at the HMS gymnasium. Zamani Fulmore led the Lady Wildcats with 10 points.

LEE CENTRAL 42 CENTRAL PAGELAND 27

PAGELAND – Jiah Ervin had 15 points as Lee Central earned a 42-27 victory over Central Pageland on Tuesday at the CP gymnasium. A’Yanah Lucas added nine points and eight rebounds for the Lady Stallions while Alexis McMillan finished with six points and 10 rebounds.

Cavs gymnasium. Bree Stoddard added nine points, five rebounds and five assists for the Lady Generals. Aubrey Stoddard had eight points while Logan Morris finished with seven rebounds. TSA, now 16-4 overall and 6-0 in region play, will travel to Palmetto Christian on Friday.

JV BASKETBALL WILSON HALL 27 ORANGEBURG PREP 19

Andi Grae Wingate had 10 points and Waverly McIver added six as the JV Lady Barons defeated Orangeburg Prep 27-19 on Tuesday at Nash Student Center. WH improved to 11-3 overall and 1-3 in the region and will host Trinity-Byrnes today. LAURENCE MANNING 28 FLORENCE CHRISTIAN 17 MANNING – Audrey Bennett had 12 points as Laurence Manning Academy earned a 28-17 victory over Florence Christian on Tuesday at Bubba Davis Gymnasium. Katherine Burns added seven points for the Lady Swampcats followed by Breanna Boykin with six. LMA improved to 12-3 overall and 4-0 in the region and will host Cardinal Newman on Friday.

B TEAM BASKETBALL WILSON HALL 25 ORANGEBURG PREP 20 Wilson Hall finished its season with a 13-4 record by defeating Orangeburg Prep 25-20 on Monday at Nash Student Center. Halle Stone led the Lady Barons with 10 points. Lucy Matthews had eight.

THOMAS SUMTER 38 CALHOUN ACADEMY 23

ST. MATTHEWS – Taja Hunley just missed a doubledouble with 11 points and eight rebounds as Thomas Sumter Academy earned a 38-23 victory over Calhoun Academy on Tuesday at the

phone: ne:: 803-236-0803 803-236-08 262 south pike west sumter, sc info@iamteamr.com www.iamteamr.com

SEMIFINALS — SATURDAY At Lee Central East Clarendon-Kingstree winner vs. Johnson-Hannah-Pamplico winner, 1 p.m. Spaulding-Scott’s Branch winner vs. C.E. Murray-Lee Central winner, 2:30 p.m.

MONDAY — CHAMPIONSHIP At Lee Central Semifinal winners, 7:30 p.m.

VARSITY BASKETBALL CRESTWOOD 86 HARTSVILLE 77

HARTSVILLE – Ja Morant scored 24 points to lead five

abs & more Tuesday

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2017

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Falcons worried about handling of painkillers BY JIM LITKE AP Sports Writer A string of emails that began in 2010 with the Atlanta Falcons head trainer and reached all the way to owner Arthur Blank showed a franchise worried about its “excessive” reliance on painkillers to treat players and the potential embarrassment that could cause the team and the NFL. One topic raised in the email chain concerned the review by an outside agency that found the team spent $81,000 on prescriptions for medications for players in 2009 — nearly three times the league average. Nearly every recipient on the email chain — from Blank, president Rich McKay and general manager Thomas Dimitroff to then-head athletic trainer Marty Lauzon — is still with the team, which plays New England in the Super Bowl on Sunday. “That’s being litigated now. That’s not something we’re going discuss right now,” Dimitroff said Monday night when asked about the emails. “When the time is right, we’ll readdress that.” The emails were entered into the court record Thursday as part of a proposed class-action lawsuit by more than 1,800 former NFL players who claim they were encouraged by the medical and training staffs of NFL teams to abuse painkillers and continue playing without regard for their long-term health. The case is being heard in the Northern District of California by U.S. District Court Judge William Alsup. The same allegations were originally filed in a 2014 class-action lawsuit that is currently on appeal before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. The email chain was presented to the court as an example of thousands of similar documents gathered during discovery that the ex-players’ lawyers want entered into the record. It was coincidental that

the Falcons chain was released before the Super Bowl. Lauzon was not with the team at the time of the critical review. He became the Falcons’ head trainer in January, 2010, and currently serves as the team’s director of sports medicine and performance. He first wrote to Dimitroff in May, 2010, to note the conclusions contained in the review by SportPharm, an outside agency brought in by the NFL to look at how teams purchased, dispensed and tracked medications, including powerful painkillers and prescription drugs. Among the problems Lauzon highlighted from SportPharm’s review was the Falcons’ “excessive dispensation” of narcotics and other medications, which risked creating a “culture of dependency.” “Within the first days on the job, I was informed that we barely missed a DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) investigation because of improper billing issues,” Lauzon also told Dimitroff. One of the central contentions of the painkiller lawsuit is that teams did not properly keep records about prescriptions and which players were getting drugs. Dimitroff forwarded the email to the owner hours later. “I thought it quite important for you to be aware of a rather sensitive subject and one we need to discuss before we include others on this topic matter,” Dimitroff wrote to Blank. “Agree - we should talk about this together with Rich (McKay, the Falcons’ president),” Blank replied. It’s not clear what practices were changed as part of the discussion, and there is no evidence the Falcons violated league rules. The proposed class-action lawsuit alleges that NFL trainers distributed drugs improperly, and teams failed to properly store and keep accurate records of the drugs, violating federal laws.

AP FILE PHOTO

Atlanta owner Arthur Blank talks in May 2016 about his city’s successful bid to host the 2019 Super Bowl. A string of emails that began in 2010 with the Atlanta Falcons head trainer and reached all the way to owner Arthur Blank showed a franchise worried about its “excessive” reliance on painkillers to treat players and the potential embarrassment that could cause the team and the NFL.

DUEL FROM PAGE B1 I’m always gonna remember is ‘bring that warrior mentality’ that he brought along, especially our last year there. Dont’a is the best example I can give about being a warrior on the field. I remember our sophomore year him hurt and coming back and being able to be the player he was before he left .... He was a great leader for us and I’m sure he’s a great leader for the Patriots.” It was Hightower’s performance his senior year that led the Patriots to select him 25th overall in the 2012 draft. The Baltimore Ravens took Upshaw in

From the moment of his birth on June 6, 1997, until his death on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017, Kyre Raekwon Bethea, 19, was loved and adored by many. He was the firstborn son of Marlyn Pryor and Latoya Bethea-Fullwood. He attended Lakewood High School, where he had a strong passion for sports. His pres-

Freeney has opportunity to go out on top with Atlanta BY PAUL NEWBERRY AP Sports Writer HOUSTON — Dwight Freeney is coming up on that time of year when he has to answer some hard questions. How does his body feel? Can he still be effective at what he does? Is the motivation to succeed as strong as ever? Once he completes that little self-evaluation, he can decide whether it’s time to call it a career. If this is where it ends, what a way to go out. Less than three weeks away from his 37th birthday, Freeney is back in the Super Bowl for the third time, essentially filling the role of player-coach for the Atlanta Falcons . He’s one victory away from being able to fulfill the dream of every great athlete: retiring on top. “I can appreciate the moment a lot more,” Freeney said. “I’m at a different place in my career than I was before, and that’s OK. You play long enough, you’re gonna have all the ranges of what happened in your career: you didn’t know much, you’re on top of your game, and now you’re like mentor guy.” The defensive end hasn’t decided if this will be his final game. He’s already on borrowed time. “One of my goals coming in was, ‘Hey, get 10 years in,’” Freeney said, smiling about a milestone he surpassed five seasons ago. “After my 10th year, every year I said, ‘OK, that’s probably it for me.’ And I keep coming back, for whatever reason.” The Falcons are sure glad he did. While Freeney no longer puts up the double-digit sack

the second round, 35th overall. But it was Upshaw that tasted ultimate success first in the NFL, winning a Super Bowl ring his rookie year with the Ravens. He now has a chance to replicate that feat in his first season with the Falcons. Upshaw said he and Hightower are doing exactly what they talked about achieving while at Alabama. “We talked just basically about trying to put in that work, trying to be first-rounders, winning championships there. And just leaving a legacy at our position and trying to be one of the best at the University of Alabama,” he said. “I think we

OBITUARIES KYRE R. BETHEA

AP FILE PHOTO

Atlanta defensive end Dwight Freeney, left, has a chance to go out on top if the Falcons can defeat New England on Sunday at Super Bowl LI in Houston.

ence was a joy to behold by all those he encountered. He leaves cherishing memories: his mother, Latoya Bethea Fullwood; stepfather, Sidney Fullwood; father, Maryln Pryor of Ohio; two brothers, Kywan Bethea of Sumter and Raemar Pryor of Ohio; one sister, Shakeba Fullwood of Sumter; two stepsisters, Tatyanna and Jhamaria

totals that were the hallmark of his 11-year tenure with the Indianapolis Colts, he has played an invaluable role tutoring an extremely young Falcons defense that started four rookies and four second-year players in the NFC championship game. His impact was most apparent on Vic Beasley Jr., who rebounded from a disappointing rookie year to lead the NFL with 15 1-2 sacks. Freeney not only taught the youngster some of the tricks of the passrushing trade, but how to be a professional athlete. “I can’t even put that into words,” Beasley said. “What Dwight does, he just prepares. You just get to see it for yourself. He prepares so well week in and week out. I just try to take everything I can from him.” Freeney relished the chance to take Beasley under his wing. “Vic is a guy who has a lot of same characteristics I had when I was coming out,” Freeney recalled. “I was fast, quick and agile. The thing is, when you’re young you don’t know much. You just run around and make plays because you’re athletic. My thing with Vic was just trying to raise his IQ a little bit, his awareness of when you use certain moves and when you don’t use certain moves. Hopefully, I rubbed off on him in a good way.” After establishing himself as one of the greatest pass rushers in NFL history with the Colts, a stint that included two Super Bowl appearances and one championship, Freeney looked like he was finished after two forgettable seasons in San Diego. More than a month into the 2015 season, Freeney still didn’t have a job and began to ponder what came next. A career in

did that. We definitely won championships. He was a first-rounder, I was a second-rounder. But like I said, I’m probably his biggest fan. To see him do the things he do, the way he do it is no surprise to me. I only wish the best and can say good things about Dont’a. That’s my brother.” Hightower will also be chasing his second ring after winning his first with the Patriots in the 2015 title game. He said being able to play for Bill Belichick’s former assistant Nick Saban and now Belichick himself has been surreal. But asked this week who he thought

Fullwood, both of Sumter; his maternal grandparents, Henry and Shirley Bethea of Sumter; his paternal grandmother, Valerie Pryor of Ohio; a host of aunts, granduncles and grandaunts, cousins, other relatives and friends. Homegoing services will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday at the Church of Christ, 215 Kingsbury Drive, Sumter, with Minister Melvin Sapp, pastor, eulogist. The family is receiving rel-

television, perhaps. “I’m tired of training. I’m tired of being ready. No one’s calling. I’ve got all these coaches saying, ‘Oh, stay ready, stay ready,’” Freeney said. “But I’m like, ‘Forget that. I’m done.’” Then came a call from Arizona coach Bruce Arians, who wanted someone to bolster the Cardinals’ pass rush . Freeney fit the bill, getting eight sacks in 11 games as the team advanced to the NFC championship before losing to Carolina. After another few months of uncertainty, the Falcons called. Coach Dan Quinn not only wanted someone who might improve Atlanta’s anemic pass rush, he was rebuilding the defense around a bunch of talented but inexperienced players . Once again, Freeney was the perfect fit. His contribution goes far beyond the field. He’s really like having an extra coach on staff. “Dwight is a very smart guy,” Quinn said. “He has quarterback smarts playing defensive end. He has recall, he can remember this stat, this set, this down and distance, this field position, much like a quarterback can. So he’s someone that’s fun for me to challenge, too, because he usually has an opinion on certain topics or a certain stunt or certain blitz or certain call.” A second Super Bowl title might be enough to ensure Freeney takes his place in the Hall of Fame someday. The Patriots believe he’s already earned his spot. “He’s one of the best pass rushers I have ever played against,” New England quarterback Tom Brady said. “He’s one of the best defensive players I’ve ever played against.”

was a better coach, Hightower deflected about as well as any good politician. “That’s your call, bro,” he said. “I’ve been winning on both sides.” What Hightower does know is this: Whatever happens Sunday, he’s looking forward to competing against somebody he has an equal amount of respect for in Upshaw. “There’s going to be some (trash) talking after the game whether it’s win or lose,” he said. “But definitely it feels good to see a guy (do well). I mean we literally grew up together as far as the football aspect of it goes. It’ll be fun, it’ll be good. Hopefully I’m on the right side of it.”

atives and friends at the home, 3620 Lindella Drive, Sumter. Wake service will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. today at the John Wesley Williams Sr. Memorial Chapel of Williams Funeral Home Inc., 821 N. Main St., Sumter. The funeral procession will leave at 1:20 p.m. from the home. Floral bearers and pallbearers will be family and friends. Burial will be in Bradford

Cemetery, U.S. Highway 15 South, Sumter. Services directed by the management and staff of Williams Funeral Home Inc., 821 N. Main St., Sumter. Online memorial messages may be sent to the family at williamsfuneralhome@sc.rr. com. Visit us on the web at www.WilliamsFuneralHomeInc.com.

SEE OBITUARIES, PAGE B5

OBITUARIES

THE SUMTER ITEM

DR. CARL B. RAMSEY MANNING — Dr. Carl Bentley Ramsey, 87, husband of Virginia Cothran Ramsey, died on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017, at his home. Born on June 5, 1929, in Bauxite, Arkansas, he was a son of the late George Houston Ramsey and Minnie Haley Ramsey. After graduating from Bauxite High School, he entered Ouachita Baptist UniversiRAMSEY ty on an athletic scholarship. While at Ouachita, he was selected for Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities and he was awarded the Distinguished Alumnus Award. After receiving his bachelor of arts degree from Ouachita in 1951, he married his OBU sweetheart, Virginia. From 1951 to 1953, during the Korean War, Dr. Ramsey served in the United States Army Medical Corps. After returning from overseas, he entered Vanderbilt Peabody College, where he earned his master of arts degree in educational administration. Subsequently, he received his education specialist (Ed.S.) from Western Carolina University and his doctor in education in educational administration from the University of South Carolina. For eight years, he taught math and science and served as head football coach in high schools in Georgia and South Carolina. Dr. Ramsey served as a school superintendent in Charleston, Barnwell and Clarendon Counties over a span of 26 years. In three of the four school districts he served, Dr. Ramsey played a vital role in the elimination of the dual school system and the integration process which followed. During Dr. Ramsey’s administration in Clarendon County, the district received academic recognition when Manning Primary School was designated as “Center of Excellence” by the National Council of Teachers of English. The school district was also featured in a South Carolina Educational Television documentary titled “Public Education: A Success Story.” The school district was featured in Newsweek magazine and the Chicago Tribune. In 1988, Dr. Ramsey was selected by the South Carolina School Board Association as Superintendent of the Year. That same year, Executive Educator Magazine named him one of the Top 100 School Executives in North America. After his retirement, he served as consultant to the South Carolina State Department. Dr. Ramsey was a member of the board of directors of the South Carolina Association of School Superintendents and a Rotarian. He was a trustee of the Baptist Courier. He was elected and served three terms on Clarendon County Council. Dr. Ramsey was active in his church, serving as an adult Sunday school teacher. He was ordained as a deacon and was licensed to preach. He is survived by his wife of 65 years; two daughters, Gail Barwick of Manning and Amy Black (John) of Oakboro, North Carolina; a son, Dr. Kyle H. Ramsey (Kathleen) of Naperville, Illinois; a sister, Rebecca Deane White of Benton, Arkansas; 11 grandchildren; and 11 greatgrandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Dr. Carl B. Ramsey Jr.; a daughter, Ann Louise Ramsey; a brother, Walter H. Ramsey; and a sister, Jimmie Rae Curtis. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Stephens Funeral Home and other times at the residence, 426 Old Georgetown Road, Manning. A funeral service will be

held at 10 a.m. on Thursday at Manning First Baptist Church with the Rev. John C. Black officiating. A graveside service will be held at 4 p.m. on Thursday at Cedar Shoals Baptist Church Cemetery, 1045 Cooley Bridge Road, Belton, SC 29627. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Bo Shotwell, Calvin Stone and Joshua Stone will serve as honorary pallbearers. Memorials may be made to Charis 4 Haiti, 3015 E. New York St., A2-295 Aurora, IL 60504 or to the Carl B. Ramsey Jr. Scholarship Fund, Ouachita Baptist University, 410 Ouachita St., Arkadelphia, AR 71998. Stephens Funeral Home & Crematory, 304 N. Church St., Manning, is in charge of arrangements, (803) 435-2179. www.stephensfuneralhome.org

ALEX S. BOYKIN SR. BAMBERG — Alex Stephen Boykin Sr., 71, of Bamberg, passed away on Jan. 20, 2017. Stephen was the husband of Linda Kay Welch Boykin. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday at First Baptist Church in Bamberg. BOYKIN Stephen was born a son to the late Horace Hosea Boykin and Tuster Ola Brown Boykin. He was a senior piping and mechanical engineer with the Bechtel Corp. He was a Mason, and enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, collecting guns, Indian artifacts, and rare coins. Survivors include his wife of the home; son, Alex Stephen Boykin Jr. (Ann); brother, Dr. Calvin V. Boykin (Ann); sister, Stella Boykin Peeples; grandchildren, Dutch Britton Boykin and Gage Stephen Boykin; stepchildren, Eric Hobbs (Melissa), Carla Brown Thomason (Durwood) and Annie Brown; step-grandchildren, Chandler Hobbs, Carter Hobbs and Tucker Hobbs; and step-grandson, Ezra Pierson McLeod. Memorials may be made to the National Rifle Association or the American Lung Association, 1817 Gadsen St., Columbia, SC 29201. Online condolences may be expressed at www.dukesharleyfuneralhome.com .

WILLIAM CONYERS William Conyers, 60, departed this life on Friday, Jan. 27, 2017, at Northwoods Senior Living and Memory Care, Sumter. Born on May 7, 1956, in Clarendon County, he was a son of the late Johnnie Lee and EllaNora Stukes Conyers. He was educated in the public schools of Sumter County. He was employed at Sumter School District 2, Central Carolina Technical College, and numerous of other jobs. He leaves to cherish his memories: three brothers, Samuel Lee (Laura Ann) Conyers of Sumter, Roosevelt Conyers of Columbia and Richard Conyers of Austin, Texas; four sisters, Mary Coates, Rosa Conyers and Lucille (Earl) Green, all of Sumter, and Clara (Zackhery) Dillard of Lexington; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Memorial services will be held at 12:30 p.m. today at the John Wesley Williams Sr. Memorial Chapel, Williams Funeral Home Inc., 821 N. Main St., Sumter, with the Rev. J. Elbert Williams officiating and the Rev. Ricky Simmons, youth pastor of Jehovah Missionary Baptist Church, as eulogist. Services directed by the management and staff of Williams Funeral Home Inc., 821 N. Main St., Sumter. Online memorial messages may be sent to the family at williamsfuneralhome@sc.rr. com.

Visit us on the web at www. WilliamsFuneralHomeInc.com.

WILLIAM M. TAYLOR William Moses Taylor, 81, husband of Daphine Lewis Taylor, departed this life on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017, at the Dorn VA Medical Center in Columbia. He was born on April 22, 1935, in Bethel, North Carolina, a son of the late Moses C. and Bertha A. Taylor. Public viewing will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. today at Job’s Mortuary. Deacon Taylor will be placed in the church at 11 a.m. on Thursday for viewing until the hour of service. Funeral services will be held at noon on Thursday at High Hills Missionary Baptist Church, Dalzell, with the Rev. Donald Amis officiating, assisted by the Rev. Dr. Sammie D. Simmons, moderator. Interment will follow in High Hills Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will be receiving friends at the home, 76 Albert Spears Drive, Sumter Job’s Mortuary Inc. of Sumter is in charge of arrangements.

RUBY BROWN DAVIS BISHOPVILLE — Funeral services for Ruby Brown Davis, age 91, who died on Jan. 29, 2017, will be held at 2 p.m. today at the Chapel of Norton Funeral Home, Bishopville. The Rev. B.R. Wallace will officiate. Burial will be in the Cedar Creek Baptist Church cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Mrs. Davis was born in Bishopville, a daughter of the late Jessie R. and Lillie Mae Marsh Brown. She was a member of Cedar Creek Baptist Church. She was employed at Oxford Manufacturing in Camden and Bishopville Manufacturing. She was a graduate of Central High School. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and held her family together. Surviving are three daughters, Jenny Bramlett of Sumter, Wanda Carraway of Sumter and Sandra Owens of Cayce; three sons, Keith (Gail) Davis of Bishopville, Gerald Davis of Orangeburg and Ronnie Davis of Florence; six grandchildren; and 11 greatgrandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, L.L. Davis; and two brothers, Carey “Sonny” Brown and Glenn Watson. The family would like to give a special thank you to Dr. Mayes DuBose and the staff of NHC of Sumter for the care which they provided to their mother. Norton Funeral Home is honored to serve the Davis family.

LOUISE M. BUTLER Louise McLeod Butler, 90, wife of 68 years of the late William J. Butler Sr., died on Monday, Jan. 30, 2017, at her daughter’s home in Columbia. Born on Feb. 13, 1926, in Sumter, she was a daughter of David and Irene Avins McLeod. Mrs. Butler was a retired South Carolina Department of Social Services employee. She was a longtime member of Bethel Baptist Church. Surviving are her daughter, Barbara Jean Frierson of Columbia; her son, William J. Butler Jr. of North Charleston; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at noon on Thursday at Bethel Baptist Church with the Rev. Larry Fraser officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to noon on Thursday at the church.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2017 Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad St., Sumter, is in charge of the arrangements, (803) 775-9386.

SARAH CAPELL BISHOPVILLE — Sarah Chapple Capell, 61, wife of Ernest Capell, died on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2017, at her home. Hancock-Elmore-Hill Funeral Home of Bishopville is serving the family and will announce plans.

LAUREEN D. THOMAS-DUREN Laureen “Sweet” Delores Thomas-Duren departed this life on Saturday morning, Jan. 28, 2017, at her home surrounded by loved ones after a lengthy illness. Laureen, better known as “Sis” by her siblings, was born in Lynchburg, one of 10 children of the late Walter and Eliza George-Thomas. Laureen started her education in Lynchburg from first through eighth grade. She then left home to attend Wilson High School in Florence. After finishing high school, she attended Garner’s School of Beauty Culture and Morris College in Sumter. After being licensed in cosmetology, she was given a teaching position at Garner’s, where she taught for three years. It was there that she met and married the love of her life after just three months of dating, Sgt. 1st Class the Rev. Dr. Carnes Duren Jr. He and “Sweet,” as he called her, spent the next 14 years traveling around the United States and abroad with the Army. In 1968, she re-entered Morris College to further her education. While in school, she did some substitute teaching in Lee County and, after a few months, was hired as head teacher of the local Head Start program. Laureen was highly motivated after realizing how the children advanced while preparing for public school, so she decided to dedicate her life to that cause and make it a permanent career. Realizing a need in the Lynchburg area, she felt that more children could be served through the Early Child Development program. Since 1969, Laureen pursued even more training at the University of South Carolina, Columbia; Winthrop University, Rock Hill; Clemson University, Clemson; College of Charleston (Charleston Southern), Charleston; and Coastal Carolina College, Myrtle Beach. In 1972, along with her husband and a wonderful team of local individuals, The Lynchburg-Elliot Child Development Center was opened with a location in Elliot and Lynchburg. The two centers eventually merged into one and was the first to earn its accreditation in the state of South Carolina. The “center,” as it was affectionately called, educated hundreds of children and served the needs of the community for 37 years until its closing in 2009. After her husband’s call into ministry in 1973, Laureen supported him as first lady of Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, Marion, and Black Creek Missionary Baptist Church, Jefferson. She also found time to be active in many community organizations and was proud of her affiliations with the Order of the Eastern StarQueens of Lynchburg, Chapter 247, and the National Council of Negro Women, Lee County Chapter. While our hearts are saddened by her death, her legacy of love and service will live on in the hearts of family and friends. She leaves to cherish her memory: her devoted husband of 61 years, the Rev. Dr.

Carnes Duren Jr., retired U.S. Army; three daughters, Carzenia (Johnny) Brown of Huger, Valarie Duren-Haywood and Andrena Duren of the home, and Antinetta (Stephen) Summers of Harrisburg, North Carolina; seven grandchildren, Dominic (LeQuanda), Jonee, Monet, Kiyana (Brown), Layla (Duren), Bethany and Jeremy (Summers); and one great-grandson, Pierson Copeland. She also leaves a sister-in-law, Mary Thomas; a brother-inlaw, James Martin; three special sons, Herman Felix Jr., Herbert Henry and Patrick “Cakeman” Raven; and a host of beloved in-laws, nieces, nephews and cousins. There will be no public viewing. Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday at Jehovah Missionary Baptist Church, 805 S. Harvin St., Sumter, with the Rev. Marion Newton officiating, assisted by the Rev. Tommie Lee Duren, eulogist. Interment will follow in Hillside Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Laureen D. Duren Scholarship fund. The family will be receiving friends at the home, 67 Lewis Road, Lynchburg, SC 29080. 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.

GENEVA M. MONTGOMERY Geneva McDonald Montgomery, 90, departed this life on Monday, Jan. 30, 2017, at Palmetto Health Tuomey. She was born on Oct. 12, 1926, in Sumter County, a daughter of the late Steward Sr. and Maggie Wilson McDonald. The family will receive friends at the home, 820 Bay Springs Drive, Sumter, SC 29154. Job’s Mortuary Inc., 312 S. Main St., Sumter, is in charge of arrangements.

LOUISE C. MOSELEY JENKINSVILLE — Funeral services for Louise Chappell Moseley, 77, of Jenkinsville, will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday at Little River Baptist Church, 343 Little River Church Road, Jenkinsville, SC 29065 conducted by the Rev. Kenneth Yates. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour before the service in the church. Mrs. Moseley passed away on Monday, Jan. 30, 2017. Born on July 12, 1939, in Winnsboro, she was a daughter of the late Earl Douglas and Louise McMeekin Chappell. Mrs. Moseley is survived by her husband of 55 years, George Britton Moseley Jr.; four sons, George Britton Moseley III (Tonya), Robert Douglas Moseley (Melanie), Walker Galloway Moseley (Sondra) and Charles D. Wright II; one daughter, Louise Moseley Marlowe (Philip); two sisters, Doug Chappell Miller and Judy Chappell Gladden; and 12 grandchildren, Drew Marlowe (Sarah Kathryn), Becca Micklon (Tony), Dalton Marlowe, Sam Marlowe, Chappell Moseley, Molly Moseley, Garriss Moseley, Madeline Moseley, Thompson Moseley, Tristan Moseley, Savannah Moseley and Cooper Moseley. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Little River Baptist Church, P.O. Box 171, Jenkinsville, SC 29065. Pope Funeral Home of Winnsboro is assisting the Moseley family. Online condolences can be sent to the Moseley family at www.popefuneralhomesc. com.

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PETS & ANIMALS Dogs Full breed German Shepard puppies for sale $200. Call 803-938-3261

MERCHANDISE Farm Products Coastal Hay, HQ, SQ $5.00. Bahia $4.00. Call 803-481-7116

Garage, Yard & Estate Sales 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 Estate Sale Thur & Fri. 9-4 117 Adams Ave. Tables, chairs, sofas, Dining, Kitchen, BR furn, books, china, access., lamps, camping gear 803-666-8023 Pool table, auto return, good condition. $350 OBO 803-757-4896 Mark 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

For Sale or Trade 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 New & used Heat pumps & A/C. Will install/repair, Call 803-968-9549 or 843-992-2364 GE Electric Range with smooth top 5 Burner, convect. oven. Black finish $400 803-481-4785 Double door refrigerator. $199 803-757-4896 Mark

Manufactured Housing

Summons & Notice

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

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.

Complaint upon the Plaintiff or his attorney, H. Thad White, Jr., at his office, 2917 West Palmetto Street, Florence, South Carolina 29501 within thirty (30) days after the service hereof, exclusive of the day of such service, and if you fail to answer the Complaint within the time aforesaid, Plaintiff will apply to the Court for the relief demanded in the Complaint.

Dated at Florence, South Carolina on the 22nd day of September, 2016. Peters, Murdaugh, Parker, Eltzroth, & Detrick, P.A. Randolph Murdaugh, IV P.O. Box 457 Hampton, SC 29924 (803) 943-2111 -ANDH. Thad White, Jr. LUCAS, WARR AND WHITE 2917 West Palmetto Street Florence, South Carolina 29501 (843) 665-8187 ATTORNEYS FOR PLAINTIFF

Trucking Opportunities Drivers: Regional & OTR. Excellent Pay + Rider Program. Family Medical/Dental Benefits. Great Hometime + Weekends. CDL-A, 1 yr. EXP. 877-758-3905 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

Desk and book case. White with gold trim. Like new. $140 803-469-2958

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

EMPLOYMENT Help Wanted Full-Time McCormick County School District Announcement of Vacancies Vacancies: Middle School Math/Science Teacher Secondary Positions English Teacher Math Teacher Qualifications: Applicants must hold a valid SC Certification in the appropriate area. How to apply: Applicants are asked to complete an on-line application through the www.mccormick.k12.sc.us website. Wanted experienced commercial roofers. Apply in person at 1345 N. Pike East. 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 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. 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

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 01, 2017

Help Wanted Full-Time

Mobile Home with Lots

SUMMONS IN THE PROBATE COURT CASE NO.: 2017ES4300005

RENTALS

STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF SUMTER

Rooms for Rent ROOM For Rent Bi-weekly or monthly. Near Morris College. Kit. privileges, laundry incl. also, all utilities. Call 803-968-3655

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.

Unfurnished Apartments

Land & Lots for Sale

Senior Living Apartments for those 62+ (Rent based on income) Shiloh-Randolph Manor 125 W. Bartlette. 775-0575 Studio/1 Bedroom apartments available EHO

1 Mobile home Lot remaining on Scenic Lake Dr. $4900!! Call Burch at 803-720-4129

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

Unfurnished Homes 3 & 4 Br homes & MH, in Sumter County & Manning area. No Sect. 8. Rent + dep. req. Call 803-225-0389 3BR 2BA Dalzell min. from shaw AFB $500 Dep +$500 Mo. Call 803-316-7535 3BR/2BA DW, large private lot, between Sumter and Manning. $600mo+$600dep Call 803-473-7577 •2/3 BR available, no deposit. •Small commercial 409 Boulevard Rd. 803-775-8560 Beautiful 3BR 2BA Home, Large lot with fenced yard, Carport attached, 4246 Whitney St. $600 + Dep. Call 843-645-9400

Mobile Home Rentals

Please call (803) 468-6029.

Acre Minutes from Walmart/Shaw, all hookups. $12,900. 888-774-5720

LEGAL NOTICES Summons & Notice SUMMONS (Jury Trial Requested) IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS THIRD JUDICIAL CIRCUIT CASE NO.: 16-CP-43-01777 STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF SUMTER Luis Rojas and Rebeca R. Rojas, Plaintiffs, vs. Jaenicke Limited Partnership d/b/a Evergreen Training Center Mike Rahain, Kubota Manufacturing of America Corporation, Netco Turf & Tractor, Netco Sentry Hardware, Inc., Defendants. TO: DEFENDANTS, NETCO TURF & TRACTOR AND NETCO SENTRY HARDWARE, INC.: You are hereby summoned and required to Answer the Complaint in this action, a copy of which is herewith served upon you, and to serve a copy of your Answer to said

American MHP, 2 & 3/BR, lot rentals, water/sewer/garbage pkup inc'd. Sec. 8 ok. 803-494-4300. 3BR & 2BR, all appliances, Sumter area. Section 8 accepted. 469-6978 or 499-1500 Oaklawn MHP: 2 BR M.H.'s, water//sewer//garbage pk-up incl'd. RV parking avail. Call 803-494-8350

REAL ESTATE Homes for Sale

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2010 Hyundai Elantra

Professional office, great location! Ideal for doctor, dentist or any professional office use. 3800 sqft. Call John or Frank for details at 803-775-1201 1081 Alice Drive Sumter, SC 29150 803-775-1201 1-800-311-1146

TO: THE RESPONDENTS ABOVE-NAMED: YOU ARE HEREBY summoned and required to answer the Petition to Determine Heirs in this action which was filed in the Office of the Probate Court for Sumter County, South Carolina, and to serve a copy of your Answer upon the subscriber at 109 N. Main Street, Sumter, SC 29150 within THIRTY (30) days after the service hereof, exclusive of the day of such service. If you fail to answer the Petition within that time, the relief requested therein will be granted. ORDER OF SERVICE OF SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION AND APPOINTMENT OF

Esquire, attorney for the Petitioner, and it appearing to my satisfaction that Petitioner is entitled to have service of the unknown Respondents by publication in the manner provided by law, IT IS ORDERED that the Summons herein, a copy of which is annexed, be served on all Respondents unknown to the Petitioner and her attorney, if any, having or claiming to have any interest in or lien upon the estate of Emanuel Bradley, Sr. by publication of the same once a week for three (3) successive weeks in The Item. a newspaper published in the City and County of Sumter, South Carolina, which said newspaper is hereby designated as the most likely to give notice to said unknown Respondents; IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, that Larry C. Weston, Esquire (803-778-2421) be, and hereby is, appointed Guardian ad Litem for any Respondents who are infants or otherwise under disability, whose names and addresses are unknown to the Petitioner, having or claiming any interest in the Estate of Hazel Johnson for the purposes of.this action unless such Respondents who are infants or otherwise under disability, or any of them, or someone on their behalf, shall, within thirty (30) days after service of this Order upon them, exclusive of the date of such service, secure to be appointed a Guardian ad Litem for them or any of them; and IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, that this Order shall be forthwith served upon said Respondents who are infants or otherwise under a disability by publication of the same once a week for three (3) successive weeks in The Item. a newspaper published in the City and County of Sumter, South Carolina, which newspaper is hereby designated as the most likely to give notice to said Respondents, if any, who are infants or otherwise under disability. Dale Atkinson Judge of Probate Sumter County of Probate Court 1, Larry C. Weston, Esquire consent to serve as Guardian ad Litem Nisi for any Respondents who are minors or otherwise under disability. Larry C. Weston, Esquire

Upon considering and reading the annexed affidavit of Garryl Deas,

PUBLIC NOTICE The Housing Authority of the City of Sumter will open the Housing Choice Voucher application process Online only effective 9:00 a.m. on February 20, 2017. The Housing Choice Voucher program will close February 24, 2017 at 1:30 p.m. This process will open the third full week of each month at the times stated above until such time notice to close the process. The application process for Public Housing are open every day at the below listed website. To apply for the Voucher/Section 8 assistance or Public Housing please visit our website at: http://apps.sumterha.org/apply/ApplIntro.aspx To submit a “complete” application you must enter the application online AND provide the necessary original documentation to the Sumter Housing Authority Office within ten days including [Picture Identification Card, social security cards and long form birth certificates for all members on the application]. The Housing Authority of the City of Sumter does not provide emergency assistance. General applications will be accepted online only. No general applications will be accepted by phone or through the administrative office. The Authority will continue to process Local Preference applications concurrently with the general process. Validation of the preference is required to obtain a “preference application”. For more information please go to http://sumterha.org Voucher: From the home page, click on the Housing Choice Voucher tab. Section 1 gives detailed instructions about the application process.

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

FOR SALE

Janette Bradley Brown PETITIONER v. Estate of Emanuel Bradley, Sr., Estate of Pearl Bradley, Estate of Emanuel Bradley, Jr., Estate of Marion Bradley and Estate of Brenda Bradley, and any unknown heirs, RESPONSENTS

Summons & Notice

$3999.00 Tax, Tag & Doc Fee Extra

3735 Broad Street Sumter, SC 29154 803-494-4247 Julia Hair, President

Public Housing: From the home page, click on the Public Housing tab. Section 2 gives detailed instructions about the application process. See the instructions for more details on local preference applications. The Housing Authority is a Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Housing Provider. Discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, disability status, familial status, or national or ethnic origin is prohibited. TDD # 1-800-545-1833 Ext. 100

www.wesellsumter.com

1 Bedroom Apartments for 62 YEARS AND OLDER •Refrigerator •Central Heat & Air •Community Room •Range •Handicap •Coin Operated •Blinds Accessible Laundry Room •Carpet •Emergency Call •Ceiling Fans System **Rent Based On 30% of Adjusted Income** **Utility Allowance Given**

Southview 60 Hilliard Drive • Sumter, S.C. 29150 For application or information, please call

803-934-1449 TTY 800-735-8583

CITY OF SUMTER BUSINESS LICENSES The City of Sumter Ordinance regulating licenses for City businesses states that “Every person engaged or intending to engage in any calling, business, occupation or profession within the limits of the City of Sumter, South Carolina is required to pay an annual license fee and obtain a business license.” “The required license fee shall be paid for each business subject thereto according to the applicable rate classiﬁcation on or before the 15th day of February each year.” A 5% PENALTY WILL BE ASSESSED ON ALL LICENSE FEES WHICH ARE NOT PAID BY THE 15TH OF FEBRUARY, AND AN ADDITIONAL 5% PENALTY WILL BE ASSESSED ON THE FIRST OF EACH MONTH THAT THE LICENSE FEE REMAINS UNPAID. If any license fee shall remain unpaid for sixty (60) days after its due date, the Business License Department shall issue an execution which shall constitute a lien upon the property of the licensee for the tax, penalties and costs of collection.” If you do not receive an application in the mail, please stop by our ofﬁce at 12 W. Liberty Street in the Liberty Center (the old Brody bldg) or give us a call at 774-1601. We will be available to assist you with your application or answer any questions you might have.

MAYO’S “FABULOUS FEBRUARY SALE”

WHERE $1.00 CAN BUY YOU A SUIT!

Choose ONE suit at our REGULAR PRICE Get SECOND suit of equal or less value for ONLY $1.00! Because it’s FABULOUS FEBRUARY

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

SECTION

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2017 Call Ivy Moore at: (803) 774-1221 | E-mail: ivy@theitem.com

Library presents black history program BY IVY MOORE ivy@theitem.com

inetta V. Hamilton, author of the nonfiction book "Black History:

Someone Forgot to Teach the Children," will be the guest speaker as the Sumter County Library begins its Black History

‘The history of African Americans in America is synonymous with struggle — the consistent and persistent struggle of a people — the struggle for freedom, the struggle for justice, the struggle for equality and the struggle for human dignity. ... the history of Black people in America also demonstrates the qualities of faith, work and perseverance.’

Celebration on Monday. Her 6

GINETTA V. HAMILTON

p.m. presentation will emphasize the same theme as her book; that

Sums up the theme of her book, “Black History: Someone

is, the "urgency of ... teaching

Forgot to Teach the Children”

our children the strong, rich heritage of African Americans in America." As in her book, Hamilton herself reaches back to the past and connects it to the present, her mission being to empower "her audience ... to make a difference while moving forward." Chapters in Hamilton's book offer a veritable history of African-American heritage in the United States, with titles that include "The African American Monument," "The Struggle for Freedom – Slavery," "100 Years in the Struggle – the NAACP," "Personal Sto-

ries and More" and "The Challenge for All." In her introduction, she sums up her theme: "The history of African Americans in America is synonymous with struggle — the consistent and persistent struggle of a people — the struggle for freedom, the struggle for justice, the struggle for equality and the struggle for human dignity. ... the history of Black people in America also demonstrates the qualities of faith, work and perseverance."

Hamilton said her book reveals some of the "best kept secrets regarding the struggles by and on behalf of African Americans" and will show how the struggles made the U.S. and the world a better place for everyone. She is expected to speak on these issues during Monday's program. Hamilton received her bachelor of arts and her master's of elementary education degrees from the University of South Carolina. Her work with youth concentrates on character building, as she serves as an advocate,

coach and consultant to promote and increase understanding of AfricanAmerican history through her organization Jr. SEARCH 1 Empowering Youth, LLC. She also works to close the achievement gap among at-risk youth by promoting literacy enhancement. Monday's program is sponsored by The Humanities CouncilSC, a not-forprofit organization, whose mission is to enrich the cultural and intellectual lives of South Carolinians. through its support for literary initiatives, lectures, exhibits, festivals, publications, oral history projects, videos and other humanities-based experiences that reach more than 250,000 citizens annually. The Humanities CouncilSC receives funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities as well as corporate, foundation and individual donors. It is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors comprising community leaders from throughout the state. Ginetta V. Hamilton's presentation will take place in the main meeting room of the Sumter County Library, 111 N. Harvin St. Admission is free, and the public is invited to attend. For more information, contact Gregory G. Johnson, Reference and Information Services Coordinator, at gjjohnson@ spiritcom.net, or visit the library's website, www.sumtercountylibrary. org.

Richard Herd and Beverly Washburn are shown performing at SPERDVAC, where they performed a live radio drama broadcast. SPERDVAC convention celebrates the Golden Age of Radio. The acronym stands for the Society to Preserve and Encourage Radio Drama, Variety and Comedy.

PHOTOS PROVIDED

Actress Beverly Washburn, then 9, performs on the Jack Benny Program in 1952. She said as a child actress, she was often called upon to cry.

Actors bring back live radio drama BY NICK THOMAS Tinseltown Talks The magic of sitting in a studio audience watching voice actors produce live radio theater in the 30s and 40s isn't entirely lost forever, thanks to The Society To Preserve and Encourage Radio Drama, Variety and Comedy (SPERDVAC). A non-profit organization, SPERDVAC was created in the 1970s to honor the Golden Days of radio. Their 2017 oldtime radio convention held Jan 20-21 at the New Orleans Hotel and Casino, in Las Vegas. “I’ve been involved with SPERDVAC for 8 or 9 years and we usually do the shows in Los Angeles,” said Beverly Washburn from Las Vegas where she has lived for over 20 years. “It was great having this year’s convention at home.” Washburn, who worked on Jack Benny's radio show as a

the day.” Washburn, born in 1943, says her parents would sit around the radio listening to child, was one of several spe- shows like “The Whistler” and “The Jack Benny Show.” cial guests attending this By the time she was 9 and year, including Tony Dow already a veteran of several ("Leave it to Beaver"), Paul films, little Beverly was Petersen ("The Donna Reed working alongside Benny on Show"), Gloria McMillian ("Our Miss Brooks"), Richard the radio. She would go on to Herd (“Seinfeld”), and others appear as a child actress in films throughout the 1950s (see www.sperdvac.com). developing a reputation for “We reenact old radio crying on cue, and later as an shows which are very popular with seniors who remem- adult become known for her work on television in the '60s ber the original programs,” and '70s (see www.beverlysaid Washburn. “A lot retire to Las Vegas, so we’re hoping washburn.com). “The title of my (2009) aufor a nice turnout.” tobiography was ‘Reel Tears’ The format for the re-crebecause just about every film ations closely follows the role I got as a little girl I had originals. “The performers are up on to cry,” she said with a laugh. Washburn worked with stage in front of a big microphone and we have live music many big stars such as Red Skelton, Danny Kaye, Bing and sound effects like the Crosby, Lou Costello, Loretta originals,” explained WashYoung and Lon Chaney Jr. burn. “So if we’re doing a “But of all the people I western, someone will be slapping coconuts together to worked with, Jack Benny was probably my favorite,” she sound like horses hooves! said. “I worked with him first The audience gets a kick out on his TV show, then later on of that because they get to TV and radio, The Hollywood see how it was done back in

Palace, and even toured with him into the '70s. Contrary to the stingy character he would play on his shows, he was the most wonderful and generous man. So working with SPERDVAC brings back great memories.” Richard Herd has performed in plenty of old-time radio re-creations, too, but also worked in some originals (see www.richardherd. com). “I got into radio in its final years,” Herd said from Los Angeles. “I did plays on ABC Theater and WQXR and worked with Peter Ustinov when he did ‘Billy Budd,’ the old British naval story, where I played one of the crew members. Then when Cyril Ritchard did ‘Visit to a Small Planet’ with Dina Merrill, I was one of the leads.” Herd says this was his third SPERDVAC convention. “I did a Ray Bradbury story that was adapted for radio years ago,” he said. “We generally have anywhere from 100 to 300 people in the audience, and I just love it because it’s so much

fun. And so does the audience, because they have to use the voices, music and sound effects to picture the story using their imaginations!” Several organizers of SPERDVAC must rely on their imaginations, too, explained Washburn. “Three of the men who run it – Larry and John Gassman, and Walden Hughes – are all blind,” she said. “They are amazing and quite fearless, with a self-deprecating sense of humor. If we’re all going out to dinner, one of them will invariably say ‘Would you like me to drive?’ They are just adorable and have such huge hearts and a great passion for old-time radio.” AUTHOR’S NOTE: Look for a future Tinseltown Talks column on Beverly Washburn’s film career soon. Nick Thomas teaches at Auburn University at Montgomery, Alabama, and has written features, columns and interviews for more than 600 magazines and newspapers. See www.tinseltowntalks.com.

At Your Service Home Care Your Concierge

With a locally practicing physician and local medical equipment specialist at the helm, AYSHC has combined expertise in health care and see the growth of the aging population within their own community.

1250 Wilson Hall Rd | Sumter, SC 29150

Personal Assistance for safe daily living VA, Medicaid, Long Term Insurance Provider www.ays-homecare.com 37 W. Rigby St | Manning, SC 29102

803-607-9677

COMICS

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 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

Wife surprised husband seeks sex with other men DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have been married 35 years. Our sex life was never very Dear Abby active, but ABIGAIL we have VAN BUREN been each other’s soul mates and best friends. We had a rough few years early on, but managed to come back together, and our relationship is great. Recently, while I was setting up new email addresses, I saw some messages he had sent in response to requests from married men looking for sex with other men. I just can’t reconcile

JUMBLE THAT SCRAMBLED WORD GAME By David L Hoyt and Jeff Knurek

this with the man I know; however, I’m sure it’s true. I’m not sure if I should tell him I know, or if I should try to forget it. After all, I may be the reason he’s looking for sexual satisfaction elsewhere. More than anything, I’m surprised he’s not looking for a woman. I’m sure confused. What should I do? Soul mates in Texas DEAR SOUL MATES: I doubt this is your fault. Your husband doesn’t look for women to satisfy his sex drive because his orientation may be homosexual (or bisexual) rather than heterosexual. You say you’re soul mates and best friends. Soul mates and best friends communi-

THE DAILY CROSSWORD PUZZLE

cate honestly with each other. I do think you should level with him about what you discovered. Is his having sex outside of your marriage all right with you? If you have had sexual relations with him over the last few years, make an appointment with your doctor to be checked for STDs. Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069. To receive a collection of Abby’s most memorable — and most frequently requested — poems and essays, send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $7 (U.S. funds) to: Dear Abby — Keepers Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. Shipping and handling are included in the price.

SUDOKU HOW TO PLAY: Each row, column and set of 3-by-3 boxes must contain the numbers 1 through 9 without repetition.

By Ed Sessa

ACROSS 1 Memo phrase 5 Music-playing Apple 9 Improvises musically 14 Primary 15 “__ Lisa” 16 Many a jukebox tune 17 Type of film industry contract 19 Capital south of Moscow 20 Former justice Antonin 21 Musician’s suffix 23 Make (one’s way) 24 M&M’s choice 27 Solidify 28 “High Voltage” band 29 Starting on 33 Soft shot 35 Mothers of Invention leader 39 Academic ultimatum 43 Early computer 44 Quite small 45 Gear on slopes 46 Coral formation 49 Cavity filler’s org. 51 Shopper’s decision 58 Smelting waste 59 Neighbor of Turk. 60 Poke fun at 62 Dutch city, with “The”

2/1/17 13 Future flowers 47 Lip balm brand 18 Social reformer derived from Jacob “evolution 22 Noir sleuth of smooth” 25 Texter’s 48 Skillet “however” 50 On a cruise 26 Cooper’s tool 51 Dismissive 29 Lummox word 30 Source of 52 Mission on a awakening rays commemorative 31 Back-tied sash 1936 stamp 32 Distress signal 53 Beeper devices 54 Providers of 34 Fiddler’s need senior moments? 36 Dental suffix 55 Inventor Nikola with Water 37 Pressure meas. 56 “Hi! I’m ... “ badge 38 Sounds of relief 57 Patsy of country DOWN 40 Cupcake 61 Heart tests, 1 They’re hard to finisher briefly sit for 41 Twitter handle 2 Rights org. since word for a celeb, 63 Del. summer hrs. 65 “The Fall of the perhaps 1909 House of Usher” 42 Overly focused 3 Saudi currency author on minor rules 4 Name on Tuesday’s Puzzle Solved a 1945 bomber 5 Populates, as a grand jury 6 D.C. insider 7 Studio sign 8 Place for some serious me-time 9 Break down 10 High-occupancy vehicles? 11 “Farewell, ma chère” 12 Naysayer’s contraction ©2017 Tribune Content Agency, LLC 2/1/17 64 Portmanteau word describing some great music ... or, initially, four answers in this puzzle 66 Modify 67 Not yours, in Tours 68 Singer k.d. 69 Superlatively bad 70 Short period of time, for short 71 Long period of time

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(:03) Duck Dynasty: RV There Yet? (:03) Duck Family road trip. (HD) Dynasty (HD) GoodFellas (‘90, Crime) aaaa Robert De Niro. A man becomes part of the Mafia. (HD) Pit Bulls and Parolees (HD) Pit Bulls (HD) Madiba

Real Housewives Beverly: Boys, Real Housewives Beverly: Harry’s Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce (N) What Happens Real Housewives Beverly: Harry’s Hills: It’s Expensive to Be Me Blades and Bag of Pills Meat and Gatsby’s Fete (N) (HD) Meat and Gatsby’s Fete 84 Blue (HD) Blue (HD) Shark Tank (HD) Shark Tank Stamping kit. (HD) Blue Collar (N) Blue (HD) Shark Tank (HD) Shark Tank 80 Erin Burnett OutFront (HD) Anderson Cooper 360° (N) (HD) Anderson Cooper 360° (N) (HD) CNN Tonight with Don Lemon CNN Tonight with Don Lemon 360° (HD) South Park: South Park: Freak South Park (HD) South Park (HD) South Park: Workaholics (N) Jeff & Some Daily Show with (:31) @midnight The Barstool 136 South Park: Gnomes (HD) Smug Alert! (HD) Strike (HD) Sarcastaball (HD) (HD) Aliens (N) (HD) Trevor (N) (N) (HD) Rundown (N) K.C. Undercover Good Luck Stuck in the Good Luck Liv and Maddie Liv and Maddie BUNK’D (HD) BUNK’D (HD) Jessie: Bye Bye Jessie Emma Girl Meets World 200 (HD) Charlie (HD) Middle (HD) Charlie (HD) (HD) (HD) Bertie (HD) drives. (HD) (HD) 103 Alaskan Bush People (HD) Alaskan Bush People: Off (N) Alaskan Bush People (N) (HD) Bering Sea Gold (N) (HD) Alaskan Bush People (HD) Bering Sea 35 NBA Basketball: Minnesota Timberwolves at Cleveland Cavaliers z{| (HD) NBA Basketball: Chicago Bulls at Oklahoma City Thunder z{| (HD) SC (HD) 39 College Basketball: Syracuse vs North Carolina State (HD) College Basketball: Baylor Bears at Kansas Jayhawks (HD) SportsCenter (HD) NFL Live (HD) 109 Chopped Camel meat. (HD) Cutthroat Kitchen (N) (HD) Cooks vs. Cons (N) (HD) Bakers vs. Fakers (N) (HD) Cooks vs. Cons (HD) Cooks/Cons 90 The First 100 Days (N) (HD) The O’Reilly Factor (N) (HD) Tucker Carlson Tonight (N) Hannity (N) (HD) The O’Reilly Factor (HD) Tucker (HD) (5:30) The Note book (‘04, Ro mance) Ryan Gos ling. A Days of Thun der (‘90, Drama) aac Tom Cruise. A rookie race car driver’s tem per The 700 Club (HD) Gilmore Girls 131 woman must choose between two men. (HD) jeopardizes his career and his love life. (HD) (HD) 42 College Basketball: Georgia Tech vs Clemson z{| Driven (HD) Driven (HD) Beneath (HD) Spotlight (HD) College Basketball: Georgia Tech vs Clemson Last Man Last Man A Royal Win ter (‘17) A new law yer’s as sign ment takes her to Eu rope, The Mid dle (HD) The Mid dle: Gold. Girl: Gold. Girl: The Gold. Girl 183 Standing (HD) Standing (HD) where she meets a prince. (HD) Orlando (HD) Bringing Up Baby Housekeeper Overcoming fears. 112 Buying and Selling (HD) Property Brothers (HD) Property Brothers (N) (HD) Hunters (HD) Hunters (HD) Property Brothers (HD) Prop Bro (HD) 110 American Pickers (HD) Vikings: On the Eve (HD) Vikings: The Reckoning (N) (HD) (:01) Six: Tour of Duty (N) (HD) (:01) Six: Tour of Duty (HD) Vikings (HD) Law & Order: Personae Non Grata Law & Order: Excalibur Illegal Law & Order: Rumble Stockbroker Law & Order 160 Law & Order: Bogeyman Novelist’s Law & Order: Strike A legal aid death linked to cult. (HD) striker is found murdered. (HD) Online relationship. (HD) prostitution operation. (HD) dies from street fighting. (HD) (HD) Lit tle Women: At lanta: Mas quer ade Lit tle Women: At lanta: Just a Friend Lit tle Women: At lanta: Mama (:02) Vivica’s Black Magic: Ready (:02) Vivica’s Black Magic Cho re og Little Women: 145 Ballers (HD) (HD) Drama (N) (HD) for Vegas? (N) (HD) rapher woes. (HD) Atlanta (HD) 92 Hardball with Chris (N) (HD) All in with Chris Hayes (HD) The Rachel Maddow Show (N) Lawrence O’Donnell (HD) 11th Hour (HD) Hardball (HD) Maddow (HD) 210 Thunderman Thunderman Ride (N) (HD) Shakers (HD) Full House Full House Full House Full House Friends (HD) Friends (HD) Friends (HD) 153 Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters (‘13, Adventure) aaa Logan Lerman. (HD) The Waterboy (‘98, Comedy) aac Adam Sandler. (HD) The Waterboy (‘98) aac (HD) The Magicians Young man enrolls in The Expanse A detective and a ship captain travel (:35) The Magicians Young man 152 Captain America: The First Avenger (‘11, Action) aaa Chris Evans. A superhero battles evil villains. college of magic. (HD) through colonized space for a unique case. (HD) enrolls in college of magic. (HD) Seinfeld: The Invi- The Big Bang The Big Bang The Big Bang The Big Bang The Big Bang The Big Bang Conan (N) (HD) 2 Broke Girls 156 Seinfeld: The Wait Out (HD) tations (HD) Theory (HD) Theory (HD) Theory (HD) Theory (HD) Theory (HD) Theory (HD) (HD) Al ice Does n’t Live Here Any more All About Eve (‘50, Drama) aaac Bette Da vis. An ag ing the ater star co mes to re al ize her An Amer i can in Paris (‘51, Mu si cal) aaa Gene Kelly. In Paris, a 186 (‘74, Drama) Ellen Burstyn. adoring fan is taking over her life. struggling American painter falls in love with a French woman. (HD) 157 (6:00) My 600-lb Life (N) (HD) My 600-lb Life: Doug’s Story Food addiction. (N) (HD) Too Close To Home (N) (HD) My 600-lb Life: Doug’s Story Food addiction. (HD) Bones: The Night mare Within the Lim it less (‘11, Thriller) aaa Bradley Coo per. Drug be stows ex cep tional (:15) Draft Day (‘14, Drama) aac Kevin Costner. General manager for Cleveland Browns 158 Nightmare (HD) mental capabilities on an ordinary man. (HD) must make decision on draft day. (HD) 129 Jokers (HD) Jokers (HD) Carbonaro Carbonaro Carbonaro Carbonaro Carbonaro (N) Carbonaro (N) Carbonaro Carbonaro Carbonaro 161 A Griffith (HD) A Griffith (HD) A Griffith (HD) (:48) Loves Raymond (HD) Loves Ray. Loves Ray. Loves Ray. Queens (HD) Queens (HD) Queens (HD) Suits: The Painting Harvey attempts (:01) Modern (:31) Modern (:01) Modern 132 NCIS: Saviors An attack on volunteer NCIS: Day in Court A petty officer is NCIS: Sister City, Part 1 Plane doctors. (HD) accused of murder. (HD) poisoning. (HD) to fix relationship. (N) (HD) Family (HD) Family (HD) Family (HD) 166 CSI: Miami: Identity (HD) You’ve Got Mail (‘98, Romance) aaa Tom Hanks. An unlikely Internet romance. You’ve Got Mail (‘98, Romance) Tom Hanks. An Internet romance. 172 Cops (HD) Cops (HD) Cops (HD) Cops (HD) Cops (HD) Cops (HD) Cops (HD) Cops (HD) Rules (HD) Rules (HD) Rules (HD)

Science with a little whimsy, comedy on ‘NOVA,’ ‘Nature’ BY KEVIN MCDONOUGH Is there room for comedy in science? PBS offers two amusing hours of programming, one striving for laughs and the other unintentionally amusing. “NOVA” (9 p.m., TV-G, check local listings) premieres “Search for the Super Battery,” using levity and goofy sketches to discuss a subject key to our energy future and reducing greenhouse gases. Energy from renewable sources continues to grow. But how do homes and companies powered by the sun store energy to use when the sun doesn’t shine and wind won’t blow? Everyone who has ever used a laptop or smartphone knows that batteries are great, except when they aren’t. And as demonstrated during the recent Samsung Galaxy Note7 smartphone rollout, faulty batteries have a way of catching fire and sometimes exploding. Will battery technology be the gateway to our energy future, or its bottleneck?

Science and technology writer David Pogue takes viewers on an informative and occasionally whimsical tour of competing approaches to newer, longer-lasting and more reliable batteries for the home, workplace and automobile. • I found myself laughing frequently at “Spy in the Wild: A ‘Nature’ Miniseries” (8 p.m., PBS, TVPG, check local listings). In this series, wildlife filmmakers embed doll-like facsimiles of animals, birds and reptiles with packs of wild dogs, penguins and even crocodiles. The robotic fakes all have camera lenses for eyes and are lifelike enough to fool their subjects, allowing viewers an up-close and intimate look at creatures in the wild. Comedy ensues when we see

their stiff, robotic movements amid graceful animals. While most nature and “Nature” documentaries do not offer behindthe-scenes explanations of how they got their footage, a little background would be useful here. How were these creatures fabricated and how were they put in place? What are they made of ? Are they operated remotely and at what distance? Until we know more, the sight of a stiff, fake, robot penguin waddling among real ones will seem a little silly. • Laurence Fishburne (“black-ish”) stars in “Madiba” (8 p.m., BET), the six-hour miniseries profile of Nelson Mandela airing in two-hour installments tonight, Feb. 8 and Feb. 15. Based on two Mandela

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memoirs, “Conversations With Myself” and “Nelson Mandela by Himself.” • After world-shattering revelations, Clarke and crew wonder how to proceed on the fourth season premiere of “The 100” (9 p.m., CW, TV-14). • Aethelwulf and Ecbert face the fury of the Vikings in their own fashion on the fourth season finale of “Vikings” (9 p.m., History, TV-14). • After their escape from Eros, Miller, Holden and company decide on their next moves on the second season premiere of “The Expanse” (10 p.m., Syfy, TV-14).

TONIGHT’S OTHER HIGHLIGHTS • “Unsung” (8 p.m., TV One)

profiles R&B singer Case. • A battle for leadership on “Star” (9 p.m., Fox, TV-14). • An outbreak results in quarantine on “Code Black” (10 p.m., CBS, TV-14). • The reasons for Rip’s resignation from the SEALs comes to light on “Six” (10 p.m., History, TV-MA). • Harvey plays Cupid on “Suits” (10 p.m., USA, TV-14). • Lucy’s success threatens Josh on “Man Seeking Woman” (10:30 p.m., FXX, TV-MA).

CULT CHOICE A star of a certain age (Bette Davis) takes a seemingly innocent woman (Anne Baxter) under her wing in the 1950 backstage melodrama “All About Eve” (8 p.m., TCM).

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BY THE CULINARY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA Have you been on the receiving end of a heart-shaped box? Maybe it was filled with jewelry, but if you're lucky, it was filled with chocolate. And while a box of candy is a tried-and-true way to say "I love you," we might know an even better way. The Culinary Institute of America's Chocolate Tower Cake is like one big piece of candy for your special someone, with chocolate on the outside and silky caramel on the inside. And there is no better way to express your appreciation and love than with the gift of homemade. Especially if it's chocolate. High-quality chocolate can be expensive, so it is important to decide when it's worth the splurge. This recipe relies on cocoa powder to flavor the cake layers, so to ensure the richness that you want, a premium cocoa powder makes all the difference. Look for powders that contain a higher quantity of fat than the others. This cake has a dreamy chocolate and caramel filling, but you can use whatever ingredient your honey loves best. Replace the caramel with raspberry preserves, a creamy coconut filling or even some chocolate-hazelnut spread. Brush the layers with coffee or orange liqueur, or sprinkle crushedup bits of toffee or toasted nuts over your filling. Don't be afraid to get creative. Use melted chocolate to pipe hearts or X's and O's onto parchment paper. Leave them to harden, then use buttercream to stick them to the sides or top of the cake. And if you've added any flavorings to the cake, be sure to represent that on the outside, with fresh fruit, nuts, or coconut flakes. Valentine's Day falls on a Tuesday this year, so if you're worried about making this recipe after work, just plan for a little prep time. About an hour before you serve dessert, take it out of the refrigerator, pour the glaze over the top and prepare to amaze.

CHOCOLATE TOWER CAKE Makes one 9-inch layer cake, about 14 servings Chocolate Cake (recipe follows) Swiss Meringue Buttercream (recipe follows) Malted Milk Chocolate Ganache Filling (recipe follows) Caramel Filling (recipe follows) Milk Chocolate Glaze (recipe follows) Freshly whipped cream, as needed for garnish Toffee bits, as needed for garnish

CHOCOLATE CAKE Makes two, 9-inch cakes Servings: About 14 Start to finish: 3 hours, 40 minutes (active time is 2 hours; inactive time: 1 hour, 40 minutes) 2 1/4 cups cake flour 2 cups sugar 1 tablespoon baking soda 3/4 cup cocoa powder 1/4 tsp kosher salt 1 1/4 cups vegetable oil 1 cup buttermilk 1 cup boiling water 1 cup sour cream 1 tsp vanilla extract 4 eggs Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Grease two 9-inch cake pans (see note) and line with parchment paper circles. Set aside. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, cocoa powder and salt. Stir to combine. In a small bowl, mix the oil and buttermilk. Add to the dry ingredients, and stir until incorporated. Add the boiling water and stir. Add the sour cream, vanilla and eggs, and whisk just to combine, being careful not to overmix. Divide the batter between the prepared cake pans and bake until the cakes feel springy to the touch and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Remove from the oven, and cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Run a knife along the outside edges of the cakes, and turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely. Chef's Note: The photographed cake was made using three 6-inch cake pans, but 9-inch pans will yield a shorter (but still quite large) cake with more servings. If you prefer a taller cake, make this recipe using three 6-inch cake pans and decrease the baking time to about 30 minutes. SWISS MERINGUE BUTTERCREAM Makes about 2 quarts 7 egg whites 2 1/4 cups sugar 1 pound, 8 ounces (6 sticks) unsalted butter, soft 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Fill a medium saucepan about 1/3 of the way with water. Bring to a simmer, and reduce to very low heat. Place the egg whites and sugar in the clean bowl of a stand mixer. Place the bowl over the hot water bath, and whisk constantly until the mixture is warm to the touch (but not hot, about 140 degrees F.) and the sugar has dissolved, about 4 minutes. If any of the egg curdles, strain the mixture and return to the bowl. Place the bowl on a mixer fitted with the whip attachment, and whip on high speed until a stiff peak meringue forms, about 5

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minutes. Reduce the speed to medium, and whip until the mixture has cooled, about 10 minutes. With the mixer on medium speed, slowly add the softened butter. It should be soft enough to easily squeeze with your fingers but not be melted. Once all of the butter is incorporated, continue to whip until the frosting is light in color and very fluffy, about 5 minutes (see note). Add the vanilla, and mix to combine. Set aside. Chef's Note: Temperature is important in this recipe, but luckily, any issues are easily fixable. If your frosting is too warm, it will be runny instead of fluffy. Just place it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes, and then return to the mixer. If it is too cold, it will appear curdled. Just be patient and continue to beat it until the mixture warms and the frosting reaches the desired consistency. MALTED MILK CHOCOLATE GANACHE FILLING Makes about 3 cups 2 cups chopped milk chocolate (or chips) 1 cup heavy cream 1 cup malted milk powder Place the chocolate in a medium heat-safe bowl. Set aside. Bring the cream to a boil in a medium saucepan over moderate heat. Remove from the heat and add the malted milk powder. Stir until well combined, taking care to break up any lumps. Pour the hot cream mixture over the chocolate, and let rest for 5 minutes. Gently stir the mixture until it is smooth and creamy. If any unmelted chocolate remains, you may need to gently rewarm the mixture over a hot water bath. Set the filling aside to cool completely. Transfer to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whip attachment. Whip on mediumhigh speed until thickened, about 3 minutes. Set aside. CARAMEL FILLING Makes about 3 cups 1 1/2 cups (1 1/2 8-oz blocks) cream cheese, room temperature 1 3/4 cups caramel sauce or dulce de leche 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt In a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese on medium speed until smooth and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Scrape the bowl frequently to prevent lumps. Add the caramel sauce and salt, and mix until smooth, about 1 minute. Set aside. MILK CHOCOLATE GLAZE Makes about 2 cups 1 1/2 cups chopped milk chocolate 1/4 cup light corn syrup 1 tablespoon vanilla extract or flavored liqueur 1/4 cup heavy cream

1 tablespoon red food coloring Prepare a double boiler over very low heat. Place the chocolate and corn syrup in a medium heat-safe bowl. Melt the chocolate over the double boiler, stirring until the chocolate is smooth. Remove from the heat and add the vanilla and cream, mixing gently until smooth. Stir in the red food coloring, then set aside to cool slightly. ASSEMBLY With a long, serrated knife, using a sawing motion, carefully slice into the equator of each cake to make two thin layers (if you prefer, you can keep the layers whole for a twolayer cake; you will have leftover filling in this case). It is helpful to rotate the cake as you slice. Transfer about half of the buttercream, the caramel filling and the ganache filling to piping bags fitted with large round piping tips (809, or similar). Place a bottom layer of cake on a cardboard cake circle or cake plate, with the cut side up. Pipe a ring of buttercream on the edge of the cake. Pipe a ring of caramel filling within the buttercream ring, and then a ring of ganache filling within the caramel. Repeat until the cake layer is completely covered with filling. Place the next layer, pressing gently to level the layer. Repeat the piping to fill the layer. Continue with the third cake layer and filling, until the final layer is placed on top. Use the remaining buttercream to frost the cake, smoothing the top and edges with a large offset spatula. Refrigerate the cake until the buttercream is firm, at least 30 minutes. Warm the glaze over a hot water bath, if needed, so that it feels slightly warm to the touch, but not hot. Slowly pour it over the center of the cake (go slowly, as you may not need it all) and spread to the edges with an offset spatula, allowing it to slowly run down the sides. Refrigerate for at least 10 minutes to set the glaze (if any has dripped onto the plate, it will be easier to clean up once it is set). Garnish with whipped cream and toffee bits before serving. Nutrition information per serving of cake: 399 calories; 223 calories from fat; 25 g fat (5 g saturated; 1 g trans fats); 74 mg cholesterol; 348 mg sodium; 40 g carbohydrate; 2 g fiber; 22 g sugar; 6 g protein. Nutrition information per serving of the buttercream: 550 calories; 463 calories from fat; 52 g fat (33 g saturated; 2 g trans fats); 139 mg cholesterol; 35 mg sodium; 23 g carbohydrate; 0 g fiber; 23 g sugar; 2 g protein. Nutrition information per serving of ganache: 290 calories; 142 calories from fat; 16 g fat (10 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 35 mg cholesterol; 123 mg sodium; 32 g carbohydrate; 1 g fiber; 24 g sugar; 6 g protein. Nutrition information per serving of caramel filling: 215 calories; 104 calories from fat; 12 g fat (5 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 27 mg cholesterol; 185 mg sodium; 25 g carbohydrate; 0 g fiber; 15 g sugar; 1 g protein. Nutrition information per serving of the glaze: 131 calories; 62 calories from fat; 7 g fat (4 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 10 mg cholesterol; 20 mg sodium; 16 g carbohydrate; 1 g fiber; 14 g sugar; 1 g protein.

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