February 15, 2017

IN SPORTS: Crestwood girls beat Colleton in 4A playoffs

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PANORAMA

3rd annual gala set for March 23 Sumter Disabilities Benefit event serves community C1

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2017

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Water rates for Shiloh and Wedgefield won’t change — for now County also approves temporary concrete and asphalt plants

the revenue made since the rates were increased in June 2016 during the Sumter County Public Utilities Committee meeting on Tuesday.

Council voted to increase rates for the Shiloh and Wedgefield water systems in June in order to make the systems self-sustaining.

Base water rates for the Wedgefield system were increased from $29 per 6,000 gallons per month to $38 per 6,000 gallons, and rates for the Shiloh system were increased from $17.17 per

BY ADRIENNE SARVIS adrienne@theitem.com Rates for the Shiloh and Wedgefield water systems will remain the same after Sumter County Council reviewed

month per 2,000 gallons to $18.36 per 2,000 gallons.

Sumter County Administrator Gary Mixon said both water systems are making so little revenue at this time that it would be best to keep the rates as they are. He said council will review the water system revenues again during the upcoming budget process.

After the rates were increased last, a few customers receiving water services in Wedgefield made complaints to council saying their bill had in-

creased significantly.

Council agreed to review revenues for both water systems after six months of operating with the new rates.

Mixon said the county is also looking to refinance four bonds amounting to about $1.4 million that were issued years ago for improvements to the Wedgefield water system.

And, county council approved third

SEE COUNTY, PAGE A7

SUMTER SCHOOL DISTRICT

Implementing safeguards Situation puts workers, parents in tough spot

BY BRUCE MILLS bruce@theitem.com Darlene Wilson is in a jam because of Sumter School District’s financial crisis. A substitute teacher in Sumter’s public schools for 20 years, she’s now unemployed with the district’s decision in mid-January to cut back 50 percent on substitute budgets. Wilson said she worked nearly every school day as a substitute until the Christmas break, but only worked three days in January WILSON and none since.

Wilson was one of the more than 300 residents in attendance at Wilder Elementary School on Monday night for the board of trustees’ meeting on the district debt situation.

“I relied on that money as income,” Wilson said.

She says she and many other substitutes have been classified by the district as “on call as needed.”

“I don’t know why they say it’s ‘on call as needed,’ when they are not going to call you anyway,” Wilson said. “I can’t draw unemployment with this statement from the district because the unemployment office assumes I am employed with that statement.”

RICK CARPENTER / THE SUMTER ITEM

Protestors hold signs asking for Sumter School District Superintendent Frank Baker to resign Monday night, while Lakewood High School Student Body President Christian Compton speaks favorably for Baker.

Consultant recommends changes to process to prevent unbudgeted hiring

BY BRUCE MILLS bruce@theitem.com A revised hiring process that allows the district’s finance department to ensure no positions are added that aren’t budgeted for is the next critical step the district is taking to rectify its financial crisis, says the finance consultant who’s working with the district.

Scott Allan made his remarks Monday at the Sumter School Board of Trustees’ meeting at Wilder Elementary School on how he’s putting safeguards in place to prevent overspending on personnel.

In his analysis of how the district

overspent by $6.2 million last fiscal year, Allan’s report Monday revealed 49 new positions were added in the district for the 2015-16 school year that were not approved in any way by the finance department. According to his report, only 12 of the new positions had budget funding to cover the costs of their salaries and associated benefits.

“The hiring process is a process that I’m reviewing, and one we are going to put safeguards in place; so, anywhere along the line somebody can stop it,” Allan said. “One of the issues is I don’t

2015-16 BUDGET WHAT WENT WRONG? New hires not approved by the Finance Department: 49 positions ($1.1 million) Underbudgeted personnel categories: Substitute salaries ($1.2 million) Bus drivers ($1.2 million) Maintenance ($531,709) Stipends/Supplements ($209,342) To view Scott Allan’s financial report to the board from Monday night, go to theitem.com and it will be attached to this story.

SEE SAFEGUARDS, PAGE A7

SEE PUBLIC, PAGE A7

Woman chained in container says she was raped daily

BY SEANNA ADCOX The Associated Press COLUMBIA — A South Carolina woman who spent two months chained inside a large metal container says her captor raped her daily and warned that if she ran or tried to hurt him, she would die.

“He told me as long as I served my purpose, I was safe,” Kala Brown told Phillip McGraw, the host of the television show “Dr. Phil.”

It was the first time she has talked publicly since her Nov. 3 rescue,

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which authorities say helped them solve seven slayings in the area dating back 13 years. Police said Todd Kohlhepp, a real estate agent with his own firm until his arrest, killed Brown’s boyfriend, a couple missing who had been missing about two years and four people at a motorcycle shop in 2003.

Brown said she and her boyfriend had gone to Kohlhepp’s rural property Aug. 31 to help him clear some underbrush from trails. After the couple followed him to a two-story garage on the 95-acre property, Kohlhepp handed

them hedge clippers and bottles of water. He said he needed to get something inside and came out a few minutes later shooting, Brown said.

He shot Charles Carver three times in the chest, she said. He gagged Brown and handcuffed her ankles and wrists. Kohlhepp took her to a “pitch black,” 30-foot-long storage container nearby, chained her by the neck in a back corner and raped her, she said.

He “let me know that if I tried to run, he’d kill me. If I tried to hurt him, he’d kill me. If I fought back, he would kill

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me. And then he raped me,” Brown said in episodes that aired this week. “He would rape me twice a day, every day.”

Kohlhepp, 45, faces murder, kidnapping and weapon charges. He is not charged with sexual assault. Spokesmen for the sheriff and prosecutor declined to address the rape allegations or whether more charges are forthcoming. His attorney did not return messages.

Police said Kohlhepp acknowledged the grisly cold cases after authorities granted him several requests, including letting him speak to his mother.

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2017

THE SUMTER ITEM

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

Genealogical society to hear story of Catawba Indians FROM STAFF REPORTS The story of the Catawba Indian Nation will be the topic at Monday’s meeting of Sumter County Genealogical Society. Brent Burgin, who established the Native American Studies Archive at University of South Carolina Lancaster, will be the guest speaker at the 7:30 p.m. meeting at Swan Lake Presbyterian Church, 912 Haynsworth St. Burgin said he had a long and successful career in hotel operations but found it unrewarding, so he went back to college at University of South Carolina. Within seven years, he received a Bachelor of Arts, a Master of Arts in library science, as well as a Certificate of Graduate Study with an archives and records management concentration, all from USC.

BURGIN

Donate items for Albany, Georgia, relief by 1 p.m.

In addition to having established the archive, which received the 2010 Brenda McCallum national prize from the American Folklore Society and the 2014 Program Innovation Award from the South Carolina Archival Association, Burgin also is archivist for the Archaeology Society of South Carolina, a board member of Lancaster County Society for Historical Preservation and is an active member of the S.C. Archival Association, the Palmetto Archives, Libraries and Museums Council on Preservation and Katawba Valley Land Trust.

Burgin noted the population of Catawba Indians in 1700 was estimated to be 8,000 to 10,000; a century later there were only 120 remaining. He said, “The story of the Catawba Indian Nation is one of the greatest stories of survival in American history. Against incredi-

ble odds, Catawba people managed to adapt and survive to the present day.”

His lecture will discuss the Catawba, their history and also touch upon their enduring pottery tradition, the oldest continual ceramics tradition in the continental United States.

Sumter County Genealogical Society meets monthly from September through May. Visitors are welcome and encouraged to attend. Admission is free to the public, and refreshments will be served after the presentation. Interested persons can join the society at the meeting. Membership includes nine monthly newsletters during the year and free use of Sumter County Genealogical Society Research Center. Annual dues are $30 for an individual membership and $35 for family. Readers can call the society’s research center for more information at (803) 774-3901.

Showing their love

BY IVY MOORE ivy@theitem.com Sumter United Ministries will continue accepting items needed by Albany, Georgia, residents affected by the city’s Jan. 22 tornado until 1 p.m. today. Crisis Relief Coordinator Ed Venticinque said SUM “already has 10 pallets loaded onto the truck that we expect to go out on Thursday. Donations have been a little lower than expected. We’ve extended the truck’s departure by one day to allow time for people to bring their donations to us.”

The effort to help the Albany residents was initiated in order to repay them for their assistance to Sumterites affected by the disastrous October 2015 flood.

He added that the people in Albany were affected in a different way than those here.

“There were two mobile home parks completely leveled by the tornado,” he said, “and a lot of people are still staying in shelters.”

Items already packed include blankets, bedclothes and pillows, bath linens, socks, flashlights, batteries, cleaning supplies and non-perishable prepared food, all of which are still needed.

“What we didn’t ask for that they still need are brooms, rakes, dustpans and work gloves,” Venticinque said.

“We’ve got room for about two more pallets on the truck.”

Venticinque also reported that Sumter United Ministries’ collections were further hampered by a theft last week.

“Someone cut the fence between the American Legion and our office and stole two of our trucks,” he said.

“We’re hoping someone will spot the trucks so we might get them back.”

If you’d like to make a donation to assist the Albany residents, you can deliver needed items to Sumter United Ministries, 36 Artillery Drive, until 1 p.m. today. The SUM truck will deliver the relief supplies on Thursday. For more information, call SUM at (803) 775-0757.

CORRECTIONS If you see a statement in error, contact the City Desk at 774-1226 or pressrelease@theitem.com.

RICK CARPENTER / THE SUMTER ITEM

During Monday’s Sumter School District Board of Trustees meeting, trustees Johnny Hilton and Linda Alston hold up a sheet that displays hearts with each student’s fingerprint on it for each class in Manchester Elementary School. The school presented Alston with the sheet when she visited there recently.

Search for missing 80-year-old continues Sumter County Sheriff’s Office is asking for help in locating Barbara Nave, who has not been seen at her home on South Tondaleia Drive, near U.S. 521 South, for several days.

Nave is 80 years old, 5 feet, 4 inches tall, weighs 140 pounds and has gray hair and NAVE hazel eyes.

Nave is also deaf and wears a Cochlear implant.

Ken Bell, public information officer with the sheriff’s officer, said Nave is employed with Continental Tires the Americas and teaches English to other employees as a second language.

According to an incident report from the sheriff’s office, Nave has not been

PHOTO PROVIDED

Sumter County Sheriff’s Office is seeking help from the public in locating an 80-year-old woman missing from her Tondaleia Drive home, seen here along with her car, for several days. seen since she left her son’s house in Savannah, Georgia, to come back to Sumter on Feb. 4. In the report, her son said he had not heard from his mother since the end of last week. The son said he feared that his mother could be somewhere on

her 20-acre property.

A deputy went to Nave’s house on Monday afternoon after speaking with her son but no one was home. The officer reported that Nave’s purse was inside the house and her vehicle was parked outside.

Bell said Nave was wor-

ried about dogs in the area bothering her two dogs and wanted to find the other dogs’ owners. Nave’s two dogs were present at her residence Tuesday.

On Tuesday, deputies and officers with South Carolina Department of Natural Resources began a search on Nave’s property. Nave’s son and wife traveled to Sumter to assist in the search.

Officers used four-wheelers and brought out a K-9 unit in case Nave left her house in the past few days, leaving a traceable scent trail. Nave was not found during Tuesday’s search.

A press conference was held at Sumter County Sheriff’s office on Tuesday afternoon.

If you have any information on Nave’s location, call (803) 436-2000 or Crime Stoppers at (803) 436-2718.

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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LOCAL

THE SUMTER ITEM

Diverse group discusses community issues want to talk.

He said he will get out of his vehicle to speak to children in the city, but they will try to walk away from him. And some adults don’t want officers in their neighborhoods, he said.

Pringle said some people only see officers in their neighborhoods when someone is getting arrested, and that could be another reason why the relationship between law enforcement and the public is not as strong as it could be.

Sinkler said there are more arrests in some areas of Sumter than others because more crimes are being committed there.

You can’t blame the actions on anyone but the person who was arrested, he said.

The group then discussed the lack of respect some people have for authority figures and other residents.

It starts at home, Pringle said. Some parents don’t teach their children manners and how to respect others.

Sinkler said that parents should teach their children not to fear officers. The worst thing parents can say to children is that they will have an officer take them away if they don’t behave, he said.

Sumter County Councilman Gene Baten said residents’ lack of trust of law enforcement also comes from the disparities in arrest rates and how people are treated by the justice system after they are apprehended.

Demond Davis, also a former corrections officer, said in some cases, punishment for crimes differs based on the suspects’ social status and race.

People see things like that happen and lose trust in the justice system, Baten said.

While discussing how and why some people turn to crime, Alexandra Baten, who used to work with juveniles after they were arrested, said some people may feel that there is no other option but to commit crimes to live the life they want.

You can’t choose which family you are born into, said Gene Baten. A child’s values and attitude are set between the ages of 3 and 5, he said.

Some children need positive role models outside of the home to help them, he added.

For more information about deliberative dialogues and the topics discussed on Saturday, contact Barbara Brown at (803) 968-0388.

BY ADRIENNE SARVIS adrienne@theitem.com A group of 12 people from Sumter city and county attended the Safety and Justice Deliberative Dialogue Forum held at Sumter County Library on Harvin Street on Saturday.

Participants discussed crime within the community, how it starts and how the community could come together to make change.

The forum was moderated

by Barbara Brown, director of Citizens Center for Public Life, who said the forum would be a great way for Sumter residents — law enforcement officers and civilians — to come together on the same level to better the shared community.

Although participants might disagree, the group needs to explore others’ opinions, Brown said, and while you still may not agree with those opinions, you will have a better understanding of the other people’s perspectives.

Members of local community groups, four officers from Sumter Police Department and Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, two Sumter County Council members and a few other Sumter residents attended the meeting.

Many of the participants said they wanted to see more members of the community involved in discussions such as the one that took place on Saturday.

It’s the only way to get everybody on the same page, said Maj. Allen Dailey with the sheriff’s office.

The forum started with a discussion of how the community can strengthen the relationship and trust between residents and law enforcement.

Dailey and Staff Sgt. James Sinkler said officers in the county and city stay active in the community by talking to people in different neighborhoods and offering youth programs.

Corey Pringle, a former corrections officer, said the law enforcement officers that drive through his neighborhood never get out of their vehicles to speak to people in the area.

If the officers would speak to people, people might be more likely to report crimes, he said.

Pringle said he would also like to see the sheriff and police chief in the community more often.

Sinkler said it is sometimes difficult to communicate with residents because they do not

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NATION

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2017

THE SUMTER ITEM

Crews rush to repair dam key to Northern California life OROVILLE, Calif. (AP) — Crews working around the clock atop a crippled California dam reported progress Tuesday in repairing the damaged spillway and reducing the water level by at least 8 feet at the reservoir that has been central to this farming region for a half century.

Helicopters carried giant sandbags and cement blocks from a staging area on the south side of the Oroville Dam toward the stricken spillway on the north side. Crews operating heavy equipment loaded rocks and boulders into dump trucks, which carried them over the dam and dumped them on damaged portions.

Workers are rushing to repair the barrier at the nation’s tallest dam after authorities ordered the evacuation of nearly 200,000 people living below the lake amid concerns the spillway could fail and send water roaring downstream.

Evacuations remain in place.

Gov. Jerry Brown asked for direct federal assistance for an estimated 10,000 displaced residents.

White House spokesman Sean Spicer said President Trump “was keeping a close eye” on the situation and “working closely” with state officials.

“The situation is a textbook example of why we need to pursue a major infrastructure package in Congress,” Spicer said at news conference in Washington.

State Department of Water Resources officials hope to reduce the lake level to 860 feet by Thursday, when storms are expected to bring more rain, spokesman Chris Orrock said. The level was 884 feet on Tuesday morning.

The lake that for five decades has brought residents holiday fireworks and salmon festivals now could bring disaster.

“Never in our lives did we think anything like this would have happened,” said Brannan Ramirez, who has lived in Oroville, a town of about 16,000 people,

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Evacuees from city’s surrounding the Oroville Dam line up Monday for dinner at a shelter in Chico, California. for about five years.

The Gold Rush town in the Sierra Nevada foothills, some 70 miles northeast of Sacramento, is nestled near the foot of the dam, which was completed in 1968 and at 770 feet is the nation’s tallest.

Houses and churches are perched on tree-lined streets near the Feather River.

Old ornate Victorian homes sit alongside smaller bungalows.

“Everybody knows to go there for the Fourth of July,” evacuee Crystal Roberts-Lynch said of the lake. “Then there’s festivals wrapped around the salmon run.” The mother of three, who has lived in Oroville for 10 years, was staying at a Red Cross evacuation center in Chico.

Local businesses, including one that sells supplies for gold-panning, dominate a downtown area that spans several blocks. A wide range of chain stores sit a short distance away along the main highway.

“The lake brings in an enormous part of the economy for the town. It definitely is a people-catcher,” said Brannan Ramirez, who has lived in Oroville for about five years. “We get people from all over the country.”

Cities and towns farther down the Feather River also are in danger.

Yuba City, population 65,000, is the biggest city evacuated. The city has the largest dried-fruit processing plant in the world and one of the largest populations of Sikhs outside of India.

The region is largely rural, with its politics dominated by rice growers, orchard operators and other agricultural interests. The region is dogged by the high unemployment rates endemic to farming communities.

There are large pockets of poverty and swaths of sparsely populated forests, popular with anglers, campers and backpackers.

For now, it’s all at the mercy of the

reservoir that usually sustains it, and provides water for much of the state.

“If anything, we would have thought that the dam would have been constructed better,” Ramirez said.

Ramirez said it was “extremely frustrating” when he heard reports that emerged Monday of complaints about the potential danger that came from environmentalists and government officials a dozen years ago.

Those warnings described the very scenario that was threatening to unfold, though they were dismissed by state and federal regulators who expressed confidence that the dam and its spillways could withstand serious storms.

The acting head of the state’s Department of Water Resources said he was unaware of the 2005 report that recommended reinforcing with concrete an earthen spillway that is now eroding.

“I’m not sure anything went wrong,” Bill Croyle said. “This was a new, neverhaving-happened-before event.”

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2017

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A5

You’re invited to take part in National Bird Count starting Friday Anyone can help with weekend global project FROM STAFF REPORTS A lot has changed since the first Great Backyard Bird Count was held in 1998. Each year brings unwavering enthusiasm from the growing number of participants in this now-global event, according to a new release.

The 20th-annual count is taking place Friday through Monday in backyards, parks, nature centers, on hiking trails, school grounds, balconies and beaches — anywhere you find birds, according to the release.

Bird watchers count the birds they see for at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the count, then enter their checklists at birdcount.org. All the data contribute to a snapshot of bird distribution and help scientists see changes during the last 20 years.

More than 163,000 birdwatchers participated in the 2016 National Bird Count.

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checklists from the United States and Canada. Fast-forward to the most recent event in 2016. During the four days of the count, an estimated 163,763 bird watchers from more than 100 countries submitted 162,052 bird checklists reporting 5,689 species — more than half the known bird species in the world, the release said.

“The Great Backyard Bird Count is a great way to introduce people to participation in citizen science,” said Gary Langham, National Audubon Society vice president and chief scientist. “No other program allows volunteers to take an instantaneous snapshot of global bird populations that can contribute to our understanding of how a changing climate is affecting birds.”

Varying weather conditions this winter are producing a few trends that count participants can watch for during the count. Recent eBird reports show many more waterfowl and kingfishers remaining farther north than usual because they are

“The very first GBBC was an experiment,” said Marshall Iliff of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, a leader of the eBird program. “We wanted to see if people would use the internet to send us their bird sightings. Clearly the experiment was a success.”

The eBird program collects bird observations globally every day of the year and is the online platform used by the county.

That first year, bird watchers submitted about 13,500

JOIN IN THE COUNT Learn more about how to take part in the Great Backyard Bird Count at birdcount.org where downloadable instructions and an explanatory PowerPoint are available. The count is a joint project of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society with partner Bird Studies Canada and is made possible in part by sponsor Wild Birds Unlimited.

finding open water. If that changes, these birds could move southward.

Also noted are higher-than-usual numbers of Bohemian waxwings in the Pacific Northwest and northern Rocky Mountains. And while some winter finches have been spotted in the East, such as red crossbills, common redpolls, evening grosbeaks and a few pine grosbeaks, there seem to be no big irruptions so far. A few eye-catching Snowy Owls have been reported in the northern half of the United States.

In addition to counting birds, the GBBC photo contest has also been a hit with participants since it was introduced in 2006. Since then, tens of thousands of stunning images have been submitted. For the 20th anniversary of the count, the public is invited to vote for its favorite top photo from each of the past 11 years in a special album you will find on the count’s website home page. Voting takes place during the four days of the count.

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2017

THE SUMTER ITEM

Trump presidency gets social with posts from weekend ‘dinner theater’ WASHINGTON (AP) — There was President Donald Trump, in the middle of his Mar-a-Lago resort, conferring with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on decisions with national security implications over iceberg wedge salads.

The club members snapped photos and posted them to Facebook with detailed narratives about what they were seeing unfold before their eyes Saturday night in Palm Beach, Florida.

“HOLY MOLY!!! It was fascinating to watch the flurry of activity at dinner when the news came that North Korea had launched a missile in the direction of Japan,” Richard DeAgazio wrote on his public Facebook page.

Welcome to the social media presidency — and all of the security and ethical challenges it poses.

DeAgazio also posed for a photo with a man whom he said carries the “nuclear football” for the president. He’s since deleted his account and did not respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press.

CNN and other news outlets used DeAgazio’s and other social media accounts to write about what seemed to be an open-air situation room.

The publicly shared photos showed Trump, illuminated by cellphone flashlights, conducting national security business on the terrace of his oceanfront resort in an area

EVERY DAY

accessible to dues-paying members.

White House spokesman Sean Spicer said no classified material was discussed at the dinner table and that the president had been briefed previously and afterward in a secure setting. He said the photos on social media depicted Trump and Abe aides discussing the logistics of a press conference they were about to hold.

Yet Democrats said the scene at Mar-a-Lago seemed to pose security risks. Trump spent much of his campaign blasting opponent Hillary Clinton for her use of a private email server to conduct business while she was secretary of state, something Trump said was not nearly secure enough.

“There’s inconsistency all over the place in terms of how much Donald Trump raised national security on the campaign trail and how he is now operating as president,” said Brian Fallon, who was Clinton’s campaign spokesman. “And there’s hypocrisy from congressional leaders who demagogued this issue, constantly accusing Hillary Clinton of doing something that was far less egregious than this very conspicuous departure from security protocols.”

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi wrote on Twitter, “There’s no excuse for letting an international crisis

President Donald Trump speaks as Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe listens as they both made statements about North Korea at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, on Saturday.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

play out in front of a bunch of country club members like dinner theater.”

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Trump “never should have had such a sensitive discussion in such a public place.”

Some Republicans appeared frustrated by Trump’s Saturday night powwow. “You can’t make it up,” said Arizona Sen. John McCain, a frequent Trump critic of late.

“Usually that’s not a place where you do that kind of thing,” said Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, who sits on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.

The chairman of that committee, North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr, seemed dismissive of the concerns.

“If the president didn’t speak of things that couldn’t be spoken of in public, then there’s no problem with it,” he said. He said he saw no immediate need for a briefing on the matter.

There’s also an ethical component: Mar-a-Lago memberships now cost $200,000. Some of that money makes its way back to the president because he has stepped away from op-

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erating his businesses but not given up his financial stake.

That means those who can afford it get special access to Trump, who has dubbed Mara-Lago his “Winter White House” and now has traveled there two weekends in a row for official duties.

“This is all a symptom of

Donald Trump continuing to comingle his business ventures with his official government duties,” Fallon said.

“He’s trying to make Mar-aLago more of a destination for paying members and paying diners by bringing state visitors there.”

After working through the details of their joint response to North Korea, the two world leaders stepped into a wedding being held on Trump’s property. A guest shot a minute-long video of Trump’s impromptu speech, which was then shared with New York Magazine. by

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LOCAL

THE SUMTER ITEM

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2017

FROM PAGE A1

COUNTY FROM PAGE A1 and final reading of a request to amend the county zoning and development ordinance to allow temporary concrete and asphalt plants as permitted uses in general commercial, light-industrial warehouse districts in the county during council’s regular meeting Tuesday.

Councilman Charles Edens said he would oppose the amendment because some local asphalt and concrete business owners are opposed to the amendment. He said the amendment could harm local business owners because outside companies hired to work on projects in Sumter would not have to pay the long-term property taxes.

Vice Chairman Jimmy Byrd said he does not think the amendment

RICK CARPENTER / THE SUMTER ITEM

Sumter School Board members listen Monday to an exchange between board member Johnny Hilton, left, and Superintendent Frank Baker, second from right.

Canty asked Allan if the finance department has any authority to reject proposed additions from Baker or

would be less costly to outside companies because they would have to cover the expense of setting up a temporary site.

Council approved the amendment request 5 to 2 — Edens and Councilman Artie Baker voted in opposition.

In other news, council recognized the 2016 American Legion Law and Order recipients.

Chairman Jim McCain presented a certificate and gift to Sgt. Wesley Floyd of Sumter County Sheriff ’s Office as Deputy Sheriff of the Year; Division Chief Charles “Bud” Ivey of Sumter Fire Department as Firefighter of the year; Lt. Rhonda Pyle of Sumter County Emergency Medical Services as Emergency Medical Technician of the Year; and Lt. Cynthia Kelly of Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center as Correctional Officer of the Year.

AUCTION PART 2

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posed new hires by the superintendent as part of the organizational process. However, he also emphasized that a little more than half of the 49 new hires were added outside the normal process with Baker.

He said he believed the finance department needs to have that authority in hiring.

“There has to be a place to say ‘no’ and to stop, and in my opinion — granted I am a finance person — I think finance is the place where that needs to be,” Allan said.

Another major contributor to the extra $6 million in salaries that put the district over budget last year was underbudgeting overtime pay for bus drivers, who also work in schools as para-professionals, substitute teachers and maintenance staff.

Monday’s board meeting, which included a three-hour executive session behind closed doors, lasted nearly 5½ hours before it concluded at 11:25 p.m.

SAFEGUARDS think folks were really held accountable. … No position needs to be included in the payroll until the finance staff has looked at it and said, ‘Yes, there is a budget here that’s legitimate.’

Allan said some employees were hired last school year and started to work, but the paperwork had still not gone through the finance department yet.

That revised hiring process will include better communication between the district’s finance department and human resources.

Allan’s analysis showed 23 of the 49 new positions not authorized by the finance department in the year were actually approved by Superintendent Frank Baker, but appropriate funding only covered 12 of them.

The other 26 new hires were not approved by Baker.

Board member the Rev. Ralph

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other additional hires.

Allan said to his understanding finance cannot say “no” on pro-

PUBLIC FROM PAGE A1 She said she hopes the district can find some solutions to its debt dilemna and see a need to call the substitutes back in.

“It has to be a hardship on the teachers not being able to take a day off here and there,” Wilson said.

James Smith has a child who is a student at Alice Drive Middle School. He’s concerned about classroom instruction in the current crisis.

“As a parent of a child in the district, I am here because I am concerned about what we are going to do to fix the problem,” Smith said.

“And, I want to make sure it doesn’t deter our children and my child.”

A few elected officials were also in attendance Monday night. Sumter County Council Chairman Jim McCain was one.

“I am here tonight because the financial report is to be made about how we got into this shape, and I want it firsthand and not from someone else,” McCain said. “I have not formed an opinion yet, I just want to hear the facts. That’s why I am here.”

Retired military member and small business owner Michael Walters was in attendance Monday because he believes it’s time for change in the district.

“I think action should be taken,” Walters said. “Realizing when the system of the heirarchy is not in tact, then you are destined to fall — I think that’s the case today.”

He says he sees up close the challenges teachers in the district face.

“The structure we have in place needs to be replaced,” Walters said.

“As a business owner, I know when certain things aren’t working properly we have to make changes.”

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LOCAL | NATION

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2017

Trump knew Flynn misled WH weeks before ouster

Junior police earn their stickers

president retained “full confidence” in Flynn just hours before the adviser had to submit his letter of resignation.

The White House shakeup, less than one month into Trump’s tenure, marked another jarring setback for a new administration already dealing with tensions among top aides and a legal fight over the president’s travel ban order. Flynn’s firing also heightened questions about the president’s friendly posture toward Russia. Democrats called for investigations into Flynn’s contacts, and Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham said Congress needed to know whether he had been acting with direction from the president or others.

Trump initially thought Flynn could survive the controversy, according to a person with direct knowledge of the president’s views, but a pair of explosive stories in The Washington Post in recent days made the situation untenable. As early as last week, he and aides began making contingency plans for Flynn’s dismissal, a senior administration official said. While the president was said to be upset with Flynn, he also expressed anger with other aides for “losing control” of the story and making his young administration look bad.

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Lt. Tony Rivers, Staff Sgt. James Sinkler and Sgt. Gary Atkinson with Sumter Police Department handed out Valentines with junior police stickers to prekindergartners at Willow Drive, Wilder and Kingsbury elementary schools on Tuesday. In return, the youngsters promised to behave and be nice to others.

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Just six days into his presidency, Donald Trump was informed his national security adviser had misled his vice president about contacts with Russia.

Trump kept his No. 2 in the dark and waited nearly three weeks before ousting the aide, Michael Flynn, citing a slow but steady erosion of trust, White House officials said Tuesday.

Flynn was interviewed by the FBI about his telephone conversations with Russia’s ambassador to the U.S., a sign his ties to Russia had caught the attention of law enforcement officials.

But in the White House’s retelling of Flynn’s stunning downfall, his error was not that he discussed U.S. sanctions with the Russian before the inauguration — a potential violation of a rarely enforced law — but the fact that he denied it for weeks, apparently misleading Vice President Pence and other senior Trump aides about the nature of the conversations. White House officials said they conducted a thorough review of Flynn’s interactions, including transcripts of calls secretly recorded by U.S. intelligence officials, but found nothing illegal.

Pence, who had vouched for Flynn in a televised interview, is said to have been angry and deeply frustrated.

“The evolving and eroding level of trust as a result of this situation and a series of other questionable incidents is what led the president to ask General Flynn for his resignation,” White House spokesman Sean Spicer said Tuesday, one day after the president asked Flynn to leave.

Flynn, in an interview with The Daily Caller News Foundation, said Monday “there were no lines crossed” in his conversations with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak.

The explanation of the episode left many questions unanswered, including why Trump didn’t alert Pence to the matter and why Trump allowed Flynn to keep accessing classified information and taking part in the president’s discussions with world leaders up until the day he was fired.

White House officials also struggled to explain why Trump counselor Kellyanne Conway had declared the

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COMMENTARY

Pawns of liberals

O

rdinary black people cannot afford to go along with the liberal agenda that calls for undermining police authority. That agenda makes for more black crime victims. Let’s look at what works and what doesn’t work.

In 1990, New York City adopted the practice in which its police officers might stop and question a pedestrian.

If there was suspicion, they would frisk the person for weapons and other contraband. This practice, well within the law, is known as a Terry stop. After two decades of this proactive police program, New York City’s homicides fell from over 2,200 per year to about 300.

Blacks were the major beneficiaries of proactive policing. According to Manhattan Institute scholar Heather Mac Donald — author of “The War on Cops” — seeing as black males are the majority of New York City’s homicide victims, more than 10,000 blacks are alive today who would not be had it not been for proactive policing.

The American Civil Liberties Union and other leftist groups brought suit against proactive policing. A U.S. District Court judge ruled that New York City’s “stop and frisk” policy violated the 14th Amendment’s promise of equal protection because black and Hispanic people were subject to stops and searches at a higher rate than whites. But the higher rate was justified. Mac Donald points out that while blacks are 23 percent of New York City’s population, they are responsible for 75 percent of shootings and 70 percent of robberies. Whites are 34 percent of the population of New York City. They are responsible for less than 2 percent of shootings and 4 percent of robberies. If you’re trying to prevent shootings and robberies, whom are you going to focus most attention on, blacks or whites?

In 2015, 986 people were shot and killed by police. Of that number, 495 were white (50 percent), and 258 were black (26 percent). Liberals portray shootings by police as racist attacks on blacks.

To solve this problem, they want police departments to hire more black police officers. It turns out that the U.S. Justice Department has found that black police officers in San Francisco and Philadelphia are likelier than whites to shoot and use force against black sus-

pects. That finding is consistent with a study of 2,699 police killings between 2013 and 2015, conWalter ducted by Williams John R. Lott Jr. and Carlisle E. Moody of the Crime Prevention Research Center, showing that the odds of a black suspect’s being killed by a black police officer were consistently greater than the odds of a black suspect’s being killed by a white officer. And little is said about cops killed.

Mac Donald reports that in 2013, 42 percent of cop killers were black.

Academic liberals and civil rights spokespeople make the claim that the disproportionate number of blacks in prison is a result of racism. They ignore the fact that black criminal activity is many multiples of that of other racial groups. They argue that differential imprisonment of blacks is a result of the racist war on drugs. Mac Donald says that state prisons contain 88 percent of the nation’s prison population. Just 4 percent of state prisoners are incarcerated for drug possession. She argues that if drug offenders were removed from the nation’s prisons, the black incarceration rate would go down from about 37.6 percent to 37.4 percent. The vast majority of blacks in prison are there because of violent crime — and mostly against black people.

That brings us to the most tragic aspect of black crime.

The primary victims are law-abiding black people who must conduct their lives in fear. Some parents serve their children meals on the floor and sometimes put them to sleep in bathtubs so as to avoid stray bullets. The average American does not live this way and would not tolerate it.

And that includes the white liberals who support and make excuses for criminals.

Plain decency mandates that we come to the aid of millions of law-abiding people under siege. For their part, black people should stop being pawns for white liberals and support the police who are trying to protect them.

‘The primary victims are law-abiding black people who must conduct their lives in fear. … The average American does not live this way and would not tolerate it.’

Walter E. Williams is a professor of economics at George Mason University. © 2017 creators.com

COMMENTARY

Seeking Sen. Graham’s leadership on energy R ecently, I made the trip from South Carolina to Washington, D.C., to advocate for the energy stewardship values of the South Carolina Christian Action Council and the Baptist Educational and Missionary Convention of South Carolina. Specifically, I was asking Congress to uphold the Bureau of Land Management Natural Gas Waste Reduction Rule.

Because our state is far away from most BLM lands, this BLM Rule has not gotten much publicity here in South Carolina. However, anyone who cares about conserving the gifts of God’s creation, responsible fiscal stewardship, public health and climate change should know this is a moral issue of national concern. The rule requires oil and gas operations on public and tribal lands to conserve methane, which is the primary ingredient in natural gas. The rule requires companies to use proven technologies to plug leaks and capture excess methane to sell it, instead of vent and flare it irretrievably into the atmosphere. The Senate is considering using its authority under the Congressional Review Act to irreversibly destroy the rule and prevent any substantially similar rule from being issued by the BLM. Rolling back this rule would be a disaster for our country.

While in D.C., I met with the offices of Sen. Lindsey Graham, Sen. Tim Scott and Rep. James Clyburn. I also had the opportunity to share a Christian perspective on energy stewardship with the Democrats of the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee when I testified in a hearing. Two days after my visit, I was disappointed that the House voted by a 20-vote margin to

use the CRA to gut the BLM Natural Gas Waste Reduction Rule. On a positive note, South Dr. James Blassingame Carolina’s U.S. Rep. Mark Sanford (SC-1) was one of the 11 House Republicans who stood up for responsible energy stewardship by voting to uphold the rule.

Now, it is up to the Senate to uphold the rule. Sen. Graham is proving to be an independent thinker who will not jump on President Trump’s anti-regulation bandwagon without thoughtful consideration of what is best for our country.

I urge people of faith in our state to join me in sharing their perspectives on responsible energy stewardship with Sen. Graham.

As a Christian, I believe that “The Earth is the Lord’s, and all that is in it” (Psalms 24:1). If all belongs to God, it is immoral to exploit and waste it. All of creation is a gift from God, including the methane that gives us natural gas. Natural gas is an irreplaceable fossil fuel resource. When a limited natural resource like methane is wasted until it becomes scarce, it is the poorest among us who will suffer the most and be forced to go without.

Because it all belongs to God, we are called to justly share the gifts of God’s creation. U.S. public lands belong to all of us, and the gifts therein should enrich us all. Oil and gas operations on public lands pay taxes on the natural gas they sell, and our country needs the money. State budgets for schools, roads and libraries are imperiled by the potential gutting of this

rule. Also, the federal treasury will lose millions in projected income.

I live by the Beatitudes, including “blessed are the peacemakers” (Matthew 5:9), and this, too, has implications for our energy values.

Energy independence is a matter of national security.

Until we can find other viable energy sources, we need to ensure domestic natural gas resources last for future generations. We can only maintain energy independence if we steward what we have wisely, rather than recklessly allow it to leak, vent and disappear into thin air.

Throughout the Bible, there is a moral imperative to care for the most vulnerable. When those who are living closest to the sources of methane pollution get harmed, it is religious communities that respond: with pastoral care, health care and, unfortunately, with funerals we must conduct for community members we lose to preventable asthma and cancer.

Lastly, climate change is being felt first and worst by the most vulnerable among us. We in South Carolina have already suffered extreme flooding because of climate damage such as rising sea levels and more extreme storms. Other countries like the Philippines and Madagascar feel it worse. While reducing our climate impact may not be the rule’s primary goal, it is an important effect. We have a moral responsibility to cut dangerous methane gas emissions.

Sen. Graham, please uphold our energy values.

Rev. Dr. James Blassingame is president of the Baptist Educational and Missionary Convention of South Carolina and a board member of the South Carolina Christian Action Council.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR WORK TO PROMOTE DIGNITY AND INTEGRITY OF AMERICA I used to go to bed at night and arise being relatively sure that my world would not be in a state of disarray upon awakening. Now, however, due in part to the ascension of power of Donald John Trump, I frequently awaken to knowledge of yet another political storm or potential international crisis.

I read of Trump’s Executive Orders that threaten the environment, potentially disrupt health care and malign Muslims. I also read his tweets and

find evidence that Trump is not displaying the temperament needed to govern at home nor represent our nation well abroad. For example: It is indicative of a lack of decorum to refer to a judge as a so-called judge because Trump does not like the judge’s ruling. It is not acceptable for Trump to refer to some Mexicans as tough hombres in negotiations with Mexican officials. Further, it is not reassuring to the black community that the president is seemingly oblivious to the fact that Frederick Douglass is no longer living.

Trump must learn to dialogue with

leaders in the black community who are not aligned with his policies because diverse voices are needed at the table, not just sycophants.

Dignity should be a hallmark of presidential decorum. Using the recent prayer breakfast to ask for attendees to pray for better ratings for Arnold Schwarzenegger of The Apprentice is a glaring lack of decorum.

When friends bemoan the current political reality, I point them to proactive means of repairing and building. I will do my part to ensure that the dignity and integrity of this already great nation is not destroyed.

I have recommitted myself to organize and coalesce with organizations and individuals who are sincere about protecting the rights of the least of these.

I know that you have talents and resources to offer in the fight to protect and defend the values of our nation. I will not attempt to delineate the organizations with whom you should align nor the methods you should use, for diversity of thought and talent contributes to our greatness.

BEVERLY DIANE FRIERSON Columbia

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2017

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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 (803) 6:30 p.m., Bethel Baptist 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., St. Baptist Church. Call (803) 469John 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 each a.m., South HOPE Center, 1125 month, 10-11:30 a.m., Palmetto S. Lafayette Drive. Veterans Health Tuomey Hospice, 500 helping veterans with PTSD, Pinewood Road, Suite 2. Call coping skills, claims and ben(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. p.m. dinner, 7 p.m. program, For teens and adults with speSalt & Light Church, Miller cial needs. Call (803) 972-0051 Road (across from Food Lion). or (803) 468-5745 or email theFor help with struggles of algathering23@aol.com. cohol, drugs, family problems, Parkinson’s Support Group — smoking, etc.

Second Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., Wateree AIDS Task Force Support Carolinas Rehabilitation HosGroup — Third Friday, 11:30 pital, 121 E. Cedar St., Flora.m., 508 W. Liberty St. Call ence. Call (843) 661-3746.

(803) 778-0303.

Sumter Amputee Support Group SATURDAY MEETINGS: — Second Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., Sumter Prosthetics & OrthotReflex Sympathetic Dystrophy/ ics, 259 Broad St. Call (803) Complex Regional Pain Syndrome 883-4356.

Support Group — Third Saturday, 1:30 p.m., 3785 Blackberry Sumter Chapter Parents of MurLane, Lot 7. Call (803) 481-7521. dered Children (POMC) — Third

DAILY PLANNER

THE SUMTER ITEM

WEATHER

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2017

AccuWeather® five-day forecast for Sumter TODAY

TONIGHT

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Periods of rain

Mainly clear and chilly

Mostly sunny

Sunny and pleasant

Increasing cloudiness

Partly sunny and pleasant

63°

35°

62° / 37°

70° / 41°

70° / 48°

73° / 47°

Chance of rain: 70%

Chance of rain: 0%

Chance of rain: 0%

Chance of rain: 0%

Chance of rain: 25%

Chance of rain: 10%

WNW 8-16 mph

NW 4-8 mph

WNW 7-14 mph

WSW 6-12 mph

SW 6-12 mph

WNW 6-12 mph

TODAY’S SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER

Gaffney 55/30 Spartanburg 58/31

Greenville 60/31

Columbia 65/37

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

Sumter 63/35

IN THE MOUNTAINS Aiken 67/36

ON THE COAST

Charleston 69/38

Today: Breezy with rain at times. High 62 to 74.

Thursday: Mostly sunny. High 56 to 65.

LOCAL ALMANAC

LAKE LEVELS

SUMTER THROUGH 4 P.M. YESTERDAY

Today Hi/Lo/W 58/35/r 36/24/pc 62/38/s 35/21/sf 65/43/pc 78/56/s 61/45/c 47/29/c 80/55/t 50/29/pc 75/51/s 65/57/c 52/32/pc

SUN AND MOON 7 a.m. yest.

356.83 74.74 74.75 98.14

24-hr chg -0.01 -0.04 +0.12 +0.18

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

trace 0.42" 1.65" 4.96" 5.36" 5.59"

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° 33° 58° 35° 79° in 1949 17° in 1968

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 59/39/s 39/29/c 69/48/s 33/21/pc 69/49/s 70/57/pc 63/46/pc 38/26/pc 72/45/pc 41/26/pc 75/54/s 64/52/r 43/27/s

Myrtle Beach 65/37

Manning 65/37

Today: Periods of rain. Winds north-northwest 4-8 mph. Colder.

Thursday: Partly sunny. Winds west 6-12 mph.

Temperature High Low Normal high Normal low Record high Record low

Florence 62/35

Bishopville 62/34

Flood 7 a.m. 24-hr stage yest. chg 12 8.25 -0.06 19 3.00 -0.48 14 6.52 +0.36 14 2.26 +0.02 80 76.32 -0.45 24 4.30 -0.01

Sunrise 7:06 a.m.

Moonrise 10:48 p.m.

Sunset Moonset

6:06 p.m.

9:53 a.m.

Last

New

First

Full

Feb. 18

Feb. 26

Mar. 5

Mar. 12

TIDES AT MYRTLE BEACH

Today Thu.

High 11:59 a.m.

--12:33 a.m.

12:40 p.m.

Ht. 2.8 --2.8 2.7

Low Ht. 6:37 a.m. -0.1 6:53 p.m. 0.0 7:22 a.m. 0.2 7:33 p.m. 0.3

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

Today Hi/Lo/W 48/27/sn 62/33/r 68/37/r 74/42/r 59/38/r 69/38/r 58/31/r 64/36/r 65/37/r 60/32/r 54/31/r 62/34/r 57/34/r

Thu. Hi/Lo/W 52/29/pc 61/36/s 65/36/s 65/42/s 50/41/pc 63/41/s 57/34/s 61/40/s 64/37/s 57/35/s 50/32/pc 56/36/s 58/35/s

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

Today Hi/Lo/W 62/35/r 77/44/t 57/31/r 57/34/r 69/38/r 55/29/r 60/31/r 54/30/r 70/40/r 80/44/t 63/32/r 67/34/r 56/31/r

Thu. Hi/Lo/W 60/36/s 68/37/s 56/35/s 55/33/s 63/40/s 52/32/pc 60/35/s 55/33/pc 62/41/s 68/38/s 62/34/s 63/34/s 57/35/s

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

Today Hi/Lo/W 55/28/r 70/38/r 65/37/r 68/38/r 72/43/r 55/32/r 59/31/r 55/31/r 76/41/r 58/31/r 69/38/r 66/33/r 55/29/r

Thu. Hi/Lo/W 55/31/pc 62/41/s 59/42/s 62/38/s 62/43/s 52/32/s 56/33/s 55/31/s 66/40/s 58/36/s 62/40/s 58/36/s 52/32/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 CLARENDON SCHOOL DISTRICT 3 Thursday, 7:30 p.m., district office, Turbeville

Fall In Love with our New Styles!

31 West Wesmark Blvd • Sumter, SC ARIES (March 21-April 19): Test what you EUGENIA LAST have discovered through conversations and past experiences. Your ability to expand an idea and to get things up and running will help you drum up interest and support. Romance and physical improvements are highlighted.

The last word in astrology

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Interacting with financial or medical institutions, government agencies or the courts will be difficult but doable if you have your documents in order and a good plan of action. Keep an open mind and be willing to compromise.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Put some muscle as well as thought into whatever you take on today.

Foresight and progressive action will show that you mean business.

Much can be accomplished this year, and the payoff will lead to greater personal security.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Learn as you go and refuse to let anyone step in and take over or lead you in the wrong direction. Moderation will be your ticket to success.

Problems with children or peers will surface if you are aggressive.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): You’ll have too many options. Size up your situation and eliminate anything that isn’t in your best interest. Stay focused on what you want to achieve and resist becoming a jack-of-all-trades and master of none. Romance is favored.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Show consideration and be attentive toward the people you deal with daily. It’s important not to let anyone take advantage of you.

Find balance and equality in the relationships you choose without giving up the right to do things your way.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Shoot for the stars. It’s how you strategize and maneuver your way through the ups and downs that will secure a place in the spotlight.

A romantic gesture will improve your personal life.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Minor accidents or injury can be expected if you take unnecessary risks. Think before you make a move that you feel the least bit uncertain about making. Trust in your intuition, not what someone else says or does.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Personal changes will improve your position.

An investment will pay off, altering the way you live. Sharing your thoughts with someone special will help you raise your standard of living. Love is highlighted.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Step up and make every thought and motion count. You are right on target, so don’t back down when there is so much you can do to make your life better. Personal improvements will build the confidence required to become successful.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Taking part is one thing, but spending more than you can afford is another. Don’t go into debt to keep up with your peers or to give someone something in order to win favors. Live within your means.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Show courtesy and goodwill, but don’t let anyone take advantage of you.

Show strength and courage to follow the path that will lead to success on your own terms. Take initiative and help your cause.

774-2100

SUMTER ANIMAL CONTROL PET OF THE WEEK Meet Bae, a small / medium sized young adult female, who weighs 41 pounds. She has a gentle Bae deserves temperament and she home on where walksa nicely a leash. She she knows would make any she family is loved happy.

Bae deserves a forever, inside home where she knows she is loved. Bae is in kennel 34 at Sumter Animal Control, 1240 Winkles Road, (803) 436-2066.

Thank you for considering a homeless pet. You can view more lost / found / adoptable pets at Sumter Animal Control on Facebook.

HAVE YOU TAKEN PICTURES OF INTERESTING, EXCITING, BEAUTIFUL OR HISTORICAL PLACES? Would you like to share those images with your fellow Sumter Item readers? E-mail your hi-resolution jpegs to sandra@theitem.com, or mail to Sandra Holbert c/o The Sumter Item, P.O. Box 1677, Sumter, SC 29150. Include clearly printed or typed name of photographer and photo details. Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for return of your photo. Amateur photographers only please. Photos of poor reproduction quality may not publish. With the exception of pictures that are of a timely nature, submitted photos will publish in the order in which they are received.

SECTION

B

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2017 Call: (803) 774-1241 | E-mail: sports@theitem.com

PREP BASKETBALL

Valentine’s Day victory Crestwood girls rip Colleton County to earn berth in 2nd round

BY EDDIE LITAKER Special to The Sumter Item As the 4A girls basketball state playoffs opened on Valentine’s Day, the Crestwood High School varsity girls basketball team gave head coach Tony Wilson the gift that every coach of a higher-seeded team playing in the first round likes to see — a running clock in the second half.

The Lady Knights, who entered the playoffs as Region VI champs and a No. 1 seed, got off to a fast start against Region VIII No. 4 seed Colleton County, building a 22-1 lead after one quarter and cruised into the second round with a 57-16 victory Tuesday at The Castle.

Crestwood’s lead was 37-8 at the half, with reserves seeing a good bit of playing time before the break. The Lady Knights starters took the floor to open the second half before once again giving way to the reserves down the stretch.

The lead peaked at 44, 55-11, before the Lady Cougars were able to close on a 5-2 run.

“We saw film on Colleton County and we felt like we could do some things to throw them off,” said Wilson, whose team ran its record to 22-2 and will face either either North Myrtle Beach or Orangeburg-Wilkinson on Friday at home. “But also, not taking away from what we did tonight, they had some injuries coming into tonight and their girls fought hard.

We’ve just got to continue to play at a high level because the next round is going to get even tougher. We just wanted to come in, even though we won by a large margin, to work on our stuff and continue to improve.”

Jah’Che Whitfield and Tyanna Saunders spearheaded Crestwood’s first-team offensive efforts on a night when most of the Lady Knights’ points came on fast-

FCS girls, LMA boys claim region tourney titles

BY PATRICK ENZOR Special to The Sumter Item The varsity girls teams from Florence Christian and Wilson Hall were co-champions of SCISA Region II-3A in the regular season. They split their two regular season games.

Needless to say, there was a great familiarity with each other in the region tournament championship game at Sumter Civic Center on Tuesday. That bore out as the teams struggled on offense, but FC was able to go 17-for-20 the free throw line to pull out a 38-33 victory that featured five ties and six lead changes in the final quarter.

The Laurence Manning Academy boys team continued its dominance over the region with a 80-35 victory over Wilson Hall in the boys championship game.

The Lady Barons trailed 4-3 after one quarter and 12-9 at halftime as neither offense could break the opposing defense. The teams combined for 22 turnovers in the first half.

“We know each other real well and know what each other are going to do,” said Wilson Hall head coach Glen Rector, whose team fell to 18-6. “They came out with a wrinkle early with a box-and-one. We just weren’t attacking offensively at the time.”

Over a 90-second spurt in the third quarter, however, Wilson Hall went on a 9-0 run thanks to Maddie Elmore.

SEE TITLES, PAGE B3 RICK CARPENTER / THE SUMTER ITEM

Crestwood’s Sedajah Rembert (20) drives around Colleton County’s Omari Kirkland (3) for a shot during the Lady Knights’ 57-16 first-round victory on Tuesday at The Castle. break layups. Whitfield closed with 15 points, seven rebounds, three assists and one steal while Saunders added seven points, three assists and two rebounds.

“We just found out today that Tyanna made the North-South all-star team, so I’m so proud of that and I was so pleased with the way she came out and played to-

night,” Wilson said. “She was unselfish and didn’t look to score a lot tonight because what we were doing against their zone, we run a good zone offense that requires the ball to move around quite well. I’m proud of the way the

SEE VICTORY, PAGE B3

SCHSL STATE PLAYOFFS TUESDAY

TODAY

Girls Crestwood 57, Colleton County 16 Lakewood 40, Hilton Head Island 38 Lee Central 36, Southside Christian 25

THURSDAY

Boys Loris 71, Manning 58 Scott’s Branch 57, Creek Bridge 48 Creek Bridge at Scott’s Branch East Clarendon 55, Lowcountry Leadership 43

Boys Spring Valley at Sumter, 7 p.m.

Hilton Head at Lakewood, 6 p.m.

Beaufort at Crestwood, 7 p.m.

Liberty at Lee Central, 6 p.m.

Girls Manning at Swansea, 7 p.m.

Scott’s Branch at East Clarendon, 7 p.m.

USC WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

UConn defeats No. 6 USC for 100th straight victory

BY DOUG FEINBERG AP Basketball Writer

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

South Carolina’s Alaina Coates, center, pulls down a rebound between Connecticut’s Napheesa Collier and Gabby Williams, right, in the first half of the Gamecocks’ 65-55 loss on Monday in Storrs, Connecticut.

STORRS, Conn. — Add 100 consecutive wins to the UConn Huskies’ long list of milestones.

Given UConn’s glitzier numbers linked to national championships, 11 titles and counting, it may seem ho-hum with no added significance. Geno Auriemma’s squad already owns the longest winning streak in Division I college basketball history. UConn beat its own record of 90 consecutive wins earlier this season with little fanfare.

“I hope we can focus on the season and what’s coming up next and whatever’s in store for this team,” Auriemma said. “Let’s get it over with and move onto the next thing which is more important in the big scheme of things for these players anyway. This

100-win streak isn’t theirs, but if they win a national championship — that’s all theirs.

“That means a lot more if we’re able to do that down the road.”

Getting No. 100 was a little tougher than many of the previous 99, which UConn won by an average 38.7 points.

Gabby Williams scored a career-high 26 points and Napheesa Collier added 18 to help the top-ranked Huskies beat No. 6 South Carolina 66-55 on Monday night in front of a sellout crowd of 10,167 that included past greats Sue Bird, Maya Moore, Tina Charles and Breanna Stewart, who helped the Huskies to the first 75 wins of this streak.

“They carried the torch across the finish line to 100,” Auriemma said. “If it’s a relay, they took the last baton to 100. If we win a national championship, it’s all theirs. I

want to focus on trying to do that instead of worrying about the other stuff.”

The current group of Huskies (25-0) had to work for this win. South Carolina (21-3) used its stellar interior game of A’ja Wilson and Alaina Coates to take a 29-28 advantage late in the first half. The Huskies responded scoring the final seven points before the break. Collier and Williams had all of them, including a steal and layup by Collier with 3 seconds left that made it 35-29.

“They are opportunistic,” South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said. “They wait for you to make the mistakes and don’t foul a whole lot. ... You have to execute it for 40 minutes, if you don’t they’ll make you pay.”

SEE USC, PAGE B4

PRO BASEBALL

First workouts underway for major league pitchers and catchers

BY NOAH TRISTER AP Baseball Writer LAKELAND, Fla. — Even for an accomplished veteran like Justin Verlander, the start of spring training can be special.

“I usually sleep pretty well. I woke up early today,” the Detroit ace said Tuesday. “On one hand, you want to appreciate everything as much as you can. It’s not such a whirlwind anymore — you kind of know what to expect. But in the same aspect, every day is pretty much the same thing I’ve done for 12 years, so it also starts going faster.”

Verlander’s Tigers were among 15

teams with their first scheduled workouts for pitchers and catchers Tuesday.

As major leaguers took the field in Florida and Arizona, that familiar VERLANDER sound of balls popping into mitts served as a reminder that in baseball at least, winter is finally over.

While Verlander and the Tigers went through their routine at their newly renovated facility in Lakeland, the Boston Red Sox were about 115 miles to the south, holding their first workout of the post-Papi era.

It’s Boston’s first season without

David Ortiz since the Red Sox signed him in January 2003, but Big Papi’s retirement may not be too big a blow to a team that added star left-hander Chris Sale.

Over in Arizona, the Cleveland Indians began preparing to defend their American League title. Cleveland won the AL Central by eight games last year and made it to the World Series before losing to the Chicago Cubs in seven games.

“This time of year, everyone is at glass half full,” Indians manager Terry Francona said. “We have good reason to be.”

Hopes are always high at the start of spring training, but occasionally

there’s some injury news on the first day. Baltimore manager Buck Showalter said right-hander Chris Tillman had a platelet-rich plasma injection on his right shoulder and won’t start the season until April 7 at the earliest.

The Kansas City Royals said lefthander Brian Flynn broke a rib and had three minor vertebrae fractures in a bizarre offseason injury. Flynn is expected to miss two months after falling through a barn roof at his Oklahoma residence.

The Royals and Miami Marlins begin this season with heavy hearts

SEE WORKOUTS, PAGE B4

B2

|

SCOREBOARD TV, RADIO TODAY

11 a.m. – Professional Tennis: ABN AMRO World Tournament EarlyRound Matches from Rotterdam, Netherlands (TENNIS).

2:30 p.m. – International Soccer: UEFA Champions League Round-of-16 First Leg Match – Bayern Munich vs. Arsenal (FOX SPORTS 1).

2:30 p.m. – International Soccer: UEFA Champions League Round-of-16 First Leg Match – Napoli vs. Real Madrid (FOX SPORTS 2).

6 p.m. – College Basketball: LIU (Brooklyn) at St. Francis (N.Y.) (CBS SPORTS NETWORK).

6 p.m. – College Basketball: George Washington at Davidson (TIME WARNER 1250).

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

6:30 p.m. – College Basketball: Xavier at Providence (FOX SPORTS 1).

6:30 p.m. – College Basketball: Arkansas at South Carolina (SEC NETWORK, WDXY-FM 105.9, WNKT-FM 107.5, WDXY-AM 1240).

7 p.m. – NBA Basketball: Indiana at Cleveland (ESPN).

7 p.m. – College Basketball: Temple at East Carolina (ESPNEWS).

7 p.m. – College Basketball: Iowa State at Kanas State (ESPN2).

7 p.m. – College Basketball: Cincinnati at South Florida (ESPNU).

7 p.m. – Women’s College Basketball: Texas Christian at Oklahoma State (FOX SPORTSOUTH).

7:30 p.m. – NBA Basketball: Charlotte at Toronto (FOX SPORTS SOUTHEAST).

8 p.m. – College Basketball: Creighton at Seton Hall (CBS SPORTS NETWORK).

8 p.m. – NHL Hockey: St. Louis at Detroit (NBC SPORTS NETWORK).

8 p.m. – College Basketball: Tulane at Southern Methodist (TIME WARNER 1250).

8:30 p.m. – College Basketball: St. John’s at Butler (FOX SPORTS 1).

8:30 p.m. – College Basketball: Alabama at Missouri (SEC NETWORK).

9 p.m. – College Basketball: Duke at Virginia (ESPN2).

9 p.m. – College Basketball: Oklahoma State at Texas Christian (ESPNU).

9 p.m. – LPGA Golf: Women’s Australian Open First Round from Adelaide, Australia (GOLF).

9:30 p.m. – NBA Basketball: New York at Oklahoma City (ESPN).

10 p.m. – College Basketball: San Diego State at Utah State (CBS SPORTS NETWORK).

10 p.m. – International Soccer: Mexican League Match – Merida vs. Guadalajara (UNIVISION).

10:30 p.m. – NHL Hockey: Florida at San Jose (NBC SPORTS NETWORK).

5 a.m. – Professional Tennis: ABN AMRO World Tournament EarlyRound Matches from Rotterdam, Netherlands (TENNIS).

TRANSACTIONS The Associated Press BASEBALL American League CLEVELAND INDIANS — Agreed to terms with LHP Chris Narveson on a minor league contract.

TAMPA BAY RAYS — Designated RHP Eddie Gamboa for assignment.

Agreed to terms with RHP Nathan Eovaldi on a one-year contract.

National League CHICAGO CUBS — Assigned LHP David Rollins outright to Iowa (PCL).

Named Ann Weiser vice president of human resources.

CINCINNATI REDS — Claimed RHP Nefi Ogando off waivers from Pittsburgh. Placed RHP Homer Bailey on the 60-day DL. NEW YORK METS — Sent INF Ty Kelly outright to Las Vegas (PCL).

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS — Agreed to terms with RHP David Hernandez on a minor league contract.

American Association LINCOLN SALTDOGS — Signed C Alfonso Reda.

WINNIPEG GOLDEYES — Signed RHP Ryan Chaffee.

Can-Am League QUEBEC CAPITALES — Released OF Asif Shah and INF William Salas.

ROCKLAND BOULDERS — Signed C Alex Herceg.

SUSSEX COUNTY MINERS — Signed RHP Tyler Herr.

TROIS-RIVIERES AIGLES — Signed RHP Angel Rincon.

BASKETBALL

National Basketball Association CLEVELAND CAVALIERS — Traded C Chris Andersen and cash to Charlotte for a protected 2017 secondround draft pick.

DENVER NUGGETS — Traded C Jusuf Nurkic and a 2017 first-round draft pick to Portland for C Mason Plumlee, a 2018 second-round draft pick and cash.

NBA Gatorade League NBAGL — Announced it has been renamed from NBA Development League beginning next season.

FOOTBALL

National Football League BALTIMORE RAVENS — Named Chris Hewitt secondary coach. Promoted defensive assistant Mike Macdonald to defensive backs coach, defensive coaching assistant Drew Wilkins to assistant defensive line coach and assistant strength and conditioning coach Juney Barnett to strength and conditioning coach.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS — Named Skyler Fulton offensive assistant, Anthony Perkins assistant to the head coach, Alex Smith pro scout, Danny Breyer defensive assistant and Zack Grossi offfensive quality control coach.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS — Promoted Brad Childress to assistant head coach. Named Matt Nagy offensive coordinator, NEW YORK GIANTS — Released WR Victor Cruz and RB Rashad Jennings.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS — Named Mike McDaniel run game specialist, Mike LaFleur wide receivers coach and Taylor Embree offensive quality control coach.

WASHINGTON REDSKINS — Named Cannon Matthews defensive quality control coach.

Canadian Football League WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS — Signed OL Sukh Chungh to a contract extension through the 2018 season.

HOCKEY

National Hockey League DETROIT RED WINGS — Reassigned F Dylan Sadowy to Grand Rapids (AHL) from Toledo (ECHL).

NEW JERSEY DEVILS — Activated D Jon Merrill from injured reserve.

ST. LOUIS BLUES — Placed F Paul Stastny on injured reserve.

WASHINGTON CAPITALS — Reassigned G Joe Cannata from Hershey (AHL) to South Carolina (ECHL).

WINNIPEG JETS — Placed G Ondrej Pavelec on injured reserve, retroactive to Feb. 7. Recalled D Julian Melchiori from Manitoba (AHL).

NASHVILLE PREDATORS — Assigned F Pontus Aberg and G Juuse Saros to Milwaukee (AHL). Recalled G Marek Mazanec from Milwaukee.

American Hockey League GRAND RAPID GRIFFINS — Assigned F Mike Borkowski to Toledo (ECHL).

OLYMPIC SPORTS

USA SWIMMING — Announced the retirement of national team director Frank Busch, effective Sept. 1.

SOCCER

SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2017

North American Soccer League JACKSONVILLE ARMADA — Signed Ds

Drew Beckie and Michael O’Sullivan.

National Women’s Soccer League CHICAGO RED STARS — Traded an international roster spot to Orlando for a 2018 second-round draft pick.

COLLEGE

SOUTH CAROLINA — Promoted Robbie Liles to director of football operations. Named Matt Lindsey director of player personnel and Corey Miller assistant strength and conditioning coach.

BIG TEN CONFERENCE — Suspended Ohio State hockey player Josh Healey two games for receiving a major penalty for contact to the head and a game misconduct during a Feb. 11 game against Minnesota.

NORTH CAROLINA STATE — Named Kevin Patrick defensive line coach.

NBA STANDINGS The Associated Press EASTERN CONFERENCE ATLANTIC DIVISION Boston Toronto New York Philadelphia Brooklyn SOUTHEAST DIVISION Washington Atlanta Charlotte Miami Orlando CENTRAL DIVISION Cleveland Indiana Chicago Detroit Milwaukee

W 36 32 23 21 9

L 19 23 33 34 46

Pct .655 .582 .411 .382 .164

GB — 4 13½ 15 27

W 33 32 24 24 21

L 21 23 31 32 36

Pct .611 .582 .436 .429 .368

GB — 1½ 9½ 10 13½

W 37 29 26 26 24

L 16 26 29 30 30

Pct .698 .527 .473 .464 .444

GB — 9 12 12½ 13½

L 13 17 23 33 34

Pct .764 .702 .596 .400 .393

GB — 3 9 20 20½

L 22 25 30 32 34

Pct .607 .554 .455 .418 .382

GB — 3 8½ 10½ 12½

L 9 21 32 37 39

Pct .836 .618 .418 .339 .304

GB — 12 23 27½ 29½

WESTERN CONFERENCE SOUTHWEST DIVISION W San Antonio 42 Houston 40 Memphis 34 Dallas 22 New Orleans 22 NORTHWEST DIVISION W Utah 34 Oklahoma City 31 Denver 25 Portland 23 Minnesota 21 PACIFIC DIVISION W Golden State 46 L.A. Clippers 34 Sacramento 23 L.A. Lakers 19 Phoenix 17

MONDAY’S GAMES

Philadelphia 105, Charlotte 99 San Antonio 110, Indiana 106 Memphis 112, Brooklyn 103 Orlando 116, Miami 107 Milwaukee 102, Detroit 89 Washington 120, Oklahoma City 98 Boston 111, Dallas 98 Denver 132, Golden State 110 L.A. Clippers 88, Utah 72 New Orleans 110, Phoenix 108 Atlanta 109, Portland 104, OT

TUESDAY’S GAMES

Cleveland at Minnesota, 8 p.m.

Toronto at Chicago, 8 p.m.

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

TODAY’S GAMES

Indiana at Cleveland, 7 p.m.

San Antonio at Orlando, 7 p.m.

Charlotte at Toronto, 7:30 p.m.

Dallas at Detroit, 7:30 p.m.

Milwaukee at Brooklyn, 7:30 p.m.

Philadelphia at Boston, 7:30 p.m.

Miami at Houston, 8 p.m.

New Orleans at Memphis, 8 p.m.

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

Minnesota at Denver, 9 p.m.

Portland at Utah, 9 p.m.

New York at Oklahoma City, 9:30 p.m.

Atlanta at L.A. Clippers, 10:30 p.m.

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

THURSDAY’S GAMES

Washington at Indiana, 7 p.m.

Boston at Chicago, 8 p.m.

FRIDAY’S GAMES

No games scheduled

SATURDAY’S GAMES

No games scheduled

SUNDAY’S GAME

Eastern Conference vs. Western Conference at New Orleans, LA, 8:30 p.m.

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

OT Pts GF

GA

Montreal Ottawa Boston Toronto Florida Tampa Bay Buffalo Detroit

8 6 6 11 10 7 10 10

165 143 157 165 134 154 138 141

150 143 155 161 153 160 159 169

METROPOLITAN DIVISION GP W L

OT Pts GF

GA

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

6 7 5 1 7 10 10 7

121 155 136 147 168 158 157 156

58 53 58 54 54 56 56 56

56 54 55 56 56 54 55 53

31 29 29 25 24 25 23 22

39 34 35 37 27 25 23 24

19 18 23 18 20 24 23 24

11 13 15 18 22 19 22 22

70 64 64 61 58 57 56 54

84 75 75 75 61 60 56 55

192 193 177 192 147 161 128 140

WESTERN CONFERENCE CENTRAL DIVISION GP W L

OT Pts GF

GA

Minnesota Chicago St. Louis Nashville Dallas Winnipeg Colorado

6 5 5 8 10 4 2

129 147 165 151 182 185 181

55 57 56 56 57 58 53

37 35 29 27 22 25 15

12 17 22 21 25 29 36

80 75 63 62 54 54 32

187 166 161 158 158 166 107

PACIFIC DIVISION GP W L

OT Pts GF

GA

San Jose Anaheim Edmonton Los Angeles Calgary Vancouver Arizona

5 10 8 4 3 6 7

135 147 146 136 164 160 169

57 57 56 55 57 56 54

34 29 29 28 28 25 19

18 18 19 23 26 25 28

73 68 66 60 59 56 45

156 151 157 138 149 135 129

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

MONDAY’S GAMES

N.Y. Rangers 3, Columbus 2 Arizona 5, Calgary 0

TUESDAY’S GAMES

Vancouver at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m.

Colorado at New Jersey, 7 p.m.

N.Y. Islanders at Toronto, 7:30 p.m.

Buffalo at Ottawa, 7:30 p.m.

Dallas at Winnipeg, 8 p.m.

Anaheim at Minnesota, 8 p.m.

Arizona at Edmonton, 9 p.m.

TODAY’S GAMES

Toronto at Columbus, 7 p.m.

St. Louis at Detroit, 8 p.m.

Philadelphia at Calgary, 9:30 p.m.

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

THURSDAY’S GAMES

Winnipeg at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m.

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

Ottawa at New Jersey, 7 p.m.

Colorado at Buffalo, 7:30 p.m.

Dallas at Minnesota, 8 p.m.

Vancouver at St. Louis, 8 p.m.

Philadelphia at Edmonton, 9 p.m.

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

FRIDAY’S GAMES

Pittsburgh at Columbus, 7 p.m.

Colorado at Carolina, 7:30 p.m.

Florida at Anaheim, 10 p.m.

THE SUMTER ITEM

RECRUITING

Byrnes WR Gregory may join good friend Bentley at USC

W

ide receiver Demarcus Gregory of Byrnes will be one of the state’s leading prospects in the 2018 class coming off a season of 61 catches for 800 yards and seven touchdowns.

South Carolina is one of his offers and he’s been friends with Gamecock quarterback Jake Bentley since middle school.

It’s Bentley’s presence and the progress the offense made when he became quarterback the second half of last season that impressed Gregory about the Gamecocks and has him thinking of one day joining his old friend.

“They want to keep all the good in state guys in the state and I’m one of the guys that can help they build up the program,” said Gregory of what he hears from Gamecock recruiter Bobby Bentley. “They are a good school and I’m really looking into them, but I’m open to anything. I feel like they are headed in the right direction.

They’ve definitely got the talent around and I feel like in a couple of years they are going to do something big.”

Gregory is not sure if he’ll attend USC’s junior day later this month. He went to Kentucky in January. He also has offers from N.C. State, North Carolina, Wake Forest, Mississippi State, West Virginia, Marshall and Cincinnati. Gregory said he’d like to make his commitment decision this summer.

Georgia Military JC has provided USC with several quality players over the years, and on Tuesday the Gamecocks were the first to offer another up-and-comer from Bert Williams’ program in DE Jabari Ellis (6-feet-5-inches, 285 pounds) who is a product of Lake Marion.

“I was extremely happy, more excited,” Ellis said. “This is my first offer. Playing JUCO ball is tough, but now I know I have a place to go. They said they like my speed for a guy my size and I would make a great three technique (defensive lineman). Being from South Carolina, staying home does play a part. It’s definitely something to consider.”

Ellis said he will get to USC for a practice this spring. He said Miami also is recruiting him hard at the moment. He is on track to graduate in December.

As a freshman last season, Ellis recorded 14 tackles with four tackles for loss and one sack.

RB Caleb Johnson of Cordova, Tennessee, visited USC last season for the Western Carolina game and met up with running backs coach and recruiter Bobby Bentley.

A few weeks later, Johnson said he was given a verbal offer from Bentley which he hopes will become an official offer when he attends a camp in Columbia the first week of June.

Johnson said he liked the looks of the Gamecock offense and can succeed in the Iformation or the spread. The game he attended was the one Rico Dowdle rushed for 226 yards.

Johnson said he last talked with Bentley about a month ago. Johnson is going to Mississippi State for a junior day Feb. 18.

He’s also talking with Kentucky, Arkansas and Memphis. Last season Johnson was a semi-finalist for a Mr. Football Award in Tennessee. He rushed for 2,098 yards and 24 touchdowns.

McCormick RB Mataeo Durant recently was in touch with USC but has not received an offer from the Gamecocks. He said Bentley invited him to attend one of the Gamecocks’ spring practices, and he plans to go to one. As for other visits, Durant said he’s going to Coastal Carolina and Appalachian State soon. He visited Wake Forest recently and received an offer from the Demon Deacons, so he is planning to visit again to watch a spring practice. Durant said he routinely communicates with the coaching staffs from Florida State, Indiana, Notre Dame, Georgia Southern, Appalachian State and Tennessee.

USC is the first offer for TE Katerian Legrone of Atlanta. Legrone visited USC last month. He’s also been to Georgia and Troy. He’s also getting interest from Georgia State.

Ridge View DL Damion Daley visited USC a few weeks ago and has spoken with head coach Will Muschamp, defensive line coach Lance Thompson and new offensive line coach Eric Wolford.

He said if USC offered, the school would be one of his favorites because it is close to home. His brother, who has been at Georgia Military JC, signed with USC earlier this month. Daley has offers from Cincinnati and Georgia State. He recently visited North Carolina and will visit Wake Forest and Appalachian State. He does not have a favorite as of now.

USC offered OL Jerome Carvin (6-5, 310) of Cordova, Tennessee. Carvin said he might visit for the spring game.

He also has offers from Kentucky, Memphis, Missouri and others. He recently visited Kentucky.

USC also offered OL Nicholas PetitFrere (6-6, 260) of Tampa, Florida. Some of his other offers are Alabama Auburn, Ohio State, Michigan, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Penn State and Ole Miss.

USC also offered DB Gurvan Hall of West Palm Beach, Florida, and DE Thomas Booker of Baltimore, both of whom have a Clemson offer, DE Tyreke Smith of

Cleveland and OL Tramonda Moore (6-6, 330) of Independence CC, Kansas. He’s a former Oklahoma State signee and will graduate in December.

Punter Joe Doyle of Knoxville committed to Phil Kornblut Tennessee on Friday. He RECRUITING had a walk-on offer from USC and had planned to CORNER visit this weekend but he said he is no longer taking visits and is set with the Vols.

DE Xavier Thomas of IMG Academy said he plans to visit USC again soon.

The Gamecocks have a junior day on Feb. 25.

CLEMSON AND USC DL Kelijah Brown (6-3, 310) of Saluda made an unofficial visit to Wake Forest recently and the Demon Deacons stand as his early favorite thought by not a very big margin at this point. He also likes USC and Virginia Tech.

Brown went to Wake Forest for a game last season. He also visited USC and East Carolina for games. And he visited Virginia Tech unofficially last month.

As for the Gamecocks, Brown said they also are coming at him hard. Brown said he will attend USC’s next junior day Feb. 25.

He said he’s also getting interest from Clemson, Georgia, Florida, Penn State, North Carolina and Coastal Carolina. He is graduating early so his decision will come relatively early as well.

Brown said he had about 50 tackles and 10 sacks last season.

Lewisville DL Josh Belk, who was expected to carry out a long recruiting battle between Clemson and USC, cut all of that short last month with a commitment to the Tigers.

USC also was working him hard and had in him for several visits as well. The Gamecocks are continuing to recruit Belk but at this point those efforts appear to be fruitless.

“They just asked me why and stuff like that,” Belk said adding he’s 100 percent with his Clemson commitment and his only planned visits are to Clemson for spring practice and the spring game.

DE Stephon Wynn Jr. of IMG Academy picked up an offer from Miami. He also has Clemson and USC offers.

DB Kyler McMichael of Dublin, Georgia, was offered by Ohio State. USC and Clemson also have offered.

CLEMSON DE KJ Henry of Clemmons, N.C., told 247Sports he is working on his shot list and three schools that will be on it are Clemson, Auburn and Ohio State.

OL Nana Asiedu of Stafford, Virginia, dropped his top ten list of Clemson, Penn State, Auburn, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, Virginia Tech, LSU, Michigan and North Carolina. Southern Cal offered him last week.

Clemson offered OL Max Wray (6-6, 282) of Franklin, Tennessee, a Georgia commit, LB Payton Wilson of Hillsborough, N.C., and brothers DE Justin Ademilola and DL Jayson Ademilola of Jersey City, N.J. Both are Notre Dame commits.

Clemson target OL Richard Gouraige Jr. of Tampa, Florida, picked up a Virginia Tech offer.

Clemson target OL Jackson Carman of Fairfield, Ohio, visited Ohio State on Saturday and another target, TE Mustapha Muhammad of Missouri City, Texas, visited Oklahoma State.

Clemson target LB Teradja Mitchell of Virginia Beach plans to visit Georgia this weekend.

BASKETBALL Zion Williamson (6-6) of Spartanburg Day was at USC’s recent game against Georgia and met with head coach Frank Martin after the Gamecocks’ narrow victory. Williamson also visited Clemson for the Virginia game and he got some face to face time with Tigers’ head coach Brad Brownell.

So, it’s clear the coaches of the state’s top two programs are playing the state pride card with Williamson, and why wouldn’t they after seeing a steady stream of top prospects leave the state.

Williamson also went to Kentucky this season for the Kansas game and he actually took in Wofford’s game this past Saturday.

He is looking to trim his long list of offers to his short list by the end of the summer, and as of now he does not expect to sign until the spring period of 2018. There are no current favorites.

Williamson said he will return to Spartanburg Day for his senior season where he hopes there will be a more national schedule for his team compared to this season.

Kaiden Rice (6-6) of Ridge View and Tariq Simmons (6-2) of Keenan committed to The Citadel.

Clemson offered 6-9 2019 Armando Bacot of Richmond, Virginia.

Bacot also has offers from Florida State, Georgetown, Georgia Tech, Miami, Wake Forest and James Madison. He has been to Virginia and was scheduled to visit Duke this past Saturday.

SPORTS

THE SUMTER ITEM

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2017

|

B3

AREA ROUNDUP

Lady Gators knock off Hilton Head Island 40-38 HILTON HEAD ISLAND — Lakewood’s varsity girls basketball team earned a 40-38 road victory over Hilton Head Island on Tuesday in the first round of the 4A state playoffs.

Ki’Ari Cain scored 21 points and had four rebounds for the Lady Gators, who improved to 10-11 overall.

Amber Hadden added six points and Lashala Harvin finished with seven.

LEE CENTRAL 36 SOUTHSIDE CHRISTIAN 25

SIMPSONVILLE — A’Yannah Lucas had 15 points and four rebounds as Lee Central earned a 36-25 victory over Southside Christian on Tuesday at the SC gymnasium in its opening game of the 2A state playoffs.

Alexis McMillan added 10 points, six rebounds and seven assists for the Lady Stallions, who advanced to face the Eau Claire/Christ Church winner on Friday.

THOMAS SUMTER 45 HAMMOND 33

COLUMBIA — Bree Stoddard had 20 points and 12 rebounds as Thomas Sumter Academy closed out the regular season with a 45-33 victory over Hammond at the Skyhawks gymnasium.

Aubrey Stoddard added with points and six rebounds for the Lady Generals. Josie Reed finished with six points and Carmen Silvester added five.

TSA, which improved to 21-4 overall, will play Greenwood Christian on Friday at 6:30 p.m. at Sumter Civic Center in the first round of the SCISA 2A state tournament.

JV BASKETBALL WILSON HALL 25 LAURENCE MANNING 19

Wilson Hall defeated Laurence Manning Academy 25-19 in overtime to win the SCISA Region II-3A tournament championship on Tuesday at

TITLES FROM PAGE B1

Sumter Civic Center.

The Lady Barons were led by Becca Cromer with seven points -- five of which came in the overtime period.

DuBose Alderman added six points as Wilson Hall finished the season with a 14-5 record.

Audrey Bennett led LMA with 11 points.

BOYS VARSITY BASKETBALL SCOTT’S BRANCH 57 CREEK BRIDGE 48

SUMMERTON — Terrence Yon led a trio of Scott’s Branch players in double figures with 17 points as the Eagles defeated Creek Bridge 57-48 on Tuesday at the SB gymnasium in the first round of the 1A state playoffs.

Marquez Hunt added 16 points for SBHS followed by BJ Brown with 10.

The Eagles, who improved to 11-6 overall, will now travel to Baptist Hill on Friday.

EAST CLARENDON 55 LOWCOUNTRY LEADERSHIP 43

TURBEVILLE — Chris White had 22 points and Jabari Rose added 16 as East Clarendon defeated Lowcountry leadership 55-43 on Tuesday at the ECHS gymnasium in the first round of the 1A state playoffs.

Jalen Bryant added eight points for the Wolverines followed by Taijay Calvin with six.

THOMAS SUMTER 58 WILLIAMSBURG 35

KINGSTREE — Zach Fugate scored 23 points as Thomas Sumter Academy picked up a 58-35 victory over Williamsburg Academy on Monday at the Stallions gymnasium.

Eli Kessinger added 12 points for the Generals, who improved to 10-14 overall.

VICTORY FROM PAGE B1

Elmore hit two 3-point baskets, a layup and a free throw to give the Lady Barons an 18-12 lead with just over four minutes left in the stanza.

The fourth quarter was a back-and-forth affair with the teams trading leads. But FC’s Madison Stewart went 5-for-7 at the charity stripe down the stretch to eventually allow the Lady Eagles to go up by two baskets with just under 25 seconds left.

“Defensively, I thought we did a really good job, but late in the game we were allowing them to get dribble-penetration and get to the free throw line,” said Rector, who was named co-coach of the year in the region. “Our press is pretty effective; we just weren’t scoring out of it.”

Elmore led WH with 11 points as eight Lady Barons scored. Mary Daniel Stokes and Courtney Clark each grabbed seven rebounds.

On the boys side, LMA jumped to a 21-6 lead after one quarter and led 48-20 at halftime. LMA’s guards were able to find ways into the lane all game — and got contributions from nearly everyone.

Nine Swampcats scored in the game, led by Terrell Houston’s 14. Greyson Dennis and Jerrell Kelly each added 12, while Seth Green and Cam Singleton each scored 10.

“We came out last night flat,” said LMA head coach Will Epps, who was named Coach of the Year in the region. “We played a team that we had beaten handily twice. You worry about that.

But the games responded and came out ready to play.

Took it to them from the start.”

Wilson Hall head coach

Eddie Talley knew his team faced a tough task in stopping the potent Swampcats, but the Barons were simply just outmatched on Tuesday.

“I wasn’t real pleased with our effort to start the game,” said Talley. “They’re quick and they attack you. We didn’t handle it well. We expended a lot of energy yesterday just trying to get here. Hats off to them.”

Drew Talley led the Barons with 12 points.

LMA and Wilson Hall will both open the 3A state tournament on Saturday against an opponent to be determined. The Lady Barons will take on Heathwood Hall at 8 p.m. at Wilson Hall.

The Lady Barons were represented by Diamond Crawford, Liza Segars, Stokes and Clark on the AllRegion team, with Clark taking home Player of the Year honors. Stokes and Elmore also made the AllTournament team.

LMA’s Cora Lee Downer also made the All-Region Team.

Drew Talley was named the region’s Player of the Year and was joined on the All-Region team by Greyson Sonntag. Green, Houston, Kelly, Taylor Lee and Jalil Robinson all made the AllRegion Team, with Houston, Lee and Kelly making the All-Tournament team. Talley and Grant DeVarona were also members of the All-Tournament team.

Kelly was voted Most Valuable Player of the tournament.

girls looked for one another because they know we need to play as one. That’s our motto. We’re family and we’ve got each others’ backs.

“I noticed over the last three weeks that Jah’Che has been improving a whole lot.

At the region meeting she was voted player of the year in our region. She played a real good game tonight, so I was so proud of Jah’Che and the way that she’s coming along.”

Destiny Jamison popped two 3-pointers among her 10 points while also contributing two steals and two assists, with Sedajah Rembert chipping in nine points, four steals and three assists.

“Destiny is hitting her outside jumper,” Wilson said.

“When she is doing that, I think we are a tough team to beat. Also, (co-captain) Lindsey (Rogers, who had four assists and two points) is controlling the offense with her point-guard skills. I’m proud of the way the whole team competed tonight and played, because we know we’re going to have to take it to another level come playoff time.”

Scha’Mari Stephens provided most of the offensive punch for the Lady Cougars, who closed their season with a 9-12 record. Stephens ended with 10 points, including her team’s lone point in the opening quarter and a hoop-and-harm play in the second quarter that saw her take a hard fall before get-

ed Colleton County’s first basket, making the score 274.

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is accepting public comments on a potential Voluntary Cleanup Contract until March 18, 2017.

The Voluntary Cleanup Contract, 16-6414-NRP, will affect approximately 8.9 acres identified by Sumter County tax map #s 2061202036, 2061202042, 2061202043 and 2061202044. A party by the name of Gusto SC Sumter (Pinewood) LLC wants to acquire the property. This Voluntary Cleanup Contract will be between DHEC and Gusto SC Sumter.

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NOTICE OF 30-DAY PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD Piggly Wiggly At Pinewood Site 337, 339, 341, 343, 345 & 347 Pinewood Road, 1981 & 1983 McCrays Mill Road, Sumter, SC

803.934.1484 phone: one: 803-236-0803 803 2 262 south pike west sumter, sc info@iamteamr.com www.iamteamr.com

RICK CARPENTER / THE SUMTER ITEM

Crestwood’s Tyana Saunders (10) drives inside for a layup against Colleton County’s Scha’Mari Stephens (15) during the Lady Knights’ 57-16 first-round playoff victory on Tuesday at The Castle.

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The Property is bounded to the north by a self-service car wash and small structures with Durant Road and residences beyond; to the east by wooded land, a strip mall, and residences beyond; to the south by a Rite-Aid drugstore, a strip mall, and McCrays Mill Road with businesses beyond; and to the west by Pinewood Road with businesses beyond. The Property is developed with two buildings and asphalt parking lot.

Gusto SC Sumter will acquire the Property and intends to raze the existing structures and prepare the Property for retail development. A new convenience store with a regulated underground storage tank system will be included in the redevelopment. If this Voluntary Cleanup Contract is implemented, DHEC will allow Gusto SC Sumter to own the property as a “Brownfields Site” because of the environmental contamination. Gusto SC Sumter did not cause the contamination but will control it to keep the property safe for re-use.

DHEC will not hold Gusto SC Sumter responsible for pre-existing contamination in exchange for doing work under the Voluntary Cleanup Contract. Under State law, Gusto SC Sumter will not be responsible if anyone has been affected by the contamination in the past. The responsibility of former owners or operators of the property is not reduced by this contract.

Under the proposed contract, Gusto SC Sumter will test soil and groundwater on the property. If significant contamination is found, Gusto SC Sumter will be required to take additional steps to protect human health and the environment.

DHEC uses Voluntary Cleanup Contracts to keep Brownfield sites in productive reuse. The proposed contract is available at http://www. scdhec.gov/PublicNotices/. Printed copies may be obtained from the DHEC Freedom of Information Office at (803) 898-3882.

The public may provide written, email, or telephone comments on the proposed contract through March 18, 2017. Questions or comments may be directed to Mark Berenbrok, Project Manager, by email at berenbmk@ dhec.sc.gov, telephone (803) 898-0736 or TOLL-FREE telephone (866) 576-3432. Written comments should be directed to Mark Berenbrok at SCDHEC, 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, South Carolina, 29201.

B4

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SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2017

THE SUMTER ITEM

CLEMSON BASKETBALL

Reed leads Clemson past Wake Forest

BY PETE IACOBELLI AP Sports Writer CLEMSON — Marcquise Reed scored 21 points and Jaron Blossomgame had 17 points and 10 rebounds as Clemson snapped a three-game losing streak with a 95-83 victory over Wake Forest on Tuesday night.

The Tigers (14-11, 4-9 Atlantic Coast Conference) had REED lost their past two games to Syracuse and No. 12 Duke by a combined three points.

This time, Clemson opened a double-digit lead at halftime and, despite a few scary moments for fans at Littlejohn Coliseum, held on to win their fourth straight over the Demon Deacons (15-11, 6-8).

The Tigers saw a 21-point lead shrink to 87-81 when John Collins hit two foul shots, Bryant Craw-

USC FROM PAGE B1 South Carolina cut its deficit to 40-37 midway through the third quarter, but Williams had consecutive layups to start an 11-2 run to close the period and basically seal the win.

“We just tried to stay poised and keep our composure, and just be more confident than the other team,” Williams said.

After the game ended, fake hundred dollar bills dropped from the roof of the arena with Auriemma’s face on them. The student section spelled out 100.

Auriemma never thought his team would come close to reaching the century mark, let alone break the previous record set by the Huskies from 2008-10. The Hall of Fame coach set up the most difficult non-conference schedule in the country, playing five of the top eight teams in the AP before Monday, including road games at No. 2 Maryland, No. 4 Florida State and No. 7 Notre Dame.

UConn came away victorious in each one.

“There were a lot of wins up in the stands tonight and a lot of championships,” Auriemma said. “If this would have been done by last year’s team, I think it would have been less heroic. ... For this

ford poked the ball away from Shelton Mitchell and followed with his third 3-pointer moments later.

But Mitchell and Avry Holmes each made two foul shots to extend the Tigers margin.

Collins, Wake’s smooth sophomore, finished with a career high 29 points, his ninth straight game with at least 20 points. That’s the longest such streak in ACC play since North Carolina State’s T.J. Warren accomplished it in 15 consecutive games.

Collins, who made 12 of 14 shots, surpassed his previous best of 27 set against Miami last month. He also had 10 rebounds.

Mitchell and Holmes had 15 points apiece for Clemson, which hit 29 of 57 shots to finish at 50.9 percent from the field — the second time in three games they topped the 50-percent mark.

THE BIG PICTURE Wake Forest: The Demon Deacons came in hoping to bolster a

NCAA Tournament bubble resume with a solid ACC road win.

But Wake Forest allowed the Tigers to shoot nearly 60 percent (16 of 27) from the floor and 50 percent on 3-pointers in the first half to take a 46-32 lead. Wake Forest came into the game 12th in the ACC in field-goal defense and three-point goal defense.

Clemson: The Tigers have been more than snakebit this season, they’ve been swallowed whole by the snake with six of their nine ACC losses coming by a combined 16 points. Just last week, Clemson fell 82-81 at home to Syracuse and 64-62 at Duke. The Tigers outscored Wake Forest 29-15 over the final nine minutes of the opening half to give themselves a solid working margin — and avoid any late-game drama.

UP NEXT Wake Forest plays at No. 12 Duke on Saturday.

Clemson heads to Miami on Saturday.

WORKOUTS FROM PAGE B1 following the deaths of pitchers Yordano Ventura last month and Jose Fernandez in September, and now the Arizona Diamondbacks are dealing with a serious health concern.

Their bench coach, former Minnesota Twins manager Ron Gardenhire, has prostate cancer and is set to have surgery. He said doctors believe they caught the cancer early.

The Diamondbacks went 69-93 and are one of a handful of National League teams that started workouts Tuesday amid tepid expectations. The Phillies, Reds and Rockies also finished well out the postseason hunt in 2016, but that doesn’t mean they can’t set goals for themselves.

Philadelphia manager Pete Mackanin wants to see his team play .500 baseball deeper into the season after the Phillies lost 91 games in 2016.

For the first time since 2009, the Giants are entering an odd-numbered year without a World Series title to defend, but San Francisco made the playoffs last year as a wild card and looks like a contender again in 2017.

Manager Bruce Bochy, needless to say, was upbeat Tuesday.

“It’s a day you look forward to, getting a chance to see everybody and hear the sound of the bat, watch these guys work out again, so it’s a good day,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. “It’s a beautiful day, to work out with. Great to be here.”

team to do it, given where we started and where people projected us to be, given who we had coming back and given who everybody else had coming back, for them to do it I think is very appropriate.”

The game against the Gamecocks may be the Huskies’ last challenge before the NCAA Tournament. They are 75-0 in the American Athletic Conference since joining in 2013.

Considering they most likely won’t leave the state of Connecticut until the Final Four in Dallas with the first two rounds on campus and then a regional in Bridgeport, the streak may not end anytime soon.

Huskies. Joining Bird, Stewart, Moore and Charles were Kalana Greene, Caroline Doty, Asjha Jones and Morgan Tuck. Bria Hartley, who just gave birth a few weeks ago to her first child, also was in the crowd. Rebecca Lobo was in Gampel Pavilion as well, working for ESPN.

CHASING 131 UConn is still short of the overall college basketball record for consecutive wins.

The Wayland Baptist women’s basketball team won 131 straight from 1953-58. It wasn’t the NCAA back then, it was the AAU.

STRUGGLING SAMUELSON Leading scorer Katie Lou Samuelson had a game to forget. She missed her first eight shots before scoring her first points with 6:54 left in the third quarter. She came into the game averaging 21.4 points and finished with just six on 2 for 12 shooting.

“Any of us have an off the game, the rest of the team will be there to pick us up,” Collier said.

BIG PICTURE UConn: This was the Huskies 10th game this season against a team in the current Top 25, but only two of those games have come since Jan. 1.

UConn faces one more ranked opponent, when they visit No. 22 South Florida to close out the regular season. ... Of the 100 games, 59 have been decided by more than 40 points.

Only two (Florida State and Maryland) were fewer than 10-point wins.

South Carolina: The Gamecocks came into the game scoring an average of 77 points and giving up just 54.9.

The Gamecocks entered 5-0 against ranked opponents this

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Connecticut’s Gabby Williams shoots as South Carolina’s Alaina Coates, right, defends in the Gamecocks’ 65-55 loss on Monday in Storrs, Connecticut. season. ... They were 0-4 against UConn. ... Wilson finished with 17 points to lead the Gamecocks, followed by

Coates with 10.

KISS THE RINGS It was alum night for the

UP NEXT UConn: The Huskies travel to New Orleans for a game Saturday at Tulane South Carolina: The Gamecocks head back home to face Vanderbilt on Thursday night.

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SPORTS

THE SUMTER ITEM

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2017

|

B5

SPORTS ITEMS

AP source says Oakley’s ban from MSG lifted NEW YORK — Charles Oakley is allowed back in Madison Square Garden, though the former New York Knicks star says he wants an apology before he would return.

MSG chairman James Dolan banned Oakley last week, two days after the former power forward had an altercation with security guards while attending a game and was arrested.

But the sides reconciled, helped by a meeting Monday at NBA headquarters with Commissioner Adam Silver, with Hall of Famer Michael Jordan participating in by phone. Jordan and Oak-

ley were teammates in Chicago before Oakley was traded to New York.

Dolan then decided Oakley is welcome back at the arena, a person briefed on the discussions told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

(13) KENTUCKY 83, TENNESSEE 58 LEXINGTON, Ky. — Malik Monk had 20 points and a career-high eight rebounds, Derek Willis had 16 points and Kentucky made 10 of its 11 3-point attempts in the first half to roll past Tennessee on Tuesday night.

The Wildcats (21-5, 11-2 SEC) held

Tennessee (14-12, 6-7) to 35 percent shooting and led by as many as 28 points.

(15) FLORIDA 114, AUBURN 95 AUBURN, Ala. — Canyon Barry scored a season-high 30 points and Florida (21-5, 11-2 SEC) rode a big second-half surge to a win over Auburn (16-10, 5-8).

(16) PURDUE 74, RUTGERS 55 WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Center Isaac Haas had 24 points and 11 rebounds, and power forward Caleb

Swanigan added 12 points and 17 rebounds, and No. 16 Purdue (21-5, 10-3 Big Ten) pulled away from Rutgers (13-14, 2-12).

(25) NOTRE DAME 84, B. COLLEGE 76 BOSTON — Bonzie Colson scored 20 points, Matt Farrell had 19 and Notre Dame (20-7, 9-5 ACC) overcame a 13point first-half deficit for a victory over Boston College (9-18, 2-12).

Ky Bowman led the Golden Eagles with 29 points.

From wire reports

PREP BASKETBALL

SCHSL STATE PLAYOFFS BOYS

5A First Round Today Upper State (4) Greenwood at (1) T.L. Hanna (3) Spartanburg at (2) Clover (4) Woodmont at (1) Wade Hampton (3) Nation Ford at (2) Gaffney (4) Northwestern at (1) Dorman (3) Easley at (2) Hillcrest (4) Byrnes at (1) Fort Mill (3) Riverside at (2) Westside Lower State (4) Carolina Forest at (1) Goose Creek (3) Dutch Fork at (3) Conway (5) Fort Dorchester at (2) West Florence (4) Wando at (2) Irmo (5) Spring Valley at (1) Sumter (4) Lexington at (2) West Ashley (6) Stratford at (1) Blythewood (4) Socastee at (3) Summerville 4A First Round Today Upper State (4) Richland Northeast at (1) Wren (3) South Aiken at (2) Travelers Rest (4) Daniel at (1) Ridge View (3) Greer at (2) North Augusta (4) Midland Valley at (1) Eastside (3) South Pointe at (2) Greenville (4) Union County at (1) Aiken (3) Belton-Honea Path at (2) Westwood Lower State (4) Marlboro County at (1) A.C. Flora (3) Beaufort at (2) Crestwood (4) Chapin at (1) Wilson (3) Hartsville at (2) Colleton County (4) Hilton Head Island at (1) Lakewood (3) North Myrtle Beach at (2) Lower Richland (4) Darlington at (1) Berkeley (3) Dreher at (2) Myrtle Beach 3A First Round Tuesday Upper State (4) Broome at (1) Chester

(3) Walhalla at (2) Berea (4) Indian Land at (1) Clinton (3) Emerald at (2) Pendleton (4) West-Oak at (1) Southside (3) Newberry at (2) Camden (1) Seneca 65, Carolina 54 (3) Fairfield Central at (2) Chapman Lower State (4) Pelion at (1) Ridgeland-Hardeeville (3) Manning at (2) Loris (4) Bluffton at (1) Brookland-Cayce (3) Lake City at (2) Timberland (4) Lake Marion at (1) Dillon (3) Swansea at (2) Wade Hampton (4) Waccamaw at (1) Bishop England (3) May River at (2) Strom Thurmond 2A First Round Today Upper State (4) Saluda at (1) St. Joseph’s (3) Pageland Central at (2) Southside Christian (4) Chesnee at (1) Gray Collegiate (3) Abbeville at (2) Andrew Jackson (4) North Central at (1) Greenville Tech (3) Fox Creek at (2) Landrum (4) Liberty at (1) Lee Central (3) Blacksburg at (2) Keenan Lower State (5) Cheraw at (1) Marion (4) Andrews at (2) Whale Branch (5) Latta at (1) Burke (4) Garrett at (2) Silver Bluff (5) Academic Magnet at (1) Calhoun County (3) Kingstree at (3) Batesburg-Leesville (5) Bamberg-Ehrhardt at (2) Carvers Bay (4) Allendale-Fairfax at (3) Woodland 1A First Round Tuesday Upper State (3) Ridge Spring-Monetta at (3) McBee

OBITUARIES JAMES S. BRASWELL James S. “Jim” Braswell, known by family as “Sam,” 85, beloved husband of Mary Ann Jackson Braswell, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2017, at his home.

Born on Aug. 28, 1931, he was a son of the late BRASWELL Stanley and Ruth Campbell Braswell from Abbeville. He retired from the U.S. Air Force as an air traffic controller after 20 years of service. He then worked for the S.C. National Guard in Columbia, known then as Leesburg Training Center, where he was honored with a street named for him. He was a hard worker and enjoyed keeping busy. He loved the outdoors and was an avid fisherman.

He loved music and enjoyed playing his guitar. He loved his family and was always there for them. He served as a deacon in church when he was younger and as a Sunday school teacher and superintendent. He was a member of First Baptist Church and attended Solid Rock Baptist Church.

He leaves his devoted wife of 60 years; three sons, Michael D. Braswell (Sandra) of Pelion, and James S. Braswell Jr. and Douglas Braswell, both of Sumter; seven grandchildren, Andy Braswell and Brian Braswell, both of Denver, Colorado, Tyler Braswell, Brooke Braswell, Amie Braswell and Sean Braswell, all of Sumter, and Sam Braswell of North Carolina; and siblings, Ann Carnly (Ray) of Ala-

bama, Wenona Newton (Oliver), Wilma Uldrich, Brenda Munday, John “Buddy” Braswell (Sumi) and Karen Braswell, all of Abbeville.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Elton Braswell and Giles Braswell.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday at the Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Larry Hummel officiating. Burial with full military honors will be in Evergreen Memorial Park cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday at Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to Solid Rock Baptist Church, 185 Lakewood Drive, Sumter, SC 29150.

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

DELOIS H. BERRY ALCOLU — Delois Harrison Berry, 60, died on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017, at her residence, 1418 Cooter Creek Road, Alcolu.

She was born on Jan. 25, 1957, BERRY in Alcolu, a daughter of the late Joseph Harrison Sr. and Sarah Peterson Harrison.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday at Green Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Alcolu with the Rev. Delbert Singleton, pastor, officiating, assisted by the Rev. Henry Blackwell, the Rev. Dr. Franklin D. Colclough Sr., Minister Allen Hammett

(5) Wagener-Salley at (2) McCormick (4) Estill at (3) Ware Shoals (2) Timmonsville 69, (4) High Point 55 Lower State (3) Hannah-Pamplico at (3) Charleston Math & Science (5) Lowcountry Leadership at (2) East Clarendon (4) St. John’s at (3) C.E. Murray (4) Creek Bridge at (2) Scott’s Branch

GIRLS

5A First Round Tuesday Upper State (4) Mauldin at (1) T.L. Hanna (3) Byrnes at (2) Clover (4) Easley at (1) Wade Hampton (3) Nation Ford at (2) Gaffney (4) Fort Mill at (1) Dorman (3) Westside at (2) Hillcrest (4) Boiling Springs at (1) Rock Hill (3) Greenwood at (2) Woodmont Lower State (4) South Florence at (1) Goose Creek (3) Lexington at (3) West Florence (5) Ashley Ridge at (2) Carolina Forest (4) West Ashley at (2) Irmo (5) Blythewood at (1) Conway (4) Dutch Fork at (2) Wando (6) James Island at (1) Spring Valley (4) Socastee at (3) Fort Dorchester 4A First Round Tuesday Upper State (4) Lancaster at (1) Greenville (3) South Aiken at (2) Eastside (4) Wren at (1) Ridge View (3) Travelers Rest at (2) Midland Valley (4) Aiken at (1) Greer (3) Richland Northeast at (2) Daniel (4) Union County at (1) North Augusta (3) Pickens at (2) Westwood Lower State (4) St. James at (1) Lower Richland

III and Minister Bennie Epps.

Burial will follow in the churchyard cemetery.

The family is receiving friends at her residence.

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

(3) Stall at (2) Hartsville (4) Dreher at (1) Myrtle Beach (3) Darlington at (2) Berkeley (4) Colleton County at (1) Crestwood (3) North Myrtle Beach at (2) Orangeburg-Wilkinson (4) Lakewood at (1) Hilton Head Island (3) A.C. Flora at (2) Wilson 3A First Round Monday Upper State Fairfield Central 48, (4) Broome 28 Southside 64, (3) Walhalla 46 Newberry 86, (4) Camden 48 Pendleton 69, (3) Powdersville 51 Emerald 69, (4) West-Oak 43 Indian Land 54, (3) Mid-Carolina 38 Seneca 81 (4) Berea 27 Woodruff 48, (3) Columbia 30 Lower State Ridgeland-Hardeeville 56, (4) Gilbert 26 Loris 62, (3) Timberland 59 Swansea 47, (4) May River 20 Manning 75, (3) Georgetown 43 Dillon 45, (4) Hanahan 15 Battery Creek 61, (3) BrooklandCayce 39] Bishop England 79, (4) Lake City 26 Strom Thurmond 43, (3) Bluffton 40 Second Round Thursday Upper State (2) Southside at (1) Fairfield Central (2) Pendleton at (1) Newberry (2) Indian Land at (1) Emerald (2) Woodruff at (1) Seneca Lower State (2) Loris at (1) Ridgeland-Hardeville (2) Manning at (1) Swansea (2) Battery Creek at (1) Dillon (2) Strom Thurmond at (1) Bishop England 2A First Round Tuesday Upper State (4) Eau Claire at (1) Christ Church (3) Lee Central at (2) Southside Christian (4) Blacksburg at (1) Keenan

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

The family has chosen Bullock Funeral Home for the arrangements.

BRADY M. LAMBERT SR. Brady Mitchell Lambert Sr. went to be with the Lord on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2017.

Born on June 15, in Conway, he was a son of the late Richard Raleigh Lambert Jr. and Odell Langston Lambert.

He was a member of Covenant Bible Church and New Calvary Church. Brady ministered the gospel through music in churches and over internet radio, always dedicating his shows to the military.

Surviving are a son, Brady M. Lambert Jr.; four grandchildren, Keonta, Brandon, Cody and Shania; several great-grandchildren; four sisters, Libby Harris and her husband, George, June Nicholes, Richardean Martin and Teresa Feagin; and one brother, Dexter Lambert and his wife, Debbie.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, George Lambert; and a sister, Maryanne Lambert.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday at the Bullock Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday at Andrews Memorial Cemetery.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service from 10 to 11 a.m. at Bullock Funeral Home and other times at the family home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 128 Stonemark Lane, Columbia, SC 29210.

A CMS Five-Star Rated Facility

ROBERT J. ARTUS Robert John Artus, age 81, beloved husband of the late Virginia S. Artus, died on Friday, Feb. 10, 2017, at his residence.

Born in Patterson, New Jersey, he was a son of the late Alex and Barbara Romanick Artus. Mr. Artus worked for Ford Motor Co. as a quality control inspector and retired after 20 years of loyal service.

He was a member of the Pinewood Lions Club, where he served as secretary; chairman of the Eastern Carolina United Auto Workers; Sumter Masters Gardeners; and former fire chief of the Oakland Fire Department in Oakland, New Jersey. He was active with Habit for Humanity and American Red Cross.

Surviving are two children, Robert John Artus Jr. and his wife, Tracey, of Willow Street, Pennsylvania, and Jane Smetts and her husband, Joseph, of Bricktown, New Jersey; and five grandchildren, Danielle, Robert, Monica, Alex and David; and his beloved dog, Dickie.

(3) Liberty at Cheraw (4) Chesterfield at (1) Ninety Six (3) Saluda at (2) Landrum (4) Abbeville at (1) Andrew Jackson (3) St. Joseph’s at (2) Gray Collegiate Lower State (5) Buford at (1) Mullins (4) Carvers Bay at (2) Academic Magnet (5) Andrews at (1) Burke (4) North Charleston at (2) Barnwell (5) Whale Branch at (1) BatesburgLeesville (3) Latta at (3) Bamberg-Ehrhardt (5) Calhoun County at (2) Marion (4) Allendale-Fairfax at (3) Woodland 1A First Round Monday Upper State (3) Estill 54, (3) McBee 26 (2) Calhoun Falls 54, (5) BlackvilleHilda 33 (4) Hunter-Kinard-Tyler 29, (3) Dixie 23 (2) Timmonsville 47, (4) High Point 25 Lower State Hannah-Pamplico 58, (3) Baptist 38 (2) Green Sea-Floyds 76, (5) Military Magnet 20 (3) Scott’s Branch 50, (4) St. John’s 17 (4) Lake View 58, (2) C.E. Murray 44 Second Round Thursday Upper State (3) Estill at (1) McCormick (2) Calhoun Falls at (2) DenmarkOlar (4) Hunter-Kinard-Tyler at (1) Lamar (2) Timmonsville at (1) Ridge SpringMonetta Lower State Hannah-Pamplico at (1) Cross (2) Green Sea-Floyds at (2) Palmetto Scholars (3) Scott’s Branch at (1) East Clarendon (4) Lake View at (1) Charleston Math & Science

The family will receive friends from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday at Bullock Funeral Home, 1190 Wilson Hall Road, Sumter.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Sandra Hassard.

Memorials may be made to the Sumter SPCA, 1140 S. Guignard Drive, Sumter, SC 29150.

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

The family has chosen Bullock Funeral Home of Sumter for the arrangements.

DOROTHY N. MILLER MANNING — Dorothy Neil Miller, age 75, died on Monday, Feb. 13, 2017.

Arrangements are incomplete at this time and will be announced by Bullock Funeral Home.

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CLASSIFIEDS

THE ITEM

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2017

MAYO’S “FABULOUS FEBRUARY SALE”

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Choose ONE suit at our REGULAR PRICE Get SECOND suit of equal or less value for ONLY $1.00!

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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 Unfurnished Homes

ANNOUNCEMENTS EMPLOYMENT Lost & Found Lost Dachshund/chihuahua Mix Male black & Tan lost from Highview st area 803-305-9035 464-8770

In Memory

Help Wanted Full-Time New Today Positions Available Bottled water plant seeking Exp. line leaders, operators, & electrical and mechanical maintenance, with Exp. on high speed automated production equipment. Also Exp. food QA manager and warehouse manager. All applicants must apply in person between the hrs. of 8am-5pm, Mon.-Fri. at Hickory Springs Bottle Inc. 347 Old River Rd. Elloree, S.C. 29047 Truck Driver Helena Chemical Co. has an opening for an experienced truck driver with a Class B CDL & a hazmat endorsement. This person would make deliveries, load & unload products, ability to use forklift, & perform various warehouse duties. Requires a high school diploma or GED equivalent. Offers excellent benefits package.

Happy Birthday Denver A.K.A Den-lo G. Williams 2/15/86-05/26/15 We miss you and will never forget your smile!

Love Moma, Sons, Brothers, The Williams, and Mccoy Family.

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

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

Lawn Service Pearson's Lawn Service & Landscaping Free Estimates Call 803-406-3514

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

Criminal, Family, Accident, Injury

Roofing Robert's Metal Roofing 35 Yrs exp. 45 yr warranty. Financing avail. Expert installation. Long list of satisfied customers. 803-837-1549.

Tree Service Ricky's Tree Service Tree removal, stump grinding, Lic & ins, free quote, 803-435-2223 or cell 803-460-8747.

NEWMAN'S TREE SERVICE Tree removal, trimming & stump grinding. Lic/Ins 803-316-0128

MERCHANDISE Garage, Yard & Estate Sales Sandy's Bargain Bin Business for Sale $15,000 2600 Peach Orchard Rd All contents for sale for one money. Building can be rented and kept as is or you can move contents out. 30 Years in business, time to retire. Open Tues-Sat 10-5pm

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

Applications may be submitted in person at 5055 Florence Hwy, Mayesville, SC 29104 or Resumes can be emailed to hodgea @helenachemical.com of faxed to 803-453-5153.

Pre-employment drug screen required Truck Shop Diesel mechanic needed. Local shop looking to grow.

General knowledge of trucks/trailers a must. Welding skills desired. CDL pref. but not mandatory. Typical work wk is Tues.-Sat. Competitive hrly salary based on exp/knowledge.

Call Michael 803-316-2113 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 Wanted mature female, for maid service. Must be dependable, honest, hardworking individual with own transportation. Must pass drug test and back ground check. Call 803-968-6796 Help wanted, Pressers. Apply in person Tom & Mary's Cleaner's 1784 Peach Orchard Rd. F/T HVAC Service Tech position available. Gene's Heating & Air, LLC, Requirements: • Valid SCDL with clean record • Reliable attendance & punctuality • Excellent customer service skills • Prefer 5 yr. with NATE certified Applications available Email resume to: geneshvacap @ftc-i.net

RENTALS Unfurnished Apartments Senior Living Apartments for those 62+ (Rent based on income) Shiloh-Randolph Manor 125 W. Bartlette.

775-0575 Studio/1 Bedroom apartments available EHO 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 2- 3BR/1BA Apts for rent. Kitchen, den, LR $550 Mo.+ Dep. Call 775-6228 or 983-3401

Unfurnished Homes Near SHS, 3BR, 1BA brick home, carport, C/H/A $700/mo +$700/dep.

Call 803-840-0207

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

STATEBURG COURTYARD 2 & 3 Br, Sec. 8 803-494-4015 Lg 2BR 2BA, C/H/A, $550/mo & dep. Incl water, sewage, garbage dishwasher & fireplace. Adults only, max 3 people, No pets & No Sec 8.

Behind Shaw. 803-236-3780 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 16x80 SW, 3BR/2BA, C/H/A, no inside pets, max of five people. $500month + $500 deposit. Located on Shetland off Ramsey Rd. Call 803-481-8134

Mobile Home Lot Rentals 1 Lot For Mobile home. Rent $165 /mo. Incl's water & Sewage. Peaceful neighborhood. Off 521 N. 1.5 miles passed Kmart Call. 803-983-3121

Avalon Tanning Bed ESB Model 2400 w/canopy Excellent shape, used very little. All bulbs working $1000 call 803-452-5469

STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF SUMTER

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

Beer & Wine License Notice Of Application Notice is hereby given that Vitthalkrupa Inc. dba Mozingos ABC Store intends to apply to the South Carolina Department of Revenue for a license permit that will allow the sale OFF premises consumption of liquor at 3350 N. Main St., Unit B, Sumter, Sc 29153. To object to the issuance of this permit / license, written protest must be postmarked no later than March 3, 2017. For a protest to be valid, it must be in writing, and should include the following information: (1) the name, address and telephone number of the person filing the protest; (2) the specific reasons why the application should be denied; (3) that the person protesting is willing to attend a hearing (if one is requested by the applicant); (4) that the person protesting resides in the same county where the proposed place of business is located or within five miles of the business; and (5) the name of the applicant and the address of the premises to be licensed. Protests must be mailed to: S.C. Department of Revenue, ATTN: ABL, P.O. Box 125, Columbia, South Carolina 29214; or Faxed to: (803) 896-0110.

Autos For Sale

-vsWillie Mae Patricia Morales and RJM Acquisitions, LLC, Defendant(s) TO THE DEFENDANT(S), Acquisitions, LLC

IN THE FAMILY COURT FOR THE THIRD JUDICIAL CIRCUIT DOCKET NO.: 2016-DR-43-1498

Mobile Home Rentals 3BR 1.5BA MH for Rent Located in Whispering Pines MHP off Bethel Church Rd $525 mo.+deposit at signing of lease Contact David 803-468-3724

LEGAL NOTICES SUMMONS

Rent: 1425 Morris Way Dr. 3BR/2BA, 1,900 sq ft. fenced yard. sprinkler system, new roof, new carpet. Very spacious. $1,100/mo + $1,100/dep.

803-757-4010

James Warren, Plaintiff, vs.

Betty Warren, Defendant.

TO: THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANT, BETTY WARREN: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED and required to answer the Complaint in this action, of which a copy is herewith served upon you, and to serve a copy of your Answer to said Complaint on the subscribed, 109 North Main Street, Post Office Box 1211, Sumter, South Carolina 29151, within thirty (30) days after the service hereof, exclusive of the date of such service; and if you fail to answer the Complaint within the time aforesaid judgment by default will be rendered against you for the relief demanded in the Complaint.

THE DEAS LAW FIRM GARRYL L. DEAS, ESQUIRE 109 NORTH MAIN STREET POST OFFICE BOX 1211 SUMTER, SOUTH CAROLINA 29151 (803) 775-7004 ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFF

SUMMONS (Deficiency Judgment Waived) (Mortgage Foreclosure) Non-Jury IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS CASE NO. 2017-CP-43-00006

YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED and required to answer the Complaint in this action, and to serve a copy of your Answer on the subscribers at their offices, 1640 St. Julian Place, Columbia, South Carolina 29202, within thirty (30) days after service hereof, exclusive of the day of such service; except that the United States of America, if named, shall have sixty (60) days to answer after the service hereof, exclusive of the day of such service; and if you fail to answer the Complaint within the time aforesaid, the Plaintiff in this action will apply to the Court for a judgment by default granting the relief demanded in the Complaint.

TO MINOR(S) OVER FOURTEEN YEARS OF AGE, AND/OR TO MINOR(S) UNDER FOURTEEN YEARS OF AGE AND THE PERSON WITH WHOM THE MINOR(S) RESIDE(S), AND/OR TO PERSON UNDER SOME LEGAL DISABILITY, INCOMPETENTS AND PERSONS CONFINED AND PERSON IN THE MILITARY: YOUR ARE FURTHER SUMMONED AND NOTIFIED to apply for the appointment of a Guardian ad Litem within thirty (30) days after service of this Summons and Notice upon you. If you fail to do so, application for such appointment will be made by the Plaintiff.

NOTICE OF FILING COMPLAINT YOU WILL PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Summons and Complaint in the above-captioned action were filed on January 5, 2017, in the Office of the Clerk of Court for Sumter County, South Carolina.

Crawford & von Keller, LLC PO Box 4216 1640 St. Julian Place (29204) Columbia, SC 29204 Phone: 803-790-2626 Attorneys for Plaintiff

Ditech Financial, LLC f/k/a Green Tree Servicing LLC Plaintiff,

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Contact Steve at 1-336-465-1272 for details.

3/4 Acre, Eagles Nest Electric, water, $3900 Call 713-870-0216

TRANSPORTATION

Autos For Sale 2004 Impala LS 3.8, 113,500mi.

Asking $3500 646-319-8992 2006 Toyota Sienna 108k, new tires, garage kept, excellent condition. $7000 OBO Call 803-469-6228

$8499.00 Tax, Tag & Doc Fee Extra

If you have good, dependable transportation, a phone in your home, and a desire to earn extra income

Call REDA at 774-1257 or Apply in Person at

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

36 W. Liberty St. Sumter, SC 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.”

FOR SALE BY SEALED BID

“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.”

131 Hauser St. 2.43 acres and buildings. www.land.scana.com (803) 217-9171

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.

STATEBURG COURTYARD

RJM

STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF SUMTER

REAL ESTATE

Open every weekend. Call 803-494-5500

For Sale or Trade

Miscellaneous

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.

INVITATION FOR BIDS

New & used Heat pumps & A/C. Will install/repair, Call 803-968-9549 or 843-992-2364

Sumter Housing Authority will receive proposals for painting services for all properties on or before March 7, 2017 until 2:00 p.m. at the administrative Office located at 15 Caldwell Street in Sumter, SC.

6 drawer dresser, in good condition. $150 Call 803-469-5762

Bids shall be in sealed envelopes labeled as follows:

Roll top desk & chair, oak wood. $400 OBO Call 803-773-4924

Bid Submitted From: ____________________________________________________ For: Painting Services Date/Time of bidding Opening: March 7, 2017 @ 2:00 pm

4 almost new wooden chairs for sale. $25 each Call 803-587-0009

Contract Documents, include specifications and bid due dates, are available at the Administrative Office, 15 Caldwell St. Sumter, SC between 8:30 and 5:00 Monday thru Thursdays and before 1:30 pm on Friday, or by calling (803) 774-7315.

Two spaces for sale at Evergreen Cemetery. Both for $3000. Call 571-723-7363.

Spacious 2 & 3 Bedroom Units Paved Streets & Parking Well Landscaped Lawns Central Heat & Air Patrolled by Private Security Quiet Family Living

Private lot, Near Shaw, 1 block from Peach Orchard Plaza

For More Info Call: 803-494-4015

Attention is called to the Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Provisions and Requirements of all contracts entered into by the Housing Authority of Sumter. All bids will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital or veteran status, the presence of non-job related medical condition of handicap, or any other legally protected status.

The Housing Authority of Sumter reserves the right to reject any and all bids or to waive any informality in the bidding process. No bid shall be withdrawn for a period of thirty (30) days subsequent to opening of the bids without the consent of the Housing Authority of Sumter.

Wayne Turner Modernization Coordinator 803-774-7315 TDD# 1-800-545-1833 Ext. 100

SECTION

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2017 Call Ivy Moore at: (803) 774-1221 | E-mail: ivy@theitem.com

PHOTO PROVIDED

Three elegantly clad guests enjoy mingling on the porch of the O’Donnell House, 120 E. Liberty St., during last year’s Sumter Disabilities Benefit Gala.

3rd gala benefits community Foundation serves developmentally disabled

BY IVY MOORE ivy@theitem.com

She was impressed by the gala itself, but especially by the funds raised and how they’ve arch is Disabilities Awareness Month, and the been used, Meyers said.

Her daughter Madeline, 14, Sumter County Developmental Disabilities is a consumer who is “very Foundation will celebrate with its third annual social,” Meyers said, and enSumter Disabilities Benefit Gala. The event is a cocktail/ joys getting dressed up and mingling at the gala. One way black tie optional dinner and wine tasting designed to Madeline benefits directly from the fundraiser is by parraise funds for developmentally disabled individuals in ticipating in the softball Sumter. It will be held at the O’Donnell House from 6 to league it sponsors, along with local businesses.

9 p.m. on Thursday, March 23.

As for the gala itself, Gretchen said, it’s become an event ond year, $43,000.

In order to raise funds, the “people look forward to, a rare “We made some purchases Foundation hosts the gala evechance to dress up and enjoy to improve quality of life for ning each March with the asour 500 consumers who live in gourmet foods they’re not likely sistance of businesses and into get elsewhere. Support from 22 group residences,” Chase dividuals in the Sumter comthe community is outstanding.” munity, said Shelly Brown, as- said, “and we are looking at Brown agreed, adding that some possible long term projsistant to the executive directhere is no set schedule of ects, including improvements tor of the Sumter County Deevents at the gala, “It’s an evevelopmental Disabilities Foun- to the workshop facility” on ning to dress up and have a Electric Drive. dation Board, Thoyd Warren.

Also among the board’s proj- good time, knowing you’re also “The gala has been very suchelping the community.” In adects are providing funding for cessful in its first two years,” dition to fine food and wine, she Brown said. “The first year, we funeral expenses, tickets for said, “We have a wonderful sicommunity activities such as were very pleased with the lent auction with 50-plus items concerts and other perforsupport. The second year, we donated by local businesses, mances, computers and perwere amazed at the support. and excellent wines.” sonal needs.

We sold out of tickets and reBrown said that in addition to Brown added that the Founceived overwhelming support dation has funded a family fun providing the facility at no from sponsors. And that’s a day and carnival, “giving fami- charge, Wanda Hunter of the good thing.”

Chip Chase, president of the ly members the opportunity to O’Donnell House prepares much of the gourmet meal, see what their consumers can foundation, said the substanwith other local restaurants and do,” as well as many similar tial funds raised by the gala businesses providing fine foods. events. are used “to purchase items Among them are Lilfred’s, WilGretchen Meyers went as a and make improvements that guest to the first gala, she said, lie Sue’s, Outback, Logan’s, are not covered by state fundBaker’s Sweets, Edible Arrangeand was very impressed. The ing or Medicaid.” ments and Chick-fil-A. Piggly following year, she was a The first year, he said, the Wiggly, IGA, Independence Seagala raised $28,000 and the sec- Foundation Board member.

M

food and Manchester Farms provide food for preparation.

“The menu is so popular, we are keeping it very similar to last year’s,” Brown said.

Served during the gala will be sashimi-style ahi tuna, quail medallions with grits, tender beef round, chicken tenders, teriyaki beef, desserts by Baker’s Sweets, chocolate-covered strawberries and truffles, Cajun boiled shrimp cocktails, potato gnocchi, Asian-style egg rolls, fruit and gourmet cheese display, mini-tomato pies and additional dishes prepared by Lilfred’s and Willie Sue’s. Wine from three S.C. distributors will be served, along with assorted beers.

Music will again be provided by the duo From the Morning, who are Kevin Jarvis and Ashlee Holloman.

Chase said demand for tickets is great, especially with the number sold limited to 400. He advises early purchase, as do Meyers and Brown.

Beyond wishing to help with the good projects the foundation funds, “People hear about how fantastic the gala is, and they want to attend,” Chase said.

“It’s a very successful, fun evening, and people know all the funds go directly to help folks. It makes me proud of our community. People here are very generous.”

Sumter County Developmental Disabilities Foundation was established 20 years ago solely

to raise funds for those consumers who have needs beyond those funded by the state and Medicaid, which include early intervention, job training, supported employment, Sumter work enterprises and more. Several local companies outsource jobs to the DSN center, where consumers complete various tasks for them, such as sorting printed materials, inserting flyers, assembling boxes and more.

Some provide landscaping and lawn services for private homes and public institutions. Job training is just one way DSN strives to make individual consumers as independent as possible, according to its vision and mission statements.

There are five sponsorship levels for the gala, starting at $250 for the Patron level, which includes two complimentary tickets, up to the Diamond, or $5,000 level, which includes eight tickets; all sponsorships include other benefits, as well.

Individual tickets are $75 per person; tickets can be purchased online or by sending a check to the Sumter County Developmental Disabilities Foundation, Attn: Shelly Brown, 750 Electric Drive, Sumter, SC 29153. Reach her at (803) 7781669, Ext. 119. To purchase tickets online, log on to facebook. com/events/224853791188068/ and click on the link to pull up the Eventbrite site. The Foundation is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization.

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

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COMICS

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 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

Husband’s affair might be about money, not love DEAR ABBY — I am 68 and my husband is 80. I just found out he is involved with a 40-year-old woman. He says it is not Dear Abby an affair beABIGAIL cause they VAN BUREN haven’t actually had sex!

I don’t know what to do. Can you help me?

Heartbroken in New Mexico

her. Whether she is in love with HIM is open to question.

However, if your husband is giving her money, you might have an argument that he is being manipulated into it, which could qualify as elder abuse. Remember, too, if you are a longtime wife in a community property state, half of the assets acquired during your marriage are yours. If he doesn’t agree to end the relationship, this is something you might want to discuss with a lawyer.

DEAR HEARTBROKEN — Your husband may not be having an affair in the physical sense, but he IS having an emotional affair. He may be flattered by the attention he’s receiving from a younger woman, or he may think he’s actually in love with

DEAR ABBY — Today I called my church to cancel my attendance at a retreat a month from now. I had paid $25 to hold my spot. When I stated my reason for calling, the church secretary said, “Do you want a refund or would you like to donate to-

JUMBLE THAT SCRAMBLED WORD GAME

By David L Hoyt and Jeff Knurek

THE DAILY CROSSWORD PUZZLE

ward tithes?” I thought this was nervy. I told her to refund the money. What is your thought on this?

Wants a refund in Brentwood, California DEAR WANTS — Just this: You were offered an option, and you chose the one you preferred. Let it go.

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.

Abby shares more than 100 of her favorite recipes in two booklets: “Abby’s Favorite Recipes” and “More Favorite Recipes by Dear Abby.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $14 (U.S. funds) to: Dear Abby, Cookbooklet Set, 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 See 1-Down 5 Risk taker 10 Minimally 14 He sang about Alice 15 Ooze with 16 Bond’s first movie foe 17 Word with interest or service 18 Lavin of “Alice” 19 Water retainer 20 *More than is wise 22 River racers 24 Rose of Guns N’ Roses 25 Poetic pair 26 *Luxury resort chain 31 “__ to leap tall buildings ...”

32 “David Copperfield” villain 33 Cain, to Abel, informally 36 *Dominated the election 41 Teachers’ org.

42 Sufficient, to Shakespeare 43 Working hard 44 *Complete with ease 48 Descends, as a rock wall

2/15/17 52 Fluke-to-be 53 Worried 54 Farewells ... or, homophonically and read top to bottom, what the first words of the answers to starred clues represent?

59 Fly in the ointment 60 Fly-fishing catch 62 Tennis score 63 Floor piece 64 “Maybe, just maybe” 65 Big name in furniture 66 Clairvoyant 67 Got by 68 See 58-Down DOWN 1 With 1-Across, Whoppers and McRibs, e.g.

2 Embossed cookie 3 Southwestern clay pot 4 Remove respectfully 5 First-class 6 Armpit 7 Squirt 8 Teacher’s deg.

9 Thought (out) 10 Make sense

11 Composer’s embellishment 12 Bracelet spot 13 Biblical verb 21 Toy inserts usually not included 23 Crescent points 25 Either “The Man Who Wasn’t There” director 26 Doe’s dear 27 Wind in a pit 28 Arm bone 29 Bull Run soldier 30 Over-theshoulder garb 33 In __: as placed 34 “Understood,” in hippie-speak 35 “Little Women” sister 37 Verbal nods 38 Kind of geometry

39 “The Giver” novelist Lowry 40 Thai language 45 Entertainers on the road 46 Partner of hollered 47 Wine choice 48 Reddish-brown colors 49 Singer Lennox 50 “Positive thinking” advocate 51 “Your table’s ready” signaler 54 Sticky stuff 55 Radar dot 56 Team connection 57 All tied up 58 With 68-Across, “Milk” Oscar winner 61 Letter after pi

Tuesday’s Puzzle Solved

©2017 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

2/15/17

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Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: Chicago P.D.: Seven Indictments WIS News 10 at (:35) The Tonight Show Starring Great Expectations Locker room Team tries to identify a charred body. 11:00pm News Jimmy Fallon Comedic skits and hazing. (N) (HD) (N) (HD) and weather. celebrity interviews. (HD) Hunted: A $250,000 Gamble Criminal Minds: Spencer ART helps Doubt: Pilot An attorney begins to News 19 @ 11pm (:35) The Late Show with Stephen Possible meetup up with loved up. the BAU save a team member. (N) develop feelings for her client, an The news of the Colbert Stephen Colbert interviews (N) (HD) (HD) alleged murderer. (N) (HD) day. celebrities. (HD) The Goldbergs: Speechless: Modern Family (:31) black-ish: Match Game Four contestants must ABC Columbia (:35) Jimmy Kimmel Live Celebrities The Spencer’s Gift T-H—THE C-L— Extended family. I’m a Survivor (N) fill in blanks from the answers to a list News at 11 (HD) and human-interest subjects. (HD) (N) (HD) CLUB (N) (HD) (HD) (HD) of questions. (N) (HD) Expeditions with Spy in the Wild: A Nature NOVA: The Origami Revolution City in the Sky: Airborne Experts Tavis Smiley BBC World News Charlie Rose (N) Patrick McMillan Miniseries: Friendship (N) (HD) Origami-inspired technology. (N) keep airplanes afloat. (N) (HD) International (HD) (HD) (HD) news.

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A cou ple falls in love Love Me or Leave Me (‘55, Drama) 186 Adventure) aaa Victor McLaglen. An alcoholic goes on a hellish bender. aboard a ship and agrees to meet again six months later.

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Heigl returns to TV in CBS legal drama ‘Doubt’

BY KEVIN MCDONOUGH The new legal drama “Doubt” (10 p.m., CBS, TV-14) is not exactly “ripped from the headlines.” It’s more cobbled together from historical and political references and imitations of other, better shows.

Like everything ever written by David E. Kelley or Aaron Sorkin, “Doubt” mashes together serious topicality with cutesy pie winks at screwball comedy.

Katherine Heigl (“Grey’s Anatomy”) stars as Sadie Ellis, a serious lawyer at a prestigious and idealistic law firm, run by and named after Isaiah Roth (Elliott Gould), a left-wing legend clearly modeled on the late William Kunstler. Sadie’s colleagues include Albert Cobb (Dule Hill, “The West Wing”). The patter between Heigl and Hill is so reminiscent of “The West Wing” that Heigl actually sounds like Allison Janney as she’s delivering her lines.

It’s difficult to describe the pilot without spoilers, so suffice to say Heigl’s big

client is Billy Brennan (Steven Pasquale), a respected surgeon from a politically connected family who faces charges that he murdered his high school girlfriend way back in the 1990s.

Any resemblance between this situation and the actual case involving Kennedy cousin Michael Skakel is strictly intentional. There’s also a major plot reference to the Brink’s robbery case of 1981 involving former members of the Weather Underground, which resulted in the deaths of two police officers. But to say more about that thread would give away too much.

One can’t help feeling that we’ve seen and heard this all before. In one scene, Isaiah and Sadie have a moment on a balcony sharing scotch, lawyer talk and bonds of a more personal nature. Just like Alan Shore (James Spader) and Denny Crane (William Shatner) used to have on “Boston Legal” way back in 2004.

• Here’s an above-the-fold story.

“NOVA” (9 p.m., PBS, TV-G, check local listings) explores how the Japanese art of origami offers insight on engineering, aircraft and even robotics.

• Armed with everyday items, a techsavvy adventurer MacGyvers his way through remote locations in the new series “Hacking the Wild” (10 p.m., Science, TV-PG).

TONIGHT’S OTHER HIGHLIGHTS • Evidence points to a campus secret society on “Blindspot” (8 p.m., NBC, TV14).

• The guys collaborate with the DEA on “Lethal Weapon” (8 p.m., Fox, TV-14).

• “Unsung” (8 p.m., TV One) profiles After 7.

• Naomi Campbell, Missy Elliott and Tyrese Gibson guest-star on “Star” (9 p.m., Fox, TV-14).

• A funeral brings Dre back to his old

haunts on “black-ish” (9:30 p.m., ABC, TV-PG).

• A fatal home explosion leaves no witnesses and little evidence on “Chicago P.D.” (10 p.m., NBC, TV-14).

• Rip goes from the frying pan to the fire on “Six” (10 p.m., History, TV-MA).

• New companions bring insight on “Legion” (10 p.m., FX, TV-MA).

• Josh plans the perfect proposal on “Man Seeking Woman” (10:30 p.m., FXX, TV-MA).

CULT CHOICE Clint Eastwood stars as the Man With No Name in director Sergio Leone’s 1964 Western “A Fistful of Dollars” (9 p.m., Starz), featuring music by Ennio Morricone. The story is clearly inspired by Akira Kurosawa’s Japanese film “Yojimbo.” “Yojimbo” was also remade as the 1996 Bruce Willis thriller “Last Man Standing.”

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FALL-APART ROASTED PORK SHOULDER WITH ROSEMARY, MUSTARD AND GARLIC

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Fall-apart pork feeds a crowd and makes for amazing leftover dishes

BY KATIE WORKMAN Associated Press

I

was talking with a friend about perfect meals for entertaining, and we went through the usual suspects: la-

sagnas, chili, tenderloins. And then he mentioned that his favorite go-to entertaining dish was a pork butt or shoulder left in a low oven for so long that it practically fell apart. A cut of meat so flexible that the cooking time could be stretched by an hour, or three, and the roast wouldn't be any worse for the wear. A roast that could be plunked on the table whenever everyone was ready to eat.

Long ago, a chef had explained to him that meat likes to be cooked at around the temperature it reaches when it is done.

While I don't think that is always the case (flame-kissed steaks and burgers anyone?), it made nice sense when I thought in terms of a big, tough hunk of meat, like this pork shoulder, which needs low and slow cooking to make it turn from impossibly tough to tender.

Rushing the process won't help; you've got to keep the heat low and the time long.

The best part? This is free time you can spend reading, dancing, sleeping, cleaning a closet, saving kittens from trees.

You can leave the roast in the very low oven for an extra 1 to 3 hours with no repercussions. If you feel it needs a bit more browning or caramelization at the end, turn the heat up to 450 F for 15 minutes before pulling the roast out of the oven, and then make sure it rests for a bit so the fibers can relax and the juices regroup.

If all has gone as planned, the meat will be so tender that the slices won't hold together. That's part of the appeal.

You might serve this with some green beans, roasted potatoes and a salad. Leftovers make amazing quesadillas, burritos, soups, stews, sandwiches and so on.

Serves 10 to 12 Start to finish: 8 hours (mostly hands off) 2 tablespoons chopped garlic 3 anchovies, rinsed 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary 2 teaspoons kosher salt 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper 1/4 cup olive oil 2 tablespoons coarse Dijon mustard 1 6-pound boneless pork shoulder, trimmed of excess fat and tied In a small food processor, combine the garlic, anchovies, rosemary, salt and pepper. Add the olive oil, and process until it forms a paste, scraping down the sides. (If you don't have a mini food processor, just mince the ingredients and then transfer them to a bowl. Use a fork to mash them into the olive oil.) Remove the blade, and use a fork or spoon to stir in the mustard. Rub the paste all over the pork shoulder, loosely cover it with plastic wrap, and refrigerate from 2 to 24 hours.

Bring the pork to room temperature, which will take about 45 minutes to 1 hour, and toward the end preheat the oven to 450 F. Place the pork in a shallow roasting pan and roast, fat side down, for 30 minutes, until the top starts to brown. Turn the heat down to 250 F and continue to cook for 6 to 8 hours, until the middle of the roast registers 180 F on an internal thermometer, and as you slide the thermometer in you can feel that the meat is very tender throughout. About 1/2 hour before you are ready to call it done, pour off most of the juices from the pan into a heatproof container, such as a Pyrex measuring cup. Place this in the fridge, where the fat will rise to the top.

When the meat is cooked, if you think that the outside of the roast could use a bit more crust/brownness, turn the heat back up to 450 F, and let it cook for another 15 to 20 minutes to give the outside a crunchier texture.

Remove from the oven and let sit for about 20 minutes, especially if you have raised the heat at the end. Spoon the fat off the reserved juices in the fridge and pour the cooking juices into a serving pitcher or bowl (warm it in the microwave or in a small pot if you like). Slice the pork as thinly or thickly as you like, knowing the meat will fall apart at least slightly. Sprinkle a bit of salt on the sliced meat before serving, and pass the pan juices on the side to drizzle.

Nutrition information per serving: 341 calories; 113 calories from fat; 13 g fat (3 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 137 mg cholesterol; 539 mg sodium; 1 g carbohydrate; 0 g fiber; 0 g sugar; 51 g protein.

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