March 28, 2017 by The Sumter Item

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Man’s sister sues police, city Lawsuit filed after Sumter resident was shot, killed by officers in December BY ADRIENNE SARVIS adrienne@theitem.com The sister of Waltki Cermoun Williams, the 35-yearold Sumter man who was

killed during a shooting incident with local police officers on Dec. 10, 2016, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the City of Sumter and Sumter Police Department on Friday.

The lawsuit alleges that Williams’ death was caused by grossly negligent and reckless actions of the city and police department which failed to properly train and super-

vise officers in the standards and procedures involved during a pursuit and the use of deadly force. The city is being charged along with the police depart-

Dancing for a cause at Zumbathon

ment because the city is responsible for the agency, according to the lawsuit. The allegations of the

SEE LAWSUIT, PAGE A5

1 arrested after Shaw airman dies in wreck FROM STAFF REPORTS

PHOTOS BY KASEY MEREDITH / THE SUMTER ITEM

Tameika Milledge, left, and Kimberley Johnson, right, show off their dance moves during the James R. Clark Sickle Cell Foundation Zumbathon event. This was the fifth event Angela Burkett has organized after her grandchildren were diagnosed with sickle cell anemia.

70 people raise $1K to support state’s sickle cell foundation BY KASEY MEREDITH intern@theitem.com

ozens of women and men wearing brightly colored

leggings and neon tank tops filled M.H. Newton Family Life Center with high energy, dancing for a Zumbathon to support the James R. Clark Sickle Cell Foundation on Saturday.

Angela Burkett, coordinator of the Zumbathon, said about 70 people were at the event that raised about $1,000. “I’m overjoyed with the turnout today,” Burkett said. Burkett has been organizing the Zumbathon for five years. She was inspired to fight for the cause when both of her grandchildren were diagnosed with sickle cell anemia. Sickle cell anemia is an inherited condition in which the individual has a hemoglobin

Sumter County Coroner Robbie Baker identified the victim of a fatal wreck on Broad Street on Saturday as Austin Joseph Terrell, a senior airman stationed at Shaw Air Force Base. According to a news release from Sumter Police Department, 24-yearold Terrell, assigned to the 20th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, was a passenger in the Nissan Sentra that was struck almost head on by a GMC Yukon about 11:45 p.m. DEMORE Terrell was pronounced dead at the scene, while the driver of the Sentra was transported to Palmetto Health Tuomey, where he was treated and released. The driver of the Yukon, 44-yearold Michael Demore, of 125 Church St., was treated at Palmetto Health Tuomey before he was released into police custody and booked at Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center. He is charged with felony driving under the influence resulting in death. Bond was denied for Demore during a hearing at the detention center on Monday. Demore has been cited for other traffic violations in the past including speeding, driving without a seatbelt and driving under suspension. According to law enforcement, the Yukon turned from Mason Road into the wrong direction of traffic on Broad Street, into the path of the Sentra. Terrell was an armament technician who served in the U.S. Air Force since July 23, 2013, according to a news release from Shaw Air Force Base.

Zumbathoners like Kiki Crumb danced non-stop for SEE DANCE, PAGE A8 two-and-a-half hours.

SEE AIRMAN, PAGE A8

Community celebrates joining Neighborhood Watch Association BY IVY MOORE ivy@theitem.com

From left, Michelle Dargan, captain of Pinewood Gardens’ Neighborhood Watch Association and Resident Advisory Board member; Felicia Spann, co-captain of Harmony Court watch; Blandia Johnson, RAB member and Neighborhood Watch captain for Hampton Manor; Annette Burgess, Harmony Court watch captain and RAB representative; and Zuelda Williams-Smith, Sumter Housing Authority service coordinator, are seen during Thursday’s cookout.

Riding through Harmony Court, a community owned and operated by Sumter Housing Authority, early Thursday evening, you’d have seen a well-groomed, welcoming apartment complex. Neighbors stood outside in the sun, chatting, waving and nodding at passing cars; kids played chase and dribbled basketballs. It was quiet, too, until the sound of laughter rose from the center of the community, where blue smoke and the aroma from three

IVY MOORE / THE SUMTER ITEM

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charcoal grills drew residents from their homes. It was time for a celebration. Harmony Court has not always been a place where residents gather and celebrate, but on Thursday, they had cause. The community had just become a member of the Neighborhood Watch Association. According to Sumter Police Department’s website, “Neighborhood Watch emphasizes neighbors knowing neighbors as the first line of defense in crime prevention. Participants receive

SEE WATCH, PAGE A8

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Crestwood students advance to national conference BY ZENIYA COOLEY Crestwood Correspondent Two Crestwood High School students placed in the Future Business Leaders of America State Leadership Conference recently. Travis Johnson won JOHNSON first in public speaking 1, and Andrew Smith placed second in the personal finance category. The competition was held in North Charleston on March 17-18. SMITH Students from throughout South Carolina competed in various categories. Johnson and Smith will advance

to the National Leadership Conference in Anaheim, California, later this year. "(Winning the award) felt pretty good because I know I worked super hard for it, and I always told myself that I could do it,” Johnson said. “When I first came over (to Crestwood), when I heard of FBLA, I told myself, 'I'm going to nationals for public speaking.' When I heard them call my name for first place, I was super excited and ecstatic. I couldn't believe it." Smith said waiting for his event made him anxious. “But once they called my name, I was relieved,” he said.” FBLA is the largest national student business organization with more than 214,000 members. It helps high school students prepare for ca-

reers in the business field while also preparing them for college through activities that focus on leadership, academics and community service. FBLA adviser Linda Avery said the club provides students with networking and public speaking skills along with knowledge about the American enterprise system and how to survive in business. Crestwood FBLA President Heidi Conyers said the benefits include meeting new people as well as learning how to be a better business person, which she notes will help her succeed in the funeral business. Ditto for secretary Jaylen Hill, who said he got interested in FBLA because the club received good reviews, and he liked that it enabled him to travel to other cities. He agreed with Conyers that some ben-

Dogwood blooms in Rembert cemetery

efits were being introduced to various people and added that it teaches you how to manage people, and it gets you involved in the community through community service projects. Besides using the organization as an extracurricular activity that will enhance her resume, club treasurer Shonique Howard said she learned about business ethics. Club member Jemia Wiggins saidshe hopes the Crestwood chapter will have more people in the future after noticing at the state conference that the other schools had hundreds of students compared to Crestwood’s relatively small number of people. “I feel like we should advertise FBLA more because there are a lot of opportunities that FBLA offers,” she said.

Sumter County Council agenda includes reading related to Project Volcano FROM STAFF REPORTS

MELANIE SMITH / THE SUMTER ITEM

A dogwood tree blooms in the cemetery of Rembert Methodist Church on Saturday. According to the National Register website for the South Carolina Department of Archives and History, the Methodist congregation of the church is one of the oldest in the state, with a Methodist Society meeting in 1785. The current church was built in 1835, and its cemetery was started in 1800. The church was listed in the National Register in 1975.

LOCAL BRIEFS FROM STAFF REPORTS

Sumter City Council workshop to include water, sewer tap fees Sumter City Council will have a special called meeting at 11:30 a.m. today at Sumter Opera House, 21 N. Main St., in City Council Chambers. The city will hold the workshop to discuss the stormwater utility program, including fees; water and sewer tap fees; building inspection fees; and miscellaneous planning and zoning fees. For more information, call (803) 436-2578.

Sumter County Sheriff’s Office postpones fundraising banquet Sumter County Sheriff’s Office announced Friday that the annual Sumter County Sheriff’s Office Boys and Girls Youth Inc. fundraising banquet scheduled for Friday at The Imperial Restaurant has been postponed until further notice, according to a news release from the agency. For more information, call Sumter County Sheriff’s Office at (803) 436-2000.

Summerton Town Council agenda includes request by court clerk Summerton Town Council will meet at 6 p.m. today at Summerton Town Hall, 10 Main St., Summerton. The agenda includes consideration of a request by the court clerk to use Court Services as well as council consideration of water department policy. Council will also get a report from Mayor Mac Bagnal and updates from staff as well as public participation. Council may hold an executive session, if needed. For more information, call (803) 485-2525.

Sumter County Council will meet at 6 p.m. today in County Council Chambers, Sumter County Administration Building, 13 E. Canal St., to consider: • Third reading of an ordinance to amend the county's budget by changing the amount of anticipated funds, moneys and revenues estimated to be received for the 2016-17 fiscal year. A public hearing will be held before council's vote; • Third reading of an ordinance to authorize the option and sale of property on North Wise Drive for a prospective economic development project called Project Volcano. A public hearing will be held prior to council's vote; • Third reading of an ordinance to authorize the sale of 15 acres on North Wise Drive near the Caterpillar Precision Pin Products plant, on the left side of the road; • Second reading of a request to amend the county zoning and development ordinance to add residential care as a permitted use in heavy industrial zoning districts. Council will vote on the matter following a public hearing; • Second reading of a request to rezone 6 acres

in the 3900 block of Cody Road from conservation preservation to agricultural conservation. Council will vote on the matter following a public hearing; • A resolution to authorize a lease between the county and Crystal Lakes Golf Course and VGM Financial Services; and • A proclamation declaring April as Fair Housing Month in Sumter County. In other news, Sumter County Forfeited Land Commission will meet at 5 p.m. today in County Council Conference Room to discuss contractual matters and take appropriate actions during executive session. Sumter County Public Works Committee will meet at 5:15 p.m. today in County Council Conference Room to discuss and possibly take action concerning a request to change the speed limit in Meadowcroft subdivision, off McCrays Mill Road. Also, Sumter County Fiscal, Tax and Property Committee will meet at 5:30 p.m. today in County Council Conference Room to receive a monthly financial report and hold an executive session to discuss an economic development matter and a contractual matter.

Manning Town Council schedules special called meeting for 6:30 today

CORRECTION

Manning City Council will have a special called meeting at 6:30 p.m. today at Manning City Hall, 29 W. Boyce St., Manning. On the agenda is an executive session to discuss a proposed economic development project. For more information, call (803) 435-8477.

In the police blotter on Friday, March 24, The Sumter Item reported from a police release that Freddie H. Truesdale Jr. lived at 517 Coachman Drive. The family who lives at that address notified The Sumter Item that he lived there at one time and probably has identification from that address but that he hasn't lived there for a few years.

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TUESDAY, MARCH 28, 2017

Medical pot bill in S.C. bolstered by conservatives ‘I’m praying this state will allow me to be treated legally for me to live using a plant that God made.’

Personal experiences change some opinions BY SEANNA ADCOX The Associated Press COLUMBIA — South Carolina Rep. Eric Bedingfield once shunned all marijuana use, but when his eldest son's six-year struggle with opioid addiction ended with his overdose a year ago, the conservative Republican co-sponsored medical cannabis legislation. "My mindset has changed from somebody who looked down on it as a negative substance to saying, 'This has benefits,'" Bedingfield said recently. The 50-year-old teetotaler thinks marijuana may effectively wean addicts from an opioid dependence. Ultimately, the Marine veteran hopes medical marijuana can be an alternative to people being prescribed OxyContin or other opioid painkillers to begin with, helping curb an epidemic he's seen destroy families of all economic levels. Two decades after California became the first state to legalize medical marijuana, efforts to let patients legally access pot are slowly taking root in the South. While 28 states allow comprehensive medical marijuana programs, only two of those are in the South. Arkansas and Florida voters approved theirs through the ballot last November. Neither is in place yet. A law signed in Louisiana last year, also not yet in effect, doesn't allow the smoking or vaping of marijuana. This year's renewed push in South Carolina is bolstered by some of the state's most conservative legislators, such as Bedingfield, whose opinions have shifted because of parents and pastors in their districts. Three years ago, state lawmakers passed a very narrow law allowing patients with severe epilepsy, or their caregivers, to legally possess cannabidiol, or CBD, a non-psychoactive oil derived from marijuana. Bedingfield voted against that idea.

BILL DAVIS A Christian author who is fighting idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and says before trying marijuana he was bedridden

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Rep. Eric Bedingfield, R-Greenville, walks through the House chamber during the first day of legislative session at the Statehouse in Columbia. Bedingfield once shunned marijuana use, but the conservative Republican co-sponsored this year’s medical cannabis legislation. Bill Davis, a Christian author who leads a Bible study for people fighting drug addiction, said he was bedridden before trying marijuana. Diagnosed two years ago with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a lung disease with no cure, he was put on an experimental drug with "horrible side effects." "I had to decide whether I wanted to die of lung disease or kidney or liver failure," Davis said. Then he started vaping marijuana, which he says allows him to control the amount of CBD and THC he receives. "I'm praying this state will allow me to be treated legally for me to live using a plant that God made," he said. Republican Rep. Jonathon Hill said he signed onto the bill after hearing Davis' story over dinner at his home. "He is living, walking proof that there can be some very real benefits," he said. A bill allowing people with a debilitating medical condition, or their adult caregivers, to legally possess 2

POLICE BLOTTER CHARGES Shikeem D. Williams, 18, of 11 H St., was arrested on Saturday and charged with driving without a license, reckless driving and failure to stop for blue lights after he allegedly attempted to evade officers at a checkpoint at North Purdy and Saratoga streets that evening. According to an incident report from Sumter Police Department, Williams allegedly drove away from the checkpoint at a high rate of speed in reverse and fled from officers on foot after deflating a tire when the vehicle went over the curb. He was transported to Sumter-Lee Regional

ounces (57 grams) of marijuana advanced last month to the House's full medical committee. Its Republican backers tout the bill's "seed-to-sale tracking" as guarding against recreational use. A Senate subcommittee is considering an identical bill. "We shouldn't be forcing a choice between breaking the law or not taking care of members of your family," said Republican Rep. Bill Herbkersman. Marijuana was the only thing that gave his brother an appetite and kept the pain at bay before he died of skin cancer in 2011, Herbkersman said. "They call it a gateway drug, but sometimes it's just a gateway to a little bit better life, or what you have left of a life," he said. The idea still has strong opposition — chiefly from South Carolina's law enforcement agencies, including State Law Enforcement Division Chief Mark Keel. Jarrod Bruder, director of the state Sheriffs' Association, told the House panel that sheriffs can't support legalizing a drug the federal

Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center. Detention Center. Rayshard R. Dennis, 27, of 3265 Starview Drive, was arrested on Friday and charged with driving under suspension, eighth offense, and possession of cocaine. According to an incident report from Sumter Police Department, Dennis disregarded a stop sign while making a right turn as he was approaching a checkpoint at West Oakland Avenue and Purdy Street on Friday night. During a search of Dennis' vehicle, officers found a clear plastic bag containing a white substance that was positively identified as cocaine. Dennis was transported to

government still puts in the same class as heroin and cocaine. His predecessor, however, stunned observers when he stood to support the bill. Jeff Moore, who retired in 2014 after 32 years leading the association, credits marijuana with saving his son's life. But he says it also prevents his son, an Army veteran, from coming home to South Carolina for fear of being arrested. In 2008, six weeks into his son's first of two tours in Iraq, their convoy was surrounded in Mosul. He watched as five of his friends were killed by an IED and he fought for his life for 2 1/2 hours. He suffers from PTSD and traumatic brain injury as that battle scene and others replay in his mind. He was honorably discharged after two suicide attempts, Moore said. Eventually, his son's father-in-law, a Vietnam veteran, convinced him to move near him in Michigan, where he can legally smoke a high-CBD, low-THC strain of marijuana Moore says does not get him high. He's stopped drinking, returned to college and organized an all-veteran support group. He is also an elder in his church, Moore said. "His life has made a complete, 180-degree turnaround. Had he stayed in South Carolina, he'd have ended up killing himself," Moore said.

Road between 9 p.m. Saturday and 12:15 p.m. Sunday.

STOLEN PROPERTY

DAMAGED PROPERTY

A black 60-inch Samsung TV valued at $1,100, a black space heater valued at $50, a black 19-inch TV valued at $100; and a Blu-ray DVD player valued at $50 were reportedly stolen from a residence in the 3000 block of Ithica Drive on Sunday. A white 2003 Lincoln Town Car valued at $7,000 was reportedly stolen while parked at a residence in the 1300 block of Boulevard

Approximately

$7,000 in damage was caused to a tan-and-black 2005 GMC Sierra while parked at a residence in the 5100 block of Burrows Road between 1 and 10:15 a.m. on Saturday. Approximately $1,000 in damage was caused to a burgundy 1996 Nissan Pathfinder while parked at a residence in the 1000 block of California Boulevard on Saturday.

Approximately $1,000 in damage was caused to a black 2003 Mercury Mountaineer while it was parked at a residence in the 1900 block of Mason Road, Dalzell, between 6 p.m. Saturday and 9:30 a.m. Sunday. Approximately $1,500 in damage was caused to a black 2013 Dodge Journey when it was struck with a broom stick multiple times while it was parked at an apartment building in the 300 block of Harmony Court on Friday evening.

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AP analysis: ‘Bathroom bill’ to cost N.C. $3.76B BY EMERY P. DALESIO AND JONATHAN DREW The Associated Press RALEIGH, N.C. — Despite Republican assurances that North Carolina's "bathroom bill" isn't hurting the economy, the law limiting LGBT protections will cost the state more than $3.76 billion in lost business over a dozen years, according to an Associated Press analysis. Over the past year, North Carolina has suffered financial hits ranging from scuttled plans for a PayPal facility that would have added an estimated $2.66 billion to the state's economy to a canceled Ringo Starr concert that deprived a town's amphitheater of about $33,000 in revenue. The blows have landed in the state's biggest cities as well as towns surrounding its flagship university and from the mountains to the coast. The AP analysis — compiled through interviews and public records requests — represents the largest reckoning yet of how much the law, passed one year ago, could cost the state. The law excludes gender identity and sexual orientation from statewide antidiscrimination protections and requires transgender people to use restrooms corresponding to the sex on their birth certificates in many public buildings. Still, AP's tally is likely an underestimation of the law's true costs. The count includes only data obtained from businesses and government officials regarding projects that canceled or relocated because of HB2. A business project was counted only if AP determined through public records or interviews that HB2 was why it pulled out. The AP also tallied the losses of dozens of conventions, sporting events and concerts through figures from local officials. The AP didn't attempt to quantify anecdotal reports that lacked hard numbers, or forecast the loss of future conventions. Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan — who leads the

more than $200 million annually to North Carolina's economy. By the end of 2028, the state expected PayPal to have added $2.66 billion. The same analysis of the Deutsche Bank project estimated a total impact of about $543 million by the end of 2027. The economic model has been used for more than a decade when the state offers major tax breaks. State officials said they didn't run the same analysis for CoStar, Voxpro and Adidas, so losses attributed to them were calculated using wages and other figures from the companies or state documents. Meanwhile, canceled conventions, concerts and sporting events have deprived the state of more than $196 million, according to tourism officials around the state. All told, the state will have missed out on more than $3.76 billion by the end of 2028. The losses are based on projects that already went elsewhere — so the money won't be recouped even if the law is struck down in court or repealed. By the end of 2017 alone, the lost business will total more than $525 million.

A sign outside a restroom at 21c Museum Hotel in Durham, North Carolina, states “We Don’t Care.” Associated Press has determined that North Carolina’s law limiting LGBT protections will cost the state more than $3 billion in lost business over a dozen years. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

largest company based in North Carolina — said he's spoken privately to business leaders who took projects elsewhere because of the controversy, and he fears more decisions like that are being made quietly. "Companies are moving to other places, because they don't face an issue that they face here," he told a World Affairs Council of Charlotte luncheon last month. Other measures show North Carolina has a healthy economy. By quarterly gross domestic product, the federal government said, North Carolina had the nation's 10th fastest-growing economy six months after the law passed. The vast majority of large companies with existing North Carolina operations have made no public moves to financially penalize the state. HB2 supporters say its costs are tiny compared with an economy estimated at more than $500 billion per year, roughly the size of Sweden's. They say they're willing to absorb those costs if the law prevents predators from posing as transgender people to commit assaults in restrooms — acts the law's detractors say are entirely imagined. Lt. Gov. Dan Forest, one of the strongest supporters, accused news organizations of

creating a false picture of economic upheaval. He declined a request for an interview based on AP's analysis. "The effect is minimal to the state," Forest told Texas legislators considering a similar law. "Our economy is doing well. Don't be fooled by the media." But AP's analysis shows the economy could be growing faster if not for projects that have canceled. Those include PayPal canceling a 400-job project in Charlotte, CoStar backing out of negotiations to bring 700-plus jobs to the same area, and Deutsche Bank scuttling a plan for 250 jobs in the Raleigh area. Other companies that backed out include Adidas, which is building its first U.S. sports shoe factory employing 160 near Atlanta rather than a High Point site, and Voxpro, which opted to hire hundreds of customer support workers in Georgia,

rather than North Carolina. "We couldn't set up operations in a state that was discriminating against LGBT" people, Dan Kiely, Voxpro founder and CEO, said in an interview. All told, the state has missed out on more than 2,900 direct jobs that went elsewhere. An analysis by the state Commerce Department shows that state officials expected the PayPal expansion to contribute

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LAWSUIT FROM PAGE A1 lawsuit begin with the events of the chase in which Williams led police officers from Sumter Mall on Broad Street to the intersection of Miller Road and Guignard Drive, where Williams’ vehicle crashed into another vehicle. According to the lawsuit, Williams threw an object through the rear glass window of the vehicle and exited through that area. He then ran approximately 10 steps before he was tackled by officers and driven to the ground. Williams “did not have a weapon and he was not a threat in any way,” the lawsuit states. At least three Sumter police officers made the conscious decision to use “inappropriate and improper use of deadly force by firing their service weapons indiscriminately at least 24 times” while Williams was lying on the ground and not moving, according to the document. The lawsuit states Williams was struck by at least 19 bullets — 17 of which went into his back. The plaintiff claims to have been informed that six bullets exited the chest; one bullet exited the right side of the neck; and other bullets struck the upper and middle portion of the left arm. “Additionally, firing their weapons 24 times at close range at an unarmed man lying still on the ground is so extreme and outrageous that it shocks the conscious,” according to the lawsuit. The document also states the “plaintiff is entitled to actual and consequential damages in an amount to be determined by a jury in accordance with the law and evidence of this case.” According to a news release issued by the department on Dec. 11, 2016, the “use-of-force incident” followed a domestic violence call at Sumter Mall during which Williams was said to have allegedly threatened to kill his ex-girlfriend if she came outside. He was allegedly seen pointing a firearm at the woman’s vehicle. Williams drove away from the area when officers arrived and crashed into two vehicles at the intersection of Guignard Drive and Miller Road, according to the release. After the wreck, Williams exited his vehicle and led officers on a short foot chase. “There was a brief struggle and then an exchange of gunfire,” according to the release. According to subsequent information issued by the police department, two police officers fired their weapons during the incident. Legal counsel for the Estate of Waltki Williams, represented by the deceased’s sister, is attorney C. Carter Elliott Jr. of Elliott Phelan LLC in Georgetown. The city and police department are represented by attorney Willie H. Brunson of Brunson Law Firm LLC in Sumter. Attorneys for the Estate of Waltki Williams and the city of Sumter and Sumter Police Department could not be reached for comment. Tonyia McGirt, public information officer for the police department, said the department had not been served with the lawsuit as of Monday evening and therefore could not comment on the matter. After the Associated Press published a story on the lawsuit Monday evening, McGirt said the police department disputes the claims cited. On Monday evening, Third Judicial Circuit Solicitor Ernest F. “Chip” Finney III said he had no knowledge of the lawsuit.

SEATTLE (AP) — Millions of gallons of raw sewage and untreated runoff have poured into the United States' second-largest estuary since a massive sewage treatment plant experienced equipment failures that forced it to stop fully treating Seattle's waste. The county-run facility has been hobbling along at about half capacity since the Feb. 9 electrical failure resulted in catastrophic flooding that damaged an underground network of pumps, motors, electric panels and other gear. The sewage treatment plant — Washington state's largest — is only partially treating dirty water that goes down Seattle toilets and washes off roofs and roads before discharging it into Puget Sound. It's likely to face fines for violating federal clean-water laws. "It has been a disaster, and we're not out of it yet. We still don't know really what went wrong," said Jeanne KohlWelles, a King County councilwoman

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Robert Waddle, division operations manager at the West Point Treatment Plant on March 16 in Seattle, stands near a closed valve next to empty pools normally used to remove grit and other solids from sewage and storm water. whose district includes the 32-acre West Point Treatment Plant, on the shores of Puget Sound next to Seattle's largest public park.

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"We've got to get a handle on it. I'm very concerned about the environment, the effects on marine life in the sound, public health," she added. County officials say crews have been working around the clock to repair about $25 million in flood-related damages and bring the plant to full operations by the end of April. They note that raw sewage has not flowed from the plant since Feb. 16. In the meantime, Kohl-Welles and other council members have launched an independent probe. They say they want to know what led to the breakdown and make sure this type of disaster doesn't happen again. The sewage spill is a potential black eye for a region that prides itself on its environmental consciousness. Years of work have gone into trying to clean up the nation's second-largest estuary, a vast inlet where water from the Pacific Ocean mixes with water draining from thousands of streams and rivers.

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NATION

TUESDAY, MARCH 28, 2017

THE SUMTER ITEM

Ripples from U.S. nuclear plant closings overwhelm small towns BY JOHN SEEWER The Associated Press OAK HARBOR, Ohio — Living in the shadows of the Davis-Besse nuclear power plant's cooling tower, which soars above Lake Erie in Ohio like an oversized lighthouse, brings with it some give and take. On the plus side, it generates tax money that once paid for a high school swimming pool and auditorium. Then there are the stockpiles of radiation pills and emergency drills for students in case of a disaster. For the small, mostly rural towns that are home to 61 U.S. nuclear plants that produce one-fifth of the nation's electricity, each one has been like the golden goose supplying high-paying jobs and money for roads, police and libraries. But those same places and their residents are bracing for what may come next because of the soaring costs of running aging reactors that have speeded up the closings of a handful of sites and are threatening at least a dozen more. That's because once the power stops flowing, so does the money. Towns that already have seen nuclear plants shuttered are now dealing with higher property taxes, cuts in services and less school funding — a new reality that may linger for decades. In Wisconsin, the tiny town of Carlton saw the source of roughly 70 percent of its yearly budget disappear when the Kewaunee nuclear power plant closed four years ago. That resulted in the first town tax in

its history. "Financially, we benefited, but now we're going to pay the price for the next 40 years," said David Hardtke, the town chairman. When operations ceased at the Crystal River Nuclear Plant along Florida's Gulf Coast, "it was like something going through and wiping out a third of your county," said Citrus County Administrator Randy Oliver. To make up the difference, property tax rates went up by 31 percent, and 100 county workers were let go — so many that Oliver worries there won't be enough to evacuate residents and clear roads if a major tropical storm hits. While the nation's fleet of nuclear power plants wasn't designed to last forever, closures are happening earlier than expected because repair costs are astronomical and it's harder to compete with cheaper natural gas-fired plants and renewable energy sources. The former head of the nuclear industry's trade group said last year that economic pressures have put 15 to 20 plants at risk of a premature shutdown. FirstEnergy Corp. will decide by next year whether to close or sell its plant in Pennsylvania and two in Ohio, including Davis-Besse, unless the states change regulations to make them more competitive. The uncertainty around Davis-Besse and a plan to lower its value caused the local school board to shelve plans to build a new elementary build-

ing for the district, which stands to lose $8 million a year without the plant. New Orleans-based Entergy Corp., owner of the Palisades nuclear plant in Michigan, announced plans late last year to close in 2018 even though it has a license to keep operating an additional 14 years. How much the losses will add up to isn't clear yet, said Dennis Palgen, a township supervisor where the plant has operated since 1971. "We're just in a state of limbo right now," he said, adding that plans to buy a new fire truck are on hold. The plant and its 600 workers have been good neighbors, he said, buying backpacks for school children and emergency generators for the township. "The list goes on and on," Palgen said. In some cases, utilities are paying communities and schools during the first few years to help ease the sudden loss of their largest employer and taxpayer. But what makes recovering tough is that almost all nuclear plants are in out-of-the-way places that have become heavily reliant on them. And they employ specialized workers who are quick to leave for stilloperating locations. To make matters worse, many closed sites can't be redeveloped for new uses because they're still storing radioactive waste. Some hope the Trump administration's new budget proposal to revive the mothballed disposal site at Nevada's Yucca

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Boats wrapped and stored for winter sit near the Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station along Lake Erie on March 20 in Oak Harbor, Ohio. As costs of running aging nuclear reactors increase, some small, mostly rural towns that are home to the nation’s 61 nuclear plants are bracing for what’s to come. Mountain will eventually allow for new development at the former plants. "We have become a de facto nuclear waste dump. It just sits there, and sits there forever," said Al Hill, the mayor in Zion, Illinois, where spent nuclear fuel remains stored on prime property along Lake Michigan even though the plant shut down 20 years ago. On top of that, the closing took away half of the city's tax

base and pushed property taxes to the highest in the state, making it difficult to lure new businesses, Hill said. Left behind are empty storefronts and little foot traffic, said Chris Daisy, who runs a downtown bicycle shop. "It's had a devastating effect on this town," he said. "It's terrible. Any town with a nuclear power plant in it or near it is in danger of suffering the same fate."

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NATION

THE SUMTER ITEM

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Dig deeper before mocking ‘crazy’ pet parents BY LEANNE ITALIE The Associated Press NEW YORK — It's easy to jump directly to "crazy cat lady" or poke fun at "stay-athome dog moms" when describing intense relationships between humans and their pets. But for some who spend the bulk of each day with their animals, it's more like a two-way healing labor of love. Amy Hunter, 51, stayed home in Indiana with her three kids when they were little. Years later, she took a work-fromhome job after the death of her son, Jake, piled on the loss of another son who had earlier drowned. Now her daughter is about to graduate from college, and Hunter is home full time with two dogs, a brown mix rescue named Apollo, who weighs in at about 90 pounds, and a black Labrador retriever, Rubi. "I've become very, very, very in tune with them," said Hunter, who lives in Indianapolis. "We got Rubi as a puppy after my first son died. She's been my emotional savior." Her husband works outside the home, as a plant manager, so it's just mom and dogs during the day. "After my second son died, I cried a lot. I was anxiety ridden," Hunter explained. "What I found was how much I could communicate with my dogs." Coleen Balent, 43, understands. She stays home with her two kids, ages 10 and 8, as her husband works as a computer network engineer for U.S. Navy hospitals outside their home. They've been stationed around the world and have been in the U.S. island territory of Guam, in the western Pacific, for nearly a year.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

John and Amy Hunter are pictured with their dogs, Apollo, left, and Rubi, in Brown County State Park south of their home in Indianapolis, Indiana. Amy is a stay-at-home pet mom.

Rounding out the family are three rescue dogs, including one, 13-year-old Paolo, who has serious health issues. She and her husband found him years ago in Sicily, in a boat yard with his mouth taped shut. He had been hit by a car. "The vet told me he wouldn't make it through the night. I took him home with antibiotics and a nebulizer, and he survived," Balent recalled. "Several years later, Paolo broke his back while we were living in Charleston, South Carolina." The accident left him paralyzed, but after $6,000 in surgery and three months of rehabilitation, he can hobble along, requiring help going up and down stairs and on and off beds. Three years ago, Paolo was diagnosed with diabetes, so Balent injects him with insulin twice a day, checking his

glucose levels often. "We can barely afford it, and it's a pain," she said. "I can never go anywhere for the day. I'm quite sure everyone thinks I'm crazy. Some people have flat out told me, but Paolo has seen me through two pregnancies, two severe postpartum depressions, an autoimmune disease and three moves to three different countries and continents." For Hunter, each pet enriches her in different ways. Her black lab got her off the couch. "She gets me moving, she gets me going. There's no sitting anymore." She even feels her long hours alone with the two have heightened their ability to communicate. It's Apollo who tells her when it's time for breakfast. He's the vocal one. Both dogs comprehend about 250 of her

words. Apollo can differentiate between ball, stick and his favorite toy, a Teddy bear. "And they know what shoes I wear. If I put on running shoes, they're staying home. They don't move. If I put on just nor-

mal tennis shoes, we're walking and they go find their leashes. If I put on boots or dress shoes or something, they're not going. They know this. It's so funny," Hunter said. "I'm not the crazy dog lady. I know they're not my children, but I just feel very close to them." Stay-at-home writer Kat Faitour, who lives near Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is not a "crazy" dog mom. She's a "crazy" cat mom. Faitour worked in the health care industry for more than 20 years, including her last five in a complaint department. "It was draining. The negativity finally got to me," she said. "In the midst of that, my mom became ill and passed away from ovarian cancer in 2013. I didn't have much to give after my mother died, and my husband was super encouraging me to stay home and write." With her all day, every day, Faitour said, are "my boys," two nearly 8-year-old cats, including one with "100 health problems." "I've got my boys," she laughed. "They're always with me, always in the room with me. That's how we roll."

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LOCAL

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WATCH

FROM PAGE A1

deficiency, which causes the red blood cells to look like “sickles,” according to a brochure provided at the event. Sickle cells block the flow of oxygen in the bloodstream, resulting in pain crises, usually in the abdominal and joint areas. Pain crises can hospitalize an individual, taking him or her out of work or school for long periods of time, and the disease can even be terminal. Burkett said her grandchildren described it as “shards of glass going through their bloodstream.” “It’s really underserved,” Burkett said about the cause. Sheila “Red” Tindal, a Zumba instructor, said she came to the Zumbathon to raise awareness in remembrance of her mother, who died from sickle cell anemia.

AIRMAN FROM PAGE A1

IVY MOORE / THE SUMTER ITEM

Sumter Housing Authority staff member Alonda Moses braves the smoke from three grills as he prepares hot dogs and burgers for residents of Harmony Court, who along with SHA were celebrating achieving status as a Neighborhood Watch community. to make a big difference. “Communication and looking out for each other is our primary goal,” Lamer said. “... All the SHA wants from the Neighborhood Watch program is to help our communities be safer, to understand that there are people who do care, and hopefully we can reduce the volume of trash and vandalism that redirect mon-

challenge with a smile. Austin’s leadership and encouraging ways impacted us all, and he’ll be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with his loved ones and all those impacted by this tragedy.” South Carolina Highway Patrol and its Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team have been asked to assist in the investigation, according to the release.

He was scheduled to be promoted to staff sergeant on Aug. 1. “We are heartbroken by the sudden loss of Austin,” said Maj. Kristen Torma, 20th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander, in the release. “Austin was a dedicated member of the squadron; he was our teammate. He always made it a point to put others first and met every

ies from just maintaining to improving the quality of life.” Burgess added, “That’s something we all want, and we want to see it go into other neighborhoods. It helps a lot to be together to discuss our concerns.” For more information on the Neighborhood Watch program, call (803) 774-1672 (city) or (803) 436-2000 (county).

Keeping Sumter Beautiful By Katie Altman-Goff, Water Resources Extention Agent Shorescaping If you have a river, stream, lake, or pond on your property, then you have the opportunity to explore a unique form of gardening called shorescaping. A shorescape is a landscaped shoreline that uses attractive plants as a source of beauty and protection. A shorescape can help alleviate problems such as erosion, poor water quality, and wildlife management. If you mow your grass to the edge of the water, you will likely see erosion and/or water quality issues along your shoreline. Turf grass has a relatively shallow root system, which doesn’t provide much protection from erosion. Water quality may also become an issue due to excess nutrients in your water. You probably fertilize your lawn to keep it looking green. Even if you don’t apply fertilizer to your lawn, you may have pets and wildlife leaving waste in your yard. When it rains, any excess fertilizer or animal waste on your lawn will get washed into your water, adding nutrients that cause algal blooms. Algal blooms will cause your water to turn green and cause dissolved oxygen levels to drop. Drops in oxygen levels are caused when the algae dies and bacteria decompose them. Those bacteria use up the oxygen in the water, leading to pproblems like fish kills. A shores-

cape creates a buffer between land and water. The roots of shoreline plants will help to keep your soil in place and take up extra nutrients, keeping them out of the water and improving your water quality. When planting your shorescape, it is important to remember the mantra “right plant, right place.” Using the right type of plants for our region and for your site conditions will help your shorescape thrive! Need some help choosing the right plants? Check out the Carolina Yards Plant Database by visiting www.clemson.edu and searching “plant database.” You’ll find this tool helpful for all of your gardening, not just your shoreline. It allows you to enter a series of site conditions such as region, available sunlight, and soil pH and gives you a list of suitable plants. If you are selecting plants for your shoreline, on the last question, titled “stormwater,” select “shoreline buffer” from the dropdown menu. To learn more about shorescaping, go to www.clemson.edu and search “shorescape.” Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer.

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training on effective reporting techniques and proactive measures that reduce opportunity for criminal activity in their neighborhoods. Organized watch groups receive timely updates and helpful tips to increase personal and home safety.” The residents of Harmony Court had been plagued by unwanted visitors for years, most of whom don’t live in the community, and until recently the problem didn’t seem to be getting any better. Residents voiced their concerns to Sumter Housing Authority about that situation, as well as traffic and other problems affecting them. Donna Lamer, executive director of SHA, which oversees six similar public housing communities in Sumter, said Harmony Court is the agency’s third and largest community with an active Neighborhood Watch program; the others are Hampton Manor and Pinewood Gardens, which together have 77 apartments. Harmony has 84. “Small, but strong groups were tired and ready to make their community peaceful and safe for themselves and their families,” Lamer said. The groups represent their communities through the Resident Advisory Board, whose representatives meet with SHA monthly. SHA took their concerns seriously, Lamer said, and invited Sumter Police Department representative Barron Hite and Sumter Fire Department’s Joey Duggan, formerly of the department’s crime prevention unit, to meet with the board. Cynthia Conyers, Neighborhood Watch captain for Fuller Gardens, another apartment community, accompanied them to speak from her experience. Following that, “The agency committed to support the Neighborhood Watch program ... and things got better for a time,” Lamer said. When the situation began to deteriorate, she said, “Our three dedicated ‘powerhouses’ from Hampton Manor, Pinewood Gardens and Harmony Court continued to discuss options.” She credits those three women for their fortitude and persistence in getting their communities involved: “Special thanks go to Blandia Johnson, Michelle (Dargan) and Annette (Burgess) for having the vision, strength and the dedication to know that what we needed to do was look out for each other.” All three women were present for Thursday’s celebration; all were optimistic about the success of the Neighborhood Watch program. Also with them was Zuelda Williams-Smith, SHA resident service coordinator. “We’ve been trying for this for three years,” she said. “The block captains worked with the residents to get this through, and they worked with the Authority to select Tshirt designs and select sites for the Neighborhood Watch signs.” Johnson, wearing a hot pink T-shirt representing Hampton Manor, said, “We decided to put it through. We have a lot of elderly people (in Hampton Manor), and we’re in the city where there is a lot of crime. This is an opportunity to watch out for each other. If we see someone suspicious, we can call our neighbor and find out if it’s someone they know or if it’s a real problem. If you pull together, it makes a difference.” Burgess, in green for Harmony Court, agreed the program is good for her community, where there are “more young kids and babies. We want them to have a safe place to go, where we all get along.” Even though the Neighborhood Watch programs are only a month or so old, Lamer said the “effort to get to know your neighbor” has been a great benefit, and the percentage of residents participating is high. She added that the watch program, along with the Resident Advisory Board and support from law enforcement, both city and county, will work together

“People don’t realize how serious it is until their child has it,” Tindal said. The Zumbathon is the foundation’s main fundraising event. The donations go toward research, nursing, emergency client assistance, genetic screening and counseling. Bertha Willis, Sumter satellite coordinator of the foundation, said that screening is one of the biggest things you can do if you suspect you have sickle cell anemia. People might not have the disease, but they might have the trait, Willis said. Those who have sickle cell traits shouldn’t do extreme exercise, fly in unpressurized aircrafts or take part in deep-sea activities. Willis said that exerting yourself or exposing yourself to extreme levels of altitude can lead to hospitalization of an individual with sickle cell trait, even if the person doesn’t have the disease.

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COMMENTARY

Governing by ultimatum

ASHINGTON — In a week that felt like a month, Americans got a clear view of Donald Trump’s governing style and also of his fabled dealmaking approach. Or rather, I should say, Trump got a good sense of what governing is like — hard, hard, hard. And it’s bound to get more difficult given the president’s tactics of consent: Do as I say or you’re dead to me. Even bolder, Trump told congressional Republicans that if they didn’t pass the American Health Care Act to repeal Obamacare, he was finished. Done. He’d walk away and move on to other things, he told recalcitrants. (To perhaps a new resort project, many were overheard praying.) House opposition to the health Kathleen care bill came both from moderates as well as from hard-core, Parker market purists, notably the Freedom Caucus. The latter didn’t want Obamacare Lite. They wanted obliteration. As negotiations continued until the vote was called off Friday afternoon, the path to reform became increasingly muddled — and the way forward more complex. Fixing health care was never going to be a one-off. But Trump, who promised repeal and replace (as has nearly every Republican the past seven years), has no patience with process. As the chief executive of his own company for most of his life, and notwithstanding his reverence for his dealmaking skills, he prefers quick results. And, hey, if things don’t tumble his way, well, there are other greens to sow and mow. And, certainly, a 30-foot wall to build. To the 60-day president, it seemed, getting health care out of the way was mostly a means to checking a box — an important one, to be sure — but nothing to bestir his personal passions. Call it ego. Call it pride. Call it a day, but get it done, he commanded. Or else: “I’m gonna come after you,” Trump told North Carolina Rep. Mark Meadows, one of his fiercest foes in the Freedom Caucus opposition. The president was joking around, according to those present, but Meadows still might want to keep a close eye on his favorite bunny. As many have observed, Trump’s spin of the wheel was risky business. He gambled on his own power to persuade (or bluff), the result of which could leave him holding Obamacare and conceding failure. What, then, do Republicans tell their base? And what would this say about the party in power? After years of harping on the collapsing health care plan installed by President Obama and the then-Democratically controlled House and Senate, they had their opportunity to govern responsibly. You’d think seven years would be ample time to cobble something together that could replace Obamacare. The fact that Republicans didn’t confirms that such an overhaul requires the time and patience Trump and Co. haven’t been willing — or able — to spare. What we saw these past several weeks, meanwhile, was a frantic race to pass something virtually no one recognized as a workable piece of legislation and which the Senate would probably reject. Back in 2010, when then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that Obamacare had to be passed so that we could find out what was in the bill, Republicans guffawed — and never let her forget it. At least, one observes, the Democrats had a bill. GOP legislators have been racing to pass something that isn’t fully written yet. What’s with the rush, anyway? Why not take the time to get things right? While Democrats solicited input from experts in the medical, pharmaceutical and insurance industries, Republicans have spent most of their time fighting among themselves. The resulting bill was a patchwork of margin scribbles and crossouts, even including instructions to the Senate to figure out ways to make certain parts work. And the rush was mere drama. Thursday, the original deadline for the vote, was the seven-year anniversary of the Affordable Care Act’s passage. Once that deadline passed, Trump began acting like a child who didn’t get to have his birthday party on the precise day of his miraculous delivery into the glare. Forget it. I don’t even want a party now. The truth is, many Republicans never seriously thought Obamacare could be repealed and replaced, probably for the good reason that it’s nearly impossible to do. The most sensible solution was to fix what was already in place until the inevitable day, coming soon, when we become a dual health care system: single-payer for the majority of Americans and concierge health care for the wealthy. It’s just a matter of time.

COMMENTARY

The (GOP) gang that couldn’t shoot straight

emind me not to ask Paul Ryan or his GOP House posse to ever arrange a one-car funeral — because the odds are good that they’d find a way to foul it up. On March 23, 2010, President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into law. Which means that Paul Ryan and his team had seven years to come up with a replacement for ObamaCare, a replacement Bernard that would get Goldberg enough votes from fellow Republicans to at least make it out of the House. Instead, they pulled their health care bill before the vote — a major blow to the president and the Republican Party. And what made it worse is that they did it all to themselves. Never mind votes from Democrats who will oppose everything Republicans support at least as long as Donald Trump is president. Never mind, too, what might or might not have happened if the bill made it to the Senate. Ryan’s task wasn’t a layup, but seven years is a long time. Long enough, you’d think, to come up with something that would get a green light, again, not from Democrats, not from Senators of either party, but only from the Republicans he supposedly leads in the House. Seven years of promises to repeal and replace — if only they had a Republican Senate to pass their legislation. Seven years of promises — if only they had a Republican in the White House to sign their new legislation. Well, they had it all, and they still couldn’t get the job done. Seven years to smooth out the

rough edges. Seven years, but only at the last minute does Ryan figure out that the plan he came up with isn’t going anywhere? In all of those seven years, he couldn’t devise a plan that would win over the purists in the party, the so-called Freedom Caucus? You get the impression that if the one-car funeral procession somehow miraculously made it to the cemetery, the Freedom Caucus purists would walk out because the florist delivered 227 flowers to the gravesite instead of 228. For the record: This is not about which side was right on the merits of the bill. It’s about how Paul Ryan and the rest of the House Republicans make the gang that couldn’t shoot straight look like marksmen. They were very good at being the opposition party. They don’t seem to know much about being in charge. Here’s the lead paragraph in a story in the New York Times, a newspaper that doesn’t need an excuse to find fault with the president. “President Trump’s failure to make good on his signature promise to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act is the most crushing political defeat of his early days in the White House.” Maybe the president learned a lesson from this “crushing” defeat. Maybe it finally hit him that being president of a private business is a lot different than being president of the United States. Mr. Trump’s business had no stockholders he had to cajole. He had no board of directors he had to please. This is a man who knows how to build skyscrapers and sell the Trump name. But he’s a novice when it comes to politics. It may not have been his fault, but the great closer couldn’t close the deal. Maybe if his approval rating

weren’t hovering around 37 percent, more House Republicans would have feared the power of his presidency and would have gone along with him and Speaker Ryan and passed a bill despite their misgivings. Or maybe the task was too much not just for Paul Ryan, but for anybody at this point. Entitlements are hard to undo. But then maybe the Republicans shouldn’t have made such grandiose promises for seven years. But let’s not let the Democrats off easy, either. They’re the ones who passed the Affordable Care Act, with a bunch of grandiose promises of their own that never materialized. Premiums didn’t go down. Millions of Americans couldn’t keep their doctor or their health care plan — despite President Obama’s many assurances. The critics are right. The Affordable Care Act will blow up. And they’re right, too, that the Democrats brought this on. They alone are the architects of what has become the Unaffordable Care Act. But make no mistake: President Trump will get the blame. The implosion will happen on his watch. Mr. Obama may be gone, but his loyal fans in the media are still around. He’s the fire chief now, one journalist on CNN said. He can’t show up at the blaze and say I’m not putting it out because it started when the other guy was in charge. The Republicans may now move on to tax reform. They might want to pray that that effort turns out better than the last one. Bernie Goldberg is an opinion writer and a news and media analyst for Fox News’ O’Reilly Factor. He is a graduate of Rutgers University and a member of the school’s Hall of Distinguished Alumni.

WHO REPRESENTS YOU SUMTER COUNTY COUNCIL DISTRICT 1 Christopher F. Sumpter II 1200 Broad St., PMB 180 Sumter, SC 29154 (803) 305-9375 (cell) csumpter@sumtercountysc.org DISTRICT 2 Artie Baker 3680 Bakersfield Lane Dalzell, SC 29040 803-469-3638 (home) DISTRICT 3 James Byrd Jr. PO Box 1913 Sumter, SC 29151 (803) 468-1719 (cell) (803) 436-2108 (fax) jbyrd@sumtercountysc.org DISTRICT 4 Charles T. Edens 3250 Home Place Road Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 775-0044 (home) (803) 236-5759 (cell) cedens@sumtercountysc.org

Kathleen Parker’s email address is kathleenparker@washpost.com.

DISTRICT 5 Vivian Fleming-McGhaney 9770 Lynches River Road Lynchburg, SC 29080 (803) 437-2797 (home) (803) 495-3247 (office) vmcghaney@sumtercountysc.org

DISTRICT 6 James T. McCain Jr.

317 W. Bartlette St. Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 773-2353 (home) (803) 607-2777 (cell) DISTRICT 7 Eugene Baten PO Box 3193 Sumter, SC 29151 (803) 773-0815 (home) council@sumtercountysc.org SUMTER CITY COUNCIL MAYOR Joseph T. McElveen Jr. 20 Buford St. Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 773-0382 jmcelveen@sumter-sc.com WARD 1 Thomas J. Lowery 829 Legare St. Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 773-9298 tlowery@sumter-sc.com WARD 2 Ione Dwyer PO Box 1492 Sumter, SC 29151 (803) 481-4284 idwyer@sumter-sc.com WARD 3 Calvin K. Hastie Sr. 810 S. Main St. Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 774-7776 chastie@sumter-sc.com

WARD 4 Steven Corley 115 Radcliff Drive Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 305-1566 scorley@sumter-sc.com WARD 5 Robert Galiano 608 Antlers Drive Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 469-0005 bgaliano@sumter-sc.com WARD 6 David Merchant 26 Paisley Park Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 773-1086 dmerchant@sumter-sc.com STATE LAWMAKERS Rep. Will Wheeler, D-Bishopville District 50 (803) 484-5454 (office, Bishopville) (803) 212-6958 (office, Columbia) (803) 428-3161 (home) (803) 229-2407 (cell) Rep. Joe Neal, D-Hopkins District 70 PO Box 5 Hopkins, SC 29061 (803) 776-0353 (home) (803) 734-9142 (fax) (803) 734-2804 (Columbia) jn@schouse.org

Rep. Dr. Robert L. Ridgeway III, D-Clarendon District 64 117 N. Brooks St. Manning, SC 29102 (803) 938-3087(home) (803) 212-6929 (Columbia) Rep. Murrell Smith Jr., R-Sumter District 67 PO Box 580 Sumter, SC 29151 (803) 778-2471 (business) (803) 778-1643 (fax) (803) 734-3042 (Columbia) murrellsmith@schouse.gov Rep. J. David Weeks, D-Sumter District 51 2 Marlborough Court Sumter, SC 29154 (803) 775-5856 (business) (803) 734-3102 (Columbia) Sen. Gerald Malloy, D-Darlington District 29 1216 Salem Road Hartsville, SC 29550 (843) 339-3000 (803) 212-6148 (Columbia) Sen. Kevin L. Johnson, D-Manning District 36 PO Box 156, Manning, 29102 (803) 435-8117 (home) (803) 212-6108 (Columbia) Sen. J. Thomas McElveen III, D-Sumter District 35 PO Box 57, Sumter, 29151

(803) 775-1263 (business) (803) 212-6132 (Columbia) NATIONAL LAWMAKERS Rep. Mick Mulvaney — 5th District 1207 Longworth HOB Washington, D.C. 20515 (202) 225-5501 531-A Oxford Drive Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 327-1114 Rep. Jim Clyburn — 6th District 319 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 (202) 225-3315 1703 Gervais St. Columbia, SC 29201 (803) 799-1100 jclyburn@hr.house.gov Sen. Lindsey Graham 290 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 (202) 224-5972 Midlands Regional Office 508 Hampton Street, Suite 202 Columbia, SC 29201 (803) 933-0112 (main) Sen. Tim Scott 167 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 (202) 224-6121 (202) 228-5143 (fax) 1301 Gervais St., Suite 825 Columbia, SC 29201 (803) 771-6112 (803) 771-6455 (fax)

A10

TUESDAY, MARCH 28, 2017

AROUND TOWN sides), drinks, music, Did you know that March is laughs and fun. Event is recognized as Red Cross Help save a lifeofby donating today wear free. blood If possible, Month in celebration the something with the wildvolunteers who help those cat and the year 1983. Call in need by giving their John Robinson at (845) time, money or blood? 536-1348. Blood donation is now easier than ever with the The Campbell Soup friends Blood Donor App and lunch group will meet at RapidPass. With this free 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, app, donors can schedule April 1, at Golden Corral. and manage donation apThe Clarendon County pointments, access their Branch NAACP Annual Freedonor card, earn rewards dom Fund Banquet will be and more. You can help held at 6 p.m. on Saturday, save a life by becoming a April 1, at Central Carolina blood donor during one of Technical College’s F.E. the following blood donaDuBose campus, 3351 tion opportunities: Today, Sumter Highway, Manning. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Central Maggie Wallace Glover, Carolina Technical Colformer state senator, will lege, 506 N. Guignard speak. Tickets are $30. Drive; Wednesday, March Call Mary Cooper at (843) 29, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., USC 372-4117 or Julius Adger at Sumter, 200 Miller Road; (803) 983-0302. and Thursday, March 30, The Pettibelle Retirees will 2-7 p.m., Grace Baptist meet at 11:30 a.m. MonChurch, 219 W. Calhoun St. day, April 3, at Golden Volunteers from AARP will Corral, 2385 Walmart Blvd. offer free tax preparation For details, call (803) 495from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on 2117. Mondays and Wednesdays The Rembert Area Communithrough April 12 at the ty Coalition’s 5th Annual Shepherd’s Center, 24 Spring Parade will be held Council St. Applicants are from 10 a.m. to noon on advised to bring the folSaturday, April 8. The palowing with them: photo rade will begin at the ID; Social Security cards Rembert Community Car for all household memWash and continue onto bers being claimed; tax Lee Street, along Young documents — W-2 forms, Street, down McLeod Cha1099R, 1099SSA, interest pel Road, down Pisgah income and all other inRoad, onto U.S. 521 and come statements; 2015 end at 8420 Camden Hightax returns and power of way. The parade will be attorney forms if filing for followed by a family and someone other than yourfriends event until 3 p.m. self. Call Henry Dinkins at There will be food, bever(803) 499-4990 or Lula King ages, live music and enat (803) 316-0772. tertainment and more. The Rembert Area CommuniParticipation, sponsorship ty Coalition will host a and vendor forms are Greater Sumter County Reavailable on the RACC gional Health Fair from 1 to website under “News & 2 p.m. on Thursday, March Events.” 29, at Pinewood CommuniThe Sumter Chapter of the ty Center, 130 Epperson National Federation of the Ave., Pinewood. Call (803) Blind of South Carolina will 432-2001 or visit www.racmeet at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, cinc.org . April 11, at Shiloh-RanHillcrest High School Class dolph Manor, 125 W. of 1983 will hold a spring Bartlette St. Transportafling from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. tion provided with the on Saturday, April 1, at coverage area. Contact Catchall Masonic Lodge, Debra Canty, chapter 3280 Peach Orchard Road, president, at (803) 775Dalzell. There will be food 5792 or debra.canty@fron(chicken, fish, burgers, tier.com. hot dogs, sausages and

PUBLIC AGENDA SUMTER COUNTY DEVELOPMENT BOARD Today, 7:30 a.m., Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce boardroom, 32 E. Calhoun St. SUMTER CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL CALLED MEETING (WORKSHOP) Today, 11:30 a.m., City Council Chambers, Sumter Opera House, 21 N. Main St.

CLARENDON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL BOARD OF TRUSTEES Today, 6 p.m., hospital board room SUMTER COUNTY COUNCIL Today, 6 p.m., Sumter County Council Chambers

DAILY PLANNER

THE SUMTER ITEM

WEATHER

AccuWeather® ﬁve-day forecast for Sumter TODAY

TONIGHT

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Mostly cloudy with a t-storm

Mainly clear and mild

Sun and some clouds

Cloudy

Cloudy with a thunderstorm

Mostly sunny

83°

57°

84° / 56°

77° / 60°

77° / 54°

81° / 51°

Chance of rain: 55%

Chance of rain: 0%

Chance of rain: 25%

Chance of rain: 60%

Chance of rain: 5%

SW 7-14 mph

W 4-8 mph

N 4-8 mph

ESE 8-16 mph

S 8-16 mph

N 6-12 mph

TODAY’S SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER

Gaﬀney 77/53 Spartanburg 78/54

Greenville 78/53

Columbia 84/57

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

IN THE MOUNTAINS

Sumter 83/57

Aiken 79/55

ON THE COAST

Charleston 82/58

Today: Partly sunny; a thunderstorm in the area. High 73 to 84. Wednesday: Partly sunny; pleasant. High 75 to 86.

LOCAL ALMANAC

LAKE LEVELS

SUMTER THROUGH 4 P.M. YESTERDAY

81° 55° 70° 44° 87° in 1949 21° in 1955

Full pool 360 76.8 75.5 100

Lake Murray Marion Moultrie Wateree

SUN AND MOON 7 a.m. yest. 356.92 74.71 74.62 97.97

24-hr chg none +0.05 +0.04 +0.02

RIVER STAGES

Precipitation 24 hrs ending 4 p.m. yest. Month to date Normal month to date Year to date Last year to date Normal year to date

trace 1.47" 3.38" 7.05" 11.38" 10.80"

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

NATIONAL CITIES

REGIONAL CITIES

Today City Hi/Lo/W Atlanta 77/59/pc Chicago 50/38/c Dallas 81/65/pc Detroit 57/35/c Houston 86/68/pc Los Angeles 78/55/s New Orleans 83/67/pc New York 56/46/r Orlando 87/60/s Philadelphia 69/48/c Phoenix 79/55/s San Francisco 67/53/s Wash., DC 75/53/t

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

Wed. Hi/Lo/W 82/62/pc 49/40/pc 78/55/t 53/35/s 80/62/t 83/56/s 83/68/pc 60/38/s 90/61/pc 64/37/s 85/57/s 68/55/pc 66/41/s

Myrtle Beach 74/60

Manning 83/58

Today: Warm with a brief shower. Winds west-southwest 6-12 mph. Wednesday: Partly sunny, nice and warm. Winds south-southwest 3-6 mph.

Temperature High Low Normal high Normal low Record high Record low

Florence 82/58

Bishopville 82/56

Today Hi/Lo/W 76/47/c 79/54/pc 84/56/pc 84/60/pc 71/58/c 82/58/pc 79/54/t 79/56/t 84/57/t 81/57/t 75/56/c 80/58/t 80/57/t

Flood 7 a.m. 24-hr stage yest. chg 12 6.73 -0.07 19 3.29 -0.33 14 5.12 none 14 2.03 -0.01 80 76.34 -0.26 24 5.45 +0.02

Wed. Hi/Lo/W 76/51/pc 85/57/pc 89/58/pc 86/62/pc 63/48/pc 86/59/pc 79/55/pc 82/59/pc 85/59/pc 81/55/pc 63/44/pc 79/51/pc 80/52/pc

Today City Hi/Lo/W Florence 82/58/t Gainesville 86/54/s Gastonia 78/53/t Goldsboro 78/57/t Goose Creek 81/58/pc Greensboro 75/55/t Greenville 78/53/t Hickory 78/53/t Hilton Head 75/61/pc Jacksonville, FL 87/59/s La Grange 78/59/pc Macon 81/58/pc Marietta 77/56/pc

Sunrise 7:15 a.m. Moonrise 7:46 a.m.

Sunset Moonset

7:40 p.m. 8:31 p.m.

First

Full

Last

New

Apr. 3

Apr. 11

Apr. 19

Apr. 26

TIDES AT MYRTLE BEACH

Today Wed.

Wed. Hi/Lo/W 83/54/pc 89/54/pc 79/57/pc 75/49/pc 85/60/pc 75/52/pc 80/55/pc 77/54/pc 80/62/pc 87/58/pc 83/59/pc 85/59/pc 82/59/pc

High 10:08 a.m. 10:22 p.m. 10:53 a.m. 11:09 p.m.

Ht. 3.3 3.5 3.3 3.6

Low 4:35 a.m. 4:54 p.m. 5:24 a.m. 5:40 p.m.

Today City Hi/Lo/W Marion 77/51/t Mt. Pleasant 78/60/pc Myrtle Beach 74/60/pc Orangeburg 81/58/pc Port Royal 78/61/pc Raleigh 76/57/t Rock Hill 78/54/c Rockingham 79/55/t Savannah 86/61/pc Spartanburg 78/54/t Summerville 82/58/pc Wilmington 77/56/c Winston-Salem 75/55/t

Ht. -0.6 -0.7 -0.7 -0.8

Wed. Hi/Lo/W 76/57/pc 82/61/pc 76/56/pc 84/60/pc 82/61/pc 75/51/pc 80/59/pc 78/53/pc 87/63/pc 79/58/pc 85/60/pc 78/50/pc 74/53/pc

UNSTOPPABLE IN ANY SEASON

ARIES (March 21April 19): Go EUGENIA LAST where the action is, but don’t underestimate the extent of a situation, deal or challenge. Live up to your promises and gauge your time and cost responsibly. Good results will come from hands-on work and emotional stability.

The last word in astrology

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Rule with your head, not your heart. Don’t let your emotions lead you astray or cause you to make poor choices. Stay focused on what you want to accomplish and you will avoid being stuck with responsibilities that don’t belong to you. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): You’ve got more going for you than you realize. Don’t settle for less when a little effort will bring great results. Call in favors and you will discover that you have a number of people on hand to help. CANCER (June 21-July 22): Easy does it. You may offend someone if you are too abrupt or pushy. Step back and view the whole situation and you will find an alternate way to handle whatever you face. Getting along with others will help you reach your goal. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Engage in activities that allow you to show off. Your lively contributions will attract attention and give you the platform you need to promote what you have to offer. Love and romance should be a priority along with selfimprovement. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Pump up the volume and get moving. Taking action will let everyone know you mean business. Step away from your normal routine and show your versatility and desire to reach your goals. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Look

for a silver lining and you will find it. Having patience and listening to what others have to say will help you respond with compassion and alternative solutions. Working with others will help you get what you want. Love will brighten your day. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Don’t let anyone leave you hanging. Jump into action and make your presence known. Don’t fear change or failure. Your tenacity will drive you to the top. Do things your own way and good fortune will be yours.

803-795-4257

Through summer storms or blizzard conditions, nothing stops a reliable and efficient Boykin System from keeping you comfortable all year long. Now is the right time to upgrade your old system and be ready for any season. But hurry… this great offer will blow away soon!

PICTURES FROM THE PUBLIC

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Express your thoughts and put your plans into motion. Change will excite you and bring you in contact with people who are as adventurous as you. Don’t deny yourself the right to enjoy life. Romance is encouraged. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Stick close to home. Problems while traveling can be expected if you try to fit too much into your day. Approach whatever you need to do with discipline and the goal to finish what you start. Avoid people who are a bad influence. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Get in touch with old friends or flames. Walking down memory lane will spark new interest in old dreams. An opportunity to get involved in a joint venture looks promising. Contracts, settlements and agreements can be finalized. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): As long as you are disciplined and willing to look at all angles of whatever situation you face, you will avoid making a mistake. Following through with promises will help you gain respect. A reunion will lead to an unexpected proposal.

Susan Marks comments on her photo submission, “As I was snapping a picture of the bluebird, his mate stuck her head out of the birdhouse. Looks like they are setting up housekeeping.”

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

TUESDAY, MARCH 28, 2017 Call: (803) 774-1241 | E-mail: sports@theitem.com

USC MEN’S BASKETBALL

COMMENTARY

Who ARE these guys?

Gamecocks have been better team so far in tournament

the South that scrimmaged together the past two preseasons faced off way out West in Northern California, a rematch of South Carolina’s six-point Elite Eight win against the Seminoles two years ago in Greensboro.

on’t want to hear it! It doesn’t matter how many brackets you have with the University of South Carolina men’s basketball team in the Final Four of the NCAA tournament, for every one you had four with the Gamecocks losing to Marquette in the first round or five with them losing to Duke. And if there are some of you whose only bracket has USC not only going to the Final Dennis Four, but winBrunson ning the whole shebang, you filled it out with garnet-colored glasses. There’s no chance you could have really foreseen in your heart of hearts what has transpired the past two weekends. Be honest. Two weeks ago at this time the vast majority of you in Gamecock Nation were breathing a sigh of relief that USC’s name was called at all after struggling down the home stretch. Remember the giddiness you felt when Carolina was not only a No. 7 seed, but would have the opportunity to play its first two games in Greenville? Surely, you thought, South Carolina would get that 44-year-old monkey off its back of its last NCAA tournament victory. And it did, dominating Marquette in the second half. Yes! Gamecock Nation can officially say it was a successful season. A good showing against second-seeded Duke would be icing on the cake. Of course, the Gamecocks piled on some ice cream and poured some chocolate syrup on top of that cake by taking down the Blue Devils. Follow that with the dismantling of Baylor and the win over Florida on Sunday for the East Regional championship and USC will be heading for Glendale, Ariz., on Wednesday to prepare to face Gonzaga on Saturday in one of the national semifinals. While there is no way anyone could have come to the conclusion that Carolina would pull something like this off, that doesn’t deter in any way what it has accomplished. South Carolina and head coach Frank Martin have pulled it all together at the perfect time. The defense has been steadily outstanding – at times stifling – through the four games. That has put the Gamecocks in position to get this far, but it’s the offense that has helped pull it off. USC was averaging 67 points a contest entering the tourney; the fewest number of points it has scored in the four games is 70 when it easily had its most smothering defensive performance.

SEE SEMIS, PAGE B3

SEE BRUNSON, PAGE B4

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

South Carolina head coach Frank Martin holds up the East Regional championship trophy after his Gamecocks beat Florida 77-70 in the men’s NCAA tournament on Sunday in New York to advance to its first ever Final Four.

Final Four welcomes trio of 1st-time coaches BY AARON BEARD AP Basketball Writer RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Frank Martin never got caught up in wins and losses, the highs and the lows, as he worked to build South Carolina into a contender for conference championships. Gonzaga’s Mark Few dismissed ques-

tions of whether his Bulldogs would be a failure as long as they failed to get to a Final Four after so many great regular seasons. And Oregon’s Dana Altman focused on turning one deep NCAA Tournament run into something more. Whatever their differences in personality, playing style and approach, that trio now shares something in

common after all that work: each is headed to his first Final Four. It’s the first time since 2006 that the Final Four will feature three first-time coaches there. “Anyone that’s in sports dreams of moments like this,” Martin said after Sunday’s win against Florida in the

SEE USC, PAGE B4

USC WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Lady Gamecocks advance to semis South Carolina women join men in Final Four with 71-64 win over FSU STOCKTON, Calif. (AP) — Kaela Davis scored 23 points and A’ja Wilson added 16 and top-seeded South Carolina held off No. 3 seed Florida State 71-64 in a furious finish Monday night to win the Stockton Regional. Davis scored immediately off the tip and again on a timely, brilliant left-handed drive with 1:42 to go. Allisha Gray drove her way to 11 points for South Carolina (31-4) — and Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks are back in the Final Four for the first time since 2015 still chasing the program’s first NCAA championship. Leticia Romero cut the South Carolina lead to five, 65-60, on a driving jumper with 3:51 left. Then Brittany Brown’s steal and layup at 3:25 made it 65-62, but the Seminoles wouldn’t get closer. South Carolina has both basketball teams in the Final Four. The men’s pro-

gram reached its first Final Four with a stunning upset of Florida on Sunday that sent the women screaming in delight at Stockton Arena all the way across the country from the victory at Madison Square Garden. After the buzzer sounded, the Gamecocks hustled together for a team hug, then danced at midcourt wearing T-shirts and hats. Imani Wright’s basket with 7:12 to play capped a 6-0 burst and pulled Florida State within 60-53, then Gray answered. Romero knocked down a 3 moments later and it was a six-point game. Tyasha Harris added 16 points for South Carolina, which made things uncomfortable all game for Florida State’s Spanish star, Romero. She was limited to 6-for23 shooting for 16 points, six assists and six rebounds as Florida State fell short once more of the program’s first Final Four.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

South Carolina guard Tyasha Harris, right, tries to steal the ball from Florida State’s Chatrice White during the first half of the Gamecocks victory over FSU in the Stockton Regional final the women’s NCAA college basketball tournament on Monday in Stockton, California. Davis, daughter of former NBA player Antonio Davis, delivered all day on both ends. She shot 10 for 15 and is headed to her Final Four debut on Friday against Stanford. She transferred from Georgia Tech for the chance to do something special. Two power programs from

AUTO RACING

Second to none: Kyle Larson hangs on to win at Fontana BY GREG BEACHAM AP Sports Writer FONTANA, Calif. — A blistering first in qualifying. A surprising first in the Xfinity Series race. And a steady, tenacious first when it really mattered on Sunday. Kyle Larson was second to nobody in his home state. Larson persevered through four late restarts to win at Fontana, adding his second career victory to his overall Monster Energy NASCAR Cup series points lead.

“Lots of fun to be Kyle Larson right now,” Larson said with a grin. “Our race cars are really fast in Xfinity and Cup, so it’s a blast to show up to the race track every week.” Larson finished second in each of the last three races, but the Sacramento-area native’s Chip GaLARSON nassi Racing Chevrolet was the class of the field at Auto Club Speedway all weekend long. He claimed the second pole of his

career Friday, and he also won the Xfinity race Saturday in a result that surprised him much more than his Cup triumph. The 24-year-old prodigy became just the fourth driver to sweep a race weekend at Fontana. “Our cars are really good at every race track right now,” Larson said. “I feel like I have a shot to win every time I go to the race track. That’s always a lot of fun. That’s something I’ve always hoped for, to get to a point like that in my NASCAR career. In the past, I had race tracks where I knew I would be good, but right now, we’re

going to some tracks that aren’t good for me and running up front. It’s a lot of fun to have that confidence.” Fontana’s bumpy 2-mile track particularly suits Larson’s skills, and he was unshakable during the late drama and jockeying typical to the five-wide asphalt one hour east of Los Angeles. After surging up from fourth to first with four new tires before the final caution, he made one last outstanding restart and cruised through two overtime laps to win.

SEE FONTANA, PAGE B5

SPORTS

TUESDAY, MARCH 28, 2017

SCOREBOARD

AREA ROUNDUP

6 a.m. — Major League Exhibition Baseball: Chicago White Sox vs. Los Angeles Dodgers from Glendale, Ariz. (MLB NETWORK). 9 a.m. — Major League Exhibition Baseball: Los Angeles Angels vs. Arizona from Scottsdale, Ariz. (MLB NETWORK). 10 a.m. — College Football: Florida Pro Day from Gainesville, Fla. (SEC NETWORK). 11 a.m. — Professional Tennis: Miami Open Women’s Quarterfinal and Men’s Roundof-16 Matches from Key Biscayne, Fla. (TENNIS). 11:45 a.m. — International Soccer: Russia vs. Belgium from Sochi, Russia (FOX SPORTS 2). 1 p.m. — Major League Exhibition Baseball: St. Louis vs. New York Mets from Port St. Lucie, Fla. (ESPN). 2:55 p.m. — International Soccer: France vs. Spain from Saint-Denis, France (ESPN2). 3 p.m. — High School Basketball: McDonald’s All-American Boys Scrimmage from Chicago (ESPNU). 4 p.m. — Major League Exhibition Baseball: San Francisco vs. Chicago Cubs from Mesa, Ariz. (MLB NETWORK). 5 p.m. — Professional Tennis: Miami Open Women’s Quarterfinal and Men’s Roundof-16 Matches from Key Biscayne, Fla. (TENNIS). 6 p.m. — College Swimming and Diving: NCAA Women’s Championships from Bloomington, Ind. (ESPNU). 6 p.m. — College Baseball: Savannah State at Georgia (SEC NETWORK). 6 p.m. — College Baseball: Georgia Tech at Mercer (SPECTRUM 1250). 6:05 p.m. — Talk Show: Sports Talk (WDXYFM 105.9, WDXY-AM 1240). 7 p.m. — College Basketball: National Invitation Tournament Semifinal Game from New York — Cal State (Bakersfield) vs. Georgia Tech (ESPN). 7 p.m. — NBA Basketball: Milwaukee at Charlotte (FOX SPORTS SOUTHEAST). 7 p.m. — NHL Hockey: Detroit at Carolina (FOX SPORTSOUTH). 7 p.m. — Major League Exhibition Baseball: Boston vs. Pittsburgh from Bradenton, Fla. (MLB NETWORK). 7 p.m. — NASCAR Racing: K&N Pro Series West NAPA 150 from Bakersfield, Calif. (NBC SPORTS NETWORK). 7 p.m. — College Baseball: South Carolina at The Citadel (WNKT-FM 107.5). 8 p.m. — NBA Basketball: Golden State at Houston (NBA TV). 8 p.m. — College Baseball: Auburn at Alabama (SEC NETWORK). 9 p.m. — College Basketball: National Invitation Tournament Semifinal Game from New York — Central Florida vs. Texas Christian (ESPN). 9 p.m. — Professional Boxing: Leduan Barthelemy vs. Reynaldo Blanco in a Super Lightweight Bout and Mark Anthony Hernandez vs. Kyrone Davis in a Super Welterweight Bout from Nice, Calif. (FOX SPORTS 1). 10:30 p.m. — NBA Basketball: Washington at Los Angeles Lakers (NBA TV). 11 p.m. — Major League Exhibition Baseball: Miami vs. Washington from West Palm Beach, Fla. (MLB NETWORK). 2 a.m. — Major League Exhibition Baseball: Arizona vs. Seattle from Peoria, Ariz. (MLB NETWORK).

PREP SCHEDULE TODAY

VARSITY AND JV BASEBALL Wilson Hall at Orangeburg Prep, 4 p.m. Florence Christian at Laurence Manning, 4 p.m. Clarendon Hall at Patrick Henry, 4 p.m.

B TEAM BASEBALL Wilson Hall at Cardinal Newman, 4:15 p.m. Williamsburg at Thomas Sumter, 4 p.m.

VARSITY BOYS GOLF Sumter in The Bengal Invitational, TBA Laurence Manning at Trinity-Byrnes, 4 p.m.

VARSITY BOYS SOCCER Socastee at Sumter, 7:30 p.m. Crestwood at Hartsville, 7:30 p.m. Bishop England at Manning, 7 p.m. First Baptist at Wilson Hall, 5:30 p.m. Carolina Academy at Wilson Hall, 4 p.m. Florence Christian at Laurence Manning, 5 p.m.

VARSITY GIRLS SOCCER Socastee at Sumter, 6 p.m. Crestwood at Hartsville, 6 p.m.

VARSITY SOFTBALL Socastee at Sumter, 6:30 p.m. East Clarendon at Creek Bridge (DH), 5:30 p.m. Sumter Christian at Fountain Inn Christian, 3:30 p.m.

VARSITY AND JV SOFTBALL Crestwood at Lakewood, 5:30 p.m. Clarendon Hall at Patrick Henry, 4 p.m.

B TEAM SOFTBALL Laurence Manning at Hammond (DH), 4:30 p.m.

VARSITY BOYS TENNIS Socastee at Sumter, 5 p.m. Hanahan at Manning, 4:30 p.m.

VARSITY TRACK AND FIELD Scott’s Branch in Home Meet, 5 p.m.

NBA STANDINGS EASTERN CONFERENCE ATLANTIC DIVISION L 26 29 46 46 57

Pct .649 .603 .370 .370 .219

GB — 3½ 20½ 20½ 31½

W 45 37 35 33 27

L 28 36 38 40 46

Pct .616 .507 .479 .452 .370

GB — 8 10 12 18

W 47 37 37 35 34

L 25 36 36 39 39

Pct .653 .507 .507 .473 .466

GB — 10½ 10½ 13 13½

SOUTHEAST DIVISION x-Washington Atlanta Miami Charlotte Orlando

CENTRAL DIVISION z-Cleveland Milwaukee Indiana Chicago Detroit

Detroit at New York, 7:30 p.m. Orlando at Toronto, 7:30 p.m. Cleveland at San Antonio, 8 p.m. Oklahoma City at Dallas, 8:30 p.m. Memphis at Sacramento, 10:30 p.m. New Orleans at Utah, 10:30 p.m.

TODAY’S GAMES Milwaukee at Charlotte, 7 p.m. Minnesota at Indiana, 7 p.m. Miami at Detroit, 7:30 p.m. Philadelphia at Brooklyn, 7:30 p.m. Phoenix at Atlanta, 7:30 p.m. Golden State at Houston, 8 p.m. Denver at Portland, 10 p.m. Washington at L.A. Lakers, 10:30 p.m.

NHL STANDINGS EASTERN CONFERENCE ATLANTIC DIVISION Montreal Ottawa Toronto Boston Tampa Bay Florida Buffalo Detroit

GP x-Washington 74 x-Columbus 74 x-Pittsburgh 75 N.Y. Rangers 76 N.Y. Islanders 74 Carolina 73 Philadelphia 75 New Jersey 75

L 24 25 24 30 29 30 32 32

OT 9 8 15 6 9 11 12 12

Pts 93 90 85 84 81 77 74 72

GF 204 194 227 214 205 193 188 184

GA 187 191 219 202 206 209 216 217

W 49 48 46 46 35 33 35 27

L 17 19 18 26 27 27 32 35

OT 8 7 11 4 12 13 8 13

Pts GF 106 238 103 232 103 258 96 241 82 218 79 193 78 197 67 171

GA 163 171 211 201 225 208 220 220

Pts GF 102 225 95 240 87 222 86 207 75 225 73 206 43 145

GA 192 190 205 199 241 238 249

WESTERN CONFERENCE

L 16 22 33 41 42

Pct .778 .699 .548 .431 .425

GB — 5½ 16½ 25 25½

L 29 31 38 38 44

Pct .603 .569 .479 .479 .389

GB — 2½ 9 9 15½

CAMDEN — Drew Talley tossed a 2-hit shutout to lift Wilson Hall to an 8-0 varsity baseball victory over Camden High School on Monday at the CHS field. Talley had four strikeouts. Josh Knowlton was 3-for4 with three runs batted in to lead the WH offense. Burgess Jordan had two hits and McLendon Sears had a double.

JV BASEBALL PROVIDENCE ATHLETIC CLUB 18 WILSON HALL 2

Wilson Hall fell to 2-5 with an 18-2 loss to Providence Athletic Club on Monday at Baron Field. Tanner Epps had a triple, scored a run and drove in a run to lead the Barons.

CENTRAL DIVISION GP x-Chicago 75 x-Minnesota 75 Nashville 74 St. Louis 74 Winnipeg 76 Dallas 75 Colorado 74

W 48 44 38 40 34 31 20

L 21 24 25 28 35 33 51

OT 6 7 11 6 7 11 3

PACIFIC DIVISION GP W L OT Pts GF GA Anaheim 75 41 23 11 93 199 185 San Jose 75 42 26 7 91 201 182 Edmonton 75 41 25 9 91 223 195 Calgary 75 42 29 4 88 207 202 Los Angeles 74 35 32 7 77 180 186 Vancouver 75 30 36 9 69 172 219 Arizona 75 27 39 9 63 180 240 NOTE: Two points for a win, one point for overtime loss. Top three teams in each division and two wild cards per conference advance to playoffs. x-clinched playoff spot

VARSITY TENNIS DARLINGTON 6 SUMTER 0

DARLINGTON — Sumter High School lost to Darlington 6-0 on Monday at the DHS courts. The Gamecocks dropped to 3-10. SINGLES

1 — Avery Williamson (D) defeated

x-Utah Oklahoma City Portland Denver Minnesota

Florida at Buffalo, 7 p.m. Nashville at N.Y. Islanders, 7 p.m. Detroit at Carolina, 7 p.m. Chicago at Tampa Bay, 7:30 p.m. Arizona at St. Louis, 8 p.m. Colorado at Calgary, 9 p.m.

W L z-Golden State 59 14 x-L.A. Clippers 44 31 Sacramento 28 45 Phoenix 22 52 L.A. Lakers 21 52 x-clinched playoff spot z-clinched division

Pct .808 .587 .384 .297 .288

SUNDAY’S GAMES Brooklyn 107, Atlanta 92 Charlotte 120, Phoenix 106 Chicago 109, Milwaukee 94 Houston 137, Oklahoma City 125 Sacramento 98, L.A. Clippers 97 Boston 112, Miami 108 Indiana 107, Philadelphia 94 Golden State 106, Memphis 94 New Orleans 115, Denver 90 Portland 97, L.A. Lakers 81

GB — 16 31 37½ 38

GIRLS VARSITY SOFTBALL WILLIAMSBURG 2 WILSON HALL 0

Wilson Hall lost to Williamsburg Academy 2-0 on Monday at Patriot Park SportPlex. Liza Lowder had two hits, including a double, to lead the Lady Barons.

JV SOFTBALL WILSON HALL 16 WILLIAMSBURG 9

Wilson Hall scored 13 runs in its final two at-bats to defeat Williamsburg Academy 16-9 on Monday at Patriot Park SportPlex. Andi Grea Wingate, Abby Beatson and Becca Cromer each had three hits for the Lady Barons. Wingate had two RBI and Beatson had a double and

COLUMBIA -- The starting time for the University of South Carolina football team’s spring game on Saturday at Williams-Brice Stadium has been moved up to a noon start. The move was made to allow USC fans time to watch the men’s basketball team play its Final Four game later on Saturday. Admission is free for the noon contest at Williams-Brice Stadium.

Buffalo at Columbus, 7 p.m. Nashville at Boston, 7 p.m. Detroit at Carolina, 7 p.m. Ottawa at Philadelphia, 7 p.m. Winnipeg at New Jersey, 7 p.m. Dallas at Montreal, 7:30 p.m. Florida at Toronto, 7:30 p.m. Washington at Minnesota, 8 p.m. Los Angeles at Edmonton, 9 p.m. Anaheim at Vancouver, 10 p.m. N.Y. Rangers at San Jose, 10:30 p.m.

USCS TAKES 3 OF 4

COLLEGE BASEBALL POLLS BASEBALL AMERICA TOP 25 DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — The top 25 teams in the Baseball America poll through March 26. Record Prv 1. Oregon State 20-1 2 2. Louisville 21-2 1 3. TCU 17-5 3 4. Texas Tech 22-4 8 5. Clemson 20-4 6 6. South Carolina 17-6 7 7. North Carolina 18-6 10 8. Florida 16-9 13 9. LSU 18-7 4 10. Cal State Fullerton 15-8 5 11. Florida Gulf Coast 22-3 12 12. Florida State 18-7 14 13. Arizona 16-7 9 14. St. John’s 18-2 16 15. Stanford 13-6 17 16. Kentucky 18-7 — 17. Oklahoma 23-5 24 18. Auburn 20-6 — 19. Virginia 19-6 19 20. Mississippi 15-9 11 21. Arkansas 20-5 — 22. Baylor 18-6 20 23. Houston 18-5 — 24. Wake Forest 18-7 — 25. East Carolina 17-8 25

COLLEGIATE BASEBALL POLL TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — The Collegiate Baseball poll with records through March 26. Record Pts Prv 1. Oregon State 20-1 497 1 2. Louisville 21-2 496 1 3. TCU 17-5 494 3 4. Texas Tech. 22-4 492 4 5. St. John’s 18-2 489 9 6. Clemson 20-4 486 12 7. North Carolina 18-6 484 11 8. South Carolina 17-6 481 13 9. Florida Gulf Coast 22-3 479 15 10. Auburn 20-6 478 16 11. Florida 16-9 475 17 12. Florida State 18-7 472 18 13. LSU 18-7 470 8 14. Cal State Fullerton 15-8 468 6 15. Oklahoma 23-5 465 10 16. Arizona 16-7 462 7 17. Arkansas 20-5 459 29 18. Missouri 21-3 457 5 19. Stanford 13-6 453 20 20. Kentucky 18-7 451 21 21. Virginia 19-6 446 22 22. Vanderbilt 16-9 444 24 23. Southern Miss. 19-5 443 25 24. Oregon 15-6 441 28 25. Houston 18-5 438 — 26. Maryland 15-8 435 — 27. Michigan 17-6 434 14 28. Wake Forest 18-7 432 — 29. Baylor 18-6 429 19 30. Long Beach State 13-9 426 —

The University of South Carolina Sumter baseball team opened its NJCAA Region X schedule by taking three of four games from USC Salkehatchie over the weekend at Riley Park. The Fire Ants split on Saturday, winning 5-3 before losing 8-7 in the nightcap. On Sunday, USC Sumter won 7-6 and 5-4. USC Sumter is 18-12 overall. The Fire Ants will travel to Whiteville, N.C., on Wednesday to play a doubleheader against Southeastern Community College-Whiteville. USC 4 ALABAMA 2

COLUMBIA — South Carolina defeated Alabama 4-2 on Sunday at Founders Park to win its 3-game Southeastern Conference series. Riley Hogan had two of the Gamecocks’ four hits and drove in a run. Jonah Bride and Danny Blair each had an RBI. Clarke Schmidt started and allowed three hits and one run in six innings of work. He struck out five and walked none. John Parke pitched two scoreless inning of relief to get the win. Former USC Sumter Fire Ant Colie Bowers recorded the final two outs to pick up his third save. USC improved to 17-6 overall and 5-1 in the SEC. Alabama dropped to 12-12 and 1-5.

LAURENCE MANNING 18 COLLETON PREP 7

MANNING — Laurence Manning Academy scored nine runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to defeat Colleton Prep 18-7 on Monday at Julie Skolar Field. Malorie Spiegel had three hits, including an inside-the-park grand slam home run. She finished with six RBI. Laura Betts Brogdon had three hits for LMA, which improved to 2-3-1. Lindsey Barwick had two hits and an RBI while Callie Thompson and Payton Davis each had a hit and an RBI.

overall and 8-1 in the ACC. BC dropped to 7-14 and 1-8. CITADEL 4 VMI 2

CHARLESTON — The Citadel defeated Virginia Military Institute 4-2 on Sunday at Riley Park to win the Southern Conference series. Jonathan Sabo and Ben Peden both had two hits for the Bulldogs, who improved to 9-15 overall and 2-1 in the SoCon. Sumter’s William Kinney scored a run for The Citadel. VMI fell to 10-13 and 1-2. JOHNSON WINS MATCH PLAY TO SWEEP WORLD GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS

AUSTIN, Texas — Dustin Johnson became the first player to sweep the World Golf Championships with a dominant week that included more drama that he needed in the Dell Technologies Match Play. Johnson escaped a furious charge by Jon Rahm when the 22-year-old Spaniard failed to birdie the 18th hole. Johnson’s 1-up victory completed a week in which he never trailed in any of his seven matches, and he led in 105 of the 112 holes he played. It was the third straight victory for Johnson, and it stamped his position at No. 1. LEE WINS KIA BY TYING TOURNAMENT RECORD AT 20-UNDER PAR

CARLSBAD, Calif. — Mirim Lee of South Korea shot a 7-under 65 to win the Kia Classic by six strokes Sunday and tie the tournament record of 20-under. It was her third LPGA Tour victory and first since winning two titles in 2014, her rookie year.

PHOENIX — NFL owners approved the Oakland Raiders’ move to Las Vegas at the league meetings on Monday. The vote was a foregone conclusion after the league and Raiders were not satisfied with Oakland’s proposals for a new stadium, and Las Vegas stepped up with $750 million in public money. Bank of America also is giving Raiders owner Mark Davis a $650 million loan, further helping convince the owners to allow the third team relocation in just over a year.

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B TEAM SOFTBALL

KINGSTON, R.I. — Pat Krall and Ryley Gilliam combined to toss a 7-hit shutout as Clemson defeated Boston College 2-0 on Sunday at Bill Beck Field to complete a sweep of the Atlantic Coast Conference series. Krall improved to 4-0 as he pitched 7 1/3 innings, scattering seven hits while striking out three and walking none. Gilliam picked up his second save. Seth Beer hit his seventh home run of the season or the Tigers, who improved to 20-4

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MANNING – Lakewood High School lost to Manning 16-5 on Monday at the MHS field. Ansley Newman, Jade McCoy, Bailey Moss, Emmalee Browder and Kylie Smith each scored a run for the Lady Gators.

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MANNING 16 LAKEWOOD 5

CLEMSON 2 BOSTON COLLEGE 0

FRANK’S

PACIFIC DIVISION

DOUBLES

1 — Did not play 2 — Laine Ward/Will Johnson (D) defeated Brady Black/Cameron Tomlin 6-1, 6-2.

an RBI. Camryn Bateman added two hits.

USC spring game starting time changed

MONDAY’S GAMES

NORTHWEST DIVISION W 44 41 35 35 28

Eli Witt 6-0, 6-2. 2 — Jace Watford (D) defeated Briggs Berry 6-1, 6-3. 3 — Max Ward (D) defeated Tyler Smithhart 6-1, 6-0. 4 — Kendall Howle (D) defeated Lance Gould (S) 6-2, 6-1. 5 — Ross Beasley (D) defeated Zachary Kelly (S) 6-0, 6-4.

SPORTS ITEMS

SUNDAY’S GAMES Detroit 3, Minnesota 2, OT Dallas 2, New Jersey 1, OT Philadelphia 6, Pittsburgh 2 Winnipeg 2, Vancouver 1 Anaheim 6, N.Y. Rangers 3

WESTERN CONFERENCE W 56 51 40 31 31

W 42 41 35 39 36 33 31 30

METROPOLITAN DIVISION

SOUTHWEST DIVISION x-San Antonio x-Houston Memphis Dallas New Orleans

GP 75 74 74 75 74 74 75 74

TODAY’S GAMES

VARSITY BASEBALL Socastee at Sumter, 6:30 p.m. Darlington at Crestwood, 6:30 p.m. Lugoff-Elgin at Lakewood, 6:30 p.m. East Clarendon at Creek Bridge (DH), 5:30 p.m. Williamsburg at Thomas Sumter, 6 p.m. Sumter Christian at Fountain Inn Christian, 3:30 p.m.

W 48 44 27 27 16

Talley pitches Barons to victory

MONDAY’S GAMES

TV SPORTS TODAY

x-Boston x-Toronto Philadelphia New York Brooklyn

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NCAA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

TUESDAY, MARCH 28, 2017

USC WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

UConn routs Oregon, heads Plum, Wilson lead to 10th straight Final Four All-America team BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (AP) — Napheesa Collier scored 28 points, Gabby Williams had 25 and UConn advanced to its 10th consecutive Final Four with a 90-52 victory against Oregon on Monday night. Top-seeded UConn (36-0) will face Mississippi State on Friday night in Dallas in the national semifinals. The win was the Huskies’ 111th consecutive victory and moved coach Geno Auriemma past Pat Summitt for the most NCAA Tournament victories. Auriemma now has 113 and counting. The Huskies jumped all over 10th-seeded Oregon (2314), which had made an impressive run through the NCAA. Leading 6-4, UConn scored 17 straight points. Saniya Chong got the game-changing burst started with consecutive 3-pointers. Nearly 4 1/2 minutes later she capped the burst with a layup that made it 23-4. Oregon closed to 34-21 midway through the second quarter, but UConn put the game away by scoring 15 of the final 18 points of the half. The Huskies had several questions heading into their first season since losing their big three of Breanna Stewart, Moriah Jefferson and Morgan Tuck to graduation. But they have answered every test so far, turning away every challenge while remaining unbeaten. Now UConn has a new trio leading the way. Collier and fellow sophomore Katie Lou Samuelson were honored as AP All-Americans on Monday with Williams, a junior, making the second team. The Huskies head to Dallas just two wins away from a fifth consecutive title and 12th overall. Oregon’s future is bright. Coach Kelly Graves’ team is led by outstanding freshmen Sabrina Ionescu, Ruthy Hebard and Mallory McGwire. The trio averaged 36.8 points combined this season. Ionescu led the way against UConn with 15 points.

FOUR FROM PAGE B1

BY DOUG FEINBERG AP Basketball Writer

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Connecticut’s Katie Lou Samuelson, left, defends against Oregon’s Lexi Bando, right, during the first half of the Huskies’ 90-52 victory in the championship game of the Bridgeport Regional on Monday in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The Ducklings upset seventh-seeded Temple, No. 2 Duke and No. 3 Maryland to get to the Elite Eight for the first time in program history.

BIG PICTURE Oregon: The Ducks were trying to become the first double-digit seed ever to reach the Final Four. Only 10th-seeded Lamar and 11th-seeded Gonzaga had made it this far. The Zags were also coached by Graves. ... Oregon took advantage of Bridgeport’s proximity to New York and visited the Freedom Tower and Times Square on Sunday after practice. UConn: The win was UConn’s 135th straight against an unranked opponent. The Huskies have won 310 of past 311 against non-Top 25 teams. The lone loss came against St.

Oregon had 22 turnovers, including 17 in the first half, that led to 38 points for the Huskies.

SELLOUT While attendance struggled at the three other regional sites, Bridgeport sold out the arena on both Saturday and Monday.

UP NEXT UConn will face Mississippi State on Friday night in the Final Four.

LEXINGTON REGIONAL

Regional Semifinals Friday, March 24 At Lexington, Ky. Notre Dame 99, Ohio State 76 Stanford 77, Texas 66 Regional Championship Sunday, March 26 Stanford 76, Notre Dame 75

BRIDGEPORT REGIONAL

Regional Semifinals Saturday, March 25 At Bridgeport, Conn. Oregon 77, Maryland 63 UConn 86, UCLA 71 Regional Championship Monday, March 27 UConn 90, Oregon 52

STOCKTON REGIONAL

OKLAHOMA CITY REGIONAL

Regional Semifinals Friday, March 24 At Oklahoma City Mississippi State 75, Washington 64 Baylor 97, Louisville 63 Regional Championship Sunday, March 26 Mississippi State 94, Baylor 85, OT

Regional Semifinals Saturday, March 25 At Stockton, Calif. South Carolina 100, Quinnipiac 58 Florida State 66, Oregon State 53 Regional Championship Monday, March 27 South Carolina 71, Florida State 64

FINAL FOUR

At Dallas National Semifinals Friday, March 31 UConn (36-0) vs. Mississippi State (33-4) Stanford (32-6) vs. South Carolina (31-4) National Championship Sunday, April 2 Semifinal winners

ATTENDANCE The game with no West Coast team drew 3,134.

BIG PICTURE Florida State: Florida State forced 23 turnovers two days earlier and 18 more Monday. ... It again played strong perimeter defense with the Gamecocks going 3 for 10 on 3s after the Seminoles held Oregon State to 2 for 17 on 3-pointers and Beavers leading scorer Sydney Wiese 0 for 10. ... No women’s team from Florida has reached the Final Four. ... Slaughter, whose career-high nine steals Saturday were an NCAA women’s re-

MISCUES

NCAA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT All Times EDT

This one was plenty entertaining, too — from big plays to a nail-biting final few minutes. After Wright’s jumper at the 4:23 mark made it 30-27, South Carolina closed the half with a 10-2 spurt. Gray made a pair of pretty drives to key a late secondquarter run during which South Carolina hit five of seven shots as the Seminoles took a 40-29 lead into halftime.

John’s in 2012. Since the 199394 season, UConn is 587-9 against unranked teams. ... The victory gave Chong and Tierney Lawlor 152 wins at UConn, the most in the history of the NCAA for a senior class. They only have one loss.

gional round record, had 10 rebounds. South Carolina: Wilson got her fourth foul with 5:16 left and stayed in the game. ... South Carolina made 16 of 20 free throws after converting 17 of 18 from the line in a 10058 rout of 12 seed Quinnipiac on Saturday.

Stanford (32-5) on Friday at the Final Four in Dallas. Staley starred for Hall of Fame Cardinal coach Tara VanDerveer on the gold-medal winning 1996 Atlanta Olympic team.

Geno Auriemma said. “This is their second year playing college basketball and so for them to do what they have done and to do it in this spotlight, under this kind of pressure against the teams that we’ve played is absolutely unbelievable.” This marked the fourth consecutive year that UConn had at least one All-American. Huskies junior Gabby Williams earned second team honors. “They are tough individuals and they are only going to get better,” Auriemma said. “When I see our young players play, I close my eyes and I like to think, ‘Man, this is the worst they are going to be. They are only going to get better. You cross your fingers when you say that.” While the two UConn players have two more years, Jones played her final one at Maryland and made it special. She averaged 19.8 points and 10.8 rebounds, shooting nearly 70 percent from the field. “It definitely means a lot to me, just to see all the hard work I’ve put in over the years, seeing how it’s played out in my senior season,” said Jones. “I’m really excited to have this honor and share it with my teammates. This is something I strived for. I worked hard. Coming into the season I was talking to coach, telling her everything I wanted to accomplish, and this is definitely one of the things I wanted to push myself to do.” Joining Williams on the second team were Ohio State’s Kelsey Mitchell, Notre Dame’s Brianna Turner, Washington’s Chantel Osahor and Syracuse’s Alexis Peterson. The third team includes Oregon State’s Sydney Wiese, Notre Dame’s Lindsay Allen, Maryland’s Shatori WalkerKimbrough, Duke’s Lexie Brown and Mississippi State’s Victoria Vivians. Plum and Wilson were on the preseason team, along with Mitchell, Turner and Nina Davis of Baylor.

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NEW YORK (AP) — Kelsey Plum left quite the mark at Washington. Now the senior guard, who became the NCAA’s all-time career leading scorer this season, is the first from the school to earn Associated Press All-America honors. “It is really special. I started out the season and remembered last year I was on the third team and I felt like I could have been better,” Plum said. “So going into the offseason, working out I felt I could step up my play to another level.” She did just that, averaging 31.7 points for the Huskies while shooting 53 percent from the field. “That’s the type of player she is,” Washington coach Mike Neighbors said. “She came in with a desire to be a great player and after a period of time to be recognized as one of the greats is awesome.” Plum received all 33 votes from a national media panel Monday that chooses the Top 25 each week. She is joined on the All-America team by South Carolina’s A’ja Wilson, Maryland’s Brionna Jones and UConn’s Napheesa Collier and Katie Lou Samuelson. Voting was done before the NCAA Tournament. It’s the second straight year that Wilson earned first-team honors. She averaged 17.6 points and 7.6 rebounds WILSON for the Gamecocks. “It’s really such a blessing to be recognized, just a blessing,” Wilson said. “Every time we’re on the court, I feel like I’m doing the same things I’ve been doing, trying to be efficient and going out there to help my team get a win.” Samuelson and Collier’s play this season has impressed their coach as the two sophomores really developed this year and were key reasons the Huskies are still unbeaten. Samuelson averaged 21 points a game, just a tad more than Collier’s 20.2. “It’s not like, freshman year they did this, sophomore year they did this, junior year they were second team and now as seniors they finally broke through,” UConn coach

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THE SUMTER ITEM

USC MEN’S BASKETBALL

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South Carolina forward Sedee Keita cuts down the net after South Carolina beat Florida 77-70 in the East Regional championship game of the men’s NCAA tournament on Sunday in New York. USC heads to its first Final Four in the program’s history, facing Gonzaga in a semifinal on Saturday.

Gamecocks: Surprise of the Final Four BY JIM O’CONNELL AP Basketball Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Gonzaga is in its first Final Four but the Zags had knocked on the door a few times. South Carolina, meanwhile, enters its first Final Four having never been close to this deep a run. The Gamecocks reached their first national semifinals the same season they reached their first Sweet 16, coming in as the seventh seed from the East. South Carolina guard Duane Notice said his team’s run is no surprise. “Everybody’s always picking against us,” Notice said Sunday after his team beat fourth-seeded Florida 77-70 at Madison Square Garden. “We’re focused as a team, we’re focused on the next game ahead every time. The way we play defense, you can put any school - big or small against us.” They were a slight favorite against Marquette in the opening round but were a decided underdog against second-seeded Duke in the round of 32. That was the first of three games where the Gamecocks, who will face Gonzaga in the

Final Four, showed their mettle. “We’re not going to settle for this and we still feel, like, we got one more game,” regional MVP Sindarius Thornwell said with one of the nets draped around his neck. “We’re still going into that game thinking we can win. Why not? Why not us? Why not go win it all?” If Thornwell keeps playing like the SEC player of the year as voted by the coaches, anything might be possible. He is averaging 25.8 points in the tournament and he has come up with every big play the Gamecocks have needed as they have rallied from three halftime deficits during their run. “That’s why we’re sitting here right now, because they don’t pay attention to that nonsense,” coach Frank Martin said of the non-believers. “They believe in each other. They’re completely invested into each other. Not winning. Each other, which then allows you to win. And they’re powerful kids, man, powerful kids.” They have been powerful enough to take South Carolina to its first Final Four. And then we’ll see what happens. “These last two weeks,

USC FROM PAGE B1 NCAA Tournament’s East Region final. “It’s not something that you start dreaming it the year you win 25 games. You dream it every single day.” South Carolina and North Carolina both won regional finals Sunday, sending them to Phoenix along with Gonzaga and Oregon after their wins a day earlier. This is nothing new for the Tar Heels and Hall of Fame coach Roy Williams, who is in his fifth Final Four with UNC and ninth overall dating to his time with Kansas. For everyone else, this is a breakthrough moment. Gonzaga (36-1), the West’s No. 1 seed, had been to five Sweet 16s and one Elite Eight under Few before this season. This time, the Zags eked past Northwestern and West Virginia before routing Xavier in the regional final. “I’ve been there 28 years. My first year on staff we won four Division I games,” Few said Saturday of his time as an assistant. “And I mean this wasn’t even possible. And each year we got better and better, and then we got really, really good. ... And our culture is just so strong. And this was a culture win and a culture statement and (I) couldn’t be prouder.” Oregon (33-5), the No. 3 seed in the Midwest, secured the program’s first trip to the national semifinals since the 1939 “Tall Firs” won the first NCAA Tournament. Altman, in his seventh year, led the Ducks to last year’s Elite Eight before falling to Oklahoma but came back to beat top-seeded Kansas in Kansas City, Missouri, to secure the program’s first Final Four since that ‘39 title. Then there’s Martin, whose seventh-seeded Gamecocks (26-10) upset East No. 2 Duke — the preseason No. 1-ranked team — and No. 3 seed Baylor before Sunday’s win against Florida in New York. Martin had coached in a regional

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ABOVE: South Carolina guard Sindarius Thornwell (0) puts up a shot against Florida forward Kevarrius Hayes (13) during the second half of the Gamecocks’ 77-70 victory in the East Regional championship game of the men’s NCAA tournament on Sunday in New York. BELOW: Thornwell (0) reacts after dunking against Florida during the second half of the Gamecocks’ win on Sunday. With the victory, South Carolina advances to its first Final Four appearance in the program’s history.

when we got our name in, (Martin) said we been listening to him all season and don’t stop now because we got our name on the board,” Thornwell said. “So when he said that, we all locked in and didn’t listen to any outsiders, didn’t listen to anybody else but Coach. “ We trusted in him in everything,” Thornwell said. “We had this thing where don’t let go of the rope, no matter what happens, no matter the outcome of anything, don’t let go of that rope.” SOUTH CAROLINA 77 FLORIDA 70 SOUTH CAROLINA (26-10) Kotsar 6-10 0-2 12, Silva 2-5 9-12 13, Thornwell 8-13 9-10 26, Notice 2-9 2-4 6, Dozier 7-11 3-3 17, Keita 0-0 0-0 0, McKie 1-3 0-0 3, Gravett 0-0 0-0 0, Felder 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 26-53 23-31 77. FLORIDA (27-9) Robinson 1-5 2-2 5, Leon 7-15 1-1 18, Hayes 3-4 2-2 8, Hill 4-7 3-4 11, Allen 4-12 3-3 13, Stone 1-2 0-0 2, Gak 0-1 0-0 0, Chiozza 3-10 2-2 9, Barry 2-4 0-0 4. Totals 25-60 13-14 70. Halftime_Florida 40-33. 3-Point Goals_South Carolina 2-10 (McKie 1-1, Thornwell 1-4, Felder 0-1, Notice 0-2, Dozier 0-2), Florida 7-26 (Leon 3-9, Allen 2-8, Robinson 1-3, Chiozza 1-3, Stone 0-1, Barry 0-2). Fouled Out_None. Rebounds_ South Carolina 31 (Silva 9), Florida 24 (Hayes 8). Assists_South Carolina 7 (Notice 3), Florida 11 (Hill 5). Total Fouls_South Carolina 17, Florida 21. A_20,047 (19,812).

final at Kansas State in 2010. And with Gonzaga facing South Carolina in the first semifinal, at least one of the newcomers will coach for a national championship on the final night of the season. Here are things to know after the regional rounds and entering the Final Four:

THE SCHEDULE Gonzaga and South Carolina will be Saturday’s first semifinal, tipping off at 6:09 p.m. EDT. Oregon and UNC will tip off roughly 40 minutes after the conclusion of that game.

RECORD HAUL UNC, the South Region’s No. 1 seed, earned a record 20th Final Four berth on Luke Maye’s last-second shot to beat Kentucky 75-73 in Memphis, Tennessee. That also sent UNC (31-7) back to the national semifinals a year after losing to Villanova on a last-second 3-pointer in the title game — which formed the basis of a seasonlong rallying cry to get back and try again.

UNFAMILIAR FOES The semifinalists haven’t met often. Gonzaga and South Carolina have never played. Meanwhile, UNC and Oregon have played four times, with the Tar Heels winning all four — the last coming in the 2008 Maui Invitational.

CONFERENCE BREAKDOWN The Southeastern Conference fell short in its bid for multiple Final Four teams after getting three to the Elite Eight. Now four conferences each have one team: the SEC (South Carolina), the West Coast (Gonzaga), the Pac-12 (Oregon) and the Atlantic Coast (North Carolina). The SEC has the most wins of any league (11-4) in this year’s field of 68, followed closely by the Pac-12 (10-3).

BRUNSON FROM PAGE B1 Senior Sindarius Thornwell, believe it or not, did elevate his offensive game in the tournament and sophomore PJ Dozier has shown the consistency that one expects from a McDonald’s All-American. However, Carolina has suddenly discovered balance in its offense. Chris Silva has been his same steady self, but South Carolina has been able to count on two others from a group of Duane Notice, Rakym Felder, Justin McKie and Maik Kotsar to add crucial scoring performances in the tournament. If USC maintains that level of play against Gonzaga, there is no reason to think that it won’t be playing North Carolina on Monday for the national title. The question just re-

mains can it do so. Again, the defense has been tremendous throughout. When Florida was shooting so well from 3-point range in the first half on Sunday, Carolina was playing solid defense for the most part; the Gators were just shooting lights out. When they cooled off in the second half, that opened the door for South Carolina. Call it surreal, a dream, whatever you wish. USC didn’t make it to this point off of luck though. It has been the better team in each of those four games and if the offense continues to perform at its current level, it can be the best team on the floor again. Then all bets are off on Monday.

NCAA MEN’S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT All Times EDT

MIDWEST REGIONAL

EAST REGIONAL

At Madison Square Garden New York Regional Semifinals Friday, March 24 South Carolina 70, Baylor 50 Florida 84, Wisconsin 83, OT Regional Championship Sunday, March 26 South Carolina 77, Florida 70

SOUTH REGIONAL

At FedEx Forum Memphis, Tenn. Regional Semifinals Friday, March 24 North Carolina 92, Butler 80 Kentucky 86, UCLA 75 Regional Championship Sunday, March 26 North Carolina 75, Kentucky 73

At The Sprint Center Kansas City, Mo. Regional Semifinals Thursday, March 23 Oregon 69, Michigan 68 Kansas 98, Purdue 66 Regional Championship Saturday, March 25 Oregon 74, Kansas 60

WEST REGIONAL

At SAP Center San Jose, Calif. Regional Semifinals Thursday, March 23 Gonzaga 61, West Virginia 58 Xavier 73, Arizona 71 Regional Championship Saturday, March 25 Gonzaga 83, Xavier 59

FINAL FOUR

At University of Phoenix Stadium Glendale, Ariz. National Semifinals Saturday, April 1 South Carolina (26-10) vs. Gonzaga (36-1), 6:09 p.m. North Carolina (31-7) vs. Oregon (33-5), 40 minutes after the conclusion of the first game National Championship Monday, April 3 Semifinal winners

SPORTS

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FONTANA FROM PAGE B1 “This is just amazing,” Larson said. “We have been so good all year long, three seconds in a row. I’ve been watching all the TV, like, ‘He doesn’t know how to win.’ But we knew how to win today, so that was good.” Brad Keselowski was second, and Clint Bowyer came in third for his best finish since June 2015 and his first top-five finish in 52 races. Martin Truex Jr. was fourth after challenging Larson aggressively, and Joey Logano roared up to fifth. Larson added to his other career victory, which came on NASCAR’s other 2-mile oval at Michigan. After an early NASCAR season full of dominant cars getting stung at the finish, Larson wasted none of his advantage. “He’s on a really nice roll, and it takes everything,” said Keselowski, who surged into second after two outstanding late restarts. “This is a sport of speed, execution and luck, and when you’re on a roll like that, you’ve got all three on your side.” Ganassi credited the win to his young driver’s increasing maturity, along with his fast car, of course. Larson is a former Earnhardt Ganassi Racing development driver who land-

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Kyle Larson, left, leads Martin Truex Jr., right, to take the first stage of the Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California, on Sunday. ed with Chip Ganassi Racing in 2014, showing steady promise that built to this spectacular season to date. “I think he’s got a lot of runway, and we don’t even have the engines pulled up yet,” Ganassi said of Larson’s potential. “I think he’s got a long way to go. I have no idea what he’s capable of. Your guess is as good as mine.” Larson is only the second driver in Fontana history to win from the pole, joining six-time race champion Jimmie Johnson, who did it in 2008. Johnson finished 21st after starting near the back in his backup car. Johnson, Keselowski and Phoenix winner Ryan Newman all sustained minor damage early on, but Larson was fast from the start.

TUESDAY, MARCH 28, 2017

Larson won the first stage of 60 laps, earning his first stage victory of the season, but lost his lead during a slow stop after getting too close to the wall on pit road. Truex won the second stage, but Larson slipped past him to reclaim the lead on the first lap of the final stage. The leaders pitted under caution with 20 laps to go, but Truex had his first slow stop all day and slipped five spots down the field to seventh. Larson won the race off pit road and had a fine restart, but Matt Kenseth slid hard into the wall moments later after minor contact with Truex. Kenseth failed to finish for the third time in five races this season. After the restart with 12 laps to go, Larson flew past Kyle Busch and built a decent cushion — only to slow again when Cory LaJoie spun out. Larson pitted for tires along with most of the field, while only Hamlin, Truex and McMurray stayed out. Larson barely got back into the lead before Ricky Stenhouse Jr. spun on contact from Roush Fenway Racing teammate Trevor Bayne to force the fourth caution, necessitating overtime. Larson had no problem hanging on.

MORE TO THE STORY Read on at www.theitem.com.

AUTO CLUB 400 RESULTS

Sunday At Auto Club Speedway Fontana, Calif. Lap length: 2.00 miles (Start position in parentheses) 1. (1) Kyle Larson, Chevrolet, 202 laps, 0 rating, 59 points. 2. (3) Brad Keselowski, Ford, 202, 0, 36. 3. (17) Clint Bowyer, Ford, 202, 0, 46. 4. (4) Martin Truex Jr, Toyota, 202, 0, 52. 5. (35) Joey Logano, Ford, 202, 0, 39. 6. (8) Jamie McMurray, Chevrolet, 202, 0, 43. 7. (10) Daniel Suarez, Toyota, 202, 0, 30. 8. (9) Kyle Busch, Toyota, 202, 0, 39. 9. (19) Ryan Blaney, Ford, 202, 0, 30. 10. (13) Chase Elliott, Chevrolet, 202, 0, 43. 11. (11) Austin Dillon, Chevrolet, 202, 0, 26. 12. (14) Erik Jones, Toyota, 202, 0, 34. 13. (7) Kevin Harvick, Ford, 202, 0, 24. 14. (2) Denny Hamlin, Toyota, 202, 0, 26. 15. (5) Ryan Newman, Chevrolet, 202, 0, 22. 16. (18) Dale Earnhardt Jr, Chevrolet, 202, 0, 21. 17. (24) AJ Allmendinger, Chevrolet, 202, 0, 20. 18. (21) Ty Dillon, Chevrolet, 202, 0, 19. 19. (31) Aric Almirola, Ford, 202, 0, 18. 20. (12) Kasey Kahne, Chevrolet, 202, 0, 17. 21. (37) Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet, 202, 0, 16. 22. (16) Ricky Stenhouse Jr, Ford, 202, 0, 15. 23. (36) Trevor Bayne, Ford, 202, 0, 14. 24. (15) Kurt Busch, Ford, 201, 0, 13. 25. (20) Chris Buescher, Chevrolet, 201, 0, 12. 26. (22) Danica Patrick, Ford, 200, 0, 11. 27. (26) Landon Cassill, Ford, 200, 0, 10. 28. (23) Paul Menard, Chevrolet, 200, 0, 9. 29. (38) Matt DiBenedetto, Ford, 200, 0, 8. 30. (30) Corey LaJoie, Toyota, 200, 0, 7. 31. (27) David Ragan, Ford, 199, 0, 6. 32. (28) Cole Whitt, Ford, 199, 0, 5. 33. (25) Michael McDowell, Chevrolet, 198, 0, 4. 34. (29) Reed Sorenson, Chevrolet, 197, 0, 3. 35. (34) Timmy Hill, Chevrolet, 193, 0, 0. 36. (6) Matt Kenseth, Toyota, accident, 184, 0, 1. 37. (39) Gray Gaulding, Toyota, accident, 173, 0, 1. 38. (33) Derrike Cope, Chevrolet, 117, 0, 1. 39. (32) Jeffrey Earnhardt, Chevrolet, engine, 99, 0, 1.

OBITUARIES VIRGINIA M. WHACK GREELEYVILLE — Virginia Murray Whack, 97, widow of George Whack, died on Friday, March 24, 2017. She was a daughter of the late Adrian and Bobbie Durant Murray. WHACK Funeral services will be held at noon on Wednesday at Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, Greeleyville, with the Rev. Victor Scott, pastor, the Rev. Richard Addison, eulogist, and the Rev. Darryl McClary and the Rev. Charles Smith assisting. Burial will follow in the Whack Cemetery, Greeleyville. Wake services will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Hayes F. & LaNelle J. Samuels Sr. Memorial Chapel, 114 N. Church St., Manning. The family is receiving friends at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Sandra and Clayton Reid, 112 Whack Road, Greeleyville. These services have been entrusted to Samuels Funeral Home LLC of Manning.

ARCHIE B. DANTZLER Archie Bernie Dantzler was born on Jan. 1, 1937, in Sumter County, a son of the late Archie and Edna McFadden Dantzler. Bernie peacefully transitioned into eternal rest on March 24, 2017. DANTZLER Affectionately known as “Silver Head Daddy,” Bernie attended Congruity School in Sumter. He accepted Christ at an early age and joined Congruity Presbyterian Church in Gable. Bernie enjoyed playing pool and “shooting the breeze” with friends. He had a wonderful sense of humor and coined several notable sayings such as “every goodbye ain’t gone and every shuteye ain’t sleep,” “talking loud and saying nothing,” and “be somebody’s fool, but not everybody’s fool.” He leaves to cherish his memories: two daughters, Lois Dantzler-Durant (Charles) and Bernice Williams; a son, LeeVan Daniels; four sisters, Loretta Dunham, Eloise Harrison, Elizabeth Pittman and Angela Dantzler; three brothers, Leroy Dantzler, Felix Dantzler and Ervin Dantzler; 10 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, other relatives and friends. Bernie was preceded in death by his loving wife, Rosa Singleton Dantzler; his parents, Archie and Edna Dantzler; three brothers, Sylvester Dantzler, Charles Dantzler and Marion Dantzler; and a son, Kevin Daniels. Public viewing will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. today. Mr. Dantzler will be placed in the church at noon on Wednesday for viewing until the hour of service. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday

at Congruity Presbyterian Church, 3750 Congruity Church Road, Gable, SC 29051. Interment will follow at Congruity Presbyterian Church cemetery. The family will be receiving friends at the home of his daughter, Bernice Williams, 15 S. Salem Ave., Sumter, SC 29150. Job’s Mortuary Inc., 312 S. Main St., Sumter, is in charge of arrangements.

WILLIE E. CONYERS Willie Edward Conyers, 64, of Hagerstown, Maryland, passed away on Friday, March 24, 2017, at his home. Born on Monday, March 31, 1952, in Sumter, he was a son of Ruth Hilton Conyers of Sumter and CONYERS the late Johnnie L Conyers. He graduated in 1971 from Sumter High School, Sumter. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies in 1975 from Livingstone College, Salisbury, North Carolina, and also studied at Frostburg State University and South Carolina State University. He retired from the Washington County Board of Education in 2007. His career started as a special education teacher in Frederick County, Maryland. He was a residential counselor for adolescents, a math instructor at the Maryland Correctional Institute, and a family service worker for Head Start. He ended his career with the Board of Education as a special education teacher for several of the Washington County area schools. After retirement, he was a youth residential advisor at Victor Cullen Center in Sabillasville, Maryland. Willie was a member of the Livingstone College National Alumni Association; a lifetime member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.; Washington County NAACP; Washington County Teachers Association; United Democrats of Washington County, where he was a past vice president; and the Memorial Recreation Center Inc. Willie loved spending time with his family, working at his church, watching New York Yankees baseball games, fishing and advocating for the community. Besides his mother, he is survived by his wife, Annette W. Conyers; daughter, Shavonne Moore of Brooklyn, Maryland; son, Nathan A. Conyers of Hagerstown; two sisters, Lorretta Conyers of Owings Mills, Maryland, and Delores C. McFadden of Sumter; two brothers, Larry Conyers and Alvin Conyers, both of Sumter; four grandchildren, Kyra Conyers, Cameron Moore, Jordan Moore and Bryce Moore, all of Brooklyn, Maryland; uncle, Thomas Smith of Sumter; three nieces, Dawn Nathaniel of Hagerstown, Kimberly Castor of Gadsden and Shaton Evans of Hampton, Virginia; six nephews, Maurice Blyther of Fort Pierce, Florida, Marcus McFadden of Sumter, Jon Mc-

Fadden of Sumter, Kevin Castor of Gadsden, Travis Wilson of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Michael Wilson of Hopkins; special great-nephews, Elgin and Zion Nathaniel of Hagerstown; in-laws, Nathaniel and Mary Wilson of Gadsden; sister-in-law, Sandra Castor of Gadsden; and two brothers-in-law, Nathaniel Wilson Jr. of Savannah, Georgia, and John Castor of Gadsden. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Johnnie Conyers and Charlie H. Conyers. Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday at Hillside Memorial Gardens, Sumter, with the Rev. Rickey Smith officiating. A memorial service will be held in Hagerstown at Zion Baptist Church at dates and times to be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Zion Baptist Church, 61 W. Bethel St., Hagerstown, MD 21740. Local arrangements have been entrusted to the Job’s Mortuary of Sumter. Online condolences may be expressed at www.douglasfiery.com.

EDWARD T. HICKMAN Edward Turner Hickman, age 74, passed away on Saturday, March 25, 2017, after an illness. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. today at Floyd Funeral Home Chapel with burial in Old Piney Grove Cemetery. The family will greet friends one hour prior to the funeral service. Born in Williamsburg County, he was a son of the late Dave Turner Hickman and Julie Mae Feagin Hickman. He was a welder and attended Assembly of God Church. He was preceded in death by a sister, Alma L. Floyd; and two brothers, David J. Hickman and Ernest N. Hickman. Surviving are three sisters, Myrtle Sory (Bob) of Sumter, Adelle Lee (Elden) of Charleston and Rosa Nell Chandler (Reace) of Lake City.

CAMPBELL J. MCSWAIN LINCOLNTON, N.C. — Campbell Jerome McSwain, 53, of Lincolnton, passed away on Saturday, March 25, 2017, at Robin Johnson House in Dallas, North Carolina. He was born on April 11, 1963, in Lincoln, Nebraska, a son of the late Campbell Sylvester McSwain and Patty Michaels Miller. A private memorial service will be held at a later date. Announcement by Greene Funeral Service of Gastonia, North Carolina.

GEORGIA MAE G. GAYLE Georgia Mae Givans Gayle, 83, departed this life on Sunday, March 26, 2017, at Cottonwood Villa Nursing Home, Bishopville. She was born on April 22, 1933, in Orangeburg. The family will be receiving

friends at the home, 407 Love St., Sumter, SC 29150 Job’s Mortuary Inc., 312 S. Main St., Sumter, is in charge of arrangements.

ELIZABETH M. KENNEDY Elizabeth Moore Kennedy died on Saturday, March 25, 2017, at McLeod Regional Medical Center, Florence. She was a daughter of the late Isiah Moore and Mable Brown Moore and stepdaughter of Corine Moore. The family will receive friends at 4298 N. Cherryvale Lake Drive. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Sumter Funeral Service Inc.

ing wife, mother, sister and friend. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her. Surviving in addition to her husband are a son, Jack Edgar Steinhilper of Flowery Branch, Georgia; and one sister, Lila T. Cobb of Sumter. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Glenn T. Steinhilper. Services will be private. You may go to www.bullockfuneralhome.com and sign the family’s guest book. The family has chosen Bullock Funeral Home for the arrangements.

DAVID W. MILES COLUMBIA — David Wayne Miles, 46, passed away on March 19, 2017, in Columbia. Born in Sumter, he was a son of Christine S. Miles and the late O’Neal Edward Miles Sr. In addition to his mother, David is survived by his sister, Joyce Miles Truitt of Altmonte Springs, Florida; and brother, O’Neal E. Miles Jr. of Sumter. Services are private. Announcement by J.P. Holley Funeral Home, jpholley. com.

KIRK C. THOMPSON ALCOLU — Kirk Charles Thompson, 50, died on Sunday, March 26, 2017, at McLeod Health Clarendon, Manning. He was born on July 27, 1966, in Bronx, New York, a son of the late Charles and Artrella Cain Thompson and stepson of Mary Thompson. The family is receiving friends at the home of his sister and brother-in-law, Kimberly and Clarence Bryant, 1464 Georgia Pacific Road, Alcolu. These services have been entrusted to Samuels Funeral Home LLC of Manning.

EARL V. COOK Earl V. Cook, age 81, beloved husband of the late Frances G. Cook, died on Sunday, March 26, 2017, at Palmetto Health Tuomey. Arrangements are incomplete at this time and will be announced by Bullock Funeral Home.

MARY T. STEINHILPER Mary Litia Taylor Steinhilper, age 85, beloved wife of 62 years to Edgar Marion Steinhilper, died on Sunday, March 26, 2017, at Palmetto Health Tuomey. Born in Tampa, Florida, she was a daughter of the late Willis Herbert Taylor and Frankie Montgomery Taylor. She was very artistic and loved decorating. She enjoyed playing cards but her true love in life was her family. She will remembered as a lov-

SHARON O. TRUETT BISHOPVILLE — Sharon Odette Truett, 55, passed away on Sunday, March 26, 2017. Arrangements will be announced by Norton Funeral Home.

ROBERT OAKS SR. Robert Oaks Sr., 67, heard the final call and took flight to his heavenly home on Thursday, March 23, 2017, at Palmetto Health Tuomey. Born on Sept. 7, 1949, in Sumter County, he was a son of the late Alphonso and Beatrice Scriven Oaks. At an early age, he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and became a member of Ebenezer Presbyterian Church. He received his education in the public school system of Sumter County. He leaves to cherish his memories: seven children, Robert and Christopher Oaks of the home, Wanda (Alfred) Hector of Mobile, Alabama, Linda Jamison of Richmond, Virginia, Susie Thomas, Jessica Jefferson and Dallas Shannon of Sumter; 21 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; three brothers, Jimmy of Irvington, New Jersey, Fredric of Dalzell and Cedric of Horatio; three sisters, Edna Mae and Beatrice Oaks of Newark and Carolyn Jefferson of Sumter; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Homegoing services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday at Ebenezer Presbyterian Church USA, 4620 Queen Chapel Road, Dalzell, with the Rev. Carnell Hampton presiding, eulogist. The family is receiving relatives and friends at the home of his daughter, Susie Oaks, 3001 Prosser Ave., Sumter. The remains will be placed in the church at 1 p.m. The funeral procession will leave at 1:20 p.m. from the home. Burial will be in Ebenezer Presbyterian Churchyard cemetery, Dalzell. Services directed by the management and staff of Williams Funeral Home Inc., 821 N. Main St., Sumter. Online memorial messages may be sent to the family at williamsfuneralhome@sc.rr. com. Visit us on the web at www.WilliamsFuneralHomeInc.com.

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After 12 seasons, it’s time to say goodbye to ‘Bones’ BY KEVIN MCDONOUGH “Bones” (9 p.m., Fox, TV-14) wraps up after 12 seasons, leaving the air as Fox’s longest-running scripted drama. The series finale begins in the aftermath of a bombing at the Jeffersonian. The scenes of the team scrambling to survive in the bombed-out wreckage of a federal facility remind viewers that “Bones,” like the “CSI” franchise that inspired it, is a product of the post-9/11 era, a time when entertainment blended an acceptance of high-tech forensics with a casual, tongue-in-cheek morbidity. The Fox publicity team has catalogued the number of bones on the Jeffersonian set (76,000), the number of feet of intestines used by makeup artists (400) and the number of dead bodies seen by viewers over the course of a dozen seasons (370). As Brennan comes to, she realizes that the force of the explosion has damaged her brain, keeping her from the lightning-fast insights that helped her cajole 150 confessions from killers over the course of the show. She freaks out, but in her own fashion, devoid of overt emotions. Brennan rather logically and sadly concludes that if she were robbed of her powers of deduction, then she would no longer be herself. There are worse ways to write a character out of a series — if that’s the way things end up. Without giving too much away, this is not a series finale for the history books. It basically goes through the motions of wrapping things up. The destruction of the lab and the retrieval of old keepsakes offer up some misty montage moments, but don’t expect much more. We get one last chance to see Brennan react in an obtuse fashion to Booth’s pop culture references. Seeing her upset, he assures her that “we’re way better than Mulder and Scully.” Brennan may not get the allusion, but Fox viewers will. And they’ll remember that “The X-Files” has also returned from the dead to appear on a Fox schedule that includes reboots of “24” and “Prison Break.” And that’s just this year. For all the best reasons, I

hope that never happens to “Bones.” Its time has passed. • Criminal forensics loom large on “Dead Reckoning” (8 p.m., PBS, TV-14, check local listings) as it explores efforts to bring war criminals to justice in the 70 years since the end of World War II. “Dead” devotes an hour to the trials of Nazi and Japanese war criminals (8 p.m.), the effects of Cold War proxy conflicts on millions of civilians (9 p.m.), and the use of international courts to contend with war crimes since the 1990s (10 p.m.).

TV ON DVD TV-themed DVDs available today include “Planet Earth II.”

TONIGHT’S OTHER HIGHLIGHTS • Battles continue on “The Voice” (8 p.m., NBC, TV-PG). • The season finale of “People Icons” (10 p.m., ABC) glances back at past “Sexiest Man Alive” winners. • Philip and Elizabeth embark on a new mission on “The Americans” (10 p.m., FX, TV-MA). • “Jungletown” (10 p.m., Viceland, TV-14) follows idealists who hope to create “the world’s greatest sustainable modern town” in Panama.

CULT CHOICE Troy Donahue, Suzanne Pleshette and Angie Dickinson star in the romantic 1962 travelogue “Rome Adventure” (12:45 p.m., TCM). Donahue and Pleshette were married for nine months after making this picture.

SERIES NOTES A crusty vet helps out on “NCIS” (8 p.m., CBS, TV-PG) * The truth hurts on “New Girl” (8 p.m., Fox, TV-14) * Bargain hunting on “The Middle” (8 p.m., ABC, r, TV-PG) * Central City under siege on “The Flash” (8 p.m., CW, TV-14) * Cyber bullies on “The Mick” (8:30 p.m., Fox, TV-14) * On two helpings of “American Housewife” (ABC, r, TV-PG), Oliver’s shame (8:30 p.m.), Greg’s bromance (9 p.m.) * Out on an expensive limb on “Bull” (9 p.m., CBS, TV-14) *

PATRICK MCELHENNEY / FOX

Emily Deschanel, left, stars as Dr. Temperance Brennan and David Boreanaz as FBI Special Agent Seeley Booth in “The Final Chapter: The End in the End” series finale episode of “Bones,” airing at 9 p.m. today on FOX. On two helpings of “Trial & Error” (NBC, TV-PG), new evidence (9 p.m.), a polygraph (9:30 p.m.) * Reality 2.0 on “DC’s Legends of Tomorrow” (9 p.m., CW, TV-14) * Passions cool on “Fresh Off the Boat” (9:30 p.m., ABC, r, TV-PG) * An epidemic strikes Seabees on “NCIS: New Orleans” (10 p.m., CBS, TV-14) * Multiple car accidents form a grim pattern on “Chicago Fire” (10 p.m., NBC, TV-14).

LATE NIGHT Hank Azaria, Kate Walsh and Circus 1903 are booked on “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” (11:35 p.m., CBS) * Jimmy Fallon welcomes Jason Segel, Lilly Singh and Brian Regan on “The Tonight Show” (11:35 p.m., NBC) * Alec Baldwin, Luke Evans and Tuxedo appear on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (11:35 p.m., ABC, r) * Scarlett Johansson, George Lopez and Mario Batali visit “Late Night With Seth Meyers” (12:35 a.m., NBC) * Kristen Bell, Cheryl Hines and Little Mix appear on “The Late Late Show With James Corden” (12:35 a.m., CBS). Copyright 2017 United Feature Syndicate

We Care Every Day in Every Way® The Visiting Angels national, private duty network of home care agencies is the nation’s leader for providing non-medical senior care. Our Angels provide in-home care, respite care, senior personal care, elder care, and companion care so that elderly adults can continue to live independently in their own homes throughout America.

144 Garrett Street, Suite D • Sumter, SC

803-418-5441

www.visitingangels.com

CLASSIFIEDS

TUESDAY, MARCH 28, 2017

THE ITEM

CLASSIFIED DEADLINES

CLASSIFIEDS

803-774-12

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

BUSINESS SERVICES Home Improvements All out Home Improvements We beat everybody's price Licensed & Bonded 803-316-8969 H.L. Boone, Contractor: Remodel paint roofs gutters drywall blown ceilings ect. 773-9904

RENTALS Unfurnished Apartments Huntington Place Apartments Rents from $625 per month 1 Month free* *13 Month lease required Leasing office located at Ashton Mill Apartment Homes 595 Ashton Mill Drive 803-773-3600 Office Hours: Mon-Fri 9-5

Roofing Robert's Metal Roofing 35 Yrs exp. 45 yr warranty. Financing avail. Expert installation. Long list of satisfied customers. 803-837-1549. Robert W. Nunnery Roofing Co. the original Nunnery Roofing. Serving Sumter and surrounding areas since 1971. Call for a free estimate 803-478-2950 or 803-460-0927 All Types of Roofing & Repairs All work guaranteed. 30 yrs exp. SC lic. Virgil Bickley 803-316-4734.

Tree Service Tree take down, pruning, stump grinding, lot clearing and free estimates! Fully insured. Call 803-720-7147

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

MERCHANDISE Garage, Yard & Estate Sales EJ'S Variety 741 Bultman Dr unit 16. New Clothes, shoes, & misc. at thrift store prices. Open Wed.-Sat. 9-5.

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

Open every weekend. Call 803-494-5500

1BR/1BA Apt/country, no pets, & and all utilities inc. $575 mo+dep. Call 803-481-5592 Senior Living Apartments for those 62+ (Rent based on income) Shiloh-Randolph Manor 125 W. Bartlette. 775-0575 Studio/1 Bedroom apartments available EHO Lantana Apartments 861 Carolina Ave. #40 Sumter, SC 29150 803-773-2518 We are now taking applications for our 1,2,3, and 4 bedroom apartments. Security deposits are $200.00 for all units, we also accept housing vouches. Monday, Wednesday & Friday 8:30am-5:30pm

Unfurnished Homes Old Manning Rd.: 3 Br, 2 Ba. on 1 acre private lot in country. All hardwood floors, frig & stove, W/D hookup. Carport & fenced yard. Outside pet only. No Section 8. $1000 mo. with 1 year lease. 803-491-5375

Mobile Home Rentals Oaklawn MHP: 2 BR M.H.'s, water//sewer//garbage pk-up incl'd. RV parking avail. Call 803-494-8350

Business Rentals Restaurant space available in downtown Mayesville. $400 monthly. Contact 803 463 3647 Deloris.

REAL ESTATE Homes for Sale

Solomon Upholstery 267 Myrtle Beach Hwy., Friday & Saturday, 9 am - until, oak armoire, glassware, clothes & misc.. 464-7555

House for Sale, close to Shaw AFB, 3BR/2BA. 803-499-9275 OR 803-316-3802

For Sale or Trade

TRANSPORTATION

Martin's Used Appliance Washers, Dryers, Refrig., Stoves. Guarantee 464-5439 or 469-7311. Open 7 Days a week 9am-8pm

Miscellaneous

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

Help Wanted Part-Time Experienced ONLY!! Lady with no back problems, that can spring clean and organize. References required. For 2 weeks, good work, good pay. 803-494-5447

Trucking Opportunities Immediate Opening THE ITEM is in need of a part time truck driver / dock worker. Exp. preferred. Must have clean driving record & dependable. Apply in person to: The Item 20 N Magnolia St Sumter SC

3785 Broad St, Sumter, SC 29154 0133 - Major, April 0234 - Hopkins, Vanessa 0249 - Williams, Lorenzo 0339 - Thames, Rochelle 0341 - Starks, Katrena 0621 - Mickens, London 0831 - Hendrix, Linzer Purchase must be made with cash only and paid for at the time of sale. All goods are sold as is and must be removed at the time of the sale. Sale is subject to adjournment.

Beer & Wine License Notice Of Application Notice is hereby given that Sylvester Wells dba The Juke intends to apply to the South Carolina Department of Revenue for a license permit that will allow the sale ON premises consumption of Beer & Wine at 27 North Main Street East, Mayesville, SC 29104. To object to the issuance of this permit / license, written protest must be postmarked no later than April 6, 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.

Notice Of Application Notice is hereby given that CRS Investment LLC DBA Yummy intends to apply to the South Carolina Department of Revenue for a license permit that will allow the sale ON premises consumption of Beer & Wine at 2561 Broad Street, Sumter, SC 29150. To object to the issuance of this permit / license, written protest must be postmarked no later than April 6, 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.

LEGAL NOTICES Legal Notice Public Storage/ PS Orangeco, Inc. LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE OF PERSONAL PROPERTY Notice is hereby given that the undersigned will sell to satisfy the lien of owner at public sale by competitive bidding on April 13, 2017 personal and/or business property including but not limited to furniture, clothing, tools and other household / business items located at the properties listed. The sale will begin at 2:00 pm at 1143 N. Guignard Drive, Sumter, SC 29153. The personal goods stored therein by below named occupant(s); 1143 N.Guignard Dr, Sumter, SC 29150 111 - Johnson, Yvonne 117 - Terry, Alton Benjamin 241 - Harrington, Clyde 337 - Lee, Hazel 526 - Green, Tyrone

STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF SUMTER Grow Financial Union,

Federal

Credit

Plaintiff, vs. Kameran-James K. Fernandez, Defendant. TO THE DEFENDANT ABOVE NAMED: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED and required to answer the Complaint in the above entitled action, a copy of which is herewith served upon you, and to serve a copy of your answer upon the undersigned at their office, Post Office Box 2599, Lexington, South Carolina 29071, within thirty (30) days after service hereof, exclusive of the day of such service, and if you fail to answer the Complaint within the time aforesaid, or otherwise appear and defend, the Plaintiff in this action will apply to the Court for the relief demanded therein, and judgment by default will be rendered against you for the relief demanded in the Complaint. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the original Complaint in the above entitled action was filed in the Office of the Clerk of Court for Sumter County on December 22, 2014. SHERPY & JONES, P.A. Sabrina E. Burgess Attorneys for Plaintiff Lexington, South Carolina

Summons & Notice

IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS

upon you. If you fail to do so, application for such appointment will be made by the Plaintiff immediately and separately and such application will be deemed absolute and total in the absence of your application for such an appointment within thirty (30) days after the service of the Summons and Complaint upon you.

THIS IS A COMMUNICATION FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR. THE P U R P O S E O F T H I S COMMUNICATION IS TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE, except as stated below in the instance of bankruptcy protection.

YOU WILL ALSO TAKE NOTICE that should you fail to Answer the foregoing Summons, the Plaintiff will move for an Order of Reference of this case to the Master in Equity in/for this County, which Order shall, pursuant to Rule 53 of the South Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure, specifically provide that the said Master in Equity is authorized and empowered to enter a final judgment in this case with appeal only to the South Carolina Court of Appeals pursuant to Rule 203(d)(1) of the SCAR, effective June 1, 1999.

IF YOU ARE UNDER THE PROTECTION OF THE BANKRUPTCY COURT OR HAVE BEEN DISCHARGED AS A RESULT OF A BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDING, THIS NOTICE IS GIVEN TO YOU PURSUANT TO STATUTORY REQUIREMENT AND FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES AND IS NOT INTENDED AS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT OR AS AN ACT TO COLLECT, ASSESS, OR RECOVER ALL OR ANY PORTION OF THE DEBT FROM YOU PERSONALLY.

NOTICE OF FILING OF SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT

IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS SUMMONS AND NOTICE OF FILING OF COMPLAINT AND NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE INTERVENTION (NON-JURY MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE) C/A NO: 2016-CP-43-01021 DEFICIENCY WAIVED

SUMMONS AND NOTICE OF FILING OF COMPLAINT AND NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE INTERVENTION (NON-JURY MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE) C/A NO: 2017-CP-43-00099 DEFICIENCY WAIVED STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF SUMTER Ocwen Loan Servicing, LLC, PLAINTIFF, vs. James S. Matthews, Jr.; DEFENDANT(S) TO THE DEFENDANTS, ABOVE NAMED: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED and required to answer the Complaint herein, a copy of which is herewith served upon you, or otherwise appear and defend, and to serve a copy of your Answer to said Complaint upon the subscriber at his office, Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 8237, Columbia, SC 29202, within thirty (30) days after service hereof, except as to the United States of America, which shall have sixty (60) days, exclusive of the day of such service, and if you fail to answer the Complaint within the time aforesaid, or otherwise appear and defend, the Plaintiff in this action will apply to the Court for the relief demanded therein, and judgment by default will be rendered against you for the relief demanded in the Complaint.

TO THE NAMED:

DEFENDANTS

ABOVE

YOU WILL PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the foregoing Summons, along with the Complaint, was filed with the Clerk of Court for Sumter County, South Carolina, on January 19, 2017.

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE INTERVENTION

STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF SUMTER

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT pursuant to the South Carolina Supreme Court Administrative Order 2011-05-02-01, (hereinafter "Order"), you may have a right to Foreclosure Intervention.

YOU WILL ALSO TAKE NOTICE that should you fail to Answer the foregoing Summons, the Plaintiff will move for an Order of Reference of this case to the Master in Equity for Sumter County, which Order shall, pursuant to Rule 53 of the South Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure, specifically provide that the said Master in Equity is authorized and empowered to enter a final judgment in this case with appeal only to the South Carolina Court of Appeals pursuant to Rule 203(d)(1) of the SCAR, effective June 1, 1999.

To be considered for any available Foreclosure Intervention, you may communicate with and otherwise deal with the Plaintiff through its law firm, Hutchens Law Firm, P.O. Box 8237, Columbia, SC 29202 or call 803-726-2700. Hutchens Law Firm, represents the Plaintiff in this action and does not represent you. Under our ethical rules, we are prohibited from giving you any legal advice.

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) RESIDES, AND/OR TO PERSONS UNDER SOME LEGAL DISABILITY:

IF YOU FAIL, REFUSE, OR VOLUNTARILY ELECT NOT TO PARTICIPATE IN FORECLOSURE INTERVENTION, YOUR MORTGAGE COMPANY/AGENT MAY PROCEED WITH A FORECLOSURE ACTION.

YOU ARE FURTHER SUMMONED AND NOTIFIED to apply for the appointment of a guardian ad litem within thirty (30) days after the service of this Summons and Notice

If you have already pursued loss mitigation with the Plaintiff, this Notice does not guarantee the availability of loss mitigation options or further review of your qualifications.

The Bank of New Mellon Trust Company, N.A. F/K/A The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as Successor-in-Interest to JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, Trustee-SURF 2004-BC4 , PLAINTIFF, vs. Earnest Miller; Jane M. Moore; Harris Quick Release; 1st Franklin Financial DEFENDANT(S) TO THE DEFENDANTS, ABOVE NAMED: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED and required to answer the Complaint herein, a copy of which is herewith served upon you, or otherwise appear and defend, and to serve a copy of your Answer to said Complaint upon the subscriber at his office, Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 8237, Columbia, SC 29202, within thirty (30) days after service hereof, except as to the United States of America, which shall have sixty (60) days, exclusive of the day of such service, and if you fail to answer the Complaint within the time aforesaid, or otherwise appear and defend, the Plaintiff in this action will apply to the Court for the relief demanded therein, and judgment by default will be rendered against you for the relief demanded in the Complaint.

You must submit any requests for Foreclosure Intervention consideration within 30 days from the date of this Notice.

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• SALES & SERVICE

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(803) 495-4411

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WALKE PIAN

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For Expert Service

CALL ALGIE WALKER

Senior Citizen & Military Discount

M-F 8:00-5:00 | Sat 8:00-12:00

803-485-8705

19 S. Cantey Street

If you want the Best…call the Best

IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS CIVIL ACTION NO. 2014-CP-43-2731 Refurbished batteries as low as $45. New batteries as low as $59.95. 6v golf cart battery as low as $59.95. Auto Electric Co., 102 Blvd Rd. 803-773-4381

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

Mike Stone

SUMMONS AND NOTICE OF FILING COMPLAINT

Help Wanted Full-Time

Cashier needed full time. Must have some computer knowledge, be self-motivated, dependable & energetic. Apply at Wally's Hardware from 1pm-3pm, 1291 Broad St.

1277 Camden Hwy, Sumter, SC 29153 B026 - White, Debbie B096 - Norris, Dennis C010 - Moore, Christopher C072 - White, Lonnie D003 - Workman, Felix E023 - Eaddy, Antoine F045 - Burroughs, Virgil OP03 - Maurer, Jacob

Summons & Notice

EMPLOYMENT

Nesbitt Transportation is now hiring Class A CDL Drivers. Must be 23 yrs old and have 2 yrs experience. Home nights and weekends. Also hiring experience diesel mechanic. Call 843-621-0943 or 843-659-8254

528 - Wingard, Joseph 534 - Washington, Herbert 702A - Darby, Rosaline 719 - Comer, Christine 747 - Fegins, Shamara

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

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CLASSIFIEDS

THE ITEM

Summons & Notice

COMMUNICATION IS TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE, except as stated below in the instance of bankruptcy protection.

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) RESIDES, AND/OR TO PERSONS UNDER SOME LEGAL DISABILITY: YOU ARE FURTHER SUMMONED AND NOTIFIED to apply for the appointment of a guardian ad litem within thirty (30) days after the service of this Summons and Notice upon you. If you fail to do so, application for such appointment will be made by the Plaintiff immediately and separately and such application will be deemed absolute and total in the absence of your application for such an appointment within thirty (30) days after the service of the Summons and Complaint upon you. YOU WILL ALSO TAKE NOTICE that should you fail to Answer the foregoing Summons, the Plaintiff will move for an Order of Reference of this case to the Master in Equity in/for this County, which Order shall, pursuant to Rule 53 of the South Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure, specifically provide that the said Master in Equity is authorized and empowered to enter a final judgment in this case with appeal only to the South Carolina Court of Appeals pursuant to Rule 203(d)(1) of the SCAR, effective June 1, 1999.

NOTICE OF FILING OF SUMMONS AND AMENDED COMPLAINT TO THE NAMED:

DEFENDANTS

ABOVE

YOU WILL PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the foregoing Summons, along with the Complaint, was filed with the Clerk of Court for Sumter County, South Carolina, on May 25, 2016; that the Amended Complaint was filed with the Clerk of Court for Sumter County, South Carolina on January 19, 2017.

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE INTERVENTION PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT pursuant to the South Carolina Supreme Court Administrative Order 2011-05-02-01, (hereinafter "Order"), you may have a right to Foreclosure Intervention. To be considered for any available Foreclosure Intervention, you may communicate with and otherwise deal with the Plaintiff through its law firm, Hutchens Law Firm, P.O. Box 8237, Columbia, SC 29202 or call 803-726-2700. Hutchens Law Firm, represents the Plaintiff in this action and does not represent you. Under our ethical rules, we are prohibited from giving you any legal advice. You must submit any requests for Foreclosure Intervention consideration within 30 days from the date of this Notice. IF YOU FAIL, REFUSE, OR VOLUNTARILY ELECT NOT TO PARTICIPATE IN FORECLOSURE INTERVENTION, YOUR MORTGAGE COMPANY/AGENT MAY PROCEED WITH A FORECLOSURE ACTION. If you have already pursued loss mitigation with the Plaintiff, this Notice does not guarantee the availability of loss mitigation options or further review of your qualifications. THIS IS A COMMUNICATION FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR. THE P U R P O S E O F T H I S

Public Hearing

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE OF SUMTER BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS The Sumter City-County Board of Zoning Appeals will hold a regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, April 12, 2017 at 3:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers located on the Fourth Floor of the Opera House (21 North Main Street, Sumter, South Carolina). The following requests are scheduled for public hearing: BOA-17-05, 2260 Peach Orchard Rd. (County) The applicant is requesting Special Exception approval in order to allow for a Liquor Store (SIC 592) as required per Article 3; Section I General Commercial Zoning District; 3.i.4.e Special Exceptions - Liquor Stores; Exhibit 5 and Article 5; Section B; 5.b.1 and 5.b.2.i of the Sumter County Zoning Ordinance. The property is located at 2260 Peach Orchard Rd., represented by Tax Map # 133-0-02-003, and zoned General Commercial (GC). BOA-17-07, 5510 Catchall Rd. (County) The applicant is requesting a variance from the required 60 ft. lot width as stated in Article 8, Section 8.e.13.g. of the Sumter County Zoning Ordinance in order to divide estate property. The property is located at 5510 Catchall Rd., represented by Tax Map #135-00- 01-023 and 135-01-021, and zoned Agricultural Conservation (AC).

TUESDAY, MARCH 28, 2017

Estate Notice Sumter County

NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATES

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

Estate:/Marianne M. Beasley #2017ES4300144 Personal Representative Lisa S. Avins 97 Paisley Park Sumter, SC 29150

Estate:/Bonnie Ann Geddings #2017ES4300172 Personal Representative John Thomas Meena C/O W. T. Geddings, Jr. Attorney At Law 20 South Brooks Street Manning, SC 29102

Estate:/Claire Petit #2017ES4300150 Personal Representative Katie J. Moore 2154 Mallard Road Camden, SC 29020

Estate:/Mattie Hurst #2017ES4300157 Personal Representative Donald R. Hurst 5670 Edgehill Road Sumter, SC 29154

Estate:/Louise M. Butler #2017ES4300160

Estate:/James Washington, Sr. #2017ES4300168 Personal Representative Queen E. Washington 7360 Pasture Road Wedgefield, SC 29168

McDonald Ellison #2017ES4300148

Personal Representative Carla Faye Ellison 820 Bay Springs Drive Sumter, SC 29154

Estate:/Ollie Mae Harvin #2017ES4300155 Personal Representative Alice H. Washington 379 Lincolnshire Dr. Georgetown, SC 29440

Estate:/Barbara W Kinney #2017ES4300177 Personal Representative Petrice K Rogers PO Box 1613 Murrells Inlet, SC 29576

Estate:/Freddie H. Francis #2017ES4300149

Estate:/John Witherspoon #2017ES4300171 Personal Representative Ruth Ann Nichols 2320 Fontana Drive Sumter, SC 29154

Documents pertaining to the proposed request(s) are on file in the Office of the Sumter City-County Planning Department and are available to be inspected and studied by interested citizens.

AKA Etta Griffin #2017ES4300166

Estate:/Willene M. Sherer #2017ES4300145 Personal Representative Lisa S. Avins 97 Paisley Park Sumter, SC 29150

Estate:/Dorothy Miller #2017ES4300175 Personal Representative Michael L Miller 106 N Boundary Street Manning, SC 29102

Estate:/George A. Waninger #2017ES4300141

Estate:/Cleo C. Rowell #2017ES4300138 Personal Representative Cynthia Rennick 148 Wall Street Apt. 116 Camden, SC 29020

Estate:/Christine Moss #2017ES4300159 Personal Representative Herbert Moss, Jr. 1165 Pulpit Street Sumter, SC 29150

Estate:/Kevin Gerald Floyd #2017ES4300161 Personal Representative Ann Floyd 116 Lindley Avenue Sumter, SC 29150

Estate:/Waltki Williams #2017ES4300124 Personal Representative Tomekia Kind C/O William Brunson Attorney At Law PO Box 1507 Sumter, SC 29151

Estate:/Jack Gainey #2017ES4300162 Personal Representative Mark C. Gainey 2035 Winterberry Road Sumter, SC 29154

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Estate:/Julian B Singleton #2017ES4300173 Personal Representative Esther Singleton 905 Lewis Road Sumter, SC 29154

Personal Representative George F. Waninger C/O Kenneth Hamilton Attorney at Law PO Box 52359 Sumter, SC 29152

Estate:/Joseph Vernon Brown #2017ES4300142

Personal Representative Barbara B. Frierson C/O J. Cabot Seth Attorney at Law PO Box 1268 Sumter, SC 29151

Personal Representative Jenny M. Salo 133 Silverstone Road Lexington,SC 29072

Estate:/Maggie

Personal Representative Linda S. Bostanche C/O Kenneth R. Young, Jr. Attorney at Law 23 West Calhoun Street Sumter, SC 29150

Personal Representative Michael F. Francis 445 Appleyard Dr. B3-7 Tallahasse, FL 32304

Estate:/Marie

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BOA-17-04, 18 Miller Rd. (City) The applicant is requesting a 5 ft. variance from the required 10 ft. front setback per the City Zoning Ordinance, Article 8, Exhibit -5 in order to replace an existing business sign on property located at 18 Miller Rd., represented by Tax Map # 205-04-02-007, and zoned Professional Office (PO).

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Documents pertaining to the proposed request(s) are on file in the Office of the Sumter City-County Planning Department and are available to be inspected and studied by interested citizens.

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THE SUMTER ITEM ·

TUESDAY, MARCH 28, 2017

IN MONEY

IN LIFE

Business lending slows down a bit

Killer clown makes return in King’s updated ‘It’

03.28.17 ZERBOR/THINKSTOCK

WRESTLING’S WOMEN ARE FLYING HIGH

Charlotte Flair, left, and Bayley, members of the WWE’s “Women’s Revolution,” tangle last month in Germany.

BROOKE PALMER

Terrorists use the Dark Web to hide Elizabeth Weise @eweise USATODAY

Terrorists increasingly use hidden parts of the Internet to avoid surveillance, relying on the open Web for recruiting, then moving to encryption and the “Dark Web” for more nefarious interactions, experts said. United Kingdom Home Secretary Amber Rudd said Sunday that this is one reason why government agencies need access to encrypted services to protect the public, reigniting a more than 20-year debate over the competing needs of security and privacy. “We need to make sure that organizations like WhatsApp — and there are plenty of others like that — don’t provide a secret place for terrorists to communicate with each other,” she said on the BBC. London terror suspect Khalid Masood sent a WhatsApp message to an unknown person just before Sunday’s attack that killed four people and injured more than a dozen. The message’s contents — and its intended recipient — couldn’t be accessed by police because the popular, Facebook-owned messaging service encoded them. The communications are a main line of inquiry as police in London piece together the case. The burgeoning of secret, unaccessible corners of the Internet worries law enforcement agencies, which have talked for several years about the dangers posed by criminals and terrorists who can “go dark” by using strong encryption. “That is a shadow falling across our work. The darkness is spreading through the whole room,” FBI Director James Comey said last week at a security conference at the University of Texas-Austin. Privacy advocates said it’s impossible to provide access only to law enforcement without endangering the privacy of the public. “The minute you have a mechanism in place to overcome the encryption, that opens it up for any hacker to get at it,” said Joel Reidenberg, a cybersecurity and privacy law professor at Fordham Law School in New York.

SAN FRANCISCO

LUKAS SCHULZE, BONGARTS/GETTY IMAGES

‘Divas’ no more, they’ve taken center stage in the squared circle Josh Barnett @ByJoshBarnett USA TODAY Sports

As Sasha Banks rolled up to AT&T Stadium in Texas in the days before WrestleMania last year, she was amazed to see images of herself, Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch in the center of a massive banner with men’s wrestlers on either side of them.

This is an edition of USA TODAY provided for your local newspaper. An expanded version of USA TODAY is available at newsstands or by subscription, and at usatoday.com.

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

USA SNAPSHOTS©

UFO sightings

There were

5,516 reported UFO sightings in the world in 2016 SOURCE National UFO Reporting Center MICHAEL B. SMITH AND KARL GELLES, USA TODAY

“I never in my whole life thought that I’d see the women right in the middle representing WWE,” said Banks, who got out of the vehicle to take a photo. Raising the banner meant raising the bar. “To think that the company had that much faith to highlight us along with the men on the stadium, it was surreal,” Flair recalled. “And it makes you want to work that much harder.”

WrestleMania 32, which took place April 3, 2016, was the last time the company used the term “Divas” to describe its female talent, instead opting to use “Superstars,” the word it uses to describe its male performers. The championship belt with the pinkish butterﬂy was replaced. From a change in philosophy in recruiting and developSTORY CONTINUES ON C2 v STORY CONTINUES ON 2B

White opioid epidemic fuels black frustration It has always been a crisis in the inner city, critics of the drug war say. So why is it just getting attention now?

SPECIAL REPORT

Kevin McKenzie USA TODAY Network

The circle of patients gathered for group therapy at a doctor’s family practice in McKenzie, Tenn., could represent the face of the state’s opioid epidemic. They were in a small city in a rural county, fertile ground for prescription drug addiction, though they traveled from as far as Nashville and Missouri. They were young or middle-aged and ranged from blue-collar workers to businesspeople. They said painkillers prescribed after accidents or injuries paved the way to their dependence on opioids. They also were all white. Among African Americans critical of the modern drug war launched four decades ago by

Visit commercialappeal .com/news for the complete story and videos.

President Nixon, the fact that the opioid epidemic is primarily striking the majority race helps explain why it is largely being called an epidemic and treated as a public health crisis rather than a war. “Look at the inner city: It’s always been what we consider an epidemic,” says the Rev. Ralph White, pastor of Bloomﬁeld Full Gospel Baptist Church in Memphis. “If this had been the case in other areas, the community would have been crying out long ago,” White says. “But now that it’s taking the lives of EuroSTORY CONTINUES ON C2 v STORY CONTINUES ON 2B

Security agencies say they need more access to encrypted devices to peer into shadows

“The darkness is spreading through the whole room.” FBI Director James Comey

Hurricanes Matthew and Otto don’t weather the storm Organization won’t use their names again Doyle Rice @usatodayweather USA TODAY

There will never again be a Hurricane Matthew or a Hurricane Otto. Because of the hundreds of people killed and the catastrophic damage both storms wreaked last year in the Caribbean, the USA and Central America, both names have officially been retired by the

World Meteorological Organization, which names hurricanes. Matthew, which became a Category 5 storm on the SaffirSimpson scale Sept. 30, battered several countries as it rampaged through the Caribbean and the USA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said. It made landfall along the coast of southwestern Haiti, extreme eastern Cuba, western Grand Bahama Island and central South Carolina. Matthew was responsible for 585 deaths, which makes it the deadliest Atlantic hurricane since Hurricane Stan in 2005, NOAA reported. More than 500 people

in Haiti were killed. The storm caused $15 billion in damage, which ranks it as the ninthcostliest hurricane on record, according to the reinsurance firm AonBenfield. Otto was a late-season hurricane, cutting a swath through the southwestern Caribbean Sea, beginning Nov. 20. It intensified to a Category 3 hurricane before making landfall in Nicaragua. Heavy rainfall and flooding led to 18 deaths in Central America. The meteorological organization reuses storm names every six years for the Atlantic and eastern Pacific basins. The nation hardest hit by a storm can request that a

Including Matthew and Otto, 82 Atlantic hurricane and tropical storm names have been retired. storm’s name be removed because it was so deadly or costly that future use of the name would be insensitive. Matthew will be replaced with “Martin” and Otto with “Owen” when the 2016 lists are used again in 2022. There are separate lists for hurricanes in the Atlantic and the Paciﬁc, as well as for ty-

phoons in the western Paciﬁc and cyclones in the Indian Ocean. The lists of names are determined years in advance. Matthew is the fourth “M” storm to be retired (the others were Marilyn, Mitch and Michelle), says atmospheric scientist Brian McNoldy of the University of Miami. He said Otto is the second “O” storm to be retired; the other is Opal. Including Matthew and Otto, 82 Atlantic hurricane and tropical storm names have been retired. This year’s Atlantic hurricane season officially begins June 1 — with the name Arlene.

TUESDAY, MARCH 28, 2017

· THE SUMTER ITEM

U.S. reviews videos in Mosul inquiry Civilian deaths up sharply this year as Central Command tries ‘to get the facts’ Jim Michaels @jimmichaels USA TODAY

The U.S. military is examining about 700 surveillance videos as it investigates allegations that a March 17 airstrike by the U.S.-led coalition caused the deaths of 100 or more civilians in the besieged Iraqi city of Mosul. “We are trying to get the facts,” said Col. John Thomas, a spokesman for U.S. Central Command. The investigation will look at videos of bombs and other munitions dropped within a 10-day period in a section of west Mosul, where U.S.-backed Iraqi security forces are pushing Islamic State militants out of their last remaining stronghold in the country. The Iraqi government said as

many as 200 civilians may have been killed in a strike on a building, which would make it the worst incident involving civilian deaths since the air campaign against the militants began in 2014. Even before the strike, the number of allegations of civilian casualties in the air campaign has increased signiﬁcantly this year. The U.S.-led coalition received 27 reports of incidents involving civilian casualties in Iraq and Syria in January, up from 12 in December, according to the most recent statistics. Nineteen reported incidents are still being assessed. The reports come as the coalition has expanded its airstrikes in support of ground forces ﬁghting the Islamic State, also known as ISIS. The recent focus has been to support offensives in Mosul and Raqqa, the Islamic State’s de facto

AHMAD GHARABLI, AFP/GETTY IMAGES

An Iraqi security officer patrols near Mosul. The U.S.-led coalition received 27 reports of incidents involving civilian casualties in Iraq and Syria in January, up from 12 in December. capital in Syria. As the ground ﬁghting intensiﬁes, airstrikes have increased. During last year’s campaign, President Trump advocated more

aggressive tactics against the Islamic State, but the Pentagon said the military is operating under the same rules set by President Barack Obama to minimize civil-

ian casualties. The U.S. military has conﬁrmed 220 civilian deaths since the start of the air campaign in 2014, according to military statistics. “There is no military force in the world that has proven more sensitive to civilian casualties,” Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Monday. Mattis said ISIS frequently uses women and children as “human shields” to avoid being targeted by coalition airstrikes. “We go out of our way to always do everything humanly possible to reduce the loss of life or injury among innocent people,” Mattis said. “The same cannot be said for our adversaries.” Iraq’s military issued a statement saying that the March 17 deaths were caused by the Islamic State, which frequently booby traps entire buildings and regularly uses civilians as “human shields” to avoid coalition airstrikes.

90% of opioid fatalities white CONTINUED FROM C11B v CONTINUED FROM

pean Americans, we ﬁnd that it’s at a time of crisis.” Of all deaths in 2015 from opioid and heroin overdoses in Tennessee and nationwide, about 90% of the people were white. Black people accounted for little more than 6% in Tennessee and 8% across the country, according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. “White brothers and sisters have been medicalized in terms of their trauma and addiction. Black and brown people have been criminalized for their trauma and addiction,” says Michael Eric Dyson, a Georgetown University sociology professor as well as a minister and the author of Tears We Cannot Stop: A Sermon to White America. Doctors and other health care professionals call for a healthcare-led response to the opioid epidemic. Their strategies include curbing use of painkillers like oxycodone, making wider use of medications to treat opioid dependence as a chronic disease and increasing mental health services and therapy to attack root causes of addictions. “I would say the good news in Tennessee is that the number of narcotic units prescribed has gone down by almost half,” says Daniel Sumrok, a physician in McKenzie, a West Tennessee city with a population of more than 5,500 about 130 miles northeast of Memphis. “The bad news is that overdose deaths have gone up, and oxycodone has gone up,” says Sumrok, director of the Center for Addiction Science at the University of Tennessee Health Corrections & Clarifications USA TODAY is committed to accuracy. To reach us, contact Standards Editor Brent Jones at 800-8727073 or e-mail accuracy@usatoday.com. Please indicate whether you’re responding to content online or in the newspaper.

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John Zidich EDITOR IN CHIEF

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Kevin Gentzel 7950 Jones Branch Dr., McLean, Va. 22108, 703-854-3400 Published by Gannett The local edition of USA TODAY is published daily in partnership with Gannett Newspapers Advertising: All advertising published in USA TODAY is subject to the current rate card; copies available from the advertising department. USA TODAY may in its sole discretion edit, classify, reject or cancel at any time any advertising submitted. National, Regional: 703-854-3400 Reprint permission, copies of articles, glossy reprints: www.GannettReprints.com or call 212-221-9595 USA TODAY is a member of The Associated Press and subscribes to other news services. USA TODAY, its logo and associated graphics are registered trademarks. All rights reserved.

Science Center based in Memphis. Sumrok and other health care professionals are careful not to paint the drug crisis in terms of rich or poor, urban or rural, black or white. “My patients are district attorneys and teachers and nurses and doctors,” he says. “They’re not what you might think of as a TV bum; they’re people who have real lives, real jobs, real families, real values who found themselves opiate-dependent and need some help.” Still, when it comes to race, clear differences emerge. The National Institutes of Health recently warned that yearly percentage increases in deaths among white Americans ages 25 to 30 from 1999 to 2014 rose at rates comparable with the

“White brothers and sisters have been medicalized. ... Black and brown people have been criminalized.” Michael Eric Dyson, Georgetown University sociology professor

onset of the nation’s AIDS epidemic or in Russia after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Premature deaths for African Americans, Hispanics and Asian and Paciﬁc Islanders continued to decline. Drug overdoses, suicide and liver disease stoke the rise in premature accidental deaths among whites, as well as among American Indians and Alaskan natives, the study found. “In high-income countries, you expect us to make progress over time, you expect the death rate to decrease, you expect life expectancy to increase,” says Meredith Shiels, a National Cancer Institute researcher and lead author of the study. “So when something comes in and reverses that, and suddenly the mortality rate is increasing in any given group, that’s an alarm that there is something very serious and epidemic going on.” Statewide statistics for the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services point to differences between the illegal drugs by race. For 2015, white Tennesseans made up 89.5% of 839 people treated primarily for heroin and 95% of 4,071 treated for prescription opioids, according to the department. Black Tennesseans made up 62% of 1,176 treated for cocaine or crack and 45% of 2,065 in treatment for marijuana use. The nation’s previous heroin crisis struck during the Vietnam War era, giving rise to the drug war and “just say no” responses to what was viewed as a criminal behavior epidemic, says Altha Stewart, director of the Center for Health in Justice Involved Youth at the health science center. “It was considered acceptable that drugs were within the purview of people who were already morally corrupt anyway, and so these were things that they did to themselves and you could not rehabilitate them, you had to incarcerate them.”

WWE

“I still feel I’m such a fan,” says hugely popular Bayley, who is fulﬁlling her childhood dream.

WOMEN STEAL THE SHOW v CONTINUED FROM 1B CONTINUED FROM C1

ing women to the trending hashtag #GiveDivasAChance from angry fans in reaction to a 30-second women’s match in February 2015, to movements termed the “Divas Revolution” and the “Women’s Evolution,” to elite-level performers now among the most popular athletes within WWE’s three brands, women’s wrestling has undergone a metamorphosis. Another potential inflection point is ahead Sunday at WrestleMania 33 in Orlando. Bayley defends her Raw women’s title against Flair, Banks and Nia Jax; all four were trained under WWE’s third brand, NXT, at the Performance Center in Orlando. Alexa Bliss defends her Smackdown women’s title against Lynch, Carmella, Mickie James, Natalya and likely other surprise participants. Bliss, Lynch and Carmella came up through NXT. In a mixed-gender tag team match, Nikki Bella teams with boyfriend John Cena against Maryse and husband The Miz. “I always think there’s more work to be done,” Flair said. “But if you look at 2016 as a whole, Sasha and I having the first-ever women’s Hell in a Cell match, we main-evented a pay-per-view, we stole the show at WrestleMania at AT&T Stadium. There’s always a women’s match on the show; sometimes on Raw and Smackdown, there are two matches. I think they are giving us more and more opportunity every week.” Merchandise sales depicting its female performers continue to grow, the company says. Walk through an arena at any WWE event, and you see as many men wearing T-shirts in support of Bayley, Flair, Banks, Nikki Bella and others as you do women wearing them. WWE’s TV audience continues to increase in the percentage of females, nearing 38%, according to Nielsen figures. Those numbers include reality shows Total Divas and Total Bellas on E! that have added an entry point to the female performers for new fans. As a TV product — revenue from TV and the WWE Network was more than $420 million in 2016 — WWE appears to have convinced a male-dominated viewing audience to accept female athletes. “We gave the women a platform, and, once the world saw

that, they realized that is what they wanted,” said Paul “Triple H” Levesque, WWE’s executive vice president of talent, live events and creative. “Women’s wrestling has earned the platform that it has. There are times when the men’s match can’t follow the women’s match. There are times when the women’s match is — and it should be — the main event. And we’re not stopping here. It’s just getting started.” CHANGING THE GAME

Beth Phoenix, who will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame on Friday, wanted to be a wrestler

wasn’t the trend to have wrestling matches,” Phoenix said. “There’s nothing wrong with that, but it wasn’t the style, it wasn’t the brand, it wasn’t the ﬂavor of the month. This movement happening now is girls getting opportunities that they have had occasionally in the past but not consistently. ... Now there is a consistent drive to market the girls as equal as men, and I think it’s awesome.” The key moment of change came when Levesque took over the company’s developmental efforts and altered the parameters of what the company was looking for when it hired women — in both experience and physical appearance. Levesque wanted to change the perception of women’s wrestling, presenting the women as athletes and helping WWE ride a wave of interest in women’s sports, fueled by Serena Williams, the U.S. women’s soccer team, Ronda Rousey and others. “I think WWE is more open to seeing who is out there that they can groom as opposed to just relegating themselves to, for example, one blonde, one brunette, one Spanish talent, etc. It’s made the entire female roster more varied,” said Mike Johnson, who covers the industry for PWInsider.com.

DAVID O. GUNN, WWE

Next stop for four-time champion Beth Phoenix: the WWE Hall of Fame. since watching WrestleMania X as a 13-year-old. She was on her high school’s wrestling team. She had a giant poster of “Stone Cold” Steve Austin on her dorm room door in college. She trained and worked on the independents before getting a developmental contract with WWE. During a six-year run on the WWE main roster before retiring in 2012, she was a three-time women’s champion and won the Divas title. She did so with a dominating physical style that was rare in her era. Many of her opponents had been models or dancers who had not previously had aspirations to be wrestlers and were culled from the company’s Diva Search contests. It was an era of brazen sexuality by the women’s performers in bikini contests, bra and panties matches, pillow ﬁght matches and even a gravy bowl match. “There were times where that

THE BAYLEY FACTOR

Perhaps the most popular performer — male or female — in WWE right now is Bayley, who heads to WrestleMania as the Raw women’s champion. Her connection to the fans runs deep, given that she was a longtime fan herself who dreamed of being in WWE as a kid growing up in the Bay Area. Her wardrobe with bright colors and tassels hanging from her sleeves is inspired by WWE Hall of Famer Randy “Macho Man” Savage. “I still feel I’m such a fan, and I literally, every time I come out, I can’t believe that I’m here and I really do this,” she said. “I want to give back, and I also feel like such a fan.” Levesque said he was hoping to announce a women’s tournament for possibly the summer. The biggest step, though, seems ahead, and not nearly as far away as it was even a few years ago. “To main-event WrestleMania,” Flair said, “that would be my goal.”

THE SUMTER ITEM ·

TUESDAY, MARCH 28, 2017

LIFE SNEAK PEEK IT

LIFELINE HOW WAS YOUR DAY? GOOD DAY COLE SWINDELL AND DIERKS BENTLEY Finally! After banding together on the record ‘Flatliner,’ Swindell and Bentley exclusively debuted the music video for the track for USA TODAY and The Tennessean. Fans can now view the video, which captures the song live on Bentley’s world tour, at life.usatoday.com. BENTLEY, TOP, AND SWINDELL BY GETTY IMAGES

CAUGHT IN THE ACT An outfit for the annual PaleyFest? It’s handled! ‘Scandal’ star Kerry Washington served looks at the premier television festival, hitting a Sunday panel for the ABC political drama in a red jumpsuit and gold stilettos. #StyleGoals. FRAZER HARRISON, GETTY IMAGES

‘IT’ BRINGS ITS TERROR TO A NEW GENERATION Killer clown makes kids coming of age confront mortality

A balloon is synonymous with the killer clown (Bill Skarsgård) in It, top. Taking him on are Wyatt Oleff, Finn Wolfhard, Chosen Jacobs, Jaeden Lieberher, Sophia Lillis and Jeremy Ray Taylor.

Brian Truitt @briantruitt USA TODAY

THEY SAID WHAT? THE STARS’ BEST QUOTES “I want women's rights to be equally honored, and uplifted, and heard ... but I want to see us fighting the fight for all women — women of color, our LGBTQ sisters, our Muslim sisters.” — Solange to ‘BUST’ magazine on the importance of intersectional feminism.

Seeing a red balloon isn’t a good thing in the horror movie It. That means Stephen King’s iconic killer clown Pennywise is back in town. An updated adaptation of King’s 1986 best-selling novel, It (in theaters Sept. 8) turns Pennywise (Bill Skarsgård) loose on seemingly quaint Derry, Maine, where a group of kids known as the Losers’ Club attempts to stop him and his latest murderous mission. The movie is the ﬁrst of a planned two-part epic directed by Andrés Muschietti (Mama) with a narrative like the book that spans two time periods, following the main characters as children in 1989 (in the book, the story starts in the 1950s) and as adults three decades later. Derry has an infamous history of missing youngsters, and the culprit is an evil nameless entity that appears every 30 years and lurks in the underground sewer system. When young Bill Denbrough (Jaeden Lieberher) loses his brother to Pennywise’s latest reign of ter-

PHOTOS BY WARNER BROS. PICTURES

ror, he teams with other children who’ve also encountered the malevolent force: overweight Ben Hanscom (Jeremy Ray Taylor), loudmouth Richie Tozier (Finn Wolfhard), clean freak Stan Uris (Wyatt Oleff), history lover Mike Hanlon (Chosen Jacobs), hypochondriac Eddie Kaspbrak (Jack Dylan Grazer) and tomboy Beverly Marsh (Sophia Lillis). With these local misﬁts having to step up against pure evil, one of the major themes explored is innocence lost. “It happens in the book, this coming of age and kids facing their own mortality, which is something that in real life happens in a more progressive way and slowed down,” Muschietti says. “There’s a passage (in It) that reads, ‘Being a kid is learning how to live and being an adult is learning how to die.’ There’s a bit

of a metaphor of that and it just happens in a very brutal way, of course.” Another small part of King’s 1,138-page tome gave rise to the director’s vision for Pennywise, in which Bill wonders if this monster is eating children because that’s what we’re told monsters do. “It’s a tiny bit of information, but that sticks with you so much,” Muschietti says. “Maybe it is real as long as children believe in it. And in a way, Pennywise’s character is motivated by survival. In order to be alive in the imagination of children, he has to keep killing.” Tim Curry’s Pennywise scared a generation of audiences in TV’s 1990 It miniseries, yet Muschietti promises Skarsgård’s version is more terrifying because of the clown’s wholly capricious nature.

“It’s established that Pennywise takes the shape of your worst fear,” Muschietti says. “He doesn’t have a steady behavior, he doesn’t expose how he thinks, and that’s what makes him really unpredictable.” And so the space between appearances becomes a “feeling of dread that grows in people’s minds.” This movie focuses on the kids; the next will feature their grownup selves coming to grips with the past as their enemy resurfaces. “It’s about remembering things that they have forgot. Getting back in touch with those memories is such an important part of the plot,” says Muschietti, adding that there are a few hints in this fall’s It “that make you think about what will happen 30 years later when Pennywise comes again.”

PASCAL LE SEGRETAIN, GETTY IMAGES

IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY WHO’S CELEBRATING TODAY?

‘Bones’ gave Fox a dependable spine After 12 years of loyal fans but few awards, series says goodbye

GETTY IMAGES; WIREIMAGE

Reba McEntire is 62. Julia Stiles is 36. Lady Gaga is 31. Compiled by Jaleesa M. Jones

USA SNAPSHOTS©

No passcode necessary

28%

of smartphone owners say they don’t have lock screens on their devices. SOURCE Pew Research Center survey of 1,040 adults. SARA WISE AND KARL GELLES, USA TODAY

There’s something to be said for those who do what’s fairly asked of them, and do it very well. Granted, competence and reliability, even on a sterling level, seldom win you NEWS critical acclaim & VIEWS and high-proﬁle ROBERT awards. Or at least BIANCO they didn’t for Bones, Fox’s longest-running drama, ending Tuesday (9 ET/PT). But those qualities can earn you devoted fans — the kind who stick by a show through 246 episodes, 12 seasons and almost that many time slots — and a reputation for being a series that never let its fans down. Dismiss Bones as a workmanlike “meat-and-potatoes” series if you like. But there isn’t a TV outlet in existence that couldn’t use — or shouldn’t want to have — a show whose dependability never wavered and popularity held steady until near its end. Odds are that no one would have guessed when the show premiered that we’d be having this conversation now. Fox’s biggest hit back in 2005 was House, and its next big hit was expected to be Prison Break — two shows that signaled the

PATRICK MCELHENNEY, FOX

Emily Deschanel and David Boreanaz are the stars of Bones. network’s shift to more challenging dramas. Bones was an anomaly: a procedural that seemed far more suited to CBS than to Fox. So how did Bones survive on a network that often seemed either to take it for granted or forget it was there? Start with the basic strength of the source material — the book series by Kathy Reichs about a crime-solving forensic anthropologist — and the appeal of stars Emily Deschanel and David Boreanaz in roles that were a twist on TV’s standard gender norms. From The Thin Man on, detective dramas have usually paired an emotional, intuitive woman with a more rational,

thoughtful man. But here, Deschanel’s Dr. Temperance Brennan was the rational one, while Boreanaz’s FBI special agent Seeley Booth was the one who led with his gut and his heart. The series didn’t waste much time turning them into partners — and then, wisely, took its time turning them into romantic ones. Unlike so many TV pairings, Bones and Booth’s relationship was never based on sexual combustibility; it was based on friendship and mutual respect. That’s one reason Bones was able to outlast series that faltered when their will-they/won’t-they tension was resolved. But there’s

another reason: Bones never forgot that it was a weekly murder mystery, and that its main job was to tell a decent story every week. Yes, it featured continuing plots, but it never got lost in the weeds. It helps that in addition to two likable stars, the show had a strong and relatively stable supporting cast. T.J. Thyne and Michaela Conlin have been with Bones from the start; Tamara Taylor joined in the second season. As is inevitable with long-running series, some actors came and went, but you never got the feeling Bones was a revolving door or, near the end, a sinking ship. Fans probably will find it fitting, then, that Tuesday’s finale focuses on those core characters and their attempt to capture the man who killed Bones’ father. Not to mention their attempt to survive the bomb blast that ended last week’s outing. For all its success, did Bones advance the medium artistically or change the industry in some way? No. But in its presentation of a happily diverse workplace, with an African-American woman in charge and other equally strong women in positions of authority, it spread a subtle social message that can’t be discounted. And unlike some more acclaimed series, it spread it to millions of viewers. In my book, that counts as a job well done.

COMICS

TUESDAY, MARCH 28, 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

Boyfriend’s friendship with girl is a bit too cozy DEAR ABBY — My boyfriend’s friend “Keira” moved back here to help take care of his mom. He has known Dear Abby her for more ABIGAIL than 10 VAN BUREN years. They didn’t have an intimate relationship; it was more of a friendship than anything. He’s very loving toward me and treats me like gold. The problem I’ve been having is, he doesn’t understand how some things bother me. For instance, when the three of us went to dinner, they were sharing food by feeding each other. I’m sure people probably thought they

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

were a couple. When I asked him why he didn’t put some food on a plate and give it to her, he didn’t have an answer. Also, they watch TV in bed together. He thinks these are normal “friend things” to do. I’m not a jealous person, but I have my limits. We don’t live close, so we see each other only a few times a week. Keira doesn’t pay anything to live there. He said she has nowhere to go, and it was his agreement with her that if she came home with him she would always have a place to stay. I like her, but sometimes feel like I’m dating both of them. He’s clueless. They are dependent on each other. She fixes things around the house, and he lets her borrow his car for work. Am I just being petty? Third wheel in the East

THE DAILY CROSSWORD PUZZLE

DEAR THIRD WHEEL — Forgive me if this seems negative, but your boyfriend’s primary relationship seems to be with the girl who is living with him 24/7 and watching television in his bed rather than with you. Step back and look at it rationally: Keira’s living with him, taking care of the house and his mother, spending time in his bed, hand-feeding him, and the few times a week you see him, she’s coming along. He may treat you like gold, but it looks more like fool’s gold to me. To receive a collection of Abby’s most memorable — and most frequently requested — poems and essays, send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $7 (U.S. funds) to: Dear Abby — Keepers Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. Shipping and handling are included in the price.

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

By C.C. Burnikel

ACROSS 1 Like some benefit golf tournaments 6 Baby bed 10 Deadly snakes in hieroglyphics 14 “It matters to me” 15 Italian money until 2002 16 Tackle box item 17 *Seeks shelter 19 Samoa’s capital 20 “__ side are you on?” 21 Not up to snuff 23 Pierced ear part 26 Actor Jared 28 Conceals in one’s hand 29 Tactical advancements 31 Like slugs 33 Jellyfish bites 34 Thrilla in Manila boxer 35 Stop stalling 37 Wee one 38 *Bob Marley togetherness classic 41 Mag mogul often seen in pj’s 43 Letters in geometry 45 Duracell size 46 Ritzy spread 48 Ivory and Coast, for two

3/28/17 50 Tom Brady, notably 51 Garden bug 53 Airline to Tel Aviv 55 “The Piano” actress Paquin 56 “Just my luck!” 58 La Scala solos 60 Prime for picking 61 Stationery that may include a company logo ... or what the ends of answers to the starred clues can be? 66 “Got it” 67 Dole (out) 68 Chill-inducing 69 Camera part 70 Toboggan, e.g. 71 Second or sixth president DOWN 1 Mango discard 2 Color TV pioneer 3 Sturdy furniture wood 4 “Is it a go for tonight?” 5 Sports jersey material 6 Wraps up 7 Fastener for Rosie 8 Rancor

9 Pub crawl stops 10 Montgomery’s home 11 *System that gets goods to customers 12 Trojan War king 13 Chars 18 Reason for a heating bill spike 22 Wire service org. 23 Most wanted __ 24 In the lead 25 *Major golf tournament won five times by Tom Watson 27 Nobel Institute city 30 Back in the day 32 Habitually misrepresent one’s true self 34 Pie __ mode

36 Wyoming’s Grand __ National Park 39 Lighten (up) 40 Md. winter hours 42 Spanakopita cheese 44 Evening affairs 47 Seriously vandalized 49 USN bigwig 50 Took different paths 51 Month with showers 52 Composure 54 Foamy pick-me-up 57 Tall shade trees 59 Environs 62 Slender swimmer 63 Pitcher’s stat 64 Asset at the archery range 65 __ Moines

Monday’s Puzzle Solved

3/28/17