SPECIAL SECTION: The Sumter Item’s 2016 Election Guide — Vote Tuesday C1
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Fire training center to reopen in February Reminder: Green Swamp Road facility was damaged in 2015 flooding BY ADRIENNE SARVIS adrienne@theitem.com Sumter Fire Department can anticipate holding classes in its training center on Green Swamp Road by the end of February once the facility is reconstructed after sustaining major damage during the 1,000-year-flood in 2015. Sumter City Council approved a con-
tract with Hardee Construction Company Inc. of Sumter for the construction of the $469,000 training center during its meeting on Sept. 6. City of Sumter Construction Manager Michael Geddings said construction of the 6,000-square-foot building began about mid-September and is anticipated to be complete by the end of February.
The entire facility took in about 4 feet of water during the flood, virtually ruining everything inside the building, he said. Geddings said the training center was gutted and the wooden frame was removed leaving only the metal shell and concrete foundation remaining. To prevent similar damages in case of another flood, Geddings said
SEE FIRE, PAGE A7
Caffeine and Gasoline
no Saturday print edition FROM STAFF REPORTS
The Sumter Item staff reminds readers it will no longer print a Saturday edition, but it will send out a newsletter to those to whom the newspaper has an email address. The Item continues to publish news online on its website, www.theitem.com, and will begin sending a Saturday email blast to readers who have supplied their email addresses to the newspaper. The newsletter will offer unique content, sports stories highlighting Friday night high school games, local obituaries, advertising and other content. Clicking on content in the newsletter will take readers to the content on the website. For sports enthusiasts, Saturday’s television sports lineup will appear in today’s edition. If you are not signed up for the newsletter, you can do so at www.theitem.com/newsletter.
Economist to speak on local housing at chamber event BY BRUCE MILLS bruce@theitem.com
KEITH GEDAMKE / THE SUMTER ITEM
Auto enthusiasts check out the cars on display at the fifth annual Caffeine and Gasoline Car Show on Saturday at Cut Rate Drug Store.
5th annual downtown car show benefits military museum BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com Saturday’s Caffiene and Gasoline Car Show to benefit the Sumter Military Museum was the biggest car show in Sumter history said organizer Todd Touchberry, manager of Sumter CutRate Drug Store & Coffee Shop. “We had 174 total entries, 166 motorized and eight ven-
dors, Touchberry said. “We beat last year’s record of 144.” Touchberry said he had been planning to do a fundraiser for the Sumter Military Museum, 129 Harvin St. suite 2, for more than a year. “It’s a great cause,” he said. “It’s Sumter’s best kept secret.” The museum, as many Sumterites know, is mostly in existence due to the
ceaseless efforts of Sammy Way, a longtime educator, writer, columnist, historian, and of course, museum curator. More than $3,500 was raised for the museum, Touchberry said. “I am very appreciative of the event, and I know the veterans will be too,” Way said. “It was really spectacular with all the different vehi-
cles and, of course, the jet car, that was really impressive,” Way said. Way said he did not get a lot of time to take in the car show, as he was giving tours of the museum, which is normally open only Friday and Sunday afternoons, to attendees at the event. The car show included a live performance by the
SEE CARS, PAGE A7
Pokémon lure-a-thon, comic convention set for Saturday BY ADRIENNE SARVIS adrienne@theitem.com Pokémon trainers and comic book fanatics can enjoy Pokémon hunting and superheroes from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday during the Pokémon Go Lure-athon 2.0 and Sumter Toy and Comic Convention on Main Street. The event, postponed from October, is hosted by City of Sumter in conjunction with Ray’s Hobbies and More. City of Sumter Community Improvement Specialist Chelsea Nations said this Pokémon Go event will be the last one the city hosts. The first lure-a-thon held in August was a success but the interest surrounding Pokémon Go has decreased since then and that is why this event will be bigger and better, she said. Nations said the city will drop more
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than 100 lures throughout the day. It’s like the grand finale, she said. A large turnout is still anticipated this weekend with local comic book fans also expected to attend, she said. Ray Mulholland, owner of Ray’s Hobbies and More, said the comic and toy convention will feature comic books, games, toys and novelty items. The comic convention will also have cosplayers dressed as various characters. He said the only change to the convention, since it was postponed, is that
former professional wrestler Ivan Koloff, AKA the Russian Bear, will not be attending because of a change in his schedule. There will be lots of people in Sumter who will enjoy both parts of the event, he said. On Saturday, locals can take photos with Pokémon and visit more than 20 comic and toy vendors and compete in a cosplay contest at 3 p.m. There will also be face painting, shaved ice and food from Cut Rate and Sidebar, and Pokémon movies showing in Sumter Opera House. The event will be held in the City Centre as well as on Main Street to accommodate the large crowd. Admission is free and open to all ages. For more information, call Sumter Opera House at (803) 436-2616 or Ray’s Hobbies and Toys at (803) 294-1051.
DEATHS, B4 and B5 Pearle B. Langford Cecil E. Croft Sr. Evelyn T. Cato Joseph James Jr. William E. Lawrence Cody McLeod
Titus Rembert Sr. Reatha S. Coard Louise S. Alston Susie N. Porter Laverne Jenkins
An economist with the National Association of Home Builders will be releasing a new study on Thursday morning at USC Sumter’s Nettles Auditorium, 200 Miller Road, on the Economic Impact of Housing in Sumter County. The study will be presented by Robert Dietz, chief economist for NAHB, in partnership with the Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce and the Building InDIETZ dustry Association of Central SC. In addition to the housing study presentation, Dietz will offer a national and regional economic outlook. The study was commissioned by the BIA and conducted by NAHB. Dietz’s responsibilities for NAHB include housing market analysis, forecasting and industry surveys, as well as housing policy research. Prior to joining NAHB in 2005, Dietz served as an economist for the Congressional Joint Committee on Taxation. He earned a Ph.D. in Economics from Ohio State University in 2003. Thursday’s 8 a.m. event is free and open to the public. The Sumter Chamber is encouraging individuals who wish to attend to register at sumterchamber.com. The event is listed on the front page of the site with a link to register. However, registration is not required to attend. Dietz’s presentation will likely last about one hour, according to the Chamber.
WEATHER, A12
INSIDE
COOLER AND NICE
3 SECTIONS, 32 PAGES VOL. 122, NO. 18
Cooler today, mostly sunny and breezy with only slight chance of rain; tonight, chilly and clear. HIGH 77, LOW 46
Classifieds B7 Comics A10 Opinion A11 Television A8-A9