USA TODAY: Would you try Amazon’s no-line grocery store coming next year? C1 LOCAL
Public shotgun range will open A2 in January TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2016
| Serving South Carolina since October 15, 1894
75 cents
Mistrial declared in motorist’s shooting CHARLESTON (AP) — A South Carolina judge declared a mistrial Monday after a jury deadlocked in the murder trial of a white, former police officer charged in the shooting death of an unarmed black motorist.
Solicitor Scarlett Wilson said Monday that she will retry the case against 35-year-old Michael Slager, who was being prosecuted in the death of Walter Scott. Jurors were also considering a lesser charge of volun-
tary manslaughter. A panel of one black and 11 white jurors — who had seemed close to a verdict to convict on Friday, with apparently only one holdout — said Monday they were unable to reach a unanimous decision
after deliberating more than 22 hours in four days. “We as a jury regret to inform the court that despite the best efforts of all parties we are unable to come to a unanimous decision,” said Circuit Judge Clifton New-
man, reading a note from the jury before declaring a mistrial. Former patrolman Slager was charged with murder in the April 4, 2015, shooting
SEE MISTRIAL, PAGE A7
Chilly day doesn’t deter parade-goers
Teacher serving R.E. Davis for 37 years is a bridge to community BY KONSTANTIN VENGEROWSKY konstantin@theitem.com Faculty and staff at R.E. Davis Elementary School describe Icybell Lowery as a “bridge from the school to the community.” Lowery manages the school’s computer lab, drives a Sumter School District bus and, for 37 years, has called the school her home. Her passion and work ethic for the school and children go “above and beyond” her official job duties, said Michelle McBride, school principal. “She is an extremely dedicated, hardworking and unbelievable person,” McBride said. “She knows the name of nearly each student at the school, knows where most of the students live on the bus routes and has a positive relationship with the children’s parents as well. She also makes decorations for the school during many special events.” The school has an enrollment of about 290 students, pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, and Lowery teaches most of
PHOTOS BY JIM HILLEY / THE SUMTER ITEM
Dancing reindeer accompany the Lakewood High School band during the Sumter Christmas Parade on Sunday on Main Street. Sumterites braved a chilly afternoon to watch the annual parade.
SEE LOWERY, PAGE A7
KEITH GEDAMKE / THE SUMTER ITEM
Icybell Lowery is known as a bridge to the community at R.E. Davis Elementary School. She manages the school’s computer lab and drives a bus for Sumter School District.
Dreamworks Dance Academy dancers, above, show their skills during the parade in Sumter. A lot of spectators at the parade, right, stay bundled up to ward off the chill in the air.
Ministry helps local seniors who struggle to stay warm BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com Having heat in cold and potentially dangerous temperatures is a necessity, and a lack of heat can be a crisis, said Kevin Howell, director of crisis relief ministry for Sumter United Ministries. For many, it is not a monthly bill,
VISIT US ONLINE AT
the
.com
but a large expense that occurs two to three times a year in the form of propane, Howell said.
“Sarah” is in her 70s and lives on less than $1,000 a month. She uses propane for heat and has a tank in her yard, but a fill-up costs as much as $300. “Sometimes I just stay cold so I will not use all the propane I have left,” Sarah said. It would be virtually impossible for her to pay the fill-up invoice in one
DEATHS, B4 James M. Cubbage Jr. Ray Jackson Elizabeth Watcher Willis D. Ardis Sr.
Gloria Jean Glisson Agnes M. Evans Nettie A. Dennis Mary D. Tindal
41 E. Wesmark Blvd. • Sumter, SC 778-1031
Fine Jewelry for 36 years
SEE FIRESIDE, PAGE A7
WEATHER, A10
INSIDE
MORE RAIN AHEAD
3 SECTIONS, 20 PAGES VOL. 122, NO. 38
Heavy rain and a thunderstorm; partly cloudy tonight. HIGH 64, LOW 45
Jewelry Wholesale
month, and savings are hard to come by with such a meager income. Many of the ministry’s clients are also not eligible for monthly installment plans. Thanks to Fireside Fund, the ministry is able to provide enough assistance to ensure people such as Sarah will have heat for several months.
Classifieds B6 Comics C4
Opinion A8 Television B5