April 15, 2014

IN CLARENDON SUN: Baseball great Richardson will speak on Saturday C1

Laurence Manning softball tops Wilson Hall B1 TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2014

| Serving South Carolina since October 15, 1894

75 cents

Time stops at high noon Problem with century-old part stalls downtown clocks

BY BRISTOW MARCHANT bmarchant@theitem.com (803) 774-1272 Downtown Sumter is a place where time stands still. Or at least it has been for more than a week.

If commuters were running late during that time, or Main Street shoppers wondered how much longer their lunch hour would last, the clocks atop the

Sumter Opera House haven’t offered any help. The clocks’ hands have been stopped at 12 o’clock for most of April.

The culprit isn’t a “Back to the Future”-style lightning strike but an old part that was causing the clocks on the Opera House tower to run slow. The timepieces have been frozen in place for so long because the century-old machinery is difficult for the city to replace.

“It’s 100 years old, so a lot of the parts aren’t readily available,” said Downtown Manager Howie Owens.

The Opera House’s four clockfaces are operated by an elaborate timekeeping mechanism inside the clock tower, part of the original design when the building was constructed in 1895.

A replacement for the part

SEE CLOCK, PAGE A7

BRISTOW MARCHANT / THE SUMTER ITEM

The clocks atop the Sumter Opera House have been stilled by a malfunctioning part. City workers found the timing mechanism was slowing and had to stop the clocks while they replace the antique part responsible. Officials hope to have the clocks ticking again later this week.

Trial begins in man’s 2012 shooting death

Conviction will remove Bethune from House race

BY BRADEN BUNCH bbunch@theitem.com (803) 774-1201

TYLER SIMPSON / THE SUMTER ITEM

Gary Dargan, left, and Shonta Helton, center, are both seen on trial Monday at Sumter County Judicial Center for charges related to the 2012 shooting death of Mario Carrbarus Scott. Dargan has been charged with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime, and Helton was charged with accessory before the fact of murder. The trial resumes today at 1:30 p.m.

Prosecutors say killing stemmed from woman’s embarrassment

BY TYLER SIMPSON tyler@theitem.com (803) 774-1295 With their opening statement, prosecutors in the murder trial that began Monday at Sumter County Judicial Center argued the shooting death of Mario Carrbarus Scott stemmed from a removed wig.

Deputy Solicitor John Meadors told the jury that prosecutors think Scott was killed Dec. 9, 2012, after 31-yearold Shonta Larissa Helton encouraged her boyfriend, 33-year-old Gary R. Dargan, to kill him because Scott had embarrassed her.

“She got angry and called Gary Dargan and said ‘come kill him,’” Meadors said in his opening statement. “That’s what this case is about.

The slaying of Mario Scott because he embarrassed Ms. Helton.”

VISIT US ONLINE AT

the

.com

Dargan and Helton are being tried at the same time for their charges in connection to Scott’s death. Dargan has been charged with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime, and Helton has been charged with accessory before the fact of murder.

During his opening statement, Meadors said Helton was at a party in the 300 block of Green Swamp Road when she got into an altercation with another woman. Scott tried to intervene and accidentally removed Helton’s wig, Meadors said, which enraged Helton enough to allegedly call Dargan and implore him to kill Scott.

Meadors said witnesses will testify they saw Helton leave the residence with a knife in her hand and follow Scott toward North Guignard Drive while talking to Dargan on the phone.

He also told the jury that they will

hear testimony that Dargan drove down Dingle Street and shot Scott with a .45-caliber handgun.

However, attorney Tim Murphy, who is representing Dargan during the trial, told the jury Monday the prosecution has no concrete evidence placing Dargan on Dingle Street during the time of the shooting.

“Gary Dargan is innocent,” Murphy said to the jury. “(The jury has) to be certain at the end of this process that he was on Dingle Street that night pulling that trigger, and they will not be able to demonstrate that because it didn’t happen that way. He wasn’t there.”

Murphy also said the prosecution will be unable to provide any witnesses that saw Dargan shoot Scott during the night of the killing, nor will they

DEATHS, B6 Charlotte Janiszewski Linda Porter Henry R. Windham James Sessions Emma Ormond

Mary Ann P. Singleton Vernell Ragins Rebecca L. Porcher Herbert C. Mickens Thelma O. Mickens

SEE TRIAL, PAGE A7

An expected change to the June primary ballot will impact some local voters, as the South Carolina Democratic Party plans to remove Willie Lee Bethune from the state House District 64 race after his conviction for Medicaid fraud last week.

Bethune was sentenced to a year in jail after being convicted in a Columbia court on 10 counts of Medicaid fraud. After a twoday trial, he was found guilty of forging signatures of parents and students on documents filed with the federal government. These documents — which falsely stated Bethune had provided face-to- BETHUNE face assessments for students — were used to enroll schoolchildren, some as young as 10 years old, in sex education and pregnancy prevention classes.

While Bethune has yet to be officially removed from the June primary ballot, South Carolina Democratic Party chairman Jaime Harrison said the change is imminent.

“Mr. Bethune’s actions do not live up to the values of the Democratic Party or the code of conduct we expect from elected leaders,” Harrison said. “We do not support his candidacy, have informed our executive committee of the conviction and are taking steps to have him removed from the primary ballot.”

Bethune’s actions occurred in 2010 while he served as a contract social worker for Youth Options, which was providing counseling services to students in Clarendon School District One at the time.

His removal from the ballot means the path to re-election has become a little clearer for state House representative Bobby Ridgeway, D-Manning, as he will no longer face a challenger from his own party.

Voters in District 64 — which represents most of Clarendon County and a portion of Sumter County — will likely have to wait until the general election in November to cast a ballot in the race. Clarendon County NAACP president Robert McFadden declared his candidacy for the seat last month and has filed as a Republican candidate.

WEATHER, A10

INSIDE

SPRING MEANS RAIN

3 SECTIONS, 22 PAGES VOL. 119, NO. 154

Heavy rain and a thunderstorm today; clearing, breezy and cooler tonight.

HIGH 74, LOW 41

Classifieds B7 Comics B5 Lotteries A10

Opinion A9 Television A8

A2

|

TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2014

THE SUMTER ITEM

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

Winthrop professor to perform with SHS jazz ensemble

BY RAYTEVIA EVANS revans@theitem.com (803) 774-1214 Students with the Sumter High School jazz ensemble will have the opportunity to perform with a well-known saxophone clinician tonight.

Phil Thompson, professor of music and director of University Jazz Ensemble at Winthrop University will grace the stage with the students at 6 p.m. tonight at Nettles Auditorium at USC Sumter.

Students from Bates Middle School will be performing as well.

Tori Studenmier, jazz ensemble band director and one of Thompson’s former students, said she was excited to bring the professor in to work with the students in preparation for today’s performance.

Thompson joined the students during practice Monday afternoon, where Studenmier said he basically took the reins and made a connection with the students.

“He kind of took over. He’s just so good, and he’s very laid back,” Studenmier said, adding she was happy to see the students receive another perspective. “I knew this would be a good opportunity for students because he has so much experience and relates to them and works well with students in this age group.”

Sumter High junior Zach Crews plans to major in music education and wants to teach in the future. While practicing for the performance, Crews — who plays the trumpet — said music is what helped him get to know different people after he and

his family moved to Sumter.

“I wasn’t the most popular kid. I joined band and immediately started connecting with people,” Crews said.

Working with Thompson has given the students a different perspective on music and playing as a jazz ensemble.

“From this experience, I’ve learned that jazz is not about making things up, but it’s about what you feel and what you want your audience to hear and feel,” Crews said.

During Monday’s practice, junior Nikolaus Knight, who plays piano, said performing with Thompson tonight will be a great learning experience.

“It’s indeed a different perspective. We usually pick up new music, and Ms. Studenmier is a lot of fun, but he

(Thompson) talked about the rhythm section and how we should follow the lead but control the dynamics. That stuck out to me,” Knight said.

Junior Tyler King, a drummer with the ensemble, agreed with Knight about the advice Thompson gave to the rhythm section. King said he enjoys getting critiques from clinicians to improve his work with the jazz ensemble and other percussion endeavors.

“You always want a fresh perspective. Most jazz clinicians play a wind instrument, but I always know I can learn from them,” King said. “He pointed out that Nikolaus on piano and I have the most freedom. He also said the rhythm section has to be aware if they’re playing to loud or too soft, but we control the dynamic, and the rest

will fall in place.”

Throughout Monday’s practice, Thompson encouraged the students to enjoy being a part of a jazz ensemble but to also break out of that routine and just have a good time with music. Thompson is a saxophonist for the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra and has made a number of concert appearances with Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Ray Charles, CeCe Winans, Natalie Cole, Harry Connick Jr. and others.

“I don’t consider myself a hardcore jazz player. I like doing other things,” Thompson said to the students. “My ability to improvise has given me many opportunities for different gigs. So outside of Sumter High School, find the opportunity to get together and just jam.”

MATT WALSH / THE SUMTER ITEM

The St. Anne Polka-Dot Panthers try to make a structure made out of random objects stand during a timed practice trial for the Destination Imagination Instant Challenge. The group of six St. Anne Catholic School students scored the highest points possible on the five-minute challenge and is hoping to raise $4,000 for the entry fee for the Global Finals in May. They were also the only team to win the Da Vinci Award during regionals.

Destination Imagination: Girls’ team sets sights on Global Finals

BY JADE REYNOLDS jade@theitem.com (803) 774-1250

G

irls screamed in excitement as they completed a five-minute Destination Imagination Instant Challenge on Friday and earned the maximum amount of points possible.

The six second- through fourth-grade St. Anne Catholic School students, known as the St. Anne Polka-Dot Panthers, have reason to be excited. They recently won first place in the elementary division for the eight-minute scientific challenge of “Going to Extremes,” in which they addressed the scenario of surviving on an iceberg. The team was also selected to walk in the parade at the opening ceremonies of the Global Finals in May and was the only team at regionals to win the Da Vinci Award for “a unique approach to a solution, for risk taking and/or for outstanding creativity,” according to idodi.org.

“I was super scared, and it was really fun,” said fourth-grader Katherine “Katie” Nolan about the competition. “A bunch of people were high-fiving us when we got first place and the Da Vinci. I didn’t expect us to win. I thought we did bad in the Instant.”

With the stated purpose of inspiring and equipping “students to become the next generation of innovators and leaders,” the nonprofit Destination Imagination Inc. encourages teams to approach chosen challenges using science, technology, engineering, math, arts and service learning, according to idodi.org.

So not only did they have to have the information to support their skit, but they also had to design the set and present the skit in an entertaining way.

“The set reflected an iceberg, and they used very simple household items,” said Carol Alan, an OB-GYN whose third-grade daughter, Ella, is on the team. “When they were presented with the award, the judges said they were the only group that used sound effects.

I’m definitely proud. I saw other groups with a lot more experience. It was a large audience, but they went up there with no fear and with pride. They did a great job representing South Carolina in general and St. Anne in particular.”

Now, four of them hope to go to the global competition next month in Nashville, Tenn.

But at $4,000 for the entry fee alone, that’s a tall order.

She brought the DI Challenge Program to the Catholic private school this year after she

and her husband, who is an engineer, moved to Sumter with the military. Her daughter, Lindsey, is in third grade and on the team.

“My sister-in-law in Colorado had been doing it, and I’d seen the changes in the kids,” McBride said. “I’d seen what they gained. I did it in Texas last year.”

As a doctor, Alan was all for her third-grade daughter participating in the program.

“What I liked about the program is they get to choose their challenge based on science, technology, engineering and math,” she said.

“Anything, especially in regards to girls, that gets them using scientific thinking and creativity is a good thing.”

Ella was less enthusiastic at first, but she has come to enjoy being on the team.

“When my mother first suggested it, I said ‘science is my worse subject,’” Ella said. “She said, ‘even better.’ (Now) I think it is very fun.”

Mary Helen Hines knew it would be fun from the beginning.

“Because you’d be doing challenges and spending time with friends after school,” the third-grader explained.

The team has met after school, on weekends and even during recess since October.

For more information on Destination Imagination, visit idodi.org.

HOW TO REACH US IS YOUR PAPER MISSING? ARE YOU GOING ON VACATION? 20 N. Magnolia St., Sumter, S.C. 29150 (803) 774-1200 Jack Osteen Editor and Publisher Jack@theitem.com (803) 774-1238 Braden Bunch Senior News Editor bbunch@theitem.com (803) 774-1201 Waverly Williams Sales Manager wwilliams@theitem.com (803) 774-1237

Earle Woodward Customer Service Manager earlew@theitem.com (803) 774-1259 Michele Barr Business Manager mbarr@theitem.com (803) 774-1249 Gail Mathis Clarendon Bureau Manager gail@theitem-clarendonsun.com (803) 435-4716

Member, Verified Audit Circulation

Call (803) 774-1258 Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday & Sunday, 7a.m. to 11 a.m.

TO PLACE AN ANNOUNCEMENT Birth, Engagement, Wedding, Anniversary, Obituary Call (803) 774-1226 Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

TO ADVERTISE Call (803) 774-1237 Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

TO BUY A SUBSCRIPTION Call (803) 774-1258 Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday & Sunday, 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Rural Route Home Delivery TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY

One year - $174.25; six months $91; three months - $47.50; two months, $33; one month $16.50. EZPay, $14.50/month SATURDAY AND SUNDAY

SUBSCRIPTION RATES Standard Home Delivery TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY

One year - $84; six months - $43; three months - $22; one month $7.50; EZPay, $7.50

One year - $166; Six months $87; three months - $45.25; two months - $31.50; one month $15.75; EZPay - $14/month

Mail Delivery

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY

Printed on recycled paper with environmentally safe soy inks to reduce ruboff. The Item is recyclable.

One year - $81.60; six months $40.80; three months - $20.40; one month, $6.80; EZPay, $6.80

One year - $276; six months $138; three months - $69; one month - $23

The Sumter Item is published six days a week except for July 4, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day (unless it falls on a Sunday) by Osteen Publishing Co., 20 N. Magnolia St., Sumter, SC 29150.

Periodical postage paid at Sumter, SC 29150.

Postmaster: Send address changes to Osteen Publishing Co., 20 N. Magnolia St., Sumter, SC 29150 Publication No. USPS 525-900

LOCAL | STATE

THE SUMTER ITEM

TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2014

BY JANE G. COLLINS Special to The Item Slowly the band filtered in — the pianist, guitarists, percussionist, horns and then clarinetist Hal Linden — to “Our Love Is Here to Stay.” There was a wonderful relaxed, natural feeling, people gathered to have a comfortable evening’s entertainment. Actor, singer and musician Linden was on stage to share his talents with a sincere and warmhearted demeanor.

LINDEN Linden jokingly lamented that in his “Barney Miller” series he did not get the laugh lines; he was the guy who just “reacted to what was happening.” He cleverly used this admission throughout the evening to add humor and emphasis. He recounted his early days in the theater as an understudy, finally appearing with Judy Holiday in “Bells Are Ringing” on Broadway. In a poignant monologue about his experience in the 1970 Broadway play “The Rothschilds,” Linden applied makeup, wig and costume on the stage as he transformed himself into the character and shared a scene. He was believable, skillful and, again, so sincere.

Although the evening may sound like a visit to the past, or nostalgia personified, Linden brought great songs like “Just in Time” and a wonderful version of “Ya Got Trouble” from “The Music Man.” More importantly,

his presentation recalled the glorious days of music when a note was a note, not a five-note experiment trying to show off a threeoctave range at the same time.

His clarinet playing was strong and filled with jazzy swing reminiscent of Benny Goodman and 1930s band arrangements with music such as “Sing, Sing, Sing” and his favorite 1958-59 song “Mack the Knife.” If he waxed nostalgic, the audience was right there with him.

His closing observations on life are lessons applicable to all ages, with songs such as “The Time Is Now” to emphasize his belief that maturity is about resilience. His performance certainly proved that he is still a skilled entertainer, adept at many facets — singer, actor, musician and comedian.

Linden came across as a friend who stopped by to share interesting tidbits about the theater, music and life. He did not try to upstage the band but remained an important part of a successful ensemble that subtly showcased Linden, being ever focused on providing a rich, rewarding evening’s entertainment.

This year’s schedule was filled with great variety and exceptional performances. Although this presentation was the final one in the 2013-14 SumterShaw Community Concert Association’s season, plans for next year are well underway, and season tickets are available.

For more information, check the website: www. sscca.info.

REVIEW

IVY MOORE / THE SUMTER ITEM

Dick Booth on guitar and Jay Shealy on drums were among the featured musicians in the Sumter Jazz Ensemble’s recent performance of Dave Brubeck’s “Take Five” at the Sumter Opera House.

DHEC needs help tracking West Nile in S.C. shows up in humans.

Mosquitoes get the virus from feeding on infected birds, then spread the virus to people they bite. People bitten by

It’s your world.

Read all about it.

Call (803) 774-1200 and get started today.

A3

Linden’s performance is ‘rich, rewarding’

Sumter Jazz Ensemble

COLUMBIA (AP) — Health officials are seeing the public’s help in tracking the arrival of the West Nile virus in South Carolina.

The Department of Health and Environmental Control said people can give the agency dead birds such as blue jays, crows and finches for testing.

DHEC is accepting the birds through Nov. 30. The agency has information on its website to help people safely handle and transport the birds.

Officials said assistance from the public helps DHEC test a wider area and test for the virus earlier, before it

|

an infected mosquito may become sick up to two weeks later with flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache and nausea.

A4

|

LOCAL | NATION

TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2014

THE SUMTER ITEM

Chances of being audited

by IRS are lowest in years WASHINGTON (AP) — As millions of Americans race to meet Tuesday’s tax deadline, their chances of getting audited are lower than they have been in years.

Budget cuts and new responsibilities are straining the Internal Revenue Service’s ability to police tax returns. This year, the IRS will have fewer agents auditing returns than at any time since at least the 1980s.

Taxpayer services are suffering, too, with millions of phone calls to the IRS going unanswered.

“We keep going after the people who look like the worst of the bad guys,” IRS Commissioner John Koskinen said. “But there are going to be some people that we should catch, either in terms of collecting the revenue from them or prosecuting them, that we’re not going to catch.”

Better technology is helping to offset some budget cuts.

If you report making $40,000 in wages and your employer tells the IRS you made $50,000, the agency’s computers probably will catch that. The same is true for investment income and many common deductions that are reported to the IRS by financial institutions.

But if you operate a business that deals in cash, with income or expenses that are not independently reported to the IRS, your chances of getting caught are lower than they have been in years.

POLICE BLOTTER ARSON Officers responded at 7:06 p.m. Sunday to a mobile home in the 4600 block of Blanche Road where a juvenile tore open a book, lit it on fire and dropped it on the kitchen and living room floor. The juvenile’s father witnessed her smiling while dropping it. The juvenile was arrested and transported to the Department of Juvenile Justice.

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT Officers responded at 5:53 a.m. Saturday to a residence in the 1500 block of Ruger Drive where a 29-year-old woman and a 23-year-old woman got into a physical alteration. The 29-year-old woman told officers the 23-year-old woman punched her and threw her to the ground in the front yard. The 23-yearold woman reportedly then got on top of her and struck her continuously, leaving several bruises, swelling and scratches on the victim’s body. The 23-year-old fled the scene before officers’ arrival. The 29-yearold was treated by EMS and was advised to seek a warrant.

LOCAL BRIEFS FROM STAFF REPORTS

Boy dies in Saturday single-car wreck An 8-year-old Piedmont boy died after a single-vehicle wreck Saturday afternoon on Interstate 20 in Lee County.

According to Lance Cpl. David Jones with the South Carolina Highway Patrol, the vehicle was traveling eastbound on I-20 and wrecked at the 118 mile marker about 1:15 p.m. The driver and three passengers were taken to area hospitals, but the boy died on the scene after being ejected from the vehicle.

The incident is being investigated by S.C. Highway Patrol’s Multi-Disciplinary Accident Investigation Team.

Hydrant flow testing scheduled for midweek The City of Sumter will perform fire hydrant flow tests on Lyman Road, Toxoway Drive, Sierra Street, McCrays Mill Road, Foxcroft Circle, Sandhill Drive, Redstone Drive and Pitts Road between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday.

Customers in the surrounding area may experience temporary discolored water. Direct any questions or concerns to the City of Sumter Public Services Department at (803) 436-2558.

Last year, the IRS audited less than 1 percent of all returns from individuals, the lowest rate since 2005. This year, Koskinen said, “the numbers will go down.”

Koskinen was confirmed as IRS commissioner in December. He took over an agency under siege on several fronts.

Last year, the IRS acknowledged agents improperly singled out conservative groups for extra scrutiny when they applied for tax-exempt status from 2010 to 2012. The revelation has led to five ongoing investigations, including three by congressional committees, and outraged lawmakers who control the agency’s budget.

The IRS also is implementing large parts of President Obama’s health law, including enforcing the mandate that most people get health insurance. Republicans in Congress abhor the law, putting another bull’s-eye on the agency’s back.

The animosity is reflected in the IRS budget, which has declined from $12.1 billion in 2010 to $11.3 billion in the current budget year.

Obama has proposed a 10 percent increase for next year; Republicans are balking.

Rep. Ander Crenshaw, R-Fla., chairman of the House subcommittee that oversees the IRS budget, called the request “both meaningless and pointless” because it exceeds spending caps already set by Congress.

ASSAULT AND BATTERY Officers responded at 2:23 p.m. Friday to a residence in the 400 block of North Main Street where a 40-year-old woman told officers that a 23-year-old woman attempted to swing a broom at her. The broom

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

The Internal Revenue Service Headquarters building in Washington is seen Sunday. The IRS already has received nearly 100 million tax returns but anticipates getting about 35 million more by the midnight deadline tonight.

missed and broke a window in the residence. The 40-year-old woman was advised to seek a warrant.

STOLEN PROPERTY A 47-inch LG flat-screen TV, two J&L Audio 12-inch subwoofers, a black 8.5-inch tablet, a gold Rolex watch,

one silver Miami Heat watch, a silver NY Giants watch, a silver NY Knicks watch, a silver Nike watch and two boxes filled with jewelry were reported stolen at 6:01 a.m. April 1 from a residence in the 5800 block of Wessex Drive, Wedgefield. The items are

valued at $5,150.

A 42-inch Sanyo flat-screen TV and a 32-inch Phillips flat-screen TV were reported stolen between 5:30 and 10 a.m. Friday from a residence in the 400 block of Bagnal Drive. The items are valued at $1,199.

NATION | WORLD

THE SUMTER ITEM

TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2014

|

A5

Police: Mother admits to killing her 6 babies

BY BRADY McCOMBS The Associated Press PLEASANT GROVE, Utah — Megan Huntsman was clear about what she did with six of her newborn babies.

Huntsman, 39, told police she either strangled or suffocated them immediately after they were born.

She wrapped their bodies in a towel or a shirt, put them in plastic bags and then HUNTSMAN packed them inside boxes in the garage of her home south of Salt Lake City.

What’s not clear is why. A day after her arrest on charges of killing her six babies, investigators and her neighbors puzzled over the grisly discovery, including how she could have concealed a half-dozen pregnancies during a 10-year period.

“How can you have a baby and not have evidence and other people know?” asked neighbor SanDee Wall. “You can’t plan when a baby is going to come. Just the thought of somebody putting a baby into a

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Police investigate the scene where seven infant bodies were discovered in separate containers at a home in Pleasant Grove, Utah, on Sunday. According to Pleasant Grove Police Department, seven dead infants were found in the former home of Megan Huntsman, 39. Authorities said Huntsman admitted to killing six babies and that the seventh baby appears to have been stillborn. box is a heartbreaker.”

Huntsman, who was arrested Sunday on six counts of murder, was ordered held on $6 million bail — $1 million

for each baby. A seventh baby police found appears to have been stillborn, authorities said.

According to a probable

School carries out DNA dragnet in rape case

BY LORI HINNANT The Associated Press PARIS — French investigators began taking DNA samples Monday from 527 male students and staff at a high school — including boys as young as 14 — as they searched for the assailant who raped a teenage girl on the closed campus.

Testing began Monday at Fenelon-Notre Dame high school in western France. All those who received summonses last week were warned that any refusal could land them in police custody, and no one rejected the sweeping request to test the high school’s male population.

The testing of students, faculty and staff at the school is expected to last through Wednesday, with 40 DNA swabs recovered inside two large study halls. Prosecutor Isabelle Pagenelle said investigators had exhausted all other leads in the Sept. 30 rape of the girl in a dark bathroom at the school.

“The choice is simple for me,” she said. “Either I file it away and wait for a match in what could be several years, or I go looking for the match myself.”

While there have been other situations in which DNA samples have been taken en masse, the case is complicated for France, where acceptance is widespread for DNA testing and a national database maintains profiles of people detained for even minor crimes. But children’s civil liberties are considered sacred, especially within schools.

France has stringent privacy protections — Google, for example, has come under legal attack for storing user data, as well as for lapses in images from Street View. Questions of criminality are a different matter — the government’s DNA database has expanded radically since it was first created in 1998, and now encompasses 2 million profiles, or about 3 percent of the population.

cause statement released by police Monday, Huntsman said she gave birth to at least seven babies between 1996 and 2006 at her former home in

Pleasant Grove, a leafy, sleepy town about 35 miles south of Salt Lake City. All but one of them was born alive, she said.

Her estranged husband, Darren West, made the discovery Saturday morning while cleaning out the garage of the house, which is owned by his parents. He called Huntsman, who admitted to him it was her baby, according to court documents.

West called police, who then found the remaining bodies in the garage.

Investigators think Huntsman is the mother of them all based on what she has told them but have ordered DNA tests to make sure that’s the case. Huntsman’s three daughters — one teenager and two young adults — also lived in the house.

It could take weeks to get the results, Utah County Attorney Jeff Buhman said.

Investigators think West and Huntsman were together when the babies were born but don’t think he was aware of the killings. Buhman said Huntsman is the principle suspect but didn’t rule out more arrests as the investigation continues.

A6

|

LOCAL

TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2014

Festival on the Avenue a celebration of South Sumter

PHOTOS BY MATT WALSH / THE SUMTER ITEM

Students in the HYPE after-school program, above, walk across Britton Bridge, which marks the transition from South Main Street to Manning Avenue, during Festival on the Avenue on Saturday.

Sumter Veterans Combat Group’s float, below, goes over the bridge.

THE SUMTER ITEM

THE SUMTER ITEM

TRIAL FROM PAGE A1 be able to produce the weapon that was used during the crime.

“No murder weapon will be tied to Mr. Dargan at all during this trial,” Murphy said. “No DNA or physical evidence of that sort will tie Mr. Dargan to Dingle Street that night.”

Attorney Shaun Kent, representing Helton, argued his client’s alleged involvement is a matter of the prosecution tying together what pieces of evidence they want.

“Sometimes, you can make a chain with just about anything by just putting together the way you want it, and that’s what they are doing,” Kent said. “This case is not complicated.”

Kent did not deny certain facts of the case that the prosecution has against his client, such as how Helton was angry during a party and picked up her phone to make a call. However, Kent said that’s all the prosecution has against her, basing what was discussed over the phone on what three witnesses said.

“We’re not sure exactly what was said because this witness said ‘she said this,’ and this witness said ‘she said this,’ and this witness said ‘she said this,’ so let’s take the best one we can use.

That’s the state’s case,” Kent said.

Law enforcement responded to the corner of Dingle and Wright streets about 12:30 a.m. the night of the shooting, where they found Scott’s body on the side of the roadway. He had been shot in the chest and back.

Officers arrested both Dargan and Helton two days later. Dargan was denied bond on both charges, and Helton was eventually released on a surety bond. She will be detained, however, at Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center during the duration of the trial.

The trial is scheduled to continue at 1:30 p.m. today.

CLOCK FROM PAGE A1 suspected of causing the problem only reached city workers Monday because it had to be specially made to order.

Owens hasn’t heard complaints from any residents trying to time their downtown strolls, but the timing problem that necessitated shutting off the clock was a topic of discussion in the building itself.

City employees were the first to notice a problem with the clock because the Opera House hosts several municipal offices directly under the center tower. Owens said the chimes formed a part of the workplace.

“We get used to it ringing,” he said, “and it just started to ring at odd hours, with no rhyme or reason to it.”

City officials hope to have the clocks ticking again later this week, once the part is installed. But until it is, they can’t be sure they’ve correctly identified which part of the mechanism was causing the slowdown.

“If this doesn’t work, we might have to make another one,” Owens said.

LOCAL | NATION

TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2014

|

A7

Evidence shows Russia driving Ukraine unrest WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House on Monday said there was “overwhelming evidence” that Russia is fomenting unrest in eastern Ukraine but suggested that President Obama has not yet concluded that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s actions warrant broader sanctions on key Russian economic sectors.

“We are actively evaluating what is happening in eastern Ukraine, what actions Russia has taken, what transgressions they’ve engaged in,” White House spokesman Jay Carney said. “And we are working with our partners and assessing for ourselves what response we may choose.”

Obama and Putin spoke Monday for the first time in more than two weeks.

The Kremlin said Putin urged Obama to discourage the Ukrainian government from using force against protesters in the country’s east while also rejecting Western claims that Russian agents were involved in the protests.

The White House confirmed that the two leaders spoke but did not immediately provide details of the conversation.

Administration officials did confirm that CIA chief John Brennan visited the Ukrainian capital of Kiev during the weekend, breaking with the administration’s typical practice of not disclosing the director’s travel. Ousted Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych accused Brennan of being behind Ukraine’s decision to send troops into the east to try to quash an increasingly brazen pro-Russian insurgency.

While U.S. officials denied those accusations, confirmation of Brennan’s visit could provide fodder for Russian officials to create a pretext for further incursions into eastern Ukraine.

Since Obama and Putin last spoke, pro-Russian forces have undertaken a rampage of storming and occupying local government offices, police stations and a small airport in eastern Ukraine. The Ukrainian government has proved powerless to rein in the separatists, who are demanding more autonomy from the central government in Kiev and closer ties to Russia.

The White House has blamed the unrest on Russia, saying there are undeniable similarities between the situa-

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Armed pro-Russian activists walk through a street near the seized Ukrainian regional administration building in the eastern town of Slovyansk, Ukraine, on Monday. Ukraine’s acting president urged the United Nations on Monday to send peacekeeping troops to eastern Ukraine. It is unclear whether Russia’s actions have crossed the line that President Obama has said would warrant stronger response. tion in eastern Ukraine and the Kremlin’s maneuvers in Crimea, the Black Sea peninsula Russia annexed from Ukraine last month.

“The evidence is compelling that Russia is supporting these efforts and involved in these efforts,” Carney said.

“You saw this coordinated effort in a number of cities across eastern Ukraine all at once that sure didn’t look organic to observers from the outside.”

Despite those assertions, it was unclear whether the U.S. planned to respond with deeper economic penalties.

Obama has repeatedly warned that Russian advances into eastern Ukraine would mark a serious escalation of the crisis that would warrant a stronger

international response, including the prospect of sanctions on Russia’s energy sector and other key industries.

But the administration has avoided saying whether Russia’s actions in the east thus far have crossed that line.

U.S. officials are also still trying to rally support for sector sanctions from Europe, which has a far deeper economic relationship with Russia.

As part of that effort, Obama spoke Monday with French President Francois Hollande. The French leader said in a statement that he and Obama discussed the importance of avoiding provocations in Ukraine and establishing a policy of strong and calibrated sanctions along with other European partners.

A8

|

TELEVISION

TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2014 TW FT

7 PM

7:30

WIS News 10 at Entertainment 7:00pm Local Tonight (N) (HD) news update.

News 19 @ 7pm Inside Edition (N) Evening news up- (HD) date.

Wheel of Fortune Jeopardy! (N) (N) (HD) (HD) Making It Grow (N) The Big Bang Theory Boyfriend advice. (HD) Family Feud

The Big Bang Theory Sheldon lies. (HD) Family Feud

8 PM

8:30

9 PM 9:30 LOCAL CHANNELS

THE SUMTER ITEM 10 PM

10:30

11 PM

11:30

12 AM

Chicago Fire: A Heavy Weight Sui- WIS News 10 at (:35) The Tonight Show Starring cide note delves into Bloom’s past. 11:00pm News Jimmy Fallon Jerry Seinfeld; Kristen (N) (HD) and weather.

Wiig. (HD) (:01) Person of Interest: Death Ben- News 19 @ 11pm (:35) Late Show with David Letterefit Posing as Secret Service agent. The news of the man Lady Gaga; Martha Stewart; Bill Murray. (HD) day.

(N) (HD) Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Celebrity Wife Swap: Daniel ABC Columbia (:35) Jimmy Kimmel Live Celebrities Turn, Turn, Turn Traitor from within Providence S.H.I.E.L.D.’s most danBaldwin; Jermaine Jackson Responsi- News at 11 (HD) and human-interest subjects. (HD) the team. (HD) gerous secrets. (N) (HD) bility meets luxury. (N) (HD) Pioneers of Television: Standup to The Address At Greenwood School, students memorize, Lincoln@Gettysburg A look is taken BBC World News Charlie Rose (N) Sitcom Stand-up comics’ transition practice and recite Gettysburg Address. (N) (HD) at Lincoln’s use of the telegraph dur- International (HD) to sitcoms. (N) (HD) ing the Civil War. (HD) news.

Glee: Tested Artie tests positive for New Girl: Big The Mindy Pro- WACH FOX News at 10 Local news Two and a Half Two and a Half The Middle: The an STD; Blaine takes part in the News Secret ject Slick teacher. report and weather forecast.

Men: The Devil’s Men Man’s tro- Telling (HD) “freshman fifteen.” (N) (HD) break-up. (N) (HD) (N) (HD) Lube (HD) phy wife. (HD) The Originals: The Big Uneasy Klaus Supernatural: Meta Fiction Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: The Arsenio Hall seeks a werewolf from his lineage.

Metatron’s attempts to merge forces. Parts A woman’s dismembered body Care Foster brother suspected in Show (HD) (N) (HD) (N) (HD) if found. (HD) murder. (HD) The Voice: The Playoffs Continue All About a Boy: Growing Up Fisher Mel’s twelve finalists are chosen. (N) (HD) About a Slopmaster (N) (HD) plus-one. (N) (HD) NCIS: Alleged Bar fight or conspiracy. NCIS: Los Angeles: Three Hearts (N) (HD) Undercover NCIS agent. (N) (HD)

CABLE CHANNELS Storage Wars Storage Wars Storage Wars Storage Wars Storage Wars Storage Wars (N) Barry’d Treasure Barry’d Treasure (:01) Storage (:31) Storage (:01) Storage (HD) (HD) (HD) (HD) (HD) (HD) (N) (HD) (HD) Wars (HD) Wars (HD) Wars (HD) Forrest Gump (‘94, Drama) aaaa Tom Hanks. A slow-witted man with character and dignity who transforms Game of Arms: War Horses Athletes’ Game of Arms: Welcome to the Game of Arms the lives of those around him grows to adulthood amid the historic events of four decades. (HD) families. (N) (HD) Slaughterhouse (HD) (HD) To Be Announced To Be Announced Alaska Bear Stakeout Experts follow bears for five months. (HD) To Be Announced Stakeout (HD) This Christmas (‘07, Holiday) aac Delroy Lindo. An estranged family comes together to cel- The Game (HD) The Game (N) Let’s Stay ToThe Game (HD) Let’s Stay ToWendy Williams ebrate Christmas.

(HD) gether (N) (HD) gether (HD) Show (HD) The Real Housewives of Orange The Real Housewives of Atlanta: Fi- The Real Housewives of New York The People’s The People’s What Happens The Real Housewives of New York County: Hawaii 5 Uh - Oh nal Curtain Call City Party goes awry. (N) Couch (N) Couch (N) City: Unhappy Anniversary The Profit: Amazing Grapes Shark Tank (HD) Shark Tank Renting toys. (HD) The Profit: Key Lime (N) Shark Tank (HD) Shark (HD) Erin Burnett OutFront (N) Anderson Cooper 360° (N) (HD) CNN Tonight Inside Man: Celebrity Anderson Cooper 360° (HD) CNN Tonight The Colbert Re- Daily Show (HD) Inside Amy Tosh.0 Bad hurdle Tosh.0 Senior Tosh.0 Public Tosh.0 (N) (HD) Inside Amy Daily Show (HD) (:31) The Colbert (:01) @midnight port (HD) Schumer (HD) race. (HD) workout. (HD) restroom. (HD) Schumer (N) Report (HD) (HD) Austin & Ally Blog: Avery-body Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure (‘09, Family) Mae Dog with Blog: Good Luck Char- Jessie Firm disci- Win Lose Austin & Ally Good Luck Char(HD) Dance Now Whitman. A fairy goes on a fantastic journey.

Love Ty-Angle lie (HD) pline. (HD) (HD) lie (HD) Deadliest Catch (HD) Deadliest Catch: Season 9 Revealed Shocking new info. (N) (HD) Deadliest Catch: Behind (N) Deadliest Catch: Season 9 Revealed (HD) E:60 (HD) 30 for 30: Soccer Stories: Hillsborough (HD) Baseball Tonight (HD) SportsCenter (HD) SportsCenter SportsCenter (HD) NFL Live (HD) SportsCenter Special (HD) E:60 (HD) Olbermann (HD) Olbermann Yours, Mine and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (‘05, Fantasy) aaa Daniel Radcliffe. A young wizard finds himself competing in a hazardous The 700 Club Prince: Will Goes Ours a (HD) tournament between rival schools of magic, but he is distracted by recurring nightmares. (HD) A-Courtin’ Chopped Slices of pizza. (HD) Chopped Pink candy. (HD) Chopped Large jawbreaker. (HD) Chopped (HD) Diners (HD) Diners (HD) Chopped (HD) On the Record with Greta (N) The O’Reilly Factor (N) (HD) The Kelly File News updates.

Hannity Conservative news. (HD) The O’Reilly Factor (HD) The Kelly File World Poker Tour no} (HD) UEFA Champ. Soccer: FC Barcelona at Atlético Madrid (HD) UFC Ultimate Insider (HD) Predators The Panel Power The Waltons: The Chicken Thief The Waltons: The Prize Olivia’s old The Middle (HD) The Middle: The Frasier Emcee for Frasier: The Can- Frasier Bora Bora. Frasier Lilith in Golden: The Yancy steals. beau judges county fair.

Concert (HD) charity. didate paradise.

Housekeeper Hunters (HD) Hunters (HD) Flop Flop Flop Flop Hunters (N) Hunters (N) Flip It To Win It (N) Flop Counting (HD) Counting (HD) Counting (HD) Counting (HD) Counting (HD) Counting (HD) American (HD) American (HD) American (HD) American (HD) Counting (HD) Criminal Minds: The Pact Murderous Criminal Minds: The Lesson BAU Criminal Minds: Perennials Copycat The Listener: Curtain Call Toby goes The Listener: The Taking Toby inves- Without a Trace duo. (HD) looks into ritualistic killing. (HD) killer. (HD) undercover. (N) tigates an abduction. (N) (HD) Dance Moms: Family Comes First On Dance Moms: Lights! Camera!

Dance Moms: Presenting My New Team New junior Bring It!: Street Battle Dancing Dolls (:31) Prank My (:02) Dance their own. (HD) Dance! Music video shoot. (HD) elite competition team. (N) (HD) challenge rivals. (HD) Mom (HD) Moms (HD) Sponge Sam & Cat Nick News (N) Full Hse Full Hse Full Hse Full Hse Full Hse Friends (:36) Friends (:12) Friends Ink Master X-Men fans. (HD) Ink Master (HD) Ink Master: Artist Slaughter (HD) Ink Master (N) (HD) Nightmares Nightmares Nightmares Face Off: Industrial Revolution Origi- Face Off: Bloodsuckers Legendary Face Off: Cry Wolf Competitors Jim Henson’s Creature Shop Face Off: Cry Wolf Competitors Creature Shop: nal robots. (HD) vampires. (HD) must create werewolves. (N) (HD) Challenge: Heads Up! (N) must create werewolves. (HD) Heads Up! Seinfeld: The Family Guy The Big Bang The Big Bang The Big Bang The Big Bang The Big Bang The Big Bang Conan Nathan Fillion; Tatiana The Pete Holmes Puffy Shirt (HD) Theory (HD) Theory (HD) Theory (HD) Theory (HD) Theory (HD) Theory (HD) Maslany. (N) (HD) Show (N) Kiss Them for Me (‘57, Comedy) Bye Bye Birdie (‘63, Musical) aaa Dick Van Dyke. A rock star visits a fan Jailhouse Rock (‘57, Musical) aac Elvis Presley. A talented young man Go, Johnny, Go! aa Cary Grant. Officers on leave. in a small town before he leaves for the Army. becomes a recording star after he serves time in jail. (‘59) aa Little (HD) Little (HD) 19 Kids (HD) 19 Kids (HD) 19 Kids and Counting (N) (HD) Little (N) (HD) Little (HD) 19 Kids and Counting (HD) Little (HD) Castle: After Hours Murder witness NBA Basketball: New York Knicks at Brooklyn Nets from Barclays Center z{| (HD) NBA Basketball: Denver Nuggets at Los Angeles Clippers from Staples on the run. (HD) Center z{| (HD) Pawn Pawn Pawn Pawn Pawn Pawn Pawn (N) Container (N) Container Container (:02) Pawn Gilligan’s (HD) (:43) Gilligan’s Island (HD) Gilligan’s (HD) Raymond (HD) Raymond (HD) Raymond (HD) Raymond (HD) Cleveland Soul Man (HD) Queens (HD) Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: Modern Family Modern Family Modern Family Modern Family Chrisley Knows (:31) Modern (:01) Modern (:31) Modern Chrisley Knows Tortured Tortured killer. (HD) (HD) (HD) (HD) (HD) Best (N) Family (HD) Family (HD) Family (HD) Best (HD) Law & Order (HD) Law & Order: Mushrooms (HD) Law & Order (HD) Law & Order (HD) Law & Order: The Troubles (HD) Law (HD) Funniest Home Videos (HD) Under Siege (‘92, Action) aac Steven Seagal. A ship is captured.

Salem (HD) How I Met How I Met How I Met Parks (HD)

Does ‘Fargo’ remade as a TV series work? You betcha!

BY KEVIN MCDONOUGH Can “Fargo” (10 p.m., FX, TV-MA) find an audience when so many fans of the 1996 movie “Fargo” are certain to dislike, distrust and dismiss it sight unseen as a needless desecration?

The show’s opening scenes of bleak, frozen skies and empty highways, accompanied by a swelling musical score, will certainly give some pause. But this “Fargo” is not so much a remake as a strange meditation. It’s a crime drama ostensibly based on real events that took place a decade after the movie’s release.

But the characters, tone and flavor of the show seem set — or rather, frozen — in the movie’s image. Think of it as a drama in a mystical theme park. Let’s call it “Fargo”land, or the haunted state of “YouBetcha.”

Martin Freeman (“Sherlock,” BBC’s “The Office”) stars as Lester Nygaard. His character and very performance are based on William H. Macy’s indelible take on Jerry Lundegaard from the movie. Here, Lester is a henpecked insurance agent with absolutely zero sales skills.

He’s bullied by his wife, his younger brother, an old high school tormentor and life itself. Into his bleak existence wanders Lorne Malvo (Billy Bob Thornton), a drifter and professional hit man. Let’s just say Lorne makes Lester’s life a whole lot more interesting.

Even reverent fans of the original should check out this “Fargo,” if only to appreciate Thornton’s performance. You don’t need a degree in symbolism to see him as the devil himself, a tempter, a teaser and an instigator who brings out the worst in everyone he encounters. Fans who miss Matthew McConaughey’s Rust Cohle character from the just-finished “True Detective” will enjoy Malvo’s gift for jaded philosophical musings and his skill for always getting to the dark heart of the matter.

A strong cast includes Colin Hanks (“Dexter”) and Allison Tolman (“Sordid Lives”). Tolman stars as the female detective at the center of the investigation. Un-

Project” (9:30 p.m., Fox, TV14) * Much ado about a birthday cake on “Trophy Wife” (9:30 p.m., r, ABC, TV-PG).

LATE NIGHT

FX NETWORKS

Billy Bob Thornton stars as Lorne Malvo in the FX series “Fargo” premiering at 10 p.m. like Frances McDormand’s Marge Gunderson in the film, she’s neither pregnant nor entirely experienced in police work. But she’ll get a crash course in homicide when Malvo’s influence is felt and the snow turns crimson.

• Filmmaker Ken Burns returns to the Civil War with “The Address” (9 p.m., PBS, check local listings), a look at a school in Vermont where students are encouraged to memorize and recite Lincoln’s 1863 Gettysburg Address.

TONIGHT’S OTHER HIGHLIGHTS • Shopping like a man on “About a Boy” (9 p.m., NBC, TV-PG).

• Mel needs a date on “Growing Up Fisher” (9:30 p.m., NBC, TV-PG).

• Reese works security for a congressman on “Person of Interest” (10 p.m., CBS, TV14).

• Severide plumbs Bloom’s past on “Chicago Fire” (10 p.m., NBC, TV-14).

• Daniel Baldwin and Jermaine Jackson share significant others on “Celebrity Wife Swap” (10 p.m., ABC, TV-14).

• Mounted trophies have the last word on “Jim Hen-

son’s Creature Shop Challenge” (10 p.m., Syfy).

SERIES NOTES Allegations galore on “NCIS” (8 p.m., CBS, TV-PG) * “The Voice” continues (8 p.m., NBC) * Artie receives alarming news on “Glee” (8 p.m., Fox, TV-14) * Shelter from the storm on “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” (8 p.m., ABC,

TV-PG) * A traditional feast day on “The Originals” (8 p.m., CW, TV-PG) * Terror looms on “NCIS: Los Angeles” (9 p.m., CBS, TV-14) * Winston has reason to celebrate on “New Girl” (9 p.m., Fox, TV-14) * Beverly meets her nemesis on “The Goldbergs” (9 p.m., r, ABC, TV-PG) * Metatron negotiates on “Supernatural” (9 p.m., CW, TV-14) * Peter schools Mindy on “The Mindy

Nathan Fillion, Tatiana Maslany and Dan Soder appear on “Conan” (11 p.m., TBS) * Marlon Wayans, Chris Franjola, Jessimae Peluso and Josh Wolf are booked on “Chelsea Lately” (11 p.m., E!) * Martha Stewart, Lady Gaga and Bill Murray appear on “Late Show With David Letterman” (11:35 p.m., CBS, r) * Jimmy Fallon welcomes Jerry Seinfeld, Kristen Wiig and Lady Gaga on “The Tonight Show” (11:35 p.m., NBC, r) * Andy Samberg, Busy Philipps, Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer visit “Late Night With Seth Meyers” (12:35 a.m., NBC, r) * Craig Ferguson hosts Wendie Malick and Jim Rash on “The Late Late Show” (12:35 a.m., CBS).

CULT CHOICE Rock ‘n’ roll, teenage culture and Elvis Presley’s military induction inspired the stage musical “Bye Bye Birdie” (8 p.m., TCM), adapted for the screen in 1963 and all but eclipsed by Ann-Margret’s star turn.

Copyright 2014, United Feature Syndicate

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

TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2014 H.G. Osteen 1870-1955 Founder, The Item

H.D. Osteen 1904-1987 The Item

|

A9

Margaret W. Osteen 1908-1996 The Item Hubert D. Osteen Jr. Chairman & Editor-in-Chief Graham Osteen Co-President Kyle Osteen Co-President Jack Osteen Editor and Publisher Larry Miller CEO Braden Bunch Senior News Editor

20 N. Magnolia St., Sumter, South Carolina 29150 • Founded October 15, 1894

COMMENTARY

A counter for hysterics in Michigan D

ETROIT — Robert Griffin, now 90, who rose to be second in the Republican U.S. Senate leadership, was defeated in 1978. Since then, only one Michigan Republican, Spencer Abraham in 1994, has been elected to the Senate and for only one term. Evidence that former Michigan Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land might end this GOP drought is that Democrats are attacking her for opposing “preventive health care.”

This is a phrase Democrats use to include abortion as they try to reprise their 2012 alarms about Republicans’ “war on women,” which began with the martyrdom of Sandra Fluke. She was the Georgetown University law student aggrieved because the Catholic university she chose to attend was not paying for her contraception. The median starting annual salary of Georgetown law graduates entering the private sector is $160,000. Wal-Mart sells a month’s worth of birth control pills for $9.

In the almost half-century since Lyndon Johnson’s flood of Great Society legislation, Democrats have had one significant new idea, Obamacare, which many Democrats consider one too many. Hence their reliance on the specter of Republican hostility to persons with two X chromosomes.

Land is delighted to have Democrats raising the subject of “preventive” or other health care. It is one topic of about $5 million of George Michigan ads by the conservative Will advocacy group Americans for Prosperity. In one, a woman addresses Land’s opponent, Democratic Rep. Gary Peters: “My name is Julie Boonstra, and five years ago I was diagnosed with leukemia. I found out that I only have a 20 percent chance of surviving. I found this wonderful doctor and a great health care plan. I was doing fairly well fighting the cancer, fighting the leukemia, and then I received the letter. My insurance was canceled because of Obamacare.”

Another ad features a woman who thinks Obamacare is waging a war on her: “We have five kids. ...

Our health insurance plan was canceled because of Obamacare. ... This new plan is not affordable at all.

My husband is working a lot more hours just to pay for these new increases. I’m frustrated that government has caused this huge problem for our family.”

“We,” says Land, her Michigan chauvinism undiminished by this city’s collapse, “are the state that created the middle class.” High wages for autoworkers — higher than the companies could sustain — and employee discounts for cars enabled people to buy homes, then cottages and boats at nearby lakes.

Now Obamacare — many Michiganders have had health plans canceled — is fueling middle-class insecurity.

Peters opposes the Keystone XL pipeline and favors cap-and-trade climate legislation that Land says jeopardizes the revival of Michigan’s manufacturing economy. Peters, a former state senator, has won three congressional elections. Land, having won statewide twice, is better known, and as secretary of state she concentrated on improving an experience most Americans dread — interacting with the department of motor vehicles.

In some recent polls she has a small lead in what may remain a close race. She has less to fear than Republicans used to have from Detroit’s Democratic vote. The city’s population has plunged from 1.8 million to 700,000 and today’s Democratic mayor wields a much diminished political machine while an emergency manager is in place. Only 3 percent of Michiganders live in the Upper Peninsula but in a close race they could provide the margin of victory for Land. The UP’s conservatism can be distilled in six words: “I’m up here, don’t bother me.”

Land represents Republicans’ most effective response to Democrats’ hyperventilating about the “war on women” — female candidates. It will be amusing to see such rhetoric tried in Iowa, where Joni Ernst, a lieutenant colonel in the Iowa Army National Guard who served in Iraq, is seeking the Republican Senate nomination. She says in an ad: “I grew up castrating hogs on an Iowa farm. So when I get to Washington, I’ll know how to cut pork.” She rides a Harley, and in a recent Des Moines Register column she said, “Those who know me well know that I carry a black purse everywhere I go. What many people don’t know is what’s inside: a Smith & Wesson 9 mm and my concealed carry permit.”

Many Democrats seem to prefer the sensibility of Fluke, a professional victim and virtuoso whiner.

Michigan’s electorate, which has produced today’s Republican governor and Legislature, may be ready, by electing a Republican senator for the third time in 42 years, to show what they think of “war on women” hysterics as a substitute for thought.

George Will’s email address is georgewill@washpost. com. © 2014, Washington Post Writers Group

LETTER TO THE EDITOR High academic standards will keep government out Well, according to the Friday’s Sumter Item, we are going to continuing to dumb down our students. It just stands to reason if students can’t pass the exit exam, rather than require they work harder and keep the standard somewhat high, just lower the standard. It seems our educational leadership is really adept at lowering our educational standards and then pat our backs that our students are graduating in greater numbers. What do we want? High graduation rates and dumb students? I suggest we strive for high graduation rates

and very knowledgeable students. God forbid we make our students work for their grades and public education.

What will happen as the students get dumber is they won’t know anything and colleges won’t take them. We will still need workers. So, the Legislature will have to pass legislation to require any state public college/university to take in state students regardless of their academic status or lack thereof. A democracy or republic is dependent on educated citizens. The less our public is educated, the bigger the government becomes as the citizens won’t know enough to be take care of them-

selves. Therefore, to keep government out of our lives, we really need high academic standards. One of the best ways to start increasing our educational standard would be to keep the exit exam and to require students to be able to read and do math before being promoted to the next grade. The next step would be to begin to reduce public support for residents that don’t have a high school diploma. Remove the crutch of public support, and students will work harder to achieve a high school diploma. I urge Gov. Haley to veto this legislation.

DAVID LePAGE Sumter

COMMENTARY

What would Ronald Reagan do?

P

resident Reagan was holding a meeting in the Cabinet Room on March 25, 1985, when Press Secretary Larry Speakes came over to me, as communications director, with a concern.

The White House was about to issue a statement on the killing of Major Arthur Nicholson, a U.S. army officer serving in East Germany. Maj. Nicholson had been shot in cold blood by a Russian soldier.

Speakes thought the president’s statement, “This violence was unjustified,” was weak. I agreed. We interrupted the president, who reread the statement, then said go ahead with it.

What lay behind this Reagan decision not to express his own and his nation’s disgust and anger at this atrocity?

Since taking office, Reagan had sought to engage Soviet leaders in negotiations, but, as he told me, “they keep dying on me.”

Two weeks earlier, on March 10, 1985, Konstantin Chernenko, the third Soviet premier in Reagan’s term, had died, and the youngest member of the Politburo, Mikhail Gorbachev, had been named to succeed him.

Believing Gorbachev had no role in the murder of Maj. Nicholson, and seeking a summit with the new Soviet leader to ease Cold War tensions, Reagan decided not to express what must have been in his heart.

Which raises a question many Republicans are asking: What would Reagan do — in Syria, Crimea, Ukraine?

Is Sen. Rand Paul or Ted Cruz, or Gov. Jeb Bush or Chris Christie the candidate most in the Reagan tradition, the gold standard for the GOP? We cannot know what he would do, as we live in a postCold War world. But we do know what Reagan did.

In the battle over the Panama Canal “giveaway,” Reagan stood against Bill Buckley and much of his movement and party. “We bought it, we paid for it, it’s ours, and we’re gonna keep it,” he thundered.

The Senate agreed 2-1 with

Jimmy Carter to surrender the Canal to Panama’s dictator. Reagan’s consolation prize? The presidency.

Reagan came to office declaring Vietnam “a noble cause” and determined to rebuild U.S. military might and morale, which he did in spades. His defense budgets broke the spine of a Soviet Union that could not compete with the booming America of the Reagan era.

What’s our strategy, his first National Security Council adviser Dick Allen asked him.

Replied Reagan: “We win, Patrick they lose.”

Buchanan Reagan saw clearly the crucial moral dimension of the ideological struggle between communism and freedom. He called the Soviet Bloc “an evil empire.” Yet he never threatened military intervention in Eastern Europe, as some bellicose Republicans do today.

Reagan would not be rattling sabers over Crimea or Ukraine.

When Gen. Jaruzelski’s regime smashed Solidarity on Moscow’s orders, Reagan refused to put Warsaw in default on its debts.

But he did deny Moscow the U.S. technology to build its Yamal pipeline to Europe.

Given Europe’s dependency today on Russian gas, a wise decision.

When the Soviets deployed triple-warhead intermediate-range missiles in Eastern Europe, the SS-20, Reagan countered with nuclear-armed Pershing II and cruise missiles in Western Europe.

Only when Gorbachev agreed to take down all the SS-20s, did Reagan agree to bring the Pershings and cruise missiles home.

When Gadhafi blew up a Berlin discotheque full of U.S. soldiers in retaliation for the Sixth Fleet’s downing of two Libyan warplanes, Reagan sent F-111s in a reprisal raid that almost killed Gadhafi.

Ronald Reagan believed in the measured response.

He hated nuclear weapons, “those god-awful things,” he used to say, and seized on the idea of a missile defense, SDI. And while he was ready to trade down offensive missiles, when Gorbachev at Reykjavik demanded he throw the Strategic Defense Initiative into the pot, Reagan got up and walked out.

Would Reagan go into Syria?

Almost surely not.

On the last day of his presidency, he told aides the worst mistake he made was putting U.S. Marines into Lebanon, where 241 Americans perished in the terror bombing of the Beirut barracks.

He had no problem working with flawed regimes, as long as they stood with us in the cause that would decide the fate of mankind.

The East-West struggle was the top priority with Ronald Reagan, which is one reason he vetoed sanctions on South Africa.

Whatever her sins, Pretoria was on our side in the main event.

But while Reagan would not challenge Moscow militarily in Central Europe, he provided weapons to anti-Communist guerrillas and freedom fighters in Afghanistan, Angola and Nicaragua to bleed and break the Soviet Empire at its periphery and make them pay the same price we paid in Vietnam.

Reagan was an anti-Communist to his core, having fought them in the Screen Actors Guild in the 1940s. But he was never anti-Russian, and wanted always to keep the channels open. He ended his presidency as he had hoped, being cheered while strolling through Red Square with Mikhail Gorbachev.

Ronald Reagan never wanted to be a war president, and there were no wars on Reagan’s watch.

None. The Gipper was no neocon.

Patrick J. Buchanan is the author of “Suicide of a Superpower: Will America Survive to 2025?” © creators.com

A10

|

TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2014

AROUND TOWN The Shepherd’s Center will offer free public information sessions 11-11:50 a.m. each Thursday through May 29 at 24 Council St. Scheduled topics / speakers are as follows: April 17, Lester Clark of Capital Insurance will discuss long term care insurance; April 24, Catherine Blumberg of S.C. Active Lifestyles will discuss walking for your health; May 1, David O’Brien will discuss social media and staying connected; May 8, Ford Simmons of the Sumter County Library will provide tips and tricks on using your personal computer or iPad; May 15, Cpl. Eddie Hobbes of the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office will discuss self defense awareness; May 22, Cpl. Eddie Hobbes will discuss home security; and May 29, Carol Boyd will discuss gardening with herbs.

Kids Fest 2014 will be held 9 a.m.-2 p.m. today-Wednesday, April 16, at Sumter County Civic Center, 700 W. Liberty St. This free event is designed to educate parents, caregivers and children about preventing injuries and staying safe. Call (803) 774-8822.

The Carolina Coin Club will meet at 7 p.m. today at the Parks & Recreation Department, 155 Haynsworth St. The club meets on the third Tuesday of each month. Visitors welcome. Call (803) 7758840.

The American Red Cross, Sandhills Chapter, will offer a New Volunteer Orientation and Disaster Services Overview class at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 16, at 1155 N. Guignard Drive, Suite 2. Call (803) 7752363 to register.

The Pinedale Neighborhood Association will meet at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, April 17, at South HOPE Center, 1125 S. Lafayette Drive. Call Ferdinand Burns at (803) 968-4464.

The General George L. Mabry Jr. Chapter 817, Military Order of the Purple Heart, will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 17, at the Elks Lodge, at 1100 W. Liberty St. All Purple Heart recipients and guests are in-

vited for this special election night event. Call (803) 5063120.

Lincoln High School Class of 1963 will meet at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 19, at American Legion Post 202, 310 Palmetto St. Plans will be made for the 2015 class reunion, which will be celebrated as the 1960s class reunion of the Civil Rights era. Call Ferdinand Burns at (803) 968-4464.

The Westside Neighborhood Association will meet at 5:30 p.m. Monday, April 21, at the Birnie HOPE Center, 210 S. Purdy St. Jimmy McCain, candidate for Sumter County Council District 6, will be in attendance. Call (678) 4298150 or email jtmccain@bellsouth.net.

The Sumter Combat Veterans Group will meet at 10 a.m.

Wednesday, April 23, at South HOPE Center, 1125 S. Lafayette Drive. All area veterans are invited.

The YWCA of the Upper Lowlands Inc. will hold a Tribute to Women in Industry (TWIN) Reunion in conjunction with the annual banquet 6-10 p.m. Friday, April 25, at the Imperial restaurant, 451 Broad St. Contact Yolanda Debra Wilson at (803) 773-7158 or ydwilson@ywcasumter.org.

The Sumter Branch NAACP will meet at 5 p.m. Sunday, April 27, at Bethel AME Church, 1605 S.C. 261 South, Wedgefield.

The Sumter Benedict Alumni Club will meet at 6 p.m. Monday, May 5, at the North HOPE Center. Call Shirley M. Balssingame at (803) 5064019.

The Sumter Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 13, at Shiloh-Randolph Manor, 125 W. Bartlette St. Suzie Kearney, management development officer, will speak. Transportation provided within the coverage area. Contact Debra Canty at DebraCanC2@frontier.com or (803) 775-5792 to reserve your gala tables. Call the 24/7 recorded message line at (206) 376-5992.

PUBLIC AGENDA TAX ACCOMMODATIONS ADVISORY BOARD Today, 3 p.m., Swan Lake Visitors Center SUMTER COUNTY DISABILITIES & SPECIAL NEEDS BOARD INC. CREATIVE ENVIRONMENTS INC. INDEPENDENT LIVING INC. ABILITIES UNLIMITED INC. ADAPTIVE LIFESTYLES INC. MAGNOLIA MANOR INC. FIRST FLIGHT INC. Today, 5 p.m., 750 Electric Drive.

Call 778-1669, Ext. 119.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Business and EUGENIA LAST personal partnerships will experience difficulties and must be handled with care.

Overreacting or making assumptions will lead to regrets. A deal, contract or settlement is best dealt with honestly and with integrity and openness. Don’t mix business with pleasure.

The last word in astrology

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You can talk matters over and make suggestions, but don’t expect everyone to see things your way.

As long as you do your best and offer positive, progressive ideas, you will have no regrets. An important personal relationship will bring you good fortune.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Look for more ways to put your skills, talents and the things you enjoy doing most into effect when it comes to moneymaking opportunities. Offering a diverse service will grab attention. Keep personal changes to a minimum.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Put more time and effort into personal plans and self-improvement. Avoid dealing with people who are demanding. The changes others make must not be allowed to disrupt your course of action. Make a point to learn something unique or unusual.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Travel, conferences, trade shows or any form of event or activity that will broaden your horizons and give you incentive to plunge into something extraordinary will pay off. Take a challenge and run with it and you will surpass your goal.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Easy does it. You may be in the mood to get things done, but leaving a little wiggle room to make last-minute adjustments will be necessary.

Precision, dedication and leaving nothing to chance will be your ticket to success.

SUMTER CITY COUNCIL Today, 5:30 p.m., Sumter Opera House, 21 N. Main St. CLARENDON COUNTY PLANNING & PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION Today, 6 p.m., planning commission office, Manning CLARENDON SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 Today, 6:30 p.m., district office

DAILY PLANNER

THE SUMTER ITEM

WEATHER

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2014

AccuWeather® five-day forecast for Sumter TODAY

TONIGHT

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Heavy rain and a thunderstorm

Clearing, breezy and cooler

Breezy in the a.m.; partly sunny

Partly sunny

Mostly cloudy

A couple of thunderstorms

74°

41°

63° / 34°

66° / 45°

68° / 53°

76° / 57°

Chance of rain: 80%

Chance of rain: 25%

Chance of rain: 5%

Chance of rain: 15%

Chance of rain: 15%

Chance of rain: 60%

Winds: NE 8-16 mph

Winds: ENE 7-14 mph

Winds: SSW 7-14 mph

Winds: S 10-20 mph

Winds: NNW 10-20 mph Winds: NNE 10-20 mph

TODAY’S SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER

Gaffney 65/29 Spartanburg 66/29

Greenville 65/32

Columbia 75/41

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

Sumter 74/41

IN THE MOUNTAINS Aiken 71/39

ON THE COAST

Charleston 79/43

Today: Thunderstorms; storms can bring damaging winds. High 74 to 78.

Wednesday: Breezy and cooler with times of clouds and sun. High 59 to 63.

LOCAL ALMANAC

LAKE LEVELS

SUMTER THROUGH 4 P.M. YESTERDAY

Today Hi/Lo/W 59/34/r 42/28/pc 63/42/s 38/24/sf 66/42/s 79/58/pc 60/42/s 65/35/r 85/58/t 64/32/r 89/65/s 65/52/pc 68/32/r

SUN AND MOON 7 a.m. yest.

358.28 75.61 74.88 97.44

24-hr chg -0.04 +0.12 none +0.02

Sunrise 6:51 a.m.

Moonrise 8:31 p.m.

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

0.00" 0.59" 1.42" 10.26" 11.40" 12.71"

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

Full pool 360 76.8 75.5 100

Lake Murray Marion Moultrie Wateree

79° 60° 74° 48° 90° in 2006 28° in 1950

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

Wed. Hi/Lo/W 63/40/s 55/38/pc 67/52/pc 45/33/pc 70/56/pc 74/55/pc 65/54/s 51/35/s 75/61/pc 52/34/s 90/69/s 66/52/pc 54/37/s

Myrtle Beach 77/45

Manning 77/41

Today: Cooler with periods of rain. Winds west 8-16 mph.

Wednesday: Partly sunny. Winds eastnortheast 7-14 mph.

Temperature High Low Normal high Normal low Record high Record low

Florence 77/41

Bishopville 76/41

Flood 7 a.m. stage yest.

12 8.51 19 5.59 14 6.15 14 7.11 80 80.42 24 8.09

Sunset Moonset

7:53 p.m.

6:59 a.m.

Full

Last

New

First

Apr. 15

Apr. 22

Apr. 29

May 6

TIDES

24-hr chg none -0.05 -0.11 -0.01 -0.34 -0.02

AT MYRTLE BEACH

Today Wed.

High 9:48 a.m.

10:17 p.m.

10:28 a.m.

10:56 p.m.

Ht. 3.0 3.4 3.0 3.4

Low 4:31 a.m.

4:33 p.m.

5:14 a.m.

5:14 p.m.

Ht. -0.2 -0.2 -0.2 -0.3

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

Today Hi/Lo/W 56/29/r 61/34/r 70/39/r 76/44/t 70/44/r 79/43/t 67/30/r 65/35/r 75/41/r 75/40/r 76/42/r 78/40/t 77/40/r

Wed. Hi/Lo/W 60/32/s 65/36/s 64/35/pc 63/44/pc 49/42/pc 63/42/pc 58/34/pc 66/40/pc 64/35/pc 63/34/pc 52/38/pc 61/34/pc 61/34/pc

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

Today Hi/Lo/W 77/41/t 77/44/t 67/33/r 77/38/t 79/43/t 65/29/r 65/32/r 62/29/r 74/48/t 77/45/t 61/32/r 64/36/r 57/33/r

Wed. Hi/Lo/W 62/34/pc 71/51/pc 60/34/pc 58/33/pc 63/42/pc 57/35/s 64/35/pc 61/33/pc 61/47/pc 64/51/pc 64/35/s 66/37/s 62/39/s

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

Today Hi/Lo/W 60/33/r 78/43/t 77/45/t 75/41/r 75/44/t 72/32/r 69/31/r 73/33/r 75/44/t 66/29/r 74/45/t 80/44/t 65/29/r

Wed. Hi/Lo/W 63/34/pc 62/42/pc 60/41/pc 63/37/pc 62/44/pc 56/37/s 60/32/pc 61/29/pc 65/43/pc 65/36/pc 62/46/pc 59/36/pc 57/33/s

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

CLARENDON SCHOOL DISTRICT 3 Thursday, 7 p.m., district office, Turbeville

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Partnerships will play a major role in your life. Disagreements are apparent and sudden changes are likely to take place. Don’t make judgment calls unless you have all the information required to assess the situation. Mistakes are likely and can be costly.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Make positive changes at home. Love is on the rise and a little romance can improve your personal life substantially. An outing, day trip or expressing your feelings and hopes for the future will help to initiate new beginnings.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Socialize, network and mingle. The more you share with progressive individuals, the more you will gain.

Forming partnerships and sharing responsibilities and ideas for future projects will lead to a good position. Budget wisely if you alter your living quarters.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Don’t expect anything to go as planned. Prepare to act quickly.

Mistakes will be easy to make and difficult to correct. Opposition can come from those you least expect.

Bide your time and document every detail. Keep your thoughts a secret.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Look over personal papers and go through your options. Don’t rely on the advice offered. Ulterior motives are apparent and poor direction likely. Take control, be confident and most of all, believe and trust in yourself. Financial gains are within reach.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Enjoy the company of friends or individuals who like the same pastimes you do. An opportunity will be a direct result of sharing your thoughts, ideas and intentions. Let your vision lead the way.

LOTTERY NUMBERS PALMETTO CASH 5 MONDAY

POWERBALL SATURDAY

MEGAMILLIONS FRIDAY

33-10-37-1-21 PowerUp: 5

14-26-45-54-55 Powerball: 20 Powerplay: 2

3-42-44-47-57 Megaball: 8 Megaplier: 5

PICK 3 MONDAY

PICK 4 MONDAY

6-4-2 and 1-3-3

4-3-7-9 and 8-6-9-9

PICTURES FROM THE PUBLIC LOCATION: Marshall Point Lighthouse, Port Clyde, Maine SUBMITTED BY: Sandy Tomlinson COMMENT: “It is a beautiful lighthouse, and it is the lighthouse that Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks) ran to in the movie ‘Forrest Gump.’”

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 sandrah@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.

SECTION

B

TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2014 Call: (803) 774-1241 | E-mail: sports@theitem.com

PREP BASEBALL

Barons survive scare from rival, stay unbeaten at 16-0

BY EDDIE LITAKER Special to The Item For four innings on Monday, Laurence Manning Academy pitcher Linc Powell had Wilson Hall’s undefeated baseball team, which had already clinched the SCISA Region II-3A regular season championship, shut down and struggling to put a few runs on the board.

Then the Barons sent eight men to the plate in the fifth and plated four runs, which turned out to be more than enough for Wilson Hall starter John Patrick Sears, who went the distance for the 4-2 victory at Baron Field.

Sears closed with 14 strikeouts and three walks while limiting the Swampcats to three hits. Sears’ three walks and LMA’s three hits all came in the

first two innings, with the Swampcats only two baserunners over the final five innings reaching on infield errors.

“His last three or four innings were solid,” Wilson Hall head coach Tommy Jones, whose team stands at 16-0 and 6-0, said of Sears’ effort. “He struggled the first two innings. He probably was up over maybe almost a 40-pitch count the first two innings, and they had runners on and even left some on.

They came up with a clutch hit because they’ve got some good players that can do that. He had to pitch from off the canvas tonight, and that’s the mark of a champion. We were pleased to see him come back and compete.”

Sears opened the game with three strikeouts and two walks in the first, alternating back and forth with each

SEE BARONS, PAGE B2

PRO GOLF

CLEMSON FOOTBALL

Double Bubba

Clemson QB Kelly removed from team after recent incident

BY AARON BRENNER Post and Courier CLEMSON — Football coaches want to see players rebound from adversity with class and determination.

For reasons a little murky at this time, Chad Kelly didn’t take that route, and therefore Clemson’s quarterback derby has cleared up dramatically within the past 48 hours.

Kelly was dismissed from the Tigers’ football program Monday by head coach Dabo Swinney for “conduct detrimental to our program.” The sophomore from Niagara Falls, N.Y., was in a three-way competition at quarterback this spring along with senior Cole Stoudt and freshman Deshaun Watson.

“He has had a pattern of behavior that is not consistent with the values of our program,” Swinney said. “I hope he will mature and grow from this and become the man and player I know he can be. I wish him nothing but the best in the future academically and athletically.”

It’s no secret Kelly wears his heart on his sleeve. Unfortunately for him and his coaches, that boiled over Saturday at Clemson’s spring game when he was benched for the second half after sniping with coaches based on first-half playing decisions.

Kelly, who completed 10 of 18 passes for 113 yards with two interceptions on Saturday, did not speak with reporters after the scrimmage.

Later Saturday, Kelly reportedly was involved in an incident outside Memorial Stadium, according to multiple news outlets.

SEE KELLY, PAGE B2

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Bubba Watson holds up his putter after winning the Masters on Sunday in Augusta, Ga. Watson shot an 8 under par to hold off a pair of rookies to win his second Masters title in three years.

Watson holds off pair of rookies to win 2nd green jacket in 3 years

BY DOUG FERGUSON

BY The Associated Press AUGUSTA, Ga. — For all the crazy stunts Bubba Watson does for fun, the green jacket was off limits.

When he won the Masters for the first time in 2012, he went to New York the next day for a media tour. He wore his green jacket walking the streets of Manhattan while going from one

Laurence Manning Academy’s Dakota Jackson slides into home for what proved to be the winning run as Wilson Hall catcher Drake Ives awaits a throw during the Lady Swampcats’ 4-1, 8-inning victory on Monday at Patriot Park SportsPlex.

DENNIS BRUNSON / THE SUMTER ITEM

interview to the next one, and he was amazed by the attention it brought. No other piece of clothing in golf gets that kind of reaction.

But that was the extent of it.

Watson spoke about his year with the green jacket a week before returning to Augusta National to claim another one.

“I left it in the closet,” he said.

“Right or wrong, out of respect for the tournament and what it

means, I didn’t take it out too much. Didn’t let my friends see it. Didn’t let them touch it. It’s a coveted trophy. It’s a big deal.

And I know what kind of hard work it takes to get it.”

Watson was reminded of that hard work when he won the Masters on Sunday by three shots over 20-year-old Jordan Spieth and Jonas Blixt of Sweden.

SEE MASTERS, PAGE B3

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Clemson quarterback Chad Kelly (11) has been battling Cole Stoudt (18) for the starting position through the spring. However, Kelly was involved in an incident after Saturday’s spring game and had another issue on Monday, leading to his removal from the team.

PREP SOFTBALL

Scratch the celebration LMA tops WH 4-1 in crucial region contest

BY DENNIS BRUNSON dennisb@theitem.com It may have done nothing more in the standings than clinch second place in SCISA Region II-3A, but Laurence Manning Academy’s 4-1, 8-inning victory over Wilson Hall may have far-reaching implications in the next few weeks.

“I think this win helps us get our confidence back up,” said LMA ROWLAND pitcher Courtney Beatson, who worked out of jams in both the sixth and seventh innings to get the victory.

“We’ve struggled a little bit the last few games, but I think this helps us get straightened out some.”

The Lady Swampcats are 17-3 overall and finish 4-2 in region play. The loss was the first in region play for the

Lady Barons, who are 4-1 in the region and 16-4 overall.

Wilson Hall, the defending state champion, will now have to reschedule a postponed game with Florence Christian School. If it wins, it wins the region title outright; were it to lose, it would be tied with Laurence Manning.

No makeup date has been set as of yet.

The win was the second in three meetings for Laurence Manning against the Lady Barons. It beat Wilson Hall in the championship game of the SCISA preseason tournament before falling in the first regular-season meeting.

“It seems like when we play the team that makes the fewest mistakes is the one who wins,” said LMA head coach Maria Rowland. “The last time, we made more errors and they beat

SEE SCRATCH, PAGE B2

B2

|

SPORTS

TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2014

THE SUMTER ITEM

AREA ROUNDUP

Sumter tops Lexington to open Forest Acres Classic COLUMBIA – Sumter High School’s varsity baseball team defeated Lexington 7-5 on Monday in its opening game in the Forest Acres Classic at the A.C. Flora High field.

Phillip Watcher picked up the victory for the Gamecocks, who improved to 14-2-1 on the season. Watcher allowed seven hits and five runs, four of them earned, in six innings while walking one and striking out one. Chris Crawford got the save.

Watcher also had a big offensive game, going 3-for-4 with two doubles, four runs batted in and two stolen bases. Javon Martin was 2-for-3 with an RBI and Tee Dubose was 2-for-4.

Sumter plays A.C. Flora today at 8 p.m.

The game can be heard online at www.560theteam.com.

LAKEWOOD SPLITS GAMES

DENNIS BRUNSON / THE SUMTER ITEM

Wilson Hall third baseman Bailey Conner eyes a line drive during the Lady Barons’ 4-1, 8-inning loss to Laurence Manning at Patriot Park SportsPlex on Monday.

DARLINGTON 11 CRESTWOOD 0

SCRATCH FROM PAGE B1 us. Today, I thought we played a pretty clean game.”

The Lady Barons jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the third.

Hannah Jordan singled off the glove of Beatson with two outs and scored on hits from Haley Hawkins and Drake Ives.

The Lady Swampcats tied the game in the fifth. Maddie Cantley led off with a single and moved to second on Maggie Eppley’s bunt single.

After a sacrifice moved the runners up a base, Dakota Jackson hit a sharp grounder to Jordan at shortstop. She threw home to put out pinch runner Shelbey Harrington at the plate, but Eppley made it home when Ives, the catcher, threw to second to try and get Jackson.

Wilson Hall missed chances to score in both the sixth and seventh innings. The Lady Barons wasted a leadoff double from Bailey Conner in the

CHERAW – Daquan Ingram allowed just one earned run in pitching Lakewood High School to a 2-1 victory over Cheraw on Monday in the Cheraw Founders FCU Diamond Challenge at the Cheraw field.

The Gators lost to Wilson 6-2 earlier in the day.

Ingram also had hit, while Austin Griswald was 1-for-2 with two runs batted in.

sixth and loaded the bases with one out in the seventh, but couldn’t push across a run.

“I thought our defense was there, and I thought our pitching was there,” WH head coach Teresa Alexander said.

“We just didn’t get the hits when we needed them.”

LMA missed out on a chance to score in the seventh as it got runners on second and third with no outs. However, with a runner starting on second in the eighth via the international tiebreaker rule, Laurence Manning did score in the eighth.

Jackson started on second and was sacrificed to third by Grace Briggs. Cora Lee Downer then put down a bunt and Jackson slid in safely ahead of the tag.

Downer stole second and scored on a 2-out single by Emily McElveen to make it 3-1. Beatson scored McElveen with a single.

DARLINGTON – Crestwood High School fell to 0-8 in Region VI-3A with an 11-0 loss to Darlington on Friday at the Darlington field.

Christian Buford had the lone hit for the Knights, who are 1-15 overall.

SUMTER 2 LAKEWOOD 1 Lakewood High School suffered its second loss of the season on Monday, falling to Sumter 2-1 at the SHS field.

Jir’bre Brown scored the goal for the Gators, who are 10-2 on the season. Ben Busques had an assist and Mike Paterna had 20 saves in goal.

VARSITY TENNIS WILSON HALL 9 CARDINAL NEWMAN 0 Wilson Hall dominated the six singles matches, losing just one game, as it defeated Cardinal Newman 9-0 on Monday at Palmetto Tennis Center.

The Barons improved to 10-0 on the season.

SINGLES 1 – Brown (WH) defeated Armstrong 6-0, 6-0.

2 – Davis (WH) defeated Pankau 6-0, 6-0.

batter before closing with a strikeout of Mark Pipkin. Powell helped his own cause in the second, opening the frame with a sharp single to right-center. Davis Martin followed with an infield single, then Powell and Martin moved up on steals ahead of Taylor Finlay drawing a base on balls.

Leadoff hitter J.T. Eppley laced another sharp single to right-center to plate Powell and Martin, staking Powell to an early 2-0 lead.

That lead stood through four, thanks to a spectacular defensive play by LMA to close the fourth. Andrew Kinney and William Creech reached with consecutive 1-out singles and stood at third and second after Creech swiped second.

Edward McMillan struck out for the inning’s second out before Parker McDuffie smoked the ground ball to right. Just as it seemed the Barons were poised to tie the game, Martin charged the ball and threw a perfect strike from short right to Caleb Pipkin at first to just beat McDuffie to the bag.

“It was a hard-hit ball, the rightfielder came in, he caught it perfectly and threw a strike to the first baseman,” said LMA

DENNIS BRUNSON / THE SUMTER ITEM

Your community news source www.theitem.com

– – – –

Stover (WH) defeated Liebenow 6-0, 6-1.

Hendrix (WH) defeated Odom 6-0, 6-0.

Thompson (WH) defeated Six 6-0, 6-0.

Stone (WH) defeated Nguyen 6-0, 6-0.

DOUBLES 1 – Brown/Davis (WH) defeated Armstrong/Pankau 8-3.

2 – Stover/Hendrix (WH) defeated Liebenow/Odom 8-2.

3 – Stone/Thompson (WH) defeated Six/Nguyen 8-2.

JUNIOR VARSITY BASEBALL WILSON HALL 2 LAURENCE MANNING 1

Charlton Commander scored on a wild pitch in the bottom of the eighth inning as Wilson hall beat Laurence Manning Academy 2-1 on Monday at Baron Field.

Commander led off the eighth reaching on a bunt single. He stole second base and went to third on a fielder’s choice before scoring.

John Ballard had a double and scored a run for the Barons, who are 12-2 on the season. Drew Talley picked up the victory, pitching eight innings and striking out eight while allowing three hits and one unearned run.

JUNIOR VARSITY GOLF MANNING 184 SUMTER 188 Sumter High School lost by four strokes to the Manning High varsity team on Monday at Beech Creek Golf Club.

Manning shot a 188 to 184 for the Gamecocks. Brandon Griffin led SHS with a 43 while Andrew Griffin and Bradley Coulter both shot a 45. Jon Paul Montgomery had a 55.

VARSITY SOCCER

BARONS FROM PAGE B1

Laurence Manning’s Courtney Beatson prepares to pitch to Wilson Hall during the Lady Swampcats’ 4-1, 8-inning victory at Patriot Park SportsPlex on Monday.

3 4 5 6

GIRLS VARSITY SOCCER SUMTER 11 LAKEWOOD 0

Lakewood High School’s varsity girls soccer team lost to Sumter 11-0 on Monday at the SHS field.

The Lady Gators fell to 6-3 on the season.

Nikki Gonzalez had 17 saves in goal.

JUNIOR VARSITY SOFTBALL LAURENCE MANNING 9 WILSON HALL 1 Lundee Olsen struck out 12 batters and allowed just two hits as Laurence Manning Academy defeated Wilson Hall 9-1 on Monday at the LMA field.

Taylor Lea went 3-for-4 for LMA, which is 16-1 on the season. Sara Herbert had a double.

head coach Barry Hatfield. “If we would have won the game tonight, I thought that was probably the biggest play in the game because they had all of the momentum.

That was a great play, and it could have been the turning point in the game.”

After four innings, Powell’s line included eight strikeouts, no walks, three hits and one hit batter. Wilson Hall’s first hit, a McDuffie single up the middle, came with one out in the third. The Barons’ winning rally began with one out in the fifth as Jay Goodson reached on an infield error. Goodson took second on a passed ball and came home on a William Kinney double. Sears drove Kinney home with a single, then Kemper Patton reached when Eppley could not get off a throw on a sharp grounder to short. A McClendon Sears single plated the Barons’ fourth and final run.

“Linc threw really well,” said Hatfield, whose team fell to 2-4 and 12-5. “I thought he threw well enough to win, to be honest with you. He pitched, really, a good game. I don’t think we made but two errors, and unfortunately we made them both in the same inning. He deserved better, but their kid pitched a heck of a game, our kids pitched a heck of a game and that’s baseball.”

Position your business to grow by advertising with us!

Call (803) 774-1200 and get started today.

SPORTS

THE SUMTER ITEM

SCOREBOARD

2014 MASTERS SCORES The Associated Press Sunday At Augusta National Golf Club Augusta, Ga. Yardage: 7,435; Par: 72 Final a-amateur Bubba Watson (600), $1,620,000 69-68-74-69—280 -8 Jonas Blixt (270), $792,000 70-71-71-71—283 -5 Jordan Spieth (270), $792,000 71-70-70-72—283 -5 Miguel A. Jimenez, $432,000 71-76-66-71—284 -4 Rickie Fowler (115), $342,000 71-75-67-73—286 -2 Matt Kuchar (115), $342,000 73-71-68-74—286 -2 Lee Westwood (100), $301,500 73-71-70-73—287 -1 Thomas Bjorn, $234,000 73-68-73-74—288 E Bernhard Langer (80), $234,000 72-74-73-69—288 E Rory McIlroy (80), $234,000 71-77-71-69—288 E John Senden (80), $234,000 72-68-75-73—288 E Kevin Stadler (80), $234,000 70-73-72-73—288 E Jimmy Walker (80), $234,000 70-72-76-70—288 E Stewart Cink (58), $148,500 73-72-76-68—289 +1 Jamie Donaldson, $148,500 73-70-76-70—289 +1 Jim Furyk (58), $148,500 74-68-72-75—289 +1 Justin Rose (58), $148,500 76-70-69-74—289 +1 Adam Scott (58), $148,500 69-72-76-72—289 +1

Henrik Stenson (58), $148,500 73-72-74-70—289 +1 Fred Couples (49), $101,160 71-71-73-75—290 +2 Jason Day (49), $101,160 75-73-70-72—290 +2 Bill Haas (49), $101,160 68-78-74-70—290 +2 Chris Kirk (49), $101,160 75-72-71-72—290 +2 Ian Poulter (49), $101,160 76-70-70-74—290 +2 Louis Oosthuizen (46), $79,200 69-75-75-72—291 +3 Steven Bowditch (43), $66,600 74-72-74-72—292 +4 Gonzalo Fdez-Castano (43), $66,600 75-69-74-74—292 +4 Joost Luiten, $66,600 75-73-77-67—292 +4 Hunter Mahan (43), $66,600 74-72-74-72—292 +4 Gary Woodland (43), $66,600 70-77-69-76—292 +4

Russell Henley (39), $55,800 73-70-75-75—293 +5 Martin Kaymer (39), $55,800 75-72-73-73—293 +5 Steve Stricker (39), $55,800 72-73-73-75—293 +5 K.J. Choi (36), $48,600 70-75-78-71—294 +6 Stephen Gallacher, $48,600 71-72-81-70—294 +6 Jose Maria Olazabal (36), $48,600 74-74-73-73—294 +6 Brendon de Jonge (32), $40,500 74-72-76-73—295 +7 Billy Horschel (32), $40,500 75-72-75-73—295 +7 Thongchai Jaidee, $40,500 73-74-75-73—295 +7 Vijay Singh (32), $40,500 75-71-74-75—295 +7 Brandt Snedeker (32), $40,500 70-74-80-71—295 +7 Lucas Glover (29), $34,200 75-69-77-75—296 +8 Kevin Streelman (29), $34,200 72-71-74-79—296 +8 Darren Clarke (25), $27,972 74-74-73-76—297 +9 Sandy Lyle (25), $27,972 76-72-76-73—297 +9 Thorbjorn Olesen (25), $27,972 74-72-76-75—297 +9 Nick Watney (25), $27,972 72-75-76-74—297 +9 Mike Weir (25), $27,972 73-72-79-73—297 +9 Oliver Goss, $0 76-71-76-75—298 +10 Francesco Molinari, $23,400 71-76-76-76—299 +11 Larry Mize (20), $22,680 74-72-79-79—304 +16

MASTERS FROM PAGE B1 Even in perfect weather — four days of sunshine, wind no more vexing than usual — only seven players broke par. And while Watson didn’t have to go extra holes and hit a wild hook out of the trees that “made me famous” as it did in 2012, just walking up the 18th fairway with a three-shot lead was no less exhausting.

“The first one for me, it’s almost like I lucked into it,” he said. “This one was a lot of hard work, dedication, and I got back here.”

He understands now that the hard work is just starting.

For a guy who says he has never been drunk, Watson knows all about hangovers. Majors can be a lifechanging moment, and it was more than he could handle two years ago when he first won the Masters. He signed more yellow pin flags than he cares to remember. There were obligations to his sponsors.

And there was a new son at home.

Along with the typical distractions of celebrity, Watson and his wife, Angie, adopted a boy just weeks before the 2012 Masters.

“We got him a month old,” he said of his son, Caleb. “So getting used to smell, touch, feel, sound, everything ... I had to be there for my son. Golf was the farthest thing from my mind.

I took off some tournaments. Trying to be a good husband, a good dad, at that moment was the most important thing.”

“This one,” he added, “is a little different.”

Much is expected of major champions. Win two of them and the expectations get even higher. The question is whether Watson can develop some staying power.

His ability to make the golf ball do things few others can — like travel extraordinary distances — makes him one of the most exciting players in golf. The Masters was his sixth career win and took him to No. 4 in the world for the second time in his career.

How much higher can he go? How much better can he get?

If three rounds in the 60s at Augusta National — no one else broke 70 more than once all week — were not enough evidence of his skill set, consider a couple of shots on the back

Your community news source www.theitem.com

TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2014

TV, RADIO TODAY

2:40 p.m. -- International Soccer: Barclays Premier League Match -- Arsenal vs. West Ham (NBC SPORTS NETWORK).

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

7 p.m. -- Major League Baseball: Pittsburgh at Cincinnati or Atlanta at Philadelphia (MLB NETWORK).

7 p.m. -- Major League Baseball: Atlanta at Philadelphia (SPORTSOUTH, WPUB-FM 102.7).

7 p.m. -- College Baseball: Charleston Southern at South Carolina (WNKT-FM 107.5).

8 p.m. -- International Soccer: UEFA Champions League Second Leg Quarterfinal Match Atletico’ Madrid vs. Barcelona (FOX SPORTSOUTH).

8 p.m. -- NBA Basketball: New York at Brooklyn (TNT).

10:30 p.m. -- NBA Basketball: Denver at Los Angeles Clippers (TNT).

PREP SCHEDULE TODAY

Bubba Watson waves after being presented with his green jacket for winning the Masters on Sunday in Augusta, Ga. nine. One was a driver with a big fade around the corner on the 13th hole that clipped a tree and still went 366 yards, leaving him a sand wedge into a par 5.

“His drive on 13, I’ll never forget,” Spieth said. “I thought it was out of bounds, 70 yards left. And it’s perfect.”

The other was a 6-iron through the pines and over the water for his second shot on the par-5 15th, which led to par but eliminated bogey. Watson and caddie Ted Scott said it wasn’t as hard as it looked. Watson can make it look that way.

“He can pull those shots off,” Scott.

“I was personally not even worried about it.”

So what’s next for Bubba?

The road should now look more like a wide-open interstate than a winding country lane.

Watson joined an exclusive list with his second Masters titles, one of only 17 players to win a green jacket more than once. Fifteen of the other multiple Masters champions are in the Hall of Fame. The other is Tiger Woods.

The next measure is to win multiple majors. Watson lost the PGA Championship in a playoff on the last hole in 2010 at Whistling Straits. He started the final round of the 2007 U.S. Open at Oakmont three shots off the lead.

Augusta National suits him perfectly, better than any course except the one he grew up playing in the Florida Panhandle.

That doesn’t mean his game is limited only to the Masters. And that’s the next step for Watson.

NBA STANDINGS

By The Associated Press EASTERN CONFERENCE ATLANTIC DIVISION W 47 44 35 25 17

L 33 36 45 55 63

Pct .588 .550 .438 .313 .213

GB – 3 12 22 30

W 54 42 41 37 23

L 26 38 39 43 57

Pct .675 .525 .513 .463 .288

GB – 12 13 17 31

W 55 47 32 29 15

L 26 33 49 52 65

Pct .679 .588 .395 .358 .188

GB – 71/2 23 26 391/2

W 62 53 49 48 32

L 18 27 32 32 48

Pct .775 .663 .605 .600 .400

GB – 9 131/2 14 30

W 58 53 40 36 24

L 22 28 40 44 56

Pct .725 .654 .500 .450 .300

GB – 51/2 18 22 34

W y-L.A. Clippers 56 x-Golden State 49 Phoenix 47 Sacramento 28 L.A. Lakers 25 x-clinched playoff spot y-clinched division z-clinched conference

L 24 31 33 53 55

Pct .700 .613 .588 .346 .313

GB – 7 9 281/2 31

y-Toronto x-Brooklyn New York Boston Philadelphia SOUTHEAST DIVISION y-Miami x-Washington x-Charlotte x-Atlanta Orlando CENTRAL DIVISION y-Indiana x-Chicago Cleveland Detroit Milwaukee

MLB STANDINGS

By The Associated Press

NHL PLAYOFF GLANCE The Associated Press

Detroit Chicago Minnesota Cleveland Kansas City WEST DIVISION Oakland Seattle Los Angeles Texas Houston

W 7 7 7 5 5

L 6 6 6 7 8

Pct .538 .538 .538 .417 .385

GB – – – 11/2 2

W 6 7 6 6 4

L 4 6 6 7 7

Pct .600 .538 .500 .462 .364

GB – 1/2 1 11/2 21/2

W 8 6 6 6 5

L 4 5 6 6 8

Pct .667 .545 .500 .500 .385

GB – 11/2 2 2 31/2

TODAY’S GAMES

Chicago Cubs (Hammel 2-0) at N.Y. Yankees (Tanaka 1-0), 7:05 p.m.

Tampa Bay (Odorizzi 1-1) at Baltimore (Mi. Gonzalez 0-1), 7:05 p.m.

Cleveland (McAllister 1-0) at Detroit (A.Sanchez 0-0), 7:08 p.m.

Seattle (Beavan 0-0) at Texas (R.Ross 0-0), 8:05 p.m.

Boston (Peavy 0-0) at Chicago White Sox (Er. Johnson 0-1), 8:10 p.m.

Kansas City (Ventura 0-0) at Houston (Harrell 0-2), 8:10 p.m.

Toronto (Morrow 1-1) at Minnesota (Hughes 0-0), 8:10 p.m.

Oakland (Straily 1-1) at L.A. Angels (Richards 2-0), 10:05 p.m.

NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST DIVISION Atlanta Washington Philadelphia New York Miami CENTRAL DIVISION Milwaukee St. Louis Pittsburgh Chicago Cincinnati WEST DIVISION Los Angeles San Francisco Colorado San Diego Arizona

TODAY’S GAMES

WESTERN CONFERENCE SOUTHWEST DIVISION z-San Antonio x-Houston x-Dallas Memphis New Orleans NORTHWEST DIVISION y-Oklahoma City x-Portland Minnesota Denver Utah PACIFIC DIVISION

TODAY’S GAMES

New York at Brooklyn, 8 p.m.

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

FIRST ROUND (Best-of-7) (x-if necessary)

EAST DIVISION New York Tampa Bay Toronto Baltimore Boston CENTRAL DIVISION

B3

Washington (Strasburg 1-1) at Miami (Koehler 1-1), 7:10 p.m.

St. Louis (S.Miller 0-2) at Milwaukee (Estrada 1-0), 8:10 p.m.

N.Y. Mets (Mejia 1-0) at Arizona (Arroyo 1-0), 9:40 p.m.

Colorado (Morales 0-1) at San Diego (Erlin 1-0), 10:10 p.m.

L.A. Dodgers (Undecided) at San Francisco (Lincecum 0-1), 10:15 p.m.

Varsity Baseball Sumter vs. A.C. Flora in Forest Acres Classic (at A.C. Flora in Columbia), 8 p.m.

Palmetto Athletic Club at Wilson Hall, 7 p.m.

Robert E. Lee in Spring Break Tournament (in Myrtle Beach), TBA Clarendon Hall at Patrick Henry, 6:30 p.m.

Junior Varsity Baseball Sumter in Lake Murray Spring Break Tournament, TBA Crestwood at Lakewood, 6:30 p.m.

Palmetto Athletic Club at Wilson Hall, 4 p.m.

Laurence Manning at Hammond, 5:30 p.m.

Clarendon Hall at Patrick Henry, 4 p.m.

Varsity Boys Golf Sumter in Bengal Invitational (at Columbia Country Club), TBA Varsity Boys Soccer Laurence Manning at Wilson Hall, 7 p.m.

Junior Varsity Boys Soccer Lakewood at Sumter, 5 p.m.

Varsity Softball Crestwood at Hartsville, 6:30 p.m.

Marlboro County at Lakewood, 7:30 p.m.

Johnsonville at East Clarendon, 6:30 p.m.

Clarendon Hall at Wilson Hall, 4 p.m.

Junior Varsity Softball Marlboro County at Lakewood, 5:30 p.m.

Johnsonville at East Clarendon, 5 p.m.

Varsity Boys Tennis Wilson Hall at Heathwood Hall, 4 p.m.

Varsity Track and Field Manning at Crestwood, 5 p.m.

At Wilson Hall, 4 p.m.

AMERICAN LEAGUE THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

|

W 8 7 6 5 5

L 4 5 6 7 8

Pct .667 .583 .500 .417 .385

GB – 1 2 3 31/2

W 10 7 6 4 4

L 2 5 6 8 8

Pct .833 .583 .500 .333 .333

GB – 3 4 6 6

W 9 8 6 5 4

L 4 5 7 7 11

Pct .692 .615 .462 .417 .267

GB – 1 3 31/2 6

Atlanta (Hale 0-0) at Philadelphia (Cl.Lee 2-1), 7:05 p.m.

Chicago Cubs (Hammel 2-0) at N.Y. Yankees (Tanaka 1-0), 7:05 p.m.

Pittsburgh (Cole 2-0) at Cincinnati (Leake 1-1), 7:10 p.m.

EASTERN CONFERENCE DETROIT VS. BOSTON Friday, April 18: Detroit at Boston, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, April 20: Detroit at Boston, 3 p.m.

Tuesday, April 22: Boston at Detroit, 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, April 24: Boston at Detroit, 8 p.m.

MONTREAL VS TAMPA BAY Wednesday, April 16: Montreal at Tampa Bay, 7 p.m.

Friday, April 18: Montreal at Tampa Bay, 7 p.m.

Sunday, April 20: Tampa Bay at Montreal, 7 p.m.

Tuesday, April 22: Tampa Bay at Montreal, 7 p.m.

COLUMBUS VS. PITTSBURGH Wednesday, April 16: Columbus at Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 19: Columbus at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m.

Monday, April 21: Pittsburgh at Columbus, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, April 23: Pittsburgh at Columbus, 7 p.m.

PHILADELPHIA AT N.Y. RANGERS Thursday, April 17: Philadelphia at N.Y. Rangers, 7 p.m.

Sunday, April 20: Philadelphia at N.Y. Rangers, Noon Tuesday, April 22: N.Y. Rangers at Philadelphia, 8 p.m.

Friday, April 25: N.Y. Rangers at Philadelphia, 7 p.m.

WESTERN CONFERENCE MINNESOTA VS. COLORADO Thursday, April 17: Minnesota at Colorado, 9:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 19: Minnesota at Colorado, 9:30 p.m.

Monday, April 21: Colorado at Minnesota, 7 p.m.

Thursday, April 24: Colorado at Minnesota, 9:30 p.m.

CHICAGO VS. ST. LOUIS Thursday, April 17: Chicago at St. Louis, 8 p.m.

Saturday, April 19: Chicago at St. Louis, 3 p.m.

Monday, April 21: St. Louis at Chicago, 8:30 p.m.

Wednesday, April 23: St. Louis at Chicago, 9:30 p.m.

DALLAS VS. ANAHEIM Wednesday, April 16: Dallas at Anaheim, 10 p.m.

Friday, April 18: Dallas at Anaheim, 10 p.m.

Monday, April 21: Anaheim at Dallas, 9:30 p.m.

Wednesday, April 23: Anaheim at Dallas, 8 p.m.

LOS ANGELES VS. SAN JOSE Thursday, April 17: Los Angeles at San Jose, 10:30 p.m.

Sunday, April 20: Los Angeles at San Jose, 10 p.m.

Tuesday, April 22: San Jose at Los Angeles, 10 p.m.

Thursday, April 24: San Jose at Los Angeles, 10:30 p.m.

B4

|

SPORTS

TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2014

THE SUMTER ITEM

SPORTS ITEMS

NBA ROUNDUP

Olympic swimming champion Phelps coming out of retirement

Douglas-Roberts lifts Bobcats past Hawks

Michael Phelps is coming out of retirement, lured back into the pool by the fun of it and the possibility of swimming at a fifth Olympics in Rio in 2016.

The 22-time Olympic medalist will compete for the first time since the 2012 London Games at a meet in Mesa, Ariz., on April 24-26.

Bob Bowman, the swimPHELPS mer’s longtime coach, told The Associated Press on Monday that Phelps is entered in three events — the 50- and 100-meter freestyles and the 100 butterfly.

49ER CULLIVER PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO CHARGES

SAN JOSE, Calif. — San Francisco 49ers cornerback and former University of South Carolina football standout Chris Culliver has pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor hit-and-run charges and felony possession of brass knuckles.

Culliver was arrested on March 28 after San Jose police say he struck a bicyclist, then rammed a witness’ vehicle that was blocking him from leaving until officers arrived. The San Jose Mercury News reports (http://bit.ly/1hBHB6y) that he entered his plea on Friday in Santa Clara County Superior Court.

SUNDAY USCS COMPLETES 4-GAME SWEEP OF GUILFORD

The University of South Carolina Sumter baseball team completed a 4-game sweep of Guilford Tech Community College on Sunday at Riley Park, winning a doubleheader by scores of 6-1 and 11-1 in five innings.

In the opener, Dillon Hodge pitched 4 2/3 innings to pick up the victory. Anthony Paulsen had two of the Fire Ants’ eight hits and Ryan Perkins drove in two runs while Brett Auckland and Taylor Price both had an RBI. In the second game, USC Sumter scored

MLB ROUNDUP

Nats hand Marlins 8th straight loss MIAMI— Jordan Zimmermann bounced back from the shortest start of his career to pitch seven innings and lead the Washington Nationals to a 9-2 win over the Miami Marlins, who endured their eighth loss in a row.

Bryce Harper had two doubles ZIMMERMAN and an RBI triple for Washington.

He has batted .520 over his past seven games to boost his average to .348.

Catcher Sandy Leon hit his first career home run, while Tyler Moore also homered and had an RBI single. Anthony Rendon drove in three runs with a double and a triple, and Danny Espinosa doubled and tripled for two of the Nationals’ 11 extra-base hits.

Zimmermann (1-0), who lasted only 1 2-3 innings when he gave up five runs against Miami last week, became the first Nationals starter to go seven innings this season. He allowed two runs, struck out seven and lowered his ERA from 8.10 to 5.27.

AMERICAN LEAGUE ORIOLES 7 RAYS 1 BALTIMORE — Wei-Yin Chen took a four-hitter into the seventh inning and the Baltimore Orioles got their offense back on track against Chris Archer in a 7-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday night.

Matt Wieters and J.J. Hardy each had three hits, scored twice and drove in a run for the Orioles, who were coming off a three-game series against Toronto in which they scored only five runs in 30 innings.

In this one, Baltimore built a 6-0 lead over the first three innings and coasted to the finish. The Orioles had 13 hits, including five doubles.

It was by far the worst of Archer’s 30 big league starts.

The seven runs and 12 hits he allowed were both career highs, and his ERA jumped from 1.38 to 4.50.

From wire reports

six runs in the fifth inning to break the game open. Perkins had three hits and two RBI, while Kellner had two hits and Ray Murphy and Paulsen both drove in two runs.

Trevor Bradley went the distance for the win, striking out four and scattering six hits.

Sumter is 28-8 on the season and 9-7 in Region X. (13) FLORIDA 6 (4) SOUTH CAROLINA 5

COLUMBIA— Trailing 4-2 through seven innings, 13th-ranked Florida fought back scoring four runs in the top of the eighth inning and held off a late rally to beat South Carolina 6-5 on Sunday in the third and final game of the Southeastern Conference series at Carolina Stadium on Sunday.

The Gators, now 23-13, take over the SEC East lead with a 9-6 record taking two out of three games to win the series. Carolina falls to 28-7 overall and 8-7 in league play.

Offensively Kyle Martin went 2-for-5 with two runs to lead the Gamecocks. USC returns to action 7 p.m. tonight hosting Charleston Southern at Carolina Stadium.

(2) VIRGINIA 1 (14) CLEMSON 0

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA. - Sophomore lefthander Brandon Waddell scattered six hits in 6 1/3 innings as second-ranked Virginia blanked 14th- ranked Clemson at UVA Baseball Stadium on Sunday.

The Cavaliers (30-6, 14-4 ACC) won the series 2-1 against the Tigers (21-14, 10-7).

Virginia got on the scoreboard in the third inning on Mike Papi’s sacrifice fly to right field that plated Robbie Coman. The Tigers left 11 baserunners on in the contest.

Clemson will host Coastal Carolina 6:30 p.m. today.

From staff, wire reports

ATLANTA — Chris DouglasRoberts dribbled into the lane and sank a short jumper as time expired, and the Charlotte Bobcats overcame a 15-point deficit in the final period to beat the Atlanta Hawks 95-93 on Monday night.

Al Jefferson had 27 points and 15 rebounds for Charlotte, which DOUGLAS-ROBERTS remained one game behind Washington in the race for the sixth spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Gary Neal had 17.

Jefferson’s turnaround jumper gave the Bobcats a 93-91 lead before Lou Williams answered with a tying jumper for Atlanta with 2.6 seconds remaining.

Following a timeout, Douglas-Roberts penetrated and lobbed the soft jumper as the buzzer sounded.

The Hawks rested starters Kyle Korver, Paul Millsap and DeMarre Carroll. Mike Scott led Atlanta with 20 points.

Shelvin Mack and Williams each had 13.

The Hawks’ spot as the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference already was set. Jeff Teague, who had 11 points, did not play in the final quarter.

By contrast, Charlotte still had much to play for. The reward for sixth is avoiding Miami in the first round. Washington beat Miami 114-93 on Monday night to protect its hold on sixth and secure first in the conference for Indiana.

Jefferson scored 12 points in the first period and the Bobcats led 15-6 early, but only 26-24 at the end of the period. The Hawks stayed close despite

shooting only 2 of 9 from 3-point range in the period. Atlanta took the lead when more outside shots began falling.

WIZARDS 114 HEAT 93

WASHINGTON — The Miami Heat opted for rest for LeBron James and Chris Bosh over the pursuit of the Eastern Conference’s top seed, and the Washington Wizards capitalized in a 114-93 breeze of a game Monday night that clinched the No. 1 seed for the Indiana Pacers.

RAPTORS 110 BUCKS 100

TORONTO— Greivis Vasquez scored 25 points, Kyle Lowry had 24 and the Toronto Raptors set a franchise record with their 48th win, beating the Milwaukee Bucks 110-100 on Monday night.

SIXERS 113 CELTICS 108

PHILADELPHIA — Michael Carter-Williams had 21 points and 14 rebounds, Tony Wroten scored 20 points, and the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Boston Celtics 113-108 Monday night.

ROCKETS 104 SPURS 98

HOUSTON — Chandler Parsons scored 21 points and Dwight Howard and Terrence Jones added 20 apiece to lift the Houston Rockets to a 104-98 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night.

The victory gave No. 4 seed Houston home-court advantage in their first-round playoff series with Portland.

From wire reports

B5

|

COMICS

TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2014

BIZARRO

SOUP TO NUTZ

ANDY CAPP

GARFIELD

BEETLE BAILEY

BORN LOSER

BLONDIE

ZITS

MOTHER GOOSE

DOG EAT DOUG

DILBERT

JEFF MACNELLY’S SHOE

Signs of abuser apply to women as well as men DEAR ABBY — I read your Jan. 8 column about the warning signs of an abuser.

Would you use your influence to say Dear Abby that men are ABIGAIL also victims VAN BUREN of abuse?

My son was in a three-year relationship with a woman who scored 15 out of 15 on your list. We knew it was a toxic relationship, but he couldn’t see that.

The night he came to us for help, battered and bloody, I finally took a stand. It took six months to get her out of his life. My son was ashamed to be a battered man, and she had told him that men who call 911 go to jail. It kept him from call-

THE SUMTER ITEM

ing. Please, Abby, help to change that. If you use this, please keep me anonymous.

He thinks I’m an “interfering mom,” but at least he’s not being abused anymore.

Interferring mom DEAR MOM — I’m glad you wrote so I can emphasize that abusers can be members of both sexes. I received a TON of mail about this: DEAR ABBY — Thank you for including both “he and she” in the warning signs of abusers.

My second marriage was a sad and unhealthy rebound affair.

My ex was attractive, talented and host to multiple addictions -- risky sexual encounters with men and women, cocaine, alcohol and marijuana. I became aware of her blackouts and outrageous behavior just before our wedding.

I finally left after two years

THE DAILY CROSSWORD PUZZLE

to avoid committing a crime in response to her physical abuse, chronic infidelities, psychological cruelty and pathological intoxication. Please urge men to report their abusers, file charges and flee bad situations! I had no way of knowing what lay ahead for me back then.

Do you have advice for other men contemplating marriage to a pretty party girl? Today I’m happily married to a deeply beautiful and noble woman, and grateful to have found her.

Set free in N.C. DEAR SET FREE — I think you’ve stated it well. All I can add is that men who suffer physical abuse at the hands of a partner should go to an emergency room for treatment so their injuries can be documented, then file a formal complaint and end the relationship.

JUMBLE

SUDOKU

THAT SCRAMBLED WORD GAME

By David L. Hoyt and Jeff Knurek

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

ACROSS 1 Wire insulator 5 Australian gemstone 9 Dressed 13 They’re found in veins 14 Zany escapade 16 Saintly ring 17 Yellow sticky brand 19 Eric of “Spamalot” 20 Color 21 Manicurist’s concern 22 “Breaking Bad” award 24 Out of bed 26 Caffeination station 30 Vessel for the Mad Hatter 32 Fast-running bird 33 Kibbutz country 36 18th-century composer Thomas 37 Kenya neighbor: Abbr.

40 Crisis phone service 43 “Breaking Bad” law org.

44 Journey 46 Shed, with “off” 48 Solar or lunar phenomenon 51 Hiss and hum 55 CafŽ serving group 58 Flawless 59 British “bye-

bye” 60 Tees off 62 Electronic eavesdropping org.

63 Jalopy 65 Composer’s output, and where to find the last words of 17-, 26-, 40- and 55-Across 68 Sicilian volcano 69 Golf targets 70 Quick gander 71 Light bulb unit 72 Circular current 73 Respectful titles DOWN 1 Part of Uncle Sam’s outfit 2 Turn on 3 Pre-euro Spanish coin 4 Repair shop fig.

5 Penta- plus three 6 Lose one’s cool 7 2014 Olympics skating analyst Ohno 8 Replayed tennis serve 9 Fire-breathing Greek monster 10 1960s White House nickname 11 Every one 12 Anonymous

Jane 15 Snorkeling areas 18 Arrival en masse 23 Bumped into 25 Here, to Henri 27 Folded manuscript sheet 28 Clearasil target 29 Actress Perlman 31 Expert 34 On a cruise, say 35 Angled pipe fitting 37 Meat-and-potatoes dish 38 Ocean predator 39 Combatively supportive 41 Religious sister 42 Self-absorption

45 Rain-on-theroof rhythm 47 Kept secret 49 Hollywood hrs.

50 Money in the mattress, e.g.

52 Karate instructor 53 More like child’s play 54 Men’s Wearhouse items 56 Chase flies or grounders 57 Let loose 61 Online crafts marketplace 63 Chop with an ax 64 SFO posting 66 Gardening tool 67 Portfolio-increasing market moves

B6

|

OBITUARIES | SPORTS

TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2014

CHARLOTTE JANISZEWSKI WHITEHOUSE, N.J. — Charlotte Janiszewski, age 95, of Whitehouse Station, died on Saturday, April 12, 2014, at her home.

Born in Bedford, N.Y., she was a daughter of the late Walter and Anna Hicks. Charlotte had resided in Manhattan for more than 60 years before she moved to Whitehouse Station six years ago. She worked for many years as a cafeteria supervisor in NY City School PS 13. She was an active member of St. Emeric’s Church in New York City during her time living there. She was a resolute Union member of District Council 37. Charlotte loved going to the theatre and enjoyed watching movies.

She was predeceased by her husband, Henry, in 1997; and her son Charles in 2002.

Charlotte is survived by her son, Henry Janis and his wife, Arlene of Sumter; her daughter-in-law, Doris Janis of Cape Coral, Fla.; and her nine grandchildren, Brian Janis, Kevin Janis, Kim Roman, Kenneth Janis, Dawn Janis, Terri O’Leary, Jackie Terceira, Lianna Taylor and George Kupczak. She is also survived by seven great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Friends and relatives may visit with the family from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Kearns Funeral Home, 103 Old Highway 28, Whitehouse, NJ 08888.

A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at Calverton National Cemetery on Long Island.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Brigid-St. Emeric Church, 119 Ave. B, NY, NY 10009 or a veterans organization of your choice.

For more information or to send condolences, please visit www.kearnsfuneralhome.com.

LINDA PORTER TURBEVILLE — Linda Porter, 58, died Saturday, April 12, 2014, at Clarendon Memorial Hospital, Manning.

She was born Jan. 7, 1956, in Sumter County, a daughter of the late George “Buck” Harrison and Willie Mae Porter Johnson.

The family is receiving friends at the home of her daughter, Natasha Ann Porter, 5602 Burnt Branch Road, Turbeville.

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

HENRY R. WINDHAM LYNCHBURG — Henry Rufus Windham, 80, died April 12, 2014, at McLeod Regional Medical Center in Florence, after a long illness.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday in the chapel of Layton-Anderson Funeral Home. Interment will follow at 1 p.m. in the National Cemetery in Florence.

Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Layton-Anderson Funeral Home in Florence.

Mr. Windham was born in Lynchburg, a son of the late David and Rosa Logan Windham. Henry served in the U.S. Air Force for 21 years and retired in 1973. Henry was a member of First Baptist Church, Lynchburg. He served as a deacon of the church and sang with the choir. He served as commander of Lynchburg American Legion Post No. 140 for nine

years. He was also a member of the 40/8. Henry was a volunteer with Lynchburg Rescue and Fire for many years, until his health started to decline. Henry was a member of the Mission to Men from Sumter.

Survivors are his wife, Phyllis McKelvey Windham; two sons, Jon Windham of Florence and Robert Windham of Lynchburg; a brother, Benny Windham of Lynchburg; three sisters, Shirley Greene of Effingham, Lois Leisure of Lynchburg and Ellen Powell of Florence; grandchildren, Sarah Carlson (Kaleb), Jordan, Chris, Andy and Stacy; and a great-granddaughter, Anniston Elizabeth.

He was preceded in death by nine brothers and sisters, and his oldest granddaughter, Elizabeth Windham.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 188, Lynchburg, SC 29080 or Lynchburg Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 41, Lynchburg, SC 29080.

Layton-Anderson Funeral Home, 4210 W. Palmetto St., Florence, is assisting the family with arrangements.

JAMES SESSIONS James Sessions entered eternal rest on Sunday, April 13, 2014, at Doctors Hospital of Augusta, Ga. Born Jan. 1, 1957, in Sumter County, he was a son of the late Thomas McCray and Lillie Mae Sessions.

The family is receiving visitors at the home of his cousin, Betty Rhodes and Bobie Jenkins, 524 S. Harvin St., Sumter.

Funeral plans will be announced by Community Funeral Home of Sumter.

THE SUMTER ITEM

EMMA ORMOND Emma Jane James Jenkins Ormond, 90, departed this life on Saturday, April 12, 2014, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center.

Born June 20, 1923, in Brogdon, she was a daughter of the late Elijah and Mary Emma Isreal James.

The family will be receiving friends at the home, 2420 Autumn Terrace, Dalzell, SC 29404.

Funeral plans are incomplete and will be announced later by Job’s Mortuary Inc. of Sumter.

MARY ANN P. SINGLETON

Fleming & Delaine Funeral Home and Chapel.

REBECCA L. PORCHER Rebecca Lonon Porcher, 70, wife of Richard Porcher, died Monday, April 14, 2014, at her home in Sumter.

Born May 23, 1943, in Savannah, Ga., she was a daughter of Charlie and Inez Clark Lonon.

The family will receive friends and relatives at the family home, 14 Copeland St. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Williams Funeral Home Inc. of Sumter.

Mary Ann Porter Singleton, 60, widow of Warren Singleton, died Sunday, April 13, 2014, at Sumter Valley Health and Rehabilitation Center.

Born June 28, 1953, in Sumter County, she was a daughter of Joseph and Rosezell Gibson Porter.

The family will receive friends and relatives at the home of Malinda Porter McKnight, 112 Miller Road.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Williams Funeral Home Inc. of Sumter.

DALZELL — Herbert Carlton Mickens, 54, husband of Julia Mayrant Mickens, died Friday, April 11, 2014.

Born Sept. 10, 1959, in Bronx, N.Y., he was a son of Simon and Fannie Osborne Mickens.

The family is receiving friends at 5409 John Leary Lane, Rembert.

Funeral services are incomplete and will be announced later by Whites Mortuary LLC of Sumter.

VERNELL RAGINS

THELMA O. MICKENS

Vernell Ragins departed this earthly life on Sunday, April 13, 2014, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center.

Born Nov. 22, 1934, in Sumter, he was a son of the late Elijah and Eula Lee Harvin Ragins.

The family is receiving relatives and friends at the residence, 405 Love St. Services are incomplete and will be announced by

Thelma Outing Mickens, 85, wife of Paul Mickens Sr., died Saturday, April 12, 2014, at Sumter Health and Rehabilitation.

Born Oct. 8, 1928, in Sumter County, she was a daughter of Manning and Wilhelmena Gail Outing.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Williams Funeral Home Inc. of Sumter.

HERBERT C. MICKENS

NASCAR

Harvick marks himself as viable contender with Darlington victory

BY PETE IACOBELLI The Associated Press DARLINGTON— Kevin Harvick knew his first-year Stewart-Haas Racing team was better than it had shown the past few weeks. After taking the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on Saturday night, Harvick is convinced the group has exactly what it takes to win a Sprint Cup championship.

“I’m excited about it and I think that’s why everybody on this team came here,” Harvick said. “We came here to race for wins, to be in a position to contend for a championship. I really feel like everybody on this team feels like we bettered ourselves by coming together.”

They took a major step to proving that with Harvick’s first victory in 18 races at the track “Too Tough To Tame.”

It made Harvick the first this season with two victories — and a lock for the season-ending, 16-team Chase for a Sprint Cup championship.

The victory also ended a maddening slump where Harvick had finishes of 41st, 39th, 36th, seventh and 42nd in the races since the team’s breakthrough win at Phoenix last month.

Harvick said such a stretch might’ve devastated a lesser team — he pointed to the chaos that’s been the NBA’s Indiana Pacers in recent weeks — but thought his crew kept each other’s spirits up through the down times. The team had a near flawless performance at Darlington, capturing Harvick’s first-ever pole here before his dominating performance (he led 238 of 374 laps) that was capped when he passed Dale Earnhardt Jr. on the second greenwhite-checkered finish.

The team will have a bit more time for those decisions since the circuit takes its traditional Easter weekend off before resuming at Richmond International Raceway on April 26.

Harvick’s crew chief Rodney Childers blamed the failings on mistakes he will ensure get corrected. “Without mechanical issues, we could’ve won three races, four races, maybe five races,” Childers said.

Here are five things to take away from the Southern 500: FRESH TIRES ARE THE BEST TIRES

Nothing beats fresh rubber, especially at Darlington. Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jimmie Johnson each chose to take just two tires on a pit stop after a caution 10 laps from the end. Harvick and Childers decided on a full set and that was the difference as the No. 4 Chevrolet moved past Earnhardt on the next to last lap for the victory.

YOUNG GUNS ON THE RISE

The weekend also featured a couple of young racers who look as if they’ll make a mark on this sport. 18-year-old highschooler Chase Elliott was the talk of the track after his dash to the top on Friday for his second straight victory in the Nationwide Series.

On the Sprint Cup side, 21-year-old Kyle Larson made it through a harrowing weekend where he struck the wall

in practice — twice — and had to use a backup car. Still, he wound up eighth, an impressive run at a track that typically chews up and spits out untested drivers.

GOOD ON YA, GORDON

Jeff Gordon still doesn’t have a victory this season but again showed why the four-time series champion is on a major roll. His No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports car had another top 10 (he was seventh), his sixth in eight races this year. Keep this up and Gordon may not need a win to get him into the chase, assuming there are 15 or fewer winners this season.

HENDRICK STRONG

Three of the four Hendrick Motorsports entries finished in the top seven with Dale Earnhardt Jr. second, Jimmie Johnson third and Gordon seventh. The one Hendrick driver not up in the top 10 was Kasey Kahne back in 37th.

SOUTHERN 500 RESULTS The Associated Press Saturday At Darlington Raceway Darlington, S.C. Lap length: 1.366 miles (Start position in parentheses) 1. (1) Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet, 374 laps, 148.9 rating, 48 points, $328,708.

2. (15) Dale Earnhardt Jr., Chevrolet, 374, 120, 43, $205,690.

3. (26) Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet, 374, 101.2, 42, $215,101.

4. (25) Matt Kenseth, Toyota, 374, 114.2, 41, $183,401.

5. (19) Greg Biffle, Ford, 374, 90, 40, $165,040.

6. (8) Kyle Busch, Toyota, 374, 104.9, 38, $157,156.

7. (9) Jeff Gordon, Chevrolet, 374, 120.2, 38, $155,576.

8. (17) Kyle Larson, Chevrolet, 374, 81.7, 36, $133,510.

9. (23) Tony Stewart, Chevrolet, 374, 74.8, 35, $136,873.

10. (7) Ryan Newman, Chevrolet, 374, 95.7, 34, $109,665.

11. (20) Austin Dillon, Chevrolet, 374, 77.6, 33, $144,441.

12. (16) Clint Bowyer, Toyota, 374, 85.2, 32, $134,271.

13. (21) Carl Edwards, Ford, 374, 69.2, 31, $113,905.

14. (4) Marcos Ambrose, Ford, 374, 71, 30, $124,125.

15. (18) A J Allmendinger, Chevrolet, 374, 72, 29, $116,438.

16. (6) Jamie McMurray, Chevrolet, 374, 82.4, 28, $134,694.

17. (5) Brad Keselowski, Ford, 374, 100.6, 28, $137,288.

18. (31) Casey Mears, Chevrolet, 374, 63.1, 26, $118,888.

19. (10) Denny Hamlin, Toyota, 374, 92.4, 26, $101,905.

20. (28) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Ford, 374, 56.4, 24, $130,280.

21. (29) Josh Wise, Chevrolet, 374, 56.3, 23, $89,005.

22. (33) Danica Patrick, Chevrolet, 374, 54.5, 22, $100,055.

23. (24) Justin Allgaier, Chevrolet, 372, 61, 21, $113,563.

24. (3) Aric Almirola, Ford, 372, 67.9, 20, $127,641.

25. (35) Landon Cassill, Chevrolet, 372, 46.2, 0, $87,305.

26. (14) Brian Vickers, Toyota, 371, 80.6, 19, $121,480.

27. (12) Martin Truex Jr., Chevrolet, 371, 70.9, 17, $116,613.

28. (27) David Gilliland, Ford, 370, 43.9, 16, $107,663.

29. (34) Alex Bowman, Toyota, 369, 39.6, 15, $97,252.

30. (38) Parker Kligerman, Toyota, 369, 40.7, 14, $89,005.

31. (13) Kurt Busch, Chevrolet, accident, 368, 75, 13, $84,305.

32. (32) David Ragan, Ford, 367, 44.5, 13, $94,605.

33. (41) Travis Kvapil, Ford, 367, 32.9, 11, $83,905.

34. (43) Joe Nemechek, Toyota, 366, 29.8, 0, $91,705.

35. (2) Joey Logano, Ford, front hub, 359, 84.5, 10, $123,471.

36. (37) David Stremme, Chevrolet, brakes, 326, 34.1, 8, $83,305.

37. (22) Kasey Kahne, Chevrolet, accident, 323, 87, 8, $102,480.

38. (42) Cole Whitt, Toyota, 301, 31.5, 6, $78,285.

39. (40) Reed Sorenson, Chevrolet, overheating, 289, 42.3, 5, $74,285.

40. (39) Ryan Truex, Toyota, 274, 25, 4, $70,285.

41. (11) Paul Menard, Chevrolet, 270, 60.8, 3, $93,499.

42. (30) Michael Annett, Chevrolet, accident, 101, 44.6, 2, $62,285.

43. (36) Dave Blaney, Ford, brakes, 65, 28, 1, $58,785.

WATCH YOUR BACK, CLINT

Clint Bowyer might want to be extra careful around Richmond in two weeks after he got

up behind Kurt Busch and spun out the Stewart-Haas Racing driver on the first of two green-white-checkered finishes.

CLASSIFIEDS

TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2014

THE ITEM

B7

803-774-1234

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

CLASSIFIED DEADLINES 11:30 a.m. the day before for Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday edition.

9:30 a.m. Friday for Saturday’s edition 11:30 a.m. Friday for Sunday’s edition.

CLASSIFIEDS LEGAL NOTICES 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:

Jack Clifford Gibbs #2014ES4300199

Personal Representative

Jeane C. Brown C/O Thomas E. Player, Jr. Attorney At Law Post Office Drawer 3690 Sumter, SC 2915 Estate:

Elizabeth M. James #2014ES4300182

Personal Representative Charles B. James Jr. 150 Tradd Circle Sumter, SC 29150

Estate:

John Calvin Hodge #2014ES4300188

Personal Representative Lillian Lavonne Bailey A/K/A Lavonne H. Bailey 1605 Old Abbeville Highway Greenwood, SC 29649

Estate:

Eugene William Dick #2014ES4300229

Personal Representative Linda A. Dick C/O Kenneth Hamilton Attorney At Law PO Box 52359 Sumter, SC 29152

Estate:

Anna Kerr #2014ES4300198

Personal Representative Dwain Kerr 6747 King Grant Way Dalzell, SC 29040

Estate:

Mildred T. Allen #2014ES4300178

Personal Representative Melinda K. Popovich C/O J. Cabot Seth Attorney At Law PO Box 1268 Sumter, SC 29151

Estate:

Estelle Stephens #2014ES4300187

Personal Representative

Maggie Chenise Dukes 2404 Winchester Street Apt O Baltimore, MD 21216 Estate:

Janie Mae Green #2014ES4300196

Personal Representative Bertha G. Jeter 122 West Moore Street Sumter, SC 29150

Estate:

Sherwood D. Smith #2014ES4300174

Personal Representative Laura S. Austin 9 Catie Street Sumter, SC 29150

Estate:

Harriett McDaniel #2014ES4300211

Personal Representative

James Outing 97 Cable Hollow Way Largo, Maryland 20774 Estate:

Ann T. Reynolds #2014ES4300177

Personal Representative William T. Reynolds III PO Box 11262 Columbia, SC 29211

Estate:

Lucille Ashley #2014ES4300233

Personal Representative Ivan L. Kelly 1312 Cross Hill Road Hopkins, SC 29061

Estate:

Stephen Willis #2014ES4300205

Personal Representative

Susan M. Jackson Willis C/O Charles M. Black Jr Attorney At Law PO Box 2628 Columbia, SC 29202 Estate:

Lucious D. Smith #2014ES4300223

Personal Representative Olean Stewart C/O Larry C. Weston Attorney At Law 201 N. Main Street Sumter, SC 29150

Estate:

Harvey Lyles Jr. #2014ES4300210

Personal Representative

Harvey Lyles III 2256 Richmond Hill Drive Florence, SC 29505 Estate:

John C. Hutson #2014ES4300176

Personal Representative Delanie Hutson Avins 1105 Timberline Lane Alcolu, SC 29001

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:

Altomese Cooper #2014ES4300231

Personal Representative Isaac Cooper 895 One Mile Road Gable, SC 29051

Estate:

Willie Lee Tisdale #2014ES4300200

Personal Representative

Dorothy Tisdale 941 Kingman Street Sumter, SC 29150 Estate:

Danny Watkins #2014ES4300203

Personal Representative

Brenda J. Wilder-Watkins 819 Frankford Drive Brandon, Florida 33511 Estate: Annie Caroline Thames Cody #2014ES4300184 Personal Representative

Paul Rondy Cody 2303 Harper Street Sumter, SC 29153 Estate: George Andrew Johnson #2014ES4300111 Personal Representative Carolyn Johnson 1008 Nathaniel Street Sumter, SC 29150

Estate:

Pauline H. Potts #2014ES4300230

Personal Representative Susan P. Simpson C/O Kenneth Hamilton PO Box 52359 Sumter, SC 29152

Legal Notice NOTICE To All Customers of FTC COMMUNICATIONS, LLC dba FTC WIRELESS On November 13, 2007, the South Carolina Public Service Commission designated FTC Communications, LLC dba FTC Wireless (FTC) an "Eligible Telecommunications Carrier" for its service area for universal service purposes. The goal of universal service is to provide all citizens access to essential telecommunications services.

FTC provides wireless services for monthly rates beginning at $ 39.95.

This includes access to: •Public switched network including a certain amount of local usage •Long distance services •Emergency services •Operator services •Directory assistance •Other services designed to persons with disabilities •Toll (Usage) limitation service Use of these services may result in added charges dependent upon the service and the selected service plan.

FTC would be pleased to provide you with specific rates for any of its available services within your area upon request.

If you are a low-income consumer and need help paying for phone service, you may be eligible to participate in the Lifeline program.

Lifeline, a government assistance program, provides discounts off monthly phone service (wireline or wireless) for eligible consumers. You may be eligible if you participate in a government assistance program or have income at or below the poverty level. Lifeline is non-transferable and available to one qualifying consumer per household.

Please call FTC at one of the local numbers appearing on your monthly telephone statement, or 1-888-218-5050 if you have any questions.

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.

Bid Notices

Sumter, South Carolina 29150.

Plans and bid documents may be obtained from: Sumter County Purchasing Department 13 E Canal Street Sumter, South Carolina 29150 Telephone inquiries should be made to (803) 436-2329.

The County of Sumter reserves the right to reject any or all bids. The County of Sumter reserves the right to waive any or all technicalities.

Summons & Notice

The County of Sumter is soliciting separate sealed bids from qualified vendors for the following project: "Sumter Lee Regional Detention Center - ROOF Replacement" Bids will be received until 11:00 a.m., Thursday, May 1, 2014 in the Sumter County Purchasing Department on the second floor of the Sumter County Administration Building, 13 East Canal Street,

Help Wanted Full-Time

Trucking Opportunities

GrassBusters, Lawn Maintenance, Pest & Termite Control.

Insured and Lic. 803-983-4539,

Maintenance Technician Electrical, Painting, Plumbing & HVAC certified a plus. Must be able to work on call weekends and holidays if needed. Send resume to: Maintenance Box 356 c//o The Item, PO Box 1677 Sumter SC 29151. EOE

CDL drivers needed 21 & older, two years exp. Call 843-659-8254 or 843-659-2268

Taylor's Lawn Care Dependable and Affordable Call 803-651-0125 Four Seasons Lawn Care Serving Sumter for almost 20 yrs!

Free est. 494-9169/468-4008

Roofing All Types of Roofing & Repairs All work guaranteed. 30 yrs exp.

SC lic. Virgil Bickley 803-316-4734.

Tree Service SUMMONS AND NOTICES IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS (NON-JURY MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE) C/A NO: 2014-CP-43-00259 Deficiency Waived STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF SUMTER Trustmark National Bank, Plaintiff,

STATE TREE SERVICE Worker's Comp & General liability insurance. Top quality service, lowest prices. 803-494-5175 or 803-491-5154 www.statetree.net 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.

vs.

Justin D. Biser, Defendant(s) TO THE DEFENDANTS, 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, 1300 Pickens Street, Columbia, SC 29201 within thirty (30) days after service hereof upon you, 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 in the Complaint, 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 February 10, 2014

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, Korn Law Firm, P.A., Post Office Box 12369, Columbia, SC 29211, or call (803) 252-5817. Korn Law Firm, P.A., represents the Plaintiff in this action and does not represent you. Under our ethical rules, we are prohibited from giving you any legal advice.

PETS & ANIMALS Dogs 3 Female, Half Rotts 8 weeks , 1st shots , tails docked, $50 Each Call 803-468-0994

MERCHANDISE Garage, Yard & Estate Sales LARGE GARAGE SALE 1st & 3rd Weekend Tables $1 & Up FLEA MARKET BY SHAW AFB

Open every weekend.

905-4242

For Sale or Trade

Cash For Junk Cars, used Cars, junk Batteries & unwanted gift cards. Call Gene 803-934-6734 Evergreen Cemetery, 4 plots, side by side, Irish Section. Call 803-840-5879.

Martin's Used Appliance Washers, Dryers, Refrig., Stoves.

Special front end load washer $399 Guarantee 464-5439/469-7311

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

Used Old 1 row, Cultivator, distrbulator, planter, 2 planter plates & 3. hitch. $150.Phone after April 14th, 803-494-3531

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

Expert Tech, New & used heat pumps & A/C. Will install/repair, warranty; Compressor & labor $600. Call 803-968-9549 or 843-992-2364

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 AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. THIS COMMUNICATION IS FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR. Korn Law Firm, P.A. 1300 Pickens Street Columbia, SC 29201 BY: MICHAL KALWAJTYS Attorney for Plaintiff

Bid Notices INVITATION TO BID

Lawn Service

BUSINESS SERVICES Home Improvements H.L. Boone, Contractor additions, painting, roofing, gutters, sheetrock, blown ceilings, decks. 773-9904

Full Time Mechanic Needed ASAP @ car dealership. Reliable Hardworking mechanic to fix cars quick and multitask. Professional mechanic exp. required. Car dealership exp., body shop exp. & certifications a plus. Dom & Imp. work. Work hours: 8a-7p M-F and 9a-6p Sat. Must have drvs. lic. & your own tools. Immediate hire.

Call Denis at 866-384-9849.

Auto Mechanic needed ASAP. Apply in person B & C Automotive, 601 Broad St.

Help Wanted Part-Time Waitresses/bartender needed nights & weekends. Apply at Shuckers of Sumter, 401 Rast St. between 11 am - 7 pm Mon - Fri. No phone calls please.

Town of Kingstree Municipal Court Judge The town of Kingstree is accepting resumes for a Municipal Judge.

The Municipal Judge has jurisdiction over cases arising under ordinances of the Town of Kingstree. The authority and duties of the municipal judge are the same as those of magistrate, with regard to criminal matters; however, the municipal court has no civil jurisdiction. The person hired in this position will report to the Kingstree Town Council and be required to complete a training program or pass certification or recertification examinations, or both, within one year of taking office. This position is part time with an annual salary of $15,750.

How to apply: Submit resumes to Leonard R Lowery at llowery@kingstree.org or mail resumes to 401 N Longstreet St Kingstree SC 29556. The closing date to apply for this position is April 25, 2014. The Town of Kingstree is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Part-time Assistant needed for a busy office in Manning. Please send all response to P-Box 336 c/o The Item, PO Box 1677 Sumter SC 29151 Elderly man seeking Part time housekeeper. Mon-Thur. morning hours, 4 days a week, 4 hours a day.

Light cleaning, cooking and laundry.

Pay is $100 weekly. Email responses to msvalyntyn@yahoo.com

$$$ AVON $$$ FREE TRAINING! 803-422-5555

Trucking Opportunities Long Haul flatbed drivers wanted. CDL Class A. 3 years experience and 25 yrs old required with a clean 10 year MVR. Well maintained equipment. Excellent commission based pay.

Steady freight. Call 843-906-7833

Company Drivers Needed Immediate opening for CDL Class A Drivers. Eastern dedicated runs.

No NE runs. Must have 3 yrs OTR Exp. No preventable accidents.

Call for more info. 843-383-6953.

Wanted Switch Truck Driver.

Need 2nd shift (4pm-1am). Must have CDL Class A driver License.

Must have 2 yrs of verifiable commercial Driving experience.

Call for more info 843-383-6953 Truck Driver Trainees Needed Now at US EXPRESS Earn $800/wk Local CDL Training NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED! Be trained & based locally!

1-888-263-7364

Medical Help Wanted Live-in health assistant needed.

Hrs: 9 am Fri - 9 am Sun. Non-smokers, must be strong & able to do stand/pivot transfers.

Call 803-478-7434.

Work Wanted I am a reliable CNA looking to sit with your elderly loved ones day or night.

Ref. provided.

Call 803-225-0924 or 803-225-0543

RENTALS Rooms for Rent ROOM For Rent Bi-weekly or monthly. Near Morris College. Kit. privileges, all utilities incl 469-4668

Unfurnished Apartments Waterfront @ Lake Marion 3BR 2BA DW $750 Mo. +Dep 2BR 1BA SW $525 Mo. +Dep Call 803 983-9035 or 773-6655 Senior Living Apartments for those 62+ (Rent based on income) Shiloh-Randolph Manor 125 W. Bartlette.

775-0575 Studio/1 Bedroom apartments available EHO

Mobile Home Rentals Oaklawn MHP: 2 BR M.H.'s, water/sewer/garbage pk-up incl'd.

RV parking avail. Call 494-8350 E. Brewington Rd. near Mayewood School, 3BR/2BA DWMH. $550/mo + $550/SD. NO Section 8.

Call 803-934-6845 or 803-938-3174

Antiques / Collectibles 1955 Vendo V-110 coke machine for sale. Asking price is $400. Call 481-0933 after 5 pm.

EMPLOYMENT Help Wanted Full-Time Insurance Office seeks CSR /Agent. P & C license, experience helpful but not required. Fax resume to 855-246-9598.

Nurse needed for primary medical care office in Sumter. Duties will be physicians support in a community based practice. Send resume to Sandhills Medical Foundation, Attn: Personnel PO Box 366 McBee, SC 29101 New Papa John's near Shaw AFB is seeking Delivery Drivers.

Please call 803-629-8405 or email SumterBitetheCrust@yahoo.com

CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT Call, email or fax us today!

FODVVLILHG#WKHLWHP FRP ‡ FAX

(803) 774-1234

B8

CLASSIFIEDS

THE ITEM

Mobile Home Rentals

Office Rentals

1 Bdrm Mobile Homes- All appliances, heat pump, water, sewer and trash pick up included.

Rent $300+Sec dep Call 803-464-3437 Btwn 12-8pm

Office rentals:

STATEBURG COURTYARD 2 & 3 BRs 803-494-4015 Bethel Church Rd 3BR 2BA MH, Fenced yard. $600 Month Call 803- 506-4600

Resort Rentals Ocean Lakes 2BR/2BA C/H/A Sleeps 8, near ocean, Call 803-773-2438

712 Bultman Dr. Downstairs •(2) offices suite w/outside entrance. $300/mo.

Upstairs: •450 sq ft, (2) offices $325/mo.

•250 sq ft (1) lg office $225/mo.

•170 sq ft $165/mo •300 sq ft lg office $275 o •265 sq ft (2) office $250/mo.

469-9294 or 491-6905

Commercial Rentals Church Building in Mayesville located on Willow St. for rent.

Contact 803-453-5187 or 803-775-3975

Homes for Sale (Sumter) W. Sherwood Dr- Brick 3BR 1BA 1016 sq ft. attached garage.

Lease or Cash. $1,000/down & $605/mo.

877-499-8065

Manufactured Housing 1997 3 Br, 2 Ba D/W in Dalzell, all appliances, Section 8 accepted.

469-6978.

REAL ESTATE Manufactured Housing Looking for your DREAM HOME? LOW CREDIT SCORE? Been turned down for bad credit?

Come try us, we do our own financing. We have 3-4-5 bedroom homes. Layaway program available. For more information, call 843-389-4215.

Land & Lots for Sale Hwy 441 Dalzell, ac, cleared, water, septic, elec $3K dn $225 mo 60 mo $13K. 713-870-0216

RECREATION Campers / RV's/ Motorhomes 2013 26Ft Innsbruck Camper with slide out. Never been used $16,000 OBO 803-494-2060 Leave Message

TRANSPORTATION

TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2014

Autos For Sale

Miscellaneous

A Guaranteed Credit Approval AUTO LOANS

Autos For Sale

OPEN Ernest Baker Auto Sales & Equip. Located 3349 N. Main St 5.5 miles from 378 overpass at N. Main., on Hwy 15 N. next to Baker Mini Warehouse. Remember Cars are like Eggs, Cheaper in the Country!!! 803-469-9294

We will arrange financing even if you have been turned down before.

Loans available for no credit, bad credit, 1st Time Buyers & Bankruptcy buyers. No co-signers needed. Call Mr. Ashley Brown at 803-926-3235

2004 Chevy Malibu, Excellent condition. $3,200 OBO or willing neg. Call 803-447-5453 Reconditioned batteries $35. Also have lawn mower, truck, 4 wheeler, & marine batteries, starters & alternators. Car dealers/garages ask about special prices.

Auto Electric Co. 803-773-4381

Need Cash?

Classifieds - your best deal for making a few bucks on things you no longer need!

Call 774-1234 today!

Classified

Nancy Harrison: Get ready for canning season

C3 SECTION

C

TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2014 Online: www.theitem.com/clarendon_sun | Call: (803) 435-4716 | E-mail: jim@theitem.com

S.C. Senate passes Emma’s Law, Read to Succeed

BY SEN. KEVIN L. JOHNSON Special to The Clarendon Sun COLUMBIA – Week 13 of the 120th regular session of the South Carolina General Assembly saw several important bills passed.

The Senate passed bill S. 516, the “South Carolina Read to JOHNSON Succeed Act,” in conjunction with the 4-K program. With the adoption of the Amendment, the bill will include the Child Early Read-

ing Development and Education Program to expand this offering of early intervention to at-risk 4-year-old children in public schools. The bill focuses on helping students achieve academic success by providing the tools they need to prepare them in the future, with reading being the primary focus. The Read to Succeed Act and the 4-K program will promote an environment for children to flourish.

The Senate unanimously passed the House version of “Emma’s Law,” a bill that requires an alcohol breath tester be installed in cars of in-

dividuals convicted of drunk driving offenses for the first time. Six-year-old Emma Longstreet, for whom the bill is named, was killed by a repeat drunken driving offender in 2012. This bill’s goal is to reduce the number of drunken drivers on South Carolina’s highways. More than 500 South Carolinians have died at the hands of drunken drivers since Emma’s death in 2012. South Carolina has one of the highest rates of drunken driving fatalities in the country.

A Joint Assembly was held Wednesday to hear from The

SEN. KEVIN L. JOHNSON D-District 36 Clarendon, Darlington, Florence and Sumter counties.

P.O. Box 142, Columbia, SC 29202, (803) 212- 6048 kevinjohnson@scsenate.gov.

Honorable Jean Hoefer Toal, Chief Justice of the S.C. Supreme Court. She recognized the contributions of Federal Judge J. Waties Waring.

Judge Waring played a key role during the Civil Rights Movement. May 17, 2014, is

the 60th anniversary of Brown v. The Board of Education, the 1954 United States Supreme Court decision that ruled unconstitutional state laws that enforced racial segregation in public education.

The Briggs v. Elliott case was the most important of four cases known as Brown.

Briggs v. Elliott originated in South Carolina.

Waring was the first judge in America to rule from the bench that “Segregation is per se inequality.” He will be honored with a bronze statue

SEE JOHNSON, PAGE C2

Baseball great speaks in Manning

BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com (803) 774-1211

T

he New York Yankee’s five-time Golden Glove-winning second baseman and 1960 World Series MVP Bobby Richardson will speak at the American Legion Baseball Fundraiser Dinner at 6 p.m.

Saturday, April 19, at Manning United Methodist Church, 17 E. Rigby St., Manning.

The dinner raises funds for the American Legion RICHARDSON baseball team in Manning.

Richardson, who was born in Sumter, played for the Yankees from 1955-66 and coached the South Carolina Gamecocks from 1970-76, where he earned a 220-81 record. Richardson’s 1975 team earned national runner-up. He also coached baseball teams at Liberty

SEE RICHARDSON, PAGE C2

PHOTOS PROVIDED

Bobby Richardson was one of the most consistent hitters for the New York Yankees. He was named the Most Valuable Player in the 1960 World Series, even though the Yankees lost to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

American Legion Baseball Fundraiser Dinner 6 p.m. Saturday, April 19 Manning United Methodist Church 17 E. Rigby St., Manning TICKETS: $50 CONTACT: (803) 435-8815 or (803) 225-2929.

Wildcat Soldier starts program that inspires youth

BY SGT. SHANTELLE CAMPBELL 81st Regional Support Command Special to The Clarendon Sun FORT JACKSON — Inside of the Taw Caw Community Outreach Center in Summerton, many young people and parents gathered on March 29 to participate in the first Lets Talk About You Youth Expo.

Spc. Stacy Georgia, a supply sergeant with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 81st Regional Support Command, created and coordinated the expo to give young people a safe place to open up about their issues.

“It’s not enough that we’re losing (young people) to vio-

‘I want (these young people) to have hope for their future and learn from their past.’

SOPHIA ELLIS Youth With Ambition founder PHOTO PROVIDED

lence,” said Georgia, “but how many parents even realize that their child hates school because of their peers and not because of academics? Therefore, we have to do something

Bryant Lawson, an accountant and Founder of The Lost Angels Foundation, speaks to local teens in Summerton during the Let’s Talk About You Youth Expo. because if we don’t, we’re going to lose more than what we think.”

Furthermore, Georgia said

providing a place for young people to express themselves freely is her mission because it’s something she didn’t have

when she was a teenager.

“It doesn’t matter what you

SEE EXPO, PAGE C4

C2

|

CLARENDON SUN

TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2014

BRIEF ENCOUNTERS BRIDGE CLOSING A portion on Liberty Church Road between S-14-262 and S-14-48 in Clarendon County will be closed for approximately three months, as the South Carolina Department of Transportation replaces a bridge. The SCDOT expects the new bridge to be open by June 18.

Motorists will be detoured on 2-14-262 and S-14-262. Some school bus routes in Clarendon School District 2 will be affected.

For more information, call (803) 435-4431.

BASS FISHING TOURNAMENT Sumter Chapter of Delta Waterfowl will hold its Bass Fishing Tournament (two-man team) on Saturday, May 3, at Pack’s Landing. Preregister by April 18 and receive a free barbecue chicken plate. Plates will also be sold for $5 each. Registration will begin at 4:30 a.m. the day of the event. Blast-off will be at safe light in the order of registration. Weigh-in will be at 3 p.m. Entry fee: $50 per boat. Big fish: $10 per boat. Register at Williams Sporting Goods on Broad Street or Dubose Bait and Tackle on U.S. 15 South, both in Sumter, or online at Facebook/SumterChapterDeltawaterfowl. For additional information, call Melvin at (803) 464-9741 or Richard at (803) 720-4269.

FARMERS MARKET MEETING There will be a Manning Farmers Market vendor meeting at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 23, at City Hall. If you are interested in participating in the 2014 Farmer’s Market contact City Hall at (803) 435-8477.

PRESERVATION MONTH CELEBRATION Preservation Month is held annually each May and was designed to promote historic places for the purpose of instilling national and community pride, promoting heritage tourism, and showing the social and economic benefits of historic preservation. This year Main Street Manning, a department of the City and the Clarendon County Historical Society Museum have joined to recognize the biggest preservation project in Manning and Clarendon County, the renovation of the Clarendon County Courthouse.

Students are encouraged to participate in our Preservation Month Writing Project. Students can write in any format a poem, essay, or short story.

Following are some prompts to help the students with the writing project:

PETS OF THE WEEK Younger grades: What do judges do? What happens at the courthouse?

Older grades: What is preservation? Memory of the courthouse?

ART EXHIBITION Artists of all ages are invited to participate in a related art exhibition. Depict the Clarendon County Courthouse in a medium of your choosing and frame it. The deadline for both the writing project and the art exhibition is April 16.

Submitted entries will be used during Preservation Month displays and activities.

For more information call Carrie Trebil at City Hall at (803) 435-8477.

IRIS

2014 RABIES CLINICS Dr. Wayne Morris, DVM, will vaccinate cats and dogs from 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 19 at the Morris Animal Clinic in Manning. The charge is $8 per pet. For more information, call the Morris Animal clinic at (803) 435-8001.

WEEKDAYS ON THE WATER Lake Marion is a popular draw for anglers, paddlers and outdoor enthusiasts of every variety. The lake is teeming with cypress swamps and wildlife, making it one of South Carolina’s most desirable paddling destinations.

On May 1-3, Santee State Park will offer visitors the opportunity to take to the lake for a three-and-a-half-hour ranger-guided paddle for the park’s Weekdays on the Water program. The paddle will depart from Spiers Landing and take participants through a cypress swamp to Church Island, where they can visit an old Confederate cemetery and explore the surrounding island.

Kayaks and life preservers will be provided, but guests are more than welcome to bring their own boat. While you don’t need to be an expert paddler to join the tour, the outing is expected to last at least three and a half hours, so some experience is beneficial.

The Weekdays on the Water package also includes a two-night stay in one of Santee’s cabins, so you’ll have ample time to explore Lake Marion and the surrounding area on your own time.

The program costs $200 per person for a single occupancy and $150 per person for double occupancy. Space is limited to 25 people, so reserve a spot for you and a friend as soon as possible. For more information, contact Santee State Park at (803) 854-2408.

RICHARDSON FROM PAGE C1 University and Coastal Carolina University.

Richardson played high school baseball at Edmunds High School in Sumter and was drafted directly out of high school, when he was just 17.

In addition to his Golden Gloves, during his years with the Yankees, Richardson was an eight-time All Star; was the only World Series MVP from the losing team; and received the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award in 1963.

Richardson was also very active in and devoted to the international Fellowship of Christian Athletes, a non-profit Christian sports ministry that promotes Christian principles both on and off the diamond.

In 2011, he was honored for his 11 years in professional baseball with a plaque at the Bobby Richardson Baseball Complex in Sumter.

He is the author of two

THE SUMTER ITEM

books; the most recent is “Impact Player: Leaving a Lasting Legacy On and Off the Field,” published in 2012. His first was “The Bobby Richardson Story,” written while he was still playing.

“Coach Richardson was nice enough to give us some time,” said G.G. Cutter of First Palmetto Bank, who is helping coordinate the event. “Richardson will speak and sign some memorabilia. He is an excellent speaker.”

Cutter said signed baseballs and bats will be given away as door prizes at the dinner.

Supporting the Manning American Legion team is costly, he pointed out.

“We want to make sure they play with a quality team,” Cutter said.

The Manning team competes with teams from Sumter, Hartsville, Camden, Dalzell and Cheraw, Cutter said, and

YOUR COMMUNITY CONNECTION

THE CLARENDON SUN www.theitem.com/clarendon_sun/

teams can advance through a playoff system to state or regional games, or a national championship.

Cost of the dinner is $50, and tickets can be purchased at First Palmetto Bank, Anderson Pharmacy, the Clarendon County chamber of Commerce and from Bill Brewer or Mickey Sexton. The ticket price includes a meal, a season pass to American Legion games and a chance to win an autographed baseball.

For more information, call Cutter at (803) 4358815 or (803) 225-2929.

BLUE

Iris is a very pretty spayed, adult female kitty with spots instead of stripes. She would love to live where she can be an inside and outside kitty, with the privilege of catching mice and doing all the cool things that cats do. If you’re thinking about adopting a cat, please come meet Iris and all her friends at the shelter.

Just like his name, Blue is a blue (gray) American Staffordshire Terrier. He is a sweet, friendly and affectionate pup, who loves a good game of tug and really enjoys chew toys. Because of his size he is well suited for a home with adults. For the month of April you can adopt Blue, or any of his large breed friends for a special adoption price of $80 with an approved adoption application.

See Iris, Blue and many other cats and dogs at A Second Chance Animal Shelter, 5079 Alex Harvin Highway (U.S. 301), which has numerous pets available for adoption.

Adoption hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. To drop off an animal, call (803) 473-7075 for an appointment. If you’ve lost a pet, check www.ccanimalcontrol.webs.com and www.ASecondChanceAnimalShelter.com.

LAW FROM PAGE C1 at the Federal Courthouse in Charleston, where he made his rulings. Toal delivered a progress report on case dispositions, common pleas benchmarks, Circuit Court Judges’ caseloads, general sessions benchmarks, as well as an overview of concerns to the courts. She encouraged the General Assembly to fund disaster recovery, Internet and court technology and court data security.

A number of groups were on campus during the week.

On Tuesday the South Carolina Realtors Association hosted the legislature at a luncheon. On Wednesday the day

Subscribe today, and stay in the loop

(803) 774-1200

began with a breakfast hosted by the SC Association of Housing Authority. For lunch we were treated to a low country boil put on by members of Jasper County. The following morning the SC Association of Convenience Stores hosted a legislative breakfast.

Sen. Kevin L. Johnson, DDistrict 36, represents Clarendon, Darlington, Florence and Sumter counties. He encourages his constituents to contact him with concerns at his senate office: P.O. Box 142, Columbia, SC 29202, (803) 2126048, or email kevinjohnson@ scsenate.gov.

C4

|

TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2014

CLARENDON SUN

THE SUMTER ITEM SEE EXPO, PAGE C1

PHOTOS BY STAFF SGT. TOSHIKO GREGG / SPECIAL TO THE CLARENDON SUN

Children from the Summerton area participate in a cooperation exercise during a Youth Expo called Let’s Talk About You, coordinated and held in Summerton by Army Reserve Spc. Stacy Georgia, a supply specialist with the 81st Regional Support Command. Georgia organized the event in order to give teens in her community an avenue to talk to other adults and open up about their issues such as self-esteem, attitude and trust, in hopes of preventing future social problems.

Staff Sgt. CiAndra Na’eem with the 7/108th Personnel Support Battalion and a health services case manager with the 81st Regional Support Command at Fort Jackson, speaks to local teens attending Let’s Talk About You on March 29.

Alexis Benn, left, talks to a panel of adults and local teens during the youth expo. Benn’s mother, Tammy Tooley, was a member of the panel.

A.J. Franklin, right, suicide prevention program manager at the 81st Regional Support Command at Fort Jackson, speaks to local teens in Summerton during the expo.

go through, you always have to find someone you can trust and go to, to help empower you to do what you’re supposed to,” she said.

“So for me,” Georgia added, “if I had known that I had this, I wouldn’t have had all of the issues that I had. It would have helped tremendously to just have had someone to talk to back then.”

In addition to discussing topics that ranged from self-esteem and attitude to trust, Georgia and a panel of volunteers from her community performed various scenarios of everyday situations and how to handle them.

“I want (these young people) to have hope for their future and learn from their past,” said Sophia Ellis, founder of Youth With Ambition. “ … I want them to be eagles and have hope to soar and reach higher heights beyond what their life has presented to them already.”

After concluding the discussion, the group had lunch, and the males and females were later separated in order to talk about more personal issues.

“Something like this is important because it gives people our age a place to express ,” said Faithe Oliver, a junior at Scott’s Branch High School, “(We) don’t have to worry about being judged when (we) come here.”

The next Let’s Talk About You Youth Expo is scheduled for May 31 at noon inside the Taw Caw Community Outreach Center.

For more information about the youth expo or how to get involved, email Georgia at letstalkaboutyou2014@gmail.com.

Angela Robinson, left, a teacher North Springs Elementary School in Columbia, and Spc. Stacy Georgia, right, a supply specialist with the 81st Regional Support Command, role play a mother and daughter for local teens in Summerton during the youth expo called Let’s Talk About You aimed at area youth, ages 13-18.