April 17, 2014

Sunshine state bound Lady Knights basketball standout Williams signs with D-I Jacksonville B1 LOCAL: Principal found not guilty

of assaulting elementary teacher

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THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2014

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No injuries in 2 morning fires

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MARIO CARRBARUS SCOTT MURDER TRIAL

Witnesses say Dargan confessed to killing

BY ROB COTTINGHAM rcottingham@theitem.com (803) 774-1225

Initially reported as a fire caused by an electrical short, firefighters were on the scene of the second fire just before noon.

“Again, heavy black smoke was pushing through the structure and through all the eaves of the residence,” Duggan said. “We did wind up venting through the eaves. It ended up burning the whole attic area. Once you get a working attic fire, you can just

“’I knew I was gonna kill that (expletive).’”

Those words were the highlight of Wednesday’s hearings during the trial against Shonta Larissa Helton and Gary R. Dargan — who face charges stemming from the shooting death of Mario Carrbarus Scott — as several witnesses and experts took the stand for testimony at Sumter County Judicial Center.

Key witness Marcus Mellette said early Wednesday afternoon before Judge Jeffrey Young that he and Dargan, who have known each other for more than a decade, were in prison together in the winter and spring of 2013. It was there that Mellette said he paid Dargan a visit in his cell. Dargan then reportedly asked Mellette about the rumors concerning Scott’s killing.

“He asked me, ‘What’s the word on the streets?’” Mellette recalled. “I told him, ‘Word is you shouldn’t have done that to that man.’ Then he said, ‘I knew I was gonna kill that (expletive).’”

Dargan’s attorney, Tim Murphy, questioned the validity of Mellette’s testimony, noting that Mellette had not mentioned Dargan’s alleged confession to law enforcement or in other previous testimonies.

“You knew Mario for 20 years and knew who his killer was, yet you didn’t tell police?” Murphy asked.

“I knew both men,” Mellette said, referring to both Scott and Dargan. “I wasn’t involved at the time.”

Another blow to the defense came from federal inmate Rico Ham, a former accomplice of Dargan, who said he was present at a card game hosted at a Lincoln Street home the night Scott was killed. Dargan was allegedly hosting the party but left the home and put Ham in charge.

Ham said Dargan returned shortly after 3 a.m. and said something alarming. “(Dargan) said he thought he killed somebody,” Ham said. “He called me the next day and asked if I’d heard anything about the night before.”

Mellette said he and Dargan maintained a connection while in prison, but once Mellette finished his sentence, things began to change.

According to Mellette, Dargan began

SEE FIRES, PAGE A8

SEE TRIAL, PAGE A8

MICHAEL CHRISTOPHER / THE SUMTER ITEM

A fire thought to be started by a circuit breaker broke out a little before noon on Wednesday in the 200 block of Myrtle Beach Highway. No one was injured in the fire, but the home was considered a total loss.

Wind hampers firefighters; homes ruled total losses

Seen at left, Shane Riles, firefighter with Sumter Fire Department, returns a baby rabbit he rescued from a house fire off Myrtle Beach Highway.

BY JADE REYNOLDS jade@theitem.com (803) 774-1250 Sumter Fire Department had a busy day Wednesday morning.

First, the engines were called out to a 2,400-square-foot modular home in the 1000 block of Marylin Avenue a little after 9 a.m.

Fortunately, the resident was not home at the time.

“When we arrived on scene, heavy black smoke and fire were coming from the side of the structure and started burning through the roof,” said Capt. Joey Duggan with Sumter Fire Department.

The structure damage was estimated at $50,000, and the loss of contents was estimated at an additional $3,000. It took a little while to get the fire under control because of remodeling to the roof and the wind, Duggan said.

“It was burning into the attic and was harder to get to,” Duggan said. “It caused us a little bit of a delay. The wind conditions also did not help. Unfortunately, the man lost his home, but at the

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same time, no one got hurt.”

The home was considered a total loss, and the cause is still undetermined.

No one was injured in the second fire that morning, although this time two people were home during a residential fire in the 200 block of Myrtle Beach Highway, which firefighters received a call about not 20 minutes after the first fire.

“We had just pulled into the station,” Duggan said.

District’s male teachers try to serve as positive role models for students

BY RAYTEVIA EVANS revans@theitem.com (803) 774-1214 Kingsbury Elementary School’s Sylvester Hickmon keeps a letter from a former student in his back pocket at all times. In the letter, the student thanked Hickmon for having an impact on her life and her decision to become an art teacher just like him.

“I will always keep this letter with me, because it means a lot that we have the op-

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portunity to shape students’ minds,” Hickmon said.

Hickmon said he had to overcome a common perception that being a teacher is a woman’s job in order to make a career of his passion and influence the lives of children through art.

In the past few decades, the teaching profession has become a female-dominated field, and Hickmon is one of a small group of male teachers in Sumter School District.

SEE TEACHERS, PAGE A8

DEATHS, B5 and B6 Fred Butler Benjamin R. Jenkinson Kevin L. Harris Wofford B. Caughman Sr. Cynthia Briggs Zelia Perry Williard D. Lemmon

Wyshida Washington Carrie Bradshaw George Hampton Terrie McMoore Herbert C. Mickens Thelma O. Mickens Linda Porter

MATT WALSH / THE SUMTER ITEM

Kingsbury Elementary School’s Leroy Steigerwalt attends a faculty meeting with his female counterparts on Wednesday.

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

Principal found not guilty of assault

LOCAL BRIEFS FROM STAFF REPORTS

Clarendon man jailed on drug charges Clarendon County Narcotics Task Force, along with deputies from Clarendon County Sheriff’s Office, executed a search warrant in the 1400 block of Mack Road in the Summerton area TINDAL Wednesday.

Officers reported finding several guns, powdered cocaine and approximately $3,300 in cash at the residence.

Toroney Christopher Tindal was arrested and charged with distribution of crack cocaine and other charges at the scene and was transported to Clarendon County Detention Center, police reported.

Public records indicate Tindal had been released on bond pending trial on earlier charges.

BY TYLER SIMPSON tyler@theitem.com (803) 774-1295 The principal of High Hills Elementary School was found not guilty in magistrate’s court Wednesday after one of her former employees filed assault and battery charges against her.

Former High Hills special education teacher Jessica Pena had accused her former principal, Maggie Wright, of assault after a reported heated conversation between the two on April 1. Pena pursued the charges on her own after Sumter County Sheriff’s Office determined there was not enough probable cause to pursue a criminal warrant, according to Sumter County Sheriff Anthony Dennis.

After hearing testimony from both parties, Chief Magistrate Judge Kristi Curtis found that Pena did not provide enough proof that a crime was committed beyond a reasonable doubt.

“My reason has nothing to do with who is a good boss or a bad boss or who is a good employee or a bad employee,” Curtis said.

Pena, who now works at Wilder Elementary School, started the trial by saying that Wright approached her in her classroom with a probationary contract.

The discussion continued into Wright’s office where, according to Pena, Wright got upset and began raising her voice at her after she asked for a copy of the contract.

“By that point, I was already scared,” Pena said.

Pena went on to say that Wright grabbed her arm and pulled her out of the office after she yelled at her to leave.

“I told her ‘Oh my God. You hit me. ...

I don’t care if you tap me or hit me.

You’re not supposed to touch anybody,’” Pena said.

Defending herself in the trial, Wright told Curtis that she didn’t grab Pena but merely tapped her on the shoulder. She

also claimed Pena was the one in the office that was being combative and uncooperative.

“When I saw the look on her face when she said ‘You just touched me,’ she walked out of the office, and I’m thinking ‘What in the world,’” Wright said.

Wright said that Pena has had plenty of personnel issues before the incident, including tardiness and excessive absences.

Several High Hills employees testified on Wright’s behalf that they saw Pena leave the office and did not see Wright holding her by the arm and forcing her out. However, they could not testify as to what actually happened in the office, as none of them were present in the office during the time of the incident.

Although she lost the case, Pena said she still plans to take the issue before Sumter School District. “Your boss is not supposed to touch you, no matter what,” Pena said.

Bojangles’ recognizes district’s Teacher of the Year Tina Sorrells, Sumter School District Teacher of the Year, was recently recognized by Bojangles’ at the restaurant’s Broad Street location. The Alice Drive Elementary School teacher, seen here with her husband, John Sorrells, accepted books from Bojangles’ to add to the school’s media center. Since 2010, Bojangles’ has given away about 15,000 books.

SAFE will celebrate Youth Day on Friday April is National Credit Union Youth Month. The goal of the observance is to pave the path to lifelong credit union membership by encouraging children to set up savings accounts, learn how to manage money and be more financially literate.

SAFE Federal Credit Union is celebrating with Youth Day on Friday at all branch locations. Each branch will have decorations, giveaways and refreshments for all members.

Make a deposit in any youth account in April, and the child will be included in drawings for a $100 Money Circus certificate, a LeapFrog LeapPad, a Nintendo DSi and an Amazon Kindle Fire. SAFE offers two accounts for members 17 and younger: Money Circus (birth to age 12) and Y Account (age 13 to 17).

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Chestnut Oaks principal talks school uniform policy

BY RAYTEVIA EVANS revans@theitem.com (803) 774-1214 Chestnut Oaks Middle School parents were given the opportunity to pose any questions about the school’s uniform policy during an informational meeting Tuesday evening. Sumter School District Board of Trustees approved Principal Lashawnte Sarvis’ proposal for the policy during a regular board meeting in early March.

With the new policy, Chestnut Oaks will join Furman, Hillcrest and Ebenezer middle schools in having a mandatory uniform policy.

After receiving approval from the board, Sarvis said a uniform committee made up of parents, teachers, administrators and members of the PTSA met to discuss the details of the policy. Sarvis previously told the

board that she and Chestnut Oaks teachers thought a uniform policy would help with common dress code violations they deal with every day.

The uniform committee came up with a basic uniform policy proposal that Sarvis explained to parents Tuesday. The school’s policy will allow khaki-colored or navy-colored straight-legged pants, skirts, shorts and jumpers, but no cargo pants will be allowed. Students will be allowed to wear solid white, navy, gray, pink, orange or black collared long- or short-sleeve shirts. The uniform shirts should not include a logo and belts for the uniforms have to be black or brown.

The policy also includes regulations on socks, tights and hosiery which have to be white, black, brown or navy, and shoes can be black, brown or white or any combination of all three colors. Students’ jackets,

blazers, sweaters and long-sleeved shirts must match their tops. The new uniform policy will also adhere to school district dress code, meaning shirts will need to be tucked in and girls’ skirts are expected to be a certain length, Sarvis explained.

The school is also considering implementing a clear backpack policy where students will be required to have clear backpacks on school grounds. However, Sarvis said administrators are still discussing the issue.

During Tuesday’s meeting, representatives from Yuckies Uniforms set up a display of sample uniforms and took questions from parents. Yuckies is working closely with the school and will return in coming months to measure students at the parents’ requests and take uniform orders before the next school year begins.

So far, the school has received positive responses from parents and stu-

dents about the uniform policy. Sarvis read some of the students’ responses in which they stated that uniforms will be cheaper for their parents, will prepare them for the workplace in the future and help in decreasing the chance of bullying.

“This is something staff is on board with as well as parents we’ve spoken to and the PTSA,” Sarvis said. “I want everyone to be informed about this and embrace the fact that we now have a uniform policy.”

Sarvis explained that Yuckies Uniforms is not mandatory, but it is one of many companies that provides school uniforms and supplies. Another informational meeting will take place in May. Chestnut Oaks parents will be invited, along with parents from Lemira and Crosswell Drive elementary schools, whose children will attend the middle school next year.

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LOCAL | STATE

THE SUMTER ITEM

Singing Sensations perform

RAYTEVIA EVANS / THE SUMTER ITEM

The Singing Sensations Youth Choir of Baltimore, Md., led by founder and director Hollie Hood-Mincey, puts on a short, interactive concert at Lemira Elementary School on Monday afternoon. Hood-Mincey founded the organization with the intent of exposing underprivileged students in the Baltimore metropolitan area to diverse aspects of performing arts and the opportunity to travel.

Social services director says she won’t step down COLUMBIA (AP) — The director of South Carolina’s Department of Social Services said Wednesday that she wouldn’t step down from the agency, saying she feels she has more work to accomplish.

“If I thought that my resignation would save the life of even one child, the governor would have my resignation,” Director Lillian Koller said.

“So I respectfully decline to resign.”

Koller spoke after spending several hours testifying before a Senate subcommittee created to investigate the agency, including about the beating death of a child. One of the panel’s three members, Sen. Joel Lourie, D-Columbia, has previously called on Gov. Nikki Haley to fire Koller, but the governor has reiterated support for her appointee, including in a statement issued through her spokesman Wednesday.

“Gov. Haley is proud of Director Koller, the staff at DSS, and the changes they have made, changes that have resulted in a decrease in child fatalities, an increase in adoptions, and the ability to provide more services to children and families statewide than ever before,” spokesman Doug Mayer said.

In four meetings during the past few months, the subcommittee has heard testimony

from county coroners about their difficulties in investigating child deaths. Parents have also testified about their problems in adopting children through the agency. One mother whose daughter died at a home day care also called on lawmakers to institute more oversight on such facilities.

During often contentious testimony Wednesday, Koller told lawmakers she understands the agency has problems but that she feels things have improved during her years as its director.

“These cases are not cut and dry,” Koller said, referencing the difficulties inherent in child abuse and neglect cases.

Lawmakers had many questions about the handling of the case of Robert Guinyard, a 4-year-old Richland County boy found beaten to death last year. Officials have said potential abuse to Robert or his older siblings was reported to social services more than a dozen times between 2006 and 2013 — seven of those reports about Robert specifically.

His parents have been charged with homicide by child abuse. In the wake of that case, Koller said, eight agency employees retired, resigned or were fired, ranging from case workers to investigators and a county-level supervisor.

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Brewing program would be 1st in S.C. MYRTLE BEACH (AP) — Something new is brewing on the coast as Horry-Georgetown Technical College will be offering a degree in brewing, the first college degree of its kind in South Carolina.

The Sun News of Myrtle Beach reports the school will offer an associate degree in applied science with a major in brewing, distillation and fermentation. The college received approval from its local board last week for the new program, which is expected to begin in the fall of 2015.

“We’re the renegades here — there’s no other program in the state,” said Marilyn Fore, the college’s executive vice president for academic affairs.

“Every single comment to me about the program has been positive, and there’s excitement over the college offering not only a program that is going to provide students with a new kind of occupation, but one that is personally appealing to a lot of people,” she added.

The program will be offered through the college’s culinary department.

Fore doesn’t see any problems getting the program approved by the state Technical College System Board or the state Commission on Higher Education and expects a planned assessment will show a need for the program.

LOCAL | NATION

THE SUMTER ITEM

Women’s History Month celebration

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The Lincoln High Alumni Association honored 12 black women during the Women’s History Month celebration March 27. From left are organizing committee members Jim Felder and Patricia Hastie Lewis; Drefus and Dreanna Williams, husband and daughter of educator and civil rights activist Irene S. Williams; and Barbara Edwards, niece of Dorothy V. Sampson, the first black woman to practice law in Sumter County.

Leggings now target for school dress codes

BY MARTHA IRVINE AP National Writer EVANSTON, Ill. — They’re called leggings — popular fashion items that are tightfitting pants to some and glorified tights to others.

Younger girls often wear them as pants with little fuss. But as those same girls approach middle school, leggings have become a clothing accessory that’s increasingly controversial — and seemingly, the favorite new target of the school dress code.

Some schools have banned leggings outright. Others have set limits. Haven Middle School in Evanston, just north of Chicago, took what turned out to be a contentious stand: If you wear leggings, you need to have a shirt or skirt over them that reaches at least down to your fingertips.

In other words, girls need to cover their behinds.

It might seem a reasonable enough request at a time when school dress codes — and even school uniforms — are common and often supported by teachers and administrators who frequently complain about students who push the limits of good taste, and the parents who let them (and may even push those limits themselves).

But how far is too far? And do schools sometimes go too far in pushing back?

Judges have tended to side with schools when safety is a concern. For example, a federal court agreed with a school district in Morgan Hill, Calif., after some high school students were told not to wear American flag Tshirts on the Mexican holiday of Cinco de Mayo in 2010. The worry was that the shirts would incite conflict

with the school’s many Hispanic students.

When safety isn’t an issue, says Perry Zirkel, a professor of education and law at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania, the courts tend to throw the cases back to the schools and parents, so they can come up with solutions together.

It’s not always easy, since many people have a different notion of what’s appropriate and what’s not — and what’s distracting, and what’s not.

At Haven Middle School, there has been a lot of confusion. Just a few weeks ago, the school’s own website said leggings were banned, when apparently they were not, school officials now say. Then there was the matter of yoga pants, which are tight like leggings but flared at the bottom. Did the fingertip rule also apply to those types of pants, especially when no one could tell the difference if they were tucked into boots, which is also popular style among teens?

The discussions at school meetings have sometimes bordered on silly. But few disagree that there are serious issues at hand here — among them, whether girls are being shamed and unnecessarily embarrassed at a time when they’re already starting to feel more aware of their changing bodies.

Clearly frustrated with the debate, Haven Middle School teachers posted this statement on the school’s website to explain the reasoning behind the leggings policy: “We believe, through years of experience and professionalism, that it is essential to our school’s climate that we set a standard of expectation and decorum.”

They denied that they acted because leggings distract boys, as has been alleged by some parents.

“The notion that girls’ clothing affects the way boys learn is not, and never will be, our message,” the statement said.

However, parents who’ve attended school meetings, and students who dislike the policy, seem most troubled by an inconsistency in enforcement. They claim that some girls are “dress-coded” more than others, perhaps because they are more physically developed. They say, for example, that they have heard comments such as, “If you were smaller, you could wear this, and it would be fine.”

“I’ve also seen skinny, smaller girls walking around in leggings every week and never, ever getting caught for it,” says Kate Green, a seventh-grader at Haven who concedes that she probably fits that category herself.

She’s had warnings, she said, but never more than that, when other girls have had to

put their gym shorts over their outfits if they’re in dress-code violation.

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Room Charlie’s Buddy Hunters (HD) Hunters (HD) Addict (HD) Addict (HD) Addict (HD) Addict (HD) Hunters (HD) Hunters (N) A Sale of Two Cities (N) Addict (HD) Pawn Stars Pawn Stars Pawn Stars Pawn Stars Pawn Stars Pawn Stars Vikings: Boneless (N) (:02) Vikings: Boneless Pawn Stars Law & Order: Criminal Intent: Gone Law & Order: Criminal Intent: Col- Law & Order: Criminal Intent: Criminal Minds: The Perfect Storm Criminal Minds: Psychodrama Bank Criminal Minds Grandmaster suspect. (HD) lective “Crypt club” ball. (HD) Stress Position (HD) Murders recorded. (HD) robber exposed. (HD) (HD) Wife Swap: Bailey; Downs Worka- The Ugly Truth (‘09, Comedy) Katherine Heigl. A producer reluctantly Fool’s Gold (‘08, Adventure) aac Matthew McConaughey. A beach (:02) The Ugly holic mom. follows a womanizing correspondent’s advice on seduction. (HD) bum searches for lost treasure. (HD) Truth (‘09) (HD) Sponge Sam & Cat Instant (N) Dad Run (N) Full Hse Full Hse Full Hse Full Hse Friends (:36) Friends (:12) Friends Cops (HD) Cops (HD) Cops (HD) Cops (HD) Impact Wrestling (N) (HD) Ink Master (HD) Cops (HD) (6:30) The Day After Tomorrow (‘04, Drama) Dennis Quaid. A climatolo- Red Riding Hood (‘11, Fantasy) aa Amanda Seyfried. Lady has two suitors, and village learns Red: Werewolf Hunter (‘10, Horror) gist tries to warn the world about a cataclysmic shift in climate. treaty with werewolf has been violated. ac Felicia Day. (HD) Seinfeld: The Family Guy Am- Family Guy Family Guy The Big Bang The Big Bang The Big Bang The Big Bang Conan Tracy Morgan; Judy Greer; The Pete Holmes Wait Out (HD) nesia.

Dating danger.

Theory (HD) Theory (HD) Theory (HD) Theory (HD) Broken Bells performs. (N) (HD) Show (N) (6:30) Lassie Come Home (‘43, Fam- Flesh and the Devil (‘26, Drama) aaac John Gilbert. A beautiful woman Grand Hotel (‘32, Drama) aaac Greta Garbo. The lives of various Mutiny on the ily) aaa Roddy McDowall. becomes a widow when her husband is killed by her lover. guests at Berlin’s Grand Hotel become intertwined.

Bounty (‘35) American Gypsy Wedding (HD) American Gypsy Wedding (HD) American Gypsy Wedding (N) Gypsy Sisters (HD) American Gypsy Wedding (HD) Sisters (HD) Castle: The Fast and the Furriest Gi- Castle: The Lives of Others Castle (:01) Castle: The Squab and the Quail (:02) Castle: Still Beckett steps on a (:03) Hawaii Five-0: Pilot Hawaiian Hawaii Five-0: ant footprints. (HD) broken leg. (HD) Jealous Castle. (HD) bomb. (HD) task force. (HD) Ohana (HD) Dumbest Base jumpers.

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Temperatures continue to rise on ‘Hell’s Kitchen’

BY KEVIN MCDONOUGH There was a time when shows that ended in April were goners. That seems to be the case for “The Crazy Ones” (9 p.m., CBS, TV-14). Rather than herald this as your last chance to see Robin Williams’ antics until September, the network has left “Crazy” on the curb like last week’s recycling, bookended by repeats of “The Big Bang Theory” and “NCIS.” Over on NBC, “Community” (8 p.m., TV-PG) ends its fifth season with the gang on a historical scavenger hunt.

NBC renewed it at the last minute last May for a limited 13-episode run this year. The decision had all the hallmarks of one last chance.

“Parenthood” (10 p.m., NBC, TV-PG) also wraps up its fifth season. It’s at best a toss-up for renewal, but I would guess that NBC will give it another shot — much in the same way the network let the prestigious “Friday Night Lights” endure.

ABC’s decision to end “Scandal” (10 p.m., TV-14) so early is a real headscratcher. It’s a popular show with a rabid fan base. ABC has even used other shows, like “Trophy Wife,” to hype “Scandal.” Creator Shonda Rhimes is the only guest on tonight’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (11:35 p.m., ABC), where she’ll discuss the series.

The show was AWOL during the Olympic Winter Games and has come back, but now it’s concluding with a big Election Day shocker. That’s the kind of episode networks used to roll out at the end of May to wrap up the season with a bang.

So, if “Scandal” is so hot, why end the season early?

• It’s no secret that cable television has embraced tales of hardy survivors

son’s 2012 romantic fantasy “Moonrise Kingdom” (9 p.m., HBO Family).

SERIES NOTES On two episodes of “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC, TV-14): Cristina keeps her emotions under wraps (8 p.m., r), and prepares for a big speech (9 p.m.) * Strange dreams plague Stefan and Elena on “The Vampire Diaries” (8 p.m., CW, TV-14) * Jane Lynch hosts “Hollywood Game Night” (9 p.m., NBC, TV-14) * Mary’s brother arrives on “Reign” (9 p.m., CW, TV-14) * An oil rig explodes on “NCIS” (10 p.m., CBS, r, TV-14).

FOX BROADCASTING

Chef Gordon Ramsay, center, directs the Red Team on tonight’s episode of “Hell’s Kitchen” airing at 8 p.m. on FOX. living in remote and forbidding places — folks who don’t so much have to prepare for doomsday, but move to environments where the lack of vigilance invites disaster. National Geographic’s “Life Below Zero” (9 p.m., TV-14), which enters its second season, tells such tales.

Most startling is the woman who maintains a supply depot on the fringes of an Arctic void. She spends nine months a year entirely alone, except for the grizzly bears that invade her property and her nightmares, like the zombies on “The Walking Dead.” We watch her sharpen her marksman skills as she recounts one bear attack that nearly killed her.

What we don’t discover is why anyone would live in such a frozen, forbidding, unforgiving and isolated location.

signs blame (8 p.m.); games prove revealing (8:30 p.m.).

• The battle for team leader heats up on “Hell’s Kitchen” (8 p.m. Fox, TV-14).

• Tales of comeuppance arrive on “Karma’s a B-tch” (8 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., ID, TV-14), now in its second season with host Steve Schirripa.

• April takes over Andy’s schedule on “Parks and Recreation” (8:30 p.m., NBC, TV-PG).

• Frankie’s dream date finds another on “Surviving Jack” (9:30 p.m., Fox, TV14).

• Portents abound as Aslaug gives birth on “Vikings” (10 p.m., History, TV14).

• Carrie’s brother arrives with a new love interest on “Portlandia” (10 p.m., IFC, TV-14).

TONIGHT’S OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

CULT CHOICE

• On two episodes of “The Big Bang Theory” (CBS, r, TV-PG): Sheldon as-

Runaway tweens encounter an island of eccentrics in director Wes Ander-

LATE NIGHT Colin Firth appears on “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart” (11 p.m., Comedy Central, r) * Tracy Morgan, Judy Greer and Broken Bells appear on “Conan” (11 p.m., TBS) * Brooklyn Decker, Michael Yo, Loni Love and Matt Braunger are booked on “Chelsea Lately” (11 p.m., E!) * Jane Goodall is on “The Colbert Report” (11:30 p.m., Comedy Central, r) * TGT is booked on “The Arsenio Hall Show” (syndicated, r, check local listings) * Billy Crystal, Tony Hale and Liv Warfield are on “Late Show With David Letterman” (11:35 p.m., CBS, r) * Jimmy Fallon welcomes Michelle Obama, Will Ferrell and Arcade Fire on “The Tonight Show” (11:35 p.m., NBC, r) * Kathie Lee Gifford, Hoda Kotb, Kyle MacLachlan and Karmin visit “Late Night With Seth Meyers” (12:35 a.m., NBC, r) * Craig Ferguson hosts Kevin Bacon and Andy Hendrickson on “The Late Late Show” (12:35 a.m., CBS).

Copyright 2014, United Feature Syndicate

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THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2014

RELIGION

Remember to prepare yourself spiritually for Holy Week events

“I

and the lackadaisical believer will t’s Holy Week, isn’t it?” miss the spiritual depth of the holiday It’s the question I asked entirely, especially if he or she arrives my husband as I jumped in five minutes late to the annual Easter the car to go to church this egg hunt. past Sunday, or Palm Sunday. We No wonder so many believers arrive were running late for church because, at church on Easter morn, spiritually after a breakfast disaster, my son stymied. They haven’t allowed themneeded his second bath in 10 hours. selves the opportunity to celebrate or It’s hard to get a good focus on things, revere the holiday. There is no especially worship, when anticipation, no remembrance of you are hastily scrubbing the events that, to most believers, blueberry stains from a endowed their spiritual freedom. toddler’s cheeks, shoulders They do not recall the crushing and legs. agony of the crucifixion or the I immediately felt guilty elation of a savior, raised from after I posed the question, the dead. The stories that have which I had framed in the created the foundation of their same tone that I use to inquire about how much Faith Matters faith have been diminished and compartmentalized so that they milk we have in the fridge.

JAMIE H. can make room for the brighter, The series of revered holiWILSON more pastel activities of the seadays hadn’t warranted son. very much spiritual In my rush Sunday morning, I thought in my mind up to made a pledge that next year I would this point. Sure, the new clothes had do better. I made a reminder on my been bought and the Easter basket online calendar weeks ahead that goodies were secured, but my spirituwould remind me of the upcoming al preparation for the holiday had holidays. Yes, next year, I’ll really been wanting.

With the pomp, pageantry and prep- work at it.

Perhaps it was the thought that I aration of holidays such as Easter, it’s could opt out this year’s commemorahard to focus on the spiritual core of tion that made my pledge so attracthe celebration. Throw in a hectic tive. That’s the way a lot of believers work schedule and a couple of kids,

think: When spiritual preparation isn’t there, you can simply excuse yourself from the proceedings. It’s a lie that so many of us believe. We have, dare I say, a spiritual obligation to remember and commemorate the events of our faith. I’m not talking about making sure you are in church on Easter Sunday or Maundy Thursday or Good Friday. It’s not so we can tick off a box on our list of “Good Christian” activities. We revere these most holy of holidays so we can be reminded of the sacrifice that was made and the love that was shown. It’s about breaking from the distractions of everyday life to reconnect oneself with the events of the faith.

It’s particularly hard for those of us who are crushed between a willingness to grow spiritually and a sense of obligation to our busy schedules. We must learn to take time for our spiritual preparation.

Still, there is hope for the chronically distracted.

Right now, you can make a decision to celebrate Holy Week. You can forego the Easter basket and candy or not; that’s a minor point. Be intentional this year as you celebrate the history of your faith.

Email Jamie H. Wilson @ faithmatterssumter@gmail.com.

THE SUMTER ITEM

RELIGION BRIEFS FROM ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORTS

President says no immigration fix planned WASHINGTON — President Obama has told religious leaders that he has no plans to make unilateral changes to the nation’s immigration laws.

That’s according to the Rev. Luis Cortes, president of the Hispanic faith-based organization Esperanza. He was among six religious leaders who met with Obama in the Oval Office on Tuesday. Wesleyan, Baptist and Mormon leaders also were there.

Cortes said Obama told them that “he would not be doing anything to change the law as it currently exists.”

Police end Muslim surveillance program NEW YORK — The New York Police Department said it has disbanded a special unit whose efforts to try to detect terror threats in Muslim communities through secret surveillance sparked outrage.

The NYPD confirmed the decision on Tuesday.

The surveillance program by the NYPD Intelligence Division had come under fire by community activists who accused the department of abusing civil rights.

RELIGION

THE SUMTER ITEM

Sunrise service at Swan Lake

BY JADE REYNOLDS jade@theitem.com (803) 774-1250 While it’s a tradition for many churches to hold their own Easter sunrise service, many groups come together to put one on for the city of Sumter.

This year’s event will begin at 7 a.m.

Sunday at Swan Lake-Iris Gardens, 822 W. Liberty St. “Easter sunrise service celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ who died on a Roman cross after being accused of sedition and blasphemy by religious authorities,” said Chaplain Kenneth Smith, manager of Tuomey Healthcare System Pastoral Care Department. “Easter sunrise service replaced the ancient observance of the Easter Vigil in the early 18th century.

The service commonly is held outdoors or in parks where participants sit on outdoor chairs or benches.”

Under his leadership, Tuomey Chaplaincy Service Department has worked with the Sumter Ministerial Alliance’s president Diane Hodgson and the Sumter Concerned Clergy’s George P. Windley Jr., as well as other community religious leaders, to plan and put on this service.

Swan Lake Presbyterian Church, under the pastoral leadership of Ken Thomas, led the Sumter community in the annual observance for many years until 2007 when the Sumter Ministerial Alliance, under the guidance of Presley Sumter First Church of the Nazarene, and Dan Nicholas, Heritage Fellowship Church, was asked to coordinate the annual program, Smith said. From 2009 until 2012, the Sumter Ministerial Alliance and the Tuomey Chaplaincy Service Department planned and organized the event.

For more information, contact Smith at Kenneth.smith@tuomey.com.

THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2014

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Jews gather for Passover seder

BY JADE REYNOLDS jade@theitem.com (803) 774-1250 It’s a time of remembering and celebrating miracles.

About 30 people joined together Tuesday at Temple Sinai to celebrate Passover by eating the seder — a symbolic meal — singing, participating in responsive reading and visiting with each other.

The ceremony centers on the Haggadah, or “the telling” of the Israelites’ escape from slavery in Egypt.

“It’s a sacred occasion,” said Rabbi Sanford Marcus. “It’s the story of our people.”

A piece of parsley was dipped into saltwater before eating it — a reminder of when Moses parted the Red Sea so the Israelites could step through on dry ground, Marcus said.

“We are very thankful they got through free or we wouldn’t be here as Jews today,” he said. “It could have been different.

We could have not been freed from Egypt, or we may not have been able to cross at the Sea of Reeds or the Red Sea. The Egyptians may not have been slain, or we could have died of thirst or hunger in the wilderness. We could have never reached the promised land. It would have been enough if one of these miracles had happened, but we are really, really fortunate they all did.”

MATT WALSH / THE SUMTER ITEM

Rabbi Sanford Marcus reads over the Passover feast on Tuesday night at Temple Sinai.

Other traditions hold that the saltwater is the tears the Israelites cried in slavery.

A lamb shank bone was displayed to represent the sacrificed animal whose blood was smeared on the Israelites’ door frames so that the Angel of Death would pass over their homes during the plague of the death of the firstborn.

From three pieces of matzoh, unleavened bread, one is broken and a piece of it hidden. The Israelites had to leave in the middle of the night, so they did not have time for the flour to be leavened and rise.

“They mixed water with flour and laid it on the back of their animals to bake in the sun,” Marcus said.

The hidden piece is called afikomen, and the group sang a song about it. The children search for it near the end of the ceremony, and the one that finds it gets a prize.

“Some things are hidden and not known to us,” Marcus said.

A bite of matzoh is also broken off and dipped in horseradish to represent the bitterness of slavery.

Children also play a role in looking for the prophet Elijah. A cup is set aside for him, and a door is opened to let him in.

“Elijah opens for us the realm of mystery and wonder,” Marcus said.

“When Elijah the prophet left this Earth, he didn’t do it like most do. He was taken up in a fiery chariot

and has never come back, as far as we know.”

This was the rabbi’s first time with the Sumter congregation.

“It’s delightful,” he said.

For others, it’s a tradition to celebrate at Temple Sinai.

“I’ve lived here all my life, and I’ve been here for every Passover,” Bari Pareles said. “It’s important to teach my kids the tradition.”

She and her husband, Robert, had come with their three children, ranging in age from 11 to 15.

“I love it,” said Bennett Denemark, who was there with his wife, Marlene. “I love to get together and see everybody.”

It was actually the second day in an eight-day observance of Passover.

CHURCH NEWS Allen Chapel AME Church, 471 Lynam Road, announces: * Sunday — Sunrise service at 6 a.m. with St. Mark United Methodist Church at Allen Chapel.

Lord’s Supper will be held at 7 a.m.

The youth will hold a resurrection program at 8 a.m. followed by a fellowship breakfast. Sunday school and 10 a.m. worship will not be held.

Andrews Chapel United Methodist Church, H.T. Everett Road, Pinewood, announces:

Church of Christ, 313 Mooneyham Road, announces:

* Sunday, April 27 — Homecoming service at 11 a.m. Covered dish lunch will follow worship.

* Sunday, April 27 — Pastor’s anniversary celebration for the Rev. James and Sister Ann Clark at 4 p.m.

Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, 2571 Joseph Lemon-Dingle Road, Jordan community, Manning, announces: * Sunday — Easter services as follows: 6 a.m. sunrise service followed by breakfast; 9 a.m. church school; and 10 a.m. Easter program.

Clark United Methodist Church, 2980 U.S. 401 N., Oswego Highway, announces: * Sunday — Easter worship and program at 11 a.m.

Community Church of Praise, 562 S. Pike Road, announces: * Friday — Good Friday service.

Antioch United Methodist Church, 4040 Dubose Siding Road, announces: * Sunday — Pack the pew fundraiser in conjunction with the adult ministry’s spring jubilee at 4 p.m. Deacon Hosea Session and the Messengers will provide music.

Concord Baptist Church, 1885 Myrtle Beach Highway, announces: * Sunday — Easter services: 7 a.m. sunrise service; 8:45 a.m. Sunday school; and 10 a.m. worship.

Corinth Missionary Baptist Church, 25 Community St., announces:

Bethel AME Church, 218 E. Calhoun St., announces:

* Sunday — Easter worship at 10:30 a.m.

* Sunday — Sunrise service at 6 a.m. at Union Station AME Church, South Main Street.

* Wednesday-Friday, April 30-May 2 — Revival at 7 nightly.

Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, 4319 Rowe Drive, Summerton, announces: * Today and Friday — Revival at 7 nightly. * Sunday — Sunrise service. Sunday school will begin at 6 a.m. followed by 7 a.m. worship. Breakfast will be served.

Canaan Missionary Baptist Church, 774 Douglas Ave., announces: * Saturday — Easter egg hunt 1-3 p.m. * Sunday — Sunrise service at 6:30 a.m.

Cedar Grove Missionary Baptist Church, 1275 Oswego Highway, announces: * Sunday — Sunrise service at 6 a.m. Youth Easter at 4 p.m. * Sunday, April 27 — Family and friends day at 11 a.m.

Chapel AME Church, McLeod Road, Paxville, announces: * Saturday-Sunday, April 26-27 — Gospel Jubilees of Sumter anniversary celebration: 6 p.m. Saturday at Chapel AME, doors open at 5 p.m.; and 4 p.m. Sunday at Marvin Hodge Life Enrichment Center, 609 Miller Road, Sumter, doors open at 3 p.m. On the program: Spiritual Caravans; Committed; and many others.

Chapel Hill Baptist Church, 8749 Old Highway Six, Santee, announces: * Sunday — Resurrection Sunday worship and administering of the

Cross Road / St. Peter, 845 Webb St., announces: * Friday — Good Friday service at 7 p.m. * Sunday — Sunrise service at 6 a.m.

Dalzell United Methodist Church, 3330 Black River Road, Dalzell, announces: * Friday-Saturday, April 25-26 — The play “A Night in the Theatre” will be presented at 7 p.m. both days in the fellowship hall. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 per person or $18 per couple.

Call (803) 499-5190.

Ebenezer AME Church, 119 E. Sumter St., Mayesville, announces: * Sunday, April 27 — Family and friends day. Church school begins at 9 a.m. followed by 10:15 a.m. worship and program.

Emmanuel United Methodist Church, 421 S. Main St., announces: * Sunday — Sunrise service at 6 a.m. at Mount Zion United Methodist Church, Loring Mill Road.

Children’s program at 11:30 a.m. * Sunday, April 27 — Friends and family day. Sunday school will begin at 10 a.m. followed by 11:30 a.m. worship.

Fellowship Baptist Church, 705 W. Huggins St., Manning, announces: * Monday-Wednesday, April 28-30 — Revival at 7:30 nightly.

Fellowship Outreach Ministries, 1981 Florence Highway, announces:

* Friday and Sunday — Soul revival at 7:30 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. Sunday. * Sunday, April 27 — Pastor France Washington will speak at 3 p.m.

First Presbyterian Church (USA), 9 W. Calhoun St., announces: * Today, Friday and Sunday — 6 p.m. today, Maundy Thursday service, fellowship hall (casual worship); 7 p.m. Good Friday service (Tennebrae — a service of shadows), sanctuary; and 9:30 a.m.

Easter Sunday, gather for fellowship and hospitality on west center lawn followed by 10:30 a.m. worship in the sanctuary. Childcare provided. Email info@fpcsumter.org or call (803) 773-3814.

Freedom Worship Pentecostal Holiness Church, 1490 Florence Highway, announces: * Friday — Sheppard Ministries will present a gospel singing at 7 p.m. featuring the Sims Family, the Singing Sheppard’s and others.

Doors open at 6 p.m. * Saturday — Easter egg hunt and cookout at 4 p.m. All ages. Prizes will be given to the person in each age group who finds the most eggs. Every egg will have a small prize inside.

lees of Sumter anniversary program at 4 p.m. Doors open at 3 p.m. On the program: New Boys; Justify; Southern Six; and others.

Manning Road, announces:

Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 325 Fulton St., announces:

* Friday, April 25 — Engage ladies Bible study at 7 p.m.

* Sunday — Sunrise worship celebration with Salem Missionary Baptist Church at 6 a.m. at Mount Zion. Easter celebration will be held at 10:45 a.m.

Reid Chapel AME Church, 1008 Dibert St., announces:

* Sunday, April 27 — Women’s day / women’s ministry anniversary worship celebration at 10:45 a.m.

Mount Zion United Methodist Church, 130 Loring Mill Road, announces: * Sunday — Sunrise service at 6 a.m.

Mulberry Missionary Baptist Church, 1400 Mulberry Church Road, announces: * Sunday — Sunrise service at 6 a.m. * Monday-Wednesday, April 21-23 — Youth Revival at 7 nightly.

Speakers vary. * Sunday, April 27 — Women’s day service at 10:45 a.m.

New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, 3249 U.S. 15 S., announces:

* Sunday, April 27 — Ninth pastoral anniversary celebration of Pastor and Deacon Hill at 5 p.m.

* Saturday, April 26 — Health fair featuring: 8 a.m. walk; glucose stick; blood pressure; cholesterol screenings; items for purchase (fruits, vegetables, other healthy products); and activities for children. Breakfast and lunch will be served.

High Hills Missionary Baptist Church, 6750 Meeting House Road, Dalzell, announces:

New Israel Missionary Baptist Church, 5330 Old Camden Highway, Dalzell, announces:

* Sunday — Sunrise service at 6:30 a.m. followed by Sunday school and worship service.

* Sunday — The Lord’s Supper and Easter / Resurrection worship will be held at 1 p.m.

Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, 182 S. Pike East, announces: * Friday — Good Friday worship service at 7 p.m.

* Sunday, April 27 — Women’s day program during 10:15 a.m. worship.

Hip-Hop Church Experience announces: * Today — A Hip Hop 4-LIFE, Jesus, Justice and Community Street Movement service at 7:30 p.m. at Econo Lodge, 226 N. Washington St. Meets every Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

Jehovah Missionary Baptist Church, 803 S. Harvin St., announces: * Friday — Good Friday worship at noon. Various speakers. Praise jam will be held at 8 p.m.

Newlight Baptist Church, 4390 Moses Dingle Road, Summerton, announces: * Sunday — Family and friends day at 3:30 p.m.

New Salem Baptist Church, 2500 W. Oakland Ave., announces: * Sunday — Easter schedule: 8 a.m., outside remembrance service; 8:15 a.m. celebration service; 9:30 a.m. communion; and 9:45 a.m., fellowship brunch. No Sunday school or evening service.

Orangehill Independent Methodist Church, 3005 S. King Highway, Wedgefield, announces:

Joshua Baptist Church, 5200 Live Oak Road, Dalzell, announces:

* Sunday — Easter worship at 9 a.m.

* Sunday — Easter services as follows: 6:30 a.m. sunrise service; 9 a.m. church school; and 10 a.m.

Easter program and worship.

Pinewood Baptist Church, S.C. 261, Pinewood, announces:

* Sunday, April 27 — Praise dance ministry anniversary celebration at 4 p.m.

Marvin Hodge Life Enrichment Center, 609 Miller Road, announces: * Sunday, April 27 — Gospel Jubi-

* Sunday — Easter services: 7:15 a.m. sunrise service; 7:45 a.m. breakfast; 9 a.m. Sunday school; and 10 a.m. worship service. Nursery provided. Call (803) 452-5373 or visit www.pinewoodbaptist.org.

Providence Baptist Church, 2445 Old

* Sunday — Sunrise service at 8 a.m. * Monday, April 21 — Widow’s luncheon at 11 a.m. at the church.

* Today and Friday — Holy Week service at 7 nightly.

Salem Missionary Baptist Church, 320 W. Fulton St., announces: * Sunday — Easter service at 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. worship.

St. James AME Church, 180 W. Fulton Manning Road, Pinewood, announces: * Friday — Good Friday “Seven Last Words” service at 7:30 p.m.

Various speakers.

St. John United Methodist Church, 136 Poinsett Drive, announces: * Today-Sunday — Holy Week services as follows: 7 p.m. today, scripture reading, Holy Communion, service of Tenebrae or “Darkness” and closing with stripping of the altar; 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, 12 hour prayer vigil, prayer books and soft music in the sanctuary; 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Easter egg hunt at Crosswell Park for children from toddlers to fifth grade (must all be accompanied by adult); 6:30 a.m. Sunday, April 20, sunrise service in front of the church (weather permitting) followed by breakfast (sign up to attend breakfast), and at 10:50 a.m. traditional Easter service with “He Is Risen!” Easter cantata.

St. Mary — Our Lady of Hope Catholic Parish announces: * Today-Sunday — Holy Week and Easter Mass Schedule for Catholic churches in Manning, Summerton and Santee as follows: 7 p.m. today, mass of the Lord’s Supper at Our Lady of Hope Church, 2529 Raccoon Road, Manning; 3 p.m.

Good Friday, Celebration of the Lord’s Passion at St. Ann’s Church, 2205 State Park Road, Santee; 8 p.m. Saturday, Easter Vigil at Our Lady of Hope Church; 7 a.m. Easter Sunday service at St. Mary’s Church, 12 N. Canty St., Summerton; 9 a.m. Easter Sunday service at Our Lady of Hope Church; and 11 a.m. Easter Sunday service at St. Ann’s Church.

St. Matthews Missionary Baptist Church, 1126 St. Matthew Lane, Manning, announces: * Sunday, April 27 — Family and friends day at 2 p.m.

Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, 155 Wall St., announces: * Saturday — Easter egg hunt 10 a.m.-1 p.m. * Sunday — Easter services: 6:30 a.m. sunrise service; 7:30 a.m. breakfast; 8:30 a.m. youth Easter presentations; and 10 a.m. Easter worship.

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LOCAL

THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2014

THE SUMTER ITEM Lakewood High School social studies teacher Mike Carraher leads an economics experiment on Tuesday.

TEACHERS FROM PAGE A1 The lack of male teachers in the classroom is a common issue nationwide. According to the National Education Association, only 23.7 percent of teachers in the country and 18.2 percent of teachers in South Carolina are males.

Various organizations, the NEA included, are advocates for getting males into the classroom — specifically at the elementary-school level, where they’re lacking the most nationwide.

In recent years, men haven’t considered the teaching profession or teaching at the elementary-school level for a few reasons, including salary, the stigma that teaching is a woman’s profession and fears of false allegations.

However, organizations such as Call Me MISTER, MenTeach and Teaching That Makes Sense are advocates for getting males back into the classroom at an elementary school level to introduce students to successful males and give a different perspective in the learning experience.

“Males bring the role model aspect to the classroom. Their teaching style is not necessarily different, but they provide a positive male figure for students,” said Superintendent Frank Baker.

Many of the male teachers in Sumter School District agreed that they do give students a positive male figure they can look up to, which is something some Sumter students don’t have in their lives. Kingsbury’s Leroy Steigerwalt said many of his students don’t have a father figure, and he knows they look up to him in that manner because they refer to him casually as “dad” or “pops.”

“We live in a society where children are growing up without a male role

TRIAL FROM PAGE A1 calling him and sending him letters from prison. While the letters and phone calls discussed several topics, Mellette said the main point was clear: Dargan wanted Marcus’ younger brother, Bernard Mellette, to change certain elements of his testimony to law enforcement.

“He (Bernard) is the key witness,” one of the letters reads. “Without him, there is no case.”

That testimony was reiterated earlier Wednesday by Bernard, who at the stand said he received a phone call from Dargan in the late, late hours of Dec. 8, 2012, in which he was asked to pick up Helton from Dingle Street.

Bernard said he followed Dargan’s directions to meet up with Helton at the El Cheapo on South Guignard Drive, but when he arrived, Helton wasn’t there. After a series of phone calls, he found Helton still grossly intoxicated and arguing with Scott on Dingle Street, several blocks away from the home where the argument started.

Bernard said he then took Helton to a friend’s house where Dargan and several others were playing cards.

On the way to the Lincoln Street home, Bernard said he saw a dark van with white writing on the side come from the direction of where Scott was shot and pass him on the road at a high rate of speed.

Once he arrived with Helton at their destination, Bernard said he saw Dargan get out of a van similar to the one he saw pass him earlier.

According to both Mellette brothers, it was these points that Dargan allegedly wanted changed.

“He told me to not mention ever being on Dingle Street,” Bernard said, “that I didn’t pick up Shonta (Helton) and that I didn’t see her arguing with Mario (Scott) before he was killed.”

But Bernard, reportedly urged by his older brother to tell the truth, ended his testimony for the prosecution with a definitive statement.

“The last time I saw (Scott) alive was when he was arguing with Shonta Helton on the sidewalk,” Bernard said.

During cross examination, Murphy argued there was a difference in the color of the van as reported by Bernard, who said he thought it was burgundy, though the

MATT WALSH / THE SUMTER ITEM

model. I know some of my students have fathers who are incarcerated, or they’ve never met them, or they see them sometimes,” Steigerwalt said.

According to Sumter School District, they have a total of 1,604 certified teachers — 294 of them are males, and many of them are at a middleschool or high-school level. Baker said they work with Morris College and the Call Me MISTER program when looking to fill teaching positions in the district.

Mike Carraher, a social studies teacher and soccer coach at Lakewood High School, said high school seemed like a better fit for him, but he can still be a positive image for his students.

“I work with a lot of the young guys, and they need a role model. These students are from different backgrounds,

van in the photo evidence submitted by the solicitor’s office was dark blue.

That van belonged to Clinton Odell Roberts Jr., a customer of Dargan who lent the drug dealer a van on the night of Scott’s death as a substituted drug payment.

The navy blue 2000 Chrysler minivan with “Wilson’s Medical Transport” written on both sides was Roberts’ work vehicle, and according to the admitted former crack cocaine addict, Dargan returned the vehicle between 3 and 5 a.m. on Dec. 9 and was visibly distraught.

“He didn’t seem like himself,” Roberts said. “He was anxious and shaken.”

Murphy suggested the vehicle was used to make a drug delivery during Roberts’ cross examination, and Roberts said that’s what he thought Dargan was doing.

The trial resumes today at 9:15 a.m.

and they’re at a different developmental level, and it’s a totally different world,” Carraher said. “But they need leadership and a strong sense of stability.”

Lee Gandy, who teaches at Alice Drive Middle School, said he decided to be a teacher after working with youth at his church. He said he advised them to do something they really enjoy, and he eventually took his own advice by deciding to teach. His interest was in teaching middle school or high school, but his first opportunity in a classroom was in front of a group of third-graders — an experience he said he was nervous about and was quite different from being in front of middle-school students.

Because of the contrast that he knows all so well, Gandy said he has

an idea of why male educators choose middle and high school.

“With elementary school, they need more nurturing,” Gandy said. “But it’s the male mentality, though, because we relate a little more to the older group.”

Gandy, however, agrees that it’s important to introduce students to positive male figures at the elementaryschool level because they’re very impressionable, and at that age, it’s important to shape how students feel about school.

“For students, elementary is where they figure out if they like school or not. Going from elementary to middle, they either love it or hate it once they’re here,” Gandy said. “But at an elementary level, you can have an impact on their school experience.”

FIRES FROM PAGE A1

JADE REYNOLDS / THE SUMTER ITEM

Two firefighters put out flames in the 1000 block of Marylin Avenue. The home was a total loss, but the individual was not home, so there were no injuries.

control it. The property damage is pretty significant.”

With an estimated $45,000 loss in structure and an additional $5,000 loss in content, the 1,400-square-foot singlefamily wood-frame structure was considered a total loss, he said.

The suspected cause was confirmed by fire investigators, Duggan said.

One of the men living in the home told firefighters he had been having issues with the breaker box and heard the breaker trip before he saw the spark.

Two other individuals live in the home but were out at the time of the fire, and Duggan said firefighters were able to save a pet rabbit.

The American Red Cross responded to both fires and is assisting both families.

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

THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 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

Erasing the race card W

ASHINGTON — One approaches the race fray with trepidation, but here we go, tippy-toe.

The race cards have been flying so fast and furious lately, one can hardly tell the kings from the queens.

Leading the weird lately has been Democratic Alabama state Rep. Alvin Holmes, who called Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina “Uncle Toms.” Holmes, who has also said that it’s fine by him if men want to marry mules and, while we’re exorcising demons, that white people are only pro-life until their daughter gets pregnant by a black man.

When Mark Childress wrote “Crazy in Alabama,” he wasn’t just whistling Dixie!

Holmes is a one-man book of quotes, but a particular statement got him in trouble. Not the Uncle Tom reference, but his offer of $100,000 to anyone who could show him that “a bunch of whites” had adopted black babies in Alabama.

His offer, which subsequently had to be modified, produced hundreds of mixed-race family photos posted to a website, “Faces of Families,” from Alabama and several other states. A statehouse rally of mixedrace, adoptive families also ensued.

Holmes apparently has not been moved to retract his original stateKathleen ments.

Parker No one denies that there are racists roaming the byways of Alabama — as elsewhere. But this doesn’t translate to all whites being racists, as Holmes implied, nor does it justify slinging racial slurs at African-Americans who don’t tow the party line. What can be more racist than insisting that all blacks think only a certain way?

That Scott and Thomas are conservatives who happen to be black earns them only contempt from what might be called “establishment blacks” — people whose identities have become so entrenched in past grievance that they can’t or won’t see that they have become what they loathed. History is littered with episodes of anti-establishment protesters becoming the new bureaucrats, victims the new oppressors.

To insist that Thomas and Scott are serving their white masters is above all a racist remark. The truth is, far more courage is required to be a black conservative than to foment outrage against manufactured heresy.

What’s merely crazy in Alabama is cognitively dissonant in Washington, which, you may recall, is home to a president and an attorney general who both happen to be African-American. Speaking recently at the 2014 convention of the Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network, a nonprofit civil rights organization, Eric Holder said that he and President Obama have faced “unwarranted, ugly and divisive adversity.”

“What attorney general has ever had to deal with that kind of treatment?” Holder said. “What president has ever had to deal with that kind of treatment?”

How much time do you have?

Holder later denied making a race reference, saying he was only referring to the decline in civility.

True, Holder didn’t say anything specifically racial — he’s far too smart for that — but aren’t we too smart to believe race isn’t what he meant? Inference isn’t a science, but the preponderance of evidence (the involvement of Sharpton; a largely AfricanAmerican audience; the mention only of two black leaders, and not leadership in general, suffering incivility) suggests that only a fig would miss his point.

Do some Americans dislike Holder and/or Obama because they’re African-American? Undoubtedly.

Does this explain why the president and the attorney general have been criticized? No. Could it have something to do with dissatisfaction in the direction they’re taking the country? Most certainly.

Holder cannot pretend that his conduct of the attorney general’s office is in question only on account of his skin tone. In a provocative observation, Fox News’ Brit Hume remarked that, contrarily, Obama and Holder have been given a pass precisely because they are African-American. Indeed, Obama said something similar not long ago, noting that no doubt some people dislike him because he’s black and, equally plausible, some give him a pass because he’s black.

Given that most blacks are Democrats, it is hardly surprising that they support the president. Likewise, it is hardly surprising that Republicans do not. But the latter cannot be construed as evidence that whites are racist or that their opposition to the current administration is race-based.

It is striking that during what many had hoped would be a post-racial America, racial division has been amplified, owing not least to sustained media attention. Then again, maybe we’re experiencing the final death rattle of our racist past. Perhaps all those suppressed thoughts and feelings of anger, hurt and frustration had to rise to the surface before they finally could be eradicated.

Let’s hope we’re almost done.

Kathleen Parker’s email address is kathleenparker@ washpost.com. © 2014, Washington Post Writers Group

EDITORIAL ROUNDUP Recent editorials from South Carolina newspapers:

The Island Packet April 15

Find a compromise on CBD oil bill this year If they are willing to hammer out a compromise, state lawmakers still have a chance to pass legislation this year that could greatly improve ill South Carolinians’ lives.

Both the House and Senate have passed versions of a bill put forth by Sen. Tom Davis, R-Beaufort, allowing limited access to cannabidiol oil (CBD), a marijuana extract that many have found helps with epilepsy and other conditions. That may include Mary Louise Swing, a 6-year-old who lives in Mount Pleasant and suffers between 20 and 60 seizures an hour despite being on two medications.

The oil, extracted from marijuana plants and administered through a dropper, contains little to no tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the primary psychoactive part of the cannabis plant. So there is no high. But a growing body of research shows it can help those who suffer from severe forms of epilepsy when other medications fail to control their seizures.

“It can be a miracle drug,” said Rep. Jenny Horne, RSummerville, the main sponsor of the House version of the bill.

In late March, the Senate passed Davis’ bill to create a research program for CBD oil to be used as an anti-seizure medication. MUSC would begin CBD oil clinical studies through the program. Only those participating in the trials would receive the drug.

But this version of the bill ran amuck when both the S.C. Medical Association and the State Law Enforcement Division, the state’s top law enforcement agency, raised concerns about the purity of oils not controlled by the Food and Drug Administration.

And others, including Mary Louise’s mother, worried the bill didn’t go far enough. For instance, even if Mary Louise were fortunate enough to be accepted into a clinical trial, she might receive a placebo instead of the drug.

We agree that the Senate version of the bill is so restric-

Thanks to hoodies and loud music in Florida, “stand your ground” laws are under an intense microscope these days.

Depending on personal tastes and sensibilities, the laws are generally viewed as perfectly reasonable or patently ridiculous.

Just to further illustrate the national dissonance, almost exactly half of the states (23) in the nation have a version of “stand your ground” on the books.

In March, state Rep. Harold Mitchell, D-Spartanburg — backed by former law enforcement officials and 17 other cosponsors — introduced a bill to repeal South Carolina’s version of the law.

On the other end of the spec-

trum, the South Carolina Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Thursday passed a measure to expand the law.

The “Pregnant Women’s Protection Act” permits expectant women to use deadly force in defense of an unborn child, beginning at conception.

The state’s current “stand your ground” law states the following: “A person who is not engaged in an unlawful activity and who is attacked in another place where he has a right to be, including, but not limited to, his place of business, has no duty to retreat and has the right to stand his ground and meet force with force, including deadly force, if he reasonably believes it is necessary to prevent death or great bodily injury to himself or another person or to prevent the commission of a violent crime as defined in Section 16-1-60.”

Republican lawmakers say that definition isn’t broad enough to cover mothers-to-be, because it does not protect against a punch to the stomach.

Huh? Sen. Katrina Shealey, R-Lexington, was correct when she argued that no situation exists in which an unborn child would be threatened while the mother is not.

While the threat of violence faced by women, pregnant or not, is very real, especially considering the rate of domestic violence in South Carolina, permitting deadly force against someone who appears to be preparing a punch to the stomach is dubious at best.

More to the point, this “expansion” is just a repetition on the state’s existing “stand your ground” language. It does zilch to actually strengthen existing anti-violence laws. It does not create additional funding for domestic violence service providers, and it does not increase resources to aid people in violent situations.

What it does do, and this is clearly the impetus for this legislative trickery, is grant personhood to fetuses by defining life at conception. We see this as nothing more than another step in the larger, strategic initiative on the part of some lawmakers to chip away at Roe v. Wade.

It’s nothing new. Legislatures across the country have differing interpretations of Roe v.

Wade.

But to back-door the message under the guise of protecting women is wrong.

P.O. Box 1677, Sumter, S.C. 29151, or email to hubert@theitem.com or graham@theitem.com.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR are written by readers of the newspaper. They should be no more than 350 words and sent via e-mail to letters@theitem.com, dropped off at The Sumter Item office, 20 N. Magnolia St. or mailed to The

Sumter Item, P.O. Box 1677, Sumter, S.C. 29151, along with the full name of the writer, plus an address and telephone number for verification purposes only. Letters that exceed 350 words will be cut accordingly in the print edition, but available in their entirety at www.theitem.com/ opinion/letters_to_editor.

tive, it could deny access to the very people it is intended to help.

A better version was overwhelmingly passed by the House earlier this month, allowing people certified by a doctor as suffering from severe epilepsy, or their parents, to go outside of the state to obtain the oil and legally bring it back into South Carolina.

That would ensure S.C. residents like Mary Louise would get the drug and that her caregivers would not run into legal trouble for obtaining it.

We applaud the House’s 90-24 vote to pass the bill.

But now, the hard work begins.

Senators must either agree to the House version or come up with a compromise that a majority in both chambers can agree on. Otherwise, the bill is dead for this session, and South Carolinians are denied access to a potentially life-altering medicine.

Davis, working to get the bill into a version that can pass, said he’s attempting to strike a balance between making it as expansive as possible (to increase patients’ ability to get the oil) and narrow enough so that SLED, the medical association and others don’t oppose it.

We hope that’s possible, and that all stakeholders keep in mind the bill is about saving lives.

It’s worth the effort to pass this year.

The Morning News April 13

‘Stand your ground’ tweak is misguided

EDITORIAL PAGE POLICIES EDITORIALS represent the views of the owners of this newspaper.

COLUMNS AND COMMENTARY are the personal opinion of the writer whose byline appears. Columns from readers should be typed, double-spaced and no more than 850 words.

Send them to The Sumter Item, Opinion Pages,

A10

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THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 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: today, 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, Hobbes will discuss home security; and May 29, Carol Boyd will discuss gardening with herbs.

The Pinedale Neighborhood Association will meet at 4:30 p.m. today at the South HOPE Center, 1125 S. Lafayette Drive. Call Ferdinand Burns at (803) 968-4464 for more information.

The General George L. Mabry Jr. Chapter 817, Military Order of the Purple Heart, will meet at 6 p.m. today at the Elks Lodge, at 1100 W. Liberty St. All Purple Heart recipients and guests are invited for this special election night event.

Call (803) 506-3120.

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 American Legion Auxiliary Women Unit No. 202 BallardBates-Palmer will meet from 3 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 19, at 310 Palmetto St. Call Barbara at (803) 469-7133.

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.

You can make a powerful difference in a child’s future by becoming a volunteer guardian ad litem. Sumter and Lee County guardian ad litem volunteers speak for abused children so they can find safe, loving and stable homes. Whether you are a student, retiree, stayat-home parent or business owner, you can be the one constant in a child’s life as he or she journeys through the

foster care system. Sign up today to attend the free information session scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, April 21, at the Sumter County Library, 111 N. Harvin St. Call Keisha White at (803) 773-9771 or visit www.scgal.org for further details.

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 Sumter County Education Association-Retired will meet at noon Wednesday, April 23, at the North HOPE Center, 904 N. Main St. Joseph Whiting will speak on “Better Choices — Better Health.” Call Brenda Bethune at (803) 469-6588.

The Lincoln High School Preservation Alumni Association will sponsor a dinner fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, April 25, at the Lincoln High School gym, 26 Council St. Cost is $7 per dinner and includes barbecue chicken, rice or baked beans, coleslaw, rolls and a drink. Dine in or take out. Call James L. Green at (803) 968-4173.

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 Lincoln High School Preservation Alumni Association will meet at 4 p.m. Sunday, April 27, at Lincoln High School, Council Street. Presentations will be done for the “Bulldogs” of 2013-14, the Class of 1969. Call James L. Green at (803) 968-4173.

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. Blassingame at (803) 506-4019.

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, chapter president, at DebraCanC2@ frontier.com or (803) 775-5792 to reserve your gala tables.

Call the 24/7 recorded message line at (206) 376-5992 for details.

DAILY PLANNER

THE SUMTER ITEM

WEATHER

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2014

AccuWeather® five-day forecast for Sumter TODAY

TONIGHT

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

Breezy with clouds and sun

Partly cloudy

Mostly cloudy

Warmer with a couple of showers

Partly sunny and nice

Clouds and sunshine

66°

43°

66° / 48°

78° / 50°

76° / 52°

76° / 54°

Chance of rain: 10%

Chance of rain: 15%

Chance of rain: 25%

Chance of rain: 60%

Chance of rain: 10%

Chance of rain: 25%

Winds: NE 10-20 mph

Winds: NE 7-14 mph

Winds: NE 7-14 mph

Winds: NNE 6-12 mph

Winds: ENE 4-8 mph

Winds: SSE 6-12 mph

TODAY’S SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER

Gaffney 64/40 Spartanburg 64/41

Greenville 63/42

Columbia 67/43

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

IN THE MOUNTAINS

Sumter 66/43

Aiken 67/44

ON THE COAST

Charleston 69/50

Today: Clouds and sun, windy and cool with a stray shower. High 64 to 68.

Friday: Mostly cloudy; a shower possible in southern parts. High 66 to 70.

LOCAL ALMANAC

LAKE LEVELS

SUMTER THROUGH 4 P.M. YESTERDAY

Today Hi/Lo/W 64/47/s 58/36/c 68/55/c 61/44/pc 75/57/c 72/57/pc 70/60/c 50/38/s 77/66/t 55/37/s 92/71/s 64/50/pc 55/40/pc

SUN AND MOON 7 a.m. yest.

357.96 75.69 75.10 97.60

24-hr chg -0.27 -0.01 +0.17 +0.38

Sunrise 6:49 a.m.

Moonrise 10:34 p.m.

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

0.33" 0.97" 1.61" 10.64" 11.41" 12.90"

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

58° 36° 75° 49° 90° in 2006 30° 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

Fri. Hi/Lo/W 66/49/c 52/35/pc 75/57/pc 57/36/sh 80/60/c 69/55/pc 74/62/t 54/44/c 76/67/r 58/44/c 86/67/s 62/50/pc 59/46/c

Myrtle Beach 65/48

Manning 68/44

Today: Mostly sunny and cool. Winds eastnortheast 7-14 mph.

Friday: Mostly cloudy and cool. Winds eastnortheast 6-12 mph.

Temperature High Low Normal high Normal low Record high Record low

Florence 64/42

Bishopville 68/43

Sunset Moonset

7:55 p.m.

8:25 a.m.

Last

New

First

Full

Apr. 22

Apr. 29

May 6

May 14

TIDES

Flood 7 a.m. 24-hr stage yest. chg 12 8.31 -0.16 19 5.60 +0.13 14 5.64 -0.26 14 5.88 +3.55 80 79.57 -0.40 24 13.00 +5.13

AT MYRTLE BEACH

Today Fri.

High 11:09 a.m.

11:38 p.m.

11:53 a.m.

---

Ht. 2.9 3.4 2.9 ---

Low 5:58 a.m.

5:57 p.m.

6:44 a.m.

6:43 p.m.

Ht. -0.3 -0.2 -0.2 -0.2

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

Today Hi/Lo/W 62/36/s 65/44/s 68/45/pc 68/53/pc 58/52/c 69/50/pc 62/38/pc 65/44/s 67/43/pc 65/42/pc 57/46/c 64/41/pc 62/41/pc

Fri. Hi/Lo/W 57/40/c 60/44/c 64/45/c 68/53/c 60/53/c 69/52/c 57/44/c 60/48/c 63/47/c 62/48/c 60/49/c 66/49/c 65/49/c

Today City Hi/Lo/W Florence 64/42/pc Gainesville 71/60/sh Gastonia 64/38/pc Goldsboro 61/42/pc Goose Creek 69/50/pc Greensboro 61/39/pc Greenville 63/42/s Hickory 63/38/pc Hilton Head 67/58/pc Jacksonville, FL 70/61/sh La Grange 65/47/pc Macon 68/48/pc Marietta 63/46/s

Fri. Hi/Lo/W 66/49/c 74/57/r 57/46/c 64/48/c 69/52/c 58/46/c 59/45/c 58/44/c 65/59/r 70/55/r 67/43/c 66/45/c 66/47/c

Today City Hi/Lo/W Marion 63/39/s Mt. Pleasant 68/50/pc Myrtle Beach 65/48/pc Orangeburg 68/45/pc Port Royal 67/53/pc Raleigh 60/39/pc Rock Hill 63/38/pc Rockingham 61/38/pc Savannah 70/53/pc Spartanburg 64/41/s Summerville 68/57/pc Wilmington 64/45/c Winston-Salem 64/38/pc

Fri. Hi/Lo/W 58/42/c 68/52/c 66/52/c 66/49/c 67/53/c 59/49/c 56/43/c 57/46/c 69/51/c 59/45/c 65/56/c 67/50/c 59/45/c

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

PUBLIC AGENDA CLARENDON SCHOOL DISTRICT 3 Today, 7 p.m., district office, Turbeville

The last word in astrology

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Handle EUGENIA LAST domestic problems delicately. Complaints and aggressive behavior will stir up emotions and cause regrettable encounters. Kindness, consideration and affection will solve any problem you face much faster and without resentment.

Money will come from an unusual source.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Getting involved in a cause you believe in will not only bring you satisfaction, but will also help you develop new friendships that can lead to new projects and possible partnerships.

Talks may be heated but they will also be resourceful.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Options offered may not be as good as portrayed. Before you decide to get involved in a joint venture, do your research. You may be better off doing your own thing. Someone is likely to take advantage of your knowledge and your connections.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): An adventure, a day trip or organizing an industry event will give others a glimpse of what you are capable of doing and how much fun you can be. Your memory and creative talent will not let you down. Love is highlighted.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Make changes to your home. A change of scenery will do you good and help you rethink the options you’ve been given. Picking up information that can help you make a good decision will also put your mind at ease.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Take responsibility for those you love.

Your gesture will be appreciated.

Keep in mind that charity begins at home and be wary of anyone asking for a donation for a cause

you know little about. Be smart with your cash.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Partnerships will be under fire. Be careful how you deal with comments, complaints and criticism. Keep emotions in check and try not to overreact. The less said, the better. Affectionate actions will bring far better results.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Express your feelings and share your plans for the future in your personal life, but stay within boundaries when dealing with work-related matters.

Going over someone’s head professionally can lead to problems. Don’t take a physical risk.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Check your motives before moving forward. The wrong reason will eventually lead to a problem between you and the person or plan you have committed to honor.

Get your house in order before you take on added responsibilities.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): A quiet approach to whatever you do or whomever you deal with will get the best response. Start whatever you can on your own and when you have something viable to present, let your work speak for you. Reunite with an old friend.

LOTTERY NUMBERS PALMETTO CASH 5 WEDNESDAY

MEGAMILLIONS TUESDAY

10-21-29-30-32 PowerUp: 2

4-39-46-47-70 Megaball: 13 Megaplier: 3

PICK 3 WEDNESDAY

PICK 4 WEDNESDAY

4-0-4 and 5-8-1

4-0-9-5 and 9-2-5-8

POWERBALL numbers were unavailable at press time.

PICTURES FROM THE PUBLIC LOCATION: Fernandina Beach, Fla. SUBMITTED BY: Hal Tuttle OCCASION: Pelicans visit a dock in Fernandina Beach.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Make an effort to improve your life. Look back at your life and the things you enjoyed doing most and find a way to incorporate them into a moneymaking service. Follow your heart.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Invest in yourself and your future. Get out and socialize with people you find interesting. Your commitment to do and be your best will attract attention. Love is on the rise and romance is in the stars. Make personal improvements.

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

Former Tigers QB Kelly apologizes B4

Call: (803) 774-1241 | E-mail: sports@theitem.com

B

THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2014

PREP TRACK & FIELD

Laurence Manning’s Walker signs with Citadel

BY DENNIS BRUNSON dennisb@theitem.com MANNING — Charlie Walker decided to go out for the Laurence Manning Academy boys track and field team when he was in the seventh grade. His coach at the time, James Reynolds, suggested Walker give the hurdle events s a try.

“I liked it (from the first

time),” Walker said.

Fast forward six years, and Walker will now be running hurdles in college as well.

The LMA senior signed with The Citadel on Wednesday and will run the 400meter intermediate hurdles.

Walker admitted that he gave no serious consideration about taking his track talents to the collegiate level until the end of his junior season.

“I first thought about it last year when I was the state runnerup,” said Walker, who finished second in the 400 hurdles in the 2013 SCISA 3A state meet. “I WALKER didn’t know for sure whether or not it would happen.”

Swampcats head coach Ben

Herod said Walker achieved it through hard work.

“He’s an extremely coachable, good athlete,” Herod said. “He’s also an extremely hard worker. He has worked with me outside of practices, and I know he does a lot of work on his own as well.”

While the hurdles are Walker’s best events, he has done several events for Laurence Manning over the years. In

fact, he has posted good enough times or distances to qualify for seven events in the state meet, which is scheduled for May 3 at Heathwood Hall in Columbia. Along with the 400 and 110 hurdles, Walker has qualified for the 200- and 400-meter dashes, the long jump and triple jump and the 4x400-meter relay team.

SEE WALKER, PAGE B5

PREP GIRLS BASKETBALL

USC WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Division I dream

Highly-touted recruit Wilson picks Carolina COLUMBIA (AP) — A’ja Wilson, considered one of the nation’s top women’s basketball recruits, announced Wednesday she will play for South Carolina.

Wilson told a national television audience that she had decided to stay close to home, rejecting overtures from national champion Connecticut, North Carolina and Tennessee. The announcement ended nearly one year of speculation.

“It’s just really a great program and it’s like I’m wearing this shirt, there’s no place like home,” Wilson said. “They’re on the rise and I would love to be a part of it.”

Wilson said the

hardest part of the process was telling the coaches at the other schools of her decision.

The Gamecocks won 29 games last season, and earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament, head coach Dawn Staley’s team reached the Sweet 16 for the second time in three years. South Carolina lost one senior from that team and Wilson’s choice means the Gamecocks have signed four players ranked in the top 35 recruits.

“Coach Staley has done such a great job turning the program around so really I thought this was my best fit,” Wilson said.

Joining Wilson for

SEE WILSON, PAGE B5

MATT WALSH / THE SUMTER ITEM

Crestwood High School standout Keanua Williams (3) signed to play basketball for Division I Jacksonville University on Wednesday at CHS. Williams helped lead the Lady Knights to their first 3A state title game appearance this season.

CHS’ Williams to take basketball talents to top collegiate level at Jacksonville

BY MICHAEL CHRISTOPHER mchristopher@theitem.com There is no denying the basketball talents of Crestwood High School senior Keanua Williams this season.

She led the Lady Knights to the school’s first 3A state title appearance and helped them to three consecutive Region VI titles.

Now Williams is living her dream after signing a scholarship to play collegiately with NCAA Di-

vision I Jacksonville on Wednesday.

She also had offers from South Carolina State, Winthrop, Coastal Carolina and several others.

“That was the goal and the dream,” Williams said of playing at the college level. “It feels pretty good to know that I’ve signed the papers and know I’m going to play at a Division I college.”

Crestwood girls head coach Tony Wilson said when Williams came in as a freshman he could see the

maturity level she played with and knew she was going to be a good player.

“I knew she was mature enough when she came as a freshman that she was going to be a special player for Crestwood,” Wilson said.

“She’s continued to work to get better and better and now the sky is the limit for Keanua.”

Jacksonville shared that same feeling and said once she gets into

SEE DREAM, PAGE B5

MATT WALSH / THE SUMTER ITEM

Heathwood Hall’s A’ja Wilson (22), considered one of the top recruits in the nation, announced her college choice as the University of South Carolina on Wednesday in Columbia.

PRO GOLF THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Despite falling short at the Masters, Jordan Spieth hopes to carry any Augusta momentum into this weekend’s RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island.

Spieth ready for Heritage after Masters success

BY PETE IACOBELLI The Associated Press HILTON HEAD ISLAND — Get ready, Augusta National.

Jordan Spieth can’t wait for another chance at that green jacket.

The 20-year-old Spieth is in the field at the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links that starts Thursday. He gave no thought to withdrawing after the grind of the Masters, instead feeling energized by his runner-up finish to Bubba Watson.

“It definitely left me hungry and ready to play golf again,’’ he said. “And ready to eventually get back there again, which is, I think, the only way to kind of re-

deem myself.’’

In the fans’ view during his pro-am round Wednesday, no redemption was necessary. Spieth was continually stopped by spectators, players, caddies and others on the grounds, who patted him on the back or shook his hand.

Spieth’s caddie, Michael Greller, told him, “Man, I’ve never seen somebody get so many congratulations for losing.’’

“And he’s right,’’ Spieth said.

Spieth rose to No. 9 in the world this week, the youngest American to make the top 10, and he plans for another big week at Harbour Town. He tied for ninth here a year ago, his first time playing the treacherously tight Pete Dye layout. This time, he’s got a bit of job audition, too, paired the next two days with past and present U.S. Ryder Cup captains in Davis Love III and Tom Watson.

“A huge goal of mine has always been, my whole life, to make a Ryder Cup team,’’ Spieth said. “So playing with the captain, I’m sure there will be some extra nerves there trying

SEE SPIETH, PAGE B3

B2

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SPORTS

THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2014

AREA ROUNDUP

LHS baseball earns playoff berth Lakewood High School’s varsity baseball team defeated Crestwood 15-1 in five innings on Wednesday at the Crestwood field to lock up the fourth and final playoff spot from Region VI in the 3A state playoffs.

Lakewood’s Dustin Frye pitched five innings, allowing one earned run on two hits and striking out eight.

He also led the team offensively, going 3-for-5 with two runs batted in and three runs scored.

Austin Griswold went 2-for-4 with two RBI and three runs scored.

Daquan Ingram went 2-for-3 with three RBI and two runs scored.

Offensively for the Knights, Collin Kremer went 1-for-2 with a run scored and Christian Buford added a hit.

Kremer allowed four earned runs for the Knights, who fell to 0-9 in region and 1-15 overall.

WILSON HALL 6 CALHOUN ACADEMY 2

ST. MATTHEWS -Wilson Hall pushed its winning streak to 19 games with a 6-2 victory over Calhoun Academy on Wednesday at the Calhoun field.

Chase Belk pitched five innings, allowing one earned run on three hits to pick up the victory. He struck out nine and hit a batter.

Britton Beatson pitched

the final two innings, striking out all six batters he faced.

The Barons moved to 19-0 on the season and will play in a spring break tournament next week at Waccamaw High School in Pawleys Island.

Offensively, John Patrick Sears led WH with two hits, both home runs. He had three runs batted in and two runs scored. Andrew Kinney had two hits, including a home run.

Kemper Patton had a double and run scored.

On Wednesday the Barons beat Palmetto Athletic Club from Columbia 4-0 at the Baron Field.

William Kinney earned the victory for WH, allowing no runs on one hit and striking out 13 over six innings while walking one.

McLendon Sears pitched the final inning, striking out a batter.

Patton went 1-for-3 with a home run, run scored and two RBI. William Creech and Andrew Kinney each went 1-for-3 with an RBI. Brandon Spittle scored a run and stole two bases.

GIRLS VARSITY SOFTBALL CRESTWOOD 11 LAKEWOOD 10

Crestwood High

School finished its season with an 11-10 victory over rival Lakewood on Wednesday at Crestwood field.

Offensively for the Lady Knights, Tory Raymond had the gamewinning 2-run hit. She finished the game 3-for4.

Raven Bennett had three hits and three runs batted in. Emily Horton and Kaci Dinkins each went 2-for-4 with Dinkins contributing two RBI. Samantha Stone had two hits.

Leah Ridgeway went 2-for-3 for Lakewood in the loss.

Crestwood finishes the season with a 6-10 mark.

WILSON HALL 14 CLARENDON HALL 2

Wilson Hall improved to 17-4 on the year with a 14-2 victory over Clarendon Hall in five innings on Tuesday at Patriot Park SportsPlex.

The game was called in the top of the fifth because of rain. Holly Scott picked up the victory for the Lady Barons.

Offensively, Hannah Jordan led the team with three hits and scored four runs. Haley Hawkins also scored four runs. Bailey Connor collected three hits and Drake Ives had two.

THE SUMTER ITEM

SCOREBOARD

N.Y. Yankees 3, Chicago Cubs 0, 1st game Milwaukee 5, St. Louis 1 N.Y. Mets 5, Arizona 2 Atlanta at Philadelphia (late) Chicago Cubs at N.Y. Yankees, 2nd game, (late) Washington at Miami (late) Colorado at San Diego (late) L.A. Dodgers at San Francisco (late)

TV, RADIO TODAY

9 a.m. -- Professional Golf: European PGA Tour Malaysian Open First Round from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (GOLF).

1 p.m. -- Major League Baseball: Toronto at Minnesota or Atlanta at Philadelphia (MLB NETWORK).

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

3 p.m. -- PGA Golf: The Heritage First Round from Hilton Head Island (GOLF).

6:05 p.m. -- Talk Show: Sports Talk (WPUB-FM 102.7, WDXY-FM 105.9, WDXY-AM 1240).

6:30 p.m. -- LPGA Golf: LPGA Lotte Championship Second Round from Kapolei, Hawaii (GOLF).

7 p.m. -- College Lacrosse: Bucknell at Loyola (Md.) (CBS SPORTS NETWORK).

7 p.m. -- NHL Hockey: Eastern Conference Playoffs Quarterfinal Series Game One -- Philadelphia at New York Rangers (CNBC).

7 p.m. -- College Baseball West Virginia at Oklahoma (FOX SPORTSOUTH).

7 p.m. -- Major League Baseball: St. Louis at Washington (MLB NETWORK).

7:30 p.m. -- College Baseball: Louisiana State at Mississippi (ESPNU).

8 p.m. -- College Baseball: Loyola Marymount at Brigham Young (BYUTV).

8 p.m. -- NHL Hockey: Western Conference Playoffs Quarterfinal Series Game One -- Chicago at St. Louis (NBC SPORTS NETWORK).

9 p.m. -- College Softball: Texas at Oklahoma (ESPN2).

9:30 p.m. -- Professional Basketball: NBA Development League Playoffs Semifinal Series Game One -- Rio Grande Valley at Santa Cruz (CBS SPORTS NETWORK).

9:30 p.m. -- NHL Hockey: Western Conference Playoffs Quarterfinal Series Game One -- Minnesota at Colorado (CNBC).

10:30 p.m. -- NHL Hockey: Western Conference Playoffs Quarterfinal Series Game One -- San Jose at Los Angeles (NBC SPORTS NETWORK).

2 a.m. -- Formula One Racing: Chinese Grand Prix Practice from Shanghai (NBC SPORTS NETWORK).

PREP SCHEDULE Varsity Baseball Sumter in Forest Acres Classic (at A.C. Flora in Columbia), TBA Manning at Laurence Manning, 7 p.m.

Robert E. Lee in Spring Break Tournament (in Myrtle Beach), TBA Sumter Christian at Grace Christian, 4 p.m.

Junior Varsity Baseball Manning at Laurence Manning, 4 p.m.

Varsity Boys Golf Sumter at Camden (at Camden Country Club), TBA East Clarendon at Manning (at Shannon Greens Golf Club), 4 p.m.

Varsity Boys Soccer Crestwood at Sumter, 6:30 p.m.

Porter-Gaud at Laurence Manning, 5 p.m.

Varsity Girls Soccer Crestwood at Sumter, 5 p.m.

Varsity Softball Crestwood at Sumter, 5:30 p.m.

Manning at Laurence Manning, 4 p.m.

Calhoun Academy at Wilson Hall, 4 p.m.

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

Varsity Track and Field Sumter, Crestwood, Lakewood in Sumter School District Championship (at Sumter Memorial Stadium), 5:30 p.m.

Lee Central at Manning, 4:30 p.m.

Varsity Baseball Robert E. Lee in Spring Break Tournament (in Myrtle Beach), TBA

W 8 8 7 7 5

L 6 6 7 8 9

Pct .571 .571 .500 .467 .357

GB – – 1 1½ 3

W 6 8 6 6 5

L 4 6 7 7 7

Pct .600 .571 .462 .462 .417

GB – – 1½ 1½ 2

W 10 7 7 6 5

L 4 6 7 8 9

Pct .714 .538 .500 .429 .357

GB – 2½ 3 4 5

Chicago Cubs at New York, ppd., rain Tampa Bay at Baltimore, ppd., rain Cleveland at Detroit, ppd., inclement weather Texas 5, Seattle 0 Chicago White Sox 2, Boston 1 Kansas City 4, Houston 2 Toronto 9, Minnesota 3 Oakland 10, L.A. Angels 9, 11 innings

WEDNESDAY’S GAMES

WIZARDS 118 CELTICS 102

BOSTON — Bradley Beal scored 27 points and Washington clinched the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference with a 118-102 win over Boston.

The Wizards will be facing Chicago in their first playoff appearance since 2008. Washington jumped over Brooklyn and into fifth place after the Nets lost in Cleveland.

PACERS 101 MAGIC 86

ORLANDO, Fla. — Rasual Butler

NEW ORLEANS — Tyreke Evans had 25 points and 10 assists, and New Orleans closed out a difficult season with a 105-100 victory over playoff-bound Houston.

HAWKS 111 BUCKS 103

MILWAUKEE — Mike Scott scored 17 points and Atlanta ended the regular season with a 111-103 win over Milwaukee on the same day it was announced the Bucks would be sold.

CAVALIERS 114 NETS 85

CLEVELAND — Brooklyn coach Jason Kidd sat his starters for the playoffs and the Nets closed the regular season with a 114-85 loss to Cleveland.

From wire reports

GB – 4 12 23 30

W 54 43 42 37 23

L 27 38 39 44 58

Pct .667 .531 .519 .457 .284

GB – 11 12 17 31

W 55 48 32 29 15

L 26 33 49 52 66

Pct .679 .593 .395 .358 .185

GB – 7 23 26 40

W 62 54 49 49 33

L 19 27 32 32 48

Pct .765 .667 .605 .605 .407

GB – 8 13 13 29

W 58 53 40 36 24

L 23 28 41 45 57

Pct .716 .654 .494 .444 .296

GB – 5 18 22 34

L 24 31 34 53 55

Pct .704 .617 .580 .346 .321

GB – 7 10 29 31

WESTERN CONFERENCE SOUTHWEST DIVISION z-San Antonio x-Houston x-Dallas x-Memphis New Orleans NORTHWEST DIVISION

TUESDAY’S GAMES

TUESDAY’S GAMES

ROCKETS 100

Pct .593 .543 .444 .309 .222

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Oakland Seattle Texas Los Angeles Houston

PELICANS 105

z-Indiana x-Chicago Cleveland Detroit Milwaukee

L 33 37 45 56 63

MLB STANDINGS

By The Associated Press

Detroit Chicago Cleveland Minnesota Kansas City WEST DIVISION

and Chris Copeland each scored 19 points as Indiana rested its key players and cruised to a 101-86 victory over Orlando.

y-Miami x-Washington x-Charlotte x-Atlanta Orlando CENTRAL DIVISION

W 48 44 36 25 18

W y-L.A. Clippers 57 x-Golden State 50 Phoenix 47 Sacramento 28 L.A. Lakers 26 x-clinched playoff spot y-clinched division z-clinched conference

New York Toronto Baltimore Tampa Bay Boston CENTRAL DIVISION

CHARLOTTE — Kemba Walker scored eight of his 22 points in overtime to help the Charlotte Bobcats defeat the Chicago Bulls 91-86 Wednesday night and finish the season with eight wins in their final nine games.

With Washington’s win over Boston, however, the Bobcats’ playoff seed was set at No. 7 and Charlotte will face defending NBA champion Miami in the first round.

Al Jefferson added 10 points and 18 rebounds for Charlotte, and Chris Douglas-Roberts finished with 13 points.

y-Toronto x-Brooklyn New York Boston Philadelphia SOUTHEAST DIVISION

SUNDAY

EAST DIVISION

Bobcats top Bulls in OT

EASTERN CONFERENCE ATLANTIC DIVISION

y-Oklahoma City x-Portland Minnesota Denver Utah PACIFIC DIVISION

Varsity Sporting Clays Wilson Hall at Hermitage Farm (in Camden), TBA

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

SPRINT CUP LEADERS

Through April 12 Points 1, Jeff Gordon, 297. 2, Matt Kenseth, 296. 3, Carl Edwards, 278. 4, Dale Earnhardt Jr., 271. 5, Jimmie Johnson, 270. 6, Kyle Busch, 269. 7, Brad Keselowski, 246. 8, Joey Logano, 245. 9, Ryan Newman, 236. 10, Austin Dillon, 235.

11, Greg Biffle, 227. 12, Tony Stewart, 224. 13, Brian Vickers, 224. 14, Kyle Larson, 223. 15, Denny Hamlin, 223. 16, Clint Bowyer, 219. 17, Marcos Ambrose, 216. 18, Paul Menard, 206.

19, A J Allmendinger, 202. 20, Jamie McMurray, 195.

Money 1, Dale Earnhardt Jr., $2,591,578. 2, Brad Keselowski, $2,285,537. 3, Jeff Gordon, $2,034,276. 4, Denny Hamlin, $2,008,995. 5, Joey Logano, $1,887,936. 6, Jimmie Johnson, $1,828,846. 7, Kyle Busch, $1,769,026. 8, Matt Kenseth, $1,729,759. 9, Kevin Harvick, $1,616,597. 10, Paul Menard, $1,525,660.

11, Austin Dillon, $1,435,411. 12, Greg Biffle, $1,423,133. 13, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., $1,389,563.

14, Tony Stewart, $1,389,052. 15, Carl Edwards, $1,386,673. 16, Brian Vickers, $1,359,013. 17, Kyle Larson, $1,356,858. 18, Jamie McMurray, $1,330,840. 19, Marcos Ambrose, $1,292,318.

20, Clint Bowyer, $1,268,831.

SATURDAY

Varsity Baseball Bluffton at Manning, 1 p.m.

Varsity Track and Field Sumter in Allen Johnson Invitational (in Columbia), 9:30 a.m.

Charlotte’s Gerald Henderson (9) dunks as Chicago’s Joakim Noah (13) and Jimmy Butler (21) defend during the second half of the Bobcats’ 91-86 overtime victory on Wednesday in Charlotte.

NASCAR

By The Associated Press

NBA STANDINGS

By The Associated Press

TODAY

FRIDAY

NBA ROUNDUP

TODAY’S GAMES

Atlanta (A.Wood 2-1) at Philadelphia (Burnett 0-1), 1:05 p.m.

L.A. Dodgers (Ryu 2-1) at San Francisco (Bumgarner 2-0), 3:45 p.m.

Colorado (Morales 0-1) at San Diego (Kennedy 1-2), 6:40 p.m.

Milwaukee (Gallardo 2-0) at Pittsburgh (Volquez 0-0), 7:05 p.m.

St. Louis (Wainwright 2-1) at Washington (Jordan 0-1), 7:05 p.m.

Baltimore 3, Tampa Bay 0 N.Y. Yankees 3, Chicago Cubs 0, 1st game Chicago Cubs at N.Y. Yankees, 2nd game, (late) Cleveland at Detroit (late) Seattle at Texas (late) Boston at Chicago White Sox (late) Kansas City at Houston (late) Toronto at Minnesota, ppd., rain Oakland at L.A. Angels (late)

TODAY’S GAMES

Cleveland (Salazar 0-1) at Detroit (Verlander 1-1), 1:08 p.m.

Toronto (Dickey 1-2) at Minnesota (Pelfrey 0-2), 1:10 p.m., 1st game Seattle (E.Ramirez 1-2) at Texas (Scheppers 0-1), 2:05 p.m.

N.Y. Yankees (Sabathia 1-2) at Tampa Bay (Price 2-0), 7:10 p.m.

Toronto (McGowan 1-1) at Minnesota (Gibson 2-0), 7:10 p.m., 2nd game Boston (Lester 1-2) at Chicago White Sox (Sale 3-0), 8:10 p.m.

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

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

W 9 8 8 6 6

L 4 6 7 7 9

Pct .692 .571 .533 .462 .400

GB – 1½ 2 3 4

W 11 9 7 6 4

L 4 6 8 9 9

Pct .733 .600 .467 .400 .308

GB – 2 4 5 6

W 9 9 7 6 4

L 5 5 8 8 14

Pct .643 .643 .467 .429 .222

GB – – 2½ 3 7

TUESDAY’S GAMES

Pittsburgh 8, Cincinnati 7, comp. of susp. game Atlanta at Philadelphia, ppd., rain Chicago Cubs at New York, ppd., rain Cincinnati 7, Pittsburgh 5 Miami 11, Washington 2 St. Louis 6, Milwaukee 1 N.Y. Mets 9, Arizona 0 Colorado 3, San Diego 2 San Francisco 3, L.A. Dodgers 2, 12 innings

WEDNESDAY’S GAMES

Cincinnati 4, Pittsburgh 0

New York 109, Brooklyn 98 L.A. Clippers 117, Denver 105

WEDNESDAY’S GAMES

Indiana at Orlando, 7 p.m.

Chicago at Charlotte, 7 p.m.

Utah at Minnesota, 8 p.m.

Detroit at Oklahoma City, 8 p.m.

Atlanta at Milwaukee, 8 p.m.

Dallas at Memphis, 8 p.m.

L.A. Lakers at San Antonio, 8 p.m.

Houston at New Orleans, 8 p.m.

Washington at Boston, 8 p.m.

Brooklyn at Cleveland, 8 p.m.

Philadelphia at Miami, 8 p.m.

Toronto at New York, 8 p.m.

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

Phoenix at Sacramento, 10:30 p.m.

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

TODAY’S GAMES

No games scheduled

NHL PLAYOFFS

By The Associated Press FIRST ROUND (Best-of-7) (x-if necessary)

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Detroit vs. Boston Friday: Detroit at Boston, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday: Detroit at Boston, 3 p.m.

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

April 24: Boston at Detroit, 8 p.m. x-April 26: Detroit at Boston, 3 p.m. x-April 28: Boston at Detroit, TBD x-April 30: Detroit at Boston, TBD Montreal vs Tampa Bay Wednesday: Montreal at Tampa Bay, 7 p.m.

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

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

April 22: Tampa Bay at Montreal, 7 p.m. x-April 24: Montreal at Tampa Bay, 7 p.m. x-April 27: Tampa Bay at Montreal, TBD x-April 29: Montreal at Tampa Bay, TBD Columbus vs. Pittsburgh Wednesday: Columbus at Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday: Columbus at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m.

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

April 23: Pittsburgh at Columbus, 7 p.m. x-April 26: Columbus at Pittsburgh, TBD x-April 28: Pittsburgh at Columbus, TBD x-April 30: Columbus at Pittsburgh, TBD Philadelphia at N.Y. Rangers Today: Philadelphia at N.Y. Rangers, 7 p.m.

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

April 25: N.Y. Rangers at Philadelphia, 7 p.m. x-April 27: Philadelphia at N.Y. Rangers, Noon x-April 29: N.Y. Rangers at Philadelphia, TBD x-April 30: Philadelphia at N.Y. Rangers, TBD

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Minnesota vs. Colorado Today: Minnesota at Colorado, 9:30 p.m.

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

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

April 24: Colorado at Minnesota, 9:30 p.m. x-April 26: Minnesota at Colorado, TBD x-April 28: Colorado at Minnesota, TBD x-April 30: Minnesota at Colorado, TBD Chicago vs. St. Louis Today: Chicago at St. Louis, 8 p.m.

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

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

April 23: St. Louis at Chicago, 9:30 p.m. x-April 25: Chicago at St. Louis, 8 p.m. x-April 27: St. Louis at Chicago, 3 p.m. x-April 29: Chicago at St. Louis, TBD Dallas vs. Anaheim Wednesday: Dallas at Anaheim, 10 p.m.

Friday: Dallas at Anaheim, 10 p.m.

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

April 23: Anaheim at Dallas, 8 p.m. x-April 25: Dallas at Anaheim, 10:30 p.m. x-April 27: Anaheim at Dallas, TBD x-April 29: Dallas at Anaheim, TBD Los Angeles vs. San Jose Today: Los Angeles at San Jose, 10:30 p.m.

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

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

April 24: San Jose at Los Angeles, 10:30 p.m. x-April 26: Los Angeles at San Jose, TBD x-April 28: San Jose at Los Angeles, TBD x-April 30: Los Angeles at San Jose, TBD

SPORTS

THE SUMTER ITEM

THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2014

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B3

UNBEATEN BANTAMS

PHOTO PROVIDED

The Bates Middle Schools football team went 8-0 in 2013 and won both the regular season title and the Sumter Middle School Conference championship.

AP FILE PHOTO

Bishopville native Tommy Gainey looks to capture his first win at Harbour Links Golf Course this weekend in the RBC Heritage at Hilton Head Island. Gainey tees off today at 8:30 a.m.

SPIETH FROM PAGE B1 to impress him.’’

Watson’s already impressed.

He says Spieth showed poise and passion in the final pairing Sunday, qualities the captain covets as he prepares an American team for the Ryder Cup matches at Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland this September.

“He’s very mature and he has a good sense of who he is,’’ Watson said. “I like that about him.’’

Bubba Watson is off this week, something every Masters champion has done since Zach Johnson followed a victory at Augusta National in 2007 by playing here a few days later.

Seven of the world’s top 25 players are in the field. Matt Kuchar, who tied for fifth at the Masters, is the topranked player at No. 6. Fifthranked Jason Day was scheduled to play but withdrew earlier this week with a thumb injury.

Others here include Johnson (12th) and defending champion Graeme McDowell (14th).

Tom Watson is playing Harbour Town for the first time since 2001. This is mostly a fact-finding mission to meet and talk with players who might end up as captain’s picks when his selections are revealed after the PGA Championship.

CBS Sports analyst and six-

time major champion Nick Faldo is also making a rare PGA Tour appearance, teeing it up at Harbour Town for the first time since 2006. Does he have a TV substitute lined up should he get in contention on the course where he won his first U.S. tournament 30 years ago?

“Well, Jim (Nantz) likes talking,’’ Faldo said with a grin.

The likelihood is whoever’s in the booth will be talking about Spieth.

He said as he did at Augusta that he expected to contend for the title and wasn’t surprised when he held that two-shot lead on Sunday’s front nine. He wished he had the water ball back on his tee shot on the par-3 12th, but pledged to use those errors the next time he’s in position to strike.

“There’s nothing that’s haunting me from last week,’’ he said. “I feel like I played really well to not shoot an overpar round on that course and not make more than a bogey for four days the way that course was playing.’’

Spieth had an eventful proam round, getting hit on the back of the knee by a wayward wedge shot from a member of his group on the 18th hole. He went to the ground, but quickly got up and doesn’t expect to feel any effects this week as he counts down to his next time at Augusta.

“I truly believe that I’ll be back,’’ he said.

RBC HERITAGE TEE TIMES Today 1st Tee

7:20 a.m. — Jeff Maggert, David Hearn, John Peterson.

7:30 a.m. — John Rollins, Chris DiMarco, Brian Davis.

7:40 a.m. — Paul Casey, Will MacKenzie, Russell Knox.

7:50 a.m. — Scott Brown, John Huh, Rory Sabbatini.

8 a.m. — Billy Horschel, Carl Pettersson, Scott Verplank.

8:10 a.m. — Steven Bowditch, Chesson Hadley, Kevin Stadler.

8:20 a.m. — Matt Every, Chris Kirk, Jim Furyk.

8:30 a.m. — Tommy Gainey, Johnson Wagner, Charley Hoffman.

8:40 a.m. — Bo Van Pelt, Glen Day, Cameron Tringale.

8:50 a.m. — Jerry Kelly, Brian Harman, Justin Hicks.

9 a.m. — Shawn Stefani, Ben Martin, Wes Roach.

11:50 a.m. — Scott Langley, William McGirt, Danny Lee. 12 p.m. — Nicholas Thompson, Brian Stuard, Jim Renner.

12:10 p.m. — Charlie Wi, Chris Stroud, Ryo Ishikawa.

12:20 p.m. — Martin Laird, Ben Curtis, Lucas Glover.

12:30 p.m. — Charlie Beijan, Mark Wilson, Jonathan Byrd.

12:40 p.m. — Jordan Spieth, Davis Love III, Tom Watson.

12:50 p.m. — Zach Johnson, Harris English, Luke Donald.

1 p.m. — Kyle Stanley, Tim Clark, Mike Weir.

1:10 p.m. — Jason Bohn, Jason Kokrak, James Hahn.

1:20 p.m. — Aaron Baddeley, James Driscoll, Kevin Chappell.

1:30 p.m. — Andrew Loupe, Mark Anderson, Hunter Stewart.

10th Tee

7:20 a.m. — Dudley Hart, Roberto Castro, Steve Marino.

7:30 a.m. — Ben Crane, Brice Garnett, Stephen Gallacher.

7:40 a.m. — Vaughn Taylor, Michael Putnam, Spencer Levin.

7:50 a.m. — Woody Austin, Boo Weekley, Justin Leonard.

8 a.m. — Ted Potter Jr., Stuart Appleby, Vijay Singh.

8:10 a.m. — Matt Kuchar, Ernie Els, Hunter Mahan.

8:20 a.m. — Brandt Snedeker, Bill Haas, Graeme McDowell.

8:30 a.m. — Brian Gay, Martin Kaymer, Robert Allenby.

8:40 a.m. — Stephen Ames, Trevor Immelman, Nick Faldo.

8:50 a.m. — Paul Goydos, John Daly, Richard H. Lee. 9 a.m. — Tim Wilkerson, Tyrone Van Aswegen, Rick Lewallen.

11:50 a.m. — Camilo Villegas, Tim Herron, Briny Baird.

12 p.m. — Greg Chalmers, John Mallinger, Hideki Matsuyama.

12:10 p.m. — Bryce Molder, Robert Garrigus, J.B. Holmes.

12:20 p.m. — Ken Duke, K.J. Choi, Geoff Oglivy.

12:30 p.m. — Marc Leishman, David Toms, Stewart Cink.

12:40 p.m. — Kevin Streelman, Kevin Na, Charles Howell III. 12:50 p.m. — Patrick Reed, Russell Henley, Charl Schwartzel.

1 p.m. — Josh Teater, Brendon Todd, Gozalo Fernandez-Castano.

1:10 p.m. — Ricky Barnes, Erik Compton, Chad Collins.

1:20 p.m. — Pat Perez, Brendon de Jonge, Billy Hurley III. 1:30 p.m. — Kevin Kisner, Kevin Tway, Matthew Fitzpatrick.

B4

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SPORTS

THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2014

THE SUMTER ITEM

CLEMSON FOOTBALL

Dismissed Tigers QB Kelly apologizes

BY PETE IACOBELLI The Associated Press Former Clemson quarterback Chad Kelly apologized for his behavior with the Tigers and believes he can learn from the experience.

Kelly issued a statement Wednesday through his uncle, Dan Kelly, the vice president of Jim Kelly Inc. Chad Kelly is the nephew of former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly.

The younger Kelly was dismissed from the team Monday

by Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney for a pattern of conduct detrimental to the team.

“I let down not only my coaches, and teammates, but also Clemson University and all of our fans,’’ Kelly said.

“Most importantly, I’ve let down myself and my family.’’

Kelly, who would’ve been a third-year sophomore this fall, was in a three-way race in spring workouts with rising senior Cole Stoudt and true freshman Deshaun Watson to take over for three-year starter Tajh Boyd.

But Kelly threw a pair of interceptions and was not crisp at the Orange-andWhite game Saturday that concludes spring drills. At one point, Kelly’s frustrations boiled over and he argued with coaches on the sideline. He was benched for the second half.

There was also an incident last week when Kelly was riding in a car that accidently backed into the vehicle of for-

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Former Clemson quarterback Chad Kelly, center, apologized for his actions that led to his dismissal from the Tigers on Monday. mer Miss South Carolina Ali Rogers, who has worked with the Tigers football team in the past.

Rogers said Kelly tried to get her to not file a police re-

port and became agitated and disrespectful toward her.

The last straw came Monday at Kelly’s meeting with Swinney where he reacted harshly to news that the more

experienced Stoudt would head into fall practice as the starter.

“He has had a pattern of behavior that is not consistent with the values of our

program,’’ Swinney said in dismissing Kelly. “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.’’

Kelly, 20, acknowledged Tuesday that he didn’t handle himself the way he should, saying he was “competitive to a fault, winning at all costs.’’

He said he should’ve kept cool and calmly dealt with setbacks.

“I let my emotions get the best of me, culminating in this unfortunate situation with coach Swinney and the Clemson Tigers,’’ Kelly said.

“What’s most important now is that I use this experience to grow as a student, as an athlete and most importantly, as a man.’’

Kelly was expected to finish out the semester at Clemson before deciding where to continue playing football.

The 6-foot-3, 209-pound Kelly signed with the Tigers in February 2012, choosing Clemson over offers from Alabama, Florida State, Michigan State and Purdue. Kelly tore the ACL in his left knee at the 2013 spring game, yet returned in time for the season to play in five games.

He was 10-of-17 passing for 58 yards. He rushed 16 times for 117 yards and a touchdown.

“It’s not going to be easy, but no matter what happens, I’ll be a better person both on and off the field,’’ Kelly said.

MLB ROUNDUP

SPORTS ITEMS

Teheran 3-hits Phils in 1-0 shutout

Citadel beats USC 10-8

PHILADELPHIA — Julio Teheran pitched a three-hitter, Evan Gattis homered among a career-best four hits, and the Atlanta Braves beat the Philadelphia Phillies 1-0 Wednesday night.

Teheran (3-1) retired his first 12 batters before Ryan Howard led off the bottom of the fifth with an infield single. The 23-year-old righty struck out four and got 14 outs on flyballs in his first complete game in 38 career starts. He became the ninth Braves starter in the first 14 games this year to allow one run or none.

Philadelphia wasted an excellent outing by Cliff Lee (22). The ace left-hander struck out 13 and pitched around 11 hits, throwing a career-high 128 pitches.

Gattis drove an 0-2 pitch into the left-field seats in the fourth. It was his fifth homer in his last three games at Citizens Bank Park.

CHARLESTON — The University of South Carolina baseball team suffered its fourth straight loss on Wednesday, falling to The Citadel 10-8 at Joe Riley Park.

Mason Davis led the Bulldogs, who improved to 15-23 on the season, going 3-for-4 with a home run, two runs batted in and three runs scored. Tyler Griffin was 2-for4 with a double and three RBI. Kyle Martin led 28-9 USC with two hits, including a double, and two RBI. Brison Celek and DC Ardenas both hit home runs.

HART: VOLS HOOPS JOB STILL ‘EXTREMELY ATTRACTIVE’

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee athletic director Dave Hart believes the criticism former men’s basketball coach Cuonzo Martin encountered this season won’t hinder the Volunteers’ search for a successor.

Martin led Tennessee to an NCAA regional semifinal during a season in which disgruntled fans circulated a petition calling for the return of former coach Bruce Pearl, now at Auburn. Martin left Tuesday to take over California’s program. Hart acknowledged Martin faced plenty of “distractions’’ this season.

RICE AGREES TO TERMS WITH SEAHAWKS

RENTON, Wash. — The Seattle Seahawks and wide receiver Sidney Rice have agreed to terms on a deal.

Rice returns to Seattle after spending the last three seasons with the Seahawks. Rice was released by Seattle in February in a salary-driven move. He was scheduled to make $8.5 million this season under his previous contract.

He appeared in eight games for Seattle last season with 15 catches for 231 yards and three touchdowns before being placed on injured reserve.

NATIONALS 6 MARLINS 3

MIAMI — Jayson Werth’s homer scored three unearned runs against Jose Fernandez, and Washington rallied to beat Miami 6-3.

Two errors in the sixth inning by Marlins catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia helped the Nationals overcome a 3-0 deficit. Pinch-hitter Zach Walters broke a tie in the eighth inning against Mike Dunn (0-2) with his second career homer.

METS 5 DIAMONDBACKS 2

PHOENIX — Dillon Gee allowed three hits in seven scoreless innings, and the New York Mets beat Arizona 5-2 to complete a 3-game sweep and send the Diamondbacks to their sixth straight loss.

Gee (1-0) retired his first 14 batters, struck out three, walked none and threw 72 pitches. He also had an RBI groundout.

BREWERS 5 CARDINALS 1

MILWAUKEE — Wily Peralta allowed one run in 6 1/3 innings and Milwaukee turned two errors into four unearned runs in a 5-1 win over St. Louis that ended a 2-game losing streak.

Peralta (2-0) allowed six hits

JETS SIGN FORMER TITANS RB JOHNSON

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Atlanta starting pitcher Julio Teheran pitches during the second inning of the Braves’ 1-0 victory against Philadelphia on Wednesday in Philadelphia. and struck out three, and three relievers combined for scoreless relief.

REDS 4 PIRATES 0

CINCINNATI — Johnny Cueto pitched his third career shutout against the team that beat him in the playoffs, and Joey Votto hit a 2-run homer that led Cincinnati over Pittsburgh 4-0.

Cueto (1-2) had his way with the lineup that beat him 6-2 in the NL wild card playoff at PNC Park last year. He limited the Pirates to three hits and struck out a careerhigh 12.

AMERICAN LEAGUE ORIOLES 3 RAYS 0 BALTIMORE — Miguel Gonzalez and two relievers combined on a six-hitter, and Balti-

more capitalized on two infield singles by Adam Jones in a 3-0 victory over Tampa Bay. Nick Markakis also had two hits for the Orioles, who outscored the Rays 10-1 in the rain-abbreviated, 2-game series.

INTERLEAGUE YANKEES 3 CUBS 0 NEW YORK — Masahiro Tanaka allowed two bunt hits in eight dominant innings, Carlos Beltran homered for the third straight game and New York welcomed the Chicago Cubs to the current Yankee Stadium with a 3-0 victory in the opener of a daynight doubleheader.

The 25-year-old Japanese right-hander struck out 10 for his second straight start.

From wire reports

NEW YORK — The New York Jets signed Chris Johnson, the former Titans running back , on Wednesday — a little over a week after he was officially released by Tennessee.

Johnson met with the Jets all day Tuesday — the first team he visited. In a text message to The Associated Press, Johnson confirmed it was a 2-year deal.

The former 2,000-yard rusher will team with Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell to give coach Rex Ryan and offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg a deep and dangerous backfield.

NHL PLAYOFFS PENGUINS 4 BLUE JACKETS 3 PITTSBURGH — Brandon Sutter scored on a wrist shot from the left circle 8:18 into the third period, helping the Pittsburgh Penguins rally for a 4-3 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals.

Beau Bennett and Matt Niskanen scored power-play goals 45 seconds apart in the second period, erasing Pittsburgh’s 2-goal deficit. Jussi Jokinen also scored for the Penguins and Marc-Andre Fleury overcame some shaky defense to stop 31 shots.

CANADIENS 5 LIGHTNING 4

TAMPA, Fla. — Dale Weise scored 18:08 into overtime to give the Montreal Canadiens a 5-4 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning in the opening game of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal playoff series.

Daniel Briere fed a pass to Weise from behind the net to set up the winner against Anders Lindback, who stopped 39 of 44 shots while filling in for injured goaltender Ben Bishop.

From staff, wire reports

OBITUARIES | SPORTS

THE SUMTER ITEM

FRED BUTLER BISHOPVILLE — Graveside services for Fred Butler, age 86, will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday at Kings Cemetery in Laurel Hill, N.C. Mr. Butler passed away late Monday night, April 7, 2014.

Born in Chesterfield, he was a son of the late Fred and Dora Stacey Butler.

Surviving are his wife, Shelby Lockey Butler;

daughters, Wanda Butler Scaffe (WC Frazier) and Pamela Butler Kelley (Al Kelley), both of Bishopville; BUTLER four grandchildren, Amanda Melton (Brian Eargle), Michael Seeby (Melinda), Jolie Seeby and Steven Scaffe; eight greatgrandchildren, Ethen and

Taylor Hanniford, Briley Eargle, Preston, Christian and Michael Seeby, Baron Driggers and Sebastian Spires; and two step-grandchildren, C.J. and Cole Huggins; three surviving siblings, Carl Butler (Betty) and Reese Butler of Laurel Hill, N.C., and Jannie Driggers of Baltimore, Md.; many nieces, nephews and friends who will miss him dearly.

PREP TRACK & FIELD

Sumter County School District championships set for today

BY MICHAEL CHRISTOPHER mchristopher@theitem.com There are always whispers at sporting events throughout the year as to who is the fastest or strongest, and today is the day Sumter School District athletes get a chance to show just who is the best in Sumter County.

The boys and girls track and field teams from Sumter, Crestwood and Lakewood high schools will compete in the Sumter School District Championship at Sumter Memorial Stadium.

Field events are expected to kickoff around 5:15 p.m. with the running events to follow around 5:45 p.m. Admission will be $5 per person and free to district teachers and staff who show identification.

“When you look at these kids they are fighting to be who is the best in the county,” Sumter girls head coach Karen McFadden said. “I think that is more so with the boys than the girls because they want to be a district champion and best in the county.”

Sumter High is coming into the meet having swept this past weekend’s inaugural Gamecock Invitational. The Gamecocks will compete in the Region VI-4A meet on May 1 at Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium in Myrtle Beach.

McFadden expects the girls team to do well in all of the jumps as well as shot put and discus. She also expects the 4x100- and 4x400-meter relay teams to have a strong showing.

Some SHS girls to look out for are Sherah Pair, Dae’Shondra Stephens, Kadejuha Kennedy, Ars’Breana Tyler, Dariana Reid, Tiarra Abram, Alexus Choice and Jayde Huffman.

The boys team is led by Ky’Jon Tyler and Tyreke Conyers in sprints and long jump. Last year’s shot put state champion, Devontaye Edwards, should excel in the shot as well as discus. Freshmen Quintein Anderson and Tyler Garvey are expected to compete well in the hurdles.

SHS boys head coach Gerald Tomlin expects a challenge from Lakewood and Crestwood, both 3A schools.

“I always tell the kids it’s a team sport

WILSON FROM PAGE B1 the start of fall practice will be fellow McDonald’s All-Americans forward Jatarie White and point guard Bianca Cuevas. Also on the list is fellow Columbia native guard Kaydra Duckett, The final commitment is guard Doniyah Cliney.

Soon after Wilson made the announcement, Staley tweeted,

WALKER FROM PAGE B1 Herod said that Walker’s focus in the state meet will be on the 400 hurdles, in which he has a personal best of 58.81 seconds.

“We’re not going to have him doing events that are around the 400 hurdles,” Herod said. “We don’t want him doing things that take away his energy for the 400 hurdles. That’s what he is going to be doing in college, and we want him to be ready for it.”

Walkers is the 2-time defending Region II champion in both the 110 and 400 hurdles. He also holds the school record in the 400 hurdles and as part of the 4x400 relay team.

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(scoring points with depth), but when you’re in that lane it’s individual so you can’t just look away or down on 3A teams because some 3A teams have a lot of great athletes and our cross town rivals have great athletes,” said Tomlin, whose team beat Crestwood by a point in last year’s event. “It’s not the amount that you have, but the quality of kids who are put out there.”

For Lakewood and Crestwood, today’s meet should serve as a measuring stick before the Region VI meet on April 30 at Manning High School. Gators boys head coach Bryant Nelson expects his team to treat the meet as the first step toward competing for a state championship.

“We’re looking forward to this event and we think we have a shot of winning if we show up and perform to the best of our ability,” Nelson said. “However the chips may fall, hopefully we put on a good show and come out with a win. Sumter High and Crestwood will challenge in all phases of the track meet.”

Otis Jones, a state champion last year in the 800 meters, and Khafari Buffalo are expected to lead the boys team. The Gators are also expected to challenge Sumter in the hurdles, sprints and relays. “(Khafari)’s kind of a dark horse in the state of South Carolina in sprinting,” Nelson said. “People don’t really know anything about him, but hopefully he’ll have a coming out party.”

Crestwood boys track and field head coach Brian Jackson said both teams are very young and still maturing and growing as each meet comes along.

On the boys side, he expects the team to perform well in sprints and distance running as well as excel in the shot put and discus, Michael Toney, Joel Daniels, Glen Daniels, Du’Jour Neal, Chase Rodgers, Ty’Son Williams, Donald Rutledge, Ricardo Martino and Shamari Fakih are expected to be contenders for the Knights.

The girls team consist of a small number of athletes that includes 12 true freshmen.

Azariah Dixon, Taylor Abrahms, Maci Nickens and several others are expected to lead the Lady Knights.

“BOOM.” Wilson called Staley earlier in the day to let her know she would be joining the program in the fall. Wilson said once she did that, she could hardly get a word in.

“She screamed and I hear everybody else screaming. I couldn’t talk or get anything else out. So I was like I have to go now. She is a funny lady,” Wilson said.

Staley released a statement through the university after Wilson sent her

THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2014 He was preceded in death by a grandson, Robert Wayne Scaffe.

Services entrusted to Richard Boles Funeral Services of Laurinburg, N.C.

KEVIN L. HARRIS Kevin L. Harris, 50, son of Margaret Davis Harris and the late Hester Lee Harris, died on April 16, 2014, at St.

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B5

Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis, Ind. The family will receive friends at the home, 570 S. Main St. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Sumter Funeral Service Inc., www.sumterfuneralsvs@sc.rr.com.

SEE OBITUARIES, PAGE B6

DREAM FROM PAGE B1 better shape she could be a dynamic force. In fact, Wilson said one of the first things they told her was she could earn several honors as a freshman and perhaps one day become drafted into the Women’s National Basketball Association.

“They told her she was a combo guard, and that means she could play more positions, anywhere from a 1 through 4 position,” Wilson said. “They like what they saw in her size. She can shoot the ball and play and is good for her size.”

When it came down to choosing Jacksonville, Williams said she liked the environment and the players, and she thought the coaches were well respected.

“Went I went to visit (Jacksonville head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin) gave me a guideline of how I’ll be in the starting eight and all the awards I could get,” the

Crestwood standout explained. “The mindset I have now is to get every (award) that I can. The freshman of the year would be good and the other awards would be great too. I have to work to get in a little bit better shape, but I think I’m prepared to start (at the DI level).”

Williams averaged 15 points, six assists, five steals, four rebounds and two blocked shots a game as a senior. She was named this year’s Lake Marion Tournament most valuable player and was an all-state selection.

She was all-region each of her four years.

“Keanua set the example for the other kids to follow,” Wilson said. “She set the bar high as far as making it to the Division I level. She’s put Crestwood’s name out there even further for scouts to come and look at the girls at Crestwood.”

MATT WALSH / THE SUMTER ITEM

Keanua Williams (3) averaged 15 points, six assists, five steals, four rebounds and two blocks per game for 3A lower state champion Crestwood High School this past season.

letter-of-intent.

“I am overjoyed with A’ja and her family joining our Gamecock family,” Staley said. “She represents South Carolina on so many levels, and we’re so glad the entire state will see her career unfold on our campus. It truly is a great day to be a Gamecock, and there’s no place like home.”

Wilson has a unique mix of inside and outside talent. She grew from 5-foot-9 as a freshman to 6-5 as a se-

nior but still possesses guard skills.

She is just as adept at running the point and shooting 3-pointers as she is in going inside to the rim.

“It’s been bittersweet. It’s been enjoyable but of course you have your times when you’re like I can’t wait for this to be over,” Wilson said of the recruiting process. “My parents helped me out and that’s when they came in the most. It’s been a nice run for me and I hate that it’s over. It’s been a great ride.”

B6

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OBITUARIES

THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2014

BENJAMIN R. JENKINSON CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Benjamin Ryan Jenkinson, 86, formally of Conway, died April 13, 2014, in Charlotte.

Mr. Jenkinson was born on Nov. 6, 1927, in Sumter County, a son of the late William Richard and Nora Ardis Jenkinson. He served in the U.S. Air Force for 28 years before retiring in Conway, where he started his second career with Santee Cooper.

He was predeceased by his wife of 59 years, Katharine Bellamy Jenkinson; two sisters, Anne Mae Beal and Iva Sowell; and two brothers, George Jenkinson and Ernest Jenkinson.

Surviving are one son, Edward Jenkinson and his wife, Kimberly, and their two boys, Chandler and Graham of Charlotte; and one sister, Nell Swartz of Sumter.

The family will receive friends from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

Friday at Goldfinch Funeral Home, Conway Chapel.

Graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. at Hillcrest Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Hospice of Charlotte NC, 1420 E. Seventh St., Charlotte, NC 28204 or Salem United Methodist Church, C/O John Kennedy, 2740 Lees Landing Circle, Conway, SC 29526.

Sign an online guestbook at www.goldfinchfuneralhome. com.

Goldfinch Funeral Home, Conway Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.

WOFFORD B. CAUGHMAN Sr. BISHOPVILLE — Wofford B. Caughman Sr., 85, died at home on April 15, 2014, after a lengthy illness.

Born May 21, 1928, in Lee County, he was a son of the late N.B. and Vera Elmore Caughman.

Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Betty Jean Baker Caughman; son, Dr. Wofford B. Caughman Jr. (Catherine) of Gaffney; daughters, Jean Galloway (David) and Kathy Huggins (Dwayne), all of Bishopville; six grandchildren, Heather G. Bell, Wofford B. “Bo” Caughman III, Rachel C. Fort, Megan G. Pitcairn, Lauren H. Byrd and Alexandra Huggins; and 11 great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at St. Andrew Church of God, 4238 Red Hill Road, Camden, SC 29020 conducted by the Rev. Larry Mobley, the Rev. Mark Davis and Dr. Wofford B. Caughman Jr. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service in the church fellowship hall and at other times at the home of Jean and David Galloway, 382 St. Phillips Road, Dalzell.

The family would like to especially thank Amedisys Hospice of Sumter for the excellent care they provided their loved one during his illness.

Hancock-Elmore-Hill Funeral Home of Bishopville is in charge of arrangements.

CYNTHIA BRIGGS FLINT, Mich. — Cynthia Lynn Gipson Briggs, 49, died Sunday, April 6, 2014, in Flint.

She was born July 1, 1964, in Miami, Fla., a daughter of the late Melvin Hemmell and Suester Gipson. She received her formal education in the public schools of New York and graduated from Jane Adams High School, Bronx, N.Y. After graduation, she enlisted into the U.S. Marine Corps and was honorably discharged. She was employed at Saginaw Corrections Facility and Lapeer Corrections for more than 11 years. She was a member of the Eastern Stars.

Survivors are her daughter, Kirklynn Briggs of Flint; son, Rashiem Briggs of Flint; two brothers, Anthony Blanding and Cennetta Gipson; three sisters, Annie (Reynaldo) Bryan, Sandra (Frank) Gipson and Michell Gipson, all of New York, N.Y.; two grandsons; and a very special aunt, Phosa Johnson.

Graveside services with military rites for Mrs. Briggs will be held at 4:30 p.m. today at Spring Hill AME Church

Cemetery, Summerton.

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

ZELIA PERRY Zelia Perry, 67, departed this life on Wednesday, April 16, 2014, at KershawHealth Medical Center, Camden.

She was born Nov. 15, 1946, in Sumter, a daughter of the late Cuffie and Mary Jane English Perry.

The family will be receiving friends at the home of Bessie P. Seymore, 2700 Mulberry Church Road, Sumter, SC 29153.

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

WILLIARD D. LEMMON Williard Dalton Lemmon was born April 2, 1952, in Sumter County, to Agnes Pringle Spencer and Alfred Spencer. He departed this life on Monday, April 14, 2014, at his residence.

Williard was a 1969 graduate of Lincoln High School.

After graduation, he joined the United States Army, serving from Nov. 24, 1970 through Sept. 23, 1975. He served in Vietnam from Jan. 16, 1971 through Dec. 23, 1971. He was a military policeman and an expert rifleman who received the National Defense and Vietnam service medals. After returning to Sumter, he enrolled at Morris College to continue his education.

Upon leaving Morris College, he accepted employment as an electrician at the Naval shipyard in Newport News, Va., for more than 10 years. For failing health reasons, he returned to Sumter to be with family. He was a lifelong member of Emmanuel United Methodist Church in Sumter and he was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Post 10813 and Disabled American Veterans Chapter 5. Williard enjoyed playing basketball and was an avid tennis player.

Surviving to cherish his memories are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Spencer; five brothers, Eugene Lemmon Jr., Boyston E. Lemmon, Chaunsey D. Lemmon, Alfred (Sharon Niles) Spencer III and Thomas L. Lemmon; two sisters, Brenda Y. Lemmon and Yolanda Spencer (Lonnie) Musgrove; two adopted sisters, LaTrelle Chambers and Phedra Frierson (Derek) Rivers; a special nephew, Eugene Lamont Lemmon, who was treated as a sibling; uncles, Johnny Pringle Jr. and Daniel (Ruth) Spencer; aunts, Rebecca Pringle, Patricia A. Spencer Goode, Clara Chambers and Nevetta Ferguson; a very close and dear friend, Gloria McFadden; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents and one sis-

ter, Adrienne Spencer Poole.

Memorials may be made to VFW Post 10813, 610 Manning Ave., Sumter, or Emmanuel UMC. Public viewing will be held from 2 to 7 p.m. today at Job’s Mortuary.

The body will be placed in the church at 9 a.m. Friday for viewing until the hour of service.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at Emmanuel United Methodist Church, 421 S. Main St., Sumter, with the Rev. Doris R. Bright officiating. Interment will follow at Ft. Jackson National Cemetery, Columbia.

The family is receiving friends at 106 Orange St., Sumter.

Job’s Mortuary Inc., 312 S. Main St., Sumter, is in charge of arrangements.

Online memorials may be sent to the family at jobsmortuary@sc.rr.com or visit us on the web at www.jobsmortuary.net.

WYSHIDA WASHINGTON HOUSTON, TEXAS — Wyshida Shanay Jaquay Washington was born on May 15, 1990, in Houston to Wilhelmenia Washington of Sumter. She departed this life on April 11, 2014, at her home in Houston.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Richardson Mortuary, 3201 Brookfield Drive, Houston, TX 77045.

Online memorials may be sent to the family at richardsonmortuary@sbcglobal.com.

Announcement courtesy of Job’s Mortuary Inc., 312 S. Main St., Sumter.

CARRIE BRADSHAW BISHOPVILLE — Carrie Bradshaw entered eternal rest on April 12, 2014, at Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center in Hartsville.

Visitations will be held from 1 to 7 p.m. today at the mortuary with OES rites at 6:30 p.m.

Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at St. John AME Church, Bishopville, with the pastor, the Rev. Don Robinson, officiating.

Burial will follow in Thomastown Cemetery in the Browntown community of Lee County.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at wilsonfuneralhome@sc.rr.com.

Wilson Funeral Home, 403 S. Main St., Bishopville, is in charge of arrangements.

GEORGE HAMPTON George Hampton, widower of Annie Hampton, died on Tuesday, April 15, 2014, at McCoy Memorial Nursing Center in Bishopville.

Born in Sumter, he was a son of the late Wallace and Geneva McFadden Hampton.

The family will receive friends at the home, 218 Red & White St., Sumter.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be an-

THE SUMTER ITEM nounced by Palmer Memorial Chapel Inc. of Sumter.

TERRIE McMOORE Terrie McMoore, 54, died on Wednesday, April 16, 2014, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center.

Born in Sumter, she was a daughter of the late Tommie and Dorothy Loney McMoore.

The family will receive friends at the home of Eva Dease, 2360 Beckwood Road, Sumter.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Palmer Memorial Chapel Inc. of Sumter.

HERBERT C. MICKENS Herbert C. Mickens was born on Sept. 10, 1959, in Bronx, N.Y., to Simon and Fannie Osborne Mickens.

Herbert departed this life on Friday, April 11, 2014, at Lexington Medical Center, West Columbia.

Herbert leaves to cherish his memories: his wife, Julia Mickens; five daughters, Sherika Mickens, Queendella Micken, Cindy Mickens, Christy Mickens and Shanique Mickens; son, Herbert C. Mickens Jr.; mother, Fannie O. Mickens; father, Simon (Sara) Mickens; sister, Lener Winn; four brothers, Minister Ricky (Deloris) Mickens, Barry (Tawana) Gholson, William (Stephaine) Gholson and Larry (Lacy) Gholson; 10 grandchildren; two aunts, Betty O. James and Corneala Razor; two uncles, James (Mary) Mickens and Garfield Mickens; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday in the chapel of Whites Mortuary LLC, 517 N. Guignard Drive, Sumter.

A public viewing will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. today at the mortuary.

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

Services entrusted to Whites Mortuary LLC of Sumter, (803) 774-8200.

THELMA O. MICKENS Thelma Outing Mickens, 85, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 12, 2014, at Sumter Health and Rehabilitation Center.

Born Oct. 8, 1928, in Sumter County, she was a daughter of the late Manning and Wilhelmena Gail Outing. Thelma was a beloved and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt, and a dedicated community servant. At an early age, she joined Rafting Creek Baptist Church, where she served as a lifelong member, until her health began to fail. She was a committed servant of God and did her best to walk in his divine light. She graduated from Mather Academy in Camden and retired from Campbell Soup Co. She also worked at the YWCA, aiding in the care for domestic violence.

She was united in holy mat-

rimony to Paul Mickens Sr. for 63 years and to this union they parented seven children, Paul Mickens Jr. (Ann) of Sumter, Jimmie Mickens (Elnora) of Marietta, Ga., Joyce Maree (Reynard) of Fort Mill, Leila Prioleau (Herman) of Marietta, the late Cynthia Holloway (George), the late Ezra Dale Mickens (Joyce) and the late Elvin Mickens (Katherine).

She also leaves to cherish her memories: a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at Rafting Creek Baptist Church, 3860 S.C. 261 North, Rembert, with the Rev. Melvin Mack, pastor, eulogist.

The family will receive friends and relatives at the home of her son, Paul Mickens Jr., 481 Couchman Drive, Apartment D, Sumter.

Viewing will be held from 2 to 7 p.m. today at the John Wesley Williams Sr. Memorial Chapel, Williams Funeral Home, 821 N. Main St., Sumter.

The procession will leave at 12:20 p.m. Friday from the home of her son.

Floral bearers and pallbearers will be family and friends.

Burial will be in Hillside Memorial Park, 3001 Cains Mill Road, Sumter.

Online memorial messages may be sent to the family at williamsfuneralhome@sc.rr. com.

Visit us on the web at www. williamsfuneralhomeinc.com.

Services directed by the management and staff of Williams Funeral Home Inc. of Sumter.

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. She received her formal education in the public schools of Florence County.

She was a member of St. John Methodist Church, Lake City.

Survivors are her daughters, Natasha Porter and Tiffany Singletary; seven sisters, Jeanette (Ben) Brand, Cynthia Johnson, Mattie Kennedy, Hazel (David) Singletary, Louisa (Benjamin) Flores and Marie Burgess; five brothers, James Porter, John Harvey Porter, Clarence Johnson, Sammie Johnson and Darrien Johnson; and four grandchildren.

Celebratory services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at St. John AME Church, Workman Crossroads, Kingstree, with Bishop Lucious Wheller officiating. Burial will follow in McKenzie Brown Cemetery, Lake City.

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.

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COMICS

THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2014

BIZARRO

SOUP TO NUTZ

ANDY CAPP

GARFIELD

BEETLE BAILEY

BORN LOSER

BLONDIE

ZITS

MOTHER GOOSE

DOG EAT DOUG

DILBERT

JEFF MACNELLY’S SHOE

Father of 4 is selfish to put his health at risk DEAR ABBY — I am a 34-year-old wife and mother of four. I’m concerned about my husband. He Dear Abby is 44 and drinks at ABIGAIL home every VAN BUREN evening after work.

I don’t mind him having a few cans of beer, but he drinks between six and 12 a day. He refuses to see a doctor for checkups or when he is sick. I am worried about his health. The drinking could have an impact, and I would like him to have a physical exam to put my mind at ease.

I tell my husband I want

THE SUMTER ITEM

him to take care of himself to live longer for our children’s sake (our youngest is 4). At times, we argue about it, and I’m tired of fighting over his drinking. His response is, “At least I do it at home and not at the bar.”

I think he is being selfish and thinking only of himself.

He talks about “pride.” How can I get him to cut down on his drinking or see a doctor as needed?

Worried Wife in Guam DEAR WIFE — Your husband is an alcoholic. He may not want to see a doctor because he knows what the doctor will tell him. It is important that you understand you cannot control another person’s behavior, and the only person who can “get” your husband

THE DAILY CROSSWORD PUZZLE

to stop drinking or cut down is him.

For your own emotional well-being, I’m advising you to contact Al-Anon. Al-Anon is a fellowship of family members and friends of alcoholics, and it was created to help people just like you. Visit Al-AnonFamilyGroups.org, call 888-4AL-ANON or email wso@al-anon.org. You may also want to contact your department of mental health services for guidance. I can’t guarantee that it will help with your husband’s illness — because alcoholism is one — but it will help you to cope.

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Write Dear Abby at www.DearAbby. com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

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 59-Across role in 27-Across 5 Yenta 11 Sneaky chuckle 14 Fish found in a film 15 Fingershaped dessert 16 __ pro nobis 17 1978 film cowritten by 59-Across 19 Ross musical, with “The” 20 Reached, as goals 21 Zapped 22 Sly 24 Server’s warning 26 1997 Home Run Derby winner Martinez 27 1984 film cowritten and co-starring 59-Across 33 “__ la vista, baby!”

36 Stout sleuth, in more ways than one 37 Drench 38 Pacers, e.g.

39 “That’s enough!”

40 “Smiling, petite ball of fire,” to Philbin 41 Not paleo42 Arrive 43 Assuages to

the max 44 1993 film cowritten and directed by 59-Across 47 Skye slope 48 Medicinal syrup 52 Pastoral poems 54 5th Dimension vocalist Marilyn 57 Horseplayer’s hangout, for short 58 Turkey 59 This puzzle’s honoree (1944-2014) 62 Funny Philips 63 “Lost” actress de Ravin 64 Fade 65 GI’s address 66 Bulletin board admins 67 59-Across was its original head writer DOWN 1 As a friend, to Fifi 2 “The Balcony” playwright 3 Neglects to mention 4 2-Down, par exemple 5 Italian dessert 6 Protest singer Phil 7 Gin fizz fruit 8 King Faisal’s brother 9 “__ for Inno-

cent”: Grafton novel 10 On the nose 11 “ÔSup?” 12 Scary-sounding lake 13 Not clear 18 Don Ho “Yo” 23 Aardvark snack 25 5’10” and 6’3”: Abbr.

26 Titmouse topper, perhaps 28 Mown strip 29 “Pagliacci” clown 30 Showy jewelry 31 Clue weapon 32 Cruise ship conveniences 33 Chill out 34 AMA member?: Abbr.

35 “Ruh-roh!” pooch 39 Give up

40 Comedic Martha 42 Grinds in anger, maybe 43 Flavor 45 Modern address 46 Some are light-emitting 49 “Cathy,” for one 50 Skewed 51 “The Amazing Race” network 52 Flash, perhaps 53 Get rid of 54 3-D images 55 USAF Academy home 56 Swindle, in slang 60 March girl 61 Baby-viewing responses

B8

CLASSIFIEDS

THE ITEM

THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2014

803-774-1234

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

CLASSIFIEDS

ANNOUNCEMENTS Lost & Found Lost at Quality Inn Sumter: lg male mix dog, med length gold / lt brown fur. No collar. If found call 803-317-7566. REWARD Found male light tan lab puppy on Pinewood Rd. close to Cain's Cemetery Call 481-8161 to identify Found keychain w/ number of keys, corner of Nash & Covington.

Call 968-4555 to identify.

In Memory

MERCHANDISE Garage, Yard & Estate Sales Corner of Myrtle Beach Hwy & Boots Branch Rd. Thur. 9-5 pm Fri 9-4. Baby item, clothes, hshld items, and much more. *Neighbohood Yard Sale!* Sat. 7AM - 12 Noon. Start at 893 Club Lane, then on to White Pine Way, Gray Fox Trail, Stratton Court, until you circle the ENTIRE neighborhood. Don't miss this sale!

Twilight Plant Sale Thurs. 5-9PM just in time for Good Friday planting.

Vegetable plants and more. Normal hours Thurs-Sat 10-6. Green Tree Farm - SC, LLC, 4560 Lodebar Rd. Sumter, SC just off Hwy 15N. Look for signs. Call 803-847-0431.

LARGE GARAGE SALE 1st & 3rd Weekend Tables $1 & Up FLEA MARKET BY SHAW AFB

Open every weekend.

905-4242

For Sale or Trade Expert Tech, New & used heat pumps & A/C. Will install/repair, warranty; Compressor & labor $600. Call 803-968-9549 or 843-992-2364 Luther J. Spencer 12/18/1944 - 04/17/2011 Hey! We were standing together, I looked around and you were gone. It's been 3 years, I still haven't said BYE. Your Wife Barbara, Sons, Brothers, Sisters & In-Laws

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

Lawn Service 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 GrassBusters, Lawn Maintenance, Pest & Termite Control.

Insured and Lic. 803-983-4539,

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

SC lic. Virgil Bickley 803-316-4734.

Tree Service 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.

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.

Help Wanted Part-Time

Unfurnished Apartments

Land & Lots for Sale

Experienced Bar Tender Needed for Mariachi's of Manning. Call between 8 am - 5 pm for an interview (803)413-2503

Waterfront @ Lake Marion 3BR 2BA DW $750 Mo. +Dep 2BR 1BA SW $525 Mo. +Dep Call 803 983-9035 or 773-6655

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

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

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

775-0575 Studio/1 Bedroom apartments available EHO

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

Trucking Opportunities 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 OTR Drivers needed for family run trucking operation. Must possess CDL with tanker endorsement as well as TWIC card. Must be willing to stay out two weeks at a time.

Great pay and working environment and well-kept equipment.

Call for more information at 803-488-0100.

Unfurnished Homes For Rent 3BR 1.5 BA 858 Griffin St $675 Mo. + 500 Sec. Dep.Call 803-481-9093

Mobile Home Rentals

Miscellaneous

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

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

2011 Ultra-lite 32' camper. Elec slideout, AC, heat, sleeps 8. Exc cond. $16,998. 803-481-8301

LEGAL NOTICES

TRANSPORTATION

Legal Notice

STATEBURG COURTYARD 2 & 3 BRs 803-494-4015 Bethel Church Rd 3BR 2BA MH, Fenced yard. $600 Month Call 803- 506-4600 1997 3 Br, 2 Ba D/W in Dalzell, all appliances, Section 8 accepted.

469-6978.

Rent to own 2BR/1BA all appl. incl. C/H/A, water & sewer incl. $385/mo. Call 803-464-5757

Mopeds / ATVs / Motorcycles Honda VTX 1300cc Cruiser. Like new 3,000 miles, windshield V & H pipes. 200 series, rear tire, Ghost flames paint. $7,000 or trade for small auto or P/U. 803-406-5356 Joe, Wedgefield, SC.

Autos For Sale

SUMTER EAST SELF STORAGE 800 MYRTLE BEACH HWY. AUCTION APRIL 26, 2014 10:00 A.M.

UNITS FOR AUCTION A-21 - FELICIA DANIELS A-32 - JAVONNA DANIELS D-2 - ASHLEY STUKES F-16 - DICK DONDERO G-25 - CYNTHIA WILSON

71 Mustang Fast Back. Have

Bid Notices

title. $2,100 Call 803-972-4488 Cash For Junk Cars, used Oaklawn MHP: 2 BR M.H.'s, Alfred Cars, junk Batteries & unwanted gift cards. Call Gene Casual CDL Drivers needed with water/sewer/garbage pk-up incl'd.

A Guaranteed Credit tanker endorsement and TWIC RV parking avail. Call 494-8350 803-934-6734 Martin's Used Appliance Washers, Dryers, Refrig., Stoves.

Guarantee 464-5439 or 469-7311

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

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

Custom Flooring and Paint Specializing in Laminate flooring.

And professional painting of all type. Call Ryan @ 803-468-3350

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.

EMPLOYMENT Help Wanted Full-Time New Papa John's near Shaw AFB is seeking Delivery Drivers.

Please call 803-629-8405 or email SumterBitetheCrust@yahoo.com Drivers Wanted- Hiring drivers to run from SC to PA. Avg trip 3 days. Competitive pay. Need 2 years exp. Clean driving record.

Great home time. Health and Life Insurance. Vacation pay. Call 800-334-7503 Charles D. Goodwin Inc. 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 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.

cards. Have plenty of weekend work available as well as some through the week. This is an opportunity to earn extra money besides your full-time job. Call for more information at 803-488-0100.

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

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 Housekeeping, low rates, References, Mother sits with elderly.

Call 983-3438 or 406-2418 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

Approval AUTO LOANS

E. Brewington Rd. near Mayewood School, 3BR/2BA DWMH. $550/mo + $550/SD. NO Section 8.

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

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

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

INVITATION TO BID The County of Sumter is soliciting separate sealed bids from qualified vendors to furnish and install portable buildings as per plans and specifications at the Queen Chapel Road(5285) and the Alligator Branch Road(60) Recycling Centers., Sumter, South Carolina 29150. Specifications may be obtained from the County of Sumter, Office of the Purchasing Agent, 13 East Canal Street, Sumter, South Carolina 29150. 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.

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

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

REAL ESTATE 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 FSBO: 3 Marborough Ct., in Marborough Estates next to Kingsbury Elementary, 4 br, 2 ba with dble vanity, 2100 sq. ft. Dble garage. 1.6 ac. $155K. Call 803-481-0096 or 491-5360

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.

2000 Fleetwood Westfield 16x80 2BR/2BA and Sunroom with all appl's., deck & storage shed.

Exc cond. $15,000 Cash. On Lake Marion in Park. Ser. Inq. Call 803-473-0247

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Let us know how we’re doing.

20 N. Magnolia Street 803.774.1200 www.theitem.com