April 19, 2014

Business owners, leaders still split on guns in bars New law sparks debate on safety of allowing firearms near alcohol SATURDAY, APRIL 19, 2014

75 CENTS

BY BRISTOW MARCHANT bmarchant@theitem.com (803) 774-1272

SERVING SOUTH CAROLINA SINCE OCTOBER 15, 1894 3 SECTIONS, 24 PAGES | VOL. 119, NO. 158

SPRING ON THE ROAD

Scott Alfred isn’t sure of the wisdom of allowing guns in bars, based on personal experience.

Early on the morning of March 23, a 35-year-old woman approached the Raven’s Nest, the bar Alfred owns, after closing time.

When Alfred turned her away, she

reportedly almost ran over another customer in the parking lot, and when the man confronted her, she allegedly pulled out a silver-andpink handgun and fired twice, narrowly missing the man’s head.

Alfred then pulled his own weapon and shot out the tire of the woman’s truck as she attempted to flee. It wasn’t the first time the concealed weapons permit-holder has drawn his gun in his own business.

“I’ve had to do that three times in the bar business, and it would scare the hell out of anybody,” Alfred said. “When I called 911, I had to get somebody else to do it, because my hand was shaking.”

How this story relates to the debate around guns in businesses that serve alcohol depends on your point of view. An opponent of the

SEE GUNS, PAGE A7

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PHOTOS BY JIM HILLEY / THE SUMTER ITEM

Keynote speaker Joel Collins, second from left, watches as a graduate of the Shock Incarceration Program at Wateree River Correctional Institution receives his certificates during a graduation ceremony Thursday in the prison chapel.

Shock Incarceration graduates learn how to help their community

Visitors tour a pad which houses youthful offenders in the Shock Incarceration Program at Wateree River Correctional Institution on Thursday after attending a graduation ceremony for enrollees.

BY JIM HILLEY (803) 774-1211 jim@theitem.com

W

earing blue shirts emblazoned with the word “SHOCK,” a group of 20 young men ages 17 to 29 graduated Thursday from the Shock Incarceration Program at Wateree River Correctional Institution off S.C. 261 in northwestern Sumter County.

After listening to a program of speeches, the young men marched to a military cadence and stood between the pews of the prison’s chapel. One by one, they stepped forward to get certificates for completing the incarceration program and counseling. Most received a certificate for performing community service and an “Eyes on the Prize” certificate for completing the program disciplinary free — and a few also received their GED degrees.

Young, non-violent offenders can be sentenced to the 90-day program if they

SEE SHOCK, PAGE A6

Inmates embrace their service club

BY JIM HILLEY (803) 774-1211 jim@theitem.com Among the guests at Thursday’s graduation ceremony was Sumter Salvation Army Maj. Robby Robbins, who was there to accept the proceeds of a food drive conducted by the newly formed Rotaract Club of the Shock Incarceration Program.

At the invitation of the Lake Murray-Irmo Rotary Club, participants in the Shock program organized a chapter at the correctional facility.

Rotaract is a Rotary Clubsponsored organization for

young adults ages 18 to 30. According to material supplied by the Rotary Club, the purpose of the program is to “provide opportunity for them to enhance the knowledge and skills that will assist in personal development and address the physical and social needs of their community.”

Attorney Joel Collins, a founding member of his Rotary Club in Columbia, who said Rotary’s motto is “Service above self,” told the inmates they can be proud of starting the club.

SEE SERVICE, PAGE A6

More jobs wanted means higher jobless rate for Sumter State’s rate falls to 5.5 percent

BY BRADEN BUNCH bbunch@theitem.com (803) 774-1201 Sumter County’s unemployment rate climbed in March as more people returned to the labor force looking for work, the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce reported Friday.

Climbing to 6.2 percent, up 0.3 percentage points, the local unemployment rate did so despite gaining about 250 more jobs during

the month. These gains were offset by the nearly 400 people returning to the Sumter labor force.

Should these preliminary numbers hold, it would mark the third-straight month Sumter County gained at least 250 jobs and, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, gives the local area its highest number of employed people since April 2007.

Statewide, the unemployment rate continued to drop, falling to a seasonally adjusted rate of 5.5 percent, prompting both Gov. Nikki Haley and DEW Executive Director Cheryl Stanton to

‘With more South Carolinians working than ever before, it’s clear we are consistently moving in the right direction, and that is another great reason to celebrate.’

GOV. NIKKI HALEY issue statements touting statewide employment as at its highest level in history.

“With more South Carolinians working than ever before, it’s clear we are consistently moving in the right direction, and that is another great reason to celebrate,” Haley said.

The seasonally adjusted figures for the state — which are the standard figures used when the unemployment rate is announced and when comparing rates between states — say there were 2,046,002 people employed in South Carolina in March 2014, which is the

highest level that figure has reached.

In fact, using the seasonally adjusted figures, the claim that South Carolina was at its highest level of employment would have been correct for each of the last six months.

Using the figures that are not seasonally adjusted, however — such as the numbers reported for Sumter, as well as each of the state’s 46 counties — paints a slightly different picture.

With these figures, while the number of employed statewide has grown substantially in recent months,

SEE JOBLESS, PAGE A7

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SATURDAY, APRIL 19, 2014

THE SUMTER ITEM

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

Digging to close Alice Drive for 2 days

BY BRISTOW MARCHANT bmarchant@theitem.com (803) 774-1272 The latest stage in the Alice Drive road-widening project will cause some drivers a longer commute next week.

Alice will be closed to through traffic for two days between Gion Street and Wesmark Boulevard.

The road will be closed for approximately 34 hours Tues-

day and Wednesday while construction crews dig up a portion of the street.

“We’re laying water pipe, and that’s where it’s crossing the street,” said Justin Farnum, the project manager overseeing work on Alice Drive for the contracting company Palmetto Corp.

The road will close at 8 a.m.

Tuesday when work is slated to begin, stay closed off during the night and re-open

when the crossover is expected to be completed about 6 p.m. Wednesday.

For weeks now, crews have dug a half-mile trench along the road’s eastern shoulder between Wesmark and Thomas Drive, installing water pipe in advance of paving to widen Alice to five lanes later this year. Now the piping has to cross the street to reach customers on the other side.

“Everything’s been laid on

the east side, and now we’re going over to the west side of Alice and going up to Wesmark,” Farnum said.

Although through traffic will be rerouted from the entire section of Alice between Gion and Wesmark, work will be focused around the opening of Clematis Trail. Clematis will be the only connecting road closed during construction, and residential traffic will still be able to

turn onto Gingko Drive to the south of the work zone and Rolling Hill Lane to the north. Parking at Professional Court on Wesmark will also be unaffected, Farnum said.

Homeowners and visitors to Clematis can still reach the trail by going through Gingko or Rolling Hill. But for a couple days next week, those drivers will just have to take the long way home.

STATE BRIEFS FROM ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORTS

Man dies in fall at Myrtle Beach hotel MYRTLE BEACH — A 22-year-old man has died after falling seven floors from the balcony of a Myrtle Beach hotel.

Horry County Deputy Coroner Darris Fowler said the fall happened shortly after midnight Thursday. The name of the victim has not been released while family members are notified.

Authorities are investigating, but they do not suspect foul play. A police report said an officer was flagged down by the manager of the Windsurfer Motel on North Ocean Boulevard at the time of the fall.

The victim was found on the ground near the hotel pool.

Police: 6-year-old boy shoots, kills woman EASLEY — Police in Easley said a woman has been accidentally shot to death by a 6-year-old boy as she sat in a moving car.

Pickens County Coroner Kandy Kelley said 22-year-old Alexandra Anita Santos of Easley died Thursday afternoon after she was shot in the back as she sat in the front seat of a friend’s car.

Police said the friend’s 6-year-old son fired the gun through the seat, killing Santos. Police said the boy found the loaded gun in the backseat of the car.

Maj. Tim Tollison said Easley investigators are trying to find out who owned the gun. Police have not released the name of the person driving the car.

No charges have been filed.

MUSC picks department head as new president CHARLESTON — The Medical University of South Carolina has hired from within in selecting its new president, a surgeon who has worked at the university for two decades.

The university board of trustees on Thursday selected as president Dr. David Cole, the chairman of the university’s Department of Surgery and president of MUSC Physicians.

Cole was one of three finalists selected from more than 50 applicants in a nationwide search.

He succeeds Dr. Ray Greenberg, who left last August to take a position with the University of Texas Health System.

PHOTOS BY JADE REYNOLDS / THE SUMTER ITEM

Dwayne Johnson and the Soul Food Jazz band perform Thursday at the Wateree AIDS Task Force Dining With Friends event. Members are Jared Lampkins Jr. on drums, Deshawn Washington on keyboard and Johnson on saxophone.

‘Friends’ gather for AIDS task force fundraiser Using the story of the paralyzed man and his friends in Luke chapter 5, keynote speaker the Rev. Blassingame talks about “when you’re about to give up, look up.” About 200 people came out to the annual fundraiser Thursday.

BY JADE REYNOLDS jade@theitem.com (803) 774-1250 With people hugging, chatting and laughing, it was truly a gathering of friends.

About 200 people came together for the Wateree AIDS Task Force’s annual fundraiser, Dining With Friends, on Thursday at Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church’s Enrichment Center.

“Our purpose is just that, to help our brothers in need,” said Kevin Johnson, executive director of the task force.

“We’re ever evolving, (and) you continue to support the work we are doing.

It’s hard to find the words to express our deep gratitude for your help in addressing the issues of individuals infected with HIV.” Keynote speaker the Rev. James Blassingame focused on the power of faithful friends as he read from Luke 5:18-20 about men bringing their paralyzed friend to Jesus for healing by lowering him through the roof when they could not get in through the door.

“I want to challenge us with a good example of what friends do for friends,” he said. “The paralytic man received healing not because of his faith but the faith of his friends. How many of us are where we are today because of the faith and prayers of someone else?

“People today all around us are para-

lyzed. It may not be in their arms and legs, but a social situation, fears or unresolved conflict, their past, race, color, sex or sexuality. This is our community, our friends, our problem, our dilemma and our situation. We will deal with it.”

As Simon Major, chairman of the task force’s board of directors, wrapped up the event, he recalled another passage from the Bible in which the Israelites continued to win a battle as long as Moses held his arms up. As his arms grew tired, he had two friends help him hold them up.

“We can’t do it by ourselves,” Major said. “Because of holding hands with

friends, HIV is no longer a death sentence.”

He said the evening went “extremely well.”

“Diversity is the main thing,” Major said. “As you know, HIV and AIDS is not restricted to any one race or gender.

I think that message is getting out.”

First-time attendee and junior at Morris College Baptiste Crenshaw agreed.

“I loved it,” she said. “I loved listening to them. (It’s) wonderful to be part of it and help out. I hope to come next year, also.”

For more information on the task force, call (803) 778-0303.

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

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SATURDAY, APRIL 19, 2014

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USDA disaster assistance programs restored by Farm Bill The sign-up period for USDA disaster assistance programs restored by the Farm Bill began April 15. Eligible producers can enroll in one of four programs administered by the Farm Service Agency.

The Livestock Forage Disaster Program and the Livestock Indemnity Program will provide payments to eligible producers for livestock deaths and grazing losses that have occurred since the expiration of the livestock disaster assistance programs in 2011 and including calendar years 2012, 2013 and 2014.

The Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and FarmRaised Fish Program provides emergency assistance to eligible producers of livestock, honeybees and farm-raised fish that have suffered losses because of disease, severe weather, blizzards and wildfires.

Enrollment also began April 15 for the Tree Assistance Program, which provides financial assistance to qualifying orchardists and nursery tree growers to replant or rehabilitate trees, bushes and vines damaged by natural disasters.

Producers signing up for these programs are asked to contact the Sumter FSA office at (803) 905-7650 for information on the types of records needed and to schedule an appointment. Supporting documents may include livestock birth records, purchase and transportation receipts, photos and ownership records showing the number and type of livestock lost, documents listing the gallons of water transported to livestock during drought, and more. Crop records may include purchase receipts for eligible trees, bushes or vines, seed

and fertilizer purchases, planting and production records, and documentation of labor and equipment used to plant or remove eligible trees, bushes, or vines.

Producers have three to nine months to apply depending on the program and year of the loss. Details are available from any local FSA office.

For more information, producers may review the 2014 Farm Bill Fact Sheet and the LIP, LFP, ELAP and TAP fact sheets online http://1.usa. gov/1jRTPaQ or visit their local FSA office or USDA Service Center.

AP FILE PHOTO

Oregon Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas A. Balmer, center, questions an attorney on Feb. 15 during arguments heard at the University of Oregon School of Law in Eugene, Ore. He is flanked by Justices Rives Kistler and Martha Walters as the seven-member court heard arguments that could reverse Jerrin Lavazie Hickman’s murder conviction based on two in-court witness identifications at his trial.

Eyewitness testimony no longer a gold standard PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The American legal system offers few moments as dramatic as an eyewitness to a crime pointing his finger across a crowded courtroom at a defendant.

The problem is that decades of studies show eyewitness testimony is only right about half the time — a reality that has prompted a small vanguard of police chiefs, courts and lawmakers to toughen laws governing the handling of eyewitnesses and their accounts of crimes.

Reform advocates say procedures long regarded as solid police work, from bringing a witness to a crime scene where he might see a suspect in handcuffs to the subtle encouragement of a detective during a police lineup, can fundamentally alter what someone thinks he or she saw.

“It’s not the case that eyewitnesses are inherently unreliable,” said Gary Wells of Iowa State University, who has researched the field of eyewitness identification since the 1970s. “But we can make it better by cleaning up the procedures around it.”

Prosecutors, however, have opposed the efforts, arguing that the changes erode their powers, even as studies have shown that eyewitnesses are about half as likely to choose the correct suspect out of a lineup as they are to choose some combination of the innocent fillers or no suspect at all when the correct one is present. The reexamination of eyewitness testimony comes at a time when technology and other forensic analysis are being given greater weight.

In Maryland, legislators this week passed a bill that overhauls the state’s eyewitness identification procedures, but not before the prosecutor for Baltimore County testified against it. “What we see is a fairly organized and aggressive attack on all forms of evidence prosecutors use to get convictions,” said Scott Burns, executive director of the National District Attorneys Association.

Burns said criminal defense attorneys, groups that try to get wrongful convictions overturned and the American Civil Liberties Union are part of a bloc that is selecting outlier cases of prosecutorial misconduct or witness mishandling and applying that to the entire system.

It’s that attitude that gives advocates of reform migraines, said Rebecca Brown, state policy reform director for the Innocence Project, which pursues exonerations of the wrongfully convicted.

“We joke in the office that it’s like climate change,” she said. “There’s settled science, and then there’s this group of people denying it.”

The U.S. Supreme Court had a chance to establish a national standard for eyewitness testimony when it handled a 2012 case from New Hampshire. The court instead delegated that responsibility to the states, which could choose to overhaul their laws or do nothing at all. Most chose the latter.

Advocates of reform seek several major changes to the way police and prosecutors operate. They want “blind” administrators of lineups — people who don’t know who the suspect is — and a lineup that doesn’t unfairly single out a suspect. They want police to record an eyewitnesses’ degree of confidence in his identification, and they want

any photo lineups of suspects to be randomized.

In Texas, the state allowed for the possibility that agencies might need to cut the law to fit their individual needs.

Law enforcement agencies must either adopt the Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas’ guidelines for lineups composed of people or photographs or submit their own plan that conforms to the law.

In Oregon and New Jersey, the state supreme courts implemented stringent guidelines for the treatment of such testimony, and another seven states, from Connecticut to North Carolina, along with a number of cities have overhauled their treatment of eyewitness testimony.

A case that’s playing out in Oregon, advocates say, highlights the problems.

Two women, both white, peered through their rainstreaked car window at a crowded street corner in 2007 and saw a black man fire a handgun four times. One person fell dead and the shooter ran at their car. They

screamed. They made it a half-dozen blocks before police stopped them and asked them what they saw. Not much, they said, and what they did see was blurred by the rain, the dark and their own terror.

But two years later, after seeing Jerrin Hickman in the courtroom seat normally reserved for defendants, one of the women identified him.

“Oh, my God,” she said, hyperventilating, according to appellate filings in the murder case. “That’s him, that’s him, that’s him.”

Their testimony was unanimously dismissed as implausible by the Oregon Court of Appeals, which found that a host of factors that have rarely been given weight in American criminal law unfairly twisted the recollections of the two women and their confidence in their own testimony.

For one, studies have shown racial differences between witness and suspect makes identification much more difficult. Second, the girls hadn’t given any indication of their confidence in their choice of

suspect initially, so it was impossible to later judge its value against their later certainty.

And most important to the suspect’s attorneys, the first time the girls saw the suspect since the shooting was when he was seated at the defense table, which was “egregiously suggestive.” The case is under consideration by Oregon’s highest court, the first challenge to the state’s new law regarding eyewitnesses.

Multnomah County, Ore., district attorney Rod Underhill said as a prosecutor, he’s prepared to embrace the reforms but worries that the realities for small departments could turn a good law into a logistical nightmare.

“If it’s 10 p.m. on Saturday night, you only have one officer working and the other is a half-hour away on the other side of the county,” Underhill said. “That makes getting a blind administrator difficult, if not impossible.”

Underhill said law enforcement’s top priority is justice, but he is worried about a onesize-fits-all policy.

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LOCAL | NATION

SATURDAY, APRIL 19, 2014

THE SUMTER ITEM

British expat loves job with Sumter EMS

BY BRISTOW MARCHANT bmarchant@theitem.com (803) 774-1272 Craig Hunt doesn’t immediately stand out from the other paramedics with Sumter Emergency Medical Services, until he opens his mouth.

His British accent still draws double takes in South Carolina and sometimes causes confusion with his patients.

“I’ve had to slow down the way I talk a lot, especially when I’m on the radio,” Hunt said, but doubts he’ll ever drop all the way into a true Southern drawl. “My accent isn’t going anywhere.”

It’s been almost a decade since he moved with his family to the United States to pursue his dream of being an emergency responder, although initially, Hunt wanted to go into a different service.

“Since I was 2 years old, I’ve wanted to be a firefighter. That’s all I wanted to do,” he said. “The quickest way to get into the fire department over here was to get certified as an EMT. So I took the EMT class here in Sumter, and I kind of fell in love with EMS.” In the six years he’s been here, he worked his way up from EMT to a paramedic instructor, and he and fellow responder Kyle Sanders even won the right to represent the Pee Dee region in the state paramedic championship competition earlier this spring.

“Our paramedics and EMTs here are some of the best in the state,” he said. “The people here are an amazing group of people to work for. I really consider them my family. We all help each other out as best we can. They’ve been with me through the highs and the lows.”

He also eventually realized his dream of serving as a firefighter, working one 24-hour shift a week at West Florence Fire Department.

“I also volunteer with Sumter Fire Department, so I’m never quite off duty,” he said. “Nine times out of 10, I’m doing something with either EMS or the fire department.”

TSI: Hey, you sound funny. Where are you from?

BRISTOW MARCHANT / THE SUMTER ITEM

Sumter paramedic Craig Hunt stands in front of an EMS ambulance recently. A native of Cambridge, England, Hunt followed his family to the United States to pursue his dream of being an emergency responder.

CH: I’m originally from a small town called March, about two hours north of London. I usually say I’m from Cambridge, because that’s the closest big city to where I’m from. I’ve been here since January of 2007, and this is my sixth year with EMS. It’s been a journey so far.

TSI: How did you wind up here?

CH: My mom married into the (U.S.) Air Force when she married my stepdad. He got ordered over here, so they moved over here. They’ve been here about 10 years now. They were stationed in Missouri, and I went on vacation to visit them. I met up with a fire captain there, and he actually offered me a job, and I said, ‘I’m just here on vacation.’ I went home two days later, and I was home for a few hours before I said, ‘I want to go to America.’ It took me about a year to get my visa processed. Halfway through the process, my parents called and said, ‘we’re moving,’ and I was like, ‘please tell me you’re not coming back to England.’ They said, ‘no, we’re going to South Carolina,’ and I was like, ‘where’s that? Is it near Florida?’

My sister also married someone in the Air Force. She’s been here about

18 years, she’s quite a bit older than what I am, and she and her husband and my two nieces were stationed at Shaw too, so when I moved here, it was like a big family reunion. I did get a little bit homesick, but it was easy to adapt with them here.

TSI: If you were still in England, would you be doing the same thing you are here?

CH: I think so. As long as I can remember, I’ve always been fascinated by emergency service workers. Unfortunately for me, I applied to the fire service back in England, took all the tests, passed all the tests, but I have a color deficiency when it comes to red and green, and they bar entry for that. Part of the reason I came here is because they don’t have that restriction here.

TSI: Was there any culture shock when you came over?

CH: I remember the first time I came here was to take an EMT class, and (EMTs) Robbie Strickland and Steven Porter were sitting out there, and I came up and said, ‘Hi, I’m Craig, I’m an EMT student. I’m here to do ride time,’ and they just looked at each other like, ‘what did he say?’ It

took a long time for people to understand me. I’ve had to change the way I talk a lot. But there are similarities between Sumter and where I come from in England, so it was a fairly easy adjustment.

TSI: Do you still have problems with your accent?

CH: If I’m with a patient, it gives us something to talk about. They’ll say ‘my chest hurts,’ and I’ll say ‘how long has it been hurting, etc.’ and they kind of stop what they’re saying and go, ‘Hang on, where are you from?’ Sometimes I say I’m from Texas, and some people believe me.

But that gives me a bond to start the trust process with a patient, it puts them at ease.

TSI: Do you still have any homesickness?

CH: There are certain aspects I miss about England, but I love my life here.

Sumter’s in kind of a central location, two hours from the beach, a couple hours from Charlotte. The weather’s a lot better here, obviously. I miss certain foods, but my life’s here. I have two daughters (Ella, 4, and Lexie, 4 months) and they’re my world, my everything.

Late sign-ups improve outlook for Obama health law WASHINGTON (AP) — A surge of eleventh-hour enrollments has improved the outlook for President Obama’s health care law, with more people signing up overall and a much-needed spark of interest among young adults.

Nonetheless, Obama’s announcement Thursday that 8 million have signed up for subsidized private insurance, and that 35 percent of them are younger than 35, is just a peek at what might be going on with the nation’s newest social program.

Still to be announced is what share of those enrolled were previously uninsured — the true test of Obama’s Affordable Care Act — and how many actually secured coverage by paying their first month’s premiums.

“This thing is working,” a confident Obama said of his signature domestic achievement. The days of website woes and canceled policies seemed far behind.

State-by-state statistics, ex-

pected as early as next week, will provide a much fuller picture.

A key question is how many of those signed up were young adults, ages 18-34.

They’re the health care overhaul’s most-coveted demographic because they’re healthier than older adults, and their premiums can help cross-subsidize care for the sick. That would help hold down future premium increases.

According to the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation, young adults 18-34 repre-

sent about 40 percent of the people eligible to buy coverage in the health care law’s new insurance markets. The White House says that group now accounts for 28 percent of those who have picked a plan in states where the federal government is running the insurance exchanges.

Not perfect, but not bad either, said Larry Levitt, an insurance expert with Kaiser.

“Enrollment among young adults ended up lower than their share of the target population but sufficient to keep the market stable in the vast

majority of the country,” he said.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office is forecasting only a slight average increase in premiums for 2015. Some private insurance experts expect big differences across the country, predicting that insurers will seek noticeably higher premiums, about 6 percent to 8 percent on average.

Republicans were having none of Obama’s celebration.

A statement from the office of Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said

he remains committed to repealing the law and replacing it.

The president appeared in the White House briefing room to trumpet the new figures, which beat initial projections by 1 million people.

Following the disastrous rollout of the insurance exchanges in October, when HealthCare.gov was virtually unusable, Democrats have been hoping that higher-thanexpected results could help their candidates reclaim the political high ground ahead of the midterm elections.

REVIEWS

THE SUMTER ITEM

SATURDAY, APRIL 19, 2014

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Bone up on aviation history with Smithsonian book

BY DOUGLASS K. DANIEL The Associated Press

W

ho discovered the planet Uranus in 1781? Don’t feel bad if the name William Herschel, a British musician and telescope builder, doesn’t come to mind in a snap.

Only those with out-of-this-world interests could possibly score well in answering the questions posed in “The Smithsonian Book of Air & Space Trivia.” And such buffs would probably chafe at the suggestion that this informative little book, edited by Amy Pastan, is filled with unimportant details.

These days, the excitement once generated by astronauts and spaceships is easier to find in video games and in movies such as “Gravity” than in headlines and TV news. Lest we forget, this book shows us how far we have come — and suggests how far we have yet to travel.

AVIATION HISTORY QUIZ How much do you know? Take this quiz, and find out.

1. What daring aviator flew solo around the world in the Winnie Mae? 2. Who was the first woman to fly solo and nonstop across the Atlantic?

3. What flamboyant pilot briefly flew with a pet lion?

4. Who was the first woman to fly solo around the world?

5. What was the name of the first chimp in space?

6. Which Hollywood film producer set a world speed record in 1935 and broke the record for flying a transcontinental route in 1937?

7. Who earned the nickname “Muttnik”?

8. Who was the first pilot to fly at twice the speed of sound?

9. Who was the first black woman to be a licensed pilot?

10. Who was the first person to dine in space as well as the first to photograph the Earth from space and was also the oldest space traveler?

1. Wiley Post made only 11 stops in his nearly eight-day trek in 1933.

2. Amelia Earhart made her 15-hour flight in 1932, five years after Charles Lindbergh did it in twice the time.

3. Roscoe Turner flew with a lion cub in 1930 while working for Gilmore Oil Co., which used a lion’s head for its trademark.

4. Geraldine Mock piloted the Spirit of Columbus from Ohio’s capital on a 29-day flight in 1964.

5. The trained chimp named Ham was placed inside a Mercury spacecraft in 1961 to test whether humans could fully function in space.

6. Howard Hughes not only set fight records, he also produced the 1930s movies “Hell’s Angels” and “Scarface.”

7. A mixed-breed stray dog named Laika went into space in 1957 as the Soviets studied the effects of space flight on mammals. During the flight of Sputnik 2, “Muttnik” died from stress and an overheated cabin.

8. Scott Crossfield, in 1953, beat the record of Mach 1 set six years earlier by Chuck Yeager.

9. Bessie Coleman, a native of Texas, was licensed in France in 1921. She later performed stunt flying in the U.S. until she died in an accident in 1926.

10. John Glenn was also the first American to orbit the Earth, in 1962. He returned to space at 77 years old in 1998.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

The answers:

Learn interesting tidbits about space and aviation in “The Smithsonian Book of Air & Space Trivia.”

Siri-like Cortana fills Windows phone gap

BY ANICK JESDANUN AP Technology Writer NEW YORK — “Yay, it’s Nick! How can I help?”

Thanks for asking, Cortana. And thanks for making the Windows phone software better, Microsoft.

With the new Cortana virtual assistant, Windows catches up with Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android in a major way. Microsoft takes some of the best parts of Apple’s and Google’s virtual assistants and adds a few useful tools of its own. The result is Cortana, named after an artificial-intelligence character in Microsoft’s “Halo” video games.

The update, including Cortana, will come with new phones starting next month, while existing phones will be able to download it for free in the coming months. On Monday, Microsoft is making a preview version available to software developers.

Apple’s Siri virtual assistant on iPhones and iPads has a feisty personality. She has good comebacks for such questions as, “What is the meaning of life?” She’s also helpful with directions, restaurant recommendations and appointment reminders.

Google Now on Android phones is boring by comparison, but it’s better at anticipating your needs and giving you information before you even ask.

Cortana combines Siri’s personality with Google Now’s knack for anticipation.

Cortana also incorporates a feature for blocking calls, texts and notifications during times of your choosing, while letting you set exceptions for specific people or emergencies (defined as someone trying to call again within three minutes). That feature is separate on iPhones and Samsung’s Android phones. Other differences include:

CORTANA ASKS RATHER THAN ASSUMES. When you first use Cortana, she guides you through a brief questionnaire to gauge your interests. You can tap an icon on the top right to pull down a notebook and change your preferences.

Cortana also offers to scan your email for flights and other events to remind you about.

Unlike Google Now, Cortana asks whether you’d like that flight tracked. Google Now does that automatically and erroneously picks up itineraries that your travel companions send you. Also, Google Now works only with Gmail, while Cortana works with all major services

except Yahoo, which Microsoft says it couldn’t track because of Yahoo’s terms of service.

Although Cortana avoids mistakes by asking, she requires slightly more work on your part. After asking Cortana about the latest Mets game, I had to tap a link to get future updates automatically. I didn’t have to do anything with Google Now. But Google Now also assumes that just because I search for a company once, I want its stock quote every day.

CORTANA LETS YOU ASK FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS. After asking Cortana for Mexican restaurants, I asked for ones that are open and got

my list narrowed.

I then asked for the ones that are good. Cortana responded with the Mexican restaurants that are both open and have at least four stars on Yelp.

Siri and Google Now tend to treat each request as new, though both will let you make reservations through OpenTable. Cortana tells you only that a place takes reservations.

CORTANA OFFERS MORE WAYS TO SET REMINDERS. Like Siri and Google Now, Cortana lets you set reminders based on the time. Like Google Now, Cortana also lets you set reminders based on location.

When you arrive at work, for

instance, she can remind you to mail a package.

Unlike the others, Cortana also lets you set people-based reminders. Let’s say your friend Mary just had a baby.

You can ask Cortana to remind you to mention that the next time you call, text or email Mary.

Cortana is fine for basic queries, though sometimes you have to ask a few times.

Cortana’s improvements over Siri and Google Now aren’t enough to compel a switch from an iPhone or Android phone, but Cortana does address an omission in Windows Phone for those already thinking of getting one.

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LOCAL

SATURDAY, APRIL 19, 2014

SHOCK FROM PAGE A1 go through a 15-day screening program.

Ginny Barr, division director of South Carolina’s Young Offender Parole and Reentry Services, said the program is not new, but the department started revamping how it operates about a year ago.

“It has moved from being a boot camp to being a program that is focused on service, character development, education and charity, those kinds of things,” she said.

“It’s less about a punitive boot-camp approach; it is more therapeutic.”

She said the early results have been very positive.

“They have responded extraordinarily well, even beyond our expectations,” Barr said. “Nationally, this is the most productive and the best practice to prevent recidivism. The punitive approach is not the answer. It can actually cause them to be worse rather than better.

The new approach is to have more balance. Part of that is discipline but also teaching.

If you discipline but don’t teach, what’s the point?”

A core principle of the program is to encourage the young men to embrace community service, and the group formed a Rotaract Club to help them achieve that goal.

Columbia attorney Joel Collins, a future president of the American Board of Trial Advocates, gave an inspira-

SERVICE FROM PAGE A1 “Now you are founding members, too,” he said.

Collins spoke of the importance of service as part of the “pursuit of happiness,” enshrined in the Constitution.

“When Thomas Jefferson wrote those inspiring words … that is the true happiness he meant,” he said.

Associate Warden Charmaine Ragin, a Rotary Club member, spoke about the offenders’ affiliation with the Rotary Club as a way of promoting their dedication to community service.

“We got together to found the group, but we weren’t sure what kind of service they could do,” she said. “We decided to think it over for a week.

Before we could do that, I re-

‘Nationally, this is the most productive and the best practice to prevent recidivism. The punitive approach is not the answer. ... If you discipline but don’t teach, what’s the point?’

GINNY BARR Division director, South Carolina’s Young Offender Parole and Reentry Services tional speech to the graduating class, staff and guests attending the ceremony.

“You may think you have a terrible burden to bear,” he said, “but anyone can bounce back.”

“The most important conversation you can have in your life is the one you have with yourself, about yourself. You are young and strong; set some goals and take a step every day,” he advised.

Mason Gibbs, one of the graduates and president of the Rotaract Club at Wateree, also addressed the attendees.

“During our time here, we have increased in discipline and learned new values,” he said to his fellow program members. “You are talented, you are needed, you are loved.

“Life can be tough, and you can be tough. Let’s prove to the world we are now better men, and this is just a beginning. Stay motivated, stay dedicated, stay strong.”

Bryan Stirling, recently confirmed agency director of South Carolina Depart-

ceived a call saying these young men were going to do a food drive for the Salvation Army.

“Rather than us being the leaders, we were following their lead,” she said.

Ragin said the members of her Rotary Club were so impressed they “reached in their own pockets and came up with $310 for the food drive.”

Mason Gibbs, one of those graduating, was elected president of the newly formed group.

He said he would like to remain involved in the Rotary Club and has been invited to attend a Lake-Murray-Irmo Rotary Club meeting.

“I would love to see what they do there,” he said.

“I am planning on moving, and if they don’t have a Rotary Club there, I have already looked into how to start one.”

ment of Corrections, told the graduates not to hesitate to ask for guidance from those around them.

“If you need help, reach out and call someone. Ask your parents, grandparents or anyone you feel you can talk to. Ask, ‘how did you handle this?’

“Then do the right thing.

“When nobody else is there, how you act is the true sign of character,” Stirling said. “Continue to vol-

THE SUMTER ITEM unteer, and give back to your community as you did in Rotaract.”

After the ceremony, Gibbs said the program has helped him learn a new outlook on life, and he thanked the staff and his family for helping him make a turnaround.

“I’ve taken the opportunity to allow these 90 days to change me, to change my personality,” he said. “(I want to) make myself aware of what’s going on, how I can be a part of it instead of being part of the problem.”

Staff members praised Gibbs for his leadership and bringing a “can-do” attitude to the program.

Gibbs said he was raised to be a leader, but he did not utilize his gifts.

He said he did not expect returning to his normal life would be difficult.

“The hardest part is simply finding something to do with your time,” he said.

“You make poor decisions when you are idle. You have to have something to push you forward.”

Stirling said a new approach to programs such as the Shock Incarceration Program might be contributing to the decline in South Carolina’s prison population that has allowed the state to begin closing some facilities.

“Education is a key component of that also,” he said.

“Getting people GEDs, high school degrees, Work Keys.

There is a lot of economic development going on in South Carolina right now, and all these companies are looking for people right now.

If they can have the Work Keys, they can go into an employer and say, ‘I am certified in this, I can come in and do the work,’ and the thing is, the employer does not have to train them; they can just start them working.”

OBITUARIES | LOCAL

THE SUMTER ITEM

DAVID DOW Sr. SYRACUSE, N.Y. — David Dow Sr., 79, husband of Bertha M. Dow, died on Friday morning, April 11, 2014, at his home in Syracuse.

He was born on Nov. 28, 1935, in Summerton, and was a son of Earline Canty and the late Henry Canty Sr. David was a fun and loving person.

He was full of life and enjoyed DOW listening to the blues and hanging out with family and friends. He was employed at Crucible Steel for more than 30 years and retired in 1998.

David was preceded in death by two sisters, Mary and Dorothy Mae; and two brothers, George and Robert.

Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Bertha M. Dow of the home; one daughter, Darlene Dow of Syracuse; one son, David (Margurite) Dow Jr. of Rock Hill; one granddaughter, Dionna S. Dow; a loving mother, Earline Dow-Canty of Summerton; one brother, Henry (Geraldine) Canty of Fayetteville, N.C.; three sisters, MaryAnn Canty and Beulah Canty, both of New York, N.Y., and Josephine Junious of Summerton; a host of nieces, nephews and friends; and three special cousins, Frances Way of Syracuse, Willene Jons and Son Brown of Summerton.

Services for Mr. Dow were held Thursday in Syracuse.

Courtesy announcement by Summerton Funeral Home LLC, (803) 485-3755.

JOSHUA W. McCAMMON Joshua Wayne McCammon, 31, died Thursday, April 17, 2014, at Doctors Hospital in Augusta, Ga. Services will be announced

by Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter.

LILY MAE JENKINS Lily Mae Jenkins passed away on April 13, 2014.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. today at Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church.

Viewing will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. today at the church.

Local services entrusted to New Life Funeral Services LLC of Bishopville.

ALEX JACKSON Alex “Bubba” Jackson, 67,

SATURDAY, APRIL 19, 2014 died on Friday, April 18, 2014, at his home.

Born on Dec. 13, 1946, in Sumter County, he was a son of Nathaniel and Almeta June Jackson.

The family will receive friends and relatives at the home, 237 Woodlawn Ave., Sumter.

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

EDWARD SANDERS Edward Sanders, 89, widower of Magnolia Gamble Sanders, died Thursday, April 17, 2014, at his home.

Born on Dec. 9, 1924, in Sumter County, he was a son of the late Charlie and Martha Delay Sanders.

The family will receive

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friends and relatives at his home, 6620 Daniel Taylor Lane, Rembert.

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

JOHN H. JUNIOUS SUMMERTON — John Henry Junious, 63, entered into eternal rest on Friday, April 18, 2014, at Clarendon Memorial Hospital, Manning.

Born on April 21, 1950, in Clarendon County, he was a son of the late Alex and Rebecca White Junious.

The family is receiving friends at the home of his sister, Luecerra Junious, 3019 St. Paul Road, Summerton.

Professional services entrusted to Dyson’s Home for Funerals of Summerton.

WORLD

Captain, 2 crew of Sewol ferry arrested BRISTOW MARCHANT / THE SUMTER ITEM

Scott Alfred stands outside his bar Raven’s Nest near the sign barring guns from the establishment. Trying to find a middle ground in the debate regarding firearms in businesses that serve alcohol, Alfred put up the sign but allows those with concealed weapons permits to enter the bar with his approval. Many business owners are struggling with how to respond to legislation allowing concealed carry in bars passed earlier this year.

GUNS FROM PAGE A1 legislation that recently legalized the concealed carry of weapons in such places will see the combination of firearms and drinking, and the potentially explosive results, as evidence the policy is misguided and dangerous. But a supporter would point out the woman never entered the bar, may have kept the weapon in her car and it’s unclear if she even had the necessary permit to take the gun inside. Meanwhile, the man who was licensed to carry a weapon — Alfred — seems to be the proverbial “good guy with a gun.”

Eugene Baten falls firmly into the former category. A Sumter County councilman and former executive director of the Sumter County Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Baten calls the law passed by the S.C. General Assembly in February a “really bad law” and isn’t dissuaded by the requirement that carriers can’t drink alcohol when they have their guns on them.

“If you’re not drinking, why are you even in a bar?” he said. “Why do you even want to introduce that into that environment?”

Echoing many opponents of the law, Baten narrowed his opposition down to a simple point: “Guns and alcohol just don’t mix.”

But Rep. Murrell Smith said the law is a common-sense measure that furthers the purpose of a concealed weapons permit, allowing CWP holders to carry a gun for selfprotection.

“It’s a controversial bill if you listen to the media,” Smith said, “but it was not as controversial among the legislators.”

When the bill came up for debate in the Legislature, it was “overwhelmingly passed,” Smith said, by a final vote of 33-5 in the Senate, and 90-18 in the House. After a year of debate and amendments, the bill was signed into law by Gov. Nikki Haley on Feb. 11, immediately changing the legal landscape for restaurant and bar owners in the state.

The law includes restrictions on who can carry — permit holders who previously passed a training

course — and prohibits them from drinking.

Those guidelines allow carriers a measure of protection against those who don’t follow the rules. A blanket ban on carrying weapons, Smith argues, “favors criminals over lawabiding citizens.”

“When you see the incidents in bars and clubs we’ve had in Sumter where guns were involved, (the shooters) don’t worry about whether it’s illegal to carry a gun,” said the legislator.

As a concession to business owners who are uncomfortable allowing firearms in their businesses, the law allows them to post signs at the door barring guns from being brought into the establishment. But Alfred sees potential trouble whichever way he decides to go.

“That kind of puts the onus on us,” he said. “If you make the decision to put it up, you can lose a percentage of customers who believe in (the law), or if you don’t put it up, you can lose people who are against it.”

The law is also a concern to law enforcement officers who may be called on to respond to a late-night altercation outside a bar. Sumter County Sheriff Anthony Dennis said he encourages local establishments to post no-carry signs.

“I believe in a citizen’s right to bear arms, but I do oppose the act of carrying it into a bar, because in a bar, the majority do drink,” Dennis said. “My first concern is officer safety, and now if they encounter someone in that situation, you have to assume they’re armed.”

While the assumption is that a concealed-carry holder would also be able to respond with his or her weapon if a situation turns dangerous, Alfred thinks that would be unlikely in all but the most extreme scenarios.

“It’s just human nature to try to defuse the situation by retreating or backing out of the room somehow,” he said.

Police officers, on the other hand, are trained to respond to potentially deadly situations. Sumter Police Chief Russell Roark said the status of the law won’t affect how officers

JOBLESS FROM PAGE A1 like Sumter, statewide figures still remain behind 2007 levels.

At the same time, using the non-seasonally adjusted figures, the state’s unemployment rate sits at a slightly better 5.4 percent.

Friday’s report had even better news for Clarendon and Lee counties, as DEW reported both of those counties saw rates drop because of robust

treat any tense situation they walk into.

“There’s no such thing as a routine call,” Roark said. “Every situation you go into carries an unknown risk, whether it’s in a bar or a home.”

One problem opponents have with the law is that it makes no distinction between bars and restaurants.

A law that allows someone to carry a gun to a family dinner at a place that also serves alcohol gives the same freedom to someone entering a crowded bar on a Saturday night.

When the issue comes up with daytime restaurant operators, “I don’t think they care,” Alfred said.

“You look around town, and there’s not a lot of sit-down restaurants that are open at nighttime. Usually by 10 o’clock, they’re done.”

Baten said the law could be improved if legislators drew a distinction between restaurants, where guns can be allowed with less threat of danger, and bars that would face tougher restrictions.

“They should amend it to say if your primary sales come from alcohol, it’s a bar, and they can classify it as such,” he said.

But that distinction doesn’t exist under South Carolina law, Smith said, because both types of establishment receive the same license from the Department of Revenue.

“In South Carolina, you can’t sell alcohol unless you serve food,” he said. “Before this, if you had a concealed weapons permit, you had to leave your weapon in the car, because you weren’t able to take it into a restaurant if they served a glass of wine.”

When it came time to make his own decision, Alfred decided to split the difference. He put up a no-guns sign outside the Raven’s Nest but also made it known he will allow in permit holders if they ask his permission.

“If they come talk to me, and I know them, and I know they may have it on them, I’ll let them in,” Alfred said. “And if I see them drinking and I know they have a weapon, I might tell them to go put it in their vehicle before I call law enforcement.”

job gains. Clarendon, which last year was the site of several economic development announcements as companies announced their plans to locate in the rural community, saw about 170 new jobs in March as its unemployment rate dropped 0.1 percentage points to 7.7 percent. In Lee County, the unemployment rate dropped 0.3 percentage points to 6.4 percent as the Bishopville area gained about 100 jobs.

Nationally, the unemployment rate sits at 6.7 percent.

MOKPO, South Korea (AP) — The captain of a sunken South Korean ferry was arrested Saturday on suspicion of negligence and abandoning people in need, as investigators looked into whether his evacuation order came too late to save lives. Two crew members were also arrested, a prosecutor said.

The disaster three days ago left more than 270 people missing and at least 29 people dead.

As the last bit of the sunken ferry’s hull slipped Friday beneath the murky water off southern South Korea, there was a new victim: a vice principal of the high school whose students were among the passengers was found hanged, an apparent suicide.

The Sewol had left the northwestern port of Incheon on Tuesday on an overnight journey to the holiday island of Jeju in the south with 476 people aboard, including 323 students from Danwon High School in Ansan. It capsized within hours of the crew making a distress call to the shore a little before 9 a.m. Wednesday.

Only its dark blue keel jutted out over the surface. But by Friday night, even that had disappeared, and rescuers set two giant beige buoys to mark the area. Navy divers attached underwater air bags to the 6,852-ton ferry to prevent it from sinking deeper, the Defense Ministry said.

The coast guard said divers began pumping air into the ship to try to sustain any survivors.

Strong currents and rain made it difficult to get inside the ferry. Divers worked in shifts to try to get into the vessel, where most of the passengers were thought to have been trapped when it sank, coast guard spokesman Kim Jae-in said.

Investigators said the wreck came at a point where the ship had to make a turn, and prosecutor Park Jae-eok said investigators were looking at whether the third mate ordered a turn that was so sharp that it caused the vessel to list.

The sharp turn came between 8:48 a.m. and 8:49 a.m., but it’s not known whether it was done voluntarily or because of some external factor, said Nam Jae-heon, a spokesman for the Maritime Ministry.

Another angle being probed is the role of the captain, 68-year-old Lee Joon-seok.

Senior prosecutor Yang Jung-jin said the captain was detained early Saturday, along with the two crew members. Lee faces five charges including negligence of duty and violation of maritime law, according to the Yonhap news agency.

Yang said earlier that Lee was not on the bridge when the ferry was passing through an area with many islands clustered closely together, something he said is required by law so the captain can help a mate make a turn. The captain also abandoned people in need of help and rescue, he said.

“The captain escaped before the passengers,” Yang said.

Two crewmembers on the bridge of the ferry — a 25-year-old woman and a 55-year-old helmsman — also failed to reduce speed near the islands and conducted a sharp turn, Yang said. They also did not carry out necessary measures to save lives, he said.

Another focus of the investigation is that a quicker evacuation order by the captain could have saved lives.

Police said the vice principal who was found hanged from a tree on Jindo, an island near the sunken ship where survivors have been housed, had been rescued from the ferry.

Identified as Kang Min-kyu, he was the leader of the students traveling on a school excursion.

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SATURDAY, APRIL 19, 2014

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

Lincoln High School Class of 1963 will meet at 2 p.m. today 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. today 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, stay-at-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 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.

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 11 a.m.-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 town of Pinewood Committee will hold a Pinewood Gospel Fest at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 26, at the Manchester football stadium, S.C. 261, Pinewood. Call Tom Moore at (803) 464-4662 for information.

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 Lynchburg Magnolia Beautification Action Committee will hold its Annual Magnolia Festival and Parade on Saturday, May 3. The parade will begin at noon at Fleming Lighthouse Center, go down U.S. 76 and S.C. 341 to Main Street in Lynchburg. There will be vendors with a variety of food and gift items for sale. Music will be provided by the Army Band and Rock Band as well as Gentlemen of Distinction.

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) 5064019.

The Lee County Adult Education 2014 Community Involvement Day Fair will be held from 1 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 7, at Lee County Parks & Recreation, 121 E. College St., Bishopville. The purpose of the fair is to showcase, provide networking opportunities and community awareness.

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) 3765992.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Your quick wit EUGENIA LAST will be entertaining and invite new friendships. Expressing your feelings will help you gain respect and can lead to an interesting prospect. A financial gain is heading in your direction. Don’t squander what you should be saving.

enhance you personally.

The last word in astrology

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Proceed with caution if you face an unpredictable situation. Focus on what you can offer and the alliances you can develop. An idea or service you can offer has income potential. Check out any formalities required to push your plans forward.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): You mustn’t feel guilty if someone makes unreasonable demands.

Saying “no” will help you gain respect and give you more time to take care of matters closer to your own personal interests. Don’t pay for others’ mistakes or make donations you cannot afford.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Be careful what you say and how you react to others. You are likely to be misinterpreted by someone looking for more than what you have to offer. Keep your conversations simple, to the point and in no way misleading.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Avoid making sudden decisions or changes that are based on insufficient information. Money losses are likely if you don’t deal with personal situations properly.

Don’t take chances; do your homework and make decisions based on what you find.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Take time to fix up your digs or to clear a workspace that will allow you to develop your creative ideas. Love and romance should be at the top of your list for the evening hours.

Express your desires and dreams for the future.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Put your energy to good use. Delve into something that stimulates you mentally and physically.

Competitive sports, socializing with friends, or spending time with the one you love will be costly but well worth the expense. Love is highlighted.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Listen and learn. A time-out from talking will help you avoid trouble.

You will face opposition if you try to get others to follow you. Stick close to home and avoid setbacks, problems and delays while traveling. Focus on safety.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Do what’s best for you. Focus on money matters, better health and positioning yourself to land a better job. Stabilize your position amongst your friends and your peers, and you will set the course for a better future.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Include friends and family in whatever plans you make. Sharing will help you build a close bond with the people who can help you reach your goals. Changing your surroundings at home or by visiting PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): The unfamiliar places will lift your more you give, the more others will spirits. expect from you. Back away from VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): situations that leave you Confusion is likely to set in as the responsible for others. You need a day unfolds. If someone’s story break and should focus more on doesn’t appear to be realistic or valid, you are best to back away to your own projects. Being a little selfish will help you regain strength avoid any implications. Busy yourself with programs that will and respect.

DAILY PLANNER

THE SUMTER ITEM

WEATHER

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2014

AccuWeather® five-day forecast for Sumter TODAY

TONIGHT

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

Mostly cloudy with a little rain

Breezy with rain and drizzle

Mostly cloudy, breezy and warmer

Pleasant and warmer

A couple of afternoon t-storms

Sunny to partly cloudy

58°

47°

68° / 45°

77° / 50°

80° / 55°

79° / 53°

Chance of rain: 65%

Chance of rain: 55%

Chance of rain: 10%

Chance of rain: 0%

Chance of rain: 60%

Chance of rain: 10%

Winds: NNE 6-12 mph

Winds: SW 7-14 mph

Winds: N 6-12 mph

Winds: NE 12-25 mph

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

TODAY’S SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER

Gaffney 55/47 Spartanburg 60/46

Greenville 60/46

Columbia 58/47

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

IN THE MOUNTAINS

Sumter 58/47

Aiken 58/47

ON THE COAST

Charleston 63/51

Today: Breezy and cool with rain. High 61 to 65.

Sunday: Mostly cloudy; a little rain. High 66 to 70.

LOCAL ALMANAC

LAKE LEVELS

SUMTER THROUGH 4 P.M. YESTERDAY

Today Hi/Lo/W 59/49/r 64/43/s 79/61/pc 56/37/s 82/61/pc 73/58/pc 76/60/s 65/43/s 76/59/t 67/43/s 88/69/pc 62/50/s 67/47/pc

SUN AND MOON 7 a.m. yest.

358.12 75.58 74.95 97.53

24-hr chg none -0.04 -0.05 -0.22

Sunrise 6:46 a.m.

Moonrise none

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

trace 0.97" 1.81" 10.64" 11.41" 13.10"

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

60° 46° 75° 49° 91° in 1976 36° in 1962

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

Sun. Hi/Lo/W 73/52/pc 72/51/pc 80/64/pc 71/48/s 81/62/pc 78/59/pc 79/61/pc 60/42/pc 79/62/pc 64/43/pc 92/72/pc 65/52/pc 66/43/s

Myrtle Beach 62/55

Manning 58/49

Today: Breezy with a little rain. Winds northeast 10-20 mph.

Sunday: Partly sunny and warmer. Winds northeast 8-16 mph.

Temperature High Low Normal high Normal low Record high Record low

Florence 54/48

Bishopville 59/47

Sunset 7:56 p.m.

Moonset 10:10 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 8.10 -0.15 19 5.16 -1.73 14 5.47 -0.10 14 2.96 -2.66 80 79.88 +0.27 24 12.04 -4.75

AT MYRTLE BEACH

Today Sun.

High 12:24 a.m.

12:42 p.m.

1:16 a.m.

1:37 p.m.

Ht. 3.4 2.9 3.3 2.8

Low Ht. 7:34 a.m. -0.1 7:33 p.m. -0.1 8:27 a.m. 0.0 8:30 p.m. 0.0

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

Today Hi/Lo/W 62/42/r 58/46/r 58/49/r 63/52/r 57/55/r 63/51/r 54/45/r 60/48/r 58/47/r 54/48/r 56/50/r 54/50/r 54/48/r

Sun. Hi/Lo/W 70/42/pc 75/48/pc 73/47/pc 70/51/c 60/53/r 71/49/r 71/44/pc 74/52/pc 69/45/pc 68/44/c 64/47/c 66/44/c 67/44/c

Today City Hi/Lo/W Florence 54/48/r Gainesville 69/50/sh Gastonia 53/46/r Goldsboro 55/49/r Goose Creek 63/51/r Greensboro 52/45/r Greenville 60/46/r Hickory 61/45/r Hilton Head 61/60/r Jacksonville, FL 67/52/sh La Grange 60/45/pc Macon 58/47/sh Marietta 58/48/r

Sun. Hi/Lo/W 68/45/c 76/54/pc 72/44/pc 68/43/c 70/49/r 69/44/pc 73/47/pc 72/44/pc 68/56/r 72/55/c 75/46/pc 74/48/pc 75/51/pc

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

Today Hi/Lo/W 60/46/r 61/51/r 62/55/r 58/49/r 67/52/r 52/46/r 54/45/r 55/48/r 64/51/r 60/46/r 64/58/r 63/53/r 52/45/r

Sun. Hi/Lo/W 72/44/s 70/49/r 68/50/r 68/48/c 69/51/c 66/44/pc 70/42/pc 69/41/pc 71/50/c 73/47/pc 69/54/c 69/47/r 69/43/pc

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

LOTTERY NUMBERS PALMETTO CASH 5 FRIDAY

POWERBALL WEDNESDAY

7-14-19-20-26 PowerUp: 4

34-39-42-44-59 Powerball: 8 Powerplay: 3

PICK 3 FRIDAY

PICK 4 FRIDAY

9-0-4 and 3-9-7

2-2-9-3 and 8-8-3-1

MEGAMILLIONS numbers were unavailable at press time

PICTURES FROM THE PUBLIC SUBMITTED BY: Nancy Byer COMMENT: “This is an American goldfinch, also known as a yellow finch. They feed on thistle seed every morning, rain or shine, at the finch feeder in our yard. Even during the recent ice storm, the finches were feeding and paying no attention whatsoever to the sleet and rain and snow! Very hardy little birds and so pretty. During spring, they turn a brighter yellow.”

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

Sumter County School District track & field results

B

SATURDAY, APRIL 19, 2014

B3

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

USC FOOTBALL

PRO GOLF

Williams ready to shine for Carolina when time is right

Beating the weather

BY RYAN WOOD Post and Courier COLUMBIA— David Williams struggled getting comfortable as he stretched on the field at Williams-Brice Stadium, preparing for South Carolina’s spring game.

It had been more than a year since the redshirt freshman tailback carried the football in a game. The Gamecocks’ annual spring scrimmage wasn’t quite the same, but it was more than the scout team reps he’d received last fall.

Here was Williams’ chance to show his coaches what he could do on the field. It would be enough reason to give Williams the jitters, but there was more. After missing more than a week of practices because of a strained hamstring, an important spring was down to one final opportunity last Saturday afternoon.

Williams tried to get his body loose on the field before kickoff.

Easing his mind was a bigger challenge.

“I didn’t know what to expect WILLIAMS when I came out here,” Williams said. “I was thinking about my hamstring the whole time before it started.”

With starters saving their heavy workload until the fall, Williams was able to shine. He carried the ball seven times for 35 yards, including two touchdowns. It was the kind of performance that gave glimpses of what the youngster from Philadelphia could do in the future, perhaps even this year.

Nobody doubts Williams’ raw talent. He’s next in line to succeed junior Mike Davis as the workhorse in South Carolina’s backfield, whenever that opportunity opens. Even Davis has been impressed with the youngster, taking him under his wing and sharing praise and advice alike.

“Everybody is impressive in their own way, but I don’t know if you guys look at David Williams,” Davis said after a practice earlier this month. “He’s big, fast, strong.”

At 6-1, 210 pounds, Williams looks like an outside linebacker. It would be easy to mistake him for one, except he constantly finishes among the leaders during wind sprints.

All the physical skills are there for Williams to be a big-time player in the SEC. His goal this offseason is to learn how to play the game at this level. For that, he appreciates the advice Davis shares.

“He just told me, ‘Be more patient,’” Williams said. “Because when I first got here, I used to be (too) fast. He just said, ‘Be confident.’ Because I used to be second-guessing

SEE WILLIAMS, PAGE B4

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTOS

K. J. Choi, above, watches his drive down the 10th fairway during Friday’s second round of the RBC Heritage in Hilton Head Island. Choi managed to finish his entire round and leads the rain-delayed event at 5-under par. Palmetto state native Zach Johnson, right, watches his shot off the second tee during Friday’s play.

Choi leads rain-delayed RBC Heritage at 5 under

BY PETE IACOBELLI The Associated Press HILTON HEAD ISLAND — K.J. Choi’s early tee time and quick start moved him to the top of the rain-delayed RBC Heritage on Friday.

Choi shot a 67 to get to 5-under 137, one stroke ahead of Robert Allenby and two in front of a group led by former world No. 1 Luke Donald as the second round was suspended because of heavy storms.

Allenby was among 65 players still on the course when the rain hit Harbour Town Golf Links. Officials delayed the round shortly before 3 p.m. and then sent everyone home until this morning after waiting through about 90 minutes of steady, heavy rain.

Allenby has 13 holes to finish when play resumes Saturday morning.

Bishopville native Tommy Gainey played

LEADERBOARD Leaderboard at time of suspended play 1.

2.

3.

3.

3.

3.

3.

8.

8.

8.

8.

8.

8.

8.

8.

K.J. Choi Robert Allenby Luke Donald Billy Hurley III Bo Van Pelt Ben Martin Scott Langley Geoff Ogilvy Graeme McDowell Jim Furyk Charl Schwartzel Ted Potter, Jr. Nicholas Thompson Brian Harman Matt Every

-5 -4 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2

F 5 F F 5 4 F F 6 7 F 7 F 5 7

even through six holes and stands at 1-over par 72.

Donald shot a 69 and joined Billy Hurley III (69) and first-round tri-leader Scott Langley (73) in the clubhouse two shots behind Choi. Bo Van Pelt and Ben Martin were also at 3 under early in their rounds.

SEE HERITAGE, PAGE B4

PRO BASKETBALL

PREP FOOTBALL

Knights’ Young signs with Newport News Apprenticeship

NBA playoffs look more wide-open than expected

BY MICHAEL CHRISTOPHER mchristopher@theitem.com

er this month — happening in the same NBA playoff season.

“It is going to be tremendous from a fans’ standpoint, watching,” Golden State coach Mark Jackson said. “It going to be a lot of fun.”

Brooklyn’s Jason Kidd has plenty of postseason experience as a player. He believes the NBA championship is up for grabs, but also probably knows history doesn’t favor his sixth-seeded club.

Since 1979, only five teams seeded No. 4 or lower in their conference have reached the finals. But Kidd sees reason for hope.

“It’s always wide open,” said Kidd, the first-year coach of the Nets — a

Crestwood High School’s Markeise Young will get to do three things he loves next fall – work with his hands, getting paid to do so while going to school and playing football.

Young, a Knights linebacker, was accepted into the Newport News Apprenticeship School in Newport News, Va. Newport News is a shipbuilding school in which the students are actually paid a salary as YOUNG they learn their particular trades.

It has an NCAA Division III football program that is a member of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association.

“The way I see it, after talking with some players, I’ll be more successful because they have to get up early in the morning to get up go to class, work and then go play ball,” Young said of his decision to sign with The Builders.

“That’s what I like to do. I do it now and I’m kind of used to it.”

SEE NBA PLAYOFFS, PAGE B2

SEE YOUNG, PAGE B4

BY TIM REYNOLDS The Associated Press MIAMI — Before the season started, a poll suggested that the Miami Heat were the overwhelming favorite to win the NBA title, collecting a whopping 76 percent of ballots cast.

The voters weren’t some know-nothings, either.

No, this was a polling of NBA general managers.

Things seem quite a bit different now. The Heat don’t seem like locks for a third straight title anymore. San Antonio and Indiana are top seeds. Brooklyn, Chicago, the Los Angeles Clippers, Oklahoma City, Golden State, Houston, Portland and the Heat all figure to have a legitimate chance at being the club to hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy in a couple of months.

Usually, the NBA playoffs aren’t so wide open. Things might change over the next couple of months.

“There are 16 teams that have a chance to win it,” said Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks, whose team is seeded No. 2 in the West. “If you’re in the playoffs, you have a chance. There are some good teams. Any team can beat each other. The West is deep.

There are two teams that are really

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Brooklyn head coach Jason Kidd, left, talks to Shaun Livingston (14) and Deron Williams during a recent game. Although a six seed in the Eastern conference playoffs, Kidd and many experts believe the Nets can break a historic trend. good that didn’t make it and had great years. It’s definitely open. There’s a lot of good basketball teams that are fighting for the championship.”

For as good as San Antonio and Indiana were all year — well, for most of the year in Indiana’s case, before the Pacers faltered down the stretch — it’s never a certainty that the No. 1 seeds reach the NBA Finals. It’s happened that way only 11 times in the last 35 years.

Then again, the last time that there wasn’t either a No. 1 or a No. 2 in the title series was 1978. So while upsets can happen, it’s not all that common to see bracket craziness — akin to a No. 7 and No. 8 seeds Connecticut and Kentucky playing for the NCAA title earli-

B2

|

SPORTS

SATURDAY, APRIL 19, 2014

THE SUMTER ITEM

NBA PLAYOFF CAPSULES BRIAN MAHONEY & TIM REYNOLDS The Associated Press EASTERN CONFERENCE

No. 1 INDIANA PACERS (56-26) vs. No. 8 ATLANTA HAWKS (38-44) Season series: Tied, 2-2. Indiana posted a pair of victories two weeks apart in February, but the Hawks won the first and last meetings. The final one was perhaps the low point of the Pacers’ season, when they were held to a franchise-low 23 points in the first half of a 107-88 home loss on April 6.

Story line: The Pacers got the No. 1 seed they coveted and now must take advantage of it. The Hawks played just well enough to hold off New York for the No. 8 seed and will try to knock off a team that looked vulnerable late in the season.

Key matchup I: Roy Hibbert vs. Pero Antic. Hibbert had an AllStar first half and tailed off afterward, and was similarly inconsistent against the Hawks. He was a no-show offensively in Indiana’s losses, managing two total points after shooting 0 for 5 in 9 minutes in the April 6 game. Antic played in both Atlanta wins, scoring 16 and 18 points.

Key matchup II: David West vs. Paul Millsap. West averaged 19.5 points in Indiana’s victories but just 10.5 in their losses. Millsap mostly struggled against Indiana’s defense, totaling 18 points on 6-of-31 shooting in the first three games, but the All-Star went for 17 points in the finale.

X-factor: Jeff Teague. The speedy point guard averaged 20 points in Atlanta’s two victories and could cause problems for a defense even as good as Indiana’s, yet he was held to only 8.5 per game in the Pacers’ wins.

Prediction: Pacers in 5.

No. 2 MIAMI HEAT (54-28) vs. No. 7 CHARLOTTE BOBCATS (43-39) Season series: Heat, 4-0. It wasn’t always as easy as that looks.

Miami won 97-81 on Nov. 16, rallied from 14 points down in the fourth quarter to prevail 99-98 on Dec. 1, needed overtime to win in Charlotte 104-96 on Jan. 18, then finished off the sweep with a 124-107 win on March 3 — a game where LeBron James scored a career-high 61 points. The Bobcats are 0-15 vs. Miami since James and Chris Bosh joined Dwyane Wade in Miami.

Story line: Miami is not exactly rolling in its quest to win a third straight NBA title. The Heat didn’t get the No. 1 seed in the East and have lost 14 of their last 25 games since that 61-point night

by James. The Bobcats went 7-59 two years ago, 21-61 last year and more than doubled that win total this season, so they know there’s no pressure on them here. And Miami, like most teams, doesn’t have a great answer for Charlotte star Al Jefferson.

Key Matchup I: James vs. Jefferson. They won’t be guarding each other much, but Miami’s star will have to keep the pressure on Charlotte’s go-to guy. If Jefferson is held relatively in check, Miami would call that a huge win.

Key Matchup II: Kemba Walker vs. Mario Chalmers. Walker can be explosive, Chalmers tends to give Miami big games in the playoffs, and both can take some pressure off everyone else in the offense by stepping up their own games.

X-Factor: Wade. He missed about one-third of the season because of injuries and maintenance. He needs to be great for Miami to win it all, and he knows that.

Prediction: Heat in 5.

No. 3 TORONTO RAPTORS (48-34) vs. No. 6 BROOKLYN NETS (44-38) Season series: Tied, 2-2. The Raptors twice snapped Nets fivegame winning streaks in January, and one of the victories coming without DeMar DeRozan. They blew out Brooklyn the night after the Nets played a double-overtime game against Miami and rested Deron Williams and Kevin Garnett, but the other three games were decided by a total of seven points.

Story line: The Nets sure seemed like they were angling for this matchup by the way they played in the final days of the season, apparently believing their veteran experience will carry them in the postseason against a young Raptors team that won the Atlantic Division crown that the Nets were favored to take.

Key matchup I: Kyle Lowry vs. Williams. Lowry was over 20 points three times, with a high of 31 in Toronto’s one-point victory at Brooklyn on Jan. 27. Williams had two costly turnovers down the stretch of that one, including a bad inbounds pass that Patrick Patterson stole and turned into the winning basket. Williams also sat out two of the games, then scored 18 in Brooklyn’s 101-97 win on March 10.

Key matchup II: DeRozan vs. Shaun Livingston. DeRozan averaged 26.5 points in the first two games he played and will be a tough matchup for the Nets. Livingston, their most versatile defender, wasn’t a starter back then but had 18 points, four more than DeRozan, when he was during the final matchup.

X-factor: Mason Plumlee. The Nets will probably want Kevin Garnett on the floor as much as possible during the playoffs, but should be more confident in what their rookie can do now after he made 79 percent of his shots in 10 April games.

Prediction: Nets in 6.

No. 4 CHICAGO BULLS (48-34) vs.

No. 5 WASHINGTON WIZARDS (44-38) Season series: Wizards, 2-1. Washington won in Chicago 102-88 on Jan. 13, topped the Bulls at home 96-93 four nights later, then lost at home 96-78 on April 5. Combined points in the season series: Bulls 277, Wizards 276.

Story line: Welcome to the matchup of surprises. The Bulls started 9-16, lost Derrick Rose to injury again, traded Luol Deng and seemed to be shutting down for the season. Someone forgot to tell the Bulls that part of the plan, and they finished with an East-best 36-16 record since Jan. 1. Washington made the playoffs for the first time since 2008, one of four teams from the Southeast Division to emerge.

Key Matchup I: Backcourt vs. Backcourt. Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau has a strong corps of guards to choose from in Kirk Hinrich, Jimmy Butler and D.J. Augustin, who’s been great for the Bulls. He’ll need them all, and more, against Washington’s John Wall and Bradley Beal.

Key Matchup II: Joakim Noah vs. Marcin Gortat. Noah has been a rock for the Bulls, a probable vote-getter in both the MVP and Defensive Player of the Year races. And he can control games now in many ways. Gortat will be busy.

X-Factor: Taj Gibson. Can be a big spark off the bench, and the Bulls are a club that feasts off getting a bonus influx of energy every now and then.

Prediction: Bulls in 6.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

No. 1 SAN ANTONIO SPURS (62-20) vs.

No. 8 DALLAS MAVERICKS (49-33) Season series: Spurs, 4-0. Three of the four wins came by single digits, with the Spurs getting a pair of nine-point wins (116-107 and 109-100) at Dallas, and a 112-106 win at home to go along with the only one-sided game of their series, 112-90.

Story line: The Spurs were 28.2 seconds away from an NBA title last year in Miami, the rope that would be used to cordon off the court was in place ... and then the Heat had other ideas.

And while that obviously stung the Spurs, it also seemed to invigorate an older team that went on to dominate the season and win 19 straight at one point. They’re not trying to get back to the finals — for the Spurs, it’s all about winning them. And poor Dallas: Win 49 games and still be considered a big firstround underdog. That’s rare.

Key Matchup I: Tim Duncan vs. Dirk Nowitzki. Of course. These guys have been opponents since 1999, facing off 78 times, 52 in the regular season, 26 and counting now in the playoffs. Duncan is 45-33 in those games. Yes, they’re old guys now. Yes, their teams will go as far as they take them.

Key Matchup II: Tony Parker vs. Jose Calderon. Deep in the heart of Texas, a guard from France and a guard from Spain are probably as vital to their teams’ respective hopes as anyone else.

Calderon needs to keep Parker from going off — easier said than done — to give the Mavs a chance.

X-Factor: Factors, technically. Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green had big roles in the playoffs last year, and Leonard especially has continued blossoming this season.

Prediction: Spurs in 5.

No. 2 OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER (59-23) vs. No. 7 MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES (50-32) Season series: Thunder, 3-1. Kevin Durant, the scoring champion and presumed MVP, averaged 35 points in the final three games of the series. Oklahoma City won both at home, plus grabbed one in Memphis back in December. Thunder also controlled the boards in each game.

Story line: Durant says he’s tired of always finishing second.

Well, he probably won’t in the MVP race, and there’s also plenty of people out there who likely think it’s his time for that breakthrough first championship ring. That being said, Mem-

No. 3 LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS (57-25) vs.

No. 6 GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (51-31).

Season series: Tied, 2-2. Each team won twice at home, and the dislike between the teams couldn’t even be hidden on Christmas, when Blake Griffin and Draymond Green were thrown out of the Warriors’ testy two-point victory.

Story line: With superstar players on both sides and two division rivals who don’t like each other, this has all the makings of a classic playoff series. Golden State pulled a playoff upset last year from the same seed, but the Clippers have their best team ever and hopes of a deep run.

Key matchup I: Chris Paul vs. Stephen Curry. Perhaps the NBA’s best-handling point guard against its best shooting one, and the All-Stars had a sensational duel on Halloween, when Paul had 42 points and 16 assists to beat Curry’s 38 and 11 in a Clippers victory. Paul averaged 28 points and 13 assists in three games, sitting out Golden State’s 111-92 victory on Jan. 30.

Key matchup II: Griffin vs. David Lee. Lee has to battle an injury to the nerve that connects from his right hamstring to his back, along with perhaps one of the few better players at his position. Lee had 20 or more points in all four games, as did Griffin, who finished it off with a 30-point, 15-rebound performance in the Clippers’ March 12 rout.

X-factor: DeAndre Jordan. With fellow center Andrew Bogut out injured, the Clippers’ dominant defender should be able to control the paint, but most not let his poor free throw shooting cost them down the stretch of any close games.

Prediction: Clippers in 6.

No. 4 HOUSTON ROCKETS (54-28) vs.

No. 5 PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS (54-28) Season series: Rockets, 3-1. Houston rang up 116 points per game against Portland, and All-Stars Dwight Howard and James Harden from the Rockets, and LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard from the Trail Blazers all put up big numbers during the series. Aldridge had 31 points and 25 rebounds in Portland’s Dec. 12 victory, while Harden finished with 41 points, 10 rebounds and six assists when the Rockets pulled out a 118113 overtime win last month.

Story line: Houston has the home-court advantage and high hopes in its first season after landing Howard last summer, but the Blazers had the much stronger finish to the season, winning their final five games.

Key matchup I: Patrick Beverley vs. Damian Lillard. Houston’s defense is so much improved when Beverley is on the floor to harass opposing guards, but he also was in double figures three times against Portland during the regular season and finished with nine points and 11 rebounds in the other game.

Lillard had three 20-point games against Houston, but the Blazers’ lone victory came when he shot 1 for 10 for eight points.

Key matchup II: Chandler Parsons vs. Nicolas Batum. Batum’s average of 10.5 points against Houston was one of his worst against any opponent. But even if he doesn’t score much, the Blazers will need his defense against Harden and Parsons, who had 31 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists in Houston’s 126113 victory on Jan. 20.

X-factor: Howard. Assuming he’s fully healthy after missing time down the stretch because of an ankle problem, the Rockets will expect him to deliver points on one end and help slow Aldridge on the other.

Prediction: Trail Blazers in 7.

MLB ROUNDUP

NBA PLAYOFFS

Braves one-hit Mets in 6-0 win

FROM PAGE B1 veteran-laden team put together to win a title this season. “You guys sometimes limit it to just two teams but guys that are playing on a daily basis in the Western Conference and the Eastern Conference feel like they’ve got a chance.”

This year, that doesn’t just seem like coach speak.

Take the East. On paper, the biggest mismatch is No. 1 Indiana against No. 8 Atlanta, especially because the Hawks are the only sub-.500 team in the playoffs. And just a couple weeks ago, the Hawks went to Indianapolis and absolutely embarrassed the Pacers, running out to a 32-point halftime lead in one of the more stunning games of the entire NBA season.

“There’s some good teams out there,” Pacers coach Frank Vogel said. “Every team in the playoffs have given us some problems.

We’ve been able to win against them as well. But it’s certainly shaped out to be a good conference.”

No. 5 Washington won the season series over No. 4 Chicago. Out West, the third-seeded Clippers and sixth-seeded Golden State split four meetings. Memphis ousted Oklahoma City a year ago and those clubs meet in the first round.

And San Antonio’s quest to avenge last year’s loss in the NBA Finals starts against Dallas — the last team to beat Miami in a seven-game series, winning the title in 2011.

So there are some good stories, and there’s intrigue with every first-round series.

That doesn’t mean everyone in the league thinks it’ll be a year laden with surprises.

Philadelphia coach Brett Brown put it simply — to him, the game changes in the playoffs, period.

“The regular season and the playoffs are like two different sports,” Brown said. “If you put me in a bubble and you drag me out in May, I can say this is different than the game I’m seeing in November.

It’s just entirely different.”

That’s why Brown, a former Spurs assistant, thinks there’s a very small number of teams capable of winning it all.

“To be the last man standing is so ridiculously hard,” Brown said. “People have no idea what it’s like to play in June.”

phis — which ousted OKC last year, albeit a Thunder team without Russell Westbrook — is probably the team no higher seed wanted to see on their bracket pod.

Key Matchup I: Westbrook vs. Mike Conley. Two of the better point guards in the game. A key for Westbrook will be keeping his wits about him and not playing this postseason to avenge the frustration of getting hurt a year ago.

Key Matchup II: Kendrick Perkins/Serge Ibaka vs. Zach Randolph. If Randolph was in a bigger market, he could be considered a bona fide star. When he and Marc Gasol were in the lineup together this season, Memphis’ two bigs played off each other as well as ever. Randolph plays well, Grizzlies have a serious shot here.

X-Factor: Mike Miller. He played a huge role in Miami winning its last two NBA titles, is healthy and tends to be extremely dangerous in the postseason. And he might have been the biggest key to the Grizzlies’ playoff-clinching win at Phoenix down the stretch.

Prediction: Thunder in 7.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant (35) goes to the hoop as Los Angeles Clippers’ Blake Griffin defends during a recent game in Los Angeles. Both the Clippers and Thunder are favorites out of the Western Conference to challenge Miami for an NBA title.

NBA PLAYOFF SCHEDULE

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

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Indiana vs. Atlanta Today: Atlanta at Indiana, 7 p.m.

Tuesday, April 22: Atlanta at Indiana, 7 p.m.

Thursday, April 24: Indiana at Atlanta, 7 p.m.

Saturday, April 26: Indiana at Atlanta, 2 p.m.

Miami vs. Charlotte Sunday, April 20: Charlotte at Miami, 3:30 p.m.

Wednesday, April 23: Charlotte at Miami, 7 p.m.

Saturday, April 26: Miami at Charlotte, 7 p.m.

Monday, April 28: Miami at Charlotte, 7 p.m.

Toronto vs. Brooklyn Today: Brooklyn at Toronto, 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday, April 22: Brooklyn at Toronto, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, April 25: Toronto at Brooklyn, 7 p.m.

Sunday, April 27: Toronto at Brooklyn, 7 p.m.

Chicago vs. Washington Sunday, April 20: Washington at Chicago, 7 p.m.

Tuesday, April 22: Washington at Chicago, 8:30 p.m.

Friday, April 25: Chicago at Washington, 8 p.m.

Sunday, April 27: Chicago at

Washington, 1 p.m.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

San Antonio vs. Dallas Sunday, April 20: Dallas at San Antonio, 1 p.m.

Wednesday, April 23: Dallas at San Antonio, 8 p.m.

Saturday, April 26: San Antonio at Dallas, 4:30 p.m.

Monday, April 28: San Antonio at Dallas, 9:30 p.m.

Oklahoma City vs. Memphis Today: Memphis at Oklahoma City, 9:30 p.m.

Monday, April 21: Memphis at Oklahoma City, 8 p.m.

Thursday, April 24: Oklahoma City at Memphis, 8 p.m.

Saturday, April 26: Oklahoma City at Memphis, 9:30 p.m.

L.A. Clippers vs. Golden State Today: Golden State at L.A. Clippers, 3:30 p.m.

Monday, April 21: Golden State at L.A. Clippers, 10:30 p.m.

Thursday, April 24: L.A. Clippers at Golden State, 10:30 p.m.

Sunday, April 27: L.A. Clippers at Golden State, 3:30 p.m.

Houston vs. Portland Sunday, April 20: Portland at Houston, 9:30 p.m.

Wednesday, April 23: Portland at Houston, 9:30 p.m.

Friday, April 25: Houston at Portland, 10:30 p.m.

Sunday, April 27: Houston at Portland, 9:30 p.m.

NEW YORK — Aaron Harang threw no-hit ball for seven innings but was pulled after 121 pitches, and reliever Luis Avilan gave up David Wright’s two-out single in the eighth as the Atlanta Braves beat the New York Mets 6-0 Friday night.

HARANG As Harang’s pitch count increased on a chilly evening, it seemed doubtful manager Fredi Gonzalez would let him go the distance. Harang worked around six walks, including two in the sixth inning and another pair in the seventh.

Harang (3-1) left for a pinch hitter during a long, four-run eighth. He was never in the on-deck circle — the decision had already been made that he was done.

Jordan Walden completed the combined one-hitter.

The Mets hit few balls hard against the resurgent Harang, who lowered his ERA to an NL-best 0.70 ERA. The closest they came to a hit off the 35-year-old right-hander was actually on a check-swing tapper by Travis d’Arnaud in the second inning.

NATIONALS 3 CARDINALS 1

WASHINGTON — Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina’s throwing error combined with Michael Wacha’s wild pitch to allow two unearned runs in the seventh inning, breaking a tie and helping Gio Gonzalez and the Washington Nationals beat St. Louis 3-1 Friday night.

Gonzalez (3-1) allowed one run and four hits in seven innings, retiring the last 11 batters he faced. He finished with seven strikeouts and one walk as Washington ended an eightgame losing streak against St. Louis that dated to Game 5 of the teams’ 2012 NL division series.

REDS 4 CUBS 1

CHICAGO — Alfredo Simon lowered his ERA to 0.86, and the Cincinnati Reds beat the

Chicago Cubs 4-1 Friday for their 16th win in their last 17 games at Wrigley Field.

BREWERS 5 PIRATES 3

PITTSBURGH — Kyle Lohse pitched effectively into the seventh inning, Carlos Gomez homered and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-3 Friday.

INTERLEAGUE MARLINS 8 MARINERS 4 MIAMI — Giancarlo Stanton hit a grand slam with none out in the ninth inning, and the Miami Marlins took advantage of an overturned call on a replay review to beat the Seattle Mariners 8-4 Friday.

AMERICAN LEAGUE BLUE JAYS 3 INDIANS 2 CLEVELAND — Melky Cabrera had four hits and scored Toronto’s go-ahead run in the seventh inning on Edwin Encarnacion’s single, and the Blue Jays held on for a 3-2 win over the Cleveland Indians on Friday night.

The Blue Jays trailed 2-1 in the seventh before Munenori Kawasaki hit an RBI single off reliever Marc Rzepczynski (0-1) and Encarnacion delivered against Cody Allen.

Steve Delabar (1-0), one of three Toronto relievers to combine for eight walks in the eighth inning in a loss at Minnesota on Thursday, got the win in relief of starter Drew Hutchison.

ANGELS 11 TIGERS 6

DETROIT — Albert Pujols hit his 497th home run and Howie Kendrick added two of his own to lead the Los Angeles Angels to an 11-6 win over the Detroit Tigers on Friday night.

The Angels have won 10 straight against the Tigers, the longest active streak in the majors by one team over another.

From wire reports

SPORTS

THE SUMTER ITEM

SATURDAY, APRIL 19, 2014

SCOREBOARD

AREA ROUNDUP

Gamecocks golf tops Camden CAMDEN — The Sumter High School varsity boys golf team defeated Camden by 20 strokes in a match on Thursday at Camden Country Club.

The Gamecocks shot a 162 compared to 182 for Camden. Charlie Dallery and Austin Baker both shot a 40 to lead SHS. John Keffer and Daniel Spencer both shot a 41.

On Monday and Tuesday in the Bengal Invitational at Columbia Country Club, Sumter finished in a 3-way tie for fifth out of 25 teams.

Wilson Hall finished 17th.

The Gamecocks had a 36hole score of 619, shooting 312 the first day and 307 the second to tie with Gilbert and South Aiken. Dallery led the Gamecocks with a 145, while Dixon Flowers shot a 157, Daniel Spencer a 158 and John Keffer a 159.

Wilson Hall shot a 638, 311 in the first round and 327 in the second. Christian Salzer led the Barons with a 139, good for second in the individual portion of the tournament. Walker Jones shot a 166 and Raines Waggett a 169. Grier Schwartz had an 81 to score in the first round, while Coker Lowder had an 83 in the second round.

Hilton Head Christian won the tournament with a 573.

VARSITY BASEBALL MANNING 13 CRESTWOOD 4 MANNING — Crestwood High School had its season come to an end with a 13-4 loss to Manning on Thursday at the Manning field.

Erick Polido led the Knights offensively, going 2-for-3 with two runs batted in. Collin Kremer and Chris Tention both had a hit and scored a run.

Crestwood finished the year with a 1-17 overall record and a 0-10 record in Region VI-3A.

GIRLS VARSITY SOFTBALL LAURENCE MANNING 10 MANNING 4

MANNING — Laurence Manning Academy scored eight runs in the second inning on the way to a 10-4 victory over Manning High School on Thursday at the LMA field.

Cora Lee Downer was 2-for-3 with a run batted in and a run scored for the Lady Swampcats. Courtney Beatson had two hits, including a double, and an RBI, while Maggie Eppley had a double and two RBI, Katelyn Edwards a double and two runs, Grace Briggs two RBI and Hannah Hodge two runs and two

TV, RADIO TODAY

MATT WALSH / THE SUMTER ITEM

Crestwood’s Travis Blakely pole vaults to 9 feet during Thursday’s Sumter County School District championship track meet at Sumter Memorial Stadium. SHS swept the meet.

SUMTER SCHOOL DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS Girls 100-Meter Dash: Sonora Dengokl, Lakewood (12.84 seconds); Alexus Choice, Sumter; Taylor Abrams, Crestwood; Raven Pringle, Sumter.

200-Meter Dash: Deanna King, Sumter (27.14); Taylor Abrams, Crestwood; Raven Pringle, Sumter; Deja Richardson, Lakewood.

400-Meter Dash: Deanna King, Sumter (1 minute, 02.57 seconds); Asia Ewing, Lakewood; Tiarra Abram, Sumter, Deja Richardson, Lakewood.

800-Meter Run: Dariana Reid, Sumter (2:42.20); Jayde Huffman, Sumter; Diamond Clay, Sumter; Madison Harris, Lakewood.

1,600-Meter Run: Jayde Huffman, Sumter (6:44.00).

100-Meter Hurdles: Teresa Taylor, Sumter (18.34); Zi’Asia JacksonRose, Sumter; Annissa Brayboy, Sumter; Jazmine Bradford, Sumter.

400-Meter Hurdles: Brianna Witherspoon, Sumter (1:14.62); Teresa Taylor, Sumter; Annissa Brayboy, Sumter; Jazmine Bradford, Sumter.

4x100-Meter Relay: Lakewood (Sonora Dengokl, Asia Ewing, Madison Harris, Deja Richardson) (50.58); Sumter.

4x400-Meter Relay: Sumter (Kadejuha Kennedy, Deanna King, Raven Pringle, Dariana Reid) (4:25.48); Lakewood.

4x800-Meter Relay: Sumter (Tiarra Abram, Diamond Clay, Jayde Huffman, Deanna King) (14:07.00).

High Jump: Dariana Reid, Sumter (4 feet, 10 inches); Tiarra Abram, Sumter; Alexis Sumpter, Sumter; Zi’Asia Jackson-Rose, Sumter.

Pole Vault: Ally Welborn, Sumter (5-06.00).

Long Jump: Kadejuha Kennedy, Sumter (17-07.00); Ars’Breana Tyler, Sumter; Sonora Dengokl, Lakewood; Raven Pringle, Sumter.

Triple Jump: Sonora Dengokl, Lakewood (37-05.50); Kadejuha Kennedy, Sumter; Ars’Breana Tyler, Sumter.

Shot Put: Tasheana Chestnut, Sumter (32-08.00); Dae’Shondra Stephens, Sumter; Sherah Pair, Sumter; Keanua Williams, Crestwood.

Discus: Sherah Pair, Sumter (11608.00); Dae’Shondra Stephens, Sumter; Amber Jones, Sumter; Tabraysha Pugh, Crestwood.

Boys 100-Meter Dash: Ky’Jon Tyler, Sumter (10.99); Khafari Buffalo, Lake-

stolen bases.

JUNIOR VARSITY SOFTBALL WILLIAMSBURG 3 LAURENCE MANNING 2

MANNING — Laurence Manning Academy suffered

wood; Ty’Son Williams, Crestwood; Shamari Fakih, Crestwood.

200-Meter Dash: Shamari Fakih, Crestwood (23.08); Khafari Buffalo, Lakewood; Jamal Cowell, Lakewood; Chase Rogers, Crestwood.

400-Meter Dash: Otis Jones, Lakewood (52.92); Anthony Hill, Crestwood; Rodney Pitts, Sumter; Dante Singleton, Crestwood.

800-Meter Run: Otis Jones, Lakewood (2:03.54); Justin Martin, Sumter; Chris Roberts, Crestwood; Stacey Shaw, Sumter.

1,600-Meter Run: Michael Toney, Crestwood (5:07.28); Nicolas Oddo, Lakewood; Wilfredo Anderson, Crestwood; Brandon Poston, Sumter.

3,200-Meter Run: Frederick Daniels, Crestwood (11:24.91); Michael Toney, Crestwood; Brandon Poston, Sumter; Takoda Spann, Sumter.

110-Meter Hurdles: Adrian Eaglin, Lakewood (15.93); Mauirce McCarey, Lakewood; Ricardo Martino, Crestwood; Claude Wheeler, Crestwood.

400-Meter Hurdles: Ricardo Martino, Crestwood (1:01.72); Karon Dorsey, Lakewood, Adrian Eaglin, Lakewood; Mauirce McCarey, Lakewood.

4x100-Meter Relay: Lakewood (Khafari Buffalo, Jamal Cowell, Tre’Von Cowell, Karon Dorsey) (43.038); Sumter; Crestwood.

4x400-Meter Relay: Sumter (A) (Justin Martin, Stacey Shaw, Ky’Jon Tyler, Colin Washington) (3:39.51); Crestwood, Sumter (B).

4x800-Meter Relay: Sumter (A) (Justin Martin, Stacey Shaw, Jacquez Sinkler, Takoda Spann) (8:59.73); Crestwood; Lakewood.

High Jump: Tyreke Conyers, Sumter (6-08.00); Travis Blakely, Crestwood; Ricardo Martino, Crestwood.

Pole Vault: Travis Blakely, Crestwood (9-00,00); Champ Newman, Sumter; Benjamin Austin, Sumter; Claude Wheeler, Crestwood.

Long Jump: Ky’Jon Tyler, Sumter (21-01.00); Demitrius White, Sumter; Kalip Franklin, Sumter; Rodney Pitts, Sumter.

Triple Jump: Jalyn Lewis, Sumter (41-02.00); Demitrius White, Sumter; Micah Butler, Sumter.

Shot Put: Devontaye Edwards, Sumter (49-01.00); Covozio Wells, Sumter; Chase Rogers, Crestwood; Evan Myers, Sumter.

Discus: Devontaye Edwards, Sumter (143-08); Covozio Wells, Sumter; Pressley Harvin, Sumter; Evans Myers, Sumter.

its second loss of the season on Wednesday, falling to Williamsburg 3-2 at the LMA field.

The Lady Swampcats, who are 16-2 overall, were led by Baylee Elms, who was 3-for-4. Lundee Olsen had seven strikeouts in the circle.

6:30 a.m. -- Professional Golf: European PGA Tour Malaysian Open Third Round from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (GOLF).

7:40 a.m. – International Soccer: Barclays Premier League Match – Tottenham vs. Fulham (NBC SPORTS NETWORK).

9:55 a.m. – International Soccer: Barclays Premier League Match – Cardiff vs. Stoke (NBC SPORTS NETWORK).

Noon – College Lacrosse: Maryland at Notre Dame (ESPNU).

12:30 p.m. – NBA Basketball: Eastern Conference Playoffs Quarterfinal Series Game One – Brooklyn at Toronto (ESPN).

12:30 p.m. – International Soccer: Barclays Premier League Match – Chelsea vs. Sunderland (NBC SPORTS NETWORK).

1 p.m. – Major League Baseball: Los Angeles Angels at Detroit (FOX SPORTS 1).

1 p.m. – College Baseball: North Carolina at Virginia (FOX SPORTSOUTH).

1 p.m. – PGA Golf: The Heritage Third Round from Hilton Head Island (GOLF).

1:30 p.m. – Professional Basketball: Euroleague Game – Emporio Armani vs. Maccabi Tel Aviv (NBA TV).

2 p.m. – College Football: Alabama Spring Game from Tuscaloosa, Ala. (ESPNU).

2 p.m. – College Baseball: Louisiana State at Mississippi (SPORTSOUTH).

3 p.m. -- NHL Hockey: Western Conference Playoffs Quarterfinal Series Game Two – Chicago at St. Louis (WIS 10).

3 p.m. – PGA Golf: The Heritage Third Round from Hilton Head Island (WLTX 19).

3 p.m. – NBA Basketball: Western Conference Playoffs Quarterfinal Series Game One – Golden State at Los Angeles Clippers (WOLO 25).

3 p.m. – College Baseball: Loyola Marymount at Brigham Young (BYUTV).

3 p.m. – College Football: Auburn Spring Game from Auburn, Ala. (ESPN).

3 p.m. -- Senior PGA Golf: Greater Gwinnett Championship Second Round from Duluth, Ga. (GOLF).

4 p.m. – College Softball: Louisiana State at South Carolina (ESPNU).

4 p.m. – Major League Baseball: Houston at Oakland (MLB NETWORK).

4 p.m. – Major League Soccer: New England at Chicago (NBC SPORTS NETWORK).

5 p.m. – College Baseball: South Carolina at Auburn (CBS SPORTS NETWORK, WNKT-FM 107.5).

6 p.m. – College Softball: Florida at Texas A&M (ESPNU).

6 p.m. – College Softball: Arkansas at Kentucky (SPORTSOUTH).

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

7 p.m. – NBA Basketball: Eastern Conference Playoffs Quarterfinal Series Game One – Atlanta at Indiana (ESPN).

7 p.m. – Major League Baseball: Atlanta at New York Mets (FOX SPORTSOUTH, WPUB-FM 102.7).

7 p.m. -- NHL Hockey: Eastern Conference Playoffs Quarterfinal Series Game Two – Columbus at Pittsburgh (NBC SPORTS NETWORK).

8 p.m. – Arena Football: Los Angeles at Iowa (CBS SPORTS NETWORK).

8 p.m. – College Baseball: Baylor at Kansas State (ESPNU).

8 p.m. – Major League Baseball: Arizona at Los Angeles Dodgers (FOX SPORTS 1).

8 p.m. – Major League Baseball: Chicago White Sox at Texas (WGN).

9 p.m. – Women’s College Volleyball: Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Tournament Quarterfinal Match (BYUTV).

9 p.m. – College Softball: Texas at Oklahoma (SPORTSOUTH).

9:30 p.m. – NBA Basketball: Western Conference Playoffs Quarterfinal Series Game One – Memphis at Oklahoma City (ESPN).

9:30 p.m. -- NHL Hockey: Western Conference Playoffs Quarterfinal Series Game Two – Minnesota at Colorado (NBC SPORTS NETWORK).

9:30 p.m. – Professional Boxing: Bernard Hopkins vs. Beibut Shumenov for the IBF/WBA Light Heavyweight Title, Peter Quillin vs. Lukas Konecny for the WBO Middleweight Title and Paulie Malignaggi vs. Shawn Porter for the IBF Welterweight Title from Washington (SHOWTIME).

11 p.m. – Professional Basketball: NBA Development League Playoffs Semifinal Series Game Two – Santa Cruz at Rio Grande Valley (CBS SPORTS NETWORK).

2:30 a.m. -- Formula One Racing: Chinese Grand Prix from Shanghai (NBC SPORTS NETWORK).

PREP SCHEDULE TODAY

Varsity Baseball Bluffton at Manning, 1 p.m.

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

MLB STANDINGS

By The Associated Press

AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST DIVISION New York Toronto Baltimore Boston Tampa Bay

W 10 8 7 7 7

L 6 8 7 9 9

Pct .625 .500 .500 .438 .438

GB – 2 2 3 3

CENTRAL DIVISION W Detroit 7 Minnesota 8 Chicago 8 Kansas City 7 Cleveland 7 WEST DIVISION W Oakland 10 Texas 9 Los Angeles 7 Seattle 7 Houston 5

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L 5 7 8 7 8

Pct .583 .533 .500 .500 .467

GB – 1/2 1 1 11/2

L 5 7 8 8 11

Pct .667 .563 .467 .467 .313

GB – 11/2 3 3 51/2

B3

TODAY’S GAMES

Toronto (Buehrle 3-0) at Cleveland (Kluber 1-1), 1:05 p.m.

L.A. Angels (C.Wilson 2-1) at Detroit (Scherzer 0-1), 1:08 p.m.

Baltimore (B.Norris 0-1) at Boston (Doubront 1-2), 1:35 p.m.

Minnesota (Correia 0-1) at Kansas City (B.Chen 0-1), 2:10 p.m.

Houston (Oberholtzer 0-3) at Oakland (Kazmir 2-0), 4:05 p.m.

N.Y. Yankees (Nova 2-1) at Tampa Bay (Archer 1-1), 7:10 p.m.

Seattle (Elias 1-1) at Miami (H.Alvarez 0-2), 7:10 p.m.

Chicago White Sox (Quintana 1-0) at Texas (Lewis 0-1), 8:05 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 10 9 8 7 6

L 5 7 7 8 10

Pct .667 .563 .533 .467 .375

GB – 11/2 2 3 41/2

W 11 10 8 6 4

L 5 6 8 9 10

Pct .688 .625 .500 .400 .286

GB – 1 3 41/2 6

W 10 10 8 7 4

L 6 6 9 9 14

Pct .625 .625 .471 .438 .222

GB – – 21/2 3 7

TODAY’S GAMES

St. Louis (Lynn 3-0) at Washington (Zimmermann 1-0), 1:05 p.m.

Cincinnati (Cingrani 1-1) at Chicago Cubs (Villanueva 1-3), 2:20 p.m.

Milwaukee (Garza 0-2) at Pittsburgh (W.Rodriguez 0-2), 7:05 p.m.

Atlanta (E.Santana 1-0) at N.Y. Mets (Colon 1-2), 7:10 p.m.

Seattle (Elias 1-1) at Miami (H.Alvarez 0-2), 7:10 p.m.

Arizona (Bolsinger 0-0) at L.A. Dodgers (Haren 2-0), 8:10 p.m.

Philadelphia (K.Kendrick 0-1) at Colorado (Lyles 2-0), 8:10 p.m.

San Francisco (Hudson 2-0) at San Diego (Stults 0-2), 8:40 p.m.

NHL PLAYOFFS

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

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Detroit vs. Boston Friday, April 18: Detroit at Boston, 7:30 p.m.

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

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

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

Montreal 1, Tampa Bay 0 Wednesday, April 16: Montreal 5, Tampa Bay 4, OT Friday, April 18: Montreal at Tampa Bay, 7 p.m.

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

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

Pittsburgh 1, Columbus 0 Wednesday, April 16: Pittsburgh 4, Columbus 3 Saturday, April 19: Columbus at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m.

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

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

N.Y. Rangers 1, Philadelphia 0 Thursday, April 17: N.Y. Rangers 4, Philadelphia 1 Sunday, April 20: Philadelphia at N.Y. Rangers, Noon Tuesday, April 22: N.Y. Rangers at Philadelphia, 8 p.m.

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

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Colorado 1, Minnesota 0 Thursday, April 17: Colorado 5, Minnesota 4, OT Saturday, April 19: Minnesota at Colorado, 9:30 p.m.

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

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

St. Louis 1, Chicago 0 Thursday, April 17: St. Louis 4, Chicago 3, 3OT Saturday, April 19: Chicago at St. Louis, 3 p.m.

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

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

Anaheim 1, Dallas 0 Wednesday, April 16: Anaheim 4, Dallas 3 Friday, April 18: Dallas at Anaheim, 10 p.m.

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

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

San Jose 1, Los Angeles 0 Thursday, April 17: San Jose 6, Los Angeles 3 Sunday, April 20: Los Angeles at San Jose, 10 p.m.

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

SPORTS ITEMS

Fire Ants drop pair to Stingers FLORENCE — The University of South Carolina Sumter baseball team was swept by Florence-Darlington Tech on Friday in a pair of games at Legion Field.

The Stingers won the first game 4-2 before taking the second 6-3.

The loss drops the Fire Ants to 31-11 overall and 9-9 in Region X. The two teams are slated to play another twinbill today beginning at 1 p.m.

the seventh inning on Jay Baum’s RBI groundout. Steven Duggar led off the 11th with a single, stole second, and scored on Kennedy’s 2-out double to right-center on an 0-2 pitch.

Tiger reliever Drew Moyer (3-0) earned the win for the Tigers, while Pittsburgh reliever Hobie Harris (3-5) suffered the loss. The series continues today at 3 p.m.

(20) CLEMSON 3

AUBURN, Ala. - The South CarolinaAuburn baseball game scheduled for Friday was postponed due to rain. The teams will play a doubleheader today at noon and 5 p.m.

The second game of the doubleheader will be televised on CBS Sports Network.

PITTSBURGH 2

PITTSBURGH – Shane Kennedy’s 2-out double in the 11th inning propelled No. 20 Clemson to a 3-2 win over Pittsburgh at Charles L. Cost Field on Friday night.

It was the first-ever meeting between the Tigers (23-14, 11-7 ACC) and Panthers (16-21, 8-11 ACC).

The Panthers scored two runs, both on sacrifice flies, in the first inning to take a 2-0 lead. The Tigers scratched with a run in the fourth inning and tied the score in

USC-AUBURN BASEBALL POSTPONED

TNT’S SAGER TO MISS NBA PLAYOFFS

ATLANTA — TNT analyst Craig Sager will miss the NBA playoffs as he undergoes treatment for leukemia.

A sideline reporter famous for his brightly colored suits, Sager’s sense of

humor was intact in a statement released

by Turner Sports on Friday.

JIMENEZ LEADS GREATER GWINNETT FIELD

DULUTH, Ga. — Miguel Angel Jimenez’s first round on the Champions Tour went quite well.

After one eagle, five birdies and a tournament record, Jimenez proclaimed “I love it!” and then departed in search of a couple of his usual staples.

So far, life is good for the Spaniard on the 50-and-over tour.

Avoiding a post-Masters letdown, Jimenez shot a 65 on Friday to lead the cold, soggy Greater Gwinnett Championship by three strokes.

FIEGER WINS SENIOR PGA PROFESSIONAL

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Gene Fieger won the Senior PGA Professional National Championship on Friday, closing with a 3-under 69 for a six-stroke victory.

From staff, wire reports

Your community news source www.theitem.com

B4

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SPORTS

SATURDAY, APRIL 19, 2014

AREA SCOREBOARD

ROAD RACING

775-2676, Chan Floyd at (803) 774-8555 or Rick Lavergne at (803) 481-3048.

GOLF

RUN FOR THE ROSES 5K The Run For The Rosers 5K Run/ Walk will be held on Saturday, May 3, beginning at 9 a.m.

The race will begin and end at Rotary Centennial Plaza located at the intersection of Main and Liberty streets.

The entry fee is $25 in advance and $30 if done on the day of the race.

Children age 12 and under are not required to register. Those who register

by Friday, April 18, will receiver a tshirt.

Registration can be done online at www.strictlyrunning.com.

FRIEND OF YOUTH TOURNAMENT

LAKEWOOD 4-PERSON SCRAMBLE

The Links at Lakewood Golf Course will host a 4-person scramble every Thursday.

The cost is $25 per person and includes golf, prizes and food following the scramble.

Call the pro shop at (803) 481-5700 before 4 p.m. on Thursday to sign up.

ST. FRANCIS XAVIER GOLF CLASSIC

The 19th Annual St. Francis Xavier Golf Classic will be held on Friday, May 9, at Sunset Country Club.

The tournament format will be a 4-man Captain’s Choice and there will be a shotgun start at 1 p.m. The cost is $65 per person and the minimum team handicap is 60.

The cost includes dinner as well.

The cost for dinner for guests is $15.

There are also several different ways to sponsor the event at prices of $50, $100, $300, $500 and $1,000.

For more information or to register, call St. Francis Xavier High School at (803) 773-0210, Steve Capinis at (803)

THE SUMTER ITEM

The Evening Optimist Club Friend of Youth Golf Tournament will be held on May 17 at Crystal Lakes Golf Club.

The tournament format is a 4-person Captain’s Choice, and the entry fee is $40 per golfer. The team must have a minimum handicap of 50, and only one player can have a handicap of 8 or less.

The money raised from the tournament will go to the programs of Optimist International.

There are sponsorship opportunities of $300, $200 and $100 are available as well.

For more information, call Les Perkins at (803) 468-1619.

BASKETBALL SUMTER CHRISTIAN CLINICS

GOLFERS BIBLE STUDY

The Sumter chapter of the Christian Golfer’s Association holds a golfers Bible study each Tuesday at its offices at Crystal Lakes Golf Course.

The study begins at 8 a.m. and is followed by a round of golf.

Registration is being taken for the Sumter Christian School 2014 Basketball Clinics to be held over the summer.

There will be four 5-day sessions at a cost of $45 per camper. A camp for children in grades 1-3 will be held June 9-13, grades 3-6 June 23-27, grades 6-9 July 7-11 and graves 9-12 July 21-25. The camps will run each day from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The camp instructors will be the SCS coaching staff of Bobby Baker, Tom Cope and Jimmy Davis.

For more information, call Baker at (803) 469-9304 or (803) 464-3652.

FISHING BASS FISHING TOURNAMENT

A bass fishing tournament hosted by the Sumter chapter of Delta Waterfowl will be held on Saturday, May 3, at Pack’s Landing in Rimini.

The entry fee for the 2-man team tournament is $50 per boat and the fee to compete for the big fish is $10 per boat. Those who register by April 18 will receive a free barbecue chicken plate. Plates will be sold for $5 each on the day of the event.

Registration will be taken at Williams Sporting Goods on Broad Street, Dubose Bait & Tackle on U.S. Highway 15 South or online at Facebook/SumterChapterDeltaWaterfowl.

Registration will also be taken beginning at 4:30 a.m. on the day of the event with blast off set for safe light in the order of registration. Weigh-in will be at 3 p.m.

For more information, call (803) 464-9741 or (803) 720-4269.

HERITAGE NOTEBOOK

Anderson projected to miss cut BY (HILTON HEAD) ISLAND PACKET As Mark Anderson rolled in his final putt, about a 5-footer to save par on No. 9, the wind picked up from the right and rain fell heavier.

The Beaufort resident closed a 4-overpar 75 not long before Friday’s second round of the RBC Heritage was suspended. He is 4 over for the tournament, one outside the projected cut at 3 over.

If that line holds, AnderANDERSON son would miss his sixth consecutive PGA Tour cut to start the season. Not the kickstart the 28-year-old might have been hoping for at his home event.

“Things felt better this week — not great, I still hit some loose shots — but overall it was more solid,” Anderson said. “Unfortunately, tough conditions made it tough for me.”

After a steady, even-par 71 on Thursday, Anderson played Nos. 11 through 14 at Harbour Town Golf Links in 5 over to start his second round. His rough stretch included a double bogey on the par-4 12th, where he drove the ball behind trees, punched out, pitched on and three-putted.

His tee shot on the par-3 14th found the trees left and led to bogey.

“That was pretty much it — a lot of trees,” he said.

Anderson tried to turn things around on his second nine, the front side. He made birdie on the par-5 second but missed birdie opportunities at Nos. 4, 5, 6 and 7.

On the difficult par-4 eighth, he missed a 9-foot putt for par to slip outside the projected cut.

HAAS WITHDRAWS

Greenville’s Bill Haas withdrew from the RBC Heritage on Friday because of

a wrist injury prior to his second round. Haas was to tee off at 12:50 p.m. with 2011 champion Brandt Snedeker and defending champion Graeme McDowell. They played as a twosome.

Haas shot a 1-over 72 on Thursday. It was not immediately available which wrist he injured.

LOVE STRUGGLES, SPIETH STALLS

Five-time Heritage champion Davis Love III will miss the cut after struggling to a second-round score of 80 to finish 8 over for the tournament. After a two-year absence, the man who has totaled 11 top-10 finishes at Hilton Head will miss the cut for just the sixth time in 27 starts at Harbour Town.

Twenty-year-old Masters runner-up Jordan Spieth made bogey on the par-4 sixth and the par-3 14th, and a double bogey on No. 18 to finish with a secondround score of 74, putting him at 1 over for the tournament.

HERITAGE FROM PAGE B1 Masters contenders Matt Kuchar and 20-year-old Jordan Spieth faltered after their strong starts at Harbour Town.

Kuchar, who tied for fifth last week at the year’s first major, had a pair of double bogeys on his first six holes before the rains came and stood four shots behind Choi.

Spieth, a Masters rookie who tied for second at Augusta National, had a 74 and was at 1-over 143 — good enough to make the projected cut of 4 over, but well off his opening 69.

Choi was four shots back of first-round leaders Kuchar, Langley and William McGirt at the beginning of the day. Based on his recent play, he didn’t figure to make much of a dent in the cool, drizzly conditions.

But Choi had three birdies on the front nine, including one on the difficult, par-4 eighth hole, to get into contention. He caught Kuchar on No. 16, rolling in a 20-footer for birdie.

Choi’s usual schedule had him return home to South Korea after the Masters to help take care of his three

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Scott Langley hits out of the bunker to the 15th green during Friday’s second round of the RBC Heritage golf tournament in Hilton Head Island. children. However, after hearing for years how Harbour Town might suit his game, he decided to play the South Carolina course.

“If you just hit it beneath the trees, it’s a good course to play,” Choi said. “It has very small targets and this course is working well.”

Kuchar, the world’s sixthranked player, probably

wished the storm had arrived sooner. His tee shot found water on the par-3 fourth hole for a double bogey. He sent his drive out of bounds on No. 6 to drop two more shots.

Kuchar opened with a steady performance — Thursday’s 66 was his lowest career round at Harbour Town — just a few days after

contending in the Masters.

He’ll see if he can find that game once play resumes. His bad start didn’t seem to bother him much.

He smiled after hitting his provisional drive on the sixth hole, and then talked about the good time he and his family were having at Hilton Head.

“Chasing my youngest around the beach, so had some fun this morning,” Kuchar said. “It’s going to be lots of games and some movies maybe the next couple of days.”

Allenby jumped into second after birdies on the first and second holes and was glad to get out of the inclement weather.

“It’s not fun when it’s blowing 20 miles an hour every different direction and it’s raining at the same time,” he said. “So it was nice get out of there.”

Donald is coming off a disheartening Masters (he shot 79-70 to miss the cut), but he generally plays well at the RBC Heritage. He’s had four top threes in his past five appearances and, with his 69, broke par for the 17th time in his last 22 rounds here.

“It’s a good course for me and my results have certainly showed that in the last few years,” Donald said.

RBC HERITAGE PAR SCORES The Associated Press Friday At Harbour Town Golf Links Hilton Head Purse: $5.8 million Yardage: 7,101; Par 71 (36-35) Partial Second Round a-denotes amateur K.J. Choi 70-67—137 -5 Scott Langley 66-73—139 -3 Luke Donald 70-69—139 -3 Billy Hurley III 70-69—139 -3 Nicholas Thompson 70-70—140 -2 Geoff Ogilvy 72-68—140 -2 Charl Schwartzel 70-70—140 -2 Tim Herron 69-72—141 -1 Brian Stuard 69-72—141 -1 Kevin Streelman 69-72—141 -1 Harris English 68-73—141 -1 William McGirt 66-76—142 E Chris Stroud 71-71—142 E

Stewart Cink 70-72—142 E Charles Howell III 69-73—142 E a-Matthew Fitzpatrick 71-71—142 E Camilo Villegas 72-71—143 +1 John Mallinger 69-74—143 +1 J.B. Holmes 72-71—143 +1 Ken Duke 72-71—143 +1 Jordan Spieth 69-74—143 +1 Patrick Reed 71-72—143 +1 Tim Clark 72-71—143 +1 Pat Perez 74-69—143 +1 Andrew Loupe 70-73—143 +1 Briny Baird 72-72—144 +2 Jonathan Byrd 71-73—144 +2 Zach Johnson 71-73—144 +2 Jason Kokrak 71-73—144 +2 Robert Garrigus 71-74—145 +3 Ryo Ishikawa

77-68—145 +3 Gonzalo Fdez-Castano 74-71—145 +3 Ricky Barnes 72-73—145 +3 Erik Compton 70-75—145 +3 Kevin Kisner 73-72—145 +3 David Toms 73-73—146 +4 Brendon Todd 75-71—146 +4 James Hahn 72-74—146 +4 Mark Anderson 71-75—146 +4 Charlie Beljan 73-74—147 +5 Josh Teater 74-73—147 +5 Mike Weir 73-74—147 +5 Brendon de Jonge 72-75—147 +5 Aaron Baddeley 71-76—147 +5 Kevin Chappell 75-72—147 +5 a-Hunter Stewart 74-73—147 +5 Danny Lee 72-76—148 +6 Jim Renner 75-73—148 +6

Charlie Wi 73-75—148 Lucas Glover 69-79—148 Marc Leishman 72-76—148 Kevin Na 72-76—148 Tom Watson 75-73—148 Chad Collins 73-75—148 Mark Wilson 74-75—149 Hideki Matsuyama 71-79—150 Davis Love III 70-80—150 Kyle Stanley 77-73—150 Jason Bohn 74-76—150 Kevin Tway 70-80—150 Bryce Molder 74-78—152 Martin Laird 72-81—153 James Driscoll 77-76—153 Russell Henley 76-78—154 Ben Curtis 79-76—155

+6 +6 +6 +6 +6 +6 +7 +8 +8 +8 +8 +8 +10 +11 +11 +12 +13

WILLIAMS FROM PAGE B1 myself when I be out there.

Thanks to the redshirt year, I’ve been able to get into the playbook, understand and just be confident when I’m going out there running plays.”

Williams said the redshirt year was crucial for his growth as a player. It was all setting up for him to have a big spring, until his injury.

The spring game gave him a chance to start fresh. He’ll carry momentum into the summer and, ideally, preseason camp. In a crowded backfield, it’s too early to project how many carries Williams will get this fall.

But he will be ready.

“It was frustrating that I missed a week, because that could’ve been a week of improving and getting better and showing the coaches what I can do,” Williams said. “But I feel like, if I get a carry, I’ve just got to take advantage of it. Take advantage of the little bit of carries I do get, if I do get carries.”

YOUNG FROM PAGE B1 While ship building isn’t in his family history, Young said both his father and grandfather have shown him how to build things. His grandfather was a welder and his father showed him how to work on cars.

Young said he was shy until he went to a leadership camp and, with the help of his teammates, he gained confidence. It transferred on to the football field.

“I was quiet and people could not figure me out, but when they put me on the field I will hit now,” he explained. “That’s one thing I wouldn’t do, but I went to a leadership camp and that changed me.”

Young, a 5-foot-10-inch, 200-pounder, had 47 solo tackles, 75 assists, 12 tackles for loss, three quarterback sacks, 10 hurries, seven passes broken up, one interception, one caused fumble and one fumble recovery. He played behind recent Shaw University signee Elijah Oaks. “(Other teams) would always double team and try to guard (Oaks) which would free up guys for Markeise, and he had a great year,” former Crestwood head football coach Keith Crolley said. “He’s one of those guys that he’s not going to be real vocal, but he lets his actions on the field speak for him.

He’ll hit you and knock your lights out.”

While he still has dreams to one day play in the National Football League, if it doesn’t pan out he knows he’ll have the tools to be successful.

“There is a very small window (for the NFL) and I will push to get to that point, but in my mind I don’t have get to the NFL to be successful,” he said. “(The Newport News Apprenticeship) will teach me how to be a man and that’s what I need.”

TELEVISION

THE SUMTER ITEM TW FT

7 PM

7:30

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SATURDAY, APRIL 19, 2014 10 PM

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Saturday Night Live Late-night com- WIS News 10 at (:29) Saturday Night Live Sketch edy featuring sketch comedy, celeb 11:00pm News comedy, celebrity hosts & music. and weather.

(HD) hosts, and music. (HD) The Millers: Pilot Criminal Minds: The Return Teens 48 Hours Award-winning broadcast News 19 @ 11pm (:35) CSI: Miami: Miami Confidential Inside Edition (N) Paid Program Mike & Molly: journalists present in-depth investi- The news of the A meth lab is found by the team. (HD) (HD) Sponsored.

Molly Unleashed Mother moves in. suspected of mass murders. (HD) day. gative reports.

(HD) (HD) The Ten Commandments (‘56, Drama) aaac Charlton Heston, Yul Brynner. Moses, a Hebrew raised as the son of an Egyptian noblewoman, is banished from his (:44) ABC Colum- (:15) White Colhomeland by his adopted brother, but he soon returns to carry out the will of God by leading his people out of slavery and into the land that has been promised to them. bia News at 11 lar: Power Play (HD) (HD) (HD) Moone Boy: An- Spy: Codename: Father Brown: The Shadow of the Doc Martin: Going Bodmin A sucJammin: Abigail Sun Studio Ses- Austin City Limits: The Civil Wars; Nature: Touching other Prick in the Lie Hard (HD) Scaffold Brown tries to save wrongly cessful surgeon from London.

Washburn with sions: Howlin’ Punch Brothers An Americana and the Wild (HD) Wall (HD) convicted. (HD) Bela Fleck Brothers (N) folk band performs. (HD) Modern Family: Modern Family: UFC on FOX: Werdum vs Browne: from Amway Center in Orlando, Fla. WACH FOX News The Middle: (:15) Golan The (:45) High School Ring of Honor Unplugged (HD) Halloween (HD) z{| (HD) at 10 Nightly Taking Back the Insatiable: Ragin’ USA!: Sweet 16 Wrestling (N) news report.

House (HD) Fun (HD) (HD) (HD) Community: A Community: For The First Family The First Family Mr. Box Office Mr. Box Office Access Hollywood The top enter- The Arsenio Hall Show Late night Futurama: The Fistful of a Few Paintballs President’s family. President’s family. Star must teach. Star must teach. tainment stories of the week. (N) variety/talk show. (HD) Prisoner of Benda Paintballs (HD) More (HD) (HD) (HD) (HD) (HD) (HD) (HD) Paid Program Sponsored television Dateline Saturday Night Mystery (N) (HD) programming.

CABLE CHANNELS Criminal Minds: Tabula Rasa Killer in Criminal Minds: Hanley Waters Criminal Minds: The Stranger San Criminal Minds: Out of the Light Criminal Minds: Big Sea Buried bod- (:01) Criminal coma. (HD) Grieving Prentiss. (HD) Diego stalker. (HD) Missing women. (HD) ies on the ocean floor. (HD) Minds (HD) (5:00) Forrest Gump (‘94, Drama) Forrest Gump (‘94, Drama) aaaa Tom Hanks. A slow-witted man with character and dignity who transforms Forrest Gump (‘94, Drama) aaaa Tom Hanks. A Tom Hanks. A simple man. (HD) the lives of those around him grows to adulthood amid the historic events of four decades. (HD) simple man changes those around him. (HD) To Be Announced Too Cute! (N) (HD) Too Cute! Baby animals. (HD) My Cat From Hell: Tracks (N) Too Cute! Baby animal life. (HD) Too Cute!

Big Momma’s The Nutty Professor (‘08, Comedy) aa Drake Bell. Julius Kelp’s grandson develops an alter Nutty Professor II: The Klumps (‘00, Comedy) ac Eddie Murphy. A soon-to-be-married Prof.

House (‘00) ac ego after drinking a secret potion.

Klump tries to get rid of his alter ego Buddy Love.

To Be Announced Programming in- The Princess Diaries (‘01, Comedy) aac Anne Hathaway. A bumbling, The Princess Diaries (‘01, Comedy) aac Anne Hathaway. A bumbling, The School of formation unavailable. young girl discovers that she is a member of a royal family. young girl discovers that she is a member of a royal family.

Rock (‘03) Greed Threats of violence.

Greed: Deadly Payout Greed: Wild West Rip-Off Greed A union is robbed.

Money Talks: Stripped Money CNN CNN Spotlight Chicagoland: Back of the Yards Death Row: John Thompson Death Row Stories Chicagoland: Back of the Yards Death Row (:59) South Park South Park: Gin- Role Models (‘08, Comedy) aaa Seann William Scott. Reckless sales- Katt Williams: The Pimp Chronicles Kevin Hart: Laugh at My Pain (‘12) Kevin Hart (HD) (HD) ger Kids (HD) men in mentoring program. (HD) Pt. 1 The family man. (HD) aaa Taraji P. Henson. (HD) Dog Blog: Stan Austin & Ally Jessie Two admir- I Didn’t Do It: Liv and Maddie Blog: Who’s Mighty Med Kickin’ It Code A.N.T. Farm (HD) Austin & Ally A.N.T. Farm (HD) Runs Away (HD) ers. (HD) Dance Fever (HD) Training Who? history. (HD) (HD) Alaska: The Last Frontier (HD) Alaska: The Last Frontier (HD) Timber Kings Scotland. (HD) Timber Kings (N) (HD) Epic: Home Builds Epic: Yachts (5:30) 2014 NBA Playoffs (HD) 2014 NBA Playoffs: Teams TBA z{| (HD) 2014 NBA Playoffs: Teams TBA z{| (HD) SEC Storied: The Book of Manning (HD) 30 for 30: You Don’t Know Bo (HD) Baseball Tonight (HD) SportsCenter (HD) SportsCenter (6:15) The Little Mermaid (‘89, Fan- Tangled (‘10, Fantasy) aaac Mandy Moore. A princess is trapped in the The Prince & Me (‘04, Comedy) aa Julia Stiles. A pre-med student from Wisconsin discovers tasy) Samuel E. Wright. (HD) queen’s secret tower until a bandit frees her. (HD) that her new boyfriend is a prince. (HD) Diners (HD) Diners (HD) Unwrapped: Sweet Stuff Unwrapped: Easter Basket Unwrap McDonald’s fries.

Restaurant: Impossible (HD) Unwrap FOX Report Saturday (HD) Huckabee (N) (HD) Justice with Judge Jeanine (N) Geraldo at Large (HD) Red Eye (HD) Huckabee MLB Baseball: Atlanta Braves at New York Mets from Citi Field z{| (HD) Post Game Post Game Driven (HD) MLB Game Chance At Romance (‘14, Romance) Erin Krakow. A woman encounters a A Lesson in Romance (‘14, Romance) Kristy Swanson. Woman follows A Lesson in Romance (‘14, Romance) Kristy Swanson. photographer. (HD) family to college. (HD) Woman follows family to college. (HD) Hunters (HD) Hunters (HD) Property Brothers (HD) Property Brothers (HD) House Hunters (N) (HD) Hunters (HD) Hunters (HD) Prop Bro (HD) (6:00) The Bible: Hope The Bible: Mission Jesus’ miracles; betrayal stirs death.

The Bible: Passion Resurrection sparks new faith movement. (:01) The Bible Law & Order: Criminal Intent: Law & Order: Criminal Intent: Law & Order: Criminal Intent: The Listener: Curtain Call Toby goes The Listener: The Taking Toby inves- Law & Order: Depths Potential terrorist. (HD) Courtship Private eye. (HD) Self-Made Murdered novelist. (HD) undercover. tigates an abduction.

Criminal (HD) (6:00) Madea’s Family Reunion (‘06, A Day Late and a Dollar Short (‘14, Drama) Whoopi Goldberg. Woman’s A Day Late and a Dollar Short (‘14, Drama) Whoopi Goldberg. Woman’s A Day Late and a Comedy) aa Tyler Perry. (HD) quest to mend relationships. (HD) quest to mend relationships. (HD) Dollar (HD) Sam & Cat Sam & Cat Sam & Cat (HD) Haunted (HD) Thunderman Full Hse Full Hse Friends (:36) Friends (:12) Friends Cops (HD) Cops (HD) Cops (HD) Cops (HD) The Expendables (‘10, Action) aac Sylvester Stallone. Elite mercenaries. (HD) Rambo (‘08) aaa (HD) Piranha (‘10, Horror) aac Elisabeth Shue. A group of strangers tries to Big Ass Spider (‘13, Science Fiction) aa Lin Shaye. Giant alien spider es- Bigfoot (‘12, Science Fiction) c Danny Bonaduce. Two survive a swarm of ancient, man-eating fish. capes military lab and begins to destroy L.A. rivals try to capture Bigfoot. (HD) Loves Raymond Loves Raymond The Big Bang The Big Bang The Big Bang The Big Bang The Big Bang The Big Bang Deal With It Mob- Bam’s Show Barbershop (‘02) (HD) (HD) Theory (HD) Theory (HD) Theory (HD) Theory (HD) Theory (HD) Theory (HD) sters.

Ice Cube.

(5:00) Where Eagles Dare (‘69, Laura (‘44, Mystery) Gene Tierney. A detective becomes (:45) Where the Sidewalk Ends (‘50, Drama) aaa Dana Andrews. Cop The Iron Curtain (‘48, Thriller) Dana Drama) aaa Richard Burton. obsessed with a beautiful murder victim. accidentally kills murder suspect.

Andrews. An agent defects.

Women of Homicide (HD) Sex Sent Me to the ER (HD) Sex Sent Me to the ER (N) (HD) Outrageous 911 (HD) Sex Sent Me to the ER (HD) Sex (HD) (5:00) X2 (‘03, Adventure) Patrick I, Robot (‘04, Science Fiction) aac Will Smith. Technophobic cop investigates a murder that (:32) X2 (‘03, Adventure) aaa Patrick Stewart. The X-Men join Magneto Stewart. A genocidal plan. (HD) may have been committed by a robot. (HD) to battle a government agent’s genocidal plan. (HD) Dumbest Parade participants.

Dumbest Baseball streaker.

Dumbest Wild bachelorettes.

Dumbest Twerking women.

Top 20: Summer Blowouts 3 (:02) Dumbest Gilligan’s (HD) Gilligan’s (HD) Gilligan’s (HD) Gilligan’s (HD) Raymond (HD) Raymond (HD) Raymond (HD) Raymond (HD) Raymond (HD) Queens (HD) Queens (HD) Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: Modern Family Modern Family Modern Family Modern Family Chrisley Knows Chrisley Knows (:01) The Switch Philadelphia (HD) Waste (HD) (HD) (HD) (HD) (HD) Best (HD) Best (HD) (‘10) aac Will Grace Will Grace Will Grace Will Grace Will Grace Will Grace Joan & Melissa (N) (HD) Will Grace Will Grace Will Grace Salem (HD) White Sox MLB Baseball: Chicago White Sox at Texas Rangers from Globe Life Park in Arlington z{| (HD) Salem (HD) Rules (HD) Rules (HD)

The clones face new enemies as ‘Orphan Black’ returns

BY KEVIN MCDONOUGH By quirk of scheduling, two Hollywood stars and former Oscar hosts appear in very different original features Saturday night. Whoopi Goldberg heads an impressive ensemble cast in the 2014 television movie adaptation of Terry McMillan’s novel “A Day Late and a Dollar Short” (8 p.m., Lifetime, TV-14).

Viola Price (Goldberg) is short of breath and short on time. She’s been told by her doctor that her next major asthma attack may be her last.

So she sets out to reconcile her fractured family while she can. Ving Rhames plays her cantankerous estranged husband and Mekhi Phifer her brilliant but troubled son.

Kimberly Elise (“Diary of a Mad Black Woman”), Anika Noni Rose (“Dreamgirls”) and Tichina Arnold (“Everybody Hates Chris”) round out the cast as bickering daughters who can’t even keep their feuding out of the hospital room as Viola hovers near death.

Goldberg is a master of timing and delivers her lines brilliantly. Unfortunately, that dialogue is often forced, unnatural and melodramatic. The best parts of “Day” are Viola’s blunt observations, delivered as interior monologues and her mute reactions to the shenanigans around her. At her best, Goldberg proves that a raised eyebrow can transcend a mediocre script.

• Over on HBO, Billy Crystal stars in “700 Sundays” (9 p.m.), an adaptation of his popular two-act, one-man autobiographical stage play, which debuted in 2004. The title refers to the number of weekends he got to spend with his beloved father, who died when Crystal was only 15. We learn that his father and uncle were pioneering record producers and jazz impresarios and that in addition to Crystal’s Jewish relatives, he was surrounded by a warm extra family of jazz musicians, including singer Billie Holiday. Crystal recalls sitting on her lap when he went to the movies for the very first time to see “Shane.”

“Sundays” is filled with Crystal’s patented combination of silly and maudlin, affectionate and scatological, reverent and ridiculous. He has always been a show busi-

ness throwback, more likely to channel Al Jolson and Louis Armstrong than more contemporary artists. And now we know why.

• “Poignant” I can handle.

But “poignant” and “heartwarming” in the same sentence sets my teeth on edge.

That was my reaction to the promotion for “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” (8 p.m. Sunday, Hallmark, TV-G), a new series from longtime television producer Martha Williamson (“Touched by an Angel”). Williamson has made a career extolling the power of positive storytelling. But there’s a fine line between uplift and saccharine.

“Signed” follows a group of earnest “detectives” who work for the Post Office in a special branch of the dead letter office. Their job is to make sure undeliverable mail finds its destination. And they find a way to do that, often at just the right moment.

Eric Mabius (“Ugly Betty”), Kristin Booth (“Supernatural”), Crystal Lowe (“Smallville”) and Geoff Gustafson (“Primeval: New World”) form the quartet of mystical, magical mail persons who speak in a strange, affected manner, as if toiling in some twilight realm or auditioning to be Santa’s elves. The tone and content of “Signed” is more appropriate to a one-off Christmas movie for children than a weekly series. Even viewers in need of uplift have their limits. This marks the first original series for Hallmark to air on Sunday nights.

• Nick (Mike Vogel) and Natalie (Katharine McPhee) share the perfect relationship. But they’re not exactly sleeping together. In fact, they only appear in each other’s dreams, and they have just seven days to figure out how to turn their subconscious reveries into romantic reality before these fleeting encounters vanish forever. Talk about an anxiety nightmare. That’s the plot to “In My Dreams” (9 p.m. Sunday, ABC, TV-PG), a 2014 Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation, costarring JoBeth Williams.

BBC AMERICA

BBC America’s conspiracy thriller “Orphan Black” returns for its second season at 9 p.m. today.

moon” (2 a.m. Saturday, TCM), directed by Mario Bava.

SATURDAY’S HIGHLIGHTS • Produced in 1956 and an Easter weekend television tradition since 1973, “The Ten Commandments” (7 p.m., ABC, TV-G) still commands respectable ratings. Charlton Heston, who stars as Moses, was commemorated with a postage stamp, released April 11.

• Sarah searches for her daughter on the second season premiere of “Orphan Black” (9 p.m., BBC America, TV-MA).

• A new business opportunity takes a career woman (Kristy Swanson) far away from her loved ones in the 2014 romance “A Lesson in Romance” (9 p.m., Hallmark, TV-G).

• A mutant arachnid escapes a military laboratory and terrorizes Los Angeles on “Big Ass Spider!” (9 p.m., Syfy, TV-14).

• “The Real History of Science Fiction” (10 p.m., BBC America, TV-PG) looks at our longtime love and fear of robots.

• Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, and Jamie Foxx appear on “The Graham Norton Show” (11 p.m., BBC America, TV-14).

CULT CHOICE

SUNDAY’S HIGHLIGHTS

The disturbed owner of a bridal shop murders his clientele in the 1970 Italian horror movie “Hatchet for the Honey-

• Scheduled on “60 Minutes” (7 p.m., CBS): A hedge fund Robin Hood donates $1.25 billion to charity; people with

super memories revisited; an orchestra blooms in the Congo.

• A woman on the verge of foreclosure bakes up a way to save her family’s house in the true-love tale “Apple Mortgage Cake” (7 p.m., UP).

• The Peanuts gang celebrates the holiday with “It’s the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown” (7 p.m., ABC, TV-G) and “Charlie Brown All Stars!” (7:30 p.m., ABC, TV-G).

• Alicia discovers she’s been on the NSA’s radar on “The Good Wife” (9 p.m., CBS, TV-14).

• Winter wants to keep Bo’s story under wraps on “Believe” (9 p.m., NBC, TV-14).

• Scientists determine the age of the Earth on “Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey” (9 p.m., Fox, TV-PG).

• Ben’s militia turns him in on “Turn” (9 p.m., AMC).

• Sam doubts the safety of Castle Black on “Game of Thrones” (9 p.m., HBO, TV-MA).

• Standup observations from a former sitcom star on “Tracy Morgan: Bona Fide” (10 p.m., Comedy Central, TV-MA).

• A new development on “Crisis” (10 p.m., NBC, TV-14).

• Pete finds his way as Peggy receives a token from a stranger on “Mad Men” (10 p.m., AMC).

• Marisol finds romance as “Devious Maids” (10 p.m., Lifetime, TV-PG) enters a second season.

• Peter discovers he’s not the

master of his domain name on “Silicon Valley” (10 p.m., HBO, TV-MA).

• Selena gears up for her announcement on “Veep” (10:30 p.m., HBO, TV-MA).

SATURDAY SERIES A writer’s life on “Mike & Molly” (8 p.m., CBS, r, TV-14) * Two hours of “Dateline NBC” (8 p.m., r) * Nathan’s parents invade his space on “The Millers” (8:30 p.m., CBS, r, TV-PG) * Teens become suspects on “Criminal Minds” (9 p.m., CBS, r, TV-14) * True crime on “48 Hours” (10 p.m., CBS) * “Saturday Night Live” (10 p.m., NBC, r, TV-14).

SUNDAY SERIES Trekking through Italy on “The Amazing Race” (8 p.m., CBS, TV-PG) * California homes renovated on “American Dream Builders” (8 p.m., NBC, TV-PG) * Comic Book Guy thinks he’s found his soul mate on “The Simpsons” (8 p.m., Fox, r, TV-PG) * Cora is fooled on “Once Upon a Time” (8 p.m., ABC, TV-PG) * Time-travel to colonial Virginia on “Family Guy” (8:30 p.m., Fox, r, TV-14) * Murder intrudes on a social club on “The Mentalist” (10 p.m., CBS, TV-14).

Copyright 2014, United Feature Syndicate

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COMICS

SATURDAY, APRIL 19, 2014

BIZARRO

SOUP TO NUTZ

ANDY CAPP

GARFIELD

BEETLE BAILEY

BORN LOSER

BLONDIE

ZITS

MOTHER GOOSE

DOG EAT DOUG

DILBERT

JEFF MACNELLY’S SHOE

Teen girl’s boyish figure is often deceiving DEAR ABBY — I’m a 14-year-old girl with a problem. Because of my buzzed short hair, slim hips and flat Dear Abby chest, I frequently get ABIGAIL mistaken for VAN BUREN a boy. It really bothers me because, despite my haircut and body shape, I have a feminine face and I wear women’s clothes and makeup.

I’m not too much of a tomboy.

Sometimes when someone addresses me with a male pronoun or in some other way mistakes me for a male, I’m too nervous to correct

THE SUMTER ITEM

them. Is there a clever or witty way to correct the mistake?

Not a boy in Brooklyn, N.Y. DEAR NOT A BOY — The person who made the mistake is the one who should be embarrassed, not you. If it happens again, all you need to do is smile and say, “I’m all girl.”

DEAR ABBY — I have been dating a woman, and I am considering proposing to her. We have discussed engagement rings and she wants to design her own, which I think is great. However, I am unsure exactly what to do regarding the actual proposal. What ring should I give her, knowing that whatever I give her will not be her ultimate engagement ring?

THE DAILY CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Soon to Pop the Question DEAR SOON TO POP — Marriage proposals happen in many situations and in many ways.

There are no rules, and dropping to one knee and offering a ring is optional. The engagement does not begin when a woman starts wearing a ring; it begins when she accepts the proposal. All you need to do is say, “Will you marry me?” When she says yes, you can then decide when you both would like to select a stone for her engagement ring.

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 Treat that comes in Mint Oreo and M&M’s flavors 11 Emcee’s prop 14 One with a lot to be concerned about 15 Ones place 16 Attract considerable attention 17 Contemporary of Dashiell 18 Fitness gurus?: Abbr.

19 His, to Jacques 20 Mandela’s birth town 22 Follies name 23 It has a bonnet and a boot 25 Top 28 Court tactic 30 Ruin 31 Farrier’s tool 32 Words from a follower 33 Place known for its lines, briefly 34 Poe title stowaway 35 Churchill’s “so few”: Abbr.

37 Jupiter or Mars 39 Shoe spec 41 Many months 43 “A Room

With a View” view 44 Time of youthful innocence 46 Pope piece 47 1930s home for Capone 48 Response to a cape flourish 50 Co-star of Matthew in “The Lincoln Lawyer” 51 Beautiful people of futuristic fiction 53 O’s and A’s org.

56 Copious amounts 57 Work out 60 Zaire’s Mobutu __ Seko 61 Inside look?

62 Next yr.’s frosh, perhaps 63 You might hear it before you get up DOWN 1 Carp family member 2 College hangout 3 A/C measure 4 LAPD part 5 Impossible to top 6 Fanatical devotion 7 Pitts of silents 8 Nissan models

9 Big name in outdoor gear 10 Adviser once described as “a cross between Henry Kissinger and Minnie Mouse” 11 Scotts offering 12 “Sure, let me try it” 13 Forecast word 15 Brilliant fish 21 Theme 22 Like an executrix: Abbr.

24 Fish eater 25 Stick in 26 Follows 27 Traverse 29 Beach shelter 34 Bog fuels 36 The moment after 38 Bubbly title

40 Tennyson’s “lily maid of Astolat” 42 Montreal daily 43 “Congo” attacker 45 Revive, as a bad memory 47 Get a load of 49 Crinkly gauze 52 Old Vatican coin 53 One of Hawaii’s five counties 54 ICU personnel 55 “Ecclesiastical History of the English People” author 58 Bulky center?

59 Old TV knob

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

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.

Trucking Opportunities

ANNOUNCEMENTS

MERCHANDISE

EMPLOYMENT

Lost & Found

Auctions

Help Wanted Full-Time

Lost at Quality Inn Sumter: lg male mix dog, med length gold / lt brown fur. No collar. If found call 803-317-7566. REWARD

On-Line Premier Auction! Wedgwood, Art, Sterling, Jewelry, Coins, MORE! Apr. 24th 6PM Preview Mon. Apr. 21st 3-7PM or call for appt. Shelley's Auction Gallery (NCAL 6131) 429 N. Main St., Hendersonville NC J. Humphrey, Auctioneer (NCAL 6556) www.sh elleysauction.com 828.698.8485

Looking for a Poultry farm Manager needs to be energetic, detail oriented, some maintenance background. Must have a valid DL and equipment operating exp. Salary Position. Please send resume to Box 288 c//o The Item, PO Box 1677 Sumter SC 29151

Found male light tan lab puppy on Pinewood Rd. close to Cain's Cemetery Call 481-8161 to identify

BUSINESS SERVICES Health Service/ Medical WERE YOU IMPLANTED WITH A ST. JUDE RIATA DEFIBRILLATOR LEAD WIRE between June 2001 and December 2010? Have you had this lead replaced, capped or did you receive shocks from the lead? You may be entitled to compensation. Contact Attorney Charles Johnson 1-800-535-5727

Home Improvements Custom Flooring and Paint Specializing in Laminate flooring.

And professional painting of all type. Call Ryan @ 803-468-3350

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,

Legal Service DIVORCE WITH OR WITHOUT children $125.00. Includes name change and property settlement agreement. SAVE hundreds. Fast and easy. Call 1-888-733-7165, 24/7

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 NEWMAN'S TREE SERVICE Tree removal , trimming & stump grinding. Lic & Ins.

803-316-0128

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

ADVERTISE YOUR AUCTION in 105 S.C. newspapers for only $375. Your 25-word classified ad will reach more than 2.6 million readers. Call Donna Yount at the S.C. Newspaper Network, 1-888-727-7377.

Piedmont Open Equipment Auction Saturday, May 3rd 10am, I-77 Speedway, Chester, SC Live & Online Bidding through EquipmentFacts.com Accepting consignments! 803-909-4555, theligoncompany.com SCAL1716/NCAL8951

Computers & Equipment My Computer Works. Computer problems?

Viruses, spyware, email, printer issues, bad internet connections - FIX IT NOW! Professional, U.S.-based technicians. $25 off service. Call for immediate help. 1-888-269-7891

Garage, Yard & Estate Sales 3220 Mitchum Lane Multi-family, Sat. 7am-1pm. Furn., maternity clothes, lots of baby items & adult. Too much to list.

Yard/Moving Sale, Sat. 7AM-12.

685 Talisman Dr. (Foxcroft Subd) off McCrays Mill Rd. (Across from Sumter High School) LARGE GARAGE SALE 1st & 3rd Weekend Tables $1 & Up FLEA MARKET BY SHAW AFB

Open every weekend.

905-4242

For Sale or Trade REDUCE YOUR CABLE BILL!* Get a whole-home Satellite system installed at NO COST and programming starting at $19.99/mo.

FREE HD/DVR Upgrade to new callers, SO CALL NOW 1-866-981-7319

F/T Service Technician needed for an apartment community located in Sumter. Candidate will handle all phases of maintenance.

Must have a valid SC driver's license and reliable transportation.

On call is a MUST! HVAC and CPO certifications are MANDATORY. Salary negotiable or commensurate with experience. Please email resume to jennifer.chapel@berkleyhallmgmt.com New Papa John's near Shaw AFB is looking for Driver and Inside Workers. Interviews will be conducted 4/11/2014. Please call or email for further information and to schedule your interview.

803-629-8405 or phonso_c@yahoo.com

Medical practice seeking someone w/exp. in electronic insurance billing & posting, full knowledge of CPT and ICD-9 codes required.

Only qualified candidates need apply.

Send resume to: kjones1953gmail.com Drivers Wanted- Hiring drivers to run from SC to PA. Avg trip 3 days. Competitive pay. Need 2 years exp and Class A CDL. Clean driving record. Great home time.

Health and Life Insurance. Vacation pay. Call 800-334-7503 Charles D. Goodwin Inc. 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.

Help Wanted Part-Time Experienced Bar Tender Needed for Mariachi's of Manning. Call between 8 am - 5 pm for an interview (803)413-2503 $$$ AVON $$$ FREE TRAINING! 803-422-5555

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

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

DirectTV. 2 Year Savings Event!

Over 140 channels only $29.99 a month. Only DirecTV gives you 2 YEARS of savings and a FREE Genie upgrade!

Call 1-800-908-5974

Trucking Opportunities

Guarantee 464-5439 or 469-7311

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.

Casual CDL Drivers needed with tanker endorsement and TWIC 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.

Work Wanted

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.

Housekeeping, low rates, References, Mother sits with elderly.

Call 983-3438 or 406-2418

Schools / Instructional HVAC Careers Start here - Heat things up with hands on training in months not years. Financial aid if qualified. Job placement assistance. Call Centura College 888-891-1658.

Healthcare CAREERS - Looking for caring people to train for work in hospitals, clinics, health. Financial aid if qualified. Call Centura College Charleston 888-242-3623 / Columbia 888-891-1658.

AIRLINE CAREERS begin here Get trained as FAA certified Aviation Technician. Financial aid for qualified students. Job placement assistance. Call Aviation Institute of Maintenance 866-367-2513

Statewide Employment Superior Transportation New Careers for OTR Drivers Class A CDL 2yrs Exp Flatbed. Get paid for your Experience! Weekly Salary & Extra pay for weekends! Call 800-736-9486 Ext266 COLONIAL LIFE is seeking B2B sales reps. Commissions average $56K+/yr. Training & leads. Sales experience required, LA&H license preferred. Call Elisabeth at 803-391-5536.

ADVERTISE YOUR DRIVER JOBS in 105 S.C. newspapers for only $375. Your 25-word classified ad will reach more than 2.6 million readers. Call Donna Yount at the S.C. Newspaper Network, 1-888-727-7377.

New Papa John's near Shaw AFB is seeking Delivery Drivers.

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

Azalea's, (1) gallon $3 or (2) for $5, 3 gallons $7, Knock Out Roses $18 or 3 for $50. 74 Lake Shore Dr. 803-464-6337

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

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

Trucking Opportunities

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

I Found it in the

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JOBS HOMES APARTMENTS CARS BOATS MOTORCYCLES BIKES FURNITURE PETS GARAGE SALES & MORE

GET THE CLASSIFIEDS DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR. 803-774-1258

/ .BHOPMJB 4USFFU t 4VNUFS 4$ XXX UIFJUFN DPN

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Statewide Employment

Vacation Rentals

Manufactured Housing

Autos For Sale

SPECIAL OPS U.S. Navy. Elite training. Daring missions. Generous pay/benefits. HS grads ages 17-30. Do you have what it takes?

Call Mon-Fri 800-662-7419

ADVERTISE YOUR VACATION PROPERTY FOR RENT OR SALE to more than 2.6 million South Carolina newspaper readers. Your 25-word classified ad will appear in 105 S.C. newspapers for only $375. Call Donna Yount at the South Carolina Newspaper Network, 1-888-727-7377.

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

A Guaranteed Credit Approval AUTO LOANS

EARN $500 A DAY: Insurance Agents Needed; Leads, No Cold Calls; Commissions Paid Daily; Lifetime Renewals; Complete Training; Health & Dental Insurance; Life License Required Call 1-888-713-6020 WE NEED DRIVERS!! Immediate openings. OTR drivers, minimum 1yr. OTR experience. Late model conventional tractors/48' flatbed trailers. Top pay, insurance. Home most weekends. Senn Freight 1-800-477-0792 GUARANTEED PAY! CLASS-A -CDL FLATBED DRIVERS NEEDED! Local, regional, OTR. Great pay package/benefits/401k match.

1yr exp. required. Call JGR 864-488-9030 Ext. 319, Greenville and Gaffney SC locations. www.j gr-inc.com

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

Land & Lots for Sale 10-acres for sale on Raccoon Road near Jordan CommunityClarendon County. Residential / well / septic / farming. Serious inquirers.

Investors welcomed.Charles @ 704-699-6611, e-mail: cs.evans02@gmail.com SPORTSMAN PARADISE 3 Acre Waterfront lot, 400' on 25,000 acre lake, RV friendly, fish, hunt, ski, financing available...$24,880. Call today 864.933.0151 Hwy 441 Dalzell, ac, cleared, water, septic, elec $3K dn $225 mo 60 mo $13K. 713-870-0216

RECREATION

Hiring One Ton and 3/4 Ton Pickup trucks to deliver RV's.

10¢/mile Sign-on Bonus, 4 Terminals & 8 Backhaul Locations. Call 866-764-1601 or www.foremosttr ansport.com

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

775-0575 Studio/1 Bedroom apartments available EHO

2011 Ultra-lite 32' camper. Elec slideout, AC, heat, sleeps 8. Exc cond. $16,998. 803-481-8301

For Sale 411 N. Magnolia, Hrwd floors, C/H/A. Garage, workshop & shed. Comm. lot on Lafayette also available. Fin Available. 775-4391/ 464-5960

Mobile Home Rentals

TRANSPORTATION Mopeds / ATVs / Motorcycles

28 Ft. 1BR 1BA Camper For Sale- needs some work. $1200 Call 406-5582

2005 Honda 250 Rebel, 12,500 miles, 90MPG. Garage kept, excellent condition. $2,200. Call Paul 407-443-6172

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

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

6 Middle St. 3BR & 4th optional/2BA. C/H/A. New construction. Financing Available.

775-4391, 464-5960 2006 Ford Ranger, 132k miles, 4 cyclinder, 5 speed. Extra clean, Cold A//C. $6,200 FIRM. Call 773-0035 2007 Ford Mustang Exc Condition 68,800 Mi. $10,400 OBO Call 803-406-9183

For Rent 3BR 1.5 BA 858 Griffin St $675 Mo. + 500 Sec. Dep.Call 803-481-9093

4BR 2BA House for rent, 52 Bland Ave, AD School Dist. Hdwd floors, fenced yard $750 mo +$1000 Dep 803-468-1612

2013 26Ft Innsbruck Camper with slide out. Never been used $16,000 OBO 803-494-2060 Leave Message

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

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

877-499-8065

Unfurnished Homes

Safe Friendly Neighborhood 3BR/1Ba Well kept house. Near Shaw AFB Call 973-979-7387 or 609-447-0698

71 Mustang Fast Back. Have title. $2,100 Call 803-972-4488 Alfred 2005 Mitsubushi Galant, Gold.

Great interior. Runs & drives great. $3,800 OBO. Call 803-607-8790 3600 Dallas: Dalzell, 3BR, 2BA. Big Lot. Big storage & workshop. 1/2 ac lot. Financing Available. 775-4391, 464-5960

YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED and required to appear and defend by answering the Complaint in this action, of which a copy is herewith served upon you, and to serve a copy of your Answer on the subscribers at his office, 1300 Pickens Street, Columbia, SC 29201, within Thirty (30) days after the service hereof, exclusive of the day of such service; except that the United States of America, if named, shall have Sixty (60) days to answer after the service hereof, exclusive of the day of such service; and if you fail to do so, judgment by default will be rendered against you for the relief demanded in the Complaint.

YOU WILL ALSO TAKE NOTICE that should you fail to answer the foregoing Summons, the Plaintiff will move for an Order of Reference to the Master in Equity for Sumter County, which Order shall, pursuant to Rule 53(e) of the South Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure, specifically provide that the said Master in Equity is authorized and empowered to enter a final judgment in this cause.

YOU ARE FURTHER SUMMONED and notified that Plaintiff has applied for a Guardian ad Litem Nisi to represent said Defendants. If you fail to apply for the appointment of a Guardian ad Litem within thirty (30) days after the service of this Summons and Notice upon you, the Plaintiff's appointment will be made absolute with no further action from the Plaintiff.

YOU WILL PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the foregoing Summons, along with the Complaint, was filed with the Clerk of Court for Sumter County, SC, on December 06, 2013.

Korn Law Firm, P.A. 1300 Pickens Street Columbia, SC 29201 MICHAL KALWAJTYS Attorneys for Plaintiff

SUMMONS CLAIM AND DELIVERY (NON-JURY) IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS CASE NO. 2013-CP-43-0614 STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF SUMTER First Citizens Bank and Trust Company, Inc., Plaintiff, -vsJames B. Wilson and Brady L. Wilson, Defendants.

T H E D E F E N D A N T S ABOVE-NAMED: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED and required to answer the Complaint in this action, a copy of which is hereby served upon you, and to serve a copy of your answer on the subscribers at their offices, 1640 St. Julian Place, Post Office Box 4216, Columbia, SC 29204, within thirty (30) days after the service hereof, exclusive of the day of service; and if you fail to answer the Complaint within the time aforesaid, the Plaintiff will apply to the Court for judgment by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint.

NOTICE OF FILING COMPLAINT YOU WILL PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Summons and Complaint in the above-captioned action were filed on April 3, 2014, in the Office of the Clerk of Court for Pickens County, South Carolina.

Crawford & von Keller, LLC. PO Box 4216 1640 St. Julian Place (29204) Columbia, SC 29204 Phone: 803-790-2626 Attorneys for Plaintiff

SUMMONS IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEASE 2013-CP-43-508

TO PERSONS UNDER SOME LEGAL DISABILITY AND MINOR(S) OVER FOURTEEN YEARS OF AGE AND/OR MINOR(S) UNDER FOURTEEN YEARS OF AGE ALL BEING A CLASS DESIGNATED AS JOHN DOE AND THE PERSON WITH WHOM THE MINOR(S) RESIDES

STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF SUMTER

YOU ARE FURTHER SUMMONED and notified that Plaintiff has applied for the appointment of a Guardian ad Litem Nisi to represent said Persons under some Legal Disability and Minors; and if you fail

TO THE NAMED:

Land, Parker & Welch, P.A. J. Calhoun Land, IV 29 South Mill Street Manning, South Carolina 29102 803-435-88994

Beer & Wine License Notice Of Application Notice is hereby given that Saanvi LLC D/B/A The Station intends to apply to the South Carolina Department of Revenue for a license permit that will allow the sale Off premises consumption of Beer & Wine at 4580 Florence Hwy., Mayesville, SC 29104. To object to the issuance of this permit / license, written protest must be postmarked no later than . For a protest to be valid, it must be in writing, and should include the following information: (1) the name, address and telephone number of the person filing the protest; (2) the specific reasons why the application should be denied; (3) that the person protesting is willing to attend a hearing (if one is requested by the applicant); (4) that the person protesting resides in the same county where the proposed place of business is located or within five miles of the business; and (5) the name of the applicant and the address of the premises to be licensed. Protests must be mailed to: S.C. Department of Revenue, ATTN: ABL, P.O. Box 125, Columbia, South Carolina 29214; or Faxed to: (803) 898-5899.

Abandon Vehicle / Boat Abandoned Vehicle Notice: The following vehicle was abandoned at Bethel Tire, 828 Bethel Church Rd., Sumter, SC 29154. Described as a 2012 GMC, VIN # 1GD374CGXC1903095. Total Due for storage & $2,750.00 as of April 11, 2014.Owner is asked to call 803-481-9898. If not claimed in 30 days. it will be turned over to the Magistrate's Office for public sale.

Abandoned Boat Notice To all persons claiming an interest in: 1975 Durana aluminum boat, Model # 1517 will apply to SCDNR for title on watercraft/outboard motor. If you have any claims to the watercraft/outboard motor, contact SCDNR at (803) 734-3858. Upon thirty days after the date of the last advertisement if no claim of interest is made and the watercraft/outboard motor has not been reported stolen, SCDNR shall issue clear title. Case No: 20131023951033.

Patricia Prioleau, Catory Prioleau, Ricky Prioleau & Lashawn Prioleau, Plaintiffs vs.

Aisha N. Pollard, Defendant.

DEFENDANTS

ABOVE

YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED and required to answer the Complaint in this action, of which a

$24!

*PHOTO INCLUDED

00

I’ve never seen so many cars and people!

What do you think is going on over there?

Well, I was told she’s having one of those ‘Garage Sales.’

Can you imagine?!

Minnie told me she made over $100 last time she had one... Just by placing a Classified Ad in

Vacation Rentals SANTEE-4BR waterfront home on 2 acres, boat ramp, pier, sandy beach, screened porch, for vacations and outdoor weddings.

Sleeps 14, $1400/wk. See: www.l akehousevacations.com/page-43 83.html or call 843-442-8069

TO THE DEFENDANTS:

TO ANY UNKNOWN DEFENDANT ADULTS BEING A CLASS DESIGNATED AS JOHN DOE:

copy is herewith served upon you, and to serve a copy of your Answer to said Complaint on the subscriber, Land, Parker & Welch, P.A. , 29 S. Mill Street, Manning, South Carolina, 29102, within THIRTY (30) DAYS after the service hereof, exclusive of the date of such service; and if you fail to answer to Complaint within the time aforesaid, judgement by default will be rendered against you for the relief demanded in the Complaint.

FOR ONLY

Rent to own 2BR/1BA all appl. incl. C/H/A, water & sewer incl. $385/mo. Call 803-464-5757

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

Plaintiff, vs.

Marie Anderson a/k/a Marie J. Anderson, and if Marie Anderson a/k/a Marie J. Anderson be deceased, then any and all children and heirs at law, distributees and devisees, and if any of the same be deceased, any and all persons entitled to claim under or through them, also all other persons entitled to claim under or through them, and also all other persons unknown claiming any right, title, interest or lien upon the real estate described herein; Any unknown adults being a class designated as John Doe, and any unknown infants or persons under disability or persons in the military service of the United States of America being a class designated as Richard Roe, and Harry Seigler a/k/a Harry Sigler a/k/a Harry B. Sigler, Defendant(s)

to apply for the appointment of a Guardian ad Litem within Thirty (30) days after the service of this Summons and Notice upon you, the Plaintiff's appointment will be made absolute with no further action from the Plaintiff.

+ 4 Days

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

469-6978.

Resort Rentals

IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS (NON-JURY MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE) C/A NO: 2013-CP-43-02155 Deficiency Waived

Summons & Notice

Now! 4 Lines

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.

2 & 3 BRs 803-494-4015

E. Brewington Rd. near Mayewood School, 3BR/2BA DWMH. $550/mo + $550/SD. NO Section 8.

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

SUMMONS AND NOTICE

Summons & Notice

We Want to Sell Your Car

Manufactured Housing

STATEBURG COURTYARD

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

RV parking avail. Call 494-8350

Summons & Notice

Bank of America, N.A.,

Campers / RV's/ Motorhomes

SOUTH FORGE APTS. 1BR, Water, stove & frig furnished.

Linda at 803-494-8443

3BR 1BA Completely remodeled home on Thomas Dr,(near Alice Dr) with den, Lv Rm, Dining Room, washer/dryer HU, LG Fenced Yard, $750 Mo. + $750 Dep. A must See. Call 803-316-7958 or 803-773-1838 Btw 9am-6pm Mon-Fri.

LEGAL NOTICES

STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF SUMTER

New Pay-For-Experience program pays up to $0.41/mile. Class A Professional Drivers Call 866-501-0946 for more details or visit SuperServiceLLC.com Experienced OTR Flatbed Drivers earn 50 up to 55 cpm loaded. $1000 sign on to Qualified drivers.

Home most weekends. Call: 843-266-3731 / www.bulldoghiwa y.com EOE

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

SATURDAY, APRIL 19, 2014

Do you think we should have one and place an ad?

It sure would help with Spring Cleaning!

20 N. Magnolia St. Sumter, SC 803.774.1234 www.theitem.com

20 N. Magnolia Street Sumter, SC www.theitem.com No refund for early cancellation.

Private Party Only! Business and commercial accounts not eligible.

All ads must be prepaid. All advertising subject to publisher’s approval.

Special cannot be combined with discounts.

Other restrictions may apply.

Limited Time

803. CALL

774.1234

SPRING ON THE ROAD

THE SUMTER ITEM

SATURDAY, APRIL 19, 2014

|

C1

Custom touch could prove costly

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

reason, breaking the law is breaking the law.

T

WINDOW TINTING

he next time you consider tinting your windows or lifting the suspension of your car, you might want to think again.

Many customizations that motorists apply to their car are fine, but only to an extent. State laws have guidelines for nearly every detail of an automobile, and regardless of the rhyme or

Sgt. Fred Moore of Sumter County Sheriff’s Office has seen numerous violations while working in the agency’s patrol division. The most common infraction? Window tinting.

“We see a lot of that,” he said. “It’s by far the most common illegal modification we ticket people for.”

Moore said that state law dictates that window tints must allow at least 27 percent of light through the window. Anything darker fetches a ticket, he said.

“Those ticket prices range from $80 to about $280,” he said. “These tickets aren’t violations that dock points

from your license, though.”

Moore went on to explain several other standards applied by state law, including the necessity of a decal being placed between the tinting film and the glass that states who installed the tint and that it was done legally. Not having this label makes the installation illegal.

“You definitely need to make sure you’re dealing with a certified installer,” Moore said.

Colored and reflective tinting is also illegal, but exceptions are made for covert and other law enforcement use, such as with a K-9 unit vehicle, and according to tintlaws.com, some exceptions are made for medical reasons.

Lance Cpl. David Jones of South Carolina Highway Patrol said tinting laws are taken seriously because of the implicit dangers.

“When a window’s tint is too dark, it can greatly decrease the driver’s visibility,” he said.

“It also decreases officer safety during traffic stops, but public safety is our primary concern.”

Jones and Moore said they’ve encountered drivers who argue about the legality of their window tinting, citing the business where they bought the tinting and had it installed.

Moore said there’s nothing illegal about installing unlawful tinting.

“These places can install whatever they want,” he said.

“That’s legal. When you get on the highway with that illegal tinting, that’s when it becomes an issue.”

Jones said there are numerous kinds of disclaimers that warn drivers about the illegality of window tinting.

“We’ve had drivers who show us a receipt from a certified installer and argue that it’s legal,” he said, “but usually, there’s a disclaimer at the top of the receipt that says the tinting was installed for show purposes only.”

That same disclaimer is also often featured on the product’s packaging, as well, and Jones explained that tinting laws aren’t limited to windows.

“Some states allow it, but in South Carolina, it’s illegal to have tinted lights on your vehicle,” he said. “It’s also illegal to place any shaded or reflective glass or plastic over the license plate.”

LIFTED SUSPENSIONS Some motorists like to sit higher off the ground while they’re driving. A lift kit is a simple solution to the problem, and it’s perfectly legal.

Or at least you’d assume so.

According to Moore, only pickup trucks are allowed to have their suspensions altered.

“In South Carolina, it’s illegal to modify the suspension of any sedan,” he said. “Period.”

State law says

that a passenger car’s suspension cannot be altered by more than six inches. This might come as a shock to anyone who’s seen plenty of those Crown Victorias or Cutlass Supremes that seemingly sit two feet off the ground with cartoon characters plastered on the side, but it’s definitely illegal, Moore explained.

“State laws are very specific about vehicle alterations,” he said. “There’s an issue of safety, otherwise there wouldn’t be a law.”

Moore said these violations carry the same penalties as window tinting infractions.

OTHER MODIFICATIONS Although they’ve dramatically decreased in popularity, custom lights were once a big problem, Moore said.

“A few years ago, we had lots of drivers with colored or flashing lights installed on them,” he said. “We see much fewer vehicles with this, now.”

Jones said it’s illegal to have red or blue lights, or any flashing lights, installed on a vehicle that isn’t part of a law enforcement or emergency agency.

Another popular modification involves customized exhaust systems, and while many people have found themselves annoyed by loud buzzing or rumbling mufflers, they’re not necessarily illegal.

“You have to have a muffler,” Moore said. “And it can’t be modified, at all.”

Many motorists have burned or cut holes in their mufflers to make them louder or sound a certain way. Volume isn’t the issue as much as these alterations are, Moore said.

“Performance mufflers and exhaust systems are fine,” Moore said. “But you absolutely have to have a muffler, and the exhaust systems have to meet state regulations.”

Small steps can save big on gas costs

BY IVY MOORE ivym@theitem.com (803) 774-1221 When it comes to maximizing gas mileage, residents of Sumter, Lee and Clarendon counties start off with at least one advantage over those who live in large, metropolitan areas — we don’t have to spend hours of commuting time idling our engines in traffic jams. That’s a major gas burner.

On the other hand, the faster you drive, the more gas you use per mile up to about 50 mph, when mileage begins to drop again.

Other than watching your speed, there are a few other things you can do to improve your mileage. And with the price of gas seemingly headed toward the $4-per-gallon mark during the next couple of months, they’re worth taking a look at.

There are several things you can do to your vehicle to improve mileage, some that will reduce driving time and still others that involve changing your driving habits.

Billy Burrows, vice president of Ace Parker Tires, said proper tire maintenance can have a significant effect on gas mileage.

He advises drivers to buy a “good tire gauge, and check the pressure every two weeks. Be sure the pressure is what’s recommended for your car and tire size. You can find that on the car’s door jamb.”

Michelin tire company advises that “underinflated tires are one of the biggest causes of using excess fuel in the world,” and the American Automobile Agency (AAA) research shows

SEE GAS, PAGE C2

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THE SUMTER ITEM

Cash or credit at the pump?

BY RAYTEVIA EVANS revans@theitem.com (803) 774-1214 Whether you know it or not, you’re paying a different price for gas according to what form of payment you use. For those who haven’t noticed, some gas stations advertise the price of regular gas per gallon if the customer pays with cash. Many motorists are looking for the lowest price and might not pay close attention to the large signs.

However, cash payments differ from the actual price you’re paying at the pump.

According to Michael Fields, executive director for the South Carolina Petroleum Marketers Association, the law states that gas stations have to properly inform consumers of the difference in payment, although most motorists might not pay much attention to the different signs on the pump. “As far as how someone is informed, the law requires that either the cash or the credit price has to be labeled on the pump itself,� Fields said. “There’s no requirement that both (prices) have to (be labeled), but if there is dual pricing, it has to say whether it’s cash or the credit price.�

Fields explained that credit card fees have become an enormous expense for petroleum retailers as well as retailers in other markets in recent years. As a result, retailers have made the decision to offer cash discounts because the interchange fees are more of a burden — especially to smaller retailers. “A lot of them have gone to dual pricing, but it’s a case-

by-case basis,� Fields said. “The decision is usually made by the business owner of that location. A lot of it has to do with what their competitors are doing as well. It also depends on just how much of an impact the credit card fees are having on their business, so you’re seeing more and more of it now.�

Although the trend is definitely becoming more noticeable by motorists, Fields explained that the national percentage of gas stations offering cash discounts is still less than 25 percent. However, there might be more gas stations that might choose to offer customers cash discounts in the future.

As for those paying with a credit card at the pump, Fields said it’s not charging more. It’s a cash discount, and there is a huge distinction. The price displayed in lights is what consumers are paying if they go into the store and pay for gas. However, the label on the pump informs them that if they’re using a credit card, they’re paying the actual price of gas per gallon. “They can’t have a surcharge most of the time for the actual use of credit, so it is a cash discount,� Fields explained.

Another label some consumers may notice on the pump informs them that a certain amount of cash will be held on their cards for two to three business days.

Fields said this has nothing to do with cash discounts and everything to do with the person’s particular bank or credit card company, and the two are not to be confused.

GAS FROM PAGE C1 that “... operating a vehicle with underinflated tires can result in a 25 percent reduction in fuel economy.�

The pressure should be checked when the tire is cool, before it’s been warmed by the heat of the day, which increases the tire pressure, Burrows said.

The style of tire is also important. “Some are made for good mileage,� he said, “and others are made for ‘handling’ and high speed driving.�

ROB COTTINGHAM / THE SUMTER ITEM

Dave Mabey, left, and John Tingle stand in front of the R&R Motors sign on U.S. 378 recently. Combined, the men have nearly 50 years of experience in auto sales.

R&R Motors gets drivers on the road

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

helps curb the frequency of problems. “We don’t just go to an auction and throw our hands up,� he said. “We do our research thoroughly.�

The vehicles at R&R range in price from Anyone and everyone knows a few clichĂŠs $2,800 to about $18,000, according to Mabey. about used cars and the people who sell them, “We’ve got a great range of choices,â€? he said. but Dave Mabey said R&R Motors is an entirely “And some of our best vehicles are the most different experience. modestly priced.â€? “We have great people working here,â€? Mabey Mabey said there are plenty of vehicles availsaid. “Our managers live in Sumter. Our owner able in the $5,000 to $10,000 range. lives in Sumter. We are of Sumter. You won’t “We even have a couple cars with relatively find that at most dealerships. We’re focused on low mileage that are very affordable,â€? he said, being a part of the community as much as we “such as a $6,000 car with only 91,000 miles on are about selling cars.â€?

Mabey, the general sales manager at R&R, has it.�

When a customer decides to buy a car, Mabey 18 years of experience selling cars, including 17 said R&R Motors makes it as painless as possiyears with franchised dealerships as a floor manager, a general sales manager and an Inter- ble. “We have great financing resources that help net manager. He’s been at R&R since it opened a tremendously,� he said. “Even with bad credit, it year ago. gives people the option of buying a car.�

His co-worker, John Tingle, has more than 30 And that is an essential element behind Mayears’ experience selling cars. Mabey said the bey’s philosophy of selling cars. Citing the ecocombination of both men’s experience helps them better understand a customer’s needs and nomic downturn that began several years ago, he said many families have fallen on financially concerns. It also helps them pick better prodhard times. ucts. “They’re not bad people,� he said. “Bad things “We’re very selective about what we choose to just happened to them. We make an extended efsell,� Mabey said. “We hand pick every car that fort to help those families, and we’re dedicated goes on our lot and work hard to make sure to them.� things are fixed before we put it up for sale.�

R&R Motors is located at 3277 Broad St. and While surprises come with the territory when can be reached at (803) 494-2886. buying a vehicle, Mabey said their selectivity

He pointed to the tall, wide tires on a large car awaiting repairs. “Those can increase gas usage.�

AAA and Michelin offer other tips for saving gas, as well: • Avoid using a rooftop luggage carrier. It increases drag by destroying whatever gas-saving aerodynamics your car design offers. • Minimize the weight you carry around in your car. The more weight it carries, the more fuel it must use. So ... diet? That might help a tiny bit, but cleaning out the trunk and back seat improves fuel

"650 (-"44 t $6450. */5&3*03 t 5*/5 4)01 t 4503& '30/5 $0..&3$*"- "/% 3&4*%&/5*" 4 -"'":&55& %3*7& t 46.5&3 4$ 888 4)"%0"/4(-"44 $0.

803-775-2115

efficiency much more. An extra 100 pounds increases fuel consumption by about 2 percent. Some people go so far as to remove their cars’ unused seats. • Gas is heavy. Ten gallons weigh about 60 pounds. Fill your tank only one-quarter to half full when feasible. • Stop and speed up gradually. This saves wear and tear on your brakes, too. • Try to do as many of your errands as possible on one trip, and map out the shortest route. • Keep your tires balanced and your

front end in alignment. Rotate your tires, too, as uneven wear can reduce mileage. • Roll up your windows and turn on the A/C when it’s hot. Modern airconditioners create less drag than driving with the windows open, particularly at speeds above 35. • Keep the air filter clean. Clogged filters reduce fuel economy and increase exhaust emissions. • Drive the speed limit.

Visit the websites www.MichelinMan.com and www.aaa.com for more information on saving gas.

SPRING ON THE ROAD

THE SUMTER ITEM

Choose options wisely

BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com (803) 774-1211 “Things are changing so fast even next year’s cars will be different,” said William Prothro, co-owner and new car manager at Prothro Chevrolet Buick GMC in Manning.

“It’s a learning process for everybody from salespeople to customers,” he said.

With things changing so fast, that learning process can make it difficult for car buyers to know what options are important and worth paying for and what to avoid.

Some options, of course, are no-brainers. If you live in a warm climate such as South Carolina, air conditioning is a must. If you live in a state such as Alaska or Minnesota, an engine block heater comes in pretty handy.

How much options will be worth when you go to trade in your car is also an important consideration.

According to ALG, a company that predicts residual automobile values for companies that lease or purchase large fleets, options that make a car more convenient generally age pretty well.

“Used-car buyers are looking for low-mileage, loaded-up vehicles,” Prothro said. “For SUVs in particular, they want leather, DVDs, sunroofs, 20-inch-wheels; they want it all.”

Options that make a car more convenient, such as cruise control, power windows and locks and automatic transmissions, are at the top of the list in retaining value, along with air conditioning, ALG says.

Remember when an in-dash cassette was all the rage?

Today, cassettes make a car look hopelessly outdated. Believe it or not, in-dash CDs will quickly become tomorrow’s outdated feature. With so many cars now synching with smartphones, some models are already hitting the showrooms without a CD player option.

However, in the area of

‘The new WiFi will be on almost all new vehicles next year.’

SATURDAY, APRIL 19, 2014

GMC in Manning high-tech integration, keep in mind that with technology changing so quickly, a multifunction display that was dazzling only a few years ago can look dated compared to the ones you can see in the showroom today, and a few years from now, those, too, are likely to be past their prime.

“Connectivity seems to be important,” Prothro said.

“The new WiFi will be on almost all new vehicles next year.”

Things that are options today but will be standard on tomorrow’s cars, such as back-up displays — recently mandated by the federal government for all 2018 vehicles — should be a good bet to hold their value, because once they become mandatory, their absence will be noticeable.

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Sumter Chrysler Jeep Dodge to get new look, boasts program

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

WILLIAM PROTHRO of Prothro Chevrolet Buick

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One Sumter dealership is about to get a facelift.

Sumter Chrysler Jeep Dodge will start a remodel next month and will be under construction for five to six months.

“It will be a complete renovation from front to back,” said Tim Cook, general sales manager. “Out with the old, and in with the new.”

It’s probably been 25 years since the last update, he said, and the dealership is being remodeled to the millennium style to conform with other Chrysler Jeep Dodge dealers.

The service area will also be redone and the parking lot resealed, he said.

But don’t worry. The business will still be open and still offer the customer service for which it’s known.

“We’ll still be open during renovations and will continue to operate basically identical to what we do now,” Cook said. “We’re not changing

anything but the appearance.”

This includes the Customers for Life program.

It started with free oil changes more than 20 years ago, Cook said. About eight years ago, tires were added, and as the program continued to evolve, batteries for life and rental assistance were tacked on. It now even offers friends and family coupons worth

$500 toward the purchase of a new vehicle.

“My logic is to treat customers the way we want to be treated,” Cook said. “Obviously we want customers coming back. We want them to be part of our family and send their family and friends to us.

We can sell everything, but we can’t replace a customer.”

Almost every vehicle qualifies for the free oil change, he said, and most new cars qualify for the tires for life. Other offers are available on select vehicles.

While the Customers for Life program is only available on vehicles purchased at Sumter Chrysler Jeep Dodge, the service department is open to anyone.

The business employs about 50 full and part-time personnel. There are 250 vehicles, “plus or minus,” in inventory at any given time, Cook said, and the dealership typically sells “give or take” 150 a month.

For more information, call (803) 469-9030 or visit sumterchryslerdodgejeepram.com.

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Family focuses on satisfaction at Prothro Chevrolet-Buick-GMC

BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com (803) 774-1211

ROB COTTINGHAM / THE SUMTER ITEM

Murry Bell, who’s been working at McLaughlin Ford’s service center for 20 years, tops off some fluid recently at the shop.

Qualified for the job McLaughlin Ford service center handles auto woes

BY ROB COTTINGHAM rcottingham@theitem.com (803) 774-1225 When it comes to the shops they work in, many mechanics take pride in their jobs.

At McLaughlin Ford’s service center, shop foreman Butch Wilson said they’re especially proud of one thing in particular.

“We take pride in doing things right the first time,” Wilson said. “We’re not trying to inconvenience anyone.”

To ensure quality repairs, the 40-year auto-repair veteran said it’s all about delegation.

“When someone comes in with a needed repair, we assign it to the technician who’s most qualified to handle it,” Wilson said. “And every repair has a follow-up inspection conducted by myself or my service manager, Kirby Ingram.”

Ingram has been working at McLaughlin Ford for 39 years.

He worked as a mechanic before that, as well.

“I’ve been doing it all my life,” Ingram said, with a smile.

That makes 80 years of combined experience between the two men who oversee every repair in the shop. That level of expertise helps spot the problems before they get bigger, Wilson said, and the shop as a whole operates proactively in regard to repairs.

“We want to make sure every customer is safe on the road,” Wilson said. “If we find anything that might be a problem or become a major issue, we let you know. Anything we find that could be trouble or a more costly repair later, we do it now.”

But not at the emotional cost of the customer, he said.

“We won’t sell what you don’t need,” Wilson said. “We’re not here to take advantage of our customers.”

Wilson has 11 full-time technicians working in his shop. Oil change personnel aside, they’re all Automotive Service Excellence certified, he said. Those technicians handle hundreds of repairs each week, but when it comes to the overall charge of the shop, the buck stops at Wilson’s desk.

“I put the pen to the final word on everything in this shop,” he said. “And we stick to our word here.”

That word extends to every service, all of which include a 23-point inspection, Wilson said. That inspection involves tires, brakes, lights, batteries, fluids and much more.

When it comes to the products, Wilson said, McLaughlin is a fierce competitor with prices. “We offer the most competitive prices on tires, brakes and batteries,” he said. “We’ll match anyone.”

And if a customer has work done on his or her vehicle at McLaughlin Ford, Wilson said the customer shouldn’t be surprised to get a phone call the next day.

“We do a lot of follow-up calls with our customers,” he said.

Prothro Chevrolet-BuickGMC has been in business in Manning since 1926, when Lannes Prothro and a partner started selling cars on Mills Street.

Two generations later, his grandsons, Lannes III and William Prothro, continue the family tradition after taking over the business from their father, Lannes “June” Prothro Jr. One thing they have learned is that in a small community such as Manning, customer satisfaction is the only way to survive.

“We take a lot of pride in our repeat business,” Lannes Prothro III said. “We take care of our customers and make sure they know we appreciate their business. We use word-of-mouth advertising more than we do radio, newspapers and stuff like that. Our reputation is the strength of our business.”

He said his family tries to do things the right way.

“We don’t want to be a big dealership; we just want to be a good, honest dealer.”

Prothro said the dealership currently has 29 employees.

“We run a full-service auto repair shop, a full-service body shop, parts, we do some rental cars — that kind of stuff,” he said.

“I sell, my brother sells, my son (Pro) sells, and we have two additional salesmen

‘We don’t want to be a big dealership; we just want to be a good, honest dealer.’

LANNES PROTHRO III and a finance department.

“I was telling my brother the other day that as we mature, we are selling cars to the children of people we used to sell cars to,” he said.

Prothro said that if business keeps up, they would probably add more employees.

He said taking care of the employees is important to him and his brother as well.

“We have helped raise a lot of people around here,” he said. “ We give good jobs and pay them well, and they work hard, and we don’t have much turnover. We have a solid crew of good people.

“That’s important; good people let us have good customer relations.”

Even though the automobile business can be like a roller coaster, he said he thinks the company is in a good position.

“Our future looks good,” he said. “We are in the third generation and getting ready to pass it on to the fourth. It’s a good way to make a living, and we feel good about the fact that we take care of our customers.”

Another thing that makes

Prothro optimistic is the quality of vehicles he has on the lot.

“Look at the 2014 Chevrolet Impala,” Prothro said. “It is a drop-dead gorgeous car.

It’s priced competitively, it does things nobody thought a Chevrolet would ever do. The technology is there, the quality, the fit and finish is there.

We are really proud of the stuff we are selling. People are getting good, good service out of the cars.

“When I first started in the business if you had a car with 100,000 miles on it you were scared to drive to Sumter. Now, people will take off with 200,000 or 300,000 miles on the car. And don’t worry about it. They are very, very dependable.”

“I think with all the new stuff GM has, they have almost completely redesigned their portfolio. They have the latest in technology, the latest gizmos. We can compete with anybody.”

Now is a good time for people to get in the market for a new car, he said.

“Prices are good; interest rates have never been lower.

It’s just like the stars have lined up to make it a good buying experience,” he said.

“Used-car prices have never been higher; it just shocks me what they are bringing now. As a consumer you get good trade-in prices, you get good discounted prices on new cars. All of that works for the consumers’ favor.”

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Trucks still popular among local drivers

BY BRISTOW MARCHANT bmarchant@theitem.com (803) 774-1272 When it comes to buying a car in the Sumter area, two considerations seem to be most important: whether it’s a budget-conscious choice and whether it’s a truck.

Among local dealers who offer the option of a pickup, the larger vehicle is always the most popular, whether it’s a Ford F-150, a Chevrolet Silverado or a GMC Sierra.

“Trucks in our market are always stronger than cars,” said Jim Jones, dealer-operator at Jones GMC Buick, a truck driver himself. “I don’t use four-wheel drive, but I like the utility.”

It isn’t surprising these vehicles are some of the area’s biggest sellers. Pickups are a necessity at many job sites, but beyond that obvious market, many drivers such as Jones just prefer a big truck.

“It’s not just for work, but for everyday driving,” said David Hill, general sales manager at Stokes-Craven Ford in Manning.

Stokes-Craven’s biggest seller is the F-150, which has consistently been the country’s top-selling truck for the past 37 years. Jones’ top seller is the Sierra, a truck that also does well at Prothro Chevrolet in Manning, along with the Silverado. Whichever model a truck driver chooses today, he or she isn’t just getting a utility vehicle. Pickups have evolved.

“They have the latest technology, fuel economy, the radios are enhanced. There’s a voice command for your phone instead of having to use a keypad,” said general manager Lannes Prothro. “Safety’s important too ... They have a lane departure feature that vibrates to warn you when you leave your lane.”

“They’re gaining popularity by the second,” he said.

But as popular as trucks are, they don’t have a reputation of being easy on the gas pump. So in recent years, buyers have also sought out cheaper alternatives.

“I read somewhere the recession ended in June 2009, but I don’t think they meant Sumter,” said David Waldkirch of Goodwin AutoMall, which sells smaller-model Hondas, Mitsubishis and Volkswagens. “Now, it’s not a huge increase, but it’s getting better. Continental opening is helping the economy locally, and as part of that the housing and auto markets are picking up.”

Goodwin’s biggest seller is the Honda Accord, a consistent finisher in the Car and Driver Top 10.

“It’s a very versatile car that appeals to families and singles,” Waldkirch said. “It

meets a lot of the needs in a mid-sized sedan rather than going to a van or an SUV.” Another big-selling smallermodel car is the Nissan Ultima, the top model at Jones Nissan.

“You get a lot of car for the price,” said business manager Charles Evenich. “It’s got back-up cameras, better fuel mileage ... . It’s a cheaper, more inexpensive car, and” compared to Nissan’s other models, “has a little more room.”

Jamie Bilton said the trend has boosted sales of the redesigned MKZ at Bilton Lincoln, even a hybrid model.

“Industry-wide, (sales of) the MKZ is up dramatically,” Bilton said. “It has a larger sunroof. The top of the car slides down over the back glass.”

Car makers have noticed the trend, and now larger vehicles are also touting better savings and more fuel-efficient engines. Robert Jones with Jones Chevrolet Cadillac said the quest for fuel efficiency has pushed customers away from gas-guzzling SUVs. “I’ve seen a change in market conditions since the economic meltdown, where buyers are more budget conscious. They realize their budget might dictate what they buy more than the vehicle itself,” Jones said. “Fuel economy is the future of trucks and SUVs. The (2015) Colorado is a mid-size, so it has better fuel economy.”

Sales manager Keith Hamm said McLaughlin Ford still sells a healthy number of F150s but has seen movement toward the more economical Fusion. Even the F-150 has a lot to recommend it to a budget-conscious buyer.

“It has a great up-front price and a high resale value, so it has a great cost of ownership,” Hamm said. “Everybody’s budget-conscious now.”

RAYTEVIA EVANS / THE SUMTER ITEM

Tom Squires, sales team member at Sumter Auto Mall, takes a look under the hood of a silver Mustang on the Mall’s lot. Squires and other sales team members normally have a walk through with potential customers and accompany them on test drives. They also provide the history of each car they sell.

Sumter Auto Mall provides warranty, financing for used automobile sales

BY RAYTEVIA EVANS revans@theitem.com (803) 774-1214 Located at 3625 Broad St., the Sumter Auto Mall has been in business for about a year here in Sumter, and it’s not often that motorists drive by and find the same cars parked outside available for purchase. The business and its sales staff are continuously busy, and according to Tom Squires, some of that can be attributed to the way they treat people.

“We treat everyone the same, and we take good care of them. Black, white, Hispanic, everyone has a right to be treated the same, and we give them the best service,” Squires said.

Besides the staff’s laid back but helpful disposition, manager Benny Reyes said Sumter Auto Mall has a large variety of brands and models, vehicles with very low mileage, a warranty is provided for every vehicle, and there is available financing for everyone.

“Our experience and financing is what sets us apart, and we have a warranty for every car we sell,” Reyes said. “We’re in a competitive market. It means a lot to peo-

ple who are looking to buy a car that we have experience so we can help them.”

Each week, the Sumter Auto Mall visits an auction in search of new inventory.

Before putting any of their vehicles on the lot for purchase, they give it full service for safety purposes, Reyes explained.

They usually have about 30 vehicles available for purchase, and they provide potential buyers with the history of the car.

The Sumter Auto Mall has a variety of brands and models available including Ford, Chevrolet, Lexus, Mercedes and Nissan. For those looking to purchase a car and considering buying used, Reyes said it’s a good idea to have a warranty and have someone with you who has some experience in financing.

“Make sure to have a warranty on the vehicle. They’re man made. We hope nothing happens, but sometimes things happen,” Reyes said. “Also have someone or consult someone with experience about financing options and keep in mind there’s financing for everybody.”

For more information about Sumter Auto Mall and their services, call (803) 494-5900.

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John Jones Jr. known for community service, industry accomplishments The nomination of John T. Jones Jr., president/dealer operator of Jones Chevrolet-Cadillac in Sumter, for the 2014 TIME Dealer of the Year award was announced earlier this year by Time. Jones is one of a select group of 57 dealer nominees from across the country who were honored at the 97th annual National Automobile Dealers Association Convention & Exposition in New Orleans, La., on Jan. 25. The announcement of JONES this year’s nominees was made

by Jed Hartman, group publisher, Time Inc. New and Business, and Tim Russi, president of Auto Finance for Ally Financial.

“The dealers nominated for this award are community heroes, as well as economic and civic leaders, who have time and again shown their dedication to making a difference,” said Russi. “Ally is pleased to once again be supporting these dealers in their efforts to create vibrant, thriving communities.”

In its third year as exclusive sponsor, Ally will recognize dealer nominees and their community efforts by contrib-

uting $1,000 to each nominee’s charity of choice. Nominees will also be recognized on the recently launched website, AllyDealerHeroes.com, which highlights the philanthropic contributions and achievements of auto dealers across the U.S. The TIME Dealer of the Year award is one of the automobile industry’s most prestigious and highly coveted honors. Recipients are among the nation’s most successful auto dealers who also demonstrate a longstanding commitment to community service. Jones, 61, was chosen to represent the South Carolina Automobile Dealers Association in the national competition — one of only 57 auto dealers from 17,000 nationwide nominated for the 45th annual award. The award is sponsored by TIME in association with Ally Financial, and in cooperation with NADA. A panel of faculty members from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan will select one finalist from each of the four NADA regions and one national Dealer of the Year.

“To have the opportunity to work in a business that my grandfather and father loved, to share that business with my brother and to be able to watch

my sons and nephews carry on with dedication and commitment to the legacy handed down is most rewarding,” Jones said. A 1970 graduate of Edmunds High School in Sumter, Jones attended Newberry College from 1970 to 1972 and the University of South Carolina in Columbia from 1972 to 1974, earning a bachelor of science degree in business management. He started to work fulltime at his father’s Chevrolet dealership in 1974 and attended the Chevrolet School of Merchandising and Management in Detroit in 1978. He was named vice president and general manager in 1988 and became president and dealer operator upon the death of his father in 1995. Along with his brother, he also owns Jones Buick-GMC and Jones Nissan and is managing partner for three commercial real estate companies and three automotive-related insurance agencies.

“I cannot take all the credit for the success of our business because without the mentoring of my father, the support, encouragement and talents of my brother or the knowledge and drive of this new generation, I don’t know where we would be today,” Jones said.

In the area of community service, Jones was a founding

board member for Sumter Habitat for Humanity and served as its president from 1989 to 1990. “We built 10 houses in the Sumter community that year for families that would not otherwise have been able to qualify for home ownership,” he said.

He has also lent his time to the Sumter YMCA, Tuomey Foundation (philanthropic arm of Tuomey Healthcare System), Kiwanis Club (39-year member) and Light of Hope Crisis Pregnancy Center (board member for 10 years), to name a few.

Jones also supports Safe Kids of Sumter Count (checks child safety seats at dealerships three times a year), Shaw AFBSumter Community Council, Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs of Sumter, Toys for Tots, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, United Way, plus many other local charities. In conjunction with the Midlands Chevy Dealers, Jones has supported the Drive for Perfection program, awarding a new Chevrolet Cruze to a randomly selected high school senior with perfect attendance.

He’s also proud of launching the Terrific Kids program through the Kiwanis Club, a student recognition initiative

that promotes character development, self-esteem and perseverance in all of the local elementary schools.

One of his most important contributions was following in his father’s footsteps by actively promoting on the national level the advantages of locating businesses in Sumter County.

Jones has served for the last several years on the Sumter Smarter Growth Initiative Board. This board’s efforts, in partnership with the Sumter Economic Development Board and state and local government, have culminated in bringing Continental Tire the Americas to Sumter, creating 1,600 new jobs.

“I have the same passion as my father to see our city thrive and grow,” Jones said.

Jones is most proud of winning the Service to Mankind award from the Sertoma Club of Sumter. He concluded, “Helping those who cannot help themselves is rewarding in a way that even being successful in business cannot top.”

Jones was nominated for the TIME Dealer of the Year award by Sims Floyd, executive vice-president of the S.C. Automobile Dealers Association. He and his wife, Ginger, have three children and six grandchildren.

Get top dollar for your trade-in

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

Make sure your repairs and services are documented with CARFAX, too.

Everyone wants top trade-in dollars for their used car.

But what can you do to try to make that happen?

“When investing in most people’s second-largest investment, think of what you would like to see,” said Angela Vogel Daley with AAA Carolinas Auto Sales department.

The engine should be smooth running, and the brakes should work properly without squeaking, Nerad said.

Headlights, running lights and the horn should all be in proper working order as well.

That includes “amenities.”

The vehicle should have a good sound system, Nerad said. The heat and airconditioning should also work.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR CAR A regular cleaning inside and out and waxing it helps boost the value at selling time, Daley said. Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director with Kelley Blue Book, agreed.

“Make the inside a place a new buyer will want to spend time,” he said.

Also, avoid or fix any dents or rust spots.

KEEP THE SERVICE BOOK UP TO DATE Conduct regular maintenance and service your car when recommended by your owner’s manual, Daley said. Take your vehicle to a reputable car care service center, and keep all your records.

MAKE SURE EVERYTHING WORKS

KEEP MILEAGE LOW If you rack up the miles, you’ll push down the value of the car.

“The average miles per year is 15,000,” Daley said. “If you’re higher than that, your trade-in value will be lower.”

POORLY DONE MODIFICATIONS ARE NOT YOUR FRIEND Optional equipment and added features tend to depreciate faster than the overall vehicle, particularly if the technology is outdated, Daley said. Any modification from “stock,” especially poorly done ones such as bad spoilers,

JADE REYNOLDS / THE SUMTER ITEM

One of the keys to improving your trade-in value is to have a clean interior with a working sound system. The outside should also be clean and shiny. subtract from the vehicle’s value, Nerad said.

EQUIPMENT THAT IS INAPPROPRIATE TO CAR TYPE For example, a manual transmission on a luxury car or performance wheels and tires except on a performance car, he said.

PREMIUMS AND ADD-ONS Premium “performance” equipment such as special air filters and specialized exhaust don’t improve resale value, Nerad said. Accessories, especially poorly engineered or cheap add-ons or replacements, also take away from the car’s trade-in value.

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SATURDAY, APRIL 19, 2014

SPRING ON THE ROAD

THE SUMTER ITEM