April 23, 2014

IN LOCAL NEWS: County council votes to close youth shelter A2 Goodbye, Clemson WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 2014

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K.J. McDaniels leaving school for NBA draft B1

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New home for Boys & Girls Club proposed

BY BRISTOW MARCHANT bmarchant@theitem.com (803) 774-1272 The Sumter Boys & Girls Club may soon have a new home.

The City of Sumter plans to lease the recently acquired W. Burke Watson Youth Center on Pine Street — also known as the Optimist gym — to The Salvation Army, which would primarily use the facility to host the Boys & Girls Club.

The city acquired the facility from the Sumter Optimist Club with plans to renew the center as a hub of activity for kids’ and young people’s programs.

Sumter Mayor Joe McElveen said it was an easy decision for city officials to make because the gym sits alongside other city-owned property in Riley Park.

McELVEEN “Our only interest is in seeing an improvement to the area,” McElveen said. “The city already owns the (nearby) property of the Jaycees, and we want to be able to control what goes in there so it’s not something detrimental to the area.”

The deal isn’t done yet though. While the city approved the acquisition of the property at last week’s city council meeting, commanding officer Maj. Robbie Robbins with The Salvation Army of Sumter, Lee and Clarendon counties said he’s yet to be approached with the terms of any lease on the property.

“We do have plans for it though,” Robbins said. “We want to use it for our church youth groups at The Salvation Army and the Boys & Girls Club, and to open it up to the community ... but the next step is to make the agreement.”

McElveen said the city will likely charge the nonprofit only a nominal rent for the building, but the lease will likely require the occupants to take on all maintenance responsibilities for the property.

“My guess is the city will prepare the deed, and once someone with the Optimist Club hands it over to the city, then we’ll lease it to The Salvation Army at the same time,” McElveen said.

Steve Creech, chairman of The Salvation Army board of directors, said the building’s main function will be hosting the Boys & Girls Club, which has been operating out of the Korn Industries building on South Lafayette Drive since it moved out of the old Lincoln High School at the end of 2012.

But Creech sees other opportunities for the gym to be used as well.

“The Boys & Girls Club usually end

SEE BOYS & GIRLS, PAGE A5

PHOTOS BY BRISTOW MARCHANT / THE SUMTER ITEM

Jaden Hart, 9, represented the Shaw Youth Center in the ceremonial groundbreaking for ARCENT’s new palmetto trees, donated by the city of Sumter. The trees were dedicated on Tuesday to coincide with Earth Day.

ARCENT celebrates Earth Day with palms donated by the city

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

Lt. Gen. James L. Terry stands in front of one of the palmetto trees donated by the City of Sumter to U.S. Army Central at Shaw Air Force Base.

Symbolism dripped from the palm fronds at Army Central headquarters. The donated trees dedicated Tuesday represented the relationship between ARCENT and the surrounding community, the state its soldiers have made their home and the region of the world they serve as their area of responsibility.

And if the event weren’t loaded with meaning enough, it was also Earth Day. The ceremony at Shaw Air Force Base was the culmination of a long process, leading to the groundbreaking of two South Carolina palmetto trees in front of Patton Hall.

In his remarks, Sumter Mayor Pro Tempore Bob Galiano remembered how Tuesday’s event started with a lunch date with ARCENT’s public affairs chief Maj. Fred Williams.

“This came about because I was sharing a sandwich at one of the restaurants here in town with Major Williams,” Galiano said.

The conversation turned to the appearance of ARCENT’s headquarters and what the

city could do to cement Third Army to the base, Sumter and the state.

“There’s not a whole lot of shrubbery or decoration out here because it was built in a field,” he said. “And what better symbol could there be?”

The result was the donation of two palmettos planted in front of the entrance to Patton Hall earlier this year, but commanders waited until a warm, spring day to dedicate the new trees. Earth Day seemed the most appropriate date to do it.

The palmetto not only has a storied place in South Carolina history, but also in military history, noted Lt. Gen. James L. Terry, ARCENT commander. It was June 28, 1776, when revolutionary soldiers under Col. William Moultrie defended an assault on the Carolina coast by ringing Fort Sullivan with soft palmetto logs that repelled British cannonballs.

“In a daylong battle, the gallant and spirited Army defeated the forces of the British navy,” Terry said. “And in my opinion, it’s always a good thing when Army beats Navy, even the British navy.”

The trees serve a second purpose of symbolizing the

SEE EARTH DAY, PAGE A5

SLED yanks dealership’s license over expired tags

BY JIM HILLEY (803) 774-1211 jim@theitem.com The dealer’s license of Craig’s Used Cars in Manning has been taken away

by South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.

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According to Manning Police Chief Blair Shaffer, an investigation of the dealership revealed it had been taking money to register vehicles and not using it as intended.

The longtime officer said he started noticing a lot of cars in Manning with expired paper tags about six

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months ago.

“When we would ask the drivers about the tags, they would all start putting the blame on Craig’s Used Cars,” he said.

Apparently, when buyers complained to the dealership, they would be given different, unexpired tags,

DEATHS, B6 John D. Lea Sr. Richard B. Emmons Tina Marie Hill Frances M. Rodgers Michael D. Spencer Lillie T. Rogers

Talmage W. Mitchell Jr. Mary F. Pressley Alex Jackson Jimmy M. Herrington Ollie B. Monroe

which led Shaffer to invite SLED to investigate.

“What they found out was they were creating false bills of sale and putting other tags on the cars,” Shaffer said.

“Some cars had three different tags at

SEE DEALERSHIP, PAGE A5

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Plenty of sunshine today; clear tonight HIGH 76, LOW 49

Classifieds B7 Comics C6 Food C8 Lotteries A8

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 2014

THE SUMTER ITEM

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

County council votes to close shelter

LOCAL BRIEFS FROM STAFF REPORTS

SCDOR warns of possible phone scam

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

The South Carolina Department of Revenue is warning taxpayers of a possible phone scam.

SCDOR has received reports of taxpayers receiving calls claiming to be the South Carolina Tax Commission and asking to confirm the taxpayer’s Social Security number. Calls have been received from a telephone number with an area code of 512.

The SCDOR is not making these calls.

Calls from SCDOR will come from a South Carolina area code.

Taxpayers who receive a call with an out-of-state area code claiming to be with the S.C. Tax Commission are warned not to give out any personal information. Individuals should always be cautious when receiving a call from an outside source claiming to be a state agency asking for verification of a Social Security number.

The Greenhouse Runaway and Homeless Youth Shelter will close as of June 30, after Sumter County Council voted to remove the shelter’s funding from the upcoming county budget and cease operations.

During its budget workshop Tuesday evening, council voted unanimously to close the shelter on North Wise Drive after hearing from county staff members, who said the location was not only operating at a loss, but had also seen the services it provided change dramatically from its core mission when it was first founded.

“It went from a runaway shelter to basically a housing location for DSS (Department of Social Services) and

DJJ (Department of Juvenile Justice), primarily focusing on kids from out of our county,” said County Administrator Gary Mixon. “The dynamics have changed significantly.”

Mixon said county officials have also developed serious concerns about the legal liabilities the county was facing because of the way Greenhouse is currently being used.

“It’s just a house and not a detention facility,” Mixon said.

The shelter, which has been in operation for about 30 years, was initially designed to serve boys and girls ages 10 to 17, providing meals and shelter while also offering individual and group therapy.

Assistant County Administrator Lorraine Dennis told council that the Friends of the Greenhouse, the nonprofit organization that raises donations for the facility’s operation,

asked the county to announce the closure sooner rather than later, so it could both make the public aware of the final date of operation ahead of time and inform the public it would no longer be accepting donations.

Dennis also said her office is working on trying to find replacement jobs for the Greenhouse employees impacted by its closing. Greenhouse currently has three full-time and about six part-time employees.

The closing of the facility by the county might not be the end of the charitable efforts at the North Wise Drive location, however. While no future plans have been finalized, Dennis said the county is in discussion with Wateree Community Actions Inc. to lease the building to the outside agency for use as a shelter for homeless women and children.

Blood Battle saves 168 people USC Sumter’s Lynwood Watts gives blood during a recent blood drive organized as part of a partnership between the school and Central Carolina Technical College. The two schools participated in a Blood Battle in an effort to donate the most blood to the American Red Cross.

According to a recent news release, the two institutions were able to save 168 lives through their blood donations. The Blood Battle is a tradition that started in 1998.

Fish with a ranger at Lee State Park BISHOPVILLE — Lee State Park is offering a park rangerled fishing clinic from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday.

Ranger Lester Shelley, who has years of fishing experience, will teach participants how to tie fishing knots, bait a hook, cast and, hopefully, land a fish. This is a free introductory class for children.

Space is limited. To register, call the park’s office at (803) 428-5307 or email leesp@scprt. com by 4 p.m. Friday.

Lee State Park, a South Carolina State Park, covers 2,839 acres of wetlands, sandhills and mixed pine-hardwood forests in Lee County, 4 miles east of Bishopville. For more information about the park, visit the website www.SouthCarolinaParks.com.

PHOTO PROVIDED

School board members reviewing proposed budget

BY RAYTEVIA EVANS revans@theitem.com (803) 774-1214 Sumter School District Board of Trustees Chairman Keith Schultz said he’s hoping and suspecting the process of approving the district’s 2014-15 draft budget will go smoothly.

School board members received the proposed budget last week to have the opportunity to review it before making a decision in the next meeting scheduled for Monday.

School district administrators are suggesting the trustees consider a 2-mill property tax increase for the 2014-15 school year. Presented to the board during a recent board meeting, the draft budget is balanced with proposed revenues of $108,832,963. Last year, the board approved a $104,050,606 balanced budget and no tax increase.

Steve Mann, chief financial

officer for the school district, previously said the school is not introducing new programs next year, but the proposed increase is to fund state mandates, such as teacher salaries and benefits. Schultz said he doesn’t have any major concerns about the budget in its current form because it’s not an excessive increase from what the board approved last year.

“Any time our budget exceeds the year-over-year amount, that deserves some degree of attention. But in our particular case, it’s nothing excessive,” Schultz said.

“I think we’ve gone from $104 [million] to $108 million, and quite frankly, that entire increase can be factored into salaries and increase, and that’s a major part of the budget.”

Board member the Rev. Daryl McGhaney said he is sure he’ll have a few concerns

and questions that he would like to have the opportunity to address during the next board meeting. However, he said he can’t draw any conclusions until he has gone through the budget line by line and has had the opportunity to pose his questions to the school district.

“I’m looking at the total budget, and I’m sure I’ll have some questions, and other board members may have questions.

We haven’t had the opportunity just yet to ask all of our questions about the budget, so it’s too soon to draw any conclusions,” McGhaney said.

Board member the Rev. Ralph Canty said he is still reviewing the draft budget and really wants to see the plans for funding advancement of technology in the Sumter School District, as this type of investment will properly prepare students for careers.

“I’m really anxious to see the commitment to the tech-

nological advancement throughout our district. I want to be certain that we are making the kind of investment in the budget that will prepare our students to really compete in a global society,” Canty explained. “We need to refocus our attention on technology in terms of instruction and in terms of day-today operations.”

With the recent elimination of 12 positions at the administration level, Mann and Schultz said it has definitely helped in the proposed budget for next year. Although some taxpayers might show some concern about the possible millage increase, Schultz described the proposed 2-mill increase as realistic and necessary for improving public education in Sumter.

“Overall I feel good about the budget, and the 2-mill increase is certainly very realistic, and the funding seems to be im-

proving, although we’re not back to the levels we need to be,” Schultz said. “Public education is important, and the cost of doing business in the public education arena is not going down. Is it something I’m happy about? I’m not ecstatic, but I do think it’s necessary.”

Canty said he also supports the proposed millage increase and hopes Sumter County Council will take into consideration making a greater investment in building a quality education system in Sumter County.

“I’m hoping to be able to show the taxpayers and the general populace that more money is going into the classroom, and those funds are being used wisely,” Schultz said.

If approved by school board members on Monday, the budget will likely be presented to Sumter County Council on May 13.

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LOCAL

THE SUMTER ITEM

POLICE BLOTTER ARRESTS: Shaalon Robertson, 47, of 4455 E. Brewington Road, Gable, was arrested Sunday and charged with criminal domestic violence. At 6:08 a.m., Robertson, who had reportedly been drinking, allegedly punched his girlfriend five times in the head, causing swelling and bleeding.

Alfredo Montes Gonzalez, 36, of 1259 N. Main St., was arrested Saturday and charged with criminal domestic violence. At 11:20 a.m., Gonzalez reportedly head-butted his wife, leaving a knot on her forehead, then locked her and her three children out of the house.

Weldon Alexander Pringle, 32, of 1230 S. Pike E., Lot 68, was arrested Friday and charged with illegally carrying a weapon. At 4:28 p.m., a woman was reportedly hiding from her boyfriend inside the restroom of a shop in the 100 block of East Calhoun Street. Police reportedly found Pringle waiting outside the bathroom with a 3-inch-long kitchen knife in his pocket.

Antonio Francis Kelley, 41, of 5055 Champion Lane, Wedgefield, was arrested Sunday and charged with driving under suspension, second offense. At 4:19 a.m., Kelley was reportedly stopped for speeding at the intersection of Broad Street and Mason Road.

SHOOTING: At 8 p.m. Sunday, a bullet hole was found in the front driver’s side door and center console of a car parked in the 200 block of Cedar Avenue, and a copper-jacketed round was found on the car’s floorboard. Damage from the bullet is estimated at $1,000.

ASSAULT: At 3:11 p.m. Sunday, a woman in the 5000 block of Christine Drive was reportedly punched in the face by a 24-year-old man, who then threw a chair at the woman and struck her in the knee with a wooden club. The woman reportedly had swelling on her face and knee.

At 3:51 a.m. Monday, a man reportedly knifed three car tires in the 2800 block of Dbar Circle and threatened a woman with the knife before being pepper-sprayed.

Damage to the vehicle is estimated at $1,700.

STOLEN PROPERTY: A water heater and air-conditioning unit were reportedly stolen from the first block of West Bee Street between March 15, 2013, and Feb. 10. The items are valued at $5,500.

A 1999 silver Ford Taurus was reportedly stolen from the first block of Larkin Street between noon on Monday, April 14, and 5:35 p.m. Sunday. The vehicle is valued at $2,500.

Six pairs of shoes, various clothes, a DVD player and $3,500 in cash were reported stolen from the 2000 block of Patton Drive at 9:26 p.m.

Thursday. The stolen items are valued at $1,600.

A generator, two tack guns and 12 packs of shingles were reportedly stolen from inside a storage pod in the 100 block of Shannon Street between 6 p.m. Thursday and 8 a.m. Friday, then a fire was set inside the pod, causing an estimated $1,000 in damage. Gasoline was also reportedly poured on the side of a home at the site, causing an estimated $750 in damage. A lighter and fuel spout were collected at the scene. The stolen items are valued at $1,205.

A red riding lawn mower was reportedly stolen from the first block of Congress Street in Mayesville at 8:29 p.m. Saturday. The mower is valued at $1,200.

A 32-inch TV and a laptop computer were reportedly stolen from the 400 block of Robney Drive between 2 p.m. Saturday and 5:40 p.m.

Sunday. The items are valued at $1,000.

An air compressor, pressure washer and tool set were reportedly stolen from the first block of East Bartlette Street between 3:30 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Sunday. The items are valued at $709.

A red-and-black four-wheeler was reportedly stolen from the 2100 block of Avenue D, Mayesville, between 10 p.m. Wednesday and 9:15 a.m. Thursday. The fourwheeler is valued at $700.

A gray-and-silver Ruger 9 mm semi-automatic handgun was reportedly stolen from the 100 block of Carver Street between Jan. 10 and 31. The gun is valued at $385.

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Preschoolers celebrate Earth Day

PHOTO PROVIDED

Oakland Primary School preschool students plant trees as part of Earth Day activities at the school Thursday. The trees were provided through a Department of Health and Environmental Control Champions of the Environment grant.

Man gets 30 days in bush ax assault

BY ROB COTTINGHAM rcottingham@theitem.com (803) 774-1225 A man’s assault on his former girlfriend with a bush ax earned a sentence of 30 days Tuesday at the Sumter County Judicial Center after the trial for an incident that occurred in July.

John Henry Bell was found guilty of criminal domestic violence by a jury

after his former girlfriend testified that he struck her numerous times with a bush ax during an altercation in July 2013.

Bell’s attorney, Julie Shivers, requested of Judge Howard P. King to release Bell based on time served for the charge, which carries a maximum penalty of 30 days in jail. Bell, who had been incarcerated since the incident occurred, was then released.

According to the solici-

tor’s office, Bell was originally charged with criminal domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature, which carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison.

King did warn Bell of the enhanced nature of domestic violence charges, stating that if Bell were to be charged and convicted again within the next 10 years, he would face much stiffer penalties.

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 2014

LOCAL

THE SUMTER ITEM

PHOTOS BY JIM HILLEY / THE SUMTER ITEM

Above left, Pastor Terry Rogers holds the Bible as Manning Mayor Julia Nelson swears in Diane Georgia as city councilwoman for District 2 in Manning on Monday. Georgia was reelected to the seat after holding off a challenge from Janice Coney in a municipal election held April 8.

Above right, Nelson swears in Ervin Davis Sr. as city councilman for District 3 in Manning as councilman Jonny Jordan holds the Bible for the ceremony. Davis was also elected to be mayor pro tem at the council meeting held Monday.

Georgia, Davis sworn in at city council meeting Members planning free fireworks display for July 4 holiday

BY JIM HILLEY (803) 7741211 jim@theitem.com Two city council members were sworn in, and a new mayor pro tem was elected at the regular meeting of Manning City Council on Monday.

After their re-elections, Diane Georgia and Ervin Davis Sr. will continue to represent Districts 2 and 3, respectively, while Davis will also serve as the new mayor pro tem.

After the swearing-in ceremonies, council heard a report from the financial director, who said that after nine months of the current

fiscal year, the city had spent only 67 percent of revenues. The city currently has $2.7 million in its general fund.

After commending the city staff for its work organizing an Easter egg hunt, Mayor Julia Nelson asked council to consent to the planning of a fireworks display July 5, the Saturday after Independence Day. She said the plan is for a 15-minute display, with spectators watching from the Red Barn area and the fireworks launched from Durant Street.

“It is hoped that this can be an annual event,” she said, adding the fireworks would be free to the public, and most of the fireworks would probably be donated by local businesses.

“There will be vendors for food,” she said. “We are not

going to feed people for free.”

She also encouraged councilors to be more committed to committee assignments and urged staff to clean up shrubs and graffiti in city parks and asked the police department to do more enforcement in the area of the old Walmart on S.C. 261.

“We have a lot of speeding trucks there, and it could lead to a bad situation,” she said.

City Manager Scott Tanner told council the Parks and Recreation Committee was asking council to consider imposing a $100 deposit for anyone wishing to reserve the use of park facilities, which would be refunded if no cleanup is needed.

“It wouldn’t be a fee; it’s a charge to make sure it is left clean,” Nelson said.

Councilman Clayton Pack said he thought $100 might be a bit much for some residents.

“A lot of people go out and buy a lot of birthday supplies and stuff. Seventyfive dollars ought to be enough to clean up,” he said.

Tanner said people who do not have the money can still use the park; they just would not be able to reserve the shed at a park such as

the Gibbons Street Park.

Ultimately, council passed a motion to allow a $75 deposit for park reservations.

Council also approved the purchase of a 2014 Ford F-250 4x4 truck for the utility department but tabled the sale of a 1964 fire truck for $1,000.

“Let’s find out more about what it is worth,” Nelson said, noting that its status as an antique may add to its value.

LOCAL

THE SUMTER ITEM

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 2014

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DEALERSHIP FROM PAGE A1 one time or another.”

No immediate action to close the dealership was taken, however, Shaffer said.

“The dealership told SLED they were having financial problems, and they would get their finances together, and they would stop doing it,” he said. “But they continued to sell cars, and people were still not getting their tags.”

Shaffer said SLED identified about 50 cars in Manning with tags from the dealership.

Mike Dozier, whom Shaffer identified as the owner of Craig’s Used Cars, also owns two dealerships in Florence, Shaffer said, and all together they found about 100 cars with tags that were more than 45 days old and about 120 that were soon to expire.

“That’s 220 cars between the three dealerships,” Shaffer said. “They were taking the money to pay for the tags but were not paying whoever they had them financed with. Without money for the tags, the finance companies would not release the titles.”

Shaffer said the dealership would give customers all kinds of stories. “‘We went to the DMV, and there was a line out the door,’ or ‘Well, the ice storm hit, and the DMV was shut down.’ Every week, it was some kind of excuse,” Shaffer said.

Shaffer said many upset customers have been coming to the Manning Police Department, and he encourages more to do so.

“We are asking anybody who purchased a car from Craig’s and didn’t receive tags to come in to us and file a breach of trust report,” Shaffer said.

He said anyone driving around with an expired tag can be legally ticketed.

“You can go ahead and pay the fine, but it will remain on your record even though it is not your fault,” he said.

Shaffer said his department has not issued any tickets but couldn’t say what other jurisdictions are doing. He said the DMV assured him that buyers would eventually get their car titles.

“There have been a lot of people affected by this,” he said. “I know of a couple of financial institutions that have called Craig’s and said they would no longer finance their vehicles.”

Shaffer said the car dealer could end up owing a lot of money.

“I think it will be close to $1 million that he owes. If there are 220 cars — and he sells upscale used cars at about $8,000 each — it could really add up,” he said.

Shaffer said Craig’s Used Cars’ license was in the process of being revoked, a process that can take a couple of days.

“SLED took his actual license, (so) he will not be allowed to sell any more cars in Manning,” Shaffer said.

He said SLED agents were headed to Florence, and they were going to pull his licenses there, as well.

“In Manning, he had also not renewed his business license. I could charge him $5,000 a day,” Shaffer said.

Shaffer said he would be talking to the district solicitor to see if criminal charges would be filed.

“Breach of trust is against the law, certainly more than a civil charge,” Shaffer said.

“I’ve been here for 22 years, now, and I’ve never seen anything like this.”

Attempts to reach Dozier at Craig’s Used Cars in Manning and Florence were unsuccessful.

MATT WALSH / THE SUMTER ITEM

Train to Go Boxing will continue to have classes from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday when The Salvation Army takes over the W. Burke Watson Youth Center from the Optimist Club.

BOYS & GIRLS FROM PAGE A1 their programs at 6 or 6:30 in the evening, so there’s room for it to be used for something else later in the eve-

ning,” he said. “We would want to make full use of it.”

In addition to youth programs at the gym, Robbins said he hopes to see The Salvation Army host seniors’ programs at the facility and rent it out for other community events.

Creech said he’s been discussing a deal with city administration for about 14 months.

The building will maintain its former connection to the Optimists by keeping its current name. Watson managed the club’s boxing program.

EARTH DAY FROM PAGE A1

BRISTOW MARCHANT / THE SUMTER ITEM

Maya Simpson, 5, waters one of Army Central’s new palmetto trees Tuesday. Maya represented the Shaw Youth Center in the formal groundbreaking ceremony for the trees.

U.S. Central Command region, including ARCENT, covering American operations in the Middle East.

“When you picture the Middle East, you think of heat, sand and palmetto trees,” Terry said.

“When we see these trees, we’ll think of Central Command and the security and stability we bring to a troubled region.”

Representing the Air Force side of the base, Col. Scott Arcuri welcomed the contribution ARCENT has made to “Team Shaw” and the Sumter community since the command moved from its previous base.

“This completes your journey from the swamps of Georgia to the beauty of South Carolina,” Arcuri said.

Terry concurred.

“Since relocating to South Carolina, we’ve formed a strong connection with our Air Force brothers and the local community,” he said. “These trees represent the relationship between Team Third Army, Team Shaw and Sumter.”

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LOCAL | STATE

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 2014

‘Three Billy Goats Gruff ’

Audit shows state pension agency doesn’t overpay in investment fees COLUMBIA (AP) — The agency investing South Carolina’s pension portfolio doesn’t overpay in investment fees but rather reports those fees more thoroughly than any other public pension fund in the nation, according to an external audit released Tuesday.

The review by Michigan-based Funston Advisory Services is the latest to find no evidence of criminal or ethical wrongdoing at the Retirement System Investment Commission despite years of accusations by Treasurer Curtis Loftis. Funston’s nearly 300-page report says the dysfunctional relationship between the commission and Loftis, a member of the agency’s board, is one of the most significant risks to the $27 billion portfolio that benefits more than 550,000 public workers, retirees and their beneficiaries.

“These attacks must stop if there is to be any hope of progress and restoration of trust,” the report reads.

Loftis, the board’s only publicly elected

PHOTO PROVIDED

Kingsbury Elementary School kindergartner Will Osborne plays the part of a troll under the bridge in the production of the “Three Billy Goats Gruff” on April 9.

STATE BRIEFS

two teens were not hurt. No arrests have been reported.

FROM ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORTS

1 teen killed, 1 hurt in North Charleston NORTH CHARLESTON — One teenager has been killed and another teen wounded in a shooting in North Charleston.

Authorities said officers were called to a street about 6 p.m. Monday and found 16-year-old Ty’Quan President with gunshot wounds. Police said a second teen with a leg injury was brought to the scene by friends.

Both teens were taken to the Medical University of South Carolina Hospital, where President died.

Witnesses said four teens were on bikes when an SUV came by and a male got out and began shooting. The other

Newborn boy found in Greenville trash can GREENVILLE — A Greenville woman has been charged with attempted murder and child neglect after an infant boy was found in a trash can on a city street.

Police spokesman Johnathan Bragg said officers were called to a street about 4:30 p.m. Monday where a baby was found in a trash can.

Bragg said the owner of a rental home was doing maintenance when he noticed blood outside the trash can.

Officers found the newborn in a plastic grocery bag wrapped in a blanket in the trash can.

Bragg said the baby was taken to a hospital, where he was in stable condition.

THE SUMTER ITEM

member, has long argued the investment agency pays too much in fees while underperforming.

The commission has responded it reports fees others don’t. Lawmakers have been awaiting Funston’s report to address that dispute. Earlier this month, a Senate panel concluded Loftis’ allegations of criminality were unfounded, following similar conclusions by the state inspector general, attorney general’s office and state Ethics Commission.

“We are very gratified that Funston is the fourth independent body of review that has found absolutely no wrongdoing,” said the commission’s chief operating officer, former Sen. Greg Ryberg.

According to Funston, the commission’s “fee disclosures are the most transparent in the nation,” by including performance fees that most public pension funds don’t report as well as other “noninvoiced” expenses such as legal costs and taxes that no other fund reports.

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

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 2014 H.G. Osteen 1870-1955 Founder, The Item

H.D. Osteen 1904-1987 The Item

|

A7

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

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

COMMENTARY

Wage inequality is everywhere in our country

“P

resident Obama Vows Zero Tolerance on Gender Wage Gap,” read one headline. Another read, “Women Still Earned 77 Cents On Men’s Dollar In 2012.” It’s presumed that big, greedy corporations are responsible for what is seen as wage injustice. Before discussing the “unjust” wage differences between men and women, let’s acknowledge an even greater injustice — which no one seems to care about — age injustice.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, workers ages 16 to 24 earn only 54 cents on every dollar earned by workers 25 or older (http://tinyurl.com/n6puf6j).

This wage gap is 43 percent greater than the male/female gap. Our president, progressives, do-gooders, academics and union leaders show little interest in big, greedy corporations ripping off the nation’s youth. You might say, “Whoa, Williams! There’s a reason Walter younger people earn less than Williams older people. They don’t have the skills or experience.” My response would be — if I shared the vision of the president, media elite and do-gooders: Just as there can be no justification for big, greedy corporations paying women less than they pay men, there’s no justification for them to exploit the nation’s youth.

The 77 percent median income statistic, used in discussions about male/female differences in earnings, tells us nothing about differences that might explain the differences in income, and it leads to stupid discussions. Let’s use some common sense and look at some differences between men and women that may have a bearing on earnings.

Kay S. Hymowitz’s article “Why the Gender Gap Won’t Go Away. Ever,” in City Journal (summer 2011), shows that female doctors earn only 64 percent of what male doctors earn. But it turns out that only 16 percent of surgeons are women, whereas 50 percent of pediatricians are women. Even though surgeons have put in many more years of education and training than pediatricians and earn higher pay, should Obama and Congress equalize their salaries?

Alternatively, they might force female pediatricians to become surgeons.

There are inequalities everywhere. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Asian men and women have median earnings higher than white men and women. Female cafeteria attendants earn more than their male counterparts.

Females who are younger than 30 and have never been married earn salaries 8 percent higher than males of the same description.

Among women who graduated from college during 1992-93, by 2003 more than one-fifth were no longer in the workforce, and an additional 17 percent were working part time. That’s to be compared with only 2 percent of men in either category. Hymowitz cites several studies showing significant career choice and lifestyle differences between men and women that result in differences in income.

According to 2010 BLS data, the following jobs contain 1 percent or less female workers: boilermakers, brick masonry, stonemasonry, septic tank servicing, sewer pipe cleaners and trash collectors. By contrast, women are 97 percent of preschool and kindergarten teachers, 80 percent of social workers, 82 percent of librarians and 92 percent of dietitians and nutritionists and registered nurses.

For people having limited thinking skills, differences in earnings cannot be explained away.

For them, Congress has permitted — and even fostered — a misallocation of people by race, sex and ethnicity. They’ll argue that courts have consistently concluded that “gross” disparities are probative of a pattern and practice of discrimination.

So what to do? Maybe President Obama and Congress should require women, who are overrepresented in preschool and kindergarten teaching, to become boilermakers, garbage collectors and brick masons and mandate that male boilermakers, trash collectors and brick masons become preschool and kindergarten teachers until both of their percentages are equal to their percentages in the population.

You say, “Williams, to do that would be totalitarianism!” I say that if Americans accept that Congress can force us to buy health insurance, how much more totalitarian would it be for Congress to force people to take jobs they don’t want?

Walter E. Williams is a professor of economics at George Mason University. © 2014 creators.com

NOTABLE & QUOTABLE In “Welders Make $150,000? Bring Back Shop Class,” Ohio state treasurer Josh Mandel writes, “Taking pride in learning to make and build things can begin in high school. Plenty of jobs await.”

Read it online at www.wsj.com: Too many young people have four-year liberal-arts degrees, are thousands of dollars in debt and find themselves serving coffee at Starbucks or working part time at the mall. Many of them would have been better off with a two-year skilled-trade or technical education that provides the skills to secure a wellpaying job.

A good trade to consider: welding. I recently visited Pioneer Pipe in the Utica and Marcellus shale area of Ohio and learned that last year the company paid 60 of its welders more than $150,000 and two of its welders over $200,000. The owner, Dave Archer, said he has had to turn down orders because he can’t find enough skilled welders.

According to the 2011 Skills Gap Survey by the Manufacturing Institute, about 600,000 manufacturing jobs are unfilled nationally because employers can’t find qualified workers. To help produce a new generation of welders, pipe-fitters, electricians, carpenters, machinists and other skilled tradesmen, high schools should introduce students to the pleasure and pride they can take in making and building things in shop class.

American employers are so yearning to motivate young people to work in manufacturing and the skilled trades that many are willing to pay to train and recruit future laborers. CEO Karen Wright of Ariel Corp. in Mount Vernon, Ohio, recently announced that the manufacturer of gas compressors is donating $1 million to the Knox County Career Center to update the center’s computer-integrated manufacturing equipment, so students can train on the same machines used in Ariel’s operations.

The Associated Press reports that the first S.C. rural tourism signs are going up this month.

The first new state highway signs directing travelers to South Carolina’s rural attractions or working farms will be installed near Columbia, on Wadmalaw Island and in Colleton County by month’s end.

The signs are similar to the blue signs that direct visitors to services off interstate highways. But these signs have the state Parks, Recreation and Tourism or the Certified South Carolina Grown agriculture logos. The program is designed to make it easier for those who visit South Carolina to find tourist and agricultural attractions along the state’s rural roads.

The first signs will point the way to Cottle Farm

Strawberries in Columbia, Fire Fly Distillery and Irvin House Vineyard on Wadmalaw Island and Bee City Zoo in Cottageville in Colleton County.

Eighteen other signs have been approved and should be placed along roadways by the end of the year.

To be eligible for a sign, businesses must be located in a rural area, easily accessible from a paved highway, open to the public on a regular basis and offer unique tourist or agricultural experiences.

The sign program is being administered by the state Transportation Department in conjunction with the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism and the South Carolina Department of Agriculture.

The Agriculture Department or PRT must first conclude that attractions qualify for the signs.

Richard Cohen writes, “A Putin affiliate evokes Hitler. The West should be worried.” Read it online at www.washingtonpost.com: The head of a think tank associated with Vladimir Putin wrote the following in response to critics who liken the Russian president to Adolf Hitler and what he did so long ago: “One must distinguish between Hitler before 1939 and Hitler after 1939. The thing is that Hitler collected lands. If he had become famous only for uniting without a drop of blood Germany with Austria, Sudetenland and Memel, in fact completing what Bismarck failed to do, and if he had stopped there, then he would have remained a politician of the highest class.”

If something like this is what Putin has in mind — gathering Russian-speaking people under his rule — then Migranyan seems to be saying: What’s the big deal? What he does not mention, though, is that by 1939 Hitler was already engaged in killing Jews, dissidents, communists, homosexuals and, that year, the mentally and physically feeble. Kristallnacht, a government-sanctioned pogrom, occurred in 1938; the Nuremberg laws, depriving Jews of their civil rights, were promulgated in 1935; and Germany was rapidly re-arming, in violation of its treaty obligations. It was, way before 1939, an outlaw state vigorously engaged in murder.

The consequences of all this are not yet clear. It is clear, though, that the Russia of Gorbachev and Yeltsin is gone and something new and yet familiar has taken its place. The Obama administration recognizes the new reality and is appropriately dusting off Cold War playbooks. Russia, it seems, may be turning its back on Europe — but not, ominously, on some of its ugly 20th-century history.

The Item’s “Notable & Quotable” column is compiled

by Graham Osteen. Send comments or ideas to graham@theitem.com.

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

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

Send them to The Sumter Item, Opinion

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

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR are written by readers of the newspaper.

They should be no more than 350 words and sent via e-mail to letters@ theitem.com, dropped off at The Sumter

Item office, 20 N. Magnolia St. or mailed to The Sumter Item, P.O. Box 1677, Sumter, S.C. 29151, along with the full name of the writer, plus an address and telephone number for verification purposes only. Letters that exceed 350 words will be cut accordingly in the print edition, but available in their entirety at www. theitem.com/opinion/letters_to_editor.

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 2014

FYI The City of Sumter is accepting applications for the Summer Youth Employment Programs through May 2. Students ages 14-15 will work in city government and students age 16 through high school will work in the Co-Op Program for local businesses.

Students must live in the city limits and meet income requirements set by HUD. Students should see their school guidance counselors for applications and income guidelines or pick up an application from the Liberty Center, 12 W. Liberty St., Office H, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday. Call Carolet Thomas at (803) 774-1652 or Clarence Gaines at (803) 7741649.

Hillcrest High School Class of 1984 is planning a class reunion for Aug. 8-10. If you are a member of this class or know someone who is, contact Dianna Adams (Miller) at (301) 471-7250, adams_ dianna@yahoo.com or visit http://hhs1984wildcats.com.

The 101st Airborne Division Vietnam Veterans Organization will hold its 20th Annual Reunion Aug. 28-30 in Charleston. All who served with the 101st Division in Vietnam, their guests and supporters are invited. Visit www.101namvet.com or call (803) 506-3120 for details.

The University of South Carolina Prevention Research Center and Sumter County Active Lifestyles are sponsoring a free walking program. If you are interested in becoming more active, form a walking group of 4-8 members and join Sumter County On The Move! This program allows you to walk at your own convenience or with a group. Free workshops and physical activity information available. Call (803) 774-3860 or register at https://www.surveymonkey. com/s/scotm-test2.

Navy and Marine Corps shipmates who served on the USS Columbus CA-74/CG-12 from 1944 through 1976 and the USS Columbus (SSN-762) past and present, to share memories and camaraderie with old friends and make new ones, contact Allen R. Hope, president, 3828 Hobson Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46815-4505; (260) 486-2221 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; fax (260) 492-9771; or email at hope4391@verizon.net.

Hospice Care of Sumter LLC is

in need of volunteers in Sumter and surrounding counties. There are numerous oppotunities for you to use your time and talents to be of assistance. Volunteers provide companionship, light housekeeping, reading to patients, etc. Contact Joyce Blanding at (803) 883-5606 or email hospicecareofsumter@yahoo.com.

Agape Hospice is in need of volunteers. Whether your passion is baking, knitting, reading, singing, etc., Agape Hospice can find a place for you.

Contact Thandi Blanding at (803) 774-1075, (803) 260-3876 or tblanding@agapsenior. com.

Hospice Care of South Carolina is in need of volunteers in Sumter County. Do you have one extra hour a week? Opportunities are available for patient/family companionship, administrative support, meal preparation, light household projects, student education and various other tasks. Contact Whitney Rogers, regional volunteer coordinator, at (843) 409-7991 or whitney.rogers@hospicecare.net.

Amedisys Hospice is in need of volunteers. Volunteer opportunities include 1) special projects of baking, sewing, knitting, crafts, carpentry and yard work; 2) administrative/office duties of copying, light filing and answering phones; and 3) patient companionship — develop one-on-one relationships with hospice patients (training provided free of charge).

Contact Rhoda Keefe, volunteer coordinator, at (803) 469-3047 or rhonda.keefe@ amedisys.com.

Hospice Care of Tri-County is in need of volunteers. Volunteers offer support, companionship and care to the caregiver by running errands, reading to patients, listening and just being there for patients who need companionship.

All you need is a willing heart and some time to give to others. No medical background is required. Call Carol Tindal at (803) 905-7720.

ROAD to RECOVERY is in need of volunteers in the Sumter area. The program provides cancer patients with transportation to and from treatments. Call the American Cancer Society at (803) 7501693.

PUBLIC AGENDA GREATER SUMTER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Today, noon, chamber office SUMTER CITY-COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION Today, 3 p.m., fourth floor, Sumter Opera House, council chambers

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Playful action EUGENIA LAST will draw positive attention. A change in a relationship will bring you closer together. Don’t let peer pressure or someone’s jealousy stand between you and your happiness.

Consistency will help you avoid interference and establish greater security.

The last word in astrology

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Use your head and network all you can. The connections you make will help you find your niche. Exploring interesting concepts with someone unique will lead to a close relationship that will enable you to

THE SUMTER ITEM

WEATHER

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2014

AccuWeather® five-day forecast for Sumter TODAY

TONIGHT

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Plenty of sunshine

Clear

Sunny and delightful

An afternoon t-storm in spots

Mostly sunny and very warm

T-storms possible; not as warm

76°

49°

77° / 56°

81° / 60°

86° / 61°

79° / 62°

Chance of rain: 0%

Chance of rain: 10%

Chance of rain: 5%

Chance of rain: 45%

Chance of rain: 10%

Chance of rain: 35%

Winds: N 7-14 mph

Winds: N 3-6 mph

Winds: ESE 4-8 mph

Winds: SW 7-14 mph

Winds: WSW 6-12 mph

Winds: WSW 7-14 mph

TODAY’S SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER

Gaffney 73/45 Spartanburg 75/47

Greenville 74/48

Columbia 78/50

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

Sumter 76/49

IN THE MOUNTAINS Aiken 78/50

ON THE COAST

Charleston 77/53

Today: Plenty of sunshine. High 71 to 77.

Thursday: Sunny and nice. High 69 to 77.

LOCAL ALMANAC

LAKE LEVELS

SUMTER THROUGH 4 P.M. YESTERDAY

Today Hi/Lo/W 75/52/s 50/39/sh 84/65/s 57/36/s 84/64/s 76/56/s 80/66/pc 58/40/pc 85/65/s 60/40/pc 87/66/s 65/51/s 65/43/s

SUN AND MOON 7 a.m. yest.

358.19 75.83 74.77 100.51

24-hr chg -0.11 -0.01 -0.12 +0.88

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

0.00" 2.81" 2.23" 12.48" 13.25" 13.52"

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

83° 49° 76° 50° 90° in 1963 35° in 1978

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

Thu. Hi/Lo/W 79/61/s 67/50/t 86/63/t 59/45/c 85/67/pc 78/58/pc 81/65/s 64/45/s 85/65/s 64/48/s 90/69/s 63/53/pc 69/50/s

Myrtle Beach 72/49

Manning 76/49

Today: Plenty of sun. Winds west-southwest 4-8 mph. Clear.

Thursday: Nice with plenty of sunshine.

Winds south 4-8 mph.

Temperature High Low Normal high Normal low Record high Record low

Florence 76/46

Bishopville 75/47

Flood 7 a.m. stage yest.

12 9.71 19 8.27 14 9.89 14 2.85 80 80.78 24 21.49

24-hr chg +0.70 -3.16 +0.22 -4.79 +0.26 +0.65

Sunrise 6:42 a.m.

Moonrise 2:56 a.m.

Sunset Moonset

7:59 p.m.

2:22 p.m.

New

First

Full

Last

Apr. 29

May 6

May 14

May 21

TIDES AT MYRTLE BEACH

Today Thu.

High 4:27 a.m.

4:54 p.m.

5:31 a.m.

5:58 p.m.

Ht. 3.1 3.0 3.1 3.1

Low Ht. 11:26 a.m. -0.1 11:50 p.m. 0.1 12:26 p.m. -0.2 -----

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

Today Hi/Lo/W 69/38/s 78/50/s 79/51/s 77/58/s 61/50/s 77/53/s 73/42/s 77/50/s 78/50/s 75/45/s 66/42/s 73/44/s 73/44/s

Thu. Hi/Lo/W 72/51/s 77/59/s 80/58/s 77/62/s 62/53/s 77/59/s 74/55/s 76/59/s 78/57/s 76/54/s 66/48/s 73/52/s 75/52/s

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

Today Hi/Lo/W 76/46/s 83/61/s 74/45/s 71/43/s 76/53/s 69/42/s 74/48/s 70/43/s 72/60/s 80/61/s 80/41/s 80/50/s 75/49/s

Thu. Hi/Lo/W 76/55/s 82/60/s 74/57/s 73/50/s 77/59/s 73/54/s 74/57/s 72/55/s 72/65/s 81/61/s 81/57/s 80/60/s 78/61/s

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

Today Hi/Lo/W 71/42/s 75/53/s 72/49/s 77/51/s 75/58/s 70/42/s 74/43/s 73/41/s 79/57/s 75/47/s 74/57/s 73/46/s 69/42/s

Thu. Hi/Lo/W 73/55/s 74/59/s 70/57/s 78/57/s 75/62/s 73/52/s 75/54/s 75/52/s 79/61/s 74/57/s 73/64/s 72/52/s 72/54/s

Weather(W): s–sunny, pc–partly cloudy, c–cloudy, sh–showers, t–thunderstorms, r–rain, sf–snow flurries, sn–snow, i–ice SUMTER COUNTY VOTER REGISTRATION / ELECTION COMMISSION Thursday, 5:30 p.m., registration / election office, 141 N. Main St.

improve your position and your reputation.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): A change of plans must not upset you. Follow through regardless of what others do. Interact with people you meet along the way and you will discover how much you have to offer. Don’t let an emotional relationship hold you back.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Avoid emotional encounters. Focus on TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Do your creative endeavors and short trips that will add to your cultural research, learn all you can and discuss your options with someone awareness. Love is in the stars, and romance will help to ease any you trust to give you solid suggestions. Don’t let anyone make stress you’ve been harboring. Selfimprovement will boost your you feel guilty. Do what you can, confidence. but put your personal responsibilities first.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Honesty will be required if you GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Stay on top of what others are doing. want to avoid an emotional Taking action in order to ensure setback with someone close to you. that whatever job you are assigned You are best to consider making is done to the best of your ability positive changes at home. Physical will keep you out of trouble and activities will help ease tension and deter someone from trying to boost your confidence and your make you look bad. reputation.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Look CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Set over your personal papers and your plan in motion, but don’t confirm any documentation that interfere in what others are doing. has been requested. Don’t feel Keeping the peace will buy you the obliged to honor a favor if what’s freedom you need to do your own being asked of you is not within thing. Doing more and saying less reason. Establish your position by will be your ticket to success. being honest about the way you AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Look feel. at the past and use what you LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Keep experienced in order to reach your moving. The less time you have to future goals. A change in the way indulge in melodramas at work or you earn your living or make your at home, the better. Focus on money work for you will bring personal change that will enable benefits that will stabilize your life. you to get ahead. A short trip will lead to valuable information.

DAILY PLANNER

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Strive to secure and stabilize your personal, financial and emotional life. Explore creative avenues and join forces with people you know can contribute to what you want to do. Reconnect with someone you miss and want back in your life.

LOTTERY NUMBERS PALMETTO CASH 5 TUESDAY

POWERBALL SATURDAY

MEGAMILLIONS TUESDAY

4-5-7-9-10 PowerUp: 3

5-6-29-35-51 Powerball: 21; Powerplay: 5

Numbers were unavailable at press time.

PICK 3 TUESDAY

PICK 4 TUESDAY

0-4-9 and 2-9-6

8-8-1-1 and 8-2-0-6

PICTURES FROM THE PUBLIC SUBMITTED BY: Angela Gordy OCCASION: Laura Power, director of development for the 2014 Sumter County Heart Walk, presents Piper Gordy with a NOOK eReader. Piper won the NOOK when her name was drawn from the list of people who made online donations to the Sumter County Heart Walk.

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

Barnes tosses 1-hitter as SHS baseball wins 6-1 B2

B

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 2014

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

PREP FOOTBALL

Sumter WR Justin Martin signs with Methodist

BY DENNIS BRUNSON dennisb@theitem.com During his junior season playing football at Sumter High School, Justin Martin dressed with the varsity team on Fridays, but played with the junior varsity on Thursdays.

Now, with his senior season behind him, Martin is going to get the opportunity to play college football despite just one full season at the varsity level.

Martin, a wide receiver for the Gamecocks’ 4A Division I state runner-up team, has signed with Methodist University, an NCAA Division III school in Fayetteville, N.C. “It feels amazing to have this happening,” Martin said.

“I mean this is a dream come true for me. This is something I’ve wanted to do since I was little. To play just one year of varsity football and get the opportunity to play college

SUMTER ITEM FILE PHOTO

Sumter High School wide receiver Justin Martin (11) recently signed to play football with Methodist University in Fayetteville, N.C. football is really amazing.”

Martin was a frequentlyused weapon, taking a back-

seat in the pass-catching department to junior Ky’Jon Tyler and sophomore Xzavion

Burson. However, when the ball did come Martin’s way, he was a very potent weapon.

Martin had 19 catches for 279 yards and two touchdowns. His yards-per-catch average was 14.7. He also had a 39-yard touchdown run on a reverse this season.

SHS head coach Reggie Kennedy said when Martin’s number was called, he and his coaching staff could depend on him.

“Justin was pretty consistent for us,” said Kennedy, who led Sumter to the title game in his first year at the school. “He’s one of those players who is going to do all of the little things right. If you tell him to go out four steps on a route, that’s what he’s going to do.

“I really think he is going to do well at Methodist.”

Martin will be going into the school’s ROTC program and will enlist in the United States Army upon graduation. However, he is looking

SEE MARTIN, PAGE B5

CLEMSON BASKETBALL

PRO BASKETBALL

K.J. picks NBA

Heat look to improve vs. injured ’Cats

BY TIM REYNOLDS The Associated Press

Tigers F McDaniels elects to forgo final year and enter draft

BY PETE IACOBELLI The Associated Press COLUMBIA — Clemson junior K.J. McDaniels is leaving school for the NBA draft.

McDaniels, who led the team in points, rebounds, blocks and steals, announced his departure on Tuesday.

“I’m thankful for the opportunity these past three seasons to grow as a player and person at Clemson,’’ McDaniels said in a statement by the school. “None of this would’ve been possible without the guidance and support of my coaches, teammates and family.’’

In several NBA mock drafts, the 6-foot-6 forward is projected as a middle-to-late selection in the first round.

McDaniels was Clemson’s unquestioned star also led the Tigers in 3-point goals last season. He earned Atlantic Coast Conference defensive player of the year honors and a spot on the first team as

SEE MCDANIELS, PAGE B5

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Clemson’s K.J. McDaniels (32) announced on Tuesday that he will forgo his senior season with the Tigers and enter the NBA draft. McDaniels led Clemson in points, rebounds, blocks and steals last season.

MIAMI — LeBron James grabbed a basketball off a rack as he left the practice court Tuesday, then turned and took a 40-footer without so much as jumping.

Swish.

Seems like James and the Heat aren’t worried about much right now. Their opponents in this Eastern Conference first-round series can’t feel the same.

JAMES Charlotte star Al Jefferson’s availability for Game 2 is clearly in some doubt, yet another indicator of how difficult it may be for the Bobcats to JEFFERSON even up this series when they visit Miami again tonight.

“If Jefferson is laboring a little bit ... my approach, and our team’s approach, shouldn’t change,’’ James said.

The Heat took Game 1 on Sunday, shaking off a slow start to win 99-88, increasing James’ record to 9-0 in his postseason openers. Jefferson was hurt in the first quarter of that game, diagnosed with a plantar fascia strain in his left foot. He limped throughout the final three quarters, needed two injections to play, left in a walking boot and hasn’t practiced since.

SEE PLAYOFFS, PAGE B4

PRO FOOTBALL

QB Newton wants to take more ownership of Panthers’ offense

BY STEVE REED The Associated Press CHARLOTTE — Quarterback Cam Newton plans to take more ownership of the Carolina Panthers’ offense without his top four receivers from last season.

Steve Smith, the franchise’s alltime leading receiver, was released and free agents Brandon LaFell, Ted Ginn Jr. and Domenik Hixon signed with other teams, putting more pressure on Newton

to take more of a leadership role entering his fourth season.

“I’m excited to take this challenge to be this team’s leader,’’ Newton said. “More has been given to me on my plate (and) be a leader of men.’’

Newton spoke Tuesday at the team stadium during a break from offseason condition workouts, his first extensive interview since the Panthers lost to the San Francisco 49ers 23-10 in the NFC divisional playoffs in January.

Newton’s left foot remains in a walking boot after having ankle surgery on March 19.

He said he was “surprised’’ when he learned the Panthers had released Smith, one of the team’s most popular players.

“If you were in the 704 (area code), you were caught by surprise,’’ Newton said. “Everybody in the Carolinas was surprised, including myself.’’

SEE NEWTON, PAGE B5

AP FILE PHOTO

Carolina quarterback Cam Newton is prepared to take more ownership of the Panthers’ offense this season.

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SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 2014

AREA ROUNDUP

Barnes 1-hits Bruins in 6-1 SHS baseball victory FLORENCE — Charlie Barnes struck out 15 batters and threw a 1-hitter as Sumter High School baseball team beat South Florence 6-1 on Tuesday at the Bruins field.

Barnes allowed one run on one hit and walked three to earn the victory.

Offensively Javon Martin and Phillip Watcher each went 2-for-2. Martin had a double while Watcher contributed a run batted in and two stolen bases. James Barnes went 1-for-2 with a double, a RBI and two stolen bases.

The Gamecocks improved to 17-2-1 on the season and 8-2 in Region VI-4A play. SHS will host SF 6:30 p.m. today for Senior Night.

GOLF SUMTER FINISHES 4TH

MARION — Sumter High’s golf team finished fourth out of 18 teams in the 2-day Anderson Brother Bank Invitational at Dusty Hills Country Club in Marion on Tuesday.

The Gamecocks shot a 317 to open the tournament and fin-

ished with a 318. Lexington High won the event shooting a 293 and 305. Lugoff-Elgin took second carding a 306 and 313. AC Flora finished third with a 313 and 314.

Charlie Dallery shot a 78 on both days to lead the Gamecocks.

John Keffer shot 78 and 79, Dixon Flowers shot had an 82 and an 81 while Austin Baker carded an 82 and an 85.

The Gamecocks next match will be Saturday and Sunday at the Blue Jacket Invitational at Black Bear Golf Course.

GIRLS VARSITY SOFTBALL WH WINS 3 OF 4 MYRTLE BEACH — Wilson Hall improved to 20-5 on the season after splitting a doubleheader at the Ripken Experience on Monday in Myrtle Beach WH beat Westerly, Rhode Island 5-2.

Holly Scott struck out 10 to pick up the victory on the mound.

Offensively Haley Hawkins had four hits including a triple and

an inside-the-park home run. She finished with three runs scored and three runs batted in. Bailey Connor and Scott each contributed a RBI. Hannah Jordan scored two runs.

The Lady Barons lost 11-1 in six innings to Liverpool, NY. Connor had two hits including a double and a RBI. Jordan added a triple.

Last Thursday WH traveled to and swept Calhoun Academy in a doubleheader.

In Game 1, Scott picked up the victory on the mound in a 11-8 win. Offensively Jordan had three hits including two doubles and two RBI. Scott and Catherine Kelley had two hits and a RBI apiece. Danielle deHoll added two hits.

In Game 2, Amelia Weston and Scott combined for a 10-8 victory. Connor had four hits including a double and five RBI. Betsy Cunningham had three hits including two doubles. Jordan added three hits.

Kelley had two hits including a double and two RBI. Drake Ives had two hits.

THE SUMTER ITEM

SCOREBOARD

CENTRAL DIVISION

TV, RADIO TODAY

Noon – Major League Baseball: Miami at Atlanta (SPORTSOUTH, WPUB-FM 102.7).

2 p.m. – Major League Baseball: San Francisco at Colorado or Arizona at Chicago Cubs (MLB NETWORK).

2:15 p.m. – Major League Baseball: Arizona at Chicago Cubs (WGN).

2:30 p.m. – International Soccer: UEFA Champions League Semifinal First Leg – Real Madrid vs. Bayern Munich (FOX SPORTS 1).

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

7 p.m. – Major League Baseball: New York Yankees at Boston (ESPN).

7 p.m. – College Lacrosse: Villanova at Johns Hopkins (ESPNU).

7 p.m. – College Baseball: South Carolina Upstate at South Carolina (FOX SPORTSOUTH, WNKT-FM 107.5).

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

7 p.m. – NBA Basketball: Eastern Conference Playoffs Quarterfinal Series Game Two – Charlotte at Miami (SPORTSOUTH, TNT).

7:30 p.m. – College Baseball: Iowa at Creighton (CBS SPORTS NETWORK).

8 p.m. – NHL Hockey: Western Conference Playoffs Quarterfinal Series Game Four – Anaheim at Dallas (CNBC).

8 p.m. – International Soccer: CONCACAF Champions League Final Second Leg – Toluca vs. Cruz Azul (FOX SPORTS 1).

8 p.m. – NBA Basketball: Western Conference Playoffs Quarterfinal Series Game Two – Dallas at San Antonio (NBA TV).

9:30 p.m. – NHL Hockey: Western Conference Playoffs Quarterfinal Series Game Four – St. Louis at Chicago (NBC SPORTS NETWORK).

9:30 p.m. – NBA Basketball: Western Conference Playoffs Quarterfinal Series Game Two – Portland at Houston (TNT).

TODAY

Varsity Baseball South Florence at Sumter, 6:30 p.m.

Wilson Hall in Mingo Bay Tournament (at Myrtle Beach), TBA Varsity Softball Lakewood at Timberland, 7:30 p.m.

Wilson Hall in Spring Break Tournament (at Myrtle Beach), TBA Laurence Manning in Spring Break Tournament (at Myrtle Beach), TBA Lamar at Robert E. Lee, 6 p.m.

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

Varsity Track and Field Robert E. Lee at Orangeburg Prep, TBA

THURSDAY

Varsity Baseball Wilson Hall in Mingo Bay Tournament (at Myrtle Beach), TBA Calhoun at Robert E. Lee, 6:30 p.m.

Varsity Softball Laurence Manning in Spring Break Tournament (at Myrtle Beach), TBA

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Varsity Sporting Clays Laurence Manning at Hermitage Farms (in Camden), TBA

NASCAR The Associated Press SPRINT CUP LEADERS

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Kentucky forward Julius Randle, left, will enter the NBA draft after one season with the Wildcats. Randle is expected to be a top-5 pick.

UK’s Julius Randle to enter NBA draft LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky forward Julius Randle will leave after one season to enter the NBA draft, where he is expected to be among the top five selections.

With five days left before the deadline for underclassmen to declare, the 6-foot-9 Dallas native announced the decision many expected even before he arrived as part of Kentucky’s best recruiting class ever. Projected as a lottery pick from the outset, Randle solidified his draft stock by leading Kentucky (29-11) to the NCAA final behind a string of double-doubles despite being double- and tripleteamed.

Randle averaged 15.0 points and 10.4 rebounds and was voted to The Associated Press’ All-America second team.

fifth inning to give the Flames the lead over the Tigers, who scored just three of their 17 baserunners in the game.

Tiger starter Clate Schmidt (4-6) suffered the loss as he gave up four runs on five hits and four walks with five strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings.

The Tigers host Western Carolina today at 6:30 p.m.

LIBERTY 4

JAZZ PART WAYS WITH S.C. NATIVE CORBIN

(20) CLEMSON 3

SALT LAKE CITY — Tyrone Corbin oversaw Utah’s transition from Jerry Sloan and Deron Williams to a youth movement, one he won’t get to see to fruition.

The Jazz are in the market for a new coach after deciding not to offer Corbin, a Columbia native, a new contract on Monday.

Corbin went 112-146 in three-plus seasons in Salt Lake City. He took over on Feb. 10, 2011, following the resignation of Sloan, for whom he played three seasons and served as a longtime assistant.

CLEMSON — Liberty overcame an early 3-0 deficit to defeat No. 20 Clemson 4-3 on Tuesday at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.

Liberty improved to 32-9 and Clemson fell to 24-16.

The Tigers took advantage of five walks in the first inning to score two runs, then added another run in the second inning to build a 3-0 lead. But the Flames scored two runs in the third inning after the first two batters of the frame were retired, then Dalton Britt scored on a wild pitch and Danny Grauer followed with a solo homer in the

POPOVICH WINS NBA COACH OF THE YEAR

San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has been named NBA coach of the year, making him just the third coach in league history to win the award three times in his career.

Popovich garnered 59 first-place votes. Phoenix’s Jeff Hornacek finished second and Chicago’s Tom Thibodeau finished third in the voting.

From staff, wire reports

Through April 12 Points 1, Jeff Gordon, 297. 2, Matt Kenseth, 296. 3, Carl Edwards, 278. 4, Dale Earnhardt Jr., 271.

5, Jimmie Johnson, 270. 6, Kyle Busch, 269. 7, Brad Keselowski, 246. 8, Joey Logano, 245. 9, Ryan Newman, 236. 10, Austin Dillon, 235.

11, Greg Biffle, 227. 12, Tony Stewart, 224. 13, Brian Vickers, 224. 14, Kyle Larson, 223. 15, Denny Hamlin, 223. 16, Clint Bowyer, 219. 17, Marcos Ambrose, 216. 18, Paul Menard, 206. 19, A J Allmendinger, 202. 20, Jamie McMurray, 195.

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

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

14, Tony Stewart, $1,389,052. 15, Carl Edwards, $1,386,673. 16, Brian Vickers, $1,359,013. 17, Kyle Larson, $1,356,858. 18, Jamie McMurray, $1,330,840. 19, Marcos Ambrose, $1,292,318. 20, Clint Bowyer, $1,268,831.

MLB STANDINGS

By The Associated Press

AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST DIVISION New York Toronto Baltimore Tampa Bay Boston CENTRAL DIVISION Detroit Chicago Kansas City Minnesota Cleveland WEST DIVISION Oakland Texas Los Angeles Seattle Houston

W 11 10 9 9 9

L 8 9 9 10 11

Pct .579 .526 .500 .474 .450

GB – 1 1½ 2 2½

W 9 10 9 9 9

L 7 10 9 9 10

Pct .563 .500 .500 .500 .474

GB – 1 1 1 1½

W 13 12 9 7 6

L 6 8 10 12 14

Pct .684 .600 .474 .368 .300

GB – 1½ 4 6 7½

MONDAY’S GAMES

Baltimore 7, Boston 6 Cleveland 4, Kansas City 3 L.A. Angels 4, Washington 2 Chicago White Sox 3, Detroit 1 Texas 4, Oakland 3 Houston 7, Seattle 2

TUESDAY’S GAMES

Kansas City at Cleveland, 7:05 p.m.

L.A. Angels at Washington, 7:05 p.m.

Baltimore at Toronto, 7:07 p.m.

Chicago White Sox at Detroit, 7:08 p.m.

Minnesota at Tampa Bay, 7:10 p.m.

N.Y. Yankees at Boston, 7:10 p.m.

Texas at Oakland, 10:05 p.m.

Houston at Seattle, 10:10 p.m.

TODAY’S GAMES

Texas (M.Perez 3-0) at Oakland (Gray 3-0), 3:35 p.m.

Houston (Cosart 1-2) at Seattle (C.Young 0-0), 3:40 p.m.

Kansas City (Vargas 2-0) at Cleveland (Masterson 0-0), 7:05 p.m.

L.A. Angels (Weaver 1-2) at Washington (G.Gonzalez 3-1), 7:05 p.m.

Baltimore (Tillman 2-1) at Toronto (McGowan 1-1), 7:07 p.m.

Chicago White Sox (Rienzo 0-0) at Detroit (Smyly 1-1), 7:08 p.m.

Minnesota (Pelfrey 0-2) at Tampa Bay (Odorizzi 1-2), 7:10 p.m.

N.Y. Yankees (Pineda 2-1) at Boston (Lackey 2-2), 7:10 p.m.

THURSDAY’S GAMES

Kansas City at Cleveland, 12:05 p.m.

Chicago White Sox at Detroit, 1:08 p.m.

Minnesota at Tampa Bay, 1:10 p.m.

Baltimore at Toronto, 7:07 p.m.

N.Y. Yankees at Boston, 7:10 p.m.

Oakland at Houston, 8:10 p.m.

NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST DIVISION Atlanta Washington New York Philadelphia Miami

W 13 11 10 9 9

Los Angeles San Francisco Colorado San Diego Arizona

W 15 11 9 8 6

L 5 9 11 11 12

Pct .750 .550 .450 .421 .333

GB – 4 6 6½ 8

W 12 11 11 9 5

L 8 9 10 11 17

Pct .600 .550 .524 .450 .227

GB – 1 1½ 3 8

MONDAY’S GAMES

Pittsburgh 6, Cincinnati 5 L.A. Angels 4, Washington 2 Atlanta 4, Miami 2, 10 innings N.Y. Mets 2, St. Louis 0 Chicago Cubs 5, Arizona 1 Milwaukee 4, San Diego 3 Colorado 8, San Francisco 2 Philadelphia 7, L.A. Dodgers 0

TUESDAY’S GAMES

Cincinnati at Pittsburgh, 7:05 p.m.

L.A. Angels at Washington, 7:05 p.m.

Miami at Atlanta, 7:10 p.m.

St. Louis at N.Y. Mets, 7:10 p.m.

Arizona at Chicago Cubs, 8:05 p.m.

San Diego at Milwaukee, 8:10 p.m.

San Francisco at Colorado, 8:40 p.m.

Philadelphia at L.A. Dodgers, 10:10 p.m.

TODAY’S GAMES

Miami (Eovaldi 1-1) at Atlanta (Harang 3-1), 12:10 p.m.

Arizona (Miley 2-2) at Chicago Cubs (Samardzija 0-2), 2:20 p.m.

San Francisco (M.Cain 0-3) at Colorado (Chatwood 1-0), 3:10 p.m.

Cincinnati (Simon 2-1) at Pittsburgh (Morton 0-2), 7:05 p.m.

L.A. Angels (Weaver 1-2) at Washington (G.Gonzalez 3-1), 7:05 p.m.

St. Louis (Wacha 2-1) at N.Y. Mets (Niese 0-2), 7:10 p.m.

San Diego (T.Ross 2-2) at Milwaukee (Lohse 3-1), 8:10 p.m.

Philadelphia (Hamels 0-0) at L.A. Dodgers (Greinke 3-0), 10:10 p.m.

THURSDAY’S GAMES

PREP SCHEDULE

Varsity Baseball Sumter at South Florence, 6:30 p.m.

Varsity Softball Laurence Manning in Spring Break Tournament (at Myrtle Beach), TBA

SPORTS ITEMS

Milwaukee St. Louis Pittsburgh Cincinnati Chicago WEST DIVISION

L 6 9 9 10 11

Pct .684 .550 .526 .474 .450

GB – 2½ 3 4 4½

Cincinnati at Pittsburgh, 12:35 p.m.

St. Louis at N.Y. Mets, 1:10 p.m.

Arizona at Chicago Cubs, 2:20 p.m.

San Diego at Washington, 7:05 p.m.

Philadelphia at L.A. Dodgers, 10:10 p.m.

NBA PLAYOFFS

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

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Atlanta 1, Indiana 1 April 19: Atlanta 101, Indiana 93 Tuesday: Indiana 101, Atlanta 85 Thursday: Indiana at Atlanta, 7 p.m.

Saturday: Indiana at Atlanta, 2 p.m. x-April 28: Atlanta at Indiana, 8 p.m. x-May 1: Indiana at Atlanta, TBD x-May 3: Atlanta at Indiana, TBD Miami 1, Charlotte 0 April 20: Miami 99, Charlotte 88 Today: Charlotte at Miami, 7 p.m.

Saturday: Miami at Charlotte, 7 p.m.

April 28: Miami at Charlotte, 7 p.m. x-April 30: Charlotte at Miami, TBD x-May 2: Miami at Charlotte, TBD x-May 4: Charlotte at Miami, TBD Brooklyn 1, Toronto 0 April 19: Brooklyn 94, Toronto 87 Tuesday: Brooklyn at Toronto, 7:30 p.m.

Friday: Toronto at Brooklyn, 7 p.m.

Sunday: Toronto at Brooklyn, 7 p.m. x-April 30: Brooklyn at Toronto, TBD x-May 2: Toronto at Brooklyn, TBD x-May 4: Brooklyn at Toronto, TBD Washington 1, Chicago 0 April 20: Washington 102, Chicago 93 Tuesday: Washington at Chicago (late) Friday: Chicago at Washington, 8 p.m.

Sunday: Chicago at Washington, 1 p.m. x-April 29: Washington at Chicago, 7 or 8 p.m. x-May 1: Chicago at Washington, TBD x-May 3: Washington at Chicago, TBD

WESTERN CONFERENCE

San Antonio 1, Dallas 0 April 20: San Antonio 90, Dallas 85 Today: Dallas at San Antonio, 8 p.m.

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

April 28: San Antonio at Dallas, 9:30 p.m. x-April 30: Dallas at San Antonio, TBD x-May 2: San Antonio at Dallas, TBD x-May 4: Dallas at San Antonio, TBD Oklahoma City 1, Memphis 1 April 19: Oklahoma City 100, Memphis 86 Monday: Memphis 111, Oklahoma City 105, OT Thursday: Oklahoma City at Memphis, 8 p.m.

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

April 29: Memphis at Oklahoma City, 8, 9 or 9:30 p.m. x-May 1: Oklahoma City at Memphis, TBD x-May 3: Memphis at Oklahoma City, TBD Golden State 1, L.A. Clippers 1 April 19: Golden State 109, L.A. Clippers 105 Monday: L.A. Clippers 138, Golden State 98 Thursday: L.A. Clippers at Golden State, 10:30 p.m.

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

April 29: Golden State at L.A. Clippers, 10:30 p.m. x-May 1: L.A. Clippers at Golden State, TBD x-May 3: Golden State at L.A. Clippers, TBD Portland 1, Houston 0 Sunday: Portland 122, Houston 120, OT Today: Portland at Houston, 9:30 p.m.

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

Sunday: Houston at Portland, 9:30 p.m. x-April 30: Portland at Houston, TBD x-May 2: Houston at Portland, TBD x-May 4: Portland at Houston, TBD

NHL PLAYOFFS

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

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Detroit 1, Boston 1 April 18: Detroit 1, Boston 0 April 20: Boston 4, Detroit 1 Tuesday: Boston at Detroit, 7:30 p.m.

Thursday: Boston at Detroit, 8 p.m. x-Saturday: Detroit at Boston, 3 p.m. x-April 28: Boston at Detroit, TBD x-April 30: Detroit at Boston, TBD Montreal 4, Tampa Bay 0 April 16: Montreal 5, Tampa Bay 4, OT April 18: Montreal 4, Tampa Bay 1 April 20: Montreal 3, Tampa Bay 2 Tuesday: Montreal 4, Tampa Bay 3 Pittsburgh 2, Columbus 1 April 16: Pittsburgh 4, Columbus 3 April 19: Columbus 4, Pittsburgh 3, 2OT Monday: Pittsburgh 4, Columbus 3 Today: Pittsburgh at Columbus, 7 p.m.

Saturday: Columbus at Pittsburgh, TBD x-April 28: Pittsburgh at Columbus, TBD x-April 30: Columbus at Pittsburgh, TBD N.Y. Rangers 1, Philadelphia 1 April 17: N.Y. Rangers 4, Philadelphia 1 April 20: Philadelphia 4, N.Y. Rangers 2 Tuesday: N.Y. Rangers at Philadelphia (late) Friday: N.Y. Rangers at Philadelphia, 7 p.m.

Sunday: Philadelphia at N.Y. Rangers, Noon x-April 29: N.Y. Rangers at Philadelphia, TBD x-April 30: Philadelphia at N.Y. Rangers, TBD

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Colorado 2, Minnesota 1 April 17: Colorado 5, Minnesota 4, OT April 19: Colorado 4, Minnesota 2 Monday: Minnesota 1, Colorado 0, OT Thursday: Colorado at Minnesota, 9:30 p.m.

Saturday: Minnesota at Colorado, TBD x-April 28: Colorado at Minnesota, TBD x-April 30: Minnesota at Colorado, TBD St. Louis 2, Chicago 1 April 17: St. Louis 4, Chicago 3, 3OT April 19: St. Louis 4, Chicago 3, OT Monday: Chicago 2, St. Louis 0 Today: St. Louis at Chicago, 9:30 p.m.

Friday: Chicago at St. Louis, 8 p.m. x-Sunday: St. Louis at Chicago, 3 p.m. x-April 29: Chicago at St. Louis, TBD Anaheim 2, Dallas 1 April 16: Anaheim 4, Dallas 3 April 18: Anaheim 3, Dallas 2 Monday: Dallas 3, Anaheim 0 Today: Anaheim at Dallas, 8 p.m.

Friday: Dallas at Anaheim, 10:30 p.m. x-Sunday: Anaheim at Dallas, TBD x-April 29: Dallas at Anaheim, TBD San Jose 2, Los Angeles 0 April 17: San Jose 6, Los Angeles 3 April 20: San Jose 7, Los Angeles 2 Tuesday: San Jose at Los Angeles (late) Thursday: San Jose at Los Angeles, 10:30 p.m. x-Saturday: Los Angeles at San Jose, TBD x-April 28: San Jose at Los Angeles, TBD x-April 30: Los Angeles at San Jose, TBD

PRO BASEBALL

THE SUMTER ITEM

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 2014

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MLB ROUNDUP

Pujols joins 500 HR club WASHINGTON — Albert Pujols became the first major leaguer to hit his 499th and 500th homers in the same game, driving in five runs to help the Los Angeles Angels beat the Washington Nationals 7-2 Tuesday night.

The first baseman connected twice off Taylor Jordan (0-3) — a 3-run homer in the first inning and tworun drive in the fifth — to become the 26th player in major league history to reach the milestone.

Pujols is the first player to collect Nos. 499 and 500 in the same game, according to STATS. About three months past his 34th birthday, he’s also the third-youngest to get to 500. He has eight homers this season, all in the past 13 games.

Tyler Skaggs (2-0) gave up two runs in seven innings for the win.

NATIONAL LEAGUE THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Wrigley Field’s iconic scoreboard is one of only two left in the majors that is still operated manually, but a new state-of-the-art scoreboard is in the works amidst opposition from some fans in Chicago.

Tech boom presents new wrinkles for Wrigley Field

BY DON BABWIN The Associated Press CHICAGO — During a recent game at Wrigley Field, John Weber was using a pencil and scorecard to expertly track the game between his hometown Cubs and the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 86-year-old retired transit worker figures he is an increasingly rare kind of baseball fan.

“Look around, do you see many people keeping score?’’ he asked.

No indeed. Between batters and between pitches, most fans in the stands at Wrigley — and everywhere else in the majors — take their eyes off the game to peck away at smartphones, phablets, tablets and iPads. Few bother to figure out the baseball hieroglyphics that Weber and other purists lovingly scrawl on their cards.

The Cubs are hoping to add a massive video scoreboard to Wrigley as early as next year in what would be the biggest renovation at Wrigley since lights were installed more than a quarter century ago.

The plan has stirred plenty of opposition, with many wondering if modern electronics will rob some of the mystique that surrounds the venerable ballpark, which hosted its first game on April 23, 1914 — 100 years ago today.

The scene in the stands illustrates how Wrigley is already a modern park and in fact got there faster than some of the newer, shinier stadiums around the country. The Cubs were the first to install a moving walkway back in the 1950s (it was removed a few years later) and in 2012 were one of the first teams in the majors to offer Wi-Fi. “The Cubs were ahead of their time and, frankly, ahead of the league,’’ said Bob Bowman, CEO of MLB Advanced Media, the league’s interactive branch.

The lack of a video scoreboard is a glaring reminder that the Cubs have some catching up to do. That is even more obvious this year thanks to a new instant replay system that allows teams to challenge umpires’ calls.

“With this replay for our fans, 75 million of them at the games, get to see what everyone sees at home,’’ Bowman said.

Except at Wrigley, where fans have to wait until they get home or watch the television monitors while they’re in line to buy a hot dog or beer.

“How ridiculous is that?’’ asked Marc Ganis, a sports consultant with SportsCorp Ltd. in Chicago, who once advised the Cubs’ prior owner, the Tribune Co. “The only time you see it is when you’re not in your seat.’’

The lack of a video board is only the most visible example of some of the differences between Wrigley and other parks.

Rather than ordering food and drink on a hand-held device and having it delivered right to their seats, fans at Wrigley get things the old-fashioned way: By yelling at vendors roaming the aisles or making a trip to the concession stands.

The Cubs can’t do it any other way because Wrigley Field is so small that food must be prepared offsite. A proposed $300 million renovation project includes construction of commissary, though team spokesman Julian Green said a final decision hasn’t been made.

The Cubs are also examining whether to join the roughly 20 teams that have customized Major League Baseball’s At the Ballpark app to give fans access to information about ballparks as they enter, from seat location to specials on merchandise. One thing the Cubs say they won’t be doing any time soon is allowing fans to upgrade their seats via their hand-held devices.

MARLINS 1 BRAVES 0 ATLANTA — Jose Fernandez matched his career high with 14 strikeouts in eight innings and combined with Steve Cishek on a 3-hitter as the Miami Marlins shut out the Atlanta Braves 1-0 on Tuesday night.

Fernandez (3-1) outpitched Atlanta’s Alex Wood (2-3), who also was dominant. Wood allowed four hits and one run with no walks and a career-high 11 strikeouts in eight innings.

The Marlins gave Fernandez the only run he would need in the fourth. Giancarlo Stanton hit a one-out double to left field and scored on Casey McGehee’s single up the middle.

Fernandez struck out the side in the fourth and fifth innings. He allowed three hits with no walks.

Cishek pitched a perfect ninth for his fourth save.

REDS 4 PIRATES 1

PITTSBURGH — Johnny Cueto tossed his second 3-hitter against the Pittsburgh in a week and the Cincinnati Reds eased past the struggling Pirates 4-1.

Cueto (2-2) struck out four and walked three while running his career-long scoreless streak to 21 innings before giving up a home run to Andrew McCutchen with

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THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Los Angeles Angels slugger Albert Pujols connects for a 2-run homer against Washington in the fifth inning of Tuesday’s game in Washington. It was Pujols’ 500th career home run. one out in the ninth.

CARDINALS 3 METS 0

NEW YORK — Adam Wainwright threw seven neat innings before leaving with a knee injury, and Jon Jay hit a two-run single that sent the St. Louis Cardinals to a 3-0 victory over the New York Mets.

Wainwright (4-1) faced the minimum through four innings and outpitched Dillon Gee. It was the second consecutive scoreless start for Wainwright, who tossed a 2-hit shutout last Thursday at Washington.

AMERICAN LEAGUE RAYS 7 TWINS 3 ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — David Price allowed six hits in his first complete game of the season, David DeJesus drove in three runs, and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Minnesota Twins 7-3.

Price (3-1) struck out 12 in his ninth career complete game.

TIGERS 8 WHITE SOX 6

DETROIT — Miguel Cabrera hit a two-run homer, Justin Verlander pitched seven solid innings and the Detroit Tigers held on for

an 8-6 victory over the Chicago White Sox. Cabrera went 3-for-5 — including a homer and a double off Chicago’s Charlie Leesman (0-1), who was called up from the minors to start in place of an injured Chris Sale.

MLB SUSPENDS 4 AFTER BRAWL

NEW YORK — Major League Baseball has suspended four players involved in last Sunday’s brawl between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Milwaukee Brewers.

Milwaukee catcher Martin Maldanado was suspended five games while outfielder Carlos Gomez was suspended three games. Pittsburgh outfielder Travis Snider must sit two games, with Russell Martin also missing one game.

Benches cleared after Gomez and Pirates pitcher Gerrit Cole exchanged words after Gomez’s triple in the third inning. Snider came onto the field and tackled Gomez, getting a minor assist from Martin in the process.

Snider was then punched in the face by Maldanado, receiving a small gash under his left eye.

From wire reports

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PRO BASKETBALL

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 2014

THE SUMTER ITEM

Mavs need Nowitzki to bounce back vs. Spurs

NBA PLAYOFF ROUNDUP

BY SCHUYLER DIXON The Associated Press

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Indiana’s George Hill (3) is fouled by Atlanta’s Elton Brand as he goes up for a shot during the second half of Tuesday’s Game 2 of an Eastern Conference playoff series in Indianapolis. The Pacers defeated the Hawks 101-85.

Pacers rally past Hawks INDIANAPOLIS — Paul George scored 27 points and George Hill had all 15 of his points in the second half, leading the Indiana Pacers to a 101-85 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.

The Pacers and Hawks are tied at a game apiece heading into Game 3 in Atlanta on Thursday.

George was especially effective even though he spent much of the night defending Hawks point guard Jeff Teague, who had 14 points. Paul Millsap finished with 19 for Atlanta.

The first 24 minutes looked like an exact duplicate of Game 1, but the Pacers pulled away with a 31-13 third quarter.

Top-seeded Indiana took its first lead since the first quarter on Lance Stephenson’s three-point play and closed the quarter on an 11-0 run to make it 79-65.

RAPTORS 100 NETS 95

TORONTO — DeMar DeRozan scored 30 points, Jonas Valanciunas had 15 points and 14 rebounds for his second straight playoff double-double and the Toronto Raptors beat the Brooklyn Nets 100-95, evening their first-round play-

off series at 1-1.

Amir Johnson scored 16 points and Kyle Lowry had 14 as the Raptors rebounded from a 94-87 loss in Game 1. Patrick Patterson had 12 points and Greivis Vasquez finished with 11.

Joe Johnson scored 18 points, Deron Williams had 15 and Mirza Teletovic 14 for the Nets, who will host Game 3 on Friday night.

Hampered by foul trouble throughout the game, Brooklyn’s Paul Pierce went 2 for 11 from the field, including 0 for 6 from 3-point range. He finished with seven points.

Kevin Garnett scored 13 points and Shaun Livingston had 12 for the Nets.

MONDAY CLIPPERS 138 WARRIORS 98 LOS ANGELES — Blake Griffin scored a career playoff-high 35 points without a foul and the Los Angeles Clippers led all the way in routing the Golden State Warriors 138-98 Monday night to even their first-round series at a game apiece.

Chris Paul added 12 points and 10 assists for the Clippers, who started the game on a 14-4 run and kept on going, maintaining a sizeable double-digit lead

PLAYOFFS FROM PAGE B1 Jefferson wants to play. That doesn’t guarantee anything.

“It’s really going to be depending on his level of pain right before the game because in order to give him as much time as possible to heal, they’re going to keep the walking boot on there,’’ said Charlotte coach Steve Clifford, who isn’t sure if Jefferson will participate in a walkthrough on Wednesday morning.

“My understanding is that we really won’t know until they take it off and he tries to put more weight and pressure on his foot.’’

Miami has an injury concern as well, with starting point guard Mario Chalmers being held out of practice Tuesday because of a bruised shin.

Whether Jefferson plays or not, Miami expects Charlotte to get Kemba

through the final three quarters. They finished with a franchise record points for a playoff game.

Stephen Curry scored 20 of his 24 points in the third quarter, when the Warriors never got closer than 25.

SAN ANTONIO — Dirk Nowitzki missed from several of his usual spots as Dallas blew a lead in the fourth quarter of its playoff-opening loss to San Antonio.

The Mavericks star even flubbed a glorified layup, the most surprising of all the misses when Dallas went without a meaningful basket for the final 8 minutes of the 90-85 loss to the Spurs.

Now Nowitzki has to bounce back from one of the worst playoff games of his 16-year career when the Mavericks play at San Antonio in Game 2 on Wednesday night.

It’s hard to imagine Dallas knocking off the team with the NBA’s best record as long as Nowitzki has 11 points on 4-of14 shooting. It was his lowest point total in the playoffs in seven years.

The Mavericks aren’t imagining it.

“Dirk is our least concern,’’ said backup guard Devin Harris, who led Dallas with 19 points in the opener. “He is going to get his shots and we know he’s going to make them.’’

The Spurs tend to make it harder on the pure-shooting 7-footer, crowding him at the 3-point line and bumping him when he gets closer to the basket.

When Nowitzki had plans to take over in the fourth quarter with post-up moves, the Spurs blindsided him with a second defender and forced a turnover.

That sequence came during a 14-0 San Antonio run that wiped out an 81-71 Dallas lead.

“We basically stayed with him a lot of times and we didn’t help,’’ said Spurs center Tiago Splitter, who shares most of the defensive load on Nowitzki with Boris Diaw. “That makes the other guys have to work a

little bit more. So it wasn’t just me and Boris.’’

This is how it’s always been the six times the Mavericks and Spurs have met in the playoffs since Nowitzki came to Dallas. The Spurs find a way to take Nowitzki out of the game.

The Mavericks look for a way to make him a factor again, knowing it won’t be easy.

“I don’t think they’re going to leave me much on pick-androll coverage all series,’’ Nowitzki said. “I can’t just sit out there and measure the wind and shoot.’’

The last time Nowitzki scored 11 points in a playoff game, he came back with 50 against Phoenix in 2006, when the Mavericks topped the Suns in the Western Conference finals before Miami beat them for the title.

That’s unlikely to happen again because the 35-year-old Nowitzki no longer carries that kind of offensive load. Instead, he shares it with a variety of options led by guard Monta Ellis.

He rarely shoots 26 times a game as he did back then — and coming off a bad game isn’t going to tempt him.

“You don’t want to overthink it,’’ said Nowitzki, who has had several clunkers during Dallas’ current 10-game losing streak to the Spurs.

“You don’t want to go completely crazy and just hoist everything you see because some of those shots are contested. They’ve got to be within the flow and within the rhythm of the game.’’

Dallas coach Rick Carlisle is sure those shots will be.

“The thing about all-time great players is that it’s not about one day coming in and saying, ‘Hey, I’m going to go harder today’ or `I’m going to be more aggressive today,’’’ Carlisle said. “He’s had the same approach every day for 16 years.’’

GRIZZLIES 111 THUNDER 105

OKLAHOMA CITY — Zach Randolph scored 25 points to help the Memphis Grizzlies defeat the Oklahoma City Thunder 111-105 in overtime and tie their firstround playoff series at one game apiece.

Mike Conley added 19 points and 12 assists for the Grizzlies.

Kevin Durant had 36 points and 11 rebounds for the Thunder. Russell Westbrook scored 29 points for Oklahoma City, but he made just 11 of 28 shots.

Randolph’s layup with 26 seconds left in overtime put the Grizzlies up by two.

Oklahoma City’s Serge Ibaka traveled, giving the ball back to the Grizzlies.

Courtney Lee made two free throws for Memphis to make it a 4-point game. Durant missed a 3-pointer and Randolph made two free throws with nine seconds left to put the game out of reach.

Walker even more involved in the offense, using his pick-and-roll strengths to try and create some issues for the Heat.

“It doesn’t change what we’re doing,’’ Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “You hope that everybody’s healthy. He was able to establish a big low-point presence in the first half.

He’ll still be able to do that if he’s in the game.’’

Here’s five things to know going into Game 2:

MKG NEEDS TIME Keeping Michael Kidd-Gilchrist on the floor is critical for Charlotte.

The Bobcats outscored Miami by eight when he played in Game 1.

But he logged a season-low 14:41 because of foul trouble — a doublewhammy for the Bobcats since he was primarily guarding LeBron James. It was only the 14th time this season that Kidd-Gilchrist had at least four fouls in a game, but

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Dallas will need a better game from Dirk Nowitzki (41) tonight in San Antonio if the Mavericks hope to pull even with the top-seeded Spurs.

From wire reports

three of those have come against Miami.

mates. “Everybody needs to contribute,’’ Spoelstra said.

WADE WATCH

BOUNCEBACK FACTOR

Heat guard Dwyane Wade said Tuesday he still considers himself “working my way back’’ but hopes he can find the same rhythm in Game 2 as he had in Game 1. Wade was highly efficient in the series opener, making 10 of 16 shots, scoring 23 points and best of all for Miami, he felt relatively fine afterward. Miami is 41-9 when Wade shoots better than 50 percent in a playoff game.

One of Charlotte’s best traits in its run to the playoffs was resilience.

Since mid-January, the Bobcats are 13-4 in the game immediately following a defeat. Whether that will be enough to end this 17-game losing streak against the Heat is another matter. If nothing else, it’s a sign that these young Bobcats tend not to wallow in misery too long.

HEAT ROTATION

The Heat should hit several longevity milestones Wednesday.

James is seven minutes shy of becoming the 22nd player with 6,000 in a playoff career. ... Ray Allen will tie A.C. Green and Jerry West for 32nd all-time with 153 postseason appearances. ... This will be the 100th home playoff game in team history.

Spoelstra said one of the lessons Miami has learned throughout its past playoff runs is that everyone, at some point, gets called upon to fill some role. The rotation he’s planning in Game 2 remains a bit of a mystery, but the job James Jones did off the bench in Game 1 still has not been lost on team-

MILESTONE WATCH

SPORTS

THE SUMTER ITEM

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 2014

NHL PLAYOFF ROUNDUP

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B5

NEWTON FROM PAGE B1

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Boston goalie Tuukka Rask (40) stops a goal attempt by Detroit center Gustav Nyquist (14) during the second period of Game 3 of Tuesday’s Eastern Conference Stanley Cup playoff series in Detroit. The Bruins won 3-0.

Rask, Bruins shut out Red Wings 3-0 DETROIT — Tuukka Rask finished with a 23-save shutout to give the Boston Bruins a 3-0 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday night for a 2-1 playoff series lead.

Dougie Hamilton and Jordan Caron scored in the first period, and Patrice Bergeron added an empty-net goal late in the game. The Presidents’ Trophywinning Bruins are ahead for the first time in the opening-round series. And, it seems like a commanding lead the way Boston has played the past two games.

Detroit has to win Game 4 on Thursday night to avoid facing elimination when the series shifts back to Boston.

Jimmy Howard made 31 saves for the Red Wings, who needed him to make what appeared to be a routine stop midway through the first period on the first goal. He couldn’t.

CANADIENS 4 LIGHTNING 3

MONTREAL — Max Pacioretty lifted the Montreal Canadiens into the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs Tuesday night with a power-play goal with 43 seconds remaining for a 4-3 vic-

tory and a 4-game sweep of Tampa Bay. The first team to advance this year, the Canadiens also got goals from Daniel Briere, Brendan Gallagher and Lars Eller.

Ondrej Palat had a goal and an assist for Tampa Bay. Victor Hedman pulled the Lightning within one goal three minutes into the third period, and Tyler Johnson tied the game three minutes later.

Lightning backup goaltender Kristers Gudlevskis replaced Anders Lindback after Gallagher’s goal 5:42 into the second period. Lindback gave up three goals on 20 shots, while Gudlevskis stopped 16 of 17 shots in relief.

MONDAY STARS 3 DUCKS 0 DALLAS — Kari Lehtonen had 37 saves, with some tremendous stops, for his first career postseason victory, and the Dallas Stars beat Anaheim 3-0 Monday night in their first home playoff game in six years.

Dallas captain Jamie Benn skated out of the penalty box to score late in the first period, and 19-year-old rookie Valeri Nichushkin added a goal for the

Stars in Game 3 of the best-of-seven series. The top-seeded Ducks won each of the first two games at home, both onegoal results.

Lehtonen, who held up through five Anaheim power plays, had a kick save near the end of one of those in the final minute of the first period. That came right before Benn came out of the penalty box and skated toward the other end for the winning goal.

BLACKHAWKS 2 BLUES 0

CHICAGO — Corey Crawford made 34 saves in his third career postseason shutout, and the Chicago Blackhawks got back into their playoff series with the St. Louis Blues with a 2-0 victory in Game 3 on Monday night.

Jonathan Toews scored in the first period and Marcus Kruger added an empty-netter as Chicago bounced back after a pair of overtime losses in St. Louis. Toews’ 21st postseason goal was only the second score by a Blackhawks forward in the series.

Ryan Miller shook off another slow start and made 23 saves for St. Louis.

From wire reports

PRO FOOTBALL

Smith demands bigger, stronger lines for Falcons

BY GEORGE HENRY The Associated Press FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Just two days into Atlanta’s offseason workout program, Falcons coach Mike Smith is calling for major improvement on both sides of the line of scrimmage.

Smith fears the Falcons could bottom out for the second straight year if they don’t change for the better.

“I feel like we’ve lost our way,’’ Smith said Tuesday. “I feel like I’ve lost my way a little. The emphasis along the way is to be a bigger and stronger football team and win the line of scrimmage.’’

Assessing his team’s 4-12 record last year, Smith said the Falcons were most hurt by a lack of strength and size up front.

The offense ranked last in

rushing, and quarterback Matt Ryan was sacked a career-high 44 times.

The defense ranked last in third-down efficiency, second-worst against the run and third-fewest in sacks.

Smith reiterated that he’s to blame “because I’m the head coach,’’ but he likes how the team filled major needs in free SMITH agency by signing guard Jon Asamoah and defensive linemen Tyson Jackson and Paul Soliai.

The Falcons re-signed defensive linemen Jonathan Babineaux, Peria Jerry and Corey Peters. They also hired Bryan Cox to replace defensive line coach Ray Hamilton.

On the offensive line, left

MCDANIELS FROM PAGE B1 voted on by ACC media and part of the all-ACC second team on balloting of coaches.

McDaniels twice scored 30 points in a game this season, averaging 17.1 points in 36 contests. With 100 blocks, he joined former Tiger greats Tree Rollins and Sharone Wright with most in a season.

Clemson fans at Littlejohn Coliseum chanted “One more year’’ in the home finale against Belmont on March 25 in the NIT quarterfinal victory. McDaniel said after the game he wasn’t sure what he’d do.

tackle Sam Baker returns after missing 12 games last year with a knee injury.

Center Joe Hawley and guard-tackle Mike Jonson signed new contracts.

Offensive line coaches Mike Tice and Wade Harman were hired. Pat Hill and Paul Dunn were fired.

“That’s where we fell short, and there’s one person that’s responsible for it — it’s me,’’ Smith said. “It’s not on the guys that were coaching last year. It’s my responsibility, and we’re going to do everything in our power in the weight room, in the classroom and on the field to get that accomplished.’’

Ryan has been impressed with the high turnout this week, calling it “maybe not 100 percent, but close to it.’’

Despite getting hit 100 times last season — third-

“This was not an easy decision, but I am excited to take the next step toward fulfilling my lifelong dream of playing in the NBA,’’ he said.

McDaniels blossomed this season with his soaring dunks and rising blocks from behind on surprised opponents.

“I’m sure some of the teams that don’t play him as often, you’re surprised because all of a sudden you think you’ve got a layup and he comes over and pins it on the glass,’’ Clemson coach Brad Brownell said after an NIT victory Georgia State.

“I’ve seen a lot of it.’’

On Tuesday, Brownell thanked McDaniels for what he’d done for the program.

most in the NFL — Ryan says he feels fine physically, but the two-time Pro Bowl pick looks forward to better protection this year.

Public criticism of the offensive line was a constant issue, but Ryan, who signed a new contract last July that includes $59 million in guaranteed money, believes his teammates are ready to start anew.

“I think those guys were not naive,’’ Ryan said.

“Those guys took some heat, and they’ve had to answer tough questions all of last season and through the offseason so far, and I think they’ve taken it as a challenge. I’ve been really impressed how they’ve handled it professionally and how they have taken it personally, too, and want to become better.’’

“He has had a tremendous impact on our program and improved as much as any player I’ve ever coached. I’m extremely proud of his development and excited for his future at the next level,’’ said the fourth-year coach.

McDaniels, from Birmingham, Ala., was a driving force behind the Tigers’ defense that ranked No. 1 in the NCAA in defending the 3-pointer (.285), No. 5 in opponent points per game (58.4) and No. 8 in blocks (6.1).

McDaniels led all ACC players with six games of at least 20 points and 10 rebounds this season. He posted 13 total 20-point games after entering his junior season without one in 58 career outings.

He said he still communicates with Smith, and hopes the 34-year-old receiver finds success with the Baltimore Ravens. But Newton emphasized the need to move forward as a team.

He said he’s excited about working with a “hungry’’ group of receivers that includes Jerricho Cotchery, Jason Avant and Tiquan Underwood. It’s possible the Panthers will add a wide receiver or two in the NFL draft next month.

“We have a lot of guys that are hungry and ready to prove something in this league,’’ Newton said, “and that’s what I want to do as well.’’

Newton was selected to the Pro Bowl last season after leading the Panthers to a 12-4 record and the NFC South championship.

But concerns linger over how long it will take Newton to develop chemistry with a new group of wide receivers, especially considering he’s not expected to practice until training camp.

But an upbeat Newton downplayed any concerns.

“We will have plenty of time to develop chemistry with receivers,’’ Newton said. “Just because it’s organized team functions doesn’t mean that we can’t (also) meet on our own.’’

Newton has spent much of the offseason working on his college degree from Auburn, but returned Monday to Charlotte so he’d have a chance to meet his new teammates.

“The first time you interact with a person you can tell by two or three minutes if the relationship is going to work,’’ Newton said. “With my talk with those guys it was great.

Everybody is excited. Everybody is ready to accept the challenge. Everybody is trying to find and know their role so they can perfect it.’’

Pro Bowl center Ryan Kalil believes Newton will continue to develop into a great leader.

“The guys who I have always looked up to are the guys who do it on a daily basis and lead by example,’’ Kalil said. “Even though Cam is somebody who likes to get in front of the mike and think he’s a lot more entertaining than he really is, he does a great job. He works hard day in and day out in the classroom and on the field.’’

Newton said watching his teammates work out made him eager to get back. He’s never missed a game and it’s rare when he’s skipped a practice — or any type of event — since joining the Panthers as the No. 1 pick in the 2011 NFL draft.

“I felt like that lost kid that was in detention and can’t go to recess,’’ said Newton, with a laugh.

Newton isn’t certain when he’ll start running again. He said the ankle had been bothering him for quite a long time, dating back to his national championship season at Auburn.

“It wasn’t 100 percent for a long time,’’ said the former Heisman Trophy winner. “I really didn’t know what 100 percent felt like.’’

Newton said the surgery has afforded him a chance to step back and study more tape and reassess his play.

“It’s been more helpful for me, mentally,’’ Newton said. “I am always the type of guy that always had to do stuff, workout, workout, workout — no matter the time or the day.

This injury has kind of settled me down, like, ‘How can I get better?’’’

MARTIN FROM PAGE B1 forward to see what he can accomplish in football before that time. “(The ROTC) helps me out a whole lot (in regards to paying college tuition),” Martin said.

“When I went for a visit though, I just felt at home. I like the campus, the coaching staff, everything overall.

“I feel like I’m going to be able to do a lot of things up there.”

Methodist is a member of the USA South Athletic Conference.

The Monarchs went 8-2 last season, finishing in a tie for first place in the league.

B6

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OBITUARIES | SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 2014

JOHN D. LEA Sr. MANNING — John David “Peanut” Lea Sr., 72, husband of Bernice Buena Welch Lea, died Sunday, April 20, 2014, at his residence.

Born Sept. 8, 1941, in Holly Hill, he was a son of the late Stubo and Mary Elizabeth Daniels Lea. He owned and operated Lea’s Outlet Store in Manning for many LEA years.

He is survived by his wife; a daughter, Lisa Sheppard (Shep); a granddaughter, Cameron Sheppard, all of Manning; a sister, Twettie Hill of Aiken; and a number of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a son, David Lea; and a brother, Jimmy Lea. A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Clarendon Memorial Gardens with the Rev. Bennie Turner officiating.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Stephens Funeral Home and other times at the residence, 12777 Raccoon Road, Manning.

Stephens Funeral Home & Crematory, 304 N. Church St., Manning, is in charge of arrangements, (803) 435-2179. www.stephensfuneralhome.org

RICHARD B. EMMONS COLUMBIA — A memorial service for Richard Brent Emmons, of Columbia, will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at St. Jude’s Catholic Church, 611 W. Oakland Ave., Sumter, SC 29150, with Father Thomas Burke officiating.

The family will greet friends and family after the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials EMMONS may be made to SCOA, Cares Foundation, in c/o Meredith Anderson, P.O. BOX 2046, West Columbia, SC 29171.

Mr. Emmons passed away on Thursday, April 17, 2014, at the age of 56. He was born in Steubenville, Ohio, and was a son of Douglas and Marjorie Evans Emmons. Mr. Emmons was a former member of St. Jude’s Catholic Church and currently attended Transfiguration Catholic Church. He was a graduate of the University of Arizona and retired from Eaton Corp. after 30 years of service.

Richard is survived by his wife, Emily McCaskey Emmons; children, Christopher Brent (Ashley) Emmons and Brian Douglas Emmons; brothers, Craig and Mark Emmons; and sisters, Karen

AREA SCOREBOARD GOLF 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) 7730210, Steve Capinis at (803) 775-2676, Chan Floyd at (803) 774-8555 or Rick Lavergne at (803) 481-3048.

Call (803) 774-1200 and subscribe today.

Burklow and Tracey Schneider.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Sandra Lorah.

Please sign the online guest book at http://www.kornegayandmoseley.com/.

TINA MARIE HILL Tina Marie Hill, 34, wife of Jamie L. Hill, died on Sunday, April 20, 2014, at her home.

Born in Plattsburg, N.Y., she was a daughter of Daphne A. Mangum Paschall and the late Timothy A. Paschall.

Survivors include her husband of Sumter; mother of Kentucky; two sons, Zachary Hill and Christopher Hill; a sister, Michelle Shumpert (Eric) of Kentucky; a nephew, Thomas Shumpert; and her mother-in-law and father-inlaw, Cathy M. and Otto Griffin of Sumter.

A graveside service will be held at 3 p.m. Friday in the Paxville Cemetery with the Rev. Kenny Griffin and the Rev. Michael Bowman officiating.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and other times at the home of her mother-in-law, 131 Brentwood Drive.

Memorials may be made to the family, c/o Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home, 515 Miller Road, Sumter, SC 29150.

Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of the arrangements.

FRANCES M. RODGERS Frances M. Rodgers, widow of Odell Rodgers, went home to be with the Lord on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2014.

She was born on Dec. 24, 1925, in Travelers Rest, a daughter of the late William B. and Audrey Winter Marshall. She was a lifetime member of Pine Grove Baptist Church and an active member in the VFW Women’s Auxiliary. She was formerly employed as a cosmetologist at Venus Beauty Salon.

She is survived by a son, Larry O. Rodgers (Wanda) of Rembert; a daughter, Tonie Smith (Dr. Laurie) of Lake Lure, N.C.; four grandchildren, Jay Brogdon (Susan), Fran Locklair (Randy), Brit Rodgers and Dana Reeves (Charles); and six greatgrandchildren, Dalton, Callie and Hayden Brogdon, Marshall and Ben Anderson, and Leia Reeves.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Odell Rodgers; sisters, Willie Mae Lyles, Doretta Marshall and Emma

FRIEND OF YOUTH TOURNAMENT

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.

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.

ROAD RACING 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

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“Pete” Boyce; and one brother, Pressley Marshall.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday in the Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home Chapel with family visitation from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. prior to the service.

Pastor Don Riner will officiate with Wanda Rodgers assisting. Burial will be in Sumter Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Brit Rodgers, Jay Brogdon, Dalton Brogdon, Marty Lyles, Bryant Boyce and Randy Locklair.

Memorials can be made to Pine Grove Baptist Church, 433 Old Manning Road, Sumter, SC 29154.

A special thank you to Hospice of Tri-County in Newberry and Sumter, Springfield Nursing Home in Newberry, and Covenant Nursing Center in Sumter. We have been blessed by compassionate and attentive caretakers.

Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of the arrangements.

MICHAEL D. SPENCER Michael Deen Spencer, 58, departed this life on Monday, April 21, 2014, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center.

Born March 3, 1956, in Chicago, Ill., he was a son of Betty Rose Brown Spencer and the late Willie Deen Spencer.

The family will be receiving friends at the home, 59 Birnie Circle, Sumter, SC 29150.

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

THE SUMTER ITEM

MARY F. PRESSLEY Mary Franklin Pressley, 104, widow of Henry Pressley Sr., entered eternal rest on Wednesday, April 16, 2014, at National Health Care, Sumter.

She was born on Sept. 28, 1909, in Sumter, a daughter of the late Robert and Louise Ford Franklin. She received her formal education in Sumter County public schools.

She was a member of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, where she served on the senior choir, church school and the missionary ministry.

Survivors are four children, Henry (Dorothy) Pressley Jr., Willie Pressley, Annie Bell (William) James and Bertha Mae McCoy; 11 grandchildren; 42 greatgrandchildren; 31 greatgreat-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

The family will meet and greet friends from 6 to 7:30 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 325 Fulton St., Sumter, with the pastor, Dr. James Blassingame, the Rev. Lee Ringle, the Rev. Johnnie Mae Gist, the Rev. Robert E. Galloway and the Rev. Sammie Simmons. Burial will follow in St. Paul AME Church cemetery.

Online memorials can be sent to comfhltj@sc.rr.com.

Community Funeral Home of Sumter is in charge of these arrangements.

ALEX JACKSON LILLIE T. ROGERS Lillie Tucker Rogers, 81, widow of Tallie W. Rogers, died Monday, April 21, 2014, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center.

Born on Feb. 9, 1933, in Sumter County, she was a daughter of the late Essie Tucker.

The family will receive friends and relatives at her home, 5020 Ragdwin Road, Sumter.

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

TALMAGE W. MITCHELL Jr. The Rev. Talmage Wadford “T.W.” Mitchell Jr., 89, husband of Alice W. Mitchell, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, April 22, 2014, at the home of his daughter.

Services will be announced

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

day of the race. Children age 12 and under are not required to register. Those who register by Friday, April 18, will receiver a t-shirt.

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

BASKETBALL SUMTER CHRISTIAN CLINICS

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

Alex “Bubba” Jackson, 67, died on Friday, April 18, 2014, at his residence.

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

He leaves to cherish his memories: six sisters, Wilhelmenia Jackson of Elizabeth, N.J., Shirley Carruthers of Bronx, N.Y., and Elouise (Frank) Green, Mary Carraway, Ella Wright and Shirley Green, all of Sumter; three brothers, Allen (Rosie) Jackson of Yonkers, N.Y., and Micheal Jackson and David Jackson, both of Sumter; a special cousin, Rosa Robinson; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Beside his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Nathial Jackson Jr. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Ebenezer Presbyterian Church USA, 4620 Queen Chapel Road, Dalzell, with the Rev. Dr. Cornell Hampton

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

officiating, eulogist.

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

The remains will be placed in the church at 1 p.m.

The procession will leave at 1:20 p.m. from the home.

Flower bearers and pallbearers will be family and friends.

Burial will be in Ebenezer Presbyterian Churchyard cemetery.

Online memorial messages may be sent to the family at williamsfuneralhome@sc.rr. com. Visit us on the web at www.williamsfuneralhomeinc.com.

Services directed by the management and staff of Williams Funeral Home Inc., 821 N. Main St., Sumter.

JIMMY M. HERRINGTON Jimmy Melvin Herrington, 69, died Monday, April 21, 2014, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center.

Born in Sumter, he was a son of the late Robert Mitchell Herrington and Annie McCoy Herrington.

Surviving are two daughters, Emily Arledge of Whiteville, N.C., and Stephanie Jennings of Tabor City, N.C.; five sisters, Shelby Wright of Henderson, Neb., Nancy Meyer of Warren, Ohio, and Joann Yow, Sheila Brown and Debbie Griffin, all of Sumter; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Robert Herrington.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m.

Thursday at 2253 Bob White Drive.

Online condolences may be sent to www.sumterfunerals. com.

Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad St., Sumter, is in charge of the arrangements, (803) 775-9386.

OLLIE B. MONROE BISHOPVILLE — Ollie B. Monroe entered eternal rest on April 19, 2014, at her residence, 659 Scarborough St., Bishopville.

The family is receiving friends at the residence.

Funeral arrangements will be announced by Wilson Funeral Home, 403 S. Main St., Bishopville.

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.

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 2014

THE ITEM

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Trucking Opportunities

Unfurnished Homes

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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

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

3 or 4BR house (Alcolu). $700/dep +$700/mo. 473-3301

Building for rent could use for Church or Other. Near Manning on Silver Rd. 803-473-3301

Found Male Yorkie 494-5478 To identify

Call

BUSINESS SERVICES Business Services Land clearing on site mulching, tree and brush grinding, Free estimates. David 803-972-1090

MERCHANDISE Garage, Yard & Estate Sales Multi Family 2945 Tuckaway Dr. Fri & Sat. 7-12 Lots of clothes & hshld items.

LARGE GARAGE SALE 1st & 3rd Weekend Tables $1 & Up Open every weekend.

905-4242

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

VFW: 1925 Gion St Sat 4/26 8-?

Donations will be accepted on friday 4/25 Call Hazel Evenich 491-4943. All proceeds go to homeless veterans or homeless in the community. Thanks to all. God Bless!

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 JT's Lawn Care: All your lawn needs, Tree cutting & pressure washing, Senior disc. 840-0322 Oxendine & Son Lawn Care All your lawn care needs & pressure washing. Call Jonathan 803-565-2160 or Kerry 316-8726.

Cooper's Lawn Care General lawn maintenance! Lic. & ins.

Price starts at $30. 803-565-1894 GrassBusters, Lawn Maintenance, Pest & Termite Control.

Insured and Lic. 803-983-4539, Rawls Lawncare: Clean up, Trim Shubery, Cut Grass, Pressure Wash & more. Free Estimates.

Lic/Insured. 803-425-4845

Heating & Air Service Tech/ Installer Must have valid driver license, tools and own transportation. Pay based on experience up $16/hr. Call 803-825-9075 Mike

Unfurnished Apartments

Help Wanted Part-Time

FLEA MARKET BY SHAW AFB

Home Improvements

Custom Flooring and Paint

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

Ref. provided.

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

Need reliable, female to do house cleaning. Must have dependable transportation. Call 494-4169 between 1 - 3 pm.

Customer Service Representatives needed. Apply in person Polar Bear Cleaners 1087 B Alice Dr for Sumter/Manning

Sumter County Civic Center Indoor Garage Sale 700 W. Liberty St. Sat., May 24, 2014, 8 AM to 1 PM Free Admission For booth space, Call 436-2271 After 9:00am

For Sale or Trade 4 Cemetery Plots @ Evergreen $1250 Each . Call 803-305-1645 or 795-7886 Martin's Used Appliance Washers, Dryers, Refrig., Stoves.

Guarantee 464-5439 or 469-7311

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

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

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

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

Call for more info. 843-383-6953.

Wanted Switch Truck Driver.

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

Must have 2 yrs of verifiable commercial Driving experience.

Call for more info 843-383-6953

EMPLOYMENT

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

SC lic. Virgil Bickley 803-316-4734.

Tree Service 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

Help Wanted Full-Time

Work Wanted

RENTALS

Senior Living Apartments for those 62+ (Rent based on income) Shiloh-Randolph Manor 125 W. Bartlette.

775-0575 Studio/1 Bedroom apartments available EHO SOUTH FORGE APTS. 1BR, Water, stove & frig furnished.

Linda at 803-494-8443

Unfurnished Homes

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

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

E. Brewington Rd. near Mayewood School, 3BR/2BA DWMH. $550/mo + $550/SD. NO Section 8.

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

REAL ESTATE

STATEBURG COURTYARD

Homes for Sale

2 & 3 BRs 803-494-4015

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

469-6978.

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

6 Middle St. 3BR & 4th optional/2BA. C/H/A. New construction. Financing Available.

775-4391, 464-5960

3Br 1BA near Manning on 301 N. Rd $600/mo + $600/Dep. Call 803-473-3301 4BR 2BA House for rent, 52 Bland Ave, AD School Dist. Hdwd floors, fenced yard $750 mo +$1000 Dep 803-468-1612 3BR/2BA DW out of Manning on Goodwill Church Rd. $650/dep + $650/mo. Call 473-3301 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.

GOT STUFF?

Lost & Found

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

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

RV parking avail. Call 494-8350

All Tables Just $1

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

Shaw Flea Market

The family of Giles N. Mendenhall acknowledges with deep appreciation your kind expression of sympathy.

Mobile Home Rentals

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Card of Thanks

Ricky's Tree Service Tree removal, stump grinding, Lic & ins, free quote, 803-435-2223 or cell 803-460-8747.

We will be happy to change your ad if an error is made; however we are not responsible for errors after the first run day. We shall not be liable for any loss or expense that results from the printing or omission of an advertisement. We reserve the right to edit, refuse or cancel any ad at any time.

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

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

Tidwell Septic Tanks looking for general labor with driver license and general labor with CDL Apply at 1665 Lewis Rd 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.

Looking to find...

A NEW BEST FRIEND?

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

CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT Call, email or fax us today!

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Homes for Sale

Commercial Industrial Church Facility located at 16 Kendrick Street. Move in Ready.

10,195 sq ft on 2.35 acres with 1,040 sq ft picnic shelter. Chapel, Fellowship Hall, Sunday School Rooms, Office Complex and Full Working Kitchen. Contact Talmadge Tobias at Re/Max Summit 803-491-4573.

RECREATION 3600 Dallas: Dalzell, 3BR, 2BA. Big Lot. Big storage & workshop. 1/2 ac lot. Financing Available. 775-4391, 464-5960

Boats / Motors

Autos For Sale

Miscellaneous

LEGAL NOTICES

A Guaranteed Credit Approval AUTO LOANS 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

Legal Notice

NOTICE TO CITIZENS OF LEE COUNTY AND SUMTER COUNTY:

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

Reconditioned batteries $35. Also have lawn mower, truck, 4 wheeler, & marine batteries, starters & alternators. Car dealers/garages ask about special prices.

Auto Electric Co. 803-773-4381

1986 16' Duracraft, with 1978 35 hp Johnson motor, trailer, steering console, $2500. 803-840-7960.

TRANSPORTATION

Mopeds / ATVs / Motorcycles

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 2014

2001 Lincoln LS 4 Dr Silver with Black leather interior, Great cond, $3500 Call 803-236-9445

Pursuant to the South Carolina Eminent Domain Procedure Act, Section 28-2-70(c), Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, as amended, notice is hereby given that entry by personnel of the South Carolina Department of Transportation will be made in the area of the road described below for such purposes as topographic surveys, subsurface exploration, environmental related studies and for the gathering of any other data necessary for the planning, development of location alternatives, design, property acquisition, and construction of road and bridge replacement projects.

This project will consist of replacing the US 401 Bridge over Scape Ore Swamp. It is located on US 401 on the county line between Lee and Sumter County. It is anticipated that

Legal Notice additional right of way will be needed to construct this project, and the bridge will be replaced on the same location. Traffic is expected to be detoured during construction.

More specific information about the project may be obtained by contacting Program Manager Bener Amado 803-737-0181 in Columbia, South Carolina.

Abandon Vehicle / Boat Abandoned Boat Notice To all persons claiming an interest in: 1981 Alumacraft 14 foot aluminum boat 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: 20131001950939.

call us TODAY

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

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

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

877-499-8065

Manufactured Housing 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.

2009 Q Link, XP200, Dual Sport, street legal. Low miles. Matching helmet. $1300. Call 803-316-8105

Autos For Sale

Land & Lots for Sale

2005 Mitsubushi Galant, Gold.

Great interior. Runs & drives great. $3,800 OBO. Call 803-607-8790

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

2007 Ford Mustang Exc Condition 68,800 Mi. $10,400 OBO Call 803-406-9183

The Perfect Housewarming Gift The Sumter Item is locally owned and run.

We’re part of this community and we believe in Sumter.

20 N. Magnolia St. | Sumter, SC 803.774.1200 www.theitem.com

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 2014 Call Ivy Moore at: (803) 774-1221 | E-mail: ivym@theitem.com

PHOTOS PROVIDED

Hog Series: Grand Finale I is part of the 30-year retrospective of works by artist Tarleton Blackwell that opens Thursday at the Sumter County Gallery of Art.

30 years of acclaimed ‘Hog Series’ Gallery offers Blackwell retrospective

BY IVY MOORE ivym@theitem.com

Tarleton Blackwell: Noble Beasts, A Mid-Career Retrospective Opening reception 5:50-7:30 p.m.

Thursday, April 24, through June 20th, 2014 Sumter County Gallery of Art, 200 Hasel St., adjacent to Patriot Hall Cost: Free for gallery members/$5 non-members for reception only. Free at all other times.

Artist talk noon-2 p.m. May 10.

Free (803) 775-0543

O

pening Thursday at The Sumter County Gallery of Art is an exhibition of 30 years’ work by artist Tarleton Blackwell. Titled “Tarleton Blackwell: Noble Beasts, A Mid-Career Retrospective,” the exhibition is a selection from Blackwell’s renowned and ongoing body of work, “The Hog Series.”

The works on paper and large canvases explore the rich iconography of the rural southeastern United States, incorporating elements of art history, children’s tales, persistent stereotypes and BLACKWELL commercial imagery. Several also offer a look at Blackwell’s own life, as they depict images of himself and other family members, as well as his beloved dog “Precious.”

Those attending the opening reception from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Thursday will recognize images of Sumter, including Swan Lake-Iris Gardens. From noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 10, Blackwell will return to the gallery to present a lively gallery walk-through and artist talk.

Karen Watson, executive director of the gallery, said refreshments will be served at the artist talk and notes that “it’s a lovely way to spend a couple of hours on a Saturday afternoon.”

A native of Manning, where he still lives, Blackwell received his undergraduate degree from Benedict College and his master of fine arts degree from the University of South Carolina.

Blackwell also held the Martha Beach Endowed Chair in Painting at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke, where he was visiting professor and artist-in-residence. He is a former art instructor for Florence School District Two, Clarendon County School District Two, South Carolina State University, Williamsburg County Schools, Columbia Museum of Art, South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Vermont College of Norwich University. He now teaches art at Scott’s Branch High School in Summerton.

Among Blackwell’s awards are Teacher of the Year 2006-07 at Scott’s Branch High School; the Billie S. Fleming Excellence in Education Award 2007 spon-

Sisterhood, from the Unity Series, is a family portrait by Blackwell. The retrospective now at the Sumter County Gallery of Art shows a variety of subjects. sored by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Manning branch; the South Carolina Arts Commission’s “1996-97 Individual Artist Fellowship Award.” He was the recipient of the 1994 Southern Arts Federation/National Endowment for the Arts Regional Fellowship in Painting, Drawing and Works on Paper. In 1985, he was one of four participants in the Emerging Talent exhibition at The Columbia Museum of Art. In addition to his celebrated Southern-themed paintings and collages, Blackwell is in high demand as a portraitist.

Among his subjects have been the late Rep. C. Alex Harvin III, 2006, whose portrait hangs in the Clarendon County Court House; Dean Larry Faulkner, University of South Carolina, School of Medicine; Dr. Charles S. Bryan, 2003, former Dean of the USC School of Medicine;; the late Judge Julia Jones, Chief Justice of North Carolina; Senator I. DeQuincey Newman, at the South Carolina State House.

Blackwell’s artwork has been included in numerous solo and group exhibitions across the country and internationally in London and Nigeria. Blackwell exhibitions titled “Next Generation: Southern Black Aesthetic,” “Tarleton Blackwell: The Greatest Show of Hogs,” “Thinking With Blood: Conflict and Culture in the American South,”

Hog Series: Precious II is a portrait of Blackwell’s beloved pet. and “Sharing The Dream” have toured the U.S., and his works can be found in numerous corporate and private collections including: Mint Museum of Art in Charlotte; Greenville County Museum; High Museum of Art, Atlanta; Columbia Museum of Art; South Carolina Arts Com-

mission, Columbia; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Washington, D.C. Blackwell draws much of his inspiration from his environment, he said in his artist’s statement: “(My) visual world is populated with hog farms, opos-

sums, foxes, roosters, wolves, pit bulls and cats but also with images inspired by my experiences as an art instructor, embalmer/funeral director, and as a devoted fan of the 17th century Spanish School of painting.”

“The essence of The Hog Series is related to the series of works created by Diego Velasquez (1599-1660), depicting the court jesters and dwarves of King Philip IV. The court painter portrayed the subjects as equals to their master. I have focused on portraying hogs with the underlying theme of dignity and respect, while at the same time revealing and sharing some of my past personal experiences.”

Curator Frank McCauley said he feels fortunate and is excited to bring Blackwell’s work to the Sumter gallery.

“I think visitors to the gallery will be impressed by Blackwell’s masterful control of paint as a medium,” McCauley said. “It’s rare that you find an artist that so effectively blends styles, from beautifully rendered figurative compositions, to areas populated by more illustrative pop culture references. Blackwell’s paintings present a visual feast for viewers eyes to explore; they’ll definitely want to come back for seconds” Watson added that, “unlike comparable, notable artists, Blackwell stayed in Manning and taught school, making an important commitment to the children and to his community, instead of leaving for a larger city like New York or Atlanta. I have always appreciated that about him and, of course, his prodigious talent.”

Watson said like most of the exhibitions the gallery presents, this is a community effort.

“Tarleton Blackwell: Noble Beasts, A Mid-Career Retrospective” is made possible by FTC, State Farm Insurance Ben Griffith Agency, John and Marie Land, Scott’s Branch High Alumni Association and Zaxby’s.

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FOOD

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 2014

THE SUMTER ITEM

Fruit pudding from America’s past is light, airy

BY SARA MOULTON Associated Press Writer Snow pudding is a great old American recipe that dates back to pioneer days, back when resourceful home cooks hankering for a treat had to rely on whatever they had — things like gelatin, lemons, sugar and eggs.

In fact, the very first edition of Fanny Farmer’s “Boston Cooking School Cookbook” back in 1896 featured a recipe for snow pudding. My paternal grandmother, Ruth, a graduate of the Boston Cooking School, used to make it for me all the time when I was a kid. As my preference then was for full-fat, more-is-better desserts, I shouldn’t have cared as much as I did for light and airy snow pudding.

But there was something magical about it. It sort of evaporated in the mouth, like cotton candy or even, uh, like snow.

What makes snow pudding so foamy and light is all the air that gets beaten into it. If you own a stand mixer — which I think of as the workhorse of mixers — you’ll find that making this pudding is pretty simple. You also can do it with a hand mixer, though it’ll take a lot longer.

This being strawberry season, you should be able to find some beauties at your local store, berries that are bright red from top to bottom with a strong strawberry aroma.

Here, I’ve sliced the strawberries, tossed them with a bit of sugar, and spiked them with a shot of orange liqueur. Sugar has the same effect on fruit as salt does on vegetables; it pulls out the natural juices. In this case, the sliced strawberries end up steeping in a pool of their own sauce. Strawberries and strawberry sauce, a natural and luxurious twofer.

SNOW PUDDING WITH SPIKED STRAWBERRIES The egg whites in this recipe are not fully cooked. If you’d prefer not to consume raw eggs, consider using pasteurized eggs or powdered egg whites.

If you don’t want the extra sugar and alcohol, you can leave them out. The strawberries pair up beautifully with the pudding all by themselves. So does any summer fruit.

Start to finish: 4 1/2 hours (30 minutes active) Servings: 8

1 envelope (1/4-ounce) unflavored gelatin 2/3 cup plus 2 teaspoons sugar, divided Salt 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest 1/3 cup lemon juice 3 large egg whites, room temperature 2 cups sliced strawberries 2 teaspoons grated orange zest 2 teaspoons Grand Marnier or other orange liqueur In a small saucepan, sprinkle the gelatin over 1/4 cup of water and let it stand for 5 minutes. Add 2/3 cup of the sugar, a pinch of salt and 1 cup water. Cook over mediumhigh heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar and gelatin have dissolved, about 2 minutes.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Stir in the lemon zest and juice, then set the saucepan into a bowl of ice and water to chill, stirring often, until the mixture is cold to the touch and has thickened to the consistency of raw egg whites, about 45 minutes.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the egg whites and a pinch of salt until they just hold soft peaks, then transfer them to a bowl and set aside. Transfer the cooled gelatin mixture to the stand mixer bowl that the egg whites were in and beat until frothy, 1 to 2 minutes.

Add the beaten egg whites to the gelatin mixture, then beat on high speed until the mixture is tripled in volume and thick

enough to form a ribbon that takes 2 seconds to dissolve when the beater is lifted, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to 8 decorative glass serving bowls or large wine goblets, cover and chill until set, about 3 hours.

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl toss the strawberries with the remaining 2 teaspoons sugar, the orange zest and the orange liqueur. Chill.

To serve, top each portion of the snow pudding with a big spoonful of strawberries.

Nutrition information per serving: 70 calories; 0 calories from fat (0 percent of total calories); 0 g fat (0 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 0 mg cholesterol; 18 g carbohydrate; 1 g fiber; 16 g sugar; 2 g protein; 55 mg sodium.

Start grilling season with classic patty melt

BY ELIZABETH KARMEL Associated Press Writer One of my favorite big city comfort foods is a staple of the diner scene — the patty melt.

According to lore, the patty melt originated in California as a burger topped with fried onions and melted cheese served on grilled rye bread.

Of course today, the patty melt comes in all manner of variations, including many grilled cheese-style versions done indoors on a griddle. But now that the weather is warming up, it’s the perfect time to try my version of the original — the grilled patty melt.

The first step in making a perfect patty melt is to shape your patty to fit the size of your bread. This results in an oval-shaped patty, but ensures that every bite has all the good stuff — grilled beef, caramelized onions, melted cheese and toasty rye bread. I like to use lightly seasoned ground sirloin for a lean but rich, beefy flavor.

The classic patty melt calls for Swiss cheese, but I have noticed that many diners are opting for American cheese to get that ooey-gooey melted texture. I prefer the flavor of Swiss cheese, but if you really want that wet, melty experience, I suggest a combination of Swiss cheese for flavor and American cheese for texture.

Finally, I up the ante on the onions by accenting them with tangy balsamic vinegar. I find the vinegar adds a depth of flavor and cuts through the richness of all the other layers of the sandwich. It also eliminates the need for a tangy condiment, like the Thousand Island dressing that sometimes is served alongside the sandwich.

Use the best quality rye bread you can find, one with a slightly chewy crust and a dense crumb. The lighter the bread, the more difficult it will be to contain all the layers of the sandwich. And it is all the layers that make the patty melt so delicious. It is the classic example of the whole being so much greater than the sum of its parts.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

GRILLED PATTY MELT WITH BALSAMIC CARAMELIZED ONIONS Start to finish: 45 minutes Servings: 4 For the onions: 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon unsalted butter 1 teaspoon kosher salt 4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, divided 3 large yellow onions, sliced into rings For the burger: 1 pound ground sirloin 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 8 slices of fresh rye bread, toasted 8 large slices of Swiss cheese, or a combination of Swiss and American In a large heavy-bottomed saute pan or Dutch oven over medium heat, combine the olive oil and butter. When the butter is melted, add the salt, 3 tablespoons of the vinegar, and the onion rings. Cover and cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Remove the cover and cook, stirring occasionally, for another 10 minutes, or until the onions are all a deep golden color. When the on-

ions are done, transfer them to a bowl and immediately drizzle the remaining vinegar over them. Stir to combine, then set aside. The onions can be prepared to this point up to 2 days ahead, then refrigerated in an airtight container.

When ready to cook the burgers, prepare a grill for direct, medium heat cooking.

Being careful not to overwork the meat, season the sirloin with salt and pepper, and mix until combined. Gently shape the meat into 4 oval patties of equal size and thickness (about 1/3 inch thick).

Use your thumb to make an imprint in the center of each patty. Place each patty directly on the cooking grate and grill for 4 minutes. Turn and continue grilling until the meat is no longer pink, another 4 to 5 minutes. Once the patties are made and grilled, transfer to a clean platter.

Meanwhile, begin to assemble the patty melts by layering each piece of the rye toast with a slice of cheese. Take the bread to the grill and place directly on clean cooking grates for 1 to 2 minutes, or until the cheese begins to melt and the bread is warm and lightly toasted.

Once the cheese has melted, transfer each burger patty to one slice of bread. Divide the onions between the remaining 4 slices of bread, then assemble into 4 sandwiches.

Nutrition information per serving: 720 calories; 370 calories from fat (51 percent of total calories); 44 g fat (17 g saturated; 1 g trans fats); 140 mg cholesterol; 41 g carbohydrate; 4 g fiber; 9 g sugar; 46 g protein; 1,140 mg sodium.

THE SUMTER ITEM

FOOD

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 2014

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Tart salsa verde brings this stew to life roasted peppers to a heat-safe bowl, then cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap. Let the peppers steam for 7 to 10 minutes, then It all started at my friend remove them and slip off the Anthony’s house not long ago during the beginning the skins. Cut out the stems, then remove and discard the seeds. so-called polar vortex. He is Finely chop the roasted red a gifted home cook and a peppers. Set the poblanos aside. food television producer, so Heat a large Dutch oven or he knows his way around a heavy duty pasta pot over medipot. He also is from Texas and we share a love of tequi- um. Add the olive oil and the onla, barbecue and anything ions. Saute for about 10 minutes, Tex-Mex! or until the onions become transThat icy night, Anthony lucent. made an amazing pork stew Season the pork with salt, pepwith loads of chilies, cilantro per and the cumin. Add pork to and garlic. The flavors and the pot with the onions and textures were at once combrown on all sides. forting. The minute I tasted Meanwhile, peel the tomatillos his stew tucked into a warm and cut into quarters. In a blendflour tortilla, I couldn’t wait er, combine the tomatillos, garlic, to make it again and share it cilantro, lime juice, poblanos and with friends and family.

1 teaspoon of salt. Puree for a few

ELIZABETH KARMEL Associated Press Writer

As a cook, we all take recipes and add our own twist, and I instinctively knew that hominy would add another layer to this already delicious stew.

I love hominy and it is a perfect pairing with pork.

Hominy is hard white or yellow corn, specifically maize, which is the type of corn used in making corn meal and other grain products, as opposed to the softer sweet corn, which is the familiar vegetable we steam or grill and eat all summer long.

Kernels of this corn are soaked in a solution of either lime or lye. But don’t let this scare you; lye is the same substance that crisps certain pickles, cures olives and gives pretzels a distinctive crust. The strong solution makes the hull and germ of the corn come off, and the grain puffs up to about twice its normal size. Once soaked, hominy is mostly dried and ground to form hominy grits.

Processed hominy also can be cooked until soft, then used in stews and soups. Posole is a traditional Mexican soup made with hominy.

Hominy is readily available dried or canned. Because the dried hominy has to be soaked overnight, much like dried beans, I used canned hominy for the ease of it, but the dried hominy works well if you plan in advance.

The poblanos and red peppers can be roasted on the grill or in the oven, but everything else can be thrown in the pot and left to cook for hours until the pork is so tender that it falls apart and the broth becomes rich.

I made this stew in a Dutch oven, but I imagine it also would be perfect in a slow cooker. Putting all the ingredients in the slow cooker and letting it simmer all day is a cozy way to warm up a house in winter and an easy way to make this dish.

The key to this recipe is a fresh “salsa verde” puree of raw tomatillos, lime juice, garlic, cilantro and the roasted poblano peppers that you braise the pork in. The tart salsa verde balances the beer and the chicken stock to make this dish come alive.

HOG ‘N HOMINY SALSA VERDE STEW Start to finish: 3 hours (30 minutes active) Servings: 10 4 large poblano peppers 2 red bell peppers 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 cups of chopped red onions 3 to 4 pounds boneless country ribs or pork butt Kosher salt and ground black pepper 1 tablespoon ground cumin 8 large raw tomatillos (about 12 ounces) 6 to 8 large cloves garlic 1 heaping cup fresh cilantro, stems and leaves 1/2 cup lime juice (about 4 limes) 1 quart low-sodium chicken stock 12-ounce bottle beer (any variety) 1/2 cup jarred sliced jalapenos, or more to taste Two 15-ounce cans hominy, drained Flour tortillas, tortilla chips or rice, to serve Heat the oven to 400 F. Place the poblano and bell peppers on a rimmed baking sheet and roast in the oven until they blister, about 15 to 20 minutes, using tongs to turn them halfway through. Transfer the

minutes or until liquefied. This may take a few tries and you may need to stir the contents of the blender a few times to make the tomatillos and cilantro blend together. Set aside.

Once the pork is browned, add the chicken stock, the beer and the pureed tomatillo mixture. Stir well, then add the jalapenos and reserved red peppers. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for 2 to 3 hours, or until the pork breaks into pieces easily and the liquid has reduced by about a fifth. About 30 minutes before the stew is done, stir in the hominy.

Nutrition information per serving (without tortillas): 400 calories; 130 calories from fat; 14 g fat (4 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 120 mg cholesterol; 26 g carbohydrate; 4 g fiber; 9 g sugar; 38 g protein; 550 mg sodium.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Putting all the ingredients for Hog ‘n Hominy Salsa Verde Stew in the slow cooker and letting it simmer all day is an easy way to make the dish.

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COMICS

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 2014

BIZARRO

SOUP TO NUTZ

ANDY CAPP

GARFIELD

BEETLE BAILEY

BORN LOSER

BLONDIE

ZITS

MOTHER GOOSE

DOG EAT DOUG

DILBERT

JEFF MACNELLY’S SHOE

Couple’s sex life has become about the numbers DEAR ABBY — I have been married to a wonderful man for 30 years. Our marriage may not be perfect, but Dear Abby it’s quite good.

ABIGAIL My dilemVAN BUREN ma is this: My husband keeps track of every time we have sex and has a personal goal of 100 times a year. In 2013, he informed me that we’d had sex only 76 times, and that was not adequate for him. He was quite upset about it.

Do you think tracking your sex life is normal, and what do you think about a couple married for 30-plus years having

THE SUMTER ITEM

sex 76 times in a year? Is that normal? Also, keep in mind that he travels for business and is gone about 60 days a year.

Pressured DEAR PRESSURED — Your husband sounds like a college student who is striving to get 100 notches on his belt. Rather than obsess about the number of times you have had sex, the quality of the experience should be more important.

Fifty GREAT times a year would be better than 100 so-so times, one would think. And no, I do not think your husband’s preoccupation is “normal” — whatever normal is these days.

DEAR ABBY — My 18-year-old granddaughter is seeing a

THE DAILY CROSSWORD PUZZLE

30-year-old man. What can I say to let her know he is way too old for her? I don’t want her to hate me.

Loving Grandma in Florida DEAR LOVING GRANDMA — I don’t think that telling your granddaughter the man is too old for her would be a good idea because it would imply that she is too young, and no 18-yearold wants to hear that. Tell her instead that you think she would have a lot more in common with someone closer to her age. This is particularly true if she is still in high school.

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 Spice organizer 5 48-Across brand 9 Right-angled supports 14 K-12, to textbook publishers 15 Neck and neck 16 Slightly moisten 17 “The Autobiography of Malcolm X” collaborator 19 Green hue 20 Camcorder button 21 Google executive chairman Schmidt 22 Had too much, briefly 23 Antlered animal 24 “The helpful place” sloganeer 28 Mu followers 29 Pt. of a sentence 30 Vote against 31 Certain commuter’s destination: Abbr.

32 The Belmonts frontman 34 1930s migrants 36 Many a circus employee 42 Scheherazade’s milieu 43 Designer St. Laurent

45 Tech sch. overlooking the Hudson 48 Iced drink 49 “Just an update” letters 52 Pipe bend 53 Wayne Manor resident 56 Actress Peeples 57 Sasquatch cousin 58 “The Dukes of Hazzard” deputy 59 Mt. Sunflower is its highest point 60 Antacid, briefly 62 Light bulbover-thehead instance, and a hint to 17-, 24-, 36- and 53-Across 64 When many take morning breaks 65 Proofreading mark 66 Winans of gospel 67 Calf-roping loop 68 Sign 69 You might steer one with your feet DOWN 1 Behind, or hit from behind 2 Christian chant 3 Inspects 4 “Kid-tested” cereal

5 Pasta or potato, e.g.

6 More slippery 7 Nut-bearing tree 8 Big name in ice cream 9 Wall St. deal 10 Subordinate to 11 Athletic brand founded by Adolf Dassler 12 Backslide 13 Birthplace of Bergman and Garbo 18 Accumulation 25 “Eso Beso” singer 26 Picnic worry 27 Turned green, say 33 Bethesdabased medical org.

34 Resistance unit 35 Devious 37 Field with

roots and logs 38 __ rug 39 King with three daughters 40 Symbol of balance 41 Faith 44 Italicized 45 Sunglass Hut brand 46 Mexico’s __ Vallarta 47 Altogether 49 Fireworks highlight 50 Naval petty officers 51 “Make __”: Picard catchphrase 54 Movie listing listings 55 Bring up again?

61 What two heads are better than 62 Disturbance 63 Intro givers

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 2014

9 PM 9:30 LOCAL CHANNELS

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: Betrayal’s Climax Missing 16-year-old investigation. (HD) Survivor: Cagayan (N) (HD)

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Hey, hey it’s the (snow) monkeys on tonight’s ‘Nature’

BY KEVIN MCDONOUGH TV has become the place where you can “think” about serious movies. I can’t say enough good things about “Fargo” on FX. It’s not a remake of the 1996 film, but a miniseries marinated in the film’s location, tone and attitude. Many of its characters feel more like composite recreations than duplicates of the original.

But before “Fargo,” there was “Nashville.” The ABC musical melodrama never pretended to be a remake of Robert Altman’s 1975 masterpiece, but parallels emerge. In both productions, the stars sing their own songs. In Altman’s “Nashville,” some of the talent wrote them as well.

Both feature overlapping tales of personal intrigue, adultery and power struggles in a place where politics and music mingle.

ABC’s “Nashville” puts a lot more emphasis on the power of the corporate music industry than the original, which highlighted populist trends in local and national politics. And that might serve as a kind of metaphor for the differences between 1975 and 2014.

Tonight, cast members appear and perform on “Nashville: On the Record” (10 p.m., TV-PG). Hayden Panettiere, Charles Esten, Clare Bowen, Sam Palladio, and Lennon and Maisy Stella perform fa-

streak ends with death on “CSI” (10 p.m., CBS, r, TV-14).

• Olinsky’s daughter becomes a key witness on “Chicago P.D.” (10 p.m., NBC, r, TV-14).

• Chris Elliott guest-stars as Elka’s younger lover on “Hot in Cleveland” (10 p.m., TV Land, TV-PG).

• Stan’s story unravels on “The Americans” (10 p.m., FX, TV-MA).

SERIES NOTES PBS PRESSROOM

A juvenile snow monkey holds her 8-month-old sister closely on tonight’s episode of “Nature” airing at 8 p.m. on PBS. miliar songs from the series in front of an audience at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. They will also perform some acoustic numbers at the Bluebird Cafe and sit down with songwriters and producers to discuss how some of this music made its way into the show’s narrative.

• Think monkeys never venture far from the equator?

Think again. “Nature” (8 p.m., PBS, TV-PG, check local listings) profiles Japan’s unique snow monkeys, the northernmost nonhuman primates on Earth.

They’ve evolved thick fur coats to survive the frozen climate of Nagano. But they have another advantage.

Their habitat is known as Hell’s Valley, a place of volcanic hot springs, where the

monkeys take communal baths in all kinds of weather.

TONIGHT’S OTHER HIGHLIGHTS • On two episodes of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (NBC, r, TV-14): a missing girl may have gang links (8 p.m.); Rollins’ good deed is punished (9 p.m.).

• Roy loses his cool on “Arrow” (8 p.m., CW, TV-14).

• “Inside Animal Minds: Who’s The Smartest?” on “NOVA” (9 p.m., PBS, TV-G, check local listings) makes the case that the smartest animals emerge from complex social arrangements.

• An extended family vacation to Australia on “Modern Family” (9 p.m., ABC, TV-PG).

• A homeless man’s lucky

Gone with the wind chimes on “The Middle” (8 p.m., ABC, TV-PG) * Peer pressure on “Suburgatory” (8:30 p.m., ABC, TV-PG) * Dangerous territory on “The 100” (9 p.m., CW, TV14) * In vino veritas on “Mixology” (9:30 p.m., ABC, TV-14).

LATE NIGHT Robin Roberts is booked on “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart” (11 p.m., Comedy Central) * Martin Scorsese, Vanessa Bayer and Rock Candy Funk Party on “Conan” (11 p.m., TBS,

r) * John Calipari is on “The Colbert Report” (11:30 p.m., Comedy Central) * Sally Field, Timothy Simons and NEEDTOBREATHE are on “Late Show With David Letterman” (11:35 p.m., CBS) * Cameron Diaz, Jim Gaffigan and Future featuring Pusha T on “The Tonight Show” (11:35 p.m., NBC) * Ginnifer Goodwin, Foster the People and Tim Allen on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (11:35 p.m., ABC) * Colin Quinn and Paramore visit “Late Night With Seth Meyers” (12:35 a.m., NBC) * Lyle Lovett and Eddie Izzard on “The Late Late Show” (12:35 a.m., CBS).

CULT CHOICE Suburban buddies (Jon Voight, Burt Reynolds, Ned Beatty and Ronny Cox) discover the savage side of an untamed Georgia river in the 1972 adaptation of James Dickey’s novel “Deliverance” (10:45 p.m., IFC).

Copyright 2014, United Feature Syndicate

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 2014

THE SUMTER ITEM

Call Rhonda Barrick at: (803) 774-1264 | E-mail: rhondab@theitem.com

Sweet & Spicy Guava Chicken Wings

What’s in the forecast?

Burgers, wings and ribs FROM MCCORMICK

W

SWEET & SPICY GUAVA CHICKEN WINGS

ith warm weather on the horizon, McCormick & Company, has

released its McCormick® Grill Mates® & Lawry’s® Flavor Forecast® 2014: Grilling Edition. The report reveals the top flavors and trends sizzling on grills this season – stoking backyard cooks’ creativity with new recipes, how-tos and techniques.

“Our Grilling Flavor Forecast shows how global culinary trends are coming to life on America’s grills,” said Chef Kevan Vetter of the McCormick Kitchens. “For example, food lovers everywhere are seeking out their next big chile thrill. They’re stuffing jalapenos in their favorite burgers or creating quick homemade Sriracha BBQ sauces.”

Get inspired by other grilling enthusiasts by joining the Grillerhood – visit www.facebook.com/GrillMates.

Visit mccormick.com, mccormickcorporation.com and Facebook.com/McCormickSpice for more information.

JALAPEÑO & CHEDDAR STUFFED BURGERS 1 pound ground beef 1 package McCormick® Grill Mates® Smoky Applewood Steakhouse Burgers Seasoning Mix 2 jalapeño chilies, seeded and

sliced thin crosswise (1/4inch thick) 9 tablespoons finely shredded Cheddar cheese, divided OR 9 tablespoons finely shredded Mexican cheese

blend, divided 3 crusty rolls, such as Kaiser rolls 1/2 cup arugula leaves 3 tomato slices 3 red onion slices

Mix ground beef and seasoning mix until well blended. Divide ground beef mixture evenly in 6 balls. Form each into a thin patty.

For each burger, sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the shredded cheese on 1 patty. Top with about 4 chile slices and additional 2 tablespoons cheese. Top with second patty, pressing edges to seal. Repeat to form a total of 3 burgers.

Grill burgers over medium heat 5 to 6 minutes per side or until cooked through (internal temperature of 160 degrees). Serve burgers on rolls topped with arugula, tomato, onion and desired condiments.

3/4 cup guava jelly 1/2 cup fresh lime juice 1 1/2 teaspoons McCormick® Black Pepper, Coarse Ground 1 teaspoon McCormick® Red Pepper, Crushed 2 tablespoons McCormick® Garlic Powder 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 teaspoon salt 2 pounds chicken wing pieces Melt guava jelly in medium microwavable bowl on high 30 seconds or until melted.

Add lime juice, black pepper and red pepper; mix well. Reserve 1/2 cup for glaze. Add garlic powder, oil and salt to remaining mixture in bowl.

Pour into large resealable plastic bag. Prick chicken wings with fork. Add to marinade in bag; turn to coat well.

Massage chicken wings and marinade for 2 to 3 minutes.

Refrigerate 30 minutes. Remove chicken wings from marinade. Thread chicken wings onto long double skewers. Discard any remaining marinade.

Grill chicken wings over medium-high heat 15 to 18 minutes or until cooked through, turning occasionally. Place chicken wings in large bowl.

Add reserved guava jelly mixture; toss to coat well.

GRILLED RIBS WITH HOMEMADE SRIRACHA BBQ SAUCE Ribs: 1 package McCormick® Grill Mates® Slow & Low Memphis Pit BBQ Rub 2 racks pork baby back ribs, about 4 pounds Sriracha BBQ Sauce: 3/4 pound fresh Fresno

chilies, stemmed and coarsely chopped (do not remove seeds) 4 cloves garlic 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce 1/2 cup water 1/4 cup firmly packed light

brown sugar 1/4 cup molasses 1/4 cup white vinegar 1 teaspoon McCormick® Paprika, Smoked 1 teaspoon McCormick® Gourmet Collection Sicilian Sea Salt

For the ribs, rub seasoning evenly over ribs. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight.

Meanwhile, for the BBQ Sauce, mix all ingredients in medium saucepan. Bring to boil on high heat. Reduce heat to low; simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Cool to room temperature. Spoon mixture into blender container; cover. Blend on medium speed 2 minutes or until smooth. Strain through sieve to remove seeds.

Prepare grill for indirect medium-low heat (275 to 300 degrees). Preheat grill by turning all burners to high. Turn burner on 1 side to medium-high. Turn off burner(s) on other side.

Place unwrapped ribs on unlit side of grill. Close grill.

Grill 2 to 3 hours or until ribs are tender. Brush ribs with some of the BBQ Sauce during last 10 minutes of grilling. Serve ribs with remaining BBQ Sauce.