August 13, 2014

3rd suspect nabbed in ring Multiple charges for man in Olanta dog fighting, chop shop bust

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

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2014

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A third person has been arrested in connection with an alleged dogfighting ring and automotive chop shop deputies discovered in Olanta more than a week ago.

Robert Kennedy Ingram, 49, of 10630 Nero Circle, turned himself in to Sumter County Sheriff’s Of-

fice on Monday morning and was charged with nearly two dozen animal cruelty charges, multiple chop shop violations and receiving stolen goods.

Authorities also charged 30-yearold Robert McFadden and 29-yearold Latoya Williams-McCall last week in connection with the alleged activities at the Nero Circle residence.

While attempting to serve a war-

rant at the residence on Aug. 2, deputies discovered several dismantled automobiles with their vehicle identification numbers removed. After identifying the vehicles, it was determined that they had been reported stolen from various parts of the state.

As the search continued, officers also found 11 pit bulls chained up

SEE ARREST, PAGE A5

‘Victory Headquarters’ for Sumter GOP opens

Fast-paced comedy opens SLT’s season C1

Governor leads official start of election season

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Airport tests new way to avoid deadly bird strikes A4 DEATHS, B7 Frankie E. Stanfield Alan Palmer Sr. Georgie P. McElveen

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Campaign season is officially underway.

Just weeks after Democrats opened their campaign headquarters in Sumter, Gov. Nikki Haley led the way for local Republicans Tuesday, formally opening the party’s “Victory Headquarters” just a few blocks from its opponents’ HQ. Haley will run on her record as an incumbent as she moves across the state before November. She was elected four years ago on a strong jobs platform and on Tuesday touted the state’s economic performance under her stewardship.

“Some people say we’ve lost the American Dream, but not in South Carolina,” Haley said.

The governor noted she’s made five trips to Sumter County in four years to announce new businesses and industries opening their doors, driving the state’s unemployment rate from the heights of the recession to today’s 5.3 percent. She credited her administration’s agenda for the economic growth.

“First we had to improve our business climate,” Haley said.

“We passed tort reform, we were the only state in the Southeast not to have passed it, and we passed lower taxes on small businesses and just started selling South Carolina.”

Haley was one of several GOP dignitaries who opened the storefront headquarters from which the Sumter County Republican Party will wage PHOTOS BY MATT WALSH / THE SUMTER ITEM the fall campaign for state and Ed Pugh waits for Republican dignitaries to arrive at the GOP headquarters off Bultman local offices.

Drive in Sumter on Tuesday. Volunteers gathered for the opening and were praised for “This will be our home base their grassroots work for the party, weeks after Democrats opened their headquarters. until after the election,” said Shery Smith, county party chairwoman.

Gov. Nikki Haley Also on hand were Sumter’s signs Pugh’s shirt lone Republican state legisladuring the festivities tor Murrell Smith; Mark Tuesday. “Some Hammond, the secretary of people say we’ve lost state; and attorney general the American Dream, Alan Wilson, all of them but not in South praising the grassroots work Carolina,” Haley said. of the volunteers gathered in a parking lot under a stormy sky.

“We have a simple message; you don’t belong to the government, the government belongs

SEE GOP, PAGE A6

Colleges, university take twofold approach to sexual assault Risk reduction, prevention key to lowering incidents

BY JADE REYNOLDS jade@theitem.com (803) 774-1250 There is a difference between risk reduction and prevention when it comes to sexual assaults, experts say, and Sumter’s institutes of higher education are addressing the issue on both fronts.

“You may create safer pathways, and it’s reducing the risk of being a victim but not preventing it,” said

Cayce Singletary, community education director with Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands. “Most are not stranger assaults. Most are family members, friends or acquaintances.

That’s why we focus on changing the idea of sexual assaults and changing the culture.”

The private nonprofit she works with gave a presentation to faculty and staff at Central Carolina Technical College in July. This includes topics such as how to recognize if someone has been sexually assaulted and how to refer him or her for help.

They also covered reporting the incident to be in compliance with

Jeanne Clery Act, which states campuses are required to report crimes that occur as of October this year, Singletary said.

But of course, they would rather prevent sexual assaults in the first place, she said. Topics for students covered often include healthy relationships, boundary setting, what is consent, intimate partner violence and substance abuse.

“We have lighted paths, self-defense classes and guest speakers who talk with students about rape, date rape, etc.,” said Holly Goddard, the director of safety and security at CCTC. “We provide escorts to vehicles, and we

employ a Sumter Police Department off-duty officer and police car to be present in our parking lot to ensure safe travel. Our new construction projects include low-growth vegetation to prevent hiding places in larger shrubbery.”

The University of South Carolina Sumter has a similar approach.

“We do an inspection at least once a semester to make sure our lighting is good and that we remove any shrubs that may cause dark spots,” said Lynwood Watts, associate dean for student affairs at the university. “Security is

SEE ASSAULTS, PAGE A5

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THE SUMTER ITEM

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Cops clip cohorts in Clarendon capers

BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com (803) 774-1211 MANNING — The past weekend did not go well for two pairs of alleged criminals on Greeleyville Highway, east of Manning.

In an incident early Saturday morning, two Manning men were arrested for attempted robbery after a man walked into Horizon gas station, 3745 Greeleyville Highway, and told the cashier he had been robbed.

When a deputy from Clarendon County Sheriff’s Office arrived at the gas station, the victim said he was visiting a friend, Michael Dushuan Ledwell, and his cousin on Meagan Lane. He said he and Ledwell were sitting in the

victim’s Cadillac when a hooded man opened the driver’s door and began yelling at them while racking a black handgun.

The gunman demanded the victim’s cellphone and jumped in the back seat, putting the handgun to the back of the victim’s head. The man told the victim to drive toward S.C. 261 with his lights out. They turned on to Auburn Drive and entered a private drive, the victim said.

The gunman reportedly demanded the victim’s money.

The gunman then pointed his weapon at Ledwell and told him to get out of the car, and then he exited the vehicle himself.

The victim described the gunman as wearing a black hat with a red trim, a Johnny

Blaze black hoodie tightly drawn around his head and colorful camouflage pants.

The victim said he then drove to Horizon gas station, and when he arrived he noticed a cellphone on the rear floorboard.

As police were interviewing the victim, Ledwell walked up carrying a gas can.

According to reports, Ledwell told police he had been with a friend after getting away from the gunman.

Police escorted Ledwell to his car and back to the gas station.

While at the gas station, however, police were informed there was a man spotted lying in the back seat of Ledwell’s vehicle. Police told the man to exit the vehicle and discovered a hat match-

ing the description of the hat the gunman was wearing. Police then cuffed and detained the man, 22-year-old Larry Wade Rose. Officers interviewed Rose and Ledwell separately and showed them the cellphone left in the victim’s car. Ledwell and Rose allegedly admitted to the robbery and were arrested.

Rose reportedly told officers where to find the stolen items at the Half Moon Transport facility, and the stolen cellphone was found wedged in the back seat of the suspect’s vehicle.

In a separate incident early Sunday morning, two men reportedly attempted to break into Lamar’s Country Corner, 2006 Greeleyville Highway.

An investigator responded to an alarm at the business at

2:43 a.m. and discovered a footprint on the front-entry door. Upon arrival of the owner, they viewed a surveillance video which showed two males walking around the parking lot and attempting to force entry into the store by kicking, ramming and snatching the handle.

After setting off the alarm, the pair left the premises.

A deputy advised the investigator he had seen two men walking on Boyce Street. The suspects were reportedly detained and positively identified by a deputy as being the two men on the video.

Marcus Shane Bishop, 18, of Manning and Uriah Nicholas Cochran, 18, of Pelion were arrested and transported to Clarendon County Detention Center.

No injuries in morning wreck

STATE BRIEF FROM ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORTS

Nobody was injured in a collision between a Dodge truck and a Chevrolet Blazer at Lafayette Drive and Myrtle Street on Tuesday morning.

A passenger in the Dodge truck said the Blazer, which was northbound on Lafayette, turned left in front of the truck, which was southbound on Lafayette.

Hoax report: Mountain lion escapes from store AIKEN — Officers spent several hours searching for a mountain lion on the loose from a pet store — but police now say the threat was based on a false report.

Police said 55-year-old Bill Lunsford reported the escaped animal about 1 a.m. Sunday in Aiken. He said a burglar broke into a pet store and let the animal loose.

Aiken Police told WRDW-TV that about a dozen officers looked for the cat for up to 18 hours.

But police now say the report was a hoax, and a mountain lion was never at the store. Lunsford is charged with filing a false police report.

JIM HILLEY / THE SUMTER ITEM

New program at SHS geared toward closing achievement gap

BY RAYTEVIA EVANS ray@theitem.com (803) 774-1214 With the adoption of AVID, Sumter High School is making more moves toward the school district’s efforts to prepare high school students for college and successful careers.

Principal Dana Fall and a few of his staff members presented the AVID — Advancement Via Individual Determination — program during Monday’s Sumter School District board of trustees meeting.

AVID is a global nonprofit program that trains educators to use practices to better prepare students for high school, college and a career. The program, which has been around for more than 30 years, focuses on students who are under-

represented in higher education. AVID also focuses on students from low-income households and who will be firstgeneration college students.

“We’re excited about AVID, and it’s going to be a game changer in preparing our students and having them ready for the global society,” Fall said during the presentation.

Fall, along with a team of teachers and administrative staff members, went through AVID training this summer.

They also visited schools that have incorporated AVID into their curriculum, including Conway High School and Early College High School.

The program allows for a schoolwide approach to a rigorous curriculum and more professional development for educators. Fall said the school’s interest in implementing the program is to en-

courage students who have academic potential — mainly those who have desire and determination, have average to high test scores and have a 2.0 to 3.5 GPA. These students, Fall said, can be encouraged and prepped through AVID to excel in high-level courses.

“This focuses on the middleof-the-road kids. We’re trying to get them to move up and out of their comfort zones,” Fall said. “We want to get them out of college prep classes and (into) more AP and IB-type classes. AVID will also be a big push in getting them out to college campuses because many AVID students have never been on a college campus.”

The AVID elective class will be offered during school and is a program for voluntary participation. The program also helps with strong, rele-

vant writing and reading curriculum, two components of education Fall emphasized the state is making efforts to improve in public schools. Fall explained that AVID will help students excel in their core courses, assist in organizational skills and note taking and encourage more collaboration and inquiry.

Fall and some of his staff met with parents and potential AVID students earlier this year where they provided information about the program and answered questions. According to Fall, the school expects about 260 eligible students to participate in the program. Fall said the school has also consulted with USC Sumter and Central Carolina Technical College about getting involved in the tutoring component of the program.

Board members were excited

about the program and welcomed another resource to help students excel in high school and go on to succeed at the college level.

“I think it’s great, and I hope all middle and high schools do it across the board,” board member Karen Michalik said.

“This will be encouraging to our other schools,” board member the Rev. Ralph Canty said. “If it works for you all, I hope it works for others as well.”

Superintendent Frank Baker explained to board members that the first year will be considered a pilot or trial run for the program at the school, and they will gather data to determine the impact it has on student performance before considering implementing the program at other schools in the district.

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

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More charges filed against man in wife’s death

BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com (803) 774-1211 Additional charges have been filed against Johnnie Lee Richburg, the 60-year-old man arrested Saturday near Manning in connection with the shooting death of his wife, Julia McCray Richburg.

According to public records, Richburg has also been charged with possession of a firearm or ammunition by a person convicted of a violent felony and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.

Clarendon County Sheriff’s Department Maj. Kipp Coker said Sunday the couple was involved in a domestic argument late Saturday at

their home on Poston Lane when Johnnie Richburg allegedly pulled a handgun on his wife and shot her several times. No one else was in the home at the time of the shooting, and Coker said Richburg almost immediately drove himself to Clarendon County Detention Center and turned himself in to authorities.

An autopsy performed at Medical

University of South Carolina determined the 47-year-old woman died of blood loss from multiple bullet wounds to the chest and shoulders.

A bond hearing was held before a magistrate judge Monday for the lesser charges; however, Richburg must wait for a circuit court judge to preside over the bond hearing for the murder charge.

Last hurrah as summer winds down Staff Sgt. Anthony Despins with the United States Air Force, right, prepares to throw the ball as Staff Sgt. Kevin Davis attempts to block Tyheem Johnson from running up the field. The Air Force members also played basketball with children Tuesday in South Sumter Park at the backto-school event organized by Sumter Police Department.

PHOTOS BY JADE REYNOLDS / THE SUMTER ITEM

Spc. Daniela Bammerlin with Third Army/ARCENT, left, paints a heart and wings on the cheek of Jayde Torres, 11.

Charlie Ellerba, 9, and Serenity Scott, 3, above left, check out Andy, a model ambulance. They were some of the many children who were amused by the Sumter County EMS replica at the event.

Kaven Moore, 7, above right, chases a basketball Tuesday at the back-to-school bash.

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Ohio airport tests new way to avoid deadly bird strikes Damage costs estimated at $950M a year

BY SCOTT MAYEROWITZ AP Airlines Writer NEW YORK — When birds and planes collide, the results can be deadly. That’s why airports around the world work hard to keep birds away, even resorting to shooting or poisoning large flocks.

One Ohio airport is now experimenting with a new, gentler way to avoid bird strikes: planting tall prairie grass.

Heavy birds such as geese — which cause the most damage to planes — are thought to avoid long grasses because they fear predators might be hiding within. So officials at Dayton International Airport are converting up to 300 acres of the airfield’s 2,200 nonaeronautical acres into prairie grass. The goal is, by the end of this year, to plant the tall grass under the takeoff and landing paths.

There are more than 10,000 airplane bird strikes a year in the U.S. Most do little or no damage to the plane. The most frequent problem is

damage to the engines. The FAA estimates that such damage costs the industry $950 million a year.

But some cause catastrophic damage. The forced landing of US Airways Flight 1549 in Hudson River in 2009 — often called The Miracle on the Hudson — occurred after Canada geese were ingested in both engines, causing the plane to lose power. Nobody died when the plane glided into the river.

The passengers of Eastern Air Lines Flight 375 in 1960 weren’t so lucky. The plane struck a flock of European starlings during takeoff. All four engines were damaged, and the aircraft crashed in Boston harbor; 62 people died.

Globally, wildlife strikes have killed more than 250 people and destroyed more than 229 aircraft since 1988, according to Federal Aviation Administration. In the past 23 years, there were 25 fatalities and 279 injuries linked to wildlife strikes in the U.S. A little more than half of bird strikes occur from July to October, which is when young birds leave nests and fall migration occurs.

Between 2001 and 2013, there were 218 wildlife strikes at Dayton. The majority involved doves, pigeons, spar-

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

An airplane takes off from Dayton International Airport, passing over one of the airport’s prairies in Vandalia, Ohio. In an effort to keep birds away from aircraft, the airport is experimenting by planting tall prairie grass, which birds avoid for fear of hiding predators. rows and other small birds that didn’t cause severe damage. The airport sees 56 commercial planes landing and taking off each day. Twothirds of those are smaller regional jets.

Airports often buy large parcels of adjacent land to create a buffer zone and limit the number of local residents affected by loud jet engines.

Newer airports tend to be built next to tracts of empty

NORTH CHARLESTON — Scientists have started the long job of removing the encrustation from the hull of Confederate submarine H.L. Hunley.

When they are finished in about a year they hope to have the clues as to why the hand-cranked Hunley sank after becoming the first sub in history to sink an enemy warship.

For more than three months, the sub has been in a conservation tank in North Charleston soaking in chemicals to help loosen the hard

sand, sediment and rust clinging to the sub. Conservators on Tuesday started using tools similar to those a dentist might use to gently remove the encrustation.

The Hunley sank near Charleston in 1864 after sinking the Union blockade ship Housatonic. The sub was raised in 2000 and brought to the lab.

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land. Those large fields happen to make great rest stops for migrating birds. “We operate airports in a smaller and smaller environment,� says Terrence G. Slaybaugh, director of Dayton’s airport. “If we are going to protect the long-term use of airports in an increasingly populated area we need to be less intrusive and find ways to contribute in a positive way to our surroundings.�

The thick grass has other benefits: preventing water runoff, taking carbon dioxide out of the air and requiring only one mowing every three years.

Bird lovers are also excited about the use of non-lethal methods to keep birds away from the airport.

The airport’s neighbor, the Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm, has been working closely with aviation officials on the tall grass project. “It’s a watershed moment.

Our airport is embracing it,� says Charity Krueger, executive director of the center.

Still, Dayton airport has to prove that the tall grass is the best approach. The tactic could backfire: In the past, the FAA notes, such grasses have led to increased rodent populations, a food source for raptors. Dayton’s initial test will run for three years.

Preventing bird strikes often requires multiple approaches.

Airports need to plan out what type of trees and landscaping they plant, selecting vegetation that doesn’t produce fruits or seeds attractive to birds. Waste from airport restaurants needs to be properly secured and irrigation improved to avoid large areas of standing water.

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ARREST

FROM PAGE A1

in a wooded area behind the residence. Investigators said there were visible scars on the dogs and think they were being used for dog fighting and baiting. The dogs also reportedly exhibited trademark behaviors of dogs trained for fighting.

Inside the home, officers found trace amounts of what

ASSAULTS

FROM PAGE A1

here in the evenings and provides an escort if requested.�

At the beginning of the semester, USC Sumter also offers a safety workshop that covers everything from not leaving valuables in your car to walking with a buddy. The University 101 class recommended to all incoming freshmen also incorporates some of these same elements, too, Watts said.

Morris College, too, is right in line. Safety officers are visible around campus either walking or driving, said NiCole Lynch, director of public relations for the private school. “We have them around the clock full time, and we have part-time city and county law enforcement officers for larger events,� she said. “That’s when people tend to think we’re too busy and that nobody is paying attention.�

The college also has a manned guard station at the entrance, surveillance cameras posted around campus and requires all visitors as well as contractors to sign in at secu-

was tested and confirmed to be crack cocaine.

McFadden, who was at the home at the time of the search, was taken into custody, while Williams-McCall was arrested later in the week.

While the investigation is continuing, Lt. Robert Burnish said authorities think further arrests are unlikely.

Ingram was in custody at Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center awaiting a bond hearing as of Tuesday afternoon.

rity checkpoints.

In the past, the student government has held forums discussing what healthy relationships are, Lynch said, and some of the red flags that represent unhealthy ones. Student affairs and residential life also talk to students about such topics. “So they are well aware of not only what unhealthy relationships are, but if they are feeling a particular way by the way someone is treating them or talking to them, how to go through the procedure to report (it).�

Middle schools, high schools and colleges in STSM’s service area have been receptive, especially in Sumter, Singletary said, and the organization hopes to continue to expand its program offerings. “With student education, we don’t want just a single session during orientation, and then nothing is mentioned,� she said. “Awareness education is ongoing for faculty and students. So we’ve been partnering with them to develop a specific strategy to meet each school’s requirements.�

For more information on STSM, visit stsm.org.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2014

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. (AP) — Authorities on Tuesday detailed how Robin Williams took his life, saying the actor and comedian hanged himself with a belt in a bedroom of his San Francisco Bay Area home.

Marin County Sheriff’s Lt. Keith Boyd said Williams was last seen alive by his wife Sunday night when she went to bed. She woke up the next morning and left, thinking he was still asleep elsewhere in the home.

Shortly after that, Williams’ personal assistant came to the Tiburon home and became concerned when Williams failed to respond to knocks at a door. The assistant found the 63-year-old actor clothed and dead in a bedroom.

Boyd said all evidence indicates Williams, star of “Good Will Hunting,� “Mrs. Doubtfire,� “Good Morning, Vietnam� and dozens of other films, committed suicide by hanging himself. But he said a final ruling will be made once toxicology reports and interviews with witnesses are complete.

The condition of the body indicated Williams had been dead for at least a few hours, Boyd said. Williams also had superficial cuts on his wrist, and a pocketknife was found nearby.

Williams had been seeking treatment for depression, Boyd said. He would not say whether the actor left a suicide note. “We still have people we want to speak with, so there is some information we’re going to withhold,� Boyd said. “We’re not discussing the note or a note at this point as the investigation is ongoing.�

The Oscar-winning actor for years dealt with bouts of substance abuse and depression and referenced his struggles in his comedy routines. Just last month, Williams announced he was returning to a 12-step treatment program.

The circumstances of the death — Williams cutting and then hanging himself at home — do not help explain what motivated him, suicide experts said. Understanding that would require a detailed “psychological autopsy� that includes the review of medi-

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Flowers are placed in memory of actor and comedian Robin Williams on his Walk of Fame star in the Hollywood district of Los Angeles on Monday. cal and other records and interviews with family and friends.

These experts stressed that suicide rarely is triggered by a single factor, such as depression or substance abuse. Typically there are at least two such influences, often compounded by acute stress, such as from financial hardship or troubled personal relationships. “We know from decades of research that there are numerous factors that contribute to suicide risk,� said Michelle Cornette, executive director of the American Association of Suicidology.

Word that the actor had killed himself left neighbors in Tiburon stunned and sparked an outpouring of praise among his Hollywood colleagues. Williams had lived in the quiet, waterfront neighborhood for eight years, according to neighbors.

Noreen Nieder said Williams was a friendly neighbor who always said hello and engaged in small talk. Nieder said she wasn’t close to Williams and his family, but she still felt comfortable enough to approach him and ask him about his latest stint in drug and alcohol rehabilitation.

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A6

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LOCAL

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2014

THE SUMTER ITEM Gov. Nikki Haley speaks to a gathering outside of the GOP headquarters on Tuesday as Sumter County Republican Party Chairwoman Shery Smith tries to open an umbrella to protect her from the rain.

MATT WALSH / THE SUMTER ITEM

GOP FROM PAGE A1 to us,� Wilson said. “This is how you take the government.

It starts under this sign and behind these doors.�

With less than three months to go before the election, the rooms at 710 Bultman Drive will provide the space for local Republican volunteers to organize, strategize and count noses before polling booths open Nov. 4. “Our primary focus is to get out the vote,� Sumter County Republican Party Chairwoman Shery Smith said. “We’ll have literature available for all the candidates, we’ll be doing phone banking and organize our neighborhood walks.�

Local party officers already know the nooks and crannies of their storefront home. The same space hosted the GOP’s headquarters during the last statewide campaign. “We were here two years ago, so it’s a comfy space,�

Smith said.

The opening drew a large and racially diverse crowd, a positive for the party’s future,

‘This is how you take the government. It starts under this sign and behind these doors.’ ALAN WILSON South Carolina attorney general according to Robert McFadden, the GOP challenger in House District 64. “Being black on the Republican ticket is just another challenge,� McFadden said. “You’ve got to make sure people understand the importance of voting for the candidate versus voting a straight (Democratic) ticket ... you’ve got to vote for somebody who’s going to do something.�

The Bultman Drive office will be manned for much of the rest of the campaign, with volunteers in the office Monday through Friday during business hours and on Saturday afternoons. “It all starts here with the grassroots,� Murrell Smith said. “I look forward to November and continuing to have a conservative majority in Columbia.�

y Read all about it.

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

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

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 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

Get ready for denials F

LETTER TO THE EDITOR IT SEEMS CANTY WOULD PREFER TO BRING BACK ‘ATLANTA THIEVES’ Congratulations to Suzanna Foley for being named the new principal at Alice Drive Elementary School.

In The Sumter Item (Wednesday, July 30) the article stated that Ralph Canty Sr. was

the lone dissenting vote. I can only assume that he would have preferred to bring back one of the “Atlanta thieves” for that position. You do remember that group, don’t you, Canty?

BILL BOATMAN Sumter

COMMENTARY

A rare species: The Southern back-handed compliment

B

eing born and raised in the South gives you an interesting perspective on almost everything in life, as generations of Southern writers, humorous and serious, have mused for decades.

I wouldn’t dare disagree, especially linguistically.

Certain Southern social sets are somehow naturally endowed with the ability to manufacture one of the rarest products on this planet: the Southern back-handed compliment (Inferus Perosus Editus).

The Southern back-handed compliment may sound like its cousin, the full compliment, but be advised that their calls are markedly different.

The Southern backhanded compliment usually requires the addition of various adjectives and additional phrases, necessary to both a) muddle the true intent of the comment and b) leave the listener feeling that the sheer number of words Cliff used must convey a comMcCollum pliment.

Note this a difference from the standard and decidedly more common American back-handed compliment, seen in turns of phrase such as “You don’t sweat much for a fat girl,” or “You’ve got a great face; brains aren’t everything, dear.”

The American back-handed compliment is much more straight-forward and more easily interpreted than its Southern variant.

Let me illustrate my point with a few examples of the Southern back-handed compliment, gleaned from some studies done in the field by the McCollum Research Institute: “Look at your outfit! What a unique sense of style you have. Only you could think to do that.”

“Honey, that hairdo is the most interesting thing I’ve seen in ages. You must be getting comments.”

“You are just too much! You are just such a special person!”

Taken on their own, these statements seem harmless, quite kind compared to the other examples.

Only those who’ve done graduate studies in Southern two-facedness ... or “manners,” as we call it ... are able to truly dissect these specimens for what they are.

Example 1: “Look at your outfit! What a unique sense of style you have. Only you could think to do that.”

Analysis: The adjective “unique” is your key here. “Unique” is seldom a kind adjec-

tive, and, no doubt, emphasis will be put on that word to emphasize to everyone who is not the wearer that the speaker is deftly and underhandedly mocking that clothing choice. The adjective “unique” replaces: either “odd” or “ugly,” possibly “hideous.”

Example 2: “Honey, that hairdo is the most interesting thing I’ve seen in ages.

You must be getting comments.”

Analysis: Again, look to the adjective, this time the reigning monarch of vague adjectives, “interesting.” Interesting is the adjective that covers all, provided the tone sells the meaning the speaker is implying.

In this case, the tone would most likely be overexaggerated and theatrical. The lack of adjective before “comments” in the final sentence conveys the speaker believes while there have been comments, they haven’t been positive ... and neither is the speaker’s.

Example 3 ... I think you get the point.

Don’t let prime moments to catch this creature in its native habitat slip away.

Every day, in coffee klatches, book clubs and Bible studies across the South, new and interesting ways to string together back-handed comments that seem nice are developing and being shipped out for the general public to enjoy. While the creature is not in danger of going extinct, we should take advantage of the bounty around us.

And how does one respond to such a linguistic mystery? Let me provide you with an example from my hometown of Opelika, said to me by one of my mother’s garden club cronies.

“Smart as you were, we expected you to be a big shot by now in some big city ... how nice you’re still here.”

This would normally be a time to turn the other cheek and bear the insult, but my overactive mouth won’t allow me to do that.

“Well, I’d say you would know about the exodus of our intelligent folks, but since you’ve been here for decades, what does that say about you, ma’am?”

Sometimes, venom requires venom back.

You just have to pray your poison acts faster than theirs.

Cliff McCollum is an 80-year-old soul trapped in a 20-something body. He is an ordained minister and former community college professor who enjoys British literature and field herpetology. He spends his spare time trying to show Vegans and vegetarians the error of their ways. As managing editor of the Gulf Coast Newspapers in Baldwin County, Alabama — now part of Osteen Publishing Co. — he can be reached at cmccollum@gulfcoastnewspapers.com.

ox News correspondent Geraldo Rivera accused Matt Drudge’s website of “the worst kind of jingoistic rhetoric ever” for carrying news stories about the dangers of illegal immigration.

He said Drudge “is doing his best to stir up a civil war. I mean, shame on Matt Drudge.” Republican Rep. Todd Rokita and his Indiana delegation have been criticized for suggesting the possibility that Latin American children pouring across our southern border are carrying deadly diseases. Some of them have already been discovered to be carrying lice and suffering from disease.

We’ve yet to find out what kind of communicable diseases they could spread Walter to American Williams children when schools across the country are forced to admit them.

Unfortunately, many people approach our recent southern border problem as a “humanitarian crisis” and hint that congressmen who want to make securing our border our No. 1 priority are, as President Obama says, “mean.” Others who argue for border security run the risk of being dismissed as racists. The Democrats are hoping that painting the Republicans as mean racists will help them with the Latino vote in November.

Securing our border is not only an immigration issue but, more importantly, a national security issue. International terrorists know that our southern border is insecure. They can simply fly to a Latin American country and then sneak across the border with deadly germ or chemical warfare weapons and dirty bombs, which could be planted anywhere.

According to Breitbart, “a leaked intelligence analysis from the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reveals the exact numbers of illegal immigrants entering and attempting to enter the U.S. from more than 75 different countries.” It reports that 28 “individuals from Pakistan were caught attempting to sneak into the U.S. this year alone, with another 211 individuals either turning themselves in or being caught at official ports of entry.” Texas Gov. Rick Perry says that the number of apprehended illegal aliens who come from countries with “substantial terrorist ties” is at a record high, countries such as Yemen, Somalia and Saudi Arabia. On top of this, individuals from nations currently suffering from the world’s largest Ebola outbreak have been caught attempting to sneak into the U.S. Deroy Murdock’s article titled “The Southern Border: Our Welcome Mat for Terrorists,” for National Review Online (April 25, 2013), reports that “Somalia’s Ahmed Muhammed Dhakane told authorities in 2011 that he earned up to $75,000 per day smuggling East Africans into America. His clients included three al-Shabaab terrorists.

As the House report states: ‘Dhakane cautioned that each

‘Securing our border is not only an immigration issue but, more importantly, a national security issue. International terrorists know that our southern border is insecure. They can simply fly to a Latin American country and then sneak across the border with deadly germ or chemical warfare weapons and dirty bombs, which could be planted anywhere.’ of these individuals is ready to die for their cause and would fight against the United States if the jihad moved from overseas to the U.S. mainland.’” Many Syrians and Iranians have been caught making illegal entry. Both Syria and Iran are supporters of Hezbollah, have chemical weapons and materials for dirty bombs, and hate “the Great Satan.”

Murdock makes reference to the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Oversight and Management Efficiency study titled “A Line in the Sand: Countering Crime, Violence and Terror at the Southwest Border.” It explained that between September 2001 and September 2012, there were 59 homegrown violent jihadi plots within the United States. The study said that the more violent threat to Americans is the ability of Islamist terrorist organizations, resulting from their growing presence in the Western Hemisphere, to exploit our porous southwestern border and enter the United States undetected.

Here are some questions that should be of concern to every American: Can the U.S. Customs and Border Protection assure Americans that it has arrested every terrorist attempting to make illegal entry to our country? Can it assure us that there are no terrorist cells operating in our country and awaiting word from our enemies to attack us? There’s another question that’s just as important: If there is a terrorist attack through our southern border, will Americans allow President Obama, congressional Democrats, the news media and progressives and liberals to deny that their weak border security policy was responsible?

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

A8

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2014

FYI are invited to this event. For The USS Missouri (BB-63) AssoReunions, Volunteer Opportunities and Events details, visit ciation will hold its 41st annual www.101namvet.com or call reunion Sept. 17-23 at the Ra(803) 506-3120. mada Gateway Hotel in Kissimmee, Florida. All veterThe University of South Carolina ans, their family and friends Prevention Research Center and are invited. Contact Bill MorSumter County Active Lifestyles ton, vice president, at (803) are sponsoring a free walking 469-3579 or MO63@ftc-i.net program. If you are interested or Jack Stempick, president, in becoming more active, at (203) 281-4693 or form a walking group of 4-8 mobb63ct@aol.com. members and join Sumter County On The Move! This The Rembert Area Community program allows you to walk Coalition (RACC) is accepting at your own convenience or applications for the 2014-15 with a group. Free workafter school program. Applicashops and physical activity tions can be obtained at the information available. Call main office, 8455 Camden (803) 774-3860 or register at Highway, Rembert, SC 29128. https://www.surveymonkey.

Call (803) 432-2001. com/s/scotm-test2.

Hillcrest High School Class of Are you a breast cancer survi1977 will hold a 37-year class vor? Maggie L. Richardson is reunion celebration on Oct. seeking other survivors to 11 at Catchall Masonic form a music group and give Lodge. Contact Eleanorback to the community. If Olden@gmail.com, Vanessayou are interested in joining, playland@yahoo.com or contact her at mlrminlin.5580@hotmail.com. stry2012@gmail.com or (803) The Rembert Area Community Coalition (RACC) offers a senior 236-9086.

Belly dancing classes are held citizens program 10 a.m.-noon at 6 p.m. every Monday at each Monday and Wednesthe Parks and Recreation Deday at 6785 Bradley St. (bepartment, 155 Haynsworth hind community car wash), Rembert, SC 29128. Transpor- St. Only $20 per month. tation is available. For deThe Second (Indianhead) Divitails, call (803) 432-2001. sion Association is searching for anyone/everyone who Sumter High School Class of served in the 2nd Infantry Di1979 will hold a 35-year class vision. Visit the website at reunion Oct. 24-25. For inforwww.2ida.org or contact mation, contact Ramona Middleton McFadden at (803) Mike Davino at MDavino@ yahoo.com or (919) 498-1910.

778-2668 or lmcfadden003@ sc.rr.com or Joan Howard Zumba classes will be held at Davis at (803) 773-5240 or da- 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and visjh@dot.state.sc.us.

Wednesdays at the Parks and Recreation building on Sumter High School Class of Haynsworth Street. Classes 1975 will hold a 40-year class are $5 each and no registrareunion celebration May 29tion is required. Contact 31, 2015. Send all addresses Deanne Lewis at zumto cindyd27@juno.com.

The Walker Gamble High School badeanne@gmail.com.

The Palmetto Singles Club Alumni Association Inc. reholds a dance from 7 to 10 union committee will hold a p.m. on the first and third reunion weekend Sept. 26-28 Fridays of each month at the at Walker Gamble ElementaVFW on Gion Street. Call ry School, New Zion. For furSarah Shorter at (803) 847ther details, write to WGHS 3288.

Alumni Assoc. Inc., P.O. Box 335, New Zion, SC 29111.

Sumter Area Toastmasters meets at 7 p.m. each TuesThe USS Long Beach CGN-9 Association Inc. 2014 Reunion will day at the Sumter Mall combe held Sept. 8-14, at the Hil- munity room, 1057 Broad St. The group helps in developton St. Louis Airport, 10330 ing speaking and leadership Natural Bridge Road, St. skills. Call Douglas Wilson at Louis, Missouri. Call (314) 426-5500 for reservations and (803) 778-0197 or Rebecca Gonzalez at (803) 565-9271. identify yourself as a member of the USS Long Beach Having cancer is hard. Finding reunion. For further details, help shouldn’t be. Free help for call Don Shade at (866) 352cancer patients from the 2469 or (716) 569-2314; email American Cancer Society. lbcgn9@aol.com; or visit Transportation to treatment, www.usslongbeach-assoc. help for appearance related org. side effects of treatment, nutrition help, one-on-one The 101st Airborne Division breast cancer support, free Vietnam Veterans Organization housing away from home will hold its 20th Annual Reduring treatment, help findunion Aug. 28-30 in Charlesing clinical trials, someone ton. All who served with the to talk to — all free. Call 101st Division in Vietnam, (800) 227-2345. their guests and supporters,

DAILY PLANNER

THE SUMTER ITEM

WEATHER

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2014

AccuWeather® five-day forecast for Sumter TODAY

TONIGHT

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Partly sunny

Partly cloudy and beautiful

Mostly sunny

Partly sunny

A p.m. t-storm or two

Partly sunny and humid

89°

67°

88° / 67°

89° / 68°

90° / 70°

92° / 71°

Chance of rain: 25%

Chance of rain: 10%

Chance of rain: 5%

Chance of rain: 5%

Chance of rain: 60%

Chance of rain: 25%

Winds: WNW 4-8 mph

Winds: N 3-6 mph

Winds: NNE 4-8 mph

Winds: NE 3-6 mph

Winds: SSW 4-8 mph

Winds: SW 6-12 mph

TODAY’S SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER

Gaffney 84/62 Spartanburg 85/62

Greenville 84/63

Columbia 92/69

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

IN THE MOUNTAINS

Sumter 89/67

Aiken 91/63

ON THE COAST

Charleston 92/74

Today: Partly sunny; a thunderstorm in the area. High 89 to 93.

Thursday: Sunshine; a thunderstorm in southern parts. High 86 to 90.

LOCAL ALMANAC

LAKE LEVELS

SUMTER THROUGH 4 P.M. YESTERDAY

Today Hi/Lo/W 85/63/s 81/59/s 94/70/s 77/53/pc 95/75/pc 82/65/pc 92/75/t 82/65/r 94/75/t 84/63/pc 95/81/t 72/59/pc 85/65/pc

SUN AND MOON 7 a.m. yest.

358.04 75.57 75.27 97.20

24-hr chg +0.10 -0.04 none -0.12

Sunrise 6:42 a.m.

Moonrise 10:09 p.m.

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

trace 1.07" 2.24" 24.70" 35.35" 30.58"

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

88° 73° 89° 69° 100° in 1999 60° in 1968

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 86/65/s 76/56/s 96/74/s 73/50/s 93/74/t 83/64/pc 91/75/t 79/62/pc 92/74/t 80/61/pc 100/84/pc 74/58/pc 84/62/pc

Myrtle Beach 89/71

Manning 90/65

Today: Partly sunny and pleasant. Winds west-northwest 3-6 mph.

Thursday: Mostly sunny and delightful.

Winds east 3-6 mph.

Temperature High Low Normal high Normal low Record high Record low

Florence 88/67

Bishopville 89/65

Flood 7 a.m. stage yest.

12 3.90 19 4.01 14 3.70 14 7.14 80 78.06 24 9.97

Sunset Moonset

8:11 p.m.

9:57 a.m.

Last

New

First

Full

Aug. 17

Aug. 25

Sep. 2

Sep. 8

TIDES

24-hr chg +0.34 -0.65 +0.70 +0.09 +0.41 -1.61

AT MYRTLE BEACH

Today Thu.

High 11:52 a.m.

--12:22 a.m.

12:47 p.m.

Ht. 3.5 --3.6 3.5

Low 6:20 a.m.

6:43 p.m.

7:10 a.m.

7:39 p.m.

Ht. -0.7 -0.4 -0.6 -0.1

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

Today Hi/Lo/W 77/57/pc 89/63/s 92/62/pc 93/73/pc 85/72/pc 92/74/pc 84/63/pc 88/66/pc 92/69/pc 88/66/pc 86/66/pc 88/66/pc 88/66/pc

Thu. Hi/Lo/W 79/58/s 88/64/s 91/64/s 90/73/pc 82/72/s 91/73/pc 85/64/s 86/66/s 90/69/s 87/66/s 82/65/s 87/67/s 87/67/s

Today City Hi/Lo/W Florence 88/67/pc Gainesville 89/73/t Gastonia 83/62/pc Goldsboro 86/65/pc Goose Creek 92/71/pc Greensboro 82/61/pc Greenville 84/63/pc Hickory 81/60/pc Hilton Head 90/76/pc Jacksonville, FL 90/74/t La Grange 91/63/s Macon 90/64/s Marietta 84/61/s

Thu. Hi/Lo/W 89/68/s 89/73/pc 85/63/s 84/65/s 90/72/pc 85/62/s 83/64/s 82/61/s 88/76/t 90/73/t 92/64/s 89/64/pc 85/62/s

Today City Hi/Lo/W Marion 81/57/pc Mt. Pleasant 91/73/pc Myrtle Beach 89/71/pc Orangeburg 91/68/pc Port Royal 92/71/pc Raleigh 84/63/pc Rock Hill 84/62/pc Rockingham 87/62/pc Savannah 92/73/pc Spartanburg 85/62/pc Summerville 90/74/pc Wilmington 89/67/pc Winston-Salem 80/60/pc

Thu. Hi/Lo/W 83/59/s 90/72/pc 87/72/s 89/69/s 90/71/t 85/63/s 83/64/s 87/63/s 92/73/t 85/64/s 89/74/t 87/69/s 83/61/s

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

PUBLIC AGENDA SUMTER COUNTY VOTER REGISTRATION / ELECTION COMMISSION Thursday, 5:30 p.m., registration / election office, 141 N. Main St.

The last word in astrology

ARIES (March 21-April 19): You are EUGENIA LAST heading into a cycle full of excitement, entertainment and opportunity. Explore whatever comes your way and focus on being your best and offering what you can. Love is on the rise, and romance will enhance your life.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Take care of your responsibilities quietly.

Not everyone will agree with what you want to do or how you do it.

Focus on honing your skills and preparing a flawless presentation that leaves little to criticize.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): New acquaintances can be made if you take part in a work-related event or a cause that contributes to making a difference. A change in partners or how you relate to others will bring about a marked improvement in your personal life.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Don’t fight a losing battle. Put your energy into things you can change and improvements you can make to your surroundings and to your emotional outlook and attitude. A worry regarding work will turn out to be favorable.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Be cautious. Insincere gestures of friendship will end in disappointment. Make positive changes at home that are sure to improve your living space and your relationships with those you live around. A visitor can be expected.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Cut off anyone playing with your emotions. Stick to the people you know you can trust. Wheel and deal and make positive changes to your living arrangements. Better financial opportunities are within reach. Invest in yourself, not someone else.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Do something out of the ordinary.

Explore what life has to offer. Let your creative imagination wander and express your ideas. Good fortune will come about through an extraordinary opportunity. Don’t be too shy to try something different.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Stay put. Keep a close watch on your investments, projects and partnerships. Changes are heading your way, and although you may not welcome the process, you will come out on top once the dust settles. Let your intuition guide you in the best direction.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Look, see and do. Self-improvement projects will lead to compliments and the option to make positive changes at work and to your lifestyle.

Connecting with an old friend will bring back memories and an opportunity to revamp an old idea.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): He who hesitates is lost. You will face opposition from those less eager to experiment, but your sense of adventure and ability to instantly adapt will help you make the most of whatever life or career changes come your way.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Rehash old ideas and options. You may have missed an important detail in a project that wasn’t successful on the first try. Reimagine and reconfigure your plans in order to accommodate new ideas. Establish an important partnership with someone.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): A moneymaking opportunity is attainable. Jump at the chance to test your talent, skills and expertise. An emotional plea will buy you favors and time to iron out any problems you meet along the way. Success can be yours.

LOTTERY NUMBERS PALMETTO CASH 5 TUESDAY

7-18-19-33-34 PowerUp: 5

PICK 3 TUESDAY

4-1-1 and 1-9-4

POWERBALL SATURDAY

3-12-31-34-51 Powerball: 24 Powerplay: 2

MEGAMILLIONS

numbers were unavailable at press time.

PICK 4 TUESDAY

3-0-1-9 and 1-6-3-5

PICTURES FROM THE PUBLIC Stacy Spurling comments on her photo submission, “After a few minutes outside on a hot day, this is my dog’s favorite place to lie ... on the vent. She is just chillin.’”

HAVE YOU TAKEN PICTURES OF INTERESTING, EXCITING, BEAUTIFUL OR HISTORICAL PLACES? Would you like to share those images with your fellow Sumter Item readers? E-mail your hi-resolution jpegs to sandrah@theitem.com, or mail to Sandra Holbert c/o The Sumter Item, P.O. Box 1677, Sumter, SC 29150. Include clearly printed or typed name of photographer and photo details. Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for return of your photo. Amateur photographers only please.

SECTION

Former Gamecock Allen makes switch to CB for injured Jets B4

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

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2014

AUTO RACING

Criminal charge possible for Stewart in Ward death Negligent homicide, second-degree manslaughter still on the table

BY JIMMY GOLEN The Associated Press

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Tony Stewart could still face criminal charges in the death of Kevin Ward Jr. after Stewart struck him with a sprint car during a race at Canandaigua Motorsports Park in New York on Saturday.

Tony Stewart could still face criminal charges for running down Kevin Ward Jr. with his sprint car, even if the three-time NASCAR champion didn’t mean to kill Ward, hurt him or even scare him.

Ontario County Sheriff Philip Povero, who announced on Tuesday that the investigation is continuing, has said that his initial

findings have turned up nothing that would indicate criminal intent in the crash at the Canandaigua Motorsports Park.

But legal experts agree that does not mean Stewart is in the clear.

The NASCAR star could be charged with second-degree manslaughter under New York law if prosecutors believe he “recklessly caused the death of another person,’’ with negligent homicide another possibility,

CLEMSON FOOTBALL

No comfort zone

according to criminal law professor Corey Rayburn Yung of the Kansas University School of Law. “The question over whether someone was reckless is a factual one, and one a prosecutor might let a jury decide,’’ said Yung, who also posts at the Concurring Opinion blog.

Athletes in competition often do things that would get the average person arrested

SEE STEWART, PAGE B5

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Schools invest millions to prepare for SEC Network

BY DAVID BRANDT AND STEVE MEGARGEE The Associated Press

with so many of the others who’ve been selected for this honor. This organization has been around for 40plus years, and it is an honor to be selected for this.”

Parnell thinks the reason for his selection is the fact that he has been the state director for the past few years. When asked if he thought the fact that he was

The Southeastern Conference’s new network debuts Thursday, promising more than 1,000 live events this year and a reach that includes most major television providers in the South.

The network will be welcomed by millions of fans of who can’t get enough coverage of the most powerful conference in college sports, and SEC officials think it will increase revenue. Getting the network off the ground — with operations at 14 different campuses — wasn’t easy or inexpensive.

Some schools needed to build professional studios, hire a video staff and upgrade stadium and arena TV facilities.

“Each school is in a little different spot coming into this,’’ SEC associate commissioner for network relations Charlie Hussey said. “A lot of our schools had done a good amount of work already in the infrastructure for this, while others had a little further along to go.

“But we’ll be ready for launch day.’’

Tennessee is constructing a $10 million studio in the first floor of its Brenda Lawson Athletic Center. Athletic department spokesman Jimmy Stanton said the studio is privately funded and will have other university uses beyond the SEC Network, such as training students in television production.

The studio’s glass windows will allow viewing opportunities for fans walking past the building on their way to football and basketball games.

“Those fans will be able to literally look through the windows, almost like a New York City environment, and see our coaches being interviewed, our student-athletes being interviewed,’’ Tennessee athletic director Dave Hart said. “... It’s one more opportunity for us to create a fan-friendly environment on game day.’’

Each of the 14 SEC representatives must have some sort of studio in place for live interviews that the SEC Network can access from its home base in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The schools also need the necessary equipment for visual production for games, some of which will be televised, others which will be broadcast online.

Auburn’s athletic department

SEE PARNELL, PAGE B3

SEE SEC, PAGE B5

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Clemson quarterback Cole Stoudt, right, hands off to running back D.J. Howard during a recent practice in Clemson. The Tigers are gearing up for perhaps their toughest opening schedule of all time with games against Georgia and probable No. 1 Florida State in the opening month of the season.

Swinney toughens up practice to prepare Tigers for early-season gauntlet

BY AARON BRENNER Post and Courier CLEMSON — Here’s an idea of how prepared Clemson has to be when fall camp ends and the season begins, nearly Dabo Swinney’s entire lifetime in the making.

It’s been 40 years since the Tigers faced two ranked teams on the road within the first three games of the season; they opened 1974 at No. 20 Texas A&M and No. 15 N.C. State, losing both but finishing 7-4.

Since Georgia’s a top-20 foe for the opener, and it’s a virtual lock preseason No. SWINNEY 1 Florida State will still have a number next to its name Sept. 20, this is conceivably one of the toughest starts — if not the very toughest — in school history.

“We need to be able to play on the road this year and be ready to go,” Swinney said. “So I thought I would throw them a curve

ball.”

The last two days of practice, falling right smack in the middle of fall camp, were relocated about 300 yards away from Clemson’s cushy artificial turf within the indoor facility. The Tigers worked out at Jervey Meadows, a natural grass field behind Doug Kingsmore Stadium, the school’s baseball diamond.

“I didn’t even tell the coaches until Sunday,” Swinney said. “We were getting a little too comfortable on our nice practice field

and perfect indoor facility.

We’re going to have to be road warriors in September.”

Clemson has certainly been road warriors in September, October, November, December and January the past two years. The Tigers are 10-2 away from Death Valley the past two seasons, equaling the program’s finest mark since Memorial Stadium opened in 1942.

Neutral affairs against Auburn, LSU and Ohio

SEE TIGERS, PAGE B3

YOUTH SPORTS

Parnell chosen for Dixie Softball Hall of Fame

BY DENNIS BRUNSON dennis@theitem.com

Phil Parnell was doing something he has done with regularity over the last several years of his life on Aug. 3 — participating in the opening ceremony for a major baseball or softball tournament.

This one happened to be for the Dixie Angels Traditional World Series at the Alabama Theatre in North

Myrtle Beach.

While he knew the itinerary of such events, Parnell was caught off guard when he PARNELL became part of the program.

“Obie (President of Dixie Softball James E. Evans) was on the stage and he started handing out awards,” Parnell said. “He called out my name and

said I was being inducted into the (Dixie Softball) Hall of Fame.

“When he did, I got up, went to the stage, thanked him and gave him a kiss,” Parnell said. “On the cheek.”

Parnell, who has been the South Carolina state director for Dixie Softball since 2009, admits he was caught off guard by the honor.

“It’s a great honor,” Parnell said. “It’s great to go in

B2

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SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2014

THE SUMTER ITEM

SCOREBOARD

PRO BASEBALL

11, Greg Biffle, $3,581,489. 12, Austin Dillon, $3,500,672. 13, Clint Bowyer, $3,427,598. 14, Carl Edwards, $3,369,747. 15, Brian Vickers, $3,367,948. 16, Aric Almirola, $3,366,127. 17, Paul Menard, $3,354,713. 18, Kyle Larson, $3,275,280. 19, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., $3,190,155.

20, Tony Stewart, $3,178,572.

TV, RADIO TODAY

11:30 a.m. -- WNBA Basketball: Chicago at Washington (NBA TV).

12:30 p.m. -- Major League Baseball: Boston at Cincinnati (MLB NETWORK).

3:40 p.m. -- Major League Baseball: Chicago White Sox at San Francisco (WGN).

4 p.m. -- Amateur Golf: U.S. Amateur FirstRound Matches from Johns Creek, Ga. (GOLF).

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

7 p.m. -- Major League Baseball: New York Yankees at Baltimore (ESPN).

7 p.m. -- NWSL Soccer: Sky Blue at Western New York (ESPN2).

7 p.m. -- WNBA Basketball: Phoenix at Atlanta (FOX SPORTSOUTH, WPUB-FM 102.7).

7 p.m. -- Major League Baseball: Los Angeles Dodgers at Atlanta (SPORTSOUTH).

7:30 p.m. -- NPSL Softball: Akron at Chicago (CBS SPORTS NETWORK).

9 p.m. -- Youth Softball: Little League Softball World Series Championship Game from Tucson, Ariz. (ESPN2).

MLB STANDINGS

By The Associated Press AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST DIVISION

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Kansas City’s Norichika Aoki (23) celebrates in the dugout after scoring during the Royals’ 3-2 victory over Oakland on Monday in Kansas City, Mo. They Royals are atop their division this late in the season for the first time since 2003 and are looking for their first postseason berth since winning the World Series in 1985.

First-place Royals?

Better start believing

BY DAVE SKRETTA The Associated Press KANSAS CITY, Mo. — When the Royals rolled out of bed Tuesday morning and glanced at the standings, they saw something that hadn’t been the case since many of them were in junior high school.

Kansas City was sitting atop the AL Central and the playoffs were closer than opening day.

After they won their eighth straight game Monday night, against AL West-leading Oakland no less, the Royals assumed control of their division at the latest point in a season since 2003.

Perennial powerhouse Detroit had been relegated to second place, at least for a day, and an entire city that has been starved for winning was able to relish the moment.

“I haven’t experienced anything like this, a playoff run,’’ said outfielder Lorenzo Cain, who was born a year

after Kansas City last made the playoffs in 1985. “I did in the minor leagues, but it’s not the same as the big leagues.

It’s a lot of fun.’’

Indeed, the Royals have been a national laughingstock most of the past 30 years.

They lost at least 100 games four times in a particularly inglorious five-year span, and churned through six managers in a sevenyear stretch. Frugal team owner David Glass was vilified by anybody who could recall the days when Kansas City was one of baseball’s model franchises.

It’s been a slow climb back to respectability, too.

While other clubs went on meteoric rises, general manager Dayton Moore has spent nearly a decade restoring the shine to the Royals. He rebuilt a weak farm system that has begun to spit out major league talent. He made bold trades, shipping away Cy Young winner Zack Greinke a

few years ago and top prospect Wil Myers in another deal to acquire starter James Shields.

And while their longsuffering fans remained restless, progress became evident: Since winning 65 games in 2009, the club has surpassed that total each successive season.

Last year was the true watershed, an 86win campaign that represented their best record since 1989. But the truth was that happened only after a feverish second half, which helped atone for a lousy May but never truly put Kansas City into playoff position.

This year, the Royals are the team that others are chasing.

“They seem to do this once or twice a year, go on a big run, and a lot of times it’s a matter of when you catch them,’’ A’s manager Bob Melvin said.

“The last couple years they’ve gone on streaks like this, and when you look at their club you can see why.’’

MLB ROUNDUP

SHOWALTER OPTIMISTIC ABOUT MACHADO

BALTIMORE — Orioles third baseman Manny Machado has a right knee ligament strain — welcome news for a team contending for a berth in the AL playoffs.

The injury could land Machado on the 15-day disabled list, but it’s not as serious as it looked on Monday night, when the third baseman crumpled in a heap at the plate after taking an awkward swing in a game against the New York Yankees.

Machado had to be helped off the field and had a pair of crutches resting against his locker when he talked to reporters.

The Orioles spent much of Tuesday waiting out a steady rain and awaiting the results of Machado’s

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

W 68 63 61 58 52

L 50 57 57 60 65

Pct .576 .525 .517 .492 .444

GB – 6 7 10 15 1/2

W 64 63 59 56 53

L 53 53 59 63 64

Pct .547 .543 .500 .471 .453

GB – 1/2 5 1/2 9 11

W 72 68 63 49 46

L 46 49 55 70 72

Pct .610 .581 .534 .412 .390

GB – 3 1/2 9 23 1/2 26

MONDAY’S GAMES

Pittsburgh 11, Detroit 6 Baltimore 11, N.Y. Yankees 3 Tampa Bay 7, Texas 0 Minnesota 4, Houston 2 Kansas City 3, Oakland 2 Seattle 11, Toronto 1

TUESDAY’S GAMES

Arizona at Cleveland, 7:05 p.m.

Detroit at Pittsburgh, 7:05 p.m.

N.Y. Yankees at Baltimore, ppd., rain Boston at Cincinnati, 7:10 p.m.

Tampa Bay at Texas, 8:05 p.m.

Minnesota at Houston, 8:10 p.m.

Oakland at Kansas City, 8:10 p.m.

Philadelphia at L.A. Angels, 10:05 p.m.

Toronto at Seattle, 10:10 p.m.

Chicago White Sox at San Francisco, 10:15 p.m.

TODAY’S GAMES

Boston (Ranaudo 1-0) at Cincinnati (Leake 9-10), 12:35 p.m.

Minnesota (Gibson 10-9) at Houston (Oberholtzer 4-7), 2:10 p.m.

Chicago White Sox (Quintana 6-8) at San Francisco (Peavy 0-3), 3:45 p.m.

Arizona (Nuno 0-3) at Cleveland (Bauer 4-7), 7:05 p.m.

N.Y. Yankees (Pineda 2-2) at Baltimore (Tillman 9-5), 7:05 p.m.

Pittsburgh (Worley 5-1) at Detroit (Farmer 0-0), 7:08 p.m.

Tampa Bay (Archer 7-6) at Texas (Mikolas 1-4), 8:05 p.m.

Oakland (Kazmir 13-4) at Kansas City (J.Vargas 8-5), 8:10 p.m.

Philadelphia (A.Burnett 6-12) at L.A. Angels (Weaver 12-7), 10:05 p.m.

Toronto (Dickey 9-11) at Seattle (Iwakuma 106), 10:10 p.m.

THURSDAY’S GAMES

Pittsburgh at Detroit, 1:08 p.m.

Oakland at Kansas City, 2:10 p.m.

Houston at Boston, 7:10 p.m.

Tampa Bay at Texas, 8:05 p.m.

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

MRI. DODGERS 4 BRAVES 2

ATLANTA — Dan Haren pitched six solid innings and sparked the goahead rally with a single, leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to another win over the skidding Atlanta Braves, 4-2 on Tuesday night.

Haren (10-9) surrendered a fourth-inning homer to B.J. Upton that put the Braves up 2-1, but the light-hitting pitcher came through with a one-out single to right in the fifth. Carl Crawford followed with a double, and Haren scored the tying run on Yasiel Puig’s grounder to third.

Mike Minor (4-8) went 6 2/3 innings, allowing eight hits and all three Dodgers runs.

MARLINS 3 CARDINALS 0

MIAMI — Jarred Cosart pitched seven innings in a duel with Adam Wainwright to earn his first victory for Miami, who beat St. Louis 3-0.

Wainwright (14-7 went seven innings and allowed three runs, with two coming on a home run off the foul pole by Donovan Solano.

W 63 60 58 57 53

L 53 58 60 62 66

Pct .543 .508 .492 .479 .445

GB – 4 6 7 1/2 11 1/2

W 66 63 62 60 50

L 53 55 55 58 67

Pct .555 .534 .530 .508 .427

GB – 2 1/2 3 5 1/2 15

W 68 62 55 51 46

L 52 56 62 67 72

Pct .567 .525 .470 .432 .390

GB – 5 11 1/2 16 21

PIRATES 4 TIGERS 2

PITTSBURGH — Edinson Volquez allowed two runs over six innings and Pittsburgh jumped on Detroit early in a 4-2 victory.

Volquez (10-7) struck out five and walked two against five hits to improve to 6-1 in his last seven decisions.

From wire reports

N.Y. Mets 5, Philadelphia 3 Pittsburgh 11, Detroit 6 L.A. Dodgers 6, Atlanta 2 Miami 6, St. Louis 5 Milwaukee 3, Chicago Cubs 1 San Diego 4, Colorado 3

TUESDAY’S GAMES

Arizona at Cleveland, 7:05 p.m.

Detroit at Pittsburgh, 7:05 p.m.

Boston at Cincinnati, 7:10 p.m.

L.A. Dodgers at Atlanta, 7:10 p.m.

St. Louis at Miami, 7:10 p.m.

Washington at N.Y. Mets, 7:10 p.m.

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

Philadelphia at L.A. Angels, 10:05 p.m.

Colorado at San Diego, 10:10 p.m.

Chicago White Sox at San Francisco, 10:15 p.m.

TODAY’S GAMES

Boston (Ranaudo 1-0) at Cincinnati (Leake 9-10), 12:35 p.m.

Chicago White Sox (Quintana 6-8) at San Francisco (Peavy 0-3), 3:45 p.m.

Colorado (Matzek 2-7) at San Diego (Kennedy 8-10), 6:40 p.m.

Arizona (Nuno 0-3) at Cleveland (Bauer 4-7), 7:05 p.m.

Pittsburgh (Worley 5-1) at Detroit (Farmer 0-0), 7:08 p.m.

L.A. Dodgers (Ryu 13-5) at Atlanta (E.Santana 11-6), 7:10 p.m.

St. Louis (Masterson 1-1) at Miami (Eovaldi 6-6), 7:10 p.m.

Washington (Zimmermann 7-5) at N.Y. Mets (B.Colon 11-9), 7:10 p.m.

Milwaukee (Lohse 11-6) at Chicago Cubs (Wada 1-1), 8:05 p.m.

Philadelphia (A.Burnett 6-12) at L.A. Angels (Weaver 12-7), 10:05 p.m.

THURSDAY’S GAMES

L.A. Dodgers at Atlanta, 12:10 p.m.

Pittsburgh at Detroit, 1:08 p.m.

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

Arizona at Miami, 7:10 p.m.

Washington at N.Y. Mets, 7:10 p.m.

San Diego at St. Louis, 8:15 p.m.

Cincinnati at Colorado, 8:40 p.m.

NASCAR

By The Associated Press SPRINT CUP LEADERS

AMERICAN CONFERENCE EAST N.Y. Jets Buffalo Miami New England SOUTH Jacksonville Tennessee Houston Indianapolis NORTH Baltimore Cleveland Pittsburgh Cincinnati WEST Denver Kansas City San Diego Oakland

Through Aug. 10 Points 1, Dale Earnhardt Jr., 773. 2, Jeff Gordon, 768. 3, Matt Kenseth, 703. 4, Brad Keselowski, 696. 5, Joey Logano, 671. 6, Carl Edwards, 658. 7, Jimmie Johnson, 650. 8, Kevin Harvick, 645. 9, Ryan Newman, 645. 10, Kyle Larson, 635.

11, Clint Bowyer, 634. 12, Greg Biffle, 626. 13, Kasey Kahne, 622. 14, Austin Dillon, 616. 15, Kyle Busch, 615. 16, Marcos Ambrose, 584. 17, Paul Menard, 574. 18, Brian Vickers, 573. 19, Jamie McMurray, 566. 20, Denny Hamlin, 552.

Money 1, Brad Keselowski, $4,890,795. 2, Jeff Gordon, $4,666,596. 3, Dale Earnhardt Jr., $4,561,089. 4, Jimmie Johnson, $4,510,201. 5, Jamie McMurray, $4,286,167. 6, Kevin Harvick, $4,216,650. 7, Matt Kenseth, $4,192,805. 8, Joey Logano, $4,147,686. 9, Kyle Busch, $4,146,468. 10, Denny Hamlin, $3,969,926.

W 1 1 0 0

L 0 1 1 1

T Pct 0 1.000 0 .500 0 .000 0 .000

PF 13 33 10 6

PA 10 35 16 23

W 1 1 0 0

L 0 0 1 1

T Pct 0 1.000 0 1.000 0 .000 0 .000

PF 16 20 0 10

PA 10 16 32 13

W 1 0 0 0

L 0 1 1 1

T Pct 0 1.000 0 .000 0 .000 0 .000

PF 23 12 16 39

PA 3 13 20 41

W 1 1 1 0

L 0 0 0 1

T Pct 0 1.000 0 1.000 0 1.000 0 .000

PF 21 41 27 6

PA 16 39 7 10

NATIONAL CONFERENCE EAST N.Y. Giants Washington Dallas Philadelphia SOUTH Atlanta New Orleans Carolina Tampa Bay NORTH Chicago Minnesota Detroit Green Bay WEST Arizona San Francisco Seattle St. Louis

MONDAY’S GAMES

Verlander has right shoulder inflammation PITTSBURGH — Justin Verlander’s sore right shoulder will likely force him to miss at least one start, the latest setback for the reeling Detroit Tigers.

Detroit manager Brad Ausmus is thrilled, however, the news isn’t worse. Ausmus said an MRI on Verlander’s shoulder Tuesday revealed inflammation “in a number of different areas’’ but no major structural damage.

VERLANDER Verlander left Monday night’s 11-6 loss to Pittsburgh after laboring through a first inning in which he surrendered five runs. He complained of discomfort in the shoulder afterward and added he “didn’t feel great.’’ While the initial prognosis is encouraging, he’ll almost certainly won’t pitch for 10 days.

Baltimore Toronto New York Tampa Bay Boston CENTRAL DIVISION

NFL PRESEASON

By The Associated Press

W 2 1 0 0

L 0 0 1 1

T Pct 0 1.000 0 1.000 0 .000 0 .000

PF 37 23 7 28

PA 29 6 27 34

W 1 1 0 0

L 0 0 1 1

T Pct 0 1.000 0 1.000 0 .000 0 .000

PF 16 26 18 10

PA 10 24 20 16

W 1 1 1 0

L 0 0 0 1

T Pct 0 1.000 0 1.000 0 1.000 0 .000

PF 34 10 13 16

PA 28 6 12 20

W 1 0 0 0

L 0 1 1 1

T Pct 0 1.000 0 .000 0 .000 0 .000

PF 32 3 16 24

PA 0 23 21 26

THURSDAY’S GAME

Jacksonville at Chicago, 8 p.m.

FRIDAY’S GAMES

Philadelphia at New England, 7:30 p.m.

Tennessee at New Orleans, 8 p.m.

San Diego at Seattle, 10 p.m.

Detroit at Oakland, 10 p.m.

SATURDAY’S GAMES

Green Bay at St. Louis, 4 p.m.

Baltimore at Dallas, 7 p.m.

N.Y. Giants at Indianapolis, 7 p.m.

N.Y. Jets at Cincinnati, 7 p.m.

Buffalo at Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m.

Miami at Tampa Bay, 7:30 p.m.

Atlanta at Houston, 8 p.m.

Arizona at Minnesota, 8:30 p.m.

SUNDAY’S GAMES

Denver at San Francisco, 4 p.m.

Kansas City at Carolina, 8 p.m.

MONDAY’S GAME

Cleveland at Washington, 8 p.m.

TRANSACTIONS

By The Associated Press BASEBALL

COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE _ Suspended Tampa Bay OF Joshua Sale (Charlotte-FSL) 50 games after a second positive test for a drug of abuse in violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.

American League BOSTON RED SOX _ Optioned LHP Edwin Escobar to Pawtucket (IL). Recalled RHP Anthony Ranaudo from Pawtucket.

CHICAGO WHITE SOX _ Reinstated RHP Matt Lindstrom from the 15-day DL. Agreed to terms with OF C.J. Beatty on a minor league contract.

CLEVELAND INDIANS _ Sent OF Michael Bourn to Columbus (IL) for a rehab assignment.

DETROIT TIGERS _ Optioned LHP Pat McCoy and RHP Justin Miller to Toledo (IL). Released LHP Casey Crosby. Recalled LHPs Blaine Hardy and Robbie Ray from Toledo. Selected the contract of RHP Kevin Whelan from Toledo.

Agreed to terms with RHP Shawn Hill on a minor league contract.

MINNESOTA TWINS _ Traded OF Josh Willingham to Kansas City for RHP Jason Adam.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS _ Sent 1B Edwin Encarnacion to Buffalo (IL) for a rehab assignment.

National League COLORADO ROCKIES _ Sent OF Michael Cuddyer to Tulsa (TL) for a rehab assignment.

Agreed to terms with RHP Josh Roenicke on a minor league contract.

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES _ Assigned RHP Sean O’Sullivan outright to Lehigh Valley (IL).

PITTSBURGH PIRATES _ Optioned RHP Casey Sadler to Indianapolis (IL). Recalled RHP Brandon Cumpton from Indianapolis.

SAN DIEGO PADRES _ Placed SS Everth Cabrera on the 15-day DL, retroactive to Aug. 10.

Recalled OF Jake Goebbert from El Paso (PCL).

BASKETBALL

National Basketball Association NBA _ Suspended Phoenix F P.J. Tucker three games after pleading guilty to driving while under the extreme influence. Announced the resignation of vice president of events Ski Austin, effective Oct. 3.

LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS _ Announced the sale of the club to Steve Ballmer.

FOOTBALL

National Football League NFL _ Suspended Dallas CB Orlando Scandrick four games for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances.

CLEVELAND BROWNS _ Released QB Tyler Thigpen and TE Kyle Auffray. Signed QB Rex Grossman.

DALLAS COWBOYS _ Placed RB Ben Malena on injured reserve. Released P Cody Mandell.

MIAMI DOLPHINS _ Placed QB Pat Devlin on the waived-injured list. Released QB Brock Jensen. Signed QB Brady Quinn and RB Cameron Marshall.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS _ Released RB Jawan Jamison.

COLLEGE

PRESBYTERIAN _ Named Chelsea Butler assistant softball coach.

SOUTH CAROLINA UPSTATE _ Promoted women’s assistant golf coach Kasay Holbrook to head coach.

WNBA STANDINGS

By The Associated Press EASTERN CONFERENCE x-Atlanta Washington Chicago Indiana New York Connecticut

W 17 15 14 14 13 12

WESTERN CONFERENCE

W x-Phoenix 26 x-Minnesota 24 Los Angeles 14 San Antonio 14 Seattle 12 Tulsa 12 x-clinched playoff spot

L 14 16 17 17 17 20

Pct .548 .484 .452 .452 .433 .375

GB – 2 3 3 3 1/2 5 1/2

L 4 7 17 18 20 20

Pct .867 .774 .452 .438 .375 .375

GB – 2 1/2 12 1/2 13 15 15

MONDAY’S GAMES

No games scheduled

TUESDAY’S GAMES

Phoenix at New York, 7 p.m.

Los Angeles at Minnesota, 8 p.m.

TODAY’S GAMES

Chicago at Washington, 11:30 a.m.

Phoenix at Atlanta, 7 p.m.

THURSDAY’S GAME

New York at Indiana, 7 p.m.

SPORTS

THE SUMTER ITEM

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2014

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B3

PRO BASEBALL

Selig eager to step aside and introduce successor

BY DAVID GINSBURG The Associated Press BALTIMORE — Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig is looking forward to writing a book, teaching history and taking it easy when he retires this winter.

Before that happens, however, he hopes to introduce his successor — perhaps as soon as Thursday.

Baseball’s 30 owners will meet in Baltimore this week to vote on Selig’s replacement.

A seven-man committee whittled down an expansive list to three candidates: MLB Chief Operating Officer Rob Manfred; Boston Red Sox chairman Tom Werner and Tim Brosnan, MLB Executive Vice President of Business.

“The process has worked just the way I thought it would,’’ Selig said Tuesday at the Orioles’ home ballpark. “I gave them a great list of names, and these names were on it.’’

To win Thursday’s vote, a candidate must receive approval from 23 owners.

“A lot of other people are making predictions,’’ Selig said. “I’m staying out of that business because I don’t know.’’

Asked what would happen if there is an impasse, Selig replied, “This seven-man committee has done really good work. We’ll see what happens.’’

TIGERS

FROM PAGE B1

State (all ranked), and trips to Boston College, Wake Forest, Duke, N.C. State, Syracuse, Maryland and Virginia (all unranked), have gone the Tigers’ way.

There’s the rub, by the way.

Clemson hasn’t beaten a ranked opponent on its home field since trouncing No. 11 Virginia Tech 23-3 on Oct. 1, 2011. Since taking over, Swinney’s a meager 2-6 when visiting top-25 foes.

So, with the heat index Tuesday skyrocketing to the mid-90s, the Tigers toiled away in the dog days of August, building whatever toughness they could to not wilt in the late-summer scorcher potentially awaiting them Aug. 30 in Athens, Ga. “Our first couple games are going to be hot,” defensive end Shaq Lawson said. “That Georgia game is definitely going to be hot, with a 5:30 start. We’ll just continue to push through this heat.”

Only 10 days ago when fall camp opened, Swinney and offensive coordinator Chad Morris muttered the weather was too perfect, with cool days in the low 80s. That flipped in full Tuesday, when a pre-practice rainstorm was followed by plenty of sun, making for a

AD DEADLINE: August 14, 2014

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig is more than ready to step aside and introduce his successor, possibly as early as Thursday.

This is what won’t happen: Selig changing his mind and sticking around.

“I thought long and hard before I made my announcement in October of last year,’’ he said. “I just celebrated my 80th birthday. In life, there’s a

humid afternoon.

“It was pretty muggy out here, pretty sticky,” linebacker Ben Boulware said. “We’ve been blessed with pretty good weather the whole camp, so we deserved it today. The coaches want it to be smokin’ hot every day.”

Although he didn’t meet with reporters Tuesday, Swinney said in a release he “loved the intensity . . . and was impressed with the effort” as temperatures soared and sweat glands worked overtime.

Yet the Tigers continued to work in full pads, sprinkling in full-contact drills.

“I love the contact, I love the physical nature of this football team,” Boulware said.

“It’s camp, we’ve been here for two weeks, but that’s the point of it, to tire us and see who’s physically and mentally ready to perform.”

The Tigers scrimmage Wednesday and Saturday.

Injury report Left tackle Isaiah Battle returned Tuesday from a twisted ankle and defensive end Shaq Lawson is recovered from a shoulder bruise, while nickel back Travis Blanks (knee) is slowly working his way back into the defense.

Tight ends Stanton Seckinger and Sam Cooper and wide receivers Charone Peake and Daniel Rodriguez were held out due to injury.

PUBLISH DATE: August 21, 2014

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time to come but there’s also a time to go. I’m looking forward to that. I have a lot of things planned.’’

Those plans include writing an autobiography, teaching at two or three universities and “maybe a little peace and

quiet.’’

“It’s time for baseball to move on and it’s time for me to move on,’’ he said. “If anybody would have told me back in September of 1992 I’d be here 22 1/2, 23 years, that would have not been conceiv-

PARNELL FROM PAGE B1 in charge of Sumter hosting each of the five (at the time) age group World Series in 2009, Parnell said no. However, he said he often thinks back on the undertaking.

“We had 10 fields, five

tournaments at two different parks,” said Parnell, the assistant recreation director for Sumter County. “It was definitely a challenge. ”I was at a World Series in Alexandria (La.) last year

Call (803) 774-1200 and subscribe today.

able. So, I’m done.’’

Before he leaves, Selig hopes to see the feud between the Orioles and Washington Nationals’ TV rights resolved. Orioles owner Peter Angelos owns MASN, which televises Nationals games as a result of an agreement when the team moved from Montreal. The Nationals want a larger share of the profits, and MASN isn’t willing to fork it over.

“MASN is an inner-club dispute,’’ Selig said. “It’s an important goal before I step down. We’ve tried very hard, and we’ll continue to try.

We’re doing everything we can.’’

As far as Thursday’s vote goes, Selig has only one priority.

“The only goal I’ve really had all along is, when it’s all over that people can say, `Well, it was really fair,’’’ Selig said.

He was delighted to see that, even though the sport doesn’t have a salary cap, small-market teams such as Kansas City, Oakland and Tampa Bay have flourished.

“The things we set out to do in the ‘90s, that was the objective,’’ Selig said. “I always have regarded my job to be to provide hope and faith in as many places as possible. And we’ve done that. Baseball is better off as a result of it.’’

and some of the people involved there were at the World Series in Sumter,” Parnell added. “They told me that’s the best World Series they’d ever been to. It was a lot of hard work and it was the Sumter community coming together to make it the best possible.”

Your community news source

B4

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NFL

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2014

Versatile vet

THE SUMTER ITEM

Plenty of big names hoping for comebacks

BY DENNIS WASZAK JR. The Associated Press

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

The New York Jets hope former South Carolina standout Antonio Allen (39) can make an easy transition to cornerback after injuries have forced the Jets to shuffle their defensive lineup. Allen will also get the start at corner against Cincinnati on Saturday with the responsibility of shutting down Bengals wideout A.J. Green.

Former USC standout Allen making switch to corner for depleted Jets

BY DENNIS WASZAK JR. The Associated Press CORTLAND, N.Y. — What a whirlwind of a week for Antonio Allen.

And, it was still only Tuesday.

The New York Jets safety and former South Carolina standout was moved to cornerback at practice Monday, an intriguing and sudden switch that was the result of a spate of injuries at the position.

Not only that: On Saturday night, Allen will likely be starting at Cincinnati in the team’s preseason game — and facing Bengals star wide receiver A.J. Green.

“Well, if he can cover that kid, then he can cover them all,’’ coach Rex Ryan

said Tuesday. “I think if he can cover that kid, then we know we’re in good shape because that guy is about as good as it gets. I think our entire fan base would sleep a lot better.’’

Ryan at first danced around whether Allen would start, saying only that he would — but he didn’t know if it would be at cornerback. Then, he came clean.

“You know what, I think he probably will,’’ Ryan said, smiling. “I think, what the heck? Let’s put him out there.’’

The Jets are short-handed at cornerback after injuries to Dee Milliner (sprained ankle), Dimitri Patterson (quadriceps, ankle and calf) and Dexter

McDougle (season-ending torn knee ligament). Instead of turning to one of the other backup cornerbacks, Ryan decided to give Allen an opportunity.

“Rex came up to me (Monday) before practice and told me he was going to try me at corner and see how that went,’’ Allen said.

“I guess I did pretty well.’’

He had two interceptions in Monday’s practice, an impressive first showing.

He was beat Tuesday by Eric Decker on a play, but held his own again while taking all of his snaps at cornerback.

“Whatever helps the team,’’ Allen said, “I’m down for.’’

Some might say the move is one of desperation after

general manager John Idzik didn’t sign one of the big-name free-agent cornerbacks in the offseason.

Others might say it’s a gamble, moving a guy from a position he’s still learning to another he really hasn’t played.

“Let’s just see what happens, man,’’ Allen said.

“I’m going to get out there and make some plays. I know that. I’m going out there confident and noholds barred.’’

Allen was a linebacker his first two years at South Carolina before being moved to safety. He was mostly a hybrid outside linebacker, though, largely dealing with interior plays.

The Jets drafted him in the seventh round in 2012,

Rivera: Panthers have WR answers

BY STEVE REED The Associated Press SPARTANBURG — The Carolina Panthers have settled some questions at wide receiver.

Coach Ron Rivera said rookie Kelvin Benjamin, a first-round draft pick from Florida State, and veteran newcomers Jerricho Cotchery and Jason Avant have emerged as the team’s top three wide receivers.

“Those three guys have really stepped up and have really showed that they’ve meshed very nicely,’’ Rivera said Tuesday as the Panthers wrapped up their 20th training camp at Wofford College.

Rivera also said the Panthers have a “good handle’’ on their revamped offensive line, but are still looking for answers at cornerback.

The Panthers opened camp July 25 with virtually an entirely new slate at wide receiver after parting ways Steve Smith, Brandon LaFell and Ted Ginn Jr. Benjamin is helping fans forget about Smith, the team’s all-time leading receiver.

The 6-foot-5, 240-pound Benjamin’s popularity in the Carolinas has soared after a strong training camp and a spectacular stumbling, diving catch in the end zone in the Panthers

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Carolina head coach Ron Rivera said that Kelvin Benjamin (13), Jerricho Cotchery and Jason Avant have emerged as the team’s top wide receivers in training camp. preseason opener against Buffalo.

As Benjamin left the practice field Tuesday, hundreds of fans began chanting “Kel-vin! Kel-vin!’’ in unison while trying to lure him over to sign autographs.

Rivera said that while he’s pleased with Benjamin, he cautioned the rookie still has plenty of room to improve after playing just two seasons at Florida State.

“We saw him do the things we

needed him to do, but it’s not just about going out and making great catches,’’ Rivera said. “It’s about knowing the offense. It’s about doing the things within the offense. And there’s some things that if teams are doubling you, or teams are rolling to you, they’re trying to take you out.

And if you’re not doing things within what we’re trying to do, that can hurt us. So he’s young. He’s got a lot to learn.’’

NEW YORK — Broken bones.

Torn ligaments. Subpar performances.

They all combined to sideline some of the NFL’s biggest stars a year ago, a lost season for several players who spent most of the year in the trainers’ room.

Rob Gronkowski, Percy Harvin, Julio Jones, Robert Griffin III and Sam Bradford know all about that.

So do guys such as Arian Foster, Doug Martin, Jeremy Maclin, Reggie Wayne, Brian Cushing and Geno Atkins.

“I was rehabbing every day and it was miserable,’’ said Gronkowski, the New England tight end who is still working his way back from a GRONKOWSKI vicious two-year stretch in which he has had four forearm surgeries, a back injury and torn knee ligaments.

“Hopefully that never happens again,’’ HARVIN Gronkowski added.

“And I don’t wish anything on anyone like I had these past few years.’’

Harvin got a jumpstart on his comeback in February on the JONES NFL’s biggest stage.

After missing most of the regular season and the playoffs with a surgically repaired hip and then a concussion, Harvin returned the opening kickoff of the second half of the Super Bowl for a touchdown in helping Seattle beat Denver.

“I don’t know if any football player can say they’re fully healthy playing football, but this is the best I’ve felt in a long, long time,’’ Harvin said as the Seahawks opened training camp.

Philadelphia’s Maclin tore a knee ligament in training camp last year and missed the entire season. But after an extensive rehabilitation process, the Eagles are counting on their speedy wide receiver to make big plays again.

“He was out there every day in the offseason program and it’s just a matter of him getting his timing back,’’ Eagles coach Chip Kelly said.

Wayne was off to a terrific start last year with 38 catches for 503 yards in seven games. A torn ACL kept him out the last half of the season. Even at 35, he says he is ready to rebound.

Jones also was on his way to another Pro Bowl season with 41 catches in five games for the Falcons, but a broken right foot sent him to the sideline. He had a special cleat designed for him by Under Armour, a wider shoe that features a steel shank at the bottom for added support.

“I feel explosive, I still feel fast,’’ he said. “I still feel like I can beat one-on-one matchups.’’

Foster, one of the NFL’s top running backs when healthy, considered retirement after a back injury limited him to eight games for the Texans.

“People die on the football field,’’ Foster told ESPN. “This is a really brutal sport. Going through an injury like that, being 27 years old, I’m young, still I’m at the prime of my career. Is it worth it to try to come back?’’

Martin, one of the league’s rising running backs, ran for 1,454 yards and 11 touchdowns for Tampa Bay as a rookie in 2012. Last year, he struggled early, injured his shoulder and his sophomore season was done after just six games.

Another of the NFL’s top rookies two years ago wasn’t quite the same last season. After tearing his ACL in Washington’s playoff loss, Griffin struggled a year ago to be the electrifying playmaker he was in his first season. With the Redskins out of the playoff hunt, thencoach Mike Shanahan ended Griffin’s season and plugged in Kirk Cousins for the final three games.

“For me, personally, obviously, not having to come off of a knee surgery is a big boost for me,’’ Griffin said, “having an opportunity to work on my craft during the offseason.’’

Philadelphia’s Mark Sanchez could have a shot, too, after missing all last season with the Jets because of a shoulder injury — but he’s Nick Foles’ backup.

SPORTS

THE SUMTER ITEM

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2014

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B5

PRO GOLF

PGA brought clarity, excitement to sport

BY DOUG FERGUSON The Associated Press LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Great golf can lead to short memories.

The PGA Championship provided the kind of theater anyone could expect from a major.

Big shots. Tiny mistakes. High stakes on every swing. Not even the confusion on the 18th hole, when the only major for professionals looked more like amateur hour, could take away from that.

But the best ever?

Only a year ago, everyone was raving about Phil Mickelson turning in one of the great closing rounds in a major to win the British Open on a back nine with Adam Scott, Lee Westwood, Henrik Stenson and Tiger Woods in his way.

Four top players with a chance in the final hour? Been there, done that. As much as Pinehurst No. 2 is remembered for Payne Stewart’s par putt, the 1999 U.S. Open came down to Stewart, Mickelson, Woods and Vijay Singh over the last three holes.

Woods won the 2001 Masters to complete his sweep of the majors in

a back-nine battle with Mickelson. They were No. 1 and No. 2 in the world, joined by David Duval.

And those are just examples from the last 15 years.

This PGA Championship stood out because it delivered great drama — and great timing.

Valhalla was even more exciting because the other three majors this year were on the dull side. This time, golf saved its best major for last.

Bubba Watson and Jordan Spieth was only compelling until Watson turned a twoshot deficit into a twoshot lead around the turn at the Masters.

Martin Kaymer at the U.S. Open was exquisite for the golf purist, a snoozer for everyone else. No one got closer than four shots over the last 48 holes. McIlroy had a six-shot lead

at Hoylake. That “maybe’’ moment with Sergio Garcia lasted only as long as it took him two shots to get out of a pot bunker.

More than the drama at Valhalla was the guy in the starring role.

In a season filled with the unexpected — 11 players ranked outside the top 100 have won on the PGA Tour — McIlroy’s one-shot victory over Mickelson in the final major of the year gave golf some clarity.

There is no doubt who’s the best player in golf.

With his third straight win, McIlroy became the first No. 1 player to win a major since Woods won his last one at Torrey Pines in the 2008 U.S. Open.

As for the PGA Championship?

A few years ago, a small group of veteran writers were asked to provide a list of the top 10 majors. Every list was different. And every list had one thing in common — a PGA Championship was not mentioned. Perhaps that can change over time.

Valhalla might not have been the best major. But it won’t be forgotten any time soon.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Rory McIlroy celebrates winning the PGA Championship on Sunday at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Ky.

PRO BASKETBALL

Pacers believe George will make full recovery by ’15-16 season

BY MICHAEL MAROT The Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS — The Pacers expect Paul George to make a full recovery from the compound fracture in his right leg. They’re just not expecting that to happen this season.

On Tuesday, 11 days after George’s gruesome injury in a U.S. national team scrimmage, Larry Bird and Frank Vogel said doctors believe the two-time All-Star can be his old self after a long recovery.

What the Pacers don’t know yet is precisely how long that will be. George underwent surgery Aug. 2 and returned to Indianapolis on Aug. 5. He is now recovering at his home.

Vogel said doctors told the team the injury did not involve ligaments, tendons, joints or nerves, some rare good news in what has become a stressful offseason for the Pacers.

“It’s bad enough for the franchise, but I feel so bad for Paul because I know how hard he works, how much it meant to him to play for his country,’’ said Bird, the Pacers’ president of basketball operations. “All he cared about was trying to get better.’’

George has not yet spoken publicly about what happened on the play

SEC FROM PAGE B1 had to use $5 million from its financial reserves, partly to add two control rooms after deciding its one control room at Jordan-Hare Stadium wasn’t sufficient. The school also hired nine people in April to form an internal video department.

“Some of the schools already had digital studios and those types of things,’’ Auburn athletic director Jay Jacobs said. “We had one in the stadium, but we evaluated that and said, `You know, if we’re going to do this, we’re representing Auburn and the SEC, let’s go ahead and do it. So we’re building two production buildings, a state-of-the-art facility. It’s probably just catching us up with a few schools.’’

Auburn associate athletic director Cassie Arner said multiple control rooms were necessary for overlapping coverage that could allow two live events to be broadcast at the same time.

Other schools like Missis-

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

The Indiana Pacers believe Paul George, shown be taken off on a stretcher after suffering a severe leg injury, will make a full recovery and be his old self in time for the 2015-16 NBA season. when he attempted to block a shot on a fast break and crashed into a basketball stanchion, snapping his leg. The accident raised questions about

sippi, Mississippi State and Florida already had substantial video departments because of previous investments. Ole Miss athletic director Ross Bjork said his school spent about $750,000 — mostly on fiber optic cable to connect all facilities with the studio.

All that equipment makes it easier for schools to broadcast events themselves, and the SEC Network already has guaranteed it will air at least 40 events per school digitally. For example, South Carolina plans to broadcast about 120 home games of men’s and women’s soccer, volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball and sand volleyball this year.

LSU assistant athletic director Kevin Wagner said his school is spending over $3 million on cables to connect all of its game venues to a pair of rebuilt control rooms in the athletic administration building. Eventually, the school also will have to pay for crew members to handle broadcasts on game days.

whether the support was too close to the court, and generated debate about whether NBA stars are risking too much by representing their country.

STEWART

FROM PAGE B1

— think two boxers in the ring, or a baserunner sliding into second with his spikes high. But sometimes an act is so far outside the bounds of accepted sporting behavior that it becomes a crime, as former major leaguer Jose Offerman learned when he was charged with felony assault for rushing the mound — swinging a bat — after he was hit by a pitch in a minor league game.

So Stewart would not expect to be charged for the car-on-car bump that sent Ward spinning into the wall.

But if, for example, he were to tell police that he saw Ward on the track and tried to shower him with dirt or otherwise send him a message, a first-degree manslaughter charge could be a possibility, Yung said.

In a 1949 case that Yung uses in his class, midget car racer Joseph Sostilio was found guilty of manslaughter after he tried to squeeze a

Bird, a member of the original Dream Team in 1992, said USA Basketball needs to send the best American players to the most competitive basketball tournaments.

What’s next for George is unclear.

Neither Bird nor Vogel established a timetable for George’s return.

Doctors who have not examined George say a full recovery from this kind of injury could take 12 to 18 months. Bird said the physicians who are treating George have not ruled out a longshot, late-season return, though the Pacers won’t rush George back.

“It’s going to be up to our doctors, our medical staff and Paul, but we would never put him in a situation where he’d be uncomfortable,’’ Bird said. “If he can play and he’s healthy to play, he’ll play. If our doctors think he’ll play at 60 to 70 percent, we wouldn’t do that.’’

Vogel said George is now wearing a split, not a hard cast, and is getting around on crutches. He still cannot drive.

“He’s in really good spirits,’’ Vogel said. “He’s frustrated he’s not able to play this year. It’s going to be a tough process recovering from this, but he’s encouraged that a full recovery is expected.’’

four foot-wide vehicle through a two-foot opening at 40 mph, crashing into another car and sending it into the one driven by Stephen D. Bishop. Bishop’s car flipped three times and he was killed.

Sostilio’s conviction was upheld on appeal by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. Noting that a violent or aggressive act on a football field or in a boxing ring is not necessarily a crime, Justice Henry Tilton Lummus wrote: “In the present case physical contact was not an essential part of the racing of automobiles.’’

That was a half-century ago, and racing has changed.

Trading paint is a part of the sport, and it’s not even uncommon these days for racers to leave their cars to confront rivals after a crash, which Ward appeared to be doing when he was killed.

“In sports we tend to allow all sorts of conduct we’d never allow in another circumstance,’’ Yung said. “But this isn’t a collision. It’s not in that ballpark; it’s some-

thing you don’t expect. This is a more complicated scenario. We’re assuming Stewart didn’t mean to do this, and yet a death resulted.’’

Whether Stewart’s actions were part of racing depends on what the police investigation finds. Unlike the cars Stewart drives on the NASCAR circuit, the sprint cars have no radios or instrument data recorders that could tell authorities exactly what was happening when Stewart hit Ward.

Povero would not say how Stewart described the accident, but he said Monday he has reviewed two videos and spoken to Stewart.

Povero’s previous comments that he found no criminal intent all but rules out the possibility of a firstdegree murder charge, which would essentially require a confession that Stewart was trying to kill Ward. For second-degree murder, prosecutors would need to prove Stewart was reckless in combination with a “depraved indifference to human life.’’

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2014

RECRUITING

THE SUMTER ITEM

Gamecocks pick up commitments from OL, PK T

he University of South Carolina football program picked up commitments from offensive lineman Zack Bailey (6-feet6-inches, 315 pounds) of Summerville High School and placekicker/punter Joseph Charlton (6-5, 180) of A.C. Flora High in Columbia on Monday.

Bailey got up with the roosters on Monday morning and made a commitment to the Gamecocks. Bailey, the state’s most highly coveted OL in the ‘15 class, made his decision between USC and Clemson on Sunday, and after rising at 6 a.m., he contacted Gamecock OL coach Shawn Elliott with the news.

“He was real happy, “ Bailey said of Elliott. “He was glad I did. They don’t have many spots left. I was a big target for them and they were just real happy to finally get me.”

Bailey visited USC and Clemson several times and he liked things about both programs. When getting down to the final decision though, education was a key factor and USC simply had the program Bailey wanted to study.

“I want to do criminal justice,” he said. “Clemson doesn’t have it. Carolina has a strong criminal justice program. It just fit. I still like Clemson, they are a great school. It’s just Carolina has the studies I want to do and it was what I want to become in life. My gut told me where to go, so that’s what I did.”

Bailey has always been impressed with Elliott from watching him during a spring practice or getting hands-on instructions in a camp, and now he gets the chance to learn at his hip.

“I’m excited, I like Coach Elliott a lot,” Bailey said.

“He’s a good coach. He’s somebody who’s going to get after me. I’m going to work every single day and those few days when I’m going to be tired and don’t want to do stuff, he’s going to force me to do it and at the end of the day it’s for my better good.”

Bailey is USC’s fifth OL commitment. With Charlton’s commitment, USC has addressed practically every position for its ‘15 class. Bailey attended USC’s kicking camp this summer and performed well enough to draw the attention of special teams coach Joe Robinson.

“Joe Robinson sent me a message on Twitter tonight and told me to call him at 8 o’clock,” Charlton said on Monday. “After football practice I called him and we talked for a little bit, and he said he would like to offer me a full ride. I talked it over with my parents and I called him back and accepted the offer.

It’s just awesome. It’s a dream come true. I’ve always loved the Gamecocks.”

Charlton said the Gamecocks want him to concentrate on kickoffs and punting for the ’15 season with an eye toward becoming the PK once Elliott Fry departs.

Last season, Charlton was 7-for-10 on field goals with a long of 52 yards. He also averaged between 45 and 50 yards per punt, and most of his kickoffs reached the end zone. Charlton said in camp he averaged 77 yards per KO. Charlton said he also had an offer from Connecticut and was getting interest from North Carolina and Baylor.

He gives USC 27 commitment for the ‘15 class. The Gamecocks actually have 30 overall commitments, including three carryovers from the ‘14 signing class.

OL Christian Pellage (6-7, 280) of Brooksville, Fla., announced a commitment to USC on Friday during a ceremony at his school. Pellage picked the Gamecocks over Miami and Florida State.

During the process, he also considered Alabama, Georgia and Central Florida.

Pellage made two trips to USC this year, including the Gamecock Showcase Camp

in July. It was shortly after that visit to Columbia that Pellage moved the Gamecocks high up on his list.

“It really came down to how I felt just being there,” Pellage said. “It just felt right. I felt at home.”

At camp, Pellage got the chance to work closely with Elliott, and that too left a positive impression on him.

“I loved working with Coach Elliott also,” Pellage said. “I really felt a great connection between Coach and I.” Pellage reportedly was favoring FSU for most of the recruiting campaign, but after attending a camp there, the Seminoles reportedly decided not to seek a commitment from him right away, but rather wait for another evaluation during the season. Pellage obviously wasn’t interested in waiting on the Seminoles and decided to end his recruitment by committing to the Gamecocks.

“I just had a better relationship with the staff and I felt at home here at South Carolina,” Pellage said.

OL Nathan Gilliam of Knoxville, Tenn., plans to announce his college decision sometime next week. Right now, USC and Wake Forest are in a dead heat, but an offer from Mississippi would shake things up. Ole Miss has told him it is waiting on one other lineman, and if it doesn’t get him, it will offer Gilliam. He should know if Ole Miss is going to offer about two or three days before his announcement. Gilliam has visited all three schools. He was at USC’s Showcase Camp where he worked under Elliott.

Gilliam also camped at USC before his junior season and that’s when Elliott first got a glimpse of him, and he’s kept tabs on the Gamecocks since then.

“They are winning football games,” Gilliam said. “It’s the SEC (Southeastern Conference) and only four hours away. The big thing for me is the coaching staff. There’s a foundation there.”

OL Brandon Sandifer of Warner Robins, Ga., remains locked in on USC, Alabama and Florida. His head coach, Kevin Kinsler, said Sandifer has not said anything more to him about a decision timetable and has not identified a leader.

Wide receiver Jalen Julius of Orlando, Fla., recently decommitted from Florida after committing there in May and is now open regarding his future plans. USC was one of his offers before his first commitment, and he talked with Gamecock recruiter Everette Sands recently.

“They are still interested since I decommitted,” Julius said. “Coach Sands said he will continue to recruit me. I may schedule an official visit with them.”

Julius has set an official visit to Louisville for the Thursday night game against Florida State on Oct. 30. He said Louisville, Miami and Ole Miss are showing him the most interest at this point. Julius, who also plays cornerback, scored eight touchdowns in seven games last season.

Defensive back JaQuan Johnson of Miami attended USC’s scrimmage on Saturday. He was in the state to visit his grandmother.

DB Carlton Davis of Miami has a final three of USC, Miami and Ohio State, LB Amonte Caban of Smith’s Station, Ala., was offered by Oklahoma on Tuesday. He’s had USC among his favorites along with Kentucky, Mississippi State, Tennessee and Louisville.

For a second time, USC football recruit Joe Blue of Dillon High was refused admittance to the school despite Blue having been approved by the NCAA Clearinghouse.

“They said his grades were too low in the ninth- and 10th-grade years,” said Dil-

lon head coach Jackie Hayes.

“They’ve had his transcript. I’ve bet we’ve sent them Phil Kornblut 10-12 transcripts. It’s RECRUITING not like this CORNER transpired today. Not one single time did anybody communicate there would be a problem. They were just saying, get through the Clearinghouse.

“You’ve got a kid that’s totally devastated. This is bigger than football.”

Blue was USC’s first commitment for the ‘14 class, pledging in January of ‘13.

“The last two years in the classroom,” Hayes said, “he’s busted his tail. He did what he was supposed to do.”

Blue visited Coastal Carolina last week and is also looking at Maryland, East Carolina and South Carolina State, according to Hayes.

Junior WR Kyran Bowman (6-2, 170) of Havelock, N.C., is the brother of current USC commitment WR Michael Bowman. Kyran is a UNC commitment and also has offers from USC and ECU. Though he feels strongly about his commitment, he plans to look at USC once again.

“I would say it’s almost all the way there with UNC,” Kyran said. “I’m sure I’ll go to some games at South Carolina this year and take another visit there next summer.”

Those would not be his first visits to Columbia. “I like it a lot there,” he said.

“It’s got a really nice atmosphere and the coaches were cool. They told me that they think I could make an impact there.”

The younger Bowman, however, is more inclined to stay closer to home, citing UNC’s proximity as the main reason for his decision. As a sophomore, Bowman totaled 405 yards receiving and six touchdowns.

CLEMSON Clemson commitment WR Ray-Ray McCloud of Tampa, Fla., visited South Florida on Saturday with a cousin and Florida on Sunday morning for a Gator scrimmage with a friend, his mother tweeted on Sunday afternoon in response to internet reporting of his visits.

Lisa McCloud wrote that her son is “still very much committed to Clemson.” McCloud committed to the Tigers last month over the Gators and has signed a financial aid agreement with Clemson, but that does not prevent him from going somewhere else when he enrolls in January.

Brian Dawkins was one of the greatest players in Clemson history, and one day will be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Dawkins name could once again don the back of a Tiger uniform as his son, DB Brian Dawkins Jr. of Parker, Colo., is seriously considering accepting an offer from Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney that was made earlier this summer.

“I’ve been researching Clemson about the school because I already know about the football program,” Dawkins Jr. said. “I’m a little bit closer (to committing), I’m not going to lie. I have to talk it over with my family, but it would be a great option. My dad told me wherever I go to be 100 percent certain and represent the family the best I can.”

Clemson is Dawkins’ only offer at this point. He has heard from Arizona State, Wyoming, Utah State, Washington, Washington State, Colorado and Colorado State.

“Most of the schools have told me they are going to wait until after the season,” Dawkins Jr. said. “My focus is on my team and after that

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(the season) I’ll focus more on what will affect my future.”

Dawkins confirmed Clemson is his favorite and he hopes to get there for a game this season.

Defensive lineman Christian Wilkins of Suffolk, Conn., named a top eight of Clemson, Virginia, UNC, Stanford, Ohio State, Penn State, Boston College and Notre Dame.

DL Anthony Rush of Cary, N.C., said he has a top three of Clemson, UK and UNC. He also has offers from UVa, Florida and Old Dominion.

Running back Jae’lon Oglesby of Daniel High in Central, a Clemson signee who did not qualify, will attend Fork Union Prep in Virginia this semester, according to his head coach, Randy Robinson.

One of Clemson’s targets for the ‘16 class will attend the Tigers’ season opener against Georgia. DB Chad Clay (6-1, 178) of Marietta, Ga., has the Bulldogs high on his list and also has interest in the Tigers.

“They were the first school to offer me during the end of my freshman season,” Clay said. “They kind of put me on the map. I like it up there.

I went to the Florida State game last year and, even though they lost, it was a great atmosphere and a great place to be.”

Though he does like Clemson, Clay currently has the Tigers outside his top five.

He named UGA, Auburn, Louisiana State, Texas A&M and Ohio State with Clemson “on the bubble.” Of those schools, only Clemson, UGA and A&M have offered. His other offers include Nebraska, Tennessee and Georgia Tech.

Quarterback Jarrett Guarantano of Oradell, N.J., has his list down to a final four of Clemson, Alabama, Ohio State and Oklahoma.

CLEMSON AND USC Junior QB Brandon McIlwain (6-1, 210) of Newtown, Pa., has family throughout South Carolina and has strong interest in the two Palmetto State programs.

McIlwain’s father graduated from USC in the 1980s, and he has an uncle who is a minister in Greenville.

“I love USC,” McIlwain said. “I have a lot of family in Columbia and have built a great relationship with (USC head) Coach (Steve) Spurrier.

I have visited multiple times and I love it every time I’m down there.”

As for Clemson he said, “I’m starting to build a better relationship with the coaches and it’s a great program. I went to camp there this summer and I like the coaches a lot.”

McIlwain has over 20 offers, including USC, Clemson, Auburn, Florida, Michigan State, PSU, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, Duke, Ohio State, California, Nevada and Wisconsin. McIlwain plans to narrow his list soon, and a commitment is expected before next summer.

“I want to visit a lot of schools (this season) and make a commitment either in late winter or early spring,” he said. McIlwain gave strong indication that Clemson and USC would likely make the shortened list.

Last season, he threw for over 1,800 yards and 16 TDs. He rushed for another 800plus yards and 11 scores. McIlwain did not name a leader.

BASKETBALL Clemson remains the leader for point guard Ty Hudson of Mableton, Ga., and he has set his official visit with the Tigers for Sept. 27. He is also set for an official visit to Ole Miss on Nov. 1. Hudson also plans to visit Virginia Commonwealth and Creighton officially.

“Everything is going steady with me and Clemson actually,” Hudson said.

“They are still the leader,

but the gap has closed up a little bit.”

Hudson said Creighton and VCU, in particular, have moved up with him.

“I talk with them every day,” he said. “I know Clemson plays up and down, but it can’t get much better than that VCU and Creighton style of play.”

Hudson had hoped to be able to sign in November, but as of now he plans to wait until April.

For much of this year, Clemson appeared to be in excellent shape with PG Jawun Evans, a Simpsonville native now living in Dallas.

Evans visited Clemson and talked positively about the Tigers. When he cut his list to eight, Clemson was there, but last week Evans trimmed the list to four, and Clemson was gone. That decision surprised many, including his AAU coach and mentor, Lamont Simmons, who thought Clemson would be in the picture to the end.

“I did, I really did,” Simmons said. “He’s a real smart kid. He loves Clemson and has the best relationship with them, but he wanted to see some different stuff.

Moving away to Dallas, he got used to seeing different things, and he understood he would be holding up Clemson from getting someone else if he wasn’t 100 percent sure. ” Evans is now focused on Texas, Oklahoma State, Southern California and Illinois. He will take his official visits to those schools and then make his decision.

Right now, he plans to sign in November.

Another Clemson PG target, 6-7 CJ Williamson of Orlando, cut his list in half last week, and he included the Tigers. Williamson is down to Clemson, Texas Tech and VT. He will take an official visit to TT on Sept. 13 and one to VT on Oct. 23. He will also visit Clemson.

“I have a connection with Clemson,” Williamson said. “(Clemson assistant) Coach (Steve) Smith is one of my (head) coach’s (Chucky Atkins) best friends, and he’s at our practices almost all the time. He tells me if I come in I could start right away.

“I saw them play twice (on television) last year and what I like is they get up and down. That’s my pace of the game, the quick baskets and the secondary stuff. I think I would fit in.”

He has set Nov. 26, his birthday, as his commitment day, but that falls after the early signing week so he’ll have to hold to that commitment until April for it to become official. Last season, Williamson averaged 12 points per game, but he considers himself a passer first and prefers an assist over a basket.

Clemson offered 6-7 Marquez Fletcher-Ellis of Montverde, Fla., last week.

Keith Stone, a 6-7 player from Deerfield Beach, Fla., plans to visit USC soon.

Stone told SNY.tv he will visit Florida on Aug. 23 and Alabama on Sept. 19. He also has VCU and VT in his top five.

Tevin Mack, a 6-5 player from Dreher High in Columbia, tolds the ClemsonInsider he has set an official visit with UGA for Aug. 29. He will also take official visits to Clemson, VCU and Oklahoma State. He’s also considering USC, but he doesn’t plan to take an official visit there because he’s been there several times and can get there at any time.

BASEBALL Clemson landed a commitment for ‘15 from right-handed pitcher Graham Lawson (6-1, 215) of Woodruff High last week. He’s the 13th commitment for Clemson’s ‘15 class.

RHP Adam Hill (6-5. 190) of T.L. Hanna High in Anderson committed to USC last week. He’s the 14th commitment for the ‘15 class.

Your community news source

OBITUARIES | SPORTS

THE SUMTER ITEM

FRANKIE E. STANFIELD Frankie Eugene Stanfield, 75, died on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2014, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center.

Born on July 13, 1939, in Sumter County, he was a son of the late Kistler and Daisy Felder Stanfield. Before his retirement, Frankie was employed by B.L. Montague, Pioneer Dress and Mama’s Kitchen. He enjoyed bowling and particiSTANFIELD pated in several leagues during his active years.

Survivors include three brothers, John Stanfield (Mary) of Goose Creek, and Jimmy Stanfield (Linda) and Kenneth Stanfield (Mary Adell), both of Sumter; two sisters, Annie Powell (Louie) of Pinewood and Barbara Hodge (Reginald) of Paxville; and a very special friend, Zelene Robinson of Sumter.

He was preceded in death by one brother, Francis Stanfield; and five sisters, Cora Bell Capps, Pearl E. Davis, Marie A. Davis, Carey Lee Leviner and Helen S. Evans.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday in the Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Paul Howell officiating.

A graveside service will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday in the East Bethel United Methodist Church Cemetery in Lone Star.

The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m. on Thursday at ElmoreCannon-Stephens Funeral Home and other times at the home of his brother, Jimmy Stanfield.

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

ALAN PALMER SR. DALZELL — Alan Harley Palmer Sr., 80, of Dalzell, widower of Jean Wheaton Palmer, died on Monday, Aug. 11, 2014.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be made in Alan’s memory to a charity of one’s choice.

He was born on May 31, 1934, in Corning, New York, a son of the late

PRO BASKETBALL

Clippers sale to Ballmer goes through

BY BETH HARRIS The Associated Press LOS ANGELES — Steve Ballmer officially became the new owner of the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday for a record $2 billion.

The team said the sale closed after a California court confirmed the authority of Shelly Sterling, on behalf of the Sterling Family Trust, to sell the franchise to the former Microsoft CEO. Her estranged husband, Donald Sterling, had unsuccessfully fought the sale of the team he owned since 1981 in court.

BALLMER The NBA Board of Governors had previously approved the sale.

“Really excited — in a pretty hardcore way — to continue the path to making the Clippers a better and better basketball team, and a D. STERLING better and better citizen of the Los Angeles community,’’ Ballmer told The Associated Press in a phone interview.

Adam Streisand, Ballmer’s attorney, said Tuesday that Superior Court Judge Michael Levanas signed the order authorizing the sale even if Donald Sterling’s attorneys filed an appeal.

“We were ready,’’ Streisand said. “Within minutes, the deal was signed, sealed and delivered.’’

He said even if Donald Sterling seeks an emergency order directing the judge to vacate his order, the attorney is confident an appellate court would agree that Levanas made the correct decision.

Donald Sterling’s attorneys weren’t immediately available to comment.

The sale ends some troubling concerns that had surrounded the team in recent months.

Doc Rivers would possibly have quit as coach if Sterling remained the owner, interim CEO Richard Parsons had testified.

All-Star point guard Chris Paul, who also is president of the Players Association, might have sat out and convinced other players to join him. Sponsors who already started to flee after a recording of Donald Sterling making racist comments was released might have stayed away for good.

None of that appears to be a problem with Ballmer taking over what could be a powerhouse team next season. By agreeing to the record purchase price, he’s already proven he’s willing to spend in contrast to the famously frugal Sterling.

“The topic of conversation with Doc earlier was to focus in on what does it take and how can I help support him in achieving our mutual mission and in a pretty intense way continue to improve, be tenacious,’’ Ballmer said. “If we do all that, good things will come our way.’’

Ballmer was nearly an NBA owner last year before owners chose to keep the Kings in Sacramento, rather than allow them to be sold to a group that included Ballmer and moved to Seattle.

Now he’s got his own team to share with his wife and three sons.

“We’re a family that likes basketball,’’ he told the AP. Ballmer said he fell in love with the sport as a seventh-grader in his hometown of Detroit. He was manager of his high school team, which included keeping statistics.

Two of his sons have played the game, while the youngest has been a statistician for his high school team in the Seattle area, where the family lives.

Ballmer said he hopes to attend a lot of Clippers games next season. He said Parsons has agreed to stay on as CEO for the interim.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2014

Carlton Lorraine and Dorothy Borden Scouten Palmer. He attended Dalzell Baptist Church and was a former volunteer with Meals on Wheels in Hornell, New York.

Alan is survived by his daughters, Rebecca Moore of Dalzell, Carol McChesney of Lugoff and Lora Penfield of Tampa, Florida; sons, Alan Palmer Jr. of Hornell, and Joseph Palmer and Andrew Palmer, both of Somerset, Kentucky; 21 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; sister, Joan Holter; and brothers, Carlton L. Palmer Jr. and Gary L. Palmer.

Kornegay Funeral Home, Camden Chapel, is assisting the family.

Online condolences may be sent to the Palmer family by visiting www.kornegayfuneral.com.

GEORGIE P. MCELVEEN LYNCHBURG — Georgie Peake McElveen, age 78, died on Aug. 12, 2014, at her home, after an illness.

Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday at Lynchburg

AREA SCOREBOARD SOCCER FALL REGISTRATION

The Sumter County Recreation Department is currently taking registration for its fall soccer leagues.

Registration will run through Thursday and there will be leagues for ages 3-5, 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12 and 13-18. Players will be placed in leagues based on their age as of Sept. 1, 2014.

The registration fee is $35 for ages 3-5 and 5-6 and $45 for the other leagues. No late registration will be taken.

For more information, call the recreation department at (803) 4362248 or visit www.sumtercountysc. org.

CHEERLEADING RECREATION DEPARTMENT REGISTRATION

The Sumter County Recreation Department is currently taking registration for its cheerleading program.

Registration will run through Thursday and it is open to children ages 5-12. The registration fee is $50.

A coaches meeting will be held on Thursday at 6 p.m. at the recreation department at 155 Haynsworth Street.

For more information, call the recreation department at (803) 4362248 or visit www.sumtercountysc. org.

FOOTBALL FLAG REGISTRATION

The Sumter County Recreation Department is currently taking registration for its flag football league.

Registration will run through Thursday and there will be leagues for ages 5-6 and 7-8. Players will be placed in leagues based on their age as of Sept. 1, 2014.

The registration fee is $40 for ages 5-6 and $50 for 7-8. No late registration will be taken.

A coaches meeting will be held on Thursday at 6 p.m. at the recreation department at 155 Haynsworth Street.

For more information, call the recreation department at (803) 4362248 or visit www.sumtercountysc. org.

TACKLE REGISTRATION

The Sumter County Recreation Department is currently taking registration for its tackle football leagues.

Registration will run through Thursday and there will be leagues for ages 9-10 and 11-12. Players will be placed in leagues based on their age as of Sept. 1, 2014.

The registration fee is $60.

A coaches meeting will be held on Thursday at 6 p.m. at the recreation department at 155 Haynsworth Street.

For more information, call the recreation department at (803) 4362248 or visit www.sumtercountysc. org.

SUMTER TOUCHDOWN CLUB

The Sumter Touchdown Club will begin its 25th season on Friday, Aug. 29, at the Quality Inn located at 2390 Broad Street Extension.

The club will meet each Friday for 13 straight weeks from 7:15 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

The weekly program features a guest speaker, a devotional, a high school coaches corner, the recognition of The Item Players of the Week, a catered breakfast and a pick’em contest.

The first week will feature sever-

SUMTER FOOTBALL JAMBOREE

The Sumter County School District Football Jamboree will be held on Friday beginning at 6 p.m. at Sumter Memorial Stadium.

It will feature three 1-half scrimmages with the three Sumter School District teams. Lakewood will play Marion in the first scrimmage, while Crestwood will take on Timmonsville at approximately 6:45 in the second scrimmage. The final scrimmage will feature Sumter against Lake City at approximately 7:30.

Tickets are $6 per person.

BASEBALL FALL REGISTRATION

The Sumter County Recreation Department is currently taking registration for its fall baseball league.

Registration will run through Aug. 21 and there will be leagues for 7-8 year-olds, 9-10, 11-12 and 1314. Players will be placed in leagues based on their age as of April 30, 2015.

The registration fee is $45 and no late registration will be taken.

A coaches meeting will be held on Thursday, Aug. 21, at 6 p.m. at the recreation department at 155 Haynsworth Street.

For more information, call the recreation department at (803) 4362248 or visit www.sumtercountysc. org.

SOFTBALL FALL REGISTRATION

The Sumter County Recreation Department is currently taking registration for its fall softball league.

Registration will run through Aug. 21 and there will be leagues for age 8-and-under, 10-and-under and 12-and-under. 7-8 year-olds, 9-10, 11-12 and 13-14. Players will be placed in leagues based on their age as of Dec. 31, 2014.

The registration fee is $45 and no late registration will be taken.

A coaches meeting will be held on Thursday, Aug. 21, at 6 p.m. at the recreation department at 155 Haynsworth Street.

For more information, call the recreation department at (803) 4362248 or visit www.sumtercountysc. org.

BASKETBALL FREE SPIRIT LEAGUE REGISTRATION

The Free Spirit Church League is accepting player and team registration for its fall basketball league.

The league is open to boys and girls ages 5-12 based on their age as of Sept. 1, 2014. There will be leagues for age 6-and-under, 7-9 and 10-12. The registration deadline is Aug. 30.

For more information, contact Deacon David Glover at (803) 9831309 or Burnell Ransom at (803) 425-5118.

GOLF The 15th Annual Churches Challenge Golf Tournament & Praise Rally will be held Aug. 22-23.

The praise rally and dinner will be held on Friday, Aug. 22, at Alice

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Presbyterian Church Cemetery, directed by Floyd Funeral Home of Olanta.

The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the cemetery.

Born in Kershaw County, she was a daughter of the late Jasper and Carrie Lee Branham Peake. She was a member of Lynchburg Methodist Church and was co-owner of McElveen Grocery in Lynchburg.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robbie H. McElveen.

Surviving are a daughter, Elizabeth “Lib” (Jerry) Windham of Lynchburg; a son, Robbie “Tony” McElveen of Lynchburg; a brother, Wilbur Peake of Goose Creek; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to Lynchburg Methodist Church, P.O. Box 308, Lynchburg, SC 29080 or Lynchburg Presbyterian Cemetery, c/o Penny Tallon, 9 McLeod St., Lynchburg, SC 29080.

Online condolences may be accessed at www.floydfuneral.com.

al local high school coaches talking about their respective teams and the start of their seasons. After that, the speakers will include people involved in different aspects of football on the high school, college and professional levels.

The club is accepting members at a price of $100 per membership. It is also looking for sponsorships at a cost of $200. Sponsorship and membership forms are on the club’s website, www.sumtertdclub.com.

CHURCHES CHALLENGE

|

Drive Baptist Church at 1305 Loring Mill Road beginning at 6 p.m.

The event will be open to the players, tournament sponsors and their families. Gospel group The Last Generation will provide entertainment.

The tournament will be held on Saturday, Aug. 23, at Sunset Country Club. The tournament will be split into a morning flight and an afternoon flight. The sign-in time for the morning flight is 7 a.m. with a tee time of 8, while the sign-in time for the afternoon flight is 11:30 with a tee time of 1 p.m.

The format for the tournament is 4-man Captain’s Choice. The team must have a minimum handicap of 50 and only one player on each team can have a handicap of 8 or less.

The entry fee is $45 per player and that includes the praise rally and dinner for the players and their families as well.

Registration deadline for the tournament, which is hosted by the Christian Golfers’ Association, is Friday, Aug. 16.

There will be a $50,000 hole-inone prize. The person who makes the ace will receive $1,000 while the church for which the player is playing will receive $50,000 from sponsor Jones Automotive Group.

The winning team as well as the second- and third-place teams will receive prizes. All cash prizes, with the exception of the $1,000 hole-inone prize, will go to the churches of the respective winners.

There are many different sponsorship opportunities available to businesses as well.

For more information, call the CGA office at (803) 773-2171. If no one answers, leave a message.

PAR 4 PETS TOURNAMENT

The Par 4 Pets 3rd Annual Golf Tournament will be held on Saturday, Sept. 20, at Crystal Lakes Golf Course.

The format for the tournament is 4-Man Captain’s Choice. The entry fee is $160 per team and $40 per player. The tournament is limited to the first 20 teams. Prizes will go to the top three teams and prizes will be given to closest to pin on all par 3 holes.

The last day to register is Sept. 5.

Money raised from the tournament goes to K.A.T.’s Special Kneads. For more information on the organization, check it out on Facebook or go to katsspecialkneads@yahoo.com.

For more information on the tournament, call Kathy Stafford at (803) 469-3906, Teresa Durden at (803) 917-4710 or Mike Ardis at (803) 775-1902.

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.

RACQUETBALL YMCA TOURNAMENT

The Sumter Family YMCA is taking registration for its first racquetball tournament scheduled for Saturday.

Late registration is being taken now. The cost is $25 for YMCA members and $32 for potential members.

There will be six divisions Open, A, B, C, D and novice. The tournament will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information, call (803) 773-1404 or visit www.ymcasumter. org or www.facebook.com/SumterYmca.

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Standard........ $4 Each Queen............ $5 Each 29 Progress St. - Sumter King............... $6 Each 775-8366 Ext. 37 Store Hours 0RQ 6DW ‡ 9:30 - 5:00 Closed Sunday

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MICROFIBER DRYING MATS

$3.00 Each

Septic Tank Cleaning

ANNOUNCEMENTS LOST tiny black kitten with white paws, in Lakewood Links Area on Aug 2. Call 773-7517

Ray Tobias & Company Septic tank pumping and services. (803) 340-1155 Senior and Military discounts available. 1st time customers receive 10% off when you mention this ad!

Tree Service STATE TREE SERVICE Worker's Comp & General liability insurance. Top quality service, lowest prices. 803-494-5175 or 803-491-5154 www.statetree.net NEWMAN'S TREE SERVICE Tree removal , trimming & stump grinding. Lic & Ins.

803-316-0128

Elijah "Coot" Green 04/20/1949 - 08/13/2013 It has been one year ago today that God came and took you away.

To a better life and a better place far away from this disgrace.

We know that you are still thought of with a smile and so much love.

By the many lives that you so touched, if only you knew just how much.

Many things still remind us though you cannot come back after you go.

But God still gives us faith and hope strength and courage to help us cope.

Like memories sewn together your soul is part of life forever. Memories of your loving family and friends death cannot take, for love never ends.

One year ago today, God came and took you away, but in our hearts is where you will always and forever stay.

Love and Miss You Dearly, (Wife) Essie, (Children) Joe, Snook, Tay, Moochie & Tonya!

BUSINESS SERVICES Business Services Land clearing on site mulching, tree and brush grinding, Free estimates. David 803-972-1090 Residential & Commercial House Cleaning 8 years exp. Very Reliable & Great Ref. Brenda 803-468-2225

Fencing Byrds Taylormade Fence and Decks Free quotes Financing available call 803-491-7000

A Notch Above Tree Care Full quality service low rates, lic./ins., free est BBB accredited 983-9721

MERCHANDISE For Sale or Trade Expert Tech, New & used heat pumps & A/C. Will install/repair, warranty; Compressor & labor $600. Call 803-968-9549 or 843-992-2364 2011 Kioti 30HP 4wd Tractor with loader, backhoe. $19,000. Call 803-795-9166

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

Guarantee 464-5439 or 469-7311

Auctions

AUCTION SATURDAY AUGUST 16 9:00 AM

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LIVE AUCTION! DETAILS AND PICS AT WWW.JRDIXONAUCTIONS.COM RAFE DIXON, SCAL 4059 (803) 774-6967

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

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

Price starts at $30. 803-565-1894 Four Seasons Lawn Care Serving Sumter for almost 20 yrs!

Free est. 494-9169/468-4008

Roofing Robert's Metal Roofing 35 Years Experience. 18 colors & 45 year warranty. Financing available. Long list of satisfied customers. Call 803-837-1549.

EMPLOYMENT Help Wanted Full-Time

Shamrock Bingo is now taking applications for Security Guard & runners/callers to work full or part time. Must be able to work weekends. No exp. needed. Call 803 905-5545

Experienced Floral Designers needed. Full and part time. Please call Laura at The Daisy Shop 803-773-5114 Georgio's II now taking applications for FT/PT positions. Apply in person from 2-5 at Savannah Plaza location.

Must have some exp. Must be 18 or older.

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.

2PC BATH SETS $8 per set

SLIGHTLY IRREGULAR MICROFIBER SHEET SETS Full.............. $4 per set Queen......... $5 per set King.............$5 per set

Help Wanted Full-Time

Unfurnished Apartments

Manufactured Housing

STC Now Hiring Diesel Mechanic

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

775-0575 Studio/1 Bedroom apartments available EHO

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. For more information, call 843-389-4215.

•Valid driver license •High School Diploma or GED •Three years or more of diesel mechanical experience •Must provide tools / picture at interview STC offers competitive salary and benefits EOE and Drug Free Workplace Contact - Pat Joyner 803-775-1002 x107 Live in position in Santee. Cash + rent free apt. Couple/Single to clean motel rooms. Call 803-854-3378.

Locally established Heating & Air condition Co. looking for Exp. Service Tech. (2 yrs min. exp) Needs to have good driving record. Pay range from $33k-$46k a year plus health insurance, retirement, bonus and commission available. Apply in person at 1640 Suber Street.

Openings for Operators Chemical Division (with Class A CDL License) Proven leader in the industrial cleaning business (water-blasting & vacuuming) has Immediate openings for Chemical Operators who operate chemical cleaning equipment and vehicles including pumps, tractors, tankers, etc. in industries such as paper mills, steel mills, nuclear plants, manufacturing, refineries, automotive, power plants, chemical plants and tobacco plants. •Must have a valid CDL license (class A) with tanker & HAZMAT endorsements, and a good driving record. •Able to pass drug tests (preemployment, random, annual, etc) •Have mechanical skills. •On call 24/7 •Must be physically fit to wear respirator and enter confined spaces. •Able to travel Apply on line at www.thompsonsout heast.com for Chemical Operator.

EOE The #1 Furniture Retail Company in the U.S. is seeking highly motivated individuals with outgoing personalities to join our Sales Team.

Candidates must have a working knowledge of computers. They will be required to build sales volume by providing superior customer service and knowledge of product and finance options. This full time position is based on a flexible work schedule that includes evenings, Saturdays and some holidays. Offering unlimited income potential based on commission and bonuses. Guaranteed salary during training process. Send resume to 2850 Broad St., Sumter, SC 29150.

2BR 1BA, Conv. to Sumter Mall. $530/mo + dep. 803-775-1281.

Unfurnished Homes Alice Dr School Area 4 BR 2 BA carport, fenced yard, $1200 Mo. + Dep Call 704-345-8547 3 homes for rent. 1300 - 2100 sq ft., $850 - $1200 mo. 3 br, 2 ba, (near Shaw AFB). 646-460-4424.

Autos For Sale

Mobile Home with Lots

Mobile Home Lots

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Mobile Home Rentals

Land & Lots for Sale

2/3BR MH. All appliances, C//H//A, Section 8 OK 469-6978 499-1500

(1) Lot in Lakewood Links Subd.

2900 Waverly Dr. $18,000 OBO, 803-983-5691

2, 3 & 4 Bedroom Trailers for rent, Cherryvale & Dogwood Area $250 & up. (803) 651-9926 428 Green Swamp Rd 2BR/1BA Trailer. City Water & Sewage, New C/H/A $350/Mo + $300/dep. $312 electricity dep with Duke. Don't call unless you have dep. 803-840-7860

1Br 1Ba MH in a small park.

Appl. incl., heat pump. Water, sewage & trash provided. $310 mo. Call (803)464-3437 12-8 pm Baconhill Rd./Pinewood SW Mobile Home, 3BR/2BA, stove, frig, $550/mo. + dep. 803-506-4600

Commercial Industrial

Reconditioned batteries $35. Also have lawn mower, truck, 4 wheeler, golf cart & marine batteries, starters & alternators. Car dealers/garages ask about special prices. Auto Electric Co. 803-773-4381

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Lease or Sale- Owner financing avail, 5200 sq ft Building. Large fenced lot, 5 offices, kitchen, reception office, shop area. 822 S Guignard Call 803 968-5762

TRANSPORTATION

Public Hearing PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION DESIGN REVIEW

Autos For Sale 1996 Toyota Camry LE, 67,000 mi.

Exc. condition. $4,250 OBO. Call 803-236-3068.

Near Shaw: 3BR/2BA, Palm Harbor MH Lg Lot # 46. Previous rental reference required. $550/mo + dep. Mark 803-494-3573, 803-840-3371

Office Rentals 340 Rast St. 1500 sq ft office space. $1,090 onth. Contact Century 21 Hawkins & Kolb for more info. 803-773-1477.

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The Historic Preservation Design Review Committee will meet on Thursday, August 28, 2014, at 3:30 p.m. in the Planning Department conference room located in the Liberty Center (12 W. Liberty Street, Sumter, South Carolina).

The following request is scheduled for public hearing: HP-14-16, 13 N. Main St. (City) The applicant is requesting Historic Preservation Design Review approval to repaint the exterior facade, install windows and a double door entrance at the rear of building to match the front entrance.

Property is located at 13 N. Main St. and represented by Tax Map # 228-12-05-011.

Documents pertaining to the proposed request(s) are on file in the Office of the Sumter City-County Planning Department and are available to be inspected and studied by interested citizens

REAL ESTATE

Joseph T. McElveen, Jr. Mayor

Homes for Sale Sales people needed for local car dealership. Experience a must! Call 803 494-5900

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2014 Call Ivy Moore at: (803) 774-1221 | E-mail: ivym@theitem.com

PHOTOS BY TAYLOR MITCHUM/SPECIAL TO THE SUMTER ITEM

Matt Wilt, Kelly Melton and Tristan Pack pause during a rehearsal for “The Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged),” which opens Thursday for a two-week run at the Sumter Little Theatre in the Sumter County Cultural Center.

Fast-paced comedy opens SLT season See all of Shakespeare in 2 acts

BY IVY MOORE ivy@theitem.com

T

he multiple personalities of “Sybil” number far fewer than those that will take the stage of the Sumter Little Theatre Thursday night. Three SLT veterans will take on numerous characters in all 37 of William Shakespeare’s plays — comedies, dramas and histories.

In the season opener, “The Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged),” Kelly Melton, Matt Wilt and Tristan Pack will play, respectively, a seasoned Shakespearean actor, an up-and-coming star and a young boy who takes on all of the Bard’s female characters.

It’s a hilarious comedy to open the theater’s 2014-15 season, and it requires talented performers with the stamina to get through three dozen plays in under two hours.

Director Eric Bultman held auditions for “The Complete Works ... “ several weeks ago.

“At every audition,” he said, “I look for energetic, creative people who are willing to step outside of themselves for about six weeks to create a character.”

More specifically, Bultman said, “For ‘The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)’, I needed three men: an older actor to play Claudius, Polonius, King Lear, Richard III, Julius Caesar and others, a younger leading man to play Romeo,

Hamlet, Macbeth, and a young man to play the female roles like Juliet, Cleopatra, Ophelia and Gertrude.”

The line-up, he said, is modeled on that of theater troupes of Shakespeare’s time.

“Shakespeare’s company, Lord Chamberlain’s Men, was organized that way,” Bultman said. “They were all men. You had mature actors who had been with the company for a long time, young leading actors who grew up in the company and learned to act by observing the experienced actors, and young boy apprentices who played the female roles and hoped to have an acting career with the company.”

Melton originally played the “clown,” portraying all the female characters in the 2003 SLT production, while Pack, who was Romeo in last year’s “Romeo and Juliet,” now plays Romeo’s love interest, Juliet. Wilt last appeared in the equally fast-paced comedy, “The 39 Steps,” in May. There are special skills needed for this show, as well, Bultman said.

“Parodying Shakespeare isn’t easy.

The actors must be able to use the language,” he explained. “So I looked for actors who could speak clearly and who were willing to commit to learning the dialogue as it is written.

“For a show like ‘The Complete Works ... ‘ that moves very fast, with lightning-fast costume changes, props going on and off stage, sword fights and other forms of fight choreography, I need actors who will take my di-

“The Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged)” Sumter Little Theatre 10 Mood Avenue (803) 775-2150 Aug. 14-17 and 21-24 Thursday through Saturday 8 p.m., Sunday, 3 p.m.

Tickets: $15 Adults, $12 Student/Senior/Military

Tristan Pack plays Ophelia, who goes mad following her father’s death at the hands of Hamlet, as well as all of the other female characters in Sumter Little Theatre’s comedy, “The Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged).” rection. It’s easy for a show like this to turn into bedlam. The actors must be safe.”

Talent at improvisation is also important.

“The play contains lots of pop culture references from the late 1980s,” when it was first performed, he said.

“We have had a great time finding new ones.”

It’s not all work and no play for the cast, either, Bultman said.

“More than anything, the actors need to have fun. It’s a funny show, and if they have a good time so will the audience,” he said.

The actors are not the entire show, the director reminds us. Without its other elements, the effect would be much diminished.

“Michael Bacon’s sound design is outstanding,” Bultman said. “And Sylvia Pickell’s costumes and props are not to be missed. They are amazing.”

While those familiar with all of Shakespeare’s works should recognize each one, he said, “You don’t have to be a Shakespeare scholar to enjoy this play. The second act is devoted entirely to Hamlet, and it’s hilarious.”

There is one play not represented in the “The Complete Works ... ,” Bultman said. It “is omitted because one of the actors finds the title offensive. You have to come to find out which one.

“I hope the play will make the people who don’t know a lot about Shakespeare want to learn more.”

Call (803) 775-2150 for more information or reservations. Season memberships are also available.

Character actor William Schallert always in demand

BY NICK THOMAS Tinseltown Talks Even casual couch potatoes will concede that throughout years of television viewing, there’s no avoiding William Schallert!

His distinctive, mellow voice and comfortingly familiar face have appeared on series since the 1950s, ranging from “Father Knows Best” to “Desperate Housewives” and everything in between (see www.william-schallert.com).

“I’ve never added up the total, but I did work a lot!” said Schallert, from his home in Pacific Palisades, Calif.

The Internet Movie Database website lists his tally of television appearances at close to 300, with another 100 feature films – the first being an uncredited role in “The Foxes of Harrow” in 1947 which Schallert still vividly recalls.

“I had one line as a banker delivering a message to the

New Orleans stock exchange: ‘Gentlemen, gentlemen, the bank of the United States in Philadelphia has closed its doors!’”

Schallert says the scene was memorable because it called for another actor to shoot himself, but was unable to coordinate firing the gun with the gunshot sound produced by crew backstage.

“They couldn’t see each other, so the shot would go off sometimes before or sometimes after the trigger was pulled. It got to be hysterical,” laughed Schallert.

“But they kept me over and I ended up getting three days’ pay for one. So I figured this was a great way to make a living!”

In the beginning, Schallert says roles came slowly, but by 1959 he was hot.

“I worked 57 times that year, then got a recurring role on ‘Dobie Gillis,’ and of course, as the father on ‘The Patty Duke

Jean Bryan, Patty Duke and William Schallert portrayed the family unit on The Patty Duke Show in the 1960s.

Show’ in 1963,” he said.

However, the uncertainty of series work could become unsettling.

“I knew the show was coming to an end, and was concerned what would happen,” he said of The Patty Duke Show. “Fortunately, I started

doing voiceover work in commercials, and that really paid the bills for the next 20 years.”

Schallert has appeared at sci-fi conventions due to roles in ’50s film classics such as “The Man from Planet X,” “Them,” and “The Incredible Shrinking Man.” He also guest starred in “The Trouble with Tribbles,” one of the most popular “Star Trek” episodes.

But he says one of his favorite TV guest roles was in “Get Smart,” where he appeared in several episodes as the very elderly and unsteady Admiral Hargrade who would fall over at the slightest touch – an irony not lost on the 92-yearold Schallert, now coincidently the exact age as his character during the 1968 season.

“The admiral was a charming character and looking back as an actor, I still think the ways I made him tumble over were funny,” he said.

“But now I am the age his character was supposed to be,

and the actual falling down part isn’t funny anymore!

Falls can become serious health issues for seniors.”

While Schallert says he has experienced some falls, his main health issue is his legs.

“I have peripheral neuropathy and wear braces,” he said.

“They help me stay balanced if I use a walker, but it’s just easier to get around in a wheelchair.”

Despite the physical limitation, Schallert doesn’t entirely rule out working in the future.

“Although I’m more or less retired, if someone offered me a stage role and it was something I could manage, I’d probably do it,” he says. “But working in film or TV would be too difficult now. Besides, I did my share!”

Nick Thomas teaches at Auburn University at Montgomery, Ala., and has written features, columns, and interviews for over 400 magazines and newspapers.

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FOOD

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2014

THE SUMTER ITEM

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Open-Faced Corn and Zucchini Omelet with Smoked Salmon and Lemon Cream feeds an entire family.

Corn adds sunny side to dinner omelet

BY SARA MOULTON Associated Press Writer For the first couple weeks of corn season, my family is content to eat plain old corn on the cob day after day. And why not? It’s perfect as is.

But even perfection gets boring after a while, which is why I tend to fancy up our corn-centric preparations as we get deeper into the season. In this case, I dreamed up a large, family-style, open-faced dinner omelet.

I was inspired by my own dear son, Sam, who likes to toss leftover corn into his morning omelet.

Before diving into the recipe, let’s spend a minute making sure you’re cooking with the best corn. If possible, you want not only to buy it from a farm stand or farmers market, but to do so in the morning. Presumably, the farmer will have picked it earlier that very day, which allows you to take it home, store it in the fridge, and cook it that evening.

The idea is to slow down the relentless conversion of the corn’s sugar to starch, which begins the minute an ear is plucked off a stalk and accelerates if the corn is then left in a warm place, including in a bin at the farm stand or on a shelf in your garage.

How will you know if an ear is fully ripened? By figuring out if it’s covered with kernels from stem to stern, a fact you can ascertain by feeling it from the outside. If it feels

skinny at the top, put it back in the bin.

Now that you’ve carried your prize home, it’s time to cut the corn off the cob. My favorite way is to peel off the husk, leaving on the stem, then to stand the ear on its stem on a large piece of kitchen parchment and cut straight down the sides. Chef Joey Altman, a pal of mine from the San Francisco area, prefers to lay the ear on its side before cutting. I will admit that his method prevents the kernels from flying off wildly, but I still prefer mine, which allows me to see what I’m doing more clearly and allows for better control.

Summer also happens to be high season for everyone’s notoriously fertile zucchini, which have likely already overrun the garden and now are threatening to crawl into the house.

This recipe will put a dent in them, too.

You’re going to grate and salt them to rid them of excess water and concentrate their flavor. Then you’ll add them to your omelet, along with caramelized onion, to make the finished product moist but not watery. (I often use shredded zucchini as my secret moisture weapon.)

What turns this omelet into a dish fit for din-din? Smoked salmon and a lemon cream made with Greek yogurt, which is high-protein and low-fat (and wonderfully creamy). Of course, the eggs are an additional source of protein. This dish is surprisingly substantial.

Add a nice green salad on the side and you’ll be rolling.

OPEN-FACED CORN AND ZUCCHINI OMELET WITH SMOKED SALMON AND LEMON CREAM Start to finish: 50 minutes Servings: 4 1 pound zucchini, coarsely shredded 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided 2 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil 1 cup finely chopped yellow onion 2 cups fresh corn kernels 8 large eggs, lightly beaten 1/2 cup plain fat-free Greek yogurt 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest 1 teaspoon lemon juice Ground black pepper 4 ounces smoked salmon, cut into thin strips Chopped fresh dill, to garnish Heat the oven to 350 F. In a colander, toss the zucchini with 1/2 teaspoon of the salt and let the mixture stand over the sink for 10 minutes.

In a large, oven-safe nonstick skillet, heat the oil over medium.

Add the onion and cook until golden, about 5 minutes. Set aside.

Using your hands, squeeze small handfuls of the zucchini to discard as much water as possible.

Add the squeezed zucchini to the skillet with the onion. Return the skillet to medium heat and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes.

Stir in the corn, eggs and the remaining teaspoon of salt. Cook, lifting up the edges of the omelet to let the uncooked egg mixture flow underneath, until the omelet is mostly set. Transfer the omelet to the oven and bake for 5 minutes, or until the top is just set.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl combine the yogurt, lemon zest and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper. To serve, cut the omelet into wedges and top each portion with a quarter of the salmon and lemon cream, as well as a sprinkling of dill.

Nutrition information per serving: 350 calories; 150 calories from fat (43 percent of total calories); 17 g fat (3.5 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 365 mg cholesterol; 26 g carbohydrate; 4 g fiber; 10 g sugar; 24 g protein; 870 mg sodium.

A shaved salsa that needs no tomatoes, no chopping

BY J.M. HIRSCH Associated Press Food Editor First, that it must involve tomatoes. Second, that the ingredients should be chopped. Because while chopped tomato salsas are delicious, you don’t want those to be your only experience. There are so many other delicious ways to enjoy fresh salsa.

To prove the point, I offer

this shaved grapefruit and corn salsa that gets its bite from jalapeno chilies and red radishes. The shaving — best done by a mandoline, though a food processor also could be used — produces a salsa that manages to be both substantial and light.

The paper-thin slices of onion also better absorb the other flavors.

Lime juice and vinegar are the traditional sources

of acid in many salsas (in addition to the tomatoes), but this version gets all it needs from the grapefruit juice. A hit of sugar and the corn add the perfect sweet balance to the heat and acidity, and a bit of garlic ties it all together.

Though this salsa is perfect with chips for scooping, also consider spooning it over grilled fish, such as salmon.

GRAPEFRUIT AND CORN SUMMER SALSA This recipe calls for using a mandoline to shave the vegetables paper thin. If you don’t have one, you can use a food processor fitted with the slicing blade, though the vegetables will not be cut as thinly.

Start to finish: 10 minutes Servings: 6 1 small red onion 4 medium red radishes 4 cloves garlic 1/2 jalapeno pepper, ribs and seeds discarded 1 large ruby red grapefruit 1 ear corn 1 teaspoon sugar Salt and ground black pepper Use a mandoline to shave the onion, radishes, garlic and jalapeno into a medium bowl. Take great care when shaving the garlic cloves. Toss well.

Slice off the top and bottom of the grapefruit, then set the grapefruit on one of its flat sides on a cutting board. Carefully cut down the sides of the grapefruit, working in strips, to slice off the skin

and white pith, removing as little of the grapefruit flesh as possible. Try not to press the grapefruit while doing this; you don’t want to press the juices out.

Hold the peeled grapefruit in one hand over the bowl, then use a paring knife to carefully cut out the grapefruit segments. It is fine if the segments don’t hold together while doing this. When all of the segments are removed, squeeze the membranes of the grapefruit to add as much juice as possible to the bowl, then discard. Mix gently.

Cut the kernels from the ear of corn. To do this, stand the ear on its wide end and saw back and forth down the length of the cob. Add the kernels to the bowl, then mix. Add the sugar, mix, then season with salt and pepper. The salsa can be served immediately, or refrigerated. If chilled, let warm to room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.

Nutrition information per serving: 45 calories; 5 calories from fat (11 percent of total calories); 0 g fat (0 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 0 mg cholesterol; 11 g carbohydrate; 1 g fiber; 6 g sugar; 1 g protein; 85 mg sodium.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Grapefruit and Corn Summer Salsa is ready in 10 minutes.

FOOD

THE SUMTER ITEM

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2014

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Making the case for a simple well-stocked home bar

BY J.M. HIRSCH Associated Press Food Editor It’s the bane of the home mixologist — complicated cocktail recipes that call for multiple (and often pricey) esoteric liquors doomed to be used once, then linger for years at the back of the cabinet.

Convinced there had to be a better way to stock a bar, Lesley Jacobs Solmonson and husband David Solmonson set out to cull the cocktail herd and home in on only the most essential ingredients for great drinking. They settled on an even dozen, which gave birth first to the website 12bottlebar. com, and now a cookbook/ shopping guide, “The 12 Bottle Bar.�

Jacobs Solmonson recently spoke with AP about the winnowing process, why tequila didn’t make the cut and what to do if a one-bottle bar is more your style. (The interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.)

Explain the concept of the 12-bottle bar.

The idea of the 12-bottle bar is sprung for us out of the frustration of trying to make all these really cool drinks that we kept seeing in magazines. Every cocktail in these magazines got progressively more and more complicated, and very often would call for a bottle of something that when you ran out to the store to get it ran between $50 and $70. So we drop our $50 or $70 and use the quarter teaspoon it called for in the drink, and not only would we not like the drink that had been made, but we were stuck with the $70 bottle of “creme de esoteric.�

We sat down and said, “What would it take to create a great home bar that was easily accessible in terms of budget, in terms of ease of use, and just in terms of the breadth of cocktails you could make?� And that was where the 12 bottles were born.

Keeping it to 12 bottles obviously involved some hard choices. How did you sort that out?

When we started out, we were very much enamored of the emerging (classic) cocktail culture. We fell in love with that idea of artisan quality and because of that we went to very early bottles. The evolution came as we started experimenting, deciding which bottles really made the cut.

Our roadmap to choosing the bottles was: Is it cost effective in terms of the number of drinks it will produce? Does it offer you a breadth of drinks, not just a number of drinks?

So we came up with the spirits (brandy, dry gin, genever, amber rum, white rum, rye, vodka, orange liqueur), two bottles of vermouth, a sweet and a dry, and two bottles of bitters.

Tequila did not make the cut. We know that tequila and mezcal are huge right now.

But for all intents and purposes, tequila makes two drinks.

It makes a margarita and a paloma. Now I’m not saying it doesn’t make all these amazing drinks that fabulous bartenders are making. But in the world of classic cocktails, there’s really not much else.

Vodka however did (make the cut). We would have been foolish if we overlooked the popularity of that market. Because vodka is such a core of modern drinking, we couldn’t leave it out. More importantly, when you have vodka, you can make your own liqueurs. So now, one of these bottles in a 12-bottle bar has literally opened the door to five, 10, 20 other bottles, or as many things as you want to make in terms of infusing the vodka.

You gave up two of the 12 bottles to bitters. Why? Bitters is probably one of the most underrated ingredients. The average person doesn’t realize what bitters does. You look at it like a spice. You would never cook a dish without seasoning. And bitters is your seasoning. Bitters offers balance.

You also have a chapter on virgin drinks. Isn’t that a zero-bottle bar?

Well, yes, sort of. But you’ve always got those 12 bottles you can spike it with. As a good host and as a responsible host, you’ve got to be able to pro-

Lesley Jacobs Solmonson and her husband David Solmonson are the authors of a book filled with cocktail recipes focusing on only the most essential ingredients for great drinking.

vide virgin drinks.

You have tips on starting with one-, three- and four-bottle bars.

If you had to pare yourself down to just that one bottle, what would it be?

I have two loves. I am a gin lover from forever. And I’m also a rye lover. They are extremely different, but they are both very aromatic and I think it’s aromatics that attract me.

For me, one of the greatest cocktails — the martini — has absolutely no competition. If it is made correctly, it is one of the most exquisite drinks in the world. And you have to use gin in your martini. There is no such thing as a vodka martini. We understand that people order them, but what you are ordering is a long shot of vodka. So man up and try it with some gin.

Š 2014 by Vicki Whiting, Editor Jeff Schinkel, Graphics Vol. 30, No. 35

ood Take a gyour Every look at he minute you skin. T of lose 30,000 surface in to 40,000 your skke dead skin will fla be off and on. cells off the surface of gone so your skin.

Your skin is always making new skin cells that rise to the top to replace the old ones.

The epidermis is the top layer of skin. It waterproofs your body and keeps germs out.

When you get hot, your pores open and sweat comes out. You cool off when the sweat evaporates.

Cells in your epidermis make something called melanin. Melanin gives skin its color.

Patches of skin with extra melanin are called freckles.

This gland produces sweat, also known as perspiration.

Your oil glands make oil that keeps your skin moist and soft. Too much can clog a pore and make a pimple.

Find the letters that spell each of the following words on one page of the newspaper. Use different color crayons to connect the letters in order to spell each word.

This tiny muscle attached to each hair follicle makes hairs stand up when you get goosebumps.

Each square inch of human skin consists of twenty blood vessels.

Which parts of your body don’t have hair?

Unscramble these words to find out.

Humans have skin, but so do other living things. Draw a line from each living thing to the name of its “skin.�

This thicker layer of skin has blood vessels, sweat glands, hair roots and nerve endings which let you sense pain, touch, heat and cold.

Hairs grow from holes in the skin called follicles. You have follicles on almost every part of your body.

trees egg

husk peels

bananas horses peas coconut melon

bark pod shell rind hide

EPIDERMIS FLAKE FOLLICLE TISSUE PORE GLAND VESSEL MELANIN NERVE LAYER MOIST SWEAT SKIN CELLS PIMPLE

Find the words in the puzzle. Then look for each word in this week’s Kid Scoop stories and activities.

L P M O T A E W S N L I O M E L A N I N E M I V E T T K M E S P S H I R S E R R S L T S D E S K E V E E S N I Y R K D E V U A N S A A O I K E L C I L L O F P I G N N Y F S L L E C Standards Link: Letter sequencing. Recognized identical words. Skim and scan reading. Recall spelling patterns.

This is a layer of fatty tissue under the dermis which helps your body stay warm.

Over the course of a year, how many pounds of skin cells does the average person lose? Add up the numbers along the correct path.

This old saying means that good deeds are more important than good looks and that you become beautiful by acting in a beautiful way.

Look through the newspaper for examples of these words of wisdom.

Send your story to: Do you remember the last time you had to get a shot from the doctor? Can you offer younger children tips on how to make getting shots easier?

When you go out into the sun, your cells make extra melanin to protect you from getting burned. Wearing sun screen is important, too.

FINISH

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COMICS

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2014

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DILBERT

JEFF MACNELLY’S SHOE

Daughter’s obsessive stalker ratchets up accusations DEAR ABBY — I am very concerned about my 33-year-old daughter’s safety. A man in his mid-60s, Dear Abby someone she met at a preABIGAIL vious job, VAN BUREN has become obsessed with her. He has declared his love for her, divorced his wife and slathered my struggling, single daughter with gifts over the last three years.

She has refused his advances on nearly a daily basis, and he is now tracking her every move. If she leaves her house for even 30 minutes, he knows and accuses her of going to

THE SUMTER ITEM

have sex with someone. If she says she’s coming to my house, he drives by to verify it. If it takes her longer than he thinks it should, he accuses her of having sex with someone. She swears that she has never had sex with him.

It has really intensified lately. I’m frantic about her safety. What should I do?

Scared Mom in Florida DEAR SCARED MOM — Your daughter’s “admirer” is showing all the signs of being a stalker. Why is she carrying on ANY conversations with him and telling him where she’s going? If she accepted gifts he “slathered” on her, it may be why he feels she encouraged him. They should be returned.

You and your daughter

THE DAILY CROSSWORD PUZZLE

should go to the police and report what he has been doing. It may be necessary for her to take out a restraining order because this person appears to be unbalanced and may be dangerous.

DEAR ABBY — Do you think people can change?

Jill in Chester, Pa. DEAR JILL — I assume you mean change for the better.

The answer is yes, of course people can change. With motivation, determination and perseverance, people can accomplish almost anything they set their minds to.

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact 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 AARP concern 7 Other, in Oaxaca 11 AOL chats 14 Quick look 15 Need to retake in summer school, say 16 Sylvester, to Tweety 17 High-jump style named for 1968 Olympic gold medalist Dick 19 Andean vegetable 20 Adams of “American Hustle” 21 Sitter’s handful 22 Signal to stop, with “down” 23 Morning-after shot 27 Spoke out against 30 Zany 31 Lobster part 32 “Wish you __ here!”

33 Expose, in verse 36 Last Martin/ Lewis film 41 Cold War missile prog.

42 Sound from a pen 43 Former VOA overseer 44 “Bye Bye Bye” boy band 46 Stumped

49 Subject of 1950s testing 52 Big-grin borders 53 Flying prefix 54 Unlike a spring chicken 57 “Alice” waitress 58 Lays it on the line 62 San Antonio NBA star Duncan 63 Skin soother 64 Daily special, e.g.

65 “Comprende?”

66 Remain up in the air 67 Swordfish servings DOWN 1 Former Belgian camera brand 2 Steal, slangily 3 Simple 4 Having five sharps, musically 5 Dives with a tank 6 Like olde England 7 __ a good start 8 1960s chess champ Mikhail 9 Ebro, por ejemplo 10 Swiss skyline sight 11 “Shoulda listened to me!”

12 Region on the South China Sea 13 Immortal college coach Amos Alonzo __ 18 Farm attachment?

22 Bog 23 Lupine cry 24 Took it on the lam 25 Deere competitor 26 Field worker 27 Adolph of publishing 28 Walk with effort 29 Mom or dad, e.g.

32 Bowl-shaped pan 34 Greek consonants 35 Greek vowels 37 Ma with a cello 38 Annex 39 “If I told you

__ ...”

40 Tulip-to-be 45 Soon-to-be alumni: Abbr.

46 Fivers 47 Flourless cakes 48 Invoice figure 49 Lifts with effort 50 Connecticut collegian 51 In one’s birthday suit 54 Pickled or deep-fried veggie 55 Onion relative 56 Colorist’s supplies 58 Bug on a wire 59 Microbrew choice 60 Horror star Chaney 61 Driver’s decision: Abbr.

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TNT’s ‘Legends’ is intriguing espionage thriller

BY KEVIN MCDONOUGH It’s too bad the original “CSI” uses the old Who song “Who Are You,” because it’s a natural for the new series “Legends” (9 p.m., TNT, TV14). The title refers to the term for the false identities created for undercover operatives.

Sean Bean (“Lord of the Rings,” “Sharpe”) stars as agent Martin Odum, a man who assumes any number of identities as the series continues. His ability to assume a character and allow that identity to consume him is a trait that alarms some of his fellow agents.

Essentially, the whole setup of “Legends” is a gift for a versatile actor. Bean gets to play an agent who gets to perform on so many levels.

Odum’s own story includes a childhood spent on military bases abroad. That explains his British accent. So Bean, a graduate of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and the Royal Shakespeare Company, doesn’t need to shed his native accent to play an American. Unless the assignment calls on him to play yet another American.

He’s first seen impersonating an unemployed drifter/ loner with a stutter in order to infiltrate a domestic terror cell. His embedded backstory, of divorce, unemployment and disillusionment, isn’t terribly different than Odum’s own. That, says task force director Nelson Gates (Steve Harris), is the best legend of all: one that hews close to the truth.

But what is the truth? Midway through the pilot, Odum encounters a scary homeless man who tells him he’s not really Odum at all, not who he thinks he is. At first this seems improbable. But when those helping Odum peel this psychological onion start ending up dead, it begins to seem more plausible.

This tight little story is good enough to survive some of the more implausible gimmicks that beset basic cable dramas. Ali Larter (“Heroes”) stars as Odum’s improbably good-looking superior, Special Agent Crystal McGuire. Being eye-candy comes in handy, particularly when she has to impersonate a strip club lap dancer at a

Dance” (8 p.m., Fox, TV-14) * “Penn & Teller: Fool Us” (8 p.m., CW, TV-14) * Behind the wheel on “The Goldbergs” (8:30 ABC, r, TV-PG) * Arsenic and old vases on “Criminal Minds” (9 p.m., CBS, r, TV-14) * On two helpings of “Modern Family” (ABC, r, TV-14), guy stuff (9 p.m.), Vegas (9:30 p.m.) * Winter supplies dwindle on “The 100” (9 p.m., CW, r, TVPG).

LATE NIGHT

RICHARD FOREMAN / TNT

Sean Bean stars in the new TNT spy series “Legends,” premiering at 9 p.m. today. key moment. Betcha they don’t teach that a spy school!

Look for Tina Majorino (“Napoleon Dynamite,” “Veronica Mars,” “Big Love”) as Maggie Harris, a super astute cyber-warrior field operative.

She can create a history of emails and Web activity with just a few keystrokes. Every Jack Bauer needs his Chloe!

• The new series “Man vs. the Universe” (10 p.m., Science) examines speculative strategies for the corporate colonization of the moon, private plans to exploit the mineral riches of our closest celestial neighbor.

TONIGHT’S OTHER HIGHLIGHTS • The wind chimes of war on “The Middle” (8 p.m., ABC, r, TV-PG).

• Depositions begin on “Suits” (9 p.m., USA, TV-14).

• Shark Week continues on Discovery with “Zombie Sharks” (9 p.m.) and “Spawn of Jaws: The Birth” (10 p.m., TVPG).

• It takes a minnow to land the big fish on “The Divide” (9 p.m., WE, TV-14).

• Molly comes to understand her role on the mission on “Extant” (10 p.m., CBS, TV-14).

• A random murder victim may have been killed by a chemical weapon on “Taxi Brooklyn” (10 p.m., NBC, TV14).

• A killing in real estate on “Motive” (10 p.m., ABC, TV-14).

• Fast food and Hollywood nepotism are on the menu as “Wahlburgers” (10 p.m., A&E, TV-PG) enters a second season.

• Eva’s case goes nowhere on “The Bridge” (10 p.m., FX, TV-MA).

CULT CHOICE TCM’s daylong salute to Cary Grant accentuates his

screwball and romantic comedies, including “Bringing Up Baby” (7:45 a.m.,); “His Girl Friday” (9:30 a.m.); “The Philadelphia Story” (12:45 p.m.); “Arsenic and Old Lace” (2:45 p.m.) and “Mr. Blandings Builds his Dream House” (9:30 p.m.).

SERIES NOTES “Big Brother” (8 p.m., CBS, TV-14) * “America’s Got Talent” (8 p.m., r and 9 p.m., NBC, TVPG) * “So You Think You Can

“The Daily Show” and “Colbert Report” are pre-empted until August 26 * Kumail Nanjiani, Jonah Ray and Ty Segall appear on “Conan” (11 p.m., TBS) * Aubrey Plaza, Gary Valentine, Claire Titelman and Ross Mathews are booked on “Chelsea Lately” (11 p.m., E!) * Sylvester Stallone, Theo James and Ledisi appear on “Late Show With David Letterman” (11:35 p.m., CBS, r) * Jimmy Fallon welcomes Taylor Swift, Andrew Rannells and Ryan Adams on “The Tonight Show” (11:35 p.m., NBC) * Mickey Rourke, Matthew Weiner and Roger Bennett & Michael Davies visit “Late Night With Seth Meyers” (12:35 a.m., NBC) * Craig Ferguson hosts Shailene Woodley, Dan Boulger and Wild Child on “The Late Late Show” (12:35 a.m., CBS, r).

Copyright 2014, United Feature Syndicate

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2014

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10 ways to dress corn on the cob

We’re all ears

BY ALISON LADMAN Associated Press Writer

F

or most of us, piping hot, slathered with butter and sprinkled with salt really is the best way to enjoy corn on the cob.

Our only gripe with it? It’s so good, we tend to forget that fresh corn doesn’t need to be cooked to be delicious. In fact, raw corn eaten right off the cob is easily one of the freshest, sweetest ways to capture the taste of summer.

And adding raw corn kernels is an easy way to push just about any salad over the top.

The best way to cut kernels from an ear of corn — cooked or otherwise — is to stand each ear on its wide end on a cutting board. Then use a serrated to knife to saw down the side of the cob, cutting just deep enough to slice off the kernels.

Rotate the cob and saw down again, repeating until all of the kernels are removed.

Not ready to go raw? Here are two recipes — a corn and edamame succotash and a corn and sausage-rich “gravy� that’s a meal unto itself —

SUMMER EDAMAME SUCCOTASH Start to finish: 25 minutes Servings: 8 3 tablespoons unsalted butter 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 medium yellow onion, chopped Pinch of red pepper flakes 2 ribs celery, chopped 1 red bell pepper, cored and chopped 4 ears corn, kernels removed 1 cup shelled edamame 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives Kosher salt and ground black pepper In a large deep skillet over mediumhigh, melt the butter. Add the garlic, onion and red pepper flakes, then saute for 4 to 5 minutes, or until tender.

Add the celery, red pepper, corn kernels and edamame. Cook for another 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, thyme and chives, then season with salt and pepper. Cook for another 2 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Nutrition information per serving: 120 calories; 60 calories from fat (50 percent of total calories); 6 g fat (3 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 10 mg cholesterol; 15 g carbohydrate; 3 g fiber; 5 g sugar; 4 g protein; 140 mg sodium.

that still get you thinking beyond the basic cob.

This gravy is robust enough that adding just a bit of bread turns it into a meal. Try it over a thick slab of toasted sourdough or warm biscuits.

1 medium yellow onion, diced 1 cup corn kernels, cut from 1 ear of corn 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

of summer perfect corn on the cob slathered with butter and sprinkled with salt.

But we figured we’d give it a try anyway. And we quickly learned that fresh corn is a splendid foundation on which all manner of flavor combinations can be built, from sweet (check out the Fluff masterpiece below) to savory (bacon, anyone?) to spicy (chili lime!). So use our list as a starting point and see how many directions you can go with your corn.

BLUE CHEESE CHIVE BUTTER Mash together 4 tablespoons softened butter with 4 tablespoons crumbled blue cheese.

Stir in 2 tablespoons finely chopped chives and 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper.

Spread on hot corn on the cob.

OLD BAY BOIL

Bring a large pot of water to a boil.

Season heavily with Old Bay Seasoning. Boil husked ears of corn until tender, about 5 minutes.

Serve with butter and an additional sprinkle of Old Bay. SPREADABLE BACON Cook 1 slice of bacon per ear of corn. In a food processor, crumble the bacon and process until finely chopped. Add 1 tablespoon of butter per ear, a pinch of salt and black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon balsamic vinegar. Spread on hot corn on the cob.

TOASTED ALMOND

SAUSAGE AND CORN GRAVY

Start to finish: 25 minutes Servings: 6 1 pound loose breakfast or sweet Italian sausage

I

t’s hard to improve on the delicious simplicity

2 cups milk Kosher salt and ground black pepper 1/4 cup finely sliced scallions

In a medium saucepan over medium-high, saute the sausage, onion and corn until all are browned, about 10 minutes. Add the flour and stir to coat well. Add the milk and bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, for about 5 minutes, or until thickened. Season with salt and pepper, then stir in the scallions.

Nutrition information per serving: 250 calories; 140 calories from fat (56 percent of total calories); 16 g fat (5 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 60 mg cholesterol; 11 g carbohydrate; 1 g fiber; 6 g sugar; 15 g protein; 420 mg sodium.

& TARRAGON Spread 1/2 cup ground almonds on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake at 350 F until golden and toasted, about 8 minutes. Allow to cool.

Mix in 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh tarragon and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt. Coat each hot ear of corn with butter, then roll in the almond-tarragon mixture.

HERB VINAIGRETTE In a small bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar, a hefty pinch of salt and black pepper, 3 tablespoons olive oil and 2 tablespoons chopped

fresh thyme. Drizzle over the corn.

TOASTED MARSHMALLOW Husk 6 ears of corn, skewer with long skewers, and coat lightly with cooking spray. Grill over medium-high until tender and lightly charred, turning frequently.

Spread each ear of corn with a couple tablespoons of marshmallow spread (Fluff). Turn the grill flame up (or use a campfire) and toast the marshmallow on all sides.

SMOKED FETA AND PEPPER Finely crumble 1/2 cup smoked feta cheese. Mix in 2 tablespoons finely chopped pickled jalapeno peppers. Coat each hot ear of corn with butter, then roll in the cheese and pepper mixture.

JERK GRILLED Whisk together 1 tablespoon water and 2 tablespoons molasses. Using a pastry brush, lightly coat 4 ears of corn with the molasses mixture. Sprinkle all over with purchased or homemade jerk seasoning. Grill over indirect heat on well-oiled grates until tender.

CHILI LIME Spread cooked ears of corn on a platter. Sprinkle with fresh lime juice, finely grated lime zest, ground cumin, minced serrano chili and salt.

SAFFRON AND OLIVE CREAM Mix 2 tablespoons minced Kalamata olives, 2 tablespoons minced green olives, a pinch of saffron and a pinch of black pepper into 1/4 cup mascarpone cheese.

Spread over hot corn on the cob.