IN SPORTS: High school football season officially kicks off this Friday night
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Invasive bug is a threat to Florida’s $9B citrus industry TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014
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1 in custody, 1 sought in shootout Suspect charged with attempted murder in incident at car wash BY JADE REYNOLDS jade@theitem.com (803) 774-1250 One shooting suspect is in jail, one is in the hospital and one is still at large after Friday’s shootout at Chatman’s Car Wash on North Main Street. Diquandrae Lionell Rhabb, 22, of 767 Brand St., was arrested at a local apartment complex without incident late Sunday night. He is being charged with attempted mur-
der, shooting into an occupied vehicle and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime, said Tonyia McGirt, public information officer with Sumter Police Department. He is being RHABB held at SumterLee Regional Detention Center, and more charges may be filed, she said. Arterrell Marques Wither-
spoon, 29, was injured in the gunfire that started about 2 p.m. Friday and drove himself to Tuomey Regional Medical Center. He remains in the hospital in good condition. Possible charges for Witherspoon are unclear at this time. “We’re expecting him to be in the hospital for several more days,” McGirt said. “If charges are filed, it will be after he’s released.” One 58-year-old bystander also sustained non life-threat-
ening injuries and drove himself to the hospital. He was treated and released, McGirt said. Sumter police are still looking for a third, unidentified man suspected to have been involved in the shooting. He is described as a 6-foot-tall black male with a light complexion and a goatee and between the ages of 17 and 25. This incident appears to be connected to illegal drug activity, police said, and involves some of the same individuals
connected to at least a dozen shooting incidents reported since the beginning of the year in the South Sumter community. Anyone with information related to this shooting or any others is asked to call Sumter Police Department at (803) 4362700. Information can also be given anonymously to Crime Stoppers at (803) 436-2718 or 1-888-CRIME-SC. A cash reward may be available for information leading to an arrest.
Preparing for the fair Kids learn life skills through 4-H program BY JADE REYNOLDS jade@theitem.com (803) 774-1250
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FAIR SEASON IS COMING
ooler weather brings fairs, and that means it’s nearly time for 4-H competitions.
Registration for the 4-H S.C. State Fair events ends Sept. 1, and registration for Sumter County Fair 4-H competitions runs through Oct. 2, said Terri Sumpter, 4-H coordinator with Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service. One Rembert family has been “heavily involved” in the fairs, she said. “My last two boys have been in 4-H,” Sandra Myers said. “My youngest son is 25, and my middle one will be 32 in October. They both started with 4-H when they were 9 years old. They loved horses and cows. They liked showing them, and they liked to compete. It was thrilling to them, and it brought rewards. It exposed them to other aspects of agriculture and helped them become the men they are now.” Because her sons had to help around the 60-acre Greenfield Farm, some of it was work, but it grew to be an outlet for them as well, Myers said. Now, her grandchildren are participating in 4-H. At 12, Zyarriah has been competing a few years and has won a number of accolades. “I grew up around horses,” said the seventh-grade Ebenezer Middle School student. “I love barrel racing and pole bending. It’s part of me. I enjoy it.” When she wins ribbons and trophies, it gives her a sense of accomplishment, Zyarriah said. JADE REYNOLDS / THE SUMTER ITEM “It means all the practice, hard K’Mon Myers, 9, practices riding Chaka while holding a flag. He’s been in 4-H about a work and pressure really paid off,” year and will be riding in the upcoming Summer Round Up that his grandparents, Mark she said. and Sandra Myers, put on annually at their farm in Rembert. Her brother, K’Mon, has been in
Youth involved in 4-H programs will soon be participating in fairs: SUMTER COUNTY FAIR When: Oct. 7 — Oct. 12 S.C. STATE FAIR When: Oct. 9 — Oct. 19
4-H about a year, and he, too, has already garnered a few awards. “It’s pretty good,” said the Rafting Creek Elementary School fourthgrader. “I like horses a little bit, but I like messing with cows a lot.” Both will shortly get calves to raise for 18 months, Sandra Myers said. Her husband and their grandfather, Mark Myers, serves as Zyarriah and K’Mon’s trainer. “He’s with them every day, especially this time of year,” Sandra Myers said. In the evening, the children come home and have a snack. Then they do homework and care for their horses. Then it’s time to wash up for dinner and get to bed. There is no TV during the school week, and the computer is limited to school work. “They don’t have time for anything else,” Sandra said. “It keeps them out of trouble.” Mark Myers agreed. “We’re teaching youth, not just my grandkids, to be dedicated, to sacrifice, to work hard and be loving,” he said. “A horse is like an extended family member. You have to care for them 365 days a year. There are no rain days or feel bad days. They have to be taken care of, and a horse lives a long time. Some think horses 15 years old are over the hill, but a lot
SEE 4-H, PAGE A10
More than $5,000 has helped people in need BY JADE REYNOLDS jade@theitem.com (803) 774-1250 Donations took a bit of a dip in the final week of collections for the inaugural Summer of Caring. Donors gave a total of $150 this past week. That money goes toward assisting United Ministries of
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Sumter County clients such as one woman who recently approached the Crisis Relief Ministry. “She had been working for an office for many years, but it had closed,” said Mark Champagne, UMSC executive director. “She got a new job, but it isn’t paying nearly as much. The ministry offered to help her with her (electric) bill, and
she was praising God. Then, we offered her a food box, and she burst into tears. She was so thankful and grateful to God. It was awesome.” From January to July 2014, the crisis ministry has assisted 566 clients for a total of
DEATHS, B5 Alice Wheeler Elzy Durham James G. Pearson Dr. Edmund M. McDonald
Fred James Jr. Perry Wilson Jr. Fannie Mae Harris Diana Felder
$81,427.27, 543 families with food for a total value of $20,641 and 122 families with other inkind items valued at a total of $9,343.13. But this is just one area your donations have contributed to in the inaugural year of Summer of Caring, a partnership between The Sumter Item and United Ministries. The other two have been the Construc-
tion Ministry and the Emergency Shelter. During the same period, the Construction Ministry built seven ramps for a total value of $1,667.25, Champagne said, and the summer restore program repaired 10 homes in June for a total value of $24,083.94.
SEE SUMMER OF CARING, PAGE A10
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DON’T YOU JUST LOVE THESE TEMPERATURES?
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Sunny with low humidity today; clear tonight HIGH 87, LOW 63
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