August 31, 2014

Page 1

Better security, more space planned for admin building Penny tax would improve downtown Sumter office $1.50

SUNDAY, AUGUST 31, 2014

SERVING SOUTH CAROLINA SINCE OCTOBER 15, 1894

5 SECTIONS, 36 PAGES | VOL. 119, NO. 272

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

BY JOE KEPLER joe@theitem.com EDITOR’S NOTE: This is one in a series of stories examining $75 million worth of new construction needs in Sumter County, as identi-

fied in the proposal for a renewed penny sales tax. Sumter County voters will be asked to approve the tax in November, and funds raised by the tax, should it pass, will go toward a series of building, infrastructure and other projects throughout the county.

ty Administration Building, with plans for a $2.8 million renovation project aimed at expanding the current building’s exterior footprint while bringing along safety measures to protect visitors and employees alike. Located at 13 Canal St., the building is currently open to the public

Increased security measures are in the works for the Sumter Coun-

SEE PROJECT, PAGE A11

Home (plate) is where the heart is

Tigers open season against Bulldogs B1 ENTERTAINMENT

It’s almost that time: Fall Feast is back with its unique menu C1 DEATHS, A9 Shirley Morgan Susan Ward Smith Emma Jane Epps Harold B. Griffin Julius R. Kirven

Thomas R. McAllister Mattie James Walters Paul A. Watson Charline Wright

WEATHER, A12 HOT AND HUMID A thunderstorm late this afternoon; humid tonight HIGH 94, LOW 74

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Info: 774-1200 Advertising: 774-1237 Classifieds: 774-1234 Delivery: 774-1258 News and Sports: 774-1226

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MATT WALSH / THE SUMTER ITEM

Eric Childers and Briget Pike exchange rings during their wedding ceremony officiated by Pastor Greg Bentley on Saturday at Dillon Park at softball field No. 1. The couple married during the Sumter First Church of God Palmetto Softball Tournament, the same event they attended last year that “solidified” their relationship, said event organizer Becky Fort.

Couple forms new team with marriage ceremony during softball tourney BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com (803) 774-1211

“C

ongratulations, and let’s play ball,” was the cry out of left field as the marriage ceremony uniting Eric Childers and Briget Pike concluded Saturday morning on softball

field No. 1 at Dillon Park during the Sumter First Church of God Palmetto Softball Tournament. While many might consider a softball field an odd place to tie the knot, it seemed natural for the newlyweds from Rock Hill. “They had been dating when they came (to the tournament) last year, kind of unofficially,” said tournament organizer Becky Fort. “They kind of solidified that bond last year, and they decided they wanted to get married at the ball tournament because this is where it all happened.” Fort said she met her husband,

Rob, at a past tournament. Officiating Saturday’s ceremony was Pastor Greg Bentley of Christ Fellowship Church in Rock Hill, who said he has known the couple for several years. “The softball tournament is kind of dear to their heart,” he said before the ceremony. “Their previous spouses have passed away, and so this will be a special time for them to get together and spend the rest of their lives together.” As he officiated the wedding

SEE MARRIAGE, PAGE A11

Tax refunds could be delayed for millions with Obamacare BY RICARDO ALONSOZALDIVAR The Associated Press WASHINGTON — If you got health coverage through President Obama’s law this year, you’ll need a new form from your insurance exchange before you can file your tax return next spring. Some tax professionals are

worried that federal and state insurance marketplaces won’t be able to get those forms out in time, creating the risk of delayed tax refunds for millions of consumers. The same federal agency that had trouble launching HealthCare.gov last fall is facing the heaviest lift. The Health and Human Services Department must send

out millions of the forms, which are like W-2s for people getting tax credits to help pay health insurance premiums. The form is called a 1095-A, and it lists who in each household has health coverage and how much the government paid each month to subsidize their premiums. Nearly 5 million people have gotten subsidies through HealthCare.gov.

If the forms are delayed past their Jan. 31 deadline, some people may have to wait to file tax returns — and collect their refunds. A delay of a week or two may not sound like much, but many people depend on their tax refunds to plug holes in family finances. The uncertainty is unnerving to some tax preparation

companies, which try to run their filing season operations like a military drill. The Obama administration says it’s on task, but it won’t provide much detail. States operating their own health insurance marketplaces will also have to send out the forms, but the federal

SEE TAXES, PAGE A11

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