August 5, 2015

IN SPORTS: Sumter Dixie Junior Boys beat Texas 4-3 in semis

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Gear Up for back to school Sumter United Ministries collects supplies to donate C1

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City water towers to get facelift Council recognizes students and teachers, approves new treatment plant

BY ADRIENNE SARVIS adrienne@theitem.com Sumter City Council recognized several students and teachers from Sumter County Adult Education during the start of its meeting on Tuesday before approving resolutions pertaining to multiple renovation and construction

projects that will take place throughout the city.

Mayor Joe McElveen said earning a high school diploma or GED certification is the first of many steps on the route to improving one’s education.

“We encourage you to keep on stepping,” he said to the students.

The majority of the resolu-

Make a list for state sales tax holiday, but check it twice

tions that council passed involved water treatment plants and water tanks.

Council approved a resolution authorizing a contract between the city and Harper Corporation of Greenville for the construction of a new water plant, the city’s sixth, at Pocotaligo Industrial Park.

er Al Harris.

Harris said the city will not know how much funding will be used from the sales tax until collection ends in April.

He said the city expects to use no more than $8 million of the tax collection for the project.

It is estimated the project will cost a little more than $13 million, which the city will pay for using the remaining funding collected from the 2008 Capital Penny Sales Tax and a portion of the $55 million in bonds that the city expects to issue and sell sometime this month, according to Assistant City Manag-

SEE COUNCIL, PAGE A6

Library wraps up summer program

BY IVY MOORE ivy@theitem.com It’s one broiling hot weekend South Carolina shoppers actually look forward to each year — the annual sales tax holiday. Beginning at one minute past midnight Friday morning and continuing until midnight Sunday, S.C. Department of Revenue will collect no taxes on items they deem to be necessary for use by students, no matter where in the state they are purchased and even on the Internet. You won’t have to pay local sales tax, another 2 percent for Sumter, either.

S.C. Department of Revenue says S.C. taxpayers save upward of $3 million dollars each year during the tax-free weekend, and that the promotion is a boon to local businesses, some of which will have additional specials. JCPenney, for example, will feature $10 haircuts for children in grades kindergarten through sixth. Other stores will have extended hours, like TJ Maxx, which will again be open from 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Sunday. Check with other stores for any additional specials during the weekend.

While the weekend tax break is aimed mainly at back-to-school items, it turns out this is an eclectic list. And it can be pretty complicated.

The SCDOR official definition of school supplies states that “’school supplies’ are items used in the classroom or at home with respect to school assignments and include, but are not limited to, pens, pencils, paper, binders,

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KEITH GEDAMKE / THE SUMTER ITEM

Victoria Hodge paints Spider-Man on 6-year-old Eathan Cox’s face during Sumter County Library’s Summer Reading Wrap-up Party on Friday at the Wesmark branch. The event featured Joe the Balloon Dude, Sumter County fire trucks, one of Sumter County Sheriff’s Office K-9 dogs, food and prizes.

Accused church shooter wants to know framework of federal case

BY MEG KINNARD The Associated Press COLUMBIA — The white man accused of gunning down nine black people at a South Carolina church wants to know how the federal government plans to lay out any evidence against him.

Attorneys for Dylann Roof filed motions in federal court Monday seeking access to any statements their client has made to authorities

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since his arrest. In what are essentially routine filings, they also asked for any physical evidence collected in the case against their client and summaries of any proposed expert witnesses expected to testify on behalf of the governROOF ment.

Roof, 21, faces dozens of federal charges including hate crimes and obstruction of the prac-

tice of religion related to the June 17 killings at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston.

He also faces murder, attempted murder and weapons charges in state court, and prosecutors in both jurisdictions have not yet said if they will seek the death penalty.

Roof, who has entered no plea in state court, formally pleaded not guilty last week to the federal charges.

During a brief hearing, his attorneys in that case said their client wants to

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plead guilty but that they couldn’t advise him to do so until federal prosecutors announced their decision on possibly pursuing the death penalty.

There is no set deadline by which prosecutors must announce their intent.

Federal attorneys have until August 20 to file motions in that case, and no trial date has been set. Roof’s trial on the state charges against him has been tentatively set for July 11, 2016.

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THE SUMTER ITEM

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

Proclamation honors wounded veterans He was later wounded while serving in Vietnam in March 1969.

Nesbitt said the members of the MOPH chapter focus on giving back to local active duty military members for their services to the country. Last winter, the chapter gave out $1,000 in gift cards to active duty families stationed at Shaw Air Force Base, he said.

Sumter has been named a Purple Heart City and a Purple Heart County, and elected officials of both governments are currently discussing where to place signage declaring the areas as such.

McElveen, whose father and fatherin-law were both recipients of the Purple Heart Medal, said he signs the proclamation every year to recognize those military service members who made tremendous sacrifices for the country.

“If there is any way to honor them, we should do it,” he said.

Donations to the General George L. Mabry Jr. Chapter 817 of the Military Order of the Purple Heart can be sent to P.O. Box 3381, Sumter, S.C. 29151.

For more information about the chapter and how to join, contact Chapter Commander Jamie O’Neal at (803) 4865091 or joneal1@sc.rr.com.

BY ADRIENNE SARVIS adrienne@theitem.com Mayor Joe McElveen and the local chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart met at the Sumter Opera House on Tuesday for the annual signing of a proclamation declaring Aug. 7 Purple Heart Day in the City of Sumter.

Nationally, Military Order of the Purple Heart was formed in 1932 and is the only veterans service organization comprised only of combat veterans, because the Purple Heart Medal is only given to those military members who were injured in combat.

The Purple Heart Medal, which evolved from the Badge of Military Merit created by General George Washington in 1782, is the oldest military declaration in use today, according to a news release from the local MOPH chapter, General George L. Mabry Jr. Chapter 817.

Jamie O’Neal, chapter commander, was drafted into the U.S. Army Infantry when he was 18 and served in the 82nd Airborne Division in Vietnam.

He was injured when his head and arm were struck with pieces of shrapnel after a rocket was launched and ex-

Car wreck causes some to lose power

KEITH GEDAMKE / THE SUMTER ITEM

Sumter Mayor Joseph McElveen talks with Purple Heart recipients Don Kellum, Jamie O’Neal and David Nesbitt prior to the Mayor proclaiming Friday, Aug. 7, Purple Heart Day in Sumter, during a ceremony on Tuesday. the 101st Airborne Division where he was an infantry machine gunner.

Nesbitt, who was born and raised in Sumter, said he remembers riding the bus with some of his high school classmates to Fort Jackson in Columbia after he was drafted.

ploded near him.

O’Neal served 21 months and 12 days of his two-year commitment before medically retiring from the U.S. Army.

David Nesbitt, chapter adjutant, was drafted into the U.S. Army by the Sumter draft board in late 1967 and served in

Tuomey scholarship winners

BY RICK CARPENTER rick@theitem.com An vehicle reportedly collided with a utility pole in Sumter on Tuesday, causing a power outage to some of the major business areas of town, including the Sumter Mall.

The location of the incident was reported by Duke Energy at Fourth and Main Street, but there is no such address.

Peyton Floyd, store manager for Belk at the mall, said power was completely out at the mall for about 20 minutes during the noon lunch hour.

After partial power was restored, Floyd said the electronic cash registers were not powered up, and the store was limited to one working cash register for the entire store for most of the day.

There were other spotty outages downtown, mostly involving flickering lights.

Potheo Lane, a spokesman for Duke Energy, said the power outage affected 733 customers initially because of the downing of a feeder pole for the Bultman substation. Service was restored to most of the area by 3:30 p.m. By 4:30 p.m., only a few locations on Wesmark Boulevard were still down, including Staples.

There were two other outages in the area as well, including one on Haynsworth between North Purdy Street and Mood Avenue affecting 18 customers, and another north of Broad Street near S.C. 441 in the area of Oak Hill Road and Marden Road. Eighteen customers were affected by that outage, and power was restored by 4 p.m.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Tuomey Employee Scholarship recipients for 2015 are, from left: Shelby Holliday (Erskine College), Cameron Menser (University of South Carolina – Sumter), McKenzie Quinn-Barnett (College of Charleston), Garrett Conner (Hampden-Sydney College), Ashlee Holloman (University of South Carolina Sumter), Breanna Kimbrell (Clemson University) and Hannah Voisin (Clemson University). Not pictured are Christina Lafoon (Walden University) and Mary Peyton Zilch (College of Charleston). The Employee Scholarship Fund was created in 2000 and has awarded 60 scholarships totaling $33,000 for Tuomey employees, immediate family members of Tuomey employees and active volunteers with at least 250 hours of service.

South Carolina limiting number of death certificates issued COLUMBIA (AP) — The state of South Carolina has been limiting the number of death certificates that can be issued for each person to five after the company that made the special certificate paper unexpectedly closed.

The new limit has been in place since mid-July because Sekuworks, the Harrison, Ohio-based company that made the paper, closed in June, The Post and Courier of Charleston reported.

Pamela Amos, general manager at McAlister-Smith Funeral Homes in Mount Pleasant, said the limit has

been proving difficult for families, since many need more to settle various accounts.

“Most families need at least 10,” Amos said. “It’s causing a major issue for a lot of families.”

Department of Health and Environmental Control spokesman Cassandra Harris said the state awarded a new contract for certificate paper on July 14 and will begin processing back orders soon.

“It is anticipated that we will have a new supply of security paper by the end of next week,” Harris said.

The state’s death certificates are created on security paper that uses an anti-counterfeiting printing technique also used on currency.

Casey Ward, a funeral director in Loris who is also vice president of the South Carolina Funeral Directors Association, said it’s important that families can get the number of death certificates they need.

“You need them for each insurance policy, ... for any banking or retirement accounts and for titles and deeds,” Ward said. “If they can only get five, it can put things at a standstill.”

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 Rick Carpenter Managing Editor rick@theitem.com (803) 774-1201 Waverly Williams Sales Manager waverly@theitem.com (803) 774-1237

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NATION

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015

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Fire sale on fossil fuels: Oil, natural gas, coal down NEW YORK (AP) — These days it seems whatever can be burned to power a car, heat a home, make electricity or ship people and goods around the globe is being sold at bargain basement prices.

Prices for coal, natural gas, oil and the fuels made from crude such as gasoline and diesel are all far less expensive than they have been in recent years.

Consumers are rejoicing.

Fossil fuel companies are reeling. Countries that import energy, such as the U.S., China, Japan and those in the European Union, are getting an economic boost. Exporters, such as Russia, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela are facing lower income and budget shortfalls.

The possible effect of cheap fossil fuels on the environment is unclear — low prices certainly make them more tempting to burn, but low prices can also help discourage exploration in sensitive locations and open the way for environmentally-friendly policies.

The recent price declines are a result of complex factors that have led to a simple outcome: There is more than enough fossil fuels at the ready than customers need.

“We just have too much energy hitting the world,” says Suzanne Minter, manager for oil and gas consulting at Bentek Energy, a division of Platts.

CRUDE OIL Price: Average for the year through July is $53 a barrel, down 48 percent compared with the same period last year and on track for its lowest annual average since 2004. U.S. crude inched up Tuesday to $45.55 a barrel in afternoon trading, but it has fallen 20 percent in the past month.

Reason: Huge increases in oil production in the U.S. and Canada, along with sizable gains in Iraq and elsewhere, helped boost global supplies.

Saudi Arabia and other OPEC nations kept pumping crude at high levels. Iranian crude

legal challenges.

HOW LOW PRICES HELP

AP FILE PHOTO

Oil pump jacks work behind a natural gas flare near Watford City, North Dakota, in 2014. Prices for coal, natural gas, oil and fuels made from crude such as gasoline and diesel are all far less expensive than they have been in recent years, delivering big breaks for consumers. fecimating energy company profits and leading to huge layoffs. could soon return to the market after being kept off by sanctions. Meanwhile, global demand for crude is not as strong as expected because China’s growth has cooled, and other economies have become more energy efficient.

FUELS Gasoline: The average U.S. retail price is down 30 percent through the first half of the year. It is now $2.64 a gallon, according to AAA, lower for this time of year than any other year during the last decade except 2009.

Diesel and heating oil: Average retail prices for both are down 27 percent.

Reason: When oil prices fall, the cost for refiners to turn it into petroleum products and fuels goes down. U.S. refineries have been running at full strength, and big new refineries in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere have added to global supplies of fuels.

NATURAL GAS Futures: U.S. futures have averaged $2.77 per thousand cubic feet through the first half of the year, 40 percent lower than last year.

Residential prices: Averaged 9 percent lower through the first half of the year. For the full year, natural gas is expected to average $10.27 per

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thousand cubic feet, the lowest since 2003, according to the Energy Department.

Reason: U.S. production is strong. Relatively mild weather has tempered demand for heating and electric power plants. Around the world, natural gas prices have also fallen because they are often linked to the price of crude, and production of liquefied natural gas that can be shipped overseas is ramping up.

COAL Price: The average price of coal used for electricity from Central Appalachia is 20 percent lower than last year, according to Platts. In June, the price hit an eight-year low.

Reason: Coal is sitting in piles or being left underground as U.S. electric power generators burn cheap natural gas instead. In April natural gas briefly overtook coal as the top fuel for electric power for the first time.

Demand for coal is growing globally, but local mining capacity is also growing. Pollution concerns and slower global economic growth are also keeping a lid on coal demand.

Coal consumption could fall even more dramatically if rules announced Monday by President Obama to limit carbon dioxide from electric power plants survive expected

Lower energy prices are good for consumers, giving them more money to spend, and for the broader economy.

Consumer spending accounts for about two-thirds of the U.S. economy.

While sales at retailers haven’t spiked, as economists thought they might, consumer spending is growing faster than the overall economy, suggesting lower fuel prices have helped.

“It’s not this huge boost in spending, but it is very good news, relieving pressure at a time when wage growth is not very strong,” says Nariman Behravesh, chief economist at IHS. He calculates that the decline in gasoline prices is saving customers about $800 a year compared with what they were spending between 2010 and 2014.

HOW LOW PRICES HURT Energy company profits and share prices have been crushed. Quarterly earnings dropped 52 percent at Exxon and 90 percent at Chevron, the companies announced last week.

On Monday, Alpha Natural Resources became the fourth U.S. coal company to seek bankruptcy protection in the last 15 months.

The lower revenue and profit are taking a toll on employment. The U.S. coal industry has lost 21,000 workers since 2011, according to the Labor Department, a decline of 24 percent.

Chevron, BP and Shell last week all announced workforce reductions. Layoffs at three of the biggest oil and gas service companies — Schlumberger, Haliburton and Baker Hughes — are approaching 60,000 since the price decline began.

HOW LOW PRICES AFFECT THE ENVIRONMENT Low prices encourage higher consumption, which in turn increases pollution. Sales of sport utility vehicles start rising as soon as gasoline prices fall, and U.S. gasoline consumption is on track to rise to its highest annual level since 2007 thanks in part to low prices.

But low oil prices discourage oil companies from exploring and producing oil in energy-intensive, environmentally-destructive ways because it is so expensive. Development in Canada’s tar sands has slowed considerably since prices fell.

Low electricity prices, a result of low natural gas prices, make it harder for alternatives like wind and solar to compete. But low prices can make environmentallyfriendly policies easier for consumers to accept because they are paying less overall for energy.

Obama’s emissions regulations for power plants would be far more costly without the country’s abundant natural gas and low prices. Elsewhere, countries such as Indonesia and United Arab Emirates have been able to phase out fuel subsidies that encouraged consumption.

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Yosemite BASE jumpers’ deaths remain a mystery THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Investigators on Tuesday inspect the site of a circus tent that collapsed Monday during a show by the Walker Brothers International Circus at the Lancaster Fair grounds in Lancaster, New Hampshire.

Officials probe New Hampshire circus tent collapse that killed 2 5:46 p.m., with about 100 people inside the tent.

“I see these very large metal poles that are in the ground and go through the top of the tent; I see them starting to come out of the ground and fly up, into the air toward us,” witness Heidi Medeiros, attending with her 3-year-old son, told WMURTV. She said 10 to 30 seconds later, the pole slammed onto the bleacher where she and her son had been sitting.

Degnan said he had spoken to the operator, Sarasota, Florida-based Walker International Events. He said they were “waiting for counsel.”

Walker’s president, John Caudill Jr., has a history of violations with U.S. Department

LANCASTER, N.H. (AP) — New Hampshire’s fire marshal said Tuesday it’s not clear why a circus operator proceeded with a show minutes after the National Weather Service put out a severe storm warning. Winds of 60 mph winds collapsed the tent, killing two spectators and sending about 32 others to hospitals.

Bill Degnan said it’s the responsibility of the circus operator to monitor the weather.

The National Weather Service had issued a severe thunderstorm warning at 5:23 p.m.

Monday. The show started seven minutes later at the Lancaster Fairgrounds, about 90 miles north of Concord.

The storm blew through at

of Agriculture, primarily while operating another company, Walker Brothers Circus, Inc. A decade ago, Caudill and his associates agreed to pay a $25,000 fine for a series of violations in 2001 while operating without an Animal Welfare Act license. The license, which allows businesses to display animals publicly, had been suspended in 1997 for other violations.

The 2001 violations, which resulted in a five-year license suspension, included failing to get adequate veterinary care for elephants with severe chemical burns and a bacterial infection, as well as elephants with overgrown footpads and toenails.

FRESNO, Calif. (AP) — World-famous wingsuit flier Dean Potter had strapped his iPhone to the back of his head and hit record before jumping from a cliff in Yosemite National Park in what was to be an exhilarating flight through a Vshaped rocky formation — a route that left little margin for error.

Potter set the phone at this position to capture a video of his partner, Graham Hunt, behind and above him as the pair leaped off the granite diving board at Taft Point, 3,500 feet above the valley.

Twenty-two seconds later the video abruptly stops.

The two were killed when they slammed into the ridgeline at 100 mph-plus attempting to soar through the notch in the rock formation called Lost Brother.

Through a records request, The Associated Press obtained investigation reports about the deadly flight on May 16.

National Park Service investigators relied heavily on Potter’s bashed iPhone, interviews and a series of rapid-fire photos taken by Potter’s girlfriend, Jen Rapp, who stayed behind at the launch site as the spotter.

The investigation concluded the deaths were accidental, but despite the video and photos of the jump, officials consider the specific reason why they died a mystery.

Investigators listed several possible contributing factors — including indecision, distraction, miscalculation and air turbulence — as the jumpers made split-second decisions.

Potter, 43, and Hunt, 29, were both experienced in the extreme sport of wingsuit flying, a dangerous offshoot of BASE jumping — an acronym for parachuting off buildings, antennas, spans such as bridges and Earth.

They would glide frighteningly close to cliffs and trees, wearing the suits that have fabric stitched between the arms and body and between the legs, so jumpers spreading their limbs can stay aloft longer and control their path with subtle body movements.

In 2009, Potter made the longest known BASE jump off the Eiger North Face in Switzerland.

He remained in flight for 2 minutes and 50 seconds, earning him National Geographic’s Adventurer of the Year title.

Classes Start Monday, August 17th

Sandhills Medical Foundation, Inc YOU ARE INVITED! We are celebrating National Health Center Week, August 10-14 from 9:00am - 4:00pm Monday: Women’s Health (Free Pap smears for Patients all week by appointment only) Tuesday: Wellness Day Wednesday: Men’s Health Thursday: Kid’s Day or Health Education Day Friday: Fun Fitness Day Each of our locations will have different Activities, Giveaways & Services; Contact Your Local Office To Find Our More Details.

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Tuesday - Shag night Free Lessons 7:00-9:00 Thursday, Friday & Saturday: Live entertainment and Dinner Specials Sunday: Buy one get one entree 1/2 off Buy two tapas get one free (equal or lesser value) 11:00am-2:00pm 2390 Broad St • Sumter,SC 29150

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015

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A-bomb survivors pass their stories on

BY MARI YAMAGUCHI The Associated Press KUNITACHI, Japan — On a recent weekend, an 84-year-old survivor of the Nagasaki atomic bombing retraced his movements on a map: the inferno during his 12-mile walk home, the “black rain” of falling radioactive particles and how he felt sick days later.

His audience of eight listened intently, some asking questions and taking notes.

They hope to tell his story to future generations after he is gone, to take their listeners to the scene on Aug. 9, 1945, the way Shigeyuki Katsura saw and felt it.

In a government-organized program in the western Tokyo suburb of Kunitachi, 20 trainees ranging from their 20s to their 70s are studying wartime history, taking public speech lessons from a TV anchor and hearing stories from Katsura and another Kunitachi resident who survived Hiroshima.

“It’s been 70 years since the bombings, and we survivors are getting old. Time is limited, and we must hurry,” said Terumi Tanaka, the 83-yearold head of a national group, the Tokyo-based Japan Confederation of A and H Bomb Sufferers’ Organizations.

In a way, they are going

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Trainee Mika Shimizu, right, a 32-year-old high school teacher, speaks as Shigeyuki Katsura, an 84-year-old survivor of the Nagasaki atomic bombing, listens during a government-organized program in the western Tokyo suburb of Kunitachi on July 25. backward in this digital age, learning face to face from their elders in order to carry on a storytelling tradition. It is not unlike Kabuki actors inheriting their seniors’ stage names and performing their signature pieces.

The same stories may be in video and text on the Internet, but organizers think that inperson storytelling adds an invaluable human touch.

The Aug. 6, 1945, atomic bombing in Hiroshima killed about 140,000 people from injuries and immediate effects of radiation within five months, and another one dropped on Nagasaki three days later killed 73,000. The death toll

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tion, compassion and commitment to peace will make up for any shortfall.

Mika Shimizu, a 32-year-old high school teacher, hopes to do just that by putting a survivor’s experience in language her peers and others as young as her students can relate to.

“Even if we hear the same story, the way each of us retell it would be different because we all have different sensibilities,” she said.

Another trainee, Sachiko Matsushita, missed her chance to find out directly from her father, who hid his exposure in Nagasaki for most of his life and largely kept the story to himself. Initially she wanted to

linked to the attacks and their radiation effects has since risen to 460,000, with the number of survivors declining to some 183,000, according to the latest government statistics.

Most survivors live in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Katsura said about 20 survivors live in Kunitachi, but only a few, including himself, are healthy enough to make public appearances.

Tanaka, a retired engineering professor, survived Nagasaki but lost five relatives there when he was 13. He said it would be almost impossible for storytellers to describe the horrors as vividly as the survivors but hopes their imagina-

revisit her father’s path but now is devoted to passing on Katsura’s.

“I’d much rather hear the stories directly from people and pass them on to people,” the 47-year-old company worker said.

Katsura was 14 when he and his schoolmates, put to work for the war effort, were delivering a cartful of weapons parts from school to a factory when the “Fat Man” plutonium bomb exploded over Nagasaki.

“Having witnessed what the man-made nuclear weapon did to humans, I must condemn it as absolutely wrong, and the mistake should never be repeated,” he said.

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THE SUMTER ITEM

Fox sets debate field: Graham, Fiorina out CLEVELAND (AP) — Billionaire businessman Donald Trump has scored the top spot for Thursday night’s leadoff debate of the 2016 presidential race, joined by former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and seven other Republican contenders who made the campaign’s first cut.

Seven others will be excluded, including former technology executive Carly Fiorina and former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, relegated to a pre-debate forum and second-tier status in the party’s crowded field.

Fox News announced the 10 GOP White House hopefuls who will take part in the prime-time debate in the crucial swing state of Ohio.

Beyond Trump, those selected among the top 10 — based on recent national polls — include: Bush, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, Kentucky Sen. Rand

COUNCIL FROM PAGE A1 The city has not yet secured the bonds, but City Attorney Eric Shytle said the city will not sign the construction contract until the bond issue has been settled.

The next resolution to be approved by council authorized a contract between the city and Municipal Tank Coating and Sandblasting Inc. of Hamlet, North Carolina, for the maintenance of the Lafayette Elevated Water Tower and the McCray’s Mill Road Elevated Tank. The project is expected to cost about $138,000; about $36,000 will be used for the McCray’s Mill tower.

Harris said the exterior of the Lafayette tower will be repainted, and the interior of the McCray’s Mill tower will be refurbished. The tower on McCray’s Mill Road was repainted in May. Council then approved a resolution authorizing a contract between the city and Smoak Irrigation of Sumter for a landscaping and irrigation project on Miller Road between Alice Drive and North Guignard Drive.

Harris said the focus of the project is landscaping, and the work will not affect the roads.

He said trees and sod will be planted, and the entire area will be irrigated. He said the project will tie together all of the recent landscaping projects of the schools that are on that stretch of Miller Road.

City Manager Deron McCormick said the city will coordinate with the Sumter Police Department about traffic when school starts. Also, he said the city will continue beautification projects like this throughout the Sumter community.

The final agenda item to be approved by council was a resolution authorizing a contract between the city and Davis & Floyd Inc. of Florence for engineering design services for the expansion and upgrade of Water Plant No. 5 for $579,000.

Harris said the city purchased a lot for the expansion a couple of years ago in anticipation of the project.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks in Bluffton in July. Trump’s recent poll results earned him a place in the first prime time Republican presidential debate, set for Thursday on Fox News.

Paul, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Ohio Gov. John Kasich.

Those who didn’t make the field for the first debate in-

clude Fiorina, the GOP’s only female presidential candidate, Perry, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, former New York Gov. George Pataki and former

TAX FREE FROM PAGE A1 notebooks, books, book bags, lunch boxes and calculators. Items such as refrigerators, toiletries and food purchased by college students are not school supplies and not exempt from the tax.”

That said, the list of exempt and nonexempt items is pretty extensive and not just a little confusing in several cases.

For example, you’ll pay no tax on a computer — laptop or desktop — but you can’t get the savings on computer parts like monitors, keyboards and

Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore.

The announcement concludes an anxiety-filled process for a Republican Party that worked aggressively to improve its debates ahead of the election season. Yet with the largest field of contenders in modern memory, organizers say something had to give to ensure the debate in Cleveland didn’t turn into a nationally televised circus.

“We never ever envisioned we’d have 17 major candidates,” said Steve Duprey, New Hampshire’s representative to the Republican National Committee who helped craft the debate plan. “There’s no perfect solution.”

Republican officials worked closely with TV executives, although the networks have the final say about which candidates will be allowed on stage for their televised events.

Fox News is the host of Thursday’s event, the first of

scanners unless they’re bought as part of a package with the computer itself.

Printers and printer supplies are exempt.

Don’t count on saving on cellphones, smart phones, e-readers (Kindle, e.g.) and handheld devices for downloading music and videos. Handheld devices that have computing capabilities but are not used for making phone calls (tablets, for example) are exempt.

Other items you must pay taxes on include jewelry, mattresses, eyewear, wastebaskets, wallets, sporting equipment and bathroom accessories.

On the other hand, you’re exempt from the tax on bow ties, ice skates, furs, corsets and all the bobby pins you

....Cash in a FLASH....

We Buy: Gold & Silver Jewelry, Silver Coins & Collections, Sterling/.925, Diamonds, Pocket Watches, Antiques & Estates

six party-sanctioned debates before primary voting begins in February. The network says it used a selection of national polls to make this week’s cut.

Republican officials were particularly concerned about Fiorina’s status, hoping she would help balance Hillary Rodham Clinton’s push to rally women to her candidacy.

Trump’s recent surge in the polls was particularly damaging to Fiorina.

The reality television star’s rapid rise has surprised many Republican officials, some of whom fear his rhetoric on immigration and other divisive issues could hurt the party. In a Tuesday interview, Trump said he’s been defying expectations all his life.

“I think people are tired, they’re sick and tired of incompetent politicians,” he said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” when asked to explain his rise.

can carry home in your car, but you’ll pay 8 percent on barrettes, one presumes because they’re more decorative than functional. Both, however, should keep the hair out of your eyes while you’re studying. Or just use a tax-exempt headband.

Now’s the time to get that new skin diving suit, and don’t forget the adult diapers for those long cramming sessions, which often lead to the need for that most essential item for college students, the alarm clock — not exempt from taxes.

Check out the S.C. Department of Revenue website, www.dor.sc.gov, for more information and a complete list of tax free items, and shop on.

IN CONCERT

Lafayette Gold & Silver Exchange Inside Vestco Properties

480 E. Liberty St. Sumter, SC 29150 (inside Coca-Cola Building))

Mon. - Fri. 8:30 - 5:30 PM • Sat: 8 - 2 PM

803-773-8022

MODERN STUDENT

SPECIAL

$90 SUBSCRIPTION

O N L I N E O N LY

FOR SCHOOL TERM.

Remember when print editions of The Sumter Item arrived in your college dorm mailbox three at a time, several days late?

You loved that hometown news, especially the Police Blotter.

It’s a new world, so we’re making it easy for your MODERN YOUNG SCHOLARS to stay informed about Sumter happenings by offering a SPECIAL ONLINE ONLY, FULLACCESS DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION for just $90 for the school year.* That’s just $10 a month.

In between texting, Instagramming and Tweeting, your hardworking high school and college students will have full access to TheItem.com on their phone, tablet or any other device you’re still paying for. They might even start thinking about what comes next in the real world. Maybe even a job.

ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS NOW SEEING PATIENTS ON FRIDAY - APPOINTMENT ONLY

“Compassionate dental care for the entire family”

* Call CIRCULATION at 803-774-1258 to set up your account with one of our friendly customer service representatives.

Local students of all ages are eligible for the SPECIAL STUDENT RATE.

OAK PARK

FAMILY & AESTHETIC DENTISTRY

Catherine M. Zybak, DMD

Jeff & Sherri Easter also performing

Ivan Parker special guests

The Whisnants Bethesda Church of God 2370 Broad St. Sumter, SC

Sat., August 8, 2015 • 6:00pm Doors open 5:00pm For information, call Shirley Ward (803) 481-9700 or (803) 968-0951 Bethesda Church of God (803) 469-2585

A LOVE OFFERING WILL BE ACCEPTED

Jim’s Gun Shop NOW OPEN

The owner James Montalbano pasted away in November. His Heirs have decided to continue the business. The Gun Shop is Now Open with limited hours.

Wednesday - Friday 1:30pm-5:00pm Saturday 10:00am-4:00pm

22 L.R. AMMO $3.99

50 COUNT BOX - LIMIT 2 PER CUSTOMER Good thru August 31, 2015

~ COUPON ~ 10% OFF ALL FIREARMS 561 Bultman Drive • Sumter, SC University Center

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

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015 H.G. Osteen 1870-1955 Founder, The Item

H.D. Osteen 1904-1987 The Item

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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 Rick Carpenter Managing Editor

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

Lizard Man returns to Bishopville J

ust when I thought we’d have another long, boring summer, the Lizard Man pops up again.

There was even a photo supposedly snapped by a reader that was published in Tuesday’s Item who spotted the creature running along a tree line near Bishopville. The reader swore to God that the story was not made up and the photo supplied was authentic.

Bishopville has made a reputation out of being the home of the Lizard Man. There have been several sightings of Lizard Man throughout the years, beginning in August 1988 when a young man from Bishopville swore to

an encounter with Lizard Man. That triggered the beginning of real or imagined sightings.

The legend of Lizard Man was picked up by newspapers and TV across the country.

Hubert It led to an entire inOsteen dustry of Lizard Man paraphernalia being sold by enterprising merchants — Tshirts, artists’ renderings, posters, etc.

I bought some T-shirts myself and gave them to friends across the country. One recipient of my largesse was

COMMENTARY

my friend Dick Klick, now deceased, who ran a guest ranch in Augusta, Montana, that my wife and I frequented for many years.

Dick couldn’t stop talking about the Lizard Man whenever I saw him. He always wanted to know the latest on the creature. One time he said he found a story in his local newspaper that more than likely first showed up in a tabloid.

They love creatures stories.

Anyway, Dick told me the story he read was about someone somewhere claiming he saw Lizard Man picking up a mule in his mouth. I never saw

that story.

From time to time I’ve had readers accost me and ask if I believed Lizard Man was for real.

I answer: “Of course I believe Lizard Man was real. After all, I believe in the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy, plus I believe that every time I see President Obama’s lips moving , I know he is lying.”

Yes, we need more Lizard Men to show up from time to time and confirm for us our humanity — or possibly — our gullibility?

Hubert Osteen may be reached at hubert@theitem.com.

COMMENTARY

Legal and academic equality nonsense

A

particular act or policy might not have a discriminatory intent, but that doesn’t let you off the hook. If it has a disproportionately negative impact on so-called protected classes, it is said to have a disparate impact and risks being prohibited by law.

The uninformed assumption made by judges, lawyers and acaWalter demics is that Williams but for the fact of racial and sex discrimination, we all would be distributed across occupations, educational backgrounds and other socioeconomic characteristics according to our percentages in the population.

Such a vision is absolute nonsense. There is no evidence, anywhere, at any time, that but for the fact of discrimination, there would be proportional representation among various socio-economic characteristics.

Let’s look at some disproportionalities, with an eye toward discovering the causes and then deciding what to do about them.

If one were to list the world’s top 30 violinists of the 20th century, at least 25 of them would be of Jewish ancestry. Another disparity is that despite the fact that Jews are less than 3 percent of the U.S. population and a mere 0.2 percent of the world’s population, during the 20th century, Jews were 35 percent of American and 22 percent of the world’s Nobel Prize winners.

Are Jews taking violin excellence and Nobel Prizes that belong to other ethnicities? If America’s diversity worshippers see underrepresentation as probative of racial discrimination, what do they propose be done about overrepresentation?

Overrepresentation may be seen as denial of opportunity.

For example, blacks are 13 percent of our population but about 80 percent of professional basketball players and 65 percent of professional football players and among the highest-paid players in both sports.

By stark contrast, blacks are only 2 percent of the NHL’s professional ice hockey players. Basketball, football and ice hockey represent gross racial disparities and as such come nowhere close to “looking like America.”

Do these statistics mean

that the owners of multibillion-dollar basketball and football operations are nice guys and ice hockey owners are racists? By the way, just because blacks are 65 percent of professional football players, let’s not lull ourselves into complacency. When’s the last time you saw a black NFL kicker or punter?

There are even geographical disparities. Not a single player in the NHL’s history can boast of having been born and raised in Hawaii, Louisiana or Mississippi. Geographical disparities are not only limited to ice hockey. The population statistics for North and South Dakota, Iowa, Maine, Montana and Vermont show that not even 1 percent of their population is black. In states such as Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi, blacks are overrepresented. When such racial disparities were found in schooling, the remedy was busing.

I’ll tell you one thing; I’m not moving to Montana. It’s too cold.

Geographical disparities don’t only apply to the U.S. Historically, none of the world’s greatest seamen has been born and raised in a Himalayan nation, such as Nepal and Bhutan, or a sub-Saharan nation of Africa. They mostly have been from Scandinavia, other parts of Europe, East Asia or the South Pacific.

Being a man, I find another disproportionality particularly disturbing. According to a recent study conducted by Bond University in Australia, sharks are nine times likelier to attack and kill men than they are women. Such a disproportionality leads to only one conclusion: Sharks are sexist. Another disturbing sex disparity is that despite the fact that men are 50 percent of the population and so are women, men are struck by lightning six times as often as women. Of those killed by lightning, 82 percent are men.

I wonder what whoever is in charge of lightning has against men.

Differences are seen by many as signs of inequality.

Nobel laureate Milton Friedman put it best: “A society that puts equality before freedom will get neither. A society that puts freedom before equality will get a high degree of both.” Equality in conjunction with the general rules of law is the only kind of equality conducive to liberty that can be secured without destroying liberty.

Walter E. Williams is a professor of economics at George Mason University. © 2015, creators.com

Insight: Daily Dispatches

T

he Senator and the General — Bob Dole has a new project.

Long a champion of this country’s veterans, his own withered arm says more about his wartime service and sacrifice than any statue could.

Now he’s leading a peacetime campaign to get the longplanned Eisenhower Paul Memorial Greenberg in Washington finished while he and other members of his generation are still around to attend the dedication.

The problem is that the memorial’s design is still more about its world-famous designer (Frank Gehry) than its subject. Even if a couple of statues, one of Eisenhower the general and the other of Eisenhower the statesman-president, have been added.

Much as a couple of statues were added to the graceful Vietnam Memorial — just enough to mar its simple, sloping lines.

What do you think General and President Eisenhower would do?

Wait till plans for his memorial mature, or do a hurry-up job to meet an arbitrary deadline? It’s impossible to know. Ike is far beyond such concerns now.

But we do know what the man did. He spent years putting together the grand coalition that liberated Europe, paying close attention to every detail, rather than speed up the invasion of Normandy. Till the day before the planned invasion, he was postponing it till the

COMMENTARY weather was right.

And as president, he was a frugal chief executive who preferred balanced budgets to flashy effects.

We also know that the general’s family objects mightily to the current hodgepodge of a design for his memorial, however it’s been prettified by a little statuary here and there.

Here’s hoping the Eisenhowers stand fast against all these hurry-up-and-build-it pressures. Why build in haste only to repent at leisure?

The important thing is to get it right, not just to get it built.

••• A continuing outrage — Who says our two political parties can’t agree on anything in Washington?

The other day lawmakers both Democratic and Republican noted that the Department of Veterans Affairs had been hiding details about the imminent shortfall in its budget, details that should have been shared with Congress much earlier.

And that now threaten to shut down some VA hospitals as early as next month.

The chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs says he’s shocked by the size of the VA’s too long neglected problems.

But the administrative rot at the VA scarcely shocks by now. It’s become routine.

How long is the country going to tolerate this continuing scandal? Probably as long as the bureaucrats at the VA think they can get away with it. Bureaucratic inertia is one of the constants of any large organiza-

tion private or public, and it’s going to take a real leader to shake things up at the VA. Think of how a Kenesaw Mountain Landis — there’s a name from the past! — shook up baseball after the Black Sox scandals in 1919, or how Ronald Reagan finally get the attention of the country’s air controllers. By firing most of them after they’d walked off the job — despite a law against such strikes.

Where is the Patton or Billy Mitchell who will take the VA in hand? And clean it out the way Hercules did the Augean stables, which was also supposed to be an impossible task. But it can be done.

And lots of us look forward to the day it is. Eagerly.

••• Crazy — Somebody in Ohio (Joshua Newell, 35) has pled no contest to a misdemeanor charge of criminal trespass after he jumped a fence to pet the cougars at the Columbus Zoo, and posted a video of it on YouTube. I would have acquitted him of the charge by reason of insanity.

••• Sad but sweet — It’s enough to make a grown man cry: Don’t read that tragic news story out of Keene, New Hampshire, less’n you’ve got all the fixin’s to hand and ready to go.

A police sergeant there reports that some 250 gallons of maple syrup leaked from a tractor-trailer onto New Hampshire Highway 101, obliging firefighters to use squeegees to clean up the sticky mess. And not a pancake in sight.

HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY? Send your letter to letters@theitem.com, drop it off at The Sumter Item office, 20 N. Magnolia St., or mail it to The Sumter Item, P.O. Box 1677, Sumter, SC 29151, along with the writer’s full name, address and telephone number (for verification purposes only). Letters that exceed 350 words will be cut accordingly in the print edition, but available in their entirety at www.theitem.com/opinion/letters_to_editor.

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015

SUPPORT GROUPS AA, AL-ANON, ALATEEN: AA — Monday-Friday, noon and 5:30 p.m.; Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m., 1 Warren St. (803) 7751852.

AA Women’s Meeting — Wednesday, 7 p.m., 1 Warren St. (803) 775-1852.

AA Spanish Speaking — Sunday, 4:30 p.m., 1 Warren St. (803) 775-1852.

AA “How it Works” Group — Monday and Friday, 8 p.m., 1154 Ronda St. Call (803) 4945180.

441 AA Support Group — Monday, Tuesday and Friday, 8:30 p.m., Hair Force, 2090-D S.C. 441.

AA Summerton Group — Wednesday, 8 p.m., town hall.

Manning Al-Anon Family Group — Thursday, 7:30 p.m., Behavioral Health building, 14 Church St., Manning. Call Angie Johnson at (803) 4358085.

C/A “Drop the Rock” Group — Thursday, 9:30 p.m., 1154 Ronda St. Call Elizabeth Owens at (803) 607-4543.

MONDAY MEETINGS: Sumter Vitiligo Support Group — second Monday of each month, 5:45-6:45 p.m., North HOPE Center, 904 N. Main St. Call Tiffany at (803) 316-6763.

Find them on Facebook.

TUESDAY MEETINGS: Sumter Connective Tissue Support Group — 1st Tuesday of Jan., March, May, July, Sept. and Nov., 7 p.m., 180 Tiller Circle. Call (803) 773-0869.

Mothers of Angels (for mothers who have lost a child) — First and third Tuesday, 6 p.m., Wise Drive Baptist Church.

Call Betty at (803) 469-2616 or Carol at (803) 469-9426.

Sumter Combat Veterans Group Peer to Peer — Every Tuesday, 11 a.m., South HOPE Center, 1125 S. Lafayette Drive. Veterans helping veterans with PTSD, coping skills, claims and benefits.

Parkinson’s Support Group — Second Tuesday each month, 5:30 p.m., Carolinas Rehabilitation Hospital cafeteria, 121 E. Cedar St., Florence. Call (843) 661-3746.

Sumter Chapter Parents of Murdered Children (POMC) — Third Tuesday, 5:30-7 p.m., Birnie HOPE Center, 210 S. Purdy St. Open to anyone who has lost a loved one to murder in a violent way.

Multiple Sclerosis Support Group — Third Tuesday each month, 5:30 p.m., Carolinas Rehabilitation Hospital community meeting room, 121 E. Cedar St., Florence. Call (843) 661-3746.

Amputee Support Group — Fourth Tuesday each month, 5:30 p.m., Carolinas Rehabilitation Hospital cafeteria, 121 E. Cedar St., Florence. Call (843) 661-3746.

EFMP Parent Exchange Group — Last Tuesday each month, 11 a.m.-noon, Airman and Family Readiness Center. Support to service members who have a dependent with a disability or illness. Call Dorcus Haney at (803) 895-1252/1253 or Sue Zimmerman at (803) 847-2377.

DAILY PLANNER

THE SUMTER ITEM

WEATHER

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2015

AccuWeather® five-day forecast for Sumter TODAY

TONIGHT

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Sunny to partly cloudy and hot

Partly cloudy, a stray t-storm

Partly sunny and hot

Some sun with a t-storm; warm

An a.m. t-storm; partly sunny

Partly sunny

99°

75°

95° / 75°

92° / 72°

92° / 71°

94° / 71°

Chance of rain: 10%

Chance of rain: 40%

Chance of rain: 15%

Chance of rain: 55%

Chance of rain: 55%

Chance of rain: 10%

WSW 6-12 mph

SSW 6-12 mph

SSW 7-14 mph

WSW 8-16 mph

N 6-12 mph

ENE 4-8 mph

Gaffney 94/70 Spartanburg 95/71

WEDNESDAY MEETINGS: Sickle Cell Support Group — last Wednesday each month, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., South Sumter Resource Center, 337 Manning Ave. Call Bertha Willis at (803) 774-6181.

THURSDAY MEETINGS: TOPS S.C. No. 236 (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) — Thursdays, 9 a.m., Spectrum Senior Center,1989 Durant Lane. Call Diane at (803) 775-3926 or Nancy at (803) 469-4789.

Asthma Support Group — Every 1st Thursday, 6 p.m., Clarendon County School District 3 Parenting Center, 2358 Walker Gamble Road, New Zion.

Call Mary Howard at (843) 659-2102.

Alzheimer’s Support Group through S.C. Alzheimer’s Association — Every 1st Thursday, 6-8 p.m., McElveen Manor, 2065 McCrays Mill Road. Call Cheryl Fluharty at (803) 9057720 or the Alzheimer’s Association at (800) 636-3346.

Journey of Hope (for family members of the mentally ill), Journey to Recovery (for the mentally ill) and Survivors of Suicide Support Group — Each group meets every 1st Thursday, 7 p.m., St. John United Methodist Church, 136 Poinsett Drive. Call Fred Harmon at (803) 905-5620.

TODAY’S SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER

Greenville 95/72

Columbia 100/77

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

IN THE MOUNTAINS

Sumter 99/75

Aiken 96/73

ON THE COAST

Charleston 94/76

Today: Partly sunny; humid in northern parts. High 89 to 94.

Thursday: Partly sunny; a shower or thunderstorm. High 88 to 92.

LOCAL ALMANAC

LAKE LEVELS

SUMTER THROUGH 4 P.M. YESTERDAY

Full pool 360 76.8 75.5 100

Lake Murray Marion Moultrie Wateree

97° 72° 90° 69° 101° in 1954 59° in 1985

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

Myrtle Beach 94/78

Manning 98/76

Today: Sunny to partly cloudy. Winds west-southwest 3-6 mph.

Thursday: A thunderstorm. Winds southsouthwest 4-8 mph.

Temperature High Low Normal high Normal low Record high Record low

Florence 99/75

Bishopville 99/73

SUN AND MOON 7 a.m. yest.

356.97 73.87 73.74 96.35

24-hr chg -0.02 none +0.06 -0.08

Sunrise 6:36 a.m.

Moonrise 12:00 a.m.

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

0.00" 0.00" 0.79" 24.15" 24.41" 29.13"

Sunset 8:19 p.m.

Moonset 12:21 p.m.

Last

New

First

Full

Aug. 6

Aug. 14

Aug. 22

Aug 29

TIDES

Flood 7 a.m. 24-hr stage yest. chg 12 1.69 +0.36 19 2.70 +0.10 14 1.96 -0.02 14 1.71 -0.53 80 74.45 -0.04 24 7.26 +0.09

AT MYRTLE BEACH

High 1:29 a.m.

2:00 p.m.

2:24 a.m.

3:00 p.m.

Today Thu.

Ht. 3.4 3.4 3.2 3.4

Low Ht. 8:21 a.m. -0.6 8:53 p.m. 0.1 9:15 a.m. -0.4 9:55 p.m. 0.3

FRIDAY MEETINGS: Celebrate Recovery — Every Friday, 6 p.m. dinner, 7 p.m. program, Salt & Light Church, Miller Road (across from Food Lion). For help with struggles of alcohol, drugs, family problems, smoking, etc.

Wateree AIDS Task Force Support Group — Every third Friday, 11:30 a.m. Contact Kevin Johnson at (803) 778-0303.

SATURDAY MEETINGS: Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy/ Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Support Group — 1:30 p.m. every third Saturday, 3785 Blackberry Lane, Lot 7.

Call Donna Parker at (803) 481-7521.

NATIONAL CITIES City Atlanta Chicago Dallas Detroit Houston Los Angeles New Orleans New York Orlando Philadelphia Phoenix San Francisco Wash., DC

Today Hi/Lo/W 92/73/pc 82/64/pc 102/81/s 80/61/pc 96/78/s 88/67/pc 89/77/t 87/68/s 92/74/t 89/69/s 112/88/s 75/58/pc 92/72/s

Thu. Hi/Lo/W 87/72/t 82/64/pc 103/82/s 80/61/pc 99/78/s 85/67/pc 90/78/t 83/68/pc 92/74/t 84/67/pc 109/88/pc 74/61/pc 83/70/t

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

Today Hi/Lo/W 88/67/pc 95/73/pc 96/74/s 93/76/pc 89/78/pc 94/76/pc 97/72/s 95/74/pc 100/77/s 100/74/s 94/72/pc 97/75/s 98/74/s

Thu. Hi/Lo/W 83/67/t 91/72/t 93/74/pc 90/76/t 88/75/pc 90/76/t 92/71/t 90/73/t 95/75/pc 95/74/c 88/74/pc 92/75/pc 94/74/pc

Today City Hi/Lo/W Florence 99/75/s Gainesville 91/71/t Gastonia 96/72/s Goldsboro 98/74/s Goose Creek 96/77/pc Greensboro 93/72/s Greenville 95/72/s Hickory 94/70/s Hilton Head 90/77/pc Jacksonville, FL 91/72/t La Grange 95/75/pc Macon 95/73/pc Marietta 93/73/pc

Thu. Hi/Lo/W 95/75/c 90/74/t 92/71/t 93/74/pc 91/76/t 86/70/t 90/71/t 89/69/t 90/77/t 91/74/t 90/74/t 92/73/pc 86/73/t

Today City Hi/Lo/W Marion 90/68/s Mt. Pleasant 94/78/pc Myrtle Beach 94/78/s Orangeburg 96/76/s Port Royal 93/77/pc Raleigh 95/72/s Rock Hill 96/71/s Rockingham 98/71/s Savannah 94/75/pc Spartanburg 95/71/s Summerville 96/76/pc Wilmington 95/76/pc Winston-Salem 92/71/s

Thu. Hi/Lo/W 84/67/t 90/77/t 91/78/pc 93/75/c 91/76/t 90/72/t 92/71/t 93/72/t 91/75/t 90/70/t 91/76/t 92/76/pc 86/69/t

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

For Comfort You Can Count On, Better Make It Boykin!

803-795-4257 www.boykinacs.com

PUBLIC AGENDA

License #M4217

TOWN OF LYNCHBURG PLANNING COMMISSION Today, 4 p.m., town hall

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Take charge EUGENIA LAST and make your voice heard. You’ll outsmart any competition you face with your wit and words. You’ll be able to stifle anyone who has a misconception about you or your ability.

lead to self-doubt.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Dig deep until you understand what you’re up against. Promises won’t be fulfilled unless you secure what you want in writing. Don’t get emotional when what you need to do is take action.

Choose discipline over indulgence.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Check everything you do twice and don’t leave anything for someone else to do for you. Utilize your energy wisely and force your will in order to get what you want. Your calculations will determine how successful you’ll be.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Make a residential move, change or upgrade.

Give personal relationships top priority and do your best to ensure that you’re emotionally sound and in-tune with the people you care about. Be open about what you want.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Feel the love and change of attitude you get when you take part in something that teaches you about life changes, personal philosophies or living differently. The adventure and excitement you feel will lead to a healthy and happy future.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Hang out with someone you enjoy being around. Catch up on your reading and look out for information that will help you proceed with a creative endeavor. Don’t feel guilty if you don’t feel like helping others. Take care of your own needs first.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Don’t count on anyone or anything to take care of your responsibilities. Be ready to step in if someone lets you down.

Turn any situation that presents challenges into a positive by using your expertise to make things right.

The last word in astrology

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Look at your options and head in the direction that entices you the most. Traveling will lead to interesting ideas and professional changes. Love is highlighted. Romance will improve your life.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Investments will pay off, but that doesn’t mean you should spend unnecessarily. Take care of personal papers or look over contracts that will protect you from loss. Take a unique approach to partnerships and don’t let someone’s uncertainty

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): You can make physical changes that will promote better health. Helping others by using knowledge and skills will interest someone in a unique, unexpected partnership. You stand to advance if you don’t procrastinate.

Romance is encouraged.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Your curiosity will lead you in an exciting new direction. Try your hand at something that interests you, and it could turn into a moneymaking enterprise. Follow through with plans and share your thoughts and desires with someone special.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Don’t let anyone talk you out of what you’ve been planning to do. Choose your direction. If you don’t follow a path that makes you happy, you’ll live to regret your choice and resent who stands in your way.

LOTTERY NUMBERS PALMETTO CASH 5 TUESDAY

POWERBALL SATURDAY

MEGAMILLIONS TUESDAY

5-18-24-31-38 PowerUp: 3

7-13-24-49-57 Powerball: 15; Powerplay: 3

numbers not available at press time

PICK 3 TUESDAY

PICK 4 TUESDAY

0-1-3 and 9-6-7

6-1-1-9 and 7-5-9-1

SUMTER ANIMAL CONTROL PET OF THE WEEK Tina, a young shepherd mix, is available for adoption at Sumter Animal Control. This pretty pup loves to be petted and loved on. Currently housed in kennel 21, Tina deserves a loving home where she can grow up safe and secure. In return, she will give you unconditional love. Call (803) 436-2066 to ask about Tina.

SECTION

B

30 days until kickoff for Gamecock football

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015

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

PREP FOOTBALL

Realignment changes little for LHS, Knights Current region to remain mostly intact for Sumter County rivals in 4A

BY JUSTIN DRIGGERS justin@theitem.com Both Lakewood and Crestwood high schools will move up to the 4A classification if the proposed South Carolina High School League realignment is approved.

However, everything else

mostly remains intact, and that’s just fine with LHS athletic director Frankie Ward.

“We’re going from a 6-team region to a 5-team region, but really not much has changed,” Ward said. “The dynamics of the region will mostly be the same. We’re just dropping two teams and add-

ing another.

The proposed Region VI-4A will be comprised mainly of what Region VI-3A is now with the Gators, Knights, Hartsville and Darlington all making the jump. Region mainstay Marlboro County will be moving to the beach region, however, while Man-

ning will remain behind in 3A. The new addition will be Lugoff-Elgin, which previously competed as a 4A school.

“Lugoff has a strong tradition in athletics and they do a very good job there, so I’m

SEE REALIGNMENT, PAGE B2

YOUTH BASEBALL

Burns, Sumter toss Texas out

MILLEDGE AUSTIN / SPECIAL TO THE SUMTER ITEM

Josh Burns struck out all three batters he faced in the top of the seventh inning to preserve the Sumter Junior Dixie Boys’ 4-3 win over Texas in Tuesday’s semifinal elimination game at the World Series in Aiken.

3-strikeout save lifts Junior Dixie Boys to 4-3 victory in World Series semifinal

BY MILLEDGE AUSTIN Special to The Sumter Item AIKEN – For a baseball team that has relied heavily on offense in winning its state tournament and through the first four games of the

Junior Dixie Boys World Series, the Sumter all-star team used pitching and defense to win on Tuesday and advance to the final day of the World Series.

Sumter defeated Henderson, Texas, 4-3 at Citizens Park behind the pitch-

ing of Ethan Brown, J.T. Stanley and Josh Burns.

Sumter will face undefeated Spring Hill, Fla., today at 10 a.m. needing to win twice to win the World Series.

Spring Hill defeated and eliminated Pineville, La., on Tuesday with a 4-1

victory.

Burns came in to pick up the save in the seventh, striking out the side to preserve the win.

“How about Josh Burns!” remarked

SEE SUMTER, PAGE B6

USC FOOTBALL

CLEMSON FOOTBALL

South Carolina newcomers look to boost defensive line

True freshman Hyatt working hard to earn starting left tackle job for Tigers

BY PETE IACOBELLI The Associated Press

BY SCOTT KEEPFER Greenville News

COLUMBIA — New defensive tackle Ulric Jones can’t wait to make an impact at South Carolina. And he’s not the only one as the Gamecocks open practice Tuesday.

Jones, a 6-foot-5, 300-pound lineman, is among several new faces seeking a spot this fall to fix one of the team’s weaknesses a year ago.

The Gamecocks were among one of the fiercest defensive lines in the Southeastern Conference from 201113, featuring high NFL draft picks Melvin Ingram, Kelcy Quarles and Jadeveon Clowney, the No. 1 overall selection in 2014.

But South Carolina did not generate much pressure last year, finishing last in the SEC in sacks and next-

Robbie Caldwell says the most recent freshman he has coached who started on the offensive line was Brian Stamper at Vanderbilt in 2003.

The most recent freshman offensive lineman to start at Clemson University was Barry Richardson in 2004.

The most recent freshman to start the opening game of the season for the Tigers?

No one knows for sure — at least not in

JONES

LEWIS

SAWYER

to-last in total defense.

Jones, along with fellow junior college linemen Marquavius Lewis and Dante Sawyer, figures to immediately boost that unit.

Coach Steve Spurrier took steps to shore up a defense that squandered three double-digit leads in the fourth quarter last year. The drop-off was a big reason South Carolina slid to 7-6 after three straight 11-win seasons.

Spurrier was encouraged by what

SEE NEWCOMERS, PAGE B4

HYATT

CALDWELL

the modern era — but Mitch Hyatt could become the answer to that trivia question when Clemson opens the 2015 season against Wofford on Sept. 5.

It would seem a scary proposition for most coaches, but Caldwell — Clemson’s veteran offensive line coach — has experience in getting young players

trained to play in a hurry.

Caldwell’s latest crash course began Tuesday when the Tigers officially kicked off fall camp with a three-hour practice.

“I like the challenge of getting young players ready,” Caldwell said. “I’ve had to do it throughout my career, so it doesn’t concern me at all.”

The offensive line, and in particular, offensive tackle, is considered by many to be the most difficult position

SEE HYATT, PAGE B4

B2

|

SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015

SPORTS ITEMS

Tigers QB Watson will wear brace on left knee CLEMSON — Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson will play this season with a brace on his surgically repaired left knee.

Watson is the Atlantic Coast Conference preseason player of the year. He tore his ACL last November, had surgery the next month and has been recuWATSON perating since.

He is full-go for the Tigers summer workouts and expected to be ready for the season.

BRAVES 1B FREEMAN LANDS ON DL AGAIN

ATLANTA — Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman has again landed on the disabled list, this time with an oblique injury.

Freeman was injured fouling off a ball Monday against the Giants and was removed from the game. Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said the two-time All-Star is on his way to Orlando to rehab the injury and will return as soon as possible. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday.

CLOWNEY’S FATHER CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER

ROCK HILL — The father of Houston Texans defensive

end Jadeveon Clowney has been arrested and charged with attempted murder for a shooting at a bar in Rock Hill.

Rock Hill Police Department Capt. Mark Bollinger says David Morgan also was charged with possession of a weapon during a violent crime. Bollinger said Tuesday that Morgan is in custody and awaiting a bond hearing.

policy.

A person familiar with the situation tells The Associated Press that Sanders was cut last month following another failed drug test. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the team and the league did not announce Sanders’ failed test or pending suspension.

WORLD ROWING TO SEEK VIRAL TESTING IN OLYMPIC WATERS

COLUMBIA — Columbia’s new Class A minor league baseball team will be the Fireflies.

Team officials announced the new name on Tuesday.

Hardball Capital CEO Jason Freier said the inspiration for the nickname came from the fireflies that light up in synchronization for several weeks at nearby Congaree National Park.

RIO DE JANEIRO — The head of the governing body of world rowing said Tuesday he will ask for viral testing at the rowing venue for next year’s Rio Olympics, and he expects all other water sports in Rio to follow suit.

The move comes after an Associated Press investigation last week showed a serious health risk to about 1,400 Olympic athletes who will compete at water venues around Rio that are rife with human waste and sewage.

AP SOURCE: FORMER JAGS’ WR SANDERS FACES 10-GAME BAN

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Former Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Ace Sanders, a fourth-round draft pick in 2013, is facing a 10-game suspension for another violation of the NFL’s substance-abuse

COLUMBIA MINOR LEAGUE TEAM TO BE NAMED FIREFLIES

MONDAY BRAVES 9 GIANTS 8 ATLANTA — For a 30-year-old rookie prone to timely hits, Adonis Garcia is making his new teammates glad to have him aboard.

Garcia hit a two-run homer in the 12th inning off Ryan Vogelsong and the Atlanta Braves beating the San Francisco Giants 9-8 Monday.

From wire reports

THE SUMTER ITEM

SCOREBOARD

TUESDAY’S GAMES

TV, RADIO TODAY

Noon – International Soccer: Audi Cup Third-Place Match from Munich (ESPN2).

2:30 p.m. – International Soccer: Audi Cup Championship Match from Munich (ESPN2).

3 p.m. – International Soccer: Champions Cup Match from London – Fiorentina vs. Chelsea (FOX SPORTS 1).

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

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

7 p.m. – WNBA Basketball: San Antonio at Washington (NBA TV).

7 p.m. – Major League Baseball: San Francisco at Atlanta (SPORTSOUTH, WPUB-FM 102.7).

8 p.m. – International Soccer: CONCACAF Champions League Match – Montego Bay vs. Arabe Unido (UNIVISION).

10 p.m. – International Soccer: CONCACAF Champions League Match from Vancouver, British Columbia – Seattle vs. Vancouver (FOX SPORTS 1).

10 p.m. – International Soccer: CONCACAF Champions League Match – Motagua vs. America (UNIVISION).

MLB STANDINGS

By The Associated Press AMERICAN LEAGUE

AREA SCOREBOARD CROSS COUNTRY SUMTER HIGH MEETING

There will be a meeting for any Sumter School District female or male student interested in running cross country at Sumter High School on Thursday, Aug. 6, at 5:30 p.m. at the SHS picnic shelter.

Students are asked to bring their physical and concussion forms.

For more information, contact Jimmy Watson at (803) 481-4480.

SOCCER FALL REGISTRATION

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

Registration will run through Aug. 13.

There will be leagues for children ages 3-17 as of Sept. 1, 2015.

Registration fee is $30 for ages 3-4, $35 for ages 5-6 and $45 for ages 7-17. No late registration will be taken.

There will be a coaches meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 11, at 7 p.m. at the recreation department at 155 Haynsworth Street.

For more information, call the recreation department at (803) 436-2248 or visit www. sumtercountysc.org.

FOOTBALL FLAG REGISTRATION

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

Registration will run through Aug. 13.

The league is open to children ages 5-8 as of Sept. 1, 2015.

Registration fee is $50. No late registration will be taken.

There will be a coaches meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 11, at 6 p.m. at the recreation department at 155 Haynsworth Street.

For more information, call the recreation department at (803) 436-2248 or visit www. sumtercountysc.org.

TACKLE REGISTRATION

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

Registration will run through Aug. 13.

The league is open to children ages 9-12 as of Sept. 1, 2015.

Registration fee is $60. No late registration will be taken.

There will be a coaches meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 11, at 6 p.m. at the recreation department at 155 Haynsworth Street.

For more information, call the recreation department at (803) 436-2248 or visit www. sumtercountysc.org.

CHEERLEADING

SOFTBALL FALL REGISTRATION

The Sumter County Recreation Department is taking registration for its fall girls softball leagues.

Registration will run through Aug. 21.

The league is open to girls ages 7-12 as of Dec. 31, 2015.

Registration fee is $45. No late registration will be taken.

There will be a coaches meting on Thursday, Aug. 13, at 6 p.m. at the recreation department at 155 Haynsworth Street.

For more information, call the recreation department at (803) 436-2248 or visit www. sumtercountysc.org.

L 45 51 52 54 59

Pct .567 .514 .514 .495 .443

GB – 51/2 51/2 71/2 13

L 42 51 54 54 57

Pct .596 .514 .486 .481 .457

GB – 81/2 111/2 12 141/2

L 47 49 53 58 60

Pct .561 .533 .495 .458 .439

GB – 3 7 11 13

MONDAY’S GAMES

Toronto 5, Minnesota 1 Texas 12, Houston 9 Tampa Bay 5, Chicago White Sox 4 Seattle 8, Colorado 7 Baltimore 9, Oakland 2 L.A. Angels 5, Cleveland 4

TUESDAY’S GAMES

Boston at N.Y. Yankees, 7:05 p.m.

Minnesota at Toronto, 7:07 p.m.

Kansas City at Detroit, 7:08 p.m.

Houston at Texas, 8:05 p.m.

Tampa Bay at Chicago White Sox, 8:10 p.m.

Seattle at Colorado, 8:40 p.m.

Baltimore at Oakland, 10:05 p.m.

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

BASEBALL FALL REGISTRATION

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

Registration will run through Aug. 19.

The league is open to children ages 7-14 as of April 30, 2016.

Registration fee is $45. No late registration will be taken.

There will be a coaches meeting on Thursday, Aug. 13, at 6 p.m. at the recreation department at 155 Haynsworth Street.

For more information, call the recreation department at (803) 436-2248 or visit www. sumtercountysc.org.

GOLF CHURCHES CHALLENGE

There are still some slots available for the 16th Annual Christian Golfers’ Association Churches Challenge Golf Tournament and Praise Rally which will be held on Aug. 1415.

On Saturday, Aug. 15, at Sunset Country Club, sign-in for the morning flight begins at 7 a.m. Tee off will begin at approximately 8 a.m. The afternoon flight will have sign-in at 11 a.m. for its 1 p.m. tee times.

The cost is $45 per golfer and includes the praise dinner on Friday as well as lunch and beverages on Saturday. Players can also purchase up to two mulligans for $5 that can be used anywhere on the course.

Members of the public are invited to attend the event and cheer for their team.

Spectators can walk the course and sponsors are encouraged to set up a tent to display their products.

Registration forms can be mailed to CGA, 1285 Clara Louise Kellogg Drive, Sumter, SC 29153 or can be brought to the office at Dillon Park, next to Crystal Lakes Golf Course.

FALL REGISTRATION

9-HOLE SCRAMBLE

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

Registration will run through Aug. 13.

The program is open to children ages 5-12 as of Sept. 1, 2015.

Registration fee is $50. No late registration will be taken.

The 9-hole Scramble event hosted by The Links at Lakewood will be held every Thursday beginning at 6:30 p.m.

The cost is $25 per player and includes prizes and dinner. The cost is $12 for those attending just the dinner.

To sign up, call the pro shop at (803) 4815700 up to 5 p.m. the day of the event.

Tampa Bay (E.Ramirez 8-4) at Chicago White Sox (Rodon 4-4), 2:10 p.m.

Seattle (T.Walker 8-7) at Colorado (Rusin 3-4), 3:10 p.m.

Baltimore (W.Chen 5-6) at Oakland (Graveman 6-7), 3:35 p.m.

Cleveland (Salazar 9-6) at L.A. Angels (Santiago 7-5), 3:35 p.m.

Boston (S.Wright 4-4) at N.Y. Yankees (Severino 0-0), 7:05 p.m.

Minnesota (Duffey 0-0) at Toronto (Hutchison 9-2), 7:07 p.m.

Kansas City (Cueto 0-0) at Detroit (Boyd 0-2), 7:08 p.m.

Houston (Kazmir 6-5) at Texas (N. Martinez 6-6), 8:05 p.m.

THURSDAY’S GAMES

Kansas City at Detroit, 1:08 p.m.

Boston at N.Y. Yankees, 7:05 p.m.

Minnesota at Toronto, 7:07 p.m.

Houston at Oakland, 10:05 p.m.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Through Aug. 2 Points 1, Kevin Harvick, 780. 2, Joey Logano, 734. 3, Dale Earnhardt Jr., 717. 4, Jimmie Johnson, 713. 5, Martin Truex Jr., 694. 6, Brad Keselowski, 681. 7, Matt Kenseth, 662. 8, Jamie McMurray, 631.

9, Kurt Busch, 620. 10, Jeff Gordon, 617. 11, Denny Hamlin, 614. 12, Paul Menard, 591. 13, Ryan Newman, 584.

14, Clint Bowyer, 574. 15, Kasey Kahne, 559. 16, Carl Edwards, 553. 17, Aric Almirola, 534. 18, Greg Biffle, 502.

19, Kyle Larson, 485. 20, Austin Dillon, 484.

Money 1, Kevin Harvick, $6,014,731. 2, Joey Logano, $5,148,388. 3, Jimmie Johnson, $4,752,297. 4, Denny Hamlin, $4,304,022. 5, Dale Earnhardt Jr., $4,135,770. 6, Brad Keselowski, $3,866,716.

7, Matt Kenseth, $3,861,161. 8, Jeff Gordon, $3,771,181.

9, Martin Truex Jr., $3,490,306. 10, Clint Bowyer, $3,396,858. 11, Ryan Newman, $3,334,503. 12, Greg Biffle, $3,317,337. 13, Jamie McMurray, $3,237,476.

14, Aric Almirola, $3,158,646.

15, Austin Dillon, $3,081,044.

16, Trevor Bayne, $3,022,980. 17, AJ Allmendinger, $2,924,820.

18, David Ragan, $2,900,155. 19, Kyle Larson, $2,875,995.

20, Casey Mears, $2,853,825.

TRANSACTIONS The Associated Press

Tuesday’s Sports Transactions

BASEBALL

COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE — Suspended Toronto RHP Aaron Sanchez three games for throwing at a batter with warnings in place and Toronto manager John Gibbons one game for returning to the field after being ejected.

American League BALTIMORE ORIOLES — Optioned RHP Tyler Wilson to Norfolk (IL). Recalled LHP T.J. McFarland from Norfolk. Agreed to terms with RHP Andrew Robinson on a minor league contract.

BOSTON RED SOX — Optioned RHP Ryan Cook to Pawtucket (IL). Selected the contract of LHP Henry Owens from Pawtucket.

CLEVELAND INDIANS — Sent OF Nick Swisher to Columbus (IL) for a rehab assignment.

WNBA STANDINGS

By The Associated Press EASTERN CONFERENCE

EAST DIVISION W New York 56 Washington 54 Atlanta 48 Miami 43 Philadelphia 41 CENTRAL DIVISION W St. Louis 67 Pittsburgh 61 Chicago 57 Cincinnati 47 Milwaukee 44 WEST DIVISION W Los Angeles 60 San Francisco 57 San Diego 52 Arizona 51 Colorado 44

THURSDAY’S GAMES

St. Louis at Cincinnati, 12:35 p.m.

L.A. Dodgers at Philadelphia, 1:05 p.m.

San Diego at Milwaukee, 2:10 p.m.

Arizona at Washington, 4:05 p.m.

Miami at Atlanta, 7:10 p.m.

San Francisco at Chicago Cubs, 8:05 p.m.

SPRINT CUP LEADERS

TODAY’S GAMES

There will be a coaches meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 11, at 6 p.m. at the recreation department at 155 Haynsworth Street.

For more information, call the recreation department at (803) 436-2248 or visit www. sumtercountysc.org.

TODAY’S GAMES

Seattle (T.Walker 8-7) at Colorado (Rusin 3-4), 3:10 p.m.

Arizona (R.De La Rosa 8-5) at Washington (G.Gonzalez 8-4), 7:05 p.m.

Chicago Cubs (Haren 7-7) at Pittsburgh (Locke 6-6), 7:05 p.m.

L.A. Dodgers (B.Anderson 5-6) at Philadelphia (Harang 5-11), 7:05 p.m.

N.Y. Mets (Harvey 9-7) at Miami (Phelps 4-7), 7:10 p.m.

San Francisco (Bumgarner 11-6) at Atlanta (W.Perez 4-1), 7:10 p.m.

St. Louis (C.Martinez 11-4) at Cincinnati (Holmberg 1-0), 7:10 p.m.

San Diego (Kennedy 6-9) at Milwaukee (Jungmann 5-3), 8:10 p.m.

NASCAR

By The Associated Press

EAST DIVISION W New York 59 Baltimore 54 Toronto 55 Tampa Bay 53 Boston 47 CENTRAL DIVISION W Kansas City 62 Minnesota 54 Detroit 51 Chicago 50 Cleveland 48 WEST DIVISION W Houston 60 Los Angeles 56 Texas 52 Seattle 49 Oakland 47

Arizona at Washington, 7:05 p.m.

Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh, 7:05 p.m.

L.A. Dodgers at Philadelphia, 7:05 p.m.

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

San Francisco at Atlanta, 7:10 p.m.

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

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

Seattle at Colorado, 8:40 p.m.

L 50 50 58 63 65

Pct .528 .519 .453 .406 .387

GB – 1 8 13 15

L 38 43 47 56 63

Pct .638 .587 .548 .456 .411

GB – 51/2 91/2 19 24

L 45 48 54 53 60

Pct .571 .543 .491 .490 .423

GB – 3 81/2 81/2 151/2

MONDAY’S GAMES

Arizona 6, Washington 4 Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh, ppd., rain N.Y. Mets 12, Miami 1 Atlanta 9, San Francisco 8, 12 innings San Diego 13, Milwaukee 5 Seattle 8, Colorado 7

New York Washington Chicago Indiana Connecticut Atlanta

W 13 11 12 11 9 7

L 6 7 8 8 9 13

Pct .684 .611 .600 .579 .500 .350

WESTERN CONFERENCE Minnesota Phoenix Tulsa San Antonio Los Angeles Seattle

W 15 12 10 6 5 5

L 4 7 10 14 14 16

Pct .789 .632 .500 .300 .263 .238

GB – 11/2 11/2 2 31/2 61/2 GB – 3 51/2 91/2 10 11

MONDAY’S GAMES

No games scheduled

TUESDAY’S GAMES

San Antonio at Connecticut, 7 p.m.

Indiana at Chicago, 8 p.m.

Tulsa at Phoenix, 10 p.m.

Minnesota at Los Angeles, 10 p.m.

TODAY’S GAMES

San Antonio at Washington, 7 p.m.

THURSDAY’S GAMES

Tulsa at Los Angeles, 10:30 p.m.

REALIGNMENT FROM PAGE B1 sure they’ll fit right in,” Ward said. “It’s good to have new blood, but at the same time, it’s good to have some familiarity with the teams. You create rivalries over the years and those games become fun.”

Travel-wise, the addition of L-E is also a bonus, Ward said.

“Marlboro County was our longest road trip, and especially for some of the spring sports that started earlier, we had to get kids out of school early,” he said. “With Lugoff being just on the other side of Camden, it’s going to make a difference in travel expense and travel time.”

Sumter High kept its region mainly intact too, despite the move to 5A. Familiar foes West Florence, South Florence, Conway, Carolina Forest and Socastee will be on the docket again in Region VI-5A. The Monarchs meanwhile will be changing directions when it comes to their road games. After traveling north for the past few seasons, Manning will now head south towards Charleston in Region VII-3A.

MHS will see some old familiar 2A faces in Timberland, Hanahan and Bishop England, but will also face Georgetown and Lake Marion.

Lee Central and East Clarendon are in a similar boat with both old and fresh opponents among their new regions. The Stallions will play Andrew Jackson, Buford and North Central along with Cheraw, Central and Chesterfield in a 7-team Region VI2A. The Wolverines will be in a 6-team region among a pool of schools that have been grouped together at one point or another throughout the last two decades. Lake View, Hemingway, Creek Bridge, Green Sea-Floyds and Hannah-Pamplico make up the rest of Region VI-1A. Scott’s Branch will not be among that group, though, as the Eagles move to Region V-1A along with C.E. Murray, Bethune-Bowman, Branchville and Cross.

The Executive Committee of the SCHSL is to hear appeals from the schools on Sept. 17. The proposal will go into effect for the 2016-17 school year once approved.

PRO FOOTBALL

THE SUMTER ITEM

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015

|

B3

Veteran wideout Brown ready for induction to Canton

BY JOSH DUBOW The Associated Press OAKLAND, Calif. — Perhaps more than any other position in football, wide receivers are forced to depend on teammates for success.

Without a quarterback to throw it, a line to block or other running backs and receivers to divert attention, it is nearly impossible for a wideout to accumulate the big numbers necessary to become a Hall of Famer.

That’s why Tim Brown takes so much pride on the way he made it to Canton.

Despite spending most of his career with pedestrian quarterbacks and few other big-play talents around him on the Raiders, Brown earned his Hall of Fame honors by becoming one of the league’s most consistent and prolific receivers.

In a 17-year career that included 1,094 catches for 14,934 yards and 105 overall touchdowns, Brown caught balls from 19 quarterbacks with the Raiders and Tampa Bay. “I used to tell them throw it in my vicinity and I’ll do the rest,” Brown said. “To be consistent for that many years with so many quarterbacks is something I’m very proud of. I don’t know if a lot of other guys weathered through some of the things that had to be done. It was sometimes more mental than it was physical to get on the same page of these guys and almost babysit some of the young quarterbacks.”

While Jerry Rice had Joe Montana and Steve Young, Michael Irvin had Troy Aikman, Andre Reed had Jim Kelly, Brown’s quarterbacks were not exactly a who’s who at the position.

There were journeymen Jay Schroeder, Vince Evans, Jeff Hostetler, Jeff George and Donald Hollas. There were fringe players Marques Tuiasosopo, Chris Simms, David Klingler, Rob Johnson, Tee Martin and Bobby Hoying.

That all changed when Rich Gannon arrived in Oakland in 1999 to give Brown a top-flight quarterback late in his career.

Gannon was the only quarterback who was an original selection to the Pro Bowl while playing with Brown. Hostetler was a replacement selection in 1994.

There were only three other skill position players who made the Pro Bowl while teammates with Brown: Rice, Bo Jackson and Ethan Horton each getting one selection.

“Timmy did a lot of good things without a big-name quarterback,” Hall of Fame defensive back Rod Woodson said.

“That adds to what he accomplished. That means at the top of his routes, he was open.

Most great quarterbacks can throw people open. The not-sogood ones can’t. That means Timmy was getting open a lot of times. When he was at his best and some of the elite cornerbacks were covering him, he was still getting open.”

Gannon called Brown one of the smartest teammates he ever had, pointing to a photographic memory that allowed him to memorize game plans almost as soon as he got them.

AP FILE PHOTO AP FILE PHOTO

Despite spending most of his career with pedestrian quarterbacks, former wide receiver Tim Brown earned his Hall of Fame honors by becoming one of the league’s most consistent and prolific receivers.

Brown had the creativity to make subtle in-game adjustments to get open.

Despite just 4 1/2 years together, including three with coach Jon Gruden calling plays, Gannon completed more passes to Brown than anyone else, 356. Brown averaged 5.3 catches per game in four full seasons with Gannon at quarterback starting at age 33. At the time they split up, only Marvin Harrison, Rice and Sterling Sharpe averaged more.

“When you look at all the quarterbacks and coaching changes and system changes that he had to deal with and still put up those numbers, it’s really amazing,” Gannon said.

“If he was in the right system with a good quarterback his whole career, he already put up really incredible numbers.

But who knows?”

Brown said he doesn’t allow himself to think like that, although others close to him try to remind him.

“I had a cousin one time when I retired who took my numbers with Gruden and Gannon and extrapolated them out over my career,” he said. “It was something crazy man. It could have given Jerry Rice a good run for his money, that’s for sure.”

Despite the nine Pro Bowl selections, 10 straight 75-catch seasons and an accomplished career as a returner, Brown needed to wait six years to get his Hall of Fame call. Brown said he doesn’t begrudge receivers such as Reed and Cris Carter who got inducted before he did, but was frustrated by two years when no receivers were elected.

The long wait also means Brown’s father, former teammate Chester McGlockton and former Raiders owner Al Davis won’t be able to witness the induction, having died in recent years while Brown waited for the call.

“That is tough,” he said. “It definitely makes the situation bittersweet. It would have been nice if I had my dad here to see that big smile on his face when his son made the Hall of Fame.”

Former Pittsburgh running back Jerome Bettis waited five years to be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He will inducted on Saturday in Canton, Ohio, where a lot of Steelers fans are expected to be on hand.

Bus stop into greatness Steelers great Bettis bulls way into Hall of Fame

BY WILL GRAVES The Associated Press PITTSBURGH — By the end of 2004, Jerome Bettis was done. Finished. Burned out.

A dozen years in the NFL, most of them as the perpetually smiling blue-collared soul of the Pittsburgh Steelers, left him spent. The Steelers had just watched a 15-1 season evaporate a win shy of the Super Bowl. The tread on the force of nature simply known as “The Bus” had grown awfully thin.

All those carries. All those yards — many of them with a host of defenders along for the ride — had sapped his will. He privately told teammates he was set to retire, leading wide receiver Hines Ward to openly weep about the inability to get a championship ring for the player who served as the de facto big brother in the locker room.

Then Ben Roethlisberger called. So did coach Bill Cowher, who outlined a scenario where Bettis could serve as the “finisher” while young Willie Parker did the bulk of the work. Each plea came with a variation on the same thing: The Steelers could take that elusive step to a title if Bettis came along for one last ride.

“At the 12th hour I was convinced to come back and give it one more shot,” Bettis said. “Boy, I’m glad I did.”

The decision changed the arc of the franchise, and most likely Bettis’ spot in history. With Bettis as the

emotional touchstone, the Steelers rode a wave of momentum that crested in Detroit. Playing a few miles from his childhood home, Bettis walked off Ford Field in a sea of confetti with the Vince Lombardi Trophy aloft after Pittsburgh smothered Seattle for its first Super Bowl victory in a quarter century.

The triumph gave Bettis the storybook finish his teammates promised.

“I would have been one of those guys, ‘I was really good but,’” Bettis said. “I would always have that ‘but’ there. ‘He was a great player but they never won championship.’ ... It takes that “but” away and all you focus on is the fact that hey, he was a great player.”

Perhaps the final one of his kind. When Bettis is inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday, he’ll do it as the sixth-leading rusher in NFL history (13,662 yards) and maybe the last who gained most of them by having his body double as a cannonball.

The 5-foot-11, 252-pound Bettis played up the “Fat back” persona, even if there wasn’t always truth in advertising. Sure, he loved to dip his shoulder or mash a massive thigh into a defender. Give him a little room though, and the feet that Bettis once believed would make him a professional bowler were only too happy to run away from you.

“He could make cuts you didn’t think a big guy could make,” said Steelers president Art Rooney II.

Bettis always made a habit of zigging when zagging would have been easier.

Bettis admitted to briefly selling drugs while growing up in Detroit, only to end up on scholarship at Notre Dame. Coach Lou Holtz turned him into a fullback with a rare combination of speed and power. The Los Angeles Rams selected Bettis with the 10th overall draft pick in 1993, and he responded by winning Rookie of the Year, rushing for 1,429 yards as the lone threat on a team that won five games.

After the franchise moved to St. Louis, Bettis clashed with new Rams coach Rich Brooks, who invited Bettis to search for a new home after the 1995 season. Pittsburgh, coming off a Super Bowl loss to Dallas and looking for stability in the backfield, couldn’t get to the phone fast enough.

“It was one of those things that you couldn’t believe we had the opportunity when he became available,” Rooney said. “Everything just sort of fell into place.”

Second and fourth-round picks in 1996 brought Bettis and a third-round pick, one of the more lopsided trades this side of Herschel Walker. Bettis soon provided a reminder of what St. Louis said it could do without, with 129 yards and two scores in a 42-6 destruction of his old team.

“He ran all over them,” Rooney said. “That day was the fastest I ever saw him run.

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015

SPORTS

THE SUMTER ITEM

Virginia transfer did homework on UGA Lambert aims to take reigns as Bulldogs’ QB

BY CHARLES ODUM The Associated Press ATHENS, Ga.— Greyson Lambert’s focus was on Georgia even before he left Virginia.

Eager to master Georgia’s playbook as quickly as possible, Lambert said he bought a small whiteboard which he used to study the Bulldogs’ plays. He said he would hide it in his notebook during history class at Virginia this summer.

“Uh, don’t tell the professors,” Lambert said with a smile on Tuesday before his first Georgia practice.

“I did everything I could to learn as much as possible.”

The sneaky studying worked out.

Lambert completed his four-year degree and transferred to Georgia. Now a graduate student, he joined Brice Ramsey and Faton Bauta in Georgia’s quarterback race.

Coach Mark Richt said the three will share snaps with the first-team offense until he can narrow the competition to two.

“It could go all the way to the first game,” Richt said.

Lambert’s move to Georgia prompted Jacob Park, who was competing with Ramsey and Bauta in the spring, to transfer to Navarro Junior College in Texas.

The 6-foot-5, 220-pound Lambert started nine games at Virginia in 2014. He missed three games with an ankle injury and threw for 1,632 yards with 10 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He lost his starting job to Matt Johns in the spring.

Now Lambert, who is from Jesup, Georgia, has a fresh start for what he hopes will be a better end to his college ca-

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Georgia quarterback Greyson Lambert (11) throws under pressure from linebacker John Huff (57) during Bulldogs practice on Tuesday in Athens, Ga. Georgia’s quarterback competition is getting crowded at the start of practice, with Lambert, a Virginia transfer, joining Brice Ramsey and Faton Bauta. reer.

“I feel very blessed and fortunate,” he said.

Tailback Nick Chubb and other Georgia players said they were impressed Lambert already knew the Bulldogs’ playbook when he moved to Athens last month.

“He looks good,” Chubb said. “He came in prepared and knowing the plays.”

Chubb was careful to avoid stating a preference in the quarterback race. Chubb, the Southeastern Conference freshman of the year after rushing for 1,547 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2014, is expected to be the focus of the offense, no matter who wins the quarterback job.

State agency introduces Clemson-South Carolina Palmetto series rivalry

BY PETE IACOBELLI The Associated Press COLUMBIA — Fans of Clemson and South Carolina have long kept score in the rivalry between the respective schools. Now, the state Department of Agriculture and both athletic departments are making things official.

State Agriculture Commissioner Hugh Weathers, Clemson athletic diWEATHERS rector Dan Radakovich and South Carolina athletic director Ray Tanner were at the Statehouse on Tuesday to announce the Certified SC Grown Palmetto Series.

“This rivalry between Clemson and South Carolina for 120 years,” Weathers said.

“All we’re talking about ties the past to the present and to the future.”

Each school will receive points for wins by their teams in 13 contested sports between the schools. The series starts with a women’s soccer matchup on Aug. 28 at Clemson.

Weathers said points will also be awarded for better academics and food drives to feed the hungry in South Carolina. He said the winner would get bragging rights and a Palmetto Series trophy.

“It’s going to be a great, yearlong initiative,” Weathers said.

Weathers said Clemson won a coin flip, meaning Radakovich got to speak first. Radakovich joked that the winning flip should earn Clemson a point in the series.

Tanner, the former South

Carolina baseball coach also joked that his school deserved a point for sportsmanship for letting Clemson call the coin toss.

Tanner said fans on both sides have long paid attention to who won in football, basketball and baseball matchups between the schools. He said those same fans will look to Olympic sports like volleyball, soccer and golf to see who has the edge in those as well.

“We’ll have a lot of fun with this,” Tanner said. “It’s an exciting time.”

Soon after the women’s soccer teams open series play, the women’s volleyball teams and men’s soccer teams will follow. Women’s volleyball will compete against each other on Sept. 4 in the Carolina Classic at Furman. Men’s soccer will play that same day at Clemson.

South Carolina baseball coach Chad Holbrook said the rivalry between the two NCAA Division I schools can’t be intensified any more “because it’s already at a high level. But I think it will bring great notoriety to the Olympic sports.

“Being a part of this rivalry is a gift,” Holbrook added.

“That’s why some of our coaches coach here and why some of our players come to play here, to be part of one of the greatest rivalries in college sports.”

Just give the ball to Chubb.

“They all do a great job at that,” Chubb said with a smile.

Indeed, the starter may be the quarterback who Richt believes will avoid mistakes and give Chubb the best chance to keep the offense moving.

“That is the emphasis,” Ramsey said. “They want somebody who won’t turn the ball over.”

Ramsey was the backup to 2014 starter Hutson Mason and was regarded by most observers as the top candidate to win the job entering spring drills. Ramsey appeared in eight games last season and completed 24 of 39 passes for 333 yards with three touch-

downs and two interceptions.

Lambert and Ramsey say Bauta is the best runner of the three. Bauta also has the least game experience.

Ramsey said he welcomed Lambert to the team.

“You look forward to something like that,” Ramsey said.

“He’s just here to push us and we’re here to push him.”

If no clear starter emerges, Georgia could have a twoquarterback plan for the Sept.

5 opener against LouisianaMonroe.

Richt said his only “true rotation” at quarterback lasted only one game — his debut as Georgia’s coach in 2001. That structured plan to rotate David Greene and Cory Phil-

HYATT FROM PAGE B1 to learn, which makes freshmen contributors few and far between.

The gap between high school offensive linemen and senior defensive tackles can be a wide one, and rookies typically need time to gain strength, weight, strength and stamina — not to mention knowledge.

“It’s hard to teach,” Caldwell said. “If they don’t have it, they don’t have it.

You gotta enjoy the weight room — that may be the No. 1 factor.”

Another factor is attitude.

“The age of ’em doesn’t concern me — the attitude of ’em does,” Caldwell said.

In that regard, Hyatt passes the test.

Hyatt and fellow freshman Jake Fruhmorgen pos-

sess a mean streak that often separates the great offensive linemen from the good ones.

“They will hurt you,” Caldwell said. “They’ll get after your butt. They’re gonna get after you and finish you. They want to bury you in the dirt. Do they have all the tools yet? No, not yet, but it’s coming.”

Hyatt comes in as one of the most highly regarded offensive linemen in program history. The nephew of Dan Benish, who was a defensive lineman on Clemson’s 1981 national championship team, he was rated the No. 2 tackle in the nation by ESPN as a senior at North Gwinnett High in Sugar Hill, Georgia.

He may get the chance to

NEWCOMERS FROM PAGE B1 he saw after two hours in the scorching South Carolina summer sun.

“I know all the defensive coaches are really happy with the new players, a lot of these freshmen and junior college players,” he said. “So it’s going to be a different defense, we all know that.”

Part of that was ensured

by Spurrier’s offseason move of bringing in Jon Hoke to co-coordinate the defense with Lorenzo Ward.

Hoke headed up the defense for Spurrier at Florida from 1999-2001 before spending the next 13 years as an NFL assistant with Houston and Chicago.

Hoke has moved the Gamecocks to a straight 4-3 alignment up front rather than the 4-2-5 configuration they had used the past few seasons. Hoke is also overseeing defensive backs, his task in the NFL. Hoke said the players ad-

justed well in the spring, but summer workouts add new players to the mix who have to get up to speed.

Ward said the Gamecocks who are returning don’t like what they went through last season and are eager to make up for it — if they are not pushed to the side by the new players.

“The new players, anytime you have competition going on at positions, you make everybody else better,” he said. “I think that’s what we’ve got going on at defense right now.”

South Carolina’s newest additions certainly look like full-grown football players.

Lewis is 6-3 and 264 pounds. He had 63 tackles and 11 sacks last year at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas. He enrolled in January and his work in spring drills elevated him to starting defensive end.

Isn’t that a ton of pres-

lips ended quickly with Greene winning the job.

Richt has played two quarterbacks at other times, including when D.J. Shockley played behind Greene in 200204. But Greene was the set starter and Shockley’s playing time varied.

“I think the greatest advantage to a two-quarterback system would be if you had two really dramatic differences in style as a player,” Richt said.

“If a team has to prepare for this guy and it’s totally different than preparing for the other guy, I think that can cause issues for defenses.”

Otherwise, Richt prefers to have one quarterback win the job.

live up to that billing sooner rather than later given the unanticipated loss of starting left tackle Isaiah Battle, who entered the NFL Supplemental Draft last month and will forgo his senior season to pursue a pro career with the St. Louis Rams.

Senior offensive lineman Eric Mac Lain believes Hyatt is ready, particularly given that he was an early enrollee in January and was able to go through spring practice.

“If something like this had happened in the middle of the season, it might’ve been more difficult, but this guy has had a few months to prepare as the starter,” Mac Lain said. “Yeah, it’s going to be a trial by fire, but he’s a five-star athlete for a reason.

It’s time for him to prove his worth, and I think he’s ready.

sure for someone who hadn’t played a down of bigtime college football?

“No pressure, not at all,” Lewis said. “I know my teammates got my back and we’re all trying to work hard out here.”

Defense isn’t the only issue for South Carolina, which is going through the most uncertain quarterback competition in the 11 seasons Spurrier has been in charge. He said four players — Connor Mitch, Perry Orth, Michael Scarnecchia and true freshman Lorenzo Nunez — had about the same number of snaps without anyone taking an early hold of the job.

The Gamecocks have plenty of on-field proving to do on both sides of the ball.

They were selected fourth in the SEC Eastern Division behind Georgia, Tennessee and two-time East winner Missouri.

Spurrier likes the approach and attitude he’s seen early on.

SPORTS

THE SUMTER ITEM

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015

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B5

RECRUITING

USC gets another commit from Peach State

T

he University of South Carolina football program struck again in Georgia last week with a commitment from defensive end Jordan Smith of Lithonia, considered one of the state’s top prospects in the 2016 recruiting class. He chose the Gamecocks over offers from Clemson, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee and many others.

“There’s just something that I like about South Carolina,” Smith said. “I like the new facilities and stuff that they have.

I like (co-defensive coordinator) Coach (Lorenzo) Ward and I like (defensive line) Coach Deke (Adams) and I love (head) Coach (Steve) Spurrier.

“It was a very difficult decision. I spent a lot of long nights with coach, my mom and my dad. What separated South Carolina from everyone else was South Carolina felt like home. I feel like I’m still in Lithonia. That’s what set it aside from other schools.”

At one point, Smith favored Clemson in the recruiting process, but things started to slide USC’s direction after he attended the Showcase camp in late June.

“I feel like South Carolina started recruiting me more and they started showing a lot more interest,” Smith said, adding that playing in the Southeastern Conference was a big thing with him.

Smith is considered a high level pass rusher off the edge.

Last season, he had 71 tackles with 18 1/2 tackles for loss and 7 1/2 quarterback sacks. “I’ll be a good fit for South Carolina,” he said. “My speed, my pass rush, all of the above. I’ll stop the run, everything.” Smith is the third top Georgia prospect to commit to the Gamecocks in the last two weeks following DE Cecil Stallings of Tucker and defensive back Marlon Character of Atlanta. He gives the Gamecocks 13 new commitments for the class and 14 total including ‘15 carryover Octavis Johnson.

Linebacker Michael Pinckney (6-feet-1-inch, 215 pounds) of Jacksonville, Fla., currently is committed to Miami and has signed financial aid papers.

However, USC is still making a strong push for Pinckney and he is not turning a deaf ear to other suitors. Pinckney attended USC’s first camp in June and was invited to the pool party in July.

“I love South Carolina, man,” Pinckney said. “They’ve got a great facility. All their coaches show me mad love. I’m definitely going to get back down there and keep that recruiting option open.”

Pinckney said his commitment to Miami feels very strong at this point. “I’m going wherever feels like home and right now Miami feels like home,” he said. “If South Carolina makes me feel more at home, then we can really make something happen. We can really talk about something.”

Miami has been Pinckney’s only other visit this summer and he might go back there in a couple of weeks. He’s also considering visiting Tennessee.

Right now, he’s primarily looking at Miami, USC, Louisiana State and a couple of others he did not identify.

Offensive lineman Pete Leota of Asheville, N.C., attended USC’s pool party and left Co-

lumbia with USC his favorite ahead of North Carolina and Virginia Tech. It also appeared Leota was moving toward a final decision, but he said he is not making a decision just yet because he has more recruiting work to do.

“My parents want to go see one more school,” Leota said.

“We’re going to visit Virginia Tech and maybe North Carolina. I’m not sure when.”

Leota has been to both schools before, but his mother has not yet seen VT, so that visit will be primarily for her.

He said USC continues to lead for him.

OL Landon Dickerson of Hudson, N.C., will carry his recruiting into the fall. Dickerson has a list of six favorites, but is also opening himself up to new schools.

“I know how the schools that have been with me feel about me,” Dickerson said.”

He visited Auburn, Florida State, UGA and VT earlier this month and has no more visits planned right now. His favorite six have been USC, FSU, Tennessee, VT, Michigan and Auburn. He was offered by Stanford last week.

Dickerson plans to take some official visits and make a decision during his season. He is set to visit Michigan Sept. 12 and Auburn Nov. 27. There is no leader.

LB TJ Brunson of Richland Northeast High School in Columbia is a Louisville commitment, but he heard recently from USC LB coach Kirk Botkin.

He said USC remain interested, and he’s not totally closed the door on them or others.

“I’m still open to other schools and I’ll still take visits,” he said.

OL Ashton Julious of Florence returned to Lackawanna Junior College in Pennsylvania on Monday and won’t take any more visits until his officials in the fall. He did talk with USC recruiter Shawn Elliott last week.

Julious said he probably won’t make a decision until after he takes an official visit to Oklahoma on Oct. 24. He does not have any other official visits scheduled. He’s also been talking to USC, West Virginia, Illinois, Arizona State, Central Florida and Iowa State about visits during the season.

“Everybody’s still kind of equal right now,” he said, adding there is no favorite.

Running back Jordon Brown of Durham, N.C., visited USC last week. USC is one of his offers along with UNC, North Carolina State, Wake Forest, Boston College, Wake Forest, WVU and Oklahoma State. He doesn’t have favorites at this point.

USC signee DB Toure Boyd of Chaffey JC in California, received his grades last week and said they are good enough for him to enroll this week. He’s now waiting on USC admissions to sign off on him. USC is also waiting on the academic word on DE Devante Covington of Georgia Military College.

QB Cade Weldon (6-2, 190), a ‘17 recruit from Tampa, Fla., and the son of 1991 Heisman Trophy runner-up QB Casey Weldon of FSU, is considering playing for Spurrier, the ‘66 Heisman winner from UF. Weldon worked out for Spurrier at USC’s final summer camp and he has it under consideration.

Weldon has offers from USC, Miami, Kentucky, WF, Toledo, South Florida and Samford.

USC QB Phil Kornblut coach GA Mangus has RECRUITING worked with CORNER Weldon on a couple of occasions and feels he’s a fit for the Gamecock offense.

“I’m athletic outside of the pocket and can throw on the run,” Weldon said. “Coach just wants me to go out this year and win some games.”

He’s also been to FSU, UF, UGA, WF, UK, Louisville and UNC. FSU hasn’t offered yet and Weldon disputes the talk he’s going to follow in his father’s trail if he lands one.

“Everyone thinks that if I get the FSU offer that I’m going to commit on the spot, but it’s not really like that,” he said. “I’m actually going into this recruiting with an open mind and do what’s best for me.”

Last season, Weldon passed for 2,130 yards and 20 touchdowns.

DB Josh Brown, a ‘17 recruit from Fairburn, Ga., visited USC on Saturday. USC is one of his early offers.

CLEMSON

DB Tony Butler of Lakewood, Ohio, visited Clemson last week and is high on the Tigers.

Clemson offered Butler last month after he decommitted from Pittsburgh.

Butler said he and his mother got a good look at the football facilities and the campus.

He also talked extensively with DC Brent Venables and assistant coach Mike Reed and got a good idea about his place in the defense.

“Me being so big, I can walk in and have a size advantage over guys, so I’m very confident that if I do commit there that I can come in and play in a year or two without a doubt,” Butler said.

Butler visited WVU on Friday and was offered. Arizona State, Michigan, Rutgers and Minnesota are also under consideration with no leader and no order. Clemson is on the rise in his mind though.

“They have moved up,” he said. “They are one of my top schools.”

Clemson RB commitment Tavien Feaster of Spartanburg High placed his recruiting back in the public eye last week by visiting Tennessee for two days and by telling Volunteer fan websites the visit gave him something to think about regarding his commitment to the Tigers. However, as quickly as he raised the hopes of Vols fans, Feaster crushed them on Tuesday with four simple words on Twitter: “I’m committed to Clemson.”

DL David Marshall of Thomaston, Ga., a former Auburn commitment, released a top five in order of Mississippi and Auburn tied at the top followed

by Alabama, Miami and Clemson.

LB Jalen Hunter, a ‘17 recruit from Atlanta, has a top 10 in order of FSU and LSU at the top followed by UGA, UCLA, Clemson, Alabama, Louisville, Tennessee, UF, Miami and Auburn.

Clemson offered ‘17 RB CJ

Cotman of Clearwater, Fla. LB Jake Venables, an ‘18 recruit from Daniel High in Central, the son of Clemson DC Brent Venables, was offered by Texas Tech last week. He also holds a Clemson offer.

CLEMSON AND USC

DL Nyles Pinckney of Whale Branch High in Beaufort has set Aug. 21 at 2 p.m. for his commitment announcement with Clemson, USC, UGA and Georgia Tech his finalists. He visited all four in recent weeks, and he would like to take one more close-up look at each before decision day.

Pinckney attended Clemson’s All-In Cookout on July 17 then made stops at UGA and GT. He went back to Clemson to meet with head coach Dabo Swinney and assistants Dan Brooks and Tony Elliott. He then attended USC’s pool bash on July 24.

“The Clemson coaches were telling me about what they do at Clemson and how things work and how recruiting is starting to slim down and getting to that time to find out who is with them and who is not,” Pinckney said.

He also talked with USC recruiter Adams earlier last week and got a similar message. “Recruiting is coming down to it and both are telling me how much they like me and want me to play for their school,” he said. “It’s still hard to make my decision. I still have questions I need answered, like what do they feel is the strength of their school? What are they planning to do in the future with the upcoming recruiting class? And how successful they will be.”

Pinckney said he remains open among the four schools with no favorite and all four are recruiting him hard.

OL Noah DeHond, a ‘17 recruit from Hightstown, N.J., named his top eight as USC, Clemson, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisville, UNC, Pitt, UCLA, VT and Wisconsin.

DE Xavier Thomas, an ‘18 recruit from Wilson High in Florence, issued a top five in order, of FSU, Clemson, USC, Tennessee and UGA. OTHERS

USC DL target Kyree Campbell of Woodbridge, Va., announced a commitment to UNC on Monday.

Campbell visited UNC with his mother and grandmother on Thursday. He was also at UNC in June for Fredora’s Freak Show.

On Thursday, Campbell tweeted a top five with an apparent order of Alabama, USC, UNC, Auburn and Tennessee.

Campbell originally had planned to take all five of his official visits and announce on Oct. 29. Apparently, he has seen enough from all of his visits over the past year.

Campbell visited USC last year and said last month he had remained in steady contact with Adams. He was invited to the pool party last month, but couldn’t make it.

Greer High DB Troy Pride picked up an offer from GT on Friday.

USC target DB Deon Edwards of Lake Minneola, Fla., committed to Arkansas.

Tight end Isaac Nauta of Bradenton, Fla., de-committed from FSU and is looking around again. USC was one of the schools he considered be-

fore committing to FSU. LB Donta Evans of Lawrenceville, Ga., a former player at Lake Marion High in Santee, committed to Ole Miss on Sunday.

QB Lowell Narcisse Jr., a ‘17 recruit from St. James, La., committed to Auburn. He also had Clemson, LSU and Alabama on his short list.

BASKETBALL

Jalen Johnson, a 6-6 player from Durham, is coming off a standout AAU summer which saw his offer list grow to include Clemson, USC, Alabama, Miami, WF, Tennessee, Texas Tech, East Carolina, Virginia Commonwealth, Old Dominion, USF, Appalachian State, North Carolina Wilmington and Buffalo.

Now that his summer circuit is complete, Johnson is getting down to the business of deciding on which schools he wants to zero in on this fall.

“As of right now, South Carolina and Clemson are still on my list,” Johnson said. Miami, Tennessee and WF are others he mentioned as still being on the list.

Clemson offered Johnson relatively early in the process, and he said the Tigers are on him a little harder than USC is at this point. “Clemson was at all of my games in the month of July,” he said. “They see me fitting into their program as more of a shooter. That’s what they are looking for, a shooter in a bigger guard who can get out in transition.”

Johnson said Clemson’s interest in him has him giving the Tigers strong consideration at this point. “I feel pretty strong about Clemson,” he said. “The conference that they are in, the ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference), is one of the better conferences, if not the best conference. And it has a good environment. I look forward to getting more information on Clemson as a school and what they have to offer.”

Johnson said he’s not yet scheduled any official visits, but he could see Clemson and USC getting visits from him at this point. He wants to make his decision in November and does not have a current favorite.

Clemson offered ‘16 power forward Brachen Hazen of Columbia City, Ind. He also has offers from Bradley, Creighton, Maryland and Illinois State.

USC offered ‘17 shooting guard Eric Ayala of Hockessin, Del., according to TheRecruitScoop.com.

Point guard Zep Jasper, a ‘16 recruit from Augusta, Ga., committed to College of Charleston.

The Clemson women offered 2020 5-4 PG Loyal McQueen of Wilson High in Florence.

BASEBALL

Right-handed pitcher Travis Marr, a ‘16 recruit from Castle Rock, Colo., committed to Clemson on Friday. Last season, Marr had a 2-1 win-loss record with a 3.68 earned run average, 30 strikeouts and 19 walks in 38 innings pitched.

He also had a .382 batting average with two home runs and 12 runs batted in.

The Tigers also picked up a commitment for the ‘17 class from outfielder Sam Hall (6-2, 185) of Hampstead, N.C.

NASCAR NOTEBOOK

Kahne’s Chase hopes take major hit with pit road crash

BY REID SPENCER NASCAR Wire Service LONG POND, Pa. – Less than six laps into Sunday’s Windows 10 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event at Pocono Raceway, Kasey Kahne’s No. 5 Chevrolet spun off Turn 3, slid past the outside pit road wall and KAHNE smashed into the retaining wall separating pit lane from the staging ahead behind it.

Crew members and spectators scattered as they saw

Kahne’s car careening toward stall No. 40. The car smacked the wall with a heart-stopping thud, driving a piece of the Chevy’s front end completely through the wall.

Helmets sitting on the wall for later use during a scheduled pit stop were knocked flying toward the infield grandstand behind pit road.

NASCAR stopped the race for 14 minutes, 43 seconds to repair the damage to the barrier, which was close to the spot where Jeb Burton had crashed in practice But the damage to Kahne’s chances of qualifying for the

Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup may be much more severe.

With his car too crippled to continue, Kahne was credited with a 43rd-place finish, and he fell to 15th in the series standings. If Kyle Busch works his way into the top 30 in points over the next five races, a circumstance that appears more than likely, Kahne’s path to the Chase becomes much more difficult.

He’ll either have to win a race or improve his position in points to make the Chase field as a non-winner.

“Yeah, that’s really bad for

points,” a shell-shocked Kahne said after the wreck.

“It’s bad for just our team to lose a car that quickly into this race. And the last month has been really bad. And that was worse.

“So, I don’t know what the deal is right there and what happened. I just lost it. Late exit. Got loose. Spun.”

MORE HEARTBREAK FOR LOGANO

Joey Logano had the dominant car at Pocono, leading 97 of 160 laps, but the driver of the No. 22 Team Penske Ford ran out of fuel and ran out of luck at the same time on Sunday afternoon.

Logano was leading when his fuel cell went dry on Lap 158, and he surrendered the top spot to Kyle Busch, who subsequently ran out of fuel himself.

To add insult to injury, Logano was assessed a pit road speeding penalty when he coasted in to get enough gas to finish the race. He was credited with a 20th-place finish, the last car on the lead lap and the victim of another close call.

Logano had run second to Kyle Busch in two of the previous three NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races, at Kentucky and Indianapolis.

B6

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YOUTH BASEBALL

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015

SUMTER FROM PAGE B1 Sumter head coach Scott Spittle. “To come up in a situation like that; in the state tournament he batted close to .600 and pitched just one inning up there. Then, he comes out here and he gave us a couple good innings the other day and then came out today and did what he did. That’s a pretty incredible young man, right there.”

Burns, the regular starting first baseman, was put into a tough situation. He came on with the 1-run lead in the top of the seventh with two runners on, and no outs. He hardly flinched as he fanned the next three batters.

Sumter’s two pitchers before Burns, Brown and Stanley, had sold outings as well.

Brown started the game, going 5 1/3 innings. He gave up all three runs, but had seven strikeouts. “(Ethan) struggled a bit through the state tournament; he played for me during the regular season and just came out and showed up today,” said Spittle. “When he went out there and got those first few batters and then went up to bat and singled, I knew he was ready to play. Awesome effort

by Ethan Brown to start the game, and then J.T. came in and also did well for us again.”

Stanley struck out a pair of batters in the top of the sixth inning after walking the first batter he faced to load the bases with just one out and the score tied 3-3. Stanley rose to the occasion as well, striking out two batters looking to get out of the jam.

THE SUMTER ITEM

‘When he went out there and got those first few batters and then he singled, I knew he was ready to play.’

SCOTT SPITTLE Sumter Junior Dixie Boys head coach on starting pitcher Ethan Brown’s performance On offense, Sumter collected just nine hits compared to 10 by Texas and had three of their four runs come in the first inning. It was the third straight elimination game that Sumter has played in the last two days.

Sumter scored the winning run in the bottom of the sixth. Brown led off with a walk and Jackson Hoshour followed with a hard-hit grounder to shortstop that took a wicked hop to put runners on second and third.

Wylie Coker hit a ground ball back to the pitcher, who threw to third to try and get Brown. However, Brown broke for home and scored.

Leading the way at the plate was Aaron Carlton with three hits, including a double, and a run scored. Also collecting multiple hits were Hoshour and Brown with a pair of singles each. Along with his solid outing on the mound, Brown had an RBI and scored a run himself.

MILLEDGE AUSTIN / SPECIAL TO THE SUMTER ITEM

Tommy Pillsbury, second from right, and Cody Windham, left, react to the Sumter Junior Dixie Boys’ 4-3 elimination game win over Texas on Tuesday at the World Series in Aiken.

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Sumter Locations

Barnettes Auto Parts • Bubba’s Diner • Chick-fil-A Broad Street DeMaras Italian Restaurant Hwy 441 D & L Diner 441 back gate at Shaw Duncan Dogs 5641 Broad Street El Cheapo Gas Station Hwy 76 Across from Shaw Gamecock Bowling Lanes Broad Street Georgios 5500 Sycamore at 5000 area of Shaw IHOP • Kwik Mart Hwy 441 Logan’s Roadhouse McDonalds 76/441 at Shaw MRMA #441 Midlands Retirement Military Association Palmetto Oyster House (PO House) Parkway Shell Station Hwy 441 at Shaw Piggly Wiggly Pinewood Rd. Pita Pit 1029 Broad Street • Quiznos SHAW AAFES Gas Station & Shoppette SHAW Base Exchange • SHAW Commissary Sumter Cut Rate Drug Store 32 S. Main St. Tuomey Hospital TWO Main Entrances at Patton Hall 3rd Army YMCA Miller Road • Yucatan Mexican Restaurant

Summerton Locations United Convenience Store Young’s Convenience Store

Columbia Locations MILLEDGE AUSTIN / SPECIAL TO THE SUMTER ITEM

Ethan Brown gave up three runs but struck out seven in 5 1/3 innings of work to help the Sumter Junior Dixie Boys earn a 4-3 victory over Texas on Tuesday in an elimination game at the World Series in Aiken.

Chick Fil A Forest Dr. at Fort Jackson Grouchos Deli Forest Dr. at Fort Jackson McEntire ANG Base Mr. Bunkys Hwy. 76

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SPORTS

THE SUMTER ITEM

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015

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B7

PRO GOLF

Grand Slam bid is done; Spieth is not

BY DOUG FERGUSON The Associated Press Jordan Spieth was on the 14th green and battling in conditions so severe the wind approached 40 mph.

“They pulled us off the course,” he said.

Spieth wasn’t talking about St. Andrews.

This was Sunday at Whistling Straits, where he took a two-day scouting trip of the course that will host the final major of the year.

Spieth was one shot away from making the PGA Championship the most significant golf event since Tiger Woods completed his sweep of the majors in 2001 at the Masters.

The 22-year-old Texan was trying to become the first player to win them all in one season, and he came closer than any of the other three greats — Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Woods — to getting the third leg of the Grand Slam at the British Open.

His three-putt on the 14th green at St. Andrews, when the second round resumed in wind so strong Spieth was heard to say, “We never should have started,” is not what cost him a chance at the claret jug. He had four other three-putts that round. He took four putts on the eighth green in the final round. He also made a bunch of birdies all week, and at the end of 72 holes, he needed one more.

Simple as that.

If there was a hangover, it didn’t last long.

Spieth was playing golf in Dallas with friends when his roommate mentioned the “weirdest feeling” about watching the Open. He told him that it seemed as though Spieth had an off week at St. Andrews, perhaps because he already had won the Masters and U.S. Open. Maybe it was ingrained in everyone, Spieth included, that anything but a victory at the British Open was not going to be acceptable.

“We played good golf given everything,” Spieth said. “It’s still good to play a major and lose by one shot. But that was

one shot from being the greatest week of my life, instead of being on the back burner.

That’s what put it in perspective for me.”

It was a memorable run, and now it’s time to move on.

Spieth already has shown at such a young age he is equipped to do just that.

His goal at St. Andrews was to ignore what was at stake and treat it like another major. Put the ball in play.

Make putts. Get in contention.

He said when it was over the historical significance never crossed his mind even when

he was tied for the lead with two holes to play.

His approach to Whistling Straits isn’t much different.

“I really don’t think it changes at all,” Spieth said.

“Like I said, the historical part never factored into my preparation or knowledge of the course or whatever. All in all, I have the exact same feeling. I may feel better. I knew what was at stake, and there was an added element to that off the course. Those were the questions everyone was asking. That’s what the crowd was saying as you go

hole to hole in the practice round. ‘The Grand Slam is alive.’

“I wish they were still saying that,” he said. “But since they aren’t, that might ease the burden as far as practice.”

He laughed when asked about the American Slam — winning the three U.S. majors in the same season.

“When did that start?” he said, already knowing the answer.

No one ever talked about an American Slam until it was served up as a consola-

tion prize to Woods when his shot at the Grand Slam ended in the wind and rain at Muirfield in 2002. Woods made a strong run at the PGA Championship that year by making birdie on his last four holes, only to finish one shot behind Rich Beem.

Now the opportunity falls to Spieth. It’s still a chance to achieve something no one has ever done, though it feels hollow compared with what he was chasing a month ago at the home of golf.

The Grand Slam is over.

His season is not.

Spieth knows what it’s like to adjust goals during the course of the season, just as he did as a rookie in 2013 when he started the year without a PGA Tour and finished it as the youngest American (20) to play in the Presidents Cup. Looking back, he set modest expectations for 2015.

“My goals for this year were to make the Presidents Cup team, contend in at least one major and make the cut in all the majors,” he said.

“In 2013, they were tangible, specific goals I could shoot for. Right now, what’s bigger than what we’ve done? We had a chance to do something no one has done — win all four majors in a year.”

Part of the challenge is to finish strong. That’s what Spieth failed to do last season, when he finished out of the top 20 in six of his final seven events on the PGA Tour. In his eyes, a new season starts this week at Bridgestone Invitational in Ohio, followed by the PGA Championship and then four FedEx Cup playoff events.

“I would like to win one of these last six events,” he said.

“I’d like to be in contention and close one of them out, stay focused on trying to win one of these six and forget about how this year has gone.

This is so new for us. It’s hard as a team for us to sit back and not want to soak in what’s happened.”

A lot has happened. And even in the final two months, there’s a lot left.

late Joseph and Maggie Floyd Sanders.

The family will be receiving friends at the home, 5539 Borden Road, Rembert, SC 29128.

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

the late Jessie and Amy Blanding Scott and biological son of the late James Cousar and Catherine Williams.

The family is receiving friends at 6498 Alderman Camp Road, Alcolu.

These services have been entrusted to Samuels Funeral Home LLC of Manning.

ately known, attended the public schools of Sumter County.

She is a graduate of Sumter High, Class of 1980. She worked as a caregiver and nurse’s assistant in South Carolina and North Carolina.

She entered eternal rest on Aug. 3, 2015, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center.

She leaves to cherish precious memories: a son, Isaac Trevor Durant of Sumter; two grandsons, Isaac and Isaiah Durant of Columbia; parents, Isaac and Almeta Shaw Durant of Sumter; three sisters,

Gloria Daney of Frankfort, Virginia, Jennifer Durant Rogers and Sylvia Durant of Sumter; a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, other relatives and friends.

The family is receiving friends at the home of her parents, 1009 Porter St., Sumter.

A wake service will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday.

Online condolences can be made at www.whitesmortuary. net.

Services have been entrusted to Whites Mortuary LLC, (803) 774-8200.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Jordan Spieth may have missed out on his shot at completing golf’s Grand Slam, but he is surely to be in competition for winning every tournament the remainder of the year.

OBITUARIES

PARALEE S. HOLMES Paralee Sanders Holmes, widow of Morgan Holmes, departed this life on Monday, Aug. 3, 2015, at her residence.

She was a daughter of the

JONATHAN SCOTT ALCOLU — Jonathan “Joe” Scott, 72, husband of Juanita Frazier Scott, died on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2015, at Clarendon Memorial Hospital, Manning.

He was born on Feb. 28, 1943, in Alcolu, an adopted son of

ALMETA DIAN DURANT Almeta Dian Durant was born on Aug. 19, 1960, in Bishopville, a daughter of Isaac and Almeta Shaw Durant.

“Dian,” as she was affection-

h t u e o r n S B y l p m i Rotisserie & Grill istr

o

ALAMOGORDO, New Mexico — Family and friends are mourning the passing of Mary Donna Blayney, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister, who wants to BLAYNEY be in her final resting place with the Lord. A lifelong faith in Jesus Christ gave her great comfort throughout the years.

She passed away on Aug. 2, 2015.

She was born on July 25, 1949, in Florence, to Mary Lucille (Holland) Riley and William Alexander Riley.

She is survived by her mother, Lucille Riley; sister, B.J. Watts; nephew, Johnny Watts (Beth); her daughter, Tarrah Blayney Bennett (John); granddaughter, Morgan of New Mexico; nephew, John Riley Watts of South Carolina; her stepchildren, Steven of North Carolina and Lisa of Alaska; six more grandchildren; two greatgrandchildren; an uncle, Hubbard Riley (Shorty); Mary Frances of Georgia; and many cousins.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Forrest, of 38 years.

Cremation will take place under the care of PCS Direct Cremation Services.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Eternity Baptist Church.

The family requests memorials be made to Eternity Baptist Church, 1205 25th St., Alamogordo, NM 88310.

S

MARY DONNA BLAYNEY

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All of our steaks are Choice Cut for their tenderness, juiciness and flavor BACON WRAPPED FILET Black Angus Choice Cut Filet Seasoned with our secret blend of herbs and spices, Cooked to your liking and served with two sides.

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THE SLAUGHTER CONTINUES Further Markdowns Absolutely the Lowest Prices on quality goods in Sumter. Suits and Sports Coats, Shirts, Ties, Socks, Shoes, Knits, Bathing Suits, Belts, Bow Ties, and much more!

(ACROSS FROM BILTON LINCOLN)

803-469-8502

Sun., Mon., Tues. 11:00am-2:30pm Wed. and Thur. Lunch 11:00am-2:30pm • Dinner 5pm - 9pm Fri. and Sat. 11:00am-9:00pm

Your Sumter Hometown Clothing Store!

B8

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 05, 2015

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In Memory

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

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

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.

Septic Tank Cleaning

In Loving Memory of Dawn Floyd Morris Feb. 11, 1968 - Aug. 4, 2013

Legal Notice

Sumter Self Storage, 731 Broad St. Sumter, S.C. will have an auction 10:00AM Saturday, August 8, 2015.

Weather permitted. Following units be sold:

Septic tank pumping & services. Call Ray Tobias & Company (803) 340-1155.

Brittany Isaac 418 Matilda McFadden 812-427 Jean Shaw 421 Adline Albert 226 Charles Brooks 621 Shaun Davis 382

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

Sale handled by management. "CASH ONLY"

Abandon Vehicle / Boat

ANNOUNCEMENTS Lost & Found Found small dog near Continental Tire. Call 803-481-8767 to identify.

In Memory

We thought of you with love today, but that is nothing new, we thought of you yesterday & the day before that too.

We think of you in silence, we often speak your name, now all we have are memories and your picture in a frame.

Nothing could be more beautiful than the memories we have of you, to us you were so very special, God must have thought so too.

If we could have a life-time wish, a dream that would come true, we will pray to God with all of our hearts, for yesterday & you.

A thousand words cannot bring you back, we know because we tried and neither would a million tears, we know because we have cried.

You left behind our broken hearts, and happy memories too, but never wanted memories, we only wanted you.

Loving & missing you, Jay, Austin, Samantha, Momma, Daddy & Michele

BUSINESS SERVICES Home Improvements JAC Home Improvements 24 Hr Service. We beat everyone's prices, Free Estimates Licensed & Bonded 850-316-7980 803-968-5528

H.L. Boone, Contractor: Remodel paint roofs gutters drywall blown ceilings ect. 773-9904

Dr. Yolyndra Shavon Green March 8, 1979 August 5, 2014 It's been a year, I wish Heaven had a phone so I could hear your voice again. I thought of you today, but that is nothing new. I thought about you yesterday, and the days before too. I think of you in silence, I often speak your name. All I have are memories and a photo in a frame.

Your memory is a keepsake, from which I'll never part. God has you in his arms and I have you in my heart.

-AcknowledgementsThe family of the late Dr. Yolyndra Shavon Green would like to thank everyone far and near for keeping them in their thoughts and prayers, the support and kindness that was shown will forever be remembered.

Unfurnished Apartments

Manufactured Housing

Cashier needed. Great Hours!

Must have some computer knowledge, be self-motivated, dependable & energetic. Apply at Wally's Hardware, 1291 Broad St.

Rent: 3BR 3BA 321 Sunset Dr Manning $800 Mo +$800 Dep. Call 803-473-0939

TIRED OF RENTING? We help customers with past credit problems and low credit scores achieve their dreams of home ownership? We have 2,3, & 4 bedroom homes. Call 843-389-4215 AND also visit our Face Book Page (M&M Mobile Homes)

Help Wanted Part-Time

PUBLIC AUCTION

Abandoned Vehicle Notice: The following vehicle was abandoned at Stuckey's Garage, 1000 North Main Street, Sumter, SC 29150.

Described as a 2005 BMW X5, VIN # 5UXFB53595LV11557. Total Due $3,646.00 as of February 1, 2015, plus $25.00 per day thereafter. Owner is asked to call 803-236-3324. If not claimed in 30 days. it will be turned over to the Magistrate's Office for public sale.

Help Wanted Full-Time

Professional Remodelers Home maintenance, ceramic tile, roofing, siding & windows doors, etc. Lic. & Ins. (Cell) 803-459-4773 Darif Properties Home Repairs & Lawn Service. Low cost to you. We get the job done. 803-468-1818 or 803-847-4876

Lawn Service

A Notch Above Tree Care Full quality service low rates, lic./ins., free est BBB accredited 983-9721 Ricky's Tree Service Tree removal, stump grinding, Lic & ins, free quote, 803-435-2223 or cell 803-460-8747.

MERCHANDISE Garage, Yard & Estate Sales LARGE GARAGE SALE Every Weekend Tables $2 & $3

Part-time House Keeping/PT Breakfast Attendant Must be available week days and weekends.

Application may be picked up at the Quality Inn in Manning. No Phone Calls.

Thomas Sumter Academy in Rembert, SC is seeking applicants for part-time school bus drivers for our Camden and Eastover routes.

Requirements are: a CDL license, Department of Transportation Physical and a copy of your driving record for the last ten years.

Please send this information along with a resume to: Susan.hux@thomassumter.org.

Trucking Opportunities Nesbitt Transportation is currently hiring CDL drivers. Must be 24 yrs old w/ 2 yrs exp. Home nights & weekends. Also hiring exp. diesel mechanics on semi trucks. Great work environment and salary based on experience.

Please call 843-621-2572 or 843-621-0943 for more info.

RENTALS

FLEA MARKET BY SHAW AFB

Open every weekend.

905-4242 or 494-5500

For Sale or Trade Washer and Dryer Set like new, Matching, $500. Stoves, refrigerators & Exterior doors for Sale 803-468-1818 Expert Tech, New & used heat pumps & A/C. Will install/repair, warranty; Compressor & labor $600. Call 803-968-9549 or 843-992-2364 Martin's Used Appliance Washers, Dryers, Refrig., Stoves.

Guarantee 464-5439 or 469-7311

EMPLOYMENT Help Wanted Full-Time Exp. Shingle Nailers. Must have own transportation. Only experienced need to apply. Call 968-2459.

No calls after 5!!!

Positions available for Material Handler. Mon-Fri 7am-5pm $10-$13 Per hour. Contact David McGee 803-931-8881

Rooms for Rent Large rooms for rent . No deposit, No lease. Call 803-565-7924.

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

775-0575 Studio/1 Bedroom apartments available EHO

HUNTINGTON PLACE APARTMENTS

FROM $575 PER MONTH

1 MONTH FREE THIRTEEN (13) MONTH LEASE REQUIRED

(803) 773-3600 POWERS PROPERTIES

803-773-3600

595 Ashton Mill Drive Office Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9-5

Unfurnished Homes 977 Hwy 401 2BR/2BA Private lot No pets. $425/mo + 400 dep.

803-506-2370

Mobile Home Rentals 975 Oswego Hwy 401. 2BR 2BA, Private lot, No pets. $425 mo +$400 dep. Conv. to downtown Sumter & Shaw 803-506-2370

Mobile Homes for rent.

2BR, 3BR & 4BR Section 8 OK. Call 803-773-8022.

Land & Lots for Sale Land - 1 acre lot for sale located in Hatfield Estates, 2690 Trufield Dr. $18,000 OBO. 803-917-6798.

7 acres for sale. Off Patriot Parkway.

Call 803-305-8011.

TRANSPORTATION

S/W MH 3Br,2 full 2Ba , All appls included w/big bckyrd, Summerton Area. Central A/C, Voucher Accepted. Available Sept 1, 2015 804-360-4355 or 804-543-0003 14x70 2BR 1.5 BA Fncd Lot, clean, Shaw Area . $450 Mo + $450 Dep Call 840-3371 or 494-3573

Autos For Sale 2009 BMW 528i for $17,500. Never been in accident, perfect condition.

Fully loaded. Call 803-478-4711.

Miscellaneous

3 BR 2 BA Blackberry Lane, Sumter.

Private lot, C/H/A $700 mo. + dep.

No pets. 803-983-0049.

Houses & Mobile Homes for rent. 2, 3 & 4 bedrooms. Section 8 OK. Call 773-8022.

202 Webb Ave- 3BR, 2BA with private lot. $475 mo + 400 dep. Call 803-506-2370 Scenic Lake MHP 2 Br, 1 Ba, No pets. Call between 9 am - 5 pm 499-1500.

STATEBURG COURTYARD 2 & 3 BRs 803-494-4015

Reconditioned batteries $45. New batteries, $56 - $98. Auto Electric Co., 102 Blvd. Rd. Sumter, 803-773-4381

Autos For Sale 2, 3 & 4 Bedroom for rent, Cherryvale & Dogwood Area $250 & up. (803) 651-9926 5 BR 3 BA Blackberry Lane, Private Lot , C/H/A $850 +Dep No pets.

803-983-0049

REAL ESTATE Homes for Sale 315 Rainbow Dr. Move in ready. 3 BR 2 BA 1 car garage. Fncd yard, scrned bck porch, pool/deck.

Must see! 803-983-0472.

REDUCED-905 Arnaud St 2BR/2BA Quiet Cul-de-sac. All appl's, fenced patio, screened porch. $104,000.

Available now. 803-464-8354 771 Pitts Rd. 3 BR, 2 Bath, 1 car garage, lg lot, fenced in yard, sprinkler system w// well. 968-4424

YOUR AD HERE

Lifestyles Lawn Service! Disc. for home sellers, residential & commercial. Erik 968-8655

Legal Service Attorney Timothy L. Griffith 803-607-9087, 360 W. Wesmark.

Criminal, Family, Accident, Injury

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

Virgil Bickley 803-316-4734.

1 Bedroom Apartments for 62 YEARS AND OLDER •Refrigerator •Central Heat & Air •Community Room •Range •Handicap •Coin Operated •Blinds Accessible Laundry Room •Carpet •Emergency Call •Ceiling Fans System **Rent Based On 30% of Adjusted Income** **Utility Allowance Given**

Southview 60 Hilliard Drive • Sumter, S.C. 29150 For application or information, please call

803-934-1449 TTY 800-735-8583

I’ve never seen so many cars and people!

What do you think is going on over there?

Well, I was told she’s having one of those ‘Garage Sales.’

Can you imagine?!

Minnie told me she made over $100 last time she had one... Just by placing a Classified Ad in

Do you think we should have one and place an ad?

It sure would help with Spring Cleaning!

20 N. Magnolia St. Sumter, SC 803.774.1234 www.theitem.com

BEAT THE HEAT WITH LINEN & SEERSUCKER SUITS AT MAYO’S Large Selection of Linen Sets, Sandals and Kangol Caps!

If your suits aren’t becoming to you, It’s a good time to be coming to Mayo’s!

Wesmark Plaza • 773-2262 • Mon-Sat 10-7 • www.MayosDiscountSuits.com

SECTION

C

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015 Call Ivy Moore at: (803) 774-1221 | E-mail: ivy@theitem.com

Help prepare students for school Gear Up for Learning in 17th year

NEEDED SCHOOL SUPPLIES

BY IVY MOORE ivy@theitem.com

S

ometimes generosity and gratitude beget more generosity.

Mark Champagne, executive director of Sumter United Ministries, said the nonprofit group receives “many notes and cards from teachers and students” who have benefited from its Gear Up for Learning program.

Gear Up collects school supplies for around 2,500 students each year.

Diane Garrick, office manager, recently offered a personal anecdote that illustrates what having nice, new school supplies means to those who would not otherwise start school properly equipped for learning.

“I was talking to Margaret (Hutchens, former Sumter School District social worker), and she told me about a teacher who saw one of her young students giving away the pencils she’d gotten in her Gear Up package,” Garrick said. “The teacher asked her why she was giving away her special, ‘princess’ pencils.

“The little girl replied, ‘I’ve never had anything anybody wanted before.’”

Garrick said teachers and counselors are careful to distribute the supplies to students privately, so that recipients of

SUMTER ITEM FILE PHOTOS

FROM LEFT: Denise Spivey, Mark Champagne and Carole McCaskey look through some of the supplies donated for United Ministries’ Gear Up for Learning campaign last year. The non-profit organization seeks to collect essential school supplies to benefit local students whose families might not be able to afford them. Spivey, along with Rosanne Christie and Adrian Mills, head this year’s effort. Champagne is the executive director of United Ministries of Sumter County, and McCaskey is a volunteer and grant writer for the ministry.

students in need.

“Gear Up helps to put all students on the same playing field,” Champagne said. “Sumter has been very generous” in the previous 16 years of the program’s existence, he added.

United Ministries consulted with teachers and guidance counselors to determine which supplies are essential and has compiled a list.

“Really important for the students are three-ring binders, composition books and loose leaf notebook paper,” Champagne said. “We calculated how many of each item is needed to help 2,500 students. We do pretty well in most areas, but I don’t think we’ve ever received enough book bags for each student to have one.”

If you’d like to contribute items for one or more children, you can drop them off at St. Mark United Methodist IVY MOORE/THE ITEM Church, 27 Broad St., today until noon. They can also be Roseanne Christie, center, a coordinator for United Ministries of Sumter’s Gear Up for Learning project, watches new volunteers enter taken to Bynum Insurance Agency, 1170 Wilson Hall Road, the fellowship hall at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church a couple of from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. any day years ago. Donations of school supplies will again be sorted at St. through Aug. 12, or to Sumter Mark’s, where school officials will pick them up on Aug. 12. the community’s generosity remain anonymous.

There are many students in Sumter School District who might find themselves in similar circumstances, if not for the generosity of the community, Garrick said.

That’s one reason United Ministries runs its annual Gear Up program, asking local congregations and individuals to donate school supplies to help

United Ministries, 36 Artillery Drive, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Cash donations are also accepted and are used to purchase any supplies for which the quota is not met.

“We’re very experienced in getting the most for our money,” he said.

Champagne said volunteers are needed to sort the collected supplies at St. Mark United Methodist Church from 9 a.m. to noon through Aug. 12, when the school district will pick up the supplies.

“This would be a great youth project for churches or other groups,” he said.

Champagne said any late donations are saved for next year’s program, “or for any critical situations that might arise during the year.”

Churches, companies and individuals can pledge to donate all or part of a particular item or items. If you’d like to donate all needed supplies for one or more children, call Sumter United Ministries for a list for children in particular grades.

*Numbers in parentheses indicate quantity needed. Churches, companies and individuals can pledge to donate all or part of a particular item or items. If you’d like to donate all needed supplies for one or more children, call Sumter United Ministries for a list for children in particular grades.

Donated books can be gently used, but Sumter United Ministries would like other supplies to be new materials.

Crayons, 16 or 24 count, (950) Glue sticks (2,500) Hi-liters (1,150) Ink pens (black or blue 4,650) Loose leaf notebook paper (college rule — 1,100 packs) Loose leaf notebook paper (wide rule — 2,200 packs) Notebooks (3 ring binders — 1,550) Pencils (25,000 — 10 for each student) Large Plastic Pencil boxes (350) Primary writing tablets (350) Ruled for kindergarten Pocket folders (6,600 with clasps) Pocket folders (700 without clasps) Rulers (400) Round-tip Scissors (950) Spiral notebooks (college rule, 1,650) Spiral notebooks (wide rule, 4,200) Composition notebooks (550) Colored Pencils (1,000 packs) Back packs (2,500) Reading books (250 for kindergarten readers) Reading books (400 for 1st- to 3rdgrade readers)

For example, a student entering middle school — 6th, 7th or 8th grade — would need 10 pencils, four folders with pockets and clasps, two packs of wide rule notebook paper, three wide rule spiral notebooks, a 1-inch threering binder, a highlighter, a pack of colored pencils and a book bag.

Donated books can be gently used, but Sumter United Ministries would like other supplies to be new materials.

For more information about donating or volunteering for Gear Up for Learning or any of the other projects of Sumter United Ministries, call (803) 7750757. Roseanne Christie, Adrian Mills and Denise Spivey are managers of the project.

Veteran character actor makes abstract art Herd developed an interest in the arts growing up in South Boston.

“I loved mixing colors as a When actor Richard Herd returned home from a recent kid. At 19, I went to acting school in New York and took road trip to Colorado, his most prized souvenirs weren’t some art classes with very fine teachers. After moving to typical tourist trinkets.

Hollywood, I continued art “I stopped at towns along classes on Saturday mornings the way for directions to the for years.” local junkyards,” said Herd Learning from others also from his West Coast home. helped Herd develop his act“People would stare at me and ask ‘Aren’t you an actor? ing skills.

“During a two-year apprenWeren’t you on Seinfeld?’”

But 82-year-old Herd — who ticeship at the Boston Summer Theater, Claude Rains indeed appeared in several was there for three weeks,” episodes of the popular ‘90s he recalled. “One evening, he sitcom as “Mr. Wilhelm” — heard a group of us rehearswasn’t looking for recogniing Shakespeare and offered tion. His roving, artist eye to come in early each night to was searching for unusual pieces of rusty metal to trans- work with us. He taught me you shouldn’t just get inform into art back at his Los volved with the language, but Angeles home studio where look ahead for the intent and he also crafts jewelry, writes poetry and frequently paints. direction of the character you are portraying.”

In fact, “Richard Herd’s A tough childhood also inJourney: A Retrospective of fluenced Herd’s future career his Paintings” will be feaas a performer. tured at MRG Fine Art Gal“As a child I had osteomylery in Sherman Oaks, California, from July 18 to 28 (see elitis, a serious bone infection, and almost didn’t surwww.richardherd.com). vive,” he recalled. “Penicillin “About a dozen pieces will knocked out the infection and be in the show, some new, some older,” said Herd. “I’m a saved my life. Lying there, month after month, you beprimitive abstract impressionist and work with oil and come very stoic. It really stimulated my imagination acrylic.”

BY NICK THOMAS Tinseltown Talks

and I think actually helped me later as an actor.”

With his strong background in theater, Herd soon found work in Hollywood and went on to appear in “All the President’s Men,” “The China Syndrome” and “Private Benjamin.” And while noted for reoccurring roles on TV’s “SeaQuest DSV,” “T.J. Hooker,” and “Star Trek: Voyager,” he’s most often associated with “that show about nothing.”

“Seinfeld was one of the best jobs I ever had,” he said.

“It got me a tremendous amount of recognition and still does because it plays all the time. There were no ‘stars’ on that show, they were all genuinely nice people to work with.”

In addition to appearing on “ST: Voyager,” as well as “ST: The Next Generation,” Herd has other connections to the Star Trek universe: working with Bill Shatner on “T.J. Hooker,” and with Leonard Nimoy and Walter Koenig on several projects.

For several years, Herd also played in the Enterprise Blues Band.

“It was made up of cast and crew from the five Star Trek series. We had a mandolin, violin, drums, piano, and I

PHOTO PROVIDED

Actor Richard Herd is seen in a scene from “Seinfeld,” in which he appeared often as Mr. Wilhelm. played the gutbucket, which has a hell of a good sound if you do it right.”

Several band members, including Herd, will be attending a Las Vegas Star Trek convention in August (see www.creationent.com).

“You never know, we might get to together and entertain the fans,” Herd predicted.

With more than 150 television and cinema credits behind him, Herd continues to leave his mark on film. This fall, he appears with Lee Meriwether in “A New York Christmas,” and he recreated his “ST: Voyagers” Admiral

Paris character in “Star Trek: Renegades,” a TV movie currently in post-production.

And he joins a long list of actors who have extended their artistic talents to other areas such as painting.

“It keeps the mind alive,” says Herd. “I leave a part of myself on every canvas, a bit of my soul, imperfections and all.”

Nick Thomas teaches at Auburn University at Montgomery, Ala., and has written features, columns and interviews for more than 600 magazines and newspapers. Follow @ TinseltowTalks.

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FOOD

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015

THE SUMTER ITEM

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Breakfast for dinner, with pasta in the mix

BY SARA MOULTON The Associated Press

substitute some of the bacon fat left in the pan for the butter in the recipe. his is the ultimate This recipe’s one unconventional technique is cooking the breakfast-for-dinspaghetti in a skillet rather ner dish: bacon, than a big pot of boiling water. eggs and toast (in the form Just take heart knowing that both the Spanish and Mexicans of buttery crumbs), comuse this same technique. First, bined with spaghetti. Com- the pasta is toasted in oil in the skillet. Then the liquid is added fort food to the highest de- and the pasta is simmered until gree, it’s especially satisfy- it is al dente. Why bother with this method? Because the pasta ing after a stressful day at picks up more flavor this way.

You add the eggs when the school or the office. And pasta is just about finished. all of the ingredients, exThey need to be cooked over medium-low heat, stirred concept for the bacon, are stantly, and pulled off the heat cooked in one skillet. the minute they’re done so they Most of us fry our bacon in a don’t overcook and get tough.

The breadcrumbs are the finskillet, but I prefer to lay it out ishing touch; half are mixed on a rack set into a rimmed into the pasta and eggs, half and parchment- or foil-lined baking sheet and bake it in the are sprinkled on top. If you can’t resist the temptation to oven. That way the bacon add some cheese, you can alcooks more evenly. Also, it ways substitute some Parmedoesn’t curl up and make a san for the crumbs. greasy mess of the stovetop.

Once you try cooking pasta Then again, if you insist on this way, I’ll bet you invent all making this a true one-pot sorts of variations to add to meal, you can cook the bacon in the skillet before adding any your line-up of weeknight dinners. of the other ingredients, and

T

BREAKFAST-FOR-DINNER SPAGHETTI Start to finish: 1 hour 15 minutes (40 minutes active) Servings: 6 8 ounces bacon 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided 2 cups fresh breadcrumbs (made by pulsing homemade-style white bread in a food processor; you will need about 4 slices) Kosher salt and ground black pepper 2 cups thinly sliced yellow onion 2 teaspoons minced garlic 12 ounces spaghetti, broken in half 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth 1 1/2 cups water 6 large eggs, lightly beaten with a tablespoon of water and a pinch of salt Heat the oven to 375 F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with kitchen parchment or foil, then set a wire rack over it. Arrange the bacon in a single layer on the rack and bake on the oven’s middle shelf until crispy, about 20 to 25 minutes. Remove the bacon from the oven and set aside to cool. Crumble the bacon.

While the bacon is cooking, in a large nonstick or stick-resistant skillet, heat 3 tablespoons of the butter over medium. Add the breadcrumbs and cook, stirring constantly, until they are golden and crisp, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer the crumbs to a bowl and toss with a hefty pinch each of salt and pepper. Set aside.

Wipe out the skillet and set over medium, then add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and the onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.

Add the pasta to the skillet and toast over medium heat, stirring often, until light golden, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the stock, water and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil and cook at a vigorous simmer, stirring often, until the pasta is tender, about 10 minutes (the liquid will reduce by about two-thirds).

Make a well in the center of the skillet, add the eggs and cook over medium-low, stirring constantly, until the eggs are just scrambled. Remove from the heat, return the onions and half of the breadcrumbs to the skillet and toss well. Season with salt and pepper, then divide among 6 serving plates.

DIY granola lets you have it your way any time of day

BY SARA MOULTON The Associated Press The best part of homemade granola isn’t that it’s cheaper.

Or even that you can make it with healthier ingredients.

The best part of homemade granola is that you can customize it to be exactly the way you like it. Do you prefer it with gobs of peanuts and chocolate chips, but your store brand never has enough? Dump them in. Same goes for dried fruits, sweeteners, nuts, pretzel chunks, whatever you crave.

DIY granola is the ultimate have-it-your-way food.

It also happens to be an excellent choice for when the kids head back to school. It’s great at breakfast with yogurt or applesauce, packs easily into lunches, and even can be sprinkled over ice cream for dessert (or a particularly indulgent afterschool snack).

Our granola recipe is a great starting point, but customize it as you see fit. Combinations to consider include: coconut-almond-chocolate; lemon zest and sunflower seeds with dried pineapple and mango; and pisTHE ASSOCIATED PRESS tachio-cherry-white chocolate.

CINNAMON-CITRUS GRANOLA WITH PEPITAS AND CASHEWS If you decide to customize this recipe, note that chocolate, peanuts, pretzels and dried fruit should be stirred in after the rest of the granola has baked and cooled.

Start to finish: 1 1/2 hours (15 minutes active) Servings: 12 3 cups rolled oats 1 tablespoon cinnamon Zest of 2 oranges 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 1 cup pepitas (shelled pumpkin seeds) 1 cup broken cashews 1/3 cup honey 1/4 cup sunflower or grapeseed oil 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste Heat the oven to 275 F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with kitchen parchment.

In a large bowl, combine the oats, cinnamon, orange zest, brown sugar, salt, pepitas and cashews. In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, oil and vanilla bean paste. Drizzle the honey mixture over the oat mixture and stir to combine. Spread evenly on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 1 hour 15 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes, or until golden. The granola will still feel a little sticky, but will dry as it cools.

Cool on the pan, then store in an airtight container at room temperature.

Nutrition information per serving: 290 calories; 140 calories from fat (48 percent of total calories); 16 g fat (2.5 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 0 mg cholesterol; 45 mg sodium; 30 g carbohydrate; 4 g fiber; 12 g sugar; 8 g protein

FOOD

THE SUMTER ITEM

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015

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Think cocktail pitchers for your next party

BY ALISON LADMAN Associated Press A summer party is no time for mixing individual cocktails. That’s what’s called a buzzkill. Warm weather festivities demand easy food and even easier drinks. And we’ve got you covered.

We suggest starting with six baking sheets. Cover each with tortilla chips. Now start piling on toppings. Sausage on one, browned ground beef on another, thinly sliced steak on a third, maybe some barbecue chicken on another, and so on.

Next, pile different combinations of veggies and beans onto each. And don’t forget the jalapenos and olives. Finally, heaps and heaps of cheeses. Just as your guests arrive, pop a couple of these baking sheets into the oven.

As they get all melty and delicious, pull them out, toss on some salsa and sour cream, then serve while a few pans more go in the oven. It’s party food that keeps you in the party, not in the kitchen.

Meanwhile, you’ll need some great pitcher-style cocktails to go with these platters of nachos. We picked three winners for you.

In a blender, combine the corn kernels, cilantro leaves, lime juice and sugar. Blend until smooth. Line a mesh strainer with moistened cheesecloth, then strain the blended mixture into a pitcher to remove any solids, squeezing to extract all the liquid. Moisten the edge of small drinking glasses with a lime wedge and dip the rims in salt. To each glass, add 2 ounces of tequila and a couple ice cubes. Top with about 2 ounces of the corn mixture. Garnish with cilantro.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

PITCHER MICHELADAS The tomato mixture is easily prepped ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to serve.

Start to finish: 10 minutes Servings: 6 1 serrano chili, thinly sliced 1 teaspoon sugar 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 3 limes, quartered 12 ounces tomato juice, chilled Hot sauce, to taste Salt Ice Six 12-ounce bottles Mexican beer, chilled In a small pitcher, combine the chili, sugar, Worcestershire and limes. Muddle the limes and chili slices until the limes are crushed and release their juices. Add the tomato juice and stir well. Season with hot sauce, as desired. Moisten the edge of 6 glasses and dip into salt to edge the rims. Fill each halfway with ice. Divide the tomato mixture between the glasses, then top with beer.

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HIBISCUS COOLERS Start to finish: 20 minutes, plus chilling Servings: 8 1 orange 4 dried hibiscus flowers or 8 hibiscus tea bags 1/2 cup sugar 2 cinnamon sticks 4 cups water 3 cups cabernet sauvignon wine, preferably Mexican 1 cup fresh blackberries 4 ounces mezcal Use a vegetable peeler to carefully strip off the zest from the orange (the outer orange layer of skin, but not the white pith beneath it). Place the zest in a medium saucepan. Juice the orange into a pitcher and set aside.

To the saucepan, add the hibiscus, sugar, cinnamon sticks and water. Bring to a simmer, then cover and remove from the heat.

Allow to steep for 15 minutes.

Once steeped, strain into the pitcher with a mesh strainer, pressing on the solids to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the solids. Add the wine, blackberries and mezcal to the pitcher. Refrigerate until well chilled. Serve over ice.

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CILANTRO-CORN MARGARITAS The corn-lime liquid can be prepped ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to serve.

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DILBERT

JEFF MACNELLY’S SHOE

Cheating wife needs to figure out why she does DEAR ABBY — I am 21 and on my second marriage. My husband of two years is every girl’s dream man Dear Abby — the kindest, gentlest, ABIGAIL most patient VAN BUREN guy. He loves me for everything, including my flaws.

I honestly believe he is the only one who could ever handle me.

So tell me, why am I cheating on him? I never thought I could find myself in this situation. I have a lot happening in my life, but there is no excuse for why I am straying from such an amazing hus-

THE SUMTER ITEM

band. I love him, but when I get a text, I hope so badly that it’s from the other man, and when it’s from my husband I feel disappointment.

We see the other man. He works for my parents. This situation is messy, and I don’t know what to do. I can’t tell my husband — it would ruin his life. I’d rather just leave him without giving any reason than tell him the truth. I want to leave him and live my own life, but I’m afraid to be on my own. I don’t know why I stay. I’m lost and confused.

Can I have some advice, please?

Reckless in Florida DEAR RECKLESS — You’re playing at matrimony as if it were a game instead of a deep, enduring partnership. Staying

THE DAILY CROSSWORD PUZZLE

married to someone because you’re afraid to be on your own is doing both of you a disservice.

If you think leaving your husband “for no reason” would be less hurtful than telling him the truth, you are mistaken. You owe it to him to level with him about the affair so he won’t blame himself for your leaving. When you do, I strongly recommend that you get counseling from a licensed mental health professional to help you slow down and more carefully consider what you’re doing before you marry a third time.

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 Barbie maker 7 Dada pioneer 10 Soviet air force acronym 13 Melodic piece 14 Source of Sun. inspiration 15 Life-altering words 16 Mississippi River explorer 17 Put to work 18 Stock quote?

19 Home of the Green Bay Packers 22 Other, in Oaxaca 25 Where to find a horse with no legs?

26 Outlaw Kelly 27 Favre of the Green Bay Packers 29 Evita’s land: Abbr.

31 Supply with more weapons 35 “Northanger Abbey” author 38 __ code 39 N.H. clock setting 40 Chanted 42 NFL snapper 43 Bistro awning word 45 Bistro drink 47 Austrian state border-

ing three countries 49 NFL positions 50 Lovely, like a lass 51 Cookie Monster eating sound 53 Poetic preposition 55 Equipment 56 Olympic action involving a bar 61 Brother of Peyton 62 Cornerstone abbr.

63 “I’m clueless” 67 Go pfft 68 It’s charged 69 Stretched out on the beach 70 Promise from a shy person?

71 New Orleansto-Detroit dir.

72 Put to work DOWN 1 “Spy vs. Spy” magazine 2 Modern art?

3 “__ the year’s midnight ... “: Donne 4 “You missed it” 5 Spanish 101 verb 6 Appears impressively on the horizon 7 Where most live 8 “M*A*S*H” ep-

isode, now 9 Favor 10 Silent ape 11 “American __” 12 Like no news?

17 Kind nature, and, symbolically, what 19-, 35-, 45and 56-Across have 20 Make it big in Hollywood 21 Bean sprout?

22 Goal 23 Like many tabloids 24 Tenant 28 Mai __ 30 64-Down research subject 32 Obscure 33 Light-sensitive eye layer 34 Saint Ste-

phen, e.g.

36 Mom’s bro 37 PBS funder 41 Name 44 Temperate __ 46 Lumberjack’s trade 48 Hippie happening 52 Layer of stones 54 Shampoo instruction 56 Mani counterpart 57 Mishmash 58 Stead 59 “Cure Ignorance” online reader 60 Doohickey or whatchamacallit, e.g.

64 “CSI” evidence 65 Brain scan, for short 66 Citrusy drink

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NBC goes seriously old school with ‘Mr. Robinson’

BY KEVIN MCDONOUGH “Mr. Robinson” (9 p.m., and 9:30 p.m., NBC, TV-14) is seriously old school. Craig Robinson (“The Office,” “Hot Tub Time Machine”) plays Craig, the crooner and keyboard player for the mildly naughty bar band Nasty Delicious, seen at the beginning and the end of each show.

He gets a wake-up call of sorts when he sees his high school sweetheart (Meagan Good). After years of success, she’s returned to teach English at their high school. It’s time to “give back.” For Craig, it has become time to finally get a day job. So he becomes a substitute music teacher at the same Chicago school, Studs Terkel High.

Viewers would be forgiven for calling it the “School of Rock.”

Look for Peri Gilpin (“Frasier”) as the school’s strict principal who also has a slightly kinky side.

This is not a terrible sitcom. Nor is it memorable.

Not unlike the fictional Craig, the real Mr. Robinson looks like he’s just trying to find a steady, paying gig.

• A far more interesting and challenging comedy, “Difficult People” begins streaming today on Hulu. Julie (Julie Klausner) and Billy (Billy Eichner) are miserable underemployed comedy writers who hate everyone and everything except each other and, occasionally, the small circle of friends who endure them.

Simply put, this may be the funniest and the saddest series to emerge in the age of social media. Julie creates “content,” mostly web-based recaps of TV shows she hates. Billy is tortured by a constant stream of tweets and alerts that remind him of how insignificant he has become. Julie is neurotic, straight and involved, if that is the right word, with Arthur (James Urbaniak), an effete PBS executive. Billy is gay and was recently dumped, and he lets everyone know it, especially his coffee shop boss, Denise (Gabourey Sidibe), and her effervescent sidekick, Matthew (Cole Escola), a young man so strenuously effeminate that he makes Billy feel homophobic.

Much of the humor in “Dif-

VIVIAN ZINK / NBC

Craig Robinson stars in the new sitcom “Mr. Robinson” premiering at 9 p.m. today on NBC. ficult” is about identity, selfloathing and the difficult truth that the most vicious fights are within cultures, not between them. Both Julie and Billy are defensive about their Jewish identity, yet quick to attack those who flaunt their “Judaica.” Andrea Martin is perfectly cast as Julie’s self-absorbed therapist mother.

This has been an interesting summer for dark meditations on the ugly side of media. “Mr. Robot,” “UnREAL” and now “Difficult People” are all smartly written, merciless and sometimes wince-inducing portraits of characters consumed by the ephemeral content that they consume and produce.

Not enough can be said about the smart writing on this show about failed comedy writers. On standard sitcoms, characters exist as joke dispensers. In “Difficult People,” every acidic line further defines its caustic central characters. They may not be nice, but they seem very much like people you may

know — or have become.

CULT CHOICE Kurt Russell stars in the 1982 remake of “The Thing” (6:30 p.m., Syfy).

TONIGHT’S OTHER HIGHLIGHTS • “America’s Next Top Model” (8 p.m., CW, TV-14) enters its 22nd season.

• Molly feels transformed on a two-hour “Extant” (9 p.m., CBS, TV-14).

• Interviews go badly on the new reality series “Job or No Job” (9 p.m., ABC Family, TVPG).

• Couples are encouraged to commit morally questionable deeds in exchange for cash prizes in the new reality series “A Wicked Offer” (9 p.m., CW, TV-14).

• A politician can’t explain his questionable texts on “Key & Peele” (10 p.m., Comedy Central, TV-14).

• Elliot goes AWOL on “Mr. Robot” (10 p.m., USA, TV-14).

• Tired of dating, a woman

returns to celibacy in the new sitcom “Born Again Virgin” (10 p.m., TV One).

• Buddy’s grave misdeeds on “Impastor” (10:30 p.m., TV Land, TV-14).

• A NATO war game sparks nuclear fears on “Deutschland 83” (11 p.m., Sundance, TVMA).

SERIES NOTES Couples compete on “Home Free” (8 p.m., Fox, TV-PG) * Competing for the semifinals on “Last Comic Standing” (10 p.m., NBC, TV-14) * George Hamilton plays “Celebrity Wife Swap” (10 p.m., ABC, TV-PG).

LATE NIGHT Louis C.K. is scheduled on “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart” (11 p.m., Comedy Central) * Jimmy Fallon welcomes Ice Cube, Mamie Gummer, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats on “The Tonight Show” (11:35 p.m., NBC) * Jason Segel, Michael B. Jordan and Big Sean visit “Late Night With Seth Meyers” (12:35 a.m., NBC) * Adam Pally, Jeffrey Tambor and Laura Marling appear on “The Late Late Show With James Corden” (12:35 a.m., CBS).

Copyright 2015, United Feature Syndicate

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THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Master great steaks at home

BY ELIZABETH KARMEL The Associated Press

I

have a confession to make. I never order steaks in restaurants. That’s because it is so easy to make an out-

standing steak at home.

And it isn’t just because I am a professional.

With a little knowledge, anyone can make a great steak. While there are several cooking techniques that will produce superior steaks, I am going to focus on the simplest one. Think of this as your Steak 101 tutorial.

Simply put, cooking a great steak just comes down to buying the right piece of meat, seasoning it well, cooking it for about 5 minutes per side, then letting it rest. It’s that simple.

Since the grilling method is so simple, it is paramount to buy the best steak you can afford. This is one of those times when the quality of the raw ingredients really makes all the difference. And for this classic method, I’m using the term “steak” to cover a variety of cuts, including rib-eye, New York strip and filet mignon — the traditional boneless cuts that are typically found on a steakhouse menu and are at least 1-inch thick.

It’s important to note that it is the thickness and not the overall weight of the steak that’s important. The thinner the steak, the harder it is to cook correctly. By the time you get a good sear on each side of a thin steak, it usually is cooked (or overcooked) all the way through.

But on a thicker steak, the inside will remain medium to medium-rare.

My preference is to buy one thick, 16-ounce steak to serve four people. I call that the party steak. You grill it, slice it up and serve it on a

platter family-style. Serving one steak also allows people who like it a little more done to choose from the end pieces, while those who prefer rare can eat the center slices.

Next up, the cooking. Start by removing the steak from the refrigerator, unwrapping it and patting it dry with paper towels. Do this while the grill is heating. During this time, I also like to wrap the steak in paper towels to absorb any surface moisture. A dry steak sears better than a wet one.

Once the steak and the grill are ready, you brush a little olive oil on it. The olive oil keeps the juices inside the steak, promotes caramelization, and keeps it from sticking. Next, season it with salt and (if you like) pepper. I usually pepper my steak once it comes off the grill because pepper burns quickly, but most people season with both salt and pepper at the start.

To grill, place the steak across the grates so you get maximum grill marks, cover the grill and let the steak cook for 5 minutes. Then, using tongs, flip the steak to the other side and place on a part of the cooking grate that wasn’t used before. This will give you the best grill marks on the second side. The steak absorbs the heat from the grates and so it is best to cook each side on fresh, hot grates. After another 5 minutes — depending on how rare you like your steak and how thick the steak is — remove the steak from the grill, top with butter, if using, and let rest for 3 to 5 minutes.

A quick test for doneness is to touch the steak with your finger. If the steak feels firm but not hard, it is at medium. If it feels hard, it probably is well-done. If it feels soft and jellylike, it is not cooked enough. But however long you cook it, be sure to let it rest before slicing.

This ensures a tender, juicy steak.

Sausages and potatoes become serious comfort on the grill

BY J.M. HIRSCH AP Food Editor Sloppy, fatty, savory, starchy and delicious.

Do you really need any other reasons to make this utterly satisfying and summery grilled sausage and potato dish?

And it doesn’t get much easier than this.

You start by tossing a whole mess of new potatoes with olive oil and salt, then setting those on the grill until the skins get just crunchy while the insides get

soft. Meanwhile, on the other side of the grill you drop down a disposable foil pan filled with Italian sausages, sundried tomatoes, whole garlic cloves, sliced onions and bell peppers.

By the time the potatoes are ready, the sausages and veggies are bubbling, the juices and fats having created their own sauce. Smash a few potatoes onto each serving plate, then spoon the sausage mixture over it.

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THE PERFECT STEAKHOUSE STEAK I like to finish my steaks with a pat of “steak butter,” which I set on top of the steaks as soon as they come of the grill. While the steak rests, the butter melts into the meat and gives it a richness.

Start to finish: 45 minutes (15 minutes active) Servings: 4 Two 8-ounce boneless New York strip steaks (or one 16-ounce) or other favorite steakhouse variety, such as rib-eye or filet mignon, at least 1-inch thick Olive oil Kosher salt and coarsely ground black pepper Steak butter (recipe below) About 30 minutes before you are ready to grill, remove the steak(s) from the refrigerator, unwrap, pat dry with paper towels, then rewrap with fresh paper towels. Set aside at room temperature.

Meanwhile, heat the grill to medium-high.

After the meat has sat at room temperature for 30 minutes, unwrap it and brush all sides with olive oil. Liberally season it on all sides with salt. If you like, you can season it with pepper, or wait until after it has grilled to add the pepper.

Place the steaks directly over the flames, cover the grill and cook for about 3 minutes. Flip the steaks and continue cooking, covered, for about 3 more minutes for medium-rare. Remove the steaks from the grill and allow them to rest at least 5 minutes, but no longer than 10.

Top each steak with 1/2 tablespoon of steak butter as soon as it comes off the grill, if desired.

Nutrition information per serving: 380 calories; 280 calories from fat (74 percent of total calories); 31 g fat (14 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 120 mg cholesterol; 300 mg sodium; 1 g carbohydrate; 0 g fiber; 0 g sugar; 24 g protein.

STEAK BUTTER A compound butter gives your steak that steakhouse presentation and adds that little something extra to the steak. This is what changes the steak from backyard beef to a real steakhouse treat.

Start to finish: 10 minutes Servings: 8 1 stick unsalted butter, softened 4 teaspoons minced fresh parsley 2 teaspoons granulated garlic 2 teaspoons dried tarragon In a medium bowl, mix together all ingredients. Set out a sheet of plastic wrap or waxed paper about 8-inches long. Drop the butter by the spoonful to form a log. Roll the butter in the plastic wrap and twist the ends to form a round log. Refrigerate until butter is hard and easily to cut into slices. Will keep refrigerated for one week.

Nutrition information per serving: 110 calories; 100 calories from fat (91 percent of total calories); 12 g fat (7 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 30 mg cholesterol; 0 mg sodium; 1 g carbohydrate; 0 g fiber; 0 g sugar; 0 g protein.

GRILLED SAUSAGES WITH POTATOES AND SUN-DRIED TOMATOES Start to finish: 45 minutes Servings: 4 1 pound sweet or hot Italian pork sausages, each link halved 1 large yellow onion, cut into 1/2-inch rings 2 green or red bell peppers, cored and cut into rings 1 head garlic, cloves peeled 7-ounce jar oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, mostly drained Ground black pepper 1 pound new potatoes 2 tablespoons olive oil Kosher salt Grated cheddar cheese, to serve Heat one side of the grill to medium, the other side to low.

In a 9-by-13-inch disposable foil pan, combine the sausages, onion, peppers, garlic cloves and sun-dried tomatoes (with about 1 tablespoon of the oil from the jar). Sprinkle lightly with pepper, then toss well. Set the pan over the warmer side of the grill and cook, turning the ingredients regularly, until the vegetables are tender and the sausage is cooked through, about 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the potatoes and olive oil, tossing to coat evenly. Sprinkle liberally with salt, tossing again to coat. Use tongs to place the potatoes directly on the grill grates on the cooler side of the grill. Cook for 25 to 30 minutes, turning often for even browning, or until the skin is lightly browned and crisp and the flesh is tender.

To serve, set several potatoes on each plate and lightly smash with the back of a fork. Spoon the sausage mixture over them, then sprinkle with a bit of cheddar cheese.

Nutrition information per serving: 810 calories; 510 calories from fat (63 percent of total calories); 57 g fat (16 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 95 mg cholesterol; 1,040 mg sodium; 48 g carbohydrate; 7 g fiber; 14 g sugar; 25 g protein.