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IT’S STILL BETTER TO BE THERE Item sports editor reflects on SHS football team’s season highs and lows.
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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2013 | SUMTER, SOUTH CAROLINA
VOL. 119, NO. 48 WWW.THEITEM.COM
Shaw removes Nativity scene after protests
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BY RAYTEVIA EVANS revans@theitem.com Shaw Air Force Base swiftly removed its Nativity scene from its base Friday after an undisclosed number of airmen were troubled with the scene and notified the Military Religious Freedom Foundation. The Nativity display was removed — only about an hour before the base hosted its tree lighting ceremony, said Lt. Keavy Rake, public affairs officer for Shaw Air Force Base. Rake explained that volunteers from Shaw Chapel erected the Nativity scene near Memorial Lake after first sending out emails asking others about putting up different religious representations. After receiving no offers on erecting other displays, the volunteers proceeded with putting up the Nativity scene. The base didn’t receive direct complaints about the Nativity scene display from its service members, Rake said. Officials on base first learned of concerns when they received a phone call from Mikey Weinstein, president and founder of MRFF. Rake said the display was a violation of Air Force legal policy, and the base was informed by their headquarters in Washington, D.C., that they had to take it down. SEE NATIVITY, PAGE A5
Sandy Hook
Despite chilling temperatures, rain and wind, hundreds of Sumterites poured into downtown Sumter on Sunday to enjoy christmas parade presented by the Evening Optimist Club of Sumter. Though many of the participants backed out because of weather, visitors still had plenty to look at as dozens of floats rolled down Main Street during the parade. PHOTOS BY BRADEN BUNCH / THE ITEM
Massacre fresh in minds of local school district BY RAYTEVIA EVANS revans@theitem.com Although it only seems like yesterday, Dec. 14 will mark one year since 20 children and six adults were shot and killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. While our nation’s leaders revisited the debate about gun control, U.S. citizens were filled with shock, grief and concern. The Sandy Hook tragedy brought back to the forefront the issue of mass shootings, controversy over background checks and gun laws and the best practices to better protect our youth. For the safety of students, faculty and staff, Sumter School District annually assesses the safety procedures of the county’s schools, said spokeswoman Shelly Galloway. But the mass shooting at Sandy Hook last year definitely caused the county to take an even closer look at their safety procedures, Galloway explained. “Our security plans were developed in accordance with state and federal best practices SEE SANDY HOOK, PAGE A5
Sharp family donates $15K to Fireside BY JACK OSTEEN jack@theitem.com To say Glen Sharp was a generous man when it came to giving back to the Sumter community through the years would be an understatement. It seems his legacy has rubbed off on his imme-
20 N. Magnolia St. Sumter, SC 29150 (USPS 525-900)
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Dedicated to the memory of Glen Sharp
diate family as well. Last week, the family made a $15,000 donation to the Fireside Fund in honor of Sharp.
DEATHS Information: 774-1200 Advertising: 774-1237 Classifieds: 774-1234 Delivery: 774-1258 News, Sports: 774-1226
Beverley Little James T. Driggers Jr. Harold M. Mills Andrew J. Lewis Mary B. Morris Ava F. Irick Beulah Miller
Leon Kelley David K. Minton Ronald S. Russell Cynthia J. Thigpen Cheryl G. Sabbagha
“He had a capacity for helping others, so this is in his honor,� daughters Elise and Esther said in a statement to The Item.
This gift, along with another solid week of donations, will aid in helping many families in need. Salvation Army Social Worker Pamela Lassiter said she helped almost 100 families already this season and is booked SEE FIRESIDE, PAGE A10
OUTSIDE GETTING COLDER
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Rain tapering off, fog in the morning; colder with a few showers at night. HIGH: 65 LOW: 34
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Clarendon Sun C1 Classifieds B7 Comics B6 Daily Planner A10 Opinion A8 Television A7