Another setback Panthers QB Cam Newton injured in car wreck B1 NATION: Report shows brutal
CIA questioning didn’t work
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Board approves district’s clean audit BY JADE REYNOLDS jade@theitem.com Sumter School District board of trustees received and unanimously approved a clean audit for 2013-14 from Robin Poston with Harper, Poston and Moree
PA Certified Public Accountants on Monday night. The district ended the year with about $4.4 million in the general fund balance. While trustee Johnny Hilton said he was confident the audit was correct, he did have ques-
tions about items within the audit that might be better addressed with Superintendent Frank Baker and Steve Mann, the executive director of finance, at a later point. “I’d like some information as it relates to activities that went
on during school last year,” Hilton said. “I’m not questioning the accuracy, just how the numbers shook out and why they shook out that way.” Poston offered to return any
SEE AUDIT, PAGE A10
A special visit with Santa
MORE ON EDUCATION Parental involvement is a key to success for Sumter’s children. A9
City council reviews project grant money; cuts possible BY JADE REYNOLDS jade@theitem.com Sumter City Council is gearing up for its next budget season. On Tuesday afternoon, board members heard of an area where less money may be coming in down the road and another area where the city may gain more funds. The first is the Community Development Block Grants. Preliminary numbers are showing Sumter will receive $298,862 in these grants, but within that amount, certain restrictions apply as to how much can be spent on public service and how much on administration. Clarence Gaines, community development director, said the draft budget his office worked up reflects numbers from last year’s budget, and while revenue will be down a little, he’s more concerned about possible cuts coming in 2016. The programs that traditionally receive money from this grant are: • Demolition; • Housing repair; • Youth employment; • YMCA youth services; • Wateree AIDS Task Force; and • United Ministries. “We get every drop of juice out of the orange, so to speak,” said city manager Deron McCormick. “We just wish there were more oranges.” Councilman Calvin Hastie asked
MacKenzie Hancock, 1, above, is held by her mother, Megan, as photographer Gerald Campagnari takes her picture with Santa during the Silver Bells Art and Craft Show on Saturday at the American Legion Building. Woodworkers Frances Parker and Bryan DuRant Sr., right, talk about their craft during the show on Saturday. The event featured holiday crafts, specialty foods and gifts for pets that were offered by more than 15 vendors. PHOTOS BY KEITH GEDAMKE / THE SUMTER ITEM
SEE GRANTS, PAGE A10
Give healing this holiday season Group seeks money to continue therapies BY JADE REYNOLDS jade@theitem.com For the past three years, Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands has incorporated art, yoga and animal-assist-
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ed therapy in its client services. But now the private nonprofit needs your help to continue these healing offerings. The agency, which provides free services to sexual assault and abuse survivors in four counties including Sumter, has launched a “30
days to change a life” campaign to raise $5,000 by Jan. 1. Sherry Lewis, director of therapy and outreach, has seen these programs in action. “Many of them (the clients) are very surprised and pleased
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SEE HEALING, PAGE A10
DEATHS, B6 Rose F. Metz Henry L. Stokes Randy J. Coulter Charles R. Holmes Jr. Clyde W. Ream
A survivor works on a painting during art therapy at Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands. Officials say it helps process the trauma when there are no words.
Danny Ray Gainey Willie Filmore Frederick Wilson Ernest L. Billie
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