December 12, 2015

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IN SPORTS: Sumter High basketball hosts Crestwood

B1

INSIDE

Don’t call it ‘moonshine’ Trend brings 4th craft distillery to Midlands A7

SERVING SOUTH CAROLINA SINCE OCTOBER 15, 1894

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2015

75 CENTS

Former Special Needs head takes plea deal Man was charged in 2008 sexual assault, kidnapping

abilities and Special Needs director was settled this week after a plea deal between his attorneys and the Third Judicial Circuit Solici-

BY RICK CARPENTER rick@theitem.com

HOLDER

A 7-year old sexual assault and kidnapping case against a former Sumter County Dis-

tor’s Office. The deal for Sherill Holder included him agreeing to plead

guilty to a lesser charge of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, which keeps him from holding an administrative position, according to Assistant Solicitor John Meadors who represented the state on the case. Meadors said he met with all victims involved in the case and attorneys representing Holder. He said they

agreed that it was the best deal for the state and the victims to keep him out of a position of trust. The plea does not put Holder on a sex offenders’ list. Meadors said by agreeing to the plea deal the state could assure the victims that Holder would plead guilty, possibly serve time and not be able to serve in an administrative

S.C. DOT: Major road projects expected to be done by year end Lafayette bridge, Alice Drive near completion Sumterites can expect two special New Year’s gifts from South Carolina Department of Transportation with the projected completion of the Alice Drive and Lafayette Drive bridge by the end of the year. Though all four lanes of Alice Drive are now open to traffic, SCDOT Resident Construction Engineer Jeffrey Wilkes said drivers will continue to see crews working for the next few weeks. He said crews are paving and connecting neighborhood and business driveways to the road and later will start clean up. Regarding the bridge, Wilkes said the contractors made a big push and were able to get more done than originally scheduled to be completed at this time. A lot of people are getting excited about the blacktop on the bridge, he said. Wilkes said some of the work is temperature restrictive and the crews have had to wait for the right weather to start on or continue some of the work. He said finishing both projects by January depends on the weather but he does not predict the weather, to be a factor during the next few weeks. Wilkes said everyone — citizens, SCDOT staff and road construction crews — are excited for the work to be completed. He said a final inspection of Alice Drive and Lafayette Drive bridge will be conducted once all work is finished. “We appreciate the public’s patience,” he said.

KEITH GEDAMKE / THE SUMTER ITEM

Construction workers build the guardrail for the Layafette Street Bridge on Thursday afternoon.

Burglars hit Salvation Army office FROM STAFF REPORTS At the time of year when people are giving graciously to the Salvation Army at bell ringing locations across the city, burglars broke into the Sumter nonprofit’s Kendrick Street office and stole more than $4,000 of merchandise and caused about $1,000 in damage. A Sumter Police Department inci-

the

.com

SEE PLEA DEAL, PAGE A6

Evening Pilot Club supports the community all year long FROM STAFF REPORTS

BY ADRIENNE SARVIS adrienne@theitem.com

VISIT US ONLINE AT

role in the future. He said the deal would be better than risking a loss in court. Holder was charged in Sumter County in February 2008 on one count of third-degree sexual assault and in Clarendon County in March 2008 on three third-degree criminal sexual conduct and one count

dent report indicates burglars broke into the office sometime between 8 p.m. Monday and 7:15 a.m. Tuesday. In the report, Maj. Robbie Robbins, commander of the Sumter Salvation Army, said someone used a tire iron to break a front window to make entry into the business. The burglars stole more than $3,500 worth of food items, a 42-inch screen television, blankets and trash cans. They also broke into

an adjoining building, a trailer and the back hatch of a utility truck. The Salvation Army has been providing food and water to flood victims and, through a partnership with The Sumter Item’s Fireside Fund, has been assisting the needy by helping pay for their heating bills. No cash or checks were reported

CONTACT US

DEATHS, A7

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

Teresa Browder Isaac House Jr. Edward Davis Jr. James Law Tony Jennings Cecil J. Poss

SEE BURGLARY, PAGE A6

Evening Pilot Club of Sumter is on the forefront in giving and working closely with organizations across Sumter such as Camp Burnt Gin, Sumter County Disabilities Special Needs Board, Friends of Swan Lake and local schools, according to a news release from the organization. The club’s projects include BrainMinders Safety Awareness programs for schools, providing support to caregivers of children with autism and family members with Alzheimer or dementia and assisting with the library at Camp Burnt Gin. Recently, the club provided $3,000 to SCDSNB to refurbish its all-purpose room, autistic room and one intermediate resident facility. One of the club’s ongoing endeavors has been awarding the Judy H. Rorick Memorial Scholarship, $1,000, to a Central Carolina Technical College student in the nursing program. Rorick was a loyal club member who passed away in 2005. Since the scholarship was established, more than 10 students have benefited from the generosity of club members. On Nov. 16, the recipient of the award for this academic year, Sandra Geddings, met the Rorick family at the pilot club’s monthly meeting. Geddings is a second-year student at Central Carolina Technical College who plans to receive an associate degree in applied science in May 2016. One of Rorick’s sister, Lynn Moon, said she was proud of what the recipients have achieved because of the scholarship. She encouraged her family members and others to honor Judy by making contributions to the scholarship fund. From its volunteer work at the Health Pavilion to its special day with Santa for children with autism, the club provides cheer and joy during the holiday season, the release states. The club has arranged private visits with Santa for children with autism Sunday at Swan Lake-Iris Garden. This year, Santa is expecting to greet more than 25 children. Evening Pilot Club of Sumter can be found every Friday and Saturday selling hot chocolate, hog dogs, cupcakes and other snacks at the Heath Pavilion until Dec. 19.

WEATHER, A8

INSIDE

UNSEASONABLY WARM

2 SECTIONS, 16 PAGES VOL. 121, NO. 50

Very pleasant today; warm with no chance of rain; partly cloudy tonight and mild. HIGH 77, LOW 52

Classifieds B6 Comics B5

Lotteries A8 Television A4, A5


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December 12, 2015 by The Sumter Item - Issuu