December 16, 2014

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Flu begins spreading across state Experts still recommend getting vaccine despite recent reports of lower effectiveness this season

BY JADE REYNOLDS jade@theitem.com If you haven’t received your annual flu vaccination, now is the time to get it.

It takes about two weeks for the antibodies to develop in your system,

said Allison Shuler, director of patient services at Sumter Family Health Center, and peak flu season is just around the corner. Nationally, flu infections tend to spike between January and March.

“It’s very similar here,” Shuler said about Sumter. “We started seeing flu here last week. The season runs well

into March and April. It’s a good idea if you haven’t been vaccinated to go on and get vaccinated.”

The Department of Health and Environmental Control also “strongly recommends” getting vaccinated before the height of flu season, said Jim Beasley with DHEC Media Relations.

“Although the new flu season typically begins around the first of October, we usually see the number of illnesses peak in South Carolina in January or February,” he said. “However, the flu is unpredictable and can peak either earlier or later.”

Learning from a pro

SEE FLU, PAGE A11

Sydney café siege ends with 3 dead

BY KRISTEN GELINEAU The Associated Press

KEITH GEDAMKE / THE SUMTER ITEM

Royce Barham, 7, fires off a flint-lock pistol with the help of Frank Holloway during the Carolina Backcountry Christmas on Saturday at the Sumter County Museum. The museum offered its annual look back into the Christmas traditions of the early 19th century on Saturday on the museum grounds’ “homestead,” a reproduction of a late 18th-/early 19th-century Sumter area farm. The Carolina Backcountry Christmas gave visitors a chance to learn about skills settlers used to survive, including woodworking, blacksmithing and making candles. They also sampled roasted chestnuts and other foods, played games popular at the time and visited various buildings on the grounds such as a schoolhouse, forge and barn.

SYDNEY — The deadly siege began in the most incongruous of ways, on a sunny Monday morning inside a cheerful café in the heart of Australia’s largest city. An Iranian-born gunman burst in, took 17 people hostage and forced some to hold a flag with an Islamic declaration of faith above the shop window’s festive inscription of “Merry Christmas.”

It ended after midnight with a barrage of gunfire that left two hostages and the gunman dead, four others wounded and a nation that has long prided itself on its peace rocked to its core.

After waiting 16 hours, police stormed the Lindt Chocolat Café early Tuesday when they heard gunfire inside, said New South Wales state police Commissioner Andrew Scipione.

A loud bang rang out, several hostages ran from the building, and police swooped in amid heavy gunfire, shouts and flashes. A police bomb disposal robot also was sent into the building, but no explosives were found.

“They made the call because they believed that at that time, if they didn’t enter, there would have been many more lives lost,” Scipione said.

The gunman was identified as 50-year-old Man Haron Monis, who

SEE HOSTAGES, PAGE A11

Fireside Fund contributions continue to climb in 3rd week

BY JADE REYNOLDS jade@theitem.com Fireside Fund raises more money each week.

In its third week, the annual partnership between The Sumter Item and The Salvation Army garnered $5,425.27.

Will you help top that figure next week?

Since it started in 1969, the program has collected more than $1.4 million to warm the homes of those in need during the colder months of the year.

The newspaper collects money and provides it to the nonprofit. The Salvation

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Margaret S. Cooper George E. Gaymon Arizona Harrington Patrick C. Polen Stanley Primes Betty Cook

fuels or electricity.

Kerosene has been most in demand, social worker Christy Lamb previously told the publication. Other requests include wood and propane.

If you need assistance, contact The Salvation Army at (803) 775-9336.

Donations may be mailed to

The Sumter Item, P.O. Box 1677, Sumter, SC 29151 or dropped off at the office, 20 N. Magnolia St. Spell out acronyms and names clearly. When making a gift in someone’s name, please include a full

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Shaw F-16 pilot laid to rest in Colorado

BY RANDY ESSEX Glenwood Springs (Colo.) Post Independent RIFLE, Colo. — This western Colorado community paused Sunday to lay to rest a native son who had become one of America’s real-life top guns.

About 900 relatives and friends attended the funeral service for Air Force Capt. Will “Pyro” Dubois, who died Dec. 1 when his F-16 crashed in Jordan early in a flight that was to be an attack on ISIS targets.

The flag at Rifle High School fluttered at half-staff in a crisp breeze as mourners joined an honor guard awaiting Dubois’ casket’s arrival, and still at the end, when F-16s from Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada blasted over the school in a missing man formation to honor the 30-year-old New Castle, Colorado native.

In between those moments in front of the school from which Dubois graduated in 2003, longtime friends and military colleagues sought to honor Dubois’ life and console his family with tales of a loyal and funny friend, an adventurer in life who “was the nicest damn guy I ever met,” as college roomDEAN HUMPHREY, THE GRAND JUNCTION DAILY SENTINEL / AP mate and fellow Air Force Capt.

An American flag is delivered to the Dubois family at the memorial Dan Kulp put it. service Sunday for fallen U.S. Air Force Capt. William Dubois at Rifle Col. Paul Murray, 20th OperHigh School in Rifle, Colorado. DuBois, who was stationed at Shaw Air ations Group commander at Force Base, was killed Dec. 1 when his F-16 jet crashed before he Shaw Air Force Base, from began the combat portion of his flight in Jordan. About 900 people which Dubois’ 77th Fighter attended the service.

Squadron was deployed in Oc-

tober to help neutralize the extremist group ISIS, outlined a remarkable beginning to Dubois’ military career.

Dubois had twice been named the top fighter pilot in his class — what Murray described as top gun awards — including in the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program, which includes fliers from 13 nations. He had quickly become an F-16 instructor, flight lead and combat commander.

Shortly after Dubois’ arrival at Shaw, he was recommended to Murray to lead a squadron of 14 F-16s and 180 crewmen.

Murray said his reaction was that Dubois was too young and inexperienced. The officer making the recommendation said, “Just meet him.” Murray did, and was convinced.

“That kind of officership at that young age is extremely rare,” Murray said.

Dubois, who once wrote in a poem that “moderation is for cowards,” celebrated life, leading friends on a hairy scooter ride in Vietnam, singing unabashedly but poorly at parties and joining Air Force colleagues on a memorable “brocation” in Australia. And he had a serious side, counseling friends on how to be better men — how to “test everything and hold onto the good,” as Kulp put it.

“Will embodied what it meant to be a better man,” said

high school friend Doug Humble. “He was a true student of himself.”

Said Tym Meskel, a friend from youth, “You made men better, not just through thoughts and words, but through actions. ... You were never short of dogged persistence aimed at achieving greatness.”

Rare among those his age, Dubois even sent letters to friends at times, with Meskel relating Dubois writing about meeting future bride Ashley Jones while both were in South Korea — Dubois skirting the demilitarized zone with North Korea in his F-16 and Jones teaching English. “She talks funny with her New York accent, but she’s great,” he wrote.

Kulp, the college roommate, said Dubois was “kind, but had the heart of a warrior.”

“He was a professional man in his element doing what he was born to do. That is a rare and beautiful thing,” Kulp said.

Dubois is survived by his wife, Ashley, whom he married on Sept. 30, shortly before his deployment to Operation Inherent Resolve, the operation to combat ISIS, which has seized land in Syria and Iraq in its brutal campaign to form an Islamic empire, or caliphate. He also is survived by his parents, Donna and William “Ham” Dubois; by a sister, Devon; and her son, Karsen, among many other relatives.

ROSE FERRARA METZ • 1933-2014

Accomplished artist remembered for kindness, creativity W

hen Rose Metz’s friends recall their relationships with the well-known artist who died Dec. 8, her exuberance, kindness, passion for life and the positive influence she had on their lives are always mentioned. And while she was one of the best artists around, having been juried into numerous statewide, national and international exhibitions, she was known for her humility.

“I really don’t think she ever knew how great an artist and friend she was to everyone,” potter Laura Cardello said.

“She was just Rose.”

Cardello met Metz in the 1990s, when she, Sylvester Hickmon and Metz were the three artists teaching in the Sumter Gallery of Art’s “Awesome Art” summer camp at its former location on North Main Street.

“Then we moved to the new gallery, and she and I have taught together on Tuesday nights. I loved having her in the building with me to see all of her students create such beautiful pieces of art. I will miss my Tuesdays with her.”

Cardello and Metz “shared a birthday week” and celebrated together with friends, Cardello said.

“She was so much fun to be with.”

PHOTO PROVIDED

Rose Ferrara Metz, who died Monday, Dec. 8, was a faithful supporter of the Sumter County Gallery of Art for decades. Professional and amateur artists alike sought out her classes and her advice.

Designer and artist Susan Allen said, “Rose was one of the first people I met 21 years ago when we arrived in Sumter. I took her watercolor class — several times. She had a huge influence on me to this day, and I love her work. She was an amazingly good artist and a dear friend whom I will surely miss.”

New York artist Jen Pepper also met Metz through their art.

She was a “spectacular woman and dynamic artist.

Rose was always willing to give of herself so happily, sharing ideas about art, history and what she was doing in the studio,” Pepper said. “I will remember her fondly as a woman passionate about life, courageously creative and curious about this beautiful world.”

Marge Cowles was Metz’s best friend. They met many years ago at the Sumter Gallery of Art when it was located on North Main Street.

“I sure learned a lot from her,” Cowles said. “Rose and I met one day walking up to the gallery and got to be best friends. We both had recently come from up north. We were both Air Force (spouses), and we’d been overseas a lot. When she started teaching art, I signed up for her class.”

For more than two decades Metz and Cowles installed all the exhibitions at the gallery, even for a while after the gallery moved to the Sumter County Cultural Center.

“We just fell together, we just enjoyed each other, doing things together,” Cowles said.

“I think she knew she was good because of the awards she’d gotten, and her work sold very well, but she was modest and open to new ideas. She al-

ways went off to other places for classes. She absolutely would accept other people’s ideas, trying new things. There was never anything stagnant about her or her work.”

Cowles and Metz were also travel companions.

“We got in the habit of going to New York City for three or four days before Christmas every year,” Cowles said. “Rose was interested in everything.

When we’d go into different museums and galleries, she’d talk to people about the art, about history, science, everything. She was definitely the brains of the pair.”

The relationship between Metz and her husband Richard “Dick” Metz remained strong for all their 61 years of marriage, Cowles said.

“She was lucky to have a husband who didn’t mind her taking off for a few days without him,” she said. “They both allowed each other freedom to do things they wanted to do.”

Besides her art, Cowles said Metz will be remembered for “just her friendliness. She was interested in everything. She didn’t like to do just one thing.

She had this ability to make a quick sketch of something she wanted to paint later; some people take a photo, she’d just draw it quickly.”

Cowles said, “Lots of people

knew Rose, or at least knew of her through her art.

“When she taught, she didn’t want her students to copy what she was doing as a demonstration. She wanted them to be original and creative. Rose always liked to do something different that she’d never done before.”

Cowles sighed. “I’m really going to miss her. Everyone’s going to miss her.”

In addition to her husband, Rose Metz is survived by two sons, Jeffrey Metz (Lisa) of Charlotte, and Christopher Metz (Susan) of Cape Coral, Florida; one daughter, Julie Langley (Steve) of Huntersville, North Carolina; six grandchildren, Richard E. Metz, Jennifer Walker, Spencer and Trevor Metz, and Sarah Grace and Emily Langley; as well as three great-grandchildren. Also surviving is a twin sister, Sarah Scalish of Chesterland, Ohio.

She was preceded in death by a sister, Lena; and three brothers, Alfred, Frank and Joseph.

Services were held Friday at St. Anne Catholic Church. The family requests any memorials be made to St. Anne Catholic Church, 261 E. Liberty St., Sumter, SC 29150 or to the Sumter Gallery of Art, 200 Hasell St., Sumter, SC 29150.

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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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014

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You can help provide Christmas dinner for needy

BY IVY MOORE ivy@theitem.com Geraldine Singleton, who has become known for annual free Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners that offer a traditional meal to “anyone who needs one,” will serve Christmas dinner again this year on Sunday.

The noon meal of turkey, ham, chicken and all the trimmings, including dessert, will be served at the South

Sumter Gym “until all the food is gone,” Singleton said.

She said she was “encouraged by all the contributions and help (she) got for the Nov. 22 dinner.

SINGLETON “People were so kind and generous,” she said, “and we had plenty of volunteers. We served more than a thousand meals.

People were still coming by at 4

o’clock.”

If you’d like to help Singleton and her volunteers with Sunday’s meal, contact her at (803) 775-2047, or stop by Sumter Cut Rate Soda Fountain on South Main Street any weekday morning, where Singleton can be found drinking coffee with friends.

The Christmas meal will be blessed by two ministers, and gospel singers will perform. If you’re a mu-

sician who’d like to lend your talents to the occasion, contact Singleton.

On Sunday morning beginning about 8:30 a.m., she will be at the South Sumter Gym on the corner of Atlantic Avenue and South Main Street to receive donations of prepared and canned foods and other items for the meal. If you are in need of a Christmas meal, simply go to the gym after noon.

‘December Nights, December Lights’ The Sumter School District Elementary All-District Honors Choir sings “December Nights, December Lights,” directed by Mark Hodge, during a holiday concert Saturday afternoon at the Lakewood High School Performing Arts Center.

RAYTEVIA EVANS / THE SUMTER ITEM

POLICE BLOTTER CHARGES David Pack, 45, of Dalzell, was arrested during a traffic stop along Truefield Drive near Camden Highway before 2 a.m. Sunday and charged with his third offense of driving under the influence. According to

reports, the suspect exhibited signs of extreme intoxication as he cried as deputies questioned him and was unsure of his surroundings.

DAMAGED PROPERTY A money order machine valued at $1,000 was damaged during an incident at a gas station in the 200 block of East Liberty Street

about 2:15 a.m. Friday.

STOLEN PROPERTY An assortment of tools valued at $1,000 were reportedly stolen from an SUV in the 900 block of Collins Street at 6:30 a.m.

Friday.

An air-conditioning unit valued at $3,300, a water pump valued at $300 and a water tank valued at $250

were reported stolen from a home in the 1000 block of Plowden Mill Road before 1 p.m. Friday.

A Smith & Wesson 9 mm semi-automatic pistol valued at $300 was reported stolen from a Wedgefield home in the 5600 block of Peach Tree Road at 9:05 Saturday night.

A Walther .22-caliber hand-

gun was reportedly stolen from a Chevrolet SUV in the 2100 block of U.S. 521 South just after 11:30 p.m.

Saturday.

A washing machine, two toilets, five table lamps and an air-conditioning unit were reported stolen from a Dalzell home and storage shed in the 1900 block of Mason Road about 5:15 p.m. Sunday.

Just one tree…

It takes Just one tree to fill a home with the Sprit of Christmas Just one tree to decorate and admire a job well done.

Just one tree to build a cross, on which a gift larger than life itself was given.

The real Christmas tree isn’t branches and bulbs: it’s inside us if we’re willing to accept the gift and share it with others.

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LOCAL

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014

LOCAL BRIEFS FROM STAFF REPORTS

Council meets today at Opera House Sumter City Council will hold a regular meeting starting at 5:30 p.m. today at the Sumter Opera House, 21 N. Main St. Council members are set to adopt a meeting schedule for 2015 and a Municipal Court Jury CD from the State Election Commission for 2015. They will also consider first reading of the Community Development Block Grant Entitlement Budget for the 2015-16 Fiscal Year.

Two maintenance guarantees are also up for consideration.

One is for Phase VI of Hunter’s Crossing Subdivision to include Ruger Drive and relative infrastructure improvements.

The other is for Phase IV, Section 1 of Pocalla Springs Subdivision to include Glenmorangie Drive and relative infrastructure improvements.

Thieves target truck tires, batteries Thieves in the Bishopville area have apparently been targeting truck and trailer tires as well as truck and heavy equipment batteries.

X-Tra Mile Driver Training Inc., 855 N. Highway 15, on the north side of Bishopville, said they were the target of thieves over the weekend.

“They took 10 large truck batteries, fuel out of all our trucks,” said James Seagle. He said the four trucks were emptied of fuel and 12 truck trailer tires were taken as well.

Not far from X-Tra Mile, Mixon Logging Co. reported a similar theft the week before, Seagle said.

A person who answered the phone at Mixon said thieves cut down a fence in the back and took heavy equipment tires and eight to 10 heavy equipment batteries.

“We discovered it when we got in Monday morning,” she said.

Seagle said X-tra Mile is offering a $500 reward for information that leads to an arrest in the case. Persons with information can call X-tra Mile at (803) 484-6313.

THE SUMTER ITEM

Passed-down pound cake recipe leads woman to open Bishopville dessert shop

BY MATT BRUCE matthew@theitem.com A baker’s delight is often seasoned with the satisfaction people acquire from enjoying his or her dishes.

For years, that was the case for Lela Bolden. Cooking was her hobby, and the Lee County native was known for her signature dish: pound cake.

Earlier this year, Bolden’s affair with baking grew from a pastime to a labor of love as she put her homemade delicacy on the market in October and opened an eatery last month in Bishopville where she sells the cakes.

Now her delight is in watching her business blossom to the point that her Get Down Pound Cakes become a recognizable product.

“It feels wonderful,” she said with a chuckle. “It feels like you’re in your place. You’re doing something that brings fulfillment to not only you, but others.”

Get Down Pound Cakes opened its doors Nov. 25, serving dozens of visitors who ventured into the storefront at 620 Sumter Highway in Bishopville.

The dessert restaurant is stationed inside a former sandwich shop at the south end of the outdoor strip mall.

Lela serves as co-owner of the family operated eatery along with her eldest son, Darius. The duo work in tandem and enlist the help of their other family members. The dessert shop offers whole, half and miniature gourmet cakes and pies as well as slices, ranging from red velvet cake to sweet potato pie and banana pudding. Lela bakes all the dishes. The main dessert is the pound cake,

(803) 778-2942 www.loweryair.com

BY MATT BRUCE / THE SUMTER ITEM

Lela Bolden, her daughter Diona and son Darius stand in front of their recently opened dessert shop, Get Down Pound Cakes, in Bishopville. which she spent years cooking for church functions, family events and work outings.

It’s a special recipe her mother passed down to her, and one that she mastered as she grew older. Many, she said, were blown away by the cake’s succulence and moisture. Lela said people would often encourage her to open her own restaurant after tasting her pound cake.

That was an idea that danced around her head for more than 10 years. But the dream did not come to fruition until Darius got involved and began staking out flea markets where his mother could set up shop during the weekends. A 2005 business school graduate, he dusted off some of the skills he learned at Savannah State University.

tail salesperson in Columbia to commit to baking full time. Darius spends much of his time transporting supplies to the Columbia site. It’s been three weeks since the family has opened the new shop, and they say the business seems to grow more each day.

“It’s a learning process,” Darius said. “It’s all learning new things, picking up new trades and networking now more than ever. Since we’ve opened this Bishopville store, we’ve run into a lot of old friends, who didn’t know who was behind the store or anything about it. And then once they walk in and see familiar faces, they’re able to relate more, and they’re more willing to support. So it’s just been awesome since we opened up out here.”

“It was easy for me because she had already built up that demand for it,” he said. “She’s got the demand, so all it takes is doing the supplying now.

That was kind of like a nobrainer for me when it came to starting the business. It has to be good; it has to be marketable. And it was like it landed in my lap. God planted the idea in her, and she then turned to me, and here we are now.”

The mother-son partnership initially sold at flea markets in Florence and eventually purchased a kiosk inside the Columbiana Mall in Columbia, which operates seven days a week. About the same time the family began running the kiosk in Columbia, they purchased the Bishopville site.

Lela quit her job as a re-

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American seeks to preserve Afghan past ‘They (Afghans) don’t realize that the integrity of the country depends on cultural value. It’s a question of realizing the strength of the country culturally, and that comes from valuing the past while welcoming the new — the two have to be meshed together, and that is what we are trying to do here.’

BY LYNNE O’DONNELL The Associated Press KABUL, Afghanistan — Nancy Hatch Dupree fell in love with Afghanistan on her first visit in 1962 and embarked on a lifelong mission to preserve the rich cultural heritage of an ancient land scarred by modern wars.

In happier times she traversed the country with the other love of her life — archaeologist Louis Dupree, a fellow American — studying its history, writing travelogues and collecting books, maps, photographs and even rare recordings of folk music. The couple continued their efforts, often from abroad, during the tumultuous decades that followed, and their vast collection, now housed at Kabul University’s sunlit Afghanistan Center, provides a rare journey through the country’s past.

Small and bird-like with gray curls wound into a bun, the 87-year-old Dupree cuts a colorful figure in a bright green salwar kameez, blue cardigan and scarf as she walks through the halls, stopping now and then to point out her favorites among 90 photographs by Steve McCurry, best known for his 1985 National Geographic cover picture of a green-eyed Afghan refugee girl.

The collection includes copies of a glossy monthly magazine, called “The Islamic Emiate,” published in English by the Taliban during its 19962001 rule, as well as thousands of slides taken by Louis during his work on archaeological digs. There are newspapers dating back to the 1920s and books so rare that Dupree has the only known copies.

Afghans regard Dupree as one of their own, with some even calling her “grandmother of the nation.” President Ashraf Ghani found room at the university when he was chancellor in 2005 to store the tens of thousands of documents in the Dupree collection, and former President

NANCY HATCH DUPREE Head of the Afghanistan Center at Kabul University

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Nancy Hatch Dupree, 87, talks at the Afghanistan Center at Kabul University. Afghans regard Dupree as one of their own, with some even calling her “grandmother of the nation.”

But Dupree sees cultural heritage not as a luxury of peaceful countries, but an essential element to knitting troubled ones back together.

“They don’t realize that the integrity of the country depends on cultural value. It’s a question of realizing the strength of the country culturally, and that comes from valuing the past while welcoming the new — the two have to be meshed together, and that is what we are trying to do here,” she said.

Dupree visited the 2,000-year-old Buddhas of Bamiyan in the country’s central highlands shortly after arriving in Kabul as the wife of an American diplomat. From

“Many Afghans — especially among the young people who spent many years in refugee camps in Iran or Pakistan — don’t have a sense of identity, they don’t know what it means to be Afghan so they are always thinking about getting out of the country.”

Afghans can perhaps be forgiven for neglecting their history. The decade-long Soviet intervention in the 1980s was followed by a brutal civil war that ended with the rise of the Taliban, Islamic extremists who sought to obliterate the country’s pre-Islamic past.

They dynamited the towering Buddhas of Bamiyan shortly before the Sept. 11 attacks and the U.S.-led invasion.

Hamid Karzai found the funds to build the center. Both men are old friends of hers.

Dupree now heads one of the foremost research centers on Afghanistan’s cultural heritage, which stretches back thousands of years — well before the Silk Road — when Alexander the Great and the religious prophet Zoroastra passed through.

She laments that Afghanistan is barely understood beyond the seventh-century arrival of Islam, and that little of its historical tapestry or influence on the surrounding region appears in the local school curriculum.

“History is my big love, and I find Afghans are not interested in history,” Dupree said.

that trip, she wrote a guide book to Bamiyan which was to become the first in a series of travelogues that included her own black and white photography and captured an age long past.

She took the Bamiyan manuscript to her future husband Louis Dupree in the hope of some guidance, but he was dismissive, she said, writing “adequate but nothing original” on the cover. She was incensed, “but I never left,” she said. They were married in 1966.

Their Kabul home became a salon of sorts, until Louis was accused of being an American spy and expelled from the country in 1978. The Soviets invaded the following year, and the Duprees returned to the United States, where he taught at Duke University.

Later they moved to Lahore, Pakistan, where they made contact with Afghan refugees and the charities helping them and continued to amass a trove of information about the country.

Dupree eventually returned to Afghanistan in 1992, three years after her husband’s death, and since then has divided her time between Kabul and North Carolina, where she and Louis made a home.

She has witnessed much of the sadness that has befallen Afghanistan in the modern era, and hopes the new president can sweep away the legacy of corruption and patronage that marked Karzai’s 13 years in power.

The Afghanistan Center’s motto, “Nation Building through Information Sharing,” sums up Dupree’s personal mission to spread literacy to the vast majority of the population who can neither read nor write. The center has produced about 300 easy-to-read books on subjects ranging from bee-keeping to seismology, which are packed into mobile libraries and sent to remote communities. It is, she said, an effort to bridge the development divide.

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NATION

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014

Identity theft victims face months of hassle

BY BRANDON BAILEY AP Technology Writer SAN FRANCISCO — As soon as Mark Kim found out his personal information was compromised in a data breach at Target last year, the 36-year-old tech worker signed up for the retailer’s free credit monitoring offer so he would be notified if someone used his identity to commit fraud.

Someone did. The first monitoring report showed crooks opened accounts in his name at Macy’s and Kohl’s department stores, where they racked up more than $7,000 in charges. “My heart basically sank,” he said. Over the next seven months the New York City resident spent hours on the phone, most of a day in a police station filing a report, and countless time sending documents to banks and credit reporting agencies to clear his credit history.

He’s hardly alone. The Target hack during last year’s Black Friday shopping weekend was just one in a wave of data breaches that have exposed more than 100 million customer records at U.S. retailers, banks and Internet companies. The latest highprofile hack, at Sony Pictures Entertainment, resulted in Social Security numbers and other personal details of nearly 50,000 current and former Sony employees and film actors being stolen and posted online for anyone to see.

While cases are difficult to trace, analysts at Javelin Strategy & Research estimate that one in three Americans affected by a data breach ultimately became the victim of fraud last year — up from one in nine in 2010.

Although banks often absorb bogus charges, it’s up to victims to clean up their credit histories and recover stolen funds. On top of lost time, money and emotional energy, victims face the frustration of rarely seeing anyone pay for the crimes. Identity theft cases are rarely prosecuted, said Avivah Litan, an analyst who studies fraud and identity theft for the research firm Gartner. Local police have limited resources, and criminals are often overseas, “so unless it’s part of a bigger pattern, they’re not going to spend much time pursuing it.” Kim said a police detective who took his complaint later told him the accounts were opened by someone in California, but Kim never heard any more about the investigation.

In the past year, Target and other major retailers have said they’re increasing security. President Obama has urged banks and stores to speed up adoption of “chipand-pin” payment cards, which are harder to hack. But reports of data breaches continue. And as Federal Trade Commission member Terrell McSweeney said recently, “Disturbingly, the news has seemed to desensitize many people to the real risks created each time an event occurs.”

Kim can’t be certain Target was the source of the fraud he experienced, he acknowledged. Experts say crooks often steal or buy consumer information from more than one source, and use it to compile a complete dossier on potential victims. That’s likely the way hackers last year impersonated the rich and famous to get credit reports on Paris Hilton, Michelle Obama and even General Keith Alexander, then-head of the National Security Agency.

Alexander told a public forum this fall that when he tried to file his taxes, he learned someone else had already claimed a $9,000 refund in his name. Fraudsters also used his identity to apply for about 20 credit cards. The FBI eventually caught a suspect, he said; the FBI declined comment.

Meticulous by nature, Kim documented every conversation with an investigator or company representative. He

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Identity theft victim Mark Kim stands in front of a Target store in the Brooklyn borough of New York. Kim spent seven months trying to clear his credit history after his personal information was compromised in a data breach at Target last year.

‘There’s a rage that comes up when you realize what happened. You feel violated. You feel attacked.’

ALBERT Victim of identity fraud was fortunate, he added, that his employer let him use the phone and fax machine where he works. “If I worked at a stricter company, it would have been a nightmare,” he said. But Kim was never reimbursed for sending affidavits and other documents by certified mail to various banks and agencies.

While identity theft is certainly a global problem, experts say it’s difficult to measure worldwide losses. However, a Department of Justice study estimates identity theft of all kinds was responsible for U.S. financial losses of $24.7 billion in 2012 — nearly double the $14 billion lost from all other property crimes such as burglary and theft. According to Javelin surveys in the U.S., when an existing credit card is exposed and then used for fraud, the average loss is $1,251. When a Social Security number is exposed and then used to open new accounts, the average loss is $2,330.

Banks take the biggest financial hit, but identity theft victims’ out-of-pocket losses can range from an average of $63 for misuse of credit cards to $289 for fraud involving Social Security numbers. Of course that doesn’t quantify lost time and stress.

Albert, who didn’t want his last name published because he fears being victimized again, learned in 2012 that his personal information was ex-

posed by a data breach at University of Miami Hospital, where he’d gone for minor surgery. After submitting his federal tax return the following year, the 60-year-old Miami resident found the government had already issued a refund to someone else using his Social Security number.

It took eight months for the airline reservations employee to get his $4,000 refund, which he needed to pay off debts. Albert said he doesn’t know if the tax scammer used personal information from the hospital breach or some other source. But experts say health records are a treasure trove for scammers because they may contain financial information, insurance numbers and personal data that can be used to obtain drugs, medical services or other benefits.

Albert now subscribes to a credit monitoring service and has asked reporting agencies for a “freeze” to block any applications for credit in his name. However, that “freeze” required a laborious process to lift when he later applied for a mortgage and then Internet service from AT&T. He still worries someone will claim the Social Security benefits he’s counting on when he retires.

“There’s a rage that comes up when you realize what happened,” he said. “You feel violated. You feel attacked.”

Kim just got all of the fraudulent accounts removed from his credit history this month. He and other victims say the experience has made them even more careful about their financial data and credit records. Kim, for example, registered for a security alert from the major credit reporting agencies, which advises lenders to contact him if someone tries to get credit in his name.

The alert expires in seven years, but Kim said he “absolutely” plans to renew it.

“I have to be watchful,” he added. “I know something else could happen.”

THE SUMTER ITEM

Keep from being hacked SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Criminals stole personal information from tens of millions of Americans in data breaches this past year. Of those affected, one in three may become victims of identity theft, according to research firm Javelin. Whether shopping, banking or going to the hospital, Americans are mostly at the mercy of companies to keep their sensitive details safe.

But there are steps you can take to protect yourself against the financial, legal and emotional impact of identity theft — and most of them are free: AS A RULE: • Closely guard your Social Security numbers — and those of your children — as well as credit and debit card information and account passwords.

• Shred unneeded financial records and credit offers.

DETECTIVE WORK: • Examine credit card bills for irregularities each month.

• Get a free credit report once a year from at least one of the major reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion), and review it for unauthorized accounts. Ignore services that charge a fee for credit reports. You can order them without charge at www. annualcreditreport.com. If you order from each agency once a year, you could effectively check your history every four months.

DO PAID SERVICES WORK? • Some experts say there’s not much to be gained from a paid credit monitoring service. But if a business sends you a notice of a data breach, it can’t hurt to sign up for any monitoring they offer for free.

These services will tell you if a new account is opened in your name, but they won’t prevent it, and many don’t check for things such as bogus cellphone accounts or fraudulent applications for

government benefits. Some do offer limited insurance or help from a staffer trained to work with credit issuers and reporting agencies.

SOMEONE STOLE MY IDENTITY; WHAT DO I DO? • The Federal Trade Commission recommends immediately notifying one of the credit agencies and requesting a 90day credit alert. (Each reporting agency is supposed to notify the others, but you may want to contact all three yourself.) The alert tells businesses to contact you before opening any new accounts in your name. You can renew the alert every 90 days, or you’re entitled to keep it in effect for seven years if you’ve filed an identity theft report with police.

• Contact the credit issuer to dispute fraudulent charges and have the bogus account closed.

• Request your credit report and ask the reporting agencies to remove bogus accounts or any incorrect information from your record. Consider asking the reporting agencies to place a full freeze on your credit. This blocks any business from checking your credit to open a new account, so it’s a stronger measure than a credit alert. But you should weigh that against the hassle of notifying credit agencies to lift the freeze — which can take a few days — every time you apply for a loan, open a new account or even sign up for utility service.

• Submit a report through the FTC website: www.consumer. ftc.gov. Click the “privacy & identity” tab, which will walk you through creating an affidavit you can show to creditors.

• Keep copies of all reports and correspondence. Use certified mail to get delivery receipts, and keep notes on every phone call.

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NATION

THE SUMTER ITEM

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014

|

A7

Families of Newtown victims sue rifle manufacturer

BY PAT EATON-ROBB The Associated Press HARTFORD, Conn. — The families of nine of the 26 people killed and a teacher wounded two years ago at Sandy Hook Elementary School filed a lawsuit against the manufacturer, distributor and seller of the rifle used in the shooting.

The negligence and wrongful death lawsuit, filed in Bridgeport Superior Court and released on Monday, asserts that the Bushmaster AR-15 rifle should not have been sold publicly because it was designed for military use and is unsuited for hunting or home defense.

“In order to continue profiting from the sale of AR-15s, defendants chose to disregard the unreasonable risks the rifle posed outside of specialized, highly regulated institutions like the armed forces and law enforcement,” the plaintiffs wrote in the complaint.

In addition to Bushmaster, the defendants are Camfour, a firearm distributor, and Riverview Gun Sales, the nowclosed East Windsor store where the gunman’s mother purchased the Bushmaster rifle in 2010.

Messages seeking comment from the defendants were not immediately returned.

The so-called AR-15 rifle was first built by Armalite for military use, but the design was later acquired by Colt, which produced the M-16 automatic weapon for the U.S. military. In the early 1960s, Colt began marketing the semi-automatic AR-15 rifle as the civilian version of the fully automatic M-16. Many other companies have since begun manufacturing and selling AR-15-type rifles, including the Bushmaster X-15.

The rifles are extremely popular in shooting competitions because of the light weight of the gun and ammunition and the weapon’s accuracy.

Bill Sherlach, whose wife, Mary, was killed in the shooting, said he believes in the Second Amendment but also that the gun industry needs to be held to “standard business practices” when it comes to assuming the risk for producing, making and selling a product.

“These companies assume no responsibility for marketing and selling a product to the general population who are not trained to use it nor even understand the power of it,” he said.

The plaintiffs include Sherlach and the families of Vicki Soto, Dylan Hockley, Noah Pozner, Lauren Rousseau, Benjamin Wheeler, Jesse Lewis, Daniel Barden, Rachel D’Avino and teacher Natalie Hammond, who was injured in the shooting.

The lawsuit seeks unspecified monetary damages.

‘These companies assume no responsibility for marketing and selling a product to the general population who are not trained to use it nor even understand the power of it.’

BILL SHERLACH Husband of Mary Sherlach, who was killed in Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting AP FILE PHOTO

Firearms training unit Detective Barbara J. Mattson of the Connecticut State Police holds up a Bushmaster AR-15 rifle — the same make and model of gun used by Adam Lanza in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting — for a January 2013 demonstration during a hearing of a legislative subcommittee reviewing gun laws at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.

Nicole Hockley, the mother of 6-year-old victim Dylan, and Mark Barden, the father of 7-year-old victim Daniel, appeared at a news conference Monday morning with U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy. They declined to comment on the lawsuit and instead pushed for new laws and programs to restrict access to weapons and improve mental health treatment.

“My little Daniel’s death was preventable,” Barden said. “Dylan Hockley’s death

was preventable.”

The Newtown gunman, Adam Lanza, shot and killed his mother, Nancy Lanza, on the morning of Dec. 14, 2012, before driving to the school and gunning down 20 children and six educators with the semi-automatic rifle. He committed suicide as police arrived.

In 2005, Congress and President George W. Bush approved a federal law that shielded gun makers from lawsuits over criminal use of their products, with some exemptions.

In a lawsuit over the .223-caliber Bushmaster rifle used in the Washington, D.C.area sniper shootings that killed 10 people in 2002, Bushmaster and a gun dealer agreed to pay $2.5 million to two survivors and six families in a 2004 settlement. It was the first time a gun manufacturer had agreed to pay damages to settle claims of negligent distribution of weapons, according to the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence.

In that settlement, Bush-

master paid $550,000, and the Washington state gun dealer, where the sniper’s rifle came from, paid $2 million.

In 2002, a federal judge in California ruled that Bushmaster and other gun manufacturers were not responsible for a 1999 shooting spree that killed a postal worker and injured five people at a Jewish community center in Los Angeles. The judge said a lawsuit by the victims’ families did not show a link between the manufacturers and the shooting rampage.

Associated Press writer Dave Collins in Hartford contributed to this report.

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014

NATION

THE SUMTER ITEM

Deadline passes for health coverage beginning Jan. 1

BY RICARDO ALONSOZALDIVAR The Associated Press WASHINGTON — President Obama’s push to cover America’s uninsured faced another big test Monday.

This time, it wasn’t only how the website functions, but also how well the program itself worked for millions who are starting to count on it.

In most cases, the deadline was midnight Monday, Pacific time, for new customers to pick a health plan that will take effect Jan. 1, and for current enrollees to make changes that could reduce premium increases ahead of the new year.

HealthCare.gov, which serves 37 states, was preparing for heavy online traffic on deadline day. In the East, consumers in effect had three hours into today to enroll.

Some state-run insurance websites, however, have different deadlines.

Wait times at the federal call center started creeping up about the middle of last week, mainly because of a surge of current customers with questions about their coverage for next year. Many will face higher premiums, although they could ease the hit by shopping online for a better deal. Counselors reported hold times of 20 minutes or longer for the telephone help line.

About 6.7 million people now have coverage through Obama’s signature law, which offers subsidized private insurance. The administration

wants to increase that to 9.1 million in 2015. The program could do that by keeping most of its current enrollees while signing up more than 2 million new paying customers.

People no longer can be turned down by insurers because of health problems, but picking insurance still is daunting for many consumers. They also have to navigate the process of applying for or updating federal subsidies, which can be complex.

Many returning customers are contending with premium increases generally in the mid-to-high single digits, but much more in some cases.

Consumers “understand it’s complicated, but they appreciate the ability to get health insurance,” said Elizabeth Colvin of Foundation Communities, an Austin, Texas, nonprofit that is helping sign up low-income residents. “People who haven’t gone through the process don’t understand how complicated it is.”

Last year’s open enrollment season turned into a race to salvage the reputation of the White House by fixing numerous technical bugs that crippled HealthCare.gov from its first day. With the website now working fairly well, signup season this year is a test of whether the program itself is practical for the people it is intended to serve.

New wrinkles have kept popping up, even with seemingly simple features of the Affordable Care Act. For example, most current customers who do nothing will be automatically renewed Jan. 1 in the plan they now

see a 58 percent increase in the sticker price for their premiums just because they’re a year older. An age-adjustment factor used to compute premiums jumps substantially when a person turns 21. A 20-year-old whose premium was $130 per month in 2014 will see the premium climb to $205 a month in 2015, solely because of that year’s difference.

Tax-credit subsidies can cancel out much or even all of the impact. But if consumers default to automatic renewal, their tax credits will not be updated, and they will get the same subsidy as this year.

“Even in the best possible scenario of how many people we can expect to come in, we will still see a substantial

are in. At this point, it looks like that is what a majority intends to do.

While that may sound straightforward, it’s not.

By staying in their current plans, people can get locked into a premium increase and miss out on lower-priced plans for 2015. Not only that, but they also will keep their 2014 subsidies, which may be less than what they legally would be entitled to for next year.

Doing nothing appears to be a particularly bad idea for people who turned 21 this year, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a Washington group that advocates for low-income people.

Researchers at the center estimate that 21-year-olds will

number of people defaulting,” said Judy Solomon, a health care policy expert at the center. She worries that some young adults may get discouraged and drop out.

Reviews of HealthCare.gov and state health insurance exchanges are mixed.

An Associated Press-GfK poll this month found that 11 percent of Americans said they or someone else in their household tried to sign up since open enrollment began Nov. 15.

Monday is not the last chance for consumers like Bagot. Open enrollment doesn’t end until Feb. 15, for coverage that takes effect March 1. You can also still change choices through Feb. 15.

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NATION

THE SUMTER ITEM

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014

|

A9

Cancer patients test drugs on mouse ‘avatars’ Animals’ reactions to treatments could shed light on best options

mended, and “I was given six months to live,” he said.

Tests on his avatar mice suggested the first drug he was prescribed would not work but that one for colon cancer might.

“It was working on the mice, so I knew it would work on me,” he said. “It’s such a boost of confidence” and it makes it easier to endure side effects, said Panov, whose cancer is in remission.

Reuven Moser, a 71-yearold man from Tel Aviv, Israel, said his avatar mice confirmed that drugs prescribed for colon cancer that had spread to his liver were a good option.

“Most of the time the oncologists want to follow a protocol, but they don’t know how it will affect the patient,” Moser said. “It was very reassuring” to see the mice respond, he said. Moser’s mice were bred in February, and he is still undergoing treatment.

Dr. Andrew Gaya of Leaders in Oncology Care, a private clinic in London, helped lead the 70-patient study of avatar mice and gave results at a cancer conference in September. It looked back at how well mice performed in patients whose outcomes from treatment were already known.

About 70 percent of the time, tests in the mice suggested something that turned out to have helped the patients, he said. And if something had not worked in the mice, it almost never worked in a patient.

BY MARILYNN MARCHIONE AP Chief Medical Writer

Scientists often test drugs in mice. Now some cancer patients are doing the same — with the hope of curing their own disease.

They are paying a private lab to breed mice that carry bits of their own tumors so treatments can be tried first on the customized rodents.

The idea is to see which drugs might work best on a specific person’s specific cancer.

The mice may help patients make what can be very hard choices under difficult circumstances. Studies can suggest a certain chemotherapy may help, but patients wonder whether it will work for them. Often there’s more than one PHOTOS BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS choice, and if the first one Charles Cook, manager of facilities and operations at Champions Oncology, opens a plastic cage containfails, a patient may be too ing mice carrying bits of a cancer patient’s tumor in a lab in Baltimore on Sept. 19. sick to try another. So hundreds of people have made piles. All have easy access to spend $10,000 to $12,000, said several months, so patients “mouse avatars” during the Champions’ chief medical food and water, and many usually have to start theralast few years to test chemoofficer, Dr. Angela Davies. bear signs of the tumor py before mouse results are therapies.

Youtie spent $30,000 “begraft — a shaved portion of “What I’m doing is person- in. cause I want them to test all hair, an incision scar and a “I do see promise, but it’s alized cancer treatment. It’s the possible drugs,” even lump growing off one side. the wave of the future,” said very time-consuming, it’s some for other types of canPatients have a tumor very expensive. For the avEileen Youtie, a Miami cer. sample sent to Champions, erage patient, standard care woman using mice to guide That approach helped is going to be the way to go,” which charges $1,500 to care for her hard-to-treat Yaron Panov, a 59-year-old bank it, plus $2,500 for each said Alana Welm, a cancer form of breast cancer. “Part Toronto man diagnosed four drug tested in groups of researcher at the Oklahoma of this is trying to eliminate years ago with liposarcoma, mice implanted with bits of chemos that are not going to Medical Research Foundaa soft-tissue cancer. No spethe tumor. Most patients try tion. She gave a talk on work on me. I don’t want to cific drugs were recomthree to five drugs and mouse avatars last week at waste time taking them and the San Antonio Breast Canpoison my body.” cer SympoBut there sium. It was are no guarthe third antees the major cancer mice will meeting this help. year to fea“There’s ture work on not a lot of customized science” to cancer mice. say how well Several this works, labs breed and it should these mice, be considbut the main ered highly supplier to experimenpatients has tal, said Dr. been ChamLen Lichtenpions Oncolfeld, deputy ogy, a comchief medical “Find Us On Facebook” pany based officer of the in HackenAmerican sack, New Cancer SociJersey, that ety.

Cook displays a mouse carrying a UP TO 50 SQUARE FEET OR LESS • SOME RESTRICTIONS APPLY There are cancer patient’s tumor graft under also operates in London, some early its skin in a lab in Baltimore.

Tel Aviv and encouraging Singapore. reports, he About 7,000 mice are kept in said. One study of 70 paa Baltimore lab with six tients found the mice generrooms that resemble stock ally reflected how well parooms of a shoe store, with tients responded to various tall shelves that hold row drugs. But there is no evidence that using mice is any upon row of plastic cages labeled with each cancer pabetter than care based on tient’s name. medical guidelines or the Most mice are whitegene tests that many pahaired females with beady tients get now to help pick red eyes, but others are drugs. hairless. Some live alone Mouse testing costs while others climb over one $10,000 or more, and insuranother and sleep in small ers don’t cover it. It takes

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014

NATION

THE SUMTER ITEM

What’s up with oil prices being down? even more than economists think. A weak global economy could hurt the U.S. economy by reducing exports, employment and spending, which together could outweigh the economic benefits of cheaper fuel.

BY JONATHAN FAHEY AP Energy Writer NEW YORK — The price of oil has fallen by nearly half in just six months, a surprising and steep plunge that has consumers cheering, producers howling and economists wringing their hands over whether this is a good or bad thing.

The price of a barrel of oil is just under $58, down from a summer high of $107, and lower than at any time since the U.S. was still in recession in the spring of 2009.

So what’s going on? A global imbalance of supply and demand that is rippling across the world economy, for better and worse.

THE PRODUCERS’ PAIN

For oil companies, oil-producing states, and oil-exporting countries, the oil price collapse is painful.

Oil companies generally keep producing oil from wells they’ve already drilled, but lower prices sharply reduce revenue and force them to cut back spending on new exploration projects. BP announced last week it would try to trim $1 billion in spending next year in a move that analysts say could SUPPLIES GO BOOM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS result in thousands of job cuts.

Years of high oil prices, in- Quick Trip clerk Roxana Valverde adjusts the gas price sign numbers Friday at a Tolleson, Arizona, convenience store as gas prices continue to tumble nationwide.

States that rely on taxes terrupted briefly by the refrom energy production such cession, inspired drillers the same time, OPEC counas Alaska, North Dakota, around the world to scour fuel, there’s nothing not to boost the profits and share Oklahoma and Texas will see the earth’s crust for more oil. tries plan to produce 30 millike about the drop in oil prices of airlines and shiplion barrels of oil per day lower revenues, and some They found it. prices. pers. Heating oil is the have already had to trim Since 2008 oil companies in next year. That supply surThe national average gaso- cheapest it has been in four plus is sending global prices budgets. the U.S., for example, have line price has fallen for 81 years, reducing home heatlower.

Major oil exporters such as increased production by 70 straight days to $2.55 a galing prices just in time for percent, or 3.5 million barlon, its lowest level since Oc- winter for many in the chilly Iran, Iraq, Russia and VeneDEMAND GOES BUST zuela rely heavily on reverels of oil per day. To put tober of 2009, according to Northeast. nues from state-owned oil Global demand is still exthat in perspective, that inAAA. It’s $1.15 a gallon companies to run their govcrease alone is more than the pected to grow next year, but cheaper than its high for the THE WORRIED ECONOMISTS ernments and are struggling by far less than many Falling fuel prices act like production of any OPEC year, saving U.S. households thought earlier this year. The $100 a month as they shop a tax cut and help boost con- under major budget shortmember other than Saudi falls. For example, Bank of economies of China, Japan sumer spending, which in Arabia. for holiday presents. “Any America estimates that every and Western Europe — the As U.S. production was time gas prices go down, that turn accounts for 70 percent $1 drop in the global price of top oil consumers after the of the U.S. economy. But ramping up, turmoil in the is a good thing,” said Randy United States — all appear to Daniels, 30, who was shopeconomists are growing con- oil costs Venezuela $770 milMiddle East and North Afrilion in annual revenue. Curbe weakening. Oil demand cerned that there are other, ca reduced supplies from ping recently at the Lenox rent prices are now $46 more troublesome forces at Libya, Iran and elsewhere. A falls when economic growth Square Mall in Atlanta. “An below last year’s average, play. balance was struck: Increas- stalls. extra 20 or 30 bucks in my putting the country on pace The U.S. is still the world’s pocket goes far.”

The depth of oil’s plunge ing supplies from outside of for a $36 billion reduction in could be a signal that the OPEC and from Iraq’s recov- largest consumer, but more Diesel and jet fuel prices fuel-efficient cars and chang- have also plunged, helping global economy is struggling revenue. ering oil industry helped ing demographics mean demeet rising demand around mand for oil and gasoline is the world as other OPEC not increasing. The Energy supplies waivered.

Department predicts a slight But now, those OPEC supdecrease in gasoline demand plies look more certain despite continuing turmoil, and next year even though the price is expected to be sharpthose non-OPEC supplies ly lower and the economy is have swamped the market. expected to grow.

OPEC estimated last week that the world would need THE HAPPY CONSUMERS HOURS: 6AM-2:30PM 28.9 million barrels of its oil per day next year, the lowest For drivers, shippers, airSATURDAY BREAKFAST SERVED FROM 6AM-2:30PM in more than a decade. At lines and other consumers of

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FLU FROM PAGE A1 But Shuler and other medical personnel are concerned that recent reports of the flu shot not being as effective will deter people from getting vaccinated. That’s where educating patients comes in, she said.

“If you get vaccinated, it’s possible that you’ll have milder symptoms if you get a mutated strain not common in the vaccine,” Shuler said.

“It can reduce the severity of outcomes like hospitalization

and death.”

Since Sept. 28, this year’s flu viruses have resulted in 329 DHEC lab-confirmed hospitalizations and seven deaths, according to the recent weekly Flu Watch put out by DHEC. The most confirmed strain has been H3N2.

“But it should be noted that influenza is a dangerous virus, and any strain is capable of causing serious illness and death,” Beasley said.

Both he and Shuler continue to suggest everyone 6 months old and older get

FIRESIDE FUND FROM PAGE A1 identification. Names will be printed as given, so please check accuracy.

This year’s Fireside Fund has been named in memory of the late Maj. Gen. Tom Olsen in recognition of his commitment to the Sumter community and beyond.

Donations received as of Monday for the previous week included: In memory of Nelson Cribb from Curry and Mary Dukes, $50; Immanuel Lutheran Church of Sumter, $399.27; The Stateburg Literacy and Musical Society, $100; Carolyn

HOSTAGES FROM PAGE A1 once was prosecuted for sending offensive letters to families of Australian troops killed in Afghanistan.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott said Monis had “a long history of violent crime, infatuation with extremism and mental instability.”

Scipione wouldn’t say whether the two hostages who were killed — a 34-yearold man and a 38-year-old woman — were caught in crossfire or shot by their captor. Among the four wounded was a police officer shot in the face.

One of the victims was Sydney lawyer and mother of three Katrina Dawson.

“Katrina was one of our best and brightest barristers who will be greatly missed by her colleagues and friends” Jane Needham, president of the New South Wales Bar Association, said in a statement.

Officials rolled one gurney out of the café carrying what appeared to be a man draped in a blood-soaked sheet with a bloody handprint in the center. Paramedics also carried away a woman with blood-covered feet.

“I can only imagine the terror that they’ve been through,” Scipione said.

“They are very brave people who in many cases were just buying a cup of coffee, and they got caught up in this dreadful affair. We should reflect on their courage.”

The prime minister also re-

immunized.

They suggest consulting with your health care provider to determine which type of vaccination is best for you.

“The vaccine has different formulations and can be administered through different methods,” Beasley said. “The traditional trivalent offers help against three strains — two that are Type A and one that is Type B — while the quadrivalent fights four containing an additional B strain. The nasal spray can be used by anyone between the ages of 2 and 49, depend-

Brogdon and Jane Best, $100; In honor of Bill Wheat from Dottie Glenney, $50; In memory of Tom Olsen and in honor of Jackie Olsen from Charlene and Ted Young, $100; Engadine and Valerie Johnson, $25; In appreciation of our neighbors from Dick and Laura Barron, $100; In memory of Capt. William Dubois, $100; and Danny’s Trophy Shop, $100.

Charles Pitts, $25; Ruth Class Alice Drive Baptist Church, $50; Luke and Mary Helen Rogers, $100; In memory of Lad F. Owens Jr. from Horace B. Curtis, $100; In memory of Marjorie L. Kohli from Stanley Kohli, $100; Robert and Jane Gibbs, $200; William and Mary King, $100; Ingram and Associates Tax Firm, $150; In

flected on how an ordinary day turned terrifying.

“There is nothing more Australian than dropping in at the local café for a morning coffee, and it’s tragic beyond words that people going about their everyday business should have been caught up in such a horrific incident,” Abbott said.

While Monis’ motivation for the attack was still unclear, Abbott confirmed he was “well known” to state and federal authorities.

Last year, he was convicted and sentenced to 300 hours of community service for using the postal service to send what a judge called “grossly offensive” letters to families of soldiers killed in Afghanistan between 2007 and 2009.

At the time, Monis said his letters were “flowers of advice,” adding, “Always, I stand behind my beliefs.”

Monis later was charged with being an accessory to the murder of his ex-wife.

Earlier this year, he was charged with the sexual assault of a woman in 2002. He has been out on bail on the charges.

“He had a long history of violent crime, infatuation with extremism and mental instability,” Abbott said. “As the siege unfolded yesterday, he sought to cloak his actions with the symbolism of the ISIL death cult. Tragically, there are people in our community ready to engage in politically motivated violence.”

“This is a one-off random individual. It’s not a concerted terrorism event or act. It’s a damaged-goods individual

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014 ing on specific physical condition. For instance, pregnant women should not receive the nasal spray, but it is important that they receive the vaccine because the flu can cause serious complications during pregnancy. Influenza vaccine will protect pregnant women, their unborn babies and protect the baby after birth against the flu.”

On rare exceptions, such as a life-threatening reaction to the vaccine, should a person not be immunized, Shuler said.

loving memory of Charles Jenkins from Bobby Sigley, $10; and Mary E. Blanchard, MD, $100.

In honor of Eloise Riel and in memory of Jim Riel from Daniel and Lucille Owens, $50; Alice Andrews Bible Class Bethel United Methodist Church, $300; Paul and Monica Gober, $100; In memory of John Brabham Sr. and Elliott LeNoir from Dianne and Bubba LeNoir, $100; Norma P. White, $100; Aldersgate United Methodist Church, $250; Social Responsibility, $200; The Sunshine Club of Bethel United Methodist Church, Oswego, $170; Guignard Diner Friday Morning Breakfast Group, $80; and Church Women United in the Greater Sumter Area, $100.

In memory of Don Wand and Mil-

|

A11

“But that would need to be decided on an independent basis with your doctor,” she said.

Other exceptions include if you are allergic to eggs or flu vaccine ingredients, Beasley said, or anyone who has had Guillian-Barre syndrome within six weeks of a previous flu vaccination.

Contact your health care provider for the vaccine, or to receive your vaccination through DHEC’s Sumter County Public Health Department, call the appointment line at 1-800-868-0404.

dred Black from R. Powell Black, $200; Friends and Followers Sunday School Class First Baptist Church, $225; In loving memory of Lad Owens from Mrs. Lad Owens, $100; Red Hat Fancy Lady Belles of Sumter, $65; In memory of Clarke Bynum from Mr. and Mrs. Henry Bynum, $200; In memory of Renee Sublette Garner from Janet Sublette, $150; In honor of T.L. “Luke” Rogers and Mary Helen Rogers from Tommy and Cindy Rogers and Family, $200; and In honor of Luke and Mary Helen Rogers from Terri Seignious, $100.

Total Combined Anonymous: $676 Total This Week: $5,425.27 Total This Year: $17,502.27 Total Last Year: $62,869.17 Total Since 1969: $1,401,685.46

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

An injured hostage is wheeled to an ambulance after shots were fired during a café siege at Martin Place in the central business district of Sydney, Australia, on Tuesday. who’s done something outrageous,” his former lawyer, Manny Conditsis, told Australian Broadcasting Corp.

“His ideology is just so strong and so powerful that it clouds his vision for common sense and objectiveness,” Conditsis said.

Flags were lowered to half staff on the landmark Har-

bour Bridge as Australians awakened to the surreal conclusion of the crisis. The state’s premier expressed disbelief that the attack could happen in Australia — a place he dubbed “a peaceful, harmonious society which is the envy of the world.”

“In the past 24 hours, this city has been shaken by a

tragedy that none of us could have ever imagined,” Premier Mike Baird said. “The values we held dear yesterday we hold dear today. They are the values of freedom, democracy and harmony.

These defined us yesterday, they will define us today, they will define us tomorrow.”

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014

N.G. Osteen 1843-1936 The Watchman and Southron

H.G. Osteen 1870-1955 Founder, The Item

THE SUMTER ITEM H.D. Osteen 1904-1987 The Item

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

COMMENTARY

Bigger picture: Restore trust in government D

EC. 12, 2014 — As state lawmakers gab next year about how to fix failing roads, under-performing schools, rising poverty and more, they need to keep their eyes on something less concrete but nonetheless important: how to restore the public’s confidence in government.

The “easy” answer may be just to stop all of the bickering and focus on things that have real and major impact, such as substantive ethics reform to clean up a culture of corruption or dedicating more funding to pave pothole-plagued roads.

At a naAndy tional level, the public’s Brack trust in government is near an all-time low. Just 24 percent of Americans have confidence in the federal government most of the time, according to Pew Research Center for the People and the Press. That’s a remarkable decline from 60 percent in 2001 after the Sept. 11 attacks on the U.S. In South Carolina in 2012, about a third of state residents said they trusted state government to do what was right most of the time, according to a Winthrop Poll. More than 45 percent said they trusted local government. Interestingly, approval ratings about how the legislature is handling its job actually have been on the increase — from 33 percent in 2012 to 45 percent last month, polls show.

But you wouldn’t know it from listening to people in restaurants, on television or around the water cooler, particularly following the quick downfall of ex-House Speaker Bobby Harrell of Charleston.

So job No. 1 for the General Assembly is to pass comprehensive ethics reform to help reinstill public confidence in government.

“It would be a big step forward, a positive signal for the public, for those legislators who have been stonewalling independent investigation of complaints involving legislators to welcome an effective and fair independent system of oversight,” said Lynn Teague of the League of Women Voters of South Carolina.

But all the ethics reform in the world may not be enough to repair the damage done by years of glad-handing, backslapping and knee-jerking around issues that don’t really make much of a difference.

“A less partisan, less polarized environment would also be helpful,” said College of Charleston political science professor Gibbs Knotts.

“When the Republicans took control of the S.C. Senate, there was considerable collaboration between Democrats and Republicans. This has not occurred in recent legislative sessions.”

Common Cause of South Carolina’s John Crangle suggests the state needs a major

‘At a national level, the public’s trust in government is near an all-time low. Just 24 percent of Americans have confidence in the federal government most of the time, according to Pew Research Center for the People and the Press.’

whistleblower law to allow public employees to report corruption without retaliation. Passing ethics reform without a whistleblower law would be like having a “boat with a big hole in the bottom,” he said. This week, state Sen. Vincent Sheheen, D-Camden, introduced a tough whistleblower measure.

Greer Mayor Rick Danner says local governments can play a big role in restoring confidence in government by creating efficiencies that lead to better performance, generating more transparency, collaborating with citizens, providing better communication and creating an atmosphere of proactive change.

“We must challenge the conventional role of public service and reawaken public understanding of the critical role thousands of public servants, like ourselves across the state, play in helping us achieve the high standard of living we all expect and deserve,” he told a group of local finance officials earlier this year.

Longtime activist Brett Bursey of Columbia urges major fixes to the state’s election system, particularly the vast number of non-competitive legislative districts because of gerrymandered redistricting.

“Our bleached, packed and segregated political districts that are the nation’s least competitive yield no statesmen or even productive politicians, but rather a Kabuki dance with trite lines and predictable outcomes,” he said, adding that the best way to fight the complacent system was through building “a progressive coalition of the majority of South Carolinians who are being played for fools and ripped off.”

A key solution to better governing, Teague says, is for public officials to just tell the truth — that there is no free lunch and that we can’t keep on scrimping along.

“We need more political courage to discuss difficult issues,” she said. “We have gone about as far as we can by moving money from one place to another within the existing budget and shifting responsibility from one place to another.”

Andy Brack is editor and publisher of Statehouse Report. He can be reached at brack@statehousereport.com.

COMMENTARY

People actually eat that stuff ?

A

s I went inside to pay for my gas Dec. 3 at a local gas station, I couldn’t help but notice a strange multi-colored, plastic-wrapped log near the pen jar by the register.

“Seriously?” I asked the cashier staff in an incredulous tone. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“Nope, they’re for real.”

Indeed, they were.

Old Fashion Claxton Fruit Cake, there for the discerning gas station gourmet.

“And people actually buy Cliff these and McCollum eat them?”

I asked, fearing what the answer might be.

“Oh yeah. Mr. Hal eats them.”

My head began to hurt.

I began to immediately question Hal’s wife as to the veracity of the earlier statement.

“He eats them,” she said, matter-of-factly.

When questioned if she herself indulged in the candied fruit-laced baked goods, she demurred.

“He eats them,” she repeated. “I don’t.”

Perhaps there was sanity in the world after all.

I don’t like fruitcake.

Never have, never will.

I don’t wish to demean the good people of Claxton, Georgia, or their product, which has existed much longer than I have on this planet, but I’m almost certain this year’s batch will long outlast them, me and possibly a nuclear winter.

I could be a victim of years of holiday programming in television and films, where fruitcake is almost universally panned as either inedible or as unwanted as plague rats.

Al Gore’s great bastion of knowledge, the Internet, informed me beloved television icon Johnny Carson might be the source of all fruitcake hate, with his “Tonight Show” quip from Dec. 1985: “There’s only one fruitcake in the world, and people keep passing it on.”

I’ve always been of a particularly singular opinion when it comes to the fusion of fruit and cake: avoid at all costs, especially if the “fruit” looks like Jujubes.

Fruitcakes aren’t exactly designed to be aesthetically pleasing either.

They often come shaped more like bricks than cakes.

(I admit it’s a subtle distinction, but to provide a frame of reference, I don’t get the impression I could use a normal cake to build a fortified dwelling. I do get that impression from almost every fruitcake I’ve seen.)

Maybe I’m wrong on this one.

Perhaps one of you noble women of Baldwin County has a recipe that will set me right and make me turn from my heathen, anti-fruitcake ways.

You are more than welcome to try to set me right, even if it takes you baking one and bringing it by for us to try up here at the office.

(I’m willing to make that sacrifice.)

Just know that I’d much prefer a glass of eggnog — the seasonal delight that should be here all year.

Cliff McCollum is managing editor of Gulf Coast Newspapers. He can be reached at cmccollum@ gulfcoastnewspapers.com.

NOTABLE & QUOTABLE In “We’re Always Still Americans,” Thomas Friedman writes, “Why do people line up to come to this country?” Read it online at www.nytimes.com: Why do they build boats from milk cartons to sail here? Why do they trust our diplomats and soldiers in ways true of no other country? It’s because we are a beacon of opportunity and freedom, and also because these foreigners know in their bones that we do things differently from other big powers in history.

(Last week) we published what appears to be an unblinking examination and exposition of how we tortured prisoners and suspected terrorists after 9/11. I’m glad we published it.

It may endanger captured Americans in the future.

That is not to be taken lightly. But this act of selfexamination is not only what keeps our society as a whole healthy, but it’s also what keeps us a model that others want to emulate, partner with and immigrate to — which is a different, but vital, source of our security as well.

We’ve been here before. In wartime, civil liberties are often curtailed and abused and then later restored. Lincoln suspended the writ of habeas corpus during the Civil War. During World War II, we imprisoned more than 127,000 American citizens solely because they were of Japanese ancestry.

Fear does that.

I greatly respect how Sen.

John McCain put it: “I understand the reasons that governed the decision to resort to these interrogation methods, and I know that those who approved them and those who used them were dedicated to securing justice for the victims of terrorist attacks and to protecting Americans from further harm. ... But I dispute wholeheartedly that it was right for them to use these methods, which this report makes clear were neither in the best interests of justice nor our security nor the ideals we have sacrificed so much blood and treasure to defend.” Even in the worst of times, “we are always Americans, and different, stronger and better than those who would destroy us.”

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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Wheel of ForJeopardy! (N) 5 12 tune: Secret (HD) Santa (N) (HD) Making It Grow (N)

Elf: Buddy’s Musical Christmas The Voice: Live Finale Damien, Chris Jamison, Matt McAndrew and Craig Man raised by elves travels south. (N) Wayne Boyd await America’s decision as to which of them will be crowned (HD) the champion. (HD) NCIS: House Rules Internet shutNCIS: New Orleans: Stolen Valor Re- (:01) Person of Interest: The Cold down week before Christmas. (N) tired SEAL who traced impersonWar Samaritan tries to expose the (HD) ators. (N) (HD) Machine. (N) (HD) A Charlie Brown Christmas The Disney’s Prep & Prep & Landing Forever: Pilot A man contacts Henry true meaning of Christmas.

Landing (HD) 2: Naughty Vs. with information that he may not be Nice (HD) the only of his kind. (HD) Sacred Journeys with Bruce Feiler: Sacred Journeys with Bruce Feiler: A Chef’s Life: Holiday Special Corned 11 14 Lourdes Soldiers travel to the Catho- Shikoku A 750-mile Buddhist pilgrim- ham and oyster dressing. (N) (HD) age. (N) (HD) lic shrine. (N) (HD) The Big Bang The Big Bang MasterChef Junior: The Finale New Girl: The The Mindy Pro- WACH FOX News at 10 Local news 6 6 Theory (HD) Theory (HD) Three-course menus determine Last Wedding ject Workplace report and weather forecast. winner. (N) (HD) (HD) behavior. (HD) How I Met Your Anger Manage- The Flash: Going Rogue The Flash The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Law & Order: Criminal Intent: Love 4 22 Mother Story fin- ment Cheating successfully stops a robbery, but the Show Annual fashion event heads to on Ice Four men are blackmailed for ished. (HD) boyfriend. (HD) robbers get away. (HD) London. (HD) death. (HD) 3 10 7:00pm Local

11 PM

11:30

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A13

12 AM

WIS News 10 at 11:00pm News and weather.

News 19 @ 11pm The news of the day.

ABC Columbia News at 11 (HD)

(:35) The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Christoph Waltz from “Big Eyes” (N) (HD) (:35) Late Show with David Letterman Anna Kendrick; Charli XCX. (N) (HD) (:35) Jimmy Kimmel Live Celebrities and human-interest subjects. (HD)

Tavis Smiley (HD)

BBC World News International news.

Mike & Molly: St. Patrick’s Day (HD)

TMZ (N)

Charlie Rose (N) (HD) Modern Family: Yard Sale (HD)

Law & Order: Criminal Intent: Traf- Hot in Cleveland: fic A magazine publisher is murdered. Method Man (HD) (HD)

CABLE CHANNELS Storage Wars Storage Wars Storage Wars Storage Wars (N) (HD) (:01) Storage (:31) Storage (:02) Storage (:32) Storage (:01) Storage (HD) (HD) (HD) (HD) Wars (HD) Wars (HD) Wars (HD) Wars (HD) Wars (HD) 180 (5:30) Splash (‘84, Comedy) aaa Miracle on 34th Street (‘94, Holiday) aac Richard Attenborough. Kris Kringle goes to court Miracle on 34th Street (‘94, Holiday) aac Richard Attenborough. Kris Tom Hanks. A mermaid’s tale. (HD) to prove to a skeptical jury that he is Santa Claus. (HD) Kringle must prove he’s Santa. (HD) 100 Alien Autopsy (HD) Mermaids: The Body Found - The Extended Cut (HD) Mermaids: New Evidence (HD) Body Found Extended Legend analyzed. (HD) Nellyville: Nelly In Hollywood Wendy Williams 162 The Family That Preys (‘08, Drama) aa Kathy Bates. A scandal filled with marital infidelity and shady business Nellyville: Nelly In Hollywood (N) dealings threatens two families, so the matriarchs head out on a road trip to save them. (HD) Show (N) Di vorce Abby has to han dle dam age The Real House wives of Beverly The Real House wives of Beverly Girl friends’ Guide to Di vorce (N) What Hap pens Guide Di vorce: Rule #47: Always 181 control.

Hills: Livin’ La Vida Housewife Hills: Star Sighting (N) (N) Take Advantage of ‘Me’ Time.

62 The Profit A fitness center.

Shark Tank Unique pitches. (HD) Shark Tank (HD) The Profit Marcus checks up. (N) Shark Tank Grilled cheese. (HD) Shark (HD) 64 Erin Burnett OutFront (N) Anderson Cooper 360° (N) (HD) CNN Special Report (N) CNN Tonight Anderson Cooper 360° (HD) CNN Spc. Tosh.0: Krispy Tosh.0 Angry Gin- Tosh.0 Movie Tosh.0 (HD) Tosh.0: We Buy Tosh.0 (HD) Daily Show (N) The Colbert Re- At Midnight 136 South Park: Casa Tosh.0: Drunk Bonita (HD) Knockout (HD) Kreme (HD) ger Kid. (HD) spoilers. (HD) Golf (HD) (HD) port (N) (HD) (:40) Jessie (HD) I Didn’t Do It: Austin & Ally Dog Blog: Stan A.N.T. Farm: un- Good Luck Char80 Good Luck JESSIE: NYC Christmas Beverly Hills Chihuahua (‘08, Comedy) ac Piper Holiday high jinks.

Perabo. A ritzy dog becomes stranded in Mexico.

Snow Problem (HD) Stops Talking wANTed (HD) lie (HD) 103 Moonshiners (HD) Moonshiners Tickle’s spot. (N) Moonshiners (N) (HD) The Ballad of Jim Tom (HD) Moonshiners (HD) Ballad (HD) 35 Sports (HD) NBA Count NBA Basketball: Golden State Warriors at Memphis Grizzlies z{| (HD) NBA Basketball: Oklahoma City vs Sacramento z{| (HD) 39 College Basketball: North Carolina vs North Carolina-Greensboro College Basketball: Alabama vs Wichita State z{| (HD) SportsCenter (HD) Sports (HD) Home Alone (‘90, Comedy) aaa Macaulay Culkin. A young boy accidentally left at home The 700 Club Santa Baby 2 131 (6:30) The Polar Express (‘04, Holiday) aaa Tom Hanks. Boy takes train ride to North Pole. (HD) fends off two bumbling burglars. (HD) (‘09) aac (HD) 109 Chopped: Bird in the Pan (HD) Chopped Popcorn balls. (HD) Chopped Seitan; mezcal. (HD) Chopped (N) (HD) Chopped: Sweet Surprises (HD) Chopped (HD) 74 On the Record with Greta (N) The O’Reilly Factor (N) (HD) The Kelly File News updates.

Hannity Conservative news. (HD) The O’Reilly Factor (HD) The Kelly File 42 Hurricanes NHL Hockey: Carolina Hurricanes at Montreal Canadiens from Bell Centre (HD) Hurricanes Live (HD) World Poker Tour no} (HD) NHL Hockey Christmas in Conway (‘13, Romance) Mary-Louise Parker. Husband builds Christmas at Cartwright’s (‘14, Holiday) Alicia Witt. Single mother finds Annie Claus is 183 Debbie Macomber’s Mr. Miracle (‘14, Holiday) Rob Morrow. (HD) ferris wheel for wife. (HD) work as store Santa. (HD) Coming (‘11) 112 Flop Flop Flop Flop Flop Flop Tiny House Hunters (HD) Upper Client rebuilding.

Flop 110 The Curse of Oak Island (HD) The Curse of Oak Island (HD) The Curse of Oak Island (N) Pawn Stars Pawn Stars Alaska Off-Road Warriors (HD) Curse (HD) Criminal Minds: What Happens in The Listener: An Innocent Man Un- The Listener: 160 Criminal Minds: In Heat Serial killer Criminal Minds: Rabid Three bodies Criminal Minds: Blood Relations with sexual issues. (HD) with bite marks. (HD) Longstanding feud. (HD) Mecklinburg... (HD) dercover inmate. (N) Zero Recall The Sisterhood: Becoming Nuns: 12 Men Of Christ145 (6:00) Finding Mrs. Claus (‘12, Holi- 12 Men Of Christmas (‘09, Romance) aa Kristin Chenoweth. A New York The Sisterhood: Becoming Nuns day) aac Mira Sorvino. (HD) publicist heads to Montana. (HD) Accusations of lying. (N) (HD) Revelations (N) (HD) mas aa (HD) 76 Hardball with Chris (N) (HD) All in with Chris Hayes (HD) The Rachel Maddow Show (N) Lawrence O’Donnell (HD) All in with Chris Hayes (HD) Maddow (HD) 91 Henry Max Shred Nick News (N) Full Hse Full Hse Full Hse Prince Prince Friends (HD) Friends (HD) How I Met 154 (:53) Ink Master (HD) Ink Master: Firing Squad (HD) Ink Master Artist eliminated. (HD) Ink Master (N) (HD) Ink Shrink (N) Nightmares Ink Master Ascension: Night Two Captain Denninger covers up cause of explosion Ascension: Night Two Captain Denninger covers up 152 (5:00) Outlander Ascension: Night One Murder during journey to find (‘08) aac (HD) home for mankind brings many questions. aboard Ascension. (N) cause of explosion aboard Ascension.

The Big Bang The Big Bang The Big Bang The Big Bang Ground Floor (N) The Big Bang Conan Dick Van Dyke; Jenny Slate; Ground: Baked 156 Seinfeld: The Pie Seinfeld: The (HD) Stand-In (HD) Theory (HD) Theory (HD) Theory (HD) Theory (HD) Theory (HD) Vance Joy performs. (N) (HD) and Toasted The Poseidon Adventure (‘72, Drama) aaa Gene Hackman. Survivors (:15) A Night to Remember (‘58, Drama) aaac Kenneth More. On its maiden voyage, the 186 Cass Timberlane (‘47, Romance) Spencer Tracy. A love triangle. hope for rescue after a tidal wave capsizes a cruise ship.

British liner Titanic strikes an iceberg and sinks.

157 The Little Couple (HD) The Little Couple: Big (N) (HD) The Little Couple (N) (HD) Risking It All (N) (HD) The Little Couple (HD) Risking It (HD) Bones: The But in the Joke Glue and CSI: NY: Necrophilia Americana Mu- CSI: NY: Live or Let Die An organ do- CSI: NY: Super 158 Bones: The Patriot in Purgatory Re- Bones: The Bod in the Pod A crime mains found. (HD) scene clean-up expert. (HD) corpse. (HD) seum murder. (HD) nor’s liver is hijacked. (HD) Men (HD) 102 Jokers Jokers Jokers Jokers Jokers Jokers Friends (N) Jokers Hair Jack (N) (:31) Jokers (:02) Jokers 161 Walker: Brothers in Arms (:18) Family Feud (HD) Fam. Feud Raymond (HD) Queens (HD) Queens (HD) Queens (HD) Queens (HD) Friends (HD) Law & Or der: Spe cial Vic tims Unit: WWE SmackDown: Super Smackdown Live z{ | (HD) Chrisley Knows (:31) Benched (N) Chrisley Knows (:32) Benched (:03) Modern 132 Cage Foster parents. (HD) Best (N) (HD) Best (HD) (HD) Family (HD) Law & Order (HD) Law & Order: Mega (HD) Law & Order (HD) Law & Order: Untitled (HD) Law & Order: Narcosis (HD) Law (HD) 172 Funniest Home Videos (HD) The Wedding Date (‘05, Comedy) aa Debra Messing.

How I Met How I Met Rules (HD) Rules (HD) Parks (HD)

A&E

46 130 Storage Wars

AMC

48

ANPL

41

BET

61

BRAVO

47

CNBC CNN

35 33

COM

57

DISN

18

DSC ESPN ESPN2

42 26 27

FAM

20

FOOD FOXN FSS

40 37 31

HALL

52

HGTV HIST

39 45

ION

13

LIFE

50

MSNBC NICK SPIKE

36 16 64

SYFY

58

TBS

24

TCM

49

TLC

43

TNT

23

TRUTV TVLAND

38 55

USA

25

WE WGN

68 8

Is ‘Buddy’s Musical Christmas’ a future holiday classic?

BY KEVIN MCDONOUGH Retro reverberations abound in “Elf: Buddy’s Musical Christmas” (8 p.m., NBC, TV-PG). This holiday special comes marinated in expectations. It is, after all, the animated adaptation of the 2010 Broadway hit “Elf: The Musical,” itself adapted from the 2003 holiday comedy “Elf,” directed by Jon Favreau and starring Will Ferrell.

As a television event, “Buddy” brings an entirely different derivative quality.

Brand-new Christmas specials always have a hard time standing out in a field crowded with mid-20th century favorites, including “Rudolph,” “The Grinch” and “A Charlie Brown Christmas” (8 p.m., ABC, TV-G).

So, in a spirit of, “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em,” “Buddy” features stop-motion animation and minimalist sets heavily inspired by 1960s cartoons, specials and set design.

But while “Buddy” looks like a slightly funky variation on Rankin/Bass (“Rudolph”) animation, its sound and score are pure contemporary Broadway. That may delight some.

The voice of Jim Parsons (“The Big Bang Theory”) stars in the title role. Parsons, who appeared in HBO’s adaptation of “The Normal Heart” in May, has had a very good year. His giddy, relentlessly happy Buddy may not dispel viewers’ visions of Will Ferrell from the “Elf” movie, but it reminds some of us that Parsons has hit a certain sweet spot in his career. Just about everything he says sounds funny, because he’s saying it.

Listen for Ed Asner as Santa Claus and Kate Micucci (“Garfunkel and Oates”) as Jovie, the department store elf whom Buddy cannot help but love. Other voices include Fred Armisen, Jay Leno, Matt Lauer and Gilbert Gottfried.

“Buddy” might have been better if it had been limited to 30 minutes. You may not be humming the score when it ends, but you just may look forward to watching it again, when December 2015 rounds the corner. And that’s how holiday classics

on the “Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show” (9 p.m., CW, r, TV14) * Finding balance on “The Mindy Project” (9:30 p.m., Fox, r, TV-14).

CULT CHOICE Not to give too much away, but Shelly Winters’ character drowns in the 1972 disaster movie “The Poseidon Adventure” (8 p.m., TCM). Her characters met similar fates in “A Place in the Sun” and “The Night of the Hunter.”

LATE NIGHT

WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT INC. / NBC

“Elf: Buddy’s Musical Christmas,” the animated adaptation of the Broadway hit “Elf: The Musical,” airs at 8 p.m. today on NBC. are made — one Christmas season at a time.

• The six-part series “Sacred Journeys With Bruce Feiler” (PBS, check local listings) follows a best-selling author as he documents six pilgrimages in a single year, following faithful to Lourdes, France (8 p.m.), Shikoku, Japan (9 p.m.), Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Jerusalem, the Kumbh Mela in India, and Osun-Osogbo, Nigeria.

• Crime takes a holiday on “Person of Interest” (10 p.m., CBS, TV-14).

• In the series pilot, Ioan Gruffudd stars as a NYC medical examiner who has been around, seemingly, “Forever.” (10 p.m., ABC, r, TV-14).

• Strangers with dark pasts share a Chicago loft on the new season of “Real World” (10 p.m., MTV, TV-14).

• “Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel” (10 p.m., HBO)

glances back at the top stories of 2014.

SERIES NOTES Cyber terror on “NCIS” (8 p.m., CBS, TV-PG) * Captain Cold descends on “The Flash” (8 p.m., CW, r, TV-PG) * A retired SEAL is slain on “NCIS: New Orleans” (9 p.m., CBS, TV-14) * Wedding vows on “New Girl” (9 p.m., Fox, r, TV14) * Taylor Swift performs

TV ON DVD TV-themed DVDs available today include the second season of “The Americans” and the Blu-ray edition of the complete series set of “Batman.”

TONIGHT’S OTHER HIGHLIGHTS • A winner is crowned on “MasterChef Junior” (8 p.m., Fox, TV-PG).

• A winner emerges on the seventh season finale of “The Voice” (9 p.m., NBC, TV-PG).

• Elves take on a cold, corporate demeanor mixed with brisk military efficiency in the truly misguided holiday offerings “Disney Prep & Landing” (9 p.m., ABC, TV-PG) and the sequel “Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice” (9:30 p.m.).

2014-15

DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF TOM OLSEN

Paul McCartney is scheduled on “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart” (11 p.m., Comedy Central) * Dick Van Dyke, Jenny Slate and Vance Joy appear on “Conan” (11 p.m., TBS). Kendrick Lamar sits down on “The Colbert Report” (11:30 p.m., Comedy Central) * Anna Kendrick and Charli XCX appear on “Late Show With David Letterman” (11:35 p.m., CBS) * Jimmy Fallon welcomes Christoph Waltz and Nicki Minaj on “The Tonight Show” (11:35 p.m., NBC) * James Corden, Vanessa Bayer and Robert Earl visit “Late Night With Seth Meyers” (12:35 a.m., NBC) * Craig Ferguson hosts Larry King and Angela Kinsey on “The Late Late Show” (12:35 a.m., CBS).

Copyright 2014, United Feature Syndicate

A14

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014

AROUND TOWN VFW Post 10813 will hold its an- The Lincoln High School Presernual Christmas celebration vation Alumni Association will from 6 to 9 p.m. today at 610 meet at 4 p.m. on Sunday, VFW Post 10813 to celebrate Christmas Manning Ave. Members may Dec. 21, at the Lincoln High bring a guest. Call (803) 773School cafeteria, Council 6700 for information.

Street. Lincolnites, friends and the community are invitThe Carolina Coin Club will ed. Call James L. Green at meet at 7 p.m. today at 155 (803) 968-4173.

Haynsworth St., the Parks & Recreation Department Manchester High “55-70” will Building. This will be a spehost its biannual school reunion cial holiday meeting with on Friday, Dec. 26, at the double door prizes and douGamecock Shrine Club, 1865 ble raffle prizes. Visitors wel- U.S. 15 S. Contact the Rev. come. For more information, Rufus Gaymon at (803) 316call (803) 775-8840.

6428, the Rev. George Gaymon at (803) 600-5919 or The Sumter County Educators Association — Retired will hold Doris Harvin at (843) 9068250. its Christmas program and luncheon at noon on Clarendon School District One Wednesday, Dec. 17, at New will conduct free vision, hearBeginnings Restaurant, 1335 ing, speech and developmental Peach Orchard Road. Call screenings as part of a child Brenda Bethune at (803) 469- find effort to identify stu6588 for additional informadents with special needs. tion.

Screenings will be held from 9 a.m. to noon at the SumThe Sumter Combat Veterans merton Early Childhood CenGroup will meet at 10 a.m. on ter on the following ThursFriday, Dec. 19, at the South days: Jan. 8, 2015; Feb. 12, HOPE Center, 1125 S. Lafay2015; March 12, 2015; April 9, ette Drive. All area veterans 2015; and May 14, 2015. For are invited. more information, call Sadie The Sumterites Association will Williams or Audrey Walters hold its annual Christmas at (803) 485-2325, extension dance at 8 p.m. on Friday, 221.

Dec. 19, at the old Lincoln The Sumter Chapter of the NaHigh School gym, 22 Council tional Federation of the Blind St. Call (803) 773-6700, (803) 840-3794 or (803) 340-0042 for will hold its monthly meeting at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. information.

13, 2015, at Shiloh-Randolph Good Samaritans For All People Manor. All state dues for will mark its 20th anniversa2015 are now due. The spotry with the nonprofit’s light will shine on Lori Anne Christmas giveaway starting Coley and the associate at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. member is Patricia White. If 20, at Lee Central High you know a blind or visually School, 1800 Wisacky Highimpaired person, contact the way, Bishopville. All families chapter president, Debra who need help are welcome Canty, at DebraCanC2@fronto attend for toys, clothes tier.com or via telephone at and food. Bicycles will also (803) 775-5792. Mail state be available. For more infordues to: NFB Sumter Chapmation, call the Rev. Eddie ter, P.O. Box 641, Sumter, SC Thomas at (803) 459-4989.

29151.

ter@yahoo.com.

Hospice Care of Sumter LLC is in need of volunteers in SumAgape Hospice is in need of volter and surrounding coununteers. Whether your pasties. Opportunities available sion is baking, knitting, for youLooking to use your time and opportunities? for volunteer reading, singing, etc., Agape talents to be of assistance Hospice can find a place for include reading, musical talyou. Contact Thandi Blandents, companionship, light ing at (803) 774-1075, (803) housekeeping, etc. Contact 260-3876 or tblanding@ Joyce Blanding at (803) 883agapsenior.com.

5606 or hospicecareofsum-

PUBLIC AGENDA SUMTER COUNTY DISABILITIES & SPECIAL NEEDS BOARD INC. CREATIVE ENVIRONMENTS INC. INDEPENDENT LIVING INC. ABILITIES UNLIMITED INC. ADAPTIVE LIFESTYLES INC. MAGNOLIA MANOR INC. FIRST FLIGHT INC. Today, 5 p.m., 750 Electric Drive.

Call 778-1669, Ext. 119.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Don’t jump to EUGENIA LAST conclusions regarding your status personally or professionally. Be willing to compromise and you’ll find a way to make everyone happy. Put more passion into important partnerships and you’ll get a good return.

The last word in astrology

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Listen, observe and ask questions. Don’t let temptation lead you astray.

Moderation and sticking to a simple workable plan is your best bet. Love is in the stars, and romance will enhance your life.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Find a solution or a way to help others and you will gain valuable experience. An energetic approach to work or helping your peers will pay off. Don’t make an impulsive purchase or investment. Take your time and stick to a budget.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Avoid situations that are compromising.

You’ll face difficulties if you let your emotions lead to presumptuous actions. Take a step back from whatever situation you face and look for alternate ways to move forward.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Take a bold approach and go after what you want with strength and courage.

You can make positive changes if you are persistent but patient.

Execute your plans with precision and timing. Don’t mix business with pleasure.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Keep close tabs on your domestic situation. Make sure the changes taking place are mutual amongst those who will be affected. Love is on the rise, but don’t feel you have to buy someone’s affection or

SUMTER CITY COUNCIL Today, 5:30 p.m., Sumter Opera House, 21 N. Main St.

THE SUMTER ITEM

WEATHER

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2014

AccuWeather® five-day forecast for Sumter TODAY

TONIGHT

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Mostly cloudy with a shower

Clear

Sunny to partly cloudy

Partial sunshine

More clouds than sun

Heavy rain and a thunderstorm

64°

37°

61° / 37°

60° / 37°

57° / 40°

56° / 38°

Chance of rain: 55%

Chance of rain: 0%

Chance of rain: 0%

Chance of rain: 10%

Chance of rain: 10%

Chance of rain: 75%

SSW 7-14 mph

W 6-12 mph

WNW 3-6 mph

ENE 3-6 mph

E 4-8 mph

SSW 7-14 mph

TODAY’S SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER

Gaffney 60/36 Spartanburg 61/37

Greenville 61/37

Columbia 67/38

IN THE MOUNTAINS

Charleston 69/41

Today: Mostly cloudy with a shower. High 63 to 69.

Wednesday: Sunny to partly cloudy. High 59 to 63.

LOCAL ALMANAC

LAKE LEVELS

SUMTER THROUGH 4 P.M. YESTERDAY

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

Today Hi/Lo/W 60/39/pc 46/24/sh 52/37/s 49/30/r 64/44/s 62/52/sh 65/43/s 48/42/r 73/56/s 52/42/r 67/50/c 59/50/r 53/43/sh

Full pool 360 76.8 75.5 100

Lake Murray Marion Moultrie Wateree

66° 32° 57° 34° 79° in 1971 16° in 1962

SUN AND MOON 7 a.m. yest.

356.74 73.81 73.50 95.92

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

0.00" 0.03" 1.52" 35.04" 48.46" 45.12"

Wed. Hi/Lo/W 57/38/s 30/22/pc 46/41/r 36/26/c 62/55/c 62/48/sh 61/46/s 51/34/pc 73/46/pc 53/33/pc 63/47/sh 59/49/sh 55/35/s

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

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Push your ideas forward. You will feel better knowing you will reach your goals and complete what needs to be done before the end of the year.

Make suggestions, but don’t do the work unless you are offered something in return.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Say as little as possible and don’t make unrealistic promises. Take action and do what’s expected of you and more. You should focus on getting along with others and making personal improvements that will help you advance.

5:15 p.m.

1:32 p.m.

New

First

Full

Last

Dec. 21

Dec. 28

Jan. 4

Jan. 13

TIDES

Flood 7 a.m. 24-hr stage yest. chg 12 6.17 -0.24 19 3.88 +0.58 14 4.26 -0.03 14 3.06 -0.08 80 75.65 -0.27 24 5.01 -0.05

Today Hi/Lo/W 57/34/sh 62/36/pc 67/35/c 69/43/c 62/48/t 69/41/c 60/35/sh 64/38/pc 67/38/c 62/36/t 65/44/t 61/40/t 59/39/t

Wed. Hi/Lo/W 52/31/pc 59/35/s 62/32/s 63/40/s 54/41/s 63/40/s 59/34/s 60/38/s 61/36/s 60/35/s 60/36/s 59/38/s 59/36/s

AT MYRTLE BEACH

Today Wed.

Today City Hi/Lo/W Florence 63/38/t Gainesville 73/44/pc Gastonia 60/36/sh Goldsboro 58/40/t Goose Creek 69/41/c Greensboro 57/37/sh Greenville 61/37/pc Hickory 59/37/sh Hilton Head 66/44/c Jacksonville, FL 74/43/c La Grange 65/35/pc Macon 69/35/pc Marietta 58/36/pc

High 4:02 a.m.

4:04 p.m.

4:56 a.m.

4:58 p.m.

Ht. 2.7 2.6 2.9 2.6

Low 10:49 a.m.

10:59 p.m.

11:47 a.m.

11:51 p.m.

Ht. 0.8 0.4 0.6 0.2

Wed. Hi/Lo/W 61/38/s 68/39/s 59/33/s 58/36/s 63/39/s 55/33/s 59/37/s 56/33/s 59/45/s 67/39/s 61/36/pc 62/33/s 54/35/s

Today City Hi/Lo/W Marion 60/35/sh Mt. Pleasant 69/43/c Myrtle Beach 65/43/t Orangeburg 67/39/c Port Royal 68/44/c Raleigh 56/39/sh Rock Hill 61/34/sh Rockingham 58/35/t Savannah 74/43/c Spartanburg 61/37/pc Summerville 68/43/c Wilmington 65/43/t Winston-Salem 57/37/sh

Wed. Hi/Lo/W 56/32/pc 63/41/s 60/41/s 61/38/s 61/41/s 57/33/s 59/32/s 59/33/s 65/40/s 58/36/s 59/43/s 61/38/s 55/33/s

The Most Reliable Team With the Most Reliable Comfort Systems 803-795-4257

attention. Honesty is your best bet.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Keep a low profile. If you work quietly behind the scenes, you will get ahead, giving you greater flexibility to enjoy the end-of-year festivities. Don’t worry about the changes going on around you.

Stick to your game plan.

Sunset Moonset

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

CLARENDON SCHOOL DISTRICT 3 Thursday, 7:30 p.m., district office, Turbeville

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Shoot for the stars. Be progressive and aggressive in your pursuits.

The changes you make will be accepted as long as you have your strategy in place. An emotional matter will bring about a positive alteration to the way you live.

Sunrise 7:20 a.m.

Moonrise 1:47 a.m.

REGIONAL CITIES

CLARENDON SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 Today, 6:30 p.m., district office

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Keep your secrets in a safe place. You don’t want anyone to have the upper hand or be able to outsmart you when it comes to work. Focus on what’s trendy and use your intelligence and imagination to outsmart the competition.

24-hr chg none -0.08 -0.09 -0.02

RIVER STAGES

NATIONAL CITIES

Myrtle Beach 65/43

Aiken 64/35

ON THE COAST

CLARENDON COUNTY PLANNING & PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION Today, 6 p.m., planning commission office, Manning

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Erratic behavior will not help you get the results you are looking for. Focus on communication and sharing your thoughts and feelings. Once you open up a dialogue, you will discover who will be helpful and who will not.

Sumter 64/37 Manning 65/38

Today: Cooler with a passing shower. Winds west-southwest 7-14 mph.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny. Winds west 3-6 mph.

Temperature High Low Normal high Normal low Record high Record low

Florence 63/38

Bishopville 63/36

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

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MEGAMILLIONS FRIDAY

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PICTURES FROM THE PUBLIC Carolyn Huggins comments on her photos, “One of my tomato plants got rather creative this year. Being a retired kindergarten teacher, I had to add to the humor!”

SECTION

Cowboys avoid letdown vs. Eagles

B

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014

B3

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

PRO FOOTBALL

Panthers taking their time Rivera: Too soon to know when Newton can play again

BY STEVE REED The Associated Press CHARLOTTE — Carolina coach Ron Rivera said it’s too soon to know who will start at quarterback next Sunday when the Panthers host the Cleveland Browns.

With Cam Newton resting his back followRIVERA ing an automobile accident, Derek Anderson threw for 277 yards and a touchdown and picked up his second win of NEWTON the season in a 19-17 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Rivera said he won’t make any decisions until possibly mid-week on Newton, who is recovering from two lower back fractures after flipping his truck on Tuesday in a twocar wreck.

“I’m not making any decisions until I get the opportunity to watch him on the football field, listen to what the trainers and doctors have to tell me, and then we will make our decision,” Rivera said. “But to make any judgment right now would be premature and would be a mistake.”

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Carolina quarterback Derek Anderson (3) scrambles against Tampa Bay in the Panthers’ 19-17 victory on Sunday in Charlotte. The Panthers took first place in the NFC South with the win, but will take their time deciding on when and if starting quarterback Cam Newton can play as he is still recovering from a car wreck.

Anderson is 2-0 as Carolina’s starter this season, although both wins have come against the lowly Bucs (2-12).

Newton is 3-8-1.

Rivera thought Anderson did some good things, but wanted him to get into the end zone more. The Panthers reached or started in Tampa Bay territory on every possession Sunday, but scored just 19 points.

“I wanted more for Derek Anderson,” Rivera said.

“Derek is a very capable football player and he knows it.

We talked about it during the game. He knows he could have put some more points on the board.”

Newton appeared to be moving around well on the sideline, but Rivera said he’s unsure when the fourth-year quarterback will begin throw-

ing the ball. He said he’ll know more on Wednesday.

Anderson said he knows once Newton is healthy, he’ll be handing the reins of the offense back to the two-time Pro Bowl selection.

“I know what kind of person he is, what kind of competitor he is,” Anderson said.

“If he can play, if he feels like he can play and go out there and win football games for us,

he’ll do that.”

Here are some things to know about Carolina’s second straight win and Tampa Bay’s fourth straight loss: FLOUNDERING OFFENSE

The Bucs have scored 17 points or fewer in 11 of their 14 games, including each of the last four. On their first four

SEE PANTHERS, PAGE B3

CLEMSON BASKETBALL

COMMENTARY

Clemson rallies late to top Auburn 72-61

Don’t push the panic button yet

BY PETE IACOBELLI The Associated Press CLEMSON — Maybe Clemson’s in the wrong league after what the Tigers have done to the Southeastern Conference this year.

Clemson improved to 3-0 against SEC opponents this season after Rod Hall tied a HALL career high with 20 points in a 72-61 win over Auburn on Sunday.

“This is the ACC, you’ve got to step your game up,” Hall said. “We’re just try-

ing not to lose against an SEC team and play the best we can.”

So far, Hall and the Tigers (6-3) have done that.

They rallied from secondhalf deficits to overtake LSU 64-61 in the Paradise Jam last month and then 18th-ranked Arkansas 68-65 a week ago. Hall scored 19 points against the Razorbacks, who saw a six-point lead in the final minute disappear.

Against Auburn (3-5), Clemson withstood a pressure defense that had a season-high 12 steals and took control with an 11-2 run

SEE CLEMSON, PAGE B6

T THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Clemson’s Sidy Djitte (50) is defended by Auburn’s K.T. Harrell in Clemson’s 72-61 win on Sunday in Clemson.

USC WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

WOMEN’S TOP 25

Carolina women rout Savannah State 111-49; keep top ranking in nation

BY JEFFREY COLLINS The Associated Press COLUMBIA — If No. 1 South Carolina can win by pounding it inside, coach Dawn Staley sees no reason to worry about poor 3-point shooting.

The Gamecocks (9-0) beat STALEY Savannah State 111-49 on Sunday, passing the century mark for the first time in Staley’s seven seasons despite hitting only one of their eight 3-pointers.

The Gamecocks earned their fourth straight week of being the nation’s topranked team and also picked up two more first-place ballots when the new rankings were released on Monday.

Staley said the more important statistic was South Carolina’s 70 points in the paint, because it means her constant message to pound the ball inside to her team’s five regularly playing 6-footers is getting through.

“If we can take it to somebody and get the win without relying on the 3, that’s impressive,” Staley said.

“But when it is time to

knock those shots down, I have confidence in our team to do so.”

Two of those inside players set career highs. Heralded freshman A’ja Wilson scored 23 points and senior Elem Ibiam added 21.

The Gamecocks had 56 rebounds to 21 for Savannah State.

Sophomore center Alaina Coates added 20 points and 10 rebounds off the bench, while junior Tina Roy’s 10 assists were a career high and the most by a player since Staley arrived in 2008.

SEE USC, PAGE B4

The Associated Press The top 25 teams in The Associated Press’ women’s college basketball poll, with first-place votes in parentheses, records through Dec. 14, total points based on 25 points for a first-place vote through one point for a 25th-place vote and last week’s ranking: RecordPts Prv 1. South Carolina (25) 9-0 865 1 2. UConn (6) 6-1 828 2 3. Texas (4) 8-0 795 3 4. Texas A&M 11-0 768 4 5. Notre Dame 10-1 741 5 6. North Carolina 9-0 709 6 7. Stanford 6-2 636 7 8. Kentucky 10-1 609 8 9. Baylor 8-1 579 9 10. Louisville 8-1 553 10 11. Tennessee 7-2 518 11 12. Nebraska 9-1 437 12 13. Duke 5-3 423 13 14. Maryland 8-2 409 14 15. Georgia 10-0 378 16 16. Oregon St. 7-0 364 15 17. Rutgers 8-2 283 17 18. Michigan St. 6-2 251 19 19. Oklahoma St. 6-1 225 20 19. Syracuse 7-1 225 20 21. Mississippi St. 10-0 224 22 22. West Virginia 8-1 150 23 23. Iowa 8-2 90 24 24. California 7-2 80 18 25. DePaul 6-3 71 25 Others receiving votes: Green Bay 43, Northwestern 19, Arizona St. 18, St. John’s 17, Princeton 15, Oregon 14, Washington 8, James Madison 7, W. Kentucky 7, Oklahoma 5, Washington St. 5, Florida St. 4, Arkansas 2.

here’s apparently a prime piece of real estate back on the market around Lake Murray since Will Muschamp took the defensive coordinator’s job at Auburn on Friday.

It really came as a shock to me. I had heard from several people who knew someone who knew someone that Muschamp coming to South Dennis Carolina as Brunson either the defensive coordinator or the DC/head coach in waiting to Steve Spurrier was a done deal .

I think it’s the fact that the rumor mill of what coach is coming to Columbia has never really occurred before is why I was so caught off guard. What in the world is USC going to do now that Muschamp has dissed it for Auburn?

They’re going to play the 2015 season, that’s what. It may be with Lorenzo Ward as the defensive coordinator, it may be without him. There may be an entirely new defensive staff.

That will become public knowledge, in all likelihood, a couple of days after the Gamecocks play in the Duck Commander Independence Bowl.

Until then, Carolina fans need to take the finger off of the panic button.

Social media has been filled

SEE PANIC, PAGE B4

B2

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SPORTS

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014

SCOREBOARD TV, RADIO TODAY

1 p.m. – College Football: NCAA Division II Tournament Semifinal Game – Concord at Minnesota State-Mankato (ESPNU).

2:30 p.m. – International Soccer: FIFA Club World Championship Semifinal Match from Marrakech, Morocco – Real Madrid vs. Cruz Azul (FOX SPORTS 1).

6:05 p.m. – Talk Show: Sports Talk (WPUB-FM 102.7, WDXY-FM 105.9, WDXY-AM 1240).

7 p.m. – College Basketball: North Carolina at North Carolina (Greensboro) (ESPN2).

7 p.m. – College Basketball: Oral Roberts at Oklahoma (ESPNU).

7 p.m. – Women’s College Basketball: Wichita State at Tennessee (SEC NETWORK).

7:30 p.m. – NHL Hockey: Carolina at Montreal (FOX SPORTSOUTH).

8 p.m. – NBA Basketball: Golden State at Memphis (ESPN).

9 p.m. – College Basketball: Alabama at Wichita State (ESPN2).

9 p.m. – College Basketball: Middle Tennessee at Oklahoma State (ESPNU).

9 p.m. – College Basketball: Arizona State at Marquette (FOX SPORTS 1).

9 p.m. – College Basketball: Western Carolina at Vanderbilt (SEC NETWORK).

10:30 p.m. – NBA Basketball: Oklahoma City at Sacramento (ESPN).

2 a.m. – NHL Hockey: Boston at Nashville (FOX SPORTSOUTH).

3:30 a.m. – Professional Baseball: Australian Baseball League AllStar Game from Melbourne, Australia (MLB NETWORK).

COLLEGE FOOTBALL The Associated Press FBS BOWL GLANCE

Saturday, Dec. 20 New Orleans Bowl Nevada (7-5) vs. Louisiana-Lafayette (8-4), 11 a.m. (ESPN) New Mexico Bowl At Albuquerque UTEP (7-5) vs. Utah State (9-4), 2:20 p.m. (ESPN) Las Vegas Bowl Colorado State (10-2) vs. Utah (84), 3:30 p.m. (ABC) Famous Idaho Potato Bowl At Boise Western Michigan (8-4) vs. Air Force (9-3), 5:45 p.m. (ESPN) Camelia Bowl At Montgomery, Ala. Bowling Green (7-6) vs. South Alabama (6-6), 9:15 p.m. (ESPN) Monday, Dec. 22 Miami Beach Bowl BYU (8-4) vs. Memphis (9-3), 2 p.m. (ESPN) Tuesday, Dec. 23 Boca Raton (Fla.) Bowl Marshall (12-1) vs. Northern Illinois (11-2), 6 p.m. (ESPN) Poinsettia Bowl At San Diego Navy (7-5) vs. San Diego State (75), 9:30 p.m. (ESPN) Wednesday, Dec. 24 Bahamas Bowl At Nassau Western Kentucky (7-5) vs. Central Michigan (7-5), Noon (ESPN) Hawaii Bowl At Honolulu Rice (7-5) vs. Fresno State (6-7), 8 p.m. (ESPN) Friday, Dec. 26 Heart of Dallas Bowl Illinois (6-6) vs. Louisiana Tech (8-4), 1 p.m. (ESPN) Quick Lane Bowl At Detroit Rutgers (7-5) vs. North Carolina (6-6), 4:30 p.m. (ESPN) St. Petersburg (Fla.) Bowl UCF (9-3) vs. N.C. State (7-5), 8 p.m. (ESPN) Saturday, Dec. 27 Military Bowl At Annapolis, Md. Virginia Tech (6-6) vs. Cincinnati (9-3), 1 p.m. (ESPN) Sun Bowl At El Paso, Texas Duke (9-3) vs. Arizona State (9-3), 2 p.m. (CBS) Independence Bowl At Shreveport, La. Miami (6-6) vs. South Carolina (66), 4 p.m. (ESPN2) Pinstripe Bowl At Bronx, N.Y. Boston College (7-5) vs. Penn State (6-6), 4:30 p.m. (ESPN) Holiday Bowl At San Diego Nebraska (9-3) vs. Southern Cal (8-4), 8 p.m. (ESPN) Monday, Dec. 29 Liberty Bowl At Memphis, Tenn.

West Virginia (7-5) vs. Texas A&M (7-5), 2 p.m. (ESPN) Russell Athletic Bowl At Orlando, Fla. Clemson (9-3) vs. Oklahoma (8-4), 5:30 p.m. (ESPN) Texas Bowl At Houston Texas (6-6) vs. Arkansas (6-6), 9 p.m. (ESPN) Tuesday, Dec. 30 Music City Bowl At Nashville, Tenn.

Notre Dame (7-5) vs. LSU (8-4), 3 p.m. (ESPN) Belk Bowl At Charlotte, N.C. Louisville (9-3) vs. Georgia (9-3), 6:30 p.m. (ESPN) Fosters Farm Bowl At Santa Clara, Calif.

Stanford (7-5) vs. Maryland (7-5), 10 p.m. (ESPN) Wednesday, Dec. 31 Peach Bowl At Atlanta Mississippi (9-3) vs. TCU (11-1), 12:30 p.m. (ESPN) Fiesta Bowl At Glendale, Ariz.

Boise State (11-2) vs. Arizona (103), 4 p.m. (ESPN) Orange Bowl At Miami Gardens, Fla. Mississippi State (10-2) vs. Georgia Tech (10-3), 8 p.m. (ESPN) Thursday, Jan. 1 Outback Bowl At Tampa, Fla. Wisconsin (10-3) vs. Auburn (8-4), Noon (ESPN2) Cotton Bowl Classic At Arlington, Texas Michigan State (10-2) vs. Baylor (11-1), 12:30 p.m. (ESPN) Citrus Bowl At Orlando, Fla. Minnesota (8-4) vs. Missouri (103), 1 p.m. (ABC) Rose Bowl At Pasadena, Calif.

Playoff semifinal: Oregon (12-1) vs. Florida State (13-0), 5 p.m.

(ESPN) Sugar Bowl At New Orleans Playoff semifinal: Alabama (12-1) vs. Ohio State (12-1), 8:30 p.m.

(ESPN) Friday, Jan. 2 Armed Forces Bowl At Fort Worth, Texas Pittsburgh (6-6) vs. Houston (7-5), Noon (ESPN) TaxSlayer Bowl At Jacksonville, Fla. Iowa (7-5) vs. Tennessee (6-6), 3:20 p.m. (ESPN) Alamo Bowl At San Antonio UCLA (9-3) vs. Kansas State (9-3), 6:45 p.m. (ESPN) Cactus Bowl At Tempe, Ariz.

Oklahoma State (6-6) vs. Washington (8-5), 10:15 p.m. (ESPN) Saturday, Jan. 3 Birmingham (Ala.) Bowl Florida (6-5) vs. East Carolina (8-

4), 1 p.m. (ESPN2) GoDaddy Bowl At Mobile, Ala. Toledo (8-4) vs. Arkansas State (7-5), 9 p.m. (ESPN) Saturday, Jan. 10 Medal of Honor Bowl At Charleston, S.C. American vs. National, 2:30 p.m.

Monday, Jan. 12 College Football Championship At Arlington, Texas Sugar Bowl winner vs. Rose Bowl winner, 8:30 p.m. (ESPN) Saturday, Jan. 17 East-West Shrine Classic At St. Petersburg, Fla. East vs. West, 4 p.m. (NFLN) NFLPA Collegiate Bowl At Carson, Calif.

National vs. American, 4 p.m.

(ESPN2) Saturday, Jan. 24 Senior Bowl At Mobile, Ala. North vs. South, 4 p.m. (NFLN)

NBA STANDINGS

By The Associated Press EASTERN CONFERENCE ATLANTIC DIVISION W Toronto 18 Brooklyn 10 Boston 7 New York 5 Philadelphia 2 SOUTHEAST DIVISION W Washington 17 Atlanta 16 Miami 11 Orlando 10 Charlotte 6 CENTRAL DIVISION W Chicago 15 Cleveland 13 Milwaukee 12 Indiana 7 Detroit 5

L 6 12 14 21 21

Pct GB .750 – .455 7 .333 91/2 .192 14 .087 151/2

L 6 7 13 16 17

Pct GB .739 – .696 1 .458 61/2 .385 81/2 .261 11

L 8 9 12 17 19

Pct .652 .591 .500 .292 .208

GB – 11/2 31/2 81/2 101/2

WESTERN CONFERENCE SOUTHWEST DIVISION W Memphis 19 Houston 18 San Antonio 17 Dallas 17 New Orleans 11 NORTHWEST DIVISION W Portland 18 Oklahoma City 11 Denver 10 Utah 6 Minnesota 5 PACIFIC DIVISION W Golden State 21 L.A. Clippers 16 Phoenix 12 Sacramento 11 L.A. Lakers 8

L 4 5 7 8 12

Pct GB .826 – .783 1 .708 21/2 .680 3 .478 8

L 6 13 14 18 18

Pct GB .750 – .458 7 .417 8 .250 12 .217 121/2

L 2 7 13 13 16

Pct GB .913 – .696 5 .480 10 .458 101/2 .333 131/2

SUNDAY’S GAMES

Golden State 128, New Orleans 122, OT Washington 93, Utah 84 Chicago 93, Miami 75 Oklahoma City 112, Phoenix 88 L.A. Lakers 100, Minnesota 94 Toronto 95, New York 90, OT San Antonio 99, Denver 91

TODAY’S GAMES

Minnesota at Washington, 7 p.m.

Miami at Brooklyn, 7:30 p.m.

Utah at New Orleans, 8 p.m.

Golden State at Memphis, 8 p.m.

Dallas at New York, 8 p.m.

Oklahoma City at Sacramento, 10:30 p.m.

NHL STANDINGS

By The Associated Press EASTERN CONFERENCE ATLANTIC DIVISION GP W L OTPts GF GA Tampa Bay 31 19 9 3 41 105 82 Detroit 31 17 7 7 41 92 79 Montreal 31 19 10 2 40 83 79 Toronto 30 18 9 3 39 103 85 Florida 28 12 8 8 32 64 74 Boston 30 15 13 2 32 76 78 Ottawa 29 12 12 5 29 76 81 Buffalo 30 12 16 2 26 56 91 METROPOLITAN DIVISION GP W L OTPts GF GA Pittsburgh 29 19 6 4 42 94 69 N.Y. Islanders 3020 10 0 40 96 87 Washington 29 14 10 5 33 85 79 N.Y. Rangers 28 14 10 4 32 84 77 Philadelphia 29 11 13 5 27 79 87 New Jersey 31 11 15 5 27 72 91 Columbus 29 12 15 2 26 71 95 Carolina 29 8 18 3 19 61 83

WESTERN CONFERENCE CENTRAL DIVISION GP W L OTPts GF GA Chicago 31 21 9 1 43 95 61 St. Louis 30 20 8 2 42 89 70 Nashville 29 19 8 2 40 78 57 Winnipeg 31 15 10 6 36 73 74 Minnesota 28 16 11 1 33 81 70 Dallas 29 11 13 5 27 85 103 Colorado 30 10 13 7 27 78 98 PACIFIC DIVISION GP W L OTPts GF GA Anaheim 32 21 6 5 47 95 83 Vancouver 30 18 10 2 38 89 86 San Jose 32 17 11 4 38 90 82 Los Angeles 31 15 10 6 36 82 73 Calgary 32 17 13 2 36 95 85 Arizona 30 10 16 4 24 70 99 Edmonton 31 7 19 5 19 65 104 NOTE: Two points for a win, one point for overtime loss.

SUNDAY’S GAMES

Toronto 4, Los Angeles 3, SO Chicago 2, Calgary 1 N.Y. Rangers 2, Edmonton 0

TODAY’S GAMES

Tampa Bay at Philadelphia, 7 p.m.

Anaheim at Toronto, 7:30 p.m.

Carolina at Montreal, 7:30 p.m.

Columbus at Detroit, 7:30 p.m.

Washington at Florida, 7:30 p.m.

Los Angeles at St. Louis, 8 p.m.

Boston at Nashville, 8 p.m.

Buffalo at Winnipeg, 8 p.m.

Minnesota at Chicago, 8:30 p.m.

N.Y. Rangers at Calgary, 9 p.m.

Edmonton at Arizona, 9 p.m.

FRANK’S

THE SUMTER ITEM

SPORTS ITEMS

Bryant passes Jordan for third on NBA scoring list MINNEAPOLIS — Kobe Bryant has reached rarefied air.

The Los Angeles Lakers star passed Michael Jordan for third on the NBA’s career scoring list Sunday night in a 100-94 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Bryant entered the game needBRYANT ing nine points to pass the icon with whom he is often compared. He got the mark with two free throws with 5:24 to play in the second quarter.

Now only Kareem AbdulJabbar and Karl Malone have scored more points than Bryant.

UNION TAKES NFL TO COURT OVER ADRIAN PETERSON

MINNEAPOLIS — The NFL Players Association filed a federal lawsuit Monday for Adrian Peterson, asking the court to dismiss an arbitration ruling that upheld the NFL’s suspension of the star running back.

The petition also requested a court order for Peterson’s immediate reinstatement, ar-

NEW YORK — Chase Headley is staying with the Yankees, agreeing Monday to a $52 million, four-year contract that signals New York is not counting on Alex Rodriguez to play third base regularly.

The agreement with Headley is a sign New York plans to shift A-Rod to designated hitter, relegate him to a backup role or perhaps even seek trade offers.

IRVING, Texas — NFL rushing leader DeMarco Murray has a broken hand that requires surgery, and Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones says it is “probably a tough expectation” that he would play Sunday against Indianapolis.

Jones said on his radio show that Murray was having surgery Monday.

WESTWOOD WINS THAILAND GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP

CHONBURI, Thailand — Englishman Lee Westwood won his second Thailand Golf Championship with a onestroke victory over Australian Marcus Fraser and Martin Kaymer of Germany at the Amata Spring Country Club on Sunday.

CUBS, MOTTE AGREE TO DEAL

CHICAGO — A person with direct knowledge of the deal says veteran reliever Jason Motte has agreed to a $4.5 million, one-year contract with the Chicago Cubs.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on Monday night on condition of ano-

From wire reports

BASKETBALL ROUNDUP

James, Love lead Cavaliers over Hornets 97-88 CLEVELAND — LeBron James scored 27 points with 13 assists, Kevin Love added 22 points and 18 rebounds, and the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Charlotte Hornets 97-88 on Monday night.

The Cavaliers jumped to a 21-0 lead, but the Hornets regrouped and got within two points early in the third quarter before the Cavaliers pulled away. Charlotte trailed 59-57, but Cleveland regained control and pushed the lead back to double figures.

The Cavaliers ended the third on a 21-9 run. James scored seven points while Tristan Thompson added seven, including two dunks on assists from Kyrie Irving.

Love hit a 3-pointer late in the quarter and Charlotte got no closer than eight points.

Kemba Walker led Charlotte with 24 points while Al Jefferson added 14.

on Monday night.

on Monday night. Los Angeles shot 33 percent from the floor and trailed by 39 points during the game.

GEORGIA TECH 70 APPALACHIAN STATE 57

ATLANTA — Marcus Georges-Hunt bounced back from a pair of subpar games to score 15 points, all in the first half, and lead Georgia Tech to a 70-57 win over Appalachian State on Monday night.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL (2) DUKE 75 ELON 62 DURHAM, N.C. — Jahlil Okafor had a season-high 25 points and set a Duke freshman record with 20 rebounds in the second-ranked Blue Devils’ 75-62 victory over Elon

From wire reports

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PHILADELPHIA — Kelly Olynyk scored a career-high 30 points, leading the Boston Celtics to a 105-87 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night.

RAPTORS 95 MAGIC 82

TORONTO — Lou Williams scored 18 points, Kyle Lowry had 17 and the Toronto Raptors won their 10th straight game over the Orlando Magic, 95-82 Monday night.

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Attorneys for the NFLPA asked to expedite the case in Minnesota, where the union has often gone to contest labor matters with the NFL.

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THE SUMTER ITEM

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014

|

B3

Cowboys take first place in NFC East Bryant scores career-best 3 touchdowns

BY ROB MAADDI The Associated Press PHILADELPHIA — Dez Bryant backed up his bravado in a big way.

Bryant had a career-best three touchdown receptions, and the Dallas Cowboys rallied to beat the Philadelphia Eagles 38-27 after wasting a 21-0 lead.

DeMarco Murray had a pair of TD runs to help the Cowboys (10-4) move ahead of the Eagles (9-5) into first place in the NFC East. The Eagles dominated the Cowboys in a 33-10 road win on Thanksgiving, but Dallas seized control of the division with two weeks left.

“We believed in one another, and I think that’s the key to victory,” Bryant said. “Believing in one another and just trying to come out and execute the plays the best way that we possibly can, and we did that.”

The NFC-leading Arizona Cardinals (11-3) clinched a playoff berth because the game didn’t end in a tie.

The Cowboys took a 21-0 lead early in the second quarter before Philadelphia rallied behind Mark Sanchez.

Chris Polk had TD runs of 1 and 5 yards, and Darren Sproles ran in from the 1 to give the Eagles a 24-21 lead late in third quarter. But Tony Romo and the Cowboys answered quickly with two touchdowns in a 2:51 span.

Murray scored on a 2-yard run to cap a 78-yard drive.

After J.J. Wilcox intercepted Sanchez’s pass, the Cowboys started the fourth quarter at the Eagles 42. Romo then hit Bryant in stride for a 25-yard scoring pass.

“Having a guy like Dez makes it easy to throw to spots that he can go get it,” Romo said. “Just lucky to have him.”

Bryant couldn’t wait for this game after being held to 73 yards on four catches in the first meeting. After that game, he called Philadelphia’s secondary “cheap,” and he had a heated exchange with Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins before Sun-

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Dallas wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) pulls in a touchdown reception against Philadelphia cornerback Bradley Fletcher (24) during the Cowboys’ 38-27 victory on Sunday in Philadelphia. Bryant caught three TD passes for the first time in his career and helped the team rebound after it lost a 21-point lead. day night’s game. Bryant came back twice after Jenkins walked away and it wasn’t known why they argued.

“Just great competitors going at it, that’s all,” Bryant said.

Bryant finished with six receptions for 114 yards. He beat cornerback Bradley Fletcher on each of the TDs. “I just had a terrible game,” Fletcher said.

Romo threw for 265 yards and Murray ran for 81 yards on 31 carries.

Here are some things learned in Dallas’ win over the Eagles: SANCHEZ OR FOLES

Sanchez may not get another chance to steer one more Philadelphia rally. Sanchez was 17 of 28 for 252 yards and two interceptions. The subturned-starter could return to his backup role if Nick Foles is cleared to return from his broken collarbone.

Eagles coach Chip Kelly refused to discuss hypotheticals, and Sanchez said he didn’t know if he would start next week at Washington.

“I didn’t play well enough to win and that’s why we lost,” Sanchez said.

PANTHERS FROM PAGE B1 drives of the third quarter on Sunday, the Bucs totaled minus-2 yards on offense.

OLSEN ON A TEAR

Panthers tight end Greg Olsen appears to be on his way to his first Pro Bowl. For the second straight week, Olsen caught 10 passes. He finished with 110 yards. He has 81 receptions for 960 yards and six touchdowns this season. “If I see him one-on-one with a guy that I know can’t cover him, I have a lot of confidence in what he’s going to do,” Anderson said.

MOVING PARTS

Tampa Bay coach Lovie Smith shuffled his offensive line by benching Anthony Collins and moving Demar Dotson to left tackle. Oniel Cousins started at right tackle. The Bucs ran for 155 yards, but surrendered three sacks leading to two forced fumbles. “We just thought for him in general, our best tackle, can he play the left

NFL STANDINGS

By The Associated Press

AMERICAN CONFERENCE EAST

y-Indianapolis Houston Tennessee Jacksonville NORTH Cincinnati Pittsburgh Baltimore Cleveland WEST y-Denver Kansas City San Diego Oakland

Pct PF PA .786 442 280 .571 302 254 .500 327 301 .214 230 360

Detroit Green Bay Minnesota Chicago WEST

T 0 0 0 0

Pct PF PA .714 281 238 .714 436 325 .429 277 297 .385 281 378

W L T 10 4 0 7 7 0 2 12 0 2 12 0

Pct PF PA .714 424 317 .500 324 277 .143 231 390 .143 211 376

W L T x-Arizona 11 3 0 Seattle 10 4 0 San Francisco 7 7 0 St. Louis 6 8 0 x-clinched playoff spot y-clinched division

Pct PF PA .786 287 244 .714 339 242 .500 251 285 .429 291 297

W 9 9 9 7

T 1 0 0 0

Pct PF PA .679 311 289 .643 389 339 .643 376 267 .500 276 300

Arizona 12, St. Louis 6

W L T 11 3 0 8 6 0 8 6 0 2 12 0

Pct PF PA .786 407 303 .571 322 254 .571 303 294 .143 213 381

L 4 5 5 7

NATIONAL CONFERENCE EAST Dallas Philadelphia N.Y. Giants Washington SOUTH Carolina New Orleans

5 9 0 .357 348 369 2 12 0 .143 254 367

W L T 11 3 0 8 6 0 7 7 0 3 11 0

y-New England Buffalo Miami N.Y. Jets SOUTH

W L T 10 4 0 9 5 0 5 9 0 3 11 0

Pct PF PA .714 381 328 .643 416 347 .357 317 339 .214 257 370

W 10 10 6 5

L 4 4 8 8

THURSDAY’S GAME SUNDAY’S GAMES

Kansas City 31, Oakland 13 Pittsburgh 27, Atlanta 20 N.Y. Giants 24, Washington 13 New England 41, Miami 13 Indianapolis 17, Houston 10 Baltimore 20, Jacksonville 12 Buffalo 21, Green Bay 13 Carolina 19, Tampa Bay 17 Cincinnati 30, Cleveland 0 Denver 22, San Diego 10 N.Y. Jets 16, Tennessee 11 Seattle 17, San Francisco 7 Detroit 16, Minnesota 14 Dallas 38, Philadelphia 27

MONDAY’S GAME

New Orleans at Chicago, late W L T Pct PF PA 5 8 1 .393 288 358 5 8 0 .385 333 359

THURSDAY, DEC. 18

Tennessee at Jacksonville, 8:25 p.m.

MCCOY’S STRUGGLE

LeSean McCoy was held in check against Dallas and only rushed for 64 yards. McCoy, a two-time All-Pro, ran for 159 yards and a touchdown in the Thanksgiving victory.

“When we got going, we really got going,” McCoy said.

“We just slowed down at the wrong time.”

ROAD STARS

The Cowboys are 7-0 on the road for the third time in franchise history. Their road finale is Dec. 28 against the lowly Washington Redskins.

SACK EXCHANGE

The Cowboys sacked Sanchez four times. Jeremy Mincey and Tyrone Crawford each had two sacks. The Eagles allowed the most sacks since their season opener.

“When it was a two-score game and we felt like (Sanchez) was going to be in the pocket, those guys did a good job just rushing and they stayed after him and stayed after him,” Garrett said.

Mincey said it was great to beat a tackle like Jason Peters for his sacks.

“I left some out there during the first game, and I knew I was going to have an opportunity to get on the edge,” Mincey said.

NFC EAST

The Cowboys clinch their first division title since 2009 with wins over Indianapolis and Washington or one win and one loss by Philadelphia, which plays at the Redskins and Giants the final two weeks. If the Eagles win out and the Cowboys lose one, Philadelphia repeats.

side?” Smith said. “Trying to win football games, but thought he would be able to handle that. ... I thought he did a decent job.”

STILL IN THE HUNT

Amazing as it sounds, the Panthers lead the NFC South despite a 5-8-1 record. New Orleans is 5-8 heading into Monday night’s game at Chicago, and Atlanta dropped to 5-9 with Sunday’s 27-20 loss to Pittsburgh. “It’s pretty crazy,” Olsen said. “But we’re not going to apologize for it.”

DEFENSIVE IMPROVING

Carolina’s defense has been steadily improving over the past half-dozen games. It limited Tampa Bay to 287 yards and 15 first downs on Sunday, while sacking Josh McCown three times and forcing three turnovers. That might be enough to get by in upcoming games against Cleveland and Atlanta, but what remains to be seen is if they have improved enough to compete against a playoff-caliber team should the Panthers qualify for the postseason.

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Wed.,December 17 at 2pm Thurs., December 18 at 11am Thurs., December 18 at 2pm Fri., December 19 at 11am Mon., December 22 at 11am Tues., December 23 at 11am Tues., December 23 at 2pm Fri., December 26 at 11am Mon., December 29 at 11am Tues., December 30 at 11am Wed., December 31 at 11am Wed., December 31 at 2pm Fri., January 2 at 11am

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20 N. Magnolia Street Sumter, SC 29150 803-774-1200

B4

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SPORTS

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014

GIRLS AREA ROUNDUP

Bates improves to 3-1 The Bates Middle School girls basketball team improved to 3-1 on the season with a 44-27 victory over Chestnut Oaks on Monday at the Bates gymnasium.

The Lady Bantams were led by Nina Edlow with 14 points, while Sydney Brownlee had 10 points and Ja’Niya Singleton had eight.

FURMAN 38 HILLCREST 11

DALZELL – Furman defeated Hillcrest 38-11 on Monday at the Hillcrest gymnasium.

Kiari Cain led the Lady Indians with 14 points. Ratesha Burgess added nine points.

Brittany Epps topped Hillcrest with five points.

VARSITY BASKETBALL

sanna Hutson had 12.

LAURENCE MANNING 43

JV BASKETBALL

THE KING’S ACADEMY 33

LAKEWOOD 30

MANNING – Laurence Manning Academy defeated The King’s Academy 43-33 on Monday at Bubba Davis Gymnasium.

Brooke Bennett led the Lady Swampcats with 11 points. Courtney Beatson had eight points and 11 rebounds, Cora Lee Downer had eight points and Maggie Eppley added seven points.

CAMDEN 14 Lakewood High School evened its record at 2-2 with a 30-14 victory over Camden on Monday at The Swamp.

Danesha Felder led the Lady Gators with 13 points.

On Saturday at The Swamp, Lakewood lost to Sumter 27-24. Takela Perry led the Lady Gators with 11.

SUMTER CHRISTIAN 38

SUMTER CHRISTIAN 12

SOUTH POINTE CHRISTIAN 30

SOUTH POINTE CHRISTIAN 8

PAGELAND – Sumter Christian School evened its record at 4-4 with a 38-30 victory over South Pointe Christian on Friday at the SPC gymnasium.

Sarah Fraser led the Lady Bears with 20 points and Su-

PAGELAND – Sumter Christian School improved to 4-3 with a 12-8 victory over South Pointe Christian on Friday at the SPC gymnasium.

Susanna Hutson led SCS with six points.

BOYS AREA ROUNDUP

Jones’ double-double helps lift Alice Drive to 5-0 on season Kwaleek Jones had a double-double of 14 points and 15 rebounds to lead Alice Drive Middle School’s boys basketball team to a 58-43 victory over Ebemezer on Monday at the AD gymnasium.

O’Donnell Fortune added eight points for the Hawks, who improved to 5-0 on the season. Carldrelle Cooper, Keonte Gregg, Jackson Hoshour and Naqwan Mickens added 7 points apiece.

FURMAN 38

DALZELL — Furman Middle School defeated Hillcrest 38-34 in overtime on Monday at the Hillcrest gymnasium.

Juwan Perdue had a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds for the Indians. Trevious Epps also had 10 points, while Nyquan Stephenson had 11 steals.

Josh Simon had nine points and 15 rebounds for Hillcrest, while Josh Goodman had seven points and 12 rebounds.

VARSITY BASKETBALL FLORENCE CHRISTIAN 55 THOMAS SUMTER 41 FLORENCE – Thomas Sumter Academy fell to 2-5 with a 55-41 loss to Florence Christian School on Friday at the FCS gymnasium.

Drew Stengel led TSA with 12 points, while Tanner Brunson had 11 and Ron York 10.

On Thursday in Lake City, the Generals beat Carolina Academy 39-37. Stengel led the way with nine while Patrick Kuzbary and

with members of Gamecock Nation calling for Ward’s demise as DC, the hiring of Muschamp, fretting over when head coach Steve Spurrier would quit and who in the world would take over for him when that time came. All of that bluster has had more to do with the decommitments in the upcoming recruiting class than anything that happened on the field in the 2014 season.

This isn’t meant as a defense of Ward or the play of the defense. It was truly bad with the exception of maybe 10 total quarters throughout the season. The line was shoved around all season long against the run and seldom displayed a strong pass rush.

It is hard to be good on defense when your line is not good at either of those things.

From the coach’s end of the equation, there were several times during the year in which it appeared no adjustments were made. Why Clemson didn’t keep running that 6-inch pass to an in-motion Artavis Scott until USC stopped it is beyond me.

Whether it’s with Ward at the helm of the defense or not, changes need to be made and they will be. All of this public fretting by fans though simply confounds the situation, in particular with recruits.

While a 6-6 record is certainly a plunge from three straight 11-win seasons, this isn’t a program that has shown it is in a decline. Was this season a major hiccup?

Certainly, but it isn’t reason

SUMTER CHRISTIAN 63 SOUTH POINTE CHRISTIAN 46

PAGELAND – Sumter Christian School improved to 6-2 with a 63-46 victory over South Pointe Christian on Friday at the SPC gymnasium.

TJ Barron led the Bepars with 23 points, while Lamel Sanders had 16.

JUNIOR VARSITY BASKETBALL

HILLCREST 34

PANIC FROM PAGE B1

Austin Hudson had eight apiece.

LAURENCE MANNING 38 THE KING’S ACADEMY 31 MANNING – Laurence Manning Academy improved to 3-1 with a 38-31 victory over The King’s Academy on Monday at Bubba Davis Gymnasium.

Grayson Gamble led LMA with 14 points.

LAKEWOOD 36 SUMTER 28

Lakewood High School defeated Sumter 36-28 on Saturday at The Swamp to improve to 3-2.

Devaughnte Pack had eight points for the Gators, as did Malik Wilson, who also had eight rebounds.

SUMTER CHRISTIAN 28 SOUTH POINTE CHRISTIAN 20

PAGELAND – Sumter Christian School remained undefeated with a 28-20 victory over South Pointe Christian on Friday at the SPC gymnasium.

Kobe Barnet and Lawrence Frasier both had seven points for the 8-0 Bears.

enough to assume that it is ready to plunge into depths of mediocrity.

Spurrier nor his coaches – whoever they may be in another month – want that. They will be about the business of trying to bring in better players, come up with better game plans, etc.

The job of holding on to commitments was hard enough with the season, but all of this extracurricular worry has obviously added to the difficulty.

So just sit back, relax and see what happens. If it’s a repeat, then it might be time to turn into a full-blown fret.

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THE SUMTER ITEM

USC FROM PAGE B1 South Carolina was coming off an emotional 51-50 win a week ago at No. 13 Duke in which the Gamecocks scored five points in the final 19 seconds. The break was for exams, and the country’s top-ranked team didn’t look rusty.

“Practice was just kind of a study break for everybody,” Ibiam said.

But Savannah State (4-3) wasn’t intimidated either.

The Tigers had allowed fewer than 60 points in their last two games and posted their first win over a Southeastern Conference team with a 68-58 victory over Florida earlier this month.

Savannah State led 6-5 three minutes in. But then South Carolina freshman guard Bianca Cuevas scored seven points and had three steals to spark a 19-4 run, and the rout was on.

The Tigers’ best inside player, Tiyonda Davis, fouled out with 8:41 left. Savannah State coach Cedric Baker said he had no choice but to leave her in because South Carolina was so strong near the basket.

“Our game plan was to play behind the bigs and play from the top,” Baker said. “If we had executed that, we probably would have protected her a little bit better.”

Ezinne Kalu led the Tigers with 15 points.

ROAD TRIP

South Carolina heads out Monday for a three-game road trip. The first is

against five-time defending Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champion Hampton. The Gamecocks will then head directly to Minneapolis for games against Central Michigan and Liberty in next weekend’s Gopher Classic.

LOOKING TO MARCH

Baker said Sunday’s game could prove more important to Savannah State in March than December.

The Tigers went 10-6 in the MEAC last season, losing to Hampton in the conference tournament semifinals. Baker thinks this team can make the NCAA tournament. And if the Tigers do, he said, they will almost certainly play a top10 team.

TIP-INS

South Carolina: The 111 points by the Gamecocks was the most since beating North Carolina A&T 117-63 in November 2006. ... South Carolina had scored 99 points under Staley three times ... The Gamecocks have won all seven meetings with Savannah State by an average of 39 points.

The closest game was a 19point victory (52-33) in December 2010 — Staley’s third season.

Savannah State: The Tigers came in after a disappointing 59-52 loss to Bethune-Cookman in the MEAC opener for both teams ... All five starters returned from last season’s team.

UP NEXT

South Carolina travels to Hampton on Wednesday.

Savannah State is at Auburn on Wednesday.

Keeping Sumter Beautiful Karen Hyatt Asst. Public Works Director • Sumter County Public Works other household chores.

TIS THE SEASON….TO RECYCLE • Give books or magazines that can be shared or recycled.

• Make a gift. Gifts will mean more and will be The holiday season has arrived and so has the treasured longer if they are made with love. abundance of trash that will be generated. Did you • Consider memberships or donations to a nonknow that Americans throw away more trash profit organization. between Thanksgiving and New Year’s than any • When shopping for gifts take your own canvas other time of the year? Small changes in the way we bag or reuse the plastic shopping bags you get with generate our holiday trash can have a big impact on a purchase. the environment. Here are some suggestions for the holidays: Did you know that last year almost one billion Christmas Cards: dollars worth of unwanted gifts ended up in storage • Buy recycled-content Christmas cards. or in the landfills? Make your gift count by • Eliminate envelopes: Start a family holiday choosing one that benefits the environment. newsletter. Fold letter in half or thirds and put the Christmas Trees and Decorating: address and stamp on the back.

Buy a live tree that can be replanted after the • Avoid Christmas cards with foil decorations or •holiday season or use an artificial tree. lining-they are not recyclable.

• Use this year’s Christmas cards for name tags on • Decorate with flowers or fruit. Compost the decorations after the holidays. next year’s Christmas presents.

• Instead of mailing Christmas cards or newsletters, • Use only reusable decorations on your holiday send holiday greetings by email. tree. Make ornaments from recycled or reusable materials: shells, fabric scraps, cookies, candies, egg Did you know that all the Christmas cards sold cartons and bottle caps. String popcorn or each year in the United States could fill a football cranberries. field 10 stories high? If we each sent one less card, • Instead of paper or plastic, use cloth napkins and we would save 50,000 cubic yards of paper. tablecloths, china and flatware for your holiday Wrapping Presents: parties.

• Make your own beautiful packages by wrapping presents with paper from Sunday comics, old maps, Did you know that nationally 93% of people who magazines, cloth napkins or from decorated paper used a real Christmas tree recycled their tree in a community program? In Sumter, you will be able bags.

• Instead of wrapping gifts for the kids, hide the to take your Christmas tree to a “mulch better place.” Christmas trees will be accepted at all presents, and turn it into a treasure hunt.

• Wrap the gift in a gift. Put cookies in a flower pot county recycling centers from Dec. 26th to January 15, 2015 or at the entrance to Dillon Park. Free or hide jewelry in a new pair of gloves.

• When shipping gifts, pack with air-popped mulch will be distributed on Saturday, January 17, 2015 from 7am – 10am. popcorn, shredded newspaper or scrap paper.

Join in the spirit of the holidays by reducing the • Use recycled-content wrapping paper.

• Save your ribbons and bows to be used next year. season’s impact on our environment. Remember to reuse or recycle your holiday items.

Did you know that if each family reused just two Happy Holidays! feet of holiday ribbon each year, 38,000 miles of ribbon would be saved? That is enough ribbon to Clemson Extension offers its programs to tie a bow around the entire planet. people of all ages, regardless of race, color, gender, Gifts: national origin, disability, political beliefs, • Give consumable gifts like food, gift certificates religion, sexual orientation, marital or family status and is an and movie passes • Give the most precious gift, the gift of time. Give equal opportunity employer. certificates for help with babysitting, gardening and

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B5

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COMICS

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014

BIZARRO

SOUP TO NUTZ

ANDY CAPP

GARFIELD

BEETLE BAILEY

BORN LOSER

BLONDIE

ZITS

MOTHER GOOSE

DOG EAT DOUG

DILBERT

JEFF MACNELLY’S SHOE

Vigilant mother is devastated by son’s molestation DEAR ABBY — I’m so upset.

I just found out my son was molested by one of his older cousins. “Ryan” didn’t want Dear Abby me to know because he ABIGAIL was afraid of VAN BUREN how I would react. Ryan is 19 and a very private person. I want to confront the person who did this to him and press charges.

What’s upsetting is I tried hard to protect my children. I thought I was doing everything right by having my boys let their friends come and spend the night at my home instead of letting them stay at

THE SUMTER ITEM

their friends’ homes.

I want Ryan to go to counseling to understand he did nothing wrong, that it wasn’t his fault. Please help me to help my son. I partly blame myself for not knowing.

How did I let this happen? I am their mother. I am supposed to keep them safe. Please tell me what to do.

Confused mother in North Carolina DEAR MOTHER — Stay calm and understand that you have done nothing wrong. This is no reflection upon you as a parent.

While many people still believe that child molesters are creepy strangers who prey on little kids, the truth is the majority turn out to be family members or close friends one would never suspect.

THE DAILY CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Your son may be embarrassed or blame himself for what his cousin did. Reassure him that when someone older acts out against a younger one as his cousin did, that is “coercion” — an imbalance of power and experience. Explain that it would be beneficial for him to talk to a therapist. It might also benefit the cousin to do so because he may need to learn about boundaries.

Whether the cousin can be arrested or prosecuted may depend upon how long ago this occurred, and how old the kids were at the time it happened.

TO MY JEWISH READERS — The eight days of Hanukkah begin at sundown. Happy Hanukkah, everyone! May we all enjoy a joyous festival of lights.

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 __ excuse for: hardly the best example of 6 Largest city in Belarus 11 Reg. 14 “__ Rae” 15 Political convention setting 16 Golfer’s peg 17 *Actor Sydney of “Casablanca” 19 Crazy way to go 20 “Dallas” matriarch Miss __ 21 Brought up 23 Boiling mad 27 Takes advantage of 28 Shower offering 31 Waiter’s carrying aid 32 Get on in years 33 Pioneering ISP 34 Break down, as a sentence 35 “It’s the __ I can do” 38 Hidden loot 40 Superman’s symbol 41 Bug in a program, say 42 Tomato concentrate 43 Kitchen appliance 45 Activist Guevara 46 Hem and __

47 Ripped 48 Word with horse or track 49 Tenderhearted 51 Slander 53 Throbbed 55 Things that shouldn’t be done 58 DDE’s WWII command 59 Understand (and a hint to both parts of this puzzle’s answers to starred clues) 64 Bustle 65 Like a fifth tire 66 Youngest Jetson 67 Curtain holder 68 Furry swimmer 69 Trickles (through) DOWN 1 Zambia neighbor: Abbr.

2 Tiny skin opening 3 Sports analyst Hershiser 4 Folded eggs dish 5 Took to jail 6 Gym cushion 7 Like some outlet store mdse.

8 Maiden name indicator 9 Dummy Mor-

timer 10 “Kiss Me, __” 11 *Talent show hosted by Ed McMahon 12 Conical dwelling 13 Homeowners’ documents 18 Sealy rival 22 Hole-boring tool 24 Takes to jail 25 *Break for fuel 26 Dilapidated building, e.g.

28 Quick intake of breath 29 Greek “i” 30 *Danger after a heavy rainfall 32 Protected, at sea 34 “That was close!”

36 Arty NYC locale 37 Shade provider

39 Sports page numbers 44 Jules who created Captain Nemo 48 Forgetful, maybe 49 Asparagus serving 50 Perform better than 51 Handy 52 Boot bottoms 54 Exxon, previously 56 Folklore monster 57 Go for groceries 60 Consume 61 Three, in Bologna 62 Ship’s pronoun 63 TV host Pennington and Hall of Famer Cobb

B6

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014

CLEMSON FROM PAGE B1 early in the second half. Auburn got within 64-59 on Cinmeon Bowers’ foul shot with 2:10 left. Auburn had a chance to get closer, but KT Harrell missed a 3-pointer and Hall followed with a driving layup.

Clemson coach Brad Brownell is comfortable in the Atlantic Coast Conference, yet acknowledged his players get motivated facing SEC teams.

The Tigers have one last SEC regular-season test, a rivalry contest at rising South Carolina on Friday night.

“Looking forward to it,” Brownell said. “Should be a good game.”

Hall, a senior, added one more foul shot to match his career best points total set

last year in a win over North Carolina State.

Demarcus Harrison added 19 points while Jaron Blossomgame had 12 points and 10 rebounds for Clemson. It was Blossomgame’s fourth double-double in the past five games.

Bowers had 17 points and 14 rebounds to lead Auburn.

Auburn had cut Clemson’s 12-point first half lead to 29-27 on Tahj Shamsid-Deen’s four-point play with 19:06 left.

That’s when Clemson took over with a decisive run. Josh Smith scored four points while Hall and Harrison each had baskets in the surge.

Auburn first-year coach Bruce Pearl said too often

SPORTS

THE SUMTER ITEM

CLEMSON 72, AUBURN 61 AUBURN (3-5)

Harrell 6-12 1-2 16, Bowers 7-15 3-5 17, Ross-Miller 2-5 0-0 5, ShamsidDeen 1-4 3-3 6, Granger 1-3 0-0 2, Canada 0-2 1-2 1, Reed 0-1 0-0 0, Mason 4-9 4-7 14, Lang 0-0 0-0 0, Waddell 0-3 0-0 0.

Totals 21-54 12-19 61.

CLEMSON (6-3)

Blossomgame 2-8 8-11 12, Hall 8-13 4-5 20, Grantham 1-7 3-4 5, Harrison 5-8 7-8 19, Nnoko 3-4 3-5 9, Ajukwa 0-2 1-2 1, DeVoe 0-1 0-0 0, Roper 0-1 0-0 0, Smith 3-5 0-0 6, Djitte 0-0 0-0 0.

Totals 22-49 26-35 72.

Halftime—Clemson 29-23.

3-Point Goals—Auburn 7-24 (Harrell 3-7, Mason 2-5, Shamsid-Deen 1-3, Ross-Miller 1-4, Canada 0-1, Bowers 0-2, Granger 0-2), Clemson 2-14 (Harrison 2-4, DeVoe 0-1, Hall 0-2, Blossomgame 0-2, Grantham 0-5).

Fouled Out—Nnoko.

Rebounds—Auburn 30 (Bowers 14), Clemson 38 (Blossomgame 10).

Assists—Auburn 10 (Granger, RossMiller, Shamsid-Deen 2), Clemson 7 (Harrison 2). Total Fouls—Auburn 27, Clemson 19. Technical—Mason.

Attendance—7,140.

Clemson broke the press and got easy baskets.

“Our personnel isn’t suited and we’re going to have to find ways to press without giving up so many baskets on the other end,” he said.

Clemson came in hoping for another SEC win while Auburn wanted to end a twogame stretch that included an embarrassing home loss to

Coastal Carolina and coach Cliff Ellis — who had coached both these Tiger teams to NCAA tournaments — in its last outing.

Auburn came in with some fortification after 7-foot-2 Trayvon Reed and 6-foot-8 Alex Thompson were added to Bruce Pearl’s roster Friday. Plus, Antoine Mason was back from an ankle injury

Heather Kelly Trinh of the home; brothers, Long Trinh and Son Trinh; sisters; Thuy Trinh, Dung Tran, Ha Trinh and Quyen Brown; grandmother, Le Tran; and a host of nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts and cousins.

Memorials may be made to a charity of one’s choice.

Family and friends are invited to share condolences or memories at www.thompsonsfuneral.com.

Episcopal Church, Pinewood, with Pastor Barry Gadsden, Bishop Willie Green, Elder James Robinson and the Rev. Jonathan Smith.

Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday at Fort National Cemetery.

The family is receiving relatives and friends at the home of his sister, Willie G. Moore, 6465 Panola Road, Pinewood.

Online memorials can be sent to comfhltj@sc.rr.com.

Community Funeral Home of Sumter is in charge of these arrangements.

‘Looking forward to it. Should be a good game’ BRAD BROWNELL Tigers head coach on facing their final SEC regular-season test against rival USC on Friday that cost him the past six games.

Mason, a graduate transfer who was second nationally with a 25.6-point average at Niagara, was part of an ice cold shooting first half for Auburn. Mason finished with 14 points, but with five turnovers and was called for a late technical foul.

OBITUARIES JOYCE P. STOKES Joyce P. Stokes, 78, beloved wife of James H. Stokes, died on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014, at her home.

Born in Bethel, North Carolina, she was a daughter of the late Dallas V. Sr. and Ida Mae Purvis.

She graduated from Oak City High School in Oak City, North STOKES Carolina, in 1954, and attended East Carolina University School of Business in Greenville, North Carolina.

Joyce and James married in 1955 and she traveled with James in the Air Force to Columbus, Mississippi; San Bernardino, California; and Savannah, Georgia. After James’ tour in Vietnam, they were reassigned to Shaw Air Force Base in May 1969.

Joyce worked for Benson, Bultman, King and Palmer as a bookkeeper for 23 years, before retiring in 1991. She was active in St. John United Methodist Church. She loved to sew, work in ceramics and she loved her flowers.

Survivors include her husband, James H. Stokes of the home; a daughter, Lori Sweat of Sumter; two grandchildren, Charles Sweat (Evette) and Jennifer Sweat, both of Sumter; and 13 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by two brothers, Dallas V. Purvis Jr. and George Edward Purvis.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. on Thursday in the Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home chapel with Pastor Robert Huggins officiating.

Burial will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday in Pinetops, North Carolina.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 3 p.m. on Thursday at Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and other times at the home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. John United Methodist Church, 136 Poinsett Drive, Sumter, SC 29150.

Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of the arrangements. www. ecsfuneralhome.com

WALLACE H. EMERSON Wallace H. Emerson, 101, husband of the late Mary M. Emerson, died on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014, at his home.

Born on March 1, 1913, in Granville, Vermont, he was a son of the late Edward J. and Gertrude Emerson. Mr. Emerson was a member of St. Anne EMERSON Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. He served in the U.S. Army in the Panama Canal Zone in 1933 and the U.S. Army 8th Air Force during World War II. Survivors include two sons, Christopher Emerson (Holly) of St. Augustine, Florida, and Alexander Emerson (Joan) of Wilmington, North Carolina; a daughter, Deborah Jones of Sumter; seven grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death

by a son, David Emerson; a son-in-law, Warren Jones; six brothers; and three sisters.

Memorial services will be private.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 950 48th Ave. North, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 or to Tuomey Hospice, 500 Pinewood Road, Suite 2, Sumter, SC 29154.

Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of arrangements. www.escfuneralhome.com

DAVID WAY David Way, 72, died on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2014, at Clarendon Memorial Hospital, Manning.

He was born on May 5, 1942, in Clarendon County, to the late Benjamin and Ebenezer Smith Way. He was a life member of Calvary Baptist Church. He received his education in the Clarendon County school system. He retired from Georgia Pacific Furniture Co. David is survived by his brother, W.B. Way; two sisters-in-law, Christine Way and Eva Way; special niece and nephew, Helen and Joe Canty; a dear cousin, John Edward Way; a close niece, Estelle Wells; a special friend, Sallie Ann Robinson; a host of other relatives and friends.

Public viewing was held on Monday at the funeral home.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. today at Calvary MBC Church, Pinewood, with Pastor E.L. Sanders, the Rev. C.J. Way and the Rev. John H. Johnson. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

The family is receiving visitors at the home of his niece, Helen W. Canty (Joe), 9329 Paxville Highway, Manning.

Online memorials can be sent to comfhltj@sc.rr.com.

Community Funeral Home of Sumter is in charge of these arrangements.

JOHN TRINH COLUMBIA — A Mass of Christian burial for Thuan John Trinh, 28, of Columbia, will be held at 2 p.m. today at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 1529 Assembly St., Columbia, SC 29201, with visitation one hour prior at the church. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Park, 845 Leesburg Road, Columbia.

The family will receive guests at the family home following burial.

Thompson Funeral Home at Greenlawn Memorial Park is assisting the family.

John passed away on Friday, Dec. 12, 2014. Born on May 25, 1986, in New Orleans, Louisiana, he was a son of Khanh Trinh and Loan Pham. John attended St. Peter’s Catholic Church.

He was a graduate of the University of South Carolina with a doctorate of pharmacy. John was a loving husband, son, brother and uncle whom will be greatly missed. John always thought about others before himself and was a faithful Christian. He was an avid Gamecock fan.

Surviving in addition to his parents are his wife,

LISA P. SMITH Lisa Parnell Smith, 55, died on Monday, Dec. 15, 2014, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center.

Services will be announced by Elmore-CannonStephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter.

GENEVA B. WHEELER Geneva Brunson Wheeler, 72, departed this life on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014, at Sumter Health & Rehab.

She was born on Aug. 11, 1942, in Sumter County.

The family will be receiving friends at the home, 2811 Cains Mill Road, Sumter, SC 29154.

Funeral plans are incomplete and will be announced later by Job’s Mortuary Inc., 312 S. Main St., Sumter.

MARGARET S. COOPER Margaret Singletary Cooper, 72, widow of Enoch Cooper Jr., departed this life on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014, at her residence.

She was born on Oct. 19, 1942, in Lee County, a daughter of the late Sollie and Maggie Burnetta Singletary.

The family will be receiving friends at the home, 1044 Jessamine Trail, Sumter, SC 29150.

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

GEORGE E. GAYMON George Edward “Nunger” Gaymon, 72, entered eternal rest on Friday, Dec. 12, 2014, at Palmetto Health Richland, Columbia.

He was born on Jan. 22, 1941, in Clarendon County, to the late William “Bubba” and Rosa Taylor Gaymon.

He was educated in the public schools of Sumter County. He served in the U.S. Army. After serving in the military, he moved to New Jersey, where he was employed with the International Longshoreman Union No. 1233. He retired after 36 years as a longshoreman. In his youth, he was a member of Antioch UME Church. He was baptized and became a member of Abyssinian Baptist Church, Newark, New Jersey.

Survivors are three sons, Timothy Pearson, George Lajuan Gaymon and George Joshua Gaymon; one daughter, Temperance Denise Gaymon; one brother, John Henry Gaymon; two sisters, Willie G. Moore and Sarah Gaymon Johnson; a nephew raised in the home, Joseph Gaymon; 10 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held from 2 to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Funeral services will be held at noon on Wednesday at Antioch Union Methodist

ARIZONA HARRINGTON Arizona Harrington, 86, departed this life on Monday, Dec. 15, 2014, at Sumter Valley Health & Rehab.

She was born on June 28, 1928.

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

PATRICK C. POLEN Patrick Carson Polen, 70, husband of Joan Martel Polen, died on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014, at his home.

Born in Lima, Ohio, he was a son of the late Gale Polen and Helen Goodwin Polen Lawler. Mr. Polen was a member of St. Jude’s Catholic Church and was a U.S. Air Force veteran, having served in Vietnam. He was a retired supervisor from Bosch and was an avid golfer and college sports fan.

Surviving are his wife of Sumter; two sons, Brian Polen and wife, Lisa, of Wylie, Texas, and Douglas Polen and wife, Rachel, of Kimberling City, Missouri; one brother, Gregory Polen of Celina, Ohio; three sisters, Sharon Rose Felver of Van Wert, Ohio, and Gayle Schaaf and Ruth Craft, both of St. Mary’s, Ohio; and five grandchildren, Zachary, Harrison, Elijah, Mia Rose and Connor Polen.

He was predeceased by a

daughter, Amy Sue Polen.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday at St. Jude’s Catholic Church with Father Charles Donovan C.SsR. officiating.

Burial will be at St. Lawrence Cemetery at a later date.

The family will receive friends at the home, 124 Miller Road.

Memorials may be made to United Ministries, P.O. Box 1017, Sumter, SC 29151 or to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.

Online condolences may be sent to www.sumterfunerals.com.

Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home and Crematory of Sumter is in charge of the arrangements, (803) 7759386.

STANLEY PRIMES Stanley Primes entered eternal rest on Dec. 15, 2014, at McLeod Hospice House, Florence.

The family is receiving friends at the residence, 154 Ike Wright Road, Lynchburg.

Funeral arrangements will be announced by Wilson Funeral Home, 403 S. Main St., Bishopville.

BETTY COOK Betty Jane Dukes Cook, 76, wife of Isaiah Cook Jr., departed this life on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center.

She was born on Nov. 22, 1938, a daughter of the late Arthur and Minnie Witherspoon Dukes.

The family will be receiving friends at 130 Hope Court, Sumter, SC 29154.

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

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Help Wanted Full-Time

Unfurnished Apartments

Full-time Maintenance Technician needed for apartment communities in Camden and Sumter, SC. Performs various maintenance duties necessary to maintain and enhance the value of the communities.

Applicant must have own tools and reliable transportation. Please email your information to resume@boydmanagement.com or fax it to 803-419-6577. EOE

HUNTINGTON PLACE APARTMENTS

Lawn Service

ANNOUNCEMENTS Happy Ads

Lifestyles Lawn Service Holiday Clean-up Specials!

Leaf removal, hedge trimming, pine straw instal. Mil.-Sen. Disc.!

Call Erik 803-968-8655

Roofing Robert's Metal Roofing 35 Years Experience. 18 colors & 45 year warranty. Financing available.

Expert installation. Long list of satisfied customers.

Call 803-837-1549.

Tree Service A Notch Above Tree Care Full quality service low rates, lic./ins., free est BBB accredited 983-9721

STATE TREE SERVICE Worker's Comp & General liability insurance. Top quality service, lowest prices. 803-494-5175 or 803-491-5154 www.statetree.net NEWMAN'S TREE SERVICE Tree removal, trimming & stump grinding. Lic & Ins.

803-316-0128

Ricky's Tree Service Tree removal, stump grinding, Lic & ins, free quote, 803-435-2223 or cell 803-460-8747.

Mention this ad & get 10% off.

PETS & ANIMALS Dogs

Happy 30th Birthday Edward Burrows From a young boy to a grown man, you have made us so proud. Love, Mom & Dad Family & Friends

Bird's Towing & Lock Out 24 Hour Service 803-834-BIRD (2473) TAXES Income - Payroll - Sales Same day service. 507 Broad St. Locally owned. Tesco 773-1515

Lawn Service Four Seasons Lawn Care Serving Sumter for almost 20 yrs!

Free est. 494-9169/468-4008

EMPLOYMENT

Farm Products

Help Wanted Full-Time

Horse Hay for sale. Tight sq. bails $5 some $4. Heavy rnd. bails $40 some $35. Corn oats hog feed. Call Warren 843-319-1884

Garage, Yard & Estate Sales LARGE GARAGE SALE 1st & 3rd Weekend Tables $2 FLEA MARKET BY SHAW AFB

Open every weekend.

905-4242

For Sale or Trade POOL TABLES for CHRISTMAS $800 to $1200 includes balls, cue sticks, rack, and chalk. Free delivery within 25 miles of Manning (no upstairs).

803-433-5544 803-473-0939 Martin's Used Appliance Washers, Dryers, Refrig., Stoves.

Guarantee 464-5439 or 469-7311 Bosch Model NEXXT front load washer and dryer. Good condition. $300 for set. Call 803-778-0473 4 plots at Evergreen Cemetery next to the cross. $2100 each. Call 803-469-9841.

Golden Kernel Pecan Co. 1214 S. Guignard Dr. Sumter 803-968-9432 We buy pecans, We sell Pecan halves & Pieces, Chocolate, Sugarfree Chocolate, Butter Roasted, Sugar & Spiced, Prailine, Honey Glazed, English Toffee Gift Packages available . M-F 9-5 Sat 9-1

Hickory & Oak firewood. Seasoned/Green $65 Delivered. Notch Above Tree Service. 983-9721 Split Oak Firewood $70/dumped, $75/stacked.

Newman's Tree Service 803-316-0128.

BUSINESS SERVICES Business Services

MERCHANDISE

Expert Tech, New & used heat pumps & A/C. Will install/repair, warranty; Compressor & labor $600.

Call 803-968-9549 or 843-992-2364 AKC Maltese Pup that looks adorable in a bright red stocking.

Deposit will hold until Christmas Eve Health guarantee in writing. $750 OBO . 803-499-1360 OBEDIENCE TRAINING Basic Commands, Behavior problem solving, Advanced training. Ask about our vacation package. Call 803-972-0738 or 972-7597

Firewood for Sale Will Deliver. Call 803 651-8672 Set of 4 Blk Factory Rims & Clear Top for a Grand Sport Corvette. Call for details and price 803-968-2459

YOUR AD HERE

Established Heating and Air Conditioning Company looking for a Laborer/helper for the installation dept. Employer needs to have valid driverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s license, able to lift more than 10 lbs., work well with others and experience with duct work would be good but not necessary. Mail resume to PO Box 2378, Sumter 29151 or apply in person 1640 Suber Street, Sumter SC. Pine Straw Unlimited Mathew Pryler 18 temp workers $13.86 hr. Phone 843-672-8949 or send resume to Mathew Pryler 158 Highpoint Church Rd , Pageland SC 29728. Workers will live in Pageland SC, work will be performed in Chesterfield & Kershaw Counties.

Employer will provide all tools , travel sustenance will be paid at 50% or 15 days,which ever comes.Transportation to and from work sites. Pine straw workers rake, bale & load pine straw. 2/28/15-12/28/15. No experience required. Employer will train.

Work 8 hr days 5 day a week.

Looking for the right individual to perform light office duty and to oversee web store for women's clothing.Tues-Sat 9:45-5:45 Apply in person 3172 Broad St. Full/Part time cooks, Experience a must. Apply in person at 2114 Hwy 521 S. Locally established Heating & Air condition Co. looking for Exp. Service Tech. Needs to have good driving record. Pay range from $33k-$46k a year plus health insurance, retirement, bonus and commission available. Apply in person at 1640 Suber Street.

Branch Manager Opening in our Camden office.

Applicants must have experience running a loan office or closely related credit experience. Salary based on your experience. Profit bonuses also will add to your pay.

For more details contact Kathy Collins 843-473-0828.

Help Wanted Part-Time

FROM $590 PER MONTH

1 MONTH FREE THIRTEEN (13) MONTH LEASE REQUIRED

(803) 773-3600 POWERS PROPERTIES

803-773-3600

$$$ AVON $$$ FREE TRAINING! 803-422-5555

395 Coachman Drive Office Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9-5

Help Wanted part time, manufacturer. For interview mail application to: PO Box 1587, Sumter, SC 29151

3 & 4 Br Mobile homes & houses, located in Manning & Sumter. 3 - 4 Br houses in Wedgefield / Paxville.

No Sect. 8. Rent + dep. req. Call 803-460-6216.

Trucking Opportunities Must have clean driving record and 2 yrs OTR experience, Must have twic card. Home most nights.

803-316-5611

1919 W. Oakland Ave. 3BR/1.5BA for rent Appl's included, $725/mo + $725/dep.

803-651-8198 or 347-564-1659 3BR 1.5BA 726 E. Charlotte St. CHA, refrig., stove incl., detached carport, $625 mo. Call 803-774-3000

Mobile Home Rentals

RENTALS 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 Whitaker Trust Dillon Trace Apts. Call for our winter special 803-774-7745

Unfurnished Homes 3 Br House $335 rent/dep, 2 Br Hse $350 rent/dep, 4 Br Hse $550 rent/dep. Call 803-468-1900 1935 Georgianna 1400 Sq Ft. Fenced backyard, storage shed, 3BR 1.5 BA Recently painted $725 Mo. No pets. 795-6126.

2BR 2BA SW $400+ Dep White Oak area No calls after 8pm. No Sect 8.

Fnced Backyard 803-468-1768 2, 3 & 4 Br, all appliances, Section 8 accepted. 469-6978 or 499-1500

STATEBURG COURTYARD 2 & 3 BRs 803-494-4015 Oaklawn MHP: 2 BR M.H.'s, water /sewer/garbage pk-up incl'd. RV parking avail. Call 803-494-8350

Mobile Home Lot Rentals 3BR 2.5BA Appl. incl. 600 mo.+ Dep Background check. No inside pets. 803-236-2214

Commercial Rentals Commercial 4000 sq ft space at Gamecock Plaza on McCrays Mill Rd. Call Bobby Sisson 803-773-4381

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INDIVIDUAL SHEETS Flat or Fitted Twin .....................$3 each 29 Progress St. - Sumter Full ...................... $3 each Queen.................. $4 each 775-8366 Ext. 37 Store Hours Mon. - Sat. • 9:30 - 5:00 Closed Sunday Commercial Rentals

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REAL ESTATE

Beer & Wine License

Autos For Sale

same county where the proposed place of business is located or within five miles of the business; and (5) the name of the applicant and the address of the premises to be licensed. Protests must be mailed to: S.C. Department of Revenue, ATTN: ABL, P.O. Box 125, Columbia, South Carolina 29214; or Faxed to: (803) 896-0110.

Homes for Sale 3BR//1BA home in Manning. $74,000 Call 803-460-6838.

1994 Dodge Work Van, tool bin, shelves, cabinets. $1000 OBRO 2000 Chevy Blazer 4dr. excellent condition $3500 OBRO 2003 Ford Explorer XLT V8, fully loaded all leather $4000 OBO Call 803-236-6426 Sammy

For Rent or Sale 821 Holiday Drive 2BR 1BA possible owner financing. 803-983-7064.

LEGAL NOTICES

150 Milton, CHA, 2 Br, lg. corner lot, great shape. Financing available.

Call 803-775-4391 or 464-5960

Beer & Wine License

Manufactured Housing LOW CREDIT SCORE? Been turned down for bad credit? Come try us, we do our own financing. We have 2-3-4 bedroom homes. For more information, call 843-389-4215.

For Sale Nice 4 Br 2 Ba D/W MH w/ dinning rm, den w fire place, bonus rm. c//h//a, new carpet & paint, brick underpinning, lg fenced lot 803-983-0408

Land & Lots for Sale Minutes Walmart/Shaw AFB 1 acre water, electric, paved $4990.

888-774-5720 WALMART/SHAW 16.6 ACRES PAVED, ELEC. WATER $2350/ACRE 713-870-0216

Autos For Sale

Notice Of Application Notice is hereby given that Trupti LLC DBA: Short Trip #17 intends to apply to the South Carolina Department of Revenue for a license permit that will allow the sale OFF premises consumption of Beer & Wine at 404 S. Lafayette Dr. Sumter, SC 29150. To object to the issuance of this permit / license, written protest must be postmarked no later than December 17, 2014. For a protest to be valid, it must be in writing, and should include the following information: (1) the name, address and telephone number of the person filing the protest; (2) the specific reasons why the application should be denied; (3) that the person protesting is willing to attend a hearing (if one is requested by the applicant); (4) that the person protesting resides in the same county where the proposed place of business is located or within five miles of the business; and (5) the name of the applicant and the address of the premises to be licensed. Protests must be mailed to: S.C. Department of Revenue, ATTN: ABL, P.O. Box 125, Columbia, South Carolina 29214; or Faxed to: (803) 896-0110.

Notice Of Application Notice is hereby given that John Irick intends to apply to the South Carolina Department of Revenue for a license permit that will allow the sale ON premises consumption of Beer & Wine or Liquor at 1581 Britton Rd. Sumter, SC 29153. To object to the issuance of this permit / license, written protest must be postmarked no later than Dec. 17, 2014. For a protest to be valid, it must be in writing, and should include the following information: (1) the name, address and telephone number of the person filing the protest; (2) the specific reasons why the application should be denied; (3) that the person protesting is willing to attend a hearing (if one is requested by the applicant); (4) that the person protesting resides in the

Summons & Notice

Notice Of Application Notice is hereby given that SATA, LLC intends to apply to the South Carolina Department of Revenue for a license permit that will allow the sale OFF premises consumption of Liquor at 13386B Highway 301, Gable, SC 26051. To object to the issuance of this permit / license, written protest must be postmarked no later than January 1, 2015. For a protest to be valid, it must be in writing, and should include the following information: (1) the name, address and telephone number of the person filing the protest; (2) the specific reasons why the application should be denied; (3) that the person protesting is willing to attend a hearing (if one is requested by the applicant); (4) that the person protesting resides in the same county where the proposed place of business is located or within five miles of the business; and (5) the name of the applicant and the address of the premises to be licensed. Protests must be mailed to: S.C. Department of Revenue, ATTN: ABL, P.O. Box 125, Columbia, South Carolina 29214; or Faxed to: (803) 896-0110.

Summons & Notice SUMMONS IN THE PROBATE COURT FOR THIRD JUDICIAL CIRCUIT 2014-ES-43-673

Evelyn Jenkins, Petitioner, Vs. Janifer Baker and any known or Unknown heirs of James Clifford Jenkins, IN THE MATTER OF: James Clifford Jenkins DECEDENT YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED and required to Answer the Petition in this action, a copy of which is herewith served upon you, and to serve a copy of your Answer to the said Petition on the Petitioner or her attorney, Larry C. Weston, Esquire, at his office, 109 North Main Street, Sumter, South Carolina, within thirty (30) days after the service hereof, exclusive of the day of such service, and if you fail to Answer the Petition within the time aforesaid, the Petitioner in this action will apply to the Court for the relief demanded in the Petition.

NOTICE THE

DEFENDANT

ABOVE

LOCAL DRIVERS WANTED

“$2,000 - SIGN ON BONUS”

.45/mi on all miles • Layover Pay • Loading/unloading $15 from 1st hr Achievable Goals for Lucrative Incentives - CDL (Class A) w/ hazmat & tanker - At least 2 yrs. exp. - Clean MVR - Excellent pay ($.45 per running mile - includes $.06 per diem non-taxable expense) - Paid Vacation - Paid Holidays - Paid Sick Days - BC/BS Health Ins. - Dental Insurance - Life Insurance - Short Term Disability - 401(k) w/co. Match

NAMED: TAKE NOTICE that the Summons in the above mentioned action, together with the Complaint, was filed with the Sumter County Probate Court on the 25th day of November, 2014. The Guardian ad Litem for any unknown heirs of the Estate of James Clifford Jenkins in this matter is Garryl L. Deas, Esquire, Deas Law Firm, 109 N. Main Street, Sumter, South Carolina.

Larry C. Weston, Esquire Attorney for the Petitioner 109 North Main Street Post Office Box 1571 Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 778-2421

Estate Notice Sumter County

NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATES

Persons having claim against the following estates are required to deliver or mail their claims to the indicated Personal Representatives, appointed to administer these estates, and to file their claims on Form #371PC with the Probate Court of Sumter County Courthouse, N. Main Street, Sumter, SC, 29150, on or before the date that is eight months after the date of the first publication of this Notice to Creditors, (unless previously barred by operation of Section 62-3-803), or such persons shall be forever barred as to heir claims. All claims are required to be presented in written statements, indicating the name and the address of the claimant, the basis of the claim, the amount claimed, the date when the claim will become due, the nature of any uncertainty as to the amount claimed and the date when due, and a description of any security as to the claim.

CONTACT Pat Joyner at 803-775-1002 Ext. 107 OR visit our website to download a job application and fax to (954) 653-1195 www.sumtertransport.com 170 S. Lafayette Drive Sumter, SC 29150 EOE

Dorothy P Pritchard #2014ES4300645

Estate:

Carol Burr #2014ES4300660

Estate:

Cameron Shoemaker #2014ES4300690

Personal Representative

Ashley Shoemaker 7758 Walnut Street Shaw AFB, SC 29150 Estate:

Donnie J. Stone #2014ES4300681

Personal Representative

Gayle B. Blanchette' 381 Mooneyham Road Sumter, SC 29153

LACE PANELS... $5.00 each

NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATES

NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATES

Persons having claim against the following estates are required to deliver or mail their claims to the indicated Personal Representatives, appointed to administer these estates, and to file their claims on Form #371PC with the Probate Court of Sumter County Courthouse, N. Main Street, Sumter, SC, 29150, on or before the date that is eight months after the date of the first publication of this Notice to Creditors, (unless previously barred by operation of Section 62-3-803), or such persons shall be forever barred as to heir claims. All claims are required to be presented in written statements, indicating the name and the address of the claimant, the basis of the claim, the amount claimed, the date when the claim will become due, the nature of any uncertainty as to the amount claimed and the date when due, and a description of any security as to the claim.

Estate:

Vincent O'Mar Thomas #2014ES4300675 Gladys Thomas C/O B. Scott Suggs Attorney at Law PO Drawer 591 Florence, SC 29503

Estate:

James Rodney Weston #2014ES4300685

Personal Representative

Tarnissaya S. Josey C/O Attorney at Law Sharon Clark PO Box 880 Sumter, SC 29151 Estate:

Persons having claim against the following estates are required to deliver or mail their claims to the indicated Personal Representatives, appointed to administer these estates, and to file their claims on Form #371PC with the Probate Court of Sumter County Courthouse, N. Main Street, Sumter, SC, 29150, on or before the date that is eight months after the date of the first publication of this Notice to Creditors, (unless previously barred by operation of Section 62-3-803), or such persons shall be forever barred as to heir claims. All claims are required to be presented in written statements, indicating the name and the address of the claimant, the basis of the claim, the amount claimed, the date when the claim will become due, the nature of any uncertainty as to the amount claimed and the date when due, and a description of any security as to the claim.

Estate:

Gayle B. Blanchette 381 Mooneyham Road Sumter, SC 29153 Estate:

Mattie Yvonne Powell Hodge 2460 Highway 521 South Sumter, SC 29153 Estate:

Marsha M. Aull 3085 Lowfalls Lane Sumter, SC 29150 Estate:

Tonia Smith C/O John C. Land, III Attorney at Law PO Box 138 Manning, SC 29102

Personal Representative

Lucille Herring #2014ES4300680

Estate:

Estate:

Mary E. Hunter #2014ES4300684

Personal Representative

Raymond Johnson C/O Paul A. Weissenstein, Jr. PO Box 2446 Sumter, SC 29151 Estate:

Paula Price Welch #2014ES4300661

Personal Representative

Dianna Welch 1070 Rockdale Blvd.

Sumter, SC 29154

Personal Representative

George Scott Waite, Jr. 1020 Santa Fe Trail Sumter, SC 29154

Holmes Smith #2014ES4300667

Personal Representative

Betty Brunson #2014ES4300686 Anne B Thomas 5 Folsom Street Sumter, SC 29150

James Montalbano Jr. #2014ES4300678

Personal Representative

Warren M. Williams #2014ES4300659 Philip Lee Williams 590 Adger Lane Sumter, SC 29154

Edwina Powell Hodge Green #2014ES4300677

Personal Representative

Personal Representative

Estate:

Helen H. McLeod #2014ES4300682

Personal Representative

Personal Representative

Personal Representative

Martha Loretta Burr C/O Kenneth R. Young, Jr. Attorney at Law 23 West Calhoun Street Sumter, SC 29150

Twin .....................$5 each Full ...................... $5 each Queen.................. $8 each King .................... $8 each Estate Notice Sumter County

Personal Representative

Cecil A Pritchard 365 Pritchard Street Sumter, SC 29150

SHEET SETS

Estate Notice Sumter County

Estate: Estate:

STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF SUMTER

TO

MICROFIBER

DECEMBER CLEARANCE SALE!!

HURRY IN WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!

TRANSPORTATION

Room for Christmas/New Years Eve parties. Call Bobby Sisson 803-773-4381

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014

Estate:

Levi Anderson #2014ES4300692

Personal Representative

Bertha Anderson 20 E Patricia Drive Sumter, SC 29150

Bernice Perry #2014ES4300679

Personal Representative

Amelia Geddis-Porter 601 Bur Oak Lane Columbia, SC 29229 Estate:

Willie L. Dupree #2014ES4300668

Personal Representative

Doris J. Dupree 224 Wildwood Avenue Sumter, SC 29154

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Friday, December 26 Saturday, December 27 Sunday, December 28 Tuesday, December 30 Wednesday, December 31 Friday, January 2

DEADLINE

Monday, December 22 at 11:30am Tuesday, December 23 at 9:30am Tuesday, December 23 at 11:30am Monday, December 29 at 11:30am Tuesday, December 30 at 11:30am Wednesday, December 31 at 11:30am

Have a Safe and Happy Holiday!

20 N. Magnolia Street • 803-774-1234 • www.theitem.com

The business office will be closed December 24th, December 25th and January 1.

20 N. Magnolia Street

803-774-1258