December 16, 2015

IN SPORTS: Lee Central hoops squads getting into form before region play B1 PANORAMA

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2015

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A look at Sumter author Jean Bell’s ‘Prison Grits’ C1

Sumter income level on the rise Uptick brings area near state average

BY ADRIENNE SARVIS adrienne@theitem.com An informational letter from South Carolina Department of Revenue announced Monday that Sumter County’s 2014 per capita income is $36,077,

City allows alcohol exemption

a little more than $3,000 higher than in the previous year.

Sumter County is ranked No. 11 out of South Carolina’s 46 counties based on its per capita income, which increased by 8 percent from 2013 to 2014, according to Sumter Economic Development.

Also, Sumter’s per capita income falls $600 short of matching the state’s average of $36,677.

Sumter Economic Development

Schwedler said collective efforts by leadership in private and public sectors have contributed to Sumter’s per capita income growth.

There is still much work to be done in order to continue improving the community, he said.

Schwedler said the primary key to furthering Sumter’s progress is continuing to focus on creating a talented

President and CEO Jay Schwedler said a sign that Sumter is making solid progress in creating a better quality of life for residents is reflected in how close the county’s per capita income reflects the state average.

He said per capita income serves as a measurement of the stability and wealth within an economy, which suggests the same for the individual.

SEE INCOME, PAGE A6

Cram-A-Cruiser collecting Christmas toys

BY ADRIENNE SARVIS adrienne@theitem.com During its meeting Tuesday, Sumter City Council approved an amendment to the city’s code of ordinances to add sidewalk dining in the Central Business District to the list of exemptions from the prohibition against drinking on streets and other public areas.

During first reading, City Attorney Eric Shytle said the city could offer permits for restaurants with sidewalk dining spaces.

Also, Council approved first reading of its Community Development Block Grant budget, $285,929, for 2016-17.

According to the proposed

SEE CITY, PAGE A6

School District approves audit

BY KONSTANTIN VENGEROWSKY konstantin@theitem.com Sumter School District’s board of trustees approved a clean audit for the 2015 fiscal year at Monday night’s meeting. The district ended the fiscal year on June 30 with about $4.4 million in the general fund balance.

The district revenues for 2015 were about $159.5 million compared to $151.7 million the previous year.

Trustee Ralph W. Canty Sr. asked about the revenue from property the district sold during the 2015 fiscal year for $1.2 million.

“All of your money put together, including the $1.2 million that went to the general fund, exceeded your expenditures by $45,000,” said Robin B. Poston, a CPA with Harper, Poston and Moree, P.A., who

SEE AUDIT, PAGE A6

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Sgt. Gary Atkinson stacks toys collected by Sumter Police Department’s Cram-A-Crusier program recently. The department gave the toys to the Salvation Army to distribute to the community. Police will be collecting again from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Friday at the Walgreen’s on McCray’s Mill Road and during the same hours on Saturday at Walmart.

Anonymous email threat closes Los Angeles schools Local school officials say district takes threats seriously

BY CHRISTOPHER WEBER AND TAMI ABDOLLAH The Associated Press LOS ANGELES (AP) — The nation’s second-largest school district shut down Tuesday after a school board member received an emailed threat that raised fears of another attack like the deadly shooting in nearby San Bernardino.

Authorities in New York City said they received the same threat but quickly concluded that it was a hoax.

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio told

reporters that he was “absolutely convinced” there was no danger to schoolchildren in his city.

“There was nothing credible about the threat. It was so outlandish,” de Blasio said.

New York Police Commissioner William Bratton quipped that it looked like the sender of the threat watched a lot of the Showtime terrorism drama “Homeland.”

Los Angeles officials defended the move.

“It is very easy in hindsight to criticize a decision based on results the decider could never have known,” L.A. Police Chief Charlie Beck said at a news conference.

The shutdown abruptly closed more than 900 public schools and 187 charter schools attended by 640,000 students across Los Angeles.

Superintendent Ramon Cortines said every campus would be searched, and he asked for a report on the searches certifying that all buildings are safe.

Closer to home, Sumter School District Superintendent Frank Baker said the district takes all threats very seriously and works in conjunction with law enforcement to validate any threat received.

“We have extensive emergency procedures in place,” Baker said, in an

SEE THREAT, PAGE A6

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2015

THE SUMTER ITEM

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

LOCAL BRIEFS FROM STAFF REPORTS

2 men wanted for Cherryvale assault Sumter County Sheriff’s Office has identified and named two Sumter men to its Most Wanted list for their alleged connection with the assault of a Cherryvale-area man last month.

According to a ARTIS news release from the sheriff’s office, Jawan Louis Artis, 24, and Howard “Alex” Hodge, 23, are wanted on HODGE charges of attempted murder and strong-arm robbery for their alleged part in the attack of a man at a residence in the 1200 block of Cherryvale Drive on Nov. 25.

Investigators believe the two suspects, along with a third man yet to be identified, badly wounded and robbed the victim of $400 after beating him with their fists, feet and a coffee table for an extended period of time.

Artis is described as a black male standing 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighing approximately 132 pounds.

He has short black hair, brown eyes and a tattoo on the right side of his neck.

Hodge is described as a white male also standing 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighing 170 pounds, with short brown hair and gray eyes.

Hodge has teardrop tattoos under both eyes.

Both Artis and Hodge should be considered armed and dangerous, the release states.

The men are thought to have recently been in the Cherryvale area and were last seen in a light blue minivan.

The third suspect is described only as a 6-foot-tall black male with dreadlocks, going by the name “Gigi.”

Anyone with information concerning either of the suspects is asked to contact Sumter County Sheriff’s Office at (803) 436-2000 or CrimeStoppers at (803) 4362718. CrimeStopper tips may be anonymous.

Hospital-acquired conditions lead to reduced payments

BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com Tuomey Regional Medical Center and Palmetto Health Richland are among one-quarter of hospitals nationwide which will have a 1-percent reduction in Medicare payments for poor performance with respect to hospitalacquired conditions, the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services has announced.

For the fiscal year 2016 HAC Reduction Program, the worst performing hospitals were identified by calculating a score based on the hospital’s performance on four quality measures: the Agency for Healthcare Research Quality Patient Safety Indicator 90 composite, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Healthcare Safety Network Central-line Associated Bloodstream Infections, catheter associated urinary tract infections and surgical site infection measures, specifically colon and hysterectomy surger-

A Rembert man died in an wreck at TD McLeod Road and U.S. 521 north of Rembert Sunday night, according to Sumter County Coroner Harvin Bullock.

Bullock identified the deceased as 29-year-old J. Christopher Lewis of Rembert.

South Carolina Highway Patrol Lance Cpl. Hannah Wimberley said Lewis was driving a 2002 Honda west on TD McLeod Road, disregarded the stop sign at Highway 521 and struck a ditch. Highway Patrol reports Lewis was not wearing a seat belt.

Bullock said Lewis died of multiple blunt force injuries.

care to our patients, and though we have made progress over the past several years, we know that we still have opportunities for improvement,” said Dr. Mark Mayson, chief quality officer at Palmetto Health “Our quality and patient safety teams now are designing and implementing new systems and processes to reduce hospital-acquired conditions and improve patient safety.”

Tuomey Healthcare System is being sold to Palmetto Health with the deal expected to be finalized by Jan. 1. The two hospitals had previously agreed to what was billed as a “merger,” a move partly triggered by a $277 million judgment affirmed by the U.S. Fourth District Court of Appeals against the Sumter hospital in July.

Tuomey was charged with making improper contracts with physicians and fraudulent payments to Medicaid, leading to the judgment. In mid-October, Tuomey agreed to a $72.4 settlement which stipulated the sale of Tuomey to Palmetto.

Car clubs collect toys for Crosswell The Head Turnerz and Sumter Cruisers car clubs hosted a cruise-in at Kmart parking lot Dec. 12 collecting toys and monetary gifts for John K. Crosswell Home for Children. Both clubs and others from the community displayed their cars and donated toys. Individuals from the community, after looking at the displays, also donated to the cause.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Survey responses needed for joint land use study

BY ADRIENNE SARVIS adrienne@theitem.com

Rembert man dies in weekend wreck

ies. In the HAC Reduction Program, hospitals with a total HAC Score greater than 6.75 are subject to the payment reduction based on this year’s scores.

Tuomey Regional Medical Center received a score of 7.25, while Palmetto Health received a score of 7.66.

Both hospitals say they are committed to improving patient safety and care.

“We attempt to view our patient safety performance in a constructive way and try and build better processes, strengthen education and advance technology in an ongoing attempt to improve patient care,” said Dr. Gene Dickerson, vice president of medical affairs at Tuomey. “Our entire staff of health care providers is committed to the patient.”

In comparison, Clarendon Memorial in Manning scored 3.75 and McLeod Regional Medical Center of Pee Dee scored 4.50.

“Our caregivers are committed to providing the safest, highest quality

Sumter City-County Planning Department is asking the public to take part in the Sumter City-County, Shaw Air Force Base and Poinsett Electronic Combat Range Joint Land Use Study by completing a survey.

The joint land use study, which is expected to be complete in the fall of 2016, is a cooperative planning effort between Sumter, Shaw and Poinsett combat range to promote compatible land use, growth and economic development on property near the base and the electronic combat range.

The joint land use study survey asks for residents’

proximity to and familiarity with Shaw and opinions about the base’s effect on the community.

Residents are also asked about concerns that may exist about the base and the noise associated with it.

Surveys will be accepted until 5 p.m. Dec. 31.

Sumter Planning Director and Project Manager George McGregor said the planning department and a team of consultants from planning and environmental agencies are developing maps and reviewing data from the past studies.

The team of consultants consists of employees from White & Smith Planning and Law Group of Charleston, Marstel-Day LLC, headquar-

tered in Virginia, and Benchmark CMR Inc. of North Carolina.

McGregor said the purpose of the survey is to get an understanding of Shaw’s effect on the community, from a land-use perspective and to use that information to plan for future development of the area.

He said the survey and more information about the study process can be found at www.sumtershaw-jlus.org.

According to the website, there are four major objectives of the joint land-use study: • Reviewing existing landuse conditions and historic, present and future growth patterns of the region; • Analyzing the effective-

ness of previous studies, the 1993 Shaw AFB JLUS and 2002 Poinsett ECR JLUS; • Evaluating present and potential land development regulations near Shaw and Poinsett combat range; and • Understanding the potential effects of the nextgeneration fighter.

The website states Shaw’s primary aircraft, the F-16, may be replaced by the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

While the survey can be taken online, it can also printed out from the website and submitted to the Sumter City-County Planning Department, 12 W. Liberty St. For more information. contact George McGregor at gmcgregor@sumter-sc.com or (803) 774-1606.

HOW TO REACH US IS YOUR PAPER MISSING? TO PLACE AN ARE YOU GOING ON ANNOUNCEMENT VACATION? Birth, Engagement, Wedding, 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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Governor: Feds owe S.C. $1M daily in 2016 COLUMBIA (AP) — Gov. Nikki Haley has warned the Department of Energy she expects South Carolina to collect a $1 million daily fine for the agency’s failure to meet a Jan. 1 nuclear fuel deadline.

In a letter obtained by The Associated Press, Haley told Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz that South Carolina “will almost certainly be forced” to sue if his agency doesn’t start making payments on New Year’s Day. “South Carolina cannot stand idly by while DOE violates federal law and fails to fulfill its commitment to the state,” Haley wrote in the letter dated Monday.

The Savannah River Site’s mixed-oxide project — known as MOX — is intended to turn weapons-grade plutonium into commercial nuclear reactor fuel.

But it’s years behind schedule.

Since MOX isn’t operating, by law the federal government is supposed to remove 1 metric ton of plutonium from South Carolina by Jan. 1. If not, the agency’s supposed to pay $1 million a day for “economic and impact assistance,” up to $100 million yearly, until either the facility meets production goals or the plutonium is taken out of state for storage or disposal elsewhere.

However, a clause in the law makes the fine “subject to the availability of appropriations.”

Asked about the letter, a spokeswoman for DOE’s National Nuclear Security Administration, which manages the project, said the agency “is working to meet its commitment to the state of South Carolina.” Spokeswoman Francie Israeli did not comment further.

U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott and U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson have previously encouraged Haley to sue to keep the project going.

“South Carolina should pursue all options at its disposal,” Graham spokesman Kevin Bishop said Tuesday.

MOX is intended to help the United States fulfill an agreement with Russia to dispose of at least 34 metric tons apiece of weapons-grade plutonium.

According to NNSA, that’s enough material for about 17,000 nuclear warheads.

Construction began in 2007.

The General Accountability Office has said the project is more than three years behind its 2016 completion deadline — and, at $8 billion, at least $3 billion over budget.

“South Carolina is certainly grateful to play an important

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2015

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Sumter Cruisers give to 3 nonprofits

role in the United States’ nuclear nonproliferation efforts and for the benefits the MOX facility brings to our state, but this does not come without risk to South Carolina,” Haley wrote.

“The security, economic and environmental interests of South Carolina are at stake with long-term storage of these materials in our state, particularly when there is no apparent or immediate plan for its disposal or removal,” she said.

In September, Attorney General Alan Wilson warned the Department of Energy that he’s prepared to sue — again — if MOX isn’t made a priority.

South Carolina sued the Obama administration last year after officials said they wanted to shutter the project, citing cost overruns and delays. In its lawsuit, the state said the federal government had made a commitment to South Carolina and shouldn’t mothball the effort, noting it legally couldn’t use money intended to build the plant to shut it down.

The state dropped the suit several months later, when the administration committed to funding the project through that fiscal year.

But in the months since, the administration has said it’s searching for a cheaper way to dispose of the plutonium, like immobilizing it in glass or processing it in different kinds of reactors.

PHOTO PROVIDED

The Sumter Cruisers Car and Truck Club met for its annual Christmas meeting on Thursday. The club hosted representatives of United Ministries, Relay For Life and John K. Crosswell Home for Children, giving each organization a check to help support their mission. The Sumter Cruisers Club has been contributing to different organizations each year since 1998, a year after the club was formed.

From left are Mark Champagne with United Ministries, club vice president Bobby Beatson, Gene Williams with Relay for Life and Jerry Allred, director of Crosswell.

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Census of strays Online project will create 1st database of U.S. shelter animals

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Pam Paquin harvests the pelt of a fisher cat in Central Massachusetts on Wednesday. Paquin creates muffs, wraps and scarves from road kill, “accidental fur,” as Paquin puts it.

Company turns roadkill into fashion BOSTON (AP) — Pamela Paquin’s source for fashion is either “tres chic” or will make you shriek.

She creates neck muffs, leg warmers, hats, purses and more from roadkill, or “accidental fur,” as she prefers to call it.

As owner of Petite Mort Furs, a 2-year-old Boston-area company, she said she’s offering the fur industry an alternative to wild fur trapping and large-scale fur farms.

“All this fur is being thrown away,” Paquin said. “If we can pick that up, we never have to kill another fur-bearing animal again.”

Keith Kaplan, head of the Fur Information Council of America, said his trade group considers all North American furs to already be ethically and environmentally responsible.

“Production of fur in North America is highly regulated with guidelines set through years and years (and millions of dollars) of scientific study,”

he said via email, declining to comment on Paquin’s company or the general idea of using roadkill for fur. “In fact, the populations of every species used by the industry today are as abundant, or more abundant, than they were a century ago.”

Animal rights groups also have mixed feelings about roadkill fur.

“We’d just say it’s in very poor taste,” said Kara Holmquist at the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, declining to elaborate.

Lisa Lange, a senior vice president at People for the Ethical Treatment for Animals, or PETA, said that there’s “never an excuse” to wear fur, but that it’s “far better” to wear roadkill than farmed fur.

Others worry her products could only serve to prolong the industry they’ve spent decades trying to defeat.

“A business that promotes wearing real fur as fashionable

and acceptable may well create more demand for fur from all sources and could give all fur wearers a shield from legitimate criticism,” said Virginia Fuller, of the Boston-area Citizens to End Animal Suffering and Exploitation, or CEASE. Paquin counters that the stigma around fur has eroded in recent years.

Greater spending power in China, Russia and elsewhere, as well as greater use of fake fur trimmings on clothes and accessories, has revived its popularity.

That demand, she said, is part of the reason she chose to jump into the industry despite having no background in fashion or design and after working mostly office jobs for environmental and sustainability organizations.

The Fur Information Council of America said the U.S. alone recorded $1.5 billion in fur sales in 2014. Globally, it’s part of a more than $35 billion industry.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Millions of dogs and cats end up in animal shelters or rescues every year, but there are no comprehensive statistics on how many, how they got there, if they were adopted, if a rescue saved them or if their time ran out and they were euthanized. But a new website is aiming to remedy the lack of data.

Animal welfare workers talked about creating a database for years. Now, four years after the work began, “Shelter Animals Count: The National Database Project” is online.

When enough information is input, “we should have a sense of how dogs and cats move in and out of these rescues and shelters that are dedicated to their care,” said Jodi Lytle Buckman, board chair for Shelter Animals Count.

Data organization is modeled on the U.S. Census, so comparisons will be possible at the county level, she said.

Until now, individual agencies have used estimates when statistics were needed. As a result, figures often varied from group to group and state to state.

Even the precise number of shelters and rescues is not known.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, often cited

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by The Associated Press, estimates there are 13,600 shelters across the country taking in 7.6 million companion animals a year. Of those, 2.7 million are euthanized, 2.7 million are adopted and 649,000 are returned to their owners (with the other 1.5 million including animals besides cats and dogs, feral animals and other categories).

For every dog or cat relinquished to a shelter by an owner, two strays were brought in, according to ASPCA estimates.

Rescues are usually dedicated to saving one breed and can be operated out of a home, so they are even harder to count than shelters, which are most often run by counties or cities.

The new database at www.shelteranimalscount. org is incorporated as an independent nonprofit.

Two employees will be hired, one to look at the data and one to recruit shelters and rescues to sign up.

“This database is precisely what the animal welfare world needs to guide good decision-making and help enable a greater understanding of the issues facing rescues and shelters in this country,” Buckman said.

The database is funded entirely through grants from board members.

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A5

A killer’s story ‘Disappeared’ 30 people in Mexico’s drug war, no regrets

BY E. EDUARDO CASTILLO The Associated Press IGUALA, Mexico — The killer says he “disappeared” a man for the first time at age 20. Nine years later, he says, he has eliminated 30 people — maybe three in error.

He sometimes feels sorry about the work he does but has no regrets, he says, because he is providing a kind of public service, defending his community from outsiders.

Things would be much worse if rivals took over.

“A lot of times your neighborhood, your town, your city is being invaded by people who you think are going to hurt your family, your society,” he says. “Well, then you have to act because the government isn’t going to come help you.”

He operates along the Costa Grande of Guerrero, the southwestern state that is home to glitzy Acapulco as well as to rich farmland used to cultivate heroin poppies and marijuana. Large swaths of the state are controlled or contested by violent drug cartels that traffic in opium paste for the U.S. market, and more than 1,000 people have been reported missing in Guerrero since 2007— far fewer than the actual number thought to have disappeared in the state.

The plight of the missing and their families burst into public awareness last year when 43 rural college students were detained by police and disappeared from the Guerrero city of Iguala, setting off national protests.

Then, suddenly, hundreds more families from the area came forward to report their kidnap victims, known now as “the other disappeared.” They told stories of children and spouses abducted from home at gunpoint, or who left the

house one day and simply vanished.

This is a story from the other side, the tale of a man who kidnaps, tortures and kills for a drug cartel. His story is the mirror image of those recounted by survivors and victims’ families, and seems to confirm their worst fears: Many, if not most, of the disappeared likely are never coming home.

“Have you disappeared people?” he is asked.

“Yes,” he replies.

In Mexico and other places where kidnapping is common, the word “disappeared” is an active verb and also an adjective to describe the missing.

Disappearing someone means kidnapping, torturing, killing and disposing of the body in a place where no one will ever find it.

To date, none of the killer’s victims have been found, he says.

For months, the AP approached sources connected with cartel bosses, seeking an interview with someone who kills people on their behalf.

Finally, the bosses put forward this 29-year-old man, with conditions: He, his organization and the town where he met with reporters would not be identified. He would appear on camera wearing a ski mask, and his voice would be distorted. And one of his bosses would be present throughout.

In jeans and a camouflage Tshirt, the hit man looked younger than his 29 years. He wore a baseball cap with a badge bearing the face of Sinaloa cartel boss Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman and “prisoner 3578” — Guzman’s inmate number before he escaped through a tunnel from Mexico’s maximum-security prison in July, cementing his

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

A framed snapshot of Carlos Sanchez hangs over a makeshift altar in his wife’s home in Teloloapan, Mexico, in October. In the spring of 2013, Sanchez’s cousin, wife and sister, tried to drive him to a hospital in Iguala after Sanchez was shot three times outside his home. Just before arriving to Iguala, their lives dramatically changed when a Guerrero state police truck parked in the middle of the highway, obstructing their path. The four were abducted by police. The women were eventually freed. Sanchez’s body was found in an unmarked grave in the mountains outside Iguala. Read full article at www.theitem.com. image as a folk hero.

“Of all the bad lot,” the killer said, Guzman “seems to be the least bad.”

The killer — who does not work for Guzman — does not see himself as bad. Unlike others, he says, he has standards: He doesn’t kill women or children. He doesn’t make his victims dig their own graves. He raises cattle for a living and doesn’t consider himself a drug trafficker or a professional killer, although he is paid for disappearing people. While he acknowledges that what he does is illegal, he says he is defending his people against the violence of other cartels.

The killer wears a bag with a strap over his chest in which he carries several walkie-talkies and cell phones, one of which he used to take calls and issue orders: “Muevanse,” he said — move on. “Esperense ahí” — wait there. Just before the interview begins, he puts the bag aside, and slips on the ski mask. He sits in a plastic armchair.

There are many reasons people are disappeared, the killer says. It may be for belonging to a rival gang or for giving information to one. If a person is considered a security risk for any reason, he may be disappeared. Some are kidnapped for ransom, though he says he does not do this.

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Each kidnapping starts with locating the target. The best place is at a home, early in the morning, “when everyone is asleep.” But sometimes they are kidnapped from public areas. If the target is unarmed, two men are enough to carry out a “pickup” or “levanton,” as the gang kidnappings are known. If he is armed, it requires more manpower.

The victim is taken to a safe house or far enough out into the woods that no one will hear him during the next step: “getting information out of them by torture.”

He rests his forearms on the chair and moves his hands over his knees as he speaks about torture. He describes three methods: beatings; waterboarding, or simulated drownings in which a cloth is tied around the mouth and nose, and water is poured over it; and electric shocks to the testicles, tongue and the soles of the feet.

He has no training in torture.

He learned it all by practice, he says. “With time, you come to learn how to hurt people to get the information you need.”

It usually takes just one night.

“Of the people who have information you want, 99 percent will give you that information,” he says. Once he gets it, he kills them.

“Usually with a gun.”

The problem is that people under torture sometimes admit to things that are not true: “They do it in hope that you will stop hurting them.

They think it’s a way to get out of the situation.”

That may have happened to him three times, he says, leading him to kill the wrong men.

The dead are buried in clandestine grave sites, dumped into the ocean or burned. If the organization wants to send a message to another cartel, a victim’s tortured body is dumped in a public area. But the 30 people he has “disappeared” all have been buried, he says.

By the official count, 26,000 Mexicans have been reported missing nationwide since 2007, just more than 1,000 of those from Guerrero. But human rights officials and the experience of families from the Iguala area indicate that most people are too afraid to report kidnappings, particularly in areas where police, municipal and state officials are thought to be operating in tandem with the cartels. The official tally has just 24 missing from the Costa Grande area, where the killer says he has been involved in the killings of 30 people.

“The (disappeared) problem is much bigger than people think,” the killer says.

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LOCAL

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2015

THREAT FROM PAGE A1 email. “Depending on the situation, certain threats would warrant the closing or evacuation of a school.”

The threat, the New York officials said, came in the form of a “generic” email to many cities around the country. In New York, it was received by a superintendent early Tuesday.

Bratton called the closure a “significant overreaction.”

“We cannot allow ourselves to raise levels of fear,” said Bratton, who once ran the Los Angeles Police Department.

The person who wrote the note, Bratton said, claimed to be a jihadist, but made errors that indicated the writer was really a prankster, including spelling the word “Allah” with a lowercase “a.”

White House spokesman Josh Earnest said he would not second-guess the decisions made in Los Angeles or New York. He said the FBI has been in touch with California authorities.

The decision to close the district disrupted the morning routines of many Los Angeles families.

Lupita Vela, who has a daughter in the third grade and a son who is a high school senior, called the threat “absolutely terrifying” in light of the San Bernardino attack, which killed 14 people earlier this month.

She got an automated phone call informing her of the closure.

“I know the kids are anxious,” she said.

District spokeswoman Shannon Haber said the threat was sent by email to a school board member and was believed to have come from an IP address

THE SUMTER ITEM

CITY FROM PAGE A1

in Frankfurt, Germany.

Beck said the email was specific to all the campuses in the district and included implied threats about explosive devices, assault rifles and machine pistols.

The city schools commonly get threats, but Cortines called this one rare.

“It was not to one school, two schools or three schools,” he said at a news conference. “It was many schools, not specifically identified. But there were many schools. That’s the reason I took the action that I did.”

The San Bernardino attack influenced the decision to close the entire district, Cortines said.

The superintendent said the district police chief informed him about the threat shortly after 5 a.m.

“He shared with me that some of the details talked about backpacks, talked about other packages,” Cortines said.

Vela said she worries about talking to her kids about the threat and terrorism in general. She’s concerned about her daughter feeling safe in class.

“I don’t want this to be in the back of her head,” she said. “Who knows what it does psychologically to kids? Is this going to cause her some kind of trauma so that she’s not going to feel safe at school?”

The closure came the same day classes were canceled at San Bernardino Valley College because of a bomb threat.

Sumter Item reporter Konstantin Vengerowsky and Associated Press Writer Colleen Long in New York contributed to this report.

budget, the funds will be split among eight entities: • $57,185 for city administration to fund salaries, benefits, vehicle maintenance, conferences and office supplies; • $25,000 for on-going demolition requests for blighted property; • $134,744 for housing repair to five low-to-moderate income housing throughout the year; • $3,000 for sewer improvements to provide plumbing repairs for low-to-moderate income housing; • $38,000, that will be combined with the remaining 2015 funds for youth employment to hire 40 low-to-mod-

AUDIT FROM PAGE A1 conducted the audit.

“So you’re saying that we spent all of that money from the sale of property?” Canty said. “It was expended because there was no control, and the budgetary expenditures absolved the capital resources.”

Sumter School District Superintendent Frank Baker

INCOME FROM PAGE A1 and educated workforce.

That involves Sumter School District, Central Carolina Technical College, University of South Carolina Sumter, Morris

erate income students during the 2016 summer; • $1,700 to provide vouchers for low-to-moderate income youth to participate in Sumter Family YMCA youth activities ; • $1,800 for Wateree Aids Task Force to provide prescription, utility, rent, mortgage and educational assistance to low-to-moderate income HIV/AIDS clientele within city limits; and • $24,500 for Sumter United Ministries to purchase materials for minor rehab for low-to-moderate income housing within city limits.

Later during the meeting, council approved final reading of an ordinance to amend the city code of ordinance to change the appeal

process for demolitions. The amendment details the appeal process for the property maintenance appeals official and the homeowner.

In other news, Shytle announced the city’s mandatory vacant residential property registry will begin Jan. 1.

He said homeowners will have 30 days to register vacant residential property with the city; property will be considered vacant after it has been unoccupied for 60 days.

Shytle said there will not be a fee for the first year of registration.

Owners of vacant residential property can register online at http://bit.ly/1P64SfR or in person at Sumter Codes Enforcement Office, 12 W. Liberty St.

said, in a phone interview, the property in question was 615 Bultman Drive, the location of the recently opened Walmart Neighborhood Market. The money from that sale went into the district’s general fund, which includes operating costs for the district, teacher salaries, programs and other expenses.

“We can’t track exactly what specifically that money was used for; it goes into a big pot,” Baker said.

That pot totaled $169 million that the district spent during the 2015 fiscal year, compared to $161 million spent in 2014.

Canty also asked during the meeting what a school district would typically do with assets that come after a budget is approved for operations.

Poston explained that any revenue that is general revenue can be used to meet all of the operating expenses in the general fund.

College and other workforce preparedness organizations working hand-inhand to create a dynamic learning environment, Schwedler said.

“We all owe it to the next generation to give them the opportunity to succeed and live a better life than our-

selves,” he said.

Schwedler said expectations for Sumter’s 2015 per capita income include passing the state’s average and continuing the forward momentum to achieve the progress the community and region are capable of achieving.

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

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2015 H.G. Osteen 1870-1955 Founder, The Item

H.D. Osteen 1904-1987 The Item

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

COMMENTARY

Timid military leadership T his month, President Obama’s defense secretary, Ashton Carter, decreed that there will be 220,000 combat military jobs offered to women — including in Army special operations forces and the Navy SEALs. He said, “They’ll be allowed to drive tanks, fire mortars and lead infantry solWalter diers into Williams combat ... and everything else that was previously open only to men.”

Technological changes since the time of the M60 Patton, embodied in the M1 Abrams tank, mean that a woman can probably drive a tank. But what if track pads or a tank track has to be repaired in the field and under enemy fire?

Such repairs pose a significant physical challenge to men, who generally have far greater strength than women.

Will our military leaders relieve women from such a task, claiming that demanding equal performance creates a “disparate,” sexually discriminatory impact?

Then there’s hand-to-hand combat training, which comes near the end of the Army’s basic training. Recruits spend a few hours facing off against each other in pugil stick bouts. Pugil sticks are padded training weapons used since World War II by each branch of the military to train service members for hand-to-hand rifle and bayonet combat. The object of the training is to subdue your opponent.

Women are at a severe disadvantage because upper-body strength really counts. Given the timidity and character of today’s military leaders, I predict several possibilities: Training with pugil sticks will be banned, or servicewomen will train only against other servicewomen, or, if the training is integrated, servicemen will be court-martialed if they knock out or knock down a servicewoman.

Even if our military leaders fudge this aspect of training, what happens in actual combat when hand-to-hand skills are called upon? I wouldn’t be surprised if today’s military leaders call for an amendment protocol to the Geneva Conventions to make the hand-tohand killing of a female fighter a war crime.

What about other training standards? The Army’s physical fitness test in basic train-

ing is a three-event physical performance test used to assess endurance. The minimum requirement for 17- to 21-year-old males is 35 pushups, 47 situps and a 2-mile run in 16 minutes, 36 seconds or less. For females of the same age, the minimum requirement is 13 pushups, 47 situps and a 19:42 2-mile run. Equal fitness standards would wash most women out. “USMC Women in the Service Restrictions Review” found that the average woman has 20 percent lower aerobic power, 40 percent lower muscle strength, 47 percent less lifting strength and 26 percent slower marching speed than the average man. Women are less likely to be able to march under load — 12.4 miles in five hours with a 71-pound assault load — and to be able to crawl, sprint and negotiate obstacles with that load and move a casualty weighing 165 pounds or more while carrying that load.

There are other differences between male and female troops. Women are twice as likely to suffer injuries and are three times more undeployable than men. Servicewomen are four times likelier to report being ill than servicemen. The percentage of servicewomen being medically unavailable at any time is twice that of servicemen.

Then there’s pregnancy. Each year, between 10 and 17 percent of servicewomen become pregnant.

Perhaps the most dangerous aspect of military social engineering is the cover-up of failure. Officers who criticize double standards or expose official lies and deception about servicewomen’s performance risk their careers. Those official lies and deception will eventually reveal themselves with unnecessary loss of lives on the battlefield.

Finally, the Selective Service System’s website (http:// www.sss.gov) reads: “While there has been talk recently about women in combat, there has been no decision to require females to register with Selective Service, or be subject to a future military draft. Selective Service continues to register only men, ages 18 through 25.” How can that, coupled with reduced performance standards, possibly be consistent with the Defense Department’s stated agenda “to provide a level, genderneutral playing field?”

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

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CITADEL LEADER NOT TO BLAME FOR SITUATION The issue at the Citadel was a very insensitive act by the cadets involved and very racially stirring.

For this to happen at one of our elite military college is shameful. My personal feelings is that the university acted promptly and decisive in its dealing with those involved. Now the call is for the resignation of its president.

What has/is happening to us America? Why is it that we are so quick judge, to attempt removing/ asking for the resignation of the one(s) in charge without looking at the whole picture.

For those asking for the president to resign, what would you have done? The Citadel has one of greatest presidents/managers around. How do I know this?

Well, I served under retired Lt. Gen. John W. Rosa, both as an active-duty military member and a civil employee. He was/is one of the most outstanding leaders that I had the pleasure serving with during my 47 years of service to this country.

Charleston, support Gen. Rosa. He will make the decision(s) that you will come to appreciate in serving your community. He is a leader. Give him support, not criticism.

JAMES V. COX, USAFRET Sumter

LETTER WRITER CONFUSES OPINION WITH FACTS Don Damm on Dec. 9 accused President Obama of being responsible for everything bad that ever happened here and around the world, period.

Does he believe really Obama wants or condones terror?

Damm must have a top

secret clearance and a video in the Oval Office. He states as fact stuff just to make his story sound good. As the old saying goes, Mr. Damm you are entitled to your opinion but not to make up “facts”.

I’ll bet his primary source was Fox, a network with a clear political agenda. And the basis for his rant is that terrorists are rampant in this country.

If you combine the number of people killed by gun violence and drug overdoses, more die every day in our country than have been killed by Islamic terrorists in the U.S. since 9/11.

That does not diminish the terrible events of San Bernardino. They were horrible but blaming everyone you do not like, read Obama, is not going to solve any problems.

The purpose of acts of terror is to scare people into changing and doing what the terrorists want. In this case it is to make our citizens fear terrorists and to fear that our government is bad. Well, Mr. Damm, they certainly got you.

Mr. Damm wants our soldiers back in Iraq and Syria. Bush left 100,000-plus there for six years. That cost 4,000-plus American lives and $3 trillion. He seems to forget Bush fired the entire Iraqi Army.

Many of these people became ISIS. Mr. Damm, like all war hawks will not say how many U.S. troops to send or how long they should stay.

They forget the murderous ISIS criminals burned alive folks from nearby countries such as Jordan. Why shouldn’t these countries be taking the lead against ISIS and other extremists and radicals? We would support them 100 percent.

Mr. Damm, ISIS wants U.S. troops to lead a fight

against them so they can say Americans hate Islam.

We all hate terrorists, not Islam. Our country was founded on religious freedom for all, not just for your religion, Mr. Damm.

LOYD YOUNG Sumter

SUMTER HIGH SCHOOL BAND WAS A JOY TO HOST On Dec. 12, the Town of Turbeville held its Small Town Christmas celebration that included our annual parade. Being that we no longer have a band in our district, we like to invite bands from other schools in our area.

This year, we invited The Sumter High School marching band to be our guest band for our parade. We were thrilled when they were able to accept our invitation, and their coming was anticipated immediately by residents of Turbeville.

They did not disappoint.

These young people were so well mannered (and) high spirited, yet very professional. They were an absolute joy to have joined us on such a festive occasion in Turbeville. Band director Victoria Stoudenmire and her staff, the student musicians and the parents that traveled with them were a bright spot in our little town. We commend them on such a wonderful group.

We know Sumter High School, as well Sumter School District, must be very proud of this program.

The Town of Turbeville certainly is.

We would like to say “Thank You” to them once more, and we appreciate them helping to make our Small Town Christmas a wonderful and memorable event for our residents.

JENNA WINDHAM Turbeville Business Association member

WHO REPRESENTS YOU SUMTER COUNTY COUNCIL DISTRICT 1 Naomi D. Sanders 5605 Borden Road Rembert, SC 29128 (803) 499-3947 (home) DISTRICT 2 Artie Baker 3680 Bakersfield Lane Dalzell, SC 29040 803-469-3638 (home) DISTRICT 3 James Byrd Jr. 13 E. Canal St. Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 468-1719 (mobile) (803) 778-0796 (office) (803) 436-2108 (Fax) jbyrd@sumtercountysc.org DISTRICT 4 Charles T. Edens 760 Henderson St. Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 775-0044 (home) (803) 236-5759 (mobile)

DISTRICT 5 Vivian Fleming-McGhaney 9770 Lynches River Road Lynchburg, SC 29080 (803) 437-2797 (home) (803) 495-3247 (office) DISTRICT 6 James T. McCain Jr. 317 W. Bartlette St. Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 773-2353 (home) (803) 607-2777 (mobile) DISTRICT 7 Eugene Baten P.O. Box 3193 Sumter, SC 29151 (803) 773-0815 (home) SUMTER CITY COUNCIL MAYOR Joseph T. McElveen Jr. 20 Buford St. Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 773-0382 jmcelveen@sumter-sc.com

WARD 1 Thomas J. Lowery 829 Legare St. Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 773-9298 tlowery@sumter-sc.com WARD 2 Ione Dwyer P.O. Box 1492 Sumter, SC 29151 (803) 481-4284 idwyer@sumter-sc.com WARD 3 Calvin K. Hastie Sr. 810 S. Main St. Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 774-7776 chastie@sumter-sc.com WARD 4 Colleen Yates 437 W. Hampton Ave. Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 773-3259 cyates@sumter-sc.com WARD 5 Robert Galiano 608 Antlers Drive Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 469-0005 bgaliano@sumter-sc.com

WARD 6 David Merchant 26 Paisley Park Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 773-1086 dmerchant@sumter-sc.com STATE LAWMAKERS Rep. Grady Brown, D-Bishopville District 50 420 S. Main St. Bishopville, SC 29010 (803) 484-6832 (home) (803) 734-2934 (Columbia) Rep. Joe Neal, D-Hopkins District 70 P.O. Box 5 Hopkins, SC 29061 (803) 776-0353 (home) (803) 734-9142 (fax) (803) 734-2804 (Columbia) jn@schouse.org Rep. Dr. Robert L. Ridgeway III, D-Clarendon District 64 117 N. Brooks St. Manning, SC 29102 (803) 938-3087(home) (803) 212-6929 (Columbia)

Rep. Murrell Smith Jr., R-Sumter District 67 P.O. Box 580 Sumter, SC 29151 (803) 778-2471 (business) (803) 778-1643 (fax) (803) 734-3042 (Columbia) murrellsmith@schouse.gov

Sen. J. Thomas McElveen III, D-Sumter District 35 P. O. Box 57, Sumter, 29151 (803) 775-1263 (business (803) 212-6132 (Columbia)

Rep. J. David Weeks, D-Sumter District 51 2 Marlborough Court Sumter, SC 29154 (803) 775-5856 (business) (803) 734-3102 (Columbia)

Rep. Mick Mulvaney — 5th District 1207 Longworth HOB Washington, D.C. 20515 (202) 225-5501 531-A Oxford Drive Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 327-1114

Sen. Gerald Malloy, D-Darlington District 29 1216 Salem Road Hartsville, SC 29550 (843) 339-3000 (803) 212-6148 (Columbia) Sen. Kevin L. Johnson, D-Manning District 36 P.O. Box 156, Manning, 29102 (803) 435-8117 (home) (803) 212-6108 (Columbia)

Sen. Lindsey Graham 290 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 (202) 224-5972 Midlands Regional Office 508 Hampton Street, Suite 202 Columbia, SC 29201 (803) 933-0112 (main)

NATIONAL LAWMAKERS

Rep. Jim Clyburn — 6th District 319 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 (202) 225-3315 1703 Gervais St. Columbia, SC 29201 (803) 799-1100 jclyburn@hr.house.gov

Sen. Tim Scott 167 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 (202) 224-6121 (202) 228-5143 (fax) 1301 Gervais St., Suite 825 Columbia, SC 29201 (803) 771-6112 (803) 771-6455 (fax)

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2015

SUPPORT GROUPS St., Florence. Call (843) 661AA, AL-ANON, ALATEEN: 3746.

AA — Monday-Friday, noon Amputee Support Group — and 5:30 p.m.; Saturday, 8 Fourth Tuesday each month, p.m.; Sundays, 10:30 a.m. and SUPPORT GROUPS:5:30 Dec. 16, Carolinas 2015 p.m., Rehabili7 p.m., 1 Warren St. (803) 775tation Hospital, 121 E. Cedar 1852.

St., Florence. Call (843) 661AA Women’s Meeting — 3746.

Wednesday, 7 p.m., 1 Warren EFMP Parent Exchange Group — St. (803) 775-1852.

Last Tuesday each month, 11 AA Spanish Speaking — Sunday, a.m.-noon, Airman and Family 4:30 p.m., 1 Warren St. (803) Readiness Center. Support to 775-1852. service members who have a AA “How it Works” Group — dependent with a disability or Monday and Friday, 8 p.m., illness. Call Dorcus Haney at 1154 Ronda St. Call (803) 494(803) 895-1252/1253 or Sue 5180.

Zimmerman at (803) 847-2377.

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

Sickle Cell Support Group — last AA Summerton Group — Wednesday each month, 11 Wednesday, 8 p.m., town hall. a.m.-1 p.m., South Sumter Resource Center, 337 Manning Manning Al-Anon Family Group Ave. Call Bertha Willis at (803) — Thursday, 7:30 p.m., Behav774-6181. ioral Health Building, 14 Church St., Manning. Call Angie Johnson at (803) 435THURSDAY MEETINGS: 8085.

TOPS S.C. No. 236 (Take Off C/A “Drop the Rock” Group — Pounds Sensibly) — Thursdays, Thursday, 9:30 p.m., 1154 9 a.m., Spectrum Senior CenRonda St. Call Elizabeth ter,1989 Durant Lane. Call Owens at (803) 607-4543.

Diane at (803) 775-3926 or Nancy at (803) 469-4789.

MONDAY MEETINGS: Alzheimer’s Support Group through S.C. Alzheimer’s AssociaSumter Vitiligo Support Group — tion — Every 1st Thursday, 6-8 second Monday of each p.m., McElveen Manor, 2065 month, 5:45-6:45 p.m., North McCrays Mill Road. Call Cheryl HOPE Center, 904 N. Main St. Fluharty at (803) 905-7720 or Call Tiffany at (803) 316-6763. the Alzheimer’s Association at Find us on Facebook at Sum(800) 636-3346. ter Vitiligo Support.

Journey of Hope (for family members of the mentally ill), Journey to Recovery (for the mentally ill) TUESDAY MEETINGS: and Survivors of Suicide Support Sumter Connective Tissue SupGroup — Each group meets port Group — 1st Tuesday of every 1st Thursday, 7 p.m., St. Jan., March, May, July, Sept.

John United Methodist and Nov., 7 p.m., 180 Tiller CirChurch, 136 Poinsett Drive. cle. Call (803) 773-0869.

Call Fred Harmon at (803) 905Mothers of Angels (for mothers 5620. who have lost a child) — First Great Goodness the Grief Support and third Tuesday, 6 p.m., Group — Third Thursday, 6-8 Wise Drive Baptist Church. p.m., “AYS” Home Care, 1250 Call Betty at (803) 469-2616 or Wilson Hall Road. Call Cheryl Carol at (803) 469-9426. at (803) 905-7720.

Sumter Combat Veterans Group Peer to Peer — Every Tuesday, 11 a.m., South HOPE Center, FRIDAY MEETINGS: 1125 S. Lafayette Drive. VeterCelebrate Recovery — Every Frians helping veterans with day, 6 p.m. dinner, 7 p.m. proPTSD, coping skills, claims gram, Salt & Light Church, and benefits.

Miller Road (across from Food Parkinson’s Support Group — Lion). For struggles of alcohol, Second Tuesday each month, drugs, family problems, smok5:30 p.m., Carolinas Rehabiliing, etc. tation Hospital, 121 E. Cedar Wateree AIDS Task Force Support St., Florence. Call (843) 661Group — Every third Friday, 3746.

11:30 a.m., 508 W. Liberty St. Sumter Chapter Parents of MurCall Kevin at (803) 778-0303. dered Children (POMC) — Third Tuesday, 5:30-7 p.m., Birnie HOPE Center, 210 S. Purdy St. Open to those who have lost a SATURDAY MEETINGS: Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy/ loved one to murder in a vioComplex Regional Pain Syndrome lent way.

Support Group — 1:30 p.m.

Multiple Sclerosis Support Group every third Saturday, 3785 — Third Tuesday each month, Blackberry Lane, Lot 7. Call 5:30 p.m., Carolinas RehabiliDonna Parker at (803) 481tation Hospital, 121 E. Cedar 7521.

DAILY PLANNER

WEATHER

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

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Money EUGENIA LAST matters can be cleared up.

Don’t let what someone else has to say or do set you off. Arguing won’t help you get ahead or make you feel better. Learn from past experiences.

An interview looks promising.

participation will encourage others to see the value you bring.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Discuss matters that have been bothering you. Partnerships will benefit from honest discussions, leading to solutions that suit everyone involved.

Favors will be granted for your efforts. Make someone an offer that will bring you closer together.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Emotional matters will escalate if you don’t make your position clear.

Trying to spare someone’s feelings or avoid opposition won’t bring about the changes you wish to see.

Evaluate your situation and do what needs to be done.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): You’ll be disillusioned by the suggestions made by a colleague, friend or employer. Don’t be too eager to agree to do something before you have all the fine details in writing.

Your can-do attitude will lead to impulsive mistakes.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Your desire for change and adventure will get you into financial trouble. Don’t make plans you can’t afford. Uncertainty should be your signal to step back and wait for better opportunities. Indulgence will be your downfall.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Positive actions will bring stellar results.

Shopping for a special gift or spending money on your appearance will pay off. A unique relationship with someone who is different than you will be enlightening.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Let others come to you. Be wary of attracting people who are indecisive or who want to place restrictions on your plans. Avoid dealing with financial, legal or medical institutions. Make time for romance.

The last word in astrology

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Don’t lend or borrow money or possessions. Bring about changes at home that will add to your comfort and bring greater stability. You don’t have to pay the expenses of others. Offer your time, not your money, if someone is asking for help.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Don’t sulk or refuse to take part in events or activities because something doesn’t go your way. Step outside your comfort zone and offer intelligent, honest suggestions. Your

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Do something you’ve always wanted to do. Check out travel deals or attend a festive gathering. Being a part of the action will result in greater confidence and new friends. Share your thoughts with like-minded people.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Look for a way to give back to your community. Volunteering to help an organization, school or hospital will be satisfying and give you an idea for future projects. A gift, winning or money from an unusual source looks promising.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Lay out some plans and options for someone you love, and work as a team to decide what you want to do in the future. Plan a romantic getaway or make a promise to share more time and activities with one another.

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2015

AccuWeather® five-day forecast for Sumter TODAY

TONIGHT

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Mostly sunny, nice and warm

Cloudy with a little rain late

Rain and a thunderstorm

Clouds breaking and cooler

Plenty of sunshine

Mostly sunny

73°

58°

73° / 55°

61° / 32°

54° / 31°

60° / 36°

Chance of rain: 10%

Chance of rain: 75%

Chance of rain: 65%

Chance of rain: 20%

Chance of rain: 0%

Chance of rain: 5%

SE 3-6 mph

SSE 3-6 mph

SSW 8-16 mph

W 7-14 mph

WSW 6-12 mph

SSE 3-6 mph

TODAY’S SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER

Gaffney 67/52 Spartanburg 67/52

Greenville 67/53

Columbia 75/57

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

IN THE MOUNTAINS

Sumter 73/58

Aiken 72/55

ON THE COAST

Charleston 76/61

Today: Mostly sunny, except some clouds in southern parts. High 68 to 74.

Thursday: Periods of rain and a thunderstorm; humid. High 72 to 76.

LOCAL ALMANAC

LAKE LEVELS

SUMTER THROUGH 4 P.M. YESTERDAY

Today Hi/Lo/W 70/58/pc 52/30/sh 57/34/s 51/36/sh 68/42/pc 63/43/s 78/58/t 52/47/pc 85/67/t 55/46/s 56/36/s 55/44/pc 57/45/s

SUN AND MOON 7 a.m. yest.

355.86 75.88 74.86 95.90

24-hr chg +0.01 -0.14 -0.20 +0.18

Sunrise 7:20 a.m.

Moonrise 11:10 a.m.

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

trace 0.41" 1.52" 57.77" 35.04" 45.12"

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

Full pool 360 76.8 75.5 100

Lake Murray Marion Moultrie Wateree

74° 54° 57° 34° 79° in 1971 16° in 1962

Precipitation 24 hrs ending 4 p.m. yest.

Month to date Normal month to date Year to date Last year to date Normal year to date

Thu. Hi/Lo/W 67/40/r 36/24/c 58/33/s 41/28/c 63/37/s 68/47/s 67/45/pc 56/48/r 85/68/t 59/48/r 59/40/s 58/46/pc 56/41/r

Myrtle Beach 72/60

Manning 74/57

Today: Some sun, then clouds. Winds eastnortheast 3-6 mph.

Thursday: Mild with periods of rain. Winds southwest 4-8 mph.

Temperature High Low Normal high Normal low Record high Record low

Florence 72/58

Bishopville 72/55

Sunset 5:14 p.m.

Moonset 10:46 p.m.

First

Full

Last

New

Dec. 18

Dec. 25

Jan. 2

Jan. 9

TIDES

Flood 7 a.m. 24-hr stage yest. chg 12 8.98 -0.10 19 4.60 +0.50 14 6.64 -0.13 14 4.96 +0.03 80 78.77 -0.19 24 8.20 -7.41

AT MYRTLE BEACH

High Today 12:21 p.m.

--Thu. 12:43 a.m.

1:17 p.m.

Ht. 3.2 --2.9 3.1

Low Ht. 6:42 a.m. 0.0 7:27 p.m. -0.1 7:39 a.m. 0.1 8:21 p.m. -0.1

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

Today Hi/Lo/W 63/47/pc 69/55/pc 75/56/pc 73/61/pc 63/57/s 76/61/pc 68/53/s 69/55/pc 75/57/pc 72/55/s 63/49/s 71/56/s 69/56/s

Thu. Hi/Lo/W 63/35/sh 69/41/r 72/46/r 76/58/r 73/64/r 76/59/r 67/47/r 67/43/r 74/51/r 72/57/r 73/56/r 74/59/r 74/58/r

Today City Hi/Lo/W Florence 72/58/s Gainesville 81/64/t Gastonia 67/52/s Goldsboro 67/55/s Goose Creek 75/61/s Greensboro 64/51/s Greenville 67/53/pc Hickory 64/50/s Hilton Head 73/62/pc Jacksonville, FL 79/65/t La Grange 71/59/pc Macon 72/60/pc Marietta 70/55/pc

Thu. Hi/Lo/W 74/59/r 82/64/t 63/47/r 75/59/t 77/59/r 63/46/r 65/43/r 61/44/r 73/60/r 82/62/t 68/39/sh 72/43/r 65/37/r

Today City Hi/Lo/W Marion 63/48/s Mt. Pleasant 74/61/pc Myrtle Beach 72/60/s Orangeburg 74/60/s Port Royal 70/61/pc Raleigh 65/52/s Rock Hill 68/53/s Rockingham 69/52/s Savannah 73/63/pc Spartanburg 67/52/pc Summerville 75/60/s Wilmington 71/59/s Winston-Salem 63/51/s

Thu. Hi/Lo/W 61/38/c 75/60/r 76/62/r 73/54/r 74/57/r 69/50/r 65/48/r 70/54/r 77/58/r 62/43/r 76/58/r 76/61/r 62/46/r

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

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

803-775-WARM (9276)

PUBLIC AGENDA HISTORIC PRESERVATION DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE Thursday, 3:30 p.m., fourth floor, Council Chambers, Sumter Opera House, 21 N. Main St.

THE SUMTER ITEM

www.boykinacs.com License #M4217

LOTTERY NUMBERS PALMETTO CASH 5 TUESDAY

POWERBALL SATURDAY

MEGAMILLIONS TUESDAY

4-5-17-18-37 PowerUp: 2

2-14-19-30-62 Powerball: 22; Powerplay: 2

numbers not available at press time

PICK 3 TUESDAY

PICK 4 TUESDAY

PICK 4 TUESDAY

7-4-2 and 4-5-1

3-3-7-5 and 9-1-8-5

1-9-20-22-33; Lucky Ball: 3

SUMTER ANIMAL CONTROL PET OF THE WEEK Dasher, a small neutered shepherd mix, is about a year old. He has good manners and likes everyone, including other dogs. Dasher’s living situation changed through no fault of his own and so he is looking for a forever home. He is available immediately for adoption in kennel 22 at Sumter Animal Control, (803) 436-2066, 1240 Winkles Road.

There are many pets at Animal Control who deserve a loving home. Check them out on Facebook at Sumter Animal Control.

SECTION

b

Wednesday, December 16, 2015 Call: (803) 774-1241 | E-mail: sports@theitem.com

pro baseball

prep basketball

Contrite Rose holds out hope for Hall of Fame

Learning curve Young Lee Central boys squad hopes to peak at region time

By TIM DAHLBERG The Associated Press

LAS VEGAS — Pete Rose believes he still has a chance to one day get back in baseball. In the meantime, he’s turning his attention to the Hall of Fame.

Rose said Tuesday he is a changed person even if he still likes to bet on an occasional baseball game. And while commissioner Rob Manfred rejected his bid to get back in the game partly because Rose still bets legally in this gambling town, he says he still has a lot to offer the sport.

“All I look forward to being some day is a friend of baseball,” Rose said. “I want baseball and Pete Rose to be friends. I want to say I’m not an outsider looking in.

I have grandkids, and they want Rose their grandpa to be associated with baseball.”

Baseball’s career hits leader said he was disappointed at Manfred’s decision not to end a ban that has stretched more than a quarter century. But he held out hope he could still one day be inducted into the Hall of Fame, joining teammates such as Johnny Bench and Joe Morgan from the Big Red Machine of the 1970s.

“It would be nice to have the opportunity to go to the Hall of Fame,” Rose said. “My whole life has been a Hall of Fame life just by the association with the teammates I had.”

At a news conference fronting his restaurant on the Las Vegas Strip, Rose said he couldn’t rewrite history but still believes even at age 74 that he can one day be back in baseball. He said he was sorry for his mistakes of the past, which included betting on games while with the Cincinnati Reds at a time he said his gambling habit was out of control.

Those days are over, he said, though he still bets on sports and horse racing.

“I don’t live in Las Vegas because I gamble,” he said. “I live in Las Vegas because it’s where my job is. I’m a recreational gambler now. If I want to go home and watch a game, I might make a small wager on it.”

Rose was contrite and somewhat upbeat in offering his first comments since Manfred on Monday rejected his application for reinstatement. But he refused to be drawn into the debate of whether players linked to steroids should be allowed in the Hall of Fame when anyone on the permanently excluded list — Rose is currently the only living person on it — cannot be on a Hall of Fame ballot.

see ROSE, Page B6

KEITH GEDAMKE / THE SUMTER ITEM

Kendrick Holloman (5) is the lone returning starter for a Lee Central squad that has a slow start, but has the ingredients to become a much better team as the season progresses, head coach LaVerne Knox believes.

pro football

BY DENNIS BRUNSON dennis@theitem.com

Don Shula rooting for his son Mike, Panthers to go 19-0

The Lee Central High School varsity boys basketball team was off to a 1-4 start heading into Tuesday’s home game against Crestwood. Longtime Stallions head coach LaVerne Knox was aware it might be slow going for his young squad, but he likes

By STEVE REED The Associated Press CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Hall of Fame coach Don Shula is rooting for the Carolina Panthers to join his 1972 Miami Dolphins as the only undefeated Super Bowl champions.

Well, indirectly anyway.

Shula is really pulling for his son Mike, Carolina’s offensive coordinator. For Don, family trumps even the Dolphins’ sacred season.

“Yes, there’s no question about it — I want that to happen,” Shula told The Associated Press. “I am proud of my record and my teams M. Shula and the things they have accomplished, but this is a new era, a new team, a new quarterback (with) new coaches. ... I’m always rooting for my son. I wouldn’t want it to be any other way. I want him to be the best that he can be.”

For years, members of the ‘72 Dolphins have reveled in their disD. Shula tinction as the NFL’s lone Super Bowl champion to finish a season unbeaten. They’ve even made a show of celebrating on occasion when the league’s last remaining undefeated team goes down in a given year.

And while the Panthers are rolling along at 13-0, they still have a lot of work to do.

To pull off the feat, coach Ron Rivera’s team must win its final three regular-season games against the Giants, Falcons and Buccaneers — and then all three postseason games, which would give the franchise its first Super Bowl title.

Don Shula knows that won’t be easy.

see SHULA, Page B4

where it is as it prepares for Region VII-2A play after the first of the year.

“It’s getting better every game,” Knox said. “We lost two close games to Timmonsville (56-51 and 59-57) and Lakewood just shot the lights out when we played them (in an 81-67 loss). I thought we played well and shot the ball well, but they just played really

well.”

LC has just one returning starter from last year’s squad that went 15-7, finished second in Region VII and reached the second round of the state playoffs. The starters Lee Central lost averaged between 8.0 and 12.9 points a contest.

see LEE, Page B3

Lady Stallions battling injuries, depth issues

By DENNIS BRUNSON dennis@theitem.com The Lee Central High School girls basketball team started the season with a slim bench, carrying just 10 players on its roster. Five games into the season, it has become even leaner.

Senior Asia Wright has been sidelined with a shoulder injury, sophomore Ariel Robinson is out for the season after breaking her leg and junior Jasmine Carney has seen her playing time limited due to issues with severe shin splints.

Despite all of that and a 1-4 record going into Tuesday’s home game against Crestwood, Lady Stallions head coach Dorothy Fortune is still optimistic about her team’s potential.

“I think we’re doing well with what we have,” said Fortune, the longtime coach.

“We’ve played some good teams (losing twice to Timmonsville and Lakewood) and I think we’ve played pretty well in those games.

“Now I truly believe that we’re going to be able to challenge for the conference (Re-

gion VII-2A) championship,” she added. “Despite all of the injuries, I expect us to be in there.”

LC has only one returning starter, but she is a good one in Alexis McMillan. She averaged 16.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 3.1 steals a game as Lee Central finished third in the region and lost out in the first round of the state playoffs.

“Alexis has a lot on her; she has to do a lot,” Fortune said of the junior, who is in her third year as a starter. “She plays the wing and she runs the point for us some too. I’ve told her she has to be in the best shape she’s ever been in and that she needed to be in the weight room to be ready for this.”

Carney runs the point when she is in the game, but her time is limited because of the shin splints. Fortune said she has to ice her shins before and after games, and she is still trying to find the best way to use her. Carney started the two games prior to Tuesday’s game against Crestwood.

KEITH GEDAMKE / THE SUMTER ITEM

Alexis McMillan (23) is the lone returning starter back for Lee Central this season. The Lady Stallions are battling depth and injury issues, but head coach Dorothy Fortune believes the team has the potential to turn the corner and see STALLIONS, Page B3 make some noise when region play begins.

B2

|

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

sports

sOUTH CAROLINA BASKETBALL

Gamecocks top Drexel 79-54, improve to 9-0 The Associated Press COLUMBIA — Freshman PJ Dozier finished with a career-high 16 points to lead South Carolina to a 79-54 victory over Drexel Tuesday night.

More importantly, the Gamecocks are one of eight remaining undefeated teams in Division I men’s basketball. They improved to 9-0, their best start since the 1970-71 season, and landed just outMARTIN side of the Top 25 this week.

“One thing that I have told our guys is, for all of us that have been here for a while, winning today this is the first time this school has been 9-0 since 1970-71,” USC coach Frank Martin said. “I told them to feel good about that because there’s a lot of players that played here in the last 44 years that haven’t been able to accomplish what you guys have.”

The players are aware of what they’ve accomplished but aren’t focused on the start of the season. They just came off of a 10-day break because of exams and will play twice in the next week. They understand there will be a lot of practice time and time for improvement over the next three

weeks between semesters.

“We’re not really caught up on all that,” junior guard Sindarius Thornwell said.

“We’re just focused on the next game. The only thing that matters is the game on Friday.”

It was the best effort of Dozier’s young career. He shot 16 free throws, making 10, and seemed to be in the offensive flow better than earlier in the season. He added three assists and one turnover in 24 minutes.

“This was a confidence boost for sure,” Dozier said.

“I knew I could contribute points-wise but I just want to continue to play the way that got us here.”

Martin said even though Dozier was a McDonald’s All-American, it’s taken some time for him to understand his game.

“I’m understanding him better as a player and he’s starting to figure out college basketball,” Martin said.

“You’re seeing him be more aggressive than he was two or three weeks ago.”

Drexel led by as many as six points in the first half but an 11-0 run gave South Carolina the lead for good.

Michael Carrera scored five points during the run, Dozier connected on three free throws and Laimonas Chatkevicius knocked down a 3-pointer to end the run to give USC a 26-23 lead.

The Dragons were within four at the half, 32-28, but an 11-0 run by South Carolina out of the locker room gave them control. Mindaugus Kacinas and Thornwell opened the period with consecutive 3-pointers before Dozier scored on a 3-point play in the opening 1:03 of the half to give the Gamecocks a double-digit lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

“We made some shots,” Martin said. “We couldn’t make layups in the first half and the first possessions of the second half we go 3, 3 and three-point play. It made a big difference.”

Drexel went on a 1-for-19 drought from the field during a stretch that sandwiched the half. The Dragons (1-7) closed the first half by making one of their final nine shots before opening the second half by going 0-for-10. They went without a field goal for 7:36.

“The first five or six shots of the second half were pretty good, they didn’t go in and then we started forcing stuff,” Drexel coach Bruiser Flint said. “They banged the three 3’s to start the second half and we’re down 12 and that was it right there. We never recovered.”

Thornwell had 13 points and Carrera 10 for South Carolina.

Tavon Allen finished with 18 points to lead Drexel.

The SUMTER ITEM

Scoreboard TV, RADIO

TODAY 3:30 a.m. – Proessional Baseball: Australian Baseball League All-Star Game from Melbourne, Australia (MLB NETWORK).

5:20 a.m. – International Soccer: FIFA Club World Cup Japan Semifinal Match from Osaka, Japan -- River Plate vs. Sanfrecce Hiroshima (FOX SPORTS 1). 7 a.m. – College Football: NCAA Division II Playoffs Semifinal Game – West Georgia at Northwest Missouri State (ESPNU).

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

7 p.m. – NBA Basketball: Charlotte at Orlando (FOX SPORTS SOUTHEAST).

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

7 p.m. – College Basketball: Kennesaw State at Louisville (ESPNU).

7 p.m. – College Basketball: GardnerWebb at Louisiana State (SEC NETWORK).

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

8 p.m. – College Basketball: South Dakota State at Texas Tech (FOX SPORTSOUTH).

8 p.m. – NHL Hockey: Pittsburgh at Boston (NBC SPORTS NETWORK).

8:30 p.m. – Women’s International Soccer: United States vs. China from New Orleans (FOX SPORTS 1).

9 p.m. – College Basketball: Mississippi State at Florida State (ESPN2).

9 p.m. – Women’s College Basketball: Tennessee at Stanford (ESPNU).

9 p.m. – College Basketball: Winthrop at Alabama (SEC NETWORK).

10 p.m. – College Basketball: Arizona State at Nevada-Las Vegas (CBS SPORTS NETWORK).

10:30 p.m. – NBA Basketball: Phoenix at Golden State (ESPN).

12:30 a.m. – College Basketball: Hawaii Pacific at BYU (Hawaii) (BYUTV).

NFL STANDINGS

By The Associated Press

AMERICAN CONFERENCE East

W L T Pct PF PA y-New England 11 2 0 .846 402 253 N.Y. Jets 8 5 0 .615 325 256 Buffalo 6 7 0 .462 316 301 Miami 5 8 0 .385 264 331 South

W L T Pct PF PA Indianapolis 6 7 0 .462 275 356 Houston 6 7 0 .462 259 291 Jacksonville 5 8 0 .385 326 357 Tennessee 3 10 0 .231 253 326 North

W L T Pct PF PA Cincinnati 10 3 0 .769 354 229 Pittsburgh 8 5 0 .615 344 260 Baltimore 4 9 0 .308 278 326 Cleveland 3 10 0 .231 240 357 West

W L T Pct PF PA Denver 10 3 0 .769 281 225 Kansas City 8 5 0 .615 331 243 Oakland 6 7 0 .462 299 326 San Diego 3 10 0 .231 250 334

NATIONAL CONFERENCE

Clemson basketball

Clemson bench powers Tigers to win over Presbyterian, 69-41

By JOHN CLAYTON Associated Press GREENVILLE — Sidy Djitte turned in his second double-double of season Tuesday night in Clemson’s 69-41 victory over Presbyterian College.

After getting the starting nod at center for the second straight game, Djitte scored 12 points and grabbed a djitte career-high 13 rebounds. Avry Holmes added 12 points and Gabe DeVoe came off the bench to add 11.

“It was good for us to come in tonight and show that we’re ready to go on to the next step,” Djitte said of the final regular-season game against a mid-major program.

DeSean Murray, who scored 13 of Presbyterian’s

first 17 points, finished with 15 points on 6 of 16 shooting and eight rebounds.

Presbyterian (4-6) led 11-10 with just over 13 minutes to play in the first half, but was outscored 59-30 the rest of the way.

“We matched their defense and made some hustle plays in the first half, and I couldn’t have been prouder,” said PC coach Gregg Nibert.

“In the second half, they jumped on us, and we lost our head a little bit. Our guys started talking a little bit, and we can’t do that.”

Clemson took a 36-26 lead into halftime.

The Tigers connected on 24 of 57 (42 percent) of their shots from the field, but were just 5 of 23 (22 percent) from beyond the arc, well below their average of 8.6 3-pointers made per contest.

But Clemson’s size on the low post kept the Blue Hose offense from putting togeth-

er a significant run.

Presbyterian shot 16 of 58 (28 percent) from the field and 1 of 10 (10 percent) from beyond the arc.

The combination of Djitte, Landry Nnoko and Josh Smith underneath the basket helped Clemson to a 51-30 advantage on the boards. The Tigers also scored 18 second-chance points, while PC scored eight off offensive rebounds.

“I thought we did the things we needed to do to win,” Clemson coach Brad Brownell said. “I thought we made it a little bit hard on Murray he’s a good player, an undersized player who knows how to score. We made him take a lot of shots to get his points.

“We did a better job of blocking out and getting out in transition and getting a few easy baskets, even though we didn’t shoot the ball very well.”

sports items

Wilson Hall’s Salzer wins division at Carolinas PGA Junior Championship Wilson Hall’s Christian Salzer won the boys 17-18 year-old division of the Charles Tilghman Carolinas PGA Junior Championship held on Saturday and Sunday at the Surf Golf & Beach Club in North Myrtle Beach.

Salzer, who won the South Carolina Junior Championship at The Dunes Golf and Beach Club in June, shot a 9-under par 133 to win by four strokes.

Salzer, who will play collegiately with North Carolina State University, shot a 7-under 64 in the first round and followed it with a 2-under 69 on Sunday.

Crestwood games postponed Crestwood High School’s

varsity basketball home games scheduled for today against Mullins have been postponed.

The games were postponed because Mullins is in the middle of semester final exams.

The games have been rescheduled for Jan. 27.

(7) Duke 99 Georgia Southern 65

DURHAM, N.C. — Freshman Brandon Ingram had season highs of 26 points and 14 rebounds, and No. 7 Duke beat Georgia Southern 99-65 on Tuesday night.

Grayson Allen added 18 points, Matt Jones had 16 and Derryck Thornton finished with 15 for the Blue

Devils (9-1) in their first game without high-energy forward Amile Jefferson. He averages a double-double but is out indefinitely with a right foot injury.

(23) Cincinnati 75 Norfolk State 59

CINCINNATI — Farad Cobb matched his season high with 20 points, Gary Clark added 19 and No. 23 Cincinnati recovered from its loss to crosstown rival Xavier by beating Norfolk State 75-59 on Tuesday night.

D’Shon Taylor had 14 points for Norfolk State (4-6), which trailed by only four points late in the first half.

From staff, wire reports

East

W L T Pct PF PA Washington 6 7 0 .462 281 307 Philadelphia 6 7 0 .462 301 322 N.Y. Giants 6 7 0 .462 338 320 Dallas 4 9 0 .308 230 305 South

W L T Pct PF PA y-Carolina 13 0 0 1.000 411 243 Tampa Bay 6 7 0 .462 288 322 Atlanta 6 7 0 .462 279 295 New Orleans 5 8 0 .385 323 397 North

W L T Pct PF PA Green Bay 9 4 0 .692 317 245 Minnesota 8 5 0 .615 258 255 Chicago 5 8 0 .385 272 314 Detroit 4 9 0 .308 267 336 West

W L T Pct PF PA x-Arizona 11 2 0 .846 405 252 Seattle 8 5 0 .615 340 235 St. Louis 5 8 0 .385 210 271 San Francisco 4 9 0 .308 188 315 x-clinched playoff spot y-clinched division

Thursday, dec. 10

Arizona 23, Minnesota 20

Sunday, dec. 13

St. Louis 21, Detroit 14 Kansas City 10, San Diego 3 Washington 24, Chicago 21 Philadelphia 23, Buffalo 20 Cleveland 24, San Francisco 10 New Orleans 24, Tampa Bay 17 N.Y. Jets 30, Tennessee 8 Pittsburgh 33, Cincinnati 20 Jacksonville 51, Indianapolis 16 Carolina 38, Atlanta 0 Seattle 35, Baltimore 6 Oakland 15, Denver 12 Green Bay 28, Dallas 7 New England 27, Houston 6

Monday’s Game

N.Y. Giants 31, Miami 24

Thursday’s game

Tampa Bay at St. Louis, 8:25 p.m.

Saturday’s game

N.Y. Jets at Dallas, 8:25 p.m.

Sunday’s games

Chicago at Minnesota, 1 p.m.

Atlanta at Jacksonville, 1 p.m.

Houston at Indianapolis, 1 p.m.

Carolina at N.Y. Giants, 1 p.m.

Tennessee at New England, 1 p.m.

Buffalo at Washington, 1 p.m.

Kansas City at Baltimore, 1 p.m.

Cleveland at Seattle, 4:05 p.m.

Green Bay at Oakland, 4:05 p.m.

Miami at San Diego, 4:25 p.m.

Cincinnati at San Francisco, 4:25 p.m.

Denver at Pittsburgh, 4:25 p.m.

Arizona at Philadelphia, 8:30 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 21

Detroit at New Orleans, 8:30 p.m.

NBA Standings

By The Associated Press

EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division

W L Pct GB Toronto 16 10 .615 — Boston 14 10 .583 1 New York 11 14 .440 4½ Brooklyn 7 17 .292 8 Philadelphia 1 25 .038 15 Southeast Division

W L Pct GB Charlotte 14 9 .609 — Miami 14 9 .609 — Orlando 13 11 .542 1½ Atlanta 14 12 .538 1½ Washington 10 13 .435 4 Central Division

W L Pct GB Cleveland 15 7 .682 — Chicago 14 8 .636 1 Indiana 14 9 .609 1½ Detroit 14 12 .538 3 Milwaukee 10 15 .400 6½

WESTERN CONFERENCE Southwest Division

W L Pct GB San Antonio 21 5 .808 — Dallas 14 11 .560 6½ Memphis 14 12 .538 7 Houston 12 13 .480 8½ New Orleans 6 18 .250 14 Northwest Division

W L Pct GB Oklahoma City 16 8 .667 — Utah 10 13 .435 5½ Portland 11 15 .423 6 Denver 10 14 .417 6 Minnesota 9 14 .391 6½

Pacific Division

Golden State L.A. Clippers Phoenix Sacramento L.A. Lakers

W L 24 1 15 10 11 15 9 15 3 21

Pct GB .960 — .600 9 .423 13½ .375 14½ .125 20½

Monday’s Games

Indiana 106, Toronto 90 Orlando 105, Brooklyn 82 L.A. Clippers 105, Detroit 103, OT Chicago 115, Philadelphia 96 Memphis 112, Washington 95 Miami 100, Atlanta 88 San Antonio 118, Utah 81 Dallas 104, Phoenix 94 Denver 114, Houston 108 Portland 105, New Orleans 101

Tuesday’s Games

Cleveland at Boston, 7:30 p.m.

Denver at Minnesota, 8 p.m.

Houston at Sacramento, 10 p.m.

Milwaukee at L.A. Lakers, 10:30 p.m.

Wednesday’s Games

Dallas at Indiana, 7 p.m.

Charlotte at Orlando, 7 p.m.

Miami at Brooklyn, 7:30 p.m.

Boston at Detroit, 7:30 p.m.

Minnesota at New York, 7:30 p.m.

Memphis at Chicago, 8 p.m.

Portland at Oklahoma City, 8 p.m.

Philadelphia at Atlanta, 8 p.m.

Washington at San Antonio, 8:30 p.m.

New Orleans at Utah, 9 p.m.

Phoenix at Golden State, 10:30 p.m.

Milwaukee at L.A. Clippers, 10:30 p.m.

Thursday’s Games

Toronto at Charlotte, 7 p.m.

Oklahoma City at Cleveland, 8 p.m.

Houston at L.A. Lakers, 10:30 p.m.

NHL Standings

By The Associated Press

EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division

GP W L OT Pts GF GA Montreal 31 20 8 3 43 100 70 Detroit 31 16 9 6 38 79 79 Ottawa 31 16 10 5 37 97 93 Boston 29 16 9 4 36 93 80 Tampa Bay 31 15 13 3 33 73 69 Florida 30 14 12 4 32 76 74 Buffalo 31 13 15 3 29 74 84 Toronto 28 10 13 5 25 64 76 Metropolitan Division

GP W L OT Pts GF GA Washington 29 21 6 2 44 89 63 N.Y. Islanders 31 18 8 5 41 89 72 N.Y. Rangers 31 18 9 4 40 90 72 New Jersey 30 15 11 4 34 74 75 Pittsburgh 29 15 11 3 33 68 71 Philadelphia 30 12 12 6 30 62 83 Carolina 30 12 14 4 28 74 92 Columbus 32 11 18 3 25 75 95

WESTERN CONFERENCE Central Division

GP W L OT Pts GF GA Dallas 30 22 6 2 46 102 79 Chicago 31 17 10 4 38 85 75 St. Louis 31 17 10 4 38 78 75 Minnesota 28 15 7 6 36 73 66 Nashville 30 15 10 5 35 80 79 Winnipeg 30 14 14 2 30 82 91 Colorado 31 14 16 1 29 85 88 Pacific Division

GP W L OT Pts GF GA Los Angeles 30 19 9 2 40 78 66 Arizona 30 14 14 2 30 81 95 Edmonton 31 14 15 2 30 85 92 Vancouver 31 11 12 8 30 79 86 San Jose 29 14 14 1 29 75 78 Calgary 29 13 14 2 28 7 8 103 Anaheim 29 11 13 5 27 56 73 NOTE: Two points for a win, one point for overtime loss.

Monday’s Games

Edmonton 3, Boston 2, OT Washington 4, Pittsburgh 1 Tampa Bay 2, Columbus 1 Ottawa 5, Los Angeles 3 Buffalo 2, Detroit 1

Tuesday’s Games

New Jersey at Buffalo, 7 p.m.

Florida at N.Y. Islanders, 7 p.m.

Edmonton at N.Y. Rangers, 7 p.m.

Carolina at Philadelphia, 7 p.m.

Tampa Bay at Toronto, 7:30 p.m.

San Jose at Montreal, 7:30 p.m.

Calgary at Nashville, 8 p.m.

Vancouver at Minnesota, 8 p.m.

St. Louis at Winnipeg, 8 p.m.

Colorado at Chicago, 8:30 p.m.

Columbus at Dallas, 8:30 p.m.

Wednesday’s Games

Ottawa at Washington, 7 p.m.

Pittsburgh at Boston, 8 p.m.

Thursday’s Games

Anaheim at Buffalo, 7 p.m.

Florida at New Jersey, 7 p.m.

Vancouver at Philadelphia, 7 p.m.

San Jose at Toronto, 7:30 p.m.

Los Angeles at Montreal, 7:30 p.m.

Nashville at St. Louis, 8 p.m.

N.Y. Rangers at Minnesota, 8 p.m.

Edmonton at Chicago, 8:30 p.m.

Calgary at Dallas, 8:30 p.m.

N.Y. Islanders at Colorado, 9 p.m.

Columbus at Arizona, 9 p.m.

College Basketball

By The Associated Press

Monday’s Scores EAST Columbia 78, Robert Morris 71 Hartford 80, Sacred Heart 71 Manhattan 71, St. Francis Brooklyn 60 SC-Upstate 66, Navy 57 SOUTH Alcorn St. 68, Blue Mountain 60 Charleston Southern 107, Columbia International 74 Coastal Carolina 71, Wofford 63 Marshall 92, NC Central 73 North Florida 94, FIU 72 Southern Miss. 57, South Alabama 54 Tennessee St. 93, Stetson 90, 2OT Tulane 63, Prairie View 49 W. Carolina 97, E. Washington 80 SOUTHWEST North Texas 78, Nicholls St. 60 Sam Houston St. 96, LeTourneau 54 FAR WEST CS Bakersfield 69, Dartmouth 62 Gonzaga 86, St. Martin’s 50 Saint Mary’s (Cal) 93, Cal Poly 63

women’s College Basketball

By The Associated Press

Monday’s Scores EAST Arizona St. 60, Hartford 29 Columbia 84, LIU Brooklyn 74 Princeton 55, Fordham 44 Stony Brook 46, Morgan St. 42 SOUTH Alabama 69, North Florida 47 Campbell 73, W. Carolina 66 Duke 70, UMass 46 Georgia Southern 64, Charleston Southern 51 MVSU 64, Philander Smith 53 Mississippi 97, New Orleans 59 Murray St. 89, Blue Mountain 64 SC-Upstate 86, Morehead St. 72 Southern U. 81, Tougaloo 48 UNC Asheville 63, Coastal Carolina 52 Wake Forest 57, Jacksonville 51 SOUTHWEST Canisius 57, Lamar 55 Oklahoma St. 77, North Carolina 67 Sam Houston St. 53, Texas Southern 51 Texas Tech 70, Incarnate Word 55 UNLV 65, Texas A&M-CC 51 UTEP 86, Texas-Permian Basin 32 FAR WEST Grand Canyon 58, UC Irvine 53 New Mexico St. 76, E. New Mexico 61

sports

The SUMTER ITEM

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

|

B3

GIRLS AREA ROUNDUP

BOYS AREA ROUNDUP

Ceasar, Lady Knights roll past LCHS

Johnson, Wilson help Gators improve to 8-1

BISHOPVILLE — Cawasha Ceasar scored 15 points to help Crestwood earn a 53-21 victory over Lee Central on Tuesday at the Stallions gymnasium.

Avis Murphy added 10 points for the Lady Knights and Shaquanda Miller-McCray had 10 rebounds and five blocked shots.

Crestwood (3-1) travels to Sumter on Friday.

CRESTWOOD Ceasar 15, Murphy 10, Bolden 9, Saunders 4, Miller-McCray 4, Martin 3, Rogers 2, Jamison 2, Sumpter 2, Dukes 2.

Lakewood 46 Camden 34

Ki’Ari Cain and Tatyana Weldon each had 13 points as the Lady Gators beat Camden 46-34 on Tuesday at The Swamp.

Shanekia Jackson added nine points and had 16 rebounds while Taja Randolph finished with seven points and 10 rebounds.

Laurence Manning 44 Florence Christian 39

FLORENCE — Courtney Beatson and Brook Bennett each finished with 10 points to power Laurence Manning Academy past Florence Christian School 44-39 on Tuesday at the FCS gymnasium.

Cora Downer, Kaela Johnson and Sarah Fraser all had eight points for the Lady Swampcats, who will travel to Ben Lippen on Friday.

Thomas Sumter 49 The King’s Academy 18

DALZELL — Bree Stoddard posted a game-high 17 points as Thomas Sumter Academy

earned a 49-18 victory over The King’s Academy on Monday at Edens Gymnasium.

Latrice Lyons added 12 points and four steals for the Lady Generals, who are at Florence Christian on Friday.

THOMAS SUMTER ACADEMY Stoddard 17, Lyons 12, Kindsvader 6, Morris 4, Ross 4, Bundy 2, Kistler 2, Hawkins 1, Font 1.

Robert E. Lee 48 Dillon Christian 21

BISHOPVILLE — Reghann Griffin’s double-double of 21 points and 10 rebounds helped power Robert E. Lee Academy to a 48-21 victory over Dillon Christian on Monday at the REL gymnasium.

Ellen Dinkins had nine points and Ivy Watts had eight points and 13 rebounds for the Lady Cavaliers, who improved to 2-5.

REL travels to Pee Dee Academy on Friday.

ROBERT E. LEE Griffin 21, Dinkins 9, Watts 8, Gaskins 4, Nix 4, Copeland 2.

Sumter Christian 36 Step of Faith 25

Nahdea Wiley posted 14 points to help lead Sumter Christian School to a 36-25 win over Step of Faith on Monday at the SCS gymnasium.

De’Jsha Tatum added 10 points for the Lady Bears.

SCS (3-3) hosts Grace Christian on Jan. 5 in its next game.

JUNIOR VARSITY BASKETBALL Laurence Manning 32 Florence Christian 27

FLORENCE — Abby Patrick

and Olivia Coker each had 10 points to help lead Laurence Manning Academy to a 32-27 victory over Florence Christian School on Tuesday at the FCS gymnasium.

Lakewood 40 Camden 20

CAMDEN — Rateshia Burgess scored 15 points and Mayla Wilson added 12 to lead the JV Gators past Camden 40-20 on Monday at the Bulldogs gymnasium. Lakewood improved to 3-2 on the season.

Dillon Christian 30 Robert E. Lee 23

BISHOPVILLE — Rebecca Dinkins had 11 points, three steals and two rebounds, but it was not enough as Robert E. Lee Academy fell 30-23 to Dillon Christian on Monday at the REL gymnasium.

Carson Shannon had 10 steals to go along with her six points for the Lady Cavaliers and Annalia Cook had 11 rebounds and four points.

REL (3-2) travels to Pee Dee Academy on Friday.

MIDDLE SCHOOL BASKETBALL Chestnut Oaks 37 Alice Drive 24

Carnesia Wells had 19 points to help lead Chestnut Oaks to a 37-24 victory over Alice Drive on Monday at the COMS gymnasium.

Dynesia Jackson added seven points for the Lady Falcons and Ciliyah Kennedy six.

Chestnut Oaks plays Hillcrest on Thursday.

Jarvis Johnson scored 16 points and the Lakewood varsity boys basketball team continued to roll with a 56-28 victory over Camden on Tuesday at The Swamp.

Malik Wilson added 15 points for the Gators, who improved to 8-1 and will host Scott’s Branch on Friday.

chimed in with 10.

Louie Smith led Step of Faith with 21 points.

Sumter Christian (4-3) will play host to Grace Christian on Jan. 5 in its next game.

JUNIOR VARSITY BASKETBALL Laurence Manning 41 Florence Christian 31

LAKEWOOD Johnson 16, Wilson 15, Tindal 8, Pack 7, Singleton 5, Evans 3, Richardson 2.

Lee Central 72 Crestwood 54

BISHOPVILLE — Kendrick Holloman and DeMarcus Smith each had 15 points as Lee Central earned a 72-54 victory over Crestwood on Tuesday at the Stallions gymnasium.

Malcolm McDowell added 14 points for LCHS and Nassire Reddick had 12 to give the Stallions four players in double-figure scoring.

Devin Nelson led the Knights with 24 points followed by Ja Morant with 12 and Dakota Jennings with 11.

The Stallions led 35-30 at halftime.

CRESTWOOD Nelson 24, Morant 12, Jennings 11, Webber 3, Williams 2, Thomas 2.

LEE CENTRAL Holloman 15, Smith 15, McDowell 14, Reddick 12, Mixon 6, Austin 4, Cooper 2, Simon 2, Thomas 2.

FLORENCE — Chase Lee had 12 points as Laurence Manning Academy earned a 41-31 victory over Florence Christian School on Tuesday at the FCS gymnasium.

Wyatt Roland added 10 points for the Swampcats, who return to action on Friday when they travel to Ben Lippen.

Step of Faith 29 Sumter Christian 23

Louie Smith scored 14 points to help lead Step of Faith past Sumter Christian School 29-23 on Monday at the SCS gymnasium.

Tyler Dawson led the Bears with nine points followed by My’lik Lloyd with eight and Jaden Sanders with five.

SCS (0-3) hosts Grace Christian on Jan. 5 in its next game.

Camden 37 Lakewood 32

Timberland 63

CAMDEN — Malik Richardson scored 10 points but MANNING — D.J. it was not enough as LakeJohnson scored 22 points to wood fell to Camden 37-32 lead Timberland to a 63-43 on Monday at the Bulldogs victory over Manning on gymnasium.

Monday at the Thames Juwan Perdue finished Arena. with eight points for the Jalen White had 14 points Gators. to lead the Monarchs while Rayvon Whitherspoon MIDDLE SCHOOL added 11.

Manning 43

stallions

tered what Lee Central likes to do on both defense and offense.

“We really can’t press people,” she said. “We don’t have the numbers; we’ve got girls playing too many minutes.

When we had 10 we were just starting to put in our press, but when they got hurt, we didn’t even bother. We can’t press, but we’ve got people who are pressing us.

“We’re taking our time when we have the ball on offense too. We’re working the ball

around, looking for the best shot we can get. We’re trying to get back on defense as well.”

Fortune is hoping to get Wright back sometime in January, preferably before the start of the state playoffs.

Wright can play each of the spots except for center, versatility that is sorely needed.

“Having Asia back would help us out a lot,” Fortune said of Wright, who missed most of last season as well due to a shoulder injury.

ward. The other starters are 6-4 junior center Roderius From Page B1 Simon, 6-0 junior point guard Nassire Reddick and 6-0 sophoMontrell Smith led the way, more forward DaMarcus averaging 12.9 points and 8.0 Smith. rebounds, while Tyrone Wil“We’ve got a good, young son averaged 10.3 points and group with seven sophomores 7.0 rebounds. Deshawn Evans and four juniors,” Knox said. averaged 8.9 and 6.0 rebounds “They’re coming along pretty and Jalen Toney averaged 8.0 good.” points and 4.0 assists.

Knox said he is using a lot of The only returning starter is players in his rotation, and the junior Kendrick Holloman.

Stallions have decent height.

The 13-man roster is extreme- While Simon is the tallest ly young with 11 underclassplayer on the roster, only two men — seven sophomores and are shorter than six feet. four juniors. There are only two seniors, Jordan Brown and Malcom McDowell.

Brown, a 6-foot guard, is one of the starters along Holloman, a 6-foot-2-inch for-

“We’re running a man-toman defense,” Knox said. “I think our depth helps us to do that.”

The Stallions are using a motion offense and Knox likes the progress it is making. He believes as the team gains more experience it will become better in all facets of the game.

“I think we have a chance to win the region,” Knox said.

“These young kids are getting this playing time now and I think it will do nothing but help them down the road.”

From Page B1

The other starters are junior power forward Samone Holloman, freshman center A’yanna Lucas and junior shooting guard Jiah Ervin.

Coming off the bench to provide minutes are sophomore Nayiah Holmes, freshman Miya Gokey and senior Diamond Fortune.

Fortune said only having eight players available has al-

LEE

Prep Schedule TODAY

B Team Basketball Spring Valley at Sumter (Boys Only), 6 p.m.

Middle School Basketball East Clarendon at C.E. Murray, 5:30 p.m.

Varsity Wrestling Sumter at Swansea, 6 p.m.

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THURSDAY

Junior Varsity Basketball Sumter at Crestwood, 6 p.m.

Middle School Basketball Manning at Alice Drive, 5 p.m.

Ebenezer at Mayewood, 5 p.m.

Furman at Bates, 5 p.m.

Chestnut Oaks at Hillcrest, 5 p.m.

Lee Central at Spaulding, 5:30 p.m.

FRIDAY

Varsity Basketball Crestwood at Sumter, 6 p.m.

Timberland at Manning, 6 p.m.

Lamar at Lee Central, 6 p.m.

Varsity and JV Basketball Scott’s Branch at Lakewood (No JV Girls) , 5 p.m.

Laurence Manning at Ben Lippen, 4 p.m.

Thomas Sumter at Florence Christian, 4 p.m.

Robert E. Lee at Pee Dee, 4 p.m.

Holly Hill at Clarendon Hall, 4 p.m.

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Bates 52

Sumter Christian 64 Step of Faith 40

Hillcrest 18

Donzell Metz led three Sumter Christian School players in double figures with 20 points as the Bears earned a 64-40 victory over Step of Faith on Monday at the SCS gymnasium.

Tracy Brown added 17 points for Sumter Christian while Daniel Barwick

DALZELL — Detwon White had 20 points to help lead Bates to a 52-18 victory over Hillcrest on Monday at the Wildcats gymnasium.

Kendall Houck added nine points for the Bantams and Vance Ragin finished with seven.

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B4

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sports

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

The SUMTER ITEM

nfl

Finishing properly gives hope to Giants

Bengals’ McCarron preparing for first NFL start at QB

By JOE KAY The Associated Press

By ERNIE PALLADINO The Associated Press

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — For all the Giants offense accomplished in their 31-24 win over the Dolphins, Tom Coughlin was grateful Tuesday for two plays that involved neither a pass nor run.

They were the ones where quarterback Eli Manning took a knee to run off the final seconds — the socalled victory formation.

The Giants finally finished a game the way their coach had always envisioned, but rarely realized, during a frustrating 6-7 season.

The victory allowed the Giants to remain in a three-way tie atop the weak NFC East with the Redskins and Eagles.

But just as important was how they finished off the Dolphins. It took several key plays to get to victory formation, as well as a few anxious moments.

Eli Manning’s 84-yard touchdown to a wide-open Odell Beckham Jr. in the fourth quarter broke a 24-24 tie early in the fourth quarter. From there, New York kept the ball away from Miami’s offense.

Struggling running back Rashad Jennings, who finished with a season-high 81 yards on 22 carries, had a key first down in the final minutes. Dwayne Harris and Beckham also had key catches.

“The way we just buckled down with the 4-minute runs, there was some real head-knocking in there at that point,” Coughlin said. “I thought that was a little bit of a step forward.”

Manning went 27-of-31 for 337 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions for a near-perfect passer rating of 151.5. Beckham had seven catch, 166 yards and two touchdowns — his sixth straight game with at least 100 yards receiving.

Now that the Giants have finally played a fourth quarter to Coughlin’s satisfaction, the trick is to do it again.

This time, they’ll go against the undefeated (13-0) Carolina

The Associated Press

New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) is lifted by center Weston Richburg after Beckham scored a touchdown during Monday night’s 31-24 victory over Miami in Miami Gardens, Fla. Panthers.

“Anytime you have that kind of confidence, there will be a certain measure of accomplishment,” Coughlin said. “The question I’ll have again is, ‘OK, we did this the other night. Do you realize how much we’ll have to improve over that against an undefeated team?”’

NOTES Coughlin said he has some concern about kicker Josh Brown, whose third-quarter miss from 49 yards marked his second in two

shula

When Mike called for a bizarre-looking “flea-flicker From Page B1 tight end screen” to Greg Olsen last season against MinBut he likes the way the nesota, the elder Shula teased Panthers are constructed and on the phone, “How long did it seems enamored with the ver- take you to think of that one?” satility of quarterback Cam The conversation between Newton, whom he calls “unbe- father and son often starts lievable,” and a hard-hitting with football, but ultimately defense led by linebacker Luke turns to Don asking about anKuechly that leads the league other one of his favorite subin takeaways. jects — his grandchildren.

“It’s fun to watch them,” Mostly, the younger Shula Shula said. said his father is just there for The 85-year-old knows first- him, always with words of enhand what’s happening with couragement and support, and the Panthers. He not only an occasional piece of advice. watches them regularly on “Where he has been really television from his home in good has been when we have Miami, but also talks strategy had some tough times in the with his son on the phone. past,” Mike Shula said. “He For the most part, however, has talked about how importhe elder Shula gives his son tant the leadership is and how, space to do his job, serving as hey, you are in that leadership a sounding board. position and everyone is going Of course, there are times to be looking at you to see how he can’t help but throw in his you respond. Just like the playopinion. ers do, we have to pick our-

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games after hitting 19 straight from the start of the season. Brown was 1 for 2 on the night. “We definitely need Josh to get back to the 19-in-arow kind of thing,” Coughlin said.

“Rather than be 1-for-2, the expectation is very high for Josh. We would expect it to be 2-for-2.”... Coughlin said left tackle Ereck Flowers was “very effective” while playing through a left ankle sprain that put him on crutches for part of the practice week. Flowers aggravated the sprain and came out of the game during the fourth quarter.

selves up and move on.”

Shula was 7 years old when he watched the Dolphins beat the Washington Redskins in the Super Bowl to finish the 1972 season 17-0.

He said the thing he remembers most about it — even more so than kicker Garo Yepremian’s infamous botched pass attempt — was his mother buying him a red transistor radio before the game.

He also remembers all the success those Dolphins had.

Miami went on to win another Super Bowl the following season in its third straight appearance in the big game.

Mike Shula said it was never hard growing up in his father’s long shadow, but it was a little difficult learning how to accept losing as he grew up.

“When I was that age I thought, ‘This is great. Dad wins every week and this is easy, this is fun stuff. All of your friends like you,”’ Mike

The younger Shula has succeeded.

Now in his fifth season, Newton is a leading MVP contender who has thrown 28 touchdown passes and run for seven more.

If Shula, Newton and Co. do make it to Santa Clara, California, for the Super Bowl this season, Don Shula said he will be there.

“Oh you better believe I will,” he said. “I will be there rooting on the Panthers.”

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Shula said, smiling. “But then as I got older you started to recognize that you’re not always going to win — and winning is a lot tougher than you think.”

He and the Panthers have experienced plenty of ups and downs since he joined Rivera’s staff in 2011 as the team’s quarterbacks coach and was entrusted with developing Newton, the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft that year, into a star player.

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CINCINNATI — During practices last week leading up to a big game against the Steelers, quarterback AJ McCarron was throwing to a collection of running backs doing their best to emulate the Bengals receivers.

Wasn’t the same as hooking up with A.J. Green, Marvin Jones and Tyler Eifert.

McCarron gets a full week of practice with the starting offense this week, knowing he’ll make his first NFL start on Sunday in San Francisco because Andy Dalton is hurt.

He’ll actually get to work on his timing with the receivers, going with a game plan tailored more to his strengths.

“It’s just different getting all the chemistry back and taking a step forward,” said McCarron, who got only a few snaps with the starting offense during the season. “It’s fun.”

It’s a big moment for McCarron, who will try to use his experience in national championship games at Alabama to help him get through his emotional first start.

The Bengals (10-3) are on the verge of clinching their fifth straight playoff spot, and McCarron gets the chance to take them there. They blew a chance on Sunday by losing to Pittsburgh 33-20 at Paul Brown Stadium, with Dalton breaking his right thumb while making a tackle after an interception in the first quarter.

McCarron, who had thrown a total of four passes in the NFL in a mop-up role, took over and threw a pair of touchdowns but also a pair of interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown that put the Steelers in control.

Dalton found out on Monday that the thumb won’t need surgery, so there’s a chance he could return this season if the fracture heals quickly. McCarron gets to face the 49ers (4-9), who lost in Cleveland 24-10 on Sunday. The Browns had the NFL’s worst running game, but rushed for 230 yards with their line opening big holes.

The Bengals will likely try to follow the script, even though their running game has struggled. Offensive coordinator Hue Jackson said he’s not reluctant to let McCarron throw a lot if necessary.

“He’s ready to assume any role we ask him to play within our offense, whether it’s to hand it off, to throw it,” Jackson said. “I don’t have any reservations or limitations with him.”

McCarron was a fifth-round pick last year.

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sports

The SUMTER ITEM

golf notes

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

|

B5

pro baseball

Scott doesn’t have much to worry about in switching putters

By DOUG FERGUSON The Associated Press The popular “strokes gained” statistic was not introduced until four years ago, although the PGA Tour has data to track putting performances dating to 2004. Tiger Woods was No. 2 that year, followed

by Brad Faxon and Steve Stricker. All have reputations as being great putters.

So it’s worth noting, statistically, who was the No. 1 putter in 2004 — Adam Scott.

SCOTT And that’s why Scott is bemused, and a little irritated, when he’s often cited among players facing an uncertain future when the ban on anchored strokes used for long putters starts on Jan. 1.

“People don’t like facts? It’s a good starting point to an opinion — a fact,” said Scott.

“Maybe because me changing to a long putter was quite a drastic change. Maybe that’s why it got a lot of attention.

Beats me. I’ve tried to downplay it the whole time. I don’t think it’s that big of a deal going back to the short putter.”

He switched to the long putter at the Match Play Championship in 2011, contended for the first time at the Masters two months later, nearly won the British Open the following year and then became the first Australian to win the Masters in 2013.

What often gets overlooked is that Scott won 18 times worldwide before switching to the long putter, including The Players Championship and the Tour Championship. He has won seven times in five years with the long putter.

Scott refers to 2015 as a “transition” year, yet when he talked about change — a daughter, a new caddie, tinkering with equipment — his putting was almost an afterthought.

What might have hurt him this year was putting so poorly. He started with a short putter, only to switch back to the longer putter before the Masters. The change back to a short putter for good began at the Presidents Cup. He had one match where he missed everything, and a Sunday singles rout of Rickie Fowler when he made everything.

“I think the focus on putting is probably the least impactful thing,” he said. “I haven’t had the consistency with my striking this year because it’s one of those things where when

your putting suffers, eventually it catches up with your ball striking.”

Tim Clark and Carl Pettersson have used long putters their entire careers. Webb Simpson and Keegan Bradley, who used belly putters their entire PGA Tour careers, went to a short putter at the end of 2014. Both now are well out of the top 50.

JORDAN & THE KING Jordan Spieth returned to Augusta National last week for the first time since his fourshot victory in the Masters. He saw his name on the permanent Masters trophy. He was treated like an honorary member. And he checked out the new Champions Locker Room.

Augusta National has champions share a locker, and the 22-year-old Texan was curious.

“I walked up to see who I was with,” Spieth told Golfweek magazine. “And I share a locker with Arnold Palmer. So it was a very special moment there.”

He might have recognized one other thing in that locker room — his 60-degree wedge that he used to win the Masters. The club asks champions to donate one club that was meaningful in their victory.

That wedge is what Spieth used to hit a flop shot over the edge of a bunker on the 18th hole in the third round for an unlikely par save to keep his lead at four shots.

TIGER’S PUTTING Tiger Woods wasn’t making as many putts before his back surgeries or at least it seemed that way because he used to make everything. He had a reason for that in his interview with Time magazine.

“Here’s the deal,” Woods said. “When my back was bad, anytime I bent over, my whole upper body and neck would start to cramp up, and so putting was the most painful, and so I never practiced it. It hurt too much. It’s just a matter of getting healthy enough to where I can do that again.”

Woods didn’t play enough to be eligible for a ranking in strokes gained in 2014 and 2015. In his last two full seasons, he was 35th in 2012 and tied for 22nd in 2013.

“I know I can putt,” Woods said. “I proved that to myself this year that I can still putt. I haven’t lost my nerves. My hands don’t shake. I don’t feel any of those sensations, unless my back was acting up. But then bending over would cause my neck to go, and eventually other parts of my body would start to go.”

The Associated Press

Newly acquired outfielder Jason Heyward, center, holds up a Chicago Cubs uniform as president of baseball operations Theo Epstein, right, and executive vice president and general manager Jed Hoyer, left, look on during a news conference on Tuesday in Chicago.

Heyward finalizes contract with Cubs

By ANDREW SELIGMAN The Associated Press CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs finalized their $184 million, eight-year contract with free agent outfielder Jason Heyward on Tuesday, adding a three-time Gold Glove winner in their continuing makeover to build a World Series contender.

The Cubs were scheduled to introduce Heyward at Spiaggia Restaurant, one of President Barack Obama’s favorites. The agreement is the latest in a series of big moves as they try to bring home the franchise’s first championship since 1908.

Heyward has the right to opt out of the deal after three seasons and become a free agent again at age 29, having earned $78 million under the deal with the Cubs. He also has a conditional opt out after the 2019 season, if he has 550 plate appearances that year.

The deal calls for a $20

million signing bonus, payable in four $5 million installments each April 1 from 2024-27.

He gets salaries of $15 million in 2016, $21.5 million in each of the next two years, $20 million in 2019, $21 million apiece in 2020 and 2021 and $22 million in each of the final two seasons.

Heyward gets a full notrade provision through 2018, then during 2019 and 2020 has 12 teams he cannot be dealt to without his consent.

Chicago won 97 games last season and knocked out NL Central rivals Pittsburgh and St. Louis before getting swept by the New York Mets in the NLCS. Since then, the Cubs have also added pitchers John Lackey and Adam Warren along with infielder Ben Zobrist. Lackey, like Heyward, left the rival Cardinals for the Cubs and figures to be Chicago’s No. 3 starter behind NL Cy Young Award winner Jake Arrieta and Jon Lester.

Lackey signed a $32 million, two-year deal, while Zobrist agreed to a $56 million, four-year contract. Warren was acquired from the New York Yankees for Starlin Castro.

The 26-year-old Heyward, an All-Star in 2010, hit .293 with 13 homers and 60 RBIs last season. He helped St. Louis win the NL Central after spending his first five big league seasons with Atlanta.

Heyward has a .268 career batting average and has hit more than 18 home runs just once. But the Cubs are counting on him to help strengthen a batting order that includes young sluggers Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant and Kyle Schwarber along with Addison Russell. All are 26 or younger, with Rizzo a two-time All-Star and Bryant a unanimous pick for NL Rookie of the Year.

The Cubs also are counting on Heyward to help solidify their outfield, whether they keep him in right field or move him to center.

CHRISTMAS COLORING CONTEST

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To enter, just color the picture and submit it, along with the entry form, to the newspaper no later than 12:00 Noon, Thursday, December 17, 2015. A panel of judges will choose one winner from each age group. Ages 5-7, 8-10 and 11-12. Winners will be contacted by phone and announced in the newspaper on Wednesday, December 23, 2015. Each winner will receive a prize. No Photocopies Accepted Please.

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Wednesday, December 16, 2015 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2015

rose

From Page B1 Rose said he believes Manfred will be a great commissioner, but that Manfred was put in a tough spot in having to rule on Rose’s reinstate-

sports SPORTS

The SUMTER ITEM THE SUMTER ITEM

ment 26 years into a lifetime ban. He also said his meeting with Manfred earlier this year — where he first denied still betting on baseball and then admitted he did — could have gone better.

“I’m a good guy, to be honest with you,” Rose said. “I tried

to be as honest as I could with the commissioner, but I made some mistakes and I clarified them. Some of his questions, though, I kind of panicked.”

He also would not comment on Manfred’s decision to keep him out of baseball partly because he still does gamble on

baseball while at the same time Major League Baseball has a stake in the daily fantasy site DraftKings.

Rose spoke on an outdoor patio fronting the Strip, where a crowd of a few hundred onlookers gathered behind the television cameras to watch.

While Manfred had the final say in whether Rose could be reinstated, he made a point of noting Monday that his decision was separate from that of the Hall of Fame, which in 1991 adopted a rule keeping anyone on the permanently ineligible list off the ballot.

New York, James Leroy (Judith) McMillian Jr., Kenneth (Shirley) McMillian, Abraham McMillian and Daniel (Margaret) McMillian of South Carolina, Richard Eric (Angela) McMillian of Nebraska, and Marvin (Ingrid) McMillian of Texas; an adopted son, Danny Prescott; 19 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday at Mechanicsville United Methodist Church, 184 Lake Ashwood Road, Sumter, with the Rev. Ronnie L. Jeffcoat, pastor, the Rev. Kenneth Carter, eulogist.

The family is receiving friends at the home, 1866 Rembert Church Road, Sumter.

The remains will be placed in the church at 10 a.m.

The funeral procession will leave at 10:30 a.m. from the home.

Floral bearers will be friends of the family.

Pallbearers will be grandsons.

Burial will be in Mechanicsville United Methodist Church cemetery.

Services directed by the management and staff of Williams Funeral Home Inc., 821 N. Main St., Sumter.

Online memorial messages may be sent to the family at williamsfuneralhome@sc.rr. com.

Visit us on the web at www. williamsfuneralhomeinc.com

and Ruby Dorman of Marion; one grandchild; and a number of nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday in the Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home Chapel.

The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m. on Friday at Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home.

Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of

the arrangements.

friends at the home of Deloris Wilson Woods, 180 Mt. Royal Loop, Greeleyville.

These services have been entrusted to Samuels Funeral Home LLC.

OBITUARIES LOUVENIA MCDONALD Louvenia McDonald was born on June 23, 1953, in Sumter, the fourth child of Emily Marjorie McDonald and Ethan Pack Sr. She attended Savage Glover Elementary, Bates Middle and Emonds MCDONALD High School, graduating in 1972. She departed this life on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2015, in New York, New York.

She attended and graduated from Bennett College, then moved to New York, seeking the job of her dreams. Always striving to achieve, Louvenia began studies at Columbia University. It took her a few years to complete her coursework and receive her master of business administration degree.

This was a proud moment for the family.

Louvenia leaves to cherish her precious memories: one brother, Carl (Gloria) Baker of Sumter; three sisters, Ruthie (Garrett) Anderson of Stone Mountain, Georgia, Marjorie Pack of Stone Mountain and Virginia King of Sumter; and one sister-in-law, Wanda Pack.

Although Louvenia didn’t have any children of her own, she enjoyed spoiling her nieces and nephews, Ethan Pack Jr., Ramsey Pack and Toreika Pack of New Bern, North Carolina, Melinda Baker Mihlbauer, Carl Elliott Baker, Melanie Baker, Sean Baker and Chanelle Baker of Sumter, Rankin Anderson, Drew Anderson and Blane Anderson of Stone Mountain. She was grandaunt of four nieces and three nephews. She also leaves a host of other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, James McKnight and Eathan Pack Jr. Public viewing will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. today at Job’s Mortuary.

Ms. McDonald will be placed in the church an hour before the service at 10 a.m. on Thursday for viewing.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday at Salem Missionary Baptist Church, Fulton Street, Sumter, with Deacon Jerry Farmer officiating and the Rev. Dr. Ralph W. Canty Sr., celebrant.

Interment will follow in Hillside Memorial Park.

The family will be receiving friends at 932 S. Main St., Sumter.

Job’s Mortuary Inc., 312 S. Main St., Sumter, is in charge of arrangements.

Online memorials may be sent to the family at jobsmortuary@sc.rr.com or visit us on the web at www.jobsmortuary. net.

JAMES L. MCMILLIAN SR. James Leroy McMillian Sr., 89, son of the late Samuel Capers Sr. and Everlenia Reames McMillian, departed this earthly life on Dec. 12, 2015, at his home.

He was born on June 18, 1926, in Lee County, where he attended the public schools.

James accepted the Lord as his Savior at an early age and was a faithful, dedicated servant at Mechanicsville United Methodist Church, until his health failed. James served the church in many capacities such as trustee chairperson, offering steward leader, finance committee member, member of the United Methodist Men, and church custodian.

He was also very active in the community, serving with the Council of Aging “Meals on Wheels,” Crime Stoppers, and as the neighborhood handyman. He was a devoted employee of Campbell Soup Co. and retired after 25 years of service.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Estelle Melton McMillian; their eight children, Barbara (Eugene) Spann-Kennedy of Delaware, Eileen Martin of

HATTIE A. PIERSON Hattie A. Pierson, 70, widow of Paul M. Pierson Sr., died on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2015, at her home.

Born in Sumter, she was a daughter of the late Randall and Eva Ardis. Mrs. Pierson was retired from Bosch Braking. She was a member of Bethel Baptist Church. She loved her coffee at the “Sportsman Stop & Shop” along with her family and friends. Special thanks go to Robin Hansen, Roy and Shirley Osborne, and Hospice of South Carolina.

Surviving are her daughter, Joyce P. Boykin (Mark Wise) of Sumter; one grandson, Brandon Beach (Cierra); three great-grandchildren, all of Griffin, Georgia; a “favorite” child, Kim Osborne; several brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her son, Paul M. Pierson Jr. Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday at Sumter Cemetery with the Rev. Dale Turner officiating.

Pallbearers will be Buck Ardis, Al Osborne, John Geddings, Mark Dively, Hugh Osborne and Charles Spigner.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the home of Roy and Shirley Osborne, 3055 Cox Road, Sumter.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice Care of SC, 110 Dillon Drive, Spartanburg, SC 29307.

Online condolences may be sent to www.sumterfunerals. com Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad St., Sumter, is in charge of the arrangements, (803) 7759386.

ROBERT B. WOODS GREELEYVILLE — Robert Bernard “Tex” Woods, 59, died on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2015, at his residence, 1837 Eddie Woods Road, Greeleyville.

He was born on Jan. 12, 1956, in Greeleyville, a son of Albertha Scott Woods Miller and the late Eddie Woods Sr. and stepson of Sellers Miller.

The family is receiving

BETTY P. ETHEREDGE Betty Partin Etheredge, 74, died on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2015, in Charleston.

Services will be announced

by Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home of Sumter.

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Volume 7, No. 45 ©SS 2015 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30,

WAR ON TERRORISM

CARTER: US WILL STEP UP ATTACKS ON ISLAMIC STATE

PAGE 2

Defense Secretary Ash Carter testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Tuesday before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

CARLOS BONGIOANNI /Stars and Stripes

6, 2015 FRIDAY, NOVEMBER

Volume 7, No. 46 ©SS

2015

Team, 25th Infantry dso the 4th Brigade Combat Base Elmendorf-Richar Paratroopers with an exercise near Joint U.S. Air Force Division, conduct of the on Page 4. Courtesy Alaska. See more

Volume 7, No. 47 ©SS 2015 FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 20

CONTINUING SERIES

Stumbling into war

Summerton Locations United Convenience Store Young’s Convenience Store

Columbia Locations

INSIDE

was the year America took the gloves off in Vietnam, moving from “advising and assisting” the South Vietnamese military to an active combat role. The first U.S. ground combat troops arrived there in March. That same month, the United States began bombing North Vietnam in Operation Rolling Thunder. In November, troops would take on North Vietnamese regulars for the first time in the Battle of Ia Drang Valley. Gen. William Westmoreland, commander of the U.S. Forces, was Time magazine’s Man of the Year.

Once again, America was at war.

Chick Fil A Forest Dr. at Fort Jackson Grouchos Deli Forest Dr. at Fort Jackson McEntire ANG Base Mr. Bunkys Hwy. 76 Panchos Restaurante 5400 Forest Dr. at Fort Jackson Shell/Corner Pantry Forest Dr. at Fort Jackson Starbucks Forest Dr. in Trentholm Plaza at Fort Jackson Subway Forest Dr.

From the front: Killing, dying, suffering ‘indelibly marked us

all’

War correspondent Joseph Galloway did four stints in Vietnam, including a 16-month tour in which he covered the pivotal Battle 1965, during of Ia Drang Valley. Galloway, the co-author of the acclaimed Vietnam War book “We Were Soldiers Once ... and Young,” which was the basis for the movie “We Were Soldiers,” shares with us his unique perspective from the ground at Landing Zone X-Ray and a lifelong brotherhood forged under fire.

Page 4

AT STRIPES.COM/VIETNAM50

‘Slippery slope’ Unrest The first U.S. combat at home troops

waded ashore near Da Nang in March 1965, and within a few months the Vietnam conflict became an American war. Although it barely registered in the national consciousness at first, the war would have dire consequences for the country, the presidency and American optimism and faith in governm t

The self-immolations of 1965 were the most dramatic acts of a budding antiwar movement. The centralized and diverse effort intertwined with movements for civil rights and free speech and against war, nuclear weapons and communism — then overtook them all.

Interactives, galleries & much more Interactive features include bios of key players, a timeline of major 1965 events and an Ia Drang Valley battle map. Plus, view photo galleries, read Stars and Stripes reporting from 1965 and veterans can share

Walmart 5420 Forest Dr. at Fort Jackson

PUBLISHES FIRST THURSDAY EVERY MONTH PUBLISHES EVERY THURSDAY ad deadline: FRIDAY AT 11AM THE WEEK PRIOR TO PUBLICATION

MARJORIE J. GRIFFIN Marjorie Johnson Griffin, 79, widow of Marshall Griffin, died on Monday, Dec. 14, 2015, at a local nursing facility.

Born in Horry County, she was a daughter of the late Joe Johnson and the late Elizabeth Lewis Rewis.

Survivors include one son, Tony Rewis of Lake View; one daughter, Betty Ann Rewis of Pennsylvania; one brother, Andrew Rewis of Latta; two sisters, Aileen Spivey of Florida

more information at www.stripes.com

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Garage, Yard & Estate Sales

Help Wanted Full-Time

Trucking Opportunities

Home Improvements

Habitat ReStore 50% off Sale Dec 16-19 Sofas, love seats & chairs Kitchen and bathroom sinks, Exercise equipment, Entertainment centers, 75% off all Christmas

CNA's- Full-Time, Part-Time positions for 3p-11p. Please apply in person at NHC Healthcare Sumter, 1018 N. Guignard Dr., Sumter, SC 29150 (EOE)

HOME IMPROVEMENTS Complete Service.

Please Call 803-464-5369

LARGE GARAGE SALE Every Weekend Tables $2 & $3

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Driver will be home on weekends.

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Local / Regional Drivers Immediate openings for experienced Van, Tanker & Rolloff drivers. Class A CDL with Hazmat & Tank endorsements required with 2 years verifiable experience. Mileage starts as high as .41 per mile and top rate .45 per mile along with stop pay, hourly pay and per diem on overnight trips. $1,000.00 sign on bonus and assigned equipment. Medical, Dental, Prescription & Life Insurance plans along with 401K and profit sharing. Paid Holidays, Earned PTO time and .03 per mile yearly Safety/Performance Bonus plan. Applicants can apply in person at FCI 132 Myrtle Beach Hwy Sumter, SC 29153 or call 1-888-249-2651 ext-24

BUSINESS SERVICES

paint roofs gutters drywall blown ceilings ect. 773-9904

For Sale or Trade

Legal Service Attorney Timothy L. Griffith 803-607-9087, 360 W. Wesmark.

Criminal, Family, Accident, Injury

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Virgil Bickley 803-316-4734.

Septic Tank Cleaning

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

Call 803-968-9549 or 843-992-2364 Firewood for sale, off Sally & McLaurin.

You cut & haul $50 a quart, $25 1/2 & $12.50 a basket. 803-305-2159 or 803-983-7728 2 Grave plots at Evergreen $3500 OBO Please call 803-983-9404 Martin's Used Appliance Washers, Dryers, Refrig., Stoves.

Guarantee 464-5439 or 469-7311.

Septic Tank Cleaning Call the pros for all of your septic pumping needs. 803-316-0429 Proline Utilities, LLC

Pianist needed for local Baptist Church. Sunday mornings, evenings and Wednesday nights . Call 803-494-2933

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

MERCHANDISE Want to Buy Green

Farm Products Golden Kernel Pecan Co. 1214 S. Guignard Dr. 968-9432 We buy pecans, sell Pecan halves, Choc., Sugarfree Choc., Fruit cake mix, Butter Roasted, Sugar & Spice, Prailine, Honey Glazed, Eng. Toffee Gift Pkgs avail. M-F 9-5 Sat 9-1

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Rooms for Rent Rooms for rent in spacious home.

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Senior Living Apartments for those 62+ (Rent based on income) Shiloh-Randolph Manor 125 W. Bartlette.

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If you think you are that man, send resume to P-432 c/o The Item, PO Box 1677 Sumter SC 29151

RENTALS

Unfurnished Apartments

4 Cemetery plots for sale at Hillside Memorial Park. $1650.00 each. Call 803-468-7479

EMPLOYMENT

Tree Service

PECANS Now Buying Farmers Exchange 405 Swamp Rd. 803-773-8336

USC Sumter Small Business Development Center (SBDC) has an opening for a part time business consultant. The position will be 24 hours per week & will be a flexible work schedule. Qualified candidates should have business ownership or management experience & be able to relate technical business concepts to others. Candidates should be familiar with financial statements, marketing & general business concepts, must be able to prepare & present related workshops. Please send resumes to Martin Goodman at goodman@uscb.edu or phone 843-521-4143 with questions.

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Unfurnished Homes

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Commercial Rentals

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1 bay garage with paint booth utilities furnished $500 per mo.

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REAL ESTATE

595 Ashton Mill Drive Office Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9-5 905 Arnaud St 2BR 2BA Quiet Cul-de-sac. All appl's, fenced patio, screened porch. $900 mo. Available now. 803-464-8354 1BR 1BA Single family home Historic dist. stove, fridge, washer & dryer, microwave, $495 Mo,+ $495 Dep. No pets Credit & backgrd Chk. Call 803-316-6505 2BR/1.5BA, duplex Ceiling fans, carpet/tile floors, kit, stove/fridge, laundry, carport, shed, $600/mo + dep. No Pets. 803-481-8286 lv msg.

Real Estate Wanted TOP CASH paid for houses & mobile homes.

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Homes for Sale For Sale 821 Holiday Drive 2BR, 1BA, Den, LR. $61,900. Call 803-983-7064.

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Mobile Home Rentals

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I Found it in the

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To enter, just color the picture and submit it, along with the entry form, to the newspaper no later than 12:00 Noon, Thursday, December 17, 2015. A panel of judges will choose one winner from each age group. Ages 5-7, 8-10 and 11-12. Winners will be contacted by phone and announced in the newspaper on Wednesday, December 23, 2015. Each winner will receive a prize. No Photocopies Accepted Please.

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LEGAL NOTICES Summons & Notice ORDER APPOINTING GUARDIAN AD LITEM IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS C/A NO. 2014-CP-43-2547 STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF SUMTER CitiFinancial Servicing LLC, Plaintiff vs.

The Personal Representative, if any, whose name is unknown, of the Estate of Francis Ellis a/k/a Francis V. Ellis; and any other Heirs-at-Law or Devisees of Francis Ellis a/k/a Francis V. Ellis, Deceased, their heirs, Personal Representatives, Administrators, Successors and Assigns, and all other persons entitled to claim through them; all unknown persons with any right, title or interest in the real estate described herein; also any persons

who may be in the military service of the United States of America, being a class designated as John Doe; and any unknown minors or persons under a disability being a class designated as Richard Roe, Defendants.

It appearing to the satisfaction of the Court, upon reading the Motion for the Appointment of Kelley Y. Woody, Esq. as Guardian ad Litem for all unknown persons and persons who may be in the military service of the United States of America (which are constituted as a class designated as "John Doe") and any unknown minors and persons who may be under a disability (which are constituted as a class designated as "Richard Roe"), it is ORDERED that, pursuant to Rule 17, SCRCP, Kelley Y. Woody, Esq. is appointed Guardian ad Litem on behalf of all unknown persons and persons who may be in the military service of the United States of America (constituted as a class and designated as "John Doe"), all unknown minors or persons under a disability (constituted as a class and designated as "Richard Roe"), all of which have or may claim to have some interest in the property that is the subject of this action, commonly known as 328 N. Magnolia Street, Sumter, SC 29150, that Kelley Y. Woody, Esq. is empowered and directed to appear on behalf of and represent all unknown persons and persons who may be in the military service of the United States of America, constituted as a class and designated as "John Doe", all unknown minors and persons under a disability, constituted as a class and designated as "Richard Roe", unless the Defendants, or someone acting on their behalf, shall, within thirty (30) days after service of a copy of this Order as directed below, procure the appointment of a Guardian or Guardians ad Litem for the Defendants constituted as a class designated as "John Doe" or "Richard Roe".

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that a copy of this Order shall be served upon the unknown Defendants by publication in the The Item, a newspaper of general circulation in the County of Sumter, State of South Carolina, once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks, together with the Summons in the above entitled action.

SUMMONS AND NOTICE TO THE DEFENDANT(S) ALL UNKNOWN PERSONS WITH ANY RIGHT, TITLE OR INTEREST IN THE REAL ESTATE DESCRIBED HEREIN; ALSO ANY PERSONS WHO MAY BE IN THE MILITARY SERVICE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, BEING A CLASS DESIGNATED AS JOHN DOE; AND ANY UNKNOWN MINORS OR PERSONS UNDER A DISABILITY BEING A CLASS DESIGNATED AS RICHARD ROE; YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED and required to answer the Complaint in the above action, a copy which is herewith served upon

Summons & Notice

In Memory

ne STOP SHOPPING You can find everything you need

ANNOUNCEMENTS you, and to serve a copy of your Answer upon the undersigned at their offices, 2838 Devine Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29205, within thirty (30) days after service upon you, exclusive of the day of such service, and, if you fail to answer the Complaint within the time aforesaid, judgment by default will be rendered against you for relief demanded in the Complaint.

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NOTICE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the original Complaint in this action was filed in the office of the Clerk of Court for Sumter County on November 25, 2014.

NOTICE OF PENDENCY OF ACTION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT an action has been commenced and is now pending or is about to be commenced in the Circuit Court upon the complaint of the above named Plaintiff against the above named Defendant for the purpose of foreclosing a certain mortgage of real estate heretofore given by Francis V. Ellis to CitiFinancial Servicing LLC bearing date of August 12, 2005 and recorded August 15, 2005 in Mortgage Book 993 at Page 115 in the Register of Mesne Conveyances/Register of Deeds/Clerk of Court for Sumter County, in the original principal sum of Twenty Five Thousand Two Hundred Ten and 65/100 Dollars ($25,210.65). That thereafter, the Mortgage was assigned unto Plaintiff, which assignment is dated August 28, 2014 and to be recorded in said ROD Office., and that the premises effected by said mortgage and by the foreclosure thereof are situated in the County of Sumter, State of South Carolina, and is described as follows: That property with any improvements thereon situate in School District 17, Sumter County, South Carolina, representative as Lot 15 on plat of R.F. McLellan dated January 7, 1938, recorded in the Sumter County RMC Office in plat book G-5 at page 152.

Together with all and singular, the Rights, Members, Hereditaments and Appurtenances to said Premises belonging or in anywise incident of appertaining. TMS No. 249-08-04-016 Property Address: 328 N. Magnolia Street, Sumter, SC 29150 Riley Pope and Laney, LLC Post Office Box 11412 Columbia, South Carolina 29211 Telephone (803) 799-9993 Attorneys for Plaintiff A-4553839 12/16/2015, 12/23/2015, 12/30/2015

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The family of the late Mrs. Inez W. Leaf is filled with gratitude for your outpouring expressions of love and concerns during our time of bereavement. We sincerely thank you for your prayers and for every act of kindness shown. May God richly bless you!

The Family

In Loving Memory of Marcus Marquike Ragin 12/16/86-7/12/07 The tears in my eyes, I can wipe away. The ache in my heart will always stay. Although we are apart, your spirit lives within me, forever in my heart. Robert Lee Ragin, Daddy

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Lost & Found Found: Female terrier mix in Wedgefield. Submit pictures to claim. Call 803-968-3788.

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2015 Call Ivy Moore at: (803) 774-1221 | E-mail: ivy@theitem.com

Cookbook gets family into kitchen Making memories and recipes fun for kids and parents

BY IVY MOORE ivy@theitem.com

I

t’s easy and fun to read cookbooks — even those for children —

but as with most cookbooks, the proof of its worth is in the cooking.

Nine-year-old Piper Gordy happily agreed to be the guinea pig for this “review.”

She hasn’t been cooking full meals for very long, but thanks to her experiences using the new cookbook, Piper has made quite a few dishes for her family. The fourth-grader at High Hills Elementary School even has a toque — a chef’s hat — with her name on it.

Angela Gordy, Piper’s mom, said her daughter “has always been in the kitchen with me, since she was a little bitty one, standing on a stool. I’d give her a mixing bowl full of soapy water and salt and pepper, and she’d stand over the sink and stir while I was doing the same thing with our dinner.”

“My mom and I have a lot

of fun cooking together,” Piper said, “and my dad enjoys eating. The only thing he does is eat and clean up. I have to give him that — he does clean up.”

Over the past four months or so, Piper has been cooking regularly. It all started when she was asked to try out the book “It’s So Easy ... Kitchen Memories Cookbook” by Sheila Simmons. After her first batch of meatloaf “cupcakes” made from Simmons’ recipe, her mom said, Piper is even more hooked on cooking.

“Kitchen Memories” is not just a cookbook; it’s a book with special pages for even the youngest of children to record memories of such things as their favorite vacations, pastimes, Christmas memories, even experiences when called to the principal’s office (Piper hasn’t had to visit that office yet, she said).

There is also a religious component to the book; for example, one page asks “What is your favorite Bible story?” and another asks “Do you know the stories of these people in the Bible?” and lists 11.

Most of these exercises share a page or two with complementary recipes; for example, there’s a recipe for a Peppermint Float on the Christmas memory page, and “Traveling Tidbits” faces the page where Piper has written that her first vacation was to Disney World, where her favorite part was the rides.

But it is cooking, of course, that is the main focus of the book, and Simmons has created what she describes as “a chaotic, fun collection of memories all jumbled up with recipes for dishes your family will love and arts and crafts ideas your family will enjoy.”

That’s right up Piper’s alley, she said.

She loves cooking because, she said, “It’s better than doing nothing, and it makes people happy.”

Her first effort from the book at making people happy was that batch of meatloaf “cupcakes,” which she followed with Mexican Tortilla Stacks. Shared with her

PHOTOS PROVIDED

ABOVE: Piper Gordy stirs a pot of noodles with cheese to make the “Yummiest Ever Baked Mac and Cheese” from Sheila Simmons’ cookbook for kids. With good reviews from her family and friends, Piper said she’’ll probably try all the recipes in the book. She’s considering becoming a chef when she finishes school. BELOW LEFT: Piper mixes batter for her mom’s birthday cake. mom’s co-workers, this dish got rave reviews, one from a self-identified “in-house chicana,” who said, “The tortilla stacks that Piper made are wonderful. I’m having to use an abundance of self control to keep from going back for seconds!”

Angela is always in the kitchen with Piper when she’s cooking, she said.

“Piper does everything herself, except for putting things into the oven and taking them out,” she said.

“The best recipe I made by myself was the cake,” Piper said. “When we put it in the

oven, it started to bubble. It didn’t explode, so I think we’re OK. I think 12-year-olds could do everything by themselves.”

Piper’s mom particularly liked the cake, as it was made for her birthday.

“It was really good,” she said, “and Piper decorated it herself, too.”

She has pretty much followed the book’s recipes precisely, Piper said, “except the only thing we did was add Texas Pete to the meatloaf. I love Texas Pete. I could drink it.”

Angela Gordy said the fami-

Sumter author shows ‘true grit’ in new book

BY SUSAN DOHERTY OSTEEN Special to The Sumter Item

G

rits.

In the South the word conjures warm memories of comfort food.

It also brings to mind the gumption and determination that make a character tough. It is the doggedness that gives someone a backbone, and BELL if you don’t like it you can “kiss my grits.”

Jean Bell’s collection of short stories titled “Prison Grits” is a nod to both definitions. Titles read like a cookbook: Dirty Rice, Bruised Fruit, Sour Cream and Devil’s Food. But the story is about the grit it takes to survive prison, not as an inmate, but as an employee.

Through prison riots, contraband deliveries and assaults, three women learn about the politics of prison and how it mirrors their own small-town lives.

As readers discover the characters of Miss Kelly, Wilma and Faith, they also learn that the difference between good and bad is not always as clear as we hope — and that not all the criminals in prison are the ones doing time.

It is a good read and not just a “chick” book.

As the title implies, the book has grit.

If “Orange is the New Black,” then prison is a prime-time center for conducting business. Bell adds in a dose of domestic violence, a borderline psychopath and an unlikely romance, and the story quickly builds with suspense and suspicion.

Although it is billed as a collection of short stories, the parts of the book build into a complete novel. Without a doubt, readers will never look past razor wire in quite the same way.

Jean Bell, better known to friends here in Sumter as “Peg,” writes from experience. She worked for more than 20 years in the prison system and served as head of security at the state’s largest maximum security prison.

An award-winning writer of essays and short fiction, Bell released “Prison Grits” as her first collection of short stories.

The book is published by Holladay House Publishing and is available through www.holladayhousepublishing.com and locally at the Elephant Ear Gift Shop and Gallery, 672 Bultman Drive.

Bell is an active member of the Sumter chapter of the South Carolina Writers’ Workshop. She is currently at work on her second book, which also takes place inside a prison.

ly has liked all the recipes Piper has tried, so far. In fact, she’s planning on using the book’s “Yummiest Ever Baked Mac and Cheese” as her “goto recipe.”

She’s sure Piper will stick with cooking: “I think she’ll probably go to culinary school.”

“I’m probably going to go through all the recipes in the book,” Piper said. “I like cooking and singing. Maybe I’ll be a singing chef.”

“Kitchen Memories Cookbook” by Sheila Simmons is published by Great American Publishers. It sells for $18.95.

Christmas events winding down

BY IVY MOORE ivy@theitem.com

PHOTOS PROVIDED

Sumter’s Jean Bell has released her first volume of short stories. They reflect her experiences working in the state’s largest maximum security prison. Find the book at Elephant Ear Gallery.

As Christmas Day approaches, groups are winding down their seasonal programs. Two are happening in the next few days.

Sunday’s presentation of Handel’s “Messiah” will also feature a recital preceding the oratorio performance. Directed by Music Minister Charles Haraway of Trinity United Methodist Church and Director of Music Walter S. “Chuck” Wilson of the Church of the Holy Comforter, “Messiah” will begin at 6 p.m. in the sanctuary of Holy Comforter, located on the southeast corner of Calhoun and Main streets.

In celebration of its new exhibit, “Christmas in Sumter,” the Sumter County Museum, 122 N. Washington St., has invited Santa Claus to make a personal appearance in the Heritage Education Center, where the exhibit is housed.

He’ll be there from 3 to 5 p.m. on Monday.

Museum director Annie Rivers invites the public to bring their young ones “for this exciting visit. It’s a great time to see our new exhibit highlighting images of past Christmas parades, Santa visits, and more.

“Children will also enjoy our Coloring Station and Christmas Cookies.”

Admission is free.

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2015

THE SUMTER ITEM

Entertaining at home over the holidays?

Here’s a DIY on bars

BY MICHELLE LOCKE The Associated Press The cocktail renaissance has transformed happy hours across the country. Now, it’s time to raise your home bar game. No more slapping a bottle of bottom-shelf vodka and a six-pack of tonic on your kitchen counter and calling it a party. This holiday season, you’re going to master the fine art of the better home bar experience.

But before you start stressing over your holiday get-together — or wondering if your budget will stretch to a butler — here are a few tips on creating a stress-free soiree.

BOTTLE STATIONS Open bars are for weddings.

To keep your event manageable, limit your guests to a handful of drinks, and let them do the mixology work.

Liz Brusca, spokeswoman for San Francisco’s Anchor Distilling Co., which makes and imports liquors, suggests starting by picking a handful of cocktails to serve, shopping for and prepping the ingredients, then arranging each in its own location. For a recent event at San Francisco’s Gotham Club, she set out four cocktail stations, each equipped with the tools, glasses, liquor and mixers needed for one drink. When appropriate, she included a framed recipe.

Not only does this approach help you buy only what you need, it also gives your guests something to do — and talk about — during those awkward first moments of acclimatizing to a room full of strangers. So, if you’ve decided to have guests make their own French 75s, you’d get in Champagne, a good gin, lemon juice, sugar or simple syrup, depending which recipe you favor, and a twist of lemon for the garnish. Add glassware and you’re good to go.

Even simpler, a whiskey station with different takes on the brown spirit — think scotch, bourbon and rye — high-quality ice, glasses and water droppers (adding a drop of water to

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Beverage stations, once created, mean that guests can help themselves, they don’t have to mix drinks, there isn’t the problem of running out of mixers and guests having to concoct odd beverages with what’s left. whiskey helps the flavors open up).

DO AHEAD When you’re deciding what drinks to serve, consider cocktails that can be made up in quantities ahead of time, says Josh Harris, co-founder with Scott Baird of The Bon Vivants, a San Francisco-based cocktail, hospitality, marketing and design consulting firm.

This could mean whipping up classic batch drinks, such as punches, in advance, then setting them out so guests can serve themselves.

Or you could take it in a new direction. Consider making large quantities of easily mixed drinks — old fashioneds and Manhattans are good choices — then offering them in attractive bottles for people to pour their own. Just offer the bottled cocktails with ice and glassware. Or strike a mixer middle ground. Offer the ingredients for set cocktails, but include items made in advance, such as flavored simple syrups.

“Last year, I set up an old fashioned bar and had apple spice syrup on hand for people who preferred a flavored cocktail,” says Harris.

“When you pour a drink, it’s often made two-thirds or more of the mixer and you should use a mixer of the same quality as your spirits,” points out Jordan Silbert, founder of Q Tonic.

MIX IT UP For the simplest of parties, he recommends getting a few difWant to take a more freewheeling approach? That can be ferent styles of gin, lemon and lime garnishes and good quality easier — and less expensive — tonic. than you think.

Or, go with vodka and along Start with a couple bottles of your favorite base spirits. “And with tonic put out the ingredidon’t just buy the cheapest bot- ents for Moscow mules (vodka, ginger beer, lime juice, mint for tle; buy what you like,” says muddling and as a garnish). Q Baird. “No matter what you Tonic has a spicy ginger beer spend, it’s going to be cheaper than going out to a bar and pay- that comes in a frosted bottle, the same type used for white ing for drinks there.”

Next, add a variety of mixers wine, that “looks gorgeous,” (soda, tonic water, etc.) in small, says Silbert. “Everybody is single-serving sized bottles. Add going to think you did everything to the nines where you refresh juices, a bottle or two of ally just bought two nice bottles bitters and some basic mixing of liquid.” liqueurs — triple sec, verOther possibilities — swap mouths, etc. This collection — which shouldn’t cost that much out the mint garnish for rose— should enable most guests to mary for a seasonal look and float a few cranberries in the make something delicious no gin and tonics. matter what their drink of choice.

And don’t forget to pay atten- DABBLE IN DECOR tion to the quality of the mixers.

Chances are your 800-square-

foot city apartment doesn’t come with a fully stocked wet bar. And even a bigger place can feel cramped if the only place to mix drinks is a crowded kitchen table.

Julie Richards, design expert at Ace Hardware, recommends repurposing a piece of furniture as a bar. If you want to go all out, you could paint an old credenza in a bright color, or just use an existing table and cover it with a good-looking cloth.

Bookcases are another option. If the top is too narrow to work as a mixing station, set a table close by, says Richards; you don’t want guests juggling glassware. You may need to take out some of the shelves to make room for tall bottles; if you’re feeling ambitious, gluing a mirror on the back of the shelf where it will reflect your gleaming bottles is a nice touch.

Trays are a good shortcut to keeping things neat and under control. You might have one for bottles, one for glasses, another for bowls of garnishes, etc.

For all your gift giving needs — the best food books of 2015

BY J.M. HIRSCH AP Food Editor

H

ave you ordered your copy of the latest five-ingredient-paleo-gluten-

free-Nordic-kale smoothie cookbook yet? Me either.

You know why? Because nobody outside hipster man bun-loving enclaves in Brooklyn and Los Angeles actually eats that way. Just don’t tell the publishing industry, which forever seems to trip over itself to get into ink whatever outrageous culinary fad crosses the editors’ Facebook feeds.

Surely there’s a better way...

Until then, we’re left to sift through the thousands of food books spewed forth each year. And we do it with particular fervor during this season of gifting as we search for books to satiate the foodies on our lists. So to save you a bit of trouble, I’ve assembled my list of the most useful, most inspiring and most interesting food books of 2015. In no particular order: “Kitchen Hacks: How Clever Cooks Get Things Done” by Cook’s Illustrated magazine (America’s Test Kitchen, $19.95) The folks at Cook’s Illustrated magazine have long collected kitchen tips and hacks from readers — the original culinary crowdsourcing. Now they’ve gathered their top 1,000 tips into one book (perfectly sized for stuffing in stockings). Nicely organized by circumstance (such as cleaning, food storage and how to transport things), the book is an amusing collection of ways to help you get the job done.

Ideas include how to tame the tears when chopping onions (burn a candle), what to do when avocado pits get stuck on your knife (tap it on the counter) and how to pit olives using an upside down funnel (you’ll just have to see that one for yourself).

There also are some easy recipe hacks, including my favorite — how to use dry sherry, vanilla and liquid smoke

to improve the flavor of cheap bourbon.

“The Broad Fork” by Hugh Acheson (Clarkson Potter, $35) This is Southerner-by-way-of-Canada Hugh Acheson’s gorgeous ode to produce, and it is seriously inspiring.

As in, the man makes a bowl of kohlrabi puree look (and taste) decadent, and that’s no easy task. Blissfully, the book isn’t vegetarian, but it does show you how to truly enjoy your veggies.

Organized by season, then by vegetable, the book guides the reader through simple — yet sensual — ways to eat more plants. I mean, fried Brussels sprouts with lime vinaigrette?

Poached eggs over sunchoke hash?

Sauteed parsnips with country ham, parsley and basil? One of each, please.

This is a prime contender for best cookbook of year.

“Spuntino: Comfort Food” (New York Style) by Russell Norman (Bloomsbury, $45) A London restaurateur idealizing New York City food and drink? Sounds like doomed carpetbagging. But Russell Norman captures if not a Big Apple vibe, at least a taste of comfort you will crave. The book, named for Norman’s London eatery, is a gorgeous romp through visceral recipes you will crave. Things like mackerel sliders, eggplant chips with fennel yogurt, and a salad of ribbon steak, chicory and anchovy. Make no mistake: This is Brit gastro pub grub, but it’s tinged with a New York flavor. And the section on Prohibition-era cocktails certainly ups the appeal.

“A Visual Guide to Drink” by Ben Gibson, Patrick Mulligan and Pop Chart Lab (Avery, $30) This is a book I was prepared to hate. When you first open it, it seems like just page after page of charts and graphs that leave you feeling a bit like you’ve stumbled into a nightmare PowerPoint presentation. Then you start reading and you get sucked in by the minimalist presentation of gobs upon gobs of cools facts, figures and

lesser known tidbits about everything booze.

The “Breweries of the United States” chart, for example, is just a two-page map of the country with dots indicating craft breweries. Simple and dull? Yes. And no. It’s easy to get lost wondering things like, what the heck is wrong with North Dakota? And I could spend hours dissecting the family tree diagram of beer styles. No question — this is a weird coffee table book. But for the boozer in your life, it’s going to be hypnotic.

“What Katie Ate on the Weekend” by Katie Quinn Davies (Viking Studio, $40) Speaking of books I wanted to hate...

There is a growing genre of cookbooks that seem to exist mostly to let you know that the authors’ lives are more beautiful, more delicious and way more fun than your own. Australian food photographer and blogger Katie Quinn Davies is right at home here. Except I was drawn to her book anyway. And I became convinced her life really is more beautiful, more delicious and way more fun than my own.

In fact, her book — a follow to her first, “What Katie Ate” (also the name of her blog) — is beautifully photographed (no shock since that’s her day gig) and the recipes are truly appealing. I want her spiced squash and apple soup with bacon, and her crab, lemon and chili spaghetti (even if I have to wade through dozens of pages of lifestyle photos to get to them). Get this book for the person who wants to get lost in — and inspired by — a cookbook.

“Milk Bar Life” by Christina Tosi (Clarkson Potter, $35) If “What Katie Ate on the Weekend” is all about aspirational eating, Christina Tosi’s book is dedicated to embracing your grubby inner child. Deliciously so. As the pastry chef and owner of Momofuku Milk Bar, she made a name for herself with crazy good creations like compost cookies, crack pie and cereal milk ice cream.

Her latest book pulls her more into sa-

vory territory, but with the same sense of whimsy.

Many of the recipes are riffs on the banal eats she (and many of us) had growing up. And so she gives us slow cooker cocktail meatballs (complete with a bottle of Heinz Chili Sauce), desperation nachos (which allow for Cheez Whiz) and Spaghettios sammy (which is exactly what you think it is).

Tosi has a sense of humor. The recipient of this book should, too.

“Olympia Provisions” by Elias Cairo (Ten Speed Press, $40) Elias Cairo is a bit of an icon in the food world, particularly on the Portland, Oregon, scene, where his Olympia Provisions has become a revered institution. What started as a salumeria has morphed into a mail order business, two restaurants and now a book. This is a book to inspire carnivorous cravings. Are you likely to tackle its three-page recipe for homemade chorizo? Probably not. But you will LOVE the centerfold spread of 19 creative ways to dress hot dogs. Get this book for the meat geek in your life (because it also has ample recipes for using charcuterie, even if you’re not ambitious enough to make it from scratch).

“The New Sugar and Spice” by Samantha Seneviratne (Ten Speed Press, $27.50) And I’ll wrap with something to satisfy the holiday sugar rush. Samantha Seneviratne has a fresh approach to what can feel like a tired niche — the baking book. She organizes her beautifully photographed cookbook by spice, so chapters are sorted by cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and so on. It’s a different way to peruse — and be inspired by — a baking book. And tucked inside those chapters are approachable and creative takes on classic treats. So you get brownies laced with cinnamon, a frosted chocolate cake spiked with an impressive tablespoon of nutmeg, and an orange pullapart bread flavored with cloves.

Great for the home baker eager for fresh ideas.

FOOD

THE SUMTER ITEM

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2015

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Capture the flavor and comfort of cassoulet in a healthy way

BY MELISSA D’ARABIAN The Associated Press If you’ve ever spent any winter time in France, you’ve undoubtedly indulged in what I consider the ultimate comfort food of the French — cassoulet.

For those of you who haven’t had cassoulet, I hesitate to describe it as a baked white bean dish. Yes, white beans are the main ingredient, but how the French manage to infuse beans with such incredible flavor and richness simply amazes. A proper cassoulet is loaded with fatty sausage, pork, duck fat, garlic, onion and salty-silky duck confit. The dish takes a full day to prepare, as the flavors are layered in and cooked low and slow.

All of which is to say, cassoulet is no health food. But if you are in France, you must try it, guilt-free, as it is intended to be savored.

But back home in regular life, I wanted to create a version that evoked at least some of that comfort, without quite so much heft. And, since white beans are affordable and incredibly healthy — full of protein and fiber — I thought it was worth the effort to explore. Was I able to capture the wintery lusciousness of a true French cassoulet for a fraction of the calories, fat and salt? Nope.

But the result was still pretty darned delicious in its own right, and a close enough cousin to scratch the itch.

The secret lies in roasting the garlic (I actually do a quick-roast microwave cheat) and slow-cooking the onions, which lends a sweetness that mimics some of the roundness of the (now-missing) duck fat. Smoked paprika boosts the smokiness of thickcut bacon, so the whole dish needs only a couple slices.

Chicken thighs impart richness and cubes of pork tenderloin add meaty heft.

And my completely unconventional add? Soy chorizo, because it gives depth of flavor and a fatty mouth-feel for about a third the fat of traditional sausage. And because it’s so flavorful, I need a lot less to make an impact.

Enjoy this almost-cassoulet.

spoon. Add the onions and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook until tender, about 10 minutes, then reduce the heat to low and continue cooking until the onions are nicely caramelized, about another 10 minutes.

Heat the oven to 350 F. Increase the heat under the Dutch oven to medium-high. Add the celery and carrots and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Chop the garlic and add it along with the tomato, soy chorizo, smoked paprika and herbes de Provence, then cook until very fragrant and the tomatoes have softened, about 5 minutes.

Increase the heat to high and deglaze the pan with the wine and beef stock, allowing it to bubble and reduce for 3 minutes. Return

the bacon and pork to the pan, then add the beans and bay leaves and stir to combine. Nestle the chicken (and any juices) into the beans, then cover the pan and bake for 30 minutes.

In a small bowl, toss the butter and breadcrumbs. Remove the cassoulet from the oven, uncover, sprinkle with the breadcrumbs, then return to the oven and cook, uncovered, for another 20 minutes.

Let cool a little before serving.

Nutrition information per serving: 460 calories; 140 calories from fat (30 percent of total calories); 16 g fat (4 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 95 mg cholesterol; 700 mg sodium; 38 g carbohydrate; 12 g fiber; 4 g sugar; 34 g protein.

Food Network star Melissa d’Arabian is an expert on

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

This recipe evokes some of the comfort of a classic French cassoulet, without quite so much heft.

LIGHTENED CASSOULET Start to finish: 2 hours (1 hour active) Servings: 6 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs, patted dry Kosher salt and ground black pepper 5 cloves garlic 2 slices thick-cut bacon, cut into small lardons 2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil 1/2 pound pork tenderloin, cubed and patted dry 1 large yellow onion, chopped 1 stalk celery, finely chopped 2 medium carrots, finely chopped 1 medium tomato, chopped 4 ounces soy chorizo, casing removed 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika 2 teaspoons herbes de Provence 1 cup dry white wine 1/2 to 3/4 cup beef stock 3 cups cooked Navy beans (rinsed if canned) 2 bay leaves 1 tablespoon butter, melted 1/2 cup seasoned panko breadcrumbs Salt and pepper the chicken thighs, then set aside.

Place the peeled cloves of garlic and 2 tablespoons of water in a glass measuring cup. Cover with plastic wrap (allowing a steam vent), and microwave for 1 minute, or until the garlic is fragrant and softened a little. Set aside to cool.

Meanwhile, in a large Dutch oven over medium-high, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Add the bacon and cook until crispy. Remove the bacon from the pan and set aside, leaving the fat in the pan.

Add the pork tenderloin cubes and brown just until golden on all sides, about 3 minutes. Remove the pork from the pan and set aside. Add the chicken thighs and brown until golden all over, about 10 minutes total, then remove and set aside.

If there is not enough fat still in the Dutch oven, add another table-

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COMICS

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2015

THE SUMTER ITEM

BIZARRO

SOUP TO NUTS

ANDY CAPP

GARFIELD

BEETLE BAILEY

BORN LOSER

BLONDIE

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MOTHER GOOSE

DOG EAT DOUG

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JEFF MACNELLY'S SHOE

Woman who wants implants must ignore threats DEAR ABBY — I have always struggled with a lack of self-esteem and confidence. I would like to get breast Dear Abby implants. It’s ABIGAIL not to seek attention or VAN BUREN anything; it’s merely to feel better about myself.

Clothes don’t fit me properly, and I am embarrassed.

My boyfriend says he doesn’t want to be with a fake person, even though I have tried in vain to tell him I’ll be the same person on the inside. He has also threatened that we will have relationship problems if I have the surgery done.

I don’t want to lose my boyfriend! Please help.

Doesn’t want to lose him DEAR DOESN’T WANT TO LOSE HIM — Which is more important to you — to do something that will make you feel more confident about your appearance or hang onto this boyfriend? He may be worried that you will attract too much attention if you change your appearance, or have a hang-up about “relations” with a woman who has implants.

If he were your husband, I might answer differently, but from where I sit, you have to do what’s best for you. A boyfriend who would prevent you from boosting your self-confidence strikes me as selfish.

DEAR ABBY — I’m saddened by

the mistresses of today, also known as “side chicks.” These women have no morality or conscience. Yet their status seems to be glorified all over social media.

What advice would you give to my friends who are contemplating joining in this madness as a “hustle” and a way to get child support from married men?

Disgusted in California DEAR DISGUSTED — You are describing entrapment and extortion. A woman who would do this is lacking ethics, morals and self-respect. That kind of individual isn’t likely to listen to advice from me. I do have some, however, for YOU. End those “friendships” because, on an important level, you have nothing in common with these shameless users.

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.

THE DAILY CROSSWORD PUZZLE

By Craig Stowe

ACROSS 1 Pal to text "<3" symbols to 4 __ Road: WWII supply route to China 9 Michael of Monty Python 14 Bud's partner 15 Best of the best 16 Stop on Chicago's Blue Line 17 Coastal bird 18 Olympic event featuring a 16-pound ball 20 Skin blemish 22 Medicinal houseplant 23 __ farm 24 Major court rulings 29 Beehive State college squad 30 Clad 34 Selective way to order 38 "Make it happen" 39 Speedster's motto 43 Part of JFK: Abbr.

44 Emerges 45 Vouches for 49 Meat 50 Particle physics concept 55 Irritate 58 Coleridge work 59 Adjuration

12/16/15 60 Gershwin's preludes, e.g. ... and the starts of 18-, 24-, 39- and 50-Across 65 "You don't say!"

66 When a "Macbeth" witch says, "Something wicked this way comes" 67 Idolize 68 Spanish pronoun 69 Moriarty's creator 70 2015 World Series player, for short 71 Classic car DOWN 1 Not promising 2 "Star Wars" power, with "the" 3 Comical 4 Scrooge interjection 5 "Respect for Acting" author Hagen 6 Sleep stage 7 Half a pop quartet 8 Bedelia of kiddie lit 9 Strong 10 Contented sound

11 Croft of video games 12 Word before man or maiden 13 Eye source for a dramatic cauldron 19 Plant part 21 Schools 25 Short list shortener 26 Marriage doc.

27 What a colon means, in analogies 28 Avoid 31 __-Rooter 32 Old Testament twin 33 Nitwit 34 Capital of Samoa 35 Mardi Gras follower 36 Mine entrance 37 Short list shortener

40 Boss on "The Dukes of Hazzard" 41 Exude 42 Screen door stuff 46 Tried hard 47 Vacation plan 48 Apelike 51 Down-and-out 52 More mature 53 Reduce, __, Recycle 54 Bumpkin 55 Microsoft Surface alternative 56 Puerto __ 57 "Teenage Dream" singer Perry 61 Nothing 62 Sit attachment?

63 Afore 64 Firmed up, as plans

Tuesday’s Puzzle Solved

©2015 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

12/16/15

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23

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38 55

USA

25

WE WGN

68 8

Does ‘Buddy’ have the makings of a Christmas classic?

BY KEVIN MCDONOUGH Nobody sets out to make a bad Christmas special. But so many arrive every year. Most come and go and get stored away in the attic of our memories. I never much liked Disney’s “Prep & Landing,” and I’m glad it has faded away. Or at least been relegated to cable. Whatever happened to “Olive, the Other Reindeer,” the 1999 Fox Christmas cartoon featuring the voices of Drew Barrymore and Ed Asner? It was sort of sweet and goofy, but perhaps not special enough to last. Why have the Christmas Special Gods anointed the CW’s “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” a holiday perennial and not “Olive”? It’s a mystery.

Reviews and even first-year ratings don’t determine the sturdiness of a Christmas special. It’s how they hold up to repeat airings that count.

NBC trots out its 2014 special “Elf: Buddy’s Musical Christmas” (8 p.m., TV-G) for its crucial second Christmas.

Does this one have staying power?

“Buddy” has built-in nostalgia appeal. It’s based on a Broadway show that was itself based on a 2003 movie. It also features stop-motion animation and minimalist sets heavily inspired by 1960s cartoons, specials and set design. So “Buddy” looks like a slightly funky variation on Rankin/Bass (“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”) animation, with a sound and score rooted in contemporary Broadway.

It doesn’t hurt that the voice of Jim Parsons (“The Big Bang Theory”) stars in the title role.

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.

So don’t think of this airing of “Buddy” as a repeat. It’s really trying out for classic status, trying to create a “tradition” — one Christmas season at a time.

• The holidays are the perfect time for the third installment of “Nashville: On the Record” (10 p.m., ABC, TV-PG).

The musical melodrama’s talented cast — including Clare Bowen, Chris Carmack,

has a shot at fame on “The Goldbergs” (8:30 p.m., ABC, r, TV-PG) * A police captain’s name must be cleared on “Rosewood” (9 p.m., Fox, r, TV-14) * Jay’s birthday woes on “Modern Family” (9 p.m., ABC, r, TV-PG) * Darkness is unleashed on “Supernatural” (9 p.m., CW, r, TV-14) * Dre wants to make a Christmas breakthrough on “black-ish” (9:30 p.m., ABC, r, TV-PG) * A missing girl’s father takes desperate actions on “Chicago P.D.” (10 p.m., NBC, r, TV-14).

LATE NIGHT

WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT INC. / NBC

“Elf: Buddy’s Musical Christmas,” featuring Jim Parsons as the voice of Buddy, airs at 8 p.m. today on NBC. Charles Esten, Sam Palladio, Aubrey Peeples, and Lennon and Maisy Stella — performs numbers and discusses writing songs and what it’s like to perform in sold-out concerts.

A new CD of music from the series, “The Music of Nashville: Original Soundtrack, Season 4, Volume 1” was released earlier this month.

While few can fault the artistry of the show’s performers and songwriters, “Nashville” has seen its audience dwindle to series lows. Catch it while you can. I think everyone would be surprised it this is not the final season.

TONIGHT’S OTHER HIGHLIGHTS • A winner emerges on the 31st season finale of “Survivor” (8 p.m., CBS). A recap and reunion (10 p.m.) follow.

• Lucious wants to run the company from prison on “Empire” (8 p.m., Fox, r, TV-14).

• “Nature” (8 p.m., PBS, TVPG, check local listings) celebrates a critter made famous by a foul-mouthed viral video hit, in the repeat documentary “Honey Badgers: Masters of Mayhem.”

• The kids aren’t all right in the conclusion of the miniseries “Childhood’s End” (8 p.m., Syfy, TV-14).

• The search for a violinist’s attacker points to Rollins’ sister on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (9 p.m., NBC, r, TV-14).

town (Shirley MacLaine) in the 2011 drama-comedy “Bernie” (8:20 p.m., TMC), directed

by Richard Linklater and based on a true story.

CULT CHOICE

SERIES NOTES

A small Texas community rallies around an assistant funeral director (Jack Black) when he’s accused of shooting the meanest woman in

Frankie wants to minimize Christmas on “The Middle” (8 p.m., ABC, r, TV-PG) * A vacation cut short on “Arrow” (8 p.m., CW, r, TV-14) * Barry

Will Smith is booked on “The Daily Show With Trevor Noah” (11 p.m., Comedy Central) * Dick Van Dyke, Bill Burr and The Brian Setzer Orchestra appear on “Conan” (11 p.m., TBS) * Robert De Niro, Daniel Gilbert and Henry Rollins are booked on “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” (11:35 p.m., CBS) * Jimmy Fallon welcomes Will Ferrell, Alicia Vikander and Twenty One Pilots on “The Tonight Show” (11:35 p.m., NBC) * Quentin Tarantino and Moon Taxi visit “Late Night With Seth Meyers” (12:35 a.m., NBC) * Amber Heard, Luke Bracey and Carly Rae Jepsen appear on “The Late Late Show with James Corden” (12:35 a.m., CBS).

Copyright 2015, United Feature Syndicate

2015-16

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Gifts from the kitchen are worth the wait Editor’s Note: Homemade Boozy Hot Sauce and Preserved Lemons won’t be ready for Christmas gift-giving but the recipes are worth holding onto.

BY ELIZABETH KARMEL The Associated Press

T

he weekend before Thanksgiving usually is my gift-making weekend.

Most years, my mother and I make

wild persimmon fruitcakes, which we wrap in bourbon-soaked cheesecloth.

They are so delicious.

But this year, I’ve decided to start a spicy new tradition. I made bottles of my favorite boozy hot sauce. Everyone loves hot sauce and this one is simple, beautiful and intensely delicious.

It relies on alcohol, whole chilies and spices, and that’s it. The alcohol is what carries the heat. You could use vinegar, but I prefer the hard stuff. The alcohol lends a softer flavor to the finished sauce and becomes more balanced as it ages.

Most any distilled spirit will work so long as it isn’t fortified with a lot of sugar (don’t use any liqueurs). I like to use clear liquors (such as

vodka, gin, white rum, tequila or even moonshine) because it lets you see the chilies and spices in the bottle.

The basic recipe is incredibly versatile and it’s easy to put your own spin on it. The recipe I make most often calls for silver tequila, whole peppercorns and whole dried chilies. One of my favorite holiday variations offers a Caribbean touch by using rum, allspice, cinnamon and chilies. I also like to make a more neutral version with vodka, dried habaneros, orange peel and whole star anise.

Or make a smoky barbecue hot sauce with dried chipotles, a pinch of dark brown sugar and red pepper flakes. The sky and your spice cabinet are your only limits.

Which dried chilies to use? A mix is nice, but you need to decide for yourself what sort of heat you (or the recipients of your gifts) can handle. Scotch bonnets are a great choice. Ditto for Thai bird. Want to really crank up the heat?

Look for dried ghost chilies, supposedly the hottest around.

As for bottles to pack the hot sauce in, consider buying the booze you use in the recipe in half-pint sizes. Those bottles are perfect for packaging the finished sauce. Just be sure to soak off the old labels before you fill the bottles.

Alternatively, numerous shapes and sizes of bottles can be found online and at craft stores.

HOMEMADE BOOZY HOT SAUCE This homemade hot sauce is great as a condiment, mixed into recipes and even can be used to give kick to cocktails (best bloody mary, ever!). Half-pint bottles are great for packaging the finished sauce, but any size small bottle with tightly fitting caps will work. Just divide the ingredients evenly between the bottles, seal tightly, then heat as directed.

This recipe calls for rum, which gives the finished hot sauce a decidedly Caribbean taste. Want a more neutral flavor? Go with vodka.

Start to finish: 1 hour, plus aging Makes 3 cups 16 dried chilies (a mix or variety depending on desired heat) 20 whole cloves 4 whole allspice berries 10 whole black peppercorns 750-milliliter bottle white rum or vodka In a 4-cup heat-safe glass measuring cup, combine all ingredients. Cover tightly with plastic wrap, then set into a large saucepan. Pour enough water into the saucepan so that it reaches the same level as the ingredients inside the measuring cup. Turn on the heat to medium-low. Heat the water to 180 F (use a candy or instant thermometer to monitor), then heat at that temperature for 10 minutes.

Remove the measuring cup from the water and uncover. Use a slotted spoon to remove the solids, then divide them between 4 small bottles (each large enough to hold 1 cup). Divide the rum or vodka among the bottles, then seal them tightly. Age for 3 weeks, gently shaking every day or so.

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Preserved Lemons last for 9 months

BY KATIE WORKMAN The Associated Press In Moroccan and the Middle Eastern cooking, the lemon is treated much differently than here in the U.S. And it’s a difference I love.

While Americans tend to focus on the zest and the juice of the lemon, in the Middle East it is the rind that is prized. That’s because they preserve their lemons, softening the rind and essentially pickling it with a long soak in a brine of salt and juice. You won’t believe the taste when you try them.

I have wanted to make these for the longest time, but never got around to it.

Which is kind of silly, because the recipe is simple.

Part of it was the fact that for those of us who are fond of immediate gratification, these don’t offer much in that department. Plus, every time I felt like making them it was because I saw them in a recipe that I wanted to make that very instant (frequently some variation of chicken with olives and preserved lemons), and it was too frustrating to imagine waiting.

But I got over it, and with just 10 minutes effort I had a jar of lemons marinating away in a salt and juice bath.

Now about 4 weeks later my preserved lemons are open for business.

Preserved lemons last for up to 9 months, so the perseverance and patience will pay off for weeks and weeks.

The flavor is still that of a lemon, but more muted, and the rind will have softened quite a bit and have a nice gentle, chewy texture. I’m so excited to use them (finally!) in that chicken dish with olives. And I plan to use the rest in pasta dishes, ceviche, grain and vegetable salads, fish dishes, roasted vegetables, on flatbread... You get the idea.

Some cooks also like to layer in spices to the brining mixture, such as cinnamon sticks, bay leaves, cardamom, cloves, vanilla beans and peppercorns. Make one batch plain, then see how you want to experiment.

Meyer lemons are great for preserving if you can find them, as they have thinner

skins and less of the bitter white pith than regular lemons, but either will work.

These lemons, packed with the brine in canning jars, also make great gifts!

PRESERVED LEMONS Start to finish: 3 to 4 weeks (10 minutes active) Makes 10 lemons 10 lemons 1 or more clean jars to hold the lemons 1/2 cup kosher salt 2 cups lemon juice Cut the lemons lengthwise into quarters, but stop before the quarters are completely separate, so the lemon holds together at the bottom. Generously salt the insides of the lemons, then press the quarters back together. Sprinkle some salt in the bottom of the jar and pack in the lemons, pressing them down as you go to release some of the juice and sprinkling additional salt between the layers of lemon.

Pour in the juice; there should be enough liquid to completely cover the lemons. Make sure there is a little headroom between the top of the liquid and lemons and the lid of the jar. Seal the jar.

Let sit at room temperature for 3 days, giving the jar a shake or 2 each day to redistribute the salt and liquid around the lemons.

After 3 days, refrigerate the jar for at least 3 weeks (4 for best flavor).

Give the jar a shake every couple of days as you think of it.

When you are ready to use the lemons, pull one out of the jar, give it a thorough rinse in cold water, then remove the seeds.

Mince or sliver the rind to use in recipes. You also can use the flesh, though it will remain a bit salty.