December 17, 2014 by The Sumter Item

IN FOOD: Try pork tenderloin this holiday season

Clarendon District 2 trustee Fleming suspended SERVING SOUTH CAROLINA SINCE OCTOBER 15, 1894

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014

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Despite rumors, RB Williams set to become a Tar Heel

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Jingle, jingle, jingle

Wreck claims man’s life 65-year-old was struck a week ago FROM STAFF REPORTS

PHOTOS BY KEITH GEDAMKE / THE SUMTER ITEM

The Sumter Civic Apprentice Company, above, dances to “Elves and Ornaments” during the annual Jingle With the Arts on Saturday at Patriot Hall. The Elsa and Olaf dolls, right, dance for the crowd at Patriot Hall.

A Sumter County man died Monday night, five days after a vehicle struck him from behind during a crash along S.C. 441. Sumter County Coroner Harvin Bullock identified the deceased as John Olden. The 65-year-old Wedgefield man sustained blunt-force trauma during last week’s collision that led to his death. Officials indicate he died sometime after 10 p.m. Monday at Palmetto Health Richland in Columbia. An autopsy is scheduled for this morning. The crash took place about 4:15 p.m. Dec. 10 near the intersection of Eagle Road along

SEE WRECK, PAGE A6

Sanford received payouts from lender Mortgage broker accused of deceiving customers CHARLOTTE (AP) — Soon after taking office, North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory and U.S. Rep. Mark Sanford of South Carolina accepted six-figure stock payouts from an online mortgage broker accused by regulators of deceiving its customers. The two Republicans served as directors at Tree.com, the Charlotte-based corporate parent of the website LendingTree. As board members, they were entitled to large chunks of restricted company stock if they held their positions long enough. Both resigned after their election victories, which would have rendered their unvested stock worthless had the board not taken special action to provide them early payouts. McCrory and Sanford deny they did anything improper by accepting the stock payouts, which were not fully described in their ethics statements.

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Their timing and total value are only being revealed now, as the result of an Associated Press investigation into the company’s financial records and interviews with Tree.com officials. Early vesting of restricted shares for departing directors is not unheard of in the corporate world. However, more than a dozen securities lawyers and ethics experts told the AP that such stock payouts are uncommon for elected officials and raise significant concerns. These experts gave differing opinions about whether laws were broken. But “there is no question (this) raises a host of red flags for prosecutors and regulators,” said Jacob Frenkel, who handled corruption cases as a federal prosecutor and served as senior counsel in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Division of Enforcement.

AP FILE PHOTO

U.S. Rep. Mark Sanford, R-S.C., discusses his first months back in Congress during an interview in Mount Pleasant on Dec. 18, 2013. Soon after taking office, Sanford and North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory each accepted six-figure stock payouts from Tree. com, an online mortgage broker that regulators have accused of violating state and federal laws, according to financial records and the company’s chief executive.

DEATHS, B6 Lisa P. Smith Mary Reed David Brailsford Jr. Martha K. Boykin Lorraine DeMunn John R. Hobbs

Isabell P. Lesaine Mary Louise Goodman Robert DeBerry Gregory L. Robinson Curtis Lee Langley Jr. John M. Olden

3 sentenced in Shaw AFB fraud scheme BY RAYTEVIA EVANS ray@theitem.com Three men were sentenced to a collective five years and eight months of incarceration for their connection to a scheme to defraud Shaw Air Force Base through various construction contracts. According to U.S. Attorney Bill Nettles, James Autry “Audi” Clemens, 60, of Johnston, was sentenced to four years; Larry Baker, 64, of Cameron, received a sentence of 15 months; and Steven Crandall, 59, of Salisbury, North Carolina, was sentenced to five months. “These conspirators took funds away from the warfighter,” said special agent in charge John F. Khin, who works with the Defense

SEE FRAUD SCHEME, PAGE A6

WEATHER, A8

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Sunny to partly cloudy today; mostly cloudy tonight HIGH 61, LOW 36

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014

THE SUMTER ITEM

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

Median area home prices drop

LOCAL & STATE BRIEFS FROM STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

Rembert man charged with grand larceny A Rembert man faces charges after he reportedly sold a pair of stolen trailers to a local company. Marcus Haynesworth, 28, of 3285 Spencer Road, was charged with grand larceny (more than $2,000 but less than $10,000) in connection with the incident. According to a report from Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, Haynesworth approached owners at a property management firm in the 400 block of East Liberty Street on Friday morning with a proposition to sell an enclosed trailer. One of the employees at the company said she thought Haynesworth sold them two stolen trailers on Dec. 9 and contacted law enforcement. Investigators arrived and found the suspect sitting in the waiting area. Deputies took three men to Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center for questioning. Officers arrested Haynesworth, who was released Saturday on $10,000 surety bond, records show.

FROM STAFF REPORTS If you’re looking to buy a home, now may be your best opportunity, especially if you’re a first-time buyer. A monthly report released by local and state Realtors associations reveals that singlefamily homes have decreased in median sale prices while condos have increased by 15.2 percent. Monthly reports released by South Carolina Realtors and the Sumter Board of Realtors on Monday show that the median price of all homes sold in the Sumter, Lee and Clarendon counties area de-

There are approximately 11.4 months of inventory for all properties compared to 13.6 months in 2013. All property statistics include residential homes and condos. In addition, there are 7 percent more properties listed as “pending sales” compared to last year, with the total number of pending sales for properties listed at the $300,001 and above price range increasing by 15.5 percent and single-family homes in that price range by 22.7 percent. Pending sales represent a count of properties on which offers have been accepted by the seller.

creased by 1.2 percent in November from $130,000 to $128,500 compared to the same period last year. Broken down by single-family homes compared to condominiums, the price for single-family homes dropped from $127,950 to $125,000, while condos increased from $102,000 to $117,500. The length of time, measured in days on the market before they were sold, stayed about the same, 172 days compared to 171 days a year ago. And the total number of homes sold in November dropped slightly from last year, 90 this year versus 93 last year in the same month.

St. Nick visits students

Clarendon board suspends trustee BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com

Shots fired near homes Tuesday Sumter police received reports of gunplay early Tuesday morning in a residential area. According to Sumter Police Department records, neighbors in the 400 block of Albert Drive heard at least six shots ring out just before 12:50 a.m. A witness told officers four shots were fired initially and she saw an unidentified person run east from the scene toward Milton Street, firing two more shots along the way. Police responded and searched the area but were not able to find any suspects. Officers did find seven .45-caliber shell casings in the roadway in front of a home. Reports did not indicate anyone was injured during the shooting.

College commission will meet in January Central Carolina Technical College Area Commission will meet at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 15, in Kershaw County Economic Development Conference Room (K205), CCTC Kershaw County Campus, 80 Campus Drive, Camden.

Sen. Graham thinking about presidential run WASHINGTON — Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said he is thinking about seeking his party’s presidential nomination. Graham is a conservative with a maverick streak who would likely be seen as a longshot should he launch a candidacy. He’s long been involved in defense issues and is closely allied with Arizona Sen. John McCain, the GOP’s losing 2008 presidential nominee.

Statewide, the numbers were all positive. The average price of a home in South Carolina increased by 5.9 percent versus a year ago ($162,000 vs. $153,000); the number of homes sold increased by 6.5 percent (3,671 vs. 3,448); and the number of days the homes were on the market were 3.3 percent less (116 vs. 120). Through information released by the Sumter Board of Realtors, the association predicts that with no inflation, interest rates should remain low for most of 2015 but could reach 5 percent late in the year, which should extend the current buyer’s market.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Santa Claus pays a visit to Millwood Elementary School on Friday during the school’s Teacher Cadet Celebration. Santa spoke with each student who visited him after the lunch hour while the school’s former principal Johnny Hilton, now a Sumter School District board member, played the guitar.

At a special called meeting Tuesday, the Clarendon County Board of Education decided to suspend Clarendon School District 2 board trustee Robert Fleming. After an executive session, the board reconvened in open session and voted unanimously to suspend Fleming until he is “indicted, acquitted or charges are dropped.” The board decided to draft a letter to Fleming informing him of its decision. Fleming was arrested Nov. 13 in Williamsburg County for allegedly removing roadside campaign signs and impersonating FLEMING an officer by showing an out-ofdate parole officer ID to police. Fleming was charged with five counts of petit larceny and one count of impersonating an officer. Richard Canady, who was with Fleming at the time of his arrest, was also charged with five counts of petit larceny in the incident. Greeleyville Police Chief Mike Graham said Tuesday that the petit larceny charges have been dropped. “He paid restitution to the victims, and they agreed to drop the charges,” Graham said. The count of impersonating an officer has apparently not been resolved. Graham said he was unsure what charges were still remaining in the case. Fleming’s attorney, Ray Chandler, was not available to comment. In Clarendon County, the school board oversees the boards of trustees in the three Clarendon County school districts, some of which the board appoints and some of which are elected. According to board President George Wilson, Fleming is an appointed member of the board of trustees who serves at the discretion of the school board. Wilson said all trustees in School District 2 are appointed by the board. Fleming was not at the meeting, and though the meeting was announced ahead of time, Wilson said the board did not feel it was necessary to give Fleming any special notice. “If Fleming wishes some kind of appeal, he will have to notify us,” Wilson said. Wilson said all trustees in the school districts were at one time appointed, but each school district formulated its own makeup several decades ago. All trustees in District 3 in the Turbeville area are elected; some trustees in District 1, around Summerton, are elected; and all trustees in District 2 in the Manning area are appointed.

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014

Ex-Marine wanted in 6 killings committed suicide PENNSBURG, Pa. (AP) — An Iraq War veteran suspected of killing his ex-wife and five of her relatives was found dead of self-inflicted stab wounds Tuesday in the woods of suburban Philadelphia, ending a day-anda-half manhunt that closed schools and left people on edge. Bradley William Stone’s body was discovered a half mile from his Pennsburg home, about 30 miles northwest of Philadelphia. The 35-year-old former Marine sergeant had cuts in the center of his body, and some kind of knife was found at the scene, Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman said. Stone, who had been locked in a custody dispute so bitter that his ex-wife feared for her life, went on a 90-minute shooting and slashing rampage before daybreak Monday at three homes a

few miles apart, authorities said. “There’s no reason, no valid excuse, no justification for snuffing out these six innocent lives and injuring another child,” Ferman said. “This is just a horrific tragedy that our community has had to endure. We’re really numb from what we’ve had to go through over the past two days.” The killings set off the second major manhunt to transfix Pennsylvania in the past few months. Eric Frein spent 48 days at large in the Poconos after the September ambush slaying of a state trooper. Stone’s former wife, 33-year-old Nicole Stone, was found shot twice in her apartment after a neighbor heard glass breaking and saw Stone fleeing about 5 a.m. with their two young daughters, authorities said. The girls were later found safe with Stone’s neighbors.

ing helicopter — at least five schools within a few miles of Stone’s home closed, and others were locked down. Veterans’ hospitals and other places tightened security. Ashley Tessier, of Pennsburg, took her sick 7-month-old son to the pediatrician in a stroller Tuesday as SWAT teams knocked on doors along her route. She said she felt she had no choice because she postponed Monday’s doctor visit because residents were told to take cover. “Seeing all this is really terrifying — the dogs, the guns, the SWAT team,” she said. The rampage unfolded in the towns of Harleysville, Lansdale and Souderton. Stone and his ex-wife had been fighting about their children’s custody since she filed for divorce in 2009.

Police went to two other homes and discovered five more people dead: Nicole Stone’s mother, grandmother, sister, brother-in-law and 14-year-old niece. A 17-year-old nephew suffered knife wounds to the head and hands, and Ferman said he was in “very serious” condition. The adults were all shot. The teens were slashed. Authorities said Stone bashed in the back doors of the first two homes and smashed his ex-wife’s sliding glass door with a propane tank. “It’s a relief that they found him,” said Stone’s neighbor Dale Shupe. “Now we know he’s not out trying to do more harm to anybody else.” As the manhunt dragged on — with SWAT teams making their way through neighborhoods and the Philadelphia police sending in a heat-sens-

Winter Wonderland

POLICE BLOTTER STOLEN PROPERTY A fully loaded Smith & Wesson handgun valued at $350 was reportedly stolen from a home in the 3000 block of Joyce Street on Monday. A 16-gauge double-barrel shotgun valued at $300 was reported stolen from a home in the first block of Coleman Street after 5:15 p.m. Monday. A Suzuki ATV valued at $6,000 was reported stolen from a home in the 1200 block of Rockdale Boulevard at 1:30 p.m. on Monday. An unidentified person(s) reportedly opened a Paypal credit account in a Sumter woman’s name and fraudulently used it to charge $4,410.80 in airline tickets on Nov. 26.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Samantha Gonzalez-Ponce and Dean Ponce-Rivera, 3, color together on Friday. Central Carolina Technical College student organization COASt, or Community Outreach And Self-development, hosted Winter Wonderland, a family friendly holiday event, on Friday. Activities included a holiday movie screening, Santa letter-writing station, cookie decorating and holiday games, crafts and music.

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014

THE SUMTER ITEM

Jeb Bush to ‘actively explore’ campaign for U.S. president

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

People lay flowers Tuesday at a makeshift memorial to pay respect to Lindt Chocolat Café shooting victims in Sydney, Australia. Two hostages, as well as the gunman, died in the 16-hour siege.

Horror over Sydney siege turns to anger accessory to the murder of his ex-wife. Earlier this year, he was charged with the 2002 sexual assault of a woman. SYDNEY — Horror over a He had been out on bail on deadly siege morphed into all the charges. anger Tuesday as leaders of That history prompted a a grieving nation demanded flurry of questions that reto know how a man with a mained unanswered more violent criminal history than a day after the siege slipped through the cracks began Monday morning. and ended up in the downWhy was Monis out on bail? town Sydney café where he Why was he not on a terror took 17 people hostage. The 16-hour siege ended in watch list? How did he get a shotgun in a country with a barrage of gunfire and tough gun ownership laws? screams early Tuesday “We are all outraged that morning when police stormed into Lindt Chocolat this guy was on the street,” New South Wales Premier Café in a desperate bid to free the hostages. Two of the Mike Baird said. “We need to ensure that everything is hostages were killed, as was done to learn from this.” the gunman, Man Haron Alongside the fury and Monis, a 50-year-old Iranianconfusion was an outpouring born, self-styled cleric described by Australia’s prime of grief, as crowds of tearful mourners flocked to Martin minister as a deeply disturbed person carrying out a Place, a plaza in the heart of Sydney’s financial and shop“sick fantasy.” ping district where the Lindt “How can someone who café is located. The mournhas had such a long and ers left mountains of flowers checkered history not be on in honor of the two hostages the appropriate watch list? who were killed: Katrina And how can someone like Dawson, a 38-year-old lawyer that be entirely at large in the community?” Prime Min- and mother of three, and ister Tony Abbott asked at a Tori Johnson, the café’s news conference. “These are 34-year-old manager. Offiquestions we need to look at cials have yet to say whether carefully and calmly and me- the two died in crossfire as thodically. That’s what we’ll police stormed in or were shot by their captor. be doing in the days and “I’ll never forget this day weeks ahead.” as long as I live,” said Jenny Monis was convicted and Borovina, who was in tears sentenced last year to 300 hours of community service with two friends while carrying white flowers to the site. for sending what a judge She predicted that the standcalled “grossly offensive” letters to families of soldiers off would leave a permanent scar on Australia’s psyche: killed in Afghanistan between 2007 and 2009. He later “Our laid-back nature has just changed.” was charged with being an

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush announced Tuesday he will “actively explore” a campaign for president, an early move that could preempt some other Republicans with White House aspirations in the bidding for big donations and public support. In a holiday message posted on his Facebook page, the son and brother of Republican presidents said he had discussed the “future of our naBUSH tion” and his own prospective bid for the White House with members of his family during the Thanksgiving holiday. “As a result of these conversations and thoughtful consideration of the kind of strong leadership I think America needs, I have decided to actively explore the possibil-

ity of running for president of the United States,” Bush wrote. Bush’s announcement is sure to reverberate throughout Republican politics and begin to sort out a field that includes more than a dozen potential candidates, none of whom have formally announced plans to run. It overshadowed comments from former New York Gov. George Pataki, who told the New York Daily News in a story published Tuesday he was “very seriously” considering a bid. Should Bush ultimately decide to run, he could tap into his family’s vast political network, and his campaign would attract strong support from the same donor pool that other establishment-minded Republicans would need. A Bush campaign also could affect the plans of several Republican governors, including New Jersey’s Chris Christie and Wisconsin’s Scott Walker.

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Survey shows e-cigs surpass regular cigarettes in teen use BY LAURAN NEERGAARD AP Medical Writer

DRUG STATS

WASHINGTON — Electronic cigarettes have surpassed traditional smoking in popularity among teens, the government’s annual drug use survey finds. Even as tobacco smoking by teens dropped to new lows, use of e-cigarettes reached levels that surprised researchers. The findings marked the survey’s first attempt to measure the use of e-cigarettes by people that young. Nearly 9 percent of eighthgraders said they’d used an ecigarette in the previous month, while just 4 percent reported smoking a traditional cigarette, said the report released Tuesday by the National Institutes of Health. Use increased with age: Some 16 percent of 10th-graders had tried an e-cigarette in the past month, and 17 percent of high school seniors tried it. Regular smoking continued inching down, to 7 percent of 10th-graders and 14 percent of 12th-graders. “I worry that the tremendous progress that we’ve made over the last almost two decades in smoking could be reversed on us by the introduction of e-cigarettes,” said University of Michigan professor Lloyd Johnston, who leads the annual Monitoring the Future survey of more than 41,000 students. E-cigarettes often are described as a less-dangerous alternative for regular smokers who can’t or don’t want to kick the habit. The batterypowered devices produce vapor infused with potentially addictive nicotine but without the same chemicals and tar of tobacco cigarettes. The survey didn’t ask about repeat use or whether teens

AP FILE PHOTO

An e-cigarette is demonstrated in Chicago in April. More teens are trying out e-cigarettes than the real thing, according to the government’s annual drug use survey. Researchers were surprised at how many 8th-, 10th- and 12th-graders reported using electronic cigarettes this year, even as regular smoking by teens dropped to new lows. were just experimenting with something new. But between 4 percent and 7 percent of students who tried e-cigarettes said they’d never smoked a tobacco cigarette, noted University of Michigan professor Richard Miech, a study senior investigator. “They must think that e-cigarettes are fundamentally different,” he said.

E-cigarettes began to appear in the U.S. in 2006, but this was the first year that the Monitoring the Future survey asked teens about them. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has estimated that during 2013, 4.5 percent of high school students had tried e-cigarettes during the previous month, a tripling since 2011.

Other findings from the survey, funded by NIH’s National Institute on Drug Abuse: • Marijuana use appeared to level off after recent increases, with 6.5 percent of eighth-graders reporting past-month use, 17 percent of 10th-graders and 21 percent of 12th-graders. Nearly 6 percent of 12th-graders reported daily use. • Fewer teens are trying synthetic marijuana, highly dangerous drugs known by such names as K2 and Spice. About 6 percent of seniors said they had used fake pot this year, down from 8 percent last year and 11 percent in 2012. • Abuse of prescription painkillers is dropping. Six percent of high school seniors reported using the narcotics without medical supervision in the past year, down from 9.5 percent in 2004. • Nearly one in five 12th-graders reported binge drinking, defined as five or more drinks in a row in the previous two weeks. That’s down from one in four high school seniors in 2009.

PUBLIC NOTICE Sumter County will lower the water level at Second Mill Pond beginning Monday, December 29, 2014. The water level will be down for approximately three months for restoration of sewer lines by the City of Sumter. For more information on the sewer restoration call City of Sumter at 436-2560.

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FRAUD SCHEME FROM PAGE A1 Criminal Investigative Service, Southeast Field Office. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The DCIS remains committed to investigating and bringing to justice those individuals who attempt to manipulate the procurement process for their own gain.â&#x20AC;? Clemens, Baker and Crandall plead guilty to the charges, and according to a

news release from the District of South Carolina, Clemens was also sentenced for an additional charge of money laundering. Evidence and facts presented during the hearing showed that the men inflated costs of construction projects by submitting invoices that falsely claimed that additional

WRECK FROM PAGE A1 Patriot Parkway about a mile outside Sumter city limits. South Carolina Highway Patrol reports indicate the collision involved two vehicles, both of which were heading northbound along the road at the time. Lance Cpl. David Jones said Olden was driving a 1993 Ford truck, which broke down in the middle of the highway. He got out of the vehicle and was attempting to push the truck out of the roadway when an approaching 1999 GMC SUV slammed into him from behind. Authorities indicated it is uncommon for a pedestrian to be struck in such a fashion.

NOW ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS

Nonetheless, Jones advised drivers to remain in their vehicle with seatbelts on in situations when their car or truck sputters in traffic. Officials indicate motorists should only move their vehicles if they are able to drive them off the road. Otherwise, you should dial *HP to have a Highway Patrol trooper respond to your location and provide assistance. Jones noted drivers should also follow the same safety precautions if they are stranded on the shoulder of an interstate, noting *HP is a community service thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s free to the public. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want somebody

THE SUMTER ITEM

workers and resources were needed and used to complete construction jobs on the base. The three men would then split the payments among themselves. Assistant U.S. Attorney T. DeWayne Pearson prosecuted the case. Thomas J. Holloman III, special agent in charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, said Clemensâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; guilty plea sets an example that there are serious consequences when at-

tempting to deceive the government. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mr. Clemensâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; guilty plea is significant in sending a message that while fraud involving government contracts may be initially lucrative, nothing lasts forever, and the consequences are serious,â&#x20AC;? Holloman said in a statement. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We and our law enforcement partners will work continuously to uncover this type of criminal activity.â&#x20AC;?

Pearson said they noticed fraudulent behavior in regard to the construction contracts for Shaw from March 2006 into 2010 and used the evidence from those invoices and transactions throughout the investigation. Pearson said that the Bureau of Prisons will determine where Clemens, Baker and Crandall will serve out their sentences, a process that has not yet taken place.

sitting on the side of the interstate for a lengthy period of time waiting on help from Columbia to come to Clarendon County or Sumter County,â&#x20AC;? Jones said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll figure out a way to make sure youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re safe, because the last thing we want is for you to pull off to the side of the interstate and start walking around. That just creates a dangerous situation.â&#x20AC;? The severely battered SUV sat in the southeast lanes of

the highway last week for at least an hour as officers directed traffic and troopers combed the scene for evidence. Jewayne Sanders, a 33-year-old Rembert man who was driving the SUV, was cited for driving too fast for conditions in connection with the incident, Jones said.

Sanders did not suffer any injuries. EMS transported Olden to Palmetto Health in Richland County to be treated after the crash. He remained there until he died Monday. Highway Patrol officials said the crash remains under investigation.

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

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014 H.G. Osteen 1870-1955 Founder, The Item

H.D. Osteen 1904-1987 The Item

Margaret W. Osteen 1908-1996 The Item Hubert D. Osteen Jr. Chairman & Editor-in-Chief Graham Osteen Co-President Kyle Osteen Co-President Jack Osteen Editor and Publisher Larry Miller CEO Rick Carpenter Managing Editor

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

COMMENTARY

Should profiling be banned?

ast week, the Obama administration announced new curbs on racial profiling by federal law enforcement. Before deciding whether this is good or bad policy, we might try to develop a description/ definition of racial profiling or any other kind of profiling. A good definition of profiling in general is the use of an easily observed physical characteristic as a guess for some other, difficult-to-observe characteristic. The reason people profile is that information is costly and they seek methods to economize on information costs. One way to do that is through profiling. Imagine a chief of police Walter in a city Williams where there has been a rash of automobile hubcap thefts and he’s trying to capture the culprits. Should he have his officers stake out and investigate residents of senior citizen homes? What about spending resources investigating men and women 40 or older? I would imagine that he would have greater success in capturing the culprits by focusing most of his resources on younger people — and particularly on young men. Doing so would more likely lead to the capture of the culprits because hubcap theft is a young man’s game. My question to you is whether you’d bring charges against the police chief because he used age and sex profiling — and didn’t investigate seniors and middle-aged adults. Some years ago, a Washington, D.C., taxicab commissioner, who is black, issued a safety advisory urging D.C.’s 6,800 predominantly black cabbies to refuse to pick up “dangerous looking” passengers. Cabbies in D.C. and other cities often bypass black males for fear of robbery or of being taken to an unsafe neighborhood. We seriously misunderstand the motives of a taxi driver who racially profiles and passes up a black customer if we use racism as the sole explanation for his behavior. The reality is that race and other behavioral characteristics are correlated, including criminal behavior. That fact does not dispel the insult, embarrassment, anger and hurt a law-abiding black person might feel when being stopped by police, being watched in stores, being passed up by taxi drivers, standing at traffic lights and hearing car door locks activated, or being refused delivery by merchants who fear for their safety in his neighborhood. It is easy to direct one’s anger at the

‘God would never do profiling of any sort, because God is omniscient. We humans lack that quality and must depend upon sometimes-crude substitutes for finding out things.’ taxi driver or the merchant. However, the behavior of taxi drivers and owners of pizza restaurants cannot be explained by a dislike of dollars from black hands. A better explanation is they might fear for their lives. The true villains, to whom anger should be directed, are the tiny percentage of people in the black community who prey on both blacks and whites and have made black synonymous with crime. There’s little-noticed racial profiling in medicine. Some racial and ethnic groups have a higher incidence of mortality from various diseases than the national average. Mortality rates for cardiovascular diseases are approximately 30 percent higher among black adults than among white adults. Cervical cancer rates are almost five times higher among Vietnamese women in the U.S. than among white women. The Pima Indians of Arizona have the highest known diabetes rate in the world. Prostate cancer is nearly twice as common among black men as it is among white men. Would one condemn a medical practitioner for advising greater screening and monitoring of black men for cardiovascular disease and prostate cancer or greater screening and monitoring for cervical cancer among Vietnamese-American women or the same for diabetes among Pima Indians? It surely would be racial profiling — using race as an indicator of a higher probability of some other characteristic. God would never do profiling of any sort, because God is omniscient. We humans lack that quality and must depend upon sometimes-crude substitutes for finding out things. By the way, my attempting to explain profiling doesn’t require one to take a position for or against it any more than the attempt to explain gravity requires one to be for or against gravity. Walter E. Williams is a professor of economics at George Mason University. © 2014 creators.com

LETTER TO THE EDITOR THANKS FOR SUPPORTING GARDEN MINISTRY, VETERANS MINISTRY We want to thank a few trustees and the veterans of New Bethel Baptist Church for their efforts in our church garden. The garden initiative was conceived and put into action by Trustees Ferdinand Burns, chairman; Dan Ealey; Drefus Williams; and church members Samuel Brown, Irene Williams and others. The garden initiative became a ministry when Ferdinand Burns and Deacon Calvin K. Hastie organized the Veterans Ministry in 1995. The above mentioned church members purchased the plants at their own expense up

COMMENTARY

The cheerfulness of tax reform “Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen nineteen and six, result happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pounds ought and six, result misery.” — Mr. Micawber in “David Copperfield”

ASHINGTON — If America’s long-term economic growth were 3.5 percent, the result would be the restoration of cheerfulness. If long-term growth is closer to 2 percent, the result will be continuing social disappointment and political crankiness. Rep. Dave Camp, R-Mich., as chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, did his considerable best to deliver the indispensable igniter of sustained growth — tax reform. As he leaves Congress after 12 terms, passing the gavel to an equally able reformer, Paul Ryan, Camp remains confident that it can be done. Such serenity is strange in today’s Washington, where even events that cause cheerfulness are for that reason depressing. The euphoria occasioned by the economy adding 321,000 jobs in November indicates that we have defined success down. In the George 1960s, there were nine Will months in which more than 300,000 jobs were added, the last being June 1969, when there were about 117 million fewer Americans than there are now. In the 1980s, job growth exceeded 300,000 in 23 months, the last being November 1988, when there were about 75 million fewer Americans than today. To demonstrate how young people “are not getting the kind of start others got,” Camp offers a graph charting the “fraction of young adults living with older family members.” Beginning in the middle of the last decade, the line goes almost straight up, to almost 46 percent. For those 25 to 34, median household income plunged 8.9 percent between June 2009 and June 2012, the first three years of the recovery. Surely it is time to give earners on the lower rungs of the ladder of upward mobility a boost by cutting their payroll taxes. This can be paid for by ending the nonsense of taxing at the low capital gains rate the income that fabulously wealthy hedge fund managers call “carried interest.” There is consensus about the broad contours of tax reform: Lowering rates and recouping lost revenue by closing loopholes, and by improved economic growth, justify “dynamic scoring.” This means estimating

until 2011 when plants were also provided by Youth Builders of the Sumter County Resource Center. During the past year, United Way members also assisted in the church garden efforts. The Veterans Ministry and the Garden Ministry join together with the purpose to act as a servant to the community and to the widows of veterans. Another veteran, William L. Byrd, along with Ferdinand Burns and Calvin K. Hastie, had gardens at their homes that helped supply senior church members vegetables during the summer and fall. Mr. Byrd brought peppers, squashes and other garden items he grew and placed them on the table in the church foyer for first come, first

the revenue and growth effects of tax changes that improve incentives to work, invest and consume. And save: The median savings of households 10 years from retirement is a paltry $12,000; nearly one-third of those 55-64 have no savings. Consensus abruptly ends when dealing with details begins. Suppose the deductibility of mortgage interest were capped at a $500,000 mortgage level (involving less than 5 percent of houses on the market). But all 435 congressional districts have this in common: They all have real estate interests (bankers, brokers, builders) who will object. But, says Camp, if tax reform delivers faster growth, housing prices will rise because more people will be working and in the housing market. Charitable giving, too, is highly correlated with economic growth. Were the deductibility of charitable contributions limited in a context of improved economic growth, charitable giving would increase: People give more when they are prospering. Such giving surged after Ronald Reagan reduced the top tax rate from 50 percent to 28 percent in 1986. Although this rate reduction also lowered the value of the charitable deduction, it ignited growth, hence cheerfulness, hence largess. Camp would prefer to have just two tax brackets (10 percent and 25 percent) but thinks that, for political reasons, a third is necessary “because of the Derek Jeters of the world.” There are so many high-earning athletes and entertainers, and corporate CEOs are earning so much more than in the 1980s, that a 35 percent bracket for income over $400,000 (less than 1 percent of taxpayers) is needed to serve the optics of equity. One prerequisite for tax reform, Camp says, is presidential engagement. Of today’s president, Camp says: “I haven’t really seen why he is there.” Because comprehensive tax reform inevitably would leave no faction unscathed, Camp’s optimism might seem misplaced. But optimism comes easily to a man two years into remission from lymphoma, the treatment for which cost him much of his hair. Said his son, with the savoir-faire for which the young are known: “Don’t worry, Dad, it was going anyway.” Camp is going from Congress with the knowledge that he advanced the cause of reform, and hence of American revival, and that, as Jefferson said, “The ground of liberty is to be gained by inches.” George Will’s email address is georgewill@ washpost.com. © 2014, Washington Post Writers Group

serve. I took the approach of cutting collards and packaging them in gallon bags, and picking peppers and placing them in pint or quart jars in vinegar and handing them out to selected senior church members each Sunday. Two other projects were undertaken. We took vegetables out of the garden to feed all the women of the church for Mother’s Day. A second project was that for each Thanksgiving we put 25 boxes together with collards from the garden for widows of veterans. These 25 boxes had all the other fixings for a Thanksgiving meal, including a turkey. Deaconess Ann Hastie helped plant the garden, but she was the one person that placed flowers around the entire garden. Even at the age of 90 plus, Dea-

con Ezekiel Hastie helped out in the garden. Other church members of the Veteran’s Ministry include the Rev. Leroy Blanding, Deacon Isaac Taylor, Deacon Herbert Nelson, Beverly Osborne, Barbara Sharper, Henry Cousar, Joshua Neal, Leonard Abrams, Marvin Felder, Calvin Hastie, Valdosta McFadden, Samuel Witherspoon, Jacqueline Abrams, Woodrow Hastie, David Brown, Charlie Wright, Johnny Rose, the Rev. Verner Spencer, James Selph, Larry McFadden, Anthony Scriven, and others. Our thanks to all our veterans for your support of the Garden Ministry and the Veterans Ministry. FERDINAND BURNS Sumter

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014

SUPPORT GROUPS AA, AL-ANON, ALATEEN: AA — Monday-Friday, noon and 5:30 p.m.; Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m., 1 Warren St. (803) 775-1852. AA Women’s Meeting — Wednesday, 7 p.m., 1 Warren St. (803) 775-1852. AA Spanish Speaking — Sunday, 4:30 p.m., 1 Warren St. (803) 775-1852. AA “How it Works” Group — Monday and Friday, 8 p.m., 1154 Ronda St. Call (803) 494-5180. Al-Anon “Courage to Change” Support Group — Tuesday, 7 p.m., Alice Drive Baptist Church, Room 204, 1305 Loring Mill Road. Call Dian at (803) 316-0775 or Crystal at (803) 775-3587. 441 AA Support Group — Monday, Tuesday and Friday, 8:30 p.m., Hair Force, 2090-D S.C. 441. AA Summerton Group — Wednesday, 8 p.m., town hall. Manning Al-Anon Family Group — Thursday, 7:30 p.m., Behavioral Health Building, 14 Church St., Manning. Call Angie Johnson at (803) 4358085. C/A “Drop the Rock” Group — Thursday, 9:30 p.m., 1154 Ronda St. Call Elizabeth Owens at (803) 607-4543.

HIV/AIDS: Positive Outlook, through Wateree AIDS Task Force, will meet at 11:30 a.m. third Friday of each month. Support group for those living with HIV / AIDS as well as their friends and family. For meeting location, contact Kevin, peer educator and advocate, at (803) 778-0303 or via email at watereeaids@sc.rr.com.

(803) 469-2616 or Carol at (803) 469-9426. EFMP Parent Exchange Group — Last Tuesday each month, 11 a.m.-noon, Airman and Family Readiness Center. Support to service members who have a dependent with a disability or illness. Call Dorcus Haney at (803) 895-1252/1253 or Sue Zimmerman at (803) 8472377.

WEDNESDAY MEETINGS: Sickle Cell Support Group — last Wednesday each month, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., South Sumter Resource Center, 337 Manning Ave. Call Bertha Willis at (803) 774-6181.

THURSDAY MEETINGS: TOPS S.C. No. 236 (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) — Thursdays, 9 a.m., Spectrum Senior Center,1989 Durant Lane. Call Diane at (803) 775-3926 or Nancy at (803) 469-4789. Asthma Support Group — Every 1st Thursday, 6 p.m., Clarendon County School District 3 Parenting Center, 2358 Walker Gamble Road, New Zion. Call Mary Howard at (843) 659-2102. Alzheimer’s Support Group through S.C. Alzheimer’s Association — Every 1st Thursday, 6-8 p.m., McElveen Manor, 2065 McCrays Mill Road. Call Cheryl Fluharty at (803) 905-7720 or the Alzheimer’s Association at (800) 636-3346. Journey of Hope (for families members of the mentally ill), Journey to Recovery (for the mentally ill) and Survivors of Suicide Support Group — Each group meets every 1st Thursday, 7 p.m., St. John United Methodist Church, 136 Poinsett Drive. Call Fred Harmon at (803) 905-5620.

MONDAY MEETINGS: Sumter Vitiligo Support Group — second Monday of each month, 5:45-6:45 p.m., North HOPE Center, 904 N. Main St. Call Tiffany at (803) 3166763. Find us on Facebook at Sumter Vitiligo Support.

DAILY PLANNER

WEATHER

TUESDAY MEETINGS: Sumter Connective Tissue Support Group — 1st Tuesday of Jan., March, May, July, Sept. and Nov., 7 p.m., 180 Tiller Circle. Call (803) 773-0869. Mothers of Angels (for mothers who have lost a child) — Every Tuesday, 6 p.m., Wise Drive Baptist Church. Call Betty at

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy/ Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Support Group — 1:30 p.m. every third Saturday, 3785 Blackberry Lane, Lot 7. Call Donna Parker at (803) 481-7521.

SATURDAY MEETINGS:

TODAY

TONIGHT

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Sunny to partly cloudy

Mostly cloudy

Sunshine and some clouds

More clouds than sun

Cooler with rain and a t-storm

Sunshine and patchy clouds

61°

36°

60° / 36°

58° / 41°

52° / 37°

58° / 34°

Chance of rain: 0%

Chance of rain: 5%

Chance of rain: 15%

Chance of rain: 65%

Chance of rain: 10%

WNW 3-6 mph

VAR 2-4 mph

NE 3-6 mph

E 4-8 mph

ENE 7-14 mph

NNE 6-12 mph

TODAY’S SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You will learn valuable information if you listen to someone you respect or an expert in a field that interests you. Don’t disagree with peers. Size up the situation and continue using your own methods. Love is highlighted. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Protect what you have. Don’t invest in what someone else suggests. An impulsive purchase or decision will go well over budget. Stick close to home and work on preparing your environment for the turn of the year. CANCER (June 21-July 22): Take a unique approach when dealing with partners, children or people you care about. Your dedication and sense of justice and fair play will be good enough. Don’t feel you have to pay for someone else’s mistakes. Love is on the rise.

Columbia 62/35

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

Today: Mostly sunny. Winds west-southwest 3-6 mph. Rather cloudy. Thursday: Some sun. Winds northeast becoming south-southwest 3-6 mph.

Aiken 60/34

ON THE COAST

Charleston 64/39

Today: Sunny to partly cloudy. High 59 to 63. Thursday: Partly sunny. High 58 to 64.

LOCAL ALMANAC

LAKE LEVELS

SUMTER THROUGH 4 P.M. YESTERDAY

Today Hi/Lo/W 58/38/s 30/23/pc 47/41/r 36/27/c 61/56/c 62/52/sh 62/47/s 53/36/pc 71/46/pc 52/34/pc 60/49/sh 58/50/c 54/34/pc

SUN AND MOON 7 a.m. yest. 356.74 73.71 73.43 95.90

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Load up your schedule and start checking off your to-do list. Taking on a challenge and using unique means to come up with a good plan that will please someone you love will lead to financial uncertainty. Stick to a budget. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Good fortune is heading your way, but the temptation to be a spendthrift will be overpowering. You can make changes without breaking the bank. Focus on doing as much of the legwork as possible to cut your overhead. Be reasonable. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): You’ll be emotional today. Talks will leave you in a quandary. A change of plans will be upsetting if you feel you are losing control over a situation. It’s okay to sit back and let others fend for themselves.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): You may crave a change of scenery, but don’t leave someone out who is counting on you for emotional support. Problems will arise if you let uncertainty affect an important decision you need to make. Overspending will lead to added stress.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Stick to what you know and focus on putting your work behind you before the year ends. Emotional matters will escalate if you or someone close to you has overspent. An opportunity to change your vocation will help smooth things over.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Do something nice for the people you care about. Offer your time, help or suggestions, but don’t overspend trying to buy love and affection. It’s not about the gifts you purchase, it’s your time and help that should

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Ask and you shall receive. Give and take, do what you say and hold others accountable for the offers made. This can be a winning situation if you stick to practical and doable plans. Love is highlighted.

24-hr chg none -0.10 -0.07 -0.02

Sunrise 7:21 a.m. Moonrise 2:43 a.m.

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

0.04" 0.07" 1.62" 35.08" 48.46" 45.22"

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

69° 36° 56° 34° 81° in 1971 16° in 1958

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 60/40/pc 31/24/pc 61/44/r 36/28/pc 72/61/r 63/48/pc 71/57/c 45/34/s 71/48/s 44/33/s 63/44/c 60/52/c 46/34/pc

Myrtle Beach 61/40

Manning 61/36

Sunset Moonset

5:15 p.m. 2:08 p.m.

New

First

Full

Last

Dec. 21

Dec. 28

Jan. 4

Jan. 13

TIDES

Flood 7 a.m. 24-hr stage yest. chg 12 5.91 -0.26 19 3.93 +0.05 14 4.19 -0.07 14 3.37 +0.31 80 75.54 -0.11 24 6.93 +1.92

AT MYRTLE BEACH

Today Thu.

High 4:56 a.m. 4:58 p.m. 5:47 a.m. 5:50 p.m.

Ht. 2.9 2.6 3.0 2.7

Low 11:47 a.m. 11:51 p.m. 12:41 p.m. ---

Ht. 0.6 0.2 0.4 ---

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

Today Hi/Lo/W 51/31/pc 58/34/s 62/32/s 63/40/s 55/41/s 64/39/s 59/32/s 60/38/s 62/35/s 61/35/s 60/36/s 60/37/s 60/35/s

Thu. Hi/Lo/W 52/31/c 60/37/pc 63/35/pc 64/41/pc 50/40/pc 64/41/pc 55/33/pc 59/38/pc 61/36/pc 58/33/pc 53/33/pc 57/36/pc 56/34/pc

City Florence Gainesville Gastonia Goldsboro Goose Creek Greensboro Greenville Hickory Hilton Head Jacksonville, FL La Grange Macon Marietta

Today Hi/Lo/W 61/37/s 68/38/s 58/33/s 58/36/s 64/39/s 56/33/s 58/36/s 56/32/s 59/45/s 65/38/s 61/35/pc 62/33/s 55/35/s

Thu. Hi/Lo/W 60/36/pc 69/40/s 56/33/pc 54/33/pc 64/40/pc 51/32/c 57/36/pc 52/33/pc 60/47/pc 67/40/pc 64/37/pc 63/35/pc 57/35/pc

Today City Hi/Lo/W Marion 55/30/pc Mt. Pleasant 63/41/s Myrtle Beach 61/40/s Orangeburg 62/38/s Port Royal 61/40/s Raleigh 57/33/s Rock Hill 58/31/s Rockingham 59/31/s Savannah 66/40/s Spartanburg 58/35/s Summerville 60/42/s Wilmington 61/37/s Winston-Salem 56/33/s

Thu. Hi/Lo/W 54/32/c 63/43/pc 58/40/pc 62/39/pc 62/42/pc 52/32/pc 56/31/pc 57/30/pc 66/41/pc 57/35/pc 60/44/pc 58/35/pc 50/33/c

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

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

win favors. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Be careful what you say. A change in the dynamics of a relationship will leave you in emotional turmoil. Do whatever it takes to live up to your promises, but enforce moderation to avoid a financial setback. Be creative, not frivolous.

Sumter 61/36

IN THE MOUNTAINS

Temperature High Low Normal high Normal low Record high Record low

Florence 61/37

Bishopville 60/35

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

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Move forward EUGENIA LAST with caution. Don’t rely on others to feed you information or to help you make the right choice. Emotions will get in your way if you share your feelings with people who can influence future prospects. Focus on completion.

Gaﬀney 57/33 Spartanburg 58/35

Greenville 58/36

PUBLIC AGENDA

The last word in astrology

AccuWeather® ﬁve-day forecast for Sumter

FRIDAY MEETINGS: Celebrate Recovery — Every Friday, 6 p.m. dinner, 7 p.m. program, Salt & Light Church, Miller Road (across from Food Lion). For help with struggles of alcohol, drugs, family problems, smoking, etc.

THE SUMTER ITEM

LOTTERY NUMBERS PALMETTO CASH 5 TUESDAY

POWERBALL SATURDAY

8-14-18-35-38 PowerUp: 3

5-13-28-43-55 Powerball: 33 Powerplay: 3

PICK 3 TUESDAY

PICK 4 TUESDAY

9-0-9 and 1-9-0

3-0-0-2 and 5-4-9-5

MEGAMILLIONS numbers were unavailable at press time.

PICTURES FROM THE PUBLIC Jeff Byer shares a photo he took of the waterfall at Poinsett State Park.

HAVE YOU TAKEN PICTURES OF INTERESTING, EXCITING, BEAUTIFUL OR HISTORICAL PLACES? Would you like to share those images with your fellow Sumter Item readers? E-mail your hi-resolution jpegs to sandrah@theitem.com, or mail to Sandra Holbert c/o The Sumter Item, P.O. Box 1677, Sumter, SC 29150. Include clearly printed or typed name of photographer and photo details. Include a selfaddressed, stamped envelope for return of your photo. Amateur photographers only please.

SECTION

Holbrook gets 2-year extension B3

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014

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

AUTO RACING

Sprint to end NASCAR sponsorship after 2016 BY JENNA FRYER The Associated Press CHARLOTTE — Sprint informed NASCAR it won’t extend title sponsorship of the top Sprint Cup Series beyond its current contract, which expires after the 2016 season. “Sprint has long benefitted from the unprecedented level of brand integration available in NASCAR, and the passionate fan base that is the most loyal in sports,’’ Steve Gaffney, vice president of market-

ing for Sprint, said in a Tuesday statement. “Without question, the NASCAR sponsorship property has been a valuable investment for us and will be for our successor. “As we look to the future, Sprint is focused on investing in maintaining a competitive edge and providing consumers with the best value in wireless.” The wireless carrier assumed a 10-year sponsorship agreement with NASCAR when it acquired Nextel in

2005. The Nextel Cup Series became the Sprint Cup Series in 2008, and Sprint later agreed to a three-year extension that took the contract through 2016. Now, the company is citing “a need to focus more directly

on its core business priorities,’’ in ending its relationship with NASCAR. SoftBank bought out Sprint in 2013 and the change in leadership has led to a new CEO and changing marketing strategies. The announcement Tuesday gives NASCAR two seasons to find a replacement, and NASCAR chief communications officer Brett Jewkes said the series understands that significant changes within Sprint led to the decision. “The NASCAR Sprint Cup

Series is a very unique, premium sports marketing platform with strong momentum, so we are very confident of moving forward in 2017 with an outstanding new partner,’’ Jewkes said in a statement. “In the meantime, we look forward to Sprint’s partnership on the best racing series in the world for the next two seasons.’’ Sprint’s exit means NASCAR will enter a new entitlement

SEE SPRINT, PAGE B4

PREP FOOTBALL

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

True powder blue

Clemson DE Beasley named AllAmerican FROM WIRE, CLEMSON, USC REPORTS

Roosevelt Nelson confirmed that not only will Williams be going to UNC, but he will be doing so in January as an early enrollee. “He’s going to go to Chapel Hill in the next month and is ready to enroll there,” Nelson

CLEMSON — Clemson defensive end Vic Beasley was named a first-team All-American by the Associated Press on Tuesday. This is the second of the five major All-America teams to be released. Earlier Beasley was a first-team selection by the Walter Camp Foundation. Beasley, a second-team AP All-American last year, is the first Clemson player to be named first-team All-American by the Associated Press since 2011 when Dwayne BEASLEY Allen (TE) and Sammy Watkins (all-purpose) were both named. Beasley is the first Clemson defensive player to make the first-team according to AP since Da’Quan Bowers in 2010. Beasley led the ACC in sacks with year with 11 and in tackles for loss with 18.5. He will leave Clemson as its all-time sack leader with 32, and ranks tied for fifth in ACC history in that category. The native of Adairsville, Ga. was earlier named a finalist for the Lombardi Award, the Bednarik Award and the Hendricks Award and was chosen ACC Defensive Player of the Year by the ACC Sports Media and ACC Coaches. Beasley is a big reason Clemson is ranked numberone in the nation in total defense, yards per play allowed and tackles for loss. He and the Tigers will face Oklahoma in the Russell Athletic Bowl on Dec. 29 in Orlando. University of South Carolina senior offensive guard A.J.

SEE WILLIAMS, PAGE B5

SEE BEASLEY, PAGE B5

SUMTER ITEM FILE PHOTO

Crestwood High running back Ty’Son Williams (5) made a visit to Wisconsin in November and a possible de-commitment from North Carolina has been the subject of recent speculation. But Williams stated on Tuesday that he remains firm with his decision to become a Tar Heel.

With Wisconsin rumors swirling, Knights RB Williams stands firm with Tar Heels BY MICHAEL CHRISTOPHER michaelc@theitem.com Crestwood High School senior running back Ty’Son Williams has been a verbal commitment to the University of North Carolina’s 2015 football recruiting class since the end of July. How-

ever, that didn’t keep the highly-ranked prospect from doing a little late shopping. Williams took a visit to the University of Wisconsin on Nov. 15, causing rumors to heat up that Williams might be reconsidering his commitment to UNC. On Tuesday though, Wil-

liams said he will be indeed be going to Chapel Hill to play for the Tar Heels. “It’s a good team and I see them having great success in the future,” Williams said of UNC. “It’s pretty straight forward; I’ve got to get prepared.” Crestwood head coach

USC FOOTBALL

Carolina D seeks strong finish to erratic season BY PETE IACOBELLI The Associated Press COLUMBIA — Defensive tackle J.T. Surratt hasn’t let go of South Carolina’s disappointing season and is eager for the Gamecocks to make one, final statement in their bowl game. The Gamecocks (6-6) will face Miami (6-6) in the Independence Bowl in Shreveport, Louisiana on Dec. 27. Surratt said it’s a chance to show the program’s once-dominant defense can find

that performance level again. Surratt was the lone returning starter on a defensive line that made South Carolina one of the Southeastern Conference’s leading defenses from 2011-2013. This year, the Gamecocks were 13th in yards allowed in the 14-team SEC. South Carolina had memorable fourth-quarter meltdowns to lose games against Missouri, Kentucky and Tennessee to finish 3-5 in the SEC.

It wasn’t what Surratt envisioned for his final season. “Some of us hold onto the little grudges and losses a little more than others,’’ Surratt said. “But everybody just loves the game of football and is ready to get ready for the next one.’’ South Carolina is looking to avoid its first losing season since the second of consecutive 5-7 marks under Lou Holtz THE ASSOCIATED PRESS in 2003. The much-maligned South Carolina defense is eager to finish its season on a high

note with a solid performance against Miami on Dec. 27 in the Independence Bowl SEE USC, PAGE B5 in Shreveport, La.

SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014

BOYS AREA ROUNDUP

McFadden powers Padres past Jefferson Davis 66-57 Jay McFadden had a double-double of 22 points and 25 rebounds to lead St. Francis Xavier High School to a 66-57 varsity boys basketball victory over Jefferson Davis Academy on Monday at Birnie Hope Center. Dalton Foreman had 26 points for the Padres, who improved to 5-4 on the season and 1-1 in SCISA Region III-1A. Will Gee led JDA with 20 points. JEFFERSON DAVIS Langford 11, Brown 4, W. Gee 20, A. Gee 15 Pritchard 5, Atkins 2. ST. FRANCIS XAVIER Lyons 4, Foreman 26, McFadden 22, Hart 7, Pugh 1, Rickabaugh 6.

KINGS ACADEMY 55 LAURENCE MANNING 54

MANNING — The Kings Academy edged Laurence Manning Academy 55-54 in overtime on Monday at the Bubba Davis gymnasium. The wampcats were led by Malik Cokley’s 17 points. LMA will travel to play Ben Lippen on Friday. CLARENDON HALL 61 ORANGEBURG CHRISTIAN 13

ORANGEBURG — Clarendon Hall picked up its first win of the season with a 61-13 victory over Orangeburg Christian School on Monday at the OCS gymnasium. Dustin Way led the 1-3 Saints with a double-double of 26 points and 10 rebounds. Matthew Corbett added 12 points.

Micah Yates had eight points and eight rebounds. Bates will host Ebenezer on Thursday at 5 p.m. LEE CENTRAL 53 SCOTT’S BRANCH 20

SUMMERTON — Rashien Lyde had a double-double of 21 points and 15 rebounds to lead Lee Central to a 53-20 victory over Scott’s Branch on Monday at the Scott’s Branch High School gymnasium. Javonte McCloud added 10 points for the Stallions, while Deablo Halley had 10 rebounds and five steals. Lyde also had seven assists.

JUNIOR VARSITY BASKETBALL LAURENCE MANNING 61 FLORENCE CHRISTIAN 46 FLORENCE — Laurence Manning Academy improved to 4-1 on the season with a 61-46 victory on Tuesday at the Eagles gymnasium. Brayden Osteen had 14 points to lead LMA followed by Brewer Brunson’s 12 and Taylor Lee’s 11. The JV Swampcats will travel to Ben Lippen on Friday. LAKEWOOD 35 CAMDEN 32

Lakewood High School improved to 4-2 with a 35-32 victory over Camden on Monday at The Swamp. Latheron Rogers-Anderson, Devaughnte Pack and Dontrea Osborne each scored seven points to pace the Gators.

MIDDLE SCHOOL BASKETBALL

ORANGEBURG CHRISTIAN 33

BATES 60

CLARENDON HALL 21

CHESTNUT OAKS 39 Geavonte Peterson scored 23 points and had five assists to lead Bates to a 60-39 victory over Chestnut Oaks on Monday at the Bates gymnasium. Calvin Felder added 13 points for the Bantams, who improved to 4-0.

ORANGEBURG — Clarendon Hall dropped to 0-4 with a 33-21 loss to Orangeburg Christian School on Monday at the OCS gymnasium. Kameron Earles led the Saints in scoring with 10 points. Dylan Way grabbed 12 rebounds.

THE SUMTER ITEM

SCOREBOARD

NFL STANDINGS By The Associated Press

AMERICAN CONFERENCE

TV, RADIO

EAST

TODAY

11:20 a.m. – International Soccer: FIFA Club World Championship Fifth-Place Match from Marrakech, Morocco (FOX SPORTS 1). 1 p.m. – College Football: NCAA Division II Tournament Semifinal Game – West Georgia at Colorado State (Pueblo) (ESPNU). 2:20 p.m. – International Soccer: FIFA Club World Championship Semifinal Match from Marrakech, Morocco – San Lorenzo vs. Auckland City (FOX SPORTS 2). 6:05 p.m. – Talk Show: Sports Talk (WPUB-FM 102.7, WDXY-FM 105.9, WDXY-AM 1240). 7 p.m. – College Basketball: Tennessee at North Carolina State (ESPN2). 7 p.m. – College Basketball: Hampton at Illinois (ESPNU). 7 p.m. – College Basketball: North Florida at Florida State (FOX SPORTSOUTH). 7 p.m. – College Basketball: Arkansas State at Mississippi State (SEC NETWORK). 7 p.m. – NBA Basketball: Phoenix at Charlotte (SPORTSOUTH). 7 p.m. – Women’s College Basketball: South Carolina at Hampton (WNKT-FM 107.5). 8 p.m. – College Basketball: Illinois (Chicago) at Southern Methodist (CBS SPORTS NETWORK). 8 p.m. – NBA Basketball: Brooklyn at Toronto (ESPN). 8 p.m. – NHL Hockey: Boston at Minnesota (NBC SPORTS NETWORK). 9 p.m. – College Basketball: San Diego State at Cincinnati (ESPN2). 9 p.m. – College Basketball: New Mexico State at Baylor (ESPNU). 9 p.m. – College Basketball: Winthrop at Auburn (SEC NETWORK). 10:30 p.m. – NBA Basketball: Houston at Denver (ESPN).

PREP SCHEDULE TODAY

Varsity and JV Basketball Scott’s Branch at Crestwood (No JV Girls), 5 p.m. Varsity Wrestling Sumter, Summerville, Rock Hill at Dutch Fork, TBA

THURSDAY

Varsity Basketball Manning at West Florence, 6 p.m. East Clarendon at Lake City, 6 p.m. Junior Varsity Basketball Lakewood at Sumter, 6 p.m. B Team Basketball Keenan at Crestwood (Boys Only), 5 p.m. Middle School Basketball Alice Drive at Chestnut Oaks, 5 p.m. Ebenezer at Bates, 5 p.m. Mayewood at Hillcrest, 5 p.m.

SATURDAY

Varsity Basketball East Clarendon at Branchville, 6 p.m. JV and Middle School Wrestling Sumter in Area Qualifier (at Sumter High), 9 a.m.

The Crestwood High varsity girls basketball team improved to 3-2 with a 62-28 victory over Lee Central on Tuesday at the Stallions gymnasium. Shaquanda Miller-McCray led the Lady Knights with 11 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks. Destinee Jamison had 10 points. Tyana Saunders added nine points, six rebounds and three assists. Crestwood will host Scott’s Branch today. Lee Central was led by Asia Wright’s 10 points. The Lady Stallions will host Lamar on Friday.

proved to 4-0 with a 55-14 victory over Scott’s Branch on Monday at the Scott’s Branch gymnasium. Robionne Myers led the Lady Stallions with 20 points. Tashanna Harris added 12 and Brynasia Wesley had 10. ALICE DRIVE 25 EBENEZER 19

Taniesha Taylor scored 10 points to lead Alice Drive to a 25-19 victory over Ebenezer on Monday at the AD gymnasium. Stariana Roach added seven points for the Lady Hawks.

Semifinals Friday Sam Houston State (11-4) at North Dakota State (13-1), 8 p.m. Saturday Illinois State (12-1) at New Hampshire (12-1), 2 p.m.

DIVISION II

Championship Saturday At Sporting Park Kansas City, Kan. Minnesota State-(Mankato) (14-0) vs. Colorado State-Pueblo (13-1), 4 p.m.

NAIA

Championship Friday At Municipal Stadium Daytona Beach, Fla. Marian (Ind.) (11-2) vs. Southern Oregon (122), 3 p.m.

NBA STANDINGS By The Associated Press EASTERN CONFERENCE ATLANTIC DIVISION

CRESTWOOD Ceaser 7, Cole 6, Saunders 9, Whitfield 4, Jenkins 3, Rodgers 2, Murphy 6, Miller-McCray 11, Cabbagestalk 2, Bolden 4, Jamison 10.

B TEAM BASKETBALL

LAKEWOOD 68

WILSON HALL 54

CAMDEN 39 Lakewood improved to 5-1 on the year with a 68-39 victory over Camden on Tuesday at the Bulldogs gymnasium. Sonora Dengokl lead the Lady Gators with 26 points, seven rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block. Shanekia Jackson added 15 points, five rebounds, three steals and an assist. Kamryn Lemon had nine points, seven rebounds, four steals and three assists. Kelsey Madison contributed seven points and Taja Randolph added nine rebounds.

BEN LIPPEN 21 COLUMBIA — Madison Elmore scored 12 points to lead Wilson Hall to a 54-21 victory over Ben Lippen on Monday at the BL gymnasium. Waverly McIver added nine points for the Lady Barons, while Shelby Guldan had seven.

W Toronto 19 Brooklyn 10 Boston 8 New York 5 Philadelphia 2 SOUTHEAST DIVISION W Washington 17 Atlanta 17 Miami 11 Orlando 10 Charlotte 6 CENTRAL DIVISION W Chicago 15 Cleveland 14 Milwaukee 13 Indiana 8 Detroit 5

CORRECTIONS

SOUTHWEST DIVISION

MIDDLE SCHOOL BASKETBALL LEE CENTRAL 55 SCOTT’S BRANCH 14 SUMMERTON — Lee Central im-

Meeks, UNC roll past Spartans 79-56

(15) OKLAHOMA 85 ORAL ROBERTS 53

NORMAN, Okla. — Buddy Hield scored 16 points to help No. 15 Okla-

Memphis Houston Dallas San Antonio New Orleans NORTHWEST DIVISION Portland Oklahoma City Denver Utah Minnesota PACIFIC DIVISION Golden State L.A. Clippers Phoenix Sacramento L.A. Lakers

BASKETBALL ROUNDUP

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Kennedy Meeks scored 18 points to help No. 24 North Carolina beat UNC Greensboro 79-56 on Tuesday night. The Tar Heels (7-3) regrouped from a weekend loss at top-ranked Kentucky with an easy win against an instate opponent. They shot 49 percent and had a 20-point lead midway through the first half, cruising in the same arena where they’ll play in the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament in March. Kayel Locke scored 17 points for the Spartans (4-7).

L 6 12 14 21 22

Pct .760 .455 .364 .192 .083

GB – 7 1/2 9 1/2 14 1/2 16 1/2

L 6 7 13 17 18

Pct .739 .708 .458 .370 .250

GB – 1/2 6 1/2 9 11 1/2

L 9 9 12 17 20

Pct .625 .609 .520 .320 .200

GB – 1/2 2 1/2 7 1/2 10 1/2

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Tkeyah Perry of the Lakewood High School junior varsity girls basketball team was incorrectly identified in Tuesday’s edition of The Sumter Item. Nina Edlow of the Bates Middle school girls basketball team was incorrectly identified in the Dec. 9 edition.

homa defeat Oral Roberts 85-53 on Tuesday night. TaShawn Thomas, a senior transfer from the University of Houston, followed up his 25-point outing against Tulsa last Saturday by scoring 14 points for the Sooners. . NBA WIZARDS 109 TIMBERWOLVES 95 WASHINGTON — John Wall scored 21 points and equaled a career high with 17 assists and Rasual Butler had 23 points as the Washington Wizards won their fifth game in a row, 109-95 over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night.

From wire reports

Cincinnati Pittsburgh Baltimore Cleveland WEST y-Denver Kansas City San Diego Oakland

L 3 6 7 11

T 0 0 0 0

Pct .786 .571 .500 .214

PF 442 302 327 230

PA 280 254 301 360

W 10 7 2 2

L 4 7 12 12

T 0 0 0 0

Pct .714 .500 .143 .143

PF 424 324 231 211

PA 317 277 390 376

W 9 9 9 7

L 4 5 5 7

T 1 0 0 0

Pct .679 .643 .643 .500

PF 311 389 376 276

PA 289 339 267 300

W 11 8 8 2

L 3 6 6 12

T 0 0 0 0

Pct .786 .571 .571 .143

PF 407 322 303 213

PA 303 254 294 381

NATIONAL CONFERENCE EAST W 10 9 5 3

L 4 5 9 11

T 0 0 0 0

Pct .714 .643 .357 .214

PF 381 416 317 257

PA 328 347 339 370

W 6 5 5 2

L 8 8 9 12

T 0 1 0 0

Pct .429 .393 .357 .143

PF 364 288 348 254

PA 374 358 369 367

W 10 10 6 5

L 4 4 8 9

T 0 0 0 0

Pct .714 .714 .429 .357

PF 281 436 277 296

PA 238 325 297 409

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

T 0 0 0 0

Pct .786 .714 .500 .429

PF 287 339 251 291

PA 244 242 285 297

Dallas Philadelphia N.Y. Giants Washington SOUTH New Orleans Carolina Atlanta Tampa Bay NORTH Detroit Green Bay Minnesota Chicago WEST

MONDAY’S GAME

New Orleans 31, Chicago 15

THURSDAY, DEC. 18

Tennessee at Jacksonville, 8:25 p.m.

SATURDAY, DEC. 20

Philadelphia at Washington, 4:30 p.m. San Diego at San Francisco, 8:25 p.m. Baltimore at Houston, 1 p.m. Detroit at Chicago, 1 p.m. Atlanta at New Orleans, 1 p.m. Minnesota at Miami, 1 p.m. Cleveland at Carolina, 1 p.m. Green Bay at Tampa Bay, 1 p.m. Kansas City at Pittsburgh, 1 p.m. New England at N.Y. Jets, 1 p.m. N.Y. Giants at St. Louis, 4:05 p.m. Buffalo at Oakland, 4:25 p.m. Indianapolis at Dallas, 4:25 p.m. Seattle at Arizona, 8:30 p.m.

MONDAY, DEC. 22

Denver at Cincinnati, 8:30 p.m.

NHL STANDINGS By The Associated Press EASTERN CONFERENCE ATLANTIC DIVISION

FCS

Lady Knights rout Lee Central 62-28

y-Indianapolis Houston Tennessee Jacksonville NORTH

W 11 8 7 3

SUNDAY, DEC. 21

FRIDAY

Varsity Basketball Lakewood at Sumter, 6 p.m. Crestwood at Timmonsville, 6 p.m. Varsity and JV Basketball Scott’s Branch at Manning (No JV Girls), 5 p.m. Lamar at Lee Central (No JV Girls), 5 p.m. Trinity-Byrnes at Thomas Sumter, 4 p.m. Pee Dee at Robert E. Lee, 4 p.m. Williamsburg at Clarendon Hall, 4 p.m. Laurence Manning at Ben Lippen, 4 p.m.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS GIRLS AREA ROUNDUP

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

W 19 18 17 17 11

L 4 5 8 8 12

Pct .826 .783 .680 .680 .478

GB – 1 3 3 8

W 19 11 10 6 5

L 6 13 14 18 18

Pct .760 .458 .417 .250 .217

GB – 7 1/2 8 1/2 12 1/2 13

W 21 17 12 11 8

L 2 7 14 13 17

Pct .913 .708 .462 .458 .320

GB – 4 1/2 10 1/2 10 1/2 14

MONDAY’S GAMES

Boston 105, Philadelphia 87 Indiana 110, L.A. Lakers 91 Cleveland 97, Charlotte 88 Atlanta 93, Chicago 86 Toronto 95, Orlando 82 Milwaukee 96, Phoenix 94 Portland 108, San Antonio 95 L.A. Clippers 113, Detroit 91

TUESDAY’S GAMES

Minnesota at Washington, 7 p.m. Miami at Brooklyn, 7:30 p.m. Utah at New Orleans, 8 p.m. Golden State at Memphis, 8 p.m. Dallas at New York, 8 p.m. Oklahoma City at Sacramento, 10:30 p.m.

TODAY’S GAMES

Phoenix at Charlotte, 7 p.m. Atlanta at Cleveland, 7 p.m. Utah at Miami, 7:30 p.m. Dallas at Detroit, 7:30 p.m. Orlando at Boston, 7:30 p.m. Brooklyn at Toronto, 8 p.m. Memphis at San Antonio, 8:30 p.m. Milwaukee at Portland, 10 p.m. Indiana at L.A. Clippers, 10:30 p.m. Houston at Denver, 10:30 p.m.

THURSDAY’S GAMES

New York at Chicago, 8 p.m. New Orleans at Houston, 8:30 p.m. Milwaukee at Sacramento, 10 p.m. Oklahoma City at Golden State, 10:30 p.m.

GP W Detroit 31 17 Tampa Bay 32 19 Montreal 31 19 Toronto 30 18 Florida 28 12 Boston 30 15 Ottawa 30 12 Buffalo 31 13 METROPOLITAN DIVISION GP W Pittsburgh 30 20 N.Y. Islanders 31 21 Washington 29 14 N.Y. Rangers 28 14 New Jersey 32 11 Philadelphia 29 11 Columbus 29 12 Carolina 29 8

L OT 7 7 10 3 10 2 9 3 8 8 13 2 12 6 16 2

Pts 41 41 40 39 32 32 30 28

GF 92 107 83 103 64 76 80 61

GA 79 86 79 85 74 78 86 95

L OT 6 4 10 0 10 5 10 4 15 6 13 5 15 2 18 3

Pts 44 42 33 32 28 27 26 19

GF 98 99 85 84 74 79 71 61

GA 71 89 79 77 94 87 95 83

Pts 43 42 40 36 33 27 27

GF 95 89 78 73 81 85 78

GA 61 70 57 74 70 103 98

WESTERN CONFERENCE CENTRAL DIVISION Chicago St. Louis Nashville Winnipeg Minnesota Dallas Colorado PACIFIC DIVISION

GP 31 30 29 31 28 29 30

GP Anaheim 32 Vancouver 30 San Jose 32 Los Angeles 31 Calgary 32 Arizona 30 Edmonton 31 NOTE: Two points overtime loss.

W 21 20 19 15 16 11 10

L OT 9 1 8 2 8 2 10 6 11 1 13 5 13 7

W 21 18 17 15 17 10 7 for

L OT Pts GF GA 6 5 47 95 83 10 2 38 89 86 11 4 38 90 82 10 6 36 82 73 13 2 36 95 85 16 4 24 70 99 19 5 19 65 104 a win, one point for

MONDAY’S GAMES

Buffalo 5, Ottawa 4, SO N.Y. Islanders 3, New Jersey 2, SO Pittsburgh 4, Tampa Bay 2

TUESDAY’S GAMES

Tampa Bay at Philadelphia, 7 p.m. Anaheim at Toronto, 7:30 p.m. Carolina at Montreal, 7:30 p.m. Columbus at Detroit, 7:30 p.m. Washington at Florida, 7:30 p.m. Los Angeles at St. Louis, 8 p.m. Boston at Nashville, 8 p.m. Buffalo at Winnipeg, 8 p.m. Minnesota at Chicago, 8:30 p.m. N.Y. Rangers at Calgary, 9 p.m. Edmonton at Arizona, 9 p.m.

TODAY’S GAMES

Ottawa at New Jersey, 7 p.m. Boston at Minnesota, 8 p.m. Dallas at Vancouver, 10 p.m.

THURSDAY’S GAMES

Florida at Philadelphia, 7 p.m. Colorado at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m. Toronto at Carolina, 7 p.m. Washington at Columbus, 7 p.m. Anaheim at Montreal, 7:30 p.m. St. Louis at Los Angeles, 10:30 p.m. Edmonton at San Jose, 10:30 p.m.

TRANSACTIONS By The Associated Press

BASEBALL

American League CHICAGO WHITE SOX _ Agreed to terms with OF Melky Cabrera on a three-year contract. KANSAS CITY ROYALS _ Agreed to terms with 1B/DH Kendrys Morales on a two-year contract. NEW YORK YANKEES _ Agreed to terms with LHP Chris Capuano on a one-year contract. TAMPA BAY RAYS _ Traded OF Matt Joyce to the L.A. Dodgers for RHP Kevin Jepsen. TEXAS RANGERS _ Agreed to terms with RHP Kyuji Fujikawa on a one-year contract. National League ATLANTA BRAVES _ Named John Moses hitting coach of Gwinnett (IL), Garey Ingram hitting coach of Mississippi (SL), Randy Ingle manager and Carlos Mendez hitting coach of Carolina (Carolina), Robinson Cancel manager of Danville (Appalachian), Ralph Wheeler manager of the GCL Braves, Dave Trembley minor league field coordinator, Chris Dayton assistant minor league strength and conditioning coordinator, Lebi Ochoa senior adviser to player development and Jeff Pink minor league equipment manager. COLORADO ROCKIES _ Agreed to terms with INF Daniel Descalso on a two-year contract. LOS ANGELES DODGERS _ Traded RHP Craig Stem to Miami to complete an earlier trade.

FOOTBALL

National Football League CAROLINA PANTHERS _ Released DT Micanor Regis. Signed DT Kyle Love.

SPORTS

THE SUMTER ITEM

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014

PRO FOOTBALL

Saints top Bears 31-15, grab NFC South lead BY ANDREW SELIGMAN The Associated Press CHICAGO — Turns out all Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints needed to solve their problems was to show up in Chicago. Nothing like playing the Bears to break a slump. Even better, the Saints jumped into first place. Brees threw for 375 yards and three touchdowns, and New Orleans beat Chicago 31-15 on Monday night to grab the NFC South lead. The Saints (6-8) moved into first place ahead of Carolina (5-8-1) and Atlanta (5-9) after losing four of their previous five games. They also rebounded from a 41-10 loss to the Panthers. “I think we’ve shown a couple times we can handle adversity,’’ Brees said. “Let’s make sure we can handle success, too.’’ The Saints host the Falcons before finishing the season at Tampa Bay. “The tendency after success is to relax, and it’s not time to relax,’’ Brees said. Brees completed 29 of 36 passes and reached the 4,000-yard mark for the ninth straight year. He threw two touchdown passes to Josh Hill and another to Marques Colston. Pierre Thomas had five catches for 83 yards. David Hawthorne had three of New Orleans’ seven sacks and the

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees (9) hands off the ball to running back Mark Ingram during the Saints’ 31-15 victory over Chicago on Monday in Chicago. Saints intercepted Jay Cutler three times to bring his NFL-leading turnover total to 24. “We were not in unison tonight collectively on the offensive side of the ball and that starts with me,’’ Chicago coach Marc Trestman said. For the Bears (5-9), the loss comes after a week in which they were again

engulfed in controversy. Offensive coordinator Aaron Kromer acknowledged he was a source behind a critical report by the NFL Network about Cutler, owning up to it in public Friday after earlier asking players and coaches for forgiveness. Cutler completed 17 of 31 passes for 194 yards, and the Bears couldn’t get

anything going. They managed only 278 yards against one of the league’s worst defenses on a soggy night in which thousands of seats went unused. There were 10,749 no-shows, and that might not have been a bad thing for the Bears, the way they played. The Saints went ahead in the second quarter after wasting several opportunities in the opening period. Bears cornerback Kyle Fuller was called for a 17yard pass-interference penalty trying to defend Jimmy Graham, setting up New Orleans with a first down at the 8. Brees then rolled to his right on the first play of the second quarter and found an open Hill, who lunged across the goal line. The first half was so bad for Chicago that its best play might have been Patrick O’Donnell’s 56-yard punt that went out of bounds at the New Orleans 5 with about four minutes left in the second. But the Saints responded with a 10-play, 95-yard drive. Brees threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Colston with 38 seconds left, giving the Saints a 14-0 lead. Brees and Hill connected for a 7-yard TD on their first possession in the third on a similar play as their first score, making it 21-0. It was 24-0 early in the fourth when Cutler hit Marquess Wilson with a 1-yard touchdown pass, denying New Orleans its first shutout since 2012.

SPORTS ITEMS

USC’s Holbrook receives 2-year extension COLUMBIA — The Board of Trustees of the University of South Carolina approved a two-year contract extension for head baseball coach Chad Holbrook on Tuesday. The contract extension puts Holbrook under contract through the end of the 2019 season. “It is an honor to be the head baseball coach at the University of HOLBROOK South Carolina,” said Holbrook. “I want to thank the Board of Trustees, Dr. Pastides and Coach Tanner for their unwavering commitment to the entire Gamecock baseball program and me. It is really neat and comforting to be surrounded by such great leadership. South Carolina is a special place with the best fans in the country and I am fortunate to work with an incredible staff and a group of great players that continue to represent this university the right way. “We look forward to getting back out on the field soon and are excited for the upcoming season and the years ahead.” Holbrook is in his third year as head of the USC program after directing the Gamecocks to a 15th consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 2014. Holbrook’s SEC winning percentage of .593 is the highest of any South Carolina coach in the first two seasons and his overall win-

ning percentage of .696 is the second-highest of any USC coach in his first two seasons. Last season, the Gamecocks finished 44-18 and finished ranked as high as No. 22 by the USA Today coaches’ poll. South Carolina went 18-12 in the SEC.

PELINI GOES HOME AS YOUNGSTOWN ST. COACH Former Nebraska coach Bo Pelini has been hired to be the next coach at Youngstown State, an FCS school in his hometown, the school announced on Tuesday. The 47-year-old Pelini is a Youngstown, Ohio, native and graduate of Cardinal Mooney High School in the Northeast Ohio city. He was fired last month after eight seasons at Nebraska. Pelini was 67-27 with the Cornhuskers, but never won a conference championship.

FLORIDA HIRES MISSISSIPPI STATE’S COLLINS AS DC GAINESVILLE, Fla. — New Florida coach Jim McElwain named Mississippi State’s Geoff Collins his defensive coordinator on Tuesday. Collins replaces D.J. Durkin, who will serve as Florida’s interim head coach for the Birmingham Bowl. Collins helped turn Mississippi State into one of the nation’s top defenses. The Bulldogs rank 10th in scoring defense, allowing 19.4 points a game, and lead the country in red-zone defense.

AP SOURCE: MORSE AGREES TO $16M DEAL WITH MIAMI MIAMI — The Miami Marlins and Mike Morse agreed to a $16 million, two-year contract on Tuesday, pending a physical a person familiar with the negotiations said. The Marlins expect Morse to replace Garrett Jones as their first baseman and to bat cleanup. Last season Morse hit .279 with 16 homers and 61 RBI in 131 games for the World Series champion San Francisco Giants. He batted .300 in the postseason and had four RBI in the World Series.

Christmas and New Years Display/Legal Advertising Deadlines EDITION

KURT BUSCH’S EX SEEKS NO-CONTACT ORDER

Sat., December 20 Sun, December 21 Tues., December 23 Wed., December 24 Fri., December 26 Sat, December 27 Sun., December 28 Tues., December 30 Wed, December 31 Fri., January 2 Sat., January 3 Sun., January 4 Tues., January 6

DOVER, Del. — NASCAR driver Kurt Busch’s ex-girlfriend is delivering emotional testimony in a Delaware courtroom, seeking an order that Busch stay away from her following an alleged assault. Patricia Driscoll testified Tuesday that Busch had choked her and smashed her head into a wall in September at Dover International Speedway. The 36-year-old sobbed during her testimony, and the judge ordered a break. Driscoll has filed court documents asking that a judge order Busch to stay away from her and not contact her. She also is asking that Busch undergo a psychiatric evaluation and be evaluated by a certified domestic violence treatment agency.

DEADLINE

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

The business oﬃce will be closed December 24th, December 25th and January 1. 20 N. Magnolia Street Sumter, SC 29150 803-774-1200

From wire, USC reports

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Lodge Double Play 16 3/4” x 9 1/ 1/2” /2

Lodge Skillet

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Reverse Logic Single Burner 10 1/2”

10% Off All Other Lodge Products No Rain Checks • Limited Supply • Sale Expires December 24, 2014

Wally’s Hardware 1291 BROAD ST. EXT. • SUMTER, SC • 469-8531 Mon-Fri. 8am - 5:30pm • Sat. 8am - 2pm

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014

SPORTS

THE SUMTER ITEM

RECRUITING CORNER

JUCO linebacker Hawkins commits to USC A

fter a stretch of decommitments from the 2015 football recruiting class, South Carolina put one back on the board on Sunday with a commitment from linebacker Ernest Hawkins (6-feet2-inches, 220 pounds) of Hartnell Junior College in California. Hawkins will sign with the Gamecocks today, the first day of the signing period for junior college mid-year enrollees. He will have four years to play three. Hawkins made an official visit to USC on Saturday and Sunday and committed to the Gamecocks Sunday night. He also considered Hawaii and Colorado. “It was awesome,” Hawkins said of the visit. “The facilities, the stadium, I fell in love with it. They see me running the will and the mike (LBs). It’s an honor (to play for USC head coach Steve Spurrier and in the Southeastern Conference); it’s something you dream of as a kid. I just want to take full advantage of it.” After graduating from Dunbar High School in Baltimore in ‘12, Hawkins signed with Texas-El Paso, but grayshirted because his Scholastic Aptitiude Test score came in late. After the coaches at UTEP were fired, he de-committed and stayed home for the ‘13 season. He enrolled at Hartnell this fall and earned first team all-conference honors. This season, Hawkins had 56 tackles with 7 1/2 tackles for loss and 2 1/2 quarterback sacks. Hawkins pushes USC’s commitment total for the ‘15 class, including holdovers from ‘14, to 27. The holiday dead period for recruiting has begun and will run through Jan. 14, and the break couldn’t have come at a better time for USC. Perhaps keeping other recruiters away from their commitments will help the Gamecocks stop the hemorrhaging of their ‘15 class, which has had five defections since Oct. 21. Last week, the Gamecocks lost a pair of offensive linemen in Paris Palmer, who switched to Penn State, and Jozie Milton, who now is committed to Texas Christian. They are the second and third OLs to de-commit, joining Austin Clark, who changed to Virginia Tech in November. The Gamecocks have also lost defensive back Jaire Alexander to Louisville and LB Davon Durant to Arizona State. The popular theory is the Gamecocks are being raided because of Spurrier’s comment that he’ll only coach two or three more years. In fact, only Milton has stated publicly that Spurrier’s coaching future concerned him. Palmer, who is a JC transfer, has not said why he changed his mind, but PSU made him a priority and made a strong push for him this month. Clark changed to VT because he wanted to stay closer to home. Alexander said he saw immediate playing time at wide receiver at Louisville, and Durant was concerned about being redshirted at USC.

The Gamecocks’ worries aren’t completely over, however. Spurrier, along with defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward and defensive line coach Deke Adams met for an hour with committed defensive end Marquavius Lewis on Saturday in Greenwood. Lewis is transferring from Hutchinson JC in Kansas in January, but USC is trying to fend off Auburn for Lewis, who plans to sign today. “It went well,” Lewis said of the meeting. “Right now I am signing with South Carolina and that’s probably how it’s going to be. They said I’m the headliner of the class, and they want me to come in and lead by example and do everything the way they know I can.” Auburn is not going away quietly though as recruiter Rodney Garner made a strong pitch on Friday in a meeting with Lewis before he left the JC, “saying that come into a program that’s already built to win, have (National Football League draft) first-rounders on the D-line, and the players Coach Garner has put into the league.” The subject of new Auburn defensive coordinator Will Muschamp was also “It is very interesting because of his background and everything,” Lewis said of the former Florida head caoch. “He’s such a great defensive coordinator.” Lewis said the Auburn meeting did give him something more to think about regarding the Tigers. “I was thinking of it, but I’m still South Carolina right now,” Lewis said. “The success of the Auburn program still caught my eye and everything, and Coach Garner and everybody.” There are also DB Mark Fields, DE Arden Key and DB Damon Arnette, three longtime commitments, still being pulled by other programs. Spurrier met with Fields last week in hope of shutting down his recruiting, but Fields is considering official visits to Clemson and Texas. Key is planning to take three other official visits though he said his decision will come down to the Gamecocks and Georgia. Right now, he considers his decision a 50-50 proposition between the two SEC Eastern Division rivals. “I’m still committed to South Carolina and it’s now between them and Georgia,” Key said. “LSU (Louisiana State) is not in the mix no more.” Key will take his official visit to USC on Jan. 23 and his trip to UGA will be the final weekend before National Signing Day the first week in February. He will also take officials to LSU on Jan. 16 and Miami on Jan. 19 because he had made plans with those schools to visit, but the decision is whether to stick with the Gamecocks or flip to UGA. “I’ve been looking into their program,” Key said of UGA, “and I just decided that it was going to be between Georgia and South Carolina.” Ward and Adams have been in to see Key as have his UGA

SPRINT

Sprint also promotes the series through various marketing campaigns. “Much like 2004, this is an enormous opportunity for a prospective sponsor to join one of the country’s most popular sports on its highest level,’’ Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage said. “NASCAR has reached out in advance to industry people like myself to assist them in identifying a replacement title sponsor. We encourage NASCAR to find an active, supportive and long-term sponsor with broad consumer reach and minimal category conflict that proves beneficial to the entire industry in the future.’’ NASCAR signed a deal with Xfinity this year to replace Nationwide as entitlement sponsor of the secondtier series, and NASCAR extended its current deal with Camping World through 2022 for title sponsor of its Truck Series.

FROM PAGE B1 agreement for just the fourth time since 1971, when RJ Reynolds began its 33-year sponsorship of the top series through its Winston brand. RJR pulled out after the 2003 season and Nextel stepped in until Sprint’s corporate merger. Since Sprint stepped in, the wireless carrier has implemented fan-friendly innovations ranging from a new generation scanner in 2005, a mobile app in 2008 and the Miss Sprint Cup ambassador program in 2007. The Miss Sprint Cup program has more than 1.5 million social media followers. Sprint is also responsible for funding the season-ending point fund, which was approximately $22 million this past season and awarded $4.8 million to first-time champion Kevin Harvick.

Phil Kornblut RECRUITING CORNER

recruiters. Key said all the talk about Spurrier’s future and the job security of Ward and Adams have not affected him in the least. “Nobody’s going nowhere,” he

said. Arnette said he remains firmly committed to USC, but he will take an official visit to Louisville on Jan. 17. He’s set for USC on Jan. 23. He said he will set other official visits and has also been considering Ohio State and Kentucky. USC OL pledge Christian Pellage of Brooksville, Fla., was visited last week by new UF head coach Jim McElwain, but said he’s firm with his Gamecock commitment and will take his official visit on Jan. 23. LB commitment Sherrod Pittman of Jacksonville, Fla., after a renewed flirtation with UF after McElwain arrived, met with Spurrier the end of last week and said he’s “110 percent” committed to the Gamecocks and will enroll next month. USC OL coach Shawn Elliott met with and offered ’15 OL Trey Derouen (6-3, 309) of Lilburn, Ga., a former Mississippi State commitment on Sunday. Derouen plans to take an official visit on Jan. 23. Louisville and UF also are showing interest. USC target DL DJ Jones of East Mississippi JC and formerly of Wren High in Piedmont, no longer is considering the Gamecocks. He’s been committed to Florida State, but is also considering Mississippi and Alabama. He plans to sign on Wednesday.

CLEMSON DE Albert Huggins (6-4, 280) of Orangeburg-Wilkinson High announced a commitment to Clemson on Friday during a gathering of family and students at the O-W auditorium. Huggins, regarded by some analysts as the state’s top prospect for the ‘15 class, picked the Tigers over UGA. He also had UF, FSU, Auburn and North Carolina on his final list. Huggins camped several times at Clemson and attended a few games there so he felt comfortable with the situation. “With (head) Coach (Dabo) Swinney and (assistant) Coach (Marion) Hobby and the coaching staff, it’s a real good opportunity to fit in and have the opportunity to start,” Huggins said. “The family that Clemson has is crazy and I want to be there.” Huggins said at one point UGA was his favorite, but that changed after his inhome visit with Swinney last week. “I went with my heart, went with my heart,” Huggins said. Huggins is, of course, familiar with Clemson’s recent history of success with DEs, like this year’s All-American, Vic Beasley, someone he has gotten to know in recent years. “I can see where Coach

Hobby took the time to sit him down and mold him,” he said. “I can see myself being molded and becoming a great player and go to the NFL and get my degree.” Huggins believes his physicality and speed will be assets for the Clemson defense. Huggins is a Shrine Bowl selection who had 73 tackles and 10 sacks this season. He will be an early enrollee at Clemson and is the Tigers’ 24th commitment for the class including carryovers from ‘14. Clemson commitment WR Ray Ray McCloud III of Tampa, Fla., told 247Sports he might not enroll early because of a family situation. Clemson has reached out in several different directions in an attempt to fill a void at cornerback since losing a commitment from DB Juwuan Briscoe earlier this month. The Tigers have offered current VT commitment Mook Reynolds, former Louisville commitment Kareem Orr and current Miami commitment Michael Jackson (6-1, 192) of Hoover, Ala. All are interested in the Tigers, especially Jackson who has camped with the Tigers for several summers. “I’ve been going to the camp for like four or five years straight,” Jackson said this week from the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game practice. “I’m not saying I’m going to de-commit from Miami, but I have to rethink about me going to Miami and possibly me going to Clemson. They are pushing pretty hard. I hear from them a couple of times a week.” Jackson has not taken any official visits yet, but is scheduled to visit Miami on Jan. 23. He plans to set a visit with Clemson the weekend before that. Jackson said he’s not considering any other schools besides Clemson and Miami, and he reiterated that he has not de-committed from Miami. This season, Jackson had about 30 tackles with two interceptions. Orr recently de-committed from Louisville and now has set his sites on Clemson, Mississippi State, Arizona State, Oklahoma, Indiana and Washington State. Clemson recruiter Dan Brooks was by his school, and Orr talked with Tiger secondary coach Mike Reed. “He said he would play me at the boundary (CB) and would have McKenzie (Alexander) to the field, and we would wreak havoc,” Orr said. Orr has never visited Clemson, but he’s set an official visit for Jan. 23. He will go to Arizona State the weekend before that. He has visited Oklahoma.

CLEMSON AND USC DB/WR Denzel Johnson (6-2, 191) of A.C. Flora High in Columbia is seeing his recruiting activity heat up as the recruiting campaign for the ‘15 class winds down. He’s had a Clemson offer for a while, but the Tigers recently stepped up their interest in him. Johnson also has offers from Towson State, Liberty, Georgia Southern, The Citadel, South Carolina State and Appalachian

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State. Johnson also is talking with USC, which has indicated a possible grayshirt opportunity. Johnson made an official visit to Towson State earlier this month and is scheduled to visit Georgia Southern on Jan. 23. He also plans to take an official visit to Clemson in January. “I don’t know if they want me as a wide receiver,” Johnson said of Clemson. “It’s nice up there; the fans, it’s a good environment. A lot of high quality stuff up there.” Including the nation’s topranked defense heading into the Tigers’ matchup against Oklahoma in the Russell Athletic Bowl. “It’s swag,” Johnson said of Clemson’s defensive style. “I like it. “I’m definitely thinking about Clemson, but I want to weigh my options, so there’s no favorite.” This season, Johnson had 66 catches for 910 yards and 12 touchdowns, and 60 tackles with 2 INTs and eight passes broken up.

OTHERS Former Clemson QB Chad Kelly of East Mississippi JC committed to Ole Miss last week. This season, Kelly led his team to the JUCO national championship by passing for 3,906 yards, completing 67 percent of his passes with 47 TDs and eight INTs. He also rushed for 446 yards and eight TDs.

JUNIORS CLEMSON QB Drayton Arnold of Myrtle Beach High visited Clemson for the USC game and remains in contact with the Tigers. Arnold’s sole offer is from Ohio, but he continues to hear from Clemson and recently visited East Carolina. WR Bryan Edwards of Conway High has strong family ties to Clemson and has the Tigers at the top of his short list right now. “Top of my list would be Clemson,” Edwards said. “Then it’s USC and Florida. I’m still pretty wide open.” Edwards’ grandfather played for Clemson and his sister is a student there. Edwards also holds offers from VT, UF, Duke, UNC, Wake Forest and Kentucky, and he’s hearing from UCLA, North Carolina State and Tennessee. He wants to make his decision during his senior season or soon afterward. Clemson offered LB Brandon Hill (6-3, 212) of Heathwood Hall in Columbia last week. He also has offers from Duke and WF.

USC AND CLEMSON USC offered ‘16 DB Saivion Smith of Bradenton, Fla., last week. Clemson also has offered.

BASEBALL Junior outfielder Chris Thompson (5-11, 145) of J.L. Mann High in Greenville has committed to Clemson. He also considered USC, Vanderbilt, WF, Wofford, The Citadel, Coastal Carolina and Presbyterian.

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FOOTBALL

THE SUMTER ITEM

AP ALL-AMERICA TEAMS

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014

USC FROM PAGE B1

FIRST TEAM

OFFENSE Quarterback — Marcus Mariota, junior, Oregon Running backs — Melvin Gordon, junior, Wisconsin; Tevin Coleman, junior, Indiana. Tackles — Brandon Scherff, senior, Iowa; Spencer Drango, junior, Baylor. Guards — Tre Jackson, senior, Florida State; Laken Tomlinson, senior, Duke. Center — Reese Dismukes, senior, Auburn. Tight End — Nick O’Leary, senior, Florida State. Wide receivers — Amari Cooper, junior, Alabama; Rashard Higgins, sophomore, Colorado State. Kicker — Roberto Aguayo, sophomore, Florida State. All-purpose player — Shaq Thompson, junior, Washington. DEFENSE Ends — Joey Bosa, sophomore, Ohio State; Vic Beasley, senior, Clemson. Tackles — Malcolm Brown, junior, Texas; Danny Shelton, junior, Washington. Linebackers — Scooby Wright III, sophomore, Arizona; Hau’oli Kikaha, senior, Washington; Paul Dawson, senior, TCU. Cornerbacks — Senquez Golson, senior, Mississippi; Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, senior, Oregon. Safeties — Landon Collins, junior, Alabama; Gerod Holliman, sophomore, Louisville. Punter — Tom Hackett, junior, Utah.

SECOND TEAM

OFFENSE Quarterback — Trevone Boykin, junior, TCU Running backs — James Conner, sophomore, Pittsburgh; Ameer Abdullah, senior, Nebraska. Tackles — La’el Collins, senior, LSU; Andrus Peat, junior, Stanford. Guards — Arie Kouandjio, senior, Alabama; A.J. Cann, senior, South Carolina. Center — Hroniss Grasu, senior, Oregon. Tight End — Maxx Williams, sophomore, Minnesota. Wide receivers — Kevin White, senior, West Virginia; Rashad Greene, senior, Florida State. Kicker — Brad Craddock, junior, Maryland. All-purpose player — Tyler Lockett, senior, Kansas State. DEFENSE Ends — Shane Ray, junior, Missouri; Nate Orchard, senior, Utah. Tackles — Leonard Williams, junior, Southern California; Robert Nkemdiche, sophomore, Mississippi. Linebackers — Eric Kendricks, senior, UCLA; Benardrick McKinney, junior, Mississippi State; Jaylon Smith, sophomore, Notre Dame. Cornerbacks — Vernon Hargreaves III, sophomore, Florida; Jacoby Glenn, sophomore, Central Florida. Safeties — Jalen Ramsey, sophomore, Florida State; Cody Prewitt, senior, Mississippi. Punter — JK Scott, freshman, Alabama.

THIRD TEAM

OFFENSE Quarterback — J.T. Barrett, redshirt freshman, Ohio State. Running backs — Jay Ajayi, junior, Boise State; Samaje Perine, freshman, Oklahoma. Tackles — Cedric Ogbuehi, senior, Texas A&M; Jake Fisher, senior, Oregon. Guards — Shaquille Mason, senior, Georgia Tech; Ben Beckwith, senior, Mississippi State. Center — Jack Allen, junior, Michigan State. Tight End — Clive Walford, senior, Miami. Wide receivers — Justin Hardy, senior, East Carolina; Nelson Agholor, junior, Southern California. Kicker — Josh Lambert, sophomore, West Virginia. All-purpose player — J.J. Nelson, senior, UAB. DEFENSE Ends — Shawn Oakman, junior, Baylor; Randy Gregory, junior, Nebraska. Tackles — Michael Bennett, senior, Ohio State; Eddie Goldman, junior, Florida State. Linebackers — Denzel Perryman, senior, Miami; Mike Hull, senior, Penn State; Eric Striker, junior, Oklahoma. Cornerbacks — Trae Waynes, junior, Michigan State; Kendall Fuller, sophomore, Virginia Tech. Safeties — Kurtis Drummond, senior, Michigan State; Su’a Cravens, sophomore, Southern California. Punter — Austin Rehkow, sophomore, Idaho.

BEASLEY FROM PAGE B1 Cann earned second-team AllAmerica honors. Cann, a 6-4, 311-pounder from Bamberg, has been a four-year starter at guard for the Gamecocks. He has started 50 of the 51 games over the past four seasons, the secondmost starts in Carolina history. A two-time captain, Cann helped lead a team that averaged over 33 points and 450 yards per game. Since the regular season ended, Cann has been named first-team All-American by ESPN.com and CBSSportsline. com, was a second-team AllAmerican by Walter Camp, and was a third-team selection by College Sports Madness. Cann and his Gamecock teammates will travel to Shreveport to play Miami in the Duck Commander Independence Bowl on Dec. 27. Florida State leads the way with three first-team AllAmericans: tight end Nick O’Leary, guard Tre Jackson and kicker Roberto Aguayo, who is an All-American for the second straight season. Oregon and Alabama each have two, including a couple of Heisman Trophy finalists. Heisman winner Marcus Mariota is the first Ducks quarterback to be an AllAmerican. He is joined by Ducks cornerback Ifo EkpreOlomu. The second-seeded Ducks will play third-seeded Florida State on Jan. 1 at the Rose Bowl.

“The next game is definitely that chance for us to make up for the last game,’’ Surratt said. “Our goal is try and get a W against Miami.’’ The Gamecocks were expected to be training for a much bigger bowl than this, voted as the likely winner of the SEC Eastern Division. Instead, losing five defensive starters from last year including No. 1 NFL draft pick Jadeveon Clowney proved too much to overcome. The proof came early when Texas A&M posted a 52-28 opening-game win as South Carolina gave up a program worst 680 yards of offense. The collapses against Missouri, Kentucky and Tennessee — all coming after the Gamecocks held a double-digit lead in the final period — heightened the offensive problems. Things bottomed out three weeks ago in a 35-17 loss to rival Clemson as the Tigers rolled up 491 yards including 225 on the ground. “We were just young and it was a learning experience for us,’’ Surratt said. “I feel us older guys could’ve done better teaching these young guys and getting them ready.’’ Surratt and other South Carolina veterans say that’s the goal of these bowl practices. Linebacker Sharrod Golighty said older players showed enthusiasm and spirit in their return to the field. “Growing pains throughout the season, but a big opportunity in the bowl

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Poor outings against Texas A&M and Clemson as well as late collapses against Missouri, Kentucky and Tennessee have the South Carolina defense eager for a strong finish against Miami in the Independence Bowl. game,’’ he said. “Big opportunity against Miami. We’re trying to take advantage of it.’’ Defensive line coach Deke Adams

was not concerned about his players’ attitudes after the regular-season, knowing they’d put the problems behind them in preparing for the Hurricanes. “There are no quitters in this group,’’ he said. “The guys have showed up. They’ve worked hard. Everybody is disappointed in the outcome of how things have happened this year, but these kids are coming out here working and trying to get better every day.’’ It hasn’t been easy. South Carolina fans have been vocal on local sports shows and social media about their anger over this year’s defense. Some supporters stirred up speculation that fired Florida coach Will Muschamp was the perfect answer to restore the group’s edge. Head coach Steve Spurrier said the team never made an offer to Muschamp, although the two friends talked after the dismissal from the Gators. Muschamp took a defensive coordinator spot with Auburn. Spurrier has said he’ll wait until after the bowl game to see if any staff shuffling is called for. But Spurrier has constantly said his defensive coaches are the same ones who had the Gamecocks on top during a 33-6 stretch the previous three years. Adams said he, defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward and the rest of the defensive staff have tuned out the noise and are concentrating on their jobs. “We’re all professionals,’’ he said. “We’re going to stay focused on our task at hand.’’

BOWL SCHEDULE The Associated Press

SATURDAY, DEC. 20

New Orleans Bowl Nevada (7-5) vs. Louisiana-Lafayette (8-4), 11 a.m. (ESPN) New Mexico Bowl At Albuquerque UTEP (7-5) vs. Utah State (9-4), 2:20 p.m. (ESPN) Las Vegas Bowl Colorado State (10-2) vs. Utah (84), 3:30 p.m. (ABC) Famous Idaho Potato Bowl At Boise Western Michigan (8-4) vs. Air Force (9-3), 5:45 p.m. (ESPN) Camelia Bowl At Montgomery, Ala. Bowling Green (7-6) vs. South Alabama (6-6), 9:15 p.m. (ESPN)

MONDAY, DEC. 22

Miami Beach Bowl BYU (8-4) vs. Memphis (9-3), 2 p.m. (ESPN)

TUESDAY, DEC. 23

Boca Raton (Fla.) Bowl Marshall (12-1) vs. Northern Illinois (11-2), 6 p.m. (ESPN) Poinsettia Bowl At San Diego Navy (6-5) vs. San Diego State (75), 9:30 p.m. (ESPN)

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 24

Bahamas Bowl At Nassau Western Kentucky (7-5) vs. Central Michigan (7-5), Noon (ESPN) Hawaii Bowl At Honolulu Rice (7-5) vs. Fresno State (6-7), 8 p.m. (ESPN)

FRIDAY, DEC. 26

Heart of Dallas Bowl Illinois (6-6) vs. Louisiana Tech (8-

WILLIAMS FROM PAGE B1 said. “He’s solid on (his commitment) to Chapel Hill this upcoming season.” When asked about his visit to Wisconsin, Williams said it was “a good experience.” In an article written last week by Don Callahan for “Inside Carolina” (www. northcarolina.scout.com), Williams, a 5-foot-11-inch, 207-pounder, said he remained verbally commit-

4), 1 p.m. (ESPN) Quick Lane Bowl At Detroit Rutgers (7-5) vs. North Carolina (6-6), 4:30 p.m. (ESPN) St. Petersburg (Fla.) Bowl UCF (9-3) vs. N.C. State (7-5), 8 p.m. (ESPN)

SATURDAY, DEC. 27

Military Bowl At Annapolis, Md. Virginia Tech (6-6) vs. Cincinnati (9-3), 1 p.m. (ESPN) Sun Bowl At El Paso, Texas Duke (9-3) vs. Arizona State (9-3), 2 p.m. (CBS) Independence Bowl At Shreveport, La. Miami (6-6) vs. South Carolina (66), 4 p.m. (ESPN2) Pinstripe Bowl At Bronx, N.Y. Boston College (7-5) vs. Penn State (6-6), 4:30 p.m. (ESPN) Holiday Bowl At San Diego Nebraska (9-3) vs. Southern Cal (8-4), 8 p.m. (ESPN)

MONDAY, DEC. 29

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

TUESDAY, DEC. 30

Music City Bowl At Nashville, Tenn. Notre Dame (7-5) vs. LSU (8-4), 3

ted to the Tar Heels, but was still considering Wisconsin. “I’m just going to evaluate both of them and make sure I make the right decision,” Williams said in the story. “I’m done with visits.” Williams was visited by UNC head coach Larry Fedora, running backs coach and co-defensive coordinator Vic Koenning. Five days later, he took his official visit to UNC. “[The official visit] was just more in-depth,” Wil-

p.m. (ESPN)

Belk Bowl At Charlotte, N.C. Louisville (9-3) vs. Georgia (9-3), 6:30 p.m. (ESPN) Fosters Farm Bowl At Santa Clara, Calif. Stanford (7-5) vs. Maryland (7-5), 10 p.m. (ESPN)

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 31

Peach Bowl At Atlanta Mississippi (9-3) vs. TCU (11-1), 12:30 p.m. (ESPN) Fiesta Bowl At Glendale, Ariz. Boise State (11-2) vs. Arizona (103), 4 p.m. (ESPN) Orange Bowl At Miami Mississippi State (10-2) vs. Georgia Tech (10-3), 8 p.m. (ESPN)

THURSDAY, JAN. 1

Outback Bowl At Tampa, Fla. Wisconsin (10-3) vs. Auburn (8-4), Noon (ESPN2) Cotton Bowl Classic At Arlington, Texas Michigan State (10-2) vs. Baylor (11-1), 12:30 p.m. (ESPN) Citrus Bowl At Orlando, Fla. Minnesota (8-4) vs. Missouri (103), 1 p.m. (ABC) Rose Bowl At Pasadena, Calif. Playoff semifinal: Oregon (12-1) vs. Florida State (13-0), 5 p.m. (ESPN) Sugar Bowl At New Orleans Playoff semifinal: Alabama (12-1) vs. Ohio State (12-1), 8:30 p.m. (ESPN)

FRIDAY, JAN. 2

Armed Forces Bowl

liams said in his interview with Callahan. “I kind of did the same thing when I went up there the first time. This time, I got to spend more time with the players. This time, I just got a real detailed look on how the program works.” During his visit, Williams spoke with sophomore running back T.J. Logan, his player host, as well as Porter and Fedora. “We talked about how it’s almost that time for me to get there,” Williams said about his conversation with

At Fort Worth, Texas Pittsburgh (6-6) vs. Houston (7-5), Noon (ESPN) TaxSlayer Bowl At Jacksonville, Fla. Iowa (7-5) vs. Tennessee (6-6), 3:20 p.m. (ESPN) Alamo Bowl At San Antonio UCLA (9-3) vs. Kansas State (9-3), 6:45 p.m. (ESPN) Cactus Bowl At Tempe, Ariz. Oklahoma State (6-6) vs. Washington (8-5), 10:15 p.m. (ESPN)

SATURDAY, JAN. 3

Birmingham (Ala.) Bowl Florida (6-5) vs. East Carolina (84), 1 p.m. (ESPN2) GoDaddy Bowl At Mobile, Ala. Toledo (8-4) vs. Arkansas State (75), 9 p.m. (ESPN)

SATURDAY, JAN. 10

Medal of Honor Bowl At Charleston, S.C. American vs. National, 2:30 p.m.

MONDAY, JAN. 12

College Football Championship At Arlington, Texas Sugar Bowl winner vs. Rose Bowl winner, 8:30 p.m. (ESPN)

SATURDAY, JAN. 17

East-West Shrine Classic At St. Petersburg, Fla. East vs. West, 4 p.m. (NFLN) NFLPA Collegiate Bowl At Carson, Calif. National vs. American, 4 p.m. (ESPN2)

SATURDAY, JAN. 24

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

Fedora. “He told me to start preparing myself.” Williams rushed for 1,201 yards and 14 touchdowns on 188 carries this past season. He also caught 10 passes for 200 yards and two more scores. He was selected to play in the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl North-South Game on Saturday, but didn’t play because of a groin injury. Williams ran for 1,516 yards and 16 touchdowns as a junior after compiling 1,008 yards and 17 scores as a sophomore.

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OBITUARIES

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014

LISA P. SMITH Lisa Parnell Smith, 55, died on Monday, Dec. 15, 2014, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center. Born in Hartsville, she was a daughter of Edward Parnell Sr. and the late Elizabeth Smith Parnell. She was a registered nurse and was employed by SMITH the S.C. Department of Corrections. She was a member of Bethel Baptist Church. Survivors include her father of Sumter; three children, Steven Vickers (Sarah) of Lexington, and Luann Vickers and Jessica Davis, both of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; a grandson, Weston Vickers; and an eagerly anticipated granddaughter. She was preceded in death by a brother, Edward Parnell Jr.; and a sister, Crystal Schwabenbauer. Funeral services will be held at noon on Thursday at Bethel Baptist Church with the Rev. Larry Fraser and the Rev. Jimmy Blackmon officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Pallbearers will be Michael Parnell, Phil Houck, D.J. Schwabenbauer, Coby Parnell, Buddy Maye and Billy Berry. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Elmore-CannonStephens Funeral Home and other times at the home of her father, 1806 Palomino Circle. Memorials may be made to Bethel Baptist Church, 2401 Bethel Church Road, Sumter, SC 29154. Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of the arrangements. www.ecsfuneralhome.com

MARY REED

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DAVID BRAILSFORD JR. Deacon David “Dave” Brailsford Jr., 82, affectionately known as “Loving Dad,” departed this life on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center. Born on Sept. 7, 1932, in Lee County, he was a son of the late Dave and Osteen BRAILSFORD Jenkins Brailsford. He was educated in the public schools of Sumter County. At an early age, he accepted Christ as his personal Savior and joined Joshua Baptist Church, where he served as a faithful Sunday school teacher, president of the senior choir, and a member of the deacon and trustee board. Dave was employed with Palmetto Pigeon Plant for 36 years until retirement. He enjoyed reading the Bible, caring for animals and spending quality time with his family. Dave leaves to cherish his memories: a devoted and loving wife of 54 years, Susan Jackson Brailsford of the home; two sons, Danny Brailsford of Winston Salem, North Carolina, and Arthur Brailsford of Dalzell; two daughters, Susan (Morris) Cunning and Regina (Darryl) Peoples of Columbia; one brother, Robert (Annie M.) Brailsford of Wedgefield; three sisters, Dorothy (Leroy) Sinkler of Sumter, Alice (Joseph) Howard of Irvington, New Jersey, and Julia Boyd of Newark, New Jersey; brothersin-law, Charlie Bradley of Sumter, Willie Dawson of Irvington, and Paul (Dorothy) Jackson and Richard (Yvonne) Jackson of Dalzell; sister-in-law, Irabell Brailsford of Sumter; five grandchildren; one great-grand-

child; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Rubin, Joseph and Harry Brailsford; and two sisters, Lela Dawson and Maggie Bradley. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday at Joshua Baptist Church, 5200 Live Oak Road, Dalzell, with the Rev. Eugene G. Dennis, pastor, eulogist, the Rev. Jannette Jenkins, presiding, assisted by the Rev. Carnell Hampton and the Rev. R.L. Williams. The family is receiving friends and relatives at the home, 2555 Byrd Road, Dalzell. The remains will be placed in the church at noon. The funeral procession will leave at 12:30 p.m. from the home. Floral bearers will be deacons’ wives. Pallbearers will be grandsons and nephews. Honorary pallbearers will be Joshua Deacon Board. Burial will be in the Joshua Baptist Churchyard cemetery. Online memorial messages may be sent to the family at williamsfuneralhome@sc. rr.com. Visit us on the web at www.williamsfuneralhomeinc.com. Services directed by the management and staff of Williams Funeral Home Inc., 821 N. Main St., Sumter.

MARTHA K. BOYKIN Martha “Joyce” Knight Boykin, age 70, beloved wife of the late William Thomas Boykin Jr., joined her heavenly father on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2014, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center. Born in Kershaw County, she was a daughter of the late John Massey BOYKIN Knight and Martha Lee Melton Knight. Joyce enjoyed painting and decorating homes. She was a lifelong member of Providence Baptist Church, where she enjoyed their Thursday night gospel singing and served in many capacities throughout her life. Her favorite thing in life was spending time with her family. She will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, greatgrandmother, sister and friend. Joyce will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Surviving are one daughter, Telena “Susie” Boykin Klavon (Mike Ward); three brothers, Johnny Knight (Sharon), Donnie Knight (Sandy) and Richard Knight (Linda); four sisters, Naomi Farrow (Don), Peggy Bowers, Shirley Anderson (Billy) and Vicki Thomas (Mike); four grandchildren, LeAnn (Josh), Todd Jr. (Jessie), Craig (Jennifer) and Brandon (Cindy); and 10 great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, John Curtis Knight; and a sister, Nealy Carolyn Carroway. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday at the Bullock Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Graham Bochman officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Memorial Park cemetery. Pallbearers will be Barry Brinson, Will Freeman, John Geddings, Terry McLeod, Bubba Preast, Tony Preast and Shane Pyles. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Bullock Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 332 N. Lauderdale, Memphis, TN 38105-2479. You may sign the family’s guest book at www.bullockfuneralhome.com. The family has chosen Bullock Funeral Home for the arrangements.

LORRAINE DEMUNN Lorraine DeMunn, 80, widow of Vincent DeMunn Sr., departed this life on Monday, Dec. 15, 2014, at Sumter Health & Rehab. She was born on Sept. 7, 1934, a daughter of the late James and Hester Stevenson Sawyer. Funeral plans are incomplete and will be announced later by Job’s Mortuary Inc. of Sumter.

JOHN R. HOBBS John Robert Hobbs, 89, departed this life on Monday, Dec. 15, 2014, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center. He was born on Nov. 18, 1925, in Faison, North Carolina, a son of the late Amos Hobbs and Alice Oates. Funeral plans are incomplete and will be announced later by Job’s Mortuary Inc. of Sumter.

ISABELL P. LESAINE On Monday, Dec. 15, 2014, Isabell Pearson Lesaine, widow of Henry Isaiah Lesaine, heard her master’s call at Tuomey Regional Medical Center. Born on Feb. 21, 1947, in Davis Station, she was a daughter of the late Plowden and Louise Pearson. The family is receiving relatives and friends at the residence of her son, the Rev. Eddie Lesaine, 1180 Heritage Drive, Country Club Estates, Manning. Funeral services are incomplete and will be announced by Fleming & Delaine Funeral Home & Chapel.

MARY LOUISE GOODMAN Mary Louise Goodman, 73, entered eternal rest on

Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2014, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center. She was born on Dec. 31, 1940, in Clarendon County, a daughter of the late Edward and Mary Amos Bracey. The family is receiving relatives and friends at the home of her daughter, Mary Ann (Anthony) Hayes, 340 Sandy Run Drive, Sumter. Funeral services are incomplete and will be announced by Community Funeral Home of Sumter.

ROBERT DEBERRY CAÑON CITY, Colo. — Robert “Bobby” DeBerry, 74, husband of Georgie Ann DeBerry, passed away on Dec. 14, 2014, at Bruce McCandless Colorado State Veterans Home in Florence, Colorado. Services will be announced by Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter.

GREGORY L. ROBINSON Gregory L. Robinson, 51, of Sumter, departed this life on Dec. 12, 2014, in Seattle, Washington. Arrangements are held by Edwards Memorial Funeral Home of Seattle. Funeral services will be held at a later date in Seattle. Courtesy announcement by Job’s Mortuary Inc., 312 S. Main St., Sumter.

CURTIS LEE LANGLEY JR. Curtis Lee Langley Jr., 71, husband of Patricia Ann Langley, died on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014, with his family by his side. Mr. Langley was born on April 14, 1943, in Little Rock, Arkansas. Curtis was an active member of the Shaw Bassers Fishing Club. He was a beloved family man, friend and neighbor, and was loved by all who knew him. Survivors include his wife, Patricia; his two children, Denise (Chris) and Duane; his five grandchildren, Heather, Cody, A.J., Madison and Ethan; and two great-grandchildren, Rowan and Skyler. A memorial service will be held at the Langley residence at a later date. Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of the arrangements.

JOHN M. OLDEN John Marion Olden, 65, died on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2014, at Palmetto Health Richland hospital, Columbia. Born on May 11, 1949, in Sumter County, he was a son of Edward J. and Alene Dawson Olden. The family is receiving friends and relatives at the home of Shirley Olden, 84 Tierra Lane, Wedgefield. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Williams Funeral Home Inc. of Sumter.

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THE SUMTER ITEM

Mary Lee “Cheryl” Rembert Reed, 56, entered into her eternal rest on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. Born on July 19, 1958, in Lee County, she was a daughter of the late Deacon Harmon Sr. and Deaconess Lida Bell Glover Rembert. Ms. Reed was a life- REED time member of Grant Hill Missionary Baptist Church, where she was a member of the senior choir, YWA, praise team, senior missionary, usher board and the transportation committee. She was also a member of the D.L. Glover Singers, the W.L.D. Choir and the former Starlight Female Singers, which is now the Morning Stars. She retired from the Santee Wateree RTA because of her health in 2012. She leaves to cherish her memories: two sons, Phillip E. (Jackie) Rembert of Corinth, Mississippi, and Roderick S. (Ciji) Rembert of Las Vegas, Nevada; one daughter, Latisha N. Rembert of the home; one sister, Lottie E. Rembert of the home; 10 brothers, Hampton (Mable) and Levi (Evelyn) of Bishopville, Herman (Debra), James (Debbie), Anthony (Loretta), Willie (Mary) of Sumter, Samuel of the home, Parrish (Naomi) of Washington, D.C., David (Lucille) of Atlanta and the Rev. Charlie (Karen) Rembert of Virginia Beach, Virginia; one uncle, Herbert Glover of Rembert; seven grandchildren; a godson, Joel Stevens of Sumter; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Eddie and Johnny Rembert.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. today at Grant Hill Missionary Baptist Church, 5405 Black River Road, Rembert, with the Rev. Clifton N. Witherspoon, pastor, eulogist, the Rev. Durant Jenkins, presiding, assisted by the Rev. Nate Brock, the Rev. L.W. Barnes and the Rev. Alvin Webb. The family is receiving family and friends at her home, 945 Unity Court, Sumter. The remains will be placed in the church at noon. The procession will leave at 12:30 p.m. from her home. Floral bearers will be nieces and GHMBC YWA. Pallbearers will be nephews and GHMBC trustees. Burial will be in Grant Hill Missionary Baptist Churchyard cemetery. Online memorial messages may be sent to the family at williamsfuneralhome@sc. rr.com. Visit us on the web. Services directed by the management and staff of Williams Funeral Home Inc., 821 N. Main St., Sumter.

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In Memory

PETS & ANIMALS

BUSINESS SERVICES

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Business Services

Card of Thanks

Dogs

& Lock Out 24 Hour Service 803-834-BIRD (2473)

Expert Tech, New & used heat pumps & A/C. Will install/repair, warranty; Compressor & labor $600. Call 803-968-9549 or 843-992-2364

TAXES Income - Payroll - Sales Same day service. 507 Broad St. Locally owned. Tesco 773-1515

Firewood for Sale Will Deliver. Call 803 651-8672

Lawn Service

Set of 4 Blk Factory Rims & Clear Top for a Grand Sport Corvette. Call for details and price 803-968-2459

Four Seasons Lawn Care Serving Sumter for almost 20 yrs! Free est. 494-9169/468-4008

The family of Charles A Franklin would like to send a heartfelt Thanks for every act of love shown during our time of bereavement.

In Memory

Lifestyles Lawn Service Holiday Clean-up Specials! Leaf removal, hedge trimming, pine straw instal. Mil.-Sen. Disc.! Call Erik 803-968-8655

Robert's Metal Roofing 35 Years Experience. 18 colors & 45 year warranty. Financing available. Expert installation. Long list of satisfied customers. Call 803-837-1549.

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

803-316-0128

Ricky's Tree Service Tree removal, stump grinding, Lic & ins, free quote, 803-435-2223 or cell 803-460-8747. Mention this ad & get 10% off.

In loving Memory Bennie L. Franklin Sunrise: 05/21/36 Sunset: 12/15/10

AKC Maltese Pup that looks adorable in a bright red stocking. Deposit will hold until Christmas Eve Health guarantee in writing. $750 OBO . 803-499-1360

Roofing

Tree Service

Happy Birthday Lois Haithcock Mcleod 12/17/51-03/01/14 Gone but not forgotten, you will always remain in our hearts. Love , Sisters & Family

Hickory & Oak firewood. Seasoned/Green $65 Delivered. Notch Above Tree Service. 983-9721 Split Oak Firewood $70/dumped, $75/stacked. Newman's Tree Service 803-316-0128.

Bird's Towing

In Loving Memory of Ruby Mae Jefferson Temoney 11/26/37-12/17/13 One year ago today our lives changed forever, when God called you home. If love could build a staircase and memories were a lane, we'd walk right up to heaven and bring our dear wife, mother and grandmother back again. We love and miss you so very much. Submitted by: Your husband, children, & grandchildren

For Sale or Trade

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

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Martin's Used Appliance Washers, Dryers, Refrig., Stoves. Guarantee 464-5439 or 469-7311

Musical Instruments

MERCHANDISE

Kohler & Campbell Piano Prof. Studio upright model-solid oak in exc. cdtn. $1195 803-464-8897

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

Help Wanted Full-Time Looking for the right individual to perform light office duty and to oversee web store for women's clothing.Tues-Sat 9:45-5:45 Apply in person 3172 Broad St. Full/Part time cooks, Experience a must. Apply in person at 2114 Hwy 521 S. Branch Manager Opening in our Camden office. Applicants must have experience running a loan office or closely related credit experience. Salary based on your experience. Profit bonuses also will add to your pay. For more details contact Kathy Collins 843-473-0828. Full-time Maintenance Technician needed for apartment communities in Camden and Sumter, SC. Performs various maintenance duties necessary to maintain and enhance the value of the communities. Applicant must have own tools and reliable transportation. Please emai your information to resume@boydmanagement.com or fax it to 803-419-6577. EOE

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LARGE GARAGE SALE 1st & 3rd Weekend Tables $2 FLEA MARKET BY SHAW AFB

Open every weekend. 905-4242 All that Glitters - all predecorated trees 20% off. @ Sumter Co Flea Mkt. Open Fri - Sun 10-4 thru the end of the year

For Sale or Trade Bosch Model NEXXT front load washer and dryer. Good condition. $300 for set. Call 803-778-0473

subscribe call us today TODAY

POOL TABLES for CHRISTMAS $800 to $1200 includes balls, cue sticks, rack, and chalk. Free delivery within 25 miles of Manning (no upstairs). 803-433-5544 803-473-0939

EMPLOYMENT

MARK PEKURI MULTIMEDIA CONSULTANT

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

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INDIVIDUAL SHEETS Flat or Fitted Twin .....................$3 each 29 Progress St. - Sumter Full ...................... $3 each Queen.................. $4 each 775-8366 Ext. 37

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014

It’s Mayo’s “More for your money Christmas Sale”! Buy 1 Regular Priced Suit, Receive 2nd Suit of Equal Value FREE! Great Selection & Savings!

SHIRTS, TIES, PANTS & SHOES Buy 1, Get a 2nd HALF PRICE! IN-STORE ALTERATIONS, FOR THOSE LAST MINUTE OCCASIONS Help Wanted Full-Time

MAYO’S SUIT CITY If your suits aren’t becoming to you, It’s a good time to be coming to Mayo’s! Wesmark Plaza • 773-2262 • Mon-Sat 10-7

Unfurnished Apartments

Seeking qualified concierge attendants for adult/senior in-home care business. Retirees encouraged to apply. F/T and P/T. Personal transportation/cell phone required. Pay scale based on experience/training. Clear driving record and background check. Mail resume' with references to: AYS c/o NPS PO Box 1797, Sumter, SC 29151

RENTALS HUNTINGTON PLACE APARTMENTS

FROM $590 PER MONTH

1 MONTH FREE THIRTEEN (13) MONTH LEASE REQUIRED

Help Wanted Part-Time

(803) 773-3600

Help Wanted part time, manufacturer. For interview mail application to: PO Box 1587, Sumter, SC 29151 $$$ AVON $$$ FREE TRAINING! 803-422-5555

POWERS PROPERTIES

803-773-3600

395 Coachman Drive Office Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9-5 3BR 1.5BA 726 E. Charlotte St. CHA, refrig., stove incl., detached carport, $625 mo. Call 803-774-3000

Schools / Instructional ****FREE TAX SCHOOL**** Earn extra income after taking course. Flexible schedules, convenient location. Register now! Courses start December 26th through December 30th. Call 418-0123 Liberty Tax Service

Rooms for Rent Bordering house with open rooms for female occupants. Call 803-565-7924.

Unfurnished Apartments 2 Apts Avail. 1 Br, 3 Room Apartment, 7A-7B Maney St. No appliances $350 mo. & dep Call 775-0776 Whitaker Trust Dillon Trace Apts. Call for our winter special 803-774-7745

Must see! Large family friendly waterfront home in deerfield,4BR 2.5BA Lg Rec room $1900 Mo +Dep Call 803-468-4659 or 469-0555 **CHRISTMAS SPECIAL** **Move-in for Christmas** 38 Brent St. 3Bd/1Ba $525 21 W Moore St. 1Bd/1Ba $375 294 N. Bultman Dr. 803-938-5524 **Call for Details on Special** Duplex Historic Dist. private completely renovated, lg yard. 1BR 1BA $465 mo + dep. 513-827-5383 before 8am or aftr 5pm for appt. 1935 Georgianna 1400 Sq Ft. Fenced backyard, storage shed, 3BR 1.5 BA Recently painted $725 Mo. No pets. 795-6126. 3 & 4 Br Mobile homes & houses, located in Manning & Sumter. 3 - 4 Br houses in Wedgefield / Paxville. No Sect. 8. Rent + dep. req. Call 803-460-6216.

Senior Living Apartments for those 62+ (Rent based on income) Shiloh-Randolph Manor 125 W. Bartlette. 775-0575 Studio/1 Bedroom apartments available EHO

REAL ESTATE

1919 W. Oakland Ave. 3BR/1.5BA for rent Appl's included, $725/mo + $725/dep. 803-651-8198 or 347-564-1659

Mobile Home Rentals

Homes for Sale

STATEBURG COURTYARD

For Rent or Sale 821 Holiday Drive 2BR 1BA possible owner financing. 803-983-7064.

2 & 3 BRs 803-494-4015 Oaklawn MHP: 2 BR M.H.'s, water /sewer/garbage pk-up incl'd. RV parking avail. Call 803-494-8350 2BR 2BA SW $400+ Dep White Oak area No calls after 8pm. No Sect 8. Fnced Backyard 803-468-1768 2, 3 & 4 Br, all appliances, Section 8 accepted. 469-6978 or 499-1500 3BR 2.5BA Appl. incl. 600 mo.+ Dep Background check. No inside pets. 803-236-2214

Commercial Rentals Commercial 4000 sq ft space at Gamecock Plaza on McCrays Mill Rd. Call Bobby Sisson 803-773-4381 Room for Christmas/New Years Eve parties. Call Bobby Sisson 803-773-4381

Land & Lots for Sale Minutes Walmart/Shaw AFB 1 acre water, electric, paved $4990. 888-774-5720 WALMART/SHAW 16.6 ACRES PAVED, ELEC. WATER $2350/ACRE 713-870-0216

TRANSPORTATION

On 88 acres of Farm and wooded land, Monte Carlo Ln., 4BR 2BA, Heat pump, carpet & vinyl floors, Contact: R. Davis 270-839-0459 150 Milton, CHA, 2 Br, lg. corner lot, great shape. Financing available. Call 803-775-4391 or 464-5960 3BR//1BA home in Manning. $74,000 Call 803-460-6838.

Manufactured Housing

Autos For Sale 1994 Dodge Work Van, tool bin, shelves, cabinets. $1000 OBRO 2000 Chevy Blazer 4dr. excellent condition $3500 OBRO 2003 Ford Explorer XLT V8, fully loaded all leather $4000 OBO Call 803-236-6426 Sammy

LOW CREDIT SCORE? Been turned down for bad credit? Come try us, we do our own financing. We have 2-3-4 bedroom homes. For more information, call 843-389-4215. For Sale Nice 4 Br 2 Ba D/W MH w/ dinning rm, den w fire place, bonus rm. c//h//a, new carpet & paint, brick underpinning, lg fenced lot 803-983-0408

Reconditioned batteries $40. New batteries, UBX 75-7850. Golf cart batteries, 6V. exchange $300 per set, while they last. Auto Electric Co. 803-773-4381

Rentals

APARTMENTS: 1090 N. Guignard #O, I 1 Bedrooms 1 Baths 700sqft ..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..….. $415 20 Orchard Place 2 Bedrooms 1 Baths 754sqft …..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..….. $435 120 Engleside #216, 142, 256, 254 2Bedrooms 1 Baths750sqft.…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..….. $450 1501 Furman Dr. #A 1 Bedrooms 1Baths 800sqft .…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..….. $450 10 Bagnal Dr. #A 2Bedrooms 1.5 Baths 950sqft ..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..….. $495 120 Engleside #228 2 Bedrooms 1 Baths 1000sqft ..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..….. $500 28 Highland Ave #C 2 Bedrooms 1.5 Baths 900sqft ..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..….. $500 Gionwood Apt. #C, A, H, E, 2 Bedrooms 1 Baths 749sqft(50% 1st & 2nd month) …..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..….. $550 1944 Gion 2 Bedrooms 1.5 Baths 1000 sqft ..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..….. $575 1993,1999 Coral Way 2 Bedrooms 2 Baths 929sqft ..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..….. $575 1964,1942,1996,1992,1993 Jernigan Trail 2 Bedrooms 1 Baths 850sqft (50% 1st & 2nd month) ..…..…..….. $575 45 Althea 2 Bedrooms 2.5 Baths 1189sqft …..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..….. $625 DUPLEXES: 9 Country Squire Ct. #A 2Bedrooms 1 Baths 828sqft ..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..….. $465 100 Frostwood Ct. 2 Bedrooms 1 Baths 800sqft ..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..….. $475 30 Althea #C 2 Bedrooms 1.5 Baths 900 sqft ..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..….. $575 1051 N. Guignard 2 Bedrooms 2 Baths 999sqft ..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..$600 1111 N. Guignard 2 Bedrooms 2 Baths 1000sqft.…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..….. $650 1927 Coral Way 2 Bedrooms 2 Baths 1000sqft.…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..….. $650 1906 Coral Way 2 Bedrooms 1.5 Baths 1000sqft ..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..….. $650 1946 Coral Way 2 Bedrooms 2 Baths 973sqft ..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..….. $650 921 Grimble 2 Bedrooms 2 Baths 1237sqft …..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..….. $700 24 Cumberland Way 2 Bedrooms 2 Baths 1270sqft .…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..….. $725 34 Cumberland Way 2 Bedrooms 2 Baths 1202sqft .…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..….. $725 80 Townhouse Ct. 2 Bedrooms 2.5 Baths 1100 sqft ..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..….. $750 50 Townhouse Ct. 2 Bedrooms 2.5 Baths 1100sqft ..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..….. $750 3423 Landmark 2 Bedrooms 2 Baths 1227sqft..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..….. $850 2055 Essex Dr. 3 Bedrooms 1 Baths 1350sqft ..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..….. $850 3723 Beacon Dr. 3 Bedrooms 2 Baths 1285sqft …..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..….. $850 35 Radcliff Dr. 3 Bedrooms 2 Baths 1372sqft…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..….. $850 1002 Cutleaf 3 Bedrooms 2 Baths 1399sqft ..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..….. $850 2129 Gion #2 3Bedrooms 2 Baths 1260sqft ..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..….. $850 1980 Essex Dr. 3 Bedrooms 2 Baths 1723sqft ..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..….. $950

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9 Lessons and Carols

1st Presbyterian presents 39th special service BY IVY MOORE ivy@theitem.com

s the 100th anniversary of the first traditional service of Nine Lessons and Carols approaches, First Presbyterian Church prepares to present its 39th annual service that follows the same format as the one presented on Christmas Eve in 1918 at King’s College Chapel in Cambridge, England. The King’s College service is, in turn, modeled on the one devised and presented by Edward White Benson, Bishop of Truro in Cornwall, for use on Christmas Eve, 1880. The First Presbyterian service will not be presented on Christmas Eve, but will instead be the regular Sunday services for the church at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. on Dec. 21. Joni Brown, director of Music Ministries, said the service is a collaborative effort: “Our ministers selected the readings, and I selected music based on them. ... We have lovingly woven together sacred music and scriptural texts in an attempt to tell the extraordinary story of Jesus’ birth.” While “there is no significance in the number of lessons,” Brown said First Presbyterian’s service alternates lessons (readings from the Scripture) and carols in the traditional manner followed by churches worldwide. “Lessons and Carols most often occur in Anglican churches, but also in some Roman Catholic, Lutheran parishes and Presbyterian institutions,” she said. “However, numerous Christian churches have adopted this service, or a variation on this service, as part of their Christmas celebrations. In the United Kingdom, the service has become the standard format for schools’ Christmas carol services.” Brown said the impetus for the first service of Lessons and Carols, according to tradition, “is that (Benson, then a bishop, but later Archbishop of Canterbury) organized a 10 p.m. service on Christmas Eve in a temporary wooden shed serving as his cathedral and that a key purpose of the service was to keep men out of pubs on Christmas Eve.” Today, many churches hold their services of Lessons and Carols on dates other than Christmas Eve, as First Presbyterian Church will. Brown said, “The best-known version is broadcast annually from King’s College, Cambridge, on Christmas Eve (live on NPR at 9 a.m. Dec. 24). It features carols sung by the famous Choir of King’s College, Cambridge. “Groton School of Groton, Massachusetts, has performed the festival longer than any institution other than King’s, holding its first Lessons and Carols in 1928. “The story of the fall of humanity, the promise of the Messiah, and the birth of Jesus is told in nine short

KEITH GEDAMKE/THE SUMTER ITEM

The chancel choir of First Presbyterian Church rehearses for their Dec. 21 service of Lessons and Carols. This is the church’s 39th year of presenting the Christmas season service. 39th Annual Service of Lessons and Carols 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 21 First Presbyterian Church Corner Main and Calhoun streets Admission free, public invited

Bible readings from Genesis, the prophetic books and the Gospels, interspersed with the singing of Christmas carols, hymns and choir music,” Brown said. In addition to the First Presbyterian chancel choir, there will be instrumental music performed by some of the finest musicians from the community and the state, she said. The Taylor String Quartet comprises Mary Lee Taylor Kinosian and Jessie Kinosian on violins, Mary Taylor on viola and Jacqueline Taylor on cello. Other musicians are trumpet players Evan Thompson and Jon Hopkins, percussionists Jay Shealy and Kenny Jordan and First Presbyterian’s organist, Hamilton Stoddard. The service will begin with the Taylor String Quartet playing the opening voluntary, Arcangelo Corelli’s Concerto Grosso, Opus 6, No. 8, known as his Christmas Concerto. Jacqueline Taylor and Stoddard will play The Chiming of the Trinity: Ronald Haan’s Veni Emmanuel. Other music will include the Overture and “Hallelujah” from Handel’s “The Messiah,” and carols sung by the chancel choir and some by the choir

Alessandro Botticelli’s “Mystic Nativity” was painted in 1500. It hangs in the National Gallery in London. First Presbyterian Church’s service of Lessons and Carols will celebrate Christmas with two services on Sunday, Dec. 21. and the congregation. Shealy will play the congas on “Keep Your Lamps,” an African American spiritual set by Andre Thomas. Brown said, “The Dream Isaiah

Saw’ by Glenn Rudolph paraphrases Isaiah’s vision of peace and harmony among God’s creation. The composer began composing it in July 2001 and finished it on Sept. 30, immediately after the World Trade Center attacks. He writes in his program notes: ‘I was at once moved by the appropriateness of the words, and struck by the irony that I would be composing this piece at this time. Coincidence or divine intervention, it was clear that ‘The Dream Isaiah Saw’ should be dedicated to those who perished on September 11, 2001.’ This work is accompanied by Hamilton Stoddard, organ, Evan Thompson and Jon Hopkins on trumpet, and Jay Shealy and Kenny Jordan, percussion.” Antonio Vivaldi’s “joyous Gloria in Excelsis will be accompanied by strings and Jon Hopkins, trumpet,” she said. “’The Shepherd’s Carol’ is a lyrical arrangement of a familiar Austrian carol. The arranger, Dan Forrest, is a former professor of music at Bob Jones University, where he served as Department Head of Music Theory and Composition for several years. He also composed ‘The Work of Christmas’. This piece is set to a poem by Howard Thurman.” Among the worship leaders reading the nine lessons will be First Presbyterian Church’s pastor and associate pastor, the Rev. Ray Fancher and the Rev. Janie McElwee-Smith. The public is invited to attend either service.

Actress recalls ‘A Christmas Carol’ experiences BY NICK THOMAS Tinseltown Talks

Released last month on Blu-ray, the 1938 version of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” has long been a favorite seasonal TV movie. “It’s a short film, only about an hour, so there was no premiere when it first came out,” recalled June Lockhart, who made her film debut at the age of 13 as Belinda Cratchit in the Christmas classic. “The studio just put it out as a program filler with their feature Christmas movie for that year.” “A Christmas Carol” is especially memorable for Lockhart because her father and mother also appear in the film. “I thought my parents were wonderful as the Cratchits, and it was just great fun to see how a film was made,” said Lockhart. “I loved the Victorian costumes.” Prior to filming, Lockhart was very familiar with the story. “We used to perform it

PHOTO PROVIDED

June Lockhart, far left, appears in the 1938 film “A Christmas Carol,” with her parents Gene and Kathleen Lockhart, and Terry Kilburn. The perennial favorite can be seen on the TCM network on Dec. 18 and again on Christmas Day. every Christmas at home for our dinner guests,” she recalled. “So I had already appeared in it, with my parents, in our living room for many years prior to doing it for MGM. We read from a script

that my father had prepared from the original story. We would have wonderful actors like Doris Lloyd or Walter Kingsford playing parts and Leo G. Carroll would play Scrooge. In the film, Scrooge was played by Reginald Owen, who was just a lovely, lovely man.” Carroll, who portrayed Mr. Waverly in the ‘60s TV spy series “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.,” was a close friend of the Lockhart family and always “Uncle Leo” to young June. He was cast as Marley’s ghost in the movie. A decade later, when Lockhart made her 1947 Broadway debut in ‘For Love or Money,’ for which she won a Tony Award, Carroll visited her dressing room after the first matinee. “Standing at the door in a great coat with big black collar, cane, homburg hat, gloves, and with his blue eyes sparkling, he said ‘Oh June, much better than I expected!’” recalled Lockhart. “Coming from him, it was a great accolade.”

Today, “A Christmas Carol” is a favorite of Lockhart’s family who are fond of quoting her first scene. “My daughter, Junie, and granddaughter, Christianna, have never let me forget that the first words I ever spoke in movies were: ‘I know, I know – sausages!’” laughed June. “It’s become a family joke, and we all shriek with laughter when we watch it now. Watching the film has become a family tradition each year. And now, to be able to watch it with my grandchildren – well, who gets to do something like that?” However, the film did leave Lockhart with one unpleasant memory. “One thing I do remember was feeling quite nauseated on the set one day from something I had eaten the night before,” she recalled. “Then they placed a bowl of mashed parsnips in front of me during the Christmas dinner scene. The stench made me so ill, the prop man had to replace the dish with potatoes. I’ve avoided pars-

nips ever since!” Lockhart went on to star in several TV series including “Lassie” and “Lost in Space.” Her father, Gene Lockhart (1891-1957), was one of Hollywood’s most recognizable character actors throughout the ‘30s and ‘40s. And her mother, Kathleen Lockhart (1895-1978), had a 26 year movie career appearing in 40 films, about half alongside her husband. But “A Christmas Carol” was the only time June appeared on film with either of her parents. “So it always had a sweet spot in the hearts of the Lockhart family,” she said. “It’s grand to see it on TV every year, and it certainly lives on as a charming little picture.” “A Christmas Carol” (1938) is scheduled to air on TCM on Dec. 18 and 25. Nick Thomas teaches at Auburn University at Montgomery, Alabama, and has written features, columns, and interviews for more than 450 magazines and newspapers.

FOOD

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014

THE SUMTER ITEM

Bar inspired by Almond Joy and Mounds BY ALISON LADMAN The Associated Press

h, that classic Almond Joy vs. Mounds dilemma... Whether to go dark chocolate or milk chocolate with nuts. These bar cookies inspired

by those sibling candy bars let you have it your way, or both ways. We created a basic macaroon cookie baked into bar form, then topped it with milk chocolate and almonds or dark chocolate just like the candy that inspired them. But they’re your cookies, so you get to break the rules and do dark chocolate and almonds. Or cashews. Or white chocolate and pistachios.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

MACAROON BARS Start to finish: 45 minutes Servings: 24 14 ounces sweetened shredded coconut 2/3 cup sugar 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 4 egg whites 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 cup milk or dark chocolate bits Whole toasted almonds (optional) Heat the oven to 350 F. Coat a 9-by-9-inch baking pan with cooking spray. In a medium bowl, combine the coconut, sugar, flour and salt, breaking up any clumps of coconut. Add the egg whites and vanilla, then mix until thoroughly combined. Press into the prepared pan and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until set up and light golden brown. Allow to cool. Place the chocolate bits in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave on high in 15 second intervals, stirring in between, until melted and smooth. Drizzle the melted chocolate over the bars, then gently press the almonds into the surface, if using. Allow the chocolate to set before cutting. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Nutrition information per serving: 120 calories; 60 calories from fat (50 percent of total calories); 7 g fat (6 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 0 mg cholesterol; 14 g carbohydrate; 1 g fiber; 11 g sugar; 2 g protein; 75 mg sodium.

Thumbprints have taste of Snickers BY ALISON LADMAN The Associated Press What happens when you take a Snickers bar and flip it inside out? You get these delicious holiday cookies. We took that classic candy bar combination of peanuts, caramel and chocolate and turned them into a thumbprint cookie. The result is a crumbly chocolate cookie rolled in chopped peanuts with a Caramel Cream pressed into the center. The combination is outrageously good.

CARAMEL PEANUT THUMBPRINTS THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Crunchy Crackle Bar is ready in 20 minutes BY ALISON LADMAN The Associated Press You may not lay a finger on anyone’s Butterfinger, but you will want to grab a plateful of this Butterfinger-inspired holiday bark. Like the candy bar, this sweet treat is jammed with peanut butter, has a satisfyingly crunchyflaky bite and — of course — sports plenty of chocolate. But to keep your enamel intact, we made it slightly less sweet and a little more grown up.

CRACKLE BARK Start to finish: 20 minutes, plus cooling Servings: 18 1 tablespoon coffee beans, finely crushed or ground 3 tablespoons barley malt syrup 6 tablespoons honey 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter 2 cups crushed Shredded Wheat breakfast cereal 1/2 cup Grape-Nuts breakfast cereal 1/2 cup dark chocolate bits Coarse sea salt 1/2 cup chopped lightly salted peanuts Have 2 sheets of kitchen parchment or waxed paper the size of baking sheets nearby. In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the coffee beans, malt syrup, honey and peanut butter. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in both cereals until everything is evenly coated. Spoon the mixture onto 1 sheet of waxed paper, then top it with the second sheet. Working quickly, use the back of a large spoon or a rolling pin to flatten and squash the mixture into a thin sheet about 1/4 inch thick. Remove the top sheet and top with the chocolate bits. Allow to sit for 2 to 3 minutes so the chocolate can melt. Use a butter knife or offset spatula to spread the chocolate evenly over the top of the bark. Sprinkle with sea salt and the peanuts. Allow to fully cool, then break into pieces. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Nutrition information per serving: 160 calories; 70 calories from fat (44 percent of total calories); 7 g fat (2.5 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 0 mg cholesterol; 22 g carbohydrate; 2 g fiber; 13 g sugar; 4 g protein; 70 mg sodium.

Start to finish: 1 hour Servings: 4 dozen 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1/3 cup packed brown sugar 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 egg 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, melted 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 cups chopped salted peanuts 48 cream center caramel candies (such as Caramel Creams) Heat the oven to 350 F. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat to-

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

gether the butter, both sugars, the salt and vanilla until fluffy. Beat in the egg, then stir in the melted chocolate. Add the flour and stir until just mixed. Roll the dough into small balls, about 1 1/4 inches. Place the peanuts in a small bowl, then roll each cookie ball it the peanuts to coat evenly. Arrange the coated cookie balls on a baking, leaving 2 inches between each. Press a caramel candy into the top of each ball, slightly flattening the cookie in the process. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until set and golden brown at the edges. Allow to cool on the baking sheets. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Nutrition information per serving: 140 calories; 70 calories from fat (50 percent of total calories); 8 g fat (3.5 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 15 mg cholesterol; 16 g carbohydrate; 1 g fiber; 10 g sugar; 3 g protein; 45 mg sodium.

Gold Bars are terrific however you eat them BY ALISON LADMAN The Associated Press So how do you eat a Twix bar? Do you use your teeth to scrape all of the chocolate-caramel topping off, then go back and eat the naked crunchy cookie? Do you nibble first

GOLD BARS Start to finish: 1 hour (30 minutes active) Servings: 24 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature 1/2 cup sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Pinch of salt 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 9-ounce package soft caramel candies 1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk 1/2 cup half-and-half, divided 4 egg yolks 1/2 cup milk chocolate bits Heat the oven to 375 F. Line a 9-by-9-inch baking pan with kitchen parchment. In a medium bowl, use an electric mixer to beat together the butter, sugar, vanilla, salt and baking powder until fluffy and light. Add the flour and mix just until a dough comes together. Press the dough into the bottom of the prepared pan. Prick all over the crust with a fork. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until lightly golden brown.

some chocolate-caramel, then some cookie, then back to chocolate-caramel, and so on? With our cookies, it doesn’t much matter. We’ve taken those three things we love about Twix and combined them into one terrific bar cookie you can eat however you like.

While the crust bakes, prepare the filling. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the caramels with the sweetened condensed milk and 1/4 cup of the half-and-half, stirring continuously. When the mixture is melted and smooth, remove from the heat. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and remaining 1/4 cup half-and-half. While whisking, pour the yolks into the melted caramel. When the crust is baked, pour the caramel mixture over the crust, then return the pan to the oven. Bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until set. Gently sprinkle the milk chocolate bits over the top and allow to melt from the warm bars. Use an offset spatula to gently spread the melted chocolate over the surface of the caramel, taking care to not disturb the caramel layer. Allow to cool completely before removing from the pan and cutting into small bars. Once cooled, store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Nutrition information per serving: 150 calories; 70 calories from fat (47 percent of total calories); 7 g fat (4 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 45 mg cholesterol; 20 g carbohydrate; 0 g fiber; 14 g sugar; 2 g protein; 60 mg sodium.

FOOD

THE SUMTER ITEM

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014

Go low and slow for a rib roast that stays rare BY SARA MOULTON The Associated Press Here’s my holiday conundrum, and I bet you can relate: I am in charge of this year’s holiday meal, which will feature a big standing rib roast. Everyone in my family wants their meat rare, but I want the outside to be nicely seared. How to have both? Cooking a big roast at high heat can get you that nice crisp outer crust, but it comes at a price. Cooking a roast at high heat for even part of the time generally means you end up with just a small core of rare meat running down the center of the roast. Luckily, the fix is easy. Instead of roasting the meat at high heat for any amount of time, I briefly sear the roast on the stovetop before it goes in the oven. Then it is hands off time while the beef slowly comes up to whatever internal temperature you want in a 200 F oven. That’s it. Perfect outside, perfect inside. You’ll want to make sure your oven is well calibrated and that you have a proper instant thermometer. And don’t forget to let the roast rest after you have cooked it so the juices have time to re-distribute, ensuring juicy meat. When shopping for your roast, ask for a partial rack of bones, three to four bones from the loin end, also referred to as the small end or the first cut. This half of the rack has less fat and more meat than the shoulder side of the roast. Also, ask the butcher to remove the chine bone, which allows you to cut between the ribs when the roast is done. I like to serve my roast with a rich bearnaise sauce. It is the holidays, after all. Make the reduction for the sauce while the roast is in the oven, then finish it while the meat rests. I like to use both dry and fresh tarragon for my bearnaise for a more intense tarragon hit. I put the dry stuff in the reduction, then strain it out and finish with fresh.

The reduction for the bearnaise sauce for standing rib roast can be completed while the meat is resting. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

and whisk constantly until the mixture feels quite warm to the touch (do not let it get too hot or the eggs will scramble). Immediately start adding the butter several pieces at a time, whisking until the pieces are almost melted before adding the next piece. When all the butter is added remove the bowl from the saucepan. Whisk in the fresh tarragon, lemon juice and some of the meat juices that have accumulated on the platter, if desired. Season with salt and pepper. Slice the meat and serve each portion topped with bearnaise sauce. Nutrition information per serving: 980 calories; 790 calories from fat (81 percent of total calories); 89 g fat (40 g saturated; 0.5 g trans fats); 265 mg cholesterol; 1 g carbohydrate; 0 g fiber; 0 g sugar; 41 g protein; 470 mg sodium.

Season’s Greetings

SLOW-ROASTED STANDING RIB ROAST WITH BEARNAISE SAUCE Start to finish: 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 hours (40 minutes active) Servings: 14 For the roast: 8- to 10-pound standing beef rib roast (3 to 4 ribs), the top 2 inches of the bones frenched, if desired Salt and ground black pepper 1 tablespoon vegetable oil For the bearnaise: 2 tablespoons minced shallots 1/2 cup dry white wine 1/2 cup Champagne or white wine vinegar 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 tablespoon dried tarragon 4 large egg yolks 1 1/4 cups (2 1/2 sticks) butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces and chilled 2 to 3 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon, or to taste 2 teaspoons lemon juice Heat the oven to 200 F. Set a roasting rack into a large roasting pan. Trim the surface layer of fat on the top side of the roast until just 1/4 inch thick. Using a sharp knife, score the remaining fat layer in a crisscross pattern, cutting down to, but not into, the meat. Season the roast all over with salt and pepper. In a large skillet over high, heat the oil. Reduce the heat to medium-high, add the roast and brown on all sides except the bone side. Transfer the roast, fat side up, to the prepared roasting pan. Roast on the oven’s middle shelf until the center of the meat reaches 115 F to 120 F for rare and 120 to 125 F for medium rare, about 3 hours. Transfer the roast to a platter and cover loosely with foil. Let stand for 20 minutes before carving. While the roast rests, prepare the bearnaise. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the shallots, wine, vinegar, salt, pepper and tarragon. Bring to a simmer and gently cook until reduced to about 1/3 cup. Strain the mixture through a mesh strainer into a medium metal bowl, pressing hard on the solids. Discard the solids. Add the egg yolks to the liquid and whisk until combined well. Set the bowl over a saucepan of simmering water (the water should not be touching the bottom of the bowl)

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COMICS

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014

BIZARRO

SOUP TO NUTZ

ANDY CAPP

GARFIELD

BEETLE BAILEY

BORN LOSER

BLONDIE

ZITS

MOTHER GOOSE

DOG EAT DOUG

DILBERT

JEFF MACNELLY’S SHOE

Obsession threatens to consume widower’s life DEAR ABBY — I am a 58-year-old recent widower. My wife and I were very happy for 29 years, and Dear Abby that included a satisfyABIGAIL ing sex life. VAN BUREN Although I am not ready to date yet, I continue to have a strong sex drive. I’m finding the Internet is a good alternative to “hooking up” at this time. However -- and this is embarrassing to admit at my age -- I’m beginning to wonder if I have crossed a line into spending too much time online.

THE SUMTER ITEM

My question is, how much is too much? I want to be healthy and in balance with this, but for the first time, I understand how people can become addicted to Internet porn. Guidelines, please? Just wondering in Georgia DEAR JUST WONDERING — You have my sympathy for your loss. Because you are concerned enough about the amount of time you’re spending on adult Internet sites that you’re asking me about it, I think we both know that you’re not spending enough time in the real world. If this has become so much of a preoccupation that you’re substituting porn for relationships with real people, then you are “overdosing” and could

THE DAILY CROSSWORD PUZZLE

benefit from talking to a psychologist about it. (You might find it easier to confide in one who’s male.)

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069. To receive a collection of Abby’s most memorable — and most frequently requested — poems and essays, send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $7 (U.S. funds) to Dear Abby Keepers Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. Shipping and handling are included in the price.

JUMBLE

SUDOKU

THAT SCRAMBLED WORD GAME By David L. Hoyt and Jeff Knurek

HOW TO PLAY: Each row, column and set of 3-by-3 boxes must contain the numbers 1 through 9 without repetition.

ACROSS 1 Crockpot concoctions 6 Bar snack made from 17-Acrosses 11 USO show attendees 14 Purity measure 15 Card for a seer 16 Hibachi residue 17 *Source of chips and 6-Across 19 Draw upon 20 Two-thumbsup review 21 When directed 23 Drop in the ocean 27 Certain female grouse 29 Round numbers 30 Lake Erie port 31 Like Wrigley Field’s walls 32 Baby spoilers, perhaps 33 Play with, cat-style 36 Brings home 37 Words to a hitchhiker, and a literal hint to what spans both words of the answers to starred clues 38 Anti-art movement 39 One of football’s Man-

nings 40 Like 101 courses 41 Not as loopy 42 “Heathers” actor Christian 44 Terrarium pet 45 Siri speaks on them 47 Idiomatic trendsetters 48 Trembled 49 They’re usually loaded 50 Cut back 51 *Cervantes creation 58 Wolfed down 59 Poseidon’s realm 60 Hunter of myth 61 Jamaican “mister” 62 Grown-up efts 63 Wyoming’s __ Range DOWN 1 Schuss, say 2 Tiny bit 3 Procter & Gamble detergent 4 Sob syllable 5 Legendary 6 Housewarming buy? 7 Designer Spade 8 Tax-deferred plan, for short 9 “__ funny!” 10 Trio in funny shorts 11 *Wide-

legged fashion 12 Campaign topic 13 Gold lamŽ quality 18 Inflates, as an expense account 22 Writer Buntline 23 Newsstand app download 24 Slanted edge 25 *Rory McIlroy won it in 2014 26 Little piggies 27 __ boom 28 Arkin of “Argo” 30 Fleshysnouted beast 32 Snouts 34 Singer with the albums “19” and “21” 35 Stuff to hawk

37 Can’t stomach 38 Chance it 40 Trusts 41 Solar event caused by magnetic activity 43 London lav 44 Oz visitor 45 Major religion of Indonesia 46 ID component 47 “Flag” artist Jasper 49 Ella’s style 52 Complete perfectly 53 Improved partner? 54 “__ you serious?” 55 Minor objection 56 Bronx tourist attraction 57 New England cape

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An abandoned baby. tramp vows to help a blind woman. nesiac is found in the desert, his brother helps him learn his story. 157 90 Day Fiance (HD) 90 Day Fiance (HD) 90 Day Fiance (HD) 90 Day Fiance: Red Flags (HD) 90 Day Fiance (HD) 90 Day (HD) A Christmas Carol (‘99, Holiday) aaa Patrick Stewart. A bitter, old man A Christmas Carol (‘99, Holiday) aaa Patrick Stewart. A bitter, old man Hawaii Five-0 158 Castle: Almost Famous World of male strippers. (HD) is visited by three spirits the day before Christmas. (HD) is visited by three spirits the day before Christmas. (HD) (HD) 102 Pawn Pawn Pawn Pawn Bar Bar owners trade. Barmageddon (N) (:01) Bar (:02) Pawn 161 Walker: Power Angels (:18) Family Feud (HD) Raymond (HD) Raymond (HD) Cleveland (N) The Exes (N) Queens (HD) Queens (HD) Friends (HD) WWE Tribute to the Troops (N) (HD) Chrisley Knows Chrisley Knows (:01) Modern (:31) Modern (:01) Modern 132 NCIS: Dead and Unburied Missing Marine found dug up. 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NBC offers up a night of musical performances BY KEVIN MCDONOUGH If music be the food of love, NBC’s got a pretty stocked larder. “Peter Pan Live,” “How Murray Saved Christmas” and “Elf: Buddy’s Musical Christmas” have all offered viewers something to hum around the holidays. Actually, NBC’s been pretty high on musical performances since competition shows like “America’s Got Talent” and “The Voice” helped lift it out of the ratings cellar. Tonight’s entire NBC schedule is dedicated to song. • A new “tradition” dating back to 2011, “Michael Buble’s Christmas in New York” (8 p.m., NBC, TV-PG) hearkens back to holiday extravaganzas of yore. I mean, he performs with the Rockettes! Not to mention Barbra Streisand and Miss Piggy! The song choices lean toward the festive and familiar, from “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” to “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” And I would imagine that Buble fans wouldn’t want it any other way. • Another musical tradition, “The Sing-Off” (9 p.m., NBC, TVPG) returns for a fifth season. All but one of these “SingOffs” have been scheduled around the holidays. And the a-cappella showcase and competition seems suited to the festive season. Jewel, Shawn Stockman and Patrick Stump serve as judges, with Nick Lachey returning as host. Stump, of rock band Fall Out Boy, replaces Ben Folds of Ben Folds Five. Look out for performances from previous winners Pentatonix and Home Free. • In other holiday fare, Hallmark works its most dependable plot device into the 2014 romance “The Christmas Parade” (8 p.m., Hallmark Channel). AnnaLynne McCord stars as a Grinch-like, big-city morning news host who relocates to the sticks after an onair mishap. She dreads smalltown life at first, but then meets a handsome artist (Jefferson Brown) who needs help saving a community-arts center and thinks that a big holiday parade is just the thing. • Patrick Stewart stars as a mean-spirited skinflint facing a night of haunting and redemption in the 1999 cable adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” (8 p.m. and 10 p.m., TNT), co-starring Rich-

NEIL JACOBS / NBC

Michael Buble and Barbra Streisand perform a duet on “Michael Buble’s Christmas in New York,” airing at 8 p.m. today on NBC. ard E. Grant and Joel Grey. As I recall from the original review of this production, Stewart brings a tad too much gusto to his performance. I prefer to see my Scrooge withered away from a lifetime of grasping and begrudging, like Alastair Sim in the 1951 production, or old Magoo himself. The animated 1962 musical “Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol” will air on the CW network on Friday. TCM will air four adaptations of “A Christmas Carol” tomorrow night. • Mark Ruffalo (“The Avengers”) stars as writer and AIDS activist Larry Kramer in the 2014 adaptation of his play “The Normal Heart” (7:15 p.m., HBO, TV-MA), a production with two strong performances from TV’s Jim Parsons (“Big Bang Theory”) and Matt Bomer (“White Collar”).

TONIGHT’S OTHER HIGHLIGHTS • On the conclusion of “Survivor” (CBS, TV-14), three are called (8 p.m.), but only one is chosen (10 p.m.).

• Four chefs vie to win on the finale of the 13th season of “Hell’s Kitchen” (8 p.m., Fox, TV14). • A Christmas tree proves elusive on “Modern Family” (9 p.m., ABC, r, TV-14). • Controversy ensues when birthing rights are assigned to passengers on the third and final episode of “Ascension” (9 p.m., Syfy, TV-14). • On three helpings of “blackish” (ABC, r, TV-14), new horizons (9:30 p.m.), birds and bees (10 p.m.), Dre ponders his identity (10:30 p.m.). • Surrounded by grief, Pepper quakes and Elsa reflects on “American Horror Story: Freak Show” (10 p.m., FX, TV-MA).

SERIES NOTES Axl has other plans for the holidays on “The Middle” (8 p.m., r, ABC, TV-PG) * Experts embark on a “Greatest Holiday Commercials Countdown” (8 p.m., CW, TV-14) * The force is with Adam on “The Goldbergs” (8:30 ABC, r, TV-PG) * Clarke brings bad tidings on “The 100” (9 p.m., CW, TV-14).

CULT CHOICE A writer (Richard Widmark) dabbling in the occult tries to keep his friend’s child (Nastassja Kinski) from a grim fate at the hands of a cult leader (Christopher Lee) in the 1976 shocker “To the Devil, a Daughter” (4:15 a.m., TCM). This Hammer production also features Denholm Elliott and Honor Blackman.

LATE NIGHT Anna Kendrick is booked on “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart” (11 p.m., Comedy Central) * Jason Schwartzman, Jack O’Connell and King Tuff ap-

pear on “Conan” (11 p.m., TBS) * Phil Klay is on “The Colbert Report” (11:30 p.m., Comedy Central) * Willie Nelson & Billy Joe Shaver appear on “Late Show With David Letterman” (11:35 p.m., CBS) * Jimmy Fallon welcomes James Franco and Seth Rogen on “The Tonight Show” (11:35 p.m., NBC) * Bill O’Reilly, Krysten Ritter and Jungle visit “Late Night With Seth Meyers” (12:35 a.m., NBC) * Craig Ferguson hosts Betty White and Thomas Lennon on “The Late Late Show” (12:35 a.m., CBS). Copyright 2014, United Feature Syndicate

Timothy L. Griffith Attorney at Law

803-607-9087 Family Law • Divorce, Visitation & Custody Criminal Defense • DUI • Federal and State Court www.tlgriffith.com

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014

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Holiday Roast Pork Tenderloin with Garlic Potato Puree

Pork tenderloin for the holidays BY ALISON LADMAN The Associated Press

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105 Wesmark Blvd Sumter, SC 29150

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For information about advertising, contact (803) 774-1212 or (803) 774-1284

HOLIDAY ROASTED PORK TENDERLOIN (with three variations)

he holidays are stressful enough, never mind if you feel the need to reinvent your dinner repertoire every time someone

new pops over. But at the same time, December is going to be an awful long month if you resort to making the same dish over and over again. So we figured there had to be a delicious middle ground. And there was. Our idea was simple — pick a cut of meat that is easy to have on hand, simple to prepare for both small groups and crowds, and yet versatile enough to pair with multiple flavors. Our choice? Pork tenderloin. Though delicious and tender, it also is neutral enough to pair wonderfully with numerous ingredients. It’s also easy to cook. We like to rub it with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, then roast for about 30 min-

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utes. The entire process takes about 5 minutes hands-on time. Thinly sliced, the tenderloins can be paired with any number of sauces or toppings. We’ve offered up three versions here — a tangy butternut squash pesto, a garlic-rich potato puree, and a glaze of cranberries and apple cider. Add some fresh bread and a salad and you’ve got a great holiday meal that you can repeat multiple times without ever feeling in a rut.

Start to finish: 45 minutes Servings: 8 Two 1-pound pork tenderloins Olive oil Kosher salt and ground black pepper Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Brush or rub olive oil over the surface of each pork tenderloin. Sprinkle each on all sides with salt and pepper. Place the tenderloins in a small roasting pan and roast for 30 minutes, or until the center of the tenderloins reaches 145 degrees. Slice and serve topped with one of the variations below.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH PESTO In a food processor, pulse 2 cups of peeled and cubed butternut squash until the pieces are very finely diced. Stir 1/4 cup olive oil into the squash, then spread the mixture on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet. Bake at 400 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes, or until tender, but not mushy. Lift the foil off the pan and place the squash in the freezer to chill for 10 minutes. Once chilled, in a medium bowl stir together the squash, 2 tablespoons lime juice, 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, 1/4 cup grated manchego cheese, and salt and black pepper, to taste. Spoon over the pork and top with toasted almonds.

GARLIC POTATO PUREE In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine 1 cup half-and-half with 3 garlic cloves and 2 bay leaves. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, in a covered medium saucepan fitted with a steamer basket and filled with 1 inch of water, steam 2 pounds of peeled and cubed russet potatoes for 15 minutes, or until very tender. Pass the potatoes through a food mill or ricer and into a large bowl. Remove the bay leaves from the half-and-half and discard. In a blender, puree the half-and-half with the garlic until completely smooth. Gradually whisk the half-and-half into the potatoes, allowing it to be absorbed before adding more. Whisk in 6 tablespoons butter, then season with salt and black pepper. Sprinkle with chopped fresh thyme, then serve alongside the pork tenderloin.

CRANBERRY CIDER GLAZE In a small saucepan over medium-high, combine 2 cups apple cider with 1 cup fresh cranberries. Bring to a simmer and cook, uncovered, until thickened and reduced to 1 cup. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Meanwhile, in an oiled skillet over medium-high heat, cook several slices of prosciutto until crisp. When the pork tenderloin is cooked, serve covered with the glaze and garnished with shards of crisped prosciutto.

Marinade works wonders on pork MELISSA D’ARABIAN Associated Press Winter calls for savory roasts that fill our homes with luscious aromas that promise a comforting meal to bring the family together. The problem for the healthy eater is that most roasts get their flavor from silky (and so very saturated) fat marbling. Yes, we can roast chickens and turkeys, but sometimes we crave thick slices of pork or beef. I have a solution: the pork tenderloin (not to be confused with a simple pork loin). As the name suggests, this is one of the most tender cuts of pork, making it perfect for roasted slice-and-serve bliss. The pork tenderloin is a small roast (about 1 to 2 pounds per roast), which also means it cooks quickly, adding to its weekday convenience. As a bonus, the pork tenderloin is incredibly low in fat, making it comparable to a boneless, skinless chicken breast. A 4-ounce serving of pork tenderloin offers up over 20 grams of protein and less than 3 grams of fat!

That’s the good news. The bad news is that this lowered fat can make the tenderloin extremely mild in flavor (read as bland) and prone to overcooking (read as dry). But I have solutions for both of these problems, and as long as you follow my two tips you will be on your way to mastering this healthy comfort meal. First, let the roast sit in a dry or wet rub in the refrigerator for a day or two. Two days in a mustard and herb mixture works magic on the tenderloin’s flavor! Try my 48-hour mustard-marinated pork tenderloin roast as proof. Second, don’t overcook the roast. Many of us grew up thinking pork should been cooked until the pink is gone. Nope! Bring the pink back! A light shade of pink says that the roast is cooked, but still juicy. Aim for an internal temperature of 150 degrees, then allow the roast to rest for 5 to 10 minutes. The result will be a perfectlycooked and flavorful roast worthy of company and a holiday meal.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

MUSTARD-MARINATED PORK TENDERLOIN ROAST Start to finish: 35 minutes, plus marinating Servings: 6 1/4 cup Dijon mustard 2 teaspoons grated orange zest 1 teaspoon sweet paprika

1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin 1 tablespoon olive oil

1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 2 pork tenderloin roasts (about 1 1/2 pounds each)

In a small bowl, whisk together the mustard, orange zest, paprika, thyme, rosemary, cumin, olive oil, salt and pepper. Rub into the flesh of both pork tenderloins. Place the tenderloins in a large zip-close plastic bag, pressing to remove excess air before closing. Refrigerate for 48 hours. When ready to cook, heat the oven to 400 degrees. Let the tenderloin rest at room temperature for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, arrange the roasts on a rack set into a rimmed baking sheet or roasting pan. Roast until the pork reaches 155 to 160 degrees, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove the roasts from the oven, cover with foil, and let rest for 10 minutes. Slice and serve. Nutrition information per serving: 160 calories; 45 calories from fat (28 percent of total calories); 5 g fat (1 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 75 mg cholesterol; 3 g carbohydrate; 0 g fiber; 0 g sugar; 24 g protein; 780 mg sodium.