December 18, 2014

George Stinney, 14, of Alcolu, is the youngest person in American history to be executed. He was sent to the electric chair in Columbia in 1944 for the alleged murder of two young Alcolu girls, but a judge on Wednesday announced she has vacated the boy’s murder conviction.

SUMTER ITEM FILE PHOTO

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2014

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Police seek man on drug charges; 2 nabbed in bust

Judge vacates boy’s murder conviction

BY RAYTEVIA EVANS ray@theitem.com After several months of investigation, Sumter Police Department has arrested two Sumter men after seizing more than four pounds of marijuana valued at about $8,500, five grams of cocaine valued at about $100 and $4,500 in cash.

Randy Sanders, 33, of 221 Armstrong St., and Sherman Sanders, 36, of 211 Armstrong St., are being held at SumterC. SANDERS Lee Regional Detention Center pending bond.

According to the department, law enforcement is still looking for Clinton Sanders, 33, also of 211 Armstrong St., in relation to the

SEE DRUGS, PAGE A12

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Ray Chandler and Steve McKenzie celebrate Circuit Court Judge Carmen Mullen’s order vacating the 1944 murder conviction of a young black man, which led to 14-year-old George Stinney’s execution in an electric chair later that year. Mullen ruled Stinney’s trial for the murder of two white girls included fundamental violations of his constitutional rights. The ruling resulted from a motion from Coffey, Chandler and McKenzie law firm filed in January seeking a hearing to vacate the conviction.

Teen was sent to electric chair for beating deaths of 2 girls in 1944

BY JIM HILLEY and MATTHEW BRUCE jim@theitem.com, matthew@theitem.com A South Carolina judge on Wednesday vacated the conviction of a Clarendon County teenager executed 70 years ago for beating two young girls to death.

Circuit Court Judge Carmen Mullen issued a 30-page order, ruling that there was a “fundamental, Constitutional violation of due process” in the prosecution of George Stinney Jr. Stinney, a 14-year-old Alcolu boy, is the youngest American prisoner sentenced to death in the 20th cen-

tury. A black teen, he was put to death just 90 days after allegedly confessing to killing a pair of missing white girls at the height of the Jim Crow South in 1944.

“I am a teacher of God’s word, and the only thing we have are our

SEE STINNEY, PAGE A4

With the help of photographer Wilber Jeffcoat, Sumter County Council Chairman Larry Blanding reveals his portrait that will hang along with other portraits of previous chairmen in council chambers at the County Administration Building.

Blanding, his wife, Peggy Blanding, and daughter, Dreylan Blanding, attended the outgoing and farewell program and reception Tuesday evening at Patriot Hall along with other friends, family and supporters.

County councilmen, friends bid their chairman farewell

RAYTEVIA EVANS / THE SUMTER ITEM

SEE BLANDING, PAGE A12

BY RAYTEVIA EVANS ray@theitem.com After serving as a member of Sumter County Council for the past eight years, family, friends, supporters and colleagues bid Chairman Larry Blanding farewell Tuesday evening during the outgoing ceremony and portrait unveiling program at Patriot Hall.

With his wife, Peggy, and

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2014

THE SUMTER ITEM

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

City gives 1st read to CDGB budget

LOCAL & STATE BRIEFS FROM STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

Woman, 66, dies after wreck on S.C. 441 A 66-year-old Rembert woman is dead after a wreck Tuesday afternoon on S.C. 441.

Shirley Mae Moore died after her 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt collided with a dump truck about 1:29 p.m., according to Sgt. Bob Beres with the S.C. Highway Patrol. She was wearing a seatbelt.

An autopsy was being conducted Wednesday. The other driver was not injured.

The dump truck was traveling south on Patriot Parkway, also known as S.C. 441, when the Cobalt approached a stop sign. The vehicle lost control and ran the stop sign, crashing into the dump truck, Beres said.

The incident remains under investigation by S.C. Highway Patrol.

Judge rejects former sheriff’s plea deal COLUMBIA — A federal judge Wednesday rejected a plea deal that would have kept former Lexington County Sheriff James Metts out of prison on a charge that he hindered the possible deportation of workers at a friend’s restaurant who were in the country illeMETTS gally.

U.S. District Judge Terry Wooten said he couldn’t accept a deal for the felony that didn’t send Metts to prison because federal sentencing guidelines call for 10 to 16 months behind bars for someone who pleads guilty to the charge of conspiracy to harbor certain aliens.

The deal, signed by Metts and prosecutors earlier this month and offered to the sheriff before he was indicted in June, called for three years of probation. Prosecutors said it was fair because Metts only stepped in for two people charged with traffic offenses who had no criminal record. Metts’ attorneys said while they think the government’s case is weak, Metts was willing to take the plea deal to get the case behind him.

the demolition budget of $25,000 had gone down in the last few years noting how people talk about wanting to see boarded up houses torn down.

The budget typically is between $20,000 and $30,000 for demolition, said Clarence Gaines, the city of Sumter community development director.

Councilwoman Ione Dwyer asked what the housing repair budget was last year. It’s typically about $130,000 to $140,000, Gaines said, but has gone up to $152,090 this year because of new HUD restrictions on the time allotted for spending the money.

Then Dwyer asked how many homes the city has worked on have been repossessed. Off the top of his head, Gaines said no more than five but he’d get back to her with a more accurate number.

She asked what happens with them.

“Are they put back up for sale or do we move families into them,” Dwyer said.

Since the bank normally has the greater part of the investment, it usually gets the first shot at recollecting money on a sold home, Gaines said.

Then the rest goes to the city.

JADE REYNOLDS jade@theitem.com Sumter City Council approved first reading of a 2015-16 Community Development Block Grant budget of $298,862 at Tuesday night’s meeting.

Councilmen Robert Galiano and David Merchant were not present. A second reading is required for the budget to pass.

The numbers are based on last year’s figures and might change slightly, said City Manager Deron McCormick. City Councilwoman Colleen Yates asked how it might change, and McCormick said Housing and Urban Development may hand down less money. If the difference is minimal, adjustments can be made by the finance department, McCormick said.

If the difference is significant, then the budget would be brought back to council for amendment.

“We know we have a greater need than we can take from this budget, but this is all we can get from this allocation,” McCormick said. “We’ll be talking in the near future about ideas for additional funding.”

Councilman Calvin Hastie asked if

The rest of the budget breaks down as: • $59,772 for administration; • $38,000 for youth employment; • $2,000 for YMCA youth services; • $2,000 for Wateree Aids Task Force; and • $20,000 for Sumter United Ministries.

In other news, council unanimously approved a: • 2015 meeting calendar. City Council will continue to meet the first and third Tuesdays of the month except for the first meeting in July as it normally falls close to Independence Day; • Notification that the city has the Municipal Court Jury CD from the State Election Commission for 2015.

In the past, McCormick said, the city would print out a huge book from the commission from which to randomly select potential jurors, but now the information is on the CD; • $13,481 maintenance agreement for Phase VI of Hunter’s Crossing subdivision; and • $18,678.38 maintenance agreement for Phase IV, Section 1 of Pocalla Springs Subdivision.

RAYTEVIA EVANS / THE SUMTER ITEM

Sumter School District Superintendent Frank Baker makes hoe cakes for fourth-graders during a colonial days event at Willow Drive Elementary School on Wednesday.

Willow Drive students learn about colonial days

Ex-police lab tech sues over job loss

BY RAYTEVIA EVANS ray@theitem.com

COLUMBIA — A former drug analyst at the Columbia Police Department’s crime lab said that she lost her job because of her race and that the agency unfairly blamed her for its shortcomings.

During a news conference Tuesday, Brenda Frazier told local media outlets that police officials told her to resign or face being fired after an audit

by Richland County Sheriff’s Department found inconsistencies in her work and raised concerns about her training and methodology.

Before electricity, cellphones, computers and supermarkets, people churned their own butter, milked cows regularly and made their own candles.

For some that may seem unimaginable, but some of these duties from the colonial days were recreated at Willow Drive Elementary School Wednesday for their students.

In a joint effort, Willow Drive and Millwood elementary schools organized a Colonial Days event with activities to give students a better idea of how people lived during that time.

The classes rotated every 30 minutes — experiencing different activities, including making candlesticks, hoe

cakes and beaded bracelets; churning butter; quilting; and playing various colonial games. Willow Drive Assistant Principal Robert Thompson said the schools’ fourth-graders recently studied colonial days in class, and this event gave students the opportunity to experience it firsthand in a fun and interesting way.

Volunteers at each station dressed in common clothing worn during those times and the station for hoe cakes was led by Sumter School District Superintendent Frank Baker, who told each class the history of hoe cakes and how to make the popular dish from colonial days. He helped them knead the dough before other volunteers cooked the cakes over an open fire.

Thompson said they also played a short video for each fourth-grade class during Wednesday’s event to give them the full learning experience on what they needed to know about colonial days.

A number of schools in the district organized similar events to coincide with the curriculum in order for students to have fun and still learn the necessary material. At the high-school level, Sumter High School’s Hands on History class takes a similar approach by having students spend time throughout the school year at Sumter County Museum’s Carolina Backcountry.

Private schools in the Sumter County area have also been known to create an interesting event to enhance the colonial days learning experience.

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LOCAL

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2014

THE SUMTER ITEM

SUMTER ITEM FILE PHOTOS

Judge Carmen Mullen addresses the courtroom in January during the hearing on the George Stinney case at Sumter County Judicial Center.

A headstone, above right, marks the life and death of Stinney on U.S. 521. The marker was unveiled near the home of a supporter of the Stinney family in June.

STINNEY FROM PAGE A1 names,” said George Frierson, a Clarendon County historian and school board member, who said he’s worked on the case 10 years to clear Stinney’s name. “We have given him his name back because when he was incarcerated, he was given a number. His name at birth was George Stinney Jr., and that’s what he has back now.

Not prisoner 260.”

A team of Clarendon County attorneys called Stinney’s case a travesty of justice and argued that his murder conviction should be overturned because he was never afforded any due process. Mullen did not declare Stinney guilty or not guilty, but the order essentially wiped the slate clean on the case.

Wednesday’s ruling resulted from a motion Coffey, Chandler and McKenzie — a Manning law firm — filed in January seeking a hearing to vacate the conviction. Steve McKenzie, who helped spearhead the nearly six-year effort, said he was spurred to begin researching the case after reading a story about it in The Sumter Item. McKenzie, who has practiced law for several years at Clarendon County Courthouse, said he was horrified to learn about what he characterized as a blatant injustice unfolding inside the same quarters he works every day.

“We have a duty in our profession to do justice,” McKenzie said. “We looked at this and said this is an egregious miscarriage of justice. His (Stinney’s) lawyer never put the state’s case to the test; he never presented any witnesses.”

During the Jan. 21 hearing inside Sumter County Judicial Center, Mullen heard three of Stinney’s surviving siblings testify as well as a slate of expert witnesses, all of whom refuted the state’s assertion that the 14-year-old boy committed the brutal double homicide.

Authorities said Betty June Binnicker, 11, and 7-year-old Mary Emma Thames went missing on March 23, 1944, while they were out picking flowers. Search crews discovered the bodies of both young girls the following morning,

lying in a shallow ditch underneath a bicycle with a detached wheel. Both of the girls’ heads had been crushed.

Within hours of finding the bodies, investigators took Stinney into custody and police said he confessed to killing the girls. Investigators varied on the exact method of the killing but eventually agreed that the girls were bludgeoned with an object described as a “railroad spike.”

“Based on the facts presented in this Court,” Mullen ruled, “methods employed by law enforcement in their questioning of the defendant may have been unduly suggestive, unrestrained and noncompliant with the standards of criminal procedure as required by the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments.”

With the investigation focusing solely on Stinney’s confession, the boy was whisked through the justice system at an unusually rapid pace. He stood before a judge and an allwhite jury as his murder trial got underway just 31 days after his arrest. Attorneys said the gruesome nature of the killing — mixed with its racial undertones — provoked a call for justice.

“When you think about a 14-year-old who is being put on trial for his life and he is the only African-American in the courthouse,” McKenzie said.

“His parents weren’t allowed, the prosecutor is white, the defense attorney was white, the judge was white, the bailiff is white, everybody on the jury is white, everybody sitting in the gallery is white.

“You think about somebody being alone; he was alone and without help,” McKenzie said.

Ray Chandler said 850 people gathered outside Clarendon County Courthouse during the trial.

It wasn’t a long wait for the throng. The entire case lasted a single afternoon before Stinney was convicted and sentenced to death in the electric chair. The trial portion of the proceedings lasted just two hours and 25 minutes.

“Stinney’s appointed counsel made no independent investigation, did not request a change of venue or additional time to prepare his case,” Mullen said in her order vacating the conviction. “He asked little or no questions on cross exam-

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ination of the state’s witnesses and presented few or no witness on behalf of his client based on the length of trial. He failed to file an appeal or a stay

of execution. This is the essence of being ineffective and for these reasons the conviction cannot stand.”

(Look in The Sumter Item

for follow-up articles about community reaction. If you’d like to voice an opinion, do so on our Facebook page or contact one of the writers.)

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THE SUMTER ITEM

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2014

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A5

THE CLARENDON SUN Call: (803) 774-1211 | E-mail: jim@theitem.com

Architect reveals Red Barn plans

BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com The Manning City Council got a look at an architect’s ideas for the Red Barn Project at its regular meeting Monday night.

Meredith Drakeford, of Drakeford Architects, presented his firm’s ideas for the city-owned property near the corner of Church and Boyce streets.

He said the facility could easily accommodate 300 to 350 people. He recommended

the city construct a masonry addition which would include a kitchen facility and restrooms. He said he can adapt a restroom design that has been used previously in baseball facilities with good results.

Drakeford proposed moving the green space which houses the Manning Farmers’ Market closer to the Red Barn and expanding parking into the current green space.

He said the roof would need to be replaced and he recommended some sort of

siding on the exterior.

“You have a lot of choices because red is common in brick siding,” Drakeford said.

His proposals also included a grilling area with active ventilation.

Drakeford said his firm concentrated on how large the facility could be and tried to break the construction into increments. Estimated costs were: renovation to the Red Barn, $420,000; restrooms $500,000; moving the farmers’

Meredith Drakeford of Drakeford Architects presents initial plans for SEE CITY COUNCIL, PAGE A8 the Red Barn Project to Manning City Council Monday night.

The Sumter Outlaw Street Racing Club hosts event

RAYTEVIA EVANS / THE SUMTER ITEM

Bikers prepare to race at the Silver Dragstrip Saturday evening. The Sumter Outlaw Street Racing Club and other motorcycle groups sponsored the event to collect items for the needy at Christmas.

RAYTEVIA EVANS / THE SUMTER ITEM

The Sumter Outlaw Street Racing Club hosted an event this past Saturday and partnered with motorcycle clubs and organizations in surrounding areas to collect bikes, toys and canned goods to donate to the needy this holiday season.

Clarendon delegation talks issues at Sumter breakfast

BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com A recent legislative breakfast for area legislators in Sumter gave members of the General Assembly who serve Clarendon County a chance to speak out about some important issues.

At the top of the list was the state’s $1.5 billion annual estimated shortfall for maintaining roads in the state.

“If we can do something about our highway infrastructure we would consider it a successful year,” said state Sen. Kevin Johnson, DManning.

He said the state needs to recognize that more revenue is going to be necessary.

“One-and-a-half-billion dollars is a lot of money,” he said. “It is an economic development issue, it is a public safety issue. We can’t kick this can down the road.”

State Rep. Robert Ridgeway, D-Manning, said he thinks most of his constituents would support an increase in the gas tax.

“People on the street ask me ‘When are you going to increase the gas tax to get our roads fixed?,’” he said.

One possible response to the road funding problem

that has been floated in Columbia is to simply deed many state-maintained roads to the counties, along with the promise of funding to pay for their upkeep.

Johnson said he isn’t buying into that proposal.

“Counties don’t trust that,” Johnson said. “They have heard that before on public education. We need to do our responsibility (in the General Assembly).”

Days earlier at a Clarendon County Commission meeting, Chairman Dwight Stewart also addressed the proposal

RICK CARPENTER/THE CLARENDON SUN

State Sen. Kevin L. Johnson, D-Manning, discusses school funding during a legislative forum Wednesday hosted by the Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce. Johnson was one of five state legislators who participated in the annual event that also included State Rep. Robert SEE BREAKFAST, PAGE A8 Ridgeway, D-Manning.

A6

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CLARENDON SUN

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2014

THE SUMTER ITEM

Fleming pays parking fine, other charges dropped

PETS OF THE WEEK

BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com Clarendon County School District 2 Trustee Robert Fleming has settled his legal difficulties in Williamsburg County, his lawyer, Ray Chandler said Wednesday.

A Greeleyville police officer cited Fleming and Richard Canady with five counts of petit larceny and Fleming with one count of impersonating an officer on Nov. 13, when the officer observed the two men removing campaign signs from a roadside.

“Fleming was coming back from a political meeting, and he was driving his

SCOOBY

car and there were a bunch of signs out he thought were left over (from the Nov. 6 election),” Chandler said.

“Normally candidates are thrilled when you help pick up their signs,” Chandler said.

“There was a special election Fleming did not know about – the sheriff had been indicted – and darn if he didn’t stop and pick up the signs. He also stopped a second time and the officer saw him parked on the wrong side of the road.”

Chandler said a probation officer badge Fleming had in his console along with his wallet led to the charge of impersonating an officer.

The badge was from Flem-

ing’s previous service as a probation officer.

Chandler said Fleming has agreed to pay a $235.50 fine for illegal parking and the other charges have been dropped. Fleming reportedly also paid restitution to the candidates whose signs were removed.

“The sign issue has gone away,” Chandler said. “The impersonating an officer issue has gone away.”

Fleming’s charges led the Clarendon County School Board to vote to suspend Fleming at a meeting Tuesday. According to statements made at the meeting, Fleming’s suspension should end if all charges are dropped.

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LEGAL NOTICES

Notice of Sale NOTICE OF SALE IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS CASE NO. 2014-CP-14-3347 STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CLARENDON The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. as trustee for GreenPoint Manufactured Housing Contract Trust, Pass-Through Certificate, Series 2000-2 Plaintiff, -vsEarl J. Clark, Defendant(s) BY VIRTUE of a judgment heretofore granted in the case of The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. as trustee for GreenPoint Manufactured Housing Contract Trust, Pass-Through Certificate, Series 2000-2 vs. Earl J. Clark, I, Frances Ricci Land Welch, as Special Referee for Clarendon County, will sell on January 5, 2015, at 11:00 am, at the Clarendon County Administration Building, 411 Sunset Drive, Manning, SC 29102, to the highest bidder: All that certain piece, parcel or lot of land, lying, being and situate in the County of Clarendon, State of South Carolina, containing 1.00 acres, and bounding and measuring, now or formerly, as follows: on the NORTH by the remainder of Lot 1 of Sugar Hill Farm Plantation, Section 1 and measuring thereon 457.20 feet; On the SOUTHEAST by the 50' right of way of Wayne's Drive, and measuring thereon 117.25 feet; On the SOUTH

by Lot 2A of Sugar Hill Farm Plantation, Section 1 and measuring thereon 370.38 feet; and on the WEST by Windsor Properties, Inc. and measuring thereon 128.61 feet.

For a more particular description of said lot, reference may be had to a plat made by Robert G. Mathis, RLS, dated July 15, 1999 recorded in the Office of the Clerk of Court for Clarendon County in Plat Book S 50 at Page 60, whereon said lot is designated as Lot #1C. Said property having been conveyed to Earl J. Clark and Inez Clark by deed of J.C. Pelfrey, dated October 8, 1999, recorded in the Office of the Clerk of Court for Clarendon County in Deed Book A-388 at Page 119.

Subsequently, Inez Clark died and an Estate was filed with Case number 2009-ES-14-16.

Notice of Sale

CLARENDON COUNTY TAXES TERMS OF SALE: The successful bidder, other than the Plaintiff, will deposit with the Special Referee at conclusion of the bidding, five (5%) of his bid, in cash or equivalent, as evidence of good faith, the same to be applied to purchase price in case of compliance, but to be forfeited and applied first to costs and then to Plaintiff's debt in the case of noncompliance. Should the last and highest bidder fail or refuse to make the required deposit at the time of the bid or comply with the other terms or the bid within twenty (20) days, then the Special Referee may resell the property on the same terms and conditions on some subsequent Sales Day (at the risk of the former highest bidder). A personal or deficiency judgment having been demanded by the Plaintiff, the sale of the subject property will remain open for thirty (30) days pursuant to Section 15-39-720, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976; provided, however, that the Court recognizes the option reserved by the Plaintiff to waive such deficiency judgment prior to the sale, and notice is given that the Plaintiff may waive in writing the deficiency judgment prior to the sale; and that should the Plaintiff elect to waive a deficiency judgment, without notice other than the announcement at the sale and notice in writing to the debtor defendant(s) that a deficiency judgment has been waived and that the sale will be final, the bidding will not remain open after the date of sale, but

Estate Notice Clarendon County

Notice of Sale

compliance with the bid may be made immediately.

The successful bidder will be required to pay interest on the amount of the bid from the date of sale to date of compliance with the bid at the rate of 3.625% per annum.

Frances Ricci Land Welch Special Referee for Clarendon County Theodore von Keller, Esquire B. Lindsay Crawford, III, Esquire Sara Hutchins Columbia, South Carolina Attorney for Plaintiff

NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATES All persons having claims against the following estates MUST file their claims on FORM #371ES with the Probate Court of Clarendon County, the address of which is 411 Sunset Dr. Manning, SC 29102, within eight (8) months after the date of the first publication of this Notice to Creditors or within one (1) year from date of death, whichever is earlier (SCPC 62-3-801, et seq.), or such persons shall be forever barred as to their claims. All claims are required to be presented in written statements on the prescribed form (FORM #371ES) indicating the name and address of the claimant, the basis of the claim, the amount claimed, the date when the claim will become due, the nature of any uncertainty as to the claim, and a description of any security as to the claim.

Estate: John Henry Horton, IV #2014ES1400279 Personal Representative: John Henry Horton, III 4246 MW Rickenbaker Road Manning, SC 29102 12/18/14 - 12/31/14 Estate: John Raymond Frederick #2014ES1400270 Personal Representative: Alice M. Frederick 3560 Dingle Pond Road Summerton, SC 29148 12/11/14 - 12/24/14

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CLARENDON SUN

THE SUMTER ITEM

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2014

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A7

The grapefruit — nutrient content vs. adverse effect

A

bit of history is unclear about the grapefruit. Some research places the discovery of grapefruit in Barbados in the 18th century, suggesting that it was a natural mutation of a tropical fruit called the pomelo.

In the other theories, the grapefruit was develNancy oped from a cross beHarrison tween an orCLEMSON ange and a EXTENSION shaddock, a citrus fruit with thick skin, many seeds, almost no juice and a very sour taste. One way or the other, seeds of the grapefruit made their way to Florida.

White, red and pink grapefruits are rich in vitamin C and fiber. As with many fruits and vegetables, the

darker or more intensely colored the fruit or vegetable, the higher the nutrient content, and this is true with antioxidant properties.

Grapefruit juice is an excellent source of vitamin C; 1 cup has 94 milligrams, over 100 percent of the RDA. However, when you choose the juice over the fruit, you miss out on the benefits of fiber.

The fiber in grapefruit juice is pectin, a type of soluble fiber that may help to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.

A prevailing myth circulating over the years is that grapefruit contains an enzyme that digests fats and burns them away, leaving you svelte and trim. Grapefruit contains no fat-burning enzymes and is hardly a miracle weight-loss food, it is a tangy low-calorie food that is perfect for people trying to control their weight.

In the market, grapefruit comes in white (yellowish),

pink and red varieties — the colors refer to the flesh.

Different varieties of grapefruits are: • Duncan: yellow-skinned Florida grapefruit is very juicy and flavorful, used for juicing.

• Lavender Gem: lemon-yellow skin, resembles a mini grapefruit, they are delicate in flavor.

• Marsh seedless: yellow skin, white marsh is the most popular variety, it is both sweet and acidic. The pink marsh (flesh) is slightly less acidic. The ruby red marsh has a yellow-to-pale red skin and red flesh, also it is less acidic than the white marsh and is considerably sweeter.

• Melogold: yellow skin, a cross between a pomelo and a grapefruit. Melogold are juicy and taste like oranges, with the overtone of a grapefruit.

• Oroblanco: yellow skin, a cross between a pomelo and a

grapefruit. It is sweet and juicy without any bitterness or acidity.

• Star Ruby: yellow skin, tart and sweet, flesh deep red.

The general rule of thumb is the redder the flesh, the sweeter the fruit.

• Sweeties: looks green, and as the name suggests, sweet.

A cross between the grapefruit and a pomelo.

THE GRAPEFRUIT EFFECT The potent compounds in fruits and vegetables can also have adverse effects.

Grapefruit juice, for example, appears to inhibit an enzyme in the small intestine that helps to metabolize a number of medications.

When one of these drugs is taken, the result is to boost its concentration in the bloodstream. This increases the risk of side effects and, in a few cases, can cause serious reactions.

The problem doesn’t occur in all people, doesn’t happen with all grapefruit juice (oddly enough), and is most likely to occur when the drugs are taken with the juice. Whole grapefruit may or may not have the same effect as the juice.

The drugs known to be affected include some of the cholesterol-lowering drugs referred to as or listed as “statins”; certain calcium channel blockers taken for high blood pressure and angina; certain tranquilizers; cyclosporine, an immunosuppressant medication; and some antiviral drugs used to treat HIV infection. Other medications may also have interactions with grapefruit juice. If you are taking a prescription drug and you also eat grapefruit or drink its juice, check with your physician or pharmacist about the latest information on drug nutrient interactions.

POLICE BLOTTER MANNING POLICE DEPARTMENT DRIVING UNDER SUSPENSION 9:14 a.m. Dec. 10: An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of West Boyce Street following a report of a motor vehicle collision. The officer reported meeting with Latifah Oliver, who said she was driving a blue Ford SUV registered to her mother. Oliver allegedly told the officer her license was suspended. Oliver, 23, 1534 Olin Road, was arrested for driving under suspension – habitual, and for an outstanding bench warrant.

SHOTS FIRED/DISORDERLY CONDUCT 9:31 p.m. Dec. 14: Officers responded to a report of shots fired in the area of Thames and Pine streets. One officer spoke to a gentleman on Thames Street while the other officer patrolled on Pecan Street. A man on Pecan Street said he had heard what sounded like a gun shot about 15 minutes earlier and a few minutes later what sounded like another one. The

man said he saw a gold Lincoln or Cadillac drive by. The officer was told more possible shots fired were reported in the area of Lincoln Park, possibly related to the same subject.

Dispatch reported a call of shots fired in the vicinity of the 100 block of Memorial Street. A woman on Ragin Street said a man drove up to her house in a gold car, got out and fired a shot outside her residence and then another shot in the air before re-entering his vehicle and driving away.

Officers went to the home of a possible suspect on Ragin Street. Arthur Abraham, 67, 11 Ragin St., was arrested for disorderly conduct and transported to Clarendon County Detention Center.

CLARENDON COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE VANDALISM OF VEHICLE 12:34 A.M. Dec. 1: A deputy was dispatched to the 1000 block of Travis

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Lane, Manning, in reference to vandalism of a vehicle. Complainant said between 7 p.m. Nov. 30 and 12:34 a.m.

Dec. 1, somebody flattened her vehicle tires. Damage was estimated at $500.

BURGLARY/BREAKING AND ENTERING 3:08 a.m. Dec. 2: A deputy responded to a report of a burglary at a store in the 5200 block of Dingle Pond Road, Summerton, where he observed the side glass door damaged. The complainant and the officer viewed viewed a video of two suspects, one wearing all black with a white T-shirt and the other wearing all black with a hoodie leaving the scene. Missing were 13 cartons of Newport cigarettes. A blue vehicle was seen leaving the area. Missing items and damage was estimated at $660.

8:42 p.m. Dec. 13: An officer was dispatched to the 2400 block of Elliot Road in Pinewood in reference to a

larceny. Complainant said at around 8:20 p.m. he noticed two 20-gauge shotguns were missing from his residence and two beagle dogs were missing from his yard. Complainant said they were last seen on Dec. 9. Missing items were valued at $1,069.

4:01 p.m. Dec. 15: A woman reported to police her property in the 14800 block of Raccoon Road had been broken into. An officer responded to the location and observed two damaged power boxes, a window AC unit removed and a refrigerator removed.

LARCENY OF A TRAILER 9:20 a.m. Dec. 3: A deputy was dispatched to the 9800 block of Old River Road in Pinewood in reference to a stolen trailer. Complainant said someone cut a chain on a gate and a tongue lock on a white 2009 Horton Hauler cargo trailer sometime after Nov. 28. The trailer was valued at $8,000.

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A8

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CLARENDON SUN

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2014

Going away surprise

CITY COUNCIL, FROM PAGE A5 market, $686,000; and site work, $260,000. Total costs would be about $1.9 million.

City Administrator Scott Tanner said those totals were more than the city currently has budgeted for the project, but Drakeford said he was confident it was the kind of project the U.S. Department of Agriculture would be willing to put additional funding into.

Drakeford’s plan was well received by council members and the public.

“To see something like this transformed in my lifetime is exciting,” said Mayor Pro Tem Ervin Davis.

“This is a very good beginning plan,” said Marie Land.

“I am sure there will be a lot of tweaks.

Land wondered if the design would prevent the placement of “Welcome to Manning” signage at the street corner as planned.

In other action, the council listened to a “very positive” audit report from Mark Hobbs for the Hobbs Group.

“We are very pleased with your audit department,” Hobbs said.”We could not find anything to report to you that needs your attention.”

The council also heard a re-

THE SUMTER ITEM

port from Tanner who said he had met with the South Carolina Department of Transportation concerning the streetscaping project for Mill Street and expects the design phase to take about 18 months. Two current projects, the fire department building and the Alcolu water extension are ahead of schedule, he said.

At the meeting, the council passed the second reading of a loitering ordinance and had the first reading of an ordinance concerning nuisance animals.

Davis said both the police chief and the judges had asked for a tougher ordinance.

“The old one has no bite,” Davis said.

The new ordinance would set penalties at $50 for the first offense, $100 for a second offense and $200 and 30 days for a third or subsequent offense.

Before calling for adjournment, Davis asked that everyone keep remembering Mayor Julia Nelson in their “thoughts and prayers.”

Nelson is recovering from kidney transplant surgery in Charleston.

FTC Public Relations Director Chip Chase surprised Dawn Griffith with a going away present during the Clarendon County Chamber of Commerce Christmas Party on Dec. 9. Griffith recently announced her retirement from serving as the Chamber’s executive director.

BREAKFAST, FROM PAGE A5 after attending a South Carolina Association of Counties meeting.

“If there is one message that came out of that meeting for legislators,” Stewart said. “it’s that we don’t want the state’s roads.”

He said it reminded him of an old Scottish proverb.

“Never accept a gift that eats,” he said.

Johnson said he hoped it would not take something like a bridge collapse for the state to tackle the problem.

“I think it is irresponsible not to raise revenue,” he said.

“It should be one of our top priorities this year. I think the people of South Carolina would be willing to pay more.”

Ridgeway said the manner in which state money for highways is distributed was also discussed at the breakfast. Several attendees were critical of the current system in which highway commissioners are tied to U.S. House of Representative districts in the state.

Another issue the Clarendon delegation addressed was Gov. Nikki Haley’s refusal to accept expanded Medicaid.

Johnson said it was one of his biggest disappointments.

“There are a lot of benefits for people we serve if Medicaid

is expanded,” he said. “I just thought it was a way to really help South Carolina. Hospitals are treating these people and not getting paid for it.”

Johnson pointed to reports that thousands of people in South Carolina remain uninsured due to the governor’s decision.

“It comes down to more than just dollars,” he said. “The one thing that can’t be disputed will result is (that) people will die without access to health care.”

Ridgeway, a doctor, pointed out that most hospitals in South Carolina are small hospitals.

“They are not like Palmetto or MUSC,” he said. “Most are likely Tuomey or Clarendon.

The smaller hospitals in South Carolina depend heavily on Medicaid and Medicare. The people in this area depend heavily on Medicare and Medicaid. Medicare and Medicaid is a big part of what they deal with.”

He said government regulations require hospitals to provide additional services that cost more money.

“It is a losing proposition unless you expand Medicaid,” he said. “You have increased costs and reduced income.”

Subscribe today, and stay in the loop

(803) 774-1200

BRIEF ENCOUNTERS LIBRARY CLOSING The Harvin Clarendon County Library will close for Staff Development Day on Friday, Dec. 19 and reopen on Saturday, Dec. 20 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The book drop will be available for return of unrestricted materials. For more information, call (803) 435-8633.

The library will also close for the Christmas Holiday from Dec. 24 through 27, 2014 and reopen on Monday, Dec. 29 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m..

The book drop will be available for return of unrestricted materials. For more information, call (803) 4358633.

LONE STAR CHRISTMAS MUSIC Lone Star Barbecue & Mercantile in Santee will host an afternoon and evening of Christmas music from 1 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20. Six musical groups will perform throughout the afternoon and evening, and

there will be a visit from Santa from 4 to 4:45 p.m. Attendance is free, but offerings will be accepted. Food and drink will be available for purchase.

For more information, call (803) 854-2000 or (803) 5153938.

MANNING YOUTH COUNCIL The Manning Youth Council is now accepting applications. Applicants must be Clarendon County residents attending Laurence Manning Academy or Manning High School, or homeschooled students in grades 9 through 12. The Youth Council will serve Manning by planning and implementing social, educational, recreational and other activities for the youth and community. Students will also learn about the city government in a fun environment.

For more information and to obtain an application, contact City Hall at (803) 435-8477.

MENTORING PROGRAM Rural Leadership Institute-Clarendon is beginning a mentoring program, called Operation Generation, for at-risk youths in Clarendon County School District 1. Initially, the program will focus on students at Summerton Early Childhood Center and St. Paul Elementary School.

The board members of Rural Leadership Institute Clarendon are asking adult members of the Clarendon community to volunteer to become mentors.

For more information, call Bea Rivers at (803) 4858164, Lesley Dykes at (803) 707-4901 or email rliclarendoncounty@gmail.com.

LET’S MOVE MANNING The Let’s Move Manning Walkers Club meets every Saturday at 7:30 a.m. at the Gazebo on Church Street.

For more information, call (803) 435-8477.

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The Biggest Loser: Kauai Part 1 A The PEOPLE Magazine Awards The most influential people in popular WIS News 10 at (:35) The Tonight Show Starring trip to the island of Kauai in Hawaii. culture are recognized in the inaugural television event, featuring unique 11:00pm News Jimmy Fallon Actress Amy Adams (N) (HD) award categories and musical performances. (HD) and weather. from “Big Eyes.” (N) (HD) The Big Bang (:31) Mom SeTwo and a Half The McCarthys: Elementary: End of Watch A “recov- News 19 @ 11pm (:35) Late Show with David LetterTheory Wolowitz crets exposed. (N) Men Proving Red Sox Swap (N) ery blog” creator posts events. (N) The news of the man Rosie O’Donnell; Jeff Altman. pitches. (HD) (HD) Santa. (N) (HD) (HD) (HD) day.

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The First 48: Hit List; Hand in Hand Beyond Scared Straight Teen learns (:01) Beyond Scared Straight (:02) Beyond Scared Straight (:01) The First 48 the Woods (HD) Planned; injured. (HD) lesson. (N) (HD) Deputies provoked. (N) (HD) Aggressive family. (HD) (HD) (:15) Miracle on 34th Street (‘47, Holiday) aaac Maureen O’Hara. Kris Kringle goes to 180 (5:15) White Christmas (‘54, Holi- Miracle on 34th Street (‘47, Holiday) Maureen O’Hara. Kris Kringle day) aaa Bing Crosby. (HD) goes to court to prove to a skeptical jury that he is Santa Claus. (HD) court to prove to a skeptical jury that he is Santa Claus. (HD) 100 Monsters Inside Me (HD) Monsters Inside Me (HD) Animal Planet Best Fest (N) Monsters Inside Me (N) (HD) Animal Planet Best Fest (HD) Monsters (HD) Wendy Williams 162 Bringing Down the House (‘03, Comedy) aa Steve Martin. Uptight attorney meets his on- Husbands Tisha Nellyville: Nelly In Hollywood Nelly Nellyville: Double Trouble Nelly line love, but learns that she is a prison escapee. arrested. mad about Stink’s modeling. annoyed at double-booking.

Show (N) (6:32) House (:33) The Real House wives of The Real House wives of At lanta: Real House wives Guide Di vorce: Rule #47: Al ways What Hap pens The Mil lion aire Match maker: 181 wives Atlanta: Friend or Faux Make -Ups and Breakdowns Atlanta (N) Take Advantage of ‘Me’ Time.

(N) Chilli & Jeff Ogden 62 Greed The money shrinks.

Shark Tank (HD) Greed Stolen numbers.

Greed A Ponzi scheme.

Greed: Mad Max of Wall Street Greed 64 Erin Burnett OutFront (N) Anderson Cooper 360° (N) (HD) Anthony: Jerusalem CNN Tonight Anderson Cooper 360° (HD) Anthony 136 The Colbert Re- (:23) The Colbert (:56) The Colbert (:28) The Colbert The Colbert Re- The Colbert Re- The Colbert Re- The Colbert Re- Daily Show (N) The Colbert Re- (:01) @midnight port (HD) Report (HD) Report (HD) Report (HD) port (HD) port (HD) port (HD) port (HD) (HD) port (N) (HD) (N) (HD) Beethoven’s Christmas Adventure (‘11, Holiday) ac Jessie: Trashin’ (:05) I Didn’t Austin & Ally Dog Blog: Stan’s A.N.T. Farm (HD) Good Luck Char80 Disney’s Shake It Lizzie Aaron Up! (HD) Carter.

Curtis Armstrong. Saving holiday.

Fashion (HD) White House.

(HD) Old Owner lie (HD) 103 Edge of Alaska (HD) Alaska: The Last Frontier (HD) Alaska: The Last Frontier (HD) Alaska: The Last Frontier (HD) Alaska: The Last Frontier (HD) Alaska (HD) 35 Grantland Basketball Hour College Basketball: Connecticut Huskies at Duke Blue Devils (HD) SportsCenter (HD) SportsCenter (HD) Sports (HD) 39 NCAA Volleyball Champ.: BYU Cougars vs Texas Longhorns (HD) Sports (HD) NCAA Volleyball Champ.: Penn State vs Stanford z{| (HD) 30 for 30: The U Part 2 (HD) Fred Claus (‘07, Comedy) aac Vince Vaughn. Santa’s brother works at North Pole, but soon The 700 Club Operation Blessing Holiday in Hand131 (6:30) The Santa Clause (‘94, Holiday) aac Tim Allen. Divorced father turns into Santa Claus. (HD) he starts getting into trouble. (HD) helps family. cuffs (HD) 109 Chopped (HD) Chopped Spiral ham. (HD) Chopped Sparkling cider. (HD) Beat Bobby Beat Bobby Food Truck Face Off (N) Chopped (HD) 74 On the Record with Greta (N) The O’Reilly Factor (N) (HD) The Kelly File News updates.

Hannity Conservative news. (HD) The O’Reilly Factor (HD) The Kelly File 42 NHL Hockey: Toronto Maple Leafs at Carolina Hurricanes from PNC Arena (HD) Postgame UFC Unleashed (HD) World Poker Tour no} (HD) NHL Hockey Christmas in Conway (‘13, Romance) Mary-Louise Parker. Husband builds The Good 183 (6:00) A Princess for Christmas (‘11, Best Christmas Party Ever (‘14, Holiday) Torrey DeVitto. Event planner Holiday) aac Katie McGrath. deals with holiday party. (HD) ferris wheel for wife. (HD) Witch’s Gift (HD) 112 Addict (HD) Addict (HD) Addict (HD) Addict (HD) Addict (N) (HD) Addict (HD) Tiny House Hunters (HD) House Hunters (HD) Addict (HD) 110 Pawn Stars Pawn Stars Pawn Stars Pawn Stars Pawn Stars Pawn Stars Pawn. (N) (HD) Pawn. (N) (HD) Pawn Stars Pawn Stars Pawn Stars Blue Bloods: What You See Search- Blue Bloods: Smack Attack Deadly Blue Bloods: Brothers Erin uses Blue Bloods: Chinatown Suspect Blue Bloods: 160 Blue Bloods: Officer Down Officer murdered. (HD) ing for bomb. (HD) narcotic. (HD) questionable methods. (HD) killed during pursuit. (HD) Re-Do (HD) Project Runway: Threads: (:02) Project Run145 Project Runway All Stars: Designing Project Runway All Stars: Luck Be a Project Runway All Stars: Mix and Project Runway: Threads: Show for the Duchess (HD) Lady (HD) Match.com (N) (HD) Stopper Runway show. (N) (HD) CoverLook Cover-worthy looks. (HD) way (HD) 76 Hardball with Chris (N) (HD) All in with Chris Hayes (HD) The Rachel Maddow Show (N) Lawrence O’Donnell (HD) All in with Chris Hayes (HD) Maddow (HD) 91 Drake Max Shred Full Hse Full Hse Full Hse Full Hse Prince Prince Friends (HD) Friends (HD) How I Met 154 Gilmore (HD) Dumb & Dumber (‘94, Comedy) aaa Jim Carrey. Two buffoons drive cross-country.

Funniest Commercials 2014 (:02) Dumb & Dumber (‘94, Comedy) Jim Carrey.

The Cabin in the Woods (‘12, Horror) Kristen Connolly. Five friends staying The Almighty Johnsons: Does This Night of the De152 The Crazies (‘10, Horror) aaa Timothy Olyphant. Citizens of a small town are being turned into murderous maniacs by a virus. at a cabin in the woods are attacked by malevolent forces.

Look Like Asgard? (HD) mons (‘10) aa Seinfeld Smart Family Guy (HD) Family Guy ErThe Big Bang The Big Bang Conan: Conan to Go Conan in the Conan Orlando Bloom; John C. Cougar Town 156 Seinfeld (HD) remarks. (HD) rand-boy. (HD) Theory (HD) Theory (HD) world. (N) (HD) McGinley. (N) (HD) (HD) A Christmas Carol (‘38, Holiday) (:15) Scrooge (‘70, Musical) aaa Albert Finney. Miserly old man con(:15) Scrooge (‘35, Drama) aac Seymour Hicks.

186 (5:45) Alexander the Great (‘56, Drama) aa Richard Burton. aaa Reginald Owen. tends with ghosts, bringing him a change of heart.

Three ghosts teach a miser compassion.

157 Christmas Light Fight (HD) Christmas Light Fight (HD) Santa Sent Me to the ER (HD) Extreme Cheapskates (HD) Santa Sent Me to the ER (HD) Extreme (HD) NBA Basketball: New York Knicks at Chicago Bulls from United Center z{| (HD) NBA Basketball: Oklahoma City Thunder at Golden State Warriors 158 Castle: Nikki Heat Actress studies Beckett during case. (HD) from Oracle Arena z{| (HD) 102 Jokers Jokers Jokers Jokers Carbonaro Carbonaro Carbonaro (N) How to Be (N) Wake Up Call MMA fighter. (HD) (:02) Jokers 161 Walker: In Harm’s Way, Part 2 (:18) Family Feud (HD) Fam. Feud Raymond (HD) Queens (HD) Queens (HD) Queens (HD) Queens (HD) Friends (HD) Law & Or der: Spe cial Vic tims Unit: Law & Or der: Spe cial Vic tims Unit: White Col lar: Au Re voir (N) (HD) (:05) Co vert Af fairs: Gold Soundz (N) (:06) CSI: Crime Scene In ves ti ga White Collar: Au 132 Girl Dishonored (HD) Reasonable Doubt (HD) tion: Brain Doe (HD) Revoir (HD) Tamar & Vince (HD) Tamar & Vince (HD) Tamar & Vince (HD) Tamar & Vince (N) (HD) (:01) Tamar & Vince (HD) Tamar (HD) 172 Funniest Home Videos (HD) Funniest Home Videos (HD) How I Met How I Met How I Met How I Met Rules (HD) Rules (HD) Parks (HD)

Colbert retires fake persona along with ‘The Report’

BY KEVIN MCDONOUGH Can a fake pundit retire for “real”? “The Colbert Report” (11:30 p.m., Comedy Central) ends tonight, and with it, Stephen Colbert’s 10-season-long work of performance art as an over-the-top talk show host.

Modeled on Bill O’Reilly, the man Colbert refers to as “Papa Bear,” “The Report” was often a pitch-perfect parody of the heavy-handed combination of scant facts, ironclad certainty, hyper-patriotism and manufactured “outrage” pedaled as “news.”

It’s interesting to note that while MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann fulminated against O’Reilly and his approach for years, he ultimately came to annoy his audience and resemble his target. What Olbermann could not overcome with heat, Colbert managed to skewer with light and absurd humor — at least for Colbert’s younger audience, who seem amenable to irony and allergic to anger.

As we all know, Colbert will replace David Letterman in the summer of 2015. But which Colbert? The host of “The Report” retires tonight, so it will be interesting to see how Colbert operates when he’s just being “himself.”

So CBS appears to be buying into the unknown here. And perhaps that’s just what it wants. After all, few people knew what to make of David Letterman when the former weatherman took over from Tom Snyder way back in 1982.

With Colbert, CBS gets a combination of the familiar and the unexpected. And in a risk-adverse media universe, that may be the perfect solution.

Comedy Central will salute its departing host with a daylong marathon of “The Colbert Report” (10 a.m.). To put an exclamation point on the end of the fake Colbert, his final guests include his old pal “Grimmy,” otherwise known as the Grim Reaper.

• Speaking of familiar hosts, Nick Cannon (“America’s Got Talent”) hosts “The People Magazine Awards” (9 p.m., NBC), featuring performances by 5 Seconds of Summer and Maroon 5.

• The same two bands will also perform on the “iHeartRadio Jingle Ball 2014” (8 p.m., CW, TV-14), along with Taylor Swift, Iggy Azalea, Ariana Grande and many more.

14) * Christmas gets competitive on “The McCarthys” (9:30 p.m., CBS, TV-14).

LATE NIGHT

SCOTT GRIES / PICTUREGROUP / COMEDY CENTRAL

“The Colbert Report,” hosted by Stephen Colbert, airs its final episode at 11:30 p.m. today on Comedy Central.

• Nothing says Christmas like life-threatening parasites. The “Monsters Inside Me Holiday Special” (9 p.m., Animal Planet, TVPG) profiles four cases of intestinal bugs and nasty infections that descended — like Santa down the chimney — right around the holidays.

CULT CHOICE A night of adaptations of Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” (8 p.m., TCM), including two versions of “Scrooge” (9:15 p.m. and 11:15 p.m.), from 1970 and 1935, respectively, culminates with “A Carol for Another Christmas” (12:45 a.m.), a nuclear-age 1964 made-for-television parable written by Rod Serling, directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz and starring Peter Sellers and Sterling Hayden.

TONIGHT’S OTHER HIGHLIGHTS • A country music star comes

to a grim end on a two-hour helping of “Bones” (8 p.m. Fox, r, TV-14).

• The top 13 prepare a holiday feast on “The Taste” (8 p.m., ABC, TV-PG).

• With officers in the crosshairs, the NYPD needs some advice on “Elementary” (10 p.m., CBS, TV-14).

• Annalise defends a minor accused of murdering his father, a police officer, on “How to Get Away With Murder” (10 p.m., ABC, r, TV-14).

SERIES NOTES Wolowitz worries about his pitching arm on “The Big Bang Theory” (8 p.m., CBS, r, TV-PG) * The gang goes kayaking in Hawaii on “The Biggest Loser” (8 p.m., NBC, TV-PG) * Family secrets spill in therapy on “Mom” (8:30 p.m., CBS, TV-PG) * Alan and Walden dance around the Santa story on “Two and a Half Men” (9 p.m.,

CBS, TV-14) * “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” (9:30 p.m., CW, r, TV-

Chris Rock is scheduled on “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart” (11 p.m., Comedy Central) * Orlando Bloom, John C. McGinley and Sebastian Maniscalco appear on “Conan” (11 p.m., TBS) * Rosie O’Donnell and Jeff Altman appear on “Late Show With David Letterman” (11:35 p.m., CBS) * Jimmy Fallon welcomes Amy Adams, Nick Offerman and Foo Fighters on “The Tonight Show” (11:35 p.m., NBC) * Christine Baranski and Jenny Lewis appear on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (11:35 p.m., ABC) * Seth Rogen and Greg Warren visit “Late Night With Seth Meyers” (12:35 a.m., NBC) * Craig Ferguson hosts Jim Parsons on “The Late Late Show” (12:35 a.m., CBS).

Copyright 2014, United Feature Syndicate

from

Sumter Christian School A ministry of

Sumter Bible Church 420 S. Pike West Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 773-8339 Ron Davis, Pastor

SUNDAY SERVICES 10:00 Sunday School for all ages 11:00 A.M. Worship hour 6:30 P.M. Worship hour

Call 773-1902 about enrollment www.sumterchristian.org

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2014

THE SUMTER ITEM

RELIGION Call: (803) 774-1250 | E-mail: jade@theitem.com

Make visitors feel welcome at holiday services

A

re you ready for Christmas?

It’s coming, and with it a deluge of the unchurched into our houses of worship.

Studies show that American congregations post their highest attendance numbers on significant religious holidays such as Easter or Christmas. Perhaps those non-regulars come because they will feel some moral obligation to attend or are coerced by a relative to attend services around Christmas.

Whatever the reason, they are coming, and believers need to prepare.

So are you ready for Christmas?

It’s a great tragedy that so many of us are distracted by the festivities that we miss a call to reach out to others, specifically those who rarely attend a religious service. And that could be the tipping point for some as they decide whether to make spiritual matters a priority.

I’m going to go out on a limb and say that most churches probably focus their effort during the holiday on special programming and decoration. I daresay that the poinsettias that decorate our sanctuaries will be around far longer than those visitors that

darken our church doorways during the holidays.

Research from research company Barna Group shows that fewer Americans are attending churcha trend that has Faith Matters es, persisted over many JAMIE H. years. It’s not that WILSON they’ve never been, the research shows, but they “have decided they can better use their time in other ways.” They are the “dechurched.” Each individual might have a different excuse as to why he or she doesn’t attend, including a growing number of individuals who have abandoned traditional church in favor of a solitary spiritual sojourn.

As believers, we must not be the reason they don’t return. Church, defined as a group of believers who regularly meet together to encourage one another, can still be a viable way to reach people.

We have a unique situation during the holidays because some of the very

people we hope to reach come to us.

They sit in our chairs or pews, sing the same carols and listen to the same sermon. It would be a shame for them to leave without at least feeling welcome in the house of God. So here are a few questions to ask as you attend services this week: Are there people actively looking for visitors? Some churches have a designated committee for this purpose, but it’s incumbent upon us all to extend a friendly greeting.

Will visitors feel welcome in our church, or is there an air of exclusivity? Will someone follow up with them after they visit?

I’m not advocating that we overwhelm them or demand a spiritual commitment before they go off for Christmas dinner. Let’s simply be the light that we celebrate this season.

Email Jamie H. Wilson at faithmatterssumter@gmail.com.

‘It’s a great tragedy that so many of us are distracted by the festivities that we miss a call to reach out to others, specifically those who rarely attend a religious service. And that could be the tipping point for some as they decide whether to make spiritual matters a priority.’

Church Directory Adventist

What’s It All About

Sumter Seventh-Day Adventist 103 N Pike West 775-4455 Pastor Harry Robinson Sat. Sch: 9:15 am, Worship: 11:00 am Tues Bible Study 7 pm www.sumter22.adventistchurchconnect.org

Mon. - Thurs. Chapel 9 am Morning Prayer Wed. Chapel 11:00 qm - Bible Study 12 pm Mass

Baptist - Independent Cherryvale Baptist Church 1502 Cherryvale Dr. * 494-8655 Edward Bowen Sr. Pastor Sun. School 10:00 am Worship 11:00 am & 6:00 pm Wed. Evening Service 7:00 pm

Baptist - Missionary Jehovah Missionary Baptist Church 803 S Harvin St. * 775-4032 Marion H Newton, Pastor Sunday Worship: 7:45 & 10:45 am Sunday Youth Service: 10:45 am Wednesday Bible Study: 7:00 pm Salem Missionary Baptist Church 320 West Fulton Street 803-775-8054 Rev. Lei Ferguson Washington Sun. School 9:00 am Praise Worship 9:55 am Worship 10:00 am

The Catholic Community of Sumter, St. Jude Site 611 W. Oakland Ave • 773-9244 www.stjudesumtersc.org Fr. Charles Michael Donovan, C.S.S.R. Saturday Vigil: 5:00 pm Sun. Euch.: 9:00, 11:30 am, 1 pm (Spanish)

1835 Camden Rd • 905-5234 www.sumterfcg.org Ron Bower, Pastor Sunday Worship: 10:30 am Sunday School: 9:30 am

Lutheran - NALC Immanuel Lutheran Church 140 Poinsett Drive • 803-883-1049 Pastor Gary Blobaum Worship Service 9:00 am Sunday School 10:30 am Wed Bible Class: 7:00 pm

Photo Credit Istockphoto.com/BrianAJackson

O

ur children seem to be increasingly intelligent at an earlier age, yet they do not have the wisdom and learned logic they need to know ‘what it’s all about’. Those of us who are older have learned from experience that curiosity and immaturity can be dangerous partners…even more so in today’s culture of instant access. How can we help our youngsters make sense of it all? Parents can begin early to teach their children right from wrong and show them by example the basic principles of responsibility and faithful living.

Use the most reliable resource available to give your children the future they deserve; visit your house of worship each week.

Zeph.

1.1-18

Zeph.

2.1-15

Weekly Scripture Reading Zeph.

Zech.

Zech.

3.1-20 1.1-21 2.1-13

Zech.

9.9-17

Zech.

10.1-12

Scriptures Selected by the American Bible Society

©2014, Keister-Williams Newspaper Services, P.O. Box 8187, Charlottesville, VA 22906, www.kwnews.com

Sun School 10:00 am Worship 11:00 am Sun Evening Worship 6:00 pm Wed Mid Week Service 7:00 pm

Baptist - Southern Grace Baptist Church 219 W Calhoun St * 778-6417 Dr. Stephen Williams S.S. 9:45 am; Worship 11:00 am Evening Worship/Bible Study 6:30 pm Wed. Prayer Meeting 6:30 pm Wed. Bible Study: 6:30 pm Hickory Road Baptist Church 1245 Cherryvale Dr 803-494-8281 Dr. Ron Taylor Pastor Sunday School 9:45 am Worship 10:55 am Long Branch Baptist Church 2535 Peach Orchard Rd. Dalzell 499-1838 www.longbranch_baptist.com Rev. Brian Benenhaley

Shaw Heights Baptist Church 2030 Peach Orchard Rd 499-4997 Rev. Robert White Pastor Sunday School: 9:45 am Sunday Worship:11 am & 6 pm

Catholic - Roman

The Catholic Community of Sumter, St. Anne Site 216 E Liberty St • 803-773-3524 Fr. Thomas Burke, C.S.S.R. Weekend Masses: Sat Vigil 5 pm Sun. 7:30, 9:00 and 11:30 am Mass

Plaza Church of Christ 1402 Camden Hwy. • 905-3163 Stewart Schnur cell 361-8449 Sunday School: 10 am Sunday Worship: 11 am & 6 pm Wed. Bible Class: 7 pm

Interdenominational

City of Refuge Church 16 Carolina Ave 938-9066 Barbara & Johnny Davis Sun School 10:00 am Worship 11:15 am Bible Study (Wed.) 7:00 pm www.cityofrefugeministry.com Spiritual Life Christian Center 4672 Broad St. Ext • 968-5771 Pastors Randolph & Minerva Paige Sunday Worship: 11:00 am Wednesday Bible Study: 7:00 pm Victory Full Gospel Interdenominational Church 601 Pitts Rd • 481-7003 Joann P. Murrill, Pastor Sunday Worship: 11:00 am Youth Bible Study/Respect Monday: 7 pm

Aldersgate United Methodist 211 Alice Dr • 775-1602 Dr. Webb Belangia, Reverend Traditional Service 9:00 am Sunday School 10:15 am Contemporary 11:15 am

Trinity United Methodist Church 226 W Liberty St • 773-9393 Rev. Steve Holler Blended Worship 8:45 am Traditional Worship 11:00 am Sunday School 9:45 am trinityumcsumter.org

First Presbyterian Church of Sumter 9 W Calhoun St (at Main St.) (803) 773-3814 • info@fpcsumter.org Interim Pastor Rev. Ray Fancher Sunday School - All Ages 9:30 a.m.

Hospitality/Fellowship 10:10 a.m.

Morning Worship 10:30 a.m.

Thursday, December 18 Service of Comfort and Hope (Chapel) featuring Kipper Ackerman on harp

Sumter Bible Church 420 South Pike West, Sumter 803-773-8339 • Pastor Ron Davis Sunday School 10:00 am Worship 11:00 am & 6:30 pm Wed. Bible Study & Prayer 7:00 pm

Bethel United Methodist Church 5575 Lodebar Rd • 469-2452 Rev. Jeremy Howell Sunday Worship: 8:30 & 11 am Sunday School: 10 am www.yourbethel.org BMethodist@ftc-i.net St John United Methodist Church 136 Poinsett Dr * 803-773-8185 www.stjohnumcsumter.com Rev. J. Robert (Bob) Huggins Sunday School 9:45 am Worship 11:00 am Wed. Night Supper/Bible Study 6:30 pm

Presbyterian USA

Greater St. Paul Church 200 Watkins Street 803-778-1355 Sunday School - 10:30 am Worship - 11:30 am Evangelistic Service 7:30 pm Wed. Mid Week Service - 7:30 pm

Church of Christ Methodist - United

Anglican Church of the Holy Cross 335 North Kings Hwy (Hwy 261 N) 803-494-8101 Father Michael E. Ridgill, C.F.S.B. Sunday School 9:00 am Mass 10:00 am

Call (803) 774-1200 and subscribe today.

Your community connection

Presbyterian Lemira Presbyterian Church 514 Boulevard Rd • 473-5024 Pastor Dan Rowton Sunday School 10:00 am Worship 11:00 am Bible Study 6:00 pm

Pentecostal First United Penecostal Church 14 Plowden Mill Rd • 775-9493 Pastor Theron Smith Sunday Service: 10:00 am & 6:30 pm Wednesday Bible Study: 7:30 pm Sumter First Pentecostal Holiness Church 2609 McCrays Mill Rd • 481-8887 S. Paul Howell, Pastor Sunday School: 10:00 am Sunday Worship: 10:45 am & 6:00 pm Wed. Bible Study/Youth Group: 7:00 pm

Lutheran - ELCA Non-Denominational

St James Lutheran Church 1137 Alice Dr, Sumter 773-2260 / www.stjamessumter.org Pastor Keith Getz Sunday Worship: 10:00 am Sunday School: 9:00 am

Christ Community Church(CCC) 525 Oxford St, Sumter 803-934-9718 Sun. Worship 10:00 am (Patriot Hall) First Church of God

(803) 774-1075

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS Carolina Atlas Transmission 301 W. Liberty Street • Sumter, SC Filters, Inc. 775-4501 • 1-800-823-2413

70 W. Wesmark Blvd. • 773-7339

To Advertise On This Page Call 800-293-4709

PRO GLO AUTO PAINT, BODY, GLASS & FRAME WORK, INC.

109 EAST NEWBERRY AVENUE 773-6842 MANAGEMENT AND STAFF

We Respect Your Vehicle,Time & Money

Job’s Mortuary

Norman Williams & Associates Employment Services

Ingram & TAXAssoFIRM ciates

344 West Liberty Street Sumter, SC 29150

Locally Owned • Established 1966 FULL SERVICE TAX FIRM

312 S. Main St., Sumter (803) 773-3323

“The Home Of Distinctively Finer Funeral Service’’

Free Diagnostic • Foreign/Domestic Free Pickup & Delivery • Financing Available

803-775-5308

216 South Pike West •775-7434 “Join us after church for dinner’’

M-F 9:30-7:00 • Sat 9:30-5:00 Closed Sunday

803-469-8733 www.outletfurniture.com

322 S. S. M Main St. • Sumter

Let Your Light Li Shine.

2645 Warehouse Blvd., Sumter, SC

Allow All w YYour ou Business to Glorify God!

Benton Young, Owner

803-481-8200 www.advanceheating-air.com

Insurance Work Welcomed Don’t Fuss Call Us 2085 Jefferson Road, Sumter, S.C. 29153 Phone (803) 469-3895 • FAX (803) 469-2414 Billy Caples, Sr.

piggly wiggly OF SUMTER

494-8292

Discount Furniture Sumter Cut Rate Drugs Outlet 803-773-8432 2891 Broad St. • Sumter

13 Caldwell Street Sumter, SC

Seven Convenient Locations

773-5114 •773-3219 “Flowers For All Occasions’’

“Please worship at the Church of your choice’’

18 E. Liberty St. • 778-2330 1132 Broad Street 208 East Calhoun Bring your Church Bulletin in and receive a free small drink

Sumter Auto Mall

3625 Broad Street • Sumter, SC 803-494-5900 We finance your future... not your past. www.sumterautomallsc.com

To view church information online go to www.theitem.com or www.sumterchurchesonline.com

RELIGION

THE SUMTER ITEM

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2014

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Trinity UMC offers ‘A Classic Christmas’

BY JADE REYNOLDS jade@theitem.com Trinity United Methodist Church has elected to celebrate Christmas in a different way and at a different time of day this year. On Sunday, the chancel choir and congregation will present “A Classic Christmas” beginning at 5 p.m., rather than during the normal worship times.

“For many years, Trinity ... has presented a Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols as part of the celebration of Christmas,” said Stephen Winn, a member of the chancel choir. “Our decision to experiment this year with a different time has led to ‘A Classic Christmas,’ which we envision as an annual event.”

The program will begin with Caroling on the Lawn, “with Trinity’s Chancel Choir in 19th-century attire, Strings in the Chapel with Noelle Saleh and

Michael Baier, Flutes in the Parlor with Barbara Rearden and Beth Ryan and Piano in the Sanctuary with Kay Rasmussen,” he said.

While the musicians are “well known in Sumter and beyond,” Winn said, “most ... are not members of Trinity. We have had the pleasure of working with them before, however, and continue to be grateful to them for sharing their musical gifts.”

Among the Carols on the Lawn will be “Angels from the Realms of Glory,” “Ding Dong! Merrily On High,” “The First Noel,” “In the Bleak Midwinter,” “Sing We Now of Christmas,” “What Child Is This” and “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks,” and several others.

The Nine Lessons and Carols will be presented in the sanctuary at 5:30 p.m.

Based on the traditional format of

alternating readings and carols, the lessons will comprise nine short Scriptures that serve to trace the story of humanity’s fall from grace (Genesis 3:8-15 – Hope in the Midst of Failure) through the Christmas story and the hope for salvation through Christ’s birth (John 1:1-14 – The Eternal Word Made Flesh).

Carols for the service include “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming,” “Silent Night” and others.

Among the anthems in the service of Lessons and Carols are “Adam Lay Ybounden,” “Ave Maria,” “Let Our Gladness Know No End,” and “What Is This Lovely Fragrance?”

Winn said that “Lessons and Carols services are a long-standing tradition at Trinity,” although “no one is sure (for) how long.”

A CLASSIC CHRISTMAS WHERE: Trinity United Methodist Church, 226 W. Liberty St. WHEN: 5 p.m. Sunday COST: Free

Trinity’s congregants will perform the readings, and the church’s organist, Beth Lewallen, will accompany the anthems that are not sung a cappella, as well as the congregational carols.

A Classic Christmas is coordinated by the Rev. Dr. Steve Holler, senior pastor, and by Charles Haraway, director of music ministries.

The public is invited to attend A Classic Christmas. There is no charge for admission.

150 bring Journey to life

BY IVY MOORE ivy@theitem.com Trinity Missionary Baptist Church is going all out for Christmas this year.

“We’ve done productions in the past but not of this magnitude,” said Sandra Williams, drama ministry director.

The worship center, located at 155 Wall St., will present “A Journey to Bethlehem” at 4 p.m. Saturday.

The play featuring live animals is free and open to the public.

“We’re going out and giving back to the community through the drama production this year,” Williams said. “We want to take the community back to the birthplace of our savior.”

Doors will open at 3:30 p.m.

Cast members were selected, and practice began at the

end of September. Between the actors and production crew, about 150 people are working on this project, she said.

The animals are set to arrive Saturday morning.

“Several of the boys are excited,” she said. “They keep asking, ‘when we are we going to meet the animals.’”

As the day of the performance draws closer, Williams is getting excited, too.

“I have my down moments where I hope it all works out, (but) things are falling into place,” she said. “All the cast members are excited for their part in worshiping our king through drama.”

And they’re hoping a crowd from the community will be joining them.

“We’re praying we have to use the overflow room,” Williams said.

JADE REYNOLDS / THE SUMTER ITEM

Khalili Moody, left, and Jeremiah Scott play around before the start of dress rehearsal for “A Journey to Bethlehem” on Monday. The 8- and 9-year-olds are part of the 150 church members putting on the free performance Saturday at 4 p.m. at the church. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. Trinity Missionary Baptist Church is at 155 Wall St., off Miller Road.

CHURCH NEWS Allen Chapel AME Church, 471 Lynam Road, announces: * Sunday — Christmas program will immediately follow the 10 a.m. worship.

Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, 4319 Rowe Drive, Summerton, announces: * Thursday, Dec. 25 — Christmas worship service at 8 a.m. * Wednesday, Dec. 31 — Watch Night service at 8 p.m.

Cedar Grove Missionary Baptist Church, 1275 Oswego Highway, announces: * Wednesday, Dec. 31 — Watch Night service at 10:30 p.m.

Chapel AME Church, McLeod Road, Paxville, announces: * Saturday — Adopt a family for Christmas at 6 p.m. On the program: Calvary Male Chorus; Sumter Violinaires; The Cousinaires of Manning; The Majestic; and many others.

Chapel Hill Baptist Church, 8749 Old Highway Six, Santee, announces: * Sunday — The Lord’s Supper will be observed at 10 a.m. * Thursday, Dec. 25 — Christmas Day worship at 10 a.m.

The Rev. Fredrick Wilson will speak. * Wednesday, Dec. 31 — Watchnight worship at 10 p.m. The Rev. Darrell Frasier will speak.

Corinth Missionary Baptist Church, 25 Community St., announces: * Sunday — Musician’s appreciation worship at 11 a.m. All visiting musicians are asked to sign in. * Wednesday, Dec. 31 — New Year’s Eve worship experience at 10:30 p.m. The Rev. Robert Galloway will speak. * Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015 — Holy Communion 2015 will be observed at 11 a.m. All worshippers are asked to wear white and/or black attire.

Grace Full Gospel Church, 1540 Bradham Blvd., announces: * Wednesday, Dec. 31 — Watch Night service at 9 p.m. The Rev. Trey Smoke, of Hartsville, will speak. The Singing Revelations, of Maxton, North Carolina, will provide music.

Green Acres Assembly of God, 537 Lewis Road, announces: * Wednesday, Dec. 31 — New

Year’s Eve service 9 p.m.-midnight with praise, worship, food and encouragement from God’s word.

High Hills AME Church, 6780 Meeting House Road, Dalzell, announces: * Wednesday, Dec. 31 — Watch Night worship at 9:30 p.m. * Sunday, Jan. 18, 2015 — “Keeping the Dream Alive” 200 men in black program at 5 p.m.

The Rev. Ronnie Brailsford will speak.

Land Flowing with Milk & Honey Ministry, 1335 Peach Orchard Road, announces: * Sunday — Christmas program at 11 a.m. * Wednesday, Dec. 31 — Watch Night worship at 10 p.m.

New Testament Lighthouse Church, 1114 Boulevard Road, announces: * Wednesday, Dec. 31 — Watch Night service 9 p.m.-midnight.

The Sims Family and others will provide music.

Mount Pisgah AME Church, 217 W. Bartlette St., announces: * Saturday — Gospel Explosion 2014 at 6 p.m. On the program: Calvary Baptist Adult Choir; Devine Harmony; Justified; and others.

Our Lady of Hope Catholic Parish announces: * Christmas Mass schedule as follows: 4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 24, St. Ann, 2205 State Park Road, Santee; 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 24, Our Lady of Hope, 2529 Raccoon Road, Manning; 7 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 25, St. Mary, 14 N. Cantey St., Summerton; 9 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 25, Our Lady of Hope; and 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 25, St. Ann. * New Year’s Mass schedule as follows: 4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, St. Ann; 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 31, Our Lady of Hope; 7 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015, St. Mary; 9 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015, Our Lady of Hope; and 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015, St. Ann.

High Hills Missionary Baptist Church, 6750 Meeting House Road, Dalzell, announces: * Saturday — Christmas program and fellowship dinner at noon. * Wednesday, Dec. 31 — Watch Night service at 10:30 p.m.

Mount Sinai AME Church, 5895 Mt. Sinai Church Road, Lynchburg, announces: * Sunday — Christmas drama presentation at 10 a.m. * Sunday, Jan. 11, 2015 — Gospel fest featuring the Singing Cousins at 3 p.m.

Jehovah Missionary Baptist Church, 803 S. Harvin St., announces: * Friday — Music and worship arts Christmas concert at 7 p.m. * Thursday, Dec. 25 — Christmas Day worship service at 10 a.m. followed by community Christmas dinner at noon at the M.H. Newton Family Life Center, 415 Manning Ave. * Wednesday, Dec. 31 — New Year’s Eve worship service and youth worship experience at 10 p.m. Youth speaker will be Pastor Neil Dubose, youth pastor of Bethesda Church of God. Minister Tiji Murphy, of Tacoma, Washington, and Minister Cartrell Woods, of Trinity MBC, will serve as worship service speakers. * Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015 — Emancipation Day worship at noon. Pastor Telley L. Gadson will speak.

Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 325 Fulton St., announces: * Sunday — Christmas presentation at 4 p.m. sponsored by the church school ministry. * Wednesday, Dec. 31 — Joint Watch Night service with Salem Missionary Baptist Church at 10 p.m. at Mount Zion. Pastor Lei Washington will speak. * Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015 — The Rev. Alfred Washington will speak at 6 p.m. * Sunday, Jan. 11, 2015 — 31st pastoral anniversary worship celebration honoring the Rev. and Mrs. James Blassingame and family at 10:45 a.m. The Rev. Dr. Sam Whack Jr., pastor of Chaney Grove Baptist Church, Timmonsville, will speak.

Joshua Baptist Church, 5200 Live Oak Road, Dalzell, announces: * Sunday — Christmas program. Church school begins at 9 a.m. followed by 10 a.m. worship. * Wednesday, Dec. 31 — Watch Night service beginning at 10:30 p.m. * Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015 — Male chorus anniversary program at 4 p.m.

Kingdom Impact Worship Center, 24 Council St., announces: * Wednesday, Dec. 31 — New Year’s Eve worship service at 10 p.m.

Mulberry Missionary Baptist Church, 1400 Mulberry Church Road, announces: * Wednesday, Dec. 31 — Watch Night service at 10:45 p.m. The Rev. Nate Brock will speak.

New Israel Missionary Baptist Church, 5330 Old Camden Highway, Dalzell, announces: * Sunday — The annual Christmas program will be held at 1 p.m. The Lord’s Supper will be observed. * Saturday, Jan. 3, 2015 — Pastor Grant will be installed and consecrated as the 12th Moderator of the Jerusalem Baptist Association at 10 a.m. at the Jerusalem Association Convention Center, 613 Jones Ave., Andrews. Dr. James B. Blassingame will speak.

Pinewood Baptist Church, S.C. 261, Pinewood, announces: * Sunday — The adult choir will present the musical “My Heart Longs for Christmas” at 11 a.m. The children’s Christmas program will be held at 7 p.m. Nursery provided. Call (803) 452-5373 or visit www. pinewoodbaptist.org.

Providence Baptist Church, 2445 Old Manning Road, announces: * Sunday — Children / youth Christmas party at 6:30 p.m.

Salem Black River Presbyterian Church, 1060 N. Brick Church Road, announces: * Sunday — Special Christmas service at 3 p.m.

Spring Hill AME Church, 4309 Bill Davis Road, Summerton, announces: * Wednesday, Dec. 31 — Watch Night service at 10 p.m. The Rev. Harvey Stutton will speak.

St. James AME Church, 180 W. Fulton Manning Road, Pinewood, announces: * Wednesday, Dec. 31 — Watch Night service at 10:30 p.m. combined with New Hope UME, New Hope AME and St. Peter AME churches.

St. Mark AME Church, corner of

First Street and Larry King Jr. Highway, Summerton, announces: * Sunday — 33rd Annual Christmas Concert and Tea. The tea will begin at 3:30 p.m. followed by the concert at 5 p.m. Linzy and Karen Washington will provide music with many additional surprises.

St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church, 7650 Summerton Highway, Silver community, Pinewood, announces: * Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015 — Trial sermon of Brother Tremaine Chandler at 3 p.m.

St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 27 Broad St., announces: * Wednesday, Dec. 24 — Gathering music of Christmas at 5:30 p.m. followed by 6 p.m.

Christmas Eve service with Christmas carols, Bible readings and Christmas pageant.

Summerton Southern Methodist Church, 1107 Felton Road, Summerton, announces: * Wednesday, Dec. 31 — New Year’s Eve singing 8 p.m.-midnight. On the program: Armed & Ready; David Floyd & Marty James; and others.

Taw Caw Missionary Baptist Church, 1130 Granby Lane, Summerton, announces: * Sunday — Annual Christmas concert at 6 p.m. Jeffrey Lampkin, host of the Jeffrey Lampkin Show, will serve as master of ceremonies. * Wednesday, Dec. 31 — Watch Night service at 10 p.m.

Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, 155 Wall St., announces: * Saturday — Drama Ministry’s Christmas production “A Journey to Bethlehem” at 4 p.m. * Wednesday, Dec. 31 — New Year’s Eve service at 9 p.m.

Trinity United Methodist Church, 226 W. Liberty St., announces: * Sunday — A Classic Christmas - The Spirit, the Music & the Glory at 5 p.m. * Wednesday, Dec. 24 — Christmas Eve services at 4 p.m. with candlelight and communion at 5:30 p.m.

Westend Community Church, 101 S. Salem St., announces: * Saturday — Family Christmas breakfast 9-10:30 a.m.

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LOCAL

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2014

BLANDING

Through the years, he has served the people of South Carolina and then specifically Sumter County and has made a lasting impression on those he represented, worked with and impacted through his service.

“I believe because of Blanding’s service in the S.C. House of Representatives, South Carolina is a better place to live, and because of his recent service, Sumter County is a better place to live,” said retired state Sen. John C. Land III while also complimenting Blanding on serving in his various leadership positions with distinction and dedication.

Of the many comments made by friends, family and colleagues, they all agreed that Blanding is a man of few words who still manages to make an impact and get his point across and his leadership on council will be missed.

“In his leadership, he’s quiet

FROM PAGE A1 council,” said vice chairman of Sumter County Council Eugene Baten during his welcome. “We’re here to honor a man I have come to respect and one I call a friend.”

Blanding, a lifelong resident of Sumter County, has accomplished BLANDING much in his career — graduating from Sumter High School in 1971 with the first graduating class under the unitary school system, then earning a bachelor’s degree from Claflin University and a master’s degree from South Carolina State University before serving in the S.C. House of Representatives from 1976-1990.

DRUGS FROM PAGE A1

THE SUMTER ITEM

in nature but still managed to speak volumes,” said Sumter Development Board Chairman Greg Thompson.

In his remarks, Blanding referenced Ecclesiastes 3:3, stating there is a season for everything and his season with the council is coming to an end and jokingly saying he is not terminally ill and he and his wife will not be moving to a remote island.

“I’m grateful for people allowing me to serve,” Blanding said. “I’ll be right here in Sum-

ter County, continuing to serve and make this a great community.”

Many community leaders attended the event to wish Blanding well or participate in the program to share anecdotes and wish the Blanding family well, including state Sen. Thomas McElveen, U.S. Air Forces Central Command Assistant Deputy Commander Brig. Gen. Kevin B. Schneider, Commander 20th Fighter Wing/Shaw Air Force Base

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Clinton Sanders faces two counts of distribution of marijuana and possession with intent to distribute.

The police department’s Organized Crime and Vice Control unit along with Highway Patrol divisions and the state Department of Probation, Pardon and Parole participated in Wednesday’s arrests.

The police department is seeking information about Clinton Sanders. Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is asked to call the department at (803) 4362700.

Information can also be given anonymously to Crime Stoppers at (803) 436-2718 or 1-888-CRIME-SC. A cash reward may be available for information leading to an arrest.

investigation. All three men are said to be relatives. After the police department received a number of complaints from residents in the area, the Organized Crime and Vice Control unit began investigating, and law enforcement served warrants Wednesday morning at the two homes in the Crosswell area of the city.

Randy Sanders is charged with possession of marijuana; possession of drug paraphernalia; possession of cocaine, second offense; possession of crack cocaine, second offense; and two counts of possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

Sherman Sanders is charged with possession with

Col. Stephen F. Jost, Sumter School District Superintendent Frank Baker and County Administrator Gary Mixon. A number of school board trustees were also present along with Assistant County Administrator Lorraine Dennis and Sheriff Anthony Dennis.

Blanding led his last meeting as chairman on Dec. 9 where constituents and colleagues also shared anecdotes and kind words regarding his leadership through the years.

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

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2014 H.G. Osteen 1870-1955 Founder, The Item

H.D. Osteen 1904-1987 The Item

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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

Talk about a wildfire fit for the big screen W ASHINGTON — First there’s the spark, then the conflagration, followed by the litigation and then, surely, the movie.

Call it “Moonlight Fire,” and prepare to suspend disbelief.

The story is a doozy — a tale of corruption, prosecutorial abuse, alleged fraud upon the court and possible government cover-ups in the service of power and greed. All the script needs is a Forest Service employee urinating on his bare feet in Kathleen his lookout tower just Parker as the fire was beginning.

What?!

This is what a real-life ranger discovered when she went to the tower to pick up a radio for repair. She also reported spotting a small glass pipe and smelling marijuana. As for the urinary exercise, the lookout said he was treating his athlete’s foot. But of course.

So goes one of the more colorful anecdotes surrounding the 2007 California wildfire that burned up to 65,000 acres — 45,000 of them on federal land — in the northern Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Who caused the blaze, whom to blame, and who should pay? Was it an

COMMENTARY

arsonist, the chainsaw dude, the bulldozer or the tower employee’s, ahem, diverted attention? Such questions no doubt would amuse Miss Scarlet and Colonel Mustard if this were a game, but the events and consequences were and continue to be grave.

Finding someone to blame became the obsession of state and federal investigators — the U.S. Forest Service and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) — who worked jointly to solve the mystery. They found their perpetrator to be Sierra Pacific Industries, the nation’s second-largest lumber producer.

How did investigators know it was Sierra Pacific? If you ask the defendants, they’ll say investigators “knew” because this family-owned company has very deep pockets. And, too, a bulldozer used by a company working under contract for Sierra Pacific that day reportedly produced a spark.

It’s not easy to feel sympathy for a mega-company that may have caused such a terrible fire. But what if there were other possible culprits, known about but never revealed by the plaintiff’s attorneys? Alas, such is the case.

Also in the area when the blaze started were a man who was cutting firewood with an illegally modified chainsaw and perhaps another individual who was a suspected arsonist.

This isn’t to say that these others are culpable, but defense attorneys claim that their existence — and investigators’ failure to pursue or disclose these individuals — constitutes fraud upon the court.

These facts among others prompted California Superior Court Judge Leslie C. Nichols in February to dismiss the Cal Fire action against Sierra Pacific and other defendants, and the state lawsuits stemming from the investigation.

In his ruling, Nichols called the Cal Fire investigation “corrupt and tainted” and shot through with “egregious” and “reprehensible” discovery abuse that “threatened the integrity of the judicial process.”

“The cost of plaintiff Cal Fire’s conduct is too much for the administration of justice to bear.”

It was also, apparently, too much for the defendants to bear. Thus, Nichols ordered the state to pay defendants $32 million in attorneys’ fees and court expenses.

Remaining is the matter of a separate federal lawsuit, which had resulted in a settlement by which the defendants are paying the federal government $55 million and have started to transfer 22,500 acres of land.

Emboldened by Nichols’ ruling, as well as new testimony by a former assistant U.S. attorney, E. Robert Wright, the defendants are seeking to reverse the federal settlement. In a 15-page

sworn statement to the plaintiff’s attorneys, Wright suggested possible suppression of evidence. In response, the U.S. Department of Justice tried to get a judge to disqualify all defense attorneys who might have read Wright’s statement. No deal. United States District Judge William B. Shubb declined the DOJ’s request.

To recap: A terrible fire started either by a spark from a machine, by an arsonist — or by some other unknown means — raged out of control, possibly in part because of a forest watcher’s negligence while dealing with a self-diagnosed medical emergency.

Whether the watcher’s greater attention might have reduced the fire’s ravages is an exercise of the imagination, but who could resist?

State investigators have been officially judged corrupt and fined accordingly. Whether the Justice Department is found similarly culpable remains to be determined.

In the meantime, one sympathizes with Loretta Lynch, who has been nominated to become attorney general. Assuming her confirmation, and pending a final ruling in the California case, she may face an inferno of her own.

If only it were just a movie.

Kathleen Parker’s email address is kathleenparker@washpost.com. © 2014, Washington Post Writers Group

LETTER TO THE EDITOR REPUBLICANS SHOULD SHOW WHAT GOVERNING IS ABOUT Over the past few days, I watched with great interest the death throes of the Democrats’ majority in the U.S. Senate.

I took great satisfaction in watching some of those senators that were defeated making their farewell speeches.

While watching them I could only think, there are at least 10 more that should be going, but their constituents, for whatever reason, decided to keep them on.

Along with President Obama, this outgoing U.S. Senate has dealt the United States a crippling blow, and it will take many years and more crises in order to put Humpty Dumpty together again.

I hope two things. First of

all, I hope we never see another Senate or House of Representatives that would be under control of the Democrats. Secondly, I hope that voters are not sold a bill of goods by Hillary Clinton in the election of 2016. If you think Obama was a catastrophe, you don’t want to see what will happen if Hillary becomes president.

It is time for the Republicans to show the country what governing is all about, and I am sure our Sens. Graham and Scott will stand tall in this effort, as well as our representatives in the House.

Our country’s future depends on it.

WARREN C. FORDHAM Manning

NOTABLE & QUOTABLE From Bill Rogers, executive director of the South Carolina Press Association, on the need for more media (and public) attention and education about the importance of reforming the state’s Freedom of Information Act: Some major FOI reform bills are pending in the S.C. Legislature, but you really wouldn’t know it by reading most of the state’s newspapers.

Wire service and Statehouse reporters have not been there for most of the subcommittee meetings on FOI and access issues. When Legislative preview stories run, the FOI reform isn’t mentioned.

So what does this say to the public and legislators?

It says these topics are not a big deal.

They are a big deal, and I suggest we need to look at how we report on them.

Consider: • Sens. Larry Martin, Peeler, Courson and Campsen have introduced a bill opening up autopsy records. If reform in this area doesn’t come, the public will be in the dark about police shootings, such as the one in Ferguson, Missouri. But it is an ongoing concern in our state. In Camden less than two

weeks ago, a certified public accountant was shot to death by U.S. marshals. They are refusing to release his autopsy report. There were about 50 police shootings in South Carolina last year, and there needs to be public oversight. In the case that went to the Supreme Court, a Sumter man was shot in the back by cops, and the coroner refused to release the autopsy report, in effect covering up for the cops.

• Sens. Larry Martin, Malloy, Peeler, Courson, Campsen and Johnson have prefiled a bill that would require agendas for all regularly scheduled meetings and that items cannot be added to an agenda later than 24 hours before the meeting, except by a two-thirds vote of the body.

• A study committee is looking at expungement of arrest and court records in our state.

Included in discussion is the sealing of police incident reports until a trial is over. They are also looking at withholding mug shots and expanding when expungement can be used. The public — and we the press as their representatives — have a major stake in this legislation.

• Reps. Bill Taylor and Weston Newton are working to

resurrect and improve an FOI bill from last session. It would speed up and ensure release of documents, require a supermajority to amend an agenda, cut copying costs and — most importantly — set up a hearing procedure for FOI violations.

••• In “A Lull Before the ObamaCare Rate Storm,” Stephen Parente, a professor of health finance and associate dean at the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota, writes, “Premiums this year are a nice surprise. It’s 2017 when hikes will kick in — ‘bronze’ family plans alone could rocket 45 percent.” Read it online at www.wsj.com: Americans visiting Healthcare.gov to purchase 2015 health-insurance plans are finding a nice surprise: Average premiums for the cheap “bronze” plans have increased only by 3.4 percent, and premiums for the middle-of-the-road “silver” plans are rising by 5.8 percent, according to the American Action Forum. Where are the double-digit premium increases that so many predicted?

Check back around this time in

2016. That’s when you’ll see the real spikes.

The Affordable Care Act includes two temporary programs that make compliant health-care plans temporarily appear far cheaper than they are: risk corridors and reinsurance. Both programs will expire on Jan. 1, 2017. By November 2016, consumers will know how that sunset will affect their plan’s premium.

This is why premiums on Healthcare.gov are cheaper than many predicted. The taxpayer’s generosity allows insurance companies to hide the true costs of the plans.

This leaves the Affordable Care Act in a precarious position. It was sold on the promises of affordability and universal coverage, yet neither promise can be kept after 2017.

America’s debate over health care reform is only getting started.

••• A New York Times editorial discusses “The Ruble’s Fall and Mr. Putin’s Reckoning.” Read it online at www.nytimes.com: Russians are watching their country suffer another avoidable economic calamity. The

blame for this rests largely with the disastrous policies of President Vladimir Putin, who has consistently put his ego, his territorial ambitions and the financial interests of his cronies ahead of the needs of his country.

Mr. Putin has taken great relish in poking the West. Now that he is in trouble, the rest of the world is unlikely to rush to his aid. On Tuesday, a White House spokesman said that President Obama intends to sign a bill that would authorize additional sanctions on Russia’s energy and defense industries. That bill would also authorize the administration to supply arms to Ukraine’s government.

The sensible thing for Mr. Putin to do would be to withdraw from Ukraine. This would bring immediate relief from sanctions, and that would ease the current crisis and give officials room to start fixing the country’s economic problems. The question is whether this reckless leader has been sufficiently chastened to change course.

Notable & Quotable is compiled by Graham Osteen.

Reach him at graham@theitem.com.

HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY? Send your letter to letters@theitem.com, drop it off at The Sumter Item office, 20 N. Magnolia St., or mail it to The Sumter Item, P.O. Box 1677, Sumter, SC 29151, along with the writer’s full name, address and telephone number (for verification purposes only). Letters that exceed 350 words will be cut accordingly in the print edition, but available in their entirety at www.theitem.com/opinion/letters_to_editor.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2014

FYI speaking and leadership The International Festival Comskills. Call Douglas Wilson at mittee is seeking participants to (803) 778-0197 or Rebecca showcase their culture. DeadGonzalez at (803) 565-9271. line for participants is March 14, 2015.Share Contact Recreation your culture, volunteer time Navy andyour Marine Corps shipand Parks at (803) 436-2248. and more mates who served on the USS Columbus CA-74/CG-12 from The Rembert Area Community Coalition (RACC) is accepting ap- 1944 through 1976 and the USS Columbus (SSN-762) past and plications for the 2014-15 after present, to share memories school program. Applications and camaraderie with old can be obtained at the main office, 8455 Camden Highway, friends and make new ones, contact Allen R. Hope, presiRembert, SC 29128. For infordent, 3828 Hobson Road, Fort mation, call (803) 432-2001.

Wayne, IN 46815-4505; (260) Having cancer is hard. Finding 486-2221 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; fax help shouldn’t be. Free help for (260) 492-9771; or email at cancer patients from the hope4391@verizon.net.

American Cancer Society.

Hospice Care of Sumter LLC is in Transportation to treatment, need of volunteers in Sumter help for appearance related and surrounding counties. side effects of treatment, nuOpportunities available for trition help, one-on-one you to use your time and talbreast cancer support, free ents to be of assistance inhousing away from home during treatment, help finding clude reading, musical talclinical trials, someone to talk ents, companionship, light to — all free from your Ameri- housekeeping, etc. Contact can Cancer Society. Call (800) Joyce Blanding at (803) 8835606 or hospicecareofsum227-2345. ter@yahoo.com.

The Rembert Area Community Agape Hospice is in need of volCoalition (RACC) offers a senior unteers. Whether your passion citizens program 10 a.m.-noon each Monday and Wednesday is baking, knitting, reading, singing, etc., Agape Hospice at 6785 Bradley St. (behind can find a place for you. Concommunity car wash), Rembert, SC 29128. Transportation tact Thandi Blanding at (803) 774-1075, (803) 260-3876 or tbis available. For details, call landing@agapsenior.com.

(803) 432-2001.

Sumter High School Class of 1975 Hospice Care of South Carolina is in need of volunteers in Sumter will hold a 40-year class reCounty. Do you have one union celebration May 29-31, extra hour a week? Opportu2015. Send all addresses to nities are available for pacindyd27@juno.com. tient/family companionship, Are you a breast cancer surviadministrative support, meal vor? Maggie L. Richardson is preparation, light household seeking other survivors to projects, student education form a music group and give back to the community. If you and various other tasks. Contact Whitney Rogers, regional are interested in joining, convolunteer coordinator, at tact her at mlrminstry2012@ (843) 409-7991 or whitney.roggmail.com or (803) 236-9086. ers@hospicecare.net.

Belly dancing classes are held at 6 p.m. every Monday at the Amedisys Hospice is in need of volunteers. Volunteer opportuParks and Recreation Departnities include 1) special projment, 155 Haynsworth St. ects of baking, sewing, knitOnly $20 per month. ting, crafts, carpentry and The Second (Indianhead) Diviyard work; 2) administrative/ sion Association is searching office duties of copying, light for anyone/everyone who filing and answering phones; served in the 2nd Infantry Diand 3) patient companionship vision. Visit the website at — develop one-on-one relawww.2ida.org or contact Mike tionships with hospice paDavino at MDavino@yahoo. tients (training provided free com or (919) 498-1910. of charge). Contact Rhoda Keefe, volunteer coordinator, Zumba classes will be held at at (803) 469-3047 or rhonda.

6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the Parks and keefe@amedisys.com.

Recreation building on HaynHospice Care of Tri-County is in sworth Street. Classes are $5 need of volunteers. Volunteers each and no registration is re- offer support, companionship quired. Contact Deanne Lewis and care to the caregiver by at zumbadeanne@gmail.com. running errands, reading to patients, listening and just The Palmetto Singles Club holds being there for patients who a dance from 7 to 10 p.m. on need companionship. All you the first and third Fridays of need is a willing heart and each month at the VFW on some time to give to others.

Gion Street. Call Sarah ShortNo medical background is reer at (803) 847-3288. quired. Hospice Care of TriSumter Area Toastmasters meets at 7 p.m. each Tuesday County will provide you with the tools you need to become at the Sumter Mall communia hospice volunteer. Call ty room, 1057 Broad St. The Carol Tindal at (803) 905-7720. group helps in developing

DAILY PLANNER

WEATHER TODAY

TONIGHT

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

Mostly sunny

Mainly clear

More clouds than sun

Some rain and a t-storm; cooler

Mostly cloudy

Mostly cloudy

59°

36°

60° / 40°

48° / 39°

53° / 38°

55° / 40°

Chance of rain: 5%

Chance of rain: 5%

Chance of rain: 5%

Chance of rain: 55%

Chance of rain: 25%

Chance of rain: 15%

ENE 3-6 mph

VAR 2-4 mph

NE 4-8 mph

ENE 7-14 mph

NE 7-14 mph

NNE 4-8 mph

TODAY’S SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Say what’s on your mind. Make travel plans that will allow you to spend time with the ones you love. You’ll find some interesting items to purchase, but be careful not to spend too much. Charity begins at home.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): You will face some uncertainty regarding your work or your relationship with one of your peers. Go above and beyond the call of duty and you will have less to worry about. Your effort will impress someone who can influence your future.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): You’ll come up with some excellent ideas that will please the ones you love.

Shopping for that special someone will pay off. Enjoy the festivities going on around you, or plan your own little gathering.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Travel, go shopping or spend time finishing last-minute projects that need to be put to rest before the year comes to a close. Don’t let an emotional situation at home paralyze you from following through with your plans.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Just say “yes.” Keep life simple, precise and free of drama. Holding things together is something you do well, and with friends and family feeling the stress that often surfaces at this time of year, your steadiness will be welcomed.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Listen attentively, but don’t sign up for something that isn’t in your best interest. What you do to help a cause will be impressive if you offer your time and expertise. Donations will soon be forgotten. Make a difference.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Emotions will surface and nostalgia will set in. Remember, the past year will bring both fond and sour memories. Do your best to digest what’s happened and reflect on the outcome before heading into the upcoming year.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Put your plans in motion. Tie up loose ends and prepare to make your way to a night out with friends or some family fun.

Decorating or making positive changes to your home will get you in a festive mood.

Gaffney 55/34 Spartanburg 57/36

Greenville 57/37

Columbia 60/36

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

IN THE MOUNTAINS

Sumter 59/36

Aiken 60/35

ON THE COAST

Charleston 63/40

Today: Mostly sunny. High 57 to 63.

Friday: Mostly cloudy, except increasing clouds in the north. High 57 to 65.

LOCAL ALMANAC

LAKE LEVELS

SUMTER THROUGH 4 P.M. YESTERDAY

Today Hi/Lo/W 59/39/pc 31/23/c 60/45/r 35/28/c 72/60/t 63/48/pc 70/56/c 44/33/pc 70/47/pc 44/33/pc 63/45/pc 61/54/c 46/34/pc

SUN AND MOON 7 a.m. yest.

356.77 73.65 73.40 95.75

24-hr chg +0.03 -0.06 -0.03 -0.15

Sunrise 7:22 a.m.

Moonrise 3:41 a.m.

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

trace 0.07" 1.73" 35.08" 48.46" 45.33"

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

63° 40° 56° 34° 76° in 1971 15° 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

Fri. Hi/Lo/W 60/45/c 33/26/c 53/37/r 35/26/pc 64/47/r 65/50/pc 71/55/r 40/30/s 72/54/pc 43/28/s 63/45/s 62/52/r 47/32/pc

Myrtle Beach 57/39

Manning 59/36

Today: Partly sunny. Winds light and variable. Mainly clear.

Friday: Variable cloudiness. Winds east 3-6 mph.

Temperature High Low Normal high Normal low Record high Record low

Florence 58/36

Bishopville 58/35

Sunset Moonset

5:15 p.m.

2:48 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 5.64 -0.27 19 4.07 +0.14 14 4.10 -0.09 14 3.56 +0.19 80 75.53 -0.01 24 5.97 -0.96

AT MYRTLE BEACH

Today Fri.

High 5:47 a.m.

5:50 p.m.

6:36 a.m.

6:41 p.m.

Ht. 3.0 2.7 3.2 2.8

Low 12:41 p.m.

--12:42 a.m.

1:32 p.m.

Ht. 0.4 --0.0 0.1

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

Today Hi/Lo/W 53/30/pc 59/36/pc 62/34/s 63/42/s 50/39/s 63/40/s 55/33/pc 59/37/pc 60/36/s 58/34/s 52/34/pc 56/36/s 55/34/s

Fri. Hi/Lo/W 52/36/c 60/41/c 64/42/c 65/48/c 50/37/s 64/45/c 56/38/pc 59/43/c 62/41/c 58/37/pc 51/33/s 55/37/pc 54/36/pc

Today City Hi/Lo/W Florence 58/36/s Gainesville 67/40/pc Gastonia 56/33/pc Goldsboro 53/35/s Goose Creek 63/40/s Greensboro 51/32/pc Greenville 57/37/pc Hickory 53/32/pc Hilton Head 59/46/s Jacksonville, FL 66/40/pc La Grange 63/36/pc Macon 62/36/pc Marietta 56/35/pc

Fri. Hi/Lo/W 59/39/pc 70/47/pc 56/38/pc 52/34/pc 64/44/c 51/34/pc 57/40/c 54/36/pc 61/52/c 68/47/c 64/45/r 64/43/c 58/42/c

Today City Hi/Lo/W Marion 54/30/pc Mt. Pleasant 62/42/s Myrtle Beach 57/39/s Orangeburg 61/38/s Port Royal 61/42/s Raleigh 52/33/pc Rock Hill 56/32/pc Rockingham 56/31/pc Savannah 65/41/s Spartanburg 57/36/pc Summerville 60/44/s Wilmington 58/35/s Winston-Salem 51/33/pc

Fri. Hi/Lo/W 54/37/c 63/47/c 58/42/pc 62/44/c 63/49/c 51/33/pc 57/37/pc 56/35/pc 68/49/c 56/41/c 61/49/c 56/37/pc 51/35/pc

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

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

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Re-evaluate EUGENIA LAST your relationships with others. It’s best to make needed changes before the year comes to a close. New beginnings will motivate you to take charge of your life and head in a direction that will make you happy.

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2014

AccuWeather® five-day forecast for Sumter

PUBLIC AGENDA

The last word in astrology

THE SUMTER ITEM

803-795-4257

LOTTERY NUMBERS PALMETTO CASH 5 WEDNESDAY

MEGAMILLIONS TUESDAY

3-7-13-17-33 PowerUp: 4

41-58-68-72-73 Megaball: 1 Megaplier: 5

PICK 3 WEDNESDAY

PICK 4 WEDNESDAY

1-1-7 and 8-8-4

4-9-9-7 and 0-0-0-8

POWERBALL numbers were unavailable at press time.

PICTURES FROM THE PUBLIC

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Put more effort into tidying up loose ends and clearing up both professional and emotional matters that have been playing on your mind. Romance will help you clarify your feelings and enhance your personal future. Love is in the stars.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Keep your emotions in check. Now is not the time to bring up uncertainties regarding a partnership. Step back and take a moment to rethink how you should move forward. Strive for equality and you will find happiness.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Wanting to help those less fortunate is admirable, but do so by offering your time or services, not your hard-earned cash. Impulse purchases or donations will leave you in a precarious economic position when payments are due.

Love is on the rise.

Alyce Bender shares a photo she took during the Camden Revolutionary War Reenactment this year.

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 self-addressed, stamped envelope for return of your photo. Amateur photographers only please.

SECTION

FSU headed to familiar destination

B

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2014

B4

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

PREP BASKETBALL

Successful springboard TSA girls ready for transition to 3A after state runner-up finish

BY JUSTIN DRIGGERS justin@theitem.com Last season’s Thomas Sumter Academy girls basketball team followed a near-perfect script – one most head coaches likely envision before the year begins.

“We had some struggles early in the year, but we started playing better and better and we were playing our best basketball at the end of the season,” TSA head coach B.J. Reed said. “That’s what you want to do – to be playing well at the end of the year and it led us to the state finals.”

The Lady Generals fell a game short of the SCISA 2A state crown, but their championship run likely provided a solid springboard into this season with a return to 3A competition.

TSA brings back seven players from last year’s state runner-up squad, including five returning seniors and three returning starters.

“We’re looking for that experience to help guide us through this transition,” Reed said. “We’re facing new teams and we’re facing very talented teams. We have to be prepared to play at this level every night.”

The overall level of talent is a step up, Reed said, putting fundamentals into focus a lot more on any given night.

SUMTER ITEM FILE PHOTO

Thomas Sumter Academy’s Taylor Knudson, right, is one of five returning seniors and three returning starters from last year’s SCISA 2A state SEE SPRINGBOARD, PAGE B4 tournament runner-up squad. The Lady Generals, off to a 6-2 start, make the jump to 3A this season with a deep bench of a dozen players.

Starting fresh

USC BASKETBALL

Top-ranked Carolina rolls Hampton

Generals move up with little returning experience

BY JUSTIN DRIGGERS justin@theitem.com With four starters gone from last season’s SCISA 2A state tournament semifinal squad, Thomas Sumter Academy boys basketball head coach Morgan Watt knew experience wasn’t going to be on the Generals’ side during their move up to 3A this season.

Injuries and illness have hampered things as well, and the Christmas break couldn’t have come at a better time for TSA. “Hopefully we’ll be able to get healthy by January,” Watt said. “We’ve had the flu and some things going around and some other injuries, so with only nine guys on the roster, it makes it difficult to do certain things in practice when a couple of them are out.”

Still, Watt believes the 2-5 Generals have the potential

Carolina quarterback Cam Newton practiced on Wednesday for the first time since being involved in a car crash eight days ago.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

to be playing their best basketball by the time region comes around.

“We’ve got a good group of players,” he said.

“We’re just still learning and still adjusting. We’re not going to have the size we’ve had the last few years, which hurts in 3A, but we can use our speed and athleticism to our advantage.”

TSA lost 6-foot-7-inch Carlton Washington and point guard Jordan Smith to graduation, and the Generals’ biggest player physically is likely new point guard Austin Hudson at 6-1, 185, Watt said.

“That’s one of the things I’ve noticed playing in 3A is that other teams usually have a couple players around 6-3, 220,” he said.

“So we’re going to have to rely on our quickness to get things done.”

SEE FRESH, PAGE B4

BY HANK KURZ JR. The Associated Press

SUMTER ITEM FILE PHOTO

Thomas Sumter Academy senior Tanner Brunson, left, is the lone returning starter off last year’s Generals squad that made it to the 2A semifinals. TSA moves up to 3A this season.

PRO FOOTBALL

Panthers’ Newton practices eight days after car crash

BY STEVE REED The Associated Press CHARLOTTE — Cam Newton returned to practice Wednesday eight days after a horrific-looking automobile accident left him with two fractures in his lower back.

Whether or not he starts Sunday

against the Cleveland Browns remains unclear.

Panthers coach Ron Rivera said the team put Newton through a “rigorous” rehab schedule and will now wait to see how much soreness the fourth-year quarterback has on

SEE NEWTON, PAGE B3

HAMPTON, Va. — Tiffany Mitchell made six 3-pointers and scored 20 points, and No. 1 South Carolina beat Hampton 69-49 on Wednesday night.

The Gamecocks (10-0) took command with a 19-5 firsthalf run and held a 29-9 rebounding edge at halftime, but they led by just 54-39 before scoring the next 12 points to put the game away. Bianca Cuevas started and finished the burst with a pair of 3-pointers, extending the lead MITCHELL to a comfortable 66-39.

Cuevas, Alaina Coates and A’Ja Wilson each added 12 points for South Carolina.

Malia Tate-DeFreitas led Hampton (3-6) with 19 points and Kyani White had 11. The Lady Pirates, winners of the last five Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournaments, shot just 34.6 percent (18-52) and were outrebounded 48-21.

The game was tied at 14 with 12 minutes left in the first half before the Gamecocks pulled away.

Wilson scored six points and Mitchell had five in a 19-5 run that spanned nine minutes. Hampton missed 13 of 15 shots during the dry spell, with Tate-DeFreitas accounting for both made baskets.

Hampton trailed 37-25 at halftime, and was still in striking distance until the Gamecocks’ 12-0 run late in the second half.

B2

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SPORTS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2014

SCOREBOARD

Miami N.Y. Jets SOUTH

TV, RADIO

y-Indianapolis Houston Tennessee Jacksonville NORTH

TODAY

1 p.m. -- College Football: NCAA Division III Tournament Semifinal Game -- Wesley at Mount Union (ESPNU).

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

7 p.m. -- College Basketball: Seton Hall at South Florida (CBS SPORTS NETWORK).

7 p.m. -- Women’s College Volleyball: NCAA Tournament Semifinal Match from Oklahoma City -- Brigham Young vs. Texas (ESPN2).

7 p.m. -- College Basketball: Cleveland State at Virginia (ESPNU).

7 p.m. -- NHL Hockey: Toronto at Carolina (FOX SPORTSOUTH).

8 p.m. -- College Basketball: Connecticut vs. Duke from East Rutherford, N.J. (ESPN).

8 p.m. -- NFL Football: Tennessee at Jacksonville (NFL NETWORK, WWFNFM 100.1, WNKT-FM 107.5).

8 p.m. -- College Basketball: Coastal Carolina at Mississippi (SEC NETWORK).

8 p.m. -- NBA Basketball: New York at Chicago (TNT).

9:30 p.m. -- Women’s College Volleyball: NCAA Tournament Semifinal Match from Oklahoma City -- Penn State vs. Stanford (ESPN2).

10:30 p.m. -- NBA Basketball: Oklahoma City at Golden State (TNT).

COLLEGE FOOTBALL The Associated Press FBS BOWL GLANCE

Saturday, Dec. 20 New Orleans Bowl Nevada (7-5) vs. Louisiana-Lafayette (8-4), 11 a.m. (ESPN) New Mexico Bowl At Albuquerque UTEP (7-5) vs. Utah State (9-4), 2:20 p.m. (ESPN) Las Vegas Bowl Colorado State (10-2) vs. Utah (8-4), 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)

FCS SEMIFINALS

Friday, Dec. 19 or Saturday, Dec. 20 New Hampshire (12-1) vs. Illinois State (12-1), TBA North Dakota State (13-1) vs. Sam Houston State (11-4), TBA Championship Saturday, Jan. 10 At FC Dallas Stadium Frisco, Texas Semifinal winners, 1 p.m.

NCAA DIVISION II

Semifinals Saturday, Dec. 13 Minnesota State-(Mankato) 47, Concord (W.Va.) 13 Colorado State-Pueblo 10, West Georgia 7 Championship Saturday, Dec. 20 At Sporting Park Kansas City, Kan. Minnesota State-(Mankato) (14-0) vs.

Colorado State-Pueblo (13-1), 4 p.m.

NCAA DIVISION III

Semifinals Saturday, Dec. 13 Mount Union 70, Wesley 21 Wisconsin-Whitewater 20, Linfield 14 Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl Friday, Dec. 19 At Salem Stadium Salem, Va. Mount Union (14-0) vs. WisconsinWhitewater (14-0), 7 p.m.

NAIA FOOTBALL PLAYOFF GLANCE

Semifinals Saturday, Dec. 6 Marian (Ind.) 41, Morningside (Iowa) 21 Southern Oregon 62, Saint Xavier (Ill.) 37 Championship Friday, Dec. 19 At Municipal Stadium Daytona Beach, Fla. Marian (Ind.) (11-2) vs. Southern Oregon (12-2), 3 p.m.

NBA STANDINGS

By The Associated Press EASTERN CONFERENCE ATLANTIC DIVISION W Toronto 19 Brooklyn 10 Boston 8 New York 5 Philadelphia 2 SOUTHEAST DIVISION W Washington 18 Atlanta 17 Miami 12 Orlando 10 Charlotte 6 CENTRAL DIVISION W Chicago 15 Cleveland 14 Milwaukee 13 Indiana 8 Detroit 5

L 6 13 14 22 22

Pct GB .760 – .435 8 .364 91/2 .185 15 .083 161/2

L 6 7 13 17 18

Pct .750 .708 .480 .370 .250

L 9 9 12 17 20

Pct GB .625 – .609 1/2 .520 21/2 .320 71/2 .200 101/2

GB – 1 61/2 91/2 12

WESTERN CONFERENCE SOUTHWEST DIVISION W Memphis 20 Houston 18 Dallas 18 San Antonio 17 New Orleans 12 NORTHWEST DIVISION W Portland 19 Oklahoma City 12 Denver 10 Utah 6 Minnesota 5 PACIFIC DIVISION W Golden State 21 L.A. Clippers 17 Phoenix 12 Sacramento 11 L.A. Lakers 8

L 4 5 8 8 12

Pct .833 .783 .692 .680 .500

GB – 11/2 3 31/2 8

L 6 13 14 19 19

Pct GB .760 – .480 7 .417 81/2 .240 13 .208 131/2

L 3 7 14 14 17

Pct GB .875 – .708 4 .462 10 .440 101/2 .320 131/2

TUESDAY’S GAMES

Washington 109, Minnesota 95 Miami 95, Brooklyn 91 New Orleans 119, Utah 111 Memphis 105, Golden State 98 Dallas 107, New York 87 Oklahoma City 104, Sacramento 92

WEDNESDAY’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.

TODAY’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.

NFL STANDINGS

By The Associated Press AMERICAN CONFERENCE EAST W L T Pct PF PA y-New England 113 0 .786 442 280 Buffalo 8 6 0 .571 302 254

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

7 7 0 .500 327 301 3 11 0 .214 230 360 WL 10 4 7 7 2 12 2 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

WL 11 3 8 6 8 6 2 12

T 0 0 0 0

Pct .786 .571 .571 .143

PF 407 322 303 213

PA 303 254 294 381

NATIONAL CONFERENCE EAST WL 10 4 9 5 5 9 3 11

T 0 0 0 0

Pct .714 .643 .357 .214

PF 381 416 317 257

PA 328 347 339 370

WL 6 8 5 8 5 9 2 12

T 0 1 0 0

Pct .429 .393 .357 .143

PF 364 288 348 254

PA 374 358 369 367

WL 10 4 10 4 6 8 5 9

T 0 0 0 0

Pct .714 .714 .429 .357

PF 281 436 277 296

PA 238 325 297 409

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

Pct .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

TODAY

Tennessee at Jacksonville, 8:25 p.m.

SATURDAY

Philadelphia at Washington, 4:30 p.m.

San Diego at San Francisco, 8:25 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 21 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 GP W Tampa Bay 33 20 Montreal 32 20 Detroit 32 17 Toronto 31 19 Florida 29 13 Boston 31 15 Ottawa 30 12 Buffalo 32 13 METROPOLITAN DIVISION GP W Pittsburgh 30 20 N.Y. Islanders 31 21 N.Y. Rangers 29 15 Washington 30 14 Columbus 30 13 New Jersey 32 11 Philadelphia 30 11 Carolina 30 8

L OT 10 3 10 2 7 8 9 3 8 8 13 3 12 6 17 2

Pts GF GA 43 110 87 42 87 80 42 92 80 41 109 87 34 66 75 33 78 81 30 80 86 28 62 100

L OT 6 4 10 0 10 4 10 6 15 2 15 6 14 5 19 3

Pts 44 42 34 34 28 28 27 19

GF GA 98 71 99 89 89 79 86 81 72 95 74 94 80 90 62 87

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

GP 32 31 30 32 29 29 30

W 22 21 20 16 16 11 10

L OT 9 1 8 2 8 2 10 6 12 1 13 5 13 7

Pts GF GA 45 100 64 44 94 72 42 81 59 38 78 75 33 84 75 27 85 103 27 78 98

GP W L OT Pts GF GA Anaheim 33 21 7 5 47 97 89 Vancouver 30 18 10 2 38 89 86 San Jose 32 17 11 4 38 90 82 Los Angeles 32 15 11 6 36 84 78 Calgary 33 17 14 2 36 97 90 Arizona 31 11 16 4 26 72 100 Edmonton 32 7 19 6 20 66 106 NOTE: Two points for a win, one point for overtime loss.

TUESDAY’S GAMES

Columbus 1, Detroit 0, SO Florida 2, Washington 1, SO Nashville 3, Boston 2, SO Tampa Bay 3, Philadelphia 1 Toronto 6, Anaheim 2 Montreal 4, Carolina 1 St. Louis 5, Los Angeles 2 Winnipeg 5, Buffalo 1 Chicago 5, Minnesota 3 N.Y. Rangers 5, Calgary 2 Arizona 2, Edmonton 1, OT

WEDNESDAY’S GAMES

Ottawa at New Jersey, 7 p.m.

Boston at Minnesota, 8 p.m.

Dallas at Vancouver, 10 p.m.

TODAY’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 The Associated Press BASEBALL

American League BOSTON RED SOX — Acquired RHP Anthony Varvaro from Atlanta Braves for RHP Aaron Kurcz and cash considerations.

SEATTLE MARINERS — Acquired OF Justin Ruggiano from the Chicago Cubs for RHP Matt Brazis. Designated RHP Logan Bawcom for assignment.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS — Agreed to terms with OF Ryan Kalish on a minor league contract.

National League CHICAGO CUBS — Named Dave Keller minor league Latin America field coordinator; Tom Beyers minor league assistant hitting coordinator; Rey Fuentes Latin coordinator-mental skills program; Darnell McDonald mental skills program coordinator; Mike Cather pitching coach and Leo Perez assistant hitting coach for Iowa (PCL); Guillermo Martinez assistant hitting coach for Tennessee (SL); Mark Johnson manager, David Rosario pitching coach and Chris Gutierrez assistant hitting coach for Myrtle Beach (Carolina); Jimmy Gonzalez manager, Brian Lawrence pitching coach, Jesus Feliciano hitting coach and Osmin Melendez assistant hitting coach for South Bend (MWL); Anderson Tavares pitching coach, Ricardo Medina hitting coach, Terrmel Sledge assistant hitting coach and Mike McNulty trainer for Eugene (NWL); Carmelo Martinez manager, Ron Villone pitching coach, Oscar Bernard hitting coach, Ty Wright assistant hitting coach and Toby Williams trainer for Mesa (Arizona); Armando Gabino pitching coach and Claudio Almonte hitting coach for the Dominican Rookie team; and Eduardo Villacis pitching coach for the Venezuelan rookie team.

MIAMI MARLINS — Agreed to terms INF/OF Michael Morse on a two-year contract.

SAN DIEGO PADRES — Agreed to terms with RHP Brandon Morrow on a one-year contract. Designated LHP Juan Oramas for assignment.

THE SUMTER ITEM

AREA ROUNDUP

Ceasar’s 20 points lead CHS past Scott’s Branch Cawasha Ceasar poured in 20 points to help lead the Crestwood varsity girls basketball team to a 76-36 victory over Scott’s Branch on Wednesday at The Castle.

Tyana Saunders nearly pulled off a triple-double, finishing with 12 points, 10 rebounds and six assists.

Destinee Jamison added nine points for the Lady Knights while Shaquanda Miller-McCray scored eight points and had six blocks.

CHS will travel to Timmonsville on Friday.

CRESTWOOD Ceasar 20, Saunders 12, Jamison 9, Miller-McCray 8, Bolden 8, Murphy 6, Martin 5, Cole 4, Cabbagestalk 2, Whitfield 1.

JV BOYS BASKETBALL

with 11 points.

MIDDLE SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL LEE CENTRAL 48 MAYEWOOD 10

BISHOPVILLE – Brynasia Wesley scored 17 points as Lee Central Middle School earned a 48-10 victory over Mayewood on Wednesday at the LC gymnasium.

Robionne Myers added 14 points for the Lady Stallions, who improved to 5-0.

VARSITY BOYS BASKETBALL

LAURENCE MANNING 41

CRESTWOOD 58

FLORENCE CHRISTIAN 35 FLORENCE – Laurence Manning Academy defeated Florence Christian School 41-35 on Tuesday at the FCS gymnasium.

Kaela Johnson led the Lady Swampcats with 12 points. Cora Lee Downer finished with 11 and Courtney Beatson had seven points and 11 rebounds.

SCOTT’S BRANCH 47

JV GIRLS BASKETBALL

Ja Morant scored 26 points and Devin Nelson added 21 as Crestwood earned a 58-47 victory over Scott’s Branch on Wednesday at The Castle.

The Knights improved to 7-2 overall and will travel to Timmonsville on Friday.

CRESTWOOD Morant 26, Nelson 21, Thomas 5, Jennings 4, Brailsford 2.

LAKEWOOD 73

FLORENCE CHRISTIAN 30

CAMDEN 64

LAURENCE MANNING 20 FLORENCE – Florence Christian School defeated Laurence Manning Academy 30-20 on Tuesday at the FCS gymnasium.

Olivia Coker led LMA

CAMDEN – Lakewood High School defeated Camden 73-64 on Tuesday at the Camden gymnasium.

Daquan Tindal led the Gators with 16 points. Jarvis Johnson added 12.

LEE CENTRAL 46 CRESTWOOD 37

BISHOPVILLE – Crestwood High School fell to 0-4 with a 46-37 loss to Lee Central on Tuesday at the Lee Central gymnasium.

Rakeem Massingill led the Knights with 12 points. Carl Benjamin added six.

B TEAM BOYS BASKETBALL CRESTWOOD 35 WESTWOOD 33

BLYTHEWOOD – Crestwood High School defeated Westwood 35-33 on Tuesday at the Westwood gymnasium.

Tyrese Felder led the Knights with 17 points.

MIDDLE SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL LEE CENTRAL 60 MAYEWOOD 40

BISHOPVILLE – Javonte McCloud scored 17 points as Lee Central Middle School defeated Maywood 60-40 on Wednesday at the LC gymnasium.

Deavlo Halley had a double-double of 14 points and 15 rebounds while Rashien Lyded added 12 points for the Stallions, who improved to 4-1.

USC FOOTBALL

Brown’s focus on bowl, not coaching rumors

BY WILLIE T. SMITH Greenville News COLUMBIA — University of South Carolina secondary coach Grady Brown had heard the rumors.

Whether or not he or any of USC’s other assistant coaches have a job following the Duck Commander Independence Bowl on Dec. 27, he refuses to stress.

“I don’t ride the rollercoaster,” Brown said after practice Tuesday. “That’s just for life in general. I just do the best I can with what I have and with the opportunities I’m given. That’s BROWN my mannerism. It is part of the business. It’s never easy.

Winning 11 games is not easy.”

It has been a difficult time for USC assistants, particularly on defense, where the Gamecocks plummeted from No. 19 in 2013 to No. 91 in 2014 among FBS programs. The rumors of the possible removal of several assistants and 69-year-old head coach Steve Spurrier’s comments suggesting he may retire in two to three years have kept the staff

hopping.

Brown got a call Tuesday from highly regarded cornerback Mark Fields of Charlotte to inform USC he was backing out of his commitment to the school.

He is the sixth recruit to withdraw a commitment from the 2015 class that was once ranked No. 2 nationally.

After spending a few weeks on the road attempting to calm recruits’ fears, Brown was happy to be back at the Proving Grounds to get his unit ready to compete against Miami.

Brown, who recruits in South Florida, will have two freshmen cornerbacks from the area competing in the backfield.

“At the end of the day, we’re fortunate to be in a bowl game,” Brown said. “We’re 6-6 and we’re bowl-eligible, so I could care less about where we’re playing. I’m excited about having an opportunity to play one more game and have a handful of more practices.

“But playing a team like Miami with such a rich tradition, I know I was excited when I saw we were playing Miami. I’d like to think the players are excited as well.”

BASKETBALL ROUNDUP

Thomas, Dragic lead Suns over Hornets CHARLOTTE — Reserve Isaiah Thomas scored 23 points, Goran Dragic had 20 and the Phoenix Suns snapped a six-game losing streak with a 111-106 victory over the struggling Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night.

Thomas was THOMAS 7 of 13 from the field and had two key free throws in the final minute as Phoenix erased an early 17-point deficit.

Dragic, who missed the last two games with a back injury, played 38 minutes and shot 8 of 17. Gerald Green had 16 points off the bench and Eric Bledsoe chipped in with 15 for the Suns.

Al Jefferson had 28 points and 10 rebounds for Charlotte, while Kemba Walker scored 27 points before going cold in the final three minutes. The Hornets have

lost four straight games.

Charlotte fell to 1-11 against Western Conference teams.

HAWKS 127 CLEVELAND 98

CLEVELAND — Shelvin Mack scored a career-high 24 points and the Atlanta Hawks routed the Cleveland Cavaliers 127-98 Wednesday night for their 11th victory in 12 games.

Mack, a reserve guard who came in averaging 3.8 points, made all six of his 3-pointers as the Hawks went 16 for 28 from behind the arc.

The Hawks, playing without leading scorer Jeff Teague, avenged a 127-94 loss in Cleveland on Nov. 15, when the Cavaliers were 9 for 9 on 3s in the first quarter and made their first 11 from beyond the arc.

LeBron James scored 21 points but didn’t play in the fourth quarter. Dion Waiters also had 21 for the Cavaliers, who have lost three of four

since winning eight straight.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL (12) OHIO STATE 97 NORTH CAROLINA A&T 55 COLUMBUS, Ohio — D’Angelo Russell scored 21 points and Marc Loving had 15, leading No. 12 Ohio State to a 97-55 victory over North Carolina A&T on Wednesday night.

Shannon Scott added 12 assists, while Kam Williams had 15 points in the second half for the Buckeyes (9-1) in the game played before an announced crowd of 14,585 at Nationwide Arena.

JACKSONVILLE 68 GARDNER-WEBB 65

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — J.R. Holder scored 16 points and Jacksonville rallied in the second half, scoring the last four points of the game, to defeat GardnerWebb 68-65 on Wednesday.

From wire reports

PRO FOOTBALL

THE SUMTER ITEM

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2014

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B3

Lindley to start for Cardinals vs. ‘Hawks

BY BOB BAUM The Associated Press TEMPE, Ariz. — Five weeks removed from the San Diego practice squad, Ryan Lindley will start at quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals against Seattle on Sunday night.

Coach Bruce Arians announced the decision Monday following the team’s practice, with experience the deciding factor in choosing Lindley over rookie Logan Thomas in what figures to be the biggest game of the Cardinals’ season.

Arians said he will have a package for Thomas in the game plan and both quarterbacks might see action.

Lindley came on in relief when Drew Stanton went down with a knee injury in Thursday night’s 12-6 victory at St. Louis.

Asked what he said to Lindley when he told him he’d start against Seattle, Arians said, “Go sling it baby. Go have fun.

You’re here for a reason. You’re only on this team because you’re talented enough to be here. You have everything it takes to win the game.”

The stakes for Sunday night’s game are enormous.

The Cardinals, a playoff berth already assured, can clinch the NFC’s No. 1 playoff seed with a win. That would mean all potential playoff games would be at home, including the Super Bowl, since it’s to be played at University of Phoenix Stadium A loss would leave the

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Arizona head coach Bruce Arians, left, will have to rely on third-string quarterback Ryan Lindley (14) to lead the Cardinals in a NFC West bout against defending Super Bowl champion Seattle on Sunday after the team’s first two QBs went down with injuries. teams tied for first in the NFC West, with Seattle holding the tiebreaker by virtue of two wins over Arizona. If the teams were still tied at the end of the regular season the following week, Arizona

NEWTON FROM PAGE B1 Thursday. Rivera wouldn’t say definitively if he’ll start Newton or Derek Anderson in a game with playoff implications for the Panthers (5-8-1).

The Panthers are a half-game behind the New Orleans Saints in the NFC South with two games remaining.

“Come Friday I want to have a good feel for him,” Rivera said. “I don’t want to let it drag or linger. We want our quarterbacks to know who’s getting the reps if they’re going to be the starter.”

Newton, wearing a long sleeve black shirt under his red practice jersey and a helmet, was limited in practice according to the team’s injury report and split reps with the first team with Anderson. Rivera said Newton looked good throwing, even heaving a few balls more than 60 yards downfield.

Rivera said Newton could see an increased workload this week if he feels good.

Rivera repeatedly said Thursday is “a big day” for Newton.

“They put him through some very rigorous stuff today with the intention to stress (the back) and see how he feels,” Rivera said.

Newton did not address the media, but is scheduled to talk on Thursday.

While sitting as his locker Wednesday, Newton was asked how he felt and pretended to zip his lip as he smiled at reporters. He said nothing of his injury.

“I thought he looked pretty good and move around normally,” tight end Greg Olsen said of Newton.

Olsen said he doesn’t anticipate Carolina’s game plan changing much if Newton doesn’t play, and said the uncertainty over who is starting shouldn’t affect the team’s preparation.

“Both guys have been in this offense long enough and it doesn’t matter,” Olsen said. “So if we haven’t gotten it by now, we’ll never get it.”

Newton missed last week’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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would be relegated to a wild card berth.

“Knowing that we’re in, there’s some comfort,” Arians said, “but knowing what’s at stake, we don’t want to travel to play.”

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With their quarterback issues, the Cardinals are 7½point underdogs at home against the Seahawks.

Arians said he could care less what others think about this game.

“The only one that needs to believe is that locker room,” he said, “and they believe it.

They saw it on the practice field today, and they’ll see it all week. Like I said, it’s easy to be written off. We’ve been written off all year.”

Arizona is 7-0 at home this season and 13-2 since Arians arrived.

Stanton’s sprained right knee is the latest in a long list of injuries that have hit the team.

Arians estimated Stanton would be back in two to four weeks. The quarterback was riding an exercise bike in the brief portion of practice open to reporters.

Stanton took over as starter after Carson Palmer went down with a season-ending knee injury, also against St. Louis, on Nov. 9. Two days later, Arizona signed Lindley off the Chargers practice squad.

Lindley was Arizona’s No. 3 quarterback, behind Palmer and Stanton, last season.

But the team drafted Thomas in the fourth round and he took the No. 3 spot from Lindley in the preseason.

Now, Thomas finds himself playing behind the quarterback he had beaten out.

“Obviously, you’ve got to be

after flipping his truck in a two-vehicle wreck on Dec. 9. Newton suffered two transverse process fractures and was hospitalized overnight after the crash.

The fourth-year quarterback is 3-8-1 this season as Carolina’s starter. Anderson is 2-0 with both wins coming against the Buccaneers (2-11).

Browns coach Mike Pettine is preparing as if Newton will start at quarterback. He said the more athletic Newton poses more problems from a preparation standpoint than Anderson.

“The things they do with Cam with the quarterback runs and the options and the things you won’t necessarily see when Derek is in there,” Pettine said. “They just pose more problems schematically. So it’s obviously in our best interest to prepare for him.”

Anderson said he expects Newton will try to start if he feels healthy enough to play.

“It’s out of my control,” Anderson said. “I have to be tuned in and have a very good understanding of what

‘Go sling it baby. Go have fun. You’re here for a reason You’re only on this team because you’re talented enough to be here. You have everything it takes to win the game.’

BRUCE ARIANS Arizona Cardinals head coach on his advice to third-string quarterback Ryan Lindley a little disappointed,” he said.

“You’ve waited your entire time to be that person. I understand completely that it’s Ryan’s time, Ryan’s turn, whatever it may be, but I’ll be the No. 1 fan and then when it’s my turn I’ve got to make my plays.”

Lindley was not in the locker room when reporters were allowed there on Monday.

Safety Tyrann Mathieu practiced and is expected to play after missing two games with a broken thumb. He will play with a cast.

“I wasn’t going to miss this one,” he said.

we’re going to do and understanding their defense and what they’re trying to do to us. If I am called upon to play, I will play.”

Anderson left Cleveland in March of 2010 under tense circumstances.

The Browns released him two years after he appeared in his first and only Pro Bowl.

After his hasty departure, Anderson sent an email to The News-Herald in Cleveland that read: “The fans are ruthless and don’t deserve a winner. I will never forget getting cheered when I was injured. I know at times I wasn’t great. I hope and pray I’m playing when my team comes to town and (we) roll them.”

If Anderson starts on Sunday it will be his first against his former team.

Anderson described his experience in Cleveland on Wednesday as “up and down” and “wonderful at times.”

“I said some things I regret saying before I left,” Anderson said. “But it’s over with and I’ve moved on. I’m happy. I wasn’t in a great place when I left. I’m in a lot better place now.”

To all our Customers, Friends, and Families

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year From all of us at

BILTON LINCOLN

The business office will be closed December 24th, December 25th and January 1.

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

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B4

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SPORTS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2014

THE SUMTER ITEM

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Rose Bowl familiar setting for FSU

BY BRENT KALLESTAD The Associated Press TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Second-ranked and undefeated Florida State begins its postseason quest for a second consecutive national championship in the same stadium it won the title a year ago: The Rose Bowl.

The Seminoles, No. 3 in the College Football Playoff rankings, are riding a 29-game winning streak and intent on proving that a season-long run of close wins has galvanized them for their semifinal showdown against the No. 3 Oregon Ducks (No. 2, CFP).

Although the game is being played in the heart of Pac 12 country in Pasadena, California, Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher believes returning to the site where he won his first national title as a coach and the school won its third, has advantages.

“It is good you know where you are going to be, the kind of stadium it is and the weather,” Fisher said. “Hey, when you’re on the road, whoever is there, that’s who we’re going to play.”

With a semifinal victory, the Seminoles would return Dallas and the stadium where they opened the season with a win over Oklahoma State.

But first things first and

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston and the Seminoles will be in familiar territory when they face off against No. 2 Oregon on New Years Day in the Rose Bowl. that’s Oregon.

The New Year’s Day game against the Ducks is full of intriguing storylines, including a showdown between the last two Heisman Trophy winners — quarterbacks Marcus Mariota of Oregon and Florida State’s Jameis Winston.

Barring any practice injuries over the next two weeks, the Seminoles will be the healthiest they’ve been all season for Oregon. Fisher is also optimistic that defensive tackle Nile Lawrence-Stample will be ready for

the game after missing most of the season with a pectoral injury.

“He’s a heckuva player now,” Fisher said. “He was fixing to have a great year.”

Winston, who has overcome several shaky starts this season to lead second-half comeback wins, is among several Seminoles taking advantage of the layoff to heal from nagging injuries. The quarterback is also awaiting a decision following a student code of conduct disciplinary hearing that concluded

Eastern Washington’s Adams, SDSU’s Zenner lead list of FCS All-Americans

BY RALPH D. RUSSO The Associated Press Vernon Adams only needed to play 10 games for Eastern Washington to become an All-American.

Adams was chosen the first-team quarterback for The Associated Press FCS All-America team released Wednesday after a remarkable — yet abbreviated — season.

The junior broke his foot against Idaho State on Oct. 4 and missed four games.

Because he missed so much time, Adams doesn’t qualify to rank among the NCAA leaders in per game averages. If he did, he’d be leading FCS in total offense (376.8), yards passing (348.3) and points responsible for (24.8). He is second in touchdown passes with 35 and would be second in passer efficiency rating (169.2).

Adams was rolling toward the Walter Payton Award as the nation’s best FCS player when he got hurt. He ended up finishing as the runner-up for the second straight season.

Villanova quarterback John Robertson was the Payton award and is a second-team All-American.

Adams and Eastern Washington were eliminated 59-46 in the FCS quarterfinals by Illinois State last week. Adams threw for 425 yards and accounted for four touchdowns.

Here are a few more things to know about the FCS All-America team: THREE OF A KIND

Three-time defending national champion North Dakota State and Eastern Washington each had three players on the first team, the most of any school.

The Bison are represented by defensive end Kyle Emanuel, the Buck Buchanan Award winner as the top defensive player in FCS, along with offensive lineman Joe Haeg and defensive back Colten Heagle.

Adams is joined on the first team by his favorite receiver, Cooper Kupp, and offensive lineman Jake Rodgers.

STANDING OUT

Stetson defensive back

FCS ALL-AMERICA TEAM The Associated Press FIRST TEAM OFFENSE Quarterback — Vernon Adams, junior, 6-foot, 200 pounds, Eastern Washington.

Running backs — Zach Zenner, senior, 6-0, 220, South Dakota State; Marshaun Coprich, junior, 5-9, 205, Illinois State.

Linemen — Collin Seibert, senior, 6-4, 277, Eastern Illinois; Jake Rummells, senior, 6-5, 301, Northern Iowa; Cole Carruthers, senior, 6-4, 292, Central Arkansas; Joe Haeg, junior, 6-6, 299, North Dakota State; Jake Rodgers, senior, 6-6, 315, Eastern Washington.

Tight end — MyCole Pruitt, senior, 6-3, 255, Southern Illinois.

Wide receivers — Cooper Kupp, sophomore, 6-2, 195, Eastern Washington; R.J. Harris, senior, 6-0, 201, New Hampshire.

All-purpose player — Johnta’ Hebert, junior, 5-10, 195, Prairie View A&M. Kicker — Michael Schmadeke, junior, 5-10, 181, Northern Iowa.

DEFENSE Linemen — Kyle Emanuel, senior, 6-3, 251, senior, North Dakota State; Zack Wagenmann, senior, 6-3, 250, Montana; Davis Tull, senior, 6-3, 240, Chattanooga; Javon Hargrave, junior, 6-2, 295, South Carolina State.

Linebackers — Don Cherry, junior, 6-1, 221, Villanova; Nick Dzubnar, senior, 6-2, 250, Cal Poly; Quinn Backus, senior, 5-10, 215, Coastal Carolina.

Backs — Donald Payne, sophomore, 6-0, 205, Stetson; Jacob Hagen, senior, 6-3, 205, Liberty; Caleb Schaffitzel, senior, 6-0, 217, Missouri State; Colten Heagle, senior, 5-11, 206, North Dakota State.

Punter — Kyle Loomis, senior, 6-2, 230, Portland State.

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE Quarterback — John Robertson, junior, Villanova.

Running backs — Tyler Varga, senior, Yale; Gus Johnson, senior, Stephen F. Austin.

Linemen — Chad Hamilton, senior, Coastal Carolina; Ronald Canty, senior, North Carolina A&T; Mike Coccia, redshirt freshman, New Hampshire; Max Holcombe, junior, Jacksonville State; Antoine Everett, senior, McNeese State.

Tight end — Seth Cranfill, senior, Gardner-Webb.

Donald Payne is the first player from his school to be selected All-American. He has been a one-man wrecking crew for the Hatters (57). The sophomore has 174 tackles this season, most of any player at any level in the NCAA. He also tied an NCAA all-division record with 30 tackles in Stetson’s 28-22 victory against Campbell.

BIG AGAINST THE BIG BOYS

South Dakota State running back Zach Zenner is an All-American for the second straight season. The senior has 2,019 yards and 22 touchdowns and he hasn’t just piled up yards against the easy spots on the Jackrabbits schedule.

Zenner started the season with 107 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 17 car-

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Wide receivers — De’Andre Carter, senior, Sacramento State; Jake Wieneke, freshman, South Dakota State.

All-purpose player — Ed Eagan, junior, Northwestern State.

Kicker — Justin Syrovatka, senior, South Dakota State.

DEFENSE Linemen — Devaunte Sigler, junior, Jacksonville State; Zack Hodges, senior, Harvard; Mike Reilly, senior, William & Mary; James Cowser, junior, Southern Utah.

Linebackers — Evan Byers, senior, Bucknell; Connor Underwood, junior, Indiana State; Lynden Trail, senior, Norfolk State.

Backs — Jaquiski Tartt, senior, Samford; Christian Ricard, senior, Stony Brook; Jarrett Dieudonne, senior, Wagner; De’Ante Saunders, junior, Tennessee State.

Punter — Cory Carter, junior, Texas Southern.

THIRD TEAM OFFENSE Quarterback — Vad Lee, junior James Madison.

Running backs — Chase Edmonds, freshman, Fordham; Malcolm Cyrus, senior, Alabama State.

Linemen — Austin Gund, senior, Richmond; Mason Halter, senior, Fordham; Nick Easton, senior, Harvard; Donald Jackson III, junior, Sam Houston State; Jermaine Barton, senior, Illinois State.

Tight end —Faysal Shafaat, senior, Chattanooga.

Wide receivers — Adam Drake, senior, Eastern Illinois; Mark Roberts, Lamar, senior.

All-purpose player — David Johnson, senior, Northern Iowa.

Kicker — Adam Keller, senior, North Dakota State.

DEFENSE Linemen — Ryan Delaire, senior, Towson; Xavier Williams, senior, Northern Iowa; Jonathan Woodard, junior, Central Arkansas; Jeff Covitz, senior, Bryant.

Linebackers — Tony Bell, senior, Tennessee-Martin; Isiah Corbett, junior, Southeastern Louisiana; Nick Thrasher, senior, Tennessee State.

Backs — Zach Adler, senior, Marist; Harlan Miller, junior, Southeastern Louisiana; Matt Hermanson, senior, Montana; Tye Smith, senior, Towson.

Punter — Eric Anderson, sophomore, Delaware.

ries against SEC East champion Missouri and finished his season with 133 yards and two touchdowns in a playoff loss to North Dakota State. In 2013, Zenner had 202 yards against Nebraska.

In 2012, he went for 183, including a 99-yard touchdown, against Kansas.

Zenner also became the first FCS back to have three 2,000 yard seasons. He was a second-team All-American as a sophomore.

TWO-TIMERS

Four other players joined Zenner as two-time AllAmericans: Southern Illinois tight end MyCole Pruitt; Chattanooga defensive lineman Davis Tull; Missouri State defensive back Caleb Schaffitzel; and Portland State punter Kyle Loomis.

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on Dec. 3.

The woman who said Winston sexually assaulted her in December 2012 also participated in the two-day hearing, which was held to determine whether Winston violated any or all of four sections of the code of conduct — two for sexual misconduct and two for endangerment.

No decision was made after the hearing. Winston and the woman were asked to submit final recommendations to former Florida Supreme Court Justice Major Harding, who presided over the hearing.

On the field, the Seminoles came-from-behind in several wins, rallying from deficits as great as 21 points on the road.

Fisher bristles at talk that his unbeaten team struggled this season while adding 13 more wins to its streak.

“We played very well, we competed very well,” Fisher said. “Being able to not panic and handle situations, from that standpoint, I don’t think we struggled at all.”

Fisher, who is a gaudy 58-10 since taking over for Bobby Bowden five years ago, takes a great deal of pride in his team’s resilience and responds to questions about the number of close calls over the season in a similar manner.

“The only undefeated team in the country,” he frequently reminds questioners.

And Florida State players are for the most part puzzled why they’re considered the underdogs.

“I really don’t understand that,” sophomore cornerback Jalen Ramsey said. “We’re the ones who won 29 in a row.

What are we scared of ?”

Teammate Bobby Hart, a senior offensive tackle, points out the Seminoles have worn a bull’s-eye on their backs for every one of their 13 opponents during the season.

“We got everybody’s best shot,” Hart said. “They tried to let you know that ‘we’re trying to knock you off. ‘It showed me a lot about our team, the way that we responded.”

But for the first time this season the Seminoles are not favored to win as Oregon currently is a nine-point favorite.

The winner advances to take the winner of the Ohio State-Alabama Sugar Bowl matchup.

Florida State practices through the weekend before players leave for a few days to spend Christmas at home before returning for the team’s Dec. 26 departure to the West Coast.

FRESH FROM PAGE B1 Joining Hudson in the starting lineup is senior guard Tanner Brunson, the lone returning starter from last season, along with Drew Stengel, Chris White and Ron York.

“It’s a good group and we’re looking for big things out of them as the season goes on,” Watt said. “We’re going to rely a lot on our guard play (Brunson, Hudson, Stengel).

But we’ve got a number of good athletes like Drew and Ron that can do a lot of different things for us on both sides of the ball.”

Kyle Decker (currently sidelined with a concussion) and Dre Litsey are coming off the junior varsity squad and they’ll provide support off the bench along with Noah White and Patrick Kuzbary. Kuzbary will fill in as a starter from time to time given the opponent, Watt added.

“It’s an adjustment for a lot of them – an adjustment from JV to varsity, and it’s an adjustment to everybody from 2A to 3A,” he said. “We’re not where we want to be right now, but we’ve got time to grow. We just need everybody healthy.”

Offensively, the Generals are not likely going to win many shootouts, so the focus during practices has been on defense, Watt said.

“We’re not going to score 80, so we have to be able to keep the other team from scoring 80,” he said. “We’ve got to play solid defense and we’ve got to protect the ball and make every possession count. We haven’t done a very good job of that so far – way too many turnovers, but we’re working every day to improve and get to where we can compete night in and night out.”

SPRINGBOARD ‘Last year I was only FROM PAGE B1 “You can’t just game plan for one or two players, you have to be solid across the board,” she said. “If you’re not fundamentally sound – on offense or defense – any team can hurt you.”

That goes for TSA as well.

The Lady Generals return all but two players from last season’s 20-10 squad and have also improved their numbers with 12 total players on the bench.

“That’s been a big positive for us this year,” said Reed, whose team sits at 6-2 entering the Christmas break. “Last year I was only able to dress six or seven players some games because of sickness or injury. Now, with 12 players, it gives us a lot more options not only offensively, but has allowed us to do more things on defense.”

Leading the way defensively has been returning sophomore point guard Logan Morris, who has averaged seven steals per game thus far. She’s joined by returning seniors Kayla Chappell and Taylor Knudson in the starting five. Knudson has been the offensive leader for the Lady Generals the last few seasons.

Seniors Hannah Jenkins, Emily Nevels and Sara Jackson are also back along with senior Emily DeMonte, who returns to the court. Junior Mary Kathryn Ross returns as well, giving TSA plenty of upperclassmen leadership and experience.

The Lady Generals have also benefited from an influx of talent, though. Freshman Latrice Lyons has stepped in and is already leading the team in scor-

able to dress six or seven players some games because of sickness or injury. Now, with 12 players, it gives us a lot more options not only offensively, but has allowed us to do more things on defense.’

BJ REED TSA girls head basketball coach on this year’s added depth ing. She’s joined by Emma Gaulke and Kylie Kistler from the JV squad.

Transfer Haley Hawkins has not played yet, but will see playing time in the upcoming Ben Lippen Christmas tournament and Reed expects her to have a big impact moving forward.

“We’ve got a little bit of a break here so we’ve focused on things we need to improve on,” Reed said. “We’ve had way too many turnovers early on, so ball handling, ball control and improvements on defense have been what we’ve stressed this week.

“We have goals for this season, but the main thing is to try to do what we did last year and work to improve every day and work to improve the things we have control over. If we do that, everything else will fall into place.”

SPORTS

THE SUMTER ITEM

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2014

|

B5

SPORTS ITEMS

49ers release McDonald after more legal troubles SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Defensive lineman Ray McDonald was released Wednesday by the San Francisco 49ers amid an investigation

by San Jose police into McDonald on suspicion of sexual assault.

San Francisco 49ers general MCDONALD manager Trent Baalke said he informed McDonald and his agent by phone at 11:30 a.m.

PST that the defender is “terminated” Baalke said CEO Jed York and coach Jim Harbaugh also were involved in the decision.

Baalke said the 49ers notified the NFL office of the allegations against McDonald, saying, “This is a team decision.”

San Jose police said Wednesday that they are in-

vestigating McDonald on suspicion of sexual assault.

Sgt. Heather Randol said detectives searched McDonald’s San Jose home.

Randol said an area hospital notified police late Tuesday night that a woman was seeking treatment.

No arrests have been made or charges filed.

KURT BUSCH SAYS HE TOLD EX-GIRLFRIEND TO LEAVE

DOVER, Del. — Kurt Busch testified Wednesday that he repeatedly told his ex-girlfriend to leave his motorhome the night she claims the NASCAR driver assaulted her.

Busch’s ex-girlfriend is seeking a court order directing him to stay away from her. He testified during a hearing on that request that Patricia Driscoll came to his motorhome uninvited and

unannounced and demanded that he tell her son that their relationship was over.

Busch said while the two were in his bedroom, he again asked her to leave, for what he said was the 5th time.

Busch also said Driscoll’s testimony a day earlier included fabrications.

Busch also acknowledged sending a text to Driscoll hoping to talk to her almost a month after telling her their relationship was over.

Driscoll, 36, testified Tuesday that Busch choked her and smashed her head into a wall inside his motorhome at Dover International Speedway in September, and that she still fears for her safety.

GEORGIA ‘S BOBO INTERVIEWS AT COLORADO STATE

ATHENS, Ga.— Georgia offensive coordinator Mike

Bobo has interviewed for the vacant head coaching job at Colorado State.

Bulldogs coach Mark Richt said Wednesday that Bobo visited Colorado State but was expected back in time for an evening practice in Athens. It will be No. 13 Georgia’s first workout in preparation for the Dec. 30 Belk Bowl against 20th-ranked Louisville.

Colorado State is seeking a replacement for Jim McElwain, who left this month to become the new coach at Florida. Oregon offensive coordinator Scott Frost and Mississippi State co-offensive coordinator Billy Gonzalez have also been mentioned as candidates for the job.

The 40-year-old Bobo is a former Georgia quarterback who has been on the coaching staff since Richt took over in 2001. Bobo was pro-

moted to offensive coordinator in 2007.

Presbyterian Church USA, 3539 Black River Road, Gable, with the Rev. Samuel Sparks, pastor, presiding, and the Rev. Mary Hagan, eulogist. Burial will follow in the churchyard cemetery.

Ms. Cousar will lie in repose one hour prior to funeral time.

The family is receiving friends at her residence, 13412 U.S. 301 North, Gable.

These services have been entrusted to Samuels Funeral Home LLC of Manning.

Jacqueline Cooper of Columbia and Felita F. Nixon of Sumter; one son, Kelvin G. Cooper of Columbia; two grandsons, Antonio D. Davis of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Michael A. Cooper of Iowa; two granddaughters, Quanyatta T. Nixon of Sumter and Ashlee A. Cooper of Iowa; three great-grandchildren, Aniyah D. Davis, Darius Cooper and Lucus Cooper; one sister, Lavater Harvin of Bronx, New York; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Public viewing will be held from 1 to 7 p.m. today at Job’s Mortuary.

Mrs. Cooper will be placed in the church at 11 a.m. on Friday for viewing until the hour of service.

Funeral service will be held at noon on Friday at Goodwill Presbyterian Church (USA), 295 N. Brick Church Road, Mayesville, with the pastor, the Rev. Dr. Ella F. Busby, and the Rev. Dr. Franklin D. Colclough, officiant / eulogist. Interment will follow in Goodwill Presbyterian Church Cemetery.

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

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

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

RED SOX OBTAIN RELIEVER VARVARO FOR MINOR LEAGUER

BOSTON — The Red Sox have obtained Anthony Varvaro from the Atlanta Braves for Aaron Kurcz in a swap of right-handed pitchers.

Varvaro was 3-3 with a 2.63 ERA for the Braves last year, his fifth season in the majors.

The Red Sox also sent cash to the Braves.

SEATTLE ACQUIRES OUTFIELDER RUGGIANO FROM CUBS

SEATTLE — The priority for general manager Jack Zduriencik and manager Lloyd McClendon was to add a pair of right-handed hitters and a starting pitcher for the Seattle Mariners this offseason.

From wire reports

OBITUARIES ROBERT DEBERRY CAÑON, Colo. — Robert “Bobby” DeBerry was born on Jan. 17, 1940, in Sumter, where his parents lived, and passed away on Dec. 14, 2014, at age 74, at the Bruce McCandless Colorado State Veterans Home in Florence, Colorado.

His father served in the U.S. Navy during DeBERRY World War II. Bob’s early education was in the Sumter public schools. While in school, he was visiting a friend who had an application form to attend the Air Force Academy. He gave Bobby the application.

Bobby applied and was accepted and enrolled in the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and graduated in June of 1962. His best friend from school, Roger Roy, also graduated starting the following year.

He married JoAnne Kovach the day after graduation from the Academy. He attended intelligence training in New Mexico and when the Cuban Missile Crisis erupted, he was sent to Florida. He was doing intelligence training in Florida, where he and his family were living. When the crisis was over, he was sent to Vietnam, where he served two terms.

It was fun living in Florida in that he had a boat (didn’t everyone?) and would take his two sons in it most days after he got home. After Vietnam was over, he resigned from the Air Force and went to live in Minneapolis. During his military years, he acquired many honors and medals for his service. Two awards were the Bronze Star and the Air Force Commendation Medal.

He and JoAnne had two sons by then – Christopher David, born in 1963, and Daniel James, born in 1965. There, he worked with a company called Unisys doing intelligence and information security.

He and JoAnne divorced and he was transferred to a company in Las Vegas called E.G.&G. It was later called Bechtel Nevada and then National Securities Technologies. He did computer security for them and retired in 2003.

It was in Las Vegas that he met his second wife, Georgie Ann Wright. They married in 1992 and adopted a daughter, Kapri Elizabeth DeBerry, in 1995. They lived in Henderson, Nevada, from 1992 until 2004.

They enjoyed living in Las Vegas as they attended many shows and family and friends frequently visited. They also got together occasionally with other ’62 Red Tag AFA graduates living in Vegas.

After selling their house in Henderson, he and Georgie moved to Georgie’s hometown of Des Moines, Iowa. Then in 2008, they moved to Canon City, Nevada, where his wife’s sister lives. Bob bowled twice a week in leagues as well as other recreational activities.

As they were not far from Colorado Springs, they attended the AFA football and basketball games a couple of

times a year and also attended the football game and other activities for Bob’s 50th Air Force Academy reunion in October of 2012.

Bob was a man of varied talents and interests. He played the guitar, bowled, and played squash, racquetball and golf. He also had avid interests in history, especially the Civil War, and science. He was involved in drama during his high school years.

Robert “Bobby” DeBerry is survived by his wife of 22 years, Georgie Ann DeBerry of Cañon City; daughter, Kapri Elizabeth DeBerry of Ocean Springs, Mississippi; and his sons, Christopher David DeBerry and Daniel James Kovach, both of Minnesota. He is also survived by his brother, Benjamin DeBerry and his wife, Frances DeBerry, of Blythewood; and his sister-in-law, Syble DeBerry of Myrtle Beach. He is also survived by his nephew, Bryan Blank and his wife, Cheryl Blank, of Manning; his niece, Patricia Blank Griffith and her husband, David Griffith, of Manning; and many other loving nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Caroline Gowdy DeBerry, and father, Benjamin J. DeBerry; brothers, John DeBerry, William DeBerry and James DeBerry; sisters, Merle Holman and Elise Chandler; nephew, Beau “Sandy” Chandler; and infant brother, Beau.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday in the Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home chapel. Burial with military honors will be in the Evergreen Memorial Park cemetery.

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

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to the Air Warrior Courage Foundation, affiliate of the Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association aka the River Rats. The group was formed to look after the young ones whose fathers didn’t make it back from Vietnam. Now they provide much needed scholarships and other support for the kids of fallen aviators. More recently, their energy has expanded to the wounded warriors from the current and recent conflicts. You may find their donation information at www.river-rats.org or call (540) 636-9798.

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

RICHARD J. HARTIGAN JR. Richard Joseph Hartigan Jr., age 84, beloved wife of 61 years, Patricia Eleen Byrnes Hartigan, died on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2014, at Covenant Place.

Born in Cohoes, New York, he was a son of the late Richard Joseph Sr. and Kathleen Hyland Hartigan.

HARTIGAN He proudly

served his country in the U.S. Army. Dick was an accomplished research chemist and had received several patents for his life’s works. In his pastime, he loved to hunt and fish and won many awards for his sharpshooting abilities. However, his real joy in life was spending time with his family.

He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, Richard J. Hartigan III and his wife, Dawn, of Charlotte, and Dr. Mark P. Hartigan and his wife, Clare, of Alpharetta, Georgia; three daughters, Maureen Shaw and her husband, Gary, of Sumter, Mary Ellen Gibbs of Sandwich, Massachusetts, and Megan Hitchcock of Melbourne, Florida; 10 grandchildren, Sean, Carrie, Caitlin, Daniel, Kevin and Michelle Hartigan, Garrett Shaw, Jillian Cosgrove and her husband, Joe, Chelsea and Hailee Gibbs; and one great-grandchild, Sean Cosgrove.

He was preceded in death by a son, Daniel Hartigan; and his best friend and beloved dog, Mike.

Services will be private.

You may sign the family’s guest book at www.bullockfuneralhome.com.

The family has chosen Bullock Funeral Home of Sumter for the arrangements.

ANNETTE COUSAR GABLE — Annette “Nette” Cousar, 55, died on Friday, Dec. 12, 2014, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center.

She was born on May 14, 1959, in New Zion, a daughter of Ruth Burgess Cousar and the late James “Jim” Cousar.

She was preceded in death COUSAR by three sisters, Lucille Webb, Rosa Cousar and Felicia Cousar; and one brother, James Cousar.

She was a member of Melina Presbyterian Church. Annette was a 1980 graduate of East Clarendon High School.

After graduation, she moved to Washington, D.C., and was employed by Stanton Dry Cleaning.

Survivors are her mother, Ruth Cousar of the home; one son, Terry Cousar of Washington, D.C.; two daughters, Kalya Cousar and Brianna Cousar, both of Washington, D.C.; four sisters, Erical Cousar of Gable, Lesia Cousar of Manning, Peggy (Leroy) Hall of Washington, D.C., and Carolyn Cousar of Queen Hill, Maryland; and two brothers, John and Jerry Cousar, both of Gable.

Celebratory services for Ms. Cousar will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday at Melina

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

Visitations will be held from 1 to 6 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Funeral service will be held at noon on Friday at St. Paul United Methodist Church, Elliott, with the Rev. Blondell Miller, senior pastor, and the Rev. Betty Graham, Pentecostal Temple Holiness Church, eulogist.

Interment will follow in the Pentecostal Temple Holiness Church Cemetery, Wisacky community of Lee County.

Wilson Funeral Home, 403 S. Main St., Bishopville, is in charge of arrangements

WILLIE J. TONEY JR. BISHOPVILLE — The Lord called his child, Willie James “Roscoe” Toney Jr., 45, home on Monday, Dec. 15, 2014, to rest in His bosom and claim his reward.

Born on Jan. 11, 1969, in Lee County, he was the only son of Willie Sr. and Carolyn Toney. He was a 1987 graduate of Mount Pleasant High School, Elliott.

The family is receiving friends at the residence, 349 Luckey Road, Wisacky community of Lee County.

Wilson Funeral Home, 403 S. Main St., Bishopville, is in charge of arrangements.

MARGARET S. COOPER Margaret Singletary Cooper, widow of Enoch Cooper Jr., was born on Oct. 19, 1942, in Lee County, to the late Sollie and Maggie Burnette Singletary. She departed this life on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014, at her residence.

She was educated in the public schools of Lee County and graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in 1963. She was married to the late Enoch Cooper Jr. on April 20, 1963. She was a faithful member of Goodwill Presbyterian Church.

Margaret was employed by Campbell Soup Co. for more than 20 years. After leaving Campbell Soup, she attended F.E. Dubose Vocational Center, where she became a certified nursing assistant.

Upon her graduation, she was employed by the Disability and Special Needs Board for a number of years. She was later employed by Luv-n-Care Childcare Center until June 2014.

She leaves to cherish her memories: two daughters,

THERESA L. WHITE MANNING — Theresa Lindsay White, 53, wife of Charles White, of 40 Branch St., Manning, died on Monday, Dec. 15, 2014, at Clarendon Memorial Hospital, Manning.

She was born on May 2, 1961, in the Davis Station section of Clarendon County, a daughter of the late Heyward Sylvester Lindsay and Lorean Thompson Lindsay.

These services have been entrusted to Samuels Funeral Home LLC of Manning.

SHIRLEY MOORE Shirley Moore, 66, widow of Harry Moore, died on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2014, in Sumter County.

Born on Jan. 3, 1948, in Sumter County, she was a daughter of the late William and Rosa Lee Chestnut Murphy.

The family is receiving friends and relatives at the home of her sister-in-law, Geneva Murphy, 5205 Betty Jean Road, Rembert.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Williams Funeral Home Inc. of Sumter.

CHARLES T. GEDDINGS SR. Charles Thomas “Tommy” Geddings Sr., 67, died on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2014, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center.

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

B6

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COMICS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2014

BIZARRO

SOUP TO NUTZ

ANDY CAPP

GARFIELD

BEETLE BAILEY

BORN LOSER

BLONDIE

ZITS

MOTHER GOOSE

DOG EAT DOUG

DILBERT

JEFF MACNELLY’S SHOE

Open adoption could help grandmother stay in touch

Dear Abby ABIGAIL VAN BUREN

THE SUMTER ITEM

DEAR ABBY — I am writing this in response to “Un-Grandparent in Ohio” (Aug. 25), whose pregnant teenage daughter has decided to place her baby for

adoption.

My daughter and son-in-law adopted their newborn daughter in an open adoption. Each summer the adoption agency sponsors a picnic that is attended by birth and adoptive parents, grandparents and other family members -- and, of course, the adopted child.

During the rest of the year, our

daughter sends the birth mother photos and letters, going through the same agency.

I can only imagine the sadness Un-Grandparent is feeling. I hope her daughter has chosen an adoption agency like this one so she will be able to share in her grandchild’s life.

Grateful adoptive grandmother DEAR GRATEFUL — I welcomed feedback from readers about that letter and, as always, they provided Un-Grandparent with thoughtful advice. Read on: DEAR ABBY — I am a grandmother and an attorney. I have done a lot of guardianship work over the years and would

THE DAILY CROSSWORD PUZZLE

like the grandmother to know that in many cases similar to hers, it is the grandmother who adopts the baby. This is often the best solution for everyone — especially the baby.

Most states favor adoptions by family members. It could be a wonderful ending/beginning for all concerned if that could happen in this case.

Grandma Claire 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 order “How to Write Letters for All Occasions,” send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $7 (U.S. funds) to Dear Abby -- Letter 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 Many Pindar poems 5 Philatelist’s find 10 Mt. Rushmore locale 14 “Rich & Meaty” brand 15 “I should have made my way straight __ long ago”: Whitman 16 “Try this” 17 Joule fractions 18 Explosive trial 19 “Makes sense to me” 20 Old Buick 22 Not surprising 24 Schoolyard comeback 25 Chaps can be seen in one 26 Like boxed matches 28 Jackson successor Van __ 29 Predatory seabird 31 “Hit me” 33 Speckle 36 Broadway’s __-Fontanne Theatre 38 Grind, as teeth 39 Young hombre 40 Shout before Silver 41 Patterson

who played the singing flight attendant in “Airplane!”

42 Handling the situation 43 Pancreatic hormone 45 Blue hues 47 Chase scene sounds 48 Annexes 49 One of a fiver’s fifty 50 Recipe word 51 Flock females 53 Freedom, in Swahili 57 “The Country Girls” novelist O’Brien 60 Big oaf 61 Surgical holding area 62 Go slowly (through) 63 Hard-to-do dos 64 Part of REM 65 See 51-Down DOWN 1 City about 225 miles from Moscow 2 “__ say it?”

3 Diner’s breakfast request 4 “Valley of the Dolls” author Jacqueline 5 Baseball manager’s decision 6 Carry 7 Word to a captain

8 Greatest amount 9 Cop’s command 10 Many an Iraqi Muslim 11 What sports stats are usually shown in ... or what 3-, 5and 9-Down each represents?

12 Toward the stern 13 Boat base 21 Barn dance neckwear 23 Remove the skin from 27 Mortise inserts 28 Sarajevo’s region 29 K-12 30 Roman holiday attractions 32 Dent or

scratch 34 Pizza topping 35 Wee ones 37 Busload at a resort, probably 39 Loud to the max 44 Moon lander, briefly 46 Prohibited insecticide 51 With 65-Across, source of shade 52 Act the suitor 54 Charlemagne’s realm: Abbr.

55 Turn that’s hung 56 CanapŽ topping 58 Wedding page word 59 Oaf

CLASSIFIEDS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2014

THE ITEM

B7

803-774-1234

OR TO PLACE YOUR AD ONLINE GO TO WWW.THE ITEM.COM/PLACEMYAD

CLASSIFIEDS PETS & ANIMALS

BUSINESS SERVICES Business Services

Dogs

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

We will be happy to change your ad if an error is made; however we are not responsible for errors after the first run day. We shall not be liable for any loss or expense that results from the printing or omission of an advertisement. We reserve the right to edit, refuse or cancel any ad at any time.

For Sale or Trade

Help Wanted Part-Time

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

Bird's Towing & Lock Out 24 Hour Service 803-834-BIRD (2473)

Martin's Used Appliance Washers, Dryers, Refrig., Stoves.

Guarantee 464-5439 or 469-7311 Bosch Model NEXXT front load washer and dryer. Good condition. $300 for set. Call 803-778-0473

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

Free est. 494-9169/468-4008 Lifestyles Lawn Service Holiday Clean-up Specials!

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

Call Erik 803-968-8655

CLASSIFIED DEADLINES 11:30 a.m. the day before for Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday edition.

9:30 a.m. Friday for Saturday’s edition 11:30 a.m. Friday for Sunday’s edition.

Musical Instruments 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

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

Tree Service 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.

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

MERCHANDISE 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

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

Hickory & Oak firewood. Seasoned/Green $65 Delivered. Notch Above Tree Service. 983-9721

EMPLOYMENT Help Wanted Full-Time 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 email your information to resume@boydmanagement.com or fax it to 803-419-6577. EOE 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

Split Oak Firewood $70/dumped, $75/stacked.

Newman's Tree Service 803-316-0128.

Secertary position, must have income tax exp. temp. seasonal position. Send resume to: Box 381 c//o The Item, PO Box 1677 Sumter SC 29151

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

Call 803-968-9549 or 843-992-2364

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.

Your Community.

Your Newspaper.

**CHRISTMAS SPECIAL** **Move-in for Christmas**

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

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**

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

RENTALS

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.

Land & Lots for Sale Hwy 521 N: 1/2 acre commercial lot. Owner eager to sell: $15,000.

Call 491-4595.

WALMART/SHAW 16.6 ACRES PAVED, ELEC. WATER $2350/ACRE 713-870-0216 Minutes Walmart/Shaw AFB 1 acre water, electric, paved $4990.

888-774-5720

TRANSPORTATION

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 Close to SAFB: DW, 3 Br, 2 Ba, large private lot. $850 mo. + sec. dep. Call 803-491-4595

Unfurnished Apartments

2, 3 & 4 Br, all appliances, Section 8 accepted. 469-6978 or 499-1500

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

775-0575 Studio/1 Bedroom apartments available EHO

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

Expert installation. Long list of satisfied customers.

Call 803-837-1549.

Unfurnished Homes

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

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

Miscellaneous

STATEBURG COURTYARD 2 & 3 BRs 803-494-4015

HUNTINGTON PLACE APARTMENTS

FROM $590 PER MONTH

1 MONTH FREE

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

REAL ESTATE

THIRTEEN (13) MONTH LEASE REQUIRED

(803) 773-3600 POWERS PROPERTIES

803-773-3600

Homes for Sale

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

150 Milton, CHA, 2 Br, lg. corner lot, great shape. Financing available.

Call 803-775-4391 or 464-5960

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

Unfurnished Homes 3BR 1.5BA 726 E. Charlotte St. CHA, refrig., stove incl., detached carport, $625 mo. Call 803-774-3000

Autos For Sale

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

Manufactured Housing LOW CREDIT SCORE? Been turned down for bad credit? Come try us, we do our own financing. We have 2-3-4 bedroom homes. For more information, call 843-389-4215.

For Sale Nice 4 Br 2 Ba D/W MH w/ dinning rm, den w fire place, bonus rm. c//h//a, new carpet & paint, brick underpinning, lg fenced lot 803-983-0408

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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

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Wesmark Plaza • 773-2262 • Mon-Sat 10-7

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THE ITEM

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

LEGAL NOTICES Bid Notices Invitation for Construction Bids Sealed proposals will be received by Sumter Housing Authority, 15 Caldwell Street, Sumter, South Carolina until 2:00 p.m. prevailing Eastern Time on Thursday, January 22, 2015 for the construction of renovation to their administrative offices.

The bids will be opened in public.

A mandatory pre-bid conference has been scheduled for Thursday, January 8, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at the Administrative Offices of the Sumter Housing Authority, 15 Caldwell Street, Sumter, South Carolina.

Bids shall be accompanied by a bid bond or certified check in an amount not less than five (5%) of the base bid. A surety or performance bond in an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the contract price is required. Certificates of Insurance will be required of the low bidder for the coverage listed in the Specifications.

No bidder may withdraw his bid or bids for a period of sixty (60) days after the actual date of the bid opening.

Proposals must be submitted on forms furnished by the Architect.

These forms along with other contract documents may be obtained by bidders for the office of RS Bell Architect, LLC, 3 Law Range, Sumter, South Carolina. A deposit of $150.00 is required per set of plans and specifications. The deposit will be returned to all bona fide bidders upon return of plans and specification to the Architect in good condition within ten (10) days after bid date.

The owner reserves the right to waive any informality in the process and reject any and all bids and to award the contract to other than the lowest bidder if deemed in the best interest of the project.

ASSORTED THROW PILLOWS

$3.00 each

DECEMBER CLEARANCE SALE!!

HURRY IN WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!

IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS C/A No.: 2014-CP-43-1809 STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF SUMTER MARY C. TOMLIN,

MICROFIBER

SHEET SETS

Twin .....................$5 each Full ...................... $5 each Queen.................. $8 each King .................... $8 each LACE PANELS... $5.00 each

Summons & Notice

Summons & Notice

Summons & Notice

Summons & Notice

Summons & Notice

Plaintiff, -vsLEWIS WOODS, NELL WOODS, SHELDON SERUYA, and SERUYA PROPERTIES, Defendants.

MORTGAGE (Non-Jury)

that Plaintiff will move for an Order of Reference or the Court may issue a general Order of Reference of this action to a Master-in-Equity/Special Referee, pursuant to Rule 53 of the South Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure.

before a judge of this Circuit on the 10th day after service hereof, or as soon thereafter as counsel may be heard, for an Order enforcing the assignment of rents, if any, and compelling payment of all rents covered by such assignment directly to the Plaintiff, which motion is to be based upon the original Note and Mortgage herein and the Complaint attached hereto.

that the original Complaint, Cover Sheet for Civil Actions and Certificate of Exemption from ADR in the above entitled action was filed in the Office of the Clerk of Court for Sumter County on October 9, 2014.

TO: THE ABOVE DEFENDANT(S):

NAMED

YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED and required to answer the Complaint in this action, a copy of which is herewith served upon you, and to serve a copy of your Answer to the said Complaint on the Plaintiff or their attorney, J. Thomas McElveen, III, 17 East Calhoun Street, Sumter, South Carolina 29151, within thirty (30) days after the service hereof, exclusive of the day of such service, and if you fail to answer the Complaint within the time aforesaid, the Plaintiffs in this action will apply to the Court for the relief demanded in this Complaint.

STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF SUMTER Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Plaintiff, vs.

Stormy H. Olson; Equity Holding Corp., as Trustee of the Silo Road Trust No. 2503819; South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles; Bullhead Investments, LLC; Group "A" Associates, a Pennsylvania Partnership, Defendant(s).

TO THE DEFENDANT(S) ABOVE NAMED:

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Complaint was filed in the above entitled action in the Office of the Clerk of Court for Sumter County on August 29, 2014, for the purpose of instituting an action against the Defendants as a result of a slip and fall which occurred on August 31, 2011.

YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED and required to appear and defend by answering the Complaint in this action, a copy of which is hereby served upon you, and to serve a copy of your Answer on the subscribers at their offices at 3800 Fernandina Road, Suite 110, Columbia, SC 29210, within thirty (30) days after the service hereof, exclusive of the day of such service; except that the United States of America, if named, shall have sixty (60) days to answer after the service hereof, exclusive of the day of such service; and if you fail to do so, judgment by default will be rendered against you for the relief demanded in the Complaint.

BRYAN LAW FIRM OF SC, L.L.P. J. Thomas McElveen, III P. O. Box 2038 17 East Calhoun Street Sumter, SC 29151 (803) 775-1263 ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFF

TO MINOR(S) OVER FOURTEEN YEARS OF AGE, AND/OR TO MINOR(S) UNDER FOURTEEN YEARS OF AGE AND THE PERSON WITH WHOM THE MINOR(S) RESIDES, AND/OR TO PERSONS UNDER SOME LEGAL DISABILITY:

NOTICE OF FILING COMPLAINT

SUMMONS AND NOTICES IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS C/A NO.: 2014-CP-43-02162 FORECLOSURE OF REAL ESTATE

YOU WILL ALSO TAKE NOTICE that under the provisions of S.C. Code Ann. § 29-3-100, effective June 16, 1993, any collateral assignment of rents contained in the referenced Mortgage is perfected and Attorney for Plaintiff hereby gives notice that all rents shall be payable directly to it by delivery to its undersigned attorneys from the date of default. In the alternative, Plaintiff will move

YOU ARE FURTHER SUMMONED AND NOTIFIED to apply for the appointment of a guardian ad litem within thirty (30) days after the service of this Summons and Notice upon you. If you fail to do so, application for such appointment will be made by Attorney for Plaintiff.

YOU WILL ALSO TAKE NOTICE

Summons & Notice SUMMONS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2014

EDITION

DEFENDANTS

ABOVE

YOU WILL PLEASE TAKE NOTICE

In-Line Deadlines

Friday, December 26 Saturday, December 27 Sunday, December 28 Tuesday, December 30 Wednesday, December 31 Friday, January 2

DEADLINE

Monday, December 22 at 11:30am Tuesday, December 23 at 9:30am Tuesday, December 23 at 11:30am Monday, December 29 at 11:30am Tuesday, December 30 at 11:30am Wednesday, December 31 at 11:30am

Have a Safe and Happy Holiday!

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TO THE NAMED:

Christmas and New Years

CLASSIFIED ADS Will Go To Work For You! To Find Cash Buyers For Your Unused Items

NOTICE OF FILING COMPLAINT

J. Martin Page, SC Bar No. 100200 Brock & Scott, PLLC 3800 Fernandina Road, Suite 110 Columbia, SC 29210 Phone 888-726-9953 Fax 866-676-7658 Attorneys for Plaintiff

20 N. Magnolia St. | Sumter, SC 803.774.1200 www.theitem.com