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VOL. 119, NO. 56 WWW.THEITEM.COM

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2013 | SUMTER, SOUTH CAROLINA

FOUNDED OCTOBER 15, 1894

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Man robs Bank of Clarendon in Manning

BY ROB COTTINGHAM rcottingham@theitem.com Local law enforcement was on high alert after an unknown man robbed a Manning bank on Wednesday.

According to the Manning Police Department, a man entered the Bank of Clarendon on Wednesday morning, approached one of the tellers and handed her a note demanding money. Authorities say the note also claimed the man had a gun.

The teller cooperated, and the man left with an undisclosed amount of cash. “We’re uncertain as to how much money he took,� Maj. Doug Ridgeway said. “The teller just did what she was supposed to do, which is cooperate. Better to be safe than sorry.�

Considering what can go wrong during a robbery, Ridgeway expressed his relief that no violence occurred.

A white male wearing a navy blue stocking cap and a blue sweatshirt is seen standing at a counter at Bank of Clarendon headquarters in Manning on Wednesday. He reportedly handed the teller a note claiming he had a gun and demanded she give him money.

PHOTO PROVIDED

SEE ROBBERY, PAGE A10

Local animal rescue works with officials to aid horde of dogs

BY HOLLY BUNCH holly@theitem.com A local animal rescue is slowly coping with a massive influx of dogs as they try to assist local officials with a dog-hoarding case.

Two weeks ago, Sumter City-County Animal Control responded to a home on Benenhaley Road in Dalzell after receiving reports from people complaining about various problems

caused by a horde of dogs roaming the local neighborhood.

Upon arrival, officials found about 65 dogs at the property and an elderly owner who was no longer able to care for them.

Starting 20 years ago, the homeowner began taking in animals abandoned on or around Shaw Air Force Base. Over time, however, the dogs procreated, growing

PHOTOS BY MATT WALSH / THE ITEM

SEE RESCUE, PAGE A8

Pet adoptions for the holidays: yay or nay?

BY JADE ANDERSON janderson@theitem.com The age-old problem of baby animals growing into adult pets is magnified during the holidays. “Children ask for puppies and kittens, but puppies and kittens grow into dogs and cats, and many

times they end up in shelters just months after the Christmas ‘newness’ wears off,� said Leigh Newman, who has worked with animal rescue cases for about 10 years. “Many rescues won’t even adopt out their animals during the SEE ADOPTIONS, PAGE A8

TOP: Shelby Bird, left, administers a dewormer to one of the eight 7-week-old puppies that she and her husband, Christian, right, rescued in the horde from Dec. 4 found in Dalzell.

RIGHT: Lisa Tinker Morrison kisses her newly fostered Great Dane, Malcolm, on Thursday before he’s checked by a veterinarian.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2013 Contact the newsroom at 803-774-1226 or e-mail news@theitem.com

Department names Sumter woman Agent of the Year FROM STAFF REPORTS Camilla Cheeseboro was recently named the Agent of the Year by the S.C. Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services. The senior agent has served in Sumter County for eight years and was also named the Mark Hart Agent of the Year by the Alston Wilkes Society of South Carolina.

“Offenders will say she can be hard, but they honestly feel she has done all she can to help them, too,” said Sharon Holland, Sumter County agent in charge. “Cheeseboro often works late and frequently volunteers for warrant roundups with the Sumter Police Department and sheriff ’s office.”

Cheeseboro does additional duties by supervising all cases at Any

Length Recovery Center, a local facility for substance-abuse treatment.

“The task is very challenging because oftentimes the offenders are there before we are notified and not always receptive to listening to another agent,” said Holland. “Camilla has great rapport with the staff at Any Length and is well respected by her peers and other law-enforcement officials.”

She also serves as a mentor to new agents, Holland said.

Cheeseboro, a daughter of Conrad and Almetia Cheeseboro, graduated from Eau Claire High School and Morris College. She is a member of St. Mark Baptist Church in Lone Star.

SCDPPPS has more than 400 agents in 49 county offices throughout the state.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Kela Thomas, left, director of the S.C. Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services, and Sharon Holland, right, Sumter agent in charge, congratulate Camilla Cheeseboro for being named the SCDPPPS Agent of the Year. She was also named the Mark Hart Agent of the Year by the Alston Wilkes Society of South Carolina.

Bipartisan budget heads for Obama’s signature

PHOTOS BY MATT WALSH / THE ITEM

Justice Diener rips open a gift, revealing a new Iron Man action figure he received from the Airmen Angel Tree event put on by Hillcrest Middle School’s National Honor Society on Tuesday. Fifteen children of enlisted servicemen and women attended the party.

15 military children get ‘memorable Christmas’ Teen heads up Airmen Angel Tree event with carols, visit from Santa

BY MATT WALSH matt@theitem.com A 13-year-old spearheaded an effort to provide a better Christmas for a handful of young military dependents living at Shaw Air Force Base.

Skylar Thompson and the Hillcrest Middle School National Junior Honor Society put on their own Airmen Angel Tree event complete with Christmas carols, crafts, a Santa appearance and gifts Tuesday night at the school to benefit 15 children of enlisted servicemen and women on Shaw Air Force Base.

Eighth-grader Skylar, president of the school’s chapter of the society, proposed the idea of the Airmen Angel Tree to the school’s principal.

“Being a kid growing up in the military, you don’t always get the newest toys

Hillcrest Middle School National Junior Honor Society President Skylar Thompson, right, and her mother, Stephanie Thompson, sort gifts for the Airmen Angel Tree program on Tuesday night.

that just came out; sometimes I just got clothes, and I was really excited about that,” Skylar said. “It was really nice to be able to give kids a memorable Christmas.”

The fact that lower-ranking servicemen sacrifice their lives and make so little money is something that most people don’t stop

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to think about at Christmas because those in the service technically have jobs, Skylar’s mother, Stephanie Thompson said.

According to the U.S. Army, enlisted active-duty servicemen, those who rank under E5, make from $18,000 to $26,000. It can be really difficult to raise a family on those wages,

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Stephanie Thompson said.

“To give back something little, like an Iron Man action figure or clothes, is huge,” she said.

Thompson said she remembers how elated she was when a woman at her church gave her bags full of new clothes for her children at Christmas time when her husband was an airman first class.

That same type of joy showed on the face of Barton Rice V, who spent part of the night with his father, Airman Barton Rice IV, building a Ninja Turtle action figure he received from Santa Claus that night.

“It is really nice to see the community come together and get involved with the military,” the airman said. “For lower-ranking airmen, this time of year can be hard, so things like this help a lot.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress sent President Obama legislation Wednesday scaling back across-the-board cuts on programs ranging from the Pentagon to the national park system, adding a late dusting of bipartisanship to a year more likely to be remembered for a partial government shutdown and near-perpetual gridlock.

Obama’s signature was assured on the measure, which lawmakers in both parties and at opposite ends of the Capitol said they hoped would curb budget brinkmanship and prevent more shutdowns in the near future.

“It’s a good first step away from the shortsighted, crisisdriven decision-making that has only served to act as a drag on our economy,” he said of the measure in a statement issued after the vote. And yet, he quickly added, “there is much more work to do to ensure our economy works for every working American.”

The legislation passed the Democratic-controlled Senate on a vote of 64-36, six days after clearing the Republican-run House by a similarly bipartisan margin of 332-94.

The product of intensive year-end talks, the measure met the short-term political needs of Republicans, Democrats and the White House. As a result, there was no suspense about the outcome of the vote in the Senate — only about fallout in the 2014 elections and, more immediately, its impact on future congressional disputes over spending and the nation’s debt limit.

“I’m tired of the gridlock, and the American people that I talk to, especially from Arkansas, are tired of it as well,” said Sen. Mark Pryor, a Democrat who supported the bill yet will have to defend his vote in next year’s campaign for a new term. His likely Republican rival, Rep. Tom Cotton, voted against the measure last week when it cleared the House.

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LOCAL

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2013

POLICE BLOTTER

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CHARGES:

BURGLARY:

Onaje Omari Thompson, 17, of 145 Elkhorn Trail, was arrested Monday and charged with seconddegree criminal sexual conduct with a minor.

On Nov. 8, Thompson reportedly had sex with a 13-year-old girl on Webb Avenue.

Cedric Lamont Gibbons, 38, of 66 Alice Drive, was arrested Tuesday and charged with driving under suspension, second offense. At 8:23 p.m., Gibbons was pulled over on Guignard Drive near Hampton Street for reportedly driving without his headlights on.

Dion Demone Clay, 38, of 1355 Boris Lewis Road, Gable, was charged with public disorderly conduct at 10:55 p.m. Saturday in the 400 block of North Main Street. According to the report, officers were dispatched to Loring Drive in reference to a suspicious person but soon heard a loud commotion at the incident location.

The victim told officers that Clay had rented a room and kept coming back to the office, pounding the door and making sexually explicit gestures with his genitals in his hand. When officers confronted Clay, he was loud and boisterous.

Officers responded to a call about a burglary at a residence in the 400 block of Arlington Road about 5:55 p.m. Dec. 12. The victim reportedly returned home about 5:20 p.m. to find his back door had been pried open and several items had been removed from his home, including a black 42-inch LG flatscreen television valued at $500, a black/red Sony Xplod boom box valued at $300 and a black Acer laptop valued at $450.

A woman reportedly told law enforcement that an unknown suspect took several items from her home in the 4000 block of McQuiller Street in Wedgefield about 5:56 p.m. Tuesday. A bag of designer jeans and two leather jackets valued at $1,200, a pair of size six Gucci sneakers valued at $132, a Keurig coffee maker valued at $228, a Cannon printer/copier valued at $300 and two antique patio chairs valued at about $1,000 were reported stolen.

STOLEN PROPERTY:

An undetermined number of cellphones and SIM cards, 23 replacement cell screens, eight data cables and $10 in cash were reportedly stolen from a business in the 600 block of Bultman Drive between 1:10 and 1:16 a.m. Tuesday. The items are valued at $5,000.

Law enforcement responded to a call at Crestwood High School about 2:15 p.m. Tuesday in which a woman reportedly told police her wallet was taken.

The victim told police that an unknown suspect entered her locked office and removed her wallet from her bag.

The wallet contained $20, her S.C. driver’s license and her bank card.

FIRE:

At 4:56 p.m. Tuesday, firefighters responded to a house fire in the first block of Laverne Street. A kitchen fire reportedly spread into the attic and caused heat and smoke damage to the rest of the house. The blaze caused damage to the home estimated at $31,500, with an estimated $61,500 worth of structure and contents saved. The cause of the fire could not be immediately determined. No injuries from the fire were reported.

At 7:03 p.m. Tuesday, firefighters responded to a fire in a vacant mobile home in the 1500 block of Pinewood Road. The fire spread throughout the home, causing damage estimated at $5,000. The cause of the fire was undetermined.

called police stating that the suspect was on the porch of a neighbor’s home in the 2000 block of Bethel Church Road. An officer approached the suspect on the porch, and he reportedly smelled of alcohol. The officer made sure the residence was secure before arresting the suspect for disorderly conduct.

At 1 p.m. Monday, a 45-year-old man entered a store in the 1000 block of Pocalla Road with his pants around his ankles. The man attempted to leave the store with a box of cereal and a bottle of milk without paying. When he was confronted, a woman in the store paid for the items, and the man left with his pants still around his ankles. He was later contacted by police and placed on trespass notice for the business.

CREDIT CARD/ATM FRAUD:

A man reportedly told law enforcement that about 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday he noticed six unauthorized charges on his bank account.

The victim told police his ATM card was in his possession at the time the six transactions were made.

CRIMINAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE:

A woman reported to police that about 11:15 a.m. Tuesday that a 26-year-old Sumter man slapped her in the face while holding their child during an argument in the 5500 block of Edgehill Road. The victim was advised to seek a warrant.

At 5:45 a.m. Tuesday, a 34-year-old man in the 100 block of Woodlawn Avenue reportedly pulled his 30-year-old girlfriend off the couch and onto the floor. He

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then followed her into the bedroom and reportedly pinned her to the bed while attempting to strangle her. The woman bit him on the arm and he bit her on the neck. The woman then fled from the house while the man reportedly left with her cellphone valued at $650.

Police arrested and charged Clay Nelson Guin, 31, of Sumter, with disorderly conduct about 5:47 p.m. Monday. An anonymous complainant reportedly

ASSAULTS:

About 12:09 p.m.

Tuesday, a woman reported that during an altercation, her 26-year-old brother threatened to punch her in the face. When officers responded in the 1300 block of Camp Branch Road, the woman’s brother said he did not threaten to punch his sister in the face and she always locks herself in her room and calls law enforcement when they get into arguments. Officers advised the victim, who has special needs, that if she wanted to pursue charges, she needed to have her mother or power of attorney seek a warrant.

A woman reportedly told law enforcement that a 29-year-old Sumter man pulled a knife on her about 3:18 p.m.

Tuesday in the 4400 block of Broad Street during an altercation about the paternity of one of her children.

The victim said she grabbed the knife and the suspect took the knife back, cutting her in the process. Officers advised the victim to seek a warrant.

EMS CALLS:

On Monday, Sumter County Emergency Medical Services responded to 56 calls.

Fifty were medical calls, one was a motor-vehicle wreck, and five were listed as “other trauma.�

PHOTOS BY HOLLY BUNCH / THE ITEM

After driving through the Festival of Lights at Swan Lake-Iris Gardens, don’t forget to continue to downtown Sumter to view the Christmas decorations with lights set to music. The new Dancing Lights display on the corner of Liberty and Main streets can be seen from 4:30 until 10 p.m. daily through Dec. 31. The lights “dance� to the tune of music, which can be heard at the site and by tuning your radio to 91.7FM. Outdoor seating is available to view the display.

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The Sumter Elks Lodge 855 32nd Annual Turkey Shoot will be held each Sunday through Dec. 29 from 1 p.m. until sundown at 1100 W. Liberty St. All proceeds will be used to provide assistance to veterans in Sumter, Lee and Clarendon counties along with the Dorn VA Medical Center, Columbia.

The Sumter Combat Veterans Group will meet at 10 a.m.

Friday, Dec. 20, at the South HOPE Center, 1125 S. Lafayette Drive. All area veterans are invited.

Lincoln High School Class of 1963 will hold its Christmas program and dinner at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, at Golden Corral, 2385 Walmart Blvd. Call Ferdinand Burns Jr. at (803) 968-4464.

Sumter High School Class of 1980 will hold its 5th Annual End of the Year Celebration 7 p.m.midnight Friday, Dec. 27, at the Gamecock Shrine Club, 1865 U.S. 15 South. All classes invited. Hors d’oeuvres will be served. BYOB. Tickets: $10 per person or $15 at the door.

The Sumter Benedict Alumni Club will hold an important round-up meeting at 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 6, 2014, at the North HOPE Center.

Call Shirley M. Blassingame at (803) 5064019.

The Sumter Chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals will meet at 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 9, in the Bultman Conference Room of the University of South Carolina Sumter. All administrative professionals are invited to attend.

The Sumter Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind will hold its 2014 membership meeting at 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 14, at Shiloh-Randolph Manor, 125 W. Bartlette St. Associate member Judy L. Simon will accept annual membership dues. Martha Gaither, of Blind Awareness, will speak. The spotlight will shine on George Gibbons and the associate member is Rosa Gibbons.

Transportation provided within the mileage radius. Contact Debra Canty at (803) 775-5792 or DebraCanC2@frontier.com. Call the 24hour recorded message line at (206) 3765992.

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Finding Christmas (‘13, Holiday) JT Hodges. Men from New York and A Christmas Christmas (‘11) Gil Bellows. (HD) A boy enters a national essay contest. (HD) North Carolina decide to switch residences. (HD) Wish (‘11) (HD) Hunters (HD) Hunters (HD) Addict (HD) Addict (HD) Addict (HD) Addict (HD) Now? (N) Hunters (HD) Rent Buy Rent Buy (N) Addict (HD) Pawn Stars Pawn Stars Pawn Stars Pawn Stars Pawn Stars (N) (HD) Pawn Stars (N) (HD) Pawn Stars Pawn Stars Pawn Stars Without a Trace: Fall Out, Part 1 Criminal Minds: Unknown Subject Criminal Minds: Snake Eyes Atlantic Criminal Minds: Closing Time Beach Law & Order: Criminal Intent: Law & Order: Hostage situation. (HD) Serial rapist. (HD) City. (HD) murders. (HD) Semi-Professional (HD) Criminal (HD) Wife Swap: Melton; Dufrene Bayou Project Runway All Stars: As Sewn Project Runway All Stars: Nina’s (:01) Christmas in Paradise (‘07, Holiday) Charlotte Ross. Two families (:02) Project Runway (HD) and ballerina. on TV Red carpet look. (HD) Trending (N) (HD) head to the Caribbean to create special holiday memories. (HD) The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie (‘04) (HD) (:45) Sponge Full Hse Full Hse Full Hse Full Hse Friends (:36) Friends (:12) Friends Cops (HD) Cops (HD) Cops (HD) Cops (HD) Impact Wrestling (N) (HD) Countdown Cops (HD) Cops (HD) (5:30) Blade II (‘02, Action) Wesley Batman Begins (‘05, Action) aaac Christian Bale. A billionaire who witnessed his parents’ murders develops Blade II (‘02, Action) aac Wesley Snipes. Vampire Snipes. Vampire hunter. (HD) a dual personality to fight the organized crime that has engulfed the streets of Gotham City. hunter battles mutant vampires. (HD) The Big Bang Ground Floor (N) The Big Bang Conan Scheduled: Christina Ground: If I Were Seinfeld: The Family Guy (HD) Family Guy Coun- Family Guy (HD) The Big Bang try club. (HD) Theory (HD) Theory (HD) Theory (HD) Applegate. (N) (HD) a Rich Man Seven (HD) (5:30) Red River (‘48, Western) Scrooge (‘70, Musical) aaa Albert Finney. Miserly old man contends A Christmas Carol (‘51, Holiday) aaac Alastair Sim. Scrooge (‘35, Drama) aac Seymour Hicks. Dickens comes alive. aaac John Wayne. Cattle barons. with ghosts, bringing him a change of heart.

Ghosts teach tyrant valuable lesson.

Gypsy Wedding (HD) Gypsy Sisters (HD) Gypsy Sisters (N) (HD) My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding (N) Gypsy Sisters Feud to rest. (HD) Gypsy (HD) NBA Basketball: San Antonio Spurs at Golden State Warriors from Oracle Castle: Nikki Heat Actress studies NBA Basketball: Chicago Bulls at Oklahoma City Thunder from Chesapeake Energy Arena Arena z{| (HD) Beckett during case. (HD) z{| (HD) Dumbest Girl on a tightrope.

Guinness World Records (N) Jokers Jokers Jokers Panic (N) Guinness World: Ramped Up (:02) Guinness Griffith (HD) Griffith (HD) Griffith (HD) (:48) Loves Raymond (HD) Raymond (HD) Raymond (HD) Raymond (HD) Raymond (HD) Queens (HD) Queens (HD) Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: White Collar: No Good Deed Un(:01) Law & Order: Special Victims (:01) NCIS: Los Angeles: Higher (:01) White ColConned Misidentified. (HD) Lost Reputation (HD) solved larceny. (N) (HD) Unit: Valentine’s Day (HD) Power Stolen device. (HD) lar (HD) Braxton Family Values (HD) Braxton Family Values (HD) Braxton Family Values (N) (HD) Braxton Family Values (HD) Braxton Family Values (HD) Braxton (HD) Funniest Home Videos (HD) How I Met How I Met How I Met How I Met WGN News at Nine (HD) How I Met Rules (HD) Rules (HD)

Pick your favorite from 5 versions of ‘A Christmas Carol’

BY KEVIN MCDONOUGH Host Mario Lopez will announce the winner of this season’s helping of “The X Factor� (8 p.m., Fox, TV14). The real suspense involves the future of this singing competition. A cultural institution in the U.K., “Factor� has stumbled here.

When Simon Cowell left “American Idol� to host the U.S. version of “Factor,� Fox had high hopes of duplicating the “Idol� ratings machine that had been dubbed “the Death Star� by its network competition.

Instead, its arrival contributed to a glut of singing shows. It’s interesting to note that last Thursday’s “Factor� had roughly as many viewers as NBC’s a cappella competition “The SingOff� — and fewer viewers in the 18-49 demographic.

With its short run and its link to the holiday season of family viewing, “The Sing-Offâ€? is special. In contrast, “Factorâ€? will probably be filled with ads for the forthcoming season of “Idol,â€? kicking off Jan. 15. • Robin Roberts hosts — make that “anchorsâ€? — “The Yearâ€? (9 p.m., ABC), a two-hour glance back at the big events and news stories of 2013. The light touch and trivial tone can’t be blamed entirely on the ABC News division. This

has been co-produced with People magazine. • Few books have inspired as many holiday adaptations as Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.â€? Turner Classic Movies invites viewers to watch, contrast and compare five variations on the story, starting with the 1970 drama “Scroogeâ€? (8 p.m.), starring Albert Finney as miser Ebenezer Scrooge.

Alastair Sim stars in the 1951 British production of “A Christmas Carol� (10 p.m.). That’s my personal favorite.

Maurice Evans stars in “Scrooge� (11:30 p.m.) from 1935. Gene Lockhart, Kathleen Lockhart and a very young June Lockhart (“Lost in Space�) appear in the 1938 version of “A Christmas Carol� (1 a.m.). “Twilight Zone� creator Rod Serling updated Dickens for the 1964 telecast “A Carol for Another Christmas�

(2:15 a.m.). Sterling Hayden (“Dr. Strangelove�) portrays an industrialist taught lessons on international cooperation by three ghosts.

Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz, this broadcast was sponsored by Xerox on behalf of the United Nations. The cast includes Peter Sellers, Britt Ekland, Ben Gazzara, Eva Marie Saint and Robert Shaw, among others. Steve

BUYING GOLD

Lawrence stars as the Ghost of Christmas Past!

Tonight’s Holiday Highlights • Linus explains it all on “A Charlie Brown Christmasâ€? (8 p.m., ABC, TV-G). • Holiday sketches past and present on “Saturday Night Live Christmasâ€? (9 p.m., NBC, TV-14). • A holiday honeymoon on “A Very Merry Gypsy Christmasâ€? (10 p.m., TLC, TV-PG). • The “Adult Swimâ€? cop show parody “NTSF:SD:SUVâ€? (12:15 a.m., Cartoon Network) presents its holiday special “Wreck the Malls.â€?

Tonight’s Other Highlights • The judges choose the songs on “The SingOffâ€? (8 p.m., NBC, TVPG). • A new season begins with a harvest on “Farm Kingsâ€? (9 p.m., GAC). • The designers join with bloggers to identify the fashion trends of 2014 on “Project Runway All Starsâ€? (9 p.m., Lifetime, TV-PG). • The gathering number of departed forces a

showdown on the season finale of “The Returnedâ€? (9 p.m., Sundance, TV-MA). • Neal frets over an unsolved mystery on “White Collarâ€? (9 p.m., USA, TV-PG). • Sherlock returns to his search for Moriarty on “Elementaryâ€? (10 p.m., CBS, r, TV-14).

Series Notes A crisis for Sheldon and Leonard on “The Big Bang Theory� (8 p.m., CBS, r, TV-14) * A deadly double take on “The Vampire Diaries�

(8 p.m., CW, r, TV-14) * Debbie and Nathan trade burdens on “The Millers� (8:30 p.m., CBS, r, TV-PG) * A rich client sparks competition on “The Crazy Ones� (9 p.m., CBS, r, TV-14) * The pilot of the costume melodrama “Reign� (9 p.m., CW, r, TV-14) * Walden is beside himself on “Two and a Half Men� (9:30 p.m., CBS, r, TV-14).

Late Night Jonah Hill is scheduled on “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart� (11 p.m., Comedy Central) * Christina Applegate, Skylar Astin

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and Young the Giant appear on “Conan� (11 p.m., TBS) * Sara Bareilles, April Richardson, Ian Karmel and Heather McDonald are booked on “Chelsea Lately� (11 p.m., E!) * Ben Stiller and Blind Boys of Alabama visit “The Colbert Report�

(11:30 p.m., Comedy Central) * Meagan Good and Chance the Rapper are booked on “The Arsenio Hall Show� (syndicated, check local listings) * Steve Carell appears on “Late Show With David Letterman�

(11:35 p.m., CBS) * Jay Leno welcomes Sylvester Stallone, Judd Apatow and Libera on “The Tonight Show� (11:35 p.m., NBC) * Will Ferrell, Adam Scott and Christopher Cross appear on “Jimmy Kimmel Live� (11:35 p.m., ABC) * Joseph Gordon Levitt, Stephen Merchant and The Avett Brothers visit “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon� (12:35 a.m., NBC, r) * Craig Ferguson hosts Cuba Gooding Jr. and Emily Wickersham on “The Late Late Show� (12:35 a.m., CBS).

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LOCAL / STATE

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2013

THE ITEM

HUNDREDS OF CHILDREN HELPED

A5

STATE BRIEFS

|

From Associated Press reports

Body covered in litter is missing woman ANDERSON — Authorities said a woman whose body was found covered in cat litter under the floorboards of an Anderson mobile home was reported missing from that same address last year.

The Anderson County coroner’s office said Wednesday that Regina Black died from blows to the head. Authorities don’t know when she was killed, saying the body was badly decomposed.

2 children die in Columbia fire IRMO — Authorities said two children have died in a fire in their suburban Columbia apartment.

Fire officials said a man escaped from the blaze in Irmo about 10 a.m.

Wednesday but could not get back inside to save a

RAYTEVIA EVANS / THE ITEM

A Salvation Army volunteer sorts through toys and gifts donated for families in need in the Sumter area. With the help of Sumter County law-enforcement agencies, The Salvation Army was able to collect hundreds of toys and bikes for families and children for the holiday season, said Maj. Sharon Robbins. Through the StuffA-Bus and Cram-A-Cruiser events as well as individual angel donations, the Salvation Army will assist more than 420 families and about 900 children.

5-year-old boy and an 18-month-old girl.

Authorities said firefighters found the children on the second floor of the apartment, but they died at the hospital.

Development will have fiber optics SUMMERVILLE — A new development near Summerville will have community-wide fiber optic Internet connections.

MeadWestvaco said Wednesday that its 4,500acre community called Nexton will have what is called Gigabit Internet.

Working with Home Telecom, the community will have fiber optic connections in each house, school and business. Gigabit technology offers wider bandwidth and speeds that are as much as 100 times faster than broadband.

Be the glimmer of hope for vulnerable seniors

BY GLENN F. McCONNELL S.C. Lt. Governor

T

he season of the light is upon us — a time of year that provides us with an opportunity to reflect on what we have as well as focus on how we can make life better for others who may not be as fortunate.

South Carolina has more than 900,000 seniors, and that number is expected to double during the next 15 years, with those 50 and McCONNELL older accounting for nearly half of our state’s population by the year 2030, according to census projections. Each of these senior adults has unique needs, and they are all faced with a different set of challenges, ranging from seniors who need help with transportation and mobility to those who must decide between buying gro-

ceries or medication.

Earlier this year, my office received a call from a neighbor of a gentleman who had been without electricity since 2009. The gentleman lived in his own home but had suffered a stroke and gotten behind on his bills and property taxes. The neighbor was concerned about the well-being of the gentleman, who had become buried under a cascading weight of unfortunate events in his life. He feared the harshness of winter on the way, but, like most seniors, he had been making do with the hand he had been dealt and was hesitant to ask for any assistance.

After the call, staff from my office quickly located a partner who was willing to help this gentleman get back on his feet — SCANA, the parent company of SCE&G. The company answered the call in a big way. Even though they restored power to the house after replacing some of

AGING MATTERS the wiring, the appliances were rusted, and hot water and heat could not be restored. But instead of saying there was nothing more they could do, they went to work weatherizing the home, installing new windows and doors, a water heater, insulation and a new heating and air-conditioning system. Additionally, we worked collectively with various groups to pay the gentleman’s back taxes and utilities to get him back on track.

While this story is somewhat of a worst-case scenario, it is not altogether uncommon. The situation illustrates not only how vulnerable our state’s poor and indigent population is, but also how fragile the aging middle class in South Carolina has become. In a nutshell, this is the face of aging for many older South Carolinians —

| the very people who may be our next-door neighbors.

This project demonstrated how a little generosity from others — particularly the electric linemen, gas journeymen and other employees from SCE&G who volunteered their own personal time by providing their labor to help this gentleman — goes a long way. In the future, it is going to take similar collaborative efforts across the state to make sure the needs for an aging South Carolina are met.

I salute SCANA and commend SCE&G and their employees for their role in the project. Together, they rose to the occasion and led the charge by answering a call greater than their own, which is a shining example for us all to follow.

Seniors in our state have paid their dues. They have

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worked hard all of their lives without expecting handouts, but, through no fault of their own, in a time when they can no longer make it alone and need help because of the veil of age, we must do everything we can to make sure that a helping hand is available.

As you recount life’s blessings this holiday season, please take a moment to consider the needs of those around you who may be less fortunate. To someone who needs help, what may be a small gift to you may mean the world to him or her.

Let’s make this a team effort; when everyone does a little, no one has to do a lot.

Opportunities to help our fellow man are all around us if we take a break from the complexities of life to look around us. This year, be the glimmer of hope for a senior or vulnerable adult in your community who needs a helping hand.

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A6

RELIGION

THE ITEM

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2013

Bilingual worship: Local churches break it down for congregations

BY JADE ANDERSON janderson@theitem.com Finding the right word is not always easy, especially if you are thinking in one language and speaking in another.

But a number of local ministers not only find the right word, they also preach a sermon, and often they do it in more than one language. “Sometimes it’s easier to worship in your native language,� said Pastor Javier Polo, who has worked with a Hispanic ministry with First Assembly of God in Sumter for about two years. “I’d say 99 percent of it is Spanish, but we use the Spanglish version sometimes.

Although a majority of people that go to the ministry are all bilingual.�

Other ministries use a two-fold approach

such as that of Pastor Silver Mabalot and his wife, Cristina, who have co-pastored a small congregation at Pilgrim International Assembly for about four years. Since the congregation is largely made up of intercultural marriages, Cristina Mabalot said, they speak in English and occasionally translate into Tagalog, the national language of the Philippines. “Some of our American-born, Englishspeaking — they learn other languages through our services, and they enjoy learning the different language,�

Silver Mabalot said. “It’s quite interesting.

They will ask, ‘what word was that again?’ and take notes.�

And humor usually does not translate.

What the Korean members of the Han Sam Korean Church

‘It makes it different and wonderful when we kind of put all the different customs together.’ Pastor Javier Polo, First Assembly of God find funny when Pastor Byung Lee tells a story in that language does not make his Englishspeaking members laugh when he tells the same story in their language. “The hard part is there are some differences in American and

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other holidays such as Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day, Silver Mabalot said.

Leeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s church will fellowship before the New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Eve service. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We try to meet together and have a service before we meet in the new year,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Every church member comes to me as a family and dedicates time for prayer requests as a family. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s kind of a Korean tradition at New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s to eat special Korean food, and then we have a service.â&#x20AC;?

Reach Jade Anderson at (803) 774-1250.

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Food plays a big part in the Mabalotsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; ministry. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have food after every church service,â&#x20AC;?

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Korean culture,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hard to deliver a message in another language. There is a kind of disconnect.â&#x20AC;?

He, too, has many intercultural marriages in his congregation, Lee said.

But even the same language does not mean the same customs. Poloâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s members come from South America, Central America and the Caribbean Islands. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The words that we use sometimes mean something totally different,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We may have the same language but different music. People from the islands have music that has got a lot of bongos and drums, while Central America tends to like Mariachi style and slow rhythms. When we go to somebodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s house to celebrate, the food may be completely different or some-

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RELIGION

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2013

THE ITEM

O little town of Sumter?

The Taylor String Quartet will perform at First Presbyterian Church on Sunday, as the chancel choir presents the 38th Annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols.

I

t was a common refrain among me and my friends as teenagers: There is nothing to do in Sumter.

There we would all sit, wishing for entertainment outside of our parents’ living rooms.

As adults, the complaints are a little less angst-ridden, but they follow in the same vein: Sumter is too small for our taste. Our community has yet to satiate our desire for the next biggest thing or convenience. When will my road be fixed? Why aren’t there more activities for my family? And for goodness’ sake, when will we get that Target?

Bethlehem was a village of little biblical consequence. It had little notoriety among the villages and towns of its day as well as in history. It earned a couple of mentions throughout what we now call the Old Testament, most notably as the birthplace of David, a shepherd who became the ruler of the Israelite people early in Jewish history.

After that event, the town is rarely mentioned for any other purpose than to denote a passing geographic reference.

Then, seemingly out of nowhere, Scripture explodes in a promise that would shake the foundations of our world.

Micah 5:2 tells that the promised Messiah, one who would save the world, would be born. His life and actions would create the means by which humans could receive salvation. The foundations of faith would be shaken to their core. Everything would change, Scripture foretold.

And where would this miracle take place? What town would the Almighty choose?

I imagine that the prophet asked God to repeat himself.

Bethlehem? Why not Jerusalem, the hub of the Jewish faith and the location of the

temple? If not Jerusalem, why not some other town of political or historical significance?

I cannot definitively say why God chose Bethlehem as the birthplace of the Savior of the world, but I can venture a guess. Perhaps it’s because the Almighty doesn’t need the amenities of a large town to accomplish his will. He doesn’t need the advantage of a roaring economy. He doesn’t need to be shored up with political power.

God only values the hearts of his people. The little town of Bethlehem would be the perfect place for the birth of a savior.

If God can accomplish big things in small towns, then we should be prepared for God to do great things among us. I’m not trying to degrade our wonderful community or the politicians and staff who work hard every day to offer us a great quality of life. God has blessed our community in many ways. It’s worth mentioning that Sumter has a lot of great things going for it. I’m simply saying that we can expect that an omnipotent God is not limited by our town’s size or status. God can still do great, big things in Sumter.

This means we must stop asking our leaders to satisfy our wants and start asking God to give us the capacity to see the opportunities for ministry in our community.

Through our Creator, our potential for religious revival is great.

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

A7

PHOTO PROVIDED

Public invited to Christmas services

BY IVY MOORE ivym@theitem.com The First Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir will present its 38th Annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols twice Sunday.

The productions, in the tradition of the original 1918 Christmas Eve service first presented at King’s College Chapel in Cambridge, England, will be at 10:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Joni Brown, music director, said the church will “celebrate this fourth Sunday of Advent with scripture readings, congregational hymns and a variety of choral music. We have lovingly woven together sacred music and scriptural texts in an attempt to tell the extraordinary story of Jesus’ birth.”

The festival format for the service of Christian worship is traditionally followed at Christmas and comprises the story of the fall of humanity, the promise of the Messiah and the birth of Jesus, told in nine short Bible readings from Genesis, the prophetic books and the Gospels, interspersed with the singing of Christmas carols, hymns and choir music.

The original King’s College Chapel service serves as the model for adapta-

WANT TO GO? The Service of Lessons and Carols at First Presbyterian Church, 9 W. Calhoun St., at the corner of Calhoun and Main streets, will be held at 10:30 a.m. and again at 3 p.m. Joni Brown said there will be a covered dish luncheon “after the first service, about 11:45 a.m. Everyone is invited to bring a side dish or dessert and join us.”

The public is also invited to the afternoon service.

tions used by many churches around the world, most often Anglican, but also in some Roman Catholic, Lutheran and Presbyterian churches. Groton School of Groton, Mass., has performed the festival longer than any institution other than King’s, holding its first Lessons and Carols in 1928.

Sunday’s services at First Presbyterian Church will begin with the Overture and Pastoral Symphony from Handel’s “Messiah,” performed by the Taylor String Quartet, comprising violinists Ashley Horvat and Damir Horvat, Mary Taylor on viola and Jacqueline Taylor on cello.

Mary Taylor will also accompany the choir on “Of the Father’s Love Begotten,” which Brown described as “a 13th Century Plainsong set by Larry Shackley.”

Other highlights include “People, Look East,” which “first appeared in ‘The Oxford Book of Carols’ (1928).

The lively tune, a traditional French carol, provides a festive setting for a wonderful Advent text,” according to Brown.

She said the arrangement of the traditional Christmas carol, “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” is also “energetic. ... It features Denise Lynch and Hamilton Stoddard on four-hand piano and strings. The arranger, Dan Forrest, also wrote the beautiful ‘There is Faint Music’” which will be the fifth of the nine carols.

“Forrest is a former professor of music at Bob Jones University, where he served as department head of Music Theory and Composition for several years.”

Organist Stoddard and trumpeter Jon Hopkins will be featured in the sixth carol, “Noel We Sing,” (which) “tells the story of the shepherds as they are called to the manger by the angels,” Brown said.

“The string quartet and timpani will accompany all the congregational hymns and several of the choral anthems. We are pleased to have Anna Owens as our vocal soloist for this service and also our Christmas Eve services.”

CHURCH NEWS EARLY DEADLINE: Deadline for Church News to be published in the Dec. 26 edition of The Item has passed.

Deadline for Church News to be published in the Jan. 2, 2014, edition is noon Monday, Dec. 23.

Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church, 418 Main St., Lynchburg, announces: * Today and Saturday — 50th church anniversary celebration as follows: 7 p.m. today, St. Mark Mass Choir will present music; and 4 p.m. Saturday, worship service, Minister Ernest Pitts will speak.

Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, 4319 Rowe Drive, Summerton, announces: * Saturday — Christmas showcase at 6:30 p.m.

Requested donation amount is $10.

Calvary Baptist Church, 459 Calvary Church Road, Bishopville, announces: * Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014 — Mid-Carolina singing at 6 p.m. featuring Jordan River of Lexington and Cedar Creek Quartet.

Chapel Hill Baptist Church, 8749 Old Highway Six, Santee, announces: * Wednesday, Dec. 25 — Christmas Day worship at 10 a.m. Pastor Reverdy Capers, of St. George, will speak. * Tuesday, Dec. 31 — Watch Night worship at 10 p.m.

Clark United Methodist Church, 2980 U.S. 401 N., Oswego Highway, announces: * Sunday — Christmas program at 11 a.m.

Concord Baptist Church, 1885 Myrtle Beach Highway,

| announces: * Tuesday, Dec. 31 — Christmas Eve candlelight service at 6 p.m.

Corinth Missionary Baptist Church, 25 Community St., announces: * Sunday — Non-perishable food drive. Worship begins at 11 a.m. * Sunday, Dec. 29 — Youth Day worship at 10:30 a.m. * Tuesday, Dec. 31 — Watch Night worship at 10:30 a.m. * Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014 — Holy Communion worship at 11 a.m. Preferred attire is white or black.

Emmanuel United Methodist Church, 421 S. Main St., announces: * Sunday, Dec. 29 — Fifth Sunday joint services with Mt. Zion UMC at 10 a.m. at Emmanuel.

Fellowship Outreach Ministries, 1981 Florence Highway, announces: * Friday and Dec. 27 — Healing and deliverance services at 7:30 p.m. Apostle Virnetta Evans will speak. * Sunday — Elder Prophetess Ericka Whitmore, of Living Waters Deliverance of Columbia, will speak at 4 p.m. worship.

Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, 182 S. Pike East, announces: * Friday — Praise and deliverance worship at 7 p.m.

Full Proof Deliverance Ministry, 2758 S.C. 341 S., Olanta, announces: * Friday and Dec. 27 — “A night with the King” worship at 7:30 nightly. Frances Washington will speak.

Grant Hill Missionary Baptist Church, 5405 Black River Road, Rembert, announces: * Sunday — Christmas program at 9 a.m. Theme:

“There is Room” — Luke 2:7. * Tuesday, Dec. 31 — Watch Night worship service at 10:30 p.m. * Friday-Sunday, Jan. 31-Feb. 2, 2014 — Women’s Conference. To register, call or email Claudette Witherspoon at (803) 5659425, (803) 499-2806 or cwastepabove@yahoo.com.

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

Jehovah Missionary Baptist Church, 803 S. Harvin St., announces: * Sunday — “The Gift” segment of the mini-drama “Jesus, the Sacrificial Gift” will be presented at 7:45 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. * Wednesday, Dec. 25 — Christmas worship at 10 a.m. in the church sanctuary. Feeding the hungry on Christmas Day 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at M.H. Newton Family Life Center, 415 Manning Ave. * Tuesday, Dec. 31 — Watch Night service at 10 p.m.

Joshua Baptist Church, 5200 Live Oak Road, Dalzell, announces: * Sunday — Christmas program. Church school at 9 a.m. followed by 10 a.m. worship. * Sunday, Dec. 29 — Youth service. Church school at 9 a.m. followed by 10 a.m. worship. * Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014 — Male chorus anniversary celebration at 4 p.m. * Sunday, Jan. 12, 2014 — Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during morning worship. * Sunday, Jan. 19, 2014 — Deacon and wives anniversary celebration

during morning worship.

Land Flowing with Milk & Honey Ministry, 1335 Peach Orchard Road, announces: * Sunday — Christmas play at 11 a.m. * Sunday, Dec. 29 — Youth with SWAG at 11 a.m. Eric D. Rufus will speak.

Lord of Lords of Hope Ministries, 305 S. Mill St., Manning, announces: * Friday — Deliverance service with Pastors Gerthene and Otis Baxter at 7:30 p.m.

Meadowbrook Church of God, corner of Boulevard and Meadowbrook roads, announces: * Saturday — Christmas singing at 6 p.m.

Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 325 Fulton St., announces: * Friday-Saturday — Annual Christmas basketball tournament sponsored by Mount Zion Enrichment Center. Call Robert Dix at (803) 773-3546. * Sunday — Annual Christmas program at 4 p.m. sponsored by the church school ministry.

New Israel Missionary Baptist Church, 5330 Old Camden Highway, Dalzell, announces: * Sunday, Dec. 29 — There will be no services.

New Testament Lighthouse Church, 1114 Boulevard Road, announces: * Tuesday, Dec. 31 — New Year’s Eve supper and singing. Supper will begin at 8 p.m. with singing from 9 p.m. to midnight featuring His Calling and others.

Oak Grove Baptist Church, 7131 U.S. 301, Alcolu, announces: * Sunday — Installation of

the Rev. Benny McCants as pastor at 4 p.m. Moderator Jimmy Brockington and the executive board of Jerusalem Baptist Association will conduct the service.

Pine Grove AME Church, 41 Pine Grove Road, Rembert, announces: * Sunday — Church school Christmas program at 6 p.m. featuring a skit and the mass choir in concert. * Tuesday, Dec. 31 — Watch Night worship at 10 p.m. featuring singing, prayers and praise. Breakfast will be served.

Pinewood Baptist Church, S.C. 261, Pinewood, announces: * Sunday — The adult choir will perform the musical “The Light of Christmas” at 11 a.m. The children’s Christmas program will be presented at 7 p.m. * Sunday, Jan. 12, 2014 — Special worship service to honor retiring pastor the Rev. Bennie T. Barwick Jr. and retiring music director Claudia L. Barwick. Sunday school begins at 10 a.m. followed by 11 a.m. worship.

Lunch will be provided after the service. RSVP for luncheon by Friday, Jan. 3, 2014 as follows: sign-up on the church bulletin board; email webmaster@ pinewoodbaptist.org; or call (803) 452-5373.

Hope Catholic Parish announces: * Friday — Confessions will be heard at 7 p.m. at Our Lady of Hope. * Christmas Mass and New Year’s Mass schedule as follows: 4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 24, St. Ann, 2205 State Park Road, Santee; 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 24, Our Lady of Hope, 2529 Raccoon Road, Manning; 7 a.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 25, St. Mary, 14 N. Cantey St., Summerton; 9 a.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 25, Our Lady of Hope; 11 a.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 25, St. Ann; 4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31, St. Ann; 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31, Our Lady of Hope; 7 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014, St. Mary; 9 a.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014, Our Lady of Hope; and 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014, St. Ann. St. Paul AME Church, 835 Plowden Mill Road, announces: * Sunday — Christmas program at 4 p.m. * Tuesday, Dec. 31 — Watch Night services at 10 p.m.

Summerton Southern Methodist Church, Felton Street, Summerton, announces: * Tuesday, Dec. 31 — New Year’s Eve gospel singing at 8 p.m. featuring David Floyd, Marty James, Mike Watson and more.

Salem Missionary Baptist Church, 320 W. Fulton St., announces: * Tuesday, Dec. 31 — Watch Night service in unity with Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church at 10 p.m. The Rev. Dr. James Blassingame will speak.

Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, 155 Wall St., announces: * Sunday — Community Christmas concert at 5 p.m. * Tuesday, Dec. 31 — New Year’s Eve service at 9:30 p.m.

St. James AME Church, 180 W. Fulton Manning Road, Pinewood, announces: * Saturday — Pack-a-pew program at 5 p.m.

St. Mary — Our Lady of

Victory Full Gospel Interdenominational Church, 601 Pitts Road, announces: * Tuesday, Dec. 31 — New Year’s Eve service at 10:30 p.m.

A8

LOCAL

THE ITEM

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2013

RESCUE from Page A1 into the unmanageable number authorities found.

Forty-five of the dogs were ultimately taken to For Belleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sake Rescue and Rehabilitation in Wedgefield, the only animal rescue registered with Sumter County law enforcement.

Christian and Shelby Bird, founders and operators of the rescue, said Wednesday they are currently going through the process of checking the animals for worms and getting their vaccinations up to date.

Eventually all of the canines will also be spayed or neutered.

Before they could take the dogs on, the Birds also had to construct new kennels for the animals.

An active-duty Air Force couple stationed at Shaw Air Force Base, Christian is the non-commissioned officer in charge of the network operations security center at U.S. Air Forces Central, and Shelby is an Airman Leadership School instructor with the 20th Force Support Squadron.

Several years ago, the first day in their new home, the Birds discovered an

injured, abandoned dog on their property. And so it began.

From then on, the couple would frequently stumble upon animals in the same condition, rehabilitate them and place them into a loving home.

The Birdsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; rescue not only offers temporary care for dogs that have been rescued or are in need of rehabilitation, but also provides short-term boarding for dogs while their owners are out of town. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We provide military service members with the option of leaving their pets in our care while they are on TDY or deployment, for only $150/ month, which totals out to about $5/day,â&#x20AC;? stated Shelby.

There is clearly a tremendous strain put on rescues when hoarding cases are discovered, putting rescues like For Belleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sake in a bind to find the funds and accommodations for these recoveries.

With everything they do for the rescue coming out of their own pocket, the aid and assistance of volunteers is crucial to the rescue now more than ever. Having roughly 30 animals already in their possession, adding 45 more mouths to feed and accommodate, the Birdsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

MATT WALSH / THE ITEM

One of the dogs rescued by the Birds stand on top of his dog house recently at the rescue.

need for kibble and bedding has increased drastically. With about 75 pets to care for, the request for fosters also came up during an interview with the Birds. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Maybe people could potentially foster for us, help us out?

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll do a lot of the work, but we just need somebody to provide love and attention to the animals,â&#x20AC;? said

Christian Bird.

To help prevent developments like the Benenhaley Road case, the Birds have a screening process before they allow people to adopt animals in their care, including a home visit and background check.

If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re interested in fostering or adopting one of the animals in the Birdsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; care, call

(803) 494-2299, email forbellessake@gmail.com, or via their businessâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Facebook page.

Monetary donations, food, bedding, heartworm prevention, flea prevention and other pet item drop-offs can be delivered for the Birdsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; rescue to Guignard Animal Clinic on South Guignard Drive during regular business hours and selective after-hours.

PHOTOS BY HOLLY BUNCH / THE ITEM

ABOVE: A corgi mix pokes his nose through a fence at the rescue recently.

LEFT: From left, Christian and Shelby Bird talk about their efforts at For Belleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sake animal rescue on Wednesday.

ADOPTIONS from Page A1 month of December just because of that.â&#x20AC;?

For Belleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sake Rescue and Rehabilitation is one such organization, and its policy has met with mixed reactions. â&#x20AC;&#x153;(It) has surprisingly been well received and respected by most and criticized and rejected by others,â&#x20AC;? said Shelby Bird, one of the owners of the Wedgefield-based rescue. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Every day we get e-mails, calls and Facebook messages about people wanting to adopt a puppy or kitten as a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Christmas giftâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; for their child or loved one. The problem is these â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;giftsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; grow up and can live 18 years or more.

March and on are the busiest times for shelters because the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;giftsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; grew up, started to chew on things or need to be taken outside and spent time with on house training and obedience training.

Although they are very cute, they are time consuming, and the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Christmas giftâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is too spontaneous and not thought out on most occasions.â&#x20AC;?

She has been involved with rescue work for seven years now.

But a recent study from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals supports seasonal adoption after a telephone survey found that 86 percent of those that responded either still had the pet or it lived with the family until it died.

The key is the â&#x20AC;&#x153;thought-outâ&#x20AC;? versus â&#x20AC;&#x153;spontaneousâ&#x20AC;? part, said Cindy Cook, manager of

BEFORE ADOPTING A PET: â&#x20AC;˘ Do your research to see what breed fits your lifestyle as far as activity levels, temperament and maintenance. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just look online at cute pictures. Talk to people who own them and spend time with some. â&#x20AC;˘ Prepare financially. Some breeds require professional grooming every four to six weeks. Some breeds are prone to health concerns. Then there are regular veterinarian visits for vaccinations, heartworm prevention, etc., not to mention possible emergency visits. The average dog requires between $400 and $2,500 annually in medical care. â&#x20AC;˘ Have or prepare to purchase food dishes and water bowls along with food to go in them. Consider accessories you may need such as collars, leashes and beds. â&#x20AC;˘ Consider the size of the animal. If itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a large-breed dog, for example, do you have adequate fencing or a safe place to walk it? Is it going to be an indoor or outdoor animal?

Sources: Shelby Bird, one of the owners of For Belleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sake Rescue and Rehabilitation, and Cindy Cook, manager of the Sumter SPCA

the Sumter SPCA. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It needs to be a thought-out thing by the adults in the family,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A lot of different concerns come into the thought of getting a pet for Christmas or anytime.

You need to be prepared.

So many times after Christmas, a lot of animals get turned in because people did a spurof-the-moment thing by adopting, and it was a little more than they bargained for.â&#x20AC;?

Newman recommends waiting until after the holidays. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Take (the children) with you to a pound or rescue and let them par-

ticipate in picking out their pet,â&#x20AC;? Newman said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Make sure they understand the responsibility of owning a pet, that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s for the life of

that pet, not just while they are little and cute.

Even encourage them to adopt an older animal.

They have just as much, if not more, love to give.â&#x20AC;?

Bird agreed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Consider the amount of time a puppy will require,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Maybe thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not the best fit.

Maybe an older dog who already has training and is emotionally settled is the best fit. After all, age doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t equate to loyalty or love. Adult dogs and cats are often more loyal because they are past their â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;naughtyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; phase, much like us as teenagers.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;And finally, if you think you have the perfect fit, see if you can foster to adopt. For Belleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sake highly encourages that, as do several rescues. Foster for a couple weeks and make sure the dog or cat fits your family. If so, then finalize the adoption. If

not, try again until you do find a match. It may take more than once, but a match for the pet is just as important as the right match for the family.â&#x20AC;?

The Associated Press contributed to this article.

Reach Jade Anderson at (803) 774-1250.

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THE ITEM

A9

To submit a letter to the editor, email letters@theitem.com COMMENTARY

|

Executive discretion to the extreme “To contend that the obligation imposed on the president to see the laws faithfully executed implies a power to forbid their execution is a novel construction of the Constitution, and is entirely inadmissible.”

— U.S. Supreme Court, 1838

uses of executive discretion pertain to the growth of the administrative state.

The danger, Price says, is that the inevitable non-enforcement of many federal criminal laws will establish “a new constitutional norm of unbounded executive discretion” beyond the criminal jusASHINGTON — tice system. Price says the enCongressional Reforcement discretion exercised publicans’ long-sim- in the context of the resourcemering dismay about Barack constrained criminal justice Obama’s offenses against the system provides “no support separation of powers became for presidential authority to acute when events compelled decline enforcement with rehim to agree with them that spect to any other given civil the Affordable Care Act could regulatory regime, such as the not be implemented as writAffordable Care Act.” ten. But even before he deThe difference is between creed alterations of key ACA priority setting and policy setprovisions — delaying enforce- ting, the latter being a congresment of certain requirements sional prerogative because of for health insurance and enCongress’ primacy in lawmakforcement of employing. Absent “a clear ers’ coverage obligastatutory basis, an extions — he had effececutive waiver of statutively altered congrestory requirements” is sionally mandated pol“presumptively impericy by altering work remissible.” quirements of the 1996 It has, however, bewelfare reform; and come “a nearly irresistcompliance requireible temptation” for George ments of the No Child presidents to infer perLeft Behind education WILL mission from the law; and some enforcecourts’ abandonment ment concerning marijuana of judicial review that limits possession; and the prosecuCongress’ power to delegate tion of drug crimes entailing essentially legislative powers to mandatory minimum sentenc- the executive branch. So, Price es; and the enforcement of im- asks: “If President Obama may migration laws pertaining to postpone enforcement of the some young people.

ACA’s insurance requirements Republicans tend to regard and employer mandate, could Obama’s aggressive assertion a subsequent president ignore of enforcement discretion as the Affordable Care Act altoidiosyncratic — an anti-consti- gether?” tutional impatience arising In 1998, the Supreme Court from his vanity. This interpreheld that “there is no provision tation is encouraged by his in the Constitution that authomany assertions that he “can’t rizes the president to enact, to wait” for our system of sepaamend, or to repeal statutes.” rated powers to ratify his poliBut by claiming a power to recy preferences. Still, to undervise laws through suspension stand not only the extravaof portions of them, Obama is gance of Obama’s exercises of exercising what Price calls a executive discretion, but also “second veto.” Actually, he is how such discretion necessari- wielding what the Constitution ly grows as government does, forbids and no statute can read Zachary S. Price’s “Engrant — a line-item veto, forcement Discretion and Exwhich violates the Presentecutive Duty” forthcoming in ment Clause. The Constitution the Vanderbilt Law Review. says “every bill” passed by Price, a visiting professor at the Congress shall be “presented” University of California’s Hastto the president, who shall sign ings College of the Law, dem“it” or return “it” with his obonstrates that the Constitujections. The antecedent of the tion’s “text, history, and norpronoun is the bill — all of it, mative underpinnings” do not not bits of it. justify the permissive reading The sprawl of the modern Obama gives to the Take Care administrative state requires Clause, which says the presivast delegations of powers, dent “shall take care that the often indistinguishable from laws be faithfully executed.” legislative powers, to an execuIt is, says Price, part of tive branch whose scale defies America’s “deeply rooted coneven adequate congressional stitutional tradition” that oversight. Fortunately, in the “presidents, unlike English Newtonian physics of our conkings, lack authority to susstitutional system, wherein ripend statutes” or make them valries among the three inapplicable to certain individ- branches are supposed to uals or groups. Indeed, the trend toward equilibrium, acTake Care Clause may have tions often produce equal and been intended to codify the opposite reactions. Obama’s Framers’ repudiation of royal aggressive assertions of execususpending prerogatives. tive discretion are provoking Hence the absence of an anticountervailing attention to suspension provision in the constitutional proprieties. His Bill of Rights. departures from the norms Congress’ excessive expanproper to the Take Care Clause sion of the number of federal may yet cause Congress to take crimes, however, has required better care of its prerogatives. husbanding of scarce prosecutorial and judicial resources, George Will’s email address which has made enforcement is georgewill@washpost.com. discretion central to the operation of today’s federal criminal © 2013, Washington Post justice system. But Obama’s Writers Group

W

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Money for military, veterans cut instead of unnecessary programs

Congress kicking can down the road with budget

The House just passed a budget bill that cuts military pay and funding for active duty, veterans and disabled veterans. The bill also reduces or cuts food stamp benefits for a reported 900,000 military retirees and 5,000 active-duty members. Rep. Paul Ryan, giving his best rendition of Nancy Pelosi’s recent “Embrace the suck” comment, said the military should be thankful because much deeper cuts could have been made.

After doing a little research regarding how our government is spending our money, I completely understand why Ryan and other representatives had to go after the military.

If not, they might have had to cut some of these programs: $1 million on a fruit fly sexual attractiveness study, $1.5 million on designing a video game controller, $697,177 on a climate change musical, $35 million on an old-fashioned trolley car, $10,000 on talking urinal cakes, $320,000 for robot squirrels, $1.4 billion in improper food stamps purchases which included alcohol, condoms, junk food and diapers, and $4.2 billion in IRS credits for illegal immigrants. Thanks to another sacrifice made by the military on behalf of their country, our government can keep critical programs like these.

I’m wringing my hands with disgust at the budget that has been proposed in Congress. First of all, it is for two years.

Congress hasn’t passed a budget since 2009, yet they “suddenly” can create one for two years?

Make no mistake, they are just kicking the can down the road to get just past the next election cycle. They propose cuts to vets that will save $6 billion. In 2010, the GAO estimated medicaid fraud to be $48 billion, but I’m sure they haven’t the time to catch the crooks. If they want to change the benefits offered to vets, do it for those who sign up in the future, not for those nearing retirement.

How dare they change the terms in mid stride!

Is it just me, or does it seem that we live in an inverted reality? One where we don’t punish the crooks, give to those who never contributed, and yank the rug out from under the men and women who put their lives on the line?

Remember these folks when it is election time.

Don’t vote for anyone with a D or an R behind their name.

TODD ‘EASY’ GARRICK Sumter

WES JOHNSTON Dalzell

EDITORIAL ROUNDUP Recent editorials from South Carolina newspapers: Dec. 15 Times & Democrat, Orangeburg, S.C., on Boeing is major factor: Boeing added to a really good week for Gov. Nikki Haley and South Carolina when on Thursday it announced the shifting of hundreds of jobs to South Carolina as part of the restructuring of its U.S. research operations over the next two years.

Just the day before, Haley and her development team trumpeted South Carolina manufacturing numbers. The governor said announcements by Belk Inc. and Flame Spray of a total $41 million in investment and 215 jobs up the number of jobs created since she took office in January 2011 to 40,000. During the same time period, South Carolina has announced 301 projects statewide — 126 new facilities and 175 expansions.

Whether all the announcements ultimately produce the actual investment and jobs forecast, the record of expansion during the Haley years has been impressive and gives her significant political clout in a state where she may not need a whole lot more of it to be re-elected in 2014.

While the Thursday announcement by Boeing does not translate into jobs in which South Carolinians do what leaders say they are very good at — “making

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

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

H.D. OSTEEN 1904-1987 The Item

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things” — the 300-400 positions are directly related to manufacturing and Boeing’s increasingly large footprint in South Carolina that centers around manufacturing the Dreamliner.

The research jobs here will focus on manufacturing technology.

And there could be bigger things ahead.

Boeing plans to announce a decision by early next year on where it will assemble the 777X airplane.

States are offering billions of dollars of tax breaks, property and customized employee training as part of the competition to land the assembly plant.

Online: http://thetandd. com Dec. 17 The State, Columbia, S.C., on a state legislature needs to crack down on abuse of state planes, vehicles: Rep. Bill Chumley clearly squandered tax dollars when he sent the state plane up to Washington this spring to pick up a celebrity with no expertise on the subject to testify before his subcommittee on his purely symbolic bill that clearly was going to be approved.

So we’re glad that, eight months after the fact, the House Ethics Committee has decided to look into the matter, even if it is a pretty transparent effort to convince the public that legislators are up to the task of policing their own ethics.

Which, almost by defini-

tion, they never will be.

But in a state where Treasurer Richard Eckstrom once was able to check out a state minivan and take it on a joyride to Minnesota for a family vacation, and where Gov. Nikki Haley could round up her campaign aides and travel by state car with her security detail to give a purely political speech to a purely political engagement in another state, it’s not at all clear to us that such shenanigans are illegal. And that is a significant problem.

So even more important than what the House Ethics Committee decides to do about Chumley is what the Legislature decides to do about the law.

Currently, any legislator, any statewide elected official and any of the thousands of members of parttime boards and commissions can check out a state plane any time they want for “official business.” That’s a too-broad term, which allows any of those folks to use the plane to, for instance, avoid a one-hour drive to a meeting in another city. And who knows what else.

At a minimum, the Legislature needs to require someone to sign off on an individual legislator’s use of the plane — the speaker in the House and the president pro tempore in the Senate, for example. Similar, if not more stringent, requirements should be put in place for members of state boards.

Online: http://www. scnow.com

HUBERT D. OSTEEN JR. | EDITOR AND CHAIRMAN

Founded October 15, 1894 20 N. Magnolia St. Sumter, SC 29150

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MARGARET W. OSTEEN 1908-1996 The Item

H. GRAHAM OSTEEN II Co-President

KYLE BROWN OSTEEN Co-President

JOHN DUVALL OSTEEN Vice President and Publisher

LARRY MILLER CEO

SPORTS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2013

THE ITEM To contact the Sports Department, call (803) 774-1241 or e-mail sports@theitem.com

B1

Last go-round for BCS as bowl games begin

BY JOHN MARSHALL The Associated Press

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Carolina cornerback Captain Munnerlyn (41) celebrates an interception return for a touchdown against the New York Jets during the Panthers’ 30-20 victory last Sunday in Charlotte. The former South Carolina standout continues to make timely plays and has helped the team to a 10-4 record this season.

Captain clutch Former USC standout making key defensive plays

BY STEVE REED The Associated Press CHARLOTTE — Panthers cornerback Captain Munnerlyn said he has a case of “little man’s syndrome.”

The 5-foot-8, 195-pound cornerback isn’t apologizing though, saying that’s what has helped make him the player he is today.

The former seventh-round draft pick has beaten the odds to become a fixture in the Carolina secondary, developing a knack for the big play along the way.

Munnerlyn has two interceptions this season, returning both for touchdowns.

That’s not all that unusual for the five-year pro — he returned two others for touchdowns last season.

Of Munnerlyn’s seven career interceptions, the former punt returner has taken five back for

TDs — the highest percentage in NFL history among players with at least five INTs. “I still don’t feel like I’ve made it and that is what makes me who I am,” Munnerlyn said. “I feel like I have to keep going out there and playing with that chip on my shoulder. Being an undersized guy I feel like I always have to do the extra things.”

The Panthers hope Munnerlyn can do the extra things needed Sunday when they host the New Orleans Saints in a game that could decide the NFC South division championship, as well as who gets a first-round bye in the playoffs.

He and his fellow defensive backs struggled in the last meeting with the Saints two weeks ago, allowing Drew Brees to throw for 313 yards and four touchdowns in a 31-13 loss at the Superdome, prompting Jets wide receiver Santonio SEE CAPTAIN, PAGE B5

This is it, the final goround for the BCS. The much-maligned system for determining college football’s national champion will be mothballed after this season, replaced by a four-team playoff next season.

As finales go, it’s hard to argue too much about the final title-game participants. Florida State was the only major-conference team to finish undefeated and Auburn had the best resume of the one-loss teams.

That’s the big one, but of course there are 34 other bowls, starting with four on Saturday, that will feature plenty of other good teams, star players and interesting match-ups.

To get you ready, we’ve got a rundown of what to look for: TOP GAMES

BCS National Championship, Florida State vs. Auburn, Jan. 6, Pasa-

dena, Calif. Duh. Sugar Bowl, Alabama vs. Oklahoma, Jan. 2, New Orleans. Two storied programs that fell short of their nationaltitle aspirations are still pretty good.

Orange Bowl, Ohio State vs. Clemson, Jan. 3, Miami. Teams that are a combined 45-5 since the start of last season and among the highest-scoring in college football.

Rose Bowl, Stanford vs. Michigan State, Jan. 1, Pasadena, Calif. If you like smash-mouth, defensive-minded football, this is your game.

AdvoCare V100 Bowl, Arizona vs. Boston College, Dec. 31, Shreveport, La. So what’s so exciting about two 7-5 SEE BOWLS, PAGE B4

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Alabama head coach Nick Saban, right, runs defensive back practice drills during the Crimson Tide’s Sugar Bowl preparation on Tuesday at the Hank Crisp Indoor Facility in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Tigers’ backup QBs Stoudt, Kelly awaiting their time

BY AARON BRENNER Post and Courier

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

South Carolina’s Asia Dozier (31) drives to the basket against North Carolina during the Tar Heels’ 74-66 victory in Myrtle Beach on Wednesday. The loss was the first for USC, who came into the game ranked 10th in the country.

USC women suffer 1st loss of year

BY PETE IACOBELLI The Associated Press MYRTLE BEACH — The only disappointing part of North Carolina’s latest holiday visit to the Grand Strand was that the Tar Heels’ beloved coach wasn’t there.

North Carolina coach Sylvia Hatchell, fighting leukemia, had hoped to be with her team at Myrtle Beach, a STALEY trip her club has made annually since the 1994-95 season.

While Hatchell tells her coaches and players she’s improving each day, she couldn’t make North Carolina’s two games at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center.

The 14th ranked Tar Heels, at least, gave Hatchell plenty to smile about with a 74-66 victory over No.

10 South Carolina on Wednesday night.

“They’re playing for her, there’s no doubt about that,” said longtime assistant Andrew Calder, who’s leading North Carolina in Hatchell’s absence.

North Carolina, which defeated New Orleans 124-41 here Monday night, improved to 26-5 all-time in games playing along South Carolina’s famed beach resort.

The Tar Heels (10-2) showed a little of everything that’s made them one of the country’s winningest programs during Hatchell’s 28 seasons in charge.

Talented freshman Stephanie Mavunga had her seventh double-double this season with 20 points and 12 rebounds.

Mavunga helped North Carolina SEE GAMECOCKS, PAGE B3

CLEMSON — One had a historically efficient game. The other has battled his way back from injury in a mind-boggling time frame.

Both have famous relatives who played in the NFL. Neither is guaranteed the starting job STOUDT they desire.

Cole Stoudt and Chad Kelly are still getting second- and third-team reps in bowl practices behind Tajh

Boyd, but the time ticks nearer for when the junior Stoudt and redshirt freshman Kelly will joust for the right to replace Boyd this spring.

Throw in highly touted freshman DeShaun Watson, who will enroll in courses in January and figures to be healthy from a knee injury for spring practices, and all eyes will be on the quarterback derby throughout the offseason.

“Competition is one of the biggest parts about college football,” Stoudt said Wednesday after practice. “If you don’t have competition, you SEE CLEMSON, PAGE B3

Badgers using setback against PSU as motivation vs. Carolina

BY RYAN WOOD Post and Courier COLUMBIA — There were harsh words and grim faces.

Wisconsin coach Gary Andersen, nose still red from the bitter cold outside, burned in- ANDERSEN ternally as he discussed his team’s shocking loss to Penn State.

The defeat came out

of nowhere. Penn State has overcome what should be debilitating NCAA sanctions, recording its second straight winning season this fall despite being ineligible for the postseason. Still, it was not supposed to beat Wisconsin.

Not inside Camp Randall Stadium. Not on the Badgers’ senior day. Not with Wisconsin dreaming of a potential fourth straight Rose Bowl trip after winning six straight games.

Andersen didn’t mince words with his team after its final regular-season game. Right there, in the postgame news conference, the Badgers’ first-year coach made expectations clear.

SEE CAROLINA, PAGE B3

B2

SPORTS

THE ITEM

SCOREBOARD TV, RADIO TODAY 1 p.m. -- College Football: NCAA Division III Playoffs Semifinal Game -- Wisconsin-Whitewater at Mary Hardin-Baylor (ESPNU).

4 p.m. -- College Basketball: South Carolina Upstate at South Carolina (FOX SPORTSOUTH, WDXY-FM 105.9, WNKT-FM 107.5, WDXY-AM 1240).

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

6:30 p.m. -- LPGA Golf: Swinging Skirts World Ladies Masters Charity Skins Game from New Taipei, Taiwan (GOLF).

7 p.m. -- College Basketball: Iona at Dayton (NBC SPORTS NETWORK).

7:30 p.m. -- College Basketball: Duke vs.

UCLA from New York (ESPN).

7:30 p.m. -- Women’s College Volleyball: NCAA Tournament Semifinal Match from Seattle -- Wisconsin vs. Texas (ESPN2).

8 p.m. -- College Basketball: Clemson at Auburn (SPORTSOUTH, WWBD-FM 94.7,.

WPUB-FM 102.7).

8 p.m. -- NBA Basketball: Chicago at Oklahoma City (TNT).

9:30 p.m. -- High School Basketball: Huntington Prep (W.Va.) vs. Arsenal Tech from Indianapolis (ESPN).

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

10 p.m. -- Professional Golf: Asian Tour/European PGA Tour Royal Trophy First Round from Guangzhoo, China (GOLF).

10:30 p.m. -- NBA Basketball: San Antonio at Golden State (TNT).

Midnight -- NHL Hockey: Nashville at Tampa Bay (FOX SPORTSOUTH).

PREP SCHEDULE TODAY Varsity and JV Basketball Holly Hill at Laurence Manning, 4 p.m.

Clarendon Hall at Carolina Academy, 4 p.m.

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

Crestwood at Lee Central, 6 p.m.

B Team Basketball Fairfield Central at Sumter (Boys Only), 5 p.m.

Middle School Basketball Chestnut Oaks at Alice Drive, 5 p.m.

Bates at Ebenezer, 5 p.m.

Mayewood at Hillcrest, 5 p.m.

Manning at Sandy Run, 6 p.m.

FRIDAY Varsity Basketball Lakewood at Sumter, 6 p.m.

Lee Central at Crestwood, 6 p.m.

Manning, Laurence Manning in Manning Boys and Girls Christmas Tournament, TBA St. Francis Xavier at Sumter Christian (Boys Only), 6 p.m.

Varsity and JV Basketball Thomas Sumter at Florence Christian, 4 p.m.

Varsity Wrestling Sumter in Seahawk Slam (at Savannah Civic Center), TBA SATURDAY Varsity Basketball Manning in Manning Boys and Girls Christmas Tournament, TBA B Team Basketball Clarendon Hall at Andrew Jackson Academy (Girls Only), noon Varsity Wrestling Sumter in Seahawk Slam (at Savannah Civic Center), TBA

COLLEGE FOOTBALL Football Championship Subdivision Playoff Glance The Associated Press First Round Saturday, Nov. 30 New Hampshire 45, Lafayette 7 Furman 30, South Carolina State 20 Coastal Carolina 48, Bethune-Cookman 24 Fordham 37, Sacred Heart 27 Tennessee State 31, Butler 0 Sam Houston State 51, Southern Utah 20 South Dakota State 26, Northern Arizona 7 Jacksonville State 55, Samford 14 Second Round Saturday, Dec. 7 Towson 48, Fordham 28 Coastal Carolina 42, Montana 35 New Hampshire 41, Maine 27 Eastern Illinois 51, Tennessee State 10 North Dakota St. 38, Furman 7 Eastern Washington 41, South Dakota State 17 Jacksonville State 31, McNeese State 10 Southeastern Louisiana 30, Sam Houston State 29 Quarterfinals Friday, Dec. 13 Towson 49, Eastern Illinois 39 Saturday, Dec. 14 North Dakota State 48, Coastal Carolina 14 Eastern Washington 35, Jacksonville State 24 New Hampshire 20, Southeastern Louisiana 17 Semifinals Friday, Dec. 20 New Hampshire (10-4) at North Dakota State (13-0), 8 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 21 Towson (12-2) at Eastern Washington (12-2), 2 p.m.

Championship Saturday, Jan. 4 At FC Dallas Stadium Frisco, Texas TBD, 2 p.m.

NBA STANDINGS

By The Associated Press EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division W L Pct GB Boston 12 14 .462 – Toronto 9 13 .409 1 Brooklyn 9 15 .375 2 New York 7 17 .292 4 Philadelphia 7 19 .269 5 Southeast Division W L Pct GB Miami 18 6 .750 – Atlanta 13 12 .520 51/2 Charlotte 11 14 .440 71/2 Washington 10 13 .435 71/2 Orlando 8 17 .320 101/2 Central Division W L Pct GB Indiana 20 4 .833 – Detroit 12 14 .462 9 Chicago 9 14 .391 101/2 Cleveland 9 15 .375 11 Milwaukee 5 19 .208 15 WESTERN CONFERENCE Southwest Division W L Pct GB San Antonio 19 5 .792 – Houston 16 9 .640 31/2 Dallas 14 10 .583 5 New Orleans 11 12 .478 71/2 Memphis 10 14 .417 9 Northwest Division W L Pct GB Portland 22 4 .846 – Oklahoma City 20 4 .833 1 Denver 14 10 .583 7 Minnesota 12 13 .480 91/2 Utah 6 21 .222 161/2 Pacific Division W L Pct GB L.A. Clippers 17 9 .654 – Phoenix 14 9 .609 11/2 Golden State 14 12 .538 3 L.A. Lakers 12 13 .480 41/2 Sacramento 7 16 .304 81/2 Tuesday’s Games Portland 119, Cleveland 116 Charlotte 95, Sacramento 87 L.A. Lakers 96, Memphis 92 Oklahoma City 105, Denver 93 Golden State 104, New Orleans 93

| Wednesday’s Games Utah 86, Orlando 82 Indiana at Miami, 7 p.m.

Charlotte at Toronto, 7 p.m.

Detroit at Boston, late Sacramento at Atlanta, late Washington at Brooklyn, late Portland at Minnesota, late New York at Milwaukee, late Memphis at Dallas, late San Antonio at Phoenix, late Chicago at Houston, late New Orleans at L.A. Clippers, late Today’s Games Chicago at Oklahoma City, 8 p.m.

San Antonio at Golden State, 10:30 p.m.

Friday’s Games Brooklyn at Philadelphia, 7 p.m.

Milwaukee at Cleveland, 7:30 p.m.

Sacramento at Miami, 7:30 p.m.

Utah at Atlanta, 7:30 p.m.

Charlotte at Detroit, 7:30 p.m.

Houston at Indiana, 8 p.m.

Toronto at Dallas, 8:30 p.m.

Phoenix at Denver, 9 p.m.

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

NHL STANDINGS

By The Associated Press EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division GP W L OT Pts GF GA Boston 34 23 9 2 48 94 70 Montreal 36 21 12 3 45 91 76 Tampa Bay 34 20 11 3 43 93 82 Detroit 36 15 12 9 39 91 99 Toronto 36 17 16 3 37 99 105 Ottawa 35 14 15 6 34 99 113 Florida 35 13 17 5 31 81 110 Buffalo 34 8 23 3 19 59 98 Metropolitan Division GP W L OT Pts GF GA Pittsburgh 35 24 10 1 49 108 75 Washington 34 18 13 3 39 107 102 Carolina 34 14 13 7 35 79 94 Philadelphia 34 15 15 4 34 81 93 N.Y. Rangers 34 16 17 1 33 76 91 New Jersey 34 13 15 6 32 78 85 Columbus 34 14 16 4 32 87 95 N.Y. Islanders 35 9 19 7 25 85 121 WESTERN CONFERENCE Central Division GP W L OT Pts GF GA Chicago 37 25 7 5 55 138 102 St. Louis 33 22 7 4 48 114 80 Colorado 33 22 10 1 45 96 78 Minnesota 36 20 11 5 45 84 83 Dallas 33 16 12 5 37 95 101 Nashville 34 16 15 3 35 78 95 Winnipeg 36 15 16 5 35 95 106 Pacific Division GP W L OT Pts GF GA Anaheim 36 24 7 5 53 116 91 Los Angeles 35 23 8 4 50 97 68 San Jose 34 21 7 6 48 112 84 Vancouver 36 20 10 6 46 100 86 Phoenix 33 18 10 5 41 105 103 Calgary 34 13 16 5 31 86 108 Edmonton 36 11 22 3 25 93 123 NOTE: Two points for a win, one point for overtime loss.

Tuesday’s Games Tampa Bay 3, N.Y. Islanders 2, SO Minnesota 3, Vancouver 2, SO Boston 2, Calgary 0 Buffalo 4, Winnipeg 2 Florida 3, Toronto 1 Montreal 3, Phoenix 1 Anaheim 5, Detroit 2 Philadelphia 5, Washington 2 San Jose 4, St. Louis 2 Chicago 3, Nashville 1 Dallas 3, Colorado 2 Los Angeles 3, Edmonton 0 Wednesday’s Games Ottawa at New Jersey, late Pittsburgh at N.Y. Rangers, late Today’s Games Boston at Buffalo, 7 p.m.

Phoenix at Toronto, 7 p.m.

Columbus at Philadelphia, 7 p.m.

Minnesota at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m.

Florida at Ottawa, 7:30 p.m.

Calgary at Detroit, 7:30 p.m.

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

Montreal at St. Louis, 8 p.m.

Vancouver at Dallas, 8:30 p.m.

Edmonton at Colorado, 9:30 p.m.

San Jose at Los Angeles, 10:30 p.m.

Friday’s Games Anaheim at New Jersey, 7 p.m.

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

Washington at Carolina, 7 p.m.

Vancouver at Chicago, 8 p.m.

Florida at Winnipeg, 8 p.m.

TRANSACTIONS The Associated Press ATHLETICS USADA — Announced American marathon runner Mary Akor tested positive for Clenbuterol and accepted a two-year period of ineligibility which began on May 6.

BASEBALL American League BALTIMORE ORIOLES — Traded INF Danny Valencia to Kansas City for OF David Lough.

BOSTON RED SOX — Acquired INF Jonathan Herrera from Colorado for LHP Franklin Morales and RHP Chris Martin.

Named Kevin Boles manager and Bruce Crabbe coach of Pawtucket (IL); Billy McMillon manager of Portland (EL); Carlos Febles manager and U.L. Washington hitting coach of Salem (Carolina); Darren Fenster manager, Nelson Paulino hitting coach and Satoshi Kajiyama trainer of Greenville (SAL); Nick Faciana trainer of Lowell (NYP); and Tom Kotchman manager of the GCL Red Sox. CLEVELAND INDIANS — Traded OF Drew Stubbs to Colorado for LHP Josh Outman.

MINNESOTA TWINS — Traded C/OF Ryan Doumit to Atlanta for LHP Sean Gilmartin.

Promoted Rob Antony to vice president/assistant general manager, Mike Clough to vice president/ticket sales and service, Paul Froehle to vice president/ticket operations and Nancy O’Brien to vice president/brand marketing, Dan Starkey to senior director/ballpark development, Sean Harlin to director of major league video, Chris Iles to director of corporate and digital communications, Sam Henschen to senior manager of Twins Productions, Brandon Johnson to senior manager of business intelligence and analytics and Dana Minion to senior manager of ballpark maintenance.

SEATTLE MARINERS — Agreed to terms with OF Franklin Gutierrez. Assigned OF Travis Witherspoon outright to Jackson (SL).

TEXAS RANGERS — Agreed to terms with RHP Justin Germano on a minor league contract.

National League CHICAGO CUBS — Named Carmelo Martinez Latin American field coordinator, Mike Mason assistant minor league pitching coordinator, Nick Frangella minor league training and performance coordinator, Chuck Baughman assistant minor league training coordinator and Rick Tronerud minor league rehab pitching coordinator.

MIAMI MARLINS — Agreed to terms with 3B Casey McGehee on a one-year contract.

MILWAUKEE BREWERS — Promoted Bob Hallas to vice president for stadium operations, Teddy Werner to vice president for business development and Michael Boettcher to director of grounds.

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES — Agreed to terms with RHP Roberto Hernandez on a one-year contract and C Lou Marson, OFs Dave Sappelt and Tony Gwynn Jr. and RHP Sean O’Sullivan on minor league contracts.

Designated C Sebastian Valle for assignment.

Named John Mizerock assistant hitting coach.

PITTSBURGH PIRATES — Agreed to terms with 1B Travis Ishikawa; OF/INF Michael Martinez; LHPs Brandon Mann, Daniel Schlereth and Adam Wilk; and RHPs Kyle McPherson and Elvin Ramirez on minor league contracts.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2013

Mayewood Middle tops Scott’s Branch Mayewood Middle School defeated Scott’s Branch 52-49 on Wednesday at the Mayewood gymnasium.

The Vikings were led by a group effort from T. Commander, T. Allen, A. Dukes, J. Jones, J. Holliday, and T. Anderson.

SUMTER McBride 14, Butler 11, Parker 9, Ta’bon 5, White 4, Richardson 4, Kershaw 4.

BOYS VARSITY BASKETBALL LOWER RICHLAND SUMTER

GIRLS VARSITY BASKETBALL MANNING TIMBERLAND

55 51

HOPKINS – Micah McBride had 14 points and Sonny Butler added 11, but it was not enough as Sumter suffered its first loss of the year 55-51 to Lower Richland on Tuesday at

AREA ROUNDUP

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the LR gymnasium.

SHS, now 4-1 on the season, hosts Lakewood on Friday.

60 40

MANNING – Lanisha Brown had 15 points to lead three players in double figures as Manning earned a 60-40 victory over Timberland on Tuesday.

Makeba Harvin added 11

points and 10 rebounds for the Lady Monarchs followed by Kayla Goldsmith with 10 points. Kareena Hilton had eight rebounds.

MHS, now 7-0, will host Laurence Manning Academy on Friday in the Monarch Holiday Classic tournament at the John Thames Arena.

MANNING Brown 15, Harvin 11, Goldsmith 10, Hilton 6, Brunson 6, Green 4, Manning 4, Canty 4.

TIMBERLAND Hamilton 14, Harvin 6, Kinlaw 8, Allen 6, Reed 2, Wigfall 2, Stafford 2.

NBA ROUNDUP

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Late run lifts Heat past Pacers 97-94 MIAMI — Dwyane Wade scored 32 points, Ray Allen hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with just under a minute left and the Miami Heat erased a 15-point deficit in the second half to beat the Indiana Pacers 97-94 on Wednesday night.

LeBron James scored 24 on a bad left ankle for the Heat, who closed within a game of the Eastern Conferenceleading Pacers. Chris Bosh added 15 points for Miami, including a 3 that tied it late in the fourth.

James set up Allen for the 3 that put Miami in front for good with 59.5 seconds left, capping a 10-0 run.

Paul George scored 25 points but missed a 3-pointer that would have tied it with 4 seconds left. David West had 23 and Lance Stephenson added 13 for the Pacers, who have dropped two straight.

Down by one, the Pacers saw their best chance go awry when George Hill turned the ball over on a bad pass with 14 seconds left.

Allen made two free throws with 10.3 seconds remaining to put Miami up by three, and that capped a big comeback win for the twotime defending NBA champions.

Pacers center Roy Hibbert got his fourth foul early in the third, and Indiana coach Frank Vogel opted to leave him in the game.

The gamble appeared to

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Miami’s LeBron James (6) drives to the basket past Indiana’s Paul George (24) during the Heat’s 97-94 victory on Wednesday in Miami.

backfire 46 seconds later when Hibbert picked up his fifth with 8:34 remaining in the quarter.

BOBCATS RAPTORS

104 102

TORONTO — Kemba Walker hit a buzzerbeating jump shot in overtime and the Charlotte Bobcats beat the Raptors 104-102 on Wednesday night, snapping a three-game losing streak in Toronto.

Walker had 29 points and Al Jefferson had 24 points and 11 rebounds as the Bobcats won their second straight. Five of Jefferson’s points came in overtime.

Josh McRoberts scored 13 points, Ramon Sessions and Gerald Henderson each had 11 and Anthony Tolliver had 10.

JAZZ MAGIC

86 82

ORLANDO, Fla. — Trey Burke had a careerhigh 30 points and eight assists, Gordon Hayward added 15 points and the Utah Jazz held off the Orlando Magic 86-82 on Wednesday night.

Orlando had a chance to tie the game in the closing seconds, but Jameer Nelson’s layup rolled off the rim

and was rebounded by Utah with just 3 seconds left. Hayward then hit a pair of free throws.

The Jazz snapped a two-game losing streak and extended their win streak over the Magic to six games.

The Magic lost for the sixth time in seven home games. They continue their seasonlong six-game homestand Saturday against Sacramento.

Nelson led the Magic with 17 points.

From wire reports

SHRINE BOWL NOTEBOOK

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Injuries plague Shrine Bowl practices

BY KEVIN MELTON Spartanburg Hearld-Journal SPARTANBURG — Injuries continue to plague practices for the 77th Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas at Spartanburg High School.

Both South Carolina and North Carolina suffered a couple of more setbacks on Wednesday morning, causing both coaches to cross their fingers and hope for the best. The deadline has passed to replace injured players.

Wide receiver Blake Bone (Woodruff) and running back Caleb Kinlaw (Goose Creek) went to the locker room early in the morning session and did not practice in the afternoon.

Bone said he “tweaked his ankle,” but walked off the field under his own power.

Kinlaw’s injury was unknown, but he was taken off the field on a golf cart. He had been bothered by a nagging turf toe injury coming into the week.

“It’s always tough,” Sandlappers coach Tommy Brown said.

“We’re practicing twice a day, and those things are going to happen. We’re just blessed it’s not too major.”

North Carolina will be with-

out nose guard Arthur Williams (E.E. Smith) and is awaiting the status of safety Cameron Mattison (Mallard Creek). Williams was injured off the field after he slipped in a stairwell and cut his hand on Tuesday night, requiring several stitches. Mattison was injured during a 7-on-7 drill toward the end of the morning session.

“It’s going good, but we’ve just got to keep them healthy now,” Tarheels coach Burton Cates said. “We lost a nose guard with a freak accident walking down the steps. We’ll check on Mattison. That’s big.”

TARHEELS POSITIVE

Cates said his team has the right frame of mind as it prepares for Saturday’s game. He said the positive vibes will continue to build chemistry.

“I like the temperament of our team,” he said. “They are a good bunch of kids. (Tuesday) we had two really good practices.”

Pippin drawing praise: Sandlappers offensive coordinator Dan Pippin (North Augusta) has been impressing Brown with his intensity. Pippin has been one of the more vocal coaches during practices this week.

“Pippin has always done a

superb job offensively,” Brown said. “We’re fortunate to have him on our staff. I’ve played against him for years, so I have a lot of respect for what he’s done and how he’s getting the ball in the right hands for us.”

QUARTERBACK IMPROVING

North Carolina quarterbacks Jalen McClendon (West Mecklenburg) and Hasaan Klugh (Central Cabarrus) have shown steady improvement grasping the offense and terminology this week. Cates said he feels good about playing both on Saturday.

“They are getting better,” he said. “We’re throwing the ball and catching the ball a lot better. We’ll see if we can give them enough time to throw it.

It’s something we are getting better at.”

BLUE’S GOT A CLUE

Dillon’s Joe Blue (5-foot-11, 235 pounds) has been effective on both sides of the ball this week. He was selected as a running back, but also is seeing time at linebacker.

“He’s tough,” Brown said. “He’s a football player, whether he’s playing running back or playing linebacker. He’s the kind we just don’t have enough of. He’s a great kid on and off the field and will be successful at this game.”

SPORTS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2013

THE ITEM

Texas upends UNC 86-83 CHAPEL HILL, N.C. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Demarcus Holland scored on a stickback of his own free throw with 4.1 seconds left to help Texas hold on and beat No. 14 North Carolina 86-83 on Wednesday night.

Holland finished with 15 points for the Longhorns (10-1), who survived a missed 3-pointer from UNCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Marcus Paige on the final play to earn their sixth straight win.

Isaiah Taylor scored 16 points to lead Texas, while Javan Felix added 12 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; including two key baskets in the final 2 minutes to answer a tying spurt from the Tar Heels (73).

Texas shot 38 percent after halftime and 40 percent for the game, but dominated the boards and scored 21 second-chance points to beat the Tar Heels for the sixth time in seven meetings.

Paige scored 23 points to lead UNC, which got senior Leslie McDonald back for the first time after missing the first nine games due to NCAA eligibility issues.

(3) OHIO STATE DELAWARE

83 71

ATHENS, Ohio â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Maxie Escho had 16 points and 10 rebounds, Chaz Williams had 11 points and 11 assists and No. 22 Massachusetts remained undefeated with an 83-71 victory over Ohio on Wednesday night.

Sampson carter added 14 points, including eight straight in the second half, for the Minutemen (10-0), who shot 60.4 percent from the field (32 of 53) and led by as many as 19 points.

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build a 13-point lead midway through the second half while Diamond DeShields and Xylina McDaniel helped fend off the Gamecocks, who cut the margin to 55-53 with nine minutes to go.

DeShields, the daughter of ex-major leaguer Delino DeShields, scored 17 points while McDaniel, the daughter of former NBA standout Xavier McDaniel, added 14 points and seven rebounds.

Mavunga said teammate Danielle Butts told the Tar Heels at the half that despite their 39-27 edge that the Gamecocks (9-1) would tighten things up. â&#x20AC;&#x153;She told us weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got to hold our heads up and keep pushing through everything,â&#x20AC;? Mavunga said.

North Carolina did that to perfection after South Carolinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s charge, which cut the game to 2 points on Aleighsa Welchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s foul shots with 9:21 to go.

Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s when McDaniel drove for a layup and Mavunga followed with a basket to extend the Tar Heels lead to 59-53. Mavunga and McDaniel combined for 12 straight points down the stretch to fend off South Carolina. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re undefeated, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not used to losing so theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to keep coming at us,â&#x20AC;? Mavunga said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So we just had to stay together and keep doing what it is we do, play Carolina basketball.â&#x20AC;?

South Carolina had hoped to match its best start at 10-0 in coach Dawn Staleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s six seasons with a victory. Instead, Staley says sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s got plenty of things to teach her young team â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the Gamecocks start three freshmen â&#x20AC;&#x201D; as they finish off non-conference play the next two weeks. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Of course, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re disappointed that they lost this game, but weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got a lot of fight left in us,â&#x20AC;?

Staley said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This was one you want to get, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not the tell-all of the season.â&#x20AC;?

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Texasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Damarcus Croaker (5) blocks a shot by North Carolinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Leslie McDonald (2) during the Longhornsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 86-83 upset victory over the 14th-ranked Tar Heels in Chapel Hill, N.C., on Wednesday.

Maurice Ndour scored 16 points for Ohio (7-3), which made just five of 24 attempts from 3-point range (20.8 percent).

Nick Kellogg added 12 points for the Bobcats, who were playing their first home game against a ranked opponent since 1997.

Carter made all three of his 3-point attempts as the Minutemen went 9 of 14 from beyond the arc (64.3 percent).

N.C. STATE TENNESSEE

65 58

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; T.J. Warren scored 21 points and pulled down 11 rebounds Wednesday as North Carolina State beat Tennessee 65-58 for its sixth consecutive victory.

North Carolina State (8-2) hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t lost since getting stunned 82-72 in overtime by North Carolina Central on Nov. 20. This marked the Wolfpackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first road win of the season, as they had fallen 68-57 at Cincinnati on Nov. 12 in their only previous

CLEMSON from Page B1 canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really get better, because you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have someone pushing you.

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m excited about it.

Chad and them are all excited about it too. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to be a good spring and a good competition.â&#x20AC;?

In the coming weeks and months as the Orange Bowl memory fades away, sports bars and water coolers around the country will play host to endless debate and conversation over who becomes Clemsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s next starting quarterback.

Head coach Dabo Swinney is on record as stating the quarterback in offensive coordinator Chad Morrisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; system simply must have the capability to run.

That might lend a slight edge to Kelly and Watson, but Stoudt has shown some wiggle this season, including a winding 13-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter against Georgia Tech.

Stoudtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s greatest memory from this year, however, was setting the single-game school record for completion percentage Sept. 7, connecting on 19 of 20 passes against South Carolina State when Boyd exited a

GAMECOCKS from Page B1

76 64

COLUMBUS, Ohioâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; LaQuinton Ross scored 19 points, including eight in a decisive 15-0 run, to lead No. 3 Ohio State past Delaware 76-64 on Wednesday night.

Lenzelle Smith Jr. added 14 points, Aaron Craft had 12, Amir Williams had 11 points and 12 rebounds and Amedeo Della Valle added 10 points for the Buckeyes (11-0), who have won every game by double figures.

Devon Saddler, still rounding into shape after a seven-game disciplinary suspension, had 17 points and Jarvis Threatt added 14 for the Blue Hens (5-6), who have lost three straight. It was their second of three games in six days, all in the BlackRock Gotham Classic.

Both teams will be playing in the same five-team â&#x20AC;&#x153;tournamentâ&#x20AC;? at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, with the Blue Hens meeting Bryant and Ohio State squaring off against Notre Dame.

(22) UMASS OHIO

COLLEGE BASKETBALL ROUNDUP

B3

tad earlier than expected.

That led to a fun conversation between Cole and Cliff Stoudt â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the latter lasted 13 seasons with the Steelers, Cardinals and Dolphins. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My dad, the first thing he says to me was, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;That was just awesome,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; said the 21-year-old Stoudt. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He really didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have anything else to say.

The only other thing that was on my mind was, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Gosh, if only I completed that one pass, because it was my fault.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;It doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t matter. You just went 19-for-20.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m like, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;True, true.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; It was an experience Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll never forget.â&#x20AC;?

Kellyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s playing time has been a bit more sporadic, understandable since he tore his ACL in the spring game April 13, and unbelievably was back in game action less than five months later.

On Oct. 5 at Syracuse, with many friends and family on hand from his native Niagara Falls, N.Y., Kelly captained a 10-play, 67-yard drive in under four minutes capped by C.J. Davidsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2-yard touchdown.

Kelly, whose uncle Jim Kelly was a Hall of Fame quarterback for the Buf-

away game.

N.C. CENTRAL WINTHROP

72 66

DURHAM, N.C. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Jeremy Ingram scored 24 points as North Carolina Central pulled away from Winthrop for the 72-66 win Wednesday night.

NC Central (7-2) closed the first half on a 12-5 run to go into the break with a 39-32 lead.

Winthrop (6-3) chipped away and eventually took the lead, 5351, on an Andre Smith 3-pointer with 10:51 to play.

PRESBYTERIAN APPALACHIAN STATE

74 69

CLINTON â&#x20AC;&#x201D; William Truss scored 25 points and Jordan Downing added 23 as Presbyterian knocked off Appalachian State 74-69 on Wednesday.

Presbyterian (4-9) won for the first time in the series between the two schools. It was their ninth meeting over 53 years.

falo Bills, later ran for 56 yards on seven carries Nov. 2 at Virginia, including a 38-yard score â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Clemsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second-longest rushing gain of the season. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With there being a running quarterback, you have running plays called already for the quarterback,â&#x20AC;? Kelly said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That just gives an added dimension, when thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a pass play called, and you can scramble around and make plays, just like Johnny Manziel and all those guys.â&#x20AC;?

Stoudt and Kelly are well aware Watsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s on his way in, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s getting less rare for rookies to make impacts at the gameâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most mature position. Although they redshirted, the last two Heisman winners were freshmen in Manziel and Jameis Winston.

Kelly doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t play dumb; he knows Morris has promised Watson a chance immediately. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Coming in here as a freshman, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been told the exact same stuff since I was being recruited, my 11th-grade year,â&#x20AC;? Kelly said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Same stuff he told me, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s telling DeShaun.

Canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really tell if heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s right or wrong, but people try to get you to come to their school, and what

From wire reports

you want to hear is what you like to hear. So youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to come to the school that you really like what theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re saying. You just never know, honestly.â&#x20AC;?

Only one thingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s for certain: whoever wins the job and takes his team to Athens, Ga., for the Aug. 30, 2014, opener at Georgia will not be the guy whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been back there three straight years. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the next guy that comes in. Because there will be another guy, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s got huge shoes to fill,â&#x20AC;?

Morris said, using the word â&#x20AC;&#x153;hisâ&#x20AC;? to refer to the to-be-determined starter. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Not just his play on the field, but how he handles off-field things.

To me, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a sign of what Tajh has meant to this university and this program. Not only you have to perform on the field, but youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got big shoes to fill off the field.â&#x20AC;?

CAROLINA from Page B1 â&#x20AC;&#x153;They have unfinished business,â&#x20AC;? Andersen said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to come back, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to go to work, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to prepare â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and every person on this football team better understand that. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to prepare for a bowl game, and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to go and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to expect to win. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll have a good time, but we are going to expect to win the bowl game.â&#x20AC;?

The loss may not have altered South Carolinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s matchup for the Capital One Bowl on New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day, but it changed the storylines. The Gamecocks are the red-hot, 10-win team that hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t lost since October. The Badgers are the program trying to regroup and erase a dismal end to the fall.

What Wisconsin lacks for momentum, it will compensate with drive and determination.

South Carolina freshman linebacker Skai Moore knows his team will face an angry opponent in Orlando. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re expecting them to come out ready to hit us in the mouth to make a statement,â&#x20AC;?

Moore said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re just going to be ready for that, and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to come out there fighting as well and get ready for a good football team.â&#x20AC;?

South Carolinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s motivation is unquestioned.

The list of records the Gamecocks can accomplish with a Capital One Bowl victory is well documented, starting with an unprecedented third straight 11-win season.

But USC canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t duplicate the bitter aftertaste left from a stinging loss. In its last regular-season game, South Carolina pummeled in-state rival and then-No. 6-ranked Clemson, sparking celebration instead of despair.

Wisconsinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s feeling this bowl season is considerably different.

After the Capital One Bowl matchup was announced, Andersen said his team will use the extra practices to fix what went wrong against Penn State. There were missed tackles and crippling breakdowns. Andersen said â&#x20AC;&#x153;big playsâ&#x20AC;? cost his team the victory. Indeed, the Badgersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; secondary allowed two touchdown passes of at least 59 yards.

Andersen knows his team canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t afford the same mistakes against South Carolina. Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier knows how to convert opponentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; mistakes into game-changing highlights. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why Andersen will have his players focused long before they arrive in Orlando. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Senior day meant a lot to be able to get a victory for these kids, but I believe theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll bounce back and theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll prepare well for the bowl game,â&#x20AC;? Andersen said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s somebody on this team that doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to prepare for the bowl game, then theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll miss the flight.â&#x20AC;?

Make the drive to the Santee areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Best Golf Course and enjoy our Holiday Special

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B4

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

THE ITEM

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2013

BOWL SCHEDULE

By The Associated Press Saturday, Dec. 21 New Mexico Bowl At Albuquerque Washington State (6-6) vs. Colorado State (7-6), 2 p.m. (ESPN) Las Vegas Bowl Fresno State (11-1) vs. Southern Cal (9-4), 3:30 p.m.

(ABC) Famous Idaho Potato Bowl At Boise, Idaho Buffalo (8-4) vs. San Diego State (7-5), 5:30 p.m.

(ESPN) New Orleans Bowl Tulane (7-5) vs. Louisiana-Lafayette (8-4), 9 p.m.

(ESPN) Monday, Dec. 23 Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl At St. Petersburg, Fla. Ohio (7-5) vs. East Carolina (9-3), 2 p.m. (ESPN) Tuesday, Dec. 24 Hawaii Bowl At Honolulu Oregon State (6-6) vs. Boise State (8-4), 8 p.m.

(ESPN) Thursday, Dec. 26 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl At Detroit Bowling Green (10-3) vs. Pittsburgh (6-6), 6 p.m.

(ESPN)

(ESPN)

Poinsettia Bowl At San Diego Northern Illinois (12-1) vs. Utah State (8-5), 9:30 p.m.

(ESPN) Friday, Dec. 27 Military Bowl At Annapolis, Md. Marshall (9-4) vs. Maryland (7-5), 2:30 p.m. (ESPN) Texas Bowl At Houston Minnesota (8-4) vs. Syracuse (6-6), 6 p.m. (ESPN) Fight Hunger Bowl At San Francisco BYU (8-4) vs. Washington (8-4), 9:30 p.m. (ESPN) Saturday, Dec. 28 Pinstripe Bowl At New York Notre Dame (8-4) vs. Rutgers (6-6), Noon (ESPN) Belk Bowl At Charlotte, N.C. Cincinnati (9-3) vs. North Carolina (6-6), 3:20 p.m.

(ESPN) Russell Athletic Bowl At Orlando, Fla. Miami (9-3) vs. Louisville (11-1), 6:45 p.m. (ESPN) Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl At Tempe, Ariz.

Kansas State (7-5) vs. Michigan (7-5), 10:15 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 30 Armed Forces Bowl At Fort Worth, Texas Middle Tennessee (8-4) vs. Navy (8-4), 11:45 a.m.

(ESPN) Music City Bowl At Nashville, Tenn.

Mississippi (7-5) vs. Georgia Tech (7-5), 3:15 p.m.

(ESPN) Alamo Bowl At San Antonio Oregon (10-2) vs. Texas (8-4), 6:45 p.m. (ESPN) Holiday Bowl At San Diego Arizona State (10-3) vs. Texas Tech (7-5), 10:15 p.m.

(ESPN) Tuesday, Dec. 31 AdvoCare V100 Bowl At Shreveport, La. Arizona (7-5) vs. Boston College (7-5), 12:30 p.m.

(ESPN) Sun Bowl At El Paso, Texas Virginia Tech (8-4) vs. UCLA (9-3), 2 p.m. (CBS) Liberty Bowl At Memphis, Tenn.

Rice (9-3) vs. Mississippi State (6-6), 4 p.m. (ESPN) Chick-fil-A Bowl

At Atlanta Texas A&M (8-4) vs. Duke (10-3), 8 p.m. (ESPN) Wednesday, Jan. 1 Heart of Dallas Bowl At Dallas UNLV (7-5) vs. North Texas (8-4), Noon (ESPNU) Gator Bowl At Jacksonville, Fla. Nebraska (8-4) vs. Georgia (8-4), Noon (ESPN2) Capital One Bowl At Orlando, Fla. Wisconsin (9-3) vs. South Carolina (10-2), 1 p.m.

(ABC) Outback Bowl At Tampa, Fla. Iowa (8-4) vs. LSU (9-3), 1 p.m. (ESPN) Rose Bowl At Pasadena, Calif.

Stanford (11-2) vs. Michigan State (12-1), 5 p.m.

(ESPN) Fiesta Bowl At Glendale, Ariz.

Baylor (11-1) vs. UCF (11-1), 8:30 p.m. (ESPN) Thursday, Jan. 2 Sugar Bowl At New Orleans Alabama (11-1) vs. Oklahoma (10-2), 8:30 p.m.

(ESPN) Friday, Jan. 3

Orange Bowl At Miami Ohio State (12-1) vs. Clemson (10-2), 8 p.m. (ESPN) Cotton Bowl At Arlington, Texas Missouri (11-2) vs. Oklahoma State (10-2), 7:30 p.m.

(FOX) Saturday, Jan. 4 BBVA Compass Bowl At Birmingham, Ala. Vanderbilt (8-4) vs. Houston (8-4), 1 p.m. (ESPN) Sunday, Jan. 5 GoDaddy.com Bowl At Mobile, Ala. Arkansas State (7-5) vs. Ball State (10-2), 9 p.m.

(ESPN) Monday, Jan. 6 BCS National Championship At Pasadena, Calif.

Florida State (13-0) vs. Auburn (12-1), 8:30 p.m.

(ESPN) Saturday, Jan. 18 East-West Shrine Classic At St. Petersburg, Fla. East vs. West, 4 p.m. (NFLN) Saturday, Jan. 25 Senior Bowl At Mobile, Ala. South vs. North, 4 p.m. (NFLN)

Seminoles return to practice after break

BY KAREEM COPELAND The Associated Press

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Auburn running back Tre Mason (21) and head coach Gus Malzahn, right, celebrate after winning the Southeastern Conference title in Atlanta. The Tigers are once again trying to defy the odds as they considered underdogs going into the national title game against Florida State.

Auburn aiming to defy odds one more time

BY JOHN ZENOR The Associated Press AUBURN, Ala. — The Auburn Tigers were slim favorites over Georgia and double-digit underdogs against Alabama.

Then, a common assumption was that a hangover from that dramatic Iron Bowl victory would surely linger into the Southeastern Conference championship game against Missouri.

Now, No. 1 Florida State is an 8 1/2point favorite to beat the secondranked Tigers and claim the BCS title on Jan. 6 in Pasadena, Calif.

The refrain feels sort of familiar to Auburn defensive end Dee Ford, who said the Tigers will be ready anyway.

“Once the ball is rolled out, it’s time to play football,” Ford said on Wednesday. “It really doesn’t matter about any rankings. I think any team can play in the national championship that’s a good caliber team. It’s just all about who prepares. I could care less about people not believing or saying, ‘This is the time they’re going to fall.’ We prepare for all this.

“They’re saying that as though we

didn’t prepare to win these games. We prepared to win them, and we’re doing the exact same things with these two to three weeks that we have right now.”

Auburn (12-1) has defied the odds, and the doubters, to this point. The Tigers began preparations this week to face the Seminoles (13-0) and Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jameis Winston after pulling out an escalating series of big games with a couple of fantastic finishes and an overpowering 59-42 victory over Missouri to win the SEC. There was the “Immaculate Deflection” against Georgia and the return of a missed field goal to beat the Crimson Tide.

“These last few games, every win has been kind of like surreal for me and I think for most of my teammates,” fullback Jay Prosch said. “Especially coming off a season like last year. So I think it’s just something guys are soaking in and loving right now.”

At least Auburn is getting used to big stages and high stakes after being out of national prominence for a couple of years. The Tigers have beaten two straight Top-5 teams.

Garoppolo, West, Daly lead AP FCS All-America team honors

BY RALPH D. RUSSO The Associated Press Eastern Illinois quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and fellow Walter Payton Award finalist Terrance West of Towson were selected to The Associated Press FCS All-America team released Wednesday.

Garoppolo passed for 5,050 yards and 53 touchdowns and won the Payton award as the top player in FCS. The senior led Eastern Illinois (12-2) to the quarterfinals of the NCAA playoffs.

West has run for 2,295 yards and tied an FCS record with 39 touchdowns to help Towson (12-2) reach this weekend’s semifinals after it eliminated Eastern Illinois last week.

Montana State defensive end Brad Daly, who won the Buck Buchanan Award as the top defensive player in FCS, was selected to the first-team defense, along with cornerback Marcus Williams of two-time defending national champion North Dakota State.

North Dakota State also placed offensive tackle Billy Turner on the first team. Turner, Williams and Eastern Illinois receiver Erik Lora are first-team All-Americans for the second consecutive season.

Towson offensive lineman Eric Pike joined teammate West on the first team. Eastern Washington, which hosts Towson in Saturday’s semifinal, also had two first-team All-Americans in redshirt freshman receiver Cooper Kupp and offensive lineman Ashton Miller.

Samford has linebacker Justin Shade and Fabian Truss at all-purpose player on the first team. Montana had two first-teamers in offensive lineman Danny Kistler and linebacker Jordan Tripp.

EWU quarterback Vernon Adams, who was runner-up to Garoppolo in the Payton voting, made the second team, and North Dakota State quarterback Brock Jensen was a third-team selection.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida State returned to the practice field Wednesday with the first of 15 scheduled sessions before playing Auburn for the national championship in Pasadena, Calif. on Jan. 6.

Coach Jimbo Fisher said the top-ranked Seminoles were eager to get back to football after a week full of winning awards, various trips, exams and an appearance on the “Late Show with David Letterman” for Heismanwinning quarterback Jameis Winston.

“They were kind of getting tired of it,” Fisher said. “They were looking forward to getting out here practicing.”

Fisher said the team took some time to find its groove during the first practice since winning the Atlantic Coast Conference championship Dec. 7. The session focused on fundamentals with very little specific game-planning for No. 2 Auburn. That will be blueprint for the next four practices before the team leaves for the holiday break Monday.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher, right, holds up the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship trophy as his son, Trey, looks on after the Seminoles defeated Duke in Charlotte.

Full installation of the game-plan begins with the next five practices scheduled Dec. 26-30 before the team flies to California on Dec. 31st. The team will have their final five practices the first week of January leading up to the BCS championship game.

“They’ll get better as they go. ... In the beginning it’s always the hardest,” Fisher said.

“You’ve got to get away every now and then.

We went seven or eight straight weeks there at the end of the season — were banged and bruised. Thought it was good for their bodies and minds.”

There was plenty to enjoy during the break.

BOWLS from Page B1 teams? Two All-American running backs going at each other: Arizona’s Ka’Deem Carey and BC’s Andre Williams.

TOP PLAYERS

Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State. Won the Heisman Trophy, playing for a national championship. Not a bad freshman season.

AJ McCarron, QB, Alabama. There will be no three-peat as national champion, but he’s been as good a college quarterback as we’ve seen in a while.

C.J. Mosley, LB, Alabama. Collects tackles like baseball cards.

Ka’Deem Carey, RB, Arizona. Second nationally in yards per game, runs like he’s trying to punish defenders for daring to tackle him.

Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M. Last year’s Heisman winner could be making his last hurrah in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl against Duke.

Will Sutton, DT, Arizona State. Arguably the most disruptive interior lineman in the country.

Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State. All-American can turn the simplest of routes into a score.

SPONSORS

Food is king among bowl sponsors for the third straight season.

The 2013-14 bowl season includes seven bowls with food affiliations, from potatoes to pizza to wild wings.

Second on the list are financial companies with six and auto-related companies are third with five.

This year’s bowl lineup also includes a helicopter company, a university, a defense contractor, a department store and a cause (Fight Hunger).

ODDS

The folks at GlantzCulver have made Florida State a decided favor-

Winston won the Heisman with 668 firstplace votes — the ninth-most in the history of the award. He joined former Seminoles Charlie Ward and Chris Weinke as the three Heisman winners in school history. Both Ward and Weinke quarterbacked national championship teams at Florida State.

“Unique in that you got to see him go through all those things,” Fisher said.

“Also you understand the company in which he’s in when you really walk in those banquets ... and see all those winners and all those names on the list and you realize it’s an elite company.”

ite over Auburn in the national championship game at 8 1-2 points.

In the other bowls, the biggest spread is the Fiesta Bowl, where Baylor is a 16 1-2-point favorite over Central Florida. Right behind is the Pinstripe Bowl, with Notre Dame giving away 15 1-2 points to Rutgers.

Alabama also is a 15point favorite over Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl.

Tightest odds? San Diego State and Buffalo are a pick ‘em in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl and three other bowls — Cotton, New Orleans and Capital One — all have 1-point spreads.

DISTANCES

Florida State and Auburn will have to make quite a road trip to play for the final BCS championship despite being about 200 miles apart.

The Seminoles will cover about 2,200 miles to get to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., and the Tigers have a trip of roughly 2,100 miles to get there.

NFL

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2013

THE ITEM

B5

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford has struggled lately, leading to a 3-game skid for the Lions in a tight NFC North race.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

A mound of snow is shown outside of MetLife Stadium prior to a game between Seattle and the New York Giants, in East Rutherford, N.J. NFL officials may be embracing the notion of a cold-weather Super Bowl, but what happens if there is, in fact, a snow storm on Feb. 2?

NFL officials prepared for winter-weather SB XLVIII

BY MEGHAN BARR The Associated Press EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Standing amid giant piles of snow in the shadow of MetLife Stadium, Super Bowl organizers said Wednesday that they’re prepared to deploy thousands of trucks and tons of salt to prevent snowy weather from interfering with the biggest football game of the year.

Officials held the press conference to assure the public that snow or ice will not hinder the game on Feb. 2, when it will debut as the first outdoor, cold-weather Super Bowl in NFL history.

The stadium has several snow melters on hand that can clear the fields quickly, including one machine that can melt up to 600 tons of snow per hour, said the stadium’s CEO, Brad Mayne. Removable snow chutes can funnel snow out of the seating and concourse areas, he said.

“As you can imagine, Mother Nature and her storms come in many different varieties,” Mayne said. “And so we have to be flexible in how we address each and every storm.”

Mayne pointed to the most recent storm to hit the region last week, which dropped 6.3 inches of snow and ice on the stadium just hours before the New York Giants played host to the Seattle Seahawks.

“Even though the storm ended just hours prior to kickoff, our experienced crew were able to have the stadium ready,” Mayne said.

The stadium plans to have up to 1,600 workers on standby for the Super Bowl, which is double the typical amount of personnel used in most storms.

Officials said they would only consider rescheduling the game in extreme circumstances.

“It is our objective to kick off the ball at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 2,” said Frank Supovitz, Senior Vice President of Events for the NFL. “And we’re going to expend every effort ... to make sure that that gets done.”

Transportation experts say a snowy football field isn’t the issue — after all, many NFL games have previously been played in the snow. But the players might be throwing passes in an empty stadium if the fans can’t make it there during a blizzard.

Filling MetLife Stadium on Super Bowl Sunday hinges open the reliability of New Jersey’s rails and roads to funnel fans to the game.

“They’ll play the game,” said Mitchell Moss, director of the Rudin Center for Transportation at New York University. “The question is, they may have to hire mannequins to fill the stadium.”

An ice or snow storm would jeopardize the region’s airports, causing ground delays or cancellations that would prevent fans from arriving in New York City, including the scores of private jets that will likely touch down at Teterboro Airport, Moss said. Icy roads would also hinder the many

NFL STANDINGS

By The Associated Press AMERICAN CONFERENCE East W L T Pct PF PA New England 10 4 0 .714 369 311 Miami 8 6 0 .571 310 296 N.Y. Jets 6 8 0 .429 246 367 Buffalo 5 9 0 .357 300 354 South W L T Pct PF PA y-Indianapolis 9 5 0 .643 338 319 Tennessee 5 9 0 .357 326 355 Jacksonville 4 10 0 .286 221 399 Houston 2 12 0 .143 253 375 North W L T Pct PF PA Cincinnati 9 5 0 .643 354 274 Baltimore 8 6 0 .571 296 277 Pittsburgh 6 8 0 .429 321 332 Cleveland 4 10 0 .286 288 362 West W L T Pct PF PA x-Denver 11 3 0 .786 535 372 x-Kansas City 11 3 0 .786 399 255 San Diego 7 7 0 .500 343 311 Oakland 4 10 0 .286 295 393 NATIONAL CONFERENCE East W L T Pct PF PA Philadelphia 8 6 0 .571 364 349 Dallas 7 7 0 .500 393 385 N.Y. Giants 5 9 0 .357 251 357 Washington 3 11 0 .214 305 434 South W L T Pct PF PA New Orleans 10 4 0 .714 359 270 Carolina 10 4 0 .714 328 208 Tampa Bay 4 10 0 .286 258 324 Atlanta 4 10 0 .286 309 388 North W L T Pct PF PA Chicago 8 6 0 .571 406 391 Green Bay 7 6 1 .536 353 362 Detroit 7 7 0 .500 362 339

Minnesota 4 9 1 .321 363 West W L T Pct PF x-Seattle 12 2 0 .857 380 San Francisco 10 4 0 .714 349 Arizona 9 5 0 .643 342 St. Louis 6 8 0 .429 316 x-clinched playoff spot y-clinched division

425 PA 205 228 291 324

Sunday, Dec. 22 Tampa Bay at St. Louis, 1 p.m.

Indianapolis at Kansas City, 1 p.m.

Denver at Houston, 1 p.m.

Miami at Buffalo, 1 p.m.

New Orleans at Carolina, 1 p.m.

Dallas at Washington, 1 p.m.

Cleveland at N.Y. Jets, 1 p.m.

Minnesota at Cincinnati, 1 p.m.

Tennessee at Jacksonville, 1 p.m.

Arizona at Seattle, 4:05 p.m.

N.Y. Giants at Detroit, 4:05 p.m.

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

Pittsburgh at Green Bay, 4:25 p.m.

New England at Baltimore, 4:25 p.m.

Chicago at Philadelphia, 8:30 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 23 Atlanta at San Francisco, 8:40 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 29 Green Bay at Chicago, 1 p.m.

Houston at Tennessee, 1 p.m.

Philadelphia at Dallas, 1 p.m.

Detroit at Minnesota, 1 p.m.

Tampa Bay at New Orleans, 1 p.m.

Carolina at Atlanta, 1 p.m.

Cleveland at Pittsburgh, 1 p.m.

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

Baltimore at Cincinnati, 1 p.m.

Jacksonville at Indianapolis, 1 p.m.

N.Y. Jets at Miami, 1 p.m.

Buffalo at New England, 1 p.m.

Denver at Oakland, 4:25 p.m.

Kansas City at San Diego, 4:25 p.m.

St. Louis at Seattle, 4:25 p.m.

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

buses that will ferry fans from Manhattan to the game.

During a nor’easter last February that crippled the region, for example, NJ Transit suspended bus operations across the state to decrease the number of vehicles on the road and help plows clear the pavement.

At the press conference, New Jersey Department of Transportation Deputy Commissioner Joseph Mrozek said the state can deploy more than 820 vehicles and about 60,000 tons of salt within a 30-mile radius of the stadium, with even more resources available statewide if necessary.

The state also has more than a quarter of a million gallons of brine and 850,000 gallons of liquid calcium in storage, which are used to treat salt when temperatures drop below freezing.

“We have the trucks, we have the manpower and we have the supplies to fight any major event,” Mrozek said.

Interest in whether or not America will have its first snowy Super Bowl has ramped up so much that the forecasting company AccuWeather has created a website asking that very question: www. willitsnow.com.

Launched on Wednesday, exactly 45 days before the game, the site currently predicts a 30 percent chance of snow on Feb. 2. The site will be updated daily.

Stafford’s slump has led to Lions slipping

BY LARRY LAGE The Associated Press ALLEN PARK, Mich.— Matthew Stafford put the football where only Brandon Pettigrew could catch it, lofting it over a linebacker to the tight end right in front of a defensive back.

Stafford’s perfect pass put him in a position to throw a go-ahead touchdown for the Detroit Lions against Baltimore.

All was well — for a moment.

Detroit’s defense failed to stop the Ravens from setting up Justin Tucker for a sixth field goal and Stafford threw his third interception of the game on his next snap to seal an 18-16 setback Sunday.

Stafford has been in a slump and so have the Lions.

He has 12 turnovers over the last five games as Detroit has dropped from first to third place in the NFC North.

Instead of being in control of their postseason fate, the Lions have to

beat the New York Giants at home and Minnesota on the road while hoping Chicago and Green Bay both lose at least one game to rally for a spot in the playoffs.

“You have to move forward from it and go try to win the next two,” Stafford said Sunday.

Stafford wasn’t available for interviews Wednesday — his weekly session with reporters was pushed to Friday — but his backup, Shaun Hill, and running back Reggie Bush were willing to defend the quarterback.

“When you play this position, you get more credit than you deserve when things go well and more blame than you should when you don’t,” Hill said. “People have a lot of opinions when they’re watching, but it’s impossible to explain what it’s like to be an NFL quarterback. It would be cool if someone could come out with something to see what a quarterback actually sees on a field.”

MUNNERLYN from Page B1 Holmes to call the secondary the “weakest link” of Carolina’s defense.

Munnerlyn responded with a huge game against New York.

He had two sacks along with a 42-yard interception return for a score.

Holmes was held to 17 yards receiving on two catches.

“Maybe because somebody made a comment about the secondary or just because he felt he needed to step up... but for whatever reason the switch has been flipped with him,” Panthers coach Ron Rivera said. “And I hope it stays flipped.”

Rivera said Munnerlyn is the defensive version of Steve Smith, Carolina’s stellar undersized 5-foot-9 wide receiver.

“I think it’s his tenacity,” Rivera said. “He’s not the biggest in terms of physical stature, but it’s his attitude and how hard he plays. His desire.”

Brees sees it too.

He’s faced Munnerlyn for the past four seasons and has grown to respect his game.

“He’s a gritty tough player and he can play all over the place — cornerback, nickel or inside,” Brees said. “He’s good in pressure and you can tell he’s a headsy, smart player.

Anytime you are playing against those guys it’s kind of like the Ronde Barbers of the world where you know there is a level of intelligence.

You want to know where he is on the field.”

Redskins’ Fletcher: ‘99 percent’ chance I retire

BY JOSEPH WHITE The Associated Press ASHBURN, Va. — The linebacker with 100 percent attendance says there’s a 99 percent chance he’s done.

Washington Redskins captain London Fletcher, who has never missed a game in 16 NFL seasons, announced Wednesday that he plans to retire at the end of the year, the conclusion of a remarkable career for the undersized, undrafted player from a Division III school.

“I felt like I accomplished everything I can accomplish in the National Football League from a playTHE ASSOCIATED PRESS ers’ standpoint,” Fletcher said. “ObWashington inside linebacker London Fletcher (59) said he viously everybody wants to go out is 99 percent sure he is retiring after the season. The Red- like Ray Lewis with the Super Bowl parade ... but it wasn’t in the cards skins have struggled this year with a 3-10 record.

for me.”

Fletcher left a tiny opening that he could return, but age has finally started to catch up with the player who always seemed ageless. He’s 38, and his tackles and playing time have declined this season. He’s set to be a free agent, and he’s the leader of a struggling defense that is one of many reasons the Redskins (311) have clinched their fifth lastplace finish in six years.

“I’m about 99 percent certain that this will be my last season,” Fletcher said. “I’ve got to leave at least one percent in case I change my mind, but it’s really just about having another conversation with my wife. ... I want to put on a nice suit when I go to that 100 percent.”

Fletcher, listed at 5-foot-10, has answered the call for all 254 regular

season games since joining the St. Louis Rams out of John Carroll in 1998, the longest consecutive games streak for a defensive player since the 1970 merger and fourth all-time behind Jeff Feagles (352), Brett Favre (299) and Jim Marshall (282). He’s started 213 straight games — the longest such run by a linebacker in NFL history — over four seasons with the Rams, five with the Buffalo Bills and seven with the Redskins.

He said he’s thought about retirement for four or five years, but he had previously said would wait until the calm of the offseason to decide for good rather than announcing it in-season while emotions are strong. He said Wednesday he changed his mind because he wanted a chance to say goodbye.

B6

OBITUARIES

THE ITEM

SANDRA KAY IFFLAND WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — Sandra “Sandy” Kay Iffland, 69, of Winter Haven, wife of Walter E. Iffland Jr., passed away Friday, Dec. 13, 2013.

Born Feb. 18, 1944, in IFFLAND Williamsport, Pa., she was a daughter of the late Frank and Catherine Clements Stutzman. Mrs. Iffland was a homemaker, loved to play bridge, and was a member of the Methodist faith.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her sons, Jason Iffland and Steven (Tammy) Iffland; sister, Wendy Leob; and granddaughter, Rachel Iffland.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by a daughter, Summer Iffland; and a sister, Sally Stutzman.

Cryptside services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Chapel of Reflection Mausoleum at Robinson Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Bostick Heart Center, 200 Avenue F East, Winter Haven, FL 33881.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Powdersville Road, which is assisting the family.

SAMMIE LEE RICKS Jr. Sammie Lee “Buster” Ricks Jr., 59, passed on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2013, at his sister’s home in Sumter.

Born in Sumter County, he was a son of Sammie Lee Sr. and Geneva Wilson Ricks. He

was educated in the public schools of Sumter County. He was emRICKS ployed with Bradshaw Construction Co. of Sumter and retired after 30 years. Raised in a Christian home, in his youth he joined Wayman Chapel AME Church. In later years, he united with New Fellowship Baptist Church with his family. In recent years, he reunited with Wayman Chapel AME Church and served in many capacities.

In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by a brother, William Ricks.

Surviving are two sons, Andre Ricks of Sumter and Dwayne Ricks of Philadelphia, Pa.; five grandchildren; five sisters, Rosa (Elijah) Ramsey, Marie R. Kirk, Nancy Murrell, Delia Ricks and Merlene (William) Tenney; one brother, Roman Deas; a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, other relatives and a very special friend, Jeanette Daniels.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at Wayman Chapel AME Church, 160 N. Kings Highway, Sumter, with the Rev. Laddie N. Howard, pastor, and the Rev. Lemuel Washington officiating. Interment will immediately follow in the church cemetery.

The public may view from 2 to 8 p.m. today at Palmer Memorial Chapel, 304 S. Main St., Sumter.

Mr. Ricks will be placed in the church for viewing at noon until the hour of service.

The family will receive friends at the home of his sister, Marie

Kirk, 915 Radical Road, Sumter.

Palmer Memorial Chapel of Sumter is in charge of the arrangements.

Please leave a condolence for the family on their memorial website found at palmermemorialchapel.com.

JAMES W. MICKENS Bishop James W. Mickens, 82, husband of Van Joe D. Mickens, passed away on Dec. 16, 2013, at his home.

Born April 12, 1931, in Sumter County, he MICKENS was a son of the late Wilson M. and Lou Ida Holmes Mickens. He was the founder, builder and former pastor of Bethel Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ in Wedgefield. He retired after 32 years of service to the people of God in the state of South Carolina and surrounding communities. Prior to pastoring, he served in the United States Army during the Korean War. He also served as maintenance supervisor for the Sumter Housing Authority.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Van Joe Mickens; three daughters, Valorie Thompson (Carl) of Tampa, Fla., Vanessa E. Tillar of Sumter and Tina C. Mickens of Columbia; two sons, Peter I. Mickens Sr. of Columbia and Dwayne A. Mickens Sr. (Sonya) of Tampa; 16 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; four sisters, Mary Quince of Paterson, N.J., Marie Issac of Sumter, Susan Spann of Columbia and Janie Witherspoon (James) of Sumter; two brothers, Earl Mickens Sr. (Cathe-

SPORTS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2013

rine) of Atlanta and William Mickens of Sumter; one brother-in-law, James Rogers of North Carolina; a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by two sisters, Geneva Clark and Alberta Rogers.

Public viewing will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. today.

The body will be placed in the church at noon Friday for viewing until the hour of service.

Funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at Salem Chapel and Heritage Center, 101 S. Salem St., Sumter, SC 29150.

Interment will be at Evergreen Memorial Park.

Repast will immediately follow interment at Salem Chapel & Heritage Center Fellowship Hall.

The family will be receiving visitors between the hours of 3 and 8 p.m. at 590 E. Brewington Road, Sumter, SC 29153.

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.

MABEL C. BOYD BISHOPVILLE — Mabel C. Boyd, 85, transitioned from this life to enter into her eternal home in heaven on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center.

Ms. Boyd was a daughter of Dennis and Florence Washington.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at Mt. Hermon Baptist Church with Pastor Andre’ Barnes officiating. Interment will fol-

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MLB average salary up to $3.39 million

BY RONALD BLUM The Associated Press NEW YORK — While the New York Yankees set another salary record, the Houston Astros had the lowest average in the major leagues in 14 years and the attention of the players’ union.

The overall big league average rose 5.4 percent this season to a record $3.39 million, according to the annual report released Wednesday by the Major League Baseball Players Association.

The increase was the steepest since 2006.

The Yankees had the highest average for the 15th consecutive season at $8.17 million, breaking the mark of $7.66 million when they won the World Series in 2009. The Los Angeles Dodgers were second at $7.82 million.

Houston’s average of $549,603 was the smallest since the 1999 Kansas City Royals at $534,460. The Miami Marlins were 29th at $830,069, down from $3.77 million in 2012, when they ranked 10th.

Baseball’s collective

bargaining agreement requires a team to use revenue-sharing money it receives “in an effort to improve its performance on the field.”

The Marlins had been required to raise player payroll annually from 2010-12 under an agreement between MLB and the union.

However, the issue is being dealt with under a provision in the collective bargaining agreement that gradually eliminates the 15 teams in the largest markets from receiving revenue sharing, and the Astros are 15th.

Under that provision, those clubs forfeited 25 percent of the money this year, half in 2014, 75 percent the following year and all in 2016.

“We are watching both clubs closely, but were already aware what their 2013 spending would be and that there wasn’t enough there to move beyond acknowledging as much,” new union head Tony Clark said in an email to The Associated Press. “With Houston a big factor is their impending ‘market disqualification.’ For

low in Boone Cemetery, Bishopville.

These services have been entrusted to Square Deal Funeral Home of Bishopville.

Online condolences may be sent to esquaredealfun@sc.rr.com.

FANTASIA FRANKLIN Fantasia Franklin, 21, died Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013, at McLeod Regional Medical Center, Florence.

Born Dec. 22, 1991, in Richland County, she was a daughter of Terry Franklin and Velisa Chatman Ward.

The family will receive friends and relatives at the home of her mother, 509 E. Charlotte Ave., Sumter, and her grandmother, Dorothy Chatman, 1306 Covent Garden, Sumter.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced

by Williams Funeral Home Inc. of Sumter.

ROSALINDA A. DIAMOND Rosalinda Arcilla Diamond, age 57, beloved wife of 36 years to Harold S. Diamond, died on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2013, at her residence.

Born in the Philippines, she was a daughter of the late Fortunato and Alarica Monkawe Arcilla. Mrs. Diamond was a member of St. Anne Catholic Church and the Women’s Guild.

She will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother and sister.

Surviving in addition to her husband are two sons, Steven H. Diamond and his wife, Abby, of North Andover, Mass., and Keith P. Diamond and his wife, Lindsay, of Sumter; two daughters, Helen Diamond Steele and her husband, Michael, of Carrollton, Ga., and Angela Diamond Farrell

and her husband, Scott, of Columbia; a brother, Valentino Bautista and his wife, Veolita, of Houston, Texas; a sister, Shirley Wylie and her husband, Bill, of Memphis, Tenn.; a number of siblings and a special aunt, Rosita, in the Philippines; and two grandchildren, Harrison Steele and Madelyn Farrell.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Diamond was preceded in death by a twin sister, Rosita; and other siblings.

A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday in the Bullock Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Thomas Burke, C. SS.R. officiating. Interment will follow in Ft. Jackson National Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Keith Diamond, Steven Diamond, Michael Farrell, Scott Farrell, Michael Steele and Howard Winters.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today with a wake service starting at 6 p.m. in the Bullock Funeral Home Chapel.

The family would like to thank MUSC Hollings Cancer Center and Tuomey Hospice for their care and compassion during Mrs. Diamond’s illness.

Memorials may be made to the Smile Train, P.O. Box 96231, Washington, DC 20090-6231 or to St. Anne 521 Fund, 216 E. Liberty St., Sumter, SC 29150.

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

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

SPORTS ITEMS

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Witherspoon sent to Triple-A Tacoma

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Jacoby Ellsbury, left, and New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi hold Ellsbury’s jersey after the outfielder agreed to a $153 million, seven-year contract. While the Yankees set another salary record, Houston had the lowest average in the major leagues in 14 years and the attention of the players’ union. The overall big league average rose 5.4 percent this season to a record $3.39 million, according to the annual report released Wednesday by the Major League Baseball Players Association.

Miami, they actually have a long-range plan that suggests they will make the considerations necessary to be compliant.

“That said, both clubs are being monitored, and MLB recognizes that there is a potential for a dispute if the clubs do not move in the right direction.”

World Series champion Boston was fourth at $5.46 million, just behind Detroit at $5.53 million. St. Louis, which won the NL pennant, was 10th at $3.75 million.

Tampa Bay had the lowest ranking among the 10 playoff teams and was 24th at $2.13 million.

Among regulars at

positions, designated hitters took over from first basemen for the highest average at $10.5 million. First basemen were next at $6.5 million, followed by starting pitchers at $6.3 million, second basemen at $5.8 million, outfielders at $5.6 million, third basemen at $5.2 million, shortstops at $4.5 million, catchers at $4.4 million and relief pitchers at $2.2 million, Figures are based on Aug. 31 rosters and disabled lists, with 940 players averaging $3,386,212. Major League Baseball, which uses slightly different methods, calculated its average at $3,320,089, an increase of 6.9 percent.

The Seattle Mariners announced on Wednesday that they’ve outrighted outfielder and former Sumter High and Sumter P-15’s WITHERSPOON standout Travis Witherspoon to Triple-A Tacoma.

Witherspoon was designated for assignment last week to clear a roster spot for Corey Hart.

their total past the $250 million mark since the penalty began in 2003.

According to Major League Baseball calculations sent to teams Tuesday, the Los Angeles Dodgers were the only other team that exceeded the tax threshold this year and must pay $11.4 million. Boston finished just under for the second straight year, coming in $225,666 shy of the $178 million mark.

BRAVES ACQUIRE C DOUMIT

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — No suit and tie. No stage and backdrop. No family and friends.

Veteran Jacksonville Jaguars center Brad Meester, a blue-collar lineman who spent his entire career trying to avoid the spotlight, announced his retirement in fitting fashion Wednesday.

ATLANTA— Looking for catching depth after losing Brian McCann to free agency, the Atlanta Braves acquired Ryan Doumit from the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday for lefthander Sean Gilmartin.

The 32-year-old Doumit could share time with Evan Gattis, a rookie last season who is McCann’s projected replacement as Atlanta’s primary starter.

The switch-hitter batted .318 with 15 homers and 69 RBIs in 2008 for the Pirates and had his best power numbers in 2012, when he hit .275 with 18 homers and 75 RBIs for the Twins.

YANKEES HIT WITH $28M TAX

NEW YORK — The New York Yankees were hit with a $28 million luxury tax bill, pushing

MEESTER RETIRING WITH JAGS

CYCLIST ROGERS TESTS POSITIVE

AIGLE, Switzerland — Olympic bronze medalist and three-time world time trial champion Michael Rogers of Australia has tested positive for clenbuterol after racing in China.

The International Cycling Union said Wednesday Rogers is provisionally suspended while his national federation investigates the case.

From wire reports

COMICS

BIZARRO

SOUP TO NUTZ

DOG EAT DOUG

GARFIELD

ZITS

BEETLE BAILEY

BLONDIE

ANDY CAPP

DILBERT

BORN LOSER

MOTHER GOOSE

Jeff MacNelly’s SHOE

THE DAILY CROSSWORD PUZZLE

THE ITEM

B7

Husband’s peace and quiet makes wife feel discontent

D

SUDOKU

EAR ABBY — I us at our home. married “Larry” I miss my family, my five years ago, and daughter and the babies.

Do I leave? he is good to me. I have UNHAPPY IN THE two beautiful grandchilSUNSHINE STATE dren who are my daughter’s. If I don’t see them DEAR UNHAPPY — If once a week I miss them. you are the one making all (They are 2 1/2 and 16 the concessions, make a months old.) Larry list of Larry’s good doesn’t miss the qualities, and then babies or want to make one that insee them once a cludes how he reweek. Somefuses to comprotimes when they mise, makes you come to the feel lonely and isohouse, he lated, and says doesn’t speak to things without rethem or play Abigail gard to whether with them. He VAN BUREN they are hurtful to says he wants his others. Place them peace and quiet side by side, and you will at the house. have your answer.

Larry’s great with the babies in public. He is Dear Abby is written by also good about playing Abigail Van Buren, also with our friends’ kids. But known as Jeanne Phillips, he doesn’t want the and was founded by her grandchildren to spend mother, Pauline Phillips. the night here because he Write Dear Abby at www. doesn’t want his sleep dis- DearAbby.com or P.O. Box turbed. (He can get up at 69440, Los Angeles, CA 4 a.m. to go fishing, 90069. though.)

To order “How to Write He has two sons and Letters for All Occasions,” doesn’t mind if he hears send your name and mailfrom them only twice a ing address, plus check or year. He’s the type of permoney order for $7 (U.S. son who says what he funds) to: Dear Abby -- Letthinks without caring if it’s ter Booklet, P.O. Box 447, rude or hurtful. If you Mount Morris, IL 61054don’t like him, he can live 0447. Shipping and hanwithout being friends with dling are included in the you. No one comes to visit price. dear abby

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2013

B8

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Wednesday, Thursday & Friday edition.

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803-774-1234 â&#x20AC;˘ WWW.THEITEM.COM EM.COM

803.774.1234

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IN-STORE ALTERATIONS, FOR THOSE LAST MINUTE OCCASIONS

LEGAL NOTICES Legal Notice SUMTER EAST SELF STORAGE 800 MYRTLE BEACH HWY AUCTION LIST DECEMBER 28, 2013 10:00 A.M. UNITS FOR AUCTION A-50 CHRISTINE LUTZ A-60 DEANNA POLK C-29 ANGELA SIMMONS D-2 ASHLEY STUKES D-12 ALLEN TAYLOR D-13 FELICIA LEONARD E-10 SYLVIA ROGERS E-28 LUTISHA WILLIAMS F-25 ROYAL PRIESTHOOD G-9 LINDA MURRAY

Bid Notices BID SOLICITATION

Lawn Service Daniel's Lawn Care â&#x20AC;˘Firewood starting at $45 â&#x20AC;˘Tree removal â&#x20AC;˘Leaf removal â&#x20AC;˘Gutter & roof cleaning 803-968-4185

Int/Ext Painting, Pressure washing. 30 yrs exp. Ref. Quality work/free est. Bennie 468-7592

Roofing C&B Roofing Superior work afford. prices. Free est., Sr. disc.

Comm/Res 30 yr warr. 290-6152

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

INVITATION TO BID

Dogs

Bids will be received until 11:00 AM, Thursday, January 9, 2014 in the Purchasing Department on the 2nd Floor, Sumter County Administration Building, 13 East Canal Street, Sumter, South Carolina 29150.

STATE TREE SERVICE Worker's Comp & General liability insurance. Top quality service, lowest prices. 803-494-5175 or 803-491-5154 www.statetree.net

PETS & ANIMALS

Telephone inquiries should be made to (803) 436-2331.

The County of Sumter reserves the right to reject any or all bids. The County of Sumter reserves the right to waive any or all technicalities.

This solicitation is a fire prevention and safety grant administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

AKC Rottweiler Puppies, 7 wks old. Tails docked, dewclaw removed, 1st shots. $300 each. Call 803-428-7279.

Pets Just in time for Christmas!

Puppies $50. Father AKC reg.

Lab/mother full blooded blk tan German Shepard. Both good w/children. Puppies are blk and all look like father. 7 female/5 Male.

Call 803-473-5932 leave msg.

4 Pom Pups, 6 week old. $100.

Call 803-481-2379, 803-968-6679

MERCHANDISE ANNOUNCEMENTS Announcements Carolina Filters, Inc. is in the process of trying to contact the following past employees. Please contact Lila S. Jacobs for details at 803-418-9710 Monday thru Friday 8:00am-5:00pm. *Johnnie Aiken *Steven B. Arnold *J. Elliot Danner *Hary L. Davis *Gregory Gibson *Michael A. Golden *Eugene Hasty *Jennifer Holliday *Sidney T. Johnson *David L. Kinder *Cheryl L. Landstrom *William Mahoney *Kenneth McFadden *Daniel A. Nesbit *Ron Pearson *Mary A. Roy *Gary T. Verser

Mobile Home Rentals

LARGE GARAGE SALE 1st & 3rd Weekend Tables $1 & Up

Driver Trainees Needed Now! Learn to drive for US Xpress! Earn $800+ per week! No experience needed!

CDL -Trained and Job-Ready in 15 days! 1-888-263-7364

STATEBURG COURTYARD

FLEA MARKET BY SHAW AFB

Open every weekend.

905-4242

Lawn / Garden / Nursery Christmas Special Pine Straw $3 a bale for 30 or more. Customer pickup. Sat Dec.21st 7-2:30 pm or call for appointment 803-983-7594 or 469-7207

For Sale or Trade Annette Ridgill is retiring. Selling equipment and supplies. May be view or bought early by appointment. Final sale will be at Colony Square Beauty Salon 741 Bultman Dr. Sumter, Sat. Dec. 28th @ 9 am. Call 803-720-4442

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

775-0575 Studio/1 Bedroom apartments available EHO

Expert Tech, New & used heat pumps & A/C. Will install/repair, warranty; Compressor & labor $600. Call 803-968-9549 or 843-992-2364 Bush hog, $175. New 10 ft.

Basketball goal/stand, $100. VCR & tapes, $55. 983-6182

2007 Triton TR-21X HP Bassmaster Classic Edit. with 250 Mercury XS Call for details 803 968-2459

120 Broad St Office Building, Great location Rent is $650 mo Agent Owned Call 236-2425

TRANSPORTATION

Homes for Sale

Manning Area, House in exc. cond. w/ good neighbors. Centrally located schools, businesses & shopping. 1 yr. lease preferred.

Sec. dep. req. Good credit a must. 803-968-4630 or 934-1126..

INVESTORS DREAM DEAL 50 houses to pick from. You pick, I sell, 1-50. The more you buy, the cheaper they get. Special pricing for Good looking people.

803-773-4391, 803-464-5960

Mobile Home Rentals

Farms & Acreage

428 Green Swamp Rd 2BR/1BA Trailer City Water & Sewage, New Cental Air $350/Mo Electricity dep. required over $300. 803-840-7860

FSBO: Land, Small & Large acreage.

Owner financing.

803-427-3888.

Very Clean 3BR/2BA, Quiet neighborhood. Suitable for mature older couple ONLY need apply.

No section 8. $450/mo + $400/dep. 803-775-0492 for info.

Scenic Lake 2Br, 2Ba. No pets.

Call between 9am - 5pm ONLY! (803) 499-1500.

2004 Mercury Marquis LS 4Dr 58K Mi. $5, 495 Call 803 481-2894 2004 Toyota SR-5 Four Runner.

1 owner, 98k miles. Asking $12,500. Call 803-905-6565 Holiday Special 150 cars $5,000 or less $$$ CASH $$$ Price is Right Auto Sales 3210 Broad St 803-494-4275

3BR D.W. $3,500, Needs Work.

803-983-8084

Approx 1,200 sq ft 2BR//1BA house with garage. $750//mo, utilities included. 803-494-5663

2BR/1BA, lg. yard. $475/mo. + $250/dep. No Pets. Serious Inq only. 481-4469, 406-6159

Autos For Sale

Manufactured Housing

LOW CREDIT SCORE? Been turned down for bad credit? Come try us, we do our own financing.

We have 2-3-4-5 bedroom homes on our lot. Layaway program available. For more information, call 843-389-4215.

Oaklawn MHP: 2 BR M.H.'s, water/sewer/garbage pk-up incl'd.

RV parking avail. Call 494-8350

EMPLOYMENT

Office Rentals

REAL ESTATE

3BR/1BA Completely remodeled, All appl's, large fenced backyard, $575/mo.+ dep. Carolina Ave. 803-316-7958, Mon-Fri 9AM-6PM

Like new, Little four-wheeler with battery. Cost $175 asking $85.

Like new Razor Go-cart, new batteries Cost $345 asking $150.

Like new Little girls kitchen with foods and accessories. Cost $350 asking $200. Call 803-494-4220

Boats / Motors

862 E Liberty St Office/Retail 1550 Sq Ft. $250 Mo. Agent Owned Call 803-236-2425

Softball Equipment- Pitching machine, Backstop, Balls, Bats ETC. Call for details 803-968-2459

Nice, Side-by-side Frig w/Ice Maker, $300. Office Chair, $25.

Store fixtures, Neg. 803-406-3694

2 & 3 BRs 803-494-4015

Commercial Rentals

Unfurnished Apartments

Unfurnished Homes

POOL TABLES for CHRISTMAS $800 to $1200 includes balls, cue sticks, rack, and chalk. Free delivery within 25 miles of Manning. 803-433-5544 803-473-0939

RECREATION

94' Toyota Camry 2Dr Sport AT, Pwr doors & windows, am fm radio, cass, cd, air cdtn, cruise, sunroof, pwr brakes & steering Must see to appreciate! $2895 OBO 803-236-0488 Runs great!

2005 Ford Windstar Van, Loaded. Low mileage with complete check-up. Spent $1,500 to get in great shape. Have all paperwork.

Asking $4,995. Call 803-494-4220

Land & Lots for Sale Multiple lots for sale: 803-236-8495 ask for Bruce.

Call

Commercial Industrial Church Facility located at 16 Kendrick Street. Move in Ready.

10,195 sq ft on 2.35 acres with 1,040 sq ft picnic shelter. Chapel, Fellowship Hall, Sunday School Rooms, Office Complex and Full Working Kitchen. Contact Talmadge Tobias at Re/Max Summit 803-491-4573.

Help Wanted Full-Time Licensed Cosmetologist needed- Booth rental. Call Mary Alexander 803 905-4220

Want to Buy Golden Kernel Pecan Company 1214 S. Guignard Dr. Sumter, SC 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.

Friday 9-5, Saturday 9-1.

Garage, Yard & Estate Sales Sumter County Flea Mkt Hwy 378 E. 803-495-2281 500 tables. Sat. $8 free return Sun.

Help Wanted Part-Time $$$ AVON $$$ FREE TRAINING! 803-422-5555 Medical Receptionist needed Part-time. Ideal candidate must have medical office experience, excellent computer and telephone skills.

Fax resume to 803-433-5637 or deliver in person to Lakeside Orthopaedic Center 50 E. Hospital St. Suite 6, Manning, SC 29102.

5/ %(76% 68, 92 >96/% EDITION

HOLIDAY GIFTS $10 & UP! 633 Bultman Drive. 774-7823

Ä&#x2039;8 < 89 96,; 89%

4BUVSEBZ %FDFNCFS 4VOEBZ %FDFNCFS 5VFTEBZ %FDFNCFS 5IVSTEBZ %FDFNCFS 'SJEBZ %FDFNCFS 4BUVSEBZ %FDFNCFS 4VOEBZ %FDFNCFS 5VFTEBZ %FDFNCFS 5IVSTEBZ +BOVBSZ

BUSINESS SERVICES Home Improvements Professional Remodelers Home maintenance, ceramic tile, roofing, siding & windows doors, etc. Lic. & Ins. (Cell) 803-459-4773

DEADLINE

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H.L. Boone, Contractor additions, painting, roofing, gutters, sheetrock, blown ceilings, decks. 773-9904

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JERSEY KNIT SHEET SETS 29 Progress St. - Sumter TWIN ......... $12 PER SET FULL.......... $12 PER SET 775-8366 Ext. 37 Store Hours 0RQ 6DW Â&#x2021; 9:30 - 5:00 Closed Sunday

RENTALS

Hickory & Oak firewood. Seasoned/Green $65 Delivered. Notch Above Tree Service. 983-9721

2 Cemetery Plots @ Evergreen .

Call 803-795-7630 or 803 883-2982

English Springer puppies, Born Nov. 1st. Ready to go. Vet checked. Liver & white.1st shots, dewormed, tail docked & dewclaws removed. $300 ea. Call 803-968-2072.

Bid documents may be obtained from: The County of Sumter Purchasing Department 13 East Canal Street Sumter, South Carolina 29150

Trucking Opportunities

Tree Service

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

"Smoke Detectors"

Garage, Yard & Estate Sales

Painting

Lee County School District is interested in receiving sealed bids for Intercom Door Release Kits to include a door station with build in camera, base station with monitor, power supply Surface Mount 24 V Electric Strike. The price for the system must be good for 90 days and will be for the kits and installation at all facilities throughout the district.

Bids should be mailed to P.O. Box 507, Bishopville, SC 29010 or hand delivered. Sealed bids will be opened at 9:00 a.m. on January 7, 2014 at Lee County School District Office at 521 Park Street in Bishopville, SC. All questions concerning this bid should be directed to Dr. Jeff Long at (803) 484-5337 or at (803) 486-1149

The County of Sumter is soliciting separate sealed bids from qualified vendors for the following project:

8FTNBSL 1MB[B t t .PO 4BU t 4VOEBZ

QUEEN........ $16 PER SET KING.......... $20 PER SET

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KITCHEN CURTAIN SETS â&#x20AC;&#x201C; $8 PER SET SHOWER CURTAINS $10 EACH SHOWER CURTAIN RODS $8 EACH Assorted Colors

PANORAMA WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2013

THE ITEM

C1

Contact Ivy Moore at (803) 774-1221 or e-mail ivym@theitem.com

Most of the Christmas garden evokes scenes from the past, with a tiny village of churches, schools, fire houses, homes and tiny figures in the snow.

Christmas garden grows near Dalzell

Couple’s gift to community

BY IVY MOORE ivym@theitem.com

A

custom unfamiliar to most local residents is quickly becoming a favorite in the community, thanks to a Dalzell couple who love to share their Christmas spirit. A week before Christmas for the past six years, the former Baltimore residents open their home to display their “Christmas garden.”

“When we first relocated to Sumter,” said Bill Horsman, “we were very surprised to find that nobody had a Christmas garden.

Up north, these displays are common in most towns. Lots of folks have them where we lived.”

Bill and his wife Mary decided to set things right by setting up in their oversized garage a model countryside comprising homes, churches, schools, stores, fire stations and more – an extensive display of dozens of animated pieces and a miniamusement park for children and families to enjoy at Christmas.

“Each year, more and more people come to see it,” Horsman said. “Last year, we had between 850 and 1,000, and most of them were adults!”

He said many of the garden’s visitors were people who had “relocated here or were visiting from Michigan, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Ohio” and other northern areas. “A lot of them are stationed at Shaw. When they heard about our Christmas garden, they brought their (local) friends and relatives out with them.”

Many of the items in the garden are antiques, including a couple of dozen trains, barrel cars, a merry-go-round and a small “biplane like Snoopy and the Red Baron flew” for children to ride.

“I’ve got some new animated pieces,” Horsman said; and those are in addition to a Ferris wheel, Zipper ride, teacups, coinoperated machines, video games, popcorn machines, a shooting gallery.

“We’ve got a candy claw machine and a

PHOTOS BY MATT WALSH / THE ITEM

Bill and Mary Horsman take a moment to look over their extensive “Christmas garden,” a tradition they brought to Dalzell from their previous home in Maryland and now offer each year as their gift to the community.

pink robot that can talk and interact with the children,” he said. “It’ll tell them its name and ask them theirs. It’s the only robot like this I’ve ever seen.”

This season, Horsman said, “We’ve planned for around 600 children. We’ll have ice cream and a gift for each one of them.”

Indeed, in addition to the huge animated garden, there will be antique amusement machines, kiddie rides, a reindeer tractor ride, frozen treats, cakes, cookies and candies. Santa might even drop by.

There’s already a giant blow-up of the jolly old elf in the Horsmans’ front yard.

With people having visited in busloads in 2012, Bill said he expects many more this year.

“We’ve already got groups from the senior homes, (Crosswell) Children’s Home,

HORSMANS’ CHRISTMAS GARDEN 2810 Imperial Way 5-9 p.m. nightly through 23 Directions from Sumter: Take the old Camden Highway (US 521 North) to Ebenezer Road, turn right, then take second right after that. The Horsman home will be the second house from the end of Imperial Way in the Casey Villa subdivision. Signs will point the way.

Cub Scouts and more planning to come,” Horsman said.

“It’s my and my wife’s gift to the community.”

And it starts tonight.

Get a sneak preview of the Christmas garden by watching this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYfRHESVPx4&feature=y outu.be

Bellamy Brothers coming to Sumter Opera House FROM STAFF REPORTS The country music duo, The Bellamy Brothers, known for their many hits, including 1976’s “Let Your Love Flow,” will perform on Feb. 15, 2014, at the Sumter Opera House.

Opening for the Bellamy Brothers will be the Roadtripp Band from Burnsville, N.C. The Bellamy Brothers have been nominated for a Grammy and hold the record for the most nominations for Duo of the Year from the Country Music Association. They have recorded more than 20 No. 1 country and pop hits along

with 50 charted Billboard country hits. “Let Your Love Flow” is ranked among the Top 100 Pop Hits of all time. Another of their well-known hits is “If I Said You Had A Beautiful Body (Would You Hold It Against Me).”

Presented by RTB entertainment in conjunction with McIntosh Productions, The Bellamy Brothers concert will begin at 7 p.m. at the Opera House, 25 N. Main St. “My nephew and I wanted to work on a project together, and I immediately thought of the Historic Sumter Opera House,” said area resident Carl McIntosh. “The Bellamy Brothers

will be a great act for this great venue and we hope it will be successful so we can bring more performances to Sumter.

Tickets to their concert will make great Christmas presents.”

Tickets are available now online at www.roadtripp.com/tix, the Sumter Opera House box office or from McIntosh at (803) 468-6177. General admission tickets are $20. There are a limited number of VIP sponsorships available for $100 each.

This will include box seats and recognition for helping to bring the event to the Sumter Opera House.

PHOTO PROVIDED

The Bellamy Brothers will perform at the Sumter Opera House on Feb. 15, 2014, presented by RTB Productions, a company formed by area resident Carl McIntosh and his nephew in a concert they plan as the first of many at the venue.