December 23, 2014

Bones found in June ID’d Alcolu woman, 74, reportedly last seen in 2009

BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com

75 CENTS

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2014

SERVING SOUTH CAROLINA SINCE OCTOBER 15, 1894 2 SECTIONS, 18 PAGES | VOL. 120, NO. 58

SPORTS

Bones discovered by snake hunters near Tearcoat Road in Alcolu on June 9 have been positively identified as belonging to Claretha Epps McLeod of Olanta, Clarendon County Sheriff’s Office Maj. Kipp Coker said Monday.

Described by her family as “independent, outgoing and happy,” the 74-year-old McLeod reportedly wandered away from her home in Olanta on Jan. 30, 2009, and

was last seen about 10:30 p.m. that night in New Zion after hitchhiking from her home then back to northern Clarendon County.

A granddaughter said in 2012 McLeod had been diagnosed with dementia and possibly Alzheimer’s disease before she McLEOD disappeared.

Family members were present when Coker made the announcement but declined to make any

statements.

After her bones were found in June, along with some scraps of clothing, her remains were sent to anthropologist Susanne Abel, with the Charleston County Coroner’s office. She enlisted the help of North Texas State University’s Center for Human Identification, which was able to identify the remains as those of McLeod.

Coker said McLeod’s remains would soon be released to the Clarendon County Coroner’s Office, and then to the family.

Boykin’s Christmas Parade is always a hoot

Former USC quarterback Shaw might start for Browns B1

DEATHS, B6

Boys with Shepherd Fence, above, ride in the annual Boykin Christmas Parade in a gingerbread house on Sunday.

Vaniah H. Baldwin Jr. Gregory Benn Mildred B. Moore Janie Mae W. Montgomery Gloria L. Goff Lottie M. Mallette Helen Butler Gloria H. Stanback Janie Mae P. Bright Alan L. Cotton Elizabeth A. Helms James E. Jones Gregory Georgia Dorothy J. Stevens Lillie Mae Atkins

Santa and Mrs. Claus, left, enter the parade on a tractor pulling a rotating sled this year. See more photos from the parade on page A8.

PHOTOS BY MELANIE SMITH / THE SUMTER ITEM

WEATHER, A10 GRAB YOUR UMBRELLA Expect rain and thunderstorms today and tonight HIGH 57, LOW 57

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N.Y. mayor: No protests until after funerals NEW YORK (AP) — New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio called Monday for a pause in protests about police conduct as he faced a widening rift with those in a grieving force who accuse him of creating a climate of mistrust that contributed to the execution of two officers.

“I think it’s important that, regardless of people’s viewpoints, that everyone step back,” de Blasio said in a speech Monday at the Police Athletic League. “I think it’s a

time for everyone to put aside political debates, put aside protests, put aside all of the things that we will talk about in all due time.”

DE BLASIO De Blasio’s relations with the city’s police unions have tumbled to an extraordinary new low — one not experienced by a mayor in the nation’s largest city in more than a genera-

tion — in the aftermath of Saturday’s shooting which the gunman claimed was retaliation for the deaths of black men at the hands of white police. In a display of defiance, dozens of police officers turned their backs to de Blasio at the hospital where the officers died, and union leaders said the mayor had “blood on his hands” for enabling the protesters who have

SEE NYPD, PAGE A5

Fireside gets major boost with $10,000 donation

BY JADE REYNOLDS jade@theitem.com Fireside Fund raised more money this past week than all the previous weeks of the 2014-15 season combined with a total of more than $14,000.

It was generously helped along with a $10,000 donation

in memory of Robert Glenmore Sharp. The 2013-14 Fireside Fund was dedicated to the late Sumter philanthropist and businessman.

This year’s fund is named for another late servant of the community, retired U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Tom Olsen.

But whether you gave thou-

sands or $15, as Alice Foxworth gave this week in memory of Elizabeth Foxworth,

readers such as yourself have helped The Sumter Item’s heating initiative collect more than $1.4 million since 1969.

The partnership between The Salvation Army and the newspaper provides money for those in need during some of the coldest months of the year. The publication gathers

the contributions and turns them over to the nonprofit to dispense.

On Monday morning, The Salvation Army office was standing room only, said Maj. Robbie Robbins, commander of the unit that serves Sum-

SEE FIRESIDE FUND, PAGE A5

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2014

THE SUMTER ITEM

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

Record of only white coastal Christmas will stand No chance of snowfall this year as state marks 25 years since storm

BY BRUCE SMITH The Associated Press CHARLESTON — Since the National Weather Service began keeping records in 1880, there has been only one white Christmas on the South Carolina coast. But that storm, which blew in 25 years ago this week, set records from Florida to North Carolina.

The storm brought 15 inches of

snow to Wilmington, North Carolina, 14 inches to Myrtle Beach and eight to Charleston.

And despite the problems it caused air travelers and holiday drivers, it also brought a bit of a respite from Hurricane Hugo. For a few days, the widespread debris and damage from the Category 4 storm that hit South Carolina three months earlier was hidden under a blanket of white.

The snow covered broken wood and other debris piled up in yards and, for a brief time, hid the blue tarps that covered many roofs that were torn up

by Hugo and its 135 mph winds, which smashed into Charleston that September.

There’s no chance of a white Christ-

Hockey Mask Bandit is still on the loose FROM STAFF REPORTS A man suspected of robbing two stores in Sumter as well as 16 other businesses in four areas now has a $6,000 bounty on his head.

Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott announced Monday that he is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the armed robber dubbed the Hockey Mask Bandit.

This reward will be in addition to the $1,000 offered by Crimestoppers.

On Dec. 4, the suspect robbed a Sumter Dollar General in the 1000 block of Broad Street. It was between 7:15 and 7:30 p.m. when the man wearing a hockey mask approached the manager organizing items on a back shelf and demanded money while pointing a gun at her, states a news release from Sumter Police Department earlier this month. He later ran out of the store with an undetermined amount of money in a store shopping bag.

The suspect was described as between 6 feet and 6 feet 2 inches tall and has a stocky build, according to the news release.

He is also suspected of

mas this year: Temperatures are forecast to rise into the 60s.

It was 25 years ago Monday that the snow that brought the area’s only recorded white Christmas began falling.

It would fall into Christmas Eve day of that year.

The National Weather Service reported that snowflakes fell as far south as Daytona Beach and Tampa, while there was measurable snowfall in Jacksonville, giving northern Florida, too, its first white Christmas on record. The storm and the ensuing cold also caused heavy damage to the Florida citrus crop.

The storm system brought snow to New Orleans, and Savannah received 4 inches.

Spreading some cheer

robbing Hibbett Sports in the 1000 block of Broad Street on Dec. 5.

Video images available from some of the incidents may be found at youtube. com/user/RCSDInvestigates with reference release number 1214-2019 on the right side.

The armed robberies occur in the early evening hours, which is usually one of the most congested traffic times along major roadways, Lott said. During each incident, the Hockey Mask Bandit enters the business with his face and hands covered, presents a handgun and demands cash.

Different vehicles appear to have been used in the crimes — a white four-door sedan; a late model black SUV, thought to be a Ford Explorer; and an oldermodel light gold Chevrolet Suburban.

The suspect is described as a black man wearing a gray, hooded sweater, Lott said.

If you have any information that might help catch the Hockey Mask Bandit, call Crimestoppers at (803) 436-2718 or 1-888-274-6372.

You may also text “TIPSC plus your message” to CRIMES (274637).

KEITH GEDAMKE / THE SUMTER ITEM

Tommie Moore, a Pinewood resident, trims the town’s Christmas tree Thursday afternoon in preparation for the official lighting later that night.

Palmetto Voices announces auditions FROM STAFF REPORTS

LOCAL BRIEF FROM STAFF REPORTS

No Christmas Day paper will be published The Sumter Item will publish a newspaper on Christmas Eve but not on Christmas Day. The paper’s normal

After the storm moved through, frigid air poured into the region with many areas on the coast posting record lows on Christmas Day. The cold burst water pipes along the coast and in Wilmington depleted water supplies, prompting officials to declare a state of emergency.

Climatological records show there have been white Christmases elsewhere in South Carolina but not many. It has even, from time to time, snowed on Christmas Day. A 1945 storm brought 5 inches of snow to Spartanburg on Christmas while 3.5 inches were reported in Walhalla in the mountains two years later. A 1962 storm left an inch of snow on the ground in Greenville.

schedule will resume on Friday.

The Sumter Item’s offices will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

The Palmetto Voices singers will hold auditions on Jan. 3, 2015.

The versatile, nonprofit choir is directed by Sonja Sepulveda and includes alumni of Sumter High School and Sumter High Concert Choir; Carolina Alive of University of South Carolina; Salem Choirs of Salem College in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where Sepulveda teaches;

and others. The choir specializes in the spiritual but sings all types of music.

All voice parts will be auditioned, and singers must be 18 or older. The audition process will require vocalists to remain from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. at St. John United Methodist Church, 136 Poinsett Drive.

Each audition has three parts: 1. Singers will audition for and be voiced by Sepulveda.

They will be asked to sing

their voice part on two songs

by Moses Hogan, “Hear My Prayer” (#3289634) and “God’s Gonna Set This World on Fire” (#1969104). Music for these pieces is available at www.jwpepper.com.

2. Singers will join the Palmetto Voices during a rehearsal session and will be evaluated by their section leaders.

3. Singers will participate in a closed dress-rehearsal concert with the Palmetto Voices.

HOW TO REACH US IS YOUR PAPER MISSING? ANNOUNCEMENT ARE YOU GOING ON Birth, Engagement, Wedding, VACATION? Anniversary, Obituary 20 N. Magnolia St., Sumter, S.C. 29150 (803) 774-1200 Jack Osteen Editor and Publisher jack@theitem.com (803) 774-1238 Rick Carpenter Managing Editor rick@theitem.com (803) 774-1201 Waverly Williams Sales Manager waverly@theitem.com (803) 774-1237

Earle Woodward Customer Service Manager earle@theitem.com (803) 774-1259 Michele Barr Business Manager michele@theitem.com (803) 774-1249 Gail Mathis Clarendon Bureau Manager gail@theitem-clarendonsun.com (803) 435-4716

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THE SUMTER ITEM

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2014

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Special agents help keep base safe, investigate crimes

BY AIRMAN 1ST CLASS DIANA M. COSSABOOM Special to The Sumter Item The many dedicated hours spent to ensure the safety of airmen and the local community by eradicating individuals who wish to do them harm may seem like a sacrifice to some, but to the agents assigned to OSI Detachment 212 at Shaw Air Force Base, it is an honor to commit their time as peacekeepers of the Air Force.

OSI agents strive to identify, exploit and neutralize criminal, terrorist and intelligence threats to the Air Force, Department of Defense and U.S. government daily basis.

Making a difference to serve their country is something the Air Force Office of Special Investigations Airmen embrace as not just a career, but also a lifestyle.

“It’s the best job I’ve had in my entire life,” said Special Agent Nina Leggett, OSI Det. 212 superintendent. “And I am very fortunate to have been selected.”

In addition to being stationed across the entire U.S., OSI agents are stationed in more than 40 overseas locations including areas in the Middle East, Asia and Europe.

“As OSI agents, we are the protection of the Air Force and its assets across the globe,” said Special Agent Robert Davis, OSI Det. 212 commander, “which includes making sure any kind of felony or serious crimes in the Air Force are investigated because it contributes to the good order and discipline of the service.”

It is the duty of the 1,700 special agents and 800 professional staffers who make up OSI to protect secrets and detect threats, conduct investigations, provide specialized services, engage foreign threats and investigate cyber crimes.

“We ensure foreign and domestic adversaries aren’t obtaining information on Air Force actions or personnel

AIRMAN 1ST CLASS MICAIAH ANTHONY / SPECIAL TO THE SUMTER ITEM

Special Agent Adam Deem, Air Force Office of Special Investigation Detachment 219, shines a light on a glass to reveal fingerprints at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. Deem dusted the glass with an orange powder that helps agents detect fingerprints with UV light. and stop any kind of intrusions into our information, networks and operations,” said Davis.

The airmen that make up the agency include active-duty officers and enlisted personnel, civilians and reservists.

All agents are trained at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia, where they learn an array of skills to include firearms and defensive tactics, forensics, specialized investigative techniques and surveillance and surveillance detection to name a few.

“You get to learn so much and meet so many different people from different organizations who go through the same training,” said Leggett.

Joining OSI as a special agent is not for the faint of heart. The tasks agents encounter take a special type of personality to deal with, said Davis.

“You have to have the ability to deal with some very horrific and shocking stuff,” said Davis. “There are no limits to the nature of human depravity.”

Some attributes needed in a special agent, according to Davis, are determination, hard work, the ability to act and work independently and an inquisitive mindset.

“It’s a very dynamic and challenging job all the way around,” said Davis. “It’s not for people who like simple tasks and nine-to-five work hours.”

Applicants must be committed to this lifestyle. The agents do their best to give applicants a realistic perspective of the job, said Leggett.

OSI special agents investigate all major crimes regard-

ing Air Force personnel to include homicides, missing personnel, sexual assault and drug-related crimes.

In fact, earlier this year a Shaw airman, Capt. Robby Williams III, went absent without leave, and it was OSI’s job to find him. Many man hours went into locating Williams, and he was successfully apprehended, said Davis.

OSI agents deal with an adverse amount of investigations, some not as pretty as others.

Recently, an airman was charged and convicted in a USAF Courts-Martial of criminal solicitation of a minor, fraudulent enlistment, indecent language with a child and rape of a child who has not reached the age of 12.

The judge sentenced him to confinement for life, which was reduced to 35 years because of a pre-trial agreement, reduction to the grade of E-1, forfeiture of all pay and allowances and a dishonorable discharge.

The OSI agents were responsible for not only the initial investigation and apprehension of the airman, but also investigating further into

the airman’s past and coordination with the judge advocate office to ensure justice is properly handed out.

The Air Force has strict values and emphasizes integrity; however, like the general population, there are people who commit crimes. It’s OSI’s job to ensure those people are brought to justice, said Davis.

Though there are difficulties that agents have to face, there are also rewarding aspects of the job.

“My favorite part of the job is that there is something different every day,” said Leggett. “No two situations are alike. We really get to work as a team and pool our minds together to effectively work the mission.”

The majority of people who join OSI want to have a major impact on the Air Force and local communities. Becoming an agent provides a great opportunity to meet, liaison and network with people who have similar ambitions, said Leggett.

To qualify for OSI, applicants must be U.S. citizens, eligible for worldwide duty, healthy and physically fit, and of outstanding character and integrity.

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A4

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LOCAL

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2014

THE SUMTER ITEM

Helping Hands Grayson Dennis, 14, helps his father, Sumter County Sheriff Anthony Dennis, deliver food to Felix McCuhen as part of the Elizabeth Foxworth Helping Hands Food Drive on Saturday.

The program, in its second year, will deliver food to 126 families and give bikes to 100 of them.

KEITH GEDAMKE / THE SUMTER ITEM

POLICE BLOTTER CHARGES Jennifer Ross Jones, 41, of 4145 Red Lane Road, Dalzell, was arrested and charged with criminal domestic violence about 10:43 a.m. Sunday. Law enforcement was reportedly called to the scene for the suspect hitting and throwing things at a 2006 Kia Optima. When deputies arrived, they found the suspect hitting a man on his head and face. The victim had no visible injuries and declined EMS. Fleming J. Briggs, 27, of 1000 Babette Road, was arrested and charged with petit larceny about 12:56 a.m. Monday when the suspect was reportedly caught by a security guard taking a roll of copper wire valued at $700 out of a warehouse in the 1000 block of Clipper Road.

day from the 6000 block of Deer Run Lane, Dalzell.

A Canon EOS Rebel valued at $1,050, a Maglite flashlight valued at $125 and $100 in cash were reported stolen about 12:21 p.m. Sunday from the 3000 block of Preserve Court.

A 54-inch zero-turn-radius Husqvarna riding lawn mower valued at $3,600 and a 5-foot-by-8-foot utility trailer valued at $650 were reported stolen about 4:26 p.m. Sunday from the 200 block of Alexander Place.

Two Seiki 50-inch flat-screen TVs valued at $1,000, a Dell computer monitor valued at $100 and a Hewlett Packard laptop valued at $400 were reported stolen about 9:04 p.m. Sunday from the 4000 block of Rosewood Drive. A

silver Dodge Intrepid reportedly sustained $300 in damage to its ignition column; and a 1999 green Chevrolet Malibu reportedly sustained $150 in damage to its driver’s side door about 12:38 p.m. Friday in the 1000 block of Pocalla Road.

A 1999 green Land Rover reportedly sustained $3,500 in damage about 7:17 p.m.

Sunday in the 1000 block of Morris Way Drive.

STOLEN PROPERTY A 2000 green Dodge Intrepid valued at $2,500 was reportedly stolen between 1 and 7:30 a.m. Friday from the 3000 block of Broad Street.

A 2002 blue Yamaha YFM 660 ATV valued at $2,100 was reportedly stolen between 10 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Satur-

door also reportedly sustained about $200 in damage.

A silver iPhone 5 valued at $200, a black iPhone 4 valued at $200, $560 in cash and a black wallet valued at $20 were reported stolen about 1:18 a.m. Monday from the 100 block of Computer Circle.

A PlayStation 4 video game system with two controllers

valued at $500, an Apple iPhone 5S valued at $300, a 46-inch JVC flat-screen TV valued at $700, an unknown brand 46-inch flat-screen TV valued at $700 and Bluetooth headphone valued at $200 were reported stolen about 2:10 a.m. Monday from the 600 block of Marlborough Drive.

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LOCAL | NATION

THE SUMTER ITEM

FIRESIDE FUND FROM PAGE A1 Clarendon and Lee counties.

“We’re trying to not turn anybody away,” he said.

While the organization supplies individuals and families with vouchers for electric, gas and kerosene, the biggest request so far this season continues to be kerosene.

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

Contributions may be mailed to The Sumter Item, P.O. Box 1677, Sumter, SC 29151 or dropped off at the office, 20 N. Magnolia St. Spell out acronyms and names clearly. When making a gift in someone’s name, please include full identification. Names will be printed as given, so please check for accuracy.

Donations received as of Monday included: In memory of Robert Glenmore Sharp, $10,000; In memory of Elizabeth Foxworth from Alice Foxworth, $15; Amazing Grace Life Group at Alice Drive Baptist Church, $100; In loving memory of Craig Hurst from Betty Hurst and Sons, $100; In honor of my family God has given me from Virginia Taylor, $50; In memory of Sara Richbourg, Janet Tennant and Charles Tennant from George Richbourg, $100; The Readers Club, $50; Tammy Mickey, $1,000; Judge and Mrs. Howard P. King, $50; and In honor of Mr. and Mrs. R. Powell Black from Michelle Herod, $50.

Joy Sunday School Class at Shaw Heights Baptist Church, $60; In honor of friends, $50; Westside Neighborhood Association at Birnie HOPE Center, $150; St. Paul AME Church Plowden Mill Road, $50; Au-

gustus and Sarah Williams, $25; WMU Dalzell Baptist Church, $50; Crusaders Sunday School Class at Dalzell Baptist Church, $100; F. Elizabeth Morris and Ashley Vaughn, $50; Barney Williams Jr., M.D., and Mary Catharine Williams, $100; and In memory of Patricia R. Gass from Leon Gass, $100.

Lonnie Cox Sunday School Class, $25; In memory of our parents from Perry and Mary Register, $100; Wayne Busser, $100; In memory of Leslie Griffin Sr. from Horace Curtis, $100; In memory of Daniel Reeves from Pat Reeves, $500; Lymon and Regina Brunson, $100; Quality Control Department of Porter’s Fabrication, $50; Dalzell UMC Men’s, $100; In memory of Dr. Lea B. Givens from Dr. and Mrs. Wendell M. Levi Jr., $200; and Margie Lawrence, $100.

Vila and Michael Cipov, $25; In memory of Minnie B. Rogers from Billy Johnson, $20; and In loving memory of Richard M. Ellis from Berthella S. Ellis, $25.

Total Combined Anonymous: $560 Total This Week: $14,225 Total This Year: $28,068.27 Total Last Year: $62,869.17 Total Since 1969: $1,412,251.46

It’s your world.

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NYPD FROM PAGE A1 swept the streets of New York this month since a grand jury declined to indict an officer in the chokehold death of Eric Garner.

“We are working toward a day where we can achieve greater harmony toward policing and community,” de Blasio said later Monday.

Officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos were ambushed Saturday afternoon by a 28-year-old who vowed in an Instagram post that he would put “wings on pigs.” The suspect, Ishmaaiyl Brinsley, was black; the slain New York Police Department officers were Hispanic and Asian.

The killings came as police nationwide are being criticized after Garner’s death and 18-year-old Michael Brown’s fatal shooting in Ferguson, Missouri. Protests erupted after grand juries declined to charge officers in either case.

On Monday, a prosecutor said a white Milwaukee police officer who was fired after he fatally shot a mentally ill black man in April won’t face criminal charges. Lawyers for the slain man’s family urged any protesters there to be peaceful.

De Blasio said it was time to focus on the of-

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ficers’ grieving families. He and Police Commissioner William Bratton met with them earlier Monday.

“There’s a lot of pain. It’s so hard to make sense of it — how one deeply troubled, violent individual could do this to these good families,” a somber de Blasio said. “And I think it’s a time for everyone to take stock that there are things that unite us, there are things that we hold dear as New Yorkers, as Americans.”

Investigators said Brinsley was a bystander during a protest two days before the Garner grand jury decision but had not participated.

It remained unclear if Brinsley simply latched onto the cause for the final act in a violent rampage that began Saturday morning in Baltimore when he shot his ex-girlfriend in the stomach. The woman said Brinsley had first held the gun to his own head but she talked him down, authorities said.

Police are trying to determine Brinsley’s whereabouts in the two hours he was in New York before killing the officers. Video gathered by police shows Brinsley holding a foam food container that investigators think held the gun he used. After the shooting, he then ran into a nearby subway station and killed himself.

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LOCAL / STATE

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2014

Benefit auction

THE SUMTER ITEM

Air Force grounds some Charleston C-17 cargo jets NORTH CHARLESTON (AP) — The Air Force says it is putting eight C-17 cargo jets at Joint Base Charleston in backup status.

The Post and Courier of Charleston reported that the Air Mobility Command said the decision to place eight of the jets in reserve is part of President Obama’s defense budget.

The eight jets will not be assigned crews or flying

hours as part of the costsaving measure. The command said the Globemaster jets will continue to receive the funding needed to sustain the weapons system.

Eight other jets in Washington state also are being placed in backup status.

Major Gen. Michael S. Stough says the 16 jets could eventually be placed with the Air National Guard.

PHOTO PROVIDED

A benefit auction, hosted by Kat Harrison, with all proceeds going to John K. Crosswell Home for Children’s 2014 Holiday Wish List was held Dec. 13 at Greater Mount Pisgah Baptist Church Life Enrichment Center.

From left, the Rev. Marvin Hodge, gold contributor; Alton Meeler, silver contributor; and Kat Harrison, auctioneer present $1,480 to Kelly Rowell, Crosswell volunteer coordinator, and Jerry Allred, Crosswell executive director, on Dec. 15. Additional donations of $108 were delivered to the home on Dec. 16. William Bryant also served as an auctioneer, with Meeler, Robbie Wozunk, Cooper Mckinnon and Cal McClary as ring men, and Gwen Mckinnon and Suzie McDonald as cashiers. The home has received numerous donations from individuals, families, groups and businesses during this holiday season.

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THE SUMTER ITEM

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2014

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

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

COMMENTARY

Growing up on ‘the Street’ S

everal months ago, a second-grade class was kind enough to extend me an invitation to come and read to and have lunch with them, so I gladly took them up on the offer.

We read a book about the life and lessons we can learn from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (and, a credit to their teacher — the kids knew more than I did, a sign of a phenomenal teacher).

We then proceeded to head to the school’s oddly arranged cafetorium, half cafeteria and half auditorium, where I sat with my young friends and held court on several hardhitting issues of importance: whether or not ice cream was good, what we wanted to be when we grew Cliff up (I’m still McCollum not sure) and what was wrong with Auburn’s defense this year (several dozen second-graders and I can’t answer that one, either, other than “They were bad.”)

What gave me pause during our dining conversation was when one young girl told me she had gotten her cellphone taken away for talking back to her mother.

I reminded her that such behavior was wrong (though I talk back to my mother a frequent amount), and then I was struck with what should have been my first response: “You’re in second grade! Why do you need a cellphone? Who do you call — Elmo?”

The girl and several of her classmates stared at me with blank expressions.

“Who is Elmo?” they asked, with genuine confusion and mystery.

Who is Elmo, indeed.

While the boisterous, redfurred puppet is known to my generation and a few that came before us — he and the rest of the gang located on “Sesame Street” is largely unknown to this current crop of youngsters.

I repeated the name, hoping to get some flicker of recognition in their eyes, but, alas, none was to be found.

I tried other names: the Count (who was always my favorite), Oscar the Grouch, Big Bird.

I had begun to give up hope, but upon saying “Cookie Monster,” they began to light up.

“Thank the good Lord,” I thought to myself. “They know Cookie Monster.”

And what did they say about my gluttonous, blue-furred pal?

“He used to eat lots of cookies, but now he only eats some cookies after he eats other foods like carrots and broccoli.”

Carrots? Broccoli? Being eaten by the Cookie Monster?

Such statements seemed like blasphemy to a Reaganera child like myself, but, sure enough, a quick Googling back at the office confirmed my fears: Cookie Monster had been co-opted into preaching the merits of balanced meals.

I wasn’t allowed much reaction time to that news, as the

kids then began to tell me the shows that they did watch.

They were all on Cartoon Network or Nickelodeon, and I had never heard of any of them. In fact, I don’t think some of them contained any real words, just random letters and numbers garbled together (either that, or I don’t speak second grader fluently enough to understand my young friends).

The era of Sesame Street has, apparently, come to a close, as its target audience of youngsters has moved on to other, less educational based content.

Soon, Big Bird and the others may have to pack up and move to another locale, going the way of Mr. Rogers, Captain Kangaroo and even ol’ Howdy Doody — left to gather dust in the basement of adults’ memories.

So many of us grew up on “the Street.”

We learned our letters, numbers and other vital facts for everyday life from the good people at the Children’s Television Workshop.

We laughed strange laughs with our friend The Count and pondered what it would be like to live in a garbage can like Oscar did.

I can even recall tuning in a few weeks to PBS one summer in college when I learned that Big Bird’s nest had been destroyed by fire.

My roommates gave me odd looks, but joined me in watching the crisis, until, at the week’s end, former President Jimmy Carter (and the good people at Habitat for Humanity) had built Big Bird a new nest (though it did look suspiciously like the old one - exactly like it, in fact.)

Children’s tastes change — no one can dispute this.

I shouldn’t expect that kids today would still enjoy a program I watched more than 20 years ago now, but ... on some level, I suppose I do still expect that.

Sesame Street has always represented the brighter, positive and, most importantly, thoroughly educational viewing experience for youngsters and it comes on public television to boot — public TV being brought to those kids by viewers like us.

But, these kids don’t know the Street.

They don’t seem to want to know about it, either.

So, give the small ones their cellphones and let them call Brobee from “Yo Gabba Gabba” or coax Spongebob from his grill at the Krusty Krab.

Me — well, I’ll keep the Cookie Monster on speed dial — just in case we need him again.

‘You’re in second grade!

Why do you need a cellphone?

Who do you call — Elmo?’

Cliff McCollum is an 80-yearold soul trapped in a 20-something body. He is an ordained minister and former community college professor who enjoys British literature and field herpetology. He spends his spare time trying to show Vegans and vegetarians the error of their ways. As managing editor of the Gulf Coast Newspapers in Baldwin County, Alabama — now part of Osteen Publishing Co. — he can be reached at cmccollum@gulfcoastnewspapers. com.

COMMENTARY

Lighting fuses in Oklahoma

O

KLAHOMA CITY — Scott Pruitt enjoyed owning a AAA baseball team here, but he is having as much fun as Oklahoma’s attorney general, and one of the Obama administration’s most tenacious tormentors. The second existential challenge to the Affordable Care Act began here.

In the first, decided in June 2012, the Supreme Court saved the ACA by reading it imaginatively. The court held that although Congress could not, in the name of regulating commerce, penalize people for not engaging in commerce (buying insurance), the penalty linked to the individual mandate actually could be considered — although Congress did not so consider it — an exercise of Congress’ enumerated power to tax.

That same year, Pruitt lit another fuse, this one involving statutory rather than constitutional construction. He filed a suit that in June may contribute to the most seismic domestic development of 2015.

George The suit asks the court Will to read the ACA unimaginatively, as meaning what it plainly says: Subsidies, in the form of tax credits, are available only to persons who purchase insurance through exchanges “established by the state.” Thirty-seven states have refused or failed to establish their own exchanges. The justices may be disinclined to use the ACA’s legislative history, or the candor of MIT’s loquacious professor Jonathan Gruber, to inform their deliberations. If, however, the justices do, they will see that Gruber, an ACA architect, says it was written to “squeeze the states” into establishing exchanges: “If you’re a state and you don’t set up an exchange, that means your citizens don’t get their tax credits.”

If the court holds that the ACA means what it plainly and purposively says, then billions of dollars have been disbursed through federal exchanges contrary to the law. The ACA will be crippled until Barack Obama negotiates help from a Republicancontrolled Congress.

The Founders’ bargain, Pruitt says, was that the states would surrender some sovereignty in exchange for representation in the federal government. But the growth of federal power has tended to reduce states to administrative extensions of the federal government, leaving them with “pre-emption without representation.” So Pruitt has established within his office a “federalism unit” aimed at revitalizing federalism as a system of “vertical checks and balances.”

Oklahoma is among 24 states in a suit

initiated by Texas Attorney General (and Gov.-elect) Greg Abbott charging that Obama’s unilateral changes in immigration policies are unconstitutional. The complaint is that Obama has injured these states by usurping the legislative power of Congress, in which the states’ interests are represented, and by creating, through executive fiat, policies that will impose substantial costs on the states.

Another target in Pruitt’s sights is the Environmental Protection Agency, which claims to have discovered in the Clean Air Act of 1970 a hitherto unnoticed authority perhaps sufficient to eliminate existing coalfired power plants. Joined by 16 other state attorneys general, Pruitt argues that the federal government has the power to institute a national energy policy, which implicates the entire economy. But it cannot do so, pre-empting various of the states’ powers, simply by locating authority in the creative reading of a 44-year old statute.

And then there is the matter of puddles.

Pruitt and other attorneys general are resisting the EPA’s and the Army Corps of Engineers’ contention that the 42-year old Clean Water Act has a hitherto unsuspected capaciousness. The act, which allows regulation of “navigable waters,” was passed under Congress’ power to regulate interstate commerce, so “navigable waters” have been understood to be those suitable for transporting people and products between the states.

But M. Reed Hopper and Todd F. Gaziano of the Pacific Legal Foundation, writing in The Wall Street Journal, say the EPA now wants to control not just wetlands and other non-navigable waters but any water or normally dry land with a “hydrological connection” to actual navigable waters.

These include, Hopper and Gaziano say, “arroyos in the desert as well as ditches and culverts hundreds of miles from” actual navigable waters. Pruitt and other attorneys general are contesting this bureaucratic imperialism whereby the EPA, by aggregating almost all the nation’s water and much of its land into EPA-designated “ecoregions,” could regulate — and stifle — much of the nation’s economic activity.

The good news about the ACA, immigration and the EPA is that federalism remains a fact. Come January, federalism’s vitality will be an increasingly inconvenient truth for Obama. Twenty-seven states will have Republican attorneys general who can try to restrain the federal Leviathan much as the Lilliputians restrained Gulliver.

George Will’s email address is georgewill@ washpost.com. © 2014, Washington Post Writers Group

EDITORIAL PAGE POLICIES EDITORIALS represent the views of the owners of this newspaper.

COLUMNS AND COMMENTARY are the personal opinion of the writer whose byline appears. Columns from readers should be typed, double-spaced and no more than 850 words. Send them to The Sumter Item, Opinion Pages, P.O. Box 1677, Sumter, S.C. 29151, or email to hubert@theitem.com or graham@theitem.com.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR are written by readers of the newspaper. They should be no more than 350 words and sent via e-mail to letters@theitem.com, dropped off at The Sumter Item office, 20 N. Magnolia St. or mailed to The Sumter Item, P.O. Box 1677, Sumter, S.C. 29151, along with the full name of the writer, plus an address and telephone number for verification purposes only.

Letters that exceed 350 words will be cut accordingly in the print edition, but available in their entirety at www. theitem.com/opinion/letters_to_editor.

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LOCAL

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2014

THE SUMTER ITEM

More from the annual Boykin Christmas Parade

Children, above, participate in the annual Boykin Christmas Parade on Sunday in Boykin with man’s best friend.

A hubcap tree, left, from Columbia Auto Auction makes its way down the street at the parade.

PHOTOS BY MELANIE SMITH / THE SUMTER ITEM

The “Soggy Bottom Boys,” above, sing for the crowd and alternately danced around their float to lively country tunes.

A group of children with Wayne Oxendine’s float, center, “fish for the spirit of Christmas.”

A Cessna from El Porvenir Airpark of Boykin, right, brings up the rear of the parade on Sunday.

We realize that not everybody has family or friends nearby so our ALL VOLUNTEER STAFF has agreed to be open Christmas Day. We hope you can come and j y our holiday y buffets! enjoy

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157 The Little Couple (HD) The Little Couple: Big (N) (HD) The Little Couple (N) (HD) Risking It All (N) (HD) The Little Couple (HD) Risking It (HD) Bones: The Archaeologist in the Co- Bones: The Corpse on the Canopy CSI: NY: Charge of This Post Mad CSI: NY: People with Money Man CSI: NY (HD) 158 Bones: The Diamond in the Rough Dancer’s death. (HD) coon (HD) Canopy; agent. (HD) bomber plagues city. (HD) found dead after proposal. (HD) 102 Jokers Jokers Jokers Jokers Jokers Jokers Friends (N) Jokers (:01) Jokers (:31) Jokers (:02) Jokers 161 Walker: Widow Maker (:18) Family Feud (HD) Fam. Feud Raymond (HD) Barbara Walters Presents: The 10 Most Fascinating (HD) Friends (HD) Mod ern Fam ily Mod ern Fam ily Mod ern Fam ily Mod ern Fam ily Mod ern Fam ily Mod ern Fam ily Benched (N) (HD) (:31) Benched (N) (:03) Benched (:33) Benched Mod ern Family: 132 (HD) (HD) (HD) (HD) (HD) (HD) (HD) (HD) (HD) Pilot (HD) Law & Order (HD) Law & Order: Bronx Cheer (HD) Law & Order: Ego (HD) Law & Order: White Lie (HD) Law & Order: Whiplash (HD) Law (HD) 172 Search for Santa Paws (‘10) (:04) The Muppet Christmas Carol (‘92, Family) aaa Michael Caine. (:08) Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups (‘12, Holiday) ac Cheryl Ladd.

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‘One Direction: The TV Special’ airs tonight on NBC

BY KEVIN MCDONOUGH As someone whose awareness of boy bands pretty much ended with Menudo, I don’t have much perspective on “One Direction: The TV Special” (8 p.m., NBC, TV-PG). The network assures me that they are “wildly popular,” so I will take them at their word.

This special will offer behindthe-scenes footage of the South American leg of their “Where We Are Tour” and offer scenes of the lads in a combination of musical performances and comical stunts.

Like many musical acts of the 21st century, One Direction is the product of a TV competition; in their case, the 2010 edition of Britain’s “The X Factor.”

The winner of the very first season of “American Idol” appears in her 2013 special “Kelly Clarkson’s Cautionary Christmas Music Special” (10 p.m., NBC, r, TV-PG), a Dickens-like morality tale studded with musical performances and guest appearances by Blake Shelton, Reba McEntire, Trisha Yearwood, Jay Leno, Matt Lauer and the late Robin Williams, to name just a few.

• Williams’ tragic death has to top the list of celebrity-related events of the year, sure to be covered on “The Year: 2014” (9 p.m., ABC) hosted by Robin Roberts.

Among the more serious topics discussed are the emergence of an Ebola virus and ISIS. This being an ABC show,

Roberts will also interview Shonda Rhimes, whose series “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Scandal” and “How to Get Away With Murder” made up the network’s entire Thursday night lineup.

• GSN (the Game Show Network) debuts “The Line” (9 p.m., TV-PG) a new variation on a trivia contest. Shot on location in Nashville, Tennessee, “The Line” invites contestants to stand in a line for a turn to enter the “Trivia Vault,” where they are given chances to win a jackpot by answering eight true-or-false questions.

The jackpot increases every time a contestant flubs a question, so players at the end of the line could win some serious cash.

CULT CHOICE Jeffrey Hunter stars as Jesus in the 1961 version of “King of Kings” (8 p.m., TCM), followed by “Ben-Hur” (11 p.m.) from 1959 and “The Big Fisherman” (3 a.m.) from the same year, starring John Saxon.

TONIGHT’S OTHER HIGHLIGHTS • The voices of Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz and Eddie Murphy animate the 2007 special “Shrek the Halls” (8 p.m., ABC, r, TV-PG).

• The gang confronts some disturbed action figures on the 2014 special “Toy Story That Time Forgot” (8:30 p.m., ABC, r, TVPG).

JEFF DALY / NBC

One Direction performs in concert on “One Direction: The TV Special,” airing at 8 p.m. today on NBC. • Barbra Streisand appears on “Michael Buble’s Christmas in New York” (9 p.m., NBC, r, TVPG).

• “Late Night With Seth Meyers” (12:35 a.m., NBC, r) throws a holiday family reunion featuring Larry, Hilary and Josh Meyers.

SERIES NOTES An epidemic plagues military families on “NCIS” (8 p.m., CBS, r, TV-PG) * On two helpings of “New Girl” (Fox, r, TV14), stranded (8 p.m.), Thanksgiving (9 p.m.) * A bomb rocks

the city on “The Flash” (8 p.m., CW, r, TV-PG) * On two helpings of “The Mindy Project” (Fox, r, TV-14), marriage musings (8:30 p.m.), a holiday fete (9:30

p.m.) * Undercover in high school on “NCIS: Los Angeles” (9 p.m., CBS, r, TV-14) * A contested will on “Supernatural” (9 p.m., CW, r, TV-14).

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2014

CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE BANKS — The following will close at 1 p.m. Wednesday and reopen Friday: SAFE Federal Credit Union; All South Federal Credit Union; The Citizens Bank; First Citizens; and NBSC. The following will close at 2 p.m. Wednesday and reopen Friday: Bank of America; Bank of Clarendon; BB&T; and Wells Fargo.

GOVERNMENT — The following will be closed Wednesday through Friday: City of Sumter offices; Sumter County offices; Clarendon County offices; Lee County offices; City of Manning offices; and City of Bishopville offices.

State government offices will be closed Christmas Day and Friday.

Federal government offices and the U.S. Postal Service will be closed Christmas Day. SCHOOLS — The following will be closed through Jan. 2, 2015: Sumter School District; Clarendon School Districts 1, 2 and 3; Lee County Public Schools; Robert E. Lee Academy; Thomas Sumter Academy; Wilson Hall; St. Anne Catholic School; St. Francis Xavier High School; William Thomas Academy; Laurence Manning Academy; and Clarendon Hall.

Sumter Christian School will be closed through Jan. 1, 2015. A faculty in-service day will be observed on Jan. 2, 2015, and students will return on Jan. 5, 2015.

Central Carolina Technical College will be closed through Jan. 2, 2015.

USC Sumter and Morris College will be closed through Jan. 1, 2015.

UTILITIES — Black River Electric Coop. will be closed Christmas Day and Friday.

Farmers Telephone Coop. will be closed Christmas Day. OTHER — Clemson Extension Service will be closed the week of Dec. 22-26.

The Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce will be closed Wednesday and Christmas Day. The Sumter County Library will be closed Tuesday through Friday.

The Harvin Clarendon County Library will be closed Wednesday through Saturday.

All offices of The Sumter Item will be closed Wednesday and Christmas Day. The newspaper will not publish on Christmas Day.

FYI The Westside Neighborhood Asso- Sumter Airport. Contact Jared Buniel at (803) 481-7915 or Jarciation meets at 5:30 p.m. on edLotR@juno.com. Visit www. the third Monday of each month at the Birnie HOPE Cen- scwg.cap.gov/sumter/. ter, 210 S. Purdy St. The Palmetto PC Club meets on the second Thursday of each The Christian Golfers’ Association at the Capital Senior (CGA) meets at 8 a.m. of each Meetings interest month and more Center in Columbia. Details Tuesday for Bible study. The about the club can be found at group meets at the CGA office http://palmettopc.org/home/. in Dillon Park. Refreshments provided and golf after Bible The Sumter James R. Clark Sickle study. Call (803) 773-2171.

Cell Memorial Foundation, 337 UAW Eastern Carolina Internation- Manning Ave., offers free Sickle Cell Disease and Sickle Cell al Retirees Council meets at 10 Trait screenings to the Sumter a.m. on the second Wednesday of each month at the VFW and Clarendon communities.

For appointments, call (803) in Little River. All UAW retirees 774-6181. are welcome to attend. Call Bob Artus at (803) 481-3622.

The DAV will have certified volunteers to assist all veterans in filing The Ballard-Palmer-Bates Americlaims with the VA from 9 a.m. can Legion Post 202 meets at 7 to noon on Mondays, Wednesp.m. on the third Wednesday days and Fridays at the VA of each month at the Post, 310 Clinic, 407 N. Salem St., and 10 Palmetto St. All veterans are a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursdays at welcome to attend. Call (803) the Chapter 5 home, 18 Hard773-4811. pack Drive, off of S.C. 441, beThe Civil Air Patrol Sumter Comhind Shaw Air Force Base. Call posite Squadron meets from 7 L. Pearson at (803) 499-9596 or to 9 p.m. each Monday at the Paul Fisher at (803) 840-1001.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Figure out EUGENIA LAST your plan of attack for the upcoming year. Don’t let anyone pressure you into something you feel uncertain about. A trip will be filled with surprises. Your emotions will surface, and your personal opinions should not be shared.

The last word in astrology

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Don’t worry so much. Enjoying friends and family or taking part in something that makes you feel good will bring you satisfaction. A love interest will do something special for you. Pay extra attention to someone who spends a lot of time alone.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Go over your finances, legal concerns, endof-year contracts or anything else that may need your attention.

Having everything in order will allow you greater freedom to jump into the new year with an open heart and a fresh outlook.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Take time to remember days gone by.

Relax and enjoy the scenery, festivities and good friends. Your genuine concern with providing for others will bring the same in return. An older relative or friend will appreciate your thoughtfulness.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Avoid stepping into the spotlight.

Someone is likely to criticize what you do or say. Keep busy and get as much done as possible to avoid an argument. A change in the way you feel about someone is likely to unfold.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Do your best to visit people you may not get to see until after the new year begins. A little cheer and socializing will put you in a good mood. Use your imagination when it comes to pleasing someone you love.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Getting back to your roots or sharing memories with someone you don’t see often will help you put your life and future in perspective. Let your playful personality take over. Engage in social events that will allow you to shine.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): You’ll have plenty to contend with when dealing with family, your lover or someone who expects something from you. Don’t get emotional, but try to limit anyone demanding more than what you are willing to give.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): It’s the little things that will help make your festive season that much more memorable. Your generosity will be best shown through your actions, not how much you spend. Keep it simple and within your budget.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Facing someone from your past will be difficult. A just and honest approach will help you feel good about the way you handle whatever situation you face. Use your energy to get things done, and don’t argue a point you cannot win.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Offer to be the one who fetches and picks up odds and ends. Getting out will lead to interesting encounters that can spark your imagination and lead to interesting prospects. You’ll discover a very special message that will change your outlook.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Look at what’s going on around you and try to let things unfold naturally.

Someone will appreciate your diplomacy and make you an unusual offer. Consider your options, but don’t be too quick to make a commitment.

DAILY PLANNER

THE SUMTER ITEM

WEATHER

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2014

AccuWeather® five-day forecast for Sumter TODAY

TONIGHT

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Rain and a t-storm, mainly later

Showers and a heavier t-storm

Heavy rain and a t-storm; breezy

Sunny, breezy and cooler

Partly sunny and beautiful

Beautiful with clouds and sun

57°

57°

72° / 45°

58° / 34°

61° / 39°

64° / 44°

Chance of rain: 75%

Chance of rain: 70%

Chance of rain: 80%

Chance of rain: 20%

Chance of rain: 5%

Chance of rain: 10%

ESE 3-6 mph

SE 6-12 mph

S 10-20 mph

W 10-20 mph

S 4-8 mph

SW 7-14 mph

TODAY’S SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER

Gaffney 48/48 Spartanburg 49/48

Greenville 49/48

Columbia 58/58

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

Sumter 57/57

IN THE MOUNTAINS Aiken 59/57

ON THE COAST

Charleston 71/61

Today: Rain and a thunderstorm. High 66 to 70.

Wednesday: A couple of showers and a thunderstorm. High 69 to 73.

LOCAL ALMANAC

LAKE LEVELS

SUMTER THROUGH 4 P.M. YESTERDAY

Full pool 360 76.8 75.5 100

Lake Murray Marion Moultrie Wateree

45° 43° 55° 33° 80° in 2013 13° in 1985

Precipitation 24 hrs ending 4 p.m. yest.

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

Myrtle Beach 68/61

Manning 59/59

Today: Cloudy with a little rain. Winds eastnortheast 4-8 mph.

Wednesday: Breezy and warmer with rain.

Winds south 10-20 mph.

Temperature High Low Normal high Normal low Record high Record low

Florence 59/59

Bishopville 57/56

SUN AND MOON 7 a.m. yest.

356.81 73.38 73.14 95.84

24-hr chg -0.01 -0.08 -0.07 -0.06

Sunrise 7:24 a.m.

Moonrise 8:32 a.m.

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

0.33" 0.49" 2.28" 35.50" 48.46" 45.88"

NATIONAL CITIES

REGIONAL CITIES

Today Wed. City Hi/Lo/W Hi/Lo/W Atlanta 60/56/t 65/39/r Chicago 46/34/c 40/30/r Dallas 52/36/r 49/33/s Detroit 48/40/r 49/34/r Houston 63/41/sh 55/35/s Los Angeles 78/55/s 73/52/s New Orleans 75/48/t 57/38/pc New York 51/48/r 59/56/r Orlando 82/69/c 80/61/t Philadelphia 52/49/r 63/57/r Phoenix 67/42/s 65/45/s San Francisco 64/51/s 60/49/pc Wash., DC 48/47/sh 66/54/r

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

Today Hi/Lo/W 47/47/r 52/52/t 61/58/t 69/61/t 62/57/c 71/61/t 48/47/r 50/50/r 58/58/t 58/55/r 62/56/c 60/60/r 53/53/r

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

5:18 p.m.

7:26 p.m.

First

Full

Last

New

Dec. 28

Jan. 4

Jan. 13

Jan. 20

TIDES

Flood 7 a.m. 24-hr stage yest. chg 12 4.78 -0.13 19 3.69 +0.34 14 3.91 -0.02 14 3.52 -0.01 80 74.89 -0.34 24 5.53 +1.13

Wed. Hi/Lo/W 63/38/r 67/40/r 72/43/r 70/51/t 65/54/r 72/50/t 70/43/r 67/43/r 73/46/r 72/49/r 72/61/r 72/55/r 72/53/r

Sunset Moonset

AT MYRTLE BEACH

Today Wed.

Today Hi/Lo/W 59/59/r 78/63/c 46/45/r 54/54/r 70/61/t 44/43/r 49/48/r 43/43/r 66/60/t 77/64/t 69/64/t 67/62/t 58/56/t

Wed. Hi/Lo/W 73/51/r 77/53/t 70/44/r 72/57/r 71/50/t 68/48/r 66/42/r 64/41/r 68/47/t 77/52/t 68/38/r 70/40/r 65/37/r

High 9:47 a.m.

9:57 p.m.

10:36 a.m.

10:49 p.m.

Ht. 3.6 3.0 3.6 3.1

City Marion Mt. Pleasant Myrtle Beach Orangeburg Port Royal Raleigh Rock Hill Rockingham Savannah Spartanburg Summerville Wilmington Winston-Salem

Low 3:59 a.m.

4:45 p.m.

4:49 a.m.

5:33 p.m.

Today Hi/Lo/W 48/48/r 70/61/t 68/61/r 65/60/t 68/60/t 49/48/r 50/50/r 51/50/r 75/64/t 49/48/r 67/61/t 70/60/r 42/41/r

Ht. -0.7 -0.6 -0.7 -0.6

Wed. Hi/Lo/W 65/42/r 71/51/t 71/53/r 72/46/r 70/50/t 70/52/r 70/43/r 70/49/r 74/49/t 66/44/r 69/48/t 72/56/r 67/47/r

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

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

LOTTERY NUMBERS PALMETTO CASH 5 MONDAY

1-9-5-3 and 0-9-0-1

3-8-11-19-27 PowerUp: 4

POWERBALL SATURDAY

PICK 3 MONDAY

14-15-19-31-56 Powerball: 5 Powerplay: 5

3-4-8 and 4-9-9

PICK 4 MONDAY

MEGAMILLIONS FRIDAY 14-18-58-59-68 Megaball: 4 Megaplier: 3

PICTURES FROM THE PUBLIC Larry Rogers, a second grade student in Amanda Kish’s class at Sumter Christian School, admires a candy house he and his classmates made with the help of volunteer Sandy Tomlinson.

Photo submitted

by Sandy Tomlinson.

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

SECTION

B

USC women No. 1 for 5th straight week

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2014

B3

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

PREP BASKETBALL

PRO FOOTBALL

Holiday hoops

QB Shaw might start for Browns Injuries to Manziel, Hoyer might open door for former USC standout

BY TOM WITHERS The Associated Press

maximum of 15, and the other tiebreaker is a coin flip.

The championship games will be played on Monday at Crestwood. The girls game is set to start at 6 p.m. and will be followed by the boys contest.

The charge for admission is $7 for adults and $5 for students each day and grants access to both venues.

CLEVELAND — Perhaps fitting, Johnny Manziel’s final play was a 1-yard loss.

He didn’t get very far in his rookie season.

Manziel will sit out Cleveland’s finale with a hamstring injury he sustained during Sunday’s loss to Carolina in his second career start. Manziel’s injury, coupled with a shoulder injury to Brian Hoyer, could force the Browns SHAW to start undrafted rookie quarterback and former South Carolina standout Connor Shaw, who spent the season on the team’s practice squad, in the season finale at Baltimore.

Once again, the Browns’ quarterback situation is a total mess.

Coach Mike Pettine said Monday that Manziel’s injury needs several weeks to recover, meaning the hyped firstround draft pick will end his first NFL season where it began — on the sideline. The Browns only got to see Manziel in two starts and he was on the field for just 72 plays, making it difficult to evaluate him as their future quarterback.

Pettine believes Manziel made progress in his limited opportunities and developed on and off the field.

“He’s made strides and I know it was a lot to throw at him as a rookie just coming from the system in which he played. And I just think it’s difficult sometimes to evaluate the player when you’re not necessarily playing at a high

SEE HOOPS, PAGE B4

SEE SHAW, PAGE B5

KEITH GEDAMKE / THE SUMTER ITEM

Crestwood’s Dakota Jennings, left, and Sumter’s Tyler Johnson will each be in action this weekend along with their respective teams as Christmas break tournaments kick into high gear beginning on Friday. Crestwood’s squads will compete in the annual District 9 Officials Tournament which will be held at The Castle and Chestnut Oaks Middle School while the SHS teams will travel to Santee for the Lake Marion tournament.

Area teams gear up for post-Christmas tournaments beginning on Friday

BY MICHAEL CHRISTOPHER michaelc@theitem.com Jingle bells, alley-oops and 3-point shooting contests — OK, forget about the jingle bells — will be on display over the Christmas break as several local high school basketball teams will be participating in holiday tournaments.

Of course, the big local tournament will be the 18th Annual District 9 Officials

Christmas Basketball Tournament, which will be held on Friday, Saturday and Monday at both the Chestnut Oaks Middle School gymnasium and The Castle at Crestwood.

The District 9 tourney will showcase 12 girls teams and six boys squads. Crestwood, Manning and Lee Central will have both of their teams.

The other boys teams participating in the tournament

are C.E. Murray, Lamar and Fairfield Central. The other girls teams are Lamar, Blythewood, Fairfield Central, Darlington, Hephzibah (N.C.), Kingstree, Lake City, Spring Valley and C.A. Johnson.

The two teams with the most wins will be determined the winner. If there is a tie, there are two tiebreakers to decide a winner. The first tie breaker is the fewest point differential total with a

PRO FOOTBALL

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Panthers control playoff fate Florida State QB

Winston cleared in conduct hearing

BY STEVE REED The Associated Press CHARLOTTE — The Carolina Panthers have used another strong December push under fourth-year coach Ron Rivera to reclaim the NFC South division lead.

Yes, the 6-8-1 Panthers.

Despite going more than two months without a victory this season, Carolina enters Week 17 in first place and needing a win or tie Sunday at Atlanta to repeat as division champions after climbing back into the playoff hunt with a 3-0 December.

“Believe me, I always said it — we’re in it,’’ Rivera said. “Again, I’m making no apologies for being in it.’’

Strong finishes have become commonplace since Rivera’s arrival.

The Panthers are 14-3 in December games since Rivera took over as coach in 2011. Only Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots have a better record (152), according to STATS. Rivera attributes Carolina’s strong finish to incorporating younger players into the lineup late in the season, and his players putting in extra work on the field after practice.

“A lot of our guys stay after to do the extra things, the little things,’’ Rivera said. “A lot of

BY KAREEM COPELAND The Associated Press

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Carolina wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin (13) and the rest of the Panthers control their own playoff destiny as a win in Atlanta on Sunday will give them their second straight NFC South crown. our young players do the little things. Probably the one thing I wish is we could be better in the month of October or late September, that’s for sure.’’

In the midst of a seven-game

winless streak, the Panthers decided to begin playing younger — and in many cases, faster — players. They got rid of veteran

SEE PANTHERS, PAGE B5

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston was cleared Sunday of the accusations he faced at a student code of conduct hearing involving an alleged sexual assault two years ago.

Former Florida Supreme Court Justice Major Harding wrote in a letter to Winston that the evidence was “insufficient to satisfy the burden of proof.’’

Prosecutor Willie Meggs made a similar decision a year ago when he decided not to criminally charge Winston, citing a lack of evidence.

This month, a twoday hearing was held to determine whether Winston violated four sections of the code of conduct — two for sex-

ual misconduct and two for endangerment.

The ramifications WINSTON for Winston ranged from a reprimand to expulsion from school.

The woman can request an appeal within five days.

“We will consider an appeal but right now we feel a little duped,’’ Baine Kerr, one of the woman’s lawyers, said in an emailed statement. “At some point we have to recognize that Florida State is never going to hold James Winston responsible.’’

AP is not identifying the woman because it does not identify people who say they are victims of sexual

SEE WINSTON, PAGE B4

B2

|

SPORTS

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2014

SCOREBOARD

SATURDAY’S GAMES

TV, RADIO

SUNDAY’S GAMES

Washington 27, Philadelphia 24 San Diego 38, San Francisco 35, OT

TODAY

1 p.m. – NHL Hockey: Nashville at Columbus (FOX SPORTSOUTH).

2 p.m. – College Basketball: Massachusetts at Brigham Young (BYUTV).

2:30 p.m. – College Basketball: Diamond Head Classic Consolation Game from Honolulu (ESPNU).

4:30 p.m. – College Basketball: Diamond Head Classic Semifinal Game from Honolulu (ESPNU).

6 p.m. – College Football: Boca Raton Bowl from Boca Raton, Fla. – Marshall vs. Northern Illinois (ESPN).

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

7 p.m. – College Basketball: Stanford at Texas (ESPN2).

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

7 p.m. – College Basketball: NJIT at Villanova (FOX SPORTS 1).

7 p.m. – NHL Hockey: Carolina at New Jersey (FOX SPORTSOUTH).

8 p.m. – College Basketball: Georgia Tech at Dayton (CBS SPORTS NETWORK).

8 p.m. – NHL Hockey: St. Louis at Colorado (NBC SPORTS NETWORK).

8 p.m. – NBA Basketball: New Orleans at Milwaukee (SPORTSOUTH).

9 p.m. – College Basketball: Diamond Head Classic Semifinal Game from Honolulu (ESPN2).

9 p.m. – College Basketball: Las Vegas Classic Consolation Game from Las Vegas (FOX SPORTS 1).

9:30 p.m. – College Football: Poinsettia Bowl from San Diego – Navy vs. San Diego State (ESPN).

10 p.m. – College Basketball: Arizona at UNLV (CBS SPORTS NETWORK).

11:30 p.m. – College Basketball: Diamond Head Classic Semifinal Game from Honolulu (ESPNU).

11:30 p.m. – College Basketball: Las Vegas Classic Championship Game from Las Vegas (FOX SPORTS 1).

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

NBA STANDINGS

By The Associated Press

EASTERN CONFERENCE ATLANTIC DIVISION W Toronto 22 Brooklyn 11 Boston 10 New York 5 Philadelphia 3 SOUTHEAST DIVISION W Atlanta 19 Washington 19 Miami 13 Orlando 10 Charlotte 8 CENTRAL DIVISION W Chicago 17 Cleveland 16 Milwaukee 14 Indiana 9 Detroit 5

L 6 15 15 25 23

Pct GB .786 – .423 10 .400 10 1/2 .167 18 .115 18

L 7 7 15 20 19

Pct GB .731 – .731 – .464 7 .333 11 .296 11 1/2

L 9 10 14 19 23

Pct .654 .615 .500 .321 .179

GB – 1 4 9 13

WESTERN CONFERENCE SOUTHWEST DIVISION W Memphis 21 Houston 19 Dallas 20 San Antonio 17 New Orleans 14 NORTHWEST DIVISION W Portland 22 Oklahoma City 13 Denver 12 Utah 8 Minnesota 5 PACIFIC DIVISION W Golden State 22 L.A. Clippers 19 Phoenix 15 Sacramento 12 L.A. Lakers 8

L 6 7 8 11 13

Pct .778 .731 .714 .607 .519

GB – 1 1/2 1 1/2 4 1/2 7

L 6 15 15 20 21

Pct .786 .464 .444 .286 .192

GB – 9 9 1/2 14 16

L 3 8 14 15 19

Pct .880 .704 .517 .444 .296

GB – 4 9 11 15

SUNDAY’S GAMES

Toronto 118, New York 108 Cleveland 105, Memphis 91 Sacramento 108, L.A. Lakers 101 Phoenix 104, Washington 92 Miami 100, Boston 84 Philadelphia 96, Orlando 88 Brooklyn 110, Detroit 105 New Orleans 101, Oklahoma City 99 Indiana 100, Minnesota 96

MONDAY’S GAMES

Denver at Charlotte, 7 p.m.

Toronto at Chicago, 8 p.m.

Portland at Houston, 8 p.m.

Utah at Memphis, 8 p.m.

Atlanta at Dallas, 8:30 p.m.

L.A. Clippers at San Antonio, 8:30 p.m.

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

TODAY’S GAMES

Chicago at Washington, 7 p.m.

Boston at Orlando, 7 p.m.

New Orleans at Indiana, 7 p.m.

Minnesota at Cleveland, 7 p.m.

L.A. Clippers at Atlanta, 7:30 p.m.

Philadelphia at Miami, 7:30 p.m.

Denver at Brooklyn, 7:30 p.m.

Portland at Oklahoma City, 8 p.m.

Charlotte at Milwaukee, 8 p.m.

Dallas at Phoenix, 9 p.m.

Golden State at L.A. Lakers, 10:30 p.m.

BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

EAST

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

Denver at Cincinnati (late)

SUNDAY, DEC. 28

Indianapolis at Tennessee, 1 p.m.

Detroit at Green Bay, 1 p.m.

Jacksonville at Houston, 1 p.m.

San Diego at Kansas City, 1 p.m.

Chicago at Minnesota, 1 p.m.

Carolina at Atlanta, 1 p.m.

Cleveland at Baltimore, 1 p.m.

Dallas at Washington, 1 p.m.

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

Buffalo at New England, 1 p.m.

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

New Orleans at Tampa Bay, 1 p.m.

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

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

Oakland at Denver, 4:25 p.m.

Cincinnati at Pittsburgh, 8:30 p.m.

NHL STANDINGS

By The Associated Press EASTERN CONFERENCE OT 2 4 9 3 3 8 6 3

Pts 44 44 43 41 37 36 34 29

GF GA 92 83 113 93 94 84 114 102 86 88 69 79 89 92 66 109

OT 4 0 4 6 6 3 6 4

Pts 48 46 38 38 32 31 30 22

GF GA 102 72 104 91 93 81 95 85 92 99 79 102 77 102 68 92

WESTERN CONFERENCE CENTRAL DIVISION GP W L OT Pts GF GA Chicago 34 23 9 2 48 106 67 St. Louis 33 21 9 3 45 100 81 Nashville 31 21 8 2 44 87 64 Winnipeg 34 17 10 7 41 83 80 Minnesota 31 16 12 3 35 91 84 Dallas 32 14 13 5 33 95 109 Colorado 33 12 13 8 32 85 101 PACIFIC DIVISION GP W L OT Pts GF GA Anaheim 35 22 8 5 49 101 96 San Jose 34 19 11 4 42 97 87 Vancouver 32 19 11 2 40 92 90 Los Angeles 34 17 11 6 40 94 84 Calgary 35 17 15 3 37 100 95 Arizona 32 11 17 4 26 74 104 Edmonton 34 7 20 7 21 74 116 NOTE: Two points for a win, one point for overtime loss.

SUNDAY’S GAMES

Colorado 2, Detroit 1, SO Dallas 6, Edmonton 5, SO Boston 4, Buffalo 3, OT N.Y. Rangers 1, Carolina 0 Chicago 4, Toronto 0 Philadelphia 4, Winnipeg 3, OT

MONDAY’S GAMES

Ottawa at Washington, 7 p.m.

Nashville at Columbus, 7 p.m.

Pittsburgh at Florida, 7:30 p.m.

Arizona at Vancouver, 10 p.m.

San Jose at Anaheim, 10 p.m.

Calgary at Los Angeles, 10:30 p.m.

TODAY’S GAMES

Nashville at Boston, 7 p.m.

Carolina at New Jersey, 7 p.m.

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

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

Philadelphia at Minnesota, 7 p.m.

Toronto at Dallas, 7 p.m.

Buffalo at Detroit, 7:30 p.m.

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

Arizona at Edmonton, 8 p.m.

St. Louis at Colorado, 8 p.m.

Winnipeg at Chicago, 8:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY’S GAMES No games scheduled

TRANSACTIONS

By The Associated Press BASEBALL American League KANSAS CITY ROYALS _ Assigned RHP Casey Coleman and OF Moises Sierra outright to Omaha (PCL).

National League SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS _ Agreed to terms with RHP Sergio Romo on a two-year contract.

BASKETBALL National Basketball Association NBA _ Fined New York C Samuel Dalembert $15,000 for elbowing Toronto C Jonas Valanciunas during Sunday’s game.

FOOTBALL

HOCKEY

AMERICAN CONFERENCE y-N. England Miami Buffalo N.Y. Jets SOUTH

MONDAY’S GAME

National Football League BUFFALO BILLS _ Released WR Mike Williams.

NFL STANDINGS W 12 8 8 3

L 3 7 7 12

T 0 0 0 0

Pct .800 .533 .533 .200

PF 459 364 326 246

PA 296 336 280 377

W 10 8 3 2

L 5 7 12 13

T 0 0 0 0

Pct .667 .533 .200 .133

PF 431 349 232 244

PA 359 290 389 411

W 9 10 9 7

L 4 5 6 8

T 1 0 0 0

Pct .679 .667 .600 .467

PF 311 409 389 289

PA 289 351 292 317

W 11 9 8 3

L 3 6 7 12

T 0 0 0 0

Pct .786 .600 .533 .200

PF 407 341 334 239

PA 303 329 274 405

National Hockey League ARIZONA COYOTES _ Recalled D Brandon Gormley from Portland (AHL).

NEW JERSEY DEVILS _ Recalled F Tim Sestito from Albany (AHL).

WASHINGTON CAPITALS _ Recalled C Andre Burakovsky and LW Aaron Volpatti from Hershey (AHL).

SOCCER Major League Soccer NEW YORK CITY FC _ Named Rob Vartughian assistant coach.

COLLEGE CHARLESTON SOUTHERN _ Announced DL Gerald Turner is transferring from South Carolina.

FRANK’S

EAST W 11 9 6 4

L 4 6 9 11

T 0 0 0 0

Pct .733 .600 .400 .267

PF 423 440 354 284

PA 335 374 366 394

W 6 6 6 2

L 8 9 9 13

T 1 0 0 0

Pct .433 .400 .400 .133

PF 305 378 378 257

PA 371 383 404 387

W 11 11 6 5

L 4 4 9 10

T 0 0 0 0

Pct .733 .733 .400 .333

PF 301 456 312 310

PA 252 328 334 429

W L T Pct x-Seattle 11 4 0 .733 x-Arizona 11 4 0 .733 San Francisco 7 8 0 .467 St. Louis 6 9 0 .400 x-clinched playoff spot y-clinched division

PF 374 293 286 318

PA 248 279 323 334

Carolina Atlanta New Orleans Tampa Bay NORTH x-Detroit x-Green Bay Minnesota Chicago WEST

THURSDAY’S GAME

Jacksonville 21, Tennessee 13

CLEMSON — Clemson redshirt sophomore Jaron Blossomgame scored a career-high 26 points to lead the Tigers to a 60-50 win over Oakland on Monday night at Littlejohn Coliseum.

The Tigers (7-4) led by as many as 15 points in the second half, but BLOSSOMGAME held off an Oakland comeback attempt that cut the Clemson lead to 56-52 on a pair of Kahlil Felder free throws with 5:46 to play.

Clemson answered with a pair of 3-pointers from senior point guard Rod Hall and Damarcus Harrison to stem the rally.

Landry Nnoko added 17 points and seven rebounds for Clemson, while Donte Grantham added 12 points and eight boards.

Felder led the Golden Grizzlies (4-9) with 22 points.

The Tigers went on a 10-0 run over the first four minutes of the game and never trailed.

(16) NOTRE DAME 91 NORTHERN ILLINOIS 66

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Pat Connaughton had 21 points and 10 rebounds, leading No. 16 Notre Dame to a 91-66 win over Northern Illinois.

Zach Auguste added 16 points on 7-for-7 shooting and eight rebounds for the Fighting Irish (12-1). Demetrius Jackson also scored 16, with five assists and four steals.

All five starters scored in double figures for Notre Dame, which shot 58.9 percent from the field and hit 12 of 28 attempts from 3-point range. Connaughton was 8 for 12 from the floor, including 5 of 9 from beyond the arc.

Midway through the first half, the Huskies (4-5) pulled even at 21 on a 3-pointer by Michael Orris.

Steve Vasturia quickly answered with a 3 of his own, triggering a 27-14 Notre Dame run to finish the half.

Jerian Grant’s step-back 3 at the buzzer put the Irish up 48-35.

(21) OHIO ST. 93

11 of Michigan State’s 23 assists as the winners shot 60.4 percent from the field.

P.J. Horgan scored 19 points and Ashton Moore 15 for the Bulldogs (4-7).

The last seven points of the first half put Michigan State up 32-26, and the Spartans added 29 more points before The Citadel’s next basket.

MIAMI (OHIO) 55

ABILENE CHRISTIAN 65

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Reserve guard Kam Williams scored 18 points and No. 21 Ohio State went on a 26-3 run in the first half to beat Miami (Ohio) 93-55.

Marc Loving had 16 points, D’Angelo Russell added 15 points and eight assists, and Keita Bates-Diop scored 12 for the Buckeyes (10-2), who are 10-0 at Value City Arena and 0-2 against ranked opponents away from home this season.

Ohio State fell behind early against No. 24 North Carolina on Saturday and lost 82-74 — similar to the scenario in a 64-55 loss to No. 5 Louisville on Dec. 2.

But the Buckeyes never trailed against overmatched Miami.

LJ Livingston Jr. had 17 points and Geovonie McKnight 10 for the RedHawks (3-8).

S.C. STATE 59

MICHIGAN ST. 82 THE CITADEL 56

EAST LANSING, Mich.

— Denzel Valentine scored 18 points and keyed Michigan State’s second-half surge to pull away from The Citadel 82-56.

Matt Costello had 13 points, Marvin Clark Jr. 12 and Gavin Schilling 11 for the balanced Spartans (9-4), who didn’t allow a field goal for 14:13 and had a 36-2 run after trailing by one late in the first half.

Travis Trice contributed

FAMILY OWNED SINCE 1973

NBA HORNETS 110 NUGGETS 82 CHARLOTTE — Al Jefferson scored 22 points, Kemba Walker added 18 points and nine assists, and the Charlotte Hornets extended their winning streak to a season-high three games with a 110-82 victory over the Denver Nuggets.

Rookie P.J. Hairston recorded his first career double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Jefferson and Walker combined to shoot 15 of 25 from the field and didn’t play in the fourth quarter with the game well in hand.

Charlotte improved to 3-0 since Gerald Henderson replaced the injured Lance Stephenson, who is out at least one more game with a groin injury.

Ty Lawson had 18 points for Denver.

From wire reports

Lawyer: Video shows Kelly not aggressor BUFFALO, N.Y. — Mississippi football signee Chad Kelly’s lawyer said he has video showing his client was not the aggressor in a fight at a downtown Buffalo nightclub last weekend.

“It’s obvious KELLY Chad was not the one who started this incident,’’ Thomas Eoannou told The Associated Press by phone Monday, a day after the quarterback was charged with numerous counts, including resisting arrest.

Eoannou said the video disputes an allegation that Kelly threatened staff by saying: “I’m going to go to my car and get my AK47 and spray this place.’’ The comment was included in Kelly’s arrest report filed by police.

“There’s no evidence of a

threat of an AK in that video,’’ Eoannou said.

Kelly, the 20-year-old nephew of Buffalo Bills Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly, is scheduled to appear in court Jan. 5.

In April, Kelly was kicked off the Clemson football team for what was said to be detrimental conduct. That happened two days after he was benched during a spring game for disagreeing with coaches over strategy on a fourth down.

AP SOURCES: COLORADO ST. PICKS GEORGIA’S BOBO Two people familiar with the negotiations tell the Associated Press that Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo has tentatively agreed to become Colorado State’s next football coach.

Bobo takes over for Jim McElwain, who bolted for Florida after leading the

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LAS VEGAS — LaDarrien Williams scored 16 points and Harrison Hawkins had 15 to lead Abilene Christian past South Carolina State 65-59 in the Las Vegas Classic.

Williams and Hawkins each scored 11 in the second half.

Edward Stephens scored 14 points and Palmer grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the Bulldogs.

SPORTS ITEMS

FRANK’S

NATIONAL CONFERENCE y-Dallas Philadelphia N.Y. Giants Washington SOUTH

BASKETBALL ROUNDUP

Blossomgame’s big night leads Tigers past Oakland

Houston 25, Baltimore 13 Detroit 20, Chicago 14 Atlanta 30, New Orleans 14 Miami 37, Minnesota 35 Carolina 17, Cleveland 13 Green Bay 20, Tampa Bay 3 Pittsburgh 20, Kansas City 12 New England 17, N.Y. Jets 16 N.Y. Giants 37, St. Louis 27 Oakland 26, Buffalo 24 Dallas 42, Indianapolis 7 Seattle 35, Arizona 6

ATLANTIC DIVISION GP W L Montreal 34 21 11 Tampa Bay 35 20 11 Detroit 34 17 8 Toronto 34 19 12 Boston 34 17 14 Florida 31 14 9 Ottawa 33 14 13 Buffalo 34 13 18 METROPOLITAN DIVISION GP W L Pittsburgh 32 22 6 N.Y. Islanders 33 23 10 N.Y. Rangers 31 17 10 Washington 32 16 10 Philadelphia 33 13 14 Columbus 32 14 15 New Jersey 35 12 17 Carolina 33 9 20

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HOLIDAY BOWL MEMPHIS 55 BYU 48 MIAMI — Paxton Lynch accounted for seven touchdowns including a scoring pass to Roderick Proctor in the second overtime, Jake Elliott made a 55-yard field goal to force that extra session and Memphis topped BYU 55-48 in the inaugural Miami Beach Bowl on Monday.

Lynch threw for four scores and ran for three more for Memphis (10-3), in a game marred by a postgame brawl that involved many players from both teams after BYU’s Christian Stewart threw an interception on the final play.

From wire reports

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USC BASKETBALL

THE SUMTER ITEM

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2014

|

B3

Notice scores 19 points as Carolina routs Coker 78-52

BY CHRIS DEARING The Associated Press

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

South Carolina forward A’ja Wilson (22) and the Lady Gamecocks swept a trio of games last week by an average of 32 points to maintain the No. 1 spot in the AP Top 25 poll for the fifth straight week.

Lady Gamecocks top AP poll for 5th straight week

BY DOUG FEINBERG The Associated Press South Carolina is No. 1 in The Associated Press women’s poll for the fifth straight week while Stanford has its lowest ranking in nearly nine years.

The Lady Gamecocks had a busy week, sweeping Hampton, Central Michigan and Liberty by an average of 32 points.

Stanford had an unsuccessful trip east while Oregon State stayed unbeaten.

The Cardinal lost at Chattanooga and Tennessee to fall to 16th in The Associated Press women’s basketball poll Monday.

It’s the lowest Stanford has been in the Top 25 since Jan. 2, 2009 when the Cardinal were also 16th.

Oregon State buoyed by a big win at then-No. 6 North Carolina climbed into a tie for 10th — the highest ranking for the undefeated Beavers, who also swept a tournament in New Orleans.

While the Pac-12 schools made big moves, the top of the poll stayed relatively unchanged.

UConn, Texas, Notre Dame and Texas A&M rounded out the first five. The Irish and Aggies switched places after

AP WOMEN’S TOP 25 1. S. Carolina (24) 2. UConn (6) 3. Texas (4) 4. Notre Dame 5. Texas A&M 6. Baylor 7. Louisville 8. Tennessee 9. North Carolina 10. Duke 10. Oregon St. 12. Kentucky 12. Nebraska 14. Georgia 15. Maryland 16. Stanford 17. Rutgers 18. Oklahoma St. 19. Mississippi St. 20. Michigan St. 21. West Virginia 22. Syracuse 23. Iowa 24. Green Bay 25. Arizona St.

Record 12-0 8-1 10-0 11-1 11-1 10-1 11-1 9-2 11-1 8-3 10-0 10-2 10-1 11-0 9-2 6-4 9-2 9-1 14-0 8-3 9-1 8-3 9-2 9-2 10-1

Pts Prv 840 1 809 2 792 3 735 5 709 4 652 9 599 10 576 11 559 6 517 13 517 16 467 8 467 12 418 15 405 14 320 7 284 17 253 19 248 21 234 18 174 22 109 19 99 23 84 — 36 —

an average of 26.8 points. The Beavers are off to the best start in school history and are one of seven unbeaten teams left in college basketball. The Beavers previous best ranking was 11th on Jan. 9, 1996.

Life doesn’t get any easier with a game at No. 8 Tennessee on Sunday.

WELCOME TO THE TOP 25

Texas A&M lost to the Longhorns on Sunday.

Wisconsin-Green Bay and Arizona State joined the poll this week at No. 24 and No. 25 respectively. The two teams are no strangers to the Top 25 having both recently appearing in the poll. The Phoenix were ranked for most of the 2012-13 season while Arizona State spent 10 weeks in the poll last season.

Cal and DePaul fell out with the Bears losing to Louisville and the Blue Demons falling to UConn.

CARDINAL STRUGGLES

ANOTHER WEEK, ANOTHER TIE

Stanford had its run of 111 straight weeks in the first 10 end. The previous time the Cardinal weren’t among the top 10 teams was Jan. 19, 2009.

Not one but two ties exist in the poll this week with Oregon State and Duke both at No. 10 and Kentucky and Nebraska both 12th. It’s the seventh straight week that there has been one. The preseason poll had two teams at No. 24.

Week 1 had a three-way tie for No. 24.

Others receiving votes: DePaul 31, Princeton 31, California 18, W. Kentucky 13, Chattanooga 11, Washington 9, James Madison 7, Washington St. 7, Florida St. 5, Arkansas 4, Northwestern 4, St. John’s 4, Seton Hall 2, Indiana St. 1.

RISING BEAVERS Oregon State has looked impressive in all 10 of its victories this season, winning by

COLUMBIA — Before the game, Coker head coach Dan Schmotzer gave South Carolina coach Frank Martin a Christmas present.

It wasn’t because the two had a long history together.

It was because of the opportunity Martin allowed the Division II Cobras in playing in a big-time atmosphere that they typically don’t get to experience.

“I’ve more respect than ever for Frank Martin and the Gamecocks,’’ Schmotzer said. “That man is genuine. He doesn’t know what he’s done for our school at Coker College. To be able to schedule during this part of season means so much to our school. I can’t thank him enough for allowing us to do that.’’

The gesture was nice but the Gamecocks didn’t take it lightly on Coker. Duane Notice scored 19 points to lead four players in double figures, propelling South Carolina to a 78-52 victory Sunday.

“The one thing we didn’t do today was let our defense suffer,’’ Martin said. “I thought our defense maintained some of the things we need to do to be successful.

Eventually we played better offense and were able to create some separation.’’

The Gamecocks didn’t get off to the start Martin was hoping for after the 23-

point win over Clemson less than 48 hours earlier. Coker scored the first five points of the game and NOTICE held its final lead at 8-7 seven minutes into the contest. The Gamecocks had eight turnovers in the first six and half minutes to contribute to the slow start.

But South Carolina went the final 13:20 of the first half without a turnover.

The lead was just 24-21 with a little less than four minutes remaining in the half but the Gamecocks closed on an 11-2 run to stretch the lead to 12 points, 35-23, the largest cushion of the half.

The post duo of Laimonas Chatkevicius and Demetrius Henry dominated in the paint. The each scored 16 points and helped South Carolina to a 50-20 advantage on points in the paint.

South Carolina opened the second half on a 9-3 spurt and cruised the rest of the way. The lead was never less than 11 points in the final 20 minutes and reached as many as 27 points.

Johnson added 12 points for the Gamecocks. It was the fifth consecutive win for South Carolina as they improved to 7-3.

Errick Bethel led Coker (3-5) with 14 points and Jordan Scott added 12 points.

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SPORTS

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2014

PREP BASKETBALL TOURNAMENTS SCHEDULE DISTRICT 9 OFFICIALS FRIDAY

at Crestwood High School 10:30 a.m.

Crestwood vs. Lamar boys 12 p.m.

3-point contest 12:30 p.m.

Lamar vs. Fairfield Central girls 2 p.m.

Crestwood vs. Spring Valley girls 3:30 p.m.

Manning vs. Blythewood girls 5 p.m.

3-point contest 5:30 p.m.

Lake City vs. CA Johnson girls 7 p.m.

Crestwood vs. Kingstree girls 8:30 p.m.

Crestwood vs. Lee Central boys

FRIDAY

At Chestnut Oaks Middle School 10:30 a.m.

Spring Valley vs. Kingstree girls 12:30 p.m.

Lee Central vs. Fairfield Central boys 2 p.m.

Hephizbah, N.C., vs. CA Johnson girls 3:30 p.m.

Lamar vs. Manning boys 5:30 p.m.

Darlington vs. Manning girls 7 p.m.

C.A. Johnson vs. Lee Central girls 8:30 p.m.

C.E. Murray vs. Manning boys

SATURDAY

At Crestwood High School 10:30 a.m.

Darlington vs. Blythewood girls Noon Crestwood vs. Hephizbah, N.C., girls 1:30 p.m.

C.E. Murray vs. Fairfield Central boys 3 p.m.

C.A. Johnson vs. Darlington girls 4:30 p.m.

Manning vs. Lee Central girls 6 p.m.

3-point Championship 6:30 p.m.

C.E. Murray vs. Lamar boys 8 p.m.

Crestwood vs. Fairfield Central boys

SATURDAY

At Chestnut Oaks Middle School Noon Kingstree vs. Lake City girls 1:30 p.m.

Lee Central vs. Fairfield Central girls 3 p.m.

Lamar vs. Spring Valley girls 4:30 p.m.

Hephizbah, N.C., vs. Lake City girls 6:30 p.m.

Blythewood vs. Fairfield Central girls 8 p.m.

Lee Central vs. Manning boys

MONDAY

at Crestwood High School 6 p.m.

Girls championship game 7:30 p.m.

Boys championship game

LAKE MARION INVITATIONAL FRIDAY

Boys Green Bracket 10 a.m.

Cross vs. Scott’s Branch, (Auxiliary gym) 2:30 p.m.

Berkeley vs. Orangeburg Prep (Main gym) 4 p.m.

Colleton County vs. Edisto (Auxiliary

gym)

8:30 p.m.

Hunter Kinard Tyler vs. Lake Marion (Main gym) Black Bracket 11 a.m.

Estill vs. Sumter (Main gym) 1 p.m.

Wade Hampton vs. Bethune-Bowman (Main gym) 5:30 p.m.

Cane Bay vs. Orangeburg-Wilkinson (Main gym) 7 p.m.

Marlboro County vs. Rock Hill (Auxiliary gym)

SATURDAY

Boys Black Bracket 11 a.m.

Estill/Sumter winner vs. Marlboro County/Rock Hill winner (Main gym) 1 p.m.

Estill/Sumter loser vs. Marlboro County/Rock Hill loser (Auxiliary gym) 4 p.m.

Wade Hampton/Bethune-Bowman loser vs. Cane Bay/O-W loser (Auxiliary gym) 5:30 p.m.

Wade Hampton/Bethune-Bowman winner vs. Cane Bay/O-W winner (Main gym)

SATURDAY

Boys Green Bracket 10 a.m.

Loser Game 1 and Loser Game 5 2:30 p.m.

Cross/Scott’s Branch winner vs. Colleton County/Edisto winner (Main gym) 7 p.m.

Loser Game 4 and Loser Game 8 8:30 p.m.

Berkely/O-P winner vs. HKT vs. Lake Marion winner (Main gym)

(Auxiliary gym) 7 p.m.

Estill/Scott’s Branch winner vs. Edisto/Lake Marion winner (Main gym) 8:30 p.m.

Keenan/Denmark loser vs. Westside/Sumter loser (Auxiliary gym)

SUNDAY

10:15 a.m.

Loser Game 16 vs. Loser Game 12 1 p.m. (Third-place game) Loser Game 9 vs. Loser Game 15 3:15 p.m.

Winner Game 12 vs. Winner Game 16 7 p.m. (Green Bracket Championship) Winner Game 9 vs. Winner Game 15

CAROLINA INVITATIONAL at North Charleston SATURDAY

2 p.m.

Roland Park, Md., vs. Lakewood girls Northwood vs. Whale Branch girls 3:30 p.m.

Scotland County, N.C., vs. Dutchtown girls Stephenson, Ga., vs. West Charlotte girls

MOODY HOLIDAY CLASSIC DEC. 29-JAN. 1

At Northwestern High, Rock Hill

DEC. 29

10:15 a.m.

Bethesda Aca vs. Lakewood

RICHARD WINN CHRISTMAS CLASSIC

MONDAY

9 a.m.

Loser from Game 11 vs. Loser Game 15 (Auxiliary gym) 11:30 a.m.

Winner Game 11 vs. Winner Game 15 (Auxiliary gym) 2:30 p.m. (Third place game) Loser Game 14 vs. Loser Game 16 (Main gym) 8:30 p.m. (Green Bracket Championship) Winner Game 12 vs. Winner Game 16

MONDAY

11 a.m.

Loser Game 10 vs. Loser Game 12 (Main gym) 2 p.m.

Loser Game 19 vs. Loser Game 13 (Auxiliary gym) 4:30 p.m.

Winner Game 9 vs. Winner Game 13 (Auxiliary gym) 5:30 p.m.

Winner Game 10 vs. Winner Game 14 (Main gym)

FRIDAY

Girls Green Bracket 10 a.m.

Keenan vs. Denmark (Main gym) 11:30 a.m.

Estill vs. Scott’s Branch (Auxiliary gym) 2:30 p.m.

Westside vs. Sumter (Auxiliary gym) 7 p.m.

Edisto vs. Lake Marion (Main gym)

SATURDAY

10 a.m.

Keenan/Denmark winner vs. Westside/Sumter winner (Main gym) 2:30 p.m.

Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 4

HOOPS FROM PAGE B1 There will also be a 3-point contest, in which each player has one minute to shoot four balls at three different locations with the last ball at each location counting as a bonus two points.

Both the Sumter and Scott’s Branch boys and girls teams will be playing in the Lake Marion Invitational in Santee beginning on Friday. The tournament runs through Monday.

The Lakewood girls will play in the Carolina Invitational in North Charleston beginning on

DEC. 29

2 p.m.

Lewisville vs. Wilson Hall (girls) 3:30 p.m.

Lewisville vs. Woodruff (boys) 5 p.m.

Richard Winn vs. Chesnee (girls) 6:30 p.m.

Richard Winn vs. Fountain Inn Christian (boys)

DECEMBER 30

2 p.m.

Consolation Girls 3:30 p.m.

Consolation Boys 5 p.m.

Championship Girls 6:30 p.m.

Championship Boys

NORTH CENTRAL HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT DEC. 29-30

at North Central High School REL Boys vs. TBA

WINSTON FROM PAGE B1 abuse.

“Somehow Jameis Winston still wins,’’ Kerr said.

“The order doesn’t even follow the Student Conduct Code and it ignores the bulk of the evidence.’’

Kerr said that between his client, Winston, and two teammates that were at the off-campus apartment — Chris Casher and Ronald Darby — only the woman would answer questions about what happened.

Winston did submit a lengthy statement detailing his version of the events.

Florida State president John Thrasher said the university selected the former state Supreme Court justice to remove any doubt about the integrity of the process.

“He (Harding) conducted a thorough Student Conduct Code hearing and reviewed more than 1,000 pages of evidence generated by three other investigations, and we would like to thank him sincerely for his service,’’ Thrasher said.

Harding wrote that both sides’ version of the events had strengths and weaknesses, but he did not find the credibility of one “substantially stronger than the other.’’

“In sum, the preponderance of the evidence has not shown that you are responsible for any of the charged violations of the Code,’’ Harding wrote.

Winston family adviser David Cornwell did not respond to requests for comment.

Cornwell has contended that attorneys for the former student pushed for the hearing after they were rebuffed in an attempt to reach a settlement with Winston.

Florida State faces Oregon in the College Football Playoffs semifinal on Jan. 1. Before the ruling, there were questions whether Winston would be available to play. The Seminoles won a national championship with Winston at the helm last season and have not lost a game since he earned the starting job before the beginning of the 2013 season.

Florida State is currently being investigated by the Department of Education on how hit handles possible Title IX violations. The woman who said Winston assaulted her filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, which decided the university should be investigated for possible Title IX violations over the way it responds to sexual violence complaints.

Title IX is a federal statute that bans discrimination at schools that receive federal funding. The Department of Education in 2011 warned schools of their legal responsibilities to immediately investigate allegations of sexual assault and domestic violence, even if the criminal investigation has not concluded.

BEN LIPPEN NEW YEAR’S BLAST JAN. 2

Thomas Sumter Academy girls & boys vs. Laurens Academy

JAN. 3

Thomas Sumter Academy girls & boys vs. Ben Lippen

Saturday and running through Tuesday. The Lakewood boys will participate in the Moody Holiday Classic at Northwestern High School in Rock Hill beginning on Monday and running through Jan. 1, 2015.

Wilson Hall will play in the Richard Winn Christmas Classic in Winnsboro on Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 30. The Thomas Sumter Academy boys and girls teams will play in the Ben Lippen New Year’s Blast in Columbia Jan. 2-3, while Robert E. Lee Academy’s boys team will participate in the North Central Holiday Tournament in Kershaw on Monday and Tuesday.

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SHAW FROM PAGE B1 level around him,’’ Pettine said.

Manziel was 3 of 8 for 32 yards against the Panthers before he went down in the second quarter. The 22-year-old said he tweaked his hamstring earlier in the game, and he may have hurt it worse on a sprint out which ended with him being driven out of bounds by two Carolina defenders.

Manziel’s first-season stats weren’t much. He finished 18 of 35 for 175 yards and two interceptions.

“The sample size is tough,’’ Pettine said. “Going back and looking at it, he did some good things.’’

Hoyer, who started the first 13 games before being benched, replaced Manziel and rallied the Browns (7-8) before they fell 1713, extending their losing streak to four. Pettine said Hoyer hurt his right shoulder when he was hit making a long throw in the second half.

Pettine said it could be several days before the Browns know if Hoyer can play against the Ravens.

“I just know he is very sore today and the day after is usually very difficult,’’ Pettine said. “Time is going to heal it, but we’ll let it die down and quiet down enough for him to be available on Sunday.’’

If Hoyer can’t go, the team will turn to Shaw, an undrafted free agent signed by the Browns in May. Shaw will likely get the bulk of snaps in practice over the next few days and Pettine said the team is exploring bringing in another quarterback.

Shaw went 27-5 as a starter and passed for 6,074 yards and 56 touchdowns for the Gamecocks.

“He’s been outstanding for us all year,’’ Pettine said. “He’s done everything that we’ve asked. He’s not the biggest guy. He’s not the fastest guy.

He’s not the strongest guy, but he just found a way to be productive and I think that his strength lies in competitiveness. He’s a guy that I wouldn’t be surprised if he does have to play that he goes out there and plays well.

“He showed flashes of it in the preseason and it wouldn’t come as a surprise because of what type of kid he is.’’

Manziel’s season began with questions about his work ethic following an offseason of welldocumented partying. He couldn’t beat out Hoyer for the starting job in training camp and didn’t get his first game experience until Nov. 30. He came off the bench in the fourth quarter at Buffalo and led the Browns on a TD drive.

When he replaced Hoyer and started Cleveland’s home finale, Manziel, the Browns’ 21st starting quarterback since 1999, struggled badly. He looked unprepared, overmatched. Now, the Browns must decide if they saw enough positives to go forward with Manziel as their franchise QB. Pettine won’t worry about that until the season’s over.

“We have one week left,’’ he said. “We’re going to focus all our energy and effort into that one. And when we’re done from that one, we’re going to focus all our effort and energy into next season. There’s a lot to soak in. We’re going to evaluate everything we’ve done in our football operations, from A to Z, and quarterback’s going to be a big part of it.’’

With the Browns, it always is.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2014

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B5

Seahawks close in on NFC West title

BY BOB BAUM The Associated Press GLENDALE, Ariz. — Seattle’s defense was stifling as usual and its offense had a record-breaking eruption against a defense that’s supposed to be one of the NFL’s best.

That team from the Pacific Northwest sure looked a lot like the Super Bowl champs of last season in its 35-6 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday night.

“I think it feels better than last year,’’ Seattle defensive end Michael Bennett said.

Russell Wilson threw for two touchdowns and ran for another and the Seahawks amassed a franchise-record 596 yards to close in on another NFC West title and the No. 1 seed in the conference.

“That’s about as much fun as you can have playing NFL football in the regular season,’’ Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said.

Seattle (11-4) moved into a tie with Arizona (11-4) for first in the NFC West and holds the tiebreaker by virtue of two wins over the Cardinals.

A Seattle win at home over St. Louis in next weekend’s regular-season finale would clinch the NFC’s No. 1 seed in the NFC. That would have the Seahawks at home throughout the play-

PANTHERS FROM PAGE B1 wide receiver Jason Avant and cornerback Antoine Cason and benched safety Thomas DeCoud.

The result is a team that looks different than the one that lined up opening day.

The Panthers started a franchise-record seven rookies on Sunday against Cleveland.

Philly Brown started alongside Kelvin Benjamin, giving the Panthers more speed at wide receiver.

Guards Andrew Norwell and Trai Turner have helped shore up the offensive line.

Defensively, the Panthers start two rookies in the secondary in cornerback Bene Benwikere and Tre Boston.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Seattle running back Marshawn Lynch (24) breaks free from Arizona outside linebacker Alex Okafor (57) for a touchdown during the Seahawks’ 35-6 victory on Sunday in Glendale, Ariz. offs, until they’d come back to this same Arizona stadium for the Super Bowl.

Arizona’s only remaining hope of winning the division is to have the Seahawks lose to the Rams and the Car-

Rookie outside linebacker Adarius Glanton got his first start Sunday in place of the injured A.J. Klein.

“You get seven rookies on the field playing meaningful minutes at meaningful times in the game, that’s a big number,’’ Rivera said. “I thought they’ve all handled it well.’’

Offensive coordinator Mike Shula said Rivera placed an emphasis on winning in his first season in 2011.

Rivera inherited a team that went 2-14 in the year before and the Panthers got off to a rocky 3-8 start.

Instead of writing off the season, Rivera talked about building a foundation for the future.

The Panthers, with nothing to play for, went

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All Santa can offer is Ho Ho Ho Jesus offers health, help, and hope Santa says “You better not cry” Jesus says “Cast all your cares on me for I care for you” Santa’s little helpers make toys Jesus makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken bones, and builds mansions

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dinals win at San Francisco. Otherwise, Arizona will be relegated to a wild-card spot and a first-round game on the road. The Cardinals would have clinched the No. 1 seed in the conference with a victory.

3-2 in December that season.

That momentum seems to have carried over.

The Panthers have won 10 of their past 11 December games, including a 17-13 victory at home against Cleveland on Sunday.

“We talked about getting used to winning in December,’’ Shula said. “Because that is what you are going to have to do to get in the post-

season.’’

Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly said the players never stopped believing they could win the division.

“We just had to tweak a couple things and by the time December rolled around, we were a team that was ready to roll,’’ Kuechly said. “We got hot at the right time. We’ve just got to keep rolling now.’’

Keeping Sumter Beautiful

By Amanda McNulty, County Extension Agent Extension office one day a week for in-depth presentation on soils, My mother-in-law waited, and wait- nutrition, plant selection, pruning, insects, diseases and more. There are ed, and waited for her fiancée to save field trips so we can learn in nature’s enough money for them to marry when the nuptials were finally held she own classroom, and students also have lots of hands-on experience as they was 35 and he 38. During the long years of longing, Nora and her father, fulfill their volunteer hours in the specialty gardens of Swan Lake Iris Mr. Zimmerman, spent many companionable hours purchasing and dos- Gardens.

After graduation, students are ing themselves with patent medicine.

The wonderful story told by the fami- welcomed into the Sumter Master Gardener Association and attend ly is that Nora went on her honeymoon with a suitcase of medicine but monthly meetings with timely topics after returning she never even took an and speakers. This group is responsible for the Butterfly, Sensory, aspirin!

Well, the Master Gardener program and Chocolate Gardens at Swan Lake and also helps maintain the rain has a similar story. People whose gardens at Patriot Park. gardens suffered from powdery The cost of the course is $300. With mildew, black spot, aphids, voles and generous support from the Friends of catastrophic root rot have written Swan Lake, we do have some numerous testimonials as to the scholarships to offer so please don’t let effectiveness of the Master Gardener the price keep you from calling us at Training Program! Even if their gardening ailments didn’t completely (803) 773-5561 to learn more. And although our information is disappear (and with the vagaries of South Carolina weather – fluctuating researched-based, we still have a certain fondness for herbal remedies temperatures and periods of deluge like that offered by Mrs. Pinkham, and drought, we will always have especially when they are mixed with difficulties with plants), graduates cookie dough or pasta! report increased happiness and improved overall vigor. What’s behind Clemson University Cooperative Extension it?

Service offers its programs to people of all ages, Well, first of all the Master Gardener regardless of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sexual curriculum is based on the results of orientation, marital or family status and is an research with Clemson Extension equal opportunity employer. serving as the conduit for the findings If, due to a disability, you need special of horticultural scientists. For three accommodations in order to participate in an months, Master Gardeners-in-training Extension program, please notify office three days prior to event. come to the Sumter County Better than Patent Medicine

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B6

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2014

VANIAH H. BALDWIN JR. MAYESVILLE — Dr. Vaniah H. “Van” Baldwin Jr., 79, beloved husband of Evelyn Markham Baldwin, died Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014, at a local nursing center.

Born in St. Petersburg, Florida, he was a son of the late Vaniah H. Baldwin and Avice Raymond Baldwin.

Dr. Baldwin was a member of The Church of the Holy Comforter where he sang in the choir. He was a former teacher in New York, Florida, North Carolina, New Zealand and South Carolina in both Lee and Sumter counties. He began his career as a research scientist in iron foundry work and also worked for a prestigious “think tank,” Research Triangle Institute in North Carolina. He was a U.S. Navy veteran.

Surviving along with his wife of 22 years are a son, Geoffrey Vaniah Bartlette Baldwin of Apex, North Carolina; a daughter, Lt. Cmdr.

USN Heather Esther Baldwin and a granddaughter, Helen Penelope Baldwin, both of New Market, Maryland; and a cousin, Carl Monson of Destin, Florida.

Memorial services will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 27, at The Church of the Holy Comforter with the Rev. Charles Walton officiating.

Burial will be in the church’s Memorial Garden.

The family will receive friends at the home, 5710 St. Charles Road, Mayesville.

Memorials may be made to The Church of the Holy Comforter, P.O. Box 338, Sumter, SC 29151.

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

Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad St., Sumter, is in charge of the arrangements, (803) 7759386.

Family is receiving friends at the home.

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

GLORIA L. GOFF Gloria Lucas Goff, 67, wife of Robert “Clyde” Goff, died Sunday, Dec. 21, 2014, at her home.

Born in Sumter, she was a daughter of the late Johnny Lucas and Jessie Fern Preast Lucas.

Mrs. Goff was a member of Walkers Chapel Freewill Baptist Church. She retired from the Sumter County Clerk of Court’s Office with 37 years of service.

Surviving are her husband of Sumter; one son, Alex Bramlett (Sandy) of Sumter; one daughter, Wendy Rupert (Nick) of Summerville; one brother, Travis Lucas of Sumter; six grandchildren, Shelby Paranto, Erik Skipper, Jordan Bramlett, Jessie Rupert, Dean Bramlett and Christian Bramlett; and one great-grandchild, Landon Paranto.

She was preceded in death by her sister, Remonia Lucas.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m.Wednesday in the chapel of Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home with the Rev. Nat Brown officiating. Burial will be in Sumter Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Chuck Nunnery, Troy Wilsey, Buddy Houser, Chuckie Effler, Travis Lucas and Nick Rupert.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home and other times at the home, 1551 Melvin Ave. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 128 Stonemark Lane, Columbia, SC 29210.

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

Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad St., Sumter, is in charge of the arrangements, (803) 7759386.

GREGORY BENN Mr. Gregory Benn entered eternal rest on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014, at his residence, 511 Byrd St., Bishopville.

Funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. today at New Bethel AME Church, Bishopville, with the Rev. Donnie McBride, pastor, and the Rev. Jerome McCray, eulogist. Burial will follow in Boone Memorial Garden, Bishopville.

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

MILDRED B. MOORE Mildred Brunson Moore, 95, widow of Leroy Conrade “Connie” Moore, died Saturday, Dec. 20, 2014, at PruittHealth-Blythewood.

Services will be announced

by Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter.

JANIE MAE W. MONTGOMERY Janie Mae Walker Montgomery died Monday, Dec. 22, 2014.

LOTTIE M. MALLETTE MANNING — Evangelist Lottie Montgomery Mallette, 74, widow of William Titus Mallette, died Saturday, Dec. 20, 2014, at Clarendon Memorial Hospital. She was born Jan. 1, 1940, in the Greeleyville section of Williamsburg County, a daughter of the late Rev. Henry Montgomery and Lena Rawlinson Montgomery.

Family is receiving friends at the residence, 1707 Dozier Mallette Road, Manning.

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

HELEN BUTLER Helen Butler entered eternal rest on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2014, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center, Sumter.

Born July 26, 1936, in Sumter County, she was the daughter of the late Willie Clemons

OBITUARIES and Georgia Walker Clemons.

The family is receiving relatives and friends at the home, 67 Capri Drive, Sumter.

Funeral plans will be announced by Community Funeral Home of Sumter.

GLORIA H. STANBACK WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla. — Gloria Harriott Stanback, wife of James Stanback, entered eternal rest on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2014, at Florida Hospital, Wesley Chapel.

Born May 27, 1952, in Manhattan, New York, she was the daughter of Eddie Harriott and Annie Mae Balls Harriott.

The family is receiving relatives and friends at the home of her sister, Joyce (Danny) Witherspoon, 260 Windemera Drive, Sumter.

Funeral plans will be announced by Community Funeral Home of Sumter.

JANIE MAE P. BRIGHT Janie Mae Prescott Bright, 75, was called to her eternal home on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center, Sumter.

Born Dec. 7, 1939, in Lee County, she was the daughter of the late Leon Prescott and Easter Rivers Prescott. She attended the public schools of Lee County. She was married to the late James Jefferson, and later she was married to the late Herman Bright Jr. At an early age, she confessed Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and joined Mount Olive AME Church, where she attended until her health failed. She was a member of the Women Missionary Society, Burrough Unit.

“Coota,” as she was affectionately known in the community, was a caring person with a loving personality.

She leaves to cherish her precious memories: one daughter, Hanna (Raynard) Jefferson-Jackson of Sumter; a daughter she reared in the home, Mary Prescott of Charlotte; five sons, James, William, Andrew and Charles, all of Sumter, and John (Junko) Jefferson of Oak Harvor, Washington; one brother, Alex Prescott; three sisters, Anna Marrow of Woodrow, Louise (Bobby) Brickell of Newark, New Jersey, and Easter (Edward) Cantey of Wedgefield; 12 grandchildren; three greatgrandchildren; two uncles, John Lee and Robert Lee Wilson; five aunts, Bessie Simmons, Rebecca Monroe, Vermell Wilson, Mary Lee Wilson and Mae Frances Wilson, all of Bishopville; three brothersin-law; six sisters-in-law; one stepdaughter, Sierra (Albrefus) Neal of Sumter; a special caregiver, Corey Vandegrip;

THE SUMTER ITEM and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Leon Prescott Jr.; and a grandson, Antwan Jefferson.

Funeral services will be held at noon Wednesday at Mount Olive AME Church, 2738 Woodrow Road, Woodrow, with the Rev. Dr. Friendly J. Gadson, pastor, eulogist, assisted by Pastor Clifton N. Witherspoon.

The family is receiving family and friends at her home, 6420 Dubose Siding Road, Sumter.

The procession will leave from her home at 11:30 a.m.

Floral bearers will be family and friends. Pallbearers will be grandsons, family and friends.

Burial will be in Colclough Cemetery, Dubose Siding Road, Sumter.

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

Visit us on the web at www. williamsfuneralhomeinc.com.

Services directed by Williams Funeral Home Inc.

ALAN L. COTTON Alan Lee Cotton, 44, husband of Karen Hipp Cotton, died Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2014.

Services will be announced

by Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter.

ELIZABETH A. HELMS Elizabeth “Beth” Ann Helms, age 64, beloved wife of Peter Talmadge Helms, died on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2014, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center.

Arrangements are incomplete at this time and will be announced by Bullock Funeral Home.

JAMES E. JONES James Edward “Jamie” Jones, 28, died Sunday, Dec. 21, 2014.

Services will be announced

by Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter.

GREGORY GEORGIA MANNING — Gregory Georgia, 46, died Saturday, Dec. 20, 2014, from injuries resulting from a motor-vehicle wreck. He was born Dec. 28, 1967, in the Ram Bay Community of Clarendon County, a

son of Norma Canty Georgia and the late Clifton Georgia Sr. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Alonza and Clifton Georgia, and two sisters, Barbara Burgess Moorer and Rosa Ragin.

He received his formal education in the public schools of Clarendon County and was a graduate of Manning High School Class of 1987.

He was a member of Taw Caw Missionary Baptist Church.

He was employed by the City of Sumter as a heavy equipment supervisor.

Survivors are his mother, Norma Georgia of Manning; a daughter, Shaniqua Bennett of Summerton; a son, Gregory R. Georgia of Manning; siblings, Gene Georgia of Manning, Terry Georgia of Sumter, Ricky Georgia, Tyrone Georgia and Christine C. Holley, all of Baltimore, Maryland, Dennis McFadden and Veronica M. Green, both of Manning, and George Ragin and Michael Ragin, both of Summerton; and a special nephew, Alonza “Pee Wee” Georgia Jr. Celebratory services for Mr. Georgia will be at 10:30 a.m.

Wednesday at Taw Caw Missionary Baptist Church, 1130 Granby Road, Summerton, with full military rites. The Rev. Dr. W.T. Johnson, pastor, will officiate. Burial will follow in the churchyard cemetery.

Mr. Georgia will lie in repose one hour prior to funeral time.

Family is receiving friends at his residence, 1110 Paperback Lane, Manning, and at the home of his mother, 1182 Paperback Lane, Manning.

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

DOROTHY J. STEVENS Dorothy Jean Stevens, 63, wife of Curtis L. Stevens, died Sunday, Dec. 21, 2014, at her residence in Sumter. Born in Sumter, she was a daughter of the late Leon Waiters and Roseal Sharpe Waiters. The family will receive friends at the Stevens’ home, 20 Burgess Court, Sumter.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Palmer Memorial Chapel Inc.

LILLIE MAE ATKINS Lillie Mae Atkins, 83, died Dec. 15, 2014, at her residence in Sumter. Born in Sumter, she was a daughter of the late James Weary and Jearlean Sharpe Weary.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Palmer Memorial Chapel Inc.

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COMICS

THE SUMTER ITEM

BIZARRO

SOUP TO NUTZ

ANDY CAPP

GARFIELD

BEETLE BAILEY

BORN LOSER

BLONDIE

ZITS

MOTHER GOOSE

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B7

DOG EAT DOUG

DILBERT

JEFF MACNELLY’S SHOE

Man on verge of divorce can’t seem to seal the deal DEAR ABBY — I am three years into a relationship with Harold, a man who is separated but not divorced.

We both have Dear Abby grown children. Harold ABIGAIL was separatVAN BUREN ed when we got involved.

He has since moved in with me and is an active bill-paying member of the home.

I was also separated from a brief marriage when we met, and divorced shortly after we started dating. My assumption was that Harold would also be divorcing. As of now, the paperwork remains partially filled out, but no legal proceed-

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2014

ings have begun.

I hate this. I have talked to him about it many times, so he knows my feelings. I’m at the “do it or leave” point, but can’t seem to get over the hump. I do not plan on marrying -- I just want him to be divorced. What should I do?

Looking for legality in Washington DEAR LOOKING — When you became involved with Harold, did he TELL you he was planning on divorcing his wife? There could be reasons why he hasn’t gone through with finalizing it.

One of them could be religious; another might be financial. A third, the fear that his relationship with his children — and grandchildren, if there are any — will be permanently damaged. Or, that marrying

THE DAILY CROSSWORD PUZZLE

you wasn’t his objective in the first place, and your saying you didn’t want to remarry made you more attractive to him.

If remarriage isn’t your goal, why is his finalizing his divorce so important to you? Before you issue an ultimatum, it’s crucial that you understand the answer to this question. After that, you will know what — or what not — to do.

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips.

Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

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JUMBLE

SUDOKU

THAT SCRAMBLED WORD GAME

By David L. Hoyt and Jeff Knurek

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

ACROSS 1 Hushed “Hey!” 5 PC image file format 9 Quaint word of dismissal 14 Obsessed whale hunter 15 Guthrie of “Alice’s Restaurant” fame 16 Mozart’s “Don Giovanni,” e.g.

17 Cribs and cradles 18 Navy mascot 19 Prey grabber 20 Place for a flock 21 Hitchhiked 23 Big name in taco sauce 25 Remote button 26 Handles deftly, as a baton 29 __ Sapphire: gin brand 33 Joyful shout 35 Like wines aged in certain barrels 37 “On the Waterfront” director Kazan 38 Sing without words 39 Aid in driving uphill 42 Address in an online favorites list, e.g.

43 Chalet backdrop 45 Tiny chirp 46 Past pudgy 48 Sound of lit-

tle feet 50 “2 Broke Girls,” for one 52 Pre-med subj.

54 “Shoot!”

57 At some future date 62 Fish delicacy 63 Fill with wonder 64 Silent approvals 65 Singer Fitzgerald 66 Control tower device 67 Eins und zwei 68 Harbor structure 69 Bit of salon litter 70 Freezer bag feature 71 “What You Need” band DOWN 1 Painter Picasso 2 Like some cliffs and stockings 3 Deplorably bad effort 4 “Cougar Town” network 5 Rain forest cat 6 Senior moment?

7 Jack of old oaters 8 Informal response to “Did you buy those items I asked for?”

9 Picnic salad ingredient 10 “Skip the sordid details” 11 Prefix with port or pad 12 14-time A.L. All-Star 13 Diminish slowly 21 Old nightclub employee 22 2000s White House nickname 24 Meadow mom 27 Rob of “Parks and Recreation” 28 Learned ones 30 Sharp-billed game fish 31 Broadcasts 32 Prestigious New England law school 33 Fellow 34 Hippy dance 36 Foreign Legion cap

40 Talk show tycoon 41 Valium maker 44 Poem divisions 47 Gym specimen 49 Types into the database 51 Throat tissue 53 Looks after 55 High-end watch 56 Gets within a stone’s throw of 57 Sticker in a tavern target 58 Actor Sharif 59 Cross a creek, say 60 Anecdotal wisdom 61 Brainstorming contribution 65 Prefix with center

B8

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2 & 3 BRs 803-494-4015

For Sale or Trade

In Loving Memory of Charles Hallman Dec. 22, 1948 - July 14, 2014 Happy birthday, you will always be in our memories. Love, your wife, sisters, brothers, children.

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

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

Free est. 494-9169/468-4008 Lifestyles Lawn Service Holiday Clean-up Specials!

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

Call Erik 803-968-8655

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

Expert installation. Long list of satisfied customers.

Call 803-837-1549.

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

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

803-316-0128

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

Mention this ad & get 10% off.

PETS & ANIMALS Dogs

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

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

Guarantee 464-5439 or 469-7311

Split Oak Firewood $70/dumped, $75/stacked.

Newman's Tree Service 803-316-0128.

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

Call 803-968-9549 or 843-992-2364 Firewood for Sale Will Deliver. Call 803 651-8672 Fire wood 803-883-8056

for

sale.

Call

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

EMPLOYMENT

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

Land & Lots for Sale Minutes Walmart/Shaw AFB 1 acre water, electric, paved $4990.

888-774-5720 Hwy 521 N: 1/2 acre commercial lot. Owner eager to sell: $15,000.

Call 491-4595.

WALMART/SHAW 16.6 ACRES PAVED, ELEC. WATER $2350/ACRE 713-870-0216

Autos For Sale

HUNTINGTON PLACE APARTMENTS

FROM $590 PER MONTH

1 MONTH FREE (803) 773-3600 POWERS PROPERTIES

803-773-3600

395 Coachman Drive Office Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9-5 Whitaker Trust Dillon Trace Apts. Call for our winter special 803-774-7745

Unfurnished Homes 2br, 1.5ba dpx C/H/A, Stove, Frig, W/D. New carpet/paint.

No Pets/Smoking $625/mo. & dep. Call after 10 am 983-8463.

3785 Broad St, Sumter, SC 29154 0108 - Maddox, Roney Derrick 0124 - Jones, Melvin Leroy 0338 - Harris, Luther 0340 - Benbow, Juanita 0347 - Toney, John 0535A - Logan, Harris 0625 - Martin, Barbara 0746 - Fullard, Joan 0751 - Wise-Parker, Darlissa 0815 - Faulk, Kaldejia

ASSORTED SHOWER CURTAINS

$10 each

NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATES

NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATES

Persons having claim against the following estates are required to deliver or mail their claims to the indicated Personal Representatives, appointed to administer these estates, and to file their claims on Form #371PC with the Probate Court of Sumter County Courthouse, N. Main Street, Sumter, SC, 29150, on or before the date that is eight months after the date of the first publication of this Notice to Creditors, (unless previously barred by operation of Section 62-3-803), or such persons shall be forever barred as to heir claims. All claims are required to be presented in written statements, indicating the name and the address of the claimant, the basis of the claim, the amount claimed, the date when the claim will become due, the nature of any uncertainty as to the amount claimed and the date when due, and a description of any security as to the claim.

Persons having claim against the following estates are required to deliver or mail their claims to the indicated Personal Representatives, appointed to administer these estates, and to file their claims on Form #371PC with the Probate Court of Sumter County Courthouse, N. Main Street, Sumter, SC, 29150, on or before the date that is eight months after the date of the first publication of this Notice to Creditors, (unless previously barred by operation of Section 62-3-803), or such persons shall be forever barred as to heir claims. All claims are required to be presented in written statements, indicating the name and the address of the claimant, the basis of the claim, the amount claimed, the date when the claim will become due, the nature of any uncertainty as to the amount claimed and the date when due, and a description of any security as to the claim.

Estate:

Legal Notice Public Storage/ PS Orangeco, Inc. LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE OF PERSONAL PROPERTY Notice is hereby given that the undersigned will sell to satisfy the lien of owner at public sale by competitive bidding on January 8, 2015 personal and/or business property including but not limited to furniture, clothing, tools and other household/business items located at the properties listed.

The sale will begin at 1:00 pm at 1277 Camden Hwy, Sumter, SC 29153.

The personal goods stored therein by below named occupant(s); 1143 N.Guignard Dr, Sumter, SC 29150 106 - Lawson-Prince, Fredrica 120 - Washington, Tijuanna 132 - Gooden, Tanya 209 - Lewis, Elijah 222 - Winkler, Princess 235 - Mack, Rebecca 317 - Patrick, James 326 - Benjamin, Ashleigh 332 - Clyburn, Terentia 404 - Gripper, Adrian 420 - Drakeford, Patricia 433 - Washington, Renee 440 - Williams, Esther 457 - Rodriquez, Michelle 458 - Richardson, Joyce 524 - Holmes, Farronzo 543 - Miller, Kenyatta 549 - Forthman, Gary 608 - McCall, Laura

NOTICE TO THE DEFENDANT ABOVE NAMED: TAKE NOTICE that the Summons in the above mentioned action, together with the Complaint, was filed with the Sumter County Probate Court on the 25th day of November, 2014. The Guardian ad Litem for any unknown heirs of the Estate of James Clifford Jenkins in this matter is Garryl L. Deas, Esquire, Deas Law Firm, 109 N. Main Street, Sumter, South Carolina.

Larry C. Weston, Esquire Attorney for the Petitioner 109 North Main Street Post Office Box 1571 Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 778-2421

call us TODAY

Cameron Shoemaker #2014ES4300690

Amelia Geddis-Porter 601 Bur Oak Lane Columbia, SC 29229 Estate:

Estate:

Donnie J. Stone #2014ES4300681

Gayle B. Blanchette' 381 Mooneyham Road Sumter, SC 29153 Estate:

Estate:

Vincent O'Mar Thomas #2014ES4300675

Mattie Yvonne Powell Hodge 2460 Highway 521 South Sumter, SC 29153 Estate:

Estate:

James Rodney Weston #2014ES4300685

James Montalbano Jr. #2014ES4300678

Personal Representative

Marsha M. Aull 3085 Lowfalls Lane Sumter, SC 29150 Estate:

Personal Representative

Gladys Thomas C/O B. Scott Suggs Attorney at Law PO Drawer 591 Florence, SC 29503

Edwina Powell Hodge Green #2014ES4300677

Personal Representative

Personal Representative

Gayle B. Blanchette' 381 Mooneyham Road Sumter, SC 29153

Helen H. McLeod #2014ES4300682

Personal Representative

Personal Representative

Ashley Shoemaker 7758 Walnut Street Shaw AFB, SC 29150

Bernice Perry #2014ES4300679

Personal Representative

Michelle Ramos 283 Winchester Court West Columbia, SC 29170

Notice Of Application

YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED and required to Answer the Petition in this action, a copy of which is herewith served upon you, and to serve a copy of your Answer to the said Petition on the Petitioner or her attorney, Larry C. Weston, Esquire, at his office, 109 North Main Street, Sumter, South Carolina, within thirty (30) days after the service hereof, exclusive of the day of such service, and if you fail to Answer the Petition within the time aforesaid, the Petitioner in this action will apply to the Court for the relief demanded in the Petition.

Mark A. Newton #2014ES4300696

Personal Representative

Lillie B. Benenhaley #2014ES4300697

Personal Representative

Jeannie Hawkins 3470 Green View Parkway Sumter, SC 29154 Estate:

Tarnissaya S. Josey C/O Attorney at Law Sharon Clark PO Box 880 Sumter, SC 29151 Estate:

Levi Anderson #2014ES4300692

Personal Representative

Personal Representative

Bertha Anderson 20 E Patricia Drive Sumter, SC 29150

Linda Nelson Canty #2014ES4300693

Personal Representative

Genesis Bristol Johnson 2430 Alston Ave. Apt. 612 N. Charleston, SC 29406 Estate:

Betty Brunson #2014ES4300686

Personal Representative

Anne B Thomas 5 Folsom Street Sumter, SC 29150 Estate:

Lucille Herring #2014ES4300680

Personal Representative

George Scott Waite, Jr. 1020 Santa Fe Trail Sumter, SC 29154

STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF SUMTER

LEGAL NOTICES

Estate:

Cecil A Pritchard 365 Pritchard Street Sumter, SC 29150

Estate:

Petitioner, Vs. Janifer Baker and any known or Unknown heirs of James Clifford Jenkins, IN THE MATTER OF: James Clifford Jenkins DECEDENT

Dorothy P Pritchard #2014ES4300645

Personal Representative

Beer & Wine License

Evelyn Jenkins,

Twin .................... $8 each Full .................... $10 each Queen................ $11 each King .................. $12 each Estate Notice Sumter County

Estate:

Notice is hereby given that SATA, LLC intends to apply to the South Carolina Department of Revenue for a license permit that will allow the sale OFF premises consumption of Liquor at 13386B Highway 301, Gable, SC 26051. To object to the issuance of this permit / license, written protest must be postmarked no later than January 1, 2015. For a protest to be valid, it must be in writing, and should include the following information: (1) the name, address and telephone number of the person filing the protest; (2) the specific reasons why the application should be denied; (3) that the person protesting is willing to attend a hearing (if one is requested by the applicant); (4) that the person protesting resides in the same county where the proposed place of business is located or within five miles of the business; and (5) the name of the applicant and the address of the premises to be licensed. Protests must be mailed to: S.C. Department of Revenue, ATTN: ABL, P.O. Box 125, Columbia, South Carolina 29214; or Faxed to: (803) 896-0110.

200 CT. THREAD SHEET SETS

Estate Notice Sumter County

Purchase must be made with cash only and paid for at the time of sale.

All goods are sold as is and must be removed at the time of the sale. Sale is subject to adjournment.

IN THE PROBATE COURT FOR THIRD JUDICIAL CIRCUIT 2014-ES-43-673

Help Wanted Part-Time

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

775-0575 Studio/1 Bedroom apartments available EHO

1277 Camden Hwy, Sumter, SC 29153 A006 - Frederick, Cordy A040 - Rouse, Latonya B004 - Dinkins, Teresa B006 - Sinkler, Cieana B012 - Bryant, Brenda B097 - Hudspeth, Corinna C047 - Woods, Raymond C064 - Solomon, Ida D037 - Jones, Richard E018 - Simms, Holly E029 - Sumpter, Tiara F019 - Williams, Sandra F052 - Shaw, James G012 - Johnson, Brandonn K008 - Lemon, Paulette

SUMMONS

Full/Part time cooks, Experience a must. Apply in person at 2114 Hwy 521 S.

Unfurnished Apartments

706 - Weems, Gabrielle 713 - Stephens, Mabel

Summons & Notice

Wanted exp. full time Service Tech.

Must have real exp in carpentry and plumbing. Must have reliable transportation, qualified applicants only.

Please drop off resume to: Clayton Homes 2735 Broad St. Ext., Sumter, 29150

THIRTEEN (13) MONTH LEASE REQUIRED

AKC Maltese Pups that will look adorable in a bright red stocking.

Deposit will hold until Christmas Eve Health guarantee in writing. $600 OBO . 803-499-1360

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

Help Wanted Full-Time

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

We will be happy to change your ad if an error is made; however we are not responsible for errors after the first run day. We shall not be liable for any loss or expense that results from the printing or omission of an advertisement.

We reserve the right to edit, refuse or cancel any ad at any time.

LAST WEEK FOR DECEMBER CLEARANCE

3/$1.00

Store Hours Mon. - Sat. • 9:30 - 5:00 Closed Sunday

CLASSIFIED DEADLINES

11:30 a.m. the day before for Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday edition.

9:30 a.m. Friday for Saturday’s edition 11:30 a.m. Friday for Sunday’s edition.

HURRY IN...

HAND TOWELS & WASH CLOTHS 29 Progress St. - Sumter 775-8366 Ext. 37

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2014

Estate:

Mary E. Hunter #2014ES4300684

Personal Representative

Raymond Johnson C/O Paul A. Weissenstein, Jr. PO Box 2446 Sumter, SC 29151

ROUTE OPEN IN Boulevard Road & Sherwood Forest Area Great job for a person looking for extra income!

If you have good, dependable transportation and a phone in your home, apply in person at:

Circulation Department 20 N. Magnolia Street Sumter, SC 29150 Call Harry Pringle at 774-1257

It’s Mayo’s “More for your money Christmas Sale”!

Buy 1 Regular Priced Suit, Receive 2nd Suit of Equal Value FREE! Great Selection & Savings!

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

MAYO’S SUIT CITY If your suits aren’t becoming to you, It’s a good time to be coming to Mayo’s!

Wesmark Plaza • 773-2262 • Mon-Sat 10-7