December 27, 2014

LOCAL: More than 100 vehicles keyed at dealership

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Suspicious death ruled a homicide

BY JADE REYNOLDS jade@theitem.com Robert “Bobby” Troublefield did not die by his own hand, according to Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.

The 61-year-old was found unconscious by relatives in his home in the 4900 block of Live

Oak Road on Wednesday morning. Emergency Medical Services were called, but Troublefield was pronounced dead on scene.

“After a forensic investigation of the body, the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office has deemed Mr. Troublefield’s death a homicide,” said

Braden Bunch, public information officer for the sheriff’s office, on Friday. “Upon arrival to the scene, it was not abundantly clear to investigators if it was a suicide or homicide. We are now confident that another person or persons were involved.”

Troublefield sustained mul-

tiple gunshots wounds, but officials declined to specify an exact number of wounds or where they were located.

For now, investigators can only track the deceased’s activities through Monday night, but the sheriff’s office is actively pursing numerous leads, Bunch said.

Officials continue to welcome the public’s assistance in this matter. Individuals with information on this incident or Troublefield’s whereabouts during the past week are asked to call Sumter County Sheriff’s Office at (803) 4362700 or Crimestoppers at (803) 436-2718.

Friends applaud Stinney judge

Christmas Day wagon ride

HILTON HEAD ISLAND (AP) — Fourteenth Circuit Judge Carmen Mullen could have waved off George Stinney’s case when it landed on her docket in January, citing the passage of 70 years since the 14-year-old’s conviction and execution in Clarendon County.

Many judges would have chosen to not hear the sensitive and difficult case of a black boy put to death in the killings of two young girls in a small, segregated mill town, friends and colleagues said.

But that is not Mullen’s way, they say.

Her decision this month to exonerate Stinney was courageous, if not surprising, said 5th Circuit Judge L. Casey Manning, who has known Mullen since she served as his law clerk after graduating from law school.

“Her intellectual ability and intelligence are surpassed only by her honesty and integrity,” Manning said. “I know she did the right thing.”

Kenneth Gaines, a professor KEITH GEDAMKE / THE SUMTER ITEM

Allison Edens takes Elizabeth Edens, 3, and Opal Gene Oliver, 18 months, on a wagon ride Thursday afternoon on Henderson Street.

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Autism program’s inspiration now a master of foreign languages

BY JOEY HOLLEMAN The State As Collin Butler walked across the stage at the University of South Carolina’s December graduation, he carried with him the hopes of thousands of parents who dream their children with autism can follow in his footsteps.

Collin didn’t feel that weight on his shoulders. He just walked across the stage like all of the other graduates and shook a few hands. But as he made the trip, nearly 30 people in the audience broke the rules and cheered. Many more have been buoyed by his legacy.

Nearly 20 years ago, the struggle to find help for Collin led to the creation of the S.C. Early Autism Project. This year, that group founded by Collin’s mother and his for-

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plied behavior analysis, the systematic method that was beginning to show promise for children with autism. Sallows set up in the living room of the Butlers’ small house in Sumter and taught the basics of the system to Susan and Joe, Eldridge and a few others.

The session involved Sallows teaching Collin the proper behaviors and discouraging (or ignoring) the bad behaviors. By the end of the threeday session, Susan could see major improvements in Collin. And she and Eldridge were excited about how that sort of therapy could help the other special needs children that Eldridge had mixed in with regular students in her ground-breaking preschool.

Sallows agreed to travel to Sumter once a month to help

pool of words he used mysteriously began to shrink rather than grow. He started throwing tantrums, kicking, screaming. His parents, Susan and Joe Butler, knew these weren’t the actions of a spoiled kid. They were too intense and set off by the smallest things.

Susan expressed her concerns with Collin’s pediatrician, but Collin never acted out in the doctor’s office.

Susan finally convinced the pediatrician to refer them to a developmental specialist.

Again, Collin was on his best behavior during that 20-minute visit and no problems were identified.

Susan kept pushing, knowing something was different about her son’s tantrums. Finally, she lined up an examination by an expert at the University of South Carolina.

After spending two hours

with Collin, that specialist diagnosed him with autism.

Then came the second major hurdle, finding help for that condition.

“It wasn’t like ‘Your child has autism, and here’s the prescription,’” Susan recalled.

“It was ‘Your child has autism,’ and you fall off the cliff.”

Researching the subject, she found out about progress in autism treatment at UCLA directed by Dr. Ivar Lovass.

Communication with his office led her to Dr. Glen Sallows, who had started a similar program, the Early Autism Project, in Wisconsin.

Susan flooded Sallows with phone calls, leaving 62 messages before she got through on the 63rd for a conversation that has changed a lot of lives.

Sallows agreed to come to South Carolina for a weekend instructional session on ap-

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mer preschool teacher, Ann Eldridge, is working to get the best results for about 900 children with autism. Without early intervention, they all too often end up in school specialeducation programs. With speCOLLLIN cialized help, however, they can go much farther — some even to college degrees.

“I just hope I can make a difference for children with autism, for parents of children with autism,” Collin said. “I’m probably one of the few people right now who have achieved such a feat.”

Looking for answers, then help Collin was a healthy baby and hit all the typical developmental milestones through about 15 months. Then the

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STATE BRIEF

Former S.C. Gov. Jim Edwards dead at 87

FROM WIRE REPORTS

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Body of missing autistic boy found in pond

CHARLESTON — James B. Edwards, South Carolina’s first Republican governor since Reconstruction and later energy secretary for two years in the Reagan administration, has died.

He was 87.

His son-in-law Ken Wingate confirmed that Edwards died Friday.

The oral surgeon served in the state Senate and helped build the modern Republican Party in South Carolina before becoming governor in 1974.

Edwards was limited to one term under state law at the time. After leaving the governor’s mansion, he headed to Washington as President Ronald Reagan’s energy secretary.

Edwards returned to his home state in 1982 to become president of the Medical University of South Carolina, a position he held for 17 years before retiring.

“Gov. Edwards made an incredible mark on South Carolina history,” said GOP state Chairman Matt Moore. “His legacy will live on through the countless lives he touched as governor, dentist and particularly as a man of faith.”

Republican Gov. Nikki Haley said she’s grateful for the support and encouragement Edwards gave her.

“Michael and I are deeply saddened by the passing of Gov. Edwards, whose love for South Carolina inspired him to serve until his last day,” she said.

Entering the 1974 governor’s race, Edwards was not sure of his chances facing well-known retired Gen. William Westmoreland, who commanded U.S. troops in Vietnam, in the GOP primary.

Edwards won the nomination but was still a Republican running in a Democratic state.

That year, however, the Democrats

LITTLE RIVER — The body of an autistic, 4-year-old boy who had been missing since Christmas Eve has been found in a pond in South Carolina.

Coroner Robert Edge told local media outlets that the body of Jayden Morrison was found late Friday morning in Little River, northeast of Myrtle Beach.

Police, first responders, K9 units, dive teams and volunteers had been searching for the boy since he disappeared from his grandmother’s house about 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday.

The New York boy’s family had been visiting his grandmother. His mother, Tabatha Morrison, had gone shopping and left her three children at the home.

Jayden’s grandmother, Carolyn Sumpter, said minutes later, she noticed the front door was ajar and began the search.

“We’ve always been in a gated situation,” Jayden’s father, Andre Morrison, told reporters said Thursday afternoon after he arrived from New York. “We knew he was a wanderer when he was younger, but he was always in an enclosement. We never put him in a position to go out and freely wander.”

More than 150 volunteers had taken part in the search Friday.

AP FILE PHOTO

Former South Carolina Gov. James B. Edwards stands on the porch of his home in Mount Pleasant. Edwards on Dec. 8, 1999, South Carolina’s first Republican governor since Reconstruction and later energy secretary for two years in the Reagan administration, died Friday. He was 87. were divided after the state Supreme Court ruled that Democratic front-runner Charles D. “Pug” Ravenel did not meet the residency requirements to run for governor.

Edwards defeated U.S. Rep. Bryan Dorn — who became the Democratic nominee in a special convention — by about 17,500 votes.

In a 1999 Associated Press interview, Edwards said the job he most enjoyed was being governor, particularly working on economic development, educa-

tion and energy issues at a time when people seemed to work together. During his tenure, the Education Finance Act was passed. It remains the basis for how K-12 public education is funded in South Carolina.

“Anything you wanted, you could ask anyone in the state to help you,” he recalled. “I put away partisan politics when I got to Columbia. We had the whole Senate and the House, the vast majority working with us.”

Vandals target Goodwin Automall

BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com “We have cars to sell,” said Goodwin Auto Mall General Manager David Waldkirch on Friday as he looked over one of the dealership’s vehicles that were vandalized during the Christmas holiday.

Waldkirch said somebody scratched or “keyed” more than 100 new and used vehicles on the dealership’s lot at 2700 W. Broad St. “Some are scratched on just the hood or the trunk, others are scratched on all four sides,” he said.

It is too early to estimate the cost of the damage, he said.

He said the dealership, which sells new Honda, Mitsubishi and Volkswagen vehicles as well as used vehicles, will try to make the best of it.

“We’ll run some kind of a sale on the inventory,” he said. “Maybe we’ll have a ‘We’ve Been Keyed’ sale.

“It sounds funny, but all you can do is keep going,” he said.

“You can’t just shut down.”

The week between Christ-

mas and New Year holidays is the best, if not the best, week of the year, Waldkirch said.

Because of the year-end push to sell cars, the manufacturers have some strong incentives – discounts as well as interest-rate programs.

“Obviously, we’ll have some additional discounts,” he said.

“Some customers will take the cars as is, some will have us repair them. However they want them, we can provide enough discounts so they can do that.”

He said cars fixed in the dealership body shop will carry lifetime warrantees on the work.

Crimestoppers will be offering a reward for information on the vandalism, he said, and the dealership will offer an additional $1,000 for information that leads to a conviction in the case.

“We wonder what would make someone do something like this,” he said. “They even did the cars out front on the JIM HILLEY / THE SUMTER ITEM grass. You would think they Goodwin Auto Mall General Manager David Waldkirch examines the damage done to one of the dealerwere on the lot for some ship’s vehicles by a vandal during the Christmas holiday. time.”

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

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2014

Photo contest winners announced FROM STAFF REPORTS Three winners were selected for the second quarter of the South Carolina State Park Service’s “Making Memories” photo contest, an effort that invites people to visit parks, take photos and submit them for prizes.

Brian Matthew Fox of Blythewood won in the contest’s wildlife category for his photo of an alligator at Woods Bay State Park. He said he noticed the gator while taking a walk on the park’s boardwalk. “As the alligator lay there, soaking up the warmth of the sun, it cast a perfect reflection on the dark water,” Fox said. “I laid on my stomach perpendicular to the boardwalk and hung over the side, trying to take a picture at the alligator’s eye level.”

Michelle Lupton of Columbia won in the landscape category for her photo of a shooting star over the lake at Oconee State Park. Lupton said she took the photo during a family stay this past November at a park cabin.

“This was during the Leonid meteor shower,” she said.

“When I saw this meteor go right in front of the camera and it was really bright, and I had the shutter still open, it was pretty thrilling.”

Laura Clay Ballard of Myrtle Beach won in the people category for her photo of horseback riding at Myrtle

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Brian Matthew Fox’s photo of an alligator at Woods Bay State Park took first place in the S.C. State Parks photo competition’s wildlife category.

Beach State Park during the American Heart Association’s Annual Beach Ride. While she spent the day taking photos of many horses and riders, a few running through the surf caught her attention. “All of a sudden out of the corner of my eye were these young women frolicking through the ocean kicking up the surf and sand with their horses running at full steam ahead!” she said. “Now, that’s my kind of fun and action!”

The winning photos can be found at www.mediafire.com/ folder/b4x194o0wyzmu/Fall_ season.

Each winner received a prize package valued at $200, including a gift certificate to Mast General Store for a pair of Oboz hiking shoes, a State Park Service Park Passport Plus and an Official Guide to South Carolina State Parks.

Each winner also automatically enters into a contest for the grand prize — an ultimate outdoor adventure package worth $1,000.

The park service is currently accepting photo submissions for the third quarter, the deadline for which is Feb. 28, 2015. Instructions on how to submit photography for the contest can be found at www.SCMakingMemories. com.

For more information, contact Marion Edmonds at medmonds@scprt.com or (803) 7341370.

PHOTOS PROVIDED

Columbia’s Michelle Lupton won in the landscape category for her photo of a meteor taken at Oconee State Park outside Walhalla during the Leonid meteor showers.

Laura Clay Ballard won the “people” category for her photo of Katlyn and Tierney during the American Heart Association Beach Ride 2014 at Myrtle Beach State Park.

Don’t let your holiday party turn ugly with too much alcohol

BY MICHELE MOSES Special To The Sumter Item During this holiday season, don’t forget that many holiday drinks and desserts may contain alcohol and that alcohol can add up.

Some examples of foods and drinks that may contain alcohol are punch, eggnog, flambés, fruitcakes, trifle and tiramisu. It’s always best to ask the cook or chef if you aren’t sure.

Grand Marnier liquor may be found in ice cream, soufflés or mousse. Rum is often used in custard soufflés and, of course, rum cake.

Cooking burns off varying amounts of alcohol depending on the amount of heat used and the length of cooking. Longer cooking times usually burn off more of the alcohol. Alcohol added at the very end of a recipe may be retained in higher amounts.

Uncooked foods will retain all of the alcohol.

If you are the host or hostess, be sure and let your guests know if certain foods or drinks contain alcohol and be prepared to arrange alternative, safe transportation if any of your guests need it.

Here are some helpful tips from the National Restaurant Association’s website, www.restaurant.org: Take the time to talk to your guests.

This will help you determine if your guests are becoming intoxicated.

Watch for changes. You can learn a lot about your guests’ level of intoxication by watching for physical and behavioral changes. Examples include being overly friendly, unfriendly, depressed or quiet; using foul language or becoming loud; drinking faster or switching to larger or stronger drinks; talking or moving slowly; and staggering, stumbling or bumping into objects.

Watch the count. Some guests may not show physical or behavioral signs of intoxication. That’s because they may have become used to the effects of alcohol. Counting drinks is important in these situations. Each of these beverages contains about the same amount of alcohol and should be counted as one drink: 5 ounces of wine; 12 ounces of beer; 1½ ounces of 80-proof liquor; and 1 ounce of 100-proof liquor.

Avoid over-pouring. Over-pouring liquor when making drinks makes it difficult for guests to keep track of and control their drinking. Follow drink recipes closely to ensure that the proper amount of alcohol is put in each drink.

Offer food. This is one of the most important things you can do to prevent intoxication. Food helps keep alcohol in the stomach. This slows the rate at which it reaches the small intestine

where most of the alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream. The best food items are those high in fat and/or protein. These items are not easily digested, which slows the movement of alcohol into the small intestine.

Offer water. Drinking alcohol causes dehydration making guests thirsty.

This can cause them to drink more than they normally would. You can help by offering water with drinks and refilling water glasses often. This will help keep the guest hydrated and can reduce alcohol consumption.

Again, always be prepared to arrange alternative safe transportation home if any of your guests need it.

For more information or help, contact Sumter Behavioral Health Services at (803) 775-5080 or www.sumterbhs.org.

Michele Moses is a prevention specialist and executive assistant with Sumter Behavioral Health Services.

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‘Selma’ a history lesson that throbs with today (AP) — To say Ava DuVernay’s “Selma” feels relevant is a mammoth understatement.

It’s altogether animated, propelled and enlivened by its contemporary urgency.

“Selma” is a history lesson that throbs with today.

DuVernay, a former publicist with two low-budget dramas to her name, dramatizes the events around the 1965 Civil Rights march through Alabama, from Selma to Montgomery, with a straightness of purpose befitting the famous protest’s direct path.

Hollywood often doesn’t nail this kind of historical drama, and such films frequently sag under the weight of their intentions. But DuVernay, working from a script by Paul Webb, stays away from the Martin Luther King Jr. biopic this might have been. Eluding myth-making, she instead goes for a focused realism. “Selma” captures a movement, from the grassroots to the White House, and the many it takes to move history.

“Selma” would pair well with Steven Spielberg’s “Lincoln,” another atmospheric telling of history that cast an expansive gaze at the not-always-pretty grunt work that enabled the world to change.

Early in the film, King’s Southern Christian Leadership Conference tries to check into a Selma hotel, and a white man extends his hand only to clock King in the jaw.

“This place,” says one of King’s cohorts, “is perfect.”

This is the Deep South after 1964’s landmark Civil Rights Act, but when poll taxes, vouchers and the like kept

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David Oyelowo, center, as Martin Luther King Jr., and Carmen Ejogo, right, as Coretta Scott King are seen in the film “Selma.” black people away from the ballot box. In an early scene, an elderly hospice nurse named Annie Lee Cooper (Oprah Winfrey) tries to register to vote, only be to be warned of “startin’ a fuss.” She’s told to name Alabama’s 67 judges.

King’s group arrives in Selma having just waged an unsuccessful campaign in Albany, Georgia, where the police avoided the kind of confrontations that would draw headlines. The toxic discrimination of Selma, though, offers King the “drama” he requires to elevate the cause to front pages.

Selma Sheriff Jim Clark (Stan Houston) and Alabama Governor George Wallace (an excellent Tim Roth) supply the rac-

ist brutality that plays right into King’s mission.

A central theater of “Selma” isn’t just the Edmund Pettus Bridge, where marchers were brutally beaten by baton-wielding police — it’s in the White House.

King strategy is trying to pressure President Lyndon Johnson into acting on voting restrictions. LBJ, played with appropriate Texan cajoling

by Tom Wilkinson, wants to focus on poverty with his Great Society. (White House tapes suggest a more collaborative LBJ than shown in the film.)

It’s the political front of a battle gathering in Selma, where activists debate, plot

and rally support. There’s argument over tactics: Compromise is an essential part of the movement seen in “Selma.”

Throughout, the film is charted by FBI field reports that tracked King’s activities.

(Dylan Backer plays J. Edgar Hoover, sneering that he’ll “dismantle” King’s family.)

The subtitles are a constant, ominous reminder of the movement’s sizable foes and the nation’s sometimes shameful allegiances.

King is seen both intimately with his wife Coretta (Carmen Ejogo) and publicly from the pulpit, where Oyelow’s King is fullest. He’s not a savior, but a wise man exercising the reaches of his power to the best of his

ability. As spectacular as Oyelow’s humanizing performance is, “Selma” is not the MLK show. King is more a savvy operator, gathering together the strong forces around him.

Like few movies, “Selma” is peopled, teaming with the individuals that comprise a mass.

By the time the protestors have assembled on the bridge for the 50 mile march, DuVernay has put us among them, from the future Congressman John Lewis (Stephan James) to the Reverend Hosea Williams (the impeccable Wendell Pierce, whose anxious eyes look at the amassed troopers with an unforgettable mix of fear and bravery).

Particularly affecting is Keith Stanfield’s Jimmie Lee Jackson, the 26-year-old who was shot by a trooper ahead of the march. It’s a death — an unarmed black man — that telescopes the 50 years between then and now with tragic immediacy.

There’s a stirring freshness to the cinema of “Selma,” and it’s not just because of Bradford Young’s rich, moody photography. The 1978 TV miniseries “King” is the only real attempt to grapple with MLK. There are shamefully few precedents of civil rights tales in Hollywood to “Selma.” A change is gonna come.

“Selma,” a Paramount Pictures release, is rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association of America for “disturbing thematic material including violence, a suggestive moment, and brief strong language.” Running time: 127 minutes. Three and a half stars out of four.

New movie ‘Big Eyes’ an eye-popping true story THE ASSOCIATED PRESS You’ve likely seen the images, even if you have no idea who painted them: Those waifs with the huge, saucerlike eyes, appearing in oil paintings, posters, postcards, refrigerator magnets.

Actually, for years, nobody actually knew who painted them.

That’s because Walter Keane, a showboating sociopath, claimed credit, when it was his wife, Margaret, who actually was the sole artist, closeted away in a home studio filled with turpentine fumes. It was an epic story of art fraud that ended with a dramatic 1986 trial in which Margaret proved her case by painting a doe-eyed child right in front of the judge.

It’s interesting that in this season packed with movies based on real-life stories about genius and bravery, we have, in the same week, two high-profile films about painters. Yet the stories they tell could hardly be more different. Whereas Mike Leigh’s “Mr. Turner” portrays an acclaimed genius, the prolific British landscape painter J.M.W. Turner, Tim Burton’s “Big Eyes,” about the Keanes, depicts a type of art that was decidedly middlebrow.

It’s a different sort of art than we’re used to seeing in movies: art as mass commerce. Art you can buy for a dollar. And art that’s wholly in the eye of the beholder.

At one point, Christoph Waltz’s Walter says excitedly, as he discovers people will pay for cheaply produced posters: “They don’t care if they’re getting an original. They just want something they like.”

It would have been nice if Burton explored that concept more deeply, but what he’s given us is enjoyable and engaging: A visually stunning (no surprise there) evocation of the San Francisco art scene in the ’60s, and an absorbing portrait of a disturbing marriage.

The main drawback comes with the calibration of the two lead performances. As Margaret, Amy Adams gives a sensitive, wide-eyed (no pun intended) portrayal of a woman with low self-esteem, driven primarily by the desire to protect and support her daughter. It’s a necessarily restrained performance, and Adams, as usual, is extremely moving.

Waltz is suitably creepy as Walter. But consistently, and too early, he takes the performance over the top, to the point where it seems like he’s appearing in a different, much zanier movie. It gets exhausting.

We meet Margaret in 1958 just as she’s left her (unseen) first husband, and is heading with her daughter to San Francisco’s culturally exciting North Beach. (Burton makes North Beach look so eye-poppingly gorgeous, we want to head over there right now.)

Sketching children at a street fair for pennies, she meets Walter, a flirtatious sort who intoxicates her with stories of studying art in Paris.

In a flash, they’re married.

Their work — he seems to specialize in generic Parisian street scenes — is ignored by snooty gallery owners (Jason Schwartzman is amusing as one of them), but Walter hits on the idea of renting walls at a nightclub. There, Margaret’s waifs strike a chord with customers on their way to the john. She’s made the mistake of signing them only “Keane.” Walter convinces her that nobody will buy “lady art.” And so, he be-

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Christoph Waltz and Amy Adams appear in a scene from “Big Eyes.” The film earned three stars out of four. comes the artist.

While Margaret slaves away, Walter markets the works aggressively, earning the disdain of establishment types such as New York Times art critic John Canaday (a deliciously icy Terence Stamp.) As the stakes rise, Walter becomes increasingly abusive, and after a harrowing encounter, Margaret escapes to Hawaii with her daughter.

There, she is finally inspired to come clean, telling a radio show in 1970 that she’s the true artist. He responds that she’s crazy.

The 1986 trial, Keane vs.

Keane, is a hugely satisfying final act — how could it not

be? The judge, after endless showboating from Walter, decides to give each spouse an hour to produce a big-eyed waif.

It’s no secret how that turns out. But it’s still a heck of a lot of fun to watch.

“Big Eyes,” a Weinstein Co. release, is rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association of America “for thematic elements and brief strong language.” Running time: 105 minutes. Three stars out of four.

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Leaving Cuba: A father, son risk lives at sea

BY CHRISTINE ARMARIO The Associated Press MIAMI — It was hot and dark and mosquitoes bit at his skin as 23-year-old Jose Fuente Lastre boarded a raft with eight other men, intent on fleeing Cuba.

Their flimsy vessel built from scraps of metal, wood and inner tubes had failed repeatedly. Oil leaked. The propeller sputtered.

“I’m not going,” Lastre had announced. “It seems we weren’t meant to leave.”

“Don’t be a fool,” shot back his stepfather, Antonio Cardenas. “After trying this hard you have to try again.”

Four of their companions decided it was too risky, jumping out and wading back to shore.

Lastre looked at his stepfather’s wrinkled face. They had invested nearly everything they owned to build the raft.

They switched on the motor taken from a Russian tractortrailer.

Tens of thousands of Cubans have made the harrowing journey on homemade rafts across the Florida Straits, preferring to risk their lives than remain in Cuba.

President Obama’s promise to reverse 53 years of hostility has raised hopes that with normalized relations, Cubans will stop taking these risks. But Obama’s deal with President Raul Castro isn’t expected to stop the tide anytime soon.

Obama lacks the votes in Congress to abandon the embargo and the provision allowing almost all Cubans who reach the U.S. to stay is law. This last year, the number of Cubans picked up at sea by the U.S. Coast Guard or making it to U.S. shores rose nearly 75 percent, from 2,129 to 3,722.

DREAMS CHANGE Lastre didn’t grow up with dreams of leaving Cuba.

He lived with his girlfriend, Yainis, and resold bread on the black market, making about $115 a month, far more than the $20 average Cuban salary.

His dream was to save enough money to build a house like his stepfather’s one day.

Then he saw his neighbor Omarito disappear on a raft, and come back later with enough money to build a house and a business.

Watching American movies with Yainis, he couldn’t help but notice that even teenagers in the U.S. had cars.

Lastre and Yainis had grown up under the revolution, never knowing life without Fidel Castro or the embargo, but far more exposed to outside influences than previous generations. About 500,000 U.S. travelers now visit the island each year, most of them Cuban Americans. They bring stories of life in the U.S., cellphones and laptops.

With no close family in the U.S., Lastre felt he could never afford these things.

The thought of Lastre on a raft at sea made Cardenas, 50, and his wife, Olea, nervous. But if his stepson was going to try it, he wanted to protect him.

“Go and look at the raft,” Olea said. “If it looks strong, go with him.”

PASSENGERS CHANGE Yennier Martinez Diaz, 32, watched from shore. An agricultural worker who lived near the launching spot, he had asked to join them. But there was no room — until the others

‘Don’t be a fool. After trying this hard you have to try again.’

ANTONIO CARDENAS Speaking to his stepson, Fuente Lastre, who had given up hope of leaving Cuba jumped out.

“Do you want to come?”

Cardenas asked.

Diaz climbed into the raft.

At first the skies were blue, the water calm. They drank THE ASSOCIATED PRESS water, ate crackers and started Jose Fuente Lastre, left, Antonio Cardenas, center, and Yanier Martinez Diaz, right, open their Immigration making plans. documents Oct. 28 at the Church World Service office in Miami.

“The first thing I’m going to do is get a job,” Cardenas declared.

By the sixth day, they were nearly out of gas, with no sign of land.

“We should use what we have left for when we’re close to shore,” suggested Cardenas, the oldest on board.

They would need to move quickly then — If the U.S. Coast Guard reached them in the water, they’d be sent back to Cuba.

When they woke the next day, all they saw was blue sea.

“Pa’ Cuba!” one of the men began yelling.

They’d gone seven days without seeing land. A few others agreed.

“To Cuba no,” Cardenas insisted. “We are going to make it.”

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CELEBRITIES In Miami, the men were treated like celebrities.

Soon, though, their days looked like this: Long hours in a small hotel room, awaiting resettlement.

Every few days, they made costly calls to family in Camaguey.

One month and three days later, the men woke before dawn and loaded nine duffel bags filled with donated clothes into an airport shuttle. Their destination: Portland, Oregon, where the Church World Service had arranged housing, English classes and jobs.

Cardenas proudly took photos on his cellphone: Lastre holding up his airplane ticket; Diaz pushing a cart of luggage.

SURPRISE Three months after the men’s arrival, Obama surprisingly announced efforts to restore ties with the island they left behind.

The news came as a relief: Perhaps they would not have to wait years to see their families.

Had they known relations between the U.S. and Cuba were about to improve, Cardenas said he would have risked the journey anyway.

“I’m not looking back,” he said.

Turkish teen accused of insulting Erdogan freed from custody ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — A high school student who was jailed for allegedly insulting Turkey’s leader was released from custody on Friday after his arrest caused uproar and intensified fears that Turkey under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is lurching toward more authoritarian rule.

The 16-year-old boy was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly calling Erdogan a thief, a day after he took part in a small left-wing student rally commemorating the death of a pro-secular army officer slain by Islamists 84 years ago.

His arrest at his Meram Technical and Vocational high school in Konya, central Turkey, sparked an outcry, with opposition parties denouncing it as the latest example of the government’s descent toward authoritarianism and its crackdown on free speech and dissent.

It is a crime in Turkey to insult the president and others have been arrested on such charges before, but it was the first time a minor has been detained. Dozens of lawyers volunteered to defend the teen and petitioned for his release.

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AUTISM FROM PAGE A1 Collin and to teach his teachers. Parents in an autism support group heard about Collin’s progress, and soon more and more wanted the therapy for their children.

Sallows, however, didn’t have time for any more cases so far from his Wisconsin base.

Eldridge came to the rescue, turning her rapidly growing knowledge on the therapy into what was essentially a South Carolina branch of the Wisconsin Early Autism Project in 1998. Susan, then working fulltime for a national corporation, started off volunteering in the local program. But through the next few years, she was spending more time managing the business side of the autism therapy clinic than in her paid job. At the end of 2002, she and Eldridge went out on their own with the S.C. Early Autism Project. Eldridge Twelve years later, their organization has a flagship clinic in West Columbia as well as facilities in Charleston, Greenville, Rock Hill and Tampa, Florida. Their trained therapists handle a caseload of about 800 children through the clinics, plus another 100 they help in neighboring school districts.

Getting results While Collin was the inspiration for the Early Autism Project, he didn’t need as much help as some children with autism. One of his previous preschool teachers had warned his mother he would be stuck in specialeducation classes in public schools, but Collin’s improvement with behavior therapy was amazingly rapid.

A one-on-one aide worked with him during his kindergarten year in a standard classroom at Kingsbury Elementary School in Sumter. In first grade, a teacher’s assistant helped with Collin and other students who needed special attention. By second grade, he needed no extra help in the classroom. Like many children in the wide spectrum of autism, he was awkward in social interaction while excelling in academic work.

Experts now recognize the autistic brain is wired differently than the normal brain. People with autism process information differently, sometimes in amazing ways. Collin is a classic example.

When Susan and Joe Butler traveled to Disney World with 2-year-old Collin, he wouldn’t get off the monorail after hearing the “Please stand clear of the doors” message in English and Spanish. He wasn’t scared of the doors; he was fascinated by the Spanish words. They rode the monorail all the way around the park.

On the same trip, Collin, already beginning to read, sat down and studied brochures that explained Disney attractions in multiple languages side-by-side. Little did his parents know, that was the start of his future in linguistics. As he grew older, he asked for foreign language dictionaries for birthday presents.

“Before they had all these products and apps that translate, Collin would get foreign language dictionaries and look up every single word,” Susan said.

In high school, first at Sumter High and then at

Thomas Sumter Academy, he finished four years of German in two years, four years of Spanish in three years, four years of French in two years and four years of Italian in one year. “It just comes naturally to me,” he said of picking up new languages.

He moved seamlessly from Thomas Sumter Academy, with fewer than 500 students, to USC, with more than 30,000. He felt at home at both. “Sometimes I like to be by myself, sometimes I like to be with people,” Collin said. “I got adjusted OK over time, and I did pretty well academically.”

He lived in off-campus housing but near enough to walk to classes. USC’s non-traditional interdisciplinary studies major allowed him to set his own path toward a specialized linguistics degree. In addition to the languages he studied in high school, he focused in college on Asian languages, spending one summer session in Hong Kong.

One trait common among people with autism is an extreme focus on one subject and a desire to learn everything possible about that subject. Collin chose a broad subject. He’s fluent in 12 languages, and he still has plenty more to master.

He often carries around a notebook and a pencil so he can pull it out and write down his thoughts in a foreign language. “His English handwriting looks like a second-grader’s, but his Chinese handwriting is perfect,” his mother marveled.

Next up is turning that incredible knowledge into a profession. He has a part-time job as a teaching assistant with English Programs for Internationals at USC, but he wonders if there might be a spot for him as a translator at the United Nations or with a government program that monitors discussions in other countries.

He recently has become intrigued about the idea of making motivational presentations. He never felt he was really different from the other kids in school. He didn’t even realize he had been the inspiration for the Early Autism Project until his mother won a regional entrepreneurship award last year and he heard her talk about the birth of the project at the awards ceremony.

Graduation day Collin didn’t bother to submit the form to get recognition for graduating magna cum laude. “Of course I’m proud of it, but it wasn’t that much of a deal,” Collin said. But his accomplishment brought tears to his mother’s eyes.

“To see the hard work that he put in and so many other people put in to help him get to where he is now, and to have that hard work represent hope to other families is incredible to me,” Susan said. “I can’t tell you how good I felt when I knew that I was on the right track to helping Collin.”

And she feels those emotions almost every day now watching the work done at Early Autism Project.

“To be able to give back some of that,” she said, “I’m so proud for him, but I’m so incredibly thankful that I can do that. That’s the best feeling in the world.”

OBITUARIES COL. JOHN C. WOMACK Col. John C. Womack “Chris” was born Jan. 3, 1967, in Big Spring, Texas (Webb AFB), and died unexpectedly on Dec. 19, WOMACK 2014, at his residence on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. Chris was married to Tipwan Sumneing Womack.

Chris experienced military life as a child traveling with his parents and attended schools in Schertz, Texas (Randolph AFB), Incirlik, Turkey and Hillcrest High School, Sumter. After high school he received a four-year AFROTC scholarship and graduated from Clemson University with a bachelor of science degree in architecture (design) in May 1989 and began full-time active duty on May 12, 1989. He commanded a 350-person Civil Engineer Squadron, was deputy commander of a 1,200-person group and has served on MAJCOM, FOA, NATO and HAF staffs. In 2005, he deployed to Tikrit, Iraq, leading a team of civil engineers from across the Air Force in support of an Army tasking to rebuild Iraqi oil, power and security forces infrastructure. During his career, his assignments included McGuire AFB, New Jersey; Randolph AFB, Texas; Misawa AB, Japan; Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio; Naples, Italy; HQ USAF, Maxwell AFB, Alabama; Pentagon, Washington, D.C.; Dyess AFB, Texas; and Hurlburt Field, Florida. While on active duty, he continued to extend his education and completed AF Squadron Officers School, Joint Forces Staff College, Air Command and Staff College, master’s in military operational art and science, Air War College, and master of science in administration, Central Michigan University.

His military awards and decorations included Meritorious Service Medals, AF Commendation Medals, AF Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, NATO Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, DoD CINC Installation Excellence Award (Special Recognition, 7th CES) and

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2014

several others.

Chris accepted Christ while living in Schertz, Texas, and attending Savannah Baptist Church. In college, Chris became a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. After moving to Hawaii, he continued supporting his fraternity by participating in chapter events such as their annual MLK Golf tournament, which was held to raise scholarship money for local high school seniors. He also acted as a mentor to fraternal brothers regarding Air Force matters. Chris was a devoted father and avid golfer with an outgoing personality. He enjoyed bike riding, experiencing new things and playing tennis. Two of his favorite songs came to epitomize his attitude toward life: “Live Like You Were Dying” by Tim McGraw and “We Must Praise” by J. Moss. Chris will be deeply missed by his friends, family and all who knew him.

Chris is survived by his wife, Tipwan Womack; his parents, John and Patricia Womack; his children, Jessica Womack and son Micheal Sawyer; two sisters, Deanna Eggleston and Gwenevelyn Anderson; one nephew, Barry Eggleston (Brooke); one grandniece, Mason Eggleston of St. Louis, Missouri; six aunts, Judy Washington of Erial, New Jersey, Brenda Bundy of Vineland, New Jersey, Marilyn Green (Barry) of Salem, New Jersey, Robin Morris of Sicklerville, New Jersey, Leona Burks (Nathaniel) of Huntsville, Alabama, and Deidra Avery of Big Spring, Texas; two uncles, Frank Womack (Margaret) of North Providence, Rhode Island, and Steve Womack (Charlene) of Camden, New Jersey; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Wanee and James Auville; brother-in-law, Joey Sumneing; family friends, Andria and Robert Wimberly; four lifelong friends, James Rogers, Art Nixon, Mike Rowland and Randy West; and a host of cousins, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandmothers, Mary Womack and Celestine Jefferson; grandfather, Woodrow Womack; and uncles, Wesley

Morris, Sylvester Washington and Dan Bundy.

Public viewing will be held Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m. at Job’s Mortuary.

Col. Womack will be placed in the church Monday at 10 a.m. for viewing until the hour of service.

Funeral service will be held on Monday at 11 a.m. at Jehovah Missionary Baptist Church, 803 S. Harvin St., Sumter, with Pastor Marion H. Newton officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Memorial Park.

Family will receive friends at the home, 2818 S. Wise Drive, Sumter.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting memorials be made to Jehovah Missionary Baptist Church, (“The Vision”), 803 S. Harvin St., Sumter, SC 29150.

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

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

HARRIET POSTON Harriet Elizabeth Poston, age 80, beloved wife of the late John Walter Poston Sr., died on Thursday, Dec. 25, 2014, at Covenant Place of Sumter.

Born in Pamplico, on Jan. 23, POSTON 1934, she was the daughter of the late Anthony Deleon and Christine Willard Newell Poston. A year after graduating high school, Harriet married John, who was a member of the Army Air Corps, on Jan. 20, 1952. While being stationed all over the world with the U.S. Air Force, Harriet, John and family lived many places, including Albuquerque, New Mexico; Reykjavik, Iceland; Roswell, New Mexico; Myrtle Beach; Luigi Bologna Air Port, Italy; Villa Francesca, Lido Gondola, Italy; Bitburg, Germany; K.I. Sawyer AFB, Michigan; and Shaw AFB. While moving around the world with John, Harriet undertook federal civil service positions with the Transportation, Civilian Personnel Offices and the 2020 Communications Squadron. After she retired, Harriet served as the

at the University of South Carolina School of Law, agreed the ruling would have taken nerve, though the constitutional violations in Stinney’s case were obvious.

“You’re still in South Carolina,” said Gaines, who has researched Stinney’s case.

“You’ve still got a Confederate flag flying in the Statehouse. I do think it takes a little courage in this state, still,” to do what Mullen did.

Mullen, of Hilton Head Island, heard the case as a visiting judge in the 3rd Circuit, during a routine rotation throughout the state.

The case made national news with her decision to throw out Stinney’s conviction — the result of a one-day trial and 10-minute deliberation by a jury of white males.

Reached a few days after the ruling, Mullen said the biggest difficulty in the case was in recreating a trial record with next to nothing in the way of official documents and few living witnesses.

Still, hearing the case was important, she said, as Stinney’s family deserved a chance to appear in court — they were not allowed to be present for the teenager’s trial — and the state deserved an opportunity to address decades of criticism about his treatment.

Certain acts cannot be undone, Mullen said, “but I think both sides needed an opportunity to be heard.”

Mullen said the ruling was difficult, but she isn’t concerned about the possibility of pushback in her run for re-election next year.

“I wouldn’t have any regrets (if I was not reelected). I go home and I feel good about what I’ve done,” she said. “It was a violation of someone’s constitutional rights. If we let our constitutional rights erode, we will be at the point where we wouldn’t be a democracy anymore, and that scares me.”

Portions of her order speak to her compassion for Stinney, regardless of his guilt or innocence.

“A 14-year-old boy cannot confront his accusers,” Mullen wrote. “He needed his lawyers to help.”

Hilton Head Island attorney David Berry, who ran a practice with Mullen when she was an attorney and now argues cases before her, said he wasn’t surprised the judge ruled to “undo a past wrong.”

“She generally gets the answer right, and that’s coming from someone who didn’t always get the answer he wanted,” Berry said.

“Her decision may actually go some distance in bringing about the kind of current, fresh, modern look at how things ought to be.”

MARION R. BOWMAN Marion Ruth McMullen Bowman, age 73, beloved wife of the late Donald Raymond Bowman, died on Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014, at Lexington Medical Center.

Services will be private.

D. GENE RICKENBAKER D. Gene Rickenbaker, 73, husband of Mary Kaye Thomas Rickenbaker, died Friday, Dec. 26, 2014, at his home.

Services will be announced

by Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad St., Sumter (803) 7759386.

ANNA J. CANTY Anna J. Canty, 89, widow of Charles Canty, was born May 5, 1925. She departed this life on Thursday, Dec. 25, 2014, at Lower Cape Fear Hospice Care Center, Wilmington, North Carolina.

Funeral plans are incomplete and will be announced later by Job’s Mortuary, Inc., 312 S. Main St., Sumter.

THERON E. ARD Theron Edward “Pete” Ard, 58, died Friday, Dec. 26, 2014, at his home.

Services will be announced

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

JOHN PARKER Funeral service for Mr. John Parker, 63, of 8005 Osborne Road, will be held Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2014, at 2 p.m. at Rafting Creek Baptist Church with burial in the church cemetery.

He died Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. Collins Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

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STINNEY FROM PAGE A1

secretary for the local NARFE organization. Upon their retirement from the service, Harriet and John owned and operated Oakland Hardware that served the Sumter-Shaw community for many years.

Harriet and John were members of Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Sumter, where they were members of the Wesley Fellowship Sunday School Class and she was a member of the church choir.

Surviving are: one daughter, Christine L. Poston and her husband, Michael Cosgrove, of Lorton, Virginia; two sons, Kenneth Poston of Houston, Texas, and John Poston Jr. and his wife, Denise, of Sumter; one sister, Jo Ellen Hodge and her husband, Lynwood, of Sumter; and two grandchildren, Cody and Brandon Poston of Sumter.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by eight siblings.

A funeral service will be held on Sunday at 2 p.m. at Aldersgate United Methodist Church with the Rev. Dr. Webb Belangia officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery.

The family will receive friends today from 4 to 6 p.m. at Bullock Funeral Home, 1190 Wilson Hall Road, Sumter.

Memorials may be made to Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 211 Alice Drive, Sumter, SC 29150.

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

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

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2014

HOLIDAY SCHEDULE BANKS — All area banks and credit unions will be closed on New Year’s Day. GOVERNMENT — The following will be closed on New Year’s Day: federal government offices; U.S. Postal Service; state government offices; City of Sumter offices; Sumter County offices; Clarendon County offices; City of Manning offices; Lee County offices; and City of Bishopville offices.

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. and Farmers Telephone Coop. will be closed on New Year’s Day. OTHER — Clemson Extension Service will be closed on New Year’s Day. The Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce will be closed Wednesday, Dec. 31, and New Year’s Day. The Sumter County Library will be closed on New Year’s Day. The Harvin Clarendon County Library is closed today and will be closed on New Year’s Day. All offices of The Sumter Item will be closed on New Year’s Day. The newspaper will not publish on New Year’s Day.

SUPPORT GROUPS THURSDAY MEETINGS: Journey of Hope (for families members of the mentally ill), Journey to Recovery (for the mentally ill) and Survivors of Suicide Support Group — Each group meets every 1st Thursday, 7 p.m., St. John United Methodist Church, 136 Poinsett Drive.

Call Fred Harmon at (803) 905-5620.

FRIDAY MEETINGS: Celebrate Recovery — Every Friday, 6 p.m. dinner, 7 p.m. program, Salt & Light Church, Miller Road (across from Food Lion).

For help with struggles of alcohol, drugs, family problems, smoking, etc.

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

AA, AL-ANON, ALATEEN: AA — Monday-Friday, noon and 5:30 p.m.; Saturday, 8

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Don’t let EUGENIA LAST stress lead to an unfortunate encounter with someone who can influence your future. Use your energy positively.

Showing good cheer and a progressive attitude will help you bring about the change that leads to personal improvements and long-term benefits.

The last word in astrology

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Communication will be key if you want someone to help you out or support a decision you make. Don’t let situations get blown out of proportion. You have so much to gain if you use diplomacy and incentives.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Keep money and emotional situations separate. A fast talker trying to sell you something will give a false impression of what you will receive.

Back away from anyone looking for a handout or using emotional manipulation. Focus on home and family.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Flesh out an idea you want to pursue.

Your plan will lead to good fortune if you enlist a partner who can contribute as much as you. A joint effort will pay off and lead to ongoing benefits. Love is highlighted.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Listen to good advice and get involved in something that interests you. You can bring about positive changes if you show dedication and loyalty to someone eager to explore the same things as you. Less talk and more action is needed.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Enjoy doing things with your lover, children or good friends. Now is not the time to initiate change or fret over things you cannot change.

Focus on your relationships and what you can do to build a closer

p.m.; Sundays, 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m., 1 Warren St. (803) 775-1852.

AA Women’s Meeting — Wednesday, 7 p.m., 1 Warren St. (803) 775-1852.

AA Spanish Speaking — Sunday, 4:30 p.m., 1 Warren St. (803) 775-1852.

AA “How it Works” Group — Monday and Friday, 8 p.m., 1154 Ronda St. Call (803) 494-5180.

Al-Anon “Courage to Change” Support Group — Tuesday, 7 p.m., Alice Drive Baptist Church, Room 204, 1305 Loring Mill Road. Call Dian at (803) 316-0775 or Crystal at (803) 775-3587.

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

AA Summerton Group — Wednesday, 8 p.m., town hall.

Manning Al-Anon Family Group — Thursday, 7:30 p.m., Behavioral Health Building, 14 Church St., Manning. Call Angie Johnson at (803) 435-8085.

C/A “Drop the Rock” Group — Thursday, 9:30 p.m., 1154 Ronda St. Call Elizabeth Owens at (803) 607-4543.

DAILY PLANNER

THE SUMTER ITEM

WEATHER

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2014

AccuWeather® five-day forecast for Sumter TODAY

TONIGHT

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

Turning cloudy; mild in the p.m.

Considerable cloudiness and mild

Cloudy with a shower or two

Cloudy with a shower or two

Cooler with periods of sun

Mostly sunny and seasonably cold

65°

48°

69° / 58°

70° / 45°

58° / 36°

52° / 33°

Chance of rain: 5%

Chance of rain: 25%

Chance of rain: 55%

Chance of rain: 55%

Chance of rain: 25%

Chance of rain: 10%

SE 3-6 mph

SSW 3-6 mph

SSW 4-8 mph

WSW 6-12 mph

NE 8-16 mph

NNE 7-14 mph

TODAY’S SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER

Gaffney 33/62 Spartanburg 34/63

Greenville 35/60

Columbia 34/65

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

IN THE MOUNTAINS

Sumter 35/65

Aiken 34/64

ON THE COAST

Charleston 43/67

Today: Mostly sunny and pleasant. High 59 to 63.

Sunday: Mostly cloudy and delightful. High 62 to 67.

LOCAL ALMANAC

LAKE LEVELS

SUMTER YESTERDAY

Sat. Hi/Lo/W 60/51/sh 48/26/r 46/32/sh 49/32/r 73/43/r 65/44/s 73/65/r 50/43/pc 81/66/pc 53/40/s 58/36/s 56/45/s 55/44/s

SUN AND MOON 7 a.m. yest.

357.47 73.51 73.17 96.64

24-hr chg +0.54 +0.11 none +0.70

Sunrise 7:26 a.m.

Moonrise 11:28 a.m.

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

0.02" 3.85" 2.64" 38.86" 48.67" 46.24"

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

Full pool 360 76.8 75.5 100

Lake Murray Marion Moultrie Wateree

65° 37° 55° 33° 75° in 1964 9° in 1983

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

Sun. Hi/Lo/W 65/52/sh 34/26/pc 48/33/pc 39/25/pc 54/36/r 63/47/s 72/48/r 50/37/r 83/67/pc 52/41/r 58/35/s 57/45/pc 55/45/r

Myrtle Beach 42/63

Manning 38/66

Today: Some sun, then turning cloudy.

Winds light and variable.

Sunday: Cloudy with a couple of showers.

Winds southwest 4-8 mph.

Temperature High Low Normal high Normal low Record high Record low

Florence 36/65

Bishopville 34/64

Flood 7 a.m. stage yest.

12 7.19 19 5.26 14 7.09 14 8.39 80 76.03 24 14.06

Sunset 5:20 p.m.

Moonset 11:51 p.m.

First

Full

Last

New

Dec. 28

Jan. 4

Jan. 13

Jan. 20

TIDES

24-hr chg +1.50 +0.01 +2.75 +3.13 +0.49 +8.81

AT MYRTLE BEACH

Today Sun.

High 12:42 a.m.

1:16 p.m.

1:44 a.m.

2:15 p.m.

Ht. 3.0 3.2 3.0 3.0

Low Ht. 7:36 a.m. -0.2 8:10 p.m. -0.4 8:39 a.m. 0.0 9:07 p.m. -0.4

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

Sat. Hi/Lo/W 60/44/pc 60/48/pc 65/48/pc 66/54/pc 58/47/s 67/52/pc 60/49/pc 61/50/pc 65/49/pc 63/47/pc 61/44/s 64/48/pc 63/46/pc

Sun. Hi/Lo/W 59/49/r 64/53/sh 72/59/c 72/60/c 61/54/sh 72/60/c 61/52/sh 61/55/sh 70/57/sh 67/56/sh 64/56/sh 69/56/sh 67/55/c

Sat. City Hi/Lo/W Florence 65/48/pc Gainesville 76/59/pc Gastonia 60/46/pc Goldsboro 61/45/s Goose Creek 67/51/pc Greensboro 59/45/s Greenville 60/49/pc Hickory 59/44/s Hilton Head 63/54/pc Jacksonville, FL 73/56/pc La Grange 61/52/sh Macon 64/50/sh Marietta 59/49/sh

Sun. Hi/Lo/W 70/58/sh 80/61/pc 61/52/sh 65/57/sh 72/59/c 59/50/sh 60/52/sh 57/49/sh 68/59/c 77/60/c 70/51/sh 73/55/c 63/53/sh

Sat. City Hi/Lo/W Marion 60/43/pc Mt. Pleasant 67/52/pc Myrtle Beach 63/51/pc Orangeburg 65/50/pc Port Royal 65/54/pc Raleigh 60/45/s Rock Hill 61/45/pc Rockingham 63/46/pc Savannah 69/54/pc Spartanburg 63/49/pc Summerville 65/54/pc Wilmington 63/47/pc Winston-Salem 58/46/s

Sun. Hi/Lo/W 60/47/r 72/60/c 68/59/sh 72/59/c 71/60/c 62/55/sh 62/52/sh 65/54/sh 76/60/c 62/52/sh 70/59/c 68/56/sh 57/50/sh

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

bond.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Unexpected conversations and alterations that change your life, your relationships or your domestic environment will take you by surprise. Get out and do something energetic that will help you blow off steam. Contact someone who grounds you.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Take care of matters that can help you improve your home and your future. Sign up for a course or travel to a destination that will help you uncover information pertinent to something you want to achieve.

Love is highlighted.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Act fast and take care of a situation that has the potential to cost you emotionally or financially. Make changes at home that will ensure you head into the new year in good shape physically and financially.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Reflecting on the past year will help you reset your goals and bring some of your dreams closer to reality. Share your thoughts with someone you want to include in your plans. Accept the inevitable and keep moving forward.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): A change can be expected and should bring you closer to your professional goal. An online posting will lead to an interesting moneymaking opportunity. Express your thoughts, but listen to expert advice before you decide to make a move.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): You’ll face abrupt opposition. Don’t let emotional meddling lead to a mistake that is irreversible. Focus on creativity, friends, family or your lover, and make plans to get involved in activities and events that will enhance your relationships.

803-795-4257

LOTTERY NUMBERS PALMETTO CASH 5 FRIDAY

POWERBALL FRIDAY

16-20-22-34-35 PowerUp: 2

11-12-46-47-50 Powerball: 22 Powerplay: 4

PICK 3 FRIDAY

PICK 4 FRIDAY

9-5-9 and 5-9-0

4-2-5-8 and 9-3-9-8

MEGAMILLIONS numbers were unavailable at press time.

SPCA CAT OF THE WEEK Aprikat, a 7-month-old orange tabby female American shorthair, is available for adoption at the Sumter SPCA. She is housebroken and great with other cats.

She is active, affectionate, gentle, playful and friendly. Aprikat loves to be petted and scratched. The Sumter SPCA is located at 1140 S. Guignard Drive, (803) 7739292, and is open 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every day except Wednesday and Sunday. Visit www.sumterscspca.com.

Did you forget the SPCA during your holiday shopping? It’s not too late!

Currently, the biggest needs are for dry puppy and kitten food; wet cat food; cat litter; and cleaning supplies.

The following are also appreciated: Newspapers; stuffed animals (any size); heavy duty trash bags (30 gallon or larger); dishwashing liquid; laundry detergent; bleach; paper towels; sheets and comforters; baby blankets (for cat cages and puppies); canned dog and cat food; dry dog and cat food; treats; leashes and collars; disinfectant spray; air freshener; no scratch scrubbers; two-sided sponges for dishes; litter freshener; and monetary donations are also gratefully accepted.

SECTION

Richt says RB Gurley will enter NFL draft

B

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2014

B2

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

PRO FOOTBALL

Panthers K Gano eager for chance at redemption against Falcons Missed FG earlier in year vs. Atlanta set up Sunday’s pivotal game

BY STEVE REED The Associated Press CHARLOTTE — Graham Gano is hoping for another chance against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.

“I hope this one comes

down to a game-winning kick,’’ the Carolina Panthers’ 27-year-old kicker said.

“Those are the kicks you dream of, so I hope I get another shot.’’

Gano missed a potential game-winning 46-yard field goal try last month against the Falcons with 1:27 remaining and had a 63-yarder blocked as time expired. The Panthers lost 19-17.

Had Carolina won that

game, it would have already clinched the NFC South division.

Instead, the Panthers need a win or tie at AtGANO lanta to become the first team to repeat as NFC South champions.

The Panthers (6-8-1) enter the game in first place, but the Falcons (6-9) can pass them with a win. The winner

will host a playoff game.

Gano signed a four-year, $12.4 million extension last offseason after he turned in a career year converting 24 of 27 field goals, including all six from 50 yards and beyond.

He’s made 27 of 33 field goal attempts this season, but has a miss in each of his past two games.

Panthers head coach Ron Rivera said his confidence in Gano hasn’t wavered. Rivera

said misses are going to happen.

“He’ll come to me and say something about it and I will just say, `I’ve got all of the confidence in the world in you,’’’ Rivera said. “The truth of the matter is he’s going to get an opportunity to win a big one for us, whether it’s this week of some other time. The key for

SEE GANO, PAGE B4

PREP BASKETBALL

Rough opening Knight Turnovers, poor shooting doom Crestwood girls as District 9 tourney tips off

BY EDDIE LITAKER Special To The Item Crestwood High School’s varsity girls basketball team opened play in the 18th Annual District 9 Officials Christmas Tournament on Friday with a stiff test against 4A Spring Valley.

The Lady Knights, who were 3A state runner-ups last season, had their opportunities to win the game, which was played at The Castle, but in the end could not overcome shooting woes and turnovers as the Lady Vikings came away with a 37-33 win.

Along with a number of misses on the low post, Crestwood shot just 4 of 14 at the free throw line, compared to Spring Valley’s 11 of 21.

“Like I told them, we’ve got to be ready to come out and play,” said Lady Knights head coach Tony Wilson, whose team dipped to 8-3 with the loss. “I don’t think our intensity level to start the game was where it needed to be. I don’t know if the girls coming off their holiday break had something to do with it, but it wasn’t where it needed to be. Free throws and turnovers really hurt us.”

Wilson gave the Lady Vikings and head coach Anne Long, who opened tourney play earlier in the day with a 71-36 rout of Kingstree, much of the credit for his team’s struggles.

“I knew they were going to do a lot

SEE KNIGHT, PAGE B3

KEITH GEDAMKE / THE SUMTER ITEM

Crestwood’s Shaquanda Miller-McCray (30) and Spring Valley’s Joi Jones compete for a loose ball during the Lady Knights’ 37-33 loss on Friday during the opening day of the District 9 Officials Christmas Tournament at The Castle.

USC FOOTBALL

USC 5 KEYS TO VICTORY

Underachieving Miami, Carolina Important to end square off in Independence Bowl year on a high note

BY DENNIS BRUNSON dennis@theitem.com

BY DAVID BRANDT The Associated Press SHREVEPORT, La. — A threegame losing streak to end the regular season dashed Miami’s hopes of a banner year. South Carolina was considered one of the nation’s elite during the preseason, but struggled from the outset.

Now the two teams find themselves in Shreveport.

That certainly wasn’t the preseason plan. But that’s the reality and Miami running back Duke Johnson says there is still plenty to play for, especially in regards to building for the future, when the Gamecocks (6-6) and Hurricanes (6-6) meet on Saturday in the Duck Commander Independence Bowl.

“One game can make a lot of difference,’’ Johnson said. “It can start big things.’’

Miami is trying to bounce back from a disappointing end to the regular season. The Hurricanes had a late lead on No. 1 Florida

T

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

South Carolina quarterback Dylan Thompson (17) and the rest of the 6-6 Gamecocks look to finish a disappointing season on a high note today when they face 6-6 Miami in the Independence Bowl in Shreveport, La. State back on Nov. 15 before letting it slip away in a 30-26 loss.

That was followed by losses to Virginia and Pittsburgh.

“It’s not the kind of team we know we are, but it’s the team we

SEE BOWL, PAGE B4

here was a time in the history of the University of South Carolina football program that a trip to Shreveport, La., to play in the Independence Bowl would lead to a celebration in Gamecock Nation.

Not so much this season.

Do not expect to see massive waves of garnet and black in the stands today when USC takes on Miami in the initial Duck Commander Independence Bowl. In fact, with the Hurricanes famously known for their lack of a traveling contingent, it may not be too hard to pick the Robertson family out of the

WHO: Miami (6-6) vs.

South Carolina (6-6) WHERE: Shreveport, La. WHEN: 3:30 p.m.

TV/RADIO: WOLO 25, WIBZ-FM 95.5, WNKT-FM 107.5

crowd. OK, I know Willie, Phil, Uncle Si, etc., will be in a luxury box somewhere, if in the stadium at all, but you get the idea.

Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier is to blame for this malaise. No, not because South Carolina went 6-6, even though that surely didn’t

SEE 5 KEYS, PAGE B4

B2

|

SPORTS

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2014

SPORTS ITEMS

THE SUMTER ITEM

SCOREBOARD

Milwaukee Indiana Detroit

TV, RADIO

SOUTHWEST DIVISION

TODAY

Georgia running back Todd Gurley (3) will enter the NFL draft, Bulldogs head coach Mark Richt announced on Friday.

Richt: RB Gurley will declare for NFL draft CHARLOTTE — Georgia coach Mark Richt says junior running back Todd Gurley has informed him that he plans to enter the NFL draft.

Richt made the announcement after practice Friday for the Belk Bowl. The 13th-ranked Bulldogs face No. 20 Louisville on Tuesday.

Gurley was a preseason Heisman Trophy candidate and got off to a strong start, but a four-game suspension and a knee injury derailed his season.

Gurley attended practice with his teammates Friday but was not made unavailable for interviews.

Richt says Gurley’s rehabilitation is going well and his spirits are high.

He predicts Gurley “will be a very high draft pick.’’

Richt says that “I wouldn’t be shocked to see him doing a lot of things for the scouts before the draft.’’

NARDUZZI OFFICIALLY TAKES OVER AT PITT PITTSBURGH — Pat Narduzzi is the next man up at Pittsburgh.

The Panthers officially announced the longtime Michigan State defensive coordinator as their new coach Friday. Narduzzi replaces Paul Chryst, who left Pitt last week after three seasons to become the coach at Wisconsin.

Narduzzi won the Broyles Award as the nation’s top assistant in 2013, when Michigan State’s defense helped the Spartans to a 13-1 record and the No. 3 spot in the final poll.

The hiring is a homecoming of sorts for the 48-year-old Narduzzi.

He grew up in Youngstown, Ohio, while his father coached at Youngstown State from 1975-85.

Narduzzi takes over a program looking to gain traction in the ACC. The Panthers are 6-6 heading into the Armed Forces Bowl against Houston on Jan. 2.

UGGLA JOINS NATIONALS FOR MINOR LEAGUE DEAL

WASHINGTON — The Washington Nationals have agreed to terms with veteran second baseman Dan Uggla for a minor league deal with an invitation to major league spring training.

Uggla played in only four games with the San Francisco Giants this year after being cut by the Atlanta Braves after the All-Star break. The Braves still owe him $13 million for 2015.

The 34-year-old Uggla finished the year batting .194 with two homers and 10 RBI. The Nationals announced the move Friday.

WEST VIRGINIA QB TRICKETT RETIRES FROM CONCUSSIONS MEMPHIS, Tenn. — West Virginia senior quarterback Clint Trickett is retiring from football because of concussions and won’t play in the Liberty Bowl on Monday against Texas A&M. Trickett said Friday that he had endured five concussions over the last 14 months.

West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen indicated that sophomore Skyler Howard would start at quarterback for the Mountaineers (7-5) against the Aggies (7-5).

Howard is 36 of 65 for 483 yards with five touchdown passes and no interceptions in three games this season. He started West Virginia’s regular-season finale against Iowa State.

Trickett completed 67.1 percent of his passes for 3,285 yards and 18 touchdowns with 10 interceptions.

He hasn’t played since being knocked out of a 26-20 loss to Kansas State on Nov. 20.

From wire reports

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

By The Associated Press

LeBron, Cavs rally past Magic 98-89 ORLANDO, Fla. — LeBron James had 29 points and eight assists, and the Cleveland Cavaliers rallied to beat the Orlando Magic 98-89 on Friday night.

Kevin Love scored 22 points and reserve Dion Waiters added 17 for Cleveland, which bounced back from a 101-91 loss at Miami on Christmas.

Tristan Thompson grabbed 13 rebounds.

The Cavaliers played without point guard Kyrie Irving, who was sidelined by a bruised knee.

Tobias Harris led Orlando with 16 points. Nik Vucevic had 12 points, seven assists and eight rebounds, and reserve Evan Fournier scored 15.

NETS 109 CELTICS 107

BOSTON — Jarrett Jack nailed a tiebreaking jumper in the lane with 28 seconds to play and finished with 27 points Friday, lifting the Brooklyn

Nets to a 109-107 win over the Boston Celtics.

Alan Anderson scored 15 points, Mason Plumlee 14 with 12 rebounds and Mirza Teletovic had 11 points for the Nets, who won their third straight and improved to 12-2 against sub-.500 teams.

Jeff Green had 22 points and Jared Sullinger had 19 with eight rebounds for Boston, which lost its third in a row.

ACY SUSPENDED 1 GAME; WALL FINED $15K BY NBA

NEW YORK — New York Knicks forward Quincy Acy has been suspended one game without pay by the NBA for his flagrant foul against John Wall in a Christmas game.

The league said Friday that Wall was fined $15,000 for escalating the confrontation by pushing Acy. From wire reports

6 10 14 1/2

Memphis Houston Dallas San Antonio New Orleans NORTHWEST DIVISION

W 21 20 20 18 14

L 7 7 10 12 14

Pct .750 .741 .667 .600 .500

GB – 1/2 2 4 7

Portland Oklahoma City Denver Utah Minnesota PACIFIC DIVISION

W 23 14 12 9 5

L 7 16 17 20 22

Pct .767 .467 .414 .310 .185

GB – 9 10 1/2 13 1/2 16 1/2

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

W 23 20 16 12 9

L 5 10 14 16 20

Pct .821 .667 .533 .429 .310

GB – 4 8 11 14 1/2

THURSDAY’S GAMES

Washington 102, New York 91 Oklahoma City 114, San Antonio 106 Miami 101, Cleveland 91 Chicago 113, L.A. Lakers 93 L.A. Clippers 100, Golden State 86

FRIDAY’S GAMES

Brooklyn 109, Boston 107 Cleveland at Orlando, 7 p.m.

Milwaukee at Atlanta, 7:30 p.m.

Indiana at Detroit, 7:30 p.m.

San Antonio at New Orleans, 8 p.m.

Charlotte at Oklahoma City, 8 p.m.

Houston at Memphis, 8 p.m.

L.A. Lakers at Dallas, 8:30 p.m.

Minnesota at Denver, 9 p.m.

Philadelphia at Portland, 10 p.m.

Phoenix at Sacramento, 10 p.m.

TODAY’S GAMES

Toronto at L.A. Clippers, 3:30 p.m.

Boston at Washington, 7 p.m.

Orlando at Charlotte, 7 p.m.

Memphis at Miami, 7:30 p.m.

New Orleans at Chicago, 8 p.m.

Indiana at Brooklyn, 8 p.m.

Atlanta at Milwaukee, 8:30 p.m.

Philadelphia at Utah, 9 p.m.

New York at Sacramento, 10 p.m.

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

NFL STANDINGS

By The Associated Press AMERICAN CONFERENCE

BOWL SCHEDULE

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

FRIDAY

Heart of Dallas Bowl Louisiana Tech 35, Illinois 18 Quick Lane Bowl At Detroit Rutgers vs. North Carolina St. Petersburg (Fla.) Bowl UCF vs. N.C. State (late)

TODAY

Military Bowl At Annapolis, Md. Virginia Tech (6-6) vs. Cincinnati (9-3), 1 p.m.

(ESPN) Sun Bowl At El Paso, Texas Duke (9-3) vs. Arizona State (9-3), 2 p.m. (CBS) Independence Bowl At Shreveport, La. Miami (6-6) vs. South Carolina (6-6), 4 p.m.

(ESPN2) Pinstripe Bowl At Bronx, N.Y. Boston College (7-5) vs. Penn State (6-6), 4:30 p.m. (ESPN) Holiday Bowl At San Diego Nebraska (9-3) vs. Southern Cal (8-4), 8 p.m.

(ESPN)

MONDAY

Liberty Bowl At Memphis, Tenn.

West Virginia (7-5) vs. Texas A&M (7-5), 2 p.m.

(ESPN) Russell Athletic Bowl At Orlando, Fla. Clemson (9-3) vs. Oklahoma (8-4), 5:30 p.m.

(ESPN) Texas Bowl At Houston Texas (6-6) vs. Arkansas (6-6), 9 p.m. (ESPN)

DEC. 30

Music City Bowl At Nashville, Tenn.

Notre Dame (7-5) vs. LSU (8-4), 3 p.m. (ESPN) Belk Bowl At Charlotte Louisville (9-3) vs. Georgia (9-3), 6:30 p.m.

(ESPN) Fosters Farm Bowl At Santa Clara, Calif.

Stanford (7-5) vs. Maryland (7-5), 10 p.m.

(ESPN)

DEC. 31

Peach Bowl At Atlanta Mississippi (9-3) vs. TCU (11-1), 12:30 p.m.

(ESPN) Fiesta Bowl At Glendale, Ariz.

Boise State (11-2) vs. Arizona (10-3), 4 p.m.

(ESPN) Orange Bowl At Miami Gardens, Fla. Mississippi State (10-2) vs. Georgia Tech (103), 8 p.m. (ESPN)

JAN. 1

Outback Bowl At Tampa, Fla. Wisconsin (10-3) vs. Auburn (8-4), Noon (ESPN2) Cotton Bowl Classic At Arlington, Texas Michigan State (10-2) vs. Baylor (11-1), 12:30 p.m. (ESPN) Citrus Bowl At Orlando, Fla. Minnesota (8-4) vs. Missouri (10-3), 1 p.m.

(ABC) Rose Bowl At Pasadena, Calif.

Playoff semifinal: Oregon (12-1) vs. Florida State (13-0), 5 p.m. (ESPN) Sugar Bowl At New Orleans Playoff semifinal: Alabama (12-1) vs. Ohio State (12-1), 8:30 p.m. (ESPN) Armed Forces Bowl At Fort Worth, Texas Pittsburgh (6-6) vs. Houston (7-5), Noon (ESPN) TaxSlayer Bowl At Jacksonville, Fla. Iowa (7-5) vs. Tennessee (6-6), 3:20 p.m.

(ESPN) Alamo Bowl At San Antonio UCLA (9-3) vs. Kansas State (9-3), 6:45 p.m.

(ESPN) Cactus Bowl At Tempe, Ariz.

Oklahoma State (6-6) vs. Washington (8-5), 10:15 p.m. (ESPN)

JAN. 12

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

NBA STANDINGS

By The Associated Press EASTERN CONFERENCE ATLANTIC DIVISION W Toronto 22 Brooklyn 13 Boston 10 New York 5 Philadelphia 4 SOUTHEAST DIVISION W Atlanta 21 Washington 20 Miami 14 Orlando 11 Charlotte 10 CENTRAL DIVISION W Chicago 20 Cleveland 17

.483 .345 .179

EAST

JAN. 2

BASKETBALL ROUNDUP

15 19 23

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Noon – College Basketball: Georgetown vs. Indiana from New York (ESPN2).

Noon – High School Football: State Champions Bowl Series from Boca Raton, Fla. – Eastside Catholic (Wash.) vs. Trinity Christian (Fla.) (ESPNU).

Noon – College Basketball: Maine at Seton Hall (FOX SPORTS 1).

1 p.m. – College Football: Military Bowl from Annapolis, Md. – Cincinnati vs. Virginia Tech (ESPN).

2 p.m. – College Football: Sun Bowl from El Paso, Texas – Arizona State vs. Duke (WLTX 19).

2 p.m. – College Basketball: Kentucky at Louisville (ESPN2).

3:30 p.m. – College Football: Independence Bowl from Shreveport, La. – South Carolina vs.

Miami (WOLO 25, WIBZ-FM 95.5, WNKT-FM 107.5).

4 p.m. – College Basketball: Alabama-Birmingham at North Carolina (ESPN2).

4 p.m. – High School Football: State Champions Bowl Series from Boca Raton, Fla. – Bothell (Wash.) vs. Miami Central (Fla.) (ESPNU).

4:30 p.m. – College Football: Pinstripe Bowl from Bronx, N.Y. – Boston College vs. Penn State (ESPN).

6 p.m. – College Basketball: Gonzaga at Brigham Young (ESPN2).

6 p.m. – College Basketball: Mercer at Georgia (SEC NETWORK).

7 p.m. – NHL Hockey: Carolina at Tampa Bay (FOX SPORTSOUTH).

7 p.m. – NBA Basketball: Orlando at Charlotte (SPORTSOUTH).

7:30 p.m. – NBA Basketball: Memphis at Miami (NBA TV).

7:30 p.m. – NHL Hockey: Washington at Philadelphia (NBC SPORTS NETWORK).

8 p.m. – College Football: Holiday Bowl from San Diego – Nebraska vs. Southern California (ESPN).

8 p.m. – High School Football: State Champions Bowl Series from Boca Raton, Fla. – Bingham (Utah) vs. Booker T. Washington (Fla.) (ESPNU).

8:30 p.m. – College Basketball: Tennessee State at Tennessee (SEC NETWORK).

10 p.m. – NBA Basketball: New York at Sacramento (NBA TV).

10 p.m. – NHL Hockey: San Jose at Los Angeles (NBC SPORTS NETWORK).

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

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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SUNDAY’S GAMES

Indianapolis at Tennessee, 1 p.m.

Jacksonville at Houston, 1 p.m.

San Diego at Kansas City, 1 p.m.

Chicago at Minnesota, 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.

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

Carolina at Atlanta, 4:25 p.m.

Cincinnati at Pittsburgh, 8:30 p.m.

NHL STANDINGS

By The Associated Press

EASTERN CONFERENCE ATLANTIC DIVISION GP W Montreal 35 22 Tampa Bay 36 21 Detroit 35 18 Toronto 35 20 Boston 35 18 Florida 32 15 Ottawa 34 14 Buffalo 35 13 METROPOLITAN DIVISION GP W Pittsburgh 34 22 N.Y. Islanders 34 23 N.Y. Rangers 32 18 Washington 34 17 Philadelphia 34 14 Columbus 33 14 New Jersey 36 12 Carolina 34 10

L 11 11 8 12 14 9 14 19

OT 2 4 9 3 3 8 6 3

Pts GF GA 46 95 84 46 117 96 45 100 87 43 118 102 39 91 91 38 73 82 34 90 94 29 69 115

L 7 11 10 11 14 16 17 20

OT 5 0 4 6 6 3 7 4

Pts GF GA 49 108 80 46 105 94 40 97 83 40 99 90 34 97 101 31 80 107 31 78 104 24 70 93

OT 2 2 3 7 3 8 5

Pts GF GA 48 107 72 46 95 70 45 100 86 43 88 81 35 93 89 34 90 101 33 95 113

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

GP 35 33 34 35 32 34 33

W 23 22 21 18 16 13 14

L 10 9 10 10 13 13 14

GP W L OT Pts GF GA Anaheim 36 23 8 5 51 104 98 San Jose 35 19 11 5 43 99 90 Vancouver 33 20 11 2 42 99 91 Los Angeles 35 17 11 7 41 97 88 Calgary 36 18 15 3 39 104 98 Arizona 34 12 18 4 28 80 112 Edmonton 35 7 21 7 21 75 121 NOTE: Two points for a win, one point for overtime loss.

TODAY’S GAMES

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

Detroit at Ottawa, 7 p.m.

Carolina at Tampa Bay, 7 p.m.

New Jersey at N.Y. Rangers, 7 p.m.

Boston at Columbus, 7 p.m.

Winnipeg at Minnesota, 7 p.m.

Washington at Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m.

Dallas at St. Louis, 8 p.m.

Philadelphia at Nashville, 8 p.m.

Anaheim at Arizona, 8 p.m.

Chicago at Colorado, 9 p.m.

Edmonton at Calgary, 10 p.m.

San Jose at Los Angeles, 10 p.m.

SUNDAY’S GAMES

Toronto at Florida, 5 p.m.

Vancouver at Anaheim, 8 p.m.

PREP SPORTS

THE SUMTER ITEM

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2014

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B3

PREP BASKETBALL TOURNAMENTS SCHEDULE 10 a.m. – Chestnut Oaks vs. Bates (Girls) 11 a.m. – Chestnut Oaks vs. Southeast (Boys) Noon – Alice Drive vs. Furman (Girls) 1 p.m. – Alice Drive Ebenezer (Boys) 2 p.m. – Bates vs. Furman (Girls) 3 p.m. – Bates vs. Ebenezer (Boys) 4 p.m. – Alice Drive vs. Mayewood (Girls) 5 p.m. – Southeast vs. Furman (Boys) 6 p.m. – Chestnut Oaks vs. Mayewood (Girls) 7 p.m. – Chestnut Oaks vs. Mayewood (Boys)

DISTRICT 9 OFFICIALS TODAY

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

WEDNESDAY

1 p.m. – Girls Championship Game 2:30 p.m. – Boys Championship Game

LAKE MARION INVITATIONAL TODAY

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)

TODAY

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 at Crestwood High School 6 p.m.

Girls championship game 7:30 p.m.

Boys championship game

CHESTNUT OAKS MIDDLE SCHOOL TOURNAMENT 9 a.m. – Ebenezer vs. Hillcrest (Boys) 10 a.m. – Bates vs. Mayewood (Girls) 11 a.m. – Southeast vs. Mayewood (Boys) Noon – Chestnut Oaks vs. Furman (Girls) 1 p.m. – Chestnut Oaks vs. Furman (Boys) 2 p.m. – Furman vs. Mayewood (Girls) 3 p.m. – Furman vs. Mayewood (Boys) 4 p.m. – Chestnut Oaks vs. Alice Drive (Girls) 5 p.m. – Hillcrest vs. Alice Drive (Boys) 6 p.m. – Alice Drive vs. Bates (Girls) 7 p.m. – Alice Drive vs. Bates (Boys)

TUESDAY

9 a.m. – Hillcrest vs. Bates (Boys)

TODAY

10 a.m.

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

Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 4 (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)

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)

MONDAY

CAROLINA INVITATIONAL at North Charleston TODAY

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

11 a.m.

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

Loser Game 19 vs. Loser Game 13 (Auxiliary gym)

TUESDAY Consolation Girls Consolation Boys

2 p.m.

3:30 p.m.

5 p.m.

Championship Girls 6:30 p.m.

Championship Boys

NORTH CENTRAL HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT at North Central High School REL Boys vs. TBA

BEN LIPPEN NEW YEAR’S BLAST JAN. 2

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

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

Richard Winn vs. Fountain Inn Christian (boys)

MONDAY-TUESDAY

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

TODAY

MONDAY

MONDAY

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)

At Northwestern High, Rock Hill

MONDAY

10:15 a.m.

Bethesda Aca vs. Lakewood

RICHARD WINN CHRISTMAS CLASSIC MONDAY

2 p.m.

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

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

Thomas Sumter Academy girls & boys vs. Laurens Academy

JAN. 3

Thomas Sumter Academy girls & boys vs. Ben Lippen

SUMTER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL TOURNAMENT JAN. 2

3 p.m.

Marantha Christian girls vs. Sumter Christian girls 4:30 p.m.

Marantha Christian boys vs. Sumter Christian boys 6 p.m.

Lake Point girls vs. Mountain View girls 7:30 p.m.

Lake Point boys vs. Mountain View boys

JAN. 3

1 p.m.

Girls consolation game 2:30 p.m.

Boys consolation game 4 p.m.

Girls championship game 5:30 p.m.

Boys championship game

AREA ROUNDUP KEITH GEDAMKE / THE SUMTER ITEM

Crestwood’s Jahche Whitfield (11) tries to strip the ball from Spring Valley’s Joi Jones during the Lady Knights’ 37-33 loss on Friday during the opening day of the District 9 Officials Christmas Tournament at The Castle.

KNIGHT

DISTRICT 9 RESULTS

FROM PAGE B1

FRIDAY

of full-court diamond press and 1-3-1, but we’ve got to be able to take care of the ball in crucial times,” Wilson said. “We had plenty of opportunities to win the game, especially with free throws and talking care of the ball. We made some ill-advised turnovers tonight, and it cost us the ball game. I take my hat off to them. Spring Valley is a good team, a 4A school, and Coach Long always does a good job with them. I’ve got so much respect for her.”

While Spring Valley led for most of the game, Crestwood held leads early and late. The Lady Vikings led 6-2 before a 7-0 rally put the Lady Knights up 9-6. However, just as quickly as Crestwood jumped in front, Spring Valley answered with a 12-0 run to go up 18-9.

The teams played even for the remainder of the half as the Lady Vikings took a 24-15 lead into the halftime break.

The teams traded baskets to open the second half before Ladazha Cole hit a 3-point basket and sank two free throws after Long was called

GIRLS

Spring Valley 76, Kingstree 31 Lake City 59, Lamar 29 Lee Central 44, Darlington 38 Manning 52, C.A. Johnson 49 Hephizbah, N.C. 74, Lamar 34 Crestwood 60, Kingstree 34

BOYS

Lee Central 59, Fairfield Central 56 Manning 50, Lamar 49

for a technical foul, cutting the Spring Valley lead to four, 26-22. The lead was back up to seven, 31-24, when Crestwood went on an 8-0 run, including a Shaquanda Miller-McCray bucket and 3s from Cawasha Ceasar and Tyana Saunders, to take a 32-31 lead with 5:31 remaining in the 16-minute half.

Spring Valley’s Megan Davis sank the back-end of a 2-shot foul and Ceasar did the same for Crestwood to leave the score at 33-32 with 5:05 left. That would prove to be the Lady Knights’ last lead as the Lady Vikings, who improved to 7-3 with the win, scored the game’s final five points.

Wilson was proud of the way his team stayed in the game and still had a chance to

win late.

“The zone offense that we ran early on against what they were doing was wide open, but the girls were rushing their shots,” he said. “I think when we settled down, they started knocking (the shots) down.

Spring Valley came to play, and they wanted it more than us in the first half, and that’s why we dug ourselves in a hole. We just have to learn from our mistakes.”

Avis Murphy scored eight to top five players in the scoring column for Crestwood.

Christian Hithe, a former player at Sumter High School, and Joi Jones both had 11 to pace Spring Valley.

In its second game on Friday, Crestwood beat Kingstree 60-34. Caesar led the Lady Knights with 18. Lindsay Rogers had 10 and Saunders added nine.

SPRING VALLEY 37, CRESTWOOD 33 SVHS 24 13 — 37 CHS 15 18 — 33 SPRING VALLEY Dunlap 3, Christian Hithe 11, Joi Jones 11, Davis 5, Taylor 4, Matthews 3.

CRESTWOOD Ceasar 6, Cole 5, Saunders 7, Murphy 8, McCray 7.

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www.shannongreensgc.com

Expires January 7, 2015 Must present coupon

Sumter girls roll in Lake Marion tourney opener SANTEE — Sumter High School’s varsity girls basketball team defeated Westside High of Augusta, Ga., 70-20 in the opening game of the Lake Marion Invitational on Friday at the Lake Marion High gymnasium.

Sumter takes on Keenan today at 10 a.m.

Jessica Harris led the Lady Gamecocks, who had all 13 players score, with 11 points. Kiara Jones had 10 points and nine rebounds while Nijah Davis had 10 points.

Anna McBride had seven blocked shots.

Sumter led the game 37-6 at halftime.

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Christmas and New Years Display/Legal Advertising Deadlines EDITION

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

DEADLINE

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

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

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

B4

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2014

FOOTBALL

BOWL ROUNDUP

THE SUMTER ITEM

BOWL FROM PAGE B1 have been,’’ Johnson said.

The 5-foot-9, 206-pound Johnson has had a breakout season for the Hurricanes. He has 1,520 yards rushing — which ranks 13th in the country — and 10 touchdowns this season while averaging seven yards per carry.

South Carolina suffered a surprising home loss to Texas A&M in the season opener and could never get completely back on track. The Gamecocks have especially struggled on defense, giving up more than 31 points per game.

Veteran South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier is expecting a back-and-forth game against the Hurricanes. Spurrier has had just one losing season in 25 years of at the college level and that came during his first year — back in 1987 at Duke.

“We’ll try to play the entire game and try to finish this thing out,’’ Spurrier said. “So many games nowadays come down to that fourth quarter. Hopefully we’ll have us a good fourth quarter if it comes down to that.’’

Things to know about the Gamecocks and Hurricanes going into the Independence Bowl:

CURTAIN CALL THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Rutgers wide receiver Andre Patton (88) runs for a big gain during Rutgers’ 40-21 victory over North Carolina in the Quick Lane Bowl on Friday at Ford Field in Detroit.

Rutgers runs over UNC 40-21 DETROIT — Josh Hicks ran for 202 yards and a touchdown and Rutgers beat North Carolina 40-21 on Friday night in the inaugural Quick Lane Bowl at Ford Field.

Gary Nova threw for 184 yards and two touchdowns, and Robert Martin ran for 100 yards and two scores to help the Scarlet Knights (8-5) cap their first Big Ten season.

Hicks was selected the player of the game.

Owned and operated by the NFL’s Detroit Lions, the bowl replaced the Little Caesar’s Pizza Bowl, which had been played in Detroit under various names since 1997. The new bowl was hoped to make a bigger impact with a Big Ten vs.

ACC matchup, but drew a disappointing crowd. The announced attendance was 23,876 — smaller than all but one Pizza Bowl — and the actual crowd appeared to be less than half of that.

Rutgers led 40-7 before the Tar Heels (6-7) scored twice in the final 7 minutes. North Carolina also had two second-half touchdown passes taken away because of interference penalties.

North Carolina beat Rutgers in three recent regular-season meetings, but was outplayed from the first snap Friday.

Marquise Williams was never able to get going, although he did throw for one score and run for another.

The Scarlet Knights lost the coin toss, but got the ball when North Carolina deferred. They only needed 2:17 to take the

GANO FROM PAGE B1 him is being focused and ready. This game is about as big as it gets, so who knows?’’

Gano’s 46-yard miss on Nov. 16 against the Falcons was a tough blow for the Panthers — and the fans in their home stadium — after Cam Newton had driven the team into field goal range with a series of pass completions.

Figuring they could count on Gano, the Panthers went with three conservative plays calls after reaching the Atlanta 32.

The three runs netted just 4 yards.

The strategy failed when the right-footed Gano hooked the 46-yarder wide left.

Gano said it took him “about two seconds’’ to put the kick behind him. He got another shot as time expired and felt like he hit the 63-yarder well,

HEART OF DALLAS BOWL LOUISIANA TECH 35 ILLINOIS 18

lead, with Nova hitting a wideopen Andre Patton for a 34yard touchdown strike.

North Carolina got into Rutgers’ territory its first two drives, but turned the ball over on the first and punted on the second. The Tar Heels blocking a punt to take over at the 30, but the drive stalled at the 5 and a fake field goal was buried for a 4-yard loss.

The Scarlet Knights answered with a 91-yard drive that ended with Hicks’ 21-yard run that made it 14-0 early in the second. Rutgers then turned another Tar Heels fumble into a quick touchdown — Martin’s 8-yard run — but missed the extra point, leaving it 20-0.

The Tar Heels missed a field goal, then shanked a punt 20 yards, allowing Rutgers to kick a 19-yard field goal that made it 23-0 at halftime.

Williams got North Carolina on the board with a 1-yard run, but the Scarlet Knights came back with a 34-yard pass from Nova to Andrew Turzilli to make it 30-7. Martin’s second touchdown run — this one from 28 yards — gave Rutgers a 30-point advantage early in the fourth.

but it was low coming out and blocked.

Like a cornerback who gets beat on a deep pass, Gano said kickers have to have short memories.

“If you don’t then you won’t last very long in this league,’’ Gano said. “I’ve faced adversity before and you have to handle it and move on.’’

In injury news, running back DeAngelo Williams is listed as probable after missing the last three games with a broken hand. Williams practiced fully all week with a cast on his hand. Coach Ron Rivera said he still has some concern whether the franchise’s alltime leading rusher will be able to stand up to pass protection and catch the ball with the injury.

“He has taken a lot of reps, but there are still a few things we want to see more than anything else,’’ Rivera said Friday.

Rivera said the team will “do

DALLAS — Kenneth Dixon scored one of his two touchdowns on an 80-yard reception and Xavier Woods scored on a 69-yard interception return to help Louisiana Tech beat Illinois 35-18 in the Heart of Dallas Bowl.

The Bulldogs (9-5) also got touchdown runs of 16 yards from Jarred Craft and 28 yards from Blake Martin on a dark, overcast day at the Cotton Bowl stadium.

Illinois (6-7) struggled early with penalties and missed field goals, but got within three points on David Reisner’s 43yard field goal early in the fourth quarters. But Dixon scored his second TD from one yard out with six minutes left to make it 28-18 and the Illini couldn’t answer.

Illinois appeared to have gotten a break when LaKeith Walls sacked Cody Sokol, causing him to fumble. But Jihad Ward returned it 19 yards and fumbled, letting Sokol recover.

That drive was capped by Dixon’s TD. Dixon became Louisiana Tech’s career leader in yards rushing, finishing with 63 for a total of 3,410 in three seasons.

Tech’s Houston Bates was chosen the game’s most valuable player, recording 4 1/2 sacks against his former school.

From wire reports

some things on the side’’ with Williams to test him out before making a final decision on his playing status, but wouldn’t elaborate.

The fourth-year coach remained coy about the team’s plans for Sunday, but it’s expected the Panthers will rely heavily on Jonathan Stewart.

Rivera said Stewart is running as well as he’s ever seen him run in recent weeks. Stewart is averaging 109.2 yards per game and 5.6 yards per carry over the last four games.

When asked if Stewart would still see the vast majority of reps on Sunday, Rivera said “we will call the plays accordingly as to who is supposed to be in there.’’

Williams has missed nine games due to injuries. He has 219 yards rushing on 62 carries this year.

Stewart leads the team with 760 yards rushing and three touchdowns.

South Carolina running back Mike Davis said earlier this week that Saturday’s game would be his final appearance on a college field before becoming eligible for the NFL draft.

The 5-foot-9, 223-pound junior has had a somewhat disappointing season, running for 927 yards after gaining 1,183 on the ground a year ago.

WHERE IS THE DEFENSE? If South Carolina’s woes can be traced back to one

5 KEYS FROM PAGE B1 help. Three straight 11-win seasons, 42 victories in the past four years, has made it where just getting to a bowl game is not that big of a deal to the Gamecock faithful.

While USC won’t be playing for an 11-win season or a top 10 finish today, this might be the biggest bowl game Carolina has had in many years.

Say what you want, but 7-6 sounds a whole lot better than 6-7. It may not make much difference in the record books in 50 years, but a victory today will make a big difference in the perception of the program at this time.

With all of the talk about the future of Spurrier, defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward and his staff, the decommitments from the upcoming recruiting class and the panic that has caused among some of the fans, a win over Miami would at least right the ship for the time being and offer some “hope” to those upset fans.

Following are five keys to USC getting that win.

1. BE READY TO PLAY This season came nowhere close to the preseason expectations that surrounded this team, another reason for the abject disappointment. While the Gamecocks can do nothing about the first 12 games now, they obviously have this game in their control.

USC needs to play this game with a purpose, with a focus, from the coin toss until the last second ticks off the clock. It shouldn’t matter how many people are — or aren’t — in the stands, there needs to be an excitement among the Carolina players.

2. STOP THE RUN Carolina needs to sell out on the run and dare the Hurricanes to beat them through the air. Ob-

particular issue, it’s a defense that has given up more than 31 points per game. Miami’s defense has better overall statistics, but wasn’t very good during its three-game losing streak to end the season, giving up at least 30 points in each loss.

SOGGY SATURDAY The weather forecast for Saturday’s game calls for plenty of rain. South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier said the Gamecocks haven’t had to deal with rain much this season and that the coaching staff will try to make sure everyone is prepared: Said Spurrier: “You’ve got to cut off the correct foot. Don’t cut off the wrong foot or you’re going to fall on your fanny.’’

WHO WANTS TO BE HERE? It’s not a secret that Shreveport was not the destination of choice for South Carolina or Miami at the beginning of the season.

But both Miami coach Al Golden and South Carolina’s Spurrier expect their teams to be prepared on Saturday. “I can’t speak for coach Spurrier or South Carolina, but for us, we came here with a mission.

From our standpoint, these guys have done an incredible job of practicing and keeping everything in perspective.’’

POSTSEASON STREAKS Miami is hoping to break a four-game bowl losing streak since its 2006 MPC Computers Bowl victory over Nevada. South Carolina is trying to win its fourth straight bowl game, which would be the longest postseason streak in school history. The Gamecocks have beaten Nebraska (Capital One Bowl), Michigan (Outback) and Wisconsin (Capital One) over the past three seasons.

viously, some teams have been able to beat South Carolina throwing the ball, but Miami’s long suit is running the football and USC needs to try and deny that.

The Hurricanes’ Duke Johnson is one of the best running backs in the country and has had a great season. USC needs to find a way to make it very hard on him.

3. LIMIT THE BIG PLAYS Those two long “pass” plays from Clemson quarterback DeShaun Watson to wide receiver Artavis Scott pretty much spelled the difference in USC’s 35-17 loss to the Tigers.

Carolina can’t afford to give up a lot of “easy” points, even though some detractors might say it’s never been difficult to score against the Gamecocks this season.

4. DON’T FORGET TO RUN Even though USC has some strong running backs in Mike Davis and Brandon Wilds, it has had a tendency to stray away from the run when it doesn’t enjoy success in the early going. It needs to stick with the run on a consistent basis today.

That takes all of the pressure off of quarterback Dylan Thompson.

When the opposition has more to worry about than just getting to Thompson, he is much more effective.

5. USE THE PHAROH BAG OF TRICKS Spurrier always talks about bowls being a great time to use trick plays, and he has proven he will do that over the years. He needs to make sure Pharoh Cooper is in on one of those trick play and simply has the ball in his has hands on many others.

Cooper is easily the Gamecocks’ best wide receiver, but he has proven to be dynamic in the Wildcat formation. He needs several opportunities to make things happen.

TELEVISION

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7:30

Entertainment Tonight (N) (HD) 3 10

News 19 @ 7pm Inside Edition (N) 9

9 Evening news up- (HD)

date.

Wheel of Fortune Jeopardy! (HD) 5 12 (HD)

Tales from the Royal Bedchamber WRJA E27 11 14 Intimate look at past monarchs. (HD) WACH E57 WKTC E63

The Big Bang

The Big Bang Theory Leonard’s problem. (HD) mom. (HD) Community: So- Community: Ad4 22 cial Psychology vanced Criminal (HD) Law (HD) 6

6 Theory Penny’s

8 PM

8:30

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2014

9 PM 9:30 LOCAL CHANNELS

WWE Tribute to the Troops WWE Law & Order: Special Victims Unit superstars honor servicemen. (N) Squad investigates sex crimes. (HD) (HD) Hawaii Five-0: Pukana Chin is put in 48 Hours Award-winning broadcast danger as a murder suspect may be a journalists present in-depth investiserial killer. (HD) gative reports.

Norbit (‘07, Comedy) ac Eddie Murphy. A timid man who is married to a domineering tyrant meets the woman of his dreams and resolves to find a way to be with her, despite his wife’s objections. (HD) Doc Martin: Dry Your Tears Martin is Father Brown: The Eye of Apollo asked to return to London to resume Wife of cult leader turns up dead. his old duties.

(HD) Bones: The Corpse at the Convention Sleepy Hollow: The Weeping Lady A corpse is found in a stairwell. (HD) Un-dead Weeping Lady terrorizing town. (HD) The First Family The First Family Mr. Box Office Mr. Box Office President’s family. President’s family. Star must teach. Star must teach.

(HD) (HD) (HD) (HD)

10 PM

10:30

11 PM

Saturday Night Live Late-night com- WIS News 10 at edy featuring sketch comedy, celeb 11:00pm News hosts, and music. (HD) and weather.

48 Hours Award-winning broadcast News 19 @ 11pm journalists present in-depth investi- The news of the gative reports. day.

20/20 (N) (HD) ABC Columbia News at 11 (HD) Moone Boy: Handball Duel (HD) WACH FOX News at 10 Nightly news report.

Anger Management The guys clash. (HD)

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B5

12 AM

(:29) Saturday Night Live Sketch comedy, celebrity hosts & music.

(HD) (:35) Scandal: Blown Away Olivia helps the Vice President. (HD) White Collar: By the Book Mozzie fears love has been kidnapped. (HD)

Spy: Codename: Austin City Limits: Radiohead Songs Jammin at HipLoser (HD) from “The King of Limbs.” (HD) pie Jack’s: Amy Speace Road to Signing (:15) Axe Cop: (:45) Axe Cop: Ring of Honor Day Babysitting Birthday Month Wrestling (N) Unibaby (HD) (HD) (HD) Anger Manage- Cougar Town: Cougar Town: Access Hollyment Second Mystery of Love Walls Ellie steps wood Top stories. chance. (HD) (HD) in. (HD) (N) (HD)

CABLE CHANNELS Criminal Minds: A Shade of Gray Criminal Minds: The Big Wheel (:01) Criminal Minds: Roadkill Series (:01) Criminal arsonist. (HD) break killer. (HD) Missing boy. (HD) Killer’s videotape. (HD) of vehicular murders. (HD) Minds (HD) Jurassic Park (‘93, Science Fiction) aaac Sam Neill. A billionaire invites scientists to tour a 180 (5:00) The Lost World: Jurassic Park Jurassic Park III (‘01, Science Fiction) aac Sam Neill. Dr. Grant is de(‘97) aac Jeff Goldblum. ceived into returning to the island to help find a lost boy. (HD) park featuring living dinosaurs. (HD) 100 Oddest Animal Couples (HD) Animal Planet Best Fest (N) Animal Planet Best Fest (N) Oddest Animal Couples (HD) Animal Planet Best Fest (HD) Oddest (HD) (:24) The Game The Game (HD) 162 (:11) The Game (:47) The Game Derwin and Melanie (:23) The Game The Game (HD) (:35) The Game (:11) The Game (:48) The Game: Hit Me with Your (HD) get into a dispute. (HD) (HD) (HD) (HD) Best Shot Steroid usage. (HD) (HD) (5:30) Ocean’s Twelve (‘04, Com Fast Five (‘11, Ac tion) aaa Vin Die sel.

For mer cop and ex-con team up on the wrong Fast Five (‘11, Ac tion) aaa Vin Die sel.

Former cop and ex-con team up 181 edy) aac George Clooney. side of the law for one last job. on the wrong side of the law for one last job.

62 Super Rich Super Rich Super Rich Super Rich The Suze Orman Show (N) Greed Ponzi in Brooklyn.

Greed The money shrinks.

Suze Orman 64 The Hunt: Family Annihilator The Hunt: Point Blank Murder The Hunt: Trafficking in Death The Hunt: Under the Influence The Hunt: Justice Denied The Hunt (:25) Jeff Dunham: All Over the Jeff Dunham: Controlled Chaos Jeff Dunham introJeff Dunham: Arguing with Myself Jeff Dunham: All Over the Map Jeff Shallow Hal (‘01) 136 (6:19) Jeff Dunham: Arguing Map On tour. duces two new puppets. (HD) Crazy puppets. and puppet friends on tour. aac (HD) Dog Blog: Stan I Didn’t Do It: Bi- Liv and Maddie Jessie: Ride to Lab Rats: Brother Kickin’ It (HD) Star Wars Rebels Dog Blog: The Dog Blog: Dog 80 Jessie Wedding Jessie: Coffee plans. (HD) Talk (HD) Falls in Love cycle Thief (HD) Riches (HD) Battle (HD) (HD) Parrot Trap With a Hog 103 Deadliest Catch (HD) Deadliest Catch (HD) Deadliest Catch (HD) Deadliest Catch (HD) Deadliest Catch (HD) Deadliest (HD) 35 College Football z{| (HD) College Football: Nebraska Cornhuskers vs USC Trojans from Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego z{| (HD) SportsCenter (HD) 39 (6:00) College Basketball (HD) SEC Storied: The Book of Manning (HD) 30 for 30: Brian and The Boz (HD) Sports (HD) Colin’s (HD) NBA (HD) Casper (‘95) 131 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (‘07, Fan- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (‘09, Fantasy) aaa Daniel Radcliffe. A wizard and his friends stumble upon a peculiar tasy) Daniel Radcliffe. Dumbledore’s Army. (HD) manuscript that belongs to the “Half-Blood Prince” and may reveal the early days of his powerful enemy. (HD) aac (HD) 109 Chopped (HD) Chopped Amateur winners. (HD) Chopped Heroes compete. (HD) Chopped (HD) Chopped Grand finale. (HD) Chopped (HD) 74 FOX Report Saturday (HD) Huckabee (N) (HD) Justice with Judge Jeanine (N) Geraldo Rivera Reports Red Eye (HD) Justice (HD) 42 NHL Hockey: Carolina Hurricanes at Tampa Bay Lightning from Amalie Arena (HD) Postgame Golden Boy Live: from Fairfield, Calif. no} (HD) NHL Hockey A Very Merry Mix Up (‘13, Holiday) Alicia Witt. A shop owner travels to stay A Bride for Christmas (‘12, Romance) Arielle Kebbel. A man participates in Let It Snow (‘13) 183 (6:00) Christmas at Cartwright’s (‘14, Holiday) Alicia Witt. (HD) with her fiance’s parents for the holidays. (HD) a wedding wager. (HD) (HD) 112 Flop Flop Property Brothers (HD) Property Brothers (HD) Hunters Dream fixer-upper.

Hunters (HD) Hunters (HD) Prop Bro (HD) 110 Pawn Stars Pawn Stars Pawn Stars Pawn Stars Pawn Stars Pawn Stars Pawn Stars Pawn Stars Pawn Stars Pawn Stars Pawn Stars Law & Order: Criminal Intent: Faith Law & Order: Criminal Intent: Tux- Law & Order: Criminal Intent: Dead Law & Order: Criminal Intent: Law & Order: 160 Law & Order: Criminal Intent: Badge Police corruption. (HD) Publisher murdered. (HD) edo Hill (HD) Contract killer. (HD) Bright Boy Double murder. (HD) Criminal (HD) A Wife’s Nightmare (‘14, Thriller) Jennifer Beals. Wife suspects something Movie A Wife’s Night145 (6:00) Movie is amiss after husband’s long-lost daughter appears. (HD) mare (‘14) (HD) 76 Caught on Camera (HD) Caught on Camera (HD) Lockup (HD) Lockup (N) (HD) Lockup Death by friend. (HD) Lockup (HD) 91 Jinxed (HD) Henry Henry Nicky Thunderman Haunted (HD) Prince Prince Friends (HD) Friends (HD) How I Met 154 Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (‘89) Harrison Ford. (HD) (:18) Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (‘08, Adventure) aac Harrison Ford. (HD) Jumper (‘08) aa 152 Ragin’ Cajun Redneck Gators (‘13, Science Fiction) Jordan Hinson. Families Robocroc (‘13, Science Fiction) Corin Nemec. Twenty-foot-long crocodile Bait (‘12, Action) aa Xavier Samuel. A tsunami hits a try to get rid of giant gators. transformed into killing machine by military drone. beach community.

The Big Bang The Big Bang The Big Bang The Big Bang The Big Bang Ground Floor: Blades of Glory (‘07, Comedy) 156 Loves Raymond Loves Raymond The Big Bang (HD) (HD) Theory (HD) Theory (HD) Theory (HD) Theory (HD) Theory (HD) Theory (HD) Space Invader aac Will Ferrell. Figure skaters. (:15) Adventures of Robinson Crusoe (‘54, Adventure) aaac Dan Lord of the Flies 186 (4:00) Lawrence of Arabia (‘62, Ad- The Black Stallion (‘79, Family) aaac Kelly Reno. A boy and a wild venture) aaaa Peter O’Toole. horse triumph over adversity while stranded on a remote island.

O’Herlihy. Man is stranded on desert island. (‘63) aaa 157 Untold Stories of the E.R. (HD) Untold Stories of the E.R (HD) Untold Stories of the ER Sex Sent Me to the ER (N) (HD) Sex Sent Me to the ER (N) (HD) Untold 158 (6:00) Clash of the Titans (‘10, Ad- 300 (‘07, Action) aaac Gerard Butler. Three hundred Spartans fight to Transporter: The Series: T2 Work- Transporter: The Series: T2 Work- The Librarians venture) Sam Worthington. (HD) the death against the formidable Persian army. (HD) ing with a competitor. (N) (HD) ing with a competitor. (HD) (HD) 102 Dumbest Prison escapist.

Dumbest Fashion models.

Dumbest Base-jumper.

Barmageddon Dumbest Almost-nude robber. (:02) Dumbest 161 Fam. Feud Fam. Feud Fam. Feud Fam. Feud Raymond (HD) Raymond (HD) Queens (HD) Queens (HD) Queens (HD) Queens (HD) Friends (HD) NCIS: Dead Re flec tion Navy lieu ten NCIS: Bal ti more Tony’s old days as NCIS: Swan Song Port-to-Port killer NCIS: Pyr a mid Port-to-Port killer’s NCIS: Na ture of the Beast Des per ate The Bourne Ulti132 ant’s murder on camera. (HD) Baltimore detective. (HD) infiltrates NCIS. (HD) identity. (HD) answers. (HD) matum (‘07) She’s All That (‘99, Comedy) Freddie Prinze Jr. Student loves nerd.

Mean Girls (‘04, Comedy) aaa Lindsay Lohan. A-list girl clique.

Mean Girls (‘04, Comedy) aaa Lindsay Lohan.

172 Manhattan (:22) Manhattan: Tangier (HD) Manhattan: The Gun Model (HD) Manhattan: Perestroika (HD) (:29) Man on Fire (‘04, Drama) aaac Denzel Washington.

A&E

46 130 Criminal Minds: House on Fire Serial Criminal Minds: Conflicted Spring

AMC

48

ANPL

41

BET

61

BRAVO

47

CNBC CNN

35 33

COM

57

DISN

18

DSC ESPN ESPN2

42 26 27

FAM

20

FOOD FOXN FSS

40 37 31

HALL

52

HGTV HIST

39 45

ION

13

LIFE

50

MSNBC NICK SPIKE

36 16 64

SYFY

58

TBS

24

TCM

49

TLC

43

TNT

23

TRUTV TVLAND

38 55

USA

25

WE WGN

68 8

Jennifer Beals inhabits ‘A Wife’s Nightmare’

BY KEVIN MCDONOUGH With Christmas in the rearview mirror, Lifetime can return to form. More than any other network, Lifetime used holiday specials to break out of its mold and expand its appeal.

While its rival, the Hallmark channel, stuck to tried and true Christmas romances like “A Bride for Christmas” (10 p.m., Saturday, r, TV-PG), Lifetime offered the R&B special “An En Vogue Christmas,” the baby-boomer memoir “Wishin’ and Hopin’” and “Grumpy Cat’s Worst Christmas Ever” aimed squarely at eye-rolling millennials.

As the title implies, “A Wife’s Nightmare” (8 p.m., Saturday, Lifetime, TV-14) fits right into the network’s women-in-peril wheelhouse. Jennifer Beals stars as Liz, just recently returned from treatment for a mental breakdown. Her placid suburban reality is threatened when Caitlin (Katherine McNamara), young, blond, beautiful and vulnerable, shows up

on her doorstep claiming to be the long-lost daughter Liz’s husband, Gabe (Dylan Neal), never knew existed.

At first, “Wife” asks audiences to walk a minute in Liz’s shoes. How would anyone react in the face of a helpless waif claiming to be a mysterious daughter?

This being a Lifetime movie, Caitlin has an immediate and malignant impact on Liz’s happy home. It’s not too long before her husband’s actions seem strange to her and she begins to question her grip on reality. Now that’s a Lifetime movie!

There are lazy Sundays and there is the lazy Sunday between Christmas and New Year’s. It’s a good thing there is so much marathon programming to keep you from getting off the couch. Or even out of bed.

• BET offers a solid weekend of chances to catch “The Game” (8 a.m., TV-14).

• AMC unspools a “Breaking

Bad” (TV-14) marathon beginning with the series pilot (10 a.m. to 5:12 a.m. Monday).

• CNN asks viewers to return to “The Sixties” (7 p.m. through 2 a.m., Monday, r). Not to give too much away, but a documentary series on “The Seventies” is in the works.

• Cable networks aren’t the only ones in the repeat game.

On three helpings of “Revenge” (ABC, r, TV-14), a secret revealed (8 p.m.), a secret withheld (9 p.m.) another secret exposed (10 p.m.). Not sure this series stands up to continued exposure.

• BBC America has been in a “Doctor Who” marathon since Christmas Eve that lasts until Monday morning.

• “Cops Reloaded” (2:30 p.m., CMT) never seems to run out of rounds, airing for nearly 12 straight hours.

• Folks who can’t get enough of watching people who can’t buy enough stuff can park themselves in front of a “Storage Wars” (2 p.m. through 3:30

a.m. Monday, A&E, TV-14) marathon.

• Women go over the edge and beyond in the 14-hour “Snapped” (10 a.m., Oxygen, TV-14) marathon.

• Are you feeling lucky?

Reelz offers a night of hardboiled Clint Eastwood thrillers: “The Dead Pool” (6 p.m.); “Dirty Harry” (8 p.m.) and “Magnum Force” (10:30 p.m.).

• The six-part series “Pot Barons of Colorado” (10 p.m., MSNBC) concludes its look at the entrepreneurs who hope to create a sustainable industry from Colorado’s marijuana legalization.

SATURDAY’S HIGHLIGHTS • Catch the first six episodes of “The Missing” (6:05, Starz, TVMA), among the best new shows of the year.

• Eddie Murphy stars in the 2007 comedy “Norbit” (8 p.m., ABC).

• “Michael Sam” (9 p.m., OWN) profiles a football player’s journey.

SUNDAY’S HIGHLIGHTS • Scheduled on “60 Minutes” (7 p.m., CBS): a conversation with close friends of Pope Francis as well as a look inside the vast Vatican Library.

• A mother fears for her daughter’s safety in the 2014 thriller “Deadly Daycare” (8 p.m., LMN, TV-14).

• Season four of “Downton Abbey” concludes on “Masterpiece Classic” (9 p.m., PBS, r, check local listings).

• Jane tangles with a colonel on “The Mentalist” (9:30 p.m., CBS, TV-14).

• Valerie worries if success has made a failure of her home on “The Comeback” (10 p.m., HBO, TV-MA).

• Vanessa Williams stars in a musical take on the Scrooge story in the 2000 made-for-television romp “A Diva’s Christmas Carol” (10 p.m., VH1).

• C.B. DeMille directed an epic retelling of the life of Christ in the 1927 silent “The King of Kings” (midnight, TCM).

Disney’s ‘Into the Woods’ scores 2 ½ stars out of 4

BY LINDSEY BAHR AP Film Writer

This is one Disney film that’s definitely not a light fairy tale.

For those unfamiliar with Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s 1987 Broadway musical, that fact might come as a surprise. Fans, meanwhile, will probably be left wondering where the subversive edge has gone.

Disney has chosen to take the middle ground here, cutting, smoothing and refining to create something more palatable to the masses. Devotees might scoff, but director Rob Marshall, his team and his charismatic cast have created a deliriously dark and engrossing spectacle that seems a worthy addition to the movie musical canon — until the last 45 minutes, when it all falls apart.

“Into the Woods” brings together the stories of Cinderella (Anna Kendrick), Jack and the Beanstalk (Daniel Huttlestone), Red Riding Hood (Lilla Crawford), and Rapunzel (MacKenzie Mauzy) when a witch (Meryl Streep) challeng-

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Meryl Streep appears in a scene from “Into the Woods.” es a Baker (James Corden) and his wife (Emily Blunt) to retrieve a number of objects -- a red cape, blonde hair, a white cow, and a golden slipper. If they succeed, she’ll regain her beauty and bless them with a child.

A manic opening thrusts you into these disparate lives, but soon the quest of the bumbling Baker and his beautiful wife takes hold and powers the first half of the film with a

lively, infectious energy.

Blunt and Corden anchor the film with their humanity and humor, while Streep, sporting a ratty, cerulean blue mane, belts her way out of “Mamma Mia” prison and into our musical goodwill, delivering some of the film’s most emotional moments.

Kendrick is as delightful as possible as an indecisive Cinderella, too, but the biggest surprise comes from Chris

Pine who proves his comedic prowess by carrying on our modern tradition of poking fun at the idea of “Prince Charming.” He and Rapunzel’s Prince (Billy Magnussen) steal the show with the unforgettable “Agony”_an ode to unrequited love and one-upmanship from the handsomest dolts you’re likely to meet.

The only performer who falters is Disney’s own dark prince Johnny Depp who slurs his way through the sleazy “Hello, Little Girl,” aiming for what sounds like his best David Bowie impression. Its brevity is its only saving grace.

But, the most glaring issue with “Into the Woods” is the story itself. Just when you think it’s reached an appropriate conclusion, you glance at your watch and realize that there’s still nearly half a film left. Things get infinitely weirder and darker and end up nullifying most of what was captivating in the first part.

Apparently the second half is even divisive in the theater community. Some productions choose to leave it out entirely.

It’s hard to fault the Mouse

House for trying to play it a bit safe. They’ve got a story that involves a mashup of some their most beloved fairy tale characters, and also rape, adultery, and a whole lot of death and cynicism. It hasn’t been completely sterilized, either. The beats are still there, just obscured ever so slightly.

So, when Red Riding Hood sings that she “knows things now” following a dramatic run-in with the predatory wolf, it is exactly what you think.

It’s hard not to get swept up in the grand production of it all. The film looks timeless with its gothic intricacy and disinterest in being modern or trendy. In 30 years, the costume design is not going to date the film. Also the perpetually present wind and sweeping overhead shots of the village and woods makes it feel like you are indeed somewhere real.

But the magic drains as the minutes wear on_that’s the danger of teasing the audience with a false ending.

Running time: 124 minutes.

Two and a half stars out of four.

B6

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COMICS

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2014

BIZARRO

SOUP TO NUTZ

ANDY CAPP

GARFIELD

BEETLE BAILEY

BORN LOSER

BLONDIE

ZITS

MOTHER GOOSE

DOG EAT DOUG

DILBERT

JEFF MACNELLY’S SHOE

Neat-freak’s girlfriend sweeps suggestions aside DEAR ABBY — Is nitpicking a poor trait to have? I see it as a positive thing as long as matters are brought up Dear Abby in a helpful way. If you ABIGAIL want a VAN BUREN healthy relationship with the person you live with, isn’t it best to tell her what you think should be done and how?

Two examples: My girlfriend likes to take her socks off when she’s lying on the couch. She rolls them off her feet with the opposite foot and they sometimes end up in the corner of the couch,

THE SUMTER ITEM

but most of the time on the floor. Also, dishes never get rinsed off, washed or put away on time. The sock thing is gross, and the dishes end up stinking or the food gets stuck on them. Also, the dishes sit in the strainer, not the cupboard.

My girlfriend thinks I go overboard and bombard her with these suggestions. I’d like to know how you and your readers feel about nitpicking.

Likes things neat in Louisville DEAR LIKES THINGS NEAT — I find it interesting that you used the term “nitpicking.” Is that what your girlfriend calls it when you tell her she’s doing something that bothers you? Nitpicking en-

THE DAILY CROSSWORD PUZZLE

compasses more than asking someone to pick up her socks or not leave the dishes in the sink or on the counter. (If she washes them, shouldn’t YOU put them into the cupboard?)

There are few things that a neatnik finds more upsetting than living with someone who is disorganized. You and your girlfriend appear to have some very basic differences.

If you’re planning to make this romance a lifelong commitment, I’m warning both of you in advance that you can’t change another person. Got it?

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.

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 2014 hightech release using the slogan “Bigger than bigger” 7 1987 sci-fi film 14 Pointer, perhaps 15 Soften 16 Feeding trough 17 Opinion 18 Qantas’ main hub, in itineraries 19 Winner of the 1997 and 1998 Super Bowls 21 Little shaver 22 DJ Alan Freed’s nickname 24 Seething 26 14-Across’ concern 27 1959 Bobby Rydell hit 30 Luncheon follower?

31 Concede 32 Pickle 33 Meeting focus 34 Big name in lingerie 38 Knight wear 40 Hunny lover 41 Body exhibiting sudden increases in brightness 44 Monterrey jack?

45 Navigation

acronym 46 Rose in a big way 48 O, at times 49 1944 Pacific island battle site 51 __-eared 53 Against 56 Cuddles 58 Trusts 59 Features of many impromptu speeches 60 “Something wrong?”

61 Least honest DOWN 1 Some old notebooks 2 Kid’s bud 3 Fliers, maybe 4 Shocked letters 5 “You __ bother” 6 Fumbled, say 7 “Lady Jane Grey” dramatist 8 Sign of something gone bad 9 Raymond James Stadium NFLer 10 Encouraging word 11 Playground retort 12 Holy Roman emperor, 1209-’15 13 Grinder

15 Group label further popularized by a 1991 selfnamed documentary 20 Exasperated words 23 Fat substitute 24 Brief creator: Abbr.

25 Goof 26 Like La Ni–a, e.g.: Abbr.

28 Gingerbread house adornment 29 Reveals, poetically 31 Some parlors, briefly 35 Hopeless 36 Joker’s array 37 Relaxed responses 39 __ Lingus

41 Key of Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 24 42 Vent part 43 “Measure for Measure” deputy 44 Prison buddy?

47 Small flying predators 49 Zaire’s Mobutu __ Seko 50 Quark locale 52 “Hey!” relative 54 Needle 55 Pierre’s pinch?

57 Pierre’s permission