INSIDE: Late U.S. soldier will be recognized for saving Jews in World War II A3 THE CLARENDON SUN
Courthouse Grand Reopening draws S.C. Justice Toal A6 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2015
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Haley to farmers: ‘We can’t help you’ Turbeville man calls governor’s comments ‘a slap in the face’ BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com “If you are underinsured, we can’t help you.” That was Gov. Nikki Haley’s message to the state’s farmers as she outlined projected costs from October’s
1,000-year flood at a news conference in Columbia Tuesday. “Insurance is key for farmers,” she said. However, Marshall Thomas, Government Affairs Division Counsel for the Farm Bureau Federation said fed-
eral insurance programs are not designed to cover events such as those that occurred in the state this year. “None of the business planning in the world could have predicted two disasters in one year — drought and flood,” Thomas said. “Even the most diligent farmers who got all the crop insurance available are making the decision whether to remain in business next year — if it hasn’t already been decided for them.” The governor also said the state will need to pay at least $114.8 million to
meet its match of federal spending on damaged roads caused by the flood. That includes spending on federally eligible roads ($71 million), public assistance roads HALEY ($37 million) and ineligible roads ($28.4 million), she said. Haley will ask the General Assembly to use part of $1.2 billion in unobligated funds predicted to be
SEE FARMERS, PAGE A10
Start conversation about hospice care now Agapé hosts event to raise awareness BY ADRIENNE SARVIS adrienne@theitem.com Colorful umbrellas were displayed in the green space at Central Carolina Technical College Wednesday morning to raise awareness about hospice care and in celebration of National Hospice Month, to remember patients who recently died. Hospice care involves providing medical and living assistance for patients with chronic or terminal illness. Patients can receive care at their home or in a hospice housing facility. The hospice awareness event was organized by Agapé Hospice, the largest hospice provider in South Carolina, according to the organization’s website. The company has facilities and volunteers in Sumter, Manning and 18 other locations across the state. KEITH GEDAMKE / THE SUMTER ITEM Agapé Regional Marketing Family and friends who lost someone in Hospice care give each other support during the reading of the names of Sumter residents lost in the Director Jay Pruitt said the
last year. The umbrellas are a reminder of those lost and to raise awareness of hospice care. The Wednesday morning event was sponsored by SEE HOSPICE, PAGE A10 Agapé Hospice of Sumter.
At least 14 people dead Expo aims to educate in California shooting local entrepreneurs A swat team arrives at the scene of a shooting in San Bernardino, California, on Wednesday.
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (AP) — As many as three gunmen thought to be wearing military-style gear opened fire Wednesday at a Southern California social services center “as if they were on a mission,” killing at least 14 people and seriously wounding more than a dozen others, authorities said. Hours later, police hunting for the attackers riddled a black SUV with
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DEATHS, B4 Cecil J. Downing Mitchell Roberts Jr. G. Marion McFaddin Sr. Jolany J. Holloman Edith Pressely
Thomas Smith Lila Mae McCoy Beatrice Bracalente Sara Anne Connelly Janie Lee Welch
Keep her smiling. Jewelry Wholesale 41 E. Wesmark Blvd. • Sumter, SC 778-1031 Fine Jewelry for 35 Years
BY ADRIENNE SARVIS adrienne@theitem.com Entrepreneurs from Sumter, Clarendon, Kershaw and Lee counties received much needed information about starting a business while attending the first regional Entrepreneurship Expo at Central Carolina Technical College’s Health Sciences Building on Tuesday.
The event was offered through a partnership between Santee-Lynches Regional Council of Governments and South Carolina Department of Commerce Regional Workforce Adviser Brenda Golden. Golden said the goal of the expo is to alert local entrepreneurs of the work that goes
SEE EXPO, PAGE A10
WEATHER, A12
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