We’ve got a roundup of this week’s Christmas events A2
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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2015
New football coach agrees to $16M, 5-year contract B1
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Lawmakers back plea for aid S.C. Senate committee: Farmers need federal funding after floods BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com The top state agriculture official and a South Carolina Senate committee agreed that the state should request federal money to offset the damage from flooding in October, but Gov. Nikki Haley has said she will not treat farmers differently from other small business owners when asking for
federal dollars. But the governor has asked the federal government to expedite payment of crop insurance claims. On Monday, S.C. Agriculture Commissioner Hugh Weathers told the Special Senate Committee Regarding Flood Relief Efforts that crop insurance would only cover about $125 million of the estimated $376 million in direct damage to farm operations.
Many farmers are hoping either the federal or state government can provide some type of relief to make up the remaining $251 million. Weathers said the crop insurance program passed as part of the 2014 Farm Bill is complicated and not fairly balanced. “If every farmer had picked the best crop insurance available it would not have covered
the costs of putting the crop in the ground,” he said. Farmers were told after the Oct. 3-5 flood not to disturb crops until they had been inspected by insurance adjusters, but even after that time more rain degraded crops even more, something insurance won’t cover. The commissioner told the committee he and other farm advocates had been working
“feverishly” with the state’s congressional delegation to get money included in the Omnibus Budget bill that will be voted on Friday. Weathers was asked by Senate President Pro-Tempore Hugh Leatherman if he had personally requested Gov. Nikki Haley to ask for the money, but Weathers replied
SEE FARMERS, PAGE A7
A jolly good time at the Christmas Parade Dedicated to the memory of Dr. Charles R. “Pap” Propst
Fireside requests increase Flooding in October means more families are without heating BY JACK OSTEEN jack@theitem.com
RICK CARPENTER / THE SUMTER ITEM
Kingsbury Elementary School students wave to spectators during Sunday’s Evening Optimist Club of Sumter Christmas Parade. See more photos from the annual event on page A3.
Girl Scouts’ project gives back to needy BY ADRIENNE SARVIS adrienne@theitem.com Members of Girl Scouts of South Carolina Inc. Mountains to Midlands of Sumter County stopped by Northwoods Senior Living and Memory Care on Saturday morning to drop off toys, canned goods and winter wear for people in need. The girls also wrote thank you cards to be delivered to veterans at the nursing home and patients at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.
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Event coordinator Ileana Arvelo said Saturday was an opportunity for some girls to give to the community after missing other charitable projects with their troops this holiday season. Arvelo said the toys will be delivered to the Toys for Tots program, and the winter wear — mittens, socks and hats — will be given to local children in need. She said Girl Scouts are also focusing on helping local food pantries replenish their stocks after receiving a call to
ADRIENNE SARVIS / THE SUMTER ITEM
Girl Scouts of South Carolina Inc. Mountains to Midlands of Sumter County donate toys for the Toys for Tots program as well as warm clothes and canned goods for the community during a donation event at Northwoods Senior Living and SEE GIRL SCOUTS, PAGE A7 Memory Care on Saturday.
DEATHS, B6 Lawrence W. Green Ruby W. Johnson Bessie Lee James David E. Johnson Joyce Lavender Holmes Joseph R. Crisler
John Mishoe Eather S. Thomas Tony Jennings Bennie McCray Melissa Anne Tanner
Salvation Army social worker Christy Lamb started seeing families last week and, as expected, has heard about some tough times in people’s lives. From Tuesday to Thursday, 19 families were assisted through The Fireside Fund. Many of the families are unable to use their heating and air systems because of damage caused by the October flood in Sumter and across the state. She said one case really affected her that involved a family of six. The mother has been struggling with diabetes for the past year while the husband had two of his toes removed a week ago after being hurt on the job running his own lawncare business. The Fireside Fund assisted the family with propane and added their children to the Angel Tree program for Christmas assistance. Lamb said all the families the fund has helped by paying for firewood, kerosene, propane and gas have been very appreciative. This year’s Fireside Fund is in honor of Dr. Charles “Pap” Propst, who died on May 20, 2015, at the age of 90. He
SEE FIRESIDE, PAGE A7
WEATHER, A10
INSIDE
PLENTY OF SUNSHINE
2 SECTIONS, 18 PAGES VOL. 121, NO. 46
No rain in sight today; clear to partly cloudy tonight HIGH 63, LOW 40
Classifieds B8 Comics B7 Lotteries A10
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