February 14, 2013

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‘I ONLY CUT UP BUSHES.’ Pearl Fryar among 8 receiving top award for the arts

Child sex HAPPY assault VALENTINE’S DAY suspect arrested 21-year-old also a ‘person of interest’ in murder case

A3 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013 | SUMTER, SOUTH CAROLINA

VOL. 118, NO. 99

FOUNDED OCTOBER 15, 1894

60 CENTS

and spiritual discipline, according to Father Peter Sousa, civilian chaplain at Shaw Air Force Base and part of the parish staff for St. Jude and St. Anne. Sousa said Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the period when Jesus spent 40 days fasting in the desert,

A suspect in a case of sexual assault on a child has been taken into custody in New Jersey, and police are hopeful his arrest might also lead to a break in a murder case. Markice W. Hunter, 21, of 155 Apollo St., Wedgefield, will return to Sumter today after being apprehended on charges of second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a HUNTER minor. Hunter has also been named a “person of interest” by investigators in the ongoing search for the killer of Aaron Abraham. ABRAHAM Hunter was taken into custody Jan. 30, at a home in East Orange, N.J., by the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force. Hunter is accused of sexually assaulting the 12-yearold daughter of a friend in March of 2012. Police think Hunter, who investigators previously described as “transient,” was moving from one location to another in order to avoid arrest. They credit a tip to Crime Stoppers with leading to his arrest in New Jersey. In addition to the charge of criminal sexual conduct, investigators with the Sumter Police Department and the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office said they want to question Hunter about the 2012 disappearance and killing of 18-year-old Abraham. “We are following strong leads that suggest Hunter can provide vital information into the murder investigation,” said Sumter Police Chief Russell Roark. “I am confident a break in the case is forthcoming.” Abraham was a rising senior at Sumter High School when he was last seen leaving the

SEE ASH WEDNESDAY, PAGE A8

SEE ARREST, PAGE A8

‘It is a cleansing of the soul’

KEITH GEDAMKE / SPECIAL TO THE ITEM

Sherri Powell holds her son Grayson,1, as Father Charles Donovan places the ash on his head during Ash Wednesday services at St. Jude Catholic Church.

Churches celebrate start of Lenten season with Ash Wednesday BY COREY DAVIS cdavis@theitem.com Wednesday wasn’t just another typical day for Roman Catholics and some other Christians. Sumter Catholic churches such as St. Anne and St. Jude, along with Episcopal churches such as the Church of

the Holy Comforter, celebrated the start of the Lenten season with Ash Wednesday worship services. Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent, the 40 days prior to the celebration of Easter, excluding Sundays. During Lent, many Christians prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance, moderation

BY BRISTOW MARCHANT bmarchant@theitem.com

Fundraisers honor ‘Bear’ Gibbons, benefit children with cancer BY JADE ANDERSON janderson@theitem.com While many people will celebrate love today, one family will remember the little boy it lost two years ago. “The kids don’t go to school on Thursday,” said Tamala “Tamee” Gibbons.

“We’ll have a fun day and remember Bear.” Hugh “Bear” Gibbons, 7, died on Feb. 14, 2011, after a long fight with a rare form of liver cancer. Besides his parents, Tech. Sgt. Robert and Tamee Gibbons, he is survived by three brothers — Isaiah, Gerard and Julian.

20 N. Magnolia St. Sumter, SC 29150 (USPS 525-900)

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The family has been touched, though, by the way members of the community are honoring their loved one. “I think it’s great,” Gibbons said. “He wanted to be famous. People doing even small things means a lot to a lot of people.” Already under way is

Children’s Hope Bear Drive to benefit Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital. And the 3rd Annual “Bear Crawl” motorcycle fundraiser will be held March 9. “Collecting money and toys that go to a lot of SEE BEAR, PAGE A10

DEATHS Ralph Graham William A. Holliday Jr. Alonzo F. Thompson Theodore H. Parker Mark H. Senter Jr. Lucile W. Smalls

Then 5-year-old Hugh “Bear” Gibbons shows off his Dr. Seussinspired shirt. He passed away from liver cancer on Valentine’s Day two years ago.

Robin Dale E. Kirkland George H. Jones Jr. Janice J. Holland Michael J. Washington B5

PHOTO PROVIDED

OUTSIDE WELCOME BACK, SUNSHINE Sun today; clear tonight HIGH: 61 LOW: 35 A8

INSIDE 2 SECTIONS, 18 PAGES

Classifieds Comics Daily Planner Opinion Sports Television

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