February 20, 2014

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2014

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Teacher, 31, accused of sex with student Chestnut Oaks Middle educator on administrative leave

SERVING SOUTH CAROLINA SINCE OCTOBER 15, 1894 2 SECTIONS, 18 PAGES | VOL. 119, NO. 108

BY TYLER SIMPSON and ROB COTTINGHAM tyler@theitem.com rcottingham@theitem.com A Chestnut Oaks Middle School teacher has been charged with crimi-

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nal sexual conduct with a minor and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Elizabeth Marie Moss, 31, was arrested on Wednesday after an investigation by the Special

Victims Unit of the Sheriff’s Office revealed that Moss was in a sexual relationship with a then-13year-old student.

“Our investigation has confirmed that (Moss) was in a sexual relation-

ship with the student,” Sumter County Sheriff Anthony Dennis said Wednesday. “The school received the information first, then contacted us.

SEE MOSS, PAGE A10

Friend pleads guilty in deadly 2011 shooting Sumter’s Smith deals with highs, lows in 1st year in minors B1

Convicted drug dealer faces up to life in prison

BY BRISTOW MARCHANT bmarchant@theitem.com Thirty-eight grams of crack cocaine, five grams of powder cocaine and three grams of marijuana add up to 15 years to life.

That’s the sentence facing a Sumter man after his conviction in federal court this week on drug-trafficking charges.

Alvis Damon Williams, 27, was convicted Tuesday at the federal courthouse in Columbia of dealing in cocaine and crack cocaine, possessing a firearm in furtherance of his WILLIAMS drug dealing and illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.

Williams faces a minimum sentence of 15 years, and the possibility of life imprisonment, when he’s sentenced within the next

SEE DRUGS, PAGE A8

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Man gets 45 years in case described as ‘brutal killing’ Jacob Lee Terry, right, was sentenced to 45 years in prison after pleading guilty to killing Eric Robinson in 2011.

BY TYLER SIMPSON tyler@theitem.com

DEATHS, B6 Mary Francine Brown Henry T. Sievers Linda Faye Riles Joel B. Brunson Jacob Dinkins Ray B. Simmons

PHOTOS BY MATT WALSH / THE SUMTER ITEM

Chris Robinson reacts to recollections of his brother, Eric, who was shot to death in August 2011. Jacob Lee Terry pleaded guilty to the murder of Eric Robinson on Wednesday at Sumter Judicial Center, saying “... I never meant for it to go like it did. I’m truly sorry.” Third Judicial Circuit Court Judge R. Ferrell Cothran sentenced Terry to 45 years for the murder charge and five years for possession of a weapon during a violent crime. Terry will serve both sentences concurrently.

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Jacob Lee Terry confessed to murdering his friend, William Eric Robinson, in front of the victim’s grieving family after he changed his plea to guilty during Wednesday’s trial at Sumter Judicial Center.

“I take full responsibility for my actions,” Terry said with tears in his eyes. “It never should have went like it did, and I never meant for it to go like it did. I’m truly sorry.”

Terry, who claimed to be close to Robinson and his family, was charged in August 2011 with killing Robinson. Third Judicial Circuit Court Judge R. Ferrell Cothran sentenced Terry to 45 years for the murder charge and five years for possession of a weapon during a violent crime. Terry will serve both sentences concurrently.

“He has spent three years in Sumter County jail, three years to look at everything, and he doesn’t wish to push (Robinson’s) family through any more pain,” said Defense Attorney John Keffer.

Assistant Solicitor Bronwyn McElveen presented the facts of the case before Judge Cothran. On Aug. 2, 2011, Terry invited Robinson over to his apartment to settle the matter of his owing Terry $1,500. His associate, Travis Brac-

ey, who was at the apartment during the time of the killing, was upstairs when Terry turned up the music he was playing, and Bracey heard a gunshot after Robinson arrived. Bracey, who was eventually arrested for obstruction of justice, left the house before a neighbor came to the apartment and saw Robinson slumped over a

window, apparently dead from a bullet to the back of the head. The neighbor stated to police that Terry told him “m**********r thought I was playing. I done sleet his a**.”

“Terry showed no remorse about what happened, bragging

SEE GUILTY, PAGE A8

200-year-old almanac correct with winter weather forecast Periodical examines trends to make its yearly predictions

BY BRISTOW MARCHANT bmarchant@theitem.com In a world of satellite imaging and data-crunching supercomputers, one of the most accurate forecasters of

this winter’s wild weather has been a 200-year-old staple.

The Old Farmer’s Almanac, in publication since 1792, predicted snow showers would strike the Southeast this January and February, in many cases predicting down to the week.

Other weather prognosticators foresaw a mild winter.

The Almanac’s predictions

for the coming year, based in part on techniques developed in the 18th century, are published every year in September so farmers can prime their fields for the coming cold season.

“We were working on our 2014 predictions about this time last year, in March and April, to go to print in late June,” said Mare-Anne Jarvela, one of the Alma-

nac’s editors. “We’re currently working on 2015.”

In its regional forecast for the southeastern U.S., the Old Farmer’s Almanac (which is a separate publication from the similarly named Farmer’s Almanac) predicts the snowiest periods would come in mid- to late February. Its weekly forecast for Feb. 7-14 reads, “Periods of rain and snow, then sunny,

cold.” The periodical previously predicted “Rain and snow showers, cold” for Jan. 19-22, nearly predicting the last snowstorm to paralyze the South.

“Our estimates may be off by a week,” Jarvela said.

“The weatherman on TV is looking maybe five days ahead, but we’re looking at

SEE ALMANAC, PAGE A10

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2014

THE SUMTER ITEM

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

Clarendon deputies seize $25K in counterfeit goods

BY ROB COTTINGHAM rcottingham@theitem.com Thanks to the work of Clarendon County Sheriff’s Office, your next purse or bottle of perfume is a little more likely to be the real deal.

Deputies seized more than $25,000 in counterfeit goods during a traffic stop on Interstate 95 near Turbeville on Tuesday. The cache included handbags, do-rags, cologne and many other designer knockoffs.

According to reports, an officer on patrol noticed a white Dodge Charger passing through traffic at 80 mph about 3 p.m. Tuesday. The officer conducted a traffic stop, and upon approaching the vehicle, he de-

tected a strong odor of marijuana coming from the car.

The driver, identified as Winston Udell Alleyne, 33, of 148 Tim Drive in Darlington, was then asked to produce his driver’s license. He told officers he didn’t have one but instead gave them a state I.D. card, stating the vehicle was a rental.

When asked whose name the rental car was under, Alleyne reportedly struggled to produce a name.

Noticing Alleyne’s nervous mannerisms and profuse sweat, the officer called for backup and ordered Alleyne out of the rental car. The officer reportedly had not mentioned the odor of marijuana, but Alleyne offered the information, saying he was smoking

Bomb materials, drugs found in I-95 traffic stop

BY TYLER SIMPSON tyler@theitem.com Two New Hampshire residents were arrested along Interstate 95 Wednesday by the Sumter County Sheriff ’s Office after a traffic stop led to the discovery of drugs and bomb-making material.

Dean Victor Smoronk, 52, and Christina Marie Cuozzo, 45, of 979 Meaderboro Road, Farmington, N.H., were charged with trafficking 10 to 28 grams of methamphetamines, possession of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance and possession of bomb-making material after a vehicle stop near Mile Marker 135 in Sumter County.

SMORONK They were both sent to SumterLee Regional Detention Center to await their bond hearing. According to a press release the two may face additional charges pending further investigation.

Deputies with the sheriff ’s office were on traffic duty when a CUOZZO light gray Dodge Avenger almost side-swiped their cruiser.

The driver, Smoronk, was issued a warning ticket before the officer asked him if he could have his K-9 check the vehicle.

“Officers receive lots of training on looking out for drugs and things like that,” said Maj. Allen Dailey with the sheriff’s office. “If they see things that don’t fit right, they start asking questions, and one thing leads to another.”

The K-9 indicated three different locations of the vehicle, and a search led to a large quantity of methamphetamine in Cuozzo’s purse and inside a fake energy drink can, along with a small amount of marijuana, pills and an unknown white powder inside a black computer bag. Deputies also found an open bottle of Crown Royal under the driver’s seat and $12,529 in cash in some luggage and Cuozzo’s purse.

“Interstates are always very good sources for drugs up and down the East Coast,” Dailey said.

The vehicle also contained suspected materials used to make bombs, including gunpowder, a TV remote, a clay propane cylinder, small jumper cables, an alarm remote and steel shotgun shells.

The State Law Enforcement Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, S.C. Highway Patrol and local firefighters assisted in the investigation. A portion of Interstate 95 South was diverted while agents searched the rest of the vehicle.

Reach Tyler Simpson at (803) 774-1295.

some earlier.

When backup arrived, a search of the vehicle yielded 23 boxes of perfume and cologne, eight wallets, 52 do-rags and 18 handbags. The items were confirmed to be fake by an investigator who specializes in counterfeit goods. The officer valued the items at a total of $25,000.

A further search yielded a mason jar with a silver grinder and approximately 4 grams of marijuana.

Alleyne was charged with simple possession of marijuana; driving under suspension, third offense; and possession of more than $25,000 in counterfeit goods. He is being held at Clarendon County Detention Center.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Handbags confiscated by Clarendon County Sheriff’s Office during a traffic stop conducted on I-95 near Turbeville are seen on a desk at the sheriff’s office. The bags were part of a $25,000 cache of counterfeit goods found in the vehicle.

Prison guard shooter wants plea bargain

BY MEG KINNARD The Associated Press COLUMBIA — A plea agreement is in the works for an Orangeburg man accused of conspiring to kill a South Carolina prison guard in a hit orchestrated by an inmate using an illegal cellphone, attorneys said Wednesday.

During a brief hearing in federal court in Columbia, Assistant U.S. Attorney William Witherspoon said that he and an attorney for Sean Echols were still trying to work out the case and needed more time.

“We are trying to resolve it through plea negotiations,” Witherspoon told U.S. District Judge Joseph F. Anderson Jr., who ordered the case delayed until later this year.

Echols, 30, has previously pleaded not guilty to charges including conspiring to murder a prison guard for $6,000.

When he was charged with the federal crimes, Echols was already in state prison, sentenced to 25 years on armed robbery and assault charges following a 2011 arrest.

In 2010, Capt. Robert Johnson was a 15-year Corrections Department veteran who oversaw efforts to keep contraband such as cellphones out of Lee Correctional Institution. Johnson was shot six times early one morning at his Sumter home, and police say an inmate organized the hit using a cellphone smuggled into prison.

Johnson, who authorities have said was the first U.S. corrections officer harmed by a hit ordered from an inmate’s cellphone, survived after months of surgeries and rehabilitation. Before retiring from the Corrections Department in 2011, he appeared along-

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Capt. Robert Johnson, right, talks with Lloyd Greer, who investigated a plot to kill Johnson, at the Lee Correctional Institution in Bishopville, where Johnson was in charge of preventing contraband from entering the prison. side then-Gov. Mark Sanford and prisons officials to implore the Federal Communications Commission to let South Carolina jam the signals of cellphones being used illicitly by prisoners.

“I don’t want someone else to go through what I’ve gone through,” Johnson said. “I would like to tell the industry to come talk to me and get off their bottom dollar and do what’s right, and that is block cellphones.”

Johnson had planned to attend the hearing, but complications with one of the injuries sustained during the home invasion prevented him from doing so.

“I had a hole open up in my stomach, so now I’ve got to go to Charleston to have it fixed,” he said. “Four years later, and I’m still dealing with this.”

As far as the continuance is concerned, Johnson said he isn’t opposed to a plea agreement so

long as Echols remains cooperative with the ongoing investigation.

“If he’ll help us in the case against the man who ordered the hit, then I’m fine with it, even if he only gets five years,” Johnson said. “But if he’s not going to help, then he needs to serve longer for what he did.”

Though his injuries constantly cause problems for his day-to-day lifestyle, Johnson said he isn’t bitter about what happened, nor is he seeking revenge.

“The Lord spoke to me one day and told me I needed to forgive (Echols) for what he’s done,” Johnson said.

“I’ve come to terms and done that, but it’s really about what he put my family through in dealing with this. They’ve suffered a lot.”

Johnson said forgiving Echols has helped him in more than just a spiritual aspect; it’s kept him sane.

“I would’ve gone crazy thinking about it all, had

I not forgiven him,” he said. “I’d have probably hurt myself by now.

There are still moments when I think back on what happened, not with anger, really, but with disbelief and horror.

How could someone do this to another human being?”

Corrections Director Bryan Stirling attended the hearing, sitting with the prison officers who had escorted Echols to the courthouse from the Columbia institution where he’s serving his state sentence.

Authorities have not named the inmate who allegedly organized the plot to kill Johnson.

Johnson said he spoke with authorities about the ongoing trial, and to his understanding, there will be a status hearing in May, and if things haven’t been resolved, there will be a trial in June.

Sumter Item reporter Rob Cottingham contributed to this report.

HOW TO REACH US IS YOUR PAPER MISSING? ARE YOU GOING ON VACATION? 20 N. Magnolia St., Sumter, S.C. 29150 (803) 774-1200 Jack Osteen Editor and Publisher Jack@theitem.com (803) 774-1238 Braden Bunch Senior News Editor bbunch@theitem.com (803) 774-1201 Waverly Williams Sales Manager wwilliams@theitem.com (803) 774-1237

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2014

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Clarendon fire destroys home, boat along lake

PHOTOS BY JIM HILLEY / THE SUMTER ITEM

A grass and structure fire on Little John Road in Clarendon County destroyed one residence, several storage buildings and a boat, seen above left, on Wednesday. Lee Mahoney with the Clarendon County Fire Department said six engines responded to the two-alarm fire and two other engines were dispatched to control brush fires. The home destroyed belonged to Sumter’s J.W. Broadway Jr., who said he also lost three riding mowers and many of his daughter’s possessions which were in storage at the property. Mahoney said it was too early to assess the value of the damage because of the number of properties involved. Paul Shipp, left, was among the firefighters who battled the blaze on Wednesday. Shipp said he has been a volunteer firefighter since September and began work as a full-time fireman only the day before responding to the fire on Little John Road.

Millwood’s famous tetrazzini benefits Leach scholarship

BY IVY MOORE ivym@theitem.com Millwood Elementary School’s annual Barry Leach Scholarship fundraiser will be held Monday from 5 to 6:30 p.m. The menu comprises turkey tetrazzini, green beans and a cinnamon roll for $6.

The school will offer drive-through take-out, or customers may eat in and enjoy karaoke, courtesy of Millwood Elementary students.

The proceeds from this

dinner will go to the Barry Leach Memorial Scholarship Fund. Twelve years ago, the faculty at Millwood established the fund in honor of Leach, who taught science at Millwood for 23 years.

He died in September 2000 after a valiant fight against cancer. The scholarship fund provides financial assistance for college for Sumter School District seniors who are former Millwood students.

Since its formation, the fund has awarded $22,000 in

scholarships.

According to Millwood Principal Dr. Johnny Hilton, “We are planning for this scholarship opportunity to be available for many years and to assist many students.

We know of no better way to honor Barry Leach, who dedicated his life to helping others learn, than to pro-

Start the day right.

Read The

Williamsburg County sheriff indicted on fraud grand jury Wednesday on one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

Johnson, 38, created the fake police reports so customers of Woods’ credit-repair business could claim their overdue bills were caused by identity fraud, according to the indictments.

member of Millwood. Tickets must be purchased in advance. No dinners will be sold at the door. For ticket information, call the school at (803) 775-0648.

The Sumter Item would like to extend a special

Item.

STATE BRIEF COLUMBIA (AP) — The sheriff in Williamsburg County created fake police reports saying people had their identities stolen for a friend who ran a credit-repair business, according to federal prosecutors.

Sheriff Michael Johnson and businessman Lester Woods were each indicted by a federal

vide scholarship assistance for students planning to further their education.”

Tickets for the dinner may be purchased at the school or from any faculty

Thank You! We would like to thank all those involved in restoring power and in the stellar clean up this past week after the Ice Storm of 2014.

There was so much work to be done and it was done in record time.

We are grateful for workers from utility companies, both local and from other areas, for good neighbors, our law enforcement, ireighters, and EMS workers.

The County and City crews working round the clock deserve our special thanks for their dedication in the clean up efforts.

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20 N. Magnolia St. | Sumter, SC 803.774.1200 | www.theitem.com

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LOCAL | NATION

Presbyterian Choir and Ringers to perform locally

PHOTOS PROVIDED

The Presbyterian College Choir and Ringers will present a free concert at First Presbyterian Church at 7 p.m. Monday, March 3. The concert repertoire of sacred music will include anthems, sacred hymns and spiritual songs. The choir is the premier touring choral ensemble at Presbyterian College in Clinton, and the PC Ringers is considered among the best collegiate bell choirs in the Southeast. The public is invited to attend to the concert at the church on the corner of Main and Calhoun streets.

Stores use your phone to track movements WASHINGTON (AP) — Should shoppers turn off their smartphones when they hit the mall? Or does having them on lead to better sales or shorter lines at the cash register?

Retailers are using mobilebased technology to track shoppers’ movements at some malls and stores. The companies collecting the information say it’s anonymous, can’t be traced to a specific person and no one should worry about invasion of privacy. But consumer advocates aren’t convinced. It’s spying, they say, and shoppers should be informed their phones are being observed and then be able to choose whether to allow it.

The Federal Trade Commission held a workshop Wednesday on the issue, part of a series of privacy seminars looking at emerging technologies and the impact on consumers. FTC attorney Amanda Koulousias says the commission wants to better understand how companies

are using phone-location technology, how robust privacy controls are and whether shoppers are notified in advance.

Here’s how the technology works: • Your smartphone has a unique identifier code — a MAC address — for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. It’s a 12-character string of letters and numbers. Think of it like a Social Security or vehicle identification number, but this address is not linked to personal information, such as your name, email address or phone number. The numbers and letters link only to a specific phone. • When your smartphone is turned on, it sends out signals with that MAC address (for media access control) as it searches for Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Those signals can also be captured by sensors in stores that could tell a department store how often shoppers visit, how long they stay, whether they spend more time in the shoe de-

partment, children’s clothing section or sporting goods, or whether they stop for the window display, take a pass and decide to move on.

Companies that provide “mobile location analytics� to retailers, grocery stores, airports and others say they capture the MAC addresses of shoppers’ phones but then scramble them into different sets of numbers and letters to conceal the original addresses — a process called hashing. This is how they make the data they collect anonymous, they say.

The companies then analyze all the information those hashed numbers provide as shoppers move from store to store in a mall, or department to department in a store. Mall managers could learn which stores are popular and which ones aren’t. A retailer could learn how long the lines are at a certain cash register, how long people have to wait — or whether more people visit on “sale� days at a store.

THE SUMTER ITEM

Accused pimp gets life in sex-trafficking case SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — A man convicted of acting as a pimp for women forced into prostitution was sentenced to life in federal prison Wednesday for his role in what prosecutors called a sex-trafficking ring that traded women like slaves between Georgia, Florida and the Carolinas.

Joaquin Mendez-Hernandez, a Mexican national who operated out of Savannah, was a key figure among 25 defendants indicted in the case last year.

A U.S. District Court judge sentenced him five months after he pleaded guilty to a single count of conspiring with others to engage in sex trafficking.

Prosecutors said Mendez-Hernandez and his partners would bring women into the U.S. from Mexico and other countries and force them to have sex with 30 or more men each day for $25 apiece. They built a network that largely catered to Latino immigrants, meaning prostitutes were rotated not just between larger cities such as Atlanta and Charlotte, but also in small farm communities such as Bonaire, Ga. Coordinators including Mendez-Hernandez would swap cellphone photos of the women to decide which ones they wanted brought to them, prosecutors said. “They enslaved women,

they demeaned them and they dehumanized them,�

Tania Groover, the lead federal prosecutor in the case, told the judge during a sentencing hearing Wednesday. “...Sometimes they were taken to a crop field. Sometimes the men would just line up and wait for their turn, waiting and watching while everything took place.�

Mendez-Hernandez received the harshest sentence of any of the 23 defendants who have pleaded guilty in the case. Two suspects who were charged remain at large.

At least six women accused Mendez-Hernandez of acting as their pimp.

They said he would drive them to homes and hotel rooms to have sex with multiple men and then take most of the money they earned. Prosecutors said he earned enough to send $1,500 a week back to his family in Mexico.

Women told authorities they were often beaten and the sex ring’s leaders threatened to harm their families back home if they refused to cooperate. And they said Mendez-Hernandez would make them have sex with dozens of men without breaks. “You cannot sleep, you cannot eat until you perform at least 40 acts,� said a statement from one victim read by prosecutors in court.

National Hoops 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament Open to the Public Location: Sumter Christian School L (420 S. Pike West) Type: Round Robin and Double Elimination onn Date: February 22, 2014 Time: T Registration Starts at 9:30 am Free FFrreeee Lunch & Gospel Message Provided For All Present Cost: $40 Per Team Maximum 4 Players Per Team - 3 Playing with one sub Ages: JV Bracket 11-15 Varsity Bracket: 16-19

REQUIREMENTS Students must bring school ID or birth certificate and have parents sign a waiver form in order to participate. You can register in advance online at www.nationalhoops.com

Sponsored By:

PRIZES Each winning team of this tournament will qualify for the regional tournament. he winners of the regional tournament will advance to the Finals. Prizes include medals, t-shirts, trophies, and scholarships to basketball camp.

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Greed: Sholam Weiss Greed Money and death.

Greed: Suicide is Painless Greed Erin Burnett OutFront (N) Anderson Cooper 360° (N) (HD) Piers Morgan LIVE (N) (HD) Cnn Spot Anderson Cooper 360° (HD) P. Morgan (:59) The Colbert Daily Show (HD) Futurama: Bend Futurama (HD) Tosh.0 (HD) Tosh.0 Daniel’s It’s Always It’s Always Daily Show (N) The Colbert Re- (:01) @midnight Report (HD) Her (HD) father. (HD) Sunny (HD) Sunny (HD) (HD) port (N) (HD) (N) (HD) Blog: Stan Makes Liv and Maddie Cars 2 (‘11, Comedy) aac Larry the Cable Guy. Lightning McQueen puts A.N.T. Farm (HD) Dog Blog: Avery Jessie Bertram’s Dog Blog: Crimes Good Luck CharHis Mark (HD) his skills to the test in the World Grand Prix.

B. Jealous mother. (HD) of the Art lie (HD) Epic: Log Homes 2 Epic: Log Homes 3 Epic RVs Dance floor.

Epic: Yachts Floating mansions.

Epic RVs Dance floor.

Epic: Yachts College Basketball: Michigan State vs Purdue z{| (HD) College Basketball: Duke vs North Carolina z{| (HD) SportsCenter (HD) SportsCenter College Basketball: Alabama vs Texas A&M z{| (HD) College Basketball: Connecticut Huskies at Temple Owls (HD) College Basketball: Gonzaga vs BYU (HD) Billy Madison (‘95, Comedy) aac Adam Sandler. Millionaire’s immature Happy Gilmore (‘96, Comedy) aaa Adam Sandler. A hockey player The 700 Club An athlete that over- Prince: I, Oooh, son repeats school to prove he can run father’s business. (HD) turns golfer and makes the sport into a media circus. (HD) comes his demons.

Baby Baby Chopped Popcorn balls. (HD) Chopped German cake. (HD) Chopped Canada (N) Cutthroat Water from coconuts.

Diners (HD) Diners (HD) Chopped On the Record with Greta (N) The O’Reilly Factor (N) (HD) The Kelly File News updates.

Hannity Conservative news. (HD) The O’Reilly Factor (HD) The Kelly File (6:30) Wom. College Basketball z{| Wom. College Basketball: Florida State vs Maryland z{| Driven (HD) World Poker Tour no} (HD) Wom Bball The Waltons: The Fire Storm The Waltons: The Night Walker The Waltons: The Wedding, Part 1 Frasier: Dr. Nora Frasier Frasier Frasier: Visions of Frasier Niles’ new Golden New busiJohn-boy prints Hitler’s writings.

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Mary Ellen engaged.

Frasier’s turf. must choose.

Daphne prospect. ness.

Hunters (HD) Hunters (HD) Addict (HD) Addict (HD) Addict (HD) Addict (HD) Hunters (N) Hunters (N) Hunters (HD) Hunters (HD) Addict (HD) 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: Law & Order: Criminal Intent: Law & Order: Criminal Intent: Rock Criminal Minds: Charm and Harm Criminal Minds: The Fisher King, Criminal Minds Frame Disturbing picture. (HD) Playing Dead (HD) Star Artist stabbed. (HD) Southern killer. (HD) Part 1 Killer’s game. (HD) (HD) Project Runway: Under the Gunn Project Runway: Under the Gunn: Project Runway: Under the Gunn (:01) Movie (:02) Under the Vampiric looks. (HD) Hit the Stage (HD) Mini collections. (N) (HD) Gunn (HD) Ice Age (‘02, Comedy) Ray Romano. Lost infant. (:45) Sponge Full Hse Full Hse Full Hse Full Hse Friends (:36) Friends (:12) Friends Cops (HD) Cops (HD) Cops (HD) Cops (HD) Impact Wrestling (N) (HD) Cops (HD) Cops (HD) Jail (HD) Dungeons and Dragons: The Book of Vile and Dark(6:30) Stargate (‘94, Science Fiction) aaa Kurt Russell. A language ex- The Last Airbender (‘10, Fantasy) ac John Noble. A child warrior with ness (‘12, Fantasy) a Meagan Good. (HD) pert helps the military open a portal that leads to other worlds. magical powers must save the world from a warring nation.

The Big Bang The Big Bang King of the Nerds: Trek Wars Nerds Conan Pete Holmes; The Pete Holmes Seinfeld: The Sui- Family Guy Pe- Family Guy: Road Family Guy: ter’s jealousy. to Europe Viewer Mail #1 Theory (HD) Theory (HD) debate. (N) (HD) NEEDTOBREATHE performs. (N) (HD) Show cide (HD) (5:30) Splendor in the Grass (‘61, Of Human Bondage (‘34, Drama) aaa Leslie It Happened One Night (‘34, Comedy) aaac Clark Gable. A runaway One Night of Love (‘34, Music) Drama) aaac Natalie Wood.

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‘Killer Karaoke’ might be worst show on TV

BY KEVIN MCDONOUGH People frequently ask me to name the best show on TV. We live in an age of very good television, so that’s not an easy one. Recently, I’d have to give the nod to “True Detective” on HBO, because of its performances and a script that equals and even surpasses the most provocative fiction. But ask me next week and I might have another answer.

How about the worst show on television? That’s also a very difficult question.

There’s a great many dreadful series in many lamentable categories. “Doomsday Preppers” isn’t badly made. It simply exploits and promotes needless fear. It actually seems to encourage people to dread their fellow human beings and to turn their homes into arsenals and bunkers.

Unlike the horribly exploitative “Hoarders,” it doesn’t even pretend to be therapeutic. “Preppers” is a despicable show. But is it the worst?

If I had to name a truly pointless, unoriginal, nasty, time-waster of a show, it might be “Killer Karaoke” (10 p.m., TruTV). In this debacle, amateur performers try to get through a familiar song while getting doused with water, stung by electric shocks, bitten by dogs, blown by large fans or pelted with larvae, insects and filthy laundry.

This series is pointless, cruel and annoying. And I guess that’s its entire point.

As you might expect, it originated in the U.K., where it was called “Sing if You Can.” The first American season of “Killer” was hosted by “Jackass” personality Steve-O. That sort of makes sense, given the low-grade prank humor involved.

But this season’s host is Mark McGrath, best known as a singer-songwriter with the ‘90s group Sugar Ray. Why would a real performer want to be associated with something that degrades music and its performance?

As if to compensate for this profane act of selling-out, he comes off as aggressively plastic and enthusiastically generic. Seriously, put some hair gel on an android and program it for “attitude” and you might get more personality.

the Cauldron on “The Originals” (8 p.m., CW, r, TV-14) * Carol’s annoying parents descend on “The Millers” (8:30 p.m., CBS, r, TV-14) * A rich client sparks competition on “The Crazy Ones” (9 p.m., r, CBS, TV-14) * Bad news for Mary’s inner circle on “Reign” (9 p.m., CW, r, TV-14) * Pretty people on “Two and a Half Men” (9:30 p.m., CBS, r, TV-14).

LATE NIGHT

SERIES NOTES

Ronan Farrow is booked on “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart” (11 p.m., Comedy Central) * Pete Holmes and Needtobreathe are on “Conan” (11 p.m., TBS) * Kurt Russell, Sarah Colonna, Moshe Kasher and Fortune Feimster are on “Chelsea Lately” (11 p.m., E!) * Gen. Stanley McChrystal is on “The Colbert Report” (11:30 p.m., Comedy Central) * Keri Russell appears on “Late Show With David Letterman” (11:35 p.m., CBS) * Jimmy Fallon welcomes first lady Michelle Obama, Will Ferrell and Arcade Fire on “The Tonight Show” (11:35 p.m., NBC) * Jonah Hill, Willie & Korie Robertson and Jetta appear on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (11:35 p.m., ABC) * Craig Ferguson hosts Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Lisa Vanderpump on “The Late Late Show” (12:35 a.m., CBS).

Bill Nye cameos on “The Big Bang Theory” (8 p.m., CBS, r, TV-14) * Big surprises from

Copyright 2014, United Feature Syndicate

TURNER BROADCASTING

A contestant attempts to sing during one of the stunts on “Killer Karaoke,” which airs at 10 p.m. on truTV. A show like “Killer Karaoke” leaves everybody — its host, participants, producers and its viewers — just a little sadder, sleazier and emptier for having been exposed to it.

CULT CHOICE

• The truth hurts on “Scandal” (10 p.m., ABC, r, TV-14).

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AROUND TOWN The Shepherd’s Center, 24 Council St., will offer free public information sessions 11-11:50 a.m. each Thursday through March 13 as follows: today, investing in uncertain times; Feb. 27, emergency preparedness; March 6, spring gardening tips; and March 13, you are what you eat.

Free income tax filing services and FAFSA applications will be provided through April 15 as follows: 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Fridays, 3-8 p.m. Saturdays, appointments only on Sundays, Goodwill JobLink Center, 1028 Broad St., (803) 774-5006; and 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursdays, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays, Lee County Adult Education, 123 E. College St., Bishopville, (803) 4844040. For details or appointments, call Ms. Samuels at (803) 240-8355.

The AARP Foundation TaxAide Program will offer free income tax assistance and electronic filing for taxpayers with low to middle incomes. All ages are welcome and you do not have to be an AARP member. You will need: picture ID; Social Security card for each dependent; all W-2’s, 1099s and 1098s; and supporting documents if you plan to itemize. Bring a canceled check if you wish to have your refund direct deposited. Assistance will be available 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays through April 15 at the Shepherd’s Center, 24 Council St. For details, call Lynda at (803) 4698322.

The Pinedale Neighborhood Association will meet at 4:30 p.m. today at South HOPE Center, 1125 S. Lafayette Drive. Call Ferdinand Burns at (803) 9684464.

The Sumter Combat Veterans Group will meet at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 21, at the South HOPE Center, 1125 S. Lafayette Drive. All area veterans are invited.

The Lincoln High School Preservation Alumni Association will hold a dinner fundraiser 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21, at the Lincoln High School gymnasium, 26 Council St. Dinners are $7 per plate and consist of turkey, dressing, yellow rice, green beans and a drink. Call James Green at (803) 9684173.

Sumter County Active Lifestyles (SCAL) is offering a community walking program with the first walk beginning at noon Saturday, Feb. 22. Meet at the concession stand area of Palmetto Park, 416 W. Wise Drive. Walks are $1 per adult. Free for children under 18, SCAL and SCOTM! members. Brock McDaniel, horticulturist with the City of Sumter, will discuss the development and plants at Lake Alice Drive. The next walk will be at noon Saturday, March 8, at Patriot Park, 200 General Drive.

The Sumter Branch NAACP will celebrate “Black History Month” at 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23, at Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church, 7355 Camden Highway, Rembert. The Rev. Marion H. Newton will speak.

The Sumter County Teachers Association — Retired will meet at noon Wednesday, Feb. 26, at the North HOPE Center, 904 N. Main St. Virginia Sanders will speak on the Affordable Care Act. Call Brenda Bethune at (803) 469-6588.

The Sumter Benedict Alumni Club will meet at 6 p.m.

Monday, March 3, at the North HOPE Center. Call Shirley Blassingame at (803) 506-4019.

A deeply disturbed beauty (Gene Tierney) develops an obsessive attachment to her husband (Cornel Wilde) in the 1945 melodrama “Leave Her to Heaven” (1:30 p.m., TCM). While filmed in Technicolor, this is as dark and weird as any noir thriller.

N e w!

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• “The Taste” (8 p.m., ABC, TV-14) wraps up its second season.

• A chef accused of bigamy needs a lawyer on “Rake” (9 p.m. Fox, TV-14).

• Tim Gunn hosts “Project Runway: Under the Gunn” (9 p.m., Lifetime, TV-PG).

• A tycoon’s beautiful consort is murdered on “Elementary” (10 p.m., CBS, r, TV-14).

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A6

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RELIGION

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2014

THE SUMTER ITEM

Should churches be about the numbers?

I

t’s a type of friendly fire often lobbed from one congregation at another: “That church is all about the numbers.�

It’s meant to insult a church that enjoys a healthy attendance or a congregation that has seen a recent influx in its membership rolls. For those of us involved in churches with stagnant membership rolls or declining numbers, it’s easy to look across town at a thriving congregation and question its recent popularity.

Faith Matters From there, it’s just a JAMIE H. quick hop WILSON into jealousy, an emotion that drives us to hurl accusations at our brothers and sisters in the faith. In so doing, we try to shake off the guilt we feel when our own congregation isn’t growing.

The main accusation is that the church in question utilizes a nefarious method to attract others into its congregation. The excuses range from the misuse of theology to pandering to the wants of a particular demographic.

It’s the church du jour, we say, just wait until all the excitement dies down. We hunker down in our dwindling churches, not wanting to “be about the numbers� but not motivated enough to act on the fact that God wants both quality and quantity in our churches.

I don’t think there is any question: Church should be about the numbers, but only in the way that stresses reaching as many as we can as quickly as possible. Almost every statistic on church attendance and membership details the populace of church-goers in the decline. Recent generations are no longer bound by a sense of responsibility to be a part of a body of believers. Rather than attend a weekly worship service, more and more are staying home. If we aren’t concerned about numbers now, then when will we be?

Numbers are a great way to gauge the spiritual health of your congregation. How many visitors have come to your church in the last month? It’s a good indication of your church’s desire to reach more with the message of faith. How many professions of faith have been made? You’ll see how effective your church is in communicating the urgency of belief. How many participate in your adult, youth or children’s ministry? You may be missing the mark in that ministry.

I believe introverted

RELIGION BRIEF FROM ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORTS

Nun gets nearly 3 years in prison for protest NASHVILLE, Tenn. — An 84-year-old nun has been sentenced to nearly three years in prison for breaking into and defacing a storage bunker holding bomb-grade uranium in a peace protest at a Tennessee weapons plant.

Sister Megan Rice was sentenced Tuesday along with two men who were each sentenced to more than five years in prison.

The three activists cut through RICE three fences on July 28, 2012, and reached a storage bunker that holds the nation’s primary supply of bomb-grade uranium. They painted messages, hung banners and threw blood on the bunker wall.

While officials claimed there was never any danger of the protesters reaching materials that could be detonated or used to assemble a dirty bomb, the break-in raised serious questions about security.

churches are the main reason numbers are decreasing across the nation. We have forgotten the call to go and tell others. The main mission of our church isn’t to maintain our current population but to reach others and bring them into the body of the church.

As a faith community, we need to be more concerned about the numbers, not as a means to pad our church rolls but as a way to reach people. In a spirit of uncompromising truth, we can turn our focus to the unchurched population around us. We can pay forward the love that the Almighty has shown us.

Then we can watch our church attendance grow not

son about his or her faith each day in the month of March. By the end of the month, 1,550 people would have heard a message of faith. Let’s say just 25 percent are personally changed by that message. In just a month’s time, 387 people

only in quantity, but also in rich, lasting relationships.

Still don’t see how numbers are important? Here is a quick equation you can do with your small group or congregation: Imagine if 50 people in your congregation committed to telling one per-

would have understood some element of their need for faith. In a community desperate for that message, we can’t afford to look past those numbers.

Email Jamie H. Wilson at faithmatterssumter@gmail. com.

Emmanuel Baptist Church 0ME (FPSHFUPXO 3E t .BOOJOH SC 29102

sunday, February 23rd, 2014 Sunday School 9 am, Morning Worship 10 am with former Pastor Alan McWhite speaking.

Lunch well be served on the grounds after the service.

For more information, call the church office at (803) 435-8252

Churh Directory Interdenominational

Adventit

City of Refuge Church 16 Carolina Ave 938-9066 Barbara & Johnny Davis Sun School 10:00 am Worship 11:15 am Bible Study (Wed.) 7:00 pm www.cityofrefugeministry.com

Sumter Seventh-Day Adventist 103 N Pike West 775-4455 Sat. Sch: 9:15 am, Worship: 11:00 am Tues Bible Study 7 pm www.sumter22.adventistchurchconnect.org

Anglican Mon. - Thurs. Chapel 9 am Morning Prayer Wed. Chapel 11:00 qm - Bible Study 12 pm Mass

Baptit - Indeendent Cherryvale Baptist Church 1502 Cherryvale Dr. * 494-8655 Edward Bowen Sr. Pastor Sun. School 10:00 am Worship 11:00 am & 6:00 pm Wed. Evening Service 7:00 pm

Baptit - Misionary

Hickory Road Baptist Church 1245 Cherryvale Dr 803-494-8281 Dr. Ron Taylor Pastor Sunday School 9:45 am Worship 10:55 am

Jehovah Missionary Baptist Church 803 S Harvin St. * 775-4032 Marion H Newton, Pastor Sunday Worship: 7:45 & 10:45 am Sunday Youth Service: 10:45 am Wednesday Bible Study: 7:00 pm

Long Branch Baptist Church 2535 Peach Orchard Rd. Dalzell 499-1838 www.longbranch_baptist.com Rev. Brian Benenhaley Sun School 10:00 am Worship 11:00 am Sun Evening Worship 6:00 pm Wed Mid Week Service 7:00 pm

Salem Missionary Baptist Church 320 West Fulton Street 803-775-8054 Rev. Lei Ferguson Washington Sun. School 9:00 am Praise Worship 9:55 am Worship 10:00 am

Shaw Heights Baptist Church 2030 Peach Orchard Rd 499-4997 Rev. Robert White Pastor Sunday School: 9:45 am Sunday Worship:11 am & 6 pm

Baptit - Southern Grace Baptist Church 219 W Calhoun St * 778-6417 Dr. Stephen Williams S.S. 9:45 am; Worship 11:00, 6:30 Wed. Meal-Choir-Missions: 5:30 pm Wed. Bible Study: 6:30 pm

( /LEHUW\ 6W ‡ Fr. Thomas Burke, C.S.S.R. Weekend Masses: Sat Vigil 5 pm Sun. 7:30, 9:00 and 11:30 am Mass The Catholic Community of Sumter, St. Jude Site : 2DNODQG $YH ‡ www.stjudesumtersc.org Fr. Charles Michael Donovan, C.S.S.R. Saturday Vigil: 5:00 pm Sun. Euch.: 9:00, 11:30 am, 1 pm (Spanish)

Churh f Chrit Plaza Church of Christ &DPGHQ +Z\ ‡ Stewart Schnur cell 361-8449 Sunday School: 10 am Sunday Worship: 11 am & 6 pm Wed. Bible Class: 7 pm

Caholic - Roman

The Catholic Community of Sumter, St. Anne Site

First United Penecostal Church 3ORZGHQ 0LOO 5G ‡ Pastor Theron Smith Sunday Service: 10:00 am & 6:30 pm Wednesday Bible Study: 7:30 pm

St John United Methodist Church 136 Poinsett Dr * 803-773-8185 Rev. J. Robert (Bob) Huggins Sunday School 9:45 am Worship 11:00 am Wed. Night Supper/Bible Study 6:30 pm www.stjohnumc.com

Love Covenant Church 2VZHJR +Z\ ‡ Apostle Tommy Fredrick Prophet Angela Frederick Sunday Worship: 11:00 am Thursday Bible Study: 7:00 pm

Church of the Holy Cross 335 North Kings Hwy (Hwy 261 N) 803-494-8101 Father Michael E. Ridgill, C.F.S.B. Sunday School 9:00 am Mass 10:00 am

Pentecostal-United

Bethel United Methodist M Church /RGHEDU 5G ‡ Rev. Jeremy Howell Sunday Worship: 8:30 & 11 am Sunday School: 10 am www.yourbethel.org BMethodist@ftc-i.net

Sumter First Pentecostal Holiness Church 0F&UD\V 0LOO 5G ‡ S. Paul Howell, Pastor Sunday School: 10:00 am Sunday Worship: 10:45 am & 6:00 pm Wed. Worship/Youth Group: 7:00 pm

Spiritual Life Christian Center %URDG 6W ([W ‡ Pastors Randolph & Minerva Paige Sunday Worship: 11:00 am Wednesday Bible Study: 7:00 pm

Trinity United Methodist Church : /LEHUW\ 6W ‡ Rev. Regi Thackston Blended Worship 8:45 am Traditional Worship 11:00 am Sunday School 9:45 am trinityumcsumter.org

Victory Full Gospel Interdenominational Church 3LWWV 5G ‡ Joann P. Murrill, Pastor Sunday Worship: 11:00 am Youth Bible Study/Respect Monday: 7 pm

Non-Denominational Bible Fellowship Church %URDG 6W ‡ Pastor Jim Ketchum Sunday Worship: 11 am Worship 6:00 pm Sunday School: 9:45 am Wed. Prayer Meeting 7:00 pm

Lutheran - ELCA St James Lutheran Church 1137 Alice Dr, Sumter 773-2260 / www.stjamessumter.org Pastor Keith Getz Sunday Worship: 10:00 am Sunday School: 9:00 am

Christ Community Church(CCC) 525 Oxford St, Sumter 803-934-9718 Sun. Worship 10:00 am (Patriot Hall) First Church of God &DPGHQ 5G ‡ www.sumterfcg.org Ron Bower, Pastor Sunday Worship: 10:30 am Sunday School: 9:30 am

Lutheran - NALC Immanuel Lutheran Church 3RLQVHWW 'ULYH ‡ Pastor Gary Blobaum Worship Service 9:00 am Sunday School 10:30 am Wed Bible Class: 7:00 pm

Pesbyterian First Presbyterian Church of Sumter : &DOKRXQ 6W ‡ Interim Pastor Rev. Ray Fancher Morning Worship 10:30 a.m.

Sunday School - All Ages 9:00 a.m.

Sunday Night Church Program 5:00-7:00 p.m.

Lemira Presbyterian Church %RXOHYDUG 5G ‡ Pastor Dan Rowton Sunday School 10:00 am Worship 11:00 am Bible Study 6:00 pm Swan Lake Presbyterian Church 912 Haynsworth St Sumter 803-775-3146 Pastor Chuck Staggs Sunday School 9:45 Worship 11:00

Word International Ministries 710 Manning Avenue Apostle Larry DuRant Pastor Woship - 10:45 am Sunday School - 10:30 am Tues. Bible Study - 7:00 pm

Mehoit - United

Sumter Bible Church 420 South Pike West, Sumter 803-773-8339 Pastor Ron Davis Sunday School 10:00 am Worship 11:00 am & 6:30 pm Wed. Bible Study & Prayer 7:00 pm

Aldersgate United Methodist $OLFH 'U ‡ Dr. Webb Belangia, Reverend Traditional Service 9:00 am Sunday School 10:15 am Contemporary 11:15 am

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS ACTIVE DAY INC. .FEJDBM "EVMU %BZ $BSF BOE 3FIBCJMJUBUJPO 4FSWJDFT

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To view church information online go to www.theitem.com or www.sumterchurchesonline.com

RELIGION

THE SUMTER ITEM

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2014

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A7

Steepleless church, for now

Church offers help with your financial issues

The steeple of First Southern Methodist Church sits next to the church as workers with Will Fort Roofing replace shingles on the roof. It has been leaking for about a year, said the Rev. Ellison L. Evans III, and Hunter Builders are the ones removing and replacing the steeple once the work is complete. The entire project should cost between $5,000 and $10,000, he said.

BY JADE REYNOLDS jade@theitem.com A local church is encouraging you to get your house in order.

Trinity Missionary Baptist Church is hosting its first Stewardship Workshop from 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturday. The free event that will feature five speakers focused on financial matters is open to the public.

“My pastor, who is also an attorney, sees a lot of this on a regular basis,” said Deacon Isaac Carr about Pastor Larry C. Weston.

“Members within our own congregation need to get this done.

They just need a little WANT TO GO? prodding.”

Weston is scheduled to speak on powers of WHAT: Trinity attorney, and Carr, who Missionary Baptist is a financial adviser Church Stewardship with Ameriprise FinanWorkshop cial, is set to address THEME: “Getting Your planning and investHouse in Order” ments.

“With my clients, I WHEN: 8:30 a.m. to see a tremendous need noon Saturday to have these docuWHERE: Church’s ments prepared, (and) Fellowship Hall, 155 unfortunately, as a deaWall St. con in the church, COST: Free, but when we visit the famiregistration is ly of members who requested; call (803) have passed away, they 775-4041 and ask for often don’t have their Sammie Washington. affairs in order,” Carr NOTES: Light said. refreshments will be The other topics and served at 8:30 a.m., presenters scheduled and door prizes will be given out. are: • Home ownership and financing with Melissa Richardson from ERA Wilder Realty and Caleb McGowan from National Bank of South Carolina; and • Probate matters such as probating estates, wills, conservatorship and guardianship with Judge Dale Atkinson of the Sumter County Probate Court.

While the event is free, registration is requested.

The workshop will take place in Trinity Missionary Baptist Church’s Fellowship Hall, 155 Wall St. Light refreshments will be served at 8:30 a.m., and door prizes will also be given out.

For more information or to sign up, call the church at (803) 775-4041 and ask to speak to Sammie Washington.

Reach Jade Reynolds at (803) 774-1250.

Workers with Will Fort Roofing, seen below left, reshingle the roof of the church Tuesday. The steeple will be replaced when the work is finished, the Rev. Evans said.

PHOTOS BY JADE REYNOLDS / THE SUMTER ITEM

CHURCH NEWS ALIVE Praise & Worship Center, 342 W. Liberty St., announces: * Each Saturday through Feb. 22 — Clothes giveaway 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Bethel AME Church, 1605 S.C. 261, Wedgefield, announces: * Sunday — Fill-a-Pew and Soul Food Sunday will be celebrated.

Church school begins at 9 a.m. followed by 10:15 a.m. worship.

Calvary Baptist Church, 459 Calvary Church Road, Bishopville, announces: * Saturday, March 1 — Mid-Carolina singing at 6 p.m. featuring God’s Tool Box of Gilbert and Cedar Creek Quartet.

Chapel Hill Baptist Church, 8749 Old Highway Six, Santee, announces: * Sunday — Annual black history observance at 10 a.m. * Sunday, March 2 — Pastor’s family seventh appreciation worship at 10 a.m. Dr. Eddie Gamble of Georgetown will speak. Mt. Olive Baptist Church choir will provide music. Dinner will follow in the fellowship hall.

Clark United Methodist Church, 2980 U.S. 401 N., Oswego Highway, announces: * Sunday — Annual black history program at 11 a.m.

* Friday — Joy Night / black history worship service at 7 p.m.

istry, 1335 Peach Orchard Road, announces:

* Sunday — Family and friends day during 10:45 a.m. service.

Green Hill Missionary Baptist Church, 1260 Green Hill Church Road, Alcolu, announces:

* Saturday — Icebreaker 2 for young men ages 13-25 will be held at 9 a.m. featuring various speakers.

New Birth Holiness Church, 42 Larkin St., announces:

* Sunday — Family and friends day worship at 4 p.m. The Rev. Jonathan Mouzon, of Macedonia Baptist Church, Jordon community of Manning, will speak.

High Hills Missionary Baptist Church, 6750 Meeting House Road, Dalzell, announces: * Sunday — Black history observance day and male chorus anniversary celebration during 10:15 a.m. worship.

Jehovah Missionary Baptist Church, 803 S. Harvin St., announces: * Today — Black history month worship “Civil Rights in South Carolina” at 7 p.m. Dr. McKinley Washington will speak. * Friday — Third Friday Praise Jam featuring Purpose. * Sunday — NAACP black history program at 5 p.m. * Thursday, Feb. 27 — Black history worship at 6:30 p.m. Dr. Ralph W. Canty Sr. and Presiding Elder Dr. Joseph Darby will speak.

Joshua Baptist Church, 5200 Live Oak Road, Dalzell, announces: * Saturday — Youth choir anniversary program at 4 p.m.

* Sunday — Pack-a-pew at 11 a.m.

Dr. Alec Bradley will speak. * Sunday, March 9 — Ordination and installation service at 4 p.m. for Dr. Alec Bradley Jr., Presiding Bishop L.V. Williams and Pastor Ray Mathis Jr. * Sunday, March 16 — Evangelist Tonya Mack will speak at 11 a.m.

There will be a pastor’s appreciation service at 4 p.m. for Pastor Ray and Prophetess Stephanie Mathis. Prophetess Rose ClarkSummers, of Greensboro, N.C., will speak. * Sunday, March 30 — Youth with Swag at 11 a.m. RaySean Mathis will speak.

* Sunday — Family and friends day at 4 p.m.

New Israel Missionary Baptist Church, 5330 Old Camden Highway, Dalzell, announces: * Sunday — An ethnic supper in the fellowship hall will follow the 1 p.m. worship.

Orangehill AME Church, 3035 S. King Highway, Wedgefield, announces: * Sunday — Black history celebration at 10 a.m. Brother Marvis L. Stewart will speak.

Pine Grove AME Church, 41 Pine Grove Road, Rembert, announces: * Sunday — Male chorus anniversary celebration at 2 p.m.

* Sunday — Family and friends day at 4 p.m. Dr. Tommy L. Frederick will speak.

Pinewood Baptist Church, S.C. 261, Pinewood, announces:

Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, 155 Wall St., announces:

* Sunday — Four Gospel program at 2 p.m. featuring Evangelist E. Walters, Evangelist Wanda Nelson, the Rev. Hilton and Janice Reed-Coney.

* Sunday-Wednesday, March 16-19 — Spring Revival services at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday and 7 nightly Monday-Wednesday. The Rev. Kirk Carlisle will speak. Dinner served at 5:45 p.m. in the fellowship hall Monday-Wednesday.

Nursery provided for all services.

Call (803) 452-5373 or visit www. pinewoodbaptist.org.

* Saturday — Stewardship workshop 8:30 a.m.-noon with speakers as follows: Isaac Carr of Ameriprise Financial will speak on financial planning; Melissa Richardson of ERA Wilder Realty and Caleb McGowan of NBSC will speak on home ownership/financing; Attorney Larry C. Weston will speak on power of attorneys; and Judge Dale Atkinson will speak on probate matters.

Mount Pleasant UME Church, 1654 Fullerton Road, Pinewood, announces:

Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 325 Fulton St., announces:

Providence Baptist Church, 2445 Old Manning Road, announces:

* Saturday, March 1 — Gospel singing at 6 p.m. featuring Believers Quartet and Beulahland Quartet.

* Sunday, March 9 — Parade of youth program during morning worship.

* Saturday — Annual Health and Heritage church and community health fair 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Mount Zion Enrichment Center. Pamela Davis, of South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, will speak on “African-Americans and HIV: Past, Present and Future.” Event will also feature free health screenings, health and local vendors, entertainment, light refreshments and door prizes. Call Delores Nickelson at (803) 9723034.

* Today — WMU soup and cornbread supper at 6:30 p.m.

* Sunday — 10th anniversary celebration at 4 p.m. Bishop S. Francis, pastor of both Crossroads and St. Peter churches, will speak.

* Sunday, March 30 — Youth service. Church school begins at 9 a.m. followed by 10 a.m. worship.

Kingdom Life Worldwide Ministries, meets at Marvin Hodge Life Center, 609 Miller Road, announces:

Fellowship Outreach Ministries, 1981 Florence Highway, announces:

* Friday — Youth on Fire program at 7:30 p.m. Elder Jackie Bush will speak.

* Sunday — Elder R. Johnson will speak at 4 p.m.

* Wednesday, Feb. 26 — Forever Change revival at 7:30 p.m. Overseer Pastor Graham will speak.

Golden Gate Fellowship Ministry, 705 Oswego Road, announces:

Land Flowing with Milk & Honey Min-

* Each Monday in February from 5:30 to 8 p.m., “Parenting Well,” helping good parents become great parents by Christine Donavan, will be presented. Donavan is a PCI certified parent coach from Charleston. Dinner and childcare will be provided. Cost is $125 per family. Call Sandy at (803) 4852504 to register or for more information.

Mount Pisgah AME Church, 217 W. Bartlette St., announces:

* Sunday — Black history program during morning worship.

Corinth Missionary Baptist Church, 25 Community St., announces:

St. Matthias Episcopal Church, 9 N. Duke St., Summerton, announces:

* Thursday, Feb. 27 — Montessori open house 6-7 p.m. for interested families with children ages 3, 4 and 5 years old. Call Sandy at (803) 485-2504 for details.

Concord Baptist Church, 1885 Myrtle Beach Highway, announces:

* Sunday, March 16 — YWA anniversary celebration during morning worship.

* Sunday — Black history program at 3 p.m. sponsored by the Knights and Ladies of St. Peter Claver. Joseph A. DeLaine Jr. will speak. On the program: Sumter County Sheriff’s Office Gospel Choir; Benevolence Choir; Frankie Smalls; St. Jude Choir; Desmond Mitchell; Mitchell Mime Ministry; and Stephen Carson.

* Sunday — Golden Age fellowship ministry anniversary / black history month worship celebration at 10:45 a.m.

Mulberry Missionary Baptist Church, 1400 Mulberry Church Road, announces:

Sheppard Ministries, 8490 Two Mile Road, Lynchburg, announces: * Friday — Gospel singing at 7 p.m. at Freedom Worship PHC, 1490 Florence Highway, featuring Doug Hudson, the Singing Sheppards and more.

Spring Hill AME Church, 4309 Bill Davis Road, Summerton, announces: * Sunday — Homecoming at 2 p.m. The Rev. Albert Thompson will speak.

St. Jude Catholic Church, 611 W. Oakland Ave., announces:

* Sunday — Black history worship service at 8 a.m. and 11 a.m.

James Felder, Civil Rights activist, will speak. * Saturday, March 29 — God’s Girls Rock Cotillion will be held at 4 p.m. Call (803) 775-4041 for information.

Walker Avenue Church of God, 100 Walker Ave., announces: * Sunday — Annual youth program at 11 a.m. Brother Earl Alexander Wilson will speak.

Willow Grove AME Church, 8105 A/B Sumter Landing Road, Horatio, announces: * Sunday — Black history observed with pot luck dinner. Wear African attire. Church school begins at 8:30 a.m. followed by 10 a.m. worship.

A8

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LOCAL

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2014

DRUGS FROM PAGE A1 90 days by U.S. District Judge Joseph F. Anderson.

The case stems from a traffic stop last June that added only the latest drug charges against Williams.

He had been released from federal prison only the year before after serving two years of a 41-month sentence for trafficking in narcotics.

When federal prosecutors

GUILTY FROM PAGE A1 about it to others,� McElveen said. “He had brought him over to show him the body and that he had killed him.

Terry even told (the neighbor) that he should have killed Bracey as well ... . It was just a brutal, brutal killing.�

After he was taken into custody, Terry admitted to putting a trash bag around the victim’s head, placing him into the trunk of Robinson’s own vehicle and driving him back to the parking lot of the victim’s apartment, where he left the vehicle with Robinson still in the trunk.

Terry, however, denied ever bragging about killing Robinson. “I didn’t know what to do,�

Terry said before the judge. “But I just want to clarify that the bragging never happened.�

The next morning, Robinson’s nephew, Antwan Robinson, was worried about his uncle when he didn’t show up for his unborn child’s ultrasound test. The family managed to locate Robinson’s vehicle and reported him missing to the police at 5 p.m. that day. Police found Robinson’s body within the trunk of the car as the family watched. “It was their worst nightmare,� McElveen said.

Tijuana Harris, Robinson’s fiancÊ, read a letter written by her 10-year-old daughter, Robinson’s child, before the judge, a letter written as if it were meant for Terry to read.

The letter expressed how much she missed her father and her disdain for Terry for taking him away from her.

Harris shared with the people in the courtroom how she and Robinson were high school sweethearts and how all she ever wanted to be was “Mrs. Eric Robinson.� But just before that day came, Robinson’s life was taken. “I could never ever, ever explain the devastation that we are all going through,�

Harris said. “He can’t play basketball with his nephews anymore. He can’t talk to his nieces anymore. ... I think it’s only fitting that Jacob Terry can’t go out and do the things he enjoys anymore in society.�

Several other Robinson relatives spoke before the court,

deal with repeat drug offenders, “you certainly want to move them off the street as quickly as possible,� said Jay Richardson, the assistant U.S. attorney who prosecuted the case.

On June 26, 2013, Williams was pulled over by Sumter County sheriff ’s deputies with the Interstate 95 Interdiction Team, following reports Williams was distributing cocaine outside a local hotel. Officers found the drugs inside a false-bottom canister, which was confiscated

along with a .40-caliber Colt pistol and $1,600 in cash, among other drug paraphernalia.

Sheriff Anthony Dennis credited Williams’ arrest and conviction on the cooperation between federal agents and the sheriff ’s office, especially the interdiction team. “This stops drugs from moving into other areas and from coming into Sumter,� Dennis said.

Williams made bail on state drug charges but has been held in the Lexington

TIM EDWARD TERRY Father of convicted killer Jacob Lee Terry

saying that they remember how Robinson valued his quality time with family and his love for basketball among other things. Robinson’s brother Chris lamented that the situation between Terry and Robinson could have resolved respectfully, had drugs and alcohol not been involved. “Eric was brought into this world, and Jacob Terry didn’t have anything to do with that,� said Chris Robinson. “On Aug. 2, 2011, he had everything to do with him leav-

ing this world. He took everything from us. Eric was a father, a brother, a fiancĂŠ, an uncle, a nephew, everything.â€? “Everything I am is because of him,â€? said Antwan Robinson. “I am in college, and I have one class before I get my master’s. Take one guess as to who I am indebted to for that. ... If the person who takes your life knows that you were a parent, what kind of person is that?â€?

Terry’s father, Tim Edward Terry, expressed fault for his son’s actions and related

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eyes, he asked the judge to show mercy toward Terryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s actions and for the two families to avoid any long-standing hatred. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I just believe that Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m responsible today for my sonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wrong choices,â&#x20AC;? Tim Terry said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Forty-seven years of bitterness is not the answer.

Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s find another way to raise our children and grandchildren. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s find another way to not let them make the same choices. We got to stop the generational thing.â&#x20AC;?

Reach Tyler Simpson at (803) 774-1295.

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them to his own dark experiences, including murdering his wife and experimenting in heroin. With tears in his

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re familiar with who weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re dealing with.â&#x20AC;?

On the federal side, Richardson praised the work local law enforcement did in making the arrest. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The sheriff â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office in Sumter works very closely with the ATF and the Drug Enforcement Administration targeting violent drug dealers in Sumter,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I credit them for partnering with other agencies and taking the lead in those cases.â&#x20AC;?

Reach Bristow Marchant at (803) 774-1272.

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County Detention Center with other federal defendants since his arrest. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s facing a longer sentence now because of his previous drug conviction. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fair to say heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s facing at least an additional five years, and probably more than five,â&#x20AC;? Richardson said.

Dennis said federal assistance is crucial to deputies making the case against traffickers such as Williams. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Once we make a stop, the DEA usually has the information on them,â&#x20AC;? he said.

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;I just believe that Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m responsible today for my sonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wrong choices.

Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s find another way to raise our children and grandchildren. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s find another way to not let them make the same choices. We got to stop the generational thing.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

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Every year more young people in the United States are gaining an appreciation of the contributions of African Americans to our nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s culture and history. This is a positive trend for Mt. Pisgah Church. Our celebration is a two-part program. First a slide show on the first documented African American born in the United States (William Tucker - 1624).

Second ten church members are used to have their history added to the imprint of Black History. This celebration will begin at 4:00 PM.

THE PUBLIC IS INVITED - ITS FREE YOU WILL ENJOY LOTS OF SOUL FOOD.

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THE SUMTER ITEM N.G. Osteen 1843-1936 The Watchman and Southron

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2014 H.G. Osteen 1870-1955 Founder, The Item

H.D. Osteen 1904-1987 The Item

|

A9

Margaret W. Osteen 1908-1996 The Item Hubert D. Osteen Jr. Chairman & Editor-in-Chief Graham Osteen Co-President Kyle Osteen Co-President Jack Osteen Editor and Publisher Larry Miller CEO Braden Bunch Senior News Editor

20 North Magnolia Street, Sumter, South Carolina 29150 • Founded October 15, 1894

COMMENTARY

Breaking unions’ grip

W

ASHINGTON — This year’s most important election will not occur in November, when more than 90 million votes will be cast for governors and national legislators. The most important election, crucial to an entire region’s economic well-being and to the balance of the nation’s political competition, has already occurred.

Last week, at a Tennessee factory, workers rejected representation by the United Auto Workers union. The 712-626 vote — an 89 percent turnout — against unionizing the 3-year-old Chattanooga Volkswagen plant was a shattering defeat for the UAW, for organized labor generally, and for liberalism nationally. It was a commensurate victory for entrepreneurial federalism.

Sixty years ago, 35 percent of America’s workforce was unionized, almost entirely in the private sector. Today, 11.3 percent is unionized. About half (49.6 percent) of this minority are government workers whose union dues do much to elect their employers. UAW membership has plummeted as far and fast as Detroit has — from 1.5 million in 1979 to about George 380,000 in 2012. In 2011, UAW PresiWill dent Bob King said, “If we don’t organize these transnationals, I don’t think there’s a long-term future for the UAW.” For 30 years the UAW has tried and failed to unionize a “transnational” — a factory making foreign-brand vehicles — in the South. The union may never have a better chance than it had in Chattanooga. The company, whose board includes representatives of a powerful German union, feigned neutrality but actually worked in close collaboration with the UAW. The union was given access to the plant, a workroom and other facilities, while groups opposing unionization were barred.

It is commonly, and carelessly, said that Washington bailed out “the” automobile industry. Actually, government bailed out two of the three companies in one of the two U.S. auto industries — the UAW-organized one. The other industry, located in the South and elsewhere — Americans making 30 percent of the vehicles Americans purchase — did not need rescuing because it does not have UAW presence, which helped ruin General Motors, Chrysler and their headquarters city, Detroit.

UAW officials blamed last week’s failure on “outside special-interest groups,” which describes the UAW in Chattanooga. In a characteristically shrill and clumsy intervention before the voting ended, Barack Obama accused Tennessee Republicans of being “more concerned about German shareholders than American workers.” He missed the detail that the shareholders’ company favored the UAW. The UAW, too, blamed Tennessee’s Republican politicians. Well.

VW received $577 million in tax breaks and other incentives to locate in Chattanooga, so Tennessee officials surely were entitled to speak about how unionization might harm the investment already made and might diminish the likelihood of additional help. Nowadays, however, liberalism responds to its unpersuasiveness by trying to get government to silence (as with the IRS) or punish (it is the National Labor Relations Board’s turn) speech by liberalism’s critics. So, the UAW may ask the NLRB to overturn the vote because of unfair labor practices, which supposedly amount to the fact that the UAW was not the only speaker during the debate before the vote. Anti-UAW billboards noted Detroit’s current prostration, and Sen. Bob Corker called the UAW “a Detroit-based organization.” Its headquarters, Solidarity House, is in Detroit.

Soon — certainly by the end of June — the Supreme Court probably will rebuke Obama for having made recess appointments to the NLRB while the Senate was not in recess. But given his administration’s culture of breezy indifference to legality, the NLRB might tug its forelock and do as the UAW demands.

In November, a prescient UAW organizer said the union would “probably lose” in Chattanooga if workers were granted a secret ballot election. That is, the UAW favored a “card check” faux election, whereby unionization is approved when a majority of employees, confronted individually by union organizers, sign a card. The UAW could not prevent a proper election, but with the NLRB’s permission the campaign was compressed to nine days. This minimized the time for UAW opponents to make their case.

Despite the UAW’s attempt to do for the South what it has done to Detroit, the South can continue to practice entrepreneurial federalism. Capital is mobile. It goes where it is welcomed and stays where it is well-treated, so states compete to create tax and regulatory environments conducive to job creation. Liberals call this a “race to the bottom.”

Conservatives call it a race to rationality.

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

COMMENTARY It’s about women’s rights, Ms. Hughes, not you In response to Ms. Hughes’ letter on sexism, it’s not about Ms. Hughes. It’s about women’s rights, women’s issues.

More women need to be involved in the issues concerning women. To each woman, you have rights equal to any man, whether you choose to

use your rights or not. I say fight for all women’s rights.

Even if you don’t agree with any issue, women still have those rights. All women know that most men, if not all, don’t fully understand women. No person should be telling women what to do with their bodies.

We hear all the controversy about women and birth control

and contraceptives. How about instead of women taking contraceptives for years, with all the trouble and expense, what about free vasectomies for men as part of family planning? That will remove contraceptives as an issue, also.

So, women, get involved in all political issues.

LEE INGLE Dalzell

COMMENTARY

Republicans getting to yes

W

ASHINGTON — Republicans have excelled at concealing their brilliance in recent years and Democrats have exalted in their own good fortune.

Whether discussing women’s reproductive systems or offering up unelectable candidates — “I am not a witch” might have been a tipoff — Republicans couldn’t stop handing gifts to their opponents. As for tactics, a GOP Trojan horse is ... a horse. And an Orca project is a whale-fishing expedition.

Meanwhile, Democrats successfully labeled the GOP as the “party of no,” assisted by Republicans’ consistent opposition to everything, and always flogging their own in an endless war between the party’s wacko birds (Sen. John McCain’s term) and establishment players who were variously referred to as RINOs (Republicans in Name Only) or Republicrats.

Democrats weren’t wrong.

But then one day, President Obama apparently lost his magic ring. The sun broke through the pall of Republican despair, the fires of Mordor ceased and the spell of buffoonery and pettifoggery that had plagued the elephant herd was miraculously lifted.

Congress raised the debt limit without drama; Republican leaders shelved divisive issues such as comprehensive immigration and tax reform, and shifted the focus to unifying messages about which RINOs and tea partyers can agree and lock pinkies: Obamacare is a failure and Barack Obama is an imperial president.

In essence, Republicans destroyed the Democrats’ sharpest weapon and absconded with their slogan. No more the party of no, the GOP suddenly is the party of “Yes we can!”

Quite a transformation, that.

And all along the message of House Speaker John Boehner,

even though his tea party colleagues, gladiators armed with certitude, couldn’t hear him.

Rather than listen to reason, they heard only the whispers of their beloved Wormtongue, whose identity I leave to you, dear reader, in hopes you have read J.R.R. Tolkien.

While some may view this strategy as another Boehner capitulation to the crazy caucus, others recognize its brilliance. Boehner is quieting down the elephant herd.

This doesn’t mean Republicans are making a run on Kathleen canvas to build Parker a bigger tent.

At least not this congressional crowd. But party leadership doesn’t hold all the cards anymore. Outsiders — widely known as billionaires — have their own agendas, which are not uniformly consistent with the GOP base’s.

Nor are they necessarily sinister, though this most likely will be the spin from Democrats.

Wherever billionaires gather, something must be up. Politico suggested as much with its exclusive story earlier this week about mega-donors planning a GOP war council that will be meeting soon at “a swanky Colorado resort.” Do wealthy Democrats meet in abandoned warehouses?

This gathering of Republican swanks is being hosted by New York billionaire Paul Singer, who wants to help shape the party’s direction leading up to the midterms.

Dum-de-dum-dum. Singer, who gives generously to humanitarian groups, including wounded warriors, also supports same-sex marriage, immigration reform and pro-Israel policies. He is, in other words, a New/Old Republican — moderate on social issues,

passionate about human rights, practical about demographic change and election realities, hawkish about defense and loyalty to allies.

These positions are largely consistent with a sizable chunk of the American people, if not so much with the GOP’s libertarians, who increasingly lean toward isolationist, bootstrap policies. Hence the emerging narrative of yet another internal war within the GOP. Cue Darth Vader breathing sound, if I may mix my movies, and enter the Koch brothers -- those heartless, free-market avatars with libertarian tendencies.

The same Politico story described the Koch brothers as bringing together “handpicked operatives and politicians twice a year at tony resorts.” Hand-picked implies “special” while “tony” is a word only used by 1 percenters. (I don’t think I’ve ever heard — not even in movies — a diamond-laden debutante belaboring restaurant choices say: “Oh, Capers, let’s do pick some place tony”).

And they say Republicans use dog whistles.

Democrats love to demonize these groups even though they have a couple of their own billionaire bundling operations.

But the emerging narrative of the billionaire war within the party is both incorrect and an obvious attempt to revive the idea that Republicans can’t lead because they can’t even get along with each other.

It worked for a while, but no more. Within the party, the Koch brothers and Singer might best be described as cobelligerents. Picture them as set A and B in a Venn diagram. The overlap is the story — and the war isn’t internal.

Kathleen Parker’s email address is kathleenparker@washpost.com. © 2014, Washington Post Writers Group

HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY? Send your letter to letters@theitem.com, drop it off at The Item office, 20 N. Magnolia St., or mail it to The Item, P.O. Box 1677, Sumter, SC 29151, along with the writer’s full name, address and telephone number (for verification purposes only). Letters that exceed 350 words will be cut accordingly in the print edition, but available in their entirety at www.theitem.com/opinion/letters_to_editor.

A10

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2014

District,” Baker said. “I can’t think of too many situations that compare, at all.”

Moss is active in the school’s choir program and was on the verge of taking her honors choir students on a trip to Atlanta in April to participate in the Southern Star Music Festival. The students recently raised money for the trip with their “Cookies and Story Time with Santa” hosted at the school’s gymnasium in December.

In addition to her work as a choral teacher at Chestnut Oaks, Moss was also the director of Sumter Youth Choir, a vocal group known for featuring some of the youngest local singers. Prior to her involvement with the choir, Moss was employed with the now nonexistent Sumter School District 2.

The Sumter Youth Choir features children from grades 3-8 and presented its first concert in December 2012.

“It’s been a wonderful experience directing them,” Moss said of the choir in December 2012. “These children are so talented and diligent and dedicated.”

Reach Tyler Simpson at (803) 774-1295.

FROM PAGE A1 trends to see the big picture.”

Rather than watching short-term fluctuations in the atmosphere that meteorologists use for the local weather forecast, longrange forecasters depend on historical trends and slowly evolving climate conditions. The Climate Prediction Center of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration monitors changing ocean temperatures in the Pacific, which can affect future rainfalls and the direction of the jet stream, and the level of soil moisture from previous precipitation, which absorbs energy from sunlight and reduces heat.

But their forecast for 2014 predicted a warmer winter across the Southeast, partly as a result of normal water temperatures in the oceans.

“We want to see a departure one way or the other,” said NOAA’s Jon Gottschalck. “If we don’t have

that, there’s no signal, that makes our job much harder.”

But in addition to modern computer forecasting, the Old Farmer’s Almanac also relies on a less obvious predictor: sunspots.

The Almanac’s founding editor, a Massachusetts farmer named Robert B. Thomas, theorized that visible changes on the surface of the sun can affect the amount of solar energy reaching the Earth, and the publication has included sun cycles as part of its “secret formula” ever since.

“Those throw out a lot of energy,” Jarvela said, and during a calm period on the sun, “it’s cooler because there’s not as much solar energy in the atmosphere.”

Jarvela claims an 80-percent accuracy rate based on previous Almanac forecasts, and if the 2014 forecasts are correct, more wintry weather may be in store. The entry for Feb. 21-26 predicts “Rain to snow” again.

Reach Bristow Marchant at (803) 774-1272.

TODAY

TONIGHT

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

Intervals of clouds and sunshine

Mostly cloudy, breezy and mild

Cloudy with a couple of t-storms

Partly sunny

Times of clouds and sun

Mostly sunny

76°

63°

71° / 41°

66° / 46°

71° / 42°

63° / 42°

Chance of rain: 15%

Chance of rain: 25%

Chance of rain: 60%

Chance of rain: 10%

Chance of rain: 10%

Chance of rain: 15%

Winds: S 7-14 mph

Winds: S 10-20 mph

Winds: WSW 8-16 mph

Winds: E 4-8 mph

Winds: W 4-8 mph

Winds: ENE 8-16 mph

TODAY’S SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER

The last word ARIES (March 21-April 19): in astrology Protect your EUGENIA LAST reputation. Put in extra hours or add more detail to the way you do your chores and job. Help others and you will avoid being centered out.

Children will play a positive role in your life.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Get out and about. The more you interact with people who share your interests or concerns, the further ahead you’ll get.

A change regarding your relationships with others may be necessary if you’re heading in a different direction.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You can improve your professional position if you add skills or services to what you’re currently offering. Your peers, colleagues and superiors will consider you valuable if you keep up with technology and business trends.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Do, rather than discuss, when it comes to domestic situations or decisions that must be made. By taking action, you’ll confirm that you’re willing to go the distance to make things happen.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Your investments may need a tune-up. Go over personal papers and any joint holdings you have. A change regarding the person you do financial or legal business with will help get your money matters in better shape.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): A misunderstanding can cost you, so choose your words carefully. Helping others will raise your profile, but don’t allow anyone to take advantage of your good nature. Keep your money in a safe place.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Acceptance will help you maneuver through any negative encounter you face. The sooner you deal with responsibility, the quicker you will be able to move on to the people, places and things you enjoy most.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Rely on your business savvy and ability to outmaneuver others. Taking an unusual route to reach your goals will help you bypass some of the competition you face.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Taking action will allow you to show what you’ve got to offer and place you in a very cushy position when it comes to both your personal and professional connections. Don’t let an emotional issue cloud your vision.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Walk away from an argument. Love and romance are in the stars, and setting plans to enjoy time with someone you think is special will brighten your day.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Put your time and effort into achieving your goals, not helping someone else advance. Make changes that will enable you to use your skills innovatively and you will surpass anyone trying to stand in your way.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Legal settlements, contracts, investments or any matter that can help you out financially should be dealt with.

Money will come to you from an unusual source.

Columbia 78/63

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

Sumter 76/63

Today: Variably cloudy and warm. Winds south-southeast 6-12 mph.

Friday: A couple of showers and a thunderstorm. Winds west 6-12 mph.

Aiken 78/62

ON THE COAST

Charleston 78/64

Today: A blend of sun and clouds. High 70 to 76.

Friday: A couple of thunderstorms; thunderstorms can be severe. High 66 to 75.

LOCAL ALMANAC

LAKE LEVELS

Today Hi/Lo/W 74/52/c 50/22/r 66/36/pc 45/33/i 80/47/t 83/54/s 78/50/pc 46/42/pc 86/64/pc 47/42/pc 75/50/s 64/45/pc 53/49/pc

SUN AND MOON 7 a.m. yest.

357.98 75.01 74.53 98.22

24-hr chg +0.03 +0.05 none -0.25

Sunrise 7:01 a.m.

Moonrise 11:46 p.m.

RIVER STAGES

Fri. Hi/Lo/W 58/38/pc 36/19/pc 69/45/s 37/25/pc 68/44/s 82/54/s 62/48/s 54/35/r 84/63/pc 58/36/r 77/53/s 62/46/pc 63/37/r

Sunset 6:10 p.m.

Moonset 10:00 a.m.

Last

New

First

Full

Feb. 22

Mar. 1

Mar. 8

Mar. 16

TIDES

Flood 7 a.m. 24-hr stage yest. chg 12 10.09 +0.04 19 5.40 +0.40 14 9.66 -0.04 14 4.04 -1.29 80 79.91 -0.01 24 11.30 -0.10

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

0.00" 2.29" 2.30" 5.03" 4.57" 6.24"

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

79° 53° 59° 36° 81° in 1951 14° in 1958

Precipitation 24 hrs ending 4 p.m. yest.

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

Myrtle Beach 72/67

Manning 79/63

IN THE MOUNTAINS

Temperature High Low Normal high Normal low Record high Record low

Florence 76/64

Bishopville 77/63

AT MYRTLE BEACH

High Today 12:07 p.m.

--Fri. 12:41 a.m.

12:57 p.m.

Ht. 2.7 --2.9 2.7

Low Ht. 7:00 a.m. 0.1 7:07 p.m. -0.1 7:53 a.m. 0.2 7:58 p.m. 0.0

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

Today Hi/Lo/W 60/49/c 72/54/c 80/61/pc 76/64/pc 60/57/pc 78/64/pc 68/60/c 70/57/c 78/63/pc 76/62/pc 58/57/pc 72/63/pc 73/62/pc

Fri. Hi/Lo/W 57/29/t 61/37/t 68/35/t 73/47/t 65/49/t 76/46/t 65/35/t 65/39/t 71/39/t 71/39/t 70/39/r 74/43/t 72/41/t

Today City Hi/Lo/W Florence 76/64/pc Gainesville 82/62/pc Gastonia 66/59/c Goldsboro 70/63/pc Goose Creek 77/64/pc Greensboro 62/57/c Greenville 66/57/c Hickory 60/54/c Hilton Head 69/60/pc Jacksonville, FL 80/61/pc La Grange 74/50/pc Macon 77/57/pc Marietta 72/52/c

Fri. Hi/Lo/W 75/42/t 78/57/t 65/36/t 72/43/t 75/46/t 66/37/t 65/37/t 63/35/t 66/50/t 75/55/t 59/32/pc 61/36/t 57/36/pc

Today City Hi/Lo/W Marion 58/55/c Mt. Pleasant 75/64/pc Myrtle Beach 72/67/pc Orangeburg 78/63/pc Port Royal 74/64/pc Raleigh 70/62/pc Rock Hill 70/60/c Rockingham 74/61/pc Savannah 78/64/pc Spartanburg 66/57/c Summerville 70/60/pc Wilmington 70/65/pc Winston-Salem 62/57/c

Fri. Hi/Lo/W 61/34/t 74/46/t 74/47/t 71/41/t 73/47/t 67/42/t 64/35/t 71/38/t 75/46/t 66/36/t 72/49/t 77/45/t 61/37/t

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

NOW YOU CAN REPLACE YOUR OLD NOISY, POWER HUNGRY HEAT PUMP FOR AS LITTLE AS

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PUBLIC AGENDA Today, 7 p.m., district office, Turbeville

Gaffney 66/57 Spartanburg 66/57

Greenville 66/57

MP OR D HEAT PU RUSTY OL ITIONER AIR COND

CLARENDON SCHOOL DISTRICT 3

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2014

AccuWeather® five-day forecast for Sumter

SUMTER THROUGH 4 P.M. YESTERDAY

ALMANAC

THE SUMTER ITEM

WEATHER

MOSS FROM PAGE A1 The district’s administration has cooperated fully with the investigation.”

Dennis said that while Moss only faces two charges presently, he expects more charges to be levied.

Moss was placed on administrative leave by Sumter School District on Feb. 11, pending the investigation.

She is listed as being the chorus teacher for grades 6-8 on the school’s website and was hired just a little more than a year ago on Jan. 6, 2013, according to spokeswoman Shelley Galloway of Sumter School District.

Superintendent Frank Baker said decisions were made swiftly.

“As soon as we caught wind that there might be some inappropriate behavior between a staff member and a student, we turned it over to the sheriff’s office,” Baker said. “She was called into my office and placed on administrative leave the same day.”

Once deputies began their investigation, Baker said the district’s involvement with the situation ended.

“I’ve never dealt with a situation like this as superintendent of Sumter School

DAILY PLANNER

SEAL YOUR DUCTS FROM THE INSIDE

803-795-4257

LOTTERY NUMBERS PICK 4 WEDNESDAY

PALMETTO CASH 5 WEDNESDAY

4-3-8-4 and 6-6-3-6

8-20-23-24-25 PowerUp: 4

MEGAMILLIONS TUESDAY

PICK 3 WEDNESDAY

23-29-31-37-70 Megaball: 14 Megaplier: 5

2-3-4 and 3-6-3

Powerball numbers were unavailable at press time.

PICTURES FROM THE PUBLIC SUBMITTED BY: Joseph Edwards OCCASION: Army National Guardsman Frank Sprankle, left, presents his father-inlaw, U.S. Air Force retiree Mike Edwards, with a USC flag that was flown over Bagram Airfield (U.S. military installation) in Afghanistan.

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

Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for return of your photo. Amateur photographers only please.

SECTION

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

USA, Canada to meet in hockey semis; Russia ousted

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2014

LOCAL BOXING

‘Quiet Storm’ hits Showtime Sumter’s Robinson faces Imam on Friday in 1st televised bout

BY MICHAEL CHRISTOPHER mchristopher@theitem.com

ACTION FIGHTER MEDIA ATL BOXING

Sumter’s Jared Robinson, left, will make his television debut on Friday when he fights Amir Imam in Cleveland on Showtime’s “ShoBox: The New Generation” beginning at 10:45 p.m.

Snow storms and ice storms have been in the news all winter, now Sumter’s Jared Robinson hopes to put another storm in the news.

Robinson, an undefeated junior welterweight boxer known as “The Quiet Storm” will make his television debut on Friday on “ShoBox: The New Generation,” on Showtime that will

air at 10:45 p.m.

Robinson will put his perfect 14-0 record on the line against 12-0 Amir Imam in the co-main event in Cleveland. A victory could propel Robinson to fighting consistently on the big stage.

“I’m in awe of being able to participate in an event like this with fighters of this caliber,” Robinson said.

“For the 14 fights I’ve had I would say I would make a little bit of buzz in the (Southeastern) region, but (I’ve been) really just flying under the radar,” Robinson said. “After this nationally televised program, everyone will know me after that.”

He now gets to fight in what he calls “the biggest fight of his career,” one in which he is not favored.

While he feels a little bit of pressure, he thinks more pressure is on his opponent because its Imam’s promotional company backing the fight.

Imam was a silver medalist at the 2011 U.S. Olympic trials. Of his 12 victories, 11 have been by knockout in two in two rounds or fewer.

One of his victims was another Sumterite, Jeremy Bryan, whom Imam knocked out in the second

SEE ROBINSON, PAGE B3

MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

PREP BASKETBALL

Hickory lows, beach highs

Postseason starts today for SCHSL SCISA state tourneys set for Friday at Civic Center

BY DENNIS BRUNSON dennisb@theitem.com

TRACY PROFFITT / HICKORY CRAWDADS

Former Sumter High, Sumter P-15’s and University of South Carolina Sumter standout Tyler Smith rebounded from a rough stretch in low Class A Hickory, N.C., to earn a callup to Class A Advanced Myrtle Beach by the end of the season. Smith hopes to start this year with the Pelicans as well, but won’t know until after spring training in Surprise, Ariz.

Sumter’s Smith overcomes rough stretch in N.C. to earn Grand Strand callup by end of 1st full season in minors

BY JUSTIN DRIGGERS jdriggers@theitem.com By mid-summer of 2013, Tyler Smith was wondering if he was going to be able to bounce back after a brutal 7-game stretch playing baseball at Single-A Hickory, N.C., dealt a serious blow to his confidence.

Fast forward two months and the 6-foot-3-inch right-

hander was basking in the Myrtle Beach sunshine — and his first callup to the Single-A Advanced Pelicans of the Carolina League.

“That was definitely a surprise,” said Smith, a 19thround draft pick by the Texas Rangers in ‘12. “That was probably what really gave me my full confidence back.

They don’t call guys up they don’t have confidence in, so

that was big for me.

“I came up focused and I think my numbers showed it.”

Smith’s line in four games with Myrtle Beach read like a lot of his outings over the years with Sumter High School, the Sumter American Legion P-15’s and the University of South Carolina Sumter. In 8 1/3 innings, Smith had a 1.08 earned run aver-

age after allowing just one earned run on three hits with nine strikeouts and one walk to go along with one save.

It was a remarkable turnaround after a roller-coaster season in Hickory.

STARTING STRONG Smith entered the ’13 season with only a handful of

SEE SMITH, PAGE B3

The Sumter High School boys basketball team and the Crestwood girls team both advanced to the lower state championship games of their respective state playoffs last season.

INSIDE They will Complete begin the first-round process of SCHSL playoff trying to schedule take it one step further B2 today.

Both the Sumter boys and girls, the Lady Knights and the Lakewood girls will be at home in first-round games in the South Carolina High School League playoffs while the Lakewood and Lee Central boys and the Lee Central and East Clarendon girls will open on the road.

The South Carolina Independent School Association also released the brackets for its state tournaments which begin on Friday.

The SHS girls, who tied for the Region VI-4A title, but are the No. 2 seed from the region in the playoffs after losing a tiebreaker to West Florence, will play host to Lexington at 6 p.m.

The Gamecocks, who also tied for the region title with South Florence, but won the tiebreaker, will then take on Aiken at approximately 7:45 p.m.

The Crestwood girls, who are 21-3 on the season and won the Region VI-3A crown for the third straight season, will play host to Swansea at The

SEE PLAYOFFS, PAGE B2

COMMENTARY

Miracle on Ice part 2? Hardly O

K. Will those who have been saying the United States’ victory over Russia in men’s hockey last week compared to the Americans’ victory over the Soviet Union in 1980 kindly take a seat and shut up.

The Russians’ 3-1 loss to Finland in a quarterfinal match at the Winter Olympics on Wednesday brings an end to any such comparison. Not only did the RusDennis sians lose twice on their Brunson home ice, they lost twice on their home land.

Russian president Vladimir Putin can be none too happy with the results. I wonder if the hockey team’s members await the same

fate as someone who would say to the premi — uh, president — “Hey, you’re Putin.”

Getting back to the matter at hand though, it was absurd that anyone would give thought to comparing America’s shootout victory over Russia to the “Miracle on Ice,” much less actually voice such an opinion.

NBC was trying its best to build up the importance of the victory, and that was totally driven to try and build up ratings. It seems as though the Peacock Network’s sports department may have been taking a cue from its news division, not letting the truth get in the way of a good story.

Was last week’s win exciting? Sure it was, but based on what happened to the Russians in its other matches, perhaps the Americans

SEE BRUNSON, PAGE B3

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Forward T.J. Oshie, left, of the United States is congratulated by teammate Ryan Callahan after scoring the winning goal in a shootout during a 3-2 overtime victory on Saturday, in Sochi, Russia. The game has been compared to the 1980 Miracle on Ice.

B2

|

SPORTS

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2014

SPORTS ITEMS

SCOREBOARD

Ard powers USC softball to 12-0 win

TV, RADIO

CHARLOTTE — The University of South Carolina softball team scored 11 runs in the seventh inning, four of which came off the bat of former Wilson Hall standout Ansley Ard, as the Lady Gamecocks defeated Charlotte 12-0 on Wednesday at the D.L. Phillips Complex.

Ard, who led off the ARD final frame with a bunt single, also hit a grand slam to finish 2-for-3 with two runs scored and four RBI. USC is 7-2 on the season and will host the Gamecock Invitational this weekend at Carolina Softball Stadium at Beckham Field, facing GardnerWebb and Boston University in the final two games at 3 and 5:30 p.m. on Friday. On Saturday at 3 p.m., the Lady Gamecocks face Michigan State and Sunday’s tournament finale pits USC against UNC Wilmington at 5:30 p.m.

MCDOWELL, DUFNER RALLY AT MATCH PLAY

MARANA, Ariz. — In an opening round of comebacks in the Match Play Championship on Wednesday, none was more stunning than Grame McDowell surviving to see another day of this most unpredictable event.

McDowell was among eight players who trailed with six holes remaining and somehow survived.

Brandt Snedeker had to make two tough par saves just to stay alive on the 18th and 19th holes of his match

PLAYOFFS FROM PAGE B1 Castle beginning at 7.

The Lakewood girls, who finished second to the Lady Knights in Region VI, will play host to Midland Valley at The Swamp beginning at 6.

The Lakewood boys will be traveling to Graniteville to face Midland Valley in a 6 p.m. game.

The Gators started the week in first place in Region VI, but a pair of losses dropped it to the No. 3 seed, thus sending them on the road.

Both Lee Central teams finished third in Region VII-2A. The Lady Stallions will travel to Mullins for a 6 p.m. contest, while the boys will play at Marion beginning at 7. The EC

against David Lynn of England. He won with an 8-foot birdie on the next hole. It was the only time all day he had the lead.

Jason Dufner was 3 down with five holes remaining when Scott Stallings made too many mistakes, Dufner made one clutch birdie, and the PGA champion advanced in 19 holes with a simple par.

Six matches went the distance. Five matches went overtime. The last one was Ernie Els, vexed by this format so many times that some years he didn’t bother showing up. He was 2 down with three to play and outlasted Stephen Gallacher in 19 holes.

BRAVES EXTEND WREN, GONZALEZ

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — On Wednesday, the Atlanta Braves extended the contracts of general manager Frank Wren and manager Fredi Gonzalez.

Wren and Gonzalez were entering the final years of their contracts and Braves president John Schuerholz simply said he wanted the deals to be done as soon as possible. Terms and the amount of the contracts were not disclosed.

Last season, the Braves went 96-66 and won the National League East before falling in the playoffs. Gonzalez finished third in National League Manager of the Year voting. He has a career record with the Braves of 279207.

From staff, wire reports

girls, the No. 4 seed from Region VII-1A, will play at Latta at 7.

Nine local teams will be playing in the playoffs of the three SCISA classifications.

The Laurence Manning Academy boys, who won both the regular-season and tournament titles in Region II3A, is the lower No. 4 seed and will face Hilton Head Christian on Saturday at 4 p.m. at the Sumter County Civic Center. Wilson Hall, the upper No. 5 seed will take on Augusta Christian on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. at Heathwood Hall in Columbia.

The LMA and Wilson Hall girls will both play on Friday. However, they won’t know who, where or what time until today.

Some games were being played on Wednesday that would have an effect

on seeding.

In the 2A girls playoffs, Thomas Sumter is the No. 1 seed in the lower bracket and will meet Robert E. Lee Academy at 5 p.m. on Friday at Sumter County Civic Center. The TSA boys are the lower No.7 seed and will meet No. 2 Trinity-Byrnes on Saturday at 1 p.m.

St. Francis Xavier High School’s boys team, which won both the regular-season and tournament titles in Region I-1A, is the upper No. 4 seed and will take on Coastal Christian at 5 p.m. on Saturday in the main gymnasium at Wilson Hall’s Nash Student Center.

Clarendon Hall’s girls team is the upper No. 4 seed and will meet Faith Christian at 3:30 p.m. on Friday at Sumter County Civic Center.

SCHSL BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS Games at 7 p.m. today unless otherwise noted 4A GIRLS UPPER STATE Byrnes (4) at Greenwood (1) South Pointe (3) at Mauldin (2), 6 p.m.

Hillcrest (4) at Irmo (1), 6 p.m.

Spartanburg (3) at Northwestern (2), 6 p.m.

Wade Hampton (4) at Lancaster Woodmont (3) at Spring Valley (2), 6 p.m.

Fort Mill (4) at Dorman (1), 6 p.m.

T L Hanna (3) at Westside (2), 6 p.m.

LOWER STATE Ridge View (4) at Region V (1) Colleton County (4) at Cane Bay (2) Region V (4) at West Florence (1) Blythewood (3) at Ashley Ridge (2) Fort Dorchester (4) at Goose Creek (1), 6 p.m.

Region V (3) at Sumter (2) West Ashley (4) at Summerville (1) South Florence (3) at Region V (2) BOYS UPPER STATE Laurens (4) at T L Hanna (1) Rock Hill (3) at Gaffney (2) Greenwood (4) at Irmo (1) Wade Hampton (3) at Northwestern (2), 7:30 p.m.

Byrnes (4) at South Pointe (1) Woodmont (3) at Spring Valley (2) Nation Ford (4) at Dorman (1), 7:30 p.m.

Spartanburg (3) at Hillcrest (2) LOWER STATE Ridge View (4) at Region V (1) Fort Dorchester (3) at Goose Creek (2), 7:30 p.m.

Region V (4) at Sumter (1), 7:30 p.m.

Blythewood (3) at Bluffton (2) Beaufort (4) at Wando (1) Region V (3) at South Florence (2) Stratford (4) at Summerville (1) Carolina Forest at Region V (2) 3A GIRLS UPPER STATE Wren (4) at Southside (1), 6 p.m.

Chester (3) at Dreher (2), 6 p.m.

Eastside (4) at Daniel (1) Chapin (3) at Union County (2) Clinton (4) at Lower Richland (1) Palmetto (3) at Blue Ridge (2) A C Flora (4) at Broome (1), 6 p.m.

Greenville (3) at Belton-Honea Path (2) LOWER STATE Hanahan (4) at Myrtle Beach (1), 6 p.m.

Midland Valley (3) at Lakewood (2) Socastee (4) at Orangeburg-Wilkin. (1), 6 p.m.

Hartsville (3) at Strom Thurmond (2) Swansea (4) at Crestwood (1) Stall (3) at Wilson (2) Darlington (4) at Airport (1), 6 p.m.

North Myrtle Beach (3) at Hilton Head Island (2), 6 p.m.

BOYS UPPER STATE Walhalla (4) at Travelers Rest (1) Clinton (3) at A C Flora (2) Southside (4) at Emerald (1) Lower Richland (3) at Chapman (2) Woodruff (4) at Dreher (1), 7:30 p.m.

Wren (3) at Eastside (2), 7:30 p.m.

Camden (4) at Chester (1) Greenville (3) at Seneca (2) LOWER STATE Berkeley (4) at Myrtle Beach (1), 7:30 p.m.

Strom Thurmond (3) at Hartsville (2), 6 p.m.

Wilson (4) at Orangeburg-Wilk (1), 7:30 p.m.

Lakewood (3) at Midland Valley (2) Brookland-Cayce (4) at Darlington (1) James Island (3) at North Myrtle Beach (2) Marlboro County (4) at Airport (1), 7:30 p.m.

Socastee (3) at Hanahan (2) 2A GIRLS UPPER STATE Saluda (4) at Pendleton (1)

Landrum (3) at Ninety-Six (2) Carolina (4) at Newberry (1), 6 p.m.

Mid-Carolina (3) at Blacksburg (2), 6:30 p.m.

Indian Land (4) at Fairfield-Central (1) Keenan (3) at Chesterfield (2), 6:30 p.m.

Eau Claire (4) at Andrew Jackson (1) Cheraw (3) at Columbia (2) LOWER STATE Ridgeland-Hardeeville (4) at Calhoun County (1), 6 p.m.

Wade Hampton (3) at Battery Creek (2) Edisto (4) at Bishop England (1) Academic Magnet (3) at Silver Bluff (2) Waccamaw (4) at Kingstree (1) Lee Central (3) at Mullins (2), 6 p.m.

Lake Marion (4) at Dillon (1) Marion (3) at Lake City (2), 6 p.m.

BOYS UPPER STATE Saluda (4) at Crescent (1) Blacksburg (3) at Abbeville (2), 6 p.m.

Chesnee (4) at Newberry (1), 7:30 p.m.

Mid-Carolina (3) at Carolina (2) Andrew Jackson (4) at Keenan (1) Columbia (3) at Cheraw (2) Eau Claire (4) at Indian Land (1) Chesterfield (3) at Fairfield Central (2), 7:30 p.m.

LOWER STATE Burke (4) at Calhoun County (1), 7:30 p.m.

Wade Hampton (3) at Battery Creek (2), 7:30 p.m.

Silver Bluff (4) at Ridgeland-Hardeeville (1) Garrett (3) at Edisto (2) Waccamaw (4) at Lake Marion (1) Lee Central (3) at Marion (2) Timberland (4) at Mullins (1), 7:30 p.m.

Dillon (3) at Lake City (2), 7:30 p.m.

1A GIRLS UPPER STATE Brashier MC (4) at McCormick (1), 6 p.m.

Lewisville (3) at Wagener-Salley (2) Calhoun Falls (4) at St. Joseph’s (1), 6 p.m.

Blackville-Hilda (3) at C A Johnson (2) North (4) at Lamar (1) Tamassee-Salem (3) at Christ Church (2) McBee (4) at Ridge Spring-Monetta (1) Greer MC (3) at Dixie (2) LOWER STATE Charleston M&S (4) at Whale Branch (1), 6 p.m.

Hemingway (3) at Region VIII (2) Bethune-Bowman (4) at Baptist Hill (1), 6 p.m.

Region VIII (3) at Carvers Bay (2) Region VIII (4) at Timmonsville (1) Allendale-Fairfax (3) at Cross (2) East Clarendon (4) at Region VIII (1), 6 p.m.

St. John’s (3) at Denmark-Olar (2) BOYS 1A UPPER STATE Christ Church (4) at Calhoun Falls (1) Lamar (3) at Hunter-Kinard-Tyler (2) Ware Shoals/Tamm-Salem (4) at St. Joesph’s (1), 8 p.m.

Blackville-Hill/Wag-Salley (3) at C A Johnson/Great Falls (2) Blackville-Hill/Wag-Salley (4) at CA Johnson/ Great Falls (1) Dixie (3) at Greenville Tech Charter (2) Lewisville (4) at Fox Creek (1) Southside Christian (4) at McCormick (2), 7:30 p.m.

LOWER STATE Military Magnet (4) at Whale Branch (1), 7:30 p.m.

C E Murray (3) at Region VIII (2) Estill (4) at St. John’s (1) Region VIII (3) at Timmonsville (2) Region VIII (4) at Hemingway (1) Allendale-Fairfax (3) at Baptist Hill (2) Carvers Bay (4) at Region VIII (1) Cross (3) at Denmark-Olar (2)

TODAY

9 a.m. – LPGA Golf: Honda LPGA Thailand First Round from Chonburi, Thailand (GOLF).

10 a.m. – NASCAR Racing: Nationwide Series DRIVE4COPD 300 Practice from Daytona Beach, Fla. (FOX SPORTS 1).

11 a.m. – Women’s College Basketball: Texas at Oklahoma (SPORTSOUTH).

Noon – NASCAR Racing: Nationwide Series DRIVE4COPD 300 Practice from Daytona Beach, Fla. (FOX SPORTS 1).

1 p.m. – International Soccer: UEFA Champions League Match – Dynamo Kiev vs. Valencia (FOX SPORTSOUTH).

1 p.m. – PGA Golf: WGC-Match Play Championship Second-Round Matches from Marana, Ariz. (GOLF).

1:30 p.m. – NASCAR Racing: Camping World Truck Series NextEra Energy Resources 250 Practice from Daytona Beach, Fla. (FOX SPORTS 1).

3 p.m. – NASCAR Racing: Nationwide Series DRIVE4COPD 300 Practice from Daytona Beach, Fla. (FOX SPORTS 1).

3 p.m. – International Soccer: UEFA Champions League Match – Porto vs. Eintracht Frankfurt (FOX SPORTSOUTH).

4:30 p.m. – NASCAR Racing: Camping World Truck Series NextEra Energy Resources 250 Practice from Daytona Beach, Fla. (FOX SPORTS 1).

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

6:30 p.m. – Women’s College Basketball: North Carolina at Virginia (FOX SPORTSOUTH).

6:45 p.m. – High School Basketball: 3A State Playoffs First-Round Game – Camden at Chester (WPUB-FM 102.7).

7 p.m. – College Basketball: Memphis at Rutgers (CBS SPORTS NETWORK).

7 p.m. – College Basketball: Michigan State at Purdue (ESPN).

7 p.m. – College Basketball: Alabama at Texas A&M (ESPN2).

7 p.m. – College Basketball: Penn State at Nebraska (ESPNU).

7 p.m. – NASCAR Racing: Sprint Cup Series Budweiser Duel from Daytona Beach, Fla. (FOX SPORTS 1, WEGX-FM 92.9).

7 p.m. – Women’s College Basketball: South Carolina at Kentucky (SPORTSOUTH).

8 p.m. – NBA Basketball: Miami at Oklahoma City (TNT).

8 p.m. – Women’s College Basketball: South Carolina at Kentucky (Joined In Progress) (WNKT-FM 107.5).

8:30 p.m. – Women’s College Basketball: Florida State at Maryland (FOX SPORTSOUTH).

9 p.m. – College Basketball: Georgetown at Seton Hall (CBS SPORTS NETWORK).

9 p.m. – College Basketball: Duke at North Carolina (ESPN).

9 p.m. – College Basketball: Connecticut at Temple (ESPN2).

9 p.m. – College Basketball: Toledo at Bowling Green (ESPNU).

10:30 p.m. – NBA Basketball: Houston at Golden State (TNT).

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

11 p.m. – College Basketball: Pepperdine at Loyola Marymount (ESPNU).

NASCAR BUDWEISER DUEL LINEUPS

By The Associated Press After Sunday qualifying; race today At Daytona International Speedway Daytona Beach, Fla. Lap length: 2.5 miles (Car number in parentheses) Duel 1 1. (3) Austin Dillon, Chevrolet, 196.019 mph.

2. (16) Greg Biffle, Ford, 195.818.

3. (31) Ryan Newman, Chevrolet, 195.707.

4. (88) Dale Earnhardt Jr., Chevrolet, 195.211.

5. (17) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Ford, 195.004.

6. (9) Marcos Ambrose, Ford, 194.894.

7. (43) Aric Almirola, Ford, 194.658.

8. (22) Joey Logano, Ford, 194.582.

9. (20) Matt Kenseth, Toyota, 194.574.

10. (5) Kasey Kahne, Chevrolet, 194.544.

11. (18) Kyle Busch, Toyota, 194.502.

12. (4) Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet, 194.422.

13. (10) Danica Patrick, Chevrolet, 194.38.

14. (47) A J Allmendinger, Chevrolet, 194.108.

15. (36) Reed Sorenson, Chevrolet, 194.066.

16. (38) David Gilliland, Ford, 193.736.

17. (30) Parker Kligerman, Toyota, 193.594.

18. (14) Tony Stewart, Chevrolet, 193.365.

19. (55) Brian Vickers, Toyota, 192.798.

20. (26) Cole Whitt, Toyota, 192.538.

21. (95) Michael McDowell, Ford, 192.291.

22. (98) Josh Wise, Ford, 192.061.

23. (87) Joe Nemechek, Toyota, 190.48.

24. (23) Alex Bowman, Toyota, 189.685.

25. (77) Dave Blaney, Ford.

Duel 2 1. (78) Martin Truex Jr., Chevrolet, 195.852 mph.

2. (99) Carl Edwards, Ford, 195.712.

3. (2) Brad Keselowski, Ford, 195.296.

4. (24) Jeff Gordon, Chevrolet, 195.042.

5. (27) Paul Menard, Chevrolet, 194.919.

6. (33) Brian Scott, Chevrolet, 194.776.

7. (48) Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet, 194.637.

8. (13) Casey Mears, Chevrolet, 194.582.

9. (7) Michael Annett, Chevrolet, 194.574.

10. (15) Clint Bowyer, Toyota, 194.523.

11. (11) Denny Hamlin, Toyota, 194.477.

12. (42) Kyle Larson, Chevrolet, 194.41.

13. (21) Trevor Bayne, Ford, 194.334.

14. (41) Kurt Busch, Chevrolet, 194.078.

15. (51) Justin Allgaier, Chevrolet, 193.616.

16. (40) Landon Cassill, Chevrolet, 193.732.

17. (66) Michael Waltrip, Toyota, 193.428.

18. (35) Eric McClure, Ford, 192.905.

19. (1) Jamie McMurray, Chevrolet, 192.695.

20. (34) David Ragan, Ford, 192.328.

21. (32) Terry Labonte, Ford, 192.135.

22. (52) Bobby Labonte, Chevrolet, 192.493.

23. (83) Ryan Truex, Toyota, 190.347.

24. (93) Morgan Shepherd, Toyota, 189.542.

GOLF The Associated Press WGC-ACCENTURE MATCH PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS At Dove Mountain, The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club Wednesday At Dove Mountain, The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club Marana, Ariz.

Purse: $9 million Yardage: 7,791; Par: 72 First Round (Seedings in parentheses) Rickie Fowler (53), United States, def. Ian Poulter (12), England, 2 and 1.

Jimmy Walker (21), United States, def.. Branden Grace (44), South Africa, 5 and 4.

Bubba Watson (11), United States, def. Mikko Ilonen (54), Finland, 2 and 1.

Jonas Blixt (43), Sweden, def. Keegan Bradley (22), United States, 2 and 1.

George Coetzee (56), South Africa, def. Steve Stricker (9), United States, 3 and 1.

Patrick Reed (41), United States, def. Graham DeLaet (24), Canada, 1 up.

Jordan Spieth (10), United States, def. Pablo Larrazabal (55), Spain, 2 up.

Thomas Bjorn (23), Denmark, def. Francesco Molinari (42), Italy, 2 and 1.

Sergio Garcia (5), Spain, def. Marc Leishman (60), Australia, 22 holes.

Bill Haas (28), United States, def. Miguel Angel Jimenez (37), Spain, 4 and 3.

Peter Hanson (59), Sweden, def. Dustin Johnson (6), United States, 4 and 3.

Victor Dubuisson (27), France, def. Kevin Streelman (38), United States, 5 and 4.

Jason Day (8), Australia, def. Thorbjorn Olesen (57), Denmark, 2 up.

Billy Horschel (40), United States, def. Jamie Donaldson (25), Wales, 6 and 5.

Matt Kuchar (7), United States, def. Bernd Wiesberger (58), Austria, 3 and 2.

Ryan Moore (26), United States, def. Joost Luiten (39), Netherlands, 1 up.

Charl Schwartzel (13), South Africa, def.

Kevin Stadler (52), United States, 3 and 2.

Jim Furyk (20), United States, def. Chris Kirk (45), United States, 2 and 1.

Graeme McDowell (14), Northern Ireland, def.

Gary Woodland (51), United States, 19 holes.

Hideki Matsuyama (19), Japan, def. Martin Kaymer (46), Germany, 2 and 1.

Brandt Snedeker (16), United States, def.

David Lynn (49), England, 20 holes.

Webb Simpson (17), United States, def.

Thongchai Jaidee (48), Thailand, 3 and 2.

Jason Dufner (15), United States, def. Scott Stallings (50), United States, 19 holes.

Matteo Manassero (47), Italy, def. Luke Donald (18), England, 5 and 4.

Rory McIlroy (4), Northern Ireland, def. Boo Weekley (61), United States, 3 and 2.

Harris English (36), United States, def. Lee Westwood (29), England, 5 and 3.

THE SUMTER ITEM Richard Sterne (62), South Africa, def. Zach Johnson (3), United States, 5 and 4.

Hunter Mahan (30), United States, def. Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano (35), Spain, 3 and 2.

Henrik Stenson (1), Sweden, def. Kiradech Aphibarnrat (64), Thailand, 2 and 1.

Louis Oosthuizen (32), South Africa, def. Nick Watney (33), United States, 1 up.

Justin Rose (2), England, def. Scott Piercy (63), United States, 1 up.

Ernie Els (31), South Africa, def. Stephen Gallacher (34), Scotland, 19 holes.

NBA STANDINGS

By The Associated Press

EASTERN CONFERENCE ATLANTIC DIVISION Toronto Brooklyn New York Boston Philadelphia SOUTHEAST DIVISION Miami Atlanta Washington Charlotte Orlando CENTRAL DIVISION Indiana Chicago Detroit Cleveland Milwaukee

W 29 24 20 19 15

L 24 27 33 35 40

Pct .547 .471 .377 .352 .273

GB – 4 9 10½ 15

W 38 25 25 24 16

L 14 27 28 30 39

Pct .731 .481 .472 .444 .291

GB – 13 13½ 15 23½

W 41 27 22 21 10

L 12 25 31 33 43

Pct .774 .519 .415 .389 .189

GB – 13½ 19 20½ 31

WESTERN CONFERENCE SOUTHWEST DIVISION San Antonio Houston Dallas Memphis New Orleans NORTHWEST DIVISION Oklahoma City Portland Minnesota Denver Utah PACIFIC DIVISION L.A. Clippers Phoenix Golden State L.A. Lakers Sacramento

W 39 36 32 30 23

L 15 17 23 23 29

Pct .722 .679 .582 .566 .442

GB – 2½ 7½ 8½ 15

W 43 36 25 24 19

L 12 17 28 28 33

Pct .782 .679 .472 .462 .365

GB – 6 17 17½ 22½

W 37 31 31 18 18

L 19 21 22 35 35

Pct .661 .596 .585 .340 .340

GB – 4 4½ 17½ 17½

TUESDAY’S GAMES

Indiana 108, Atlanta 98 Cleveland 114, Philadelphia 85 Toronto 103, Washington 93 Charlotte 108, Detroit 96 Milwaukee 104, Orlando 100 Memphis 98, New York 93 Miami 117, Dallas 106 Phoenix 112, Denver 107, OT San Antonio 113, L.A. Clippers 103

WEDNESDAY’S GAMES

Orlando at Cleveland, 7 p.m.

Detroit at Charlotte, 7 p.m.

Chicago at Toronto, 7 p.m.

Washington at Atlanta, 7:30 p.m.

Indiana at Minnesota, 8 p.m.

New York at New Orleans, 8 p.m.

Boston at Phoenix, 9 p.m.

Brooklyn at Utah, 9 p.m.

San Antonio at Portland, 10 p.m.

Golden State at Sacramento, 10 p.m.

Houston at L.A. Lakers, 10:30 p.m.

TODAY’S GAMES

Miami at Oklahoma City, 8 p.m.

Denver at Milwaukee, 8 p.m.

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

FRIDAY’S GAMES

New York at Orlando, 7 p.m.

Dallas at Philadelphia, 7 p.m.

New Orleans at Charlotte, 7 p.m.

Cleveland at Toronto, 7 p.m.

Atlanta at Detroit, 7:30 p.m.

Denver at Chicago, 8 p.m.

L.A. Clippers at Memphis, 8 p.m.

San Antonio at Phoenix, 9 p.m.

Utah at Portland, 10 p.m.

Boston at L.A. Lakers, 10:30 p.m.

NHL STANDINGS

By The Associated Press EASTERN CONFERENCE ATLANTIC DIVISION GP W Boston 57 37 Tampa Bay 58 33 Montreal 59 32 Toronto 60 32 Detroit 58 26 Ottawa 59 26 Florida 58 22 Buffalo 57 15 METROPOLITAN DIVISION GP W Pittsburgh 58 40 N.Y. Rangers 59 32 Philadelphia 59 30 Columbus 58 29 Washington 59 27 Carolina 57 26 New Jersey 59 24 N.Y. Islanders 60 22

L 16 20 21 22 20 22 29 34

OT 4 5 6 6 12 11 7 8

Pts 78 71 70 70 64 63 51 38

GF 176 168 148 178 151 169 139 110

GA 125 145 142 182 163 191 183 172

L 15 24 23 24 23 22 22 30

OT 3 3 6 5 9 9 13 8

Pts 83 67 66 63 63 61 61 52

GF 186 155 162 170 171 144 135 164

GA 138 146 167 161 175 158 146 200

OT 6 14 5 7 10 6 10

Pts 84 84 79 69 64 62 60

GF 196 207 174 145 164 168 146

GA 135 163 153 147 164 175 180

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

GP 57 60 58 59 58 60 59

GP Anaheim 60 San Jose 59 Los Angeles 59 Phoenix 58 Vancouver 60 Calgary 58 Edmonton 60 NOTE: Two points overtime loss.

W 39 35 37 31 27 28 25

L 12 11 16 21 21 26 24

W 41 37 31 27 27 22 20 for

L OT Pts 14 5 87 16 6 80 22 6 68 21 10 64 24 9 63 29 7 51 33 7 47 a win, one

GF GA 196 147 175 142 139 128 163 169 146 160 137 179 153 199 point for

FEB. 9-25

Olympic break

TRANSACTIONS

By The Associated Press

BASEBALL American League BALTIMORE ORIOLES _ Agreed to terms with RHP Ubaldo Jimenez on a four-year contract.

Designated RHP Liam Hendriks for assignment.

National League ATLANTA BRAVES _ Signed general manager Frank Wren and manager Fredi Gonzalez to contract extensions.

CINCINNATI REDS _ Agreed to terms with RHP Homer Bailey on a six-year contract.

BASKETBALL National Basketball Association NBA _ Fined Phoenix F P.J. Tucker $5,000 for violating the league’s anti-flopping rules for the second time this season.

BROOKLYN NETS _ Traded G Jason Terry and F Reggie Evans to Sacramento for G Marcus Thornton.

FOOTBALL National Football League NFL _ Suspended Washington TE Fred Davis indefinitely for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

CHICAGO BEARS _ Signed CB Derricus Purdy.

HOCKEY National Hockey League DETROIT RED WINGS _ Recalled Fs Cory Emmerton, Riley Sheahan and Teemu Pulkkinen and D Adam Almquist from Grand Rapids (AHL).

LOS ANGELES KINGS _ Recalled Fs Tyler Toffoli, Linden Vey and Tanner Pearson from Manchester (AHL).

MINNESOTA WILD _ Recalled D Jonathon Blum and F Jake Dowell from Iowa (AHL). Assigned G John Curry to Iowa.

NEW JERSEY DEVILS _ Recalled D Jon Merrill from Albany (AHL).

PHOENIX COYOTES _ Recalled D Brandon Gormley from Portland (AHL).

COLLEGE ALABAMA _ Announced F Nick Jacobs is taking a leave of absence from the men’s basketball team.

SPORTS

THE SUMTER ITEM

AREA ROUNDUP

Padres win region tournament SUMMERTON — The St. Francis Xavier High School boys basketball team won the SCISA Region I-1A tournament on Tuesday, beating Andrew Jackson Academy 47-45 at the Clarendon Hall gymnasium.

Jay McFadden led the Padres with 18 points while tournament most valuable player Leighton Savage had 17.

Aaron Cleland led AJA with 19 points while Michael Mathias had 16.

McFadden joined Savage on the all-tournament team, while McFadden, Savage and Dalton Foreman were selected to the all-region team.

EAST CLARENDON 56 SCOTT’S BRANCH 55

SUMMERTON — East

(24) OHIO ST. 76 NORTHWESTERN 60

LEARNING CURVE

COLUMBUS, Ohio — LaQuinton Ross scored 16 points before being ejected after a scuffle, leading No. 24 Ohio State to a 76-60 victory over Northwestern.

The fracas late in the game delayed play for several minutes while the officials deliberated penalties for the players. Northwestern’s Nikola Cerina also was ejected. The teams shot 10 free throws as a result of the shoving match.

Aaron Craft and Lenzelle Smith Jr. each added 14 points for Ohio State. Sam Thompson had 11 for the Buckeyes (21-6, 8-6 Big Ten).

The month following perhaps his best outing of the year turned out to be the worst stretch of games Smith can ever remember.

He allowed six earned runs in 2 2/3 innings to Charleston on May 12. He came back with a strong no-run performance in five innings against Delmarva in his next outing, but proceeded to allow four earned runs or more in four of his next five starts – including seven in 3 1/3 innings against Greenville on June 7.

His ERA had ballooned to 6.91 and he was allowing an average of six hits and two walks in 3 1/3 innings during the 7-game slide while being tagged with five losses.

“It’s a learning process and you learn different things as you go through different levels (in the minor leagues),” Smith said. “I think you do have to go through adversity like that sometimes to prepare you for when those types of things come up again.”

But with four days between starts for the losses to linger in his mind, Smith said things began to wear on him.

“I personally don’t think I handled (the adversity) very well,” he said. “Things really just kind of snowballed on me from start to start. It became a real grind mentally.”

A big reason for his sudden slide was due to teams be-

walking three.

Taylor Finley and Todd Larrimer both had three hits to lead the offense.

GIRLS

VARSITY BASKETBALL HARTSVILLE 79 MANNING 62

VARSITY BASEBALL

HARTSVILLE — Manning High School saw its season come to an end on Tuesday with a 79-62 loss to Hartsville at the Hartsville gymnasium.

The Lady Monarchs finish the year with a 12-11 overall record and a 2-8 mark in Region VI-3A. Lanisha Brown led Manning with 21 points while Mahogany Green had 11.

Makeba Harvin grabbed 13 rebounds.

LAURENCE MANNING 15 CARDINAL NEWMAN 0 COLUMBIA — Laurence Manning Academy improved to 2-0 on the season with a 15-0, 4-inning victory over Cardinal Newman on Tuesday in the Norma Derrick Memorial Tournament at Hammond’s Folsom Field.

Matthew Miles went the distance on the mound for LMA, striking out eight while allowing one hit and

BASKETBALL ROUNDUP

BC upsets Syracuse; Hogs top Carolina

ARKANSAS 71 SOUTH CAROLINA 64

FAYETTEVILLE — South Carolina men’s basketball squad suffered a tough 71-64 loss on Wednesday at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

It would’ve been Carolina’s third straight conference victory, but Rashad Madden hit two free throws with seven seconds left to give the Hogs a four-point lead.

Brenton Williams led USC with 29 points, two rebounds, an assist and two steals. Michael Qualls led Arkansas with 20 points, eight rebounds, two steals and a block.

Carolina fell to 10-16 overall and 3-10 overall while UA improved to 17-9 overall and 6-7 in SEC play.

(7) CINCINNATI 77 UCF 49

ORLANDO, Fla. — Sean Kilpatrick hit six 3-pointers and scored 23 points as No. 7 Cincinnati dominated Central Florida in a 77-49 victory.

The Bearcats (24-3, 13-1 American Athletic) have won 17 of 18 going into their conference showdown with No. 11 Louisville on Saturday.

BRUNSON FROM PAGE B1 should be a bit embarrassed that it was such a difficult chore to beat them.

Seriously though, this isn’t some old school rant, some 50-year-old-plus red, white and blue memories. For those of you who may not be old to enough to remember, the facts are simply the facts.

The U.S. team is now made up of National Hockey League players, and that’s all fine and good. If the other countries have players good enough to play in the NHL — and it is truly an international league — then the U.S. was right to jump on the bandwagon.

In 1980 though, the Soviets had a team that was filled with players who could have played in the NHL. They actually beat the NHL AllStars 6-0 in 1979 to win the Challenge Cup. However, because of something called Communist op-

ROBINSON FROM PAGE B1 round in Bryan’s television debut in April of ‘13.

So who exactly is “The Quiet Storm?”

“I think throughout school I was very quiet and humble, still humble of course, but it just defines the dual personality that I have when I am outside of the ring and when I’m a respectful citizen of society,” Robinson said. “And

SMITH FROM PAGE B1 innings under his belt at the professional level, with those coming late in 2012 in the Arizona League.

The daily grind of the minor league player soon became very apparent, Smith said.

“It’s 140 games in six months,” he said. “It’s a lot of baseball. It’s a lot of bus rides. You’re constantly focused on the game and it’s a grind, both mentally and physically.”

Still, Smith’s first full season started out incredibly well. He allowed no earned runs in four of his first five outings, picking up three wins in relief in the process and earning a spot in the rotation at the end of April.

Initial results were encouraging as Smith allowed three earned runs or less in his first three starts (15 2/3 innings) and compiled 15 strikeouts against three walks. He picked up his fourth and final win in Hickory on May 6 against Savannah in a game in which he fanned a seasonhigh eight batters over a season-high six innings.

Clarendon High School defeated Scott’s Branch 56-55 in overtime on Tuesday at the Scott’s Branch gymnasium.

Traviant Riley led Scott’s Branch with 21 points while Treshawn Jones had 14.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Olivier Hanlan and Patrick Heckmann hit 3-pointers in overtime, Lonnie Jackson made four straight free throws in the final 26.2 seconds, and lowly Boston College stunned top-ranked Syracuse 62-59 on Wednesday night, ending the Orange’s unbeaten season.

Boston College (7-19, 3-10 Atlantic Coast Conference), which had lost five straight, rallied from a 13-point second-half deficit to pull off the improbable upset.

Syracuse (25-1, 12-1) travels to No. 5 Duke on Saturday night.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2014

NBA BOBCATS 116 PISTONS 98 CHARLOTTE — Al Jefferson scored 29 points, Kemba Walker had 24 points and a career-high 16 assists, and the Charlotte Bobcats beat the Detroit Pistons for the second straight night, 116-98.

Jefferson went 12 of 20 from the field and grabbed eight rebounds. He has scored at least 20 points in 16 of the last 18 games.

CAVALIERS 101 MAGIC 93

CLEVELAND — Kyrie Irving scored 22 points and the Cleveland Cavaliers won their sixth straight game, 101-93 over the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night.

BULLS 94 RAPTORS 92

TORONTO — Carlos Boozer scored 20 points, D.J. Augustin had 19 against his former team and Chicago beat Toronto 94-92.

From staff, wire reports

pression, they weren’t allowed to do such a thing as play for themselves. They had to play for the Soviet Union; that was their job, and while it was imposed upon them, it certainly was much better than the burden most of their countrymen had to bear.

The U.S., on the other hand, was made up of a bunch of college kids, who were thrown together to compete in Lake Placid, N.Y. And while they were the best this country had to offer, they weren’t given much of a chance to make any noise in the Olympics. In fact, they struggled in their exhibition matches, actually losing to the Soviets 10-3.

However, they came together as a team and made it to the medal-round matches where they had to face the Soviets once again. They were young men — only two players were older than 22 — just together as a team for a few months, playing a physically grueling sport against a team of men who had been a team — had played togeth-

er — for years. The Soviets had just seven players on their 20-man roster that were youngest than the oldest Americans, captain Mike Eruzione and Buzz Schneider.

Yet, the Americans scored two goals in the third period to win 4-3. It set off a massive celebration in this country, turning people who didn’t care a wit about skating on ice with a stick in their hands into hockey fans. And to complete the story book in proper fashion, the U.S. beat Finland 4-2 to win the gold medal.

Yes, the victory was tremendous to the Americans because we beat the Soviets at their own game at a time when we were in the cold war. However, if you strip away the politics and look at the victory based simply on the merits of athletic competition, there is nothing that compares to it in Olympic history.

Dare I say in the history of recorded athletic competition, period.

then when I get into the ring I know I have to turn it up and turn it into something that is the opposite.”

While hoping for a victory, he also wants to send a personal message to the people of the Gamecock city that his fight proves you can achieve your dreams through passion.

“I guess the true message is to come from a small town like Sumter is doable,” he explained. “I believe I heard a few years ago we were rated No. 2 in the country in violence and being able to make a change

from just living for something that you’re excited about -finding a passion and take it to the top of the game. (I guess I’d like) having generations underneath look up to me and say, ‘Because of you, I chose to live my dreams as well.’”

Robinson, who is 31 and stands 5-feet-9-inches tall, will fight Imam, someone eight years younger and two inches taller.

“I’m going to be myself , no matter what that is, and that goes back to adjusting in the ring, whether it’s going for-

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B3

coming too familiar with the way he was pitching, Smith said. By his last start, most teams in the league had seen him at least twice with Greenville opposing him three times.

“It’s the same teams over and over, so they get to know you pretty well,” Smith said.

“They make adjustments and then you have to make adjustments to theirs. That’s what a lot of pitching is about and that’s something I wasn’t doing (then).

“It was nothing really mechanical I had to change. It was all mental.”

BULLPEN RESURGENCE The best thing to happen to Smith came in the form of a mini-break right around the time of the South Atlantic League All-Star Game. When the teams returned, Smith went back to bullpen and soon gained back both his form and his confidence.

“That’s probably what helped me out the most,” he said. “Being in the bullpen, you have to be ready to go every day, so you have to have a short memory. I think that helped me refocus.”

From his second initial bullpen on June 24 until his callup on Aug. 21, Smith was on top of his game. He allowed no earned runs in seven of his 11 outings, and just one earned run in three more – a combined 24 innings.

The last-season surge dropped his ERA to 5.49 by season’s end. He also amassed 67 strikeouts against 40 walks.

“It’s repetition and it’s a long process,” Smith said of his late comeback. “It’s not all going to happen overnight or in one game. That’s probably the hardest thing to accept.”

STAYING ON TRACK Smith, who got married in October, is hoping his late showing on the Grand Strand last season will help him start out in his home state this year, but nothing is set in stone. He leaves for spring training in Surprise, Ariz., on Feb. 28.

“It’d be nice to start out there,” he said. “My family was able to see me a couple of times in Hickory and Myrtle Beach is obviously closer.

That would be nice.

“But my only real goal is to basically end the season at a level higher than when I started.”

That would be in Double-A Frisco, Texas — just a little over 40 miles from where Smith’s ultimate goal lies in Arlington.

ROBBIE GURGANUS / MYRTLE BEACH PELICANS

Tyler Smith finished last season strong with a couple of appearances for Class A Advanced Myrtle Beach. Smith hopes to start out in High A this season.

ward or going back, all those things are in my style,” Robinson said. “Just really fighting my fight and not waiting for him to initiate and be scared of what he brings to the table, but really make him work at my pace is the idea.

“I think definitely it’s going to be a learning experience for both of us,” Robinson said.

“Because we’re undefeated, it will bring out the best in both of us. I think it will be a collaborative effort and we’ll both put on our best performance.”

Regardless of what happens, Robinson said he will take the fight as a valuable lesson. He credits James Pressley, who runs Dyme Boxing in Charlotte where he trains, for his success.

“I think my style has a lot to do with my success, but more credit is due to my coach who cultivated that in me,” Robinson said, “seeing those positive attributes that I have and bringing those out, seeing the weak points and bringing me up to speed to take on these guys I face in the ring.”

B4

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OLYMPICS

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2014

THE SUMTER ITEM

ICE HOCKEY

U.S., Canada advance to semis; Russia upset SOCHI, Russia — Dustin Brown banged in a go-ahead goal late in the first period and the United States went on to dominate the Czech Republic 5-2 Wednesday, earning a spot in the Olympic hockey semifinals.

On Friday, the U.S. will play Canada for a shot to become an Olympic champion.

James van Riemsdyk gave the Americans a lead 1:39 into the game.

They lost it a few minutes later when one of their defenseman, Ryan McDonagh, tried to clear the puck away from the front of the crease and it went off the left skate of Ryan Suter and got past Jonathan Quick.

Brown put the U.S. up 2-1 at the 14:38 mark of the first, and David Backes made it 3-1 with 1.8 seconds in the period.

Zach Parise piled on, pushing the Americans’ lead to 4-1 midway through the second period to chase goalie Ondrej Pavelec after he made just eight saves.

CANADA 2

pect made 55 saves in a spectacular performance, nearly pulling one of the biggest upsets in hockey history largely by himself.

But Weber unleashed his peerless slap shot late in a power play, and Canada finally took the lead on its 54th shot against Gudlevskis.

FINLAND 3 RUSSIA 1 SOCHI, Russia — Finland eliminated Russia from the Olympic men’s hockey tournament with a 3-1 victory, putting a stunning end to the Russians’ enormous expectations at home.

Teemu Selanne scored an early goal and Tuukka Rask made 37 saves as Finland crushed the Russians’ dreams of winning hockey gold in front of their own fans.

Selanne and Mikael Granlund each had a goal and an assist for the Finns, who overcame an early deficit with two goals in the first.

SWEDEN 5

LATVIA 1 SOCHI, Russia — Shea Weber scored a tiebreaking power-play goal with 6:54 to play, and Canada survived an enormous scare from Latvia to advance to the Olympic men’s hockey semifinals with a 2-1 victory.

Carey Price made 15 saves for the defending Olympic champion Canadians, who were stretched to the limit by Latvia goalie Kristers Gudlevskis.

The 21-year-old Tampa Bay Lightning pros-

SLOVENIA 0 SOCHI, Russia — Henrik Lundqvist made 19 saves and Carl Hagelin scored twice, helping Sweden rout upstart Slovenia 5-0.

Alexander Steen broke a scoreless tie 18:50 into the game. Daniel Sedin, Loui Eriksson and Hagelin broke the game open with four goals in the third period.

From wire reports

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Forward Zach Parise (9) of the United States celebrates his goal with teammate Phil Kessel (81) during the second period of a 5-2 victory over the Czech Republic on Wednesday at Shayba Arena in Sochi, Russia, in the Winter Olympics.

WEDNESDAY’S ROUNDUP

Lipnitskaia falls; Ligety wins 2nd Alpine skiing gold medal

BY DAVID PACE The Associated Press

OLYMPICS TV SCHEDULE

SOCHI, Russia — A Russian with great expectations, 15-year-old figure skater Julia Lipnitskaia, fell during the women’s short program and finished fifth.

Defending gold medalist Yuna Kim of South Korea led the competition, which finishes today.

Ted Ligety of the U.S. won gold in men’s giant slalom, the first American man to win two Olympic medals in Alpine skiing. American-turned Russian snowboarder Vic Wild won the men’s parallel giant slalom, minutes after his Russian wife, Alexa Zavarzina, won bronze in the women’s competition.

In downtown Sochi, Cossack militia attacked a Russian punk rock group with horsewhips and removed members’ trademark ski masks. The confrontation lasted less than three minutes and no one was arrested.

Earlier, Sergei Bubka, the pole vault great who heads the Ukrainian Olympic Committee, urged both sides in Ukraine’s political crisis to halt the violence that left at least 25 people dead and 240 injured in Kiev on Tuesday.

The crisis centers on divided loyalties in Ukraine between Russia and the West.

“I’m shocked by what is happening in my native country — especially because the violence is taking place during the Olympic Games, the world’s most peaceful and democratic event,’’ Bubka said.

On Day 13 of the Sochi Olympics, Norway won the first

N e w!

TODAY WIS 10 Noon – Women’s Hockey Gold Medal Game and Men’s Freestyle Skiing Ski Cross 8 p.m. – Women’s Figure Skating Final, Women’s Freestyle Skiing Halfpipe and Men’s Freestyle Skiing Ski Cross 1 a.m. – Nordic Combined Team Large-Hill Final NBC SPORTS NETWORK 7 a.m. – Women’s Hockey Bronze Medal Game 10 a.m. – Women’s Figure Skating Final 2 p.m. – Women’s Figure Skating Final and Men’s Freestyle Skiing Ski Cross 3 p.m. – Women’s Hockey Medal Round Game 5 p.m. – Women’s Hockey Medal Round Game 3 a.m. – Men’s Curling Bronze Medal Game and Women’s Freestyle Skiing Ski Cross CNBC 5 p.m. – Women’s Curling Final

Olympic mixed relay in biathlon, making Ole Einar Bjoerndalen the most decorated Winter Olympian ever with 13 medals; Norway also won the women’s cross-country team sprint, with Finland taking the men’s title; Martina Sablikova of the Czech Republic denied the Netherlands another speedskating podium sweep; and the Canadian women won the gold in bobsled.

FIGURE SKATING Kim scored 74.92 points, ahead of Adelina Sotnikova of Russia by 0.28. Carolina Kostner of Italy is third with 74.12.

Lipnitskaia, who helped Russia win the team gold on Feb. 9, fell on a triple flip. American champion Gracie Gold was fourth.

CROSS-COUNTRY Marit Bjoergen captured her fifth career Olympic gold medal when Norway won the

women’s team sprint. Ingvild Flugstad Oestberg was the other Norwegian skier. Finland took silver and Sweden bronze. In the men’s race, Finland took advantage of a fall that slowed its two closest rivals. Russia grabbed the silver, Sweden the bronze.

SNOWBOARDING Nevin Galmarini of Switzerland finished second for silver, and Zan Kosir of Slovenia took the bronze. In the women’s race, Patrizia Kummer cruised to victory — and Switzerland’s sixth gold medal of the games — when Japan’s Tomoka Takeuchi missed a gate midway through the second run of the finals.

SPEEDSKATING Sablikova won her second consecutive gold in the women’s 5,000 meters. The Dutch still added two more medals, with Ireen Wust winning sil-

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BIATHLON Bjoerndalen broke the record for overall medals that he had shared with crosscountry skiing great Bjoern Daehlie. He also matched his fellow Norwegian’s record of eight gold medals. Bjoerndalen earlier won gold in Sochi in the men’s sprint biathlon. He can win another medal in the final men’s biathlon event of the Sochi Games, the 4x7.5-kilometer relay on Saturday. In the mixed relay biathlon, the Czech Republic won the silver and Italy the bronze.

BOBSLED The Canadian team of Kaillie Humphries and Heather Moyse won their second straight Olympic women’s bobsled gold. Elana Meyers and Lauryn Williams of the U.S. took silver, and teammates Jamie Greubel and Aja Evans the bronze. Williams became the fifth Olympian to medal at both the Summer and Winter Games. She has gold and silver medals from three Olympic appearances as a sprinter.

CURLING Canada and Sweden will play for the gold medal in women’s curling after winning semifinal games that went to the final shot. In the men’s tournament, Canada will meet Britain for gold.

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ver and Carien Kleibeuker the bronze. Wust now has won four medals at the Sochi Games, including gold in the 3,000 and silvers in the 1,000 and 1,500. Dutch speedskaters have 21 medals overall.

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THE SUMTER ITEM

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2014

Injury finally behind Hamlin

BY MARK LONG The Associated Press DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — The first full practice for the Daytona 500 ended early Wednesday after rookie Parker Kligerman’s airborne car ripped out a chunk of the grandstand fence.

Kligerman’s car ended up sliding on its roof halfway down the front-stretch at Daytona International Speedway.

No one was injured in the KLIGERMAN seven-car wreck, which stirred memories of last year’s last-lap crash in the second-tier Nationwide Series season opener at Daytona. Kyle Larson’s car destroyed a large section of the catch-fence, sending debris into the stands and injuring nearly 30 people.

The stands were virtually empty during practice Wednesday.

The garage area, meanwhile, was buzzing with teams feverishly trying to fix cars or fine-tune backups for Thursday’s dual qualifying races.

“It happens every year,’’ driver Joey Logano said.

“You always hope you’re the one that’s not in it or you miss it. I saw it getting kind of crazy out there and you’re kind of in the middle of it and you can’t really get out of it at that point when you’re in the middle. It was a little too late.’’

Logano and Matt Kenseth started the melee when they got together coming out of turn 4 during a drafting session. Trevor Bayne hit Logano, who then slammed into Paul Menard. Menard’s car shot up the track and collected Kligerman.

“You don’t want to wreck

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Denny Hamlin climbs into his car before Wednesday’s practice for Sunday’s Daytona 500 Sprint Cup series at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. maybe even the Sprint Cup championship.

“I realized after the win in Homestead, how I was feeling, that we run as good as I feel,’’ Hamlin said. “When I feel comfortable in the car, I can do just about anything I need to do to be a race winner. You don’t like to talk about what you’re going to do — I’d like to just show what we can do.’’

Hamlin missed five races a year ago with his injury, suffered when he crashed racing Joey Logano for the win at California. He had to sit out four full races and watch from his pit box, then started at Talladega but got out of the car at the first pit stop.

Hamlin’s plan was to try to

rally and make the Chase. But his aching back hampered his performance and it ended up as the worst season of his career.

Since arriving in Daytona a week ago, he has made it very clear he is only looking forward.

“You’re always excited about starting the season, but for me it was more about really starting the season strong, to just totally forget about 2013,’’ he said. “I’m sure the questions will always continue. I don’t want any more questions about last year, but I understand they’re still going to be coming. It’s just I don’t want to relive it. It was a horrible year, definitely a year that you choose to forget.

“Life Insurance? Sure, I need some, but am I too old?”

in practice for sure,’’ Kenseth said. “Honestly, the last lap and a half, I was just trying to figure out how to get out of there and get to the pits. But when you’re stuck in the middle, you kind of got to wait until everything clears out.’’

Kligerman’s car lifted off the ground, landed on top of Ryan Truex’s hood then turned upside-down before coming to a stop across the track.

“You’re not learning anything racing like that in practice,’’ said Kligerman, one of eight rookies trying to make Sunday’s seasonopening Daytona 500. “It was the first time I’d ever flipped over. I’d never done that in a race car. I assumed it’d be rough, but it was actually soft. I saw the whole thing go down. I’m up in the fence kind of floating along. Thankfully, none of the fans got injured, I hope.’’

Kligerman, though, wasn’t happy with Logano and his No. 22 Ford.

“The 22 was being overly aggressive. It’s a shame,’’ Kligerman said. “He’s supposed to be a veteran. You go up here to the Sprint Cup Series, it’s supposed to be the best of the best and a guy in a practice is racing people like it’s the end of the Daytona 500. ... I don’t quite understand that one. I am pretty upset about how that all went down.’’

Dave Blaney also was involved in the crash. Six of the seven cars involved in the wreck — all but Kenseth — went to backup cars.

Blaney doesn’t have a backup car, but was working to get one from another team.

Swan Racing was the hardest hit. Not only was Kligerman’s car totaled, but teammate Cole Whitt also hammered the wall earlier in practice.

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Kligerman lands on roof in Daytona 500 practice

BY JENNA FRYER The Associated Press DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Just five months ago, Denny Hamlin could barely get in his race car at his home track in Richmond without first stopping at the care center for treatment on his aching back.

His season had officially slipped away that night as Hamlin failed to make the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship field for the first time in his career. He walked gingerly from the care center, in front of all his friends and family, set on finishing the year despite the fractured vertebra that had derailed his season and was causing him so much discomfort.

That dogged determination — in his rehabilitation, in the gym, with Pilates instruction, sitting in ice baths — eventually helped him turn a corner. He was feeling substantially better by the end of the season, when he won his only race of the year in the finale at Homestead.

But it gave him momentum into the offseason and resolve to make 2014 his year.

His win in last Saturday night’s exhibition Sprint Unlimited was a statement for Hamlin and for anyone who doubted he couldn’t return from his injury. “Any questions?’’ he asked as he crossed the finish line.

Hamlin heads into Thursday night’s twin qualifying races — he’s in race No. 2 — as a driver on a mission. He’s out to prove he’s a threat to win the season-opening Daytona 500 on Sunday and

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2014

MARY FRANCINE BROWN MANNING — Mary Francine Brown, 60, died Sunday, Feb. 16, 2014, at Roper Hospital in Charleston.

Born March 5, 1953, in Sumter, she was a daughter of the late James Howard Brown and Leila Frances Galloway Thurston. She was of the Baptist faith.

She is surBROWN vived by one brother, Larry Wayne Brown (Phyllis) of Kershaw; one sister, Elizabeth M. Maldonado of Sumter; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by a sister, Cynthia B. Nunnery; and two brothers, Manuel Maldonado and Tony Maldonado.

A private service will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be made to the John K. Crosswell Home for Children, 11 Crosswell Drive, Sumter, SC 29150.

Stephens Funeral Home and Crematory, 304 N. Church St., Manning, is in charge of arrangements, (803) 435-2179. www.stephensfuneralhome. org

HENRY T. SIEVERS Henry T. Sievers, 94, husband of Dorine McGee Sievers, died Monday, Feb. 17, 2014, at McElveen Manor in Sumter.

He was the adopted son of the late Henry and Lillian Sievers of Billings, Mont. Mr. Sievers attended General Motors Institute in Flint, Mich. He was chief engineer for CresSIEVERS cent Tool Co. in Jamestown, N.Y., which became Cooper Tools after the plant was relocated to Sumter in 1974.

Retiring in 1983 after 40 years’ service with Crescent, Mr. Sievers taught statistical process control at Sumter Area Technical College for a number of years.

He served as a technical sergeant in the 259th Engineering Combat Battalion in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II. He was a member of Northside Memorial Baptist Church, where he was ordained a church deacon, taught Sunday school and sang in the church choir for 21 years. He was a longtime member of the Gideon’s International and Post 15 of the American Legion, where he served as post chaplain for four years.

He is survived by his wife, Dorine; two stepdaughters, Mary E. Bilello and Linda A. Lowrey (Paul), all of Sumter; four step-grandchildren, Lisa M. Kimbrell (William), Kimberly A. Povey, Robert M. Bilello and Vernon E. Gardner; and six greatgrandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Vivian Lindstrom; and his brother, Charles Sievers.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Jimmy Holley, Tommy Rogers and the Rev. Charles Clanton officiating.

Burial will be in Evergreen Memorial Park cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Jim Johnson, Ken French, Ed Slocum, Mike Mixon, Don Trawick and Eddie Skey Sr. Honorary pallbearers will be Gideon’s International, CBMC, and Post 15 Legionnaires.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and other times at the home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the

OBITUARIES

Northside Memorial Baptist Church Building Fund, 1004 N. Main St., Sumter, SC 29153.

Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of the arrangements.

friends at the home of his sister, Mary Sarvis-Bethea, 955 Flagg St., Sumter, SC 29153.

Funeral plans are incomplete and will be announced later by Job’s Mortuary Inc. of Sumter.

LINDA FAYE RILES

RAY B. SIMMONS

Linda F. Riles, 59, wife of Roland “Mark” Riles, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2014, at McLeod Regional Medical Center.

Born in Orangeburg, she was a daughter of the late Roy Davis and Sybil Pigate.

Surviving are her husband of Sumter; four children, Mark RILES (April) Riles, Carla Riles, Angela Riles and Jason Riles; nine grandchildren, Gabrielle, Keyonna, Alexsis, Austin, Kameron, Haylee and Javon Riles, Corey Edmond and Alexander Davidson; and a special aunt, Betty and Archie Braxton of Walterboro.

Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Florence.

The family will receive friends at 6 p.m. today at 37 Loring Drive, Sumter, where she resided.

Ray B. Simmons, beloved husband of Ingrid Evans Simmons, died on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014, at his residence.

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

JOEL B. BRUNSON Joel Buchanan Brunson, husband of Nyra Jean Flowers Chapmon Brunson, died on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014, at his residence.

Mr. Brunson was a son of the late Muldrow McCoy and Vasti Silvey Brunson.

He enjoyed working in his yard and was an avid fisherman. He attended Alice Drive Baptist Church.

Surviving in addition to his wife are one brother, Robert Ashley Brunson of Los Barriles, Mexico; one sister, Joan Brunson Smith of Hot Springs, Ark.; four stepchildren, Robney Chapmon and his wife, Emily, of Atlanta, Cassandra Chapmon Painter and her husband, Michael, of Sumter, Dr. Trevar Chapmon and his wife, Jill, of Roanoke, Va., and Shana Chapmon Cross and her husband, Johnny, of Sumter; 16 step-grandchildren; four step-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Brunson was preceded in death by a daughter, Jeannie Brunson; and two brothers, John Quittman Brunson and Muldrow McCoy Brunson Jr. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Friday in the Bullock Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Clay Smith officiating. Inurnment will follow in Brunson Cemetery.

The family will receive friends on Friday one hour prior to the service from 2 to 3 p.m. at Bullock Funeral Home and other times at the family home.

Memorials may be made to Alice Drive Baptist Church, 1305 Loring Mill Road, Sumter, SC 29150.

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

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

JACOB DINKINS Jacob Dinkins, 73, departed this life on Feb. 18, 2014, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center.

Born Jan. 19, 1941, in Sumter, he was a son of the late Thomas B. Jr. and Frances Gregg Dinkins.

The family will receive

RUTH S. WARD Ruth Sturgeon Ward, 87, widow of Leslie B. Ward, died Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014, at National Healthcare Center.

Born in Florence County, she was a daughter of the late James H. and Mary Miles Sturgeon. Mrs. Ward was a charter member of Southside Baptist Church and retired from Campbell Soup Co. Surviving are one brother, Lawrence Sturgeon of Norfolk, Va.; and one sister, Elizabeth Hurst of Sumter.

She was preceded in death by two brothers, James and Johnny Sturgeon; and two sisters, Mary Wiggins and Carolyn Gaines.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in the chapel of Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home with the Rev. Graham Bochman officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Memorial Park cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m.

Saturday prior to the service at Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to Southside Baptist Church, 1116 Manning Road, Sumter, SC 29150.

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

Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad St., Sumter, is in charge of the arrangements, (803) 775-9386.

LILLIAN FORD CHOICE Lillian Ford Choice was born Aug. 8, 1934, in Sumter, a daughter of the late Ernest and Pauline Dwyer Ford. She answered the call of our heavenly father and slipped peacefully away on Sunday, Feb. 16, 2014, at Unihealth Facility in Columbia.

Lillian was educated in the public schools of Sumter County. Early in life, she began her Christian journey as a member of the New Bethel Church in Sumter.

She was united in holy matrimony to the late Sampson Choice, and to this union, seven children were born.

After marriage, Lillian joined Wayman Chapel AME Church and remained a member and attended faithfully until her health declined. She was a member of the Choiraliers, senior and jubilee choirs, and church school class number one.

Lillian enjoyed cooking and spending time with her family and friends. Her grandchildren were the joy of her life and very special to her.

She helped in parenting them and cared for them in her home while their par-

THE SUMTER ITEM

ents worked. She also enjoyed traveling to visit her family in Jacksonville, Fla. She was employed at Campbell Soup Co. for 35 years before retiring in 1995. After retirement, she worked for eight years for the Sumter County Library.

She leaves to cherish her precious memories: her caring and devoted daughters, Roberta (Isaiah) June and Louada (Lee) Nelson; three sons, Herbert (Trina) Choice, Earnest Choice and Robert Choice, and Marcus Choice, who was raised as a son; eight grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sons, Willie Ford and Sammie Lee Choice Sr.; eight brothers, Thomas, Walter, Lomas, Henry, Luther, Freddie Lee, Clemon and Linwood Ford; one sister, Mammie Lee Vaughn; a son-in-law, Daniel L. June; and a daughter-in-law, Shirley Choice.

Public viewing will be from 3 to 6 p.m. today.

The Homegoing Celebration Services will be held at noon Friday at Wayman Chapel AME Church with Pastor Laddie Howard, eulogist, assisted by the Rev. Willie A. Wright Jr. and the Rev. Charlie Howard. Interment will follow in Wayman Chapel Cemetery.

The management and staff of Sumter Funeral Service Inc., 623 Manning Ave., Sumter, SC 29150 is serving the Choice family.

Online memorials may be sent by email to sumterfuneralsvs@sc.rr.com.

WALLACE GIBSON MANNING — Wallace Gibson, 85, widower of Lillian Irene Bryant Gibson, died Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014, at his home.

Born May 28, 1928, in Brundidge, Ala., he was a son of the late Robert “Bub” and Elizabeth Grey Goolsby Gibson. He was raised in Columbus, Ga. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War, and he retired from Georgia Pacific as a shipping and receiving clerk. He was a member of Paxville United Methodist Church.

He is survived by two sons, David Michael Gibson of Longs and Clifford Douglas Gibson (Bonnie) of Bonneau; three daughters, Patricia Leigh Nunnery, Laura Irene Guthrie (David) and Lisa Faye Smith (Jim), all of Manning; eight grandchildren, Joshua, Jason, David Paul, Samantha, Justin, Erin, Ian and Payton; seven great-grandchildren; a sister, Maunell Pritchett of Columbus; and a number of nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

The family will receive friends at the residence, 1766 Gunter Road, Manning.

The family would like to thank the staff of Amedisys Hospice for all of their love and care.

Stephens Funeral Home & Crematory, 304 N. Church St., Manning, is in charge of arrangements, (803) 4352179. www.stephensfuneralhome.org

VORIA S. TAYLOR LYNCHBURG — Funeral services for Voria S. Taylor will be conducted at 11 a.m.

Friday at Judea Apostolic Church, 2500 Judea Lane, Florence, with Apostle Dr. Donald Hyman, senior pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in Hawkins Cemetery in Lynchburg.

She was born Sept. 6, 1923, in Manning, a daughter of the late Oliver and Flora Green Shaw.

Mrs. Taylor passed Mon-

day morning, Feb. 17, 2014.

She was a member of Judea Apostolic Church.

The family is receiving friends at the home of her son and daughter-in-law, Daniel and Verdie Taylor, 4965 Trinity Road, Lynchburg.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Jefferson Funeral Home, 130 McIntosh St., Lynchburg.

JASPER SUMPTER Jasper Sumpter, 93, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2014, at Sumter Health and Rehabilitation Center.

Born March 15, 1920, in Sumter County, he was a son of the late Moses and Florence Deas Sumpter. Jasper was educated in the public schools of Sumter County and spent several years in the United States Army.

After dutifully serving his country, Jasper returned to Sumter and became a caretaker for the family of Dr. Charles White. “Gub,” as he was affectionately known by his children, friends and family, was a very kind and gentle soul who worked hard to support both his natural family and his current church family at High Hills Baptist Church. He served on the usher board as well as the pastor’s aide ministry. Jasper was also a member of the Sumter Chapter of the Bernie Elks Lodge.

Mr. Sumpter and his lifelong companion, Minnie House, shared more than 60 years of love and friendship.

Their union brought about five children, Mary Frances Bailey (her children, Lisa Vinson, Nicole House, Jocelyn House and Clive Bailey), Jennifer Louise Hammond (spouse, Cleveland, and children, Sheldon Briggs, Neshunda Walters and Cleo Hammond), Jasper Briggs (his spouse, Debra, and their son, Brandon), Marjorie Hardrick (her children, Nika Cannon and Jacqueline Briggs), Caroline Patricia House (her daughter, Minnetta Brown); and 17 greatgrandchildren. Also left to treasure memories of Jasper are his brother and sister, Leroy Sumpter and Martha Willis; his sister-in-law, Henrietta Smalls; brother-inlaw, Leroy Briggs; a very special niece and nephew, Daisy Howard and Chauncey Mouzon; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, friends and neighbors.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Nathaniel, Curtis and James Sumpter; and his sisters, Ada Capers and Verline Jackson.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at High Hills Baptist Church, 6720 Meeting House Road, Dalzell, with the Rev. Ellie W. Palmer, pastor, eulogist.

The family is receiving friends and relatives at the home of his daughter, Jennifer Hammond, 443 Dogwood Drive, Sumter.

The remains will be placed in the church at 10 a.m.

The funeral procession will leave at 10:20 a.m. from the home of his daughter.

Floral bearers will be High Hills Baptist Church usher ministry.

Pallbearers will be High Hills Baptist Church pastor’s aide ministry.

Burial will be in the High Hills Baptist Churchyard cemetery, Dalzell.

Online memorial messages may be sent to the family at williamsfuneralhome@sc. rr.com. Visit us on the web at www.williamsfuneralhomeinc.com.

Services will be directed by the management and staff of Williams Funeral Home Inc., 821 N. Main St., Sumter.

...........Think..........

Lafayette Gold & Silver Karat Exchange 10K We Buy Gold & Silver Jewelry, Silver Coins/Collections, Sterling/925, g/9 /925 5, Diamonds, Diam amon onds, Pocket Pockket e , Watches Watches & W Wrist rist W Watches atch at ches 143 S. Lafayette Dr. Sumter, SC 29150 (at the he e foot ffo oot ot of of tthe he bridge brrid b iidge dg ins inside sid ide Vestco Vest est stco tco co Properties)

803-773-8022

14K 16K 18K 22K

Price per

Price per

Pennyweight (DWT) $24.00 $35.00 $42.00 $46.00 $59.00

Gram (Gr) $15.72 $22.76 $27.24 $29.80 $38.12

All prices above based on gold market price with this ad.

C0MICS

THE SUMTER ITEM

BIZARRO

SOUP TO NUTZ

ANDY CAPP

GARFIELD

BEETLE BAILEY

BORN LOSER

BLONDIE

ZITS

MOTHER GOOSE

|

B7

DOG EAT DOUG

DILBERT

JEFF MACNELLY’S SHOE

Veteran dad has no desire to start a 2nd family DEAR ABBY — I’m a single mom in a serious relationship with a divorced man who has children of his own. BeDear Abby tween us, we have seven, ABIGAIL ranging in VAN BUREN age from 7 to 17. I’m in my early 30s; he’s in his early 50s.

My dilemma: I’m interested in having another child if we get married. He definitely isn’t.

Is it unreasonable for me to want to add to this already large potential blended family?

I love the idea of experiencing motherhood again with a little more experience and age under my belt, and I’d love to share that intimacy with him.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2014

While he likes the abstract possibility of “our” child, he says he feels too old now and he wouldn’t be able to be the kind of father he would want to be.

If neither of us had kids of our own, this would be a dealbreaker for me, but how do I know if my maternal longings are just the last, painful tickings of my biological clock, or a real desire that I’ll end up resenting him for if I ignore it and we stay together?

Is 7 enough?

ENOUGH? — Because your boyfriend is in his 50s and has made it clear that he isn’t interested in becoming a father again, I think you should count your many blessings and consider that seven is a lucky number.

THE DAILY CROSSWORD PUZZLE

DEAR ABBY — Is it ever appropriate for a diner to lick his/ her fingers in public, like when eating finger food or barbecue? It drives me nuts!

When I try to get the person in question to use a napkin, I’m looked at as if I’ve lost my mind! .

Grossed Out in Ohio DEAR GROSSED OUT — If someone is eating canapes at a cocktail party, licking the fingers is a no-no. And most barbecue joints provide moist towelettes to their patrons.

On the other hand, Col. Sanders used to call his fried chicken “finger lickin’ good.”

At a picnic or informal gathering, it’s purr-fectly acceptable to lick one’s fingers, and I confess this tabby has probably done it, so I’m not going to cast aspersions.

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 __ Club 5 Eat __ 9 Film __ 13 Sleep __ 14 Mata __ 15 “I’m __ you!”

16 “__ to please!”

17 __-steven 18 SWAT __ 19 Blank 22 __ of bounds 23 Electric __ 24 Blank 31 “It __ to reason” 33 “You’re taking a big __” 34 __-TURN 35 Good for what __ you 36 Costa del __ 37 __ Elevator Company 38 “I Like __” 39 __ the scales 41 San Diego __ 43 Blank 46 Hopping __ 47 Jacqueline Kennedy __ Bouvier 48 Blank 56 Quod __

demonstrandum 57 __ to one’s senses 58 Shed __ 59 __-Honey 60 “Rock of __” 61 From beyond the __ 62 __ nuts 63 “__-a-Cop”: 1988 film 64 “Jane __” DOWN 1 X-Ray __: U.K. punk band 2 Take __: doze 3 Golda __ 4 “It’s the __ story” 5 __ of drawers 6 __ Shankar 7 __ Cakesters 8 __ circle 9 __ motel 10 “A Room of __ Own” 11 “Take __ a compliment” 12 CD-__ 13 “I’m in __”: “Wow!” 20 Soap __ 21 __ and potato soup 24 Van __

25 Carry-__: luggage 26 Victoria __ 27 Olive __ 28 __-level 29 Peau de __: satin-weave cloth 30 __ 22-Across: solve 31 Set __ 32 __ torch 36 Day __ 37 “__ to Joy” 39 Suit __ 40 __ Series: auto races 41 __-ˆ-porter: ready-towear 42 __ Joe

44 Caveat __ 45 Civil __: protest 48 __ Canal 49 __ for life 50 Rib __ 51 “__ to that!”

52 “Lord knows __!”

53 __ Abby 54 __ birth to 55 “... __ I saw Elba” 56 __ and flow

B8

CLASSIFIEDS

THE ITEM

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2014

CLASSIFIED DEADLINES

CLASSIFIEDS

803-774-1234 OR TO PLACE YOUR AD ONLINE GO TO WWW.THE ITEM.COM/PLACEMYAD

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

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

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LEGAL NOTICES

In Memory

MERCHANDISE

Help Wanted Part-Time

Mobile Home Rentals

Autos For Sale

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

2BR 1BA 14x52 All Appliances, Sect.

8 Accepted Call 803-469-6978

2012 Black Silverado 1500 Excel. Cdtn. $29,500 OBO 23K mi. Call 803-968-5353

STATEBURG COURTYARD

Legal Notice

Farm Products

SUMTER EAST SELF STORAGE 800 MYRTLE BEACH HWY. AUCTION MARCH 1, 2014 10:00 A.M.

HAY for your special animal.

Round bales, 50 left. Must sell, make offer. 775-4391, 464-5960

Christian School seeking Kindergarten teacher for 2014/15. Must hold SC Teaching Certificate. Call 803-934-8727 for application.

Garage, Yard & Estate Sales

Trucking Opportunities

Sumter County Flea Mkt Hwy 378 E. 803-495-2281 500 tables. Sat. $8 free return Sun.

Driver Trainees Needed Now! Learn to drive for US Xpress! Earn $800+ per week! No experience needed!

CDL -Trained and Job-Ready in 15 days! 1-888-263-7364

UNITS FOR AUCTION A-4 RODNEY L. CHINA A-21 FELICIA DANIELS A-32 JAVONNA DANIELS C-26 ANTHONY TALBOTT C-37 SHAIKEENAN MCDOWELL D-20 DORA M. GREEN E-31 DAVIDA MAJOR

106 Lindley Ave. Fri/Sat. 7-2, Tv's, microwaves, furn, truckbed cover, appli's, hshld and more.

Summons & Notice SUMMONS CLAIM AND DELIVERY (NON-JURY) IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS C/A No. 2013-CP- 43-2024 STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF SUMTER Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance, Inc., as attorney-in-fact for The Bank of New York Mellon, Plaintiff, vs.

Anthony McGee, Defendant.

TO: THE DEFENDANT ABOVE-NAMED: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED and required to answer the Complaint in this action, a copy of which is hereby served upon you, and to serve a copy of your answer on the subscribers at their offices, 1640 St. Julian Place, Post Office Box 4216, Columbia, SC 29204, within thirty (30) days after the service hereof, exclusive of the day of service; and if you fail to answer the Complaint within the time aforesaid, the Plaintiff will apply to the Court for judgment by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the original Complaint in the above entitled action, together with the Summons, was filed in the Office of the Clerk of Court for Sumter County on November 14, 2013 at 2:51 pm.

Theodore von Keller, Esquire B. Lindsay Crawford III, Esquire Sara Hutchins, Esquire Adam H. Schanz, Esquire Attorneys for the Plaintiff Post Office Box 4216 Columbia, SC 29240 Telephone: (803) 790-2626

KENNETH M. JOHNSON Born January 10, 1939 Ascended February 20, 2004 Beloved husband and friend Missed for now I miss you now still as before But praise the Lord, He opened a door Showed me how to go on without you Gave me hope and some comfort too.

You were my life, I loved you so dear It breaks my heart to not have you near But life goes on and I shall too Someday together I'll be with you.

HLM I never thought that one year ago today, my life would be changed forever. I miss you every second, every minute of every day. MMA

BUSINESS SERVICES FIRE ANT CONTROL GODBOLD ENTERPRISES Residential, Sporting Complexes, Cemeteries, Horse Pastures, Schools $85 For 1 Acre or less O: 843-407-7608 C: 843-687-4401

H.L. Boone, Contractor additions, painting, roofing, gutters, sheetrock, blown ceilings, decks. 773-9904

ANNOUNCEMENTS Tickets For Sale: 4 USC 2014 football tickets seated together. Must share scholarship contribution to purchase the tickets. Parking pass available with purchase. For more info please call 469-8700 or 778-1031

Lost & Found Sumter County/City Animal Control 1240 Winkles Rd. 803-436-2066 or 436-2755.

Mon - Fri, 8:30am - 4:30pm Found Racetrack Rd. bulldog, white, On Lafayette Blvd, Bulldog Blk/Wht, on S. Main, Pitt Bull mixed Blk/Wht, on Dinkins Mill Rd, Spaniel Mixed Tan/Wht, on Osteen Rd. Black Lab, on Mt. Vernon Dr. Rott Weiler Blk/Brn, on Starks Ferry Pitt Bull Black.

Found on Hwy 521 N in Dalzell: Yorkie mix dog. Owner please call 983-7072 to identify.

Found DuBose Siding Rd. small male dog, black & brown some white markings. 468-3187.

Ventu-Lite 773-9545 Awings Patio Covers Screens Windows REPAIRS /NEW 75+ YEARS

JT's Tree Service & Debris removal: Senior discount, 10% off. 803-840-0322 NEWMAN'S TREE SERVICE Tree removal , trimming & stump grinding. Lic & Ins.

803-316-0128

2007 Singlewide. Owner financing with $5,000 down. Call 803-236-5953

Jewelry Ladies Diamond Eng ring in 14k Wht Gold, Top is Platinum, 1.50 ct t.w. center dia is 1.00 ct sol.

Written appraisal $6,000, asking $2,500. Call 803-464-8897

For Sale or Trade Used Piano Mahogany Exc. Cdtn. Bench included $795 Call 803-428-7256

Cash for Junk Cars, used Cars, junk Batteries & unwanted gift cards. Call Gene 803-934-6734

Martin's Used Appliance Washers, Dryers, Refrig., Stoves.

Special front end load washer $399 Guarantee 464-5439/469-7311

EMPLOYMENT

Part Time Cook needed in a skilled nursing facility for 11am to 7pm shift. Experience Required.

Part Time Servers needed in a skilled nursing facility for 6am to 2pm shift and 11am to 7pm shift.

Healthcare experience preferred but not necessary. Apply in person to: Covenant Place 2825 Carter Road Sumter, SC 29150 EOE

Seeking motivated, enthusiastic and competent Service Plumber.

Must have at least 5 yrs experience, excellent communication skills and a valid driver license.

Apply today at Hill Plumbing 438 N. Main St. Sumter SC. 803-773-6689

STATE TREE SERVICE Worker's Comp & General liability insurance. Top quality service, lowest prices. 803-494-5175 or 803-491-5154 www.statetree.net

LPN, MA & Lab Tech needed for busy internal medical practice.

Competitive salary and benefits.

Fax resume to office manager @ 803-905-6810

PETS & ANIMALS

Exp. Bartenders, Servers & Kitchen help. Apply in person at Sunset Country Club 1005 Golfcrest Rd. Mon - Fri 9 -3 Personal Care Aide Driver: Care for elderly/disabled & special needs individuals in a local day program. Clean drivers record & SLED check. Must have current CPR/First Aid certificate and willing to obtain DOT physical, Defensive Driving Certificate, PPD & Drug Test prior to hire.

Absolutely No phone calls.

Please send resume to dayprogramposition@yahoo.com

Pets Shih-tzu Puppies for sale $300 each with papers. (1)F (1)M Call 803-968-0543

ASE Certified Tech 5 day work week, competitive pay. Apply in person to Jamie Bilton, Bilton Lincoln, 70 W Wesmark, 773-7339

MICROFIBER SHEET SETS TWIN ........... $6 PER SET 29 Progress St. - Sumter FULL, QUEEN, KING .....

775-8366 Ext. 37 .................. $8 PER SET Store Hours 0RQ 6DW Â&#x2021; 9:30 - 5:00 Closed Sunday

Manufactured Housing

Dental Receptionist needed.

Must be a team player. Dental experience a plus, but will train the right candidate. Great benefits package with full-time employment.

Open every weekend.

905-4242

Salon Owner is seeking License Stylists, Braider or Barbers.

803-316-6989, 803-883-4639.

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

We will arrange financing even if you have been turned down before.

Loans available for no credit, bad credit, 1st Time Buyers & Bankruptcy buyers. No co-signers needed. Call Mr. Ashley Brown at 803-926-3235

FLEA MARKET BY SHAW AFB

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

The Tree Doctor Any size tree removal & stump grinding. Trimming & clearing. No job too big or small. Call 775-8560 or 468-1946. We accept credit cards and offer senior discounts

A Guaranteed Credit Approval AUTO LOANS

4 BR DW in Dalzell Pay approx $550 a mo. in Whispering Meadows Call 494-5010

EXP CONCRETE FINSHER/ Working Foreman, valid Driver license, background/drug test, leadership skills. Submit resumes to Box 349 c//o The Item, PO Box 1677 Sumter SC 29151

Tree Service

REAL ESTATE

Medical Help Wanted

Help Wanted Full-Time

Home Improvements

2 & 3 BRs 803-494-4015

LARGE GARAGE SALE 1st & 3rd Weekend Tables $1 & Up

Split Oak Firewood, $65/dump, $70/stacked. Darrell Newman 803-316-0128. Tree Service also avail.

Exterminators

R & R Motors 803-494-2886 08' Chevy Impala , 07' Town And Country Van, 03' Hyundai Elantra GT, 08' Mazda 6, 06' Pont. G6 GT

TABLE CLOTHS ALL SIZES $8.00 EACH

Fax resume to 803-905-5283 Attn: Office Manager

RENTALS Unfurnished Apartments

4BR DW on 5 acres. Fin. available for good credit, Payments approx. $550/mo. Call 803-236-5953 Tax Time is Here... Low Credit Score? Been turned down for bad credit? Come try us, we do our own financing. We have 3-4-5 bedroom homes. Layaway program available. For more information, call 843-389-4215.

Mobile Home with Lots

Small 1BR country apt, A/C, all new appliances. $450/mo w/ all utilities. No Pets. Call 469-8377 Senior Living Apartments for those 62+ (Rent based on income) Shiloh-Randolph Manor 125 W. Bartlette.

775-0575 Studio/1 Bedroom apartments available EHO Fully Renovated 1Br/1Ba upstairs Apt. Appl.& Water inc. Fully carpeted. $325/mo. + sec. dep.

775-7895 after 6pm.

Unfurnished Homes HOUSE FOR RENT Patriot Parkway 2BR/1BA, LR, den, dining room, C/H/A, gas stove.

803-607-9276.

1995 Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup with leer cap, 170,000 miles.

Redone, clean, new interior, new tires, stereo. Good buy. Widow MUST SALE $3500. Manning, 803/435-8075

5 Coulter Dr. Wedgefield, Fleetwood 3br 2ba, den w/ fireplace, all appliances, completely remodeled. like new, on 0.45 ac lot in cozy neighborhood. Drastically reduced to $44,900. Please call (803) 468-6029.

Hair's Auto Sales 4835 Pinewood Rd. 803-452-6020 On The Lot Financing No Credit Check, Free Warranty.

Farms & Acreage FSBO: Land, Small & Large acreage.

Owner financing.

803-427-3888.

RECREATION

Rent or buy: 438 E. Charlotte, home has 3 bedrooms, 2 baths.

803-968-0939.

3BR/1BA C/H/A, Appliances.

Close to Lakewood High School, $575/mo + dep. 803-469-8328, or 983-9711 420 N. Magnolia 2br 1ba, 1 story frame, $400/mo., $400/sec. dep.

Call 803-787-2319.

Campers / RV's/ Motorhomes 2011 Ultra-lite 32' camper. Elec slideout, AC, heat, sleeps 8. Exc cond. $16,998. 803-481-8301

TRANSPORTATION

Mobile Home Rentals American MHP, 2 & 3/BRs, lot rentals, water/sewer/garbage pkup inc'd. Sec. 8 ok. 803-494-4300.

Autos For Sale

Oaklawn MHP: 2 BR M.H.'s, water/sewer/garbage pk-up incl'd.

RV parking avail. Call 494-8350

93' Nissan truck 215k Mi .$3500 OBO Well maintained Call 469-3152 aft 5pm Lv msg

New!

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UP TO 30 MPG 5 YEAR, 100K MILE WARRANTY

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MSRP $21,785 FACTORY REBATES $3,500

Your price $17,948 OR

*$236 PER MONTH

$500 REBATE FOR OUR MILITARY $2500 CASH TRADE 75M @2.9%

Stokes Craven WAC. All rebates and incentives go to dealer.

See dealer for details. Plus tax tag $287 closing fees

TAKE AN EXTRA 10% OFF OUR ALREADY LOW-LOW PRICES THROUGH THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY

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(803) 433-5500

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FIRST QUALITY SLIP COVERS SOFA ............ $40 EACH LOVESEAT ...... $30 EACH CHAIR ........... $20 EACH

IRREGULAR SLIP COVERS SOFA ............ $20 EACH LOVESEAT ...... $10 EACH CHAIR ........... $10 EACH