February 27, 2013

Sumter head basketball coach Sam Fuller resigns.

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Wife reportedly shoots husband in the face. A2 VOL. 118, NO. 110 WWW.THEITEM.COM

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013 | SUMTER, SOUTH CAROLINA

Board will re-examine disciplinary policies

BY BRADEN BUNCH bbunch@theitem.com The Sumter School District Board of Trustees is re-examining the district’s student disciplinary policies and is planning to make changes to give teachers and school administrators more flexibility in administering penalties, officials announced at the board’s public meeting this week.

Connie Jackson, the school district’s attorney spearheading the evaluation, said the

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changes are warranted.

Not only do the current policies provide very little flexibility for educators to take extenuating circumstances into consideration when determining punishment, but they also do not take the child’s age into consideration, Jackson said.

No official changes in the district policies were approved during the work session meeting held Monday at Furman Middle School.

SEE POLICIES, PAGE A8

S.C. groups press high court to keep voter protections COLUMBIA (AP) — Decades-old federal voter protections are still needed in South Carolina, civil liberties leaders said Tuesday, pressing the nation’s highest court to keep a portion of the Voting Rights Act in place.

Groups including the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the American Civil Liberties Union were among those calling on the U.S. Supreme

FOUNDED OCTOBER 15, 1894

PHOTOS BY KEITH GEDAMKE / SPECIAL TO THE ITEM

Joseph Prier, Dean Banar and Ethan Prier watch the Royal Rangers’ Neon Derby races at First Assembly of God on Saturday night. Fifty Royal Rangers and their parents made the racers and raced for best time in three age groups.

Court, which is hearing a case from Alabama this week, to keep in place Section 5. Under that provision, some states, including South Carolina, that have histories of discriminatory voting practices must get federal approval for any new voting laws.

Reauthorized by Congress several years ago, the VRA was originally approved by Congress in 1965.

at Two of the handmade racers are seen . the church on Saturday RangRIGHT: Cars are lined up at the Royal t. nigh rday Satu ers’ Neon Derby races on ed by LEFT: The track and cars are illuminat y. derb black lights for the weekend

SEE VOTING, PAGE A6

Sumter woman a dogsled passenger to start Iditarod

BY IVY MOORE ivym@theitem.com

COOK

A retired Sumter High School English teacher might be the first Sumter resident to ride in Alaska’s famed Iditarod dogsled race.

Diana Cook is in Anchorage, where she’ll join musher Matt Failor and his sled dogs on Saturday for the 11-mile ceremonial

trip from Anchorage to the airport at Willow, Alaska.

Cook, who taught for 40 years in the public schools, won the privilege by outbidding opponents in an Iditarod-sponsored auction.

She saw the first part of the Iditarod last year while visiting her daughter and son-in-law and became fascinated with the 1,049mile race.

When she learned of the online musher auction, Cook was determined to participate, she said, so much so that she gave her daughter her password to continue bidding after Cook couldn’t continue to follow the auction because of the time zone difference.

“I started bidding on six different mushers,” Cook said, “and I got outbid on most of them.”

She said the auction is a fundraiser for the official Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. The Iditarod was started in the early 1970s when Alaskans wanted to bring attention to the route in order to have it named a National Historic Trail.

At the time, dogsledding was in decline because of the advent of SEE IDITAROD, PAGE A6

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013 Contact the newsroom at 803-774-1226 or e-mail news@theitem.com

LOCAL BRIEF | From staff reports

Vegetable giveaway for seniors Thursday The Good Samaritans for All People will hold a vegetable giveaway for senior citizens at noon Thursday at the Lee County Council on Aging, 51 Wilkinson Road, Bishopville. Fresh vegetables are being provided by Jerry and BJ Hensely, said the Rev. Eddie Thomas Jr., president and founder.

For more information or to arrange pick up, call Thomas at (803) 459-4989.

Wife reportedly shoots husband in face

BY BRADEN BUNCH bbunch@theitem.com A 24-year-old Sumter woman has been charged with attempted murder after shooting her 26-year-old husband in the face with a handgun Monday night, according to the Sumter Police Department.

Brittany Amore Mackie, of 322 South St., was taken into custody about 9 p.m.

Monday and is being held at Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center awaiting a bond hearing.

Her husband, Brandon Harris, was listed in critical condition at Palmetto

Health Richland in Columbia as of Tuesday, according to law enforcement.

Police said the shooting appears to have been the result of a domestic dispute turning violent between the husband and the suspect.

When officers arrived at the couple’s home, they said they found Harris MACKIE lying on the floor in a bedroom with an apparent gunshot wound to the face. Investigators said Mackie admitted to shooting Harris at the home where officers also recov-

ered a .38-caliber handgun.

According to reports, witnesses indicated the couple had been arguing throughout the day and that during an argument they heard a gunshot.

Harris was initially taken to Tuomey Regional Medical Center before being transported to Columbia for treatment.

Police said an investigation is continuing. According to the local jail website, Mackie is scheduled for a bond hearing on April 5.

Reach Braden Bunch at (803) 7741201.

Woman missing for 3 months

GULLAH LADY STOPS BY SUMTER COUNTY LIBRARY

No major injuries in bus wreck

BY BRISTOW MARCHANT bmarchant@theitem.com

BY JADE ANDERSON janderrson@theitem.com No major injuries were reported after a school bus was involved in a three-vehicle wreck about 8:10 a.m. Tuesday at the intersection of Miller Road and Bultman Drive, said Shelly Galloway, spokeswoman for Sumter School District.

“Sixteen students were on the bus and one driver,” she said. “Some students were complaining of neck and back pain, but mostly they were shaken up. Fourteen were transported by EMS and two by parents.”

They were taken to the emergency room at Tuomey Regional Medical Center. The bus was on its way to Sumter High School, Galloway said.

The Sumter Fire Department arrived by 8:16 a.m. and checked for entrapment, according to the incident report. They found none, but eight patients from the bus and one patient from the Dodge Challenger were complaining of injuries, the report states.

Neck braces were reportedly placed on two patients on the bus.

Emergency Medical Services removed the braces when they arrived on scene, the report states, and the fire department personnel cleared the scene once all parties were in the care of EMS. The patient in the third vehicle and the driver of the Challenger refused treatment, according to the report.

The incident remains under investigation by the police department.

“We don’t have all the particulars at this time,” department Capt. Jeffery Jackson said. “The traffic division is still working on determining the individual responsible. We will then issue a citation for the cause of the accident.”

Reach Jade Anderson at (803) 774-1250.

IVY MOORE / THE ITEM

Sharon Cooper-Murray, the Gullah Lady, shows how rice grains were separated from dust using a fanner made of sweetgrass during the Black History Month program at the Sumter County Library on Monday night. She explained and demonstrated the three steps used to process rice, using authentic handmade tools. Cooper-Murray covered three subjects during the program: “Who our ancestors were and why they came to South Carolina; the Gullah language, which we call English creole; and traditional Gullah folk music.”

Lee chamber still operational

BY RANDY BURNS Special to The Item BISHOPVILLE — The doors to the office of the Lee County Chamber of Commerce remain closed, but the chamber itself has not shut down, said Chamber President Thaddeus Dickey.

For the past six months, the chamber’s office on North Main Street has been closed as a money-saving measure, but Dickey said the closure is only temporary and the chamber itself is alive if not well.

“It was a matter of economics. We didn’t have the money to keep paying staff,” he said. “We are now in the process of re-organizing. We thank everybody for their support and understanding as we go through our reconstruction period.”

Dickey and chamber members are working with sponsors to raise money by having a golf tournament, he said.

Sponsored by the chamber, the Bishopville Country

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Club, SAFE Federal Credit Union, Allied Waste (Lee County Landfill), Lee County Council and South Atlantic Canners, the Lee County Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament will be held on March 15 at the newly renovated Bishopville Country Club.

Registration begins at 11 a.m., with tee-off at noon.

Cost for participation is $50 and includes entry into all events, 18 holes of golf, cart, lunch and the opportunity to receive various awards.

“There will be an awards presentation directly after the golf tournament at the clubhouse home of Tommy ‘Two Gloves’ Gainey,” Dickey said.

Gainey, a former resident of Lucknow and a graduate of Bishopville High School, played at Bishopville Country Club while growing up in Lee County. He also played at the course as a member of the Bishopville High golf team.

Dickey hopes to seek volunteers and a new location for the chamber office with

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The Item is published six days a week except for July 4, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day (unless it falls on a Sunday) by Osteen Publishing Co., 20 N. Magnolia St., Sumter,

less financial overhead in the next few months.

In the meantime, the annual chamber banquet featuring the awarding of the Business Person and Benevolent Citizen of the Year awards has been postponed, Dickey said.

“We do plan to have the banquet later this year, and we will still have our citizen of the year and the other awards,” Dickey said.

All phone calls and emails to the chamber are answered as chamber members and volunteers make an effort to carry on business, he said.

Don Brown, the new owner of the Bishopville Country Club, said he is proud to be one of the sponsors for the golf tournament.

“The chamber is a must in any community,” Brown said. “I hope everybody will come together and support the chamber. We can’t let it die.”

For registration information, contact the golf course at (803) 428-3675.

Law enforcement officers are asking for help locating a Rembert woman who hasn’t been seen for three months.

Maristine Carroll, 52, was last seen at her sister’s home on East McLeod Street in Rembert on Nov. 22.

Carroll’s CARROLL sister initially didn’t consider it unusual for her to be gone for a long period of time after she left her home but told investigators with the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office she became more concerned the longer she went without hearing from her. She filed a missing person’s report with the sheriff’s office on Feb. 19.

Carroll’s sister said she began to worry when Carroll’s Social Security information and her medical card were sent to her through the mail.

She also received a phone call about Carroll staying in a women’s shelter in the Columbia area, but law enforcement have been unable to locate the shelter where Carroll may have been staying.

Carroll has previously been diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and officials think she may be in need of medical attention.

She is described as a black female with black hair and brown eyes. She stands 5 feet, 7 inches tall and weighs about 160 pounds. She was last seen wearing a black blouse and black and white pants and left without wearing shoes.

Anyone with information about Carroll’s location or who may have seen her since November is asked to call the sheriff’s office at (803) 4362700 or (803) 436-2718.

Reach Bristow Marchant at (803) 774-1272.

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CORRECTIONS: If you see a statement in error, contact the City Desk. Corrections will appear on this page.

LOCAL / REGION

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013

Feds’ loan changes hamper enrollment at black colleges

BY BROCK VERGAKIS The Associated Press ATLANTA — Ariadne Partlow dreamed of graduating from Spelman College and moving on to medical school, but instead of studying biology this semester, she worked at a fast-food Chinese restaurant.

The Jackson, Tenn., native was among thousands of students who unexpectedly either had to stay at home, transfer to a less expensive school or find new money when the U.S. Department of Education quietly changed how it evaluated the credit of parents applying for a federal PLUS loan.

The greater scrutiny affected families and schools everywhere, but historically black colleges were hit particularly hard because so many of their students come from low-income families dependent on PLUS loans. In recent years, as many as a third of all

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From staff reports

Rep. Smith will be featured on ETV show Rep. Murrell Smith, R-Sumter, and Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, DOrangeburg, will be featured during Thursday’s SCETV teleconference about Medicaid expansion in South SMITH Carolina.

The show, hosted by Lt. Gov. Glenn McConnell, will be from 9:30 to 10 a.m.

To submit questions to have them read on the show, email Cathy Dreher at cdreher@sc-

press.org by 5 p.m. today. Questions do not have to be limited to the program’s topic, and no questions are given to participants ahead of the program.

To watch the program, tune in to your local ETV World channel. To watch online, visit scetv.org, go to programs, click on “State House Today” and scroll down to “This Week in the State House” to watch a live stream of the program.

This weekly press conference is sponsored by ETV.

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black college graduates had used PLUS loans, a proportion twice as high as the rate for all schools, according to one estimate.

“All I’ve known is school, so this is weird not being in school all the time,” said Partlow, who would’ve been a junior this year at historically black Spelman in Atlanta. Partlow attended Spelman last spring with the help of a PLUS loan, but her application for the fall was rejected.

The Education Department said the changes were made as part of an effort to more closely align government lending programs with industry standards and decrease default rates.

Before the changes, the loan program looked at whether an applicant had an adverse credit history for an account in the past 90 days. Now the program looks for delinquent accounts during the last five years.

LOCAL BRIEF

THE ITEM

Four students from St. Anne Catholic School sang at the North Charleston Convention Center in the 2013 South Carolina Elementary Honor Choir on Feb. 9. Ashauna Leverette, Lila Floyd, Alyssa Law and Andrea Clark joined more than 200 vocalists from throughout the state. Under the direction of guest clinician Rollo Dilworth, chairman of the Department of Music Education at Temple University in Philadelphia, the choir sang seven pieces.

The auditioned ensemble is sponsored by the South Carolina Music Educators. Linda Coyne, music teacher at St. Anne, prepared the students for the event.

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POLICE BLOTTER CHARGES:

Paul Allen Weber, 40, of 1630 Martatison Lane in Sumter, was arrested Tuesday and charged with two counts of second-degree harrassment for allegedly sending more than 300 threatening and harassing messages to his estranged wife and step-daughter between July 1, 2012, and Jan. 31. Weber is also alleged to have contacted the woman’s place of employment and co-workers, and the step-daughter’s school.

A 15-year-old Sumter boy was arrested Friday for possession of marijuana and petitioned into Sumter County Family Court on Monday, according to a press release from the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office. The petitions allege that administrators at Lakewood High School saw the juvenile with a can containing a green leafy substance. The substance was found and seized by the administrators as the boy was attempting to hide the container. He was taken into custody by deputies and released to his parents.

CRIMINAL SEXUAL CONDUCT WITH A MINOR:

About 11:15 p.m.

Saturday, a mother called the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office from Richland Memorial Hospital where she took her daughter to have a sexual assault kit done. She stated she thought her husband may be assaulting their minor daughter because the daughter “does not sleep well at night and she told her mother that when their pet dog attempted to lick or sniff her groin area that only Daddy can do that,� according to reports.

CRIMINAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE:

A woman in the 3000 block of Herbal Way, Dalzell, reported her

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013

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husband came home intoxicated and belligerent about 5:30 p.m.

Sunday. According to reports, the wife locked the husband out of the residence at first, but he talked her into opening the door. At that time, he grabbed her by the throat, threw her on the bed and choked her, she told deputies. She was able to get away and pointed a .38-revolver at the man at which time the assault ceased. The woman was advised to seek a warrant. Her husband denied all allegations.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

President Obama, left, prepares to board the Marine One helicopter on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on Tuesday, and House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio meets with reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington on Feb. 14.

STOLEN PROPERTY:

A black .22-caliber nine-shot Taurus revolver was reportedly stolen from the 1000 block of North Guignard Drive between 8 p.m. Sunday and 10 p.m. Thursday. The gun is valued at $500.

Eight black-and-tan puppies were reportedly stolen from the 4100 block of Muriel Street in Wedgefield at 7:15 a.m. Thursday. The value of the puppies is unknown.

A 2004 silver-andblack Yamaha twoseater Zuma scooter valued at $1,150 was stolen from the 1000 block of North Guignard between 10 p.m.

Saturday and 7 a.m.

Sunday. According to reports, the scooter was chained, and the handlebar was locked.

A .22-caliber pistol was stolen from the 4000 block of U.S. 15 South before 12:26 p.m.

Saturday.

A 2004 Ford Taurus CDW-594 valued at $4,000 was stolen from the 3000 block of Broad Street about 4:38 a.m.

Saturday.

A black LG Surround System, a red cake mixer, a red can opener, a red Kenmore microwave and a red Mr. Coffee coffee maker were stolen from a residence in the 2000 block of Nettles Road before 5:44 p.m. Saturday.

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Analysis: Obama, GOP see no need to stop cuts WASHINGTON (AP) — Unlike in earlier rounds of budget brinkmanship, President Obama and congressional Republicans both seem content to fight out their latest showdown on the current terrain, let across-the-board spending cuts take effect on March 1 and allow them to stay in place for weeks if not much longer.

This time, there is no market-rattling threat of a government default to force the two sides to compromise, no federal shutdown on the shortterm horizon and no year-end deadline for preventing a tax increase for every working American.

The rhetoric is reminiscent, for sure. “So far at least, the ideas that the Republicans have proposed ask nothing of the wealthiest Americans or the

biggest corporations,� Obama said this week as he campaigned to pin the blame for any negative effects on his political opponents. “So the burden is all on the first responders, or seniors or middle-class families,� he said in comments similar in tone to his re-election campaign.

Republicans, standing on political ground of their own choosing, responded sharply to the president’s fresh demand for higher taxes. “Spending is the problem, spending must be the focus,� said House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, while Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky declared, “There won’t be any easy off-ramps on this one. The days of 11thhour negotiations are over.�

A crisis atmosphere could yet develop this spring when hundreds of thousands, or

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At heart, the standoff is yet another indication of the political resistance to a compromise curbing the growth of Medicare, Medicaid and possibly Social Security, a step that both Obama and Republicans say is essential to restoring the nation’s fiscal health. It is the last major remaining challenge in divided government’s struggle, now in its third year, to reduce deficits by $4 trillion or more over a decade.

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STATE / NATION

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013

THE ITEM

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From Associated Press reports

Secretary of Defense nominee Chuck Hagel testifies in January before the Senate Armed Services Committee during his confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington. The Senate on Tuesday voted to confirm Hagel as defense secretary, replacing Leon Panetta.

The plan will provide a guide for making future transportation decisions in South Carolina and will assess where transportation needs to be improved. It will also provide projections of revenues needed to meet transportation needs.

Bill aimed at revitalizing vacant buildings

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Senate confirms Hagel for defense secretary WASHINGTON (AP) — A deeply divided Senate voted on Tuesday to confirm Republican Chuck Hagel to be the nation’s next defense secretary, handing President Obama’s pick the top Pentagon job just days before billions of dollars in automatic, acrossthe-board budget cuts hit the military.

The vote was 58-41, with four Republicans joining the Democrats in backing the contentious choice. Hagel’s only GOP support came from former colleagues Thad Cochran of Mississippi and Dick Shelby of Alabama as well as Mike Johanns of Nebraska and Rand Paul of Kentucky.

The vote came just hours after Republicans dropped their delay of the nomination and allowed it to move forward on a 71-27 vote.

Hagel, 66, a former two-term Nebraska senator and twice-wounded Vietnam combat veteran, succeeds Defense Secretary Leon Panetta.

Hagel is expected to be sworn in at the Pentagon today.

Republicans had opposed their onetime colleague, casting him as unqualified for the job, hostile toward Is-

rael and soft on Iran.

Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona said several GOP lawmakers had “a lot of ill will� toward the moderate Republican for his criticism of President George W. Bush over the Iraq war and his backing for Democratic candidates. McCain voted against his onetime friend and fellow Vietnam veteran.

Obama portrayed the war-tested Hagel as a man who understands that conflict is not an abstraction and called him the “leader that our troops deserve.�

Hagel joins Obama’s retooled second-term, national security team of Secretary of State John Kerry and CIA Director-designate John Brennan at a time of uncertainty for a military emerging from two wars and fighting worldwide terrorism with smaller, deficit-driven budgets.

Among his daunting challenges are deciding on troop levels in Afghanistan as the United States winds down its combat presence and dealing with $46 billion in budget cuts set to kick in on Friday.

COLUMBIA — A bill that lawmakers hope will help turn abandoned buildings across South Carolina into bustling commercial space has advanced to the Senate floor.

The measure advanced Tuesday would give state income tax credits for renovating buildings vacated at least five years. The qualifying investment would range from $75,000 to $250,000 depending on the community’s size.

Some Sumter area state lawmakers supported a similar bill last year while city of Sumter officials were hopeful such a bill would pass. All cited the economic development potential the bill would create by making the renovation of an abandoned building more attractive to potential business owners because of the tax credit. “It could be the difference maker in a deal,� Sumter Mayor Joe McElveen said last year.

State economic advisers said the bill would reduce state revenue by $1 million next fiscal year, then $3.8 million annually the next four years. There is an estimated 500,000 square feet of abandoned building space statewide.

The bill died in the Senate last year after passing the House.

S.C. breaking ground for inland port GREER — U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is coming to South Carolina this week as the State Ports Authority breaks ground on a new inland port in Greer.

The port will provide a place to transfer shipping containers between trucks and trains and provide a direct rail link to the Port of Charleston.

Ports officials estimate the port could eliminate 50,000 truck trips a year on busy Interstate 26 between Charleston and the GreenvilleSpartanburg area.

Man who stayed at hospital after escape sentenced MONCKS CORNER — A man who escaped from the Berkeley County jail last year and hid in a Myrtle Beach hospital will have to serve three-and-a-half years in prison.

Forty-year-old James Sanders of Ridgeville was sentenced after pleading guilty in Berkeley County Court on Monday to criminal domestic violence, failure to stop for police and escape.

Prosecutors said Sanders escaped Jan. 26, 2012, and went to Grand Strand Regional Medical Center where he posed as the brother of a comatose patient for about two weeks. Sanders got free meals and laundry service during his stay.

SCDOT takes comment on transportation needs COLUMBIA — South Carolina is developing a new statewide transportation plan and wants to get public comment on what the state’s transit needs are.

The state Department of Transportation is taking comment through March 12.

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THE ITEM

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013

VOTING from Page A1 But state ACLU executive director Victoria Middleton said the protections are still necessary in some areas today as they were decades ago.

“We’ve made progress, but that’s because we’re covered by Section 5,” Middleton said.

Today, the U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments on a challenge from Shelby County, Ala., near Birmingham, to Section 5. It requires all or parts of 16 states with a history of racial discrimination, mostly in the South, to secure approval from the Justice Department or the federal court in Washington before making any changes in the way they hold elections.

The appeal argues that places covered by the law have made such progress that federal oversight is unnecessary. Opponents of the provision also cite racial progress in the decades since the landmark law was enacted that led to the election and recent reelection of Barack Obama, the country’s first black president.

Section 5 and its intended protections were also at the center of a federal lawsuit about a new South Carolina law that requires voters to show one of a few types of government-issued identification cards when they go to vote. Saying that the law was discriminatory, the U.S. Department of Justice rejected the law, the first such law to be denied federal

clearance in nearly 20 years.

South Carolina subsequently sued the federal government, and three judges in Washington heard arguments last year.

The panel upheld the law but delayed its enforcement until this year, finding that the law was not discriminatory because of its safeguards but also noting it would require more time to put those protections against discrimination in place.

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, who mounted the lawsuit against the federal government, has also filed a brief in support of Alabama in the case being heard today in Washington. During media availability Tuesday from a national meeting of attorneys general, the Republican prosecutor reiterated his belief that it’s time for the provision to change.

“They’re using 40- and 45-year-old formulas to treat states differently from other states,” Wilson said.

“I support Section 5 being overhauled.”

On Tuesday, Virginia Sanders of the South Carolina Progressive Network said that Wilson, who is white, wasn’t being realistic about the role that Section 5 plays in places such as his home state.

“Mr. Wilson grew up and lives in a different South Carolina than we do,” said Sanders, who is black. “The Voting Rights Act keeps us from repeating past mistakes.”

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Musher Brian Wilmshurst, of Dawson City, Yukon, prepares to leave the start chute of the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race on Feb. 2 in Whitehorse, Yukon. The race is part of the Fur Rondy, a festival traditionally held in the winter when trappers brought in their furs to sell. Sumter’s Diana Cook will ride with a musher on a dogsled like this one during the 11-mile ceremonial start of the Iditarod.

IDITAROD from Page A1 modern vehicles that were able to navigate long distances through snow and ice. Their efforts were successful, and the annual dogsled race has drawn much attention to Alaska, the trail and competitive dogsledding.

Cook has done some research on the Iditarod, which starts Sunday in Willow.

“Sleds start with 12-16 dogs,” she said.

“They run for six-hour shifts and rest for six hours for 10 to 15 days, ending in Nome, Alaska.”

Lest people think the dogs are doing all the work, Cook said that “During the rest time, the musher must feed the dogs, massage the dogs, check their feet and stamina and bed them down.”

The musher must also thaw and/or heat up the dogs’ food during the breaks.

“The dogs eat 12,000 calories a day,” Cook said. “If the dog goes off its feed or if it is injured, it is dropped to a support crew person.

Ideal running team efficiency is 10 to 12 dogs.

If the musher is lucky, he gets one or two hours of sleep in the shift.”

The Iditarod has several associated activi-

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ties as it “... starts off the end of the Fur Rondy (for rendezvous) — a winter festival that historically was when trappers brought in their furs to sell,” Cook said. “This celebration includes a carnival with a Ferris wheel, a Tilt-AWhirl, etc. There is also the ‘running of the reindeer,’ a bit like the running of the bulls in Spain.”

Cook said she watched last year’s race, which had about 2,500 participants “running with the reindeer” to raise money for charity.

“They were in weird costumes, including Speedos, Zena costumes and one guy wearing boots frozen in blocks of ice,” she said. “Needless to say most were carrying a lot of high proof ‘anti-freeze’ internally. Other activities include dances, food and a crazy melodrama that my daughter sings in.

“What a wonderful way to celebrate the end of winter.”

Cook expects she’ll be pretty cold at the end of her dogsled ride.

“My daughter and son-in-law are taking me to some hot springs to thaw out,” she said.

No doubt Cook will be cheering for Failor during the official Iditarod. She has promised to send photos documenting her experience.

Reach Ivy Moore at (803) 774-1221.

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OPINION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013

THE ITEM

A7

To submit a letter to the editor, e-mail letters@theitem.com

COMMENTARY

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Minimum wages

I

n his State of the Union address, President Obama proposed raising the minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $9 an hour.

That would be almost a 25 percent increase.

Let’s look at the president’s proposal, but before doing so, let’s ask some other economic questions.

Are people responsive to changes in price?

For example, if the price of cars rose by 25 percent, would people purchase as many cars?

Supposing housing prices rose by 25 percent, what would happen to sales? Those are bigticket items, but what about smaller-priced items? If a supermarket raised its prices by 25 percent, would people purchase as much? It’s not rocket science to conclude that when prices rise, people adjust their behavior by purchasing less.

It’s almost childish to do so, but I’m going to ask questions about 25 percent price changes Walter in the other way. What responsWILLIAMS es would people have if the price of cars or housing fell by 25 percent?

What would happen to supermarket sales if prices fell by 25 percent? Again, it doesn’t require deep thinking to guess that people would purchase more.

This behavior in economics is known as the first fundamental law of demand. It holds that the higher the price of something the less people will take and that the lower the price the more people will take. There are no known exceptions to the law of demand. Any economist who could prove a real-world exception would probably be a candidate for the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences and other honors.

Dr. Alan Krueger, an economist, is chairman of the president’s Council of Economic Advisers. I wonder whether he advised the president that though people surely would be responsive to 25 percent increases in the prices of other goods and services, they would not be responsive to a 25 percent wage increase. I’d bet the rent money that you couldn’t get Krueger to answer the following statement by saying either true or false: A 25 percent increase in the price of labor would not affect employment. If anything, his evasive response would be that found in a White House memo, reported in The Wall Street Journal’s article titled “The Minority Youth Unemployment Act” (Feb. 15), namely that “a range of economic studies show that modestly raising the minimum wage increases earnings and reduces poverty without measurably reducing employment.” The WSJ article questions that statement: “Note the shifty adverbs, ‘modestly’ and ‘measurably,’ which can paper over a lot of economic damage.” My interpretation of the phrase “without measurably reducing employment” is that only youngsters, mostly black youngsters, would be affected by an increase.

University of California, Irvine economist David Neumark has examined more than 100 major academic studies on the minimum wage. He states that the White House claim “grossly misstates the weight of the evidence.”

About 85 percent of the studies “find a negative employment effect on low-skilled workers.” A 1976 American Economic Association survey found that 90 percent of its members agreed that increasing the minimum wage raises unemployment among young and unskilled workers. A 1990 survey found that 80 percent of economists agreed with the statement that increases in the minimum wage cause unemployment among the youth and low-skilled. If you’re looking for a consensus in most fields of study, examine the introductory and intermediate college textbooks in the field.

Economics textbooks that mention the minimum wage say that it increases unemployment for the least skilled worker.

As detailed in my recent book “Race and Economics” (2012), during times of gross racial discrimination, black unemployment was lower than white unemployment and blacks were more active in the labor market. For example, in 1948, black teen unemployment was less than white teen unemployment, and black teens were more active in the labor market.

Today black teen unemployment is about 40 percent; for whites, it is about 20 percent. The minimum wage law weighs heavily in this devastating picture. Supporters of higher minimum wages want to index it to inflation so as to avoid its periodic examination.

Walter E. Williams is a professor of economics at George Mason University. © 2013 creators.com

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR You can’t harmonize truth of God with theories of man In the letter to the editor, “Bible doesn’t contradict proven science,” of Thursday, Feb. 21, by Kenneth Ford, there is a terrible doctrinal error. There is no gap between Genesis 1:1 and verse 2.

In the same Bible that Mr. Ford uses, the Holy Spirit tells us that, “For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.” Exodus 10:11 NKJV. It says nothing about God recreating anything. Ever how long the week was in which was a Sabbath for the Israelites is the same amount of time it took God to create this universe. No, the Bible does not date when this action occurs, but it does tell us how long God took to do it. Was Mr. Ford there? I think not, but God was, and God says that He did it in six days.

Additionally, Mr. Ford asserts that there were “pre-adamic humans” in his article. Yet God tells us that Adam was the first man (1 Corinthians 15:45). Guess who is correct. “ ... let God be true but every man a liar ...” Romans 3:4.

It is a mistake to try and harmonize the truth of God with the fanciful theories of man (such as evolution). You cannot have it both ways. True science is from God. The so-called theory of evolution is not true science; it is

philosophy and not a very good one at that. Either evolution is wrong or God is wrong. There is no in-between, so don’t waste time in pursuit of that which is not attainable.

Oh, incidentally, Mr. Ford, don’t bother us with the speculations about fossils and rocks being millions and billions of years old. Who says they are that old? The same people who assert that God is wrong in His Bible.

RON WILSON Sumter

The government in S.C. is a rip-off I know many native South Carolinians and maybe even many non-South Carolinians may not like this letter, but it is the truth as far as I am concerned. The government of this state is a rip-off. I cannot say you get taxed to death here in South Carolina because we are still alive, but we get taxed plenty.

You get charged tax upon tax. If you do not believe me, go into a store and buy a quart of oil and look at your receipt — you get charged sales tax and an oil fee tax. Buy a tire, especially a new one, again you get charged sales tax, and a tire removal tax or whatever it is called.

But the tax that really irritates me is the property tax on your vehicle. I do not know if you could stop at calling it a double tax, but it certainly is a very un-

N.G. OSTEEN 1843-1936 The Watchman and Southron

H.G. OSTEEN 1870-1955 Founder, The Item

fair tax. Why do I call this at least a double tax? When a person goes to buy a vehicle whether they pay cash or like me and other poor people you have to make payments; either way you pay sales tax, and you have to pay property tax if want to drive your vehicle legally. Why do I call it unfair? Even if you keep up with your payments and have insurance on your vehicle you still have to pay your property tax if you want to drive it legally. I do not object to paying the decal fee, road fee or county tax, so what is my complaint.

My complaint is the school tax.

My bill came to $183.05; of that amount 54 percent was for school tax. My objection is I never went to school down here.

I do not even have a child or children let alone any that are school age, so why am I forced to pay any school tax at all, let alone the ridiculous amount I am being forced to pay? I doubt seriously that if I pay everything except the school tax they probably will not give me my decal, and that would be very unfair because I paid for the decal portion of the bill.

WILLIAM HEISE Jr. Alcolu Editor’s note: Because this letter exceeded the 350-word length as stated in our Editorial Page Policies which appears regularly on this page, it can be read in its entirety under Opinion on The Item’s website, www.theitem.com.

EDITORIAL ROUNDUP A recent editorial from a South Carolina newspaper: FEB. 25

The Times and Democrat of Orangeburg on gun control legislation: The story from Charleston would have made international headlines had the woman involved carried out her intention.

Earlier this month, she showed up at Ashley Hall in Charleston and pointed a loaded pistol at school officials, repeatedly pulling the trigger. The gun malfunctioned, no one was hurt and she was taken into custody, found to be a person with a history of mental illness and one who should not have been able to purchase the weapon from the gun shop where she legally did so.

How could it be that the woman could legally purchase the weapon? The reason is South Carolina’s lack of cooperation with the federal govern-

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ment, something in which our leaders take pride in some instances. Not this time. And with good reason.

For years, federal law has banned those deemed mentally ill by a court of law from buying a firearm, keeping the names in a database. But South Carolina is one of 12 states that does not take part in the federal program by forwarding names of people here to the feds. Thus, there is no flagging of people such as the woman in the Charleston incident during a background check in purchasing a gun.

South Carolina Republican Attorney General Alan Wilson is proposing to fix the problem.

He is seeking approval for legislation that would require the state’s judiciary to report to the State Law Enforcement Division and then to the federal database the names of those deemed legally mentally ill.

Even as state lawmakers are pushing bills that expand gun

H.D. OSTEEN 1904-1987 The Item

rights and seek to guard against federal intrusion on Second Amendment freedoms, it appears this issue will get bipartisan support. ...

But that does not mean in the present environment that gunrights advocates will not find a reason to present obstacles, fearing any such action sends the wrong message on gun rights. We hope not.

It is difficult enough to stop a person committed to obtaining a weapon from doing so. But the present system of checks does flag those with criminal records and other histories of being “potentially dangerous” and prohibits them from buying a weapon.

Knowing the connection between mental illness and the stories of mass killings in this country is enough alone to realize there is need to also prevent those deemed mentally ill from legally buying a weapon. ...

Online: thetandd.com

HUBERT D. OSTEEN JR. | EDITOR AND CHAIRMAN

Founded October 15, 1894 20 N. Magnolia St. Sumter, SC 29150

|

MARGARET W. OSTEEN 1908-1996 The Item

H. GRAHAM OSTEEN II Co-President

KYLE BROWN OSTEEN Co-President

JOHN DUVALL OSTEEN Vice President and Publisher

LARRY MILLER CEO

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POLICIES from Page A1 “Regardless if a he had initially upheld child is 5 years old, or the decision. the child is 16 or 17, With Monday’s prethey’re looking at the sentation, Bynum said same type of penalty,” the next step is for the Jackson said of the board’s subcommittee current district policy. considering district“What would help the wide policy changes to district is if there is review any recommensome flexibility built in dations. so that the board, or There was some but the administration, little discussion folcan consider extenuat- lowing Jackson’s preing or mitigating cirsentation, as three of cumstances. You really the board’s trustees — don’t want to hold a Karen Michalik, the 4-year-old or a 5-year- Rev. Ralph Canty Sr. old to the same stanand Larry Addison — dard that we hold to a were absent from the 12th-grader.” meeting.

After Monday’s In other action, the meeting, Superintentrustees: dent Randolph Bynum • Received an upsaid the date on changes the curto the rent policy school ‘The administration year are in the budget, is going to enforce which planning stages, Steve what’s approved by Mann, and nothing chief fithe board, and nancial definitive has officer I know the board for the been presentdistrict, is really interested said is ed to the trustees currentin looking into it, ly in line to consider. with exand so is the pected However, levels. administration.’ Mann Bynum said he said the supports current a change budget Randolph Bynum is trackto the current ing rules along and hopes any changschedule. As part of es would be in place his presentation, Mann by the beginning of the said, salaries and bennext school year. efits for employees are “Our policies and running at about 90 our administrative percent of the district’s rules kind of tied our total budget. Mann hands, whether people said this percentage is believe that or not,” slightly high when Bynum said. “The adcompared to other disministration is going tricts in the state, to enforce what’s apwhere he says employproved by the board, ee costs are usually in and I know the board the high 80 percentile is really interested in range. looking into it, and so • Watched a presenis the administration.” tation from Furman Bynum said the dis- Middle School’s trict’s attorneys are “Standing Ovations” currently examining show choir and rethe policy to make ceived an update on sure nothing presentFurman school activied would cause unties from principal foreseen legal probMaria Newton-Ta’Bon. lems.

According to NewtonIssues with the disTa’Bon, nine of the trict’s disciplinary pol- school’s eighth-grade icies came to the forestudents were recogfront after a 6-year-old nized as “Junior Scholkindergarten student ars” by achieving a at Alice Drive Elemen- score of at least 50 on tary School was exat least one section of pelled from school last the PSAT test. month for bringing a • Received an upbroken toy gun to date from Sumter City school for show-andManager Deron Mctell.

Cormick on how the The school district tax increment financinitially cited a “no tol- ing district for the erance” policy to justi- city’s central business fy the student’s expuldistrict, created to aide sion, despite several of downtown developthe kindergartner’s ment, allocated funds. teachers and school • Received an overadministrators calling view of the Internafor the child’s reintional Baccalaureate statement. program at Sumter The student’s expul- High School from prosion was eventually gram director Marie overturned by Bynum Mulholland. four weeks after the Contact Braden child was dismissed Bunch at (803) 774from school and after 1201.

PUBLIC AGENDA GREATER SUMTER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Today, noon, chamber office SUMTER CITY-COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION Today, 3 p.m., Opera House, City Council Chambers, 4th floor, 21 N. Main St. SUMTER COUNTY DEVELOPMENT BOARD Thursday, 7:30 a.m., Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce boardroom, 32 E. Calhoun St.

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013

But Don’t Pay Interest For 12 Solid Months

YOUR ONE CALL COMFORT SOLUTION (803) 795 - 4257

TODAY

TONIGHT

62°

THURSDAY 57°

FRIDAY

SATURDAY 53°

58°

SUNDAY

52°

38° 33°

37°

35°

29°

Partly sunny and breezy

Mainly clear

Partly sunny and breezy

Breezy with times of clouds and sun

Winds: SW 10-20 mph

Winds: WSW 8-16 mph

Winds: W 10-20 mph

Winds: NW 10-20 mph

Winds: SW 4-8 mph

Winds: N 8-16 mph

Chance of rain: 10%

Chance of rain: 5%

Chance of rain: 0%

Chance of rain: 5%

Chance of rain: 30%

Chance of rain: 10%

Sumter through 4 p.m. yesterday

Temperature High ............................................... 71° Low ................................................ 39° Normal high ................................... 61° Normal low ..................................... 37° Record high ....................... 81° in 1977 Record low ......................... 11° in 1967

Greenville 58/34

Bishopville 62/37

24 hrs ending 4 p.m. yest. ............ 0.79” Month to date ............................... 4.72” Normal month to date .................. 3.22” Year to date .................................. 5.93” Normal year to date ...................... 7.16”

Lake Murray Marion Moultrie Wateree

Full pool 360 76.8 75.5 100

7 a.m. yest.

357.80 74.48 73.78 97.04

24-hr chg -0.11 -0.06 -0.16 -0.25

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

Full pool 12 19 14 14 80 24

7 a.m. yest.

8.82 7.60 7.00 5.10 78.69 10.60

24-hr chg +0.17 +3.10 +0.10 +0.73 +0.20 -1.51

City Aiken Asheville Athens Augusta Beaufort Cape Hatteras Charleston Charlotte Clemson Columbia

Today Hi/Lo/W 61/37/s 51/30/pc 58/35/pc 62/37/s 64/43/s 60/47/pc 64/42/s 58/34/pc 59/36/pc 63/38/pc

Thu. Hi/Lo/W 54/31/pc 46/29/c 52/33/pc 56/30/pc 59/35/s 54/41/pc 59/37/s 53/31/pc 55/34/c 57/32/pc

Columbia 63/38

Last

New

Mar. 4 First

Mar. 11 Full

Mar. 19

Mar. 27

Florence 62/38

Sumter 62/38

Myrtle Beach 61/42

Manning 63/39

Today: Breezy with intervals of clouds and sun.

Thursday: Breezy with periods of sun.

Cool with periods of sun

Sunrise today .......................... 6:52 a.m.

Sunset tonight ......................... 6:16 p.m.

Moonrise today ....................... 8:27 p.m.

Moonset today ........................ 7:35 a.m.

Gaffney 58/34 Spartanburg 58/35

Precipitation

Some sun, then clouds, a shower possible

Shown is today’s weather.

Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

Aiken 61/37 Charleston 64/42

Today: Mostly sunny. High 60 to 64.

Thursday: Mostly sunny and breezy. High 55 to 59.

The following tide table lists times for Myrtle Beach.

Wed.

Forecasts and graphics provided

by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2013

City Darlington Elizabeth City Elizabethtown Fayetteville Florence Gainesville Gastonia Goldsboro Goose Creek Greensboro

Today Hi/Lo/W 61/37/pc 63/42/pc 62/39/pc 62/38/pc 62/38/pc 71/45/pc 60/35/pc 63/40/pc 64/41/s 56/34/pc

Thu. Hi/Lo/W 56/33/pc 56/37/pc 56/34/pc 57/34/pc 56/34/pc 67/38/s 56/32/pc 57/35/pc 58/35/s 52/32/pc

Thu.

City Greenville Hickory Hilton Head Jacksonville, FL La Grange Macon Marietta Marion Mount Pleasant Myrtle Beach

Today Hi/Lo/W 58/34/pc 55/33/pc 63/43/s 70/42/s 59/35/s 62/37/s 56/34/pc 54/33/pc 64/43/s 61/42/pc

Thu. Hi/Lo/W 54/32/pc 51/31/pc 58/36/s 65/36/s 50/33/pc 56/33/pc 48/32/pc 50/32/c 58/36/s 56/37/pc

High Ht. 9:48 a.m.....3.1 10:14 p.m.....3.1 10:27 a.m.....3.1 10:55 p.m.....3.2

City Orangeburg Port Royal Raleigh Rock Hill Rockingham Savannah Spartanburg Summerville Wilmington Winston-Salem

Low Ht. 4:25 a.m....-0.5 4:41 p.m....-0.4 5:10 a.m....-0.5 5:22 p.m....-0.5

Today Hi/Lo/W 62/39/s 64/43/s 61/37/pc 59/34/pc 62/37/pc 66/43/s 58/35/pc 64/41/s 62/42/pc 54/34/pc

Thu. Hi/Lo/W 56/34/pc 58/36/s 56/34/pc 53/30/pc 56/32/pc 60/36/s 54/33/pc 58/34/s 57/35/pc 52/31/pc

Shown are today’s noon positions of weather systems and precipitation. Temperature bands are highs for the day.

-10s -0s 0s 10s 20s 30s 40s 50s 60s 70s 80s 90s 100s 110s Stationary front

Cold front Showers Rain T-storms Snow Flurries

Ice

Warm front

Today Thu. Today Thu. City Hi/Lo/W Hi/Lo/W City Hi/Lo/W Hi/Lo/W Albuquerque 42/26/s 46/26/s Las Vegas 58/41/s 63/46/s Anchorage 36/27/sf 33/27/sf Los Angeles 75/48/s 80/52/s Atlanta 58/35/pc 49/34/pc Miami 80/62/t 79/55/pc Baltimore 58/38/pc 48/34/sh Minneapolis 35/22/pc 33/16/pc Boston 41/37/r 45/33/sh New Orleans 67/44/s 59/43/s Charleston, WV 46/34/sh 41/32/c New York 52/40/r 47/35/sh Charlotte 58/34/pc 53/31/pc Oklahoma City 42/28/s 48/27/pc Chicago 37/29/sf 35/25/c Omaha 38/24/sf 37/24/pc Cincinnati 42/31/sn 39/28/c Philadelphia 56/39/pc 47/34/sh Dallas 56/35/s 57/34/s Phoenix 67/48/s 71/49/s Denver 37/14/pc 40/19/pc Pittsburgh 44/32/sn 37/28/sf Des Moines 36/24/sf 37/25/c St. Louis 38/30/sf 40/29/c Detroit 35/30/sf 36/25/sf Salt Lake City 33/18/pc 39/24/pc Helena 41/23/pc 41/29/pc San Francisco 61/42/s 62/46/s Honolulu 82/68/s 81/68/s Seattle 49/40/sh 51/47/r Indianapolis 38/30/sn 37/27/c Topeka 37/24/sf 37/23/pc Kansas City 36/22/sf 36/23/pc Washington, DC 58/40/pc 51/35/pc Weather(W): s-sunny, pc-partly cloudy, c-cloudy, sh-showers, t-thunderstorms, r-rain, sf-snow flurries, sn-snow, i-ice

what everyone around you ARIES (March 21-April 19): the last word in astrology is doing. You’ll come up Get on with your life. You with good ideas and may be feeling emotional, eugenia LAST workable solutions. but don’t give in or give Emotional extravagance up. Take a look at your won’t help you get what options before moving you want in your personal life. forward with contracts or commitments.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): You don’t have to TAURUS (April 20-May 20): The time spent spend big money to make your point or working out details will pay off and bring you prompt someone to show affection. It’s closer to your life goal. Favors will be granted if important to offer good conversation, affection you’re willing to offer what you can in return. and equality in all aspects of life.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Avoid risky SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Don’t believe involvements. Too much trust will cost you everything you hear. You’re up against someone emotionally, financially and physically if you who has ulterior motives. A change at home aren’t careful. Discipline will keep you out of may be required in order to avoid someone trouble. unpredictable.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Overconfidence is CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Attend a reunion your enemy. Work quietly behind the scenes or reconnect with someone you feel has and you’ll accomplish something that will something to offer. Taking an unusual direction eventually bring the recognition you desire. isn’t your normal procedure, but this time it will LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Money and health matters pay off. must not be ignored. Follow through with paperwork in order to get the best results.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Turn your space into Additional responsibilities can also bring you a place that will enhance your ability to follow a financial gains. dream or create a project that can help you make a little extra cash.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): A personal change will verify that you were in need of a pick-me-up in PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Live and breathe order to move in a positive direction. what you want to accomplish. Let your dreams Partnerships can lead to a path that will allow lead the way and don’t give up until you’ve you to put your attributes to good use. reached a point that makes you feel comfortable about your future goals.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Keep a close eye on

PICK 3 TUESDAY: 9-9-1 AND 0-0-7 PICK 4 TUESDAY: 6-7-0-3 AND 8-5-7-7 PALMETTO CASH 5 TUESDAY: 5-15-18-19-21 POWERUP: 2 MEGAMILLIONS NUMBERS WERE UNAVAILABLE AT PRESS TIME

FOR SATURDAY: 2-5-31-39-41 POWERBALL: 29

pictures from the public David Bernshouse comments on his photo submission, “The water fountain at First Baptist Church showed Sunday morning (Feb. 17) that winter is still around.”

Do you think of yourself as a pretty good amateur photographer and have a great picture or two you would like to share with your fellow Item readers? If so, submit your photo or photos for publication in The Item.

E-mail your hi-resolution jpeg to sandrah@theitem. com, or mail photo to Sandra Holbert c/o The Item, P.O. Box 1677, Sumter, SC 29150. Include clearly printed or typed name of photographer and caption information with identity of people, pets, places, etc. Include a selfaddressed, stamped envelope for return of photo.

SPORTS WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013

THE ITEM To contact the Sports Department, call (803) 774-1241 or e-mail sports@theitem.com

B1

Wallie’s Witherspoon Q & A

BY WALLIE JONES Special To The Item

WALLIE JONES / SPECIAL TO THE ITEM

Former Sumter High and Sumter P-15’s standout Travis Witherspoon, now in the Los Angeles Angels organization, bats during a recent spring training game in Arizona.

Travis Witherspoon, a 2007 graduate of Sumter High School, is a professional baseball player.

He has been nurturing a dream to play Major League Baseball since he was 14 years old.

His baseball odyssey since high school has had stops in Spartanburg, Tempe, Ariz., Orem, Utah, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Inland Empire, Calif., and Little Rock, Ark. He’s had a steady, but not meteoric, climb through the

Los Angeles Angels minor league system.

Currently, Witherspoon is on the 40-man roster for Angels. His being on the 40man roster means the organization thought enough of him to protect him JONES from being purchased by another organization.

When the Angels finish spring training in Tempe, they will break camp with a 25-man ros-

ter. Witherspoon expects to be assigned to the Little Rock Travelers, the team’s Double-A affiliate.

As an outfielder, he is trying to bump through an extremely thick ceiling because the Angels seem to be actually overloaded with very good outfielders. The Major League outfield is comprised of 21-year-old Mike Trout, arguably the best player in baseball last year, newly acquired Josh Hamilton (recent SEE WITHERSPOON, PAGE B3

Late charge not enough for Junior

BY MARK LONG The Associated Press

life more into focus.”

Fuller, a graduate of The Citadel who will be completing his degree in administration in May, did say he will not remain with the district.

Fuller said this wasn’t a decision he made in the last few weeks. Instead, he said had been contemplating stepping down for over a year and actually made the decision “in April or May of 2012.” However, he felt it wouldn’t be fair to

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Dale Earnhardt Jr. sat on the podium between Mark Martin and Danica Patrick.

He was right in the middle, for sure, but far from center stage at Daytona — again.

Earnhardt used a last-lap charge Sunday to finish second in the Daytona 500 for the third time in the last four years, another runner-up performance that left NASCAR’s most popular driver clamoring to get back to Victory Lane EARNHARDT at one of auto racing’s showcase events.

“It’s like a drug, I assume,’’ said Earnhardt, who also finished second in 2010 and 2012. “It’s such a high. You just don’t know when you’ll ever get that opportunity again or if you’ll ever get that opportunity again. I knew before I won in 2004, I was reserved to the idea I may be trying to win this race my entire career because I knew all too well how that was for my father.’’

Jimmie Johnson held off Earnhardt to win the Daytona 500 for the second time. Martin was third, a solid showing for a parttime driver. Patrick was eighth, the highest finish for a woman in 55 years of NASCAR’s premier event.

She also became the first woman to lead laps in “The Great American Race.’’

Earnhardt sat between

SEE FULLER, PAGE B2

SEE EARNHARDT, PAGE B4

MICHAEL CHRISTOPHER / THE ITEM

Sumter High head boys basketball coach Sam Fuller, center, resigned after two years. Fuller led the Gamecocks to a 36-19 overall mark during his tenure and a berth in the 4A lower state championship this past season.

Sumter’s Fuller resigns Boys basketball head coach says he’s being ‘led in another direction’

BY DENNIS BRUNSON dennisb@theitem.com Sam Fuller, who led the Sumter High School boys basketball team to the 4A lower state championship game last week, has resigned after two years.

“Right now, the Lord is leading me in another direction that doesn’t involve basketball,” said the 30-yearold Fuller. “I’m not entirely sure (if it will involve the ministry). I’m just not sure what’s ahead for me.”

Fuller informed his players of his decision in the postgame meeting following Friday’s 57-47 loss to Goose Creek in the lower state title game at Florence Civic Center. The Gamecocks finished the season with an 18-11 record FULLER as well as the Region VI championship.

It’s tough leaving on the heels of a very successful season,” said Fuller, who was

an assistant to Nathan Livesay for four years before taking over when Livesay stepped down. “I loved coaching my guys, loved the relationships we developed.

It was just time for me to move on and make the decision that was best for me.”

Fuller said he was not unhappy or disgruntled with Sumter School District or the school administration. While not offering what he is considering doing, Fuller said, “Things changed that brought my

Swinney: Bigger things ahead for Tigers

BY PETE IACOBELLI The Associated Press COLUMBIA — Clemson coach Dabo Swinney has turned the page on his team’s landmark 11-victory season last fall. He believes his returning players won’t rest on their laurels and are ready to chase bigger things this season.

“We’re not hoping to have a good season, we’re expecting to have a good season,’’ Swinney said by phone Tuesday.

The Tigers start spring workouts on March 6 with the Orange-and-White game to conclude the drills April 13.

They finished 11-2 in 2012, their most victories since their 12-0, national championship season of 1981.

Clemson finished on a high note, Chandler Catanzaro’s last-second field goal stunning LSU at the Chick-Fil-A

Nationals-Braves has makings of long rivalry

BY PAUL NEWBERRY The Associated Press

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Clemson head football coach Dabo Swinney says the Tigers are “expecting” to have a good season after coming off a landmark 11-2 campaign in 2012.

Bowl, 25-24. The Tigers return just 10 senior scholarship players next year and Swinney acknowledged young players

can easily have their heads swelled from success. But he SEE SWINNEY, PAGE B2

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Dan Uggla and Freddie Freeman were walking back to the Atlanta clubhouse, having finishing up a stint in the batting cages on a rainy morning, when they spotted Bryce Harper sitting J. UPTON at the end of the Washington dugout.

They went over to shake hands and chat for a few minutes, their first chance to catch up with the Nationals young star this season.

It won’t be the last time

they meet.

This has all the makings of a great baseball rivalry: two youthful teams in the same division, both poised for long-term success but likely to be in each other’s way.

“You definitely know what’s across the table,’’ said Uggla, the Braves’ second baseHARPER man, before the teams met in a spring training game Tuesday.

Last year, they battled all season for the NL East title, the Nationals leading most of the way with the SEE RIVALRY, PAGE B3

B2

SPORTS

THE ITEM

WH softball wins season opener LAKE CITY — Haley Hawkins hit a grand slam home run as Wilson Hall opened its season with a 14-1, 5-inning victory over Carolina Academy on Monday at the Carolina field.

Hawkins finished the game with six runs batted in. Jordain Edmonson had a double, Betsy Cunningham had two hits and Emma Catoe and Holly Scott both scored two runs.

Scott picked up the victory in the circle, giving up three hits while striking out seven and walking two.

JUNIOR VARSITY SOFTBALL WILSON HALL 15 CAROLINA 5

LAKE CITY — Wilson Hall opened its season with a 15-5 victory over Carolina Academy on Monday at the Carolina field.

Kathryn Sistare had a double and scored four runs for the Lady Barons.

Madison Reaves had three hits, while Abby Caraway had two hits and two runs batted in.

Amelia Wesson was the winning pitcher.

STRINGER WINS 900TH

PISCATAWAY, N.J. — C. Vivian Stringer became the fourth women’s college basketball coach to reach 900 wins as Rutgers cruised past South Florida 68-56 on Tuesday night.

Stringer, a Hall of Famer in her 42nd season as head coach, reached the mile-

SPORTS ITEMS stone thanks to Erica Wheeler, who scored 24 points to help the Scarlet Knights (1512, 6-8 Big East) snap a fourgame losing streak.

Stringer joined Pat Summitt, Jody Conradt and Sylvia Hatchell. Mike Krzyzewski, Bob Knight and Jim Boeheim have done it on the men’s side.

MEN’S TOP 25 MINNESOTA (1) INDIANA

MINNEAPOLIS — Trevor Mbakwe had 21 points and 12 rebounds to help Minnesota take down No. 1 Indiana 77-73 on Tuesday night, the seventh time the top-ranked team in The Associated Press’ poll has lost a game this season.

Andre Hollins added 16 points for the Gophers (199, 7-8 Big Ten), who outrebounded Cody Zeller and the Hoosiers by a whopping 44-30.

XAVIER (19) MEMPHIS

believes his staff and his players have maintained a sharp focus that will help them grind things out through the offseason.

After all, not everything went the Tigers way last fall. They led Atlantic Coast Conference champion 27-13 in the third quarter before getting overrun by the Seminoles in a 49-37 defeat — a game that cost the Tigers a chance at a second consecutive ACC crown. There was also the team’s first home defeat in two years, a 27-17 loss to South Carolina that was the program’s unprecedented fourth straight in the Palmetto State’s biggest sporting rivalry.

Both those missteps provide plenty of fuel to fire up the Tigers, Swinney contends.

“This is a group that wants to be great,’’ he said.

Clemson’s offense led the ACC and was ninth in the Football Bowl Subdivision with more than 512 yards a game. The unit got a couple of major boosts in the return of coordinator Chad Morris and record-setting quarterback Tajh Boyd. Morris’ name came up with several head coach openings right after the season and he met with Texas Tech about its vacancy last December before the Red Raiders chose Texas A&M offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury so Morris stayed put.

Boyd, a junior last fall, was leaning toward the NFL draft after Clemson’s bowl victory over LSU, but decided he wasn’t finished with college. Boyd does lose a couple of crucial teammates to Clemson’s offensive success the past two years in senior tailback Andre Ellington and receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who declared for the NFL draft with a year of eligibility left.

Ellington was a two-time, 1,000-yard

the district for him to step down at that point.

“I knew if I stepped down at that point it would be hard for the district to find someone to replace me who could do the job at a high level,” Fuller said. “I decided to go on with this year and give the players and those around me everything I had.

I didn’t say anything because I wanted the focus to be on the season and doing the best that we can.”

And Sumter did pretty good. Returning just one

64 62

CINCINNATI — Brad Redford hit a long 3-pointer that put Xavier back ahead after wasting a 13point lead, and the Musketeers beat No. 19 Memphis 64-62 on Tuesday night, ending the Tigers’ 18-game winning streak.

The Tigers (24-4) scored only 20 points in the first half — their lowest-scoring half of the season — and got dominated on the

SWINNEY from Page B1

FULLER from Page B1

77 73

| boards, ending a couple of notable streaks. Their 18game winning streak was tied with Akron for longest in the nation.

NBA MAGIC 76ERS

98 84

PHILADELPHIA — Arron Afflalo and Tobias Harris scored 16 points apiece, and the Orlando Magic snapped a 10-game road losing streak with a 98-84 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night.

Andrew Nicholson contributed 13 and Nikola Vucevic had 12 points and 19 rebounds for the Magic (16-41), who hadn’t won on the road since Jan. 12 against the Los Angeles Clippers.

PACERS WARRIORS

108 97

INDIANAPOLIS — David West had 28 points and seven rebounds, and the Indiana Pacers overcome the ejection of Roy Hibbert following a fourthquarter scuffle to beat the Golden State Warriors 10897 on Tuesday night.

West also was called for a technical foul, along with the Warriors’ David Lee, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, for the altercation that began with 6:10 remaining in the game.

From staff, wire reports

rusher with a burst of speed, something Clemson’s returning backs in D.J. Howard and Rod McDowell haven’t yet shown.

The Tigers appear in much better shape receiver-wise with Sammy Watkins hoping to recapture his All-American showing as a freshman in his junior year this fall.

The defense comes into spring having lost play makers like defensive lineman Malliciah Goodman and linebacker Jonathan Willard. But coordinator Brent Venables’ group brings in Oklahoma transfer Kellen Jones at linebacker. Jones spent last season working with the scout team and Swinney said gave offensive coach’s fits with his effort and skill. “I’m looking forward to seeing him out there,’’ the coach said.

Swinney’s most concerned this spring with his defensive backs. The Tigers signed eight at the position last month with all but one of the newcomers not arriving until summer. Darius Robinson, Martin Jenkins and Bashaud Breeland are all coming off injury while sometimes starter Garry Peters will miss the first couple of spring practices because of attitude issues.

Swinney said despite their youth, the Tigers have learned how to prepare the right way — and that’s a large reason they’ve gone 21-6 with an ACC title over the past two seasons. The coaches have continued to target the right players in recruiting and those players have entered ready to work, Swinney said.

The coach noted the players understand the margin for error is small to compete for the Bowl Championship Series or reach the national title game. “So if we’ll stay committed, stay humble, stay confident and just continue to be about the right things and don’t let distractions enter our program,’’ Swinney says, “then certainly we have chance to be in the mix.’’

part-time starter in Auntrell Holloway from a team that went 18-8 and lost in the first round of the state playoffs, Fuller loaded the pre-region schedule with tough teams and it paid off down the stretch.

After being 8-9 at one point, SHS won 10 of its last 12 games.

“I’m leaving kids and leaving people that I really enjoyed,” said Fuller, who was 36-19 in his two seasons as head coach. “I enjoyed the everyday relationships, the influence I had on the young men, and I’m going to miss that.

I feel though that I can’t do the job at the level required to be the best.”

District athletic director Rick Avins said he was surprised by Fuller’s resignation.

“Yes, it did catch me off guard,” Avins said. “He has done a great job with the basketball program in his time here. We appreciate everything that he has done, but he feels that is best for him to go on to something else. I know there are other avenues in his life that he wishes to pursue, and we wish him the best of luck. We are going to miss him.”

Avins said he has yet to get with SHS principal Sterling Harris to discuss plans on the hiring process to find Fuller’s successor.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013

SCOREBOARD TV, RADIO TODAY 1 p.m. -- Major League Exhibition Baseball: New York Mets vs. St. Louis from Port St. Lucie, Fla. (MLB NETWORK).

2:30 p.m. -- International Soccer: FA Cup Match from Middlesbrough, England -- Middlesbrough vs. Chelsea (FOX SOCCER).

4 p.m. -- Major League Exhibition Baseball: Los Angeles Angels vs. San Francisco from Tempe, Ariz. (MLB NETWORK).

6 p.m. -- International Soccer: CONCACAF Under-20 Championship Quarterfinal Match from Puebla, Mexico -- Panama vs. El Salvador (FOX SOCCER).

6:05 p.m. -- Talk Show: Sports Talk (WPUB-FM 102.7, WDXY-FM 105.9, WDXY-AM 1240).

7 p.m. -- College Basketball: Georgetown at Connecticut (ESPN2).

7 p.m. -- College Basketball: Oklahoma State at Texas Christian (ESPNU).

7 p.m. -- College Basketball: Virginia Tech at Miami (FOX SPORTSOUTH).

7 p.m. -- Major League Exhibition Baseball: Boston vs.

Baltimore from Sarasota, Fla. (MLB NETWORK).

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

8 p.m. -- College Basketball: Boston College at North Carolina State (WKTC 63).

8 p.m. -- NBA Basketball: Golden State at New York (ESPN).

8 p.m. -- College Basketball: Washington State at Arizona (SPORTSOUTH).

9 p.m. -- College Basketball: Oklahoma at Texas (ESPN2).

9 p.m. -- College Basketball: Louisville at DePaul (ESPNU).

9 p.m. -- College Basketball: Georgia at Vanderbilt (FOX SPORTSOUTH).

10 p.m. -- NHL Hockey: Detroit at Los Angeles (NBC SPORTS NETWORK).

10:30 p.m. -- NBA Basketball: Denver at Portland (ESPN).

11 p.m. -- College Basketball: Colorado at Stanford (ESPN2).

11 p.m. -- College Basketball: St. Mary’s (Calif.) at Pepperdine (ESPNU).

COLLEGE BASKETBALL SCHEDULE Today EAST Michigan at Penn St., 6:30 p.m.

Holy Cross at Army, 7 p.m.

American U. at Bucknell, 7 p.m.

Lafayette at Colgate, 7 p.m.

Delaware at Hofstra, 7 p.m.

Navy at Lehigh, 7 p.m.

South Florida at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m.

Georgetown at UConn, 7 p.m.

Baylor at West Virginia, 8 p.m.

SOUTH Longwood at Campbell, 7 p.m.

Winthrop at Coastal Carolina, 7 p.m.

Davidson at Elon, 7 p.m.

Charleston Southern at Gardner-Webb, 7 p.m.

Northeastern at Georgia St., 7 p.m.

Radford at High Point, 7 p.m.

Virginia Tech at Miami, 7 p.m.

George Washington at Richmond, 7 p.m.

Presbyterian at UNC Asheville, 7 p.m.

Georgia Southern at UNC Greensboro, 7 p.m.

William & Mary at UNC Wilmington, 7 p.m.

Dayton at Charlotte, 7:30 p.m.

Coppin St. at Morgan St., 7:30 p.m.

SIU-Edwardsville at Belmont, 8 p.m.

Maryland at Georgia Tech, 8 p.m.

Mississippi St. at Kentucky, 8 p.m.

Arkansas at LSU, 8 p.m.

Boston College at NC State, 8 p.m.

UAB at Tulane, 8 p.m.

Texas A&M at Mississippi, 9 p.m.

Georgia at Vanderbilt, 9 p.m.

MIDWEST Cent. Michigan at Ball St., 7 p.m.

Miami (Ohio) at Bowling Green, 7 p.m.

Buffalo at Kent St., 7 p.m.

Akron at Ohio, 7 p.m.

W. Michigan at Toledo, 7 p.m.

Drake at Indiana St., 7:05 p.m.

E. Michigan at N. Illinois, 8 p.m.

N. Iowa at S. Illinois, 8 p.m.

Saint Joseph’s at Saint Louis, 8 p.m.

Evansville at Wichita St., 8 p.m.

Creighton at Bradley, 8:05 p.m.

Missouri St. at Illinois St., 8:05 p.m.

Purdue at Iowa, 8:36 p.m.

Louisville at DePaul, 9 p.m.

SOUTHWEST Oklahoma St. at TCU, 7 p.m.

Rice at SMU, 8 p.m.

Oklahoma at Texas, 9 p.m.

Houston at UTEP, 9 p.m.

FAR WEST Nevada at Boise St., 8 p.m.

Fresno St. at Colorado St., 9 p.m.

Arizona at Southern Cal, 9:30 p.m.

San Diego St. at New Mexico, 10:15 p.m.

Saint Mary’s (Cal) at Pepperdine, 11 p.m.

Colorado at Stanford, 11 p.m.

Arizona St. at UCLA, 11:30 p.m.

MLB SPRING TRAINING

By The Associated Press AMERICAN LEAGUE W L Pct Baltimore 3 0 1.000 Chicago 2 0 1.000 Kansas City 4 0 1.000 Cleveland 5 1 .833 Seattle 4 1 .800 Tampa Bay 4 1 .800 Detroit 2 2 .500 Houston 2 2 .500 Minnesota 2 2 .500 Boston 2 3 .400 Toronto 2 3 .400 New York 1 3 .250 Oakland 1 3 .250 Los Angeles 0 4 .000 Texas 0 4 .000 NATIONAL LEAGUE W L Pct Chicago 3 1 .750 Miami 2 1 .667 Pittsburgh 2 1 .667 San Diego 3 2 .600 Arizona 2 2 .500 Colorado 2 2 .500 Los Angeles 1 1 .500 San Francisco 1 1 .500 St. Louis 2 2 .500 Atlanta 2 3 .400 New York 1 2 .333 Philadelphia 1 2 .333 Washington 1 2 .333 Cincinnati 1 4 .200 Milwaukee 1 4 .200 NOTE: Split-squad games count in the standings; games against non-major league teams do not.

Monday’s Games Detroit 10, Philadelphia 1 Boston (ss) 4, Toronto 2 Tampa Bay 6, Boston (ss) 3 Atlanta 7, Miami 6 Baltimore 5, N.Y. Yankees 1 Minnesota 5, Pittsburgh 4 St. Louis 10, Houston 2 L.A. Dodgers 7, Chicago Cubs 6 Seattle 9, L.A. Angels 8 Cleveland 14, Oakland 10 San Diego 7, Milwaukee (ss) 1 Cincinnati 5, Milwaukee (ss) 2 San Francisco 9, Chicago White Sox 9, tie Kansas City 16, Arizona 4 Colorado 9, Texas 1 Washington 6, N.Y. Mets 4 Tuesday’s Games Miami 7, N.Y. Mets 5 Atlanta 9, Washington 5 Baltimore vs. Pittsburgh at Bradenton, Fla., ccd., Rain Minnesota 8, Toronto 4 Houston (ss) 9, Detroit 4 Philadelphia 4, N.Y. Yankees 3 Tampa Bay 7, Houston (ss) 2, 6 innings St. Louis 15, Boston 4 L.A. Dodgers 8, San Francisco 8, tie Chicago Cubs 4, Colorado 2 Seattle 6, Milwaukee 5 Chicago White Sox 14, Texas 8 Kansas City 4, Cleveland 1 San Diego 7, Cincinnati 5 L.A. Angels 7, Arizona (ss) 7, tie

| Arizona (ss) 9, Oakland 4 Today’s Games Philadelphia vs. Minnesota at Fort Myers, Fla., 1:05 p.m.

Tampa Bay vs. Pittsburgh at Bradenton, Fla., 1:05 p.m.

Atlanta vs. Detroit at Lakeland, Fla., 1:05 p.m.

Baltimore (ss) vs. N.Y. Yankees at Tampa, Fla., 1:05 p.m.

Miami vs. Washington at Viera, Fla., 1:05 p.m.

Houston vs. Toronto at Dunedin, Fla., 1:05 p.m.

St. Louis vs. N.Y. Mets at Port St. Lucie, Fla., 1:10 p.m.

L.A. Dodgers vs. Chicago Cubs at Mesa, Ariz., 3:05 p.m.

Milwaukee vs. Kansas City at Surprise, Ariz., 3:05 p.m.

San Francisco vs. L.A. Angels at Tempe, Ariz., 3:05 p.m.

Colorado vs. San Diego (ss) at Peoria, Ariz., 3:05 p.m.

Seattle vs. Cleveland at Goodyear, Ariz., 3:05 p.m.

Texas vs. Chicago White Sox at Glendale, Ariz., 3:05 p.m.

San Diego (ss) vs. Oakland at Phoenix, 3:05 p.m.

Cincinnati vs. Arizona at Scottsdale, Ariz., 3:10 p.m.

Boston vs. Baltimore (ss) at Sarasota, Fla., 7:05 p.m.

Thursday’s Games Miami vs. St. Louis at Jupiter, Fla., 1:05 p.m.

Toronto vs. N.Y. Yankees (ss) at Tampa, Fla., 1:05 p.m.

Detroit vs. Tampa Bay at Port Charlotte, Fla., 1:05 p.m.

Atlanta vs. Philadelphia at Clearwater, Fla., 1:05 p.m.

Boston vs. Pittsburgh at Bradenton, Fla., 1:05 p.m.

N.Y. Yankees (ss) vs. Houston at Kissimmee, Fla., 1:05 p.m.

Baltimore vs. Minnesota at Fort Myers, Fla., 1:05 p.m.

Arizona vs. Cincinnati (ss) at Goodyear, Ariz., 3:05 p.m.

Cleveland vs. Texas at Surprise, Ariz., 3:05 p.m.

L.A. Angels vs. L.A. Dodgers at Glendale, Ariz., 3:05 p.m.

Kansas City vs. San Diego at Peoria, Ariz., 3:05 p.m.

Oakland vs. Chicago Cubs at Mesa, Ariz., 3:05 p.m.

Chicago White Sox vs. Milwaukee at Phoenix, 3:05 p.m.

Seattle vs. San Francisco at Scottsdale, Ariz., 3:05 p.m.

Cincinnati (ss) vs. Colorado at Scottsdale, Ariz., 3:10 p.m.

N.Y. Mets vs. Washington at Viera, Fla., 6:05 p.m.

NBA STANDINGS

By The Associated Press EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division W L Pct GB New York 33 20 .623 – Brooklyn 33 24 .579 2 Boston 30 27 .526 5 Philadelphia 22 32 .407 111/2 Toronto 23 34 .404 12 Southeast Division W L Pct GB Miami 40 14 .741 – Atlanta 32 23 .582 81/2 Washington 18 37 .327 221/2 Orlando 15 41 .268 26 Charlotte 13 43 .232 28 Central Division W L Pct GB Indiana 35 21 .625 – Chicago 32 24 .571 3 Milwaukee 26 28 .481 8 Detroit 22 37 .373 141/2 Cleveland 18 38 .321 17 WESTERN CONFERENCE Southwest Division W L Pct GB San Antonio 45 13 .776 – Memphis 37 18 .673 61/2 Houston 31 27 .534 14 Dallas 25 30 .455 181/2 New Orleans 20 37 .351 241/2 Northwest Division W L Pct GB Oklahoma City 41 15 .732 – Denver 36 22 .621 6 Utah 31 26 .544 101/2 Portland 26 30 .464 15 Minnesota 20 33 .377 191/2 Pacific Division W L Pct GB L.A. Clippers 40 18 .690 – Golden State 33 23 .589 6 L.A. Lakers 28 30 .483 12 Sacramento 19 38 .333 201/2 Phoenix 18 39 .316 211/2 Monday’s Games Washington 90, Toronto 84 Atlanta 114, Detroit 103 Denver 119, L.A. Lakers 108 Boston 110, Utah 107, OT Tuesday’s Games Orlando at Philadelphia, 7 p.m.

Golden State at Indiana, 7 p.m.

Sacramento at Miami, 7:30 p.m.

Cleveland at Chicago, 8 p.m.

Brooklyn at New Orleans, 8 p.m.

Milwaukee at Dallas, 8:30 p.m.

Minnesota at Phoenix, 9 p.m.

Charlotte at L.A. Clippers, 10:30 p.m.

Wednesday’s Games Toronto at Cleveland, 7 p.m.

Sacramento at Orlando, 7 p.m.

Detroit at Washington, 7 p.m.

Milwaukee at Houston, 8 p.m.

Dallas at Memphis, 8 p.m.

New Orleans at Oklahoma City, 8 p.m.

Golden State at New York, 8 p.m.

Phoenix at San Antonio, 8:30 p.m.

Atlanta at Utah, 9 p.m.

Denver at Portland, 10:30 p.m.

Thursday’s Games L.A. Clippers at Indiana, 7 p.m.

Philadelphia at Chicago, 8 p.m.

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

NHL STANDINGS

By The Associated Press EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division GP W L OT Pts GF GA Pittsburgh 19 13 6 0 26 65 48 New Jersey 19 10 5 4 24 48 49 Philadelphia 21 9 11 1 19 60 66 N.Y. Rangers 17 8 7 2 18 41 44 N.Y. Islanders 19 8 10 1 17 56 64 Northeast Division GP W L OT Pts GF GA Montreal 19 12 4 3 27 53 41 Ottawa 20 12 6 2 26 48 37 Boston 15 11 2 2 24 45 34 Toronto 20 12 8 0 24 57 46 Buffalo 19 6 12 1 13 48 63 Southeast Division GP W L OT Pts GF GA Carolina 17 9 7 1 19 50 51 Tampa Bay 18 9 8 1 19 69 58 Winnipeg 18 8 9 1 17 48 57 Florida 18 5 9 4 14 42 65 Washington 17 6 10 1 13 48 55 WESTERN CONFERENCE Central Division GP W L OT Pts GF GA Chicago 19 16 0 3 35 61 37 Nashville 20 9 6 5 23 44 47 St. Louis 18 10 6 2 22 55 52 Detroit 19 9 7 3 21 57 54 Columbus 19 5 12 2 12 40 56 Northwest Division GP W L OT Pts GF GA Vancouver 18 10 4 4 24 52 48 Edmonton 18 7 7 4 18 42 49 Minnesota 17 8 7 2 18 37 42 Calgary 17 7 7 3 17 48 59 Colorado 17 7 8 2 16 42 51 Pacific Division GP W L OT Pts GF GA Anaheim 17 13 3 1 27 59 47 Dallas 19 9 8 2 20 51 53 Los Angeles 17 9 6 2 20 45 41 Phoenix 18 8 7 3 19 50 49 San Jose 17 8 6 3 19 41 39 NOTE: Two points for a win, one point for overtime loss.

Monday’s Games Ottawa 2, Montreal 1, SO Toronto 4, Philadelphia 2 Nashville 5, Dallas 4, OT Chicago 3, Edmonton 2, OT Los Angeles 5, Anaheim 2 Tuesday’s Games Dallas at Columbus, 7 p.m.

Carolina at Washington, 7 p.m.

Winnipeg at N.Y. Rangers, 7 p.m.

Pittsburgh at Florida, 7:30 p.m.

Buffalo at Tampa Bay, 7:30 p.m.

Boston at N.Y. Islanders, 7:30 p.m.

Calgary at Minnesota, 8 p.m.

Phoenix at Vancouver, 10 p.m.

Colorado at San Jose, 10:30 p.m.

Today’s Games Washington at Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m.

Montreal at Toronto, 7:30 p.m.

Detroit at Los Angeles, 10 p.m.

Nashville at Anaheim, 10 p.m.

BASEBALL

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013

THE ITEM

B3

Braves’ Medlen adjusting to ace role

RIVALRY from Page B1

BY PAUL NEWBERRY The Associated Press

Braves in hot pursuit. Washington finished with a league-leading 98 wins — four games ahead of Atlanta, though both made the playoffs.

After each lost to St. Louis in the postseason (the Braves in a disputed one-game playoff, the Nationals in a bitter division series), they began making moves with an eye on a longer October run, ever mindful of what their division rival was up to.

The Braves signed B.J. Upton and traded for his younger brother, Justin, to give their offense a much needed boost from the right side of the plate. The Nationals traded for a true leadoff hitter, Denard Span, and signed closer Rafael Soriano, adding to a team that already includes two of baseball’s brightest young players, Harper and pitcher Stephen Strasburg.

“You’ve got to prepare,’’ Uggla said. “If they make a move, you’ve constantly got to do what it takes to be competitive. I feel like we did that this year.’’

Davey Johnson is also impressed with Atlanta’s offseason moves, believing the Braves addressed their major weakness from the last few seasons — a lineup that was heavy on lefties.

That said, the Washington manager made it clear what his team’s mindset will be.

World Series or bust.

“We’ve already won a (division) pennant.

We’ve been in the postseason,’’ Johnson said. “With that experience and the talent level that’s here, our goals should be higher.

There’s no sense romancing anybody and telling you, ‘Geez, we’d be lucky to win our division, we’d be lucky to go far in the playoffs.’ ... But I don’t think I’m telling these players anything they don’t believe themselves.’’

While having two wild cards in each league has taken some of the luster off division races, the Braves found out how important it is to finish first — especially with a onegame opening round.

The Braves had home-field advantage against the Cardinals, but shoddy defense and a much-debated infield fly call sent Atlanta to a 6-3 loss.

Just like that, the season was over.

Washington’s year was stretched out a little longer, but the ending was even more painful. In the decisive Game 5 against the Cardinals, the Nationals jumped out to a 6-0 lead through three innings and were still up 7-5 heading to the ninth. Drew Storen was within one out of closing out the series, but a pair of two-out, two-run singles gave St. Louis a stunning 9-7 win.

Not surprisingly, one of the moves Washington made in the offseason was signing Soriano, who had 42 saves for the New York Yankees filling in for the injured Mariano Duncan. The Nationals plan to use their new addition in the ninth inning, with former closers Storen and Tyler Clippard handling duties in the seventh and eighth.

The acquisition of Span provides a true leadoff hitter, which was lacking in 2012. Finally, the Nationals filled a hole in their rotation by picking up Dan Haren, who battled injuries but still won 12 games with the Angels, adding a veteran presence to a young rotation that includes 20-game winner Gio Gonzalez.

“We have confidence and have shown what we can do,’’ second baseman Danny Espinosa said. “Now, we’ve just got to keep rolling with it.’’

The Braves had a major hole to fill after Chipper Jones retired, but general manager Frank Wren moved boldly to make up what was lost — and then some. He signed B.J. Upton to a five-year, $75.25 million contract (essentially the same money Jones was getting), then pulled off a seven-player deal with Arizona to land B.J.’s younger brother.

Now, Atlanta has a much more balanced lineup, with the Uptons joining Dan Uggla and Andrelton Simmons from the right side, while Freeman, Jason Heyward and Brian McCann should provide plenty of the left-handed power.

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Kris Medlen is not exactly imposing — listed at 5-foot-10, and that’s being generous. He munches on peanut butter-and-honey sandwiches before every start. He never stops fidgeting, whether it’s bouncing around the clubhouse before a game or just chatting up a couple of players after a spring training start.

In many ways, it’s hard to take this guy seriously.

Until he takes the mound.

That’s when he becomes the Atlanta Braves’ newest ace.

Medlen still seems a bit uncomfortable with the role of No. 1 starter, figuring a more experienced teammate such as Tim Hudson is better suited. But the Braves appear to be setting things up for the right-hander to be their opening-day starter _ an honor he certainly earned with the way he pitched in 2011.

After starting the season in the bullpen, Medlen moved into the rotation and was basically unbeatable. He went 10-1 with a 1.57 ERA, a major reason the Braves earned a wild-card playoff spot.

“I really don’t care about that too much, the title of ace,’’ the 27-year-old said. “Ace is being a leader. It’s a veteran thing. It’s not just something you hand off to somebody. I thought I had a good six months last year. My two months in the rotation were great to me. I’m just kind of trying to build off that this year. Whether people think I’m an ace or a number one pitcher, whatever.’’

Still, being an ace in Atlanta carries some gravitas. The franchise was known largely for its starting pitching during a run of 14 straight division titles, the place where masterful hurlers such as Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and John Smoltz did their best work.

Now along comes Medlen, who just a year ago was seen as a

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Atlanta pitcher Kris Medlen throws during the first inning of an exhibition game against Miami on Monday in Kissimmee, Fla.

handy guy to have around but not exactly the centerpiece of the pitching staff.

He was used to filling whatever role the Braves needed, whether it was spot starter or long reliever.

But once the Braves committed to sending him out every fifth day, Medlen became perhaps the most dominant pitcher in the game.

“As a player, you never want to be just average, just skate along, just be OK,’’ he said. “You want to be the best you can be, whether that’s the next Hall of Famer or whatever. I just don’t want to be the next flop. I don’t want to be the next guy who has a couple of good years and he’s out.’’

There are still plenty of skeptics who wonder if Medlen can come close to matching the way he pitched during those final two

months, when he made a dozen starts, went 9-0 with a 0.97 ERA, and threw a couple of complete games, including a shutout.

“Sure, there are people who still question me,’’ Medlen said with a shrug. “That’s no skin off my back.

I’m just going to keep doing the same things I’ve been doing. I’m going to keep playing the same way I’ve been playing, just being aggressive and confident in my abilities and my ability to get guys out.’’

The Braves have no doubts about Medlen’s ability to lead the pitching staff.

“He doesn’t have that big power arm and he’s not 6-foot-4,’’ manager Fredi Gonzalez said.

“But that’s OK. We’ll take him.

There’s a lot of guys in the Hall of Fame smaller than him who could pitch. We’ll take him.’’

Wynkoop, USC beat Furman 5-2 FROM LOCAL REPORTS COLUMBIA — Freshman left-hander Jack Wynkoop hurled 5 1/3 scoreless innings in his first career start and seventh-ranked South Carolina scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to break a scoreless tie as the Gamecocks defeated Furman 5-2 on Tuesday at Carolina Stadium.

The Gamecocks are now 6-1 on the year with Furman falling to 5-2.

Wynkoop was dynamic as he scattered five hits with no walks while striking out a pair of batters. He earned his first career win and is now 1-0 on the year. Sophomore right-hander Evan Beal was also effective out of the pen with 2 2/3 perfect innings with three strikeouts. Senior left-hander Tyler Webb pitched one scoreless in-

ning of relief with two strikeouts to pick up his third save of the season.

Furman reliever Elliott Warford suffered the loss and is now 0-1 on the year. He allowed three runs, one earned, on three hits in 2 1/3 innings with a walk.

Scoreless entering the bottom of the fifth, the Gamecocks WYNKOOP made their move. Max Schrock doubled with one out, Graham Saiko walked and LB Dantzler singled to load the bases.

Erik Payne would drive in Max Schrock on a RBI fielder’s choice. On the play, Saiko’s grounder was fielded cleanly by Furman third baseman Chris Ohmstede. He would get one out by tagging third base but a throwing error trying to

nab Payne at first for the double play allowed both Schrock and Dantzler to score and give the Gamecocks a 2-run lead.

Grayson Greiner followed and made it 3-0 on a RBI single.

Carolina added single runs in the sixth and seventh innings. In the sixth, the Gamecocks loaded the bases with no outs on a double by Chase Vergason, TJ Costen was hit by a pitch and Tanner English walked. With one out, Graham Saiko drove in Costen with a RBI sacrifice fly to right field. In the seventh, DC Arendas reached base with a one-out double, his first career hit as a Gamecock and scored on Costen’s two-out RBI triple to right field.

Furman threatened and scored a pair of runs in the ninth inning. Three consecutive singles by Hunter Burton, Taylor Johnson and Paul Nitto

WITHERSPOON from Page B1 American League Most Valuable Player), defensive specialist Peter Bourjos, Vernon Wells, a former all-star who has two years left on his contract, and Mark Trumbo, who hit 34 home runs last year.

Customarily, a team carries four outfielders on its roster.

I met with Travis on Feb. 23 in Tempe to talk about his journey, hopes, and dreams. I am sharing from that conversation.

WJ: Travis, your organization appears to be loaded with experienced outfielders at the Major League level.

How does this affect you?

TW: You’re right. I don’t

know of any other Major League team with a stronger group of outfielders. Rather than look at the talent in front of me, I just need to control the things I can control. That includes eating right, getting plenty of rest, being mentally and physically prepared and working hard every day. Right now, I am trying to learn as much as I can from the players who are ahead of me.

WJ: This is your third year of training with the “BIG” team. How is it different for you now?

TW: I feel more relaxed and comfortable because I

scored a run. A fourth straight hit by pinch hitter Griffin Davis scored Johnson but on the play, Davis would stumble trying to stretch his hit into a double and the Gamecocks would throw him out for the first out of the inning.

Webb promptly struck out the next two batters to preserve the Carolina win.

Carolina finished with 10 hits while Furman tallied nine for the contest.

Schrock and Vergason had two hits apiece to lead the Gamecocks. Will Muzika, Burton and Jordan Simpson had two hits apiece to lead Furman.

South Carolina returns to action this weekend with a 3-game series against Clemson. Friday’s contest at Clemson is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

Saturday’ game from Fluor Field in Greenville will begin at 2 p.m. Sunday’s finale at Carolina Stadium begins at 3 p.m.

know what to expect. I’ve worked out and played along side some of the best players in the world and I think I measure up.

WJ: How is competing in professional baseball different than competing for jobs in other business?

TW: What we do is so measureable. Anybody that wanted to know could find out my batting average, stolen bases and errors for my whole career. In baseball, you are your numbers. It’s all about the numbers.

WJ: How has the game changed for you as you have matured?

TW: The game for me was once all fun. Now, I still have fun, but there is a lot of busi-

ness also.

WJ: What do you think separates the Major League players from the good minor league players?

TW: Consistency. The stars produce more consistently day in and day out. They have learned how to deal with failure better than the young guys. They understand the grind of a 162-game season.

They’ve been through the slumps and hitting streaks, and they know neither one will last forever.

WJ: At this juncture, what do you see the future holding for Travis Witherspoon, professional baseball player?

TW: If I stay healthy, I plan and expect to have a good

year with numbers that could lead to being called up to the big club in September.

WJ: It’s exciting to see a young person so focused in pursuing a dream. I know all of your former players, coaches and fans would love to see you make it.

TW: ‘Preciate it!

NOTE: There have been only three players from Sumter County since 1950 that have played in the Major Leagues: Bobby Richardson (New York Yankees), Tim Jones (St. Louis Cardinals) and Terrell Wade (Atlanta Braves). It would be good to have another wonderful ambassador representing us in Sumter baseball.

B4

SPORTS

THE ITEM

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013

Injured Daytona fans explore legal options

BY KYLE HIGHTOWER The Associated Press ORLANDO, Fla. — The attorney for three NASCAR fans injured last weekend during a race the day before the Daytona 500 says they are exploring a possible lawsuit, but some experts say they could face tough obstacles in winning damages.

Matt Morgan, the Orlando-based lawyer for the fans, said at a news conference Tuesday than any suit would focus on the safety fence used along the track at Daytona International Speedway. He said he hopes to reach a settlement with NASCAR to avoid a lawsuit.

More than 30 people were injured last Saturday after a horrific wreck in a second-tier NASCAR series race sent chunks of debris, including a heavy tire, into the stands. Morgan declined to provide the identities of his clients, but said two of them were seated directly in front of the crash and sustained injuries ranging from a fractured fibula to abdominal swelling. All have been released from the hospital.

Some experts say there could be grounds for a lawsuit, and that courts have looked past liability waivers written on the backs of sporting event tickets. Others maintain the ticket is a legal contract that could be hard to overcome in court.

“Ultimately, I believe it would be gross negligence,’’ Morgan said. “We all know that when you go to a race you assume a certain amount of risk. But what people don’t assume is that a race car will come flying into the stands...

That’s why they make the fences.’’

Asked to comment on the fans’ retention of a law firm, NASCAR spokesman David Higdon wrote in a statement, “We are unaware of any lawsuits filed.’’

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Spectators are injured after a tire and engine off Kyle Larson’s car flew into the stands during a crash in the Nationwide race on Saturday at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla.

Daytona International Speedway is owned by International Speedway Corp., a NASCAR sister company.

Spokesman Andrew Booth said, “As per company policy, we do not comment on pending litigation.’’

Donnalynn Darling, a New Yorkbased attorney who has been practicing personal injury law for 30 years, said there is a theory that a spectator who buys tickets to a sporting event assumes the risk of objects coming

out of the field of play, such as a foul ball at a baseball game.

But she said there is also a foreseeable risk question that promoters of events also accept.

“Did the sporting event promoter take action to prevent that specific risk?’’ Darling asked. “In terms of this fence...it was put up to prevent people from being hurt. You have people who were not only injured by falling debris, but by the failure

Bubba, a palm tree and a ring

BY DOUG FERGUSON The Associated Press MARANA, Ariz. — The artistic, majestic wedge out of the trees and onto the 10th green at Augusta National.

The tearful celebration. Slipping into that beautiful green jacket for the first time in Butler Cabin. The trophy presentation.

Bubba Watson finally had a chance to catch his breath when he sat down for dinner to honor the latest Masters champion.

And that’s when it hit him.

“We’re all upstairs at the dinner and he said, ‘Dude, do you realize what this means?’’’ caddie Ted Scott recalled. “And we’re thinking, ‘Yeah, Bubba. You’re the Masters champion. This is a pretty big deal.’ He stops dead in his tracks and he says, ‘I’ve got to buy Paul that ring.’”

Paul Tesori, the caddie for Webb Simpson, was listening to the playoff on the radio while driving home to Florida when Watson made his incredible escape and beat Louis Oosthuizen with a par. Tesori smiled when he thought about the ring and wondered if Watson even remembered his promise.

Leave it to Watson to have instant recall of such an insignificant moment compared with the magnitude of winning the Masters.

There are 350 varieties of more than 80,000 plants at Augusta National, but only one palm tree on the golf course. It now takes on new meaning for Watson, a reminder of how he ruined a caddie’s bet with his wife over a wedding ring and made up for it by winning a green jacket.

It all started when Simpson had an extra ticket for the practice round that he gave to Tesori’s wife, Michelle. Tesori was so excited about her first trip to the

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Bubba Watson, left, puts on the green jacket after winning the Masters in Augusta, Ga., last year. There’s one palm tree at Augusta National, and it takes on new meaning for Watson.

Masters that, as they drove to Augusta and he raved about the beauty of the golf course, he served up a challenge.

“I said, ‘Honey, one of the cool things is that there’s one palm tree on the property and half the players don’t even know where it is. If you can find the palm tree, anything you want is yours,’’’ Tesori said.

She had been asking about a diamond ring that cost $10,000 and would complete her wedding band. Tesori figured he would buy it whenever Simpson won his next golf tournament, but he got caught up in the moment and offered that as the reward.

They played nine holes that Wednesday with the regular group — Watson, Simpson and Rickie Fowler.

Jason Day joined them on the first tree, but his wrist was a little sore and so the Australian left them after three holes.

The lone palm at Augusta is tucked away to the right of the green on the par-3 fourth hole. This was the big moment.

And that’s when Tesori made his first big mistake.

“Paul was talking to Bubba about it and I’m thinking to myself, ‘This is not a good idea,’’’ Simpson

said.

Sure enough, Watson had no clue about the only palm at Augusta National.

And when he heard the deal Tesori had with his wife, Watson couldn’t help himself.

“My best recollection is Bubba being his normal self and throwing Paul under the bus,’’ Fowler said.

“There are certain secrets Bubba can keep if they need to be kept secret. But if it’s something along the lines of a bet, and nothing that can hurt you too bad — like a $10,000 ring — that’s out the door.’’

Watson found the palm and began making a scene, his voice getting louder as he pointed to the tree.

Tesori urged him to keep it down, which only egged on Watson, who continued to raise his voice and point to the palm. Tesori’s only hope was that his wife was far enough back in the crowd and couldn’t see — or hear — what Watson was doing.

But when the caddie reached the green and looked to the left, he was doomed.

“I found my wife in the crowd,’’ he said. “She’s got her arms up in the air in a V formation, jumping up and down. And Bubba thinks it’s the greatest thing in the world.’’

of the fence.’’

Others say such restrictive clauses on the back of tickets are generally disfavored by Florida courts.

“If it’s just something written on the back of the ticket and not called to the attention of the person purchasing, there’s reason to believe many courts in Florida won’t hold that they consented efficiently,’’ said University of Florida emeritus law professor Joseph Little.

EARNHARDT from Page B1 them during post-race interviews, listening to Martin talk about his relationship with 50 Cent and hearing Patrick answer countless questions about making history as a female driver.

Earnhardt’s run was just another oh-so-close finish at Daytona, where his family name is forever linked because of triumph and tragedy.

“I felt so much relief when I did win it,’’ Earnhardt said. “I’m ready to do it again. It’s been too long. Running second over and over is great and all for our team, a good start to the season. Even having to go through all the hassle that Jimmie is about to go through this week, it’s worth it.’’

The second-place finish turned around what had been a lackluster Speedweeks for Earnhardt, whose famous father died during a final-lap crash at the Daytona 500 in 2001.

Junior qualified 19th for the race, his lowest starting spot in 14 years at the Daytona 500.

His confidence remained high, though, possibly because he was glad to be rid of the clunky Car of Tomorrow and the tricky tandem racing that came with it at repaved Daytona.

So it was no huge surprise to see him near the front late in the race.

But instead of taking risks and pulling out of line in hopes of taking the lead, he simply waited for the right opportunity to make a move.

It came during the final 2 1/2 miles. And with help from Martin.

Their crews agreed to team up on a late restart with six laps to go in the 200-lap race.

They swerved under Patrick and sped past Greg Biffle, but couldn’t get by Johnson.

“Obviously I knew Junior had a fast car and is one of the masters here, certainly would trust his judgment,’’ Martin said. “If things would have got crazy enough, maybe we could have got the big trophy.’’

They settled for the podium.

“I think it’s important to get

a good start points-wise,’’ Earnhardt said. “It’s important to put a good foundation of points together. If you get behind early, it seems like you’re still chasing that Chase spot at Richmond.’’

Earnhardt made the Chase for the championship last year, but finished 12th after missing two of the final six races because of post-concussion symptoms.

Nonetheless, running in the top five in points most of the season and spending a few weeks atop the standings provided a big boost for an ultrapopular driver trying to win his first Cup championship.

“We’re a good team,’’ he said. “Hopefully we can keep the pressure on them and stay up in the top five in the points and win some races. I want to really try to win some more races this year. That’s our focus.’’

The redesigned car could be the key to making it happen. Earnhardt managed just two wins over the last six years in the previous car.

Of course, it could be weeks, maybe months, before Earnhardt knows how his No. 88 Chevrolet will stack up in 2013.

Eventually, though, he would like to drive it back to Victory Lane at the Daytona 500.

He hated the racing at Daytona in recent years, first complaining loudly that the track needed to be repaved and then really hating the resulting tandem racing after it was resurfaced in 2010.

Now, though?

“I liked it,’’ he said. “I think that the package is really good. The surface is still relatively new, which provides tons of grip. If we had the old surface with this car, it would have been an incredible race, people sliding around, wearing tires out, just trying to dig as hard as they could. We’ll get to that as the track ages. I’d hate to see them messing with the car to get a better package because the track is in good shape.

SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013

THE ITEM

B5

Clemson, USC possible destinations for TE Crosby Stanley’s decision. He wants to major in physical education or sports management.

Stanley’s mother also will play a major role in the decision-making process.

Athlete Jefferie Gibson of Hope Mills, N.C., has offers from Clemson, North Carolina State and UNC and is hearing from USC, FSU, Tennessee and Virginia Tech.

Right now, he has Clemson and NCSU as his top two.

Gibson made his way to Clemson for a junior day recently and liked what he saw.

“The coaches are telling me the best players get to play and contribute and I like that,” Gibson said. “They said they don’t worry about seniority. They said if I’m the best at my position, I’ll start.”

Gibson was at USC for a game last season and he attended FSU’s junior day over the weekend. As a junior, he totaled 70 tackles, four interceptions, returning two for scores, and added a kickoff return for a TD. He did not name a leader.

Quarterback Mason Rudolph of Northwestern High in Rock Hill was offered by Oklahoma State last week, according to his head coach, Kyle Richardson. Rudolph also has offers from Louisiana State and VT. Richardson and Rudolph have been in touch with new LSU QB coach and offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, and they were assured by him that Rudolph is a high priority QB target. He will take an unofficial visit to LSU on March 22. He plans to visit Alabama, UGA and Tennessee over spring break. Rudolph is getting no interest from USC or Clemson.

OL Nolan Kelleher of Wando High in Mt. Pleasant was offered by FSU last week, according to his head coach, Jimmy Noonan. Kelleher also has offers from Georgia Tech, Duke, VT, Connecticut, Kentucky and NCSU. USC and Clemson are evaluating him at this point, according to Noonan. He has camped at both. Kelleher visited FSU for a junior day on Saturday. He has also been to GT for a junior day.

Dillon High freshman QB Avery McCall now has four offers, according to his head coach, Jackie Hayes. His offers are USC, East Carolina, UNC and Tennessee.

QB Drew Barker of Hebron, Ky., went to Kentucky’s junior day on Saturday. The Wildcats are making a strong push for Barker, who has had USC and Tennessee as his favorites. He recently picked up offers from Mississippi and Miami. He plans to visit USC again in the spring. He was in last season for the Tennessee game.

Running back Jae’lon Oglesby of Daniel High in Central is committed to Clemson, but still plans to take several visits. He has offers from Clemson and Tennessee, but feels no one else

will offer due to his commitment to the Tigers. Other schools he wants to visit are Florida, Oregon, FSU, UGA and LSU. Defensive end Lorenzo Carter of Norcross, Ga., was offered last week by Southern California and UCLA. Clemson and USC are also among his offers, which total close to 30 now.

Clemson offered linebacker Clifton Garrett of Joliet, Ill., last week. He’s regarded as the top player in the Illinois for the 2014 season.

Some of his other offers include Arizona State, Florida, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan State, Ole Miss, Ohio State, Nebraska and ND. Clemson has offered RB Joe Mixon of Oakley, Calif.

He is one of Phil the most heavKORNBLUT ily recruited prospects in the country with offers from all over. UGA is one of those offers, and he seems to be strong on the Bulldogs early on. Clemson offered defensive back Allen Artis of Marietta, Ga., last week. He also has offers from Louisville, GT, Kentucky, UNC, Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Wake Forest.

Clemson also offered DB Michael Bradley of Upper Marlboro, Md. He also has offers from NCSU, Duke, Rutgers and Temple.

LB Shaun Hamilton of Montgomery, Ala., was offered over the weekend by Alabama. That’s his 24th offer.

Clemson and USC also have offered, and he attended Clemson’s junior day earlier this month.

WR Braxton Berrios of Raleigh, N.C., visited UNC last week where he met up with new Tar Heel assistant coach Ron West, the former Clemson assistant. USC is strong on Berrios, who also has offers from ECU, Maryland, WF, UNC, Minnesota, VT, NCSU and Kentucky. He attended two USC games last season.

OL Mason Cole of Tarpon Springs, Fla., was offered by Tennessee and Louisville last week. He also has offers from Clemson, USC, Michigan, ND, Southern Cal, West Virginia, FSU, Florida, South Florida, Central Florida and UGA. He was at Clemson’s junior day.

DE Jessie Aniebonam of Olney, Md., was offered by USC and Alabama last week and plans to reevaluate the top five he has had. That top five is Clemson, Maryland, Michigan, ND and Ohio State.

He visited Maryland for a junior day.

RB Derrell Scott of Havelock, N.C., was offered by Arkansas last week. Scott has been favoring USC. Some of his other offers are Clemson, UNC, NCSU, VT, Tennessee, Ohio State, FSU, Maryland recruiting corner

T

ight end Kevin Crosby Jr. of Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School, who nearly made a college football commitment last summer, will have a decision by early June his father and head coach, Butch Crosby, said last week.

“It will come after he visits some camps,” Coach Crosby said. “He won’t be working in any camps.”

Clemson and South Carolina will be two of the camp visits. It was thought last summer Crosby was on the verge of committing to USC. His father said a decision was nearly made, but he can’t say to whom.

“He had an idea where he wanted to go,” Coach Crosby said. “His momma wanted him to wait a little while. She thought it was a little early.

Coaches change, things change, and she didn’t like the idea of de-committing from a school.”

Crosby Jr.’s last visit was to Alabama for a junior day. He did not make it to USC or Clemson’s first junior day, but is going to Clemson on March 9. He will also go to Florida in March and to North Carolina at some point. Right now, Crosby Jr. has a top five of USC, Clemson, Alabama, Florida and UNC. “He’s wide open” among those five, according to his father. “Everybody’s got a chance.” Crosby Jr. picked up his 47th offer last week from Kansas State.

Wide receiver Shaq Davidson of Gaffney High saw his basketball season come to an unexpected early end, so he was freed up to attend Georgia’s recent junior day. “It was nice down there,” Davidson said. “The coaching staff is pretty cool; I liked them. They have nice facilities.”

Davidson visited UNC on Saturday for its junior day and will go to Clemson this weekend. He also plans to visit Auburn, which offered last week, and he said he probably will get to USC’s second junior day. He was at USC’s first junior day earlier this month. Davidson continues to favor USC with UNC, UGA, Notre Dame and Ohio State bunched together behind the Gamecocks. He has no timetable for a decision.

Offensive lineman Donnell Stanley of Latta High was at UNC on Saturday. He was at USC earlier this month. Stanley plans to return to USC for its next junior day and also wants to get to USC for a baseball game. He’d like to give baseball a shot in college as well. He also wants to get to Clemson for a baseball game. Stanley will take several visits this summer to schools he has not seen.

Among those will be Florida, Florida State, Alabama and Ohio State. Stanley has not narrowed his list and has no favorite between USC and Clemson. He is sitting on 14 offers at this point. Academics will play a major role in

and Vandy.

Auburn offered Clemson WR target Jacob McCrary of Miami last week. He has been favoring Clemson over FSU and Florida. ATH Artavis Scott of Tarpon Springs was offered by Louisville last week. He has both a Clemson and USC offer and attended Clemson’s junior day.

DB Dominique Brown of Ocala, Fla., has offers from USC and Florida International with interest from Florida, FSU, LSU, UGA and Tennessee among others. He named USC, FSU and LSU as his top three. His cousin is former Gamecock star Antonio Allen.

He will take upcoming visits to FSU and Duke. Brown totaled 98 tackles, several pass deflections and two INTs last season.

DB Trumaine Washington of Miami was at Clemson’s junior day earlier this month and is hopeful of landing an offer from the Tigers at some point. Washington has an offer from Purdue and is also hearing from Louisville, UConn, FIU and Florida Atlantic. He does not have a favorite and is not going to rush into a decision.

RB Elijah Hood of Charlotte made unofficial visits late last week to ND, Michigan and Ohio State for a closer look. He has been favoring ND over UNC and Clemson.

Hood could not make Clemson’s recent junior day and said he won’t make the one in early March either. He went to GT’s junior day and is going to UNC on March 9 for the Duke basketball game.

UGA and Purdue are his most recent offers. Hood would like to make his decision before his season, but does not have a definite date.

DE Bryson Allen-Williams of Ellenwood, Ga., picked up offers from Kentucky and Virginia last week.

USC has been his favorite, and he was at the Gamecock junior day earlier this month.

UGA is second on his list and he attended the Bulldogs’ recent junior day. Some of his other offers are Clemson, Florida, Southern Cal, Washington, UCLA, GT, Alabama, Tennessee and Oregon. Allen-Williams has set Aug. 9 for his announcement date.

ATH Myles Autry of Norcross, Ga., has over 30 offers, including Clemson, USC, Georgia, GT, FSU, Florida. Auburn, UCLA, Ohio State, Miami, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, UNC, Maryland and Arkansas. He has not visited USC or Clemson, but plans to get to USC this spring and Clemson this season. He has visited UGA, GT, FSU and Tennessee and was back at FSU over the weekend. As a junior, he compiled over 1,800 all-purpose yards and 22 TDs. DE Andrew Williams of McDonough, Ga., has decided to wait until late spring before narrowing his list to five.

Experts: Pistorius violated basic firearms rules

BY JOHN LEICESTER The Associated Press JOHANNESBURG — Even if Oscar Pistorius is acquitted of murder, firearms and legal experts in South Africa believe that, by his own account, the star athlete violated basic gun-handling regulations and exposed himself to a homicide charge by shooting into a closed door without knowing who was behind it.

Particularly jarring for firearms instructors and legal experts is that Pistorius testified that he shot at a closed toilet door, fearing but not knowing for certain that a nighttime intruder was on the other side.

Instead of an intruder, Pistori-

us’ girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp was in the toilet cubicle. Struck by three of four shots that Pistorius fired from a 9 mm pistol, she died within minutes. Prosecutors charged Pistorius with premeditated murder, saying the shooting followed an argument between the two. Pistorius said it was an accident.

South Africa has stringent laws regulating the use of lethal force for self-protection. In order to get a permit to own a firearm, applicants must not only know those rules but must demonstrate proficiency with the weapon and knowledge of its safe handling, making it far tougher to legally own a gun in South Africa than many other

countries where a mere background check suffices.

Pistorius took such a competency test for his 9 mm pistol and passed it, according to the South African Police Service’s National Firearms Center. The Olympic athlete and Paralympic medalist should have known that firing blindly violates basic gun-handling rules, firearms and legal experts said.

“You can’t shoot through a closed door,’’ said Andre Pretorius, president of the Professional Firearm Trainers Council. “People who own guns and have been through the training, they know that shooting through a door is not going to go through South African law as an accident.’’

He had previously planned to do so sometime in February.

Williams has taken two visits, one to USC and the other to ND. “I went to South Carolina’s junior day a few weeks ago,” he said. “It went well. I loved it. We went to the basketball game (versus Georgia) and saw the campus. The coaches were real cool and the school itself has a lot to offer me.

Their football team is excellent.” As for USC’s chances on making his top five he said, “I don’t know about my top five yet. They’re definitely in my top 10.”

WR KJ Williams of Bethlehem, Pa., has offers from Rutgers, Pittsburgh and UConn.

He is hearing from Arizona, Miami, Maryland, Ohio, Penn State, Michigan, Tennessee and NCSU among others.

Williams attended a camp at USC last summer and is hoping to hear back from the Gamecocks. He will visit Rutgers next month.

RB Stanley Williams of Monroe, Ga., remains committed to UGA, but plans to take visits over the spring. He attended UGA’s recent junior day. He said he will also get to USC, Clemson, Auburn and Alabama.

Woodruff High WR Blake Bone attended UNC’s junior day on Saturday. He has offers from USC and Clemson along with Ole Miss and Kentucky. Alabama last week offered Clemson commitment TE Cannon Smith of Hammond School in Columbia.

USC is among the early offers for ‘15 prospect ATH Jeffery Holland of Jacksonville, Fla. Some of his other reported offers are Miami, Florida, FSU, Ohio State and VT. He plans to visit USC this summer.

Basketball News: Former Gaffney High shooting guard LJ Peak plans to return to the Upstate school for his senior year, a source said last week.

The 6-foot-5-inch Peak was one of the state’s top players as a sophomore. He is playing this season at Whitney Young High in Chicago where he is averaging 15 points, four rebounds and one assist per game. The source said Peak currently favors FSU and Ohio State. USC and Clemson have offered. He also has offers from Tennessee, VT, UGA and NCSU. USC target 6-6 Elgin Cook of Northwest Florida State Junior College made official visits to Oregon and Gonzaga over the weekend. USC is in the mix for one of his remaining visits along with Virginia Commonwealth, New Mexico, Arkansas, Illinois and Texas Christian.

Baseball News: Junior right-handed pitcher Clarke Schmidt of Acworth, Ga., committed to USC last week, according to BigSpur.com.

His older brother is Clemson pitcher Clate Schmidt. He picked the Gamecocks over UGA, Clemson, Ole Miss and Auburn.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius stands in court on Friday in Pretoria, South Africa, for his bail hearing after being charged with the shooting death of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.

B6

SPORTS

THE ITEM

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013

AREA SCOREBOARD

GOLF

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OBITUARIES

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SHOT IN THE DARK

The Christian Golfers’ Association will play host to the Shot In The Dark Scramble on Saturday, March 23, at Sunset Country Club.

The first nine holes of the tournament will be played in the daylight with a 3 p.m. tee time. After dinner, which will be part of the entry fee, the final nine holes will be played in the moonlight, beginning approximately at 6:30.

Golfers can bring flashlights if they would like.

The field will be limited to 56 players with an entry fee of $55 per golfer. The team that has the lowest score during the daytime round will receive $200, while the team with the low score in the nighttime round will receive $200. Also, the winners of a putting contest and a closest to pin shoot-out will each receive $100.

To register for the event, call Tom Winstead at (803) 773-2171 or (803) 983-3457 or Eddie Porter at (803) 565-4104.

ETC. CLARENDON HALL OF FAME

The Clarendon County Athletic Hall of Fame will add eight new members when it inducts its third class on Saturday, March 16, at the Manning Junior High School gymnasium beginning at 6 p.m.

Three Manning High School football and college football standouts - Robbie Briggs, Brian Mance and Fred Bennett - Clarendon Hall standout athlete Carl Martin, local dirt track automobile racing legend Slick Gibbons, mid 1930s Major League Baseball pitcher George Turbeville, Manning High girls basketball standout Jessica Ridgill and East Clarendon High baseball standout Donald Hardy will be inducted in the ceremony.

Former New York Yankee second baseman Bobby Richardson will be the speaker.

Tickets, which will include a meal, are $20 per person.

Tickets can be purchased at The Item Manning office located at 40 North Mill Street, the Clarendon Citizen at 8 North Brooks Street in Manning and the Manning Times located at 416 West Boyce Street in Manning.

BASEBALL SPRING LEAGUE REGISTRATION

The Sumter County Recreation Department is currently taking registration for its 13-14 year-old

MABEL BENN BISHOPVILLE — Mabel Benn, of 314 King Ave., Bishopville, died on Monday, Feb. 25, 2013, at Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center, Hartsville.

The family will receive friends at 314 King Ave., Bishopville.

Funeral services are incomplete and will be announced later by Square Deal Funeral Home of Bishopville.

REC 7-8 YEAR-OLD CHAMPS PHOTO PROVIDED

McDonald’s Heat won the Sumter County Recreation Department’s 7-8 yearold basketball championship. Members of the team are first row, left to right: Lawrence Rhodes, Valdez Holmes, Chrishan Washington, Camareyon McMillan and Justin Rembert. Second row: Jabari Tiller, Willi Luzzi, Matthew Rogers and Nigel Johnson. Third row: coach Cedric Rembert.

REC 9-10 YEAR-OLD CHAMPS

COLLEGE STANDINGS ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE Conference All Games W L PCT W L PCT Miami 13 1 .929 22 4 .846 Duke 11 3 .786 24 3 .889 North Carolina 9 5 .643 19 8 .704 Virginia 9 5 .643 19 8 .704 NC State 8 6 .571 19 8 .704 Maryland 7 7 .500 19 8 .704 Florida St. 6 8 .429 14 13 .519 Clemson 5 9 .357 13 13 .500 Wake Forest 5 9 .357 12 14 .462 Georgia Tech 4 10 .286 14 12 .538 Boston College 4 10 .286 12 15 .444 Virginia Tech 3 11 .214 12 15 .444 Sunday’s Games Duke 89, Boston College 68 Virginia 82, Georgia Tech 54 Virginia Tech 80, Florida St. 70 Tuesday’s Games Wake Forest at Florida St., 9 p.m.

Wednesday’s Games Virginia Tech at Miami, 7 p.m.

Boston College at NC State, 8 p.m.

Maryland at Georgia Tech, 8 p.m.

Thursday’s Games North Carolina at Clemson, 7 p.m.

Duke at Virginia, 9 p.m.

SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE

PHOTO PROVIDED

The South Sumter Bulldogs won the Sumter County Recreation Department’s 9-10 year-old basketball regular season and tournament championships.

Members of the team are first row, left to right: Zaveon Wells, Joseph Durant, Marcus Lane and Daeveon Peterson. Second row: coach Ernie Williams, Derrick Sanders, Tyreek Tyndal, Kyreem Tyndal, Zaquan Spann and coach BJ Jefferson.

baseball league.

The registration deadline is March 21. Children will be placed in the leagues based on their age as of April 30, 2013. A birth certificate is required if one is not on file at the recreation department.

The registration fee is $50.

For more information, call the recreation department at (803) 436-2248 or visit the website www.sumtercountysc.org.

SOFTBALL SPRING LEAGUE REGISTRATION

The Sumter County Recreation

Department is currently taking registration for its spring girls softball 13-15 year-old league.

The registration deadline is March 28. Children will be placed in the leagues based on their age as of Dec. 31, 2012. A birth certificate is required if one is not on file at the recreation department.

The registration fee is $45.

For more information, call the recreation department at (803) 436-2248 or visit the website www.sumtercountysc.org.

Spartans struggle with Big Ten schedule

BY NOAH TRISTER The Associated Press EAST LANSING, Mich.

— After two tough losses in a row, Tom Izzo figured his Michigan State team would drop quite a bit in the polls.

Instead, the Spartans fell only five spots to No. 9. That helped Izzo gain some valuable perspective.

“I am not in any panic mode,’’ Izzo said. “We are going to play good teams and when you play good teams you are going to lose games. I would like to win them all, but we are not that kind of team yet. I am hoping the best basketball we’ve got is coming.’’

Michigan State’s Big Ten title hopes took a hit when the Spartans lost to Indiana and Ohio State, but Izzo is taking the defeats almost in stride. Perhaps this lateseason slip was simply an inevitable byproduct of playing in an unusually difficult league — and it’s not like Izzo hasn’t taken a team with some losses on a deep NCAA run before.

Two weeks ago, Michigan State looked resurgent after embarrassing rival Michigan 75-52 in East Lansing. For the Wolverines, that was the end of a stretch in which

HERBERT CHAMPAGNE Herbert Champagne, 63, husband of Mary Ann Gregg Champagne, died Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center.

He was a son of the late William and Patience Lee Champagne.

The family is receiving friends at the home, 3980 4th St., Mayesville.

Funeral plans are incomplete and will be announced by Job’s Mortuary Inc. of Sumter.

W 12 10 10 9 8 8 8 7 7 6 5 3 3 2

Florida Kentucky Alabama Mississippi Missouri Arkansas Tennessee LSU Georgia Texas A&M Vanderbilt South Carolina Auburn Mississippi St.

Conference L Pct. 2 .857 4 .714 4 .714 5 .643 6 .571 6 .571 6 .571 7 .500 7 .500 8 .429 9 .357 11 .214 11 .214 12 .143

W 22 19 18 20 19 17 16 16 13 16 11 13 9 7

All Games L Pct. 4 .846 8 .704 9 .667 7 .741 8 .704 10 .630 10 .615 9 .640 14 .481 11 .593 15 .423 14 .481 18 .333 19 .269

SOUTHERN CONFERENCE Elon Samford Appalachian St. W. Carolina Chattanooga UNC Greensboro

W 12 9 8 8 7 6

Davidson Coll. of Charleston Georgia Southern Wofford The Citadel Furman

15 12 6 6 4 3

North Conference L Pct. 4 .750 7 .563 8 .500 8 .500 9 .438 10 .375 South 1 .938 4 .750 10 .375 10 .375 12 .250 13 .188

W 19 11 12 12 12 8

All Games L Pct. 9 .679 18 .379 15 .444 17 .414 17 .414 19 .296

21 20 12 12 7 6

North High Point Campbell Radford VMI Liberty Longwood

Conference W L PCT 11 3 .786 7 7 .500 6 8 .429 6 8 .429 5 9 .357 3 11 .214

W 16 12 12 11 10 6

All Games L PCT 11 .593 17 .414 17 .414 16 .407 19 .345 23 .207

Ohio State’s Amir Williams, left, fouls Michigan State’s Branden Dawson during the first half of Sunday’s in Columbus, Ohio. The Spartans have struggled in the Big Ten so far this season.

team’s performance as a “perfect storm.’’ But he’s not about to write it off as a fluke.

“Usually when you play a game like that you shoot 60-some percent and shoot uncharacteristic from the 3,’’ Izzo said Tuesday. “The only thing we did that was maybe more uncharacteristic is we did rebound the ball a little better than we have in some other games. The shooting we were not much different than our regular.’’

PCT .615 .621 .517 .500 .444 .276

Protect Your Family

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

erybody in the Big Ten can play the same people but at different times.’’

Indiana leads Michigan State, Michigan and Wisconsin by two games in the loss column, meaning the Hoosiers have the inside track to the league title. That won’t necessarily reduce the intensity this week — not with the big Michigan State-Michigan rematch on tap in Ann Arbor.

After routing the Wolverines two weeks ago, Izzo described his

.750 .690 .414 .414 .259 .222

BIG SOUTH CONFERENCE

South Conference All Games W L PCT W L Chas. Southern 11 3 .786 16 10 Gardner-Webb 9 5 .643 18 11 UNC Asheville 9 5 .643 15 14 Coastal Carolina 8 6 .571 13 13 Winthrop 5 9 .357 12 15 Presbyterian 4 10 .286 8 21 Sunday’s Games Siena 65, Radford 57, OT Tuesday’s Games VMI at Liberty, 7 p.m.

Today’s Games Radford at High Point, 7 p.m.

Presbyterian at UNC Asheville, 7 p.m.

Winthrop at Coastal Carolina, 7 p.m.

Longwood at Campbell, 7 p.m.

Charleston Southern at Gardner-Webb, 7 p.m.

they faced Indiana, Ohio State, Wisconsin and Michigan State in succession, going 1-3.

Now the schedule is being unkind to the Spartans, and it’s Michigan State’s turn to struggle. After losing to Indiana and Ohio State, the Spartans will have a chance to regroup before playing at No. 4 Michigan on Sunday.

After that, they host Wisconsin.

“It’s all so schedule driven as far as the streaks,’’ Izzo said. “Ev-

7 9 17 17 20 21

We ofer reasonable funeral & cremation service packages

Professional, Afordable, Quality Service has been our Trademark for 80 years.....

Palmer Memorial hael SUMTER–SINCE 1933 304 South Main Street (803) 773-3381

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www.palmermemorialchapel.com

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CLASSIFIEDS

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013

LEGAL BUSINESS NOTICES SERVICES Concrete

Legal Notice

You will please take note that notice is hereby served on all dependents, known and unknown, in the case of Richard Garland, DECEASED, v YUASA-Exide, Inc. (WC550-A27989), under the South Carolina Workers Compensation Commission file number 9157432, that settlement has been or is about to be reached and all parties who have a legal interest in this matter should contact the insurance carrier in person, by facsimile, or by telephone within the next three (3) business days by contacting Dave Sanders, Liberty Mutual Insurance, (803) 261-6435, or facsimile (803) 932-7004.

Help Wanted Full-Time

Unfurnished Homes

Office Rentals

LARGE GARAGE SALE 1st & 3rd Weekend Tables $1 & Up

Sambinos Bistro, 1104 Alice Dr. Hiring FT/PT Exp. Servers, Cooks & dishwashers. Apply in person Mon. - Thurs, between 2-3 & 4:30-6pm or go online to print application at sambinosbistro.com. No phone calls please.

Hwy 120S 3BR/1BA, C/H/A. Fcd back, yd. 30 min from Shaw. $500mo/$300dep. 803-452-6398

50 Wesmark Ct. 1,177 sq ft. $1000/mo. Reception area, 3 office space, breakroom, 1/2ba, file/storage room. 773-1477

SUMTER VALLEY HEALTH & REHAB a leader in long-term healthcare, is seeking dynamic and caring individuals for the following position: Activity Director. Please apply in person at 1761 Pinewood Rd, Sumter, SC 29154 Candidates must successfully complete background check and drug screen prior to hire. EOE

Brick House 3BR/1.5BA, lg fnd bkyard, garage, carport, appl, furnished, quiet neighborhood.

Conv to Shaw $750/$750 dep.

803-847-7599

Fun Job Travel the US. Call today, start work today. 18 yrs & over. Will train. No exp. Company pays transportation. Earn $400 wkly, commission based. Cash advance while in training in sunny Florida. 803-565-0799 Ms. Alston

Waterfront 2BR home at Lake Marion. Private dock, boat ramp, deep water, carport. $900/mo.

Call 570-301-3322

3 bed 2 bath 16x80 for sale. Call 803-469-3252.

304 Haynsworth 3BR/2BA , Hrdwd flrs, fenced yard. $895/mo + $1,000/dep. Good credit needed. Agent owned 468-1612

BAD CREDIT, NO CREDIT Tax Season is here. We have 2-3-4-5 bedroom homes. We have a layaway program & in home financing so you BUY HERE AND PAY HERE! CALL 843-389-4215

FLEA MARKET BY SHAW AFB

NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS

BY PUBLICATION IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE DISTRICT COURT DIVISION 12CVD05858 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF BUNCOMBE

Beautify your home w/decorative concrete, pools, woodwork.

Tile look on porches, patios, stamping. 494-5442/ 968-4665

For Sale or Trade

Electrical Services

Hot Point Clothes Dryer, works perfect or its yours free. $75.00.

803-481-9155

Fulton Town Electric, Service any electrical needs. Cert. Master Electrician, 938-3261/883-4607

Washer/Dry Pair $260, Queen waterbed frame $135, 25" kbtu AC $260 Call 236-0512

Home Improvements

Split Oak Firewood, $60/dump, $65/stacked. Darrell Newman 803-316-0128. Tree Service also available.

TW Painting, carpentry & all household needs.

Call 803-460-7629.

Concrete Driveways, Patios, Sidewalks, etc. 803-934-6692 www.lgdirtbusters.com. Call today Professional Remodelers Home maintenance, room additions roofing, siding & windows doors, etc.

Lic. & Ins. (Office) 803-692-4084 or (Cell) 803-459-4773

Christine Marie Burch Plaintiff vs.

Christopher Stuart Burch To Christopher Stuart Burch: Take notice that a pleading seeking relief against you has been filed in the above-entitled action. The nature of relief being sought is as follows: The Plaintiff; Christine Marie Burch, has filed a Complaint for Absolute Divorce.

You are required to make defense to such pleading not later than March 6, 2013, and upon your failure to do so, the party seeking service against you will apply to the Court for the relief sought.

Christine Marie Burch 20 Chicago Avenue Black Mountain, NC 28711 (828)713-3016

Notice

You will please take note that notice is hereby served on all dependents, known and unknown, in the case of Charles C. Chaney, DECEASED, v Exide Corporation, Inc. (WC550-677011), under the South Carolina Workers Compensation Commission file number 8961221, that settlement has been or is about to be reached and all parties who have a legal interest in this matter should contact the insurance carrier in person, by facsimile, or by telephone within the next three (3) business days by contacting Dave Sanders, Liberty Mutual Insurance, (803) 261-6435, or facsimile (803) 932-7004.

Beer & Wine License

ANNOUNCEMENTS

OAK FIREWOOD for sale, only .50 ct each piece, any amount.

Call 840-3842 or 666-8078 **CASH** FOR JUNK CARS OR USED Call Gene 803 934-6734 Washers, Dryers, Refrigerators, Stoves. Also new Gas stoves.

Guaranteed. 803-464-5439

Int/Ext Painting, Pressure washing. 30 yrs exp. Ref. Quality work/free est.

Call Bennie 468-7592

Hinged Tonneau Cover 2006 Chevy or 6ft beds. Aluminum Canvas Opens Like Hard Shell 4100. 803-565-2452

Roofing

Firewood For Sale,

Robert's Metal Roofing 29 years exp. 18 colors & 45 year warranty. Call 803-837-1549.

Tree Service NEWMAN'S TREE SERVICE Tree removal , trimming & stump grinding. Lic & Ins.

803-316-0128

A Notch Above Tree Care Full quality service low rates, lic./ins., free est BBB accredited 983-9721 STATE TREE SERVICE Worker's Comp & General liability insurance. Top quality service, lowest prices. 803-494-5175 or 803-491-5154 www.statetree.net Tree Doctor Call us for an appt. Free est. 7 days/week. Prune trees, remove trees, grind stumps, proper limbing & treatment. 803-773-8402.

Ricky's Tree Service Tree removal, stump grinding, Lic & ins, free quote, 803-435-2223 or cell 803-460-8747.

Notice Of Application Notice is hereby given that D & J's Social Club intends to apply to the South Carolina Department of Revenue for a license/permit that will allow the sale and ON premises consumption of Beer, Wine and Liquor at 770 East Liberty Street, Sumter, SC 29153. To object to the issuance of this permit/ license, written protest must be postmarked no later than March 15, 2013. For a protest to be valid, it must be in writing, and should include the following information: (1) the name, address and telephone number of the person filing the protest; (2) the specific reasons why the application should be denied; (3) that the person protesting is willing to attend a hearing (if one is requested by the applicant); (4) that the person protesting resides in the same county where the proposed place of business is located or within five miles of the business; and (5) the name of the applicant and the address of the premises to be licensed. Protests must be mailed to: S.C. Department of Revenue, ATTN: ABL, P.O. Box 125, Columbia, South Carolina 29214; or Faxed to: (803) 896-0110

Portable Folding Firepit $70 OBO, 2 Stainless Steel sinks $150 OBO, Shower tub $550 OBO, Stereo with cabinets $110 OBO. Call 803-406-6159

Painting Defendant

MERCHANDISE Auctions Storage Auction Moore's Mini Storage 1129 N Main St. Sumter Sat. March 2, 20123 9AM

$60/truck load delivered.

Call Chris at 803-464-8743 Expert Tech, New & used heat pumps & A/C. Will install/repair, warranty; Compressor & labor $600. Call 803-968-9549 or 843-992-2364 Glass top Comp. Desk, Pub tble/4 chrs. Slide top/storage/coffee tble.

Gifts, mirrors, bed, Avon. Call 803-316-7407 Firewood For Sale $50/Sm load, $100/Lrg load. Call Quinn McLeod 452-5874 lv msg if no answer.

Help Wanted Part-Time

Part Time Help Wanted - Busy Dr's office in Manning needs Friendly and Fast paced worker. mail resume to M-Box 296 c//o Clarendon Sun 41 North Mill St. Manning, S.C. 29102

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

RENTALS Unfurnished Apartments

Cash Kwik is seeking FT Teller/Manager $12/hr. Basic computer & cash handling. Clean background, type 25-35wpm. Apply at 1148 Broad St. Sumter or Fax resume to 803-469-3885

Holly Court Apartments located in Manning S.C, has two bedrooms for rent. Water & Sewer included. We are now offering a MOVE IN SPECIAL. Please call (803) 435-8786, or email management at bfrierson@winnco.com.

Wanted Experienced Restaraunt Management line and prep cooks and servers. Must be able to work day or night shift. Send resume Box 299 c//o The Item, PO Box 1677 Sumter SC 29151

Unfurnished Homes Spacious, nice 2BR in safe area.

Convenient to Shaw/Sumter. Dumpster, Water, Heat pump & Sec lights included. No H/A or PETS! $465/mo + $300/dep.

803-983-0043

SHOP 24/7 FOR NEW OR PRE-OWNED VEHICLES

WWW.GOODWINCARS.COM

GOODWIN AUTOMALL

#SPBE 4USFFU t 4VNUFS 4$

Lost & Found FOUND: small-med. sz male dog in the area of Shaw AFB. No collar. Owner please call to identify 499-4978 or 236-9007.

Found 02/22 between Loring Mill & Keels Rd area black male dog.

Wearing a collar. Owner please call the SPCA 773-9292 to identify.

2 Bd $350, Clean & in nice area.

Call 803-840-5734 American MHP, 2 & 3/BRs, lot rentals, water/sewer/garbage pkup inc'd. Sec. 8 ok. 803-494-4300.

Oaklawn MHP: 2 BR M.H.'s, water/sewer/garbage pk-up incl'd.

RV parking avail. Call 494-8350

2 & 3 BRs 803-494-4015

Cherryvale 3BR/2BA dbl garage, fenced lot, 1/2 rent for work & repairs. 499-2029 LV Message

Manufactured Housing

1998 14x50, 2 br, 1 ba, $6500 OBO.C//H//A.Windsor City or can move. $6,100 OBO. 469-6973.

For Sale: 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, land. $350 month. Call 494-5090.

Tired of Renting? Affordable housing. We can Help!! Call 803-469-3252.

Need a New Home? Can't Get Financing? WE CAN HELP!! Call 803-469-3222.

Pre-owned Manufactured Homes for sale. 2, 3, 4 & 5 Bedroom homes at wholesale prices. Call 803-614-1165.

Farms & Acreage For Sale By Owner 5 ac. Owner Financing. 803-427-3888.

Land & Lots for Sale 4.26 acres 3080 N. Main St (Sumter). Call 919-875-9725

Mobile Home Lot Rentals

CLASSIFIED ADS Extra large Lots for sale or rent 1008 Booker St. & 119 Murphy St. 840-3904 or after 7pm 778-1083.

Will Go To Work For You! To Find Cash Buyers For Your Unused Items

Route Open In Horatio/Stateburg

Great For Person Looking For Extra Income $800+/- Per month If you have good, dependable transportation and a phone in your home, apply in person at:

NEEDED

GENERAL LINE TECHNICIAN Pay Based on Experience

BUSINESS LICENSES February Fragrance Challenge Call/Email your favorite Perfumes/Colognes & Get 1 Free Sample of Body Oil From your list.

Try It! You might like it! 774-7823 or cjsplus@yahoo.com

Mobile Homes for rent. Section 8 OK. Call 773-8022

Homes for Sale

Circulation Department

COUNTY OF SUMTER

Announcements

Scenic Lake. 2 Br/2Ba. & 3BR /2BA. No pets. Call between 9am 5pm: (803) 499-1500.

REAL ESTATE

/ .BHOPMJB 4USFFU r 4VNUFS 4$ PS DBMM

Garage, Yard & Estate Sales

Sumter County Flea Mkt Hwy 378 E. 803-495-2281 500 tables. Sat. $8 free return Sun.

Mobile Home Rentals

STATEBURG COURTYARD

Help Wanted Full-Time

Upscale Salon Seeking Exp. Licensed Cosmetologist & Nail Technicians. 1st month booth rent free. Call 803-938-5348 lv. msg. or 803-847-0710.

Rental house millwood area - 31 Hilltop- 3bdrm/1.5bth, hardwood flr, carport, stove, hookups, fenced bkyard, new cntrl http/ac, $750/$750 dep 803-983-2881.

DALZELL 2BR/1BA MH quiet family park, 5 min from SAFB & Sumter, $245/mo.499-2029 lv msg

Trucking Opportunities

Shiloh-Randolph Manor Apts. 1 BR apts. avail. for Elderly 62 yrs. or older. Call (803) 775-0575 or apply in person. Corner of Bartlette & Washington. Immediate Openings Rent based on income. EHO.

EMPLOYMENT

50 Ramsgate 2BR//2 BA, semigated community, $850//mo. + dep. 840-5239 or 481-4013

2 & 3/BR's Trailers for rent , Cherryvale & Dogwood Dr Area $250 & up. (803) 651-9926

$$$ AVON $$$ FREE TRAINING! 803-422-5555

AUCTION Seafood Hut Rest & Catering 2538 N. Broad St. Camden, SC Sat. March 2nd, 10 am Perry L. McCoy, SCAL #118 803-432-6545 10% BP Auctionzip.com #11245

Green Acres Assembly Girls Club Indoor Yard Sale/Bake Sale: Mar. 2 From 6 AM Til 2 PM Concessions available.

B7

Garage, Yard & Estate Sales

803- 905-4242

Notice

THE ITEM

The County of Sumter Ordinance regulating licenses for County businesses states that â&#x20AC;&#x153;Every person engaged or intending to engage in any calling, business, occupation or profession within the limits of the County of Sumter, South Carolina is required to pay an annual license fee and obtain a business license.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;The required license fee shall be paid for each business subject thereto according to the applicable rate classification on or before the 15th day of March each year.â&#x20AC;?

A 5% PENALTY WILL BE ASSESSED ON ALL LICENSE FEES WHICH ARE NOT PAID BY THE 15TH OF MARCH, AND AN ADDITIONAL 5% PENALTY WILL BE ASSESSED ON THE FIRST OF EACH MONTH THAT THE LICENSE FEE REMAINS UNPAID.

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If any license fee shall remain unpaid for sixty (60) days after its due date, the Business License Department shall issue an execution which shall constitute a lien upon the property of the licensee for the tax, penalties and costs of collection.â&#x20AC;?

If you do not receive an application in the mail, please stop by our office at 12 W. Liberty Street in the Liberty Center (the old Brody bldg) or give us a call at 774-1601. We will be available to assist you with your application or answer any questions you might have.

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PANORAMA WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013

THE ITEM

C1

Contact Ivy Moore at (803) 774-1221 or e-mail ivym@theitem.com

compete for title YPS cook-off, beer-tasting at USC Sumter

BY IVY MOORE ivym@theitem.com

F

or its fourth annual Chili Cook-off and Beer Tasting, the Young Professionals of Sumter have some new chili masters, new craft beers and a new location. The event will begin at 6 p.m. Friday, March 8, at the University of South Carolina Sumter Nettles Building.

Suzie Kearney, who’s coordinating the YPS fundraiser, said there’s still time for chili cooks to enter.

“We like to have around 20 chili cooks,” she said, “and anybody can enter. The fee is only $20, which includes two tickets to the event, and the winner of the Judges’ Choice Award receives $300.”

The runner up is awarded $200, and there are prizes for Peoples’ Choice, Best Decorated Booth, Spiciest and Most Unique.

In the past, Kearney said, “We’ve had alligator chili, white chicken chili, venison chili and others that are a little different from the normal beef chili. We’ve also had some really hot ones, like one made with ghost peppers.”

Ghost peppers are rated on the Scoville scale (of fieriness) at 1 million. By comparison, a jalapeno is rated between

TASTING Kearney noted that YPS members and volunteers will be pouring more than 30 microbrew beers for tasting, as well.

During the event, chili and beer tasters will be entertained by local rock band Virtually Unshockable.

Membership in Young Professionals of Sumter is open to working adults ages 25 to 45, Kearney said, adding, “Our mission is: ‘To foster leadership development, personal enrichment, networking and community involvement. Interaction within the group provides our members with the opportunity to develop business relationships, share valuable information and establish long-lasting friendships.’

“The Chili Cook-off and Beer Tast-

2,500 and 5,000 Scoville units; a habanero is 200,000 to 300,000 units.

Fortunately, Kearney said, the chilies at the YPS event range from very mild to very spicy, so there’s always something for every taste and every level of adventurousness.

Soft beverages will be included in the the ticket price, so attendees can cool their mouths if need be.

Judges for the two top prizes will consider aroma, consistency, taste and aftertaste as they select the winners in a blind tasting.

Cassidy Bradley and Tripper Lee won first place and Michael Musa second in Judges’ Choice last year, while Coles Dwight was the Peoples’ Choice, Earl Reese won for spiciest, Dani Hardin won for most unique, and Julie and Bubba Bailey were voted as having the best decorated booth for their St. Patrick’s Day theme. mas, school supplies, coats, sheets and blankets, etc., to give back to the youth. We also go to Crosswell Children’s Home around Easter and Christmas to spend time ... with the children to decorate Easter eggs or Christmas ornaments and have an egg hunt.”

PHOTO PROVIDED

Local rock and variety band Virtually Unshcckable will entertain at the 2013 Chili Cookoff and Beer Tasting March 8 at USC Sumter’s Nettles Building. The event is a fundraiser for the Young Professionals of Sumter.

ing is our only fundraiser.”

Kearney said that outside of networking opportunities, YPS’ primary

focus is “to provide items or services to the underprivileged youth in our community. We have collected paja-

TICKETS Admission tickets purchased by March 1 are $25, and are $30 thereafter; at the door, you’ll pay $35. Call (803) 775-1231 for tickets, or pick them up at the Chamber of Commerce, 32 E. Calhoun St. The deadline for chili masters to enter the cook-off is Friday, March 1.

For more information, rules and regulations, and to register, contact Kearney at (803) 983-9518 or skearney@ safefed.org.

Lions ready to serve up oysters, shrimp, barbecue

BY IVY MOORE ivym@theitem.com The Sumter Lions Club continues its half-century tradition of hosting a lowcountry oyster roast to celebrate the end of winter and raise funds to assist Sumter’s visually impaired citizens. Over the years, the event has added shrimp and barbecue to the menu and moved to Swan Lake’s Heath Pavilion. The Lions’ Carolyn Klaege said the oysters will remain the star of the March 16 event, however.

Sumter native “Ben Moise from the Charleston area brings the oysters and roasts them for us,” she said.

“They’re always delicious, and all you can eat, as is the barbecue cooked by Sep Harvin III. This is our third year of serving the barbecue. It’s been a big hit with everyone.”

The Lions Club Oyster, Shrimp and Bar-B-Q Roast is

PHOTO PROVIDED

Oyster lovers wait with shucking knives ready as a basket of the steaming bivalves is poured onto a table at last year’s Sumter Lions Club Oyster, Shrimp and Bar-B-Q Roast. Tickets are now on sale for the March 16 fundraiser at Swan Lake’s Heath Pavilion.

its biggest fundraiser, attracting big crowds each year around St. Patrick’s Day. From 4-8 p.m. on Saturday, March 16, oyster lovers gather around big tables, shucking knives in hand and melted butter and cocktail sauce at the ready, enjoying conversation with their friends and the steaming hot, juicy bivalves

brought to them in wire baskets.

Klaege said the menu also includes cole slaw, saltines, sweet and unsweetened tea, lemonade and water. The oyster knives are also furnished, and there are always rolls of paper towels on the tables.

Some oyster lovers bring their own shucking equip-

ment, gloves, aprons and towels, and a few even make their own special cocktail sauce for the occasion. After all, it’s not often you get taste bud- and appetite-satisfying oysters like these, Klaege pointed out.

She said take-out will also be available.

“The take-out portions are very generous,” she said. “A lot of people get them, and if you let us know you want take-out ahead of time and when you want to pick up your oysters, we’ll have them hot and ready when you come to get them.”

The popularity of the annual oyster roast continues to provide the majority of the Lions Club’s funding, Klaege said. Eyeglasses, examinations and other services for eye health are foremost among the types of assistance offered, “and we also provide some support for the Storm Eye Clinic at MUSC (Medical University of South Carolina) in

Charleston,” she said. Scholarships to the University of South Carolina Sumter and Central Carolina Technical College assist local students who are visually impaired, also.

Klaege emphasized that all funds raised by the club, both at the oyster roast and at the food booth at the Sumter County Fair, support the Lions’ mission.

“Club dues pay our administrative expenses,” she said.

Tickets for the Lions Club Oyster Roast are $32 in advance and $35 at the door.

They can be obtained from any Lions Club member. The event will be held from 4-8 p.m. on Saturday, March 16, at Swan Lake’s Heath Pavilion on Garden Street. For more information, or to purchase an advance ticket, see any Lion or call Bob Young at (803) 4692172 or Bill Edgeworth at (803) 773-6854.

C2

FOOD

THE ITEM

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013

Fast and healthy pear crisp to make any season

BY SARA MOULTON Associated Press Sometimes, even on a weeknight, you really crave a little dessert. But making dessert takes time, and you already are spending time cooking up the main event, namely dinner.

That’s where this recipe comes to the rescue. It’s a quick, easy and delicious pear crisp that calls for just five ingredients — pears, granola, lemon juice, apricot jam and a pinch of salt.

Pears are just now at the tail-end of their season. Yes, I know we can find pears all year these days. But believe me, those specimens are going to be nowhere near as electrifying as a fully-ripened in-season local pear. The problem is the relative rareness of such pears. Ralph Waldo Emerson was onto something when he wrote, “There are only 10 minutes in the life of a pear when it is perfect to eat.”

In other words, most of the time, no matter where it comes from, our pears aren’t at the peak of perfection. And for those times, when pears are unripe and you don’t have time to let them ripen, this recipe comes in mighty handy. Baking an unripe pear not only makes it tender, it also crystallizes and magnifies the fruit’s flavor. Happily, any kind of pear — and there are many varieties — will work in this recipe, as will a mix of varieties.

Pears also have a lot to offer in terms of health.

They’re a good source of vitamin C and a great source of fiber.

As for granola, there are a zillion brands in the cereal aisle of the supermarket. The problem is that many of them are laden with fat and sugar

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Speedy Pear Crisp comes to the rescue when you are craving dessert and don’t have a lot of time on your hands.

even as they masquerade under a healthy halo. That’s why the recommended portion on the back of most granola boxes is just 1/4 cup.

Pour yourself a normal, adultsized portion and you might as well be tucking into a breakfast of waffles and sausage.

So when you shop for granola, look for a brand that’s lower in fat, sugar and calories than the competition — and which also contains lots of nuts, seeds and dried fruit.

And if you want to bump up the nutritional value of this recipe even more, you also could add 1/4 cup of ground flaxseed.

With all of that said, I

wouldn’t worry too much about the amount of granola in this recipe. Per serving, it’s about what the granola box recommends, and mostly serves to put the crisp on this pear crisp. Heck, you’d be much better off serving this dessert for breakfast than dogging a big bowl of nothing but granola.

SPEEDY PEAR CRISP

Start to finish: 1 hour (15 minutes active) Servings: 8 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon apricot preserves or sweetened fruit spread 4 pears (about 2 pounds), peeled, cored and thinly sliced

2 tablespoons lemon juice Table salt 2 cups purchased granola Heat the oven to 350 F. Lightly coat a shallow 6-cup baking dish with cooking spray.

In a small saucepan over medium-low, heat the preserves until melted and easily stirred.

Set the sliced pears in a large bowl, then drizzle the preserves over them. Add the lemon juice and salt, then toss well. Spread the pears evenly in the prepared baking dish.

Sprinkle the granola evenly over the pears, then cover the dish loosely with foil and bake 30 minutes. Remove the

foil and bake another 15 minutes, or until the pears are tender. Serve hot or cold.

Nutrition information per serving: 210 calories; 25 calories from fat (12 percent of total calories); 2.5 g fat (0.5 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 0 mg cholesterol; 50 g carbohydrate; 5 g fiber; 27 g sugar; 3 g protein; 55 mg sodium.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Sara Moulton was executive chef at Gourmet magazine for nearly 25 years, and spent a decade hosting several Food Network shows. She currently stars in public television’s “Sara’s Weeknight Meals” and has written three cookbooks, including “Sara Moulton’s Everyday Family Dinners.”

This tenderloin is a crowd-pleaser

BY FAMILY FEATURES

RELISH MAGAZINE

Green Goddess Dressing is simple but tasty.

Homemade dressing is heavenly

BY JEAN KRESSY Contributor, Relish magazine We get so used to store-bought salad dressings, it’s easy to forget how simple they are to make. We’re not suggesting whipping up a batch of mayonnaise, but with very little work, anyone can put together a tasty dressing. Green Goddess Dressing, for example, a creamy combination of mayonnaise, anchovies and herbs, takes less time to prepare than it does to wash a head of lettuce, and besides dressing salads, it can be used as a sauce.

Green Goddess Dressing was created in the early 1920s by Philippe Roemer, chef at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco. At the time, George Arliss, an actor starring in “The Green Goddess,” a play by William Archer, was staying

at the hotel. According to food historians, Roemer made the dressing for a dinner honoring Archer and named it after the play. The herby mayonnaise dressing, first served with a crab and romaine salad, became the signature dressing at the hotel and is still popular at lunch with Dungeness Crab Salad.

Using Chef Roemer’s recipe as a blueprint, we made Green Goddess Dressing with mayonnaise, anchovies, vinegar, green onions and herbs. Some cooks add sour cream or yogurt, but we stuck to the original ingredients. In the interest of convenience, we used anchovy paste instead of minced anchovies, and instead of pureeing the dressing, which some recipes suggest, we stirred the dressing by hand to give it a rough texture.

In addition to salads, Green Goddess Dressing is delicious with broiled or pan-fried fish or as a topping for steamed artichokes or hard-cooked eggs. It can be made ahead, keeps well in the refrigerator and is better than anything sold in a bottle.

GREEN GODDESS DRESSING

1 cup mayonnaise 2 green onions, white and green parts, finely chopped 2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley 2 teaspoons anchovy paste 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar 3/4 teaspoon finely chopped fresh tarragon (or 1/4 teaspoon dried) 1/4 teaspoon pepper In a medium bowl, stir all ingredients together until evenly blended. Makes 1 cup.

Recipe by Jean Kressy.

Looking to impress your guests?

Treat their taste buds to a pork loin dish that is as versatile as it is delicious.

This Simply Saucy BaconWrapped Pork Loin is sure to be a crowd pleaser since, after all, everything is better when wrapped in bacon. This delectable dish offers four different accompanying sauces to suit any palate. Add a fruity twist with crushed pineapple sauce, or spice things up with a kick of jalapeño chilies. Go savory with a touch of Dijon, or smoky with chipotle chilies in adobo sauce.

For more inspiration and pork recipes, visit the National Pork Board at www.PorkBeInspired. com, www.Facebook.com/PorkBeInspired and www.Pinterest. com/PorkBeInspired. Also, be sure to follow @allaboutpork on Twitter for timely recipes and tips.

SIMPLY SAUCY BACON-WRAPPED PORK LOIN

Serves 10 (6-ounce portions ) 4 pound boneless center-cut pork loin roast, (untied), fat and silver skin trimmed 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt 1 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 8 to 9 slices bacon 1 cup barbecue sauce, purchased Preheat oven to 450ºF. Sprinkle pork with salt and pepper.

Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add pork and brown on all sides, about 6 minutes. Transfer to plate and cool for 10 minutes.

Wrap bacon slices vertically around pork roast; do not overlap bacon. Tie lengthwise and crosswise with kitchen string to hold bacon in place; tuck loose ends of bacon under string. Place on a rack in a roasting pan, tucked-bacon side down.

FAMILY FEATURES

Simply Saucy Bacon-Wrapped Pork Loin

Roast on rack for 15 minutes.

Turn pork over and reduce temperature to 350 degrees and roast for 15 minutes. Remove rack and return pork to pan, tucked-end side up. Roast, turning occasionally until bacon is browned and an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center of the roast reads 145 degrees, about 50 minutes. Remove from oven and let stand for 10 minutes.

Skim fat from pan juices, leaving browned juices in pan. Add barbecue sauce and preferred ingredient (*see below) and bring to simmer over medium heat, stirring to loosen browned bits in pan; simmer 2 minutes. Remove strings, carve pork, and serve with sauce. * Preferred Ingredient • Savory: Whisk 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard into the sauce.

• Spicy: Stir in 2 tablespoons pickled jalapeño chilies (nacho sliced), drained and finely chopped, into the sauce.

• Fruity: Stir one 8.25-ounce can crushed pineapple, drained, into the sauce.

• Smoky: Stir in 1 or 2 minced canned chipotle chilies in adobo into the sauce.

Source: National Pork Board

FOOD

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013

THE ITEM

C3

Canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t beat chocolate, waffles and bacon

BY FAMILY FEATURES When it comes to adding flavor and variety to your family meals, sometimes a little creativity is necessary. Here are some easy ideas to get you going. â&#x20AC;˘ Make It a Family Affair. Get the whole family involved in planning and making dinner. Depending on their ages, each family member can help in some way. Some can mix and stir, others can chop and sautĂŠ. Take turns being the chef and, along with a parent, each child can plan, make and serve everything based on their own culinary inspiration. It may not be a conventional dinner, but it will be a fun learning experience for the whole family. â&#x20AC;˘ Look To the Pantry for Inspiration. You may already have what you need to put a delicious twist on an old favorite.

Look for ways to use familiar ingredients in new ways. Syrup can be turned into a savory glaze for meats, and pancake

mix can be turned into savory dumplings in a flash. â&#x20AC;˘ Make Breakfast for Dinner. There are so many things to love about breakfast, so donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be held back by the time of day. Use breakfast for dinner as an opportunity to give morning favorites a dinner twist. Set out tasty garnish options like fresh herbs, nuts, fruits and syrups, so everyone can customize their special dinner. Try this sweet and savory recipe for Chocolate Waffles with Caramel Syrup and Bacon.

For more creative recipes and meal ideas, check out www.Facebook.com/ HungryJack.

CHOCOLATE WAFFLES WITH CARAMEL SYRUP AND BACON

Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 15 minutes Makes: 5 servings 3/4 cup water 1/4 cup Crisco(r) Pure Vegetable Oil 1 large egg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 packet (7 ounces)

FAMILY FEATURES

Chocolate Waffles with Caramel Syrup and Bacon combine sweet and savory.

Hungry JackÂŽ Easy Packâ&#x201E;˘ Chocolate Chip Pancake Mix or 1 packet (7 ounces) Hungry Jack Easy Pack PillsburyÂŽ FunfettiÂŽ Buttermilk Pancake Mix 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 3 tablespoons sugar Crisco Original NoStick Cooking Spray Caramel Syrup 1/4 cup Hungry Jack Original Syrup

3/4 cup Smuckerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sÂŽ Sundae Syrupâ&#x201E;˘ Caramel Flavored Syrup Whipped cream Ground cinnamon to taste 1/4 cup diced cooked bacon For Waffles: Heat waffle iron according to manufacturerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s directions.

Whisk water, oil, egg and vanilla in large bowl.

Stir in pancake mix, cocoa and sugar until evenly moistened. Allow to stand 1 minute.

Coat waffle iron with no-stick cooking spray.

Pour 1/4 cup batter for each waffle into waffle iron. Bake 4 to 5 minutes or until done. Repeat to make a total of 10 4-inch waffles.

For Caramel Syrup: Whisk together origi-

nal syrup and caramel flavored syrup in small bowl. Drizzle 1 tablespoon on serving plates.

Cut 2 waffles in half diagonally to make 4 triangles.

Arrange on top of syrup.

Top with additional caramel flavored syrup, whipped cream, a sprinkle of cinnamon and bacon pieces. Repeat to make additional servings.

Source: Hungry Jack

How many golf clubs can you find here? Š 2013 by Vicki Whiting, Editor

Jeff Schinkel, Graphics

Vol. 29, No. 11

STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and math.

Chevron and the United States Golf Association (USGA) are bringing science to life by showing how STEM studies play a big role in the game of golf. This page is the first in a series of special Kid Scoop pages created through this partnership.

Speed is about motion . An English scientist named Isaac Newton came up with ideas about motion that hav e been tested and proven again and aga in. His ideas are called Newtonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Laws of Mo tion.

Do the math to find out.t.

Any object at rest will stay at rest, until a force causes it to move. An object in motion will stay in motion, until a force causes it to stop.

FAMILY FEATURES

Freshen up dinner with Tuscan Pasta.

Make small changes to family favorites

BY FAMILY FEATURES One of the chief benefits of cooking at home is the ability to nurture healthier habits in your family. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When trying to eat better, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s essential that the food we make at home is really enjoyable,â&#x20AC;? says Chef Mark Garcia from the McCormick Kitchens. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Luckily, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easy. By adding more herbs and spices to everyday cooking you can pump up flavor while gradually reducing salt, fat and sugar.â&#x20AC;?

To make your recipes more fresh and flavorful, the McCormick Kitchens recommend these small changes to family favorites: * Replace the heavy breading on chicken tenders with a flour mixture spiced with paprika, black pepper and oregano. Bake it in the oven to reduce fat and calories. * For a twist on traditional chili, try using boneless, skinless chicken breasts with black beans and corn. Add authentic Southwest flavor with cumin, garlic powder and red pepper. * For pasta night, load your sauce with veggies like zucchini, mushrooms and onions instead of meat. Build layers of rich flavor with garlic powder, black pepper and McCormick Perfect Pinch Italian Seasoning.

TUSCAN PASTA

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 25 minutes Makes 6 servings 1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce 1 tablespoon sugar (optional) 2 teaspoons McCormick Garlic Powder 2 teaspoons McCormick Perfect Pinch Italian Seasoning 1/2 teaspoon McCormick Ground Black Pepper 1/2 teaspoon salt (optional) 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 pound zucchini and/ or yellow squash, sliced 1 package (8 ounces) sliced mushrooms 1 small onion, chopped 6 ounces pasta, such as spaghetti or linguine Shredded Parmesan cheese (optional) Mix tomatoes, tomato sauce, sugar and seasonings in medium saucepan. Bring to boil on medium heat. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 20 minutes.

Heat oil in large skillet on medium-high heat.

Add zucchini, mushrooms and onion; cook and stir 4 minutes or until vegetables are tendercrisp. Stir tomato sauce into vegetables.

Meanwhile, cook pasta as directed on package. Drain well.

Place pasta in serving bowl. Add vegetable mixture; toss well. Sprinkle with shredded Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Source: McCormick

slow Some people think golf is a the game. But it clocks some of of highest speeds in the world ds reds ndre hund sports! Hitting a ball the of yards into a tiny hole with res equiires least strokes possible requ some serious speed.

The faster a golfer can make a golf ball go, the farther it will travel.

How does a golfer get a ball to go faster? Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s science! The swing of a golf club is like a pendulum.

Standards Link: Mathematical Reasoning: Extend simple patterns.

STEM Zone content on this page is provided through a partnership with Chevron and the USGA.

the words in the puzzle. Then EXPERIMENT Find look for each word in this weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kid Scoop stories and activities.

HYPOTHESIS SCIENTIST K E N G R L R I F M MOTION O C S S P E E D O O NEWTON B H O S T F S T R O OBJECT FASTER J W C S I L I T C D FORCE E E A F L O G N E T FLOOR C F I L N O T W E N SPEED T N E M I R E P X E DOOM GOLF S C I E N T I S T S REST S I S E H T O P Y H SOCK Standards Link: Letter sequencing. Recognized identical LAW words. Skim and scan reading. Recall spelling patterns.

This experiment uses a pendulum to show how the length of the swing affects the distance a ball travels.

STEM in Your Future?

table

1 cup dry rice old sock 3â&#x20AC;&#x2122; piece of string small ball desk or table tape measure

Look through the newspaper and online for want ads to identify careers in science, technology engineering or math. Count the different careers. Graph the results. sock

Standards Link: Research: Use the newspaper to locate information.

ball

Send your story to:

STEM Connection: The swing of the golf club is like the hanging sock pendulum. The weight and mass of the sock stayed the same â&#x20AC;&#x201C; but the distance the sock traveled changed.

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The experiment, Pendulum of Doom, is an example of cause and effect. The length of the swing (â&#x20AC;&#x153;causeâ&#x20AC;?) changed the speed of the ball (â&#x20AC;&#x153;effectâ&#x20AC;?). Look through the newspaper to locate articles and identify cause and effect.

When you go out for a walk what are the signs of spring that you notice?

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Man’s online porn addiction robs marriage of its passion

D

dear abby

EAR ABBY — I gay. It happens. You need help and I need to have a frank can’t talk to conversation with him. anyone I know, so I’m Remain calm, stay pouring my heart out to strong and remember you. My husband is ad- that you, too, are entidicted to online tled to a sex life. porn. Our sex You have nothing life has suffered to lose by discussmassively being this, and evcause of it. He erything to gain. seems uninterIf you need ested in sex with more help afterme. I had a feelward, consider ing that it might Abigail going online and be something or VAN BUREN contacting the someone else.

Straight Spouse My woman’s Network at www. intuition told me there straightspouse.org. had to be a reason for him turning to porn, so Dear Abby is written I checked our computby Abigail Van Buren, also er’s history log and known as Jeanne Phillips, found he has been surf- and was founded by her ing gay porn. He does mother, Pauline Phillips. watch straight porn, but Write Dear Abby at www. now peppers it with DearAbby.com or P.O. Box male-on-male porn as 69440, Los Angeles, CA well.

90069.

It has shattered my world. I don’t know To receive a collection what to think or what to of Abby’s most memorado. I can’t discuss this ble -- and most frequentwith my family. They ly requested -- poems would never view him and essays, send your in the same way again. name and mailing adHelp! dress, plus check or J. IN BRIGHTON, money order for $7 (U.S. ENGLAND funds) to: Dear Abby -Keepers Booklet, P.O. Box DEAR J. — Your hus- 447, Mount Morris, IL band may be curious, 61054-0447. Shipping bisexual or have discov- and handling are includered (late) that he is ed in the price.

SUDOKU

TELEVISION

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013

AROUND TOWN

TW FT

|

The AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Program will offer free income tax assistance and electronic filing for taxpayers with low to middle incomes. Assistance will be available 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays through April 10 at the Shepherdâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Center, 24 Council St. For details, call Lynda at (803) 469-8322 or Sandra at (803) 469-2052.

Goodwill of Sumter will offer free tax services 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays through April 20 in the JobLink Center of Goodwill, 1028 Broad St. For after hours appointments or weekend appointments, call (803) 240-8355.

The Sumter County Library will offer â&#x20AC;&#x153;Get Connected,â&#x20AC;? a free series about the latest technology available and how it can be used to improve your life. Scheduled programs are as follows: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Going Mobile,â&#x20AC;? 3 p.m. Saturday, March 9; and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Getting Social,â&#x20AC;? 3 p.m. Saturday, April 13. Programs will be held in the main meeting room of the library, 111 N. Harvin St. The Sumter County Education Association-Retired will meet at noon today at North HOPE Center, North Main Street. Call (803) 506-2832.

The Sumter Unit of the National Association of Parliamentarians (NAP) will meet at 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 28, at the Sumter County Historical Commission, 155 Haynsworth St. NAP meetings and workshops are designed to assist clubs and businesses conduct more orderly and productive meetings through correct usage of parliamentary procedure. Contact Laura LeGrand at (803) 840-9310 or at lollie@ftc-i.net.

The Campbell Soup lunch group will meet at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 2, at Golden Corral.

Vietnam Veterans of America, Manning Chapter 960, will meet at 7 p.m.

Thursday, March 7, at the American Legion Hall, Sunset Drive.

Spouses can be an associate members.

Call Doug Bryant at (803) 473-3646 or Ron Cunningham at (412) 855-9193.

The National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) Sumter Section will meet at 5 p.m. Friday, March 8, at Morris College.

A Zumbathon fundraiser for the James R. Clark Sickle Cell Foundation will be held 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 9, at the M.H. Newton Family Life Center, 415 Manning Ave. Contact Angela K. Burkett at (803) 968-3644 or at FoxyAKB@sc.rr.com.

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Family Teachers need control. (HD) Abby takes some time off. (HD) SpongeBob Drake & Josh Full Hse Full Hse Full Hse Full Hse Nanny Nanny Friends (:33) Friends (:06) Friends The Punisher (â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;04) Thomas Jane. (HD) Expendables (â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;10, Action) aaac Sylvester Stallone. Mercenaries try to take down a dictator. The Punisher (â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;04, Action) aa Thomas Jane. Avenging vigilante. (HD) Ghost Hunters: All Ghosts on Deck Ghost Hunters: Ghosts From Hale Na- Ghost Hunters: Scream Park (N) (HD) Stranded: Star Island Star Island in Ghost Hunters: Scream Park (HD) Stranded: Star IsThe Bell of Louisville, Louisville, Ky. than Haleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home is investigated. (HD) Isle of Shoals, N.H. (N) land Seinfeld: The Bris Seinfeld: The Pot- Family Peter the The Big Bang The Big Bang The Big Bang The Big Bang The Big Bang Conan Scheduled: Johnny Galecki; The The Office: Ga(HD) hole (HD) barter.

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British officer who resigns his commission is labeled a coward. probes a friendâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s death in Vienna after World War II. (â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;48) aaaa My Strange (HD) My Strange (HD) Hoarding: Buried Alive (HD) Hoarding: Buried Alive (N) (HD) My Strange (N) My Strange (HD) Hoarding: Buried Alive (HD) My Strange (HD) (6:30) Shooter (â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;07, Thriller) aaa Mark Wahlberg. A former Marine is Bostonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Finest: Everything is Per- Southland: Babel LAPD dispatch sys- Bostonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Finest: Everything is Per- Southland: Babel sonal Intense veteran. (HD) (HD) tem malfunctions. (N) (HD) sonal Intense veteran. (N) (HD) framed for the assassination of an Ethiopian dignitary. (HD) Gumball NinjaGo Dragons (N) Crew King: Next of Shin King American (HD) American (HD) Family Family (:15) Robot Dumbest Baseball streaker.

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Tonightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Nashvilleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; features real Nashville talent

BY KEVIN MCDONOUGH

lows members of the police departmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s antigang squad as they make their rounds observing and breaking up drug deals and battering down doors of homes not far from their own. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Finestâ&#x20AC;? has a more cinematic flair than â&#x20AC;&#x153;Cops,â&#x20AC;? a fact that owes much to the advancement of digital camera technology over the past two decades. It also lacks that long-running seriesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; almost slapstick approach to the low lives of the criminal class. Wahlbergâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cops have a certain Jack Webb, â&#x20AC;&#x153;just the factsâ&#x20AC;? intensity about them. â&#x20AC;˘ Every episode of the new series â&#x20AC;&#x153;Strandedâ&#x20AC;?

(10 p.m., Syfy) features the self-recorded footage of three would-be ghost hunters in locations with a reputation for hauntings. The sites have also been equipped with undetectable security cameras to follow the partici-

pants without their knowledge. So, unlike reality shows where people pretend to be survivors while actually standing in front of a camera crew, the folks on this â&#x20AC;&#x153;Paranormal Activityâ&#x20AC;?inspired venture are getting scared witless all by themselves. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be surprised when participants say, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Did you hear that?â&#x20AC;? with great frequency.

A surprise party draws an A-list crowd on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nashvilleâ&#x20AC;? (10 p.m., ABC, TV-PG), including music stars Dan Auerbach (the Black Keys), Vince Gill, Pam Tillis, Kip Moore and Kate York.

To my mind, the best female singer on this great show isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Rayna (Connie Britton) or her bratty rival, Juliette (Hayden Panettiere), but the young Scarlett (Clare Tonightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Other Bowen), whose duets Highlights with Gunnar (Sam Pallaâ&#x20AC;˘ Deadshot returns on dio) have been moving â&#x20AC;&#x153;Arrowâ&#x20AC;? (8 p.m., CW, and memorable alternaTV-14). tives to the arena anâ&#x20AC;˘ A hip-hop star tries thems of the showâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s big to beat a domestic viostars. lence rap on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Law & Melodramas often Order: Special Victims create characters you Unitâ&#x20AC;? (9 p.m., NBC, TVlove, or love to hate, but 14).

Scarlett brings out a proâ&#x20AC;˘ Mitchell and Cam tective instinct in her are best men in the Uncle Deacon (Charles worst way on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Modern Esten) and her songwritFamilyâ&#x20AC;? (9 p.m., ABC, ing partner, Gunnar, as TV-PG). well as the audience. â&#x20AC;˘ Ivory poaching puts Viewers may be surprised that Scarlett, the naive and vulnerable Mississippi talent, is played by an Australian actress.

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no guarantee that â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nashvilleâ&#x20AC;? will be LAUNDRY renewed for a second AND season. But Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m pretty confident that Rayna CLEANERS and Juliette will be rit 0SHBOJD %SZ $MFBOJOH t vals again, with Britton t -BVOESZ t and Panettiere vying for best actress honors at t "MUFSBUJPOT t the Emmys. And if I had t 0QFO 4JY %BZT B 8FFL t to choose, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d opt for t 2VBMJUZ 8PSL BU 3FBTPOBCMF 1SJDFT t Panettiere. Juliette t "MM 8PSL (VBSBOUFFE t hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t always been likable, but sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been intense and real, and above all, her character has grown. â&#x20AC;˘ Boston native Donnie Wahlberg, who Plus Tax - With Coupon. No Limits â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Exp 3-31-13 plays a New York cop All Coupons Must Be Prepaid At Drop Off Time on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Blue Bloods,â&#x20AC;? reCoupons Valid At 2 Locations: turns to his hometown to produce and narrate 1784 Peach Orchard Rd (Hwy 441) t â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bostonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Finestâ&#x20AC;? (9 8 8FTNBSL t p.m., TNT, TV-14). This (Across From Simpsons Hardware) documentary series fol-

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graced friend (Orson Welles) from the top of a Ferris wheel to the sewers of Vienna in the dazzling 1949 mystery â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Third Manâ&#x20AC;? (10 p.m., TCM).

pachyderms in peril on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Battle for Elephantsâ&#x20AC;?

(9 p.m., PBS, TV-PG). â&#x20AC;˘ Careful viewers of the miniseries â&#x20AC;&#x153;Paradeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Endâ&#x20AC;? (9 p.m. and 10 p.m., HBO, TV-MA) will notice two â&#x20AC;&#x153;Boardwalk Empireâ&#x20AC;? regulars, Stephen Graham and Jack Huston, in the cast. â&#x20AC;˘ Killing more than time at the poker table on â&#x20AC;&#x153;CSIâ&#x20AC;? (10 p.m., CBS, TV-14). â&#x20AC;˘ Treat Williams guest-stars as Severideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s father on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Chicago Fireâ&#x20AC;?

(10 p.m., NBC, TV-14). â&#x20AC;˘ An agentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s personal turmoil threatens the KGBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Washington cell on â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Americansâ&#x20AC;? (10 p.m., FX, TV-MA). â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;&#x153;Duck Dynastyâ&#x20AC;? (10 p.m., A&E, TV-PG) returns for a third season of contrived shenanigans.

Series Notes New alliances form on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Survivorâ&#x20AC;? (8 p.m., CBS, TV-PG) * Alexâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s motorcycle memories prove irksome on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Whitneyâ&#x20AC;?

(8 p.m., NBC, TV-14) * A coerced confession on â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Middleâ&#x20AC;? (8 p.m., ABC, TV-PG) * An awkward divorce party on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Guys With Kidsâ&#x20AC;? (8:30 p.m., NBC, TV-PG) * A rustic getaway on â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Neighborsâ&#x20AC;? (8:30 p.m., ABC, TV-PG) * Philadelphia fright on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Criminal Mindsâ&#x20AC;? (9 p.m., CBS, TV14) * Prometheus takes on zombies on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Supernaturalâ&#x20AC;? (9 p.m., CW, TV-14) * The death of a loved one on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Suburgatoryâ&#x20AC;? (9:30 p.m., ABC, TV-PG).

Cult Choice A hack writer (Joseph Cotten) follows a dis-

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Rise Dine BREAKFAST SAUSAGE SKILLET WITH SAUTÉED TOMATOES AND BASIL Servings: 3 to 4 Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 25 minutes

BY FAMILY FEATURES

W

2 medium red skinned potatoes, (about 3/4 pound) cut into thin wedges 1 small onion, sliced 1 teaspoon rosemary, dried or fresh 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 12-ounce package Johnsonville Original Recipe Breakfast Sausage, divided 1/2 pint grape tomatoes, (about 1 cup) 1/3 cup shredded Gouda cheese 2 to 4 large eggs, poached, fried or scrambled 1/4 cup slivered fresh basil leaves Salt and pepper to taste

hether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just want to make breakfast more special, gather friends and family around the table to make some new memories together. These recipes are full of flavor and, best of all, easy to make, so you have more time to spend enjoying a delicious meal with the people you love.

Olé Tortilla Cups — Zesty bites made with Johnsonville Hot & Spicy Breakfast Sausage Links can be prepped ahead of time and baked when you’re ready.

Cornbread with Spicy Sausage and Red Peppers — A colorful side that pairs great with a tasty skillet dish.

Breakfast Sausage Skillet with Sautéed Tomatoes and Basil — Have all the ingredients prepped and ready to go to make cooking this restaurant-style breakfast skillet really easy.

Crustless Mini Quiches — Make these bite-sized beauties ahead of time and serve at room temperature.

For more delicious reasons to rise and dine, visit www.johnsonville.com.

OLÉ TORTILLA CUPS Servings: 12 Prep Time: 30 minutes Bake Time: 18 minutes 1 12-ounce package Johnsonville Hot & Spicy or Original Recipe Breakfast Sausage 9 flour tortillas (6 inches), at

room temperature (thicker, home-style tortillas work best) 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded Mexican blend cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cook sausage according to package directions; cut into small pieces and set aside.

Coat muffin pan and both sides of tortillas with cooking spray. Cut tortillas into quarters.

Arrange three tortilla pieces in each muffin cup, overlapping to fit.

Press tortillas gently and firmly into muffin pan. (Tortillas should stick

6 eggs 1/2 cup milk 1/4 cup finely chopped red bell pepper

1/4 cup chopped cilantro 1/8 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon pepper Salsa

up higher than muffin cup sides.)

Arrange half of the cheese in tortilla-lined muffin cups. Top with sausage and the remaining cheese.

In a bowl, combine the eggs, milk, bell pepper, cilantro, salt and pepper. Carefully pour into cups.

Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until eggs are set.

Serve with salsa if desired.

In bowl, combine potato wedges, onion slices, rosemary and olive oil. Toss together.

In large skillet over medium heat, add potato mixture and cook for 5 minutes. Add half the sausages to pan and continue cooking another 10 to 12 minutes, turning occasionally to evenly brown ingredients.

Add tomatoes, stir to combine and heat through allowing the tomatoes to brown slightly and burst, about 3 minutes.

Remove from heat and sprinkle with shredded Gouda cheese, and top with eggs and a sprinkling of fresh basil.

CRUSTLESS MINI QUICHES Yield: 7 servings (3 quiches each) Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 10 minutes Nonstick oven spray 1 sleeve whole wheat crackers, crushed 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese 1 package Johnsonville Original Recipe Breakfast Sausage 1 package frozen broccoli florets, thawed, drained 1 cup frozen corn 8 ounces reduced fat cheddar cheese 32 ounces liquid egg whites Kosher salt and fresh pepper, to taste Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Generously spray 21 mini muffin cups with

CORNBREAD WITH SPICY SAUSAGE AND RED PEPPERS Servings: 8 Prep Time: 25 minutes Bake Time: 20 minutes 1 12-ounce package Johnsonville Hot & Spicy or Original Recipe Breakfast Sausage 1 cup yellow cornmeal 3/4 cup all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons sugar 1 tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt 2 eggs 1 cup milk 1/4 cup butter, melted 3/4 cup chopped red bell pepper 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Remove sausage links from casings. (Slice casing with knife and peel to remove.)

In skillet, cook and crumble sausage until no longer pink; drain and set aside.

In bowl, combine cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.

In another bowl, combine eggs, milk and butter; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened.

Fold in sausage, red bell pepper and cheese.

Pour into a greased 8-inch square baking pan. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm.

cooking spray. Set aside.

In small bowl, mix crushed crackers and Parmesan. Distribute evenly between muffin cups.

Cook sausage according to package instructions. Cut into 1/2-inch pieces. Evenly distribute sausage into muffin cups.

Chop broccoli into small pieces. Microwave for 1 minute on high; drain well. Spoon broccoli evenly into muffin cups. Top evenly with corn and cheddar cheese.

Pour egg whites over each of the muffin cups.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until mini quiches are set. Let rest for 2 minutes prior to unmolding.