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IN PANORAMA: Black History Month play has universal themes
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Shooting for pole position SHS takes on South Florence for 1st in Region VI-4A B1 SERVING SOUTH CAROLINA SINCE OCTOBER 15, 1894
High court Sumter’s Law-and-Order Night to hear FOIA lawsuit today Public access to autopsy reports at stake in appeal BY BRISTOW MARCHANT bmarchant@theitem.com A nearly three-year legal process reaches its climax before the S.C. Supreme Court today, with implications for how the Freedom of Information Act is applied statewide. The case brought by Osteen Publishing Company, publisher of The Sumter Item, will determine whether autopsy reports conducted by a county coroner are public documents or private medical records according to state law. The Sumter Item brought the case against Sumter County Coroner Harvin Bullock to get access to the autopsy records of a man shot and killed by police in 2010. Bullock denied the request, arguing that the report was protected by medical privacy laws, and a lower court sided with the coroner in 2012. BULLOCK “We think it’s ludicrous to claim an autopsy report is a medical record, particularly if it’s part of the investigation of a
SEE LAWSUIT, PAGE A8
Black female starts GOP campaign for state superintendent COLUMBIA (AP) — Charmeka Childs will run to be South Carolina’s next schools superintendent, she told The Associated Press on Tuesday, regarding a campaign that could make history. The deputy superintendent at the Department of Education said she’ll officially announce her bid Wednesday to replace her boss, Superintendent Mick Zais, who is not seeking a second term. The 36-year-old former Dent Middle School teacher and basketball coach said she realizes she’s a unique Republican candidate as an African-American woman, but she’s not running on her potential historic role. No African-American has won a statewide election in South Carolina since Reconstruction. Childs joins a field that includes two African-American men. “It’s not anything I’m going to avoid, because it’s so obvious,” Childs said. “But what I’ll be campaigning on is my vision for our students. I plan to be superintendent for all students.” Childs was an education adviser to former Gov. Mark Sanford. The Saluda County native and Duke University graduate also sat on the state’s Education Oversight Committee for several years, while working as an analyst for the nonprofit Business and Industry Political Education Committee, before joining Zais’ administration. Childs, a graduate of Airport High School in Lexington 2, said she became a Republican because of the party’s message of economic empowerment, promoting individuals, and reaping the rewards of risk-taking.
PHOTOS BY TYLER SIMPSON / THE SUMTER ITEM
American Legion Post 15 Commander Pat Sexton shakes hands with Senior Cpl. Joey Duggan of Sumter Police Department on Monday as the post honored public safety workers in its Law-and-Order Night banquet. At left is Cpl. James Sinkler, and second from right is Lt. Don Florence, both of whom shared in Duggan’s award Monday night.
Public safety officials honored for actions by American Legion BY TYLER SIMPSON tyler@theitem.com Hard work. Dedication. Commitment. These are but some of the qualities that true public safety officials exhibit when they’re working to improve the way of life in Sumter County. Seven of these individuals were honored by American Legion Post 15 at its annual Lawand-Order Night meeting Monday, where police, firefighters, correctional officers and emergency medical technicians attended as honored guests. American Legion Post 15 has hosted the banquet for more than two decades to recognize these officials. “My experiences don’t stack up to the fine service that all these public safety agencies have demonstrated,” said 3rd Circuit Court Judge George C. James Jr., guest speaker for the event. “All of you certainly do add so much to this community for what you’ve done, and it’s because you care. You care enough to do your job and do it well.” Cpl. Cleveland Pinkney of the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office was presented two awards: Deputy Sheriff of the Year and Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. “It has been an honor,” Pinkney said. “It just reinforces that my 35 years of service to the Sumter community has not been in vain, and there are those when you don’t think they notice, they’re watching.” Pinkney retired from the police department in 2006 after 27 years of service, but Sheriff
SEE AWARDS, PAGE A8
SEE CHILDS, PAGE A10
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Capt. Joey Dollard, right, smiles as he receives his award on Monday during the event.
Cpl. Cleveland Pinkney of the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office laughs as he receives two awards: Deputy Sheriff of the Year and Law Enforcement Officer of the Year.
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