County roads languish SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2016
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SERVING SOUTH CAROLINA SINCE OCTOBER 15, 1894
5 SECTIONS, 38 PAGES | VOL. 121, NO. 96
SPORTS
A look ahead at Super Bowl 50 B1
Trump speaks in Florence Mogul calls Washington politicians ‘stupid’ A2
DEATHS, A9 Rebecca J. Belle Mildred Smith Clyde S. Blacksheard III Frizel H. Briggs
Annie P. Strickland Mary F. Jones Essie M. Brunson Archie Anderson Jr.
WEATHER, A10 A NICE WINTER DAY Crisp and mostly clear today; cold and clear tonight.
Bar Zee Drive one of about 50 awaiting attention BY KONSTANTIN VENGEROWSKY konstantin@theitem.com Gloria Jenkins has lived on Bar Zee Drive for 16 years. That is the same amount of time she said she has been waiting for Sumter County to pave the road. Jenkins said residents have filed two petitions and submitted numerous complaints to the county in the last several years, to no avail. “I would love to see the road paved before I die,” Jenkins, 67, said. “Gradually, every year, the road gets worse.” Bar Zee Drive, located off Cains Mill Road, is a 0.7 mile, county-owned road with 42 lots and 41 houses. Twenty-seven of the lots are owned by residents, while 15 are owned by Burrson Investments. The development is primarily mobile homes, with a mixture of families and senior citizens. Jenkins said the road is on the county’s paving
KEITH GEDAMKE / THE SUMTER ITEM
SEE ROADS, PAGE A6
Gloria Jenkins has been trying to get Bar Zee Drive paved since she moved in 16 years ago. The street continuously has potholes and even when graded returns quickly to a poor state.
Impressive show of support Cadre of accomplished women behind Clinton MANCHESTER, N.H.— Roll call. Governor Hassan. Check. Senator Gillibrand. Check. Senator Klobucha. Check. Senator Stabenow. Check. And of course the homestate glory, Senator Shaheen. Double Check. These women who comprise the 20 percent of women who hold seats in the U.S. Senate stood on the stage of the New Hampshire YWCA linked arm in arm as a unit-
COMMENTARY FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE ed, unstoppable force in support of Secretary Hillary Clinton. The event began with the master of ceremony, Stephanie Schriock, the Amanda President of Emily’s List, an orgaFinney nization whose mission fights to “ignite change by getting prochoice Democratic women elected
to office.” Her introduction preached why having women leaders creates a diverse and balanced perspective to challenging issues that affect policies. After her attempt to get the crowd fired up, she handed the baton to the national spokesperson for equal pay, Lily Ledbetter. Known for being the plaintiff in the employment discrimination case against Goodyear Tire and
SEE CLINTON, PAGE A7
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DEW to run SNAP training program Move helps streamline state employment services BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley has announced a partnership between the Department of Employment and Workforce and the Department of Social Ser-
vices that will transfer the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training program from DSS to DEW. The SNAP Employment and Training program is intended to assist
SNAP recipients in gaining skills, finding work or getting the experience needed to become qualified for available jobs within their community or region, according to a DEW news release. “Putting people to work
and giving them the skills they need to succeed has been a focus of our administration from day one,” Haley said. “We are always looking for more efficient and effective
SEE DEW, PAGE A7
Annual Life is Good in Sumter magazine issue now available throughout county FROM STAFF REPORTS Shaw AFB through the ages Palmetto Health Tuomey: A century in the making Historic homes of Sumter Downtown thriving 2016: SPONSORED BY THE GREATER SUMTER CHAMBER OF C O M M E R C E A N D T H E S U M T E R E C O N O M I C D E V E L O LIFEISGOODINSUMTER.COM P M E N T B O A R| 1D
Anyone interested in learning more about the Sumter community can pick up the third-annual Life is Good magazine at The Sumter Item, 20 N. Magnolia, or other locations in Sumter and the surrounding area. The annual community guide is a showcase piece for businesses and residents of Sumter and also serves as a guide for anyone new to the Gamecock City. The magazine includes stories on the Sumter community, its his-
tory and future, information for newcomers as well as articles on Shaw Air Force Base, business, government, health care, downtown, senior living, arts and entertainment, agriculture, educational institutions, sports and an annual community calendar. “Even though the magazine has a little of everything to appeal to a broad range of readers, one of its main purposes is to help the Sumter Economic Development Board and Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce recruit industry and
business to the community,” said The Sumter Item and Life is Good publisher Jack Osteen. The full-color magazine features a velvet to the touch cover which allows it to stand out among other area magazines as well, Osteen said. Whether you are new to the community, or have deep roots in Sumter you’ll want to pick up a free copy of Life is Good at one of the many locations where they are available throughout Sumter County.
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61 W. Wesmark Blvd. Sumter, SC 29150 • 803-469-8899 Refund advance provided by First Money Center. Certain offices have loan amounts of either $750 or $600, or $600 only, and certain offices do not participate. Terms and conditions apply. Ask a Tax Pro or see JacksonHewitt.com for details. Not available in Illinois. Not all clients may qualify.
WHEN WE FILE YOUR TAXES.