January 19, 2016

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SCIENCE: Study shows man-made heat in oceans doubled since 1997 A5 NATION

Debate about sex education rages on across U.S. A6 TUESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2016

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Walkers come together to honor King

PHOTOS BY RICK CARPENTER / THE SUMTER ITEM

More than 1,000 people participated in the Dream Walk on Monday to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Sumter. Walkers covered a 3-mile route and listened to an inspirational speech by Delcia Harper-Baxter, principal of Lemira Elementary School. She emphasized teaching young people about King’s work and legacy.

Marchers enjoy annual event’s spirit of unity BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com It was a chilly but sunny Monday morning in Sumter as hundreds joined together to march in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. during Dream Walk 2016. Beginning on the University of South Carolina Sumter campus, the walk proceeded on Miller Road to Broad Street, then to Bultman Drive, returning to the USC campus, where marchers enjoyed hot dogs and soft drinks before listening to the program celebrating the Martin Luther King Day holiday. Many of the marchers said they like the walk because it brings people together. “It’s symbolic of the

strides we have made and a community coming together for the cause of freedom,” said Marie Grady who was marching for her sixth time. Airman Lester Liburd, who is stationed at Shaw Air Force Base, pushed his 2-year-old daughter on the walk. “It means a lot,” he said. “He (King) worked hard to get us to where we are today,” Liburd said. “Everybody comes together, and we walk for MLK,” said Alexus Dawson. Wendy Mellerson walked with her sons Mavuryon, 9, and Maron, 13. “I’m trying to carry on the tradition,” she said. “It means a lot to know I walked with my children.” “It was fun, it was important, a little bit of history,”

People urged to continue fighting for civil rights BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com

Lemira Elementary School. “Our children don’t know the past,” Harper-Baxter said. “It is our responsibility

The Sumter Branch of the NAACP hosted its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration at Jehovah Missionary Baptist Church on Monday afternoon, and attendees heard pleas for more involvement in the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the community as a whole. Roland Robinson urged attendees to join the NAACP,

SEE WALK, PAGE A7

SEE CELEBRATION, PAGE A7

Dream Walk grand marshal and guest speaker Delcia Harper-Baxter leads the audience in chanting “Keep on marching until we march as one.” This was the 16th year that University of South Carolina Sumter, Central Carolina Technical College and Morris College have joined to sponsor the event on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Maron Mellerson said. Passing the history on to the next generation was a major theme of the grand marshal, speaker Delcia Harper-Baxter, principal of

Freezing temperatures keep demand for help high BY JACK OSTEEN jack@theitem.com Even though donations have been less than $1,000 for each of the last couple of weeks, the demand for assistance doesn’t diminish in the Sumter community. More than 40 families were assisted last week, and appointments are continuing to be made into this week, according to Salvation Army social

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worker Christy Lamb. While every client may be different and have varying circumstances as to why he or she may need assistance, the one thing they all have in common

is how they are going to heat their home this winter. Up until recently, a senior citizen was living by herself, but because of recent health issues, her daughter and grandchildren had to move in with her. During that time, the daughter was undergoing chemotherapy as well. With only her Social Security as income, she was no longer able to afford kerosene to heat her home. Like so

DEATHS, B5 James L. Richardson Marion D. Weatherford John Shaw Ada M. Hazell Rita S. Jones Annie L. Mack

James L. Young Patricia C. Conyers Robert I. White Alfonza Mouzon Jr. Ray Davenport

many others, she is trying to put her family first. This is how Fireside Fund helps families every single day. This year’s Fireside Fund is in honor of Dr. Charles “Pap” Propst, who died on May 20, 2015, at the age of 90. Propst founded Sumter Pediatrics with Dr. Ted Young in 1954, where he

SEE FIRESIDE, PAGE A7

WEATHER, A10

INSIDE

COLD OUT THERE

2 SECTIONS, 18 PAGES VOL. 121, NO. 80

Plenty of sunshine but chilly; clear and cold tonight HIGH 40, LOW 23

Classifieds B7 Comics B6 Lotteries A10

Opinion A8 Television A9


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January 19, 2016 by The Sumter Item - Issuu