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TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014 | SUMTER, SOUTH CAROLINA
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3 nabbed on drug trafficking charges BY BRADEN BUNCH bbunch@theitem.com Three men face various drug trafficking charges after a routine traffic stop Monday morning on Interstate 95 led deputies to discover a large
amount of narcotics, marijuana and drug paraphernalia. All three men — 23-yearold Dustin Tylor Edge and 20-year-old Dennis Robert Edge, both of Houston, Del.; and 20-year-old Dylan Trea Kufahl, of Inverness, Fla. —
are facing charges of trafficking heroin, possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, possession of a firearm during a violent crime and possession of drug paraphernalia after their arrest by the Sumter
County Sheriff ’s Office. According to reports, deputies first stopped a white 1999 Chrysler Concord with Florida tags near the 137 mile marker on Interstate 95 for driving too closely to other cars. After pulling over the
car, officers report they smelled an “overwhelming, distinct odor of marijuana.” This, coupled with Kufahl allegedly telling officers he was chewing something, not to SEE DRUGS, PAGE A8
‘ Some things have changed, but we still have work to do.’ Sumter community members march down Miller Road for the 14th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dream Walk on Monday morning. The three-mile walk ended at USC Sumter’s Nettles Auditorium, where a celebration program was held with speaker Nicole Simon, victim’s advocate with the Third Judicial Circuit; poetry readings; and performances by the Morris College Gospel Choir and USC Sumter Blazin’ Star Steppers.
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INSIDE President celebrates day, helps out at soup kitchen. A2
14th walk honors King’s life, legacy BY RAYTEVIA EVANS revans@theitem.com More than 300 students, faculty and staff and community members gathered in the frigid air Monday morning to walk along the streets of Sumter during the 14th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dream Walk. The event, organized in partnership with USC Sumter, Central Carolina Technical College and Morris College, was followed by a program in celebration of King’s legacy. “Every year, we have a great turnout
N.C. NAACP president travels to Columbia to speak during rally
for the walk,” said Rebekah Davis, captain of USC Sumter’s Blazin’ Star Steppers. “We have people of different races joining in on this event and shows how his speech was the glue that keeps it together. It’s a good way for us to enjoy each other and have fun.” Participants old and young walked the peaceful three-mile route as drivers honked their horns in honor and recognition and passersby stopped to watch and take photos. Morris College’s sororities and fraternities had a
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Marchers make their way to the South Carolina Statehouse during the Martin Luther King Jr. Day rally on Monday in Columbia.
SEE HONOR, PAGE A6
COLUMBIA (AP) — What conservative leaders have done to social justice in North Carolina and South Carolina has been mighty low, North Carolina NAACP President William Barber said, but he thinks people in both states are ready to go to higher ground. Barber spoke Monday at the South Carolina NAACP’s annual rally to honor Martin Luther King Jr. at the Statehouse in Columbia. He left the few thousand at the rally cheering and rocking like they were at a gospel revival, SEE STATEHOUSE, PAGE A6
As fund reaches $50K milestone, plenty still need warmth BY JACK OSTEEN jack@theitem.com What can only be good news for those in need, The Fireside Fund has raised more than $50,000 so far this winter season. “We appreciate the generosity of all the do-
nors so far this year,” said Editor and Chairman Hubert Osteen. “However, we want to remind the Sumter community that winter is far from over, and we still have plenty of folks in need. We’re still a long way away before we close the door on
the campaign.” Salvation Army Social Worker Pamela Lassiter
continues to see as many people as she can every single day and
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certainly encourages our generous residents to give to the campaign. Additionally, she wants to remind residents to come by The Salvation Army offices for a free smoke detector for their homes. Many lives are saved thanks to these simple
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devices that every home should have. Founded in 1969, the Fireside Fund collects money for those Sumterites who need help with heating costs, including past-due electric bills and vouchers SEE FIRESIDE, PAGE A8
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