January 29, 2015 by The Sumter Item

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Military adds $19.3B to Bullet S.C. economy, study says killed crash victim Autopsy reveals gunshot wound FROM STAFF REPORTS Authorities on Wednesday ruled that a Camden man found dead just outside Rembert early Tuesday morning was the victim of a fatal shooting. Sumter County deputies are officially investigating the death of 65-year-old Johnny Singleton as a homicide after an autopsy on Wednesday revealed that he died from a single gunshot wound, a statement released by Sumter County Sheriff’s Office indicated. Singleton was involved in a crash on U.S. 521 near the Modern Turf sod farm about

SEE HOMICIDE, PAGE A5 U.S. AIR FORCE / SENIOR AIRMAN JENSEN STIDHAM

The 20th Operations Support Squadron air traffic control tower pierces the night sky at Shaw Air Force Base on Tuesday. The tower provides airmen with visibility of both runways, providing aircraft and vehicles the clearance to land and drive safely. According to a new report from Gov. Nikki Haley’s military advisory panel, the U.S. military pumps $19.3 billion into the state’s economy each year. Shaw contributes $2 billion, the report says.

Report shows Shaw contributes $2B annually BY SUSANNE M. SCHAFER The Associated Press COLUMBIA — The U.S. military pumps $19.3 billion into South Carolina’s economy each year, according to a new report released Wednesday by Gov. Nikki Haley’s military advisory panel. The study by economists at Darla Moore School of Business at University of South Carolina said the state’s military community supports 152,812 jobs that provide $8.6 billion in labor income for state residents. The report said more than half those jobs are in the private sector, with an average annual income of $56,105. “This report reinforces that our overall military footprint — from our active bases to the Reserve to our military retirees — is a vital part of the state’s economy,” said Bill Bethea, chairman of

the Military Base Task Force. “Recognizing this link, our task force has worked hard with our elected officials on new legislation to ensure that South Carolina continues to be a military-friendly state, and we’re heartened by the progress on these initiatives.” The study said the $19.3 billion figure represents the dollar value of all goods and services produced in the state that can be attributed to the military community. Joint Base Charleston is the largest contributor at $7.4 billion. It is followed by the U.S. Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center-Atlantic in Charleston at nearly $3.7 billion. Fort Jackson in Columbia and Shaw Air Force Base near Sumter both contribute $2 billion, the report showed. Under the report’s definition, South Carolina’s military community includes

the eight major military installations, members of the National Guard and Army Reserve, as well as more than 600 defense-contracting firms and nearly 58,000 military retirees residing in the state. Bethea has said his panel wants to improve on South Carolina’s reputation for being friendly to the military and wants to convince lawmakers to exempt military retirees from state income taxes. He argues that this will increase the number of retirees attracted to the state and thereby grow the economy. During the last legislative session, a bill exempting military retiree pay from the state income tax passed the House but came up too late for the Senate to vote on it. The South Carolina Board of Economic Advisors has said the tax generates at least $22 million a year in revenue.

ROCK HILL — For a moment, Clarence Graham’s heart raced. Fifty-four years after he and eight fellow black men served a month of hard labor for sitting at a whites-only lunch counter, a judge declared that they had been wrongly convicted of trespassing and their records would be tossed. “In my heart, I was leaping,” Graham said. Family, friends and supporters in the packed courtroom clapped and cheered Wednesday as Judge John C. Hayes vacated the sentences for the men known

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as the Friendship Nine. Seven of them were in court. One had died, and another couldn’t make the hearing. The men who were there — some surrounded by their children FINNEY — smiled as they heard the ruling. They had “never felt guilty of anything,” Graham said. Hayes said the men had been prosecuted “solely based on their race.” “We cannot rewrite history, but we can right history,” he said. The eight college students and one civil rights organizer were convicted in

1961 of trespassing and breach of peace for protesting at McCrory variety store in Rock Hill. They had a choice of spending 30 days in jail or paying a $100 fine. All opted for jail. The men’s refusal to pay into the segregationist town’s city coffers served as a catalyst for other civil disobedience. Demonstrators across the South adopted their “jail, not bail” tactic. Retired S.C. Chief Justice Ernest Finney, a former longtime Sumter resident and the first black on South Carolina’s Supreme Court, represented the

SEE FRIENDSHIP NINE, PAGE A5

SEE TASK FORCE, PAGE A5

DEATHS, B5 Annie H. Dingle Audrey L. James John Howard Sr. Juanita P. Tisdale Roberta P. Brown Jessie J. Welch Jr.

BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com Two educators from the tricounty area will be part of a task force charged with finding a way to reform the state’s education funding to comply with the South Carolina Supreme Court’s ruling in Abbeville County School District v. the State of South Carolina; ANDREWS the court declined to grant a rehearing in the case Friday. After the ruling, House Speaker Jay Lucas announced TINDAL five representatives who will participate in the House Education Policy Review and Reform Task Force. The five were selected and the names provided to Lucas’ office by attorneys for poor, rural school districts who were plaintiffs in the case. Wanda Andrews, superintendent of Lee County School District in Bishopville, and John Tindal, superintendent of Clarendon County School

Judge tosses Friendship Nine convictions BY MITCH WEISS The Associated Press

Tri-county educators named to task force

George C. Green Juanita W. Pendergrass Carl V. Amerson Jr. Christopher F. Hicks Hilda V. Smith Victoria O. Northcutt

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

THE SUMTER ITEM

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LOCAL BRIEFS FROM STAFF REPORTS

Committee gets Alice Drive update, OKs study funding The Sumter Urban Area Transportation Study Committee met Monday at 10 a.m. in City Council Chambers. The committee: • Was informed that construction on Alice Drive is now expected to be finished by the end of March; and • Designated about $56,000 for the National Household Travel Survey to be used for a traffic calming study in the Hampton Park Historic District. That money, originally to have been used to collect data for a travel demand forecast model, will fund a study to address concerns about increased traffic, excessive speeding and pedestrian and bicyclist safety in the historic district. Between 2011 and 2014, there have been 27 traffic incidents on West Calhoun Street, 20 incidents on West Hampton Avenue, 14 incidents on Church Street and eight incidents on Haynsworth Street.

Tuomey CEO will speak about system’s expected merger Tuomey Healthcare System CEO Michael Schwartz will be the speaker for Wednesday’s meeting of Sumter Visioning in Progress. Schwartz will provide an update on Tuomey’s current financial and legal situation and its expected merger with another health care system, which is expected to be announced within the next two months. The public is invited to attend the 10 a.m. Wednesday meeting at James E. Clyburn Intermodal Transportation Center on South Harvin Street. For more information, call Patty Wilson at (803) 491-4910.

Local man named to S.C. Forestry Association board Charles A. Segars Jr. was recently elected to the South Carolina Forestry Association’s Board of Directors. He has been employed with Sumter’s Johnson Co. Inc. for 20 years and has a degree in forest management from Clemson University. SEGARS The forest industry has an annual economic impact of $17.4 billion on the state’s economy, is the No. 1 cash crop and employs 90,000 workers.

CCTC Kershaw Campus gets $8.5M for expansion Kershaw County Legislative Delegation awarded Central Carolina Technical College $1.5 million on Monday to expand its campus there. Kershaw County Council and the city of Camden have committed $5 million and $2 million, respectively, to allow CCTC to develop expansion plans for the campus. Construction is expected to begin in 2016.

CORRECTION Information was omitted from an article in the Wednesday edition of The Sumter Item headlined “Unemployment inches down in December.” Richard Kaglic, a regional research economist for the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, was not properly identified.

Still strong: Sumter cycling club continues for more than 30 years BY JADE REYNOLDS jade@theitem.com For more than 30 years, one local group has aimed to keep cyclists in shape and enthused for the sport. Buddy Wescott started the Sumter Chain Gang Bicycle Club in 1983 when he owned Buddy’s Schwinn bicycle shop. He was training to do a 100-mile ride and was looking for a group with which to workout. “It’s gone through various stages and incorporations over the years, but the group has never really quit,” Wescott said. Most members do both road riding and mountain biking, depending on the time of year, and some do both year round, he said. “We shift to mountain biking in the winter,” said Tim Fishburne, the self-described unofficial poster for the group’s Facebook page, and bicycle repairman. “Mountain biking is at a lot lower speeds. It’s often humid in summer, and you can get overheated fairly easily mountain biking. Some brave wintertime on road bikes and load up on clothing, but if you wear too much clothing, you can get overheated, too. Summertime we’re back to the road. Riding cools you off just through the wind.” He became involved in the Chain Gang in 1990 when he was looking to get in shape. Mountain biking is most common this time of year, and riders meet to pair off or ride single-file about 1 p.m. Sundays at Poinsett State Park, 6660 Poinsett Park Road, Wedgefield. “There is not much room for a group of riders in mountain biking,” Fishburne said. “It’s a more singular kind of sport. Depending on the terrain, your balancing skills have to be better for off-road riding. You have to know when to brake. You have to know when to peddle. Sand can take you down real easy. Wet leaves can take you down real easy. Vines can catch the handle bars.” Like Wescott, he began with road riding. “It’s fun,” Fishburne said. “When I got into it, I just enjoyed the physical part of it, the challenge for me to keep up with the riders that had been riding for some time. As I got stronger and I got better, it became an enjoyable pastime.” During warmer weather, the group tends to do road races leaving from Dillon Park, 1210 Clara Louise Kellogg Drive, at 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, and Sat-

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Tim Fishburne takes a a ride on the Scout Trail at Poinsett State Park. Fishburne keeps many of the Sumter Chain Gang members’ bicycles operating properly

THE KNOT MOUNTAIN BIKE RACE Sumter Chain Gang Bicycle members helped create the course in Poinsett State Park known as “The Knot” Trail and continue to help maintain it. It is where the Maxxis Southern Classic Mountain Bike Series racing will kick off March 1. According to usacycling.com, the 10.5-mile course off 6660 Poinsett Park Road, Wedgefield, features “90 percent fast single track with a wide-ranging terrain, steep climbs, sharp technical turns, jumps and about 750 feet of climbing per lap.” This race also counts for half of the S.C. State Mountain Bike Championship and will be held rain or shine. Advance registration fees range from $15 to $35 depending on the category, and an additional $10 will be added to registration fees the day of the race. Race day registration will start at 7:30 a.m. and will close 15 minutes prior to each start time between 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The event is being promoted and organized by Mt. Pleasant Velo; for additional information visit mtpleasantvelo.org or email racedirector@mtpleasantvelo.org.

urday mornings about 9 a.m. at Alice Drive Baptist Church, 1305 Loring Mill Road. These rides typically run 20 miles or more, Wescott said. “We’re open to both the avid cyclist and the novice,” he said. “Anybody who wants to participate, you can come with your helmet and your bike ready to ride. We have guys that

ride thousands of miles a year, and guys who come on the occasional ride. The pace is meant so nobody gets left.” The best way to learn more or connect with the Sumter Chain Gang Bicycle Club is to visit their Facebook page. It’s a closed group, but a friendship request is all it takes to join, Wescott said.

Spirit Night will help boy who needs transplant Help raise funds for a Sumter child in need of a kidney transplant. Spirit Night will be held for the Children’s Organ Transplant Association in honor of Team Nathan M on Wednesday, Feb. 18, at Chick-fil-A, 1170 Broad St. Six-year-old Nathan Martin is listed for a kidney transplant at MUSC in

Charleston. Funds are being raised to assist with transplant-related expenses which are estimated to be $50,000. It’s simple to help. Before placing your order at Chick-fil-A — inside or at the window — tell the cashier you are there for Spirit Night. Fifteen percent of the night’s total

sales will go to COTA in honor of Team Nathan M. Guest appearances will be made on Spirit Night by Miss South Carolina, Lanie Hudson and Young Miss Cayce Catarina Costa. “The family and friends of Nathan want to encourage everyone to attend our Spirit Night and help give Nathan a second chance at

life,” said Sherryl Linkous. “One hundred percent of the profits from the Spirit Night will assist with transplant-related expenses.” For more information about the Spirit Night or other fundraising and volunteer opportunities, contact Sherryl Linkous at (803) 983-5769 or at sherryl. linkous@gmail.com

HOW TO REACH US IS YOUR PAPER MISSING? ANNOUNCEMENT ARE YOU GOING ON Birth, Engagement, Wedding, VACATION? Anniversary, Obituary 20 N. Magnolia St., Sumter, S.C. 29150 (803) 774-1200 Jack Osteen Editor and Publisher jack@theitem.com (803) 774-1238 Rick Carpenter Managing Editor rick@theitem.com (803) 774-1201 Waverly Williams Sales Manager waverly@theitem.com (803) 774-1237

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Haley’s pick to lead DSS says changes will take years to make COLUMBIA (AP) — Gov. Nikki Haley’s pick to lead South Carolina’s Department of Social Services told lawmakers Wednesday that she wants to see firsthand the challenges faced by caseworkers throughout the state. But, in the first of several confirmation hearings, Susan Alford also said it will take years to make substantive changes at the troubled agency. “I don’t have magic dust,” Alford told the Senate General Committee. A year’s worth of bipartisan Senate hearings investigating the agency’s problems focused on child deaths, excessive caseloads and turnover. In October, the agency released an improvement plan that included adding 221 child welfare positions this fiscal year. On Wednesday, Alford said she wants to visit each county, assess its needs and hear why caseworkers leave the agency.

Saying that she viewed caseload and employee turnover as two of the agency’s biggest problems, Alford told senators that she’d combat both by using her experience in probing the department’s “ground game” in the county-level offices. “Unfortunately, what a lot of people try to do is just Band-Aid and treat symptoms,” Alford said. “It’s not enough to just drive caseload numbers down.” In her first year as director, Alford said she would plan to spend at least one full day visiting each of the state’s 46 counties, meeting local law enforcement, solicitors, guardians and caseworkers to get a sense of that area’s situation when it comes to caring for children. But Alford warned lawmakers not to levy criticism if they don’t see drastic improvements in the next year or two.

Solomon Eichner, known for his command of the romantic piano repertoire, will perform at Hamptons on Feb. 12. He is presented by the Woman’s Afternoon Music Club and Hamptons in An Intimate Evening of Fabulous Music and Fine Cuisine: Solomon Eichner at Hamptons.

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The Woman’s Afternoon Music Club and Hamptons restaurant will present “An Intimate Evening of Fabulous Music and Fine Cuisine: Solomon Eichner at Hamptons” at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 12. The event is a fundraiser for the club, which awards scholarships to local music students each year. Club president Lauren Decker said Eichner “is an awardwinning pianist getting his Ph.D. at the University of South Carolina on full scholarship,” where he studies with Dr. Marina Lomazov and Dr. Joe Rackers. His program will include music by romantic greats George Gershwin, Frédéric Chopin and Johannes Brahms. The cost for the evening is $52, which also includes a three-course meal, water, tea, bread and gratuity. A cash bar will be available for beer, wine, coffee and other beverages. Proceeds will benefit the club’s scholarship program. Reservations are requested by Hamptons, 4 W. Hampton Ave., by Thursday, Feb. 5; call (803) 7744400.

SOLOMON EICHNER Eichner is known for his commanding performances of the romantic keyboard repertoire including Liszt, Chopin, Brahms, Prokofiev and Rachmaninoff. Last year, he was accepted to the 10th International Piano Competition in the memory of Vladimir Horowitz in Kiev, Ukraine. Eichner participated in the inaugural Midwest International Piano Competition in Iowa and the San Jose Piano Competition. He won first prize at the 2013 South Carolina State MTNA Young Artist Competition in Greenville, second prize at the 2013 Liszt-Garrison International Piano Competition and second prize and Chinese Award in the 2013 International Young Artists Competition at Catholic University in Washington, D.C.

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In addition, Eichner has performed at numerous prestigious venues, including Steinway Hall, Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall and Merkin Concert Hall. Concert series include Johns Hopkins University’s Sheldon Hall Concert Series, Enoch Pratt Library Salon Concert Series in Baltimore, “The Lives of the Piano” Chopin Marathon Concert at Manhattan School of Music in New York City and “Afternoon Concert Series” at the State Department in Washington, D.C. He has also performed at various music festivals around the country and internationally. Eichner received his bachelor of music degree from Manhattan School of Music and his master of music degree from Peabody Conservatory. He is in his second year pursuing the doctor of musical arts degree at University of South Carolina as a full-scholarship recipient and holds a graduate assistantship in accompanying.

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WOMAN’S AFTERNOON MUSIC CLUB The Woman’s Afternoon Music Club has been meeting nine times a year since 1917 with the express purpose of studying music and instilling a love of music among its members and in the community. The club presents two concerts a year to the public — the Festival of Choirs on the first Sunday of Advent and the Afternoon of Sacred Music. In order to promote music and music education within the community, the club sponsors three music scholarships each year for students in the 11th and 12th grades. First prize is $500. These are: • The Clifton Moise scholarship, in memory of the longtime Sumter music teacher, is for instrumentalists. • The Shelden Timmerman scholarship, in memory of piano teacher Shelden Timmerman, is for pianists. • The Elizabeth Book scholarship, in memory of voice teacher Elizabeth Book, is for vocalists.

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(HD) stories of faith. lesson. 109 Chopped: Beer Here! (HD) Chopped: Bizarre Baskets! (HD) Chopped Canada (N) Beat Bobby Duff Till (N) Cutthroat: When Pigs Fry Chopped 74 On the Record with Greta (N) The O’Reilly Factor (N) (HD) The Kelly File News updates. Hannity Conservative news. (HD) The O’Reilly Factor (HD) The Kelly File 42 Wom. College Basketball: Clemson vs Wake Forest z{| UFC Unleashed (HD) Sports Unlimited (HD) World Poker Tour no} (HD) NHL Hockey Golden: Foreign 183 The Waltons: The Idol Elizabeth be- The Waltons: The Prodigals Jeffrey The Middle: Life The Middle: The The Middle (HD) The Middle (HD) Golden: Sophia’s Golden Girls: comes close to her teacher. and his friend rob Godsey’s. Skills (HD) Smile (HD) Choice Rites of Spring Exchange 112 Hunters (HD) Hunters (HD) Addict (HD) Addict (HD) Addict (N) (HD) Addict (HD) Hunters (N) Hunters (HD) Hunters (HD) Hunters (HD) Addict (HD) 110 Pawn Stars Pawn Stars Pawn Stars Pawn Stars Pawn Stars (HD) Pawn. (N) (HD) Pawn. (N) (HD) (:11) Mississippi Men (HD) Pawn Stars 160 Blue Bloods: Insult to Injury Woman Blue Bloods: Knockout Game Preg- Blue Bloods: Righting Wrongs Lethal Blue Bloods: Secret Arrangements Blue Bloods: Custody Battle On-duty Blue Bloods (HD) threatens to kill self. (HD) nant victim. (HD) anesthetic. (HD) Murdered professor. (HD) officer. (HD) 145 Project Runway All Stars: Sketching Project Runway All Stars: Versatile Project Runway All Stars: Always (:02) Little Women: LA: A Little Fired (:02) Little Women: LA: Stage Fight (:02) Project Runwith Sharks (HD) Tops and Bottoms (HD) the Bridesmaid (N) (HD) Up (HD) (HD) way (HD) 76 Hardball with Chris (N) (HD) All in with Chris Hayes (HD) The Rachel Maddow Show (N) Lawrence O’Donnell (HD) All in with Chris Hayes (HD) Maddow (HD) 91 Witch Way (N) Sam & Cat Full Hse Full Hse Full Hse Full Hse Prince Prince Friends (HD) Friends (HD) Raymond (HD) 154 Death Race: Inferno (‘13) (HD) 2 Fast 2 Furious (‘03, Action) aa Paul Walker. Street racing. (HD) (:35) Death Race 2 (‘10, Action) aa Luke Goss. Deadly show. (HD) Wizard Wars: Fire and Mice Chicago Close Up Kings: New York City New Wizard Wars: 152 (5:30) Shelter (‘13, Horror) Julianne WWE SmackDown (HD) Moore. God’s personality. (HD) vs. Vegas. (N) York. (HD) Fire and Mice Seinfeld: The Family Guy (HD) Family Guy (HD) Family Guy (HD) Family Guy (HD) The Big Bang The Big Bang Conan Actor Simon Helberg; music The Office: Chris156 Seinfeld: The Strongbox (HD) Wizard (HD) Theory (HD) Theory (HD) artist George Ezra. (N) (HD) tening (HD) The Time Machine (‘60, Science Fiction) aaac Rod Taylor. A Victorian The Birds (‘63, Thriller) aaac Rod Taylor. A socialite’s arrival in a small Sunday in New 186 The Secret Partner (‘61, Drama) Stewart Granger. Seeking a thief. inventor propels himself far into the future in his time machine. town sets off a series of vicious bird attacks. York (‘63) aaa 157 48 Hours Couple killed. (HD) 48 Hours Mystery (HD) 48 Hours False suicide. (HD) 48 Hours: Murder at Sea? (HD) 48 Hours False suicide. (HD) 48 Hours (HD) NBA Basketball: Denver Nuggets at Memphis Grizzlies from FedEx Forum z{| (HD) NBA Basketball: Chicago Bulls at Los Angeles Lakers from Staples Center 158 NBA Tip-Off z{| (HD) 102 Jokers Jokers Jokers Jokers Jokers Jokers Impractical (N) Greenville (N) (:01) Kart Life: Big Dreams (:02) Jokers 161 Walker: The Long Haul Fam. Feud Fam. Feud Raymond (HD) Raymond (HD) Queens (HD) Queens (HD) Queens (HD) Queens (HD) Friends (HD) Law & Or der: Spe cial Vic tims Unit: Law & Or der: Spe cial Vic tims Unit: Law & Or der: Spe cial Vic tims Unit: Law & Or der: Spe cial Vic tims Unit: Mod ern Fam ily Mod ern Fam ily Mod ern Family 132 Scavenger (HD) Monster’s Legacy (HD) Secrets Exhumed (HD) Deadly Ambition (HD) (HD) (HD) (HD) SWV Reunit: Lelee’s Heartache SWV Reunited: Wedding Hells SWV Reunit: ESPY’s Nightmare Love Thy Sister: Transitions (N) Love Thy Sister: Transitions SWV Reunit 172 Funniest Home Videos (HD) Funniest Home Videos (HD) Funniest Home Videos (HD) How I Met How I Met How I Met How I Met Rules (HD)

‘Fortitude’: Dark doings amid northern lights BY KEVIN MCDONOUGH Will viewers go to the ends of the Earth for a good story? The dark, atmospheric murder mystery “Fortitude” (10 p.m., Pivot, TV-14) takes place in a Norwegian outpost above the Arctic Circle, where a hardy community has learned to live with glaciers and polar bears. “Fortitude” opens with a bang, as an aging and, we later learn, dying, photographer (Michael Gambon) tries to save a man from being eaten by a bear, but inadvertently shoots the victim instead. Whether this was a mercy killing or a homicide hardly matters, as the local sheriff sweeps the event under the rug. Fortitude, we are told, is a forbidding, beautiful place where everybody works hard to survive. As a result, crime barely exists. But like the rising temperatures that expose long buried and frozen ancient secrets, things are beginning to change. The pilot episode involves a desperate effort to cash in on the discovery of a prehistoric relic; a child suffering from a mysterious disease; a mayor intent on turning Fortitude into a tourist destination and a scientist who stands in her way; a cop’s affair with a fetching, enigmatic waitress and a sudden, gruesome murder. Its stark setting and quirky characters evoke “Fargo” without the black humor and “Lilyhammer” without the farce. As in “Broadchurch,” a murder and its investigation open a window to a community far less placid than it seems. The show’s use of bleak modern architecture to evoke a tone of dislocation and despair as well as its spare minimalist electronic soundtrack may remind some of the original version of “The Returned.” Both “Fortitude” and that French series rely on the notion that there’s much more going on than meets the eye. Look for Stanley Tucci to arrive in episode two as a detective from the mainland sent to investigate the murder in this tight-knit, insular community, where “nothing” ever happens. The Pivot Network was originally launched to reach younger “millennial” viewers.

CBS, TV-PG) * The season finale of “The Biggest Loser” (8 p.m., NBC, TV-PG) * Liv and Luke shirk their ceremonial duties on “The Vampire Diaries” (8 p.m., CW, TV-14) * Grief unravels Bonnie on “Mom” (8:30 p.m., CBS, TV-14)* Unsocial work on “Two and a Half Men” (9 p.m., CBS, TV-14) * Banishment on “Reign” (9 p.m., CW, TV-14) * Ronny’s date irks Arthur on “The McCarthys” (9:30 p.m., CBS, TV-PG).

LATE NIGHT

BEN COHEN / NBC

Monica Potter stars as Kristina Braverman and Peter Krause as Adam Braverman in the season finale episode of “Parenthood” airing at 10 p.m. today on NBC. It’s never good to announce your audience before establishing your programming. Airing “Fortitude” is a step in a smart direction. Like AMC, Sundance, Netflix and Amazon, the folks at Pivot have decided that the best way to create an identity and attract an audience is to broadcast good shows that people will watch and talk about. • Sarah and Hank anticipate a milestone on the series finale of “Parenthood” (10 p.m., NBC, TV-PG). • Rival networks seek to dominate the news market in a small Mississippi city on the documentary comedy soap “Breaking Greenville” (10:30 p.m., TruTV, TV-14). • The late Australian actor Rod Taylor stars in “The Time Machine” (8 p.m., TCM) and “The Birds” (10 p.m., TCM). Taylor died on Jan. 7.

TONIGHT’S OTHER HIGHLIGHTS • Auditions continue on “American Idol” (8 p.m. Fox, TVPG). • Derek mulls a move to Washington, D.C., on “Grey’s Anatomy” (8 p.m., ABC, TV14). • A serial arsonist adds homicide to his resume on “Backstrom” (9 p.m., Fox, TV-14). • Olivia offers her side of the

kidnapping saga on “Scandal” (9 p.m., ABC, TV-14). • A threat rattles Kitty on “Elementary” (10 p.m., CBS, TV14). • Annalise enlists the class to search for her husband on “How to Get Away With Murder” (10 p.m., ABC, TV-14). • The bomber remains at large on “Babylon” (10 p.m., Sundance, TV-MA). • A con man milks environ-

mentalism on “American Greed” (10 p.m., CNBC).

CULT CHOICE Teenage peer pressure can be murder in the 2014 madefor-TV drama “Death Clique” (10 p.m., Lifetime Movie Network).

SERIES NOTES Sheldon on the brink on “The Big Bang Theory” (8 p.m.,

Sarah Chayes is scheduled on “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart” (11 p.m., Comedy Central) * Simon Helberg, Tanishq Abraham and George Ezra appear on “Conan” (11 p.m., TBS) * John Oliver, Mayim Bialik and Death Cab for Cutie appear on “Late Show With David Letterman” (11:35 p.m., CBS) * Jimmy Fallon welcomes Josh Hutcherson, Tracey Ullman and Echosmith on “The Tonight Show” (11:35 p.m., NBC, r) * Kerry Washington, Dave Salmoni and Ne-Yo appear on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (11:35 p.m., ABC)* Kristen Stewart, Andrew Rannells and Phoebe Robinson visit “Late Night With Seth Meyers” (12:35 a.m., NBC, r) * Whitney Cummings guesthosts Alan Cumming, Alison Brie, Joanne Froggatt and OK Go on “The Late Late Show” (12:35 a.m., CBS).

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FRIENDSHIP NINE FROM PAGE A1 Friendship Nine in 1961. At the time of the Friendship Nine’s demonstration in February 1961, about a year had passed since a sit-in at a segregated lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina, helped galvanize the nation’s civil rights movement. But change was slow to come to Rock Hill. Thomas Gaither came to town as an activist with the Congress of Racial Equality. He encouraged Graham and seven other students at Rock Hill’s Friendship Junior College — W.T. “Dub” Massey, Willie McCleod, Robert McCullough, James Wells, David Williamson Jr., John Gaines and Mack Workman — to violate the town’s Jim Crow laws by ordering lunch at McCrory’s. Last year, author Kim

Johnson published “No Fear For Freedom: The Story of the Friendship 9.” She is the one who went to Kevin Brackett, the prosecutor for York and Union counties, to see what could be done to clear their records. Brackett agreed the men were wrongly convicted — and pushed for the hearing. “There was only one reason these men were arrested. There was only one reason that they were charged and convicted for trespassing, and that is because they were black,” he said in court Wednesday. Then he apologized to the men: “Sometimes you just have to say you’re sorry,” Brackett said. South Carolina has a long history of revisiting and trying to right its past during

HOMICIDE

death” pending the results of his autopsy. According to Wednesday’s statement, investigators think Singleton was shot about the time of the crash, and the wound was obscured by injuries he sustained in the ensuing collision. Deputies are now asking anyone with information about the incident to call the sheriff’s office at (803) 436-2000 or CrimeStoppers at (803) 4362718.

FROM PAGE A1 1 a.m. Tuesday. Authorities initially thought his death was the result of the singlevehicle wreck, but evidence later surfaced suggesting he may have died from other causes. Sumter County deputies began investigating the fatal incident late Tuesday morning, originally characterizing it as a “suspicious

TASK FORCE FROM PAGE A1 District 2 in Manning, are two of the five members. Other members are: David Longshore Jr., former superintendent of Orangeburg County Consolidated District 3; Terry K. Peterson, Senior Fellow, College of Charleston; and Rick Reames, executive director of Pee Dee Education Center. “I am hopeful that the House education task force will immediately begin its work to develop a robust strategy that ensures every child is given access to the best possible education in every part of our state,” Lucas said. “These five representatives from the Abbeville v. State case will provide significant insight and help create standards that put our state back on a path toward excellence.” Andrews is a former deputy superintendent for Sumter County School District 2 and was also an assistant for Spartanburg County School District 7. Tindal is former chairman of the State Board of Education and former president of South Carolina Association of School Administrators as well as a former president of the association’s Superintendent’s Division. The Supreme Court ruled Dec. 10, 2014, in favor of poor, rural school districts in a 21-year-old education lawsuit,

saying the Legislature had failed to ensure students receive “a minimally adequate education” as mandated by a 1999 ruling that sent the case to trial. The ruling directed legislators and school district officials to solve funding discrepancies between rich and poor districts largely caused by the state’s current funding formula for schools. The ruling was criticized by legislative leaders and the governor for not specifying what must be done, but supporters of the lawsuit hailed the ruling as a major step forward for children in poor, rural school districts. “Our state has given children in the most impoverished and rural portions of our state a chance of life,” said Carl Epps, an attorney for the school districts that filed the suit. “We look forward to working with the state so these children will, indeed, have the opportunities that a generation of poverty and lack of consistent state approach to education has caused.” The December ruling came after both sides appealed a 2005 lower court ruling that gave each a partial victory. Third Circuit Court Judge Thomas Cooper had ordered the Legislature to invest more in early childhood education but ruled that teacher pay scales and school infrastructure were adequate.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

‘There was only one reason these men were arrested. There was only one reason that they were charged and convicted for trespassing, and that is because they were black.’ KEVIN BRACKETT Prosecutor for York and Union counties the civil rights movement. In recent years, both a Democratic and Republican governor apologized for state troopers opening fire on black protesters at South Carolina State University in 1968, killing three. Last month, a judge threw out the conviction of George Stinney, a 14-year-old black boy from Alcolu who was executed after being convicted for killing two white girls. His trial lasted a day.

In the weeks leading to Wednesday’s hearing, the Friendship 9 recalled how different Rock Hill was at the time of their arrests. Today it’s a thriving exurb — about 25 miles south of Charlotte, with blacks and whites living side by side in the city’s neighborhoods. But in 1961, it was a typical small town in the segregated South. Blacks weren’t allowed to attend white schools. When the nine opted

for jail instead of fines, they spent the month working on a chain gang. Even then, they said, they didn’t let the arrests break their spirit. To pass the time while they were digging ditches and loading dirt onto trucks, they sang songs, most notably Sam Cooke’s “Chain Gang.” For years, they didn’t talk about the arrests because of the stigma of spending time in jail — even for a month. But now they want the younger generation to know about the struggle for civil rights and to believe that non-violence — as preached by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. — can work. Graham said he had a message for those in Ferguson, Missouri, and other places protesting the white police shootings of black teenagers: “Protesting is fine ... but do it in a nonviolent way.”

THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

THE SUMTER ITEM

RELIGION What does it mean to be lucky? Call: (803) 774-1250 | E-mail: jade@theitem.com

hen Jack Whittaker won a $315 million Powerball jackpot in December 2002, he may have been the wealthiest man to ever win a majority lottery jackpot. According to a November 2012 Time article by Terri Pous, the 55-yearold West Virginian construction company president was already worth $17 million. Whittaker distributed his new wealth by pledging to give 10 percent of his fortune to Christian charities and donating $14 million to his Jack Whittaker Foundation. He even gave a $123,000 house, a new Dodge Ram Truck and $50,000 in cash to the woman who worked at the convenience store where he had purchased his winning ticket. But even Whittaker couldn’t escape his own demons. Beset by legal difficulties and personal problems, he began drinking heavily and frequenting strip clubs. In August 2003, $545,000 was stolen from his car in a West Virginia strip club parking lot while he was

inside, the article states. In January 2004, robbers once again broke into his car, stealing an estimated $200,000 in cash that was later recovered. Three years later, Whittaker reportedly told law enforcement that thieves had completely emptied his bank accounts. A string of personal tragedies also followed. His granddaughter’s boyClay friend was found Smith dead from a drug overdose in Whittaker’s home in September 2004, the article states. Three months later, his granddaughter also died of the same cause. Her mother and his daughter, Ginger Whittaker Bragg, died in July 2009. At the time of her death, he reportedly told reporters he wishes he’d torn the winning lottery ticket up. When you hear the story of a lottery winner, you think, “He’s the

‘All people seem to have the same problems: Do people love me? What do I do with my life? What will bring peace to my heart? Fame, fortune, beauty and power only magnify human problems. Maybe the lucky ones are not the ones we think are so lucky.’ lucky one.” Or maybe you think, “If I had all that money, I’d be smarter than that.” We think the people with money — the people who are beautiful, the people who are powerful and the

people who are smart — those are the lucky ones. They must not have the problems we have. The evidence disputes this. All people seem to have the same problems: Do people love me? What do I do with my life? What will bring peace to my heart? Fame, fortune, beauty and power only magnify human problems. Maybe the lucky ones are not the ones we think are so lucky. What if the path to true happiness wasn’t fame, fortune, beauty and power? What if the path to true happiness was in relationships? What if one relationship was more important than all others? Wouldn’t it make sense to put as much time and energy as possible into that relationship? Don’t you think that’s what Jesus meant when he said, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and everything else will be added to you?” Clay Smith is the lead pastor of Alice Drive Baptist Church.

CHURCH NEWS Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, 2571 Joseph Lemon-Dingle Road, Jordan community, Manning, announces: * Saturday, Feb. 7 — “Falling in Love with Jesus Gospel Explosion” concert at 7 p.m. at Weldon Auditorium, Manning, featuring The Heavenly Stars. There will also be performances by the mass choir, the male choir, the praise team, youth choir and dance ministry. Call Deaconess Mable B. Billups at (803) 478-5333 or Sister Loretta Benbow at (803) 478-4922 for ticket information. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, 4319 Rowe Drive, Summerton, announces: * Sunday, Feb. 8 — Missionary ministry’s fifth annual program at 2 p.m. The Rev. Emma Mellerson will speak. “A Taste of Ole South” will be served immediately after the service. Calvary Baptist Church, 459 Calvary Church Road, Bishopville, announces: * Saturday, Feb. 7 — Mid-Carolina Singing at 6 p.m. featuring God’s Tool Box and Cedar Creek Quartet. Church of Christ, 313 Mooneyham Road, announces: * Sunday — Resurrection, first part of the second anniversary celebration, at 4 p.m. featuring BHN Singers, St. Paul Male Chorus and others. Community Church of Praise, 565 S. Pike Road, announces: * Friday-Saturday — Prayer Conference as follows: 7 p.m. Friday, Donna Jackson of St. Matthews AME Church, Lynchburg, will speak; and 8:30 a.m. Saturday, workshops, Pastor Dorothy Maple will speak. Dalzell United Methodist Church, 3330 Black River Road, Dalzell, announces: * Today — A spaghetti lunch fundraiser to benefit the charitable activities of the church will be held from 11 a.m. to 2

p.m. Tickets are $5 per plate. Eat in or take out. Call (803) 469-0160 for details. * Friday-Saturday, Feb. 27-28 — “Shop til You Drop ... Dead” dinner theatre will be presented. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 per person or $25 per couple. Funds raised benefit Relay for Life. Call Wava at (803) 499-5190 or (803) 236-1041. * Sunday-Friday, June 21-26 — Vacation Bible School will be held from 6 to 8 nightly. Free dinner will be served each evening at 5:30. This year’s program is “EVEREST — Conquering Challenges with God’s Mighty Power.” Children age 2 and older are welcome.

Church school will be held at 9 a.m. followed by 10 a.m. worship. * Sunday, Feb. 15 — The 20th pastoral anniversary celebration of Pastor Eugene G. Dennis. Church school will be held at 9 a.m. followed by 10 a.m. worship. The Rev. Marion H. Newton, pastor of Jehovah Missionary Baptist Church, will speak. * Sunday, Feb. 22 — Black History program will be held during morning worship. Knitting Hearts Ministry, meets at Bethesda Church of God, 2730 Broad St., announces: * Saturday, Feb. 14 — Knitting Hearts Café will meet from 10 a.m. to noon. Meredith Mateer will speak. Visit www.knittingheartsministry.org for details.

Full Proof Deliverance Ministry, 2758 S.C. 341 S., Olanta, announces: * Thursday-Friday, Feb. 5-6, and Sunday, Feb. 8 — Pastoral anniversary celebration for Frances (Willie) Washington as follows: 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday at Kingdom Life Ministries, 404 Broad St.; and 3 p.m. on Sunday at Full Proof Deliverance. Apostle Johnnie Gilliam Jr., Pastor Dr. Carolyn Robinson and Prophetess Talitha Harrison will speak. High Hills Missionary Baptist Church, 6750 Meeting House Road, Dalzell, announces: * Sunday — Holy Communion will follow 10:15 a.m. worship. * Sunday, Feb. 15 — YWA anniversary program during 10:15 a.m. worship. Joshua Baptist Church, 5200 Live Oak Road, Dalzell, announces: * Sunday, Feb. 8 — Junior Brotherhood anniversary recognition.

LaGree AME Church, 2910 Kolb Road, announces: * Sunday — “An Hour of Power” program at 4 p.m. Speakers: Minister Kenny Charles of Allen Chapel AME Church will speak on “Wake Up;” Minister Eric Ramsey of Unionville AME Church, Mayesville, will speak on “Shut Up;” Minister Deloris Harris of Orangehill AME Church, Wedgefield, will speak on “Speak Up;” the Rev. Mary Harvin of Mount Glory Baptist Church will speak on “Prayed Up;” the Rev. Donna Jackson of St. Matthew AME Church, Lynchburg, will speak on “Stand Up;” Minister Cynthia Myers of Ebenezer AME Church, Mayesville, will speak on “Rise Up;” and the Rev. Irene Anthony of Golden Gate Fellowship Ministry will speak on “Fired Up.” Each minister/ pastor will speak for seven minutes.

THE MARK OF THE BEAST An Exposition from Revelation 13 11:00am February 1, 2015

Sumter Bible Church www.sumterbiblechurch.org Home to

Sumter Christian School 420 S. Pike West Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 773-8339 Ron Davis, Pastor

SUNDAY SERVICES

10:00 Sunday School for all ages 11:00 A.M. Worship hour 6:30 P.M. Worship hour

Mount Glory Baptist Church, 841 N. Main St., announces: * Sunday, Feb. 8 — Eighth pastoral anniversary celebration for the Rev. Dr. Mary L. Harvin at 11 a.m. The Rev. Roosevelt Williams will speak. Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 325 Fulton St., announces: * Sunday, Feb. 15 — Trustee ministry’s anniversary worship at 10:45 a.m. * Saturday, Feb. 28 — Health Fair 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Interested vendors should call Delores Nickelson at (803) 972-3034. New Start Community Church of the Nazarene, 4686 J.W. Rhames Road, Manning, announces: * Sunday, Feb. 8 — Christian comedian and ventriloquist service at 6 p.m. featuring Trish Dunn. New Testament Lighthouse Church, 1114 Boulevard Road, announces: * Sunday — Gospel singing at 6:30 p.m. featuring WhitemanGore of Fayetteville, North Carolina. Next Generation Church, 710 Manning Ave., announces: * Saturday — Giving Back to the Community event 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with free lunch, free clothes and more. Sheppard Ministries announces: * Saturday — 46th anniversary gospel singing of The Singing Sheppards at 6 p.m. at Shiloh Pentecostal Holiness Church, 260 Myrtle Beach Highway. On

the program: Whiteman-Gore; The Sims Family; and The Singing Sheppards. St. Luke AME Church, 2355 St. Paul Church Road, announces: * Sunday — Under the Blood program at 4 p.m. featuring Gary and Green Ensemble. Sumter Free Will Baptist Church, 971 Boulevard Road, announces: * Saturday, Feb. 7 — Fundraiser singing for burnout family (Carmon-Smith Burnout Fundraiser) at 6 p.m. Hot dogs, drinks and baked goods available for purchase. Love offering will be received. The Sims Family and New Direction will provide music. Unity Baptist Church, 4000 U.S. 15 South, announces: * Saturday — Gospel singing at 6 p.m. featuring the Heavenly Tones, Armed & Ready and the church singers. Willow Grove AME Church, 8105 A/B Sumter Landing Road, Horatio, announces: * Sunday — Communion and fellowship. Church school begins at 8:45 a.m. followed by 10 a.m. worship. * Sunday, Feb. 8 — God’s Angels and YPD day. Church school begins at 8:30 a.m. followed by 10 a.m. worship. * Sunday, Feb. 15 — Lay couples program and WMS Red Dress day. Church school begins at 8:45 a.m. followed by 10 a.m. worship. * Saturday, Feb. 21 — Male choir’s anniversary program at 4 p.m.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

Be doers of the word, not hearers only

he numbers are out, and once again, the Bible Belt has lived up to its name. Recent findings from a combined effort of the American Bible Society and research company Barna Group show that those who read their Bible and stick to the principles held within are largely concentrated in the South. Locally, the Upstate area — Greenville, Spartanburg and surrounding areas — made it to No. 9 on the list while Columbia broke into the top 25. It’s comforting to some to know that religion, at least in part, remains a distinguishing feature of our culture. But whenever these type of surveys come out, a little bit of my inner skeptic comes out. While I’m certainly glad we place credence in Scripture, I wonder how many of us truly apply the lifestyle that the Bible advocates. I’m most definitely guilty of filtering out the more difficult challenges held in the Bible. It’s the difference in being a “doer” and a “hearer.” James 1:22 (ESV) tells us to “be doers of the word, and not hearers only.” Even

have on my smartphone. Seventeen volumes in all. At any given point in my day, a copy of Scripture is never more than a couple feet away. With keyword search in a search engine or by thumbing through the index of the physical pages of God’s word, I can find Scripture’s answer to every question I encounter in my daily routine. So why then do my actions so often reflect an ignorance of Biblical truth? It’s because I’ve learned to hear God’s word and not actually live it. I’ve lived life with a heart where I could both read and understand Scripture without it actually taking root in my daily actions. There are no statistics on those communities that tout a high percentage of doers of the word; it’s a wooly number to tie down. While we may take great pride in being a part of a city or region where the Bible is still largely revered, its more important that believers be that “city on a hill” that Jesus spoke of in Matthew 5. Let’s read the Bible, but let’s be known by our application of it. Email Jamie H. Wilson at faithmatterssumter@gmail. com.

early Christian writers knew the temptation of the academic study of the Bible rather than the practical application of it. One of my favorite versions of the Faith Matters Bible, the New Living JAMIE H. Translation, WILSON puts that same verse a different way: “And remember, it is a message to obey, not just to listen to …” Memorization isn’t enough. My prayer is that our so-called Biblemindedness manifests itself in our actions. I counted the other day how many Bibles we have in our household. I listed them all, from the half dozen little green New Testaments that the Gideons give out on college campuses to our large, New English Standard Version with the Apocrypha that looms on our bookshelf, a holdover from our seminary days. I counted my children’s Bibles that they received as gifts. I even added the two Bible apps I

Church Directory Adventist Sumter Seventh-Day Adventist 103 N Pike West 775-4455 Pastor Harry Robinson Sat. Sch: 9:15 am, Worship: 11:00 am Tues Bible Study 7 pm www.sumter22.adventistchurchconnect.org

TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE

Church of the Holy Cross 335 North Kings Hwy (Hwy 261 N) 803-494-8101 Father Michael E. Ridgill, C.F.S.B. Sunday School 9:00 am Mass 10:00 am

Photo Credit Istockphoto.com/StevieS

n today’s uncertain society people have learned to be more cautious, especially of offers too good to be true. Anxiety and hidden agendas dot our social landscape, how do we know who to trust? Who will tell us the truth? Where are we really safe? We should not and need not live in fear. God knows our concerns today. His way is the Truth, we have a friend and guardian in Him. Find protection in God’s house each week, study His Word and rest your fears in the strength of unfailing wisdom.

Mon. - Thurs. Chapel 9 am Morning Prayer Wed. Chapel 11:00 qm - Bible Study 12 pm Mass

Baptist - Missionary

Acts 9:1-25

Jehovah Missionary Baptist Church 803 S Harvin St. * 775-4032 Marion H Newton, Pastor Sunday Worship: 7:45 & 10:45 am Sunday Youth Service: 10:45 am Wednesday Bible Study: 7:00 pm

Acts 9:26-43

Weekly Scripture Reading Acts Acts Acts 10:1-33 10:34-48 11:1-30

Acts 12:1-25

Acts 15:1-35

Plaza Church of Christ 1402 Camden Hwy. • 905-3163 Stewart Schnur cell 361-8449 Sunday School: 10 am Sunday Worship: 11 am & 6 pm Wed. Bible Class: 7 pm

City of Refuge Church 16 Carolina Ave 938-9066 Barbara & Johnny Davis Sun School 10:00 am Worship 11:15 am Bible Study (Wed.) 7:00 pm www.cityofrefugeministry.com Spiritual Life Christian Center 4672 Broad St. Ext • 968-5771 Pastors Randolph & Minerva Paige Sunday Worship: 11:00 am Wednesday Bible Study: 7:00 pm

Scriptures Selected by the American Bible Society

Hickory Road Baptist Church 1245 Cherryvale Dr 803-494-8281 Dr. Ron Taylor Pastor Sunday School 9:45 am Worship 10:55 am

Salem Missionary Baptist Church 320 West Fulton Street 803-775-8054 Rev. Lei Ferguson Washington Sun. School 9:00 am Praise Worship 9:55 am Worship 10:00 am

Long Branch Baptist Church 2535 Peach Orchard Rd. Dalzell 499-1838 www.longbranch_baptist.com Rev. Brian Benenhaley Sun School 10:00 am Worship 11:00 am Sun Evening Worship 6:00 pm Wed Mid Week Service 7:00 pm

Baptist - Southern Grace Baptist Church 219 W Calhoun St * 778-6417 Dr. Stephen Williams S.S. 9:45 am; Worship 11:00 am Evening Worship/Bible Study 6:30 pm Wed. Prayer Meeting 6:30 pm Wed. Bible Study: 6:30 pm

Shaw Heights Baptist Church 2030 Peach Orchard Rd 499-4997 Rev. Robert White Pastor Sunday School: 9:45 am Sunday Worship:11 am & 6 pm

Catholic - Roman

The Catholic Community of Sumter, St. Anne Site 216 E Liberty St • 803-773-3524 Fr. Thomas Burke, C.S.S.R. Weekend Masses: Sat Vigil 5 pm Sun. 7:30, 9:00 and 11:30 am Mass The Catholic Community of Sumter, St. Jude Site 611 W. Oakland Ave • 773-9244 www.stjudesumtersc.org Fr. Charles Michael Donovan, C.S.S.R. Saturday Vigil: 5:00 pm Sun. Euch.: 9:00, 11:30 am, 1 pm (Spanish)

LDS leaders call for measures protecting gay rights

Victory Full Gospel Interdenominational Church 601 Pitts Rd • 481-7003 Joann P. Murrill, Pastor Sunday Worship: 11:00 am Youth Bible Study 7:00 pm

First Church of God 1835 Camden Rd • 905-5234 www.sumterfcg.org Ron Bower, Pastor Sunday Worship: 10:30 am Sunday School: 9:30 am

Aldersgate United Methodist 211 Alice Dr • 775-1602 Dr. Webb Belangia, Reverend Traditional Service 9:00 am Sunday School 10:15 am Contemporary 11:15 am

St James Lutheran Church 1137 Alice Dr, Sumter 773-2260 / www.stjamessumter.org Pastor Keith Getz Sunday Worship: 10:00 am Sunday School: 9:00 am

Calvary Christian Outreach Ministry “Multi-Cultural” 220 Hasel Street, Sumter, SC (Sumter School District Annex Building) Sunday Worship 11:00 am LaShonda McElveen, Pastor

Lutheran - NALC

Christ Community Church(CCC) 525 Oxford St, Sumter 803-934-9718 Sun. Worship 10:00 am (Patriot Hall)

First Presbyterian Church of Sumter 9 W Calhoun St (at Main St.) (803) 773-3814 • info@fpcsumter.org Interim Pastor Rev. Ray Fancher Sunday School (all ages) 9:30 a.m. Hospitality/Fellowship 10:10 a.m. Morning Worship 10:30 a.m. Night Church Schedule: 4:45 p.m. Children & Youth 5:00 p.m. Adults 6:30 p.m. Supper (all ages)

Sumter Bible Church 420 South Pike West, Sumter 803-773-8339 • Pastor Ron Davis Sunday School 10:00 am Worship 11:00 am & 6:30 pm Wed. Bible Study & Prayer 7:00 pm

St John United Methodist Church 136 Poinsett Dr * 803-773-8185 www.stjohnumcsumter.com Rev. J. Robert (Bob) Huggins Sunday School 9:45 am Worship 11:00 am Wed. Night Supper/Bible Study 6:30 pm Trinity United Methodist Church 226 W Liberty St • 773-9393 Rev. Steve Holler Blended Worship 8:45 am Traditional Worship 11:00 am Sunday School 9:45 am trinityumcsumter.org

Presbyterian USA

Greater St. Paul Church 200 Watkins Street 803-778-1355 Founder Bishop W.T. English Sunday School - 10:30 am Worship - 11:30 am Evangelistic Service 6:30 pm Wed. Mid Week Service - 7:30 pm

Bethel United Methodist Church 5575 Lodebar Rd • 469-2452 Rev. Jeremy Howell Sunday Worship: 8:30 & 11 am Sunday School: 10 am www.yourbethel.org BMethodist@ftc-i.net

Lutheran - ELCA Non-Denominational

Immanuel Lutheran Church 140 Poinsett Drive • 803-883-1049 Pastor Gary Blobaum Worship Service 9:00 am Sunday School 10:30 am Wed Bible Class: 7:00 pm

lievers who object to the behavior of others. It’s not clear how much common ground the Mormons will find with this new campaign. The church insists it is making no changes in doctrine and still believes it’s against the law of God to have sex outside marriage between a man and a woman.

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Mormon church leaders are making a national appeal for a “balanced approach” in the clash between gay rights and religious freedom. The church is promising to support some housing and job protections for gays and lesbians in exchange for legal protections for be-

Church of Christ Methodist - United Interdenominational

Anglican

AP FILE PHOTO

People walk past Salt Lake Temple in Salt Lake City in April 2014. On Tuesday, Mormon leaders made a national appeal for what they called a “balanced approach” in the clash between gay rights and religious freedom, promising to support some protections for gays if they back some exemptions for religious objectors to same-sex marriage.

Pentecostal First United Penecostal Church 14 Plowden Mill Rd • 775-9493 Pastor Theron Smith Sunday Service: 10:00 am & 6:30 pm Wednesday Bible Study: 7:30 pm

Presbyterian Lemira Presbyterian Church 514 Boulevard Rd • 473-5024 Pastor Dan Rowton Sunday School 10:00 am Worship 11:00 am Bible Study 6:00 pm

Sumter First Pentecostal Holiness Church 2609 McCrays Mill Rd • 481-8887 S. Paul Howell, Pastor Sunday School: 10:00 am Sunday Worship: 10:45 am & 6:00 pm Wed. Bible Study/Youth Group: 7:00 pm

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS Carolina Atlas Transmission 301 W. Liberty Street • Sumter, SC Filters, Inc. 775-4501 • 1-800-823-2413

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To view church information online go to www.theitem.com or www.sumterchurchesonline.com

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Boston bounces back quickly after 2-foot blizzard BOSTON (AP) — Boston bounced back quickly Wednesday from the Blizzard of 2015, with subways, buses and trains up and running again the morning after the storm buried a swath of New England in 2 to 3 feet of snow. Many businesses reopened, as did Logan Airport, and homeowners, motorists and storekeepers dug out with grudging praise for the forecasters, who missed the mark in New York but got it right in New England. Chris Laudani, a Boston bartender, became an instant symbol of the city’s resilience for shoveling snow off the yellow and blue Boston Marathon finish line on Boylston Street, where the 2013 terrorist bombing killed three people and wounded more than 260. “For someone to brave the blizzard to clear our finish line for us is yet another statement as to what our event means not only to runners, but also to Americans,” said Tom Grilk, executive director of the Boston Athletic Association, which oversees the marathon. Meteorologists had warned that Boston would get more than 2 feet of snow by Tuesday night, and the National Weather Service said the city ended up with 24.4 inches, the sixthhighest total on record. Other areas received about 2 to 3 feet, pretty much as predicted.

“They actually got it right,” James Hansen said as he cleared a Boston sidewalk. There was no gloating among the forecasters themselves, who just seemed relieved they were on the money. The weather team at Boston’s WHDH-TV tweeted a photo of the office “snow pool,” with pre-storm predictions ranging from 22 to 25.5 inches. As the storm gathered earlier in the week, forecasters had warned that Philadelphia, New York and New Jersey could get 1 to 2 feet of snow. But in the end, they didn’t even see a foot. With snow removal in Boston well underway, commuters high-stepped their way through a warren of snowy paths and towering snowbanks that gave the capital an almost alpine feel. Still, bitter cold threatened to complicate efforts to clear clogged streets and restore power. Forecasters warned that it won’t get above freezing in Boston for a week, and several more inches of snow are expected Friday and again during the weekend. Boston is accustomed to big snowstorms, and with ample warning that a blizzard was coming, officials mobilized thousands of snowplows and called up the National Guard. Early on, Gov. Charlie Baker, who has been in office just three weeks, made a key decision, ordering a driving

ban to give crews a chance to clear the mounting snow. Baker said he wrestled with that, but it “worked pretty

much as we hoped.” “We’ve come out of this in relatively good shape,” he said Wednesday before visit-

ing the hard-hit South Shore area, where the storm punched a gaping hole in a seawall and caused flooding.

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A10

THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

THE SUMTER ITEM

THE CLARENDON SUN Call: (803) 774-1211 | E-mail: jim@theitem.com

Police chief: Crime down in Manning Mayor welcomed back to council, employees awarded

‘Over the last two years, crime is down 15 percent. It is a credit to everybody involved in the community.’ POLICE CHIEF BLAIR SHAFFER

BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com

Speaking at Monday’s

With Mayor Julia Nelson back wielding the gavel after a kidneh transplant, Manning City Council met Monday night at Manning City Hall and among the first orders of business was presenting awards to employees for years of service. Receiving five-year pins were: Thomas Huckaby, Jason Montgomery and Carlos Rangel; receiving a 10-year pin was Sonia Daniels; and receiving a 20-year pin was Thomas Ardis. Receiving plaques for 25 or more years of service were Christopher Snider (29 years) and Lee Van Hilton (34 years). Also receiving awards were former retirees who had returned to work for the city — James Bethea, Allen Dupree, Douglas Ridgeway and Eddie Gleaton. Police Chief Blair Shaffer presented council with a report of crime statistics for 2014, which showed a 11.6 percent decrease from the year before. “Over the last two years, crime is down 15 percent,” he said. “It is a credit to everybody involved in the community.” One statistic that bucked the downward trend is fraud, he said. “That is basically somebody trying to get your personal information to steal your identity or to try to cash checks,” he said. “These are hard cases to solve because the perpetrators could be in another country.” He said the department tries to educate people about how to protect themselves from scams. Shaffer also told council he intends to end the department’s practice of unlocking people’s cars except in cases of emergency after March 31. He said officers have told him of cases where people intentionally lock their keys in the vehicle, knowing they can call the police to come unlock them. He said the practice costs the department money and manpower and exposes it to liability for any damage done to the vehicles. “If there is a child or an animal locked in a car, we will bust out a win-

Manning City Council meeting

PHOTOS BY JIM HILLEY / THE CLARENDON SUN

Manning Mayor Julia Nelson is surprised by a bouquet of flowers presented by the Manning City Council and staff upon her recovery from kidney transplant surgery in December. City Adminsitrator Scott Tanner said the flowers were a token of their appreciation for her continued strong leadership and service to the community. dow if necessary,” he said. “We will continue to do that in emergency situations. “We have two locksmiths in Manning who have been in business for many years. We also have wrecker companies, and what we will do is set up a rotation.” He said after March 31 callers to the department or dispatch will be referred to one of the private businesses

according to the rotation schedule set up. Doug Clary of Hybrid Engineering presented a report on the progress of U.S. Department of Agriculture projects under construction in and around Manning. He reported the $3.9 million Paxville Water Extension Project is nearing completion, with close to 13 miles of water lines and 107 fire hydrants installed to serve 346 new customers. He

said the project was coming in at more than $14,000 under budget. Clary also reported surveying and designing is underway for the West Manning Water Improvement project, which will include 5,295 linear feet of water line, eight hydrant assemblies and improvements to the Keitt Street water tower. He said 71 customers will benefit with improved water service from the $397,000 project. Phase I of the wastewater treatment plant upgrade is 90 percent complete and is currently showing a $900,000 surplus, he said, and is expected to be complete by April 21. He said authorization to let bids on Phase II was anticipated “any day.” Nelson expressed her gratitude to the people of Manning for their support during her recovery and said she was especially grateful for their prayers, she said. “Thank everybody for my journey to restored health,” she said. She said she was pleased by the turnout for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service and reported the Mayor’s Musical held Jan. 25 raised $2,000 for the Carolina Cops charity, formerly known as Palmetto Patriots, which supports survivors of fallen law enforcement officers in South Carolina. City Administrator Scott Tanner told council a retreat was planned to begin March 13 in Moncks Corner. Tanner also said he was told money should be available from the USDA for the Red Barn project, and the new fire station is “progressing very quickly.” He said the city’s new night court would begin March 5 and would most likely be in session on the first or second Thursday of each month. In other business, council passed the second reading of an ordinance to toughen penalties for nuisance animals and appointed Steppney Blackwell to the Abatement and Appeals Board.

Yankee Bobby Richardson visits LMA

PHOTO PROVIDED

Travis Tritt is scheduled to perform Feb. 5 in Manning.

Country star Tritt will play at Weldon FROM STAFF REPORTS Grammy award-winning country music star Travis Tritt is scheduled to perform in concert at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, at Weldon Auditorium, 7 Maple St., Manning. Ticket prices range from $35 to $49. Originally from Marietta, Georgia, Tritt is known for such songs as “Best of Intentions, “Foolish Pride,” “Anymore” and “Help Me Hold On.” He won a Grammy award in 1992 for Best Collabora-

tion with Vocals along with Marty Stuart and in 1998 for “Same Old Train,” also with Stuart and nine other artists. Tritt is also a member of the Grand Ole Opry. His first hit single was “Country Club,” in 1989, the title track to his first album. A year later “Help Me Hold On” became his first No. 1 single in the U.S. For more information, call (803) 433-7649, email info@weldonauditorium. com, or visit www.weldonauditorium.sc.gov.

PHOTO PROVIDED

New York Yankee and 1960 World Series MVP Bobby Richardson of Sumter signs a baseball for Laurence Manning Academy seventh-grader West Sharpe. Middle and high school students at LMA were excited to have Richardson as their guest speaker at chapel recently. Richardson shared his testimony with students and encouraged them in their walk with Christ and also spoke to individual students and teachers following chapel.

WE WANT TO CELEBRATE YOUR ANIMALS January is “COW” month at Manning Feed Mill. Send us your pictures of your cows. The pics with the most “LIKES” will be put in our 2016 calendar. Send them to comstockfarm@hotmail.com with your contact information and a note about the picture. The winner will be announced February 2, 2015. HELP US PICK THE BEST PICTURES FOR 2016.

Quality Specialty Feeds For Livestock & Pets 233 Dinkins St. Manning, SC 29102

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CLARENDON SUN

THE SUMTER ITEM

THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

PETS OF THE WEEK

A11

LETTER TO THE EDITOR Family thanks Clarendon residents for support Our family would like to thank the residents of Clarendon County for all the support, friendship and love they showed to us during the recent fire at our home. On the day of the fire, Vanessa Poston came to help us and reached out to the community. To Vanessa, we owe a huge thank you. Clarendon County responded with more than we could ever have imagined. I do not know who all donated, but I want to thank everyone. I also want to thank the firefighters who responded and anyone else that we may not know. We are eternally grateful for each and every one who helped us during our time of need. Ebony S. Hilton

BRIEFS Prekindergarten, kindergarten registration Parents of prekindergarten (4-year-olds) and kindergarten (5-year-olds) students in Clarendon School District 1 are urged to complete the early registration process for the 2015-16 school year. Registration will be held today and Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Summerton Early Childhood Center. When registering, parents or guardians are asked to bring the following: birth certificate, Social Security card, immunization record and proof of residency.

PHOTOS PROVIDED

Ashes likes sunbathing and minding only her surroundings. She seems to enjoy relaxing in a human’s company rather than being a lap cat. Ashes is a 1-year-old, female tortoise shell, who is up to date on vaccines and has already been spayed. You can adopt her or one of her adult feline pals for a special adoption price of $50 for the month of January with an approved adoption application. Meet Ashes and Gator and many other cats and dogs at A Second Chance Animal Shelter, 5079 Alex Harvin Highway (U.S. 301), which has numerous pets available for adoption. Adoption hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. To drop off an animal, call (803) 473-7075 for an appointment. If you’ve lost a pet, check www.ccanimalcontrol.webs.com and www.ASecondChanceAnimalShelter.com.

Manning Youth Council accepting applications The Manning Youth Council is now accepting applications. Applicants must be Clarendon County residents attending Laurence Manning Academy or Manning High School, or home-schooled students in grades 9 through 12. The Youth Council will serve Manning by planning and implementing social, educational, recreational and other activities for the youth and community. Students will also learn about the city government in a fun environment. For more information and to obtain an application, contact City Hall at (803) 435-8477.

Gator is a 9-month-old, male, domestic shorthair cat. He is up to date on vaccines and has been neutered. He loves to play with the other cats and kittens. He is a sweet boy. Stop by A Second Chance Animal Shelter and meet him and the other animals available for adoption.

Volunteer to become a mentor Rural Leadership Institute-Clarendon has begun a mentoring program, called Operation Generation, for atrisk youths in Clarendon County School District 1. Initially, the program will focus on students at Summerton Early Childhood Center and St. Paul Elementary School. The board members of Rural Leadership Institute Clarendon are asking adult members of the Clarendon community to volunteer to become mentors. For more information, call Bea Rivers at (803) 485-8164, Lesley Dykes at (803) 707-4901 or email rliclarendoncounty@gmail.com.

Let’s Move Manning wants you to walk The Let’s Move Manning Walkers Club meets every Saturday at 7:30 a.m. at the Gazebo on Church Street. For more information, call (803) 435-8477.

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The AARP Automobile Insurance Program from The Hartford is underwritten by Hartford Fire Insurance Company and its afﬁliates. One Hartford Plaza, Hartford CT 06155. CA license number 5152. AARP membersip is required for Program eligibility in most states. AARP does not employ or endorse agents or brokers. You have the option of purchasing a policy directly from The Hartford. Your price, however, could vary, and you will not have the advice, counsel or services of your independent agent. ®

PAT TOURS

P.O. Box 716 • Manning, SC 29102 803-435-5025 • Cell Phone: 803-473-8491 E-mail: pattourss@sc.rr.com or look on Facebook. NO WEB SITE.

A12

CLARENDON SUN

THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

THE SUMTER ITEM

Everything you need or want to know about flour

lour — its primary purpose is its use in baked goods, such as cakes, bread and muffins, and as one of the main ingredients in pasta and noodles. Flour also plays other roles in cooking. It’s used to thicken soups, stews and gravies; Nancy meats are Harrison often coated RETIRED CLEMSON with flour EXTENSION AGENT before pan frying to help them brown better; and cake and muffin pans are floured before adding batter to prevent sticking. For years, flour was milled by grinding kernels of grain between stones. Although you can still find stoneground flour, most flour is milled by the roller process, in which seeds are alternately put through a series of high-speed rollers and mesh sifters. The rollers crack the grain, allowing the endosperm to be separated from the bran and germ. The endosperm is then ground to the desired consistency. For whole-grain flours, the bran and germ are returned to the flour at the end of the process. The majority of the wheat flour we eat is white, or re-

fined, flour. White flour has been stripped of the bran and germ of the wheat kernel and also most of its fiber and many of its nutrients. White flour is usually enriched with a few vitamins and minerals, sometimes even with fiber, but not all of the nutrients are replaced. White flour is enriched with iron and the B vitamins niacin, riboflavin and thiamin, providing generous quantities of these nutrients. Also, large amounts of folate are often added. Whole-wheat flour is made from the entire wheat kernel — bran, germ and endosperm. Because all of the healthful parts of the grain are used, vitamins, minerals, fiber and phytochemicals are plentiful in whole-wheat flour. About 1/3 cup is an excellent source of the B vitamins thiamin and niacin, plus tremendous quantities of the minerals copper, iron and selenium. Whole-wheat flour also contains some amounts of fat-soluble vitamin E. Keep in mind, wholewheat flour must be refrigerated or frozen in order to prevent the oils from going rancid. In the market, among the grains, wheat flour is unique because it has the potential to produce gluten, a protein that adds strength and elasticity to dough and influences the texture of baked goods. Now the gluten content of flour

depends on whether the flour is made from a hard or soft wheat; hard wheats are higher in protein than soft wheats and produce more gluten. Most flour is a mixture of hard and soft wheat. In the southern region of the United States, flours contain a higher proportion of soft wheat, good for making the light, airy biscuits, and in the northern states, the preference is for breads rather than biscuits, and the all-purpose flour used in breadmaking contains a higher proportion of hard wheats. White flour: White flour consists of the ground endosperm of the wheat kernel. White flour is popular because it produces lighter baked goods than wholewheat flour and produces gluten. When the bran and germ are removed from the wheat kernel, vitamins and minerals are decreased, along with dietary fiber. Most white flour is enriched to replace some of the missing nutrients; if the flour has been enriched, the label will say so. There are many types of white flours: • All-purpose flour (plain, white) is made from a blend of hard and soft wheats which is suitable for either breads or cakes and pastries. All-purpose flour is available pre-sifted. However, all flour, whether labeled pre-sifted or not, has the tendency to settle

and become more compact in storage, so the benefit of presifting isn’t always good. • Bleached flour is slightly yellow. To whiten it, some choose to speed up the process by adding chemicals such as benzoyl peroxide or acetone peroxide to bleach it. • Bread flour is made from hard wheat; a high gluten content helps bread rise higher because the gluten traps and holds air bubbles as the dough is mixed and kneaded. • Cake flour is finer than all-purpose flour and is made from soft wheat. Because of the low gluten content, it is suitable for cakes, quick breads, muffins and cookies. • Durum flour has the highest content of protein and is frequently used for pasta. • Farina is milled from the endosperm of any type of wheat and is used in breakfast cereals and pasta. • Self-rising flour is made from soft wheat flour which contains salt, a leavening agent such as baking soda or baking powder and an acidreleasing substance. Do not use it in yeast-leavened baked goods. • Semolina is the coarsely ground endosperm (no bran, no germ) of durum wheat. Its high protein content makes it ideal for making commercial pasta, and it can also be used to make bread. Choose the flour you buy

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based on how you plan to use it. When buying packaged flour, buy a brand you like, since there is little difference between the brands. Remember, flour doesn’t keep forever and is more susceptible to spoilage. If flour is stored improperly or for too long, it can develop an off flavor, and baking results may not be desirable. Flour can absorb moisture from the air, and the fat from the germ in whole-grain flour can go rancid with time. White flour can be stored at room temperature for six to 12 months in a tightly covered container. Whole-wheat flour keeps for less than a month at room temperature, so store it in a tightly covered container in the freezer; it will stay fresh for up to a year. You can use the flour directly from the freezer, although it is best to bring it to room temperature before using because the cold temperature of the flour may increase the rising time in bread.

$45.00

Rabies clinic Friday, Feb. 13, 2015

Let us Cater!

MANNING RESTAURANT

8:00am - 12:00 noon $9.00 PER SHOT

476 N. Brooks Street Manning, SC

803-435-4212

Lee Van Hilton receives an award from Manning Mayor Julia Nelson for 34 years of service to the municipality at Monday’s City Council meeting. He was among several town employees receiving awards for years of service to Manning.

Monday - Friday 6AM - 2PM • Saturday 6AM - 11AM • Sunday 11AM - 2PM

Don't forget to test your pets for Heartworms and Feline Leukemia!

It’s your world. Read all about it.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL

Morris Animal Clinic

JIM HILLEY / THE CLARENDON SUN

Dr. Wayne Morris, DVM

Call (803) 774-1200 and get started today.

803-435-8001

2093 Alex Harvin Hwy. Manning, South Carolina www.morrisanimalclinic.com

THE

Clarendon Sun CLASSIFIEDS

DEADLINE 56&4DAY 11AM

LEGAL NOTICES Estate Notice Clarendon County

NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATES All persons having claims against the following estates MUST file their claims on FORM #371ES with the Probate Court of Clarendon County, the address of which is 411 Sunset Dr. Manning, SC 29102, within eight (8) months after the date of the first publication of this Notice to Creditors or within one (1) year from date of death, whichever is earlier (SCPC 62-3-801, et seq.), or such persons shall be forever barred as to their claims. All claims are required to be presented in written statements on the prescribed form (FORM #371ES) indicating the name and address of the claimant, the basis of the claim, the amount claimed, the date when the claim will become due, the nature of any uncertainty as to the claim, and a description of any security as to the claim.

Estate:

Cathy Louise McDaniel AKA Kathy L. McDaniel AKA Kate L. McDaniel #2014ES1400012 Personal Representative: Andrew C. Palsa 1052 J. Hilton King Road Summerton, SC 29148 01/22/15-02/5/15

Lisa Bair RENTALS

www.clarendonsun.com

Spotlight On Clarendon County Businesses

7020 Kingstree Hwy. 3 bed, 2 bath SWMH in excellent condition................$600/mos 316 S Church St. 2-3 bed, 1 bath older home on corner lot........................$450/mos 153 Nelson Circle. COMING FEB! 3 bed, 1 bath with carport.......................$450/mos 1022 Azalea Rd. Convenience store/grill in Alcolu. Reduced to....................$500/mos 1005 Overlook Lane. 3 bed, 2 bath brick home near Ram Bay.....$575/mos *View more homes and pictures on the website listed below.

All homes are plus utilities and require application approval and security deposit in addition to first month’s rent to move in!

323 S. Mill St., Manning, SC

803-433-7368

Lisa Moore

www.lisabairrentals.zoomshare.com lisabairrentals@hotmail.com

TO O ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS CALL 803 803.464.1157 464 11 1157 SALES & SERVICE STUKES HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING, LLC State MEC Licensed P.O. Box 293 Summerton, SC 29148

40 years Experience (803) 485-6110 • (803) 473-4926

Alfreda Pearson Toll Free 1-800-948-5077 Agent

JIA

Jeffords Insurance Agency 803-433-0060 • 803-374-9655 Cell

Auto • Home • Farm • Business • Boats • Life 40 North Mill St. • Manning, SC 29102 www.jeffordsinsurance.com • alfredap@jeffordsinsurance.com

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CALL DEE OSTEEN 803-225-7007

3 BED, 2 BATH LARGE LOT, MANNING..................................................................................$700 2 BED, 2 BATH DUPLEX, MANNING..........................................................................................$775 3 BED, 2 BATH BONUS ROOM. GARAGE...GOLF COURSE SANTEE...............$1500 BEAUTIFUL CUSTOM BUILT HOME 2 BED, 2 BATH FURNISHED WATERFRONT CONDO.........................................$1000 INCLUDES ALL UTILITIES (LEASE TERM OPTIONAL) 4 BED, 3 BATH WATERFRONT........................................................................................................$775 3 BED, 2 BATH GOLF COURSE, WYBOO PLANTATION.....................................$1200

DEE’S LAKE RENTALS G AIL M ATHIS

326 S. Mill Street • Manning, SC 803-433-7355

THE SUMTER ITEM N.G. Osteen 1843-1936 The Watchman and Southron

THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015 H.G. Osteen 1870-1955 Founder, The Item

H.D. Osteen 1904-1987 The Item

A13

Margaret W. Osteen 1908-1996 The Item Hubert D. Osteen Jr. Chairman & Editor-in-Chief Graham Osteen Co-President Kyle Osteen Co-President Jack Osteen Editor and Publisher Larry Miller CEO Rick Carpenter Managing Editor

20 N. Magnolia St., Sumter, South Carolina 29150 • Founded October 15, 1894

NOTABLE & QUOTABLE In an editorial this week, The Charleston Post and Courier declares, “Ruling stands, so fix schools.” Read it online at www.postandcourier.com: Plenty of obstacles stand in the way of improving schools in the state’s poor, rural districts, but in November the S.C. Supreme Court said that the Legislature and the districts must work together to get over them. On Monday, the court eliminated one big distraction in that process, as it rejected an appeal by state leaders to rehear the case. Now it’s time for legislative leaders to get down to the business of addressing the shameful situation. Several reform efforts already are underway. Gov. Nikki Haley has included money in her budget to recruit teachers to rural districts that are failing. She also wants to expand a program that coaches children in reading and to devote $29.3 million for technology. House Speaker Jay Lucas, R-Hartsville, has established a task force of lawmakers, business leaders and educators to evaluate reforms. Included are representatives of the districts named in the lawsuit. Educators from rural districts must also play a big part in the conversation, not just because doing so could help their students but because the Supreme Court so ordered it. The court was critical of school officials as well as the Legislature, saying they have spent money unwisely on administration rather than instruction, on athletic facilities rather than academic enhancements. It also chided small districts for simply blaming the state without exploring on their own such options as consolidation to reduce administrative costs. The Supreme Court took a stunning 21 years to rule on the case. The plan prescribed by the court needs to be completed with reasonable dispatch. ••• In an editorial titled, “Real ethics reform must end S.C. Legislature’s self-policing,” The State newspaper weighs in on the need for action in the S.C. Legislature: South Carolinians don’t believe that legislators are looking out for the public interest instead of their own personal interests. They don’t believe it because legislators hide their potential conflicts of interest, leaving voters to speculate about what motivates them — often imagining many more and larger conflicts than actually exist. They don’t believe it because legislators police their own compliance with the law. In secret. This cannot continue. Public trust is essential to a free, self-governing society, and our legislators must act to restore that trust, by requiring

themselves and their anonymous campaign supporters to disclose more, ending their secret self-policing, giving better investigative tools to independent investigators and providing harsher penalties for anyone who violates the law. Certainly there are problems of self-dealing throughout government. But no one in our government has anywhere near the power that the Legislature has — power to act in the public interest or in the interest of individual legislators. No one in our government has such a secretive and potentially self-protecting method of dealing with selfdealing as the Legislature. And no one else in our government has the power to change the law, to reduce the temptation for officials to look out for themselves at the expense of the public. The Legislature has that power. It must use it. And it must act now. ••• From an interview with musician Bob Dylan in AARP magazine online, Jan. 22: As long as there’s suffering, you can only be so happy. How can a person be happy if he has misfortune? Some wealthy billionaire who can buy 30 cars and maybe buy a sports team, is that guy happy? What then would make him happier? Does it make him happy giving his money away to foreign countries? Is there more contentment in that than in giving it here to the inner cities and creating jobs? The government’s not going to create jobs. It doesn’t have to. People have to create jobs, and these big billionaires are the ones who can do it. We don’t see that happening. We see crime and inner cities exploding with people who have nothing to do, turning to drink and drugs. They could all have work created for them by all these hotshot billionaires. For sure that would create a lot of happiness. Now, I’m not saying they have to — I’m not talking about communism — but what do they do with their money? Do they use it in virtuous ways? Q: So they should be moving their focus here instead of ... A: Well, I think they should, yeah, because there are a lot of things that are wrong in America, and especially in the inner cities, that they could solve. Those are dangerous grounds, and they don’t have to be. There are good people there, but they’ve been oppressed by lack of work. Those people can all be working at something. These multibillionaires can create industries right here in America. But no one can tell them what to do. God’s got to lead them. The Item’s “Notable & Quotable” column is compiled by Graham Osteen. Send comments or ideas to graham@ theitem.com.

COMMENTARY

Are today’s Millennials the new Victorian generation?

ublic policymakers and political pundits tend to focus on problems — understandably, because if things are going right they aren’t thought to need attention. Yet positive developments can teach us things as well, when, for reasons not necessarily clear, great masses of people start to behave more constructively. One such trend is the better behavior of the young Americans of today compared to those 25 years ago. Almost no one anticipated it, the exception being William Strauss and Neil Howe in their 1991 book, “Generations,” who named Americans born after 1981 the Millennial generation and predicted that “the tiny boys and girls now playing with Lego blocks” — and those then still unborn — would become “the nation’s next great Civic generation.” The most obvious evidence of the Millennials’ virtuous behavior is the vast decline in violent crime in the last 25 years. The most crime-prone Michael age and gender cohort — 15-to-25-year-old males — are Barone committing far fewer crimes than that cohort did in 1990. Statistics tell the dramatic story. In two decades the murder rate fell 49 percent, the forcible rape rate 33 percent, the robbery rate 48 percent, the aggravated assault rate 39 percent. Government agencies report that sexual assaults against 12-to-17-year-olds declined by more than half, and violent victimization of teenagers at school declined 60 percent. Binge drinking by high school seniors is lower than at any time since 1976, and sexual intercourse among ninth graders and the percentage of high school seniors with more than three partners has declined. There has been much ado about rape on college campuses today, with President Obama among others stating that one in five women students will be raped or sexually assaulted. But that statistic is based on a bogus survey, covering just two colleges, with selfselected rather than randomly selected respondents and a laughably broad definition of “sexual assault.” A recent Justice Department report showed that the rate rape on campus was not 20 percent but 0.6 percent. And today’s young are better behaved despite what blind statistical trends might seem to hint at. Compared to the young Americans of 1990, their ranks include a higher percentage of Hispanics and blacks, who statistically tend to have above-average crime rates. Today’s young are also more likely to come from single-parent households — another high-risk factor. De-

mographics suggested there would be more bad behavior. Instead, there is less. What accounts for this virtuous cycle? I am inclined to give some credit to better police tactics and welfare reform, the great positive conservative policy successes of the 1990s. Others might credit the Clinton administration’s increase in the Earned Income Tax Credit or bipartisan-supported education reforms. But partisan explanations, though plausible, seem inadequate. I think what we are seeing is a mass changing of minds, something like the movement in Victorian England toward what historian Gertrude Himmelfarb described as “the morality that dignifies and civilizes human beings.” My theory is that young people do what is expected of them, in two senses of the word “expected.” One is statistical expectation. Americans in 1990 expected young people, especially from disadvantaged backgrounds, to commit lots of crimes. They had been doing so, after all, for 25 years. But Rudy Giuliani and others adapting his methods reduced crime dramatically, and statistical expectations rapidly changed. The other sense of the word “expected” is moral expectation. A parent tells a boy he is expected not to shoplift, bully, rob, rape or kill. She tells a girl she is expected not to sleep around or get pregnant. The parents of the last 25 years grew up in years of high crime, high divorce and high unmarried births. Evidently they wanted — expected — something better from their own children. It’s true that unmarried parenthood has risen. But teen births, like violent crime, have been in sharp decline. Now the latest statistics tell us that birth rates are, unusually, up among married women and down among unmarried women. There remain stark differences between the experiences and behaviors of high-education and -income and low-education and -income Americans, as Charles Murray showed in his 2012 book, “Coming Apart.” But perhaps they are starting to converge. Liberals and conservatives often assume that moves away from traditional moral rules must inevitably continue. How can you keep them down on the farm once they’ve seen “Paree?” But today’s America, like Victorian England, shows that virtuous cycles are possible as well. People can learn from experience, and those who have seen the downside of bad behavior may choose to behave better. Michael Barone, senior political analyst at the Washington Examiner. © 2015 creators.com

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR RECENT STATE OF THE UNION EDITORIAL REACHES MANY After reading your editorial on Thursday, Jan. 22, on the State of the Union, an old saying came to me: “There are some things more painful than the truth. I just cannot think of any.” Your pen was much sharper than any sword for it touched many. I

am forwarding copies of this to my daughters in the Midwest. RAYMOND TIFFAULT Stateburg

FOOTBALL PLAYERS NEED A COACH WHO WILL COMMIT I have lived in Sumter since 1965 and have seen many changes.

However, I have never seen football coaches jump ship as much as they have in the last few years. The players need stability. I appeal to the ones involved in hiring the next coaches to think of the players who dedicated themselves and bond with their coaches to be very careful to pick a coach who will make a very serious commit-

ment to our players and community. Do we really want to hire a coach who makes his job a stepping stone to some other place? A job at these schools should be attractive to many talented coaches. Please choose carefully. BOB CHERRY Sumter

HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY? Send your letter to letters@theitem.com, drop it off at The Sumter Item office, 20 N. Magnolia St., or mail it to The Sumter Item, P.O. Box 1677, Sumter, SC 29151, along with the writer’s full name, address and telephone number (for verification purposes only). Letters that exceed 350 words will be cut accordingly in the print edition, but available in their entirety at www.theitem.com/opinion/letters_to_editor.

A14

THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

FYI son Road, Fort Wayne, IN The Rembert Area Community 46815-4505; (260) 486-2221 8 Coalition (RACC) is accepting a.m.-5 p.m.; fax (260) 492applications for the 2014-15 9771; or email at hope4391@ after school program. Applicaverizon.net. tions can be obtained at the main office, Volunteer 8455 Camden your time, get involved or find Hospice Care of Sumter LLC is Highway, Rembert, SC 29128. in need of volunteers in Sumassistance For information, call (803) ter and surrounding coun432-2001. ties. Opportunities available for you to use your time and Having cancer is hard. Finding help shouldn’t be. Free help for talents to be of assistance include reading, musical talcancer patients from the ents, companionship, light American Cancer Society. housekeeping, etc. Contact Transportation to treatment, Joyce Blanding at (803) 883help for appearance related side effects of treatment, nu- 5606 or hospicecareofsumter@yahoo.com. trition help, one-on-one breast cancer support, free Agape Hospice is in need of volhousing away from home unteers. Whether your pasduring treatment, help findsion is baking, knitting, reading clinical trials, someone ing, singing, etc., Agape Hosto talk to — all free from pice can find a place for you. your American Cancer SociContact Thandi Blanding at ety. Call (800) 227-2345. (803) 774-1075, (803) 260-3876 or tblanding@agapsenior. The Rembert Area Community Coalition (RACC) offers a senior com. citizens program 10 a.m.-noon Hospice Care of South Carolina each Monday and Wednesis in need of volunteers in Sumday at 6785 Bradley St. (beter County. Do you have one hind community car wash), extra hour a week? OpportuRembert, SC 29128. Transpor- nities are available for patation is available. For detient/family companionship, tails, call (803) 432-2001. administrative support, meal preparation, light household Sumter High School Class of projects, student education 1975 will hold a 40-year class and various other tasks. reunion celebration May 2931. Send all addresses to cin- Contact Whitney Rogers, regional volunteer coordinator, dyd27@juno.com. at (843) 409-7991 or whitney. Are you a breast cancer survirogers@hospicecare.net. vor? Maggie L. Richardson is Amedisys Hospice is in need of seeking other survivors to form a music group and give volunteers. Volunteer opportunities include 1) special back to the community. If you are interested in joining, projects of baking, sewing, knitting, crafts, carpentry contact her at mlrminstry2012@gmail.com or (803) and yard work; 2) administrative/office duties of copy236-9086. ing, light filing and answerThe Second (Indianhead) Diviing phones; and 3) patient sion Association is searching companionship — develop for anyone/everyone who served in the 2nd Infantry Di- one-on-one relationships with hospice patients (trainvision. Visit the website at ing provided free of charge). www.2ida.org or contact Contact Rhoda Keefe, volunMike Davino at MDavino@ yahoo.com or (919) 498-1910. teer coordinator, at (803) 469-3047 or rhonda.keefe@ Zumba classes will be held at amedisys.com. 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Hospice Care of Tri-County is in Wednesdays at the Parks need of volunteers. Volunteers and Recreation building on offer support, companionHaynsworth Street. Classes ship and care to the caregivare $5 each and no registraer by running errands, readtion is required. Contact ing to patients, listening and Deanne Lewis at zumjust being there for patients badeanne@gmail.com. who need companionship. The Palmetto Singles Club All you need is a willing holds a dance from 7 to 10 heart and some time to give p.m. on the first and third to others. No medical backFridays of each month at the ground is required. Hospice VFW on Gion Street. Call Care of Tri-County will proSarah Shorter at (803) 847vide you with the tools you 3288. need to become a hospice volunteer. Call Carol Tindal Sumter Area Toastmasters at (803) 905-7720. meets at 7 p.m. each Tuesday at the Sumter Mall comROAD to RECOVERY is in need munity room, 1057 Broad St. of volunteers in the Sumter The group helps in developarea. The program provides ing speaking and leadership cancer patients with transskills. Call Douglas Wilson at portation to and from treat(803) 778-0197 or Rebecca ments. Call the American Gonzalez at (803) 565-9271. Cancer Society at (803) 7501693. Navy and Marine Corps shipmates who served on the USS Sumter Newcomers Club welColumbus CA-74/CG-12 from comes new residents (and 1944 through 1976 and the even some longtime resiUSS Columbus (SSN-762) dents) with coffees and lunpast and present, to share cheons each month. Call memories and camaraderie Anna Nunnery at (803) 469with old friends and make 0143 or Jeanne Bessel at new ones, contact Allen R. (803) 469-0598. Hope, president, 3828 Hob-

DAILY PLANNER

THE SUMTER ITEM

WEATHER

AccuWeather® ﬁve-day forecast for Sumter TODAY

TONIGHT

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

Sunshine mixing with some clouds

Partly cloudy

Mostly sunny

Sunny

Warmer; a little afternoon rain

Windy with rain

55°

40°

56° / 26°

50° / 32°

61° / 50°

56° / 29°

Chance of rain: 5%

Chance of rain: 15%

Chance of rain: 0%

Chance of rain: 55%

Chance of rain: 75%

S 7-14 mph

SW 7-14 mph

NW 7-14 mph

SE 4-8 mph

SSE 6-12 mph

W 20-30 mph

TODAY’S SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER

Gaﬀney 51/35 Spartanburg 54/35

Greenville 54/33

Columbia 57/40

Temperatures shown on map are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

Sumter 55/40

IN THE MOUNTAINS Aiken 58/41

ON THE COAST

Charleston 58/46

Today: Sunshine mixing with some clouds; warmer. High 53 to 57. Friday: Mostly sunny and windy. High 54 to 58.

LOCAL ALMANAC

LAKE LEVELS

SUMTER THROUGH 4 P.M. YESTERDAY

Today Hi/Lo/W 57/36/s 39/19/sn 66/40/s 35/12/sn 73/49/s 74/56/c 73/49/pc 34/30/pc 69/47/s 35/32/pc 74/59/c 60/49/pc 41/35/pc

SUN AND MOON 7 a.m. yest. 357.74 74.29 73.87 96.01

24-hr chg none -0.08 +0.05 -0.22

Sunrise 7:21 a.m. Moonrise 1:37 p.m.

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

0.00" 4.80" 3.57" 4.80" 2.69" 3.57"

NATIONAL CITIES City Atlanta Chicago Dallas Detroit Houston Los Angeles New Orleans New York Orlando Philadelphia Phoenix San Francisco Wash., DC

Full pool 360 76.8 75.5 100

Lake Murray Marion Moultrie Wateree

49° 29° 56° 33° 79° in 1957 9° in 1986

Precipitation 24 hrs ending 4 p.m. yest. Month to date Normal month to date Year to date Last year to date Normal year to date

Fri. Hi/Lo/W 51/29/pc 26/18/s 56/42/c 20/9/s 63/45/pc 73/55/c 60/43/pc 37/14/sn 71/48/pc 37/11/c 62/55/r 61/51/pc 40/20/s

Myrtle Beach 52/43

Manning 57/44

Today: A passing shower. Winds southwest 6-12 mph. Friday: Mostly sunny. Winds west-northwest 4-8 mph.

Temperature High Low Normal high Normal low Record high Record low

Florence 55/40

Bishopville 56/41

Sunset Moonset

5:49 p.m. 2:52 a.m.

Full

Last

New

First

Feb. 3

Feb. 11

Feb. 18

Feb. 25

TIDES

Flood 7 a.m. 24-hr stage yest. chg 12 9.25 -0.07 19 5.40 +0.80 14 8.38 -0.01 14 4.33 -0.78 80 78.92 +0.03 24 12.04 +3.08

AT MYRTLE BEACH

High 4:32 a.m. 4:56 p.m. 5:31 a.m. 5:53 p.m.

Today Fri.

Ht. 3.0 2.6 3.0 2.6

Low Ht. 11:33 a.m. 0.2 11:41 p.m. -0.2 12:31 p.m. 0.2 -----

REGIONAL CITIES City Asheville Athens Augusta Beaufort Cape Hatteras Charleston Charlotte Clemson Columbia Darlington Elizabeth City Elizabethtown Fayetteville

Today Hi/Lo/W 49/28/s 57/36/s 58/40/s 58/45/s 44/39/s 58/46/s 53/34/s 55/36/s 57/40/s 54/39/s 46/36/s 52/38/s 51/38/s

Fri. Hi/Lo/W 39/20/pc 55/25/s 57/25/pc 59/33/pc 47/28/s 57/31/pc 51/23/s 55/28/s 58/27/s 53/25/s 47/24/s 52/25/s 51/24/s

City Florence Gainesville Gastonia Goldsboro Goose Creek Greensboro Greenville Hickory Hilton Head Jacksonville, FL La Grange Macon Marietta

Today Hi/Lo/W 55/40/s 66/41/s 53/35/s 51/36/s 58/46/s 50/31/s 54/33/s 50/33/s 55/48/s 65/43/s 62/39/s 59/39/s 57/35/s

Fri. Hi/Lo/W 56/26/s 66/37/pc 51/23/s 50/24/s 57/31/s 45/22/s 53/25/s 46/24/s 58/38/pc 62/37/pc 58/28/pc 56/26/pc 49/26/pc

City Marion Mt. Pleasant Myrtle Beach Orangeburg Port Royal Raleigh Rock Hill Rockingham Savannah Spartanburg Summerville Wilmington Winston-Salem

Today Hi/Lo/W 51/32/s 58/47/s 52/43/s 57/42/s 57/47/s 49/34/s 53/34/s 53/37/s 60/45/s 54/35/s 56/47/s 51/39/s 48/31/s

Fri. Hi/Lo/W 46/19/pc 57/33/pc 55/30/s 57/29/s 59/36/pc 46/23/s 52/22/s 52/22/s 60/33/pc 52/24/s 59/39/pc 52/25/s 45/22/s

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For Comfort You Can Count On, Better Make It Boykin! 803-795-4257 www.boykinacs.com License #M4217

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Discuss your EUGENIA LAST options with someone you have worked with in the past. Don’t let an emotional incident interfere with your productivity or how you get along with someone of influence. Make the appropriate changes to help you advance.

The last word in astrology

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Expanding your mind and your self-awareness will bring about a change of attitude and an increased appreciation of friendships. You can influence others by sharing your thoughts and offering an alternative way to live. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Your curiosity will mount. Trying something new will bring you in contact with people who can influence your life. Don’t be too eager to make a leap of faith. Your research will show that you are better off following your own path. CANCER (June 21-July 22): Romance, a trip to exotic destinations and trying something new will give you the boost you need. Good fortune awaits if you are willing to put more effort into the way you present who you are and what you want. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Deception is apparent where money and joint ventures are concerned. You can make changes, but do so for the right reasons and only after you have done sufficient research to warrant moving forward. Too much of anything will work against you. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Reevaluate your current personal and professional relationships. If you feel someone is working against you, look at your alternatives and do whatever is necessary to avoid creating a scene. Rely on facts and figures, not hearsay.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Size up your situation and make your move. You have plenty to gain by using your intelligence to maneuver your way through any discussion that can have an impact on your relationships in business or in your personal life. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Someone close to you will show signs of instability. Look for a unique way to compensate for someone’s loss or confusion. Positive change will help to bring you closer together and improve the way you live and do things in the future. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Don’t let someone’s personal interest in you cause confusion. You are best to make positive changes at home that will help you reevaluate what you already have. Someone pretending to offer what you want will mislead you. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Don’t allow the changes going on around you to cause stress. If you don’t like something, make positive moves rather than complain. Revert back to the situations, people and places that have worked best for you in the past. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Don’t let opposition scare you. Focus on your family, your home environment and making changes that will bring greater happiness and joy to you and those you love. Don’t give in to someone trying to control what you can and cannot do. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Keep a tight lip to avoid being called a meddler. Emotional matters will escalate quickly, causing problems for you that can influence your personal and professional status. Don’t fold under pressure or reveal sensitive information. Observe, but do not take action.

LOTTERY NUMBERS PALMETTO CASH 5 WEDNESDAY

MEGAMILLIONS TUESDAY

8-11-13-23-34 PowerUp: 2

5-26-27-44-57 Megaball: 7 Megaplier: 3

PICK 3 WEDNESDAY

PICK 4 WEDNESDAY

8-3-0 and 6-2-1

8-7-2-5 and 5-9-5-8

POWERBALL numbers were unavailable at press time.

PICTURES FROM THE PUBLIC Frank Brown comments on his photo submission, ”Bill Hartley, right, representing the Colonel Matthew Singleton Sons of the American Revolution Chapter, presents George Buskey with a flag certificate. This award recognizes George for the continued patriotism that he displays by daily flying the American flag in his yard.”

SECTION

USC men fall at LSU 64-58 B2

THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

Call: (803) 774-1241 | E-mail: sports@theitem.com

USCS BASEBALL

Young Fire Ants aim for more consistency in ’15 BY JUSTIN DRIGGERS justin@theitem.com Tim Medlin has been congratulated by nearly everyone he’s seen since last baseball season ended. That’s understandable considering the University of South Carolina Sumter’s COMING success in his SOON first year at the helm — a Closer looks 41-15 overall at the new mark, the first pitching Region X tourstaff, lineup nament chamfor USCS. pionship in school history Friday & Saturday and a secondplace finish in the Eastern District tournament. Even so, despite the fact the Fire Ants were just seven outs away from a trip to the Junior College World Series, Medlin has been able to reflect a little deeper on the perceived success. “Everybody talks about how good the year was last year,” Medlin said. “But truthfully, for me it was disappointing

KEITH GEDAMKE / THE SUMTER ITEM

USC Sumter pitcher Brandon Ahrens, left, receives some instruction from head coach Tim Medlin during practice on Jan. 22. The Fire Ants open the 2015 season on Saturday at Riley Park against Catawba Valley Community College in a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. because we didn’t play better at times during the regular season. I felt like we under-

achieved at times. “But then, I want to win every game. I’m motivated

just coming to the ballpark. I can’t wait for us to get out there and have somebody to

compete against.” Medlin and USCS will get their first opportunity on Saturday at Riley Park as the Fire Ants open the 2015 campaign against Catawba Valley Community College in a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. If the Fire Ants want another opportunity to secure the program’s first trip to Grand Junction, Colo., they’ll have to do it with an unproven group of newcomers leading the way. Of the 13 returning players, only three saw significant playing time in the field and only four more logged innings on the mound. Of those, Brett Auckland is the only returning everyday starter and Victor Gonzalez is the lone returning weekend starting pitcher. “It’s mostly new faces,” Medlin said. “But the thing about being in a junior college program is that you’re never really playing with guys that are that young or that old. Everybody’s got freshmen and sophomores. “But I’m excited about our

SEE FIRE ANTS, PAGE B3

USC WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

PRO FOOTBALL

Staley’s super subs

Super Bowl QBs can each add to legacies BY HOWARD FENDRICH The Associated Press PHOENIX — Tom Brady began winning Super Bowls when Russell Wilson was still a teenager, tuning in to see the big game on TV. “Of course I remember watching Brady,’’ Wilson said Tuesday. “He won some incredible games. Incredible comebacks. Incredible throws. Incredible plays. Hopefully he doesn’t make too many incredible ones this year.’’ When Wilson leads the Seattle Seahawks into the Super Bowl against Brady and the New England Patriots on Sunday, both quarterbacks know the outcome will affect the way each is viewed for quite a while. Wilson can become the eighth starting QB to win consecutive Super Bowl championships, and the first since Brady did it 10 years ago. According to STATS,

BRADY

WILSON

Wilson also would be the first to claim two in his first three years in the league (as it is, he’s the first starting quarterback to make it to two Super Bowls that quickly). Brady, meanwhile, won titles in 2002, 2004, and 2005. But since then, he is 0-2 in Super Bowls, with a pair of losses to the New York Giants in 2008 and 2012. “Look, any time you lose the last game of the year, it’s tough,’’ said Brady, who sounded stuffed up and coughed a couple of times. “The last two times we’ve been in this game, we haven’t been able to close it out. We’re hoping this is our

SEE QBS, PAGE B4

Unlike footballs, Deflategate controversy clearly overblown

A THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

South Carolina fans get louder when head coach Dawn Staley goes to her bench. That’s because some of the best performers for the No. 1 Gamecocks don’t start, including star freshman A’ja Wilson (22) and last year’s SEC freshman of the year Alaina Coates, right.

Lady Gamecocks head coach has seen her top-ranked squad thrive due in part to a deep, talented bench BY PETE IACOBELLI The Associated Press COLUMBIA — Top-ranked South Carolina puts one of the most experienced and accomplished starting lineups on the floor each game. The action really picks up, though, when the Gamecocks go to the bench. South Carolina has used its tall, talented reserves to roll to a 19-0 record and looks to win its 20th straight game when it faces Alabama (12-10, 1-6 Southeastern Conference) on Thursday night. The backups include

STALEY

second-leading scorer in 6-foot-5 A’ja Wilson and top rebounder in 6-4 Alaina Coates, who by the way was last year’s SEC freshman of

the year. Wilson, the nation’s top college prospect last season, could have started at most other programs in the country. But she’s content to come off the bench to help the team succeed. “Of course everyone wants to start, but you can only start

five,’’ said Wilson, second on the team in scoring at 13.6 points a game and rebounding at 7.2 boards a game. “You have to learn that when your name is called, you got to play your best while you’re out there.’’ South Carolina’s reserves have certainly done that. They were instrumental in swatting down No. 12 Texas A&M 79-61 this past Monday night, outscoring the Aggies’ bench 41-8 and outrebounding them 28-14. Wilson and Coates were a big

SEE SUBS, PAGE B2

s the issue over whether the New England Patriots didn’t have the proper amount of air in their footballs for the AFC Championship game after they had been checked by National Football League officials has dragged on for almost two weeks, one thing keeps coming to the forefront of my mind. No, not that Bill Belichick is the face of evil and Tom Brady needs that toboggan pulled down over his face so we don’t have to see that smug look on his face, and, no, not that the NFL is actually eating up all of this publicity because it will actually bring in more casual viewers for Sunday’s Super Bowl than would normally be the case. No, what has struck me the most is how the sports media should

switch places with the White House press corps. If the White Dennis House Brunson crew pursued stories with the tenacity and veracity in which the media now congregated in Arizona have, what happened in Benghazi, with the Internal Revenue Service, the National Security Agency and countless other situations might have reached a conclusion a very long time ago. Really though, what difference, at this point in time, does it make? About the footballs, the Patriots, Belichick, Brady, etc., that is.

SEE BRUNSON, PAGE B4

SPORTS

THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

SPORTS ITEMS

LSU rallies, beats USC 64-58 BATON ROUGE, La. — LSU held South Carolina to one basket over the final four minutes and rallied for a 64-58 Southeastern Conference victory Wednesday night. In a second half in which both teams had mini-runs, five consecutive points QUARTERMAN by Michael Carrera put South Carolina ahead 56-52 with 4:33 remaining in the game. Josh Gray came back with five straight points to give LSU a 57-56 lead at the two-minute mark. Tyrone Johnson made a layup to give the lead back to the Gamecocks at 58-57 with 1:39 to play. A dunk by Jarell Mickey off a pass from Tim Quarterman put the Tigers in the lead for good at 59-58 with 1:10 remaining. The Gamecocks had two opportunities to take the lead in the last 35 seconds, but had shots blocked. Jordan Mickey blocked an attempt by Johnson and

Keith Hornsby got a piece of a shot by Marcus Stroman. Gray then made the first of two foul shots. Mickey rebounded the missed free throw and was fouled. Mickey sank two free throws to give LSU a 62-58 lead with 19 seconds to go. Mickey blocked two more shots in the final seconds. Quarterman led LSU (16-4, 5-2) with 16 points. Hornsby added 15 points, while Mickey had 14 points and six blocked shots. Martin, who also blocked six shots, had a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Duane Notice was the leading scorer for the Gamecocks (10-9, 1-6) with 12 points. Sindarius Thornwell had 11 points and nine rebounds, while Johnson contributed 10 points. NBA CAVALIERS 99 TRAIL BLAZERS 94 CLEVELAND — Kyrie Irving scored a careerhigh 55 points, breaking the arena record while LeBron James watched

from the bench and leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to their eighth straight win, 99-94 over the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night. Irving took over with James sidelined with a sprained right wrist. He buried a 3-pointer with 6.4 seconds left to break a 94-94 tie, grabbed a rebound off a missed 3-pointer by Portland’s Damian Lillard, and as many in the crowd chanted “M-V-P’’ and James danced near the bench, Irving dropped two free throws with 2.1 seconds remaining to seal the win.

HORNETS: WALKER TO MISS 6 WEEKS CHARLOTTE — Charlotte Hornets point guard Kemba Walker will miss a minimum of six weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a torn lateral meniscus in his left knee. Walker leads the Hornets in points (18.8), assists (5.2) and steals (1.4). Brian Roberts will start in Walker’s spot. From wire reports

THE SUMTER ITEM

SCOREBOARD

Golden State L.A. Clippers Phoenix Sacramento L.A. Lakers

TV, RADIO

Knights top Bulldogs 71-68 in OT BENNETTSVILLE — Ja Morant scored 27 points and handed out six assists to lead Crestwood High School’s varsity boys basketball team to a 71-68 overtime victory over Marlboro County on Tuesday at the Marlboro gymnasium. James Brailsford added 12 points for the Knights, who improved to 16-4 overall and 5-1 in Region VI-3A. Dakota Jennings had nine. SUMTER CHRISTIAN 61 ORANGEBURG CHRISTIAN 43

ORANGEBURG — Sumter Christian School improved to 15-2 with a 61-43 victory over Orangeburg Christian on Tuesday at the OC gymnasium. TJ Barron, Aaron Pekuri, Desmond Sigler, Grayson Dennis and Jonathan Fraser each had nine points for SCS.

B TEAM BASKETBALL LAURENCE MANNING 50 THOMAS SUMTER 37 DALZELL — Laurence Manning Academy improved to 8-2 with a 50-37 victory over Thomas Sumter Academy on Wednesday at Edens Gymnasium. Wyatt Rowland led LMA with 16 points, while J Godwin had 15. Matthew Martin and Mason Warren both had seven to lead TSA. On Monday in Bishopville, Thomas

Sumter beat Robert E. Lee Academy 39-21. Tyler Millwood and Josh Fugate led the Generals with eight points apiece.

MIDDLE SCHOOL BASKETBALL KINGSTREE 45 LEE CENTRAL 34 KINGSTREE — Lee Central Middle School fell to 8-3 with a 45-34 loss to Kingstree on Wednesday at the Kingstree gymnasium. Deablo Halley led Lee with nine points.

JUNIOR VARSITY BASKETBALL SUMTER CHRISTIAN 44 ORANGEBURG CHRISTIAN 34 ORANGEBURG — Sumter Christian School improved to 14-1 with a 44-34 victory over Orangeburg Christian on Wednesday at the OC gymnasium. Grayson Dennis led SCS with 30 points. CRESTWOOD 43 MARLBORO COUNTY 30

BENNETTSVILLE — Crestwood High School improved to 5-7 with a 43-30 victory over Marlboro County on Tuesday at the Marlboro gymnasium. Carl Benjamin led the Knights with 12 points and Devante Wilson had 11.

5:30 a.m. -- Professional Golf: European PGA Tour Dubai Desert Classic First Round from Dubai, United Arab Emirates (GOLF). 11 a.m. -- LPGA Golf: Coates Golf Championship Second Round from Ocala, Fla. (GOLF). 2 p.m. -- Professional Tennis: Australian Open Men’s Semifinal Match from Melbourne, Australia (ESPN2). 3 p.m. -- PGA Golf: Phoenix Open First Round from Scottsdale, Ariz. (GOLF). 6:05 p.m. -- Talk Show: Sports Talk (WDXY-FM 105.9, WDXY-AM 1240). 7 p.m. -- College Basketball: Western Kentucky at Louisiana Tech (CBS SPORTS NETWORK). 7 p.m. -- College Basketball: Maryland at Ohio State (ESPN). 7 p.m. -- College Basketball: Dayton at Massachusetts (ESPNU). 7 p.m. -- Women’s College Basketball: Oklahoma at Texas (FOX SPORTS 1). 7 p.m. -- Women’s College Basketball: Clemson at Wake Forest (FOX SPORTSOUTH). 7 p.m. -- NHL Hockey: Montreal at New York Rangers (NBC SPORTS NETWORK). 7 p.m. -- Women’s College Basketball: Tennessee at Kentucky (SEC NETWORK). 7:05 p.m. -- Talk Show: Sports Talk (Joined In Progress) (WPUB-FM 102.7). 8 p.m. -- College Basketball: Connecticut at Cincinnati (ESPN2). 8 p.m. -- NBA Basketball: Denver at Memphis (TNT). 8 p.m. -- Women’s College Basketball: Alabama at South Carolina (Joined In Progress) (WNKT-FM 107.5). 9 p.m. -- College Basketball: Alabama-Birmingham at Texas-El Paso (CBS SPORTS NETWORK). 9 p.m. -- College Basketball: Kentucky at Missouri (ESPN). 9 p.m. -- College Basketball: Eastern Kentucky at Murray State (ESPNU). 9 p.m. -- Women’s College Basketball: Mississippi at Louisiana State (SEC NETWORK). 9:30 p.m. -- College Basketball: Colorado at Southern California (FOX SPORTS 1). 10 p.m. -- College Basketball: Utah at UCLA (ESPN2). 10 p.m. -- NHL Hockey: Anaheim at San Jose (NBC SPORTS NETWORK). 10:30 p.m. -- NBA Basketball: Chicago at Los Angeles Lakers (TNT). 11 p.m. -- College Basketball: San Francisco at Brigham Young (ESPNU). Midnight -- NHL Hockey: Nashville at St. Louis (FOX SPORTSOUTH). 1 a.m. -- Professional Golf: European PGA Tour Dubai Desert Classic Second Round from Dubai, United Arab Emirates (GOLF). 3:30 a.m. -- Professional Tennis: Australian Open Men’s Semifinal Match from Melbourne, Australia (ESPN).

TODAY

Varsity Basketball Andrew Jackson Academy at St. Francis Xavier (Boys Only), 6 p.m. Varsity and JV Basketball The King’s Academy at Laurence Manning, 4 p.m. Junior Varsity Basketball Sumter at Conway, 6 p.m. Crestwood at Manning, 6 p.m. Lakewood at Darlington, 6 p.m. B Team Basketball Timmerman at Robert E. Lee, 5 p.m. Middle School Basketball Chestnut Oaks at Alice Drive, 5 p.m. Bates at Ebenezer, 5 p.m. Mayewood at Hillcrest, 5 p.m. Hannah-Pamplico at Scott’s Branch, 5:30 p.m.

FRIDAY

Varsity Basketball Conway at Sumter, 6 p.m. Manning at Crestwood, 6 p.m. Darlington at Lakewood, 6 p.m. Timmonsville at East Clarendon, 6 p.m. Varsity and JV Basketball Andrews at Lee Central (No JV Girls), 5 p.m. Palmetto Scholar’s Academy at Scott’s Branch (No JV Girls), 5 p.m. Wilson Hall at Orangeburg Prep, 4 p.m. Laurence Manning at Thomas Sumter, 4 p.m. Williamsburg at Robert E. Lee, 4 p.m. Clarendon Hall at Colleton Prep, 4 p.m. Sumter Christian at Grace Christian, 4 p.m. Varsity Bowling Wilson Hall, Thomas Sumter, Laurence Manning in SCISA Individual State Championship, TBA

SATURDAY

Varsity Basketball St. Francis Xavier vs. Covenant Classical Christian (at Glenforest School in Columbia), 5:30 p.m. B Team Basketball Thomas Sumter at Calhoun, 10 a.m. Middle School Basketball Lee Central at Mayewood, noon Varsity Wrestling Sumter in Region VI-4A Individual Tournament (at Sumter High), 11 a.m.

NBA STANDINGS By The Associated Press EASTERN CONFERENCE ATLANTIC DIVISION

GIRLS AREA ROUNDUP

LC Middle stays unbeaten with 37-13 victory KINGSTREE — Lee Central Middle School’s girls basketball team remained undefeated with a 37-13 victory over Kingstree on Wednesday. Robionne Myers led the Lady Stallions (11-0) with 18 points.

B TEAM BASKETBALL ROBERT E. LEE 32 THOMAS HART 16 BISHOPVILLE — Caleigh Barrett and Rebecca Dinkins both scored 12 points to lead Robert E. Lee Academy to a 32-16 victory over Thomas Hart on Wednesday. Dinkins also grabbed

rebounds for REL, which improved to 8-1. LAURENCE MANNING 20 THOMAS SUMTER 10

DALZELL — Laurence Manning Academy improved to 7-3 with 20-10 victory over Thomas Sumter Academy on Wednesday. Katherine Burns had eight points to lead LMA while Trinity Harrington added seven.

VARSITY BASKETBALL LEE CENTRAL 39 LAKE MARION 38 SANTEE — Lee Central High School im-

SUBS FROM PAGE B1 part of that disparity. Wilson had 17 points and nine rebounds while Coates had 12 points and 11 rebounds for her seventh double-double this season. South Carolina’s bench also features a McDonald’s AllAmerican point guard in Bianca Cuevas and three-point ace Tina Roy. Cuevas is a lightning-quick player with a fierce-minded approach to defense — she’s fourth on the Gamecocks with 24 steals — in the image of South Carolina coach Dawn

proved to 3-2 in Region VII-2A with a 39-38 victory over Lake Marion on Tuesday. Shy Davis had a double-double of 10 points and 16 rebounds for the Lady Stallions. Asia Wright scored 16 points.

W Toronto 30 Brooklyn 18 Boston 16 New York 8 Philadelphia 8 SOUTHEAST DIVISION W Atlanta 37 Washington 31 Miami 20 Charlotte 19 Orlando 15 CENTRAL DIVISION W Chicago 30 Cleveland 26 Milwaukee 23 Detroit 17 Indiana 16

Detroit at Philadelphia, 7 p.m. Portland at Cleveland, 7 p.m. Sacramento at Toronto, 7:30 p.m. Denver at New Orleans, 8 p.m. Dallas at Houston, 8 p.m. Boston at Minnesota, 8 p.m. Brooklyn at Atlanta, 8 p.m. Oklahoma City at New York, 8 p.m. Charlotte at San Antonio, 8:30 p.m. L.A. Clippers at Utah, 9 p.m. Washington at Phoenix, 10:30 p.m.

TODAY’S GAMES

Milwaukee at Orlando, 7 p.m. New York at Indiana, 7 p.m. Denver at Memphis, 8 p.m. Chicago at L.A. Lakers, 10:30 p.m.

FRIDAY’S GAMES

Minnesota at Philadelphia, 7 p.m. Portland at Atlanta, 7:30 p.m. Houston at Boston, 7:30 p.m. Toronto at Brooklyn, 7:30 p.m. Sacramento at Cleveland, 7:30 p.m. L.A. Clippers at New Orleans, 8 p.m. Dallas at Miami, 8 p.m. Golden State at Utah, 9 p.m. Chicago at Phoenix, 10:30 p.m.

NFL PLAYOFFS The Associated Press SUPER BOWL XLIX

Sunday At Glendale, Ariz. New England vs. Seattle, 6:30 p.m. (NBC) BC-HKN--NHL Glance

NHL STANDINGS By The Associated Press EASTERN CONFERENCE ATLANTIC DIVISION GP W Detroit 48 28 Tampa Bay 49 30 Montreal 46 30 Boston 48 25 Florida 45 20 Ottawa 46 19 Toronto 48 22 Buffalo 48 14 METROPOLITAN DIVISION GP W N.Y. Islanders 47 32 Pittsburgh 47 27 N.Y. Rangers 45 27 Washington 47 24 Philadelphia 49 20 Columbus 46 21 New Jersey 47 17 Carolina 47 17

L OT Pts GF GA 14 1 65 155 130 12 8 62 143 120 14 4 58 135 110 14 9 57 140 124 22 7 47 134 149 22 3 45 117 145 22 8 42 107 134 25 5 39 102 122

WESTERN CONFERENCE Nashville St. Louis Chicago Winnipeg Colorado Dallas Minnesota PACIFIC DIVISION

GP 46 46 47 49 49 47 47

W 31 29 30 26 20 21 21

L OT Pts GF GA 10 5 67 141 107 13 4 62 148 111 15 2 62 148 108 15 8 60 138 122 18 11 51 128 141 19 7 49 146 154 20 6 48 130 138

GP W L OT Pts Anaheim 48 32 10 6 70 San Jose 48 25 17 6 56 Vancouver 46 26 17 3 55 Calgary 48 26 19 3 55 Los Angeles 47 20 15 12 52 Arizona 47 16 25 6 38 Edmonton 48 12 27 9 33 NOTE: Two points for a win, one overtime loss.

GF GA 143 124 131 132 124 118 140 126 129 126 108 160 110 160 point for

TUESDAY’S GAMES

Philadelphia 4, Arizona 3, SO N.Y. Islanders 4, N.Y. Rangers 1 Pittsburgh 5, Winnipeg 3 Columbus 4, Washington 3 Carolina 4, Tampa Bay 2 Montreal 3, Dallas 2 Detroit 5, Florida 4 Nashville 4, Colorado 3, OT Calgary 4, Buffalo 1 Minnesota 2, Edmonton 1 Anaheim 4, Vancouver 0

WEDNESDAY’S GAMES

Toronto at New Jersey, 7:30 p.m. Pittsburgh at Washington, 8 p.m. Chicago at Los Angeles, 10:30 p.m.

TODAY’S GAMES

Boston at N.Y. Islanders, 7 p.m. Montreal at N.Y. Rangers, 7 p.m. Winnipeg at Philadelphia, 7 p.m. Arizona at Toronto, 7:30 p.m. Dallas at Ottawa, 7:30 p.m. Detroit at Tampa Bay, 7:30 p.m. Columbus at Florida, 7:30 p.m. Nashville at St. Louis, 8 p.m. Minnesota at Calgary, 9 p.m. Buffalo at Edmonton, 9:30 p.m. Anaheim at San Jose, 10 p.m.

FRIDAY’S GAMES

L 8 15 25 26 33

Pct .822 .674 .444 .422 .313

GB – 6 1/2 17 18 23 1/2

TENNIS

L 17 20 22 29 31

Pct .638 .565 .511 .370 .340

GB – 3 1/2 6 12 1/2 14

L 12 14 16 17 21

Pct .733 .689 .652 .630 .533

GB – 2 3 1/2 4 1/2 9

L 13 22 27 29 37

Pct .711 .511 .400 .356 .159

GB – 9 14 16 24 1/2

Pct

ORANGEBURG CHRISTIAN 23

L OT Pts GF GA 11 9 65 144 123 15 4 64 158 131 13 3 63 126 108 16 7 57 126 121 15 10 50 111 127 18 9 47 126 128 23 3 47 142 150 31 3 31 90 171

CENTRAL DIVISION

GB – 11 1/2 13 22 22

WESTERN CONFERENCE

tling on a group of five seniors and juniors. That unit includes last year’s SEC player of the year Tiffany Mitchell, all-SEC first teamer Aleighsa Welch and Elem Ibiam, who was second last season in SEC blocks and made the league’s all-defensive team. Mitchell is a quietly, consistent performer who turned the tide in the Texas A&M, driving to the basket and getting fouled on consecutive possessions. Her four free throws that resulted began a 27-8 run the Gamecocks used to pull away from the Aggies. “I think they set the tone

– 6 11 1/2 20 25 1/2

WEDNESDAY’S GAMES

Pct .667 .409 .372 .178 .178

SOUTHWEST DIVISION W Memphis 33 Houston 31 Dallas 30 San Antonio 29 New Orleans 24 NORTHWEST DIVISION W Portland 32 Oklahoma City 23 Denver 18 Utah 16 Minnesota 7 PACIFIC DIVISION W

Staley. “I don’t think anybody has what we have coming off the bench,’’ Staley said. “It’s not only scoring. They rebound. They block shots. They pressure the basketball. We are almost a different basketball team when we go deep into our bench. It’s a beautiful thing to see how this is unfolding.’’ And many times, the subs outdo the starters — South Carolina’s bench has outscored its starting five 10 times this season. Staley tried several different combinations of starters early in the season before set-

.837 .689 .565 .372 .261

Toronto 104, Indiana 91 Milwaukee 109, Miami 102 Cleveland 103, Detroit 95 Memphis 109, Dallas 90 Chicago 113, Golden State 111, OT Washington 98, L.A. Lakers 92

L 15 26 27 37 37

SUMTER CHRISTIAN 37

ORANGEBURG — Sumter Christian School improved to 10-6 with a 37-23 victory over Orangeburg Christian on Wednesday. Sarah Fraser led SCS with 10 points, while Jazlyn Aubert had eight and Nahdeea Wiley had seven.

7 14 20 27 34

TUESDAY’S GAMES

TODAY

PREP SCHEDULE

BOYS AREA ROUNDUP

36 31 26 16 12

Pittsburgh at New Jersey, 7 p.m. St. Louis at Carolina, 7 p.m. Nashville at Colorado, 9 p.m. Buffalo at Vancouver, 10 p.m. Chicago at Anaheim, 10 p.m.

By The Associated Press

AUSTRALIAN OPEN RESULTS

Wednesday At Melbourne Park Melbourne, Australia Purse: $32.9 million (Grand Slam) Surface: Hard-Outdoor Singles Men Quarterfinals Stan Wawrinka (4), Switzerland, def. Kei Nishikori (5), Japan, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (6). Novak Djokovic (1), Serbia, def. Milos Raonic (8), Canada, 7-6 (5), 6-4, 6-2. Women Quarterfinals Madison Keys, United States, def. Venus Williams (18), United States, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4. Serena Williams (1), United States, def. Dominika Cibulkova (11), Slovakia, 6-2, 6-2. Doubles Men Quarterfinals Simone Bolelli and Fabio Fognini, Italy, def. Pablo Cuevas, Uruguay, and David Marrero, Spain, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (5). Jean-Julien Rojer, Netherlands, and Horia Tecau (6), Romania, def. Dominic Inglot, Britain, and Florin Mergea (14), Romania, 6-4, 7-6 (3).

for the rest of the game. They set the example as to how we need to play,’’ Staley said of her starters. “Then the people that are coming in off the bench, they see the game a little bit clearer. It’s clear to them that our players that start the game have been here, they understand it and they know and they do their jobs at the beginning of the game.’’ Texas A&M coach Gary Blair complimented Staley on the success she’s had getting highly skilled players like Wilson and Coates to take on secondary roles, even if they wind up putting in more min-

utes than the Gamecock starters. Staley sees it as all her players buying into a vision to achieve the biggest dreams they can in college and win a national championship. Wilson, who passed on Connecticut, North Carolina and Tennessee to join the Gamecocks, made a mature decision to accept her role, Staley said. “Once she had the performances she had after she didn’t start, she felt good about it,’’ the coach said. “I just told her that we are better served if she comes off the bench.’’

SPORTS

THE SUMTER ITEM

THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

PRO TENNIS

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Serena advances, Venus out of Australian Open MELBOURNE, Australia — Venus Williams lost her quarterfinal match against Madison Keys on Wednesday at the Australian Open. Serena Williams, the other sister in a family that has won a combined 25 Grand Slam singles titles, will attempt to right the wrong in the semifinals today. The 19-year-old Keys overcame a left thigh injury to beat No. 18-ranked Venus 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 and advance to the last four against top-ranked and 18-time major winner Serena, who had little trouble beating last year’s finalist, Dominika Cibulkova, 6-2, 6-2. In men’s play, top-seeded Novak Djokovic didn’t face a break point against hard-serving Milos Raonic in beating the Canadian 7-6 (5), 6-4, 6-2 in exactly two hours to advance to his 25th Grand Slam semifinal. Djokovic has only dropped his serve once this tournament. He broke Raonic early in each of the second and third sets and will play defending champion Stan Wawrinka, who earlier beat Kei Nishikori 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (6). Wawrinka let slip a 6-1 lead in the third-set tiebreaker and eventually needed six match points to close the victory on Rod Laver Arena. Serena Williams made her win look easy despite suffering from a bad cold. “I’ve been sick the past few days, and it’s just getting worse and worse, but hopefully it will get better,’’ Williams said. “I heard there’s a virus going around with a lot of the players, and I think I

FIRE ANTS FROM PAGE B1

Venus Williams makes a forehand return to Madison Keys during their quarterfinal match on Wednesday at the Australian Open in Melbourne, Australia. Keys defeated Williams 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.

BY DENNIS PASSA The Associated Press

caught it.’’ There had been some hope that the semis might feature an all-Williams matchup at a major S. WILLIAMS for the first time in more than five years. The Williams sisters last met in a Grand Slam match at Wimbledon in 2009, when Serena won the final. The semifinalists from the other half of the women’s draw have already been determined — No. 2 Maria Sharapova will play No. 10-seeded Ekaterina Makarova, today also. Serena’s win doesn’t bode well for the other three women left — all five past times Williams has advanced to the semifinals at Melbourne Park, she’s won the tournament. Venus Williams’ loss ended an encouraging 10 days at Melbourne Park for the 34-year-old, seventime Grand Slam singles champion. She hadn’t advanced to the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam since the U.S. Open in 2010 and had struggled to recapture her earlier form after being diagnosed in 2011 with Sjogren’s syndrome, an auto-immune disease that causes fatigue and joint pain. “It already feels like a long season already, so many matches in a row,’’ she said. “Hopefully I’ll be able to keep this up.’’ Regardless of the quality of the match, in which the two players combined for 83 unforced errors, Keys was pleased to be through to the semis. “It’s amazing, you just have to

embrace the moment,’’ said Keys, who is now coached by three-time major winner Lindsay Davenport. “And I get to enjoy another moment next round.’’ She later identified her injury as a left adductor, and was optimistic it wouldn’t affect her in her match against Serena. The same injury forced her to retire from her thirdround match at Wimbledon last year. Djokovic looked impressive as he proceeds towards a fifth Australian Open title, adding to the ones he captured in 2008 (his first major), and three years in a row from 2011. With Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal gone from the other side of the draw, Andy Murray, if he beats Tomas Berdych in the other semifinal on Thursday, could be his major opposition for another trophy. Djokovic said he was impressed with how well he played. “Great, great performance,’’ Djokovic said about himself. “Definitely no complaints. I returned very well, tried to get as many of the balls back in play.’’ Wawrinka looked to be cruising in his tiebreaker with Nishikori, but the Japanese player saved match point after match point with a combination of great shots and errors by Wawrinka. Nishikori made the biggest error at the wrong time, however, attempting a drop shot from the back of the court that bundled into the net. That set up another match point for Wawrinka, which he converted with an ace, his 20th of the match.

freshmen. We’ve got a lot of talent — just unproven. Sooner or later, somebody’s going to have to step up like they did last year.” Medlin hopes it doesn’t take quite as long as last season. Plagued by weather cancellations, the Fire Ants’ schedule was erratic at times and the team itself could never seem to find its rhythm, especially in Region X play. USCS went 7-9 in conference play with a 4-game sweep at Spartanburg Methodist marking the low point. The Fire Ants were also unable to play eight games because of weather. “You definitely don’t like going through stretches like that,” said Gonzalez, who will resume his role as the team’s No. 1 starter. “But a lot of us were young last year and we have a young team this year. That’s the way it is in a 2-year program. “The only thing we can control is how we play each game. I think if we make the plays, if we make the pitches, we can compete with anybody in our league.” As always though, it won’t be easy. Defending Eastern District champion SMC will field a young squad as well, but the Pioneers are still ranked 16th in the NJCAA preseason poll released on Tuesday. Florence-Darlington Technical College, which was the No. 2 seed entering last year’s Region X tournament, is ranked 11th by PerfectGame.org in its initial preseason poll. The Stingers return 17 players, including six in the field and two starting pitchers. They’ve also added five NCAA Division I transfers. SMC is ranked 17th in that poll as well. “Last year, it started out where we just didn’t click with each other right away,” said Auckland, who will take over center field this year. “But by the end, we were a band of brothers and playing better than we had all season. That’s what I want us to be like this year — except from start to finish.”

USC SUMTER BASEBALL SCHEDULE Saturday vs. Catawba Valley CC (DH), 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Catawba Valley CC (DH), 12 p.m. Feb. 3 vs. Anderson University JV (DH), 3 p.m. Feb. 6 vs. Motlow State JC at Birmingham, Ala., 2:30 p.m. Feb. 7 vs. Lawson State CC (DH) at Birmingham, Ala., 12 p.m. Feb. 8 vs. Lawson State CC at Birmingham, Ala., 12 p.m. Feb. 14 vs. Cecil CC at Florence, 1:30 p.m. Feb. 14 vs. Potomac State CC at Florence, 4 p.m. Feb. 15 vs. Cecil CC at Florence, 10 a.m. Feb. 15 vs. Potomac State CC at Florence, 12:30 p.m. Feb. 20 vs. Florida State College (Jacksonville), 6 p.m. Feb. 21 vs. Florida State College (Jacksonville), 11 a.m. Feb. 21 vs. Harford CC, 5 p.m. Feb. 22 vs. Harford CC (DH), 10 a.m. Feb. 28 at Brunswick CC (DH), 12 p.m. Mar. 1 at Brunswick CC, 12 p.m. Mar. 2 vs. Muskegon CC (DH) at Myrtle Beach, 2 p.m. Mar. 7 vs. Florence-Darlington Tech (DH), 1 p.m. Mar. 8 vs. Florence-Darlington Tech (DH), 1 p.m. Mar. 14 at Louisburg College (DH), 1 p.m. Mar. 15 at Louisburg College (DH), 1 p.m. Mar. 21 vs. USC Salkehatchie (DH), 1 p.m. Mar. 22 vs. USC Salkehatchie (DH), 1 p.m. Mar. 28 at USC Lancaster (DH), 1 p.m. Mar. 29 at USC Lancaster (DH), 1 p.m. Mar. 31 at Anderson University JV (DH), 3 p.m. Apr. 3 vs. Pitt CC (DH), 1 p.m. Apr. 4 vs. Pitt CC (DH), 12 p.m. Apr. 11 vs. Spartanburg Methodist College (DH), 1 p.m. Apr. 12 vs. Spartanburg Methodist College (DH), 1 p.m. Apr. 18 at Guilford Tech CC (DH), 1 p.m. Apr. 19 at Guilford Tech CC (DH), 1 p.m. Apr. 24 at USC Salkehatchie, 2 p.m. May 2-6 Region X Tournament in Burlington, N.C., TBD May 16-18 Eastern District Tournament, TBD May 25-31 NJCAA Div. I World Series at Grand Junction, Colo., TBD

SUPER BOWL XLIX

THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

THE SUMTER ITEM

Seahawks GM Schneider has been architect of team’s success BY TIM BOOTH The Associated Press

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

New York Giants wide receiver David Tyree’s (85) catch in Super Bowl XLII made him one of a handful of surprise players that had a huge impact on the big game.

Surprise players can often steal show in Super Bowls BY ROB MAADDI The Associated Press PHOENIX — Almost all football fans know Tom Brady, Russell Wilson, Richard Sherman, Marshawn Lynch and Rob Gronkowski. The New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks wouldn’t be playing in the Super Bowl on Sunday if it weren’t for their superstars. But both teams got here with lesser-known players coming up big at key times. Jermaine Kearse caught a touchdown pass in overtime in Seattle’s win over Green Bay in the NFC championship game. Julian Edelman threw a TD pass in New England’s division-round win over Baltimore. There’s Rob Ninkovich, Michael Bennett and several others. Often, surprise players are the stars in the Super Bowl.

Just look at last year when Seahawks linebacker Malcolm Smith was the unlikely MVP in Seattle’s win over Denver. Smith returned a Peyton Manning interception for a touchdown and recovered a fumble in a 43-8 rout. Now the former seventh-round pick hardly plays on defense. “That’s the beauty of our team that anybody can have an MVP-type of day,’’ Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin said Wednesday. “That’s what makes us special. I wouldn’t be surprised if somebody nobody talks about is MVP.’’ Brady, Wilson, Lynch, Gronkowski and LeGarrette Blount have the five best odds of winning the MVP award. But Smith is listed at 100:1 by Bovada. “To get to this point and to win these games, it’s not about anything more

QBS FROM PAGE B1 day.’’ A victory over the Seahawks would allow the 37-year-old Brady to match his idol as a kid, Joe Montana, and Terry Bradshaw with four rings. But a defeat would drop Brady’s career mark on Super Sunday to .500 at 3-3. “You never get over any of those,’’ Brady said about the defeats. “As time goes on, you gain perspective and you still had some great years. ... It would be great for this team to try to leave a great legacy.’’ When he won his first NFL championship in 2002, with a 20-17 victory over the St. Louis Rams, Brady was in his first year as a starter and second year in the league. Initially a backup after being drafted in the sixth round, he took over from in-

BRUNSON FROM PAGE B1 Enough already!!!! If the NFL was going to do anything of consequence prior to the Super Bowl, it would have done it by now. In all honesty, I’m really torn on what to think of all this. Do I think the Patriots head coach and star quarterback knew their footballs weren’t being inflated to NFL specifications? Yeah, but there’s this little thing called plausible deniability available to them. It’s something that

than that,’’ Smith said. “That is how we can be successful.’’ Ninkovich, one of New England’s top pass rushers, is also at 100:1 odds. He had eight sacks in each of the past three seasons and will be a key factor in trying to contain Wilson. Here’s a list of some surprise stars from past Super Bowls:

DEXTER JACKSON Jackson had two interceptions to help the Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the Oakland Raiders 48-21 in the 2003 Super Bowl. Teammate Dwight Smith returned two picks for touchdowns against Rich Gannon and Oakland’s top-ranked offense, but Jackson got the MVP award. Jackson signed a $14 million, fiveyear deal with Arizona in free agency, but was released after one season

and returned to the Buccaneers.

LARRY BROWN Brown became the first cornerback to win Super Bowl MVP when his two interceptions helped the Dallas Cowboys beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-17 in 1996. Brown leveraged that performance into a $12 million, five-year contract with the Raiders in free agency, but lasted only two seasons in Oakland and started just one game.

DAVID TYREE Tyree only had 54 career catches, but he’ll forever be remembered for the helmet grab that helped the New York Giants beat the Patriots 17-14 in the 2008 Super Bowl, snapping New England’s perfect season. Giants quarterback Eli Manning was the MVP of the game.

jured quarterback Drew Bledsoe — and the rest is history. “Tom Brady’s done a lot of great things over the last 15 years,’’ Patriots tight end Tim Wright said. Who would argue? After the usual Media Day fare concerning his favorite music (Jay-Z got a shout-out) and his hair (but no marriage proposals, as happened in the past), Brady got around to taking questions Tuesday about his place in the game. He knows full well that Super Bowl success is a major part of how quarterbacks’ careers are defined. And Brady said he recalls the feeling of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy three times in a four-year span a decade ago. “Those things happened so fast back then. I didn’t even understand what was happening,’’ Brady said. “It’s not like I didn’t appreciate those experiences. I certainly did. But ...

we’ve had two tough ones.’’ Wilson, 26, has yet to play an NFL season that didn’t include at least one playoff victory for his team. He goes about things a different way than Brady on the field, far more skilled as a ball carrier and on-the-move improviser. Wilson can sling the football, too, though, and put it right where he wants it, as evidenced by his 35-yard touchdown throw in overtime to win the NFC championship game against the Green Bay Packers. Before a late comeback, Seattle trailed by 16 points. Wilson had a passer rating of zero at halftime and he finished the game with four interceptions. But that did not concern him Tuesday. The only thing that did was the final score. “I want to be considered a winner,’’ said Wilson, sporting a thick beard. “That’s ultimately the goal in terms of

politicians are very good at using, In fact, in his initial press conference on the controversy, Brady had the spiel down, saying all he knew about it is what was being reported. The NFL will end up investigating this thoroughly simply because of all of the hullabaloo it has gone through this season. And, if it can be proven that some wrongdoing took place, the Patriots will be penalized probably with a fine and the loss of draft picks. And if it is found out that Belichick or Brady were responsible for it, there will

probably be some suspensions in line. In reality though, this seems to be more like the George Brett tar incident around 30 years ago, when the tar on his bat went beyond what is specified in the rule book. He indeed broke a rule, but it didn’t alter the bat. Did the Patriots break the rule? Perhaps, but it didn’t alter the beatdown they placed on the Indianapolis Colts. So, all in all, this isn’t much of an issue. In fact, I only wrote this so I wouldn’t get fined.

PHOENIX — Give Pete Carroll the opportunity to campaign for someone or something he believes in and he’ll gladly jump at the chance. Usually it’s for a player, or a cause. But Carroll’s drive this year was getting recognition for general manager John Schneider, the co-architect of the Seattle Seahawks’ rise who usually tries to avoid the spotlight. “He has just worked tirelessly to continue to compete, to find guys to make SCHNEIDER this a healthy, competitive roster,’’ Carroll said. “I mean the hundreds of changes in the first year was just trying to find guys. The continuation of that, it changed in terms of the numbers, but the attitude, the approach, John just continued to battle for it. “I don’t know how he couldn’t be recognized with the drafts that he’s had, with the free agency success he’s had, with the success of our lower draft picks that have come through.’’ Five years after being selected by Carroll to be the second piece of the Seahawks hierarchy, Seattle is in a second consecutive Super Bowl thanks largely to a roster constructed by Schneider. He’s received little recognition for what Seattle has accomplished during his tenure and while Schneider doesn’t care, Carroll would like to see him honored. “His insight and his ability and really the creativity that he brings couldn’t have been more obvious,’’ Carroll said. “But the rest of us, I don’t know. We’re just playing a game and we’re a team. But I think his situation here really should stand out and should be recognized.’’ The 43-year-old Schneider has not rested on what Seattle has accomplished during his tenure, to the point where the Seahawks were holding pre-draft meetings this week in Arizona leading up to Sunday’s game against New England. Asked recently if he could have imagined Seattle’s success after five years, Schneider said he can’t look at two conference titles and four playoff appearances from a broad perspective. “We are so focused and consumed about getting better in every area on a daily basis that it has just built like that over the years,’’ Schneider said. “I know you guys have heard me talk about being a consistent championship-caliber team. And with that comes really tough decisions, like, every day. Yeah, of course everybody wants to be a world champion, everybody wants to win Super Bowls. But the manner in which we did it was a blast, the whole group. The culture that we are in is just awesome.’’

playing quarterback: Win, win, win.’’ Asked which quarterbacks were his favorites while growing up, Wilson mentioned Brady and Peyton Manning, calling them “two guys that I’ve looked up to since I was a little kid.’’ In last year’s Super Bowl, Seattle overwhelmed Man-

ning’s Denver Broncos 43-8, part of Wilson’s 10-0 record in games against quarterbacks who have won a title. That could become 11-0 on Sunday. “To get back to the Super Bowl is a huge thing,’’ Wilson said. “It’s a one-of-a-kind thing.’’ Not for this game’s two QBs.

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SPORTS

THE SUMTER ITEM

THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

PRO FOOTBALL

Long after Twitter feud, Revis, Sherman pledge respect BY BOB BAUM The Associated Press PHOENIX — Darrelle Revis long reigned supreme among NFL cornerbacks. Then came along this upstart Richard Sherman, who proclaimed himself the best and backed it up. Now they get to state their

case on the NFL’s biggest stage — Revis’ New England Patriots against Sherman’s Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl. They have a bit of history, these two — a Twitter feud from a couple of years ago. The gist of it: Revis was the proven pro and Sherman hadn’t done enough yet to

start crowing. At Tuesday’s media day, any animosity was buried. Each expressed respect for the other, although Revis referred to the fact that in Seattle’s defense, Sherman plays only half the field. “Sherman, he plays left corner and he does great,’’ Revis said. “He’s great at what he

does. I’m not really knocking him on what he does. He’s a playmaker and that’s what he does for his team.’’ Cornerback, Revis said, is “by far’’ the hardest position to play in football. The handful of those who excel at the position may bicker, Sherman said, but they share a common bond.

“There’s a respect level between elite cornerbacks in the National Football League,’’ he said. “It takes a certain mentality to play at a high level in this game, to deal with the pressure, to deal with the intensity of being out there against the best athletes in the world. ... There’s a definite admiration for their ability.’’

trusted to Dyson’s Home for Funerals, 237 Main St., Summerton. (803) 485-4280

Lee Welch Morris of Wisacky; a brother, James Laurin Welch of Columbia; and numerous nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday in the chapel of Stephens Funeral Home with Pastor Harley Case officiating. Burial will follow in Sumter Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Mark Brown, Billy Morris, Charles Morris, Will Morris, Guy Morris and Ben Holladay. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday at Stephens Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to John K. Crosswell Home for Children, 11 Crosswell Drive, Sumter. Stephens Funeral Home & Crematory, 304 N. Church St., Manning, is in charge of arrangements, (803) 435-2179. www.stephensfuneralhome.org

CHRISTOPHER F. HICKS

sip or say an unkind word about anybody. She always looked for and then found the good in everyone. She had a true “servant’s” heart. She tended to put herself last, as she continually sought to do for others. Although she didn’t lead an easy life, Miss Vic never found it necessary to complain. Her strength and motivation came from her uncompromising faith in God. She used the Ten Commandments as her rules to live by. She had a passion for vegetable gardening. Miss Vic loved to grow and give away lots of goodies, especially boiled peanuts. Her biscuits were “manna” from heaven, and no one has been able to duplicate the recipe. “Miss Vic” is survived by three children, Shirley Northcutt Alsbrooks and husband, Steve, Freddie Northcutt and wife, Pam, and Vicki Northcutt Clayton and husband, Michael; four grandchildren, Teresa Alsbrooks Barwick and husband, Wesley, Michael Steve Alsbrooks and wife, Kim, Michael and Leland Northcutt; four great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson. She was preceded in death by all of her nine siblings. The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to the staff and CNAs at Sumter Health and Rehabilitation East for the love and care shown to Miss Vic during her long stay. Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Friday at Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Fraser Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1746 Hwy. 521 S., Sumter. Online condolences may be sent to www.sumterfunerals. com. Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad St., Sumter, is in charge of the arrangements, (803) 775-9386.

OBITUARIES Annie Hicks Dingle, 62, wife of Sammie Dingle, died Friday, Jan. 23, 2015, at Palmetto Health Richland Columbia. She was born Feb. 11, 1953, in Suffolk, Virginia, a daughter of the late Jessie “Mossie” Hicks and Ella Jane Daney DINGLE Hicks, her biological parents, and the late Jesse Davis and Mildred Daney Burgess. She was a member of St. John Baptist Church, Silver, Manning, and she received her formal education at Manning Training School and later received her CAN certification at Central Carolina Technical College. She was employed by Sunbeam Corp., Becton Dickinson and most recently Caring Angels, Manning, as a CNA until her health failed. Survivors are her husband, Sammie Lee Dingle Sr. of the home; four sons, Anthony Dingle of the home; Sammie Lee (Monica) Dingle Jr. of Houston, Texas; Minister Antonio (Latoya) Dingle and Keith (Melissa) Dingle, both of Manning; four sisters, Delois (Steven) Pankey of Philadelphia, Beatrice Burgess, Celestine Simon and Catherine Daney-Robinson, all of Manning; one brother, Willie Lee (Evone) Daney Sr. of Manning; three aunts, Beulah Patterson of Suffolk, Virginia, Beatrice Walker of Dillon and Claudell (Robert) Gaters of Summerton; one uncle, Theodore Dingle, of Adelphi, Maryland; four sisters-in-law; one brother-in-law; and 14 grandchildren. Celebratory services for Mrs. Dingle will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at St. John Baptist Church, Silver, Manning, with the Rev. Ramzy McFadden, pastor officiating, the Rev. Michael Collins, presiding, the Rev. Terry Johnson, the Rev. Aaron Davis and the Rev. David Pugh assisting. Mrs. Dingle will lie in repose one hour prior to service time. Family is receiving friends at her residence, 2323 George Harvin Road, Manning. These services have been entrusted to Samuels Funeral Home LLC, Manning.

AUDREY L. JAMES Mrs. Audrey L. James was born in Clarendon County on Thursday, Sept. 23, 1937. She was the daughter of the late George and Virginia Mitchell and the widow of Henry L. James. She departed this earthly life on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2015, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center, Sumter. She leaves to mourn her passing and grow from her memories a son, Richard James; two daughters, Diana English and Cheryl Williams; six brothers, Moses Mitchell, William Mitchell, James Mitchell, Samuel Mitchell, Clayburn Mitchell and Bert Pugh; two sisters, Georgia Mae Mitchell and Carolyn Holiday; eight grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and cherished friends. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday at Greater St. Phillip R.M.U.E. Church, River Road Community, Pinewood. The Rev. Powell Hampton, pastor, officiating. Final resting place will be the church cemetery. Visitation will be held from 1 to 7 p.m. today at Dyson’s Home for Funerals. Mrs. James will be placed in the church at noon. The family will receive friends at the home, 1933 White & Rivers Road, Rimini Community, Pinewood. Professional services en-

JOHN HOWARD SR. John Howard Sr., husband of Annette Rogers Howard and son of the late Wash Howard Sr. and Alice Lane Howard, was born Jan. 31, 1938, in Sumter. He departed this life on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center in Sumter. Family will be receiving friends at the home, 130 Providence St., Sumter. Funeral plans are incomplete and will be announced later by Job’s Mortuary Inc., 312 S. Main St., Sumter.

JUANITA P. TISDALE Juanita Peebles Tisdale, 94, widow of George Hartley Tisdale Sr., died Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015, at a local nursing center. Services will be announced by Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad St., Sumter. (803) 7759386.

ROBERTA P. BROWN Roberta Oreatha Prince Brown, 56, died Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015, at McLeod Regional Medical Center, Florence. She was born May 25, 1958, in the Lynchburg section of Sumter County, a daughter of Robert Prince and the late Janie Mae Rose Prince. Family will be receiving friends at the home of her sister, Maggie Harrison, 4911½ Woodsbay Road, Olanta. These services have been entrusted to Samuels Funeral Home LLC, Manning.

GEORGE C. GREEN Mr. George Lee Conyers Green, 59, entered eternal rest on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015, at McLeod Hospice House, Florence. He was born Aug. 6, 1955, in Sumter, son of the late Gloria Covington and raised by the late Blease and Mary Jane Bogier Conyers. The family is receiving relatives and friends at the home of his sister, Melvin Odell Conyers Green, 505 Ball Park Road, Pinewood. Funeral services will be announced by Community Funeral Home of Sumter.

JUANITA W. PENDERGRASS Ms. Juanita Bethune Wilson Pendergrass, 89, of 2912 Hickory Nut Lane, Columbia, died on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015. The family will be receiving friends at 1545 Loblolly Drive, Manning. Plans will be announced by McCollom-Myers Mortuary & Cremation Services, 5003 Rhett St., Columbia.

JESSIE J. WELCH JR.

CARL V. AMERSON JR.

Jessie James Welch Jr., 72, died Monday, Jan. 26, 2015, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center. Born Jan. 2, 1943, in Turbeville, he was the son of the late Jessie James Welch Sr. and Doris Aletha Watts Welch. He was raised in John K. Crosswell Home for Children, he was a U.S. Army veteran, and he was a member St. James Lutheran Church. He is survived by two sisters, Emmie Lou Singletary (Louis) of Sumter and Mary

Carl Victor Amerson Jr., 51, husband of Linda Faye Parsons Amerson, died Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015, at Regency Hospital in Florence. Services will be announced by Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad St., Sumter, (803) 7759386.

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With profound sorrow, we regretfully announce the passing of Mr. Christopher F. Hicks, husband of Mrs. Victoria Hicks. Mr. Hicks passed on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015, in Kershaw County. The family will be receiving friends at 133-B Hansel St., Bishopville. Services are incomplete at this time and will be announced at a later date. Services are entrusted to the professional staff of Wilson Funeral Home, 403 S. Main St., Bishopville.

HILDA V. SMITH The funeral service for Ms. Hilda V. Smith, 98, will be held at 2 p.m. (viewing at 1 p.m.) Friday at Beulah A.M.E. Church, 3175 Florence Highway, Sumter, with burial to follow in the church cemetery. Viewing will be held today from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. at McCollomMyers Mortuary & Cremation Services, 5003 Rhett St., Columbia. Surviving are her daughter, Alexis (Henry) Streater; two sisters; three grandchildren; and a host of other loving relatives and friends. Condolences for Ms. Smith can be made at www.mccollom-myers.com.

VICTORIA O. NORTHCUTT Victoria Outlaw Northcutt, 94, widow of Leland F. Northcutt, died Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015, at Sumter Health and Rehabilitation East. Born in the Cedar Creek Community of Lee County on Oct. 10, 1920, she was the daughter of Henry and Eria Outlaw. “Miss Vic” started to work at Polly Prentiss in 1937 and remained there until it closed 24 years later. She then went to work at Charm House Fabrics and at the age of 78, “Miss Vic” retired. She was a longtime faithful member of Fraser Memorial Presbyterian Church, serving the Lord in many areas: superintendent of Sunday school, Sunday school teacher, elder, member of the choir and in all capacities of the Women of the Church. God gave us a rare and special gift when He sent us Vic. She was a gentle soul with a heart of gold. You never heard her spread gos-

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DILBERT

JEFF MACNELLY’S SHOE

Woman’s love for boyfriend doesn’t spill over to son DEAR ABBY — I am in a great relationship with a wonderful man, “Kevin.” He loves me very much Dear Abby and we get along well. I ABIGAIL have three VAN BUREN kids — two with special needs — and Kevin loves them and treats them like his own. He also has a son, age 6, who has cystic fibrosis. I love Kevin and can see myself marrying him. The problem is, I don’t think I like his son. He’s a good kid, cute and funny, but I don’t feel “love” for him. I’m af-

THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

fectionate with my own kids, but I have to force myself to be with this boy. I am easily irritated by him and sometimes just don’t want to be bothered. I know this sounds terrible, but I don’t know what I should do. I don’t want to end my relationship with Kevin because I’m so in love. But is it fair to stay with him if I don’t love his son, too? In conflict in Northern California DEAR IN CONFLICT — Frankly, it depends upon whether you can learn to love the boy. You say you don’t like him. Why not? Is the reason valid? Is he mean, dishonest, spoiled or too needy? Or could it be that he’s a living

THE DAILY CROSSWORD PUZZLE

reminder that your boyfriend once loved another woman? If your relationship is to work, you may need an attitude adjustment. Can you focus on the positive qualities the boy has? That would be a good first step. If not, then for everyone’s sake, end the relationship now. Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069. Abby shares more than 100 of her favorite recipes in two booklets “Abby’s Favorite Recipes” and “More Favorite Recipes by Dear Abby.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $14 (U.S. funds) to Dear Abby, Cookbooklet Set, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447.

JUMBLE

SUDOKU

THAT SCRAMBLED WORD GAME By David L. Hoyt and Jeff Knurek

HOW TO PLAY: Each row, column and set of 3-by-3 boxes must contain the numbers 1 through 9 without repetition.

ACROSS 1 Some portrait frames 6 Noble __ 11 Singsong syllable 14 With 15-Across, accounting unit 15 See 14-Across 16 Like some aces 17 Manage 18 Walking __ 19 Sound after a satisfying swig 20 Scotch cocktails 22 Zenith 23 “I won’t hurt you” 26 Not as deliberate 28 Toothbrushendorsing org. 29 With 31-Across, anathema 31 See 29-Across 32 Worlds 35 __ legend 37 Question about change, which hints at the hidden feature of four twopart puzzle answers 42 Blue Grotto locale 43 “Ramona and Beezus” co-star

Gomez 44 With 47-Across, some receivers 47 See 44-Across 49 Set-__ 50 Malady in the 2000 film “Memento” 52 Like the best occult films 55 It’s about a foot 56 Yield figures 58 Figure under a line 59 Fife-anddrum drum 60 Two cents 64 Bardic before 65 With 66-Across, National Book Awardwinning novel by Don DeLillo 66 See 65-Across 67 “M*A*S*H” titles 68 Private 69 Mount DOWN 1 Pigs out (on) 2 Center of gravity? 3 Presidential nickname 4 Petrol unit 5 Gave up a seat 6 One of six British kings 7 Year in Tuscany 8 “Wait for me”

9 Pension law signed by Ford, briefly 10 Jordan neighbor: Abbr. 11 Gillette razor 12 Hole enlarger 13 Cleave 21 Comes to the surface 22 Harsh-sounding, to some 23 Traffic stopper? 24 Notion 25 “Elf” actor 27 Shoshone Falls river 30 Shroud city 33 Chinese evergreen 34 Zoo security features 36 Droopy-eared hound 38 Wonderful container? 39 Bordeaux bean? 40 “The Dukes of Hazzard”

officer 41 Tammany Hall caricaturist 44 Mortarboard frill 45 “That upset me!” 46 Speakers of Tolkien’s Noldorin language 48 Costing more 51 Corporate raider Carl 53 Jockey’s handful 54 “This __ a drill!” 57 Mechanical repetition 59 Prefix with light or night 61 “Easy as __!” 62 Wear and tear 63 Former Ohio governor Strickland

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CLASSIFIED DEADLINES 11:30 a.m. the day before for Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday edition. 9:30 a.m. Friday for Saturdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s edition 11:30 a.m. Friday for Sundayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s edition. We will be happy to change your ad if an error is made; however we are not responsible for errors after the first run day. We shall not be liable for any loss or expense that results from the printing or omission of an advertisement. We reserve the right to edit, refuse or cancel any ad at any time. Trucking Opportunities

ANNOUNCEMENTS Lost & Found Found: Lynam Rd. area female long hair black & white cat. Owner call to identify 803-983-1628.

BUSINESS SERVICES Business Opportunities NEED EXTRA $$$? Sell Home & Body Fragrances! Spend $100 with us. Triple Your $$$! Call 774-7823

Home Improvements Land Clearing avail. includes: Digging ponds, excavation, and bulldozer work. Call T & N Septic Tank Co. at 803-481-2428 or 803-481-2421

Lawn Service Lifestyles Lawn Service New Year Clean-up Specials! Mil.-Sen. Disc.! Erik 968-8655 Four Seasons Lawn Care Serving Sumter for almost 20 yrs! Free est. 494-9169/468-4008

Roofing All Types of Roofing & Repairs All work guaranteed. 30 yrs exp. SC lic. Virgil Bickley 803-316-4734.

Septic Tank Cleaning

Septic tank pumping & services. Call Ray Tobias & Company (803) 340-1155.

Tree Service STATE TREE SERVICE Worker's Comp & General liability insurance. Top quality service, lowest prices. 803-494-5175 or 803-491-5154 www.statetree.net Ricky's Tree Service Tree removal, stump grinding, Lic & ins, free quote, 803-435-2223 or cell 803-460-8747. Mention this ad & get 10% off. A Notch Above Tree Care Full quality service low rates, lic./ins., free est BBB accredited 983-9721

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MERCHANDISE Furniture / Furnishings Victorian Mahogany Furniture 4 pc. set. flowers etched in frames $1200 (downsizing) Call 696-4294

Garage, Yard & Estate Sales LARGE GARAGE SALE 1st & 3rd Weekend Tables $2 FLEA MARKET BY SHAW AFB

Open every weekend. 905-4242

For Sale or Trade Expert Tech, New & used heat pumps & A/C. Will install/repair, warranty; Compressor & labor $600. Call 803-968-9549 or 843-992-2364 Firewood for Sale Will Deliver. Call 803 651-8672 HD Utility Trailers all w/ 3,500 lb axles, extra tongue support - jack gate. 6x10 $1190; 6x12 $1290; 6x16 Tandem $1790; 803-972-0900 Martin's Used Appliance Washers, Dryers, Refrig., Stoves. Guarantee 464-5439 or 469-7311 Massey Ferguson 35 gas tractor very nice, $3750. OBO Cash only. Call 803-972-0900

OFF

This Saturday Is Your Last Chance To Save

STORE CLOSING All remaining gift items 75% off Some fixtures also available

McDuffieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Unique Gifts

In the Sumter Mall by Belk Hours: 10 - 6PM

EMPLOYMENT Help Wanted Full-Time

HARTT

Transprtation Systems, Inc. Setting the Service Standard Since 1948

REAL ESTATE

RENTALS Unfurnished Apartments

Manufactured Housing

Senior Living Apartments for those 62+ (Rent based on income) Shiloh-Randolph Manor 125 W. Bartlette. 775-0575 Studio/1 Bedroom apartments available EHO

Turn your Tax Refund into your dream home! Low credit score? Been turned down for bad credit? Come try us, we do our own financing.We have 2-3-4 bedroom homes. For more information, call 843-389-4215.

Swan Lake Apts. Apply now. Remodeled builds. in back, 2Bd 1Ba apts. in quiet, scenic neighborhood. No section 8. 803-775-4641.

TRANSPORTATION

Parts/Counter Person Assistant Manager needed by the Sumter Branch of World Acceptance Corp. Valid Drivers License and Auto required. This is a Manager's Trainee position and a career opportunity that offers excellent salary and a complete fringe benefits package. Promotion to Manager is possible within 15 months. No experience necessary. Apply in person at People's Finance 730-B Broad St. Sumter. Welders! Welders! Welders! Must have HS Diploma or GED Work Keys - Math, Observation & Locating. Clean background check and drug screening. Please email your resume to staffing@olsten.com or call 803-773-2700. No walk ins please! Senior Teller Sumter, SC SAFE Federal Credit Union For details, please visit our website at: http:/www.safefed.org Various Positions Available!! Must have strong Administrative skills, motivated & willing to learn with valid Drivers License. Email resume to Various_ jobs2015@aol.com Plumber needed. Exp. req. & must have tools & transportation. Call 491-4616

Help Wanted Part-Time Full time Musician Area church is seeking a full time musician. Please call 803-481-4501 to obtain an application or email your contact information to salvation@ftc-i.net and an application will be mailed to you. A background check will be required. $$$ AVON $$$ FREE TRAINING! 803-422-5555 Sumter Organization seeks PT Membership and Visitor Services Coordinator. Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills. Hours flexible. Please mail resume to MVSC (Membership and Visitor Services Coordinator), P. O. Box 1456, Sumter, SC 29151

Hartt Transportation Systems, Inc. has an immediate opening for an experienced, hardworking, energetic individual to join our growing parts department at our Sumter, SC Terminal. This person must be experienced in parts and distribution, detail oriented, a problem solver with superior customer service skills. This ideal candidate should be capable of working in an active environment and be able to implement new systems to better distribute parts to our employees. Requirements â&#x20AC;˘ Qualifications for this position requires candidate to have three years related truck parts experience. â&#x20AC;˘ Motivated and fast paced personality with serious work ethic. â&#x20AC;˘ Industrial experience is a must (parts sales). â&#x20AC;˘ Excellent computer skills required. â&#x20AC;˘ Excellent organizational skills. â&#x20AC;˘ Excellent phone manners, the ability to multi task and make good decisions. â&#x20AC;˘ Clean background screening required. â&#x20AC;˘ Ability to lift and move up to 100 pounds. â&#x20AC;˘ High School Diploma or equivalent. Hartt Transportation offers a competitive benefit package including: medical and dental package, paid holidays, paid vacations, sick time, short term disability, vision, life insurance and a 401 (K) program. If you are looking for a career challenge and want to work for a great company, we encourage you to submit your resume and salary requirements either by fax, mail, email to: Todd Cotier; Maintenance Director Hartt Transportation Systems Inc 262 Bomarc Road Bangor, ME 04401 Phone: (207) 852-3882 Fax: (207) 941-0095 Email: tcotier@hartt-trans.com Drivers needed to hauling chips, local, 3 yrs exp. req., full time, Call 803-804-4742

Unfurnished Homes

Autos For Sale

Nice 3Br/2Ba dble carport, w appliances 10 mins from Shaw military discount. $800/mo (Diggs), 803-968-4192.

Tired of Renting? 2015 Could be the year you own your own home. Bad credit Ok, www.wewelcomeallbuyers.com 3 Bd 1Ba, all laminate floors, country living, $650 mo.+ dep. Call 803-469-3713 3BR 2BA Lake House. Call for more info 803-406-6159 9am-8pm leave msg

Mobile Home Rentals Oaklawn MHP: 2 BR M.H.'s, water /sewer/garbage pk-up incl'd. RV parking avail. Call 803-494-8350

Buy Here Pay Here, no interest, no credit check, no document fees, Floyds Used Cars, 1640 Toole St. 803-495-9585 or 803-464-2891

LEGAL NOTICES

2 & 3 Bd houses for rent ( la casa para alquilar) Call 803-406-0113. 2, 3 & 4 Br, all appliances, Section 8 accepted. 469-6978 or 499-1500 Beautiful 3 bedroom/1 bathroom mobile home for rent. Only $599.00 per month.Located in Sumter, SC. Available for immediate occupancy, act now this home won't last! Call 803-469-8515 for additional details.

STATEBURG COURTYARD

Job Fair Tues. Feb 3rd 10am-2pm 1761 Pinewood Rd Sumter. Needed RN's, LPN's, CNA's. Only serious applicants need to apply.

Commercial Rentals

I am a reliable CNA looking to sit with your elderly loved ones day or night. Ref. provided. Call 803-225-0924 or 803-225-0543

11' Dodge Avenger 17,000 mi. Exc.cdtn, $15K OBO Call 803-406-6159 Lv msg 9-8pm

Nice Area 2BR 1.5BA C/H/A, Appliances. New carpet, paint. No Pets/Smoking $625mo. & dep. 803-983-8463.

Medical Help Wanted

Work Wanted

For Sale Nice 4Br 2Ba DW with large lot 803-983-0408

2 & 3 BRs 803-494-4015

Abandon Vehicle / Boat Abandoned Boat Notice To all persons claiming an interest in: 1987 17 foot Cobalt, 17 BR, James Herron will apply to SCDNR for title on watercraft/outboard motor. If you have any claims to the watercraft/outboard motor, contact SCDNR at (803) 734-3858. Upon thirty days after the date of the last advertisement if no claim of interest is made and the watercraft/outboard motor has not been reported stolen, SCDNR shall issue clear title. Case No: 20140808110685

Zoned for medical facility; tanning bed; financial office; furniture store; 4,000 sq. ft. Gamecock Plaza, McCrays Mill Rd. Bobby Sisson 773-4381.

call us TODAY SALES PEOPLE NEEDED

SERVICE TECH NEEDED â&#x20AC;˘ Paid Vacation â&#x20AC;˘ Monday & Holidays Friday â&#x20AC;˘ Paid Training â&#x20AC;˘ 401K â&#x20AC;˘ Paid â&#x20AC;˘ Group Ins. Health & Dental Uniforms

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â&#x20AC;˘ Great Selection of New & Used Inventory

Call David Hill at

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make a mistake. Shop the lake.â&#x20AC;?

Highway 261 â&#x20AC;˘ Manning (803) 433-5500 â&#x20AC;˘ Santeeautomotive.com

MAYOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S SUIT CITY

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make a mistake. Shop the lake.â&#x20AC;?

Highway 261 â&#x20AC;˘ Manning (803) 433-5500 â&#x20AC;˘ Santeeautomotive.com

TUXEDOS AVAILABLE for rental or purchase

Winter Clearance Sale IN PROGRESS NOW!

If your suits arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t becoming to you, Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a good time to be coming to Mayoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s!

Wesmark Plaza â&#x20AC;˘ 773-2262 â&#x20AC;˘ Mon-Sat 10-7 â&#x20AC;˘ www.MayosDiscountSuits.com