January 2, 2016

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Jackson calls out black voters Only 900K of 1.2M eligible such voters registered in S.C.

BY KONSTANTIN VENGEROWSKY konstantin@theitem.com The Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. spoke on the importance of the black vote, encouraging people to become registered voters and emphasizing the importance of the South Carolina primary in the 2016 presidential election during his stop at Trinity Missionary Baptist Church on Friday.

Sumter was his first stop in a statewide tour with the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, his multi-racial, multi-issue, progressive, international membership organization fighting for social change, according to its website, www.rainbowpush.org.

South Carolina has 1.2 million eligible black voters, yet only 900,000 are registered, he said.

“On Feb. 27 all roads lead to South Carolina,” Jackson said referencing the S.C. Democratic primary. “A lot of focus is on Iowa and New Hampshire, but South Carolina is the first state where there is a multiracial, multicultural population.”

South Carolina’s vote will potentially determine the presidential race, he said.

“I hope that South Carolina will vote its interests and not its fears or fantasies,” Jackson said.

Jackson said there are a million poor people in the state, and 250,000 without health insurance.

There were several issues that Jackson said need to be addressed, including racial reconciliation, poverty, violence and voter registration.

“People must vote their hopes and their needs,” he said. “Working poor need livable wages, they need more industry coming South, and they need to end the violence.”

The significance of the event at Trinity Missionary Baptist Church

PHOTOS BY RICK CARPENTER / THE SUMTER ITEM

Christian Simmons, left, gets a hug from the Rev. Jesse Jackson after Jackson’s Emancipation Day speech. Simmons introduced Jackson on Friday.

SEE JACKSON, PAGE A3

Community leaders we lost in 2015

BY RICK CARPENTER rick@theitem.com We lost hundreds if not thousands of people in the Lee, Sumter and Clarendon tri-county area during 2015.

While all of them were significant losses, The Sumter Item identified some key leaders that have left voids in our communities. The list is in no way exhaustive.

On Feb. 3, Turbeville lost its first female to serve on city council and as mayor when Josephine Bell “Jonnie” Calvert died at the age of 86.

After graduating from Union High School in 1949, Calvert attended Spartanburg General Hospital School of Nursing. After graduating, she worked at Spartanburg General where she worked

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The Rev. Archie Temony, left, offers a prayer for the families of the nine people killed in Charleston while the Rev. Stanley E. Hayes Sr. lights a candle for each victim. The ceremony was part of a celebration of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln on Jan. 1, 1863, that abolished slavery.

was the 242nd anniversary of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.

The presidential proclamation and executive order issued by President Abraham Lincoln on Jan. 1, 1863, changed the federal legal status of more than 3 million enslaved persons in the South from “slave” to “free.”

“This Emancipation Proclamation was essentially the beginning of the end of slavery,” Jackson said. “There’s no bigger day for us. After black people watched and prayed all night (in Watch Service on Dec. 31, 1862), Lincoln signed the document that set us free.”

Jackson said the progress today that has come as a result of the signing of this document more than 153 years ago has an effect not only on the freedom of people, but also on all aspects of life.

“All of the industries that have come to South Carolina today are a result of

her way up to acting director of nursing. While working there, she became good friends with Dr. Kate Smith, a CALVERT Turbeville native.

They met in an emergency room when Smith was doing an internship.

Smith learned of an opening in Turbeville and asked Calvert to join her at Turbeville Family Medicine (known today as East Clarendon Medical Center).

After relocating to Turbeville, Calvert was in the first class to graduate from the Medical School of South Carolina’s Physician Assistant School in 1975.

Also in February, Sumter lost Dayle Fersner, one of the

BY RICK CARPENTER rick@theitem.com

FERSNER

founders of the local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Fersner dedicated her life to the protection and care of all types of animals.

SEE LEADERS, PAGE A3

DEATHS, A6 and A7 Margaret Bartholomew Ruby “Jho” Thomas Dorothy Scarborough Matthew Golden Kenneth Duffy Mary B. Boatwright Marvin Nathaniel Myrtle Blanding

Confederate flag issue column tops web traffic

John A. Patrick Betty O. York Willie Richardson Stenella “Nell” Cook Donell D. Sinkler Andwane D. Dargan James Grant

The Sumter Item website, www.theitem.com, received more than 12 million page views in 2015 and peaked during the October flood period, according to Google Analytics. In fact, The Sumter Item’s website had 94,419 page views during the flood on Oct. 4 and 90,508 page views on Oct. 5.

What drew the interest of the most readers?

By far the most read story for 2015 was a column written by Graham Osteen declaring it was time to take down the Confederate flag from the State-

house grounds.

Osteen was one of the first to opine on the subject after the massacre of nine blacks in Charleston. The suspect in the shooting, a white man named Dylan Roof, 21, said he murdered the victims in an attempt to start a race war.

Instead of creating a race war, he united blacks and whites in the state. Bringing down the flag became a rally cry to illustrate unity in the state.

Osteen’s lead paragraph in the column says it all.

“If the South Carolina General Assembly doesn’t

SEE ONLINE, PAGE A7

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THE SUMTER ITEM

Call: (803) 774-1226 | E-mail: pressrelease@theitem.com

Local church raises $10K for ministry FROM STAFF REPORTS Alice Drive Baptist Church put a smile on the face of Sumter United Ministries Executive Director Mark Champagne last week.

The church held a special offering during its three Christmas Eve services to help shore up the nonprofit that has been overwhelmed with requests for assistance.

The special offering brought in $5,341.82, but an additional gift outside the services brought the total to $10,000.

“We live in a very blessed and giving community,” Champagne said about the donation.

“The church is strong and relevant, carrying its faith into our businesses, local government, schools, clubs and individuals.

“We all know this has been a challenging year and without belittling anyone’s suffering, often good will come from it.

This donation and every donation will help us go farther to meet the needs that have been laid before us, as we — not United Ministries, but (donors) — are rebuilding lives here in Sumter County.”

Champagne said United Ministries needed $28,000 for its emergency shelter, nonperishable food items and cash to pay for perishable items it provides to needy families.

He also said a group of Mennonite and Amish church volunteers will arrive in Sumter next week to assist people with repairs to their homes. The organization has more than $125,000 for those repairs, but he noted it costs about $20,000 to repair each home, and there are more than 600 homes needing repairs.

For more information on how you can help United Ministries, call (803) 775-0757.

Flu season off to slow start

BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com Flu season hasn’t gained much momentum in South Carolina and most of the U.S. this year, according to the latest flu surveillance report released by South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Services.

“Last year, flu season really began to take off during the holiday season,” said Jim Beasley, media relations manager for DHEC. “This year, cases are being reported sporadically.”

Since Oct. 4, 172 laboratory con-

firmed influenza-associated hospitalizations have been reported. As of the final week in December, flu was reported as “widespread,” with 1,643 hospitalizations reported from 44 counties.

Beasley said he could not say if the unusually warm weather had anything to do with the flu season being mild so far.

“It’s hard to predict about flu,” he said. “The only thing predictable about flu is that it is unpredictable.”

The flu season typically peaks in late January, Beasley said, so the number

of cases could still increase substantially.

He said eight deaths have been attributed to flu so far in South Carolina this season Last year, 38 deaths were in the surveillance report from DHEC. Beasley said the state has a good reporting system to keep track of flu season.

“We have a network that helps us keep a good watch,” he said.

Nationally, as of Dec. 19, 7,289 positive tests for influenza had been reported.

It’s official

CHRIS MOORE / SPECIAL TO THE SUMTER ITEM

LOCAL BRIEF FROM STAFF REPORTS

Girl Scouts gear up for annual cookie sale Girl Scouts of South Carolina will launch its annual cookie sale program by taking advance orders beginning Jan. 8 with delivery in late February, according to a news release from the organization.

Girl Scouts will be at local retail locations from Feb. 19 to March 13 for direct sales.

Prices have been raised from $3.50 to $4 a box. Gluten-free cookies are $5 a box.

One item that might be of particular local interest to the Sumter community is a Girl Scouts program called Cookies for Soldiers where customers can purchase cookies that will be shipped directly to military members.

For more information, log onto www.gsscookies.org or call 1-800-849-4475.

Gray Maklary of Plant Services unveils the new main Palmetto Health Tuomey sign on Washington Street on Friday morning. New signage cropped up Friday around the campus of Palmetto Health Tuomey to reflect the hospital’s name change as the partnership between Palmetto Health and the former Tuomey Healthcare System was officially finalized. Palmetto Health also named Michelle LoganOwens, who has been serving as president and CEO of Tuomey Healthcare System since June, as the chief operating officer of Palmetto Health Tuomey. In this role, she will oversee the operations of Palmetto Health Tuomey and report directly to Palmetto Health President John Singerling.

New year rings in few changes to S.C. laws

BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com Only a few new laws went into effect in South Carolina with the start of the New Year.

Act 70 establishes that dates, times and locations of regular public meetings must be published in writing at the beginning of each year, and agendas to public meetings must be made available at least 24 hours in advance. Called, special or rescheduled meeting must be published 24 hours in advance, if practical. The requirement does not apply to emergency meetings.

Once an agenda for a meeting is published, no items may be added

without an additional 24-hour notice or a vote of two-thirds of the members present and voting. If the public has not had the opportunity to comment on an item, two thirds of the members present and voting must make a finding of emergency or circumstances that requiring immediate attention to place it on the agenda.

Act 69 creates tax exemptions for certain items, including certain building materials sold to nonprofit groups to build, rehabilitate or repair a home for an individual or family in need. The act exempts some parts and supplies for people in the business of repairing or reconditioning aircraft and makes children’s clothes purchased by certain

nonprofit organizations to be distributed to needy children exempt from sales tax. The children’s clothing exemption does not apply to private schools.

Act 72 relates to the transmission of electronic death certificates by physicians, funeral homes and funeral directors and establishes prerequisites for when a cremation may take place. The law says the funeral home or entity which has possession of the body may file a death certificate electronically, and that cremation may not take place until at least 24 hours after the death except in cases of infectious disease when the requirement is waived in writing by a physician, medical examiner or coroner.

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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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LOCAL

THE SUMTER ITEM

LEADERS FROM PAGE A1 In 1969, she was instrumental in creating the Sumter SPCA with the late Sunny Korn. And, she started fulfilling her dream of caring for animals in need full time in 1973. She worked there for 43 years.

On May 7, the community lost Henry Clarke Bynum, who started Bynum Insurance Agency. Bynum was born in Tuomey Hospital in 1932, graduated from Wofford College in 1954, married Patricia “Pat” Ann Lanius in 1955 and BYNUM served two years in the U.S. Army in Nuremburg, Germany. He began working in the insurance business in 1959. Bynum’s two sons, Clarke and Edward, eventually joined him in the insurance business. He was active in Trinity United Methodist Church and served on the board of directors of the YMCA and the Wilson Hall school board.

Sumter lost Dr. Charles “Pap” Propst, who died on May 20, at the age of 90. He founded Sumter Pediatrics with Dr. Ted Young in 1954 where he practiced until 1986. Propst became a prominent member of the Sumter community,

serving on the District 17 school board, taking part in local clubs and affecting several genPROPST erations of Sumterites.

The unincorporated community of Horatio lost Carrie Baker LeNoir, 94, in June. Lenoir grew up during the Depression as a daughter of a farmer and one of 11 children.

She married Gaillard LeNoir in 1938 and began working in the LeNoir’s Country Store LENOIR and post office that year. Besides running the store and post office, she drove a firetruck for the local fire department which she helped establish and was active in the community. The LeNoirs have owned the country store since 1765, making it one of the oldest continuous-running businesses in the nation.

When rural post offices began closing in the 1970s, LeNoir was successful in her fight to keep the community’s post office open even though it only served 93 residents.

In July, Martha McElveen Horne, 61, lost her battle with cancer and Sumter lost a public servant. Horne, an attorney and the sister of Sumter Mayor Joe McElveen, became

the first female deputy solicitor for the Third Judicial Circuit.

She worked as the Sumter PoHORNE lice Department’s attorney with longtime friend Patty Patterson, the former Sumter Police Chief. Horne retired from the police department in 2015.

On July 29, the Manning area lost longtime law enforcement communications operator Barbara B. Garrett, the wife of Clarendon County Sheriff Randy Garrett. Beginning at the Clarendon County 911 Center, Barbara Garrett retired from the South Carolina Highway Patrol in 2013. There she served as communications manager for GARRETT Troop 5 which covers Florence, Dillon, Marion, Darlington, Marlboro, Horry, Georgetown and Williamsburg counties. She was named telecommunications operator of the year once in Clarendon County and three times by the S.C. Highway Patrol. Garrett died from a pulmonary disease.

Sumter lost architect James E. “Gene” Matthews, 80, on Aug. 15. Matthews left his mark on the community as the architect for many area churches

SATURDAY, JANUARY 2, 2016 including Aldersgate Methodist Church, Alice Drive Baptist Church, Grace Baptist Church, MATTHEWS First Baptist Church of Georgetown, Mayesville Presbyterian Church and Trinity United Methodist Church, where he attended services.

Other buildings baring examples of his work include the Sumter Fire Department, Sumter County Medical Health Center, Sumter’s Patriot Hall Auditorium, the Sumter Gallery of Art, University of South Carolina Sumter Administration Building and renovations to the Sumter County Courthouse. He also designed many area schools, health facilities and as many as 80 homes.

Sumter benefitted from his expertise as he served as chairman of the Planning Commission and he served on local health care commissions.

In August, Sumter lost local businessman Frederick “Rick” Hines. Hines co-founded The Stuckey and Hines Furniture Co., known today as Hines Furniture. Hines was a decorated Vietnam War pilot who earned nine Air Medals and the Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions to save an A-4 FAC crew shot down over Laos in 1969. Hines was

FROM PAGE A1 our movement and our struggles,” he said. “We freed ourselves and the country. On every refrigerator door, in every church pew, there should be a copy of the Emancipation Proclamation.”

Jackson is a civil rights activist, Baptist minister and politician. He was a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984 and 1988 and served as a shadow U.S. senator for the District of Columbia from 1991 to 1997.

He is the founder of the organizations that merged to form Rainbow/PUSH. Jackson was also the host of “Both Sides with Jesse Jackson” on CNN from 1992 to 2000.

RICK CARPENTER / THE SUMTER ITEM

The Rev. Jesse Jackson talks during his Emancipation Day speech at Trinity Missionary Baptist Church on Friday. President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863, which freed slaves near the beginning of the third year of the Civil War.

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STOLEN PROPERTY A 65-inch Vizio TV, 24inch LG TV, 40-inch Samsung TV, 40-inch Samsung Smart TV, 27-inch Vizio TV, 50-inch Samsung TV, Sony PlayStation 4, Sony PlayStation 3, two Microsoft Xbox 360s, Apple MacBook, a set of Sony PlayStation headphones and a Smith & Wesson handgun, all with a combined value of more than $6,000, were reported stolen from a residence in the 4600 block of Excursion Drive on Dec. 18.

A 42-inch Emerson flatscreen TV valued at $350; two 32-inch Emerson flat-screen TVs valued at $250 each; a HP printer and scanner valued at $100; and two bags of Christmas gifts, containing girls clothing and various toys, valued at $250 were reported stolen from a residence in the 100 block of Duck Street on Dec. 24.

Damage to the rear

door, used to enter the home, amounted to about $50.

A Lincoln MIG Welder valued at $750 and a Campbell Hausfeld air compressor valued at $250 were reported stolen from a residence on West Bee Street between 8 p.m. Dec. 23 and 7:30 a.m. Dec. 24.

A set of Inland headphones valued at $50, an ASUS laptop valued at $400, a Funai VCR/ DVD valued at $70, a DVD copy machine valued at $100 and surround-sound speakers valued at $100 were reported stolen from a residence on Woodlawn Court between 11:54 a.m. Dec. 17 and 11:30 a.m. Dec. 27.

DAMAGED PROPERTY A business in the 200 block of Broad Street reportedly sustained about $1,500 in damage and a vacant unit in the same complex reportedly sustained about $1,000 on Dec. 22 when a hole was put in the wall of one unit and the door to the vacant one was shattered.

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active in the Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce and was instrumental in building a welHINES coming relationship with Shaw Air Force Base.

“He understood the importance of Shaw Air Force Base to this community and was very active in maintaining a strong relationship between the military and the community,” said former Sumter Mayor Steve Creech.

In November, Sumter lost Dr. Wendell Mitchell Levi Jr. after a brief battle with cancer. He practiced medicine in Sumter for 40 years as a general and thoracic surgeon as the founder of Sumter Surgical Associates, P.A. Levi was on LEVI board a ship en route to Japan when the first atomic bomb hit Hiroshima. He was among the first troops to arrive in Occupied Japan.

After retiring at age 72, he became a full-time farmer at Sans Souci Plantation where he raised Brangus cattle and grew hay and a personal vegetable garden. He served on boards of The Conagree Land Trust, the Shaw Air Force Base Restoration Advisory Board and the Palmetto Pigeon Plant.

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(HD) (HD) (HD) (HD) (HD) 103 Dual Survival (HD) MythBusters (N) (HD) Dual Survival: Buried Alive (HD) Dual Survival (HD) Dual Survival (HD) Survival (HD) 35 (6:45) College Football: Oregon Ducks vs TCU Horned Frogs from Alamodome in San Antonio (HD) (:15) College Football: West Virginia Mountaineers vs Arizona State Sun Devils (HD) 39 College Basketball: Iowa State vs Oklahoma z{| (HD) College Basketball: LSU Tigers at Vanderbilt Commodores (HD) College Basketball: Gonzaga vs San Francisco (6:30) Na tional Trea sure: Book of Se crets (‘07, Com edy) aaa Nicolas For rest Gump (‘94, Drama) aaaa Tom Hanks.

A slow-witted man with char acter and dignity who transforms The Three Mus131 Cage. Mystery behind Lincoln’s assassination. (HD) the lives of those around him grows to adulthood amid the historic events of four decades. (HD) keteers (HD) 109 Worst Cooks in America (HD) Worst Cooks in America (HD) Worst Cooks in America (HD) Worst Cooks in America (HD) Worst Cooks in America (HD) Worst Cook 74 FOX Report Saturday (HD) Legends & Lies (HD) Justice with Judge Jeanine (N) The Greg Gutfeld Show (N) Red Eye News satire. (N) (HD) Justice (HD) 42 NHL Hockey: Nashville Predators at Carolina Hurricanes from PNC Arena (HD) Postgame College Basketball: Marquette vs Georgetown no~ Basketball Golden Girls: The 183 A Country Wedding (‘15, Romance) Jesse Metcalfe. A musician reconsiders Love in Paradise (‘16, Drama) Luke Perry. An actor known for his Western Golden Close en- Golden Girls: his future after reconnecting with his childhood love. (HD) roles is far from the characters he plays. (HD) counters.

Rose the Prude Transplant 112 Love It or List It (HD) Property Brothers (HD) Property Brothers (HD) House Hunters LA home. (HD) Log Cabin (N) Log Cabin (N) Prop Bro (HD) 110 American Pickers (HD) American Pickers (HD) Being Evel (‘15, Profile) Johnny Knoxville. The life and career of Evel Knievel. (HD) Pawn Stars American (HD) 160 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: Law & Order: Solitary Bank robber. (HD) Hammered No memory. (HD) Hardwired (HD) Users Therapist. (HD) Turmoil State Bar. (HD) SVU (HD) Don’t Wake Mommy (‘15, Drama) (HD) (:02) The House Sitter (‘15) A house sitter becomes dangerously obsessed Don’t Wake 145 (6:00) Stalked By My Doctor (‘15, Thriller) aa Amy Pietz. (HD) with the family she’s working for.

Mommy (HD) 76 Disappearance at the Dairy Queen A teen’s cold case.

Lockup (HD) Lockup An inmate talks. (HD) Lockup Prison fights. (HD) Lockup (HD) 91 Henry Henry Henry Henry Nicky, Ricky: Go Hollywood Full House Full House Friends (HD) Friends (HD) Friends (HD) 154 Cops (HD) Cops (HD) Cops (HD) Cops (HD) Cops (HD) Cops (HD) Cops (HD) Cops (HD) Cops (HD) Cops (HD) Jail (HD) Twilight Zone: Twilight SurviTwilight Zone: Twilight Two sur- Twilight Custer’s Twilight Youth Twilight Clock of Twilight: 152 Twilight Gremlin Twilight: A Kind Twilight Dison airplane. of Stopwatch graced jockey.

Living Doll vors protected. Uncle Simon vivors meet.

Last Stand. serum. death.

Ring-A-Ding Girl 2 Broke Girls 2 Broke Girls The Big Bang The Big Bang The Big Bang The Big Bang The Big Bang The Pacifier (‘05, Comedy) aac Vin Diesel. A tough 156 2 Broke Girls (HD) (HD) (HD) Theory (HD) Theory (HD) Theory (HD) Theory (HD) Theory (HD) babysitter protects four kids.

(6:00) A Funny Thing Hap pened on The Can di date (‘72, Drama) aaac Rob ert Redford.

Ide al is tic young (:15) Smile (‘75, Com edy) aaa Bruce Dern. Two pageant organizers pre- (:15) Divine Mad186 the Way to the Forum (‘66) lawyer faces truth about campaigning when he runs for office. (HD) pare for California’s biggest beauty competition. ness! (‘80) 157 Untold Stories of the ER: (HD) Untold Stories of the ER: (HD) Untold Stories of the E.R. (N) Sex Sent Me to the ER (N) (HD) Untold Stories of the E.R. (HD) Sex (HD) 158 The Hobbit: An Unexpected Jour- Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (‘07, Adventure) aaa Johnny Depp. Pirate alliance battles a nefari- Alice in Wonderland (‘10, Fantasy) aaa Johnny ney (‘12) Martin Freeman. (HD) ous shipping magnate and a cursed crew. (HD) Depp. A young woman returns to Wonderland. (HD) 102 Jokers (HD) Jokers (HD) Jokers (HD) Jokers (HD) Jokers (HD) Jokers (HD) Jokers (HD) Jokers (HD) (:01) World’s Dumbest... (HD) Jokers (HD) 161 Big Daddy (‘99, Comedy) aac Adam Sandler. Big kid plays dad.

Raymond (HD) Raymond (HD) Raymond (HD) Raymond (HD) Queens (HD) Queens (HD) Queens (HD) Modern Family Modern Family Modern Family 132 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: The Lone Ranger (‘13, Action) aaa Johnny Depp. A former law enforcement official and a Native American Pursuit Television host. (HD) warrior team up in an effort to rescue the Old West from an evil industrialist. (HD) (HD) (HD) (HD) Law & Order: Narcosis (HD) Law & Order: High & Low (HD) Law & Order: Stiff (HD) Law & Order War crimes. (HD) Law & Order: Endurance (HD) Law (HD) 172 Blue Bloods: Re-Do (HD) Blue Bloods: After Hours (HD) Blue Bloods: Little Fish (HD) Training Day (‘01, Drama) aaac Denzel Washington. Rookie rides with a veteran cop.

‘Downton Abbey’ begins its final season Sunday night

BY KEVIN MCDONOUGH Good news: The sixth and final season of “Downton Abbey” on “Masterpiece Classic” (9 p.m., Sunday, PBS, TVPG, check local listings) wraps up in the 1920s and not the 1930s. At least we won’t have to watch our favorite lords and ladies palling around with the “Cliveden Set,” the British aristocrats who took a shine to Hitler and used political influence to appease him.

Sadly, “Downton” has not wrapped up quickly enough to avoid seeming a tad dowdy. The younger characters, particularly Mary and Edith, who were in the flower of marriageable youth when “Downton” began in 1912, are well into their 30s now. And in the 1920s, that was considered distinctly middle-aged. “Downton” doubles down on “mature” concerns with a great deal of attention paid to the domestic woes of the crabby Mr. Carson and his bride, Mrs. Hughes. A prolonged spat between the Dowager Countess and Isobel over the direction of the local hospital board is just about as exciting as it sounds. And with the scheming Thomas depressed and contrite, and O’Brien long gone, the melodrama lacks a clear villain or heel. Mary’s horrid treatment of Edith can only entertain us for so long.

But let’s face it, we stopped watching “Downton” for the plot some years back. I’ve long maintained the show should have died along with Matthew. But viewers who watch it for the production values — the clothes, the interior decoration, the upholstery and stitching — will not be disappointed. The flapper era lends itself nicely to Lady Mary’s size and attitude, and for many, that’s more than enough.

• The first new shows of the year are often the worst.

Clearly inspired by the malingering “Hangover” franchise, “Cooper Barrett’s Guide to Surviving Life” (8:30 p.m., Sunday, Fox, TV-14) concerns a group of “bro” friends for whom every day brings a new bachelor party.

Narrated by the smug title character (Jack Cutmore-

10 p.m., A&E) recall separate “Houses of Horror.” And “Fatal Vows” (10 p.m., ID) takes the usual twist on “till death do us part.”

SATURDAY’S HIGHLIGHTS

NICK BRIGGS / CARNIVAL FILM & TELEVISION LIMITED 2015 FOR MASTERPIECE / PBS

Maggie Smith stars as Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham, on “Downton Abbey” beginning its sixth and final season at 9 p.m. Sunday on PBS. Scott), it unfolds in flashbacks intended to display the passage of a decade’s pop culture. That’s difficult to achieve when every character is a thin stereotype engaged in contrived shenanigans that in no way resemble real life.

Cooper is the preppy type, continually rescued by his even more privileged brother, Josh (Justin Bartha), who hangs with the boys because his wife is too busy having a baby to provide much “fun.”

A plot involves a party out of bounds where the “crazy” black stereotype Barry (James Earl) and Neal (Charlie Saxton), the virginal nerd stereotype, tangle with gang stereotypes to retrieve a stolen flat-screen TV. For reasons never explained, the smart and sassy Kelly (Meaghan Rath) shows romantic interest in Cooper. I don’t think viewers will share her crush.

• From the folks who brought you “Family Guy,” the new animated comedy “Bordertown” (9:30 p.m., Sunday, Fox, TV-14) takes the hot-button issues of border security, immigration and white anxiety about becoming the “minority” population and turns them into a delivery system for scatter-

shot jokes and witless nonsequiturs. Like I said, it’s got “Family Guy” in its DNA. Hank Azaria provides the voice of Bud, a border patrol officer who feels like the last white guy in the neighborhood. His neighbor Ernesto (Nicholas Gonzalez) is a gogetting landscaper who wishes aloud that immigration had stopped when he crossed the border, so he wouldn’t be undercut by the cheap labor of new arrivals.

But the “plot” is incidental to a barrage of decidedly random gags. Toward the end of the pilot, one of them pokes fun at Philip Seymour Hoffman. Given a setting and topic rich in satirical possibilities, we’re asked to laugh at a great actor’s private agony, addiction and early death. There is no pathos in the joke, nor is there catharsis. It’s just a cheap and ugly shot that adds up to nothing.

If “Bordertown” has any message at all, it’s about how Seth MacFarlane’s “Family Guy” brand of humor has debased television comedy.

• Elizabeth McGovern (“Downton Abbey”) hosts a second season of “Million Dollar American Princesses” (8 p.m., Sunday, Smithsonian).

The four-episode season recalls the marriages of Grace

Kelly, Rita Hayworth, Gloria Swanson and Kathleen “Kick” Kennedy to a titled set.

• Ashley Bell and Sara Rue star in the 2015 thriller “Don’t Wake Mommy” (8 p.m., Saturday, Lifetime, TV-14). As to be expected, it’s about a new mother who meets a friendly stranger whose intentions are anything but kind. Bell received rave notices for her appearance as a possessed young woman in the 2010 horror movie “The Last Exorcism.” Viewers may also recall her performance in Showtime’s “United States of Tara.” Sara Rue made quite a charming impression as the star of the 2002 CW comedy “Less Than Perfect.” She has long played supporting roles as the best girlfriend or chatty neighbor. She hosted the weight-loss reality series “Shedding for the Wedding” in 2011. This summer, she was a notable presence as a perky church lady in the overlooked cable comedy “Impastor” on the TV Land network.

Saturday is consumed with non-fiction shocks. A twohour “Dateline” (8 p.m., Saturday, NBC, r) recalls a couple whose afternoon hike turned tragic. Two helpings of “The First 48” (9 p.m. and

• AMC offers 12 episodes of “Fear the Walking Dead” (4 p.m., TV-14).

• Oregon and Texas Christian appear in the Alamo Bowl (6:45 p.m., ESPN).

• FX unspools the first nine episodes of the Fox comedy “The Grinder” (7 p.m., TV-PG).

• ABC offers four repeat helpings of chivalric frolics to anticipate Sunday’s return of “Galavant” (8 p.m., TV-14).

• A hunky contractor is more than meets the eye in the 2015 shocker “Fatal Flip” (8 p.m., LMN, r, TV-14).

• Ash receives an offer he might not refuse on the season finale of “Ash vs Evil Dead” (9 p.m., Starz, TV-MA).

SUNDAY’S HIGHLIGHTS • Set in the era when knighthood was in flower, the musical comedy “Galavant” (8 p.m., ABC, TV-14) returns for a second season.

• The Packers and Vikings meet in NFL action (8:20 p.m., NBC).

• Shoplifters unmasked on “Undercover Boss” (8:30 p.m., CBS, TV-14).

• Alex strives to clear her name on the pilot episode of “Quantico” (10 p.m., ABC, r, TV-14).

• On two helpings of “Limitless” (CBS, r, TV-14), A special assignment for the FBI (9:30 p.m.), news about Rebecca’s father (10:30 p.m.).

CULT CHOICE Bruce Dern and Barbara Feldon star in “Smile” (10:15 p.m., Saturday, TCM), a 1975 satire of California’s beauty pageant culture. Look for a young Melanie Griffith.

SUNDAY SERIES Homer returns to a former employer on “The Simpsons” (8 p.m., Fox, TV-PG) * A return to Korea on “Family Guy” (9 p.m., Fox, TV-14).

Copyright 2016, United Feature Syndicate

TELEVISION

THE SUMTER ITEM

SATURDAY, JANUARY 2, 2016

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WIS News 10 at Fix It & Finish It: 11:00pm News Pretty Pictures and weather.

(HD) (4:25) NFL Foot- 60 Minutes (N) (HD) Undercover Boss: Shoppers World Limitless: Page 44 Brian is asked to Limitless: Personality Crisis Brian News 19 @ 11pm (:05) Scandal: ball z{| (HD) Retail store lacks security. (N) (HD) steal the FBI’s classified records on considers telling Rebecca a secret The news of the Beltway UnbuckNZT. (HD) about her father. (HD) day. led (HD) America’s Funniest Home Videos Galavant ShipGalavant: World’s (:01) Quantico: Run An FBI recruit is Quantico: America Alex has to sneak ABC Columbia Wolfgang: Holi- Bones: The Girl in Pets causing chaos; announcing wrecked. (N) (HD) Best Kiss (N) (HD) accused of taking part in an attack on into her apartment. (HD) News at 11 (HD) day Cooking Made the Gator (HD) pregnancy (N) (HD) New York City. (HD) Easy Masterpiece: Growing a (:15) Downton Abbey: A Celebra- Family Travel Heiress and Her Chateau: Countdown to Downton Abbey (N) Masterpiece: Downton Abbey VI Greener World Downton Abbey with Colleen Carolands of California Historic (HD) Hughes makes a sensitive inquiry. (N) tion (N) (HD) VI (HD) (HD) Kelly (HD) (HD) “Downton Abbey-like” chateau. (HD) (4:25) NFL Foot- The OT z{| The Simpsons: Cooper Barrett’s Family Guy Asian Bordertown: The WACH FOX News The Big Bang The Big Bang Celebrity Name TMZ (N) ball z{| (HD) (HD) The Girl Code (N) Guide (N) (HD) soap opera. (N) Engagement (N) at 10 Nightly Theory (HD) Theory (HD) Game (HD) (HD) news report.

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Hoarders: Merlene; Jeff Hoarders: Judy House overrun by (:01) Hoarders: Roxann & Barbara (:02) Nightwatch: Guardians of the Hoarders: Victorian house compete. (HD) Ex-supermodel. (HD) hoard & mice. (N) (HD) Mother’s hoarding. (N) (HD) City Woman stabbed. (HD) Merlene; Jeff (HD) Tomb stone (‘93, West ern) Kurt Rus Rocky (‘76, Drama) aaac Sylvester Stallone.

A boxer ro mances a shy woman and shoots Rocky II (‘79, Drama) aaa Sylvester Stallone.

A boxer must deal with re180 sell. No peace for Earp. (HD) for fame in a championship fight. (HD) ality after gaining fame in a championship fight. (HD) 100 North Woods Law (HD) North Woods Law (N) (HD) Finding Bigfoot: Squatch Wars: U.S. vs. Canada (N) (HD) (:07) Finding Bigfoot (HD) (6:48) House of (:24) House of House of Payne House of Payne House of Payne House of Payne House of Payne House of Payne House of Payne House of Payne Rev. Peter Popoff 162 Payne (HD) Payne (HD) (HD) (HD) (HD) (HD) (HD) (HD) (HD) (HD) The Real Housewives of Atlanta: Newlyweds: The First Year: Wedding or Knot Adonis’ What Happens The Real Housewives of Atlanta: Newlyweds: 181 Atlanta Social (N) (HD) Shade For Days (N) and Erica’s union is threatened. (N) (N) (HD) Shade For Days Wedding or Knot 62 Greed: The Wealth Builder Club Greed: Financial Home Invasion Greed: Young Lust Goes Bust Greed A con man.

Greed: Dealing In Deceit Greed 64 CNN Newsroom Sunday Blindsided How ISIS Shook Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine Candid look. (N) Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine (5:54) Jeff Dun Jeff Dun ham: Spark of In san ity Co me dic slant on a few Jeff Dun ham: All Over the Map On Jeff Dun ham: Un hinged in Hol ly Jeff Dunham: Arguing with Myself Jeff Dunham: In136 ham (HD) American issues. (HD) tour. (HD) wood Ventriloquist comic. (HD) Crazy puppets. sanity (HD) Austin & Ally Austin & Ally Austin & Ally Austin & Ally Austin & Ally Austin & Ally Austin & Ally Austin & Ally Austin & Ally Austin & Ally 80 Austin & Ally (HD) (HD) (HD) (HD) (HD) (HD) (HD) (HD) (HD) (HD) (HD) 103 Alaska: The Last Frontier (HD) Alaska: The Last Frontier (N) Alaska: The Last Frontier (N) (:01) Alaskan Bush People: Return to the Bush (N) (HD) Alaska (HD) 35 Storied (HD) SportsCenter (HD) 2015 World Series Poker: Final Table (HD) 2015 World Series Poker (HD) SportsCenter (HD) 39 Billiards no} (HD) Billiards: Trick Shot Magic (HD) Billiards: Trick Shot Magic (HD) 30 for 30: Chasing Tyson (HD) E:60 (HD) ESPN FC (HD) (6:00) For rest Gump (‘94, Drama) Tom Hanks.

A slow-witted man grows to The Note book (‘04, Ro mance) aaac Ryan Gos ling.

A woman chooses be tween a man of whom her par ents Joel Osteen 131 adulthood amid the historic events of four decades. (HD) approve and her first love. (HD) 109 Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives (N) Guy’s Grocery Games (N) (HD) Worst Cooks in America (N) Cutthroat Kitchen (N) (HD) Cutthroat Kitchen (HD) Worst Cook 74 FOX Report Sunday (HD) Legends & Lies (HD) 13 Hours at Benghazi The Greg Gutfeld Show Legends & Lies (HD) 13 Benghazi 42 World Poker Tour no~ (HD) World Poker Tour no~ (HD) World Poker Tour: Alpha8 (HD) World Poker Tour no} (HD) World Poker Tour no} (HD) Wom Bball Golden: Isn’t It Golden Girls: 183 Bridal Wave (‘15, Romance) Arielle Kebbel. A fiancée begins to question her Harvest Moon (‘15, Romance) Jesse Hutch. An urbanite wants to make her Golden: The relationship and financially secure future. (HD) father’s struggling pumpkin farm more profitable. (HD) Competition Romantic Family Affair 112 Property Brothers (HD) Hunt (N) (HD) Hunt (N) (HD) Life (N) (HD) Life (N) (HD) Island Life (N) Island Life (N) Hunters (HD) Hunters (HD) Life (HD) 110 Pawn Stars Pawn Stars Ax Men: Logged (N) (HD) Ax Men: Root Canal (N) (HD) The Curse of Oak Island (HD) Smartest (HD) Smartest (HD) Ax Men (HD) Leverage: The Jailhouse Job Innocent Leverage: The Reunion Job ComLeverage (HD) 160 Leverage: The Future Job Phony psy- Leverage: The Three Strikes Job Cor- Leverage: The Maltese Falcon Job chic. (HD) rupt politician. (HD) FBI closes in. (HD) inmate. (HD) puter password. (HD) Bad Sister (‘15, Drama) (HD) (:02) Don’t Wake Mommy (‘15, Drama) (HD) 145 Don’t Wake Mommy (‘15, Drama) (HD)

LIFE

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MSNBC NICK SPIKE

36 76 Caught on Camera (HD) Caught on Camera (HD) Locked Up Abroad (HD) 16 91 Henry Henry Game Shakers: Sky Whale Full House Full House 64 154 (6:00) Saving Private Ryan (‘98, Drama) aaaa Tom Hanks. Soldiers risk their lives to save a man.

SYFY

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24

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TLC

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TNT

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38 55

USA

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Locked Up Abroad (HD) Lockup (HD) Lockup (HD) Full House Full House Friends (HD) Friends (HD) Friends (HD) Gran Torino (‘09, Drama) Clint Eastwood. Korean War veteran helps troubled teen.

152 Men in Black II (‘02, Action) aa Tommy Lee Jones. Agents Kay and Jay Galaxy Quest (‘99, Science Fiction) aaa Tim Allen. Washed-up actors assist a dying race of The Fifth Element (‘97, Science Ficfoil an alien lingerie model’s plans of intergalactic evil. (HD) aliens in their war for survival. tion) aaac Bruce Willis. (HD) The Big Bang The Big Bang The Big Bang The Big Bang The Big Bang The Big Bang The Big Bang Bad Boys II (‘03, Action) aaa Martin Lawrence.

156 The Big Bang Theory (HD) Theory (HD) Theory (HD) Theory (HD) Theory (HD) Theory (HD) Theory (HD) Theory (HD) Tough narcotics cops stop drug kingpin. (HD) (6:00) Robin and Mar ian (‘76, Ro His Girl Fri day (‘40, Com edy) aaac Cary Grant.

An (:45) Broad cast News (‘87, Com edy) aaa Wil liam Hurt.

A driven TV news producer finds (:15) The Unholy 186 mance) aac Sean Connery. editor spars with his ex-wife. herself torn between brains and beauty.

Three (‘25) 157 LI Medium LI Medium LI Medium LI Medium Long Island Medium (N) (HD) Married By Mom & Dad (N) (HD) Long Island Medium (HD) Married By (5:30) Al ice in Won der land (‘10, Fan The Sor cerer’s Ap pren tice (‘10, Fan tasy) aac Nicolas Cage.

Sor cerer liv ing in mod ern-day The Sor cerer’s Ap pren tice (‘10, Fan tasy) aac Nicolas Cage. A sorcerer 158 tasy) aaa Johnny Depp. (HD) Manhattan recruits help in his fight against evil. (HD) recruits help in his fight. (HD) 102 truTV Top Funniest (HD) truTV Top Funniest (HD) truTV Top Funniest (HD) truTV Top Funniest (HD) (:01) truTV Top Funniest (HD) truTV Top 161 Reba (HD) Reba (HD) Reba (HD) Reba (HD) Raymond (HD) Raymond (HD) Raymond (HD) Raymond (HD) Queens (HD) Queens (HD) Queens (HD) NCIS: Toxic Abby replaces missing NCIS: Legend, Part 1 Marine’s murder NCIS: Legend, Part 2 Tony questions NCIS: Semper Fidelis Team works NCIS: Tribes (HD) 132 NCIS: Dead Reckoning Teaming up with shady CIA agent. (HD) scientist. (HD) sends Gibbs to L.A. (HD) Ziva’s loyalty. (HD) with ICE to catch killer. (HD) CSI: Miami: Tunnel Vision (HD) CSI: Miami (HD) CSI: Miami (HD) CSI: Miami: Going Ballistic (HD) CSI: Miami Meth lab found. (HD) CSI Miami 172 Blue Bloods: Family Ties (HD) Blue Bloods (HD) Blue Bloods: Dedication (HD) Blue Bloods (HD) Exit Wounds (‘01, Action) aac Steven Seagal.

REVIEWS

Moore ‘invades’ Europe to teach us

BY JOCELYN NOVECK AP National Writer Of course Michael Moore exaggerates. Of course he engages in cheerful, unabashed cherry-picking. Of course he sees black and white where most of us see shades of gray.

That doesn’t necessarily mean he’s wrong.

It just means he’s being Michael Moore — and in his latest documentary, “Where to Invade Next,” it’s a more impishly entertaining Moore than usual, using comedy and even a bit of fantasy to prove his point. Which is, basically, that Europe has some ideas on how to run a society that Americans should plunder and pillage — er, adopt! — forthwith.

A jocular tone is set from the start, when Moore is “summoned” to the Pentagon. In this fantasy, U.S. military leaders beg him for help. “Michael, we don’t know what the (expletive) we’re doing,” they say. “We’ve lost all the wars since World War II.” Can Moore help? Why yes, Moore replies. Yes he can.

Here’s the plan: Moore himself will “invade” other coun-

“Bread, Wine, Chocolate: The Slow Loss of Foods We Love,” by Simran Sethi, is seen.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Director Michael Moore is seen in his documentary, “Where to Invade Next.” The movie opens in U.S. theaters on Feb. 12. tries to bring home what’s useful. The first “target” is Italy.

He zooms in on a workingclass Italian couple that seems to truly have it all: good jobs, plenty of leisure time and the money to enjoy it, thanks to seven weeks of paid vacation, an extra month’s pay each year, and oh, two-hour lunch breaks.

Maternity leave, you ask? Five months paid. To twist the knife, Moore reminds us there are only two countries in the world that don’t have mandated maternity leave: Papua New Guinea and, yes, the USA. Next stop: France. “As usual, the French offered little resistance,” Moore quips. But soon you won’t be laughing at France’s expense — not when

you see how well they feed their schoolchildren. An average district in Normandy serves four-course lunches with scallops to start, followed by lamb on skewers and a cheese course — camembert is just one option — before dessert.

On to Finland, where a forward-looking education system sees excessive homework as a hindrance to learning and even eschews multiple-choice questions. Getting the picture? In Slovenia, which looks here like a fairytale kingdom, university tuition is free — even for Americans, some of whom come over to avoid the burden of student debt back home. Eager to question the country’s leader-

ship, Moore doesn’t need to barge in unannounced: the president of Slovenia welcomes him into his office.

In Germany, Moore marvels at worker benefits, such as three weeks at a spa to combat stress. In Portugal, the country’s drug czar patiently explains that it’s not illegal to carry or use drugs; they’ve found this approach reduces drug-related crimes. In Iceland, the strong leadership of women — in government and business — is extolled. In Norway, Moore visits a prison where guards don’t carry weapons, and inmates live in well-furnished apartments.

Shifting tone, Moore conducts a heartbreaking interview with

the father of a boy killed in Norway’s horrendous 2011 mass shooting. The father tells Moore he wouldn’t change Norway’s criminal justice system (maximum sentence 21 years) even to see his son’s murderer punished more severely.

Near the end, Moore detours to Tunisia, where he finds a young radio journalist wondering eloquently why Americans know so little about others.

“Why aren’t you curious about US?” she asks. “We deserve your attention.”

It’s the heart of Moore’s argument, actually: that wherever we stand on the issues, we could stand to learn from others. And it’s pretty hard to argue with.

Book makes environmental issues tasty

BY KEVIN BEGOS The Associated Press The lands, waters and atmosphere of our planet are under tremendous stress from the appetites and endeavors of more than 7 billion people, and such issues often make for grim reading. But environmentalist Simran Sethi has an appealing new argument in “Bread, Wine, Chocolate.”

She explains how the pleasures of tasty food and drink are also threatened and suggests that protecting biodiversity can help us reclaim a di-

versity of flavors, too.

From pistachios to wine and chocolate to coffee, Sethi shows that the foods we love have been biologically dumbed down to feed the masses. Bananas? One species dominates worldwide production, even though hundreds more — with more flavors — exist. The U.S. pistachio industry?

Descended from one species. Wine? A half-dozen French and European varieties dominate vineyards and restaurant lists, but more than 1,000 wine grapes exist.

Sethi, a former NBC News corre-

spondent, notes that 75 percent of the world’s food comes from just 12 plant and five animal species, often treated with the same fertilizers and pesticides. In practical terms, that sameness raises the risk of global disease outbreaks, just as hospital bacteria have developed resistance to antibiotics.

“While we debate GMOs and the merits of Paleo (diets) ... we’re losing the foundation of food,” Sethi writes, because diversity is the foundation for tastes and smells, and for resistance to pests, drought and disease.

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OBITUARIES

SATURDAY, JANUARY 2, 2016

MARGARET BARTHOLOMEW SELMA, North Carolina — Margaret Lee Jennings Bartholomew, 69, of Durham, North Carolina, passed away on Dec. 28, 2015, after a courageous battle with BARTHOLOMEW cancer.

She had recently moved to her daughter’s home in Willow Spring, where she received hospice care.

Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, Mary Margaret Hodge Jennings and Henry Stuckey Jennings; and eldest sister, Frances Jennings Russell.

Margaret was born on June 26, 1946, in Sumter. She graduated from Sumter High School in 1964. After marrying in 1966, Margaret moved to Durham, where she was a devoted housewife and mother, until her children began school, at which time she began a lengthy working career. Margaret worked for IBM for 23 years before retiring, then worked an additional eight years for Home Depot. Margaret was a member of Trinity Baptist Church from the early 1970s until their doors closed in 2008. She then attended Emmanuel Freewill Baptist Church until recent months.

Margaret also worked several years at local polling centers during election times.

Funeral services were conducted Thursday in the chapel of Parrish Funeral Home. Her minister, the Rev. Jim Turnbough, officiated. A private burial took place at Sumter Cemetery.

Margaret is survived by her two children, Christine Dennard and her husband, Tim, and Matthew Bartholomew; her three grandchildren, George Dennard, Ivy Ivey and husband, Dustin, and Isabel Dean; her two great-grandchildren, Jaxon Ivey and Amelia Ivey; her two sisters, Mary Rickenbacker and Cathy Jennings; her nieces and nephews; and the rest of her relatives and friends.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at parrishfh. com.

RUBY A. THOMAS Ruby “Jho” Atkinson Thomas, 90, widow of Ernest Rudolph Thomas, died Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center.

Born in Elliott, THOMAS she was a daughter of the late Daniel H. Atkinson and Addie Atkinson.

Mrs. Thomas was a member

of Alice Drive Baptist Church.

Surviving are: three sons, Rudy Thomas (Laura) of Charlotte, Larry Thomas (Linda) of Conway and Anthony Thomas (Lori) of Raleigh, North Carolina; a daughter, Lisa T. Barwick (Ernest) of Sumter; eight grandchildren; and two greatgrandchildren.

She was preceded in death by three brothers, Leonard, Aubrey and Harold Atkinson; and three sisters, Mary Mauney, Blanche Scurry and Frances Brooks.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Chapel of Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home with Dr. Clay Smith officiating.

Burial will be in Evergreen Memorial Park cemetery.

The family will receive friends following the graveside service.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 3223 Sunset Blvd., West Columbia, SC 29169.

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) 7759386.

DOROTHY W. SCARBOROUGH Dorothy Williams Scarborough, 82, died Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015, at her home. Born Aug. 15, 1933, in Kershaw County, she was the daughter of the late Dan Bennette and Maggie Boykin.

The family is receiving relatives and friends at her home 432 Charlotte Ave., Sumter, and the home of her daughter, Martha Stuckey, 8 Spring St., Sumter.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by the Williams Funeral Home Inc.

MATTHEW D. GOLDEN COLUMBIA — Matthew Douglas Golden was welcomed into the kingdom of heaven on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2015, while a patient at William Jennings Bryan Dorn VAMC. Matthew, lovingly known as “Tarzan” was born on Nov. 30, 1962, in the loving Kent Court Community to parents Heyward Douglas and Clara Mae Golden.

The baby of the family, Tarzan was a fun-loving, rambunctious, exciting person who adored his family as his family adored him.

Matthew attended Liberty Street Elementary School, Alice Drive Middle School and graduated from Sumter High School with the Class of 1981.

Matthew’s educational endeavors also included obtaining a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from St. Leo College.

Matthew was a lifelong member of Trinity Missionary Baptist, where he enjoyed worshipping among family and friends.

An outstanding athlete, Matthew enjoyed playing football on his school teams as well as on the church league.

Upon graduation, Matthew joined the United States Army where he courageously and bravely completed an honored tour, stateside as well as abroad. He was proud to serve as a soldier for the United States of America.

After completion of his tour and being honorably discharged, Matthew worked briefly for Home Depot. In 1983, he began working at Wateree Correctional Institute where he quickly and respectively rose from the position of correctional officer to deputy warden.

Tarzan has been described by his co-workers on social media the last few days as brother and mentor.

Matthew was formerly married to Natalie Johnson Golden and to this union their two beautiful daughters, Crystal and Bianca, were born. The apples of his eyes…

Precious and loving memories will be forever cherished by: daughters, Crystal Nichole Golden and Bianca Latrice Golden of Sumter; one son, Sincere Douglas Jones of Pinewood; three grandchildren, whom he loved so very much, Kashton Matthew Golden, Kassidy Keliona Williams and Gia Milani Golden, all of Sumter; four sisters, Georgette (Marvin) Guinyard, Angie Cherry and Juliette Anderson, all of Sumter, and Mary Ward of Winston Salem; four brothers, James (Monica) Golden and Alphonso Douglas (Mary) Golden of Sumter, Heyward Douglas (Charlene) Golden of Tampa, Florida, and James (Frances) Green of Winston Salem, North Carolina; one great-aunt, Gloria (Clarence) French of Chapin; Edith Mickens, mother-in-law of Rembert; five sisters-in-law, Omega Golden, Ruby Green, Ida Lee Golden, Velda Workman and Tray Nickens, all of Sumter; two brothers-in-law, Darrell Nickens of Virginia and Marcus (Cisco) Nickens of Sumter; special friend, Pam Miller of Florence; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

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THE SUMTER ITEM Matthew was preceded in death by: maternal grandmother, Mrs. Hattie Balls; mother, Clara Golden, and father, Heyward Douglas Golden; two sisters, Annie Ree (Sister) Davis and Joann Green; three brothers, Willie (Bill) Golden, Harold Green and Johnny Green; father-in-law, Willie Nickens, and brother-in-law, David Workman.

Public viewing will be held today from 2 to 6 p.m. at Job’s Mortuary.

The body will be placed in the church on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. for viewing until the hour of service.

Funeral services will be Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at Trinity Missionary Baptist Church in Sumter with Pastor Larry Weston, officiating.

Family is receiving friends at the home 105 Magnolia St., Sumter.

Job’s Mortuary Inc., 312 S. Main St., is in charge of arrangements.

Online memorials may be sent to the family at jobsmortuary@sc.rr.com or visit us on the web at www.jobsmortuary. net.

KENNETH DUFFY DALZELL — Kenneth Duffy died on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2015, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center.

Arrangements are incomplete at this time and will be announced by Bullock Funeral Home.

MARY B. BOATWRIGHT BROOKLYN, New York — Mary Bannister Boatwright, 69, widow of James Boatwright, died on Friday, Dec. 25, 2015, at Kingsbrook Jewish Hospital, Brooklyn.

She was born on March 29, 1946, in Sumter, a daughter of the late Willie Dow and Lila Mae Bannister and stepdaughter of Mary Jane Glover Dow. The family is receiving friends at the home of her cousin, Janet Junius, 2046 Governor Richardson Road, Summerton.

These services have been entrusted to Samuels Funeral Home LLC of Manning.

MARVIN NATHANIEL MONROE, North Carolina — Marvin Nathaniel, 47, died on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2015, at Carolinas HealthCare System.

Born on July 14, 1968, in Sumter County, he was a son of Herbert and Shirley Moult-

rie Nathaniel.

The family is receiving relatives and friends at the home of his sister, Sheila Johnson, 2570 Stirrup Lane, Dalzell.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Williams Funeral Home Inc.

MYRTLE BLANDING On Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2015, Myrtle “Mert” Blanding, companion of Roosevelt Sumter, exchanged time for eternity at Palmetto Health Richland.

Born on Aug. 30, 1954, in Manning, she was a daughter of Elreeda Martin Blanding and the late Alfred Blanding Sr. A service of remembrance will be held at noon today at Mount Zero Missionary Baptist Church, 7827 Paxville Highway / S.C. 261, Manning, where the Rev. Dr. Lucious Dixon serves as pastor. Words of comfort will be delivered by the Rev. Stanley Roy Ladson.

The family is receiving relatives and friends at the residence of her mother, 4203 Silver Road, Manning.

Fleming and DeLaine Funeral Home and Chapel of Manning is in charge of services.

Online condolences may be sent to Flemingdelaine@aol. com or www.FlemingDeLaine. com.

JOHN A. PATRICK NEW HAVEN, Connecticut — John Arthur Patrick, 73, husband of Minnie Thomas Patrick, entered eternal rest on Dec. 22, 2015, at Yale New Haven Hospital, Connecticut.

Born on Feb. 21, 1942, in Salters, he was a son of the late Matthew and Daffney Staggers Patrick.

Survivors include his wife of 53 years; three children, Jeannie Patrick, John (Michell) Patrick Jr. and George Patrick; siblings, George (Rowmetta) Patrick, Ethel (Arthur) Grant, Catherine Keels and Lena Sumpter; eight grandchildren; one great-grandchild; a host of other relatives and friends.

Viewing will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. on Sunday at Community Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday at Union Missionary Baptist Church in Salters with Bishop Leroy T. James. Burial will follow in Rocky Ford Cemetery.

The family is receiving visitors at the home, 348 Glasco Road, Salters.

Online memorials can be sent to comfhltj@sc.rr.com.

Community Funeral Home of Sumter is in charge of these services.

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THE SUMTER ITEM

ONLINE FROM PAGE A1 get the Confederate flag off the Statehouse grounds after what happened in Charleston this week, then we may as well replace the Palmetto Tree on the proper state flag — the beautiful blue one — with a swastika,” he wrote. That story received more than 42,677 page views.

The second ranked story was related to the October flood. On Monday, Oct. 5, part of a bridge collapsed on U.S. 15 over Whites Mill Pond. Marin Anguelou was carrying 20,000 pounds of pillows in his tractor trailer to Sumter that morning when a tractor trailer rig in front of him collapsed a portion of the bridge.

He said even though he was only going 25 mph he couldn’t stop in time.

That story went viral as truckers were seeking information about what roads were open and closed as they tried to deliver goods to Sumter County.

Land Line magazine picked up the story and truckers used the link to find out information about closed highways through its website, www.landlinemag. com. The bridge collapse story received 29,401 page views.

By far the most interesting story that people wanted to read about was a series of stories about a family feud. The feud between two families reignited on Jan. 4, 2015, when Joseph Lloyd Henderson Jr. and his brother Joshua left a grocery story in the 1700 block of U.S. 15

South. They spotted two females and a male sitting in a vehicle near their pickup truck. Joshua Henderson told Sumter County Sheriff deputies that one woman approached them and attempted to pepper spray them as they ran to their truck. The Hendersons fled south on U.S. 15, and the other parties chased after them. By the time they stopped again near a convenience store in the 3100 block of U.S. 15 South, Joseph Lloyd Henderson Sr. arrived and reportedly said, “It’s been over a year and a half ago; let it go.”

At that point one of the women, Crystal M. Gainey, reportedly pepper sprayed Henderson Sr., and he responded by hitting her in the face. That prompted the her husband to begin swinging a PVC pipe at Henderson Sr., and a fight ensued between the two men.

Henderson Jr. said Gainey approached him with the pepper spray as he was sitting in his truck and fired a small handgun in his direction. The other two Hendersons pushed Gainey’s husband to the ground when they heard the shots, jumped into the pickup and started to speed away. Gainey reportedly continued to fire shots as they tried to drive away. Henderson Jr. reportedly hit and dragged Gainey’s husband with the pickup when he tried to flee the gunshots. The husband was airlifted in critical condition to the Joseph M. Still Burn Center in Augusta, Georgia.

Henderson Jr. was charged with at-

SATURDAY, JANUARY 2, 2016

tempted murder stemming from the vehicle incident and his father was charged with third-degree assault and battery. Gainey was charged with two counts of attempted murder and one count of assault and battery and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.

The stories about the feud each registered the third- and fourth-highest viewership on The Sumter Item’s website.

This ranking, we just list it as the thirdmost page views with each day’s story receiving more than 10,500 page views.

Readers were really interested in a story about a man who assaulted two Sumter County Emergency Medical Services employees who were called to check on his health. The EMTs, whom The Sumter Item did not name, were called to Frederick Citgo at 283 S. Guignard Drive on a report about a man who was not feeling well and was lying on the ground behind the station. As one EMT approached the man, identified as William Terrell Hutley, 25, of Hopkins, he allegedly charged toward an EMS employee. A second EMT stepped in to help and was also injured.

Hutley, who was eventually Tased by Sumter Police Department when he was noncompliant, was charged with multiple charges of assault and battery, first degree, and disorderly conduct.

The incident left the two EMTs with various injuries including a broken nose, a concussion, deeps cuts to the head and face, facial trauma and injuries to the eyes, according to informa-

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A7

tion provided by Sumter Police Department.

That story received more than 10,500 page views.

While readers were certainly attracted to feuds, flags and floods, they were also interested in a story about a miracle.

On July 25, 2015, Harper Wilder, 2, wandered from a group walking past a swimming pool when she was attracted to the pool. A surveillance video later showed that she walked into the pool and was under water for 13 minutes before her father, Hunter Wilder, dove into the pool to pull her out as she was floating lifelessly in the deep end.

Harper had no signs of life. Her face and lips were blue and her stomach was full of water.

Harper’s mother, Joy Wilder, and Hunter started CPR. EMTs arrived within minutes. Joy and Hunter asked for people in the community to pray for her recovery. Harper first went to Tuomey and was later airlifted to Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital in Columbia.

After an induced coma to prevent swelling in her brain, Harper slowly regained brain function. Eleven days later, she went home. The family attributes Harper’s recovery to strong Christian faith and prayers from as far away as Turkey, Pakistan and Honduras.

Harper’s miracle, which was published in The Sumter Item on Aug. 13, had more than 10,000 page views.

OBITUARIES BETTY O. YORK

charge of arrangements.

On Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015, Betty Oree York departed this life at Palmetto Health Richland.

Born on Aug. 24, 1966, in Manning, she was a daughter of the late William and Mazie Lee Thompson York.

Services in commemoration of Ms. York will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday at Manning High School, 2155 Paxville Highway, Manning, with the Rev. O’Donald Dingle bringing the words of consolation. Interment will follow in Scarborough Cemetery.

Viewing will be held today from 5 to 7 p.m. at the chapel of Fleming and DeLaine Funeral Home.

The family is receiving relatives and friends at the residence, 2102 Mallette Road, Sugar Hill Community, Manning.

Fleming and DeLaine Funeral Home and Chapel of Manning is in charge of services. Online condolences may be sent to www.flemingdelaine.com or Flemingdelaine@aol.com.

WILLIE RICHARDSON Mr. Willie Richardson entered eternal rest on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2015, at his residence.

The family is receiving friends at 53 Ella Lane, Rembert. Visitation will be held today at the funeral home. Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday at Mount Calvary Holiness Church, Rembert, with Evangelist Maggie Williams, interim pastor, officiating. Interment will follow in the churchyard cemetery.

Wilson Funeral Home, 403 S. Main St., Bishopville, is in

STENELLA COOK Stenella “Nell” Cook, 79, died Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center.

She was born in Whitesburg, Kentucky, and grew up in Tiffin, Ohio. She was a daughter of the late John Cook and the late Nevada Brown Cook. She was a soldier in the Salvation Army Church for more than 50 years and volunteered with the Salvation Army in many activities.

Survivors include: two children, Ray Anthony Nunnery (Betty) of Dallas, North Carolina, and Kelly Nunnery Galloway of Sumter; four grandchildren, John Galloway and Rusty Galloway, both of Sumter, and Joshua Nunnery and Ashly Nunnery both of Texas; and a great-grandchild, Jace Nunnery.

She was preceded in death by: a son, Kyle Shelton Nunnery; two sisters; and four brothers.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Salvation Army Church with Mr. Bobby Baker officiating.

The family will receive

It’s Time to Say,

“HAPPY NEW YEAR!”

friends following the service at the church and other times at the home of her daughter, 112 Tuscon Drive.

Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of the arrangements.

DONELL D. SINKLER COLUMBIA — Donell Deckine Sinkler, son of Lucinda Law Sinkler and the late Jim Henry Sinkler, was born May 29, 1975, in Sumter. He departed this life on Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, at Dorn VA Hospital, Columbia.

He graduated from Hillcrest High School and Sumter County Career Center where he studied auto mechanics in 1994. He worked at Cutler Hammer for a short period of time. He joined the United States Navy in 1996.

Donell served his country with pride and respect for his fellow shipments. Donell was a loving and caring person.

Donell had a great sense of humor.

He leaves to cherish his memories: four sisters, Elizabeth Law, Barbara Sinkler and Victoria Sinkler of Wedgefield, and Marcelline Sinkler of Charlotte; three

brothers, Tony (Genise) Law and Jimmy Sinkler of Sumter, and Curtis Sinkler of Tulsa, Oklahoma; a niece, Shaketia (Jason) Guest, and nephew, Sgt. Travis (Raquel) Sinkler of Vilseck, Germany; special cousins, Cynthia Rene Sinkler Taylor and Silas Sinkler; best friends, Alvan Polk and Michael Hardy; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by one sister, Bobbie J. Sinkler.

Public viewing was held Friday from 2 to 6 p.m. at Job’s Mortuary.

Mr. Sinkler will be placed in the church today at 2 p.m. for viewing until the hour of service.

The funeral service will be held today at 3 p.m. at Union Baptist Church, Wedgefield, with Pastor the Rev. Frederick Martin, officiating Interment will be held on Monday at noon at Fort Jackson National Cemetery, Columbia.

Family is receiving friends at the home, 449-D Coachman Drive, Sumter.

Job’s Mortuary Inc., 312 S. Main St., is in charge of arrangements.

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Andawne Dominic Dargan, 23, died Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015, in Sumter. Born Sept. 12, 1992, in Sumter County, he was the son of Bobby Dargan and Rayna Hilton.

The family is receiving relatives and friends at the home of his mother, 861 Carolina Ave., Apartment 48, Sumter.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by the Williams Funeral Home Inc.

JAMES GRANT James Grant, 87, died Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2015, at Chilton Hospital, Newark, New Jersey. Born in Sumter County on Feb. 2, 1928, he was the son of the late Boyd and Julia Dixon Grant.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Scanla Funeral Home, Newark, New Jersey.

This is a courtesy announcement of Williams Funeral Home Inc., 821 N. Main St., Sumter.

We were there when you first decided to follow your passion.

Today, we’re still here keeping all you have built Safe. Sound. Secure®.

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We hope your New Year is nothing but good times, from beginning to end.

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As we count down to 2016, we recall the many good times we’ve shared with friends and neighbors like you. Thank you for making 2015 a memorable year for us. We’ve loved every minute of serving you, and we look forward to seeing you again next year!

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Online memorials may be sent to the family at jobsmortuary@sc.rr.com or visit us on the web at www.jobsmortuary. net.

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A8

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SATURDAY, JANUARY 2, 2016

SUPPORT GROUPS olinas Rehabilitation HospiAA, AL-ANON, ALATEEN: tal community meeting AA — Monday-Friday, noon room, 121 E. Cedar St., Florand 5:30 p.m.; Saturday, 8 Support Groups: Jan. 2, 2016 ence.

Call (843) 661-3746. p.m.; Sundays, 10:30 a.m.

Amputee Support Group — and 7 p.m., 1 Warren St. Fourth Tuesday each (803) 775-1852. month, 5:30 p.m., Carolinas AA Women’s Meeting — Rehabilitation Hospital cafWednesday, 7 p.m., 1 Wareteria, 121 E. Cedar St., ren St. (803) 775-1852.

Florence. Call (843) 661AA Spanish Speaking — Sun3746. day, 4:30 p.m., 1 Warren St. EFMP Parent Exchange Group (803) 775-1852.

— Last Tuesday each AA “How it Works” Group — month, 11 a.m.-noon, AirMonday and Friday, 8 p.m., man and Family Readiness 1154 Ronda St. Call (803) Center. Support to service 494-5180. members who have a dependent with a disability or 441 AA Support Group — illness. Call Dorcus Haney Monday, Tuesday and Friat (803) 895-1252/1253 or day, 8:30 p.m., Hair Force, Sue Zimmerman at (803) 2090-D S.C. 441.

847-2377.

AA Summerton Group — Wednesday, 8 p.m., town hall.

Manning Al-Anon Family Group — Thursday, 7:30 p.m., Behavioral Health Building, 14 Church St., Manning. Call Angie Johnson at (803) 435-8085.

C/A “Drop the Rock” Group — Thursday, 9:30 p.m., 1154 Ronda St. Call Elizabeth Owens at (803) 607-4543.

MONDAY MEETINGS: Sumter Vitiligo Support Group — second Monday of each month, 5:45-6:45 p.m., North HOPE Center, 904 N. Main St. Call Tiffany at (803) 316-6763. Find us on Facebook at Sumter Vitiligo Support.

TUESDAY MEETINGS: Sumter Connective Tissue Support Group — 1st Tuesday of Jan., March, May, July, Sept. and Nov., 7 p.m., 180 Tiller Circle. Call (803) 773-0869.

Mothers of Angels (for mothers who have lost a child) — First and third Tuesday, 6 p.m., Wise Drive Baptist Church. Call Betty at (803) 469-2616 or Carol at (803) 469-9426.

Sumter Combat Veterans Group Peer to Peer — Every Tuesday, 11 a.m., South HOPE Center, 1125 S. Lafayette Drive. Veterans helping veterans with PTSD, coping skills, claims and benefits.

Parkinson’s Support Group — Second Tuesday each month, 5:30 p.m., Carolinas Rehabilitation Hospital cafeteria, 121 E. Cedar St., Florence. Call (843) 6613746.

Sumter Chapter Parents of Murdered Children (POMC) — Third Tuesday, 5:30-7 p.m., Birnie HOPE Center, 210 S. Purdy St. Open to all families or friends who have lost a loved one to murder in a violent way.

Multiple Sclerosis Support Group — Third Tuesday each month, 5:30 p.m., Car-

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Appreciate EUGENIA LAST the people you love and enjoy spending time with. The little things you share will help you build a stronger relationship and a brighter future. Make planning your vacation a priority.

The last word in astrology

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Do your own research and save time. Don’t let peer pressure force you into something you know little about.

Do what you feel most comfortable doing regardless of what everyone else chooses to do.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): You may not have as much in your bank account as you think. You are best to go over your personal papers and find out exactly where you stand. Don’t create new problems when you need to resolve matters that you left unfinished.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Time spent at home or with someone you love will lead to some interesting and unique plans for the upcoming year. Being honest about what you want to see happen will help you find middle ground with others.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Size up your situation and prepare to bring about the changes that will make this a stellar year. Selfimprovement, networking, socializing and getting serious about your personal and professional future will help you head in a successful direction.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Take better care of your health, wealth and legal matters. Cut your overhead and figure out an easier way to live within your means. Plan to sell things you no longer need.

Stop paying for others -- your generosity will hold you back.

WEDNESDAY MEETINGS: Sickle Cell Support Group — last Wednesday each month, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., South Sumter Resource Center, 337 Manning Ave. Call Bertha Willis at (803) 774-6181.

THURSDAY MEETINGS: TOPS S.C. No. 236 (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) — Thursdays, 9 a.m., Spectrum Senior Center,1989 Durant Lane. Call Diane at (803) 775-3926 or Nancy at (803) 469-4789.

Alzheimer’s Support Group through S.C. Alzheimer’s Association — Every 1st Thursday, 6-8 p.m., McElveen Manor, 2065 McCrays Mill Road. Call Cheryl Fluharty at (803) 905-7720 or the Alzheimer’s Association at (800) 636-3346.

Journey of Hope (for family members of the mentally ill), Journey to Recovery (for the mentally ill) and Survivors of Suicide Support Group — Each group meets every 1st Thursday, 7 p.m., St. John United Methodist Church, 136 Poinsett Drive.

Call Fred Harmon at (803) 905-5620.

FRIDAY MEETINGS: Celebrate Recovery — Every Friday, 6 p.m. dinner, 7 p.m. program, Salt & Light Church, Miller Road (across from Food Lion). For help with struggles of alcohol, drugs, family problems, smoking, etc.

Wateree AIDS Task Force Support Group — Every third Friday, 11:30 a.m., 508 W. Liberty St. Contact Kevin Johnson at (803) 778-0303.

DAILY PLANNER

WEATHER

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2016

AccuWeather® five-day forecast for Sumter TODAY

TONIGHT

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

Partly sunny

Partly cloudy

Sun and areas of high clouds

Cooler with plenty of sunshine

Cooler with plenty of sunshine

Periods of sun

55°

36°

60° / 35°

51° / 29°

44° / 26°

49° / 36°

Chance of rain: 5%

Chance of rain: 5%

Chance of rain: 5%

Chance of rain: 10%

Chance of rain: 5%

Chance of rain: 10%

NNE 4-8 mph

VAR 2-4 mph

WSW 3-6 mph

NNE 7-14 mph

NNE 8-16 mph

NE 7-14 mph

TODAY’S SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER

Gaffney 29/53 Spartanburg 31/53

Greenville 33/53

Columbia 40/57

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

Sumter 40/55

IN THE MOUNTAINS Aiken 38/54

ON THE COAST

Charleston 45/59

Today: Partly sunny. High 54 to 60.

Sunday: Some sun, except cloudier in southern parts. High 56 to 60.

LOCAL ALMANAC

LAKE LEVELS

SUMTER YESTERDAY

Sat. Hi/Lo/W 51/35/pc 30/19/s 53/36/c 32/27/pc 52/41/c 66/45/s 55/45/c 41/33/s 67/58/pc 42/31/s 70/48/s 53/43/pc 45/31/s

SUN AND MOON 7 a.m. yest.

358.21 76.13 74.21 101.57

24-hr chg -0.10 -0.05 +0.15 +1.00

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

0.24" 4.70" 3.33" 62.06" 0.00" 46.93"

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

71° 65° 54° 32° 79° in 1984 16° in 1983

Precipitation Yesterday Month to date Normal month to date Year to date Last year to date Normal year to date

Sun. Hi/Lo/W 53/33/pc 28/18/pc 57/31/c 33/19/pc 58/38/c 65/48/c 57/45/c 43/31/s 62/46/r 45/29/s 73/53/s 57/48/pc 48/29/s

Myrtle Beach 43/56

Manning 41/54

Today: Sunny much of the time. Winds south-southwest 3-6 mph.

Sunday: Partly sunny. Winds light and variable.

Temperature High Low Normal high Normal low Record high Record low

Florence 40/54

Bishopville 37/54

Flood 7 a.m. 24-hr stage yest. chg 12 11.91 -0.23 19 23.49 +9.49 14 15.07 -0.97 14 21.31 +7.08 80 82.69 -0.54 24 23.35 +0.91

Sunrise 7:27 a.m.

Moonrise 12:29 a.m.

Sunset 5:24 p.m.

Moonset 12:27 p.m.

Last

New

First

Full

Jan. 2

Jan. 9

Jan. 16

Jan. 23

TIDES AT MYRTLE BEACH

High 2:41 a.m.

2:43 p.m.

3:35 a.m.

3:36 p.m.

Today Sun.

Ht. 2.6 2.5 2.6 2.5

Low 9:23 a.m.

9:41 p.m.

10:21 a.m.

10:31 p.m.

Ht. 0.7 0.5 0.8 0.5

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

Sat. Hi/Lo/W 50/25/s 53/34/pc 57/34/pc 60/42/pc 54/44/s 59/40/pc 53/30/s 56/31/s 57/37/pc 53/34/pc 52/35/s 53/33/s 54/34/s

Sun. Hi/Lo/W 52/25/s 56/31/pc 58/33/pc 60/40/c 59/49/c 60/40/pc 55/31/pc 58/30/pc 61/35/pc 58/35/pc 56/34/s 58/34/pc 58/34/pc

Sat. City Hi/Lo/W Florence 54/36/pc Gainesville 63/49/pc Gastonia 54/28/s Goldsboro 53/34/s Goose Creek 56/37/pc Greensboro 50/29/s Greenville 53/32/s Hickory 52/29/s Hilton Head 58/42/pc Jacksonville, FL 62/47/pc La Grange 51/32/pc Macon 54/33/pc Marietta 51/32/pc

Sun. Hi/Lo/W 59/34/pc 54/37/r 56/29/pc 57/33/pc 58/39/pc 52/27/s 56/31/pc 54/27/s 59/44/c 58/38/r 54/31/pc 56/31/c 53/31/pc

Sat. City Hi/Lo/W Marion 52/23/s Mt. Pleasant 56/39/pc Myrtle Beach 56/39/pc Orangeburg 56/35/pc Port Royal 58/41/pc Raleigh 51/31/s Rock Hill 53/30/s Rockingham 53/31/s Savannah 62/42/pc Spartanburg 53/29/s Summerville 55/36/pc Wilmington 55/37/pc Winston-Salem 49/29/s

Sun. Hi/Lo/W 54/22/s 58/41/c 59/39/pc 60/37/pc 58/40/c 55/30/pc 56/31/pc 57/31/pc 60/38/c 55/28/pc 58/38/pc 59/37/pc 51/28/s

Weather(W): s–sunny, pc–partly cloudy, c–cloudy, sh–showers, t–thunderstorms, r–rain, sf–snow flurries, sn–snow, i–ice

For Comfort You Can Count On, Better Make It Boykin!

803-775-WARM (9276)

SATURDAY MEETINGS: Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy/Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Support Group — 1:30 p.m. every third Saturday, 3785 Blackberry Lane, Lot 7. Call Donna Parker at (803) 481-7521.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Think matters through and make things happen. This is a year to leap into action, not to procrastinate. Discuss your plans with someone you love and respect. A change of heart will help you move on. It’s time to strive for perfection.

THE SUMTER ITEM

www.boykinacs.com License #M4217

LOTTERY NUMBERS Unavailable at press time.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Reconnect with people from your past, and you’ll discover that you have more in common with others than you realize. A little teamwork will help you get projects off the ground as well as build a strong foundation for a bright and prosperous future.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Take a moment to soul-search.

Question your motives and consider what others have contributed to your life. It’s time to weed out the people and possessions that are no longer of use to you. New beginnings will require you to make hard choices.

SUMTER SPCA PETS OF THE WEEK

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Stick close to home. Don’t get involved in senseless arguments that no one can win. Focus on opportunities and positive action instead of negativity. Don’t pay for someone else’s mistakes. Someone from your past will be a poor influence.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Bring about the personal changes you’ve been contemplating. Whether it’s a change to your surroundings or updating your appearance, it will give you the boost you need to go after your dreams wholeheartedly.

Love is in the stars.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Don’t let anyone put demands on you or expect you to take care of responsibilities that aren’t yours.

Personal problems with a lover, friend or relative will lead to uncertainty. Don’t overreact or regret will follow.

Bolt, a 4-month-old tan and white male lab / shepherd mix, is available for adoption at the Sumter SPCA. He is friendly and loves everyone he meets. Bolt is super sweet, active, affectionate and playful. He is great with other dogs. Bolt would be perfect for any family!

Crayola, a 6-month-old orange tabby male American short hair, is available for adoption at the Sumter SPCA. He is a friendly and affectionate boy who loves cat toys and laser lights. Crayola is great with other cats as well as children. He would make an excellent new family addition.

The Sumter SPCA is located at 1140 S. Guignard Drive, (803) 773-9292, and is open 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every day except Wednesday and Sunday. Visit the website at www.sumterscspca.com.

SECTION

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Saturday, January 2, 2016 Call: (803) 774-1241 | E-mail: sports@theitem.com

Clemson Football

Tigers, Tide for title Clemson, Alabama to play for national crown after dominating wins

Joe Skipper/The Associated Press

Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) runs away from Oklahoma defensive tackle Matthew Romar (92) during the Orange Bowl in Miami Gardens, Fla., on Thursday. No. 1 Clemson beat No. 4 Oklahoma 37-17.

CU playing for piece of history

By PAUL NEWBERRY The Associated Press We’re down to two.

And, boy, they both look impressive.

Top-ranked Clemson and No. 2 Alabama will face off in the desert for the national championship after dominating wins in the College Football Playoff semifinals Thursday. The Tigers romped in the second half for a 37-17 win over No. 4 Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl, followed by an even more dominating performance in which the Crimson Tide thumped Michigan State 38-0 in the Cotton Bowl.

The Jan. 11 title game in Glendale, Arizona, matches a high-scoring Clemson offense led by quarterback Deshaun Watson against Nick Saban’s latest dominating defense at Alabama, which limited the Spartans to 239 yards.

There’s another story line to the title game.

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney is an Alabama alumnus who played on the Tide’s 1992 national championship team.

Now, he’s going against the greatest coach of this generation. Saban has won three national titles in the last six years at Alabama, to go along with a BCS title at LSU.

By TIM REYNOLDS The Associated Press

TTHE ASSOCIATED PRESSs

Clemson running back Wayne Gallman (9) is congratulated by tight end Stanton Seckinger (81) during the Tigers’ 37-17 win in the Orange Bowl on Thursday.

See tigers, Page B3 Clemson will face Alabama for the national tile on Jan. 11.

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — With shiny orange confetti stuck to his sweat-soaked face as the celebration after the Orange Bowl rolled along, Clemson linebacker Ben Boulware knew the time was right to make a bold statement.

“We can be the best team ever,” Boulware shouted.

Best team ever? Well, that would be debatable.

Best record ever? That’s

See history, Page B3

2015 sports news review

Coaching changes abound throughout area in 2015

By DENNIS BRUNSON dennis@theitem.com There were plenty of local sports teams that won or played for championships in 2014, but it was also a busy year for news that happened off the field as well.

As is the case every year, there were coaching changes galore. Sumter High School had its fourth football head coach in four years; Jo Jo English resigned after leading the SHS boys basketball program to its first state title in 30 years; Frances Fields resigned as

Lakewood’s girls basketball head coach after guiding the Lady Gators to the 3A state championship game; and Wilson Hall replaced two state championship-winning coaches with one man.

Also, the historic October floods wreaked havoc with high school sports, and the South Carolina High School League decided to add a fifth classification, making Sumter a 5A school.

All in all, it was a very busy year.

ENGLISH RESIGNS; JONES HIRED After leading Sumter High School’s boys basketball team to its first 4A

state championship since the 1984-85 season, head coach Jo Jo English resigned in September after two seasons.

English was 37-12 with the Gamecocks, going 20-6 english last season.

Allen University head coach Shawn Jones was hired as the new coach in October.

Carolina wreaked havoc on the high school sports schedules with so many schools out for many days.

When the South Carolina High School League initially decided not to push back the start of its football state playoffs, it left Crestwood and Lakewood having to play three games in eight days and Manning having to play four games in 12 days. The SCHSL decided to push back the playoffs; that kept Manning from having to play four HISTORIC FLOODS AFFECT SCHEDULES times in 12 days, but both Lakewood The historic rainfall and floods in See changes, Page B2 October that affected much of South

B2

|

Saturday, January 2, 2016

sports

sports items

Undefeated Gamecocks to host Memphis today COLUMBIA — The University of South Carolina men’s basketball team will try to remain undefeated on the season when it plays host to Memphis today at 6 p.m. at Colonial Life Arena.

No. 24 USC is 12-0 on the season while Memphis is 9-3.

South Carolina comes into the game off of a 78-56 victory over NCAA Division II Francis Marion on Wednesday. Freshman Chris Silva had a season-best 13 points in a balanced attack.

Mindaugas Kacinas added 12 points, and Duane Notice had 10 points as the Gamecocks remained just one of four undefeated teams in the country. Oklahoma, SMU and Xavier are the other unbeaten teams.

South Carolina had only played once since Dec. 18 and it showed early. The Gamecocks struggled out of the gate and only held a 12-9 lead with 11 minutes remaining in the first half. But Notice hit two 3-pointers to help ignite a 14-3 run.

Wizards 103

Sean Rayford/The Associated Press

Francis Marion forward Nick Talko (31) steals the ball from South Carolina forward Eric Cobb, center, during Wednesday’s game in Columbia. South Carolina won 78-56.

Kyle Lowry added 18 points and 11 assists as the Toronto Raptors rallied to beat the Charlotte Hornets 104-94 Friday night.

It was the fourth doubledouble of the season for Lowry, who helped Toronto come back from a sevenpoint deficit entering the fourth quarter and avenge a 109-99 loss in Charlotte last month.

DeMarre Carroll and Patrick Patterson both added 14 points each for Toronto.

Kemba Walker had 18 points for the Hornets, who also got 17 from Marvin Williams and another 15 points and nine rebounds from center Cody Zeller.

His diagnosis of stage 4 lung cancer in February just before his birthday came as a shock because he had never smoked, she said. The cancer spread to his liver, Magic 91 and the family chose to disWASHINGTON — John continue treatment in a hosWall scored 24 points with 13 pital this week. assists, Otto Porter had 20 “We decided to bring him points and 11 rebounds, and home,” Guadamuz-Davis the Washington Wizards exsaid. “He was in my arms.” tended their dominance over In the 1976 Olympics, the Orlando Magic with a Davis was voted the out103-91 victory Friday night. standing boxer, out-polling The Wizards won their his teammates Leonard and 11th straight game over the Michael and Leon Spinks. improving Magic, who enHis mother had died three tered with a 13-5 record days before the Montreal since Nov. 25, best in the Games began, and he conEastern Conference. sidered withdrawing from Wall had 12 points in the competition. Instead he fourth quarter and Kris stayed, and he dedicated his Olympic champ Davis dies lightweight gold medal win Humphries scored 11, all in MIAMI — Olympic cham- to his mother’s memory. the final period. Humphries’ pion boxer Howard Davis jumper with 7:38 to play “It was devastating,” started the Wizards on a 15-3 Jr., who won the 1976 gold Davis told the New York medal and was named over run that gave them a 93-81 Post in August. “But I reteammate Sugar Ray Leonlead with 3:51 left. membered her pointing her ard as the most outstanding finger in my face and tellVictor Oladipo led Orlanfighter in the Montreal do with 20 points. Nikola ing me, ‘You’d better win Games, has died of cancer, Vucevic had 14. the gold medal.’ I wasn’t his wife said Friday. going to be denied. There Raptors 104 Davis, 59, died Wednesday was no way I was going to Hornets 94 at his Plantation home, sur- lose.”

TORONTO — DeMar rounded by family, said DeRozan had 23 points and Karla Guadamuz-Davis.

Wire reports

changes

From Page B1

and Crestwood had to play the three games in eight days.

Also, the South Carolina Independent School Association volleyball state tournament was moved from Sumter to Spartanburg because of the flood. Sumter Civic Center, the home site of the tournament, was used to house the federal agencies to help with flood assistance.

PARKS RESIGNS; JACKSON HIRED Perry Parks, who led Lakewood to the 3A state playoffs in 2014, resigned after three seasons on the job. He went 9-22 with the Gators, including 6-5 in his final season.

Crestwood athletic coordinator and former offensive coordinator Brian Jackson took over as the head coach.

Lakewood went 1-9 in Jackson’s first year.

USC SUMTER ADDS TENNIS University of South Carolina Sumter added men’s and women’s tennis to its athletic program in March.

It will be the first the school has a women’s program, but it had a very successful men’s programs in the 1970s.

USC Sumter adds tennis to its baseball and softball programs. The tennis teams are scheduled to begin their seasons in February under the guidance of head coach Sam Kiser.

JONES RESIGNS; BARNES HIRED John Jones resigned as

the head football coach at Sumter High School after one season, going 7-5 and leading the Gamecocks to the 4A state playoffs.

Longtime North Carolina coach Mark Barnes was hired as his replacement, making him the fourth SHS head coach in four years. He led Sumter to a 10-3 record, its first Region VI title since 2009 and the second round of the 4A Division I state playoffs.

SCHSL ADDS CLASSIFICATION The South Carolina High School League decided to expand to five classifications after several decades with four.

Sumter will be part of the first 5A class in the 2016-17 school year.

Crestwood and Lakewood will move up from 3A to 4A. Manning will remain in 3A, Lee Central in 2A and East Clarendon and Scott’s Branch in 1A.

JARECKI REPLACES LANE, JONES Bruce Lane resigned as Wilson Hall’s head football coach after three seasons and Tommy Jones announced he was retiring following the 2015 season.

Longtime Calhoun Academy football and baseball head coach Adam Jarecki was hired to replace the state championship-winning coaches. Jarecki guided the Barons to a 9-2 record this past season.

FIELDS RESIGNS; ADAMS-LUDD HIRED Frances Fields, who guided Lakewood to the 3A girls

basketball state championship game for the first time ever, resigned from the post after two seasons. fields She led the Lady Gators to a 22-5 record in her final season She was 37-13 before taking the head job at Darlington.

She was replaced by former Lee Central High and University of South Carolina standout Demetress Adams-Ludd.

USC’S SPURRIER RESIGNS After taking the University of South Carolina football program to a level of success it had never reached before, head coach Steve Spurrier resigned in the middle of the season with a 2-4 record.

He finished with an 86-49 record in 10-plus seasons, including leading the Gamecocks to three straight 11win seasons.

Shawn Elliott was hired as the interim head coach, going 1-5 as Carolina finished with a 3-9 record.

Former Florida head coach Will Muschamp was hired as the new coach in December.

LEGGETT FIRED; LEE HIRED Jack Leggett was fired as Clemson baseball head coach after 22 years in the position.

He was replaced by College of Charleston head coach Monte Lee. Lee, who is from Camden, took the Charleston job after having been an assistant at USC.

The SUMTER ITEM

Scoreboard TV, RADIO

TODAY 7:40 a.m. – Soccer: English Premier League Match – Liverpool vs. West Ham (NBC SPORTS NETWORK).

9:55 a.m. – Soccer: English Premier League Match – Arsenal vs. Newcastle (NBC SPORTS NETWORK).

10 a.m. – Soccer: English Premier League Match (USA).

11 a.m. – Women’s College Basketball: Richmond at La Salle (CBS SPORTS NETWORK).

11 a.m. – College Basketball: DePaul at Seton Hall (FOX SPORTS 1).

Noon – Women’s College Basketball: Ohio State at Maryland (WLTX 19).

Noon – College Football: TaxSlayer Bowl from Jacksonville, Fla. – Penn State vs. Georgia (ESPN).

Noon – College Basketball: Houston at Temple (ESPNEWS).

Noon – High School Football: Under Armour All-America Game from Orlando, Fla. (ESPN2).

Noon – College Basketball: West Virginia at Kansas State (ESPNU).

Noon – College Basketball: Florida State at Clemson (FOX SPORTSOUTH, WWBD-FM 94.7, WPUB-FM 102.7).

12:30 p.m. – International Soccer: English Premier League Match – Manchester City vs. Watford (WIS 10).

12:30 p.m. – College Basketball: St. Joseph’s at Richmond (NBC SPORTS NETWORK).

1 p.m. – Women’s College Basketball: South Florida at East Carolina (CBS SPORTS NETWORK).

1 p.m. – College Basketball: Butler at Xavier (FOX SPORTS 1).

2 p.m. – College Basketball: Tennessee at Auburn (WLTX 19).

2 p.m. – College Basketball: Texas at Texas Tech (ESPNU).

2 p.m. – College Basketball: Samford at Mercer (FOX SPORTS SOUTHEAST).

2 p.m. – College Basketball: North Carolina State at Virginia Tech (FOX SPORTSOUTH).

2 p.m. – College Basketball: Norfolk State at Alabama (SEC NETWORK).

2:30 p.m. – College Basketball: Dayton at Duquesne (NBC SPORTS NETWORK).

3 p.m. – College Basketball: Morehead State at Murray State (CBS SPORTS NETWORK).

3 p.m. – College Basketball: Michigan State at Minnesota (ESPN2).

3:20 p.m. – College Football: Liberty Bowl from Memphis, Tenn. – Kansas State vs. Arkansas (ESPN).

3:30 p.m. – College Basketball: St. John’s at Providence (FOX SPORTS 1).

3:30 p.m. – International Soccer: Portuguese League Match -- Porto vs.

Sporting Clube de Portugal (UNIVISION).

4 p.m. – College Basketball: Baylor at Kansas (WLTX 19).

4 p.m. – Women’s College Basketball: Pacific at Brigham Young (BYUTV).

4 p.m. – College Basketball: Texas Christian at Oklahoma State (ESPNEWS).

4 p.m. – College Basketball: Tulsa at Cincinnati (ESPNU).

4:30 p.m. – College Basketball: Duke at Boston College (FOX SPORTSOUTH).

4:30 p.m. – College Basketball: Saint Louis at Rhode Island (NBC SPORTS NETWORK).

4:30 p.m. – College Basketball: Arkansas at Texas A&M (SEC NETWORK).

5 p.m. – College Basketball: George Mason at Virginia Commonwealth (CBS SPORTS NETWORK).

5 p.m. – College Basketball: Notre Dame at Virginia (ESPN2).

5 p.m. – NBA Basketball: Phoenix at Sacramento (NBA TV).

5:30 p.m. – College Basketball: Marquette at Georgetown (FOX SPORTS 1).

6 p.m. – College Basketball: Memphis at South Carolina (ESPNU, WPUB-FM 102.7, WDXY-FM 105.9, WNKT-FM 107.5, WDXY-AM 1240).

6:45 p.m. – College Football: Alamo Bowl from San Antonio – Oregon vs.

Texas Christian (ESPN).

7 p.m. – College Basketball: Iowa State at Oklahoma (ESPN2).

7 p.m. – NBA Basketball: Oklahoma City at Charlotte (FOX SPORTS SOUTHEAST).

7 p.m. – NHL Hockey: Nashville at Carolina (FOX SPORTSOUTH).

7 p.m. – College Basketball: Mississippi at Kentucky (SEC NETWORK).

7:30 p.m. – College Basketball: Connecticut at Tulane (CBS SPORTS NETWORK).

7:30 p.m. – College Basketball: South Florida at Southern Methodist (ESPNEWS).

8 p.m. – College Basketball: Georgia at Florida (ESPNU).

8:30 p.m. – NBA Basketball: Houston at San Antonio (NBA TV).

9 p.m. – College Basketball: Louisiana State at Vanderbilt (ESPN2).

9:30 p.m. – College Basketball: New Mexico at Fresno State (CBS SPORTS NETWORK).

10 p.m. – College Basketball: San Diego State at Utah State (ESPNU).

10 p.m. – College Basketball: Villanova at Creighton (FOX SPORTS 1).

10:15 p.m. – College Football: Cactus Bowl from Phoenix – West Virginia vs.

Arizona State (ESPN).

11 p.m. – College Basketball: Gonzaga at San Francisco (ESPN2).

NFL STANDINGS

By The Associated Press

AMERICAN CONFERENCE East

W L T Pct PF PA y-New England 12 3 0 .800 455 295 N.Y. Jets 10 5 0 .667 370 292 Buffalo 7 8 0 .467 357 342 Miami 5 10 0 .333 290 379 South

W L T Pct PF PA Houston 8 7 0 .533 309 307 Indianapolis 7 8 0 .467 303 384 Jacksonville 5 10 0 .333 370 418 Tennessee 3 12 0 .200 275 393 North

W L T Pct PF PA y-Cincinnati 11 4 0 .733 395 263 Pittsburgh 9 6 0 .600 395 307 Baltimore 5 10 0 .333 312 377 Cleveland 3 12 0 .200 266 404 West

W L T Pct PF PA x-Denver 11 4 0 .733 328 276 x-Kansas City 10 5 0 .667 382 270 Oakland 7 8 0 .467 342 376 San Diego 4 11 0 .267 300 371

NATIONAL CONFERENCE East

W L T Pct PF PA y-Washington 8 7 0 .533 354 356 Philadelphia 6 9 0 .400 342 400 N.Y. Giants 6 9 0 .400 390 407 Dallas 4 11 0 .267 252 340 South

W L T Pct PF PA y-Carolina 14 1 0 .933 462 298 Atlanta 8 7 0 .533 322 325 Tampa Bay 6 9 0 .400 332 379 New Orleans 6 9 0 .400 388 459 North

W L T Pct PF PA x-Green Bay 10 5 0 .667 355 303 x-Minnesota 10 5 0 .667 345 289 Detroit 6 9 0 .400 334 380 Chicago 6 9 0 .400 315 373 West

W L T Pct PF PA y-Arizona 13 2 0 .867 483 277 x-Seattle 9 6 0 .600 387 271 St. Louis 7 8 0 .467 264 311 San Francisco 4 11 0 .267 219 371 x-clinched playoff spot y-clinched division

Sunday, Jan. 3

Jacksonville at Houston, 1 p.m.

Washington at Dallas, 1 p.m.

Detroit at Chicago, 1 p.m.

N.Y. Jets at Buffalo, 1 p.m.

New England at Miami, 1 p.m.

New Orleans at Atlanta, 1 p.m.

Baltimore at Cincinnati, 1 p.m.

Pittsburgh at Cleveland, 1 p.m.

Tennessee at Indianapolis, 1 p.m.

Philadelphia at N.Y. Giants, 1 p.m.

St. Louis at San Francisco, 4:25 p.m.

San Diego at Denver, 4:25 p.m.

Seattle at Arizona, 4:25 p.m.

Oakland at Kansas City, 4:25 p.m.

Tampa Bay at Carolina, 4:25 p.m.

Minnesota at Green Bay, 8:30 p.m.

NBA Standings

By The Associated Press

EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division

Toronto Boston New York Brooklyn Philadelphia Southeast Division

Atlanta Orlando Miami Charlotte Washington Central Division

Cleveland Chicago Indiana Detroit Milwaukee

W L Pct GB 20 13 .606 — 18 14 .563 1½ 15 18 .455 5 9 23 .281 10½ 3 31 .088 17½ W L Pct GB 21 13 .618 — 19 13 .594 1 18 13 .581 1½ 17 14 .548 2½ 14 16 .467 5 W L Pct GB 21 9 .700 — 18 12 .600 3 18 14 .563 4 18 15 .545 4½ 13 21 .382 10

WESTERN CONFERENCE Southwest Division

San Antonio Dallas Memphis Houston New Orleans Northwest Division

Oklahoma City Utah Portland Denver Minnesota Pacific Division

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

W L Pct GB 28 6 .824 — 19 13 .594 8 18 16 .529 10 16 18 .471 12 10 22 .313 17 W L Pct GB 23 10 .697 — 14 17 .452 8 14 21 .400 10 12 21 .364 11 12 21 .364 11 W L Pct GB 30 2 .938 — 21 13 .618 10 12 20 .375 18 12 23 .343 19½ 6 27 .182 24½

Thursday’s Games

Milwaukee 120, Indiana 116 Detroit 115, Minnesota 90 Golden State 114, Houston 110 L.A. Clippers 95, New Orleans 89 Oklahoma City 110, Phoenix 106 Utah 109, Portland 96

Friday’s Games

Orlando at Washington, 7 p.m.

Charlotte at Toronto, 7:30 p.m.

Dallas at Miami, 7:30 p.m.

New York at Chicago, 8 p.m.

Philadelphia at L.A. Lakers, 10:30 p.m.

Saturday’s Games

Brooklyn at Boston, 3 p.m.

Phoenix at Sacramento, 5 p.m.

Detroit at Indiana, 7 p.m.

Oklahoma City at Charlotte, 7 p.m.

Orlando at Cleveland, 7:30 p.m.

Milwaukee at Minnesota, 8 p.m.

Houston at San Antonio, 8:30 p.m.

New Orleans at Dallas, 8:30 p.m.

Memphis at Utah, 9 p.m.

Denver at Golden State, 10:30 p.m.

Philadelphia at L.A. Clippers, 10:30 p.m.

NHL Standings

By The Associated Press

EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division

GP W L OT Pts GF GA Montreal 40 22 15 3 47 116 99 Florida 37 21 12 4 46 101 84 Boston 37 20 13 4 44 116 102 Detroit 38 18 13 7 43 96 103 Ottawa 38 18 14 6 42 111 115 Tampa Bay 38 18 16 4 40 97 93 Toronto 36 14 15 7 35 95 102 Buffalo 38 15 19 4 34 88 101 Metropolitan Division

GP W L OT Pts GF GA Washington 37 28 7 2 58 117 78 N.Y. Islanders 38 21 12 5 47 105 89 N.Y. Rangers 38 21 13 4 46 112 100 New Jersey 38 19 14 5 43 90 92 Pittsburgh 37 18 15 4 40 86 91 Philadelphia 36 15 14 7 37 78 100 Carolina 38 16 17 5 37 91 108 Columbus 39 14 22 3 31 98 123

WESTERN CONFERENCE Central Division

GP W L OT Pts GF GA Dallas 39 28 8 3 59 137 98 St. Louis 40 23 13 4 50 100 96 Chicago 39 22 13 4 48 108 97 Minnesota 36 20 10 6 46 98 85 Nashville 38 18 13 7 43 101 101 Colorado 38 18 17 3 39 109 106 Winnipeg 37 17 18 2 36 99 109 Pacific Division

GP W L OT Pts GF GA Los Angeles 37 24 11 2 50 102 82 Arizona 37 18 16 3 39 104 118 San Jose 36 18 16 2 38 100 102 Vancouver 38 14 15 9 37 93 109 Anaheim 36 15 15 6 36 68 87 Calgary 37 17 18 2 36 97 121 Edmonton 39 15 21 3 33 97 119 NOTE: Two points for a win, one point for overtime loss.

Thursday’s Games

N.Y. Islanders 2, Buffalo 1 Pittsburgh 5, Detroit 2 Carolina 4, Washington 2 Minnesota 3, St. Louis 1 Chicago 4, Colorado 3, OT Dallas 5, Nashville 1 Los Angeles 4, Calgary 1 Anaheim 1, Edmonton 0 Arizona 4, Winnipeg 2

Friday’s Games

Montreal 5, Boston 1 Anaheim at Vancouver, 10 p.m.

Saturday’s Games

Detroit at Buffalo, 1 p.m.

Arizona at Edmonton, 4 p.m.

Philadelphia at Los Angeles, 4 p.m.

St. Louis at Toronto, 7 p.m.

Minnesota at Tampa Bay, 7 p.m.

N.Y. Rangers at Florida, 7 p.m.

Dallas at New Jersey, 7 p.m.

N.Y. Islanders at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m.

Nashville at Carolina, 7 p.m.

Washington at Columbus, 7 p.m.

Calgary at Colorado, 10 p.m.

Winnipeg at San Jose, 10 p.m.

College Basketball

By The Associated Press

Friday MIDWEST Nebraska-Omaha 82, W. Illinois 80 IUPUI 77, South Dakota 66 S. Dakota St. 68, Denver 59 SOUTHWEST North Texas 70, UTSA 66 Rice at UTEP, 9 p.m.

FAR WEST Utah at Stanford, 9 p.m.

Southern Cal at Washington St., 9 p.m.

Colorado at California, 11 p.m.

UCLA at Washington, 11 p.m.

Saturday EAST DePaul at Seton Hall, 11 a.m.

James Madison at Delaware, Noon Houston at Temple, Noon Holy Cross at Navy, 1 p.m.

Binghamton at Penn, 1 p.m.

Loyola (Md.) at Lafayette, 2 p.m.

Boston U. at Lehigh, 2 p.m.

Brown at Maine, 2 p.m.

LIU Brooklyn at Mt. St. Mary’s, 2 p.m.

sports

The SUMTER ITEM

tigers

From Page B1

Clemson and Alabama will be playing for the first time since 2008, when Alabama won 34-10 in a game that signaled the Tide’s return to national prominence under Saban.

That was also a pivotal year for the Tigers. Embattled coach Tommy Bowden resigned after six games, and Swinney — who was in charge of receivers — took over as head coach. Serving at first on an interim basis, he got the job permanently after leading Clemson to bowl eligibility.

Now, he’s got the Tigers within one win of their first national title since 1981.

“I knew that we would be here,” Swinney said. “It was just a matter of when.”

Alabama is playing for another title after being upset by Ohio State in the semifinals of the inaugural College Football Playoff.

Saban said his team came into this playoff with a different attitude.

“Last year we sort of just participated in the game,” he said. “This year, we really wanted to make a statement and do something special.”

These teams have been on a collision course since Clemson and Alabama were ranked 1-2 in the second College Football Playoff rankings. They’ve held the top two spots since, leaving no doubt they’re the best teams in the country.

With Alabama favored by 7 points, Clemson is the underdog for a second straight game. Oklahoma was favored in the Orange Bowl by 4 points.

A look at the semifinals and what to expect heading to the title game:

NO MORE CLEMSONING A team once known for such inexplicable stumbles that a derisive term was coined for it — Clemsoning — blew out the No. 4 Sooners over the final two quarters after trailing 17-16 at halftime.

Quarterback Deshaun Watson turned in another stellar all-around performance, beating Oklahoma with his arm and his legs. The defense did the rest, shutting down Baker Mayfield and a Sooners offense that was averaging 52 points over its previous seven games.

Clemson (14-0) showed the sort of balance it will need to cope with Alabama’s stifling defense, rushing for 312 yards and passing for 218. Watson, who was named the game’s offensive MVP, passed for one touchdown and ran for another. Wayne Gallman rushed for 150 yards and a pair of TDs. “As a unit,” Watson said, “it’s tough to beat us when we’re all on the same page and have each other’s back.”

The defense was even more impressive, especially since star end Shaq Lawson was knocked out of the game in the opening minutes with a knee injury. The Sooners (11-2) matched their lowest-scoring game of the season as Baker Mayfield was sacked five times and intercepted twice, finally getting knocked out of the game when he took a blow to the head trying to make a tackle after his second pick.

The Tigers didn’t just beat the Sooners.

They beat them up.

Lawson, who intends to turn

pro after this season, said he’ll be ready to go in his final college game. He was diagnosed with a sprained medial collateral ligament.

“I’m going to be back,” he vowed.

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B3

clemson football

ROLL, TIDE, ROLL Alabama looked like a team with no weaknesses against Michigan State.

Jake Coker was nearly perfect for the Tide (13-1). The senior completed 25 for 30 for a career-best 286 yards. Freshman Calvin Ridley was brilliant, streaking by defenders on deep throws and outfighting them on jump balls. He caught eight passes for 138 yards and two TDs. Jonathan Allen and the ferocious Tide defensive front sacked Connor Cook four times and allowed the Spartans (12-2) only one trip into the red zone — which ended with Cyrus Jones intercepting a pass at the goal line.

Jones added a high-stepping 57-yard punt return touchdown for the Tide, which hardly had to use Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry. The big tailback was just a role player against a Spartans defense stacked to stop the run. He finished with 75 yards but did score two touchdowns.

Now, the Tide will try to prevent Clemson from becoming the first team in FBS history to finish 15-0.

“Clemson is a great team, undefeated, a great program,” Saban said. “I’m sure our guys will be motivated, trying to do the best they can to play the best they can in the game. It’s a great opportunity for them.

I’m proud as hell of them to get where they are.”

history

Lynne Sladky/The Associated Press

Clemson defensive end Shaq Lawson (90) sacks Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield during the Tigers’ 37-17 victry in the Orange Bowl on Thursday,.

Lawson says he’ll play in title game

By TIM REYNOLDS The Associated Press

From Page B1

within Clemson’s reach.

As if playing for the national championship wasn’t enough motivation, No. 1 Clemson (140) will be vying for a piece of college football history as well when it meets No. 2 Alabama (13-1) in Glendale, Arizona on Jan. 11 in the title game. No FBS team has ever finished 15-0, and being the first to get there has been a goal for Clemson from the moment that the team convened for training camp last summer.

“August 3rd, when we started the season, I gave them shirts that said ‘Dream the Dream,”’ Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. “And I said ‘15 for 15,’ with the message being let’s make them print 15 tickets this year, somehow, some way.

“My gosh, they’ve got to print a 15th ticket to see the Tigers now,” Swinney added.

“It’s been a great 2015.”

If they keep the greatness going into the first game of 2016, it would be historic.

Granted, the notion of bestrecord-ever meaning bestteam-ever won’t be unanimously accepted. The 2001 Miami Hurricanes, the 1971 Nebraska Cornhuskers, the 1974 Oklahoma Sooners — among others — would probably disagree.

And only a handful of teams have even had the chance to play 15 games, with longer regular seasons, conference title games and now a fourteam College Football Playoff stretching schedules out more

Saturday, January 2, 2016

Joe Skipper/The Associated Press

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney, right, and Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops embrace at the end of the Orange Bowl in Miami Gardens, Fla., on Thursday. Clemson won 37-17. than ever before.

Clemson doesn’t care about any of that. To the Tigers, 15-0 would be absolute.

“Having the national championship would be amazing,” Clemson offensive lineman Joe Gore said. “But never in my career, never, any sport, going back to when I was a little kid have I been undefeated. It would be such an accomplishment. If we do it, no one could ever take it away from us.”

Swinney doesn’t want them hiding from the opportunity.

He’s telling his team to embrace this chance.

“When you do the common things in an uncommon way, you command the attention of the world,” Swinney said.

“And this team is uncommon in everything that they do.”

Winning the national title and going 15-0 would be obviously a huge boost to the Tigers, but it would also be a

major moment for the Atlantic Coast Conference as well.

The last team to go 14-0 was Florida State, which brought a national title back to the ACC in 2013. And even with what the Seminoles and Tigers have done in recent years, the ACC still believes it doesn’t get the level of respect that’s afforded to some of the other leagues — namely the Southeastern Conference, which just happens to be providing Clemson’s final obstacle this season in Alabama.

“Any time you have a team from your league in the national championship game, it’s a great thing,” ACC Commissioner John Swofford said.

“You can’t ask for a whole lot more than that. And any time you have a team that could accomplish a first of that magnitude, it’s truly something special. So our whole league will be pulling for them.”

Lawson missed most of the game’s opening series after getting shaken up, and OklaMIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — homa rolled down the field Clemson defensive end Shaq and took a quick 7-0 lead. But Lawson insists that an inthe Tigers settled down, adjured left knee will not keep justed schemes when they him from the field when the knew Lawson would miss the Tigers play Alabama for the rest of the game and outnational championship on scored the Sooners 21-0 after Jan. 11. halftime.

The All-American was hurt Austin Bryant got the bulk early in Clemson’s 37-17 semi- of the extra playing time in final victory over Oklahoma Lawson’s absence, and finin the Orange Bowl on Thurs- ished with four tackles. day night, limping noticeably “We knew Austin was when he tried to play through going to be ready,” Clemson the injury. The Tigers took linebacker Ben Boulware him out of the game at halfsaid. “Next man up. ... We time, and Lawson still had an played a lot of (second-stringice pack strapped to his knee ers) today, and they all were during the postgame celebra- ready.” tion.

Lawson went from player “I’m going to be ready to to coach after halftime, sayplay in the national champiing he was trying to lead onship,” Lawson said. “I’m teammates with words and going to be back.” advice on the sideline.

Clemson coach Dabo Swin“I handled it well,” Lawson ney said the initial diagnosis said. was a sprained medial collatHe’ll have a week and a eral ligament, and that it half to get ready, and said kept Lawson from pushing he’ll get “as much treatment off effectively. Swinney said as I need” to be ready for the he did not believe the injury championship game in Glenwas a cause for major condale, Arizona. cern.

“I could tell it’s nothing se“He tried to go back in,” rious,” Lawson said. “It’s not Swinney said. serious.”

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Saturday, January 2, 2016

sports

The SUMTER ITEM

prep basketball

Spring Valley girls beat SHS for District 9 title Lee Central tops C.E. Murray for boys crown

BY EDDIE LITAKER Special to The Sumter Item

and they did a good job,” Long said of Sumter. “They didn’t lay down or anything. They It would seem a rubber certainly took it to us. They match is in order between the took advantage of our poor devarsity girls basketball teams fense there from time to time, of Spring Valley and Sumter our poor footwork, by going to after the Lady Vikings picked the hole, but that’s what tourup a 49-35 victory on Wednesnaments are for. It’s early in day at Crestwood High’s The the season and we’ll keep Castle to claim the championworking on trying to improve ship in the 19th Annual Disthat.” trict 9 Officials Christmas Shantay Taylor, a 6-foot-3Tournament. inch post player who has Of course, the only place signed to play for Temple Unithat such a matchup could versity next season, garnered happen now would be in the Most Valuable Player honors 4A state championship game. after scoring 21 points and SV is the defending state grabbing 20 rebounds. Chrischampion. tian Hithe, a former Sumter “They are a great program, player who will play at the they’re the defending state University of Central Florida champions and they brought next season, closed with 11 most of them (last year’s play- points and Anne Matthews ers) back, so we knew what we added 10. were going against,” said SumTaylor, who is now averagter head coach Jason Louding 14 points and 13 rebounds enslager, whose team dropped over eight games played, got to to 9-3 on the season. “We split the free throw line with reguwith them head to head this larity for the second game in a year. We kind of caught a row. Two days after connectbreak the first (time) because ing on nine of 12 attempts in a they were missing a couple of 58-36 win over Crestwood, Tayplayers for various reasons lor was true on nine of 11 and then they kind of caught a shots against Sumter, completbreak today because we were ing three 3-point plays in the missing a couple for various process. reasons. Hopefully we see “I’m really proud of her for them for a third time in giving it all that she had,” March, they’ve got a full team, Long said of Taylor, who we’ve got a full team and we amassed 49 points and 32 can do that rubber game in boards over Spring Valley’s March. If both teams are three tourney games. “She blessed enough to do that, that was a work in progress (in would be a good basketball her) earlier (seasons in the game.” program). It took her a while With the win, the Lady Vibefore her basketball skills kings improved to 10-1 and and coordination could catch avenged a 63-46 loss to the up with her, so she has Lady Gamecocks on Nov. 21 at worked. She really put it to the the A.C. Flora Tip-Off Tourna- grindstone and just worked to ment on a night when Spring get better.”

Valley was missing four of its The Lady Gamecocks trailed starters. by as much as 10 in the first “They always bring good half before the Lady Vikings competition, they’re athletic took a 25-17 lead into the

now, and No. 5 (Wilson) is the best we’ve got down there.

Once we lost her, really we were very crippled offensively break. Sumter cut the lead to at that point. four on two occasions, with “As frustrated as I am with the last coming at the 5:27 the mental mistakes tonight, mark, when a Jessica Harris our kids did continue to fight. bucket made the score 37-33.

The way we were playing and Spring Valley then pulled the mistakes that we were away with a 12-2 run to close making, we could have put our out the game. heads down and pouted. They “They (Spring Valley) played did keep grinding and worked very well today,” Loudenslager here and there, but it just said. “Honestly, we were fortu- seemed like a lot of possesnate to cut that lead to four sions tonight we had four kids points with six minutes left be- playing hard and one kid takcause they beat us in the asing a break. It was a different pect of the game that we take kid each time, but we just the most pride in. They couldn’t get in a rhythm where pushed us around, they outwe had all kids going together. rebounded us. No. 24 (Taylor) Some of that credit goes to completely dominated that Spring Valley, because they basketball game. We had 26 re- disrupt you with what they do bounds for Sumter and she (on defense).” had 20 by herself, so she Harris and Kiara Jones led pushed us around.

Sumter in scoring with nine “Christian did her thing out points apiece. Jones corralled there; she managed the game eight rebounds while Harris for them, handled the ball well, added five steals. Tiarra but we really felt like No. 24 re- Abram ended with 11 boards ally wanted to win that basket- and seven points. ball game more than anybody While Sumter’s girls came else out there, and it showed.” up short in their championWhile Taylor was dominatship bid, Lee Central’s boys ing for Spring Valley, one of ended the night with a chamSumter’s top players was sadpionship trophy to carry back dled with foul trouble for to Bishopville after securing a much of the game. Kyra Wil70-54 victory over C.E. Murray. son, who finished with eight A 12-0 run to close out the points, was whistled for her first half gave the Stallions a third foul midway through the 31-22 halftime lead after what first half and drew her fourth had been a nip-and-tuck first with 7:21 left in the game behalf. Kendrick Holloman then fore fouling out with 36 secburst the War Eagles’ bubble onds left. with 11 points over the openAlready missing a few of his ing 3:56 of the second half, top shooters coming into the helping to build Lee Central’s game, Loudenslager said Willead to 16, 44-28, with 12:56 to son’s curtailed playing time go. The lead would peak at 19 made a huge difference in the on two occasions in the final game. two minutes.

“When you play (against) a “We stepped it up defensivedefense like Spring Valley ly,” said Lee Central head plays, with that 1-3-1, you need coach LaVerne Knox of the key to have shooters down on his team’s late first-half run. those baseline corners so we “Kendrick didn’t do very well can get them out of that zone in the first half (hitting one real quick,” Loudenslager 3-point baskt) but, like the presaid. “We don’t have that right vious game (a 61-58 overtime

victory over Sumter), he came out big in the second half. We needed that in the second half, but I need more from him in the first half. He normally comes through in the first half and the second half.”

The Stallions’ one scare in the second half, an 11-3 War Eagle run that cut the lead to 51-41 with 5:07 left, was quickly rectified after a timeout by Knox. Malcolm McDowell elevated for a thunderous dunk just seconds out of the timeout and all momentum swung back to Lee Central.

“We made a little adjustment in the timeout,” said Knox, whose team stands at 7-5 after its championship run,”... and then everybody got ready to play. I’ve got a good group of kids. They play hard.

I’m proud of these young guys.

We’re pretty good.”

Four Stallions scored in double figures, led by Holloman’s 14. Nassine Reddick added 12, tournament MVP DeMarcus Smith closed with 11 and Torian Bolden chipped in 10.

CE Murray’s Marcus Reid led all scorers with 16 while Ronald Canty totaled 10 for the War Eagles.

GIRLS

Spring Valley 49, Sumter 35 SUMTER

17 18 -- 35

SPRING VALLEY

25 24 -- 49

SUMTER Abram 7, Wilson 8, McBride 2, Jones 9, Harris 9.

SPRING VALLEY Matthews 10, Lewis 1, Hithe 11, Wall 2, Porter 2, Hill 2, Taylor 21.

BOYS

Lee Central 70, CE Murray 54 C.E. MURRAY

22 32 -- 54

LEE CENTRAL

31 39 -- 70

C.E. MURRAY Swaringer 4, Herring 2, T. Canty 4, Tisdale 6, Johnson 2, Canty 10, Kirkland 2, Rush 8, Reid 16.

LEE CENTRAL Cooper 7, Reddick 12, Bolden 10, Holloman 14, Mixon 6, Smith 11, Thomas 4, McDowell 6.

college football

McCaffrey leads Stanford to 45-16 romp over Iowa

LM Otero/The Associated Press

Alabama head coach Nick Saban and team take the field Thursday at the end of the Cotton Bowl in Arlington, Texas. Alabama beat Michigan State 38-0 to advance to the national championship game.

Alabama knocks out Michigan State 38-0

By RALPH D. RUSSO The Associated Press ARLINGTON, Texas — Alabama rolled into the Cotton Bowl determined to wipe away the memories of last season’s College Football Playoff flop and it was no contest.

Jake Coker played the game of his career, hooking up with Calvin Ridley for two touchdowns, as the second-ranked Crimson Tide aired it out to beat No. 3 Michigan State 38-0 Thursday night and advance to the national championship.

“I think last year when we came to this game I think we were just happy to be in the game,” coach Nick Saban said.

“This year we wanted to take the game.”

Alabama (13-1) will face No. 1 Clemson (14-0) on Jan. 11 in Arizona looking for its fourth national title in nine seasons under coach Nick Saban.

“Just got to keep the focus we had in preparation for this

game,” Coker said.

The Tide looked like a team with no weaknesses against overmatched Michigan State (12-2). Coker, the promising Florida State transfer who sat the bench most of last season, was nearly perfect. The senior completed 25 for 30 for a career-best 286 yards. The freshman Ridley was brilliant, streaking by defenders on deep throws and outfighting them on jump balls. He caught eight passes for 138 yards.

Jonathan Allen and the ferocious Tide defensive front sacked Connor Cook four times and allowed the Spartans only one trip into the red zone — which ended with Cyrus Jones intercepting a pass at the goal line.

Jones added a high-stepping 57-yard punt return touchdown for the Tide, which hardly even had to use Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry.

The big tailback who has carried the Crimson Tide offense

most of the season was just a role player against a Spartans defense stacked to stop him.

He ran for 75 yards and scored two touchdowns. The last made it 38-0 halfway through the fourth quarter. The celebration at that point was pretty tame on the Alabama sideline. Henry got a chest bump from a lineman and some pats on the helmet before taking a seat next to a fan to cool off.

He was done for the day as if it was a September game against one of those nonconference cupcakes.

The ‘Bama fans were having fun, though, breaking out the “S-E-C!” chant and singing along to “Sweet Home Alabama” with that familiar “Roll Tide Roll!” AT&T Stadium in North Texas — where Alabama started its season by blowing out Wisconsin — had turned into Tuscaloosa west.

“This is a special team that I couldn’t be prouder of,” Coker said.

PASADENA, Calif. — Stanford barely missed out on the College Football Playoff, and Christian McCaffrey almost won the Heisman Trophy.

McCaffrey and the mighty Cardinal didn’t miss a thing in their Rose Bowl romp over Iowa.

McCaffrey caught a 75-yard touchdown pass on the opening snap and returned a punt 66 yards for another score while setting the Rose Bowl record with 368 all-purpose yards, propelling No. 5 Stanford to a 45-16 victory over the sixth-ranked Hawkeyes on Friday.

Fiesta Bowl

Ohio State 44 Notre Dame 28

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Ezekiel Elliott ran for 149 yards and matched a Fiesta Bowl record with four touchdowns, sparking No. 7 Ohio State’s prolific offense in a 44-28 victory over Notre Dame on Friday.

The Buckeyes (12-1) were left out of the College Football Playoff thanks to an inopportune loss. They may wonder what could have been after blowing past another playoff contender.

Ohio State rolled past the Fighting Irish (10-3), quickhitting its way to one scoring

drive after another and 496 total yards.

CITRUS BOWL

(17) MICHIGAN 41 (19) FLORIDA 7

ORLANDO, Fla. — Jake Rudock threw for 278 yards and three touchdowns and Michigan’s defense dominated Florida in the Citrus Bowl.

In a game billed as a battle of two of the top defenses in the Big Ten and Southeastern Conference, the Wolverines’ offense shined bright in their first bowl victory since 2012.

Michigan (10-3) had three touchdown drives of at least 70 yards and finished with 503 yards of offense.

Outback Bowl

TENNESSEE 45 (12) NORTHWESTERN 6

TAMPA, Fla. — Joshua Dobbs threw for 166 yards and ran for two touchdowns, helping Tennessee cap its best season in eight years with a victory over Northwestern in the Outback Bowl.

Dobbs scored on runs 14 and 18 yards, and Jalen Hurd ran for 130 yards and one touchdown for the Volunteers (9-4). They finished with at least nine wins for the first time since 2007.

The Associated Press

sports

The SUMTER ITEM

Saturday, January 2, 2016

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B5

recruiting

Carolina adds DEs Kinlaw, Thomas N ew University of South Carolina football head coach Will Muschamp added two talented defensive ends to his 2016 recruiting class last week.

Javon Kinlaw (6-feet-7-inches, 265 pounds) of Goose Creek High School has been considered one of the best looking prospects, physically speaking, in the state for the past two seasons. His performance on the field also was eye-catching, enough to earn a spot on this year’s Shrine Bowl team and the U.S. Army All-American Game.

In the classroom, Kinlaw has admittedly lagged behind, and that’s why a lot of major programs passed on him. However, Muschamp is trying to put his fingerprints on the state and he offered Kinlaw and accepted a commitment from him knowing there could be a junior college stop for him before he plays for USC. “He was telling me he has a plan for me if I had to go the JUCO route and stuff like that,” Kinlaw said. “To me, that means a lot because no other coach was calling me and telling me they had a plan for me. Everybody was just wanting you to play here, but nobody was really understanding my situation. But he did.

The first conversation we ever had, he understood. I just saw it as him looking out for me.

They’ve been in my corner.

That was my first offer.” Kinlaw also can play offensive tackle, but prefers DE. He said his efforts now will be to get those grades up so he can avoid the JC route.

“Now I’ve got to focus on grinding out the last semester and do as much as I can to get my grades as high as I can,” Kinlaw said. “I believe it’s doable. I’ve got a good chance.

I’ve got to get the grades up mainly.”

Kinlaw said he and Muschamp talked about an official visit later this month. He was offered by Maryland over the weekend and plans to visit there next month. At one time Kinlaw also counted offers from Clemson, Florida, Alabama, Louisville, Florida State and Auburn.

DE Keir Thomas (6-2, 240) of Miami made it an extra special Christmas for Muschamp, calling him and officially committing to USC. Thomas previously was committed to FSU, but decommitted on Nov. 17. He also considered Arkansas and Tennessee the strongest over the past couple of weeks. Auburn also was on his short list before Muschamp and new USC defensive coordinator Travaris Robinson left for USC. Thomas was recruited by the previous USC staff and visited last summer for a camp. He kept USC high on his list behind FSU until he reopened things after decommitting. And he previously expressed the opinion that under Muschamp and Robinson at USC, he would be a good fit for their defense. “They would be running the same defense they ran at Auburn and I fit perfect in that defense,” Thomas said.

“And they do a good job of putting kids in the pros.”

Thomas is known as an exceptional pass rusher. He had 41 quarterback sacks over the past two seasons. “I’m a hardnose player,” Thomas said. “I have a great get-off. The bull rush is my favorite move.”

Thomas will be a mid-year enrollee. His commitment gives USC 19 in the ‘16 class, though it’s possible some commitments could drop off for one reason or another in January.

Muschamp informed committed defensive back Chris Smith of South Pointe High School in Rock Hill he doesn’t have room to take him in January. South Pointe head coach Strait Herron told TheState. com he understands the decision and said Muschamp assured them the scholarship for Smith to sign in February is still there if he chooses. Herron said Smith will explore other mid-year options.

According to Georgia Military Collge head coach Bert

Williams, he is expecting his DE, Kalan Ritchie, to resign with USC in February.

Ritchie signed with USC out of Goose Phil Kornblut Creek High in Recruiting ‘14 and played the last two corner seasons at GMC. Williams said he has been in touch with the new USC staff about Ritchie.

“I have had no discussion with USC that involves them not taking Kalan,” Williams said. “He is set to graduate in March and plans are for him to go to USC.” USC also has offensive lineman Akeem Cooperwood coming next season from GMC. OL Dennis Daley (6-6, 285) of GMC committed to USC during his senior year at Ridge View High in Columbia knowing he would have to make a JC pit stop. The former Shrine Bowler played this past season at GMC and said he remains firm to join the Gamecocks in ‘17.

Daley communicated with USC OL coach Shawn Elliott earlier in the week. Daley asked Elliott to confirm the offer was still good and was told it was as far as Elliott is concerned.

“We want you at South Carolina,” Daley quoted Elliott as telling him, adding that Muschamp wants to meet him.

Daley said Elliott asked if he were still solid as a commitment and Daley confirmed in the positive.

“I’m still 100 percent on board and I’m looking forward to meeting Coach Muschamp,” Daley said. “The season was great. We finished 8-4 and lost in the Graphic Edge Bowl, but overall the season was great.

A lot of hard work, some ups and downs, but we ended with a winning record. I started every game and pretty much played the whole game. I played good. “ I’m proud of my play, but there’s a lot, and I mean a lot, more room for improvement so I will never get comfortable.”

Daley said he’s on track to graduate next December and plans to enroll at USC in January of ‘17.

Linebacker TJ Brunson of Richland Northeast High in Columbia, coming off a Most Valuable Player performance in the Shrine Bowl, decommitted from Louisville last week.

He had been committed to the Cardinals since July.

“Just looking to see if anyone else comes in,” Brunson said. “Really, just waiting on taking my official visit.”

Brunson’s only scheduled official visit at this point is to USC on Jan. 16. He was offered by Tulane.

One-time USC commitment DB Marlon Character of Atlanta is ocne again seriously considering the program with the arrivals of Muschamp and Robinson from Auburn. Character knows both well because after de-committing from USC in November, he committed to Auburn. That pledge remains for now, but Character is going to give Muschamp and Robinson a good opportunity to bring him back to USC. He is scheduled to visit USC officially on Jan. 30 after visits to Auburn and Virginia Tech. He is down to those three schools.

“I have a relationship with both coaches from Auburn and I heard B-Mac (Bryan McClendon, who joined Muschamp’s staff from UGA) is coming in and I have a great relationship with him,” Character said ”I’ll get down on an official and see how things come together, see how they fit and if I fit into it as well. I really just want to see how they are the same as how they were with Auburn. That’s all I need to see. I’m making sure everything is in place, no missing pieces.”

While he’s still committed to Auburn, Character is “wondering about their new defensive coordinator and exploring my options. Auburn still

leads.” Character said he will wait until National Signing Day in February before announcing a final decision, and the fact his two former Auburn recruiters now reside at USC appears to be a bonus for USC. “Working out with T-Rob, he’s a great coach, got a lot of energy,” he said. “I have a great relationship with both of them. I can say I have a stronger relationship with them than any of the others. I talk to T-Rob pretty much every day.”

Athlete Stephen Davis Jr. of Dutch Fork High in Irmo is another USC target who knows Muschamp and Robinson from their Auburn days. They weren’t at Auburn in August of ‘14 when he committed to the Tigers, but once they arrived there from Florida they picked right up on his recruiting. The fact Davis de-committed from Auburn in September is not a reflection on the two coaches because Davis was excited to hear from them once they arrived in Columbia.

“I know them well,” Davis said. “They really want me bad. They’re making a new era at South Carolina and all that.

They are actually bringing in a nice recruiting program. I think they are starting something big at South Carolina.

It’s pretty nice that they are down here.”

Davis has set an official visit with USC for Jan. 23. He’s going to Auburn officially the weekend before that. He also plans to take official visits to UGA and FSU. Auburn recruiter Rodney Garner was the only one to make an inhome visit during the live period. Davis said he won’t make his decision until after his visits and won’t reveal his decision until signing day.

Running back Treyvon Paulk of Hutchinson JC in Kansashas set an official visit with USC for Jan. 23. He also visited USC unofficially in late November. Paulk is a native of Alpharetta, Ga., and is good friends with USC OL Cory Helms.

Paulk signed with Tennessee out of high school and redshirted in ‘14. He is a May graduate and will have three years to play three. This season he rushed for 669 yards and nine touchdowns DB Daniel Thomas of Mobile, Ala., has set an official visit to USC for Jan. 29. He’s also set with Middle Tennessee State on Jan. 16 and also wants to visit Georgia Tech and Maryland.

USC is recruiting Thomas as a safety. He said he’s looking the hardest at USC, but doesn’t call USC his favorite. He’s also hearing from UF, Michigan and Louisville.

WR Sam Bruce of Miami has scheduled an official visit to USC for Jan. 15. He’s a Miami commitment. He’s going to UF on Jan. 22 and Miami on Jan. 29.

Muschamp and Robinson went after DE Joshua Uche (6-2, 215) of Miami while they were at Auburn and now they are pursuing him for USC. USC recently offered Uche and now have to convince him to take an official visit. Uche said he’s talking with Robinson almost every day and is also hearing from Muschamp and feels the Gamecocks want him pretty badly. He said the coaches have told him they will be down to see him after the dead period.

“A visit (to USC) is possible,” he said. “I just have to get the approval from my parents.”

Uche has scheduled official visits to Miami on Jan. 16, North Carolina on Jan. 23 and UF on Jan. 30, but added that any of those visits “can change.” Uche is being recruited as an LB and rush DE. This season he had 40 tackles and 14 sacks.

DE Tyreik Martin of Valley, Ala.,, who recently was offered

by USC, announced a de-commitment from Missouri last week. He said while Mizzou remains No. 1 on his list, he does plan to take other official visits.

GT is the latest school to

contact DB Nick McCloud of South Pointe High and invited him for an official visit. He has taken an official visit to North Carolina State and is planning to visit USC on Jan. 15. USC has not yet offered. He’s also hearing from NCSU, Vanderbilt and Appalachian State.

DE Mykelle McDaniel of Loganville, Ga., was offered by Maryland. He favored USC under the previous staff, but apparently the new staff has not showed the same interest to this point.

WR Rick Wells of Jacksonville, Fla., who was heavily recruited by USC’s former staff, said he has not heard from the new staff. He remains committed to UF, but has set an official visit to VT on Jan. 23. He will visit UF the following weekend.

Shrine Bowl DB KJ Chamberlain of Emerald High in Greenwood, an App State commitment, heard from USC earlier this month after Muschamp came on board, but has not been offered. He has an official visit to App State set for Jan. 23. Chamberlain had eight INTs this season, giving him 22 over the past two seasons.

WR Cavin Ridley of Deerfield Beach, Fla, who took an official visit to USC earlier this month, said he’s not heard that much from USC since the visit. Ridley is an early graduate and is not sure when he’ll make his decision. He’s choosing between USC, Tennessee, Alabama and UGA and has heard from all four.

Tight end Kyle Oliver of Jones JC in Mississippi,who took an unofficial visit to USC earlier this month, still has not been offered by USC and is not expecting one at this point.

Jones, who is a mid-year transfer, said he’s looking at Oklahoma State, Central Florida, West Virginia, Mizzou, Vandy, Jacksonville State and MTSU. USC reaffirmed offers to a pair of ‘17 RBs offered by the previous staff, D’Andre Swift of Philadelphia and Anthony McFarland Jr. of Hyattsville, Md. USC offered ‘17 DE Jake Lawler of Charlotte.

CLEMSON WR Diondre Overton of Greensboro, N.C., will announce his decision at the

Semper-Fi All-American Game in Carson, Calif., on Sunday.

He is down to Clemson and NCSU and is talking regularly with both.

“Both of them are telling me to evaluate as best you can and pick the one that’s best for you. It’s hard to decide. Clemson, just being down there, the whole campus. Playing wise, Clemson can develop me as a wide receiver, but N.C. State also has an advantage in playing time. And the instate thing pulls on me a little bit. I’m talking it over with my parents. I’m going to pray about it and pick the right school for me.”

And what will be the deciding factor? “Just a gut feeling,” Overton said. “Both are recruiting me pretty hard. No one wants me more than the other.”

DB Trayvon Mullen of Pompano Beach, Fla., has taken official visits to Texas Christiian, FSU and Louisville. He will visit Clemson on Jan. 16 and Louisiana State on Jan. 23.

“I love Clemson, I love the coaches, I just love everything about it,” Mullen said.

“I’m just ready to get up there and visit again because last time I visited it was two years ago summer. It’s a school that’s been with me since I first started getting recruited. I’m kind of caught up with everything they are doing. I watch them a lot because that’s one school that I feel like I’m going to hold with ‘till the end, ‘til like signing day. That’s like my dream school.”

Mullen plays cornerback and realizes Clemson is only taking one at his position in the class, but he also knows the Tigers will wait on him and vice versa. “I’m the guy they are really holding out for,” he said. “I think they are going to take a safety or two and that will be about it. I’d say specifically they are taking one corner and coach said he’s holding out for me. Depthwise, on the roster there’s not really much and I feel like I can come in and play right away.” Mullen will play in the U.S. Army All-American Game this month.

Jaden Hunter, a ’17 LB from Atlanta, has Clemson in his top five with UGA, LSU, Alabama and FSU.

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COMICS

SATURDAY, JANUARY 2, 2016

THE SUMTER ITEM

BIZARRO

SOUP TO NUTS

ANDY CAPP

GARFIELD

BEETLE BAILEY

BORN LOSER

BLONDIE

ZITS

MOTHER GOOSE

DOG EAT DOUG

DILBERT

JEFF MACNELLY'S SHOE

Man without kids gets no respect from parents DEAR ABBY — I’m a gay man in my late 40s who has worked for 10 years in the public school system with young adults and kids with special needs. I have done everything from changing preschoolers’ diapers, to tutoring, travel training and Dear Abby teaching life skills to older ABIGAIL children. In the process, I have encountered my share VAN BUREN of cooperation, defiance, failure and success.

When speaking with family, friends or strangers about their parenting, I sometimes share my experiences. This is usually accepted and even encouraged, but occasionally I am put in my place by a parent who feels I must be told that what I’ve done “isn’t the same as being a parent.” Some even go so far as to imply that I should remain silent, as I have nothing of a parenting nature to offer.

I would think that making everyone feel in-

THE DAILY CROSSWORD PUZZLE

cluded would be more important than official parent status, especially when discussing similar experiences. So what’s the best way to handle this? I have no kids of my own; my students are all I have to share stories about.

Should I just dummy up?

Sort of childless in San Francisco DEAR SORT OF CHILDLESS — No, but recognize that whatever you offered clearly made someone defensive. When people are in that mode, they aren’t receptive to your opinion.

Remember the phrase “casting pearls before swine”? It means offering something valuable to those who don’t understand that it’s precious. You and I, and most parents, understand that you are rich in experience.

Don’t let the others get under your skin.

To order “How to Write Letters for All Occasions,” send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $7 (U.S. funds) to Dear Abby — Letter Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. Shipping and handling are included in the price.

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.

By Barry C. Silk

ACROSS 1 Diamond surprise 6 Change keys often?

15 "You've got me on my knees" woman in a 1971 hit 16 Competition covering many miles 17 Wing 18 Unix guru, e.g.

19 Biblical miracle component 21 "Wedding Bell Blues" songwriter 22 Last Hebrew letter 23 eBay feature 25 Designer Ricci 26 D.C. United's org.

27 King ratsnake's defense 28 Arctic 29 Pencil contents, perhaps 32 "Particularly small and particularly wicked-looking" villain 33 Fateful day 34 Pick up 35 Neighbors of Frauen 38 "The Roosevelts" documentarian

1/2/16 42 Jordan's only port 43 Benefit from work 44 Classified initials 45 Tamblyn of "West Side Story" 46 Silk Road component 49 Down 50 Bug 51 Ace the test 52 Dogfish Head sellers 55 Mobutu's land 56 Most unforgiving 57 Inception 58 Slinky spots 59 Learning methods DOWN 1 Poe title answer to " ... ‘What is written ... / On the door of this legended tomb?'"

2 Impressive array 3 Neural junction 4 Professeur's charge 5 Government, often 6 Juno, e.g.: Abbr.

7 Back 8 Many a president 9 Having a bite 10 50s-60s emperor 11 R&B group __ Hill 12 With urgency 13 Mythological sea nymph 14 Fill 20 Tea cart items 24 Vitamin C sources 25 Prime minister sworn in by Mountbatten 28 Land __ 30 An arm and a leg 31 Bean product?

32 "The Little Mermaid" composer Alan

34 Wormwood, e.g.

35 China setting 36 On a par with 37 Domination 38 Site of Truman's winter White House 39 Dreamer's opposite 40 "Ain't happening!"

41 Sonnet parts 43 Stages 46 1971 title detective 47 Carry-on no-no 48 Schroeder's love 50 WWI French marshal 53 It's heard at 52-Across 54 D and C, in D.C.

Friday’s Puzzle Solved

©2016 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

1/2/16

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Legal Service Attorney Timothy L. Griffith 803-607-9087, 360 W. Wesmark.

Criminal, Family, Accident, Injury

Septic Tank Cleaning

Septic Tank Cleaning Call the pros for all of your septic pumping needs. 803-316-0429 Proline Utilities, LLC

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.

A Notch Above Tree Care Full quality service low rates, lic./ins., free est BBB accredited 983-9721

PETS & ANIMALS

Unfurnished Apartments

Land & Lots for Sale

Local Tree Service Co. looking for CDL driver, bucket operator & climber. Call 803-478-8299

Nice 1 Br, 1 Ba apt. in downtown area. Hardwood floors, refrigerator & stove, C/H/A, no pets. $450 mo. Call 803-491-5375.

Town of New Zion, Clarendon Co. 206+ /- Acres for sale $850 per ac.

Salem Rd. Great Hunting Tract.

Shown by appt only. Owner /Agent Call 803-404-8351

SEASONAL TAX PREP Est. office in Sumter. Exp. with Drake, personal and business tax prep required. Flex hrs. M-S Resume & 3 ref. to bjavin@sc.rr.com Seasonal Fr. Desk/Bookkeeping Asst. for busy tax off. Skills: tele, comp, scheduling. Prefer Bookkeeping exp. Resume & 3 ref. to bjavin@sc.rr.com Carolina Healthcare Hospice is seeking RN's and CNA's in the Sumter, Columbia & Clarendon Counties. Forward resumes to PO Box 464, Sumter SC 29151 or call 803-774-4377.

F/T Optical Retail Sales. Experience preferred but not required. Must work Saturdays. Will accept resumes on Thurs. Jan 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th from 1 - 4 pm at H. Rubin Vision Center, Sumter Mall. Dress to Impress! No phone calls, please.

Trucking Opportunities Local / Regional Drivers Immediate openings for experienced Van, Tanker & Rolloff drivers. Class A CDL with Hazmat & Tank endorsements required with 2 years verifiable experience. Mileage starts as high as .41 per mile and top rate .45 per mile along with stop pay, hourly pay and per diem on overnight trips. $1,000.00 sign on bonus and assigned equipment. Medical, Dental, Prescription & Life Insurance plans along with 401K and profit sharing. Paid Holidays, Earned PTO time and .03 per mile yearly Safety/Performance Bonus plan. Applicants can apply in person at FCI 132 Myrtle Beach Hwy Sumter, SC 29153 or call 1-888-249-2651 ext-24

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

Open every weekend. Call 803-494-5500

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, off Sally & McLaurin.

You cut & haul $50 a quart, $25 1/2 & $12.50 a basket. 803-305-2159 or 803-983-7728 Martin's Used Appliance Washers, Dryers, Refrig., Stoves.

Guarantee 464-5439 or 469-7311.

• Tax Preparer • Training provided Jan 2nd. Day and evening classes available. •Customer Service• Free week long tax preparation class with customer service focus. Learn computerized tax preparation in day or evening classes starting Jan 2nd.

Apply for seasonal opportunities.

803-418-0123

RENTALS

Hampton Inn Hotel Front Desk Clerk Mature, sincere, dep. Must be able to work day or night and weekends.

Must have common sense. Apply in person across from the Walmart and Golden Corral on Broad Street.

FT/PT Front Desk Clerk. Some experience & computer knowledge helpful. Apply in person 9 - 3pm.

Mon -Fri. at Mt. Vernon Inn, 2 Broad St. Sumter.

Home for sale 47 Alice Dr 2 BR 1BA Call 803-469-6318

REAL ESTATE Homes for Sale For Rent or Sale 202 Kirven St. Pinewood 3BR 1BA home. stove, refrig, C/H/A carport, fncd yard, Call after 4 pm 983-6193 or 481-5843.

For Sale 821 Holiday Drive 2BR, 1BA, Den, LR. $61,900. Call 803-983-7064.

Condo- 874 Grimble Ct Tudor Pl 2BR 2BA 1475 sq ft. new stove & mw, w&d, fridge, 3yr old architect shingle roof. $109,500 Call 803-934-9663

Manufactured Housing Turn your Tax Refund into your dream home! We have quality used refurbished mobile homes. We specialize in on the lot financing. Low credit score is OK. Call 843-389-4215 AND also visit our Face Book page (M & M Mobile Homes).

SHAW/DALZELL Acre, Paved Rd. Utilities. $3500. 713-870-0216 Minutes Walmart/Shaw, acre, cleared, septic, water. $13,900.

888-774-5720

Commercial Industrial For Sale- Lake Side Restaurant, Bar, Convenience Store, gas pumps & docks. Property is leased. Lake Marion. All equipment & furniture are included. Call 904-554-7663

Mobile Home Rentals 3 & 4 Br, 2 ba, all appliances, Sumter & Dalzell area. Section 8 accepted. 469-6978.

Avail. Jan. 1st- SW off 15 S Ramsey Rd 3BR 2BA 1 Ac. Lot , fresh paint, new carpet $400 Mo + $300 Dep Call 803-795-9970 2, 3 & 4 Bedroom for rent, Cherryvale & Dogwood Area $250 & up. (803) 651-9926

STATEBURG COURTYARD 2 & 3 BRs 803-494-4015 Clean 3BR 1BA 50 Spider Ct. near Red Bay Rd. $375 mo + $600 dep.

No pets. 803-638-9066 lv msg.

CONTRACTOR WANTED! MAYESVILLE, ST. CHARLES, ELLIOTT & LYNCHBURG If you have good, dependable transportation, a phone in your home, and a desire to earn extra income Call Dean Benenhaley at 774-1257 or Apply in Person at

20 N. Magnolia St. Sumter, SC

Looking to find...

A NEW BEST FRIEND?

Furnished 1 br apt. incl. elec, water, cable, internet, plus trash P/U, flat screen TV. Nice private cabin apt. on 20 ac. No pets, no smoking. $650 mo. $500 dep. 803-464-5439.

Unfurnished Apartments Senior Living Apartments for those 62+ (Rent based on income) Shiloh-Randolph Manor 125 W. Bartlette.

775-0575 Studio/1 Bedroom apartments available EHO

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Help Wanted Full-Time

Dogs German Shepherd puppies, born Nov. 9th. $200 ea. Call Harry 803-460-7112 lv msg.

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SATURDAY, JANUARY 02, 2016

Here's My

803-847-3324 • WINTER CLEAN UP • SHRUB WORK • YARD WORK

Card

DAD’S SMALL ENGINES LAWN & GARDEN EQUIPMENT • SALES & SERVICE Don & Faye 1000 Myrtle Beach Highway Sumter, SC 29153

(803) 495-4411 Parts & Service Center

Senior Citizen & Military Discount

M-F 8:00-5:00 | Sat 8:00-12:00

Styles by Delores G Press N Curls • Blowouts • Cuts Brush & Flat Iron • Wave Nouveau Monday - Friday: Appointments & Walk-Ins Welcome Contact: Ms. G (803)968-8240 Mamaleen’s amaleen’ B Beauty Salon

130 N. Main Street, Sumter, SC

Piano Tuning Repairs & Refinishing

Jimmy Jordan Plumbing Service

WALKER PIANO

Repairs and New Installation

Cincinnati Conservatory Certified Since 1947

1936 Pinewood Road Sumter, SC 29154

For Expert Service

CALL ALGIE WALKER

803-506-2111

803-485-8705 19 S. Cantey Street

Over 20 years experience Cell: 803-397-6278

Summerton, SC

TUNING • REFINISHING • REPAIRS

Timothy L. Griffith Attorney at Law

CLINT BARWICK

803.607.9087

Piano Service

Family Law • Divorce Visitation & Custody Criminal Defense • DUI • Federal and State Court

26 Crescent St. Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 773-8955

www.tlgriffith.com

THE GAMECOCK SHRINE CLUB

LEAF GUARD INSTALLATION GUTTER AND SPOUT CLEANING OR REPAIRS

SEAMLESS ALUMINUM RAIN GUTTERS

is Available for Rent!

Ernie Baker

McLean Marechal Insurance Associate Agent

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CALL NOW FOR DATE AVAILABILITY!

712 Bultman Drive | Sumter, SC 29150 Sumter: 803-774-0118 | Florence: 843-669-5858 Cell: 803-491-4417 | bakee1@nationwide.com

PRESSURE WASHING

Rent for your “Special Occasions” Craft Shows • Weddings • Banquets • Retirement Parties• Family Reunions Call 983-1376 or 491-7665

J.GOFF76@YAHOO.COM

Rentals Available!

SUMTER ELKS LODGE #855 Sweet 16 Parties, Business Meetings, Weddings, Reunions, Birthday Parties and more... Sizes for all functions.

2535 Tahoe Dr. (Across from Hardee Cove)

Call Cindy Davis at 316-3396 or 469-8899 1100 W. Liberty Street • Sumter, SC

Tidwell Septic Tanks & Pumping SALES • INSTALLATION • PUMPING REPAIRS • DRAIN LINES TANK INSPECTION Serving Sumter & the Surrounding Areas Over 30 Years Experience • Family Owned & Operated

For all your septic tank needs!

(803) 481-2966 (803) 481-7719 FAX

1665 Lewis Road Sumter, SC 29154

BEFORE YOU BUY

CHECK OUT OUR SELECTION AND VALUE PRICING AT

Jimmy’s

ACE PARKER TIRE

Heating and Air LLC

We have always been just around the corner.

As lifelong residents of Clarendon County, you know who we are and that c we are committed to provide you with all the comforts of home.

OVER 32 YEARS EXPERIENCE

FREE DELIVERY AND FREE SETUP!*

LICENSED, BONDED & INSURED 803-460-5420 OR 803-478-5957

*within a 50 mile ra radius

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SALES & SERVICE ON ALL BRANDS

Chris Mathis

Jimmy Mathis

J&T’s Local Moving and More, LLC

H.L. Boone

Owner / Notary Public

“Saving time & money with no worries” Over 20 years of experience

H.L. Boone, Contractor All Types of Improvements

1 Monte Carlo Court Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 773-9904

905-3473

Remodeling, Painting, Carports, Decks, Blow Ceilings, Ect.

64 Wilder Street Sumter, SC 29150 803-236-4008 or 803-773-3934

Jamie Singleton Owner

*Free Estimates *Moving (Home & Office) www.jtslocalmovingmore.com

OPEN YEAR ROUND 61 W. Wesmark Blvd.

Sumter, SC 29150 www.jacksonhewitt.com

Tel: (803) 469-8899 Fax: (803) 469-8890 Hours: M-F 10am-6pm

RANDY BONNER Store Manager

FRASIER TIRE SERVICE INC

310 E. Liberty Street Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 773-1423 - Fax (803) 778-1512

one Right!

Cleaning D

Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Water & Fire Damage • Smoke/Odor Removal Mold Sampling and Remitiation 24/7 Emergency Service Hiram Spittle 1500 Airport Road 803-938-5441 Sumter, SC 29153 www.spittlescleaning.com

McElveen Builders, LLC

Quality Residential Construction

Carolina Caregivers

Keith McElveen Jr

“A Helping Hand for Those You Love.”

Owner/Builder

“Parade of Homes” Award Winning Builder Building Coastal & Sumter area 803-477-5264 (cell) mcelveenbuildersllc@yahoo.com q Recommendations from p prior Homeowners on request

Your Local Authorized Xerox Sales Agency

18 E. Liberty St. Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 778-2330 Xerox® is a Trademark of Xerox Corporation

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Happy New Year PLEASE CALL 803-774-1234 FOR MORE INFORMATION!