January 4, 2014 by The Sumter Item

VOL. 119, NO. 68 WWW.THEITEM.COM | SATURDAY, JANUARY 4, 2014 | SUMTER, SOUTH CAROLINA | FOUNDED OCTOBER 15, 1894 60 CENTS

OBAMACARE: Adding new bundle of joy to health plan not so simple A4

ORANGE BOWL See if Clemson picked up a BCS victory over Ohio State B1

Man jailed in stabbing incident BY TYLER SIMPSON tyler@theitem.com The Sumter Police Department arrested a 52-year-old Sumter man Thursday after a stabbing that left a 48-yearold woman in critical condition Sunday. Ishmell Anthony Williams, 52, of 411 Park

Homes Court, was charged with attempted murder and possession WILLIAMS of a weapon during a violent crime after being released from Tuomey Regional Medical Center

and is being held at Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center, according to a news release from the Sumter Law Enforcement Center. Bond has been denied on both charges. According to the report, officers responded to a domestic violence call about 10:45 p.m.

Sunday from a residence on Council Street. The officers later observed Williams walking down the roadway bloodied and carrying a kitchen knife in his hand. Officers apprehended Williams and administered first aid while additional officers located the victim in the residence

with cuts on the face, head and neck area. Emergency Medical Services arrived to send the victim to Tuomey before transporting her to Palmetto Health Richland in Columbia, where she is currently in stable condition. Williams was also sent to Tuomey, where

he underwent surgery. Williams has a record of criminal convictions that includes criminal domestic violence, first offense; first-degree criminal sexual conduct; and a lewd act on a minor. Reach Tyler Simpson at (803) 774-1295.

Air Force unit also searching for airman

BREWINGTON ROAD FIRE

BY BRISTOW MARCHANT bmarchant@theitem.com A man goes missing, and local law enforcement officers start tracking leads to find him. But it’s a slightly different and more complicated investigation when the vanished is a serving officer in the U.S. Air Force. The recent disappearance of Capt. Robby Williams, an officer stationed at Shaw Air Force Base, from his Columbia-area home displays the complexities when a uniformed service member is the subject of a law-enforcement investigation. SEE AIRMAN, PAGE A8 INFORMATION ON THE CASE

MATT WALSH / THE ITEM

Firefighters put out a blaze that destroyed a woodworking shed at 2295 Brewington Road on Friday afternoon. Damage to the property was estimated to be about $48,000, and the Sumter Fire Department deemed the building a total loss.

S.C. reports 9 flu deaths this season BY JEFFREY COLLINS The Associated Press COLUMBIA — South Carolina reported three additional flu deaths during the week of Christmas

as the number of cases in the state continued to rise. The Department of Health and Environmental Control said Friday that nine people have now died in South Carolina since the

flu season began in September. Three of the deaths have been in Charleston County, with one death apiece in Beaufort, Berkeley, Dorchester, Horry, Orangeburg and

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Richland counties. DHEC said about 14,000 cases of the flu have been reported so far this season, with about 800 patients SEE FLU, PAGE A8

OUTSIDE WARMER

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Thelma G. Coleman Elizabeth Johnson Helen M. Polito Mary Ann B. McCoy

Law enforcement is continuing to search for information leading to the location of Capt. Robby Williams III. Williams was last seen Dec. 18 at Shaw Air Force Base, where he works with the directorate of communications with U.S. Air Forces Central Command. Officers performed a welfare check at his Columbiaarea home when Williams failed to return to the base Dec. 23 and found no sign of him. Williams is thought to be driving a 2012 black Jeep Wrangler with S.C. license plate number ITC701. He is described as a black male in his late 20s, standing at 5 feet, 7 inches tall and weighing about 190 pounds with brown eyes and brown hair. Anyone with information about Williams’ whereabouts is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-888274-6372 or (803) 576-3000.

Fred Martin Jr. Jacqueline Hawk A7

INSIDE 2 SECTIONS, 16 PAGES

Partly sunny today; mostly cloudy tonight HIGH: 48 LOW: 35 A8

Classifieds Comics Daily Planner Television

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SECOND FRONT THE ITEM

SATURDAY, JANUARY 4, 2014 Contact the newsroom at 803-774-1226 or e-mail news@theitem.com

Boost your metabolism BY MISSY CORRIGAN Special to The Item

low metabolism? Fast metabolism? Damaged metabolism? We all have a metabolism that is blamed or used as an excuse for the inability to lose weight or the ability to eat anything without gaining weight. But what is metabolism really? Metabolism is the process by which the body breaks down food and converts it into energy. It is as unique to us as our fingerprints. While genetics plays a role, there are opportunities for you to increase your metabolism if yours is slow. The amount of muscle mass you have can affect your metabolic rate. An increase in your muscle mass raises your metabolic rate, allowing you to burn more body CORRIGAN fat not only during exercise, but also at rest. Weight training raises your metabolism and keeps it up for six hours or more after exercise. Try to lift weights at least three days a week. The foods you eat affect your metabolism. Skipping meals slows down the metabolism and promotes fat storage. Your metabolism is lowest in the morning, so be sure to eat breakfast to boost metabolism. To keep your metabolism high throughout the day, eat small, balanced meals to provide energy for your body. Choose nutrientdense foods that TIPS FOR are easily broken SUCCESS down and used by the body instead of Weight train; processed foods Eat quality food often; that are harder for Feed your muscle; and the body to break Focus on body fat loss. down and identify as fuel adequate for your body. Metabolic damage is a term some use lightly, but it can cause a lot of problems for chronic dieters, making it difficult to maintain a healthy weight. Extreme weight-loss dieting through excessive calorie restriction, yo-yo dieting or over-training for an extended period of time can cause it, preventing the ability to lose weight or body fat and sometimes causing sudden weight gain even while on a weight-loss plan. Many calorie-restricted weightloss diets are seen as starvation diets by the body because of the lack of nutrients being provided. After a while, the metabolism slows down in an effort to protect the body. Your energy decreases and your appetite increases. Eventually all the systems of your body are suffering, and your body is unable to function properly. To reset your metabolism and stimulate the systems of your body, it is recommended by fitness professionals that you adopt a nutrition plan that promotes eating healthy meals throughout the day to feed your muscle and burn fat. Plans such as these are high in nutrients that will help your systems become stimulated again. Incorporate weight training to boost metabolism and focus on body fat loss instead of weight loss for improved overall health. Missy Corrigan is director of healthy living for the Sumter Family YMCA. She can be reached at mcorrigan@ymcasumter.org or (803) 7731404.

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RAYTEVIA EVANS / THE ITEM

Sumter Board of Realtors Executive Director Darlene Hebert presents a $5,000 check to Sumter Habitat for Humanity Board President Sue McDuffie. The South Carolina Association of Realtors recently granted the organization the funds to build a house sponsored by the Sumter Board of Realtors.

State Realtor group presents local Habitat for Humanity $5K for home BY RAYTEVIA EVANS revans@theitem.com The South Carolina Association of Realtors recently granted $5,000 to Sumter Habitat for Humanity to be put toward building a house sponsored by the Sumter Board of Realtors. Executive Director Darlene Hebert said she is a huge supporter of the work done by the local Habitat for Humanity affiliate. “There was an opportunity for

every Realtor board in the state to apply for the grant, and I’ve been on the board for Habitat for a while because I feel very strongly about Sumter Habitat for Humanity,” Hebert said. “We try to get people into new homes, and Habitat builds new homes for people. We’re a good couple.” Sue McDuffie, board president for Sumter Habitat, said the local organization builds two homes each year for families in the Sumter area. With the help of volun-

teers as well as the families who will live in the homes, Sumter Habitat has built 115 homes in the area so far. “We build homes with families to get them in new homes and give them a new start,” McDuffie said. Sumter Habitat for Humanity will begin work on its 116th house in February. For more information about how you can volunteer or help the organization in its mission, visit www.habitatsumter.org.

LOCAL & STATE BRIEFS

FROM STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

Manning woman declared missing An 81-year-old Manning woman is missing, and the Clarendon County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help. Carrie Lee Mellett left her home about 3 p.m. Thursday driving her 1997 burgundy Buick Lesabre and has not returned home. She is described as a 5-foot, 7-inch black woman, weighing about 175 pounds with gray hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Clarendon County Sheriff’s Office at (803) 435-4414.

Recycle your e-waste today at collection site E-waste (electronic waste) will be collected today from 8 a.m. to noon at Sumter County Public Works, 1289 N. Main St. E-waste includes, but is not limited to: computers (CPUs, monitors, mice, keyboards, printers, laptops, components), ra-

dios, stereos, VCRs, TVs, PDAs, CDs, DVDs, fax machines, desktop copiers, cameras, microwave ovens, handheld videogame machines, cellphones and Christmas tree lights. E-waste may also be taken to the e-waste collection facility at the Sumter County Landfill from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For more information, call Sumter County Public Works at (803) 4362241.

Subdivision water line repairs scheduled The City of Sumter will make repairs to water lines in the Wendemere Subdivision. Water service in the subdivision will be disrupted while these repairs are being made. Customers in the surrounding area may experience temporary discolored water. Work will be performed between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday.

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Rain barrel art contest announced

Holiday light festival raises 7 tons of food

Sumter schools can call now to enter the secondannual Rain Barrel Art Contest. Participating schools will receive a rain barrel to decorate with an “Earth Day” theme. The decorated barrels will be judged at the Sumter Earth Day Festival on April 12. The winning classes will enjoy pizza parties. The contest is open to all public and private elementary, middle and high schools in Sumter County. After the festival, the rain barrels can be installed on school grounds or at a public location, such as a church or library, or donated back to Sumter Stormwater Solutions for a silent auction at the festival. For more information or to participate, contact Mary Caflisch at (803) 865-1216 or Jolie Brown at (803) 773-5561. This project is sponsored by Sumter Stormwater Solutions and Clemson Extension.

JAMES ISLAND — Visitors to a holiday light display in the Charleston helped hungry people this holiday season by donating more than 7 tons of food. The Holiday Festival of Lights at James Island County Park opened Nov. 8 and closed New Year’s Eve.

Stranded Appalachian Trail hikers rescued GATLINBURG, Tenn. — Three Appalachian Trail hikers who were stranded in the snow without shelter have been flown to a hospital by helicopter. According to Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials, Shawn Hood, Steven White and Jonathan Dobbins were taken to Mission Hospital in Asheville, N.C., on Friday afternoon. The men, all from Gaffney, set out on Thursday for a 10-day backpacking trip. They used their cellphones to call for help Thursday night.

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LOCAL

SATURDAY, JANUARY 4, 2014

THE ITEM

POLICE BLOTTER CHARGES:

PHOTO PROVIDED

Audrey Montgomery took first place in the 2013 S.C. Watermedia Society Exhibition. Along with the other 29 winners, “Taking a Break” will hang in the Sumter County Gallery of Art through Feb. 6, where it can be seen Tuesdays through Sundays.

S.C. watermedia, Sumter guild winners at gallery

Thomas Renard Brown, 29, of 657 Rawl Road, Columbia, was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm at 2 a.m. Wednesday. According to the report, an officer conducting a driver’s license safety checkpoint on U.S. 378 near Wilson Hall Road observed the driver of a silver SUV throw a glass bottle onto the highway. After the officer stopped the vehicle, the driver, identified as Charlie White, 34, of 436 Regency Park Drive, Columbia, admitted to throwing out an empty bottle of alcohol and was arrested for littering and an alcohol beverage control violation. While searching the vehicle, the officer observed a black revolver lying on the floorboard behind the back seat. Brown, who was sitting in the front passenger seat of the vehicle, reportedly admitted it was his. Brown said that he was planning to go out of town for New Year’s and having the firearm on him made him safer. The officer later learned that Brown is a convicted felon of a violent crime. ARMED ROBBERY:

BY IVY MOORE ivym@theitem.com The exhibition opening Thursday at the Sumter County Gallery of Art features the best of South Carolina’s watermedia artists and some of the best work of Sumter Artists Guild members during the past year. A Sumter artist’s work is in the S.C. Watermedia Society Traveling Show, and the winners of the Guild show will share a gallery with several works by each. The two exhibitions are a special way to start the new year, said gallery director Karen Watson, who had high praise for both. “The South Carolina Watermedia Society is the largest statewide visual arts guild with a mission to promote South Carolina artists by providing exhibition opportunities and educational programs,” she said. “The 2013 SCWS show is an especially vibrant one. The juror for the 2013 SCWS show was Linda Baker ... a member of the American Watercolor Society and the National Watercolor Society, (and herself) a watercolorist who recently moved from Michigan to the Charleston area.” The host city for the 2013 S.C. Watermedia Society exhibition and related workshops was Hilton Head. The traveling show comprises the 30 prizewinners from the overall, larger show. Winner of the Best in Show award was “Taking a Break” by Audrey Montgomery. “Sumter is well represented in the 2013 SCWS show by Carol Carberry and her piece titled ‘Boys on the Bed,’” Watson said, noting that “Carberry was also juried into the 2012 traveling exhibition. “The South Carolina Watermedia Society show is one of the most popular shows the gallery presents each year; it

SEE THE SHOWS The Sumter Artists Guild Winners Show and the S.C. Watermedia Society Traveling Show will open with a 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. reception on Thursday at the Sumter County Gallery of Art, 200 Hasell St., adjacent to Patriot Hall. Gallery members will be admitted free, and non-members can enter for a $5 donation. The shows can be viewed at no charge during regular gallery hours through Feb. 6. These hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. For more information about the exhibitions and the gallery, call (803) 775-0543. For more information about SCWS, visit its website, www. scwatermedia.com, or email scwatermediasociety@gmail.com.

has been presented by the gallery for over 30 years.” Frank McCauley, curator for the Sumter County Gallery of Art, described the show as having “ ... a wonderful selection of diverse work with a little something for everybody. The variety of imagery and subject matter is stunning, from mixed-media abstract works to more traditional representational work including landscapes, figural and stilllife compositions. The South Carolina Watermedia Society Show is one of the finest examples of the incredible talent of South Carolina artists.” The Sumter Artists Guild Winners Show also impressed McCauley, who said it is “excellent ...

because it showcases such a broad range of styles and approaches: Rose Metz’s beautiful watercolor and collage work titled ‘Still Life’ won first place; John Cotner, whose captivating mixed-media painting ‘Aerial View’ won second place; and Vicki Hagner, whose adventurous mixed media and mosaic piece ‘The Return’ won third place.” “This year’s winners’ exhibition is particularly exciting because the work for the 2013 Sumter Artists’ Guild Show was so strong,” Watson said. Honorable mentions include Michael Broadway for his colorful piece “Chakras 101,” Terrance McDow for his intricate “Woven — He,” and Gerald Williams’ multi-layered Plexiglas piece, “Homage to Individuality.” Watson said many people are involved in “everything the gallery does, including the presentation of these two wonderful shows. (It) is a community effort. These exhibitions are made possible by NBSC — a Division of Synovus, Robert McCreight, Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory and the Sumter Artists Guild.” She also offered “special thanks also to Jane Hammond, Jackie Gamble and the Council of Garden Clubs of Sumter for providing the flowers for the reception.”

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An armed robbery reportedly occurred about 6:46 p.m. Thursday in the 400 block of South Lafayette Drive. The suspect, described as a black male wearing a camouflage hooded jacket and dark parts, presented a

black handgun to the victim, demanding that she put money in a black plastic bag. The victim placed $900 in cash in the suspect’s bag, and he fled on foot toward Silver Street. A K-9 unit was deployed to search for the suspect but could not locate the suspect. STRONG ARM ROBBERY:

An officer was dispatched in reference to a strong arm robbery that occurred between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Tuesday. The victim told the officer that three black males knocked on his hotel room door and entered without his permission. The suspects reportedly threw him to the floor out of his motorized wheelchair and reportedly stole $500 in cash from his pocket and a pair of $100 white Nike Air Force 1 sneakers. The suspects left in a yellow and blue Chevrolet Suburban with S.C. tag JIJ 121. The victim suffered swelling to the back of the head and an injury to the lower right leg and received treatment at Tuomey Regional Medical Center. A woman told officers that two black males had stolen $480 in cash from her about 9:45 p.m. Thursday in the 1000 black of Cashew Lane. The victim was walking home from a friend’s apartment when an unknown male reportedly grabbed her from behind around the neck while a second male

stole the money from her right front pocket. The suspects fled on foot, and the victim suffered no visible injuries. STOLEN PROPERTY:

A black 52-inch Song flat-screen TV, a black Dell laptop computer, a Colt AR-15 rifle, a Browning A Bolt 30-06 rifle, a Browning 12-gauge shotgun, a Mossberg 12-gauge turkey shotgun, a Luger .22-caliber pistol, a .22-caliber rifle, an Icon Coyote rifle scope, a rifle scope, two PSE hunting bows and a Bear Jennings hunting bow were reportedly stolen from a residence in the 700 block of Henderson Street between 6:15 and 7:13 p.m. Thursday. The estimated value of the stolen items is $9,650. An iPad, a 7-inch RCA tablet and a bottle of Moscato wine were reportedly stolen from a residence in the first block of Althea Circle sometime between 6 p.m. Tuesday and 5:30 a.m. Wednesday. The estimated total value of the stolen items is $530. A Hobart model 187 welder with a spool gun, an argon tank, a Summit Viper climbing tree stand and a box of 50 9 mm ammunition were reported stolen from a residence on the 2000 block of Navigator Circle in Dalzell about 2:39 a.m. Wednesday. The estimated value of the stolen items is $4,600.

STATE BRIEFS

From Associated Press reports

Teen electrocuted by downed power line

Guard’s final Vietnam veteran retires

ANDERSON — Authorities said a teenage girl was electrocuted by a power line that fell because of a squirrel. Anderson County Coroner Greg Shore said crews were responding to a call about a grass fire on Thursday night in the Slabtown community when they found 16-year-old Emily Rose Donald. Shore said Donald was pronounced dead at the scene after coming into contact with the line. Blue Ridge Electric said the power line fell after smoldering for several hours after a squirrel was electrocuted at the top of a power pole.

COLUMBIA — The South Carolina National Guard is honoring its final Vietnam War veteran, who is retiring after 43 years of service. The Guard said it will hold a ceremony at 2 p.m. Sunday for Chief Warrant Officer Eric Seymore at the Adjutant General’s Building auditorium in Columbia. Seymore started his military career in 1970, attending flight school. He flew helicopters for the 114th Assault Helicopter Co. in Vietnam and joined the South Carolina Army National Guard in 1972 in St. Matthews. Seymore has flown 16 different aircraft during his service.

NATION

THE ITEM

SATURDAY, JANUARY 4, 2014

Adding baby to health plan not that easy BY RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR The Associated Press WASHINGTON — There’s another quirk in the Obama administration’s new health insurance system: It lacks a way for consumers to quickly and easily update their coverage for the birth of a baby and other common life changes. With regular private insurance, parents just notify the health plan. Insurers will still cover new babies, the administration said, but parents will also have to contact the government at some point later on. Right now, the HealthCare.gov website can’t handle such updates. It’s a reminder that the new coverage for many uninsured Americans comes with a third party in the mix: the feds. And the system’s wiring for some vital federal functions isn’t yet fully connected. It’s not just having a new baby that could create bureaucratic hassles, but other life changes affecting a consumer’s taxpayer-subsidized premiums. The list includes marriage and divorce, a death in the family, a new job or a change in income, even moving to a different community. Such changes affect financial assistance available under the law, so the gov-

ernment has to be brought into the loop. At least 2 million people have signed up for private health policies through new government markets under President Obama’s overhaul. Coverage started Wednesday, and so far, things appear to be running fairly smoothly, although it may take time for problems to bubble up. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius calls it “a new day in health care” for millions of Americans. Insurers said computerized “change in circumstance” updates to deal with family and life developments were supposed to have been part of the federal system from the start. But that feature got postponed as the government scrambled to fix technical problems that overwhelmed the health care website during its first couple of months. “It’s just another example of ‘we’ll fix that later,’” said Bob Laszewski, an industry consultant who said he’s gotten complaints from several insurer clients. “This needed to be done well before January. It’s sort of a fly-by-night approach.” “We are currently working with insurers to find ways to make changing coverage easier while we develop an automated way for

consumers to update their coverage directly,” responded an administration

Birth control mandate shouldn’t be blocked, government says WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration on Friday called on a Supreme Court justice to stop blocking the new health care law’s requirement that some religion-affiliated organizations provide health insurance that includes birth control. The Justice Department called on Justice Sonia Sotomayor to dissolve her last-minute stay on the contraceptive coverage requirement of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. Sotomayor issued the stay on New Year’s Eve, only hours before the law’s coverage went into effect. Under the health care law, most health insurance plans have to cover all FDA-ap-

proved contraceptives as preventive care for women, free of cost to the patient. Churches and other houses of worship are exempt from the birth control requirement, but affiliated institutions that serve the general public are not. That includes charitable organizations, universities and hospitals. In response to an outcry, the government came up with a compromise that requires insurers or health plan administrators to provide birth control coverage but allows the religious group to distance itself from that action. The exemption is triggered when the religious group signs a form for the insurer saying that it objects to the coverage.

spokesman, Aaron Albright. A Tuesday circular from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services addressed the problem. In questions and answers for insurers, the government said that the federal insurance marketplace will not be able to add a child until the system’s automated features become “available later.” It does not provide any clue as to when that might take place. The federal marketplace serves 36 states through HealthCare.gov and call centers. The Medicare agency, which runs the government’s other major health programs, is also responsible for expanded coverage under Obama’s law. The question-and-answer circular said parents with a new baby will be told to contact their insurer directly

“to include the child immediately” on their existing policy. After the federal system is ready to process changes, parents will have to contact the government to formally bring their records up to date. Albright said parents will be able to add a new child to their policy for 30 days. Having a baby could increase a family’s monthly premiums, but it could also mean that the parents are eligible for a bigger tax credit to help with the cost. Under some circumstances, it could make the child or the family eligible for Medicaid, a safety-net program that is virtually free of cost to low-income beneficiaries. “Add it to the list that shows HealthCare.gov is not done,” Laszewski said.

Snapchat says it will make app more secure NEW YORK (AP) — Snapchat said it plans to put out a more secure version of its application after a breach that allowed hackers to collect the usernames and phone numbers of some 4.6 million of its users. The disappearingmessage service popular with young people said in a blog post late Thursday that the updated version of its app would allow users to opt out of its “Find Friends” feature, which was apparently at the heart of the breach, and would stem future attempts to

abuse its service. The breach occurred after security experts warned the company at least twice about a vulnerability in its system. Before announcing its plans to update the app, Snapchat had been quiet. Its seemingly detached response caused some security specialists to wonder whether the young company can handle the spotlight that it’s been thrust into during the last year as its service has become enormously popular. In response to a warning by Gibson Se-

curity on Dec. 25 — which followed an earlier alert in August — Snapchat said in a blog post last Friday that it had implemented “various safeguards” during the past year that would make it more difficult to steal large sets of phone numbers. Snapchat hasn’t detailed the changes it made. As Americans rang in the New Year, hackers reportedly published 4.6 million Snapchat usernames and phone numbers on a website called snapchatdb.info, which has since been suspend-

ed. The breach came less than a week after the most recent warning from security experts that an attack could take place. The incident bruises the company’s image and may threaten its rapid growth. Los Angelesbased Snapchat has no source of revenue, but its rapid rise to an estimated 20 million U.S. adult users

prompted Facebook to extend a reported $3 billion buyout last year. Snapchat’s 23-year-old CEO Evan Spiegel turned down the overture. The user number estimate is based on census data and data from the Pew Research Center. Gibson Security, the firm that warned Snapchat of the security vul-

nerability on Christmas Day, has created a site — http://lookup.gibsonsec.org/ — that lets users type in their username to see if their phone number was among those leaked. Of two user accounts that The Associated Press checked, one was found to have been compromised.

Happy New Year! From

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NATION

SATURDAY, JANUARY 4, 2014

THE ITEM

Digging out: Extreme cold grips snowy Northeast BOSTON (AP) â&#x20AC;&#x201D; A storm dropped a blanket of light, powdery snow across the Northeast and ushered in frigid temperatures Friday that were unusual even for cities accustomed to arctic blasts. The winter weather, which shut down major highways temporarily and grounded flights, was blamed for at least 11 deaths as it swept across the eastern half of the country. The norâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;easter was accompanied by plummeting temperatures that on Friday morning reached 8 degrees below zero in Burlington, Vt., with a wind chill of 29 below, and 2 degrees in Boston, with a wind chill of minus 20. It dumped 23 inches of snow in Boxford, Mass., and 18 inches in parts of western New York near Rochester. Thirteen inches of snow fell in Boston, while Lakewood, N.J., got 10 inches and New York Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Central Park got 6. Wellington Ferreira said the cold was worse than the snow as he cleared a sidewalk in front of Johnny Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Uptown Restaurant and Music Club in Somerville, Mass. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My ears are frozen,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been here for a couple a years, so Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m all right, but I hate it. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m never going to get used to it.â&#x20AC;? Schools and offices were closed across the region, and police were busy responding to wrecks and reports of stranded vehicles. Governors in New York and New Jersey declared states of emergency Thursday, urging residents to stay home. But few power outages were reported Friday, and wind gusts actually made the snow easy to manage. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s light and fluffy, so itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easy,â&#x20AC;? said 33-year-old Michael Connors, who was

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

A tattered flag flies by a flooded yard along the shore in Scituate, Mass., on Friday. A blustering winter storm that dropped nearly 2 feet of snow just north of Boston, shut down major highways in New York and Pennsylvania and forced U.S. airlines to cancel thousands of flights nationwide menaced the Northeast on Friday with howling winds and frigid temperatures.

shoveling in front of businesses in downtown Fairfield, Conn. Sonja Keller of Scituate, Mass., was out walking her Labradoodle puppy near the ocean as waves came over a seawall. Because of high winds, the snow was knee deep in some places and barely visible in others. Her children, ages 4, 6 and 8, had gotten in almost a full day of school Thursday but were off again Friday. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m just going to stay inside, play some games with the kids,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They can

go outside and play in the snow again. They enjoy the snow.â&#x20AC;? U.S. airlines canceled more than 2,300 flights Thursday because of the snowfall and low visibility. By midday Friday, about 2,200 flights were canceled nationwide, according to the aviation tracking website FlightAware.com. The bulk of those were in New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago and Washington, D.C. The brunt of the storm began late Thursday in parts of New England and New York

state. Forecasters warned that gusts of up to 30 miles per hour could bring wind chills to minus 25 degrees, cold enough to cause frostbite in about 30 minutes or less, with some of the coldest temperatures expected Friday night. The weather service said people should dress warmly to avoid hypothermia and cover all exposed skin. Warming centers opened across the region, homeless shelters saw larger crowds, and cities took special measures to look after those most vulnerable to the cold. Out-

reach teams were searching New York City streets for homeless people at risk of freezing to death. Temperatures in the Northeast are expected to rise above freezing this weekend before the arrival of another blast of frigid air that is already affecting the Midwest. In Wisconsin, a record low temperature was set Friday morning in Green Bay, where the mercury dipped to minus 18. The National Weather Service said that topped the 17-below-zero mark last recorded in 1979.

Library offers glimpse of future without books

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

A woman points at a computer screen at BiblioTech, a first-of-its-kind digital public library, on Wednesday in San Antonio, Texas. Bexar Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s BibiloTech is the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only bookless public library, according to information gathered by the American Library Association, a distinction that has attracted scores of digital bookworms.

SAN ANTONIO (AP) â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Texas has seen the future of the public library, and it looks a lot like an Apple Store: Rows of glossy iMacs beckon. iPads mounted on a tangerine-colored bar invite readers. And hundreds of other tablets stand ready for checkout to anyone with a borrowing card. Even the librarians imitate Appleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dress code, wearing matching shirts and that standard-bearer of geek-chic, the hoodie. But this $2.3 million library might be most notable for what it does not have â&#x20AC;&#x201D; any actual books. That makes Bexar Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s BibiloTech the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only bookless public library, a distinction that has attracted scores of digital bookworms, plus emissaries from as far away as Hong Kong who want to learn about the idea and possibly take it home. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I told our people that you need to take a look at this. This is the future,â&#x20AC;? said Mary

Graham, vice president of South Carolinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to be building new library facilities, this is what you need to be doing.â&#x20AC;? All-digital libraries have been on college campuses for years. But the county, which runs no other libraries, made history when it decided to open BiblioTech. It is the first bookless public library system in the country, according to information gathered by the American Library Association. Similar proposals in other communities have been met with doubts. In California, the city of Newport Beach floated the concept of a bookless branch in 2011 until a backlash put stacks back in the plan. Nearly a decade earlier in Arizona, the Tucson-Pima library system opened an all-digital branch, but residents who said they wanted books ultimately got their way.

Marines halt female fitness plan after half fail WASHINGTON (AP) â&#x20AC;&#x201D; More than half of female Marines in boot camp canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do three pullups, the minimum standard that was supposed to take effect with the new year, prompting the Marine Corps to delay the requirement, part of the process of equalizing physical standards to integrate women into combat jobs. The delay rekindled sharp debate in the military on the question of whether women have the physical strength for some military jobs, as service branches move toward opening thousands of

combat roles to them in 2016. Although no new timetable has been set on the delayed physical requirement, Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James Amos wants training officials to â&#x20AC;&#x153;continue to gather data and ensure that female Marines are provided with the best opportunity to succeed,â&#x20AC;? Capt. Maureen Krebs, a Marine spokeswoman, said Thursday. Starting with the new year, all female Marines were supposed to be able to do at least three pullups on their annual physical fitness test and eight for a perfect

score. The requirement was tested in 2013 on female recruits at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C., but only 45 percent of women met the minimum, Krebs said. The Marines had hoped to institute the pullups on the belief that pullups require the muscular strength necessary to perform common military tasks such as scaling a wall, climbing up a rope or lifting and carrying

heavy munitions. Officials felt there wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t a medical risk to putting the new standard into effect as planned across the service but that the risk of losing recruits and hurting retention of women already in the service was unacceptably high, she said.

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THE ITEM

SATURDAY, JANUARY 4, 2014

Original Cheerios will go GMO-free NEW YORK (AP) — General Mills says some Cheerios made without genetically modified ingredients will start appearing on shelves soon. The Minneapolis-based company said Thursday that it has been manufacturing its original-flavor Cheerios without GMOs for the past several weeks in response to consumer demand. It did not specify exactly when those boxes

would be on sale. Original Cheerios will now be labeled as “Not Made With Genetically Modified Ingredients,” although that is not an official certification. The labels

will also note that trace amounts of GMO ingredients could be present because of contamination during the manufacturing process, said Mike Siemienas, a company spokesman. The change does not apply to any other Cheerios flavors, such as Apple Cin-

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namon Cheerios or Multi Grain Cheerios. “We were able to do this with original Cheerios because the main ingredients are oats,” said Siemienas, noting that there are no genetically modified oats. The company is primarily switching the cornstarch and sugar to make the original Cheerios free of GMOs, he said. The change comes after the group Green America started a campaign called GMO Inside asking General Mills to make Cheerios GMO-free. The group noted in a statement that its campaign prompted fans to flood the Cheerios page on Facebook with comments on the topic.

Todd Larsen, Green America’s corporate responsibility director, said in a statement that the move is “an important victory in getting GMOs out of our food supply and an important first step for General Mills.” As for other varieties of Cheerios, Siemienas said they are harder to make GMO-free because they are made with ingredients such as corn. There has been little scientific evidence showing that foods grown from engineered ingredients are less safe than their conventional counterparts. But consumers have expressed concerns about the long-term impact they could have.

USDA opens door to new herbicideresistant seeds BY M.L. JOHNSON Associated Press Writer MILWAUKEE — The federal government on Friday proposed eliminating restrictions on corn and soybean seeds that are genetically engineered to resist a common weed killer, a move welcomed by many farmers but worrisome to scientists and environmentalists who fear it could invite growers to use more chemicals on crops. The herbicide known as 2,4-D has had limited use in corn and soybean farming because it becomes toxic to the plants early in their growth. The new seeds would allow farmers to use the weed killer throughout the plants’ lives. Farmers have been eager for a new generation of herbicide-resistant seeds because of the prevalence of weeds that have become immune to Monsanto’s Roundup. But skeptics are concerned use of the new seeds and 2,4-D will only lead to similar problems with weeds resistant to that chemical. Scientists and environmentalists also say

2,4-D can easily drift beyond the area where it is sprayed, threatening neighboring crops and wild plants. Most corn and soybeans grown in the U.S. are already genetically engineered, usually with a Roundupresistant trait. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s plant-inspection agency concluded that the greatest risk from the new seeds developed by Dow AgroSciences was increased use of 2,4-D, which could hasten the evolution of weeds resistant to it. But, the agency said, resistance could develop anyway because 2,4-D is the third most-used weed killer in the nation. For now, the seeds can only be used in tightly controlled trials. But the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service published a draft environmental-impact statement Friday as part of the process for potential deregulation of the seeds. The public has 45 days to comment on the report. The government has considered 2,4-D to be safe, but the Environmental Protection Agency is

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Larry Hasheider walks along one of his corn fields on his farm in Okawville, Ill., on Oct. 16. Hasheider grows soybeans, wheat and alfalfa on the farm, nestled in the heart of Illinois corn country where he also has 130 dairy cows, 500 beef cattle and 30,000 hogs. Selling corn and soybean seeds genetically engineered to resist the weed killer 2,4-D, an ingredient used in Agent Orange, could be possible after the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service published an environmental impact statement on Friday.

conducting a separate review on the impact of expanded use. It’s expected to release a report in the coming months. The EPA and the USDA are expected to make final decisions simultaneously on use of the chemical and seeds. That could happen in the spring or early summer.

Escapee from mental hospital captured at Tennessee motel COLUMBIA (AP) — A South Carolina patient who escaped from the mental hospital to which he was committed after a judge ruled he had little grasp of reality when he killed his mother and CARTER stepfather was captured Friday in Tennessee. Jason Carter managed to ditch the 1991 white state van he stole from the hospital and buy a Chevrolet Lumina during his 24 hours as a free man, investigators said. A cellphone signal alerted authorities to a motel off Interstate 40 west of Nashville, Tenn., where Carter, 39, was

taken into custody about 9:15 a.m., the Tennessee Highway Patrol said in a news release. How Carter had the money to buy a car and make his way 475 miles away is one of many issues the South Carolina

Department of Mental Health plans to investigate. “There are a lot of different issues we are going to be looking at — not just how he slipped out without permission,” agency spokesman Mark Binkley said.

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Dow AgroSciences has asked the USDA to deregulate one variety of corn and two varieties of soybeans. Both soybean varieties resist 2,4-D, but they differ in their immunities to other herbicides. The corn resists 2,4-D and glyphosate, the generic form of Roundup. The USDA said

farmers could help curb weeds’ resistance to 2,4-D by using a variety of means to fight weeds and not relying solely on it. Among its critics, 2,4-D is best known as a component of the Vietnam War-era herbicide Agent Orange, which has not been produced since the 1970s.

Agent Orange has been tied to health problems in Vietnam veterans, but scientists do not think 2,4-D was the culprit. Instead, their research focused on dioxin, a cancercausing substance found in another ingredient known as 2,4,5-T, which was banned by the EPA in 1985.

OBITUARIES

SATURDAY, JANUARY 4, 2014

THELMA G. COLEMAN LYNCHBURG — Thelma Elizabeth Geddings Coleman, age 67, beloved wife of the late John Rowland Coleman, died on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2014, at her residence. She was born in COLEMAN Florence County, a daughter of the late Newton Lawrence and Thelma C. Cameron Geddings. She worked as a chemist with J&M Dyers for more than 40 years. She had a heart as big as heaven. She loved her family and spending time with her sister-inlaw, Carolyn. She will always be remembered as a very loving wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend. She will be missed by all that knew her. She was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Lynchburg. Surviving are two sons, John N. Coleman and his wife, Rhoda, of New Zion and Lloyd Coleman and his wife, Sherrie, of Lexington; two brothers, Lawrence Geddings and his wife, Frankie, of Sumter and Pete Geddings and his wife, Susie, of Chiefland, Fla.; two sisters-in-law, Carolyn L. Coleman and Annette C. Coker, both of Lynchburg; five grandchildren, Sarah Coleman, John Marcus Coleman, Jordan Coleman, Krystal Anderson and Jay Dawson; two great-grandchildren, Kiley Cooke and Jay

Dawson Jr.; and number of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Cindy Anderson Dawson. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Bullock Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Ryan Riley officiating. Burial will follow in Friendship Cemetery, Pleasant Grove Road, Lynchburg. Pallbearers will be Gene Altman, J.W. Altman, J.D. Coleman, Jay Coleman, Ted Coleman and John Sharp. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Bullock Funeral Home and at other times at the residence of Carolyn Coleman. Memorials may be made to the Friendship Cemetery Fund, c/o J.W. Altman, 2880 Shiloh Raccoon Road, Lynchburg, SC 29080. You may sign the family’s guest book at www.bullockfuneralhome.com. The family has chosen Bullock Funeral Home of Sumter for the arrangements.

ELIZABETH JOHNSON BISHOPVILLE — Elizabeth Johnson entered eternal rest on Jan. 3, 2014, at her home, 88 Elmore Road, Bishopville. The family is receiving friends at her home. Funeral arrange-

ments are incomplete and will be announced by Wilson Funeral Home of Bishopville.

HELEN M. POLITO Helen McGee Polito, 80, died Friday, Jan. 3, 2014, at Sumter Health and Rehabilitation Center. Born in Sumter, she was a daughter of the late Horace DuPree and Eva Loutitia Shorter McGee. She retired from Crescent Tool Manufacturing. Survivors include a daughter, Debbie P. Huggins (Vernon) of Sumter; two grandchildren, Ashleigh David and Vernon “T.J.” Huggins Jr.; two greatgrandchildren, Jada David and Hailey David; two brothers, Herbert McGee (Betty) and Cody McGee (Nell), both of Sumter; two sisters, Dorine Sievers (Henry) and Betty Willette (Roger), both of Sumter; and a number of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Cindy Polito; a brother, Lewis McGee; and a sister, Marguerite Coward. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Monday in the Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home chapel. Burial will be in Evergreen Memorial Park cemetery. Pallbearers will be Roger Willette, Mendel Coward, Jimmy Barfield, Mike Larkins, Colin Floyd and Harold Roberts. The family will re-

THE ITEM

ceive friends from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at ElmoreCannon-Stephens Funeral Home and other times at the home of Vernon and Debbie Huggins, 149 Pratt Ave. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Helen Polito, c/o Elmore-CannonStephens Funeral Home, 515 Miller Road, Sumter, SC 29150. The family would like to express their appreciation to the staff of Beacon Hospice and the staff of Sumter Health and Rehabilitation. Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of the arrangements.

MARY ANN B. McCOY Mary Ann Bryant McCoy, 56, died Thursday, Jan. 2, 2014, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center. Born in Manning, she was a daughter of the late Leon and Gertrude Parker Bryant. Survivors include her companion, John “Hillbilly” or “Mountain Man” Polinskey of Sumter; a son, Darrell L. Jones Jr. of North Carolina; two grandchildren; three sisters, Betty Gagliardi (Bob) of Myrtle Beach, Janie Mitchell (Bill) of Summerville and Debra Sohnemann (Butch) of Sumter; a number of nieces and nephews; and a close friend, Jack Welch of Sumter. She was preceded in death by a son. A graveside service

will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Green Acres Cemetery with the Rev. Kenny Griffin officiating. The family will receive friends at the home of her sister, 1550 Bar Zee Drive. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be to Mary Ann McCoy, c/o Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Fuenral Home, 515 Miller Road, Sumter, SC 29150. Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of the arrangements.

FRED MARTIN Jr. MANNING — Fred Martin Jr., husband of Dorothy Bates Martin, died Monday, Dec. 30, 2013, at McLeod Regional Medical Center, Florence. Born Oct. 5, 1939, in Clarendon County, he was a son of the late Fred Sr. and Helen Burgess Martin. Fred lived in Baltimore, Md., for a number of years and was employed with Westington House, now known as Eaton CutlerHammer, and retired after 22 years of service. Precious memories will be cherished by his beloved wife of 46 years, Dorothy B. Martin; three daughters, Sharon (Eugene) Martin-Walden of Severn, Md., Dorshel Martin of Manning and Angelisa (Lee) of Baltimore; a son, Charles (Sally) Lee of Oswego, Ill.; three brothers, Maceo (Rosetta) Martin of Georgetown, and Mack

Martin and James Martin, both of Baltimore; three sisters, Dorothy Lawrence of Baltimore, Laretta Lee of Owings Mills, Md., and Victoria (Joseph) Summerville of Edgewood, Md.; 10 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and special nephew, Jason Martin of Columbus, Ohio. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday at Friendship AME Church, Sliver community, where the Rev. Albert Thompson serves as pastor. The eulogy will be delivered by the Rev. Dr. James B. Stukes. Interment will follow in the Friendship AME Church cemetery. The family is receiving friends at the residence, 1252 George Conyers Road, Rambay community, Manning. Fleming and Delaine Funeral Home and Chapel of Manning is in charge of services. Online condolences may be sent to flemingdelaine@aol.com.

JACQUELINE HAWK Jacqueline Patricia McDaniel Hawk, of 708 Bates Road, entered eternal rest on Friday, Jan. 3, 2014, at her home. Born Sept. 22, 1946, in Bryn Mawr, Pa., she was a daughter of the late John P. and Juanita Pendleton Ramsey. The family is receiving relatives and friends at the home. Community Funeral Home of Sumter will announce funeral plans.

NATION

S&P 500 starts year with 2-day decline

Adam Mayfield says that he moved to Florida because he knew he could easily find a job in Orlando after he was laid off in Atlanta last year. Sometime next year, Florida will surpass New York in population and become the nation’s third-most populous state.

BY STEVE ROTHWELL AP Markets Writer

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Florida to pass New York’s population BY MIKE SCHNEIDER The Associated Press ORLANDO, Fla. — Sometime this year, Florida will surpass New York in population, becoming the nation’s third-most populous state, and sun-seeking seniors are not driving the growth. The milestone is validation of the increasing influence of the Sunshine State as it approaches being home to 20 million residents. Once Florida passes New York, only California and Texas will have more people. “Florida is kind of an icon of the 21st century in terms of the shifting population and the growing role Latin America is playing in transforming the country,” said James Johnson, a business professor at the University of North

Carolina. “I think it’s going to be for the 21st century what California or New York was for the 20th century.” Florida encompasses many trends in America: an aging population, a serviceoriented economy with many low-wage jobs and an ethnic diversity propelled by Hispanic growth. Like the United States, Florida is a haven for migrants and people making fresh starts, and the state’s 29 electoral votes are the nation’s most coveted given Florida is the nation’s largest swing state. Florida also has myriad problems, some the result of its explosive growth, which must be addressed for the state to keep thriving. New Floridians, such as 47-year-old Michael Richards, list a number of reasons

for moving here: the weather, no state income tax, a familiarity from family vacations or being stationed in the military, the availability of lowskill jobs and proximity to Latin America and Europe. “You put up with three months of hell (in the summer) for nine months of great weather,” said Richards, who moved to the Tampa area in 2011 after retiring from the military so his wife could be a quick plane ride away from her family in Panama. Although Florida has the nation’s largest share of residents over age 65, seniors are not propelling the recent growth from migration. They account for less than 10 percent of new residents in the last several years. Instead, more than half of the new arrivals are between 25 and 64,

according to an AP analysis of data from the U.S. Census’ American Community Survey. Almost two-fifths of them were under age 25. New York isn’t shrinking in population; it’s just that Florida’s growth is outpacing it by a 3-to-1 ratio, and ex-New Yorkers are the biggest domestic source of new Floridians. More than 537,000 residents moved to Florida last year, and about a tenth of them came from New York State. As of last July, the two states were separated by about 98,000 people: New York had 19.6 million residents, and Florida had 19.5 million residents, according to Census figures released earlier this week. As of today, that difference likely has been whittled down to about 20,000 people.

NEW YORK — After last year’s big party in the stock market, 2014 is starting off with a nagging hangover. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index edged a fraction of a point lower on Friday, beginning a year with a two-day losing streak for the first time since 2005. While few analysts expect 2014 to produce gains comparable to last year’s advance of nearly 30 percent, many see a moderate increase as the economy continues to improve and investors move funds out of bonds and into stocks, which are generating much bigger returns for investors. “The market is trying to find some direction here,” said Scott Wren, a senior equity strategist at Wells Fargo Advisors. “We’re in for a few days of trying to figure out whether we inch a little higher or see some down days.” The S&P 500 index fell 0.61 points, or 0.03 percent, to 1,831.37 and was 0.5 percent lower for the week. The Dow Jones industrial average gained 28.64 points, or 0.2 percent, to 16,469.99. The Nasdaq composite fell 11.16 points, or 0.3 percent, to 4,131.91.

DAILY PLANNER

THE ITEM

AIRMAN from Page A1 While the Richland County Sheriff’s Department is the lead agency seeking to find the missing captain, Williams’ case also has the eye of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations. Based in Quantico, Va., OSI is the law-enforcement agency tasked by the Pentagon with policing the Air Force and its members, similar to their naval counterparts portrayed on the TV series “NCIS.” “In some ways we’re similar to ‘NCIS,’ and in other ways we’re very, very different,” said Linda Card, chief of public affairs for OSI. OSI investigators are keeping abreast of the Williams case as South Carolina law enforcement continues its search and are assisting when they can. Card declined to discuss the specifics of that ongoing investigation but said in circumstances such as those around Williams’ disappearance, Air Force investigators would have conducted on-base interviews with co-workers and fellow airmen to determine what, if any, problems would have led the missing officer to vanish. Maj. David Faggard with Air Forces Central Command at Shaw said outside OSI investigators have gone about gathering information on base as inconspicuously as possible. “They would give routine updates to the AFCENT commander,” Faggard said. “Other than that, there’s probably not a whole bunch they would give out. They will be very protective of the investigation.” Until the cause of Williams’ disappear-

ance is determined, he’s currently on file in Quantico as a deserter, although Card said “that could disappear once we have all the information.” If the airman went missing as part of a criminal action, especially if it involved non-Air Force personnel, OSI will act as part of a task force assisting whichever civilian agency has jurisdiction in the case. But even if the disappearance has non-criminal causes, Williams could face disciplinary action under the Uniform Code of Military Justice for being absent without leave. A death by whatever means would also require investigation for the Air Force to close out the case. While such an ending would be sad in this case, Card said the Air Force can handle those results fairly routinely. Of more concern to federal law enforcement is whether an airman can be shown to have left the country. Among its other responsibilities, OSI is tasked with counter-espionage efforts within the Air Force, nevermind the extra jurisdictional overlap an international case can create. While OSI is content to play a support role in Williams’ missingperson case for now, the agency is prepared to become more involved as the case develops. “OSI only investigates if a felony-level offense is involved,” Card said. “Then it boils down to whatever (prosecuting) attorney can get the most out of the case, like it would with any crime.” Reach Bristow Marchant at (803) 774-1272.

FLU from Page A1 sick enough to end up in the hospital. But this season isn’t as bad as last season. In the last week of 2012, South Carolina had already reported 15 deaths and almost 33,000 flu cases. “It remains to be seen if we are going to see as large of a peak of flu as last year. It certainly hit us earlier last year,” said Dr. V Leigh Beasley, a medical consultant for DHEC. Last flu season was especially unusual because it peaked so early. There was a secondary peak in March, but there weren’t nearly the number of cases reported in the winter as before Christmas 2012. Doctors typically expect to see more flu cases in January because people return from traveling and end up in classrooms and offices, where the germs can easily spread. “It’s not too late to get your flu shot,” Beasley said. “And it’s a good general practice — if you are ill, stay home. Don’t infect your co-workers, and don’t carry your influ-

‘It’s not too late to get your flu shot. And it’s a good general practice — if you are ill, stay home. Don’t infect your co-workers, and don’t carry your influenza to school or church or some other social gathering.’

SATURDAY, JANUARY 4, 2014

QUIZ 795-4257

TODAY

TONIGHT

48°

35°

Partly sunny and warmer

Mostly cloudy

56°

SUNDAY

MONDAY 50°

45°

TUESDAY 31°

WEDNESDAY 40°

19°

18°

Variable clouds with a passing shower

Breezy and cooler with clouds breaking

Mostly sunny and colder

Mostly sunny and not as cold

23°

Winds: ENE 4-8 mph

Winds: NE 3-6 mph

Winds: SW 3-6 mph

Winds: WNW 10-20 mph

Winds: WNW 7-14 mph

Winds: ENE 4-8 mph

Chance of rain: 10%

Chance of rain: 25%

Chance of rain: 55%

Chance of rain: 15%

Chance of rain: 5%

Chance of rain: 10%

Sumter through 4 p.m. yesterday

Gaffney 42/32 Spartanburg 44/33

Temperature High ............................................... 44° Low ................................................ 27° Normal high ................................... 54° Normal low ..................................... 32° Record high ....................... 77° in 1966 Record low ......................... 17° in 1979

Greenville 44/31

Precipitation

Bishopville 47/35

24 hrs ending 4 p.m. yest. ............ 0.15" Month to date .............................. 0.34" Normal month to date ................. 0.38" Year to date ................................. 0.34" Normal year to date .................... 0.38"

Lake Murray Marion Moultrie Wateree

Full 7 a.m. 24-hr pool yest. chg 360 353.90 +0.41 76.8 75.10 +0.47 75.5 72.88 -0.28 100 95.43 -0.46

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

Full pool 12 19 14 14 80 24

City Aiken Asheville Athens Augusta Beaufort Cape Hatteras Charleston Charlotte Clemson Columbia

Today Hi/Lo/W 46/34/pc 41/26/pc 46/32/pc 48/36/pc 52/44/c 46/42/c 52/43/pc 44/31/pc 45/34/pc 47/35/pc

7 a.m. yest. 7.38 5.40 7.14 8.10 81.23 18.90

24-hr chg +0.19 -0.40 +1.03 -0.07 -0.07 -0.10

Sun. Hi/Lo/W 54/35/c 50/19/c 49/25/c 56/35/c 62/41/c 64/51/c 63/44/c 47/30/c 48/30/c 53/38/c

Columbia 47/35 Today: Partly sunny and not as cold. Sunday: Variable clouds with a passing shower.

Jan. 7 Last

Jan. 15 New

Jan. 24

Jan. 30

Myrtle Beach 48/43

Manning 48/38

Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

Aiken 46/34 Charleston 52/43

The following tide table lists times for Myrtle Beach.

Sat.

Full

Florence 46/37

Sumter 48/35

Today: Warmer with times of clouds and sun. High 48 to 53. Sunday: Variable clouds; a shower. High 61 to 65.

City Darlington Elizabeth City Elizabethtown Fayetteville Florence Gainesville Gastonia Goldsboro Goose Creek Greensboro

First Sunrise today .......................... 7:27 a.m. Sunset tonight ......................... 5:26 p.m. Moonrise today ....................... 9:43 a.m. Moonset today ........................ 9:32 p.m.

Sun. Hi/Lo/W 53/45/c 60/48/c 62/46/c 58/41/c 58/48/c 75/45/pc 46/29/c 61/43/c 63/43/c 45/28/c

Sun.

City Greenville Hickory Hilton Head Jacksonville, FL La Grange Macon Marietta Marion Mount Pleasant Myrtle Beach

Today Hi/Lo/W 44/31/pc 42/28/s 51/48/c 59/49/c 49/33/pc 51/35/pc 47/33/pc 42/24/pc 51/44/c 48/43/pc

Sun. Hi/Lo/W 45/28/c 45/26/c 61/46/c 73/45/c 51/19/c 55/29/c 49/18/c 47/25/c 63/45/c 64/47/c

High Ht. 11:18 a.m.....3.6 11:36 p.m.....3.1 12:11 p.m.....3.4 --- ..... ---

City Orangeburg Port Royal Raleigh Rock Hill Rockingham Savannah Spartanburg Summerville Wilmington Winston-Salem

Low Ht. 5:31 a.m....-0.9 6:09 p.m....-0.8 6:26 a.m....-0.7 7:01 p.m....-0.7

Today Hi/Lo/W 48/38/pc 52/44/c 43/32/s 44/30/pc 45/31/pc 54/44/c 44/33/pc 51/47/c 49/41/c 41/29/s

Sun. Hi/Lo/W 57/45/c 62/41/c 54/46/c 47/30/c 52/40/c 63/39/c 46/29/c 61/45/c 66/45/c 44/28/c

Shown are today’s noon positions of weather systems and precipitation. Temperature bands are highs for the day.

-10s -0s 0s 10s 20s 30s 40s 50s 60s 70s 80s 90s 100s 110s Stationary front

Cold front Showers Rain T-storms Snow Flurries

Ice

Warm front

Today Sun. Today Sun. City Hi/Lo/W Hi/Lo/W City Hi/Lo/W Hi/Lo/W Albuquerque 56/24/s 45/23/pc Las Vegas 64/39/pc 57/40/s Anchorage 30/28/sn 35/26/sn Los Angeles 71/53/pc 77/54/pc Atlanta 47/34/pc 49/22/c Miami 76/70/sh 81/69/sh Baltimore 30/23/s 41/40/i Minneapolis 13/-18/c -12/-26/c Boston 28/25/s 40/38/i New Orleans 59/49/c 65/28/c Charleston, WV 47/24/s 49/6/c New York 26/22/s 42/42/i Charlotte 44/31/pc 47/30/c Oklahoma City 46/18/s 28/13/pc Chicago 29/10/sn 10/-18/sn Omaha 22/-3/c 5/-14/c Cincinnati 36/27/pc 37/-9/r Philadelphia 26/20/s 40/39/i Dallas 62/29/pc 41/20/pc Phoenix 71/48/s 69/45/s Denver 25/10/sn 24/-2/pc Pittsburgh 35/26/pc 42/10/r Des Moines 23/-1/c 3/-15/c St. Louis 42/14/pc 17/-10/sn Detroit 30/23/c 27/-3/sn Salt Lake City 31/14/sf 28/13/pc Helena 20/3/sf 6/-3/sn San Francisco 63/45/pc 63/45/pc Honolulu 77/66/s 78/66/pc Seattle 43/32/c 45/32/c Indianapolis 33/24/pc 27/-18/sn Topeka 29/5/sn 12/-9/c Kansas City 28/4/sn 10/-12/c Washington, DC 35/27/s 43/40/i Weather(W): s-sunny, pc-partly cloudy, c-cloudy, sh-showers, t-thunderstorms, r-rain, sf-snow flurries, sn-snow, i-ice

Make a promise or ARIES (March 21-April the last word in astrology proposal. 19): Make choices wisely. Don’t be fooled LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): eugenia LAST by what others say or A personal situation must do. Observe and make be handled delicately. your decisions based on Anger will not bring you facts. There’s no need to get upset over closer to a workable solution. Use your something you can’t change. experience and wisdom to create a feasible solution. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Make your move, call the shots and set your path for this year’s SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): You’ll grab journey. Don’t let uncertainty or opposition attention and raise awareness regarding a slow your progress. Learn from experience situation you face and a problem you wish and you will masterfully show everyone how to solve. Don’t show emotion, but offer capable you are. stability and security to those depending on you for reassurance. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Emotional blackmail is apparent. Whether it’s you SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Focus on trying to get your way or someone taking your future and how you plan to move advantage of you, stop the madness and get forward financially. A look at what has the facts straight before you turn something worked in the past will help you decipher that could be positive into a negative. the best route to take now. CANCER (June 21-July 22): Express your CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Partnerships desires and talk about your intentions and must be taken seriously and handled with you will get a good response. Getting care. Personal and emotional matters can involved in a project that requires a good easily spin out of control if you’re impulsive imagination and allows you to share with or blame someone without having all the someone you love will enhance your life. facts. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): A short jaunt off the AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): A legal, financial, beaten track may beckon you, but you have medical or emotional situation is likely to to deal with responsibilities or problems you cause upset or bring about an unexpected face head-on. Look at your alternatives and change. Accept the inevitable, you’ll find it make a smart decision regarding your easier to find a solution that works for you. profession. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Join a group that VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Make plans to shares your beliefs. Fighting for a cause will party. Getting together with friends or doing bring you satisfaction and align you with something romantic with the one you love individuals you may want to get to know will bring happiness and stability to your life. better.

PICK 3 FRIDAY: 0-0-2 AND 4-5-8 PICK 4 FRIDAY: 3-0-1-8 AND 3-6-0-6 PALMETTO CASH 5 FRIDAY: 3-19-22-23-29 POWERUP: 2 MEGAMILLIONS NUMBERS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AT PRESS TIME

FOR WEDNESDAY: 15-24-40-48-52 POWERBALL: 23

pictures from the public

Dr. V Leigh Beasley, medical consultant for DHEC enza to school or church or some other social gathering.” Unlike North Carolina, no hospitals in South Carolina have started limiting visitors because of the flu. Thirteen people have died from the flu in North Carolina, with most of them between the ages of 25 and 64. The ages of South Carolina’s flu victims have been more spread out.

Mike Rosbach shares a photo he took of farm land in Dalzell being cleared.

Have you visited someplace interesting, exciting, beautiful or historical that you’ve taken some pictures of? Would you like to share those images with your fellow Item readers? E-mail your hi-resolution jpegs to sandrah@theitem.com, or mail to Sandra Holbert c/o The Item, P.O. Box 1677, Sumter, SC 29150. Include clearly printed or typed name of photographer and photo details. Include selfaddressed, stamped envelope for return of your photo. Amateur photographers only please.

SPORTS Clemson survives Buckeyes SATURDAY, JANUARY 4, 2014

THE ITEM

To contact the Sports Department, call (803) 774-1241 or e-mail sports@theitem.com

Interception seals Orange Bowl victory FROM STAFF REPORTS

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — No. 12 Clemson had big play after big play from quarterback Tajh Boyd and wide receiver Sammy Watkins and got enough big plays from its defense to beat No.7 Ohio State 40-35 in a back-and-forth affair in the Orange Bowl on Friday. Watkins had Orange Bowl records of 16 SWINNEY catches for 227 yards and two touchdowns. Boyd completed 30 of ANTHONY 39 passes for 371 yards and five touchdowns and also rushed for 128 yards and another score on 19 carries. Clemson finished the year with an 11-2 record while the Buckeyes closed out with a 12-2 mark. OSU led 22-20 at halftime and pushed the lead to 29-20 on a 1-yard run by running back Carlos Hyde with 6:01 left in the third quarter. The score was set up by a 31-yard run by Hyde on fourth down and one yard to go from the Tiger 32-yard line. The Buckeyes appeared to have the momentum when they forced Clemson to punt

ABOVE: Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd (10) breaks off a 48-yard scoring run in the Tigers’ 40-35 victory against Ohio State on Friday in the Orange Bowl. FAR LEFT: Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins leaps for a touchdown during his record-setting performance. LEFT: Clemson wide receiver Martavis Bryant goes up for a 3-yard touchdown reception. ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTOS

SEE CLEMSON, PAGE B4

Tigers begin ACC play against BC BY MANDRALLIUS ROBINSON Greenville News Boston College’s Conte Forum is the least daunting road environment the Clemson men’s basketball team will encounter in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Yet, for Clemson, the only benefit of BROWNELL Conte’s lackluster crowds is that fewer people have witnessed how poorly the Tigers have played there.

Clemson has dropped six of its seven games in Chestnut Hill, Mass. Its lone victory was during the 2008-09 season. Clemson will open ACC play in those quiet confines this afternoon. The Tigers are scheduled to tip off against Boston College at 4:04 p.m. Clemson closed its nonconference schedule with a 9-3 record, its best SEE TIGERS, PAGE B5

Dual-sport Ellington entering NFL draft BY PETE IACOBELLI The Associated Press COLUMBIA — South Carolina’s Bruce Ellington picked football over basketball Friday, giving up his final seasons in each sport to enter the NFL draft. The 5-foot-9 Ellington played point guard for the Gamecocks basketball team and was a receiver on the football squad the past three seasons. But it was on the football field where Ellington had the most success. He led South SEE ELLINGTON, PAGE B4

USC defeats S.C. State 82-75 BY CHRIS DEARING The Associated Press COLUMBIA — South Carolina coach Frank Martin was extremely disappointed with the way the Gamecocks ended the nonconference portion of the schedule. The second-year coach wondered how his young WILLIAMS squad with seven freshmen was able to find a way to pull out a hard fought 82-75 victory over South Carolina State Friday night. “We got totally outplayed and I was caught completely off-guard,” Martin said. “The guys were great in practice

the last couple of days but for whatever reason we did what we did today. We had no business winning. I think the only reason we won is because we had played well coming into this game and we felt we should win.” The Gamecocks have now won five of their last six games after opening the season 2-5. But they would not have held off the Bulldogs if it wasn’t for the efforts of Brenton Williams and Ty Johnson. Williams scored 19 points to lead the way and Johnson chipped in with 17 but more importantly they were instrumental after the Bulldogs erased a 15-point first half SEE USC, PAGE B5

South Carolina two-sport athlete Bruce Ellington, who played wide receiver for the football team and point for the basketball team has decided to forego his senior year and enter this year’s NFL draft. ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTOS

SFX HOSTING AUSTRALIAN TEAM St. Francis Xavier High School’s varsity boys basketball team will face a team from Australia touring the United States on Sunday at the Sumter Family YMCA beginning at 3 p.m. Doors to the YMCA will open at 1 p.m.

PREP SCHEDULE Today Varsity Basketball Lakewood at Lee Central, 6 p.m. Scott’s Branch at Manning, 6:30 p.m. Varsity Basketball Tournament (at Sumter Christian) Girls Consolation Game, 1 p.m. Boys Consolation Game, 2:30 p.m. Girls Championship Game, 4 p.m. Boys Championship Game, 5:30 p.m. Varsity Wrestling Sumter in Bearcat Invitational (at Rock Hill High), TBA Sunday Varsity Basketball St. Francis Xavier vs. Australian Team (at Sumer Family YMCA), 3 p.m. Monday JV and B Team Basketball Spring Valley at Sumter (No JV Girls), 6 p.m. B Team Basketball Thomas Sumter at Robert E. Lee, 6 p.m. Middle School Basketball Bates at Alice Drive, 5 p.m. Chestnut Oaks at Hillcrest, 5 p.m. Mayewood at Furman, 5 p.m.

SPORTS

THE ITEM

SCOREBOARD TV, RADIO TODAY 7:30 a.m. -- International Soccer: FA Cup Third-Round Match -- Manchester City vs. Blackburn (FOX SPORTS 1). 10 a.m. -- International Soccer: FA Cup Third-Round Match -- Leeds vs. Rochdale (FOX SPORTS 1) 11:30 a.m. -- High School Football: U.S. Army All-American Bowl Skills Competition from San Antonio (NBC SPORTS NETWORK). Noon -- International Soccer: FA Cup ThirdRound Match -- Tottenham vs. Arsenal (WACH 57). Noon -- College Basketball: Morehouse at Tuskegee (CBS SPORTS NETWORK). Noon -- College Basketball: Cincinnati at Memphis (ESPN2). 1 p.m. -- High School Football: U.S. Army All-American Bowl from San Antonio (WIS 10). 1 p.m. -- College Football: BBVA Compass Bowl from Birmingham, Ala. -- Vanderbilt vs. Houston (ESPN). 1 p.m. -- College Basketball: St. John’s at Georgetown (FOX SPORTS 1). 2 p.m. -- College Basketball: Michigan State at Indiana (WLTX 19). 2 p.m. -- College Basketball: DePaul at Marquette (CBS SPORTS NETWORK). 2 p.m. -- College Basketball: Butler at Xavier (SPORTSOUTH). 2 p.m. -- College Football: Football Championship Subdivision Championship Game from Frisco, Texas -- North Dakota State vs. Towson (ESPN2). 2 p.m. -- College Basketball: Connecticut at Southern Methodist (ESPNU). 2 p.m. -- College Basketball: Cornell at St. Bonaventure (NBC SPORTS NETWORK). 2:30 p.m. -- PGA Golf: Tournament of Champions Second Round from Maui, Hawaii (GOLF). 3 p.m. -- College Basketball: Creighton at Seton Hall (FOX SPORTS 1). 4 p.m. -- College Basketball: Duke at Notre Dame (WLTX 19). 4 p.m. -- Women’s College Basketball: St. Mary’s (Calif.) at Brigham Young (BYUTV). 4 p.m. -- College Basketball: Houston at South Florida (CBS SPORTS NETWORK). 4 p.m. -- College Basketball: Temple at Central Florida (ESPNEWS). 4 p.m. -- College Baksetball: Oklahoma State at Kansas State (ESPNU). 4 p.m. -- College Basketball: Clemson at Boston College (FOX SPORTSOUTH, WWBD-FM 94.7, WPUB-FM 102.7). 4 p.m. -- International Athletics: U.S. Olympic Trials from Kearns, Utah -- Men’s and Women’s Speedskating (NBC SPORTS NETWORK). 4:30 p.m. -- NFL Football: American Football Conference Playoffs Wild-Card Game -- Kansas City at Indianapolis (WIS 10). 5 p.m. -- College Basketball: Virginia at Florida State (ESPN2). 5 p.m. -- Women’s College Basketball: DePaul at Creighton (FOX SPORTS 1). 5:30 p.m. -- College Basketball: Yale at St. Louis (NBC SPORTS NETWORK). 6 p.m. -- College Basketball: Louisville at Rutgers (CBS SPORTS NETWORK). 6 p.m. -- College Basketball: Colorado State at New Mexico (ESPNU). 7 p.m. -- High School Basketball: Prime Prep (Texas) vs. Whitney Young (Ill.) from Wheeling, W.Va. (ESPN2). 7 p.m. -- Women’s College Basketball: West Virginia at Oklahoma State (FOX SPORTS 1). 7 p.m. -- NHL Hockey: Carolina at New York Islanders (FOX SPORTSOUTH). 7:30 p.m. -- College Hockey: Notre Dame at Boston College (NBC SPORTS NETWORK). 8 p.m. -- NFL Football: National Football Conference Playoffs Wild-Card Game -- New Orleans at Philadelphia (WIS 10). 8 p.m. -- College Basketball: Harvard at Rice (CBS SPORTS NETWORK). 8 p.m. -- College Basketball: Indiana State at Evansville (ESPNU). 8 p.m. -- NBA Basketball: Atlanta at Chicago (WGN). 10 p.m. -- NBA Basketball: Charlotte at Sacramento (SPORTSOUTH). 2 a.m. -- NHL Hockey: Nashville at Florida (FOX SPORTSOUTH).

COLLEGE BASKETBALL Today EAST St. John’s at Georgetown, 1 p.m. Sacred Heart at New Hampshire, 1 p.m. NC Central at Wagner, 1 p.m. Cal Poly at Delaware, 2 p.m. Niagara at Iona, 2 p.m. Denver at Saint Joseph’s, 2 p.m. Cornell at St. Bonaventure, 2 p.m. NJIT at St. Francis (Pa.), 2 p.m. Canisius at St. Peter’s, 2 p.m. Miami at Syracuse, 2 p.m. Quinnipiac at Monmouth (NJ), 3 p.m. Creighton at Seton Hall, 3 p.m. Clemson at Boston College, 4 p.m. St. Francis (NY) at Columbia, 4 p.m. Louisville at Rutgers, 6 p.m. Hartford at Albany (NY), 7 p.m. Vermont at Dartmouth, 7 p.m. Fairfield at Manhattan, 7 p.m. La Salle at Penn, 7 p.m. Rider at Siena, 7 p.m. Miami (Ohio) at UMass, 7 p.m. SOUTH ETSU at Kennesaw St., Noon Cincinnati at Memphis, Noon Pittsburgh at NC State, Noon W. Kentucky at Troy, 1 p.m. Washington (Md.) at VMI, 1 p.m. Samford at Georgia Southern, 2 p.m. Princeton at Liberty, 2 p.m. Georgia Tech at Maryland, 2 p.m. Tusculum at Tennessee, 2 p.m. Ohio at UNC Asheville, 2 p.m. Elon at W. Carolina, 2 p.m. Barber-Scotia at Winthrop, 2 p.m. Richmond at Florida, 3 p.m. Newberry at UAB, 3 p.m. Howard at Coll. of Charleston, 4 p.m. Towson at Coppin St., 4 p.m. Chattanooga at Furman, 4 p.m. Radford at Hampton, 4 p.m. New Orleans at McNeese St., 4 p.m. Lamar at Northwestern St., 4 p.m. Houston at South Florida, 4 p.m. Temple at UCF, 4 p.m. SC-Upstate at Mercer, 4:30 p.m. SE Louisiana at Nicholls St., 4:30 p.m. Tennessee Tech at Belmont, 5 p.m. Virginia at Florida St., 5 p.m. North Florida at Lipscomb, 5 p.m. Louisiana-Lafayette at Louisiana-Monroe, 5 p.m. Georgia St. at South Alabama, 5:05 p.m. Robert Morris at Alabama, 5:30 p.m. Ark.-Pine Bluff at MVSU, 6 p.m. Alabama A&M at Jackson St., 6:30 p.m. Delaware St. at Campbell, 7 p.m. NC A&T at Charlotte, 7 p.m. Longwood at Louisiana Tech, 7 p.m. Jacksonville at N. Kentucky, 7 p.m. George Mason at Old Dominion, 7 p.m. James Madison at UNC Wilmington, 7 p.m. Davidson at Wofford, 7 p.m. Florida A&M at Auburn, 8 p.m. Rhode Island at LSU, 8 p.m. Dayton at Mississippi, 8 p.m. SE Missouri at Austin Peay, 8:30 p.m. Alabama St. at Grambling St., 8:30 p.m. Jacksonville St. at Tennessee St., 8:30 p.m. Northeastern at Vanderbilt, 9 p.m. MIDWEST Nebraska at Ohio St., Noon Wright St. at Detroit, 2 p.m. Rochester (Mich.) at E. Michigan, 2 p.m. Youngstown St. at Green Bay, 2 p.m. Kalamazoo at IPFW, 2 p.m. Michigan St. at Indiana, 2 p.m. DePaul at Marquette, 2 p.m. Butler at Xavier, 2 p.m.

| Penn St. at Illinois, 2:15 p.m. Morehead St. at E. Illinois, 3 p.m. Oklahoma St. at Kansas St., 4 p.m. Duke at Notre Dame, 4 p.m. Long Beach St. at Missouri, 5 p.m. Yale at Saint Louis, 5:30 p.m. Valparaiso at Oakland, 6 p.m. Drake at Bradley, 8 p.m. Indiana St. at Evansville, 8 p.m. Cleveland St. at Milwaukee, 8 p.m. Mayville St. at N. Dakota St., 8 p.m. E. Kentucky at SIU-Edwardsville, 8 p.m. William & Mary at W. Illinois, 8 p.m. SOUTHWEST Cal St.-Fullerton at Tulsa, 1 p.m. Iowa St. at Texas Tech, 1:30 p.m. UConn at SMU, 2 p.m. UC Riverside at North Texas, 3 p.m. West Virginia at TCU, 4 p.m. Texas-Pan American at Texas A&M, 4 p.m. Our Lady of the Lake at Incarnate Word, 5 p.m. Houston Baptist at Cent. Arkansas, 5:30 p.m. Arkansas St. at Texas St., 5:30 p.m. Southern U. at Prairie View, 6 p.m. Alcorn St. at Texas Southern, 6 p.m. UALR at Texas-Arlington, 6 p.m. Texas A&M-CC at Oral Roberts, 7 p.m. Sam Houston St. at Stephen F. Austin, 7 p.m. UTSA at Arkansas, 8 p.m. Harvard at Rice, 8 p.m. Oklahoma at Texas, 8 p.m. FAR WEST Washington at Arizona, 2 p.m. Pepperdine at San Francisco, 4 p.m. Oregon St. at Utah, 4 p.m. Loyola Marymount at Santa Clara, 6 p.m. Wyoming at Nevada, 6:05 p.m. Colorado St. at New Mexico, 6:05 p.m. Master’s at UC Santa Barbara, 7 p.m. Pacific at Gonzaga, 8 p.m. San Diego at BYU, 9 p.m. Fresno St. at Boise St., 9 p.m. New Mexico St. at Grand Canyon, 9 p.m. Sacramento St. at Montana, 9 p.m. Portland St. at Weber St., 9 p.m. E. Washington at Idaho St., 9:05 p.m. N. Arizona at Montana St., 9:05 p.m. S. Utah at N. Colorado, 9:05 p.m. San Jose St. at Utah St., 9:05 p.m. Utah Valley at CS Bakersfield, 10 p.m. Chicago St. at Idaho, 10 p.m. Saint Mary’s (Cal) at Portland, 10 p.m. UMKC at Seattle, 10 p.m. San Diego Christian at UC Irvine, 10 p.m. Air Force at UNLV, 10 p.m.

NBA STANDINGS By The Associated Press EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division W L Pct GB Toronto 15 15 .500 – Boston 13 19 .406 3 Brooklyn 11 21 .344 5 Philadelphia 11 21 .344 5 New York 10 21 .323 51/2 Southeast Division W L Pct GB Miami 24 8 .750 – Atlanta 18 14 .563 6 Washington 14 15 .483 81/2 Charlotte 14 20 .412 11 Orlando 10 22 .313 14 Central Division W L Pct GB Indiana 25 6 .806 – Detroit 14 19 .424 12 Chicago 13 18 .419 12 Cleveland 11 21 .344 141/2 Milwaukee 7 25 .219 181/2 WESTERN CONFERENCE Southwest Division W L Pct GB San Antonio 25 8 .758 – Houston 21 13 .618 41/2 Dallas 19 13 .594 51/2 New Orleans 14 16 .467 91/2 Memphis 14 17 .452 10 Northwest Division W L Pct GB Portland 26 7 .788 – Oklahoma City 25 7 .781 1/2 Minnesota 16 16 .500 91/2 Denver 14 17 .452 11 Utah 11 24 .314 16 Pacific Division W L Pct GB L.A. Clippers 22 12 .647 – Golden State 21 13 .618 1 Phoenix 19 12 .613 11/2 L.A. Lakers 13 19 .406 8 Sacramento 10 21 .323 101/2 Thursday’s Games Cleveland 87, Orlando 81, OT Golden State 123, Miami 114 Chicago 94, Boston 82 Brooklyn 95, Oklahoma City 93 New York 105, San Antonio 101 Memphis 99, Phoenix 91 Utah 96, Milwaukee 87 Portland 134, Charlotte 104 Philadelphia 113, Sacramento 104 Today’s Games Miami at Orlando, 7 p.m. New Orleans at Indiana, 7 p.m. Cleveland at Brooklyn, 7:30 p.m. Atlanta at Chicago, 8 p.m. Oklahoma City at Minnesota, 8 p.m. L.A. Clippers at San Antonio, 8:30 p.m. Milwaukee at Phoenix, 9 p.m. Philadelphia at Portland, 10 p.m. Charlotte at Sacramento, 10 p.m.

NHL STANDINGS By The Associated Press EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division GP W L OT Pts GF GA Boston 41 27 12 2 56 120 88 Tampa Bay 40 24 12 4 52 114 95 Montreal 42 24 14 4 52 109 98 Toronto 42 21 16 5 47 118 120 Detroit 42 18 14 10 46 109 120 Ottawa 43 18 18 7 43 122 138 Florida 41 15 20 6 36 96 130 Buffalo 41 11 26 4 26 72 117 Metropolitan Division GP W L OT Pts GF GA Pittsburgh 42 29 12 1 59 131 96 Washington 41 20 15 6 46 125 123 Philadelphia 41 20 17 4 44 106 113 New Jersey 41 17 16 8 42 97 103 N.Y. Rangers 41 20 19 2 42 96 109 Carolina 41 16 16 9 41 100 121 Columbus 41 18 19 4 40 111 117 N.Y. Islanders 42 14 21 7 35 110 140 WESTERN CONFERENCE Central Division GP W L OT Pts GF GA Chicago 43 28 7 8 64 160 118 St. Louis 40 28 7 5 61 144 93 Colorado 40 25 11 4 54 116 101 Dallas 40 20 13 7 47 119 119 Minnesota 43 21 17 5 47 101 110 Winnipeg 43 19 19 5 43 117 125 Nashville 41 18 18 5 41 97 122 Pacific Division GP W L OT Pts GF GA Anaheim 42 29 8 5 63 137 106 San Jose 41 26 9 6 58 136 105 Los Angeles 42 25 13 4 54 110 88 Vancouver 42 23 12 7 53 113 101 Phoenix 40 20 11 9 49 120 122 Calgary 40 14 20 6 34 96 126 Edmonton 43 13 25 5 31 110 148 NOTE: Two points for a win, one point for overtime loss. Today’s Games Winnipeg at Boston, 1 p.m. San Jose at Colorado, 3 p.m. New Jersey at Buffalo, 7 p.m. N.Y. Rangers at Toronto, 7 p.m. Ottawa at Montreal, 7 p.m. Nashville at Florida, 7 p.m. Carolina at N.Y. Islanders, 7 p.m. Columbus at St. Louis, 8 p.m. Detroit at Dallas, 8 p.m. Washington at Minnesota, 8 p.m. Philadelphia at Phoenix, 8 p.m. Vancouver at Los Angeles, 10 p.m.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 4, 2014

Barons blow out Holly Hill 75-38 Wilson Hall had four players score in double figures in a 75-38 varsity boys basketball victory over Holly Hill on Friday at Nash Student Center. William Kinney led the Barons with 16 points, while Grier Schwartz and Blake Bochette both had 14. John Ballard added 13. Drew Talley added 10 rebounds for Wilson Hall. Charlie Carpenter led Holly Hill with 10 points.

RICHARD WINN Cooper 22, Golden 8, Coleman 5, Gibbons 2, Pope 9, Hensley 2, Pauley 2, Taylor 2. THOMAS SUMTER Brunson 13, Washington 13, C. White 6, Hoge 5, Robinson 5, Dukes 5, York 4, Dingle 3, N. White 2, Smith 2, Rodel 2, Hunter 2.

THOMAS SUMTER RICHARD WINN

ROBERT E. LEE WILLIAMSBURG

62 52

DALZELL — Thomas Sumter Academy evened its record at 2-2 on the season with a 62-52 victory over Richard Winn on Friday at Edens Gymnasium.

BOYS AREA ROUNDUP Carlton Washington had a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Generals. Tanner Brunson added 13 points. Cameron Cooper led Richard Winn with 22 points.

46 27

Jonah Cox scored 14 points to lead Robert E. Lee Academy to a 46-27 victory over Williamsburg Academy in the Sumter Christian New Year’s tourna-

ment on Friday at the Sumter Christian School gymnasium. Zach Grantham and Zach Gooding both had nine points. Trip Ward led Williamsburg with 11 points. REL will play Sumter Christian in the championship game today at 5:30 p.m. SCS defeated Lighthouse Christian 54-43 in the other game on Friday.

ROBERT E. LEE Cox 14, Grantham 9, Chewning 7, Lee 2, Gooding 9, Buddin 5. WILLIAMSBURG Ward 11, Singletary 8, Bidonhka 2, J. Ward 3, Heathcott 3.

JUNIOR VARSITY BASKETBALL WILSON HALL 40 HOLLY HILL 19

Wilson Hall improved to 5-2 on the season with a 40-19 victory over Holly Hill on Friday at Nash Student Center. Dalton Miller led the Barons with eight points. MIDDLE SCHOOL BASKETBALL BATES, AD IN TITLE GAME

Bates Middle School and Alice Drive will face off today in the championship game of the Falcon Invitational at the Chestnut Oaks gymnasium. The game is scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m. Bates went 3-0 in pool play while AD was 2-1.

GIRLS AREA ROUNDUP

SHS squeaks by Dutch Fork 42-41 COLUMBIA — Sumter High School’s varsity girls basketball team defeated Dutch Fork 42-41 on Friday at the Dutch Fork gymnasium. Kadejuha Kennedy led the Lady Gamecocks with 10 points. Cy Cooper and Jessica Harris both had nine points. HOLLY HILL WILSON HALL

49 45

Wilson Hall fell to 7-4 on the season with a 49-45 loss to Holly Hill on Friday at Nash Student Center. Hayley Smoak led the Lady Barons with 16 points. Lauren Goodson added nine. Kayla Crider led Holly Hill with 22 points. HOLLY HILL

SPORTS ITEMS

Crider 22, Taramore 12, Hutto 4, O’Connell 4, Lawley 5, Cantley 2. WILSON HALL Smoak 16, Jordan 8, Goodson 9, Fisher 2, Cunningham 4, Spanella 2, Scott 3, Hawkins 1.

MIDDLE SCHOOL BASKETBALL FURMAN, HILLCREST IN TITLE GAME

Furman Middle School and Hillcrest will meet in the championship game of the Falcon Invitational today at 1 p.m. at the Chestnut Oaks gymnasium. Hillcrest went 3-0 in its pool while Furman went 2-1. Hillcrest beat Manning 39-18 on Thursday. Jayla Bolden led the Lady Wildcats with 17 points and nine rebounds. Chazen Regalado added 12 points.

Solomon voted into S.C. Football HOF GREENVILLE — Sumter High School great Freddie Solomon was one of four players voted into the South Carolina Football Hall of Fame. Also voted into the hall were William “Refrigerator” Perry, the late David “Deacon” Jones and Sterling Sharpe. They were chosen from a group of 13 finalists. The group will SOLOMON be honored at the College All-Star Bowl on Feb. 14 at Furman University. Solomon, who passed away in 2012, played high school ball in Sumter before moving on to the University of Tampa. He then played 11 seasons in the NFL. The group will be honored at the College All-Star Bowl on Feb. 14 at Furman University. Perry was a star defensive tackle at Clemson and with the Chicago Bears. Jones played at South Carolina State University

before becoming one of the NFL’s most fearsome pass rushers. He died last June. Sharpe played at South Carolina before seven standout seasons with the Green Bay Packers. SAINTS RULE RB THOMAS OUT

METAIRIE, La. — New Orleans Saints running back Pierre Thomas has been ruled out of the team’s playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday with a back injury. Thomas, the team’s leading rusher, did not practice all week after being injured in the regularseason finale against Tampa Bay last Sunday. He was listed as out on the Saints’ final injury report Friday. COLTS, PACKERS, BENGALS AVOID BLACKOUTS

There will be no local television blackouts in the NFL this weekend. The Indianapolis Colts, Cincinnati Bengals and Green Bay Packers said Friday that their weekend wild-card playoff games are sellouts. Normally, teams

BASKETBALL ROUNDUP

must sell out 72 hours before kickoff to have a game broadcast in their local market. The NFL gave the Colts, Bengals and Packers an extra day to do it. The Colts host Kansas City on Saturday. On Sunday, the Packers host San Francisco and the Bengals host San Diego. In each case, corporations stepped up to buy big blocks of the remaining tickets, including retailer Meijer in Indy, Associated Bank in Green Bay and P&G in Cincinnati. Many will be distributed to military families and veterans. 3 PANTHERS SELECTED FIRST-TEAM ALL-PRO

CHARLOTTE— Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly, center Ryan Kalil and fullback Mike Tolbert have been named to the first-team Associated Press NFL All-Pro team. Defensive end Greg Hardy was selected to the second team. From wire reports

Iguodala’s 3 tops Hawks ATLANTA — Andre Iguodala hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer, David Lee scored 23 points and the Golden State Warriors won their eighth straight game with a 101-100 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night. Stephen Curry added 22 points with nine assists and Klay Thompson 21 for Golden State, which recovered from a 15-point deficit in the fourth quarter to get back in the game and extend its road winning streak to five straight. Pero Antic finished with a career-high 16 points and Shelvin Mack had 15 for the Hawks. Atlanta had won three of four and six of eight. ROCKETS KNICKS

102 100

HOUSTON — James Harden scored 37 points and Aaron Brooks made a pair of free throws with 17 seconds left to lift the Houston Rockets to a 102-100 win over the New York Knicks on Friday night. The Knicks had a chance to tie it at the end of the game, but Iman Shumpert missed a shot before Andrea Bargnani grabbed a rebound and dished it to Beno Udrih, whose running jump shot rolled in and out of the basket at the buzzer. RAPTORS WIZARDS

101 88

WASHINGTON— DeMar DeRozan scored 20 points, Kyle Lowry outplayed John Wall with 19 points and 11 assists, and the Toronto Raptors won their season-high fifth consecutive game by beating the Washington Wizards 101-88 Friday night.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Golden State’s Andre Iguodala (9) hits a game-winning 3-point basket to give the Warriors a 101-100 win over the From wire reports Hawks in Atlanta on Friday.

NFL

SATURDAY, JANUARY 4, 2014

THE ITEM

PLAYOFF SCHEDULE

By The Associated Press Wild-card Playoffs TODAY Kansas City at Indianapolis, 4:35 p.m. (NBC) New Orleans at Philadelphia, 8:10 p.m. (NBC) Sunday San Diego at Cincinnati, 1:05 p.m. (CBS) San Francisco at Green Bay, 4:40 p.m. (FOX) Divisional Playoffs Saturday, Jan. 11 Green Bay, San Francisco or New Orleans at Seattle, 4:35 p.m. (FOX) Cincinnati, Indianpolis or Kansas City at New England, 8:15 p.m. (CBS) Sunday, Jan. 12 Philadelphia, Green Bay or San Francisco at Carolina, 1:05 p.m. (FOX) Indianapolis, Kansas City or San Diego at Denver, 4:40 p.m. (CBS) Conference Championships Sunday, Jan. 19 AFC, 3 p.m. (CBS) NFC, 6:30 p.m. (FOX) Pro Bowl Sunday, Jan. 26 At Honolulu TBD, 7:30 p.m. (NBC) Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 2 At East Rutherford, N.J. AFC champion vs. NFC champion, 6:30 p.m. (FOX)

Broncos’ Manning only unanimous NFL All-Pro choice BY BARRY WILNER The Associated Press NEW YORK— Peyton Manning has responded to a lost season the way he reacted to all of his great seasons. By having more great seaMANNING sons. Manning was the only unanimous choice for the 2013 Associated Press NFL AllPro team Friday. It was his seventh time as a first-teamer, tying Hall of Famer Otto Graham for the most by a quarterback. The Denver star set NFL records this season with 55 touchdown passes and 5,477 yards through the air. He was chosen on all 50 ballots from media members who regularly cover the NFL. Manning also was an All-Pro for Indianapolis in 2003, ‘04, ‘05, ‘08 and ‘09 and last season made it as a Bronco. He’s been on the All-Pro team in both seasons since missing 2011 after several neck surgeries. “I think it’s well documented that this is the second chapter of my career, and didn’t know what to expect off that injury and new team, new players and new physical state after an injury,” said Manning, a four-time league MVP who never missed a pro start before 2011. “So I had no idea what to expect, and I’ve put a lot of time and a lot of hard work in to it. But I’ve received a lot of help along the way from coaches and trainers and strength coaches and teammates. So I’m very grateful.” Manning still has a ways to go to set the record for most All-Pro appearances at any position. Among the players ahead of him is Hall of Fame receiver Jerry Rice with 10. New Orleans tight end Jimmy Graham and Indianapolis outside linebacker Robert Mathis each drew 49 votes. Philadelphia running back LeSean McCoy and Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman had 48. Minnesota kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson was the only rookie on the squad.

ALL-PRO TEAM NEW YORK — The Associated Press 2013 NFL All-Pro team selected by a national panel of 50 media members: OFFENSE Quarterback—Peyton Manning, Denver. Running Backs—LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia; Jamaal Charles, Kansas City. Fullback—Mike Tolbert, Carolina. Tight End—Jimmy Graham, New Orleans. Wide Receivers—Calvin Johnson, Detroit; Josh Gordon, Cleveland. Tackles—Joe Thomas, Cleveland; Jason Peters, Philadelphia. Guards—Louis Vasquez, Denver; Evan Mathis, Philadelphia. Center—Ryan Kalil, Carolina. Placekicker—Justin Tucker, Baltimore. Kick Returner—Cordarrelle Patterson, Minnesota. DEFENSE Ends—J.J. Watt, Houston; Robert Quinn, St. Louis. Tackles—Gerald McCoy, Tampa Bay; Ndamukong Suh, Detroit. Outside Linebackers—Robert Mathis, Indianapolis; Lavonte David, Tampa Bay. Inside Linebacker—Luke Kuechly, Carolina; NaVorro Bowman, San Francisco. Cornerbacks—Richard Sherman, Seattle; Patrick Peterson, Arizona. Safeties—Earl Thomas, Seattle; Eric Berry, Kansas City. Punter—Johnny Hekker, St. Louis. SECOND TEAM OFFENSE Quarterback—None. Running Backs—Adrian Peterson, Minnesota; Eddie Lacy, Green Bay. Fullback—Marcel Reece, Oakland. Tight End—Vernon Davis, San Francisco. Wide Receivers—A.J. Green, Cincinnati; Demaryius Thomas, Denver, and Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh. Tackles—Tyron Smith, Dallas; Joe Staley, San Francisco. Guards—Jahri Evans, New Orleans; Logan Mankins, New England, and Josh Sitton, Green Bay. Center—Alex Mack, Cleveland. Placekicker—Matt Prater, Denver. Kick Returner—Dexter McCluster, Kansas City. DEFENSE Ends—Mario Williams, Buffalo; Greg Hardy, Carolina. Tackles—Dontari Poe, Kansas City; Muhammad Wilkerson, New York Jets, Jurrell Casey, Tennessee, and Justin Smith, San Francisco. Outside Linebackers—Tamba Hali, Kansas City; Ahmad Brooks, San Francisco. Inside Linebackers—Vontaze Burfict, Cincinnati; Karlos Dansby, Arizona. Cornerbacks—Aqib Talib, New England; Joe Haden, Cleveland, and Alterraun Verner, Tennessee. Safeties—Eric Weddle, San Diego; Kam Chancellor, Seattle, Jairus Byrd, Buffalo, T.J. Ward, Cleveland, Devin McCourty, New England, and Antrel Rolle, New York Giants. Punter—Brandon Fields, Miami.

Eighteen NFC players and nine from the AFC made the team. Carolina and Philadelphia each had three: linebacker Luke Kuechly, center Ryan Kalil and fullback Mike Tolbert for the Panthers; NFL rushing leader McCoy, guard Evan Mathis and tackle Jason Peters for the coach Chip Kelly’s Eagles. “Just when Chip came here, we knew we were going to run the ball,” McCoy said. “The linemen, they’ve all been healthy this whole year. They’ve been blocking so well for me and without those guys, it’s not possible.” Only two members of the top teams in each conference made the All-Pro team. Joining Manning from the Broncos (13-3) was guard Louis Vasquez. Joining Sherman from the Seahawks (13-3) was safety Earl Thomas.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Kansas City quarterback Alex Smith (11) is sacked by Indianapolis outside linebacker Bjoern Werner (92) during the Colts’ 23-7 victory at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo in an earlier meeting between the two teams this season. Indianapolis will try to do it all over again — this time on its home turf today in the wild-card round of the playoffs.

Colts know pressure is key BY MICHAEL MAROT The Associated Press INDIANAPOLIS — Colts coach Chuck Pagano has kept it loose all week. He’s been cracking jokes, encouraging laughter and trying to put football in perspective. He does not want Saturday’s playoff game to change the routine, so he is imploring the Colts to make LUCK this business as usual — even with the Chiefs coming to town for a wild-card game. “It’s no time to pressure up. It’s no time to get outside of anything you’ve done at this point,” Pagano said. “You come in, you meet, you have a walkthrough, you practice well and then you play well. Don’t do anything different. Just understand what’s at stake. It is one-and-done. That doesn’t mean go play tight and those types of things and put any added pressure on yourself. You do that and you’re not going to play well.” Pagano has seen what happens when teams play tight. So have Colts fans, more times than they care to count. It’s not easy making a playoff week seem normal.

There are all sorts of potential distractions — ticket requests, travel plans, holiday celebration, even unforeseen medical emergencies. Last year, just before their wild-card game at Baltimore, Colts offensive coordinator Bruce Arians was hospitalized. Indy managed only three field goals in a 24-9 loss as a bunch of Colts made their postseason debuts; Arians turned out to be OK and wound up getting hired by the Cardinals. But the Colts’ youngsters learned some key lessons that have helped this time around. “There can be a little more focus during the week. There can be some more distractions. That’s where you really need to sort of hunker down,” quarterback Andrew Luck said. “As far as playing the game and practice, we’ve gotten to this point doing some things well. Let’s keep doing those.” Now, it’s the Chiefs’ turn. Coach Andy Reid and new general manager John Dorsey followed the same plan Pagano and Ryan Grigson used to rebuild the Colts — new coach, new GM, new quarterback, new roster. Kansas City, like the Colts, went from 2-14 to 11-5 and back to the playoffs with nearly two dozen first- or second-year guys.

A few of the playoff veterans now find themselves explaining to teammates what to expect Saturday. “I know my first time, I acted like a rookie. I was excited and fumbled the ball twice,” AFC rushing champ Jamaal Charles said. “Now I’m going in my second time and seeing other people, becoming a vet, 27 years old, I really want this, I really want to go far, and if I have to put the team on my back, I will.” Former Colts coach Tony Dungy usually told players something else — most playoff games are lost rather than won and the teams that fare best stick to the plan. Translation: Trying to do too much will only get you and your teammates in trouble. Many of Dungy’s pupils, including NFL sacks champs Robert Mathis, still abide by that philosophy. Mathis has spent the last two Januarys telling teammates all they really have to do is match their opponents’ intensity, pay attention to the details, do their jobs and trust teammates to do theirs — the same approach Indy has used all season. But when it comes from the mouth of someone who has played in Super Bowls and won one, the words carry more clout.

Brees, Foles have much history BY ROB MAADDI The Associated Press PHILADELPHIA — Ten years after Drew Brees led Westlake High School to the Texas state championship, Nick Foles came along and broke many of his passing records but couldn’t deliver another title for the Austin-based school. The two quarterbacks go head-to-head for the first time in the NFL with more at stake when Brees and the New Orleans Saints (11-5) visit Foles and the Philadelphia Eagles (10-6) in an NFC wild-card playoff game Saturday night. “Drew is a tremendous player. He’s a guy that I’ve looked up to,” Foles said. “He’s a great role model for fellow players, kids and adults. What he does in the community, what he’s done for Louisiana and across the nation, he does a great job of being a good person, helping people in need. He’s a guy I’ve watched on film and just watched what he’s done and I

have a lot of respect for him as a player and a person. I know Westlake is really proud. “It’s a great place to go to school, great place to grow up.” Brees watched Foles play once in high school when he returned in 2006 for the 10-year reunion of the Chapparals’ 1996 championship team. Foles led Westlake to the state championship game that year, only to lose to Southlake Carroll 4329. The players hadn’t met each other until the Eagles played at New Orleans last year. Foles was Michael Vick’s backup then. “I heard a lot about him when he was at Westlake, but there was a 10-year age difference,” Brees said. “I followed his career. He has been pretty impressive for such a young player, mature beyond his years. I wouldn’t say that I am all that surprised because he is a Westlake guy. He has played great.”

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTOS

Philadelphia quarterback Nick Foles, below, and New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees, above, have much history together. Ten years after Brees led Westlake High School to victory in the Texas state championship game, Foles broke several of his passing records at the school, but lost in the title game. The two quarterbacks meet with far more at stake today in an NFC wild-card game.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

THE ITEM

SATURDAY, JANUARY 4, 2014

ORANGE from Page B1 on the ensuing possession. OSU’s Corey Brown fumbled the punt though and the Tigers recovered at the Buckeye 33. Two plays later, Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd tossed a 30yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Sammy Watkins to make it 29-27 with 2:47 left in the third quarter. The Buckeyes fumbled on their next possession and Clemson ended up with Boyd throwing a 3-yard TD pass to wide receiver Martavis Bryant to make it 34-29 OSU regained the lead in the fourth quarter on a 14-yard TD pass from quarterback Braxton Miller to Hyde to make it 35-34 with 12:50 remaining in the game. Clemson responded with a scoring drive that ended with a 6-yard scoring pass from Boyd to tight end Stanton Seckinger. The Tigers picked off two passes in the final minutes to secure the win. Tiger running back and former Sumter High School standout Roderick McDowell rushed for 68 yards on 12 carries and caught four passes for 32 yards. McDowell finished the year with 1,024 yards rushing. Even though Clemson controlled the first half statistically, the Buckeyes rallied from a 20-9 deficit to lead 22-20 at halftime. Boyd got Clemson on the scoreboard quickly on the game’s first possession. He broke off a 48-yard run for a score with 12:50 remaining in the first quarter. Chandler Catanzaro added the extra

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins, right, is congratulated by former Sumter High standout running back Roderick McDowell after scoring a touchdown in the Tigers’ 40-35 Orange Bowl victory in Miami Gardens, Fla. on Friday

point to make it 7-0. Ohio State responded with a 13-play, 75yard scoring drive. that took 7:06 off the clock. The drive was kept alive by OSU picking up a first down off a fake punt at the Tiger 49. Miller went in from 33 yards for the touchdown with 5:44 left in the first quarter. Drew Basil added the extra point. The Tigers scored on their second possession as well with Boyd tossing a 34-yard TD pass to Watkins with 4:56 left in the first quarter. Boyd completed 15 of 19 passes for 224 yards and two TDs in the first half with Watkins catching eight passes for 130 yards. Clemson forced Ohio State to punt on the ensuing possession. However, the Tigers had to start from their 1-yard line. Boyd was called for intentional grounding in the end zone for a safety to cut the lead to 14-9 with 2:25 to go in the first quarter. The Tigers held the Buckeyes following the free kick and looked as though they would score on third and

three from the OSU 6. Boyd tried to left a short pass over the Buckeye defense to Watkins in the end zone. However, freshman Vonn Bell jumped up, tipped the ball and intercepted it with one hand at the 5. The Tigers forced a three and out and did get in the end zone the next time. Boyd threw a 3-yard TD pass to Bryant with 6:16 left in the first half. Catanzaro missed the extra point to leave the score at 20-9. OSU regained the momentum when Miller connected with tight end Jeff Heuerman for a 57-yard scoring pass. Basil’s PAT was blocked, leaving the score at 20-15. Clemson drove to the Buckeye 40 on the ensuing possession, where it faced fourth and five with 1:16 left in the first half. Boyd threw a pass to McDowell, but it came up a yard short. Ohio State drove down the field with Miller scoring from three yards out with 12 seconds left in the half to make the halftime score 22-20.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd (10) looks to pass as he is pressured by Ohio State linebacker Joshua Perry, left, and defensive lineman Joey Bosa (97) during Friday’s Orange Bowl in Miami Gardens, Fla.

ELLINGTON from Page B1 Carolina with 49 catches for 775 yards and eight touchdowns this year. Ellington may have had his best game in the eight-ranked Gamecocks’ 34-24 win over No. 19 Wisconsin in the Capital One Bowl on Wednesday. He caught six passes for 140 yards and two touchdowns, plus threw a 9-yard TD pass to South Carolina quarterback Connor Shaw. South Carolina also announced that defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, defensive tackle Kelcy Quarles or cornerback Victor Hampton gave up their senior seasons for the pros, although those three had previously said they were head-

ing to the NFL early. Ellington thanked football coach Steve Spurrier and both basketball coaches he played for with the Gamecocks, Darrin Horn and Frank Martin. Ellington had said Thursday night when the Gamecocks returned home from the bowl that he’d made up his mind, but wanted to talk with Martin before announcing his choice. “It’s been a great experience and I’ve been truly blessed,” Ellington said. Ellington, listed at 196 pounds, was also blessed with a body that rarely ran down. He was a multi-sport standout at Berkeley High in Moncks Corner and quarterbacked his

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Oklahoma wide receiver Jalen Saunders (8) scores a touchdown as Alabama defensive back Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (6) tries to tackle him during the Sooners’ 45-31 victory in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans on Thursday.

Oklahoma upsets ‘Bama in Sugar Bowl BY BRETT MARTEL The Associated Press NEW ORLEANS — In the final year of the BCS, Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops won the one major bowl that had eluded him, and proved a point about parity in the process. After taking the past month to cultivate a young quarterback who was still coming into his own, Stoops brought a confident and motivated Sooners squad to the Sugar Bowl, where they stunned 16-point favorite Alabama 45-31 on Thursday night. Freshman Trevor Knight completed a Sugar Bowl-record 32 passes for 348 yards and STOOPS four touchdowns for 11th-ranked Oklahoma, outshining Heisman Trophy runner-up AJ McCarron, who saw his otherwise charmed college career come to a sour end with No. 3 Alabama. The convincing victory also gave Stoops an I-told-you-so moment, backing up his comment last offseason that the gap between the Southeastern Conference and other top leagues like the Big 12 is not as great as some “propaganda” makes it out to be. “I have the utmost respect for Alabama, and I think this shows that obviously we can play with anybody,” Stoops said. “So, enough of that. And I just watched them go through their entire conference and play pretty well. I’m not pointing any fingers. But I think sometimes the comparisons aren’t necessarily very true.” Stoops became the first coach to win all four BCS bowl games, having already won the Orange, Rose and Fiesta bowls. Before the game Stoops had provided an element of mystery by declining to say whether he would start Knight or junior Blake Bell, or how much he’d play either one. Alabama led 7-0 — having scored on the opening drive — before Stoops made his decision know by sending Knight out with the offense for Oklahoma’s first series. Knight had played behind Bell much of the season. His completion percentage entering the game was 52.2. He had completed 47 passes all season — before a breakout

team to a state football title his senior season. But Ellington said he was coming to South Carolina to play basketball only for Horn’s team. That changed at the end of his first season when Ellington, the basketball team’s top scorer, put on the pads after basketball and took part in summer drills. Ellington was part of the football team that fall, earning a spot on the all-SEC Freshman team, then returned to the court after South Carolina’s bowl game. That was Ellington’s pattern the past two seasons, blending time on the court with football workouts. Ellington said in November he expected that to continue this winter, too. But it was his play on the field, though, that

performance in which two of his TDs went for more than 40 yards. “It’s huge for our program, to get a win like this after no one gave us a chance all year,” Knight said. “We’ve got to ride this into next year. We can’t settle with this. ... We want the big one.” Oklahoma (11-2) needed him to play that well in the 80th Sugar Bowl, the first in which quarterbacks for both teams threw for more than 300 yards. His Big 12 team vanquished an Alabama (11-2) squad that had been ranked No. 1 much of the past three seasons, winning the previous two national titles before its shot at a third straight was derailed by Auburn on the last play of the Iron Bowl in late November. Coach Nick Saban didn’t find his team, favored by 16 points, was too deflated from its loss to Auburn to play up to its standard. “I actually thought that the players responded in practice pretty well for this game,” Saban said. “We put over 500 yards of offense up. Somebody had to do something right. I don’t think that we played as well on defense as we’re capable of or should have.” McCarron passed for 387 yards and two TDs, but his two interceptions set up Oklahoma TDs. He was also sacked seven times, fumbling on the last one, and Geneo Grissom returned his second recovery of the game 8 yards for a score, sealing Alabama’s first two-game skid since its Sugar Bowl loss to Utah in January 2009. “Put it all on me. I had two turnovers, (Oklahoma) ended up scoring 14 points, and we lost by 14,” said McCarron, who won 36 of his first 38 games before losing his last two. “I wish it wouldn’t have happened, but I’ll definitely take the loss and definitely take the blame, because a lot of it is probably my fault.”

pointed him to a football career. While Ellington didn’t have a winning season with the basketball team — the Gamecocks changed coaches from Horn to Martin after the 2011-12 season — he helped Spurrier’s group to three straight 11-2 seasons. Ellington increased his reception and yardage totals each year. This fall, he became South Carolina’s most reliable and clutch receiver. His fourthdown, 15-yard TD catch in overtime kept South Carolina tied at Missouri, a game with Gamecocks would win in two extra sessions, 27-24. In the bowl game, Ellington made a juggling catch on fourth-and-7 for a first down before pulling in a 22-yard TD grab that put the Gamecoccks ahead for good, 20-17.

Martin had praised Ellington’s basketball skills and had hoped to have him at practices to teach a Gamecocks roster featuring seven freshmen. Martin, though, was happy for Ellington. “He’s a winner and he is going to utilize this as taking the first step of the next chapter of his life,” Martin said. “All of us at South Carolina should be ecstatic that a young man his age has given so much of himself to represent this university athletically, socially and academically in a first class way.” Ellington’s cousin is Andre Ellington, a two-time 1,000yard rusher at Clemson who gained more than 1,000 allpurpose yards a rookie with the Arizona Cardinals.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

SATURDAY, JANUARY 4, 2014

THE ITEM

COLLEGE BASKETBALL SCHEDULE State Friday South Carolina 82, South Carolina State 75 Coastal Carolina 86, Central Connecticut State 67 Today Clemson at Boston College, 4 p.m. Chattanoogat at Furman, 4 p.m. Davidson at Wofford, 7 p.m. Barber Scotia at Winthrop, 2 p.m. USC Upstate at Mercer, 4:30 p.m. Sunday Presbyterian at Marshall, 2 p.m. ACC Today (2) Syracuse vs. Miami, 2 p.m. (7) Duke at Notre Dame, 4 p.m. Pittsburgh at North Carolina State, noon Georgia Tech at Maryland, 2 p.m. Virginia at Florida State, 5 p.m. Sunday (19) North Carolina at Wake Forest, 8 p.m. SEC Today (12) Florida vs. Richmond, 3 p.m. (25) Missouri vs. Long Beach State, 5 p.m. Tusculum at Tennessee, 2 p.m. Texas-Pan American at Texas A&M, 4 p.m.

Robert Morris at Alabama, 5:30 p.m. Florida A&M at Auburn, 7 p.m. Dayton at Mississippi, 8 p.m. Rhode Island at LSU, 8 p.m. Texas-San Antonio at Arkansas, 8 p.m. Northeastern at Vanderbilt, 9 p.m. TOP 25 Friday (9) Baylor 80, Savannah State 50 Today (1) Arizona vs. Washington, 2 p.m. (3) Ohio State vs. Nebraska, noon (5) Michigan State at Indiana, 2 p.m. (6) Oklahoma State at Kansas State, 4 p.m. (13) Iowa State at Texas Tech, 1:30 p.m. (14) Louisville at Rutgers, 6 p.m. (17) Connecticut at SMU, 2 p.m. (18) Memphis vs. Cincinnati, noon (23) Massachusetts vs. Miami (Ohio), 7 p.m. (24) Gonzaga vs. Pacific, 8 p.m. Sunday (4) Wisconsin vs. (22) Iowa, 8 p.m. (8) Wichita State vs. Northern Iowa, 2 p.m. (10) Oregon at (20) Colorado, 5 p.m. (11) Villanova vs. Providence, 7 p.m.

USC from Page B1 deficit to tie the game at 60 on a Devin Joint dunk with seven minutes remaining. The duo each scored five points during a 13-5 run that gave the Gamecocks a 73-65 lead with 3:28 remaining. South Carolina State (4-9) would not get closer than seven points the rest of the way as the Gamecocks made 14-of-17 free throws in the final ten minutes, including 12-of-15 after the score was tied. “We have been in this situation before so put a fight up for this one,” Johnson said. “We need to defend our home court and come out and play like we know we can play, help each other, talk and score and that’s what we did.” South Carolina looked like it would cruise after jumping to a 44-33 halftime advantage. The Gamecocks took control with a 14-3 run over a sixminute span. Williams started the run with a 3-pointer and scored five points during the spurt. Johnson also connected on a 3-pointer as four players contributed during the run. But the Bulldogs opened the second half on a 17-7 spurt to pull within one, 51-50, in the opening six minutes. They connected on 7-of-8 field goals to get back in it and had a chance to take its

first lead but a 3-pointer by Koran Wright rimmed out. They eventually tied it on the Joint dunk but the Gamecocks kept their composure to earn the victory. “If we complete against an SEC opponent like we did and have an opportunity to win the game, it should tell our guys that if we stay together and keep working, we should be very competitive when we get to MEAC play,” South Carolina coach Murray Garvin said. Notice had 13 points and eight assists and Demetrius Henry recorded his first career doubledouble with 10 points and 11 rebounds for the Gamecocks. South Carolina (7-6) will travel to Florida to open SEC play on Wednesday, January 8. Matthew Hezekiah scored 18 points to lead South Carolina State. Theron Stephens added 15 and Daryll Palmer chipped in 12 points for the Bulldogs. Even though Martin was discouraged by the effort of his team, he was able to crack jokes in the post-game press conference. “I will never wear this suit for a game again,” Martin deadpanned. “I’ve worn it twice and we’ve played like third graders both times.”

USC 82, S.C. STATE 75 SC STATE (4-9) White 3-6 2-4 8, Stephens 5-12 2-2 15, Joint 4-6 1-2 9, Palmer 5-7 0-0 12, Radovic 0-1 1-1 1, Smith 0-2 0-0 0, Kirksey 1-4 2-4 4, Adams 4-10 0-0 8, Mitchell 0-2 0-0 0, Hezekiah 7-9 4-5 18, Eastmon 0-0 0-0 0, Wright 0-6 0-0 0. Totals 29-65 12-18 75. SOUTH CAROLINA (7-6) Thornwell 1-6 5-6 8, Williams 6-7 5-5 19, Notice 3-8 6-8 13, Henry 5-11 0-1 10, Kacinas 0-0 3-6 3, Johnson 5-9 5-7 17, Shaw 2-4 0-0 5, Chatkevicius 3-3 0-0 6,

Carrera 0-2 1-2 1, Ringer 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 25-50 25-35 82. Halftime_South Carolina 44-33. 3-Point Goals_SC State 5-20 (Stephens 3-8, Palmer 2-2, White 0-1, Smith 0-2, Adams 0-2, Wright 0-5), South Carolina 7-15 (Johnson 2-2, Williams 2-3, Thornwell 1-3, Shaw 1-3, Notice 1-4). Fouled Out_None. Rebounds_SC State 35 (Joint 7), South Carolina 31 (Henry 11). Assists_SC State 14 (White 5), South Carolina 13 (Notice 8). Total Fouls_SC State 27, South Carolina 16. Technical_White. A_7,357.

TIGERS from Page B1 start since the 2010-11 season, coach Brad Brownell’s first with the Tigers. Clemson still is searching for its first win in a true road game. Clemson has won all seven of its home games but has dropped three of five games away from Littlejohn Coliseum. Those two victories were on a neutral court during the Charleston Classic. Last season, Clemson fell behind by 20 points before falling at Boston College 75-68. Boston College also defeated Clemson at Littlejohn last season, earning its first sweep in the season series. Boston College has opened this season 4-10. It earned its four wins against Florida Atlantic, Washington, Sacred Heart and Philadelphia. However, Clemson cannot be distracted by BC’s modest resume or its quiet crowd. These early conference games are critical to Clemson building its own resume — for the NCAA Tournament.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

San Diego State forward Dwayne Polee hangs from the rim after a dunk against Saint Katherine. The beginning of conference play means NCAA Division I teams can begin to start to see parallel competition as there have been several games decided by more than 70 points this season, the most in at least two decades.

Why all the basketball mismatches this season? BY ERIC OLSON The Associated Press Conference play has arrived in college basketball and that means Division I teams will start picking on people their own size. In the first two months of the season, seven games were decided by more than 70 points — the most blowouts of that magnitude since at least 1996-97, according to STATS. No mismatch was as great as Southern’s 116-12 win over tiny Champion Baptist this week. That outcome begged the question: Why are games like that even scheduled? A lot of Division I programs have difficulty lining up home games against quality opponents. Southern, for example, is coming off an NCAA tournament appearance yet doesn’t have a high enough RPI to make it worthwhile for a name team to travel to Baton Rouge, La., and possibly lose. Usually low-major programs round out the schedules of riskaverse mid-majors and powerconference teams in November and December. But there also are plenty of non-Division I teams willing to take beatings to help meet their budgets, give their players the experience of playing against big-time competition for

a night and gain exposure. After all, before Southern did its number on Champion Baptist, who in the sporting public had heard of the 100-student unaccredited Christian college in Hot Springs, Ark.? “We’ve had hundreds of people email us asking if they can come play for our school since this happened,” said Eric Capici, who serves as head coach and school president. Utah and Charleston Southern each show up twice on the blowout ledger. The Utes own an 84-pointer against The Evergreen State College (Wash.) and a 73-pointer against St. Katherine (Calif.). Charleston Southern beat St. Andrews Presbyterian (N.C.) by 82 and Johnson University (Tenn.) by 79. Those Fightin’ Firebirds of St. Katherine also lost by 83 to nationally ranked San Diego State the night before losing at Utah, and by 71 to Weber State. Coach Scott Mitchell, whose program is in its first season, is anything but embarrassed. “I’d play Duke if I could,” he said, “but I don’t know what they would get out of beating up on us.” Unaccredited St. Katherine opened three years ago with 13 students and shares space in a San Diego-area office building

with a yoga studio and optometrist. Mitchell’s day job is as an account executive for YP.com, the online yellow pages. He recruited one of his players, a 34-year-old freshman, after he saw him working out at a 24 Hour Fitness. St. Katherine athletic director Mike Scolinos said the school has applied to join the NAIA for 201415, and the hope is to be an NCAA Division I member in 10 years. “Some people would call that ridiculous,” he said. “As the saying goes, if you don’t dream it, you’re not going to do it, and that’s our goal.” Champion Baptist has no visions of grandeur. The Tigers are content in the Association of Christian Collegiate Athletics, where they have won three national championships in seven years. Southern, which beat Champion Baptist 90-36 last season, set an NCAA record when it opened a 44-0 lead on Monday. Champion Baptist didn’t score until there was 5:10 left in the first half, and the Tigers made only 3 of 44 field goals while earning $4,000 for their trouble. The 104-point margin didn’t threaten the NCAA record of 117, set by Long Island University against Medgar Evers in 1997.

Notre Dame plays 7th-ranked Duke in first ACC game BY TOM COYNE The Associated Press SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Notre Dame enters its inaugural Atlantic Coast Conference game against No. 7 Duke looking for answers two weeks after losing leading scorer Jerian Grant because of an undisclosed academic violation. Coach Mike Brey is far less interested in figuring out the new league than he is figuring out which Fighting Irish players will step up and fill the void left by Grant. “That’s a work in progress,” Brey said. “Really, since we’ve been back after Christmas, you’re plugged into practice trying to figure it out almost like the first week of practice. ... We’ve done a lot of evaluating of us instead of breaking down who we’re playing in the ACC.” Not the ideal situation heading into a game against Duke (11-2) and arguably the best college player in Jabari Parker. The game has plenty of story lines, too. First, Brey will be facing his mentor, Mike Krzyzewski, the man who gave him his first college job when Brey was a high school assistant coach. In eight seasons in Durham, Brey saw the Blue Devils go to six Final Fours, four NCAA title games and win two championships. Krzyzewski, meanwhile, will be coaching in South Bend for the first time since saying he didn’t think the ACC should have accepted Notre Dame while allowing the Irish football program to remain independent.

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Duke’s Jabari Parker (1) and the Blue Devils will face Notre Dame in its first ACC conference game today at 4 p.m. Duke is 11-2 on the season while the Irish come in with a 9-4 record.

The Irish (9-4) will be playing their first ACC game after 18 seasons in the Big East, but the only story line they are focused on is finding a way to replace the 19 points and 6.2 assists a game they lost in Grant. “We’re going to have to get this thing together quickly,” said Eric Atkins, who needed a career-high 30 points for the Irish to beat Canisius in overtime on Sunday. “It’s like a new season for us. No one really expects much of us anymore. So we’re just going out there and letting it rip.” Duke players say they will focus on slowing Atkins. “We are going to try to get into him and make this a fast-paced game. Hopefully it will take them out of the game,” Rodney Hood said. Brey said it needs to be a team effort, saying no one player is expected to replace Grant, a preseason all-ACC team selection when the Irish were picked to finish fifth in the league. It’s doubtful many people outside the Notre Dame locker room expect the Irish to finish that high in the league now.

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The Campbell Soup friends will meet at 11:30 a.m. today at Golden Corral. The Sumter Benedict Alumni Club will hold an important round-up meeting at 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 6, at the North HOPE Center. Call Shirley Blassingame at (803) 506-4019. Jordan Crossroads Ministry Center — Haven of Rest will hold a public meeting at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, at New Covenant Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall. Parking is available in the parking area nearest the entrance to the fellowship hall. Call Ann Driggers at (803) 3098085. Diabetes Support Group will meet 12:30-1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, Carolina Diabetes and Kidney Center, 635 W. Wesmark Blvd., in the downstairs education room. Dr. Tepsiri Chongkrairatanakul will speak. The Regional Transit Council will meet 10-11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, at the Santee-Lynches Council of Governments building, 36 W. Liberty St. The meeting is open to all interested individuals, businesses, agencies, and organizations. The Sumter Chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals will meet at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, in the Bultman Conference Room of USC Sumter. All administrative professionals are invited. The Mary McLeod Bethune Branch of the National Council of Negro Women will meet at 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10, at Morris College, North Main Street. The Sumter Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind will hold its 2014 membership meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14, at Shiloh-Randolph Manor, 125 W. Bartlette St. Associate member Judy L. Simon will accept annual membership dues. Martha Gaither, of Blind Awareness, will speak. Transportation provided within the mileage radius. Contact Debra Canty at (803) 775-5792 or DebraCanC2@frontier. com. Call the 24-hour recorded message line at (206) 376-5992. The National Association for Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) will meet Thursday, Jan 16, at Sunset Country Club. Continuing Education course will be held 11 a.m.-noon. Lunch and the quarterly meeting will be held noon-12:45 p.m. followed by Continuing Education course 1-2 p.m. Call Tammy Kelly at (803) 7738322.

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Melodrama aplenty as ‘Downton Abbey’ returns BY KEVIN MCDONOUGH Aristotle taught us that tragedies require a beginning, a middle and an end. Soap operas teach us that melodramas can go on, and on, seemingly forever, simply because we want them to. Somewhere between those two ideas lies “Downton Abbey,” now entering its fourth season on “Masterpiece Classic” (9 p.m., Sunday, PBS, TVPG, check local listings). The action — and that may be too strong a word — picks up six months after Matthew’s accidental death. Mary (Michelle Dockery) is consumed with grief and back to her old cranky self. She worries aloud that Matthew alone had brought out her softer side, and that, without him, she might grow harsher with the years. Matthew’s untimely departure also brings about legal complications, the matter of death duties and grave questions about who actually inherits his fortune and controls the direction of the estate. Not to give too much away here, but for at least the third time in four seasons, fate hinges on the presence, or absence, of a certain document. That ruse might work nicely if used once in a Victorian novel. But it’s wearing paper-thin here. Such quibbles won’t matter much to the show’s diehard fans, who tune in to breathe in the finery of the gowns, the sumptuous wallpaper, detailed embroidery and the jaw-dropping beauty of the library, dining room and expansive grounds. With all that to gawk at, some might tune in just to watch the Dowager Countess (Maggie Smith) recite the phone book. Or the Domesday Book. This season affords no shortage of melodramatic touches, including several grave illnesses, a mysterious disappearance and numerous subplots involving a real pregnancy, a feared pregnancy and a possible fake pregnancy. There will be violence in the Abbey that results in the tragic transformation of a beloved character.

Look for Paul Giamatti to arrive in a later episode, not yet made available for review. He plays Cora’s (Elizabeth McGovern) brother Harold, an American embroiled in financial problems linked to the Teapot Dome scandals of the Harding years. This is at least the second time that the minor details of this series and that of HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire” have overlapped. Dare we dream of a crossover episode? They used to be a staple of prime-time TV. “Homicide” and “Law & Order” joined forces. They still happen between “NCIS” franchises. “Boardwalk” and “Downton” both take place in the first half of the 1920s and are the most beautifully produced series on television. Why not collaborate? Or at least share costumes? Perhaps Tom (Allen Leech), the Irish chauffeur-turned-widower-son-in-law could go to New York in search of relatives. There, he could meet and marry Nucky’s ex, Margaret Schroeder (Kelly Macdonald). Hey, the story just writes itself! • Proof that some of the more inventive — or at least strange — storytelling emerges from comedy animation can be found in the new cartoon “Space Dandy” on the “Toonami” segment of “Adult Swim” (11:30 p.m., Saturday, Cartoon Network, TV-14). The story is introduced in a soft-news documentary format that describes the phenomenon of alien hunting — capturing exotic creatures from far-off galaxies to go on display in futuristic zoos. The best practitioner of the craft is the show’s title character, a brash, not terribly reflective guy with an oversized pompadour to match his ego. When not risking life and limb to track down weird creatures, he’s a fixture at an outer space version of a Hooter’s-like restaurant, a place filled with shapely anime waitresses that match our Dandy’s underdeveloped sense of subtlety. From the creators of “Cowboy BeBop.” • “The Incredible Dr. Pol” (9 p.m., Saturday, Nat Geo Wild)

returns for a new season of veterinary adventures. The face of the most popular show on this network, Pol makes house calls and barn visits all over the Michigan countryside to deal with pets and livestock alike. On tonight’s episode, Pol visits a cow that appears to be disturbed by unending rain, a pig with a skin condition that he may have contracted from a goat and a chameleon with a dangerous cyst. • Jay Leno is facing another forced retirement. And this time, NBC means it. Jimmy Fallon will begin hosting “The Tonight Show” in February. To prep viewers for that prospect, NBC airs the two-hour clip show “Best of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon Primetime Special” (9 p.m., Sunday, NBC).

Saturday’s Highlights • Indianapolis hosts Kansas City in an AFC wildcard playoff game (4:35 p.m., NBC). • Philadelphia hosts New Orleans in an NFC wildcard playoff game (8:10 p.m., NBC). • The voices of Bruce Willis, Garry Shandling, Steve Carell, William Shatner and Allison Janney animate the 2006 cartoon comedy “Over the Hedge” (8 p.m., ABC, TV-PG). • The cast of “Anchorman 2,” the surviving members of Monty Python and Joan and Jackie Collins join Frank Skinner and Michael Buble on the Graham Norton Show (10 p.m., BBC America).

Sunday’s Highlights • Scheduled on “60 Minutes” (7 p.m., CBS): emerging clean energy technologies; a self-exiled movie piracy mogul; Yellowstone’s super volcano. • “Dateline” (7 p.m., NBC) explores possible links between childhood poverty and asthma. • Miami resident Juan Pablo Galavis becomes “The Bachelor” (8 p.m., ABC, TV-14). • “Gator Boys” (8 p.m. and 9 p.m., Animal Planet) returns for a new season. • Someone called Demetria announces her opinions on the

premiere episode of something called “Blood, Sweat & Heels” (9 p.m., Bravo, TV-14). • Will and Alicia tangle in court on “The Good Wife” (9 p.m., CBS, TV-14). • The History Channel’s flight from real history continues with the treasure-hunt reality series “The Curse of Oak Island” (10 p.m., History).

Cult Choice A cruel mastermind schemes to steal the gold from Fort Knox in the 1964 thriller “Goldfinger” (9 p.m., Sunday, BBC America, TV-PG).

Saturday Series Barney fumes on “How I Met Your Mother” (8 p.m., CBS, r, TV-14) * Witness protection on “Almost Human” (8 p.m., Fox, r, TV-14) * Kelly Clarkson cameos on “The Crazy Ones” (8:30 p.m., CBS, r, TV-14) * A nuclear blast gets one’s attention on “NCIS: Los Angeles” (9 p.m., CBS, r, TV-14) * The team employs an exploding cadaver as bait on “Bones” (9 p.m., Fox, r, TV-14) * Murder mysteries on “48 Hours” (10 p.m., CBS) * A team member faces an ominous threat on “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” (10 p.m., ABC, r, TV-14).

Sunday Series London calls on “Elementary” (8 p.m., CBS, r, TV-14) * Homer engages in movie piracy on “The Simpsons” (8 p.m., Fox, TV-PG) * Adventures in babysitting on “Bob’s Burgers” (8:30 p.m., Fox, TV-14) * Peter’s spirits flag on “Family Guy” (9 p.m., Fox, TV-14) * The Graysons circle the wagons on “Revenge” (9 p.m., ABC, TV-14) * A foolish photo on “American Dad” (9:30 p.m., Fox, TV-14) * The DEA under fire on “The Mentalist” (10 p.m., CBS, TV14) * Shocking revelations on “Betrayal” (10 p.m., ABC, TVPG). Copyright 2014, United Feature Syndicate

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Man is turned off by woman’s resemblance to his mother

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EAR ABBY — I semble their mothers and met a guy I think the marriages are often is perfect for me successful. on a dating website. We have gone on several DEAR ABBY — I’m a dates and they have been 32-year-old woman. My great. He respects my boyfriend of 11 years morals and even has passed away almost three some of his own, which years ago. I loved him very isn’t easy to find. much and miss him every The problem: day. Some wellHe says I am exmeaning friends actly what he has and family membeen looking for bers have suggestexcept for one ed a dating site. thing. I look like Abby, when his mother. He does someone says he really likes know if it’s time to me and would like move on? I Abigail to keep dating to haven’t been on a VAN BUREN see if he can get date in 13 years. past this issue. I I’m scared of putlike him very much. Is ting myself out there again there something I can do, and getting hurt. short of plastic surgery? SCARED IN OREGON DEAD RINGER DEAR SCARED — If DEAR DEAD RINGER the only reason you — Before changing anyhaven’t reached out bething, you need to explore fore is fear of rejection, more closely what he’s then it’s time to move on. saying. Ask to meet his Ask your friends and fammother, then judge for ily to help you write a proyourself how strong the file, and then consider resemblance is. It’s possiwhat happens next as an ble the similarity is less “adventure.” physical and more about While there are no your personality or manguarantees you’ll immedinerisms. ately find a relationship You should not alter like the one you had, you your image to please any- might find someone who one but yourself. Keep in is compatible. And if you mind that many men DO don’t, you could still make marry women who resome friends. dear abby

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Legal Notice TOWN OF PINEWOOD The Municipal Election Commission of the Town of Pinewood announces a Special Election for the Town of Pinewood will be Tuesday March 11, 2014. Any persons wishing to register to vote in this election must do so no later than February 8, 2014. The Sumter County Voter Registration office will be open on February 8th 2014 from 10:00 - 12:00 noon for those wishing to register to vote in this election. There is no filing fee. following office shall be included in this election: Mayor Citizens desiring to be candidates for the above listed office may file at the Pinewood Town Hall at 16 E. Clark Street Pinewood, SC. Filing will open at 12 noon on January 3, 2014 and will close 12 noon January 13, 2014. The office hours for filing January 3, from 12 noon -5:00 January 6, thru January 10, 2014 from 9:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. January 13, from 9:00 A.M. - 12 Noon Petitions will be available for Filing

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This is a Nonpartisan election, and no party affiliation shall be placed on the ballot The polls shall open at 7:00 A. M. on Election Day and closed at 7:00 P. M. At 10:00 A. M. on Election Day, the poll managers will begin examining the absentee ballot return envelopes. This examination will be held in the Sumter County Election Commission office in the Sumter County Courthouse, Sumter, SC. On Thursday, March 13, 2014 at 9:30 A. M. at the Sumter County Registration/Election Commission Office 141 N. Main Street Room 114, the Pinewood Municipal Election Commission will hold a hearing to determine the validity of any ballots challenged in this election, canvass votes cast in the Election and Certify the results of the election.

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Leroy Jefferson Jr. Five years ago today I lost my grandpa. It was the hardest thing ever. I miss and love him so much. He will always be in my heart and I will always be his boo-boo. Love Jazmyne & The Jefferson Family

BUSINESS SERVICES

Notice is hereby given that The Links at Lakewood, LLC intends to apply to the South Carolina Department of Revenue for a license permit that will allow the sale ON premises consumption of Beer & Wine at 3600 Green View Parkway, Sumter, SC 29150. To object to the issuance of this permit / license, written protest must be postmarked no later than January 13, 2014. For a protest to be valid, it must be in writing, and should include the following information: (1) the name, address and telephone number of the person filing the protest; (2) the specific reasons why the application should be denied; (3) that the person protesting is willing to attend a hearing (if one is requested by the applicant); (4) that the person protesting resides in the same county where the proposed place of business is located or within five miles of the business; and (5) the name of the applicant and the address of the premises to be licensed. Protests must be mailed to: S.C. Department of Revenue, ATTN: ABL, P.O. Box 125, Columbia, South Carolina 29214; or Faxed to: (803) 898-5899.

Electrical work. New & Repair Call 803-499-4127

For Sale or Trade

Home Improvements Professional Remodelers Home maintenance, ceramic tile, roofing, siding & windows doors, etc. Lic. & Ins. (Cell) 803-459-4773 H.L. Boone, Contractor additions, painting, roofing, gutters, sheetrock, blown ceilings, decks. 773-9904

Roofing

Robert's Metal Roofing, 35 Yrs Exp. 18 colors & 45 yr warranty. Financing avail, 803-837-1549.

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 A Notch Above Tree Care Full quality service low rates, lic./ins., free est BBB accredited 983-9721 The Tree Doctor Any size tree removal & stump grinding. Trimming & clearing. No job too big or small. Call 775-8560 or 468-1946. We accept credit cards and offer senior discounts

PETS & ANIMALS

Found: small female Siamese/tabby cat in the area of Alice Dr/Wesmark Blvd. Owner call 305-7119 to identify.

Hickory & Oak firewood. Seasoned/Green $65 Delivered. Notch Above Tree Service. 983-9721 REDUCE YOUR CABLE BILL!* Get a whole-home Satellite system installed at NO COST and programming starting at $19.99/mo. FREE HD/DVR Upgrade to new callers, SO CALL NOW 1-866-981-7319 2 Cemetery Plots, side by side, located in the Veterans section of Evergreen Memorial Pk. Call 803 565-0740 if interested. Steel Building Allocated Bargains. 40x60 on up. We do deals. www.gosteelbuildin gs.com. Source #18X 803-335-2030 Softball Equipment- Pitching machine, Backstop, Balls, Bats ETC. Call for details 803-968-2459 Evergreen Cemetery, Fountain #2 section, $2,000 OBO for plot. Call 843-729-6076. DirecTV - Over 140 channels only $29.99 a month. Call Now! Triple savings! $636.00 in Savings, Free upgrade to Genie & 2013 NFL Sunday ticket free!! Start saving today! 1-800-908-5974 DISH TV Retailer - Starting at $19.99/month (for 12 mos.) & High Speed Internet starting at $14.95/month (where available.) SAVE! Ask About SAME DAY Installation! CALL Now! 1-800-635-0278 Washers, Dryers, Refrigerators, Stoves. Also new Gas stoves. Guaranteed. 803-464-5439

Teacup Chihuahua: 9 wks old, 3 males, 1 female. $300 ea. 1st shots, CKC registered. Call Tina @ 803-305-7287.

Lost & Found

Sumter County Civic Center Indoor Garage Sale. 700 W. Liberty St. Saturday, February 1, 2014 8 am - 1 pm. Free admission. For booth space call 436-2271 on January 31, 2014 @ 9:00am

Business Services

Dogs

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Moving Sale 32 Lawton Cir Sat 7am-10am Clothes, collectibles, Thomas Kincade items, furniture, antique glassware

Sumter County Flea Mkt Hwy 378 E. 803-495-2281 500 tables. Sat. $8 free return Sun.

C&B Roofing Superior work afford. prices. Free est., Sr. disc. Comm/Res 30 yr warr. 290-6152

Notice Of Application

Pets Pure bred Boxer puppies 1M 4F $300 Call 803-795-5506

Ferret Cage - in great shape, $80 Call 803-481-2415 Split Oak Firewood, $60/dump, $70/stacked. Darrell Newman 803-316-0128. Tree Service also available. Expert Tech, New & used heat pumps & A/C. Will install/repair, warranty; Compressor & labor $600. Call 803-968-9549 or 843-992-2364

MERCHANDISE EMPLOYMENT

Auctions ADVERTISE YOUR AUCTION in 105 S.C. newspapers for only $375. Your 25-word classified ad will reach more than 2.6 million readers. Call Jimmie Haynes at the S.C. Newspaper Network, 1-888-727-7377.

Help Wanted Part-Time $$$ AVON $$$ FREE TRAINING! 803-422-5555

PO BOY’S TREE SERVICE FREE ESTIMATES

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We will be happy to change your ad if an error is made; however we are not responsible for errors after the first run day. We shall not be liable for any loss or expense that results from the printing or omission of an advertisement. We reserve the right to edit, refuse or cancel any ad at any time.

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OVER 40 YEARS EXPERIENCE LICENSED & INSURED

469-7606 or 499-4413

FIREWOOD DELIVERY

Medical Help Wanted Seeking an energetic Physical Therapy Assistant to work PRN for local Wellness Company. Willing to work around your schedule. Please call Val 803-360-7896.

Help Wanted Full-Time Kennel help needed. Apply in person at 87 Market St. Total Pet Care.

HARTT Transportation Systems, INC. Setting the Service Standard Since 1948

Diesel Mechanic Hartt Transportation Systems, Inc. a recognized leader in the transportation industry is looking to hire a full time mechanic for our Sumter, SC Maintenance Facility. This ideal candidate should have experience in general maintenance repairs of fleet equipment, including tractors and trailers. Must be able to trouble shoot diesel engines, air brakes systems, steering, suspension and electrical. Requirements • Qualifications for this position requires candidate to have three years experience of proven medium to heavy-duty vehicle repair including: PM's, tire & wheel, air & hydraulic brakes, diagnosis, computerized diagnostics, electrical trouble-shooting, electronic component repair with a minimum of 2 years experience in A/C overhauls and rebuilds of heavy-duty diesel engines and transmissions. • Prefer certifications in tire & wheel, brakes, AC &/or EPA, engine rebuild, DOT inspections, transmissions, engines. • Must posses own tools • Ability to read codes and instructions on the computer. • Ability to document repairs on the computer. • Ability to work flexible schedules including shift work, weekends, holidays and on-call rotations for roadside assistance. • Have sufficient physical ability to work in a variety of positions, some of which may be awkward and tiring, to accomplish repairs under all weather conditions. Work is generally performed inside the shop. Work may also be performed outdoors, as required as problems are experienced on a daily basis. • Self motivated. • Clean background screening required. • Ability to lift and move up to 100 pounds. • CDL preferred but not required. • High School Diploma or equivalent. Responsibilities • Individual is responsible for diagnosing and repairing medium to heavy-duty trucks and trailer sunder minimal supervision. • Repairs will include Preventative Maintenance inspections and repairs, air and hydraulic brake repairs, tire repairs, warranty procedures, driveline, steering & suspension, electrical troubleshooting, AC, overheads, overhauls & rebuilds of engines and transmissions. • Accepts other responsibilities as requested by the Maintenance Director or Shop Foreman. • In addition, individual will assist other mechanics in repairs and will be expected to comply with Safety and EPA procedures and continue to learn new technology in advanced diagnostics, internal engine and transmission repairs. Hartt Transportation offers a competitive benefit package including: medical and dental package, paid holidays, paid vacations, sick time, short term disability, life insurance and a 401 (K) program. If you are looking for a career challenge and want to work for a great company, we encourage you to submit your resume and salary requirements either by fax, mail, email or in person at 881 Cockerill Rd., Sumter, SC 29150 Todd Cotier; Maintenance Director Hartt Transportation Systems, Inc. 262 Bomarc Road Bangor, ME 04401 Phone: (207) 852-3882 Fax: (207) 941-0095 Email: tcotier@hartt-trans.com

Strong Partnerships Make Strong Futures Join us in celebrating more than 50 years of customer Service.

Driver Services Recruiter Due to our passion for strategic success and growth Hartt Transportation Systems, Inc. has created an opportunity for a dedicated and professional individual whose primary responsibilities would be for the recruitng and retention of both company drivers and owner operators in our southern region. Applicants must be strong leaders with exceptional organizational, communication, interpersonal, computer, and presentation skills. Individuals must be able to develop and maintain excellent rapport with customers and co-workers. Transportation background is required. Hartt Transportation offers and extremely compettive benefits package including medical, dental benefits, paid vacations, holiday pay,and a 401(k) retirement plan. Candidates with solid credentials are encouraged to send their current resume to: RIck Parisien, Human Resources Director Hartt Transportation Systems Inc. PO Box 1385 Bangor, ME 04402-1385 Phone:(207)947-1106 Ext 225 Fax:(207)945-5193 Email: OFFhr@hartt-trans.com

Schools / Instructional Tax Preparer Training provided January 6th. 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 January 6th. Apply for seasonal opportunities. 803-418-0123

Work Wanted Certified Nursing Assistant w/ 20 years exp, seeking private care employment. Call 803-773-1005 I will clean your home or office. Call 938-5628. 1st job half price.

Statewide Employment Experienced OTR Flatbed Drivers earn 50 up to 55 cpm loaded. $1000 sign on to Qualified drivers. Home most weekends. Call: 843-266-3731 / www.bulldoghiwa y.com EOE Start the New Year with a Great Career by Joining our Team. Class A Professional Drivers Call 866-501-0946 for more details or visit SuperServiceLLC.com ADVERTISE YOUR DRIVER JOBS in 105 S.C. newspapers for only $375. Your 25-word classified ad will reach more than 2.6 million readers. Call Jimmie Haynes at the S.C. Newspaper Network, 1-888-727-7377. WE NEED DRIVERS!! Immediate openings. OTR drivers, minimum 1yr. OTR experience. Late model conventional tractors/48' flatbed trailers. Top pay, insurance. Home most weekends. Senn Freight 1-800-477-0792 Train to be a PROFESSIONAL TRUCK DRIVER through Prime's Student Driver Program. Obtain your Commercial Driver's License, then get paid while training! 1-800-277-0212 driveforprime.com

RENTALS 2BR/2BA very nice large Apt. located in town. Call 803-236-5953

3 br house on Burgess Ct. C/H/A $495/mo. First month rent free! 774-8512 / 983-5691 3BR/1BA home. Section 8, $500/mo + dep. Tesco 773-1515 3 Br, 2 Ba, fenced yard, 1/2 ac, shed, Walmart area. Window AC, gas heat. $550 mo. 934-6236

Mobile Home Rentals 14 x 60, 3Br Industrial Park area. No Pets. $350/mo & $350 sec dep. 803-481-0365 934 Gene 3BR 2BA $550 Mo., #1 Plains MHP 2BR 14 BA $410 Mo., 409 Highland Ave 3BR 1BA $525 Mo, Sec Dep. starting at $250, Sec. 8 Ok. Call 773-8022 3BR/1.5BA, all appl. incl. C/H/A, water & sewer incl. $385/mo + dep. Call 803-464-5757. Scenic Lake 2Br, 2Ba. No pets. Call between 9am - 5pm ONLY! (803) 499-1500.

STATEBURG COURTYARD 2 & 3 BRs 803-494-4015 Nice 3BR/2BA SW on 1 acre. 5 min. to Shaw, all appl's, $600/ mo+dep. 803-983-0371

Vacation Rentals ADVERTISE YOUR VACATION PROPERTY FOR RENT OR SALE to more than 2.6 million South Carolina newspaper readers. Your 25-word classified ad will appear in 105 S.C. newspapers for only $375. Call Jimmie Haynes at the South Carolina Newspaper Network, 1-888-727-7377.

Commercial Rentals Manning - Hwy 260, Excellent location for Church rental. Across from Santee Electric Co. Call 803-473-0321

REAL ESTATE Manufactured Housing Singlewides & Doublewides sold wholesale for CASH... Call Now 983-8084 LOW CREDIT SCORE? Been turned down for bad credit? Come try us, we do our own financing. We have 2-3-4-5 bedroom homes on our lot. Layaway program available. For more information, call 843-389-4215. 3 & 4BR Doublewides in Dalzell. Owner Financing with large down payments. 803-983-8084 14x80 Fleetwood 3BR 2BA W/Shed $1500 Call 464-8397 or 565-9014 (needs work)

Mobile Home with Lots MH for rent on .05 acre lot 1302 Alva Dr C/H/A. Near Shaw AFB Call Joey at 468-0342

Farms & Acreage FSBO: Land, Small & Large acreage. Owner financing. 803-427-3888. Multiple lots for sale: 803-236-8495 ask for Bruce.

Call

RECREATION

Montreat St./Dixie (off Miller Rd.) 2BR 1BA, appliances, no pets $400 mo + dep. 316-8105. Senior Living Apartments for those 62+ (Rent based on income) Shiloh-Randolph Manor 125 W. Bartlette. 775-0575 Studio/1 Bedroom apartments available EHO

Unfurnished Homes Close to Shaw. Dalzell 3br 2ba brick, fenced yd, screen porch, all appl. C/H/A No Pets. $800 /mo+dep 803-316-8105 Several Singlewides, doublewides and brick homes for rent. Manning and Home Branch area. Security deposit req. 225-0389. 19 Baker St. (Sumter), 3 Bedroom, 1.5 bath, W/D hookup, Sec 8 ok. 316-8206, 236-9173

Boats / Motors 2007 Triton TR-21X HP Bassmaster Classic Edit. with 250 Mercury XS Call for details 803 968-2459

TRANSPORTATION

2004 Escalade, Pearl white, loaded, 2004 Dodge Ram Crew Cab 4 Wheel drive, low miles, 99' Chevy Ext. Cab v8 with leather Call R & R Motors 803 494-2886 97' Acura 2 Door all pwr, sunroof, new tires, 4cyl, AT, Excellent Car $3500 OBO Call 972-0771 Holiday Special 150 cars $5,000 or less $$$ CASH $$$ Price is Right Auto Sales 3210 Broad St 803-494-4275