Dr. Propst to speak at annual Y meeting
2013 IN REVIEW Take a look back at this past year’s sports highlights
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VOL. 119, NO. 69 WWW.THEITEM.COM
SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2014 | SUMTER, SOUTH CAROLINA
FOUNDED OCTOBER 15, 1894
‘Officer Eley saved this individual from himself ’
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SC Works offers assistance for jobless citizens
Policeman pulls driver from submerged car
BY BRISTOW MARCHANT bmarchant@theitem.com Sumer Jarvis is new to being unemployed. The former insurance clerk had her position eliminated at the end of the year. “Merry Christmas,” she said sarcastically, reflecting on the early December notice that her job was ending. After working at her previous job for 16 years, Jarvis filed for unemployment benefits this week, but was unsure what benefits she might receive, because extended federal unemployment assistance ended amid much media coverage at the end of 2013. SEE SC WORKS, PAGE A4
Mom, baby doing well after at-home grease fire accident
BRADEN BUNCH / THE ITEM
Public safety workers with Sumter Police Department and Sumter Fire Department stand along the Liberty Street bridge overlooking the area where a vehicle submerged in Second Mill Pond late Friday night.
Sumter PD rescues man from Second Mill Pond BY JADE ANDERSON janderson@theitem.com
BY JADE ANDERSON janderson@theitem.com
‘He jumped into the frigid water without regard for his own safety. This demonstrates everyday bravery. ... He is a hero. It’s hard to put into words how proud I am of him.’
Marissa Dodd feels like one lucky woman. “I sometimes get overwhelmed with feeling blessed after everything that happened to me,” said the 21-year-old Sumter woman. “I think I’ve gotten mad one time since the accident. Everybody has their off days, but I don’t like getting mad. I try to always be happy no matter what happens and to always smile. I see people that have had accidents, and they are always upset. I don’t have time to think
Officer Quintin Eley is OFFICER enjoying some well QUINTIN ELEY earned time off while another Sumter man awaits a bond hearing. About 10:30 Friday night, the 25-year-old dove into Chief Russell Roark Second Mill Sumter Police Department Pond to save a 38-yearold man from drowning in his CIMPEAN crashed car. “He jumped into the frigid water without regard for his own safety,” said Sumter Police Chief Russell Roark. “This demonstrates everyday bravery. Officer Eley saved this individual from himself. He is a hero. It’s hard to put into words how proud I am of him.” Ioan Marcel Cimpean of 28 Lawson Circle, Sumter, is being charged with driving under the influence. JADE ANDERSON / THE ITEM Eley, who has been with the department Sumter Police Chief Russell Roark praises Officer Quintin Eley for saving a 38-year-old man Friday night after the individual crashed his car into Second Mill Pond. Eley is resting SEE RESCUE, PAGE A3 at home, while the driver is in jail.
20 N. Magnolia St. Sumter, SC 29150 (USPS 525-900)
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SEE GREASE FIRE, PAGE A4
PHOTO PROVIDED
From left, Tristin McLeod, Ricky McLeod, Kayden McLeod and Marissa Dodd celebrate New Year’s Day 2014. Less than six months ago, while pregnant with Kayden, Marissa survived a grease fire explosion.
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CLOUDS AND SHOWERS Rather cloudy and milder with a shower in the day; mostly cloudy with a passing shower at night. HIGH: 56 LOW: 47 A10
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