Santee waterpark drawing big crowds
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Aurora Sojourn Solo exhibition by New York artist Jen Pepper opens Thursday at Patriot Hall’s Gallery 135 C1 SERVING SOUTH CAROLINA SINCE OCTOBER 15, 1894
SUNDAY, JULY 12, 2015
Dalzell man charged with murder after body found FROM STAFF REPORTS A Dalzell man is behind bars facing murder charges after a body was found behind a vacant house Friday night. Qwinton Diquan Harper, last known address of 4405 Maxie St. in Dalzell, is charged with the murder of Shimone Gillins, 33, of Sumter. According to state law, the HARPER charge carries a prison sentence between 30 years and life in prison or the death penalty if convicted. Harper turned himself into the Sumter Police Department Saturday morning without incident, according to a news release from the department. He was promptly taken to Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center where he is awaiting a bond hearing. “It is never good to have unnecessary and unwanted behavior such as this occurring in the city of Sumter,” Sumter Police Chief Russell F. Roark III said in a statement. “The neighborhood in which this pointless shooting occurred does not reflect the positive image and pride of the citizens living there.” Gillins’ body was found about 7 p.m. at 611 S. Harvin St. after an anonymous tip reported a possibly sick or dead body in the backyard. An autopsy shows the cause of death being gunshot wounds to the upper body. Sumter Police Department Spokesperson Tonyia McGirt said she could not comment on how many times Gillins was shot and what the murder weapon’s caliber was. A preliminary investigation by the police department shows that Gillins and Harper were involved in a physical altercation a few weeks prior. Roark said in his statement the shooting was allegedly in retaliation to the fight. McGirt said she could not comment on what the two were fighting about. According to the release, Gillins and Harper were both allegedly involved in a criminal circle and knew each other before the fight. McGirt said she could not comment on what type of criminal activity the two were
SEE MURDER, PAGE A7
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Beasley’s prayer answered Flag sealed former governor’s legacy BY MEG KINNARD The Associated Press COLUMBIA — The Confederate battle flag has been an albatross around David Beasley’s neck for 20 years, costing him the political legacy of a second gubernatorial term, a seat in the U.S.
Senate and beyond. Now that it’s been removed from South Carolina’s Statehouse grounds, the former Republican governor says the unity that has grown from the flag debate was worth the wait — and personal sacrifice. As governor in 1996, the native of Darlington, in South Carolina’s northeastern corner, infuriated fellow Republicans when, amid threats of boycotts and lawsuits and protests, he went on statewide television, saying he
had reversed his position in whether the flag should remain atop the dome after praying about it. Lawmakers rejected Beasley’s plan to relocate the flag to a monument on the grounds, and voters bounced him from office in a 1998 re-election bid. Yet, in 2000, Beasley watched as his proposal essentially came to life, as the flag was raised on a pole near a monument to Confederate soldiers.
SEE BEASLEY, PAGE A7
Cooling off Scott Ketchum, left, introduces his daughter Marley, 7 months, to the water as her sister Kylie, 8, encourages her at the Palmetto Park Splash Pad on Saturday. Marley Ketchum, below, gets her first taste of the Splash Pad at Palmetto Park as her sister Kylie holds her. PHOTOS BY KEITH GEDAMKE / THE SUMTER ITEM
Staycation in Sumter has its own rewards BY ADRIENNE SARVIS adrienne@theitem.com For those who plan to finish out the remainder of the summer in town, don’t fret because there are plenty of local activities available at minimal costs. Sumter Communications and Tourism Director Shelley Kile said movies will be shown at the Sumter Opera House until July 30. Movies start at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Thursdays with a $1 admission price. Kile said popcorn and water will be sold at the venue for $1 each. Upcoming movies include “The Box-
trolls,” “Paddington” and “Cinderella.” Most of the films are geared to entertain small children but on Aug. 14, the Opera House will show “Guardians of the Galaxy” at 7 p.m. During the previous week, Kile said as many as 1,000 people attended the movies at the Opera House. She said the experience is similar to that of watching a movie at a theater because the screen takes up the entire stage. “There’s never a dull seat in the house,” she said. Saturday mornings from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., your family can take a trip
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to the Downtown Market to purchase fresh and locally grown fruits and vegetables and handmade crafts. Kile said there is always music and fun activities for children to enjoy including face painting and sketch artists. For a family or a couples outing, you can hang out on North Main Street during Fourth Fridays events. Fourth Fridays take place from 6:30 to 9 p.m.in front of the Opera House on the fourth Friday of every month ending on Oct. 23. Kile said Fourth Fridays are great for
SEE REWARDS, PAGE A7
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Slightly cooler today and mostly clear, no chance of rain; tonight, partly cloudy, 25 percent chance of rain.
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