P-15’s look to bounce back in state tourney after lackluster performance in 2012. B1
COMING SUNDAY IN REFLECTIONS
Armistice ended Korean combat 60 years ago VOL. 118, NO. 237 WWW.THEITEM.COM
FRIDAY, JULY 26, 2013 | SUMTER, SOUTH CAROLINA
Happily ever after (again)
FOUNDED OCTOBER 15, 1894
60 CENTS
Focus turns to interim district head Board will meet again Monday for executive session BY BRADEN BUNCH bbunch@theitem.com The primary focus of the Sumter School District Board of Trustees is to find an interim superintendent as soon as possible, the board announced Thursday at its first meeting since the resignation announcement of Superintendent Randolph Bynum. After holding a roughly two-hour executive session, board Chairman Keith Schultz read a statement stressing the importance of finding an interim replacement, and then announced the trustees will hold another special meeting on Monday at Alice Drive Middle School to continue working toward finding this person. “We want to assure ev-
KEITH GEDAMKE / SPECIAL TO THE ITEM
Community members wait during executive session at Lakewood High School at Thursday evening’s Sumter School District Board of Trustees meeting.
eryone that we recognize the urgency to put into place a leader who will ensure a smooth transition into the coming school SEE MEETING, PAGE A10
PHOTOS BY JADE ANDERSON / THE ITEM
Helen Mitchell, front, smiles at her matrons of honor while Herbert Hightower, center, listens to Stewart Schnur, officiant, as best man Roland Alexander Bradley smiles at Tuomey Chapel on Tuesday. The matrons of honor were Dione Mitchell Perry and Shelia Davis.
Judge denies bond for man charged with attempted murder
Senior citizens find joy in 2nd relationship
BY ROBERT J. BAKER bbaker@theitem.com
BY JADE ANDERSON janderson@theitem.com This Sumter love story begins with chemotherapy, rather than with the usual moonlight and roses. And, it culminated Tuesday, when Helen Mitchell and Herbert Hightower were married at Tuomey Chapel. “God had a hand in it,” Mitchell said. “He showed me his spirit. When God shows you something, you can believe it. You can trust it.” The two met while their spouses were in treatment for cancer at Tuomey Regional Medical Center. Mitchell’s husband even became golf buddies with Hightower. He died Dec. 20, 2006, and Hightower’s wife died June 11, 2011. It was a while before they saw each other again at the Shaw Air Force Base Exchange store. “She is attractive,” Hightower said. “We exchanged pleasantries. I talked about going to see my daughter in Charlotte for (the holidays), and she said she wanted to see her daughter in Fort Mill.” He provided the ride, and come January 2012, he was asking Mitchell to karaoke. At first she said no because of the
Sumter attorney Will Brunson said Thursday that his 34-year-old client did not shoot at another man in a parked vehicle in late June. Third Circuit Judge George C. James said Corey Jason Stukes will remain without bond for a charge of attempted mur- STUKES der at the Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center, however, until Brunson “finds credible evidence (Stukes) was not involved in this incident.” James denied a bond motion on Thursday, saying that Brunson can revisit the matter in 90 days. “I find that Stukes is a danger to the community at the present time,” James said in making his decision. “Mr. Brunson, if you do find the credible evidence, I’d
ABOVE: Stewart Schnur, leader of Plaza Church of Christ and officiant for Tuesday’s wedding, holds up the rings and talks about their symbolism Tuesday. He was in a wheelchair following left knee replacement surgery. BELOW: The cake and sparkling cider await the bride and groom.
SEE TOGETHER, PAGE A7
DEATHS
20 N. Magnolia St. Sumter, SC 29150 (USPS 525-900)
www.theitem.com
Information: 774-1200 Advertising: 774-1236 Classifieds: 774-1234 Delivery: 774-1258 News, Sports: 774-1226
Rudolph McFadden Abraham McQuillar George W. Hardoman Eunice Thompson The Rev. Robert L. Partin Mary Bell Gillard
Charlie Frierson Jr. Gwendolyn H. Holliday J.D. Caples Frances M. Joye B6, B7
suggest you collaborate with (3rd Circuit Assistant Solicitor W. Jason) Corbett to determine who did this to the exclusion of Mr. Stukes.” Stukes, of 143 Shannon St. in Sumter, was arrested July 1, according to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, eight days after a gun was fired at a white Cadillac SRX parked at a Broad Street nightclub. The car was hit seven or eight times, according to reports, causing about $6,000 in damage. No one was hurt in the incident. “(The driver) said Stukes was firing at him because of an argument over dancing with a female,” the report states. “(He) also stated that it could have ... been over the fact that (the victim’s) brother signed statements against one of the Stukes’ family members, causing them to go to jail.” Reports indicate .40-caliber shell casings were SEE STUKES, PAGE A10
OUTSIDE NO RAIN?
INSIDE 3 SECTIONS, 26 PAGES
Periods of clouds and sunshine; partly cloudy tonight HIGH: 90 LOW: 69 A10
Church News Classifieds Comics Daily Planner Opinion Television
A9 C1 C7 A10 A8 A8