March 12, 2014

Sumter baseball takes on Spring Valley B1

AT THE POLLS: Pinewood elects new mayor A2

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

| Serving South Carolina since October 15, 1894

75 cents

Pastor facing more sex assault charges

Testimony begins in shooting deaths trial

BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com (803) 774-1214

DuRant appeared before Judge Roosevelt Goodwin at Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center on Tuesday afternoon for his bond hearing, his family in tow.

Detective Natalie Kelly of Sumter Police Department presented her case to Goodwin, divulging the details of the new charges. According to the victim’s testimony, DuRant first assaulted her in November 2012

MANNING — Kaisha Caraway spent the day Tuesday in the Clarendon County Administrative Building testifying against Justin Johnson, the father of her two children.

Johnson is charged with shooting and killing Caraway’s grandmother, Maxine Briggs Caraway — who would have been 62 years old Tuesday — and her 9-monthold son, Jayden, before also shooting the prosecution’s witness in April 2011 at her grandparent’s home on Carissa Lane in Manning.

Johnson faces two counts of murder, a count of attempted murder, kidnapping and other charges in the case expected to last at least the week.

During her stoic testimony of the tragic day’s events, Caraway said Johnson showed up to the house unexpectedly, and she took the opportunity to ask him to take the kids to see the doctor. As he waited outside in his car, she said she dressed the children while talking to Johnson on the phone.

Caraway said Johnson was angry and upset and threatened to break into the house. She said Johnson wanted her to come along but that she didn’t feel comfortable about it.

He left but brought the kids back to the house in about 30 minutes, she said. Caraway asked him why he did not go to the doctor, she said, and he replied the clinic was not taking walk-ins. She testified he started to drive away but then stopped to ask her again to go with him.

“He came running up to the house, and it caused me to shut the door,” she said, adding he pushed his way inside and began “punching her all over.”

At that time, Caraway said her grandmother entered the room.

And as Jayden sat in a high chair, and her other child, M’keya, peeked around the corner, Caraway said on the stand that Johnson began beating both her and her grandmother.

Caraway testified she started up the stairs to find a phone, but Johnson pulled her back and was dragging her off the porch as her grandmother rushed past to get to her car.

Caraway ran back into the house, found her grandmother’s phone and ran down the hall to the bathroom, she said.

SEE DuRANT, PAGE A8

SEE TRIAL, PAGE A6

MATT WALSH / THE SUMTER ITEM

Detective Natalie Kelly of Sumter Police Department explains the sexual conduct charges brought against Larry DuRant, right, during his bond hearing Tuesday at Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center. The pastor faces more sexual assault charges after a 16-year-old girl who attends World International Ministries told law enforcement he sexually assaulted her.

Teen: Incidents occurred during ‘private’ prayer sessions

BY ROB COTTINGHAM rcottingham@theitem.com (803) 774-1225 A Sumter pastor is facing more sexual assault charges after another alleged victim stepped forward.

According to reports, Larry DuRant, 59, of 2080 Four Bridges Road, was charged Tuesday with two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor after he turned himself in to Sum-

ter Police Department.

The new charges come from an investigation of a then-16-year-old girl who attends World International Ministries, where DuRant is a pastor. The teen told law enforcement that she was sexually assaulted by DuRant during “private” prayer sessions held at the church’s Manning Avenue and Guignard Drive locations in Sumter. The alleged incidences occurred between November 2012 and April 2013.

School board approves uniform policy for Chestnut Oaks

BY RAYTEVIA EVANS revans@theitem.com (803) 774-1214 Students at Chestnut Oaks Middle School will have to wear mandatory school uni-

VISIT US ONLINE AT

the

.com

forms starting in the fall.

Principal Lashawnte Sarvis went before the Sumter School District Board of Trustees during Monday’s meeting at Crosswell Drive Elementary School to request

uniforms for the school which the board approved with a 3-1 vote and two abstentions.

Sarvis, who’s in her first year as a principal, proposed the uniform policy for the

DEATHS, B6 Jean M. Bell Charles A. Nimmo Dr. Armand Joseph Gagne Jr. Jessie A. Cartwright Addie Sue T. Williams

Taylen Smith Clara Wilson Robert Brooks Essie S. Cantey

2014-15 school year to help with common dress code violations such as female students dressing “like women,” or more mature than their appropriate age, and their male students who are often told to

pull up their pants or don’t wear belts to school.

When Chestnut Oaks administrators decided that they would like to adopt a uniform

SEE UNIFORMS, PAGE A6

WEATHER, A8

INSIDE

WINDY AND WARM

3 SECTIONS, 24 PAGES VOL. 119, NO. 125

Expect a few thunderstorms to pop up today; clear and colder tonight HIGH 76, LOW 35

Classifieds B7 Comics C6 Food C8 Lotteries A8

Opinion A7 Panorama C1 Television C7

A2

|

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

THE SUMTER ITEM

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

County’s landscaping debate lives on Council defers action to consider rule changes

BY BRISTOW MARCHANT bmarchant@theitem.com (803) 774-1272 The debate about Sumter County’s landscaping rules will go on a bit longer after Tuesday’s county council meeting, when council members declined to take up the latest version of the revised standards and instead sent the issue back to committee for more changes.

Council did go forward with a public hearing on the landscaping ordinance but deferred action on second reading until its land-use committee can meet to make last-minute adjustments to some of the draft’s language.

The rules previously made their way through the three-member committee and passed a first-reading vote, but Councilman Jimmy Byrd, who doesn’t sit on the committee, asked his colleagues to consider some changes to the final draft.

“Just some minor changes to the wording” was how Byrd described it,

“like with the stormwater ponds. This requires a buffer area around the pond, but some places could use that as an amenity. That’s an example of the kind of flexibility I’d like to put in there.”

The revised standards, passed up from the county Planning Commission after planners did their own review, would set clearer rules for commercial properties and housing developments in the unincorporated portions of the county.

Builders will have to plant a certain number of trees and shrubs, depending on the size and nature of the project; allow for “buffer” areas between the building and its neighbors; and meet other standards meant to shape the county’s overall appearance.

Council could have approved the draft Tuesday and made changes before its final reading, but land-use member Artie Baker moved to defer, saying he didn’t want council to approve a document its members wanted to change.

Some citizens have also voiced concerns. Carl Croft told council he appreciates changes made to the draft to make the rules easier on developers but said the ordinance was still too

broad. The section on subdivisions, he pointed out, says unspecified requirements could be imposed to mitigate the development’s effects on neighboring properties.

“That sounds like the opposite of its stated purpose,” Croft said. “How can you plan for anything if you don’t know what’s required?”

County Planning Director George McGregor has argued for changes that will give planning staff clearer standards that can be more consistently enforced. Under the current, somewhat vaguer guidelines, deci-

sions on whether a specific property is in compliance with the ordinance can come down to the judgment of the individual planner making the call.

A similar version of the ordinance was adopted earlier this year by Sumter City Council for properties inside the city limits. Neither version applies to residential homes.

The draft will now go back to the land-use committee for final changes before it comes back to the full council for second and third readings. No date for that committee meeting was set Tuesday.

Pinewood elects 1st black mayor

BY TYLER SIMPSON tyler@theitem.com (803) 774-1295

PINEWOOD MAYOR SPECIAL ELECTION RESULTS

After approximately four months, Pinewood has been without a mayor, but residents have elected someone to fill the empty seat for the next several months: Sarah Mathis.

The official results of the Pinewood special nonpartisan election Tuesday indicated Mayor Pro Tem Sarah Mathis defeated Pinewood resident Manley C. Dubose by 85 votes, 123 to 38. By electing Mathis as mayor, voters also became a part of history, as Mathis is the first black candidate to be elected mayor in the town of Pinewood.

“I would just like to thank the town of Pinewood for placing their trust in me,” Mathis said. “It’s wonderful, but I’m not here because I am African-American. I am here because I am from everybody.”

With Mathis now officially mayor for the town, another empty seat of mayor pro tem has become open on Pinewood Town Council. Because she

√

Manley C. Dubose 38 Sarah Mathis 123

hasn’t discussed it with council yet, Mathis said she was unsure if the town will hold another special election or if they will just have to wait until the next general election in November.

“People are interested in what’s going on around them and what could happen to their town,” Mathis said.

While commenting on his loss in the special election, Dubose stated he would simply like to give Mathis his best wishes while serving Pinewood as mayor.

The town has been without a mayor for about four months since the town’s former mayor, Al Pridgen, resigned his seat in December to seek medical attention in North Carolina. Mathis has been serving as acting mayor.

The polls opened inside

An election manager shows a registered Pinewood voter how to cast her ballot during the special election Tuesday. A total of 161 registered Pinewood voters attended to cast their vote.

PHOTOS BY TYLER SIMPSON / THE SUMTER ITEM

Pinewood’s new mayor, Sarah Mathis, laughs and celebrates her win in the Pinewood special election Tuesday beside her husband. Mathis defeated Pinewood resident Manley C. Dubose by 85 votes to become the town’s first black mayor. She will serve as mayor until the town’s next general election in November.

Pinewood Town Hall at 7 a.m. and, according to the election managers, a majority of the voters arrived in the early morning before heading to work. The polls picked up again about 5 p.m. after attendance slowed during the day.

“I think it went very smoothly,” said Elizabeth Hinson of the Pinewood Election Commission. “We really did not have any issues once everybody came. Everybody conducted themselves great from poll workers right on down.”

Several voters at the polls said they had full confidence in both candidates and understood that holding the special election was important for Pinewood.

“It’s well-needed. We need

some new blood in town, and I think this is going to do it,” said Pinewood resident Gary Nesbitt. “I think both candidates are good, but the people will be the ones to decide that.”

“There are two good candidates, and let’s hope that who we vote on meets the requirements needed,” said Pinewood resident Hoyt Holland.

Some spoke up about what issues the newly elected mayor needs to address while on council for the next nine months.

“I would say that both candidates deeply care about the town of Pinewood. However, there has been a lot of chaos among town council, especially the past couple of years,” said Pinewood resident Travis

McIntosh. “There have been some irregularities on how the council conducts its business, and all of that needs to be changed.”

The special election was run by Pinewood’s own election commission, which now includes two new members who were sworn in on Feb. 21.

Lavaron Johnson and Hinson were voted into the election commission during a town council meeting in February and were sworn into the commission in front of a judge.

The town needed three members on its election commission to certify the candidates on the ballots after its chairman, Patrick Lester, retired in May 2013, and another member, Charlotte Smoak, retired two months ago.

HOW TO REACH US IS YOUR PAPER MISSING? ARE YOU GOING ON VACATION? 20 N. Magnolia St., Sumter, S.C. 29150 (803) 774-1200 Jack Osteen Editor and Publisher Jack@theitem.com (803) 774-1238 Braden Bunch Senior News Editor bbunch@theitem.com (803) 774-1201 Waverly Williams Sales Manager wwilliams@theitem.com (803) 774-1237

Earle Woodward Customer Service Manager earlew@theitem.com (803) 774-1259 Michele Barr Business Manager mbarr@theitem.com (803) 774-1249 Gail Mathis Clarendon Bureau Manager gail@theitem-clarendonsun.com (803) 435-4716

Member, Verified Audit Circulation

Call (803) 774-1258 Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday & Sunday, 7a.m. to 11 a.m.

TO PLACE AN ANNOUNCEMENT Birth, Engagement, Wedding, Anniversary, Obituary Call (803) 774-1226 Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

TO ADVERTISE Call (803) 774-1237 Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

TO BUY A SUBSCRIPTION Call (803) 774-1258 Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday & Sunday, 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Rural Route Home Delivery TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY

One year - $174.25; six months $91; three months - $47.50; two months, $33; one month $16.50. EZPay, $14.50/month SATURDAY AND SUNDAY

SUBSCRIPTION RATES Standard Home Delivery TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY

One year - $84; six months - $43; three months - $22; one month $7.50; EZPay, $7.50

One year - $166; Six months $87; three months - $45.25; two months - $31.50; one month $15.75; EZPay - $14/month

Mail Delivery

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY

Printed on recycled paper with environmentally safe soy inks to reduce ruboff. The Item is recyclable.

One year - $81.60; six months $40.80; three months - $20.40; one month, $6.80; EZPay, $6.80

One year - $276; six months $138; three months - $69; one month - $23

The Item is published six days a week except for July 4, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day (unless it falls on a Sunday) by Osteen Publishing Co., 20 N. Magnolia St., Sumter, SC 29150.

Periodical postage paid at Sumter, SC 29150.

Postmaster: Send address changes to Osteen Publishing Co., 20 N. Magnolia St., Sumter, SC 29150 Publication No. USPS 525-900

LOCAL

THE SUMTER ITEM

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

|

A3

Shaving for solidarity U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Jonathan Gurley, below, 20th Logistics Readiness Squadron, has his head shaved March 5 in Sumter at a local barber shop in support of a 20th LRS wingman who was recently diagnosed with cancer.

STAFF SGT. KENNY HOLSTON / SPECIAL TO THE SUMTER ITEM

AIRMAN 1ST CLASS DIANA M. COSSABOOM / SPECIAL TO THE SUMTER ITEM

STAFF SGT. KENNY HOLSTON / SPECIAL TO THE SUMTER ITEM

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Westley Dogan, 20th Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle operations superintendent, and Tech.

Sgt. Clyde Rankins, 20th LRS NCO in charge of vehicle dispatch, have their heads shaved March 5 in Sumter at a local barber shop in support of a 20th LRS wingman who was recently diagnosed with cancer. Thirteen airmen assigned to the 20th LRS pulled together and had their heads shaved to support their wingman who is now undergoing chemotherapy.

The team of airmen expressed a “one team, one fight” mindset and plan to help their wingman as he fights cancer.

POLICE BLOTTER CHARGES Malik Ali Davis, 20, of 1199 N. Lafayette Drive, was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and intent to distribute marijuana at 12:05 a.m. Saturday at the corner of Bee and Brand streets. According to the report, an officer smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming from Davis’ vehicle at a traffic stop and saw in plain view a bag of approximately 29.5 grams of marijuana.

An initial search of the vehicle uncovered approximately 59.5 grams of marijuana under the driver’s seat and 145.5 grams under the rear passenger’s seat.

A Glock .40-caliber handgun was found in a pouch behind the front passenger’s seat. Davis was arrested and transported to Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center.

Jaquan J. Wells, 17, of 403 Loring Drive, was charged with discharging a firearm within city limits at 2 a.m.

Saturday. According to the report, officers responded to Tuomey Regional Medical Center, where Wells was being treated for a gunshot wound to the lower right leg. Wells told officers that he accidentally shot himself while trying to defend himself from an attempted robbery at a residence on Carrol Drive. However, Wells kept changing his story and was sent to Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center after being treated.

Timothy V. Collier Jr., 20, of 2435 Peach Orchard Road, was arrested Tuesday and charged with second-degree burglary. On March 3, Collier allegedly broke into a home in the 6000 block of Lost Creek Drive and stole items valued at $800.

Derrick Jerrell Jeter, 30, of Lynchburg, was arrested Monday and charged with possession of crack cocaine and possession of marijuana. Jeter was located in the 10300 block of

Nero Circle in Lynchburg on a family court warrant.

He reportedly had a bag of crack cocaine in his pocket and two other bags of crack and marijuana and a suspected joint inside his car.

POINTING AND PRESENTING A FIREARM Officers responded to the 10 block of Somerset Drive, Dalzell, at 6:44 p.m. Sunday to a 38-year-old suspect pulling a handgun out while arguing with a 31-year-old and 27-year-old victim over money. The suspect, however, stated that he was calmly discussing the situation when the victims

picked up two beer bottles as if they were about to swing them at him. He admitted to pulling out a handgun but said he never pointed it at anyone. The victims were advised to seek warrants.

ASSAULT At 7:51 a.m. Monday, a 63-year-old man reportedly threw a water bottle at a woman in the 4400 block of Dawson Road in Rembert, then threatened the woman with a knife.

DISCHARGING A FIREARM INTO A DWELLING Officers responded to a residence in the 10 block of Clinton Street on Friday in reference to a complaint

stating that an unknown suspect shot a round through the window of her 13-year-old daughter’s bedroom between 10 and 11 p.m. Officers investigated and found one shell casing in the bedroom. No suspects were located at the time.

Officers responded to a residence in the 300 block of Mallard Drive where an unknown suspect shot twice at the back of the wooden wall of a 12-by-10feet green shed between 8 a.m. Feb. 1 and 10:54 a.m.

Saturday. One of the bullets went through the metal garage door of the shed and caused $750 in damage. Officers collected one bullet fragment at the scene.

STOLEN PROPERTY An ATM card and a Certificate of Deposit worth $80,000 were reported stolen at 1:35 p.m. from a residence in the 1000 block of Kolb Road.

A white Ford F-350, a trailer and a tractor were reported stolen at 10:40 a.m. Friday from a residence in the 5000 Dais Road. The estimated value of the items is $17,000.

EMS REPORTS On Monday, Sumter County EMS responded to 47 calls.

Forty-three were medical calls, one was a motor vehicle wreck, one was a standby for the fire department, and two were listed as “other trauma.”

A4

|

NATION | WORLD

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

Music by The Crosswell Bell Boys

THE SUMTER ITEM

CIA illegally snooped on Senate computers, top lawmaker says

BY DONNA CASSATA The Associated Press

RAYTEVIA EVANS / THE SUMTER ITEM

The Crosswell Bell Boys perform two selections for board members and attendees during Monday’s Sumter School District Board of Trustees meeting at Crosswell Drive Elementary School.

Ancient masks go on display in Jerusalem

BY DANIEL ESTRIN The Associated Press JERUSALEM — The oldestknown masks in the world went on display in Jerusalem on Tuesday in the largest-ever exhibit of the ghoulish faces, thought to have been created in the Holy Land thousands of years before the time of the Bible.

The 11 stone masks, said to have been discovered in the Judean desert and hills near Jerusalem, date back 9,000 years and offer a rare glimpse at some of civilization’s first communal rituals.

“It’s quite exciting,” said James Snyder, director of the Israel Museum, which is hosting the seven-month exhibit. “When you go back to objects that are this old, that are so much before the theology that becomes Judaism, Christianity and then Islam, to feel that there is a kind of

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Masks estimated to be 9,000 years old are seen at Israel Museum in Jerusalem on Monday. a connection, that this is all part of a continuous story, is something that is pretty thrilling.”

The masks are thought to have been fashioned to look like skulls, and each one has its own personality. Some

have round cartoon-like holes for eyes, others flash a grin of tiny teeth. One elongated mask bears a resemblance to that of Hollywood villain Hannibal Lecter of “Silence of the Lambs.”

The masks have long been an enigma. Most of the artifacts had made their way into the hands of private collectors during the past several decades, so it took 10 years of carbon-14 testing and comparison to similar masks discovered in documented Israeli excavations for experts to determine their authenticity and origin.

Iain Morley, a professor of paleoanthropology at Oxford University, said the items are thought to be the oldest of their kind. “I don’t think there’s anything that early from other parts of the world that you can say is a mask,” said Morley, who isn’t involved in the exhibit.

WASHINGTON — The head of the Senate Intelligence Committee accused the CIA on Tuesday of criminal activity in improperly searching a computer network set up for lawmakers investigating allegations that the agency used torture in terror investigations during the Bush administration.

Democrat Dianne Feinstein, in an extraordinary speech on the Senate floor, publicly aired an intense but formerly quiet dispute between Congress and the spy agency. She said the matter has been referred to the Justice Department for further investigation.

Both Feinstein and the CIA have accused each other’s staffs of improper behavior. She said she had “grave concerns that the CIA’s search may well have violated the separation of powers principles embodied in the United States Constitution.”

CIA Director John Brennan, when asked about Feinstein’s accusations, said the agency was not trying to stop the committee’s report and that it had not been spying on the panel or the Senate. He said the appropriate authorities would

2014

Spring

Home & Garden

Open the Door..

TO MORE SALES THIS SPRING!

Just in time for spring home improvements, our next special section >Ã Þ Õ V ÛiÀi` vÀ y À Ì À>vÌiÀ° Spring Home & Garden is loaded with valuable features and advertising designed to help you enhance your living ë>Vi Ì i à >ÀÌ Ü>Þ°

ad deadline

Monday, March 24, 2014

publish date

Saturday, March 29, 2014

ÜÜÜ°Ì i Ìi °V Call your sales representative or 803-774-1237

look at the matter further, and “I defer to them to determine whether or not there was any violation of law or principle.”

Brennan informed Feinstein of the computer search in January, according to the senator. He denied that the CIA “hacked” into the computer network in remarks Tuesday but did not address the question of a search.

The CIA provided computers to congressional staffers in a secure room in northern Virginia in 2009 so the panel could review millions of pages of top-secret documents in the course of its investigation into the CIA’s detentions and interrogations during the Bush administration.

At issue now is whether the CIA violated an agreement made with the Senate Intelligence Committee about monitoring the panel’s use of CIA computers.

Feinstein said the Senate staff members had an electronic search tool to deal with 6.2 million pages of documents and the ability to make copies on their computers. She said the arrangement suffered a blow when CIA personnel electronically removed the committee’s access to documents that had already been provided to the panel.

NATION | WORLD

THE SUMTER ITEM

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

|

A5

Malaysian military says missing jet changed course KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — The missing Boeing 777 jetliner changed course over the sea, crossed Malaysia and reached the Strait of Malacca — hundreds of miles from its last position recorded by civilian authorities, Malaysian military officials said Tuesday, citing military radar data.

The development added confusion and mystery into one of the most puzzling aviation incidents of recent time, and it has raised questions about why the Malaysia Airlines flight apparently was not transmitting signals detectable by civilian radar, why its crew was silent about the course change and why no distress calls were sent after it turned back.

Many experts have been working on the assumption there was a catastrophic event on the flight — such as an explosion, engine failure, terrorist attack, extreme turbulence, pilot error or even suicide. The director of the CIA said in Washington that he still would not rule out terrorism.

Flight MH370, carrying 239 people, took off from Kuala Lumpur at 12:41 a.m. Saturday, bound for Beijing. Authorities initially said its last contact with ground controllers was less than an hour into the flight at a height of 35,000 feet, when the plane was somewhere between the east coast of Malaysia and Vietnam.

But local newspaper Berita Harian quoted Malaysia’s air force chief, Gen. Rodzali Daud, as saying that radar at a military base had tracked the jet as it changed its course, with the final signal at 2:40 a.m. showing the plane to be near Pulau Perak at the northern approach to the Strait of Malacca, a busy waterway that separates the western coast of Malaysia and Indonesia’s Sumatra island. It was flying slightly lower, at about 29,528 feet, he said.

“After that, the signal from the plane was lost,” he was quoted as saying.

A high-ranking military official involved in the investigation confirmed the report. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to disclose sensitive information.

Authorities had said earlier the plane may have tried to turn back to Kuala Lumpur, but they expressed surprise it would do so without informing ground control.

The search was initially focused hundreds of miles to the east, in waters off Vietnam, with more than 40 planes and ships from at least 10 nations searching the area without finding a trace of the missing aircraft.

Earlier Tuesday, Malaysia Airlines said in a statement that search-and-rescue teams had expanded their scope to the Strait of Malacca.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

An Indonesian Navy crew member scans the water bordering Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand during a search operation for the missing Malaysian Airlines Boeing 777 near the Malacca straits on Monday.

General’s defense to try for plea deal in sex case FORT BRAGG, N.C. (AP) — Attorneys for an Army general charged with sexual assault said Tuesday that they have decided to try to renegotiate a plea bargain with a new set of military officials after the judge determined that the case may have been improperly influenced by political concerns.

Judge Col. James Pohl sent the jury of generals back to their duty stations around the world after defense lawyers for Brig. Gen. Jeffrey A. Sinclair announced their decision. The two sides now enter negotiations to try to resolve the case. A new general with new legal advisers would have to be brought in to approve any new deal.

“There are other issues that have come up in this trial,” Pohl told the jurors as he dis-

missed them. “Sometimes there are twists and turns you can’t anticipate.”

Pohl had declined to dismiss the charges outright on Monday. But he reviewed newly disclosed emails in Sinclair’s case and said he found the appearance of “unlawful command influence” in Fort Bragg officials’ decision to reject a plea bargain with the

general in January.

The twist came with the Pentagon under heavy pressure from Congress and beyond to combat rape and other sex crimes in the military.

Under the military code of justice, the decision was supposed to be decided solely on the evidence, not its broader political implications.

But Pohl said the emails showed that the military officials who rejected the plea bargain had discussed a letter from the accuser’s lawyer.

The letter warned that allowing the general to avoid trial would “send the wrong signal.”

Sinclair, 51 and the former deputy commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, is ac-

cused of twice forcing a female captain to perform oral sex on him in Afghanistan in 2011 during a three-year extramarital affair. He has admitted to the affair but denied assaulting the woman.

The defense has portrayed the woman as a liar who concocted the allegations after she saw emails between Sinclair and another woman.

A6

|

LOCAL

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

THE SUMTER ITEM

TRIAL FROM PAGE A1 Johnson came back inside carrying a shotgun and pointed it at her, she said, and then told her, “You made me do this.”

Caraway said she closed her eyes, thinking she was about to be shot.

Then she heard the shot.

“I didn’t feel anything and realized he had shot Jayden,” she said. “I didn’t know where grandmother or M’keya was.”

She said she ran down the hall to the bathroom and barricaded the door and called 911 because Johnson had shot Jayden. Johnson shot through the door, she said, before busting in.

“He came in and pointed the gun at me. I closed the flip phone and told him I had called 911,” she said.

The emergency operator began to call back.

“I told him they were coming now even if they didn’t answer,” she said.

“He told me to tell them I was grandmother, and I was arguing with my boyfriend Robert,” she said, and she told the operator it was “Robert.”

Johnson told her they were going to tell the police a story, Caraway testified, adding that as they got into the car, she told him he should leave the gun, and he threw it in the yard, she said.

“I didn’t want the gun in the car,” she said.

She and Johnson left in Johnson’s car and soon flagged down Cpl. Charles Eden, a process server for the Clarendon County Sheriff’s Department.

Eden followed them to the house, saw the body and the gun but didn’t go any closer. Soon other officers arrived.

“Justin asked me if I was going to stick to the story,” she said.

As soon as she was alone with an officer, she wrote “He did it” on a piece of paper, and Johnson was arrested.

Through her testimony, Caraway established the basis of the prosecution’s case. After a brief recess on Tuesday, however, public defender Scott Robinson began his cross examination, sorting through numerous inconsistencies.

“You left a little bit out,” he began.

JIM HILLEY / THE SUMTER ITEM

Kaisha Caraway examines transcripts Tuesday of her statements given immediately after the April 2011 slayings.

He asked about the shotgun shells.

“They went with us,” she said.

“When Justin left the shotgun in the yard, he put the shells in his pocket.”

“So when you said (in an earlier statement) he kept shooting till the gun was empty that was not accurate?”

“Yes,” she replied.

Robinson began bringing up statements Caraway had made earlier to police but did not bring up in her testimony.

“What precipitated the argument?” he asked.

“He had the children in the car, and I didn’t want to go with him,” she said.

“You were expecting him to bring money or drugs?” Robinson asked.

“Yes,” she replied.

“Then why did it surprise you when he showed up?”

She said he told her he wouldn’t, and he was supposed to meet her the night before.

Robinson asked about two statements she had given that day at the hospital.

UNIFORMS FROM PAGE A1 policy, they formed a committee and briefly consulted the president of their school’s PTSA. During a Feb. 4 showcase celebration, Sarvis said parents who attended the event were asked to take a brief survey regarding a possible uniform policy in which some parents commented that uniforms could lessen the chances of bullying and will put more focus on curriculum and classroom instruction.

“A uniform policy would be mandatory and also decreases the use and wearing of bandannas, eliminating what bandannas may implicate,” Sarvis said. “We have academic attire, but of course that’s not mandatory. Uniforms will be less of a distraction, and we’ll spend less time addressing dress code violations.”

During Sarvis’ proposal, board members were supportive of a uniform policy; however, they had some concerns.

Larry Addison made it clear that he was concerned about how little parent feedback was

received on the issue. The Rev. Daryl McGhaney said he had the same concerns and thought the process of getting a uniform policy approved by the board may be moving too fast.

“I’m concerned about making further outreach to parents before making any decisions,” McGhaney said. “I’m just thinking about the parents who haven’t had the opportunity to give feedback.”

Some other concerns included the cost of uniforms, which McGhaney also brought up during Sarvis’ proposal. Sarvis said parents would be responsible for purchasing their children’s uniforms, and her reason for coming before the board before the end of the current school term was in hopes of getting the policy approved to give herself and Chestnut Oaks faculty and staff enough time to inform parents of the new policy for the coming year.

She also said to help with

“What did he tell you?” Robinson asked. “Did you find something on his computer? Is that what started the argument the night before?”

She said she told him she didn’t want anything to do with him, and she had changed the bank account PIN. “It was my account, he was secondary,” Caraway said.

“Are you certain?” the lawyer asked.

“Why was Johnson’s GI Bill money going into your account?”

“The account was still open,” she said.

Robinson said when she was at the hospital, he asked for money.

“Weren’t you mad because he was living with another woman?” he asked.

Robinson asked why Caraway had called the clinic so soon after Johnson left with the kids, even though she said she wasn’t concerned.

“I wanted to tell him to get something for one of the kids,” she said.

Throughout the afternoon Tuesday, Robinson continued to pound away at inconsistencies in her testimony.

the cost of uniforms, she thought Chestnut Oaks could establish a store in which it could manage to provide at least two uniforms for a household.

Sarvis explained that a number of parents at the showcase in early February were in support of a uniform policy for Chestnut Oaks based on the surveys, and she thought the results are a strong representation of the response she would receive from the majority of parents.

Sarvis said about 85 percent of teachers surveyed were in agreement of the policy.

The Rev. Ralph Canty was in full support of the uniform

Hadn’t she testified that he stopped and came back to the house when earlier she said she had stopped him? If he was angry and making threats, why did she let him take the kids? Why was she interested in getting DNA tests?

“Was it because you were angry with Justin for having children with another woman?” he asked.

Robinson gave Caraway transcripts of statements she made at different times on the day of the incident. “Look those over and tell me what you see is different,” he said. After several minutes out of the room, he returned and asked, “Anything in there help you remember some of your statements, little things like why you stopped him from leaving?”

“I wanted to ask him for money,” she said. “He said go with me or you don’t get it.”

The trial will continue today. Judge Jeffery Young said the court would reconvene at 9 a.m. today to consider the prosecution and defense requests and would bring the jury back at 10 a.m.

policy for Chestnut Oaks, stating that he has done extensive research on the correlation between dress and behavior in the school atmosphere. Because he is in full support of the policy, Canty announced that he is also willing to help with funding for uniforms for students. Canty also made the motion to adopt the policy for next school year at Chestnut Oaks.

Superintendent Frank Baker also supported the policy and recommended the board approve it for next school year.

Shaw Air Force Base representative Maj. Sean C. Brazel — who is not a voting member of the board — also said he sup-

ports the policy.

Addison, Canty and Patty Wilson voted for the uniform policy to be adopted, Keith Schultz voted against it, and McGhaney and Barbara Jackson abstained.

In the coming months, Sarvis will be responsible for choosing colors for the students’ uniforms and organizing and scheduling meetings to inform parents of the change in dress code for the school. Chestnut Oaks will join Furman, Hillcrest and Ebenezer middle schools in having a mandatory uniform policy. Multiple schools have academic attire, but the policy is not mandatory.

THE SUMTER ITEM N.G. Osteen 1843-1936 The Watchman and Southron

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014 H.G. Osteen 1870-1955 Founder, The Item

H.D. Osteen 1904-1987 The Item

|

A7

Margaret W. Osteen 1908-1996 The Item Hubert D. Osteen Jr. Chairman & Editor-in-Chief Graham Osteen Co-President Kyle Osteen Co-President Jack Osteen Editor and Publisher Larry Miller CEO Braden Bunch Senior News Editor

20 North Magnolia Street, Sumter, South Carolina 29150 • Founded October 15, 1894

COMMENTARY

Governed by rules, not men W

hat kind of rules should govern our lives? I’d argue that the best rules are those that we’d be satisfied with if our very worst enemy were in charge of decision-making. The foundation for such rules was laid out by my mother. Let’s look at it.

My mother worked as a domestic servant. That meant that my younger sister and I often lunched at home by ourselves during our preteen years. Being bigger and stronger than my sister, I seldom divided the food evenly, especially the desserts. After a tiring day at work, Mom would be greeted by sob stories from my sister about my lunchtime injustices.

Mom finally became fed up with the sibling hassles. She didn’t admonish me to be more caring, fair, sensitive and considerate.

She just made a rule: Whoever cuts the cake (pie, bread, meat, etc.) allows the other the first selection. With that new rule in place, you can bet that when either my sisWalter ter or I divided food, it was divided equally.

Williams You say, “That’s a nice story, Williams, but what’s the point?”

The point is that the principle underlying Mom’s rule is precisely the kind that is necessary for rules to promote fairness. In general, the rules that we should want are those that promote fairness, whether it’s our best friend or it’s our worst enemy who’s the decision-maker.

In the case of Mom’s rule, it didn’t make any difference whether I hated my sister’s guts that day or she hated mine or whether my sister was doing the cutting or I was; there was a just division of the food.

Think for a moment about rules in sports, say basketball. One team loses, and the other wins, but they and their fans leave the stadium peacefully and most often as friends. Why? The game’s outcome is seen as fair because there are fixed, known, neutral rules evenly applied by the referees. The referees’ job is to apply the rules — not determine the game’s outcome. Imagine the chaos and animosity among players and fans if one team paid referees to help it win or the referees were trying to promote some kind of equality among teams.

Billions of dollars and billions of hours are spent campaigning for this or that candidate in our national elections.

You can bet that people are not making those expenditures so that politicians will uphold and defend the Constitution; they’re looking for favors. The Constitution’s framers gave us reasonably fair and neutral rules of the game. If our government acted, as the framers intended, as a referee or night watchman, how much difference would it make to any of us who occupies the White House or Congress? It would make little difference, if any. It would be just like our basketball game example. Any government official who knew and enforced the rules would do. But increasingly, who’s in office is making a difference, because government has abandoned its referee and night watchman function and gotten into the business of determining winners and losers. Unfortunately, for our nation, that’s what most Americans want.

Thomas Paine said, “Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil.” Our Bill of Rights is an explicit recognition of the Founding Fathers’ distrust of Congress. Just look at its language, with phrases such as “Congress shall not abridge,” “shall not infringe,” “shall not deny,” “disparage” and “violate.” If the framers did not believe that Congress would abuse our God-given, or natural, rights, they would not have used such language. If, after we die, we see anything like the Bill of Rights at our next destination, we’ll know that we’re in hell. To demand such protections in heaven would be the same as saying we can’t trust God. Walter E. Williams is a professor of economics at George Mason University. © 2014 creators.com

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Penny tax money should be used to repair roads In reference to Thomas Martin’s letter on March 7: He asked for “feedback from other citizens” concerning the penny tax. I hoped that others would respond but no one has, so I will.

I remember when this subject came up, about Dec. 8, 2013, I thought, well this sounds like a foregone conclusion, government doing what they do best, collecting taxes.

I 100 percent support Mr. Martin’s request, which included 6 items, for accountability for the last penny tax. Did anyone think that when this tax ended that it would be over?

I would like to request that this money fix our roads. I understand that that money comes from another source but that money must have run out. If a policeman followed me down Board Street, I wonder if he would think that I must be driving drunk, when I am only trying to go around manhole covers and big patches in the road.

I noticed that there are several places around the Patriot Hall area where sections of sidewalks are being replaced. That’s nice, but fixing the problem without fixing what caused the problem only makes for job security. The trees need to be removed or the sidewalk will need to be replaced again in a few years. It reminds me of the tree service people who cut under the electrical lines. They cut just enough to get by so they will have to cut the same trees again in about four to five years.

Why not cut the whole tree down so the next time we have an ice storm, we won’t lose electricity for days at a time?

I noticed that at least one person on county council is concerned about health care, so will the penny tax go to opening another free clinic? What about the “dog park”? Is that going to be a necessity?

In closing, I would like to thank someone for repairing the hole where you turn right off Alice

Drive onto Liberty Street. The only people gaining from all the potholes are the tire and alignment businesses.

JACQUELINE K. HUGHES Sumter

Downsizing military leaves us unprepared Edmund Burke — Irish philosopher, member of the British House of Commons and supporter of the American Revolution — said “if we don’t learn from history we are condemned to repeat it.” We are presently seeing this come to fruition. Our president has decided to cut back our military to pre-World War II standards.

According to Article II of the U.S. Constitution, the House of Representatives appropriates money to be spent. The House, Senate and the Executive are to come up with proposed budgets. Then these budgets are debated and voted upon. President Obama seems to plan to make these spending decisions without consulting Congress, which violates the Constitution of the United States.

In the 1920s, after World War I was over, our government decided to downsize our military. Guess what happened less than 20 years later — World War II, which we were totally unprepared for. It took us nearly two years to build up to defeat Hitler and Hirohito. Here we go again cutting our military, and Russia has invaded Ukraine. Read about Hitler taking Czechoslovakia in the late 1930s; it’s almost exactly the same.

In my opinion, our government needs to keep the strongest military in the world so we will be respected and feared by our adversaries. Certainly there’s lots of waste in our military, especially by military contractors. If our government would monitor where the money goes and for what, we wouldn’t be in such debt.

We, the people, need to elect individuals who care about what’s best for our country, not their own career.

PAUL GREER Sumter

Wellness Program didn’t pose threat to safety In regards to the elimination of the Wellness Program in the mall, I was wondering how this could possibly create a safety hazard. Especially when walkers were there and doing their thing while the program was being executed. There were no safety problems. Walkers were present throughout the day, before, during and after the wellness nurse and assistants were there. They were in the middle of the mall and not against the walls where the walkers walk.

Like many walkers, I too took advantage of this program, and sometimes before my shopping, I visited them. Sometimes after my shopping I visited them. I would also visit them after my walk. What could possibly create a safety hazard?

I wonder what’s the motive behind the individual telling the nurse not to return. I know it couldn’t have been an individual action.

There is more to it than meets the eye. A better reason needs to be given to the public.

Why? J.M. EDWARDS Clyde, N.C. Former Sumter resident

Obama’s mistakes should not come as a surprise It should be clear to everyone by now that the American voters made a colossal mistake by electing Barack Obama in 2008 and then doubled down on that mistake by electing him again in 2012.

All of the blunders the president has made are not surprising, given his background as a community organizer and union lackey. The man hadn’t had any position that required organization or leadership in his life and all of a sudden here he is, and now we have to pay for it, big time.

All I have to say at this point is to quote New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie who asked, “Mr. President. What the hell are we paying you for?”

WARREN FORDHAM Manning

EDITORIAL ROUNDUP A recent editorial from a South Carolina newspaper:

The Aiken Standard March 7

Look for job creation via higher education A new generation of high-tech manufacturing is undoubtedly emerging, but if South Carolina can’t keep pace with that transformation, the state’s economy will be left in the dust. That’s the unnerving reality that a recent study from the University of South Carolina reveals about our state’s future.

The study — released by the university in November 2013 — notes

that by 2030, our state will have a shortfall of about 44,000 workers holding two-year degrees and about 70,500 workers who hold bachelor’s degrees or higher.

The report also notes that the percentage of a state’s population with a college degree is the single best predictor of its national ranking in personal per capita income levels. Without a trained workforce, the economic gains that South Carolina has made in recent years will certainly erode.

Companies such as Bridgestone and MTU America in Aiken County thankfully have a formula that’s working — cultivating workforce development programs that help to sustain the region’s economic stability.

The jobs at Bridgestone, for instance, provide good pay and a ben-

efits package that includes medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401K plan, as well as a tuition match for those who want to continue their education.

Both companies have received praise and recognition for their forward-thinking job development initiatives.

When companies locate to an area, they typically search for employees that fit the skillsets for those jobs.

Those businesses need to know they can find workers in the area.

Lawmakers in Columbia need to appropriately fund higher education and allow administrators to foster the right academic environment.

That combination can help schools provide the graduates who will fill the creative and leadership positions for businesses in our state.

A8

|

DAILY PLANNER

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

THE SUMTER ITEM

WEATHER

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2014

AccuWeather® five-day forecast for Sumter

MATT WALSH / THE SUMTER ITEM

Detective Natalie Kelly explains sexual conduct charges brought against Larry DuRant, second from left, during his bond hearing on Tuesday. DuRant was charged Tuesday with two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor after he turned himself in to Sumter Police Department.

DuRANT FROM PAGE A1 in his office at the Manning Avenue location. Claiming his advances were spiritual in nature, the pastor reportedly touched the girl’s chest and fondled her below the waist, telling the girl it would help protect her from breast cancer and other illnesses.

From November 2012 to April 30, 2013, DuRant’s alleged assaults continued on the victim at the North Guignard Drive facility. He reportedly told her to tell no one about what happened between them. She had been a member of the church since she was 4 years old.

His defense attorney, Shaun Kent, advocated a low bond to Judge Goodwin on the basis of DuRant’s compliance with the parameters of his $120,000 bond set in June 2013, also noting the size of the bond itself.

Kent also said he thought the victim’s name was mentioned in the discovery packet for the case and that the allegations weren’t new.

“Those allegations, I believe, have existed for quite some time,” Kent said.

“You’ve already set one bond. I think an additional bond on this situation will basically be unfair. I ask that you run the bond that you’ve already set concurrently with the bond today.

He’s not a flight risk. ...

He’s continued to go to his church, he has come to my office; we’ve had no problems with him whatsoever.”

Judge Goodwin said he wouldn’t run the bonds concurrently but did set a bond of $7,500 per charge.

The teen involved in Tuesday’s charges would be the pastor’s fourth alleged victim. DuRant was arrested in June 2013 and charged in the alleged sexual assaults of three female members of his church from 2011 to 2013.

Reports from victims and

their families have indicated to detectives that DuRant used his position as a pastor to coerce the young women into sexual intercourse.

DuRant reportedly told the victims it was part of a “healing process.”

Tuesday’s filings will be added to the pastor’s already hefty list of charges filed by Sumter Police Department in June 2013.

That list includes two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor and four counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor.

While most of the charges stem from incidents that occurred on church properties, some of the victims reported being assaulted at DuRant’s home on Four Bridges Road. In response, Sumter County Sheriff’s Office also levied two charges of third-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor against DuRant in June 2013.

Each third-degree charge can net 15 years in prison and 20 for second-degree offenses. Collectively, DuRant faces 160 years in prison if he is found guilty of all charges and receives the maximum penalty.

In addition to the criminal sexual conduct charges, DuRant was also arrested for allegedly forging the signature of one of the victims’ grandmother on a Quit Claim Deed and filing it with the Sumter County Register of Deeds. This incident reportedly occurred after law enforcement began investigating the sexual assault allegations.

Police encourage any possible victims to come forward. Anyone with information pertaining to these alleged crimes is asked to contact the Sumter Police Department at (803) 4362717 or Crime Stoppers at 1-888-CRIMESC. Callers can remain anonymous.

TODAY

TONIGHT

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Windy with a couple of t-storms

Mainly clear and much colder

Sunny, windy and much colder

Sunny and warmer

Mostly cloudy, a shower possible

Partly sunny

76°

35°

47° / 29°

61° / 45°

69° / 47°

67° / 39°

Chance of rain: 60%

Chance of rain: 5%

Chance of rain: 0%

Chance of rain: 10%

Chance of rain: 30%

Chance of rain: 15%

Winds: S 6-12 mph

Winds: SW 7-14 mph

Winds: NNE 6-12 mph

Winds: SW 12-25 mph

Winds: WNW 12-25 mph Winds: WNW 12-25 mph

TODAY’S SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER

Gaffney 70/28 Spartanburg 70/28

Greenville 70/28

Columbia 74/34

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

Sumter 76/35

IN THE MOUNTAINS Aiken 74/31

ON THE COAST

Charleston 76/38

Today: A couple of showers and a thunderstorm. High 71 to 76.

Thursday: Plenty of sunshine, windy and much colder. High 42 to 51.

LOCAL ALMANAC

LAKE LEVELS

SUMTER THROUGH 4 P.M. YESTERDAY

Full pool 360 76.8 75.5 100

Lake Murray Marion Moultrie Wateree

83° 43° 65° 40° 85° in 2009 22° in 1998

Precipitation 24 hrs ending 4 p.m. yest.

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

Myrtle Beach 73/39

Manning 77/36

Today: A couple of thunderstorms. Winds west-southwest 15-25 mph.

Thursday: Mostly sunny. Winds westnorthwest 15-25 mph.

Temperature High Low Normal high Normal low Record high Record low

Florence 77/36

Bishopville 77/35

SUN AND MOON 7 a.m. yest.

357.97 75.09 73.92 99.83

24-hr chg +0.07 +0.10 -0.11 -0.88

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

0.00" 2.21" 1.44" 8.00" 5.97" 8.86"

NATIONAL CITIES

REGIONAL CITIES

Today Thu. City Hi/Lo/W Hi/Lo/W Atlanta 66/29/t 51/33/s Chicago 24/8/sf 34/28/pc Dallas 61/37/s 65/47/s Detroit 28/3/sn 20/19/pc Houston 63/41/s 63/43/s Los Angeles 81/55/s 79/55/s New Orleans 68/44/pc 59/45/s New York 57/23/r 28/20/sn Orlando 83/50/t 66/45/s Philadelphia 68/24/r 29/20/sn Phoenix 78/56/pc 76/53/pc San Francisco 69/47/s 64/46/pc Wash., DC 70/28/t 32/24/pc

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

Today Hi/Lo/W 64/23/t 68/26/t 77/30/t 75/41/t 64/32/t 76/38/t 72/27/t 70/30/t 74/34/t 74/35/t 71/29/t 76/37/t 76/36/t

Flood 7 a.m. 24-hr stage yest. chg 12 10.30 +0.43 19 6.38 -3.19 14 10.77 +0.30 14 7.98 -0.42 80 81.52 +0.77 24 17.60 -2.20

Thu. Hi/Lo/W 36/22/pc 52/30/s 52/26/s 51/35/s 38/32/s 50/32/s 47/24/s 51/33/s 48/29/s 49/27/s 39/22/s 46/28/s 47/28/s

City Florence Gainesville Gastonia Goldsboro Goose Creek Greensboro Greenville Hickory Hilton Head Jacksonville, FL La Grange Macon Marietta

Today Hi/Lo/W 77/36/t 79/39/t 72/28/t 77/35/t 76/38/t 72/29/t 70/28/t 68/29/t 74/39/t 80/37/t 69/27/t 74/31/t 66/25/t

Sunrise 7:37 a.m.

Moonrise 4:05 p.m.

Sunset Moonset

7:27 p.m.

5:00 a.m.

Full

Last

New

First

Mar. 16

Mar. 23

Mar. 30

Apr. 7

TIDES AT MYRTLE BEACH

Today Thu.

Thu. Hi/Lo/W 46/28/s 61/35/s 47/28/s 44/25/s 50/32/s 39/27/s 48/29/s 39/27/s 48/39/s 57/36/s 50/28/s 53/30/s 47/30/s

High 6:54 a.m.

7:22 p.m.

7:41 a.m.

8:09 p.m.

Ht. 2.8 2.7 2.9 2.8

City Marion Mt. Pleasant Myrtle Beach Orangeburg Port Royal Raleigh Rock Hill Rockingham Savannah Spartanburg Summerville Wilmington Winston-Salem

Low 1:15 a.m.

1:55 p.m.

2:05 a.m.

2:37 p.m.

Today Hi/Lo/W 66/28/t 75/38/t 73/39/t 76/35/t 75/41/t 78/29/t 72/29/t 74/33/t 78/38/t 70/28/t 74/37/t 75/40/t 71/29/t

Ht. 0.4 0.5 0.2 0.3

Thu. Hi/Lo/W 38/25/pc 49/32/s 44/30/s 48/30/s 50/35/s 42/24/s 48/26/s 44/22/s 54/33/s 45/28/s 49/37/s 48/26/s 40/26/s

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

LOTTERY NUMBERS ARIES (March 21-April 19): Do whatever EUGENIA LAST you can to help others and you’ll gather allies that can help you transform some negatives in your life into positives. A partnership shows promise and is likely to improve your personal life.

The last word in astrology

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Don’t become fixed on one idea when there’s much more to consider.

Forward thinking is necessary if you don’t want to jeopardize your chance to advance. A creative approach will be your ticket to success.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Take whatever steps are necessary to follow your chosen path. Don’t be fooled by what others say or do. An innovative approach to whatever job you’re given will ensure that you grab attention.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Expand your interests and follow your heart.

Make decisions based on your needs, not on what someone tells you or coaxes you to do. A professional change will be challenging and insightful.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Share your passion for whatever you choose to do. Your engaging and entertaining attitude will bring all sorts of opportunities your way. Invest in your home, future, and mental and emotional well-being.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Don’t rely on anyone to do your job for you.

Focus on overseeing anything associated with your name. Taking control and seeing matters through to

the end will help you gain respect and future prospects.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Your timing and insight are finely tuned. Assess and react quickly to whatever situation you face at home or at work, and you will make an impression that will lead to bigger and better opportunities.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Focus on the creative and building better services, skills and whatever you want to offer. Sticking to your plans and developing and learning all you can to increase your earning power should be your goal.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Do the groundwork required to initiate plans for a home improvement or an investment. Don’t listen to someone who wants to take a shortcut or doesn’t have a realistic plan or guideline.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Don’t make changes that can affect a partnership. Think outside the box when it comes to work. An innovative approach will take you further and show your peers your ability to be diverse.

PALMETTO CASH 5 TUESDAY

POWERBALL SATURDAY

MEGAMILLIONS TUESDAY

11-3-26-6-37 PowerUp: 3

10-14-24-32-41 Powerball: 30, Powerplay: 2

Unavailable at press time

PICK 3 TUESDAY

PICK 4 TUESDAY

2-3-0 and 5-6-7

3-6-7-0 and 4-9-4-4

PICTURES FROM THE PUBLIC SUBMITTED BY: Melanie Smith COMMENT: “My husband and I have three gerbils, and we see these brothers almost every morning keeping each other warm in a pile.”

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): There is money to be made if you develop an idea you have or a service you want to offer. An adjustment at home will free up cash and help you develop a good plan for the future.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Keep your plans a secret until you’ve flushed out any problems. Networking will lead to important input that will enable you to avoid mistakes. Enlist the help of someone talented you’ve worked with in the past.

HAVE YOU TAKEN PICTURES OF INTERESTING, EXCITING, BEAUTIFUL OR HISTORICAL PLACES? Would you like to share those images with your fellow Sumter Item readers? E-mail your hi-resolution jpegs to sandrah@theitem.com, or mail to Sandra Holbert c/o The Sumter Item, P.O. Box 1677, Sumter, SC 29150. Include clearly printed or typed name of photographer and photo details. Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for return of your photo. Amateur photographers only please.

SECTION

Tigers’ McDaniels earns pair of ACC honors B4

B

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

Call: (803) 774-1241 | E-mail: sports@theitem.com

PREP BASEBALL

USC BASKETBALL

Happy homecoming

USC looks for elusive win in SEC tournament

BY WILLIE T. SMITH III Greenville News

MATT WALSH / THE SUMTER ITEM

Sumter third baseman River Soles, right, tags out Spring Valley’s Tyler Baker on a 9-2-5 putout in the first inning of the Gamecocks’ 9-4 victory on Tuesday at Gamecock Field.

SHS tops Spring Valley 9-4 in Shumake’s return to Gamecock Field

BY EDDIE LITAKER Special To The Sumter Item Sumter High School baseball head coach Brooks Shumake discovered on Tuesday that, yes, you can come home again.

After spending the past two seasons heading up White Knoll’s program, Shumake found himself back in the familiar confines of Gamecock Field for the first time in a regular-season game, working with longtime assistants Joe Norris and Randy Twitty in leading the Gamecocks to yet another victory, this

one 9-4 over Spring Valley.

“To be quite honest with you, it almost feels in a lot of ways like I really didn’t leave here, because I come out to this field and I’ve coached so many games on this field,” said Shumake, who led the Sumter program to its only two state championships during his first tenure of 14 years.

SHUMAKE “It was a good feeling and a good reunion to be back out on this field. It felt really good to walk out to third base, with all the games that I’ve

coached here, and being back with Coach Norris (who led the program in Shumake’s absence) and Coach Twitty was a nice night. Plus it was good to win, too.”

After SHS starter Phillip Watcher gave up three hits and two runs in the top of the first, the Gamecocks came out swinging in the bottom of the frame. Charlie Barnes opened with a home run to rightfield, Tee Dubose knocked home two with a double and James Barnes added a bases-clearing

COLUMBIA — It would be understandable if South Carolina men’s basketball fans packed lightly for the Southeastern Conference Tournament.

It has been a while since the Gamecocks have celebrated a second game in the conference’s postseason playoff.

The last time USC won a SEC Tournament men’s basketball game Dave Odom was leadMARTIN ing the team into battle.

Odds are against the Gamecocks this season as well when the team meets Auburn at 7 tonight in the opening round of the tournament n Atlanta.

USC dropped both its regular season games to the Tigers, 79-74 in the Colonial Life Arena and 83-76 in Alabama.

Despite ending the regular season in 13th in the 14-team SEC standings, South Carolina managed to win four of its final eight league games.

That gives the team hope the third time will be the charm against Auburn.

“Outside of Auburn, in play in the second-half conference games, you could argue we could have won all of those games,” said USC head coach Frank Martin. “I guess Florida at home the other night, it’s hard to say we could have won that one.”

The Gamecocks ended the regular season on a positive note, winning 74-62 at Mississippi State on Saturday. It was the squad’s first road victory of the season.

But, if Carolina is to advance to the second round, there are significant hurdles that must be cleared. The biggest are starting guards

SEE HOMECOMING, PAGE B3

SEE USC, PAGE B5

PREP BASKETBALL

SHS’ White chosen for North-South All-Star Game

BY DENNIS BRUNSON dennisb@theitem.com Sumter High School guard Erick White has been selected to play for the South squad in the boys North-South All-Star Game at Lexington High School on Saturday, March 22.

“It feels amazing,” White said of his selection to the team.

“I didn’t know that anybody was looking at me like that. It really is a great accomplishment.”

White averaged 10.7 points per game and 4.8 steals to go with 3.2 assists.

Gamecocks head coach Jo Jo English said White was a key performer.

“He kind of set the pace for us defen-

sively,” said English, who led SHS to the 4A lower state title game in his first year as head coach.

“He was able to put pressure on the other teams’ point guards with his speed and quickness, holding a couple of them scoreless.

“He also got a lot of steals for us because he was on the back end of our press,” English added. “He was like our centerfielder, our free safety on the press. We had him back there because he get across the court so fast with his speed.”

White said his main concern when he took the floor was defense.

SEE WHITE, PAGE B3

MHS boys coach Smith steps down

BY MICHAEL CHRISTOPHER mchristopher@theitem.com

MATT WALSH / THE SUMTER ITEM

Sumter’s Erick White, front, was selected to play in the North- South All-Star Game on Tuesday.

After just two seasons as Manning High School’s varsity boys head basketball coach, Jacob Smith has decided it’s time to move on.

Smith, a thirdgrade teacher at Manning Primary SMITH School, will finish out his teaching duties, which will end on June 6.

“I’d like to thank the administration and community of Manning for giving me the opportunity to be the head basketball coach for the last two years and also as a teacher,” he said. “I’ve met a lot of great people over the last two years.”

Smith didn’t enjoy much success in his two years at Manning.

He went 10-36 overall

and 2-18 in Region VI-3A as the Monarchs head coach.

This past season, MHS went 5-18, never earning a region victory, going 0-10 in conference play. Manning loses seniors Keenan Brown, Dwaymon Samuel, Willie Witherspoon, Frankie Durant, Talaryon Rose and Cameron Darley to graduation.

Smith let several parties know of his intentions to resign via email. In his letter of resignation, Smith said he greatly treasured the experiences he had as both a teacher and coach at Manning. He thanked the school district for the opportunity, mentioning he felt he became better as a coach, person and teacher due to the experience he gathered.

He cited personal reasons as why he decided to leave Clarendon School District 2.

SEE SMITH, PAGE B6

B2

|

SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

GIRLS AREA ROUNDUP

Barwick, Lakewood softball shuts out O-W ORANGEBURG — Katlyn Barwick struck out 10 batters and tossed a 3-hit shutout to lead Lakewood High School to a 12-0 varsity softball win over Orangeburg-Wilkinson on Tuesday at the O-W field.

Haile Josey had two doubles and two runs scored for the Lady Gators. Kaitlyn McPhail had a double and a triple and Leah Ridgeway had a 2-run triple.

On Monday in Sumter, Lakewood opened its season with a 17-3 victory over Wilson.

Peyton Mickens, Destiny Welch and Cody Boykin each scored three runs. Barwick and Josey combined for eight strikeouts while limiting Wilson to two hits.

WILSON HALL 9 HAMMOND 3

COLUMBIA — Wilson Hall improved to 2-0 on the season with a 9-3 victory over Hammond on Tuesday at the Hammond field in a game called after six innings due to darkness.

Holly Scott struck out 10 and gave up three hits for the Lady Barons.

Betsy Cunningham had two hits, including a double, while Bailey Connor had two hits. Hannah Jordan, Danielle de Holl and Catherine Kelley each drove in a run.

LAURENCE MANNING 5 EAST CLARENDON 1

TURBEVILLE — Courtney Beatson scattered five hits to lead Laurence Manning Academy to a 5-1 victory over East Clarendon High School on Tuesday at Smith Field.

Beatson also had two hits, including a double and two runs batted in. Hannah Hodge had two hits, including a double, while Katelyn Edwards hit a home run and Emily McElveen had two hits and two runs.

Maggie Eppley also had two hits.

VARSITY SOCCER LAKEWOOD 4 EAU CLAIRE 0 Lakewood High School improved to 2-0 on the season with a 4-0 victory over Eau Claire on Tuesday at J. Frank Baker Stadium.

Karli Fletcher led the Lady Gators with two goals while Jody Brandel and Vannia Moreno Gil each scored

a goal.

Jonaleah Moroz had four saves in goal while recording the shutout.

On Monday in Sumter, Lakewood defeated Lower Richland 3-2. Brandel, Fletcher and Moreno Gil all scored for the Lady Gators.

JUNIOR VARSITY SOFTBALL WILSON HALL 18 HAMMOND 0 COLUMBIA — Madison Sliwonik and Liza Lowder combined to throw a no-hitter as Wilson Hall defeated Hammond 18-0 on Tuesday at the Hammond field.

Sliwonik also had four hits, five runs batted in and four runs scored.

Addy Carraway had four hits and four RBI, while Kathryn Sistare had two hits and two RBI and Abby Thigpen scored two runs.

On Monday in Bishopville, Wilson Hall defeated Robert E. Lee Academy 21-4.

Mary Daniel Stokes had three hits and two RBI for the Lady Barons.

Kinsley Waynick, Madison Reaves and Carraway both had two hits and two RBI. Sliwonik was the winning pitcher and Madison Elmore pitched three innings.

LAURENCE MANNING 6 EAST CLARENDON 1

TURBEVILLE — Laurence Manning Academy improved to 5-0 on the season with a 6-1 victory over East Clarendon High School on Tuesday at Smith Field.

Baylee Elms was 3-for-4 with a double and a triple to lead LMA. Christian Hodge had two doubles, while Lundee Olsen got the win and had six strikeouts.

B TEAM SOFTBALL LMA SWEEPS TWINBILL

WALTERBORO — Laurence Manning Academy took a doubleheader from Colleton Prep on Saturday at Ace Basin Park, winning by the scores of 4-3 and 3-1.

Emily Walker and Liz Hussey each picked up wins on the day.

Walker had five strikeouts and Hussey had eight.

Abbie Patrick went 2-for-2 with a double and Trinity Harrington had a double.

BOYS AREA ROUNDUP

WH baseball opens region play with 13-2 win over OP Wilson Hall’s varsity baseball team opened its SCISA Region II-3A schedule with a 13-2 victory over Orangeburg Prep on Tuesday at Baron Field.

William Kinney was the winning pitcher and went 2-for-2 with a double and two runs batted in. John Patrick Sears went 2-for-3 with a double and a triple and a run, while Jay Goodson had a hit, two runs and an RBI. John Wells Baker was 3-for-3 with a home run, McLendon Sears was 2-for-2 with a double and two runs, and Kemper Patton scored two runs.

CLARENDON HALL 16 FAITH CHRISTIAN 1

SUMMERVILLE — Clarendon Hall picked up its first victory of the season with a 16-1 win over Faith Christian on Monday.

Tilton McRae led the 1-3 Saints offensively, going 3-for-4 with four runs batted in. Daniel Pappas was 2-for-3 with four RBI, while Gary Ellenbark had two hits and scored three runs.

VARSITY GOLF SUMTER FINISHES SECOND

CHAPIN — Sumter High School finished second in the Battle of the Dam on Tuesday at Timberlake Country Club.

Sumter was tied with A.C. Flora with a score of 315 after Monday’s first round. Flora shot a 296 on Tuesday to finish at 611. The Gamecocks shot a 332 for a 36-hole score of 647.

Charlie Dallery shot a 71 on Tuesday to finish at 146 and second overall individually. John Keffer shot an 80, Austin Baker an 89 and Daniel Spencer a 93.

VARSITY TENNIS WILSON HALL 9 TRINITY-BYRNES 0 FLORENCE — Wilson Hall opened its season with a 9-0 victory

over Trinity-Byrnes on Monday.

The Barons won 108 games while losing just six.

SINGLES 1 – Brown (WH) defeated Harwell 6-0, 6-0.

2 – Davis (WH) defeated Aiken 6-0, 6-0.

3 – Stover (WH) defeated McMillan 6-2, 6-0.

4 – Hendrix (WH) defeated 6-0, 6-0.

5 – Thompson (WH) defeated Freeman 6-0, 6-0.

6 – Stone (WH) defeated Parramore 6-1, 6-0.

DOUBLES 1 – Brown/Davis (WH) defeated Harwell/ Aiken 6-1, 6-0.

2 – Stover/Hendrix (WH) defeated McMillan/ McLean 6-1, 6-1.

3 – Thompson/Stone (WH) defeated Freeman/Parramore 6-0, 6-0.

JUNIOR VARSITY BASEBALL SUMTER 12 SPRING VALLEY 1

Ryan Moore went 4-for-5 with four runs batted in to lead Sumter High School to a 12-1 victory over Spring Valley on Monday at Gamecock Field.

Caleb Larrmiore was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI for the Gamecocks, who improved to 4-0.

Rylan Williamson had a hit, two runs and two RBI and Andrew Twitty had a double, a run and an RBI. Drew Hankins pitched four innings to get the victory.

HARTSVILLE 15 CRESTWOOD 0

Crestwood High School lost to Hartsville 15-0 on Monday at the Crestwood field.

The Knights fell to 0-1 in Region VI-3A.

JUNIOR VARSITY GOLF SUMTER FINISHES THIRD

Sumter High School finished third in a 3-team match with the East Clarendon varsity and the Lugoff-Elgin JV on Monday at Beech Creek Golf Club.

EC won with a score of 197 while L-E shot 203 and SHS 206. Dave Rigalski shot a 49 to lead the Gamecocks while Bradley Coulter shot a 51.

THE SUMTER ITEM

SCOREBOARD

San Francisco 8, Cincinnati 5 Seattle 10, L.A. Angels 6 San Diego 6, Oakland 5 Cleveland 7, Arizona 1

TV, RADIO

TODAY’S GAMES

TODAY

3:30 p.m. -- International Soccer: UEFA Champions League Match -- Manchester City vs. Barcelona (FOX SPORTS 1).

4 p.m. -- Major League Exhibition Baseball: Los Angeles Angels vs. Milwaukee from Tempe, Ariz.

(MLB NETWORK).

5 p.m. -- PGA Golf: Valspar Championship ProAm from Palm Harbor, Fla. (GOLF).

5:45 p.m. -- High School Baseball: Chapin at Lugoff-Elgin (WPUB-FM 102.7).

6:05 p.m. -- Talk Show: Sports Talk (WDXY-FM 105.9, WDXY-AM 1240).

7 p.m. -- NBA Basketball: Brooklyn at Miami (ESPN).

7 p.m. -- NBA Basketball: Charlotte at Washington (SPORTSOUTH).

7:30 p.m. -- NHL Hockey: Boston at Montreal (NBC SPORTS NETWORK).

9:30 p.m. -- Professional Basketball: NBA Development League Game -- Santa Cruz at Idaho (CBS SPORTS NETWORK).

9:30 p.m. -- NBA Basketball: Portland at San Antonio (ESPN).

10 p.m. -- Major League Exhibition Baseball: Chicago Cubs vs. Seattle from Peoria, Ariz. (MLB NETWORK).

1 a.m. -- Major League Exhibition Baseball: St. Louis vs. New York Mets from Port St. Lucie, Fla. (MLB NETWORK).

4 a.m. -- Major League Exhibition Baseball: Houston vs. Washington from Kissimmee, Fla. (MLB NETWORK).

Washington (ss) vs. Houston at Kissimmee, Fla., 1:05 p.m.

Atlanta (ss) vs. Miami at Jupiter, Fla., 1:05 p.m.

Pittsburgh vs. Minnesota at Fort Myers, Fla., 1:05 p.m.

Tampa Bay vs. Toronto at Dunedin, Fla., 1:05 p.m.

Washington (ss) vs. Atlanta (ss) at Kissimmee, Fla., 1:05 p.m.

Philadelphia vs. Baltimore at Sarasota, Fla., 1:05 p.m.

Detroit vs. N.Y. Yankees at Tampa, Fla., 1:05 p.m.

St. Louis vs. N.Y. Mets at Port St. Lucie, Fla., 1:10 p.m.

Kansas City vs. Oakland at Phoenix, 4:05 p.m.

Chicago White Sox vs. San Francisco at Scottsdale, Ariz., 4:05 p.m.

Milwaukee vs. L.A. Angels (ss) at Tempe, Ariz., 4:05 p.m.

San Diego vs. Cleveland at Goodyear, Ariz., 4:05 p.m.

Arizona vs. L.A. Dodgers at Glendale, Ariz., 4:05 p.m.

L.A. Angels (ss) vs. Texas at Surprise, Ariz., 4:05 p.m.

Cincinnati vs. Colorado at Scottsdale, Ariz., 4:10 p.m.

Chicago Cubs vs. Seattle at Peoria, Ariz., 10:05 p.m.

Arizona vs. Colorado at Scottsdale, Ariz., 10:10 p.m.

NBA STANDINGS

By The Associated Press

PREP SCHEDULE

EASTERN CONFERENCE

TODAY

ATLANTIC DIVISION

Varsity Baseball Sumter at Blythewood, 6:30 p.m.

Crestwood at Hartsville, 6:30 p.m.

Laurence Manning at Manning, 7 p.m.

East Clarendon at Lake City, 6 p.m.

Wilson Hall at Thomas Sumter, 7 p.m.

Junior Varsity Baseball Crestwood at McBee (DH), 5 p.m.

Laurence Manning at Manning, 4 p.m.

B Team Baseball Robert E. Lee at Pee Dee (DH), 3 p.m.

Varsity Boys Soccer Porter-Gaud at Wilson Hall, 6 p.m.

Laurence Manning at First Baptist, 5 p.m.

Junior Varsity Boys Soccer Porter-Gaud at Wilson Hall, 4 p.m.

Varsity Softball First Baptist at Thomas Sumter, 4 p.m.

Junior Varsity Softball Laurence Manning at Williamsburg, 5 p.m.

Varsity Boys Tennis Sumter at Camden, 4:30 p.m.

Varsity Track and Field Robert E. Lee at Wilson Hall, 4 p.m.

THURSDAY

Varsity Baseball Robert E. Lee at McBee, 5:30 p.m.

Junior Varsity Baseball Wilson Hall at Robert E. Lee, 4 p.m.

Wilson Hall B Team at Thomas Sumter, 4 p.m.

Laurence Manning at Williamsburg, 5:30 p.m.

Varsity Boys Golf Camden, Lugoff-Elgin at Sumter (at Beech Creek Golf Club), TBA Thomas Sumter, Calhoun Academy at Wilson Hall (at Sunset Country Club), 3:30 p.m.

Robert E. Lee at Marlboro Academy, 3 p.m.

Junior Varsity Boys Golf Sumter at Camden Military (at White Pines Country Club), 4 p.m.

Junior Varsity Boys Soccer Sumter at Lakewood, 5 p.m.

Varsity Girls Soccer Ridge View at Sumter, 7 p.m.

Junior Varsity Girls Soccer Ridge View at Sumter, 5:30 p.m.

Varsity Softball Laurence Manning at Manning, 7 p.m.

Wilson Hall at Ben Lippen, 5:30 p.m.

St. John’s Christian at Clarendon Hall, 6:30 p.m.

Junior Varsity Softball Lakewood at Sumter 5:30 p.m.

Laurence Manning at Manning, 5 p.m.

South Florence at East Clarendon, 6 p.m.

Cardinal Newman at Wilson Hall, 4 p.m.

St. John’s Christian at Clarendon Hall, 4 p.m.

B Team Softball Colleton Prep at Laurence Manning, 4 p.m.

Varsity Boys Tennis Ben Lippen at Wilson Hall, 4 p.m.

Varsity Track and Field Crestwood, Lakewood at Manning, 5 p.m.

FRIDAY

Varsity Baseball Lugoff-Elgin at Crestwood, 6 p.m.

Thomas Sumter at Holly Hill, 7 p.m.

The King’s Academy at Robert E. Lee, 6:30 p.m.

St. John’s Christian at Clarendon Hall, 7 p.m.

Junior Varsity Baseball Thomas Sumter at Holly Hill, 4 p.m.

St. John’s Christian at Clarendon Hall, 4 p.m.

B Team Baseball The King’s Academy at Robert E. Lee, 4 p.m.

Varsity Boys Soccer Sumter at Carolina Forest, 7:30 p.m.

Laurence Manning at Pinewood Prep, 6 p.m.

Junior Varsity Boys Soccer The King’s Academy at Lakewood, 6 p.m.

Varsity Girls Soccer Sumter at Carolina Forest, 6 p.m.

Varsity Softball Carolina Forest at Sumter, 6:30 p.m.

Lakewood at Lake City, 7 p.m.

Thomas Sumter at Orangeburg Prep, 4 p.m.

Junior Varsity Softball Lakewood at Lake City, 5:30 p.m.

Orangeburg Prep at Thomas Sumter, 4 p.m.

W 35 32 25 22 15

L 27 30 40 41 48

Pct .565 .516 .385 .349 .238

GB – 3 11½ 13½ 20½

W 44 33 30 27 19

L 17 30 34 35 46

Pct .721 .524 .469 .435 .292

GB – 12 15½ 17½ 27

W 46 35 24 24 13

L 17 28 39 40 50

Pct .730 .556 .381 .375 .206

GB – 11 22 22½ 33

W 46 44 38 36 26

L 16 19 26 26 37

Pct .742 .698 .594 .581 .413

GB – 2½ 9 10 20½

W 46 42 31 27 22

L 17 21 31 36 42

Pct .730 .667 .500 .429 .344

GB – 4 14½ 19 24½

W 45 40 36 22 22 spot

L 20 24 27 41 42

Pct .692 .625 .571 .349 .344

GB – 4½ 8 22 22½

Toronto Brooklyn New York Boston Philadelphia SOUTHEAST DIVISION x-Miami Washington Charlotte Atlanta Orlando CENTRAL DIVISION x-Indiana Chicago Detroit Cleveland Milwaukee

WESTERN CONFERENCE SOUTHWEST DIVISION San Antonio Houston Dallas Memphis New Orleans NORTHWEST DIVISION Oklahoma City Portland Minnesota Denver Utah PACIFIC DIVISION L.A. Clippers Golden State Phoenix Sacramento L.A. Lakers x-clinched playoff

MONDAY’S GAMES

Charlotte 105, Denver 98 Brooklyn 101, Toronto 97 Miami 99, Washington 90 New York 123, Philadelphia 110 Milwaukee 105, Orlando 98 Atlanta 112, Utah 110 L.A. Clippers 112, Phoenix 105

TUESDAY’S GAMES

Boston at Indiana, 7 p.m.

Sacramento at Detroit, 7:30 p.m.

San Antonio at Chicago, 8 p.m.

Milwaukee at Minnesota, 8 p.m.

Houston at Oklahoma City, 8 p.m.

Portland at Memphis, 8 p.m.

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

TODAY’S GAMES

Denver at Orlando, 7 p.m.

Sacramento at Philadelphia, 7 p.m.

Charlotte at Washington, 7 p.m.

Brooklyn at Miami, 7 p.m.

Detroit at Toronto, 7 p.m.

New York at Boston, 7:30 p.m.

Memphis at New Orleans, 8 p.m.

Dallas at Utah, 9 p.m.

Portland at San Antonio, 9:30 p.m.

Cleveland at Phoenix, 10 p.m.

Golden State at L.A. Clippers, 10:30 p.m.

THURSDAY’S GAMES

Houston at Chicago, 7 p.m.

Milwaukee at Atlanta, 7:30 p.m.

L.A. Lakers at Oklahoma City, 9:30 p.m.

NHL STANDINGS

By The Associated Press

EASTERN CONFERENCE ATLANTIC DIVISION

MLB SPRING TRAINING

By The Associated Press AMERICAN LEAGUE Cleveland Baltimore Seattle Tampa Bay New York Oakland Detroit Chicago Kansas City Minnesota Toronto Houston Los Angeles Boston Texas

W 10 9 11 6 7 6 7 5 6 5 6 5 5 5 3

L 2 3 4 3 5 5 6 5 6 5 6 6 7 8 8

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Pct .833 .750 .733 .667 .583 .545 .538 .500 .500 .500 .500 .455 .417 .385 .273

W L Pct Miami 8 3 .727 Washington 8 4 .667 San Francisco 8 5 .615 Pittsburgh 7 5 .583 Arizona 7 7 .500 Colorado 7 7 .500 Chicago 6 7 .462 Los Angeles 5 6 .455 New York 5 6 .455 San Diego 5 6 .455 Milwaukee 6 8 .429 Atlanta 4 9 .308 Cincinnati 4 11 .267 St. Louis 2 7 .222 Philadelphia 2 10 .167 NOTE: Split-squad games count in the standings; games against non-major league teams do not.

MONDAY’S GAMES

Baltimore 7, Pittsburgh 6 Atlanta 8, Philadelphia 1 Boston 6, Tampa Bay 2 Detroit 17, St. Louis 5 Miami 11, N.Y. Mets 1 L.A. Angels 8, Cleveland 3 Chicago White Sox 6, Milwaukee 3 Chicago Cubs 3, San Francisco 2 Kansas City 8, Seattle (ss) 2 Texas 8, Cincinnati 2 L.A. Dodgers 8, Oakland 8, tie San Diego 5, Colorado 0 Houston 7, Washington 4 Arizona 3, Seattle (ss) 3, tie

TUESDAY’S GAMES

Tampa Bay 7, Minnesota 1 Washington 3, N.Y. Yankees 2 Atlanta 9, Philadelphia 1 N.Y. Mets 9, St. Louis 8 Miami 5, Boston (ss) 4 Toronto 3, Detroit 2, 10 innings Boston (ss) 6, Baltimore 5 L.A. Dodgers 7, Kansas City 5 Chicago White Sox 7, Texas 6 Colorado 13, Chicago Cubs 0

GP Boston 64 Toronto 66 Montreal 66 Tampa Bay 65 Detroit 64 Ottawa 65 Florida 64 Buffalo 64 METROPOLITAN DIVISION GP Pittsburgh 64 N.Y. Rangers 65 Philadelphia 64 Columbus 64 Washington 66 New Jersey 65 Carolina 64 N.Y. Islanders 67

W 42 35 35 34 29 28 24 19

L 17 23 24 24 22 25 33 37

OT Pts GF GA 5 89 204 143 8 78 196 199 7 77 166 166 7 75 186 171 13 71 171 179 12 68 185 213 7 55 156 206 8 46 128 188

W 43 35 33 33 30 28 27 25

L 17 26 24 26 26 24 28 33

OT Pts GF GA 4 90 204 159 4 74 171 162 7 73 183 188 5 71 186 178 10 70 193 200 13 69 161 167 9 63 160 184 9 59 188 228

L 14 13 18 22 23 28 28

OT Pts GF GA 6 94 211 145 14 90 223 172 5 89 199 172 8 76 158 157 10 72 185 179 8 68 182 192 10 64 156 194

WESTERN CONFERENCE CENTRAL DIVISION St. Louis Chicago Colorado Minnesota Dallas Winnipeg Nashville PACIFIC DIVISION

GP 64 65 65 64 64 66 65

GP Anaheim 65 San Jose 65 Los Angeles 66 Phoenix 65 Vancouver 67 Calgary 65 Edmonton 65 NOTE: Two points for time loss.

W 44 38 42 34 31 30 27

W L OT Pts 43 15 7 93 41 17 7 89 38 22 6 82 30 24 11 71 29 28 10 68 25 33 7 57 22 35 8 52 a win, one point

GF GA 208 160 199 157 162 139 181 188 157 181 152 194 162 212 for over-

MONDAY’S GAMES

Phoenix 4, Tampa Bay 3, SO Pittsburgh 3, Washington 2 Nashville 4, Ottawa 3, OT Colorado 3, Winnipeg 2, OT Los Angeles 3, Calgary 2 N.Y. Islanders 7, Vancouver 4 Toronto 3, Anaheim 1 Columbus at Dallas, susp.

TUESDAY’S GAMES

Nashville at Buffalo, 7 p.m.

New Jersey at Philadelphia, 7 p.m.

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

Detroit at Columbus, 7 p.m.

Phoenix at Florida, 7:30 p.m.

Washington at Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m.

Dallas at St. Louis, 8 p.m.

Edmonton at Minnesota, 8 p.m.

Toronto at San Jose, 10:30 p.m.

TODAY’S GAMES

Boston at Montreal, 7:30 p.m.

Vancouver at Winnipeg, 7:30 p.m.

Chicago at Colorado, 9:30 p.m.

Anaheim at Calgary, 10 p.m.

LOL - Read Bizarro, Mother Goose, Zits and more on The Item's comics page.

SPORTS

THE SUMTER ITEM

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

|

B3

SPORTS ITEMS

Braves say P Medlen injured elbow ligament KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Braves pitcher Kris Medlen has injured a ligament in his right elbow for the second time in less than four years, and Atlanta says it is too early to determine the extent of the damage.

Medlen had an MRI on Monday that revealed the injury, according to general manager Frank Wren.

Wren said Tuesday the 28-year-old right-hander and the team will seek a second medical opinion.

Medlen felt the injury on Sunday while pitching against MEDLEN the New York Mets. He grabbed the elbow with two outs in the fourth inning and left with a trainer.

Medlen tore his right ulnar collateral ligament while pitching against the Mets on Aug. 4, 2010, and was operated on by Dr. James Andrews that Aug. 18. Medlen didn’t pitch for the Braves again until Sept. 25 the following year.

He is expected to meet with Andrews this week.

BRAVES 9 PHILLIES 1

MATT WALSH / THE SUMTER ITEM

Sumter’s Phillip Watcher throws during the Gamecocks’ 9-4 victory over Spring Valley on Tuesday at Gamecock Field.

HOMECOMING FROM PAGE B1 double as Sumter sent 11 batters to the plate and closed the inning with a 7-2 lead. Most of the damage came off Vikings starter Jacob Beck before Josh James came on to record the inning’s final two outs.

Jordan Holladay provided some more fireworks in the second, sending a 2-run shot over the leftfield fence to put the Gamecocks up 9-2. After Holladay’s blast, Sumter bats were fairly quiet for the rest of the night as James retired 12 of the final 15 batters he faced, including a stretch of 10 straight that included seven strikeouts. “(The bats) were kind of going OK the first couple of innings and then they threw a pitcher out there that kind of had our number,” said Shumake, whose team stands at 4-0-1 including its run in Georgetown’s IP Classic this past weekend. “We were happy with what the guys did early on. Obviously we work hard on all phases of the game, but hitting is the hardest part of the game, so the guys have been working hard on that. We started off like gangbusters and then we struck out a lot there at the end of the game, way too much. We’ve got to put the ball in play and go up there

with a fighter’s mentality at the plate and try to make things happen.”

After his bumpy first, Watcher rebounded to silence the Spring Valley bats over the next five innings. After walking Andrew Hobensack to open the second, Watcher retired the last 15 batters that he faced, including eight by strikeout.

“He did a pretty good job for us tonight,” Shumake said of Watcher’s mound effort. “He’s been laboring a little bit on the mound, where he’s not really getting ahead in counts like he would like to do and like we would like for him to do. He’s getting deep in counts a little bit. In the middle part of the game he settled down and really got on a good roll, so we were happy to see that because we know the potential that he has based on what he’s done here at Sumter High School for the last couple of years on the mound.”

The Vikings mounted a 2-run seventh-inning rally off reliever Chris Crawford. Two errors and a walk resulted in an unearned run before an Eric Laughead double plated the game’s final run.

Sumter travels to Blythewood today for a 6:30 p.m. game.

WHITE

nobody could stop him from getting to the basket. Once he got in comfort zone, he would kick it out to the open shooters or take his shot. He just played the game instead of thinking about what he was doing.”

White was named to the 4A all-state team by the South Carolina Basketball Coaches Association. Of the two honors, White is particularly proud of being picked for the all-star game.

“That’s a game for being one of the best players in the state,” he said.

The girls game will begin at 1 p.m. followed by the boys game at approximately 3.

Tickets will be $10 for adults and $5 for students.

FROM PAGE B1 “My thought was ‘I have to play my best on defense,’ “ White said. “That’s what Coach (English) stressed. I knew the offense would take care of itself.”

English said White came in to his own offensively as the season went along.

“During the course of the season, he found his way,” English said. “He had a lot of turnovers early on because he was trying to be a point guard.

He was thinking about it too much.

“He’s such a great athlete, with his change of direction

Subscribe today, and stay in the loop

(803) 774-1200

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Julio Teheran and five relievers combined on a two-hitter Tuesday in Atlanta’s 9-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies.

Teheran, who went 14-8 with a 3.20 ERA last season, struck out three in four perfect innings and has given up six hits in 13 scoreless innings this spring training. Closer Craig Kimbrel allowed a hit to Kevin Frandsen with two outs in the seventh after walking two batters.

Dan Uggla hit his second homer in two days and Todd Cunningham and Edward Salcedo also connected for Atlanta.

(1) SOUTH CAROLINA 5 FURMAN 0

COLUMBIA — Top-ranked South Carolina broke out to a 3-run lead in the first two innings and six pitchers combined for a 5-hit shutout as the Gamecocks defeated Furman 5-0 on Tuesday night at Carolina Stadium.

South Carolina improved to 16-0 on the year with its ninth shutout of the season.

Carolina has shut out four consecutive opponents. Furman dropped to 6-10.

Freshman right-hander Taylor Widener earned his first career win in a predetermined split. He allowed just a hit and two walks in 3 1/3 innings. Trey McNickle, Josh Reagan, Reed Scott, Hunter Privette and Cody Mincey all had scoreless outings as well.

Elliot Caldwell went 3-for-4 with two runs batted in to lead the Gamecocks at the plate.

Connor Bright added two hits as well, including an RBI double. Kyle Martin had a solo homer in the fifth inning, his third of the year.

South Carolina begins SEC play on Friday,with a 3-game home series against

Ole Miss. First pitch for the opener is 7 p.m. at Carolina Stadium.

WARE, PEPPERS AMONG BIG NAMES RELEASED

A couple of accomplished NFL pass rushers suddenly became available when DeMarcus Ware and Julius Peppers were released to create room under the salary cap in two of the biggest moves at Tuesday’s start of the free-agency signing period.

The Bears cut ties with Peppers, who has 118 1/2 sacks in 12 seasons, as part of a series of moves aimed at improving their defense, including agreeing to a 5-year contract with former Raiders end Lamarr Houston.

The Cowboys let Ware and his 117 sacks go.

Others released included Bills quarterback Kevin Kolb (who failed a physical), Falcons safety Thomas DeCoud, Steelers linebacker LaMarr Woodley, 49ers cornerback Carlos Rogers, Eagles safety Patrick Chung, and Bengals center Kyle Cook.

With the cap rising $10 million to a record $133 million, a crop of players quickly found new homes as soon as the market officially opened Tuesday afternoon — and offensive linemen were a popular commodity.

Pro Bowl left tackle Branden Albert and the Dolphins agreed to a 5-year contract worth more than $45 million, according to a person familiar with the negotiations. Left tackle Jared Veldheer and the Cardinals agreed to a 5-year contract worth up to $35 million.

HORIZON LEAGUE MILWAUKEE 69 WRIGHT STATE 63 DAYTON, Ohio — Senior forward Kyle Kelm had a double-double and Milwaukee’s front line dominated, and the Panthers led the whole way during a 69-63 victory over Wright State on Tuesday night for the Horizon League tournament title.

NORTHEAST CONFERENCE MOUNT ST. MARY’S 88 ROBERT MORRIS 71 MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Rashad Whack scored 20 points and four of his teammates finished in double figures and Mount St. Mary’s clinched an NCAA tournament berth with an 88-71 victory against Robert Morris in the Northeast Conference title game.

NBA PACERS 94 CELTICS 83 INDIANAPOLIS — David West scored 24 points and Andrew Bynum grabbed a season-high 10 rebounds in his Pacers debut, helping suddenly struggling Indiana pull away late for a 94-83 win over Boston.

From staff, wire reports

B4

|

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

THE SUMTER ITEM

CLEMSON BASKETBALL

Pair of honors for Tigers’ McDaniels

BY AARON BRENNER Post and Courier CLEMSON — In the conference with perhaps the nation’s most decorated individual superstars, Clemson junior forward K.J. McDaniels could not be overlooked.

McDaniels was named to the firstteam All-Atlantic Coast Conference squad Monday, commended for his efforts in raising Clemson from a projected cellar-dweller to a tie for fifth in the final league standings.

The team, voted upon by the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association, included McDaniels, Duke freshman Jabari Parker, N.C. State sophomore T.J. Warren, North Carolina sophomore Marcus Paige and Syracuse senior C.J. Fair.

McDaniels is the first Tiger named to the first team in head coach Brad Brownell’s four years at Clemson.

Trevor Booker received the honor in 2010.

That wasn’t the only honor for McDaniels. He was named on more All-ACC defensive team ballots than any other, the fourth different Tigers player in the past five years to be named to that team.

ACC coaches placed McDaniels on their All-ACC second team, preferring Virginia’s Malcolm Brogdon along with Parker, Warren, Paige and Fair.

According to a Clemson release, McDaniels is the only Division I player in the nation leading his team in scoring (17.1 points per game), rebounding (7.2), 3-pointers (36), blocked shots (83) and steals (36).

McDaniels is just the second ACC player, following Duke’s Shane Battier, to post 80 blocks and 30 steals in one year.

On Tuesday, he was also named ACC Defensive Player of the Year by

the league media. McDaniels is the first Tiger to earn the award that has been presented annually since 2005. He is Clemson’s first major ACC award winner of any kind since Greg Buckner was named Rookie of the Year in 1995.

“It’s been a humbling experience to see the growth that I’ve developed,” McDaniels said last month. “I felt like I could have had this season my freshman year. But I had to wait for my turn, and my turn came. I think I’ve capitalized on that pretty well.”

McDaniels is on pace, at an average of 2.8 blocks, to defend his ACC crown in individual swats, even though he stands just 6-6.

His stats steadily improved from last year, but it was his five SportsCenter Top 10 highlights and Clemson’s 6-win improvement (entering the ACC tournament) that made his name known.

“This guy will be the best athlete we might see as long as I coach at Clemson,” Brownell said recently.

“He makes plays that dumbfound you with his athleticism.”

McDaniels was joined by Georgia Tech senior Daniel Miller, Virginia senior Akil Mitchell, Syracuse freshman Tyler Ennis and North Carolina sophomore J.P. Tokoto on the media’s all-defensive squad.

Parker and Warren tied for the most first-place votes and overall votes on All-ACC media ballots.

Paige was voted Most Improved Player, and Virginia sophomore Justin Anderson represented the conference champion Cavs as Sixth Man of the Year.

Clemson (19-11, 10-8 ACC) will play Thursday at 9 p.m. in the ACC tournament second round in Greensboro, N.C., against the winner of Today’s game between Georgia Tech and Boston College.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Clemson’s K.J. McDaniels (32) was named first-team All-ACC on Monday and was selected by the media as the ACC Defensive Player of the Year on Tuesday.

ACC BASKETBALL

Cavs headline new-look tourney

BY AARON BEARD The Associated Press

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

North Carolina State’s T.J. Warren (24) was selected by the media on Tuesday as the ACC’s Player of the Year.

N.C. State’s Warren voted top player in conference GREENSBORO, N.C. — North Carolina State’s T.J. Warren is the Atlantic Coast Conference player of the year.

In results announced Tuesday, Warren received 48 of a possible 77 votes from members of the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association.

The media also chose Duke’s Jabari Parker as the league’s top rookie, Virginia’s Tony Bennett as its coach of the year and Clemson’s K.J. McDaniels as the defensive player of the year.

Parker received 72 votes for the rookie award and was runner-up to Warren for player of the year with 25 votes. North Carolina’s Marcus Paige (two) was the only other player with multiple votes.

Warren is the league’s

PLAYER OF YEAR VOTING

T.J. Warren, North Carolina State (48) Jabari Parker, Duke (25) Marcus Paige, North Carolina (2) C.J. Fair, Syracuse (1) K.J. McDaniels, Clemson (1)

ROOKIE OF YEAR VOTING

Jabari Parker, Duke (72) Tyler Ennis, Syracuse (4) London Perrantes, Virginia (1)

COACH OF YEAR VOTING

Tony Bennett, Virginia (68) Roy Williams, North Carolina (6) Jamie Dixon, Pittsburgh (1) Brad Brownell, Clemson (1) Jim Larranaga, Miami (1)

DEFENSIVE PLAYER VOTING

K.J. McDaniels, Clemson (39) Akil Mitchell, Virginia (21) Daniel Miller, Georgia Tech (5) Jabari Parker, Duke (4) Tyler Ennis, Syracuse (3) Cameron Wright, Pittsburgh (1) Devin Thomas, Wake Forest (1) Justin Anderson, Virginia (1) Marcus Paige, North Carolina (1) T.J. Warren, N.C. State (1)

leading scorer with an average of nearly 25 points per game and makes an ACC-best 53 percent of his shots.

Warren ended the regular season with back-to-

back 40-point performances against Pittsburgh and Boston College — the first time that’s happened since Georgia Tech’s Kenny Anderson did it in 1990.

He and Parker were the only unanimous allACC first team selections by the media.

Parker is bidding to become the first Duke freshman to lead the team in scoring and rebounds. His average of 19.2 points is second to Warren in the ACC and he averages a league-best nine rebounds.

Bennett had 68 votes for the coaching award to six for North Carolina’s Roy Williams. His Cavaliers finished 25-6, went 16-2 in the league and claimed the No. 1 seed in the ACC tournament.

GREENSBORO, N.C. — This week’s Atlantic Coast Conference tournament has a new look, from more teams and an extra round of games to the school holding the No. 1 seed.

Sixth-ranked Virginia is hoping to pair its first outright regularseason title in 33 years with its first ACC tournament title since winning its only other one in 1976.

The Cavaliers (25-6, 16-2) finished two games ahead of No. 11 Syracuse. Yet coach Tony Bennett said the top seed, only the second for the program, doesn’t mean much.

“There’s such a small amount of separation and most of these teams will have a chance at it,’’ Bennett said Tuesday. “Who’s playing well, and executes, and is the hungriest is going to have the best chance.’’

The tournament starts today with the lowest-seeded teams, while the Cavs and the rest of the top four seeds — the Orange, No. 7 Duke and No. 15 North Carolina — don’t play until Friday’s quarterfinals.

Virginia hasn’t reached the semifinals since 1995 and has lost four straight games dating to 2010.

“It seems like the teams that always do well in the postseason, the Dukes and Carolinas, those guys always seem to take a step up when they get into the ACC tournament, the NCAA tournament, whatever it might be,’’ Virginia guard Joe Harris said. “I think that’s a step that this program has to take and hopefully we can try to make that stride this year.’’

This is the first year for the league with 15 teams with the arrivals of Syracuse, Pittsburgh and Notre Dame from the Big East.

That meant adding a fifth day of competition for the first time in the event’s 61-year history, with Wednesday’s first-round games at the Greensboro Coliseum featuring teams seeded 10th and lower.

Teams seeded fifth through ninth earned a bye into Thursday’s second round.

It also marks the final tournament run for Maryland, which is headed for the Big Ten this summer. The Terrapins, who won their last title a decade ago, play Florida State in Thursday’s second round.

A few things to watch for:

ACC TOURNAMENT At Greensboro Coliseum Greensboro, N.C. First Round Today Wake Forest vs. Notre Dame, 1 p.m.

Miami vs. Virginia Tech, 3:30 p.m.

Georgia Tech vs. Boston College, 7 p.m.

Second Round Thursday Maryland vs. Florida State, Noon Pittsburgh vs. Wake Forest-Notre Dame winner, 2:30 p.m.

N.C. State vs. Miami-Virginia Tech winner, 7 p.m.

Clemson vs. Georgia Tech-Boston College winner, 9:30 p.m.

Quarterfinals Friday Virginia vs. Maryland-Florida State winner, Noon North Carolina vs. Pittsburgh-Wake ForestNotre Dame winner, 2:30 p.m.

Syracuse vs. N.C. State-Miami-Virginia Tech winner, 7 p.m.

Duke vs. Clemson-Georgia Tech-Boston College winner, 9:30 p.m.

Semifinals Saturday Virginia-Maryland-Florida State winner vs.

North Carolina-Pittsburgh-Wake ForestNotre Dame winner, 1 p.m.

Syracuse-N.C. State-Miami-Virginia Tech winner vs. Duke-Clemson-Georgia TechBoston College winner, 3:30 p.m.

Championship Sunday Semifinal winners, 1 p.m.

SYRACUSE’S SLUMP? The Orange stood at 25-0 and No. 1 in the country in mid-February, and then lost four of six to close the regular season. Plus, sophomore forward Jerami Grant was battling back problems.

THE OTHER NEW KIDS Notre Dame has the No. 13 seed and faces No. 12 seed Wake Forest in today’s opener, with the winner facing fifth-seeded Pitt. Fighting Irish coach Mike Brey said the three new arrivals won’t have any problems with the reconfigured tournament format since it’s similar to their previous Big East home.

THE SUMTER ITEM

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

SEC TOURNAMENT

All eyes on No. 1 Florida, bubble madness in Atlanta

BY PAUL NEWBERRY The Associated Press ATLANTA — For top-ranked Florida, it’s nothing more than a warm-up for bigger games to come.

For struggling Kentucky, it’s a chance to, as coach John Calipari puts it, regain a little “mojo.’’

For everyone else, the Southeastern Conference tournament looks like the last chance to earn a spot in the NCAAs. The Gators (29-2) roll into the Georgia Dome, where the tournament will be held for the final time beginning Wednesday night, as a huge favorite after becoming the first team in SEC history to go 18-0 in league play.

“Florida,’’ said Mississippi coach Andy Kennedy, “has shown no chinks in the armor just yet.’’

No matter what happens in Atlanta, the Gators have surely done enough to ensure they will be one of the four No. 1 seeds in the NCAA tournament. Perhaps the only thing they’re playing for is the top overall spot on the bracket.

Coach Billy Donovan insisted his team won’t be looking ahead to the tournament that really matters.

“We’re getting a chance to play for a championship,’’ he said. “It’s always exciting to have an opportunity to do that.’’

Kentucky (22-9) is certainly eager to turn the page after the way it finished the regular season.

The Wildcats started out ranked No. 1 in the country with their usual hyped group of freshmen, leading some to speculate they might have a chance to go unbeaten.

Not even close.

With three losses in their last four games — an overtime setback at home to Arkansas, a road defeat to lowly South Carolina, and an 84-65 blowout

by Florida — the Wildcats dropped out of the Top 25 altogether.

“We’ve got to get our mojo back,’’ Calipari said. “We’ve got to come together as a group. Now is the time to do it.’’

While Kentucky is mired in a tailspin, several SEC teams have surged into contention for NCAA berths.

Tennessee (20-11), Arkansas (21-10) and Georgia (18-12) are all feeling better about their chances, though none is considered a lock for the 68-team field — especially if they stumble in Atlanta.

Among the bubble teams, the fourthseeded Volunteers have the best RPI rating, the toughest schedule and a bye to the SEC’s quarterfinal round Friday

Second Round Thursday Missouri vs. Texas A&M, 1 p.m.

Arkansas vs. Auburn-South Carolina winner, 3:25 p.m.

B5

TOURNAMENT TV SCHEDULE TODAY MEN SEC First Round 7 p.m. -- Auburn vs. South Carolina (WKTC 63, WDXY-FM 105.9, WNKTFM 107.5, WDXY-AM 1240).

9:30 p.m. -- Vanderbilt vs.

Mississippi State (WKTC 63).

ACC First Round 1 p.m. -- Wake Forest vs. Notre

Dame (ESPN2).

3:30 p.m. -- Virginia Tech vs. Miami (ESPN2).

7 p.m. -- Boston College vs.

Georgia Tech (ESPN2).

AMERICAN ATHLETIC First Round 7 p.m. -- Rutgers vs. South Florida

(ESPNU).

9:30 p.m. -- Central Florida vs.

Temple (ESPN2).

BIG EAST First Round 7 p.m. -- Seton Hall vs. Butler (FOX SPORTS 1).

9:30 p.m. -- Georgetown vs.

DePaul (FOX SPORTS 1).

PATRIOT Championship 7:30 p.m. -- American vs. Boston

University (CBS SPORTS NETWORK).

USC FROM PAGE B1

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Florida forward Will Yeguete (15) and the rest of the top-ranked Gators look to secure a likely top seed for the NCAA tournament by winning the SEC tournament, which begins today in Atlanta. night, where they could find themselves with what amounts to an NCAA play-in game against Arkansas. That’s assuming the fifth-seeded Razorbacks get past their second-round contest Thursday against either Auburn (14-15) or South Carolina (12-19).

Arkansas had won six in a row until an inexplicable 25-point loss at Alabama last weekend. The Razorbacks trailed 39-16 at the break in what coach Mike Anderson called “probably the worst half of basketball I’ve ever been associated with.’’

SEC TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE At The Georgia Dome Atlanta First Round Today Auburn vs. South Carolina, 7 p.m.

Vanderbilt vs. Mississippi State, 9:25 p.m.

|

LSU vs. Alabama, 7 p.m.

Mississippi vs. Vanderbilt-Mississippi State winner, 9:25 p.m.

Quarterfinals Friday Florida vs. Missouri-Texas A&M winner, 1 p.m.

Tennessee vs. Arkansas-Auburn-South Carolina winner, 3:25 p.m.

Kentucky vs. LSU-Alabama winner, 7 p.m.

Georgia vs. Mississippi-Vanderbilt-Mississippi State winner, 9:25 p.m.

Semifinals Saturday Florida_Missouri-Texas A&M winner vs.

Tennessee-Arkansas-Auburn-South Carolina winner, 1 p.m.

Kentucky-LSU-Alabama winner vs. Georgia_ Mississippi-Vanderbilt-Mississippi State winner, 3:25 p.m.

Championship Sunday Semifinal winners, 3:15 p.m.

KT Harrell and Chris Denson.

“First thing we have to do is to stop Denson and Harrell,” said freshman guard Sindarius Thornwell. “If we contain those two, we can contain their team. Hopefully we can contain those two for the first time.”

Denson averaged 19.2 points per game, while Harrell was close behind at 18.4. Both are tall physical players, which makes them matchup problems for the Gamecocks, especially 5-11 guard Brenton Williams.

“Brent normally guards the point guard,” Martin said, “but it is a tough match-up for Brent, so you have to put him on the off guard.

“But their guards are 6-4, 6-5, so it is a constant game of chess on how to guard which guard with who.”

USC enters with confidence, however. Despite its 12-19 record, it has managed to persevere through several bumps in the road.

“I’m trying to take it one game at a time,” Williams said. “This is a team we have already played twice. We know what we’re about to face. It’s just a matter of us going out there and playing and doing the things that we struggled in, on film, better.

Then we’ll prepare for the next team if we go on.”

SOCON TOURNAMENT

Wofford tops Western Carolina 56-53 for SoCon title

BY STEVE REED The Associated Press ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Wofford guard Karl Cochran remembers waking up at 6 a.m. for preseason conditioning workouts, leaping over chairs and diving for loose balls and wondering how it was going to help him.

Now he knows.

Cochran scored 23 points, and the Terriers beat Western Carolina 56-53 on Monday night to capture the Southern Conference championship and a spot in the NCAA tournament.

Cochran, the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, was 8 of 16 from the field and had five 3-pointers. He made two big free throws with 5.3 seconds left to give Wofford a 3-point lead.

The Catamounts had a chance to send the game to overtime but Trey Sumler’s 3-pointer rimmed out as time expired.

“In the preseason you’re like when I am going to do this in a game?’’ Cochran said. “But you get here and you’re like, it pays off. It certainly pays off. It’s a long journey. You fight and struggle, but it pays off.’’

Lee Skinner had 11 points for the third-seeded Terriers (20-12), who will be making their third trip to the NCAA tournament in the last five years, but first since 2011.

Fifth-seeded Western Carolina (19-

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Wofford’s Lee Skinner, center, kisses the trophy after Wofford defeated Western Carolina 56-53 on Monday in the championship game of the Southern Conference tournament in Asheville, N.C. 15) had another impressive comeback, but was unable to get the win this time. Brandon Boggs had 17 points, and Tawaski King added 10 points and nine rebounds.

The Catamounts made just 5 of 23 shots in the first half and trailed 27-20

at the break. James Sinclair then had a pair of jump shots in a 7-0 run to begin the second half.

It looked as if Western Carolina had the momentum at that point, but it couldn’t grab the lead.

Instead, Wofford put together a 17-6

run to make it 44-33 with 8:33 left. Cochran, a junior guard, had eight points during that key stretch.

Boggs tried to lead the Catamounts on one last comeback. He scored on three straight possessions and King had a dunk to help trim Wofford’s lead to 46-43 with 4:04 left.

Cochran and Sumler exchanged 3-pointers, and Skinner and King each scored to leave Wofford in front 53-50 with 35 seconds remaining.

Western Carolina quickly fouled four times to put the Terriers into the bonus.

The strategy seemed to work when Spencer Collins missed the front end of a 1-and-1. But Skinner grabbed the rebound off the miss and was fouled.

He made one of two free throws to make it a two-possession game with 28 seconds left.

The Catamounts failed to convert on their next possession and sent Skinner to the line again. This time he missed the front end and Boggs drilled a 3 from the left wing to make it 54-53 with 6.3 seconds left.

The Catamounts fouled Cochran on the ensuing inbounds pass and he calmly knocked down both free throws. Sumler was shadowed well on the final shot, but worked his way free to get an open look and his 20-footer hit the rim and bounced away.

B6

|

OBITUARIES | SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

JEAN M. BELL SUMMERTON — Jean Griffin Martin Bell, 79, widow of Jack Ryan Martin Sr. and Dr. James Edward Bell Jr., died Monday, March 10, 2014, at her home in Summerton.

Born Jan. 21, 1935, in Summerton, she was a daughter of the late Ervin Theodore and Marie BELL Wells Griffin. She was a member of Summerton United Methodist Church.

She is survived by a daughter, Jeannie Martin Gasque (John) of Holly Hill; a son, Jack Ryan Martin Jr. (Meg) of Summerton; three sisters, Virginia Ardis and Kenny Avin (Joe), both of Summerton, and Lynn McKinney (Henry) of Simpsonville; five grandchildren, Allison Gasque Parler (David) of Chapin, Martin Gasque, Guerry Martin, Jack Martin and Davis Martin, all of Summerton; two great- grandchildren, Elli and Grace Parler; four stepchildren, Katharine “Katsy” Bell Ratterree, James Edward Bell III, Nancy Bell Fant and Frederick McDonald “Mac” Bell; and a number of nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. today at Summerton United Methodist Church with the Rev. Randy Bowers officiating. Burial will follow in Summerton Evergreen Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Bill Martin, David Tindal, Roger Flowers, David Ardis, John Senn and George Oxner.

The family will receive friends at the residence in Summerton.

Memorials may be made to Summerton United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 35, Summerton, SC 29148 or to Summerton Evergreen Cemetery Fund, c/o Ellen Ardis, P.O. Box 366, Summerton, SC 29148.

Stephens Funeral Home & Crematory, 304 N. Church St., Manning, is in charge of ar-

rangements, (803) 435-2179. www.stephensfuneralhome.org

CHARLES A. NIMMO Charles Adrian Nimmo, 86, died Wednesday, March 5, 2014.

Visitation will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. before the service at the funeral home.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. today at Thompson Funeral Home Chapel in Orangeburg with graveside services at 4 p.m. at Jericho United Methodist Church Cemetery in Elloree with full military honors.

Memorials may be made to Jericho United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Heber Jackson, 5286 Cameron Road, Cameron, SC 29030.

Thompson Funeral Home of Orangeburg is in charge of arrangements.

Dr. ARMAND JOSEPH GAGNE Jr.

JESSIE A. CARTWRIGHT

LOWELL — Dr. Armand Joseph “Joe” Gagne Jr., 77, died Monday evening, March 3, 2014, at St. Rose Siena Hospital in Henderson, Nev. Born in Lowell, Mass., he was a son of the late Lillian J. Meckes and Armand Joseph Gagne Sr. Dr. Gagne retired from the University of South Carolina Sumter after more than 20 years of teaching in the business, economics, religion and information systems fields. He served in the U.S. Navy, pastored in the Southern Baptist and Presbyterian faiths, and traveled to South America on several missionary trips. He was most recently a member of Christ Fellowship Church of West Palm Beach, Fla. Survivors include his wife, Patricia Gagne of Henderson; six daughters, Debbie McBride (Ray) of Irmo, Denise Stamps (the late Robin Stamps) of West Columbia, Dellanie Austin (Billy) of Simpsonville, Dana Turner (Cliff) of Elgin, Donna Hickman (Chris) of Sumter and

AREA SCOREBOARD BASKETBALL BATTLE ON THE HILL

The Battle On the Hill Ballin’ For A Cure basketball tournament will be held March 22 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hillcrest Middle School gymnasium at 4355 Peach Orchard Road in Dalzell.

Some of the proceeds from the tournament will go to the American Cancer Society.

The fee is $175 per team.

For more information or to register, contact Ronnie “Tee” Morant at (803) 463-7255.

TEAM PERSEVERANCE

Team Perseverance Basketball Association, an AAU basketball program, is now accepting registration for its 2014 season.

Team Perseverance is open to players age 8-18 for skills training.

For more information, contact coach Junko Allen at (803) 795-5513 or by email at coachj_ perseverance@yahoo.com.

Chloe Ward of Sumter; and three sons, Armand J. III of Loxahatchee, Fla., Charles Kenneth (the late Sherry Holiday) of Inman and Joseph E. Ward of Sumter. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, Charles Gagne (Keri Blackwood) of Birmingham, Ala., Ariel Gagne of Inman, Tyler Smith of Orlando, Fla., Taylor Smith of Clemson, William Austin IV of Simpsonville, Rebecca Jo Gagne of Loxahatchee, Hunter Rorick of Sumter, Alex Hickman of Sumter and Shana Marie Turner of Elgin.

The family will have a private memorial service at a later date in Columbia.

Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, Irmo/St. Andrews Chapel, is assisting the family with arrangements www.caughmanharmanfuneralhome.net

LYNCHBURG — Jessie Lee Anderson Cartwright, formerly of Lynchburg, died Saturday, March 8, 2014, in Baltimore, Md. The family is receiving friends at the home of a niece, Lou Faye Edwards, 2070 Yarborough Road, Olanta.

Final arrangements will be announced by Jefferson Funeral Home of Lynchburg.

ADDIE SUE T. WILLIAMS Addie Sue Tomlin Williams, 81, widow of Earnest Williams, departed this life on Saturday, March 8, 2014, at Roxborough Memorial Hospital in Philadelphia, Pa. Born May 19, 1932, in Sumter County, she was a daughter of the late Abram Sr. and Mary Jackson Tomlin.

The family will be receiving friends at the home of her brother, Deacon Robert (Mary Bell) Tomlin, 105 Nathaniel St., Sumter.

Funeral plans are incomplete and will be announced later by Job’s Mortuary Inc. of Sumter.

league. A birth certificate is required if one is not on file at the recreation department.

For more information, call the recreation department at (803) 436-2248 or visit the website at www.sumtercountysc.org.

SOFTBALL SPRING REGISTRATION

Baby Taylen Smith departed this life on Sunday, March 9, 2014, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center.

Born Sept. 26, 2013, she was a daughter of Trevon Smith and Kayon Richardson.

The family will be receiving friends at the home, 10 Meehan St., Sumter.

Funeral plans are incomplete and will be announced later by Job’s Mortuary Inc. of Sumter.

CLARA WILSON LYNCHBURG — Clara Wilson, 67, died Friday, March 7, 2014, in Sumter County, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

She was born July 20, 1946, in Sumter County, a daughter of the late Henry and Geneva Epps Wilson. She attended the public schools of Sumter County. In her youth, she joined Asbury United Methodist Church and remained active until her death.

Survivors are a brother, John Wesley (Mary) Epps of Washington, D.C.; four sisters, Dorothy (Harry) Brayboy and Metter Mae Wilson, both of Lynchburg, Teia Burroughs of Columbia and Teika Burroughs of Charlotte, N.C.; two nieces reared in the home, Barbara Wilson of Lynchburg and Betty Dewitt of Paterson, N.J.; and one additional brother-in-law, Tommie McDowell of Lynchburg.

Celebratory services for Ms. Wilson will be held at 1 p.m.

Thursday at Asbury United Methodist Church, 355 Pudding Road, Lynchburg, with the Rev. Patti E. Gordon, pastor, officiating, and the Rev. Ronnie McFadden and the Rev. Rhonda B. Keels assisting. Burial will follow in Goodman Cemetery.

Ms. Wilson will lie in repose one hour prior to funeral time.

The family is receiving friends at the residence, 1415 Puddin Swamp Road, Lynchburg.

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

ROBERT BROOKS Robert Brooks, 70, widower of Joe Ann Addie Brooks, died Tuesday, March 11, 2014, at his home, 27 Martin St. Born Sept. 18, 1943, in Sumter County, he was a son of Edward and Fannie Williams Brooks.

The family will receive friends and relatives at the home of his sister, Edith Ramsey, 2670 Genoa Drive, Sumter.

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

ESSIE S. CANTEY MANNING — Essie Dingle Stukes Cantey, widow of Rufus Stukes Sr. and Alvin Cantey, exchanged time for eternity on March 8, 2014, at Windsor Manor Nursing Facility, Manning.

Born July 10, 1923, in Clarendon County, she was a daughter of the late William and Victoria Ballard Dingle.

Essie was a devoted member of Antioch Baptist Church, Manning.

Survivors include her 18 children, two brothers, many grandchildren and greatgrandchildren.

Visitation will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. today at the Chapel of Fleming and DeLaine Funeral Home.

A service of remembrance will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Antioch Baptist Church, 2571 Joseph Lemon Dingle Road, Manning. Words of consolation will be delivered by the pastor, the Rev. Sam Livingston Sr. Interment will follow at Union Cypress Cemetery.

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

Online condolences may be sent to flemingdelaine@aol. com.

SMITH FROM PAGE B1 Smith didn’t know whether he would be remaining instate or not, but that all options were open.

“When the season ended my wife and I were discussing our future plans, and we just decided we were going to relocate when the school year was over to pursue other opportunities,” Smith said.

“She’s a food service director so she wanted to

The right advertising opportunity!

GOLF

Call (803) 774-1200 and get started today.

SPRING REGISTRATION

Call (803) 774-1200 and subscribe today.

TAYLEN SMITH

The Sumter County Recreation Department is taking registration for its spring girls softball leagues for players between the ages of 1318.

The last day to register for the 13-18 yearolds is March 28. A player’s age will be based on her age as of Dec. 31, 2013.

The cost is $45 per player. A birth certificate is required if one is not on file at the recreation department.

A mandatory coaches meeting will be held today at 6 p.m. at the recreation department at 155 Haynsworth Street for anyone interested in coaching in any of the age groups.

For more information call the recreation department at (803) 436-2248 or visit the website at www.sumtercountysc.org.

BASEBALL The Sumter County Recreation Department is taking registration for its 13-14 year-old baseball league.

The last day to register for the 13-14 year-old league is March 21. A player’s age will be based on the age as of April 30, 2014.

The cost is $50 per player for the 13-14

THE SUMTER ITEM

GOLFERS BIBLE STUDY

The Sumter chapter of the Christian Golfer’s Association holds a golfers Bible study each Tuesday at its offices at Crystal Lakes Golf Course.

The study begins at 8 a.m. and is followed by a round of golf.

Your community connection

OAK PARK

Look no further than your local newspaper for

pursue other opportunities in the health care field. That’s pretty much what our decision was based off of.”

Manning High athletic director Brian Joyner said he appreciated the job Smith did and wished him the best in his next venture.

“I think he worked hard and did a good job,” Joyner said. “We’ll be looking for a guy here real soon that will get the basketball program going well and continue to do well like Coach Smith did.”

CLASSIFIEDS

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

THE ITEM

B7

803-774-1234

OR TO PLACE YOUR AD ONLINE GO TO WWW.THE ITEM.COM/PLACEMYAD

CLASSIFIEDS LEGAL NOTICES Bid Notices INVITATION-TO-BID PROJECT: ITB #25-13/14 LAKE PASSIVE PARK

SWAN

The City of Sumter is requesting competitive SEALED bids from qualified Contractors interested in contracting to provide construction of the Swan Lake Passive Park located at 822 W. Liberty Street, Sumter, SC 29150. There will be a MANDATORY pre bid meeting on Monday March 17, 2014 at 9:30am at Swan Lake Visitor's Center: 822 W. Liberty Street, Sumter, SC 29150.

Due date for Bids: Tuesday March 25, 2014 at 2:00pm. For a copy of the bid documents, please contact Alice Bailey at (803) 436-2587 or email: abailey@sumter-sc.com.

Liquor License Notice Of Application Notice is hereby given that Doretha White's Place, Inc. intends to apply to the South Carolina Department of Revenue for a license permit that will allow the sale ON premises consumption of Liquor at 4320 Queen Chapel Road, Dalzell, SC 29040. To object to the issuance of this permit / license, written protest must be postmarked no later than March 21, 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) 896-0110.

Summons & Notice SUMMONS AND NOTICE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF S U M T E R C A S E N O : 2013-CP-43-02049 RECA Limited Partnership, Plaintiff vs. Lakeisha Singleton and Warren Singleton, Defendants.

TO THE DEFENDANT(S) Lakeisha Singleton and Warren Singleton: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED and required to appear and defend by answering the Complaint in this action, of which a copy is herewith served upon you, and to serve a copy of your Answer on the subscribers at their offices, 2442 Devine Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29205 (Post Office Box 12245, Columbia, South Carolina 29211), within thirty (30) days after the service hereof, exclusive of the day of such service; except that the United States of America, if named, shall have sixty (60) days to answer after the service hereof, exclusive of the day of such service; and if you fail to do so, judgment by default will be rendered against you for the relief demanded in the complaint. NOTICE: YOU WILL ALSO TAKE NOTICE that under the provisions of South Carolina Code Section 29-3-100, effective June 16, 1993, any collateral assignment of rents contained in the attached mortgage is perfected and Plaintiff hereby gives notice that all rents shall be payable directly to it by delivery to its undersigned attorneys from the date of default. In the alternative, Plaintiff will move before a judge of this Circuit on the 10th day after service hereof, or as soon thereafter as counsel may be heard, for an Order enforcing the assignment of rents, if any, and compelling payment of all rents covered by such assignment directly to the Plaintiff, which motion is to be based upon the original note and mortgage and the Complaint

CLASSIFIED DEADLINES 11:30 a.m. the day before for Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday edition.

9:30 a.m. Friday for Saturday’s edition 11:30 a.m. Friday for Sunday’s edition.

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.

Summons & Notice

Summons & Notice

attached hereto.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT an action has been commenced in this Court upon complaint of the above-named Plaintiff against the above-named Defendant(s) for the Cancellation of Agreement for Deed of real estate given by Lakeisha Singleton and Warren Singleton to RECA Limited Partnership dated March 27, 2009, and to be recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds for Sumter County. The premises covered and affected by the said Agreement for Deed and by the cancellation thereof were, at the time of the making thereof and at the time of the filing of this notice described as follows: That lot of land with improvements thereon, situate in Sumter County, South Carolina, and more particularly described and designated as Lot No. 20 on a certain plat made by H.S. Wilson, RLS, dated March 1, 1960 and filed for record in the Office of the Register of Deeds for Sumter County in Plat Book Z-17 at Page 22. The property having such metes and bounds as are shown on said plat, this description being in lieu of metes and bounds, as permitted under §30-5-250 of the 1976 Code of Laws for South Carolina. This being the same property conveyed to RECA Limited Partnership by Deed of Darlene Station dated May 12, 2006 and recorded May 17, 2006 in Deed Book 1028 at Page 924 in the Register of Deeds Office, Sumter County, South Carolina. TMS No. 227-12-01-021 Property Address: 17 Foxworth Street, Sumter, South Carolina McDonnell & Associates, PA, Post Office Box 12245, Columbia, South Carolina 29211 Phone (866) 931-8793 Fax (866) 931-8748 Attorneys for the Plaintiff P1084590 3/5, 3/12, 03/19/2014

otherwise appear and defend, and to serve a copy of your Answer to said Complaint upon the subscribers at their office, 4000 Faber Place, Suite 450, P.O. Box 71727, North Charleston, South Carolina, 29415, or to otherwise appear and defend the action pursuant to applicable court rules, within thirty (30) days after service hereof, exclusive of the day of such service; except that the United States of America, if named, shall have sixty (60) days to answer after the service hereof, exclusive of such service; and if you fail to answer the Complaint or otherwise appear and defend within the time aforesaid, the Plaintiff in this action will apply to the Court for relief demanded therein, and judgment by default will be rendered against you for the relief demanded in the Complaint.

SUMMONS AND NOTICES IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS C/A NO: 14-CP-43-0191 (NON-JURY MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE) STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF SUMTER Bank of America, N.A., PLAINTIFF, vs.

Harrison C. Liddle and Jayne E. Liddle, DEFENDANT(S).

TO THE NAMED:

DEFENDANTS

ABOVE

YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED and required to answer the Complaint herein, a copy of which is herewith served upon you, or to

TO MINOR(S) OVER FOURTEEN YEARS OF AGE, AND/OR TO MINOR(S) UNDER FOURTEEN YEARS OF AGE AND THE PERSON WITH WHOM THE MINOR(S) RESIDE(S) AND/OR TO PERSONS UNDER SOME LEGAL DISABILITY: YOU ARE FURTHER SUMMONED AND NOTIFIED to apply for the appointment of a guardian ad litem within thirty (30) days after the service of this Summons and Notice upon you. If you fail to do so, application for such appointment will be made by the Plaintiff.

YOU WILL ALSO TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Rule 53(b) SCRCP, as amended effective September 1, 2002, the Plaintiff will move for a general Order of Reference to the Master in Equity for Sumter County, which Order shall, pursuant to Rule 53(b) of the South Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure, specifically provide that the said Master in Equity is authorized and empowered to enter a final judgment in this action. If there are counterclaims requiring a jury trial, any party may file a demand under rule 38, SCRCP and the case will be returned to the Circuit Court.

NOTICE OF FILING COMPLAINT NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the original Complaint in the above entitled action, together with the Summons, was filed in the Office of the Clerk of Court for Sumter County on January 28, 2014 at 10:56 a.m.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT pursuant to the Supreme Court of South Carolina Administrative Order 2011-05-02-01, you may be eligible for foreclosure intervention programs for the purpose of resolving the above-referenced foreclosure action.

Summons & Notice

Summons & Notice a requirement pursuant administrative order.

If you wish to be considered for a foreclosure intervention program, you must contact Finkel Law Firm LLC, 4000 Faber Place Drive, Suite 450 (29405), P.O. Box 71727 (29415), North Charleston, SC 29405, or call (843) 577-5460 within thirty (30) days from the date of this notice. Finkel Law Firm LLC represents the Plaintiff in this action. Our law firm does not represent you and is not authorized to provide you any legal advice.

IF YOU FAIL, REFUSE, OR VOLUNTARILY ELECT NOT TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS FORECLOSURE INTERVENTION PROCESS, THE FORECLOSURE MAY PROCEED. NOTICE PURSUANT TO THE FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT (15 U.S.C. § 1692 et seq.): This is an attempt to collect a debt and any information you provide will be used for that purpose. However, if you have previously received a discharge from bankruptcy, this message is not and should be construed as an attempt to collect a debt, but only as

Public Hearing to

the

FINKEL LAW FIRM LLC THOMAS A. SHOOK Post Office Box 71727 North Charleston, South Carolina 29415 (843) 577-5460 Attorney for Plaintiff

Documents pertaining to the proposed request(s) are on file in the Office of the Sumter City-County Planning Department and are available to be inspected and studied by interested citizens.

Joseph T. McElveen, Jr. Mayor

Public Hearing NOTICE OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION DESIGN REVIEW The Historic Preservation Design Review Committee will meet on Thursday, March 27, 2014, at 3:30 p.m. in the Planning Department conference room located in the Liberty Center (12 W. Liberty Street, Sumter, South Carolina).

The following request is scheduled for public hearing: HP-14-03, 41 W. Liberty St. (City) The applicant is requesting Historic Preservation Design Review approval to install a new wood-framed door and windows on property located at 41 W. Liberty St. and represented by Tax Map #228-12-04-052.

ANNOUNCEMENTS Announcements Harrah's Cherokee Casino, Bus Day Trip departs every 1st Sat, & 2nd Mon. Call for more info 803-316-4684.

subscribe today

I Found it in the

CLASSIFIEDS

JOBS HOMES APARTMENTS CARS BOATS MOTORCYCLES BIKES FURNITURE PETS GARAGE SALES & MORE

GET THE CLASSIFIEDS DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR. 803-774-1258

/ .BHOPMJB 4USFFU t 4VNUFS 4$ XXX UIFJUFN DPN

B8

CLASSIFIEDS

THE ITEM

Lost & Found

For Sale or Trade

Trucking Opportunities

Unfurnished Apartments

Office Rentals

Cash for Junk Cars, used Cars, junk Batteries & unwanted gift cards. Call Gene 803-934-6734

Truck Driver Trainees Needed Now at H.O. Wolding Earn $800/wk Local CDL Training NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED! Be trained & based locally!

1-888-263-7364

HOLLY COURT APARTMENTS located in Manning, currently have spacious two bedroom apartments for rent. Fully carpeted with central air and heat, water and sewer included. Please call to inquire about our Move in Special.

Ph:( 803) 435-8786

Office space & warehouse. Approx. 1200 sq ft ea. Located in Summerton. Separate elec. meters. $900 mo or $500 mo for office or warehouse.

Call 803-837-0987.

Premium Firewood (Oak/Hickory) $70/del. Tree Serv. & Lawn Care avail. Chris 803-464-8743 Expert Tech, New & used heat pumps & A/C. Will install/repair, warranty; Compressor & labor $600. Call 803-968-9549 or 843-992-2364 Martin's Used Appliance Washers, Dryers, Refrig., Stoves.

Special front end load washer $399 Guarantee 464-5439/469-7311 Honey Beehives for sale. It's allergy Season. Fresh Honey & Bee Pollen available. To place you order early. Newmans Bee Supply, 1426 Camden Hwy. $200 Reward. Lost 3 legged female calico cat in area of Calhoun & Purdy. Call 968-1312

BUSINESS SERVICES Business Services Land clearing on site mulching, tree and brush grinding, Free estimates. David 803-972-1090

Home Improvements H.L. Boone, Contractor additions, painting, roofing, gutters, sheetrock, blown ceilings, decks. 773-9904

Lawn Service JT's Lawn Care: All your lawn needs, Tree cutting & debris removal, Senior disc. 840-0322 Daniel's Lawn Care • Tree removal • Lawn Service • Mulch / Pine straw • Debris removal 803-968-4185 Oxendine & Son Lawn Care All your lawn care needs & pressure washing. Call Jonathan 803-565-2160 or Kerry 316-8726.

Four Seasons Lawn Care Serving Sumter for almost 20 yrs!

Free est. 494-9169/468-4008

Tree Service NEWMAN'S TREE SERVICE Tree removal , trimming & stump grinding. Lic & Ins.

803-316-0128

Ricky's Tree Service Tree removal, stump grinding, Lic & ins, free quote, 803-435-2223 or cell 803-460-8747.

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

MERCHANDISE Garage, Yard & Estate Sales LARGE GARAGE SALE 1st & 3rd Weekend Tables $1 & Up

Unfurnished Homes

Medical Help Wanted East Palmetto Ambulance Services now accepting applications for Drivers, EMT'S and Paramedics. Apply in person at 3662 Greeleyville HWY , Manning.

803-473-8000 Medical Associate Needed-Now hiring motivated individual. Strong computer skills required, up to $15 hr. depending on experience.

Contact Human Resources Dept 855-633-3424.

EMPLOYMENT Help Wanted Full-Time Mechanic needed at busy car lot.

Salary based on Exp. Apply in person, at 1282 N. Lafayette Dr. NO PHONE CALLS!!! Valid Driver's License Required. Must have own tools.

Now accepting applications for Child Care giver. With at least one year experience. Apply in person at 1921 Camden Hwy between the hours of 10-4. No phone calls PLEASE.

Help Wanted Part-Time Psychotherapist-responsible for individual, group, family therapy, psychosocial assessments and case management. Masters in social work, psychology, or counseling required with current LISW, PC, or LPC. Fax resume to 803-774-2633 or email : lefford.fate@tuomey.com $$$ AVON $$$ FREE TRAINING! 803-422-5555

For rent or sale by owner: Beautiful 3BR/1BA, hdwd floors, shady huge backyard, perfect condition. No Pets! $700/mo. Option to buy. Call 803-469-6638

Brick 3BR 1BA Recently renovated. Mayesville Area $450 Mo. +Dep Call 843-374-3555

Make Extra $$$ Selling Home/Body Fragrances Kits are $45, $100 or $135 You Buy & We Supply Call 775-7823

3 or 4BR house (Alcolu). $700/dep +$700/mo. 473-3307

Gospel and Country musicloving, responsible, trust-worthy, energetic and enthusiastic, middle-aged woman is available at a very reasonable rate to sit with elderly love ones while the family gets a chance to get some well-deserved rest and relaxation. I will gladly and happily do light housework with a SMILE!! Any day or night... weekends included... just call me when you need me.

Phone Number: 803-773-4441.

References available.

American MHP, 2 & 3/BRs, lot rentals, water/sewer/garbage pkup inc'd. Sec. 8 ok. 803-494-4300.

Springhill Suites Marriott will be taking applications in person at Candlewood Suites, Tuesday March 11th through Sunday March 16th.

Salesman for busy car lot.

Sales experience required. Salary negotiable. Apply in person at 1282 N Lafayette Dr Sumter. No phone calls.

Country Home 3BR/2BA C/H/A. $745/mo+$500/dep. No Pets!

App't only 9AM-6PM. 406-6159, 481-4469.

3BR/2BA DW out of Manning on Goodwill Church Rd. $650/dep + $650/mo. Call 473-3301

Work Wanted

RENTALS Unfurnished Apartments

Mobile Home Rentals

3BR 2BA 16x80 No pets Call 803-499-1500 No calls after 5pm (Scenic Lake)

STATEBURG COURTYARD

Accepting Applications Oakland Plantation Apts.

5501 Edgehill Rd 499-2157 1 Bedroom apartments available. Applications accepted Mon., Wed. & Fri. 8am-4:30pm.

Oaklawn MHP: 2 BR M.H.'s, water/sewer/garbage pk-up incl'd.

RV parking avail. Call 494-8350 3BR 2BA 14x70 All Appliances, Sect.

8 Accepted Call 803-469-6978

Ocean Lakes 2BR/2BA C/H/A Sleeps 8, near ocean, Call 803-773-2438

Office Rentals Office rentals: 712 Bultman Dr. Downstairs •(2) offices suite w/outside entrance. $300/mo.

Upstairs: •450 sq ft, (2) offices $325/mo. •250 sq ft (1) lg office $225/mo. •170 sq ft $165/mo •300 sq ft lg office $275 o •265 sq ft (2) office $250/mo.

469-9294 or 491-6905

DRIVERS WANTED “NO GIMMICKS�

. PL RQ DOO PLOHV ‡ /D\RYHU 3D\ ‡ /RDGLQJ XQORDGLQJ IURP st KU *XDUDQWHHG 0LQLPXP 3D\ ‡ $FKLHYDEOH *RDOV IRU /XFUDWLYH ,QFHQWLYHV - CDL (Class A) w/ hazmat & tanker - At least 2 yrs. exp. - Clean MVR - Excellent pay ($.45 per running mile - includes $.06 per diem non-taxable expense) - Paid Vacation - Paid Holidays - Paid Sick Days - BC/BS Health Ins. - Dental Insurance - Life Insurance - Short Term Disability - 401(k) w/co. Match

CONTACT Pat Joyner at 803-775-1002 Ext. 107 OR visit our website to download a job application and fax to (954) 653-1195 www.sumtertransport.com 170 S. Lafayette Drive Sumter, SC 29150 EOE

FLEA MARKET BY SHAW AFB

Open every weekend.

905-4242

For Sale or Trade 6ft Broyhill Sofa, new reupholstered. (Chocolate). Asking $325.

Call 803-473-6059

Auctions

Commercial Rentals Building for rent could use for Church or Other. Near Manning on Silver Rd. 803-473-3301

Your Community.

Your Newspaper.

Subscribe today, and stay in the local loop.

Shopping Circulars & Coupons Community Developments Special Event Listings Local Dining Reviews Movies & Entertainment School Sports Coverage Local Programming

and much more Call 803-774-1258 to start your subscription today, or visit us online at www.theitem.com Š1 Š0DJQROLDŠ6WUHHWŠ‡Š6XPWHU Š6&

Autos For Sale

OPEN Ernest Baker Auto Sales & Equip. Located 3349 N. Main St 5.5 miles from 378 overpass at N. Main., on Hwy 15 N. next to Baker Mini Warehouse. Remember Cars are like Eggs, Cheaper in the Country!!! 803-469-9294 Auto Choice Sales & Rentals Buy Here, Pay Here. No Credit, No Problem. Cash Rentals. 494-8827

REAL ESTATE Manufactured Housing Tax Time is Here... Low Credit Score? Been turned down for bad credit? Come try us, we do our own financing. We have 3-4-5 bedroom homes. Layaway program available. For more information, call 843-389-4215.

Farms & Acreage FSBO: Land, Small & Large acreage.

Owner financing.

803-427-3888.

Land & Lots for Sale 3 Lots in City limits (Bishopville).

Asking $20,000 or possible trade.

Call 803-459-4773

TRANSPORTATION

2 & 3 BRs 803-494-4015

Resort Rentals

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

775-0575 Studio/1 Bedroom apartments available EHO

The Tree Doctor Tree removal, stump grinding, trimming & clearing. 50% discount for church / cemetery. Accept credit cards & offer senior discounts. Call 775-8560 / 468-1946.

STATE TREE SERVICE Worker's Comp & General liability insurance. Top quality service, lowest prices. 803-494-5175 or 803-491-5154 www.statetree.net

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

Mopeds / ATVs / Motorcycles 2009 Harley-Davidson Roadking with 3100 miles. Garage kept. $13,000 OBO. 803-448-6067 2001 Kawasaki Bayou 220, like new. Less than 30hrs. $1500 FIRM. Call 803-260-9866

95' Dodge Ram 1500 with Leer Cap, Sherrod convert , Rhino liner Tow pack., NEW Interior, Stereo XM. Heater, brakes, shocks, exhaust. $4.000 803-435-8075 A Guaranteed Credit Approval AUTO LOANS We will arrange financing even if you have been turned down before.

Loans available for no credit, bad credit, 1st Time Buyers & Bankruptcy buyers. No co-signers needed. Call Mr. Ashley Brown at 803-926-3235

R & R Motors 803-494-2886 03' Lincoln Town Car, 03' Dodge Stratus- low miles, 08' Mazda 6, 05' Dodge Dakota Quad Cab 4x4, 06' VW Jetta 2003 Ford F-150, Exc condition.

Well Kept. 100k orig. miles. $6,800 OBO. 1993 Cadillac DeVille, Exc Cond. $2,000 OBO. 803-447-5453

SECTION

C

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014 Call Ivy Moore at: (803) 774-1221 | E-mail: ivym@theitem.com

“Low Tide” by Minnie DesChamps was featured in a 2008 exhibition of works by the late Sumter native Minnie DesChamps, the subject of Monday’s meeting of the Sumter County Genealogical Society.

Focus on Sumter artist Minnie DesChamps topic at genealogical society meeting

BY IVY MOORE ivym@theitem.com

SUMTER COUNTY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY Karen Watson speaking on Minnie DesChamps 7:30 p.m. Monday Swan Lake Presbyterian Church 912 Haynsworth St. (803) 774-3901

T

he late Minnie DesChamps — artist, angler, hunter and farmer — will be the topic for the March meeting of the Sumter County Genealogical Society.

Guest speaker Karen Watson, executive director of the Sumter County Gallery of Art, will address not just the art of Sumter naWATSON tive DesChamps, but also other aspects of her life.

The public is invited to attend the 7:30 p.m. Monday meeting at Swan Lake Presbyterian Church, 912 Haynsworth St. The gallery mounted an extensive exhibition of DesChamps’ paintings in 2008. “The World of Minnie DesChamps” brought her work to many who had never seen it, which, Watson said, might have been the artist’s preference, as “she often referred to herself as ‘a nobody.’”

Watson strongly disagrees, saying, “DesChamps, who died nearly 25 years ago, was a folk artist firmly in the tradition of Clementine Hunter, an AfricanAmerican folk artist in Mississippi who documented by ‘marking’ her observations of the hard life of farm labor and the brief respites — dances, fishing, attending church — from that hard life.”

According to Doris Leeper, writing in the 1969 issue of Sandlapper magazine, DesChamps “painted the AfricanAmerican farm laborers of Shiloh and Mayesville, chopping cotton, planting seedlings or just resting in the sun. She knew these rural communities intimately, and her great devotion to them pervades her work.”

DesChamps also traveled to Florida and coastal South Caroli-

PHOTO PROVIDED

The late Minnie DesChamps, shown here with her Great Dane Precious, will be the topic of a presentation at the Monday meeting of the Sumter County Genealogical Society. Sumter County Gallery of Art director Karen Watson will speak about DesChamps’ life and artwork. na, and painted wonderful “circus” pictures from the Ringling Brothers summer compound and ocean scenes from Garden City.

Leeper wrote, “The simple, untrained style seems eminently suited to her subject matter.”

In fact, Watson said, the DesChamps show “remains one of my favorites in the nine years I have been director. I have always been fascinated by DesChamps, although little is known about her. I welcome this opportunity to talk about her life and her unique, magical art.”

Watson was born and raised in Northern Virginia. She graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1980 with a bachelor of science degree in biology. Before becoming director of the gallery in 2005, she had worked at William Jennings Bryan Dorn VA Hospital in Columbia for 18 years, first as a research assistant, then in cancer clinical trials from 1999 to 2005.

With her former husband, Watson became a serious art collector, which afforded her the opportunity to form friendships

with artists and other art professionals in South Carolina and around the country.

After nearly a decade guiding the gallery, Watson continues her commitment to presenting contemporary, traditional and culturally diverse art and providing art education opportunities to all the citizens of Sumter. Also a major element of her work is ensuring the gallery remains a positive presence in the community, providing creative opportunities to traditionally under served populations and especially youth, through SCGA’s Summer Art Camp Scholarship Fund and important community partnerships such as the Helping Youth Pursue Excellence (HYPE) after school program for at-risk youth.

Gallery art instructors travel to four centers in Sumter County about once every six weeks, supplying all materials and instruction for 350 children to create art. The gallery’s newest community partnership is with Covenant Place Assisted Living Facility, where gallery staff mount three unique exhibitions of traditional art throughout the year.

The Sumter County Genealogical Society meets monthly from September through May. Visitors are welcome and encouraged to attend. Admission is free to the public, and refreshments will be served following the presentation. Call the society’s research center for more information at (803) 774-3901.

Spring’s bringing entertainment, outdoor events to town S pring, or almost spring, brings folks out around town for various events.

Even if it’s just for a stroll around the neighborOut & About hood before A guide to the pollen arts & leisure count reaches infinity, IVY MOORE it’s good to get out and see the sun and green popping out all over.

Seth Reimer, now cultural manager for the city, has been busy scheduling quality entertainment for the Sumter Opera House. Coming up March 19 is the legendary Leon Russell. No doubt he and his band will be performing their big hits like “Tight Rope,” “This Masquerade,”

OPEN BOOK SCHEDULE

• March 17 – “Gold Boy, Emerald Girl” talk • March 19 – author Yiyun Li • March 24 – “Cloud Atlas” talk • March 26 – author David Mitchell • March 31 – “A Visit from the Goon

Squad” talk • April 2 – author Jennifer Egan • April 7 – “Middle Passage” talk • April 9 – author Charles Johnson • April 14 – “Time’s Arrow” talk • April 16 – author Martin Amis The Open Book is free, but participants are asked to register online at http://artsandsciences.sc.edu/theopenbook.

“Delta Lady” and more. Tickets for the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer are going fast. If you haven’t got yours, call (803) 4362635 before they’re all gone.

At 7 p.m. March 27, Kipper Ackerman’s Sounds of Grace harp ensemble and guests will present a fundraising concert at the Opera House. “Songs from the Harp” will benefit

the harp ministry. If you haven’t heard them, you’re in a for a great evening. Tickets are $20 and $25. Go to the website www.sumteroperahouse. com or call (803) 435-2616 to get yours.

An opportunity to meet friends, eat well and enjoy the outdoors is the annual Sumter Lions Club oyster roast. It’s this

Saturday at the Heath Pavilion. Not just roasted oysters, but also shrimp and Sep Harvin’s barbecue will be served at the Swan Lake location from 4 to 8 p.m. All the accompaniments, plus the equipment needed to shuck and eat your fill will be available.

Take out is available, too. Get your tickets from any Lion or at the door for $35.

This is just a drop in the bucket of upcoming local events. We’ll keep you informed.

The University of South Carolina in Columbia has an exciting lineup of authors this year for its Open Book community reading series. You don’t have to live in Columbia to participate and hear the writers speak about their work. The short

drive to USC will give you access to programs and authors Yiyun Li, David Mitchell, Jennifer Egan, Charles Johnson and Martin Amis. The series is free and open to the public, with events taking place at 6 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays March 17 through April 16 at the Ernest F. Hollings Special Collections Library at the university.

On Mondays, USC English professor and Master of Fine Arts Program Director Elise Blackwell or a guest scholar will talk about one of the writers’ books, followed by a public talk by the writer on Wednesday. I, for one, am looking for some enlightenment from David Mitchell on his challenging but enjoyable book, “Cloud Atlas.”

C2

|

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

FOOD

THE SUMTER ITEM

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Any ground meat can be used instead of bison in this Sweet Potato and Bison Shepherd’s Pie.

A speedy, robust take on a classic: Shepherd’s pie

BY J.M. HIRSCH AP Food Editor When it comes to shepherd’s pie, there are those who toe a rather strict line, and there are those who go with the comfort food flow.

The former group will maintain that shepherd’s pie must be made with only certain meats and certain toppings and must be prepared in a certain way. I fall into the latter group, a freewheeling bunch willing to reinvent shepherd’s pie based on whim and convenience.

In my case, so long as there is a meat — any meat will do — on the bottom, corn on top of that and some sort of buttery mashed something over it all, I’m willing to call it good. I even do a quick version that involves no baking whatsoever. The meat and corn are browned in skillets while the potatoes are boiled and mashed nearby. Then I assemble individual portions directly onto serving plates.

I’m even willing to be liberal with the very name of the dish.

When I was a child, I’d actually never heard of shepherd’s pie.

My great-grandmother always called it Chinese pie, a bit of a New England regionalism I’ve never been able to suss out the origins of. It wasn’t until I was an adult that I realized my Chinese pie was everyone else’s shepherd’s pie.

And so with all due respect to the purists who will claim this is no shepherd’s pie, I give you this wonderful version that begins with a blend of sausage and ground bison, and ends with buttery-brown sugar mashed sweet potatoes.

SWEET POTATO AND BISON SHEPHERD’S PIE Ground bison pairs perfectly with the rich sweet potatoes and corn. Of course, any ground meat — including turkey, beef and lamb — can be substituted.

Start to finish: 40 minutes Servings: 8 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch chunks Salt 1 tablespoon olive oil 4 cloves garlic, minced 1 medium yellow onion, diced 1/2 pound loose Italian sausage meat 1 pound ground bison 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 6 ounces (half a bottle) stout or other dark beer 1 tablespoon cornstarch 2 tablespoons cool water 15-ounce can corn kernels, drained 8 1/4-ounce can creamed corn 1/4 cup milk 2 tablespoons butter 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar Heat the oven to broil. Lightly oil a standard loaf pan.

Place the sweet potatoes in a large pot and add enough water to cover by 1 inch. Add a hefty pinch of salt to the water, then bring to a boil and cook until tender, about 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet over high, combine the olive oil, garlic and onion. Saute for 5 minutes, or until just tender. Add the sausage, bison and pepper. Saute until the meat is browned and cooked through, about 8 minutes. Carefully spoon or drain off any collected fat in the skillet. Add the beer and simmer until reduced by half, about 4 minutes.

In a small glass, mix the cornstarch with the cool water. Add the cornstarch mixture to the meat and stir until thickened. Remove from the heat. Season with salt.

Spread the meat and onion mixture evenly in the prepared loaf pan. In a small bowl, mix the corn kernels and creamed corn, then spread in an even layer over the meat. Set aside.

Once the sweet potatoes have cooked, drain and return them to the pot. Add the milk, butter and brown sugar, then mash until smooth. Season with salt. Spoon the potatoes evenly over the corn. Place the pan in the oven, about 10 inches below the broiler. Cook for 5 to 10 minutes, or until bubbling at the edges and starting to brown. Watch it carefully; some broilers run hotter than others.

Nutrition information per serving: 570 calories; 230 calories from fat; 25 g fat (10 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 70 mg cholesterol; 65 g carbohydrate; 6 g fiber; 8 g sugar; 22 g protein; 710 mg sodium.

Smoked fish lends big flavor to a light soup

BY SARA MOULTON Associated Press Writer

broth.

Smoked fish happens to be one of my favorite “cheating” ingredients. Like bacon, it is With St. Patrick’s Day a single ingredient that adds nearly upon us, our minds outsized oomph to any dish. often turn to corned beef and cabbage. This recipe was Unlike bacon, smoked fish inspired by that tradition but has no saturated fat. Add swaps out the corned beef in even a little bit of it and sudfavor of smoked fish (also in- denly the dish becomes the essence of comfort food and credibly popular in Ireland) your guests think you’re a cuin a richly satisfying savory

linary genius.

In Ireland, they like to smoke mackerel, whitefish, salmon and haddock. Smoked haddock actually originates in Scotland, not Ireland, but the Irish have pulled it into the family circle. Me, too. As the child of New Englanders, I grew up with it, which is probably why it’s my favorite smoked fish.

HEARTY POTATO, CABBAGE AND SMOKED FISH SOUP Start to finish: 50 minutes (25 minutes active) Servings: 4 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 large leek, white and green parts, medium chopped (about 2 cups) 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth 1 pound Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice 2 cups 1 percent milk 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme 4 cups shredded Napa or savoy cabbage 1/2 pound smoked fish fillets (trout, whitefish, haddock or mackerel), skin discarded, fish coarsely chopped 1 tablespoon lemon juice Kosher salt and ground black pepper Thinly sliced scallions, to garnish Smoked paprika, to garnish In a large saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the butter. Add the leek and cook, stirring, until very soft but not colored, about 10 minutes. Add the flour and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Increase the heat to high, add the broth in a stream, whisking, and bring to a boil.

Add the potatoes, milk and thyme, then bring the mixture to a simmer. Cover partially and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are just tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in the cabbage and simmer until tender, about 3 minutes. Add the fish and lemon juice and cook just until the fish is heated through. Season with salt and pepper. Ladle into bowls and garnish with scallions and a sprinkle of paprika.

Nutrition information per serving: 360 calories; 100 calories from fat (28 percent of total calories); 11 g fat (6 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 70 mg cholesterol; 38 g carbohydrate; 4 g fiber; 9 g sugar; 26 g protein; 380 mg sodium.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Hearty Potato, Cabbage and Smoked Fish Soup has a satisfying broth.

FOOD

THE SUMTER ITEM

Try this lighter take on eggplant Parmesan

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Inside out Eggplant Parmesan Rolls with Speedy Marinara Sauce is filling but not heavy.

BY SARA MOULTON Associated Press Writer I’ve always been a big fan of eggplant Parmesan. There are a bunch of ways to make this classic Italian dish, but I’m partial to what you might call the full-fat version: thick slices of breaded eggplant that are sauteed, then baked until creamy, and finally topped with tomato sauce and melted cheese.

A vegetarian delight, eggplant Parmesan nonetheless can be very heavy. You gobble it down with gusto for dinner, but discover it still sitting in your gut like a brick the next day. So I wanted to concoct a lighter recipe that still retained all of the ingredients that make my favorite version so wonderful.

Eggplant tends to soak up oil like a sponge, so the first thing I did here was to take a cue from my mom. She used to make an easy but inventive side dish with eggplant, cutting each one into 1/2-inch slices, brushing every slice with her homemade vinaigrette, then baking them all until they were tender and golden. This limits how much oil they can absorb. For simplicity, I sprayed each slice with a modest amount of oil before baking them.

Unfortunately, this clever strategy created a new problem. The eggplant in my favorite version is breaded. Here it isn’t. I was happy to lose the oil, but I didn’t want to lose the bread, particularly in a saucy dish like this. So I literally turned the recipe inside out, placing the bread — in the form of croutons — inside the rolled-up slices of eggplant.

The croutons do get tender during baking, but they also absorb and marry the other flavors in the filling: Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese and roasted red pepper. Full disclosure: I’m well aware that roasted red peppers are not typical of traditional eggplant Parmesans. I added them because they contribute bulk and good nutrition. And because I love the tang they lend the dish.

Even though this recipe uses less than the usual amount of cheese, my crack team of testers didn’t seem to miss it. My secret? The speedy marinara sauce. Loaded with garlic, a bit of oil and a healthy pinch of red pepper flakes, this sauce radiates so much robust flavor that folks forget the missing cheese. And I encourage you to make this marinara at home rather than use storebought; it is simple, fast and quite tasty.

A few notes about buying eggplant. I recommend the biggest you can find for this recipe. You’ll know they’re fresh if the skin is smooth and the flesh is firm to the touch.

If you can’t find large eggplants, use the smaller ones and just overlap the slices slightly to make substantial roll-ups.

I believe that this eggplant Parmesan is an excellent candidate for the centerpiece of a meatless meal. Just round it out with some steamed broccoli and a tossed green salad, and you’re good to go. This is the kind of cozy cold weather meal that will make everyone glad winter is not quite over.

INSIDE-OUT EGGPLANT PARMESAN ROLLS Start to finish: 1 hour Servings: 6 2 slices large rustic (not bagged sliced) white or whole-wheat bread, crusts discarded and bread cut into 1/4-inch cubes (about 1 3/4 cups) 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil Kosher salt 2 pounds large eggplant Olive oil cooking spray 1/2 cup finely chopped roasted red pepper 2 ounces fresh mozzarella, cut into 1/4-inch cubes 1/2 ounce grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese 1 teaspoon minced garlic 2 1/2 cups purchased marinara sauce or speedy marinara sauce (recipe below) Fresh basil, to garnish Heat the oven to 400 F and adjust the oven racks so there is one in the top third and one in the bottom third of the oven.

In a medium bowl toss the bread cubes with the oil and a pinch of salt. On a large rimmed baking sheet, spread the cubes in an even layer and bake on the oven’s lower shelf

until golden brown, 5 to 8 minutes. Transfer them back to the bowl.

While the cubes are baking, prepare the eggplant. Leaving the skin on, slice it top-tobottom into 1/4-inch-thick slices, discarding the end pieces that are mostly skin.

Spray the baking sheet you used for the bread as well as a second large baking sheet with the olive oil spray. Sprinkle the eggplant slices very lightly with salt on both sides and arrange them in a single layer on the baking sheets. Spray them lightly with additional olive oil spray. Bake just until barely golden, 16 to 20 minutes, switching the sheet pan positions in the oven after 8 minutes.

Add the red pepper, mozzarella, Parmigiano-Reggiano and garlic to the bread cubes and toss well.

Pour half of the tomato sauce into the bottom of a shallow baking pan. Set aside.

Arrange the eggplant slices on a kitchen surface, overlapping a few if they are small to make a wider rectangle (you will need 12 portions total), and divide the filling among the portions, mounding it in the center of each slice. Roll up the slices to enclose the filling.

Place the rolls, seam side down, in the baking dish. Spoon the remaining sauce over the rolls

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

|

C3

and bake on the oven’s lower shelf until the sauce is bubbling, 15 to 20 minutes.

Divide the rolls between 6 serving plates, making sure that each portion has ample sauce. Top with fresh basil.

Nutrition information per serving: 260 calories; 90 calories from fat (35 percent of total calories); 11 g fat (3 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 10 mg cholesterol; 34 g carbohydrate; 7 g fiber; 9 g sugar; 9 g protein; 780 mg sodium.

SPEEDY MARINARA SAUCE Start to finish: 25 minutes Makes 2 1/2 cups 2 large garlic cloves, smashed 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil Hefty pinch red pepper flakes 28-ounce can low-sodium diced tomatoes (preferably fire roasted) Kosher salt In a medium skillet combine the garlic and the oil. Turn the heat to medium-low and cook, turning over the garlic several times, until it is just golden, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the red pepper flakes and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add the tomatoes and a hefty pinch of salt, bring to a boil, and cook at a brisk simmer for 20 minutes, or until the sauce is reduced to about 2 1/2 cups.

C6

|

COMICS

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

BIZARRO

SOUP TO NUTZ

ANDY CAPP

GARFIELD

BEETLE BAILEY

BORN LOSER

BLONDIE

ZITS

MOTHER GOOSE

DOG EAT DOUG

DILBERT

JEFF MACNELLY’S SHOE

Man’s last wish is to let his death give others life DEAR ABBY— I work in a palliative care unit in a local hospital, and I’m all too aware of how imporDear Abby tant it is to have one’s ABIGAIL end-of-life VAN BUREN wishes documented, notarized and on-hand in case of an emergency.

I remember reading an essay that appeared in your column years ago; it eloquently described the desire of the writer that his body be used to allow others to live through organ donation. Is it part of your “Keepers” booklet?

THE SUMTER ITEM

Jynna in North Carolina DEAR JYNNA — Yes, it is included. The author, Robert Test, was not only altruistic, but also the ultimate “recycler.”

Readers, “Keepers” is a collection of favorite letters, poems and essays that have appeared in this column over the years. It was assembled because so many readers said the items were meaningful to them and requested that they be compiled as a booklet. It can be ordered by sending your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $7 (U.S. funds) to: Dear Abby Keepers Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. Shipping and handling are included in the price. It covers

THE DAILY CROSSWORD PUZZLE

subjects from temptation to forgiveness, animals, children and human nature.

Filled with down-to-earth nuggets of wisdom, both philosophical and witty, it’s a quick, easy read, and an inexpensive gift for newlyweds, pet lovers, new parents or anyone recovering from an illness because it covers a wide variety of subjects.

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Write Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

Abby shares more than 100 of her favorite recipes in two booklets: “Abby’s Favorite Recipes” and “More Favorite Recipes by Dear Abby.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $14 (U.S. funds) to: Dear Abby, Cookbooklet Set, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)

JUMBLE

SUDOKU

THAT SCRAMBLED WORD GAME

By David L. Hoyt and Jeff Knurek

HOW TO PLAY: Each row, column and set of 3-by-3 boxes must contain the numbers 1 through 9 without repetition.

ACROSS 1 Deer guy 5 Dian Fossey subjects 9 Walking tall 14 Snoop (around) 15 Son of Leah and Jacob 16 One unlikely to bring home the bacon?

17 Work on galleys 18 Works by Raphael and Michelangelo, e.g.

20 Signed agreement mailed by someone in prison?

22 “... kissed thee __ killed thee”: Othello 23 NYC-based insurance co.

24 Backs a fashion venture?

31 Eyelid inflammations 32 Dogwood, e.g.

33 Sock part 34 Pottery oven 35 Drag through the mud 37 Gardener’s bagful 38 Rescuer of Odysseus 39 Irene of “Fame” 40 Gainesville is about halfway between it and Jack-

sonville 41 Authorize two bros’ get-together?

45 “Double Fantasy” artist 46 Measurement named for a body part 47 Songwriter’s dream?

54 Rites of passage 55 Heathrow postings: Abbr.

56 Point a finger at 57 Dark purple 58 Charlie Brown cry 59 Title role for Michael or Jude 60 New newts 61 “Off with you!”

DOWN 1 Job detail 2 Commotion 3 Analogous 4 Avenges a wrong 5 Runway shapes 6 Bob __, first NBA player to be named MVP (1956) 7 FEMA recommendation, maybe 8 Storage structure 9 Like some press conference an-

swers 10 Go back (on) 11 “A Summer Place” costar Richard 12 Dessert conveyance 13 “Rizzoli & Isles” airer 19 More ridiculous 21 Spanish 101 word 24 1986 rock autobiography 25 Windbreaker fabric 26 Cook, as dumplings 27 One may be rolled over 28 Weasel kin 29 Patterned fabric 30 Ward of “CSI: NY” 31 Two percent alternative 35 Skipped

36 C-ration successor 37 Throws here and there 39 Fails to understand 40 Funk 42 Musical scale sequence 43 Produce a change in 44 Scary Wild West circles?

47 Meet, as needs 48 Norwegian saint 49 “Won’t do it” 50 Plenty, in slang 51 Bonneville Salt Flats site 52 Peacekeeping acronym 53 Name on a Canadian pump 54 Mgmt. degree

TELEVISION

THE SUMTER ITEM TW FT

7 PM

7:30

8 PM

8:30

9 PM 9:30 LOCAL CHANNELS

10 PM

10:30

WIS News 10 at Entertainment Revolution: Exposition Boulevard Pa- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: (:01) Chicago P.D.: Different Mis7:00pm Local Tonight (N) (HD) triots’ reeducation center is ready. Gambler’s Fallacy Cop at illegal club. takes Internal Affairs suspicious of news update.

(N) (HD) (N) (HD) Voight. (N) (HD) News 19 @ 7pm Inside Edition (N) Survivor: Cagayan (N) (HD) Criminal Minds: Rabid Three bodies CSI: Crime Scene Investigation: Evening news (HD) with bite marks. (N) (HD) Long Road Home (N) (HD) update.

Wheel of Fortune Jeopardy! (N) The Middle: Suburgatory Modern Family (:31) Mixology: Nashville: We’ve Got Things to Do (N) (HD) (HD) Stormy Moon (N) Tessa meets a Manly wisdom. Bruce & Jessica Juliette’s plan encounters Rayna’s.

(HD) guy. (N) (HD) (N) (HD) (N) (HD) (N) (HD) Pledge Programming Critically acclaimed and viewer-renowned program- Pledge Programming Critically acclaimed and viewer-renowned programming is featured for a membership drive encouraging viewer support ming is featured for a membership drive encouraging viewer support through highlight-worthy segments. through highlight-worthy segments.

The Big Bang The Big Bang American Idol: 11 Finalists Perform Though one competitor won’t be re- WACH FOX News at 10 Local news Theory (HD) Theory Penny’s ri- turning, the 11 remaining finalists are back and ready to prove that they de- report and weather forecast. val. (HD) serve to stay in the competition. (N) (HD) Family Feud Family Feud Law & Order: Criminal Intent: Con- Law & Order: Criminal Intent: King of the Hill: The Cleveland science Neurologist found poisoned Ill-Bred Horse farm veterinarian is Texas Skillsaw Show Comic conin a pool. (HD) murdered. (HD) Massacre vention. (HD)

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014 11 PM WIS News 10 at 11:00pm News and weather.

News 19 @ 11pm The news of the day.

ABC Columbia News at 11 (HD)

11:30

12 AM

(:35) The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Actor Shailene Woodley from “Divergent.” (N) (HD) (:35) Late Show with David Letterman Sylvester Stallone; Theo James.

(N) (HD) (:35) Jimmy Kimmel Live Celebrities and human-interest subjects. (HD)

Pledge Programming Highlights en- Pledge Procourage viewer support. gramming Viewer support.

Two and a Half Two and a Half The Middle: The Men Jake sneaks Men (HD) Bridge Curing out. (HD) Brick. (HD) The Arsenio Hall Show Late night Dish Nation (N) variety/talk show. (HD)

CABLE CHANNELS Duck Dynasty Duck Dynasty Duck Dynasty Duck Dynasty Duck Dynasty Duck Dynasty Wahlburgers (N) Wahlburgers (N) (:01) (:31) (:01) Duck Dy(HD) (HD) (HD) (HD) (HD) (HD) (HD) (HD) Wahlburgers Wahlburgers nasty (HD) (6:00) Reign of Fire (‘02, Science Fic- Braveheart (‘95, Drama) aaac Mel Gibson. A simple farmer manages to become a legendary hero as he mounts a grassroots resistance against Friday Night tion) aa Christian Bale. (HD) England’s tyrannical occupation of Scotland. (HD) Lights (‘04) (HD) To Be Announced Treehouse Masters (HD) Tanked Team boot camp. (HD) Tanked: Tricks and Trees (HD) Treehouse Masters (HD) Tanked (HD) Being Mary Jane: Storm Advisory The Game (HD) Let’s Stay To- For Colored Girls (‘10, Drama) aa Janet Jackson. A group of eight African-American women face a series of per- Wendy Williams Anchor fired. gether (HD) sonal conflicts related to issues of love, abandonment, domestic violence, rape and abortion.

Show (HD) The Real Housewives of Atlanta: The Real Housewives of Beverly Flipping Out: When the Water Flipping Out: The New Girl Jeff hires What Happens Flipping Out: The New Girl Jeff hires He Said, She Said Mexico trip.

Hills: Are You My Friend?

Breaks G. Eads remodels. a new design assistant. (N) (N) a new design assistant.

The Kudlow Report (N) Greed: Master of Deadly Deceit Greed A sham business.

Greed: The Lady Killer The Profit Greed Erin Burnett OutFront (N) Anderson Cooper 360° (N) (HD) Piers Morgan LIVE (N) (HD) Anderson Cooper 360° (HD) Erin Burnett OutFront P. Morgan The Colbert Re- Daily Show (HD) Workaholics South Park Paris South Park (HD) South Park: Workaholics (N) Broad City (N) Daily Show (N) The Colbert Re- (:01) @midnight port (HD) Clown jobs. (HD) Hilton. (HD) Fishsticks (HD) (HD) (HD) port (N) (HD) (N) (HD) Blog: Stan Makes I Didn’t Do It: The Spy Kids (‘01, Adventure) aa Antonio Banderas. Re- (:35) Good Luck Austin & Ally A.N.T. Farm: Jessie Zuri’s new Dog Blog: Stan The Luck of the His Mark New Guy tired spy parents called into action. (HD) Charlie (HD) (HD) ANTswers (HD) fear. (HD) Talks to Gran Irish (‘01) aa Naked and Afraid (HD) Naked and Afraid (HD) Fast N’ Loud (HD) Ice Cold Gold: Ruby Fever (HD) Fast N’ Loud (HD) Cold Gold NBA Basketball: Brooklyn Nets at Miami Heat from AmericanAirlines Arena (HD) NBA Basketball: Portland Trail Blazers at San Antonio Spurs z{| (HD) SportsCenter College Basketball: ACC Tournament: First Round, Game #3 (HD) Basketball College Basketball: from FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn. (HD) SportsCenter Olbermann Melissa & Joey Melissa & Joey Melissa & Joey Baby Daddy (N) Casper (‘95, Fantasy) aac Christina Ricci. An afterlife therapist and his The 700 Club Baby Daddy: The (HD) (HD) (N) (HD) (HD) daughter meet a friendly young ghost. (HD) Bet (HD) Restaurant: Impossible (HD) Restaurant: Impossible (HD) Restaurant: Impossible (HD) Restaurant: Impossible (N) Diners (HD) Diners (HD) Restaurant On the Record with Greta (N) The O’Reilly Factor (N) (HD) The Kelly File News updates.

Hannity Conservative news. (HD) The O’Reilly Factor (HD) The Kelly File Atlanta Braves Preview (HD) Golden Boy Live: from San Antonio no} (HD) Car Warriors (HD) World Poker Tour no} (HD) UFC (HD) The Waltons: The Captive Elizabeth The Waltons: The Illusion Ester The Middle (HD) The Middle: The Frasier: Love Frasier: Room Full Frasier: Bla-Z-Boy Frasier: The Two Golden: Stand by drives.

Verdie’s daughter is cynical.

Bee (HD) Stinks of Heroes Hundredth Your Man Property Brothers (HD) Property Brothers (HD) Buying and Selling (N) (HD) Hunters (N) Hunters (N) Property Brothers (HD) Buying (HD) American Pickers (HD) American Pickers (HD) American Pickers (HD) American Pickers (HD) (:02) Vikings: Invasion American (HD) Law & Order: Criminal Intent: Tro- WWE Main Event (N) Burn Notice: Mind Games Michael Burn Notice: No Good Deed Barry Burn Notice: Square One Team helps Burn Notice (HD) phy Wine (HD) takes on a loan shark. (HD) needs help. (HD) soldier. (HD) Bring It!: You Better Bring It! Hip-hop Preachers’ Daughters: Raising Hell Preachers’ Daughters: Holier Than Bring It!: Battle in Memphis Harsh (:01) Bring It!: Battle in Memphis Preachers’ majorette troupe trains. (HD) Tori gets evicted. (HD) Thou (N) (HD) techniques. (N) (HD) Harsh techniques. (HD) Daughters (HD) Sponge Sam & Cat Full Hse Full Hse Full Hse Full Hse Full Hse Full Hse Friends (:36) Friends (:12) Friends Cops (HD) Cops (HD) Cops (HD) Cops (HD) Cops (HD) Cops (HD) Cops (HD) Cops (HD) Cops (HD) Cops (HD) Jail (HD) (6:30) Repo Men (‘10, Science Fiction) aac Jude Law. In the near future, Paycheck (‘03, Science Fiction) aac Ben Affleck. Hunted man must figure out clues he left Repo Men (‘10, Science Fiction) hard-core corporate agents repossess artificial organs. (HD) himself before his memory was erased. aac Jude Law. (HD) Seinfeld: The Family Guy The Big Bang The Big Bang The Big Bang The Big Bang Men at Work (N) Men at Work (N) Conan Actor Aaron Paul; actress The Pete Holmes Doodle (HD) Theory (HD) Theory (HD) Theory (HD) Theory (HD) (HD) (HD) Maggie Q. (N) (HD) Show (N) (6:45) The Girl Who Had Everything The Maltese Falcon (‘41, Drama) aaac Humphrey Bogart. A detective Across the Pacific (‘42, Drama) aa Humphrey Bogart. An American offi- The Hurricane (‘53, Drama) William Powell. becomes involved in a desperate search for a priceless statue. cer sails to China, fights a spy and falls for a pretty woman. (‘37) Jon Hall.

The Little Couple (HD) My 600-lb Life (N) (HD) Hoarding: Buried Alive (N) (HD) Man with the 200lb Tumor (HD) Hoarding: Buried Alive (HD) Tumor (HD) Castle: Secret Santa Hunt to find out Castle: Murder, He Wrote Man col- (:01) Castle: Probable Cause Murder (:02) Castle: The Final Frontier Body (:03) Dallas: Playing Chicken Nicolas’ Hawaii Five-0: who killed Santa. (HD) lapses in Castle’s pool. (HD) evidence. (HD) at a sci-fi convention. (HD) past. (HD) Kekoa (HD) Dumbest Hot air balloon. truTV Top: Hits and Misses Jokers Jokers Jokers Upload (N) Upload (N) Upload truTV Top Griffith (HD) Gilligan’s (HD) Gilligan’s (HD) Gilligan’s (HD) Raymond (HD) Raymond (HD) Raymond (HD) (:48) Loves Raymond (HD) Raymond (HD) Raymond (HD) NCIS: The Namesake Gibbs’ name- Modern Family: Modern Family psych: A Touch of Sweevil (N) (:01) Modern (:31) Modern Sirens Lightening (:31) Modern psych: A Touch of sake is brought into case. (HD) Fizbo (HD) (HD) Family (HD) Family (HD) strike. (HD) Family (HD) Sweevil Law & Order: Mother’s Milk (HD) Mary Mary: Family Feud (HD) Mary Mary: Tina Tells All (HD) Marriage Marriage Mary Mary Funniest Home Videos (HD) Rules (HD) Rules (HD) Rules (HD) Rules (HD) Rules (HD) Rules (HD) Rules (HD) Rules (HD) Parks (HD)

Will ‘Nashville’ live on for a third season?

BY KEVIN MCDONOUGH Can “Nashville” (10 p.m., ABC, TV-14) be saved? It hasn’t been renewed for a third season, nor has it been canceled. On the plus side, it’s still an addictive melodrama with some great music. But its audience is consistently smaller than its network competition, “CSI” and “Chicago PD.” To put this in some perspective, “Mixology,” the new and thoroughly horrible comedy on ABC, loses roughly half of its “Modern Family” lead-in audience.

When “Nashville” follows “Mixology,” its audience gets even smaller.

“Nashville” may still come back for season three. Star Connie Britton’s “Friday Night Lights” was renewed for five seasons despite paltry ratings.

But “Nights” was anointed as “quality television.” “Nashville,” on the other hand, is smart, but not afraid to be good, trashy fun. And the frothy swirl of events seems to be accelerating, as if heading toward some conclusion.

We’ve seen two secondary characters die, the scheming Peggy (Kimberly Williams Paisley) and the Machiavellian Lamar (Powers Boothe). And the miserably closeted Will (Chris Carmack) nearly threw himself in front of a train.

Nothing says hunky country heartthrob like pulling a stunt from the pages of “Anna Karenina!”

With all due respect, Lamar needed to go. His character always seemed like somebody from another show, from another decade. Even Rayna’s (Britton) reaction to her father’s passing (throwing a tumbler of scotch at paintings on the wall) seemed a tad more “Dallas” than “Nashville.”

Will Juliette’s (Hayden Panettiere) up-and-down career trajectory adjust to her newfound maturity? (Not a chance!)

Will the budding country folk trio of Gunnar (Sam Palladio), Avery (Jonathan Jackson) and Zoey (Chaley Rose) hit the big time or just keep on keeping it real at the Bluebird? And how will Scarlett (Clare Bowen), America’s most angelic speed freak, adjust to watching her ex-best- friend and her two exlovers making beautiful music together?

Not yet a fan? You can catch up with past episodes of “Nashville” on ABC.Com, Hulu and Hulu Plus.

|

C7

AROUND TOWN In recognition of March being Credit Education Month, the Sumter County Library will host free programs at the main branch, 111 N. Harvin St., as follows: 6 p.m.

Tuesday, March 18, “Managing Your Finances” with Donna Holmes from SAFE Federal Credit Union; 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, the documentary “Why Smart People Do Stupid Things with Money” will be presented; and 1 p.m.

Wednesday, March 26, “Lunch and Learn: Smart Investing and Banking Tips” with a representative from Wells Fargo, bring your lunch and enjoy this presentation while you eat.

Free income tax filing services and FAFSA applications will be provided through April 15 as follows: 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Fridays, 3-8 p.m. Saturdays, appointments only on Sundays, Goodwill Job-Link Center, 1028 Broad St., (803) 7745006; and 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m.

Thursdays, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Saturdays, Lee County Adult Education, 123 E. College St., Bishopville, (803) 484-4040. For details or appointments, call Ms. Samuels at (803) 240-8355.

The AARP Foundation TaxAide Program will offer free income tax assistance and electronic filing for taxpayers with low to middle incomes. All ages are welcome and you do not have to be an AARP member.

Assistance will be available 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays through April 15 at the Shepherd’s Center, 24 Council St. Call Lynda at (803) 469-8322.

The Clarendon County Republican Party will meet Thursday, March 13, at Cornerstone Free Will Baptist Church, 2116 Greeleyville Highway, Manning.

Supper will be served at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting will begin at 7 p.m. Leon Winn, GOP candidate for the 6th District congressional seat, Clarendon County NAACP President Robert McFadden and SCGOP Regional Field Director Martha Gravlee will speak.

The Mary McLeod Bethune Section — Sumter Branch of the Council of Negro Women will meet at 5 p.m. Friday, March 14, at Morris College.

The annual Harambee breakfast of the Mary McLeod Bethune Section — Sumter Branch of the Council of Negro Women will be held at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, March 15, at the North HOPE Center, North Main Street. The Rev. Roneka China will speak.

NBCUNIVERSAL INC.

Detective Amanda Rollins’ (Kelli Giddish) gambling addiction costs her more than money on tonight’s episode of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” airing at 9 p.m. on NBC. • The documentary “The Current” (8 p.m., Epix) follows disabled athletes as they gain mobility, and more, through water sports, scuba diving, surfing, and swimming with dolphins.

• Stan tracks a low-level Washington bureaucrat eager to defect on “The Americans” (10 p.m., FX, TV-MA).

CULT CHOICE The spoiled daughter (Elizabeth Taylor) of a defense lawyer (William Powell) falls for his mobster client (Fernando Lamas) in the 1953 drama “The Girl Who Had Everything” (6:45 p.m., TCM).

TONIGHT’S OTHER HIGHLIGHTS • Last stop Willoughby on “Revolution” (8 p.m., NBC, TV14).

• Laurel’s descent continues on “Arrow” (8 p.m., CW, r, TV14).

• Rollins’ furtive deals raise eyebrows on “Law & Order: SVU” (9 p.m., NBC, TV-14).

• Jay thinks Luke should man up on “Modern Family” (9 p.m., ABC, TV-14).

• “Through the Wormhole with Morgan Freeman” (9 p.m., Science, TV-PG) examines how the human brain deals with matters of luck, chance and probability.

• A band’s followers wind up dead on “CSI” (10 p.m., CBS, TV14).

• Voight’s handler has doubts

on “Chicago PD” (10 p.m., NBC, TV-14).

SERIES NOTES Brick’s library fines add up on “The Middle” (8 p.m., ABC, TV-PG) * Tessa discovers a male mirror image and likes what she sees on “Suburgatory” (8:30 ABC, TV-PG) * Bite marks on “Criminal Minds” (9 p.m., CBS, TV-14) * A test to determine the best on “The Tomorrow People” (9 p.m., CW, r, TV-14) * Bruce hounds a single mother on “Mixology” (9:30 p.m., ABC, TV-14).

LATE NIGHT Jason Bateman is booked on “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart” (11 p.m., Comedy Central) * Aaron Paul and Maggie Q appear on “Conan” (11 p.m., TBS) * Adam Levine, Chris Franjola, Sarah Tiana and Ian Karmel are booked on “Chelsea Lately” (11 p.m., E!) * Maria Shriver sits down on “The Colbert Report” (11:30 p.m., Comedy Central) * Jordan Burroughs and Macy Gray are booked on “The Arsenio Hall Show” (Syndicated, check local listings) * Sylvester Stallone, Theo James and Ledisi appear on “Late Show With David Letterman” (11:35 p.m., CBS) * Jimmy Fallon welcomes Shailene Woodley, Artie Lange and Beck on “The Tonight Show” (11:35 p.m., NBC) * Norman Reedus and American Authors visit “Late Night With Seth Mey-

ers” (12:35 a.m., NBC) * Ricky Gervais and Krysten Ritter on “The Late Late Show” (12:35 a.m., CBS).

A college planning and preparation workshop, presented by the Sumter Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., will be held 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, March 15, in the community meeting room of Sumter Mall, 1057 Broad St. This workshop is open to all students grades 9-12, parents, guardians, counselors, teachers and community activists. Dr. Christine Hand-Gonzales will speak. Attendees will learn about available scholarships as well as information on completing the FAFSA Federal Scholarship Aid Form. Call Gloria Neal Showers at (803) 9053289.

C8

|

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

THE SUMTER ITEM

Call Rhonda Barrick at: (803) 774-1264 | E-mail: rhondab@theitem.com

The Best Brunch Ever Delicious dishes your family will love

BY FAMILY FEATURES A SAVORY SELECTION

O

nly one meal has the

For hosts who like to dabble

power to pull even the

in the classic morning com-

most tired souls from

ponents of eggs, hashbrowns

the comfort of their beds — a de-

and other breakfast fare,

licious and satisfying brunch.

there are plenty of delicious With its prime positioning be-

recipes to serve up. Take the

tween breakfast and lunch,

recipe for Denver Hash-

brunch has quite a following of hungry fans. Whether celebrat-

brown Omelet, which sup-

ing a special occasion or “just be-

plies all the comforts of the

cause,” whether it’s an upscale or

diner-menu staple but is very

laid-back theme you’re after,

easy to make at home as the

brunch is an event in itself that

Hashbrowns from Hungry

brings people together with much

Jack® are ready to use and

anticipation.

can be easily stored in your pantry.

CHEESY POTATO AND APPLE TARTS Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 30 minutes Yield: 12 servings (24 tarts) 1 1/3 cups Hungry Jack® Mashed Potato Flakes 1 1/4 cups water 3 tablespoon butter, divided 1/2 teaspoon salt

2/3 cup milk 1 cup shredded Smoked Gouda or Jack cheese 1 box (14 ounces) refrigerated pie crust, brought to room temperature

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Heat water, 2 tablespoons of butter and salt to boiling in medium pot. Remove from heat, and stir in milk and mashed potato flakes with fork until smooth. Add shredded Gouda or Jack cheese and stir until melted. Cut pie crusts into 24 circles about 2 1/2 inches in diameter. Using mini-muffin tin (with cups the size of 1 3/4 by 1-inch), place one pastry circle into each of 24 muffin cups, pressing slightly. Spoon about one table-

1 carton (4.2 ounces) Hungry Jack® Premium Hashbrown Potatoes No-stick cooking spray 1 tablespoon butter

NEW TAKE ON AN OLD FAVORITE 1 halved, cored and thinly sliced red delicious apple 1 teaspoon packed brown sugar 2 teaspoons chopped chives

For a hearty, American spin on an Italian favorite, you’ll appreciate the simplicity of

spoon potato and cheese filling into each cup. Place in oven and bake until pastry edges are golden brown, about 12 to 14 minutes.

In small pan, melt remaining tablespoon of butter. Add apple slices and saute until just tender, about 4 minutes. Stir in brown sugar and cook one more minute. When apple slices are cooled enough to handle, place a slice into each cup at an angle, trimming to fit if necessary. Sprinkle with chopped chives and serve.

the recipe for Skillet Hashbrown Frittata. This dish features turkey sausage, melted American cheese and Hungry Jack® Original Hash-

DENVER HASHBROWN OMELET

browns. These easy-to-serve,

Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 25 minutes Yield: 8 servings

shredded potatoes are made

1 chopped onion, about 1 1/2 cups 1 diced green bell pepper, about 1 cup 8 eggs 1/2 cup milk (whole or 2 percent)

with 100 percent Idaho Pota1 teaspoon salt 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese 1 cup diced cooked ham

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Spray 9-by- 13-inch pan with no-stick cooking spray. Fill hashbrown carton to fill line with hot water.

Let stand 12 minutes. Drain any excess water. Heat skillet over medium heat and add butter. After butter melts, add onion and bell pepper, and cook for 5 minutes. Whisk together eggs and milk in large mixing bowl. Add salt, potatoes, cheese, ham and vegetables; mix to combine. Transfer mixture to prepared baking pan. Bake for 20 minutes, or until cooked through and starting to brown.

toes, cook perfectly crispy every time and can be used in a number of different meals — even those beyond the brunch table.

SWEET AND SPECIAL While savory meals certainly have their place at brunch, a sweet dish is a great complement and the perfect addition for a well-rounded menu. Look for recipes that combine the elements of sweet and salty, like this dish for Potato Cheese and Apple Tarts. Fresh red delicious ap-

1 carton (4.2 ounces) Hungry Jack® Original Hashbrown Potatoes 4 turkey sausage patties or 6 links 6 slices turkey bacon 8 eggs

SKILLET HASHBROWN FRITTATA

ples, gooey Smoked Gouda or

Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 20 minutes Yield: 6 to 8 servings

Jack cheese and the creamy,

1/4 cup milk 1/2 to 1 1/2 teaspoons hot sauce, based on brand of hot sauce or to taste Pinch ground black pepper 2 tablespoons butter

homemade taste of Hungry 1/2 cup diced onion 4 slices or 2/3 cup shredded American or cheddar cheese

Fill hashbrowns carton to fill line with hottest tap water. Let stand 12 minutes. Drain any excess water. Cook turkey sausage and bacon according to package directions. Crumble or chop. Whisk eggs, milk, hot sauce and black pepper in bowl. Melt butter in 10- or 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium high heat. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened. Spread hashbrowns evenly in pan and part-way up sides. Cook without stirring until light golden brown and crisp on one side, about 3 minutes. Sprinkle crumbled sausage and bacon over potatoes. Pour eggs evenly over and arrange cheese on top. Cover skillet and reduce heat to low; cook until eggs are set in center and cheese is melted, about 15 minutes. Serve from pan or slide onto platter, then cut into wedges.

Jack® Mashed Potatoes meld together for bite after delectable bite.

For more delicious brunch recipes, visit www.hungryjackpotatoes.com.