March 16,2016 by The Sumter Item

IN SPORTS: Sumter baseball hosts Socastee in region opener

SUPER TUESDAY

Pivotal moment One of the primary season’s biggest days plays out in 5 key battleground states A5

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U.S. bars Jobs picture holds steady Atlantic drilling JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com

Obama finds a surprise ally on ruling in Sanford BY MATTHEW DALY The Associated Press

South Carolina shed more than 10,000 jobs in January, but still has gained more than 43,000 jobs compared to one year ago, according to seasonally adjusted numbers released Monday by South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce. The unadjusted numbers reveal a 44,300 drop in the number of non-farm jobs from December

2015 to January 2016. The official unemployment rate, which is based on seasonally adjusted numbers, remained steady at 5.5 percent. Cheryl Stanton, executive director of the SCDEW, found solace in the seasonally adjusted numbers. “Once again, we have a record number of people working with nearly 11,000 people finding work in January,” Stanton said. “In this robust economy, we also are seeing more

and more people deciding to enter the job market, either for the first time or re-entering after time away. As they join the workforce, it is exciting to see that people are able to find work and are able to provide for themselves.” When broken down by county, every single county in the state showed an increase in the unemployment rate when not seasonally adjusted. In the tri-county area, Lee County’s

SEE NUMBERS, PAGE A6

Wild Game Night 2016 at First Baptist Church Six lines of food allowed the Wild Game Night 2016 to move 900 people through in less than 30 minutes. First Baptist Church of Sumter hosts the annual male-only event that allows participants to taste a variety of wild game.

WASHINGTON — In a major reversal, the Obama administration said Tuesday it will bar oil drilling off America’s Atlantic Coast, a move cheered by environmentalists and consistent with the president’s aggressive steps to combat climate change. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell said the decision “protects the Atlantic for future generations.” She said the administration had listened to thousands of people in coastal communities from Florida to New England who said, “Now is not the JEWELL time to start leasing off the Atlantic Coast.” However, business groups and most Republicans criticized it as another example of what they call executive overreach. Despite a surge in oil and natural gas production in the past seven years that has helped push gasoline prices below $2 a gallon, Republicans and industry groups have criticized Obama for imposing what they say are unnecessary regulations on drilling, especially on federal lands. Most of the drilling boom has occurred on state and private lands and in the Gulf of Mexico, long the center of U.S. offshore oil production. Obama found an unlikely ally in Rep. Mark Sanford, R-S.C., a former governor who opposes Atlantic drilling and led a bipartisan effort to stop it. “This is fantastic news for the coast of South Carolina,” Sanford said. “Residents along our coast should be proud of the way they united on this issue and sent a compelling message to Washington.” Rep. Tom Rice, R-S.C. whose district includes Myrtle Beach, the heart of the state’s $19 billion tourism industry, said the decision was not surprising. “As more and more recoverable oil has been located onshore due to advancing technology” such as hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling, “tapping new reserves in the Atlantic has become less and

Below, left, Cross Anchor Quartet singer Mary Atkinson performs Monday as a stuffed wild boar appears to launch an attack. Hank Parker, the first angler to win what’s called the grand slam of bass fishing, tells the crowd of more than 900 men and boys about how he started his fishing career on Lake Marion as a young, long-haired “hippie.” Parker was the keynote speaker. PHOTOS BY RICK CARPENTER / THE SUMTER ITEM

SEE OFFSHORE, PAGE A6

Man charged in wife’s death

City rejects foster home zoning request

JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com

BY ADRIENNE SARVIS adrienne@theitem.com

A 66-year-old Rembert man is in jail after calling police late Monday and reporting he killed his wife, according to Lee County Sheriff Daniel Simon. Units from both Sumter County Sheriff’s Office and Lee County Sheriff’s Office re-

sponded to the scene, 61 Ross Farm Road, which is in Lee County close to the Sumter County line. SLATER Lee deputy Claud H. Murphy Jr. said when he arrived on

SEE DEATH, PAGE A5

Sumter City Council denied a request to amend its zoning standards to allow a foster home on Knightbridge Road after receiving opposition from residents of the area during its meeting on Tuesday. Council was presented

with the option to amend the zoning standards to allow residential care uses, including foster homes and certain rehab facilities, to be developed in residential-9 districts throughout the city. Residential care uses are allowed in general residential and residential-6 districts. Willis Holliday, the appli-

cant and a former resident of Knightbridge Road, intended to open a foster home for boys on his property in the neighborhood. He said the boys staying at the home would not have been problem children and would have been under 24hour care. Samuel Brown, a resident

SEE CITY, PAGE A6

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2016

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

LOCAL BRIEFS

Trafficker sentenced to 100 months, ordered to forfeit $300K of drug money

FROM STAFF REPORTS

Hydrant flow tests scheduled for today City of Sumter will perform fire hydrant flow tests on Alice Drive, Preot Street, Wise Drive, North Pike East, West Brewington Road and Airport Road. Water customers in the surrounding areas may experience temporarily discolored water. Work will be performed today and Thursday between the hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

City water line repairs set to begin today City of Sumter will make repairs to the water line along Washington Street from West Hampton Avenue to West Bartlette Street and West Bartlette Street from South Washington Street to South Harvin Street. This work is scheduled to begin today and to be completed within 60 days. There will be minor service interruptions to customers as well as short traffic delays during construction. The downtown area may experience some red water during this period as valves are exercised and lines are worked on. Direct any questions or concerns to City of Sumter Public Services Department at (803) 436-2558.

Annual Easter egg hunt will be held Saturday Sumter County Recreation and Parks Department will host its annual Easter Egg Hunt at 11 a.m. Saturday at Swan LakeIris Gardens, 822 W. Liberty St. The department will have events for children of different age groups. This year’s contest categories are: • Best Easter bonnet or cap for 2-year-olds and younger; • Best decorated tricycle or bicycle for 3- and 4-year-olds; • Best decorated bicycle for 5and 6-year-olds; • Best decorated Easter egg for 7- through 9-year-olds; and • Best decorated Easter hat or cap for 10- through 12-year-olds. Parents are encouraged to bring their cameras for photo opportunities with the Easter bunny. For more information, call (803) 436-2249 or email lchambers@sumtercountysc.org.

CORRECTION If you see a statement in error, contact the City Desk at 774-1226 or pressrelease@theitem.com.

FROM STAFF REPORTS According to a news release from United States Attorney Bill Nettles of the District of South Carolina, a Georgia man who was arrested for possession of cocaine in June 2015 was sentenced in federal court in Columbia on Tuesday. The release states the case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Sumter Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney J.D. Rowell of the Columbia office prosecuted the case. Chief United States District Judge Terry L. Wooten of Columbia sentenced Bryant Christopher Ford of Mableton, Georgia, to 100 months incarceration, followed by three years supervised re-

lease. Ford pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute during a change of plea hearing. As part of the sentence, Judge Wooten also ordered that Ford forfeit $300,000 in cash and other assets that he purchased or used during the drug trafficking conspiracy. During the hearing, the FBI presented surveillance evidence from April through June of 2015 of Ford and trafficking partner, Harold McFadden. On June 16, 2015, agents followed McFadden to an apartment complex near Augusta, Georgia, where McFadden and Ford met out of view of the surveillance agents. Shortly after Ford and McFadden met, McFadden was stopped by South Carolina

Highway Patrol troopers who were working with the FBI. A search of McFadden’s van revealed 5 kilograms of powder cocaine hidden in an aftermarket “trap” compartment behind the dash of the van. According to the release, paperwork in the van confirmed that McFadden had purchased the van from Ford several months prior. That same day, FBI agents in Southern District of Georgia received approval to execute a search warrant at Ford’s home in Mableton, Georgia. The search revealed $304,431 in cash, some of which was in heat sealed bags; approximately 28 grams of powder cocaine; an industrial money counting machine; heat sealing equip-

ment; and other paraphernalia associated with drug use and trafficking. Facts presented at Ford’s guilty plea and sentencing demonstrated that Ford supplied McFadden with 40 to 50 kilograms of powder cocaine and more than 600 kilograms of marijuana during the course of their drug dealing activities. Ford agreed to forfeit the money seized at his house, two vehicles and four Rolex watches, states the release. The defendant also agreed to pay a $250,000 monetary judgment. On Jan. 19, McFadden was sentenced to 70 months followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute.

WOW presents ‘Confessions of a Good Man’ FROM STAFF REPORTS Walking on Water Productions will kick off its southeastern tour at 7 p.m. Saturday at Patriot Hall with its popular stage play, “Confessions of a Good Man.” Doors will open at 6 p.m. “Confessions” has been performed several times before sold out audiences during the past three years, including at the Washington, D.C., Black Theater Festival at Howard University. According to a news release, it is an inspirational stage play that gives a glance into the mind and the struggles of a man, telling the tale of three brothers who grew up in the same household but ended up with three vastly different lives. Each takes his own path to try to become like their father, considered to be the epitome of a good man. “Family secrets, lies and love both bind this family together and also keep them bound. Will the ultimate confession free these brothers or destroy the very essence of who they are?,” asks the release. “Confessions” combines humor, realistic situations, music, a talented cast and thought-provoking topics to involve the audience. During the course of the play, the audience will see “deep, dark secrets” revealed, threatening the future of families and individuals and forcing the brothers to make extremely difficult decisions. Tickets for the play are $25 for general admission and $32 for VIP in advance

PHOTO PROVIDED

The men of Walking On Water Productions’ “Confessions of a Good Man” rehearse a scene in the inspirational play that will begin the company’s southeastern tour at 7 p.m. Saturday in Patriot Hall. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and $30 for general admission and $37 for VIP at the Patriot Hall door, 135 Haynsworth St. VIP ticket holders will receive preferred seating, a complimentary gift bag, VIP blue carpet entry and photo opportunities with the cast. Tickets can be purchased at www.coagm2016tour.eventbrite.com or by calling (803) 807-2969. WOW Productions is an inspirational theater company that has been producing plays since 2005 and has the Midlands’ first Urban Black Box theatre. In 2013, WOW Productions was the recipient of the 2013 Kingdomwood Christian Film Festival’s Best Stage Play Di-

rector Award for the play “Yesterday is Still Gone.” The play’s DVD was picked up for national distribution and is available online. WOW states as its mission “to inspire, educate, encourage and empower artists and audiences to make communities more conscious and compassionate places. WOW believes in using local and upcoming artists to make a difference in not only their surrounding communities, but nationwide.” For more information about WOW Productions, visit www.wowproduction. org.

Multiple vehicle break-ins reported in the Carter Road area last weekend FROM STAFF REPORTS Eight residents of two apartment complexes on Carter Road reported vehicle break-ins to Sumter Police Department when more than $3,250 worth of items were stolen between Friday and Saturday. According to one incident report, a black Ford F-150, a white 2012 Chevrolet Cruze and a white 2015 Mazda CS-5 sus-

tained approximately $1,250 worth of damage when the vehicles were broken into between 7:30 p.m. Friday and 11:40 a.m. Saturday. The stolen items include a Magellan GPS valued at $250; a Cobra radar detector valued at $100; a Gerber multi-tool valued at $80; a U.S. Air Force issued communication headset valued at $400; an E-Vaper cigarette and Blue Dream ejuice bottle with a combined value at

$135; a Michael Kors leather purse valued at $100; and an international Galaxy S3 mobile phone valued at $120. At a nearby apartment complex, five other vehicles were broken into, causing an estimated $2,000 worth of damage, according to a second incident report. The windows of a white 2011 Honda Civic; a silver 2014 Volkswagen Passat; a blue 2004 Chevy SS Silverado truck; a silver 2002 Dodge Ram; and a

silver 2007 Nissan Altima, were broken giving the suspect or suspects access to the contents inside. Two Nokia international phones with a combined value of $100; a Garmin GPS valued at $75; a medical bag containing $600 worth of supplies; Ray Ban sunglasses valued at $100; a wireless keyboard valued at $30; and a book on CD of Odd Thomas valued at $40 were stolen from the vehicles.

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Haley says she would most likely sign bill restricting abortion COLUMBIA (AP) — Gov. Nikki Haley said Tuesday that she will almost certainly sign a bill banning abortion past 19 weeks in South Carolina. “I can’t imagine any scenario in which I wouldn’t sign it,” said the Republican governor. She said she will look at the details once the bill reaches her desk. That could be soon. The GOP-controlled House is expected to vote Wednesday on a compromise the Senate passed last week. The measure allows exceptions only if the mother’s life is in jeopardy or a doctor determines the fetus can’t survive outside the womb. That exemption for a “fetal anomaly” was crucial for the bill clearing the Senate, where Democrats have blocked the legislation since 2010. Such anomalies are generally detected around 20 weeks. Similar laws are in effect in 12 states. They’ve been blocked by court challenges in three others. But the U.S. Supreme Court has yet to rule on the ban’s constitutionality. Supporters think a fetus can feel pain at 20 weeks. Opponents argue such later-term abortions involve women who want a child but are confronted with a medical diagnosis

that forces a difficult decision that shouldn’t be up to politicians. The measure’s limited definition of “fetal anomaly” means it would be illegal to abort a fetus with a severe disability if the child could live. Haley said Tuesday that she has always supported antiabortion measures. She’s previously explained that support as personal. “I’m strongly pro-life, very pro-life and not because my party tells me to be, but my husband was adopted, and so every day I know the blessings of having him there,” Haley said during her 2010 campaign for governor. As a House member that year, Haley voted to end abortion coverage in the state health plan for employees who are victims of rape and incest. The Senate defeated that proposal. In 2012, Haley signed a bill intended to ensure that a fetus surviving an abortion attempt is not treated as medical waste. It defined a person as anyone who is breathing and has a beating heart after birth, whether by labor, cesarean section, or abortion, copying a 2002 federal law enforceable on federal property.

Chief praises officer for not firing back after being shot WOODRUFF (AP) — A police chief in South Carolina praised a veteran officer Monday for not shooting at a suspect who had already shot him in the arm because there was a small child in the room. Darnell Dawkins was the first officer into a Woodruff home during a drug raid, Woodruff Police Chief Alan Bledsole said at a news conference. The bullet went through the fleshy part of Dawkins’ upper arm. “In one side and out the other. Cleaned it up, bandaged it up and he is already again ... wanting to come back to work,” Bledsole said

of the 24-year law enforcement veteran. Dennis Alexander, 38, fired on the officer because he thought he was being robbed, then immediately put down his gun, authorities said. He faces attempted-murder and other charges. It wasn’t known if he had a lawyer. The chief said Dawkins knew there was a toddler inside the home. Bledsole said he couldn’t be any prouder of his officers for not putting the child at risk. “It’s incredible, the discipline it takes to keep from returning fire from somebody who just shot you,” Bledsole said.

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White ex-trooper pleads guilty in shooting of unarmed black man COLUMBIA (AP) — A white former state trooper was led out of a South Carolina courtroom in handcuffs Monday after pleading guilty to a felony charge in the 2014 shooting an unarmed black driver seconds after a traffic stop. Sean Groubert will be sentenced later, but Circuit Judge Casey Manning appears to have already decided there should be some prison time because he sent Groubert to jail while he mulls the punishment. Groubert faces up to 20 years for assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature. There is no minimum sentence. Before the hearing started, Levar Jones, shot once in the hip by Groubert, walked into court with a limp. He constantly turned and twisted a Rubik’s Cube, perhaps to calm himself. As prosecutors replayed the video of the shooting taken from Groubert’s dashboard camera, Jones’ shoulders jerked. He didn’t speak at the 20-minute hearing Monday, but prosecutors said he may talk when Groubert is sentenced. No date has been set for that hearing. Groubert answered questions from the judge. The only hint of an explanation for what happened came when

TIM DOMINICK / THE STATE

Levar Jones, who was shot by ex-Trooper Sean Groubert, listens to Groubert on Monday plead guilty to the charge of assault and battery of high and aggravated nature for the shooting Jones during a traffic stop. the video was released publically a month later, it shocked a country dealing with a wave of questionable police shootings. The only evidence prosecutors gave Monday was the video and Groubert’s statement on the shooting, given a week later. They did not match. Groubert has spent the past 18 months driving a truck. He and his wife were arrested for shoplifting in October, and those charges are pending. South Carolina’s Insurance Reserve Fund agreed to pay Jones a $285,000 settlement in the shooting.

his lawyer requested he continue medication and visits to a psychiatrist to deal with post-traumatic stress disorder from an on-duty shooting in 2012. His supervisors said Groubert protected the public by chasing a suspect who fired on him during a traffic stop. Groubert was awarded the Highway Patrol’s Medal of Valor. The suspect is serving 20 years in prison on an attempted murder charge. The Highway Patrol fired Groubert after watching a video of his encounter with Jones on Sept. 4, 2014. When

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WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department is discouraging state court systems from jailing poor defendants who fail to pay fines or fees, warning against practices that it says run afoul of the Constitution and erode community trust. A letter sent Monday by the federal government to state court administrators makes clear that judges should consider alternatives to jail, such as community service, for poor defendants who don’t pay their fines. It also says judges must consider whether defendants have the ability to pay and should not turn to incarceration without first establishing that a missed payment was willful. The memo arose of a December meeting convened by the Obama administration that brought together judges, court administrators, prosecutors and others to discuss improvements in how court fees and fines are assessed. The new guidance comes amid concerns that some local courts across the country are effectively punishing poor people for their poverty by imposing crippling fines and fees that, when unpaid, can result in jail time. “The consequences of the criminalization of poverty

are not only harmful — they are far-reaching,” Attorney General Loretta Lynch said in a statement. “They not only affect an individual’s ability to support their family but also contribute to an erosion of our faith in government.” That practice was exposed last year in a scathing federal report on the Ferguson, Missouri, city government in which the Justice Department concluded that the municipal court levied exorbitant fines for petty offenses and routinely issued arrest warrants to residents who had missed court appearances or failed to settle their debts. Though the state court system operates independently of the Justice Department, the memo is intended to put state judges on notice that ordering jail time for unpaid fines can violate federal law, open the door to constitutional challenges and trap residents in a cycle of escalating debt, unnecessary incarceration and unemployment. The letter also says courts must give defendants adequate notice when enforcing fines or fees, should not use arrest warrants to coerce the payment of court debt and should not impose bonds that a defendant has no ability to pay.

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DEATH FROM PAGE A1 the scene, he observed James Slater Jr. standing just inside the screen door at the residence. Murphy said Slater complied when he instructed him to come outside with his hands visible. The deputy reported he asked Slater what happened, and he replied, “I shot my wife.” Murphy handcuffed Slater and placed him in the custody of Sumter County deputies while he went inside the house, he reported, where he said he found Brenda Ransom Slater, 60, dead in the bathtub with a wound in the neck. The deputy also recovered a rifle apparently used in the incident, Murphy reported. The victim was later confirmed dead by first responders and Lee County Coroner Larry Logan. James Slater was denied bond after being charged with murder Tuesday and transported to Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center. The crime scene is being investigated by agents from South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, according to Murphy’s report.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2016

Rubio out; Clinton wins Ohio, Florida; Trump, Kasich split CLEVELAND (AP) — Hillary Clinton triumphed Tuesday in the Florida, Ohio and North Carolina presidential primaries, a commanding showing for the Democratic front-runner now eager to move on to the general election. But the contests brought little clarity to the Republican race, with Donald Trump winning big in Florida but falling in Ohio to the state’s governor, John Kasich. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio ended his once-promising campaign after his homestate loss, so the GOP primary is now down to three candidates: Trump, Kasich and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz. It is far from clear if any can reach the 1,237 delegates needed to clinch the GOP nomination, ratcheting up the prospects of a contested convention. “It’s a real election for someone who knows how to fix the country, the econo-

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Former Republican presidential candidate Sen. Marco Rubio ended his campaign for the nomination for president after a humiliating loss in his home state of Florida. my,” Kasich said in an interview with CNN moments after the Ohio race was called. “We’re fired up.” Clinton declared to cheering supporters at her victory rally: “We are moving closer to securing the Democratic Party nomination and winning this election

in November.” Rubio implicitly rebuked Trump throughout a speech announcing he was dropping out of the race, imploring Americans to “not give in to the fear, do not give in to the frustration.” Rubio, a favorite of Republican leaders, is the latest

candidate to fall victim to an unpredictable election cycle and Trump’s unmatched ability to tap into the public’s anger with Washington and frustration with sweeping economic changes. Clinton’s victories in Ohio and Florida bolstered her argument that she’s the best Democratic candidate to take on Republicans in the general election. Her win in Ohio was a particular relief for her campaign, which grew anxious after rival Bernie Sanders pulled off a surprising win last week in Michigan, another important Midwestern state. Clinton kept up her large margins with black voters, a crucial group for Democrats in the general election. Democratic voters were more likely to describe Sanders as honest, but more likely to describe Clinton’s policies as realistic, according to exit polls.

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LOCAL

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2016

NUMBERS FROM PAGE A1 unemployment rate rose from 7.5 to 8.1 percent, while Clarendon County’s rate rose from 7.0 to 7.3 percent. In Sumter County, the rate increased to 6.5 percent from 6.4 percent. All three counties have shown an improvement compared to January 2015, however, when Lee County’s rate was 9.8 percent, Clarendon County was at 8.8 percent and Sumter County had an unemployment rate of 7.6 percent. Economists often warn that county level rates can be very volatile because of the small sample size. Several economic sectors showed some major job losses from December 2015 to January 2016 in the unad-

me before,” said Kaine, a former Virginia governor who serves on the Senate Armed

Services Committee.

Smith in Charleston, South Carolina, contributed to this report.

Associated Press writer Bruce

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feasible,” Rice said. The Interior Department estimates there are about 2.8 billion barrels of recoverable oil on the Atlantic’s outer continental shelf and 26.4 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. Energy industry experts say the reserves may be far greater. The decision reverses a proposal made last year in which the administration floated a plan that would have opened up a broad swath of the Atlantic Coast to drilling. That January 2015 proposal would have opened up sites more than 50 miles off Virginia, North and South Carolina and Georgia to oil drilling no earlier than 2021. President Obama, in his final year in office, is working to build an environmental legacy that includes a global agreement to curb climate change and an ambitious plan to reduce carbon pollution from coal-fired power plants. Obama also has imposed stricter limits on smog-causing pollution linked to asthma and has rejected the Keystone XL oil pipeline from Canada. The proposal on Atlantic drilling is likely to become an issue in the 2016 presidential campaign. Both Democratic candidates oppose it, while Republicans vow to expand drilling. “President Obama has taken a giant step for our oceans, for coastal economies and for mitigating climate change,” said Jacqueline Savitz, vice president of Oceana, an environmental group. “This is a victory for people over politics and shows the importance of old-fashioned grass-roots organizing.” The plan announced Tuesday covers potential lease sales from 2017 to 2022 and calls for leasing 10 areas in the Gulf and three off the Alaska coast. A coalition of groups that oppose Atlantic drilling had organized protests and petitions in southeastern and mid-Atlantic states, often running into opposition from governors and other political leaders. Republican governors in North and South Carolina back drilling off their states’ coasts, as does the Democratic governor of Virginia. The state’s two Democratic senators also support drilling. The oil and gas industry has pushed for Atlantic drilling and pledged that exploration would be done safely, with lessons applied from the 2010 BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Tuesday’s decision “appeases extremists who seek to stop oil and natural gas production” in the U.S., said Jack Gerard, president and CEO of the American Petroleum Institute, the nation’s largest oil and gas lobbying group. The plan will increase energy costs for Americans and close the door for years on efforts to create new jobs and boost energy security, he said. Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., said he was extremely disappointed by the decision, which he said effectively ends debate about offshore drilling before it even starts. The Defense Department has said Atlantic offshore drilling could hurt military maneuvers and interfere with missile tests the Navy relies on to protect the East Coast. The Pentagon submitted a report to Interior that identified locations in Virginia and

on Knightbridge Road, said he was not in favor of the amending the standards because he did not know how the foster home would affect the neighborhood which he characterized as elderly. Brown also provided a petition in opposition of the amendment signed by the Knightbridge Road residents. Mayor Joe McElveen said he appreciated what Holliday was trying to do, but he had to take into consideration the concerns of the other residents and how the amendment would affect others living in residential-9 districts. Council did not make a motion in favor or opposition of the amendment, which means Holliday’s re-

quest was denied. Council also approved guidelines for outdoor dining facilities on public sidewalks in the central business district downtown. Downtown Development Manager Howie Owens said outdoor dining will bring more people downtown and make the area a destination place. According to the information presented to council on Tuesday, restaurants can use a maximum of two parking spaces for dining; and the spaces must be accessible by those with disabilities. Owens said there must also be at least 5 feet for pedestrians to comfortably and safely use the sidewalk. Owens said he will partner with Sumter Planning Department to finalize the guidelines for outdoor dining spaces.

S. W

FROM PAGE A1

other states where military readiness programs would conflict with oil and gas activities, said spokesman Matthew Allen. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., who supports offshore drilling, said he was surprised at the Pentagon’s objections, which were not raised when the draft proposal was submitted last year. The Pentagon “has been relatively quiet during this public debate and has never shared their objections with

CITY FROM PAGE A1

Dr.

OFFSHORE

justed figures. The trade, transportation and utilities sector showed a decrease of 15,500 jobs, and the professional and business services showed a decrease of more than 11,200 jobs. Also dropping substantially were leisure and hospitality, down 6,400 jobs, and government, down 5,300 jobs. The only economic sector showing an increase in employment for the month was mining, logging and construction, which generated only an additional 200 jobs. In the unadjusted numbers, the Myrtle Beach/Conway/N. Myrtle Beach Metropolitan Statistical Area showed a 3.36 percent decrease in non-farm employment from December 2015 to January 2016, and the Florence area showed a 2.5 percent decrease. In raw numbers, the Greenville area had a decrease in employment of 9,900.

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

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2016 H.G. Osteen 1870-1955 Founder, The Item

H.D. Osteen 1904-1987 The Item

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 Rick Carpenter Managing Editor

20 N. Magnolia St., Sumter, South Carolina 29150 • Founded October 15, 1894

COMMENTARY

The Left might well get Trump nominated BY DENNIS PRAGER

his past Friday, a leftwing mob shut down a Donald Trump rally in Chicago. Most Americans viewing what happened saw it for what it was — another assault by left-wingers on the speech of those with whom they differ and on traditional American civility. Not surprisingly, the media reporting has concentrated overwhelmingly on Trump for incendiary and inexcusable comments he has made at some of his other rallies that were disrupted by protesters. For example, he offered to pay any legal bills incurred by a man in the audience who suckerpunched a protester as he was being led out of a Trump rally. Many have also noted the alleged assault by Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski, who was accused of trying to grab Breitbart reporter Michelle Fields’s arm. (I say “alleged” because I have watched the video of the alleged incident four times but could not ascertain what actually took place.) For the record, I have been relentless in my criticisms of Donald Trump, both in print and on my radio show, preferring any other Republican candidate. Based on his past, I have not had any reason to trust him as a conservative or as a Republican, and he has exhibited serious character flaws. Nevertheless, truth must trump opposition to Trump. And the truth is that the leftwing attack on Trump’s Chicago rally had little, if anything, to do with the incendiary comments Donald Trump has made about attacking protesters at his events. Leftist mobs attack and shut down events with which they differ as a matter of course. They do so regularly on American college campuses, where conservative speakers — on the rare occasions they are invited — are routinely shouted down by left-wing students (and sometimes faculty as well) or simply disinvited as a result of leftist pressure on the college administration. A couple of weeks ago, conservative writer and speaker Ben Shapiro was disinvited from California State University, Los Angeles. When he nevertheless showed up, 150 leftwing demonstrators blocked the entrance to the theater in which he was speaking and sounded a fire alarm to further disrupt his speech. In just the last year, left-wing students have violently taken over presidents’ or deans’ offices at Princeton, Virginia Commonwealth, Dartmouth, Providence, Harvard, Lewis & Clark, and Temple, among many other schools. Conservative speakers have been either disinvited or shouted down at Brandeis University, Brown University, the University of Michigan, and myriad other campuses. And leftists shout down virtually every pro-

Israel speaker, including the Israeli ambassador to the United States, at every university to which they are invited to speak. Yet the mainstream media simply ignore this left-wing thuggery — while reporting that the shutting down of a proTrump rally is all Trump’s fault owing to his comments encouraging roughing up protesters at his events. That the Left shuts down people with whom it differs is a rule in every society in which the Left has ever operated. The Left — not classical liberals, I hasten to note — is totalitarian by nature. In the 20th century, the century of totalitarianism, virtually every totalitarian regime in the world was a leftist regime. And the contemporary American university — run entirely by the Left — is becoming a totalitarian state, where only left-wing ideas are tolerated. Tens of millions of Americans look at what the Left is doing to universities, what it has done to the news and entertainment media, and see its contempt for the First Amendment’s protection of free speech. They see Donald Trump attacked by this Left, and immediately assume that only Trump will take on, in the title words of Jonah Goldberg’s modern classic, “Liberal Fascism.” And if these millions had any doubt that Trump alone will confront left-wing Fascism, Trump’s opponents seemed to provide proof. Like the mainstream media, the three remaining Republican candidates for president — Kasich, the most; and Rubio, the least — blamed Trump for the left-wing hooligans more than they blamed the Left. It is possible that in doing so Senators Cruz and Rubio and Gov. Kasich effectively ended their campaigns and ensured the nomination of Trump as the Republican candidate for president. The combination of left-wing violence and the use of it by the other GOP candidates to wound Trump rather than label the Left the mortal threat to liberty that it is might very well clinch Trump’s nomination. And if the Left continues to violently disrupt Trump rallies, it — along with the total absence of condemnation by the Democratic party and its presidential candidate — might well ensure that Donald Trump is elected president. Between the play-Fascism of Trump and the real Fascism of the Left, most Americans will know which one to fear most. Dennis Prager is a nationally syndicated radio talk-show host and columnist. His latest book, “The Ten Commandments: Still the Best Moral Code,” was published by Regnery. He is the founder of Prager University and may be contacted at dennisprager.com. © 2016, creators.com

LETTER TO THE EDITOR STREETLIGHT NEEDED NEAR SUNSET COUNTRY CLUB There needs to be a streetlight at the corner of Liberty Street and Golfair Drive at the Sunset Country Club area. At night, there is no way

anyone driving into the country club is able to see the street. Please, for the safety of our residents who live there, put a street light at that corner. CAROLE BROOKE Sumter

Our forgotten statesman

eorge Washington, our first president, is probably our greatest and most decent statesman. We celebrate Washington’s Birthday each February. But March 16th marks the birthday of probably the second-most important and decent American, James Madison. Madison became our fourth president, but his presidency is not the chief source of his greatness. There would have been an entirely different America without Madison’s enormous input and foresight at the contentious 1787 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. There were 55 delegates to the convention. Like Madison, some had a formal college education, while others did not. From Madison’s notes about the quality of the debates and discourse, one could not tell who was college-educated and who was not. Their ages ranged from 26 (Jonathan Dayton) to 81 (Benjamin Franklin), with the average age being 42. Alexander Hamilton was a key figure at the convention. He called for a president for life with total veto power over the legislature. Most other delegates, led by Madison along with John Adams, wanted a republic; none wanted a democracy. Madison, who would become known as the “Father of the Constitution,” argued that in a pure democracy, “there is nothing to check the inducement to sacrifice the weaker party or an obnoxious individual.” Delegate Edmund Randolph agreed, saying, “In tracing these evils to their origin, every man had found it in the turbulence and follies of democracy.” Adams added: “Remember,

COMMENTARY democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide.” Eleven years earlier, Madison had helped Walter to develop Williams the Virginia Constitution, and it was his Virginia Plan that served as the basis for debate in the development of the U.S. Constitution. Madison, along with Hamilton, argued for a strong but limited central government that could unify the country. During the Constitutional Convention, a proposal was made that would have allowed the federal government to suppress a seceding state. Madison rejected it by saying, as summarized by the transcript: “A union of the states containing such an ingredient (would seem) to provide for its own destruction. The use of force against a state would look more like a declaration of war than an infliction of punishment and would probably be considered by the party attacked as a dissolution of all previous compacts by which it might be bound.” This vision of a state’s independence and right to secede was expressed at Virginia’s ratification convention, which held, “The powers granted under the Constitution being derived from the People of the United States may be resumed by them whensoever the same shall be perverted to their injury or oppression.” Rhode Island’s and New York’s ratification docu-

ments made similar statements. By the way, Rhode Island anti-federalist resistance against the Constitution was so strong that civil war almost broke out July 4, 1788. Madison’s political genius is mostly seen in his contribution to The Federalist Papers, which were coauthored with Hamilton and John Jay. The papers were written to persuade the citizens of New York — and secondarily other states — to ratify the Constitution. Ratification was no easy task. The 1783 Treaty of Paris, which ended our war with Great Britain, held that each state was a sovereign nation. As such, each feared giving up its rights to a powerful central government. Anti-federalists wanted some sort of guarantee that states would remain sovereign and that the power of the federal government would be limited and it would be recognized as a creation of, an agent of and a servant of the states. They said their votes to ratify could only be obtained if the Constitution contained a bill of rights guaranteeing the rights of the people and their states. The most notable and influential anti-federalists were Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams, George Mason and Richard Henry Lee. These few words here do little justice to James Madison’s greatness as one of our Founding Fathers, but a day honoring his birth would help us learn more about his contribution and, as well, learn how much we have betrayed his vision of what constitutes a free people. Walter E. Williams is a professor of economics at George Mason University. © 2016, creators.com

EDITORIAL PAGE POLICIES EDITORIALS represent the views of the owners of this newspaper. COLUMNS AND COMMENTARY are the personal opinion of the writer whose byline appears. Columns from readers should be typed, double-spaced and no more than 850 words. Send them to The Sumter Item, Opinion Pages, P.O. Box 1677, Sumter, S.C. 29151, or email to hubert@ theitem.com or graham@theitem.com.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR are written by readers of the newspaper. They should be no more than 350 words and sent via e-mail to letters@theitem. com, dropped off at The Sumter Item office, 20 N. Magnolia St. or mailed to The Sumter Item, P.O. Box 1677, Sumter, S.C. 29151, along with the full name of the writer, plus an address and telephone number for verification purposes only. Letters that exceed 350 words will be cut accordingly in the print edition, but available in their entirety at www.theitem.com/opinion/letters_to_editor.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2016

SUPPORT GROUPS loved one to murder in a vioAA, AL-ANON, ALATEEN: lent way. AA — Monday-Friday, noon Multiple Sclerosis Support and 5:30 p.m.; Saturday, 8 Support Groups: March 16, Group — Third Tuesday each p.m.; Sundays, 10:30 a.m. 2016 month, 5:30 p.m., Carolinas and 7 p.m., 1 Warren St. (803) Rehabilitation Hospital, 121 775-1852. E. Cedar St., Florence. Call AA Women’s Meeting — (843) 661-3746. Wednesday, 7 p.m., 1 Warren Amputee Support Group — St. (803) 775-1852. Fourth Tuesday each month, AA Spanish Speaking — Sun5:30 p.m., Carolinas Rehabiliday, 4:30 p.m., 1 Warren St. tation Hospital, 121 E. Cedar (803) 775-1852. St., Florence. Call (843) 661AA “How it Works” Group — 3746. Monday and Friday, 8 p.m., EFMP Parent Exchange Group 1154 Ronda St. Call (803) 494— Last Tuesday each month, 5180. 11 a.m.-noon, Airman and 441 AA Support Group — MonFamily Readiness Center. day, Tuesday and Friday, 8:30 Support to service members p.m., Hair Force, 2090-D S.C. who have a dependent with 441. a disability or illness. Call Dorcus at (803) 895AA Summerton Group — 1252/1253 or Sue at (803) Wednesday, 8 p.m., town 847-2377. hall. Manning Al-Anon Family Group — Thursday, 7:30 p.m., BeWEDNESDAY MEETINGS: havioral Health Building, 14 Church St., Manning. Call Sickle Cell Support Group — Angie at (803) 435-8085. last Wednesday each month, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., South Sumter C/A “Drop the Rock” Group — Resource Center, 337 ManThursday, 9:30 p.m., 1154 ning Ave. Call Bertha at (803) Ronda St. Call Elizabeth at 774-6181. (803) 607-4543. Divorce Care — Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m., Bethel Baptist Church, 2401 Bethel Church MONDAY MEETINGS: Road. Call (803) 481-2160. Sumter Vitiligo Support Group Grief Share — Wednesday, — second Monday of each 6:30 p.m., Bethel Baptist month, 5:45-6:45 p.m., North Church, 2401 Bethel Church HOPE Center, 904 N. Main St. Road. Call (803) 481-2160. Call Tiffany at (803) 316-6763. Find the group on Facebook.

THURSDAY MEETINGS: TUESDAY MEETINGS: Sumter Connective Tissue Support Group — 1st Tuesday of Jan., March, May, July, Sept. and Nov., 7 p.m., 180 Tiller Circle. Call (803) 773-0869. Mothers of Angels (for mothers who have lost a child) — First Tuesday of each month at noon and third Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m., Wise Drive Baptist Church. Call Carol at (803) 469-9426, Betty at (803) 469-2616, Carolyn at (803) 469-6059 or Margaret at (803) 469-6887. Sumter Combat Veterans Group Peer to Peer — Every Tuesday, 11 a.m., South HOPE Center, 1125 S. Lafayette Drive. Veterans helping veterans with PTSD, coping skills, claims and benefits. Parkinson’s Support Group — Second Tuesday each month, 5:30 p.m., Carolinas Rehabilitation Hospital, 121 E. Cedar St., Florence. Call (843) 661-3746. Sumter Amputee Support Group — Second Tuesday each month, 6:30 p.m., Sumter Prosthetics & Orthotics, 259 Broad St. Call (803) 8834356. Sumter Chapter Parents of Murdered Children (POMC) — Third Tuesday, 5:30-7 p.m., Birnie HOPE Center, 210 S. Purdy St. For families or friends who have lost a

TOPS S.C. No. 236 (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) — Thursdays, 9 a.m., Spectrum Senior Center,1989 Durant Lane. Call Diane at (803) 7753926 or Nancy at (803) 4694789. Alzheimer’s Support Group through S.C. Alzheimer’s Association — Every 1st Thursday, 6-8 p.m., National Health Care, 1018 N. Guignard Drive. Call Cheryl at (803) 905-7720 or the Alzheimer’s Association at (800) 636-3346. Journey of Hope (for family members of the mentally ill), Journey to Recovery (for the mentally ill) and Survivors of Suicide Support Group — Each group meets every 1st Thursday, 7 p.m., St. John United Methodist Church, 136 Poinsett Drive. Call Fred at (803) 905-5620.

FRIDAY MEETINGS: Celebrate Recovery — Every Friday, 6 p.m. dinner, 7 p.m. program, Salt & Light Church, Miller Road (across from Food Lion). For help with struggles of alcohol, drugs, family problems, smoking, etc. Wateree AIDS Task Force Support Group — Every third Friday, 11:30 a.m., 508 W. Liberty St. Call Kevin Johnson at (803) 778-0303.

PUBLIC AGENDA CLARENDON SCHOOL DISTRICT 3 Thursday, 7:30 p.m., district office, Turbeville

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Acting in haste EUGENIA LAST will lead to unforeseen problems. Bide your time and plan your strategy before you set foot in the ring. It’s important to be prepared instead of caught off guard.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Don’t bend under pressure. A change doesn’t have to be bad. Put a positive spin on whatever is unfolding around you, and you’ll overcome any pitfalls that stand in your way. Put your own needs first.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Move forward with poise and confidence. Look for a different way to handle an ongoing conflict, and you’ll make headway. Greater opportunities for personal and professional gains will be apparent. Love is in the stars and will bring you peace and happiness. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Stick to one task at a time and don’t move on until you finish what you start. You’ll be criticized if you’re too permissive or extravagant. Use your skills to make a positive difference in the world. CANCER (June 21-July 22): Express your likes and dislikes and you’ll get results. Your ability to clearly explain situations and circumstances to others will boost your reputation and put you in a good position when you need a favor in return. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Discipline and hard work should be your priority and completion your goal. You can bring about positive changes and make a difference if you are proactive. Making a promise will strengthen your commitment and dedication. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Look at what you’ve done and what you want to achieve, and you’ll find a way to reach your goals. Expressing your feelings will help alleviate any tension that is building up and put uncertainty to rest.

THE SUMTER ITEM

WEATHER

AccuWeather® ﬁve-day forecast for Sumter TODAY

TONIGHT

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Partly sunny

Partly cloudy and mild

Clouds and limited sun

Mostly cloudy and not as warm

Mostly sunny

A couple of showers possible

84°

53°

80° / 52°

72° / 47°

65° / 44°

59° / 37°

Chance of rain: 5%

Chance of rain: 10%

Chance of rain: 5%

Chance of rain: 10%

Chance of rain: 30%

WSW 8-16 mph

W 4-8 mph

WSW 6-12 mph

NW 4-8 mph

ENE 6-12 mph

N 8-16 mph

TODAY’S SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER

Gaﬀney 82/44 Spartanburg 82/46

Greenville 82/45

Columbia 86/51

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

IN THE MOUNTAINS

Sumter 84/53

Aiken 83/47

ON THE COAST

Charleston 84/60

Today: Partly sunny and very warm; pleasant. High 78 to 84. Thursday: Mostly cloudy. High 74 to 82.

SUMTER THROUGH 4 P.M. YESTERDAY

Temperature High Low Normal high Normal low Record high Record low

85° 56° 66° 41° 88° in 2012 18° in 1993 0.00" 0.43" 1.96" 10.22" 13.22" 9.51"

NATIONAL CITIES City Atlanta Chicago Dallas Detroit Houston Los Angeles New Orleans New York Orlando Philadelphia Phoenix San Francisco Wash., DC

Today Hi/Lo/W 78/51/c 57/40/pc 78/53/s 60/41/sh 81/65/pc 84/58/s 80/67/c 62/48/sh 88/64/pc 69/45/sh 87/58/s 66/51/s 72/48/pc

LAKE LEVELS

SUN AND MOON

Full pool 360 76.8 75.5 100

Lake Murray Marion Moultrie Wateree

7 a.m. yest. 357.69 75.93 75.57 97.19

24-hr chg +0.01 -0.04 +0.11 -0.01

Sunrise 7:31 a.m. Moonrise 1:32 p.m.

RIVER STAGES

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

Thu. Hi/Lo/W 74/50/s 49/34/c 68/52/pc 52/34/c 80/63/t 79/54/s 78/64/t 62/44/pc 85/64/c 67/44/c 88/58/s 68/51/s 68/46/pc

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Expansion, expression and excitement will fill your day if you’re open to new ideas and concepts. Spending time with someone who offers love, guidance and is willing to share in your fight will bring you closer together. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Don’t share personal information or get involved in secretive groups or plans that could put you in a precarious position. Stick to a simple, straightforward lifestyle and look out for poor influences and indulgent pastimes.

Myrtle Beach 82/59

Manning 86/52

Today: Variably cloudy and warm. Winds west-southwest 6-12 mph. Thursday: Partly sunny and warm. Winds west-southwest 6-12 mph.

LOCAL ALMANAC

Florence 85/53

Bishopville 85/50

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

Sunset Moonset

7:31 p.m. 2:50 a.m.

Full

Last

New

First

Mar. 23

Mar. 31

Apr. 7

Apr. 13

TIDES

Flood 7 a.m. 24-hr stage yest. chg 12 8.92 -0.09 19 5.67 +0.56 14 6.90 +0.02 14 5.77 none 80 78.56 -0.20 24 9.02 +2.13

AT MYRTLE BEACH

Today Thu.

High 4:03 a.m. 4:38 p.m. 5:08 a.m. 5:41 p.m.

Ht. 3.1 2.7 3.0 2.7

Low 11:08 a.m. 11:20 p.m. 12:11 p.m. ---

Ht. 0.2 0.1 0.3 ---

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

Today Hi/Lo/W 74/40/c 82/48/c 85/48/pc 82/59/pc 71/56/pc 84/60/pc 83/46/pc 82/49/c 86/51/pc 85/51/pc 82/52/pc 87/53/pc 87/53/pc

Thu. Hi/Lo/W 68/39/pc 77/47/pc 80/50/c 82/59/c 68/56/c 83/58/c 75/46/pc 76/49/pc 82/51/c 78/50/c 73/49/c 79/49/c 80/50/c

Today City Hi/Lo/W Florence 85/53/pc Gainesville 84/62/pc Gastonia 82/45/pc Goldsboro 85/53/pc Goose Creek 85/57/pc Greensboro 80/47/pc Greenville 82/45/c Hickory 79/45/pc Hilton Head 79/59/pc Jacksonville, FL 85/63/pc La Grange 81/48/c Macon 82/51/c Marietta 77/48/c

Thu. Hi/Lo/W 80/51/c 80/61/c 74/44/pc 78/49/c 81/55/c 72/46/pc 75/45/pc 70/45/pc 78/58/c 80/62/t 77/52/pc 79/51/pc 74/48/pc

Today City Hi/Lo/W Marion 77/41/pc Mt. Pleasant 82/60/pc Myrtle Beach 82/59/pc Orangeburg 85/52/pc Port Royal 80/59/pc Raleigh 83/49/pc Rock Hill 82/45/pc Rockingham 85/47/pc Savannah 86/61/pc Spartanburg 82/46/c Summerville 84/56/pc Wilmington 87/58/pc Winston-Salem 80/47/pc

Thu. Hi/Lo/W 69/42/pc 80/58/c 76/57/c 80/52/c 79/58/c 75/47/pc 75/45/pc 78/46/c 82/60/c 74/45/pc 81/54/c 79/54/c 72/46/pc

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SUMTER ANIMAL CONTROL PET OF THE WEEK Meet Mayes, your new best buddy! At approximately 1 year old and 45 pounds, Mayes is a smaller lab mix with a happy-go-lucky personality. He Mayes could be would do beautifully in ayour family setnew abest ting with fewfriend children to play with but could also be a single adult’s best friend. Mayes is waiting to meet you in kennel 23 at Sumter Animal Control, 1240 Winkles Road, (803) 4362066. Thank you for considering a homeless pet. You can view more adoptable pets on our Facebook page — Sumter Animal Control. Remember to check with us if your pet is lost.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Take charge and make a change that will ease stress. Spend more time with the people you love, and do the things that bring you joy. A change of attitude will push you in the right direction. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): An open, honest look at who you are, what you’ve accomplished and where you’re heading will help you put things in perspective and guide you toward an important decision regarding your future. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Do something nice for someone and you’ll get something nice in return. Show empathy and understanding, and offer guidance and positive affirmation that things can change if the right steps are taken. Romance is encouraged.

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

Wednesday, March 16, 2016 Call: (803) 774-1241 | E-mail: sports@theitem.com

prep baseball

USC Basketball

Williamson shuts door on Socastee offense as Sumter turns free passes into runs and region-opening victory

USC tops High Point 88-66 in NIT opener

What a relief

The Associated Press

BY JUSTIN DRIGGERS justin@theitem.com Entering in the top of the fourth inning of a 1-run game with two on and no one out, Rylan Williamson didn’t make things too complicated for himself. “I just wanted to come in, throw strikes, hit spots, get out of it and get away with a win,” the Sumter High School junior said. Thanks in large part to his four stellar innings of 2-hit relief work, the Gamecocks did. Williamson shut down the Socastee offense and SHS was able to take advantage of five walks and three hit by pitches to claim a 5-2 victory on Tuesday at Gamecock Field in the Region VI-4A opener for both teams. Sumter is now 4-3 overall and 1-0 in the region while the Braves fell to 0-5 and 0-1. SHS hosts Carolina Forest on Friday at 6:30 p.m. in a potential key early region tilt. “Rylan looked sharped tonight,” Sumter head coach Brooks Shumake said. “His fastball had a little hop on it. I was really happy to see it explode a little bit tonight. Really proud of his effort on the mound.” Williamson entered with the Gamecocks trailing 2-1 and runners on first and second. He got the first out on a grounder to the first basemen, then stranded both runners in scoring position with a strikeout and flyball to center. That was as close as the Braves got to tallying a run against him the rest of the way. He allowed just two baserunners over the final three innings — both on leadoff singles that never advanced to second base. He walked no one and struck out four, including fanning the side in the sixth inning. “I had really good command tonight,” Williamson said. “Offspeed pitches were working, which was awesome. It KEITH GEDAMKE / THE SUMTER ITEM helps a lot when you’re able to Sumter third baseman Tradd James (6) tries to make a catch against the fence in foul territory durdo that and hit your spots,

ing the Gamecocks’ 5-2 victory over Socastee on Tuesday at Gamecock Field in the Region VI-4A See sumter, Page B3 opener for both teams.

File/Sean Rayford/AP

South Carolina forward A’ja Wilson was the unanimous choice for The Associated Press SEC player of the year award. previous season. Wilson leads the SEC in blocks (3.1 per game) and ranks fourth in both scoring (16.4 points a game) and rebounding (8.7). She has 12 double-doubles this season, including 19 points and 13 rebounds in a win over Missis-

sippi State for the championship of the SEC tournament. South Carolina is top seed in the Sioux Falls Regional and will open the NCAAs on Friday against Jacksonville. “We can’t let down,” Wilson said. Mitchell, a senior guard, is

USC Football

Muschamp back on field as USC coach By PETE IACOBELLI The Associated Press

seventh in scoring at 14.9 points a game. Coates leads SEC in rebounding (10.1) while averaging 11.6 points and shooting 63.1 percent from the field. Also making the first team: Texas A&M guard Courtney Walker, Kentucky guard Makayla Epps and Mississippi State forward Victoria Vivians. They are the league’s top three scorers, with Walker averaging 18.1 points a game, followed by Vivians (17.2) and Epps (16.5). Under Staley, the Gamecocks have supplanted Tennessee as the SEC’s most dominant team. This season, they romped to a perfect conference record, winning by an average of 16.6 points per game, and claimed another title in the league tournament. “It means a great deal,” Staley said. “It means that we put our names in the history book in this traditionally rich conference. It means that our players have put in the work to be among one of the top teams in this conference.”

See WILSON, Page B5

See MUSCHAMP, Page B5

Gamecocks’ Wilson unanimous SEC player of year ATLANTA — South Carolina gets to keep The Associated Press Southeastern Conference player of the year award. Only this time, it went to A’ja Wilson. The sophomore forward was a unanimous choice for the AP award announced Tuesday after leading the Gamecocks to a perfect record in the league standings and a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. South Carolina’s Dawn Staley was coach of the year for the second time in three years, while Missouri guard Sophie Cunningham claimed the freshman of the year award. Wilson was freshman of the year and a first-team selection in 2015. She unanimously retained her spot on the elite unit and was joined by a pair of teammates — 2015 player of the year Tiffany Mitchell, a first-teamer for the third year in a row, and junior center Alaina Coates, who moved up from a spot on the second team the

See USC, Page B5

COLUMBIA — New South Carolina coach Will Muschamp quickly strode onto the practice field Tuesday, and wasted no time in pushing the pace for a Gamecock team filled with question marks. “Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go,” Musmuschamp champ yelled, quickly rolling his hands as offense and defense ran through scrimmage situations. Muschamp, back in charge for the first time since his firing at Florida in 2014, showed he’d challenge his players more than they had been in the last couple of former coach Steve Spurrier’s 10-plus seasons at South Carolina. “We threw a lot at them and we’ve got a lot to work on,” Muschamp said. “The tempo at practice is something we’ve got to vastly improve, but we will. We’ll come along with it.” Muschamp is looking to redeem himself in the Southeastern Conference after going 28-21 in four seasons at Florida. He was named Spurrier’s permanent replacement in December — interim USC coach Shawn Elliott remained as offensive line coach — and has been focused on little else than turning around the Gamecocks after a 3-9 season last year.

usc women’s basketball

By PAUL NEWBERRY The Associated Press

COLUMBIA — Laimonas Chatkevicius scored a careerhigh 30 points on 15-of-16 shooting, Sindarius Thornwell added 20 points and shorthanded South Carolina cruised past High Point 88-66 on Tuesday to move into the second round of the NIT. South Carolina MARTIN head coach Frank Martin announced Tuesday that five backup players were suspended indefinitely for “conduct issues.” However, the Gamecocks did not miss a beat as they went up by 18 through the first 11 minutes. They improved to 25-8 on the season, matching the school record for most wins in a season. High Point started the game 1 of 7 from 3-point range but made its next four 3s, which came during a 21-6 spurt to pull to 42-41. South Carolina led 48-43 at the break after being outscored 23-12 in the final seven minutes. South Carolina opened the second half with two easy baskets and a Thornwell 3-pointer to go up 55-43. Chatkevicius’ put-back dunk made it 67-52 with 12 minutes left and the Gamecocks cruised. Austin White scored 15 for High Point (21-11), which was playing without Big South Player of the Year/Defensive Player of the Year John Brown (foot) and second team All-Big South selection Adam Weary (knee).

sports

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

The SUMTER ITEM

Scoreboard

SPORTS ITEMS

TV, Radio

Michael Conroy/The Associated Press

Indiana’s Myles Turner (33) goes up against Boston’s Amir Johnson during the Pacers’ 103-98 victory on Tuesday in Indianapolis.

Pacers slip past Celtics INDIANAPOLIS — Paul George scored 25 points and the Indiana Pacers finished with a strong fourth quarter to beat the Boston Celtics 103-98 Tuesday night. Monta Ellis added 16 points for Indiana. Isaiah Thomas had 21 points for Boston. The score was tied at 77 with about 7 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter before the Pacers put together a 15-4 run. Magic 116 Nuggets 110

ORLANDO, Fla. — Evan Fournier scored 30 points and Jason Smith had 25 points and 13 rebounds off the bench to help the Orlando Magic beat the Denver Nuggets 116-110 on Tuesday. Victor Oladipo scored 23

points for the Magic. Gary Harris scored 18 points to lead Denver.

Tigers cruise past The Citadel 12-1 CHARLESTON — Andrew Cox hit his first career home run, a 3-run shot in the Tigers’ 6-run fifth inning, in No. 19 Clemson’s 12-1 victory over The Citadel at Riley Park on Tuesday. Seth Beer started the scoring with a run-scoring double in the Tigers’ 2-run first that extended his hitting streak to 13 games. Weston Wilson hit a 2-run single in the third inning, then Clemson (12-3) exploded for six runs in the fifth inning. Wilson and Chase Pinder hit run-scoring doubles sandwiched around Cox’s home run. Wilson went

2-for-4 with four RBIs in Clemson’s 11-hit attack. Tiger starting pitcher Jake Higginbotham (2-0) earned the win by tossing five scoreless innings of 2-hit ball. The Bulldogs fell to 7-9.

Cardinals acquire Jones in deal with Patriots PHOENIX — The Arizona Cardinals have filled what they considered their biggest offseason need by acquiring Pro Bowl defensive end/outside linebacker Chandler Jones from the New England Patriots. The Cardinals sent guard Jonathan Cooper and a second-round pick in this year’s draft to the Patriots in a deal that was pending the two players passing physicals. From staff, wire reports

AREA ROUNDUP

Thomas Sumter’s Hunter has 3 HRs, 9 RBI in 20-2 win over Lady Cardinals DALZELL — Ellie Hunter hit three home runs and drove in nine runs to lead Thomas Sumter Academy to a 20-2 varsity softball victory over Cardinal Newman on Tuesday at the TSA field. Hunter was also the winning pitcher for the Lady Generals. Carmen Silvester had three hits and two runs batted in for Thomas Sumter, while Haley Hawkins had two hits and three RBI and Josie Reed had two hits. Wilson Hall 11 Florence Christian 1

Drake Ives threw a no-hitter in Wilson Hall’s 11-1, 5-inning victory over Florence Christian on Tuesday at Patriot Park SportsPlex. Betsy Cunningham had three hits, three RBI and two runs to lead the Lady Barons, who improved to 5-4 on the season. Danielle deHoll had two hits, two runs and an RBI. Ives also had two hits, including a double and an RBI. Madison Elmore had two hits and two runs and Caroline Campbell had a double.

BOYS VARSITY GOLF Sumter finishes sixth Sumter High School finished fifth in the 15-team Magnolia Invitational on Tuesday at Beech Creek Golf Club. Fort Dorchester won the 36-hole tournament with a score of 475. Clover was second at 478 followed by Lexington at 481, Carolina Forest at 489 and Sumter at 497. The Gamecocks’ Dixon Flowers finished third individually at 153. Fort Dorchester’s KyMatsumoto won with a 146 followed by Clover’s Andrew White at

150. Daniel Spencer shot 165 for SHS, Evans Lewis a 179 and Michael Solberg a 192.

WH wins region match MANNING – Wilson Hall won the SCISA Region II-3A match by 12 strokes on Tuesday at Shannon Greens Golf Club. The Barons shot a 153 followed by Laurence Manning Academy at 165. Calhoun Academy shot 177, Orangeburg Prep 184 and Thomas Sumter Academy 187. TSA’s Tyler Gray was the match medalist with a 34. Christian Salzer led WH with a 35. Easton Ward shot a 37, Walker Jones a 40 and Coker Lowder a 41.

VARSITY TENNIS Wilson Hall 5 Pinewood Prep 4 SUMMERVILLE – Wilson Hall defeated Pinewood Prep 5-4 on Tuesday at the PP courts. The Barons improved to 2-0. SINGLES

1 – Brown (WH) defeated Holduark 6-0, 6-0. 2 – Hendrix (WH) defeated Alaro 6-1, 6-0. 3 – Stover (WH) defeated Torres 6-1, 6-2. 4 – Diffley (PP) defeated Stone 6-4, 6-4. 5 – McConnell (PP) defeated Newman 6-0, 6-3. 6 – Pinewood Prep wins due to injury.

DOUBLES

1 – Brown/Hendrix (WH) defeated Holduark/Alaro 8-1. 2 – Stover/Stone (WH) defeated Torres/Diffley 8-1. 3 – Pinewood Prep wins due to injury.

VARSITY BASEBALL Wilson Hall 8 Northwood 2 Wilson Hall improved to 4-1 with an 8-2 victory over Northwood on Monday at Baron Field. McLendon Sears picked up the victory, scattering five hits while striking out seven.

Robert James led the offense, going 3-for-4. Charlton Commander had two hits, including a triple, while Edward McMillan and Daniel Reynolds both had a double.

VARSITY SOCCER Lakewood 9 Lower Richland 0 HOPKINS – Ben Busques scored four goals and had an assist to lead Lakewood High School to a 9-0 victory over Lower Richland on Monday at the LR field. Christian McDonald and Luis Montoya both added two goals for the Gators, who improved to 3-1. Phillip Cadena scored a goal and had an assist. Others with an assist were Jack Turcios, Charles Olden, Kenny Jones and Blake Carraher. Jonathan Roberts had three saves in goal.

B TEAM BASEBALL Sumter 10 Dreher 0 Ethan Brown tossed a nohitter to lead Sumter High School to a 10-0, 5-inning victory over Dreher on Monday at Gamecock Field. Brown struck out two while walking one and hitting two. He also had a hit and drove in two runs. Seth Posey was 3-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI while Jackson Hoshour had a hit, two walks, two stolen bases and three runs. Wilson Hall 10 Providence Athletic 6

Wilson Hall defeated Providence Athletic Club 10-6 on Monday at Baron Field. Hunter Ives, Wise Segars, Keaton Price and Preston Jaccocks each had three hits for the Barons. Price had seven strikeouts to pick up the victory.

Tuesday’s Games

TODAY 6 a.m. – Major League Exhibition Baseball: Cincinnati vs. Kansas City from Goodyear, Ariz. (MLB NETWORK). 1 p.m. – Major League Exhibition Baseball: Detroit vs. Houston from Kissimmee, Fla. (MLB NETWORK). 3:30 p.m. – International Soccer: UEFA Champions League Round-of-16 Second Leg Match – Arsenal vs. Barcelona (FOX SPORTS 1). 3:30 p.m. – International Soccer: UEFA Champions League Round-of-16 Second Leg Match – Juventus vs. Bayern Munich (FOX SPORTS 2). 4 p.m. – Major League Exhibition Baseball: Chicago White Sox vs. Milwaukee from Phoenix (MLB NETWORK). 6 p.m. – College Lacrosse: Albany at Maryland (ESPNU). 6:05 p.m. – Talk Show: Sports Talk (WPUB-FM 102.7, WDXY-FM 105.9, WDXY-AM 1240). 7 p.m. – NBA Basketball: Oklahoma City at Boston (ESPN). 7 p.m. – NBA Basketball: Orlando at Charlotte (FOX SPORTS SOUTHEAST). 7 p.m. – PGA Golf: Arnold Palmer Invitational Pro-Am from Orlando, Fla. (GOLF). 7 p.m. – College Baseball: Davidson at South Carolina (WNKT-FM 107.5). 7:30 p.m. – College Softball: LouisianaMonroe at Mississippi (SEC NETWORK). 8 p.m. – NHL Hockey: Philadelphia at Chicago (NBC SPORTS NETWORK). 9:30 p.m. – NBA Basketball: Los Angeles Clippers at Houston (ESPN). 9:30 p.m. – Major League Exhibition Baseball: Cincinnati vs. Arizona from Scottsdale, Ariz. (MLB NETWORK). 10 p.m. – International Soccer: CONCACAF Champions League Semifinal First Leg Match – Club America vs. Santos (FOX SPORTS 2). Midnight – International Soccer: Mexican League Copa MX Quarterfinal Match – San Luis vs. Coras F.C. (UNIVISION). 12:30 a.m. – Major League Exhibition Baseball: Toronto at New York Yankees from Tampa, Fla. (MLB NETWORK). 5 a.m. – Professional Golf: European PGA Tour Indian Open First Round from New Dehli (GOLF).

nba Standings By The Associated Press

EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division Toronto Boston New York Brooklyn Philadelphia Southeast Division Miami Atlanta Charlotte Washington Orlando Central Division Cleveland Indiana Chicago Detroit Milwaukee

W L Pct GB 44 21 .677 — 39 27 .591 5½ 28 40 .412 17½ 18 48 .273 26½ 9 57 .136 35½ W L Pct GB 39 28 .582 — 38 29 .567 1 37 29 .561 1½ 31 35 .470 7½ 28 37 .431 10 W L Pct GB 47 19 .712 — 35 31 .530 12 33 32 .508 13½ 34 33 .507 13½ 29 38 .433 18½

WESTERN CONFERENCE Southwest Division y-San Antonio Memphis Dallas Houston New Orleans Northwest Division Oklahoma City Portland Utah Denver Minnesota Pacific Division y-Golden State L.A. Clippers Sacramento Phoenix L.A. Lakers y-clinched division

W L Pct GB 56 10 .848 — 39 28 .582 17½ 34 33 .507 22½ 34 33 .507 22½ 24 42 .364 32 W L Pct GB 45 22 .672 — 35 33 .515 10½ 32 35 .478 13 28 39 .418 17 21 46 .313 24 W L Pct GB 60 6 .909 — 42 23 .646 17½ 25 40 .385 34½ 18 49 .269 42½ 14 53 .209 46½

Monday’s Games

Dallas 107, Charlotte 96 Chicago 109, Toronto 107 Miami 124, Denver 119 Houston 130, Memphis 81 Oklahoma City 128, Portland 94 Washington 124, Detroit 81 Phoenix 107, Minnesota 104 Golden State 125, New Orleans 107 Utah 94, Cleveland 85

Tuesday’s Games

Boston at Indiana, 7 p.m. Denver at Orlando, 7 p.m. Philadelphia at Brooklyn, 7:30 p.m. Toronto at Milwaukee, 8 p.m. L.A. Clippers at San Antonio, 8:30 p.m. Sacramento at L.A. Lakers, 10:30 p.m.

Wednesday’s Games

Dallas at Cleveland, 7 p.m. Oklahoma City at Boston, 7 p.m. Chicago at Washington, 7 p.m. Orlando at Charlotte, 7 p.m. Atlanta at Detroit, 7:30 p.m. Minnesota at Memphis, 8 p.m. L.A. Clippers at Houston, 9:30 p.m. New Orleans at Sacramento, 10 p.m. New York at Golden State, 10:30 p.m.

nhl Standings By The Associated Press

EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division GP W L OT Pts GF GA Boston 70 39 23 8 86 213 188 Tampa Bay 69 40 24 5 85 190 163 Florida 69 38 22 9 85 194 170 Detroit 69 34 24 11 79 173 182 Ottawa 70 32 30 8 72 202 218 Montreal 69 32 31 6 70 187 194 Buffalo 70 28 33 9 65 167 190 Toronto 68 23 34 11 57 160 201 Metropolitan Division GP W L OT Pts GF GA Washington 68 49 14 5 103 219 160 N.Y. Rangers 69 39 23 7 85 197 181 N.Y. Islanders 67 38 21 8 84 193 168 Pittsburgh 68 36 24 8 80 188 173 Philadelphia 67 32 23 12 76 174 180 Carolina 69 31 26 12 74 170 186 New Jersey 70 33 30 7 73 154 178 Columbus 69 28 33 8 64 180 215

WESTERN CONFERENCE Central Division GP W L OT Pts GF GA Dallas 70 41 20 9 91 227 203 St. Louis 71 41 21 9 91 187 179 Chicago 70 41 23 6 88 195 173 Nashville 70 35 22 13 83 192 179 Minnesota 69 32 27 10 74 182 172 Colorado 70 35 31 4 74 188 198 Winnipeg 69 29 35 5 63 181 205 Pacific Division GP W L OT Pts GF GA Los Angeles 68 41 22 5 87 185 154 Anaheim 68 38 21 9 85 174 160 San Jose 68 38 24 6 82 203 179 Arizona 69 30 32 7 67 185 211 Vancouver 68 27 29 12 66 166 197 Calgary 69 29 35 5 63 189 217 Edmonton 72 27 38 7 61 171 212 NOTE: Two points for a win, one point for overtime loss.

Monday’s Games

N.Y. Islanders 3, Florida 2 Los Angeles 5, Chicago 0 Calgary 7, St. Louis 4 Nashville 3, Edmonton 2 Winnipeg 5, Vancouver 2 Anaheim 7, New Jersey 1

N.Y. Islanders at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m. Carolina at Washington, 7 p.m. Detroit at Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m. Tampa Bay at Toronto, 7:30 p.m. Florida at Montreal, 7:30 p.m. Minnesota at Ottawa, 7:30 p.m. Los Angeles at Dallas, 8:30 p.m. Boston at San Jose, 10 p.m.

Wednesday’s Games

Montreal at Buffalo, 7 p.m. Philadelphia at Chicago, 8 p.m. St. Louis at Edmonton, 9:30 p.m. Winnipeg at Calgary, 10 p.m. Colorado at Vancouver, 10 p.m. N.Y. Rangers at Anaheim, 10:30 p.m.

College Baseball By The Associated Press

Collegiate Baseball Poll

TUCSON, Ariz. — The Collegiate Baseball poll with records through March 13. Voting is done by coaches, sports writers and sports information directors: Record Pts Prv 1. Florida 17-1 495 1 2. Vanderbilt 15-1 493 2 3. Texas A&M 15-1 492 3 4. Louisville 13-2 490 4 5. Miami, Fla. 13-3 485 5 6. Oregon St. 12-2 484 6 7. North Carolina 12-2 482 7 8. Mississippi 15-1 480 13 9. Florida St. 13-3 479 14 10. Louisiana St. 12-3 475 10 11. Texas Christian 12-3 472 11 12. Missouri St. 12-2 469 12 13. Mississippi St. 12-3-1 465 26 14. Virginia 11-5 462 15 15. Florida Atlantic 13-2 460 16 16. California 10-4 458 18 17. Arkansas 13-3 457 17 18. Oregon 8-5 456 8 19. Clemson 11-3 453 20 20. South Carolina 15-2 451 21 21. U.C. Santa Barbara 12-3 450 22 22. Boston College 12-3 449 NR 23. N.C. State 13-4 448 19 24. Michigan 11-3 447 27 25. Georgia Tech 12-3 445 9 26. Dallas Baptist 11-4 443 25 27. Arizona St. 13-3 441 NR 28. Tulane 11-5 437 29 29. Long Beach St. 10-5 428 30 30. UCLA 8-7 427 23

Baseball America Top 25

DURHAM, N.C. — The top 25 teams in the Baseball America poll through March 13 (voting by the staff of Baseball America): Record Prv 1. Florida 17-1 1 2. Texas A&M 15-1 2 3. Oregon State 12-2 3 4. Louisville 13-2 4 5. Vanderbilt 15-1 5 6. Miami 13-3 6 7. Louisiana State 12-3 7 8. Texas Christian 12-3 8 9. California 10-4 9 10. Virginia 11-5 10 11. North Carolina 12-2 12 12. Mississippi 15-1 13 13. Florida State 13-3 15 14. UCLA 8-7 14 15. Mississippi State 12-3 24 16. Louisiana-Lafayette 10-6 16 17. Arkansas 13-3 18 18. Michigan 11-3 19 19. Oregon 8-5 11 20. Houston 8-6 21 21. North Carolina State 13-4 17 22. Oklahoma State 9-6 22 23. College of Charleston 11-4 NR 24. Long Beach State 10-5 NR 25. Michigan State 13-1 NR

MLB Spring Training By The Associated Press

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Toronto Houston Texas Detroit Chicago Los Angeles Minnesota Oakland Seattle Cleveland Tampa Bay Boston Kansas City New York Baltimore

W L Pct 10 2 .833 9 4 .692 9 4 .692 9 6 .600 7 6 .538 7 6 .538 7 6 .538 6 6 .500 7 8 .467 6 8 .429 6 9 .400 5 8 .385 6 10 .375 3 8 .273 2 11 .154

NATIONAL LEAGUE

W L Pct Arizona 11 3 .786 Los Angeles 9 3 .750 Washington 9 3 .750 Philadelphia 11 4 .733 St. Louis 7 5 .583 Colorado 8 6 .571 Milwaukee 6 6 .500 New York 6 6 .500 Cincinnati 7 8 .467 Miami 5 7 .417 San Francisco 6 9 .400 Pittsburgh 5 8 .385 Chicago 4 10 .286 San Diego 4 10 .286 Atlanta 4 11 .267 NOTE: Split-squad games count in the standings; games against non-major league teams do not.

Tuesday’s Games

Washington 6, Houston 4 Detroit 10, Atlanta 6 Philadelphia 5, Tampa Bay 2 N.Y. Mets 8, Miami 6 Toronto 6, Baltimore 6, tie Chicago White Sox 8, L.A. Dodgers 6 Texas 5, Cleveland 4 Cincinnati 4, Kansas City 2 L.A. Angels 4, Seattle 4, tie Colorado 6, Oakland 2 Chicago Cubs 11, San Diego 1 N.Y. Yankees vs. Boston, 6:05 p.m.

Wednesday’s Games

Detroit vs. Houston at Kissimmee, Fla., 1:05 p.m. Pittsburgh vs. Baltimore at Sarasota, Fla., 1:05 p.m. Washington vs. Miami at Jupiter, Fla., 1:05 p.m. St. Louis vs. Atlanta at Kissimmee, Fla., 1:05 p.m. Chicago White Sox vs. Milwaukee at Phoenix, 4:05 p.m. L.A. Angels vs. Cleveland at Goodyear, Ariz., 4:05 p.m. Colorado vs. L.A. Dodgers at Glendale, Ariz., 4:05 p.m. Chicago Cubs vs. Kansas City at Surprise, Ariz., 4:05 p.m. San Francisco vs. Seattle at Peoria, Ariz., 4:10 p.m. Toronto vs. N.Y. Yankees at Tampa, Fla., 6:35 p.m. Boston vs. Minnesota at Fort Myers, Fla., 7:05 p.m. Cincinnati vs. Arizona at Scottsdale, Ariz., 9:40 p.m.

Transactions By The Associated Press

FOOTBALL

National Football League ATLANTA FALCONS — Re-signed S Charles Godfrey. Signed S Damian Parms, WR Aldrick Robinson and CB DeMarcus Van Dyke. BALTIMORE RAVENS — Signed WR Mike Wallace to a two-year contract. CAROLINA PANTHERS — Signed DT Paul Soliai to a two-year contract. CINCINNATI BENGALS — Re-signed CB Adam Jones. DALLAS COWBOYS — Signed LB Rolando McClain. DENVER BRONCOS — Matched Miami’s four-year contract offer to RB C.J. Anderson. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS — Traded DE-LB Chandler Jones to Arizona Cardinals for G Jonathan Cooper and a 2016 second-round draft pick. Resigned DB Nate Ebner.

sports

The SUMTER ITEM

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

KEITH GEDAMKE / THE SUMTER ITEM

Sumter starting pitcher Drew Hankins, left, throws during the Gamecocks’ 5-2 victory over Socastee on Tuesday at Gamecock Field in the Region VI-4A opener for both teams. Sumter catcher Daniel Twitty, right, makes a catch in foul territory.

SUMTER

From Page B1

which I did.” It also allowed the Gamecocks enough time to battle back from an early 2-0 deficit. Sumter starter Drew Hankins walked the first two batters of the game, then got two quick outs and two quick strikes on Socastee shortstop Justin Farria. Just when it looked like he was going to wiggle out of the jam. Farria cracked a triple to left-center that plated two. Hankins followed with two solid innings before putting the first two runners in the fourth inning on as well via a hit batsman and a walk. “Drew didn’t have his best stuff tonight and (pitching coach) Joe (Norris) recognized that early on and we decided to take him out (in the fourth),” Shumake said. “Usually he’s spot-on, but maybe he got squeezed a little bit in that first inning and that resulted in the two runs coming across.” It was tough sledding for both teams offensively. The Braves finished with three hits and Sumter was just one better with four -- three of which came off the bat of Caleb Larrimore. “We have to swing the bats a little bit better than that,” Shumake said. “We’ve got to go up there and take better swings and see if we can create a little more offense than we did tonight. That’s going to be critical, especially Friday night with Carolina Forest coming in.”

The Gamecocks got on the board in the bottom of the third without the benefit of a hit. Tradd James was hit bit a pitch, sacrificed to second, took third on a wild pitch and came home on Dawson Price’s sacrifice fly. Sumter took the lead in the

fourth thanks greatly to wildness by Socastee starter Javell Passley, Passley walked two and hit another in the inning with Brandon Spittle’s RBI double sandwiched in between. Passley then uncorked a wild pitch that gave SHS a 3-2 lead.

Spring

2016

HOME AND GARDEN

Another double and another plunked batter in fifth ended Passley’s night, but reliever Jordan Bridge fared little better. He walked three, including one intentionally and two with the bases juiced to give the Gamecocks a 5-2 advantage. “It was sort of a battle of

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wills in terms of who was going to give something away,” Shumake said. “In a lot of ways, we didn’t really earn a whole lot, it was given to us, but that’s baseball. “We don’t want to give games away, but we also want to learn how to earn them, too.”

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sports

Wednesday, March 16, 2016 Tuesday

11 Vanderbilt

16 FGCU (20-13)

11 Wichita State

16 FDU (18-14)

First Round

Spokane, Wash. Providence, R.I. Brooklyn, N.Y.

11 Michigan (22-12)

16 Holy Cross (14-19)

11 Tulsa (20-11)

16 Southern U. (22-12)

Men’s Division I Basketball Championship Sweet 16

16 Austin Peay (18-17) Mar. 19

8 Colorado (22-11)

March 24-25

Elite Eight

Thursday

Mar. 20

Thursday

9 Providence (23-10) 5 Indiana (25-7) Thursday

12 Chattanooga (29-5) Mar. 19

Houston

Friday

April 2

13 Hawaii (27-5)

6 Notre Dame (21-11) Friday

Mar. 27

Mar. 26

11 Vanderbilt/Wich. St.

Thursday

Philadelphia

Louisville, Ky.

Thursday

11 Mich./Tulsa Mar. 20

Mar. 19

3 Miami (25-7)

4 Kentucky (26-8) 13 Stony Brook (26-6)

EAST

SOUTH

6 Arizona (25-8)

8 USC (21-12)

March 26-27

Final Four

12 So. Dakota St. (26-7) 4 California (22-10)

Thursday

Mar. 25

Friday

March 17-18

1 North Carolina (28-6)

Mar. 19

Mar. 24

5 Maryland (25-8)

First Round

16 FGCU/FDU

Elite Eight

March 26-27

9 UConn (24-10)

March 19-20

Sweet 16

March 24-25

Thursday

Second Round

Thursday

3 West Virginia (26-8) Friday

14 Buffalo (24-14)

14 SF Austin (27-5) Mar. 24

7 Iowa (21-10)

Mar. 25

10 Temple (21-11) Mar. 20

2 Villanova (29-5)

7 Wisconsin (20-12)

National Championship

Friday

10 Pittsburgh (21-11) Mar. 20

April 4

Friday

15 UNC Ashville (22-11)

St. Louis

2 Xavier (27-5) Friday

15 Weber State (26-8)

1 Oregon (28-6)

1 Virginia (26-7)

Friday

Thursday

16 Holy Cross/South.

Raleigh, N.C.

Spokane, Wash.

1 Kansas (30-4)

Wednesday

Brooklyn, N.Y.

16 Hampton (21-10)

8 Saint Joseph’s (27-7)

Mar. 19

Mar. 20

8 Texas Tech (19-12)

Friday

Thursday

9 Cincinnati (22-10)

9 Butler (21-10) Mar. 24

5 Baylor (22-11)

Mar. 25

5 Purdue (26-8)

Thursday

12 Yale (22-6)

12 Little Rock (27-4) Mar. 19

Mar. 19

4 Duke (23-10)

Denver

Providence, R.I.

March 19-20

(n)

March 15-16 Dayton, Ohio

Wednesday

Des Moines, Iowa

4 Iowa State (21-11)

Thursday

13 UNC Wilm. (25-7)

WEST

6 Texas (20-12)

MIDWEST

Anaheim, Calif.

11 No. Iowa (22-12) 3 Texas A&M (26-8)

6 Seton Hall (25-8)

Chicago

Mar. 26

Friday

13 Iona (22-10)

Mar. 27

Thursday

11 Gonzaga (26-7)

Mar. 20

Mar. 19

Denver

Oklahoma City

Second Round

First Four

Raleigh, N.C.

Des Moines, Iowa

March 17-18

3 Utah (26-8)

Friday

Thursday

14 Green Bay (23-12)

14 Fresno St. (25-9) Mar. 24

7 Oregon St. (19-12)

Mar. 25

7 Dayton (25-7) Friday

Friday

10 VCU (24-10)

St. Louis

Oklahoma City

Tuesday

The SUMTER ITEM

10 Syracuse (19-3) Mar. 20

Mar. 20

2 Oklahoma (25-7)

2 Michigan St. (29-5) Friday

Friday

15 Middle Tenn. (24-9)

15 CSU Bakersfield (24-8)

First Round March 18-19

Women’s Division I Basketball Championship Second Round

Mississippi State

Sweet 16

March 26

March 25

16 Rob. Morris (20-12) 8 Seton Hall (23-8) Saturday 1:30 p.m.

Elite Eight

March 28

March 27

5 Florida (22-8)

Friday 2:30 p.m.

Friday noon

Final Four

12 Chattanooga (24-7)

12 Albany (NY) (27-4)

Indianapolis

4 Mich. State (24-8)

4 Syracuse (25-7)

April 3

Friday noon

Friday 2:30 p.m.

13 Belmont (24-8) 6 South Florida (23-9)

13 Army (29-2)

BRIDGEPORT

S I O U X FA L L S

Saturday 9 p.m.

6 West Virginia (24-9)

Columbus, Ohio

Friday noon

11 Colorado St. (31-1)

11 Princeton (23-5)

3 UCLA (24-8)

3 Ohio State (24-7) Friday 2:30 pm.

14 Buffalo (20-13)

7 BYU (26-6) Saturday 6:30 p.m.

7 Tennessee (19-13)

National Championship

10 Missouri (21-9) 2 Texas (28-4)

Friday 5 p.m.

10 Green Bay (28-4) 2 Arizona St. (25-6)

April 5

Saturday 9 p.m.

Friday 7:30 p.m.

15 N. Mexico St. (26-4)

Notre Dame, Ind.

1 Notre Dame (31-1)

Friday 5 p.m.

Saturday 6:30 p.m.

16 Idaho (24-9)

16 NC A&T (19-11)

8 St. John’s (NY) (23-9)

8 Georgia (21-9)

Friday 7:30 p.m.

Saturday 9 p.m.

9 Auburn (19-12)

9 Indiana (20-11)

5 Florida State (23-7)

5 Miami (24-8) Saturday 6:30 p.m.

12 Middle Tenn. (24-8)

12 S. Dakota St. (26-6)

4 Texas A&M (21-9)

4 Stanford (24-7)

Saturday 4 p.m.

Saturday 9 p.m.

13 Missouri St. (24-9) 6 DePaul (25-8)

DALLAS

LEXINGTON

Friday noon

11 Purdue (20-11) All times EDT

Lexington, Ky.

Friday 2:30 p.m.

6 Oklahoma (21-10) Saturday 1:30 p.m.

11 J. Madison (27-5) 3 Louisville (25-7)

13 San Fran. (21-11)

3 Kentucky (23-7) Saturday 4 p.m.

14 UNC Ashville (26-6)

7 Oklahoma St. (21-9)

7 Washington (22-10)

10 St. Bonavnt. (23-7)

10 Penn (24-4)

2 Oregon St. (28-4)

2 Maryland (30-3)

Friday 5 p.m.

15 Troy (19-11)

Saturday 4 p.m.

Saturday 1:30 p.m.

15 Iona (23-11)

College Park, Md.

14 Central Ark. (28-3)

Friday 7:30 p.m.

Stanford, Calif.

Saturday 1:30 p.m.

Tempe, Ariz.

Austin, Texas

Friday 5 p.m.

5 Mississippi St. (26-7)

1 Baylor (33-1) Waco, Texas

8 George Wash. (26-6) 9 Kansas St. (18-12)

15 Alabama St. (19-11)

Collge Station, Texas

Friday 7:30 p.m.

9 Duquesne (27-5)

14 Hawaii (21-10)

Louisville

1 South Carolina (31-1) 16 Jacksonville (22-10)

Saturday 6:30 p.m.

Corvallis, Ore.

March 18-19

Syracuse, N.Y.

Los Angeles

Saturday 11 a.m.

March 20-21

First Round

Columbia, S.C.

Storrs, Conn.

1 UConn (32-0)

March 20-21

Second Round

sports

The SUMTER ITEM

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

MEN’S NCAA TOURNAMENT

FGC rolls in First Four opener By MITCH STACY The Associated press

College Basketball TV Schedule

DAYTON, Ohio — Florida Gulf Coast showed once again that it can rise to the occasion in the NCAA Tournament. It wasn’t the same “Dunk City” gang that captured the nation’s attention during an improbable Sweet 16 run in 2013, but the Eagles controlled the boards and blew past overmatched Fairleigh Dickinson 96-65 in a First Four game Tuesday night. Marc-Eddy Norelia opened the game with a dunk, two of his 20 points on the night to lead the Eagles (21-13). FGCU never relinquished the lead, going on a 23-6 run in the first 10 minutes and opening a 40-19 lead at the half. Fairleigh Dickinson got some looks but couldn’t get much to fall, shooting just 33 percent from the field while playing thoroughly lack-

NCAA

TRUTV

6:30 p.m. — Holy Cross vs. Southern 9 p.m. — Michigan vs. Tulsa

NIT

ESPN2

7 p.m. — Belmont at Georgia 9 p.m. — Houston at Georgia Tech

ESPNU

8 p.m. — Princeton at Virginia Tech 10 p.m. — Alabama-Birmingham at Brigham Young

luster defense. It was one of the team’s worst shooting performances of the season. Florida Gulf Coast relied on outmuscling its opponent’s big men inside and controlling the boards, while making 60 percent of its shots from the field. “That’s what got us here,” Norelia said of the inside game. “Coach made the game plan and said we’re

going to do what we’ve been doing, and it worked for us.” Julian Debose and Christian Terrell both added 14 for Florida Gulf Coast, and Demetris Morant chipped in 10. After Norelia’s opening slam, Brian Greene Jr. closed the scoring with a dunk for FGCU. Norelia was 10 for 11 from the field while grabbing 10 rebounds. FGCU outrebounded the smaller, less-aggressive Fairleigh Dickinson squad 52-33. “We knew they were very good, very long, very well-coached,” Fairleigh Dickinson coach Greg Herenda said. “And tonight they played that way. I’m disappointed we didn’t play our basketball, Fairleigh Dickinson basketball, in the first half.” Earl Potts Jr. led Fairleigh Dickinson (18-15) with 16 points despite sitting a good chunk of the second half with four fouls. Marques Townes added 13.

USC

From Page B1

File/Steve Helber/The Associated Press

Virginia forward Anthony Gill (13) and the No. 1-seeded Cavaliers face No. 16 seed Hampton in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday.

Brogdon, Gill look to help Virginia make a deep run By HANK KURZ Jr. The Associated Press CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Malcolm Brogdon and Anthony Gill have been among the leaders in one of the best stretches in Virginia’s basketball history. Both would love to finish their college careers with something more to show for it than just memories. The fourth-ranked Cavaliers, a top seed in the NCAA Tournament for the second time in three years, open play on Thursday against Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champion Hampton (21-10) in the Midwest region in Raleigh, North Carolina. Virginia has won 109 games over the past four seasons under coach Tony Bennett, the second-most in a four-year stretch in program history, but their next loss will be the last for Brogdon, Gill and fellow scholarship seniors Mike Tobey and Evan Nolte. “It’s a lot of guys on the team’s last year, and it would be awesome to go as far as we can,” Gill, who started his career at South Carolina, said Monday. “Like Coach Bennett said, that’s one of our goals — to put ourselves in the best position to be successful in this tournament — and we’re really looking forward to it.” Virginia (26-7) won 30 games each of

muschamp

From Page B1

Senior linebacker T.J. Holloman said the offseason workouts were like nothing he’d seen with the Gamecocks. “The conditioning was hard. The weightlifting was hard,” he said. “It prepared us for this.” Muschamp concentrated on what he calls “ETD,” an acronym for effort, toughness and discipline. He did not see enough of it on last year’s film and wants to make sure it shows up when the Game-

the last two seasons, and won or shared the Atlantic Coast Conference regular seasons title both years. As impressive as that is, both seasons ended abruptly — in the Sweet 16 two years ago and the second round last year — with losses to Michigan State. Brogdon, though, said even with just one more chance to capture the school’s first national title, their best bet is to focus on Thursday. “I think it’s important for us to take this one game at a time, and not worry about the past, not get too far ahead of ourselves, worry about Michigan State or other teams,” he said. “Just take it one game at a time and worry about Hampton, but do the best we can.” Brogdon, the ACC player of the year and the league’s defensive player of the year, has said the Cavaliers were too relaxed in the postseason. Bennett hopes this season, because it included more adversity, better prepared his team for the rigors and urgency of the tournament. “Having been in so many close games, having dropped some games, you realize you’ve got to be at your best,” Bennett said. “It’s a fine line. ... I think you have to be ready. You have to be focused and play hard but you have to go out and enjoy it and play and be freed up to play, and I think we understand.”

cocks take the field this fall. “You either compete, or you don’t,” Muschamp stated this week. “That’s what some of our guys need to learn, how to compete a little bit more.” They’ll be plenty of time for competition given South Carolina’s pre-spring depth chart. Five players were listed as starting quarterback and every passer was in a yellow, non-contact jersey for the first spring workout. Muschamp said it’s impossible to give proper reps to five players, so his offensive staff will need to whittle that down to a more manageable three

John Minchillo/The Associated Press

Florida Gulf Coast’s Demetris Morant (21) dunks during a 96-65 victory over Fairleigh Dickinson on Tuesday in the NCAA tournament in Dayton, Ohio.

USC shot 60 percent overall in the game. The Gamecocks were able to exploit a height advantage at nearly every position to take control of the game early inside. Chatkevicius scored six of the team’s first nine points in the game and entered the halftime break with 14 on 7-of-8 shooting from the floor. Carolina’s offense was as efficient as it has been all season, the team’s shooting percentage never dipped below 50 percent in the game and the only missed two shots or more in a row four times while hitting back-to-back field goals 12 different times in the game. High Point would switch up to a zone and trap defense to try and take away any rhythm, but the Gamecocks would appear unfazed by the different looks. It would be up to the Panthers’ offense to get them back in the game, and they would do that and more in the final 10 minutes of the half. In a span of just under six minutes starting with 8:13 to play, High Point made 10-of-11 field goals to cut the deficit down from 31-13 to 42-41 with 2:28 remaining. Of those 10 made field goals, six came from 3-point range. Despite the comeback, South Carolina would lead wire-to-wire and went to the break ahead 48-43. Along with Chatkevicius’ 14 points, Sindarius Thornwell scored 10 points and Michael Carrera scored eight with seven rebounds in his first action since March 3. The Gamecocks scored the first

seven points out of the break to push back into double figures, but High Point used the 3 to remain within striking distance at 57-52 with 15 minutes to play. The Panther offense would stagnate from that point on, though, and a crippling eight-minute scoring drought would put the game out of reach. High Point missed 10-straight shots in that stretch and committed six turnovers, and when the dust settled the Gamecocks reeled off 20 unanswered points and topped out at its largest lead of the night with an 88-62 lead with 2:40 to play. The second half would be all about Chatkevicius and Thornwell. The duo combined to score 26 of the team’s 40 points in the period. Laimonas went 8-of-8 from the field over 13 second-half minutes to finish 15-of-16 for the game and set a new career-high of 30 points. After an early miss in the first half, he made 13-straight field goals to tie a program record set back in 1979 by Cedrick Hordges. HIGH POINT (21-11) White 5-9 1-1 15, Fox 4-10 0-0 10, McIntyre 2-7 2-2 7, Cugini 3-12 0-0 9, Bowman Jr. 2-10 1-2 5, Barber 0-1 0-0 0, Thompson 1-1 0-0 2, Perez-Laham 0-1 0-0 0, James 0-0 0-0 0, Whitehead 1-1 0-0 2, Lindauer 3-5 2-2 10, Madison 0-1 5-8 5, Gooding 0-0 1-3 1. Totals 21-58 12-18 66. SOUTH CAROLINA (25-8) Thornwell 8-13 0-0 20, Notice 1-7 2-2 5, Chatkevicius 15-16 0-0 30, Carrera 6-11 0-0 12, Kacinas 5-6 0-0 11, Doby 1-1 0-0 2, Dozier 1-8 1-3 3, McKie 2-3 0-0 5, Holliman 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 39-65 3-5 88. Halftime—South Carolina 48-43. 3-Point Goals—High Point 12-30 (White 4-7, Cugini 3-9, Lindauer 2-4, Fox 2-5, McIntyre 1-2, Madison 0-1, Bowman Jr. 0-1, Perez-Laham 0-1), South Carolina 7-21 (Thornwell 4-6, Kacinas 1-1, McKie 1-1, Notice 1-7, Carrera 0-3, Dozier 0-3). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—High Point 25 (Madison 4), South Carolina 39 (Carrera 11). Assists—High Point 14 (Lindauer 6), South Carolina 25 (Notice, Thornwell 7). Total Fouls—High Point 14, South Carolina 13. A—2,566.

wilson

From Page B1

South Carolina (31-1) became just the fourth team in SEC history to win both regular-season and tournament titles in back-to-back seasons, joining Georgia (1983-84) and Tennessee (1999-2000, 2010-11). Those are also the only programs until this season to go undefeated in league play in the regular season and in the tournament. Georgia did it in 1986, while the Lady Vols accomplished the feat in 1994 and 2011. Cunningham led Missouri in scoring (13.5) and connected on 36 percent of her 3-point attempts, pushing the Tigers to their first NCAA tournament berth since 2006. The AP second team included a pair of Tennessee players, senior forward Bashaara Graves and sophomore guard Diamond DeShields. The other choices were Arkansas forward Jessica Jackson, Georgia guard-forward Shacobia Barbee, Florida guard-forward Ronni Williams, Auburn forward-center

early on this spring. Former walk-on Perry Orth returns as the starting quarterback, although most eyes will be on freshman Brandon McIlwain, who left high school early and enrolled this semester to get a jump on the offensive plan by co-offensive coordinators Kurt Roper and Bryan McClendon. The attack will be fast-paced if Tuesday was an indication. Muschamp, in a black longsleeved Gamecocks shirt and khaki shorts, had the whistle in his mouth at every snap. After the play, Muschamp barked out commands to play-

File/Gary McCullough/The Associated press

South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley was chosen as The Associated Press Southeastern Conference coach of the year for the second time in three years. Tra’Cee Tanner, and Kentucky forward Evelyn Akhator. The 20th annual AP All-SEC women’s team was selected by a regional media panel.

ers who didn’t line up properly or used poor technique. It was a dramatic difference from the often laid-back approach of Spurrier, who’d stop his golf cart at one area, then bug off to a different group after a few minutes. Muschamp was not concerned with his players’ adjustments. “Change happens in life,” he said, and it’s up to his players to grow with the new program or drop off. Holloman said the players have bought into what they’ve been through so far. “Everyone’s positive, ready to go with a new fresh start,”

he said. After his dismissal at Florida, Muschamp served as Auburn’s defensive coordinator last season before taking over at South Carolina. Muschamp did not see Tuesday as a dramatic personal return to the top, just another session doing what he loves best — mixing with coaches and teaching players how to succeed. “It was a typical first day,” Muschamp said. “A lot of anxiety out there, a lot going on. We’ve got to understand that, but we’ve still got to demand excellence.”

| |

sports SPORTS

Wednesday, March 16, 2016 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2016

The SUMTER ITEM THE SUMTER ITEM

GOLF

Palmer to skip opening tee shot at Masters By DOUG FERGUSON The Associated Press ORLANDO, Fla. — Arnold Palmer will be on the first tee to help start the Masters this year — but without his golf clubs. Palmer said Tuesday he has told Augusta National that he will not be hitting the ceremonial tee shot next month, a role the four-time Masters champion had taken on since 2007. Jack Nicklaus joined him in 2010 and Gary Player, the other member of the “Big Three,” was added in 2012. “I plan to go out to the first tee with the chairman on Thursday morning and watch Jack and Gary sweat it out and hit the shots,” Palmer said. The 86-year-old Palmer is slowing down, even choosing this year at Bay Hill not to have his news conference ahead of the Arnold Palmer

Invitational. Instead, he took a list of questions that were submitted last week by the golf media. “I would love to go on doing it forever, but I don’t have the physical capability to hit the shot the way I would want to hit it,” Palmer said. “So we’ll have to be content to watch.” The honorary starter at the Masters dates to 1963 with Jock Hutchison and Fred McLeod. It was revived in 1981 with Byron Nelson and Gene Sarazen, and then went on a hiatus after Sam Snead died in 2002 until Augusta National chairman Billy Payne persuaded Palmer to hit the opening shot in 2007. Palmer said he would attend the Champions Dinner on Tuesday night and be on the first tee Thursday morning before going home to Orlando, which has been his typical schedule the past few years. He also played the Par 3 Tournament, but stopped

doing that last year. “Am I disappointed by that? Well, sure, but times moves on,” Palmer said about not hitting the opening tee shot. “I stopped playing in the Masters in (2004), I stopped playing in the Par 3 last year, and now it’s time to end this part of my Masters career.” Palmer holds the Masters record for playing 50 consecutive years, dating to 1955 when he was the U.S. Amateur champion. His first Masters victory was in 1958, the first year soldiers from Camp Gordon were offered free admission and helped to run the scoreboards. Palmer with his charisma won over the soldiers and just about everyone else, and “Arnie’s Army” took root. He also won the Masters in File/ Matt Slocum/The Associated Press 1960, 1962 and 1964 and is one of two champions — Nicklaus Arnold Palmer hits the honorary tee shot before the first round of the 2015 Masters in Augusta, Ga. Palmer told Augusta National on Tuesday he is the other — who are memwill not be hitting the ceremonial tee shot next month. bers of Augusta National.

OBITUARIES MICHELLE E. JOHNSON WASHINGTON, D.C. — Michelle Elizabeth Johnson, wife of Ronald Blanding, entered eternal rest on Thursday, March 10, 2016, in Washington, D.C. She was born on May 17, 1963, in Sumter, a daughter of the late Don Holmes Johnson and Margarette Johnson. The family is receiving relatives and friends at the home of her mother-in-law, Barbara Blanding, 604 Atlantic Ave. Funeral plans will be announced by Community Funeral Home of Sumter.

CARRIE LEE GRANT Carrie Lee Grant, 73, wife of Fred Oaks, died on Monday, March 14, 2016, at Palmetto Health Tuomey. Born in Sumter County, she was a daughter of the late Alston and Thelma Dawson Grant. The family will receive friends at the home, 3375 Bluff St., Dalzell, SC 29040. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Palmer Memorial Chapel Inc.

LOUISA D. FRAZIER BISHOPVILLE — Louisa Davis Frazier, 91, widow of Andrew J. Frazier, died on Monday, March 14, 2016, at Springdale Healthcare Center in Camden. Born on Oct. 2, 1924, in Florence, she was a daughter of the late Elmer Ward Davis and Edith Powers Davis. She was a member of Bishopville Presbyterian Church. Survivors include three children, Andrew J. Frazier Jr. (Cecelia) of Hilo, Hawaii, Roddey B. Frazier of Weldon, California, and Edith L. Frazier of Webster, Texas; and many grandchildren, greatgrandchildren and greatgreat-grandchildren, mostly in California. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday at Bishopville Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Chris Parnell officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends following the service in the church fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Bishopville Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 66, Bishopville, SC 29010. Hancock-Elmore-Hill Funeral Home of Bishopville is in charge of the arrangements.

LEGRAND OAKS SR. LeGrand “LJ” Oaks Sr. was born on Jan. 19, 1941, in Sumter County, to the late Alphonso and Beatrice Scriven Oaks. LJ was a true warrior who fought the good fight of faith until his transitioning to this heavenly home on Saturday, March 12, 2016. He was talented and labored in the construction industry, until his health failed. He leaves to cherish his memory: four children, LeGrand (Cathy) of Sumter, Nathaniel Oaks, Thomas (Al-

getha) Oaks of Newark, New Jersey, and Erick (Renee) Mahoney of Sumter; 10 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; five brothers, Alphonso (Ruby) Oaks of Irvington, New Jersey, Fredric Oaks, Calvin Oaks, Robert (Doretha) Oaks and Cedric (Lucille) Oaks of Sumter; four sisters, Maggie John of Staten Island, New York, Edna Mae Oaks and Beatrice Oaks, both of Newark, and Carolyn (Raymond) Jefferson; two sistersin-law; one brother-in-law; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Oscar and Henry Oaks; and one sister, Eloise Graves. Public viewing will be held from 2 to 7 p.m. today at Job’s Mortuary. Mr. Oaks will be placed in the church at 10 a.m. on Thursday for viewing until the hour of service. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday at Ebenezer Presbyterian Church USA, Dalzell, with the Rev. Carnell Hampton officiating. Interment will follow in Ebenezer Church Cemetery. The family will be receiving friends at the home, 934 Cherryvale Drive, Sumter Job’s Mortuary Inc., 312 S. Main St., Sumter, is in charge of arrangements. Online memorials may be sent to the family at jobsmortuary@sc.rr.com or visit us on the web at www.jobsmortuary. net.

VARA S. BURNS The Rev. Vara “Merle” Smith Burns, 64, wife of the Rev. Harry L. Burns, pastor of Orangehill AME Church, Wedgefield, died on Monday, March 14, 2016, at her residence in Charlotte, North Carolina. Born in Union, she was a daughter of Earline Thompson of Spartanburg. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Palmer Memorial Chapel Inc.

TIFFANY RAGIN MANNING — Tiffany Ragin, 33, entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, March 15, 2016, at her residence in Manning. Born in Clarendon County, she was a daughter of Maxine Ragin. The family will receive friends at 1168 Clifton Road, Summerton. Professional services entrusted to Dyson’s Home for Funerals of Summerton.

DR. SYLVIA L. MIOTT Dr. Sylvia L. Miott, 64, departed this life on Monday, March 14, 2016. Born on Nov. 19, 1951, in Sumter, she was a daughter of the late Dr. Sylvester R. Miott and Synethia Dorch Miott. The family will be receiving friends at the home of her uncle, Dr. Roosevelt Miott, 7015 Claremont Lane, Sumter, SC 29154. Funeral plans are incom-

plete and will be announced later by Job’s Mortuary Inc. of Sumter.

MARIETTA R. PARHAM Marietta Rogers Parham, 64, beloved wife of the late Johnny Parham, died on Monday, March 14, 2016, at Palmetto Health Richland. Born in Lee County, she was a daughter of Mary Belle Rogers McCoy and the late Lewis McCoy. Marietta loved being with her family and will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother and wife. Surviving in addition to her mother are one son, Timothy Scott Parham; two daughters, Janet Parham and Christina Maria Parham Puckett; two brothers, Ron McCoy and his wife, Jody, and Wayne McCoy and his wife, Lisa; one sister, Wanda Stauffer and her husband, Pat; and one grandchild, Kody Wayne Puckett. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday at the Bullock Funeral Home Chapel. You may go to www.bullockfuneralhome.com and sign the family’s guest book. The family has chosen Bullock Funeral Home for the arrangements.

SUSAN DOW PINEWOOD — Susan Dow, 86, widow of Esau Dow, entered eternal rest on Tuesday, March 15, 2016, at Sumter Valley Nursing Home. Born on May 2, 1929, in Clarendon County, she was a daughter of the late Harriet Keller. The family is receiving relatives and friends at the home of her daughter and son-inlaw, Susan and Robert Billie, 1980 White and Rivers Road, Pinewood. Funeral plans will be announced by Community Funeral Home of Sumter.

ARVIN M. DAVIS SR. Arvin M. Davis Sr., 96, widower of Julia Frances Hall Davis, died on Tuesday, March 15, 2016, at Palmetto Health Richland. Born in Bishopville, he was a son of the late Walter and Minnie Wilson Davis. Mr. Davis was a retired supervisor with Williams Furniture Co. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. Surviving are two sons, Donnie Davis (Joan) of Summerton and Arvin “Buddy” Davis (Cindy) of Sumter; two daughters, Jeanette Moye (Bob) and Deborah Frierson (Eddie Coker), both of Sumter; two sisters, Zada Davis of Bishopville and Virginia Flemings of North Carolina; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Judy Ardis; a

brother, Odell Davis; and two sisters, Cleola Bradham and Maudey. Graveside services will be held at 5 p.m. on Friday at Zoar Community Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday at Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Zoar Community Cemetery, c/o Beverly Newman, 1900 Gaymon Road, Sumter, SC 29153. Online condolences may be sent to www.sumterfunerals. com Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad St., Sumter, is in charge of the arrangements, (803) 775-9386.

LADSON B. CHANDLER Ladson Booth “Mr. Ladd” Chandler, 87, died on Sunday, March 13, 2016, at National Healthcare Center-Sumter. Born in Sumter, to the late Frank William and Mabel Booth Chandler, Laddie was a graduate of Sumter city schools as well as the New York School of Fashion Design. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and retired from selling life insurance for Liberty Life. Mr. Ladd was a true son of Sumter. He became a professional puppeteer and dedicated his life to the children of Sumter, who enjoyed the performances of his friends, “Munchy Mouse,” “Carlotta Ostrich,” “Freddy Frog” and many others of his puppet family. For his service, he was previously recognized as one of Sumter’s Heroes. He is survived by four nephews, Bill Shouse, Jeff Shouse, Frank Chandler and Phil Chandler; a niece, Beth Chandler Reeder; and several cousins. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a brother, Dr. Frank W. Chandler Jr.; and a sister, Hallie Chandler Shouse. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday at Sumter Cemetery with the Rev. Michael Jones officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Calvary Bible Church, 770 N. Wise Drive, Sumter, SC 29153 or to the Salvation Army. Online condolences may be sent to www.sumterfunerals. com Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad St., Sumter, is in charge of the arrangements, (803) 775-9386.

ROOSEVELT MCMILLAN SR. Roosevelt McMillan Sr., 69,

departed this life on Friday, March 11, 2016, at his home in Bishopville. Born on Nov. 8, 1946, in Lee County, he was a son of the late Clarence and Beulah Richardson McMillan. He was educated in the public schools of Lee County. At an early age, he attended Mt. Olive AME Church. He was employed with Seagers and worked numerous other jobs. Roosevelt leaves to cherish his memories: his wife, Anna Jenkins McMillan of Woodrow; three daughters, Angela Century of Bishopville, and Tracie and Nicole McMillan, both of Woodrow; two sons, Roosevelt and Jeffery Green, both of Wedgefield; one brother, Johnnie McMillan of Woodrow; two sisters, Irene Melton (Herbert) of Sumter and Ida Oliver of Brooklyn, New York; one sister-in-law, Veronica McMillan of Bishopville; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday at the John Wesley Williams Sr. Memorial Chapel, Williams Funeral Home Inc., 821 N. Main St., Sumter, with the Rev. J. Elbert Williams, eulogist, and the Rev. Dr. Friendly J. Gadson presiding. The family is receiving friends and relatives at the home of his daughter, Angela Century, 41 Snowy Lane, Bishopville. The procession will leave at 1:20 p.m. from the home. Floral bearers and pallbearers will be family and friends. Burial will be in Hopewell Cemetery, Rembert Church Road, Sumter. Online memorial messages may be sent to the family at williamsfuneralhome@sc.rr. com. Visit us on the web at www. williamsfuneralhomeinc.com Services directed by the staff and management of Williams Funeral Home Inc., 821 N. Main St., Sumter.

SANDRA W. DENNIS HARTSVILLE — Sandra White Dennis, 56, departed this life on Friday, March 11, 2016, at Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center in Hartsville. She was born on Aug. 5, 1959, in Florence County, to David White and Lue Lee Dingle. The family will be receiving friends at her sister’s home, Darlene China, 220 Cuttino Road, Sumter, SC 29150. Services will be announced by Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home & Crematorium of Sumter.

SHIRLEY FELDER Shirley Felder, wife of Henry Felder, entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, March 15, 2016, at her home, 220 Fulton St. Funeral services are incomplete and will be announced by Ephriam D. Stephens Funeral Home, 230 S. Lafayette Drive, Sumter.

CLASSIFIEDS

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2016

THE ITEM

803-774-1234

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

CLASSIFIEDS BUSINESS SERVICES Home Improvements H.L. Boone, Contractor: Remodel paint roofs gutters drywall blown ceilings ect. 773-9904

Lawn Service Four Seasons Lawn Care Serving Sumter for 20 yrs! Free estimates. 494-9169 or 468-4008

Legal Service Attorney Timothy L. Griffith 803-607-9087, 360 W. Wesmark. Criminal, Family, Accident, Injury

All Types of Roofing & Repairs All work guaranteed. 30 yrs exp. SC lic. Virgil Bickley 803-316-4734.

Septic Tank Cleaning

Help Wanted Full-Time

Help Wanted Part-Time

Mobile Home Rentals

2006 Everest, 5th wheel camper. 39 ft, 4 slices. $23, 250. $500 below book price Call 803-905-3147

Locally established Heating & Air condition Co. looking for Exp. Service Tech. Needs to have good driving record. Pay range from $33k-$46k a year plus health insurance, retirement, bonus and commission available. Apply in person at 1640 Suber Street, Sumter.

Maintenance Tech/Painter Needed. Approx. 28/hours/wk to work at elderly apt. community in Sumter. Exper. preferred in the areas of painting, plumbing, electrical, carpentry and appliance repair. Email: jobswcsites.net or fax to 1-803-345-3804 Attn: Personnel

2BR 2.5BA 14 x70 Newly Refurb, near Shaw , C/H/A, $525 Mo. +Dep Call 803-840-3371 or 803-494-3573

Seeking FT class a CDL driver flatbed experience and knowledge of building materials preferred. Must have clean driving record. Apply in person at 1315 20th Century Lane Manning, SC 29102 or Call 803-505-2525

Hiring Experienced Cake Decorators, Preferably with Retail Experience, Apply at Pinewood Rd Piggly Wiggly, 343 Pinewood Rd. Sumter.

2 Cemetery Plots side by side in Iris Garden @ Evergreen Memorial $3000 for both OBO. Call 803-783-6963 For sale!! 6 regular size brand new window iron bars, self instal ready. 1 large window air cond. slightly used. Call 803-968-0909 Martin's Used Appliance Washers, Dryers, Refrig., Stoves. Guarantee 464-5439 or 469-7311. Open 7 Days a week 9am-8pm

EMPLOYMENT Help Wanted Full-Time Industrial Maintenance Co. seeking experienced individual with knowledge in various specialty coatings, floor coatings, tank linings, etc. Concrete and grout work experience a plus. Send resume to: chris@lasmithcompany.com Contact Chris Martin at 803-468-6572. We are a local company looking for exp. straight truck drivers. Over the road, home most weekends. CDL not required. Must have good driving record. Call 803-340-0271.

Septic Tank Cleaning Call the pros for all of your septic pumping needs. 803-316-0429 Proline Utilities, LLC

Tree Service Dewey Stump Removal. Special 20" stumps removed for as little as $20 per stump, 5 stump limit. Call 843-362-1743 or 704-242-0481

NEWMAN'S TREE SERVICE Tree removal, trimming & stump grinding. Lic/Ins 803-316-0128 STATE TREE SERVICE Worker's Comp & General liability insurance. Top quality service, lowest prices. 803-494-5175 or 803-491-5154 www.statetree.net Ricky's Tree Service Tree removal, stump grinding, Lic & ins, free quote, 803-435-2223 or cell 803-460-8747.

PETS & ANIMALS Poultry PALMETTO CORNISH CHICKENS $12/case (of 12) B-Grade Southern States 335 Broad St., Sumter 803-775-1204 While Supplies last!

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.

For Sale or Trade

Roofing Robert's Metal Roofing 35 Yrs exp. 45 yr warranty. Financing avail. Expert installation. Long list of satisfied customers. 803-837-1549.

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.

The #1 Furniture Retail Company in the U.S. is seeking highly motivated individuals with outgoing personalities to join our Sales Team. Candidates must have a working knowledge of computers. They will be required to build sales volume by providing superior customer service and knowledge of product and finance options. This full time position is based on a flexible work schedule that includes evenings, Saturdays and some holidays. Offering unlimited income potential based on commission and bonuses. Guaranteed salary during training process. Send resume to 2850 Broad St., Sumter, SC 29150. F/T Temporary Maintenance Technician needed for apartment communities located in Sumter, Camden & Lugoff, SC areas. Performs various maintenance duties necessary to maintain & enhance the value of the community. Duties include plumbing, light electrical, painting, cleaning, etc. Applicant must have own tools & reliable transportation. Please email your information to resume@boydmanagement.com or fax it to 803-419-6577. EOE Cashier needed for a local restaurant. Must be 18 yrs old or older. Apply in person only at Leo's, 1961-B McCrays Mill Rd. between the hours of 11am-5pm.

Living Estate of Walter & Sonia Figer Plus Other Consignors High End Furniture—Antiques— Glassware—Vehicles– Guns & More

Customer Service/Service Adviser position available. Applications accepted from experience and trainable applicants. Automotive experience is a plus but not required. In house training available for the right applicant. Must pass drug screening and have a valid SCDL. Call 803-775-4501 ask for Debbie. Hospitality Manager Duck Bottom Plantation Hiring full time Hospitality Manager responsible for total guest satisfaction, setting resort reservations, marketing, event planning, & lodge management. Resumes forwarded to info@duckbottomplantation.com

Garage, Yard & Estate Sales LARGE GARAGE SALE Every Weekend Tables $2 & $3 FLEA MARKET BY SHAW AFB

Open every weekend. Call 803-494-5500

Part. List: 2004 Chevrolet Van 72K +/- Miles, 2004 Golf Cart w/ Lift Kit & New Battery, Sand Rail, 2015 165 Scarab Jet Boat, Sofa &Loveseat, Coffee Table w/ Matching End Table Glass , 7’X7’ Entertainment Center , 52” Vizio Flat Screen TV w/ DVD Player and Other Accessories, Gas Logs, Fireplace Tools Vases, Decorative Plates, Beautiful Rugs, Dining Room Suit w/ Table & 8 Chairs, China Cabinet & Buffet, 4 Bedroom Suits, Wardrobes, Lowboy, Secretary, Chest of Drawers, Upholstered Chairs, Pictures, Grandfather Clock, Tables, Lamps, Mirrors, Glass Curio, Coffee Tables & End Tables, Statues, Glassware, Fenton, Hob Knob, Westmoreland, Milk Glass, Crystal, Lots of Fiestaware, Washer & Dryer, Massage Chair , Outdoor Furniture & Much More!

PT LPN (1-12hr shift a week) To work in the Sumter Lee Regional Detention Center. Competitive pay! All Applicants are subject to Drug Screening and the Issuance of Security Clearance by the facility in which work is to be performed.Apply online at: www.sou thernhealthpartners.com

Vacation Rentals

2005 Dodge Grand Caravan StoNgo Runs excellent, 88K, $5,900 OBO 803-447-5453

Work Wanted Licensed CDL owner/operator for hire for agricultural. Call 803-651-0320

Placing and paying for a classified ad has never been easier! Your credit card can be charged over the phone to save you time and gas. Call today!

Church Branch: 3 Br, screened porch, pier, swimming area, rent weekly. Call Bobby Sisson at 803-464-2730

Miscellaneous

REAL ESTATE Homes for Sale 1530 Mooneyham Rd 3BR 1BA $65k Call 803-236-2232 or 803-236-5809

RENTALS Unfurnished Apartments Lg. 2BR $415 rent/dep. Water incld.. Contact myrentalsforyou@gmail.com

Unfurnished Homes Nice 3 Br, 3 Ba, downtown historical district, refrig, stove, dishwasher, C/H/A, hardwood floors, FP, fenced in yard, lg. workshop with C/H/A, alarm system. No Pets. $1000 mo. Call 803-491-5375. 1BR 1BA 1 Mood Ave. Single family home Historic dist. stove, fridge, washer & dryer, microwave, $495 Mo,+ $495 Dep. No pets Credit & backgrd Chk. Available May 1st-15th Call 803-316-6505

CONTRACTOR WANTED! For Route In The BOULEVARD & SHERWOOD FOREST AREA. If you have good dependable transporation and a phone in your home and a desire to earn a good extra income. 6 Days a week.

CALL LORI RABON AT 774-1216 or come in to fill out an application

20 N. Magnolia Street • Sumter, SC 29150

Home for sale!! 412 Red & White St. Sumter, SC. $47k Call 404-909-5029 or 678-613-4250 Out of town owner wants to sell. 2BR 2BA All new windows, gas furnace, wiring. fireplace. Tax appraisal $45K will sell $35K OBO call 419-860-3896

Refurbished batteries as low as $45. New batteries as low as $70. Auto Electric Co., 102 Blvd Rd. 803-773-4381

5 BR, 1 acre, hwy 15 south. $47,500 some financing available. Call 803-491-7732

Manufactured Housing Turn your Tax Refund into your dream home! We have quality used refurbished mobile homes. We specialize in on the lot financing. Low credit score is OK. Call 843-389-4215 AND also visit our Face Book page (M & M Mobile Homes).

Need Cash?

Classifieds - your best deal for making a few bucks on things you no longer need! Call 774-1234 today! Classified

1 Bedroom Apartments for 62 YEARS AND OLDER •Refrigerator •Central Heat & Air •Community Room •Range •Handicap •Coin Operated •Blinds Accessible Laundry Room •Carpet •Emergency Call •Ceiling Fans System **Rent Based On 30% of Adjusted Income** **Utility Allowance Given**

Bassett Park

1390 Granville Court • Sumter, S.C. 29150 For application or information, please call

803-469-8238 TTY 800-735-8583

Previews: Sun. March 13 from 2—4 PM & Fri. March 18 from 4—6 PM! Terms: Complete settlement the day of the auction. A 10% Buyer’s Premium will apply.

WORKSHOP CLOSING SALE! 569 Mccray's Mill Rd. Fri. 18th & Sat.19th 8am-4pm. Misc. tools, saws, drill press, sanders, ladders, cabinet hardware etc.

The card is quicker than the cash.

STATEBURG COURTYARD Autos For Sale

Vintage Place Subdivision 827 Barclay Drive, Florence SC

MERCHANDISE

TRANSPORTATION

2 & 3 BRs 803-494-4015

Nail Tech Needed Licensed and Experienced. Send Resume to PO Box 2125 Sumter SC 29151 CNA's FT & PT 3p-11p shifts. Apply in person at NHC Healthcare Sumter, 1018 N. Guignard Dr. Sumter, SC 29150 (EOE)

Reduced Dalzell-Rembert 3 Mobile Home Lots remaining! Investors or individuals! Call Burch 803-720-4129 7am-7pm

Medical Help Wanted

Local Tree Co. seeking CDL drivers, bucket operators, tree climbers & groundsmen. Call 803-478-8299 Local Baptist Church seeking church/pastor secretary position. 28 hours a week. 9-3 Mon-Thurs 9-1 Fri Must be knowledgable of office equipment and computer software programs. Send Resume to Box 436 c//o The Item, PO Box 1677 Sumter SC 29151

SPRING SPECIAL (Dalzell) MHP 2BR 1BA, washer, dryer, sewer & garbage P/U. No Pets. $345/mo + $345/dep. Sec. 8 okay. Mark 803-565-7947.

Land & Lots for Sale

CAREER FAIR Friday, March 18, 2016 9:00am – 1:00pm at Lee Correctional Institution

I’ve never seen so many cars and people! What do you think is going on over there? Well, I was told she’s having one of those ‘Garage Sales.’ Can you imagine?! Minnie told me she made over $100 last time she had one... Just by placing a Classified Ad in

990 Wisacky Highway, Bishopville, SC 29010 Hiring All Qualified Applicants for the Position of

Correctional Officer II REQUIREMENTS: Must be a U.S. Citizen, at least 21 years of age, High School Diploma or GED, No Criminal Record, Must possess a Valid Current Driver’s License. If offered employment, you must pass a physical examination and drug test. WORK SCHEDULE: 12 Hour Shift (No Rotation), 2 weekends off per month, work only 14 days per month.

A career that rewards you! Excellent State Beneﬁts • Police Retirement • Training and Uniforms Provided

803-774-1234 8:00 am-5:00 pm

Do you think we should have one and place an ad? It sure would help with Spring Cleaning!

20 N. Magnolia St. Sumter, SC 803.774.1234 www.theitem.com

For more information or directions, please call Lt. Dobbs @ (803) 896-1665 www.doc.sc.gov Come dressed for an interview, take a tour and meet the institutional staff. You must bring your valid driver’s license.

CLASSIFIEDS

THE ITEM

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2016

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LEGAL NOTICES Beer & Wine License NOTICE OF APPLICATION Notice is hereby given that Brewers Social Club intends to apply to the South Carolina Department of Revenue for a license/permit that will allow the sale and ON premises consumption of beer, wine and liquor at 160 E Wesmark Blvd., Sumter, SC 29150. To object to the issuance of this permit/license, written protest must be postmarked no later than March 18, 2016. 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, SC 29214; or faxed to: (803) 896-0110.

Beer & Wine License

Summons & Notice

Lost & Found

Notice Of Application

SUMMONS FOR PUBLICATION

default against you for the relief demanded in the Complaint.

Found: small dog N Main St Area Owner call to identify 803-840-5205.

Notice is hereby given that Eulalio Toledo intends to apply to the South Carolina Department of Revenue for a license permit that will allow the sale ON/OFF premises consumption of Beer at 207 Commerce St B, Manning, SC 29102. To object to the issuance of this permit / license, written protest must be postmarked no later than March 17, 2016. 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.

Jones, Seth, Shuler & Jones, LLP Richard T. Jones Attorney for Plaintiff 5 Law Range Post Office Box 1268 Sumter, South Carolina 29151 (803) 773-8676

IN THE FAMILY COURT OF THE THIRD JUDICIAL CIRCUIT 2016-DR-43-101 State of South Carolina County of Sumter Narendrabhai D. Patel Plaintiff vs.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Kirtiben Patel, Defendant

Announcements

TO: KIRTIBEN PATEL, THE DEFENDANT ABOVE NAMED YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED and required to answer the Complaint in this matter, the original of which has been filed in the office of the Clerk of Court for Sumter County, South Carolina, on January 21, 2016, a copy of which will be delivered to you upon request; to serve a copy of your answer to said Complaint upon the undersigned attorney for the Plaintiff at 5 Law Range, Post Office Box 1268, Sumter, South Carolina 29151-1268, within thirty (30) days following the date of service upon you, exclusive of the day of such service; if you fail to answer said Complaint with the time stated, Plaintiff will apply for judgment by

Prior and retired military CWP Class Thursday, March 17th 6-10 pm. $35.00 Call 803-840-4523.

We can help you with that.

NOW HIRING

Certified Teacher #012158 For

Turbeville Correctional Institution Salary: Based on Certiﬁcation

NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED. Must have RELIABLE transportation and a phone in your home. 6 Days a week CALL LORI RABON at 774-1216 or come in to fill out an application. 20 N. Magnolia Street

In Loving Memory of our Son, Father & Brother Capt. Carl Russell (Duby) Yarbrough Sept 15,1970-March 16, 2015 Muriel, Kyela, Eric

Want to improve sales?

CONTRACTOR WANTED! LAKEWOOD & HWY 15 SOUTH

In Memory

call us TODAY

REQUIREMENTS: Certiﬁed at the secondary level and holds a current South Carolina teaching license in math, science, social studies and ELA.

Deadline: March 17, 2016 For more information, please call Recruiting and Employment Services 803-896-1649 www.doc.sc.gov EOE

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KAREN CAVE MULTIMEDIA CONSULTANT

CONTACT ME TODAY

803•774•1242

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THE NEWS YOU WANT. HOWEVER YOU WANT IT.

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SECTION

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2016 Call Ivy Moore at: (803) 774-1221 | E-mail: ivy@theitem.com

This image released by TNT shows Dockery in a scene from “Good Behavior.” Dockery, who plays elegant Lady Mary in the “Downton Abbey,” portrays a sleazy American ex-convict named Letty Dobesh in the new series premiering this year on TNT.

PHOTOS BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

This image released by PBS shows Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary in a scene from the final season of “Downton Abbey.” Dockery and many other actors from the ETV series are taking on roles of characters far different from their “Downton Abbey” parts.

Lady Mary an ex-con? After ‘Downton Abbey,’ stars seek challenges BY LYNN ELBER AP Television Writer What’s happening to certain “Downton Abbey” stars is downright criminal. Joanne Froggatt, the TV drama’s vulnerable Anna Bates, is morphing into a 19th-century serial killer in PBS’ “Dark Angel.” Michelle Dockery, who plays coolly elegant Lady Mary, is a sleazy American ex-convict in TNT’s “Good Behavior.” And Kevin Doyle, the good-hearted Mr. Molesley, is a bad-hearted police detective in Netflix’s “Happy Valley.” The end of “Downton Abbey” on PBS’ “Masterpiece” after six seasons means new career paths for its stars, with both the upstairs and downstairs crew embracing change-of-pace roles — although devoted viewers may want to enshrine them forever as their beloved characters. “Anybody who’s watched and loved

‘Downton’ is going to remember these characters for the rest of their lives,” said executive producer Gareth Neame. But cast members “can’t put a pin in their career and say that’s it.” British actors are especially keen on variety and like “to move away from things they’ve been previously successful with,” Neame said. Froggatt said change is part of acting’s allure. “After playing a role that you’ve loved playing for years, there is a certain part of you that goes, ‘I fancy doing something a bit different,” she said. That’s the path taken by Dan Stevens, who’s avoided lord-of-the-manor roles since playing Matthew Crawley in the drama’s first three seasons. Among his upcoming projects: the films “Beauty and the Beast” and scifi drama “Colossal,” and “Legion,” a Marvel Comics-based TV pilot for FX. After the “Downton Abbey” finale,

here’s where to find its former gentry and servants: • Hugh Bonneville (Lord Grantham): Possibly the actor staying closest to his “Downton” pedigree, he plays Lord Louis Mountbatten in the Indian independence movie “Viceroy’s House.” • Laura Carmichael (Lady Edith): Takes on a sibling role again in the 1940s history-based romance, “A United Kingdom,” introducing her sister to her future husband, an African prince. • Brendan Coyle (John Bates): Plays English politician Augustine Birrell in the historical Irish film drama “The Rising.” Also in the romantic movie “Me Before You,” based on the novel by Jojo Moyes. • Elizabeth McGovern (Lady Cora): Writing and recording her fourth album with the band Sadie and the Hotheads. In April, starting rehearsals at the National Theatre in London

Columbia City Ballet brings ‘Peter Pan’ to the Koger Center FROM STAFF REPORTS Conceptualized and choreographed by Artistic Director William Starrett, the ballet “Peter Pan” premieres at the Koger Center on Friday. Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Friday and 3 and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday. The classic story, which celebrates the child in all of us, transforms the Koger Center stage into Neverland for the first time featuring original costumes by Columbia City Ballet costume designer Alexis Doktor. “The opportunity for our community to experience a world premiere is a tremendous gift. It’s a creative opportunity for our dancers, administrative staff, artistic staff and certainly for our audiences. Our new ballet of Peter Pan has been a delight for me as a cho-

reographer. To bring Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, Captain Hook, Tiger Lily with her tribe, the mermaids and the lost boys to life here to the midlands is a tremendous rewarding and creative artistic privilege for us all.” The role of Wendy will be played by principal dancer Claire McCaa. After 13 years with the Columbia City Ballet, this seasoned artist has announced that she will be turning her focus toward starting a family. This will be her farewell performance. A Peter Pan Tea and Pirate Party will be held prior to Saturday’s performance at 1:30 p.m. in the center ballroom. Fun will include rides on the Jolley Roger, arts and crafts, entertainment, and fairy dust from Tinker Bell herself. Children will learn the story while they have their picture taken with Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, Tiger

Joanne Froggatt is shown portraying Mary Ann Cotton from the TV mini-series “Dark Angel.” Froggatt, who plays the vulnerable Anna Bates in “Downton Abbey,” is morphing into a 19th-century serial killer in PBS’ “Dark Angel.” for “Sunset at the Villa Thalia.” • Lilly James (Lady Rose): Takes on a classic part, Elizabeth Bennet, in an adaptation of the non-classic parody of Jane Austen’s novel, “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.” In “The Kaiser’s Last Kiss,” a German soldier falls in love with James’ Jewish Dutchwoman. • Allen Leech (Tom Branson): In the film “Hunter’s Prayer,” based on Kevin Wignall’s novel “For the Dogs,” Leech plays the former boss of a hired assassin whose assignment goes awry. • Penelope Wilton (Isobel Crawley): As lonely wife Pauline in the upcoming British TV series “Brief Encounters,” set in the 1980s, Wilton is one of four women whose lives are changed when they start selling exotic lingerie at house parties.

Ancestry.com indexes millions of Irish records

ART PROVIDED

Lily and Captain Hook. For tea tickets and information call (803) 799-7605.

Seating is limited. Tickets for the performance, starting at $20, can be purchased at the box

office, at www.kogercenterforthearts. com or charge by phone at (803) 2512222.

BOSTON (AP) — Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, genealogical research website Ancestry.com is making 10 million Catholic parish records from Ireland — some dating to 1655 — available online for free to help people trace their Irish heritage. The goldmine of information, available without cost for a week starting Friday, includes baptism, confirmation, marriage and burial records from more than 1,000 parishes in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. “This will really help people reconstruct their family story,” said Lisa Elzey, a family historian at Ancestry, which now offers access to 55 million Irish records. “There’s all kinds of mysteries within these records.” More than 33 million Americans claimed Irish ancestry in 2014, according to the latest U.S. Census data, or about 10 percent of the nation’s population. The documents, usually in English but sometimes in Latin, and dating from 1655 to 1915, had already been digitized by the National Library of Ireland, but Ancestry took the information and indexed it, making it possible to do much quicker and more efficient searches using names, places and dates. The trove contains information on prominent Irish citizens as well as the forebears of famous Irish-Americans. Included is the 1828 marriage record, in Latin, of President John F. Kennedy’s great-great-grandparents: Edmundus FitzGerald and Maria Lenihan.

FOOD

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2016

THE SUMTER ITEM

Guinness makes chocolate cake beyond delicious

Chocolate Guinness Glaze is an essential part of the cake, as you poke holes in the cake when it is still warm and slowly spoon the glaze over the cake until the holes are filled with it.

BY ELIZABETH KARMEL The Associated Press

or me, St. Patrick’s Day isn’t just an excuse to drink Irish

whiskey and Guinness. It’s also an excuse to bake with them! Not too long ago, I had an idea to bake a chocolate cake spiked with Guinness, then topped with a whiskey glaze. The affinity between the chocolate and the Guinness was amazing. When I created the recipe, I started with my aunt’s chocolate pound cake, which my mother had remembered as spectacular. My aunt’s basic cake was good, but tastes have changed and I thought it was a bit reserved. I wanted this cake to be luscious and moist and very chocolatey! So I increased the cocoa to a whole cup, substituting an additional 1/2 cup of cocoa for an equal amount of the flour. For additional richness, I mixed Guinness with an equal amount of half-and-half. And to tie all the flavors together — a hint of freshly grated nutmeg. You don’t really taste it, but it highlights all the other flavors.

The first time I made the cake, I made the Irish whiskey glaze and it was good. But I thought that it was wasteful to have to buy both Guinness and Irish whiskey if you didn’t already have it on hand. So I changed the glaze to a Guinness glaze. You can buy a single can of Guinness in almost every grocery store, and having Guinness in both the cake and the glaze is not only delicious but economical, as well. The glaze is an essential part of the cake, as you poke holes in the cake when it is still warm and slowly spoon the glaze over the cake until the holes are filled with it. That way, once the cake is cooled and sliced, each piece has rivets of deep chocolate glaze set into the top of the cake. For anyone who is nervous that the cake will taste like beer... It does not. The Guinness adds a stouty richness that makes the cake the best chocolate cake you have ever eaten. It is so good that I had to make it three times when I visited my sister and her large family because each time I made it, it was gone before everyone could have a slice. This is the best way I know to celebrate St. Paddy’s Day, the Ides of March, or anytime you want a great piece of chocolate cake.

CHOCOLATE GUINNESS CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE GUINNESS GLAZE Start to finish: 2 hours (15 minutes active) Servings: 12 For the cake: 1 cup cocoa powder, plus extra for the pan 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened 2 1/2 cups granulated sugar 4 large eggs 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1/2 cup half-and-half 1/2 cup Guinness, room temperature For the glaze: 2 cups powdered sugar 3 tablespoons cocoa powder 6 tablespoons Guinness 2 tablespoons half-and-half or heavy cream 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract Pinch of kosher salt

Heat the oven to 325 F. Coat a 12-cup Bundt pan very well with cooking spray. Sprinkle in a bit of cocoa powder, turning to coat evening, then overturning to discard any excess. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat together the butter and sugar. Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat until smooth. Set aside. In a large bowl, whisk together the 1 cup of cocoa powder, the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and nutmeg. In a 2-cup liquid measuring cup, stir together the vanilla, half-and-half and Guinness. With the mixer running on low, alternate adding the liquid and dry ingredients to the sugar-butter mixture, mixing just until everything is mixed and smooth. Transfer to the prepared Bundt pan, tapping it gently on the counter to release air bubbles. Smooth the top, then bake for 1 hour 10 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted at the center comes out clean. Meanwhile, prepare the glaze. In a medium bowl, whisk together all ingredients until smooth. Set aside. When the cake is done, let it cool in the pan for 25 minutes. Set a wire cooling rack over the pan, then invert it so the cake stands on the rack. For ease of cleanup, set the rack over a rimmed baking sheet or a sheet of kitchen parchment. Use a toothpick to poke deep holes all over the top of the cake. Spoon glaze over the top of the cake and wait until it seeps into the holes. Spoon more glaze into the holes, then wait 10 minutes. Spoon the remaining glaze all over the top so it covers the holes and drizzles down the sides. Nutrition information per serving: 500 calories; 180 calories from fat (36 percent of total calories); 20 g fat (12 g saturated; 0.5 g trans fats); 115 mg cholesterol; 190 mg sodium; 76 g carbohydrate; 3 g fiber; 50 g sugar; 7 g protein.

Elizabeth Karmel is a barbecue and Southern foods expert. She is the chef and pitmaster at online retailer CarolinaCueToGo.com and author of three books, including “Taming the Flame.”

Brownies and pudding have a love child BY ALISON LADMAN The Associated Press

his chocolate cake is more delicious and more indulgent than any dessert has a right to be. And you

will thank us for that. The goal was a chocolate cake that combined the best attributes of brownies and pudding. Which is to say, we wanted it both tender and cakey, but also richly moist, even gooey. And the best environment for cooking such a cake turned

out to be the slow cooker. It heats the cake slowly and gently while retaining all the moisture. For extra decadence, we built our cake over a layer of frozen cherries, giving it a Black Forest effect. The resulting dessert has a cakey exterior, but a pudding-like center. Served warm with a dollop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, you’ll never believe this treat came from your slow cooker. Feel free to mix up the fruit. If cherries don’t do it for you, substitute frozen blueberries, peaches or mango chunks. And feel free to assemble and refrigerate it the night before in the slow cooker crock, then just pop it in the cooker the next day.

CHOCOLATE CHERRY SLOW COOKER PUDDING CAKE

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

This chocolate cake combines the best attributes of brownies and pudding. The result is tender and cakey, but also richly moist and even gooey.

Start to finish: 4 hours 20 minutes (20 minutes active) Servings: 12 20 ounces frozen pitted cherries 2 cups powdered sugar 1 cup cocoa powder 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 1/4 cups (2 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature 1 cup granulated sugar 1 cup packed brown sugar 6 eggs 8 ounces chopped bittersweet chocolate Mist the interior of a 6- to 8-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. Arrange the cherries in an even layer on the bottom of the slow cooker. Sift together the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, flour and salt.

In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat together the butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, 2 at a time, beating well between additions. Stir in the flour-powdered sugar mixture in 2 additions, then stir in the bittersweet chocolate. Spoon the mixture over the cherries and smooth the top. Cover and cook on low for 3 1/2 to 4 hours, or until set up at the edges and very fudgy and pudding-like in the middle. Let sit for 15 minutes. Serve warm. Nutrition information per serving: 640 calories; 280 calories from fat (44 percent of total calories); 31 g fat (19 g saturated; 1 g trans fats); 160 mg cholesterol; 120 mg sodium; 89 g carbohydrate; 5 g fiber; 65 g sugar; 9 g protein.

Alison Ladman is a chef, food writer and recipe developer for The Associated Press. She also owns The Crust and Crumb Baking Company in Concord, New Hampshire.

FOOD

THE SUMTER ITEM

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2016

Green herb sauce adds flavor and color to fish BY SARA MOULTON The Associated Press With St. Patrick’s Day looming, my first thought was that nothing would be more fitting than to salute the patron saint of the Emerald Isle with a fish dish dressed in a very green sauce, one that came by its color honestly, with no artificial food coloring allowed. A second later, it occurred to me that actually making such a dish might be easier said than done. The problem is that bright green vegetables and herbs can quickly turn gray when cooked. They don’t like to be heated for very long and they hate acid. Meanwhile, fish — that most subtly flavored of proteins — cries out for acid. It took bumping into several walls, but I eventually arrived at a sauce that filled the bill. This gem is packed with fresh green herbs — 4 cups (about two bunches) of parsley complemented by a quarter cup of fresh tarragon. For my first trial run, I finely chopped the herbs with a knife. The resulting sauce was mostly white with flecks of green. In pursuit of greater greenery, I confidently reached for a blender. I threw in the whole herbs, unchopped, and pressed start. Nada. The herbs just sat on top of the blade. The third time around, I coarsely chopped the herbs before adding them to the blender. This brought them closer to the blade, but they still didn’t turn into the puree I wanted. I’d been planning right along to add cream to the sauce at the end of the process. Now, as I climbed into the ring for the fourth round, I tried adding the cream (along with a little water) to the herbs in the blender at the beginning. Bingo! There it was, finally... a

puree green as an Irish hillside. Still, I had to be careful not to overcook it. The key is to cook the puree in a skillet with a wide bottom, which allows it to heat up in a matter of minutes. And as long as you wait until the last moment to add the fresh lemon juice, then serve the dish right away, the sauce will stay green, green, green rather than turning gray. If you’d prefer to keep this recipe meat-free, omit the prosciutto. If you’re not a fan of tarragon, swap in basil or dill. However you customize it, this salmon will put one and all in a holiday mood.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Prosciutto Wrapped Salmon with Fresh Herb Sauce

PROSCIUTTO-WRAPPED SALMON WITH FRESH HERB SAUCE Start to finish: 55 minutes (40 minutes active) Servings: 4 Four 6-ounce skinless salmon fillets 2 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto Kosher salt and ground black pepper 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 4 cups packed fresh parsley leaves and thin stems, coarsely chopped 1/4 cup packed fresh tarragon leaves, coarsely chopped 1/2 cup heavy cream 1 teaspoon cornstarch 1/4 cup minced shallots 1 teaspoon lemon juice Heat the oven to 350 F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with kitchen parchment. Wrap the middle section of each of the salmon fillets with a quarter of the prosciutto slices. Season the exposed part of each fillet with salt and pepper. In a large nonstick skillet over medium-high, heat the oil. Add the salmon, reduce the heat to medium, and brown the salmon on all 4 sides, about 3 minutes total. Transfer the salmon to the prepared baking sheet, retaining the skillet. Bake on the oven’s middle shelf until slightly undercooked at the center, about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, in a blender combine the parsley, tarragon, 1/2 teaspoon salt, cream, cornstarch and 1/4 cup water. Blend until the mixture forms a smooth puree. Set aside. Discard all but 1 tablespoon of the oil remaining in the skillet, then heat over medium. Add the shallots and cook, stirring, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the puree and bring to a boil, stirring. Add the lemon juice, then season with salt and pepper. Simmer for 1 minute. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a little water. Spoon some of the sauce into the center of 4 serving plates. Set one salmon fillet onto each. Serve immediately. Nutrition information per serving: 490 calories; 290 calories from fat (59 percent of total calories); 32 g fat (10 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 160 mg cholesterol; 770 mg sodium; 8 g carbohydrate; 2 g fiber; 2 g sugar; 44 g protein.

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THE SUMTER ITEM

BIZARRO

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ANDY CAPP

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BORN LOSER

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JEFF MACNELLY'S SHOE

Booklet full of ‘keepers’ is full of humor, wisdom DEAR ABBY — I have lost my copy of the “Letter From Your Pet,” the essay that is written from the pet’s Dear Abby viewpoint to ABIGAIL his master, assuring VAN BUREN him it is the right thing to do when it is time to put the pet down. Is it included in your “Keepers” booklet? If so, how can I order a copy? Ruth in the Villages, Florida DEAR RUTH — “A Dog’s Prayer” by Beth Norman Harris is one of the most requested items that have ever appeared in my column. It addresses not only the pet’s

end of life, but also how to respectfully treat the animal during its days on earth. My “Keepers” booklet includes “A Dog’s Prayer,” as well as amusing and thoughtprovoking poems and essays on a variety of subjects, ranging from children and parenting, to human nature, houseguests and more. It can be ordered by sending your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $7 in U.S. funds, to: Dear Abby Keepers, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. Shipping and handling are included in the price. Many people have told me that “Keepers” makes a welcome gift for newlyweds, new parents, animal lovers, or anyone who is recovering from an illness. Filled with humor and wisdom, it’s an inspiring, positive, quick and easy read for

THE DAILY CROSSWORD PUZZLE

anyone who could use a lift. DEAR ABBY — I would like to suggest that some wives be a little less traditional and inhibited. Lighten up! Be just a little bit more adventurous, open-minded and forward — nothing excessive, mind you. Variety, after all, is the spice of life. What husband wouldn’t enjoy an exceptionally nice surprise every once in awhile? Wishful thinking in Pennsylvania DEAR WISHFUL THINKING — Inhibitions can be hard to overcome. However, if YOUR wife is among those you are suggesting loosen up (etc.), you should definitely mention it to her and include your “wish list.” But don’t be shocked if she gives you one, too.

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.

By Kurt Krauss

ACROSS 1 Latte option 6 Difficult position 10 It's cut and dried 13 Loud, as a crowd 14 African city where pounds are spent 15 Tree feller 16 Venue that keeps you up-to-date 18 __ Tin Tin 19 Hunk 20 Really bother 21 Bus terminal 23 "Beaches" actress Midler 25 Canadian stadium renamed Rogers Centre in 2005 27 Tropical cocktail whose color comes from curaçao liqueur 30 First name in game shows 31 Work-wk. start 32 Basic Latin conjugation word 36 "Got it, man?" 37 This puzzle's theme, as suggested by the ends of 16-, 27-, 47and 61-Across 41 Big heart?

3/16/16 42 Ladies of Sp. 44 Chicago's __ Center 45 Elena of the Supreme Court 47 Chaste priestess of ancient Rome 51 Record covers 54 "__ a stinker?": Bugs Bunny 55 Upright, e.g. 56 Bow (out) 57 Disaster relief org. 60 Longtime football commentator Cross 61 Biblical wise man 65 Actress Charlotte 66 Where to learn une leçon 67 Practical joke 68 CIA forerunner 69 "Man, you are not serious!" 70 Rocker Patty married to John McEnroe DOWN 1 24 Hours of Le __: auto race 2 Hurler Hershiser 3 Ninja Turtle's "Awesome!" 4 Faded star 5 Curved part 6 Went under 7 Alley target 8 Load from a lode

9 "Shoulda listened to me!" 10 Silent Marx 11 Assumed truth 12 "Fiddler on the Roof" matchmaker 14 Hall of Fame infielder Rod 17 Words before homer or brick wall 22 Novelist Ferber 24 Takeout option 25 "The Da Vinci Code" priory 26 Warm-hearted 27 Some undies 28 Lion's den 29 Range maker 33 Rod Stewart classic with the line "You stole my heart but I love you anyway" 34 Trendy berry

35 Ky. neighbor 38 Postage-paid enc. 39 Gobs 40 Banana peel 43 Kristoff's reindeer in "Frozen" 46 Sculpture or ballet 48 Brought forth 49 Run out 50 Corleone patriarch 51 Veep between Hubert and Gerald 52 Turkish coins 53 Some nest sites 56 Give the eye 58 __ Blanc: tallest Alp 59 Egyptian cross 62 Post-ER area 63 Sign of approval 64 Old DJ's records

Tuesday’s Puzzle Solved

3/16/16

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Critically acclaimed ‘The Americans’ returns BY KEVIN MCDONOUGH Imagine that you had a TV set that only got one channel. And it was the FX Network. You’d still be watching three of this year’s best series: “Fargo,” “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story” and, beginning tonight, season four of “The Americans” (10 p.m., TVMA). All three are flawlessly cast, impressively produced period pieces hearkening back to 1979, 1995 and the early 1980s, respectively. Years ago, when FX introduced “The Shield,” the network announced that it was competing with HBO. I think it’s safe to say that FX has now surpassed HBO, a premium viewing option that, except for “Game of Thrones,” remains in search of a new can’t-miss series. HBO has come to resemble the New York Yankees. Both institutions share a city and an emphasis on a storied legacy. But television, like baseball, unfolds in the present tense. As season four of “The Americans” opens, Philip (Matthew Rhys) and Elizabeth (Keri Russell) once again have to prove their loyalty to their Soviet handler, Gabriel (played with brilliantly beleaguered ennui by Frank Langella), by taking a very dangerous assignment, locating an unstable bioweapon. Look for Dylan Baker (“Damages”) in a suitably shadowy role. As always, the lies the couple weave to maintain their front as placid suburban travel agents have a way of unraveling. It was one thing for them to reveal their identities to their idealistic daughter, Paige (Holly Taylor). But now that her pastor knows, what options do they have? And Philip should probably know that undergoing harsh pop therapy sessions at EST meetings is not the smartest move for a man with several identities and secrets to die for. • “Nashville” (10 p.m., ABC, TV-PG) returns with an episode that could be a season, or series, finale. Rayna and Deacon finally tie the knot, in a ceremony filled with music and melodrama. There’s plenty of the former, but not nearly enough of the latter, and that’s what’s gone wrong with this prime-time soap. Not unlike “Downton Abbey”

(NBC, r, TV-14): a hate crime (8 p.m.), a home invasion (9 p.m.) * Wisdom teeth for dummies on “The Middle” (8 p.m., ABC, TVPG) * The Calculator strikes on “Arrow” (8 p.m., CW, r, TV-14) * Adam tries to outsmart a mailorder music club on “The Goldbergs” (8:30 p.m., ABC) * Abductors play Sandman on “Criminal Minds” (9 p.m., CBS, TV-14) * A trip to Palm Springs on “Hell’s Kitchen” (9 p.m., Fox, TV-14) * Love hurts on “Supernatural” (9 p.m., CW, r, TV-14) * Jack’s game becomes an issue on “black-ish” (9:30 p.m., ABC, TVPG) * Ruzek stumbles on “Chicago P.D.” (10 p.m., NBC, r, TV14).

LATE NIGHT

ERIC LIEBOWITZ / FX

Matthew Rhys stars as Philip Jennings and Keri Russell as Elizabeth Jennings in the FX series “The Americans,” returning for its fourth season at 10 p.m. today. in its final seasons, “Nashville” has entirely too many noble, flawed, yet understandable characters and too few certifiable villains. None, in fact. Jeff Fordham (Oliver Hudson) was literally bumped off. Juliette (Hayden Panettiere) has become too fully diagnosed with “issues” to really hate. Remember when Avery (Jonathan Jackson) was the cad and not the doting dad? “Nashville” has become so PG that it was a relief to see Connie Britton take a break from her goodie-goodie Rayna character to play the sleazy Faye Resnick on “The People v. O.J. Simpson.” • The search for a prodigal son unfolds on the second season premiere of the Canadian comedy “Schitt’s Creek” (8 p.m., Pop, TV-14), starring Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara.

• Missing in Bangkok on the premiere of the spin-off series “Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders” (10 p.m., CBS, TV-14).

CULT CHOICE Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene and Steve Martin star in the 1986 adaptation of the 1982 OffBroadway musical “Little Shop of Horrors” (9 p.m., Pop), itself a riff on a 1960 low-budget hor-

ror movie from Roger Corman. The musical was created by the team of composer Alan Menken and writer Howard Ashman, famous for their Disney musicals “The Little Mermaid,” “Beauty and the Beast” and “Aladdin.”

SERIES NOTES On two episodes of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”

Brian Fallon is booked on “The Daily Show With Trevor Noah” (11 p.m., Comedy Central) * Charlamagne Tha God sits down on “The Nightly Show With Larry Wilmore” (11:30 p.m., Comedy Central) * Jimmy Fallon welcomes Jennifer Garner, Cuba Gooding Jr. and Pete Yorn on “The Tonight Show” (11:35 p.m., NBC) * John Goodman and Joanna Newsom visit “Late Night With Seth Meyers” (12:35 a.m., NBC) * Colin Farrell, Wanda Sykes, Jack Hanna and Demi Lovato appear on “The Late Late Show With James Corden” (12:35 a.m., CBS). Copyright 2016, United Feature Syndicate

2015-16

DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF CHARLES R. “PAP” PROPST

TONIGHT’S OTHER HIGHLIGHTS • Villa shares history with her new partner on “Rosewood” (8 p.m., Fox, TV-14). • Phil’s new client may have too much curb appeal on “Modern Family” (9 p.m., ABC, TVPG). • “MTV Woodies: 10 for 16” (9 p.m., MTV, TV-14) showcases 10 artists from the South by Southwest Music Festival in Austin, Texas.

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Low and slow is the way for Greek chicken dinner BY SARA MOULTON The Associated Press

browning, such as chicken soup or beans or fish stew. But it’d be nice to have that option when you’re making a This toothsome chicken recipe that depends on browndish makes its way into the ing to build flavor, such as a world via a slow cooker, a pot roast or braised lamb kitchen device I’ve grown to shanks. love. The first time I prepared There are several reasons to this Greek chicken dish, I like slow cookers, even behoped it would turn out to be yond the wonderfulness of one of those throw-the-ingrebeing able to toss ingredients dients-in-the-pot-and-walkinto it, head to work and reaway-from-it-without-a-careturn to a fully cooked dinner in the evening. Thanks to that in-the-world miracles. Following the advice of several slow long, low-temp cooking, slow cooker cookbooks, I removed cookers also are great at reand discarded the chicken ducing tougher cuts of meat skin before cooking it. The to tender goodness. And because they are covered during theory was that it would end up rubbery and add too much cooking, moisture doesn’t escape and the food stays partic- fat to the dish as it cooked. I also added the onions raw, the ularly moist. The utensil’s one drawback garlic smashed, and the rosemary in stalks. (assuming you’re using a traBut that approach didn’t ditional model) is that you can’t brown your meat or veg- work out as planned. The finished dish was lackluster and etables in it. Newer models the chicken was dry. often have a saute mode, So, back to the drawing which is handy. But this isn’t board. This time I browned a deal breaker if you’re making a dish that doesn’t require the key components — chick-

en, onions and garlic — in a skillet before adding them to the slow cooker. I also opted not to remove the skin from the chicken and to dip the chicken in flour before sauteing it. I discarded most of the fat that came out of the skin as it browned, but kept some of it because fat is a conductor of flavor. I reckoned that these two steps would do double-duty: amp the flavor and protect the chicken from drying out. It worked! It’s worth noting, by the way, that the skin never became rubbery. It helped that it stuck up above the liquid as it cooked. Also, the chicken’s flour coating helped to lightly thicken the sauce. Of course, if you’re so inclined, you’re welcome to remove the skin just before serving; it will have already done its job. In the end, the first and final versions of this recipe were as different as night and day. As ever, it’s all in the details.

SLOW COOKER GREEK CHICKEN Start to finish: 5 1/2 hours (1 hour active) Servings: 6 1 1/2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, sliced 1/4 inch thick 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided Kosher salt 3 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs Ground black pepper 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1 cup thinly sliced yellow onion 1 tablespoon minced garlic 1/4 cup dry white wine 1 cup chopped pepperoncini (Italian pickled peppers) 1 cup pitted Kalamata olives 1 whole lemon, cut into 8 wedges 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth or stock In a large (6-quart) slow cooker, toss the potatoes with 1 tablespoon of the oil and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Season the chicken on all sides with salt and pepper. In a large skillet over medium-high, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil. Dip half the chicken in the flour, shaking off the excess, and add the pieces to the skillet, skin side down. Cook until nicely browned on both sides, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer the chicken to the slow cooker, placing it on top of the potatoes, skin side up. Repeat the process with the remaining chicken and flour. Pour off all but 2 tablespoons of any fat left in the skillet, then return it to medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Transfer the mixture to the slow cooker. Return the skillet to high heat and add the wine, stirring and scraping to deglaze the pan and loosen any stuck bits. Simmer until the wine is reduced by half, then add to the slow cooker. Add the remaining ingredients, tucking them among the chicken thighs. Cover and cook on low for 4 1/2 hours or high for 2 1/2 hours. Transfer the chicken and potatoes to serving plates, making sure each portion includes olives, a lemon wedge and sauce. Nutrition information per serving: 780 calories; 490 calories from fat (63 percent of total calories); 54 g fat (12 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 190 mg cholesterol; 2440 mg sodium; 34 g carbohydrate; 3 g fiber; 2 g sugar; 36 g protein.

Slow cookers bring out best in pork and Indian flavors BY MEERA SODHA The Associated Press There’s a real joy in slowing down in the kitchen. Gone is the frantic stress of trying to get dinner on the table in an instant and in its place comes a different type of gentle cooking. It allows beautiful smells to waft through the house and ingredients to mingle and develop over time into something deep, rich and flavorful. Of all slow cooked dishes, Goan pork vindaloo is my favorite. Originally a Portuguese stew made with meat, garlic and wine, the dish made its way to India in the 1500s with Portuguese explorers. Like so many other dishes, it then was reinterpreted. Today, vindaloo curry is a sweet, hot and sour dish popular all over the world. Though the modern recipe, like the original dish, still uses garlic and wine vinegar, it has changed to include chilies and lots of warming spices, such as cinnamon, cumin and cloves. I like to use a cheaper and fattier cut of meat, such as pork shoulder, which responds well to a slow braise and shows its true colors after a few hours to become the best type of pork — succulent, sweet and soft. Whatever happens, rest assured that there are no wrong moves with slow cooking. It’s one of the only mediums of cooking that creates a level playing field between the pro chef and the amateur. It gives you the flexibility to taste and adjust as you go until it tastes just right. The only trouble is that after several hours of cooking, it will only take a few minutes to eat.

SLOW COOKER PORK SHOULDER VINDALOO If you’re nervous about the amount of chili powder, halve the amount called for in the recipe. It will still be delicious. If your slow cooker doesn’t have a saute setting, start the dish in a large saute pan, then transfer to a slow cooker. Start to finish: 3 1/2 to 5 1/2 hours (1/2 hour active) Servings: 4 4 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil, divided 20 black peppercorns 1 star anise 3-inch cinnamon stick 6 whole cloves 2 teaspoons cumin seeds 6 cloves garlic, crushed 1 1/2-inch chunk fresh ginger, grated (plus extra to serve) 2 teaspoons chili powder 5 tablespoons white wine vinegar 1 medium red onion, finely sliced 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon sugar 2 1/4 pounds boneless pork shoulder, trimmed and cut into 1-inch cubes Plain Greek-style yogurt, to serve Cooked basmati rice, to serve Set the slow cooker to saute mode. Add 1 tablespoon of the oil and heat until hot. Add the peppercorns, star anise, cinnamon, cloves and cumin. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the peppercorns and cloves swell and are fra-

grant. Transfer the spices to a mortar and pestle or spice grinder. Grind until smooth, then add the garlic, ginger and chili powder. Grind again, then transfer to a small bowl and stir in the vinegar. Set aside. Heat the remaining 3 tablespoons of oil in the slow cooker. When hot, add the onions and cook, stirring often, until brown and caramelized. Add the tomatoes, and cook for 5 minutes. Add the spice paste, salt and sugar. Stir well, then add the pork. Coat the pork with the paste then add just enough water to cover the meat. Stir well, then cover and cook for 3 hours on high or 5 hours on low, or until the meat is completely tender and straining to hold its shape. Serve topped with grated ginger, dollops of yogurt and basmati rice. Nutrition information per serving: 740 calories; 210 calories from fat (28 percent of total calories); 24 g fat (4.5 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 155 mg cholesterol; 1040 mg sodium; 61 g carbohydrate; 5 g fiber; 12 g sugar; 68 g protein.