March 18, 2015 by The Sumter Item

Sumter’s housing ranks as good deal for retirees U.S. News and World Report lists city as 20th for affordability WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2015

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SERVING SOUTH CAROLINA SINCE OCTOBER 15, 1894 3 SECTIONS, 26 PAGES | VOL. 120, NO. 129

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BY ADRIENNE SARVIS adrienne@theitem.com The city of Sumter ranked 20th of 50 most-affordable places in the nation to settle into retirement in a U.S. News and World Report list.

U.S. News and World Report analyzed data from the U.S. Census Bureau to determine which places with low costs of living and affordable housing require the lowest monthly housing costs for homeowners age 65 and older.

Mayor Joe McElveen said the ranking can be attributed to past and recent efforts to raise the percapita income in the city, which has in turn improved the quality of life in Sumter.

SEE HOUSING, PAGE A8

Practicing with the Harlem Rockets

‘They’re an environmental disaster’ In the battle for coffee pods, it’s Keurig vs. recyclables A7 KEITH GEDAMKE / THE SUMTER ITEM

James Williams of the Harlem Rockets “throws” a basketball to Alexandria Smotts, 3, during the team’s game against the Sumter All-Stars on Friday at Sumter High School.

FOOD

This fresh ham recipe is packed with cloves and brown sugar C8 DEATHS, B7 Darlene Martak Mattie Vining-Edwards Minnie S. Williams Roma Jean Kirk Laura Lee Jackson Gene H. Goodson Christine S. DesChamps Braylynn Bradley

BY MATT BRUCE matthew@theitem.com

WEATHER, A10 A LITTLE COOLER TODAY Cooler with clouds and sun; showers possible late HIGH 65, LOW 46

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Shooting suspect arrested

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Sumter County deputies tracked and later apprehended the primary suspect in a shooting that occurred late Monday afternoon that left a man critically wounded in Cherryvale. Officers arrested Quincy Carter Jr., a 19-year-old Wedgefield teen, shortly before 11 p.m. Monday. He was transported to Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center and faces charges of attempted murder and armed robbery stemming from the shooting. As of Tuesday, CARTER he remained detained there awaiting bond. He could face as many as 60 years in prison if convicted on both counts. Monday’s shooting touched off a countywide manhunt as deputies spread a net across the area looking for Carter, who was immediately identified as the triggerman in the incident. The victim, a 23-year-old Sumter man, suffered a gunshot wound to the back of the head and was airlifted to Columbia in critical condition.

SEE SUSPECT, PAGE A8

Spectators of a softball game watch a storm roll through Sumter in late May last year. National Weather Service said March through May is the peak severe weather season. SUMTER ITEM FILE PHOTO

Officials urge safety in severe weather season BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com The National Weather Service is reminding South Carolinians that March through May is the peak season for severe weather, including tornadoes, large hail, damaging winds and lightning. Steve Naglic, warning coordination meteorologist for NWS in Columbia, said the main concern in this area is severe thunderstorms, but March, April and May are also the peak tornado-producing months. “If we are going to get tornadoes during the year, that is the prime time, especially for the large tornado-producing storms that we call supercells,” he said. “Those are the ones that can produce some very large tornadoes, and we really worry about those late March

through May.” Naglic said there is no part of the state that has more tornadoes than any other. “They occur everywhere,” he said. “The biggest outbreak was in 1984. It produced all those F4s. It came through the Midlands near Augusta, Georgia, by Columbia and went all the way up to Raleigh, North Carolina,” Naglic said. Tornadoes are rated on the Fujita Scale, which classifies tornadoes from F0 (light damage) to F5 (incredible damage) according to estimated wind speed and damage. An F4 tornado such as those reported in northern and western South Carolina in 1984 have winds as high as 260 mph and produce “devastating damage” in which

SEE WEATHER, PAGE A8

Unemployment rates rise across tri-county area BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com According to the latest employment figures for South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce, 135 jobs vanished in Sumter County between December and January. That’s nothing compared to the 1,498 workers and 1,568 jobs

which disappeared from Lee County. Perhaps they went to Clarendon County, which reportedly gained 889 workers and 795 jobs. Sumter’s unemployment rate rose to 7.6 percent in January, Clarendon County’s rose to 8.8 percent, and Lee County’s rose to 9.7 percent. The reported numbers are somehow missing the target. “That is almost purely a

function of the sample size,” said Richard Kaglic, senior regional economist for the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. “The smaller the sample size, the more noise you’re going to get.” Kaglic said the household survey used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics is based on a survey of only 60,000 households nationwide. According to a fact sheet re-

leased by DEW, about 1,000 households are surveyed in South Carolina. “Think about breaking that down on a state-by-state level and then a county-by-county level,” he said. “The sample sizes on those are very small.” On a statewide level, however, the numbers may better reflect reality. According to figures released Tuesday, the unemployment level stayed at 6.6

percent, the same as in December. The good news in the numbers is that South Carolina added 10,841 jobs while taking on 10,768 more people in the workforce. “January marks the 62nd consecutive month of employment growth in South Carolina,” said DEW Executive

SEE JOBLESS, PAGE A8

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2015

THE SUMTER ITEM

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LOCAL & STATE BRIEFS FROM STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

Bishopville man facing child porn charges South Carolina agents arrested a Bishopville man last weekend amid allegations he was involved with child pornography. Agents from the S.C. Attorney General’s office took Wesley Randall, 24, into custody Friday, according to a statement announcing the arrest, which was released Tuesday afternoon. Randall faces one count of second-degree sexual exploitation of minors in conjunction with the arrest and could be sentenced to as many as 10 years in prison if he’s convicted. His bond was set at $5,000. Agents seized a computer to perform a forensic examination. According to Tuesday’s statement, the suspect exchanged child porn through peer-to-peer file sharing. Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the Bishopville Police Department conferred with the Attorney General’s office on the investigation. The state agency is expected to prosecute the charges.

City service to end in county BY ADRIENNE SARVIS adrienne@theitem.com During its meeting on March 10, Sumter County Council approved a motion made during the Sumter County Public Works and Solid Waste Committee meeting to end city yard debris pickup in county neighborhoods. County Councilman James McCain said aside from the amount of money the county is paying for the service, other county residents are essentially paying for a service that only a few people receive. County Administrator Gary Mixon said the county pays about $55,000 to the city for the sanitation department to pick up yard debris in the county.

Neighborhoods that receive the city service are Red Bay, Hilldale, The Village, Millwood and Loring Mill. Neither city nor county officials know how or why the service started about 15 years ago other than that the service is provided per a request from the county. Assistant City Manager of Public Services Al Harris said the city picks up yard debris in some of the county neighborhoods that are closest to the city. Harris said the city is first priority and the county is taken care of when the sanitation department has time. Yard debris is picked up in the city once a week while the neighborhoods in the county receive the service twice a month, he said.

He said that when the service ends, the sanitation department will have more time to focus on city matters. Harris also said the city will not work with individuals to provide debris pick-up and that current services are strictly by request of the county government. Mixon said the county has decided to end the service because of current budget planning in preparation for fiscal year 2016. He said the county is scrutinizing its current expenses in anticipation of possible further funding cuts from the state government. The S.C. Senate is currently reviewing a bill that could freeze the Local Government Fund that is annually given to Sumter and other counties in the state. Mixon said the coun-

ty should receive 4.5 percent of the state’s general fund revenues but the amount the county has been receiving has been reduced for years. According to Sumter City Manager Deron McCormick, the city will not be affected by the loss of county money because it is just reimbursement for work the city supplies the county. “If we don’t do that work then we don’t have that cost,” he said. According to Mixon, the county will send notifications to the county residents by March 22 explaining that the yard debris pick-up is scheduled to end by the first of June. He said county residents can take yard debris to any of the county recycling centers on Saturday and Sunday once the service ends.

Celebrating a new beginning

Girl, 15, killed by 2 vehicles in Darlington DARLINGTON — Authorities say a 15-year-old girl has been killed after she was struck by a tractor-trailer and another vehicle as she tried to cross a busy four-lane highway in Darlington. Darlington County Coroner Todd Hardee told local media outlets that Daejah Hough died at the hospital a short time after she was hit about 6 a.m. Tuesday. Troopers said Hough was trying to cross U.S. 52 just south of Darlington when she was hit by the truck and then a minivan. Highway Patrol Cpl. Sonny Collins said no charges will be filed against the drivers because they couldn’t avoid the teen as she tried to cross the highway illegally.

1 dead as car collides with bus at state line KEITH GEDAMKE / THE SUMTER ITEM

HARDEEVILLE — One person has died and three others were hurt in a wreck involving three cars and a bus on a bridge at the South CarolinaGeorgia state line. Jasper County Coroner Martin Sauls said the name of the victim in Monday afternoon’s wreck has not been released while relatives are notified. Trooper Sonny Collins said the person who was killed was driving a car that had tried to pass two other vehicles on U.S. 17 and hit them before swerving into the path of the bus. Sauls said the bus was carrying 56 people to St. Patrick’s Day festivities in Savannah, Georgia. Three people in the other cars were taken to hospitals for treatment. Collins said the wreck closed the road for about four hours.

Jay Davis invites Hampton’s chef Raffaele Dall’Erta to try the barbecue during the grand opening of C. Anthony’s Menswear on Tuesday. The shop moved downtown into the old Bank of Sumter building recently.

Inmate death under investigation at Lee County prison BY MATT BRUCE matthew@theitem.com South Carolina Department of Corrections officials are investigating the death of an inmate at a Lee County prison. Lee County Coroner Lee Logan identified the deceased as 27-year-old Victor Rogers, a prisoner officials at Lee Correctional Institute found dead in his cell Tuesday morning. Emergency crews responded to the maximum-security Bishopville facility and called the coroner’s office to the prison, where Logan pronounced Rogers dead. The coroner said he has yet to make a ruling in the death and noted an au-

topsy is scheduled to be performed at 8:30 a.m. today in Newberry. Logan indicated the coroner’s office officials will work with South Carolina Law Enforcement Division to investigate the death. A SCDC spokesperson said Rogers was admitted to Lee Correctional in February 2013 and has remained incarcerated there serving time on a seconddegree burglary conviction out of Greenville County. This is the second time SLED has been called to Lee Correctional in less than a month. The first time was in February when it was the site of a small prison riot dur-

ing which multiple prisoners attacked seven officers in an inmate dorm at the facility, stabbing two of the officers and beating the others. SCDC officials called SLED in to take the lead in the investigation into the riot. A SLED spokesman on Monday said the investigation remains open and ongoing as agents complete interviews and obtain documents. Agents will file a report and send the case files to prosecutors to be reviewed, and prosecutors will determine what charges, if any, will be filed in connection with the incident. A SCDC spokesperson indicated Tuesday that the two incidents do not appear to be related.

HOW TO REACH US IS YOUR PAPER MISSING? ANNOUNCEMENT ARE YOU GOING ON Birth, Engagement, Wedding, VACATION? Anniversary, Obituary 20 N. Magnolia St., Sumter, S.C. 29150 (803) 774-1200 Jack Osteen Editor and Publisher jack@theitem.com (803) 774-1238 Rick Carpenter Managing Editor rick@theitem.com (803) 774-1201 Waverly Williams Sales Manager waverly@theitem.com (803) 774-1237

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2015

‘Musical gumbo’ band Let’s Get Outside gets crowd on its feet SALE WEDNESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY

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The Dirty Dozen Brass Band of New Orleans, celebrating its 35th anniversary as a band, had the Sumter Opera House audience up on its feet dancing Friday night at Sumter Opera House.

Dirty Dozen Brass Band whips up Sumter audience A REVIEW BY JANE G. COLLINS Special to The Sumter Item

even years ago my brother and his wife from Wisconsin and I met my three cousins — who often party in the New Orleans area — for a family reunion. As my brother and I passed the music a la Al Hirt and Pete Fountain oozing from the bars and dives, the three New Orleans “professionals” propelled us past those opportunities toward a five-star French restaurant and told us we could “do the music later.” Well, the fish came with all its features still visible; I dined on a salad and roll; and we never did get back to Bourbon Street for the music. Friday night my fondness for New Orleans music was rewarded by the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, a group that played for 1-½ hours without much of a break and then gave a seven-minute encore, “Dirty Old Man,” that had members of the audience on stage and dancing with band members.

Band member Roger Lewis described the music as “a big old musical gumbo.” If you have ever had the meal, it truly is a mixture of “everything but the kitchen sink.” The band’s music was a wonderful dish of styles: a blend of “R&B, jazz, funk, Afro–Latino grooves and some Caribbean flavor.” The first set lasted 30 minutes non-stop; the second section went 30 minutes with some of the members slipping off stage for a second while the drummer, Terrence Higgins, with his Superman-like arms, never quit the entire evening. By then, the audience was in full dancing and clapping gear, encouraged by the band to “Git Up” in order to “get down.” An older lady near me who had been moving to the music — after all, how can you resist “It Don’t Matter” and “When the Saints Go Marching In” — sat down abruptly and then left. I feared she might be close to a heart attack, but after about 10 minutes — and perhaps a B-12 shot — she returned, although she primarily confined her movements to her seat from then on. The third section, if you could call the quick transitions from one fast-paced medley to another a section, began with the more pop “Superstition.” Wailing saxophones, double

trumpets with one trumpeter, and a “dancing” sousaphone kept the audience members on their feet and the rhythms “full swing.” It was not an evening for musical wimps or fuddie duddies. It was a celebration of New Orleans tempos shared by a group of guys dedicated to providing great music and showmanship. I do wonder, however, if the series is trying to challenge my mathematics. The “Blind Boys of Alabama” provided a list of only four members (there were seven on stage plus an extra guy added in the last section to add humor), and this group is titled the “Dirty Dozen Brass Band” (there are only seven). If they book “The Four Tops” and have only three on stage, I will know something is up. Regardless of the number, however, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band provided a great celebration for its 35th anniversary and Sumter’s entertainment. Sumter Opera House Remaining 2015 Schedule: • March 20 — Galleria Seasons, the Vega String Quartet with abstract artist Susan Ruth • April 18 — Heritage Blues Orchestra For more information contact sumteroperahouse.com or (803) -436-2616.

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SC zip codes determine who gets unsearched bags of old U.S. Gov’t issued coins Bags of unsearched Gov’t issued coins are actually being handed over to SC residents who find their zip code listed below, but only those callers who beat the 48 hour order deadline are getting the Vault Bags loaded with rarely seen U.S. coins dating back to the 1800s

Who gets the money: Listed below are the Sumter area zip codes that get to claim the Unsearched Vault Bags. If you find the first two digits of your zip code below immediately call: 1-866-626-2664 Ext.30478 It’s like f inding bur ied Bag shipment you receive are treasure. yours to keep. That’s because for the next That’s why it’s so important 48 hours Unsearched Vault Bags that residents call the Toll Free loaded with rarely seen coins Hotlines beginning at precisely issued by the U.S. Gov’t dating 8:30am this morning. back to the 1800s are actually These currently circulated being handed over to Sumter area coins date clear back to the residents who find their zip code 1800s. After they were locked away in the highly secure vaults listed in today’s publication. “It’s hard to tell how much of the World Reserve the dates these heavy Unsearched Vault were never searched and the Bags could be worth some day. Vault Bags were sealed for good. That’s because after the Vault So when your shipment arrives, Bags were loaded with over 100 you can immediately break the valuable coins issued by the red security seal on the Vault U.S. Gov’t the dates were never Bags to search for the valuable searched and the Vault Bags coins shown below. were sealed for good. That’s why “With all this money up for residents are claiming all the grabs we’re bracing for all the Vault Bags they can get their calls and doing our best to make hands on before the 48-hour sure everyone gets through. But order deadline ends,” said Timo- it’s important that residents call thy J. Shissler, Director of Vault the Toll Free Hotline set up for Operations for the private World Sumter area residents before the deadline ends because when the Reserve. The only thing residents need bags of money are gone, they’re to do is find their zip code on gone,” Shissler said. “We know the phones will be the Distribution list printed in today’s publication. If their zip ringing off the hook because code is on the list, they need to we’re allowing residents to claim immediately call the Toll Free up to 20 Unsearched Vault Bags Hotlines before the 48-hour order of money. But to make sure all deadline ends. Sumter a rea “It’s important that Everyone who residents have does is getting residents call before a fair chance the Unsearched to cla im the the deadline ends Vault Bags for money, we’ l l because when the just $ 49 a nd be strictly enbags of money are shipping per forcing the 20 gone, they’re gone.” bag limit,” said bag which is a -Timothy Shissler, Director of real steal since Shissler. Vault Operations each ba g is It’s important loaded with over 100 U.S. Gov’t to note that since this announceissued coins including: Indian ment is being so widely adverHead coins, highly collectible tised dealers and collectors are Wheat Cents, a rarely seen Steel sure to be grabbing up all the War Time coin and a big scoop valuable coins they can get their of Unsearched currently cir- hands on, so residents need to culating U.S. Gov’t issued Lin- call right away. coln Cents spanning the past 100 Thousands of Sumter area resyears. And just one scarce coin idents are expected to call beginalone, like those shown below, ning at 8:30am this morning to could be worth hundreds of dol- claim the bags of money. lars in collector value. So, residents who find their And here’s the best part. Coin zip code listed in today’s publivalues always fluctuate and there cation need to immediately call are never any guarantees, but any the Toll Free Hotlines before the of the scarce U.S. Gov’t issued 48-hour deadline ends to get the coins shown below, regardless Unsearched Vault Bags. If lines ■ FREE: Pictured above are the Unsearched Vault Bags full of rarely seen coins issued by the U.S. Gov’t of their value, that you’re lucky are busy just keep trying, all calls dating clear back to the 1800s that everyone is rushing to get for just $49. That’s because everyone who enough to find inside the Vault will be answered. N beats the 48-hour deadline to claim four bags is getting an additional Vault Bag absolutely free.

How to get the bags of Gov’t issued coins

IMPORTANT: The Vault Bags HAVE NEVER BEEN SEARCHED. When your shipment arrives, you can immediately break the red security seal on the Vault Bags to search for the valuable coins shown below. Coin values If you find the first two digits of your zip code listed below immediately always fluctuate and there are never any guarantees, but any of the scarce U.S. Gov’t issued coins shown call the Toll Free Hotlines beginning at precisely 8:30am this morning. below, REGARDLESS OF THEIR VALUE, that you are lucky enough to find inside the Vault Bag shipment you Sumter area residents who find their zip code listed below are getting the Unsearched Vault Bags for just $ 49 and shipping and handling per bag receive are yours to keep. Scarce 1908 S which is a real steal since each bag is loaded with over 100 U.S. Gov’t Indian Head Coin issued coins and just one scarce coin alone, like those shown to the right, Ofﬁcial Red Book could be worth hundreds of dollars in collector value. And here’s the good Collector Value: news. Residents who beat the 48-hour deadline to claim four bags are $90.00 getting an additional Vault Bag absolutely free as long as they call before the deadline ends. 1-866-626-2664 Ext.30478

ZIP CODE DISTRIBUTION LIST Alabama 35, 36 Alaska N/A Arizona 85, 86 Arkansas 71, 72 California N/A Colorado 80, 81 Connecticut 06 Delaware 19 Florida 32, 33, 34 Georgia 30, 31, 39 Hawaii 96 Idaho 83 Illinois 60, 61, 62

Indiana Nebraska South Carolina 68, 69 46, 47 29 Nevada Iowa South Dakota 88, 89 50, 51, 52 57 New Hampshire Kansas Tennessee 03 66, 67 37, 38 New Jersey Kentucky Texas 07, 08 40, 41, 42 75, 76, 77 New Mexico Louisiana 78, 79, 88 87, 88 70, 71 Utah New York Maine 84 00, 10, 11, 12 03, 04 Vermont 13, 14 Maryland 05 North Carolina 20, 21 Virginia 27, 28 Massachusetts North Dakota 20, 22, 23, 24 01, 02, 05 58 Washington Michigan Ohio 98, 99 48, 49 41, 43, 44, 45 West Virginia Minnesota Oklahoma 24, 25, 26 N/A 73, 74 Wisconsin Mississippi Oregon 53, 54 38, 39 97 Wyoming Missouri Pennsylvania 82, 83 63, 64, 65 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 Montana Rhode Island Washington DC 59 20 02

Scarce 1914 D Wheat Coin Ofﬁcial Red Book Collector Value: $215.00

Scarce 1943 S Steel War Time Coin Ofﬁcial Red Book Collector Value: $6.00

THE WORLD RESERVE MONETARY EXCHANGE, INC. IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. MINT, U.S. GOV’T, A BANK OR ANY GOV’T AGENCY. THE INCREASE IN COLLECTIBLE VALUE OF CERTAIN PRIOR ISSUES OF U.S. CURRENCY DOES NOT GUARANTEE THAT CURRENT ISSUES WILL ALSO INCREASE IN VALUE. IF FOR ANY REASON WITHIN 30 DAYS OF RECEIVING THE OVER HALF POUND ONE HUNDRED & ONE COIN BAGS YOU ARE DISSATISFIED WITH YOUR PURCHASE, RETURN THE ENTIRE PRODUCT FOR A REFUND LESS SHIPPING, RETURN POSTAGE AND A 15% RESTOCKING FEE IF SECURITY SEAL OR BAG IS BROKEN. WRME IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR LOST RETURN SHIPMENTS. ©2015 8000 FREEDOM AVE., N. CANTON OH 44720

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STATE BRIEFS FROM ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORTS

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2015

Foam sword play on Liberty Street

Florence condiment producer expanding FLORENCE — A Florence company that makes sauces, marinades and spices is expanding, investing $3.5 million and creating 45 new jobs. Red Bone Alley Foods announced Tuesday that it is investing in a building where it will make products previously made in Texas and California. The company said it would begin hiring this month.

Boeing’s SC plant delivers first 787-9 NORTH CHARLESTON — The first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft assembled at the company’s South Carolina plant has been delivered. The company said Tuesday that the stretch version of the standard Dreamliner has been delivered to United Airlines after assembly was completed in January. Test flights were conducted last month. The aircraft is 20 feet longer and carries more passengers than the standard 787 Dreamliner. It’s also the 250th Dreamliner delivered by the company.

S.C. bill would shield execution drug sellers COLUMBIA — South Carolina lawmakers have advanced a bill to protect the identities of pharmaceutical companies in the hope that providers will resume selling execution drugs to the state. A Senate subcommittee on Tuesday voted unanimously to advance legislation that would officially add drug companies to the state’s execution team and require that their identities be kept secret. The proposal would also exempt the companies from state health and purchasing rules. South Carolina has run out of one of its three lethal injection drugs, the anesthetic pentobarbital, and cannot find anyone willing to sell more. Corrections Director Bryan Stirling has said if their names were shielded from the public, like the names of individuals involved in carrying out executions already are, pharmaceutical companies might be willing to start selling the drugs again.

KEITH GEDAMKE / THE SUMTER ITEM

Arasin Staubly and Paul Nadler sword fight on the green space next to Centennial Plaza recently. The two are part of a live-action roleplaying, or LARP, group called Amtgard. The LARPers plan on meeting every Thursday at the site, and anyone interested may join in.

POLICE BLOTTER CHARGE Herbert Anderson, 28, of Sumter, was arrested Monday afternoon and charged with driving under suspension, third offense, after a deputy reportedly spotted him driving 83 mph in a 45 mph zone.

Trustees release letters to justify Elzey’s firing S.C. State University trustees said fired President Thomas Elzey often didn’t communicate properly with them including one time when a utility was threatening to shut off the school’s power. A lawyer for the trustees released two letters Tuesday that the board said were its basis for firing Elzey Monday. In a January letter, trustees chairman William Small wrote the board was getting calls from employees who were losing jobs, and they had no idea those decisions were being made.

at $90 were reportedly stolen from a 2013 Ford Edge in the 100 block of North Washington Street between Feb. 15 and 7 a.m. Monday. A Ruger LCP .380-caliber pistol was reportedly stolen from a 2006 Toyota Camry parked in the 100 block of North Washington Street between 7 p.m. Sunday and 7 a.m. Monday. The gun was loaded with one bullet in its chamber, and the suspect made off

with two magazines containing 13 bullets each. DAMAGED PROPERTY A 2005 Chevrolet sustained $1,000 in estimated damage Monday at 6:10 p.m. in the 600 block of South Sumter Street after a group of six people reportedly threw branches at the vehicle and kicked, beat and scratched it with a park bench during an alleged attack on a Sumter woman.

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S.C. man guilty in murder-for-hire case CONWAY — A Nichols man has been sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of murder in a murder-for-hire scheme. Local media outlets report that 30-year-old Nehemiah James Evans entered the plea and was sentenced in Horry County Court on Monday. He was the last of three people sentenced in a case stemming from the August 2012 shooting deaths of 66-year-old Amos Hatfield of Loris and his 40-year-old son Thomas Hatfield. Earlier, Amos Hatfield’s wife, 43-year-old Sandy Lee Locklear, and 24-year-old Odom Bryant, were convicted of murder and both sentenced to life in prison. Prosecutors said that Locklear promised the two men $50,000 from a $1 million life insurance policy for shooting the Hatfields. The victims were shot at the elder Hatfield’s home.

STOLEN PROPERTY A 2013 Honda mo-ped was reported stolen from a yard in the 3400 block of Barkley Road before midnight Monday. A wireless remote valued at $250, an iPad Touch valued at $215, a GPS valued at $200, a wallet and ID/ credit cards valued at $105, $10 in change, $20 in cash, an assortment of pills valued at $25 and a blood pressure cuff valued

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LOCAL

THE SUMTER ITEM

Author of ‘Big Nate’ books visits Sumter school

Children’s author Lincoln Peirce gives Zac a T-shirt at the conclusion of his talk to St. Anne’s students on Thursday morning.

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Ian, a St. Anne Catholic School student, gets his stack of “Big Nate” books signed by the author Lincoln Peirce at the school Thursday. The author gave a talk about writing and illustrating children’s books and answered students’ questions.

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Coffee pod market pits Keurig vs. recyclables BY ELLEN KNICKMEYER The Associated Press LINCOLN, Calif. — One measure of how heated the environmental battle has become over coffee giant Keurig Green Mountain’s $5 billion-ayear plastic pods is how often the company’s opponents use galactic comparisons. Keurig, the single-serve coffee industry’s leader, produced enough plastic coffee pods last year to circle the earth more than 10 times, according to one analyst’s estimate, often cited by Keurig’s critics. A YouTube parody depicts aliens that look like Keurig’s plastic pods invading Earth. The company introduced a new coffee maker in time for Christmas that allowed only its pods, and the battle heated up again. It spawned parodies featuring Star Wars-style rebels challenging the “Keurig Empire” by hacking a machine to accept more environmentally friendly pods made by rivals. More than a dozen coffee manufacturers and other businesses are suing over what they claim is Keurig’s unfair efforts to shut out rival pods. “We’re under siege,” said Jon Rogers, patriarch of a California-based family coffee company whose soy and corn byproduct-based pods are

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Single-serve coffee pods, made of biodegradable materials, are seen being moved by conveyor for packaging recently at the Rogers Family Coffee Co. in Lincoln, California. The Rogers company, one of several coffee roasters who make single-serve coffee pods for use in Keurig Green Mountain’s single-serve coffee machines, is one of more than a dozen coffee makers and other businesses suing Keurig about what they claim is Keurig’s unfair trade efforts to shut out competing single-serve coffee rivals. among those that the new Keurig machine is engineered to reject. “It’s a matter of life and death for me.” Keurig says the fight boils down to how to make the best cup of coffee, and the company has pledged to come up with a fully recyclable pod of its own by 2020. The throw-away con-

tainers, both by Keurig and its competitors, allow coffee drinkers to get a quick cup without messy grounds. One reason Keurig is locked into plastic right now is that nothing else seems to keep the coffee inside the pods fresh like it does, said Monique Oxender, the company’s chief sus-

tainability officer. Keurig is seeking more environmentally friendly materials, she said. “We have to do that while protecting the quality of the coffee,” she said. If this sounds like a tempest in a coffee cup, it might be that you haven’t yet gotten a singleserve coffee brewer for Christ-

mas, which analysts say is how half the users get their start. Keurig’s product is reshaping the $40 billion U.S. coffee industry. Its annual report said it accounted for 30 percent of retail coffee sales last year. More than one in five U.S. households has one of Keurig’s single-serve coffee makers. “In their current form, they’re an environmental disaster,” said Kevin Knox, a coffeeindustry veteran and analyst who publishes and blogs on coffee and the global coffee trade. The controversy heated up when the company introduced its Keurig 2.0 last Christmas. Consumers complained about having to use only Keurig-affiliated brands, and environmentalists fumed about the steady stream of plastic pods to U.S. landfills. And analysts say holiday sales were disappointing. Coffee industry experts say Keurig also has stuck with plastic so far because it helps contain the carbon dioxide that roasted beans put off — early K-Cup prototypes had a problem with pods popping open. Makers of biodegradable and recyclable single-serve pods can deal with both problems by finely timing distribution to retailers, so the pods don’t sit around too long on store shelves, said Knox, the coffee blogger. Rogers, whose adult children help him run Rogers Family Coffee Co. in Lincoln, California, a half-hour from Sacramento, isn’t waiting for the lawsuits against Keurig to work their way through courts. His family recently produced a small black gizmo it calls the “Freedom Clip,” which they say lets consumers rig a Keurig 2.0 coffee machine so it accepts rival brands.

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HOUSING FROM PAGE A1 He also said raising the percapita income is key to making the city financially healthier. According to the report, Sumter retirees pay an average of $887 per month for housing costs, and if the mort-

gage has been paid off, the monthly costs are an average of $332. In related news, Sumter Board of Realtors reported a 7.2 percent increase in the number of houses sold in February compared to January. The board also reported that the average price for a house in Sumter, Lee and Clarendon counties is $129,038. Board executive director

WEATHER FROM PAGE A1 well-constructed houses may be leveled; structures with weak foundations are blown some distance; and cars can be thrown, generating large missiles, according to NWS. Naglic said the tornado seasons have been relatively quiet for the past few years. “The last really significant outbreak was back in 2008,” he said. The average year produces about 14 tornadoes in the Palmetto State, he said. What should a person do if a tornado is approaching? “The biggest thing for people is to know where to go,” Naglic said. “Get to the lowest level, interior part of whatever structure you are in. If you are at home, get in to the middle of the home — it can be a hallway, a closet or a bathroom. Basically you want as many walls as you can get between yourself and the outside of the building.” Tornadoes aren’t the only dangerous weather events to be watching for, Naglic said. “We can get some very large hail during the spring months, anywhere from quarter size to baseball size and of course damaging winds from downbursts,” he said. He also cautioned about the danger of lightning. “People need to realize lightning can strike up to 10 miles away from a storm,” he said. “It doesn’t need to be raining to get struck by lightning.”

Darlene Hebert said the board does not record the demographics of its clients so there is no way to determine how many of the homes were purchased by people 65 and older last month. Hebert said though there has been an increase in the number of homes sold in February, nothing drastic is expected to happen within the next six months.

JOBLESS FROM PAGE A1 Director Cheryl M. Stanton. “All of South Carolina should celebrate as the state’s economy continues to expand and add jobs.” Jay Schwedler, president and CEO of Sumter Economic Development, said his office doesn’t pay much attention to the unemployment numbers released each month. “We don’t base our efforts on what those indicators say,” Schwedler said. “It is typically three to six months behind what is happening here. They have never been a real good indicator of the health and wealth and struggles of a community.” Schwedler said the per-capita income numbers are a more accurate way to determine the economic

SUSPECT FROM PAGE A1 Doctors told investigators the man is expected to recover. According to reports from Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, the shooting unfolded shortly before 5:15 p.m. outside a home in the 1200 block of Alva Drive. Authorities at the scene Monday indicated the shots rang out during broad daylight while several people were outside in the tight-knit resi-

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THE SUMTER ITEM The city’s affordability is just one quality of many that has ranked nationally. Sumter recently ranked high in job growth and has seen a rise in those with a college education. Jay Schwedler, president and CEO of Sumter Economic Development, said it’s a great thing that Sumter has placed top on multiple national lists. “All of these rankings go right in line with what we do,”

health of a community. “As we have witnessed over the past six or eight years, our per-capita numbers have increased,” he said. “I don’t have much to say about the unemployment numbers that come out of the Bureau of Labor Statistics. I can tell you that we are not losing manufacturing jobs right now.” For a more accurate picture than the unemployment numbers, Kaglic said to look at labor demand and supply. “The total payroll employment data is established using the Current Establishment Survey as compared to the household survey,” he said. He said that survey includes establishments which cover 85 percent of all employment in the U.S., so it is a much more reliable estimate. Those numbers continue to look positive for

South Carolina, he said. “When you look at the labor demand side, the payroll employment has continued to grow faster than the nationwide average,” he said. “It seems labor demand is firmer here.” He said that is reflected in some of the regional data he sees. “For example, we put out our Carolinas Business Activity Survey, and it continues to show that more firms are hiring than firms that are firing,” he said. Initial unemployment claims remain very low, he said. “That reflects the job destruction side of things,” he said. “There is nothing in the numbers that changes the very robust demand for labor in South Carolina which has characterized the market for the past six to nine months or so,” Kaglic said.

dential area. Dozens of neighbors remained outside well into dusk looking on as deputies investigated the crime scene. Reports allege an armed Carter arrived at the scene in a black Ford Mustang and approached the victim at a cookout behind the residence where the shooting took place. As the Sumter man stood with a group of friends socializing, Carter reportedly pointed his gun and ordered him to empty his pockets, then demanded that everyone lay

on the ground. The teen then reportedly began kicking and pistolwhipping the victim. He then shot the man one time before fleeing the scene, witnesses told investigators. When deputies arrived on the scene, they found the victim had sustained a gunshot to the head as friends held his hand and talked to him, trying to keep him conscious. One witness told deputies Carter and the victim were engaged in a recent fight before Monday’s shooting.

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he said. Schwedler said the reports are positive factors that Sumter Economic Development can use when drawing in and retaining more industries. Sumter’s successes belong to everyone in the city, McElveen said. He said residents of Sumter deserve a pat on the back for their help in the city’s recent improvements and top marks.

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

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2015 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

Selma and voting rights triumph

arch 7 was the 50th anniversary of “Bloody Sunday,” the first attempt by black protesters to march from Selma, Alabama, to Montgomery to demand voting rights. Their march was brutally halted by Alabama state troopers acting under the orders of Gov. George Wallace. The protesters weren’t deterred. On March 25, 1965, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. led thousands to the completion of the 54-mile pilgrimage from Selma to Montgomery. Dr. King rightfully described the protest as “a shining moment in the conscience of man.” The march solidified support for the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Before 1965, there might have been three black mayors nationally. In 2003, the National Conference of Black Mayors put the total number of black mayors at more than 500. During the 1960s, there were fewer Walter than 10 black U.S. representaWilliams tives. Today there are 43. Since 1965, there have been three black state governors. Nationwide there are more than 10,000 black elected officials. There is no question that blacks have been successful in the political arena, recently capping off that success with the election of a black president. It shouldn’t be left out that since the ’60s, there has been a major transformation among whites. Much of black political success could not have been achieved without white votes. Black leaders stress the importance of political power and getting out the vote, but we might ask how important political power is to the ordinary black person. As a start toward answering that question, we might examine black life in cities where blacks hold considerable political power. Detroit is the nation’s most dangerous city. Rounding out Forbes magazine’s 2013 list of the 10 most dangerous cities are Oakland, California; St. Louis; Memphis, Tennessee; Stockton, California; Birmingham, Alabama; Baltimore; Cleveland; Atlanta; and Milwaukee. According to a recent American Community Survey by the U.S. Census Bureau, the 10 poorest cities with populations of more than 250,000 are Detroit, with 33 percent of its residents below the poverty line; Buffalo, New York, 30 percent; Cincinnati, 28 percent; Cleveland, 27 percent; Miami, 27 percent; St. Louis, 27 percent; El Paso, Texas, 26 percent; Milwaukee, 26 percent; Philadelphia, 25 percent; and Newark, New Jersey, 24 percent. In addition to poverty, there is grossly inferior education and high welfare dependency in these cities. The most common feature of these cities is that for decades, all of them have had Democratic administrations. Some cities — such as Detroit, Buffalo, Newark and Philadelphia — haven’t elected a Republican mayor for more than a half-century. What’s more is that in most of these cities, blacks have been mayors, chiefs of police, school superintendents and principals and have dominated city councils. In 2008, we saw the election of a black president. Blacks came out in historic numbers to vote for Barack Obama. Many Americans thought the election of a black president meant that problems of race would be solved and we were moving toward a “post-racial” society. Evidence from the past six years points otherwise. You might ask, “What’s the point, Williams?” Let’s be clear about what I am saying and not saying. I am not suggesting there’s a causal relationship between crime, poverty and squalor on the one hand and Democratic and black political power on the other. Nor am I suggesting that blacks ought to vote Republican. What I am saying is that if one is strategizing on how to improve the lives of ordinary — and particularly the poorest — black people, he wants to leave off his high-priority to-do list the election of Democrats and black politicians. Also to be left off the to-do list is a civil rights agenda. Perhaps the biggest roadblock to finding solutions is the widely held vision that the major problem confronting blacks is discrimination. I am not arguing that every vestige of discrimination has been eliminated. I am arguing that the devastating problems facing a large proportion of the black community are not civil rights problems. The solutions will not be found in the political or civil rights arena. Walter E. Williams is a professor of economics at George Mason University. © 2015 CREATORS.COM

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR WE WON’T HAVE PROGRESS WITH FUNDING YEARS BEHIND With the draconian defect of the proposed bond issue, the libraries of USC and Sumter County will continue to slip further behind. The lack of funding is years behind and is unconscionable. These reductions have affected both materials and staffing. Fortunately, the mechatronics program is a reality. The lack of funding is “penny wise and pound foolish.” We should not expect progress when funding is years behind. We have come a long way since “The Gutenberg Bible” was printed in 1453. Bonds provide buildings and materials — this is spelled progress. Momentum cannot be sustained in the areas where funding is years behind. ED MCDILL Librarian/paralegal/retired Sumter

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BILL IS NOW GUN CONTROL BILL Just read Friday’s “Editorial Roundup.” Our elected officials fighting over words, all this “PC” stuff is costing us time and money. Some people in this world deserve all the respect we can give them; others don’t deserve any, and elected officials are right near the top of that list. We all have to accept that. But what really got me was our elected officials set out to write a domestic violence bill and ended up with a gun control bill. I’m over 70 and I’ve read or

seen hundreds of domestic violence cases, but never have I seen one caused by guns. Alcohol is probably the main cause followed by money and failure to press charges last time. Guns get dragged in when someone blows his or her cool. But no one wants to face the real problem, so we turn it into a gun thing and probably before it is over a case of take away the guns when the charges are filed and let the guy prove he is innocent, sort of backwards. J.R. ODYA Sumter

IF YOU WANT A JOB HERE, YOU CAN’T SMOKE POT Washington, D.C., our nation’s capital, has gone to pot. How long will it be before our state legalizes the use of marijuana? Legalization will have a major impact on our overburdened criminal justice system since the majority of our inmates are incarcerated for non-violent drug charges. A greatly reduced prison population will free up needed revenue that can be directed to other major problems. While our roads and bridges are deteriorating, our public education system is only providing a minimally adequate education, women are profoundly killed in domestic violence relationships and our social service agency is dysfunctional. This so-called “War on Drugs” that targeted African Americans from the very beginning is a complete failure. Americans of all races and levels of income use illegal

drugs. Let’s be realistic; doctors, lawyers, clergies, engineers, politicians, teachers, laborers and service workers smoke pot. Attitudes about pot have greatly changed. Now that smoking pot is legal in the state of Washington, Colorado and the District of Columbia, more people think that pot causes less problems than alcohol. Because alcohol is legal, will legalizing pot be good for America? I have worked in the substance abuse field for more than 35 years. While in the U.S. Air Force and stationed at Shaw Air Force Base, I became a drug and alcohol counselor in 1974. During that time, the military had a problem with members who smoked pot and used other illegal drugs. The Air Force made it mandatory that all members attend a drug and alcohol education program. The message was very clear. The Air Force needed people who were mentally alert and highly proficient at all times. Today, if you want a career in the military, you can’t smoke pot. Economic development in Sumter County has created the need for a technically advanced workforce. Local industries, such as the Air Force, need people who are mentally alert and proficient at all times. The bottom line is, if you want a job with an industry in Sumter County, you can’t smoke pot. A bright future trumps a short high. EUGENE R. BATEN Sumter

WHO REPRESENTS YOU SUMTER COUNTY COUNCIL DISTRICT 1 Naomi D. Sanders 5605 Borden Road Rembert, SC 29128 (803) 499-3947 (home) DISTRICT 2 Artie Baker 3680 Bakersfield Lane Dalzell, SC 29040 803-469-3638 (home) DISTRICT 3 James Byrd Jr. 13 E. Canal St. Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 468-1719 (mobile) (803) 778-0796 (office) (803) 436-2108 (Fax) jbyrd@sumtercountysc.org DISTRICT 4 Charles T. Edens 760 Henderson St. Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 775-0044 (home) (803) 236-5759 (mobile) DISTRICT 5 Vivian Fleming-McGhaney 9770 Lynches River Road Lynchburg, SC 29080 (803) 437-2797 (home) (803) 495-3247 (office) DISTRICT 6 James T. McCain Jr. 317 W. Bartlette St. Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 773-2353 (home) (803) 607-2777 (mobile)

DISTRICT 7 Eugene Baten P.O. Box 3193 Sumter, SC 29151 (803) 773-0815 (home) SUMTER CITY COUNCIL MAYOR Joseph T. McElveen Jr. 20 Buford St. Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 773-0382 jmcelveen@sumter-sc.com WARD 1 Thomas J. Lowery 829 Legare St. Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 773-9298 tlowery@sumter-sc.com WARD 2 Ione Dwyer P.O. Box 1492 Sumter, SC 29151 (803) 481-4284 idwyer@sumter-sc.com WARD 3 Calvin K. Hastie Sr. 810 S. Main St. Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 774-7776 chastie@sumter-sc.com WARD 4 Colleen Yates cyates@sumter-sc.com

WARD 5 Robert Galiano 608 Antlers Drive Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 469-0005 bgaliano@sumter-sc.com WARD 6 David Merchant 26 Paisley Park Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 773-1086 dmerchant@sumter-sc.com STATE LAWMAKERS Rep. Grady Brown, D-Bishopville District 50 420 S. Main St. Bishopville, SC 29010 (803) 484-6832 (home) (803) 734-2934 (Columbia) Rep. Joe Neal, D-Hopkins District 70 P.O. Box 5 Hopkins, SC 29061 (803) 776-0353 (home) (803) 734-9142 (fax) (803) 734-2804 (Columbia) jn@schouse.org Rep. Dr. Robert L. Ridgeway III, D-Clarendon District 64 117 N. Brooks St. Manning, SC 29102 (803) 938-3087 (home) (803) 212-6929 (Columbia)

Rep. Murrell Smith Jr., R-Sumter District 67 P.O. Box 580 Sumter, SC 29151 (803) 778-2471 (business) (803) 778-1643 (fax) (803) 734-3042 (Columbia) murrellsmith@schouse.gov Rep. J. David Weeks, D-Sumter District 51 2 Marlborough Court Sumter, SC 29154 (803) 775-5856 (business) (803) 734-3102 (Columbia) Sen. Gerald Malloy, D-Darlington District 29 1216 Salem Road Hartsville, SC 29550 (843) 339-3000 (803) 212-6148 (Columbia) Sen. Kevin L. Johnson, D-Manning District 36 P.O. Box 156, Manning, 29102 (803) 435-8117 (home) (803) 212-6108 (Columbia) Sen. J. Thomas McElveen III, D-Sumter District 35 P. O. Box 57, Sumter, 29151 (803) 775-1263 (business (803) 212-6132 (Columbia)

NATIONAL LAWMAKERS Rep. Mick Mulvaney — 5th District 1207 Longworth HOB Washington, D.C. 20515 (202) 225-5501 531-A Oxford Drive Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 327-1114 Rep. Jim Clyburn — 6th District 319 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 (202) 225-3315 1703 Gervais St. Columbia, SC 29201 (803) 799-1100 jclyburn@hr.house.gov Sen. Lindsey Graham 290 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 (202) 224-5972 Midlands Regional Office 508 Hampton Street, Suite 202 Columbia, SC 29201 (803) 933-0112 (main) Sen. Tim Scott 167 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 (202) 224-6121 (202) 228-5143 (fax) 1301 Gervais St., Suite 825 Columbia, SC 29201 (803) 771-6112 (803) 771-6455 (fax)

HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY? Send your letter to letters@theitem.com, drop it off at The Sumter Item office, 20 N. Magnolia St., or mail it to The Sumter Item, P.O. Box 1677, Sumter, SC 29151, along with the writer’s full name, 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.

A10

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2015

SUPPORT GROUPS AA, AL-ANON, ALATEEN: AA — Monday-Friday, noon and 5:30 p.m.; Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m., 1 Warren St. (803) 775-1852. AA Women’s Meeting — Wednesday, 7 p.m., 1 Warren St. (803) 775-1852. AA Spanish Speaking — Sunday, 4:30 p.m., 1 Warren St. (803) 775-1852. AA “How it Works” Group — Monday and Friday, 8 p.m., 1154 Ronda St. Call (803) 494-5180. Al-Anon “Courage to Change” Support Group — Tuesday, 7 p.m., Alice Drive Baptist Church, Room 204, 1305 Loring Mill Road. Call Dian at (803) 316-0775 or Crystal at (803) 775-3587. 441 AA Support Group — Monday, Tuesday and Friday, 8:30 p.m., Hair Force, 2090-D S.C. 441. AA Summerton Group — Wednesday, 8 p.m., town hall. Manning Al-Anon Family Group — Thursday, 7:30 p.m., Behavioral Health Building, 14 Church St., Manning. Call Angie Johnson at (803) 4358085. C/A “Drop the Rock” Group — Thursday, 9:30 p.m., 1154 Ronda St. Call Elizabeth Owens at (803) 607-4543.

MONDAY MEETINGS: Sumter Vitiligo Support Group — second Monday of each month, 5:45-6:45 p.m., North HOPE Center, 904 N. Main St. Call Tiffany at (803) 3166763. Find us on Facebook at Sumter Vitiligo Support.

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) — Every Tuesday, 6 p.m., Wise Drive Baptist Church. Call Betty at (803) 469-2616 or Carol at (803) 469-9426. EFMP Parent Exchange Group — Last Tuesday each month, 11 a.m.-noon, Airman and Family Readiness Center. Support to service members who have a dependent with a disability or illness. Call Dorcus Haney at (803) 895-1252/1253 or Sue

Zimmerman at (803) 8472377.

WEDNESDAY MEETINGS: Sickle Cell Support Group — last Wednesday each month, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., South Sumter Resource Center, 337 Manning Ave. Call Bertha Willis at (803) 774-6181.

THURSDAY MEETINGS: TOPS S.C. No. 236 (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) — Thursdays, 9 a.m., Spectrum Senior Center,1989 Durant Lane. Call Diane at (803) 775-3926 or Nancy at (803) 469-4789. Asthma Support Group — Every 1st Thursday, 6 p.m., Clarendon County School District 3 Parenting Center, 2358 Walker Gamble Road, New Zion. Call Mary Howard at (843) 659-2102. Alzheimer’s Support Group through S.C. Alzheimer’s Association — Every 1st Thursday, 6-8 p.m., McElveen Manor, 2065 McCrays Mill Road. Call Cheryl Fluharty at (803) 905-7720 or the Alzheimer’s Association at (800) 636-3346. Journey of Hope (for families 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 Harmon 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. Contact Kevin Johnson at (803) 7780303.

SATURDAY MEETINGS: Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy/ Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Support Group — 1:30 p.m. every third Saturday, 3785 Blackberry Lane, Lot 7. Call Donna Parker at (803) 481-7521.

TUOMEY REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER BOARD Monday, March 23, noon, Tuomey

THE SUMTER ITEM

WEATHER

AccuWeather® ﬁve-day forecast for Sumter TODAY

TONIGHT

Cooler with clouds and sun

THURSDAY

Cloudy with spotty Cooler with periods showers late of rain

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Warmer; a passing morning shower

Chance for a couple of showers

Cloudy

65°

46°

56° / 48°

73° / 53°

72° / 53°

65° / 43°

Chance of rain: 5%

Chance of rain: 60%

Chance of rain: 65%

Chance of rain: 55%

Chance of rain: 30%

Chance of rain: 25%

ENE 7-14 mph

ESE 4-8 mph

NE 7-14 mph

NNW 6-12 mph

ESE 6-12 mph

ENE 6-12 mph

TODAY’S SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER

Gaﬀney 63/45 Spartanburg 63/46

Greenville 64/46

Columbia 67/47

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

IN THE MOUNTAINS

Sumter 65/46

Aiken 66/47

ON THE COAST

Charleston 65/50

Today: Cooler with intervals of clouds and sunshine. High 62 to 66. Thursday: Mostly cloudy with showers. High 58 to 63.

LOCAL ALMANAC

LAKE LEVELS

SUMTER THROUGH 4 P.M. YESTERDAY

Today Hi/Lo/W 66/50/pc 50/37/pc 69/59/t 50/28/s 74/62/t 74/59/c 78/63/sh 39/28/pc 85/66/pc 45/29/pc 76/62/c 68/52/s 52/36/s

SUN AND MOON 7 a.m. yest. 358.19 75.24 74.89 97.53

24-hr chg +0.10 -0.05 -0.02 -0.08

RIVER STAGES

Thu. Hi/Lo/W 55/48/r 52/40/pc 74/62/c 46/31/pc 78/63/c 74/57/c 79/64/sh 43/30/s 86/65/pc 48/32/pc 81/63/c 69/52/s 54/39/pc

Flood 7 a.m. 24-hr stage yest. chg 12 9.38 +0.04 19 4.34 -0.34 14 8.70 -0.05 14 4.67 -0.23 80 77.78 -0.20 24 6.78 -0.19

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

0.00" 2.16" 2.22" 13.22" 8.95" 9.64"

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

Full pool 360 76.8 75.5 100

Lake Murray Marion Moultrie Wateree

83° 55° 67° 41° 84° in 2002 26° in 1970

Precipitation 24 hrs ending 4 p.m. yest. Month to date Normal month to date Year to date Last year to date Normal year to date

Myrtle Beach 58/48

Manning 65/45

Today: Cooler with clouds and sun. Winds east-southeast 4-8 mph. Thursday: Cooler with periods of rain. Winds northeast 6-12 mph.

Temperature High Low Normal high Normal low Record high Record low

Florence 64/47

Bishopville 64/44

Sunrise 7:29 a.m. Moonrise 6:05 a.m.

Sunset Moonset

7:32 p.m. 5:51 p.m.

New

First

Full

Last

Mar. 20

Mar. 27

Apr. 4

Apr. 11

TIDES AT MYRTLE BEACH

Today Thu.

High 8:06 a.m. 8:22 p.m. 9:00 a.m. 9:17 p.m.

Ht. 3.4 3.4 3.5 3.6

Low 2:24 a.m. 2:58 p.m. 3:21 a.m. 3:49 p.m.

Ht. -0.6 -0.7 -0.9 -1.0

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

Today Hi/Lo/W 63/42/pc 67/47/pc 68/46/pc 66/53/pc 48/38/s 65/50/pc 61/44/pc 67/48/pc 67/47/pc 63/45/pc 53/36/s 61/44/pc 60/43/pc

Thu. Hi/Lo/W 47/42/r 51/45/r 56/46/r 63/55/sh 52/47/c 63/54/sh 51/44/r 52/47/r 56/47/r 55/46/r 52/40/c 59/47/c 58/45/r

Today City Hi/Lo/W Florence 64/47/pc Gainesville 79/61/pc Gastonia 62/45/pc Goldsboro 57/42/pc Goose Creek 66/50/pc Greensboro 58/43/pc Greenville 64/46/pc Hickory 61/43/pc Hilton Head 63/55/pc Jacksonville, FL 72/59/pc La Grange 72/55/c Macon 69/51/pc Marietta 67/49/pc

Thu. Hi/Lo/W 57/48/sh 80/58/pc 51/44/r 57/44/c 62/54/sh 49/42/r 51/45/r 48/43/r 63/56/sh 75/57/pc 66/54/sh 60/48/sh 54/47/r

Today City Hi/Lo/W Marion 64/42/pc Mt. Pleasant 64/52/pc Myrtle Beach 58/48/pc Orangeburg 66/47/pc Port Royal 64/54/pc Raleigh 58/40/pc Rock Hill 63/43/pc Rockingham 62/42/pc Savannah 67/54/pc Spartanburg 63/46/pc Summerville 63/55/pc Wilmington 60/43/pc Winston-Salem 60/43/pc

Thu. Hi/Lo/W 47/42/r 62/56/sh 59/52/sh 58/49/sh 62/56/sh 52/41/r 51/44/r 52/45/r 66/56/sh 51/45/r 62/56/sh 60/50/c 49/43/r

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

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

DAILY PLANNER

SANTEE WATEREE RTA BOARD OF DIRECTORS Monday, March 23, 6 p.m., 129 S. Harvin St. For special accommodations, call (803) 9340396, extension 103.

WITH WI T EQU EQUAL Q AL PAYMENTS S

NO INTEREST TILL JANUARY 2020 803-795-4257

The last word ARIES (March 21-April 19): in astrology Someone EUGENIA LAST from your past will remind you of your dreams and inspire you to make them come true. Meet change with optimism and energy. A contract deserves consideration but shouldn’t sway you to settle for less than what you want. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You’ll have problems finishing what you start if you put others first. Don’t feel you have to say yes to everyone who wants something from you in order to be loved. Take care of what’s important to you. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Keep a close watch over what your colleagues, peers or superiors do and say. Knowing exactly what’s expected of you will help alleviate professional problems or misunderstandings. A change at home will turn out to be more beneficial than expected. CANCER (June 21-July 22): Uncertainty or making impulsive moves won’t turn out well. Put time, effort and energy into developing skills or creative talents that can separate you from any competition. Love is in the stars. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Change will give you the boost you need to follow through with your plans and reach your goals. You’ll have to be careful how you handle debt, money and other people’s possessions. Don’t take a risk with something that doesn’t belong to you. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Don’t limit what you can do by taking on responsibilities that don’t belong to you. Invest time, money and talent into your future, not someone else’s. Engage in a little romance and you’ll discourage an

See details a See at www.boykinacs.com

argument. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): What you learn from helping others will aid you in getting ahead professionally. Take a leadership position and embrace change. What you stand for and accomplish will be impressive. Be sure to take the credit and rewards you deserve. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Take time to do the things you enjoy or to turn your home into a userfriendly atmosphere that is conducive to expanding on the ideas, skills and goals you want to pursue. Romance will help you improve your mood and your home environment. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): You’ll meet interesting people if you travel or attend a conference geared toward future trends, fitness and nutrition or technological insight. Don’t be gullible; ask questions if something seems too good to be true.

LOTTERY NUMBERS PALMETTO CASH 5 TUESDAY

POWERBALL SATURDAY

MEGAMILLIONS TUESDAY

2-22-35-37-38 PowerUp: 2

8-14-39-46-47 Powerball: 18; Powerplay: 2

numbers not available at press time

PICK 3 TUESDAY

PICK 4 TUESDAY

LUCKY FOR LIFE MONDAY

0-5-0 and 6-6-7

7-8-8-6 and 6-7-4-1

1-18-22-37-40; Lucky Ball: 13

PICTURES FROM THE PUBLIC

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Take your time, rely on facts and refuse to be pushed into an awkward position. Stick close to home and do your best to improve your surroundings to suit your needs. An old friend will help you solve a problem. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Look at your options and strive to reach your goals. You can step into the spotlight and present what you have to offer with confidence. Success is within reach if you don’t hesitate to make your move. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Emotional matters will slow you down. Deception is apparent, and double-checking all the information you’re given will be necessary to avoid making a costly mistake. Work on personal improvements, not on trying to change someone you love.

Mariel Ferrell shares a photo she took of her daughters, Juliet and Beatrice Jones, enjoying a beautiful day at Swan Lake-Iris Gardens.

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

Howard tops Manhattan in play-in game B4

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2015

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

COLLEGE TENNIS

USC Sumter hires PTC director Kiser as 1st coach BY MICHAEL CHRISTOPHER michaelc@theitem.com As the Palmetto Tennis Center Director of Tennis, Sam Kiser has been instrumental in aiding the growth of tennis in Sumter, and now he’ll get the opportunity to do so on the collegiate level. Kiser was named the University of South Carolina Sumter men’s and women’s head tennis coach, while continuing to serve as PTC

director. “We could not ask for a more qualified leader of this new program,” USCS athletic director Lynwood Watts said in a press release. “We are thrilled to have Coach Kiser as our new coach.” The Fire Ants tennis squads will begin their inaugural seasons in the fall of 2015 and will call PTC home. Both squads will compete at the same time in a dual match format.

Kiser, who is a native of Mayesville, played tennis at USC Sumter in 1971-72 under Porter Adams when it KISER was Clemson University at Sumter. The program had several nationally ranked teams and conference champions before it was disbanded in ‘79. “We’re starting at ground zero with a previous tradition,

and I think that’s what makes it somewhat easier,” Kiser said. Despite being behind in the recruiting process, Kiser doesn’t feel like he’ll have an issue finding players. “I think (our facilities) are going to be a huge recruiting tool because this is better than most (NCAA) Division I facilities,” he said. “The city has done a great job of building this facility. Most major Division I (schools) don’t have

any better; they might be as nice, but they don’t have any better, so that’ll be a big recruiting tool.” Kiser is aiming to fill each team with at least eight players and compete in Division II tournaments to build experience. USCS will compete in fall tournaments and have 35 dates between the fall and spring to compete before Region X play, which doesn’t

SEE KISER, PAGE B2

PREP BASEBALL

PREP GOLF

Hitting their stride

Dallery, SHS win Magnolia Invitational BY EDDIE LITAKER Special to The Sumter Item

Spittle,” Shumake said. “That really put us in control of the game.” South Florence starting pitcher Patrick Loveless retired the side in order in the first. However, the Gamecocks got a good look at the left-hander as Javon Martin,

Sumter High School’s varsity golf team held off a hardcharging Lexington High School squad in Tuesday’s second round play of the 18-team Magnolia Invitational at Beech Creek Golf Plantation to earn a 3-stroke victory over the Wildcats. The Gamecocks held a 10-stroke advantage over DALLERY Lexington and were 11 ahead of Hilton Head Christian after Monday’s opening round. Senior Charlie Dallery paced the Gamecocks Monday with a 2-under par 70, tied with Northwestern’s Miles Baldwin for individual low score honors in the round. Tuesday brought high winds that wreaked havoc on individual and team scores, for the most part. Dallery’s secondround score was a 5-over 77, which was still good enough to bring him medalist honors for the tourney with a 3-over 147. “Day 1 was just perfect scoring weather. You go out there, shoot a couple under par and call it a day,” said Dallery, who has signed to play collegiately at Gardner-Webb. “Today, you just had to grind. The wind was up 10- to 15-miles an hour, so you just had to grind it out. I got off to a rough start and I was fighting back all the way.” Dallery’s second-round 77 was equaled by Ashley Ridge’s Zak Butt, who carded a 5-over 149 to take second-place individual honors. Also earning an individual medal was Aiken’s Alex Skiff, who bucked the second-round trend and shot a par round of 72 to follow up an opening-round 78 for a final tally of 150. Lexington was one of seven teams to improve their total score on Tuesday, finishing

SEE GAMECOCKS, PAGE B3

SEE SHS, PAGE B3

KEITH GEDAMKE / THE SUMTER ITEM

Sumter starting pitcher Chris Crawford delivers a pitch during the Gamecocks’ 10-1 victory over South Florence on Tuesday at Gamecock Field. It was the Region VI-4A opener for SHS.

Gamecocks use 7-run inning to pull away from Bruins 10-1 in Region VI-4A opener BY DENNIS BRUNSON dennis@theitem.com Brooks Shumake insists that pitching and limiting mistakes is the key to success in high school baseball. His Sumter High School Gamecocks made offense a key in their Region VI-4A opener against South Flor-

ence on Tuesday. SHS picked up 10 hits and had a 7-run sixth inning to pick up a 10-1 victory at Gamecock Field. Sumter improved to 4-4 overall, while SF dropped to 5-2. “With the way the game is today, any time you can get 10 hits and get those hits at key times, you have a chance

to be successful,” Shumake said. James Barnes carried SHS early on with a solo home run in the second and an RBI double in a 2-run fourth. Brandon Spittle broke the game open in the sixth with a 3-run triple that pushed the lead to 6-1. “That was a big hit by

USC FOOTBALL

Spurrier, South Carolina seek quick turnaround on defense BY PETE IACOBELLI The Associated Press COLUMBIA — South Carolina got started on spring workouts Tuesday, looking to shore up a defense that fell terribly short of expectations a year ago. The drop off from the Gamecocks’ three previous 11-2 seasons between 2011 and 2013 was so severe, coach Steve Spurrier called on good friend Jon Hoke to straighten things out as South Carolina’s co-defensive coordinator alongside long-

time group leader Lorenzo Ward. Hoke and Ward said Tuesday that the six weeks or so they shared a title has gone smoothly. “He fits in everywhere because he’s a good person, good guy,” Spurrier said. “He’s been around a lot of really sharp coaches and I think he’s a sharp coach.” “But,” Spurrier followed, “he’s got a lot of work to do.” The Gamecocks were one of the best defenses in the Southeastern Con-

ference those three seasons from 2011-13. They ranked second behind Alabama in scoring defense and fifth in overall yards in 2013, giving up 350 yards a game. Those squads were anchored by first-round draft picks in cornerback Stephon Gilmore of Buffalo and defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, the No. 1 overall pick by the Houston Texans last spring. With such standouts gone, South Carolina

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

South Carolina began spring practice on Tuesday with an eye on improving a defense SEE USC, PAGE B2 that fell well below expectations during a disappointing 2014 season.

SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2015

BOYS AREA ROUNDUP

WH tennis sweeps Pinewood Wilson Hall’s varsity boys tennis team swept Pinewood Prep 9-0 at Palmetto Tennis Center on Tuesday. The Barons improved to 4-0 on the season. SINGLES 1 -- Brown (WH) defeated Holouvak 6-0, 6-0. 2 -- Davis (WH defeated Garcia 6-0, 6-0. 3 -- Hendrix (WH) defeated Diffley 6-4, 6-3. 4 - -Stover (WH) defeated McConnell 6-0, 6-1. 5 -- Thompson (WH) defeated Olaru 6-2, 6-1. 6 -- Stone (WH) defeated Pierce 6-0, 6-0. DOUBLES 1 -- Brown/Davis (WH) defeated Holouvak/ Garcia 8-0. 2 -- Hendrix/Stover (WH) defeated Diffley/ McConnell 8-0. 3 -- Thompson/Stone (WH) defeated Olaur/ Pierce 8-0.

VARSITY GOLF WILSON HALL WINS REGION MATCH

ST. MATTHEWS -- Wilson Hall won a SCISA Region II-3A match on Tuesday at Calhoun Country Club. The Barons won the match with a low score of 150. Calhoun Academy finished second with a score of 154 followed by Thomas Sumter (164), Orangeburg Prep (175) and Laurence Manning Academy (184). Wilson Hall’s Christian Salzer was the match medalist with a low of 35. Walker Jones and Raines Waggett each shot a 38 and Easton Ward carded a 39 to complete the scoring for the Barons. James Bracewell was the low scorer for TSA with a score of 39.

JUNIOR VARSITY SOCCER WILSON HALL 5 HARTSVILLE 0 HARTSVILLE -- Frampton Macloskie scored three goals to lead Wil-

son Hall to a 5-0 victory over Hartsville Middle School on Tuesday at the Hartsville field. Mills Herlong and Blake Richardson each had a goal to go along with Macloskie’s hat trick. The Barons are 3-2-1. SUMTER 5 HARTSVILLE 0

Sumter High School improved to 3-0 with a 5-0 victory over Hartsville High School on Tuesday at the SHS field. The Gamecocks were led by Blake Drown’s two goals, which were assisted by Connor McAlister and Travis Disher. McAlister scored one goal on an assist from Walker Barber. Chase Hayes scored one goal, assisted by Kwajo Boateng. Michael Perry earned the shutout in goal and had five saves.

JUNIOR VARSITY BASEBALL LAURENCE MANNING 8 FLORENCE CHRISTIAN 0 FLORENCE -- Laurence Manning Academy shut out Florence Christian School 8-0 on Tuesday at the FCS field. Jake Jordan was the winning pitcher and had two hits along with Dawson Hatfield for LMA. DARLINGTON 11 LAKEWOOD 0

DARLINGTON—Lakewood High School committed five errors and fell 11-0 to Darlington on Tuesday at the Darlington field. The Gators fell to 1-1.

GIRLS AREA ROUNDUP

Lady Barons softball stays unbeaten Wilson Hall’s varsity softball team improved to 5-0 on the season with a 3-2 victory over Gray Collegiate Academy on Tuesday at Patriot Park SportPlex. Holly Scott earned the win in the circle for the Barons, allowing just three hits and striking out 10. Scott also contributed a run batted in. Betsy Cunningham and Danielle deHoll each had two hits and a run batted in to lead WH offensively.

JV SOFTBALL SUMTER 16-8 SOUTH FLORENCE 8-4 FLORENCE—Sumter High School swept a doubleheader against South Florence on Monday at the SF field. Sumter won by the scores of 16-8 and 8-4. In the first game, Brianna Timmons earned the win in the circle as she struck out four batters. Offensively, Raven Williams led the team with four hits. Cady Murray, Erin McCaffrey

and Sarah Richardson each had three hits. McCaffrey had three runs batted in to lead the team while Richardson had an RBI. Murray was the winning pitcher in Game 2 with two strikeouts. Offensively, Olivia Mitchum led the Lady Gamecocks with three hits. Gabby Kirkman went 3-for-3 with two RBI and an inside-thepark home run. Murray added two hits and two RBI. Alexis Jacobs contributed two hits and an RBI.

THE SUMTER ITEM

SCOREBOARD TV, RADIO TODAY

6 a.m. – Major League Exhibition Baseball: Minnesota vs. Baltimore from Sarasota, Fla. (MLB NETWORK). 9 a.m. – Major League Exhibition Baseball: Miami vs. New York Mets from Port St. Lucie, Fla. (MLB NETWORK). 11 a.m. – International Soccer: UEFA Champions League Second Leg Round-of-16 Match – Bayer Leverkusen vs. Atletico Madrid (FOX SPORTS 1). 3:30 p.m. – International Soccer: UEFA Champions League Second Leg Round-of-16 Match – Manchester City vs. Barcelona (FOX SPORTS 1). 3:30 p.m. – International Soccer: UEFA Champions League Second Leg Round-of-16 Match – Juventus vs. Borussia Dortmund (FOX SPORTS 2). 4 p.m. – Major League Exhibition Baseball: Oakland vs. Seattle from Peoria, Ariz. (MLB NETWORK). 5 p.m. – PGA Golf: Arnold Palmer Pro-Am Day from Orlando, Fla. (GOLF). 6 p.m. – Major League Exhibition Baseball: Atlanta vs. New York Yankees from Kissimmee, Fla. (SPORTSOUTH). 6:05 p.m. – Talk Show: Sports Talk (WPUB-FM 102.7, WDXY-FM 105.9, WDXY-AM 1240). 7 p.m. – College Softball: Indiana at Kentucky (SEC NETWORK). 8 p.m. – NBA Basketball: Orlando at Dallas (ESPN). 8 p.m. – International Soccer: CONCACAF Champions League Semifinal First Leg Match – Alajuelense vs. Montreal (FOX SPORTS 2, UNIVISION). 8 p.m. – Major League Exhibition Baseball: Detroit vs. Pittsburgh (MLB NETWORK). 8 p.m. – NHL Hockey: Chicago at New York Rangers (NBC SPORTS NETWORK). 10:30 p.m. – NBA Basketball: Atlanta at Golden State (ESPN). 10:30 p.m. – NHL Hockey: Los Angeles at Anaheim (NBC SPORTS NETWORK). 10:30 p.m. – International Soccer: Mexican League Match – Jaguares vs. Guadalajara (UNIVISION).

PREP SCHEDULE Varsity Baseball

Crestwood at Swansea, 6:30 p.m. Lakewood at Wilson, 6:30 p.m. Manning at Laurence Manning, 6:30 p.m. Lee Central at Timmonsville, 6 p.m. East Clarendon at Dillon, 6:30 p.m. Wilson Hall at Calhoun Academy, 7 p.m. Junior Varsity Baseball Crestwood at Marlboro County, 6:30 p.m. B Team Baseball Ridge View at Sumter, 6 p.m. Junior Varsity Golf Lugoff-Elgin at Sumter (at Beech Creek Golf Club), 4:30 p.m. Varsity Boys Soccer First Baptist at Wilson Hall, 5 p.m. Varsity Girls Soccer Lakewood at Wilson, 7:30 p.m. Junior Varsity Girls Soccer Wilson at Lakewood, 6 p.m. Varsity Softball Manning at Marlboro County, 7 p.m. Lee Central at Timmonsville, 6 p.m. Thomas Sumter at East Clarendon, 6:30 p.m. Junior Varsity Softball Lakewood at Wilson, 5:30 p.m. Manning at Marlboro County, 5:30 p.m. Thomas Sumter at East Clarendon, 5 p.m. Robert E. Lee at Wilson Hall, 4 p.m. B Team Softball Andrew Jackson Academy at Clarendon Hall, 4 p.m. Varsity Boys Tennis Manning at Darlington, 5 p.m. Wilson Hall at Marlboro Academy, 4 p.m. Varsity Track and Field Crestwood, Spring Valley at Lugoff-Elgin, 5:30 p.m. Manning at Timberland, 5 p.m. Laurence Manning at Wilson Hall, 3:45 p.m. Robert E. Lee at Orangeburg Prep, 4 p.m.

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

W 11 7 9 7 10 8 7 7 6 7 6 5 6 6 4

L 4 3 5 4 6 6 6 7 6 7 7 7 9 11 12

could not keep things going on the defensive side. It slid to 13th out of 14 in SEC overall defense, allowing 80 more yards a game. Worse, yet, were the fourth-quarterback collapses where the Gamecocks gave up double-digit, fourth-quarter leads to lose games to Missouri, Kentucky and Tennessee. Hoke is taking things step by step. He’s putting in South Carolina’s base 4-3 in early drills, ensuring his guys master that before getting more complex. “I want to set that foundation,” Hoke said. Linebacker Skai Moore, the team’s top tackler the past two years, said Hoke and Ward have blended well. The players, he said, have stepped up their attitudes. “It’s more of a sense of urgency, everyone has to be running,” said Moore, who’ll be a junior next fall. “It’s high intensity.” Along with Hoke, the Gamecocks brought in several potential playmakers on that side of the ball, including linebacker Marquavius Lewis and defensive lineman Dexter Wideman.

Lewis was active during team drills. Wideman, though, will have to wait on his South Carolina practice debut because he had academic work to catch up on, Spurrier said. Spurrier and Ward, the other defensive coordinator, expected Wideman back on the field later this week. Adding Hoke was an easy call for Spurrier. Hoke led Spurrier’s defense at Florida from 1999-2001 and was among the head ball coach’s initial calls when he returned to college football at South Carolina after the 2004 season. Hoke was in the midst of his time as an NFL assistant then. He’s spent the past 13 years with coaching defensive backs with the Houston Texans and Chicago Bears. Returning to college wasn’t much of a transition at all, Hoke said after workouts. He found the players eager to learn and more than ready to wipe away last year’s performance when the Gamecocks finished 7-6. “We’re trying to get everyone to play fast and physical,” he said. “When they don’t think they have an opportunity to play fast and physical. That’s what it’s going to be about.”

Pct .733 .700 .643 .636 .625 .571 .538 .500 .500 .500 .462 .417 .400 .353 .250

W L Pct Los Angeles 8 2 .800 Miami 8 5 .615 Arizona 9 6 .600 Colorado 7 5 .583 St. Louis 7 5 .583 Philadelphia 8 7 .533 Cincinnati 7 7 .500 Pittsburgh 6 6 .500 New York 7 8 .467 San Diego 7 8 .467 Washington 6 7 .462 Chicago 6 9 .400 Atlanta 5 9 .357 Milwaukee 4 9 .308 San Francisco 4 12 .250 NOTE: Split-squad games count in the standings; games against non-major league teams do not.

MONDAY’S GAMES

Washington 2, Houston (ss) 1 Houston (ss) 2, Atlanta 2, tie Boston 4, N.Y. Mets 3 St. Louis 1, Detroit 0 Baltimore 16, Philadelphia 4 San Diego 7, Chicago Cubs 0 Kansas City 6, Cleveland 5 L.A. Dodgers 10, Oakland 5 Cincinnati 10, San Francisco 4 L.A. Angels 5, Texas 3 Arizona 6, Chicago White Sox 2

TUESDAY’S GAMES

Washington 6, Detroit 4 Minnesota 10, Baltimore 9 Atlanta 11, Boston 3 St. Louis 7, Miami (ss) 1 Tampa Bay 5, Philadelphia 3 Houston 13, Pittsburgh 7 N.Y. Mets 6, Miami (ss) 4 Cincinnati 4, Cleveland 0 Chicago White Sox 5, Seattle 5, tie Texas 11, L.A. Dodgers 11, tie Chicago Cubs 4, Kansas City 3 Arizona 10, San Francisco 0 Milwaukee 6, San Diego (ss) 4 Oakland 13, San Diego (ss) 2 L.A. Angels 11, Colorado 0 Toronto vs. N.Y. Yankees at Tampa, Fla. (late)

TODAY’S GAMES

KISER FROM PAGE B1 start until February of ‘16. “The first two or three years will be heavy developmental work,” he explained. “It’ll be a lot of hours on the court working individually and in groups. I’ve just got to put the hours in because that’s what it’s going to take.” While he knows it will be a challenge, Kiser be-

lieves he has all the tools he needs to be successful. He is going to recruit locally, he knows the local college coaches and tennis pros, and he feels that USCS is very affordable. “It’s going to be an adventure, but I think one of my strengths is going to be player development,” Kiser said. “Working with a player and helping bring a player on, and really at the DII level or at the junior college level that’s

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a big part of it. You go out and get a good (Nos.) 1 and 2 and get some good athletes that you can develop then you can have a competitive team. “My goal is after two years we can move you on in to a Division II or a small Division I school with a scholarship,” Kiser said. “It’s two years of hardcore training and getting ready to moving on to the higher levels of tennis.”

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Washington vs. Miami at Jupiter, Fla., 1:05 p.m. Baltimore vs. Minnesota (ss) at Fort Myers, Fla., 1:05 p.m. Minnesota (ss) vs. Boston at Fort Myers, Fla., 1:05 p.m. Tampa Bay vs. Toronto at Dunedin, Fla., 1:07 p.m. Chicago Cubs vs. L.A. Dodgers at Glendale, Ariz., 4:05 p.m. Oakland vs. Seattle at Peoria, Ariz., 4:05 p.m. Milwaukee vs. Kansas City at Surprise, Ariz., 4:05 p.m. Chicago White Sox vs. Cincinnati at Goodyear, Ariz., 4:05 p.m. San Diego vs. Colorado at Scottsdale, Ariz., 4:10 p.m. N.Y. Yankees vs. Atlanta at Kissimmee, Fla., 6:05 p.m. Detroit vs. Pittsburgh at Bradenton, Fla., 6:05 p.m. Arizona vs. Colorado at Scottsdale, Ariz., 10:10 p.m.

THURSDAY’S GAMES

NBA STANDINGS By The Associated Press EASTERN CONFERENCE ATLANTIC DIVISION W Toronto 40 Boston 30 Brooklyn 27 Philadelphia 15 New York 13 SOUTHEAST DIVISION W x-Atlanta 53 Washington 39 Miami 30 Charlotte 29 Orlando 21 CENTRAL DIVISION W Cleveland 43 Chicago 40 Milwaukee 34 Indiana 30 Detroit 23

L 27 36 38 52 53

Pct .597 .455 .415 .224 .197

GB – 9 1/2 12 25 26 1/2

L 14 28 36 36 47

Pct .791 .582 .455 .446 .309

GB – 14 22 1/2 23 32 1/2

L 26 28 32 36 43

Pct .623 .588 .515 .455 .348

GB – 2 1/2 7 1/2 11 1/2 18 1/2

Pct .701 .667 .632 .631 .545

GB – 2 1/2 4 1/2 5 10 1/2

Pct .677 .552 .455 .382 .212

GB – 8 14 1/2 19 1/2 30 1/2

Pct .803 .627 .515 .333 .258

GB – 11 1/2 19 31 36

WESTERN CONFERENCE SOUTHWEST DIVISION W L Memphis 47 20 Houston 44 22 Dallas 43 25 San Antonio 41 24 New Orleans 36 30 NORTHWEST DIVISION W L Portland 44 21 Oklahoma City 37 30 Utah 30 36 Denver 26 42 Minnesota 14 52 PACIFIC DIVISION W L x-Golden State 53 13 L.A. Clippers 42 25 Phoenix 35 33 Sacramento 22 44 L.A. Lakers 17 49 x-clinched playoff spot

MONDAY’S GAMES

Washington 105, Portland 97 Toronto 117, Indiana 98 Boston 108, Philadelphia 89 Memphis 92, Denver 81 Brooklyn 122, Minnesota 106 Miami 106, Cleveland 92 Dallas 119, Oklahoma City 115 Utah 94, Charlotte 66 Atlanta 110, Sacramento 103 Golden State 108, L.A. Lakers 105

TUESDAY’S GAMES

Memphis at Detroit, 7:30 p.m. San Antonio at New York, 7:30 p.m. Milwaukee at New Orleans, 8 p.m. Orlando at Houston, 8 p.m. Charlotte at L.A. Clippers, 10:30 p.m.

TODAY’S GAMES

Detroit at Philadelphia, 7 p.m. Brooklyn at Cleveland, 7 p.m. Minnesota at Toronto, 7:30 p.m. Portland at Miami, 7:30 p.m. Indiana at Chicago, 8 p.m. Boston at Oklahoma City, 8 p.m. Orlando at Dallas, 8 p.m. San Antonio at Milwaukee, 8 p.m. L.A. Clippers at Sacramento, 10 p.m. Atlanta at Golden State, 10:30 p.m. Washington at Utah, 10:30 p.m.

THURSDAY’S GAMES

NATIONAL LEAGUE

USC FROM PAGE B1

Fla., 1:10 p.m. San Francisco vs. Milwaukee at Phoenix, 4:05 p.m. Texas vs. Cincinnati at Goodyear, Ariz., 4:05 p.m. L.A. Angels vs. L.A. Dodgers at Glendale, Ariz., 4:05 p.m. Colorado vs. Kansas City at Surprise, Ariz., 4:05 p.m. Philadelphia vs. N.Y. Yankees at Tampa, Fla., 7:05 p.m. Chicago Cubs vs. Arizona at Scottsdale, Ariz., 9:40 p.m. Cleveland vs. Seattle at Peoria, Ariz., 10:05 p.m.

Minnesota vs. Tampa Bay at Port Charlotte, Fla., 1:05 p.m. N.Y. Mets (ss) vs. St. Louis at Jupiter, Fla., 1:05 p.m. Miami vs. Atlanta at Kissimmee, Fla., 1:05 p.m. Pittsburgh vs. Baltimore at Sarasota, Fla., 1:05 p.m. Detroit vs. Washington at Viera, Fla., 1:05 p.m. Boston vs. Toronto at Dunedin, Fla., 1:07 p.m. Houston vs. N.Y. Mets (ss) at Port St. Lucie,

Minnesota at New York, 7:30 p.m. Denver at Houston, 8 p.m. New Orleans at Phoenix, 10 p.m. Utah at L.A. Lakers, 10:30 p.m.

NHL STANDINGS By The Associated Press EASTERN CONFERENCE ATLANTIC DIVISION GP W Montreal 70 43 Tampa Bay 71 43 Detroit 68 38 Boston 69 36 Ottawa 68 33 Florida 69 31 Toronto 71 27 Buffalo 69 19 METROPOLITAN DIVISION GP W N.Y. Rangers 68 44 N.Y. Islanders 71 43 Pittsburgh 69 39 Washington 71 38 Philadelphia 71 29 New Jersey 69 29 Columbus 69 30 Carolina 68 26

L 20 21 19 23 24 24 38 43

OT 7 7 11 10 11 14 6 7

Pts 93 93 87 82 77 76 60 45

GF 184 230 200 184 194 170 188 132

GA 157 184 183 175 180 192 226 234

L 17 24 20 23 27 29 35 34

OT 7 4 10 10 15 11 4 8

Pts 95 90 88 86 73 69 64 60

GF 207 221 196 209 186 158 180 161

GA 158 199 173 175 202 179 218 187

GF 214 203 198 196 191 184 218

GA 170 173 157 173 186 193 229

WESTERN CONFERENCE CENTRAL DIVISION GP W L OT Pts St. Louis 69 44 20 5 93 Nashville 71 43 21 7 93 Chicago 68 41 21 6 88 Minnesota 69 38 24 7 83 Winnipeg 69 34 23 12 80 Colorado 69 32 26 11 75 Dallas 70 32 28 10 74 PACIFIC DIVISION GP W L OT Pts Anaheim 71 44 20 7 95 Vancouver 68 39 25 4 82 Calgary 69 38 26 5 81 Los Angeles 69 34 22 13 81 San Jose 69 34 27 8 76 Arizona 70 21 41 8 50 Edmonton 70 19 39 12 50 NOTE: Two points for a win, one overtime loss.

GF GA 208 195 193 184 205 181 186 172 193 193 145 231 164 239 point for

MONDAY’S GAMES

Washington 4, Buffalo 3, SO Tampa Bay 4, Montreal 2 Edmonton 4, Toronto 1 Los Angeles 1, Arizona 0

TUESDAY’S GAMES

Pittsburgh at New Jersey, 7 p.m. Ottawa at Carolina, 7 p.m. Buffalo at Boston, 7:30 p.m. Montreal at Florida, 7:30 p.m. Minnesota at Nashville, 8 p.m. San Jose at Winnipeg, 8 p.m. N.Y. Islanders at Chicago, 8:30 p.m. St. Louis at Calgary, 9 p.m. Philadelphia at Vancouver, 10 p.m.

WEDNESDAY’S GAMES

Chicago at N.Y. Rangers, 8 p.m. Columbus at Edmonton, 10 p.m. Los Angeles at Anaheim, 10:30 p.m.

THURSDAY’S GAMES

San Jose at Toronto, 7:30 p.m. Carolina at Montreal, 7:30 p.m. Boston at Ottawa, 7:30 p.m. Detroit at Florida, 7:30 p.m. Washington at Minnesota, 8 p.m. St. Louis at Winnipeg, 8 p.m. Pittsburgh at Dallas, 8:30 p.m. Philadelphia at Calgary, 9 p.m. Columbus at Vancouver, 10 p.m. Colorado at Arizona, 10 p.m.

TENNIS BNP PARIBAS OPEN RESULTS By The Associated Press Tuesday At The Indian Wells Tennis Garden Indian Wells, Calif. Purse: Men: $7.1 million (Masters 1000); Women: $5.38 million (Premier) Surface: Hard-Outdoor Singles Women Fourth Round Carla Suarez Navarro (12), Spain, def. Heather Watson, Britain, 7-6 (5), 3-6, 6-1. Serena Williams (1), United States, def. Sloane Stephens, United States, 6-7 (3), 6-2, 6-2.

PREP SPORTS

THE SUMTER ITEM

SHS FROM PAGE B1 231-229-460, but that improvement was not enough to overtake the Gamecocks, who closed at 221-236-457. Edge Motley led the way for the Wildcats on Monday with a 3-over 75, with alternate Lauren Stephenson smoking the course for a 73 Tuesday to finish one stroke off Skiff’s low score for the day. While Sumter varsity head coach Ronnie Flowers was feeling the pressure of Lexington’s final-round rush, Dallery said he an his teammates just had to stay focused on the task at hand. “All you can do is what you’re doing, every shot, one shot at a time,” Dallery said. “We think about 10 strokes, that’s basically three a pop, three a person. You try to stay ahead of your group, lead your group, and by all means win. Win is an abbreviation

for What’s Important Now.” As the Gamecock squad was hitting the home stretch, Flowers left his duties at the scorer’s table to join his team for some words of encouragement. “I told my boys just to keep pressing and to keep grinding and to not worry about what somebody else is doing,” Flowers said. “We could only post the best score that we possibly could and, of course, it was enough to hold them (Lexington) off. I’m real proud of them, that they kept grinding. A few of them got off to a bad start but they were able to make a strong finish and they came together as a team.” Flowers said Dallery’s senior leadership is a key to Sumter’s success as a team. “Charlie is one of the hardest working golfers, young men, that I know,” Flowers said. “He takes his golf game to the next level. I’ve known

GAMECOCKS FROM PAGE B1 Ryan Moore and Jordan Holladay worked him to close to 30 pitches, fouling several off. “Those were just three great at-bats,” Shumake said. “Javon was probably up around 17 pitches. That was a great inning because we made him throw a lot of pitches.” Barnes got a good look at a Loveless pitch in the second, sending it over the left-center field fence for his first career homer at SHS and a 1-0 lead. “I wasn’t sure about it when I first hit it,” said Barnes, who was 2-for-2 with two runs scored and two RBI. “When I saw the outfielder keep going back though I knew it was gone. It was a high inside fastball.” The Bruins got the run back in the third against Sumter starting pitcher Chris Crawford, but missed out on a chance for much more. Mitchell Green reached on an infield single to start the inning and Zyler Turner followed with a single to bring SF to the top of the order with no outs. Crawford got Austin Blakeley to hit a high chopper right at second base. Second baseman Moore fielded the ball, stepped on second and threw to first for a double play as Green went to third. It looked as though Crawford would escape unscathed when Austin Moore hit a chopper to the left side. However, third baseman Tradd James and shortstop Martin collided and Green scored. South Florence would load

the bases before Crawford got out of the inning by getting No. 5 hitter Will Hardee to pop up on the infield. “That was big for Crawford to get out of there with just one run,” Shumake said. “Again, it comes back to who makes the fewest mistakes.” Crawford worked six innings to pick up the victory. The right-hander scattered five hits while striking out four and walking two. Sumter touched Loveless up for two runs in the fourth. Holladay led off with a single and stole second. With one out, Barnes struck again, doubling to right-center to drive in Holladay. With two outs, Donnie Brownlee came through with his second hit of the night to send home Barnes and make it 3-1. The Gamecocks broke the game open in the bottom of the sixth against SF reliever Jarod Bolton, who came on in the fifth. Holladay reached on an error, stole second and went to third on Crawford’s bunt single. After Crawford stole second, the Bruins elected to intentionally walk Barnes to load the bases. Spittle wasted little time emptying the bases, ripping a triple to the gap in left-center to make it 6-1. The Gamecocks went on to add four more runs. Holladay was 2-for-4 with two runs and an RBI, while Brownlee was 2-for-2 with a sacrifice fly and two RBI. No SF player had more than one hit.

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him for six- seven years, but watching him over the past couple of years on varsity, I’m impressed with how much he has grown mentally, to where when he does make a bad shot or a bad decision, he can just let it go and move on to the next shot. The saying in golf is the most important shot is the next shot, and I’m seeing that more and more with him as we play in more and more tournaments.” Freshman Dixon Flowers was the only Sumter player to improve his score in the second round, finishing 82-80-162. Other Sumter scores had junior Daniel Spencer at 73-79152 and senior Austin Baker at 78-84-162. Spencer joined Dallery, Skiff, Butt, HHC’s Barto Lomucci (81-73-154) and Lexington’s Bryce Miley (7777-154) on the all-tournament team. Coach Flowers said this was the first time since 2011 that SHS has won its annual home-

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2015 course tournament. “If it’s the year I’m thinking of, there were some real good golfers on that team,” he said, “And every one of them went on to play college golf. So this team has made some good achievements and I’m looking forward to what they’re going to do the rest of this season.” Dallery said the win serves as a confidence booster for both himself and his team. “The win helps confidencewise with the team,” he said. “Now we can carry that to the next tournament and maybe not expect to win but to at least come in the top three, because it’s a win. This is my second win for the year, and I’m ready to go try to win another one. This helps us to grow as a team.” Sumter’s junior varsity squad came in last place, two strokes behind the Socastee JV team, but still had a lot to be proud of in Tuesday’s round. As a team, Sumter

lowered its first-round score by one stroke, finishing at 286-285-571. The top three players were fairly even as eighth-graders Andrew and Brandon Griffin closed with an identical 2-day score of 188. Andrew shot a 91 Monday before coming in with a 97 Tuesday while Brandon tallied a 98-90. Fellow eighthgrader Jenkins Dwight carded a 97 and 98 for a final total of 195 while No. 4 player Michael Solberg, a freshman, improved dramatically on day two, reducing an opening-round score of 17 strokes from 118 to 101. “The JV team far exceeded our expectations this weekend,” coach Flowers said. “Today, we almost had all four of them break 100, which would have been a feat right there in itself. We’re very proud of our young ones coming up, and we’re looking forward to their future successes.”

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MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2015 Tues., 6:40 p.m.

First Round

16 N. Florida (23-11)

11 Boise State (25-8)

16 Hampton (16-17)

11 BYU (25-9)

March 17-18 Dayton, Ohio

16 Robert Morris (19-14)

11 Dayton 25-8)

Louisville, Ky.

March 21-22

Thurs., 9:40 p.m.

Sweet 16

March 26-27

Second Round Third Round March 21-22

8 Cincinnati 22-10)

Mar. 21

Thurs., 7:10 p.m.

9 Purdue (21-12)

Thurs., 6:50 p.m. Mar. 21

Elite Eight

March 28-29

Mar. 26

5 W. Virginia (23-9)

Thurs., 9:20 p.m. Mar. 27

5 N. Iowa (30-3) 12 Wyoming (25-9)

Final Four

Mar. 22

Indianapolis

Fri., 4:50 p.m.

11 Texas (20-13)

13 UC Irvine (21-12)

MIDWEST

EAST

Cleveland Mar. 28

Syracuse, N.Y. Mar. 29

6 Providence (22-11) Fri., 9:57 p.m.

11 Boise St./Dayton Mar. 22

Mar. 21

14 Albany (24-8)

14 Northeastern (23-11) Mar. 26

7 Wichita St. (28-4) 10 Indiana (20-13) Mar. 22

National Championship

Mar. 27

7 Michigan St. (23-11) Fri., 12:40 p.m.

10 Georgia (21-11) Mar. 22

April 6

15 Belmont (22-10)

1 Wisconsin (31-3)

1 Duke (29-4) Fri., 7:10 p.m.

Fri., 9:20 p.m.

16 Coastal Car. (24-9)

16 N. Fla./R. Morris Mar. 22

Mar. 22

9 St. John’s (21-11)

Jacksonville, Fla.

Mar. 27

5 Utah (24-8) Thurs., 7:27 p.m.

Thurs., 9:50 p.m.

12 SF Austin (29-4)

12 Wofford (28-6) Mar. 21

Mar. 21

13 E. Washington (26-8)

13 Harvard (22-7) 6 Xavier (21-13)

WEST

SOUTH

Los Angeles Mar. 28

Houston Mar. 29

6 SMU (27-6) Thurs., 3:10 p.m.

11 UCLA (20-13) Mar. 21

Mar. 21

Thurs., 1:40 p.m.

3 Iowa St. 25-8) Thurs., 12:40 p.m.

14 Georgia St. (24-9)

14 UAB (19-15) Mar. 27

Mar. 26

7 VCU (26-9)

7 Iowa (21-11) Fri., 7:20 p.m.

All Times EDT

10 Ohio St. (23-10)

Seattle

Thurs., 4:40 p.m.

2 Arizona (31-3)

Louisville, Ky.

Thurs., 4:10 p.m.

11 BYU/Ole Miss 3 Baylor (24-9)

4 Georgetown (21-10) Thurs., 9:57 p.m.

Thurs., 7:20 p.m.

Portland, Ore.

Jacksonville, Fla.

Mar. 26

5 Arkansas (26-8)

4 N. Carolina (24-11)

8 San Diego St. (26-8) Fri., 9:40 p.m.

Fri., 6:50 p.m.

Charlotte, N.C.

15 New Mex. St. 23-10)

9 Okla. St. (18-13)

Portland, Ore.

2 Virginia (29-3) Fri., 3:10 p.m.

Fri., 12:15 p.m.

8 Oregon (25-9)

DAYTON, Ohio — Reginald Johnson scored 15 points and added two late critical defensive plays to lead Hampton to a 74-64 victory over Manhattan in the First Four on Tuesday night. The Pirates (17-17), who have won five in a row to get to .500, advance to meet top-ranked Kentucky (34-0) in Louisville on Thursday. Quinton Chievous added 15 points and 13 rebounds before leaving in the final minutes with an injury. Brian Darden had 13 points, including clinching free throws down the stretch for the Pirates, who got into the big tournament because of an unexpected run through the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament. Shane Richards scored 17 points and Emmy Andujar 11 for the Jaspers (19-14), champions of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Tournament. A win would have led to a notable second-round matchup. Manhattan coach Steve Masiello is a former Kentucky player. Hampton, aggressive to the hoop from the outset, never trailed while taking a 38-31 halftime lead. Chievous — averaging just 10.1 points and 6.3 rebounds — had 11 and 10 at the break, while Deron Powers had five points and six assists. Johnson sealed the game with two huge steals, the second leading to his floor-length assist pass to Emmanuel Okoroba for a layup. Okoroba then hit a scoop shot on a drive and the lead was 67-58 with 90 seconds remaining.

Charlotte, N.C.

Fri., 2:45 p.m.

2 Kansas (26-8)

3 Oklahoma (22-10) Fri., 7:27 p.m.

Thurs., 12:15 p.m.

Columbus, Ohio

Thurs., 2:45 p.m.

BY RUSTY MILLER The Associated Press

Fri., 4:10 p.m.

April 4

13 Valparaiso (28-5)

4 Louisville (24-8)

Seattle

Fri., 1:40 p.m.

12 Buffalo (23-9)

3 Notre Dame 29-5)

8 NC State (20-13) 9 LSU (22-10)

Fri., 2:10 p.m.

4 Maryland (27-6)

March 19-20 1 Villanova (32-2) 16 Lafayette (20-12)

16 Hampton/Manhattan

6 Butler (22-10) Pittsburgh

Men’s Division I Basketball Championship

Pittsburgh

Columbus, Ohio

1 Kentucky (34-0)

Third Round

Duo keeps Hampton alive with 74-64 win

Wed., 9:10 p.m.

11 Ole Miss (20-12)

March 19-20

Omaha, Neb.

Wed., 6:40 p.m.

16 Manhattan (19-13)

Second Round

Omaha, Neb.

Tues., 9:10 p.m.

THE SUMTER ITEM

10 Davidson (24-7) Mar. 22

Mar. 21

Thurs., 2:10 p.m.

2 Gonzaga (32-2) Fri., 9:50 p.m.

15 N. Dakota St. (23-9)

15 Texas So. (22-12)

USC BASKETBALL

Martin pleased with South Carolina’s progress BY PETE IACOBELLI The Associated Press COLUMBIA — South Carolina coach Frank Martin believes his Gamecocks took another step forward — and finished with the program’s first winning record in six years to prove it. The Gamecocks won four of their final six games to end an up-and-down season 17-16, the year ending last week after a 74-62 loss to Georgia in the Southeastern Conference Tournament quarterfinals. The players hoped it was enough to keep things going into this week. But the Gamecocks were passed up by the NIT and chose not participate in other postseason tournaments. Martin said the Gamecocks can build on what was accomplished this season.

“So proud of continued growth of our program,” Martin posted on Twitter on Sunday. “1st MARTIN our players r becoming men & better players. We just won 17games playing a top 30 schedule.” It appeared the Gamecocks were an SEC team on the rise after entering league play on a seven-game winning streak that included victories over NCAA Tournament teams Oklahoma State and Iowa State. Instead, South Carolina struggled to find its stride. The Gamecocks lost eight of their first 10 SEC games and seemed headed to Martin’s third-straight losing season since coming over from Kansas State three years ago.

Once again, things turned for South Carolina in midFebruary when Martin suspended starter Demetrius Henry and reserve Shamiek Sheppard for violating team rules. The Gamecocks won their next game at NCAAbound Georgia to begin a 5-4 finish. “The past three-and-half to four weeks has been fun. It’s been great,” Martin said. “It was the month before that one that wasn’t fun.” It was the second straight season South Carolina had won two games in the SEC tournament, equaling their league tournament win total for the previous eight seasons. “Our guys grew up a lot this year,” Martin said. Martin believes bigger things are coming. The Gamecocks lose one main

player from their starting rotation in starting point guard and senior Tyrone Johnson. Johnson had perhaps the team’s most electrifying moment in the SEC second game win over Mississippi, getting fouled while taking a 3-pointer in the dying seconds and South Carolina trailing 58-57. Johnson made all three foul shots in the 60-58 win. “We just try to come in every day and work hard and put ourselves in the best position to win,” said Duane Notice, a sophomore guard who ended as the team’s leading scorer at 11.7 points a game. South Carolina adds a premiere high-school scorer in McDonald’s All-American P.J. Dozier, a 6-foot-6 forward who picked the Gamecocks over Louisville, Michigan, North Carolina and Georgetown.

TODAY’S TV SCHEDULE NCAA

First Four TRUTV 6:30 p.m. – Robert Morris vs. North Florida 9 p.m. – Boise State vs. Dayton

NIT

First Round ESPN2 7 p.m. – Arizona State at Connecticut 9 p.m. – Vanderbilt at St. Mary’s (Calif.) ESPNU 8 p.m. – Wisconsin-Green Bay at Illinois State 10 p.m. – South Dakota State at Colorado State

CLEMSON BASKETBALL

Tigers face difficult year ahead despite winning season BY PETE IACOBELLI The Associated Press COLUMBIA — Clemson head coach Brad Brownell is as disappointed as many fans are at his team’s late-season slide, yet believes there are reasons for hope next fall. In early February, the Tigers (16-15) had won five of six Atlantic Coast Conference games and in the discussion of NCAA Tournament bubble teams. Things burst soon after that as Clemson went 2-7 down the stretch, knocking the team out of the mix of the NIT where it advanced to that’s tournament’s semifinals a season ago. “In some ways some ways I think the wind went out of guys with that Notre Dame game,” Brownell said Tuesday of the Tigers 60-58 home loss to the ACC tournament champion Irish that was part of the slide to the finish. Clemson held a 56-52 lead with four minutes left, but could not hold on. “If you win that game, you’ve got a chance to make the NCAA Tournament,” Brownell said. He acknowledged the discontent over the final month, despite posting his fourth winning seasons in five years as coach. Brownwell said he, too, expected more down the stretch. “Count me on that list as well,” he said. “But I think we all need to be mindful a little bit.” Brownell said he sophomore

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Clemson’s Jaron Blossomgame (5) returns for the Tigers next year as they look to put a disappointing 16-15 season behind them. Jaron Blossomgame and freshman Donte Grantham started every game this year and played, at times, like youngsters still finding their way. Blossomgame was the team’s top scorer at 13.1 points a game and leading rebounder at 8.2 boards a contest. The 6-foot-8 Grantham averaged 8.8 points and 4.6 rebounds in his debut season. “Those guys were kind of my cornerstones” alongside senior point guard Rod Hall and 6-10 Landry Nnoko, Brownell said. The optimism over Clemson’s program a season ago was largely instilled by K.J. McDaniels, the all-ACC performer and league defensive player of the year who electri-

fied fans with his high-flying dunk and blocks. When McDaniels opted for the NBA draft — he plays for the Houston Rockets — instead of his senior year, it left a gap Clemson’s returnees couldn’t fully make up. “Really, K.J. was the difference between last year’s team and this year’s team,” Brownell said. Brownell is hopeful that Blossomgame and Grantham will develop more with another full offseason of weights, workouts and shooting sessions. Clemson will also be breaking in a new point guard in San Francisco transfer Avry Holmes, who practiced with the team all season yet was ineligible until next season.

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MENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BASKETBALL

Storrs, Conn. Berkeley, Calif.

Sat., 9 p.m.

Tampa, Fla. Lexington , Ky. College Park, Md.

March 27-28

1 Notre Dame (31-2) Fri., 7:30 p.m.

16 Montana (24-8) Mar. 23

8 Rutgers (22-9)

March 20-21

March 22-23

Elite Eight

Mar. 29-30

Sat., 6:30 p.m.

9 Seton Hall (28-5)

8 Minnesota (23-9) Fri., 5 p.m.

9 DePaul (26-7) Mar. 27

Mar. 28

5 Texas (22-10)

Mar. 22

5 Oklahoma (20-11)

Fri., 5 p.m.

Sat., 4 p.m.

12 W. Ky. (30-4) 4 California (23-9)

12 Quinnipiac (31-3)

Final Four

Mar. 22

Mar. 23

Tampa Bay

Fri., 7:30 p.m.

13 CSUN (23-9)

ALBANY

OKLAHOMA CITY

Mar. 30

Mar. 29

Sat., 6:30 p.m.

11 LSU (17-13)

6 Washington (23-9) Fri., Noon

11 Miami (FL) (19-12) Mar. 22

Mar. 23

3 Louisville (25-6)

4 Stanford (24-9) Sat., 6:30 p.m.

April 5

13 Wichita St. (29-4)

3 Iowa (24 -7)

Sat., 4 p.m.

Fri., 2:30 p.m.

14 American (24-8)

14 BYU (23-9) Mar. 28

7 Dayton (25-6) Fri., Noon

10 Iowa St. (18-12)

7 Northwestern (23-8) Fri., Noon

10 Arkansas (17-13) Mar. 22

April 7

Mar. 22

2 Kentucky (23-9)

Mar. 27

National Championship

2 Baylor (30-3) Fri., 2:30 p.m.

Fri., 2:30 p.m.

15 Tenn. St. (18-12)

15 Nwestern St. (19-14)

1 Maryland (30-2)

1 S. Carolina (30-2) Fri., 5 p.m.

Sat., 1:30 p.m.

16 Savannah St. (21-10)

16 New Mex. St. (22-7) 8 Princeton (30-0)

Mar. 22

Mar. 23

8 Syracuse (21-9) Fri., 7:30 p.m.

Sat., 11 a.m.

9 Green Bay (28-4)

9 Nebraska (21-10) 5 Ohio St. (23-10) Sat., 1:30 p.m.

Fri., 2:30 p.m.

12 Tulane (22-10)

12 James Madison (29-3) Mar. 23

Mar. 22

4 Duke (21-10)

4 North Carolina (24-8) Sat., 11 a.m.

Fri., Noon

13 Liberty (26-6)

13 Albany (NY) (24-8)

SPOKANE

GREENSBORO

Mar. 30

Mar. 29

Fri., 7:30 p.m.

6 Texas A&M (23-9) Sat., 4 p.m.

11 UALR (28-4)

11 Gonzaga (24-7) 3 Oregon St. (26-4)

Mar. 23

Mar. 22

3 Arizona St. (27-5) Sat., 6:30 p.m.

Fri., 5 p.m.

14 Ohio (27-4)

14 S. Dakota St. (24-8) Mar. 27

Sat., 11 a.m.

7 FGCU (30-2) Sat., 11 a.m.

All times Eastern

10 Pittsburgh (19-11)

10 Okla. St. (20-11) Mar. 23

Mar. 23

2 Florida St. (29-4)

Sat., 1:30 p.m.

15 Boise St. (22-10)

15 Alabama St. (17-14)

Tallahassee, Fla.

Mar. 28

7 Chattanooga (29-3)

2 Tennessee (27-5)

Tempe, Ariz.

6 G. Washington (29-3)

Chapel Hill, N.C.

Mar. 27

Mar. 28

5 Miss. St. (26-6)

Columbia, S.C.

Durham, N.C.

Sweet 16

:DFR Â&#x2021; 7H[DV

Corvallis, N.C.

Sweet 16

16 St. Fran. Bklyn (15-18)

6 South Fla. (26-7)

Knoxville, Tenn.

First Round Second Round

Iowa City

ATLANTA â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Bobby Portis kept Kentucky from winning everything in the Southeastern Conference this season. The Arkansas sophomore was selected as SEC player of the year by The Associated Press on Monday, about the only thing the top-ranked Wildcats were denied in their perfect season. Not surprisingly, Kentucky took the other two awards. PORTIS John Calipari was voted coach of the year, while Karl-Anthony Towns was picked as the top freshman. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I thought that the Kentucky players would kind of dominate the awards because of their record,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; said Portis, who also took the coachesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; player of the year award last week. Portis was the only unanimous choice to the APâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s AllSEC first team. The 6-foot-11 forward ranks second in the league in scoring (17.5 points per game) and fourth in rebounding (8.6). â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think I had a great year,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I tried to stay consistent throughout the whole season and tried to be that man for my team and just tried to help my team to more wins this season.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Speaking of great years, Calipari guided Kentucky (340) to a perfect regular season and an easy romp through the SEC Tournament. Now, the Wildcats are headed to NCAAs as an overwhelming favorite to claim the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ninth national championship and complete the first unbeaten menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s season since Indiana in 1976. The last three undefeated teams entering the tournament were all beaten, including Wichita State â&#x20AC;&#x201D; by Kentucky, no less â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a year ago. The Wildcats went on to reach the national championship game, where they lost to Connecticut. This team wants to win one more game. Several top players returned for another college season and were joined by Calipariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s usual stellar recruiting class, creating a juggernaut that has a chance to go down as one of the greatest teams in NCAA history. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Those arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t the nets weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re really looking to cut down,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; junior center Willie CauleyStein said after Sundayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 78-63 victory over Arkansas in the SEC Tournament final. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was just a milestone. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s part of the process for us winning and everything, but weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking for something bigger. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking to cut down a couple more nets in the (NCAA) tournament. â&#x20AC;&#x153; Towns and Cauley-Stein joined Portis on the first team, along with Mississippi junior guard Stefan Moody, Tennessee senior guard Josh Richardson, and a pair of sophomore forwards from LSU, Jarell Martin and Jordan Mickey. Mickey leads the SEC in rebounding (9.8), while Martin is the conference third-leading scorer (16.9) and rebounder (9.2). Towns averaged 9.7 points and led the Wildcats in rebounding (6.7), his numbers held down by Kentuckyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s staggering depth. The Wildcats have nine players who averaged more than 11 minutes per game. Calipari won the SEC coaching award for the third time in six seasons with the Wildcats. Auburn senior guard KT Harrell, who leads the SEC in scoring at 18.5 points a game, led the APâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second team. The other choices were Kentucky sophomore guard Aaron Harrison, Texas A&M junior guard Danuel House, Vanderbilt sophomore center Damian Jones, and Arkansas junior guard Michael Qualls. The 67th annual AP All-SEC team was selected by a 13-member regional media panel.

March 22-23

1 UConn (32-1)

Stanford, Calif.

BY PAUL NEWBERRY The Associated Press

Second Round

Notre Dame, Ind.

Portis named SEC player of year; Calipari, Towns honored

Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s NCAA Division I Basketball Championship

First Round March 20-21

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2015

WOMENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BASKETBALL

USCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mitchell voted SECâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top player BY PAUL NEWBERRY The Associated Press ATLANTA â&#x20AC;&#x201D; After leading South Carolina to a top seed in the NCAA Tournament, Tiffany Mitchell was selected Tuesday as the Southeastern Conference womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s player of the year by The Associated Press. She was joined by plenty of familiar faces on the AllSEC team. The first team also included South Carolinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Aâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ja Wilson, who picked up the award as the top freshman. Alaina Coates and Aleighsa Welch of the Gamecocks claimed spots on the second team. Vic Schaefer of Mississippi State was voted coach of the year. Mitchell, a 5-foot-9 junior guard, leads the Gamecocks in scoring at 14.4 points per game and was one of just two qualifying players in the conference to make more than half her shots (50.5 percent). No. 3 South Carolina (30-2) shared its second straight regular-season title with Tennessee, captured the SEC Tournament for the first time, and will host 16thseeded Savannah State on Friday in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think my years have their own stories, from my freshman year to my sopho-

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

South Carolina guard Tiffany Mitchell, left, was voted the Southeastern Conferenceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s player of the year by the Associated Press on Tuesday. more year to now. All three have been completely different seasons on how people played me and how game plans were (developed) for our team,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; said Mitchell, who earlier won the coachesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

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player of the year award for the second season in a row. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Coach (Dawn) Staleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s done a great job of telling me to stay the course again and stay true to our team. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do anything different. She

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said my shots are going to come, just stay within what we do and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to come.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Wilson, a 6-5 forward, made quite an impact in her college debut after picking the Gamecocks over Connecticut, Tennessee and North Carolina. She is averaging 13.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Last year I was home on my couch, sitting and watching,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; she said after celebrating the team landing a top seed Monday night. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Now, being here with my girls at South Carolina and all the fans, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a great feeling.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Also making the first team were Mississippiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tia Faleru, the only unanimous selection, along with Kentuckyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Makayla Epps and Texas AMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Courtney Walker. The leagueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top scorer, Mississippi Stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Victoria Vivians, was a second-teamer. Faleru, a 6-1 forward and lone senior on the first team, leads the SEC in rebounding (10.3) while averaging 14.7 points. Epps, a 5-10 sophomore guard, is among the league leaders in scoring (14.5) and assists (3.0). Walker, a 5-8 junior guard, is averaging 14.4 points a game. Mitchell, Faleru and Walker were repeat selections to the first team.

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SPORTS ITEMS

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2015

THE SUMTER ITEM

Error-prone Serena makes 4th round at Indian Wells INDIAN WELLS, Calif. — Struggling with her serve and a rash of errors, Serena Williams needed three sets to get by Sloane Stephens 6-7 (3), 6-2, 6-2 and reach the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open on Tuesday. Williams committed 52 unforced errors S. WILLIAMS and had nine double faults to go with 13 aces and 31 winners in the up-and-down match played in 90-degree (32 Celsius) heat. She set up match point with a 128-mph ace and won it when Stephens dumped a backhand into the net, one of her 36 errors. Williams broke Stephens three times in the final set of her third match at Indian Wells since ending a 14-year personal boycott of the tournament. Stephens recovered after blowing a 3-1 lead in the first set to dominate the tiebreaker.

COASTAL CAROLINA 9 CLEMSON 5 CONWAY — David Parrett’s grand slam highlighted Coastal Carolina’s 5-run third inning in its 9-5 victory over Clemson in front of a stadium-record crowd of 2,825 at Springs Brooks Stadium on Tuesday night. The Chanticleers improved to 14-6 while the Tigers dropped to 9-10. It was Clemson’s first game in Conway since 1994. Parrett’s blast and Tyler Chadwick’s solo homer in the third inning upped Coastal Carolina’s lead to 7-1. The Ti-

gers, who had 10 hits and put six leadoff batters on base, chipped away with three runs in the fourth inning and a run in the top of the sixth inning, but the Chanticleers doubled their lead with two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to pull away. Chanticleer starter Shane Sawczak (1-1) earned his first career win in a scheduled short start after allowing two runs on four hits and two walks in three innings pitched. Bobby Holmes pitched the final 4 1/3 innings to record his first career save. Tiger starter Paul Campbell (0-1) suffered the loss in his first career start.

3 FOOTBALL PLAYERS STABBED IN FIGHT AT MORGAN STATE BALTIMORE — Two groups of people got into a fight Tuesday outside a dining hall on the Morgan State University campus, and three football players were stabbed by someone swinging a knife wildly, police and college officials said. It was the third instance of violence on the Baltimore campus in less than a week. The players were taken to hospitals and their injuries were not considered to be lifethreatening, police said. University spokesman Clint Coleman said one of the players was slashed across the chest and another was cut on the arm. He said a third person was cut on the cheek; police said a third person was stabbed in the back. The reason for the discrepancy was not immediately clear. A suspect was taken into

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publish date:

APRIL 18, 2015

custody. It’s not clear what started the fight. This is the third instance of recent violence. On Friday, a male student was stabbed with scissors by his roommate after an argument over the cleanliness of their dorm room. Early Saturday, an on-campus party was broken up after fights started.

SOFTBALL REC DEPT. ADULT LEAGUES TAKING REGISTRATION Team registration for the Sumter County Recreation Department’s adult softball and kickball leagues is currently being taken. Registration will run through Tuesday. Leagues that will be offered are men open, women open, corporate, church men, church women

and co-ed. The entry fee is $300 per team. Open men and women softball teams will play on Monday, corporate softball on Tuesday, co-ed softball and kickball on Wednesday and church men and women softball on Thursday and Friday. League play begins the week of April 13. All leagues will play eight regular-season games with a double-elimination tournament at the end of the regular season. Registration is being taken at the recreation department located at 155 Haynsworth Street between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, call (803) 436-2248.

SPURRIER GUEST SPEAKER AT SUMTER GAMECOCK CLUB

University of South Carolina football head coach Steve Spurrier will be the featured speaker at the Sumter County Gamecock Club’s spring banquet on Wednesday, March 25, at the NettlesSchwartz Building gymnasium. The dinner will begin at 6 p.m. with the program scheduled to start at 7. Other speakers will be announced at a later date. Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased from Vernon Geddings at Danny’s Trophy Shop at 713 Bultman Drive. Information on sponsorships will also be available from Geddings. For more information, contact Geddings at (803) 7757002. From staff, wire reports

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Chick-fil-A Broad Street DeMaras Italian Restaurant Hwy 441 D & L Diner 441 back gate at Shaw Duncan Dogs 5641 Broad Street El Cheapo Gas Station Hwy 76 Across from Shaw Gamecock Bowling Lanes Broad Street Georgios 5500 Sycamore at 5000 area of Shaw IHOP • Kwik Mart Hwy 441 Logan’s Roadhouse McDonalds 76/441 at Shaw MRMA #441 Midlands Retirement Military Association Parkway Shell Station Hwy 441 at Shaw Quiznos • SHAW AAFES Gas Station & Shoppette SHAW Base Exchange SHAW Commissary Starbucks • Sumter Cut Rate Drug Store 32 S. Main St. TWO Main Entrances at Patton Hall 3rd Army YMCA Miller Road • Yucatan Mexican Restaurant

Summerton Locations United Convenience Store Young’s Convenience Store

Afghan national sport kicks off another season

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COLLEGE ATHLETICS

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Lawyer: NCAA decision conflicts with previous court rulings on pay

GSU’s Ware ready to put injury behind him

BY SUDHIN THANAWALA The Associated Press SAN FRANCISCO — A landmark ruling that opened the door for college football and basketball players to be paid went against all previous court rulings, including a 1984 U.S. Supreme Court decision, an attorney for the NCAA told a federal appeals court Tuesday. Lawyer Seth Waxman told a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that courts never previously held that rules meant to protect the amateur status of student athletes violated antitrust law. He cited the 1984 Supreme Court ruling that stated athletes must not be paid in order to preserve the character and quality of college athletics. Plaintiffs’ attorney Michael Hausfeld countered that the Supreme Court comment was made

in passing and was not integral to the outcome of that case. The ruling “does not establish an absolute, abstract, blanket, mechanical immunity from antitrust accountability for any NCAA rule of practice,’’ Hausfeld said. He also said the NCAA has not consistently defined what it means to be an amateur athlete, calling into question its contention that amateur athletes must not be paid to play their sports. The NCAA is challenging U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken’s decision last year to allow players in the top division of college football and in Division I men’s basketball to be paid at least $5,000 a year for rights to their names, images and likenesses. The money would be put in a trust fund and given to them when they leave school. The NCAA was accused of violating antitrust laws by conspiring to block the athletes from getting

a share of revenues generated by the use of their images. The decision came in a lawsuit filed by UCLA basketball star Ed O’Bannon and 19 others. It is scheduled to take effect in July 2016. O’Bannon was in court on Tuesday to hear the arguments in the appeal. Judge Jay Bybee said Wilken’s $5,000 cap appeared to have crossed the line restricting college athletes from being paid to play. Chief Judge Sidney Thomas — who noted the court was hearing the case as the NCAA March Madness basketball tournament was beginning — questioned how the $5,000 cap differed from the NCAA’s policy of allowing scholarships covering an athlete’s costs of attending school. The 9th Circuit is not under any set deadline to rule. The NCAA has previously said it would take the issue all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

BY PAUL NEWBERRY The Associated Press ATLANTA — Kevin Ware shows no queasiness toward that nasty scar running down the front of his right leg. He even rubs it from time to time _ a good luck charm, one might say. He’s definitely not worried about another gruesome injury. As the doctor told him, “I would have to get in a bad car crash or something like that to get my leg broken again,’’ Ware said. “Everybody in the world is more concerned about it than me.’’ Of course, he did bend over to tap the court with his knuck-

les while speaking so confidently. Knock on wood, you know. The last time Ware played in the NCAA Tournament, he left the court on a stretcher, his right leg snapped so grotesquely that some of his Louisville teammates were in tears. Now, he returns to the tournament with a different team looking to leave a different impression. Ware plays at Georgia State — a school in downtown Atlanta, not far from where he played his high school ball — and he’s a big reason the Panthers made the NCAAs for only the third time in school history.

OBITUARIES DARLENE MARTAK Darlene Francis Odom Martak, beloved wife and mother, departed this life on Jan. 30, 2015, at the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, after a long fight with lung cancer. She is survived MARTAK by her husband, Charles Martak Jr.; sons, Charles III and Michael Martak; daughter, Carylynn Varn; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday at the Church of the Holy Comforter. A small reception will be held after the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be given in her name to the American Cancer Society.

MATTIE VINING-EDWARDS Mattie Louise “Monkey” Vining-Edwards, 75, of Inverness, Florida, daughter of Walter and Mattie Blume VININGVining, loving EDWARDS wife of John Douglas Edwards, went to be with the Lord on March 15, 2015, at her home in Inverness, after a battle with lung cancer. She was preceded in death by brothers, Thomas Franklin Vining, James Otto Vining and Jesse William Vining, who resided in Sumter, and Clarence Curtis Vining, who resided in Ocean City, California; and sisters, Eloise Broadway and Thelma Alberta Waynick, who resided in Sumter, and Mary Pansy Summerton, who resided in Mansfield, Ohio. She is survived by her loving husband, John; one son, Kevin D. Edwards; daughterin-law, Frances Edwards; one daughter, Lisa D. Odierna; and loving friend, Julie E. Kleski. She is also survived by four loving grandchildren, Autumn Michelle Odierna, Melanie Camille Edwards, Matthew Joseph Odierna and Benjamin Douglas Edwards. In addition, she has two great-grandchil-

dren, Kaylee Camille Edwards and Wyatt James Franklin; along with sisters, Lela Mae Bell, Mildred Kathleen Winburn and Frances Ion Lovelace; surviving brothers, George Douglas Vining and Cecil Vining; and many loved nieces and nephews. Mattie was a devoted Christian, daughter, sister, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She lived in Sumter, where she worked at S.H. Kress & Co. She moved to Ashland, Ohio, in 1958, where she worked at Eagle Rubber Co. This is where Mattie met her husband, John Edwards, and raised their two children. In 1990, they moved to Inverness for retirement. Mattie enjoyed life to the fullest. She found her most joy by spending time with her family and loved ones … abiding love was her source of ultimate happiness. Mattie will be dearly missed by all who loved her and whom she loved. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Thursday at Victory Baptist Church, Inverness, with the Rev. Gary Beeler officiating. Burial will follow in Florida National Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church on Thursday from 10 a.m. until the hour of service. Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home of Inverness is in charge of arrangements.

MINNIE S. WILLIAMS Minnie Smith Williams, 98, widow of Elijah Williams, departed this life on Monday, March 16, 2015, at West Florida Hospital, Pensacola, Florida. She was born on Aug. 24, 1916, in Rembert, a daughter of the late Henry and Crystal Sumpter Smith. Funeral plans are incomplete and will be announced later by Job’s Mortuary Inc. of Sumter.

ROMA JEAN KIRK Roma Jean Kirk, age 80, beloved wife of the late Ray Henry Kirk, died on Tuesday, March 17, 2015, at Palmetto Health Richland. Arrangements are incom-

plete at this time and will be announced by Bullock Funeral Home of Sumter.

LAURA LEE JACKSON Laura Lee Jackson, 64, died on Monday, March 16, 2015, at her home. Born on Jan. 28, 1951, in Sumter County, she was a daughter of the late Lee and Margie Robinson Jackson. The family is receiving friends and relatives at the home of her sister and brother-in-law, Willie Mae and William Singleton, 356 Curtis Drive, Sumter. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Williams Funeral Home Inc. of Sumter.

GENE H. GOODSON Gene Hartwell Goodson, 78, beloved husband of the late Guinevere Williams Goodson, died on Monday, March 16, 2015, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center. A funeral service will be held at 4 p.m. today in the Bullock Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Dennis Lynn, the Rev. Todd Lynn and the Rev. Jeremy Howell officiating. Interment will follow in Bethel United Methodist Church cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service from 3 to 4 p.m. at Bullock Funeral Home and other times at the family home, 1327 Shoreland Drive, Sumter. Memorials may be made to Bethel United Methodist Church, 5575 Lodebar Road, Sumter, SC 29153. You may sign the family’s guest book at www.bullockfuneralhome.com. The family has chosen Bullock Funeral Home of Sumter for the arrangements.

CHRISTINE S. DESCHAMPS BISHOPVILLE — Sunday, March 15, 2015, marked the death of a devoted friend and loving mother, Christine Sellers DesChamps, at age 91. A lifelong resident of Bishopville, she was a true Southern lady with a passion for gardening, a fondness for Sunday afternoon rides in the country, visiting with family and friends, and cooking. She was a loyal member of Bethlehem United Methodist Church and believed in the constant love and grace of her heavenly Father. She was a genuine example of kindness and humor — a sweet and loving soul to the very end. The daughter of the late James F. and C. Odessa Sellers, Mrs. DesChamps was preceded in death by siblings, Marvin H. Sellers (Ruth), James F. Sellers Jr. (Sybil), George T. Sellers (Carolyn), Mary Lee Likens (Bill), Amy Floyd, Rufus Amerson and Ruby Chapman; also by her husband, Edgar G. DesChamps Jr. Left to carry on in life without her ever present love and sense of humor are her children: Edgar G. DesChamps III, M.D. and Mary D. Stahlman (Gray), as well as many extended family members

and friends whom she cherished greatly. A graveside memorial service is planned for 11 a.m. on Monday, April 13, at Bethlehem United Methodist Church cemetery in Bishopville with the Rev. Larry Watson officiating. Visitation will follow at the church fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be given to Bethlehem United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 167, Bishopville, SC 29010 or to Epworth Children’s Home, 2900 Millwood Ave., Columbia, SC 29205. Hancock-Elmore-Hill Funeral Home of Bishopville will be handling all local arrangements.

BRAYLYNN BRADLEY Little Master Braylynn Bradley, 7 weeks, died on Sunday, March 15, 2015, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center. Born on Jan. 24, 2015, in Richland County, he was a son of Desiree Bradley. The family is receiving friends and relatives at the home, 5450 Cane Savannah Road, Wedgefield. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Williams Funeral Home Inc. of Sumter.

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JUTE AREA RUGS 60” X 96”

$40 each

FAMOUS WAREHOUSE SALE!!! SAT., APRIL 4, 2015 8AM - 5PM

29 Progress St. - Sumter Bath Sheets ........... $5 ea. 775-8366 Ext. 37 Bath Towels ........... $4 ea. Store Hours Mon. - Sat. • 9:30 - 5:00 Closed Sunday

Hand Towels ..... $1.25 ea. Wash Cloths ....... .60¢ ea.

Tree Service

BUSINESS SERVICES Brick Work MJ Masonry Specializing in concrete, brick & stone. Contact Matt Johnson 803-460-0596 for more info.

Home Improvements H.L. Boone, Contractor: Remodel paint roofs gutters drywall blown ceilings ect. 773-9904 Professional Remodelers Home maintenance, ceramic tile, roofing, siding & windows doors, etc. Lic. & Ins. (Cell) 803-459-4773 Land Clearing avail. includes: Digging ponds, excavation, and bulldozer work. Call T & N Septic Tank Co. at 803-481-2428 or 803-481-2421

Lawn Service Newman's Lawn & Tree Service Mowing, Landscaping, Irrigation, Spring Clean-up, Tree removal. Call 803-316-0128

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

PETS & ANIMALS Dogs German Shepherd Pups.3 M 1 F. Black/Tan, 2nd shots & wormed. 8 wks. $200. Call 803-406-0064.

MERCHANDISE Garage, Yard & Estate Sales Moving Sale House hold items, furniture, potting benches, and potted plants. Starts at 8am at 41 W Charlotte Ave. Call 803-979-3300. Solomon Upholstery W 76 Hwy Moving Sale inside Big Cotton Warehouse Starting March 18th Wed,Thur, Fri, & Sat 8AM Furniture, glassware, truck & car 803 464-7555

Lifestyles Lawn Service New Year Clean-up Specials! Mil.-Sen. Disc.! Erik 968-8655

Lawn / Garden / Nursery

J.F. Landscaping Lawn maintenance services, bedding design, etc. License & insured. Call 774-8269 or cell 883-1066.

CENTIPEDE SOD 80sqft - $20 250 sqft - $50 500 sqft- $95 Call 499-4023 or 499-4717

We Do It For Less Commercial & Residential lawn care. Removal of branches & leaves. Call 803-565-6693. Daniel's Lawn Care • Tree removal • Lawn Service • Mulch / Pine straw • Debris removal 803-968-4185

Legal Service

For Sale or Trade Kenmore Elite: Washer and dryer, $200 ea. very good cond. Kenmore side by side refrig., $500 exc. cond. New Droid Tablet, retails $200, will for sell for $175! Call 968-5398. Expert Tech, New & used heat pumps & A/C. Will install/repair, warranty; Compressor & labor $600. Call 803-968-9549 or 843-992-2364

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

Septic Tank Cleaning

EMPLOYMENT Help Wanted Full-Time

Septic tank pumping & services. Call Ray Tobias & Company (803) 340-1155.

Tax Service Quick Refund Tax Service Special Discount for all New Customers $50.00 OFF Low Prep Fees/Free E-Filing 294 Bultman Dr , Sumter Walk-ins Welcome (803)775-7498 (Teachers Get an Extra Bonus Discount until April 15th)

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

803-316-0128

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

STATE TREE SERVICE Worker's Comp & General liability insurance. Top quality service, lowest prices. 803-494-5175 or 803-491-5154 www.statetree.net

Help Wanted Full-Time

Twin/Full...........$5 per set Queen/King ......$8 per set

NEW ARRIVALS Asst. Shower Curtains $10 each

Homes for Sale

Maintenance Supervisor Maintenance Supervisor needed for community in Sumter. Candidates must possess at least five years previous apartment maintenance and supervisory experience. Ability to troubleshoot & repair electrical & mechanical systems, appliances, structural, plumbing systems and HVAC certification required. Must respond to rotating after hours emergency calls. Submit resumes and salary requirements to humanresources@fryeproperties.com. Morris College, a private four year Liberal Arts College in Sumter, South Carolina is seeking to fill the following position(s): Secretary; To assist the Director of Financial Aid in filing and tracking student performance and records, and to render efficient clerical and data collection activities. Applicant must be proficient in computer skills and office automation and must possess a personable attitude and experience to interact with students. Must have an Associate's degree in Office Automation or related field and two years of general office experience. Effective Immediately. Submit letter of application, personal resume, three letters of recommendation and official academic transcripts to: Director of Personnel, Morris College, 100 W. College St., Sumter, SC 29150-3599. Morris College is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer 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. Subway of Sumter is seeking motivated individuals to join our Subway team. Day / night shifts. Apply at 1961 McCrays Mill Rd. Mon., Mar. 23 between 9am-10am. Background check is mandatory. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE

Part time CDL driver needed to haul turf. Good driving record required. Contact 843-687-9012 between the hours of 10 am - 12 pm Monday through Thursday to apply.

LPN, MA, Front Office / Clerical & PRN X-Ray Tech. needed for busy internal medical practice. Competitive salary and benefits. Fax resume to office manager @ 803-905-6810

Exp. Brick Masons, starting $18 hrly. & Laborers $11 per hour , needed for Shaw AFB Project. Must be able to obtain badge for base access. Contact: sharon.colaconstructors@gmail.com

Help Wanted Part-Time

Auto Technician needed at busy car lot. Min. 5 yrs experience. Apply in person, at 1282 N. Lafayette Dr. NO PHONE CALLS!!! Valid Driver's License Req. Must have own tools.

MICROFIBER SHEET SETS

SAVE THE DATE!!!

Southern States is looking for a P/T Groomer . Must be willing to work weekends and afternoons. Send Resume to: PFSjob@yahoo.com $$$ AVON $$$ FREE TRAINING! 803-422-5555

Need OTR Truck Drivers. 1-1/2 yrs exp. Good driving records. Dependable & willing to work. Paid weekly. Paid Vacations. Call 888-991-1005

Southern States is looking for P/T help. Retail exp is needed in lawn & garden, animal health or pet food. Send Resume: PFSjob@yahoo.com

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.

Trucking Opportunities Drivers: OTR. Competitive Pay! Great Benefits & Paid Vacation! Newer Equipment. CDL-A, 2years Experience. Miles & Home time! 877-982-0674

LEGAL NOTICES

RENTALS Unfurnished Apartments Downtown apartments 1bd/1 bath $850, 2bd/2 bath $975, rent incl.water & electricity. 803-775-1204 Mon. Fri., 8 am - 5 pm.

Unfurnished Homes Duplex Historic Dist. private completely renovated, lg yard. 1BR 1BA $475 mo + dep. 513-827-5383 before 8am or after 5pm 3BR 2BA Lake House Rental. $655 mo. +$500 Dep. Call 803-406-6159 9am-8pm lv msg Studio Apt Fridge, stove, water & Elect. included $550 Mo +$275 Sec Dept. 803-847-1069 3 & 4 Br Mobile homes & houses, located in Manning & Sumter. No Sect. 8. Rent + dep. req. Call 803-460-6216. 3bd/ 1ba home $400 rent-dep call 803-468-1900

Mobile Home Rentals 3br/2ba, c/h/a, laundry room, 1 acre lot, outside pets only, off Ramsey rd and Rose Dr. $650 mthly & $650 dep. 803-481-8134

STATEBURG COURTYARD 2 & 3 BRs 803-494-4015

Bid Notices

3600 Dallas St. Dalzell Must Sell 3 Br 2 Ba lg. lot, lg. shop Financing avail. Call 803-775-4391 or 464-5960

Manufactured Housing Turn your Tax Refund into your dream home! Low credit score? Been turned down for bad credit? Come try us, we do our own financing.We have 2-3-4 bedroom homes. For more information, call 843-389-4215 AND also visit our Face Book page (M & M Mobile Homes).

Abandon Vehicle / Boat

Mobile Home with Lots FSBO: 5 Br, 3 ba DW, 3.5 ac. Close to Lake Marion & public boat ramp. Call 803-460-0315 for more details.

Land & Lots for Sale MIN SHAW AFB, 16 + acres. $1750 per acre paved rd. Water, elec. 888-774-5720 Multiple lots for sale: 803-773-8022 ask for Bruce.

Call

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

REAL ESTATE

Abandoned Vehicle Notice: The following vehicle was abandoned at Dave's Auto Repair, LLC & Godrey's Auto Salvage, LLC, 2645 Alpine Road, Columbia, SC 29223. Described as a 2004 Nissan A l t i m a S E , V I N # 1N4BL11D41C170742. Total Due for storage is $3,120 as of March 11, 2015, plus $29.00 per day thereafter. Owner is asked to call 803-788-3582. If not claimed in 30 days. it will be turned over to the Magistrate's Office for public sale.

Minutes WALMART. Acre $4,900. Utilities! 713-870-0216. 10 lots on Mooneyham Rd. Ready for setup. Call 464-5960 or 775-4391 for more details.

TRANSPORTATION

2 & 3 Bd houses for rent Call 803-406-0113.

Resort Rentals

INVITATION TO BID The County of Sumter is soliciting separate sealed bids from qualified vendors for the following project: One (1) New Light Rescue Service Unit. Bids will be received until 11:00 am, Thursday, April 9, 2015 in the purchasing department on the 2nd Floor, Sumter County Administration Building, 13 East Canal Street, Sumter, South Carolina 29150. Bid documents may be obtained from: County of Sumter, Purchasing Department, 13 East Canal Street, Sumter, South Carolina 29150. Telephone inquiries should be made to (803)436-2331. The County of Sumter reserves the right to reject any or all bids. The County of Sumter reserves the right to waive any or all technicalities.

Autos For Sale

OPEN

Ernest Baker Auto Sales & Equip. Located 3349 N. Main St 5.5 miles from 378 overpass at N. Main., on Hwy 15 N. next to Baker Mini Warehouse. Remember Cars are like Eggs, Cheaper in the Country!!! 803-469-9294

Public Hearing Destruction of Special Education Records (300.573) Sumter School District will be destroying special education records for students exiting during or prior to the 2009-2010 school year. Records being destroyed include all special education referral records, evaluation reports, testing protocols, notifications of meetings, Individual Education Plans (IEP), reviews of existing data summaries, and all other personally identifiable information therein. Under state and federal law, special education records must be maintained for a period of five years after special education services have ended. Former students over the age of 18, or parents of students over the age of 18, who have retained parental rights through the court's determination, may obtain special education records by contacting and making an appointment with Mrs. Lillarweise Seymore at (803) 774-5500 (ext. 210).

Homes for Sale Lake House 2 Bd/ 2 Ba deep water, dock, boat ramp, on Tawcaw Creek, $220,000 obo, call 803-928-6326 Water front house & lot. 4bd/ 2 bath, front deck, boat house w/ track, c/h/a, most furniture can go w/ house .26 acres 1050 sq/ft. 1159 Lakeview Dr Manning SC, White Oak Creek in Wyboo Call 843-659-4332

1 Bedroom Apartments for 62 YEARS AND OLDER 150 Milton, Must Sell, 2 Br, lg. corner lot, great shape. Financing avail. Call 803-775-4391 or 464-5960

SUNSET COUNTRY CLUB now hiring servers, bartenders, sous chef, dishwasher/ prep-cook and certified life guards. Apply in person at 1005 Golfcrest Rd. No phone calls.

•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 6 Middle St. Must Sell 3/4 Br. 2 Ba New construction Financing avail. Call 775-4391 or 464-5960

803-469-8238 TTY 800-735-8583

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SECTION

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2015 Call Ivy Moore at: (803) 774-1221 | E-mail: ivy@theitem.com

Welcome spring with music, art Visual artist joins quartet for concert BY IVY MOORE ivy@theitem.com

visual artist will complete two paintings inspired by

and created to the music played by a live string quartet, when the SumterShaw Community Concert Association presents Galleria Seasons Friday evening at the Sumter Opera House. The Vega String Quartet, currently in residence at Emory University in Atlanta, will play Antonio Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” — most appropriate as spring begins at 6:45 p.m. Friday. Abstract artist Susan Ruth, inspired by the live music, will complete one painting during each half of the concert, which starts at 7:30 p.m. Music lovers have likely heard Vega previously on NPR’s Performance Today, among their many appearances worldwide. The four have been in concert in most major U.S. cities, including New York’s Carnegie Hall, and they have toured extensively in Asia, Europe and North America. In addition, the members, both individually and together, often collaborate with some of the world’s finest musicians, including Andres Cardenes, Eliot Fisk, Robert McDuffie, Christopher

PHOTO PROVIDED

The Vega String Quartet and visual artist Susan Ruth will be on stage at the Sumter Opera House at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Their performance will be the last in the Sumter-Shaw Community Concert Association’s 2014-15 season. O’Riley, William Preucil, Richard Stoltzman, Robert Spano, Charles Wadsworth, the Eroica Trio and the St. Petersburg Quartet. The New York Times has praised Vega for “Big, strong playing ... (with) a touch both light and distinctive, emotional but not overbearing ... playing that had a kind of clean intoxication to it, pulling the listener along ... .” Other critics are equally effusive in their praise of the quartet. The musicians are Domenic Salerni and Jessica Shuang Wu, violins; Yinzi Kong, viola; and Guang Wang, cello. The four will open the program with selected movements from Franz Joseph Haydn’s String Quartet, Op 76, No. 5 (“Largo”), then perform Vivaldi’s Four Seasons in an orchestration for string quartet. They will play the first two pieces, Concerto No. 1 in E major “La primavera”

(Spring) and Concerto No. 2 in G minor “L’estate” (Summer), during the first part of the program, as Ruth creates her first artwork of the evening. Taking her inspiration from the music, her painting will evoke the colors and feel of spring and summer. Following a brief intermission, Vega will perform String Quartet no. 15 in D minor, K.421, works from a set of quartets Mozart dedicated to Haydn, then conclude the concert with the final Four Seasons concertos for autumn and winter, Concerto No. 3 in F major and Concerto No. 4 in F minor. Ruth’s painting completed during the concertos will now be informed by Vivaldi’s musical impressions of fall and winter. Both of the paintings Ruth completes Friday night will be donated to the Sumter Opera House. Seattle native Ruth now

lives in Nashville, where she also performs live and records her original music. Her art is sought after by collectors around the world, and can be seen in numerous galleries, including The Jansen Art Center and Gallery in Lynden, Washington, where Ruth had an exhibition in 2013. Her great uncle Carl Gutherz was a member of the 19th-century American Symbolist movement. Ruth’s works appear in numerous galleries globally, including a 2013 showing at The Jansen Art Center and Gallery in Lynden, Washington. It is also in demand Nashville, where it is part of the John and Libby Menefee collection. Her pieces are typically sold for $500 to $6,500. Ruth said she is currently working mostly in acrylics and watercolor “but enjoy(s) stretching my imagination (and hopefully the interest of my audience) by combining

diverse textures, colors and perspectives. I always seek to encourage the bigger picture in my subject matter. “I am often visited by apparitions in my work and find it compelling to make their presence known. I suppose, therefore, I cannot be called an absolute Abstract painter, as there is an elemental Realism that shows itself in many of the pieces.” Galleria Seasons is the final offering in the 2014-15 season of the Sumter-Shaw Community Concert Association. Admission is by season membership in the association or by individual tickets purchased at the website www.sumteroperahouse.com, by calling (803) 436-2616 or visiting the Sumter Opera House, 21 N. Main St. Tickets are $25 for floor and box seats, $20 for balcony seats, and $10 for students. Refreshments will be available in the City Centre adjoining the Opera House.

Chris Mitchum’s journey to Hollywood: Part 2 BY NICK THOMAS Tinseltown Talks You would think appearing in three popular John Wayne westerns in the space of two years would ignite a young actor’s career, especially if the actor’s father was Robert Mitchum. And in the early 1970s, Hollywood did indeed seem ready to welcome a new Mitchum to the big screen. “After ‘Big Jake’ I was on Johnny Carson’s show several times, I was one of Box Office Magazine’s top new actors and was twice on the cover of Seventeen Magazine,” said Chris Mitchum from Santa Barbara. “Then suddenly, I couldn’t get a job in Hollywood, and even my agent didn’t know why.” So when an offer came to star in a film overseas, Mitchum accepted. “I went to Spain and made ‘Summertime Killer’ in 1972 with Karl Malden and Olivia Hussey,” he explained. “It was very popular in Europe and Asia and led to more work offers over there.” At the time, French actor Alain Delon was a top star in Europe, although he was little known in the U.S. “He was number 1, and Clint Eastwood, Charles Bronson and myself were 2, 3 or 4 in Europe, depending on who had the most recent release,” said Mitchum, who still recalls a publicity tour in Japan for “Summertime Killer.” “I arrived in Osaka where a wall of police with riot shields lined up to keep back some 2,000 fans trying to see me as I got off the train,” he said. “It was just crazy.” After returning to America, Mitchum interviewed for the 1973 crime comedy “Steelyard Blues.” “The casting director took one look at me and said ‘Oh, you’re that Chris Mitchum, I can’t hire you.’ When I asked why not, she said ‘Because you worked with John Wayne.’” Wayne was a well-known conservative and seen as a supporter of the Vietnam War by the ‘60s anti-war movement, especially after his 1969 film “The Green Berets,” which critics regarded as a propaganda film. But John Wayne was too big to take

PHOTO PROVIDED

Chris Mitchum, front row far right, poses with the cast of the 1971 film “Big Jake” with other cast members, including John Wayne, top left, Maureen O’Hara, top right, and Patrick Wayne, bottom left. Mitchum played John Wayne’s son. down, as large in life as he was on screen. “So liberal Hollywood went after actors who worked with him, and I was blacklisted,” Mitchum. “But Duke loved our troops and couldn’t do enough for them. Today, people understand that you can support our troops but not a war. That wasn’t so clear-cut

during Vietnam.” Like Wayne, Mitchum’s dad was also politically conservative. “He was also a radical,” said Mitchum. “In fact, Hollywood never really understood my father because of his disdain for Hollywood ‘games’ like campaigning for Oscars.” Nor did his dad always display toler-

ance for authority. “He used to drive up and down Sunset Boulevard at 100 miles per hour – he had a wall covered with speeding tickets! One day, he was in his ’52 XK120 Jaguar and got pulled over. Recognizing him, the cops called up their buddies to come over and meet Robert Mitchum. But dad was in a hurry and getting impatient, so he just took off. They arrested him, and it was front-page news the next day. I was kicked out of elementary school to avoid any future bad publicity.” In the 1970s, Chris continued to star in overseas productions but also returned to work in America starring in “Stingray” (1978), “The One Man Jury” (1978), and “The Day Time Ended” (1979). “I also had nine films published overseas and am currently writing a murder mystery that was put on hold while I ran for Congress last year,” noted Mitchum. While his own star status in the U.S. fell far short of his dad’s, Mitchum accepted the challenges of being the son of a Hollywood icon. “I don’t believe I ever got an acting job because I was Robert Mitchum’s son,” he said. “In fact, I had to be better than anyone else auditioning for a part so they would hire me because of my performance rather than who I was.” And even though his father never told him so directly, he knew his dad was proud of his achievements. “I heard it from many friends and people he worked with over the years,” Chris said. Mitchum also remembers a story his father would relate after returning from making “The Yakuza” in Japan in 1974. “During that trip, a girl came up to him and asked ‘Are you Chris Mitchum’s father? Can you get me his autograph?’” recalled Chris. “He loved telling that story.” Nick Thomas teaches at Auburn University at Montgomery, Ala., and has written features, columns, and interviews for more than 550 magazines and newspapers. Follow on Twitter @TinseltownTalks.

FOOD

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2015

THE SUMTER ITEM

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Roasted Ducks with Citrus-Tomato Chutney is a tasty alternative to traditional ham.

Save Easter ham for sandwiches; do a duo of ducks BY ALISON LADMAN The Associated Press

erhaps this will be

breakfasts covered. But for Easter dinner, how about trythe year you break ing something new, such as out of your ham rut. this duo of roasted ducks? The process is the same as roasting any other bird, with Not that there’s anything wrong with a spiral-cut-honey- one exception. Because duck is roasted-maple-slathered-pine- so fatty, we give it a quick boil before roasting to render off apple-adorned ham. It’s just some of that fat. Once the that as main courses at an Easter feast go, they tend to be ducks are boiled and patted dry, you pop them in a roastkind of... Meh. Truth is, the ing pan and mostly ignore best part of a monster sweetthem. To dress up our ducks, roasted ham is the leftovers. We want those sandwiches and we created an intensely citrusy tomato chutney. It’s delihashes the next day. But for the big meal itself ? Been there ciously sweet and perfect for cutting through the richness too many times. So we offer this delicious al- of the duck. Most grocers only sell frozen ternative. Get yourself your whole ducks, so think ahead usual ham, but get a smaller one. Roast it up the day before and shop early so they have time to thaw for a day in the or the day after Easter. Now refrigerator. you’ve got your lunches and

ROASTED DUCKS WITH CITRUS-TOMATO CHUTNEY Start to finish: 2 1/2 hours (1 hour active) Servings: 8 Kosher salt Two 5- to 6-pound whole Peking or Long Island ducks Ground black pepper 6 cloves garlic, not peeled 2 medium shallots, chopped 6 plum tomatoes, chopped

Zest and juice of 2 oranges Zest and juice of 2 lemons Zest and juice of 2 tangerines 2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger 1/4 cup white balsamic vinegar 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

Heat the oven to 375 F. Place a large roasting rack in a roasting pan large enough to hold both ducks. In a pot large enough to hold 1 duck submerged in water, combine 6 quarts of water and 1 tablespoon of salt. Bring to a boil. While the water heats, use kitchen shears to trim the wing tips from the ducks, as well as any excess flaps of skin. Remove any giblets and the neck from the cavity (discard or save for another use). Poke the duck skin all over with a sharp fork, poking only through the skin and not into the meat. When the water is boiling, one at a time submerge each duck in the water. If the duck floats, place a plate on top to keep it submerged. Cook for 10 minutes, then carefully remove from the water and set on a platter. Repeat with the second duck, adding water if needed. When both ducks have been boiled, pat them dry with paper towels. Season liberally with salt and pepper, then arrange on the roasting rack breast sides down. Roast for 1 hour. Flip the ducks to be breast side up by inserting 2 wooden spoons into the cavities, one in each end. Roast for another 60 to 75 minutes, or until the thigh reaches 175 F. Allow to rest for 15 minutes. While the ducks roast, prepare the chutney. In a large, deep skillet over medium heat, add the garlic (leaving their papery skins intact). Cook, stirring often, for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the garlic is soft and fragrant. Remove the garlic from the skillet and cool until easily handled. Peel the garlic, return it to the skillet and mash with a fork. Add 2 tablespoons of duck fat (you can collect it from the drippings in the roasting pan) and the shallots. Cook for 5 minutes, then add the tomatoes, citrus zests and juices, vinegar, brown sugar, red pepper flakes and smoked paprika. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 30 minutes or until everything is soft and saucy. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm with the duck. Nutrition information per serving: 870 calories; 590 calories from fat (68 percent of total calories); 65 g fat (22 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 190 mg cholesterol; 25 g carbohydrate; 2 g fiber; 21 g sugar; 45 g protein; 380 mg sodium.

Carrot cake — a classic dessert recast as breakfast BY ALISON LADMAN The Associated Press This Easter, we’ve decided you can have cake for breakfast. After all, it is a holiday that’s already loaded with treats, so why not embrace the

sweeter side of every meal. We took all the flavors of a classic carrot cake — golden raisins, grated carrots, chopped walnuts and brown sugar — and combined them into a crispy waffle perfect for breakfast or lunch.

CARROT CAKE WAFFLES WITH GINGER RAISIN SYRUP Makes 4 large waffles 8-ounce can crushed pineapple Start to finish: 30 minutes (not drained) For the ginger-raisin syrup: 1/2 cup toasted, chopped walnuts 1 cup packed brown sugar 1/2 cup packed grated carrot 1/2 cup water 1 cup buttermilk 1/3 cup golden raisins 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon dry ground ginger 4 teaspoons baking powder For the waffles: 1/4 teaspoon table salt 2 eggs 1 teaspoon cinnamon 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar Butter, optional 1/4 cup vegetable oil To make the syrup, in a small saucepan over medium-high, combine the brown sugar, water, raisins and both gingers. Bring to a simmer, stirring to combine, and heat until the sugar has dissolved. Remove the pan from the heat and set aside to steep. Heat a waffle iron to medium-high. Heat the oven to 250 F. In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, brown sugar, oil, pineapple, walnuts, carrot, buttermilk and vanilla. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Gently stir the dry ingredients into the liquid ingredients just until combined. Spray the waffle iron with cooking spray and add 2/3 cup of batter, or an appropriate amount for your waffle iron. Cook as directed for your waffle iron, or until golden brown. Keep warm on a baking sheet in the oven while you cook the remaining waffles. Serve with butter, if desired, and the warm syrup. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Carrot Cake Waffles with Ginger Raisin Syrup is the perfect way to begin Easter.

Nutrition information per serving: 850 calories; 240 calories from fat (28 percent of total calories); 27 g fat (3.5 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 110 mg cholesterol; 138 g carbohydrate; 5 g fiber; 82 g sugar; 15 g protein; 800 mg sodium.

FOOD

THE SUMTER ITEM

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2015

Dessert combines creamy coconut, layers of meringue BY ALISON LADMAN The Associated Press It’s just not Easter without some sort of coconut dessert, whether it’s a classic Southern coconut cake or a creamy coconut chocolate egg. So this year we decided to take our inspiration from both of those to create a fresh, yet still familiar dessert for rounding out our Easter dinner. We liked the idea of a classic layer cake, but we wanted something a little lighter. So instead of layers of white cake, we baked up airy and crisp meringues. We then stacked the meringues, layering them with a rich coconut cream, fresh berries and toasted shredded coconut. The result is creamy, fresh and the perfect finish to the holiday meal. The recipe does take a little time to assemble, but none of the components is difficult. Feel free to substitute any fruit for the berries. Mango and pineapple would be a delicious tropical choice, while strawberries and banana (tossed with lemon juice to prevent browning) with a bit of finely chopped fresh mint would be sweet and refreshing.

Berries in Brown Sugar Coconut Meringue Cake can be substituted with fruit of your choice. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

disc of meringue on a serving platter. Top with half of the cooled coconut cream, half of the berries, and half of the remaining toasted coconut. Set the second layer of meringue over that, then repeat the toppings. Serve immediately. Leftovers can be refrigerated, covered gently with plastic wrap, for up to 24 hours, though the meringue will lose some of its texture. Nutrition information per serving: 310 calories; 150 calories from fat (48 percent of total calories); 17 g fat (13 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 80 mg cholesterol; 40 g carbohydrate; 2 g fiber; 33 g sugar; 5 g protein; 110 mg sodium.

BROWN SUGAR COCONUT MERINGUE CAKE Start to finish: 1 hour 30 minutes (40 minutes active) Servings: 12 6 egg whites 1/4 teaspoon table salt 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar 1 1/3 cups packed brown sugar 1 tablespoon cider vinegar 1 cup toasted coconut flakes, divided 5 tablespoons cornstarch, divided 1/2 cup granulated sugar 4 whole eggs 13.5-ounce can coconut milk 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter 2 cups fresh berries, such as blueberries, blackberries and raspberries Heat the oven to 300 F. Line 2 baking sheets with kitchen parchment. One at a time, set a 9-inch round cake pan in the center of each sheet of parchment, then trace it. Flip the parchment sheets over so the line is visible but on the underside. Set aside. In a very clean bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the egg whites, salt and cream of tartar until soft peaks form, about 5 minutes. Add the brown sugar a tablespoon at a time, beating until fully incorporated and firm peaks are held. Fold in the vinegar, then gently fold 1/2 cup of the coconut and 2 tablespoons of the cornstarch into the meringue. Transfer half of the mixture to the center of each circle traced on the parchment. Spread the meringue so that it is even, but stays within the circle. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until golden and crisp around the edge. It should remain somewhat spongy at the center. Allow to cool completely. Meanwhile, make the coconut cream. In a medium saucepan, whisk together the remaining 3 tablespoons of cornstarch with the granulated sugar. Add the whole eggs and whisk again until completely smooth. Add the coconut milk and whisk once more until combined. Set the pan over medium heat and, whisking constantly, cook until the cream thickens and comes to a simmer, about 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the butter. Pour the mixture into a bowl and press plastic wrap down onto the surface of the cream. Refrigerate to cool completely, about 1 hour. To assemble the cake, place a

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COMICS

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2015

BIZARRO

SOUP TO NUTZ

ANDY CAPP

GARFIELD

BEETLE BAILEY

BORN LOSER

BLONDIE

ZITS

MOTHER GOOSE

DOG EAT DOUG

DILBERT

JEFF MACNELLY’S SHOE

Boyfriend’s denial is reason for mistrust DEAR ABBY — I’m 18 and smarter than many people realize. I carefully evaluate every situation to find Dear Abby the best solution, but I ABIGAIL can’t find VAN BUREN one for this problem. My boyfriend, who I’ve been with for two years, has recently started watching hermaphrodite porn on a website where there are naked pictures of local girls. “Roy” has admitted he knows several of the girls on the site. When I told him it makes me feel insecure, he lied and said he hadn’t been

THE SUMTER ITEM

on it. Even though I showed him the history, he still denied it. I don’t know what to do. I feel uncomfortable with him now. I feel like I’m not satisfying him or that he wants someone else. Insecure in Massachusetts DEAR INSECURE — While Roy may have been embarrassed to have been caught, I am still troubled by the fact that he wasn’t honest with you. Whether you’re not satisfying him is beside the point. That he lied to you in the face of evidence to the contrary should be a wake-up call. The question becomes -what ELSE has Roy been less than truthful about? Does he have a fetish? Is he bi-curious?

THE DAILY CROSSWORD PUZZLE

It would benefit you if you could have an honest conversation with him about it. I don’t blame you for feeling uncomfortable right now. Rather than search for shortcomings within yourself, take a long, hard look at Roy. Do you need a boyfriend you can’t trust, particularly if you think he may have had sex with some of the individuals who appear on a porn site? Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www. DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069. For everything you need to know about wedding planning, order “How to Have a Lovely Wedding.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $7 (U.S. funds) to Dear Abby, Wedding Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)

JUMBLE

SUDOKU

THAT SCRAMBLED WORD GAME By David L. Hoyt and Jeff Knurek

HOW TO PLAY: Each row, column and set of 3-by-3 boxes must contain the numbers 1 through 9 without repetition.

ACROSS 1 Cellist’s need 4 North of Colombia 9 P.T. goal 14 In a style resembling 15 Make less dangerous 16 Clear 17 Hipster 18 Inspiration for a chewy candy 20 Doglike scavengers 22 Bird on Australia’s coat of arms 23 __-di-dah 24 “Frasier” role 25 Run __: find 28 Horns banned at the 2014 World Cup 31 Tons 35 Nobelist Pavlov 36 Visual greeting 37 Peruvian wool sources 38 “Yo, how’s things?” 39 Colorful island dresses 41 Game show VIPs 42 Umpteen 44 “Hometown Proud” supermarket chain 45 Give (out) 46 It’s a wrap 47 Yoga-inspired athletic apparel brand

49 Actor Piven of “Entourage” 51 __ trip 52 Master 55 Kyoto cash 56 Hammerheads, e.g. 59 Dish at a 37Down 63 Electron-deficient particle, e.g. 64 Varnish resin 65 Pet problem? 66 Alias lead-in 67 Crashed, so to speak 68 Closer 69 Morning salmon DOWN 1 One of music’s Three Bs 2 Maker of Regenerist skin care products 3 Steam 4 Contemporary electronic music genre 5 Weighty obligation 6 Howard’s best friend on “The Big Bang Theory” 7 “Storage Hunters” network __ TV 8 Bonfire leftovers 9 Turndowns 10 Misspeak, say

11 Swag 12 Where Bhutan is 13 “Little Women” woman 19 Rock genre 21 Any thing 25 Felipe of baseball 26 Element in a rechargeable battery 27 Hydromassage facility 28 Travel papers 29 Soft palate dangler 30 Plenty, to texters 32 Timeless 33 __-ovo vegetarian 34 Krupp Works city 37 Island bash 39 Do-it-yourselfer’s nightmare 40 Homely 43 __ Mahal

45 Start of something big? 47 Delaware tribe 48 Presidential debate moderator Jim 50 Seminary subj. 52 Big primates 53 Select 54 Fencing blade 56 Golf great Ballesteros 57 Gorilla who learned sign language 58 Junk food, in adspeak 60 Official at a base 61 Commonly used base 62 “Ideas worth spreading” conference acronym

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‘Walking the Nile’ follows explorer on epic adventure BY KEVIN M CDONOUGH After weeks of rising ratings and buzz, “Empire” (8 p.m. and 9 p.m., Fox, TV-14) reveals its big flaw: Its season is too darn short. “Empire” has revived the fortunes of Fox and proved that network dramas could still be culture-defining hits. But its duration — just 12 hours — resembles a cable series. Lucious (Terrence Howard) may be facing a fatal illness, but “Empire” will be back. Fox renewed the series after only two episodes aired. Tonight’s two-part “Empire” will pre-empt “American Idol,” but there will be no shortage of music or musicians. Look for cameos from Snoop Dogg, Jennifer Hudson, Rita Ora, Juicy J and Patti Labelle. • Nothing challenges a couch potato like a 4,250mile hike! “Walking the Nile” (8 p.m., Animal Planet, TVPG) follows explorer Levison Wood as he walks the entire length of the world’s longest river, traveling through six African countries (Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, the Republic of Sudan and Egypt). While the sheer length of the trip is forbidding, Wood’s travel takes him through areas of war, ethnic conflict, gang warfare, corrupt police and political instability. In addition to these perils, Wood faced personal tragedy. Friend and journalist Matt Power joined Wood for a part of his trip and died of heatstroke on the way. Wood also encounters spectacular natural beauty and tribes as ancient as the Bible. Epic in scope, “Walking the Nile” is a three-hour television event. • Hosted by Diane Sawyer, “‘The Sound of Music’ 50th Anniversary Special” (10 p.m., ABC) retraces the steps of the real von Trapp family, who defied the Nazis after they had taken over Austria and lived to tell the tale in a Broadway musical, a 1965 movie and a television holiday event that continues to attract large audiences for ABC every year. Sawyer travels to Salz-

ern Family” (9 p.m., ABC, r, TV-PG) * To the slopes on “black-ish” (9:30 p.m., ABC, r, TV-14).

LATE NIGHT

ANIMAL PLANET / TOM MCSHANE

Explorer Levison Wood sprints for the sea as he completes his epic journey of “Walking the Nile” airing at 8 p.m. today on Animal Planet. burg, Austria, with “Sound” star Julie Andrews to share stories about the making of the beloved movie, a film that broke all box-office records in its time. Tonight’s “50th Anniversary” pre-empts “Nashville.” Fans waiting for that melodrama to return will have to be patient. Next week, “Nashville” takes an hour out for its second “On the Record” music special. • A runaway teen crashes Ilana’s birthday party on the season finale of “Broad City” (10:30 p.m., Comedy Central, TV-14). The relative success of this anarchic series has given hope to many Webbased comedies hoping to navigate to cable. “Impress Me” (10:30 p.m., Pop, TV-PG) migrates from YouTube to the former TV Guide Channel. Rainn Wilson of “The Office” and “Backstrom” produces. His “Office” co-star Angela Kinsey cameos, along with Josh Groban and “Weird Al” Yankovic.

TONIGHT’S OTHER HIGHLIGHTS • Hack-drivers hacked on “CSI: Cyber” (10 p.m., CBS, TV-PG). • Voight becomes a target on “Chicago P.D.” (10 p.m.,

NBC, r, TV-14). • Philip faces multiple pressures on “The Americans” (10 p.m., FX, TV-MA). • Josh hopes to win back Maggie on the season finale of “Man Seeking Woman” (10:30 p.m., FXX, TV-MA). • “The Soul Man” (10:30 p.m., TV Land, TV-PG), starring Cedric the Entertainer and Niecy Nash, returns for a fourth season with a live episode.

TV-14) * Haley and Andy become inseparable on “Mod-

Kevin Hart is scheduled on “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart” (11 p.m., Comedy Central) * Sean Penn, Sasha Alexander and Dana Gould appear on “Conan” (11 p.m., TBS) * Norm MacDonald and Theo James appear on “Late Show With David Letterman” (11:35 p.m., CBS) * Jimmy Fallon welcomes Will Ferrell, Chelsea Peretti and Boots on “The Tonight Show” (11:35 p.m., NBC) * Lena Dunham, Erin Andrews and Tove Styrke visit “Late Night With Seth Meyers” (12:35 a.m., NBC) * Will Arnett guest-hosts Jimmy Kimmel, John Krasinski and David Cross on “The Late Late Show” (12:35 a.m., CBS, r). Copyright 2015, United Feature Syndicate

CULT CHOICE William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy star in the 1982 sequel “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan” (8 p.m., VH1 Classic), but Ricardo Montalban steals the show.

SERIES NOTES Two hours of “Survivor” (8 p.m., CBS) * Murder stalks the female impersonator circuit on “The Mysteries of Laura” (8 p.m., NBC, r, TV-14) * Sue and Brick show signs of maturity on “The Middle” (8 p.m., ABC, r, TV-PG) * Oliver gets bad news on “Arrow” (8 p.m., CW, TV-14) * A loss of status on “The Goldbergs” (8:30 p.m. ABC, r, TV-PG) * A grim pattern emerges on “Law & Order: SVU” (9 p.m., NBC, r, TV-14) * Sam continues his search for a cure on “Supernatural” (9 p.m., CW,

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Dress up asparagus with an easy brown butter sauce BY MELISSA D’ARABIAN The Associated Press

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Grandma Odom’s Fresh Ham with Cloves and Brown Sugar is packed with flavor.

Grandma’s recipe is worth purchasing a fresh ham BY ELIZABETH KARMEL The Associated Press

hen I think of spring menus, I instantly think of asparagus and the fresh ham that

my grandmother made every Easter. The pork was studded with cloves and slathered with brown sugar and mustard before roasting. And it made the entire house smell amazing. But these days, I tend to do most of my roasting on the grill. So I’ve adapted my grandmother’s recipe, and was thrilled that it ended up being deceptively easy. All you really need is the forethought to order a fresh ham from your butcher (many grocers don’t normally stock them) and the patience to let it cook slowly over indirect heat. A fresh ham, sometimes called a “green” ham, is pork at its most basic — not cured, not smoked, not cooked. The meat is so sweet and succulent, and the texture is meaty, not compact and slick as a cured ham often is.

Also, the meat of a fresh ham remains white when cooked. I promise it will taste like the best pork roast you have ever eaten. All of which is to say, fresh hams are very different from the usual cured or smoked hams people are accustomed to. But in my family, those hams were always more for sandwiches, not holiday feasts. The preparation is quite simple and decidedly old fashioned. Don’t be tempted to switch the yellow mustard for Dijon. Though I generally prefer Dijon, in this instance yellow is better. The combination of yellow mustard and dark brown sugar forms a heady crust that is punctuated by the whole cloves that dot the natural fat cap on the ham. Some people leave both the skin and the fat intact, but I find that removing the skin and leaving just the fat on the ham allows the mustard-brown sugar-salt slather to better infuse the meat. And the deeply caramelized crust you get from the long cooking time is something that you want on as many slices as possible. Depending on where you live, you may need to order the ham up to a week in advance. You also can also ask the butcher to skin the ham for you, but make sure you ask that the fat be left intact.

GRANDMOTHER ODOM’S FRESH HAM WITH CLOVES AND BROWN SUGAR Prefer to roast this in the oven? Follow the recipe as directed, but set the ham on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet. Roast at 325 F for 5 to 6 hours. Start to finish: 6 hours (30 minutes active) Servings: 15 to 20 (depending on size) 12- to 15-pound fresh (uncured, unsmoked) ham (bone-in leg of pork)? 2 tablespoons whole cloves 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar 1 1/2 tablespoons kosher salt 9-ounce jar yellow mustard Prepare a grill for medium heat, indirect cooking. For a charcoal grill, this means banking the hot coals to one side of the grill and cooking on the other side. For a gas grill, this means turning off one or more burners to create a cooler side, then cooking on that side. Use paper towels to pat dry the ham. Using a sharp boning or paring knife, remove the skin but leave the layer of fat just beneath the skin (alternatively, you can have the butcher do this). Score the fat by making diagonal cuts from right to left, then again across the original cuts to create a diamond pattern. Press a whole clove into the points of each of these diamonds. In a small bowl, mix together the sugar, salt and mustard. Rub the mixture all over the exterior of the ham. Place the ham on the cooler (indirect heat) side of the grill, either directly on the grates or in a V-rack roast holder. Grill the ham for 5 to 6 hours, or until the thickest part reaches 175 F to 180 F. The outside should be darkly caramelized and the inside should be very tender. Transfer the ham to a serving platter and let rest for 20 minutes before carving. Nutrition information per serving: 370 calories; 150 calories from fat (41 percent of total calories); 16 g fat (5 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 140 mg cholesterol; 7 g carbohydrate; 1 g fiber; 6 g sugar; 47 g protein; 740 mg sodium.

Remember the days when you knew spring was coming by the arrival of asparagus at the grocer? These days, fresh asparagus is available almost all year. But still, my heart leaps with joy the first moment I see asparagus for less than $3 a pound. Then it is officially spring! When asparagus is in season, I buy it weekly, both because it’s so cheap and because it’s incredibly versatile. I serve it raw with a tangy Greek yogurt or blended bean dip for a snack, or chopped up and tossed with lemon juice, freshly ground black pepper, a dash of rich extra-virgin olive oil and a few shards of Parmesan cheese. Or I’ll roast it to bring out the sweet and earthy notes. To do this, just toss the stalks in a bit of olive oil, salt and pepper, then pop in a 400 F oven for 10 minutes. Or roast asparagus for half that time, which will keep some of that bright, grassy flavor, then whiz them up in a blender with fresh herbs,

chicken stock and some lime for a bright springtime soup. For a tender, fresh take on asparagus, you also can blanch it in a pot of wellsalted boiling water. The trick is to not overcook it; 45 seconds for slender stalks is plenty of time. Blanched asparagus will keep in the refrigerator and can be used to top salads, as snacks, or be added at the last second to a saute. The best news is that you can eat asparagus with abandon! A full cup of fresh asparagus has fewer than 30 calories, yet still gives you 3 grams each of protein and fiber. Plus, it’s a good source of vitamins C and A, as well as iron (a plus for non-meateaters). This brown butter asparagus will be a regular on my table this spring. And it’s deceptively simple. It pairs nutty browned butter with toasted pecans, which add a perfect richness and texture to the asparagus. A final small trick — using soy sauce instead of salt gives the dish a savory, umami flavor, which is a lovely companion to the earthy veggie.

BROWN BUTTER ASPARAGUS WITH PECANS Start to finish: 15 minutes Servings: 6 1 1/2 pounds asparagus, trimmed and cleaned 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 2 tablespoons pecans, chopped 1 teaspoon soy sauce 1 tablespoon lemon juice Chopped fresh parsley, to garnish Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Add the asparagus and blanche for 45 seconds (add 30 seconds if stalks are particularly thick). Using tongs, remove the asparagus and allow to drain dry on paper towels. Arrange the asparagus on a serving platter. In a large saute pan over medium heat, melt the butter and cook until the bubbles subside and brown bits start to form, about 2 minutes. Add the pecans and stir so that nothing burns. Once the pecans are fragrant and the butter is toasty brown, stir in the soy sauce and lemon juice, then remove from the heat. Pour the pecan butter sauce over the asparagus, sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve. Nutrition information per serving: 80 calories; 50 calories from fat (63 percent of total calories); 5 g fat (2.5 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 10 mg cholesterol; 5 g carbohydrate; 3 g fiber; 3 g sugar; 3 g protein; 50 mg sodium.