March 20, 2014

Suspect won’t testify in his double-murder trial Prosecution rests its case; character witnesses take the stand THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 2014

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BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com (803) 774-1211

SERVING SOUTH CAROLINA SINCE OCTOBER 15, 1894 2 SECTIONS, 18 PAGES | VOL. 119, NO. 132

LOCAL

MANNING — Justin Johnson told Circuit Court Judge Jeffrey Young he will not testify in his own defense at his trial for two murder charges, attempted murder and other charges.

Johnson is charged in the shoot-

ing deaths of his son, 9-month-old Jayden Caraway, and Maxine Caraway, the child’s great-grandmother.

On Wednesday, the prosecution wrapped JOHNSON up its case shortly after noon, bringing to the stand retired South Carolina Law Enforcement Division

technician Lisa Waananen, who processed the gunshot residue kits on Maxine Caraway, Kaisha Caraway and the defendant; and retired SLED analyst Ila Simmons, who analyzed the test results in the state’s forensic services lab.

Simmons said Maxine Caraway

SEE TRIAL, PAGE A8

Changing the hearts of prisoners

Catch ‘Godspell’ Don’t miss middle school’s depiction of Holy Week A4 SPORTS

Lakewood softball aims to find itself in tough Region VI-3A B1 PHOTOS BY MATT WALSH / THE SUMTER ITEM

DEATHS, B5 Altomese I. Cooper Stella M. Finney Mamie D. Witherspoon DeLeon Holland Rolly Lee Wells

Williams Lee James Donald D. Kerl Mike Windham Yonwan L. Harris David B. English Sr.

Marisa Bailey hugs an inmate at Lee Correctional Institution during Mass in the prison’s chapel recently. A Catholic support group visits the prison a few times each month to help the prisoners grow in their faith and give information to those who want to become Catholic. “We try to instill in these guys the idea of confession,” group volunteer Richard Winter said. “For some, it’s about letting everything out and seeing the mercy of God.”

Catholic volunteers minister to those in Lee institution

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“I was in prison and you came to visit me.”

— Matthew 25:36

I

t’s about trying to live a Christian life.

Richard Winter is among a group of Catholic individuals who visit Lee Correctional Institute two to three times a month to help Catholic believers grow in their faith and to provide more information to those who are considering becoming Catholic.

“I hear, ‘They deserve to be there,’ or ‘aren’t you afraid for your life?” Winter said.

“We try to convert our own people that

.com A prisoner at Lee Correctional Institution prays during a Catholic Mass on Tuesday.

SEE MINISTRY, PAGE A10

More police, fewer students at school after fight, lockdown

BY BRADEN BUNCH bbunch@theitem.com (803) 774-1201 Sumter High School worked at returning to normal Wednesday, a day after a brawl in the school’s cafeteria disrupted classes and resulted in 14 students being taken into police custody.

“It was business as usual at Sumter High School today,” said Shelly Galloway, spokeswoman for Sumter School District. “As a precautionary measure,

there was an increased presence of law enforcement, and we will continue to work closely with them to help ensure a safe and secure environment.”

Tuesday’s fight broke out about 8:30 a.m., just before students were to begin their first classes, and the suspects were taken into custody by Sumter Police Department shortly thereafter. Many of the students not involved in the fight were removed from school later that day after

Police respond to Sumter High School about 8:30 a.m.

Tuesday regarding a fight in the cafeteria.

Fourteen students were arrested after the incident, and a heightened police presence was visible at the school Wednesday.

SEE FIGHT, PAGE A8 BRADEN BUNCH / THE SUMTER ITEM

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THE SUMTER ITEM

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

LOCAL & STATE BRIEFS FROM STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

Arts grant application deadline extended Carmela Bryan, executive director of the Sumter County Cultural Commission, has announced an extension of the deadline to apply for arts grants from the county. The extension to March 31 for Fourth Quarter Grant application is a result of the commission’s still having money available.

The grant funds are for activities and projects which start during the months of April, May and June. Funded projects must be completed by June 30, 2014.

Grant applications can be picked up at the business office at Patriot Hall Performing Arts Center. Interested artists and organizations can also request a grant application by email. Send your request to: cbryan@sumtercountysc.org.

An application (PDF) will be sent by return email. Deadline for submitting Fourth Quarter Grant applications is 4 p.m.

March 31.

Hand deliver or mail completed grant applications to: Patriot Hall Performing Arts Center, Attention: Carmela Bryan, 135 Haynsworth St., Sumter, SC. 29150. There is no application fee. For more information, contact Bryan at (803) 436-2260 or cbryan@sumtercountysc.org.

Have a drink at Opera House City approves alcohol sales at future events

BY BRISTOW MARCHANT bmarchant@theitem.com (803) 774-1272 Anyone enjoying a show at the Sumter Opera House will soon be able to add a strong drink to the experience.

Sumter City Council approved a resolution Tuesday that will allow the sale of beer and wine at future Opera House events, hopefully adding to the good times of a concert or performance.

“We want people to come not just for the performers, but for the experience of the Opera House itself,” Mayor Joe McElveen said.

As a part of that discussion, the mayor said, it was decided the sale of alcohol is “inescapable if you have an

entertainment center.”

For other city events, council has granted specific permission for the sale of alcohol but felt it wouldn’t be possible for city council to pre-approve every event hosted by the Main Street venue.

“We might not know enough in advance” to schedule a reading, said city attorney Eric Shytle. “Something might be rescheduled or come up on short notice.”

Instead, council approved alcohol sales throughout 2014 under certain restrictions.

Under the terms of the resolution, alcohol can only be

sold during special events for which tickets are sold to the general public, not private functions. Beverages can only be sold between 5 and 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday, not on Sundays.

Every event allowing the sale of alcohol must be approved by the downtown development manager, the cultural manager and the chief of police. Vendors must be approved by the downtown manager, can only sell drinks for consumption inside the Opera House and must direct the proceeds to “governmental, charitable or benevolent purposes.”

For this year, drinks for Opera House events will be provided by the Young Professionals of Sumter in support of the group’s charitable causes.

“Everything they do is for the community of Sumter,” said Downtown Manager Howie Owens.

But the resolution ultimately passed 6-1, with Councilman Calvin Hastie voting against.

“Majority rules on council, but I’m opposed to selling alcohol,” said Hastie, an attorney. “I work with a lot of young and old people dealing with DUI charges.”

Senior accepted into prestigious dance program

BY RAYTEVIA EVANS revans@theitem.com (803) 774-1214

New mayor pro tem elected in Pinewood Pinewood Town Council voted on a new mayor pro tem during its monthly council meeting Tuesday.

Councilman Leonard Houser was elected as the new mayor pro tem, an election necessary after former mayor pro tem Sarah Mathis won the special election March 11 to become Pinewood’s new mayor. Houser was appointed by a three-toone vote according to councilwoman Frances Lester.

While Pinewood council meetings are normally held the second Tuesday of every month, this month’s meeting was postponed to last Tuesday because of the special election.

Mathis was sworn in to her new position at 4:30 p.m. before the meeting.

There is still one seat open on Pinewood Town Council, which Lester said will have to be filled within 90 days after the Tuesday following when Mathis was sworn in.

Gov. Campbell’s son files for lieutenant governor COLUMBIA — Mike Campbell is again seeking South Carolina’s No. 2 political office, saying he wants to continue the effort he started eight years ago.

The younger son of the late Gov. Carroll Campbell filed Wednesday for the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor. The 45-year-old father of two lost a 2006 primary runoff — his first run for political office — by just 2.5 percentage points to then-Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer.

Claire Estep, a senior at Wilson Hall, endured a complicated audition in late February to be accepted into the dance program at University of Alabama — all while also applying for West Point. Walking into the auditions, Estep faced officials of the prestigious program along with more than 50 other students determined to make their dance dreams come true.

“I’ve never done anything quite like that, and I’ve never danced at a competition school, so I didn’t really know how to be cutthroat. I wasn’t sabotagON THE WEB ing people or messing up their stretch routine,” Slippers or salutes?

Estep said jokStudent faces ingly. “I was just dilemma of reporting kind of doing my to West Point or own thing and dancing in Alabama getting ready and http://bit.ly/1d1eTvx trying to stay in the zone.”

Estep’s determination carried her through a three-part audition that included ballet, jazz and modern even after messing up during the first combination — an error she thought for a week had ruined her chance of realizing her dreams.

“I honestly didn’t think I got in. I got home and was like, ‘Mom, I gave it everything I could.’ I messed up one of the first combinations and was panicking,” Estep recalled. “I told myself I could either freak out and this audition can totally just go out the window, or I can focus and remember that this is the thing I love the absolute most.”

Estep auditioned Feb. 21, and she and others who auditioned that day were told they would receive a letter early next week as they would be writing them right away. Estep said she became a little discouraged after Monday and Tuesday,

SUMTER ITEM FILE PHOTO

Claire Estep, a senior at Wilson Hall, is seen at The Freed School of Performing Arts on Feb. 5. Estep recently received a full scholarship at the University of Alabama and was accepted into the school’s dance and honors programs. then a full work week went by, and she hadn’t received word. She thought for sure she would get a rejection letter or be accepted on a probationary status where the dance program would re-evaluate her application during the spring semester. Then Saturday came around.

“I felt like it was a good day, and I said, ‘I’m going to get something today.’ So I pulled up to my driveway and opened the mailbox. I was like no way. This is a joke. I looked at it, and it was the small envelope, and you know the small envelope is always bad,” she said. “When you get it, you don’t even want to open that.

It’s a waste of time. But I had already come so far, and this was the moment. I had to open it.”

When she opened the letter and read the word “congratulations,” Estep said she couldn’t help screaming and crying with joy. She received a full scholarship and was accepted into the school’s dance program and the honors program. Eager to get her college career started, Estep said she made her deposit, registered for housing and had room-

mates all within three hours.

Her excitement and determination about attending Alabama will go unchanged, even when she receives news from West Point, she said. However, she said her military aspirations are still there and may be an option for the future. She said she’s still grateful for the opportunity and the experience of applying for two of her biggest dreams.

“The whole process was a learning experience. It was a struggle to get that application done. Eighteen months of applying for a school that is really a life decision, but you can’t do West Point or even The Citadel if you’re not 100 percent sure that it’s something you want to do,” she said. “I’ll be a student at Alabama, and they’ll be getting someone who is 110 percent gung-ho for West Point, and I think we’re both going to come out winning on that.”

On Aug. 20, Estep will step foot onto the campus of University of Alabama to begin her college career double majoring in dance and biology. For her, she said it was meant to be, so look out Roll Tide.

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THE SUMTER ITEM

RAYTEVIA EVANS / THE SUMTER ITEM

Sumter High School orchestra students perform in the school’s auditorium Tuesday evening. Many fine arts events have been scheduled at various schools in the district to celebrate Music In Our Schools Month.

Celebrate ‘Music in Our Schools’

BY RAYTEVIA EVANS revans@theitem.com (803)774-1214 Throughout March, students with Sumter School District are celebrating Music In Our Schools Month, designated by the National Association for Music Education. As part of that celebration, Alice Drive Middle School, Bates Middle School and Sumter High School students performed during a concert Tuesday evening for an audience of family, friends and supporters at the high school.

During Tuesday’s performance, Michael Baier, director for the middle school advanced orchestra, said it is important for the students to perform in front of an audience and exhibit the craft they’ve worked on so diligently. The middle school advanced orchestra and the high school orchestras played two musical pieces each, with the high school students being led

by Erik Hines.

“Because art has such a broad and powerful impact on our society, we need to continue raising awareness of its importance and influence in our schools and its benefit to our community,” said Lori Smith, K-12 science and fine arts coordinator for Sumter School District. “To raise awareness, we are having a district-wide Celebration of the Arts this spring.”

Schools worldwide celebrate Music In Our Schools Month — which originally began as a statewide celebration in New York in 1973 — to showcase student talent throughout the month and emphasize the im-

UPCOMING FINE ARTS EVENTS March 20-22: Furman Middle School performance of “Godspell” at Patriot Hall March 23: Sumter High School jazz band performance at Alice Drive Baptist Church March 25: Sumter High intermediate orchestra performance in Sumter High School auditorium March 26-28: Sumter High performance of “The Complete History of the USA Abridged” at Sumter High School March 27: Kingsbury Elementary School Harp Ensemble performance at Sumter Opera House; International Night with music, dance and visual arts at Millwood Elementary School March 28: Cabaret dinner at Crestwood High School Performing Arts Center Check the Sumter School District website for more fine arts performances scheduled for spring.

portance of music education and to celebrate and enjoy the accomplishments of students.

Classrooms, concert halls, civic buildings, clubs, parks, libraries and shopping malls are just some of the arenas in which the public can observe the processes and results of music education throughout the country during the month, according to the association’s website.

Tuesday night’s performance at Sumter High School is just one of multiple events planned in the coming months. Sumter School District has extended the celebration and this year’s theme of “Music Makes Me _____” throughout the spring season by including multiple performances to showcase students’ talents all the way through May when the Sumter High jazz band will perform at the Iris Festival at Swan Lake-Iris Gardens.

Some of the goals of the

fine arts department for Sumter School District are to provide high quality, comprehensive, sequential standardsbased curriculum in the various art forms it offers and to provide highly qualified and highly trained arts educators and administrators. Many Sumter students continue to practice and perform from middle school and into high school. After the combined middle school orchestra performed Tuesday, Hines said Sumter High has some great talent to look forward to in the future.

“Each performance provides a forum to proudly celebrate the accomplishments of our teachers and students with our parents, employees, business partners and the entire community,” Smith said.

“We are excited at this opportunity, and we hope the community will join us in our Spring Celebration of the Arts.”

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School’s ‘Godspell’ play depicts Holy Week events

BY IVY MOORE ivym@theitem.com (803) 774-1221 For several years now, the Furman Middle School Choral Department has presented a spring musical, sometimes collaborating with Lakewood and Crestwood high schools. The students have performed “Peter Pan,” “Annie,” “Fame” and others, and they’ve been such hits, the performances have moved to the Patriot Hall stage.

This year, Furman music teacher Linda Beck has scheduled “Godspell” to coincide with the Lenten season.

It will be presented at 7 p.m. tonight through Saturday.

With a cast of seventhand eighth-graders from Furman, direction and choreography by Beck and technical assistance by David Shoemaker, “Godspell” is based primarily on the biblical book of Matthew, with some parables from Luke.

Beck said the play includes “numerous parables, the Beatitudes and the Last Supper ... interspersed with a variety of modern music set primarily to lyrics from traditional hymns.”

The final part of the play is an interpretation of the passion of Christ, the last days of Jesus’ life on Earth, beginning with his entry into Jerusalem, continuing through the Last Supper, his arrest and trial, culminating in the crucifixion.

Today, Christians commemorate these events during Holy Week, which begins on Palm Sunday and ends on Easter.

Beck said “Godspell” begins with “John the Baptist blowing his shofar, which we ordered from Israel. It’s a lovely ram’s horn and has a nice tone.”

The opening song, “Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord,” is sung by John the Baptist, who the Bible says was sent for that purpose.

“John baptizes the cast, then Jesus wants to get ‘washed up,’” Beck said.

She promises an energetic show with nonstop activity.

“Parables are acted out, songs with lyrics from the book of Matthew are sung,” Beck said. “Joey Bruce, who plays Jesus, had to learn Hebrew for the Last Supper scene. He has done a superb job with his role.”

She also had high praise for her John the Baptist/ Judas, Eric McClam.

“Both of the guys have really had to work on their characters and feelings, actions and emotions during the Last Supper, the Betrayal and the Crucifixion,” Beck said.

Michael Duffy, a Sumter School District librarian/ media professional and an actor, director and set designer at Sumter Little Theatre, worked with the students on their characterization and stagecraft, she said.

He “came to a few rehearsals and gave great information and input for the children to make their characters even more powerful and to bring the full impact of what is going on during the last hours that the Apostles are with Christ — (Christ’s) thoughts, his acceptance of knowing what is going to happen to fulfill the prophecy.”

As producing and presenting “Godspell” is an educational experience for the students, Beck said, “The cast got their own costumes together and had a blast doing this. We researched shows, got ideas, but the kids did their own thing in getting in their characters, their costumes and even dances. Choreography was fun, and we all pitched in on adding ideas.”

She added that her former student Taylor Mitchum, now at Lakewood High School, “came up with the idea of a junkyard as our set. He is a gem.”

PHOTOS BY MATT WALSH / THE SUMTER ITEM

The cast of the musical “Godspell” goes through its final dress rehearsal for the show that can be seen at Patriot Hall tonight through Saturday.

“Godspell” is directed by Furman Middle School music teacher Linda Beck, with a cast of actors, singers and dancers from the school, as well.

Joey Bruce, right, plays Jesus in Furman Middle School’s production of “Godspell” opening at 7 p.m. tonight at Patriot Hall.

The show’s music is live, with the “Godspell” band comprising Dave Auerbach, David Shoemaker, Kevin Jarvis and Beck.

“What a rocking good time we have had rehearsing,” Beck said, adding, “this show is very powerful” and perfect for Lent.

See Furman Middle School’s production of the John-Michael Tebelak—Stephen Schwartz musical “Godspell” at 7 p.m. tonight through Saturday at Patriot Hall, 135 Haynsworth St. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students and are available at the door.

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(6:45) 2014 NCAA Basketball Tournament: Second Round: Saint Joseph’s (:15) 2014 NCAA Basketball Tournament: Second Round: Milwaukee Panthers vs Villanova Wildcats from First Conan Mark Hawks vs Connecticut Huskies z{| Niagara Center in Buffalo, N.Y. z{| Wahlberg. (HD) (5:45) The Legend of Lylah Clare The Hindenburg (‘75, Drama) aac George C. Scott. A security officer (:15) Dirigible (‘31, Adventure) aac Jack Holt. A blimp commander This Man’s Navy (‘68, Drama) aa Kim Novak. investigates sabotage charges aboard a German airship. and a Navy pilot fight over a lovely lady. (‘45) aaa Trailer Park Myrtle Manor (HD) Here Comes (N) (HD) Honey Boo Boo (N) (HD) Trailer Park Myrtle Manor (N) Honey Boo Boo (HD) Myrtle (HD) (:15) 2014 NCAA Basketball Tournament: Second Round: Team TBA vs Saint Louis Billikens (:45) 2014 NCAA Basketball Tournament: Second Round: Manhattan Jaspers vs Louisville Hawaii Five-0: Na from Amway Center in Orlando, Fla. z{| Cardinals from Amway Center in Orlando, Fla. z{| Ki’i (HD) 2014 NCAA Basketball: Second Round: North Dakota State Bison vs Oklahoma Sooners z{| (:55) 2014 NCAA Basketball: Second Round: New Mexico State vs San Diego State Griffith (HD) Gilligan’s (HD) Gilligan’s (HD) Gilligan’s (HD) Raymond (HD) Raymond (HD) Queens (HD) Queens (HD) Queens (HD) Queens (HD) Raymond (HD) Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: Suits: Moot Point Scottie and Louis (:01) Sirens (N) (:32) Modern (:02) psych: A Nightmare on State (:03) Suits: Moot Pursuit Television host. (HD) Legitimate Rape (HD) get in a fight. (N) (HD) (HD) Family (HD) Street Gus’ night terrors.

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Not watching ‘Vikings?’ You really should be

BY KEVIN MCDONOUGH It’s not clear how much history informs the History Channel’s “Vikings” (10 p.m., TV-14).

The stories are based on legendary Norse sagas, written a couple of centuries after the fact.

“Vikings” is entertaining, however.

While we can’t ascertain the historical veracity of “Vikings,” it’s fun to see how it borrows from other shows and movies. Last season was very much about the father and son bond between Ragnar (Travis Fimmel) and Bjorn (Nathan O’Toole). They were the Andy and Opie of 8th-century Scandinavia.

This season, things have gotten much darker. After exiling his brother, becoming estranged from his wife and facing treachery from allies, Ragnar has turned into the Michael Corleone of the fjord.

And tonight, in a scene right out of “Spartacus,” our hero hops in the medieval hot tub with the decadent King Ecbert (Linus Roache).

on “Late Show With David Letterman” (11:35 p.m., CBS, r) * Jimmy Fallon welcomes Billy Joel and Chelsea Clinton on “The Tonight Show” (11:35 p.m., NBC) * Don Cheadle, Tony Goldwyn and Enrique Iglesias appear on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (11:35 p.m., ABC) * Greg Kinnear, Shailene Woodley and Band of Skulls visit “Late Night With Seth Meyers” (12:35 a.m., NBC) * Joseph GordonLevitt and Lisa Vanderpump are on “The Late Late Show” (12:35 a.m., CBS, r).

Copyright 2014, United Feature Syndicate THE CW NETWORK LLC

Mary (Adelaide Kane), left, is distressed when Lola (Anna Popplewell) is reluctant to participate in First Light, a traditional event where the single women of the castle mingle with potential suitors, on “Reign” airing at 9 p.m. on CW. • Joel knows what it’s like to be lost on “Parenthood” (10 p.m., NBC, TV-14).

• Fitz and Sally grovel before the gun lobby on “Scandal” (10 p.m., ABC, TV-14).

• Stuck in a coma since the 1980s, a punk awakens in a mild new world on “Portlandia” (10 p.m., IFC, TV-14).

TONIGHT’S OTHER HIGHLIGHTS • Galentine’s Day on “Parks and Recreation” (8:30 p.m., NBC, TV-PG).

• Jennifer Lopez performs on “American Idol” (9 p.m., Fox, TVPG).

• Harold is faced with his crooked compromise on “The Red Road” (9 p.m., Sundance, TV-14).

SERIES NOTES The gang helps Hickey bond with his estranged son (David Cross) on “Community” (8 p.m., NBC, TV-PG) * A crisis for the Red Queen on “Once Upon a Time in Wonderland” (8 p.m., ABC, TV-PG) * Stefan’s recollections get shaky on “The Vampire Diaries” (8 p.m., CW, TV-14)

* A birthday surprise for Richard on “Grey’s Anatomy” (9 p.m., ABC, TV-14) * The singles mingle on “Reign” (9 p.m., CW, TV14).

LATE NIGHT Jason Bateman appears on “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart” (11 p.m., Comedy Central, r) * Mark Wahlberg, Kathryn Hahn and Chad Daniels are on “Conan” (11 p.m., TBS, r) * Shaun White, April Richardson, Nicole Byer and Brad Wollack are booked on “Chelsea Lately” (11 p.m., E!) * Ronan Farrow is on “The Colbert Report” (11:30 p.m., Comedy Central, r) * Kaley Cuoco, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and The Fray are

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AROUND TOWN The Pinedale Neighborhood Association will meet at 4:30 p.m. today at the South HOPE Center, 1125 S. Lafayette Drive. Call (803) 9684464.

The General George L. Mabry Jr. Chapter 817 Military Order of the Purple Heart will meet at 6 p.m. today at the Elks Lodge, 1100 W. Liberty St. All Purple Heart recipients and those interested in associate membership are invited. Call (803) 506-3120.

The Clarendon County Democratic Party County Convention will be held today at Weldon Auditorium, 7 Maple St., Manning. Registration for delegates begins at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting will begin at 7 p.m. Call Glenn at (803) 452-6013.

The Sumter Combat Veterans Group will meet at 10 a.m.

Friday, March 21, at South HOPE Center, 1125 S. Lafayette Drive. All area veterans are invited.

The Lincoln High School Preservation Alumni Association will hold a dinner fundraiser 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, March 21, at the Lincoln High School gymnasium, 26 Council St. Cost: $7 per dinner and includes fish, red rice, sweet peas and drink.

Call (803) 968-4173.

The Lincoln High School Class of 1960 will hold its quarterly meeting at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 22, at the alumni building, Council Street.

Call (803) 775-6253.

The Sumter County Walks Series will offer “Warm-up, Walk and Exercise” at noon Saturday, March 22, starting at the Sumter YMCA on Miller Road. Warm up exercises, taught by Kim Harrill, will precede the walk along Shot Pouch Creek. Open to the public.

American Legion Auxiliary Unit 202 will meet for the third annual fashion show review from 3 to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 22, at 310 Palmetto St. The Sumter Branch NAACP will hold its annual WIN (Women in the NAACP) Program at 5 p.m. Sunday, March 23, at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 325 Fulton St. The Rev. Debbie Bowens-Davis will speak.

The Swan Lake Garden Walks begin at 8:30 a.m. Monday, March 24. Naturalist Austin Jenkins, of USC Sumter, will guide an exploration of nature’s wonders. Walks will also be offered at the same time on Monday, April 7, and Monday, April 14. Meet at the Swan Lake Visitors Center.

The Sumter County Educators Association-Retired will meet at noon Wednesday, March 26, at the North HOPE Center, 904 N. Main St. New members are encouraged to join. Call Brenda Bethune at (803) 469-6588.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 2014

RELIGION

THE SUMTER ITEM

Recreation ministries can give congregations a leg up T

he horrid stench of Bradford pear tree blossoms is in the air, which means that spring is fast approaching and along with it, the return of sports and outdoor recreation. A warmer climate and an innate sense of competition draws many into organized sports, especially in Sumter, where we have many opportunities to indulge our favorite recreational pastimes.

Organized sports can be a frustration to many on a church staff as the increase in scheduled games and practices means a decrease in church attendance. Many in leadership roles simply accept this as the natural ebb and flow of church leadership. Perhaps that is why many opportunities for a sports or recreation

RELIGION BRIEFS FROM ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORTS

Underground bishop of Shanghai dies BEIJING — Catholic groups said underground bishop of Shanghai, Joseph Fan, has died at age 97 following decades of imprisonment and house arrest.

The U.S.-based Cardinal Kung Foundation said Fan died early Sunday evening following a brief illness. It said officials in China’s financial hub turned down a request to hold his funeral at the city’s cathedral.

Fan was named Shanghai bishop by John Paul II in 2000 but was refused recognition by the Communist Party body overseeing the church in China. Fan was placed under house arrest and another priest, Aloysius Jin Luxian, was named as bishop.

China rejects the Vatican’s insistence on the right to appoint bishops, and the sides have no formal ties.

Jin’s successor, Thaddeus Ma Daqin, has not been seen since being taken into custody in 2012.

Christians, Muslims join anti-slavery campaign VATICAN CITY — Christians and Muslims have joined to try to help free millions of men, women and children who are held in modern-day slavery, being forced to work as maids, prostitutes, child soldiers and manual laborers.

The Global Freedom Network launched Monday at the Vatican aims to eradicate slavery by encouraging governments, businesses, educational and faith institutions to rid their supply chains of slave labor. The initiative is the brainchild of billionaire Australian mining magnate Andrew Forrest, who founded the Walk Free Foundation in 2012 to mobilize a grass-roots movement to end slavery.

Forrest, ranked 270th on Forbes’ list of the world’s richest people, used personal contacts to bring the 1.2-billion strong Catholic Church, 85-million strong Anglican Communion and al-Azhar university in Cairo, the world’s foremost seat of Sunni learning, on board with the initiative.

Director and actors defend Noah movie BERLIN — Director Darren Aronofsky predicts that controversy about the movie “Noah” will disappear once people start to see it.

At the European debut of his $125 million epic, Aronofsky said he thinks the biblical story and its characters will resonate with moviegoers, regardless of their religion.

The film, starring Russell Crowe as the ark builder, has prompted officials in Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates to announce it won’t be shown in their theaters because Muslims believe it’s wrong to depict a prophet.

In the U.S., conservative Christians convinced Paramount Pictures to add a disclaimer to its marketing material saying that “artistic license has been taken” in telling the story.

ministry go untapped.

That’s right. I said recreation ministry, as in a competitive program that incorporates a frame- Faith Matters work of faith. JAMIE H. It’s an oppor- WILSON tunity that has gained momentum throughout recent years as congregations across the nation share their faith in an organized sport.

Many churches in town participate in the local church softball league, and some participate in other forms of recreation ministry, but not nearly enough. Creating a sports ministry within a church is a

great way for local congregations to reach out to those in the community through what church researchers call relational evangelism or ministry.

It’s basically the idea that you build a relationship with another person in hopes that he or she will see evidence of your faith as the friendship grows. It’s a powerful tool and one that certainly has a place in the life of an active believer.

In terms of a recreation ministry, the formation of a relationship plays a key role.

This isn’t a quick interaction.

You cheer on your teammates.

You help them when they make a mistake.

More importantly, you reach someone who might not feel comfortable in the church scene. Those less inclined to attend discussion in a small

group setting in church might feel more comfortable receiving an introduction to faith while sitting in the bleachers.

Sumter has a great number of venues for sports activities.

Because of the increase in popularity of sports tourism, our local officials have taken special care to ensure that many of our sports facilities are up to tournament standards. Judging by the popularity of sports tournaments, it would be silly for the faith community not to take advantage of that spirit.

It would be a shame for a church to build a gymnasium that is only used for wedding receptions. Every resource we have should be, at least in part, an implement to share our faith with others.

There are many faith-based

recreation ministries out there that promise to give a congregation a leg up when it comes to a sports program.

From basketball leagues to archery, there are programs ready for adoption by your church. Many of these programs teach the fundamentals of a particular sport, but they also correlate with the fundamentals of faith, teaching participants faith-filled lessons.

In a world of people that are searching for the truth, we simply cannot afford to wait until they come to us. We must be actively searching for new ways to show God’s love. We must search out people and reach them where they are.

Email Jamie H. Wilson at faithmatterssumter@gmail. com.

RELIGION

THE SUMTER ITEM

THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 2014

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Local Jewish community celebrates Purim holiday

BY JADE REYNOLDS jade@theitem.com (803) 774-1250

PHOTOS BY MATT WALSH / THE SUMTER ITEM

Rabbi Sanford Marcus reads in Hebrew and English the Megillah, or Scroll of Esther, while sporting a fake mustache in celebration of Purim on Friday night at Temple Sinai in Sumter. Marcus said many who celebrate dress up, as it’s a “cheery holiday.”

7:30 p.m.

CHURCH NEWS Agape Outreach Ministries, 328 W. Liberty St., announces: * Sunday — Fourth Sunday evening glory at 5 p.m. Pastor Sheila Neal, of One Step Christian Ministry, will speak.

Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, 2571 Joseph Lemon-Dingle Road, Jordan community, Manning, announces: * Saturday — Annual Praise Dance Explosion at 5 p.m. Theme: “A Season of Healings, Miracles and Blessings — Go Get It.” * Sunday — Helping hands program, sponsored by the Hope Ministry, at 4 p.m. The Rev. Lewis Morant Jr., of Georgetown, will speak.

Calvary Baptist Church, 459 Calvary Church Road, Bishopville, announces: * Saturday, April 5 — Mid-Carolina singing at 6 p.m. featuring the Heritage Quartet and Cedar Creek Quartet.

Canty Memorial Church of God In Christ Ministries, 873 Woodcrest St., announces: * Thursday-Friday, March 27-28 — Revival and first Young Believers Conference at 7 nightly. Elect Lady Chantelle Hutchins and Minister Torey Fountain will speak.

Church of Christ, 313 Mooneyham Road, announces: * Sunday, April 27 — Pastor’s anniversary celebration for the Rev. James and Sister Ann Clark at 4 p.m. The Rev. Leroy Blanding, of New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, will speak.

Clark United Methodist Church, 2980 U.S. 401 N., Oswego Highway, announces: * Sunday — 50 state rally at 11 a.m.

Community Church of Praise, 562 S. Pike Road, announces: * Sunday, March 30 — Initial sermon of Sister Ella Wright at 3 p.m.

back to her cousin to ask all Jews to pray and fast, and the king extended his scepter to Esther granting her pardon.

Esther then asked the king and It was a noisy night service at TemHaman to join her for a feast at which ple Sinai on Friday. she revealed her heritage to the king.

As Rabbi Sanford Marcus read in Haman was hanged, Mordechai was Hebrew and English the Megillah, or appointed prime minister and a new Scroll of Esther, about a dozen men decree allowed the Jews to defend and women shook groggers (Purim themselves. On the 13th of Adar, the noisemakers) every time the name Jews killed many of their enemies, and “Haman” was mentioned. on the 14th of Adar, they rested and A few were even dressed up, includcelebrated. ing Marcus.

“It was awesome,” Chelsea Cataldi “It’s a cheery holiday,” he said. said Friday. “Purim is my favorite holi“Some of the men dress up as the king day.” or Haman. Women usually dress up as It helps that she was born on Purim.

Esther or the first queen. It’s a holiday “I thought it about how things was fun,” Sue are not as they Scouten said. seem.”

“It’s a little unNamed for the usual. We dress lots cast to select up in costumes. the day of the anIt’s celebratory. nihilation of all Some larger conthe Jews, the gregations have story goes that children’s parKing Ahasuerus ties the week bein 4th century fore.”

BCE in the PerFollowing the sian empire exeservice, the cuted his wife, group gathered Queen Vashti, to eat haafter she failed to mantashen — follow his orders. triangular pasDuring the foltries with poppy lowing beauty seed filling tradipageant, he setionally said to lected Esther, a Jewish girl.

Bennett Denemark sports an Afro in celebra- refer to the hidden nature of Meanwhile, tion of Purim on Friday at Temple Sinai. the Purim miraHaman was apcle, as well as the three-pointed hat pointed prime minister over the emHaman wore — and other treats. pire and was later insulted when Mor“We remember what great things dechai, leader of the Jews and Esther’s God did for us,” Marcus said as he cousin, refused to bow to Haman per the king’s orders. Haman then planned raised the wine glass for a toast. “The making of us, the making of the world to kill all of Mordechai’s people in reand saving us from slavery and death.” taliation.

This was his first time conducting Mordechai sent word to Esther.

When she showed concern about going the Purim celebration in Sumter.

“I expected more to be here,” Marcus before the king without being called, which could lead to her own execution, said. “I know of others who said they Mordechai made it clear she would not would come. They must be ill or, then escape her people’s fate by being in the again, this is a small congregation, but what’s important is they are here for palace and could in fact be there for the Shabbat and to celebrate.” just such a purpose. She sent word

* Sunday — Anniversary of choir number two during 10:15 a.m. worship.

Corinth Missionary Baptist Church, 25 Community St., announces: * Sunday — “Spring Cleaning” worship experience at 11 a.m. * Sunday, March 30 — Fifth Sunday Youth Day worship at 10:30 a.m. The young people will conduct a contemporary worship. * Sunday, April 6 — Holy Communion worship at 11 a.m. Wear white and/or black attire. * Sunday, April 20 — Easter Sunday worship at 10:30 a.m.

Dalzell United Methodist Church, 3330 Black River Road, Dalzell, announces: * Saturday, March 29 — Relay for Life yard sale 8 a.m.-noon. Low prices. Donations will be accepted until Wednesday, March 26, and can be dropped off at Dorcas’ Closet at the church or at 2422 Peach Orchard Road, Dalzell. Call (803) 499-5190. * Friday-Saturday, April 25-26 — The play “A Night in the Theatre” will be presented at 7 p.m. both days in the fellowship hall. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 per person or $18 per couple.

Call (803) 499-5190.

Emmanuel United Methodist Church, 421 S. Main St., announces: * Sunday, March 30 — Fifth Sunday joint service at Mount Zion United Methodist Church. Worship service begins at 10 a.m.

Fellowship Outreach Ministries, 1981 Florence Highway, announces: * Sunday — Prophetess Dasheka James will speak at 3 p.m. * Sunday, March 30 — Trial sermon of Charity Schamonia Boone at 3 p.m.

First Baptist Missionary Church, 219 S. Washington St., announces: * Sunday — Benedict College Day will be observed at 11 a.m. David Swinton, the college president, will speak. The Benedict College Chorale will provide music.

* Friday, April 18 — Good Friday service. Pastor Dorothy P. Maple will speak.

Full Proof Deliverance Ministry, 2758 S.C. 341 S., Olanta, announces:

Concord Baptist Church, 1885 Myrtle Beach Highway, announces:

* Thursday-Friday, March 27-28 — Pre-Easter revival at 7:30 nightly.

* Friday — Gospel singing at 7 p.m. featuring “Loose Stone.” A love offering will be received.

* Friday, April 4 — “A night with the king” worship at 7 p.m.

* Tuesday-Thursday, April 1-3 — Rivers of Joy Jubilee with Dr. Dennis Benton at 7 nightly. Music provided by Squire Parsons, The Diplomats and The Achormen.

High Hills Missionary Baptist Church, 6750 Meeting House Road, Dalzell, announces:

* Friday — “A night with the king” worship at 7 p.m.

* Friday — Spring musical at

House of Judah Worship Center, 3890 White Oak Drive, Davis Station, announces: * Sunday — Second annual age rally at 4 p.m. The Rev. Lillian Wright, associate pastor of Mount Zero Baptist Church, will speak. * Sunday, April 6 — One Accord of Manning’s 14th anniversary celebration at 4 p.m. On the program: Prayer House Mission; Sisters of Faith; House of Judah praise team; and many more.

Jehovah Missionary Baptist Church, 803 S. Harvin St., announces: * Friday — Third Friday praise jam at 8 p.m.

Joshua Baptist Church, 5200 Live Oak Road, Dalzell, announces: * Sunday, March 30 — Youth service. Church school begins at 9 a.m. followed by 10 a.m. worship.

Kingdom Life Worldwide Ministries, meets at Marvin Hodge Life Center, 609 Miller Road, announces: * Friday-Saturday — Revival at 7:30 nightly. Overseer Stephaine Genwright will speak.

Knitting Hearts Ministry, meets at Bethesda Church of God, 2730 Broad St., announces: * Saturday, April 12 — International Bible teacher Dr. Peter Wyns and his wife, Joy, will speak. The Wyns travel around the world and have ministered healing, deliverance, and freedom in more than 30 nations. Visit www.knittingheartsministry.org.

Land Flowing with Milk & Honey Ministry, 1335 Peach Orchard Road, announces: * Sunday, March 30 — Youth with Swag at 11 a.m. RaySean Mathis will speak.

Mount Zero Missionary Baptist Church, 7827 S.C. 261, Manning, announces: * Sunday — Four Gospel program at 1:30 p.m. The Rev. Lillian Wright, the Rev. Thelma Dixon, the Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Richburg and the Rev. Dr. Coakley Richburg will speak.

Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 325 Fulton St., announces: * Sunday, March 30 — Youth worship celebration at 10:45 a.m.

Minister Darryl Cunningham, Morris College student, will speak.

New Gospel Tones announces:

* Sunday — The 41st anniversary celebration of the New Gospel Tones will be held at 5 p.m. at the Marvin Hodge gym, Miller Road.

Doors open at 4 p.m. On the program: Singing Angels; T.C. Smith and the Smith Brothers; Sister Mary Myers and the Team of Joy; and many more.

Singing Sheppards and others.

New Hope AME Church, 18808 Panola Road, Pinewood, announces:

Summerton Southern Methodist Church, 1107 Felton Road, Summerton, announces:

* Sunday, March 30 — 143rd church anniversary celebration at 3 p.m. The Rev. Benjamin K. Sims will speak.

New Zion AME Church, 78 Elliott Highway, Bishopville, announces: * Sunday — Gospel concert of Voices of Praise and Unity Choirs at 4 p.m. On the program: Justin Rufus and Company; Higher Calling; and the Boyd Family.

Olden Chapel UME, 189 Hoyt St., announces: * Sunday, April 6 — 19th anniversary celebration of Sister Cynthia Boykin at 5 p.m. On the program: Deacon Robert Burgess and the Soul Searchers; Palmetto Gospel Singers; and the Holyaires of Florence.

Orangehill AME Church, 3035 S. King Highway, Wedgefield, announces: * Saturday, April 5 — 50 states march at 6 p.m. featuring Sumter’s Justified.

Pine Grove AME Church, 41 Pine Grove Road, Rembert, announces: * Sunday — Anniversary celebration of the Stewards during 11 a.m. worship. The praise dancers anniversary celebration will be held at 2 p.m.

Pinewood Baptist Church, S.C. 261, Pinewood, announces: * Sunday, March 30 — Crestwood High School Chamber Choir will be in concert at 6:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served after the concert. Nursery provided. Call (803) 452-5373 or visit www.pinewoodbaptist.org.

Providence Christian Church, 1100 Dozier Mallett Road, Manning, announces: * Sunday, March 30 — Master and Little Miss Providence Contest at 3 p.m. The Rev. Arkus Frierson will speak.

Sheppard Ministries, 8490 Two Mile Road, Lynchburg, announces: * Friday — Gospel singing at 7 p.m. at Freedom Worship Pentecostal Holiness Church, 1490 Florence Highway. On the program: Joyful Echoes from Marion, the

St. Luke AME Church, 2355 St. Paul Church Road, announces: * Saturday, March 29 — Allen University Choir in concert at 4 p.m. * Sunday, March 30 — Annual Lay Day at 10 a.m. Sister Gloria Vaughn Evans will speak.

* Saturday, March 29 — Annual barbecue chicken supper from 4 to 7 p.m. Cost: $8 per plate. Cafeteria style or take out.

Taw Caw Missionary Baptist Church, 1130 Granby Lane, Summerton, announces: * Sunday — 129th church anniversary celebration. Sunday school begins at 9 a.m. with devotional service at 9:45 a.m. and worship at 10 a.m. * Sunday, March 30 — Pastor’s Support Ministry will sponsor a mini concert and baby contest at 3 p.m.

Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, 155 Wall St., announces: * Sunday — Pastor Larry C. Weston’s 25th pastoral anniversary appreciation celebration at 10 a.m. Dr. James S. Hall, pastor of Triumph Baptist Church of Philadelphia, Pa., will speak. * Friday, March 28 — Anniversary concert at 7:30 p.m. featuring gospel recording artist Bishop Paul S. Morton. Concert tickets may be purchased at the church. * Saturday, March 29 — God’s Girls Rock Cotillion will be held at 4 p.m. Call (803) 775-4041 for information.

Victory Full Gospel Interdenominational Church, 601 Pitts Road, announces: * Sunday, March 30 — Pastor’s Aide annual fellowship tea at 5 p.m.

Walker’s Chapel Freewill Baptist Church, 99 Walter Ave., announces: * Sunday, April 6 — Homecoming celebrating 40 years. Worship will begin at 10 a.m. followed by 11 a.m. singing. Royal Heirs Singers will present the music.

Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church, 2225 Conyers Road, Paxville community, Manning, announces: * Sunday, April 13 — 13th pastoral anniversary celebration of Pastor Clifford Gaymon and family during 11 a.m. service. Cedric Capps, pastor of Union Grove Missionary Baptist Church, Wesson, Miss., will speak.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 2014

Clarendon County teacher Moses Levy Jr. testifies Wednesday on Justin Johnson’s character while Johnson was in high school, saying Johnson was part of student government and was recognized for his academic record and public service. The doublemurder trial will continue today at 9 a.m. with the defense presenting more witnesses.

THE SUMTER ITEM

TRIAL FROM PAGE A1 had material consistent with gunshot residue on her left palm and residue that may be consistent with gunshot residue on the back of both hands.

“It is expected for gunshot victims to have gunshot residue,” she said.

Simmons testified Kaisha Caraway had material that was consistent with gunshot residue on the back of her left hand but nowhere else.

In the case of the defendant, Simmons said Johnson had material consistent with gunshot residue on his right palm and the back of his right hand and definite gunshot residue on his left palm.

She also testified the presence of gunshot residue can neither prove nor disprove that a person has fired a gun.

The prosecution also called Corianda Walker to the stand.

Walker, who was living in the same house as Johnson when the shootings occurred, said Johnson came into her room about 7 a.m. on the day of the shootings wanting to know where his gun was.

Assistant Solicitor Chris Dupont asked Walker if she remembered telling SLED agent Tina Carter three days after the incident that Johnson had asked for his gun and shells at 9:11 a.m. The prosecution later recalled Carter to the stand, who testified that her inter-

JIM HILLEY / THE SUMTER ITEM

Panel dismisses ethics charges against Eckstrom COLUMBIA (AP) — State ethics officials on Wednesday dismissed charges that South Carolina Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom used campaign money to accompany his girlfriend to the 2012 Republican National Convention in Tampa.

Herb Hayden, executive director of the state Ethics Commission, said in an email to The Associated Press that commissioners voted to dismiss the charges against Eckstrom and would likely issue a written ruling in several weeks.

The ruling came hours after Eckstrom’s attorney, Mitch Willoughby, told the commission that existing state law permitted such expenditures.

“He attended all of the events,” Willoughby told

LOCAL | STATE

the panel during a hearing.

“He didn’t travel to Florida to go to Disney World.”

Willoughby did not immediately return a message seeking comment after the commission reached its decision.

Last year, the commission found probable cause that Eckstrom violated state ethics law, a determination that opened the proceedings to the public. Eckstrom, first elected to the office in 2002, reported spending $1,642 in campaign money for gasoline, food and a hotel stay during the GOP gathering in August 2012. Eckstrom’s girlfriend was an alternate delegate to the convention.

Eckstrom had previously attended several GOP conventions in an official capacity, Willoughby said.

FIGHT FROM PAGE A1 parents, hearing about the incident, came to campus and retrieved their children.

The seven adult-aged students — 17 years old or older — arrested Tuesday spent the night in jail, awaiting their bond hearings on Wednesday. The five adultaged students only facing a disturbing school charge were released from SumterLee Regional Detention Center on $1,000 surety bond.

The other two men face additional charges, and higher bonds were set. Bond for Willie Green, 17, facing a thirddegree assault and battery charge in addition to the disturbing school charge, was set at $1,525, while bond for 17-year-old Hakeem Legrant, facing three counts of thirddegree assault and battery and one count of disturbing school, saw his bond set at $2,575.

Sumter police now think Tuesday’s fight also involved

some of the students involved in a smaller altercation on campus Monday and was triggered by an incident from the previous weekend, as well.

Of the other seven students taken into custody, two were released into the custody of their parents on Tuesday while the other five were transported to a state Department of Juvenile Justice facility.

Of the five taken to DJJ, one faces an additional charge of resisting arrest, and another faces an additional charge of assault and

view notes indicated that Walker had told her Johnson had asked for his gun and shells at 9:11 a.m. During cross examination, the defense brought up mistakes Carter had apparently made in other paperwork related to the case, but Carter insisted the notes were correct according to her memory.

Finally, the prosecution called Luke McGowan, an employee of a Walmart in Columbia, who produced paperwork showing he had sold the shotgun to Johnson in 2010. The prosecution then rested its case.

The defense began its presentation with two character witnesses, one of whom was longtime Clarendon County educator Moses Levy Jr., who testified Johnson was an excellent student and never caused any trouble in high school. He also testified Johnson was a leader in student government and was among students recognized by the state Legislature for their outstanding academic record and public service accomplishments.

The defendant’s sister, Kimberly Johnson, said she had never seen her brother get upset and was generally “happy and liked to joke around.”

The defense will present more witnesses today when the court reconvenes at 9 a.m. Afterward, both sides will present their closing arguments, and the case will go to the jury.

battery, third degree.

According to officials, only one person had a minor injury from the fracas, suffering an eye injury.

And while the rumors of gunplay and serious injuries spreading through social media were found to be untrue, Tuesday’s fight still seemed to have an impact on attendance at Sumter High on Wednesday. According to Galloway, 264 of the 2,274 students enrolled at the high school were absent on Tuesday. On average, about 150 students are absent on a typical school day.

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

THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 2014 H.G. Osteen 1870-1955 Founder, The Item

H.D. Osteen 1904-1987 The Item

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

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

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Give Sumter flag park to honor our veterans Once again, I bring up the need for a flag park in Sumter County. I don’t mean to harp, but if we are going to continue with the “penny tax,” why don’t we see something about honoring our veterans in it? I know there are a few war monuments scattered around Sumter County, but you sure have to do a lot of walking to find them. With all of the veterans (including active duty), and a multitude of retiree families living, working and paying taxes in our community, a flag park would be a welcome addition.

Thanks to state Rep. Murrell Smith and Gov. Haley, executive bills have recently been forwarded to enact laws for reducing military home taxes after personnel transfer and to provide job initiatives for those leaving the military.

As Rep. Smith stated in the March 14 Sumter Item, “this is about taking care of the people who take care of us.”

Thanks to Mr. Rudy Singleton (deceased), we have a Memorial Park that’s dedicated to Medal of Honor winner Maj. Gen. George Mabry, located on U.S. 378. Anyone traveling east through Columbia, Shaw Air Force Base and Sumter can see it. It’s a small park for catching your eye, but if military service, county and state flags were added, along with a few shrubs, it would truly stand out. The county property already has the required infrastructure in place, as are the inscribed names of local (deceased) military war veterans on the monument.

With only 1 percent (approximately) of our population in the military now, and further cuts to personnel and equipment forthcoming (a loss of 76,000 in the Army and 500 aircraft in the Air Force, just to name two programmed reductions), I foresee many problems ahead. And for those who visit VA hospitals and nursing homes at this stressful time in our history, I’m sure you know what I mean. I say again — Sumter and Sumter County councils, give us our flag park. And place it where it can be seen by not just our community, but also by travelers who pass this way. Make us proud.

HARRY I. BISHOP Past Chairman Sumter County Veterans Association

Restaurant manager goes out of way to help customer Some people go out of their way to help the older generation and such a man is Todd Kachel, the general manager of the Golden Corral. My husband, Cecil Stoner, is a World War II, Korean and start of the Vietnam War veteran. He is now confined to a wheelchair and because of parking problems, he was having trouble getting in and out of the van. Cecil told Todd of his problems so Todd went and had a sign made at Sign Wave and installed it at the restaurant to reserve the space Cecil needs to get in and out of the van.

We eat there every day unless a doctor’s appointment stops us from getting there. Todd also does an outstanding job in November to honor all veterans.

A big “thank you” to Todd Kachel for his hard work and for being kind to Cecil and all veterans.

JEANETTE STONER Sumter

3 Bs presence on the opinion page is missed Regarding their statement “We will not be moved,” it seems that they have moved from the opinion page. Could it be that President Obama has fallen a little off the pedestal they put him on?

Their statement: “He will go down in history as the greatest president ever.”

Ha ha. He is the worst president since Jimmy Carter.

The end of this last term can’t come fast enough. Then the truth will come out, and I believe he will go down as the worst president ever because during his terms he has been nothing but a twofaced liar to the American people.

I’m shocked he has not been impeached.

I miss the three Bs (Eugene Baten, Ferdinand Burns and Allen Bailey).

Their statements became both comical and interesting; other times unbelievable. I wonder where in the world they were getting their information — had to be pulled out of thin air.

Peace to all.

GENE BRADLEY Sumter

GUEST COLUMN

The CHURCH points us to a better way

BY DR. JIM CHANDLER

D

riving into downtown Sumter on either Calhoun or Liberty streets, one could not help but notice the presence of several large houses of worship. All of these churches have been built by congregations well over 100 years old, with a couple going back to the time of Sumter’s founding about 1800. Of course, this is not unusual in America. Churches dot our landscape by the hundreds of thousands. The founders who came to this land and formed our country brought with them a vibrant faith. By the beginning of the 18th century, their influence had waned. The first and second Great Awakenings, under the leadership of prominent New England pastors, changed that fact and led to an unprecedented growth in the number and influence of churches throughout the colonies, and formed a major part of the background leading up to the American Revolution. We all have grown up with this background and presence in our lives. But why the CHURCH? Clearly the CHURCH does not exist as a place to go and be entertained. There are so many things we can find to do which entertain us.

The CHURCH also is not merely a source of fellowship, as many avenues exist which provide innumera-

ble opportunities to get together. Social networking is yet another way people in this post-modern age connect. No, the CHURCH exists to be salt and light in the world. Churches stand as reminders that we all must deal with God whether we like the idea or not. The prophetic voice of the pulpit is a preserver of truth and an irritant to our own many sins. That voice is also light in the midst of darkness, pointing out the way of truth and right. The CHURCH stands as a sentinel against the press of evil against our very souls. Not a one of us would want to live in a nation in which the CHURCH has not stood for the basis of freedom and the conscience of liberty.

When we were attacked by terrorists on Sept. 11, 2001, President Bush spoke to our country from the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., and the Rev. Billy Graham delivered a message of truth and hope.

This was not considered abnormal in the least. It seemed entirely appropriate because it was, and our history as a nation gives ample evidence of the centrality of the CHURCH. In fact, our founders made sure that our freedom of worship would survive by making it impossible for any single church to dominate and control. It’s called the Second Amendment to our Bill of Rights.

So, why the CHURCH? The Bible makes it very clear the CHURCH exists to tell the Good News that God loves us so much that He has provided a Way for us to be reunited with Him through trust in the work of the Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Now, in doing this, church people must be patient, loving, caring examples of what they seek to share. Since all of us remain sinners, even after we have become children of trust, we all fail in our witness. The world picks up on this, calls us hypocrites and refuses to have much to do with us. But the CHURCH and churches still stand as a witness to God’s love and sacrifice for all of humanity.

As we ride by these many churches, let us be thankful for the truth they represent, and let us understand how vital they are to our freedom and wonderful way of life. And, as you have opportunity, remember to support the churches. They exist to point us to a better way for ourselves and our loved ones.

are going to be a part of everybody’s budget as you move toward electronic systems.”

Judge Toal has wisely advanced technological improvements during her tenure, recognizing they are vital to a court system that runs smoothly and efficiently. The S.C. court system, which is already significantly understaffed, has a heightened need for technology and safeguards for that technology.

For example, the chief justice would like to establish a site at Clemson University to back up digital court records now stored in Columbia. Doing that would cost $5.5 million. It would cost another $500,000 to train staff on data security measures.

Judge Toal says the backup system would allow court business to continue in the event of a disaster that affects data stored in Columbia.

As she reminded legislators last year, an inefficient or inoperative judiciary harms more than a family wanting to settle an estate or people disputing a contract. It harms the reputation of the state in general, and hence the state’s appeal for

business owners who might be interested in relocating or expanding here.

For several years, the chief justice has been pushing for an electronic court document filing system. Also, she says it is difficult to fill court reporters’ jobs in the state. A digital court reporting system, now being tested in Dorchester County, would help address that problem.

The House budget includes $67.7 million for the judicial department.

That does not include her security requests — or another $850,000 to improve security in the buildings that house the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals. It would also allow her to increase the number of circuit court and family court judges and staff attorneys for both appellate courts. Dockets around the state are overloaded, and these additional positions are necessary to ease that problem.

A functioning court system is one of the most important underpinnings of a healthy society. South Carolina needs to ensure its judiciary has the resources to do its work safely and efficiently.

Dr. Jim Chandler is the retired pastor of Grace Baptist Church (19902010), a former adjunct professor of religion at Central Carolina Technical College and host of God’s Time Out on the original talk radio in Sumter in the early 1990s. He is now the bi-vocational pastor of Bethany Baptist Church near Bishopville and a financial adviser in Sumter.

EDITORIAL ROUNDUP A recent editorial from a South Carolina newspaper:

The Post and Courier March 18

Keep court data secure Before legislators decide on next year’s budget, they should remember 2012. That’s when the S.C. Department of Revenue experienced one of the largest security breaches ever.

And they should imagine what would happen with a security failure in the state’s judicial system.

It’s certainly a significant factor in State Supreme Court Chief Justice Jean Toal’s budget request.

She’s asking for $6 million for new technology and training to improve security and $1.5 million a year to operate the system.

It’s no puny amount. But the fallout that would follow if the state’s court data were lost would be huge.

As Toal told a Senate panel recently, “Recurring funds of this type

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.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 2014

MINISTRY FROM PAGE A1 whether they deserve to be there or not, we can still be compassionate.

We have to help our own people get over their prejudice and be more accepting and forgiving of everybody.”

As for safety, he doesn’t feel afraid.

“I think the residents would more protect us,” Winter said. “They show a lot of respect for the volunteers.”

James Dean, associate warden over programs, agrees.

“We take security real serious to make sure that nothing happens to the inmates or the people coming in,” Dean said.

“First, we do background checks on the individuals coming in. We don’t want a dope dealer going through the programs with drugs. We want to know who you are and that you’re a sound statue or pillar of the community.

“The second is we have officers and procedures to prevent these people from being assaulted.

But most of the time, they protect these people the way they protect themselves. They know you are bringing a service and purpose to them, and they accept you. You’ve got to look out for something that you appreciate and you want.”

Interested residents sign up through the chaplain to attend this faith group or another.

They are then able to leave the dormitory area and meet in the chapel during that group’s designated time, Winter said.

They may not stay on for a second faith’s group.

“The first group has to be out before the next group comes in,” Winter said. “They don’t want too many residents in there at one time.”

While a relatively small group may actually go to Bishopville for this ministry, it takes the community working alongside them and the partnership of the prison personnel to make it all possible, Winter said.

Financial donations help with the purchase

of Bibles and other religious education materials.

Youth and women’s groups make holiday cards that are then signed in prayer groups.

Some write letters to encourage the residents and let them know they are being prayed for.

Precautions are taken for the safety of both the writers and the residents, he said. Only first names are used, and the mail is sent to a post office box on Shaw Air Force Base.

Usually once a month, a priest comes to provide the sacraments.

“We try to instill in these guys the idea of confession,” Winter said.

“It doesn’t have to be a big, huge crime. You can say, ‘I didn’t kill anyone,’ but Jesus said you have killed someone if you are angry with them in your heart. We try to instill in them how to live throughout their lives and to better themselves.

For some, it’s about letting everything out and seeing the mercy of God.” The volunteers help the residents cope with long stays in the prison system by comparing it to a monastery and encouraging them to use the time for prayer.

“It gives them a sense, a touch of reality,” Dean said. “Programs like this are needed. It goes hand in hand with security.

When your minds are meeting together, you don’t want to get into trouble.”

When they do get out, the volunteers help connect them with a church or Catholic group.

“We want them to continue to grow in their Christianity, to continue bettering themselves and changing their lives for the better,” Winter said.

The hope is this will help keep the men from returning to prison.

“I do see it making a difference,” Dean said. “I see a man go back to his community (and) living out the positive things he’s doing.”

For more information or to get involved, call Richard Boisvert at (803) 406-0653.

DAILY PLANNER

THE SUMTER ITEM

WEATHER

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2014

AccuWeather® five-day forecast for Sumter TODAY

TONIGHT

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

Abundant sunshine

Clear

Sunshine mixing with some clouds

Intervals of clouds and sunshine

Cooler with a shower possible

Mostly cloudy and cooler

71°

41°

72° / 49°

77° / 52°

64° / 40°

54° / 37°

Chance of rain: 5%

Chance of rain: 5%

Chance of rain: 5%

Chance of rain: 15%

Chance of rain: 30%

Chance of rain: 25%

Winds: NW 6-12 mph

Winds: N 3-6 mph

Winds: E 4-8 mph

Winds: WSW 6-12 mph

Winds: ENE 8-16 mph

Winds: NE 7-14 mph

TODAY’S SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER

Gaffney 67/37 Spartanburg 70/39

Greenville 69/40

Columbia 72/40

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

IN THE MOUNTAINS

Sumter 71/41

Aiken 71/37

ON THE COAST

Charleston 75/47

Today: Abundant sunshine. High 66 to 74.

Friday: Sunshine mixing with some clouds; pleasant. High 67 to 73.

LOCAL ALMANAC

LAKE LEVELS

SUMTER THROUGH 4 P.M. YESTERDAY

Today Hi/Lo/W 66/43/s 46/34/pc 73/52/s 43/24/pc 73/51/s 73/56/pc 71/52/s 53/36/pc 81/58/pc 56/35/pc 83/59/pc 68/53/pc 58/37/s

SUN AND MOON 7 a.m. yest.

358.22 75.68 74.47 98.43

24-hr chg -0.13 -0.10 -0.01 +0.76

Sunrise 7:26 a.m.

Moonrise 11:41 p.m.

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

trace 3.18" 2.46" 8.97" 7.70" 9.88"

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

49° 40° 67° 42° 88° in 1963 25° in 1967

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

Fri. Hi/Lo/W 72/49/pc 62/30/pc 80/55/pc 47/33/pc 75/60/pc 68/56/r 74/60/pc 52/41/pc 81/60/s 55/39/pc 86/60/pc 64/50/pc 59/46/pc

Myrtle Beach 68/46

Manning 71/42

Today: Mostly sunny and warmer. Winds west 6-12 mph. Clear.

Friday: Sun, some clouds. Winds southsouthwest 4-8 mph.

Temperature High Low Normal high Normal low Record high Record low

Florence 70/41

Bishopville 71/40

Flood 7 a.m. stage yest.

12 10.14 19 11.60 14 9.90 14 7.17 80 79.96 24 14.76

Sunset Moonset

7:33 p.m.

9:42 a.m.

Last

New

First

Full

Mar. 23

Mar. 30

Apr. 7

Apr. 15

TIDES

24-hr chg -0.17 +1.92 -1.07 +0.84 +0.24 +1.68

AT MYRTLE BEACH

High Today 12:06 p.m.

--Fri. 12:35 a.m.

12:51 p.m.

Ht. 2.9 --3.2 2.8

Low Ht. 6:58 a.m. -0.1 7:00 p.m. -0.1 7:46 a.m. 0.0 7:47 p.m. -0.1

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

Today Hi/Lo/W 60/30/s 69/39/s 74/37/s 74/48/s 60/45/s 75/47/s 68/36/s 71/42/s 72/40/s 69/39/s 67/37/s 69/41/s 70/40/s

Fri. Hi/Lo/W 65/37/pc 73/45/s 74/44/s 73/55/s 60/48/s 74/54/s 70/44/s 71/47/s 73/47/s 72/47/s 64/45/s 72/49/s 74/48/s

Today City Hi/Lo/W Florence 70/41/s Gainesville 78/50/pc Gastonia 68/38/s Goldsboro 68/39/s Goose Creek 74/47/s Greensboro 65/38/s Greenville 69/40/s Hickory 66/36/pc Hilton Head 70/50/s Jacksonville, FL 77/49/pc La Grange 68/34/s Macon 71/38/s Marietta 65/37/s

Fri. Hi/Lo/W 74/49/s 78/55/s 72/46/s 70/47/s 74/54/s 68/45/s 71/46/s 69/43/s 68/56/s 74/55/s 72/40/pc 72/42/s 72/45/pc

Today City Hi/Lo/W Marion 64/35/pc Mt. Pleasant 73/47/s Myrtle Beach 68/46/s Orangeburg 72/42/s Port Royal 73/48/s Raleigh 65/40/s Rock Hill 69/36/s Rockingham 69/35/s Savannah 76/46/s Spartanburg 70/39/s Summerville 71/48/s Wilmington 69/42/s Winston-Salem 64/38/s

Fri. Hi/Lo/W 66/42/pc 72/54/s 67/53/s 73/50/s 71/55/s 69/48/s 70/44/s 72/46/s 75/54/s 71/45/s 69/55/s 70/49/s 68/46/s

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

PUBLIC AGENDA SUMTER COUNTY VOTER REGISTRATION / ELECTION COMMISSION Today, 5:30 p.m., registration / election office, 141 N. Main St.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Concentrate on EUGENIA LAST your budget, investments and moving money around to better suit your lifestyle and needs. Investing in your future, as well as your skills, knowledge and expertise, will pay off.

The last word in astrology

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Helping others will benefit you as well. The solutions you provide will put you in a good position regarding advancement. Stick close to home and keep your communications factual to avoid an argument.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Don’t get upset. Finish what you start. You’ll be judged by your work and contributions. Following through will be half the battle, and the other half will be living up to the promises you’ve made.

CLARENDON SCHOOL DISTRICT 3 Today, 7 p.m., district office, Turbeville

LOTTERY NUMBERS LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Present and promote your talents, skills and intellect. A romantic relationship will undergo a transformation that can lead to interesting personal or professional prospects. Love is in the stars.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Address work issues and focus on stabilizing your position, but don’t make personal decisions that can cause uncertainty. Expand your professional interests to include a skill you would like to put to better use.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Slow down, listen to what’s being said.

Someone may try to trick you into believing something that isn’t true. An emotional matter will surface that can end up being costly if you haven’t protected your assets.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Stick to instructions and finish whatever is expected of you. Once your responsibilities are out of the way, you will be free to create and develop something that interests you.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Look at every opportunity and be ready to take advantage. Don’t let someone’s negativity stop you from doing something you’ve wanted to do for some time. Focus on the fastest way to reach your goals.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Live and learn.

The changes going on around you at home and work mustn’t unnerve you.

Go with the flow and you will end up in a better position. Someone special will give you hope and encouragement.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Don’t let the little things bother you. Put greater emphasis on building your assets up and whittling your liabilities down. Question your lifestyle and you will find a way to cut corners, lowering your overhead.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Socialize, but don’t overspend. A change in your financial standing will bring added benefits that will encourage a better lifestyle as long as you don’t live beyond your means.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): An unusual investment will be your ticket to greater financial freedom. Your unusual work ethic and unique talents will help you stay ahead of any competition you face.

PALMETTO CASH 5 WEDNESDAY

MEGAMILLIONS TUESDAY

13-17-28-32-36 PowerUp: 2

11-19-24-33-51 Megaball: 7; Megaplier: 3

PICK 3 WEDNESDAY 6-0-0 and 8-9-4

POWERBALL Unavailable at press time

PICK 4 WEDNESDAY 6-5-1-0 and 8-5-7-5

PICTURES FROM THE PUBLIC SUBMITTED BY: Salinda Larabee OCCASION: To show her St. Patrick’s Day spirit, Covenant Place resident Doris Graham decorated her door with painted tree branches and shamrocks.

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

B

THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 2014 Call: (803) 774-1241 | E-mail: sports@theitem.com

PREP SOFTBALL

Lady Gators softball, Powell more comfortable in second season

BY JUSTIN DRIGGERS jdriggers@theitem.com Second-year Lakewood High School varsity softball head coach Dennis Powell admitted to being nervous last year.

“I didn’t really know what we had in terms of players and they didn’t know me either,” Powell said. “So this year, there’s that familiarity with each other. I know what we have and they’re comfortable with me and my coaching staff now, so we’re not starting from scratch.”

The Lady Gators aren’t starting from scratch on the field, either. Six returning varsity players and a handful of talented junior varsity players have Powell optimistic about this season.

“I feel a lot better about this year,” said Powell, whose team was 2-1 heading into Wednesday’s Re- POWELL gion VI-3A matchup against Hartsville. “The attitude is very good and I think I’ve probably got the strongest defensive

team we’ve had here in a while.”

Part of that is due to Lakewood’s returning starters. Leah Ridgeway is back and will play shortstop along with fellow returnees Lacey Tisdale and Payton Mickens at first and third, respectively.

Also back from last year’s squad are Kara McKnight and Daja Murray, who will patrol the corner outfield spots, and Hailey Josey who will man multiple positions as Powell’s go-to utility option.

“I feel like with those girls and (JV player) Katelyn McPhail behind the

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

plate, we have as solid an infield as anybody else,” Powell said. “We’ve also got a good outfield group with Destiny Welch up from the JV squad who plays a good centerfield and provides a solid bat.”

JV players will be relied on heavily this season with some pulling double duty. Haley Courtney, Cody Boykin and Katelynn Barwick round out the roster, with Barwick slated to be the varsity starter and Boykin scheduled to toe the rubber for the JV squad.

SEE GATORS, PAGE B2

COMMENTARY

NCAA 68-team format is weak, lacking answers

W

AP PHOTOS

Wofford’s Eric Garcia, left, and Michigan’s Glen Robinson III will look to lead their respective teams to victory today when they meet in the second round of the men’s NCAA basketball tournament. Game time is schedule for 7:10 p.m.

Ready for madness?

Collins, Wofford looking forward to matchup with Michigan

BY SCOTT KEELER Greenville News While junior Karl Cochran is no doubt the MVP of the Wofford men’s basketball team, the Terriers would not be playing Michigan in tonight’s second round of the NCAA Tournament without a strong supporting cast.

That cast includes sophomore Spencer Collins of Easley.

COLLINS Cochran, a first-team All-Southern Conference player and the SoCon Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, leads Wofford (20-12) in scoring, assists, steals

and blocks. Collins was second on the team in scoring for the second year in a row at 12.8 points per game.

The only way Collins has yet to score for Wofford has been as a reserve.

That’s because he’s never had the chance. Collins was the only Terrier to start all 32 games as a freshman last year and has started all 32 this year.

“He’s in the gym all the time,” Wofford coach Mike Young said. “He’s consumed with being great, and he’s about all the right things.

“He’s going to be a lot better next year than he was this year, just as he was this year compared to last year.”

In his high school finale, Collins scored 44 points in Easley’s 81-77, second-round loss to eventual Class

AAAA state champion Gaffney.

Less than nine months later, Collins scored 16 in his collegiate debut in Wofford’s season opener at Colorado.

While prolific scoring may have gotten Collins on the court for Wofford, the one thing that keeps Collins -- and every other Terrier -- on the court is defense. Wofford ranks 22nd in the country in scoring defense, allowing 62.4 points per game.

“Coach (Young) always says, ‘If you don’t play hard defense, you’ll have the best seat in the house, right beside me,’ ” said Collins.

Young said, “After 28 years in coaching, there’s no greater motivator than

SEE MADNESS, PAGE B4

hen the NCAA announced it was expanding the field for the men’s basketball tournament from 64 teams to 68 a few years back, I didn’t like the idea sight unseen. Now that I’ve had a few opportunities to see it out in the light of day, I like it even less.

When it was announced, I thought the First Four games were supposed to involve who the tournament selection committee saw as the eight weakest teams in the field playing each other to earn a No. 16 seed and face one of the four No. 1 regional seeds.

Of course, that isn’t the case.

North Caro- Dennis lina State and Brunson Xavier faced off for the No. 12 seed in the Midwest Regional on Tuesday and Iowa and Tennessee faced off for the No. 12 seed — again in the Midwest. Heck, Cal Poly and Texas Southern played for the No. 16 seed on Wednesday — again in the Midwest Regional. Huh? There’s no rhyme or reason to this. It could be done this way to add a marquee game to each night in Dayton, Ohio, and bring more fans to the arena and more fans to the television sets. That makes sense, I suppose, but if you want to really help in that regard let the last eight teams to get at-large bids play in those four games.

THE REGIONALS

Perhaps the committee loaded up the Midwest with three First Four games because it felt a little guilty over the way the regional is stacked. It’s hard to remember having a regional with four top seeds like this one. Perhaps this was done to make Wichita State

SEE BRUNSON, PAGE B4

Marshall taking road less traveled to top

BY DAVE SKRETTA The Associated Press ST. LOUIS — To understand Gregg Marshall is to understand that he’s a product of his past.

The leader of unbeaten Wichita State wasn’t born into coaching with a silver spoon. He didn’t learn at the knee of Bob Knight or Mike Krzyzewski, or lean on a resume line that might read “UCLA” or “Kentucky” to climb the coaching ladder.

No, Marshall was a skinny guard who had to scrap and claw just to make it on the floor at tiny RandolphMacon, the stately Division III school in Virginia that eventually gave Marshall his modest start in the business, doing as much laundry as scouting reports for the late Hal Nunnally.

From there, Marshall’s career took him to Belmont Abbey in North Carolina and the College of Charleston in South Carolina. He spent time at Marshall and THE ASSOCIATED PRESS finally became a head coach at Winthrop.

These aren’t the kinds of places that tend to proWichita State coach Gregg Marshall directs Tekele duce Final Four coaches. Yet they managed to spit out Cotton (32) in the championship game of the MisMarshall, whose ferocious intensity, natural charisma souri Valley Conference. Marshall has taken the road less traveled through coaching, but there is no and basketball acumen have helped to make Wichita State the latest “it” team as the NCAA tournament denying his results.

tips off.

“He’s dynamic,” said Ohio athletic director Jim Schaus, the man who lured Marshall to Wichita State.

“You could see all the elements that would make a highly successful coach.”

This successful, though? The coach of a 34-0 team, the first to enter March Madness with a perfect record in more than two decades? A school setting its sights on back-to-back Final Four berths when it tips off as the No. 1 seed in the Midwest Region on Friday night in St. Louis?

“Oh, yes,” Schaus said. “He has a lot of talent.”

Marshall is the first to admit that talent goes so far.

It needs to be shaped. Sharpened. It needs to be filed to an edge, and for him, that happened at a succession of small schools under coaches without the name recognition of Knight or Krzyzewski but who were just as wise: — Grit and toughness was learned from Nunnally, the iconic coach of Randolph-Macon who once watched Marshall and teammate Rod Wood wage a fight in practice so ugly that Marshall was left with a broken nose and Wood with a concussion.

SEE MARSHALL, PAGE B4

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SPORTS

THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 2014

GIRLS AREA ROUNDUP

Lady Knights shut out Timmonsville 16-0 Crestwood High School’s varsity softball team improved to 2-1 overall on the season with a 16-0 victory in three innings over Timmonsville on Wednesday at the Lady Knights field.

Crestwood’s Emily Horton picked up the victory pitching two innings. Raven Bennett pitched one inning and struck out the side.

Offensively for the Lady Knights, Tori Raymond, Bennett and Connie Griffin each had two hits.

CHS, which is 0-1 in Region VI-3A play will travel to Marlboro County on Friday.

THOMAS SUMTER 2 WILSON HALL 0

Thomas Sumter Academy’s varsity softball team earned a 2-0 victory over Wilson Hall on Wednesday.

Holly Scott suffered the loss on the mound

for the Lady Barons (8-3), striking out eight in the process.

Haley Hawkins and Betsy Cunningham each had a hit for WH.

JV SOFTBALL THOMAS SUMTER 13 WILSON HALL 12 Sydney Baity roped a game-winning RBI double in the bottom of the eighth inning to led Thomas Sumter Academy to a 13-12 victory over Wilson Hall on Wednesday.

Cassidy Brunson was 3-for-4 with three RBI for the Lady Generals. Sydney Daniel was also 3-for-4 with two runs driven in.

Diamond Jackson went 3-for-3 and Riley DeLavan had two RBI as TSA improved to 5-2 on the year.

BOYS AREA ROUNDUP

Barons tennis team improves to 3-0 on season Wilson Hall’s varsity tennis team improved to 3-0 on the season with a 9-0 rout of Marlboro Academy on Wednesday at Palmetto Tennis Center.

The Barons host Heathwood Hall today at PTC. SINGLES 1 – Brown (WH) defeated Raybon 6-0, 6-0.

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

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

4 – Hendrix (WH) defeated Powers 6-0, 6-0.

5 – Thompson (WH) defeated Bruner 6-1, 6-0.

6 – Stone (WH) defeated Jones 6-0, 6-0.

DOUBLES 1 – Brown/Davis (WH) defeated Raybon/Jones 8-0.

2 – Stover/Hendrix (WH) defeated Strumberg/Bruner 8-1.

3 – Thompson/Stone (WH) defeated Odom/Powers 8-0.

JV BASEBALL SUMTER 8

with three runs scored and two walks. Rylan Williamson went 1-for-2 with a RBI and a walk.

The Gamecocks will host West Florence on Saturday in a doubleheader beginning at noon.

JV SOCCER SUMTER 2-1 EARLY IN SEASON

The Sumter High junior varsity soccer team is 2-1 on the young season coming off an undefeated 12-0 run in 2013.

The Gamecocks won the black division of the Irmo preseason tournament before dropping their home opener 5-0 to Ashley Ridge.

Sumter bounced back with a pair of wins against Lakewood (3-0) and South Florence (5-0).

VARSITY SOCCER

SPRING VALLEY 2

GOVERNOR’S SCHOOL 3

COLUMBIA – Sumter improved to 6-0 on the season with an 8-2 victory over Spring Valley on Wednesday at the SVHS field.

Hunter Donley threw a 1-hitter over six innings while striking out six.

Donley also went 4-for-4 with three runs batted in at the plate. Ryan Moore went 2-for-2

CRESTWOOD 1 Crestwood’s soccer team opened its season with a 3-1 loss to The Governor’s School on Tuesday at the CHS soccer field.

Dominick Reyes scored the lone goal for the Knights and Wesley Simpson had the assist.

Crestwood plays Hartsville on Friday.

SPORTS ITEMS

Clemson’s Leggett picks up 900th career victory STATESBORO, GA. – Tyler Slaton’s 2-run homer in the fourth inning gave the Tigers a 5-4 lead, the eventual final score in No. 13 Clemson’s 5-4 win over Georgia Southern on Wednesday at J.I. Clements Stadium.

The win was the 900th for Jack Leggett as head coach at Clemson as the Tigers improved to 13-7.

Clemson returns home to face top-ranked Florida State this weekend in a 3-game series starting Friday at 6:30 p.m.

with 28, rallying Illinois past Boston University 66-62 on Wednesday night in the first round of the NIT. SOUTHERN MISS 66 TOLEDO 59

NCAA TOURNAMENT

HATTIESBURG, Miss. — Michael Craig scored 16 points, Neil Watson added 12 and Southern Mississippi rallied to beat Toledo 66-59 on Wednesday night in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament.

CAL POLY 81

GEORGIA 63

TEXAS SOUTHERN 69 DAYTON, Ohio — So much for first-time jitters.

Chris Eversley scored 19 points to help Cal Poly avoid its 20th loss of the season and win its first NCAA tournament game, 81-69 victory over Texas Southern on Wednesday night in the First Four.

VERMONT 56

NIT ILLINOIS 66 BOSTON UNIVERSITY 62 BOSTON — Rayvonte Rice scored seven straight points late in the game and finished

GATORS FROM PAGE B1 “Stamina is going to be very important for us early on,” Powell said. “I’ve got two pitchers who are going to have to go seven innings when they step on the mound. I think if they can do that, we’ll have a defense behind them that can back them up and keep us in games late.”

Regardless, it will not be an easy road to the playoffs, let alone the top of the region. Harts-

ATHENS, Ga. — Charles Mann scored a career-high 29 points, including a three-point play with 2:25 remaining that gave Georgia the lead, and the Bulldogs beat Vermont 63-56 on Wednesday night in the first round of the NIT. PANTHERS SAY NEWTON’S SURGERY SUCCESSFUL

CHARLOTTE — The Carolina Panthers say Cam Newton had successful surgery on his left ankle and the two-time Pro Bowl quarterback will be sidelined for four months.

From staff, wire reports

ville and Darlington have both played and won state 3A titles in recent years with Marlboro County boasting a solid playoff squad as well.

After Wednesday’s game against Hartsville, Lakewood faces defending state runner-up Darlington on Friday.

“It’s going to be a test (Wednesday) and Friday for us,” Powell said. “But I think we’re on the right track and we’re building off of what we did last year and what we’ve done so far this year.”

THE SUMTER ITEM

SCOREBOARD TV, RADIO TODAY

7 a.m. -- Major League Exhibition Baseball: Minnesota vs. St. Louis from Jupiter, Fla. (MLB NETWORK).

10 a.m. -- Major League Exhibition Baseball: Toronto vs. Philadelphia from Dunedin, Fla. (MLB NETWORK).

Noon -- College Wrestling: NCAA Tournament First-Round Matches from Oklahoma City (ESPNU).

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

2 p.m. -- International Soccer: UEFA Europa League Match -Benfica vs. Tottenham (FOX SPORTS 1).

3 p.m. -- PGA Golf: Arnold Palmer Invitational First Round from Orlando, Fla. (GOLF).

4 p.m. -- International Soccer: UEFA Europa League Match -- Napoli vs. Porto (FOX SPORTS 1).

4 p.m. -- Major League Exhibition Baseball: Los Angeles Angels vs.

Kansas City from Surprise, Ariz.

(MLB NETWORK).

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

6:30 p.m. -- LPGA Golf: JTBC Founders Cup First Round from Phoenix (GOLF).

7 p.m. -- Major League Exhibition Baseball: New York Yankees vs.

Boston from Fort Myers, Fla. (ESPN).

7 p.m. -- College Wrestling: NCAA Tournament First-Round Matches from Oklahoma City (ESPNU).

10 p.m. -- Major League Exhibition Baseball: San Francisco vs. San Diego from Peoria, Ariz. (MLB NETWORK).

10:30 p.m. -- College Basketball: National Invitation Tournament Second-Round Game (ESPNU).

1 a.m. -- Major League Exhibition Baseball: Chicago Cubs vs. Seattle from Mesa, Ariz. (MLB NETWORK).

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

PREP SCHEDULE TODAY

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

Thomas Sumter at Wilson Hall, 7 p.m.

Orangeburg Prep at Laurence Manning, 7 p.m.

Clarendon Hall at Florence Christian, 6:30 p.m.

Junior Varsity Baseball Marlboro County at Crestwood, 6:30 p.m.

Lakewood at Darlington, 6:30 p.m.

Hartsville at Manning, 6 p.m.

East Clarendon at Johnsonville, 5:30 p.m.

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

Orangeburg Prep at Laurence Manning, 4 p.m.

Clarendon Hall at Florence Christian, 4 p.m.

B Team Baseball Robert E. Lee at Williamsburg, 5:30 p.m.

Varsity Boys Golf Darlington at Manning, 4 p.m.

East Clarendon at South Florence (at Crossings Golf Club), TBA Wilson Hall, Laurence Manning in SCISA Region II-3A Match (at Crossings Golf Club in Florence), 3:30 p.m.

Varsity Boys Soccer Pinewood Prep at Wilson Hall, 6 p.m.

The King’s Academy at Thomas Sumter, 6 p.m.

Junior Varsity Boys Soccer Sumter at Hartsville, 6 p.m.

Lakewood at The King’s Academy, 5:45 p.m.

Junior Varsity Girls Soccer North Central at Sumter, 5:30 p.m.

Varsity Softball Sumter at West Florence, 7 p.m.

East Clarendon at Andrews, 5:30 p.m.

Thomas Sumter at Wilson Hall, 4 p.m.

Laurence Manning at Orangeburg Prep, 5:30 p.m.

Junior Varsity Softball Sumter at West Florence, 5:30 p.m.

Wilson Hall at Thomas Sumter, 4 p.m.

Laurence Manning at Orangeburg Prep, 4 p.m.

B Team Softball Laurence Manning at Robert E. Lee, 5 p.m.

Varsity Boys Tennis Heathwood Hall at Wilson Hall, 4 p.m.

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

Lakewood, Marlboro County at Hartsville, 5 p.m.

MLB SPRING TRAINING

By The Associated Press TUESDAY’S GAMES

N.Y. Yankees 8, Boston 1 Detroit (ss) 18, Toronto 4 Miami 8, Houston 1 N.Y. Mets 5, Detroit (ss) 4

Milwaukee 9, Texas (ss) 3 Oakland 16, Chicago White Sox 6 Tampa Bay 11, Minnesota 3 Texas (ss) 7, Chicago Cubs 6, 10 innings Cleveland 12, San Francisco 11 Seattle 5, San Diego 5, tie

WEDNESDAY’S GAMES

St. Louis 3, Minnesota 1 Tampa Bay 7, Baltimore 4 Toronto 11, Philadelphia 6 N.Y. Yankees 7, Atlanta 0 Oakland 13, Cleveland 3 L.A. Angels 14, Chicago White Sox 10 Milwaukee 9, Seattle 7 Houston 2, Washington 0

TODAY’S GAMES

Toronto vs. Philadelphia (ss) at Clearwater, Fla., 1:05 p.m.

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

Detroit vs. Washington at Viera, Fla., 1:05 p.m.

St. Louis vs. Miami at Jupiter, Fla., 1:05 p.m.

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

Texas vs. Cincinnati at Goodyear, Ariz., 4:05 p.m.

Seattle vs. Chicago Cubs at Mesa, Ariz., 4:05 p.m.

L.A. Angels vs. Kansas City at Surprise, Ariz., 4:05 p.m.

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

Minnesota vs. Tampa Bay at Port Charlotte, Fla., 7:05 p.m.

Baltimore vs. Pittsburgh at Bradenton, Fla., 7:05 p.m.

N.Y. Yankees vs. Boston at Fort Myers, Fla., 7:05 p.m.

San Francisco vs. San Diego at Peoria, Ariz., 10:05 p.m.

NBA STANDINGS

By The Associated Press EASTERN CONFERENCE ATLANTIC DIVISION W Toronto 37 Brooklyn 34 New York 27 Boston 22 Philadelphia 15 SOUTHEAST DIVISION W x-Miami 46 Washington 35 Charlotte 33 Atlanta 31 Orlando 19 CENTRAL DIVISION W x-Indiana 50 Chicago 37 Cleveland 26 Detroit 25 Milwaukee 13

L 29 31 40 46 52

Pct .561 .523 .403 .324 .224

GB – 21/2 101/2 16 221/2

L 19 32 35 35 49

Pct .708 .522 .485 .470 .279

GB – 12 141/2 151/2 281/2

L 17 30 42 41 55

Pct .746 .552 .382 .379 .191

GB – 13 241/2 241/2 371/2

WESTERN CONFERENCE SOUTHWEST DIVISION W L Pct San Antonio 50 16 .758 Houston 45 22 .672 Dallas 41 27 .603 Memphis 39 27 .591 New Orleans 27 39 .409 NORTHWEST DIVISION W L Pct Oklahoma City 49 18 .731 Portland 44 24 .647 Minnesota 33 32 .508 Denver 30 37 .448 Utah 22 46 .324 PACIFIC DIVISION W L Pct L.A. Clippers 48 21 .696 Golden State 43 26 .623 Phoenix 38 29 .567 Sacramento 24 44 .353 L.A. Lakers 22 44 .333 x-clinched playoff spot

GB – 51/2 10 11 23 GB – 51/2 15 19 271/2 GB – 5 9 231/2 241/2

TUESDAY’S GAMES

Miami 100, Cleveland 96 Atlanta 118, Toronto 113, OT Portland 120, Milwaukee 115, OT Sacramento 117, Washington 111, OT Golden State 103, Orlando 89

WEDNESDAY’S GAMES

Chicago at Philadelphia, 7 p.m.

Charlotte at Brooklyn, 7:30 p.m.

Miami at Boston, 7:30 p.m.

Utah at Memphis, 8 p.m.

Toronto at New Orleans, 8 p.m.

Indiana at New York, 8 p.m.

Minnesota at Dallas, 8:30 p.m.

Detroit at Denver, 9 p.m.

Orlando at Phoenix, 10 p.m.

San Antonio at L.A. Lakers, 10:30 p.m.

THURSDAY’S GAMES

Oklahoma City at Cleveland, 7 p.m.

Minnesota at Houston, 8 p.m.

Washington at Portland, 10 p.m.

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

FRIDAY’S GAMES

Chicago at Indiana, 7 p.m.

New York at Philadelphia, 7 p.m.

Oklahoma City at Toronto, 7 p.m.

Boston at Brooklyn, 7:30 p.m.

Memphis at Miami, 7:30 p.m.

New Orleans at Atlanta, 7:30 p.m.

Denver at Dallas, 8:30 p.m.

Detroit at Phoenix, 10 p.m.

San Antonio at Sacramento, 10 p.m.

Washington at L.A. Lakers, 10:30 p.m.

THE SUMTER ITEM

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 2014

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COLLEGE BASKETBALL

THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 2014

THE SUMTER ITEM

MADNESS FROM PAGE B1 the fanny on the bench. They don’t like that much.

“If you’re going to hang banners at our place, you’ve got to guard, and this may be the best defensive team I’ve had.”

Easley High won at least one playoff game in each of Collins’ four years, including a run to the Upper State Championship game in Collins’ sophomore year of 2010.

That year was also the first of back-toback NCAA Tournament appearances for Wofford, which Collins said was a big reason he signed with the Terriers.

So it was a difficult transition last year for Collins, as Wofford went 13-19 for its first losing season in five years. But with every starter returning this year, Collins was confident the Terriers could turn things around this season.

That confidence didn’t waiver, even as Wofford got off to a 3-7 start against a difficult schedule. The Terriers were 7-10 before reeling off 13 wins in their past 15 games.

BRUNSON FROM PAGE B1 pay for going undefeated in a Podunk conference like the Missouri Valley and forcing the committee to give it a No. 1 seed.

If No. 2 seed Michigan, No. 3 Duke and No. 4 and defending national champion Louisville join Wichita State in Indianapolis for the Midwest Regional semifinals, it will have a definite Final Four feel to it. Duke and certainly Louisville could have legitimately been No. 2 seeds in any of the other regionals.

Not only do the Shockers have to deal with that trio, their secondround game will be against either No. 8 Kentucky or No. 9 Kansas State.

That won’t be an easy task either since Kentucky was supposed to go 40-0 this season and KSU is a strong

program.

Wichita shouldn’t be complaining though. If it pulls this off — and remember it was in the Final Four last season — no one can question the validity of it winning the title.

The South Regional with overall No. 1 seed Florida at the top is the next toughest seed. You have heavyweights Kansas and Syracuse at Nos. 2 and 3, respectively, with UCLA No. 4, VCU No.5 and Ohio State No. 6. Virginia is the No. 1 seed in the East, and it would seem to have a favorable bracket save for the fact that Michigan State is the No. 4 seed. The Spartans are a dangerous team with Tom Izzo as the head coach, whatever their seed, and this just happens to be a pretty darn good team.

It looks as though the West Regional was set up for No. 1 seed to waltz straight to Jerry’s World in Arlington,

MARSHALL FROM PAGE B1 “He wasn’t a military guy,” Marshall said of Nunnally, “but he certainly had some drill instructor tendencies. He was tough. Hair off the collar, respectful of everyone, especially authority. Do the right things. He was a tough guy, and a very, very intelligent man.”

— The ability to teach the game was learned from Kevin Eastman, who at the time was the coach of tiny Belmont Abbey, and is now an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Clippers.

“He’s a dynamite coach,” Marshall said. “Really knew how to get kids to understand.”

— How to be a CEO was learned from John Kresse, who took Marshall under his wing for eight years at the College of Charleston. Together, they ushered the program on the long road from NAIA to Division I, and then right into the NCAA tournament.

“John really knew how to deal with every aspect of a program, from marketing to promotions to dealing with the media,” Marshall recalled this week. “X’s and O’s, recruiting. He did it all.”

He taught Marshall how to deal with defeat, too.

“When he was my assistant, if we had a tough game, or a tough loss, I would sometimes see him throwing up after a game. As an assistant!” Kresse said. “His intensity was off the charts, and it worried me.

If he was doing this as an assistant, how would he do as a head coach? But his years, his experiences, I think he’s mellowed some, and I think he’s better for it.”

Ultimately, Marshall

learned that he had what it took to be a head coach from Greg White, who had hired him at Marshall. After a couple years, White practically pushed his stubborn assistant out the door when Winthrop came searching for its new head coach.

“He said, ‘You need to be an assistant at a higher level, or a head coach at the Division I

Hours:

Monday - Friday 9:00am-7:00pm Saturday 9:00am-5:00pm Sunday Closed

COLLEGE BASKETBALL TV SCHEDULE TODAY SECOND-ROUND GAMES WLTX 19

Noon — Ohio State vs. Dayton 2:30 p.m. — Syracuse vs. Western Michigan 7 p.m. — Michigan vs. Wofford 9:30 p.m. — Texas vs. Arizona State TBS 1:30 p.m. — Colorado vs. Pittsburgh 4 p.m. — Florida vs. Albany 6:45 p.m. — Connecticut vs. St. Joseph’s

Texas, for the Final Four. Wisconsin is the No. 2 seed, Creighton No. 3 and San Diego State No. 4. Those are all good teams, but none carry the weight to take down Arizona.

THE FINAL FOUR

OK, the moment for which you’ve been waiting. Arizona should be ashamed if it doesn’t win the West; it will be joined by Virginia, Louisville

level. You have that ability,’” Marshall said. “I had never really thought of it.”

Winthrop might have been considered a dead-end job.

Marshall made the Eagles relevant, and then he made them a powerhouse. They became tough, fundamentally sound, a perfectly humming machine, in so many ways a reflection of their coach and everything he’d learned over the years.

9:15 p.m. — Villanova vs. Milwaukee

TRUTV

12:30 p.m. — Wisconsin vs. American 3 p.m. — Oregon vs. Brigham Young 7:15 p.m. — Oklahoma vs. North Dakota State 9:55 p.m. — San Diego State vs. New Mexico State

TNT

2 p.m. — Cincinnati vs. Harvard 4:30 p.m. — Michigan State vs. Delaware 7:15 p.m. — Saint Louis vs. North Carolina State 9:45 p.m.— Louisville vs. Manhattan

and Florida. Louisville will beat Arizona in one semifinal and Florida will take down Virginia in the other.

That will pit the teacher, Louisville head coach Rick Pitino, against the pupil, Florida’s Billy Donovan. Of course, Donovan has proven he has already learned quite well from the man he played for in the Final Four at Providence, and the Gators will win the national title.

Call (803) 774-1200 and subscribe today.

Your community connection

OBITUARIES | SPORTS

THE SUMTER ITEM

ALTOMESE I. COOPER GABLE — Altomese Isaac Cooper, 91, widow of Columbus Cooper Sr., died Thursday, March 13, 2014, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center.

She was born May 13, 1922, in Mayesville, a COOPER daughter of the late Jefferson Sr. and Estelle Muldrow Isaac. She attended Goodwill Parochial School of Mayesville. She was employed at Gamecock Vending Co. and Sumter School District 2 at R.E. Davis Elementary School. She was a member of Goodwill Presbyterian Church USA, where she served on the deacon board, chancel choir, sanctuary choir, a member of the adult Sunday school class, United Presbyterian Women, and the love circle. She was also a member of Household of Ruth No. 3728 and St. Paul Chapel 345, Order of the Easter Star.

Survivors are Columbus (Darlene) Cooper Jr. of Baltimore, Md., Isaac (Mary) Cooper of Gable, Joearal Kennedy of Pittsburgh, Pa., Ferdinand (Elizabeth) Cooper of Fayettevillle, N.C., Cassandra Cooper of the home, Hardie (Christine) Copper of Temple Hills, Md., Jessirita (Stanley) Scriven of Gable, Susan (Cleo) Ballard of Gable, and John Glenn (Dorothy) Cooper of San Bernardino, Calif.; three sisters, Jeannie (Willie) Jefferson of Mayesville, Jessie Lee Cooper of Sumter, and Stelline Hill of New York, N.Y.; one brother, Jefferson (Mozetta) Isaac Jr. of Gable; 20 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.

Celebratory services for Mrs. Cooper will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at Goodwill Presbyterian Church (USA), 295 N. Brick Church Road, Mayesville, with the Rev. Dr. Ella F. Busby, pastor, officiating, and the Rev. Dr. Franklin D. Colough Sr., the Rev. Carnell Hampton, Elder Delcia Baxter, the Rev. Ashley Vaughn and the Rev. Phillip Washington assisting. Burial will follow in the churchyard cemetery.

Mrs. Cooper will lie in repose one hour prior to funeral time.

The family is receiving friends at the residence, 915 One Mile Road, Gable.

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

STELLA M. FINNEY Stella M. Koszela Finney, age 90, beloved wife of the late Russell S. Finney, died on Tuesday, March 18, 2014, at Covenant Place.

Born in McKeesport, Pa., she was a daughter of the late Kazimierz Josef and Josephine Mary Skibiski FINNEY Koszela. Stella served during World War II as a Navy WAVE. She was a member of St. Anne Catholic Church and the Shepherds Center.

Surviving are one sister, Louise Moreno and her husband, William, of Royal Palm Beach, Fla.; three sisters-in-

law, Pat Finney of Cottonwood, Ariz., Dorothy Oliver and her husband, Glen, of Boulder, Colo., and Monica Koszela of Thousand Oaks, Calif.; one brother-in-law, George Hackett of Sumter; numerous nieces and nephews; and a special friend, Russell Hurst.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a brother, Raymond Koszela; and a sister, Genevieve “Jean” Hackett.

A mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Jude Catholic Church with the Rev. Charlie Donovan, C.Ss.R. officiating.

Interment will follow in Evergreen Memorial Park cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Ron Kropp, Jerry Kropp, Ken Kropp, Rob Kropp, Alan Hackett and Carl DuBose.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Bullock Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Covenant Place “Hourly Employees Fund,” 2825 Carter Road, Sumter, SC 29150; St. Anne Catholic Church, 216 E. Liberty St., Sumter, SC 29150; or to St. Jude Catholic Church, 611 W. Oakland Ave., Sumter, SC 29150.

You may sign the family’s guest book at www.bullockfuneralhome.com.

The family has chosen Bullock Funeral Home of Sumter for the arrangements.

Surviving are eight children, Ola M. (London) Budden Jr., Lucille Cummings and Samuel Witherspoon, all of Sumter, Isell “Bubba” (Freda) Witherspoon Jr. of Warren, Ohio, Ida E. (Thomas) Felder of Pinewood, Bernice Townsell of Albany, Ga., Connie J. (Greg) Daniels of Murfreesboro, Tenn., and Patricia A. (Rodney) Dunham of Garner, N.C.; one godson, the Rev. Sammie L. (Tonya) Drayton Sr. of Weston, N.Y.; three brothers, Carlyle Davis and Aiken (Elouise) Davis of Warren, Ohio, and Reuben (Eartha Lee) Davis of Sumter; 15 grandchildren; nine greatgrandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Plaza Church of Christ, 1402 Camden Highway, Sumter.

The family will receive friends from noon to 8 p.m. today at Palmer Memorial Chapel, 304 S. Main St., and at other times at her residence, 580 Old Manning Road, Sumter.

Mrs. Witherspoon will be placed in the church at 10 a.m. for viewing until the hour of service. Interment will follow in the Hillside Memorial Park cemetery.

Please leave a condolence for the family on their memorial website found at palmermemorialchapel.com.

Palmer Memorial Chapel of Sumter is in charge of the arrangements.

DeLEON HOLLAND

MAMIE D. WITHERSPOON Mamie Davis Witherspoon, 93, widow of Isell Witherspoon Sr., passed on Monday, March 17, 2014, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center.

Born in Sumter County, she was one of nine children born to the late Isaiah Sr. and Nancy Taylor Davis.

She was educated in the Beulah public school in WITHERSPOON the Bell Mills section of Sumter County. At an early age, she joined Enon Missionary Baptist Church and served faithfully with the senior missionary, women’s auxiliary, church sexton and pastor’s aide. In 2003, she was added to Kingsbury Road Church of Christ, where she attended faithfully and served benevolently, until her health failed.

Mrs. Witherspoon and her late husband, Isell, were proud entrepreneurs and operators of a grocery store, barber shop and gas station in the location of Spoonville on the Old Manning Road. In 2007, she was named “Mayor of Spoonville” by Sumter Item writer, the late Bubba McElveen.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by five siblings, William Davis, Isaiah Davis Jr., Henry Davis, Rosena D. Conyers and Bernice D. Budden; one grandchild, Raymond Witherspoon; and one greatgrandchild, Chase Witherspoon.

Funeral services for DeLeon Holland, who died Monday, March 10, 2014, will be conducted at noon Friday at Salem Chapel and Heritage Center, 101 S. Salem Ave., with the Rev. C. Gaymon, pastor, Zion Hill Baptist Church, Paxville, officiating. Interment will follow in Zion HillCalvary Cemetery, Pinewood.

Born in Clarendon County, Mr. Holland was a son of William Sr. and Eliza Holland. A graduate of the local public schools, he was a veteran of 24 years of service in the U.S. Army. Prior to retirement, he also had a career in the U.S. Postal Service. He was a member of Zion Hill Baptist Church, where he sang with the choir and served as an usher. In recent years, he reestablished residence in Chicago.

Survivors include a daughter, Ericka (Rossi) Holland; two grandsons; two sisters, Jamie Taylor and Shirley Davis; and three sisters-inlaw, Rebecca Holland, Willie Mae Holland and Camilla Holland.

Mr. Holland will repose between the hours of 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. today at Job’s Mortuary and for an hour prior to the service on Friday at Salem Chapel.

Online message may be submitted to JobsMortuary@sc. rr.com or jobsmortuary.net.

ROLLY LEE WELLS LYNCHBURG — Funeral services for Rolly Lee Wells, who died March 16, 2014, will be conducted at noon Friday at Asbury United Methodist Church with the Rev. Pattie E. Gordon, pastor, and the Rev.

THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 2014 Elroy Davis, eulogist. Burial will follow in Goodman Cemetery, directed by Jefferson Funeral Home.

He was born and educated in Sumter County. He was a farmer and a member of Asbury United Methodist Church.

He is survived by his closest cousins, Levy Jr., Janie, Irene, Sylvia and Jerome; brothers and sisters-in-law, Leroy, Gurney, Monk, Clara, Mickey, Ophelia and Gloria Jean; a special friend, Ellen Nora Jenrette; other relatives and friends.

He was predeceased by his parents and wife.

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is picking Michigan State to win the NCAA men’s basketball championship over defending champion Louisville.

In what has beOBAMA come an annual March Madness tradition at the White House, Obama filled out a bracket in a segment broadcast on ESPN Wednesday.

Florida and Arizona round-

ed out Obama’s Final Four picks.

But he said the talents of Michigan State coach Tom Izzo made him pick the Spartans to go all the way.

Obama said he knows his picks aren’t imaginative but expressed hope they’d help him win his pool this year. He noted that he hasn’t had a lot of luck with his picks in the past.

Last year he correctly picked Louisville to play in the championship game, but wrongly said the Cardinals would lose to Indiana.

B5

odist Church cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Curtis Jones, Tom Lynch, Jesse Lynch, William Downing, Wally Huggins, Wesley Humphries, Leonard Corbett, and Hank Corbett.The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m. today at Elmore-CannonStephens Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, 4217 Park Place Court, Glen Allen, VA 23060-9979 or to a charity of one’s choice.

Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of the arrangements.

YONWAN L. HARRIS WILLIAMS LEE JAMES Williams “Jimmy” Lee James, 64, husband of Beverly Compton James, departed this life on March 16, 2014, at his residence.

He was born June 9, 1949, in Baltimore, Md., to the late Joshua and Beatrice James.

The family will be receiving friends at the home, 198 Ida Lane, Mayesville.

Funeral plans are incomplete and will be announced later by Job’s Mortuary Inc., 312 S. Main St., Sumter.

DONALD E. KERL SUMMERTON — Donald Edward Kerl, 81, of Summerton, died March 14, 2014. Don Kerl, son of Edward and Amy Kerl, loving husband of Patricia Carr Kerl, passed away on March 14 at Lexington Medical Center in Lexington, after a short illness.

He is survived by his wife, Pat; and three sons, Dennis, Tim and Jeremy. He is also survived by three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, living in Pennsylvania, Maine and South Carolina.

Don Kerl worked maintenance at Federal Mogul in Summerton, until his retirement. He taught many about boating and fishing, as he had a love of the water. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Barr-Price Funeral Homes of Lexington is in charge of arrangements, www.barrprice.com, (803) 356-4411.

MIKE WINDHAM Harvey M. “Mike” Windham, 60, husband of Pearl Driggers Windham, died Monday, March 17, 2014, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center.

Born in Sumter, he was a son of the late Harvey C. Windham and Betty Outlaw Stokes. He was employed at Becton-Dickinson for more than 35 years.

Survivors include his wife; three children, Michelle Garcia (Jason) of Alabama, and Brian Windham (Stephanie) and Paul Windham, both of Sumter; five grandchildren, William, Jeremy, Melody, Dylan and Caleb; and a brother, Bruce Windham (Sara) of Fort Mill.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, April E. Windham; and a sister, Sandra W. Robinson.

Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. Friday in the ElmoreCannon-Stephens Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Jeremy Howell officiating. Burial will be in Bethel United Meth-

MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Obama picks Spartans as men’s NCAA tourney basketball champions

|

Call (803) 774-1200 and subscribe today.

Yonwan Lenyou Harris died Friday, March 14, 2014, at his residence, 1854 Amberwood Drive.

Born in Sumter County, he was a son Waddell Hunter and Rose Harris Cato and the husband of Ursula Roberts Harris. He attended the local public schools and was an employee of Palmetto Pigeon Plant.

Survivors include his wife, Ursula R. Harris of the home; his parents, Waddell and Gloria Hunter and James and Rose H. Cato; five children, Quanisha Harris, Quandell Harris, Cedric Thompson, Dante’ Brown and Della Tudor, all of Sumter; siblings, Tommy (Shakima) Archie of Simpsonville, Walter (Fantasia) Murry of Spartanburg, Ravin Cato of Wedgefield, Tony Robison of Columbia, Jamerson Cato of Sumter and Sanitra Rembert of Columbia; paternal grandmother, Lottie Bell Hunter; maternal grandmother, Lessie Harris; a special niece and nephew, Michelle Rock and Xavier Williams; several other nieces and nephews; special friends, Randy Smiling, Seth Wakefield and Daimen Wright; and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Waddell Hunter Jr.; and grandfathers, Jaylynn Harris and Thomas Hunter.

Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Friday at Autumn Woods Christian Church, 2490 Sargent Road, with Pastor Tim Brown officiating.

Mr. Harris will lie in repose from 2 to 7 p.m. today at Job’s Mortuary and an hour before the service on Friday at Autumn Woods Christian Church.

Job’s Mortuary Inc., 312 S. Main St., Sumter, is in charge of arrangements.

Online memorials may be sent to the family at jobsmortuary@sc.rr.com or visit us on the web at www.jobsmortuary. net.

DAVID B. ENGLISH Sr. David Burney English Sr., 74, husband of Evelyn Floyd English, died Wednesday, March 19, 2014, at Sumter Valley Health & Rehabilitation.

Born in Dalzell, he was a son of the late John Henry English and Sarah Dawson.

The family will receive friends at the home, 6985 Evelyn Drive, Dalzell.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Palmer Memorial Chapel Inc. of Sumter.

Your community news source

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COMICS

THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 2014

BIZARRO

SOUP TO NUTZ

ANDY CAPP

GARFIELD

BEETLE BAILEY

BORN LOSER

BLONDIE

ZITS

MOTHER GOOSE

DOG EAT DOUG

DILBERT

JEFF MACNELLY’S SHOE

Mother seeks guidance for son’s questions DEAR ABBY — Due to various anti-drug lectures he was exposed to at school, my 13-yearold son believes that marijuana is not only illegal, but also is very bad for you. He

Dear Abby ABIGAIL VAN BUREN

said it is poison.

My state has recently legalized marijuana and I am at a loss about how to explain to him that pot is no longer “that bad,” as people partake of it in a responsible manner going forward. Any suggestions?

Colorado Mom DEAR MOM — The marijuana being sold to adults in the states where it is now legal has

been carefully cultivated and harvested. Its use is not encouraged among teenagers, however, because research has shown it can impair brain development among young people. Stress to your son that like alcohol, marijuana can slow reaction time and impair judgment and memory, which is why it’s illegal for minors to use it. Whether it will become legal across the nation is still an open question. If it’s abused the way that alcohol sometimes is, smoking weed may also be harmful because, like any smoke, it poses a risk to the lungs.

DEAR ABBY — I moved into my boyfriend’s home several months ago. In the beginning, he was very attentive and we had fun together. But over the last couple of months, he has become abusive and unbear-

DEAR MISERABLE — Pick up the phone and call the National Domestic Violence Hotline (800-799-7233). Although your boyfriend’s controlling behavior hasn’t yet escalated to physical abuse, it very well could. The counselors at the hotline can help you to formulate a plan so you can safely get away. Please don’t wait to make the call, because the symptoms you’re having are ones of extreme stress.

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

BOIRT ©2014 Tribune Content Agency, LLC All Rights Reserved.

MOVEN

CESNIK

LUGRAF

Jumble puzzle magazines available at pennydellpuzzles.com/jumblemags

JUMBLE

Unscramble these four Jumbles, one letter to each square, to form four ordinary words.

Now arrange the circled letters to form the surprise answer, as suggested by the above cartoon.

A: (Answers tomorrow) Jumbles: NIECE FRAUD ISLAND EMERGE Answer: He didn’t think he would be eaten by a crocodile, but he was — IN “DE-NILE”

THE DAILY CROSSWORD PUZZLE

able to live with. He orders me around and double-checks to make sure I’m doing things “his way.”

I feel as though there isn’t room to breathe and no way out. I have lost weight, and I’m having trouble sleeping now. I have no family or friends who can help me out. I want to end this misery! But how?

Miserable in Florida

THAT SCRAMBLED WORD GAME

By David L. Hoyt and Jeff Knurek

Yesterday’s

THE SUMTER ITEM

By Kevin Christian ACROSS 1 At attention, say 6 Whale group 9 Caught at a rodeo 14 Grammy-winning Jones 15 CXVIII x V 16 Officer on the Enterprise bridge 17 ItÕs not a swine 19 Alert to drivers 20 Vinyl item 21 ItÕs not an equine 23 Zilch 25 Hot times in Lyon 26 MST part: Abbr.

29 Endow 31 __ projection 35 ItÕs not an amphibian 38 Million finish 39 Mayflower Compact signer 40 PatriotsÕ Day mo.

41 Former U.S. Army post near Monterey 42 Big name in game shows 43 ItÕs not a canine 45 ÒRemington __Ó 47 Enthusiasm 48 Common rebus pronoun

49 Avis adjective 51 ÒStayÓ singer Lisa 53 ItÕs not a rodent 57 Lacking the wherewithal 61 Confess 62 ItÕs not an ursine 64 Seven-year phase 65 SASE, e.g.

66 Ben StillerÕs mother 67 Biography Channel owner 68 Most of AZ doesnÕt observe it 69 Freddy KruegerÕs haunts: Abbr.

DOWN 1 Tech sch. grad 2 Rake 3 Idle in comedy 4 Leica competitor 5 Title Òungainly fowlÓ of poetry 6 Natl. economic indicator 7 x, y or z 8 Blues singer Bobby of song 9 Fraternity events 10 Columbus school 11 Sign of feline felicity 12 Ò__ TuÓ:

3/20/14 1974 hit 13 Hamlet, for one 18 Contributed 22 Slightly 24 Sirius or Vega 26 Counterfeits 27 Available, on a real estate sign 28 Rapper who co-founded Beats Electronics 30 November birthstone 32 __ Janeiro 33 Bow go-with 34 DoveÕs perch 36 ÒDonÕt botherÓ 37 Disney mermaid 41 Identifier in a folder 43 Machu Pic-

chu locale 44 Lover of Christine, in ÒThe Phantom of the OperaÓ 46 ÒTao Te ChingÓ author 50 Tried to date, with ÒoutÓ 52 Tower city 53 ÒSee yaÓ 54 What a light bulb may signify 55 The Untouchables, e.g.

56 Eras upon eras 58 Smile broadly 59 Metallica drummer Ulrich 60 Q.E.D. word 63 Pretend to be

Wednesday’s Puzzle Solved

(c)2014 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

3/20/14

CLASSIFIEDS

THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 2014

LEGAL NOTICES Summons & Notice

Legal Notice SUMTER EAST SELF STORAGE 800 MYRTLE BEACH HWY. AUCTION MARCH 29, 2014 10:00 A.M.

UNITS FOR AUCTION

SUMMONS (Claim and Delivery) (Non-Jury) IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS Case No. 2013-CP-43-1917 STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF SUMTER Green Tree Servicing LLC, as Successor Servicer for GreenPoint Credit as Servicer for BankAmerica Housing Services, A Division of Bank of America, FSB Plaintiff v.

Percilla T. Buckman & Don L. Buckman and any Unknown Occupants being a class designated as John Doe Defendant(s) TO THE DEFENDANT(S) ABOVE-NAMED: YOU ARE HEREBY required to Answer the Complaint in this action, of which a copy is herewith served upon you, to serve a copy of your answer to said Complaint on the persons whose names are subscribed below at Post Office Box 4216, Columbia, South Carolina 29240, within thirty (30) days after the service hereof, exclusive of the day of such service hereof, and if you fail to answer the Complaint within the time aforesaid, judgment by default will be rendered against you for the relief demanded in the Complaint.

NOTICE OF FILING COMPLAINT NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the original Complaint in the above entitled action, together with the Summons, was filed in the Office of the Clerk of Court for Sumter County on October 24, 2013 at 1:47 p.m..

B. Lindsay Crawford, III Theodore von Keller Sara C. Hutchins Crawford & von Keller, LLC P.O. Box 4216, Columbia, SC 29240 803-790-2626 Attorneys for Plaintiff

SUMMONS (Declaratory Judgment) (Non-Jury Matter) IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS CASE NO.: 2013-CP-43-1024 STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF SUMTER JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Plaintiff vs.

Matthew McClain, Defendant TO: THE DEFENDANT

ABOVE-NAMED

YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED and required to answer the Complaint in this action, a copy of which is herewith served upon you, and to serve a copy of your answer upon the undersigned attorneys at 652 Coleman Boulevard, Suite 200, Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina 29464, within thirty (30) days from service hereof, exclusive of the day of such service; and, if you fail to answer the Complaint within the time aforesaid, judgment by default will be rendered against you, and the Plaintiff in this action will apply to the Court for the relief demanded.

LIS PENDENS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that an action will be commenced in this Court upon a Complaint of the above-named Plaintiff against the above-named Defendant to reform a deed in the chain of title and to quiet title to real property located in the County of Sumter, State of South Carolina. Said premises affected by this action are more particularly described as follows: ALL that certain piece, parcel or lot of land, together with the improvements thereon, if any, situate, lying and being in the Township of Privateer, County of Sumter, State of South Carolina, being shown and designates as Lot #70, Section 7 of Country Springs Subdivision, as shown on that certain plat prepared for Isah Wheeler, by Ben J. Makela, RLS, dated August 23, 2002, and recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds for Sumter County in Plat Book 2002 at Page 533, and having such metes and bounds as are shown on said plat, this description being in lieu of metes and bounds as permitted under Section 30-5-250 of the 1976 Code of Laws of South Carolina, as amended.

This is the property known as: 252 Pioneer Drive.

Parcel ID: 221-06-01-017 Maria Kiehling Brees S.C. Bar No. 76799 John W. Farrell S.C. Bar No. 72477 Buist, Byars & Taylor, LLC 652 Coleman Blvd., Suite 200 Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina 29464 (843) 856-4488

A-19 - CHARLOTTE WELLS A-26 - CYNTHIA WILSON B-32 - QUINCY A. DUNHAM C-22 - MARIE MACK E-10 - SYLVIA ROGERS E-19 - THELMA DANIELS

NOTICE OF ISSUANCE OF TEMPORARY EMERGENCY PERMIT UNDER THE SOUTH CAROLINA HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT ACT The Savannah River Site (SRS), Hydrogen Technology Research Laboratory located near Aiken, SC was issued a temporary emergency hazardous waste treatment permit by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control on March 13, 2014. This emergency treatment permit was issued under the authority of Section 61-79.270.61 of the South Carolina Hazardous Waste Management Regulations and expires on March 17, 2014.

Tree Service

Help Wanted Full-Time

Unfurnished Apartments

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

Finance trainees No experience needed. Applicants must have a sales personality and enjoy working with our customers auto required. Good starting salary and good benefits. We will train you on the job. Apply in person 304 Broad St Sumter SC.

2BR/1BA, Conv. to Sumter Mall. $530/mo + dep. 803-775-1281.

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

MERCHANDISE Farm Products

This permit authorizes on-site treatment of ten (10) 30 ml bottles that contain tetrahydrofuran which can produce unstable forms of peroxides. The formation of such peroxides may result in a material which is unsafe for storage. The bottles will be treated to stabilize the peroxides that may have formed.

Once treated the bottles of waste will be managed in accordance with SC Hazardous Waste Management Regulations.

Copies of the permit are available for review during regular business hours 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, except legal holidays at the following locations: The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control Bureau of Land and Waste Management 2600 Bull St. Columbia, SC 29201 Phone (803) 896-2000

Interested persons may submit comments on the emergency permit, and/or request a public hearing to: David Scaturo, P.E., P.G., Director Division of Waste Management Bureau of Land and Waste Management (803) 898-2000 To be considered all requests and/or comments must be received in writing no later than forty-five (45) days from the date this notice is published.

Beer & Wine License Notice Of Application Notice is hereby given that Dolgencorp, LLC intends to apply to the South Carolina Department of Revenue for a license permit that will allow the sale OFF premises consumption of Beer & Wine at Store 13025, Pocalla Road, Sumter, SC 29150. To object to the issuance of this permit / license, written protest must be postmarked no later than April 12, 2014. For a protest to be valid, it must be in writing, and should include the following information: (1) the name, address and telephone number of the person filing the protest; (2) the specific reasons why the application should be denied; (3) that the person protesting is willing to attend a hearing (if one is requested by the applicant); (4) that the person protesting resides in the same county where the proposed place of business is located or within five miles of the business; and (5) the name of the applicant and the address of the premises to be licensed. Protests must be mailed to: S.C. Department of Revenue, ATTN: ABL, P.O. Box 125, Columbia, South Carolina 29214; or Faxed to: (803) 896-0110.

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

Lawn Service Kaz's Lawn Care Spring Cleanup Specials. Free Est. & Military Disc .803-565-1910 Daniel's Lawn Care • Tree removal • Lawn Service • Mulch / Pine straw • Debris removal 803-968-4185 Oxendine & Son Lawn Care All your lawn care needs & pressure washing. Call Jonathan 803-565-2160 or Kerry 316-8726.

Four Seasons Lawn Care Serving Sumter for almost 20 yrs!

Free est. 494-9169/468-4008

Help Wanted Part-Time $$$ AVON $$$ FREE TRAINING! 803-422-5555 Psychotherapist-responsible for individual, group, family therapy, psychosocial assessments and case management. Masters in social work, psychology, or counseling required with current LISW, PC, or LPC. Fax resume to 803-774-2633 or email : lefford.fate@tuomey.com Chauffeurs needed for Limousine Co. Must have excellent people skills. Schedule includes days, nights & weekends. Exc wages. Fax resume & 10 year driving record to 803-494-5779 or Call 803-983-5247.

Local Baptist Church seeking Mature Christian for Church Secretary position. Applicant should possess excellent communication skills and Word Processing ability.

Current hours 9-3 M-Thur. 9-1 Friday. Send resumes to P- Box 354 c//o The Item, PO Box 1677 Sumter SC 29151

HAY for your special animal.

Approx 40 Round bales.

775-4391, 464-5960

Garage, Yard & Estate Sales LARGE GARAGE SALE 1st & 3rd Weekend Tables $1 & Up FLEA MARKET BY SHAW AFB

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control Midlands EQC Region - Aiken 206 Beaufort Street, NE Aiken, SC 29801 Phone (803) 642-1637

THE ITEM

Open every weekend.

905-4242

For Sale or Trade Expert Tech, New & used heat pumps & A/C. Will install/repair, warranty; Compressor & labor $600. Call 803-968-9549 or 843-992-2364 Honey Beehives for sale.

Fresh Honey and Bee Pollen for sale for allergy season. Call F.L. Newman @ 468-3700 or come by Newman's Furn Mart 1426 Camden Hwy Martin's Used Appliance Washers, Dryers, Refrig., Stoves.

Special front end load washer $399 Guarantee 464-5439/469-7311

EMPLOYMENT Help Wanted Full-Time ROSE'S SUMTER MALL SUMTER, SC We have an immediate opening for Retail Assistant Store Manager. 1yr Retail Management experience req'd. F/T position with benefits. (Major medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, 401k, paid vacation).

Submit resume to Jerry Kotula District Manager, KotulaJerry@gmail.com F/T & P/T Class-A CDL Drivers needed in Sumter, SC to haul poultry. Night Shift! Must have 2-yrs verifiable experience and good MVR. Danny 803-236-0682 Real Estate Office is seeking Administrative Assistant to perform functions as office receptionist. Able to handle multi line phone system. Pleasant personality and phone voice. General office knowledge. Microsoft word, Excel and computer skills. Email resumes to:

Trucking Opportunities

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TRANSPORTATION

Senior Living Apartments for those 62+ (Rent based on income) Shiloh-Randolph Manor 125 W. Bartlette.

775-0575 Studio/1 Bedroom apartments available EHO

Mopeds / ATVs / Motorcycles 2001 Kawasaki Bayou 220, like new. Less than 30hrs. $1500 FIRM. Call 803-260-9866

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

Ph:( 803) 435-8786

Auto Choice Sales & Rentals Buy Here, Pay Here. No Credit, No Problem. Cash Rentals. 494-8827

Unfurnished Homes For Rent -1425 Morris Way 3BR/2BA, 1,900 sq ft. fenced yard. sprinkler system, new roof, new carpet. washer/dryer incl. Very spacious. $1100 Mo. Call 803-310-8745 Brick 3BR 1BA Recently renovated. Mayesville Area $450 Mo. +Dep Call 843-374-3555

REDUCED $2,900. 1983 Pontiac Bonneville, 78,000 original miles.

Excellent condition.

803-968-1004 or 803-983-9599

Miscellaneous

Mobile Home Rentals

STATEBURG COURTYARD 2 & 3 BRs 803-494-4015

Best Logistics Group is seeking local 1st & 2nd shift class A CDL drivers in the Bishopville, SC area.

You must have 2 years' experience with 53' dry van within the past 5 years to qualify. Drivers will average between 2000-2300 miles per week at .40 cpm. Medical, dental, vision, long/short term disability, life and 401K. Apply online at www.shipwithbest.com or call 800-849-1818 ext. 1400 or 1460 Truck Driver Trainees Needed Now at H.O. Wolding Earn $800/wk Local CDL Training NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED! Be trained & based locally!

1-888-263-7364 CDL drivers needed 21 & older, two years exp. Call 843-659-8254 or 843-659-2268

Work Wanted Make Extra $$$ Selling Home/Body Fragrances Kits are $45, $100 or $135 You Buy & We Supply Call 775-7823 I will sit with elderly or sick. Will provide ref/exp. Call 803-236-3603 for more info.

RENTALS Rooms for Rent Rooms for rent in spacious home. Many amenities included.

Call 803-404-4662 for details

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

RV parking avail. Call 494-8350 Mobile Homes @ Santee/ 25 miles from Sumter. 3BR/2BA $750/mo. + dep. 2BR/1BA $525/mo + dep. 803-773-6655 & 803-983-9035

Resort Rentals Ocean Lakes 2BR/2BA C/H/A Sleeps 8, near ocean, Call 803-773-2438 2Br, 2Ba Condo, full kitchen, The Links Golf and Racquet Club, N. Myrtle Beach. March 23-30 2014, $400. Call 803-469-9092

REAL ESTATE Homes for Sale INVESTORS DREAM DEAL Buy three houses get one free.

Anxious to sell. 803-773-4391, 803-464-5960

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

Land & Lots for Sale

Unfurnished Apartments

3 Lots in City limits (Bishopville).

Asking $20,000 or possible trade.

Call 803-459-4773

107 N. Salem Ave. 1Br, pvt. patio, full kitchen, C/H/A, $435/mo. Prudential 774-7368.

Lot for sale in Deerfield Courtyard next to Wilson Hall School.

Call 469-9667 for information

New!

Reconditioned batteries $35. We buy OLD battery cores. Golf cart chargers for sale. Auto Electric Co 803-773-4381

You have a choice!

officemanager@advantagesumter.com

Exp A/C Service Tech/Installer Must have valid driver license, tools and own transportation. Pay based on experience up $16/hr.

Call 803-825-9075 Mike Lawn Spraying Technician, needed for local landscape company. Must be able to lift 50lbs on regular basis and have a good driving record. Call 499-9312 F/T cashier & P/T cook needed.

Apply at J & L Stop & Go, 2114 Hwy. 521 S. or email at jlstopgo@yahoo.com

2014 FORD EDGE SE

MSRP $28,350 FACTORY SALE PRICE $26,447 FACTORY REBATE $4000

Your price

$22,447

ASK US ABOUT OUR MILITARY REBATE

Stokes Craven WAC. All rebates and incentives go to dealer.

See dealer for details. Plus tax tag.

Price includes trade in and $287 admin fee.

2601 Paxville Hwy., Manning, SC

(803) 433-5400

StokesCraven.com

B8

THE ITEM

CLASSIFIEDS

THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 2014