IN SPORTS: TSA looks to build on back-to-back title seasons
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Slide on over Carolina Trombone Collective to play concert at Mayesville Presbyterian Church C1
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Area nonprofits get grants Groups use money for flood recovery FROM STAFF REPORTS Several groups in Sumter and Clarendon counties are among 18 nonprofit organizations that have been awarded Phase II grants from One SC
Fund for ongoing flood recovery. The program was announced by Gov. Nikki Haley in November with the help of Central Carolina Community Foundation and a team of South Carolinians from entertainment, business and public service soon after the devastating October flooding. Phase II grants totaling $760,000 will provide volunteer labor and an additional $4.2 million in financial
support for projects that range from mold remediation to total home rebuilds. Nonprofit organizations in the Sumter and Clarendon counties receiving the grants are: • World Disaster Response Services for general rebuild in Sumter County;
SEE EMT, PAGE A5
SEE FARM, PAGE A5
Cody Dyson named EMT of the Year Accomplishing great tasks at a young age is nothing new for 20-year-old Cody Dyson, American Legion Law and Order Awards’ 2015 Emergency Medical Technician of the Year. Dyson was honored with the award at the beginning of 2016 and is very welldeserving of the title, according to Sumter County Emergency Medical Services
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DEATHS, B5 Macon Riley Grace Lesane Alice M. Harrelson Gerald T. Cabbagestalk George W. Steele Jr.
BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com
such a young man, Hingst said. Dyson decided to go to EMT school after a first responder ride-along program in high school. He was very motivated to take the EMT course while he was in high school in 2013, Hingst said. Dyson officially became am employee with Sumter County EMS in July 2014. As an EMT, Dyson provides basic-level
KEITH GEDAMKE / THE SUMTER ITEM
Arthur Piece, 74, picks up his belongings after the truck he was driving struck a power pole at the corner of Bee Street and Lafayette Drive on Tuesday afternoon. Both Piece and his passenger were not hurt in the incident.
Director Bobby Hingst. He’s very dedicated and dependable, he said. Hingst said Dyson also takes a very active roll in community outreach and is usually the EMS personnel that county residents meet at community events. Dyson attended about 90 percent of the public relations courses last year, he said. He’s a great EMT and sets an example for his peers, especially with him being
Progress; but ground still soggy Early spring weather has allowed some area farmers to begin preparing fields, and some corn has been planted, but another rain system moving into South Carolina this weekend may delay an already late start to the 2016 growing season. “There are still some bottoms that are too wet but the hills are getting dry,” said Clemson University Extension Agronomist David DeWitt this week. Many farmers DEWITT have been able to get corn planted, DeWitt said, while others are just getting started. Jeremy Cannon, who farms 1,600 acres in Clarendon County, said he has been able to get into his fields for about two weeks to do some prep work but still doesn’t have anything planted. Cannon, who hopes to grow tobacco, corn, soybeans and cotton, said his fields are still somewhat wet. “I know they are calling for some rain this weekend,” he said. “I don’t know when it will be if we don’t get it planted before the weekend.” Wet fields and lack of funds are of concern to Hezekiah Gibson, who farms 600 acres near Pinewood. Another concern is a shortage of seed for soybean crops. “My supplier told me the soybean seed is real limited this year,” Gibson said. “ They don’t know how they are going to get the seeds, he said, or how they are going to distribute it to the farmers. “The big farms won’t have a problem, but for the medium and small farmers, it’s going to be a problem,” Gibson said. Much of the soybean seed for this area is grown locally, DeWitt said, so seed growers have faced the same difficulties as other farmers. Only about 30 percent of the normal wheat crop was planted last fall, he said. When wheat is harvested in June, most farmers will follow it with soybeans, grain sorghum and a few plant cotton. “I missed my wheat crop because it was too wet,” Gibson said. “Normally what I do is plant that, and you got money in May and June when it comes in, and you have money to put right back into your soybean crop,” he said. “It’s kind of hard because of
SEE RECOVERY, PAGE A5
No injuries in Lafayette Drive wreck
BY ADRIENNE SARVIS adrienne@theitem.com
FARM REPORT
Theodore Williams Thomas Maple Johnnie thompson Frankie Washington Subrena McCall
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A gorgeous spring day in store, warm and sunny with no chance of rain; clear and cool tonight. HIGH 74, LOW 55
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