May 15, 2014

Twice as nice WH earns back-to-back 3A state softball titles B1 USCS carries momentum into Eastern District Tournament

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Bus drivers make case for higher paychecks

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Possible cuts could squeeze county revenue by $300,000

BY BRISTOW MARCHANT bmarchant@theitem.com (803) 774-1272 The rules are clear. Every year, local governments in South Carolina have to balance their books. Budgets for funding a year’s worth of county and municipal operations must be set by July 1, the beginning of the new fiscal year.

But even as local officials work to get their finances in order, they have to keep one eye on the state’s budget process and the possibility they won’t get as much money as expected from the state’s local govMIXON ernment fund.

In the most recent version of the state budget approved by the Senate Finance Committee, $16 million statewide will be moved from funding for local governments to a supplemental budget, which depends on revenue forecasts to get released into local coffers.

Sumter County Administrator Gary Mixon told county council at a meeting this week such a cut would reduce

SEE CUTS, PAGE A8

PHOTOS BY RAYTEVIA EVANS / THE SUMTER ITEM

Javon Mack, 23, waits as Oakland Primary School students board the bus Tuesday afternoon. During Monday’s board of trustees meeting, Mack spoke out about bus drivers’ concerns regarding low pay and asked for the issue to be addressed

by Sumter School District. District superintendent Frank Baker told Mack and a second bus driver who attended the meeting that he thinks “bus drivers and the people who work in the cafeteria are just as important.”

Summer pay, salaried positions recently proposed for district

BY RAYTEVIA EVANS revans@theitem.com (803) 774-1214 Sumter resident Javon Mack started driving school buses when he was 18 years old. Now 23, Mack has experienced a short time in the military and is back to driving buses for Sumter School District. On Monday, Mack spoke up for himself and his fellow co-workers when he stood before the Sumter School District board of trustees and asked for something to be done about bus drivers’ pay.

“I love my job, but the only thing I don’t like is the pay,” Mack said during the recent board meeting at Willow Drive Elementary School. “Other bus drivers may be scared to speak up, but what’s wrong is wrong.”

According to Leonard Brailsford, manager of trans-

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BY BRADEN BUNCH bbunch@theitem.com (803) 774-1201

portation services for the school district, there are 146 bus drivers in the county, which includes 10 monitors for special-education students.

Brailsford said the starting pay for a bus driver for Sumter School District is $8.59 an hour. Most drivers work about six hours a day and average about 25 hours a week. Because they’re hourly, school bus drivers in Sumter County do not receive pay during the summer months unless they’re driving buses for summer school or various summer camps and parks and recreation programs.

Mack, a Crestwood High School graduate, was allowed to speak to the board about his concern, and board chairman Keith Schultz assured him he would receive a response about the matter from

Mack is seen on the bus he drives for Sumter School District. He drives for several local schools and said bus drivers’ salaries are not enough to live on comSEE DRIVERS, PAGE A8 fortably.

DEATHS, B5 Gwendolyn Holladay Robert Jackson Jr. Frenzella B. McFadden Bruce L. Brunson Shirley Archer

Drop in labor force worries forecasters

Dennis J. Adams Margaret F. Keenan Vernon E. Hampton Theresa Sanyi

Economic forecasters are predicting the regional unemployment rate will continue to drop significantly during the next few years but that the decline could be fueled by something other than new jobs in the economy.

Speaking at the annual economic forecast meeting — held at the Health Sciences Center of Central Carolina Technical College by the Santee-Lynches Workforce Investment Board — area economists say they think the recent trend of lower unemployment in the coming years will continue to be because of fewer people participating in the workforce.

During recent months, declines in the area labor force have helped fuel a rapid drop in the unemployment rate.

According to the presentation, in Sumter alone, the rate dropped from an annual rate of 10.1 percent in 2012 to 8.4 percent in 2013. Rob Salvino, research economist at Coastal Carolina University, said he expects the combined rate of

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THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2014

THE SUMTER ITEM

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

Students get taste of life in jail cell

Alice Drive Middle School seventh-grade students react to the jail-cell portion of The Choice Bus on Wednesday.

The experience shows students how their futures could pan out — either in a classroom or a jail cell — depending on the decisions they make.

MATT WALSH / THE SUMTER ITEM

BY RAYTEVIA EVANS revans@theitem.com (803) 774-1214 About 300 seventh-grade students at Alice Drive Middle School received an up-close and personal presentation of the consequences of bad decisions. The Choice Bus, an experience organized through a partnership with The Mattie C. Stewart Foundation and State Farm, stopped by the school Wednesday, where members of the foundation showed students a video documenting people their age who had made the wrong decisions in life.

“You could be the smartest person in the world, and one wrong decision can change everything,” said John Taylor with the foundation.

The Choice Bus allows students to board and envision two very different futures — one in a classroom and another in a jail cell. During the presentation, the students watch a video and learn about people who have made bad decisions that have drastically changed their lives. With half the bus designed to mimic a jail cell, the stu-

dents also experience the close confinements and restrictions of life in prison if they don’t make the right decisions.

“The major focus during the presentation is showing young people what education can do for them and how it’s connected to career choices and lifetime earning potential,” said Sherri Stewart, executive director of the foundation.

Taylor explained the importance of getting a high-school diploma and how there is a direct connection between being a high-school dropout and making the decision to become involved in criminal activity.

“Seventy-five percent of prison inmates are high-school dropouts.

There is a connection between the

two,” Taylor said. “Knowledge is power, and no one can take that away from you. (In) the world we live in now, you need an education.”

Taylor talked to students about their dreams and getting an education and gave advice about taking steps to become successful.

“I learned that it’s important to stay in school because it will help you be successful in life,” said Abraham Temony III, 13. “I want to be a professional athlete after going to college.”

Mia Joseph, 13, wants to be a zoologist and said the experience on The Choice Bus made it even more clear that you can’t get too far in society without a high-school diploma.

Nancy Barron, career specialist for

Alice Drive Middle School, said they chose seventh-graders to experience The Choice Bus because those students are at an age where they can go either way in life.

“As the career specialist, I’m trying to get students to think about the future,” Barron said. “They need to understand that the small choices they make can add up.”

The Choice Bus is one of six tools the foundation has created to help reduce the dropout rate in the country.

A grant by State Farm provides The Choice Bus the opportunity to visit schools, along with the organization’s Learn2Earn and the InsideOut Toolkit. Since 2008, the bus has visited more than two million students in 20 states.

Claims of secret lists, deaths roil Veterans Affairs

BY BRIAN SKOLOFF The Associated Press PHOENIX — A team of federal investigators swept into Phoenix last month amid allegations of a disturbing coverup at the veterans hospital.

Their goal: to unravel the truth behind a secret waiting list supposedly maintained to hide lengthy delays for sick veterans, making it appear as if they were seeing doctors sooner when some may have waited months and died in the meantime.

The claims, which so far have not been proved, have thrown the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs into turmoil. Politicians have called for resignations, congressional inquiries are underway, and VA Secretary Eric Shinseki is appearing before a Senate committee in Washington this week.

And it’s only the beginning.

Shinseki has ordered an audit of every VA facility nationwide, and similar claims of waiting-list manipulations have cropped up in other states. Here’s a look at some key facts about the issue:

HOW DID THE ALLEGATIONS COME TO LIGHT? A former clinic director for the VA in Phoenix started

sending letters to the VA Office of Inspector General in December, complaining about systematic problems with delays in care.

“The time is now. The place is Phoenix, Arizona where a message needs to be sent loud and clear to VA administrators and bureaucrats alike that the murder of our veterans for cash bonuses and career advancement will no longer be tolerated,” wrote Dr. Samuel Foote, who retired after spending nearly 25 years with the VA. Foote later took his claims to the media, then to Republican Rep. Jeff Miller, chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, who announced the allegations at an April hearing.

Foote says up to 40 veterans may have died while awaiting treatment at the Phoenix hospital and that staff, at the instruction of administrators, kept a secret list of patients waiting for appointments to hide delays in care. He thinks administrators kept the offthe-books list to impress their bosses and get bonuses.

“If you died on that list, they could just cross your name off, and there was no trace that you’d ever been to the Phoenix VA,” Foote said.

Since Foote’s revelations, two more former Phoenix VA

employees have made the same claims.

But some question their motives. One employee, who first raised the concerns publicly a few weeks ago, was fired last year and has a pending wrongful termination lawsuit against the hospital. Before he retired, Foote was reprimanded repeatedly for taking off nearly every Friday, according to internal emails he provided the AP.

WHAT IS THE VA’S RESPONSE? Phoenix administrators vehemently deny the allegations. The VA announced recently it found no evidence to substantiate the claims after an internal probe.

The Phoenix hospital’s director, Sharon Helman, scoffed at the notion that she would direct staff to create a secret list and watch patients die in order to pad her pockets.

“To think that any of us would do anything like that to harm any veteran for any financial reasons is very, very disturbing,” Helman said before being placed on leave while the Inspector General’s Office investigates.

Last year, Helman was awarded a $9,345 bonus in addition to her $169,000 annual salary.

Helman and hospital Chief of Staff Dr. Darren Deering, who remains in his job, said Foote and others have not provided names of any of the 40 patients or any documentation of a secret list. Foote, who would not provide that information to AP, said he obtained it through other employees at the VA. He won’t say who.

Helman and Deering also speculated that if up to 40 patients did indeed die while awaiting doctor’s appointments, some may have died from car wrecks, heart attacks or other ailments unrelated to their care at the Phoenix VA facilities.

care physician within a week.

But the days came and went, and the phone never rang. She said she followed up repeatedly, but no one responded.

“They left him to die,” Barnes-Breen said during a recent interview while cradling a wooden box containing her father-in-law’s ashes.

In early December, a few weeks after Breen died, Barnes-Breen said she finally got a call from the hospital with an available appointment.

“I said, ‘Well, you’re a little too late,’” she said.

THE FAMILIES

The VA operates the largest integrated health care system in the country, with more than 300,000 full-time employees and nearly 9 million veterans enrolled for care.

The Phoenix claims are the latest to come to light as VA hospitals and clinics across the country struggle to handle the enormous volume. VA facilities in South Carolina, Florida, Pennsylvania, Georgia and Washington state have been linked to delays in patient care or poor oversight.

President Obama has said he remains confident in Shinseki’s leadership.

Grieving family members of dead veterans have joined politicians from both parties in protests about VA care.

Sally Barnes-Breen said her 71-year-old father-in-law, a Navy veteran, died while awaiting an appointment at the Phoenix VA. Thomas Francis Breen had bladder cancer and died Nov. 30.

Barnes-Breen said she took him into the Phoenix hospital with blood in his urine in September. He was examined, she said, and sent home, being told they would get a call for an appointment to see a primary

WHAT IS THE OVERALL STATE OF THE VA?

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STATE

THE SUMTER ITEM

Clyburn: GOP’s choices keep S.C. from improving COLUMBIA (AP) — U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn said he thinks South Carolina is not going to improve until voters stop choosing Republicans.

The Democrat said Wednesday that Republican leadership in the state has put people in poorer health because of decisions such as the refusal to accept federal money to expand Medicaid. Clyburn said people drive on poorer roads because CLYBURN Republicans won’t support greater spending on infrastructure.

Clyburn has been in the U.S. House since 1993 and is the only Democrat from South Carolina in Congress.

The 73-year-old Sumter native is in the midst of another campaign to recapture the seat.

Clyburn met with reporters to talk about several issues and problems the state faces.

He said Republican mismanagement led to a hacker taking the personal information of millions of South Carolina taxpayers, including himself, in 2012. He repeated a theme of his recently released memoir, where he blames people who “think small” about only their own personal benefit or the benefit of a small constituency instead of the greater public good.

“What we face today is this state is being run by small thinkers,” Clyburn said.

Here are other issues Clyburn addressed Wednesday.

WHAT CAN DEMOCRATS DO? Clyburn thinks history is a pendulum, and things will swing back to the Democrats in time. Clyburn, who was arrested several times during protests demanding equal treatment for blacks during the civil rights era, thinks desegregation was the most recent high point for his views and started that pendulum swinging back toward conservatives.

“It’s when that pendulum stops moving that we have a problem,” Clyburn said.

STATE BRIEFS FROM ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORTS

Scientists predict no hurricane landfalls CONWAY — Scientists at Coastal Carolina University expect no hurricane to make landfall on the East Coast or in the Gulf of Mexico this year.

The forecast Tuesday anticipates a “below to near normal” hurricane season in 2014. Hurricane season begins June 1 and ends Nov. 30.

Clyburn thinks current state Democratic Party chairman Jamie Harrison is doing a good job of finding candidates that can run respectable campaigns, just that he needs more time to counteract Republicans who have skillfully consolidated power in South Carolina.

HIGHWAY FUNDING Clyburn wants the nation to set up a fund to pay for new highways and infrastructure repairs similar to the South Carolina Infrastructure Bank, which allows the state to pool hundreds of millions of dollars and borrow against it for big road projects.

Clyburn also thinks investors in the stock market should pay to improve the country’s roads, bridges, airports and other infrastructure. He said he suggested a 1.5 percent fee on every stock transaction as part of the 2008 bill that helped out banks that were nearing collapse. He said he still supports that idea.

SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY Clyburn and his wife are proud graduates of South Carolina State University, the only historically black college in the state. Clyburn said the school’s leaders are to blame for part of its financial struggles, but he said the state also hasn’t done its part to give the school enough support.

Clyburn was a big supporter of Andrew Hugine, who was ousted by the school’s trustees in 2007. Clyburn said Hugine has shown he is a talented university administrator with his success at Alabama A&M University. Clyburn hopes new president Thomas Elzey can turn things around but said years of cuts to the school’s budget have done damage.

“It’s a sterling school. It is shameful what they have done to it,” Clyburn said. “If you control the purse strings of an institution, you can control its outcome.”

Former Sen. Ford will pay $45,000 COLUMBIA — Former Charleston Sen. Robert Ford has been fined $30,000 and ordered to send nearly $15,000 to the Children’s Trust for using campaign donations for personal expenses and then trying to cover it up.

Findings presented Wednesday to the Senate Ethics Committee show Ford zeroed out his campaign account 10 days after resigning last year and used the money to pay his bills.

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POLICE BLOTTER

THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2014

CHARGES Mallory Jerrell Richardson, 21, of 2725 Gallishaw Road, Dalzell, was arrested at 7:57 p.m. on Monday and charged with filing a false report of a stolen vehicle and public disorderly conduct. According to reports, an officer responded to a reported carjacking on U.S. 15 North near the intersection with Nandina Drive. The officer met with the victim at a gas station in the area, and the victim said he was driving when two black males armed with guns carjacked him as he stopped at the intersection of U.S. 15 and Dew Street. Richardson reportedly said the two men didn’t assault him because he was being cooperative, but the officer noted scratches on his back. The officer noticed the odor of alcohol coming from Richardson and thought he was acting as though he was on a narcotic. Dispatch informed the officer the suspect’s vehicle was just involved in a wreck in which it ran into a residence on Woodlawn Avenue and that the driver reportedly fled the scene. Richardson reportedly confessed to driving, racing, losing control of his vehicle and wrecking it into the residence. He was arrested and taken to Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center.

Lakendra Danen Minor, 31, of 4955 Ridge St., Dalzell, was arrested at 1:45 p.m. Monday and charged with criminal domestic violence. According to reports, an officer responded to a call about a woman in the roadway with a gun on Ridge Street. The victim told the officer he and his wife, Minor, were returning home and got into an argument about how the husband treats other women better.

Minor reportedly grabbed the steering wheel and pulled, causing the vehicle to swerve into the other lane. The two struggled with the wheel, and the victim allegedly pulled over and removed Minor from the vehicle in order to protect the child passengers.

The victim said the argument resumed at home, and Minor reportedly went in-

side the home and came out with a gun. A witness said the victim never pushed or hit Minor during the altercation but took the gun from her. The husband said he was also struck in the head

by Minor. The gun was found in the witness’ car and secured by the officer.

Minor reportedly admitted to yanking on the steering wheel because she “wasn’t being treated right.” The officer determined that Minor was the primary aggressor in the incident, arrested her and transported her to Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center.

Michael Williams, 54, was arrested at 9:14 a.m. on Tuesday and charged with burglary. According to reports, a woman told police officers that as she was opening the front door of a business in the 3100 block of Broad Street, she walked in and saw a black male, later identified as Williams, sitting on one of the couches smoking a cigarette. When she asked him what he was doing there, he reportedly told her that he was waiting on his wife, Mary. She then told the man to leave and called police, giving information about Williams’ attire and movement as he left. Officers then located Williams and detained him.

At the scene, officers found that Williams made entry into the building by kicking in the eastside door, where the frame and deadbolt had sustained significant damage. According to the victim, Williams went through the entire building, rearranging furniture, hanging pictures and personal items. He had also allegedly closed all the blinds and doors to conceal his presence. Officers reportedly found several

pocket-sized photos on Williams when he was detained, but nothing was stolen, according to the victim.

Williams was taken to Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center.

Jaclyn Lee Heath, 33, of 20 Frodo Circle, was arrested at 9:34 p.m. on Tuesday and charged with criminal domestic violence, first offense. According to reports, officers responded to a residence on Frodo Circle in reference to a domestic dispute. A man told police a 33-year-old woman assaulted him, punching, kicking and biting him all about his body. Officers reportedly observed the victim as having a bloody nose, scratches all over his body and an apparent bite mark on his right shoulder. Heath was then arrested and taken to Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center.

Pavel Alexandrov, 28, of 950 Meridian Ave. in Miami, Florida, was arrested at 2:26 p.m. on Tuesday and charged with driving without a license and giving false information to a police officer. According to reports, an officer on patrol near the 134 mile marker of Interstate 95 observed a black 2013 Mercedes GLK350 traveling at a high rate of speed Tuesday afternoon. As the officer initiated a traffic stop, he reportedly observed the car touch the center line. As the officer approached the vehicle, he observed excessive movement from the driver, who identified himself as Alexandrov. As the officer was explaining the center line infraction, the driver apologized for speeding.

The officer then reportedly noticed the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.

THE SUMTER ITEM The driver reportedly told the officer that his identification was in the luggage compartment and said his friends had smoked some marijuana in his car earlier.

As the officer began his search of the car, Alexandrov reportedly lost consciousness several times.

EMS responded, and the officer’s search yielded several false forms of identification, two laptop computers, two cellphones and an extensive collection of miscellaneous paperwork concerning identity theft. Alexandrov was arrested and taken to Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center.

CRIMINAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OF A HIGH AND AGGRAVATED NATURE According to reports, a woman told police that shortly before 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday, her common-law husband came into her bedroom and pulled out a black handgun, threatening her by saying, “(Expletive), I done told you to stop (expletive) me around.” When she told the 28-year-old man that she was calling law enforcement, he fled the home in the 4100 block of Broad Street. She explained to law enforcement when they arrived that she and the subject had several children in common but had been separated for four months.

STOLEN PROPERTY A .22-caliber rifle valued at $100 was reported stolen from a home in the 4800 block of Hillside Road in Rembert at 5:55 p.m. on Monday.

About $2,500 worth of aluminum cans was reported stolen from a tractor trailer parked in the 600 block of

East Fulton Street at 1:32 p.m. on Monday.

A Smith & Wesson .357-caliber pistol, a Rossi .357-caliber pistol and a 9 mm Glock pistol were reported stolen from a home in the 6500 block of Cougar Way in Wedgefield at 2:36 a.m.

Tuesday. The guns are valued at $1,640.

A black trailer carrying a John Deere riding lawn mower and a Murray push mower was reported stolen from a home in the 300 block of Reams Avenue at 8:51 a.m. on Monday. The items are valued at $1,900.

A wedding band and an engagement ring were reported stolen from the bedroom of a home in the 200 block of Keels Road at 12:14 p.m. on Tuesday. The items are valued at $865.

RECOVERED PROPERTY A 2005 Ford Escape reportedly stolen from Florence County was recovered at 1:50 p.m. on Tuesday on Yarborough Road. The vehicle had sustained an estimated $4,000 in damage.

VANDALISM A 2014 Dodge Avenger parked in the 4400 block of Broad Street was reported at 11:27 a.m. on Monday as having sustained $6,000 in damage after an unknown subject scratched an obscenity into the side of the vehicle.

A white 2002 Cadillac Deville parked in the 100 block of Praylou Road was reported at 8:59 a.m. on Monday as having sustained $1,000 in damage after an unknown subject scratched the roof, hood, trunk and both sides of the vehicle with an unknown object.

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Fugitives Bail jumpers.

Fugitives Bogus investments.

Fugitives Erin Burnett OutFront (N) Anderson Cooper 360° (N) (HD) CNN Tonight CNN Special Report Anderson Cooper 360° (HD) CNN Tonight (:56) The Colbert (:27) Daily Show Jeff Dunham: (:28) It’s Always (:58) Jeff Dunham: Controlled Chaos Jeff Dunham tells jokes with his clas- Daily Show (N) The Colbert Re- (:01) @midnight Report (HD) Blondie. (HD) Monsters (HD) Sunny (HD) sic puppets and two new characters. (HD) (HD) port (N) (HD) (N) (HD) Liv and Maddie Blog Middle child. Radio Rebel (‘12, Drama) aac Debby Ryan. Shy teen- (:40) Good Luck (:05) Jessie Lucky Austin & Ally Good Luck Char- Blog Squad mem- Good Luck Char(HD) ager does mock broadcasts. (HD) Charlie (HD) socks. (HD) (HD) lie (HD) bership. lie (HD) Monsters and Mysteries (HD) Monsters and Mysteries (HD) Mountain Monsters (HD) Mountain Monsters (HD) Mountain Monsters (HD) Mt Monster SportsCenter NBA Count 2014 NBA Playoffs: Teams TBA z{| (HD) 2014 NBA Playoffs: Teams TBA z{| (HD) BS Report SportsCenter NFL Live (HD) Inside (HD) Special (HD) Baseball Tonight (HD) SportsCenter (HD) Olbermann (6:00) The Rookie (‘02, Drama) aaa Dennis Quaid. A Remember the Titans (‘00, Drama) aaa Denzel Washington. Black football coach replaces The 700 Club Jeannie Cunnion.

Prince: I Done, coach promises to fulfill his dream. (HD) popular, white coach at newly integrated school. (HD) Part 1 America’s Tough ingredients.

Chopped: Mother’s Day (HD) Chopped Canada (N) Food Court Wars (N) (HD) Diners (HD) Diners (HD) Chopped On the Record with Greta (N) The O’Reilly Factor (N) (HD) The Kelly File News updates.

Hannity Conservative news. (HD) The O’Reilly Factor (HD) The Kelly File UFC Reloaded: UFC 145: Jones v Evans (HD) World Poker Tour no} (HD) World Poker Tour no} (HD) The Best (HD) The Waltons: The Last Mustang The Waltons: The Rebellion The Middle: The The Middle (HD) Frasier: Bad Dog Frasier: Frasier Frasier: First Date Frasier: Roz and Golden Girls: John-Boy’s new job.

Grandma’s position is challenged.

Jeans (HD) Gotta Have It the Schnoz Miles to Go Hunters (HD) Hunters (HD) Addict (HD) Addict (HD) Addict (HD) Addict (HD) Hunters (N) Hunters (N) Fixer Upper Country home. (N) Addict (HD) Pawn Stars Pawn Stars Pawn Stars Pawn Stars Pawn Stars Pawn Stars Pawn Stars Pawn Stars Pawn Stars Pawn Stars Pawn Stars Law & Order: Criminal Intent: Tru Law & Order: Criminal Intent: Siren Law & Order: Criminal Intent: Mal- Criminal Minds: A Rite of Passage Criminal Minds: ... A Thousand Criminal Minds Love Womanizing doctor. (HD) Call (HD) tese Cross (HD) Immigrant killer. (HD) Words Serial killer clue. (HD) (HD) (6:00) Movie Movie Movie (:02) Movie Sanjay (HD) Sam & Cat Cops (HD) Cops (HD) The Uninvited (‘09, Horror) aac Emily Browning. A ghostly warning.

Seinfeld: The Fire Family Guy (HD) (HD) (6:00) The Night of the Hunter (‘55, Thriller) aaac Robert Mitchum.

American Gypsy Wedding (HD) Castle: Eye of the Beholder Murdering Thief. (HD) Dumbest Angry Elmo.

Golden (:36) Golden Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: Learning Curve (HD) Mary Mary: Tragedy Strikes (HD) Funniest Home Videos (HD)

Instant (HD) Dad Run Full Hse Full Hse Full Hse Full Hse Friends (:36) Friends Friends (HD) Cops (HD) Cops (HD) Impact Wrestling (N) (HD) Rampage vs Cops (HD) Cops (HD) Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (‘07, Adventure) aaa Johnny Depp. A plucky band of buccaneers calls for a pirate alli- The Ruins (‘08, Horror) Jonathan ance to battle a shipping magnate who, aided by a cursed crew, is looking to rid the world of their kind. (HD) Tucker. A haunted temple. (HD) Family Guy (HD) Family Guy (HD) The Big Bang The Big Bang The Big Bang The Big Bang Conan Ray Romano; Tom Felton; For- The Pete Holmes Theory (HD) Theory (HD) Theory (HD) Theory (HD) tune Feimster. (HD) Show Why Worry? (‘23, Comedy) aaa (:15) Hannah and Her Sisters (‘86, Comedy) Woody Allen. An actress and (:15) Up in Arms (‘44, Musical) aa Danny Kaye. HypoHarold Lloyd. Disastrous vacation. her two sisters’ lives and significant others are portrayed. chondriac gets drafted into Army.

American Gypsy Wedding (HD) American Gypsy Wedding (N) Gypsy Sisters Labor. (HD) American Gypsy Wedding (HD) Sisters (HD) Castle: Demons Ghost hunter is mys- (:01) Castle: Cops & Robbers Taken (:02) Castle: Heartbreak Hotel Atlan- (:03) Hawaii Five-0: Heihei Armored Hawaii Five-0: teriously murdered. (HD) hostage. (HD) tic City murder (HD) car heist. (HD) Palekaiko (HD) Impractical Impractical Impractical Impractical (N) Carbonaro (N) Carbonaro (N) truTV Top Korean drummer. (:02) Jokers (:12) Golden Brady Bunch: Sergeant Emma (:24) Brady Raymond (HD) Raymond (HD) Raymond (HD) Queens (HD) Queens (HD) Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: Friday (‘95, Comedy) aaa Ice Cube. Young men try to survive on the Law & Order: Twenty-Five Acts (HD) Acceptable Loss (HD) gang-ridden mean streets of Los Angeles.

SVU (HD) Mary Mary: Australian Tour (HD) Mary Mary (N) (HD) Mary Mary: Road Warriors (HD) Mary Mary: Road Warriors (HD) How I Met How I Met How I Met How I Met How I Met How I Met How I Met How I Met Parks (HD)

Sheldon faces an uncertain future on ‘Big Bang’ finale

BY KEVIN MCDONOUGH In an age when anybody can post a video online — and practically everybody does — it’s become increasingly difficult to stand out. Some series, most notably “Portlandia” and “Louie,” split the difference and succeed as alternative comedies. But the vast majority of efforts seem to vanish in an ocean of choices.

Against all odds, the comedy “The Big Bang Theory” (8 p.m., CBS, TV-PG) is not merely an enduring hit, but one that has grown in popularity. While writers and television critics (including this one) tend to focus on the newest wrinkle in the evolving sitcom, a dependable audience still warms to “Bang,” with its old-fashioned three-camera format, catchphrases and steady onslaught of setups and gags.

“Bang” may not have reinvented the sitcom, but it becomes the latest in a line of shows dating back to “Cosby” that can be said to have “saved” the genre. As long as it can attract an audience exceeding 20 million viewers — numbers not seen since “Friends” signed off 10 years ago — networks will still be eager to take a chance on the next situation comedy.

“Bang” wraps up its seventh season tonight with Sheldon (Jim Parsons) looking to change things up. Parsons can also be seen on “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart” (11 p.m., Comedy Central).

• Nearly as old and dependable as the sitcom, the candidcamera show returns with “The Carbonaro Effect” (10 p.m., TruTV, TV-PG). Magician, illusionist, comedian and improvisational actor Michael Carbonaro displays a remarkable talent for blending into the scenery as outrageous events occur.

He’s adept at playing the faceless guy at the checkout counter or the postal delivery clerk whose utter harmlessness disarms complete strangers, setting them up for gags. In one instance, a woman freaks out when her own image appears under a missing person’s alert on a half gallon of milk.

A customer recoils after a baby chick emerges from an egg carton and another is stunned to see a bowling ball emerge from a flat and seemingly empty shipping container.

TONIGHT’S SEASON FINALES • Damon strives to stay com-

mary’s Baby” (9 p.m., NBC, TV14) concludes.

• Bickman voices his doubts about Catherine’s fiance on “Black Box” (10 p.m., ABC, TVPG).

• Marc complains that his old friends have abandoned him on “Maron” (10 p.m., IFC, TV-MA).

SERIES NOTES

WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT INC.

Sheldon (Jim Parsons), left, considers making a major move on the season finale of “The Big Bang Theory” airing at 8 p.m. today on CBS. posed on “The Vampire Diaries” (8 p.m., CW, TV-14).

• Carol guilt-trips Nathan for forgetting Mother’s Day on “The Millers” (8:30 p.m., CBS, TV-PG).

• Francis and Mary scramble to deal with the king’s madness on “Reign” (9 p.m., CW, TV-14).

• The staff says farewell to Cristina on “Grey’s Anatomy” (9 p.m., ABC, TV-14).

• Sherlock and Joan put their differences aside for Mycroft’s

sake on “Elementary” (10 p.m., CBS, TV-14).

TONIGHT’S OTHER HIGHLIGHTS • “Secret Societies of Hollywood” (8 p.m., E!, TV-14) examines ways of suppressing bad publicity.

• Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal star in the 2013 thriller “Prisoners” (9 p.m., HBO2).

• The 2014 miniseries “Rose-

Bailey faces the music on “Grey’s Anatomy” (8 p.m., ABC, r, TV-14) * Carl Reiner gueststars on “Two and a Half Men” (9 p.m., CBS, r, TV-14) * * Meredith stalks a suitor on a class trip on “Bad Teacher” (9:30 p.m., CBS, TV-PG).

cated, check local listings) * Adam Sandler and Thomas Haden Church appear on “Late Show With David Letterman” (11:35 p.m., CBS) * Jimmy Fallon welcomes Jennifer Lawrence, Craig Robinson and the Broadway cast of “A Gentleman’s Guide To Love and Murder” on “The Tonight Show” (11:35 p.m., NBC) * Shailene Woodley, Aasif Mandvi and Iggy Azalea appear on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (11:35 p.m., ABC) * Maya Rudolph, Lake Bell and Eddie Izzard visit “Late Night With Seth Meyers” (12:35 a.m., NBC) * Craig Ferguson hosts Alfred Molina and Bianca Kajlich on “The Late Late Show” (12:35 a.m., CBS).

LATE NIGHT Ray Romano, Tom Felton and Fortune Feimster are on “Conan” (11 p.m., TBS, r) * Edie Falco, Dustin Ybarra, Jen Kirkman and Ryan Stout are booked on “Chelsea Lately” (11 p.m., E!) * Thomas Friedman is on “The Colbert Report” (11:30 p.m., Comedy Central) * Shannen Doherty, Jasper Redd and Jermaine Dupri are booked on “The Arsenio Hall Show” (syndi-

CULT CHOICE A young couple (Nicole Kidman and Sam Neill) recovers from a tragedy with a seagoing vacation only to encounter the deranged lone survivor (Billy Zane) of a ghost ship in the superb 1989 thriller “Dead Calm” (7 p.m. and 9 p.m., Sundance).

Copyright 2014, United Feature Syndicate

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RELIGION

THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2014

Fight the good fight for your church

I

t’s one of my favorite jokes: A man on a deserted island is finally rescued after years of exile. Before leaving the island, his rescuers notice the man has built three huts.

“Why three huts?” asks one.

“The first one is my house,” replied the castaway. “The second is my church.”

“And the third?” inquires the rescuer.

“Oh,” said the man in disdain.

“That’s where I used to go to church.”

Some call it moving your letter, joining a congregation, and my daddy calls it sheep swapping, but it is the act of transferring one’s loyalty from one religious congregation to another by attendance or membership. It’s an incredibly easy decision given the diversity and availability of churches in America. If you don’t like the goings-on in your church family, there is likely another membership roll to join, sometimes within a steeple’s length of your current church. It’s so easy, which is why when there is a threat to a particular congregation — be it leadership problems, financial issues, interpersonal conflict — many opt to jump ship rather than bail

water.

The flight or fight response is most often used to describe the physiological impulse that prepares a being for self-preserFaith Matters vation via defense or retreat. JAMIE H. It also perfectly WILSON describes the two impulses churchgoers have when considering relocating to a different congregation. Do I cut my losses and find a better-functioning church, or do I stand and fight for what I believe is right?

Let’s be honest: It’s easier to leave, but there often exists a small group of people who stay with a church because they are fighting for the survival of their church family. These aren’t the lazy congregants who are simply too lazy to flee or fight. I’m speaking of a frontline of soldiers determined to fight for the health of their church family.

In a world where most are more than happy to flash their heels, they are squaring their shoulders for spiritual warfare.

You’ll know these people by their wisdom rather than their angry outcries at a church

meeting. They are working in the trenches, encouraging fellow disenfranchised church members. They recognize the need for healing, so they avoid stirring up conflict. They don’t fight for personal vindication but for what is right in the eyes of the Almighty. In the age where many established churches are faltering because of diminishing membership rolls, we need the faithful to be committed to the life of their church.

Committed churchgoers will inevitably find themselves at this particular crossroad at some point in their lives. While there are legitimate reasons for leaving a congregation, there are a lot of unrealized reasons to stick with your church. In the flight or fight response, animals make decisions based on instinct and impulse. As humans, our thought process involves more complex variables which should include the value of a church family that rises above conflict into a stronger community of believers.

To this end, I say fight the good fight for the health of your church.

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

THE SUMTER ITEM

RELIGION BRIEFS FROM ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORTS

NYPD defends use of Muslim informants NEW YORK — The New York Police Department is taking a tough stance in a legal battle regarding its use of informants in the city’s Muslim community.

The department announced last month that it was disbanding a unit that tracked the everyday lives of Muslims. But it is fighting a lawsuit that challenges its ongoing practice of cultivating Muslim informants to detect terror threats. The practice incudes debriefing Muslims who are stopped by police.

The lawsuit was filed last year on behalf of two Brooklyn mosques, an imam and three other plaintiffs. It asks a federal judge to declare the surveillance unconstitutional and halt it.

Massachusetts ex-altar boys claim priest sex abuse FALL RIVER, Mass. — Two former altar boys at a Massachusetts Roman Catholic church have filed a lawsuit alleging they were sexually abused by a now-deceased priest, while the former bishop of Fall River did nothing to stop it.

The suit was filed in Hartford, Connecticut, in January but is just coming to light.

The New Jersey advocacy group Road to Recovery announced to the media that the suit had been filed.

The complaint alleges that former Fall River Bishop Daniel Cronin did not properly supervise the late Monsignor Maurice Souza.

RELIGION

THE SUMTER ITEM

Sumter women’s faith website going strong

THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2014

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Operation Inasmuch 2014

BY JADE REYNOLDS jade@theitem.com (803) 774-1250 What started as an act of faith has continued to be an act of obedience and a blessing.

In January 2013, four Sumter women — Louise Marlowe, Carolyn Kight, Lisa Catoe and Grace Kelley — started ParkingSpaceFaith.com, a blog meant to encourage other Sumter women in their walk with Christ. During the last year and a half, the site has garnered attention beyond the county lines with readers in North Carolina, Georgia, Texas, Arkansas and even Jordan in the Middle East.

“We thought it would just be Sumter, but it’s been beyond even South Carolina,” Kelley said. “It builds your faith when you realize something you write 4,000 people might read.”

The website’s name came from a God moment in Marlowe’s life. She was going through a rough patch in her life and needed to make a stop at the store. As she was looking for a parking space, she prayed for something to open up. When it did, she realized she wasn’t really asking for the place to put her car but to know the Lord was with her.

Once a week or at least two times a month, the four get together to plan for the website.

“It’s been a precious time for the four of us,” Marlowe said.

“We’re walking in obedience with other sisters in Christ.”

They try to post a blog a week and a recipe every week to two weeks. The site also offers ways for people to get involved in local ministries, book reviews, crafts and gifts whose purchase benefits charities.

“Whether it’s cooking or a craft project, we want everything we do to be to the Lord’s glory,” Marlowe said. “Life is so fast paced. This seems to be working. Whether it’s a recipe or blog or Mom-2-Mom ... it’s a way to stay connected.”

The blog entries, crafts and

JADE REYNOLDS / THE SUMTER ITEM

The founders of ParkingSpaceFaith.com, back from left, Lisa Catoe and Louise Marlowe, and front from left, Carolyn Kight and Grace Kelley have a good time planning for the future of the website. Originally started to encourage Sumter women in their walk with Christ, the site has expanded outside the state. recipes seem to be getting the most attention, she said. Marlowe has received comments on her unique discipline technique with her youngest son. They all raved about a cabbage recipe Catoe had posted and about a craft Kight had put up for Easter in the Mom-2-Mom section.

While she initially started these entries in connection with Mothers Of PreSchoolers, Kight said she’s realizing most of their readers are working with a little older age group.

She plans to post some age-appropriate craft ideas for summer.

They’ve added someone to handle the Facebook page, Melanie Moseley, and they hope to launch a new format by the end of the month.

They are also coming alongside a group of girls in Chapin who want to start their own website.

None of the four are sure what the future holds for the website, but they plan to continue to walk in faith.

“It’s all up to Him (God),” Kight said. “It’s all subject to change.”

For more information, visit ParkingSpaceFaith.com.

PHOTOS PROVIDED

David and Miles Van Patten with Christ Community Church do yard work for an elderly woman.

Churches with Inasmuch United Sumter spread out in the community May 3 to be the “hands and feet of Jesus” through various projects. The day of service is meant to start a “Compassion Revolution” and get people out of the pews, according to those involved. Operation Inasmuch, a North Carolina-based national nonprofit, has now trained 22 churches in Sumter.

Lewis Hill, Jim McKinney and Jonathan Brown, members of Jehovah Missionary Baptist, wash cars in Fuller Gardens.

Aubrey-Raye Boykin, First Church of God’s youngest Operation Inasmuch volunteer, takes a broom to another volunteer as they work at cleaning up Camp Burnt Gin cabins. See more photos online at theitem.com.

Bob and Jana Holder, left, of First Church of God, prepare to give out snack bags to the homeless at a park on East Calhoun Street.

CHURCH NEWS Agape Outreach Ministries, 328 W. Liberty St., announces: * Today-Friday — Revival at 7 nightly. Bishop Jeffery Johnson will speak.

ALIVE Praise & Worship Center, 342 W. Liberty St., announces: * Saturday — Community outreach event featuring music, free food and free clothes 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, 4319 Rowe Drive, Summerton, announces: * Saturday — Prayer breakfast honoring Sister Virginia P. Lawson at 9 a.m. Donation: $10. The Rev. Ranzy McFadden will speak.

Canaan Missionary Baptist Church, 774 Douglas Ave., announces: * Sunday-Thursday, May 22 — Revival at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday and 7 nightly Monday-Thursday. Speakers vary.

Church of Christ, 313 Mooneyham Road, announces: * Saturday — Calendar tea at 5 p.m.

Community Church of Praise, 562 S. Pike Road, announces: * Sunday — Youth Day service at 10:15 a.m. Evangelist Ella Wright will speak.

Concord Baptist Church, 1885 Myrtle Beach Highway, announces: * Thursday, May 22 — Gospel concert at 7 p.m. featuring LeFevre Quartet. A love offering will be received.

Cross Road / St. Peter Baptist Church, 845 Webb St., announces: * Today-Sunday — 2014 Women of Faith Conference as follows: 7:30 p.m. today and Friday; 8:30 a.m. on Saturday; and 11:30 a.m. on Sunday. Speakers vary.

Dalzell United Methodist Church, 3330 Black River Road, Dalzell, announces: * Saturday, May 31 — A Mission Rally bike ride for all motorcycle enthusiasts will be held. Registration will begin at 9 a.m. at the church with the run being held from 10 a.m. until noon. Registration is $20 per driver and $10 per rider and includes a pilau dinner, which will be served 11 a.m.-1 p.m. For dinner only, cost is $6. All

proceeds will support church mission efforts.

Edwin Boyle Santee Summer Ministry, 1098 Lemmon Ave. at Boyle’s Point on Wyboo (across from Camp Bob Cooper):

* Sunday, May 25 — Women’s Vision worship during 7:45 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. services. Audrey Neal will speak.

mit, reduction of medication(s), mental health issues and professional counseling in the church from 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.

LaGree AME Church, 2920 Kolb Road, announces:

Orangehill Independent Methodist Church, 3005 S. King Highway, Wedgefield, announces:

* Beginning May 25, outdoor lakeside nondenominational worship service at 9:30 a.m. each Sunday through Aug. 31.

* Sunday — Family and friends day celebration at 4 p.m. with a gospel singout featuring Heavenly Stars, the Hill Boys and others.

Emmanuel United Methodist Church, 421 S. Main St., announces:

Land Flowing with Milk & Honey Ministry, 1335 Peach Orchard Road, announces:

* Sunday — Women’s Day service.

Eartha Goodman will speak. Sunday school begins at 10 a.m. followed by 11:30 a.m. worship.

Faith Baptist Church, 821 N. Main St., announces: * Sunday, June 8 — Seventh anniversary of the church will be celebrated at 4 p.m. The Rev. Dr. Harry Clark will speak.

Full Proof Deliverance Ministry, 2758 S.C. 341 S., Olanta, announces: * Thursday-Friday, May 22-23 — Revival “Fresh Fire” at 7:30 nightly. Dr. Carolyn Robinson will speak.

* Saturday, May 24 — Leadership Summit KICK (Knowledge Increasing Catapult for the Kingdom) 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Prophetess Rose Summers will speak.

Mount Carmel Freewill Baptist Church, 209 Reardon St., Manning, announces: * Saturday, June 7 — Joy Night services featuring area groups, choirs and praise dancers.

Mount Pisgah AME Church, 217 W. Bartlette St., announces:

Grant Hill Missionary Baptist Church, 5405 Black River Road, Rembert, announces:

* Saturday — Third anniversary celebration of the gospel choir at 5 p.m. featuring Shepherd Voices of Praise, Spiritual Voices of Manning, Antioch United Methodist Church choir; and others.

* Sunday — Church anniversary celebration. Sunday school begins at 9 a.m. followed by 10 a.m. worship.

Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 325 Fulton St., announces:

High Hills Missionary Baptist Church, 6750 Meeting House Road, Dalzell, announces: * Sunday — 146th church anniversary celebration during 10:15 a.m. worship. The Rev. Richard Addison will speak. The 11th anniversary of New Generation will be celebrated at 4 p.m.

Holly Hill Missionary Baptist Church, 1304 Hidden Branch Road, Manning, announces: * Sunday, May 25 — Four Gospels Program at 5 p.m. Pastor Annie L. Riley, Pastor Eartha Carter, Pastor Joan Wilson and Pastor Wessie Brown will speak.

Jehovah Missionary Baptist Church, 803 S. Harvin St., announces:

* Sunday — YWA anniversary worship at 10:45 a.m. The Rev. Johnnie M. Gist will speak. * Saturday-Sunday, May 24-25 — Family and friends weekend celebration as follows: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Saturday, workshop, fun and games for all ages and cookout; 10:45 a.m. Sunday, worship celebration.

New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, 3249 U.S. 15 S., announces: * Sunday — Woman’s day program at 10 a.m. Sister Kathy F. Wright will speak.

New Testament Lighthouse Church, 1114 Boulevard Road, announces: * Saturday — Gospel singing at 7 p.m. featuring the Lewis’s.

* Friday — Third Friday Praise Jam at 8 p.m. in the sanctuary.

Orangehill AME Church, 3035 S. King Highway, Wedgefield, announces:

* Sunday — College and graduates recognition worship during 7:45 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. services. Dr. Leroy Staggers will speak.

* Sunday — Memorial service at 10 a.m. honoring military veterans and deceased loved ones. * Saturday, May 31 — Stroke sum-

* Saturday — Parade of hats at 3 p.m. * Sunday, May 25 — Fellowship service at 10 a.m. The Rev. Reginald Floyd will speak. * Sunday, June 8 — Children’s day service at 10 a.m. * Sunday, June 15 — Father’s Day service at 10 a.m.

Pine Grove AME Church, 41 Pine Grove Road, Rembert, announces: * Saturday — Chosen Generation anniversary celebration at 7 p.m.

Providence Baptist Church, 2445 Old Manning Road, announces: * Monday, May 19 — Widow’s luncheon at 11 a.m. Dr. Sammy Way will speak. * Wednesday, May 21 — WMU meeting at 10 a.m. at the home of Katherine Healon. * Saturday, May 24 — Engage service day and backyard Bible study at 7:30 a.m. * Sunday, May 25 — Graduation Sunday at 11 a.m.

Quinn Chapel AME Church, 2400 Queen Chapel Road, announces: * Today-Friday — Revival at 7 nightly. Speakers vary.

Salem Missionary Baptist Church, 320 W. Fulton St., announces: * Sunday — Deacon’s day at 10 a.m. Rep. David Weeks will speak.

Shaw Heights Baptist Church, 2030 Peach Orchard Road, announces: * Sunday, June 8 — 50th anniversary and homecoming as follows: 9-10:30 a.m., fellowship; 11 a.m., worship; noon, lunch; and 2 p.m. celebration service. RSVP to (803) 499-4997 or shbc@ftc-i.net.

Southern Methodist Church of Summerton, 1107 Felton Road, Summerton, announces: * Today-Saturday — Old time tent revival / crusade with gospel singing at 7 nightly. Evangelist John O’Cain will speak. Refreshments served at 6 nightly.

Spring Hill AME Church, 4309 Bill

Davis Road, Summerton, announces: * Sunday, May 25 — Celebration at 3 p.m. for the 115th anniversary of the church. The Rev. Patrick Mellerson will speak.

St. Luke AME Church, 2355 St. Paul Church Road, announces: * Sunday — Elouise Bradford WMS Society annual day at 10 a.m. Sister Henriette M. Britton Temoney will speak.

St. Mark 4-B Missionary Baptist Church, 2280 Four Bridges Road, announces: * Today-Sunday — Youth Empowerment services as follows: 7 p.m. today and Friday, “We Got Talent” youth showcase; 5 p.m. Saturday, youth ministers and leaders workshop; and 11 a.m. Sunday, worship service. Pastor Travis Simon and Pastor Clifton Witherspoon will speak. Contact Minister Markus Wiggins at (803) 968-0636 or markuswiggins@yahoo.com.

St. Mark United Methodist Church, 1093 Oswego Highway, announces: * Saturday-Sunday — Family and friends weekend as follows: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, fun day; and 10:30 a.m. Sunday, worship celebration.

St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 27 Broad St., announces: * Saturday — Barbecue chicken dinner fundraiser 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Cost: $8 per plate and includes barbecue chicken, slaw, baked beans, rolls and pound cake. Pick up only.

Taw Caw Missionary Baptist Church, 1130 Granby Lane, Summerton, announces: * Saturday, May 24 — Mayfest celebration at 11 a.m. * Sunday, May 25 — Family and friends day celebration. Sunday school begins at 9:30 a.m. followed by 10:45 a.m. devotional service and 11 a.m. worship.

Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, 155 Wall St., announces: * Sunday-Thursday, May 25-29 — Revival at 10 a.m. Sunday and 7 nightly Monday-Thursday. Dr. James S. Hall will speak.

Walker Avenue Church of God, 100 Walker Ave., announces: * Sunday — Family and friends day celebration at 11 a.m. The Rev. Bobby G. Damon will speak.

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LOCAL

THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2014

DRIVERS FROM PAGE A1 the board. Hermikia Martin, who has been driving school buses since October 2011, showed up at the meeting as well to support Mack.

“We don’t get paid year round, and the hours vary,” Martin said. “But if we can get an increase in hourly pay, consistency in our paycheck, it would help financially.”

Mack spent two years in the Army before returning to drive buses again. He lives with his mother and makes $9.28 an hour. Last month, he said he had $300 taken out of his paycheck, and what he was left with is simply not enough to live comfortably. In the future, he plans to continue driving buses for the school district and study criminal justice at USC Sumter.

The school district is also in need of more bus drivers, Brailsford said. Mack now drives for Oakland Primary School, Shaw Heights Elementary School, High Hills Elementary School and Ebenezer Middle School. Brailsford said the low pay is one of the reasons they’re in need of more drivers.

After the meeting, Schultz told Mack and Martin that the issue of pay for local bus drivers has been brought up before, and they’re aware of the concerns. Superintendent Frank Baker explained to them that the pay for bus drivers comes from state funding. However, on a local level, Baker said he plans to do something about those bus drivers who work in the classrooms of some of the schools and have to clock out between driving buses and assisting in classrooms — simply stating, “it’s not fair.”

“I believe bus drivers and the people who work in the cafeteria are just as important,” Baker said to the two concerned employees on Monday. “If we don’t have bus drivers to bring the students to school, we can’t teach them, and we have to feed them.”

Ann Hill has been driving buses for 27 years and also works in the classroom at Oakland Primary. Hill said the pay for bus drivers has gone backward at least four years, but she thinks if Baker can do something at a local level, it will help the employees.

Brailsford said he has driven school buses for Richland County in the past, and they were salaried and paid throughout the summer months. Kershaw and Lee counties also have salaried and paid summers for bus drivers.

“All of the surrounding counties are salaried and paid during the summer. We’re trying to work on it in this district as well, and we need to up the pay scale,” Brailsford said.

Just a few weeks ago, Brailsford said transportation services proposed to the school district summer pay and salaried positions for bus drivers in the county.

ECONOMY FROM PAGE A1 the Santee-Lynches area, which includes Sumter County as well as Clarendon, Kershaw and Lee counties, will drop to 6.5 percent this year and to 6.3 percent in 2015.

“The very large drop this year, compared to the previous, had more to do with people leaving the labor force than people getting jobs,” Salvino said, adding he sees this as a continuing trend as the combined four-county area is projected to see its labor force shrink to levels below those more than a decade ago.

“Overall, this is not a good sign,” said Bruce Mills, research analyst with Santee-Lynches

THE SUMTER ITEM Workforce Development. “You don’t want your labor force to drop,” he said, adding that according to their calculations, had the labor force remained constant, the unemployment rate for the region would have been a much higher 9.6 percent last year.

The analysts do think there will be some job growth. During the next two years, the analysts projected the region’s residents will gain about 500 jobs each year. At the same time, however, Mills pointed out that if recent patterns continue, those jobs will come from companies outside of Sumter, creating more commuters leaving the area for work.

“Those newly employed residents went outside of the four counties for work,” said Mills, adding that since the 2008 recession, about 1,900 more people in

CUTS FROM PAGE A1 Sumter County’s expected revenue by $300,000.

“It could have a huge impact,” Mixon said, decrying the Legislature’s tendency to downgrade local government funding. “We have to compete with other people’s projects and programs ... and we’ve been competing every year.”

Mixon pointed out the previous year’s funding level was already below the 4.5 percent of generalfund revenue counties are supposed to receive. That statutory requirement has been suspended by the Legislature in every budget process since 2009, costing Sumter County about $1.7 million in the current fiscal year.

“Imagine what we could do with that,” Mixon said. “The only way we have to make that up is to raise taxes.”

City budget writers face the same challenge as they write the municipal budget. Sumter City Manager Deron McCormick said changes to the Senate budget could cost the city up to $120,000.

“The county gets the lion’s share of the funding from the state, but for cities and towns, it can be vital, too,” McCormick said. “Every dollar counts.”

Even if the money ultimately comes available from the supplemental budget (Mixon referred to it as “maybe money”), localities have to plan their own budgets now on the more conservative estimates.

“It is (frustrating), because we’re trying to bring

the region have jobs but that most of those people found work outside their home counties.

Part of the reason for the decline in labor force is because of an aging population, but the analysts also pointed to educational issues in meeting the demands of an increasingly high-tech job market.

According to the statistics presented by Mills, there are too many people in the area and throughout the South Carolina workforce who do not have an adequate education to compete in today’s labor market.

Salvino said he thinks the state will continue to see significant growth in jobs, projecting the statewide unemployment rate will fall to about 6.1 percent in 2014 and continue downward to about 5.8 percent in 2015.

our budget into balance while not knowing how that deficit is going to affect it,” McCormick said.

“I can certainly understand they’re doing their (budgets) at the same time we’re doing ours,” said Sen. Thomas McElveen, D-Sumter, who is following the debate about the local government fund. “I’ve heard from our city and county officials about it, and we’re going to try to give them everything they deserve.”

While the money seems likely to pass the Senate in the supplemental budget, McElveen and the Sumter area’s other senator, Kevin Johnson, D-Manning, both say they’ve sought assurances the money will become available by the end of the budget process. The state’s Board of Economic Advisors is scheduled to meet next week on its forecasts for the coming year, which are expected to be released before the Legislature wraps up its session the first week in June.

“I’ve been in municipal government for 17 years, so I know what it’s like not knowing,” said Johnson, the former mayor of Manning. “It makes it hard when the state mandates you do certain things.”

Both senators say they want to see county funding restored to its former guaranteed percentage but feel certain the money will be available this year.

Johnson points out local government is the secondranked item in the supplemental bill behind a salary increase for state employees, while McElveen said other cuts may free up even more money for local government than the $30 million appropriated last year.

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

THURSDAY, MAY 15, 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 King’s words about judging based on character ignored Just when you think you’ve seen everything possible to stir up race relations, one of our state representatives has to go and open his stupid mouth. Can someone please tell me how voting against one’s “skin color” or “pigmentation” promotes anything other than racism? It’s bad enough when we have two locals who do everything possible to stir it up.

I have read all sorts of articles in reference to Mr. Clyburn. He says he is very disappointed in Justice Clarence Thomas. Why? Is it because he doesn’t “vote black?” Seems to me I remember a speech by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and something about judging someone on their character and not by the color of their skin. Apparently Mr. Clyburn didn’t remember that speech or chose to ignore it. My guess is, he just chose to ignore it, as he has done his entire political career.

I realize that Mr. Clyburn is probably too busy to respond to this letter, but I am actually looking forward to seeing one by Mr. Baten and/or Mr. Burns. I’m sure that either one will try to justify Clyburn’s remarks.

DENNIS E. VICKERS Wedgefield

Girl bullied daily at school by girls of the same race My African-American daughter is bullied every day by our own race, because of 6 reasons: 1) she is light-skinned; 2) she has natural long hair, not a weave; 3) she speaks and writes correct grammar; 4) she does not listen to rap; 5) she does not twerk or do other inappropriate sexual dances; and 6) she has been an A-Honor Roll student for years.

She often tells me that all of her problems would disappear if she would introduce herself as “mixed” when the “local” or majority of black girls ask her “Who you is?” I responded, “So you need to lie about your race to be accepted?” She replied, “Yes. The mixed girls don’t get teased; it’s just me who’s verbally assaulted daily.”

I used to allow her to ride the bus, but as soon as she stepped onto it, a group of loud, black girls immediately began to shout “I don’t like dat girl. She think she all that. She git on my nerves. I can’t stand her. Dat ain’t even a good weave. She mixed. She just don’t know who her daddy is. Why she talk like dat? Like she better than us. I’m gone cut her hair off.”

It would take my daughter 45 minutes to an hour after coming home to detox from all the “ghetto, ignorant insults.” After the threat of having her hair cut off, I informed the school, and they addressed the girls. Of course the girls denied their threats and see no problem with their intense jealousy and hatred of my daughter. For her safety, I began to transport my daughter to and from school.

It is so sad that local girls think that to be “black” the 6 issues above must be evident. It is ludicrous that there is such a strong need to categorize my daughter for her to be accepted.

Her skin color, hair, speech and grades caused her no problems when we lived in suburban cities in the north and Hawaii where people are more colorblind.

I’m dubious if she would fit into the private schools in Sumter.

PEARL WATSON Sumter Editor’s note: Because this letter exceeded the 350-word length as stated in our Editorial Page Policies which appears regularly on this page, it can be read in its entirety under Opinion on The Item’s website, www.theitem.com.

EDITORIAL ROUNDUP Recent editorials from South Carolina newspapers:

The Herald-Journal of Spartanburg May 11

Government should be accountable to people it failed The hacking of the S.C. Department of Revenue computer system and the theft of millions of South Carolinians’ tax returns was a colossal government failure.

The state required residents to give it their detailed personal financial information, and then the state failed to protect that data.

The state put its people at terrible risk for theft and fraud. It tried to make up for this by paying for free credit monitoring, but the government must be held accountable for this failure.

The people of South Carolina deserve to know how this happened and to be assured that it can’t happen again. Any secrecy on this issue will breed distrust and fear.

That’s why the report on the hacking should be available to the public.

The complete report has never been made public. Only the members of the State Budget and Control Board have copies of it.

State Sen. Vincent Sheheen called for the release of the report last week, and a bipartisan group of senators agreed with him. Gov. Nikki Haley called the request a campaign stunt.

Both are right.

Sheheen is running against the governor this year. He wants to remind voters about the biggest scandal of Haley’s tenure. His call for the release of the report is clearly politically motivated. But he’s still correct in that we all have a right to see that report.

It’s been two years since the hacking, and it’s unlikely that the hunt for the hacker is going hot and heavy and that the release of the report will hamper that investigation. Law enforcement figures often claim that “releasing the information will hamper the investigation” when they simply don’t want to give out certain information.

If there are particular details that truly would hurt the chances of apprehending the hacker, those few details could be redacted from the report, but the vast majority of the re-

port should be released to the public.

The financial lives of 5.7 million South Carolinians and 700,000 businesses were put in jeopardy by the state. We deserve to know how and why.

The governor should support releasing the report. Trying to keep it secret makes it look as though the government has something to hide.

Just as Sheheen’s push is transparently political, trying to keep the report hidden looks like an attempt to hide responsibility for this debacle during an election year.

Other senators speculated during debate that the federal government was able to recover and safeguard the information that was stolen. If so, that would relieve many minds worried about identity theft and fraud. It would also call into question the need for the state to continue to pay for credit monitoring.

There are still many unanswered questions about this situation. State leaders should release the report.

The Sun News of Myrtle Beach May 10

It’s time for the state to enact texting ban The other morning on southbound U.S. 17 Bypass in Myrtle Beach, a small, brown car nearly ran into another vehicle in the left-turn lane at 29th Avenue North. Seconds after her near miss, the young woman driver was texting away on her phone.

The erratic move of the brown car in the direction of the other vehicle illustrates why Sen. Luke Rankin of Horry County told a S.C. House subcommittee that texting while driving can be more dangerous than driving while impaired by alcohol. The motorist who’s had too much to drink typically may drift to the left or the right; the texter is twitchy in driving, as illustrated by the sudden move of the brown car on 17 Bypass.

South Carolina has failed to enact a texting ban for at least four years.

Montana, way out West, is the only other state without some kind of ban on texting while driving. Like Montana cowboys, many S.C. residents harbor a streak of opposition to limitations.

We are all for individual rights, whether guaranteed by the First

Amendment or the Second Amendment, but there is no right to text while driving. No way, no how. Texting while driving a motor vehicle clearly puts at risk the lives of others, just as does driving under the influence. Sen. Rankin is a sponsor of a bill, passed in the Senate, that would ban all use of electronic communications devices for all beginner and restricted drivers.

The House has passed a much broader texting ban. It would prohibit all drivers from using a “wireless electronic communication device to compose, send or read a text-based communication.” Rankin and the co-sponsor of his Senate bill have endorsed replacing their bill with the House version, according to a report by Jamie Self of The State newspaper in Columbia. The House version allows “texting with hands-free devices, while parked or stopped, or for emergencies.”

Brooke Mosteller, Miss South Carolina 2013 and niece of Sen. Chip Campsen, Isle of Palms, was among scores of S.C. pageant contestants who visited legislators in Columbia and urged passage of a law prohibiting texting while driving and seeking signatures on a pledge not to text while driving. Such pledges are supported by Gov. Nikki Haley. Rankin’s co-sponsor is Sen. Vincent Sheheen of Camden, the governor’s Democratic opponent.

Several S.C. cities and two counties have bans but they differ in several ways. Josh Rhodes of the S.C. Association of Counties told the House panel the differences in the municipal and county ordinances are creating confusion for motorists and law enforcement officers. The county association and the S.C. Municipal Association both support a state ban.

Here’s another reason it’s past time for the state to act. As Miss S.C. 2013 Mosteller pointed out, texting while driving is a leading cause of death for U.S. teens. Yes, it’s understood that a law per se does not fix a problem. A ban on vehicular texting, with penalties appropriate to the offense, will at the very least put some teeth in the pledges.

The House and Senate in Columbia need to reconcile the differences in the versions and we urge area legislators to support the best — toughest — measure they can pass. Stop fussing about details and watering down penalties and send a good bill to the governor.

EDITORIAL PAGE POLICIES EDITORIALS represent the views of the owners of this newspaper.

COLUMNS AND COMMENTARY are the personal opinion of the writer whose byline appears. Columns from readers should be typed, double-spaced and no more than 850 words. Send them to The Sumter Item,

Opinion Pages, P.O. Box 1677, Sumter, S.C. 29151, or email to hubert@theitem.com or graham@theitem. com.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR are written by readers of the newspaper. They should be no more than 350 words and sent via e-mail to letters@theitem.com,

dropped off at The Sumter Item office, 20 N. Magnolia St. or mailed to The Sumter Item, P.O. Box 1677, Sumter, S.C. 29151, along with the full name of the writer, plus an address and telephone number for verification purposes only. Letters that exceed 350 words will be cut accordingly in the print edition, but available in their entirety at www.theitem.com/ opinion/letters_to_editor.

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THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2014

AROUND TOWN The Shepherd’s Center will offer free public information sessions 11-11:50 a.m. each Thursday through May 29 at 24 Council St. Scheduled topics/speakers are as follows: today, Cpl. Eddie Hobbs of the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office will discuss self-defense awareness; May 22, Cpl. Hobbs will discuss home security; and May 29, Carol Boyd will discuss gardening with herbs.

The Pinedale Neighborhood Association will meet at 4:30 p.m. today at South HOPE Center, 1125 S. Lafayette Drive. Tshirts for the association will be disbursed. Call Ferdinand Burns at (803) 968-4464.

The Sumter Combat Veterans Group will meet at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 16, at South HOPE Center, 1125 S. Lafayette Drive.

The Lincoln High School Preservation Alumni Association will sponsor a dinner fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, May 16, at the Lincoln High School gym, 26 Council St. Cost is $7 per dinner and includes turkey wing or fried pork chops, rice with gravy, green beans, rolls and a drink.

Dine in or take out. Call James Green at (803) 968-4173.

The 17th Annual Iris Festival Pageant will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 17, in the Sumter High School auditorium. Iris King and Queen, overall, and Miss Swan Lake winners will ride on the Iris Parade float during the Iris Festival and make appearances at the Memorial Day Weekend festival.

A book fair, sponsored by Saint James United Methodist Church, will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 17, at Books-A-Million in Sumter Mall. Proceeds will benefit the South Carolina United Methodist Conference “One Million Book Effort” as well as Saint James UMC’s challenge of providing 1,000 or more new books for preschool and elementary school children. A book fair voucher will be needed at the time of purchase and will be provided in front of the store. Call Andrea Johnson at (803) 464-3953 or visit facebook/stjamessumcsumter.

Lincoln High School Class of 1963 will meet at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 17, at American Legion Post 202, 310 Palmetto St. Plans will be made for the 2015 class reunion, which will be celebrated as the 1960s class reunion of the civil rights era. Call Ferdinand Burns at (803) 968-4464.

A “Pay Tribute Walk” will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 17. Part of the Sumter County Walks Series “Walks With Talks and More,” this event is sponsored by Sumter County Active Lifestyles. Walk will begin at the Vietnam Memorial Monument behind the new Judicial Center on Harvin Street and end at Memorial Park at Hampton and Salem streets. Sammy Way, Sumter historian, will speak. Dress for comfort and sun protection. Water will be provided. Transportation from Memorial Park to walk origination available if needed.

The Lincoln High School Preservation Alumni Association will meet at 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 18, at Lincoln High School, Council Street. Call James L. Green at (803) 9684173.

The Clarendon County Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha will sponsor a Little Miss Ivy Pearl and Miss Ivy Pearl pageant at 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 18, at Manning Junior High School. Attendees are asked to bring at least one non-perishable food item. Call Jacqueline Sheriod-Scott at (803) 465-0828 for information.

The Carolina Coin Club will meet at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 20, at 155 Haynsworth St., Parks & Recreational Building. The club meets on the third Tuesday of each month. Visitors welcome. Call (803) 775-8840.

The Sumter County Library will offer “Introduction to Web Design” at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 21, at 111 N. Harvin St. Learn how to make a simple web page using HTML, the programming language behind Internet websites.

CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) will also be discussed. Call (803) 773-7273 or visit the reference desk at the library to register.

The Sumter Branch NAACP will sponsor a candidates forum for S.C. House of Representatives District 50 and Sumter County Council District 6 from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 22, at North HOPE Center, 904 N. Main St. The Sumter Branch NAACP will meet at 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 25, at Mt. Glory Baptist Church, 841 N. Main St. The Sumter County Veterans Association will hold its annual Memorial Day program at 11 a.m.

Monday, May 26, at Mabry Memorial Park, located on U.S. 378/U.S. 76 just east of Shaw Air Force Base. Retired Maj. Gen. William “Dutch” Holland will speak.

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

Heavy rain and a t-storm; breezy

Rain and a t-storm this evening

Partly sunny and nice

Pleasant with plenty of sunshine

Variable clouds with a t-storm

Sunny to partly cloudy and nice

82°

56°

78° / 50°

78° / 52°

79° / 53°

80° / 55°

Chance of rain: 80%

Chance of rain: 75%

Chance of rain: 15%

Chance of rain: 5%

Chance of rain: 60%

Chance of rain: 10%

Winds: SE 10-20 mph

Winds: SW 7-14 mph

Winds: WNW 8-16 mph

Winds: WNW 4-8 mph

Winds: WSW 3-6 mph

Winds: N 4-8 mph

TODAY’S SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER

Gaffney 73/53 Spartanburg 73/51

Greenville 72/50

Columbia 78/55

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

Sumter 82/56

IN THE MOUNTAINS Aiken 77/51

ON THE COAST

Charleston 81/58

Today: Heavy rain and a thunderstorm in the afternoon. High 78 to 82.

Friday: Partly sunny and nice. High 76 to 81.

LOCAL ALMANAC

LAKE LEVELS

SUMTER THROUGH 4 P.M. YESTERDAY

Today Hi/Lo/W 67/49/r 54/40/sh 79/52/s 60/44/r 78/56/s 100/68/s 74/58/s 74/63/pc 88/66/t 81/64/pc 97/74/s 79/54/s 83/65/pc

SUN AND MOON 7 a.m. yest.

357.88 75.21 75.06 97.16

24-hr chg +0.01 -0.02 -0.03 +0.01

Sunrise 6:21 a.m.

Moonrise 9:24 p.m.

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

0.00" 0.05" 1.36" 12.62" 15.40" 15.71"

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

89° 65° 81° 57° 97° in 1956 44° in 1960

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 71/48/s 54/39/sh 84/59/s 58/42/sh 82/59/s 92/62/s 79/61/s 70/60/r 82/61/s 71/55/r 102/78/s 70/53/pc 70/54/r

Myrtle Beach 80/63

Manning 83/58

Today: Heavy rain and a thunderstorm.

Winds south 6-12 mph. Cooler.

Friday: Partly sunny and pleasant. Winds west-southwest 7-14 mph.

Temperature High Low Normal high Normal low Record high Record low

Florence 83/61

Bishopville 83/58

Sunset Moonset

8:16 p.m.

7:07 a.m.

Last

New

First

Full

May 21

May 28

June 5

June 12

TIDES

Flood 7 a.m. 24-hr stage yest. chg 12 4.76 -0.36 19 3.79 none 14 3.00 -0.13 14 4.78 +1.08 80 76.53 -0.40 24 6.46 -0.01

AT MYRTLE BEACH

Today Fri.

High 10:04 a.m.

10:38 p.m.

10:52 a.m.

11:26 p.m.

Ht. 2.9 3.6 2.9 3.6

Low 4:54 a.m.

4:51 p.m.

5:42 a.m.

5:39 p.m.

Ht. -0.3 -0.4 -0.4 -0.4

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

Today Hi/Lo/W 69/45/r 71/48/r 76/50/r 81/57/r 76/68/t 81/58/r 75/52/r 73/51/r 78/55/r 84/60/r 81/68/t 82/63/r 83/63/r

Fri. Hi/Lo/W 66/38/pc 74/45/s 78/45/pc 81/55/pc 75/63/r 81/54/pc 74/46/pc 75/48/pc 77/48/pc 80/49/pc 78/56/r 80/52/pc 81/52/pc

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

Today Hi/Lo/W 83/61/r 82/54/t 75/54/r 86/65/t 82/58/r 74/54/r 72/50/r 67/50/r 78/64/r 84/56/t 69/45/r 73/48/r 67/49/r

Fri. Hi/Lo/W 80/50/pc 80/53/s 75/47/pc 80/54/pc 80/54/pc 74/49/pc 74/47/pc 72/46/pc 78/57/pc 80/53/s 72/41/s 76/45/s 71/45/s

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

Today Hi/Lo/W 70/51/r 81/58/r 80/63/r 80/56/r 80/57/r 82/56/r 75/53/r 81/61/r 82/54/r 73/51/r 78/62/r 83/67/t 73/53/r

Fri. Hi/Lo/W 71/44/pc 80/54/pc 76/56/pc 80/49/pc 79/55/pc 75/51/pc 75/45/pc 78/48/pc 80/53/pc 75/47/pc 79/56/pc 80/55/pc 72/48/pc

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

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

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Getting EUGENIA LAST involved in a joint venture can be successful, but also lead to disillusionment regarding your partner. Don’t assume anything, and be ready to pick up the slack if something mysteriously doesn’t get finished. Make love a priority in your personal life.

The last word in astrology

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Don’t complain or you may face ridicule and a lack of sympathy. Being secretive about your plans and gathering information that will help you present a solid case regarding your goals will help you strengthen your position.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Make personal changes and join organizations that are unique and can offer you a different point of view. A change of heart regarding a personal relationship will be beneficial and lead to a better future. Pursue personal improvements.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Let your imagination wander and lead to creative endeavors that will fill your down time with a relaxing alternative. A partnership problem will add stress and worry to your life and must be counteracted with a mindful and meditative practice.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Make simple but positive changes that will help keep the peace at home or within a business partnership.

Compromise will be necessary and should be handled with diplomacy.

You should be able to avoid a dispute. Put your energy into affection, not disdain.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Don’t mix money and emotions. Be smart about the way you use your funds.

A job that can help you learn new skills and improve your emotional, physical and financial wellness is apparent. Don’t rule out the obvious. Do what you enjoy doing most.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Turn an idea into cash. Build a strong presentation and promote what you have to offer to people who will want to buy into your plan. Love is hot and a romantic celebration will bring you closer to someone special.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Stick close to home and focus on personal matters and selfimprovement. Don’t let what others do disrupt your plans. Avoid arguments and minor accidents by implementing common sense and caution into whatever you do.

Avoid excessive indulgence.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Take a break or do something that will stimulate your senses mentally, physically and emotionally. Take on a challenge that will help you become stronger and more efficient. Put romance into play and your love life will improve.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Don’t let emotions stand between you and your goals. Look for unique ways to invest in something that will bring you income. Explore health-related products, activities and lifestyles and implement them into your everyday routine.

Romance is in the stars.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Make a point of getting involved in sports events or physical activities. Offer assistance to children or elders experiencing difficulties with challenging tasks. Express your thoughts to someone you want to form a partnership with and present your plan.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Emotional deception and disillusionment are apparent. Find your own way instead of following someone who talks big and offers little. Good fortune will come from solid ideas, hard work and plenty of discipline. Follow your creative ideas and your heart.

LOTTERY NUMBERS PALMETTO CASH 5 WEDNESDAY

MEGAMILLIONS TUESDAY

10-11-14-28-34 PowerUp: 2

37-46-48-70-74 Megaball: 1 Megaplier: 2

PICK 3 WEDNESDAY

PICK 4 WEDNESDAY

4-2-8 and 6-3-3

7-6-7-9 and 5-1-1-2

POWERBALL numbers were unavailable at press time.

PICTURES FROM THE PUBLIC Jeff Byer comments on his photo submission, “This sunset was captured recently up at Lake Wateree.

The water calmed after most of the boaters left for the day.”

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

Sumter golf qualifies for 4A state tourney B2

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

B

THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2014

USC SUMTER BASEBALL

Fire Ants hope momentum carries into district tourney

BY JUSTIN DRIGGERS jdriggers@theitem.com There is some debate, even amongst the players themselves, as to the exact moment or game that sparked the University of South Carolina Sumter baseball team’s run to the Region X tournament title.

“I think it was actually the first game (against USC Lancaster),” closer Harper Grier said of the Fire Ants’ comefrom-behind 7-5 win. “We were down in the ninth inning and that’s when you’re tested.

A lot of people wondered if we were mentally tough enough to come back and we were. We really started to roll after that.”

Second baseman Ryan Perkins pointed to the Spartanburg Methodist game — an 11-2 victory over the team GRIER that had swept four straight from USCS earlier in the year.

“I think we were up 5-2 and Trevor (Bradley) came up and

hit a bases-clearing double,” Perkins said. “We just seemed to cruise from there. That was a big win.”

Reliever Dillon Hodge said it was actually the loss to Louisburg that galvanized the team.

“We knew that the season would PERKINS be over if we lost again,” he said. “None of us were ready for that. We wanted to keep playing.”

Regardless of when exactly

it happened, there is no debating that the Fire Ants got hot at just the time and played better in all three facets of the game than they had all season.

The result was not only the first tournament title in program history, but the opportunity to continHODGE ue to play — and to host the NJCAA Eastern District Tournament.

Riley Park will welcome SMC, ASA College from

Brooklyn, N.Y., Harford Community College of Bel Air, Md., and the host Fire Ants beginning on Friday at 3 p.m. in a 4-team, double-elimination tournament that will last through Sunday. Harford and SMC will square off first followed by USCS and ASA at 6 p.m.

The winner advances to the Junior College World Series in Grand Junction, Colo., on May 24-31.

“That’s what all the hard

SEE USCS, PAGE B4

PREP SOFTBALL

PREP BASEBALL

Back-to-back

Patton, Barons make most of 2nd chances

BY DENNIS BRUNSON dennisb@theitem.com All Kemper Patton wanted was a chance to hit. After that, all he wanted was a hit.

Instead, he got hit, but that worked out just as well for the Wilson Hall baseball player.

Patton was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and no PATTON outs in the bottom of the 12th inning to force in Jay Goodson with the winning run in the Barons’ 5-4 victory over Laurence Manning Academy on Tuesday at Baron Stadium that gave Wilson Hall the SCISA 3A state title.

“It feels great to win this after what happened last year,” Patton said of WH’s losing to Hammond 2-1 in last year’s best-of-3 championship series. “This is something that we had been working toward all year.”

Patton, who had been intentionally walked in both the eighth and 10th innings with the winning run in scoring position, finally got his opportunity in the 12th.

Jay Goodson drew a leadoff walk from Swampcats pitcher Russell Thompson and went to third on a hit-and-run single by William Kinney. LMA head coach Barry Hatfield intentionally walked John Patrick Sears to load the bases with no outs.

That brought Patton, the No. 4 hitter, up finally with an opportunity to swing the bat and win the game. He didn’t get to do that as he was hit with the second pitch.

He didn’t initially realize what getting plunked meant for him and his team.

“At first I was thinking, ‘Man, I got hit.’

Then I realized that meant we won the game, and I started celebrating. I just made sure I went and touched

SEE BARONS, PAGE B3

MATT WALSH / THE SUMTER ITEM

Wilson Hall’s lone senior Bailey Connor, center, holds up two fingers and the SCISA 3A state softball championship trophy as teammates Danielle de Holl (2) and Hannah Grace Calvert (11) look on at South Carolina’s Beckham Field on Wednesday in Columbia. The Lady Barons defeated Laurence Manning Academy 1-0 in the decisive third game to claim their second straight softball crown.

Scott, defense help Lady Barons top LMA 1-0 in extras to capture 2nd straight 3A state title

BY MICHAEL CHRISTOPHER mchristopher@theitem.com COLUMBIA — The drama continued one more day for both Wilson Hall and Laurence Manning Academy. After their respective baseball teams battled for a state crown for almost five hours on Tuesday, it was the softball teams’ turn on Wednesday at the University of South Carolina’s Beckham Field.

And just like Wilson Hall’s 5-4, 12-inning victory that gave it the SCISA 3A baseball title, the softball teams went at it in grand fashion in the third and deciding game of the best-of-3 championship series.

Wilson Hall junior pitcher Holly Scott pitched out of trouble for seven of eight innings, then helped bring home the game’s only run as the Lady Barons repeated as 3A softball champions on Wednesday with

MATT WALSH / THE SUMTER ITEM

Wilson Hall’s Jay Goodson (7) begins to celebrate as he heads home with the winning run that gave the Barons the SCISA 3A state championship in their 5-4 victory over Laurence Manning Academy on Tuesday at Baron Stadium.

Missed opportunities costly for ’Cats in loss

BY DENNIS BRUNSON dennisb@theitem.com

MATT WALSH / THE SUMTER ITEM

Wilson Hall’s Danielle de Holl (2) makes a running catch as Hannah Jordan (9) looks on during the Lady Barons’ 1-0 victory over Laurence Manning Academy on Wednesday at Beckham Field in Columbia. a 1-0 victory.

Scott could only watch as her defense backed her up play after play.

“I thought today we were more determined and had more

SEE BACK-TO-BACK, PAGE B3

Too many missed opportunities by Laurence Manning Academy in the early going left the door open for the Wilson Hall baseball team in the second game of the SCISA 3A state championship series on Tuesday at Baron Stadium.

Wilson Hall was finally able to step through the door, tying the game in the seventh and winning it 5-4 in 12 innings to win the state championship.

“We missed out some opportunities to score

early where if we get those runs in we have a chance to take control of the game,” said LMA head coach Barry Hatfield on Wednesday.

The Swampcats, who finish the year with a 16-8 record, actually jumped out to a 3-0 lead.

However, they could have had much more.

Laurence Manning left the bases loaded in each of the first two innings.

The Swampcats didn’t score in the first when Barons starting pitcher William Kinney retired two batters after two walks, and a hit batter

SEE ‘CATS, PAGE B4

B2

|

SPORTS

THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2014

SPORTS ITEMS

Sumter golf qualifies for 4A state tourney AIKEN — Sumter High School’s varsity boys golf team qualified for the 4A state tournament on Tuesday by tying for fifth place in the 4A lower state tournament at Woodside Plantation.

The Gamecocks shot a 320, tying with Ashley Ridge for fifth. John Keffer led SHS, shooting a 74 to tie for fourth in the individual competition.

Charlie Dallery shot a 79 followed by Austin Baker at 82, Daniel Spencer at 85 and Dixon Flowers at 86.

Lexington won the event with a 305.

Wando was second at 309 followed by North Augusta at 315 and South Aiken at 319.

The Gamecocks will play in the 54hole state tournament which begins on Monday at Furman University Golf Club in Greenville. The teams will play 36 holes on Monday and 18 on Tuesday.

P-15’S BEGIN TRYOUTS TODAY

Tryouts for the American Legion Post 15 junior and senior baseball teams will begin today at 5:30 p.m. at the University of South Carolina Sumter practice field located behind the campus.

All players must bring their original birth certificates to be reviewed for eligibility.

before stepping down in June 2010. He replaces Mark Jackson, who was fired by the Warriors on May 6 after three seasons and back-to-back playoff appearances.

NBA PLAYOFFS HEAT 96 NETS 94 MIAMI — LeBron James leaped onto a courtside table as the postgame celebration was starting, thumped his chest and punched the air.

Next stop: The Eastern Conference finals. Again.

James scored 29 points, Dwyane Wade added 28 and Ray Allen delivered two huge plays in the final seconds as the Heat rallied to beat the Brooklyn Nets 96-94 on Wednesday night, winning the second-round matchup 4-1.

It was the 10th straight series win for the two-time defending NBA champions.

Down by eight with less than five minutes left, the Heat forced Brooklyn into nine straight missed shots while peeling off a 12-0 run to take the lead.

Allen’s 3-pointer off an assist by Mario Chalmers with 32 seconds remaining was the go-ahead moment, and the Heat wouldn’t trail again.

NHL PLAYOFFS

KERR AGREES TO COACH WARRIORS

CANADIENS 3

OAKLAND, Calif. — The Golden State Warriors are taking another chance on a television analyst and former NBA guard who has never been a head coach at any level.

The Warriors won the bidding war with the New York Knicks for Steve Kerr on Wednesday, hiring him away from the TNT broadcast table to be their coach. Kerr agreed to a five-year, $25 million deal with the Warriors, said his agent, Mike Tannenbaum.

Kerr had been in talks with the Knicks about becoming their next coach since Phil Jackson took over as team president in March. He won three titles playing for Jackson in Chicago and another two under Gregg Popovich in San Antonio.

Kerr also spent three seasons as general manager of the Phoenix Suns

BRUINS 1 BOSTON — Carey Price stopped 29 shots to help Montreal beat the Boston Bruins 3-1 in Game 7 on Wednesday night and put the Canadiens in the Eastern Conference finals.

Montreal will play the New York Rangers for a spot in the Stanley Cup finals.

Dale Weise, Max Pacioretty and Daniel Briere scored for the Canadiens, who advanced to the conference finals for just the second time since winning the most recent of their NHL-record 24 Stanley Cup titles in 1993.

Jarome Iginla scored and Tuukka Rask made 15 saves for Boston.

THE SUMTER ITEM

SCOREBOARD TV, RADIO TODAY

5:30 a.m. -- Professional Golf: European PGA Tour Open de Espana First Round from Girona, Spain (GOLF).

9:30 a.m. -- Professional Golf: European PGA Tour Open de Espana First Round from Girona, Spain (GOLF).

9:30 a.m. -- International Hockey: World Championship Preliminary-Round Match from Minsk, Belarus -- Latvia vs. United States (NBC SPORTS NETWORK).

10 a.m. -- NBA Basketball: NBA Draft Combine from Chicago (NBA TV).

12:30 p.m. -- Major League Baseball: San Diego at Cincinnati (FOX SPORTS 1).

12:30 p.m. -- Senior PGA Golf: Champions Tour The Tradition First Round from Birmingham, Ala. (GOLF).

3 p.m. -- PGA Golf: Byron Nelson Championship First Round from Irving, Texas (GOLF).

6:05 p.m. -- Talk Show: Sports Talk (WPUB-FM 102.7, WDXY-FM 105.9, WDXY-AM 1240) 6:30 p.m. -- College Baseball: St. John’s at Seton Hall (CBS SPORTS NETWORK).

6:30 p.m. -- Professional Golf: Web.Com Tour BMW Charity Pro-Am First Round from Greer and Greenville (GOLF).

7 p.m. -- Major League Baseball: New York Yankees at New York Mets (MLB NETWORK).

7:30 p.m. -- College Baseball: South Carolina at Vanderbilt (ESPNU, WNKT-FM 107.5).

7:30 p.m. -- College Baseball: Texas Christian at Baylor (SPORTSOUTH).

8 p.m. -- NBA Basketball: Eastern Conference Playoffs Semifinal Series Game Six -- Indiana at Washington (ESPN).

8:30 p.m. -- LPGA Golf: Kingsmill Championship First Round from Williamsburg, Va. (GOLF).

10 p.m. -- Minor League Baseball: Albuquerque at Fresno (CBS SPORTS NETWORK).

10 p.m. -- Professional Boxing: Antonio Orozco vs. Martin Honorio in a Junior Welterweight Bout, Manuel Avila vs. David De La Mora in a Junior Featherweight Bout and Manuel Roman vs. Jose Silveira in a Bantamweight Bout from Del Mar, Calif. (FOX SPORTS 1).

10:30 p.m. -- NBA Basketball: Western Conference Playoffs Semifinal Series Game Six -Oklahoma City at Los Angeles Clippers (ESPN).

MLB STANDINGS

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

W 20 20 19 19 18

L 18 20 19 19 23

Pct .526 .500 .500 .500 .439

GB – 1 1 1 3½

W 24 20 18 20 18

L 12 19 19 22 21

Pct .667 .513 .486 .476 .462

GB – 5½ 6½ 7 7½

W 25 21 20 20 13

L 16 18 20 20 27

Pct .610 .538 .500 .500 .325

GB – 3 4½ 4½ 11½

TUESDAY’S GAMES

Detroit 4, Baltimore 1 L.A. Angels 4, Philadelphia 3 N.Y. Mets 12, N.Y. Yankees 7 Toronto 5, Cleveland 4 Minnesota 8, Boston 6 Kansas City 5, Colorado 1 Houston 8, Texas 0 Oakland 11, Chicago White Sox 0 Tampa Bay 2, Seattle 1

HORSE RACING

BY BETH HARRIS The Associated Press BALTIMORE — Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome was made the odds-on favorite at 3-5 on Wednesday for the Preakness Stakes, and he drew an inside post position in the 10horse field that includes a filly for the first time in five years.

Trained by Art Sherman and ridden

by Victor Espinoza, California Chrome will break from the No. 3 post, which has produced 10 winners in the previous 138 runnings of the 1 3/16-mile race, the last being Prairie Bayou in 1993.

“Three is fine with me,’’ Sherman said. “Most of the speed is on the outside of me. If they go, they go, I can tuck in right behind them without any problems. I think my horse will perform.’’

So does California Chrome’s coowner Steve Coburn, who dared to look ahead.

“One race at a time,’’ he said, “but I’m still thinking Triple Crown.’’

If California Chrome wins on Saturday, next up would be the Belmont Stakes on June 7. Only 11 horses have swept the Derby, Preakness and Belmont and none since 1978.

California Chrome brings a fiverace winning streak into the Preakness, having won that many by a combined 26 lengths. Still, his overwhelming odds surprised Sherman, a 77-year-old trainer who has never had a colt this good.

“I never thought I’d be that kind of price,’’ he said. “I really thought I’d be 6-5.’’

Speedster Social Inclusion was the 5-1 second choice of new Pimlico oddsmaker Keith Feustle. The colt drew the No. 8 post. He skipped the Kentucky Derby and is one of seven new horses lining up to challenge California Chrome.

“I’m never afraid of nothing,’’ owner Ron Sanchez said. “We have a great post position. We have slow horses to our outside. That’s going to help us a lot.’’

Bayern and Ride On Curlin are the co-third choices at 10-1. Bayern, who drew the No. 5 post, is trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, who is seeking a sixth Preakness win. Rosie Napravnik will ride the colt, trying to

Detroit 7, Baltimore 5 L.A. Angels 3, Philadelphia 0 Kansas City 3, Colorado 2 Chicago White Sox 4, Oakland 2 Tampa Bay 2, Seattle 0 Cleveland at Toronto, 7:07 p.m.

N.Y. Yankees at N.Y. Mets, 7:10 p.m.

Boston at Minnesota, 8:10 p.m.

Texas at Houston, 8:10 p.m.

Boston (Buchholz 2-3) at Minnesota (P. Hughes 4-1), 1:10 p.m.

Cleveland (Salazar 1-3) at Toronto (Happ 1-1), 7:07 p.m.

N.Y. Yankees (Whitley 0-0) at N.Y. Mets (deGrom 0-0), 7:10 p.m.

Baltimore (W.Chen 4-2) at Kansas City (Ventura 2-2), 8:10 p.m.

Tampa Bay (Bedard 2-1) at L.A. Angels (Skaggs 3-1), 10:05 p.m.

FRIDAY’S GAMES

Oakland at Cleveland, 7:05 p.m.

Pittsburgh at N.Y. Yankees, 7:05 p.m.

Detroit at Boston, 7:10 p.m.

Toronto at Texas, 8:05 p.m.

Baltimore at Kansas City, 8:10 p.m.

Chicago White Sox at Houston, 8:10 p.m.

Seattle at Minnesota, 8:10 p.m.

Tampa Bay at L.A. Angels, 10:05 p.m.

NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST DIVISION

become the first female jockey to win the race.

Ride On Curlin finished seventh in the Kentucky Derby two weeks ago.

Once again, Ride On Curlin drew an outside post, landing in the No. 10 spot after breaking from the 19th position in the Derby starting gate under Calvin Borel. This time, Joel Rosario will ride the colt.

Borel has switched to filly Ria Antonia, who is the longest shot in the field at 30-1.

“I wish she was 50-1,’’ co-owner Ron Paolucci said. “The way she works and trains, she thinks she’s 3-5.’’

She will try to become the first filly to win the Preakness since Rachel Alexandra beat the boys in 2009. Like Rachel, Ria Antonia did not run in the Derby first. She finished sixth in the Kentucky Oaks, held the day before the Derby. After the Oaks, Ria Antonia’s owners switched trainers, dumping Baffert for Tom Amoss.

“I always wanted to run in this race,’’ Paolucci said. “My filly is a really big filly, she’s really solid. Coming back in two weeks gives her an absolute edge. I know it’s really going to help her.’’

General a Rod is the only other Derby horse to try the Preakness. He was 11th at Churchill Downs.

There is a trio of 20-1 shots in the field. One of them, Kid Cruz, is trained by Linda Rice, giving the Preakness a female trainer, jockey and filly in the same race for the first time.

The other 20-1 shots are Pablo Del Monte, who drew the No. 9 post, and Ring Weekend, who will break from the No. 4 spot.

Illinois Derby winner Dynamic Impact drew the No. 1 post, putting the colt along the rail, a spot not favored by most trainers who fear getting trapped inside.

Atlanta Washington Miami New York Philadelphia CENTRAL DIVISION Milwaukee St. Louis Cincinnati Pittsburgh Chicago WEST DIVISION San Francisco Colorado Los Angeles San Diego Arizona

W 22 21 20 19 17

L 17 19 20 19 21

Pct .564 .525 .500 .500 .447

GB – 1½ 2½ 2½ 4½

W 25 20 17 16 13

L 14 20 20 22 25

Pct .641 .500 .459 .421 .342

GB – 5½ 7 8½ 11½

W 26 23 22 19 16

L 15 19 19 21 27

Pct .634 .548 .537 .475 .372

GB – 3½ 4 6½ 11

TUESDAY’S GAMES

L.A. Angels 4, Philadelphia 3 N.Y. Mets 12, N.Y. Yankees 7 San Diego 2, Cincinnati 1 Kansas City 5, Colorado 1 Milwaukee 5, Pittsburgh 2 St. Louis 4, Chicago Cubs 3, 12 innings Arizona 3, Washington 1 L.A. Dodgers 7, Miami 1 Atlanta 5, San Francisco 0

WEDNESDAY’S GAMES

L.A. Angels 3, Philadelphia 0 Kansas City 3, Colorado 2 Washington 5, Arizona 1 San Francisco 10, Atlanta 4 N.Y. Yankees at N.Y. Mets, 7:10 p.m.

San Diego at Cincinnati, ppd., rain Pittsburgh at Milwaukee, 8:10 p.m.

Chicago Cubs at St. Louis, ppd., rain Miami at L.A. Dodgers, 10:10 p.m.

TODAY’S GAMES

San Diego (Kennedy 2-4) at Cincinnati (Cueto 3-2), 12:35 p.m., 1st game Pittsburgh (W.Rodriguez 0-2) at Milwaukee (Gallardo 2-2), 1:10 p.m.

Chicago Cubs (Hammel 4-1) at St. Louis (Wacha 2-3), 1:45 p.m.

San Diego (T.Ross 4-3) at Cincinnati (Simon 4-2), 6:10 p.m., 2nd game N.Y. Yankees (Whitley 0-0) at N.Y. Mets (deGrom 0-0), 7:10 p.m.

Miami (Eovaldi 2-1) at San Francisco (M. Cain 0-3), 10:15 p.m.

FRIDAY’S GAMES

CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS (Best-of-7; x-if necessary)

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Miami 3, Brooklyn 1 May 6: Miami 107, Brooklyn 86 May 8: Miami 94, Brooklyn 82 May 10: Brooklyn 104, Miami 90 May 12: Miami 102, Brooklyn 96 Wednesday: Brooklyn at Miami (late) x-Friday: Miami at Brooklyn, 8 p.m. x-Sunday: Brooklyn at Miami, TBA Indiana 3, Washington 2 May 5: Washington 102, Indiana 96 May 7: Indiana 86, Washington 82 May 9: Indiana 85, Washington 63 May 11: Indiana 95, Washington 92 Tuesday: Washington 102, Indiana 79 Today: Indiana at Washington, 8 p.m. x-Sunday: Washington at Indiana, TBA

WESTERN CONFERENCE

San Antonio 3, Portland 1 May 6: San Antonio 116, Portland 92 May 8: San Antonio 114, Portland 97 May 10: San Antonio 118, Portland 103 May 12: Portland 103, San Antonio 92 Wednesday: Portland at San Antonio (late) x-Friday: San Antonio at Portland, 9:30 or 10:30 p.m. x-Monday: Portland at San Antonio, TBA Oklahoma City 3, L.A. Clippers 2 May 5: L.A. Clippers 122, Oklahoma City 105 May 7: Oklahoma City 112, L.A. Clippers 101 May 9: Oklahoma City 118, L.A. Clippers 112 May 11: L.A. Clippers 101, Oklahoma City 99 Tuesday: Oklahoma City 105, L.A. Clippers 104 Today: Oklahoma City at L.A. Clippers, 10:30 p.m.

Sunday: L.A. Clippers at Oklahoma City, TBA

NHL PLAYOFFS

By The Associated Press

SECOND ROUND (Best-of-7; x-if necessary)

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Boston 3, Montreal 3 May 1: Montreal 4, Boston 3, 2OT May 3: Boston 5, Montreal 3 May 6: Montreal 4, Boston 2 May 8: Boston 1, Montreal 0, OT May 10: Boston 4, Montreal 2 May 12: Montreal 4, Boston 0 Wednesday: Montreal at Boston (late) N.Y. Rangers 4, Pittsburgh 3 May 2: N.Y. Rangers 3, Pittsburgh 2, OT May 4: Pittsburgh 3, N.Y. Rangers 0 May 5: Pittsburgh 2, N.Y. Rangers 0 May 7: Pittsburgh 4, N.Y. Rangers 2 May 9: N.Y. Rangers 5, Pittsburgh 1 May 11: N.Y. Rangers 3, Pittsburgh 1 Tuesday: N.Y. Rangers 2, Pittsburgh 1

WESTERN CONFERENCE

TODAY’S GAMES

California Chrome made 3-5 favorite

NBA PLAYOFFS

By The Associated Press

Chicago 4, Minnesota 2 May 2: Chicago 5, Minnesota 2 May 4: Chicago 4, Minnesota 1 May 6: Minnesota 4, Chicago 0 May 9: Minnesota 4, Chicago 2 May 11: Chicago 2, Minnesota 1 Tuesday: Chicago 2, Minnesota 1, OT Anaheim 3, Los Angeles 2 May 3: Los Angeles 3, Anaheim 2, OT May 5: Los Angeles 3, Anaheim 1 May 8: Anaheim 3, Los Angeles 2 May 10: Anaheim 2, Los Angeles 0 May 12: Anaheim 4, Los Angeles 3 Wednesday: Anaheim at Los Angeles (late) x-Friday: Los Angeles at Anaheim, 9 p.m.

WEDNESDAY’S GAMES

From staff, wire reports

1, Jeff Gordon, 394. 2, Matt Kenseth, 379. 3, Kyle Busch, 373. 4, Dale Earnhardt Jr., 368. 5, Carl Edwards, 367. 6, Joey Logano, 346. 7, Jimmie Johnson, 340. 8, Ryan Newman, 332.

9, Greg Biffle, 328. 10, Brian Vickers, 327.

11, Brad Keselowski, 326. 12, Denny Hamlin, 318. 13, Kyle Larson, 318. 14, Austin Dillon, 306. 15, Kevin Harvick, 302. 16, Kasey Kahne, 294. 17, A J Allmendinger, 293. 18, Paul Menard, 292. 19, Marcos Ambrose, 288. 20, Clint Bowyer, 282.

Money 1, Dale Earnhardt Jr., $2,929,528. 2, Brad Keselowski, $2,709,316. 3, Jeff Gordon, $2,623,139.

4, Denny Hamlin, $2,495,965. 5, Joey Logano, $2,454,659. 6, Jimmie Johnson, $2,252,119. 7, Kyle Busch, $2,247,499. 8, Matt Kenseth, $2,169,063. 9, Kevin Harvick, $2,135,681. 10, Greg Biffle, $1,942,423.

11, Paul Menard, $1,914,977. 12, Austin Dillon, $1,843,209. 13, Brian Vickers, $1,780,278. 14, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., $1,769,678. 15, Kyle Larson, $1,733,193. 16, Carl Edwards, $1,729,663.

17, Tony Stewart, $1,724,871. 18, Clint Bowyer, $1,695,234. 19, Jamie McMurray, $1,685,112. 20, Aric Almirola, $1,650,914.

Milwaukee at Chicago Cubs, 2:20 p.m.

Cincinnati at Philadelphia, 7:05 p.m.

N.Y. Mets at Washington, 7:05 p.m.

Pittsburgh at N.Y. Yankees, 7:05 p.m.

Atlanta at St. Louis, 8:15 p.m.

San Diego at Colorado, 8:40 p.m.

L.A. Dodgers at Arizona, 9:40 p.m.

Miami at San Francisco, 10:15 p.m.

TRANSACTIONS

By The Associated Press BASEBALL

American League CHICAGO WHITE SOX _ Designated INF Jeff Keppinger for assignment.

TEXAS RANGERS _ Recalled RHP Nick Tepesch and Miles Mikolas from Round Rock (PCL). Purchased the contract of RHP Scott Baker from Round Rock. Placed LHP Martin Perez and LHP Matt Harrison placed on 15day DL. Designated RHP Justin Germano for assignment.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS _ Placed C Dioner Navarro on the bereavement/family medical emergency list. Recalled C Erik Kratz and RHP Neil Wagner from Buffalo (IL). Optioned RHP Chad Jenkins to Buffalo.

National League LOS ANGELES DODGERS _ Activated C A.J. Ellis from the 15-day DL. Optioned C Miguel Olivo to Albuquerque (PCL).

MIAMI MARLINS _ Designated RHP Henry Rodriguez for assignment. Optioned LHP Dan Jennings to New Orleans (PCL). Signed LHP Randy Wolf to one-year contract.

NEW YORK METS _ Placed RHP Dillon Gee on the 15-Day DL, retroactive to May 11. Selected the contract of RHP Rafael Montero from Las Vegas (PCL).

SAN DIEGO PADRES _ Optioned RHP Kevin Quackenbush to El Paso (PCL).

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS _ Recalled 2B Kolten Wong from Memphis (PCL). Optioned INF Greg Garcia to Memphis.

American Association AMARILLO SOX _ Signed LHP Logan Williamson GARY SOUTHSHORE RAILCATS _ Released OF Brooks Braga, RHP Mike Weatherly, LHP Edwin Walker and LHP Carlos Rivas.

GRAND PRAIRIE AIR HOGS _ Released INF Brian Myrow. Signed RHP Dustin Cameron, RHP Ryan Searle and RHP Yhency Brazoban.

BASKETBALL

National Basketball Association DETROIT PISTONS _ Named Stan Van Gundy coach and president of basketball operations.

FOOTBALL

National Football League BALTIMORE RAVENS _ Signed TE Crockett Gilmore, G-C John Urschel and QB Keith Wenning to four-year contracts.

CHICAGO BEARS _ Agreed to terms with CB Kyle Fuller on a four-year contract.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS _ Signed DE Jonathan Newsome.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS _ Signed OL Laurent Duvernay-Tardif.

OAKLAND RAIDERS _ Waived S Tony Dye, LB Eric Harper and DE Chris McCoy. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS _ Signed G Chris Watt, DT Ryan Carrethers, RB Marion Grice and WR Tevin Reese to four-year contracts.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS _ Signed LS Andrew DePaola. Waived CB Anthony Gaitor.

WASHINGTON REDSKINS _ Signed NT Chris Davenport, WR Lee Doss, WR Cody Hoffman, WR Kofi Hughes, WR Rashad Lawrence, TE Kevin Perry, RB Silas Redd, DB Bryan Shepherd and NT Robert Thomas.

MOTORSPORTS

INDYCAR _ Fined engine manufacturer Chevrolet $20,000 and penalized it 10 engine manufacturer’s points for violations of the engine regulations; Schmidt Peterson Motorsports $1,000 for a technical violation on its No. 77 entry driven by Simon Pagenaud and Penske Racing $1,000 for a technical violation on its No. 3 entry driven

by Helio Castroneves following the May 10 Grand Prix of Indianapolis.

COLLEGE

NASCAR

By The Associated Press SPRINT CUP LEADERS

Through May 10 Points

CALIFORNIA _ Named Yanni Hufnagel men’s assistant basketball coach.

ILLINOIS _ Suspended men’s sophomore basketball F Darius Paul for the 2015-15 season for multiple transgressions.

TEXAS TECH _ Announced the resignation of softball coach Shanon Hays.

PREP SPORTS

THE SUMTER ITEM

THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2014

BACK-TO-BACK FROM PAGE B1 will to win,” Scott said. “Yesterday I really didn’t have my stuff (in a 4-2 LMA victory). Today I didn’t really hit my spots, but my defense was there.

They won the game for us.”

The game went to the international tiebreaker rule -- a runner starting the inning on second -- in the eighth inning after neither could find a way to score for the first seven.

Liza Lowder, the courtesy runner for catcher Drake Ives, started on second with Scott at bat to begin the eighth. Scott put down a sacrifice bunt to move Ives to third, but LMA first basemen Maddie Cantley made a throw to first to covering second baseman Brooke Ward that was dropped.

The ball trickled into right field allowing Lowder to score the game’s only run.

“It’s just a dream to even be here for a second year in a row… that just doesn’t happen,” Wilson Hall head coach Teresa Alexander said of defending the title. “To win it two times in a row, I don’t know, it’s like a fairy tale.

“The reality is it goes back to a group of girls that started with me seven years ago, and we talked about where we wanted the Wilson Hall program to go,” she explained. “And what you see now is a product of seven years of athletes really devoting themselves to try to make this program something everyone is going to respect. Thankfully, our young girls caught on and look what they’re doing now.”

The Lady Barons finished the season with a 31-6 record.

Each team won their respective home games with Wilson Hall opening the series with a 4-0 victory at Patriot Park SportsPlex on Monday before LMA rallied for a 4-2 victory at Julie Skoler Field on Tuesday.

WH’s offense struggled against LMA pitcher Courtney Beatson, who was on the wrong end of a 1-hitter in which she struck out three and only allowed two base runners before the eighth.

Becka Noyes had the lone hit for the Barons.

The Lady Swampcats, who fin-

BARONS FROM PAGE B1 first base.”

Laurence Manning intentionally walked both Sears and Patton after a Kinney RBI triple in the bottom of the eighth tied the game at 4-4.

With that move, the Swampcats were able to get out of trouble.

In the 10th, Kinney had a ground-rule double with one out. Hatfield had Thompson pitch to Sears, getting him to pop up for the second out. Patton was intentionally walked and LMA again escaped without a run.

“When William tripled, I was thinking that me and John Patrick had a chance to win the game,” Patton said. “I didn’t even think about that (intentional walks). That was great strategy by Coach Hatfield.”

The man batting behind Patton in extra innings was Chase Belk. While he was unable to come through at the

MATT WALSH / THE SUMTER ITEM

Laurence Manning Academy’s Katelyn Edwards, right, dives back to first as Wilson Hall’s Bailey Connor applies the tag during the Lady Barons’ 1-0 victory on Wednesday at Beckham Field in Columbia. ished at 23-10, had six hits, but couldn’t find the clutch hit at the right time. Despite the loss, LMA head coach Maria Rowland said she thought her team outplayed the Lady Barons.

“It’s like I told our girls; I felt like we outplayed them for seven strong innings,” Rowland said. “We hit the ball better; we didn’t capitalize when we needed to capitalize and that’s all there is to it. They capitalized when they needed to and that’s all that matters.

“Here’s what I hope they take away from this – they’ve got to have faith, they’ve got to believe in God, they’ve got to believe they can succeed,” Rowland said. “They’ve got to believe in themselves and there is so much more to learn than just the game. Like I told them, for whatever reason, it wasn’t God’s will today, but this moment is going to teach somebody on our team

plate, Belk more than made up for it by his work on the mound.

The right-handed Belk came on in relief of McLendon Sears after he walked the leadoff batter in the eighth.

Belk proceeded to hit three of the next four batters to force in the go-ahead run and give LMA a 4-3 lead.

Wilson Hall tied the game in the bottom of the inning with Kinney’s triple, and Belk responded with four scoreless innings.

“I was just a little wild when I came in there,” Belk said. “I knew I just had to stay in there and battle. I knew the defense was behind me and I felt like the offense would get us a run.”

That run made a winner out of Belk, who gave up a home run to Hammond’s Jae Roberts to win Game 3 of last year’s championship series at Carolina Stadium.

“That wasn’t on my mind at all,” Belk said of last season.

“I had my attention on trying

something important in life one day down the road.”

Laurence Manning had a runner in scoring position in each of the first six innings, leaving seven runners stranded during that stretch and nine for the game.

The Wilson Hall defense showed composure time and again, especially in the top of the eighth. Cora Lee Downer started on second for LMA. After Hannah Hodge failed to get a sacrifice bunt down, Emily McElveen singled to center and Downer attempted to score. She was thrown out at the plate thanks to second baseman Betsy Cunningham’s throw home off a cutoff.

“I’ll send her all day, every day, any day, every single time,” Rowland said of the play. “We just didn’t make the correct slide – we didn’t get in straight down, feet first. We work hard on going out

to win this game for me and my team.”

Wilson Hall head coach Tommy Jones, whose team finished the year with a 28-1 record, said he never thought about pinch hitting for Belk.

“If I pinch hit for him, I couldn’t re-enter him since he didn’t start,” Jones said of Belk. The way I felt was if we didn’t get the run in here, we still had three more outs in the next inning.”

Both Jones and Belk pointed out that Belk went 3-for-4 at the plate after coming on in relief in Wilson Hall’s 4-2,

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B3

and around, and that’s what she’s doing. I can’t fault her because many times she’s been safe going out and around and then reaching back for the bag.”

“She’s a ninth-grader and a very smart base runner, a very aggressive base runner,” Rowland added, “Again, today it wasn’t God’s will; if it was God’s will she’d been safe all day long, all day.”

Beatson followed McElveen’s 1-out single with a single of her own, putting runners at first and second with two outs, but the Lady Swampcats couldn’t come through.

LMA squandered a 2-out triple by Cantley in the second inning, and had runners at first and second with nobody out in the sixth, but couldn’t get them in.

Other than the eighth inning, perhaps no play was bigger than a diving stop made by WH shortstop Hannah Jordan in the fourth.

After Beatson led off the fourth with a walk, she reached second on a sacrifice bunt by Maggie Eppley. With one out, Ward hit a scorching ball to the hole at short. Jordan dove for it, came up with it and had the composure to get up and throw the ball to third in enough time to get courtesy runner Katelynn Edwards. After Ward stole second with two outs, Scott got Cantley to line out to second on a ball that Cunningham had to jump to snage.

“My defense made the plays we needed to win,” Scott said. “They made outstanding plays; they made not just the normal plays but beyond incredible plays. We were in it together and they had my back.”

Both teams are young and lose a total of three seniors. LMA will say goodbye to McElveen, who was 3-for-4 with a stolen base, and Mary Michael Windham.

“It’s an incredibly memory for me to have the rest of my life,” Wilson Hall’s lone senior, Bailey Connor, said of being a 2-time state champion. “Winning last year and having to come back and beat all of the opposition this year has been a blessing. I know our main factor was God, and I know he was the main reason we made it this far and I couldn’t be more proud for my team, family and couldn’t do anything without them.”

15-inning victory over Pinewood Prep in last week’s semifinal series.

While Kinney struggled in his 1 2/3 innings as the Wilson Hall starting pitcher, he didn’t struggle at the plate. Kinney was 4-for-5 with two doubles, a triple and a run batted in.

Kinney said the Barons didn’t panic when they fell behind 3-0 after 2 1/2 innings.

“The way we feel is if there are outs still left on the board, then we can score runs,” Kinney said. “We knew we could do it (come back). We just kept battling.”

Jones said he is proud of the way his team played the entire year, knowing it was considered by many to be the favorite to win the title after returning most of last season’s runner-up team.

“That really was at times a burden they carried with them,” said Jones, who won his first state title in his second stint as Wilson Hall head coach after winning three titles during the first tenure.

“They just went out there and battled and competed. They did everything they could to win.”

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BASEBALL

THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2014

THE SUMTER ITEM

USCS

MLB ROUNDUP

FROM PAGE B1

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Atlanta catcher Evan Gattis flips his bat after striking out against San Francisco pitcher Madison Bumgarner during the fifth inning of the Giants’ 10-4 victory in San Francisco on Wednesday.

Giants roll past Braves 10-4 SAN FRANCISCO — Hunter Pence, Michael Morse and Brandon Crawford homered to power the San Francisco Giants past the Atlanta Braves 10-4 on Wednesday.

Gregor Blanco stole three bases and scored three runs as the Giants continued to dominate the matchup of NL division leaders. San Francisco finished 5-1 against Atlanta this season.

The scoring surge gave Madison Bumgarner (5-3) room for error on a warm, windless day along the bay.

Bumgarner allowed four runs and five hits in five innings, striking out five and walking one.

Julio Teheran (2-3) lasted only 3 1-3 innings for the Braves. He gave up five runs — four earned — and seven hits in his second loss to the Giants this season.

Pence finished with four hits and three RBI, Crawford collected three hits and three RBIs and Morse connected for his team-leading ninth home run. Blanco singled and walked twice from the leadoff

spot as the Giants backed Bumgarner’s slow start as soon as they got a chance to bat.

2-game sweep.

NATIONALS 5

ORIOLES 5 BALTIMORE — Rajai Davis homered, and Detroit overcame a rare shaky performance by Justin Verlander to complete a 3-game sweep of Baltimore with a 7-5 victory.

DIAMONDBACKS 1

PHOENIX — Ian Desmond and Tyler Moore each lined 2-run singles in the ninth inning to break open a close game, helping Washington beat Arizona 5-1.

INTERLEAGUE

AMERICAN LEAGUE TIGERS 7

RAYS 2 MARINERS 0

PHILLIES 0 PHILADELPHIA — Garrett Richards tossed a 5-hitter over seven sharp innings and the Los Angeles Angels beat Philadelphia 3-0 to sweep a 2-game series.

SEATTLE — Jake Odorizzi pitched 1-hit ball for six innings, but Tampa Bay lost AllStar Ben Zobrist in a 2-0 win over Seattle.

Zobrist dislocated his left thumb on a headfirst slide while trying to steal second base in the fifth.

ROYALS 3

WHITE SOX 4

ROCKIES 2

ATHLETICS 2

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Much-maligned Mike Moustakas hit a 3-run double in the second inning, and Jason Vargas and the Kansas City bullpen made the meager offense work in a 3-2 victory over Colorado for a

OAKLAND, Calif. — Jose Abreu hit a 3-run homer in the eighth inning to help the Chicago White Sox snap a 4-game losing streak with a 4-2 victory over Oakland.

ANGELS 3

‘CATS FROM PAGE B1 loaded the bases with one out.

In the second, LMA again loaded the bases with one out. A Mark Pipkin 2-out single scored two runs and ended Kinney’s time on the mound. That is when Barons head coach Tommy Jones elected to bring on McLendon Sears in relief, and that is when Hatfield thinks the game started to turn.

“I really feel like our guys lost their aggressiveness,” Hatfield said. “They were so focused on facing Kinney that they weren’t as focused at the plate.

“McLendon did for them what (J.T.) Eppley and (Cagney) Brunson did for us in Game 1 (a 1-0 Wilson Hall victory). He gave his team a chance to win.”

After Sears was touched up for two hits and a run in the third to make it 3-0, he settled down and allowed just one more hit over his 5 1/3-inning stint.

Hatfield was more than happy with the performance he received from his two pitchers.

Starter Linc Powell went 5 1/3 innings as well, allowing just two runs, only one earned. He allowed five hits while walking five and striking out three. Thompson pitched 5 2/3 innings, giv-

From wire reports

ing up five hits, six walks — four of them intentional —– and two hit batters. Both of those came in the 12th, the final one coming against Kemper Patton with the bases loaded to force in the winning run.

“Linc wasn’t as clean in his last two starts as he was in the ones before,” Hatfield said. “He hung in there, fought through it and battled.

You couldn’t ask much more from him than we got.

“Russell gave us everything he had,” Hatfield said. “We didn’t use him as much during the regular season so he’d be ready for this (the playoffs). He started the first game against Hilton Head (Prep in the semifinal series), then came back and got the save in the second game. He got four outs last night (in Monday’s game) and came back and did what he did tonight.”

While knowing losing a pair of 1-run games in the championship series will hurt his players for a while, Hatfield said they have nothing to hang their heads over.

“I told them they needed to pull themselves up by the boot straps,” he said. “There were a lot of things we did well to get to that point. I told them Laurence Manning is proud of them, I’m proud of them and Manning’s proud of them.”

work (head) Coach (Tim) Medlin has put us through is about,” Hodge said.

“We’re here at practice grinding every day. We’ve had our ups and downs this year, but we’ve always had this one goal and that was to get to Grand Junction.”

How they will get there is simple — follow the exact same formula they used in Kinston, N.C., at the Region X tournament.

USCS’ pitching and defense allowed a grand total of 16 runs in 54 innings (2.7 per game). The offense, which had struggled with runners in scoring position all season, came through with one clutch hit after another.

“Good pitching, good defense, timely hitting,” Fire Ants starter Victor Gonzalez said. “That’s what baseball’s all about. Every pitcher we sent out there threw strikes and went deep into games. The defense turned double plays and the outfield didn’t let balls drop in. We had a new hero every game on offense.”

One of those heroes was Anthony Paulsen, who had big hits against USC Lancaster and SMC that provided game-changing runs.

“It was amazing to see the offense (last week),” Paulsen said. “During the regular season, with a runner on third, we weren’t very good at getting guys in. We couldn’t seem to get the ball to bounce our way.

But we got into a good mindset and a good rhythm in the tournament and hopefully that will carry over.”

Rhythm was one of the things many players pointed to as a catalyst for their success. After suffering through 10 rainouts in the regular season, the Fire Ants were finally able to see what could happen with sustained play.

“Frustrating is the best way to describe the regular season,” Grier said. “With all the rainouts, we never could quite seem to get any

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EASTERN DISTRICT TOURNAMENT Friday- Sunday Riley Park Friday Game 1 - (2) Harford Community College (Md.) vs. (3) Spartanburg Methodist College, 3 p.m.

Game 2 - (1) USC Sumter vs.

(4) ASA College (N.Y.), 6 p.m.

Saturday Game 3 - Loser Game 1 vs.

Loser Game 2, noon Game 4 - Winner Game 1 vs.

Winner Game 2, 3 p.m.

Game 5 - Winner Game 3 vs.

Loser Game 4, 6 p.m.

Sunday Game 6 - Winner Game 4 vs.

Winner Game 5, 1 p.m.

Game 7 - If necessary (Will be played 45 minutes after the completion of Game 6) TICKETS: An adult tournament pass for all three days is $20. An adult day pass is $8. Children under the age of 12 years old get in free with a paying adult. Children 12 and over will be charged as an adult.

momentum from week to week. We were always one thing off in a lot of games — whether it was a clutch hit or clutch play or a clutch pitch. We didn’t really put it all together until the tournament.”

As a No. 5 seed with nothing to lose, USCS’ other big key was a relaxed attitude, Perkins said.

“I think that was the biggest thing, honestly,” he said. “We came in very relaxed. We weren’t tense on the mound or at the plate.

We had fun. That was something we all wanted to do because we knew it could be the last college baseball game for a lot of us.

“We went out there and had fun. We had a lot of fun. Hopefully we’ll have a lot more fun this weekend.”

OBITUARIES | SPORTS

THE SUMTER ITEM

GWENDOLYN HOLLADAY MANNING — Gwendolyn Faye Clark Holladay, 61, wife of Lionel Marion “Buddy” Holladay Jr., died on Tuesday, May 13, 2014, at her residence.

Born on Aug. 4, 1952, in Manning, she was a daughter of the late Henry Richard and Eunice Claire Spigner Clark. She was a member of Union United Methodist HOLLADAY Church and the Ladies Circle.

She is survived by her husband of Manning; a son, Trey Holladay (Courtney) of Alcolu; two grandchildren, Tracie and Emily Holladay; a brother, Ricky Clark (Beth) of Florence; a sister, Jennie Lynn Welch (Thomas) of Manning; and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday at Union United Methodist Church with the Rev. Carl Ritter and the Rev. Joanne Lockard-Hawkins officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Chad Clark, Don Holladay, Ken Holladay, Aubrey Johnson, Morgan Strange and Todd Welch.

Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Stephens Funeral Home and other times at the residence, 7786 Greeleyville Highway, Manning.

Memorials may be made to Union United Methodist Church, c/o Charles Hester, P.O. Box 667, Manning, SC 29102.

Stephens Funeral Home & Crematory, 304 N. Church St., Manning, is in charge of arrangements, (803) 435-2179. www.stephensfuneralhome.org

ROBERT JACKSON Jr. HARTSVILLE — Robert Jackson Jr., 81, son of the late Robert Sr. and Albertha Illery Jackson, entered eternal rest on Sunday, May 11, 2014, at Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center in Hartsville.

He was born on April 26, 1933, in the Brogdon section of Clarendon JACKSON County.

Funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday at the Church in The Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith in Hartsville.

Announcement courtesy of Job’s Mortuary Inc., 312 S. Main St., Sumter.

FRENZELLA B. McFADDEN Frenzella “Frence” Bennett McFadden, 58, wife of William N. McFadden, died on Sunday, May 11, 2014, at her residence.

She was born on Aug. 24, 1955, in Gable, a daughter of the late Peter and Annie Irene Kennedy Bennett. She received her formal education in the public schools of Clarendon County School District 3. She furthered her education at Denmark Technical College and earned an associate’s degree in secretarial science.

She was a member of Melina Presbyterian Church, USA, Gable.

Survivors are her husband, William N. McFadden of the home; two stepchildren, Monica and William Dwight McFadden, both of Atlanta; four

sisters, Mary E. Rollings of Raiegh, North Carolina, Carolyn L. Bennett of Gable, Clara L. Bennett of Man- McFADDEN ning and Wilma B. Porterfield of Louisburg, North Carolina; three brothers, Joseph Bennett of Gable, Edward Bennett of Sumter and David Bennett of Hinesville, Georgia; nine sisters-in-law; and seven brothers-in-law.

Celebratory services for Mrs. McFadden will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday at Melina Presbyterian Church, USA, 3539 Black River Road, Gable, with the Rev. Samuel Sparks, pastor, the Rev. Dr. Ella F. Busby, presiding; the Rev. Kendra Heyward Bennett, eulogist; and the Rev. Mary Hagen and the Rev. Jerome McCray, assisting. Burial will follow in the churchyard cemetery.

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

The family will receive friends at the residence, 1080 Butterfly Lane, Gable.

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

BRUCE L. BRUNSON SUMMERVILLE — Bruce Legare Brunson, 63, of Summerville, loving husband of Valeria Hauptman Brunson, died on Saturday, May 10, 2014, at Summerville Medical Center.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Bethany United Methodist Church, Spell Chapel.

The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Living Christmas Story at Bethany UMC, 118 W. 3rd South St., Summerville, SC 29483, or the American Cancer Society, 269 Calhoun St., Charleston, SC 29401.

Bruce was born on Dec. 25, 1950, in Sumter. He served in the U.S. Army and was an avid gardener. He also enjoyed fishing with his friends.

He retired from Hardee’s as a manager and was currently working at Piggly Wiggly as a produce manager.

In addition to his wife, survivors include one son, Heath (Jenny) Brunson of Summerville; one daughter, Angie (Sutton) Phelps of Summerville; two brothers, Leonard Brunson of Sumter and Tommy Brunson of Lancaster; and four grandchildren, Kellen Phelps, Brooke Brunson and Tyler Steele, all of Summerville, and Whitley Steele of Cape May, New Jersey.

Bruce was predeceased by his father, Legare McCoy Brunson; and his mother, Harriet Elizabeth “Lib” Evans.

Arrangements by Parks Funeral Home, 130 West 1st North St., Summerville, SC 29483. www.parksfuneralhome. com

SHIRLEY ARCHER MONCKS CORNER — Shirley Faye Hopkins Archer, 71, of Moncks Corner, passed away on Monday, May 12, 2014, at her home, after a courageous battle with cancer.

COLLEGE ATHLETICS

NCAA puts 3 dozen teams on postseason ban notice INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Thirty-six Division I athletic teams will face postseason bans next fall because of subpar scores on the NCAA’s annual Academic Progress Rate.

Seventeen of those teams play either football or men’s basketball. Last year, 17 teams in all faced postseason bans because of poor academic results.

Teams that play in the five power conferences — the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12 and SEC — had a two-point overall increase over the previous year, 980 to 982.

Of the 17 football and men’s basketball teams facing the

harshest sanctions, eight are historically black colleges — including the only two schools to face postseason bans in both sports: Alabama State and Florida A&M. Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Idaho, Mississippi Valley State, Prairie View A&M, St. Francis (Penn.), Savannah State and UNLV will also be prohibited from postseason action in football.

Appalachian State, Central Arkansas, Houston Baptist, Lamar, San Jose State, Wisconsin-Milwaukee, along with Alabama State and Florida A&M will be kept out of the NCAA’s men’s basketball tournament, too.

She was the beloved wife of the Rev. William E. “Bill” Archer of Moncks Corner for more than 53 years.

Shirley was born on Aug. 3, 1942, in Abbeville, and grew up in Moncks Corner.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Albert Colie and Mabel Cann Hopkins.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by a son, William A. Archer of St. Stephen; and a daughter, Michelle (Huger) McClellan of McClellanville. Shirley also leaves behind her beloved granddaughters, Jessica, Ashleigh and Savannah McClellan; a treasured sister, Gwen (Paul) Bartleson of Moncks Corner; and many nieces and nephews.

Throughout Bill and Shirley’s ministry, she often served as WMU director and Sunday school teacher. She received numerous honors for her dedication and commitment to the music ministry, as she served as a pianist and organist for much of her life.

She also taught high school business classes. One of her most cherished moments was when she received the “Greatest Grandmother of the Year” Award in 2008 by the state of South Carolina.

Burial will be held at 10 a.m. today at McClellanville Baptist Church Cemetery on Society Road in McClellanville.

A service celebrating Shirley’s life will be held at 2 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church in Moncks Corner, where the family will receive friends beginning at 1 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to The Baptist Foundation of South Carolina, 190 Stoneridge Drive, Columbia, SC 29210 in memory of Shirley Archer for ministerial scholarships at Charleston Southern University.

The family would like to thank all the caregivers who helped Shirley during her time of need.

Arrangements are by Simplicity Lowcountry Cremation & Burial Services, North Charleston.

DENNIS J. ADAMS PINEWOOD — Dennis Joseph “Jake” Adams, 60, husband of Ruth Ann Stewart Adams, died on Tuesday, May 13, 2014, at Providence Hospital, Columbia.

He was born on July 27, 1953, in Rimini, a son of the late Louis and Victoria Spann Adams.

The family is receiving friends at the residence, 3878 Bomar Trail, Pinewood.

These services have been

THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2014 entrusted to Samuels Funeral Home of Manning.

MARGARET F. KEENAN Margaret F. Keenan, age 76, beloved wife of William V. Keenan, died on Wednesday, May 14, 2014, at Providence Hospital.

Arrangements are incomplete at this time and will be announced by Bullock Funeral Home of Sumter.

VERNON E. HAMPTON Vernon E. Hampton was born on May 8, 1914, in Pinewood, to the late Minister William and Irene DeLarge Hampton. He departed this life on May 10, 2014, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center.

At an early age, he accepted Christ in his life and joined Shiloh Presbyterian Church in Wedgefield. Later he went to live with his uncle and aunt, Abraham and Gertrude Delarge Harrison, in Orangeburg, where he attended grade school and received a formal education at what is now known as Claflin University. Vernon enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II and, upon completion of his tour of duty, he moved to Detroit, Michigan.

In Detroit, he was reunited with his childhood sweetheart, Millicent (who preceded him in death) whom he married on Feb. 18, 1950.

They enjoyed 53 years together.

Upon retirement, he and Millicent returned to South Carolina. Until his health began to fail, he was an active and faithful member of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church. On May 8, 2014, God blessed “Uncle” with the privilege of becoming a centenarian. He celebrated his 100th birthday at Tuomey Regional Medical Center with family and friends.

Although he and Millicent didn’t have children of their own, they were surrogate grandparents to LaTanya Clabon, Anthony Robinson, Neddra Copeland and Anissa Johnson.

He leaves to cherish his memory: a host of nieces, Gloria McKnight, Priscilla Cherry, Minister Evalena Barbara Flournoy, Glenda V. Jackson, Joyce Ragin and Yolanda McClan; nephews, Samuel Prince, Hugh Ragins Jr., Enoch Ragin, Samuel Higgins, Willis Ragins, Wen-

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dell Ragins and Vernon Ragins; and a host of grandnieces, great-grandnieces, grandnephews, great-grandnephews; a very special friend, Janie Washington; and many other relatives and friends.

Public viewing will be held from 2 to 7 p.m. today at Job’s Mortuary.

The body will be placed in the church at 10 a.m. on Friday for viewing until the hour of service.

Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, Sumter, with Father Paul Stricklin, celebrant, the Rev. Thomasina M. Portis, homilist. Interment will follow in St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church Cemetery in Pinewood.

The family is receiving friends at 2875 Southgate Drive, Sumter.

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

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

THERESA SANYI Theresa Sanyi, 89, wife of James J. Sanyi Sr., died on Wednesday, May 14, 2014, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center.

Born in Buck Mountain, Pennsylvania, she was a daughter of the late Walter and Annie Linchinsky.

Survivors include her husband; three children, Lorraine Chelbian (Slade) of Clayton, North Carolina, Darlene Moore (Richard) of McComb, Mississippi, and James J. Sanyi Jr. (Mary Ann) of Sparta, New Jersey; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a brother, Mark Linchinsky (Irene) of Fords, New Jersey.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Matthew Linchinsky.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Aldersgate United Methodist Church with Dr. Webb Belangia officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Memorial Park cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday at Elmore-CannonStephens Funeral Home and other times at the home.

Memorials may be made to Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 211 Alice Drive, Sumter, SC 29150.

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

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In Memory In Loving Memory Of Mrs. Vermell M. Temoney 4/11/21-5/15/13 Mama, It's been a year today you left us. If tears could build a staircase, we'd walk up to Heaven and bring you home. We love you but God loves you best!

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MERCHANDISE Farm Products Strawberries Richburg Farms HWY 261, Manning, SC 8am-6:30pm M-Sat (803)473-4844

Garage, Yard & Estate Sales HUGE MOVING SALE: 135 Planters Dr., (across from Speedway on Wedgefield Hwy).

Fri 5-8pm, Sat. 7am-1pm. Linens, kitchenware, craft & party supplies, furn, lawn tools, yard supplies, paint, clothes, Christmas decor, religious books, pre-school- 6th grade teaching materials (Retired teacher).

Large Garage Sale. 19 Robbins Ave. Sat. 7am - 1pm. Proceeds to benefit Mission trip.

Will buy furniture by piece or bulk, tools, trailers, lawn mowers, 4 wheelers, etc or almost anything of value Call 803-983-5364 Huge Garage Sale: 1120 Waterway Dr. Sat. 7AM-3PM. Numerous Items.

891 Manchester Rd. off Lewis Rd. Fri. 7am. Riding Lawn mower, 5x8 utility trailer. Too much to list.

THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2014

LARGE GARAGE SALE 1st & 3rd Weekend Tables $1 & Up FLEA MARKET BY SHAW AFB

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For Sale or Trade Auction May 17, 2014 9AM 822 S Guingard DR Heat & A/C Business Closed.

Lots of Heat/AC parts. Antiques, Coke Collectibles, Antique Sumter telephone, Go to auctionzip.com for details and photos.

Expert Tech, New & used heat pumps & A/C. Will install/repair, warranty; Compressor & labor $600. Call 803-968-9549 or 843-992-2364 Beautiful Red Golf Cart. $3,000 CASH. 803-774-2322 for appointment.

I buy used Utility and Car trailers.

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EMPLOYMENT Help Wanted Full-Time FT ASE Certified Mechanic wanted to fix cars quickly & multi-task. All makes and models, for. and dom. Quality work done quickly. Professional exp. and ASE Cert. req. Body exp. a plus. Work hours: 8a-7p M-F and 9a-6p Sat. Must have drvs. lic. and tools.

Imm. hire. $3,000 - $3,750/mo.

DOE. Call Peter at 803-454-6815.

FT/PT Front Desk Clerk. Some experience & computer knowledge helpful. Apply in person 9 3pm. Mon -Fri. at Mt. Vernon Inn, 2 Broad St. Sumter.

Air Conditioning Installer If you are an Experienced Install Technician and have a good driving record, we are looking for you. Please apply in person at: Boykin Air Conditioning Services, 845 S. Guignard Dr. Shirt/laundry presser needed.

Apply in person Polar Bear Cleaners 1087 B Alice Dr Sumter Vice President Human Resources Sumter, SC SAFE Federal Credit Union For details, please visit our website at: http:/www.safefed.org Lead Carpenter needed . Must have transportation and valid driver license. Call 803-460-4656 CDL driver needed to haul sod.

Home nights and weekends.

Good driving record required.

Serious Inquiries only please email countrygreenturf@yahoo.com

Help Wanted Part-Time $$$ AVON $$$ FREE TRAINING! 803-422-5555 Deliver Phone Books Work Your Own Hours, Have Insured Vehicle, Must be at Least 18 yrs old, Valid DL. No Experience Necessary.

1-800-518-1333 x 224 www.deliverthephonebook.com

Trucking Opportunities

Office Rentals

F/T & P/T Class-A CDL Drivers needed to work night shifts hauling live chickens and/or protein in Sumter, SC. Must have 2-yrs verifiable experience and good MVR. Local positions, drivers are home daily, and company offers benefits. Call Danny at 803-236-0682

1000 sqft office space for lease. 2 offices, conference room and reception area. 730-C Broad St., $650/mo. Call (803) 494-6204

Schools / Instructional For an Extraordinary Learning experience with integrity. Pathway Medical Training Services, 1150 Broad St. Suite 9, Sumter, 803-316-2656.

Work Wanted Need a Good Spring Cleaning?

7 years exp. Very Reliable & Great Ref. Call Brenda 803-468-2225

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

775-0575 Studio/1 Bedroom apartments available EHO SOUTH FORGE APTS. 1 & 2 BR Water, stove & frig furnished. Linda at 803-494-8443 1BR Apt, LR, kitchen w/ all appliances. Parking in fenced yard w/ screen porch. 540-209-2678

Unfurnished Homes

REAL ESTATE

Priced To sale 800 Grimble Ct 3BR 3BA 1700 sq ft Duplex in Tudor Place. $119,000 Call 938-2768 ABSOLUTE AUCTION 4 BR home on 3 acres in Shiloh 1130 Pudding Swamp Rd., Lynchburg, SC. www.jrdixonauctions.com for full details.

Rafe Dixon, SCAL 4059, (803) 774-6967

Manufactured Housing Looking for your DREAM HOME? 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.

For Sale By Owner, 10 Acres, 8 miles to Sumter. $55,000. Owner Financing 803-427-3888.

STATEBURG COURTYARD 2 & 3 BRs 803-494-4015 1Br/1Ba on private lot in Wedgefield. $375/mo + dep. Application Req. Call 494-2954 lv msg.

(Scenic Lake) 3BR 2BA 16x80.

No pets Call 803-499-1500. From 9am- 5pm 2BR 1BA 14x52 MH near town, all appliances, C/H/A Sec 8 Accepted 469-6978

Mobile Home Lot Rentals 130 Hoyt St. Sumter County close to downtown.

Call 864-349-1400.

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

Land & Lots for Sale Minutes Walmart/Shaw, 1 Ac $6,000. 16.2 ac $32,600. Water, Electric, Paved 800-774-5720

LEGAL NOTICES Summons & Notice SUMMONS

2005 Mitsubushi Galant, Gold.

Great interior. Runs & drives great. $3,800 OBO. Call 803-406-5571

(JURY TRIAL DEMANDED) IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS DOCKET NO.: 2013-CP-43-1526 STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF SUMTER MINNIE DICKS,

Absolute Real Estate Auction 28 Riley Street, Sumter 3 Bedroom, 3 Baths, Formal Living & Dining Rooms, Den, Sunroom, Basement, Deck, 2 car garage.

Preview Dates: May 6, 4-6 PM May 11, 3-5 PM May 13, 4-6 PM ABSOLUTE AUCTION May 15, 6 PM Details at: www.jrdixonauctions.com Rafe Dixon, SCAL 4059 (803) 774-6967

3Br home Burgess Ct. $495/mo & 2Br Apt Miller Rd. $395/mo.

774-8512 / 983-5691

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

RV parking avail. Call 494-8350

TRANSPORTATION

Homes for Sale

Farms & Acreage

Mobile Home Rentals

We will be happy to change your ad if an error is made; however we are not responsible for errors after the first run day. We shall not be liable for any loss or expense that results from the printing or omission of an advertisement.

We reserve the right to edit, refuse or cancel any ad at any time.

Autos For Sale

8 Highland 3BR 2.5BA 1900 sq ft. $850/mo + dep. Call William Anderson 803-775-0425

2BR 1BA C/H/A appliances, $500 mo. + $500 dep. Call 803 983-3337

CLASSIFIED DEADLINES

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

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

Plaintiff, -vsMELODY DURANT and JOHN DOE, Defendants.

TO: THE DEFENDANT(S) ABOVE NAMED:

A Guaranteed Credit Approval AUTO LOANS We will arrange financing even if you have been turned down before.

Loans available for no credit, bad credit, 1st Time Buyers & Bankruptcy buyers. No co-signers needed. Call Mr. Ashley Brown at 803-926-3235

SUMMER SALE 200 cars $4,500 or less $$$ CASH $$$ Price is Right Auto Sales 3210 Broad St 803-494-4275

Miscellaneous

YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED and required to answer the Complaint in this action of which a copy is herewith served upon you, and to serve a copy of your Answer to the said Complaint on the subscribers at their office, 1314 Lincoln Street, Columbia, South Carolina, within thirty (30) days after the service thereof, exclusive of the date of such service and ifyou fail to answer, appear, or defend, judgment by default will be rendered against you for the relief demanded in the Complaint.

NOTICE RE: Minnie Dicks vs. Melody Durant and John Doe

DOCKET NO.: 2013-CP-43-1526 TO: THE DEFENDANT ABOVE NAMED, YOU WILL PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the original Summons and Complaint in the above-entitled action was filed in the Common Pleas Court of the Third Judicial Circuit on the 23rd day of August 2013, the object and prayer of which is to obtain a monetary judgment against you and other relief as set forth in the Complaint.

BRETT A. OWENS Attorney for Plaintiff

ATTORNEYS LEE, EADON, ISGETT, POPWELL AND REARDON, P.A. Post Office Box 1505 Columbia, South Carolina 29202 (803) 799-9811

Public Hearing PUBLIC HEARING

Reconditioned batteries $35. Also have lawn mower, truck, 4 wheeler, & marine batteries, starters & alternators. Car dealers/garages ask about special prices.

Auto Electric Co. 803-773-4381

Lee County School District Board of Trustees Notice of: Public Budget Hearing for 2014-2015 School Year May 29, 2014 6:30 p.m.

District Administration Complex 310 Roland Street Bishopville, SC 29010

COMICS

THE SUMTER ITEM

BIZARRO

SOUP TO NUTZ

ANDY CAPP

GARFIELD

BEETLE BAILEY

BORN LOSER

BLONDIE

ZITS

MOTHER GOOSE

|

B7

DOG EAT DOUG

DILBERT

JEFF MACNELLY’S SHOE

Wife disapproves when man tries to break barrier DEAR ABBY — My wife and I speak English as our native language. I also speak other languages fluently, alDear Abby though my wife does ABIGAIL not.

VAN BUREN When we travel to a country where I speak the language, she insists I speak only English. She says everybody in the world now speaks English and accuses me of showing off when I converse with a local in his or her language. She says it makes her uncomfortable.

I realize many people in other countries speak some --

THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2014

or even a lot of -- English, but many do not. What do you think?

Speechless in Atlanta DEAR SPEECHLESS —Much as your wife might wish it, not everybody in the world speaks English. That you are able to speak to individuals in their native language is a tremendous asset when you travel. It makes for a warmer welcome and a fuller experience wherever you go, and I hope you will continue to use the skill you have worked to acquire.

However, to carry on long, involved conversations while your wife just stands there is rude, and if you find out that the person with whom you are talking also speaks English, you should make an effort to see that

THE DAILY CROSSWORD PUZZLE

she is included.

DEAR ABBY — My grandson will be getting married in Chicago. What’s the appropriate dress code regarding wearing pantyhose these days? It seems everyone you see in a dress is bare-legged. I want to be comfortable, but also appropriately dressed.

Best-dressed granny DEAR GRANDMA — It depends upon how formal the wedding will be and whether it will be held indoors or outside. If it’s outside and informal, and the weather is hot and humid, you could go bare-legged.

However, if it’s indoors and the attire is dressy -- and you want to maintain your reputation as “best-dressed granny” — hold up your “end” and wear pantyhose.

JUMBLE

SUDOKU

THAT SCRAMBLED WORD GAME

By David L. Hoyt and Jeff Knurek

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

ACROSS 1 Quiets 6 Fund-raising target 10 Combat group 14 Muslim deity 15 Tom Joad, e.g.

16 Gp. for leather loathers 17 Quench 18 Moderate, with “down” 19 Piece of land 20 Loser’s hoped-for path 23 __ standstill 24 __Kosh B’gosh 25 Comical routine 28 Significant dry spell?

31 Drift, as on the breeze 34 Himalayan legend 35 Take a turn in the box 36 Where surfers shop 38 A good one follows the starts of the four longest puzzle answers 39 “Affliction” actor 41 Ex-Saudi ruler __ Saud 42 Such-is link 44 Pro votes 45 Disruptive

occupation 50 Poem part 51 “Rumble in the Jungle” winner 52 Botanist Gray 55 Telecommuter, perhaps 59 “Lovely” girl of song 61 “Am __ late?”

62 Numbered hymn 63 Actor Estrada 64 Zero 65 Cocoon dweller 66 Watch part 67 Tour stops 68 Whitehorse’s territory DOWN 1 Brutus coconspirator 2 Deal out 3 South American carrier 4 Rake in 5 Cyndi Lauper hit 6 “Check” 7 “All right already” 8 English class no-no 9 Eyes rudely 10 Snobbish 11 “Ten Days in a MadHouse” journalist, 1887 12 Judge in 1995 news 13 Art in a par-

lor 21 Enzyme ending 22 Twain/Harte play 26 Slatted box 27 Middleton and Spade 28 Arch home: Abbr.

29 Japan’s second-oldest university 30 Diagnostic test for epilepsy, for short 31 Houdini’s family name 32 Boundary 33 Extraordinary 37 Tenor who portrayed Caruso 38 Ang Lee, e.g.: Abbr.

40 Healthy grain 43 Fixing, in a way 46 __ manifold: engine part 47 Chevy SUVs 48 “Strange Magic” gp.

49 Without complication 52 “... __ and stormy ...”

53 Series of shots 54 Marketing pro 56 Yours, to Yvette 57 Half a bar tool 58 Genesis brother 59 Flag thrower 60 Portfolio element

B8

THE ITEM

CLASSIFIEDS

THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2014