IN SPORTS: USCS baseball begins play in Eastern District tourney B1
For the love of oak Bourbon boom drives demand for this American hardwood A5 SERVING SOUTH CAROLINA SINCE OCTOBER 15, 1894
75 CENTS
FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2015
State abortion ban bill blocked COLUMBIA (AP) — One of the South Carolina Legislature’s most ardent abortion foes is, ironically, blocking passage of a bill he and other abortion opponents have sought for years and is ripping into his fellow anti-abortion activists. Sen. Lee Bright, R-Roebuck, on Thursday began filibustering a bill that would ban abortion past 19 weeks
because he opposes a compromise that would provide exceptions. In a strange twist, Bright exasperated fellow abortion foes both within the Senate and in the lobby — whom he criticized as conceding defeat — as they tried unsuccessfully several times to force him from the podium. Sen. Larry Grooms, R-Charleston, said the bill is likely dead for the year.
he was willing to let it pass if it also gave exceptions in cases of rape, incest and severe fetal anomalies in which the child likely wouldn’t live after birth without the help of machines. Hutto, D-Orangeburg, noted such anomalies are detected about the 20th week.
“The very senator who likes to proclaim himself as the most pro-life member of this body” has just ensured the bill’s defeat,” Grooms said. “After three years, we came close.” As approved by the House in February, the measure gave exceptions only to save the mother’s life or prevent her from severe injury. Sen. Brad Hutto, who’s blocked the bill for years, said
2 shot in home invasion
SEE ABORTION, PAGE A6
PINEWOOD LANDFILL
Consultant: Simple step may ease concerns
BY KONSTANTIN VENGEROWSKY konstantin@theitem.com Sumter County Sheriff’s Office is searching for two suspects involved in a shooting that has left one man in the hospital and another injured in an apparent home invasion. About 12:15 a.m. Thursday, deputies responded to a residence in the 100 block of Brentwood Drive and found two wounded men, later identified as being brothers, in the front yard, according to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office incident report. One of the victims — who was shot three times in the neck, chest and back — was transported to Palmetto Health Richland in Columbia. He was listed in critical but stable condition Thursday evening. The second victim was transported to Tuomey Regional Medical Center for treatment. During the preliminary investigation, law enforcement officers found signs of a struggle and the use of guns inside and outside the home. Shell casings from multiple weapons were recovered at the scene, according to Braden Bunch, spokesman for Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.
BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com
KEITH GEDAMKE / THE SUMTER ITEM
“Start simple.” That was a recommendation made by David Hagen, a hydrologist for Haley & Aldrich, a consulting firm hired by South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control to provide a third-party analysis of the Pinewood Site toxic waste landfill near Rimini in Sumter County. Concern about the safety of the site has been increasing among area residents since Kestrel Horizons, the company that maintained the site and acted as trustee, resigned in October 2014. Sitting only yards away from Lake Marion, the state’s largest reservoir, the potential for contamination of the lake has led to calls for the state to fix potential problems before a major leak occurs. Also of concern, particularly to state administrators, is the cost of maintaining the site, which DHEC Environmental Affairs Director Elizabeth Dieck said costs about $4.9 million a year, an amount which will quickly exhaust nonappropriated funds used to maintain the site, she said. “By my calculation, we are talking a half-billion dollars over 100 years,” said Sen. Danny Verdin, R-Laurens, who chaired the meeting.
A pair of emergency workers’ gloves lie in the driveway at 179 Brentwood Drive where SEE SHOOTING, PAGE A5 two men were found shot.
City, county to transfer Rembert Water System BY ADRIENNE SARVIS adrienne@theitem.com
NATIONAL POLICE WEEK
Meet Officer 1st Class Mikeal Jennings Officer First Class Mikeal Jennings of Sumter Police Department.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN LAW ENFORCEMENT: Year and a half.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WITH YOUR CURRENT AGENCY? Year and a half.
SEE WATER, PAGE A5
VISIT US ONLINE AT
the
WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO BECOME A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER?
In honor of National Police Week, The Sumter Item wants you to get to know law enforcement officers from the tri-county area.
NAME AND RANK:
The City of Sumter and Sumter County are nearing the end of negotiations with High Hills Rural Water Co. in Dalzell to transfer ownership of the Rembert Water System to the Dalzell company. The water system, which is jointly owned by the city and county, was acquired in the late ’90s, according to Al Harris, director of city public services. Harris said discussions for the transfer
.com
SEE PINEWOOD, PAGE A6
JENNINGS
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB? Meeting new people.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST CHALLENGING PART OF YOUR JOB? Having patience and the knowledge to make the right decisions during sometimes difficult situations.
DEATHS, B6 Alphonza Young David Hill Charlie E. Pollard John J. Scott Alberta L. Dingle Martha L. Cureton
It’s something I’ve always thought about doing. I like helping people.
Carol Sue Brown Flossie Mae Mack Way Geneva W. Hair Thomas Thames Andrew Ford Eddie Louie Carroway
WHAT IS THE MOST MISUNDERSTOOD PART OF YOUR JOB? That we don’t care about other people’s feelings, which is so not true. But we do it because we do care and want the best outcome for everyone involved.
TELL US ABOUT THE MOST MEMORABLE EVENT IN YOUR CAREER. The day I graduated from the S.C. Criminal Justice Academy on Dec. 20, 2013. The feeling of accomplishment and making it through the academy was a great feeling.
WEATHER, A10
INSIDE
THEY’RE BACK
2 SECTIONS, 20 PAGES VOL. 120, NO. 178
Clouds return today and continue into the evening. HIGH 83, LOW 60
Classifieds B7 Comics A8 Lotteries A10
Opinion A9 Science A4 Television A7