May 31, 2016

CLARENDON COUNTY: Get to know candidates running for District 64 seat A2

From bridge collapse to ISIS? Man who was 10 during ’07 incident linked to group A4 TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2016

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MILITARY TRIBUTE

RICK CARPENTER / THE SUMTER ITEM

U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., speaks directly to veterans and thanks them for their service during Monday’s 8th Annual Memorial Day Celebration and Fish Fry at South Sumter Park.

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MEMORIAL DAY

Ceremony honors our nation’s fallen heroes

Fish fry serves as salute to war dead U.S. senator serves as guest speaker for South Sumter event

BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com Though the rain may have kept a few from attending the 8th Annual Memorial Day Celebration and Fish Fry at South Sumter Park, the event still provided Sumterites a chance to honor veterans and remember America’s heroes.

“We can stand here today because of those more than a million Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice,” said U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., inside the South Sumter Gymnasium on Monday, where some of the festivities were moved during the rain.

“We don’t have to look at sports figures or entertainers for our heroes,” he said. “We can look to our men and women in uniform.”

The Lee Central High School Drum Line provided a rousing performance inside the gym, as a large group of veterans and community members looked on.

Sumter City Councilman Calvin Hastie, who organized the event, said he thought nearly 1,000 people were at the event.

“The rain kept it down a little bit from last year,” he said.

Soon after, however, the rain

SEE FISH FRY, PAGE A6

PHOTOS BY RICK CARPENTER / THE SUMTER ITEM

From left, veterans Harry Bishop, Buddy Suitt and Al Davis visit with each other after the Memorial Day ceremony at Mabry Memorial Park on Monday.

Attendees remember true meaning of holiday

BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com A steady drizzle only added to the somber tone as the Sumter County Veterans Association hosted a Memorial Day Ceremony at Mabry Memorial Park to honor Americans who have fallen in the nation’s wars.

Retired Col. Bush Hanson of the Sumter County Veterans Association opened the ceremony and welcomed the crowd.

“We gather to honor the thousands of men and women who have given their lives,” he said.

South Carolina National Guard Brig.

Gen. R. Van McCarty gave the keynote address and thanked those in attendance for remembering the true meaning of the holiday.

“We pause for a moment to thank those who made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure our freedom,” he said.

McCarty said that while many Americans think the holiday marks the beginning of summer or a reason to celebrate, the real meaning of the holiday should not be forgotten.

South Carolina National Guard Brig. Gen. R. Van McCarty tells the Memorial Day crowd that the people they are honoring served in much worse conditions than Monday’s light rain. Valerie Brunson, director of veteran affairs for Sumter County, holds an umbrella.

He noted that in a recent radio survey, only 28 percent of those who responded knew that Memorial Day is to

honor America’s war dead. The backyard barbecues, going to the beach and spending time with family is all part of celebrating our freedom, he said, but the sacrifice of the fallen heroes must not be forgotten.

“Their service and sacrifice is never over,” he said.

He urged those in attendance to remember that sacrifice more than once a year.

“On Veterans Day, the Fourth of July, remember those who gave their lives,” he said.

Before McCarty’s address, America’s prisoners of war and missing in action were honored with the playing of “Amazing Grace” as the POW/MIA flag was presented.

After his speech, representatives from Sumter Combat Veterans Group and the Marine Corps League placed a wreath at the monument bearing the names of Sumter residents who have died in military service.

As the steady rain continued, an honor guard fired a 21-gun salute, and a military bugler played “Taps” to remember

SEE MEMORIAL DAY, PAGE A6

BEACHGOERS BEWARE

Shark alert: New measures aim to protect for millions of beachgoers this summer.

On Cape Cod, Massachusetts, new warning flags and signs are cropping up at some CHATHAM, Mass. — From drones and smartphone apps to of the coastline’s most popular beaches, and a local shark reold-school flags and signs, a growing great white shark pop- search nonprofit is developing a shark-tracking app for the ulation along the East Coast entire Eastern Seaboard. has officials and researchers Researchers at Duke Univerturning to responses both highsity and the University of North and low-tech to ensure safety

BY PHILIP MARCELO AND BRUCE SMITH The Associated Press

VISIT US ONLINE AT

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Carolina, meanwhile, are testing shark-seeking drones in a scientific study that may one day give beach lifeguards a new eye in the sky.

“The days of burying our heads in the sand and saying, ‘What sharks? We don’t have

SEE SHARKS, PAGE A6

A replica of a great white shark head is seen at Atlantic White Shark Conservancy’s Chatham Shark Center in Chatham, Massachusetts.

Researchers are looking at responses ranging from high- to low-tech as they deal with a growing shark population.

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TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2016

THE SUMTER ITEM

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

3 run for House of Representatives District 64 seat Robert L. Ridgeway III

Mitch Ellerby

Alexander ‘Herc’ Conyers

BY KONSTANTIN VENGEROWSKY konstantin@theitem.com

BY KONSTANTIN VENGEROWSKY konstantin@theitem.com

BY KONSTANTIN VENGEROWSKY konstantin@theitem.com

MANNING — State Rep. Robert “Bobby” L. Ridgeway III, D-Manning, is running for his third term in the South Carolina House of Representatives District 64, a seat that is being challenged by two other candidates.

The seat encompasses Clarendon County and parts of Sumter County, specifically the communities of Mayesville, Mayewood, Shiloh and St. John.

Ridgeway will run against conRIDGEWAY stituents Mitch Ellerby, D-Manning, and U.S. Army retired Col. Alexander “Herc” Conyers, DManning.

A native of Manning, Ridgeway is a 1976 graduate of Clarendon Hall in Summerton. He started out his career as an emergency medical technician with Clarendon County Emergency Medical Services. After receiving a nursing degree from Florence-Darlington Technical College, he furthered his studies at Francis Marion University, receiving a bachelor’s in biology. Ridgeway worked as a registered nurse before attending medical school at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine in Columbia. He completed residency in obstetrics and gynecology in Savannah.

He came back to Manning in 1992 and went into private practice as a medical doctor. Besides serving as a state representative, Ridgeway works part-time for HopeHealth medical office in Manning. HopeHealth is comprised of nine community health centers throughout the Pee Dee region. He also is a full-time firefighter and medical director of Clarendon County Fire Department and medical control physician of Clarendon County EMS. Ridgeway was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2012 and won re-election in 2014.

One of the most important bills Ridgeway said he co-sponsored was the Domestic Violence Reform Act, intended to increase the penalties for repeat offenders and to better protect victims of domestic abuse.

Ridgeway said he was also glad to be a part of the Legislature that was responsible for the removal of the Confederate flag from statehouse grounds in Columbia in July 2015.

MANNING — Mitch Ellerby, D-Manning, is one of the three candidates running for the South Carolina House of Representatives District 64 seat. The seat encompasses Clarendon County and parts of Sumter County, specifically the communities of Mayesville, Mayewood, Shiloh and St. John.

Ellerby will run against incumbent Rep. Robert L. “Bobby” Ridgeway, D-Manning, and constituent ELLERBY Alexander “Herc” Conyers, D-Manning.

A native of the Wilson community in Clarendon County, Ellerby, 69, graduated from Manning Training School (now defunct) in 1964. He served in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1968, including a tour in Vietnam.

Ellerby holds a bachelor’s degree in social science from Benedict College in Columbia. He also completed real estate courses at Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi.

Ellerby served as a state legislator for eight years in the Mississippi House of Representatives from 1984 to 1992. He served on the following committees: ways and means, education, conservation and water resources, judiciary and public building grounds and lands.

While a representative, Ellerby served as a committee member on the Selective Service System Board. He was appointed as a commissioner to the Jackson Port Authority. He also served as a commissioner of the Tidelands and Wetlands, an appointed position.

Ellerby’s career has included a variety of different jobs. He started out as cameraman, audio and video technician with WIS-TV’s program Awareness.” He then served as a division manager with Sears Roebuck. He later moved to Jackson County, Mississippi, where he worked for International Longshoreman Co., Jackson County Head Start and as operator for Chevron Oil Refinery.

Following his retirement, Ellerby served as a consultant in the United States and Canada. He also has worked as a building inspector/code enforcer and a tour bus driver.

Although he has always called Clarendon County home, Ellerby officially moved back to the county in January.

MANNING — U.S. Army retired Col. Alexander “Herc” Conyers, D-Manning, is one of the three candidates running for the South Carolina House of Representatives District 64 seat.

The seat encompasses Clarendon County and parts of Sumter County, specifically the communities of Mayesville, Mayewood, Shiloh and St. John.

Conyers will run against incumbent Rep. Robert L. “Bobby” Ridgeway, D-Manning, and conCONYERS stituent Mitch Ellerby, D-Manning.

Conyers is a Manning native and a 1983 graduate of Manning High School.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from South Carolina State University, a master’s degree in criminal justice from the University of South Carolina and a master’s in public administration from Troy University. He also is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, a program of the FBI Academy for active U.S. law enforcement personnel and international law enforcement personnel who seek to enhance their credentials in their field.

In January, Conyers, a combat veteran, retired after a 32-year career in the military, most recently as the brigade commander of the 16th Military Police Brigade at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. According to Conyers, he led more than 3,600 soldiers and civilians conducting law enforcement, fire and emergency services across four military installations.

He has received numerous honors, including the Bronze Star, six Meritorious Service medals, two Army Achievement medals, two Humanitarian Service medals, the Military Police Regimental Association’s Order of the Marechaussee in Bronze and many other honors.

Conyers said he decided to run for office because he thinks his background will allow him to make a difference.

His platform consists of five major issues: jobs and education, health care, veterans’ issues, public safety and roads and bridges.

With his background in military law enforcement, he said he would advocate for better pay for police and public safety.

SEE RIDGEWAY, PAGE A3

SEE ELLERBY, PAGE A3

SEE CONYERS, PAGE A3

LOCAL BRIEF

Sumter Military Museum welcomes visitors

FROM STAFF REPORTS

Vietnam veteran and member of the Sumter Chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Dave Nesbitt, center, visits with Sammy Way, the curator of the Sumter Military Museum. Nesbitt was hit by shrapnel and had his left knee “blown apart” while serving the U.S. Army in Vietnam. Way is documenting the history of each member of the local Purple Heart organization for the museum. Dave’s wife, Rosemary, gets a chuckle from Way. The museum was open for several hours on Monday to give visiting veterans a chance to attend.

Bishopville man dies after motorcycle crash A 29-year-old Bishopville resident is dead after his motorcycle collided with a pickup truck on Whiting Way in Kershaw County at about 3:44 p.m. Friday, according to South Carolina Highway Patrol Lance Cpl. Matt Southern.

Southern said both vehicles were traveling south on Whiting Way when the motorcycle began to pass the truck as the truck made a left turn into a private driveway. The motorcycle struck the truck in the rear driver’s side door and burst into flames.

The two occupants of the pickup truck were uninjured, said Southern.

Kershaw County Coroner David West said the motorcyclist, Keon Boykin, 1136 Horse Pen Road, Bishopville, died at approximately 2:41 p.m. Saturday at Palmetto Health Richland, where he was airlifted after the wreck. West said the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the abdomen. The victim was burned over 80 percent of his body.

RICK CARPENTER / THE SUMTER ITEM

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THE SUMTER ITEM

TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2016

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Tomb of the Unknowns

ELLERBY FROM PAGE A2 “I want to bring my legislative and professional experience back to my home,” he said.

Ellerby’s agenda is full of various issues, such as: agriculture, aquaculture and forestry, education and technology programs, tourism and economic development, senior citizen and youth programs, public safety and fire protection, medical health services, parks and recreation and veterans’ programs.

Ellerby said he thinks aquaculture can become a leading industry for farmers in the area. Aquaculture, also known as aquafarming, is the farming of aquatic organisms such as fish, crustaceans, molluscs and aquatic plants.

It involves cultivating freshwater populations under controlled conditions.

In the areas of tourism and economic development, Ellerby said he thinks the county has a lot to offer.

“We’re sitting on a diamond in the rough here,” he said.

He said he would like to promote the lake area more, as well as build nature trails for cycling and walking.

In medical health services, Ellerby said he would like to see first-class health care offered to everyone.

“We have to find a way to attract more doctors and nurses,” he said.

He said as a veteran, he is concerned about the services offered and would like to be able to find a way to expand them for veterans.

Ellerby said he thinks that education starts at the home.

“If we could help our parents get acclimated to what is being taught in the schools, it would help encourage the children,” he said. “Parenting is so important. Behavioral problems at home could translate to the classroom, and that could become a real issue for teachers.”

Ellerby said there needs to more funding for education, and it needs to be a priority, not just for kindergarten through grade 12, but also higher education.

“If you don’t invest in kindergarten through 12th grade, you won’t have anything to invest in colleges; it’s all about early intervention,” he said. “Teach the young children first; give them the basics.”

Democratic and Republican primaries in South Carolina will be held on June 14. A runoff, if necessary, will be held on June 28.

President Obama with Army Maj. Gen. Bradley A. Becker, right, bow their heads during the wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns on Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

CONYERS FROM PAGE A2 Education and jobs go hand in hand, Conyers said.

“I realized in my own life that education is an equalizer, especially for young people,” he said.

Conyers said the lack of jobs in the county, ultimately drives everything else.

Conyers also has a background in the field of corrections. He served as battalion commander at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, chief of military corrections at the Pentagon and in Afghanistan as deputy director of detainee operations.

Conyers said he would like to create programs that would assist people with prior criminal records to qualify for jobs and be hired by employers. He said he would like to make it easier for them to have their records expunged, depending on the crime, so they could get a job and also to have their voting

rights restored.

As a veteran himself, Conyers said he is fully committed to fighting for veterans rights.

“There are too many veterans who see the application process for benefits as too cumbersome, especially our elderly veterans,” he said. “I want to make it easier for them to get the benefits they’ve earned.”

Conyers said there needs be the same opportunities offered for residents in Manning, Summerton and Turbeville.

“Every town is important,” he said.

“We need to stop being satisfied with being good and reach to become great.”

Conyers also said there needs to be a better way of promoting the county and attracting more industry and business.

“We need to find businesses that will commit themselves to Clarendon County,” he said. “We need to know why when an industry chooses not to come here, and instead, go somewhere else, what made them change their mind?”

RIDGEWAY FROM PAGE A2 Ridgeway has served on several committees, including the legislative oversight committee. The committee, he said, is responsible for reviewing all state agencies and their spending on a seven-year cycle. He also serves on the medical, military, public and municipal affairs committees.

Some of the issues Ridgeway addressed in an interview with The Sumter Item, included: education, jobs and health care.

Ridgeway said he would work toward increasing funding for public education.

“Education funding is not where it should be,” he said.

“I truly believe that a good education system would de-

crease the unemployment rate.”

He said there needs to be more of a goal of aiming students at industrial-type jobs.

“Technical college will be the way of the future for local jobs,” Ridgeway said.

“When we look at local job availability, most require technical degrees.”

He said he has supported Central Carolina Technical College in its effort to create a work-ready workforce. The college opened a new facility last year that includes more than 100,000 square feet of indoor space for industrial training programs.

Health care is another issue that’s important, he said. Ridgeway has supported expanding Medicaid, a so-

In education, Conyers said he is concerned with the discrepancy of the way different areas of the county are taxed.

“We need to make sure our three different school systems are as equitable as possible, and there are the same opportunities offered for students in the three school districts,” he said.

Conyers said the toughest part of his campaign will be living in Clarendon County without his family, temporarily, as his wife, Agatha Youmans, and two children will continue living in Columbia until the end of the school year.

Conyers, who moved back to Manning in March, said he did not want to force his children to switch schools mid-year.

“They will join me after the end of the current school year,” he said.

Democratic and Republican primaries in South Carolina will be held on June 14. A runoff, if necessary, will be held on June 28.

The Sumter Item will have stories on other candidates in future editions.

cial health care program for families and individuals with low income and limited resources. He said local health care in a rural community is critical for residents.

Clarendon Health System recently signed a management services agreement with McLeod Health in Florence. Ridgeway said he thinks that is a good move for the health system.

“I wish the hospital didn’t have to go in that direction, but I believe that is the right move,” he said.

Ridgeway also stressed the importance of the proximity of Interstate 95 to Clarendon County. He said the county has more miles of I-95 than any other county in the state.

“We really need to capitalize on that opportunity,” he

said. “We could really bring in more money into the county by having more travelers stop at our exits.”

In January, Ridgeway introduced a bill for a toll on I-95 near the Lake Marion bridge, that connects Clarendon and Orangeburg counties. The proposed bill states that the revenue collected from the toll would be used initially for the replacement of the northbound and southbound bridges that cross the Santee River. Once that project is completed, all future revenues collected from the toll would be used for maintenance, upgrade and expansion of I-95 and interchanges.

Democratic and Republican primaries will be held in South Carolina on June 14.

A runoff, if necessary, will be held on June 28.

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STATE | NATION

TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2016

THE SUMTER ITEM

Bridge collapse survivor linked to ISIS in Syria Man was 10 in 2007 incident that killed 13 group. Testimony has suggested that at least some of the men in the group knew Roble had money and asked him to fund their own trips. One man thought Roble had gone to Syria with thousands of dollars and used it to pay for cars and weddings for fighters.

The bridge collapse was not mentioned during the trial. The Associated Press made the connection using state court records to trace the bridge collapse victim to a Minneapolis high school, then matched the victim’s yearbook picture to a photo the government has provided of the young man thought to be in Syria. A handful of people who knew the family also confirmed the match.

Working phone numbers and current addresses for Roble’s family members were not available, and they could not be reached for comment.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office declined to comment beyond what was said in court.

According to evidence presented in federal court last week, Roble flew to Istanbul in October 2014 as part of an itinerary that included a trip to China.

He was due to return to the U.S. in June 2015 but never did, FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force Officer Joel Pajak testified.

“We received information that Mr. Roble ended up in Syria with his uncle, Abdi Nur,” Pajak testified.

Nur is among 10 men charged in the case; six others have pleaded guilty, and a trial continues in Minneapolis for the other three.

Prosecutors say the men were part of a group of friends who recruited and inspired each other to join the Is-

BY AMY FORLITI The Associated Press MINNEAPOLIS — Mohamed Roble was weeks shy of his 11th birthday when the school bus he was on plummeted more than 30 feet as the bridge beneath gave way.

Now, according to court testimony in a federal terrorism trial, Roble — one of the 145 people injured in the Minneapolis bridge collapse that killed 13 people — is thought to be in Syria with the Islamic State group.

Roble and four of his siblings were on the bus ROBLE that was carrying 52 students and several adults when the Interstate 35W span collapsed on Aug. 1, 2007, sending shockwaves nationwide about the safety of the country’s infrastructure. All of the occupants of their bus survived.

His injuries included headaches; arm, neck and back pain; nightmares; and post-traumatic stress disorder, records show. One letter from a therapist said Roble “seems the most traumatized of all the siblings” and “he worked on his spiritual belief that ‘God had saved him for a purpose.’”

For his injuries, a 2009 state court order says, Roble was due to receive a lump sum payment of $65,431.22 on his 18th birthday — roughly a month and a half before federal prosecutors say he left the U.S. for Istanbul, Turkey.

Roble’s name surfaced in federal court last week during the trial of three Minnesota men accused of conspiring to travel to Syria to join the IS

AP FILE PHOTO

Workers remove a school bus from the Interstate 35W bridge collapse site in Minneapolis on Aug. 12, 2007. The school bus was carrying 52 children from a visit to a water park when it dropped with the bridge during the collapse. All the children survived the fall.

According to court testimony in a federal terrorism trial, Mohamed Roble, who was one of the passengers on the bus, is now thought to be in Syria with the Islamic State group. lamic State group. Roble has not been charged, but prosecutors included his picture in a court exhibit that contains the photos of 16 men who authorities say joined or conspired to join militant groups in Syria and Somalia.

The FBI has said that roughly a dozen young men have left Minnesota to join militant groups in Syria in recent years.

Little has been revealed about Roble, but testimony suggests at least some of the men knew he had money. One witness, FBI informant Abdirahman

Bashir, testified that in the fall of 2014 some group members asked Roble if he could finance their own trips.

“We all knew that he had money, and we were asking him if he could give us some money for travel, and he said yes,” Bashir testified. Under questioning from Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Winter, Bashir added that Roble “had a lot of money from an accident before and got a settlement.”

“Some kind of insurance settlement?” Winter asked.

“Yes,” Bashir said.

Child’s life remembered in song, prayer, laughter and tears HILTON HEAD ISLAND — Alex Arrieta lived to be 10 years old.

He was not given enough time to finish elementary school.

Or to learn how to drive.

Or to find out why people care about prom or college or weddings.

But in his short years, he had amassed a fortune of friends more vast than that of people three or four or even seven times his age.

They were the classmates he made laugh when they shouldn’t be making any noise at all, adults who marveled at his mood-lifting, eartouching smiles and strangers who continued to answer his call even after his death on April 27 from complications related to acute myeloid leukemia, a disease he had beaten twice in 14 months.

They were so numerous they simply could not fit under the large pavilion at Honey Horn, where the Hilton Head Island Elementary School for the Creative Arts fifth-grader was remembered with prayer, song, tears and laughter.

“You’re going to have an amazing experience this afternoon,” the Rev. Stuart Boehmig said at the start of the memorial service.

It was a bold statement to make to the mourning.

Nothing about a child’s memorial could ever be defined as amazing.

This, in fact, was not supposed to be happening at all.

Alex was not supposed to have died.

We were not supposed to be here.

Doing this.

But the crowd — most wearing orange, the color of leukemia awareness, Alex’s color — brought a spirit of joy with them, relief felt in between the shoulder-shaking tears and the realization that the happy little boy in the slideshow photos and in the pictures taped to the pillars of the pavilion was

no longer here.

Just before the opening prayer, Alex’s friend Tristan Horup spotted himself in a photo and couldn’t help but tell everyone around him.

“That was when I won the jackpot in the arcade,” he whispered loudly to me.

In the picture, Tristan holds an armful of tickets, so many they’re spilling over in all directions. Alex stands beside him, his mouth and eyes open wide in celebration.

That moment was probably among the best days of their lives thus far.

“I told you you’d laugh,” Boehmig said when the audience reacted to an Arrieta Christmas photo, the kids dressed in holiday wear, the family dog beside them dressed glumly as a reindeer.

Kris Field, who introduced

himself as Alex’s unofficial uncle, remembered Alex as “the sweetest baby anyone could ever have.”

He choked through his words.

“Alex showed us how to do (life) every day.”

Alex’s former drum group, BOOM, assembled behind tall drums, some almost as big as the boys playing them.

They pounded out a beat, unsteady at times but as solemn as a Maori Haka dance.

Perfect for the boy who has been described as a champion, a warrior.

Even Mr. T agreed.

“Keep fighting. Keep fighting. Don’t give up,” he said in a tribute video to Alex.

“How many of you thought you’d be hearing from Mr. T this afternoon?” Boehmig said to laughter.

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Mr. T wasn’t the only celebrity virtually present.

Frankie Sullivan of Survivor, the band behind Alex’s fight song, “Eye of the Tiger,” also spoke in a video.

“You probably have more of the eye of the tiger in you than anyone in my entire life,” he said.

Alex’s friends, gathered together under a speaker they kept accidentally unplugging with their wayward, restless limbs, were unimpressed.

“Who is this?” one asked the others.

“American Idol” contestant and Bluffton native Lee Jean Jr. played “Cat’s in the Cradle,” a song he had learned that afternoon.

He did not know Alex.

But “he would have been my friend if he was three years older,” the singer said.

Jean also did not know all the words to the classic song Alex would sing to his father.

The audience helped Jean fill in the blanks.

It could not have been easy. But Jean knows loss.

His own brother had died, and Jean wanted to do this for Alex.

Alex’s family sat up front, his parents clutching each other and Alex’s most faithful friend of all, Lamby, the stuffed animal that had been by his side from the time he was an infant to his final moments 10 years later.

At the end they released butterflies.

“No more suffering. No more pain. No more needles,” Boehmig said in his closing prayer.

“Free as a bird.

“Free as a butterfly.”

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Simon Cowell joins ‘Americas Got Talent’ From left, Howie Mandel, Mel B, Heidi Klum and Simon Cowell sit on the panel of “America’s Got Talent.” Cowell replaces Howard Stern on this year’s show.

BY KEVIN MCDONOUGH NBC has doubled down on variety. The popular old-fashioned TV genre fizzled after beloved series hosted by Sonny and Cher and Carol Burnett left the air. Ironically, it was NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” that made these series seem a tad outdated when it burst upon the scene in 1975.

Variety has returned in the form of the talent show, most notably with “American Idol,” which just ended its long run. But it lives on in the form of “The Voice,” “So You Think You Can Dance” and, of course, “America’s Got Talent” (8 p.m., NBC, TV-PG), a popular summer distraction for NBC since 2006.

“Idol” fixture Simon Cowell joins the show as a “new” judge, but he’s hardly new to viewers, or even the series.

He was a founder of the “Got Talent” format, which appears in countries all over the world. He was among the judges when Susan Boyle appeared on “Britain’s Got Talent” way back in 2009.

Cowell joins “Talent” regulars Nick Cannon, Mel B, Heidi Klum and Howie Mandel, and replaces Howard Stern, who was always a rather odd fit on this familyfriendly series.

Lorne Michaels will serve as a producer of “Maya and Marty” (10 p.m., NBC, TV-14), a new old-fashioned variety series featuring two “SNL” vets, Maya Rudolph and Martin Short.

While viewers have flocked to watch aspiring talents on “The Voice” and other variety reboots, ratings have been fairly spotty for post-modern send-ups of the somewhat antiquated show-business format.

Many of Short’s most memorable bits involve ironydrenched takes on what used to be called the glamour profession. Over the years, on “SNL” and earlier on “SCTV” he’s played Jackie Rogers Jr., the delusional, homely and untalented son of a song-anddance legend, as well as Irving Cohen, a superannuated Tin Pan Alley songwriter always calling for a “bouncy C” from the piano player. More

TRAE PATTON / NBC

recently, he donned a fat suit to send up fawning celebrity culture with Jiminy Glick, an obtuse star-struck interviewer with an infamous inability to listen.

As for his co-host, this isn’t the first time the “Bridesmaids” star has ventured into this territory. “The Maya Rudolph Show” aired briefly in 2014.

It should be noted that NBC began this TV season with Neil Patrick Harris and his frenetic variety series, “Best Time Ever.” Few tuned in and it was canceled in December.

The show-within-a-show format of the rebooted “Muppets” also failed to catch fire for ABC. With “Maya and Marty,” NBC declares that the show must go on.

The third season of the BBC period drama “Peaky Blinders” begins streaming on Netflix today.

TV-themed DVDs available today include the miniseries “The Last Panthers,” recently seen on Sundance.

•Reese’s number comes up by mistake on “Person of Interest” (10 p.m., CBS, TV-14).

CULT CHOICE Cameras follow Elvis Presley preparing for his Las Vegas debut in the documentary “Elvis: That’s the Way It Is” (1:45 p.m., TCM). Released in 1970, recut and reissued in 2001, the film captures the King as he pivots from his career as a movie star to return to live performance. His backup vocalists include the Sweet Inspirations, featuring Cissy Houston, the mother of Whitney Houston.

clashes with the National Guard on “Containment” (9 p.m., CW, TV-14) ... On two helpings of “Fresh Off the Boat” (ABC, r, TV-PG), housebound (10 p.m.), a failure to

assimilate (10:30 p.m.).

LATE NIGHT Rose Byrne is booked on “The Daily Show With Trevor Noah” (11 p.m., Comedy Central, r) ... Rob Lowe, Gina Rodriguez and Leonard Ouzts appear on “Conan” (11 p.m., TBS, r) ... Expect Paul F. Tompkins on “The Nightly Show With Larry Wilmore” (11:30 p.m., Comedy Central, r) ...

Bill O’Reilly, Morris Chestnut and Deerhunter are booked on “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” (11:35 p.m., CBS, r) ... Ryan Reynolds, Katie Lowes, Wynonna and the Big Noise and Jaleel Bunton visit “Late Night With Seth Meyers” (12:35 a.m., NBC, r) ... Kunal Nayyar, Rob Corddry, Mireille Enos and Atlas Genius appear on “The Late Late Show With James Corden” (12:35 a.m., CBS, r).

Copyright 2016 United Feature Syndicate

• DRAINAGE WORK • FRENCH DRAINS •SURFACE DRAINS

SERIES NOTES The DEA needs TLC ASAP on “NCIS” (8 p.m., CBS, r, TVPG) ... Trouble in an Alpinethemed inn on “Hotel Hell” (8 p.m., Fox, TV-14) ... Barry defends the city on “The Flash” (8 p.m., CW, r, TV-PG) ... Retrieving a stolen missile on “NCIS: New Orleans” (9 p.m., CBS, r, TV-14) ... Half-dressed halfwits cavort on “Coupled” (9 p.m., Fox, TV-14) ... Lex

TONIGHT’S OTHER HIGHLIGHTS • Brainiacs tangle on “500 Questions” (8 p.m., ABC, TVPG).

• “Secrets of the Dead” (9 p.m., PBS, r, TV-14) recalls the lost Jamestown colony.

• Kunta’s penchant for escape catches up to him on “Roots” (9 p.m., History, A&E, Lifetime, LMN, TV-14), night two of four.

EVERY DAY

Smoak Irrigation Company ompany 803-773-3400

JOEY SMOAK

MICHAEL ROWELL

Serving Sumter and Surrounding Communities Since 1986

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LOCAL | NATION

TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2016

THE SUMTER ITEM

SHARKS FROM PAGE A1

PHOTOS BY RICK CARPENTER / THE SUMTER ITEM

Sumter County Councilman Jim McCain, left, casts some fish to Willie Abraham during Monday’s annual fish fry in South Sumter.

FISH FRY FROM PAGE A1 stopped, and attendees could wander outside to enjoy the music, mingle with their neighbors and dine on the crispy fried fish sandwiches without the threat of getting soaked.

Outside, people lined up for the fried fish, as children scrambled about playing basketball and visiting the bounce house.

Political candidates for everything from county coroner to U.S. senator were on hand asking for votes.

That they have to ask should be a reminder of what so many laid down their lives for.

And that’s why many said it was worth celebrating.

U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., left, listens to a point Randolph Black, a Vietnam veteran, makes about the Veterans Administration during the 8th Annual Memorial Day Celebration and Fish Fry at South Sumter Park.

sharks here’ are over,” said Gregory Skomal, a Massachusetts state biologist who has been studying Cape Cod’s surging white shark population. “It’s time to move past that and be forthright and honest with the public about the presence of these animals.”

The new measures are the latest acknowledgements of the reality taking hold on Massachusetts’ famous coastline, where Skomal’s team identified 141 different great whites last year, up from about 80 the previous year.

The region, like others along the East Coast, has dozens of other species of sharks including blue and mako sharks, but many tend to stay farther offshore and be less aggressive than great whites, Skomal said.

The great whites are being drawn to Cape Cod’s waters because seals, their favorite food, have dramatically rebounded there, thanks to a 1972 law that made it illegal to kill them.

Researchers, beach managers and public safety officials have been convening in recent years as an unofficial “shark working group” to come up with ways to educate the public. Among the ideas they developed for this summer were the warning flags, which are purple and emblazoned with the unmistakable silhouette of a great white.

The flags were set to start flying at some town beaches this past weekend and appear on beaches administered by the National Park Service starting June 16, when those beaches are staffed with lifeguards.

Towns are also posting dramatic billboards at beach entries. Many bear a large great white image and advise visitors against swimming near seals.

“It’s certainly not to sensa-

A veteran salutes as Robert Bradham sings the national anthem after the Crestwood High School AFJROTC presented the colors during the Memorial Day event organized by the Sumter County Veterans Association.

MEMORIAL DAY FROM PAGE A1 those who gave their lives in service to the country.

Vietnam veteran Ed Hutchins said such ceremonies are important.

“It’s really something that is necessary for the country,” he said. “We also need to remember the people who are over there fighting.”

U.S. Army Sgt. David Roupe, a 12-year veteran with service in the Middle East, said he appreciated the ceremony.

“A lot of people think it’s not worth it, but we can stand here today because they rendered the ultimate sacrifice,” he said.

IT TAKES efficiency that keeps you cool and saves you money.

tionalize the situation. You just really need to jam it down their throats,” said Nathan Sears, natural resources manager for the Cape Cod town of Orleans. “Whatever you can give them — pamphlets, signs, flags.”

By July, when Cape Cod’s waters warm and great whites begin to appear in earnest, those measures will get high-tech reinforcement.

A smartphone app being launched by the Chathambased Atlantic Great White Conservancy will let beachgoers from Canada to Florida monitor the movements of tagged great whites and report their own possible shark sightings.

That comes as North Carolina researchers study whether drones can effectively track sharks on the East Coast, as communities in California and Australia already do.

They’ve been testing the technology on decoys so far, but they expect to begin tracking real sharks in the coming week.

The challenge is that the waters off the East Coast are murky. Mounting infrared cameras on the drones may be a solution, the researchers said.

“We are trying to find out at what range and what depths and under what conditions we are going to be able to use this technology,” said Dave Johnston, at Duke’s Marine Lab in Beaufort, North Carolina.

“There will be conditions where it’s just not going to work.”

While the new measures provide a degree of security, researchers stress there’s little chance beachgoers will become shark bait anyway.

Worldwide, there were only 98 unprovoked shark attacks in 2015, resulting in six deaths.

Of those, 59 were in the United States, including 30 in Florida and 16 in the Carolinas, according to the International Shark Attack File maintained at the Florida Museum of Natural History.

RICK CARPENTER / THE SUMTER ITEM

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THE SUMTER ITEM

TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2016

N.G. Osteen 1843-1936 The Watchman and Southron

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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 Rick Carpenter Managing editor

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

COMMENTARY

Honoring military service, support

BY SENIOR AIRMAN ZADE VADNAIS 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

S

HAW AIR FORCE BASE — For many, Memorial Day is viewed as the official beginning of summer. School is out, the pool is open and there is a long weekend to enjoy.

Memorial Day is observed each year on the last Monday of May. On this day, military members and civilians alike honor those who gave their lives serving our nation and affirm their commitment to support those they left behind.

Sumter is not nicknamed “the City of Uncommon Patriotism” for nothing. Named after Thomas Sumter, a brigadier general in the South Carolina militia during the American War of Independence, the city boasts a large number of retirees and unwavering support for Shaw Air Force Base and the U.S. military as a whole.

Personally, I count myself as lucky to live in this supportive community at such a politically charged time. As the 2017 presidential election nears, I feel every aspect of the government and its employees are watched more closely and criticized more harshly than usual. I have friends stationed at military bases all over the world, and not all of them are afforded the luxury of being part of a community with such a large number of pro-military citizens.

This Memorial Day as you eat your hamburger or enjoy a cold beverage by the pool, I challenge you to remember that not everyone who served or is currently serving our great nation has the support

you have as a member of Team Shaw and the Sumter community.

I challenge you to remember those who are currently stationed in areas of the world where they are not only unable to be with family and friends, but are treated with disdain by members of surrounding communities who do not support the U.S. and its objectives.

I challenge you to remember those who served in conflicts with little to no public support, such as the Vietnam War, and the dedication and character it took for them to continue fighting for the freedoms of a nation that did not appreciate their efforts.

I challenge you to remember the hundreds of thousands of white headstones that occupy the rolling green hills of Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia.

I challenge you to remember that each and every one of the approximately 1.2 million U.S. service members who have lost their lives in combat since the Revolutionary War left behind husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, sons, daughters and friends.

I challenge you to let your brothers and sisters in arms know how proud their service makes you.

Most importantly, I challenge you to hold your head a little higher, not just on Memorial Day, but every day of the year, knowing that whether you are an active duty service member, a Reservist, a Guardsman, a retiree, a military spouse, a military parent or a military supporter, you are part of something worth remembering.

You are what makes our nation great, and I owe everything I have to you.

KEITH GEDAMKE / THE SUMTER ITEM

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds perform aerial stunts for the crowd attending Shaw Air Expo “Thunder Over the Midlands” on May 21. Memorial Day serves to remind us that not everyone who served or is currently serving our great nation has the support you have as a member of Team Shaw and/or the Sumter community.

COMMENTARY

Remembering not to forget

BY CHARLES C. W. COOKE From National Review

that I had so nonchalantly taken for granted was the product of hard choices that had been made before I was born. Rarely in human history has the venerable question, few miles outside my hometown of Cambridge, England, there is a “If not us, who?” been answered as emphatically as it was between 1939 and 1945. well-manicured field on the far outskirts of a handsome little vil- Rarely, too, were the consequences of that answer so colossal. It does not take an lage named Madingley. In that field there imagination as fertile as Philip K. Dick’s to sit a few thousand crosses, and, beneath conceive what the world might look like them, the remains of a few thousand without the work of the Abbots, the AberAmerican men.

I write “remains” reflexively — evident- nathys, the Aguirres, the Airoldis, and all of their unblenching compatriots. That ly, we English speakers have decided to such conceptions are today limited to the use this euphemism to indicate that time realm of science fiction is the ultimate teshas passed and that it has taken the flesh tament to those men. with it — but in this case it is an especialIt is easy to forget the dead, and temptly apposite word, for many of those buried at Madingley were incomplete long before ing, too, to caricature those whom posterity has lazily deemed “heroes.” But if civilizathey were interred. Among other things, tion is indeed a compact between the future this is a graveyard for the men who did and the past, such enticements must alnot come back intact. At the Casablanca Conference of 1943, Winston Churchill and ways be resisted. When done right, MemoFranklin Roosevelt came to an agreement: rial Day serves as an opportunity to lift the mask and unveil the price tag, thereby acThe Royal Air Force would take care of knowledging the unpleasant truth that the nighttime sorties over Germany and peace and ordered liberty are not humanibeyond; the Americans would fly when it ty’s natural mode but the legacy of vigiwas light. In retrospect, this was a good lance and heartbreak. At Lexington, at Getdeal for the Brits. So ugly were the daytysburg, at Saint-Mihiel, and at Aachen, time fights that it was not uncommon for deceased rear-gunners to be “hosed” rath- the men who took up arms and charged er than pulled out of their positions when forward into the fray issued forth a collective, timeless “no.” Here, they insisted, — nay, if — their aircraft returned. In adwere the lines that would not be crossed; dition to the buried, there are memorials these were the iniquities that would not be for the 5,125 airmen whose bodies were tolerated; theirs were the torches that never found.

One sees all sorts of names at Madingley would not be extinguished without a fight.

— there are Abbots, Abernathys, Aguirres, If we are to avoid a repeat of the mistakes and Airoldis; Bakers, Buchanans, Baczeks, that forced them into their defensive pose, they must never leave our thoughts for too and Backhauses; Caputos, Carlsons, Callalong. hans, and Cafferatas — and one cannot When, on Dec. 7, 1943, the University of help but consider how improbable it is that they all ended up here, in some corner of a Cambridge donated the land at Madingley, foreign field. These were boys from all over its intentions were distressingly prosaic.

Casualties sustained during flights from the United States — from New York, California, Wyoming, and Colorado — the sons nearby airfields were growing rapidly in number, and the local authorities had no of parents who, at various points in time, idea what to do with the remains. 73 years had come to America from all over the later, the terrain has become hallowed. At world. What is it that had compelled them the far end of the graveyards, there is a to travel to this faraway place, thousands small chapel, its door always open. “They of miles from home, to face fear, injury, knew not the hour, the day, nor the manner and death? What is it that makes any man lay his life down for others in an alien time of their passing,” an inscription reads, but “when far from home they were called to zone?

I hail from a family of military veterans, join that heroic band of airmen who had gone before.” Thank goodness they anbut I am not one myself, and in conseswered that call. All shame on us should quence I shall not attempt to answer this question. What I will do, though, is express we ever forget it. my gratitude for those who have. As a child Charles C. W. Cooke is a staff writer at NaI was taken to Madingley often by my father, the better to impress upon me that all tional Review.

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WHO REPRESENTS YOU SUMTER COUNTY COUNCIL DISTRICT 1 Naomi D. Sanders 5605 Borden Road Rembert, SC 29128 (803) 499-3947 (home) DISTRICT 2 Artie Baker 3680 Bakersfield Lane Dalzell, SC 29040 803-469-3638 (home) DISTRICT 3 James Byrd Jr. 13 E. Canal St. Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 468-1719 (mobile) (803) 778-0796 (office) (803) 436-2108 (Fax) jbyrd@sumtercountysc.org

DISTRICT 4 Charles T. Edens 760 Henderson St. Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 775-0044 (home) (803) 236-5759 (mobile) DISTRICT 5 Vivian Fleming-McGhaney 9770 Lynches River Road Lynchburg, SC 29080 (803) 437-2797 (home) (803) 495-3247 (office) DISTRICT 6 James T. McCain Jr. 317 W. Bartlette St. Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 773-2353 (home) (803) 607-2777 (mobile) DISTRICT 7 Eugene Baten P.O. Box 3193 Sumter, SC 29151 (803) 773-0815 (home)

SUMTER CITY COUNCIL MAYOR Joseph T. McElveen Jr. 20 Buford St. Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 773-0382 jmcelveen@sumter-sc.com WARD 1 Thomas J. Lowery 829 Legare St. Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 773-9298 tlowery@sumter-sc.com WARD 2 Ione Dwyer P.O. Box 1492 Sumter, SC 29151 (803) 481-4284 idwyer@sumter-sc.com

WARD 3 Calvin K. Hastie Sr. 810 S. Main St. Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 774-7776 chastie@sumter-sc.com WARD 4 Colleen Yates cyates@sumter-sc.com WARD 5 Robert Galiano 608 Antlers Drive Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 469-0005 bgaliano@sumter-sc.com WARD 6 David Merchant 26 Paisley Park Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 773-1086 dmerchant@sumter-sc.com

STATE LAWMAKERS Rep. Grady Brown, D-Bishopville District 50 420 S. Main St. Bishopville, SC 29010 (803) 484-6832 (home) (803) 734-2934 (Columbia) Rep. Joe Neal, D-Hopkins District 70 P.O. Box 5 Hopkins, SC 29061 (803) 776-0353 (home) (803) 734-9142 (fax) (803) 734-2804 (Columbia) jn@schouse.org Rep. Dr. Robert L. Ridgeway III, D-Clarendon District 64 117 N. Brooks St. Manning, SC 29102 (803) 938-3087(home) (803) 212-6929 (Columbia)

Rep. Murrell Smith Jr., R-Sumter District 67 P.O. Box 580 Sumter, SC 29151 (803) 778-2471 (business) (803) 778-1643 (fax) (803) 734-3042 (Columbia) murrellsmith@schouse.gov Rep. J. David Weeks, D-Sumter District 51 2 Marlborough Court Sumter, SC 29154 (803) 775-5856 (business) (803) 734-3102 (Columbia) Sen. Gerald Malloy, D-Darlington District 29 1216 Salem Road Hartsville, SC 29550 (843) 339-3000 (803) 212-6148 (Columbia)

Sen. Kevin L. Johnson, D-Manning District 36 P.O. Box 156, Manning, 29102 (803) 435-8117 (home) (803) 212-6108 (Columbia) Sen. J. Thomas McElveen III, D-Sumter District 35 P. O. Box 57, Sumter, 29151 (803) 775-1263 (business (803) 212-6132 (Columbia) NATIONAL LAWMAKERS Rep. Mick Mulvaney — 5th District 1207 Longworth HOB Washington, D.C. 20515 (202) 225-5501 531-A Oxford Drive Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 327-1114 Rep. Jim Clyburn — 6th District 319 Cannon House Office Building

Washington, DC 20515 (202) 225-3315 1703 Gervais St. Columbia, SC 29201 (803) 799-1100 jclyburn@hr.house.gov Sen. Lindsey Graham 290 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 (202) 224-5972 Midlands Regional Office 508 Hampton Street, Suite 202 Columbia, SC 29201 (803) 933-0112 (main) Sen. Tim Scott 167 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 (202) 224-6121 (202) 228-5143 (fax) 1301 Gervais St., Suite 825 Columbia, SC 29201 (803) 771-6112 (803) 771-6455 (fax)

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TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2016

SUPPORT GROUPS St., Florence. Call (843) 661AA, AL-ANON, ALATEEN: 3746.

AA — Monday-Friday, noon Amputee Support Group — and 5:30 p.m.; Saturday, 8 Support Groups: MayFourth 31, 2016 Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., p.m.; Sundays, 10:30 a.m.

Carolinas Rehabilitation and 7 p.m., 1 Warren St. (803) Hospital, 121 E. Cedar St., 775-1852.

Florence. Call (843) 661-3746.

AA Women’s Meeting — EFMP Parent Exchange Group Wednesday, 7 p.m., 1 Warren — Last Tuesday, 11 a.m.St. (803) 775-1852. noon, Airman and Family AA Spanish Speaking — SunReadiness Center. Support day, 4:30 p.m., 1 Warren St. to service members who (803) 775-1852. have a dependent with a AA “How it Works” Group — disability or illness. Call DorMonday and Friday, 8 p.m., cus at (803) 895-1252/1253 or 1154 Ronda St. Call (803) 494Sue at (803) 847-2377.

5180.

441 AA Support Group — Monday, Tuesday and Friday, 8:30 WEDNESDAY MEETINGS: p.m., Hair Force, 2090-D S.C. Sickle Cell Support Group — 441. last Wednesday, 11 a.m.-1 AA Summerton Group — p.m., South Sumter Resource Wednesday, 8 p.m., town Center, 337 Manning Ave. hall.

Call Bertha at (803) 774-6181.

Manning Al-Anon Family Group Divorce Care — Wednesdays, — Thursday, 7:30 p.m., Be6:30 p.m., Bethel Baptist havioral Health Building, 14 Church, 2401 Bethel Church Church St., Manning. Call Road. Call (803) 481-2160.

Angie at (803) 435-8085.

Grief Share — Wednesdays, C/A “Drop the Rock” Group — 6:30 p.m., Bethel Baptist Thursday, 9:30 p.m., 1154 Church, 2401 Bethel Church Ronda St. Call (803) 607-4543.

Road. Call (803) 481-2160.

MONDAY MEETINGS:

THURSDAY MEETINGS:

Sumter Vitiligo Support Group — second Monday, 5:45-6:45 p.m., North HOPE Center, 904 N. Main St. Call (803) 3166763. Find the group on Facebook.

TOPS S.C. No. 236 (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) — Thursdays, 9 a.m., Spectrum Senior Center,1989 Durant Lane. Call Diane at (803) 7753926 or Nancy at (803) 4694789.

Alzheimer’s Support Group through S.C. Alzheimer’s Association — Every 1st Thursday, 6-8 p.m., National Health Care, 1018 N. Guignard Drive.

Call Cheryl at (803) 905-7720 or the Alzheimer’s Association at (800) 636-3346.

Journey of Hope (for family members of the mentally ill), Journey to Recovery (for the mentally ill) and Survivors of Suicide Support Group — Each group meets every 1st Thursday, 7 p.m., St. John United Methodist Church, 136 Poinsett Drive. Call Fred Harmon at (803) 905-5620.

TUESDAY MEETINGS: Sumter Connective Tissue Support Group — 1st Tuesday of January, March, May, July, September and November, 7 p.m., 180 Tiller Circle. Call (803) 773-0869.

Mothers of Angels (for mothers who have lost a child) — First Tuesday at noon and third Tuesday at 6 p.m., Wise Drive Baptist Church. Call Carolyn at (803) 469-6059, Mary at (803) 979-4498, Margaret at (803) 469-6887 or Karen at (803) 236-6782.

Sumter Combat Veterans Group Peer to Peer — Every Tuesday, 11 a.m., South HOPE Center, 1125 S. Lafayette Drive. Veterans helping veterans with PTSD, coping skills, claims and benefits.

Parkinson’s Support Group — Second Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., Carolinas Rehabilitation Hospital, 121 E. Cedar St., Florence. Call (843) 661-3746.

Sumter Amputee Support Group — Second Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., Sumter Prosthetics & Orthotics, 259 Broad St. Call (803) 883-4356.

Sumter Chapter Parents of Murdered Children (POMC) — Third Tuesday, 5:30-7 p.m., Birnie HOPE Center, 210 S. Purdy St. For anyone who has lost a loved one to murder in a violent way.

Multiple Sclerosis Support Group — Third Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., Carolinas Rehabilitation Hospital, 121 E. Cedar

DAILY PLANNER

THE SUMTER ITEM

WEATHER

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2016

AccuWeather® five-day forecast for Sumter TODAY

TONIGHT

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Cloudy with a t-storm in spots

Partly cloudy and humid

A thunderstorm in the area

A stray afternoon thunderstorm

Couple of thunderstorms

A thunderstorm possible

83°

69°

84° / 68°

85° / 70°

89° / 70°

89° / 71°

Chance of rain: 40%

Chance of rain: 25%

Chance of rain: 40%

Chance of rain: 45%

Chance of rain: 55%

Chance of rain: 30%

NNE 7-14 mph

NNE 4-8 mph

N 6-12 mph

WNW 3-6 mph

SW 4-8 mph

W 4-8 mph

TODAY’S SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER

Gaffney 85/65 Spartanburg 86/65

Greenville 86/66

Columbia 88/69

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

IN THE MOUNTAINS

Sumter 83/69

Aiken 87/66

ON THE COAST

Charleston 84/70

Today: Mostly cloudy; a couple of thunderstorms. High 80 to 87.

Wednesday: A shower and thunderstorm around, thunderstorms in northern parts.

SUMTER THROUGH 4 P.M. YESTERDAY

Temperature High Low Normal high Normal low Record high Record low

75° 67° 85° 61° 95° in 1953 50° in 1992

LAKE LEVELS Full pool 360 76.8 75.5 100

Lake Murray Marion Moultrie Wateree

SUN AND MOON 7 a.m. yest.

357.48 75.70 74.22 97.52

24-hr chg none -0.07 -1.00 +0.43

RIVER STAGES

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

0.52" 6.48" 3.14" 21.39" 18.38" 17.62"

Myrtle Beach 81/70

Manning 84/68

Today: A thunderstorm. Winds east-northeast becoming east 3-6 mph.

Wednesday: Humid with a thunderstorm.

Winds east-northeast 3-6 mph.

LOCAL ALMANAC

Florence 83/69

Bishopville 83/68

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

Flood 7 a.m. 24-hr stage yest. chg 12 5.75 +0.33 19 3.96 -1.02 14 5.00 -0.78 14 3.49 +0.70 80 77.59 -0.06 24 5.81 +0.10

Sunrise 6:12 a.m.

Moonrise 3:00 a.m.

Sunset Moonset

8:28 p.m.

3:32 p.m.

New

First

Full

Last

June 4

June 12

June 20

June 27

TIDES AT MYRTLE BEACH

Today Wed.

High 5:02 a.m.

5:37 p.m.

6:04 a.m.

6:38 p.m.

Ht. 3.0 3.3 3.0 3.5

Low Ht. 12:05 p.m. -0.4 ----12:43 a.m. 0.1 1:02 p.m. -0.6

FRIDAY MEETINGS: Celebrate Recovery — Every Friday, 6 p.m. dinner, 7 p.m. program, Salt & Light Church, Miller Road (across from Food Lion). For help with struggles of alcohol, drugs, family problems, smoking, etc.

Wateree AIDS Task Force Support Group — Every third Friday, 11:30 a.m., 508 W. Liberty St. Call Kevin Johnson at (803) 778-0303.

SATURDAY MEETINGS: Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy/ Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Support Group — 1:30 p.m. every third Saturday, 3785 Blackberry Lane, Lot 7.

Call Donna Parker at (803) 481-7521.

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

Today Hi/Lo/W 89/69/pc 86/63/pc 86/69/pc 84/59/s 85/69/pc 75/58/pc 90/72/pc 85/65/pc 91/71/t 87/65/pc 98/76/s 75/54/pc 86/67/pc

Wed. Hi/Lo/W 89/70/t 79/58/t 80/67/t 83/66/pc 83/68/t 76/59/pc 89/73/pc 78/60/s 91/71/t 80/60/s 102/77/s 74/54/pc 80/64/s

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

Today Hi/Lo/W 79/61/c 88/66/t 88/66/c 87/70/t 80/71/t 84/70/t 85/66/t 88/67/t 88/69/t 82/69/t 78/68/t 80/69/t 82/69/t

Wed. Hi/Lo/W 79/61/t 89/68/pc 88/67/t 87/72/t 80/71/t 87/71/t 81/66/t 87/68/t 88/69/t 86/69/t 79/68/t 82/70/t 79/68/t

Today City Hi/Lo/W Florence 83/69/t Gainesville 92/68/t Gastonia 85/65/t Goldsboro 82/69/t Goose Creek 85/69/t Greensboro 83/66/t Greenville 86/66/t Hickory 83/65/t Hilton Head 84/71/c Jacksonville, FL 91/69/pc La Grange 92/68/pc Macon 92/67/sh Marietta 88/68/t

Wed. Hi/Lo/W 84/69/t 90/68/t 85/66/t 75/67/t 87/70/t 79/65/t 84/67/t 82/65/t 86/72/t 91/69/t 93/68/pc 91/67/t 89/68/pc

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

Today Hi/Lo/W 81/62/c 85/70/t 81/70/t 86/68/c 88/70/c 82/67/t 84/66/t 83/67/t 90/70/s 86/65/t 85/68/t 79/68/t 83/65/t

Wed. Hi/Lo/W 82/63/t 87/71/t 83/70/t 87/69/pc 88/71/t 78/66/t 85/66/t 80/68/c 88/70/t 84/66/t 87/69/t 80/68/t 79/65/t

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

SCREEN ROOMS • SUN ROOMS • AWNINGS Visit our Show Room 805 N. Wise Drive 803-773-9545 www.ventulite.com established in 1935

PUBLIC AGENDA TOWN OF LYNCHBURG PLANNING COMMISSION Wednesday, June 1, 4 p.m., town hall

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Your emotions EUGENIA LAST will desperately need an outlet. Make plans to stay active and out of trouble. If you work on your appearance, educational pursuits and personal finances, you’ll benefit from the added emotional energy brewing within.

The last word in astrology

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Express yourself and present what you have to offer. Jump into the spotlight and you’ll make an interesting connection with someone who offers a unique perspective.

Distinguish yourself from others.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Your people skills will be put to the test.

Don’t let anyone goad you into something that has no merit. Trust in yourself and stick to your beliefs.

You’re in a make-it-or-break-it situation that must be handled delicately.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Emotional confusion will be the enemy. Stay focused on your creative dreams and improving your important relationships and home environment. Try to help the ones you love without spoiling them.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Spread your time evenly between friends, family and professional responsibilities. You have the stamina and discipline to get things done, but not everyone will agree with how you set your priorities. Romance is encouraged.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): A positive change to your financial situation is apparent if you adjust some of your personal documents, investments or assets to better deal with the current

economic climate. Don’t let anyone hinder your decisions.

PICTURES FROM THE PUBLIC

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): You’ll learn from the encounters you have with others. Try something that is physically challenging. It’s important to get involved in activities or events that will motivate you to get in tiptop shape. Romance is in the stars.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): You’ll attract interest with your unusual pursuits and ways of doing things.

Making changes to your lifestyle or the way you earn your living will allow you to make improvements in your relationships with others.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Stick close to home, take care of your responsibilities and tend to the needs of the young and old in your life. It’s important not to let anyone manipulate you, but offer constructive help if possible.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Listen, and assess your situation. There’s money to be made if you are willing to look at some offbeat investments.

Making alterations to your living quarters will pay off. Don’t let an old lover interfere in your life.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Stick to what you do best. You’ll find a way to use your skills in a unique way that will attract positive attention.

Romance is in the stars and will help bring you closer to someone special.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Use caution when operating equipment or undertaking a physical challenge.

Avoid taking on too much. Don’t let demanding people inconvenience you. Use your intelligence and be clear about what you will and won’t do.

Lydia Thomas shares a photo she took at Swan Lake-Iris Gardens. Thomas comments, “Motherly love. This growing mute swan family is still awaiting the remaining cygnets to hatch from the unhatched four eggs.”

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. Photos of poor reproduction quality may not publish. With the exception of pictures that are of a timely nature, submitted photos will publish in the order in which they are received.

SECTION

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Tuesday, May 31, 2016 Call: (803) 774-1241 | E-mail: sports@theitem.com

Legion baseball

A delayed start After near 2-hour rain delay at Riley Park, P-15’s lead Manning-Santee 4-1 through five innings

USC baseball

USC to host NCAA play Carolina opens with Rhode Island Willie T. Smith III wtsmith@greenvillenews.com

RICK CARPENTER/THE SUMTER ITEM

Sumter’s Rylan Williamson makes contact in the first inning of a rain-delayed game against Manning-Santee on Monday at Riley Park. Sumter led 4-1 after five innings. Go to www.theitem.com for complete results.

BY JUSTIN DRIGGERS justin@theitem.com

with one out. He went to third on the next batter as William Ard executed a perfect hit-and-run with a single to cenIt took 1 hour, 55 minutes, longer for ter to put runners on the corners. the first pitch to be thrown than was After a walk to Connor Floyd loaded expected at Riley Park on Monday, the bases. a coaching visit to the and after five innings, the Sumter mound seemed to calm P-15’s starter P-15’s held a 4-1 lead over ManningRylan Williamson, who got of the jam Santee Post 68 , scoring three runs in by inducing a 6-4-3 double play to end the ffith to take the lead. the inning and the threat.

Sumter entered the game 5-0 overall Sumter took that momentum to the and 3-0 in League III play. Manning en- plate. Ryan Moore led off with a single tered 1-4 overall and 1-1 in league play. and took second on a wild pitch. Jordan The two teams are scheduled to play Holladay drove him in with a hot shot again today and on Wednesday at 7 p.m. to left to make it 1-0 P-15’s. at Manning High School’s Monarch Todd Larrimer followed with a single Field. himself and Brandon Spittle was hit by Post 68 got out of the gate fast in the a pitch to load the bases with one out. first inning as Hunter Robinson singled But M-S starter Buddy Bleasdale got

his own visit on the mound as well and he turned around and got two popups to wiggle out of further trouble.

He did the same in the second.

Tradd James hit a 1-out single, Moore walked and Dawson Price singled to center to put a runner at every bag.

However, a popup to shortstop and flyball to shallow center kept the score at 1-0.

Manning-Santee tied the game in the top of the third. Taylor Lee and Ard walked with a line out in between. A wild pitch moved them both up 90 feet and Floyd brought Lee home with an RBI groundout to second to knot the game at 1-1.

See Sumter, Page B4

Clemson baseball

ACC champ Tigers gain national seed

By Brad Senkiw brad.senkiw@independentmail.com CLEMSON - Clemson went into the ACC tournament last week just looking to lock up a home NCAA regional, but they left Durham, N.C., Sunday with a 18-13 win over Florida State and the conference championship.

Monday, the Tigers were rewarded with a a regional at Doug Kingsmore this weekend and earned the seventh national seed when the NCAA selection committee announced the field of 64. “(We are) very excited and very grateful that the selection committee looked at our resume and determined that we were worthy of a national seed,” Clemson coach Monte Lee said after the team watched the selection show Monday at the baseball operations building. “ very happy

The Associated Press

Clemson players celebrate after defeating Florida State 18-13 to win the ACC Baseball ChampionSee Clemson, Page B3 ship on Sunday in Durham, N.C. The Tigers gained a national seed for the NCAA tournament.

COLUMBIA – Not only did the University of South Carolina not get a top eight nation seed, if it makes it to the Super Regionals, the Gamecocks will probably have to go through Clemson.

USC head coach Chad Holbrook Holbrook was just happy his team made the tournament and get the opportunity to open at home.

“It is an exciting day for our players, our program, our coaches, our support staff, our field crew and everyone that has worked so hard to get to this point and have a chance to play in the NCAA Tournament,” said Holbrook. “There are a lot of happy folks around here, a lot of excited people. I couldn’t be prouder of our team and our players for having an outstanding regular season.”

The Gamecocks will host Rhode Island, Duke and UNC Wilmington in its region with USC’s first game set for Friday at 7 p.m. against the Rams.

USC is the number one seed in its regional with UNCWilmington number two, Duke number three and Rhode Island number four.

The Blue Devils and the Seahawks will open the tourney Friday at 1 p.m.

The chances of USC earning a top eight national seed waned after its inability to

See USC, Page B3

COMMENTARy

When getting what you want hurts

O

wey, owey, owey!

The fact that the South Carolina baseball team is back in the NCAA tournament after a 1-year absence and is hosting an NCAA regional to boot lost much of its luster in quick fashion on Monday. In fact, some pain came with it.

Gamecock fans had to have a notion that a top eight national seed had fallen by Dennis the wayside with Brunson the 0-2 performance in the Southeastern Conference.

However, the fact that archrival Clemson did get a national seed opened the wound; the salt was added with the fact that if both USC and Clemson win their regionals then Carolina will be heading to the Upstate to face the Tigers for the Super Regional with a trip to the College World Series in Omaha, Neb., on the line.

See Brunson, Page B4

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sports

Tuesday, May 31, 2016

The SUMTER ITEM

Scoreboard

Auto racing

TV, RADIO

The Associated Press

Martin Truex Jr takes the checkered flag to win the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C.

Truex seeking bigger things after Charlotte

By PETE IACOBELLI The Associated Press

Coca-Cola 600 results

CONCORD, N.C. — Martin Truex Jr. believes big things are ahead, even bigger than his record run at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Truex ruled the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday night, leading 588 of 600 miles to set a Sprint Cup record. It was his fourth career victory and first in nearly a year, although he’s come close in several other races.

Truex thinks his single-car, west of the Mississippi program has the potential to win championships.

“This is one of those dream teams that if you stay together five, six or seven years, you could start doing things like Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus have done,” Truex said.

Charlotte was an eye-opening start.

Truex won the pole Thursday night and ran strongly at practice. No one, though, saw this amazing performance coming — Truex led 392 of 400 laps in NASCAR’s longest race.

Truex was a few feet from winning NASCAR’s signature race, the Daytona 500 in February, where he fell short to Denny Hamlin.

Truex led the most laps in Texas and Kansas, yet was waylaid by bad pit strategy in the first one and wheel problems in the second.

Truex came into the season hoping to capitalize on his final four showing in the Chase for a Championship, where he had a chance to take the title at Homestead last November. He said the Charlotte win is the boost he needs.

NASCAR Sprint Cup-Coca-Cola 600 Results Sunday At Charlotte Motor Speedway Concord, N.C. Lap length: 1.5 miles (Start position in parentheses) 1. (1) Martin Truex Jr., Toyota, 400.

2. (8) Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet, 400.

3. (7) Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet, 400.

4. (4) Denny Hamlin, Toyota, 400.

5. (5) Brad Keselowski, Ford, 400.

6. (13) Kurt Busch, Chevrolet, 400.

7. (27) Matt Kenseth, Toyota, 400.

8. (12) Chase Elliott, Chevrolet, 400.

9. (2) Joey Logano, Ford, 400.

10. (14) Ryan Newman, Chevrolet, 400.

11. (6) Greg Biffle, Ford, 400.

12. (28) Austin Dillon, Chevrolet, 400.

13. (24) Kyle Larson, Chevrolet, 400.

14. (25) Dale Earnhardt Jr., Chevrolet, 400.

15. (3) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Ford, 400.

16. (15) AJ Allmendinger, Chevrolet, 399.

17. (11) Paul Menard, Chevrolet, 399.

18. (9) Carl Edwards, Toyota, 399.

19. (23) Jamie McMurray, Chevrolet, 399.

20. (18) Ryan Blaney, Ford, 397.

21. (19) Danica Patrick, Chevrolet, 396.

22. (29) Kasey Kahne, Chevrolet, 395.

23. (26) Clint Bowyer, Chevrolet, 395.

24. (21) Tony Stewart, Chevrolet, 395.

25. (10) Trevor Bayne, Ford, 395.

26. (20) Aric Almirola, Ford, 395.

27. (33) Landon Cassill, Ford, 395.

28. (31) Regan Smith, Chevrolet, 395.

29. (30) Brian Scott, Ford, 394.

30. (17) Casey Mears, Chevrolet, 394.

31. (35) David Ragan, Toyota, 393.

32. (34) Matt DiBenedetto, Toyota, 393.

33. (16) Kyle Busch, Toyota, Accident, 392.

34. (32) Michael McDowell, Chevrolet, 391.

35. (36) Cole Whitt, Chevrolet, 391.

36. (38) Michael Annett, Chevrolet, 390.

37. (22) Chris Buescher, Ford, 388.

38. (37) Josh Wise, Chevrolet, 387.

39. (39) Jeffrey Earnhardt, Ford, 382.

40. (40) Reed Sorenson, Chevrolet, Clutch, 200.

Rookie Rossi Indy 500 winner

By JENNA FRYER The Associated Press INDIANAPOLIS — When Alexander Rossi pulled into victory lane following his upset win in the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 victory, the American had no idea what he was supposed to do during the famed celebration.

He knew there was milk involved, but wasn’t sure what to do with the bottle. The wreath? Rossi had no clue how to slide it over his firesuit.

“I knew to drink the milk, but I didn’t know how much to drink. I didn’t know if I was supposed to drink it all at once,” Rossi said Monday.

“People have poured it, I was like, ‘I don’t really want to do that,’ but then I did it anyway.

I had no idea what to do. I’ve never worn a wreath before, either, but I’ve got it down now. Left arm through.”

These were very good problems for Rossi.

The first rookie to win Indy since Helio Castroneves in 2001, Rossi used fuel strategy to stretch his final tank of gas the final 90 laps of Sunday’s historic race. He went four laps longer on one tank of gas than any other driver did the entire race, and asked Monday how he pulled it off he simply said “skill,” with a wry smile.

He had no expectation of winning Sunday. He had raced on only one oval before Indianapolis, and had never even attended an Indy 500 before this year.

Rossi watched the 500 as a young racer in California — his first memory of “The Greatest Spectacle In Racing” is Marco Andretti nearly winning as a rookie in 2006 — but

he never had any plans to be a participant. His eye was always on Formula One and he headed to Europe at age 16 to Rossi follow his dreams.

“It kind of forced me to grow up pretty quickly,” he said. “There was a very firm goal, and I just committed my life to making that happen.

Now that the goal has changed a little bit, I’ve committed my life to trying to go win an IndyCar championship.”

When his chances at a fulltime F1 ride never materialized for this season, Rossi made the move back to the United States to drive for Bryan Herta in a partnership with Andretti Autosport. The team fields cars for Marco Andretti and 2014 Indy win-

ner Ryan Hunter-Reay, so Rossi, a newcomer to racing in the U.S., is the least known American on the team. Maybe even the entire series.

Rossi called his Indy 500 victory the biggest win of his career to date, and likely the biggest he’ll ever have. He mentioned several times that it’s going to be a life-changing victory, and expanded on that Monday by saying it answered many questions about himself and his goals.

“There was huge question marks, rightly so, over me and IndyCar and specifically oval racing, having absolutely zero background,” he said. “I think that this has kind of cemented the fact that, A: I don’t have an issue with it. B: I do enjoy it. C: I’ve fully committed to this program and being successful in IndyCar, and this is what I’m looking toward for the future.”

TODAY 1:30 p.m. – College Golf: NCAA Men’s Golf Championships Team Match Play Quarterfinals from Eugene, Ore. (GOLF).

3:30 p.m. – Major League Baseball: Houston at Arizona or San Diego at Seattle (MLB NETWORK).

4 p.m. – College Golf: NCAA Men’s Golf Championships Team Match Play Quarterfinals from Eugene, Ore. (GOLF).

6 p.m. – College Golf: NCAA Men’s Golf Championships Team Match Play Quarterfinals from Eugene, Ore. (GOLF).

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

6:30 p.m. – American Legion Baseball: Sumter at Manning-Santee (WWHMFM 92.3, WWHM-FM 93.3, WWHM-AM 1290).

7 p.m. – Major League Baseball: San Francisco at Atlanta (FOX SPORTS SOUTHEAST, WPUB-FM 102.7).

8 p.m. – Major League Baseball: Los Angeles Dodgers at Chicago Cubs (ESPN).

8 p.m. – WNBA Basketball: Minnesota at New York (ESPN2).

10 p.m. – Major League Baseball: Detroit at Los Angeles Angels or Minnesota at Oakland (MLB NETWORK).

MLB Standings

By The Associated Press

AMERICAN League East Division

Boston Baltimore Toronto New York Tampa Bay Central Division

Kansas City Cleveland Chicago Detroit Minnesota West Division

Texas Seattle Los Angeles Oakland Houston

W L Pct GB 27 22 .551 — 26 22 .542 ½ 27 25 .519 1½ 24 25 .490 3 15 34 .306 12 W L Pct GB 29 21 .580 — 28 21 .571 ½ 22 28 .440 7 22 29 .431 7½ 22 29 .431 7½

Sunday’s Games

Monday’s Games

N.Y. Mets 1, Chicago White Sox 0 Boston 7, Baltimore 2 Minnesota at Oakland, 4:05 p.m.

Houston at Arizona, 4:10 p.m.

San Diego at Seattle, 4:10 p.m.

Texas at Cleveland, 6:10 p.m.

N.Y. Yankees at Toronto, 7:07 p.m.

Tampa Bay at Kansas City, 8:15 p.m.

Detroit at L.A. Angels, 9:05 p.m.

Tuesday’s Games

Houston at Arizona, 3:40 p.m.

San Diego at Seattle, 3:40 p.m.

Texas at Cleveland, 6:10 p.m.

Boston at Baltimore, 7:05 p.m.

N.Y. Yankees at Toronto, 7:07 p.m.

Chi. White Sox at N.Y. Mets, 7:10 p.m.

Tampa Bay at Kansas City, 8:15 p.m.

Detroit at L.A. Angels, 10:05 p.m.

Minnesota at Oakland, 10:05 p.m.

Wednesday’s Games

Chi. White Sox at N.Y. Mets, 1:10 p.m.

Minnesota at Oakland, 3:35 p.m.

Texas at Cleveland, 6:10 p.m.

Boston at Baltimore, 7:05 p.m.

Detroit at L.A. Angels, 7:05 p.m.

N.Y. Yankees at Toronto, 7:07 p.m.

Arizona at Houston, 8:10 p.m.

Tampa Bay at Kansas City, 8:15 p.m.

Seattle at San Diego, 10:10 p.m.

National League W L Pct GB 30 21 .588 — 29 21 .580 ½ 26 24 .520 3½ 26 24 .520 3½ 15 35 .300 14½ W L Pct GB 34 14 .708 — 28 21 .571 6½ 27 25 .519 9 23 28 .451 12½ 16 34 .320 19 W L Pct GB 32 21 .604 — 27 24 .529 4 23 26 .469 7 23 29 .442 8½ 20 31 .392 11

Sunday’s Games

Washington 10, St. Louis 2 Milwaukee 5, Cincinnati 4 Chicago Cubs 7, Philadelphia 2 Texas 6, Pittsburgh 2 Arizona 6, San Diego 3 San Francisco 8, Colorado 3 Miami 7, Atlanta 3 L.A. Dodgers 4, N.Y. Mets 2

Monday’s Games

Atlanta 5, San Francisco 3 N.Y. Mets 1, Chicago White Sox 0 St. Louis 6, Milwaukee 0 Cincinnati at Colorado, 4:10 p.m.

Houston at Arizona, 4:10 p.m.

San Diego at Seattle, 4:10 p.m.

L.A. Dodgers at Chi. Cubs, 5:05 p.m.

Washington at Philadelphia, 7:05 p.m.

Pittsburgh at Miami, 7:10 p.m.

Tuesday’s Games

Wednesday’s Games

Chi. White Sox at N.Y. Mets, 1:10 p.m.

St. Louis at Milwaukee, 1:40 p.m.

Washington at Philadelphia, 7:05 p.m.

Pittsburgh at Miami, 7:10 p.m.

San Francisco at Atlanta, 7:10 p.m.

L.A. Dodgers at Chi. Cubs, 8:05 p.m.

Arizona at Houston, 8:10 p.m.

Cincinnati at Colorado, 8:40 p.m.

Seattle at San Diego, 10:10 p.m.

NBA Playoff Schedule

By The Associated Press CONFERENCE FINALS

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Cleveland 4, Toronto 2 May 17: Cleveland 115, Toronto 84 May 19: Cleveland 108, Toronto 89 May 21: Toronto 99, Cleveland 84 May 23: Toronto 105, Cleveland 99 May 25: Cleveland 116, Toronto 78 May 27: Cleveland 113, Toronto 87

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Oklahoma City 3, Golden State 2 May 16: Okla. City 108, Golden State 102 May 18: Golden State 118, Okla. City 91 May 22: Okla. City 133, Golden State 105 May 24: Okla. City 118, Golden State 94 May 26: Golden State 120, Okla. City 111 May 28: Golden State 108, Okla. City 101 May 30: at Golden State, 9 p.m.

NHL Playoff Schedule

W L Pct GB 31 20 .608 — 28 21 .571 2 26 26 .500 5½ 24 25 .490 6 22 26 .458 7½

Boston 5, Toronto 3, 11 innings Baltimore 6, Cleveland 4 N.Y. Yankees 2, Tampa Bay 1 Kansas City 5, Chicago White Sox 4 Texas 6, Pittsburgh 2 Houston 8, L.A. Angels 6, 13 innings Oakland 4, Detroit 2 Minnesota 5, Seattle 4

East Division

Washington New York Philadelphia Miami Atlanta Central Division

Chicago Pittsburgh St. Louis Milwaukee Cincinnati West Division

San Francisco Los Angeles Colorado Arizona San Diego

L.A. Dodgers at Chi. Cubs, 8:05 p.m.

St. Louis at Milwaukee, 8:10 p.m.

Cincinnati at Colorado, 8:40 p.m.

Houston at Arizona, 3:40 p.m.

San Diego at Seattle, 3:40 p.m.

Washington at Philadelphia, 7:05 p.m.

Chi. White Sox at N.Y. Mets, 7:10 p.m.

Pittsburgh at Miami, 7:10 p.m.

San Francisco at Atlanta, 7:10 p.m.

By The Associated Press CONFERENCE FINALS

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Pittsburgh 4, Tampa Bay 3 May 13: Tampa Bay 3, Pittsburgh 1 May 16: Pittsburgh 3, Tampa Bay 2, OT May 18: Pittsburgh 4, Tampa Bay 2 May 20: Tampa Bay 4, Pittsburgh 3 May 22: Tampa Bay 4, Pittsburgh 3, OT May 24: Pittsburgh 5, Tampa Bay 2 May 26: Pittsburgh 2, Tampa Bay 1

WESTERN CONFERENCE

San Jose 4, St. Louis 2 May 15: St. Louis 2, San Jose 1 May 17: San Jose 4, St. Louis 0 May 19: San Jose 3, St. Louis 0 May 21: St. Louis 6, San Jose 3 May 23: San Jose 6, St. Louis 3 May 25: San Jose 5, St. Louis 2 STANLEY CUP FINALS (Best-of-7; x-if necessary) San Jose vs. Pittsburgh May 30: at Pittsburgh, 8 p.m.

June 1: at Pittsburgh, 8 p.m.

June 4: at San Jose, 8 p.m.

June 6: at San Jose, 8 p.m. x-June 9: at Pittsburgh, 8 p.m. x-June 12: at San Jose, 8 p.m. x-June 15: at Pittsburgh, 8 p.m.

Golf

By The Associated Press PGA-Colonial Par Scores Sunday At Colonial Country Club Fort Worth, Texas Purse: $6.7 million Yardage: 7,166; Par: 70 Final Jordan Spieth (500), $1,206,000 67-66-65-65—263 -17 Harris English (300), $723,600 67-69-64-66—266 -14 Ryan Palmer (163), $388,600 66-67-66-68—267 -13 Webb Simpson (163), $388,600 65-67-67-68—267 -13 Kyle Reifers (110), $268,000 66-67-67-68—268 -12 Jason Dufner (89), $216,913 66-69-66-70—271 -9 Matt Kuchar (89), $216,913 73-67-63-68—271 -9 Anirban Lahiri (89), $216,913 65-70-68-68—271 -9 Martin Piller (89), $216,913 66-66-68-71—271 -9 Chad Campbell (70), $167,500 69-72-68-63—272 -8 Kevin Kisner (70), $167,500 71-66-69-66—272 -8 Bryce Molder (70), $167,500 64-69-70-69—272 -8 Marc Leishman (59), $134,000 68-67-69-69—273 -7 Chris Stroud (59), $134,000 69-69-64-71—273 -7 Chris Kirk (56), $117,250 70-70-65-69—274 -6 Patrick Reed (56), $117,250 65-69-69-71—274 -6 David Hearn (52), $93,800 67-67-73-68—275 -5 Tom Hoge (52), $93,800 70-70-66-69—275 -5 Zach Johnson (52), $93,800 72-68-68-67—275 -5 Troy Merritt (52), $93,800 69-70-68-68—275 -5 Brandt Snedeker (52), $93,800 68-68-69-70—275 -5 Steven Bowditch (48), $69,680 69-68-71-68—276 -4 Adam Hadwin (48), $69,680 68-67-70-71—276 -4 Danny Lee (48), $69,680 71-68-68-69—276 -4 Tyler Aldridge (45), $53,433 69-70-71-67—277 -3 Brian Harman (45), $53,433 71-70-68-68—277 -3 Charl Schwartzel (45), $53,433 71-69-65-72—277 -3 David Toms (45), $53,433 67-69-70-71—277 -3 Ben Crane (40), $43,550 70-69-69-70—278 -2 Jim Herman (40), $43,550 67-72-67-72—278 -2 Tim Herron (40), $43,550 72-67-70-69—278 -2 Ben Martin (40), $43,550 68-68-71-71—278 -2 Jimmy Walker (40), $43,550 70-68-71-69—278 -2 Blayne Barber (34), $32,411 72-68-71-68—279 -1 Jason Bohn (34), $32,411 68-72-70-69—279 -1

Good Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday

sports

The SUMTER ITEM

Tuesday, May 31, 2016

|

B3

College baseball

Florida among 4 SEC teams with national seeds

By ERIC OLSON The Associated Press OMAHA, Neb. — Florida will have to break the curse of the No. 1 seed to win its first national championship.

The Gators were awarded the top seed in the NCAA baseball tournament Monday, leading a record four Southeastern Conference teams among the eight national seeds. Florida (47-13) was ranked No. 1 in the polls for most of the season and finished runner-up to Texas A&M in the SEC Tournament.

The Gators have been a national seed seven times under coach Kevin O’Sullivan, including No. 1 in 2012. No top seed has won the championship since Miami in 1999, the first year of the current tournament structure.

The other SEC national seeds are No. 4 Texas A&M (41-16), No. 6 Mississippi State (41-16-1) and No. 8 LSU (42-18).

The Atlantic Coast Conference has three national seeds in No. 2 Louisville (47-12), No. 3 Miami (45-11) and No. 7 Clemson (42-18). The Big 12 has the other national seed in Texas Tech (41-16).

The SEC also set a record Sunday when the NCAA selection committee picked seven teams to host regionals. Six ACC teams will host regionals, including defending national champion Virginia (37-20).

The 16 regionals are Friday to next Monday and include four teams playing a doubleelimination format. Regional winners advance the next week to best-of-three super regionals, which will determine the eight teams moving on to the College World Series in Omaha beginning June 18.

The 64-team field is made up of 31 automatic qualifiers and 33 at-large selections.

Ten ACC teams are in the tournament, tying the record for most from one conference.

USC

NCAA Division I Baseball Regionals All Times EDT Double Elimination; x-if necessary At Davenport Field Charlottesville, Va. Friday Game 1 — William & Mary (29-29) at Virginia (3720), 1 p.m.

Game 2 — East Carolina (34-21) vs. Bryant (47-10), 6 p.m.

Saturday Game 3 — Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, 1 p.m.

Game 4 — Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 6 p.m.

Sunday Game 5 — Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, 1 p.m.

Game 6 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 6 p.m.

Monday x-Game 7 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 6 p.m.

At Doak Field at Dail Park Raleigh, N.C. Friday Game 1 — Saint Mary’s (33-23) vs. Coastal Carolina (44-15), 2 p.m.

Game 2 — Navy (42-14) at N.C. State (35-20), 7 p.m.

Saturday Game 3 — Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, 2 p.m.

Game 4 — Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 7 p.m.

Sunday Game 5 — Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, 1 p.m.

Game 6 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 6 p.m.

Monday x-Game 7 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 7 p.m.

At Carolina Stadium Columbia Friday Game 1 — Duke (33-22) vs. UNC Wilmington (39-17), 1 p.m.

Game 2 — Rhode Island (30-25) at South Carolina (42-15), 7 p.m.

Saturday Game 3 — Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, Noon Game 4 — Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 6 p.m.

Sunday Game 5 — Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, Noon Game 6 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 6 p.m.

Monday x-Game 7 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 6 p.m.

At Doug Kingsmore Stadium Clemson Friday Game 1 — Nebraska (37-20) vs. Oklahoma State (36-20), Noon Game 2 — Western Carolina (30-29) at Clemson (4218), 7 p.m.

Saturday Game 3 — Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, Noon Game 4 — Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 7 p.m.

Sunday Game 5 — Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, Noon Game 6 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 7 p.m.

Monday x-Game 7 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 7 p.m.

At Dick Howser Stadium Tallahassee, Fla. Friday Game 1 — South Alabama (40-20) vs. Southern Miss. (40-18), Noon Game 2 — Alabama State (38-15) at Florida State (37-20), 6 p.m.

Saturday Game 3 — Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, TBA Game 4 — Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, TBA Sunday Game 5 — Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, TBA Game 6 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, TBA Monday x-Game 7 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, TBA At Alfred A. McKethan Stadium Gainesville, Fla. Friday Game 1 — UConn (37-23) vs. Georgia Tech (36-23), 1 p.m.

Game 2 — Bethune-Cookman (29-25) at Florida (4713), 6 p.m.

Clemson

From Page B1

From Page B1

earn a win in the Southeastern Conference Tournament.

The Gamecocks failure in the postseason, in addition to the outstanding play by Clemson in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament opened the door for the Tigers to earn the number seven overall seed.

The potential of having to face the Tigers in a Super Regional was something neither Holbrook nor his team was interested in discussing.

“If we’re fortunate enough to get through this weekend, we’ll talk about who we play next weekend, next weekend,” he said.

This potentially will be the first time the teams will meet in a Super Regional in Clemson.

The teams played in the first round of the tournament in Columbia in 2013, but didn’t meet on the field as the Tigers were eliminated by Liberty.

USC and Clemson regions were paired in 2011 with the Super Regional to be in Columbia. The Tigers were upset by Connecticut, however.

“It’s awesome,” said USC outfielder Alex Destino. “I’m a big fan of (Clemson) coach (Monte) Lee. He’s done a great job down there. Obviously, it’s exciting to potentially think about that.

“But, and I can say this for the rest of the team, we’re worried about Rhode Island, UNC (Wilmington) and Duke coming down.”

South Carolina enters the regional with a 42-15 overall record.

Rhode Island (30-25) won the Atlantic 10 title with a 15-2 victory over Davidson.

This marks their second straight tournament appearances.

UNC-Wilmington is 39-17 and enters at the number two seed, while Duke (30-25) is the number three seed and will be making a postseason baseball appearance for the first time since 1961.

for my players. Just overwhelmed really. It’s an unbelievable day for our program, for our players, for our university, for our community and for our fan base.”

Because the Tigers earned one of the top eight national seeds, Clemson qualifies to host a super regional if they advance. And there lies a potential matchup between their most heated rivals.

South Carolina (42-15) was awarded the Columbia Regional and will go to Tiger Town if it advances. First, though, the Tigers must survive second-seeded Oklahoma State, third-seeded Nebraska and fourth-seeded Western Carolina, a team the

Saturday Game 3 — Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, Noon Game 4 — Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 6 p.m.

Sunday Game 5 — Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, Noon Game 6 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 6 p.m.

Monday x-Game 7 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 6 p.m.

At Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field Coral Gables, Fla. Friday Game 1 — Long Beach State (36-20) vs. FAU (38-17), 1 p.m.

Game 2 — Stetson (29-29) at Miami (45-11), 7 p.m.

Saturday Game 3 — Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, TBA Game 4 — Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, TBA Sunday Game 5 — Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, TBA Game 6 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, TBA Monday x-Game 7 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, TBA At Jim Patterson Stadium Louisville, Ky. Friday Game 1 — Wright State (44-15) vs. Ohio State (4318), 2 p.m.

Game 2 — Western Michigan (22-32) at Louisville (47-12), 6 p.m.

Saturday Game 3 — Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, Noon Game 4 — Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 4 p.m.

Sunday Game 5 — Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, Noon Game 6 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 4 p.m.

Monday x-Game 7 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 4 p.m.

At Hawkins Field Nashville, Tenn.

Friday Game 1 — Washington (32-21) vs. UC Santa Barbara (37-18), 3 p.m.

Game 2 — Xavier (30-28) at Vanderbilt (43-17), 8 p.m.

Saturday Game 3 — Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, TBA Game 4 — Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, TBA Sunday Game 5 — Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, TBA Game 6 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, TBA Monday x-Game 7 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, TBA At Dudy Noble Field Starkville, Miss.

Friday Game 1 — Louisiana Tech (40-18) vs. Cal State Fullerton (35-16), 2:30 p.m.

Game 2 — Southeast Missouri State (39-19) at Mississippi State (41-16), 7:30 p.m.

Saturday Game 3 — Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, TBA Game 4 — Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, TBA Sunday Game 5 — Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, TBA Game 6 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, TBA Monday x-Game 7 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, TBA At Swayze Field Oxford, Miss.

Friday Game 1 — Boston College (31-20) vs. Tulane (39-19), 4 p.m.

Game 2 — Utah (25-27) at Mississippi (43-17), 8 p.m.

Saturday Game 3 — Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, 2 p.m.

Game 4 — Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 6 p.m.

Sunday Game 5 — Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, 2 p.m.

Game 6 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 6 p.m.

Monday x-Game 7 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 8 p.m.

Tigers beat 10-8 and 7-6 (10 innings) in the regular season.

“We’re all excited to be a national seed and to be paired up with South Carolina is awesome, but we can’t focus on that right now because it truly does not exist,” Lee said. “We’ve got to get through this regional right now.”

Clemson (42-18) gets its NCAA postseason underway Friday at home against the Catamounts (30-29) at 7 p.m.

The game will be televised on ESPN3.com. The Cowboys (3620) and Huskers (37-20) kick off the regional Friday at noon on ESPNU. Play will continue Saturday and Sunday at noon and 7 p.m. with Monday’s if-necessary game set for 7 p.m.

“We’re elated to sit here and

At Alex Box Stadium Baton Rouge, La. Friday Game 1 — Utah Valley (37-21) at LSU (42-18), 3 p.m.

Game 2 — Southeastern Louisiana (39-19) vs. Rice (35-22), 8 p.m.

Saturday Game 3 — Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, 3 p.m.

Game 4 — Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 8 p.m.

Sunday Game 5 — Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, 3 p.m.

Game 6 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 8 p.m.

Monday x-Game 7 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 8 p.m.

At M.L. “Tigue” Moore Field Lafayette, La. Friday Game 1 — Arizona (38-20) vs. Sam Houston State (41-20), 2 p.m.

Game 2 — Princeton (24-19) at Louisiana-Lafayette (41-19), 8 p.m.

Saturday Game 3 — Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, TBA Game 4 — Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, TBA Sunday Game 5 — Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, TBA Game 6 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, TBA Monday x-Game 7 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, TBA At Charlie and Marie Lupton Baseball Stadium Fort Worth, Texas Friday Game 1 — Gonzaga (35-19) vs. Arizona State (3421), 3 p.m.

Game 2 — Oral Roberts (38-19) at TCU (42-15), 7:30 p.m.

Saturday Game 3 — Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, TBA Game 4 — Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, TBA Sunday Game 5 — Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, TBA Game 6 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, TBA Monday x-Game 7 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, TBA At Blue Bell Park College Station, Texas Friday Game 1 — Minnesota (34-20) vs. Wake Forest (3425), 4 p.m.

Game 2 — Binghamton (30-23) at Texas A&M (4514), 9 p.m.

Saturday Game 3 — Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, 4 p.m.

Game 4 — Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 9 p.m.

Sunday Game 5 — Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, 4 p.m.

Game 6 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 9 p.m.

Monday x-Game 7 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, TBA At Don Law Field at Rip Griffin Park Lubbock, Texas Friday Game 1 — Fairfield (32-24) at Texas Tech (41-16), 3 p.m.

Game 2 — New Mexico (38-21) vs. Dallas Baptist (41-17), 7 p.m.

Saturday Game 3 — Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, TBA Game 4 — Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, TBA Sunday Game 5 — Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, TBA Game 6 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, TBA Monday x-Game 7 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, TBA Super Regionals June 10-13 Gainesville vs. Tallahassee Raleigh vs. Baton Rouge Lubbock vs. Charlottesville Fort Worth vs. College Station Louisville vs. Nashville Columbia vs. Clemson Starkville vs. Lafayette Oxford vs. Coral Gables

be a national seed, but we all know the season begins now,” Lee said. “We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us, a great field coming to Clemson and a lot of work to do if we plan on winning this regional.”

The Tigers, who claimed the league’s automatic bid and are one of six ACC teams to earn a regional, received their fourth national seed in school history and first since 2006, the last time they won the ACC tourney. They’re also hosting for the 14th time since 1980 and first time since 2011.

“That’s huge being at home,” sophomore starting left-handed pitcher Charlie Barnes (5-4, 4.48 ERA) said.

“We’ve shown throughout the season that we’re comfortable here. It’s going to be a packed house on Friday. It shows that

we finished strong.”

That puts Clemson, which is 24-7 in Tiger Town, at an advantage to host USC if the Gamecocks can win their regional. The Tigers already took two of three from the Gamecocks earlier this season.

The two rivals, who famously squared off in the 2002 and 2010 College World Series, last met in the NCAA tournament in the 2012 Columbia Regional, where the Gamecocks won a pair of games over the Tigers and eventually went on to the College World Series.

“It would definitely be fun (to play USC), but right now our focus is on getting through the regional,” Barnes said. “We’ll think about that and talk about that when the time comes.”

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sports

Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Legion baseball

MLB roundup

Junior P-15’s open with doubleheader sweep From staff reports The Sumter Junior P-15’s American Legion baseball team opened their season on Saturday with a doubleheader sweep of Beaufort at Riley Park.

Sumter won the opener 6-0 and followed with a 7-4 win in the second of the two 5-inning games.

In the opener, Sumter scored four runs in the first inning. Trent Frye had a 2-run single and Joey Pereria and Lathan Todd each had an RBI single.

Daniel Reynolds had a hit, two runs scored and an RBI. Jacob Holladay worked five shutout innings to get the

win. He allowed just one hit while striking out four and walking two. Bryce Lyons worked the final inning, striking out two and allowing just one hit.

In the second game, Tucker Chapman was 3-for-3 for Sumter. The Junior P-15’s took the lead for good with three runs in the third to go up 4-2. Pereria had an RBI single, Holladay had an RBI double and Andrew Twitty had an RBI groundout.

Daniel Reynolds added an RBI single.

Josh Sykes picked up the win, allowing two runs over three innings. He struck out two, walked two and gave up two hits.

RICK CARPENTER/THE SUMTER ITEM

Manning-Santee’s Hunter Robinson (4) dives for first base as Sumter’s Edward McMillan waits the pickoff throw during the first inning of a rain-delayed game on Monday at Riley Park.

Sumter

From Page B1

The P-15’s stranded two more runners in their half of the third. A 1-out double by Ryan Touchberry and a walk

by Williamson were wasted as Sumter left eight men on base through the first three frames with five stranded in scoring position.

Williamson worked around a jam of his own in the fifth. A leadoff single and a 1-out walk put run-

Brunson

From Page B1

Again; owey, owey, owey!

It is interesting that Clemson went from a team that needed to sweep Notre Dame in its final Atlantic Coast Conference series of the year to finish above .500 in conference play to the No. 7 national seed. However, when you take down defending national champion Virginia, No. 2 national seed Louisville and regional host Florida State to win the ACC tournament, then obviously in the eyes of the selection committee you’ve done enough to become a national seed.

It still grates me that if both USC and Clemson win their regionals that they have to meet in the Super Regional, thus meaning that only one gets to go to Omaha. It was stated by a committee member that those decisions come down to geography, but it certainly seems that the two could be put ini different parts of the bracket. That being said, the same fate bell to Florida and Florida State, but Florida is a big state.

South Carolina? Not so much.

While Clemson did get the national seed, it can be argued that South Carolina came away with the easier regional. The Gamecocks have North Carolina-Wilmington as a No. 2, Duke as No.3 and Rhode Island as a No. 4.

That’s not necessarily a murderor’s row of college baseball.

The Tigers, on the other hand, have Big 12 Conference schools Oklahoma State and Nebraska as Nos. 2 and 3 seeds, respectively, and Western Carolina as a No. 4. Oklahoma State and Nebraska are two programs familiar with NCAA tournament success, and Western Carolina is used to being in the NCAAs as well. Clemson is the best team of the quartet, but not by that much.

The Tigers, though, ride into the tournament on a tremendous wave of momen-

The SUMTER ITEM

ners on first and second, but Williamson struck out the Nos. 3 and 4 hitters in the M-S lineup to keep the game tied.

The P-15’s finally got a couple hits with runners in scoring position in their half of the fifth. Larrimer and Spittle led off with singles and Williamson brought Larrimer home with an RBI single. Edward McMillan followed with an RBI groundout and Williamson scored on a throwing error as Sumter took a 4-1 lead.

Smith’s 3-run triple lifts Braves over Giants 5-3 ATLANTA — Mallex Smith hit a three-run triple in the second inning, Mike Foltynewicz continued his recent upswing by allowing only three hits and one run in six-plus innings and the Atlanta Braves beat Jeff Samardzija and the San Francisco Giants 5-3 on Monday.

The Braves survived San Francisco’s two-run, ninth-inning rally. They have won three of four and are now 5-21 at home, still easily the worst in the majors.

Cubs 2 Dodgers 0

CHICAGO — Travis Wood and three other relievers combined for seven perfect innings after starter Jason Hammel left with cramps, and the Chicago Cubs held the Los Angeles Dodgers to one hit in a 2-0 victory Monday.

Hammel exited after his right hamstring cramped while warming up for the third inning. Wood (3-0) pitched four perfect innings in his longest stint of the season.

Reds 11 Rockies 8

DENVER — Adam Duvall had his first career two-homer game, Joey Votto hit his 200th homer and Eugenio Suarez who came in mired in an 0-for28 skid also went deep in the Cincinnati Reds’ 11-8 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Monday.

Cardinals 6 Brewers 0

MILWAUKEE — Matt Carpenter had four hits and scored three times, Carlos Martinez pitched eight innings and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Milwaukee Brewers 6-0 on Monday.

Red Sox 7 Orioles 2

tum under first-year head coach Monte Lee. That is something Clemson was unable to do in the last few years under former head coach Jack Leggett.

As for USC, it has been under a microscope all season because it missed out on the tournament last year for the first time since 1999.

While some fans haven’t been satisfied with the team’s performance, USC is still 42-15 and won the SEC Eastern Division title over No. 1 national seed Florida. The Gamecocks need to get their feet back under them, but they are the best of the four teams in their regional.

While I’m not a fan of USC and Clemson squaring off in a Super Regional, boy, oh boy, it would be fun.

BALTIMORE — Xander Bogaerts extended his hitting streak to 23 games and drove in two runs, Jackie Bradley put Boston ahead for good with a sixth-inning homer and the Red Sox beat the Baltimore Orioles 7-2 Monday in a matchup of the top two teams in the AL East.

Rangers 9 Indians 2

CLEVELAND — Nomar Mazara hit a three-run homer, Ian Desmond had a two-run shot and the Texas Rangers beat the Cleveland Indians 9-2 on Monday night.

Athletics 3 Twins 2

OAKLAND, Calif. — Coco Crisp homered leading off the game, Khris Davis hit a tie-

The Associated Press

Atlanta’s Mallex Smith hits a 3-run triple in the second inning of the Braves’ 5-3 win over San Francisco on Monday in Atlanta. breaking sacrifice fly in the sixth inning and the Oakland Athletics beat the Minnesota Twins 3-2 on Monday.

Mets 1 White Sox 0

NEW YORK — Matt Harvey rediscovered his form with seven dominant innings of two-hit ball, Neil Walker homered off Jose Quintana, and the New York Mets beat Chicago 1-0 Monday to send the reeling White Sox to their seventh straight loss.

Mariners 9 Padres 3

SEATTLE — Kyle Seager’s

two-run homer in the sixth inning snapped a 2-all tie and Dae-Ho Lee’s three-run shot capped a five-run eighth inning to give the Seattle Mariners a 9-3 victory over the San Diego Padres on Monday.

Astros 8 Diamondbacks 3

PHOENIX — Collin McHugh struck out eight in his first career complete game, Jason Castro had three RBIs and the Houston Astros continued their recent surge with an 8-3 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday.

The Associated Press

Keeping Sumter Beautiful

By Breann Liebermann, Clemson Extension - Water Resources Agent Septic Systems 101 Did you know that your septic system, the nearest waterway, and last night’s dinner are all connected? No, this isn’t the start of a bad joke, this is wastewater treatment 101.

a licensed professional to pump your tank out regularly. Don’t wait until you have issues. If your system backs up, waste can enter our local waterways and present serious bacterial pollution hazards for humans and animals.

There’s nothing glamorous or sexy about the topic of waste treatment, I get that. But stay with me, understanding the basics of your septic system is crucial to protecting your family’s health and the environment’s health.

• Limit the amount of solids and grease that go down the drain. Dispose of food scraps and cooking grease in the trash instead to extend the life of your septic system.

If you’re not connected to a centralized wastewater system, chances are you have a septic system. In order to properly maintain your septic system, it’s essential to understand how it functions. It’s actually simpler than you think. Solids settle out in a tank underground, and then liquids are carried through a series of pipes.

The liquids eventually drain out of the pipes into a gravel bed, and tiny organisms degrade the liquids into a safe form (this takes place in the drainfield). When the liquid finally enters the groundwater table several feet below the drainfield, it is much clearer.

• Don’t pour chemicals or cleaning products down the drain. Remember the tiny organisms that help transform your liquid waste into a cleaner form? They can be killed from harsh chemicals.

Now that you know how your system functions, it’s time for a refresher course on maintenance. Remember, regular maintenance is the only way you will keep your septic system functioning.

Follow these simple tips:

• Lastly, limit activity above your drainfield. This means you’ll have to find another spot for your dream pool or gazebo. Anything that places too much weight on the drainfield can compact the soils and disrupt the system.

For more juicy tidbits on septic system maintenance, go to www.scdhec.gov/ HomeAndEnvironment/mindex.htm and click on ‘Your Home.’

Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, • A typical tank is designed to hold sexual orientation, marital or family status three to five years of waste. Consult and is an equal opportunity employer.

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sports SPORTS

The SUMTER ITEM THE SUMTER ITEM

Tuesday, May 31, 2016 TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2016 |

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B5

B5

Sports Items

For first time in 16 years, French Open washed out by rain PARIS — Persistent rain forced the cancellation of all matches Monday at the French Open, the first washout in 16 years at the claycourt Grand Slam tournament.

Organizers said matches would be rescheduled for Tuesday. With no play at all Monday, ticket holders can apply for refunds.

The last total wash-out in Paris was May 30, 2000, according to organizers.

French weather forecasts for the coming days also look grim, with more rain expected Tuesday before a hoped-for break in the clouds on Wednesday.

Weather permitting, topranked Novak Djokovic will play Tuesday for a spot in the quarterfinals against 14thseeded Roberto Bautista Agut.

In the women’s draw, both Williams sisters were set to be in action on Monday. Defending champion Serena was to

play 18th-seeded Elina Svitolina while Venus was supposed to face last year’s semifinalist Timea Bacsinszky.

at Hancock-Elmore-Hill Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Bethlehem United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 167, Bishopville, SC 29010.

Hancock-Elmore-Hill Funeral Home of Bishopville is in charge of the arrangements.

RUTH KNIGHT

Garrido, star baseball coach, out at Texas AUSTIN, Texas — Augie Garrido, the winningest coach in college baseball history, is out after 20 seasons at Texas.

The decision Monday comes after the Longhorns’ first losing season since 1998. Texas will miss the NCAA postsea-

son for the third time in five years.

The university said the 77-year-old Garrido will become special assistant to athletic director Mike Perrin. The school said he was “relinquishing his duties” as coach.

Baylor hires former Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe Baylor has hired former Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe to replace Art Briles and lead its football program through a

tumultuous time.

The school announced Monday that Grobe had been named acting coach.

Briles was let go last week after the release of a report commissioned by the school that accused the successful coach of not responding to or inappropriately handling allegations of sexual assault and violence by members of his team.

The Associated Press

OBITUARIES EUGENE DAVIS BISHOPVILLE — Eugene “Gene” Davis died peacefully at his home on May 28, 2016.

He was born Jan. 5, 1935, son of the late Jefferson Marion and the late Tance Hancock Davis.

He married Viva Olivia Stokes on Oct. 4, 1953, at Salem Methodist DAVIS Church. He also began his lifelong employment at Palmetto Oil Co. where he served for 57 years in many positions. He was manager for 31 years.

He spent many years fishing in his pond and at Okeechobee, Florida. He loved his family, his friends, his vegetable garden and his beloved dachshund, Fred. He generously shared the bounty of his garden with his friends.

Davis was a charter member of Bishopville Rescue Squad. He was a member of Bethlehem United Methodist Church. He was a Mason and a Shriner. He was elected president of the Southern Southeastern Cotton Growers and Ginners Association for 1986 and was awarded Ginner of the Year that same year.

He served in the S.C. National Guard.

Davis was a charter member of a group of friends, creating a Tuesday night supper club, where they enjoyed friendship and a meal of steak or shrimp every Tuesday night for more than 50 years.

He is survived by his wife, Viva, and his three daughters: Kathi Davis Schuitema (Kurt) of Isle of Palms, Debbie Davis Babb (Perrin) of Bishopville and Tammy Davis Moshier of Columbia.

He has five grandchildren: David Paul Babb of Charleston; Jeffrey Alan Schuitema (Logan Floyd) of Guam; Katherine Lee Schuitema Penny IV (Robert Elliott) of Greenville; William Arthur Joseph of Columbia; and Laura Claire Moshier of Columbia. He also has two brothers: James Marion Davis of Oregon and Charles Davis of Bishopville.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Eveline Jones; and a brother, Clyburn Davis.

Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. today at Bethlehem United Methodist Church with interment immediately following at Bethlehem United Methodist Church cemetery. The Rev. Larry Watson will conduct the service. Visitation was held from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday

MARGARET WHETSELL SUMMERTON — Margaret Goodman Spigner Whetsell, 88, widow of Leland Benjamin Whetsell, died Sunday, May 29, 2016, at her home.

Born Dec. 2, 1927, in Alcolu, she was a daughter of the late WHETSELL Labon Chappel Spigner and the late Jessie Dehon Mitchum Spigner. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and Summerton United Methodist Church.

She is survived by four daughters, Sally Brunson Ardis, Patsy Brunson Bradham, Elaine Whetsell Masincupp (Chip) and Mary Katherine “Kitty” Whetsell, all of Summerton; a sister, Jessie Spigner McCabe of Alcolu; five grandchildren, Ralph Ardis (Sally), Elisa Hall (Steve), Anne Ridgill (John), Lee Masincupp (Amy) and Kathryn Masincupp; five great-grandchildren, Tyler Hall, Sydney Gray Hall, Ansley Ridgill, David Texas Ardis and Hart Masincupp; and a special nephew, Billy Whetsell (Debbie).

She was preceded in death by two sons-in-law, Texas Ardis and David Bradham; a brother, Edgar Spigner; and three sisters, Eunice Clark, Lillian Scurry and Thelma Jones.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Summerton United Methodist Church with the Rev. Randy Bowers officiating. Burial will follow in Summerton Evergreen Cemetery.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the service in the church fellowship hall and other times at the residence, 1116 Godwin Drive, Summerton.

Memorials may be made to Summerton United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 35, Summerton, SC 29148 or Embrace Hospice, 1831 W. Evans St., Suite 315, Florence, SC 29501.

The family would like to give a special thanks to the loving caregivers of Embrace Hospice.

Stephens Funeral Home and Crematory, 304 N. Church Street, Manning, is in charge of arrangements, (803) 4352179. www.stephensfuneralhome.org

SUMTER — Ruth Knight, 84, widow of Gene Knight, died Saturday, May 28, 2016, at Clarendon Health System.

Born Sept. 25, 1931, in Georgetown County, she was a daughter of the late Lowell Pipkin and the late Loye Agnes Terry Pipkin. She was a member of Shiloh Pentecostal Holiness Church.

Survivors include a daughter, Vickie Casselman of Pinewood; three grandchildren, Tonya Lowder (Matt) of Manning, Julie Casselman and Heather Dayman; five great-grandchildren; two sisters, Lila Tanner of Sumter and Frances Locklear KNIGHT of Greenville; and a brother, Charlie Pipkin of Andrews.

She was preceded in death by a son, Jerry Casselman, and a sister, Mary Pipkin.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. today in Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home with the Rev. Bobby Driggers, the Rev. Bill Tschorn and the Rev. Harry Tanner Jr. officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from noon to 1 p.m. today at Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and other times at the home of Terry Melton.

Memorials may be made to Shiloh Pentecostal Holiness Church, P.O. Box 1931, Sumter, SC 29151.

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

VALUARE CHARLES Valuare Charles, 52, entered into eternal rest on Saturday, May 28, 2016, at Palmetto Richland Tuomey, Sumter. She was the daughter of the late Theodore and Louise Robinson Keitt.

Family will be receiving friends at the home of her sister, Parline Robinson, 11 S. Sumter St., Pinewood.

Funeral services are incomplete and will be announced by Community Funeral Home of Sumter.

Funeral services were held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, May 28, 2016, at Long and Son Mortuary Chapel, Charlotte. Interment followed in the Sunset Memory Garden, This is a courtesy announcement of Williams Funeral Home Inc., 821 N. Main St., Sumter.

Online memorial messages may be sent to the family at williamsfuneralhome@sc.rr. com. Visit us on the web at www.williamsfuneralhomeinc. com

JOHN COOPER SR. John Wesley Cooper Sr., husband of Bertie Mae Legrant Cooper, and son of the late Wesley Johnson and Rosanna Haynesworth Cooper, was born Nov. 25, 1937, in Sumter. He departed this life on Thursday, May 26, 2016, at Palmetto Health Tuomey, Sumter.

He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Bertie L. Cooper of the home; eight daughters, Barbara (Randy) Washington, Rosa (Sam) Lewis and Janice Cooper, Carolyn Cooper, all of Sumter, the Rev. Jeannie (Alfred) Washington of Radcliff, Kentucky, the Rev. Edna (Hayward) Wilson of Mayesville and Melinda (Willie Lee) Humes of Gable; two sons, Micheal Lee (Gail) Cooper of Fayetteville, North Carolina, and John Wesley Jr. of Sumter; a special daughter, Maxine Mosley, of Sumter; four sisters, Elaine C Britt of Forestville, Maryland, Earnestine C. Gary of Washington, D.C., Deloris Cooper of Florida and Jacqueline C. McFadden of Gable; three brothers, Sammie Cooper of Manning, Drayton N. Cooper of Gable and James Johnson Sr.; 30 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

He was preceded in death by two daughters, Cindy and Jeridine Cooper, and one son Carl Cooper; two sisters, Margaret Johnson Copeland and Dorothy Johnson Mayo; and two brothers, Booker T. Phillip Cooper and John Wesley Johnson.

Public viewing will be held today from 2 to 6 p.m. at Job’s Mortuary.

Mr. Cooper will be placed in

the church on Wednesday at 11 a.m. for viewing until the hour of service.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday at noon at Westend Community Church with the Rev. Bill Bennett officiating.

Interment will follow in Goodwill Presbyterian Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the home, 4571 Wrangler Trail, Sumter.

Job’s Mortuary Inc., 312 S. Main St., 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.

CAROLINA SINGLETON Carolina James Singleton, widow of Frank Singleton Sr., and the daughter of the late Semon and Lucinda James, was born July 17, 1938, in Clarendon County. She departed this life on May 27, 2016, at Palmetto Health Richland Hospital.

Surviving are two sons, Frank Jr. and Darryl Singleton, both of Camden; one brother, Leroy James of Pinewood; two sisters, Mary J. Cantey, of Rimini and Louvenia J. (Leroy) Dinkins of Sumter; and grandchildren, greatgrandchildren and a host of other relatives.

Public viewing will be held today from 2 to 6 p.m. at Job’s Mortuary.

Mrs. Singleton will be placed in the church on Wednesday at 2 p.m. for viewing until the hour of service.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 3 p.m. at Antioch Union Methodist Episcopal Church, 10026 Old River Road, Pinewood.

Interment will follow in Antioch Memorial Garden.

Family is receiving friends at the home, 603 York St., Camden, SC 29020, and today at the home of Leroy and Louvenia J. Dinkins, 1060 E. Calhoun St., Sumter from 3 to 7 p.m.

Job’s Mortuary Inc., 312 S. Main St., 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.

EUGENE “GENE” BOONE On May 23, 2016, God dispatched an angel to take Eugene “Gene” Boone to his eternal home. Born in Lynchburg, May 2, 1953, he was the son of the late Isaiah and Gertrude Moses Boone. His memories will be cherished by: his wife, Barbara Jenkins Boone; eight children; and a host of other relatives.

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COMICS

TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2016

THE SUMTER ITEM

BIZARRO

SOUP TO NUTZ

ANDY CAPP

GARFIELD

BEETLE BAILEY

BORN LOSER

BLONDIE

ZITS

MOTHER GOOSE

DOG EAT DOUG

DILBERT

JEFF MACNELLY’S SHOE

Gay man doesn’t welcome attention from female DEAR ABBY — I’m a 51-year-old gay male. I have a sweet, dear friend I’ll call “Samantha” who is Dear Abby slightly ABIGAIL older. The problem is, VAN BUREN she wants more than friendship. She insists on spending time with me and calls me daily. She hugs me repeatedly when she goes to leave, and kisses my neck or cheek — whichever she can get to.

Samantha has touched me in a way that makes me uncomfortable. She places herself so her body touches my hand or arm. When she does,

JUMBLE THAT SCRAMBLED WORD GAME

By David L Hoyt and Jeff Knurek

I quickly remove it. She says I remind her of her brother, but I’m not feeling a sibling relationship here. She invites herself over and gets mad if I tell her I have other plans.

I don’t think I should have to discuss my orientation with anyone — including her.

It is my personal business. I have never done anything to make Samantha think I have an interest in her. I have spoken to her and made it clear that I’m not interested in a relationship with her. I have told her not to stop by without calling first. If she calls and I don’t answer, she still shows up at my door saying she called. What can I do?

End of my rope in Virginia DEAR END OF YOUR ROPE — You have two choices. Because she is a “dear friend,” the

first would be to make an exception in Samantha’s case and level with her about the fact that you’re homosexual and have no interest in a close relationship with any female because you relate better to men. During this truth session you should also say that her demonstrations of affection and apparent need for emotional and physical closeness make you uncomfortable. (It’s surprising she hasn’t picked up on it by now because of your body language.)

The alternative is to end this friendship without giving her an explanation. Either way, expect Samantha to be hurt and disappointed, but if you explain that being gay is simply part of who you are and has no bearing on her, she may be less so.

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

THE DAILY CROSSWORD PUZZLE

By C.W. Stewart

ACROSS 1 “The Aviator” actor Alan 5 Subtle attention-getter 9 Charge the quarterback 14 Enter 15 Indian princess 16 Haunting 17 Boot out 18 __ before: deadline words 19 Gone up 20 Photo caption for Condoleezza with a bowl of pintos?

23 Take for granted 24 Neptune’s domain 25 White lie 28 Fillable flatbreads 31 Ultimatum words 33 “__ as directed” 36 Photo caption for Chris with a sandwich bun?

38 Headlights-in-fog effect 40 Put on television 41 Film spool 42 Photo caption for NFL Hall of Famer Sam with a pastry shell?

47 Farm pen 48 Joins

5/31/16 49 Uncomplaining type 51 Chewie’s shipmate 52 Like many a morning coffee: Abbr.

54 Fake 58 Photo caption for Kevin with his Easter basket?

61 Jeweler’s unit 64 Fat used in baking 65 Bellini’s “Casta diva,” e.g.

66 Love 67 Not busy 68 Become softened by cuteness 69 Study aids 70 Whole bunch 71 Canonized mlles.

DOWN 1 Greek marketplace 2 Jazzman Armstrong 3 Spinal column components 4 Poker dealer’s request 5 Characterized by 6 Material for some castles 7 Supercilious sort

8 Runs out of gas 9 “The Natural” author Malamud 10 Luau keepsakes 11 1040-reviewing org.

12 __ score 13 Path to enlightenment 21 “The Kite Runner” boy 22 Really long time 25 Arctic ice phenomena 26 Land in a river 27 Beer __ 29 Military sch.

30 Decides not to go to 32 Goof up 33 “Yep” 34 Steamy setting 35 Pixielike 37 Stuck in __ 39 Many a time, poetically

43 Fizzes up 44 Fraction of a min.

45 Word seen on cornerstones 46 Come across 50 Bath & Body Works products 53 Plays a round 55 Everglades wader 56 Physically well-coordinated 57 Exams for legal wannabes, for short 58 Like floors without rugs 59 Pusher catcher 60 Vicinity 61 Item in a food drive donation 62 Brouhaha 63 Go bad

Monday’s Puzzle Solved

©2016 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

5/31/16