INSIDE: Shaw Air Expo, set for end of May, schedule now available A5 TOMORROW, MAY 7 TH Presented By
All Proceeds benefit
DERBY PARTY TYY RU RUN FOR R
THE ROSES 5:30 - 10:00 PM TH MAIN ST SUMTER ER FRIDAY, MAY 6, 2016
| Serving South Carolina since October 15, 1894
75 cents
5K RUN/WALK Registration: Regist
8:00 a.m.
Race Start:
9:00 a.m.
www.derbydaysumter.com 803.773-7935
Hamptons wins small business award Chamber hosts event to honor ‘backbone’ of community BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com For their leadership in the revitalization of Downtown Sumter, Hamptons was awarded the Greater Sumter
Chamber of Commerce 2016 Small Business of the Year Award at the Small Business Celebration on Thursday at Sumter County Gallery of Art. “Small business is the backbone of our Chamber of Commerce, our com-
munity and our nation,” said Chamber President Chris Hardy at the inaugural event. The two other finalists were Galloway & Moseley Fine Jewelers, and Norman Williams & Associates Inc.
“Hamptons has been the primary catalyst in the re-invigoration of downtown Sumter,” Hardy said. “Their commitment to excellence and service has attracted many out-oftowners to visit Sumter and their support of local vendors has shown their
SEE AWARD, PAGE A5
High school students see wreck simulation ‘Prom Promise’ shows teenagers possible results of drunken driving BY KONSTANTIN VENGEROWSKY konstantin@theitem.com A deceased girl in a white prom dress, covered in blood, lying on top of a wrecked vehicle’s hood. A boy wearing a tuxedo shirt, covered in blood and handcuffed by a police officer. Those were just some of the life-like visuals Sumter High School students received on Thursday during a simulation of what could happen from driving under the influence of alcohol. The program, called “Prom Promise,” was a series of skits providing a realistic view of prom night and a potential tragedy that could take place, said Tonyia McGirt, Sumter Police Department’s spokesKEITH GEDAMKE / THE SUMTER ITEM woman. The event was a collaboration between the Assistant Coroner Rob Lebrand, front left, and Coroner Harvin Bullock photograph the “body” of Sarah Louise McInnis during a simulated
prom night crash as part of “Prom Promise” on Thursday at Sumter High School. Sumter police and fire departments joined with emergency SEE PROM, PAGE A5 medical service representatives to show high school juniors and seniors the consequences of drinking and driving.
Sumter community learns about power of prayer during annual breakfast event BY ADRIENNE SARVIS adrienne@theitem.com Hundreds of Sumter’s community members spent their morning taking in inspiration during the 2016 Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast at Alice Drive Baptist Church on Thursday morning. Community members prayed for education, families, churches, government, military, business and industry and media in Sumter. Attendees also listened to performances by Lakewood High School Choir and Sumter Civic Chorale. Keynote speaker Germaine Copeland, author of the “Prayers that Avail Much” book series and presiCHRIS MOORE / SPECIAL TO THE SUMTER ITEM dent and founder of Word MinisTishon Pugh, a student at Sumter High School, oftries Inc., an international prayer fers a prayer for education during the prayer break- network, talked with the audience fast. She is also a Girl Scouts of America Ambassaabout how the gospel is a guiding dor and Gold Award Recipient. and teaching tool.
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“As citizens, we can choose not just to be religious but to live the more abundant life,” Copeland said. Worship in spirit and truth, she said. Copeland said she attended churches of different denominations and that helped her grow as a Christian. People of the church should lay aside their differences, prejudices and pride as they worship, she said. “We all serve one god,” Copeland said. It’s time for the church to walk in love, she said. Copeland said when her prayers are not answered she asks herself if she is truly walking in the love of God or hindering her own blessings. One day while thanking God for
DEATHS, B6 Betty C. Bradley Sidney G. McGhee Jr. Emma Goodman William Jenkins Bessie Lee Singleton James W. Brailsford
Frankie Lee Furman Della Mae Holmes Eugene L. Nedd Sr. Harry Burgess Genise Law
mankind, Copeland began to see the faces of individuals she had not specifically thought to include. She said the church must also be thankful for individuals who differ from them and individuals they may not hold in high favor. It’s so easy to say you are thankful for everyone, she said. Copeland said she was happy to learn that lesson. She said obeying the word of God changed an attitude she did not know she had. “Aren’t you thankful for the Holy Spirit who helps us?” she asked. The light of God’s word will expose the things that are contrary to the gospel, Copeland said. People are looking for answers and they can only be found in the name of the Lord, Jesus Christ, she said.
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INSIDE
A LITTLE WARMER
2 SECTIONS, 18 PAGES VOL. 121, NO. 169
Mostly clear today with the possibility of a thunderstorm tonight. HIGH 72, LOW 52
Classifieds B7 Comics A8 Opinion A9
Science A6 Television A7