Fact-checking the campaign biographies
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PANORAMA
Firefighters show off BBQ skills Public invited to enjoy the benefits of competition C1 SERVING SOUTH CAROLINA SINCE OCTOBER 15, 1894
$1.50
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2015
IN SPORTS: Gators knock off USC; Clemson survives
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Eiffel Tower dark in City of Light France mourns; death toll at 129 PARIS — The Eiffel Tower stood dark in a symbol of mourning Saturday night as France struggled to absorb
the deadliest violence on its soil since World War II: coordinated gun-and-suicide bombing attacks across Paris that left at least 129 people dead and 352 injured. President Francois Hollande vowed that France would wage “merciless” war
on the Islamic State group, which claimed responsibility for the mayhem, as investigators raced to track down their accomplices and uncovered possible links to networks in Belgium and Syria. Paris prosecutor Francois Molins said three groups of
attackers, including seven suicide bombers, carried out the “act of barbarism” that shattered a Parisian Friday night. He said the attackers in the Bataclan concert hall, where 89 people died, mentioned Syria and Iraq during their rampage. Of the hundreds
Event reminds BD employees they’re ‘family’
wounded in the six attacks, 99 were in critical condition. Seven attackers launched gun attacks at Paris cafes, detonated suicide bombs near France’s national stadium and killed hostages inside the
SEE PARIS, PAGE A8
Ke Ke McMickell, left, and Neil Quitsch hang a sign on the day of the fundraising barbecue to thank BectonDickinson and Co. employees for helping out. Below, Lavon Christmas, seen at left, and Gene McGriff put chicken quarters on the grill during the fundraising event.
Meal fundraiser helps co-workers after flood
PHOTOS PROVIDED
BY RICK CARPENTER rick@theitem.com
A
s Becton Dickinson and Co. Sumter Plant Manager Kevin Johnson learned
that co-workers were beginning to ask for donations for other employees who had lost everything in the early October flood, he assembled his leadership JOHNSON
team to determine the extent to which em-
ployees were affected. While nearly every employee was affected one way or another, out of BD’s 650 employees, six had lost virtually everything. Realizing that co-workers were searching for ways to help, he asked four employees to organize a fundraiser that would benefit those six families. Johnson noted he wanted to do something for the victims that would also give something back to those who donated. What do South Carolinians do during a tragedy, Johnson asked? “We break bread together,” he said. Johnson said he knew that employee Danny Burke had experience creating
SEE FAMILY, PAGE A12
It’s time to turn in Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes BY IVY MOORE ivy@theitem.com Churches in Sumter, Manning, Bishopville and Turbeville continue their participation in Operation Christmas Child this week, serving as
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operates under the auspices of Samaritan’s Purse, begun by Franklin Graham, son of evangelist Billy Graham. The stated mission of Samaritan’s Purse is “to provide spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the
world. ... to help meet needs of people who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease and famine with the purpose of sharing God’s love through His Son, Jesus Christ.” Operation Christmas Child
carries out this mission through contributions from residents in communities throughout the country. It asks those who wish to contribute to the effort to pack a
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WEATHER, A12
INSIDE
Information: 774-1200 Advertising: 774-1237 Classifieds: 774-1234 Delivery: 774-1258 News and Sports: 774-1226
Helen C. Spell Roslyn Miller Jewel B. Johnson
ANOTHER NICE FALL DAY
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collection sites Monday through Nov. 23 for the charitable organization that provides gifts to children around the world. The largest Christmas program of its kind in the world, Operation Christmas Child
Mostly sunny and cool today with little chance of rain; partly cloudy tonight and chilly. HIGH 63, LOW 39
SEE SHOEBOXES, PAGE A9
Business D1 Classifieds D5 Comics E1 Lotteries A12
Opinion A10 Television E3 Stocks D2
We Do What Big Banks Do... Only Better. Personal Service. Local Decisions. Sumter: 469-0156 Manning: 433-4451 bankofclarendon.com ."//*/( t 4"/5&& t 46..&350/ t 8:#00 t 46.5&3