IN SPORTS: Bates, Alice Drive face off for middle school title
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FOOD
Master a better apple pie Tips from picking the right fruit to making the crust C8
SERVING SOUTH CAROLINA SINCE OCTOBER 15, 1894
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2015
75 CENTS
City considers multiple grants Council talks Community Development Block Grant, hears from nonprofit reps BY ADRIENNE SARVIS adrienne@theitem.com City of Sumter Community Development Department held its final public input meeting for the 2016-17 Community Development Block Grant project
plan during Sumter City Council’s regular meeting Tuesday. The grant money is provided to the city and other qualified communities by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to improve low-
to-moderate-income areas and enhance economic opportunities for residents. Mayor Joe McElveen said the city is expecting to receive about $300,000 for the 2016-17 budget. Council members then listened to requests from representatives of local organizations to receive funding for public assistance and activities. Mark Champagne, executive direc-
tor of Sumter United Ministries, asked that council consider approving $24,000 for the nonprofit organization to repair leaking roofs caused by the storm. He also updated council on how the organization has been helping members of the community since the flood. Champagne said United Ministries
SEE CITY, PAGE A5
Dam owners respond
Getting tired
Locals comply with DHEC orders BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com
CHRIS MOORE / SPECIAL TO THE SUMTER ITEM
F3, which stands for Faith, Fitness and Fellowship, celebrates its one-year anniversary Saturday at Bobby Richardson Park with a workout of about 40 men. F3 participants from other chapters across the state participated, coming from Columbia, Lexington, Florence and Hartsville. For more information on how to get involved, go to F3nation.com/Sumter.
Gallery hosts reception Thursday New exhibitions feature 1 painter, 2 photographers FROM STAFF REPORTS Sumter County Gallery of Art will open exhibitions by two photographers, Michelle Van Parys and John Hathaway, and one by painter Joshua Flint on Thursday night. The opening reception is set for 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Gallery Director Karen Watson noted that the exhibitions are the last from former curator Frank McCauley. Van Parys and Hathaway are both Lowcountry photographers, but their works project different moods, Watson said. “Van Parys’ haunting black-and-white images seem devoid of life; there is a still, contemplative air about them,” Watson said.
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“Hathaway’s vibrant color images capture the everyday happenings of Lowcountry life — the people, places and faces of a region.” She said Flint’s large- and small-scale paintings are also atmospheric, conjuring a surreal nostalgia that seems to float through each decade of the first half of the 20th century. Watson thinks the rich imagery of all three artists will appeal to a wide audience. All three artists will be in attendance, and Joshua Flint will give an artist talk beginning at 6:30 p.m. during the opening. Van Parys and Hathaway will return to the gallery for artist talks from
SEE EXHIBITS, PAGE A5
PHOTO PROVIDED
“Mapping a Galaxy” by Joshua Flint can be seen in his exhibition titled “The World Between,” which opens with a 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday reception at the Sumter County Gallery of Art.
DEATHS, B7 Nancy Jo Hoffman Shirley A. Pugh Baxter Albert Lee Mack Kenneth McKenzie Sr. Sammie Wactor Jr.
Solomon Porter Isabelle Burress Ruth K. Williams Lillie B. Davis Gary Lee Warren Sr.
All of the dam owners in the tri-county area who were ordered to take action to repair or lower water levels in dams which were degraded by the 1,000-year flood have responded to the orders, according to the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control. DHEC said it assessed all 652 Class One and Class Two dams statewide and issued emergency orders covering 75 dams. The agency said it partnered with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to conduct followup visits to assess the status of all of the 75 dams covered by the emergency orders. According to DHEC, Class 1 dam failure may “cause loss of life or serious damage to infrastructure,” Class 2 dam failure will “not likely cause loss of life but may damage infrastructure,” while the failure of a Class 3 dam “may cause limited property damage.” Dam owners are responsible for maintaining the safety and structural integrity of their dams, with DHEC acting as the state’s regulatory agency. According to the orders issued by DHEC, the dams which received orders in the tri-county area are all considered Class 2 dams. In Sumter County, the owners of Cains Mill Pond, 2470 Cains Mill Road; Ellerbees Millpond Dam, 6375 TB Wright Road, near Rembert; and Lake View Pond Dam, 4915 Ridgewood Drive, also in the Rembert area, have all responded to the orders, DHEC said. In Clarendon County, the owners of Cola Plantation Dam, 1900 HT Everett Road, Pinewood; Lakewood Pond Dam, 6863 June Burn Road, near New Zion; and O.E. Rose Dam, 2157 Rainbow Lake Road, near New Zion, have all responded as well, the agency said. W.L. Clyburn, owner of the W. L. Clyburn Dam in Lee County, also responded to the order, the agency reported. Robert Yanity, spokesman for DHEC Media Relations, said that while the owners
SEE DAMS, PAGE A5
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CLOUDS ABOUND
3 SECTIONS, 24 PAGES VOL. 121, NO. 8
Mostly cloudy today, and a shower or two possible. Rather cloudy and mild today. HIGH 73, LOW 62
Classifieds B8 Comics C6 Lotteries A8
Opinion A7 Panorama C1 Television C7