IN SPORTS: Knights look for 1st win as region play opens B1 SCIENCE
Trying to quit smoking? Study suggests lower-nicotine cigarettes may help A5
SERVING SOUTH CAROLINA SINCE OCTOBER 15, 1894
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2015
75 CENTS
Fair food makes a comeback Eyes
to the skies
Today, Oct. 2 4 p.m. — Gates open to public 4-10 p.m. — Exhibits on display 6 and 8 p.m. — Bear Mountain Wildlife Shows Midnight — Midway closes
Rain from Joaquin may cause flooding throughout S.C.
Saturday, Oct. 3 10 a.m. — Gates open to public 10 a.m.-9 p.m. — Exhibits on display Noon — Judging: Pony and horse show Noon, 6 and 8 p.m. — Bear Mountain Wildlife Shows Midnight — Midway closes
BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com Hurricane Joaquin is forecast by most models to head well north of the Palmetto State, but South Carolina almost certainly will endure flooding rains as early as tonight. Tony Petrolito, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Columbia, said there is significant potential for heavy rain across the Midlands and South Carolina. “There is a lot of tropical moisture that’s off the Atlantic Coast indirectly associated with Hurricane Joaquin,” he said. “We are going to see potential flooding rain through the weekend.” He said that is why the National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch through Monday morning. Petrolito predicted a heavy rain period late tonight and then again late Saturday. “It is like there are going to
LAST DAY – Sunday, Oct. 4 1:30 p.m. — Gates open to public 6 a.m. — Livestock removed 9 a.m.-2 p.m. — Commercial exhibits removed 2-3:30 p.m. — Individual entries removed 2-3:30 p.m. — Premium checks picked up 3, 5 and 7 p.m. — Bear Mountain Wildlife Shows 9 p.m. — Midway closes ALL DAY, EVERY DAY • Rockin’ a Ranch Petting Zoo • Lawton Trout Farm • Red Dragon Laser Tag • Farm and Garden Show • Sports Expo • Art Show • Flower Show
SEE RAIN, PAGE A6 KEITH GEDAMKE/ THE SUMTER ITEM
Jerry Walker of Walker’s Concessions places a caramel apple on the rack to dry during the Sumter County Fair on Wednesday. Walker’s family has run concessions at the fair for 35 years.
Vendor, ride traditions continue despite unpleasant weather BY ADRIENNE SARVIS adrienne@theitem.com Despite the recent weather and predicted precipitation to come, Sumter County Fair Manager Mel Curtis encourages the community to come out to the fairgrounds and enjoy the entertainment. He said the fair has seen a smaller
percentage of the amount of people expected to come out this year. The fair committee cannot control the weather, but there are plenty of buildings for visitors to take shelter in while waiting out the rain, Curtis said. “We hope the weather will be kind,” he said. The community should come out and see the attractions that have been
brought in and the efforts that went into putting the fair together, he said. Between visiting the petting zoo and enjoying the various rides and games, visitors can enjoy the foods provided by vendors, some of whom have been coming to the fair for years. Food vendor Jerry Walker, owner of
SEE FAIR, PAGE A6
More than 10 killed in Oregon college shooting
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Authorities move from building to building to secure the campus at Umpqua Community College after a report of a deadly shooting, in Roseburg, Oregon, on Thursday.
.com
nity College in the small timber town of Roseburg, about 180 miles south of Portland. It was not immediately clear whether that number included the gunman. State police Lt. Bill Fugate told KATU-TV that at least 20 others were hurt. “It’s been a terrible day,” a grim-faced Douglas County Sheriff John Hanlin said at a news conference. “Certainly this is a huge shock to our community.” Hours after the attack, a visibly angry President Obama spoke to reporters, saying the U.S. is becoming
Susan Blackwell Sammie Lee Brisbon Gardina B. Graham George E. Bonaparte Joe Bannister Gloria H. Pearson
Nathaniel Coker Kenzie Alston Sr. Fermon McGainey Jr. Roy A. Williams Henry B. Richardson Jr. Wilbur Scriven
BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com Tuomey Healthcare System is still working to finalize its pending merger with Palmetto Health and to reach a settlement with the U.S. Justice Department on a $237.4 million judgment against the hospital in federal court, according to a statement released by the hospital Thursday. “Tuomey Healthcare System and Palmetto Health are applying their best efforts toward finalizing our binding
SEE SHOOTING, PAGE A6
DEATHS, B4 and B5
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ROSEBURG, Ore. (AP) — A gunman opened fire at a rural Oregon community college Thursday, killing at least a dozen people before dying in a shootout with police, authorities said. The killer, identified only as a 20-year-old man, invaded a classroom and demanded that people stand up and state their religion before spraying more bullets, one student reported. Authorities shed no light on the gunman’s motive and said they were investigating. Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum said 13 people were dead after the attack at Umpqua Commu-
Tuomey works to finalize agreements
Zachary D. Secor Sallie C. Boykin Lula Bell Singleton Joanne Spreets Patricia Ann Hynes
SEE TUOMEY, PAGE A6
WEATHER, A10
INSIDE
RAIN BOOTS ANYONE?
2 SECTIONS, 20 PAGES VOL. 120, NO. 295
Gusty thunderstorms and heavy rain; flooding possible. HIGH 63, LOW 58
Classifieds B6 Opinion A9 Comics A8 Television A7 Lotteries A10