October 13, 2015

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IN LOCAL NEWS: Manning residents can find help at new FEMA center A2 DAMAGE FROM THE FLOOD? WE ARE AVAILABLE To repair driveways, roads, dams, remove debris, etc. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015

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Police warn against looting 4 arrested after reportedly taking debris from yards during State of Emergency FROM STAFF REPORTS If you think it’s all right to take things left by the curb for the flood clean up, you’d better think again. Four people are in jail on looting charges for reportedly taking items placed on the edges of yards in flood-rav-

aged neighborhoods in the city, according to a news release from Sumter Police Department. At about 10:30 p.m. Saturday, a white van and a black Ford Escape were seen by an officer in the Shadow and Clematis trails area where homes were damaged during

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the recent flood. Additional officers were called, and after conducting a traffic stop, one of the suspects told police they were

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looking for items on the side of the road to take home. Under South Carolina law, such activity is considered looting during a State of Emergen-

cy. Anyone suspected of entering property of another without legal authority and with criminal intent, damages property of another person or takes possession of or disturbs someone’s property is subject to prosecution for looting, a felony charge, the release stated. Those convicted can face a fine and/or imprisonment. “This law is in place to protect the state’s citizens during

SEE LOOTING, PAGE A7

Workout group F3 throws its energy into cleanup

PHOTOS BY KEITH GEDAMKE / THE SUMTER ITEM

Jason Pearson, from Alice Drive Baptist Church, and Eric Avery from Jehovah Missionary Baptist Church, work to tear up flooring in Eartha English’s home on Saturday morning. The two men were some of the 150 volunteers who came together under the direction of F3, Fitness, Fellowship and Faith, to help residents of Sumter remove flood-damaged materials from homes. Below, a note on the F3 group’s “war room” board is seen.

Men work to help local flood victims recover, ask others to volunteer BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com As the extent of damage from the historic flood begins to sink in, an incredible number of people in the area have leapt at the chance to help their neighbors. One such group is F3, which stands for Fitness, Fellowship and Faith, said Jonathan Smith, who is leading local recovery efforts. He said the group is open to people of any faith. The organization started in Charlotte

and now has spread throughout the Southeast, Smith said. “We have free workouts six days a week,” he said. “We serve and grow small workout groups for the invigoration of male community leadership.” With all the people needing help after the flood, they are directing their energy toward helping out flood vic-

Beware of contractor scams BY ADRIENNE SARVIS adrienne@theitem.com Before repairing damage caused by recent heavy rain, Sumter City and County Building Inspections Director Steve Campbell urges homeowners to make sure contractors have the proper documentation.

Campbell said there are three permitting systems that may be needed before starting any flood repairs: a business license, a building permit and a contractor’s license. According to information provided by the building inspections department, homeowners do not need a business li-

.com

SEE F3, PAGE A7

INTERSTATE 95 REOPENS South Carolina Department of Transportation has reopened 13 miles of Interstate 95 southbound lanes, from Exit 119 to Exit 132, according to a department news release. The northbound lanes remain closed as bridges are being restored, the news release states. Work began on the northbound side Saturday morning and involves the repair of 18 bridges in that 13-mile closed section. Repair work will go on continuously until the northbound lanes are open, according to the news release. — From staff reports

To help the public know of more ways it can help flood victims, The Sumter Item will list fundraisers and places to donate money, food or clothing. Here’s what we have so far: • The BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation and BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina have made available $1 million to South Carolina nonprofit organizations assisting state residents affected by catastrophic flooding. South Carolina-based 501(c)(3) organizations that are providing disaster-related services to residents of affected counties may apply. Projects that may be funded include activities supporting the health and human services of those impacted by this natural disaster. Interested nonprofit organizations should contact BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation at (803) 264-7860 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) or email FLOOD.RELIEF@ bcbssc.com for additional information

SEE RECOVERY, PAGE A7

SEE HELP, PAGE A5

DEATHS, B4 and B5

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cense, building permit or contractor’s license before doing minor repair work and cleanup on their own. Minor repair work includes removing water from carpeting and other types of flooring, replacing flooring, removing

tims, Smith said. On Saturday, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 230 Alice Drive, more than 120 volunteers were quickly devouring a spaghetti lunch. Smith is helping coordinate crews for the cleanup.

London Lewis Gore M. Graham Drayton Wilson McElveen Trudie H. McLeod William Dixon Isabelle N. Bennett

Henry A. Dickey Ricky Lee Green David R. Conyers Raymond R. Brown Henry Harvin Ernest Moses

Pernell Brigg Jr. Derry Canty Jr. Jocelyn Butler Jane Geddings Robert Pearson Thelma Jones

INSIDE Joe Nathan Graham Jr. Glen Darnell Duke Alonzo R. McDonald John Wilson

2 SECTIONS, 18 PAGES VOL. 120, NO. 304

Classifieds B7 Comics B6 Opinion A8 Sports B1 Television A9


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