Thousands of spiders ‘bleeding out of the walls’ Brown recluses force family from home A6 IN SPORTS: Thomas Sumter, Wilson Hall SERVING SOUTH CAROLINA SINCE OCTOBER 15, 1894
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2014
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‘A beacon of hope for other victims’ Fraternity aims to bring awareness to domestic violence through annual event BY MATT BRUCE matthew@theitem.com It’s rare that an annual event is planned with the hope of not having it again next year. But that is the goal for Sumter County’s men of Omega Psi Phi. The Gamma Iota Chapter of
the international fraternity staged its 4th-annual Omega Men Against Domestic Violence 5K Fun Run/Walk at Dillon Park on Saturday morning. Organizers said the walk, which is held each year during the nation’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month, is meant to bring attention to
the troublesome issue, which plagues South Carolina. Omega Psi Phi chapter Chairman Vincent Ferguson said his ultimate goal is to raise awareness about the issue to a point where his fraternity would not have to host such an event anymore. “We’ve been doing this for quite some time, just inviting
people and helping to bring awareness. Especially in the Sumter community because we’re No. 4 in the state, and the state is No. 2 in the country,” he said. “So something needs to be done so things can change.” Officials said nearly 100 people turned out to the gathering, which usually raises
between $500 and $1,000 each year. Ferguson said proceeds from Saturday’s walk would be divvied up and donated to several local women’s groups. Omega Psi Phi, an international fraternity with more than 750 chapters, took an official stance against domestic
SEE WALK, PAGE A10
Just like old times at Carolina Backcountry Harvest Day Therese Huntz shoots a black-powder pistol during the Sumter County Museum’s Carolina Backcountry Harvest Day event Saturday. Museum staff and volunteers dressed in authentic early 19th century clothing and demonstrated activities of the period, including cooking over an open fire, spinning and weaving. Volunteers were also on hand to demonstrate the art of blacksmithing.
PHOTOS BY MATT WALSH / THE SUMTER ITEM
Carolina Backcountry Harvest Day participants are fed a rotisserie chicken at the event.
Brandon Yeager performs an American Indian dance during the museum’s free event.
Teen’s organization kicks off ‘Operation Warm Our Veterans’ BY JADE REYNOLDS jade@theitem.com An Alice Drive Middle School eighth-grader is aiming to collect at least 1,000 coats for veterans, and she
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needs your help. Crowns for Camo, the platform started by Alexandra Tiek, is partnering with Operation Veteran Support for “Operation Warm Our Veterans: A Coat Drive for Our Vet-
erans in Need.” “I wanted to do something this winter for the veterans,” the 14-year-old said. “A lot of people don’t have a home. They have to live on the streets. They don’t have any-
thing, and they could use a coat. Or they may have a house, but they don’t have money for a coat.” Collection of new or gentlyused coats starts today and runs through Nov. 11. Alexan-
DEATHS, B5 and B6 Elizabeth Blakeslee Carlos D. Torres Dorothy Pritchard Jasper Benjamin Ben Oliver Jr. Helen Pearson
Sandford Cato Betty Jane E. Ray Jane B. Wilson Abram McDuffie Coleman Dennis Jayvon Dukes
Addie Mae H. Rose Diane Lynn Maillard Mark A. Fioritto Susie Young Western Epps Sammy Kaye Bryant III
dra is hoping for donations of all sizes for both men and women, she said. “We want to help female veterans, too,” said Glen Brown, founder and
SEE VETERANS, PAGE A10
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