IN SPORTS: Wilson Hall, TSA among area teams gearing up for state volleyball tournament B1 THE CLARENDON SUN
Area churches open aid distribution center A8 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2015
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Major cocaine bust
PHOTO PROVIDED BY SUMTER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Law enforcement seized cocaine, firearms, more than $750,000 in cash and numerous vehicles when executing search warrants that led to 19 suspects being arrested earlier this week.
Sumter Police take lead on case that nabs 19 suspects across S.C. BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com An investigation that began after a string of violent shooting incidents in South Sumter has led to the arrest of 19 people allegedly involved in a major cocaine distribution ring in Aiken, Lexington, Saluda, Sumter, Richland and Lee counties, according to Sumter Police PHOTO PROVIDED BY SUMTER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE Chief Russell Roark. “What brought us to Sumter Police Department, led by Chief Russell Roark, right, took the lead on the investigation that eventually involved Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, led by Sheriff Anthony this was in January through May 2014, there Dennis, left, FBI, S.C. Law Enforcement Division and other agencies across the state.
were nine shootings in a several block area,” Roark said. “Detectives in the drug unit began to investigate, and as we got into the investigation, all of the incidents were related to criminal activity, and all were related to drug activity and all were known associates.” As the investigation proceeded, it spread across the state, Roark said. He said Sumter Police Department reached out to the FBI for assistance,
and the investigation also came to include South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, Sumter County Sheriff’s Office and numerous other agencies within the state. Roark said he thinks the individuals indicted from the Sumter area were responsible for most of the violent crime in South Sumter. According to a U.S. Department of Justice news release, the arrests
SEE BUST, PAGE A6
Register for FEMA
Chasin’ Crazy in Sumter
City officials urge residents in need to apply for assistance
Country band repairs home
BY ADRIENNE SARVIS adrienne@theitem.com During Sumter County Council’s meeting Tuesday, City of Sumter officials continued to urge residents to register with Federal Emergency Management Agency for individual assistance. Residents can apply for FEMA assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by phone at 1-800-621-3362 or in person at Sumter County Civic Center between 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week. City Manager Deron Mc-
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Cormick said he recently read a few “horror stories” about people who decided to do repairs on their own but found themselves overwhelmed with the cost and amount of work required. Mayor Joe McElveen said although the water around some residential and commercial properties may have gone down and things seem fine now, problems could pop up later. If people are not registered with FEMA before the window closes and
SEE FEMA, PAGE A6
BY RICK CARPENTER rick@theitem.com Forty thousand fans weren’t screaming Wednesday when the band Chasin’ Crazy broke into an a cappella version of one of its upcoming songs at a home they were repairing in Sumter. And the instruments they played — shovels, hammers and saws — created a less harRICK CARPENTER/THE SUTMER ITEM monious tune than their fidJimmy James Hunter, lead guitar and vocalist for Chasin’ Crazy, dle, bass and acoustic guitars.
peels paneling off a Sumter home the band has been helping repair.
DEATHS, B4 and B5 Everett G. Walker Mary D. Chaney Brenda Harper Frank McDaniel Artie Hatfield Willie L. Cummings
Tommy L. Montgomery James Humes Jr. Zelene E. Robinson Ladeaner C. Williams Warren T. Hodgson
SEE CHASIN, PAGE A6
WEATHER, A12
INSIDE
NICE DAY AHEAD
2 SECTIONS, 20 PAGES VOL. 121, NO. 7
Mostly sunny and pleasant today. Clear to partly cloudy tonight. HIGH 80, LOW 52
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