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A ‘goofy’ dinosaur? Scientists share their thoughts about not-so-frightening critter REGION: Cheating scandal
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Child on golf cart hurt in car crash Officials urge safety when using vehicles BY JADE REYNOLDS jade@theitem.com A 1-year-old spent the night at a Columbia hospital after he was ejected from a golf cart. About 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, a 2013 four-door Chrysler col-
lided with a golf cart carrying four children ranging in age from 1 to 12, said Tonyia McGirt, public information officer for Sumter Police Department. The golf cart was traveling west on Adams Avenue, and
Prison escapee caught
the wreck occurred near Lindley Avenue. The three other children were treated at Tuomey Regional Medical Center and released the same day, she said. Emergency Medical Services used an infant collar on the youngest, and the child was transferred to Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital,
said Bobby Hingst, director of Sumter County EMS. “He had road rash and swelling of the head,” said Capt. Joey Duggan with Sumter Fire Department, which also responded to the scene. “He was conscious, alert and crying, which was a good thing to see. Any time we respond and there are small
children involved, it hits home for all the firefighters.” The 1-year-old was scheduled to be released Thursday, McGirt said.
A CAUTIONARY TALE “Based on the incident, they are all very, very fortunate,”
SEE SAFETY, PAGE A6
Democratic candidates visit Sumterites
Man was missing from jail for nearly 2 weeks BY MATT BRUCE matthew@theitem.com Authorities in North Carolina captured a recently escaped prison inmate from Sumter County on Wednesday. According to an S.C. Department of Corrections bulletin posted on the state agency’s website, Cleveland County, North Carolina, authorities apprehended Hoyle Mincey MINCEY about 3 p.m. Wednesday. Mincey, a 57-year-old Tar Heel state man, broke out of Wateree River Correctional Institution on Oct. 12. His escape set off a statewide manhunt that trickled into the upper Carolinas last weekend after Mincey was spotted near Shelby, North Carolina. Authorities have yet to reveal exactly how Mincey escaped from the medium-security Rembert prison and remained unavailable Thursday to divulge much information about his capture. Records show Mincey was raised in a small town about 60 miles west of Charlotte. Media reports out of North Carolina
S.C. Rep. David Weeks introduces congressman and Sumter native Jim Clyburn during a Democratic rally at The Imperial in Sumter on Thursday morning. Weeks is unopposed in his bid for re-election to the District 51 seat in the S.C. House of Representatives, while Clyburn faces Republican Anthony Culler and Libertarian Kevin Umbaugh in the race for the state’s 6th District seat in the election Nov. 4. Gubernatorial candidate Vincent Sheheen, left, greets constituents at the restaurant on Thursday. PHOTOS BY MATT WALSH / THE SUMTER ITEM
SEE INMATE, PAGE A6
House Speaker pleads to 6 charges; no jail time BY MEG KINNARD The Associated Press COLUMBIA — Former South Carolina House Speaker Bobby Harrell avoided jail time but lost the House seat he has held for more than 20 years after he pleaded guilty Thursday to six campaign finance violations. Harrell’s plea deal dropped misconduct in office charges. The Republican agreed to a sixyear prison sentence that will be suspended as long as he completes three years of probation. He was also ordered to turn over about $10,000 from his campaign
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account to the state and will pay $93,000 to South Carolina’s general fund, as well as a $30,000 fine — the maximum on the charges. Harrell also agreed to help prosecutors and investigators in any other investigations into wrongdoing involving the Legislature or other matters. Prosecutor David Pascoe didn’t specify what those investigations involve. Circuit Judge Casey Manning approved the deal. Harrell, 58, has been in the House since 1993 and speaker since 2005.
Former South Carolina House Speaker Bobby Harrell is hugged by his daughter Charlotte after his plea hearing on Thursday in Columbia. Harrell pleaded guilty Thursday to six campaign finance violations and has agreed to resign immediately from his House seat. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
SEE HARRELL, PAGE A6
DEATHS, B6 William Gamble Annie Keels John Timmons Sr. William Toney Mary Lee Brunson Eunice Capell
Patricia Williams Jean Kelly Carrie Gethers Louise Dennis Delois Pack
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2 SECTIONS, 22 PAGES VOL. 120, NO. 9
Sunny and nice today; clear and chilly again tonight HIGH 72, LOW 45
Classifieds B7 Comics A8 Lotteries A10
Opinion A9 Sports B1 Television A7