IN SPORTS: USC-LSU game moved to Baton Rouge
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More than 2K pumpkins arrive Annual selling of the gourds still on schedule A3
SERVING SOUTH CAROLINA SINCE OCTOBER 15, 1894
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2015
75 CENTS
Apply now for FEMA aid Sumter, Clarendon counties now added to disaster declaration FROM STAFF REPORTS Clarendon and Sumter counties have been added to the list of counties in South Carolina available for indi-
vidual assistance federal funding as part of President Obama’s recently issued Major Disaster Declaration. The addition of Sumter and Claren-
don counties to the list of South Carolina counties eligible for funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency was made Tuesday night, making it possible for residents to begin applying for money through the agency’s Housing Assistance program. The goal of the Housing Assistance program is to help individuals create a
safe and sanitary living environment, not to return a property to its pre-disaster condition. The program does not provide money to cover losses that are covered by insurance. It can provide money for temporary housing, home repairs or (if a home is destroyed) to contribute
SEE FEMA, PAGE A9
Sumter residents move forward Cleanup is underway after historic flooding BY ADRIENNE SARVIS adrienne@theitem.com Although many residents across Sumter city and county have lost everything after the flooding this past weekend, some have been able to move forward by counting their health as something saved from the damage. Felicia Heyward, a resident of Burkett Drive in the Millwood area of Sumter, was alone at home when the flooding started late Saturday night into early Sunday morning. After waking up to the sound of running water about 6 a.m. Sunday, she got out of bed and realized she was standing in calf-high water. When Heyward looked out the back door, she saw that the water was halfway up the screened porch, and her car was partially submerged. She called her boyfriend who managed to push her car out of the water and get it started before returning to the house to get her out. He was unable to get the front door
KEITH GEDAMKE / THE SUMTER ITEM
Jordan Todus helps his friend LeAnn Neice clean up her home on Burkett Drive on Wednesday afternoon. Neice had more than 5 feet of water SEE HOME, PAGE A9 in her home Sunday.
Want to donate or volunteer? Local groups offer chances to assist FROM STAFF REPORTS While food and water are still among the most important items needed in the Sumter community, Sumter United Ministries has pinpointed another area in which it thinks it can help a great deal — cleanup and recovery of the many damaged homes. Director Mark Champagne announced Wednesday the organization will host training for folks who want to help in cleaning out the affected homes. United Ministries will host “Cleanup Training” both Friday and Monday at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. The training will last about 2 hours. Additionally, United Ministries is looking to collect items that can be part of a “Flood Bucket” that will aid in the cleanup process. Requested items include: • 5-gallon buckets; • Liquid cleaner, 12-16 ounces; • Dish soap; • Anti-bacterial air freshener;
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• Insect repellent spray; • Scrub brushes; • Cleaning wipes; • Sponges; • Scouring pads; • Heavy-duty trash bags; • Dust masks; • Kitchen dishwashing gloves; • Work gloves; and • Empty spray bottles. For more information, call (803) 775-0757. To help the public know of more ways it can help flood victims, The Sumter Item will be listing fundraisers and places to donate money, food or clothing. Here’s what we have so far: • In an effort to assist those afffected by the recent record flooding in South Carolina, SAFE Federal Credit Union branches (https://www.safefed.org/branches-atms) will serve as drop-off locations for Midlands residents who want to help in the relief efforts.
Monetary and nonperishable donations can be dropped off at any SAFE branch through Oct. 16. All proceeds and donated items will be distributed to local nonprofit organizations located within the eight counties served by SAFE. These organizations include Harvest Hope Food Bank in Clarendon, Richland, Lexington, Orangeburg and Florence counties; Sumter United Ministries in Sumter County; Good Samaritans for All People in Lee County; and Food for the Soul in Kershaw County. SAFE Federal Credit Union locations are open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to accept nonperishable food items and monetary gifts. Items to consider donating include canned meat, fruit or vegetables, sports drinks, baby formula, plastic
SEE HELP, PAGE A9
DEATHS, B4 Rembert Sanders Jr. Louise P. Singleton Holly Lee Watson Jhue Williams Christopher Cooper
Isiah Miller Sr. Henry Harvin Jr. Johnny R. Miles Rev. Frances S. Mims Zachary D. Secor
Officials monitor dam for breaches FROM STAFF REPORTS The only major dam breach South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control had for The Sumter Item coverage area was in Lee County where Clyburn Dam was breached. Robert Yanity, public information officer for DHEC, said a breach means that a dam has been broken and water is flowing through the dam. Recent rain, including 21.3 inches of rain in Sumter in a three-day period, have caused concern for more breaches at other reservoirs. Yanity said DHEC has documented 14
dam breaches since Friday, and it is monitoring more than 60 dams in the state that have the potential to breach. Although there were no officially reported breaches in dams in Sumter and Clarendon counties, residents have reported some lakes and ponds that were breached, including dams at Swan Lake, Boyles Pond and Twin Lakes. Meanwhile, public officials are monitoring three area lakes and ponds for possible breaches — Lake Cherryvale in Sumter and Lake Ashwood and McGrits Mill Pond in Lee County.
WEATHER, A10
INSIDE
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2 SECTIONS, 18 PAGES VOL. 120, NO. 300
Partly sunny today and patchy clouds tonight. HIGH 81, LOW 61
Classifieds B8 Comics B7 Lotteries A10
Opinion B5 Relgion A4 Television B6