IN RELIGION: Guys can get fit and enjoy fellowship, faith this Saturday A9 LOCAL SPORTS
Barons looking to bounce back after disappointing loss THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2014
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SHS makes big improvements on SAT Crestwood, Lakewood scores drop BY RAYTEVIA EVANS ray@theitem.com College Board and the S.C. Department of Education recently released the 2013-14 school year SAT and Advanced Placement scores for the state,
which show that South Carolina is continuing to improve and increase the number of public school students taking the AP exams each year. In Sumter County, Sumter High School showed huge improvements in SAT scores — making a 29-point gain from
an average composite score of 1374 in 2013 to 1403 in 2014 — and meeting the national average of 57 percent of students who scored a 3 or higher on AP exams. “Sumter High School is proud of the improvements made on the SAT scores. We have had numerous SAT workshops for the students, and our first session this year is scheduled for December,” said Principal Dana Fall.
It’s pumpkin time at Aldersgate
“Other strategies we have incorporated within the daily instructional plan are the SAT Word of the Day during the daily announcements, consistent reminders of test dates and strategies for improving scores, rigorous coursework in all classes and more writing across the curriculum to improve writing skills. We have recently purchased a
SEE SAT, PAGE A7
SUMTER COUNTY FAIR SCHEDULE TODAY, OCT. 9 4 p.m. — GATES, MIDWAY OPEN Judging: 5 p.m. — Beef show Free performances: 5 and 8 p.m. — The Shots 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. — Barnyard Review 6 and 8:30 p.m. — Rosaire’s Royal Racers 6:30 and 9 p.m. — Lady Houdini 7 and 9:30 p.m. — Lance Gifford 10 p.m. — Exhibits close Midnight — Midway closes
FRIDAY, OCT. 10 4 p.m. — GATES, MIDWAY OPEN 4 to 10 p.m. — All exhibits on display 4 to 10 p.m. — Midway open Free performances: 5 and 8 p.m. — The Shots 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. — Barnyard Review 6 and 8:30 p.m. — Rosaire’s Royal Racers 6:30 and 9 p.m. — Lady Houdini 7 and 9:30 p.m. — Lance Gifford 10 p.m. — Exhibits close Midnight — Gates close
SATURDAY, OCT. 11 10 a.m. — GATES, MIDWAY OPEN 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. — All exhibits on display 10 a.m. to midnight — All rides open Judging: Noon: Pony and horse show Free performances: 10:30 a.m. — Boots and Buckles Band Noon, 3 and 6 p.m. — The Shots 1, 3 and 6:45 p.m. — Barnyard Review 1:30, 4 and 8 p.m. — Rosaire’s Royal Racers 2, 4:30 and 8:30 p.m. — Lady Houdini 2:30, 5 and 9:15 p.m. — Lance Gifford 6 to 9 p.m. — One Man Band in Sumter County Civic Center 10 p.m. — Exhibits close Midnight — Midway closes
Airman First Class Jeremy Ashley, front, takes a pumpkin pass from Master Sgt. Donna Cox on Monday outside Aldersgate United Methodist Church. The annual pumpkin patch opens at 10 a.m. and will run until 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday in October. Cameron Miller, 3, left, arranges the pumpkins to his liking Monday. He was helping his mother, Staff Sgt. Amanda Miller, outside the church. PHOTOS BY JADE REYNOLDS / THE SUMTER ITEM
Pair juggles work, school and triplets As Stacy Grooms adjusts her 3-year-old daughter’s pants in the living room of their Sumter home Monday morning, her husband, Allen,
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3:30 and 6 p.m. — Rosaire’s Royal Racers 9 p.m. — Midway closes
Allen and Stacy Grooms have been married for almost five years and have a set of 3-year-old triplets. On top of providing for Tabitha, Tyler and Elizabeth, the couple is enrolled in Central Carolina Technical College’s criminal justice program.
3 times the trouble BY RAYTEVIA EVANS ray@theitem.com
SUNDAY, OCT. 12 1:30 p.m. — Gates open to the public, $6 general admission 1:30 to 9 p.m. — All rides open 6 a.m. — Livestock removed 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Commercial exhibits removed 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Poultry and baby animals removed 2 to 3:30 p.m. — Individual entries removed 2 to 3:30 p.m. — Premium checks picked up Free performances: 2 and 4 p.m. — Barnyard Review 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. — The Magic of Lance Gifford 3 and 5:15 p.m. — Lady Houdini
peeks around the corner to find out what the other two-thirds of their set of triplets are getting themselves into. It’s only just past 9 a.m., and Stacy and Allen have already cleaned
RAYTEVIA EVANS / THE SUMTER ITEM
SEE TRIPLETS, PAGE A7
DEATHS, B6 Darren Andrews Shirley Wilson Liston H. Bailey Jr. Delores I. Green
Gladys L. Johnson Marie Sweat Marie Dennis Jasper Davis Sr.
WEATHER, A12 SUNNY SKIES Mostly sunny today; mostly clear tonight HIGH 81, LOW 58
INSIDE 2 SECTIONS, 20 PAGES VOL. 119, NO. 305
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Opinion A11 Television A10