September 11, 2014 by The Sumter Item

Funding elimination could mean tax hike County might see more than $3.62M revenue shortfall THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2014

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SERVING SOUTH CAROLINA SINCE OCTOBER 15, 1894 2 SECTIONS, 18 PAGES | VOL. 119, NO. 281

BY JOE KEPLER joe@theitem.com Sumter County Council expressed concern about a developing issue on the state level at Tuesday night’s meeting, as it was learned that there is a movement aiming to eliminate local government funding. The situation, brought to council’s attention by County Administrator Gary Mixon, could affect future county budgets and even raise taxes in the county as a stop-gap measure. “It’s an issue that’s been going on since 2009,” Mixon said of previous cuts to funding. “County governments rely heavily on state ap-

propriation, or as we call it, local government funds, to basically supplement our local tax dollars.” Local government funds are tax dollars from cities and counties that are paid to the state government. A portion of those taxes, in theory, is supposed to return to local governments to run state functions within that community. The state has been reducing the amount of money it returns since 2009 and now is looking for support to do away with it altogether. “We understood during the tough economic times that it had to be done, but now that revenues have increased over in Columbia, instead of bringing it back to the

statutory formula (of 4.5 percent of total funds returned), it has still been reduced,” Mixon said. “What we’re not hearing is another plan to fund it through another source,” he added. “All we’re hearing is that there is some discussion of eliminating the government fund, and that gives us great concern. You’re talking about millions of dollars going to the local government, and that’s money we can’t make up.” The state’s General Assembly has put additional pressure on the county with this discussion via the existing Act 388, which limits the

SEE COUNTY, PAGE A5

Get ready for Oktoberfest When will it end? 13 years after 9/11 attacks, America braces for more military action in Mideast A4 LOCAL SPORTS

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Leo Morse and Drake Hutson hang banners Wednesday for the sponsors for Oktoberfest on Main, which will take place on Sept. 20 in downtown Sumter.

Obama: U.S. will expand airstrikes to ‘ultimately destroy’ Islamic State BY JULIE PACE AP White House Correspondent WASHINGTON — In a major reversal, President Obama moved Wednesday night to deepen the U.S. military role in the volatile Middle East, vowing to wage an unrelenting counterterror effort using airstrikes to target Islamic State fighters in both Iraq and Syria. Obama outlined his strategy, which also includes training and arming Syrian rebels, in a highstakes address to the nation. Obama said the objective is to “degrade and ultimately destroy” the Islamic State group. “This counterterrorism campaign will be waged through a

steady, relentless effort to take out ISIL wherever they exist using our air power and our support for partner forces on the ground,” Obama said, using an alternative name for the group. Until now, the U.S. launched airstrikes against the group only within the borders of Iraq, whose government invited the American miliOBAMA tary to take that step. But officials have said in recent days that Islamic State, which also controls territory in Syria, must be viewed as one group, not two separate entities split by a border. Ahead of Obama’s remarks, congressional leaders grappled with

whether to support his request to arm the Syrian opposition, and if so, how to get such a measure through the fractured legislature before the November elections. Obama’s plans amount to a striking shift for a president who has steadfastly sought to wind down American military campaigns in the Middle East and avoid new wars. That stance has been notable in Syria, where Islamic State militants have taken advantage of the instability created by a three-year civil war and now operate freely in areas near and across the Iraqi border. “I want the American people to understand how this effort will be

SEE OBAMA, PAGE A5

Father confesses to killing children, dumping bodies BY JAY REEVES and JEFFREY COLLINS The Associated Press

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Photos of Timothy Ray Jones Jr.’s children are seen on display during a news conference at the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department Training Center on Wednesday. Jones, 32, will be charged with murder in the deaths of his five children after he led authorities to a secluded clearing in Alabama where their bodies were found wrapped in garbage bags, said Lewis McCarty, the acting sheriff in Lexington.

PINE APPLE, Ala. — Their little bodies shrouded in plastic bags, the five children of Timothy Ray Jones Jr. had been dead for days by the time he led investigators to the spot where they had been dumped among dead trees and scrub brush. The children’s journey to that isolated hilltop in central Alabama covered hundreds of miles and crisscrossed several Southeastern states as Jones drove his Cadillac Escalade around for days, using bleach to try to mask the smell of the decomposing bodies, authorities said Wednesday.

Jones was arrested Saturday at a DUI checkpoint in Mississippi, about 500 miles from his hometown of Lexington, South Carolina. An officer said he “smelled the stench of death” along with chemicals used to make methamphetamine and synthetic marijuana. Jones was acting strangely and appeared “somewhat disorientJONES ed,” said Lewis McCarty, the acting sheriff in Lexington. Court documents show the children’s brief lives were troubled, marred for years by discord between their parents. The divorce between Jones

and his wife, Amber, finalized 11 months ago, included multiple allegations of adultery against the woman and resulted in the children bouncing back and forth between their home in South Carolina and northeastern Mississippi, where Jones’ family lives. A therapist who saw the man more than two years ago described him as “highly intelligent” and responsible, yet emotionally devastated and angry about his wife’s alleged infidelity, court records show. Still, authorities said they don’t know why the children were slain, or how, or exactly when. Autopsies were scheduled to begin today.

SEE JONES, PAGE A5

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2014

THE SUMTER ITEM

Call: (803) 774-1226 | E-mail: pressrelease@theitem.com

Exports from Sumter area up during 2013 BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com Not many people think of exports as a major contributor to the economy of Sumter, but a recent report by the U.S. Department of Commerce said exports from the Sumter metropolitan area grew by 20 percent from 2012-13. The report said 2013 exports from the area totaled $187 million, a $31

million increase from the year before. The Department of Commerce report said key exports from the Sumter area included processed foods, fabricated metal products, chemicals, machinery and textiles. “Sumter exists in a global marketplace, so it’s good news that our community is seeing solid growth in exports,” said Jay Schwedler, president and CEO of the Sumter Development Board. “Even better news is that we

expect to see continued growth in exports as our existing industries expand and find new markets for their products. “More and more businesses are looking at international market diversification as a means of weathering the global economy and building a customer base,” said Dorette Coetsee, director of the U.S. Commercial Service in Columbia. “Whether you’re looking to make that first ex-

port sale or expand your current international sales, now is a great time to start.” The report examined where exports originated based on the ZIP codes listed on the export documents and did not break down sales by individual companies. “This is a good sign for the future of our community and Sumter’s competitiveness in the global economy,” Schwedler said.

LOCAL BRIEFS FROM STAFF REPORTS

Man arrested after chase in complex

PHOTOS BY JIM HILLEY / THE SUMTER ITEM

Attorney David Weeks, left, argues for former Manning City Council candidate Gloria Frierson at a hearing Wednesday in the Clarendon County Magistrate Courtroom, and Attorney Shaun Kent, right, argues against throwing out the results of the runoff election.

Manning election saga in judge’s hands Decision on results should come soon BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com Third Circuit Judge Jeffrey Young should soon decide whether Manning must conduct another election for City Council District 5 or if apparent winner Julius “Jay” Dukes can be sworn in at the next council meeting. Attorney David Weeks, representing Gloria Frierson, who lost the July 22 run-off election by a single vote, argued Wednesday at the Clarendon County Magistrate Courtroom that two voters in the election did not live in the district. He cited a form filled out by election officials showing the unqualified voters received absentee ballots and cast them in the election. Weeks said while it was unknown who those two voters voted for, it was still enough to make the election result “doubtful.” “The only legal recourse is to have another election,” he said. Arguing for the Manning Election Commission and Dukes was attorney Shaun Kent.

Kent said the documents don’t prove that the disputed votes were actually counted by election officials. He said documents prepared by Clarendon Voter Registration Office detailed who has received and cast absentee ballots and clearly state that the two out-of-district voters cast their ballots. Kent referred to the sworn testimony of office Director Shirley Black-Oliver at an election commission hearing, who testified that while the documents show the voters cast a ballot, she could not say that the voters’ ballots were counted. Black-Oliver said she was not present at the time the ballots were cast, and only someone who was there could say if the votes were counted or if they were challenged by the voter registration office. “The VRO has the power to challenge the ballot,” Kent said. Black-Oliver said Princess Lang, assistant director at the office, could testify whether the ballots were counted, but when called to the stand at the earlier hearing, she was never asked if the ballots were counted. “They did not ask because they did not want to hear

the answer,” Kent said. “Are you asking me to ignore the only written document that tells us whether they voted or not?” Young asked Kent. “Isn’t it hard for them to challenge their own official document?” “That only tells part of the story,” Kent said. “Shirley Black-Oliver said under oath that it doesn’t show the vote was counted. It is our position these ballots were never counted.” Kent also argued that Frierson should have challenged the ballots immediately after the election as state election law provides, but she did not do so. Young told both attorneys to prepare proposed orders for him to sign within 10 days. “I will examine the record of the earlier hearing and make a decision,” the judge said. As the attorneys left the courtroom, Kent handed Young what appeared to be an affidavit from Lang. The judge made no indication if he would read it. “They are just trying to play a game of hide and seek,” Kent said after the hearing. When asked if he had an affidavit from Lang saying the votes were not counted, Kent declined to answer.

A Sumter man was arrested early Wednesday morning after reports of a short police chase through an apartment complex. Shaun Rich, 41, of 915 Miller Road, was charged with reckless driving and leaving the scene of an accident in connection with the incident. Records show his bond was set at $682. According to a Sumter police report, patrolling officers spotted a 2014 Dodge Avenger near the front buildings at Poplar Square Apartments just after midnight Wednesday. When police approached the vehicle, Rich reportedly sped off toward the back end of the apartment complex. When he reached the back of the complex, he quickly turned in to a parking space, crashing into an unoccupied Grand Marquise that was parked. Rich then fled from the vehicle on foot heading toward a fence, where officers apprehended him.

threatened the victim on Aug. 26, a sheriff’s office statement said. According to the report, he tried pressuring the teen to drop the allegations against his father and took his cellphone.

Mother charged in alleged attack on child A Sumter woman was arrested Wednesday after she reportedly abused her daughter. Gretchen Davis, 36, of 450 Katydid St., was charged with unlawful conduct toward a child in connection with the incident. According to a statement from Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, Davis turned herself in to deputies Wednesday. Her arrest stemmed from an alleged attack on her 12-year-old daughter that took place Jan. 24. Records indicate someone restrained the child while Davis struck her several times in the face. The attack resulted in several cuts, and staff at the victim’s school reported the injuries to police.

Sumter teens face theft, assault charges

A pair of Sumter teens face charges after a reported attack last week. Chelsey Cherry, of 3210 Tuckaway Drive, and Dallas A Sumter County fatherEllis, of 449 Wildhog Drive, and-son duo was arrested were charged with assault this weekend after separate and battery of a high and agreports involving a teenage gravated nature and grand victim. Richard Horne, 53, of 4340 larceny in connection with the incident. Bond was set Livingwood Drive, was charged with second-degree Tuesday at $40,000 for the two suspects, both of whom assault and battery in conare 18. nection with allegations According to a statement against him. Shawn Horne, from the Sumter County 30, of the same address, Sheriff’s Office, the attack faces a count of witness intook place Friday in the 200 timidation stemming from block of Wildhog Drive. Ellis his arrest. allegedly pushed the 52-yearAccording to a pair of old victim to the ground, statements the Sumter and Cherry allegedly struck County Sheriff’s Office rethe woman several times in leased Wednesday, deputies the face with an unknown arrested both men Sunday. object. Arrest records indicate According to the report, Richard Horne allegedly molested a 17-year-old between the two then made off with the victim’s 2005 Chevrolet Aug. 11 and Aug. 20, touching the teen inappropriately pickup truck, which is valand kissing him on the neck ued at $7,000. without consent. According to the report, he also threatened to harm the victim if he reported the incident. If you see a statement in error, After charges were filed contact the City Desk at 774-1226 or against the elder suspect, pressrelease@theitem.com. Shawn Horne allegedly

Father, son arrested after assault incident

CORRECTION

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2014

Stop the Violence movement plans community meeting BY IVY MOORE ivy@theitem.com The anti-crime movement that officially started during the Aug. 8-10 weekend is growing rapidly, organizers say, and the community is expressing more and more concern. For that reason, the Stop the Violence campaign will host a meeting at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at Mount Zion Baptist Church to brainstorm and allow community members a forum

to offer and discuss new ideas. Patty Wilson of Sumter Vision in Progress said the Stop the Violence March on Aug. 9 was very well attended, “and it has resulted in some very intriguing cooperation we’re all doing with each other. People are really tired of all the crime and violence, and the different segments of the community really want it to stop. Crime is at an alltime high here.” For that reason, Wilson said, orga-

WANT TO GO? WHAT: Stop the Violence community meeting WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Sunday WHERE: Mount Zion Baptist Church, 325 W. Fulton St. PHONE: (803) 491-4910

nizers want anyone interested in helping deal with the problem to come to Sunday’s meeting, which is

expected to last for about an hour. “Town hall groups are being organized, and the community is coming up with new ideas,” she said, “and all are aimed at stopping violence. I was amazed at some of the good ideas people have come up with, things I’d never thought of.” Wilson emphasized that the movement to Stop the Violence “didn’t start and stop with the (Aug. 9) march. More marches, more education are being planned.”

‘H.C. Bland: The Man Behind Swan Lake’

IVY MOORE / THE SUMTER ITEM PHOTO PROVIDED

H.C. Bland is the subject of an exhibit at Sumter County Museum.

Nancy King checks out information about Hamilton C. Bland on Monday night at the museum. Museum board members and Friends of the Sumter County Museum attended a reception for the opening of the new exhibit titled “H.C. Bland: The Man Behind Swan Lake.”

IVY MOORE / THE SUMTER ITEM

Members of the museum board and Friends of the Sumter County Museum enjoy refreshments and conversation during Monday’s preview reception. The exhibit opens officially today. Call (803) 775-0908 for more information.

House Speaker Harrell charged with misconduct BY MEG KINNARD The Associated Press

sonal benefit. Ashley Landess of the South Carolina Policy Council — a libertarian-leanCOLUMBIA — South Caroli- ing, pro-limited-government na House Speaker Bobby Har- think tank — initially accused Harrell of using his powerful rell has been indicted on mulposition for personal benefit, tiple charges accusing him of misusing his office for person- including getting a permit for his pharmaceutical business al gain, prosecutors said and appointing his brother to Wednesday. a judicial-candidate screening Prosecutor David Pascoe committee. said in a news release that a Landess ultimately took her grand jury in Richland County allegations to Wilson, who had indicted the Charleston asked state police to investiRepublican on nine charges, including misconduct in office, gate. Wilson took that case to using campaign money for personal use and falsely reporting campaign disclosures. No bond hearing has been set. Neither Harrell nor his spokesman immediately returned a message. The speaker has repeatedly said he did nothing illegal. Attorney General Alan Wilson had been presenting allegations to the state grand jury that Harrell, speaker since 2005, abused his power for per-

the state grand jury. Harrell asked that the prosecutor be removed from the case, saying Wilson tried to intimidate him during the investigation. A lower court halted the investigation, saying a legislative ethics panel needed to sign off on the case before Wilson could involve the state grand jury. Wilson appealed to the state Supreme Court, which ruled that Wilson’s probe was proper and could continue. But, in a news release last

Extraordinary

month, Harrell said Wilson had removed himself and passed responsibility to Pas-

coe, the chief prosecutor for Calhoun, Dorchester and Orangeburg counties.

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The Sumter Item newspaper is joining papers across the Palmetto State to challenge S.C. high school students to write an essay, editorial or opinion column about the dangers of texting while driving. The statewide winner will receive a $500 prize underwritten by AT&T. In your piece, answer the question, “Why is it important to take the it can wait pledge to never text and drive?” Your writing should highlight the dangers of texting while driving and must include the following call to action, “Take the pledge to never text and drive at ItCanWait.com.” Entries should be between 300 and 500 words long and must be typed.

Also offering a $250 prize for the best it can wait student-produced video. Find out more at scpress.org/ItCanWait Name ______________________________________ Phone ________________ Address ___________________________________________________________

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2014

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No end in sight for America’s Middle East war duties Diplomat says recent conflict could last as long as Cold War did

Sumter marks nation’s 13th anniversary of 9/11 attacks

BY DAVID CRARY AP National Writer Thirteen years after the Sept. 11 terror attacks, this was supposed to be a season of relief, with Iraq managing on its own and most U.S. troops finally ending their combat duty in Afghanistan. Instead, Americans are bracing for another upsurge of military engagement in a region where one war blurs into another. Across the world, a generation has now grown up amid this continuous conflict, and there’s no end in sight. “The Cold War took 45 years,” said Elliott Abrams, a longtime diplomat who was top Middle East adviser to President George W. Bush. “It’s certainly plausible that this could be the same. ... It’s harder to see how this ends.” For now, President Obama seems to have bipartisan support as he prepared to outline his plans Wednesday for expanded operations against militants of the so-called Islamic State who have overrun large swaths of Iraq. His administration has cautioned that the effort could take several years. Short-term, Obama has public opinion with him; a new Washington Post-ABC News poll found 71 percent of Americans supporting airstrikes against the Islamic State fighters, compared to 45 percent in June. Longer-term, a Pew Research Center-USA Today poll last month suggested most Americans view the world as becoming more dangerous and expect militant forms of Islam to grow in influence rather than subside. Since the autumn of 2001, America, with its allies, has been at war against factions of Islamic militants and terrorists, including the Taliban and al-Qaida, as well as offshoots in Yemen, Somalia and elsewhere. Indeed, some analysts say the conflict dates back further, citing such incidents as the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center in New York and the 1983 bombing that killed 241 U.S. servicemen at a barracks in Lebanon. Military historian Max Boot suggests the starting point was the Iranian revolution of 1979, when the U.S. Embassy in Tehran was seized and its staff held hostage for 444 days. “For the first time, we understood the threat by armed Islamist extremism,” said Boot, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and former adviser to Republican presidential campaigns. “We didn’t face up to it — we tried to ignore it as long as possible. But after 9/11, we couldn’t ignore it anymore.” The Sept. 11 attacks triggered the invasion of Afghanistan by the U.S. and its allies, starting in October 2001, with the aim of dismantling al-Qaida’s base of operations and toppling the Taliban regime. The Taliban, though quickly ousted from power, has been waging an insurgency ever since. In 2003, the U.S. spearheaded an invasion of Iraq, citing various justifications but nonetheless categorizing the con-

BY JADE REYNOLDS jade@theitem.com Sumter will mark the 13th anniversary of 9/11 today with at least three free events. A 9/11 Memorial Service will be held at 8:30 a.m. at the Sumter Fire Department headquarters, 129 E. Hampton Ave. At 7 p.m., Sumter School District will host its National Anthem Project at Patriot Hall, 135 Haynsworth St. Also starting at 7 p.m., the annual Cry Out America prayer event will be held at Bethesda Church of God, 2730 Broad St. “This is a special time of reflection for our nation,” said the Rev. Diane Hodgson, chairwoman for Sumter Ministerial Alliance and a parishioner at Bethesda Church of God. “We are asking followers of Jesus Christ to seek the face of God on behalf of our country and its leaders. This coordinated effort will bring together Christians in every state, county and church to simultaneously intercede for America. The

fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. These are words written from the Holy Bible. Personal and national repentance shall obtain favor of the Lord. He emphatically states that he will honor those who honor him. Come join us in praying for America.” This initiative was started by Awakening America Alliance, an organization formed in 2007 to encourage members of the “body of Christ in America” to “unite together in seeking contemporary spiritual awakening,” according to a news release published by the organization earlier this month. This year’s theme is Today’s Dreams Awaken Tomorrow’s Destiny. The event is scheduled to last two hours and will include graphic drama portrayals, so parental discretion is advised. Worship will be led by David Simmons and the Love Covenant Worship Community. For more information, contact Hodgson at (803) 316-3217.

AP FILE PHOTO

Flag-draped coffins of U.S. war casualties are lined up inside a plane in 2004 in Dover, Delaware. For more than a decade after the autumn of 2001, America, with its allies, has been at war against factions of Islamist militants and terrorists. flict as part of “the Global War on Terrorism.” Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein was captured, tried and executed, yet an insurgency arose against the U.S.-led coalition waged by various factions, including alQaida affiliates and Sunni militants who were precursors of the Islamic State group. The role of Middle East nations in an expanded U.S. mission against Islamic State fighters could be pivotal, said

Wathiq al-Hashimi, director of the al-Nahrein Center for Strategic Studies in Baghdad. “The United States failed in both Afghanistan and Iraq, but this time round may be different since the Islamic State is posing a serious danger to close U.S. allies in the region who cannot defend themselves on their own,” al-Hashimi said. “The United States will be going in this time with the blessing of regional powers.”

Ibrahim Hooper, spokesman for the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations, contends that much of the Middle East’s conflicts could have been avoided or eased if the U.S. government had been less willing to tolerate authoritarian regimes and more willing to criticize Israel’s policies toward the Palestinians. Hooper said the Islamic State group’s ascension in Iraq could have been prevented if the U.S. had insisted on a nonsectarian Iraqi government, rather than the one led by re-

cently replaced Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki that favored Shiite Muslims over the Sunnis. Similarly, Hooper said the U.S. could have deprived Islamic State of its strongholds in Syria by intervening early in Syria’s civil war on behalf of moderate rebels opposing President Bashar Assad. “Our counterproductive policies have created a political vacuum in which ISIS can flourish,” said Hooper, using an acronym for the Islamic State group. “Without massive injustices in the region, they would not exist.”

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COUNTY FROM PAGE A1 amount that taxes can be raised. That leaves even the unpopular idea of increasing taxes to fill the potential gap as a measure that may not be enough. In a paper breaking down the local government funds received by each county and the tax increase necessary to make up the money should it be taken away, Sumter County would be left with more than $3.62 million in revenue shortfall. That number is calculated by taking the 2015 revenues that could be lost ($4.05 million) and factoring in the maximum revenue that would be brought in by increasing property taxes as much as possible under Act 388. For Sumter, the increased tax revenue would be $431,948. Across the 46 counties in

the state, there is a potential shortfall of $132.89 million. That shortfall could have serious consequences for the next budget, as many counties are able to calculate ahead of time what money will be sent back from Columbia and can write it in as a part of the incoming money for a budget. No specifics were given at the council meeting as to what the impact may be on the budget for FY 2015-16, including services that may be threatened. Mixon said that state-run buildings in the county, such as the Department of Social Services, could be threatened with outright closure or a system where the county bills the state for building utilities in order to maintain day-today operations. While conversations heat up now, the ultimate decision may not be made for many months, putting early pressure on a budget that must be

JONES FROM PAGE A1 Jones, 32, confessed to killing his children, ages 1 to 8, and dumping their bodies in the secluded clearing, authorities said. The computer engineer who had a degree from Mississippi State University was working for Intel when he disappeared with his children, the company said. At the time of his divorce, he was making about $71,000 a year. The sheriff said Jones apparently acted alone and will be charged with five counts of murder. Authorities have seized his computer. Jones’ father made a brief statement but directed questions to attorney Boyd Young, who would represent his son. Young’s office in South Carolina refused to confirm that it is representing Jones and declined to comment. Authorities think the children were killed at the same time, likely soon after they were last seen alive in late August. Jones had moved with the children to a neighborhood of mobile homes in Lexington after the October 2013 divorce, and the children had slowly started disappearing

completed before the end of June each year. “It puts us in a crunch because we need to figure out what the budget needs to be,” Mixon said. South Carolina Association of Counties is polling local delegates from each county to gauge levels of support for either full, partial or no funding, Mixon said during the council meeting. He reported that State Sen. Kevin Johnson, representing District 36, supports full funding, as did state House Rep. David Weeks, representing District 51. Sen. Thomas McElveen, representing District 35, expressed support and said it should not be eliminated but did not commit to full funding until he could find out the entire scope of the issue. House Rep. Murrell Smith Jr., representing District 67, would not commit to supporting either side on the record until he had all the necessary

from view, said neighbor Dorothy Wood. “I didn’t even hear them playing outside any more. I thought they had moved,” Wood said. Jones’ stepmother, Julie Jones of Amory, Mississippi, called the children “beautiful.” “They were wonderful. They were happy,” Jones said as she cried. Divorce records listed the five children as Merah, 8; Elias, 7; Nahtahn, 6; Gabriel, 2; and Elaine Marie, 1. Elaine Marie was born Abagail Elizabeth, but the parents agreed to a name change, records show. In Lexington, there was an abuse complaint against Jones lodged on Aug. 7, but when deputies and an official with the Department of Social Services went out to the house, they interviewed the children and didn’t see anything to alarm them. Officials wouldn’t say who made the complaint. The case has unfolded during the past two weeks, but it wasn’t until Tuesday afternoon — when authorities found the children’s bodies — that they went public. “We were trying to balance the children and the investigation against the releasing of information,” McCarty said.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2014

information. More delegates will be polled in the coming weeks. In other business: • A first reading was given to a request to rezone a 27.9acre parcel from agricultural conservation to residential. The property was a vacant mobile home lot for 10 years, and the goal is to build a subdivision of housing with lots up to one acre in size. The reading passed unanimously. Councilwoman Naomi D. Sanders was not present for the meeting. • A public hearing was held for the second reading of a proposal to rezone a .97-acre parcel on Alpenglow Drive from agricultural conservation to residential. The area surrounding the parcel is already zoned for residential with the goal of starting a housing subdivision, but the specific parcel’s zoning had never been changed. The reading passed unanimously

with no public comment. • County attorney Johnathan W. Bryan told council that the specific language of incentives being offered to Apex Tool Group is still being worked out, delaying the scheduled first reading. • A first reading was given to an ordinance that aims to amend the term lengths and limits to consecutive terms for members of boards and commissions in the county. Initial proposals to limit terms to three and total years of service to nine were both changed. Under a new agreement, after a member’s first two terms, he or she may serve ad infinitum but must have every ensuing term be approved by a supermajority vote of the county council (five members). The boards and commissions can still make initial appointments independently from council. The amendment passed unanimously.

OBAMA

Separately, the White House announced Wednesday that it was providing $25 million in immediate military assistance to the Iraqi government as part of efforts to combat Islamic State. Adamantly opposed to putting American combat troops on the ground, Obama will call for increased training of Iraqi security forces and the provision of arms shipments to vetted Syrian opposition fighters in order to help both groups in their fight against the militants. Some of Obama’s own advisers pressed him to arm the rebels early in their fight against Syrian President Bashar Assad. But Obama resisted, arguing that there was too much uncertainty about the composition of the rebel forces. He also expressed concern about adding more firepower to an already bloody civil war.

FROM PAGE A1 different from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan,” Obama said. “It will not involve American combat troops fighting on foreign soil.” Closer to home, U.S. officials fear that Westerners who have joined the militant group could return to their own countries and launch attacks. However, officials said Wednesday they were not aware of a credible threat of a potential attack in the United States by Islamic State. Earlier this summer, Iraq’s government asked the U.S. for help in confronting the militants, and Obama approved airstrikes within Iraq’s borders. That air campaign has expanded significantly in recent days, with the military hitting targets in western Iraq, closer to the border of Syria.

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RELIGION

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2014

THE SUMTER ITEM

Try to reach others in new ways Churches should ‘clean house’ sometimes, use new methods to share faith

hen our pastor petitioned the congregation for a couple of members to clean out one of the closets in the church, a small group of volunteers came forward, contingent on one requirement: that they could remain completely anonymous. Under the guise of secrecy, they got to work, purging the outdated and unused items from the church, which included volumes of antiquated Bible study materials alongside a Taebo VHS from the Faith Matters 1990s. Their task completed, the JAMIE H. three returned to WILSON their regular lives without revealing their true identities. I don’t know why I am so fascinated by their clandestine efforts, but I think it’s because they accomplished something I wish I could do with church practices in general: Clean house. Not completely, mind you, but ridding the church of

those ineffective, antiquated things and ministries that plague church life and ultimately serve no other purpose than to fill a space or time slot. Unfortunately, there are few volunteers in this clean-house movement because, let’s face it, you might as well wear a bull’s-eye on your back. I find a lot of church members find solace and comfort in the familiarity of church routine. Of course, there are the physical assets in the church that inexplicably remain installed in the building: broken toys in the nursery, rusting folding chairs and that artificial yet somehow wilting flower arrangement donated by someone in the 1970s. Most won’t have to look far to find prop pieces from church musicals of yore or outdated technical equipment stored away in a dusty back room. I’ve found that what really solidifies a particular piece’s longevity is its having a plaque on it. Glue a bit of engraved metal to something, and it might as well become an integral part of the church’s structural integrity. Often churches and other ministries collect physical junk like they collect and practice ineffective ministries. What once worked becomes the framework for all future endeavors. We fail to see that we can change the vehicle by which

RELIGION BRIEF FROM ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORTS

Immigrant sanctuary gains popularity in Arizona

we deliver our message of faith. The beauty of that message is that it can be unflinchingly rigid in truth but easily adaptable to each person’s understanding. Large revival services were immensely popular in decades past. I distinctly remember sitting in the hallway of what was once the Sumter Exhibition Center as thousands of people gathered to listen to a traveling evangelist. The popularity of such events has dwindled. Does that make the message of faith ineffective to the current generations we wish to reach? No, it just means they are waiting for us to communicate to them in a way they understand. There are myriad ways to reach others, which is why it is incumbent upon more mature believers to seek out those ways. If we don’t, those stagnant ministries will become toxic to our church body, like that worn-out kitchen sponge that we neglect to toss. In the case of the ad hoc group of people willing to purge our church of unused items, I understand the need for anonymity, but with the viability of our church ministries, we need believers willing to stand up and fight to reach people in new ways in the name of faith.

TUCSON, Ariz. — On her 27th day of living in a tiny room at a Tucson church known for pioneering the popular immigrant sanctuary movement in the 1980s, Rosa Robles Loreto swept a courtyard, prayed with parishioners and greeted her uniformed son fresh off his baseball practice. Robles Loreto is a 41-year-old immigrant who lacks legal status and is facing deportation after getting pulled over for a traffic infraction four years ago. She has vowed to remain in Southside Presbyterian Church until federal immigration authorities grant her leniency. Robles Loreto is the third immigrant to take sanctuary in a church this year in Arizona, reviving a popular movement from the 1980s that sought to help Central American migrants fleeing civil wars stay in the U.S. by letting them live inside churches, where immigration officials generally do not arrest people. Although the latest version of the movement so far appears to have only taken place in Arizona, national immigration advocates say it’s about to grow, propelled by activists hoping the sanctuary movement will draw attention to the lack of immigration reform.

Church Directory Adventist Sumter Seventh-Day Adventist 103 N Pike West 775-4455 Pastor Harry Robinson Sat. Sch: 9:15 am, Worship: 11:00 am Tues Bible Study 7 pm www.sumter22.adventistchurchconnect.org

What Goes Around

Mon. - Thurs. Chapel 9 am Morning Prayer Wed. Chapel 11:00 qm - Bible Study 12 pm Mass

Baptist - Independent Cherryvale Baptist Church 1502 Cherryvale Dr. * 494-8655 Edward Bowen Sr. Pastor Sun. School 10:00 am Worship 11:00 am & 6:00 pm Wed. Evening Service 7:00 pm

Baptist - Missionary Jehovah Missionary Baptist Church 803 S Harvin St. * 775-4032 Marion H Newton, Pastor Sunday Worship: 7:45 & 10:45 am Sunday Youth Service: 10:45 am Wednesday Bible Study: 7:00 pm Salem Missionary Baptist Church 320 West Fulton Street 803-775-8054 Rev. Lei Ferguson Washington Sun. School 9:00 am Praise Worship 9:55 am Worship 10:00 am

The Catholic Community of Sumter, St. Jude Site 611 W. Oakland Ave • 773-9244 www.stjudesumtersc.org Fr. Charles Michael Donovan, C.S.S.R. Saturday Vigil: 5:00 pm Sun. Euch.: 9:00, 11:30 am, 1 pm (Spanish)

Lutheran - ELCA Non-Denominational St James Lutheran Church 1137 Alice Dr, Sumter 773-2260 / www.stjamessumter.org Pastor Keith Getz Sunday Worship: 10:00 am Sunday School: 9:00 am

Church of Christ Lutheran - NALC

Anglican Church of the Holy Cross 335 North Kings Hwy (Hwy 261 N) 803-494-8101 Father Michael E. Ridgill, C.F.S.B. Sunday School 9:00 am Mass 10:00 am

Reach Jamie H. Wilson at faithmatterssumter@gmail.com.

Photo Credit Istockphoto.com/AngelaHawkey

hildren who are fortunate enough to share precious time with their grandparents benefit in a special way; they receive the unconditional love of those who have already had the experience of being parents. Grandparents have learned what is most important to teach their grandchildren, what is important to pass to generations to come. They want to share what they have learned through their lifetime of experience. They can share God as they teach by word and example the importance of prayer and worship. Visit God’s House with your grandchild this week. Weekly Scripture Reading Psalm Psalm Psalm Psalm Psalm Psalm 1 Cor. 119.81-96 119.97-112 119.113-128 119.129-144 119.145-160 119.161-176 1.1-17 Scriptures Selected by the American Bible Society

Sun School 10:00 am Worship 11:00 am Sun Evening Worship 6:00 pm Wed Mid Week Service 7:00 pm

Baptist - Southern

Shaw Heights Baptist Church 2030 Peach Orchard Rd 499-4997 Rev. Robert White Pastor Sunday School: 9:45 am Sunday Worship:11 am & 6 pm

Grace Baptist Church 219 W Calhoun St * 778-6417 Dr. Stephen Williams S.S. 9:45 am; Worship 11:00, 6:30 Wed. Meal-Choir-Missions: 5:30 pm Wed. Bible Study: 6:30 pm Hickory Road Baptist Church 1245 Cherryvale Dr 803-494-8281 Dr. Ron Taylor Pastor Sunday School 9:45 am Worship 10:55 am Long Branch Baptist Church 2535 Peach Orchard Rd. Dalzell 499-1838 www.longbranch_baptist.com Rev. Brian Benenhaley

Catholic - Roman

The Catholic Community of Sumter, St. Anne Site 216 E Liberty St • 803-773-3524 Fr. Thomas Burke, C.S.S.R. Weekend Masses: Sat Vigil 5 pm Sun. 7:30, 9:00 and 11:30 am Mass

Plaza Church of Christ 1402 Camden Hwy. • 905-3163 Stewart Schnur cell 361-8449 Sunday School: 10 am Sunday Worship: 11 am & 6 pm Wed. Bible Class: 7 pm

Immanuel Lutheran Church 140 Poinsett Drive • 803-883-1049 Pastor Gary Blobaum Worship Service 9:00 am Sunday School 10:30 am Wed Bible Class: 7:00 pm

Interdenominational Methodist - United

City of Refuge Church 16 Carolina Ave 938-9066 Barbara & Johnny Davis Sun School 10:00 am Worship 11:15 am Bible Study (Wed.) 7:00 pm www.cityofrefugeministry.com Love Covenant Church 245 Oswego Hwy • 775-7605 Apostle Tommy Fredrick Prophet Angela Frederick Sunday Worship: 11:00 am Thursday Bible Study: 7:00 pm

Spiritual Life Christian Center 4672 Broad St. Ext • 968-5771 Pastors Randolph & Minerva Paige Sunday Worship: 11:00 am Wednesday Bible Study: 7:00 pm Victory Full Gospel Interdenominational Church 601 Pitts Rd • 481-7003 Joann P. Murrill, Pastor Sunday Worship: 11:00 am Youth Bible Study/Respect Monday: 7 pm

Aldersgate United Methodist 211 Alice Dr • 775-1602 Dr. Webb Belangia, Reverend Traditional Service 9:00 am Sunday School 10:15 am Contemporary 11:15 am

Bethel United Methodist Church 5575 Lodebar Rd • 469-2452 Rev. Jeremy Howell Sunday Worship: 8:30 & 11 am Sunday School: 10 am www.yourbethel.org BMethodist@ftc-i.net St John United Methodist Church 136 Poinsett Dr * 803-773-8185 www.stjohnumcsumter.com Rev. J. Robert (Bob) Huggins Sunday School 9:45 am Worship 11:00 am Wed. Night Supper/Bible Study 6:30 pm

Christ Community Church(CCC) 525 Oxford St, Sumter 803-934-9718 Sun. Worship 10:00 am (Patriot Hall) First Church of God 1835 Camden Rd • 905-5234 www.sumterfcg.org Ron Bower, Pastor Sunday Worship: 10:30 am Sunday School: 9:30 am

To Advertise On This Page Call 800-293-4709

Sumter Bible Church 420 South Pike West, Sumter 803-773-8339 • Pastor Ron Davis Sunday School 10:00 am Worship 11:00 am & 6:30 pm Wed. Bible Study & Prayer 7:00 pm

Pentecostal

Canty Memorial Church of God in Christ, Ministries 873 Woodcrest St. • 773-6226 Superintendent Eugene Canty, SR. Sunday Prayer: 8:00 am Worship: 9:15 am & 5:00 pm

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Lemira Presbyterian Church 514 Boulevard Rd • 473-5024 Pastor Dan Rowton Sunday School 10:00 am Worship 11:00 am Bible Study 6:00 pm

First United Penecostal Church 14 Plowden Mill Rd • 775-9493 Pastor Theron Smith Sunday Service: 10:00 am & 6:30 pm Wednesday Bible Study: 7:30 pm

(803) 774-1075 13 Caldwell Street Sumter, SC

Don’t Fuss Call Us 2085 Jefferson Road, Sumter, S.C. 29153 Phone (803) 469-3895 • FAX (803) 469-2414 Billy Caples, Sr.

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494-8292

Discount Furniture Sumter Cut Rate Drugs Outlet 803-773-8432 2891 Broad St. • Sumter

Presbyterian

PRO GLO AUTO PAINT, “Please worship at the BODY, GLASS & FRAME Church of your choice’’ WORK, INC. XEROX DIGITAL Insurance Work Welcomed

109 EAST NEWBERRY AVENUE 773-6842 MANAGEMENT AND STAFF

312 S. Main St., Sumter (803) 773-3323

First Presbyterian Church of Sumter 9 W Calhoun St (at Main St.) 773-3814 • info@fpcsumter.org Interim Pastor Rev. Ray Fancher Sunday School - All Ages 9:30 a.m. Hospitality & Welcome 10:10 a.m. Morning Worship 10:30 a.m. Sunday Night Classes Program 4:45 - 7:00 p.m.

Trinity United Methodist Church 226 W Liberty St • 773-9393 Rev. Regi Thackston Blended Worship 8:45 am Traditional Worship 11:00 am Sunday School 9:45 am trinityumcsumter.org

Carolina Atlas Transmission 301 W. Liberty Street • Sumter, SC Filters, Inc. 775-4501 • 1-800-823-2413

70 W. Wesmark Blvd. • 773-7339

Presbyterian USA

Greater St. Paul Church 200 Watkins Street 803-778-1355 Sunday School - 10:30 am Worship - 11:30 am Evangelistic Service 7:30 pm Wed. Mid Week Service - 7:30 pm

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS Free Diagnostic • Foreign/Domestic Free Pickup & Delivery • Financing Available

Sumter First Pentecostal Holiness Church 2609 McCrays Mill Rd • 481-8887 S. Paul Howell, Pastor Sunday School: 10:00 am Sunday Worship: 10:45 am & 6:00 pm Wed. Bible Study/Youth Group: 7:00 pm

Seven Convenient Locations

773-5114 •773-3219 “Flowers For All Occasions’’

OFFICE SOLUTIONS 18 E. Liberty St. • 778-2330

1132 Broad Street 208 East Calhoun Bring your Church Bulletin in and receive a free small drink

Sumter Auto Mall

3625 Broad Street • Sumter, SC 803-494-5900 We finance your future... not your past. www.sumterautomallsc.com

To view church information online go to www.theitem.com or www.sumterchurchesonline.com

RELIGION

THE SUMTER ITEM

Author will talk marriage, family at church services BY JADE REYNOLDS jade@theitem.com A best-selling author is returning to a Sumter church. Gary Thomas — writer of more than 150 articles on marriage and family such as “Sacred Parenting” and “The Sacred Search” — will speak at all three services at Alice Drive Baptist Church, 1305 Loring Mill Road, on Sunday and at Monday night’s service. All services are free and open to the public. “Family is the No. 1 influence on all of us,” said Clay Smith, lead pastor at Alice Drive Baptist Church. “That’s THOMAS why we see destructive patterns repeat over and over, generation to generation. ... That’s why we need to put Jesus in the center of marriage because he has greater power than our past.” Thomas’s new book on marriage, “A Lifelong Love: What if Marriage is About More Than Just Staying Together,” will be available at a discount. It is not set to be in stores until Nov. 1. “This is the first full-length book on marriage for both husbands and wives since ‘Sacred Marriage’ 14 years ago,” Thomas said. “I’m pretty excited.” His other books, CDs and DVDs will be on sale before the early service Sunday, between services that day and before the service Monday, said Nancy Lee Zimpleman, communications director. He is also scheduled to give autographs. The traditional worship celebration begins at 8:30 a.m. followed by contemporary worship services at 9:45 and 11 a.m. Sunday. Monday night services start at 7 p.m. “We just had a great response here last year, and we’re impressed with his work,” Zimpleman said. Last year, close to 1,500 people came out to see Thomas, and the hope is that as many or more will show up this time, she said. This time, he will be focusing on marriage. “What does it mean to build a history together?” Thomas said. “Every history has the high moments and the low mo-

ments and the just sort of dud moments.” He likened it to a road trip where there are great vistas and flat tires, but most often, it’s just lots of driving. “I think there is a purpose behind that,” Thomas said. “You really can’t see all of it until you are further down the road.” He wants to encourage newlyweds to understand the cyclical nature of relationships and encourage them to persevere. “Perseverance is something you don’t hear too many sermons on, but it’s throughout Scripture,” Thomas said. “God does zap people into healing, but far more often, He gives them grace to say no to temptation until they grow out of it.” The timing is appropriate as well, Zimpleman said, as Smith is conducting a series of sermons on what the Bible says about family. “Gary is one of those thoughtful people who recognizes that marriage comes from the soul, from the deepest part of who you are,” Smith said. “One of the reasons we struggle in marriage is our soul is not healthy. There is nothing like marriage to start attacking the self-centered heart. We think, ‘this person is here to make me happy,’ (but) nobody is going to do that. You begin to be selfless, and eventually, you become happy because you are not focused on yourself. I just think people can’t hear about that kind of marriage enough.” While Thomas will speak about marriage, you don’t have to be married to get something out of it. “If you’re planning on getting married, it’s better to understand the seasons of marriage,” Thomas said. “It impacts the type of person you marry. You want someone to navigate the seasons with you, not someone who, as soon as it’s not fun, is out.” Smith agreed. “If you are single, you’re going to get a lot out of this, too,” he said. “He’s going to give you some framework, something besides romantic ideas. Some people think you can never be happy until you are married. Guess what? You can be. You can follow Jesus whether you’re married or single. This is really for everybody.” For more information, call Alice Drive Baptist Church at (803) 905-5200.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2014

RELIGION BRIEFS FROM ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORTS

French imams to use pulpit against ISIS PARIS — French Muslim leaders are urging imams to preach against the Islamic State group and offer a message of support for Christians in the Middle East. Christians there are fleeing the militant organization by the thousands as they face a choice between conversion to Islam or death. On Tuesday, moderate Muslim leaders called on French mosques nationwide to offer prayers for endangered Christians and send a message to young people that the Islamic State group is neither Muslim nor a state. The rector of Paris’ principal mosque said it was crucial to support Christians against barbarity. French young people make up the largest number of European jihadis heading to fight in Syria and Iraq.

Problems plague Seattle megachurch SEATTLE — Seattle megachurch Mars Hill is closing some of its branches and making plans to lay off dozens of employees amid controversy surrounding its lead pastor. The Seattle Times said financial problems in the wake of falling attendance are forcing the cutbacks. Since 1996, the church has grown quickly to reach 15 branches in five states. Now, Mars Hill leaders say they plan to cut 30 to 40 percent of a paid staff numbering about 100. These cuts will follow other departures in recent weeks by pastors who said they are angry or uneasy about the church’s direction. The cuts are happening weeks after Mars Hill’s lead pastor, Mark Driscoll, announced he was stepping down

for six weeks amid questions about his management and leadership style. Driscoll has been accused of bullying members who disagree with him. Some members of the church have called him arrogant and dismissive.

Cardinal George hopes to go to Rome CHICAGO — Cardinal Francis George said a new clinical trial of an experimental drug to treat cancer has left him feeling good but not great. The head of the Archdiocese of Chicago spoke to reporters Monday after blessing a newly expanded religious retirement center. George, who is 77, started the trial to treat a recurrence of cancer. George, the spiritual leader of the Chicago area’s more than 2 million Roman Catholics since 1997, said he would travel to Europe in November to meet with archbishops in Barcelona, Spain, and then go to the Vatican. George canceled a trip to Rome in October because of medical treatment.

Street preacher strikes deal with Springfield SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — A Baptist preacher who has been ticketed repeatedly for disturbing the peace in downtown Springfield, Missouri, has reached an agreement with city leaders that could lead to the charges being dropped. The Springfield News-Leader said Aaron Brummitt of Lighthouse Anabaptist Church has agreed to a deferred prosecution deal. Wampler said the agreement defers prosecution for one year, after which the tickets would be dismissed. As long as Brummitt abides by the restrictions on his street sermons, he will no longer face up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine for each ticket.

CHURCH NEWS * Saturday — Deacon’s fish fry fundraiser 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

ALIVE Praise & Worship Center, 342 W. Liberty St., announces: * Saturdays, Sept. 20 and 27 — Free clothes drive 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Community Church of Praise, 565 S. Pike Road, announces: * Sunday — Pastoral anniversary celebration for Pastor Dorothy Maple at 3 p.m.

Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, 2571 Joseph Lemon-Dingle Road, Jordan community, Manning, announces: * Sunday, Sept. 21 — Homecoming / church anniversary service at 10 a.m. Pastor Nelson Rivers will speak.

Concord Baptist Church, 1885 Myrtle Beach Highway, announces: * Sunday — 38th Homecoming celebration at 10 a.m. Jordan’s Bridge will provide music. Dinner on the grounds also.

High Hills Missionary Baptist Church, 6750 Meeting House Road, Dalzell, announces: * Sunday — Trustee / trustee wives anniversary during 10:15 a.m. worship. * Sunday, Sept. 21 — Pastor’s Aide anniversary during 10:15 a.m. worship.

Corinth Missionary Baptist Church, 25 Community St., announces: * Friday — Pastor’s anniversary celebration, part one, will be held at 7 p.m. Pastor Larry W. Barnes will speak.

Historic Mount Zion AME Church, M.W. Rickenbaker Road, Summerton, announces: * Wednesday-Friday, Sept. 17-19 — Revival at 7 nightly. The Rev. Frederick Wilson will speak.

Bethany Fellowship Baptist Church, 350 E. Red Bay Road, announces: * Sunday — 100 Ladies in White program at 11 a.m. The Rev. Sandra Simmons will speak. Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, 14 Brand St., announces: * Sunday, Sept. 21 — Senior and Junior Ushers annual worship service at 3 p.m. Pastor George Windley Jr. will speak. Canaan Missionary Baptist Church, 774 Douglas Ave., announces: * Saturday, Sept. 27 — Prayer breakfast 9 a.m.-noon. Pastor Connie Walker will speak. Cedar Grove Missionary Baptist Church, 1275 Oswego Highway, announces: * Monday-Wednesday, Sept. 22-24 — Revival at 7 nightly. The Rev. Willie Wright Jr. will speak.

* Sunday — Pastor’s anniversary celebration, part two, will be held at 5 p.m. Pastor Marion H. Newton will speak. Dalzell United Methodist Church, 3330 Black River Road, Dalzell, announces: * Saturday, Oct. 4 — Fish fry fundraiser 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Tickets are $7 and the menu includes fried catfish, French fries, coleslaw and hush puppies. Call (803) 4690160. * Sunday-Tuesday, Oct. 5-7 — Revival at 7 nightly. Emmanuel United Methodist Church, 421 S. Main St., announces: * Sunday — “Angels in Motion” anniversary program at 3 p.m.

Chapel Hill Baptist Church, 8749 Old Highway Six, Santee, announces: * Saturday — Grandparents and seniors will be honored from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fun, food and games. * Sunday, Sept. 21 — The Lord’s Supper will be observed at 10 a.m. * Sunday, Sept. 28 — The 135th anniversary of the church will be observed at 10 a.m. The Rev. Robert Carter will speak.

Fellowship Baptist Church, 705 W. Huggins St., Manning, announces: * Sunday, Sept. 21 — Men’s Day program at 3:30 p.m. Heavenly Stars of Manning will provide music.

Church of God of Prophecy, 140 S. Guignard Drive, announces: * Sunday — Appreciation program for Frankie Lee Smalls at 5 p.m. featuring the Rev. Herbert Epps and Truly Committed, Majestic Gospel Singers, Gospel Kings and others.

First Baptist Missionary Church, 219 S. Washington St., announces: * Sunday, Sept. 21 — Women’s Day program at 11 a.m. Delcia Harper-Baxter will speak.

Church of God of Prophecy, 1170 Guignard Drive, announces: * Sunday, Sept. 21 — The fifth anniversary of Sisters of Faith program at 5 p.m. Admission: $8 for adults; $3 for children ages 6-12. On the program: MC Michelle Shaw; Committed; New Singing Angels; and others.

Fellowship Outreach Ministries, 1891 Florence Highway, announces: * Sunday, Sept. 28 — Revival service at 3 p.m. Dr. Carolyn Robinson will speak.

Greater Mount Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church, 609 Miller Road, announces: * Sunday, Sept. 21 — Missionary Ministry gospel program at 4 p.m. at the Marvin Hodge Enrichment Center. On the program: the Singing Angels; GMP Youth Choir; New Boyz; and others. Harmony Presbyterian Church, 8883 U.S. 301 North, Alcolu, announces:

Joshua Baptist Church, 5200 Live Oak Road, Dalzell, announces: * Sunday — Junior Missionary anniversary program during morning worship. * Sunday, Sept. 21 — Trustee / trustee wives anniversary program during morning worship. Knitting Hearts Ministry, meets at Bethesda Church of God, 2730 Broad St., announces: * Saturday — Knitting Hearts Café 10 a.m.-noon. Laura Jones will speak. Drama presentation by Diane Parker. www.knittingheartsministry.org Land Flowing with Milk & Honey Ministry, 1335 Peach Orchard Road, announces: * Sunday, Sept. 21 — Celebration of the second anniversary of the church at 4 p.m. Elder Dorothy Maple will speak. Liberty Hill AME Church, 2310 Liberty Hill Road, Summerton, announces: * Saturday — Grandparent’s Day celebration at 4 p.m. Mount Carmel Freewill Baptist Church, 207 Reardon St., Manning, announces: * Sunday — Family and friends day at 3 p.m. The Rev. Major Lloyd will speak. Mount Moriah United Methodist Church, 1379 Swimming Pen Road, Mayesville, announces: * Sunday, Sept. 28 — 100 Men in Black program at 3 p.m. Sumter County Sheriff Anthony Dennis will speak. The Sumter County Sheriff’s Department Gospel Choir will provide music. Mount Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church, 7355 Camden Highway, Rembert, announces: * Saturday — Male chorus anni-

versary program at 6 p.m. * Sunday, Sept. 21 — Youth choir anniversary program at 4 p.m. * Saturday, Sept. 27 — Everybody’s birthday at 4 p.m. * Sunday, Sept. 28 — Women’s Day program at 9:30 a.m. Audrey Neal will speak. Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 325 Fulton St., announces: * Sunday — Junior Missionary ministry anniversary celebration at 10:45 a.m. Evangelist Savitrus McFadden will speak. * Saturday, Sept. 20 — Rainbow tea at noon at Mount Zion Enrichment Center. Tickets: $10 for adults and $5 for children age 12 and under. Anita M. Blassingame will speak. * Sunday, Sept. 28 — 121st church anniversary and homecoming at 10:45 a.m. New Fellowship Covenant Ministries, 316 W. Liberty St., announces: * Saturday — Clothes giveaway 9 a.m.-1 p.m. * Saturday, Sept. 27 — Youth department will host a “fun day” noon-2 p.m. at Pocalla Springs Clubhouse, 112 Putter Drive, for ages 5-12. Games, food and sharing the word of God. Call Victorica Parker at (803) 847-4160. New Israel Missionary Baptist Church, 5330 Old Camden Highway, Dalzell, announces: * Sunday, Sept. 21 — The Lord’s Supper will be observed. New Salem Baptist Church, 2500 W. Oakland Ave., announces: * Sunday, Sept. 28 — Dr. Robert Carter will present “The Alternative: Creation’s Competitive Edge” at 6 p.m. One Step Christian Ministries, 125 S. Nettles St., Bishopville, announces: * Sunday — Youth worship at 11:15 a.m. Minister Tony Derrall Brunson, a 2001 Lakewood High School graduate, will speak. Orangehill Independent Methodist Church, 3005 S. King Highway, Wedgefield, announces: * Wednesday-Friday, Sept. 17-19 — Revival at 7 nightly. Paxville Baptist Church, 10278 Lewis Road, Manning, announces: * Saturday, Sept. 27 — Gospel singing at 6 p.m. to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the church featuring Karen Peck and New River. Tickets are $25. Call (803) 452-9969 or visit www.paxville-

baptistchurch.org. * Sunday, Sept. 28 — Celebration of the 125th anniversary of the church at 11 a.m. Former pastor Lawrence Dennis will speak. Luncheon will follow. Providence Baptist Church, 2445 Old Manning Road, announces: * Sunday — Homecoming service 10 a.m.-noon. George Autry will speak and Blind Faith will provide music. * Monday — Widow’s luncheon at 11 a.m. * Wednesday — Wilma DuBose Missionary Group will meet at 10 a.m. at Betty Steele’s home. Salt and Light Church, 360 Miller Road, announces: * Saturday, Sept. 20 — Drop In and Shop 3-5 p.m. WorldCraft handcrafted jewelry, art, clothing and other items for sale with all proceeds donated to WorldCraft, an international Christian organization, which supports women escaping from prostitution and human trafficking. St. Paul Holiness Church, 129 1/2 W. Moore St., announces: * Saturday, Sept. 20 — Community health fair 8 a.m.-noon featuring free blood pressure checks, cholesterol screening, fire safety, food, and health information for all ages. Taw Caw Missionary Baptist Church, 1130 Granby Lane, Summerton, announces: * Sunday — Celebration for the 32nd pastoral anniversary of Pastor William T. Johnson at 10 a.m. Sunday school begins at 9 a.m. followed by 9:45 a.m. devotional service. The Rev. Rossi Ramsey will speak. Tiverton Missionary Baptist Church, 2420 Old Charleston Road, Wedgefield, announces: * Sunday — Homecoming celebration at 3 p.m. The Rev. Larry Clark will speak. Truly Committed Missionary Baptist Church, 7 E. Oakland Ave., announces: * Saturday, Sept. 20 — Part one of the fifth anniversary program of Sisters of Faith at 5 p.m. On the program: Gods Purpose; Anointed Jubilaires; Corinthians; and others. Unity Universal Baptist Church, 409 Boulevard Road, announces: * Wednesday-Friday, Sept. 17-19 — Restoration Revival at 7:30 nightly. Pastor Wanda R. Barnett will speak.

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WIS News 10 at Entertainment The Biggest Loser: Opening Day Twenty former athletes, including retired Dateline NBC (N) (HD) Tonight (N) (HD) NFL players and Olympic gold medalists, arrive to start changing their lives news update. for the better. (N) (HD) News 19 @ 7pm NFL Thursday Night Kickoff (HD) (:25) Thursday Night Football: Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens from M&T Bank StaEvening news updium z{| (HD) date. Wheel of Fortune Jeopardy!: Battle The Quest: Escape from Rana Village; One True Hero Paladins are taken Shark Tank Holiday-themed prod(HD) of Decades (HD) prisoner; one hero sets out to vanquish Verlox. (N) (HD) ucts including magnetic lights and sweaters. (HD) Rick Steves’ Eu- Palmetto Scene The Power of Forgiveness Studies September’s Children A look at the Time Team America: Lost Pueblo Village An investigation of the Dillard rope: England’s (N) (HD) on the psychological and physical ef- effect of war on children. site. (HD) fects of forgiveness. Bath & York The Big Bang The Big Bang Sleepy Hollow: The Vessel Answers Bones: The Recluse in the Recliner A WACH FOX News at 10 Local news Theory (HD) Theory Fleeing to from George Washington’s Bible. man set to meet Booth is murdered. report and weather forecast. Texas. (HD) (HD) (HD) The Office: The Cougar Town The Vampire Diaries: What Lies Be- The Originals: A Closer Walk with House: Paternity Mysterious brain Target Affair dis- Dating and aging. neath Markos’ intent to end witches’ Thee Hayley is put in danger at a disease stumps House. (HD) covery. (HD) (HD) curse. (HD) wake. (HD)

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The First 48: 6,000 Motives; Deadly (:01) Killer Kids: Simon Says & For (:02) The First 48: Far from Home; (:01) The First 48 killed. (HD) of Violence (HD) Gamble (HD) No Good Reason (HD) Object of Desire (HD) (HD) (:15) Uncle Buck (‘89, Comedy) aac John Candy. An irresponsible man learns lessons 180 The Shawshank Redemption (‘94, The Breakfast Club (‘85, Drama) Emilio Estevez. Five very different stuDrama) Tim Robbins. (HD) dents learn about each other during a weekend detention. (HD) about being an adult while caring for kids. 100 Railroad Alaska: Spring Attacks Alaskan Bush People (HD) (:01) Ice Lake Rebels (HD) (:02) Ice Lake Rebels (HD) (:03) Ice Lake Rebels (HD) Ice Lake (HD) ComicView ComicView Bill Bellamy: Crazy Sexy Dirty Stand-up comic Bill College Hill: At162 Wild Wild West (‘99, Adventure) a Will Smith. Two government agents team up to stop a doctor from assassinating the president. Standup comedy. Standup comedy. Bellamy performs on stage in Los Angeles. lanta Don’t Be: Out Don’t Be Truth or Game of Crowns: Se crets Re vealed Don’t Be Tardy ... Ex treme Guide to Parenting In Don’t Be: Fu ture What Hap pens The Real House wives of New Jer181 ward Bound Dare game. Lack of respect (N) (N) formed toddler. (N) Shock (N) sey: Guilt Trip Legal decision. 62 Greed Ponzi in Brooklyn. Greed: Young Lust Goes Bust Greed: The Wizard of Sarasota Greed A sham business. Greed Bogus money. Greed 64 Erin Burnett OutFront (N) Anderson Cooper 360° (N) (HD) Dr. Sanjay Gupta Specials (HD) CNN Tonight Anderson Cooper 360° (HD) S. Gupta (HD) 136 (:54) The Colbert (:26) Daily Show (:57) Chappelle’s (:29) Chappelle’s (:59) Dave Chappelle: Killin’ Them Daniel Tosh: Happy Thoughts Com- Daily Show (N) The Colbert Re- (:01) @midnight Report (HD) (HD) Show Show Softly Lincoln Theater. ments on celebs. (HD) (HD) port (N) (HD) (N) (HD) I Didn’t Do It: Ball I Didn’t: Lindy Austin & Ally Austin & Ally Liv and Maddie Girl Meets: Girl A.N.T. Farm Lost Jessie Zoo volun- Good Luck Char80 Blog Parade float. Jessie Movie making. (HD) or Nothing Nose Best New artist. (HD) (HD) (HD) Meets Father phone. (HD) teers. (HD) lie (HD) 103 The 9/11 Firehouse (HD) 9/11 Rescue Cops (N) (HD) (:01) Fast N’ Loud (HD) (:02) Fast N’ Loud (HD) (:03) 9/11 Rescue Cops (HD) The 9/11 (HD) 35 (6:00) SportsCenter (HD) Football (HD) College Football: Houston Cougars at BYU Cougars from Lavell Edwards Stadium z{| (HD) Sports (HD) 39 USA Women’s Basketball: National Team Showcase z{| (HD) City Slam: Washington, D.C. Baseball Tonight (HD) SportsCenter (HD) Baseball (HD) Matilda (‘96, Fantasy) aac Danny DeVito. A young girl uses magical tal- The 700 Club Jan Karon talks about The Flintstones 131 (6:30) Dolphin Tale (‘11, Drama) aaa Morgan Freeman. A young boy saves a dolphin from a crab trap, and the two become friends. (HD) ents to get even with a wicked principal. (HD) faith. (‘94) aa (HD) 109 Chopped: Sports Stars (HD) Chopped Green dessert. (HD) Chopped Heroes compete. (HD) Beat Bobby Beat Bobby Diners (HD) Diners (HD) Chopped (HD) 74 On the Record with Greta (N) The O’Reilly Factor (N) (HD) The Kelly File News updates. Hannity Conservative news. (HD) The O’Reilly Factor (HD) The Kelly File 42 ACC (HD) New College (HD) UFC Unleashed (HD) World Poker Tour no} (HD) World Poker Tour no} (HD) Insider (HD) Unleashed The Waltons: The Pledge Mary Ellen The Middle: The Middle: The The Middle (HD) The Middle (HD) Golden Tell-all The Golden Girls: Golden Sophia’s 183 The Waltons: The Outrage, Part 2 John seeks pardon. applies to medical school. Christmas (HD) Jeans (HD) novel. Cheaters ex-husband. 112 Upper Active lifestyle. Upper Contemporary home. Upper Urban feel. Hunters (N) Hunters (N) Upper Home with land. Upper 110 Rebuilding the WTC (N) (HD) Hotel Ground Zero 102 Minutes that Changed America Recount of the WTC attack. (:03) Rebuilding the WTC (HD) Hotel Zero Criminal Minds: Lauren Prentiss Cold Case: Willkommen Cabaret kill- Cold Case: Beautiful Little Fool A Cold Case (HD) 160 Criminal Minds: Coda Reid connects Criminal Minds: Valhalla Prentiss with an autistic child. (HD) suspects an old nemesis. (HD) ready to confront Ian Doyle. (HD) ing. (HD) 1929 murder. (HD) 145 Project Runway: Rock the Wedding Project Runway: Priceless Runway Project Runway: The Rainway Avante garde looks in the (:31) Project Runway: The Rainway Avante garde looks (:02) Project RunWedding dresses. (HD) Chopard jewelry. (HD) rain. (N) (HD) in the rain. (HD) way (HD) 76 Hardball with Chris (N) (HD) All in with Chris Hayes (HD) The Rachel Maddow Show (N) Lawrence O’Donnell (HD) 9/11: As It Happened Videos of 9/11. 91 Sam & Cat Drake Sophia Grace and Rosie’s (‘14) Friends (HD) Friends (HD) Friends (HD) Friends (HD) How I Met How I Met How I Met 154 (:18) Cops: Coast to Coast (HD) (:54) Cops (HD) Cops (HD) (:05) Cops (HD) (:41) Cops (HD) (:17) Cops: Coast to Coast (HD) (:53) Cops (HD) (:29) Cops (HD) (:06) Cops (HD) (:55) Spartacus: Gods of the Arena: Haven: See No Evil Aftermath of vic- Spartacus: Gods of the Arena: Past Haven: See No 152 (4:50) Robin Hood (:50) Spartacus: Gods of the Arena: Past (‘10) aaa Trangressions Batiatus seeks man in arena building. Missio Plot unfolds; rank. tory over William. (N) Trangressions Evil Aftermath. Mom Tempted The Big Bang The Big Bang The Big Bang The Big Bang The Big Bang The Big Bang Conan Comedic duo Garfunkel and The Office (HD) 156 The Big Bang Theory (HD) Christy. (HD) Theory (HD) Theory (HD) Theory (HD) Theory (HD) Theory (HD) Theory (HD) Oates performs. (N) (HD) Under Influence: The Nutty Professor (‘63, Comedy) aaa Jerry Lewis. A wallflower is The Caddy (‘53, Comedy) ac Jerry Lewis. A talented golfer with a fear of Three on a 186 Zebra in the Kitchen (‘65) Joan Allen transformed into a swinger after ingesting a miracle potion. crowds turns an amateur into a golf pro. Couch (‘66) 157 American Gypsy Wedding (HD) Gypsy Sisters (HD) Gypsy Sisters (N) (HD) (:01) Extra Bling (N) (HD) (:02) Escaping Alaska (N) (HD) Sisters (HD) Castle: Wrapped Up in Death (:01) Castle: The Late Shaft Talk (:02) Castle: Den of Thieves Thief’s (:03) Dallas: Victims of Love Owner- Hawaii Five-0: I 158 Castle: Boom! Serial killer taunts Castle & Beckett. (HD) Mummy’s curse. (HD) show host turns up dead. (HD) murder; love triangle. (HD) ship battle. (HD) Helu Pu (HD) 102 truTV Top: Funny Fails 2 truTV Top Funniest (N) truTV Top Funniest (N) Jokers Jokers Top 20 Shocking: Goin’ Ballistic truTV Top 161 Hllbillies Hllbillies Hllbillies Cleveland Queens (HD) (:48) The King of Queens (HD) Queens (HD) Queens (HD) Raymond (HD) Raymond (HD) Law & Or der: Spe cial Vic tims Unit: Law & Or der: Spe cial Vic tims Unit: Rush: Dirty Work (N) (:01) Sat is fac tion: ...Through Rev e la (:01) Rush: Dirty Work (:02) Satisfact. 132 Lost Traveler (HD) Brief Interlude (HD) tion Anika’s future. (N) Anika’s future. Braxton Family Values (HD) Braxton Family Values (HD) Braxton Family Values (N) (HD) SWV Reunited (N) SWV Reunited: WATCHit With (N) 172 Blue Bloods (HD) Blue Bloods (HD) Blue Bloods (HD) Blue Bloods: Old Wounds (HD) How I Met How I Met How I Met

Does ABC’s definition of ‘hero’ mesh with yours? BY KEVIN MCDONOUGH “One True Hero” is revealed as “The Quest” (8 p.m., ABC, TV-PG) ends its summer season. Today, Sept. 11, is perhaps not the best day to bestow the title of “hero” on the victor of a live-action role-playing game. Ever since hundreds died trying to rescue people from the terrorist attacks 13 years ago, the word “hero” has been much used — perhaps overused, overloaded and overmerchandised. Whatever your definition of hero, or heroism, we certainly witnessed it that September morning. But how the word has been used in more recent years is certainly open to discussion. The old Military Channel, since dubbed The American Heroes Channel, airs “The Hornet’s Nest” (9 p.m., TV-14), documenting a father-son team of journalists embedded with troops in Afghanistan. “9/11 Rescue Cops” (8 p.m., Discovery) offers an inside look at New York’s elite Emergency Service Unit, or E-Men, consisting of 300 officers trained to quickly rescue civilians from imminent peril. Of the 31 E-Men dispatched on 9/11, only 17 survived. • Everybody knows CBS will have the most-watched show tonight. The only question is whether its new “Thursday Night Football” (8:25 p.m.) franchise does as well as NBC’s “Sunday Night Football” broadcast did last Thursday night. For the record, the Baltimore Ravens host the Pittsburgh Steelers. While it’s pointless to predict the ratings or the score, it’s all but certain that this game will be surrounded by commentary about the NFL’s concern about domestic violence — and the league’s handling, or mishandling of that topic.

• “Haven” (8 p.m., Syfy, TV14) enters its fifth season. Like “Under the Dome,” the CBS summer series with two more episodes left, “Haven” takes place in a small, apparently isolated town beset by supernatural disturbances unique to its location and population. Both are based on Stephen King novels, and both are pretty darn baffling to casual viewers who haven’t been following things from the get-go.

TONIGHT’S OTHER HIGHLIGHTS • Contestants stitch together fashion-forward rainwear on “Project Runway” (9 p.m., Lifetime, TV-PG). • Nessa goes on with business on “The Honorable Woman” (10 p.m., Sundance, TV-MA). • An old friend who made good makes the gals feel bad on “Garfunkel and Oates” (10 p.m., IFC, TV-14). • A half-hour episode spanning a three-year flashback explains the events that lead

up to Gretchen and Jimmy’s encounter on “You’re the Worst” (10:30 p.m., FX, TV-MA). • Morgan Spurlock’s “7 Deadly Sins” (11 p.m., Showtime, TV-MA) arrives at greed.

CULT CHOICE Thora Birch stars in the 2003 true-life drama “Homeless to Harvard: The Liz Murray Story” (8 p.m., Lifetime Movie Network). This tale of intelligence and empowerment originally aired on Lifetime, and marked an unheard-of departure from their “women in peril” movies.

LATE NIGHT Tavis Smiley is booked on “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart” (11 p.m., Comedy Central) * Garfunkel & Oates appear on “Conan” (11 p.m., TBS) * Lonn Taylor is on “The Colbert Report” (11:30 p.m., Comedy Central) * Jason Bateman, Billy Eichner and Ryan Adams appear on “Late Show With David

Letterman” (11:35 p.m., CBS) * Jimmy Fallon welcomes Jessica Chastain, Jeffrey Tambor and Chris Brown on “The Tonight Show” (11:35 p.m., NBC) * Morgan Freeman, Julianne Hough and Ingrid Michaelson are on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (11:35 p.m., ABC) * Harry Con-

Powell’s America’s Favorite Comfort Shoes

nick Jr., Josh Charles and Nick Jonas visit “Late Night With Seth Meyers” (12:35 a.m., NBC) * Craig Ferguson hosts Selma Blair on “The Late Late Show” (12:35 a.m., CBS). Copyright 2014, United Feature Syndicate

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COMMENTARY

Extremism in defense of re-election W

ASHINGTON — Since Barry Goldwater, accepting the Republicans’ 1964 presidential nomination, said “extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice,” Democrats have been decrying Republican “extremism.” Actually, although there is abundant foolishness and unseemliness in American politics, real extremism — measures or movements that menace the Constitution’s architecture of ordered liberty — is rare. This week, however, extremism stained the Senate. Forty-eight members of the Democratic caucus attempted to do something never previously done — amend the Bill of Rights. They tried to radically shrink First Amendment protection of political speech. They evidently think extremGeorge ism in defense Will of the political class’s convenience is no vice. The First Amendment as the First Congress passed it, and the states ratified it 223 years ago, says: “Congress shall make no law ... abridging the freedom of speech.” The 48 senators understand that this is incompatible — by its plain text, and in light of numerous Supreme Court rulings — with their desire to empower Congress and state legislatures to determine the permissible quantity, content and timing of political speech. Including, of course, speech by and about members of Congress and their challengers — as well as persons seeking the presidency or state offices. The 48 senators proposing to give legislators speech-regulating powers describe their amendment in anodyne language, as “relating to contributions and expenditures intended to affect elections.” But what affects elections is speech, and the vast majority of contributions and expenditures are made to disseminate speech. The Democrats’ amendment says: “Congress and the states may regulate and set reasonable limits on the raising and spending of money by candidates and others to influence elections,” and may “prohibit” corporations — including nonprofit issue advocacy corporations (such as the Sierra Club, NARAL Pro-Choice America and thousands of others across the political spectrum) from spending any money “to influence elections,” which is what most of them exist to do. Because all limits will be set by incumbent legislators, the limits deemed “reasonable” will surely serve incumbents’ interests. The lower the limits, the more valuable will be the myriad (and unregulated) advantages of officeholders. The point of this “improvement” of James Madison’s First Amendment is to reverse the Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United decision. It left in place the ban on corporate contributions to candidates. It said only that Americans do not forfeit their speech rights when they band together to express themselves on political

issues through corporations, which they generally do through nonprofit advocacy corporations. Floyd Abrams, among the First Amendment’s most distinguished defenders, notes that the proposed amendment deals only with political money that funds speech. That it would leave political speech less protected than pornography, political protests at funerals and Nazi parades. That by aiming to equalize the political influence of persons and groups, it would reverse the 1976 Buckley decision joined by such champions of free expression as Justices William Brennan, Thurgood Marshall and Potter Stewart. That one reason President Harry Truman vetoed the 1947 Taft-Hartley Act was that he considered its ban on corporations and unions making independent expenditures to affect federal elections a “dangerous intrusion on free speech.” And that no Fortune 100 corporation “appears to have contributed even a cent to any of the 10 highest-grossing super PACs in either the 2010, 2012 or 2014 election cycles.” There are not the 67 Democratic senators and 290 Democratic representatives necessary to send this amendment to the states for ratification. The mere proposing of it, however, has usefully revealed the senators who are eager to regulate speech about themselves: Tammy Baldwin (Wisconsin), Mark Begich (Alaska), Michael Bennet (Colorado), Richard Blumenthal (Connecticut), Cory Booker (New Jersey), Barbara Boxer (California), Sherrod Brown (Ohio), Maria Cantwell (Washington), Benjamin Cardin (Maryland), Thomas Carper (Delaware), Robert Casey (Pennsylvania), Christopher Coons (Delaware), Richard Durbin (Illinois), Dianne Feinstein (California), Al Franken (Minnesota), Kirsten Gillibrand (New York), Kay Hagan (North Carolina), Tom Harkin (Iowa), Martin Heinrich (New Mexico), Heidi Heitkamp (North Dakota), Mazie Hirono (Hawaii), Tim Johnson (South Dakota), Angus King (Maine), Amy Klobuchar (Minnesota), Carl Levin (Michigan), Joe Manchin (West Virginia), Edward Markey (Massachusetts), Claire McCaskill (Missouri), Robert Menendez (New Jersey), Jeff Merkley (Oregon), Barbara Mikulski (Maryland), Christopher Murphy (Connecticut), Patty Murray (Washington), Bill Nelson (Florida), Jack Reed (Rhode Island), Harry Reid (Nevada), John Rockefeller (West Virginia), Bernard Sanders (Vermont), Brian Schatz (Hawaii), Charles Schumer (New York), Jeanne Shaheen (New Hampshire), Debbie Stabenow (Michigan), Jon Tester (Montana), Mark Udall (Colorado), John Walsh (Montana), Elizabeth Warren (Massachusetts), Sheldon Whitehouse (Rhode Island) and Ron Wyden (Oregon). The italicized names are of senators on the ballot this November. But all 48 Senate cosponsors are American rarities — real extremists. George Will’s email address is georgewill@washpost.com. © 2014, Washington Post Writers Group

EDITORIAL ROUNDUP Recent editorials from South Carolina newspapers:

The Times and Democrat of Orangeburg Sept. 10

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE DESERVES PRIORITY OF S.C. LAWMAKERS Once domestic violence may have had a narrow definition regarding violence involving husbands abusing wives, but today seems to produce abuse in all types of relationships. Still, women remain predominantly the victims. South Carolina heard again this week that it continues to rank as a violent place for the frequency of men killing women. South Carolina is second in the nation in the rate of women murdered by men, with a rate of 2.06 per 100,000, according to the new Violence Policy Center report “When Men Murder Women: An Analysis of 2012 Homicide Data.” Only Alaska’s rate is higher. This is the 17th year in a row that South Carolina has ranked in the top 10 states for the rate of women murdered by men. Nationwide, 1,706 females were murdered by males in single victim/single offender incidents in 2012, at a rate of 1.16 per 100,000. For homicides in which the victim-to-offender relationship could be identified, 93 percent of female victims nationwide were murdered by a male they knew. Of the victims who knew their offenders, 62 percent were wives, common-law wives, ex-wives or girlfriends of the offenders. “Since the passage of the Violence Against Women Act 20 years ago, the federal government and many states and communities have taken heroic steps to reduce domestic violence,” VPC Legislative Director Kristen Rand said. “Yet today, far more remains to be done to stop the epidemic of violence against women. The rate of women murdered by men in the United States is tragic and unacceptable.” In South Carolina, House Speaker Bobby Harrell and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Larry Martin have stated that strengthening laws against domestic violence will be a priority in the coming legislative session. With the documented record of violence against women involving guns, a good place to start is strengthening the law to prevent convicted domestic violence offenders from legally possessing firearms.

The Herald of Rock Hill Sept. 9

NFL WAITED TOO LONG TO OUST BALTIMORE’S RICE Violence is an intrinsic part of the game of football. But that doesn’t mean the National Football League can turn a blind eye when players commit violence off the field. Ray Rice, star running back for the Baltimore Ravens, had escaped with the equivalent of a public scolding from his team and the NFL after knocking his then-fiancee Janay Palmer unconscious in February inside an elevator at an Atlantic City, New Jersey, casino. A video outside the elevator captured the image of Rice hauling Palmer’s inert body from the elevator into a hallway. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell issued Rice a ludicrous two-game suspension. But criticism of the lenient punishment rained down so hard on Goodell that he was

forced to admit a month later, “I didn’t get it right.” On Aug. 28, he announced new penalties for domestic abusers, including a sixgame suspension for a first offense and a potential lifetime ban for a second offense. On Monday, however, a new video released by TMZ Sports clearly indicated that he still hadn’t gotten it right. The video shows Rice arguing with Palmer, who now is his wife, then landing a vicious left punch that sends her careening into the elevator railing and onto the floor, out cold. Rice then drags her part way out of the elevator and deposits her in the hallway. After the release of the video, the Ravens terminated Rice’s contract and the NFL suspended him indefinitely. That finally was the right response, but one that came much too late. If the NFL remains more concerned about the bottom line than about culling wife beaters and other criminals from its ranks, its carefully nurtured squeaky-clean image could take a direct hit.

The Post and Courier of Charleston Sept. 10

A NEW LOW IN THE IRS TAX EXEMPTIONS SCANDAL Some Senate Democrats are trying to defend the Internal Revenue Service in a staff report that alleges the tax agency was equally severe with left-leaning and rightleaning groups seeking tax exemptions in 2010 and 2011. And they contend that the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration erred in his 2013 report saying the agency wrongly targeted conservative ones. It does not compute. The data overwhelmingly support the IG’s findings. As the minority staff of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations points out, 248 of the 298 applications that received special scrutiny were “right-leaning” organizations and only 29 were “leftleaning.” Similarly, the House Ways and Means Committee found last summer that, in a sample of 104 conservative and seven “progressive” groups, the conservative applicants were asked on average three times as many questions about their plans as the progressive ones, and less than half of the conservative applications were approved, compared to all of the left-leaning ones. If that is not enough substantiation of the IG’s charge of inappropriate targeting of conservative groups by the IRS, consider this. The public-interest group Judicial Watch has found, through Freedom of Information Act requests, that the IRS wrongly demanded lists of donors to conservative tax-exempt and applicant groups although “such information was not needed across-the-board and not used in making the agency’s determination on exempt status,” as an internal IRS email put it. Such demands could chill fund raising by the organizations. So what happened to those lists of donors? Some were published by releasing them to House investigators of the IRS scandal. Meanwhile, the IRS admitted wrongdoing and has reportedly offered to pay $50,000 for having provided confidential tax information of the conservative National Organization for Marriage and a list of its donors to the Human Rights Campaign, a left-leaning group and supporter of President Obama. The case for IRS misdeeds, whether politically driven or colossal mismanagement, is too far advanced for Senate Democrats to whitewash.

A10

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2014

AROUND TOWN and dinner will include turThe Sumter Chapter of the Inkey wing, rice with gravy or ternational Association of AdCalling all administrative professionals macaroni salad, butterministrative Professionals beans, roll and a drink. Call (IAAP) will meet at 5:30 p.m. James L. Green at (803) 968today in the Bultman Con4173. ference Room, USC Sumter. Professionals are encourLincoln High School Class of aged to attend. Call Mary 1963 will meet at 2 p.m. on Sutton at (803) 938-3760. Saturday, Sept. 20, at American Legion Post 202, 310 PalOvercomers Stroke Survivors metto St. Plans will be made Support Group will meet at 6 p.m. today at the Alice Drive for the 2015 class reunion, which will be celebrated as Baptist Church library, 1305 the 1960s class reunion of Loring Mill Road and Wise the Civil Rights Era. Call FerDrive. Call Wayne Hunter at dinand Burns at (803) 968(803) 464-7865 or (803) 4644464 for information. 3003. The NCNW (National Council of Lincoln High School Class of 1967 chat and chew for you Negro Women) will meet at 5 will be held 6-9 p.m. on Satp.m. on Friday, Sept. 12, at urday, Sept. 20, at CrossMorris College. Call Lucile roads Community Center, Washington at (803) 7732750 McCords Ferry Road, 1987 for information. U.S. 601 at U.S. 378/76 West, Clarendon School District Two Eastover. Cost is $10 per will hold Saturday with the Superson. RSVP and send payperintendent from 9 a.m. to 1 ment in no later than Sept. p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 13, 10. Call Betty Coplin Watkins at the district office, 15 Major Drive. Superintendent at (803) 469-0331 or Sarah John Tindal will be available James Chiles at (803) 7884346. to anyone in the district or The Lincoln High School Presercommunity who would like vation Alumni Association will to speak with him. meet at 4 p.m. on Sunday, The Westside Neighborhood Sept. 21, at the Lincoln High Association will meet at 5:30 School cafeteria, Council p.m. on Monday, Sept. 15, at Street. Call James L. Green the Birnie HOPE Center, 210 at (803) 968-4173. S. Purdy St. Contact Jim McThe Sumter Combat Veterans Cain at (678) 429-8150 or jtGroup will meet at 10 a.m. on mccain@bellsouth.net. The American Red Cross, Sand- Monday, Sept. 22, at the South HOPE Center, 1125 S. hills Chapter, will offer the folLafayette Drive. All area vetlowing classes: 6-9 p.m. Monday, Sept. 15, New Volunteer erans are invited. The Sumter Branch NAACP will Orientation and Disaster sponsor a candidates forum for Services Overview, at 17 Sumter School Board candiMaple St., Manning; 9 a.m.dates 6-8:30 p.m. on Thursnoon Saturday, Sept. 27, day, Sept. 25, at Central CarFeeding Fundamentals, at olina Technical College, 1155 N. Guignard, Suite 2; Health Science Center, 133 S. and 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, Logistics, at 1155 N. Guig- Main St. nard, Suite 2. To register for The Sumter Unit of the National classes, call (803) 775-2363. Association of Parliamentarians will meet at 6:30 p.m. on The Carolina Coin Club will Thursday, Sept. 25, at Summeet at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, ter School District, 1345 WilSept. 16, at the Parks & Recson Hall Road. Helen McFadreation Department, 155 den will conduct the educaHaynsworth St. The club tional program “Scripting meets on the third Tuesday of each month. Visitors wel- Your Agenda – (What not to do).” Call Laura LeGrand at come. Call (803) 775-8840. The Pinedale Neighborhood As- (803) 775-0830 for details. The Sumter Branch NAACP will sociation will meet at 4:30 hold a general membership p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 18, meeting at 5 p.m. on Sunat South HOPE Center, 1125 S. Lafayette Drive. Call Ferdi- day, Sept. 28, at Bethany Felnand Burns at (803) 968-4464 lowship Baptist Church, 350 E. Red Bay Road. for more information. Enjoy Dog Day at Patriot Park Sumter Green Fall Feast will from 2 to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 21, brought to you by Thursday, Sept. 18. Music Sumter Stormwater Soluwill be provided by 4-Way tions in partnership with Stop and a variety of food Sumter County Public Works will be available from chefs, and the Sumter County Reccaterers, restaurateurs and reation Department. Celegourmet cooks. Tickets are brate the installation of four $30 in advance. If there are any tickets remaining on the new pet waste stations to help park visitors pick up day of the event, they will after their pets. Bring your be sold at the door for $40. furry friend dressed in his or Adults only. Call (803) 436her favorite Halloween outfit 2640. The Lincoln High School Preser- (optional) to enter the costume contest. Free givevation Alumni Association will aways will include pet bansponsor a dinner fundraiser danas, Frisbees, water botand a clothes giveaway 11 tles, etc. For more informaa.m.-5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. tion, contact Jolie Brown at 19, at the Lincoln High (803) 773-5561 or jolie2@ School gymnasium, Council clemson.edu. Street. Cost is $7 per plate

DAILY PLANNER

THE SUMTER ITEM

WEATHER

AccuWeather® ﬁve-day forecast for Sumter TODAY

TONIGHT

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

Partly sunny, warm and humid

Partly cloudy and humid

Showers and a heavier t-storm

Mostly cloudy with thunderstorms

Mostly cloudy, t-storms possible

Couple of thunderstorms

91°

73°

88° / 71°

84° / 68°

81° / 68°

82° / 67°

Chance of rain: 5%

Chance of rain: 25%

Chance of rain: 65%

Chance of rain: 70%

Chance of rain: 35%

Chance of rain: 65%

Winds: SW 4-8 mph

Winds: SSW 4-8 mph

Winds: S 3-6 mph

Winds: SSW 4-8 mph

Winds: ENE 6-12 mph

Winds: SE 4-8 mph

TODAY’S SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER

Gaﬀney 89/70 Spartanburg 89/71

Greenville 87/70

Columbia 93/73

Temperatures shown on map are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

IN THE MOUNTAINS

Sumter 91/73

Aiken 92/71

ON THE COAST

Charleston 91/75

Today: Mostly sunny; a shower in spots in southern parts. High 86 to 90. Friday: A couple of showers and a thunderstorm. High 85 to 89.

LOCAL ALMANAC

LAKE LEVELS

SUMTER THROUGH 4 P.M. YESTERDAY

Today Hi/Lo/W 87/72/t 61/52/pc 88/72/t 68/51/pc 94/74/t 90/69/s 90/76/t 84/64/t 90/74/t 88/65/t 100/79/s 79/59/pc 92/69/t

7 a.m. yest. 357.04 75.03 74.94 97.15

24-hr chg -0.03 -0.02 -0.04 -0.02

Sunrise 7:02 a.m. Moonrise 9:22 p.m.

RIVER STAGES River Black River Congaree River Lynches River Saluda River Up. Santee River Wateree River

0.00" 3.49" 1.33" 29.15" 38.72" 34.72"

NATIONAL CITIES City Atlanta Chicago Dallas Detroit Houston Los Angeles New Orleans New York Orlando Philadelphia Phoenix San Francisco Wash., DC

SUN AND MOON

Full pool 360 76.8 75.5 100

Lake Murray Marion Moultrie Wateree

84° 68° 85° 64° 95° in 1983 45° in 1956

Precipitation 24 hrs ending 4 p.m. yest. Month to date Normal month to date Year to date Last year to date Normal year to date

Fri. Hi/Lo/W 86/71/t 61/47/r 78/61/r 64/51/c 90/70/t 92/71/s 88/74/t 76/62/pc 89/73/t 78/62/pc 103/84/s 78/61/s 80/67/pc

Myrtle Beach 88/75

Manning 91/73

Today: A thunderstorm around. Winds west-southwest 4-8 mph. Friday: A couple of showers and a thunderstorm. Winds east 3-6 mph.

Temperature High Low Normal high Normal low Record high Record low

Florence 90/72

Bishopville 91/72

Sunset Moonset

7:34 p.m. 9:48 a.m.

Last

New

First

Full

Sep. 15

Sep. 24

Oct. 1

Oct. 8

TIDES

Flood 7 a.m. 24-hr stage yest. chg 12 1.90 -0.09 19 3.26 +0.11 14 3.84 +0.91 14 2.17 -0.61 80 76.57 +0.42 24 6.88 -0.21

AT MYRTLE BEACH

Today Fri.

High 11:28 a.m. 11:56 p.m. 12:20 p.m. ---

Ht. 3.8 3.5 3.7 ---

Low Ht. 5:53 a.m. -0.6 6:24 p.m. -0.2 6:42 a.m. -0.4 7:17 p.m. 0.1

REGIONAL CITIES City Asheville Athens Augusta Beaufort Cape Hatteras Charleston Charlotte Clemson Columbia Darlington Elizabeth City Elizabethtown Fayetteville

Today Hi/Lo/W 83/66/t 90/70/t 92/71/pc 90/74/pc 85/75/s 91/75/pc 89/70/t 90/73/t 93/73/pc 90/72/pc 88/72/s 90/72/s 91/72/pc

Fri. Hi/Lo/W 77/65/t 89/68/t 91/69/t 89/75/t 82/74/t 90/76/t 80/67/t 86/70/t 89/72/t 86/70/t 80/71/t 86/71/t 83/70/t

Today City Hi/Lo/W Florence 90/72/pc Gainesville 90/70/t Gastonia 88/69/t Goldsboro 89/72/pc Goose Creek 91/74/pc Greensboro 88/69/t Greenville 87/70/t Hickory 86/69/t Hilton Head 87/76/pc Jacksonville, FL 90/70/t La Grange 93/71/t Macon 92/69/pc Marietta 87/70/t

Fri. Hi/Lo/W 88/71/t 90/70/pc 80/67/t 81/69/t 90/75/t 75/66/t 82/67/t 74/65/t 86/77/t 89/71/pc 93/70/t 93/69/t 85/69/t

Today City Hi/Lo/W Marion 87/69/t Mt. Pleasant 90/75/pc Myrtle Beach 88/75/s Orangeburg 90/72/pc Port Royal 89/74/pc Raleigh 91/70/t Rock Hill 88/69/t Rockingham 90/71/pc Savannah 90/73/pc Spartanburg 89/71/t Summerville 88/74/pc Wilmington 87/73/s Winston-Salem 87/68/t

Fri. Hi/Lo/W 79/66/t 89/75/t 87/74/t 89/71/t 88/74/t 78/68/t 81/68/t 83/70/t 89/73/t 84/68/t 86/76/t 85/70/t 75/65/t

Weather(W): s–sunny, pc–partly cloudy, c–cloudy, sh–showers, t–thunderstorms, r–rain, sf–snow ﬂurries, sn–snow, i–ice

Reduce

DUCT LEAKAGE UP P TO

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Jump into EUGENIA LAST action. Turn your energy level to high. Make a point to fill your day with interesting activities and events that are conducive to making new connections and improving your opportunities to reach your personal or professional goals.

The last word in astrology

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Listen, but don’t disagree. You have nothing to gain and everything to lose if you take a position of opposition. Put more energy into self-improvement, love, romance and educational pursuits. Travel plans aren’t likely to run smoothly. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): You’ll be in the spotlight. Someone will single you out at a function. Make a point to be articulate. If you don’t know something, admit to it and move on. Honest communication will be the key to your success. CANCER (June 21-July 22): Problems will develop if you offer help. You are best to go about your business, stick close to home and refuse to get into a highly charged debate. Fix up your home and take care of your responsibilities. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Introduce a pleasant change to what you do for a living or how you live your life. Believe in yourself and you can achieve whatever you set your mind to. Don’t let anyone stand between you and your dreams. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Do whatever it takes to reassess your personal financial situation. Putting things in order yourself will ensure that no one takes advantage of you or tampers with your assets. Moderation and discipline will help you make wise choices. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Share your thoughts with people you

come in contact with through organizational or industry events. Greater opportunities are apparent, but taking precautions to avoid someone offering the impossible will be necessary. Go with the most practical offer. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Make personal changes to your home surroundings and important relationships. Bend a little and delve into situations and activities that are unusual and promise to improve your environment. A minor health issue or problem with a pet should be resolved quickly. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Stay away from quick-fix suggestions. Place your bet on whatever you are most knowledgeable about and be prepared to follow through. Don’t let a personal problem lead to a deception that will be difficult to reverse.

90%

803-795-4257

LOTTERY NUMBERS PALMETTO CASH 5 WEDNESDAY

MEGAMILLIONS TUESDAY

2-5-9-31-32 PowerUp: 3

25-34-55-70-71 Megaball: 1 Megaplier: 4

PICK 3 WEDNESDAY

PICK 4 WEDNESDAY

0-7-4 and 7-3-6

0-7-6-7 and 9-1-2-1

POWERBALL numbers were unavailable at press time.

PICTURES FROM THE PUBLIC Perry Register shares a photo of his backyard produce.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Expect to be questioned by a friend or relative regarding something you say or share. Get your facts straight so you don’t have to backtrack. An unusual investment will work in your favor, but joint ventures are not in your best interest. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Use past experiences to make wise choices regarding money matters. You’ll be right on the money with regard to an innovative idea that can turn into a profitable venture. Don’t let uncertainty hold you back, but do stick to a set budget. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): You will face opposition regarding contracts, medical and financial issues. Do as much of the groundwork yourself to avoid a conflict or unnecessary delay. Love is on the rise and romance a promise. Future plans will improve your personal life.

HAVE YOU TAKEN PICTURES OF INTERESTING, EXCITING, BEAUTIFUL OR HISTORICAL PLACES? Would you like to share those images with your fellow Sumter Item readers? E-mail your hi-resolution jpegs to sandrah@theitem.com, or mail to Sandra Holbert c/o The Sumter Item, P.O. Box 1677, Sumter, SC 29150. Include clearly printed or typed name of photographer and photo details. Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for return of your photo. Amateur photographers only please.

SECTION

2 more players facing domestic violence issues B5

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2014

Call: (803) 774-1241 | E-mail: sports@theitem.com

PREP FOOTBALL

Working towards a victory

SUMTER ITEM FILE PHOTO

Crestwood first-year head coach Roosevelt Nelson, standing second from right, speaks to his team after the Sumter Sertoma Jamboree. The Knights have opened the season with back-to-back losses but have shown the ability to make plays offensively. Nelson said the team has to play consistent four quarters if they are going to pick up their first win of the season on Friday against Timberland.

Knights showing improvement despite 0-2 mark under new head coach BY JUSTIN DRIGGERS justin@theitem.com First-year head coach Roosevelt Nelson can see the improvements, even if the scoreboard hasn’t shown it just yet. The Crestwood High School football team sits at 0-2 after back-to-back losses to rival Sumter and Fairfield Central

The Knights are hoping to do that on Friday at Donald L. Crolley Memorial Stadium in Dalzell when they welcome perennial 2A power Timberland to town. The game marks the home opener for Crestwood and is the first of four straight home contests. In order to turn things around against Timberland, though, the Knights will have

last week. Still, Nelson isn’t overly harping on the W-L results. “I’ve seen improvement on both sides of the ball,” he said. “We’ve had some mistakes on offense and defense that have hurt us, but we’re better than we were at the start of camp. “We just have to put four quarters together.”

to correct the mistakes that have forced their winless start. On offense, it comes down to penalties and turnovers. “We had a couple of drives (against Fairfield) that were slowed by penalties and we had two more good drives that we turned the ball over on,” Nelson said. “Other than that, I felt we moved the ball

TSA opens region play vs. Calhoun BY JUSTIN DRIGGERS justin@theitem.com Thomas Sumter Academy’s defense has been a work in progress during the last few seasons, but head coach Troy Kessinger has seen a marked turnaround through two games this season. “We’re not giving up a lot of points and we’re really not giving up a lot of yards,” Kessinger said. “It helps that we’ve got the front seven back and they’ve been able to concentrate almost totally

on the defensive side of the ball. “They’re playing aggressively and KESSINGER they’re playing well.” The Generals have allowed just 27 points in two games, but will be tested this week as Calhoun Academy comes to General Field in Dalzell for the SCISA Region I-2A opener for both teams. Calhoun is 2-0 after topping Dorchester Academy

and Robert E. Lee. TSA is 1-1 after knocking off REL in the opener before falling to Dillon Christian 13-7 last week. Calhoun has scored 48 points in two games, but the biggest difference is the way the Cavaliers have done it, Kessinger said. “They like to throw the ball around a good bit,” he said. “The two teams we’ve faced this year have been predominantly running teams, so this is going to be our first big test as to how well we defend the pass.”

The biggest key for the Generals then is not allowing the big play, he said. “They can throw it downfield, so we have to keep the ball in front of us,” Kessinger said. “We can’t allow the big play through the air and we can’t allow them to get behind us on defense.” Offensively, things have been more up and down for the Generals. TSA scored 28 points in its opener, but five turnovers helped limit it to just seven points last week.

SEE TSA, PAGE B3

GAMECOCK FOOTBALL

Stopping Gurley could be a literal pain for USC BY DAVID CARAVIELLO Post and Courier COLUMBIA — He is 232 pounds of irresistible force, and he runs with all the subtlety of a hammer striking a nail. Todd Gurley doesn’t dance from side to side, he doesn’t deke and duck. He rushes straight downhill, as they say in football parlance, and when a defender squares to make contact, he hits right back. “The way he comes downhill, he hits the defender as

well,” said South Carolina linebacker Skai Moore. “He doesn’t often absorb the hit — he’ll bring it as well. So that’s probably what makes it a little more difficult.” It’s all difficult — containing, tackling and stopping perhaps the best running back in the college game, who will be the focus of the Gamecock defense as No. 6 Georgia visits Williams-Brice Stadium at 3:30 p.m. Saturday. Say goodbye to the spread

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Georgia’s Todd Gurley, center, accounted for a school record 290 yards of total offense against Clemson in the Bulldogs’ 45-21 victory. Gurley, a tough downhill runner, and sixthranked UGA will travel to Columbia to face the 24th-ranked SEE USC, PAGE B3 Gamecocks at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday at Williams-Brice Stadium.

well. We’ve averaged about 300 yards on offense so far, and last week it was about 200 on the ground and 100 in the air, so we’re becoming more balanced.” Running back Ty’Son Williams led the way with 186 yards on 26 carries with two touchdowns. He also caught a

SEE KNIGHTS, PAGE B3

COMMENTARY

NFL has once again fallen on its face

hat the National Football League has transformed itself into in the past 30 years or so is truly unbelievable. It stands alone at the top of professional sports leagues with no one else really close. Even though its season is the shortest of the four leagues, it has turned itself Dennis into a yearBrunson around obsession for so many fans. That’s why it is hard to figure out how the NFL dropped the ball in such a way RICE with its handling of Ray Rice punching his wife. From the initial report to the release of the video inside the elevator on Monday, the NFL has fallen on its face at every turn. Did Commissioner Roger Goodell and the owners think they were above the fray in this issue. That is difficult to believe. This isn’t an issue that’s a “women’s” issue; this

SEE NFL, PAGE B5

SPORTS

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2014

SCOREBOARD TV, RADIO TODAY

5:30 a.m. – Professional Golf: European PGA Tour KLM Open First Round from Zandvoort, Netherlands (GOLF). 7:30 a.m. – LPGA Golf: Evian Championship First Round from Evian-lesBains, France (GOLF). 12:30 p.m. – Major League Baseball: St. Louis at Cincinnati or Oakland at Chicago White Sox (MLB NETWORK). 1 p.m. – PGA Golf: Tour Championship First Round from Atlanta (GOLF). 3 p.m. – International Basketball: FIBA World Cup Semifinal Game from Barcelona, Spain – United States vs. Lithuania (ESPN). 5:30 p.m. – High School Football: Sumter Touchdown Club (FTC NOW 26). 6 p.m. – International Basketball: FIBA World Cup Semifinal Game (NBA TV). 6:05 p.m. – Talk Show: Sports Talk (WDXY-FM 105.9, WDXY-AM 1240). 6:30 p.m. – Professional Golf: Web.com Tour Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship First Round from Columbus, Ohio (GOLF). 7 p.m. – Women’s International Basketball: U.S National Team Scrimmage from Newark, Del. – U.S. Red vs. U.S. White (ESPN2). 7 p.m. – High School Football: Bergen Catholic (N.J.) vs. St. Peter’s (N.J.) from Jersey City, N.J. (ESPNU). 7 p.m. – Major League Baseball: Tampa Bay at New York Yankees or Pittsburgh at Philadelphia (MLB NETWORK). 7 p.m. – High School Football: Marion at Manning (FTC NOW 26). 8 p.m. – College Football: Louisiana Tech at North Texas (CBS SPORTS NETWORK). 8:25 p.m. – NFL Football: Pittsburgh at Baltimore (WLTX 19, NFL NETWORK). 9 p.m. – College Football: Houston at Brigham Young (ESPN). 9:30 p.m. – Professional Boxing: Luis Ortiz vs. Lateef Kayode for the WBA Interim Heavyweight Title, Jesus Cuellar vs. Juan Manuel Lopez for the WBA Interim Featherweight Title, Errol Spence Jr. vs. Noe Bolanos in a Welterweight Bout and Julian Williams vs. Eliezer Gonzalez in a Junior Middleweight Bout from Las Vegas (FOX SPORTS 1).

COLLEGE FOOTBALL By The Associated Press SCHEDULE

(Subject to change)

TODAY

SOUTH Campbell (0-2) at Charleston Southern (2-0), 7 p.m. Stillman (0-1) at Samford (0-1), 7:30 p.m. Cumberland (Tenn.) (1-0) at UT-Martin (0-2), 7:30 p.m. SOUTHWEST Louisiana Tech (1-1) at North Texas (1-1), 8 p.m. FAR WEST

FRIDAY

EAST Baylor (2-0) at Buffalo (1-1), 8 p.m. MIDWEST Toledo (1-1) at Cincinnati (0-0), 7 p.m.

SATURDAY

EAST Dayton (1-0) at Duquesne (0-2), Noon Boise St. (1-1) at UConn (1-1), Noon Maine (1-0) at Bryant (2-0), 1 p.m. Rhode Island (0-1) at Fordham (1-1), 1 p.m. Wagner (1-1) at Monmouth (NJ) (1-0), 1 p.m. CCSU (1-1) at Holy Cross (1-1), 1:05 p.m. Lehigh (0-1) at New Hampshire (0-1), 3:30 p.m. Colgate (0-1) at Delaware (1-1), 6 p.m. Robert Morris (0-2) at Lafayette (0-1), 6 p.m. Georgetown (0-2) at Marist (0-2), 6 p.m. Assumption (0-1) at Sacred Heart (20), 6 p.m. American International (1-0) at Stony Brook (0-2), 6 p.m. Southern Cal (2-0) at Boston College (1-1), 8 p.m. Penn St. (2-0) at Rutgers (2-0), 8 p.m. SOUTH Pittsburgh (2-0) at FIU (1-1), Noon Georgia Southern (1-1) at Georgia Tech (2-0), Noon Ohio (1-1) at Marshall (2-0), Noon West Virginia (1-1) at Maryland (2-0), Noon UMass (0-2) at Vanderbilt (0-2), Noon East Carolina (1-1) at Virginia Tech (2-0), Noon Louisville (2-0) at Virginia (1-1), 12:30 p.m. San Diego (1-0) at Jacksonville (0-1), 1 p.m. Bowie St. (0-1) at Morgan St. (0-2), 1 p.m. Davidson (1-1) at VMI (0-2), 1:30 p.m. Towson (0-2) at Delaware St. (0-2), 2 p.m. Air Force (1-1) at Georgia St. (1-1), 2 p.m. Louisiana College (1-0) at Alcorn St. (1-1), 3 p.m. Kansas (1-0) at Duke (2-0), 3:30 p.m. Morehouse (1-0) at Howard (0-2), 3:30 p.m. Arkansas St. (1-1) at Miami (1-1), 3:30 p.m. Georgia (1-0) at South Carolina (1-1), 3:30 p.m. NC State (2-0) at South Florida (1-1), 3:30 p.m. Alabama A&M (0-2) at UAB (1-1), 3:30 p.m. Catawba (1-0) at W. Carolina (1-1), 3:30 p.m. Grambling St. (0-2) at Bethune-Cookman (1-0), 4 p.m. St. Francis (Pa.) (1-1) at James Madison (1-1), 4 p.m. Louisiana (1-1) at Mississippi (2-0), 4 p.m. Mississippi St. (2-0) at South Alabama (1-0), 4 p.m. Texas Southern (2-0) vs. Central St. (Ohio) (1-0) at Nassau, Bahamas, 4 p.m. Chattanooga (0-2) at Austin Peay (01), 5 p.m. Charlotte (2-0) at NC Central (1-1), 5 p.m. Southern Miss. (1-1) at Alabama (20), 6 p.m. MVSU (0-1) at Alabama St. (1-1), 6 p.m. SC State (1-1) at Coastal Carolina (20), 6 p.m. Morehead St. (1-1) at E. Kentucky (20), 6 p.m. NC A&T (1-1) at Elon (0-1), 6 p.m. Va. Lynchburg (0-2) at Gardner-Webb (0-2), 6 p.m. E. Michigan (1-1) at Old Dominion (11), 6 p.m. Hampton (0-2) at Richmond (1-1), 6 p.m. Fort Valley St. (0-1) at Savannah St. (0-2), 6 p.m. Mercer (1-1) at Stetson (1-1), 6 p.m. Tulsa (1-1) at FAU (0-2), 7 p.m. Tennessee St. (1-1) vs. Jackson St. (2-0) at Memphis, Tenn., 7 p.m. Louisiana-Monroe (2-0) at LSU (2-0), 7 p.m. Brevard (0-1) at Liberty (1-1), 7 p.m. Prairie View (0-1) at McNeese St. (01), 7 p.m. W. Kentucky (1-1) at Middle Tennessee (1-1), 7 p.m. Henderson St. (1-0) at Nicholls St. (02), 7 p.m. Furman (2-0) at Presbyterian (1-1), 7 p.m. Northwestern St. (0-2) at Southern U. (1-1), 7 p.m. Abilene Christian (0-2) at Troy (0-2), 7 p.m. Norfolk St. (0-2) at William & Mary (1-1), 7 p.m. North Greenville (1-0) at Wofford (01), 7 p.m. Kentucky (2-0) at Florida (1-0), 7:30 p.m. SE Louisiana (2-0) at Tulane (0-2), 8 p.m. MIDWEST

Indiana (1-0) at Bowling Green (1-1), Noon Syracuse (1-0) at Cent. Michigan (20), Noon UCF (0-1) at Missouri (2-0), Noon Kent St. (0-2) at Ohio St. (1-1), Noon E. Illinois (0-2) at Illinois St. (1-0), 1 p.m. Indiana St. (1-1) at Ball St. (1-1), 3 p.m. Iowa St. (0-2) at Iowa (2-0), 3:30 p.m. Miami (Ohio) (0-2) at Michigan (1-1), 3:30 p.m. Incarnate Word (0-2) at N. Dakota St. (2-0), 3:30 p.m. Drake (1-1) at W. Illinois (1-1), 4 p.m. Butler (1-0) at Youngstown St. (1-1), 4 p.m. North Dakota (1-1) at Missouri St. (11), 7 p.m. SE Missouri (1-1) at S. Illinois (2-0), 7 p.m. Purdue (1-1) vs. Notre Dame (2-0) at Indianapolis, 7:30 p.m. SOUTHWEST Arkansas (1-1) at Texas Tech (2-0), 3:30 p.m. Minnesota (2-0) at TCU (1-0), 4 p.m. UTSA (1-1) at Oklahoma St. (1-1), 7 p.m. Texas A&M Commerce (1-0) at Stephen F. Austin (1-1), 7 p.m. CSU-Pueblo (1-0) at Sam Houston St. (1-2), 7:30 p.m. Texas College (0-2) at Lamar (1-1), 8 p.m. Tennessee (2-0) at Oklahoma (2-0), 8 p.m. UCLA (2-0) at Texas (1-1), 8 p.m. Navy (1-1) at Texas St. (1-0), 8 p.m. New Mexico St. (2-0) at UTEP (1-1), 8 p.m. Rice (0-1) at Texas A&M (2-0), 9 p.m. FAR WEST Wyoming (2-0) at Oregon (2-0), 2 p.m. UC Davis (1-1) at Colorado St. (1-1), 3 p.m. Houston Baptist (0-1) at N. Colorado (0-1), 3:30 p.m. Illinois (2-0) at Washington (2-0), 4 p.m. Chadron St. (1-0) at Idaho St. (0-2), 4:35 p.m. W. Michigan (0-1) at Idaho (0-1), 5 p.m. Army (1-0) at Stanford (1-1), 5 p.m. Cent. Arkansas (1-1) at Montana St. (1-1), 5:35 p.m. NM Highlands (0-1) at N. Arizona (11), 7 p.m. N. Illinois (2-0) at UNLV (1-1), 7 p.m. Wake Forest (1-1) at Utah St. (1-1), 7 p.m. Portland St. (1-1) at Washington St. (0-2), 8 p.m. S. Dakota St. (1-1) at S. Utah (0-2), 8:05 p.m. South Dakota (1-1) at Montana (1-1), 9 p.m. Weber St. (0-2) at Sacramento St. (11), 9 p.m. Arizona St. (2-0) at Colorado (1-1), 10 p.m. Nebraska (2-0) at Fresno St. (0-2), 10:30 p.m. Nevada (2-0) at Arizona (2-0), 11 p.m. N. Iowa (0-1) at Hawaii (0-2), 11:59 p.m.

MLB STANDINGS By The Associated Press AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST DIVISION

W Baltimore 85 Toronto 75 New York 73 Tampa Bay 70 Boston 63 CENTRAL DIVISION W Kansas City 79 Detroit 80 Cleveland 74 Chicago 64 Minnesota 62 WEST DIVISION W Los Angeles 89 Oakland 81 Seattle 79 Houston 64 Texas 54

L 59 69 69 75 82

Pct .590 .521 .514 .483 .434

GB – 10 11 151/2 221/2

L 64 65 69 80 82

Pct GB .552 – .552 – .517 5 .444 151/2 .431 171/2

L 55 63 65 81 90

Pct .618 .563 .549 .441 .375

GB – 8 10 251/2 35

TUESDAY’S GAMES

Minnesota 4, Cleveland 3 Tampa Bay 4, N.Y. Yankees 3 Toronto 9, Chicago Cubs 2 Detroit 4, Kansas City 2 Baltimore 4, Boston 1 L.A. Angels 9, Texas 3 Oakland 11, Chicago White Sox 2 Houston 2, Seattle 1

WEDNESDAY’S GAMES

Baltimore at Boston, 1:35 p.m. Minnesota at Cleveland, 7:05 p.m. Tampa Bay at N.Y. Yankees, 7:05 p.m. Chicago Cubs at Toronto, 7:07 p.m. Kansas City at Detroit, 7:08 p.m. L.A. Angels at Texas, 8:05 p.m.Oakland at Chicago White Sox, 8:10 p.m. Houston at Seattle, 10:10 p.m.

THE SUMTER ITEM

AREA ROUNDUP

Gardner’s sack lifts Falcons to 6-0 win Lakendrick Gardner made a game-saving sack with 10 seconds remaining to seal the Chestnut Oaks Middle School football teams’ 6-0 victory over Furman on Wednesday at the COMS field. Falcons quarterback Eric Watts had the lone score on a 1-yard sneak. Andre Amaker led the Chestnut Oaks defense with two sacks, three hurries and seven tackles. Neveille Wright registered one sack and Quron Vaughn had an interception. The Falcons are off next week before traveling to Ebenezer on Sept. 23 at 5 p.m. HILLCREST 26

VARSITY GIRLS CROSS COUNTY

LADY BARONS TAKE FIRST

CAMDEN – Anna Lyles finished first overall as the Wilson Hall girls cross country team took first in the 11-team meet at Camden on Wednesday. Following Lyles was Julia Ladson in third, Madison Elmore in fifth, Amanda Dotseth in eighth and Jessica Tetterton who finished 24th. The Barons will run again next Wednesday at the Calhoun Academy Invitational at Santee State Park.

VARSITY VOLLEYBALL

ALICE DRIVE 0

WILSON HALL 3

DALZELL – Josh Simon had 87 yards rushing and 67 yards passing – including a pair of TDs – to help lead Hillcrest past Alice Drive 26-0 on Wednesday at Donald L. Crolley Memorial Stadium. Josh Goodman caught a 60-yard TD pass and had a sack with a forced fumble on defense. Imari Hurte caught the other pass from seven yards out for the score and also had a touchdown run of 5 yards. Nathaniel Wright had an interception while Jovonte Kirkland and Datrick Neal each had a sack. Hillcrest will host Bates next Tuesday.

HEATHWOOD HALL 0 COLUMBIA – Wilson Hall improved to 4-2 on Tuesday with a 3-0 win against Heathwood Hall at the HH gymnasium. Game scores were 25-11, 25-11 and 25-13. Simmons deHoll had seven kills to lead the Lady Barons followed by Courtney Clark with four kills. Caroline Clark had three kills, Haley Hawkins had three kills and two aces and Lauren Hill led the serving with nine points and three aces.

VARSITY BOYS CROSS COUNTY BARONS FINISH FIRST CAMDEN – Wilson Hall took first place overall in an 11-team cross country meet on Wednesday in Camden. Drew Reynolds paced the Barons by finishing third. Andrik Rivera and Matthew Taveraz followed in fourth and fifth while Brayden Fidler finished 17th and Layton Creech rounded out the group in 19th place. Wilson Hall returns to action next Wednesday at the Calhoun Academy Invitational at Santee State Park.

LAURENCE MANNING 3 CAROLINA ACADEMY 2

LAKE CITY – Laurence Manning Academy took the final game to edge Carolina Academy 3-2 on Tuesday at the CA gymnasium. Game scores were 25-20, 11-25, 25-17, 24-26 and 15-12. Courtney Beatson had 11 kills to lead the Lady Swampcats followed by Sara Herbert with 10 kills and 15 service points. Maggie Eppley had 13 points. LMA hosts Calhoun Academy on Thursday.

JV VOLLEYBALL WILSON HALL 2 HEATHWOOD HALL 0 COLUMBIA – The Lady Barons improved to 3-3 on Tuesday with a 2-0 victory over Heathwood Hall at the HH gymnasium.

Game scores were 25-17 and 25-15. Chandler Curtis had 11 points, four aces and a kill to lead WH. Bridget Anderson had an ace and a kill. LAURENCE MANNING 2 CAROLINA ACADEMY 1

LAKE CITY – Laurence Manning took the third and decisive game to defeat Carolina Academy 2-1 on Tuesday at the CA gymnasium. Game scores were 25-16, 17-25 and 25-18. Ashton Rogers had seven kills to lead LMA while Adrianna McLeod chimed in with seven service points. The Lady Swampcats host Calhoun Academy on Thursday.

VARSITY TENNIS THOMAS SUMTER 7 CARDINAL NEWMAN 2 COLUMBIA – Thomas Sumter Academy swept all three doubles matches en route to a 7-2 victory over Cardinal Newman on Tuesday in Columbia.

SINGLES 1 – Maddock (CN) defeated H. Jenkins 6-4, 0-6, 10-5. 2 – B. Jenkins (TSA) defeated Hill 6-1, 6-2. 3 – Gevagi (CN) defeated Townsend 6-4, 6-3. 4 – Decker (TSA) defeated Weiland 6-2, 6-1. 5 – Hood (TSA) defeated Egan 6-2, 6-1. 6 – Chappel (TSA) defeated Gillespie 6-2, 6-4. DOUBLES 1 – H. Jenkins/Townsend (TSA) defeated Maddock/Gevagi 8-6. 2 – B. Jenkins/Chappel (TSA) defeated Hill/Gillespie 8-6. 3 – Decker/Hood (TSA) defeated Wieland/Bumgarner 8-5.

WILLIAMSBURG ACADEMY 9 LAURENCE MANNING ACADEMY 0

Williamsburg Academy swept all nine matches on Tuesday in a victory over Laurence Manning Academy at Palmetto Tennis Center. SINGLES 1 – Adams (WA) defeated Newman 6-1, 6-0. 2 – Tisdale (WA) defeated Ridgill 6-1, 6-1. 3 – Barrett (WA) defeated K. Johnson 6-3, 6-1. 4 – Reynolds (WA) defeated Mac. Ham 7-6, 6-3. 5 – McClary (WA) defeated Mas. Ham 6-1, 6-3. 6 – Wilson (WA) defeated A. Johnson 6-0, 6-0. DOUBLES 1 – Adams/Barrett (WA) defeated Ridgill/Newman 8-2. 2 – Tisdale/McClary (WA) defeated K. Johnson/Mas. Ham 8-2. 3 – Reynolds/Wilson (WA) defeated A. Johnson/Graham 8-1.

TODAY’S GAMES

Minnesota (Nolasco 5-10) at Cleveland (Kluber 14-9), 12:05 p.m. Oakland (Kazmir 14-7) at Chicago White Sox (Sale 11-3), 2:10 p.m. Tampa Bay (Cobb 9-7) at N.Y. Yankees (Pineda 3-4), 7:05 p.m. L.A. Angels (Cor.Rasmus 3-1) at Texas (N.Martinez 3-10), 8:05 p.m. Boston (Buchholz 7-8) at Kansas City (Hendriks 1-1), 8:10 p.m.

NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST DIVISION

W Washington 82 Atlanta 74 Miami 71 New York 70 Philadelphia 67 CENTRAL DIVISION W St. Louis 80 Pittsburgh 75 Milwaukee 74 Cincinnati 68 Chicago 64 WEST DIVISION W Los Angeles 82 San Francisco 79 San Diego 67 Arizona 59 Colorado 59

L 61 71 72 75 77

Pct .573 .510 .497 .483 .465

GB – 9 11 13 151/2

L 65 69 71 77 81

Pct .552 .521 .510 .469 .441

GB – 41/2 6 12 16

L 63 65 77 85 86

Pct .566 .549 .465 .410 .407

GB – 21/2 141/2 221/2 23

TUESDAY’S GAMES

Washington 6, Atlanta 4 Philadelphia 4, Pittsburgh 3 Toronto 9, Chicago Cubs 2 N.Y. Mets 2, Colorado 0 Cincinnati 9, St. Louis 5 Miami 6, Milwaukee 3 San Diego 6, L.A. Dodgers 3 San Francisco 5, Arizona 1

WEDNESDAY’S GAMES

Atlanta at Washington, 4:05 p.m. Pittsburgh at Philadelphia, 7:05 p.m. Chicago Cubs at Toronto, 7:07 p.m. Colorado at N.Y. Mets, 7:10 p.m. St. Louis at Cincinnati, 7:10 p.m. Miami at Milwaukee, 8:10 p.m. San Diego at L.A. Dodgers, 10:10 p.m. Arizona at San Francisco, 10:15 p.m.

TODAY’S GAMES

St. Louis (Lynn 15-8) at Cincinnati (Cueto 17-8), 12:35 p.m. Arizona (Delgado 3-3) at San Francisco (Peavy 4-4), 3:45 p.m. Pittsburgh (F.Liriano 4-10) at Philadelphia (A.Burnett 8-15), 7:05 p.m. Washington (Roark 12-10) at N.Y. Mets (B.Colon 13-11), 7:10 p.m. Miami (Eovaldi 6-10) at Milwaukee (Fiers 5-2), 8:10 p.m.

WNBA PLAYOFFS By The Associated Press

FINALS

(Best-of-5) Phoenix 2, Chicago 0 Phoenix 83, Chicago 62 Phoenix 97, Chicago 68 Friday: Phoenix at Chicago, 8 p.m. x-Sunday, Sept. 14: Phoenix at Chicago, 5:30 p.m. x-Wednesday, Sept. 17: Chicago at Phoenix, 9 p.m.

MLB ROUNDUP

Playoff-contending Braves beat Strasburg, Nationals for 6-2 win WASHINGTON — Aaron Harang outdueled Stephen Strasburg, Justin Upton drove in three runs and the Atlanta Braves avoided a series sweep in Washington with a 6-2 win over the Nationals on Wednesday. The Braves snapped a three-game losing streak as Harang (11-10) held the NL East leaders to one unearned run over seven innings. Upton’s RBI single in the sixth broke a 1-all tie, and he added a two-run double off reliever Ryan Mattheus during a threerun seventh. Strasburg (11-11) allowed three runs and seven hits in six innings. Bryce Harper homered for Washington, which had won three straight. B.J. Upton homered for the wild card-contending Braves. Washington leads Atlanta by eight games in the division. ORIOLES 10 RED SOX 6

BOSTON — Wei-Yin Chen pitched perfect ball into the sixth inning, Adam Jones helped provide an early cushion and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Boston Red Sox 10-6 Wednesday for a three-game sweep. The Orioles took an 8-0

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Atlanta’s B.J. Upton, right, gets a high five from Craig Kimbrel (46) after the Braves beat the Nationals 6-2 on Wednesday in Washington. The Braves are trying to catch Washington for the NL East title and are still in hunt for the second wild card. lead in the fifth and maintained their double-digit lead atop the AL East. Caleb Joseph homered and drove in three runs and Ryan Flaherty got a careerhigh four hits as Baltimore won for the 11th time in 14 games. Chen (15-4) retired the first 16 batters before Dan Butler doubled off the Green Monster for his first major league hit. Chen gave up one run and three hits in seven innings, striking out four without a walk. Boston scored five runs

in the ninth. Darren O’Day got the last out with two runners on for his third save. TWINS-INDIANS RAINED OUT, DOUBLEHEADER TODAY

CLEVELAND — The game between the Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Indians scheduled for Wednesday night has been postponed because of rain. The Twins and Indians will play a doubleheader today starting at 12:05 p.m. From wire reports

SPORTS

THE SUMTER ITEM

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2014

USC FROM PAGE B1 offenses and three-wide schemes No. 24 USC has faced the last two weeks. Say hello to old-fashioned power football, and an opponent that presents the archetypical power back. “His lower body strength is crazy,” defensive tackle Gerald Dixon said of Gurley. “He has blazing speed,” added Gamecock spur Jordan Diggs. Just ask Clemson, which watched Gurley set a Georgia record with 293 all-purpose yards — including a career-high 198 carrying the ball — in a 45-21 loss on Aug. 30. And just ask the Gamecocks who played last season in Athens and watched the junior from Tarboro, N.C., rush for 132 yards on a career-high 30 carries in a 41-30 Bulldogs victory. “He’s a great back. He’s fast,” said USC free safety T.J. Gurley, no relation. “And I think he’s more of a downhill runner, so we’ve just got to come up and lay the hat on him, hit him hard. He’s not the kind of back that tries to make a lot of moves, from what I’ve seen. He wants you to be scared of him, and not want to tackle him. But I think we’re going to have all 11 hats to the ball and make our tackles that we have to make.” Indeed, it’s easy to see why intimidation is as much a weapon for Gurley as his size and speed. There’s the physical presence, that 6-1 frame with dreadlocks streaming out the back of his helmet. There’s his bruising style, his backbreaking finishing kick in the open field, and knack for making momentum-swinging plays like the 100-yard kickoff return which led to an onslaught of 35 unanswered points against the Tigers. “He’s just an aggressive runner,” said USC defensive line coach Deke Adams. “He

KNIGHTS

FROM PAGE B1

pass for a score. “I thought we did a great job running the ball last week even though we had two of our starting offensive lineman out most of the game with injuries,” Nelson said. “We’ll have them back, but I think that points to the depth we have there now.” Crestwood has averaged 25 points per game thus far, but has allowed an average of 43 through two games – a number not solely on the shoulders of the defense. The Knights pulled back within eight points in the second half of last week’s game before a kickoff return for a score negated the momentum. “It’s a combination of things,” Nelson said. “We’ve had some busted coverages that have led to scores and we’ve just had instances where guys took the wrong angle on blocks or tackles and it led to a big play. But those are things that we can address and we can correct quickly.”

MATT WALSH / THE SUMTER ITEM

Brison Williams (12) prepares the Gamecocks before taking the field against East Carolina last weekend. USC has had success at Williams-Brice Stadium against Georgia and hopes it will do so again this Saturday when the Bulldogs come to Columbia for a 3:30 p.m. contest. runs very hard, and he runs very physical. I don’t know if he’s trying to intimidate you, that’s just him. That’s what he does, and he does a great job of it. We’ve got to get him on the ground, regardless of whether he’s trying to intimidate us or not.” Toward that end, wrapping up has been a point of emphasis this week for the

TODAY

Gamecocks (1-1, 0-1 SEC), who had issues finishing tackles in their first two games. “We can’t arm-tackle this game, and we know that,” Moore said. For a unit that’s been chastised by head coach Steve Spurrier for not maintaining assignments, there’s the need to guard against Gurley’s penchant

PREP SCHEDULE

Junior Varsity Football Lakewood at Sumter, 6 p.m. Crestwood at Timberland, 6 p.m. Lake City at Manning, 6:30 p.m. Lee Central at Fairfield Central, 6 p.m. Wilson Hall at Ben Lippen, 7 p.m. Heathwood Hall at Laurence Manning, 7 p.m. B Team Football Lexington at Sumter, 6 p.m. Wilson Hall at Ben Lippen, 5 p.m. Heathwood Hall at LMA, 5 p.m. Middle School Football Thomas Sumter at Calhoun, 6 p.m. Varsity Girls Golf Sumter at Camden (at Camden Country Club), TBA Varsity Swimming Hilton Head Christian at Wilson Hall (at Sumter Aquatics Center), TBA Varsity Girls Tennis Sumter at East Clarendon, TBA LMA at Trinity-Byrnes, 4 p.m. Varsity Volleyball Lee Central at Crestwood, 5:30 p.m. Colleton Prep at St. Francis Xavier (at Birnie Hope Center), 5 p.m. Sumter Christian vs. Walnut Grove Christian and Lake Pint Christian (in Fort Mill), 4 p.m. Varsity and JV Volleyball Sumter at Spring Valley, 5:30 p.m. Wilson Hall at Thomas Sumter, 4 p.m.

Daquan Brown led CHS last week with eight tackles and two pass breakups. The Knights will likely need similar performances all around against the 2-0 Wolves. Timberland earned a close 25-14 victory over Hanahan in Week One before ripping Cross 42-0 last week. “They’re a very good team and a very disciplined team,”

Calhoun Academy at LMA, 4 p.m. Dorchester at Clarendon Hall, 4:30 p.m.

FRIDAY

Varsity Football Sumter at Lakewood, 7:30 p.m. Timberland at Crestwood, 7:30 p.m. Manning at Lake City, 7:30 p.m. Fairfield Central at Lee Central, 7:30 p.m. McBee at East Clarendon, 7:30 p.m. Scott’s Branch at Burke, 7:30 p.m. Ben Lippen at Wilson Hall, 7:30 p.m. Laurence Manning at Heathwood Hall, 7:30 p.m. Calhoun Academy at Thomas Sumter, 7:30 p.m. Holly Hill at Robert E. Lee, 7:30 p.m. Clarendon Hall at Laurens Academy, 7:30 p.m. Varsity and JV Volleyball Fountain Inn Christian at Sumter Christian, 4:30 p.m.

SATURDAY

Varsity and JV Equestrian Wilson Hall at Ashley Hall, TBA B Team Volleyball Robert E. Lee in Hammond Tournament, TBA Varsity Swimming Thomas Sumter in Hilton Head Invitational, 9 a.m.

Nelson said. “They’re very disciplined in what they do. They run a lot of different formations on offense – Wing-T, wishbone, pistol and spread. “They give you a lot of different looks on defense as well and they’re very aggressive. They bring pressure, so we have a lot to for before Friday.”

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for sweeping around the edge of the line and into the end zone. “Todd Gurley is an outstanding running back, a great player, but it’s on us to do our job and execute what our coaches tell us to do,” Diggs said. “I feel like if we fly around and have 11 hats to the ball on defense, we can be really good. We have all the talent, great

TSA FROM PAGE B1 “We’ve struggled to move the ball,” Kessinger said. “We’ve had drives stall and we’ve been punting a little too much. We have to find some consistency.” Establishing balance has also been an issue. The Generals threw for 212 yards and three scores against Robert E. Lee, but managed just 67 yards rushing. Against the Warriors, TSA ran for 148 yards but completed just six passes for 47 yards. “We have to be able to do both,” Kessinger said. “We have to be able to do everything on offense well. We have to protect the ball and we have to make big plays.

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players on the defense, great coaches. So if everyone flies around and just executes, if everybody’s doing their job and trusting that the man next to you is going to do his, I think we’ll do just fine.” Against a back averaging 13 yards per carry, USC’s game plan seems fairly straightforward — place the onus on Bulldogs quarterback Hutson Mason, who will be making his first road start in the SEC. “Georgia can throw the ball very well also, but what they did against Clemson … was run the ball very, very well,” Spurrier said. “Hopefully, we can get our guys in position and tackle well, force them to pass. That’s what all defenses basically do — stop the run, force them to pass. And then we’ll try to stop that.” It’s not just Gurley — Georgia (1-0) rotated in backs like Nick Chubb and Sony Michel to wear down Clemson in the second half. “One of our goals was to have these fresh backs running strong against hopefully some tired tacklers,” Bulldogs coach Mark Richt said. USC’s Adams expects to use several different combinations in order stave off fatigue — something he did in last weekend’s victory against East Carolina, where defensive linemen topped out at about 35 plays apiece. It all points to a matchup determined in the trenches. “I have a feeling this game could get a little bloody,” said Richt, whose team is coming off a bye week. “I think both teams are tough physically … and before it’s over, it may get down to a little bit of a fistfight.” After two weeks of chasing spread offenses, that seems fine with the Gamecocks. “It’s going to be oldschool football, like we say,” Dixon said. “D-line, Oline, the front’s going to determine who wins and loses the game.”

We need to get first downs in less than four plays.” Kessinger feels the Generals have the weapons to do it. Ty Cressionnie has stepped in at running back in place of the injured Jordan Adams and has 157 yards rushing on 34 carries. Quarterback Drew Stengel has thrown for 259 yards and three scores and rushed for another. Wide receiver Cody Segura has caught six passes for 136 yards and two TDs. “We’ve got to get something out of both sides of the offense,” Kessinger said. “And we have to just move the ball and hold on to it. We have to find our rhythm and we have to develop some continuity.”

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2014

THE SUMTER ITEM

DOWN TO THE FINAL 10 Final 10 Races CHALLENGER ROUND

SEPT. 14: 2 p.m. (ET) MyAFibStory.com 400 Chicagoland Speedway Joliet, Illinois 1.5-mile Tri-Oval

SEPT. 21: 2 p.m. (ET) Sylvania 300 New Hampshire Motor Speedway Loudon, New Hampshire 1.058-mile Oval

SEPT. 28: 2 p.m. (ET) AAA 400 Dover International Speedway Dover, Delaware 1.0-mile Oval

CONTENDER ROUND AP PHOTO / S TEVE HELBER

OCT. 5: 2 p.m. (ET) Hollywood Casino 400 Kansas Speedway Kansas City, Kansas 1.5-mile Tri-Oval

OCT. 11: 7:30 p.m. (ET) Bank of America 500 Charlotte Motor Speedway Concord, North Carolina 1.5-mile Quad-Oval

OCT. 19: 2 p.m. (ET) GEICO 500 Talladega Superspeedway Talladega, Alabama 2.66-mile Tri-Oval

ELIMINATOR ROUND

OCT. 26: 1:30 p.m. (ET) Goody's Headache Relief Shot 500 Martinsville Speedway

Brad Keselowski (center) and Jeff Gordon (left) battling at Richmond International Speedway last weekend will meet again at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Illinois, in the MyAFibStory.com 400, the first of the Chase for the Sprint Cup races.

Drivers face early elimination BY JENNA FRYER AP AUTO RACING WRITER

ixteen drivers are in NASCAR’s championship field this season, but in a season of dominance for three different organizations, the favorites are clear. How the six heavyweight drivers fare, though, in a new format that will emphasize winning and eliminate drivers from contention over three rounds remains to be seen. Jeff Gordon, defending NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Joey Logano all have three victories this season. Brad Keselowski staked his claim as the top seed in the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship by separating himself from the pack with a series-best fourth win in the “regular-season finale,” and Kevin Harvick has consistently been one of the strongest cars in the field but only has two wins to show for his speed. Those six drivers have clearly been the class of the field all season, but they

Ridgeway, Virginia

Keselowski

AP PHOTO / MEL EV ANS

Gordon

will have to navigate the new Sprint Cup format starting Sunday at Chicagoland Speedway. The field will be cut by four drivers after the third, sixth and ninth races, setting up a winner-take-all finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Nov. 16. A victory in any round guarantees a advancement into the next round. So, nobody is safe and nobody is ready to write off anyone. “With the way the structure is, the elimination, you know, everybody’s got an equal shot,” Earnhardt said. “I don't think there’s any favorites. With the way this thing is structured, it’s sort of structured

Team Penske drivers Keselowski and Logano have been the only two to match the Hendrick pace this season, and Keselowski is determined to help car owner Roger Penske sweep the season: Will Power won the IndyCar championship for Penske one week ago. Harvick is joined in the field by StewartHaas Racing teammate Kurt Busch, who hasn’t shown the same speed or consistency as Harvick this year but was brilliant in 2004 when he mastered a strategy to win the inaugural Chase. The rest of the field includes Joe Gibbs Racing drivers Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin and Matt Kenseth; Roush Fenway Racing’s Carl Edwards and Greg Biffle; and Ryan Newman from Richard Childress Racing, AJ Allmendinger from JTGDaugherty Racing and Petty driver Aric Almirola. Hamlin isn’t sure anyone will seriously challenge Harvick or the cars from Hendrick and Penske. “Our mindset is I hope they’ve got some beast race cars coming up for us,” he said. “A lot of it is you’re living in the moment.”

The Final 16 Drivers in the Sprint Cup Chase

0.526-mile Oval

NOV. 2: 3 p.m. (ET) AAA Texas 500 Texas Motor Speedway

AP PHOTO / S TEVE HELBER

to balance the playing field a little more and really give everybody a little bit more guesswork on who these guys are going to be that get eliminated and who are the guys that are going to keep moving forward.” Gordon, who led the Sprint Cup standings for most of the season, will seek his fifth NASCAR championship. He won his last title in 2001, but has been rejuvenated this season. He is up against a brand new format that everyone will try to figure out as the weeks progress. He doesn’t believe how the championship is decided matters. “I still believe the best team wins. I’ve always believed that and I still believe that,” he said. He’ll face stiff competition from inside his own Hendrick Motorsports camp as the organization placed all four of its cars in the Chase — Gordon, Johnson, Earnhardt and Kasey Kahne — and Johnson will be seeking a record-tying seventh title. Only Hall of Famers Richard Petty and the late Dale Earnhardt won seven cup championships.

BRAD KESELOWSKI Car #2 FORD FUSION 2014: 4 wins

JEFF GORDON Car #24 CHEVROLET SS 2014: 3 wins

DALE EARNHARDT JR. Car #88 CHEVROLET SS 2014: 3 wins

JIMMIE JOHNSON

Car #48 CHEVROLET SS 2014: 3 wins

2,012 PTS

2,009 PTS

JOEY LOGANO

KEVIN HARVICK

CARL EDWARDS

KYLE BUSCH

Fort Worth, Texas 1.5-mile Quad-Oval

NOV. 9: 3 p.m. (ET) Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500 Phoenix International Raceway Avondale, Arizona 1.0-mile Tri-Oval

CHASE CHAMPIONSHIP

Car #22 FORD FUSION 2014: 3 wins

Car #4 CHEVROLET SS 2014: 2 wins

2,009 PTS

DENNY HAMLIN Car #11 TOYOTA CAMRY 2013: 1 win

2,006 PTS

KURT BUSCH Car #41 CHEVROLET SS 2014: 1 win

2,003 PTS

NOV. 16: 3 p.m. (ET) Ford EcoBoost 400 Homestead-Miami Speedway Homestead, Florida 1.5-mile Oval

AJ ALLMENDINGER Car #47 CHEVROLET SS 2014: 1 win

Car #18 TOYOTA CAMRY 2014: 1 win

2,006 PTS

KASEY KAHNE Car #5 CHEVROLET SS 2014: 1 win

2,003 PTS

ARIC ALMIROLA Car #43 FORD FUSION 2014: 1 win

2,003 PTS

MATT KENSETH

GREG BIFFLE

RYAN NEWMAN

Car #20 TOYOTA CAMRY 2014: 0 wins

2,003 PTS

Car #99 FORD FUSION 2014: 2 wins

Car #16 FORD FUSION 2014: 0 wins

Car #31 CHEVROLET SS 2014: 0 wins

2,000 PTS

STATISTICS FROM AP; PAGE DESIGNED AND BUILT BY POSTMEDIA EDITORIAL SERVICES

Vitale breaks down NASCAR’s version of Sweet 16 BY DAN GELSTON The Associated Press Dickie V has found a totally awesome PTP’er in NASCAR’s version of a Sweet 16 bracket. ESPN college basketball broadcaster Dick Vitale has picked Jimmie Johnson to cut down the nets — or at least hoist the Sprint Cup trophy and have his seventh shining moment as NASCAR’s champion. Vitale was in VITALE Boston on Wednesday to inject a dose of March Madness into the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship. The 10race playoff kicks off this weekend at Chicagoland with 16 drivers in the field for the first time. Who else but Dickie V can

break down a bracket, baby! Vitale joined Chase driver Kasey Kahne and ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi at a Chase kickoff event and made his picks throughout the field. Vitale’s Four Wheel Final Four was composed of Johnson, Kahne, 2012 Cup champion Brad Keselowski and Kevin Harvick. “You got to have the right combination, baby,” Vitale said. “You got to have the momentum and a smart strategy for each track, and you need the team leader in the right crew chief to call the NASCAR pick and rolls and get in and out of those pit boxes like a quick basketball timeout, making your adjustments to win it at the end. Kasey’s my diaper dandy driver to watch.” The revamped Chase format has eliminations after every three races until the field is

down to four drivers for the Nov. 16 finale at HomesteadMiami Speedway. KENSETH’S SHOT

Matt Kenseth went into the final 10-race Chase for the Sprint Cup championship last year as the points leader and already with five victories. He then started the Chase winning at Chicago and New Hampshire, but eventually was the season runner-up to Jimmie Johnson. In the new elimination-style playoff, Kenseth enters the Chase 14th among the 16 drivers still in title consideration, even without winning a race. And his championship chances are just as good as they were at this time a year ago. GUEST SPEAKER

Hendrick Motorsports prepared for the start of the

Chase for the Sprint Cup championship by bringing in guest speaker Herm Edwards in a kickoff event for all employees. Edwards, a current ESPN analyst and former NFL coach and player, delivered a speech that six-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson found inspiring. Johnson, the defending champion, is seeking a record-tying seventh title; only Hall of Famers Richard Petty and the late Dale Earnhardt won seven championships. DOUBLE DUTY

Aric Almirola will pull double duty this weekend as he prepares for his first appearance in the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship. Almirola will run both the Nationwide and Sprint Cup races at Chicagoland Speedway. The Nationwide race will

be his first Nationwide start since last season but the goal is to get him extra seat time in advance of Sunday’s Chase opener. Richard Petty Motorsports will also run Almirola in the Nationwide race at Dover. The decision to enter Almirola was made to help him get strong finishes and advance through the first round of Chase eliminations into the round of 12. KLIGERMAN TEST

Parker Kligerman will test an Indy Lights car for Schmidt Peterson Motorsports this weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway as part of the Mazda Road to Indy “Chris Griffis Memorial Test.” Kligerman started this season in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series but lost that ride when Swan Racing folded. But, his roots are in open-wheel racing.

PRO FOOTBALL

THE SUMTER ITEM

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2014

2 more players face domestic violence issues BY STEVE REED The Associated Press CHARLOTTE— Carolina Panthers Pro Bowl defensive end Greg Hardy has been convicted on two counts of domestic violence and is still playing. Ray McDonald of the San Francisco 49ers also remains active HARDY while he is being investigated for abuse allegations. The Panthers and 49ers both say they are following the NFL’s lead, waiting for MCDONALD the legal process to run its course. Neither team has provided details of its investigations. The cases have similarities to that of Ray Rice, who was released this week by the Baltimore Ravens and suspended indefinitely by the league after an explicit video surfaced of him hitting his thenfiancee. A law enforcement official told The Associated Press on condition anonymity that he sent a copy of the video to the league in April. The NFL is under scrutiny for its wait-and-see approach in domestic violence cases

like Hardy’s. Judy Harris Kluger, a former New York City judge and now executive director of Sanctuary for Families, is anxious to see how the league handles the two pending cases. “I think the test for the NFL will be what they do with the other people who are charged now,” Kluger said. “And I don’t imagine there’s a videotape of that. What else did the NFL think happened in that elevator? So yes, it’s a very graphic depiction, and they took the action they took now. But I think all of us will be looking to see what they and other organizations do going forward.” While McDonald has not been charged, Hardy has already been convicted on two counts of domestic violence. He has appealed and a hearing is scheduled for Nov. 17. Hardy, one of the stalwarts on the Panthers’ stout defense, is making $13.1 million this season as team’s franchise player. He had four tackles and one sack in Carolina’s season-opening victory. Though he has already been found guilty, the league is sticking by its policy to wait until the appeal process has been heard before making any decision on a possible suspension. “The Hardy matter is under

NFL STANDINGS By The Associated Press

AMERICAN CONFERENCE EAST W L T Pct Miami 1 0 0 1.000 N.Y. Jets 1 0 0 1.000 Buffalo 1 0 0 1.000 New England 0 1 0 .000 SOUTH W L T Pct Tennessee 1 0 0 1.000 Houston 1 0 0 1.000 Jacksonville 0 1 0 .000 Indianapolis 0 1 0 .000 NORTH W L T Pct Cincinnati 1 0 0 1.000 Pittsburgh 1 0 0 1.000 Cleveland 0 1 0 .000 Baltimore 0 1 0 .000 WEST W L T Pct Denver 1 0 0 1.000 San Diego 0 1 0 .000 Oakland 0 1 0 .000 Kansas City 0 1 0 .000

PF 33 19 23 20

PA 20 14 20 33

PF 26 17 17 24

PA 10 6 34 31

PF 23 30 27 16

PA 16 27 30 23

PF 31 17 14 10

PA 24 18 19 26

NATIONAL CONFERENCE EAST W L T Pct Philadelphia 1 0 0 1.000 Washington 0 1 0 .000 Dallas 0 1 0 .000 N.Y. Giants 0 1 0 .000 SOUTH W L T Pct Carolina 1 0 0 1.000 Atlanta 1 0 0 1.000 New Orleans 0 1 0 .000 Tampa Bay 0 1 0 .000 NORTH W L T Pct Minnesota 1 0 0 1.000 Detroit 1 0 0 1.000 Chicago 0 1 0 .000 Green Bay 0 1 0 .000 WEST

Seattle San Francisco Arizona St. Louis

WL 1 0 10 1 0 0 1

T 0 0 0 0

Pct 1.000 1.000 1.000 .000

PF 36 28 18 6

PA 16 17 17 34

TODAY

Pittsburgh at Baltimore, 8:25 p.m.

SUNDAY

Dallas at Tennessee, 1 p.m. New England at Minnesota, 1 p.m. Miami at Buffalo, 1 p.m. Jacksonville at Washington, 1 p.m. Arizona at N.Y. Giants, 1 p.m. New Orleans at Cleveland, 1 p.m. Atlanta at Cincinnati, 1 p.m. Detroit at Carolina, 1 p.m. Seattle at San Diego, 4:05 p.m. St. Louis at Tampa Bay, 4:05 p.m. Houston at Oakland, 4:25 p.m. Kansas City at Denver, 4:25 p.m. N.Y. Jets at Green Bay, 4:25 p.m. Chicago at San Francisco, 8:30 p.m.

MONDAY, SEP. 15

Philadelphia at Indianapolis, 8:30 p.m.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 18

Tampa Bay at Atlanta, 8:25 p.m. PF 34 6 17 14

PA 17 17 28 35

PF 20 37 34 14

PA 14 34 37 20

PF 34 35 20 16

PA 6 14 23 36

review,” league spokesman Greg Aiello said. “The case has not been resolved by the court.” San Jose police are still actively investigating the Aug. 31 incident involving McDon-

SUNDAY, SEPT. 21

Dallas at St. Louis, 1 p.m. Minnesota at New Orleans, 1 p.m. San Diego at Buffalo, 1 p.m. Washington at Philadelphia, 1 p.m. Houston at N.Y. Giants, 1 p.m. Tennessee at Cincinnati, 1 p.m. Baltimore at Cleveland, 1 p.m. Green Bay at Detroit, 1 p.m. Indianapolis at Jacksonville, 1 p.m. Oakland at New England, 1 p.m. San Francisco at Arizona, 4:05 p.m. Denver at Seattle, 4:25 p.m. Kansas City at Miami, 4:25 p.m. Pittsburgh at Carolina, 8:30 p.m.

MONDAY, SEP. 22

Chicago at N.Y. Jets, 8:30 p.m.

ald and detectives will turn over findings to the Santa Clara District Attorney’s office for review, Sgt. Heather Randol, a police spokeswoman said Wednesday. McDonald is scheduled to

appear in court on Sept. 15. Though Hardy has appealed his conviction, the Panthers don’t have to wait for the NFL to take action. They have the option to bench Hardy — or release him. The Ravens did not take action, opting to wait for an NFL ruling, though they now say they let their fans down. When asked Wednesday if the Panthers made the right decision allowing Hardy to play, coach Ron Rivera replied, “We are going through the process and while we’re in the process we’re not going to comment about the situation. “It’s a very tragic situation that is going on and we’re going from there,” Rivera said of the Rice case. “I have a tremendous amount of empathy and respect for the people who are in this situation. It’s very difficult.” Rivera said Hardy did not practice because he was given a “personal day” Wednesday. Hardy used the time to meet with his attorney. Chris Fialko confirmed in an email that he met with his client but wouldn’t elaborate on the specifics of the meeting. Hardy was convicted on July 15 and the victim testified that she was assaulted by him in March at his apartment after a night of drinking.

Ravens eager to play a game, even against Steelers BY DAVID GINSBURG The Associated Press BALTIMORE — Four days after opening the season by losing to a division foe at home, the Baltimore Ravens face their most-hated rival in a pivotal game Thursday night. The matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers couldn’t come soon enough for the Ravens, who finally get to play a football game in the wake of the media firestorm involving Ray Rice. Following Sunday’s 23-16 defeat against Cincinnati, Baltimore had not yet launched its short work-week when a video surfaced showing Rice hitting his then-fiancee in an elevator last February. The incident previously led the NFL to suspend the running back for two games, but the graphic video prompted the Ravens to release Rice and the NFL to suspend him indefinitely. From that point, coach John Harbaugh and his players were bombarded with more questions about Rice than the importance of avoiding an 0-2 start with two home losses against AFC North opponents. “It’s been a trying time,” wide receiver Steve Smith said. “You have to compartmentalize to some part, because if you don’t, this is a game that is physical and you can get hurt if your mind is not clear and focused on what you have to do.” Under different circumstances, the Ravens (0-1) and Steelers (1-0) would be asked about the intensity of a rivalry in which 10 of the last 12 games have been decided by three points or fewer. Maybe everyone would be talking about Pittsburgh’s second-

NFL FROM PAGE B1 is a societal issue that affects each and everyone of us whether we realize it or not. There is no reason for a man to slap around or punch a woman, whether provoked or not, just because there’s an argument. You either remove yourself from the situation or you stand and take it like a man if it isn’t a lifethreatening situation. Yes, it appears that Rice’s then fiancé spit into his face. That’s offensive, but it doesn’t call for a punch, slap or any such retaliation from a man to a woman. God sim-

in the same situation I probably would do the same thing. I would go right in there and try to get into the end zone for my team.” The Steelers had no problem with the way Bell played in the opener. He piled up 197 total yards, including a 38yard touchdown sprint. NO HUDDLE, MO’ PROBLEMS

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Former Baltimore running back Ray Rice (27) acknowledges fans as he walks off the field after an NFL preseason game. Rice was let go by the Ravens on Monday and they are set to play Pittsburgh today in their first game since the releasing him. half collapse against Cleveland last week. Instead, the topic of conversation was a running back who wasn’t supposed to play in this game anyway. The first question posed to Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in a conference call involved his thoughts on Ray Rice. He dutifully answered before quickly shifting gears. “We pray for him and his family,” Roethlisberger told the Baltimore media. “The biggest focus is the game on Thursday. ... That is what we can control.” Here are some things to know about the Ravens-Steelers game:

in November, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin was looking at the scoreboard when he strayed onto the field while Baltimore’s Jacoby Jones was returning a kick. Jones altered his path and was tackled before reaching the end zone. Tomlin, who was subsequently fined $100,000 by the NFL, said this week: “Tell Jacoby he’s safe.” Said Jones: “I’m actually going up to holler at him right before the game and go, ‘Hey, what you got for me this time?’’”

Forsett hasn’t started a game since 2010, and Taliaferro has never run the ball in the NFL. Advantage Steelers? “If you saw our run defense last week, you know that we would have respect for anybody’s ability to run the football,” Tomlin said. Cleveland rushed for 183 yards, including 100 by Terrance West in his first NFL game.

As remarkably easy as Pittsburgh’s first half against the Browns looked, the second half was just as troubling. The Steelers let a 24point lead disappear in just over a quarter as their defense struggled to keep up once Cleveland started pushing the pace. The Browns amassed 288 yards in the second half. Defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau expects the Ravens — and everyone else on Pittsburgh’s schedule — to do the same until his unit can stay focused once the tempo kicks up a notch. “The problems defending no-huddle, they’re certainly not unsolvable,” LeBeau said. “We have to do a better job of keeping our poise more than anything, and that’s what we’re working on. We’ll definitely be better on that.” WELCOME TO THE RIVALRY

When these teams last met

With Rice gone, the Ravens’ running backs are Bernard Pierce, Justin Forsett and rookie Lorenzo Taliaferro. Pierce has two career starts,

Steelers second-year running back Le’Veon Bell doesn’t remember much from his trip to Baltimore. He left with a concussion following a helmet-to-helmet hit at the goal line “It’s football,” Bell said. “I still go all out, and probably

Smith played with Carolina for 13 seasons before coming to Baltimore this season, so this will be his first taste of Ravens-Steelers. “That was one of the big things that were explained to me,” Smith said. “Every team has its rival; every team has a team that makes things very interesting, a little chippy. “It’s a big game Thursday. All that stuff going on throughout the city and just here, I’m looking forward to it.”

ply made men physically stronger than women as evidenced by how he completely knocked out his now wife, Janay Palmer, with one sucker punch. In all honesty, Rice is lucky that all he did to her was knock her out. It was violent enough to where it could have killed her, and we don’t know if she is suffering other problems at this time because of the punch. Back to the NFL though. Why did it not pursue this footage with the same vigor as TMZ? If TMZ could get the footage, you know darn well the NFL should have had no

problem getting it. For crying out loud, when the NFL is preparing for its season – not to mention such a mega event as the Super Bowl -- it has to coordinate with law enforcement groups and agencies from all around the country. It is just very hard to believe that the almighty NFL couldn’t have found a way to get its hands on the tape. Goodell said he didn’t see the footage until everyone else did. For some reason, the NFL didn’t want to see it, even though it’s hard for me to fathom what that reason would be. I would like to

know exactly what I’m dealing with and the story of the NFL’s inability to obtain it just isn’t kosher to me. There are those calling for Goodell to resign or to be removed, and I don’t see either of those happening nor should they. However, the NFL would be wise to stay out in front of this from now on. When a player is found guilty of domestic violence or there is overwhelming video evidence of as much, it needs to throw the proverbial hammer down on the one who did it. Some will say the only reason the NFL is doing it now is

because of public relations, and that very well could be the case. Still, it is trying to right itself after making mistake after mistake. If it enforces the punishment properly and continues to do so, everyone should consider it a lesson learned. As for Rice, he should be doing jail time for this, but that time has passed. In regards to his indefinite suspension from the NFL, if he demonstrates remorse for his actions and doesn’t add to them, he should be given another chance. One terrible, horrible mistake shouldn’t ruin his career.

TOMLIN SIDESTEP

NEXT MEN UP

THE BELL TOILS

SPORTS

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2014

THE SUMTER ITEM

SPORTS ITEMS

Cardinals OLB Abraham leaves team, may retire TEMPE, Ariz. — Outside linebacker Jonathan Abraham has left the Arizona Cardinals and is considering retiring from the game. The Cardinals confirmed that Abraham had left and announced they had been granted a roster exemption, using it to re-sign linebacker Marcus Benard.

The 36-yearold Abraham sustained a concussion in Monday night’s 18-17 season-opening ABRAHAM victory over San Diego. Abraham, in his 16th NFL season, ranks ninth on the NFL’s career

AREA SCOREBOARD BASKETBALL ROYAL BASH TOURNAMENT

The Royal Bash Tournament will be held Friday through Sunday at both the Crestwood High School and Chestnut Oaks Middle School gymnasiums. The field is open to 24 teams at a cost of $500 per team. The winning team will receive a $5,000 cash prize. Free school supplies will be given to children who attend as well as autographed Kansas City Royals memorabilia. For more information, contact Ali Williams at (803) 565-2453. OFFICIALS TRAINING CLASSES

The Wateree Basketball Officials will begin training classes for prospective high school officials on Monday at the Sumter County Recreation Department located at 155 Haynsworth Street. Meetings will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will be held on Monday of each week. The classes are held to prepare officials to call games for the South Carolina High School League Basketball

sacks list with 133½. He missed nearly all of training camp to, as he later confirmed, undergo rehabilitation treatment for an alcohol problem.

The 2004 NBA Finals MVP says his desire is still strong, but he can’t ignore the fact that he’s had a hard time staying healthy. The 37-year-old Billups has played only 61 games over the last three seasons.

BILLUPS SAYS HE’S RETIRING

GOODELL TELLS TEAMS NFL WAS DENIED RICE INCIDENT VIDEO

DETROIT — Chauncey Billups tells Yahoo Sports he is retiring after 17 NBA seasons.

Officials Association. Each training class will cover National Federation rules for high school basketball, South Carolina Basketball Official Association mechanics and SCBOA exam preparation. The statewide clinic and exam will be held on Saturday, Nov. 15, at River Buff High School in Lexington. For more information, call Granderson James, at (803) 968-2391 or e-mail him at grandersj@aol.com.

FOOTBALL SUMTER TOUCHDOWN CLUB

The Sumter Touchdown Club will meet each Friday at the Quality Inn located at 2390 Broad Street Extension from 7:15 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. The 13-week program features a guest speaker, a devotional, a high school coaches corner, the recognition of The Item Players of the Week, a catered breakfast and a pick’em contest. The speakers will include people involved in different aspects of football on the high school, college and professional levels. The club is accepting members at a price of $100 per membership. It is also looking for sponsorships at a cost

NEW YORK — Commis-

of $200. Sponsorship and membership forms are on the club’s website, www.sumtertdclub.com.

BASEBALL ALI WILLIAMS SHOWCASE CAMP

The Ali Williams Showcase Camp will be held Sept. 20-21 at Crestwood High School located at 2000 Oswego Highway. Williams is a former Crestwood baseball player now pitching in the Kansas City Royals organization. The Sept. 20 session will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., while the Sept. 21 session will run from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Food will be served on Sept. 20 and there will be a showcase event for players ages 14 and up with college and professional scouts in attendance on Sept. 21. Also on Sept. 20 there will be an autograph session with former Major Leaguer Tony Womack, former Sumter High standouts and professional players Travis Witherspoon and Matt Price and professional players C.J. Edwards and Devon Lowery. The cost is $100 for players between the ages of 8-13 and $125 for players 14

sioner Roger Goodell has sent a memo to the 32 teams reiterating that the NFL never saw until Monday the video of Ray Rice punching his then-fiancee that led to Rice’s indefinite suspension and release by the Baltimore Ravens. From wire reports

and older. For more information, contact Williams at (803) 565-2453.

GOLF LAKEWOOD TEE IT UP CLASSIC

Lakewood Baseball’s First Tee It Up Classic will be held on Dec. 6 at The Links at Lakewood. The format for the tournament will be 4-man Captain’s Choice and will begin at 8 a.m. with a shotgun start. The cost is $200 per team or $50 per player. Lunch will be provided. The registration and payment deadline is Nov. 21. For more information, call Lakewood baseball head coach Mike Chapman at (843) 685-0568 or (803) 506-2700 (Ext. 1001) or email him at Chapmonis@gmail.com. 4-PERSON SCRAMBLE

The Links at Lakewood Golf Course will host a 4-person scramble every Thursday. The cost is $25 per person and includes golf, prizes and food following the scramble. Call the pro shop at (803) 481-5700 before 4 p.m. on Thursday to sign up.

OBITUARIES DR. LAWRENCE BENJAMIN Dr. Lawrence “Sonny” Benjamin, 80, was born on June 23, 1934, in Washington, District of Columbia, to Gabriel and Lennie Mae Davis Benjamin. He departed this life on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center. In his youth, Lawrence attended Way of the BENJAMIN Cross Church in Washington, D.C., with his family until he left home to attend college. Dr. Benjamin was educated in the Washington, D.C., public schools and furthered his education at North Carolina A&T State University, where he received a bachelor of science degree in health and physical education with a minor in military science. Lawrence entered the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant at Fort Bliss, Texas, because of completion of his ROTC work while attending NC A&T. He leaves to cherish his memories: special cousins, Sheila Ann (Robinson) Phillips and Brenda Denise (Robinson) Brown; his brother, Samuel; twin sisters, Sharon “Dolly” and Sheila; nieces, nephews and a host of other cousins. Interment will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday at Fort Jackson National Cemetery, Columbia. Online memorial messages may be sent to the family at williamsfuneralhome@sc.rr. com. Visit on the web at www. williamsfuneralhomeinc.com. Services directed by the management and staff of Williams Funeral Home Inc. of Sumter.

BARBARA J. BOONE Barbara J. Boone departed this earthly life on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2014, peacefully at her home. Born on May 28, 1945, in Lee County, she was a daughter of the late Walter Sr. and Essie Dix Boone. Barbara was employed by various companies before retiring in 1995 from Pilot Packaging Co. as a machine operator. She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry L. Wilson Sr., on May 15, 2008; two brothers; and three sisters. She is survived by one daughter, Stephanie Diane Wilson of East Windsor, New Jersey; one son, Harry Wilson Jr. of Sumter; two grandchil-

dren, Corey Coleman of Columbia and Adrian Coleman of East Windsor; four brothers, Walter (Mattie) Boone Jr. of Sumter, William (Fannie) Boone of Clewiston, Florida, Roger Boone of Raleigh, North Carolina, and Coell Boone of Moorehaven, Florida; two sisters, Mary Douglas of Sumter and Evelnia Johnson of Pompano Beach, Florida; three brothers-in-law; eight sisters-in-law; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. today at New Haven United Methodist Church, 1359 Red Hill Road, Bishopville, with the Rev. Calvin Washington officiating. The remains will be placed in the church at noon for viewing. Flower girls and pallbearers will be nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends at the home, 819 Mathis St., Sumter. The funeral cortege will leave at 12:15 p.m. from the home. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Williams Funeral Home Inc., 821 N. Main St., Sumter, is in charge of these arrangements.

RUBY DAVIS BETHUNE — Ruby Davis, 79, of 3117 Youngs Bridge Road, Bethune, died on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2014. Plans will be announced by Collins Funeral Home of Camden.

eration Desert Shield, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. His last duty assignment was at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Chris loved animals and considered his pets as part of his family. He was a gifted conversationalist and always had a smile on his face. Chris was a scuba diver and gifted woodworking enthusiast. He was a member of Sumter First Church of the Nazarene. Survivors include his wife of Sumter; mother and her husband, Wally LaRue of Paris, Tennessee; four children, Devin Wingo (Heather) of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Dorothy Barrientes (Aldò) of Sumter, Shayna DeSpain (Tristan) of St. Joseph and Shawn McQueen (Heather) of Watertown, New York; 10 grandchildren; a brother, Charles McQueen (Teresa) of Tyrone, Georgia; and two sisters, Michelle Johanningmeier (Corey) of Oakland, California, and Kelly Newton (Jesse) of Little Rock, Arkansas. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Sumter First Church of the Nazarene with the Rev. Greg Pressley officiating. The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m. on Saturday at Sumter First Church of the Nazarene. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 950 48th Ave. N., Suite 101, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577. Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of the arrangements.

CORY M. SULLIVAN Cory Marshall Sullivan, 37, of Camden, died on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2014. Plans will be announced by Collins Funeral Home of Camden.

CHRISTOPHER S. MCQUEEN Christopher Scott McQueen, 50, husband of Mary Singer McQueen, died on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2014, at the UNC Medical Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, after a short battle with renal cancer. Born on Nov. 25, 1963, in St. Joseph, Missouri, he was a son of Virginia Hoard LaRue and the late Charles McQueen. Chris served in the U.S. Army for more than 30 years with numerous tours overseas. He was a veteran of Operation Desert Storm, Op-

CECIL W. GEDDINGS Cecil Wayne Geddings, 65, died on Monday, Sept. 8, 2014, at Providence Hospital in Columbia. Born in Sumter, he was a son of the late Sam and Ruth Hinson Geddings. Survivors include two daughters, Marcie Driver (Ted) of Sumter and Lisa Gaydon (David) of Kansas; eight grandchildren, Phillip Jenkins, Taylor Jenkins, Jared Jenkins, Kelsie Geddings, Jessica Driver, Kendall Geddings, Jaden Austin and Lilliana Hockett; four great-grandchildren, Brooke, Cynara, Andrew and Isabelle; and one sister, Jean Callen of Sumter. He was preceded in death by his son, Michael Geddings; and two sisters, Elaine Neese and Virginia Farr. Funeral services will be

held at 1 p.m. on Friday in the Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Ronnie Morris officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Memorial Park cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home. Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of the arrangements. www.ecsfuneralhome.com

SAMUEL WITHERSPOON Samuel Witherspoon, 79, entered eternal rest on Friday, Sept. 5, 2014. Born on July 5, 1935, in Sumter, he was a son of the late Oliver Sr. and Sallie Bertha Witherspoon. He was a 1954 graduate of Lincoln High School. In 1961, he enlisted in the United State Navy, where he served and received an honorable discharge. He was a faithful member of New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church. He is survived by his children: LaJaun, Desmond, Jevon, Peter, Shanika and Autumn Witherspoon; and a host of other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. today at New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Willie Wright, pastor, assisted by the Rev. Calvin Hastie and the Rev. Leroy Blanding. Burial will follow in Hillside Memorial Park. The family is receiving visitors at the home of his cousins, Jeremiah and Sophia Ealey, 9 Capri Drive, Sumter. Online memorials can be sent to comfhltj@sc.rr.com. Community Funeral Home of Sumter is in charge of these arrangements.

CAROLYN D. COOPER TURBEVILLE — Carolyn Denise Cooper, 50, died on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at McLeod Regional Medical Center in Florence. She was born on June 24, 1964, in Manning, a daughter of the late Lawrence Edward and Mary Elizabeth McFadden Cooper. The family will receive friends at the home of her sister and brother-in-law, Catherine and Flavian Jemmott, 2741 Cecil McFadden Road, Gable. These services have been entrusted to Samuels Funeral

Home LLC of Manning.

LILA MAE WASHINGTON Lila Mae Washington, 83, widow of Willie Washington, departed this life on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center. She was born on Sept. 11, 1930, in Sumter County, a daughter of the late Lawrence and Lille Montgomery Carolina. The family will be receiving friends at the home, 925 Salterstown Road, Sumter, SC 29153. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Job’s Mortuary Inc. of Sumter.

BERTHA BRISBON BISHOPVILLE — It is with profound sorrow that the passing of Bertha Brisbon on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at McCoy Nursing Center, is announced. The family is receiving friends at the home, 78 Sandtrail Road, Bishopville. Services will be announced later by New Life Funeral Services LLC of Bishopville.

WILLIE CLARK Willie Clark, 92, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014, at his residence in Wedgefield. Surviving daughters are Annette Johnson, Sacajawea (Scotty) Smallwood and Pastor LaDana Clark. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday at Jehovah Missionary Baptist Church, 803 S. Harvin St., Sumter, with Marion H. Newton Sr., pastor, officiating. Interment will follow at the Fort Jackson National Cemetery, Columbia. Palmer Memorial Chapel of Sumter is in charge of arrangements.

LEROY SMITH SR. Leroy Smith Sr., widower of Nannie D. Smith, died on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center. Born in Sumter County, he was a son of the late Dewey and Lucille Jackson Smith. The family will receive friends at the home, 311 Stark St., Sumter. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Palmer Memorial Chapel Inc. of Sumter.

COMICS

THE SUMTER ITEM

BIZARRO

SOUP TO NUTZ

ANDY CAPP

GARFIELD

BEETLE BAILEY

BORN LOSER

BLONDIE

ZITS

MOTHER GOOSE

DOG EAT DOUG

DILBERT

JEFF MACNELLY’S SHOE

Husband in man cave leaves wife out in the cold DEAR ABBY — I have been married for 13 years, and I’m beginning to wonder if my husband still wants to Dear Abby be with me. He gets ABIGAIL home before VAN BUREN I do and stays in his room watching TV and piddling around on the computer. He never comes out to say hello when I get home; I go in there and greet him. He comes out when I have dinner fixed and then returns to his room. I understand the “man cave” thing. Everyone needs their time and space, but this

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2014

has become an everyday routine. I have tried to tell him I feel ignored. The next night he’ll come into the living room and watch TV with me, but I feel he’s doing it only because he feels he should, not because he wants to. Is this my clue that he doesn’t care about sharing time with me anymore? I don’t want to beg for his attention. Lonely in North Carolina DEAR LONELY — It appears that way. You refer to the room in which your husband watches TV and uses his computer as “his” room and not a den. Does he also sleep in there? If that’s the case, and the only time you spend together is at the dinner table, your marriage is in

THE DAILY CROSSWORD PUZZLE

suspended animation. If what he’s watching on television or his computer has become a substitute for having a relationship with you — and that’s what it appears — you need to find out what happened to the intimacy you once shared. What you have described is a platonic roommate relationship and not a healthy marriage. If you want to change the dynamics, you are going to have to have some serious conversations with your husband about what your needs are, and also his. Start now. Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www. DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

JUMBLE

SUDOKU

THAT SCRAMBLED WORD GAME By David L. Hoyt and Jeff Knurek

HOW TO PLAY: Each row, column and set of 3-by-3 boxes must contain the numbers 1 through 9 without repetition.

ACROSS 1 Wildlife photographs may be a memento of one 7 Visit Overstock.com, say 11 It’s near Miss. 14 Reebok rival 15 Piece of glass 16 “Collages” novelist 17 Triangular chip 18 Zero degrees Celsius, for water 20 Go out with 21 Synthetic rubber, for one 22 Capacity limit 27 Turn down 28 Bathroom fixtures 29 Airline seat pocket item, briefly 30 Word with ball or cup 32 Molar mender’s org. 33 University of Nevada city 34 Pinnacles 38 Not getting it, and, in a different way, what 18-, 22-, 52and 58-Across are 42 Pound and Poe

43 Bounders 44 Santa __, California 45 Attorney’s thing 47 I-5, for one 48 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics year 49 Abbey recess 52 Moment of change 55 Viruses, worms, etc. 57 Bk. after Ezra 58 Sensitive spot 60 Be unable to stand 63 Squeeze (out) 64 Govt. agent 65 Like most wedding cakes 66 Who __ Nation: New Orleans Saints fans 67 Exists no more 68 Said DOWN 1 In a funk 2 Stir 3 Diamond corner 4 Parting words 5 Olympic judge, e.g. 6 Equi- kin 7 Beach lotion letters 8 Horn honker of classic comedy 9 Score that often requires over-

time 10 Spa treatment 11 Cartoon genre 12 Hotel housekeeping supply 13 Fuming 19 Louisiana music style 22 Forever __ 23 TV feed component 24 Hymn ender 25 Cranberry quality 26 Practical joker’s cry 31 Kennel sounds 33 Opposite of set 35 American Airlines Arena team 36 Film composer Morricone 37 Carpet blemish 39 Scatters, as

petals 40 “Private Benjamin” star 41 NestlŽ ice cream brand 46 Plays chords, in a way 48 Medit. hot spot 49 Unlike rock bands on MTV’s “Unplugged” 50 Insulated jacket 51 Winter fall 53 Aired again 54 Not reactive 56 Wine from Italy 59 Otitis-treating MD 60 Uno y uno 61 Law firm office, perhaps: Abbr. 62 Journalist Koppel

CLASSIFIEDS

THE ITEM

CLASSIFIEDS

29 Progress St. - Sumter 775-8366 Ext. 37

TABLECLOTHS ALL SIZES

Store Hours Mon. - Sat. • 9:30 - 5:00 Closed Sunday

$8 each

Septic Tank Cleaning

ANNOUNCEMENTS Happy Ads

Ray Tobias & Company Septic tank pumping & services. (803) 340-1155. Ask about other discounts. $10 off for new customers when you mention this ad! www.raytobiasseptic.com

In Memory

STATE TREE SERVICE Worker's Comp & General liability insurance. Top quality service, lowest prices. 803-494-5175 or 803-491-5154 www.statetree.net

Four Seasons Lawn Care Serving Sumter for almost 20 yrs! Free est. 494-9169/468-4008

Roofing Robert's Metal Roofing 35 Years Experience. 18 colors & 45 year warranty. Financing available. Long list of satisfied customers. Call 803-837-1549.

YOUR AD HERE

Cemetery Plots- Two plots with vaults, opening/closing fees and granite marker with vase in Evergreen Memorial Park , Sumter, SC. Save thousands. Call 803-469-9763

Vito Clarinet W/case by Leblanc. Exc. Cdtn $395 803-464-8897

PETS & ANIMALS

Garage, Yard & Estate Sales LARGE GARAGE SALE 1st & 3rd Weekend Tables $2 FLEA MARKET BY SHAW AFB

Open every weekend. 905-4242 HUGE SALE FOR KIDS! Sept. 10-13, 833 Broad Street Camden, SC. On Saturday, most items go to 50% off. Baby items, kids' clothes, toys and shoes, Halloween costumes, and so much more. For info & directions, visit www.mommy-wise.com 1635 Carissa Dr. Fri & Sat. 8 am - 2 pm. Hand & pwr tools, patio set, household, misc. items. Indoor Sale: 1944 Pinewood Rd. Thurs/Fri. & Sat. 7am. Lots of Furn., Misc. items. Rain or shine. Estate Auction From the Living Estate of LeNora Weatherly Conducted by Tommy Atkinson SCAL 3879 assisted by Bill's Furniture & Antiques. Go to auctionzip.com for photo's and details. Auction to be held at 2131 Hwy 15 N on September 13th 9am

30 Cherry Hill Ct (Lakewood subd) Fri 12-5 Sat & Sun 8-5 Moving Sale! Everything must go! 2002 Tundra, New riding mower, leather sectional, Ent. Center & much more! Call 803-340-0934

Unfurnished Apartments

REAL ESTATE

$2500.

For Sale in Tudor Place 2241 Preot 3BR 3BA Recently updated. $109,900. 481-3683 or 469-9381.

Manufactured Housing

Alice Dr School Area 4 BR 2 BA carport, fenced yard, $1200 Mo. + Dep Call 704-345-8547

Paying Very Competitive Wages

2 & 3BR Apt & houses available in Sumter. No Sec. Dep. required. Call 773-8402 for more info. Meadowcroft S/D, Move in Sept. 1st, Beautiful, spacious, clean 3 Br, 2.5 ba, bonus rm, 0.5 ac. Fenced in backyard, tile / hdwd floors, deck, sprinkler, 2 car garage. $1600 mo. + ele. & water. 847-0115. Sumter: 1 David Ct 2BR 1BA $525/$525 Dep. Call 803-210-9299

Looking for your DREAM HOME? LOW CREDIT SCORE? Been turned down for bad credit? Come try us, we do our own financing. We have 2-3-4 bedroom homes. For more information, call 843-389-4215.

Reconditioned batteries $35. Also have lawn mower, truck, 4 wheeler, golf cart & marine batteries, starters & alternators. Car dealers/garages ask about special prices. Auto Electric Co. 803-773-4381

3BR/2BA (Dalzell) with land. Easy Financing. 803-983-8084

Land & Lots for Sale MINS WALMART/SHAW AC +/- SEPTIC, WATER $12,900. 888-774-5720 DALZELL 16.57 ACRES WATER, PAVED ROAD $2250/ACRE 888-774-5720

DRIVERS WANTED “SIGN ON BONUS - $2,000”

.45/mi on all miles • Layover Pay • Loading/unloading $15 from 1st hr Guaranteed Minimum Pay • Achievable Goals for Lucrative Incentives - CDL (Class A) w/ hazmat & tanker - At least 2 yrs. exp. - Clean MVR - Excellent pay ($.45 per running mile - includes $.06 per diem non-taxable expense) - Paid Vacation - Paid Holidays - Paid Sick Days - BC/BS Health Ins. - Dental Insurance - Life Insurance - Short Term Disability - 401(k) w/co. Match

CONTACT Pat Joyner at 803-775-1002 Ext. 107 OR visit our website to download a job application and fax to (954) 653-1195 www.sumtertransport.com 170 S. Lafayette Drive Sumter, SC 29150 EOE

Mayo’s September Specials! New Fall Suits Arriving Daily

Sean John, Caravelli, Stacy Adams, and more...

Name Brand Shoes

Buy 1 Get 1 Half Price

Stacy Adams, Giorgio Brutini, Fratilla, Steven Land

If your suits aren’t becoming to you, It’s a good time to be coming to Mayo’s! Wesmark Plaza • 773-2262 • Mon-Sat 10-7 • www.MayosDiscountSuits.com

NEW LOCATION TO BETTER SERVE OUR CUSTOMERS 803.774.4040 53 W. Wesmark Blvd. Sumter, SC www.sumterinsurancegroup.com

Call

4875 Cannery Rd Dalzell 3BR 2BA .75 Acre lot inside has fire damage. Financing avail. with low dwn pymt and no closing cost to qualified buyer. Call 1-855-847-6807

3BR 2BA With Range, dishwasher, microwave, Convenient To Shaw & Sumter. Like new inside. $900 Mo. Call 803-840-7633

Full time Administrative Assistant needed with Quickbooks experience required. Apply in person @ 1282 N. Lafayette. No Phone Calls Please.

Miscellaneous

Unfurnished Homes

The #1 Furniture Retail Company in the U.S. is seeking highly motivated individuals with outgoing personalities to join our Sales Team. Candidates must have a working knowledge of computers. They will be required to build sales volume by providing superior customer service and knowledge of product and finance options. This full time position is based on a flexible work schedule that includes evenings, Saturdays and some holidays. Offering unlimited income potential based on commission and bonuses. Guaranteed salary during training process. Send resume to 2850 Broad St., Sumter, SC 29150.

1989 Camaro 803-481-5413

3BR 1BA on 1 acre of land $52,000 Call 803-775-5638

Hiring Event 9/12 10AM - 7PM 9/13 8AM - 12PM 1929 Rush Road Elgin, SC

Pretty is ....... You! Avon by Vi, ISR. $15 to start. Let's talk 803-934-6292 or join online today! www.startavon.com Ref: Viola

OPEN

Ernest Baker Auto Sales & Equip. Located 3349 N. Main St 5.5 miles from 378 overpass at N. Main., on Hwy 15 N. next to Baker Mini Warehouse. Remember Cars are like Eggs, Cheaper in the Country!!! 803-469-9294

Homes for Sale

Senior Living Apartments for those 62+ (Rent based on income) Shiloh-Randolph Manor 125 W. Bartlette. 775-0575 Studio/1 Bedroom apartments available EHO

Technician Requirements Over 21 Valid Drivers License 2+ years diesel repair experience

Autos For Sale

We will arrange financing even if you have been turned down before. Loans available for no credit, bad credit, 1st Time Buyers & Bankruptcy buyers. No co-signers needed. Call Mr. Ashley Brown at 803-926-3235

2 & 3 BRs 803-494-4015

Schools / Instructional

$1,500 Sign On Bonus in Sumter and Elgin for Technicians $5,000 Sign On Bonus in Florence for Technicians

TRANSPORTATION

A Guaranteed Credit Approval AUTO LOANS

STATEBURG COURTYARD

Waste Management

Call or apply online for immediate consideration! 1-877-220-5627 jobs.wm.com Media Code: 6EN EOE M/F/D/V

3 BR 2 BA MH C/H/A, carpet, Kitchen w/all appli., LR , DR $700 Mo.+ $700 Deposit. Call 469-9800 or 1-610-809-1691 Near Shaw: 2br/1ba w/ large porch $400/mo Lot # 28 fenced yard 840-3371, 494-8603, 494-3573

Help Wanted Full-Time

Driver Requirements Over 21 Class A or B CDL Clean Driving Record

Oaklawn MHP: 2 BR M.H.'s, water /sewer/garbage pk-up incl'd. RV parking avail. Call 494-8350

$$$ AVON $$$ FREE TRAINING! 803-422-5555

NOW HIRING Technicians and CDL Drivers in Elgin, Florence, and Sumter SC!

2 ac, Manning, Lake Marion. Will perk, 5 mins. to water. M.H. welcome. Paved road, lightly wooded. $19,900. Owner will finance. Down payment. $2,000. Payment, $202. Call anytime. 473-7125

2/3BR MH. All appliances, C/H/A, Section 8 OK 803-469-6978 or 803-499-1500

****FREE TAX SCHOOL**** Earn extra income after taking course. Flexible schedules, convenient location. Register now! Courses start September 15th. Call 418-0123 Liberty Tax Service

EMPLOYMENT

$4 each

Baconhill Rd./Pinewood SW Mobile Home, 3BR/2BA, stove, frig, $550 /mo. + dep No Sec 8 803-506-4600

Help Wanted Part-Time

Call

LARGE BATH TOWELS

Mobile Home Rentals

Local Insurance Agency representing major auto insurer seeks P & C agent. Experience in auto and home preferred. Excellent oral, written and organizational skills required. Reply with resume to: agentjobsumter@aol.com

Musical Instruments

Full ....................$4 Each Queen & King ....$5 Each

RENTALS

EOE and Drug Free Workplace Contact - Pat Joyner 803-775-1002 x107

For Sale -MacKissic 16 HP V-twin Chipper/Shredder with attached trailer, like new $2500. Call 803-506-4600

SLIGHTLY IRREGULAR MICROFIBER SHEET SETS

Land & Lots for Sale

STC offers competitive salary and benefits

A Notch Above Tree Care Full quality service low rates, lic./ins., free est BBB accredited 983-9721

MERCHANDISE

Lawn Service

STC Now Hiring Diesel Mechanic Qualified candidates must have: •Valid driver license •High School Diploma or GED •Three years or more of diesel mechanical experience •Must provide tools / picture at interview

19 Hess Truck collection, never taken out of boxes. $400+ invested. Make R/O. 803-481-4091.

Happy Jack Flea Beacon: Control Fleas in the home without toxic sprays. Results overnight! Palmetto Farm Supply (775-1204). (www.happyjackinc.com)

H.L. Boone, Contractor additions, painting, roofing, gutters, sheetrock, blown ceilings, decks. 773-9904

Expert Tech, New & used heat pumps & A/C. Will install/repair, warranty; Compressor & labor $600. Call 803-968-9549 or 843-992-2364

Ricky's Tree Service Tree removal, stump grinding, Lic & ins, free quote, 803-435-2223 or cell 803-460-8747. Mention this ad & get 10% off.

Pets

Home Improvements

Help Wanted Full-Time

Tree Service

OBEDIENCE TRAINING Basic Commands & behavior problem solving. Master Trainer 27 Yrs Exp. Will train at your home or kennel Call 803-972-0738 / 972-7597

BUSINESS SERVICES

For Sale or Trade

Entertainment Ctr $100, 19 in color TV $50, TEAC CD multi player $50, Sherwood Dbl Cassette Deck $25 Call 469-0885

Dogs

In Loving Memory of Ret. TSGT Peter N. Smith Sr May 22, 1942 - Sept. 7, 2014 Mr. Smith was a Vietnam Veteran and was stationed at Shaw AFB. Friends are welcome to join in a drop-in memorial on Saturday, Sept. 13th at 1 pm at 2191 Gion St. Sumter. Survived by his children: Peter N. Smith, Jr., Kenneth Smith and Monique Smith.

We will be happy to change your ad if an error is made; however we are not responsible for errors after the first run day. We shall not be liable for any loss or expense that results from the printing or omission of an advertisement. We reserve the right to edit, refuse or cancel any ad at any time.

SHOP WITH US FOR GREAT BUYS AND SAVE! SAVE! SAVE!

Reg. $10

Found on corner Garrett & Wedgefield Rds. male Pomeranian. Owner call to identify 803-464-7895.

11:30 a.m. the day before for Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday edition. 9:30 a.m. Friday for Saturday’s edition 11:30 a.m. Friday for Sunday’s edition.

OR TO PLACE YOUR AD ONLINE GO TO WWW.THE ITEM.COM/PLACEMYAD

Sale $8 each

Lost & Found

CLASSIFIED DEADLINES

803-774-1234 SHOWER CURTAINS

This is 90th, any suggestion for 92? Happy Birthday Ms. Ginny

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2014

53 W. Wesmark Blvd.