Sumter, Lakewood to face off in battle of county rivals
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SCIENCE
‘Trouble for most birds’ Global warming may mean bye-bye for some birdies A8
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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2014
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Millions of dollars in Shaw upgrades coming and underway as base grows BY JOE KEPLER joe@theitem.com A quick drive around Shaw Air Force Base would show you the buzzing of workers building, paving and digging as a number of base improvements are either underway or
nearing completion. Much like Sumter itself, the base has been constantly growing since the arrival of the Third Army in 2011. The projects completed thus far have coupled the basic needs for the 1,400 extra residents from the Army along-
side improvements needed for existing buildings that serve the base. That focus has guided Shaw to a period of construction and growth that has been more comprehensive and ambitious than any other time since the base was first
built in 1941. One project soon to be completed is the family housing redevelopment project, which began in November 2011. The project, slated for completion in 2015, aims to improve the quality of life for service members and their families
who live on the base. Under the plan, 680 housing units that were originally built through the Department of Defense as early as the 1950s were demolished. In their place will be 630
SEE SHAW, PAGE A7
Sumter area recalls those lost on 9/11 Crowd prays for 1st responders, military BY IVY MOORE ivy@theitem.com
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he crowd was not large, but the message was clear, simple and universal — never forget. Those two words were inscribed on the flag held by two firefighters during the 9/11 Memorial Service at the Sumter Fire Department on Thursday morning. Most present were first responders, many were military or govTHE NATION ernment, and REMEMBERS some were simply 9/11 victims thankful citizens; commemorated all sat or stood facamid renewed ing the departterror threat. A4 ment’s 9/11 memorial, its U.S. flag at half staff as a succession of speakers shared their memories and their thoughts about the events and aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001. Mayor Joseph T. McElveen reminded the crowd of the bravery of the first responders 13 years ago and since. “We have more than 3,000 reasons to continue to pray for those who gave their lives and those who are out there now protecting and defending SEE REMEMBER, PAGE A7
IVY MOORE / THE SUMTER ITEM
The Sumter Fire Department Honor Guard presents the colors for the playing of Taps in memory of those who lost their lives and those who gave their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. A 9/11 Memorial Service was held at the Sumter Fire Department headquarters on East Hampton Avenue on Thursday morning.
‘Like Christmas in September’
Jer-Keem Harris totes around a shoe during the Happy Feet event in the Shoe Dept. on Thursday afternoon. More than 200 elementary students in Sumter School District received free shoes as part of the Rotary Club of SumterPalmetto’s project.
Hundreds of kids now have new shoes thanks to local club’s program BY MATT BRUCE matthew@theitem.com The lively banter of playing kids filled the Shoe Dept. as schoolchildren from across the county filtered into the Sumter footwear store Thursday afternoon. More than 200 grade-schoolers from Sumter School District turned out to the shoe
MATT WALSH / THE SUMTER ITEM
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store on Broad Street for the third-annual “Happy Feet” project. The event, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Sumter-Palmetto, is a giveback initiative aimed at the households of underprivileged elementary school students in the school district. Guidance counselors at all 16 such schools in the Sumter district selected 10 to 15 students to participate in the annual effort, giving each of them a voucher for up to $30 to purchase a new pair of shoes.
“It’s very important for the kids. They like to have that feeling of having something new,” said Richard Conyers, whose son was one of the students selected this year. Conyers, a longtime truck driver, estimated his family spends $1,000 each autumn purchasing school supplies for five of his six children. “It’s a good thing, what they’re doing, giving something back to the community,” he said. “That’s good to help the kids out and let them
SEE NEW SHOES, PAGE A7
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2 SECTIONS, 22 PAGES VOL. 119, NO. 282
Showers and a heavier storm today with more rain possible tonight HIGH 86, LOW 72
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