2 injured, suspect sought in Dibert Street shooting. See theitem.com for updates.
Clemson faces Georgia in top-10 showdown. B1
VOL. 118, NO. 269 WWW.THEITEM.COM
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2013 | SUMTER, SOUTH CAROLINA
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13 teammates, coach hurt after bus crashes SENIOR AIRMAN KATHRINE McDOWELL / SPECIAL TO THE ITEM
Shaw Air Force Base’s host unit, the 20th Fighter Wing, has once again earned the Air Combat Command Meritorious Unit Award, a feat the wing also achieved in 2009, 2011 and 2012.
20th Fighter Wing again wins award given to top units FROM STAFF REPORTS The squadrons and groups that make up the 20th Fighter Wing at Shaw Air Force Base since 2001 have been involved in major combat operations in both Afghanistan, Iraq and other areas in southeast Asia. On Aug. 19, the U.S. Air Force recognized the men and women serving in the wing for their work during Operation Enduring Freedom — the official U.S. government name for the war in Afghanistan — by presenting them with the 2013 Air Combat Command Meritorious Unit Award. Given annually to only the top six units in Air Combat Command, the commendation was announced by Air Force Gen. Mike Hostage, its commander. Wing Commander Col. Clay Hall said the award “is given for exceptionally meritorious conduct in direct support of combat operations for at least 90 days against an armed SEE AWARD, PAGE A5
PHOTOS BY BRISTOW MARCHANT / THE ITEM
An Alice Drive Middle School football player is helped from the scene of Saturday’s Sumter School District activity bus crash off U.S. 521 North. Thirteen Alice Drive students and a coach were transported via ambulance for treatment for minor injuries after the wreck. The students are football players who were coming from a morning scrimmage at Donald L. Crolley Memorial Stadium. All injuries from the wreck were described as minor and non-life threatening.
3 full-time officers work to stop crime before it happens
Middle school football team was returning from scrimmage BY BRISTOW MARCHANT bmarchant@theitem.com Football players are used to getting hit on the field. But the biggest danger for the Alice Drive Middle School football team wasn’t the opposing team in Saturday’s scrimmage.
Instead, several students and their coach were taken to the hospital after their school activity bus crashed off U.S. 521 on their way home from the game. The bus was leaving Donald L. Crolley Memorial Stadium, where they were scrimmaging with other area middle schools Satur-
day morning. About 12:20 p.m., a car in front of the bus reportedly slammed on brakes north of Frierson Road. The bus, which was carrying 35 passengers, ran off the highway to avoid the car and struck a group of trees.
BY BRISTOW MARCHANT bmarchant@theitem.com The officers in Sumter’s Crime Prevention Unit have a unique mission. Most of their colleagues in the Sumter Police Department respond to crimes after they’ve already been committed. But the job of the CPU is to try to stop those crimes from happening in the first place. “We have a multi-faceted operation,” said Lt. Don Florence, one of three officers assigned to the unit, along with Cpls. Joey Duggan and James Sinkler. “We provide crime prevention education to the public, we organize Neighborhood Watch groups, and we sponsor different community events to build a relationship with the community.” Three officers are assigned to the unit full
SEE WRECK, PAGE A5
Emergency officials gather around the site off U.S. 521 where an activity bus carrying students and two coaches crashed into a wooded area.
SEE CRIME, PAGE A4
Obama to seek congressional OK for Syria action WASHINGTON (AP) — Short on support at home and allies abroad, President Obama unexpectedly stepped back from a missile attack against Syria on Saturday and instead asked Congress to
support a strike punishing Bashar Assad’s regime for the alleged use of chemical weapons. With Navy ships on standby in the Mediterranean Sea ready to launch their cruise
specific congressional authorization.” At the same time, he said, “I know that the country will be stronger if we take this course, and our actions will be even more effective.” His
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missiles, Obama said he had decided the United States should take military action and that he thinks that as commander in chief, he has “the authority to carry out this military action without
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Julia R. Harvin William C. Bell Robert E. Myers Sr. Arnold V. Lawson Dorothy A. Watson Rhunette Montgomery Robin L. Williams
remarks were televised live in the United States as well as on Syrian state television with translation. Congress is scheduled to SEE SYRIA, PAGE A5
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OUTSIDE HUMID NIGHT
Dale C. MacMillan Jack Brown Jr. Henry A. Bilton Sr. Norman A. Simon Sr. Kay B. Morrow
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