September 20, 2015

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Local company can help clear credit

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How many insect stings and where? Ig Nobels awarded for humorous scientific achievements A6 SERVING SOUTH CAROLINA SINCE OCTOBER 15, 1894

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2015

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IN SPORTS: USC Gamecocks take on the Georgia Bulldogs

Honoring a fallen comrade

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State housing market improves But some local factors dampen real-estate in Sumter, Clarendon BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com

that same year, she was transferred to Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina, her only duty station. While at Pope, Jesa protected six handlers, served during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, deployed to Iraq three times and completed missions in Fallujah and Ramadi.

The South Carolina real estate market is improving, according to the South Carolina Realtors’ August housing market reports, but the Sumter and Clarendon county market lagged behind the statewide number. Statewide, new listings were up 3.9 percent to 9,172, pending sales increased 3.2 percent to 5,991 and inventory shrank 5.8 percent to 39,091 units. Prices moved higher as the median sales price was up 6 percent to $174,900, and days on Market decreased 11 percent to 97 days, the report said. Months supply of inventory was down 18.8 percent to 6.5 months, the report said. “Everything is up throughout the state,” said Sumter Board of Realtors Executive Director Darlene Hebert. “But not in our area.” While the Sumter/Clarendon market experienced a 10 percent jump in the median price, average days on the market increased 5.3 percent from 150 to 158 days, and the number of homes and condos sold was down 16.8 percent from August 2014. “Median price is way up from last year at this time,” Hebert said. “It doesn’t take but one sale over $400,000 to make the money askew.” Hebert said there may be several factors that are draining the market in the two-county area. “Right now, the lake level is down considerably,” she said. “I think that is going to hurt our lake activity.” She said the low lake level can make buyers hesitant. “Even on good water, if the dock doesn’t go

SEE JESA, PAGE A9

SEE HOUSING, PAGE A7

KEITH GEDAMKE / THE SUMTER ITEM

Tech Sgt. Kevin Davis and his wife, Samantha, are presented with a folded American Flag by a member of the Shaw Air Force Base Honor Guard during the memorial service for Jesa H-184, a retired military working dog, during the service at Bullock Funeral Home on Friday.

Family remembers military working dog, Jesa H-184 BY ADRIENNE SARVIS adrienne@theitem.com A friend is a friend, no matter if she walks on two legs or four. U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Kevin Davis and his wife, Samantha, can attest to that. On Sept. 12, the Davis family lost one of their good friends, 12-year-old retired U.S. Air Force Military Working Dog Jesa H-184.

The sable colored German Shepherd was born on Aug. 2, 2002 and would later go on to accomplish several missions alongside Air Force JESA personnel. Jesa began her military career in July 2004 as a detection and patrol dog at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. In December

Sumter Economic Development brings in new managerial staff BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com Sumter Economic Development President and CEO Jay Schwedler has announced the hire of two new staff members and the promotion of a third. The organization includes the Sumter Development Board, the Sumter Smarter Growth Initiative and LinkSC, which is a regional economic alli-

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ance of Lee and Sumter counties. Schwedler said O. Kip Dillihay II and Erika D. Williams have already assumed their duties with Sumter Economic DILLIHAY Development. Dillihay will be manager of economic development, and Williams will be manager of communications and strategic initiatives, he said.

Eliza Buxton, who has been on staff for five years, has been promoted to manager of operations, where she will coordinate daily operations and provide support to WILLIAMS the team as it continues to grow and foster economic development activities in Sumter and Lee counties, Schwedler said. Dillihay, a Columbia and Hopkins

DEATHS, A9 Dorothy M. Smith Dwight C. Hanniford Sr. Mary L. McDowell Cynthia Ann L. Wilson

Leroy Washington Jarrett Jackson Addie B. Rush Jimmie Wilson

native, is a University of South Carolina alumnus and holds a juris doctorate from the Charleston School of Law. Schwedler said Dillihay will focus on the retention and expansion of existing industry, lead research efforts and support project management. He has worked previously as an international business consultant

SEE STAFF, PAGE A7

WEATHER, A10

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SUNSHINE

5 SECTIONS, 34 PAGES VOL. 120, NO. 285

Mostly sunny and hot during the day; mostly cloudy tonight. HIGH 92, LOW 68

Classifieds D5 Comics E1 Lotteries A10 Opinion A8

Panorama C1 Public Record D3 Stocks D2 Television E3

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