IN SPORTS: Loss helps Wilson Hall volleyball refocus on season’s goals B1
It’s time for fall comfort food with pumpkin, squash WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2014
| Serving South Carolina since October 15, 1894
C8
75 cents
Airstrikes in Syria, Iraq just the start U.S. hits group thought to be planning attack WASHINGTON (AP) — The one-two-three punch of American and Arab airstrikes against Islamic State militants in Syria and Iraq was
just the beginning, President Obama and other leaders declared Tuesday. They promised a sustained campaign showcasing a rare U.S.-Arab
partnership aimed at Muslim extremists. At the same time, in fresh evidence of how the terrorist threat continues to expand and mutate, the U.S. on its own struck a new al-Qaida
cell that the Pentagon said was “nearing the execution phase” of a direct attack on the U.S. or Europe. “This is not America’s fight alone,” Obama said of the military campaign against the
Islamic State group. “We’re going to do what’s necessary to take the fight to this terrorist group, for the security of the country and the region
SEE STRIKES, PAGE A8
THE LIBERTY FOUNDATION VISITS COLUMBIA
Journey in a World War II legend
JOE KEPLER / THE SUMTER ITEM
Ron Gause, a crew member with the “Movie Memphis Belle,” a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, directs the pilots as the plane taxis to the runway on Monday at Jim Hamilton-L.B. Owens Airport in Columbia. Sumter Item reporter Joe Kepler was invited by The Liberty Foundation to fly in the legendary plane made to serve during World War II. It is one of only 13 of the aircraft still flying, and the foundation holds public flights and tours to teach others about the B-17’s service and those who flew it. See a photo of the view from the plane over downtown Columbia on page A3.
Reporter given firsthand look at B-17 ‘Movie Memphis Belle’ during foundation’s stop BY JOE KEPLER joe@theitem.com
T
legendary plane and her legendary crews.
here was an endangered species soaring through the skies of Columbia on Monday, and with a majestic wingspan of 103 feet 9 inches, it was hard to miss. The “Movie Memphis Belle,” a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, was in town as part of a campaign by The Liberty Foundation to help tell the story of a
The foundation was started in 2005 by the son of a former B-17 tail gunner. It brought its mobile history lesson to the Jim Hamilton-L.B. Owens Airport, offering local media members a chance to take a flight over Columbia in one of the most iconic figures in combat aviation. The “Memphis Belle” is just one of 12,732 B-17s originally made to fight in World War II. Today there are roughly 100 still intact in the world. Fewer still, just 13 B-17s are flying. While the original “Memphis Belle” is cur-
BY RAYTEVIA EVANS ray@theitem.com Sumter School District received its annual payout from the South Carolina Forestry Commission during the board of trustees work session Monday night at the district office. Harvey Belser, director of Manchester State Forest, along with Reps. David Weeks
RAYTEVIA EVANS / THE SUMTER ITEM
the
.com
SEE BELLE, PAGE A6
District gets $145K from annual S.C. Forestry Commission payout
State Reps. David Weeks, D-Sumter, and Murrell Smith, R-Sumter, join Director of Manchester State Forest Harvey Belser as they present the annual payout check of $145,853.96 from the S.C. Forestry Commission to the Sumter School District board of trustees Monday night.
VISIT US ONLINE AT
rently decommissioned in the Air Force’s national museum in Dayton, Ohio, the “Movie Memphis Belle” was on hand for a tour above Columbia. The foundation will hold public flights for $450 and free ground tours on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Every penny raised goes toward maintenance costs for the plane, which reach as high as $5,000 per hour of flight time. The “Movie Memphis Belle” was so named after the fellow B-17 was repainted and modeled after the original version to be used in the
DEATHS, B6 James C. Jones Tora Isabelle Eaddy John M. Norwood Linder Ann Cabbagestalk Sarah B. Howard Henry L. Green
Sara L. Blyther Oliver Servance The Rev. G.W. Harrell Jr. George Lindsey Virginia A. Green
and Murrell Smith, presented the board members and Superintendent Frank Baker with a check for $145,853.96. South Carolina legislation requires the commission to give a certain percentage of its revenue generated by forest product sales and recreation and user fees on state forest lands
SEE MONEY, PAGE A8
WEATHER, A10
INSIDE
GRAY DAY AGAIN
3 SECTIONS, 26 PAGES VOL. 119, NO. 292
Mostly cloudy with a little rain and considerable clouds tonight HIGH 69, LOW 60
Classifieds B7 Comics C6 Lotteries A10
Opinion A9 Panorama C1 Television C7