Columbia TV anchor shares message on spiritual gifts during Sumter Mayor's Prayer Breakfast

Judi Gatson, WIS news anchor who served as the keynote speaker, talks to the crowd about spiritual gifts on Thursday, May 2, at Alice Drive Baptist Church. She told the audience of more than 400 that their gifts are important, even if they aren’t aware of the impact they make on their community.
All Christians should use their spiritual gifts given by God to serve others and never think their gifts are trivial or going unnoticed because they truly are impacting someone. That was the message shared by popular Columbia-area TV news anchor …
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Arts & Entertainment

Summer Movie Series returns to Sumter Opera House starting June 4

STAFF REPORT The Sumter Opera House, 21 N. Main St., is bringing back its Summer Movie Series on June 4 featuring $2 showings and popcorn and water for just $1. The lineup is as follows: - June 4, "Mary Poppins" (1964) - June 11, …

Nation & World
Tornadoes keep tearing through U.S., including a rural Oklahoma town struck twice in a span of weeks

OKLAHOMA CITY — A tornado destroyed homes, forced the evacuation of a nursing home and toppled trees and power lines when it roared through a small Oklahoma town, one of several twisters that …

Israeli tanks have rolled into Rafah. What does this mean for the Palestinians sheltering there? JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli tanks that entered the periphery of Rafah early Tuesday stoked global fears that an offensive on Gaza's southernmost city could endanger the more than a million …
Homeowners spend nearly $18,000 a year on costs aside from their mortgage A new survey from Real Estate Witch found homeowners spend an average of $17,958 annually on home expenses such as maintenance, taxes, utilities, and other costs — in addition to payments …
Bernie Sanders says Gaza may be Joe Biden's Vietnam. But he's ready to battle for Biden over Trump WASHINGTON (AP) — In April, Bernie Sanders repeatedly stood shoulder to shoulder with President Joe Biden, promoting their joint accomplishments on health care and climate at formal White House …
What are tactical nuclear weapons and why did Russia order drills? Russia's Defense Ministry said Monday that the military would hold drills involving tactical nuclear weapons — the first time such an exercise has been publicly announced by Moscow. A look at …
State News
South Carolina lawmakers rekindle bill limiting how topics like race are taught

COLUMBIA (AP) — A small group of lawmakers in South Carolina rekindled debate Tuesday on a bill that would limit how topics like race can be taught in public school K-12 classrooms. Both the …

The FAA investigates after Boeing says workers in South Carolina falsified 787 inspection records SEATTLE (AP) — The Federal Aviation Administration said Monday it has opened an investigation into Boeing after the beleaguered company reported that workers at a South Carolina plant falsified …
Duke Energy Progress proposes cost reduction in annual adjustment for fuel with Public Service Commission of South Carolina GREENVILLE – Duke Energy Progress is seeking to reduce customer bills to account for the cost of fuel used to generate electricity for South Carolina homes and businesses. If approved by the …
South Carolina Senate approves ban on gender-affirming care for transgender minors COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The South Carolina Senate on Thursday approved a ban on gender-affirming care for transgender minors after supporters defeated efforts to only ban treatments that would be …
What defines a heartbeat? Judge hears arguments in South Carolina abortion case COLUMBIA  (AP) — South Carolina's ban on abortions after roughly six weeks, before many women know they are pregnant, returned to court Thursday with Planned Parenthood and the state …
Obituaries
WILLIAM TILLMAN FELDER

Willard Tillman Felder, 76, beloved husband of 31 years to Eva Diane Lovelace Felder, died on Monday, May 6, 2024, at Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital in Sumter. You may go to www.bullockfuneralhome.com …

REV. EARTHER M. McLOUD-JOE

The Rev. Earther M. McCloud-Joe, 85, the widow of Mozell Joe, died Saturday, May 4, 2024 at her home. Born in Sumter County on March 24, 1939, she was the daughter of the late Sam Baker Sr. and …

GREGORY ALLEN HOOTON

Gregory Allen Hooton, 66, died Friday, May 3, 2024, at his home. Born Oct. 1, 1957, in Sylvania, Ohio, he was a son of the late Everette E. Hooton and the late Alice Brown Hooton. He worked as a pipe …

WILLIAM LESTER BAINES

William Lester Baines, the husband of Brenda McElroy, departed this life on Monday, May 6, 2024, in Sumter. He was born July 8, 1946, in Woodbury, Tennessee, to the late J. B. and Velda N. Lester …

HAYNESWORTH

JORDAN ERIC HAYNESWORTH

Jordan Eric Haynesworth, 34, better known as, “Jay," "Jordie," "Smeagol" and "Flash,” son of Allison Camille Haynesworth, Michael A. Golden (father), and Shane Snead (Dad) was born on …

Faith
‘Pastor Clay’ to retire from Sumter's Alice Drive Baptist after successor is found Alice Drive Baptist Church pastor Clay Smith announced Sunday that he will be retiring after a new pastor is found for the church in a search process. Noting next month will be his 30 th …
Column from Alice Drive Baptist the Rev. Dr. Clay Smith: Storms Trivia question: What place on Earth has more thunderstorms than any other? Answer: The Tampa Bay area in Florida. As the crow flies, it is 48 miles from the ranch to Tampa. We get our fair share of thunderstorms. As people say, in the summer, …
United Methodists repeal longstanding ban on LGBTQ clergy CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — United Methodist delegates repealed their church's longstanding ban on LGBTQ clergy with no debate on Wednesday, removing a rule forbidding "self-avowed practicing …
Column: The armor of God includes the belt of truth Have you considered that most individuals are convinced that what they believe is true, and all who disagree with them are not as wise as they are? What is your personal view about this? May I ask, where did you discover your truth? Did God speak …
Celebrations
Dear Abby
Pets for adoption
Sadie Mae will steal your heart and be wonderful companion

BELOW: Sadie Mae is a 6-month-old, white-and-merle, female Catahoula Leopard Dog mix. She is a lovable girl who will steal your heart with her sweet personality and big crystal blue eyes. Sadie Mae loves to cuddle and has a blast playing with other …

Engagements
Welch-Barwick Allison Lynn Welch of Sumter and Stephen Daniel Barwick of Dalzell announce their engagement. The bride-elect is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Johnny Welch and the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. William R. Tschorn Sr. and the late Mr. and Mrs. …
Townes-Lewis Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Mark Townes of Sumter announce the engagement of their daughter, Whitney Elizabeth Townes of Charleston, to Walter Elliot Lewis of Charleston, son of Ms. Karen Lewis of Jackson, Georgia. The bride-elect is the granddaughter …
Reflections

Reflections by Sammy Way: Morris College opened in 1908 as Sumter's 1st college

Reflections revisits Morris College and discusses the opportunities it offered to Black children in the Sumter community. "The Negro State Baptist Convention of South Carolina founded the college in 1908. For many years, it has contributed much to …

Yesteryear
Yesteryear by Sammy Way: Horseshoe pitching tourney scheduled; Crime Stoppers telethon returns 75 YEARS AGO - 1949 Aug. 9 - 15 - Rufe Watson of Sumter set a new world record in the senior division at the National Skeet Shooting Association's tournament at Dallas, Texas, on Sunday. Watson copped the senior title in the all-gauge event by …
Yesteryear by Sammy Way: Shaw hosts surplus sale; city's 1st Easter egg hunt a success 75 YEARS AGO - 1949 Aug. 2 - 8 - Rebel third baseman Hal Harrigan last night hit his 29th home run of the season to tie the Tri-State league record set last year by Leon Cross of Florence. It was the only prize Anderson could salvage from a …
Yesteryear by Sammy Way: Train car is named for Sumter County; Lee builds new high school 75 YEARS AGO - 1949 July 26 - Aug. 1 - Sumter County runs from New York City to Florida these days, not as a result of "imperialistic conquest" but because of improved service on the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad. It's a gag, of course. Truth …
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