Sumter Simpson welcomes over 7K to inaugural Great Outdoors Expo

A family checks out a mobile tank used to demonstrate fishing techniques at the inaugural Great Outdoors Expo on Saturday morning, Oct. 12, at Simpson Hardware in Sumter.
"With Simpsons, we do events," assured Simpson Owner Shawn Matthews happily, and it would prove true as thousands ventured out for the inaugural Simpson Great Outdoors Expo on Oct. 11-12. Expos of this kind happen all across the country, bringing …
Studio Sumter

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Local stories through a local lens.  

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Friends to Follow
SPORTS
Arts & Entertainment

Liam Payne, former One Direction member, dies at 31 in Argentina hotel fall

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Former One Direction singer Liam Payne, 31, whose chart-topping British boy band generated a global following of swooning fans, was found dead Wednesday after …

Nation & World
Biden says Sinwar's death is 'good day' for world, 'opportunity' for hostage deal, end to Gaza war

ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE (AP) — President Joe Biden said Thursday that the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar by Israeli troops is a "good day for Israel, for the United States, and for the …

Meta lays off staff at WhatsApp and Instagram to align with 'strategic goals' Meta says it has laid off some employees, including staff at WhatsApp And Instagram, to realign its resources with its "strategic goals." A Meta spokesperson confirmed in a statement that some teams …
Israel says it has killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in Gaza JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli forces in Gaza killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, a chief architect of last year's attack on Israel that sparked the war, the military said Thursday. Troops appeared to …
Panel looking into Trump assassination attempt says Secret Service needs 'fundamental reform' WASHINGTON (AP) — An independent panel investigating the attempted assassination of Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania campaign rally says the Secret Services needs fundamental reform" and that …
5 big airlines will share new long-haul flights to Reagan National Airport near Washington WASHINGTON (AP) — The Transportation Department has tentatively awarded room for five new daily long-haul flights at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to five of the nation's biggest …
State News
Federal judge is skeptical about taking away South Carolina governor's clemency power

COLUMBIA (AP) — A federal judge appears unlikely to grant the request of a South Carolina inmate scheduled to be executed in just over three weeks to take away the power of granting him …

The son of a South Carolina inmate urges the governor to save his father from execution COLUMBIA — Richard Moore never meant to kill anyone the night he robbed a South Carolina convenience store and the Black man was convicted by a jury with no African Americans, his son and …
Alex Murdaugh settles the wrongful death lawsuit that sparked his fall COLUMBIA  (AP) — Alex Murdaugh has settled a lawsuit brought by the family of a teen killed in a boat crash involving Murdaugh's youngest son that prosecutors said provoked the disgraced …
Redemption deadline extended for Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program due to hurricane Due to the continuing impact of Hurricane Helene, an extension has been approved for senior citizens to redeem vouchers issued earlier this year as part of the 2024 Senior Farmers’ Market …
Boeing will lay off 10% of its employees as a strike by factory workers cripples airplane production Boeing plans to lay off about 10% of its workers in the coming months, about 17,000 people, as it continues to lose money and tries to deal with a strike that is crippling production of the company's …
Obituaries

JETER

GRETCHEN JETER

Gretchen Jeter, 69, daughter of the late Charles Jeter and Edna Mae Jones Jeter, was born on May 22, 1955, in Sumter. She departed this life on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, at Prisma Health Richland …

WILLIAM HENRY ADAMS

William Henry Adams, 77, husband of Pamela Rose Adams, died Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024, at Prisma Health Baptist Hospital in Columbia. Born March 25, 1947, in Dubuque, Iowa, he was a son of the late …

CRAFT

TYLEE HEZEKIAH CRAFT

“Let your faith be bigger than your fear.” Hebrews 13:6 Tylee “Ty” Hezekiah Craft entered his heavenly home on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, at UNC Hospice Care in Pittsboro, …

HARRIS

FRANCES DELIA FRIERSON HARRIS

Frances Delia Frierson Harris, the second of six children born to the late Joe Benjamin Jr. and Cordelia L. Frierson in Sumter, South Carolina, was born on July 4, 1939. She transitioned on Thursday, …

ROSA LEE BELLAMY

Rosa Lee Bellamy, age 77, died on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024, at Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital. You may sign the family’s guestbook at www.bullockfuneralhome.com . The family has chosen …

Faith
Church news: Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024 To update your listing or add a listing, please email pressrelease@theitem.com and include Church News in the subject line. Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 325 W. Fulton St., Sumter, announces: - Sunday, Oct. 20, Deacons/Deaconess …
The dynamic relationship between love and prayer Last Sunday, I was asked to bring the morning sermon for a wonderful church in the country called Mt. Lebanon Methodist. I had a dream recently about delivering a message, and when I awoke, I went into my office and asked God to please not let it …
Ancient structure emerges from Mount Ararat's Glacier discovered by Eastman Archaeology. Has Noah's Ark been found? BRISTOL, CN / ACCESSWIRE / October 14, 2024 / Remote explorer Gary Eastman, owner of Eastman Archaeology, has uncovered a remarkable ship-like structure on Mount Ararat, long buried beneath its …
The Rev. Dr. Clay Smith: Care enough to correct I grew up in a small town where everyone knew everyone else, and you were kin to most of them. In my childhood, it seemed like every adult I knew felt free to correct me. Alvin Simmons lived up the road and worked for my mother. He took my …
Celebrations
100th birthday celebration for Sumterite Anna Green Sumterite Anna Green celebrates her 100th birthday on Saturday at Saint Mark Four Bridges Baptist Church with family and friends. She is shown here with her niece Gloria McFadden.
Happy 100th birthday, Christine! A century ago, in August 1924, the world was abuzz with change. U.S. Army planes performed the first round-the-world flight, Macy's staged its first Thanksgiving Day parade, and the Roaring '20s were in full swing, bringing jazz and flapper fashion …
Dear Abby
Pets for adoption
Wren is a sweet dog ready for a fresh start

Meet Wren - the sweetest girl looking for her forever home! Wren is a lovely, 1-2 year old, sweet-natured gal who brings joy to everyone she meets! She adores people, enjoys her walks and loves playing outside. Whether she's socializing with …

Engagements
Reflections

Reflections by Sammy Way: Largest airfield in Southeast built in Stateburg area

Editor's note: This is part one of a two-part series about the beginning of Shaw Field in Sumter. Read part two in next weekend's edition of Reflections. Reflections revisits the acquisition of land and the construction of the largest training …

Yesteryear
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