Crowd celebrates independence at Dillon Park
Welcome to Sumter Today!
Local stories through a local lens.
Sumter Today is your ticket to anything and everything going on around us. Ideas for the show? Let us know at studio@theitem.com!
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'A Quiet Place' prequel box office speaks volumes as Costner's Western gets a bumpy start
" A Quiet Place: Day One " is making noise at the box office. The prequel earned an estimated $53 million in its first weekend in North American theaters, according to studio estimates Sunday. …
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Sumter Beacon extends 'Bull Street' showings to July 2
Did you think you missed your chance to watch "Bull Street" on the big screen? Think again! Because of …
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Mayesville's Massingill will feature alongside award-winning actors in 'The Waterboyz'
Another film is in the books for Mayesville's Rakeem Massingill, and it is expected to release this …
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Bishopville's Lizard Man Stomp festival to return rain or shine on June 29 to celebrate local legend
Are you ready for a stomping good time? The Lizard Man Stomp returns to Bishopville on Saturday, June …
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Things to do around the Midlands: Spend time with the mysterious Lizard Man, catch a play at Weldon Auditorium and more this weekend in the area
To make a submission to our events list, email pressrelease@theitem.com with EVENTS in the subject …
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Movie Review: In 'The Bikeriders,' the birth of a subculture on two wheels
Still images have been a source of wonder and mythology in the films of Jeff Nichols. "Mud," Nichols' …
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From roots to renaissance: Manning Avenue Free Art Studio will expand in South Sumter
The sunny afternoon of Friday, May 31, marked the beginning of a new chapter for the arts in South …
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'24' is landmark, brilliant series that transformed TV shows
Summer of 2010 was an interesting point of discovering the unique elements of the innovative …
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From Sumter's Fourth Friday concerts to Lee County's Lizard Man Stomp, there is plenty to do locally and just a short drive away
SUMTER COUNTY Splash around at the Sumter Aquatics Center. The center offers classes and …
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American Double Dutch League brings national talent to Sumter
The American Double Dutch League hosted its 51st Invitational World Double Dutch Competition this …
Former President Donald Trump's sentencing in his hush money case has been postponed until at least September after the judge agreed Tuesday to weigh the possible impact of a new Supreme Court ruling …
COLUMBIA (AP) — The only three Republican women in the South Carolina Senate took on their party and stopped a total abortion ban from passing in their state last year. In return, they lost …
BISHOPVILLE — Pauline Ann Fryer, 80, passed away on Monday, July 1, 2024, at Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center. You may go to www.bullockfuneralhome.com and sign the family’s guest …
Gwendolyn Jones McCants, 59, wife of Derrick McCants and daughter of Earline Montgomery Jones and the late Matthew Jones Sr., was born on March 10, 1965, in Sumter. She departed this life on Sunday, …
Dwight Anthony Brooks, 69, husband of Fiesta Witherspoon Brooks and son of the late Howard Brooks and Calanthia Olevia Gould McEachin, was born on Nov. 27, 1954, in Denton, Maryland. He …
Rebecca Lynn Mills Bausum, 66, passed away on Monday, July 1, 2024, at her residence. You may go to www.bullockfuneralhome.com and sign the family’s guest book. The family has chosen Bullock …
Bernice Moore Archie, 89, died Saturday, June 29, 2024, at her residence in Wedgefield. Born in Saint Matthews, she was a daughter of the late Tommy Moore and Essie Morris Moore. The family …
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Dear Abby, July 2, 2024: Party crashers wonder if they should have left
DEAR ABBY: My husband and I were invited via a group text to a cocktail party, and we accepted. This host provides a name tag for guests, as it …
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Dear Abby, July 1, 2024: Widower struggles to find a way forward
DEAR ABBY: I was married to a wonderful woman for 27 happy years until she passed last year. We did everything together. Now I feel lonely and …
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Dear Abby, June 30, 2024: Aging father has made plans for assets, possessions
DEAR ABBY: I'm a single retired grandfather in the South. My daughter, 50, has hitched her wagon to an alcoholic. She's circling the drain and …
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Dear Abby: Drug addiction, violence are tearing family apart
DEAR ABBY: My elderly father died recently. Although he had a variety of ailments, including heart disease, his death was unexpected. He spent …
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Tommy Boy is a Lab mix somewhere between 1 and 2 years old and is an amazing dog. Tommy is neutered and is extremely friendly. He has been with the SPCA waiting for a forever home since March. He adores playing with toys and other dogs and …
Reflections by Sammy Way: Sumter's historic homes
Reflections revisits the period from 1890 to 1940, in which the city of Sumter experienced a period of unprecedented growth and development brought on by the influx of new businesses and the expansion of the rail industry. Fortunately, a few …
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Reflections by Sammy Way: Sumter becomes home to luxurious movie theater in 1967
Reflections revisits the arrival of Wesmark Cinema in Sumter. The beautiful structure, owned by Carmike …
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Reflections by Sammy Way: Traffic volume count made, noting number of gas stations downtown
"A traffic volume count, designed to alleviate congested traffic conditions in the downtown business …
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Reflections by Sammy Way: Millwood Plantation: A historic home loved by 7 generations
Reflections revisits a home that was returned to the setting where most of the material used in its …
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Reflections by Sammy Way: June 6, 1944: D-Day, the invasion that changed the course of history
D-Day was the most critical day of our generation. We are deeply indebted to the press, radio, and …
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Reflections by Sammy Way: New Wateree bridge provided convenient highway route
"Businesses will be suspended in Sumter at noon and the balance of the day will be devoted to …
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Reflections by Sammy Way: Memorial Day: Fallen heroes provided freedoms we now enjoy
We encourage our readers to visit the Sumter County Military Museum in the Clyburn Transportation …
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Reflections by Sammy Way: Historic Sumter landmark demolished in 1962
Reflections revisits an event marking the removal of an old Sumter landmark, a 226-foot-tall …
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Reflections by Sammy Way: 82 years of history - a look at Iris Festivals past
Sumter will celebrate its 82nd Iris Festival at Swan Lake Iris Gardens this Memorial Day weekend, …
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Letter to the editor: Sumter lost caring, dedicated citizen Dr. Tommy Jones
Last week Sumter was saddened to hear of the passing of a passionate, caring, and dedicated citizen of Sumter, Dr. Tommy Jones. He was known by …
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Letter to the editor: Judicial system in Sumter is broken, violates rights
Hello, my name is Wendy Allen, and I am writing to tell you about my son, Chad Allen Kron. Chad is a 32-year-old married man who owns and …
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Letter to the editor: Practical policing, accountability can help lower crime in our area
Thank you, Speaker Smith and Mayor Merchant, for highlighting the rising violent crime and murders in Sumter and the Midlands. It's crucial for …
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Letter to the editor: New penny tax list is more lipstick on the same pig
According to Albert Einstein, insanity is "doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." Sumter County Council is …
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Letter to the editor: Floyd would be a great Sumter senator for District 35
There is a runoff for the state Senate in District 35 on this coming Tuesday, June 25. I served over three decades in the state Senate …
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Letter to the editor: Jones' values are aligned with those of District 35 constituents
After thoroughly assessing all the candidates throughout the election cycle, I am convinced that Mike Jones possesses the most extensive …
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