Happening Now
 Local closings announced due to threat of ice or snow
Superintendent search, rezoning before Sumter school board Monday
Sumter City Council: Beach Forest subdivision proposed to get mixed-use commercial developments; residents do not want it
Prisma Health Tuomey discontinues drive-through COVID-19 community testing; SC DHEC and GENETWORx Labs partner to open free testing at Sumter Civic Center beginning Jan. 24
BizTalk: SC SBDC hires business consultant for Sumter, Clarendon counties

Church of the Good Shepherd Sumter launches Art in the Sanctuary program

"Susan Lenz: Behold the Wonder" can be seen at the Church of the Good Shepherd on Dingle Street.
On the corner of Dingle and Wright streets in the Westend neighborhood near downtown Sumter sits the Church of the Good Shepherd. This small, modest, white, wooden structure was built in 1919 of timbers that were from a church for freed slaves …
Sumter County Sheriff Anthony Dennis and Melissa Addison after Addison was promoted to sergeant. The photo was posted on the department's public Facebook page in April 2014.
Uncovered: A Sumter, South Carolina, sheriff. A rape claim. And silence from SLED.
Lee County Council invites public to hearing on redistricting draft maps
Levern McKenny, director of Charity Community Development, joined by his wife, Stephanie, Orangeburg County Chamber of Commerce President James McQuilla and Charity Community Development members and community attendees, cuts a ribbon on the organization's warehouse at 316 Dingle St. on Wednesday.
Charity Community Development cuts ribbon on food distribution warehouse to feed Sumter

Saturday-Monday, Jan. 22-24, 2022

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Studio Sumter

Sumter Today: Update for January 19th, 2022

We're taking today's show to keep you all up to date on a couple of the major headlines this week.

 

A winter storm watch will be in effect starting Thursday night, moving into Friday …

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Friends to Follow
SPORTS
The Merit Scholarship recipients pose for a photo with keynote speaker Levon Kirkland, left, at the Sumter Touchdown Club end-of-year banquet on Thursday at the Sumter County Civic Center.
Sumter Touchdown Club recognizes area's top football players at annual banquet
The Lakewood basketball team returns to the court for four games next week after missing two weeks of games due to COVID-19 and weather concerns.
5 THINGS TO WATCH
Rescheduled basketball games for Lakewood, Laurence Manning highlight 5 Things to Watch This Week
Scott's Branch point guard Randy Gibson has been a constant for the Eagles since their first state championship run during his freshman season.
Ready for another go: Eagles primed to make another title run despite chaotic region
Wilson Hall's Shawn Michael Matthews (30) fights against Florence Christian's Ethan Kelly on Thursday.
Wilson Hall drops dramatic pair with Florence Christian in region opener
NCAA ratifies new constitution, paving way to restructuring
Poll of the Week

A rendering for one of the current Penny for Progress projects, a new gym at Sumter County Recreation and Parks.

Will you vote on a referendum to continue Sumter County's Penny for Progress initiative that increases sales tax by 1 cent to fund infrastructure, construction/renovation and community projects around the county if it's on the ballot in November?

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More local news
JONES
Sumter traffic deaths up in last 3 years, statewide fatalities surge in last 5 years
Sumter School District reports new highs for weekly cases, quarantined staff
An ominous flock at Manning High School
Deadline approaching for Sumter County Cultural Commission's Small Grant Program
Levi Pearson Scholarship Foundation offers free tax help Wednesdays, Mondays in Clarendon County

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More Sports
PHOTOS: Wilson Hall basketball teams each narrowly fall to Florence Christian
Thomas Sumter's Austin Anderson (3) fires a pass during the Generals' 62-22 win over Lee Academy on Wednesday. Anderson returned to the lineup after injuring his ankle against Orangeburg Prep two weeks ago.
Thomas Sumter boys basketball back at full strength after week off
Region meet moved for Sumter wrestling as Gamecocks return from quarantine
Crestwood's Corean Nelson and the Knights moved up to No. 3 in the latest South Carolina Basketball Coaches Association polls on Thursday.
Crestwood boys jump to No. 3, Sumter girls fall to No. 2 in latest SCBCA polls
4
PHOTOS: Thomas Sumter basketball sweeps Lee Academy

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Panorama

Experts: Transplanting pig hearts into humans offers promise, peril

Last week, surgeons successfully transplanted a genetically modified pig's heart into a man with life-threatening heart failure. It's a medical first that is raising hopes of a new, viable alternative for people at risk of dying before limited human …

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Nation & World
Christine Montoya, 13, listens as history teacher Wendy Leighton discusses the Salem witch trials with her students at Monte del Sol Charter School recently in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Leighton is one of dozens of educators who helped draft the state's proposed changes to the social studies curriculum, including adding the Sept. 11 attacks and the history of LGBTQ rights.
New approach to teaching race in school divides New Mexico

ALBUQUERQUE - A proposal to overhaul New Mexico's social studies standards has stirred debate over how race should be taught in schools, with thousands of parents and teachers weighing in on changes that would dramatically increase instruction …

NAACP President Derrick Johnson speaks to The Associated Press about the NAACP, the nation's oldest civil rights organization, as it soon reaches its 113th birthday.
NAACP evolves for relevance among younger generation as it turns 113 in February As the NAACP turns 113, look for its voice to grow louder on issues like climate change, the student debt crisis and the ongoing response to the coronavirus pandemic - while keeping voting rights and criminal justice reform at the forefront of its …
Passengers prepare to place items through Nuctech security scanners at the Brussels Eurostar train terminal on Monday. At some of the world's most sensitive spots, authorities have installed security screening devices made by a single Chinese company with deep ties to China's military and the highest levels of the ruling Communist Party.
Security scanners across Europe tied to Chinese government, military At some of the world's most sensitive spots, authorities have installed security screening devices made by a single Chinese company with deep ties to China's military and the highest levels of the ruling Communist Party. The World Economic Forum …
Dr. Rochelle Walensky, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press on Dec. 8, 2021, in Atlanta. One year into Walensky's tenure as director, her bid to make the CDC more agile is being challenged by political pressures, vocal scientists and the changing virus itself.
Aiming to make CDC nimble, director has rankled many NEW YORK - From the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the top U.S. public health agency has been criticized as too slow to collect and act on new information. Now, increasingly, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is also being …
Florida man charged after 4 found dead at Canada-US border WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) — A Florida man has been charged with human smuggling after the bodies of four people, including a baby and a teen, were found in Canada near the U.S. border in what …

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State News
Alex Murdaugh awaits the beginning of his bond hearing in the Richland Judicial Center in Columbia, S.C., Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021.
Attorney Alex Murdaugh now faces 75 charges; prosecutor says $8.5 million stolen from clients

COLUMBIA - A once-prominent South Carolina lawyer now faces 75 charges he stole nearly $8.5 million in wrongful death and wreck settlements from more than a dozen people after another round of indictments against Alex Murdaugh were handed up …

PENCE
As 2024 nears, Pence to speak at S.C. pregnancy center dinner in May COLUMBIA - As he positions himself for a possible White House bid, former Vice President Mike Pence is returning to the early voting state of South Carolina, slated to give the keynote address at a fundraising banquet for a Christian pregnancy …
Clemson frat suspended for 4 years after hazing probe CLEMSON (AP) - After an investigation into hazing, a Clemson University fraternity has been suspended for four years for violating the university's code of conduct. A probe into the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity revealed hazing incidents that occurred …
S.C. Senate passes new U.S. House districts with minimal changes COLUMBIA (AP) — The South Carolina Senate approved a new map for the state's U.S. House seats on Thursday, making minimal changes to the current seven districts of which all but one reliably …
Black swans on Swan Lake in 2018.
The Carolinas and Virginia brace for blast of ice, snow NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — The Carolinas and Virginia were bracing for more winter weather on Thursday, with officials urging drivers to stay off potentially icy roads and schools canceling classes in …

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Obituaries

WEEKS

GERDENIA WEEKS

MANNING — Gerdenia Weeks, 59, died on Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022, at McLeod Health Clarendon, Manning.  She was born on Dec. 22, 1962, a daughter of the late Clarence and Virginia Butler …

CHRISTINA BROWN CAMPBELL

Christina Brown Campbell, 80, died on Friday Jan. 21, 2022, at Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital. Born in Sumter County, she was a daughter of the late Willie B. and Lannie Martin Brown. In …

WALTER JEROME THOMAS

BRONX, N.Y. — Walter Jerome Thomas, 46, died on Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, at his residence, 747 E. 228th St., Bronx. He was born on Nov. 11, 1975, in Mt. Kisco, New York, a son of Walter Henry …

DAVID RAGIN

David Ragin, 72, died on Monday, Jan. 17, 2022, at Prisma Health Richland Hospital, Columbia. He was born on Monday, Jan. 24, 1949, in Clarendon County, to the late Daisy Smith and Willie …

FANNIE B. THOMAS

Fannie B. Thomas was born on May 11, 1935, in Wedgefield, a daughter of the late Hamilton "Doc" Blackwell and Minnie Jones Blackwell. She departed this life on Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022, at her …

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Faith
LIVINGSTON
Manning Pastor Sam Livingston: The war against time each day of our lives Imagine waking up each day and not having to worry about when the sun rises in the morning or vanishes for the evening. How interesting would it be to not have a clock running on your cellphone or computer? This could end up being both a pro and a …
CLAY SMITH
Sumter Pastor Clay Smith: Givers, takers and matchers Do you want to be a giver or a taker? Part of our souls leap to say, "I want to be a giver." But another part of our souls says, "Wait a minute. What if I give too much? What if I get taken advantage of?" So we hesitate. According to Adam Grant …
Church News: Friday, Jan. 21, 2022 Knitting Hearts for Christ Ministry, which meets at Bethesda Church of God, 2730 Broad St., announces: * Saturday, Feb. 12 - Knitting Hearts will meet from 10 a.m. to noon. When the challenges of life pin you between hopelessness and despair, …
GERMAINE
Sumter Rabbi Josef Germaine: Drug companies have chokehold on United States I still have a vivid image of the last day I saw her — lying in bed, her last repose — comatose from a debilitating and agonizing disease and the effects of morphine. What was once a …
Celebrations
MR., MRS. JAMES COCKLIN SR.
Cocklins celebrate 70 years of marriage Mr. and Mrs. James Cocklin Sr. of Sumter celebrated their 70th anniversary on Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022. An anniversary celebration was held via Zoom with their three children and their spouses: James Jr. and Geraldine Cocklin, Sylvester Jr. and …
DORSEY
Lucille Jackson Dorsey celebrates 100th birthday Lucille Jackson Dorsey celebrated her 100th birthday on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022. Mrs. Dorsey was born on Jan. 6, 1922, in Sumter. After graduating from Lincoln High School, she went on to earn a degree from Morris College in 1943 with a …

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Dear Abby
Pets for adoption
Sumter SPCA's Pisces is a playful girl who loves to cuddle

LEFT: Pisces is a housebroken 1-year-old orange tabby female American short hair. She is active, friendly and playful. Pisces loves to cuddle and sleep with other cats and is an affectionate girl who loves to chase cat toys. The Sumter SPCA is …

Weddings
MRS. MICHAEL PERRY II
Shaw-Perry BLYTHEWOOD - Billie Jean Shaw of Manning and Michael Andrew Perry II of Charlotte, North Carolina, were united in marriage at 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, at The Cobblestone Park and Country Club. The bride is the daughter of Mr. Billy Shaw …
MRS. TAYLOR J. McFADDIN
Smoak-McFaddin Ansley Paige Smoak of Pinewood and Dr. Taylor Jordon McFaddin of Sumter were united in marriage at 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Sumter. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Charles Avin Sr. …
MRS. HUNTER CHESTNUT
Wilson-Chestnut ALCOLU - Celia Burgess Wilson of Manning and Hunter Tyson Chestnut of Conway were united in marriage on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, at New Harmony Presbyterian Church in Alcolu. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Joe Wilson Jr. and the …
MR. AND MRS. CHAD A. WILSON
Giddings-Wilson DALZELL - Samantha Ann Giddings, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robin Giddings of Bishopville, and Chad Aaron Wilson, son of Mendel Wilson of Sumter and Harriet Seifarth of Lancaster, were married on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. The evening ceremony was …

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Engagements
MISS MUNN, MR. KROUSE
Munn-Krouse Mr. and Mrs. James Rhett Munn Jr. of Sumter announce the engagement of their daughter, Elizabeth Harris Munn, to Paul Joseph Krouse Jr. of Columbia, son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Joseph Krouse Sr. of Sumter. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Mr. …
Reflections
The Atlantic Coastline Railroad passenger station in Sumter was in operation until 1971 and was torn down in March 1972, replaced by a beverage distribution facility.

Reflections by Sammy Way: Sumter's railroad depot remembered

Part two of Reflections concerns the removal of the last Atlantic Coastline freight and passenger depot. This research deals primarily with the Atlantic Coastline's cessation of passenger service for the residents of Sumter. Articles and photos from …

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Yesteryear
Actress Katharine Houghton chats with Lt. Gov. Earle E. Morris, right, during a reception for her and actor Ken Jenkins at the Sumter Little Theatre on March 10, 1972. At left is Walter Sharpe, president of the theater.
Yesteryear by Sammy Way: Junior Chamber opposes train discontinuance; Jaycees start TIP program 75 YEARS AGO - 1947 July 1 - 7 - Sumter's American Legion Juniors defeated Winnsboro's Juniors with east, 19-3, at the Municipal Park, but the young Gamecocks will have the toughest fight in their District 7 play when they oppose …
SUMTER ITEM FILE PHOTO Five piano students who performed in Sumter for the Honors Recital at First Baptist Church on Feb. 29, 1972, were from left Zada Watt, Buddy Bultman (front row), Emily Lipscombe, Ceil Coker and Dale Martin, along with others scheduled to perform.
Yesteryear by Sammy Way: Bethune speaks at association meeting; White Cross drug store opens in Sumter 75 YEARS AGO - 1947 June 24 - 30 - Camden beat the Sumter Fiskateers last night in Camden 19 to 3. The Fiskateers have now won 10 games and lost 5 while Camden's score is 9 lost and 7 won. Chick Cheek started on the mound for the local lads …
SUMTER ITEM FILE PHOTO Shown above is a scene from the coronation which took place at Grace Baptist Church on June 17, 1947. The Rev. J. H. Simpson is seen placing the crown on the queen with the golden scepter, Betty Jean Cooper. Other queens were Edna Wells, Betty Owens and Joline Huggins. Ambassadors included Dolan Wright, James Brunson and Maurice Martin.
Kiwanis Club celebrates 25 years in Sumter; Civic Center taking shape 75 YEARS AGO - 1947 June 17 - 23 - The local 40-8 team will journey to Summerton for a return match with their 40-8 baseball team today. The game between the two teams in Sumter last Thursday was rained out in the third inning when Sumter had …

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From the opinion pages
Columnists
 Editorial cartoon: Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022
MOLLETTE
Opinion: How not to have money for retirement
Editorial cartoon: Friday, Jan. 21, 2022
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