Lakewood's Marching Soldiers of Sound host schools for competition
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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'You Can See Everything' surges with $19.5M at box office; 'Clayface' takes No. 1
NEW YORK — DC Studios scored a modest, R-rated win with "Clayface," landing a $24 million opening weekend, according to studio estimates Sunday. But the biggest success story in theaters remained …
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SCETV explores South Carolina's mysterious past, including Bishopville's Lizard Man, in new 'Unknown' shorts
COLUMBIA - South Carolina ETV and Public Radio will premiere "Unknown," a new short-form series exploring …
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What to do across the Midlands: Stock up for winter at library's annual book sale, get tickets for Sumter Little Theatre's production and Cirque du Luxe
To make a submission to our events list, email pressrelease@theitem.com with EVENTS in the subject …
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A reel scare: 31 days of Halloween movies
As the air gets cooler, slightly, and the leaves start to turn, slightly, the Halloween season returns to …
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Sepulveda receives award from S.C. Choral Directors Association
A hometown leader and internationally known maestro was recently recognized for her dedication to …
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Sumter Little Theatre's 'Wiley and the Hairy Man' proves fear is only as big as you let it be
Fear is inevitable. Whether it is literal or a figment of our imagination, there is something or someone …
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Mayesville Presbyterian Church to welcome Brass Roots Trio for Rejoicings Series on Oct. 25
Mayesville Presbyterian Church will open its fourth season of the Rejoicings Series with the …
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Sumter native Elijah Bradford to take 'Guess Who's Coming to Mr. Thaddeus' House' to Florence Oct. 24
In October 2025, playwright Elijah Bradford debuted his powerful and heartfelt stage play, "Guess …
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Chamber of Commerce's Porches of Sumter sees record-breaking number of 700 attendees
One great big pumpkin, several cozy porches and plenty of food and fun for everyone. That was …
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'Other Mommy' tops the box office with $27.5M; 'The Social Reckoning' opens to $5.5M
The Jessica Chastain horror "Other Mommy" topped the North American box office this weekend with a …
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Dear Abby, Oct. 29, 2026: Woman with great life dreams of doom
DEAR ABBY: Let me start off by saying I have a great life, a good job, a loving boyfriend and family I adore. I'm a 42-year-old woman with grown …
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Dear Abby, Oct. 28, 2026: Married woman's former flames keep resurfacing
DEAR ABBY: I am 39 and have been with my husband for 20 years. We got together when we were young, and our two kids are almost grown. Early in …
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Dear Abby, Oct. 27, 2026: Friend's gift-reselling habit grows irksome
DEAR ABBY: My husband and I are friendly with another couple, "Matt" and "Mara." They have two young children, one of whom is autistic. We have …
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Dear Abby, Oct. 26, 2026: Mom isn't keen on walk down memory lane with son
DEAR ABBY: I am the mother of a beautiful 30-year-old son, "Caleb," who's married, employed and happy. We have a close relationship, and he …
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Reflections by Sammy Way: Two medical infirmaries served Sumter community
Reflections revisits the development of early medical infirmaries. Webster's Dictionary defines infirmary as "a place for the care of the sick, injured, or infirm. A building or room, as in a school, which served as a hospital or dispensary." The …
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Reflections by Sammy Way: Julius Rosenwald assisted in building several schools
Reflections focuses on the early development of Black schools in South Carolina during the 1920s and …
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Reflections by Sammy Way: Sumter's expansion removed some historic structures
Reflections recalls some historic structures that faced removal and sometimes upgrading due to rapid …
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Reflections by Sammy Way: Cantey-Plowden opens cash and carry grocery store in Sumter
Reflections revisits the early development of Cantey-Plowden Grocery in downtown Sumter during the 1920s …
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Reflections by Sammy Way: Carnegie Library was founded in 1915
Reflections revisits the efforts of the Sumter County Council, the City Board of Education, the Civic …
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Reflections by Sammy Way: Bland's Pond on Shot Pouch
Reflections revisits Bland Pond, which became part of the Iris Gardens through the efforts of H. C. …
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Reflections by Sammy Way: Manchester's day has ended
Reflections revisits one of Sumter County's mysteries, the vanished community of Manchester! This …
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Reflections by Sammy Way: The Hub: Sumter's busiest bargain store
Reflections revisits The Hub, later known as Bergers, one of Sumter's favorite shopping …
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Reflections by Sammy Way: Sumter courthouse space doubles in 1964
Reflections recalls the expansion of Sumter's courthouse in 1964. Construction of courthouses …
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Letter to the editor: Murrell Smith delivers results for Sumter, state on education
Sumter County owes Murrell Smith its gratitude for his tireless efforts to create a better place for its residents to work, live and raise its …
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Letter to the editor: Murrell Smith makes our community, our state stronger
I have known Murrell Smith to be a man of integrity who truly cares about his community and the state of South Carolina. Murrell has been an …
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Letter to the editor: Murrell Smith is proven leader for Sumter
I have known Murrell Smith as a lifelong friend, and I can personally attest to his character, integrity and commitment to our community. Born …
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Letter to the editor: Rep. Smith works with all legislators to address needs
As a former member of the South Carolina Senate, I served with Murrell Smith on the Sumter Legislative Delegation for a dozen years. When I …
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Letter to the editor: Rep. Smith's work has reduced numbers of criminal cases over 3 years old, improved our state
During and after the COVID lockdowns, the South Carolina criminal justice system was in crisis. With courts shut down, cases could not move, …
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Letter to the editor: Speaker Smith will do anything he can to make Sumter better
I am writing with the hope that voters of House District 67 will understand how important it is that we send Murrell Smith back to Columbia as …
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