Happening Now
 Sumter County fireworks show, Shaw AFB Freedom Bash return this Independence Day
Sumter County officials quarrel about party lines on committees, decisions
KELLEY-JAY
Suspect, 'armed and dangerous,' sought in May 25 killing 2 arrested in connection to crime
Siemens, Prisma Health announce partnership
EDWARDS
Sumter Girl Scout earns Gold Award for project helping military families

'More than health care': Former House Speaker Paul Ryan visits McLeod Health Clarendon to see Nurse-Family Partnership program

Former Speaker of the House Paul Ryan listens to mothers who have participated in the Nurse-Family Partnership program, their nurses and those who have supported the program at the McLeod Health Clarendon campus on June 18.
MANNING - Nurses in a pregnancy and motherhood program at the county's only hospital know their work goes beyond health care, breaking barriers between provider and patient, outsider and friend. Now, their stories have reached the ears of who was …
Clarendon School 4 reviews balanced budget for 2022 fiscal year ahead of consolidation
A fruitful project in South Sumter
PHOTO PROVIDED BY JULIA A. NELSON Jamie Corbett is sworn in as mayor of Paxville on June 18. Josey Pack of Manning held the Bible as Corbett took the oath of office before Paxville council members, his family and friends.
Corbett is new Paxville mayor

Friday, June 25, 2021

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Studio Sumter

Sumter Today: Grants will help preserve famous Pearl Fryar Topiary Garden in Bishopville

Pearl Fryer is famous for his decades of creating and maintaining his large topiary garden at his home in Bishopville.With more than 400 sculpted, trimmed and shaped shrubs, trees and plants, his …

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Friends to Follow
SPORTS
Sumter's Dustin Kennedy pitched for the first time this season in the P-15's loss to Horry 8-1 on Wednesday.
P-15's can't complete sweep, fall to Horry 8-1
YOUTH ALL-STARS ROUNDUP
Sumter National stays undefeated in coaches pitch baseball
Lakewood's Savannah Ard, left, signs her letter of intent to play soccer at USC Sumter during a ceremony earlier this month. She was joined by her mother, Vicky, at the signing.
Lakewood's Ard turns short prep soccer career into opportunity at USC Sumter
Mississippi State fans react as Notre Dame's Spencer Myers (2) catches a Mississippi State fly ball on Sunday, June 13 in Starkville, Mississippi.
NCAA moving toward hyperlocal solution to NIL as placeholder
Leah Malone sets first base in place as the grounds crew prepares The Ballpark at Jackson before a home game for the Winnipeg Goldeyes of the American Association on Tuesday in Jackson, Tennessee.
Cities stripped of minor league teams finding ways forward
Poll of the Week

Jennifer Fretwell serves a group of women at The Restaurant at Second Mill's new location on Broad Street in November 2020.

Do you tip when you order takeout?

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More local news
Cosmo is waiting for a forever home at Manning's Second Chance Animal Shelter
Manning's Second Chance Animal Shelter's Olympia loves attention
SMITH
Sumter Pastor Dr. Clay Smith: Done my time ...
JAY
Sumter man wanted in connection to death of Kalieah Green
Pearl Fryar stands in his topiary garden in May 2018. The McKissick Museum Museum is partnering with the Atlanta Botanical Garden, the WeGoja Foundation and the Garden Conservancy for Midlands Gives on plans for the long-term preservation of Pearl Fryar's Topiary Garden in Bishopville.
Grants will help preserve famous Pearl Fryar Topiary Garden in Bishopville

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Sumter Dixie Darlings to face Hartsville for title
Sumter American rolls past Clarendon 15-3
Manning-Santee's Britton Morris hit a 2-run home run in Post 68's 15-1 win over Dalzell-Shaw on Tuesday.
Manning bats come to life in 15-1 rout of Jets
Sumter's Hayden Lyons allowed just one hit and one run in 5 1/3 innings during the P-15's 3-1 win over Horry on Tuesday.
Lyons pitches P-15's past Horry in 3-1 win
Lakewood pitcher Hunter Hoff, center right, signs to play baseball at Columbia International University in a ceremony on June 7. Hoff was joined by, from left to right, his sister Shaye, mother Tina and father Jay.
Lakewood's Hoff signs to pitch for Columbia International

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Panorama
JASON MCELVEEN

Beacon Cinemas holds over Sumter native's film, A Father's Legacy, through June 29

"A Father's Legacy," a movie set and filmed around Sumter County was the best attended film at the Beacon Cinemas last weekend. Because of its popularity, the theater has extended its run through June 29. Jason McElveen, whose stage name is Jason …

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Nation & World
President Joe Biden speaks during a meeting in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on June 22, 2021, in Washington.
Biden announces bipartisan infrastructure deal

WASHINGTON - President Joe Biden announced on Thursday a hard-earned bipartisan agreement on a pared-down infrastructure plan that would make a start on his top legislative priority and validate his efforts to reach across the political aisle. But …

Mark Mitchell / NZ Herald via AP Medical staff test people in their car at a COVID-19 testing station in Wellington, New Zealand, on Thursday. After enjoying nearly four months without any community transmission of the coronavirus, New Zealanders were on edge Wednesday after health authorities said an infectious traveler from Australia had visited during the weekend.
'Scary' Sydney virus cluster blamed on delta variant grows SYDNEY (AP) - Sydney was going through one the "scariest" times of the pandemic as a cluster of the highly contagious delta variant infects more people, an Australian state leader said on Thursday. New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian said …
A partially collapsed building is seen early Thursday, June 24, 2021, in the Surfside area of Miami, Florida. Miami Dade Fire Rescue is conducting search and rescue.
Many feared dead after Fla. condo collapses SURFSIDE, Fla. (AP) - A beachfront condo building partially collapsed Thursday outside Miami, killing at least one person and trapping others in the tower that resembled a giant fractured dollhouse, with one side sheared away. Dozens of survivors …
Nearly all COVID-19 deaths in U.S. are now among unvaccinated Nearly all COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. now are in people who weren't vaccinated, a staggering demonstration of how effective the shots have been and an indication that deaths per day - now down to under 300 - could be practically zero if everyone …
WALENSKY
CDC extends eviction moratorium a month, says it's the final time WASHINGTON (AP) - The Biden administration on Thursday extended the nationwide ban on evictions for a month to help millions of tenants unable to make rent payments during the coronavirus pandemic but said this is expected to be the last time it …

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State News
Rep. Justin Bamberg, D-Bamberg, speaks against an abortion bill at a news conference in the Statehouse in Columbia on Feb. 17. The parties involved in a lawsuit over South Carolina's new ban on almost all abortions disagree about how the case should be handled while the U.S. Supreme Court considers similar litigation from Mississippi, with those supporting the restrictions arguing that they should be allowed to collect information for their defense in the coming months.
Discord over whether to halt S.C. heartbeat abortion case

COLUMBIA - The parties involved in a lawsuit over South Carolina's new ban on almost all abortions disagree about how the case should be handled while the U.S. Supreme Court considers similar litigation from Mississippi. Those supporting the …

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster speaks during a ceremony to sign a bill preventing people from suing businesses over COVID-19 on Thursday at Cafe Strudel in West Columbia. The bill signing was ceremonial after the General Assembly passed the legislation in April.
Gov. McMaster signs bill protecting businesses from COVID-19 lawsuits WEST COLUMBIA (AP) - Gov. Henry McMaster again said South Carolina is recovering better from the COVID-19 pandemic than just about any other state as he held a ceremonial signing Thursday of a bill preventing people from suing companies over the …
Supporters of the South Carolina Fetal Heartbeat and Protection from Abortion Act fill the Statehouse lobby on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020, in Columbia, South Carolina.
Discord over whether to halt South Carolina abortion case COLUMBIA (AP) — The parties involved in a lawsuit over South Carolina's new ban on almost all abortions disagree about how the case should be handled while the U.S. Supreme Court considers …
A vehicle sits in the driveway of a home Tuesday, June 8, in rural Colleton County, near Islandton. A mother and son from a prominent South Carolina legal family were found shot and killed on the family's land, and authorities said they have made no arrests in the double homicide case.
Hit-and-run death reopened in mother and son shooting deaths COLUMBIA - Information gathered by agents investigating the death of a mother and son from a prominent South Carolina legal family has led state police to review a nearby unsolved hit-and-run death from six years ago. What that information is and …
31-year-old inmate stabbed to death in McCormick prison MCCORMICK (AP) — An South Carolina inmate was stabbed to death Tuesday in a common area of a prison in McCormick County, authorities said.Garrett Lemont Lyles Jr., 31, was stabbed several times …

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Obituaries
MITCHELL SMITH

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Mitchell Smith, age 50, departed this life on Wednesday, June 23, 2021, in Washington, D.C. He was born on Oct. 29, 1970, in Rembert, to the late Mitchell Sr. and Ruby Mayrant Smith. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and …

DANNY SHEPPARD

Danny Sheppard, 60, departed this life on Wednesday, June 23, 2021, in Sumter. He was born on June 5, 1961, in Elgin, to the late George and Alma Johnson Shepard. The family is receiving friends at 1826 Georgianna Drive, Sumter. Please use …

ALLEAN BUTLER JENNINGS

Allean Butler Jennings, widow of James McKeiver Jennings, was born on Sept. 24, 1926, to Sarah Butler. She departed this life on Sunday, June 20, 2021, at Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital, Sumter. Mrs. Jennings loved working in her flower garden, …

EMILY ANNE COONCE NICHOLES

Emily Anne Coonce Nicholes, 74, widow of John W. "Ray" Nicholes, died on Wednesday, June 23, 2021, at Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital. Born on March 6, 1947, in Kingstree, she was a daughter of the late Chester M. and Annie Maria Lowder Coonce. …

ROBERT LEE JEFFERSON

PINEWOOD - Robert Lee Jefferson, 62, husband of Catherine House Jefferson, died on Friday, June 18, 2021, at McLeod Health Clarendon, Manning. He was born on Oct. 4, 1958, a son of the late John Peter Jefferson and Mary Green …

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Faith
Seacoast Church's Manning campus made a huge donation to United Ministries of Clarendon County on June 23. Pastor Jim Fleming, left, is shown presenting Kathy Bryce, executive director of the organization and volunteer Hal Lowder with a check for $8,000. "We have always supported United Ministries financially," said Fleming. "We're coming out of COVID and there is a lot of need and we want to contribute to an organization that is helping those needs."
Seacoast Church's Manning campus gives $8K to United Ministries, plans July events MANNING - Helping the community through love and action is the way that Seacoast Church's Manning campus "truly represents God's love." "Loving on our community is our way of showing God's love," said Pastor Jim Fleming. "God wants us to care for …
Church News: Friday, June 25, 2021 Agape Outreach Ministries, 100 E. Red Bay Road, announces: * Saturday, July 17 - Praise in the field "Church beyond the walls ... taking the gospel to the streets" will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Sumter Fairgrounds, 30 S. Artillery …
DR. JOEY DURHAM
Sumter Pastor Joey Durham: Peace in our times of trouble Today's devotion asks this question, "How can I have peace that passes my understanding?" In Philippians 4:6-7, we see, "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto …
Court: If bias rules have exceptions, faith groups qualify Justice Samuel Alito called it a "wisp" of a decision - a Supreme Court ruling Thursday that favored Catholic Social Services in Philadelphia but was far from the constitutional gale wind that would have reshaped how courts interpret religious …
Celebrations

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Dear Abby
Pets for adoption
Sumter SPCA's Fagin would make a loyal, loving best buddy

LEFT: Fagin is a housebroken and neutered 2-year-old male creme American longhair. He is super sweet, affectionate and friendly. Fagin lives for attention and would be wonderful in a home with children and other cats. He adores being petted, held …

Weddings
MRS. BRANDON GRANGER
Vise-Granger Rachel Vise and Brandon Granger, both of Sumter, were united in marriage at 5 p.m. Saturday, May 1, 2021, at Sans Souci Farms in Sumter. The bride is the daughter of Mr. Johnny Vise and Mrs. Barbara Watson Vise, both of Sumter, and the …

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Engagements
MISS TESENIAR, DR. DECKER
Teseniar-Decker Mr. and Mrs. Mark Teseniar of Charleston, formerly of Sumter, announce the engagement of their daughter, Laila Teseniar of Charleston, to Dr. James Decker of Charleston, son of Dr. and Mrs. James Decker of Charleston. The bride-elect is the …
MISS SCHALLER, MR. WILLIAMS
Schaller-Williams Mr. and Mrs. Phillip C. Schaller I of Sumter announce the engagement of their daughter, Olivia Jade Schaller of Sumter, to Dakota Colt Williams of Hampton, Tennessee, son of Ms. Angela M. Williams and the late Mr. Ernest "Mike" M. Williams of …
MR. MAGEE, MISS GOLDEN
Golden-MaGee Ida Lee Golden and Alphonso Douglas Golden, both of Sumter, announce the engagement of their daughter, Allicia Marie Golden of Durham, North Carolina, to Derrick Magee, also of Durham, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Magee of Jackson, …
Reflections
SUMTER ITEM FILE PHOTOS Needwood was the home of J. Frank Williams and his family in the Stateburg community on the King's Highway.

Reflections by Sammy Way: J. Frank Williams, master farmer and preservationist

Reflections looks back at John Frank Williams, who became one of Sumter's most remembered farm agents who lived at Needwood, a beautiful plantation constructed in the Stateburg community; Mr. Williams and his family restored the beautiful antebellum …

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Yesteryear
SUMTER ITEM FILE PHOTO Splashing paint onto a papier mache rock as a part of the scenery for Summerthing IV are Jackie Worrell, left, and Candy Kudra, two of the many teenagers who worked to create the three-day happening at the main exhibit building of the fairgrounds, which was open to the public Aug. 4-6, 1971.
Yesteryear by Sammy Way: Santa will arrive at municipal airport; frogs and toads invited to contest 75 YEARS AGO - 1946 Nov. 26 - 3 - Dr. J. M. Wells, pastor emeritus of the Sumter Presbyterian church, delivered a Thanksgiving address at the weekly meeting of the Rotary Club at the Community Center. Dr. Wells was presented by T. H. Parker …
SUMTER ITEM FILE PHOTO Baseball comedian Max Patkin visited Riley Park in July 1971.
Yesteryear by Sammy Way: H. C. Bland gets radio salute; 'clown prince of baseball' visits Riley 75 YEARS AGO - 1946 Nov. 19 - 23 - The annual Gamecock Field Trials will start Dec. 2 at Cane Savannah, and plans are nearing completion for this outstanding event, which will attract many well-known sportsmen from other sections of the …
SUMTER ITEM FILE PHOTO Junior Girl Scouts Moneisha Juniores and Manon Zamora hold hands with their newest troop member, Amanda LeGrand, as they sing the friendship song at the closing of Millwood Brownie Troop 56's "bridging" ceremony in May 1996.
Yesteryear by Sammy Way: Christmas Seal Sale under way; 5 Olympic torchbearers from Sumter 75 YEARS AGO - 1946 Nov. 12 - 18 - Bishopville High School's Dragons trounced an aerial-minded Rockingham, North Carolina, team at Memorial field, 27 to 7, before a good-sized crowd. With only two days of rest since their bruising game with …

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From the opinion pages
Columnists
MOLLETTE
Opinion: Invest in yourself and your health
Editorial cartoon: Wednesday, June 23, 2021
Editorial cartoon: Tuesday, June 22, 2021
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