Things to do across the Midlands: SC7 invites public to hike or paddle during visits to Poinsett, Swan Lake and Sparkleberry Swamp next week; library hosts summer family events
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Local stories through a local lens.
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Movie Review: A weird 'Superman' is better than a boring one
It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a … a purple and orange shape-shifting chemical compound? Writer-director James Gunn's "Superman" was always going to be a strange chemistry of filmmaker and …
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Sean 'Diddy' Combs' sentencing set for Oct. 3 after split verdict in federal sex crimes case
NEW YORK (AP) — Sean "Diddy" Combs will be sentenced in his federal criminal case on Oct. 3, a …
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'Jurassic World Rebirth' bites off $318 million at the global box office
Dinosaur fatigue may be a theme in "Jurassic World Rebirth," but moviegoing audiences don't seem to have …
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Sumter Shag Club celebrates 40 years with party, honors 2 charter members
Shake a leg, cut a rug, get down or get on up. Whatever you wish to call it, dancing has the ability to …
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Sean 'Diddy' Combs is denied bail after mixed verdict clears him of top charges in sex crimes case
NEW YORK (AP) — Sean "Diddy" Combs dropped to his knees and prayed in the courtroom after he was …
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Sean 'Diddy' Combs acquitted of most serious charges, convicted of a prostitution-related offense
NEW YORK (AP) — Sean "Diddy" Combs dropped to his knees and prayed in the courtroom after he was …
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Spruce up your summer plans with Sumter library reading challenge, art programs
School's out, and summer fun is plentiful - Sumter County Library would know. The local …
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Jury reaches verdict on 4 of 5 counts in Diddy trial but is told to keep deliberating
NEW YORK (AP) — The jury in Sean "Diddy" Combs' sex trafficking trial said Tuesday that it …
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Jury returns to deliberate for a second day at Sean 'Diddy' Combs' sex trafficking trial
NEW YORK (AP) — A jury returns to deliberate for a second day Tuesday at the sex trafficking …
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'F1' opens with $55 million, delivering Apple its biggest big-screen hit
NEW YORK (AP) — Apple has its first box-office hit. "F1 The Movie" debuted with $55.6 million …
APEX, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina's first standalone children's hospital will be built in a bedroom community near the state capital, the project's health systems announced Thursday, creating a …
COLUMBIA – Today, South Carolina Secretary of State Mark Hammond urged donors to give wisely to charitable causes following last weekend’s flooding disaster in Kerr County, Texas. …
Harold Gregg, 86, son of the late Willie Gregg and Pearline McCoy Gregg, was born on June 11, 1939, in Sumter. He departed this life on Sunday, July 6, 2025, at his residence. Job’s …
MANNING — Essie Mae Brock Gamble, 94, widow of Vicknel Gamble, died Monday July 7, 2025, at her residence. She was born Oct. 12, 1930, in Manning, a daughter of the late Henry and Laura Lemon …
Grant Grinnell Jr., husband of Mary Mathis Grinnell and son of the late Grant Grinnell Sr. and Carrie Singleton Grinnell, was born on June 4, 1946, in Sumter County. He departed this life on Sunday, …
Eddie Lee Harvin, 96, widower of Jessie Mae Washington Harvin and son of the late Jethro Harvin and Elsie Benjamin Harvin, was born on Jan. 22, 1929, in Sumter County. He departed this life on …
Mr. Frank William Wright, born on June 19, 1954, in Sumter, entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, July 3, 2025, at his home in Sumter. Mr. Wright was the son of the late Mr. Frankie Wright and Mrs. …
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Dear Abby, July 10, 2025: Boyfriend's daughter complicates long-term relationship
DEAR ABBY: I have been seeing my partner, "Gil," for five years. After my husband passed, Gil came into my life again. We had been colleagues …
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Dear Abby, July 9, 2025: Husband's new friendship puts marriage on the rocks
DEAR ABBY: I am 57 and have been married for 32 years to my husband, who retired from his full-time job last year. I still work full time. Since …
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Dear Abby, July 8, 2025: Sibling is making elderly mom's life a living hell
DEAR ABBY: I live five hours away from my hometown. My mom is 98 and in assisted living there. In recent years, my younger sister has become …
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Dear Abby, July 7, 2025: Mother doesn't like son keeping her in the dark
DEAR ABBY: I am worried about my 21-year-old son, "Travis." He hasn't quite left our home that he shares with me and my husband, but he sleeps …
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My name is Dopey, and I am a 9-week-old, male, gray tabby American longhair. I am housebroken and good with kids and other cats. My siblings and I are so thrilled to go to our forever homes. I am a …
Reflections by Sammy Way: Sumterville was slow to grow at first
Reflections recalls a time when Sumterville was often thought of as a neatly organized plantation. Many historians assumed perhaps this perception emerged from the fact it was a small crossroads in 1812 located in the middle of a swampy forest, …
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Reflections by Sammy Way: Harvin Street, once occupied by several historic structures
Reflections revisits Harvin Street, one of Sumter's nine original streets according to a plat prepared by …
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Reflections by Sammy Way: U.S. Army celebrates its 250th birthday
Reflections celebrates the United States Army's 250th year of existence. The data and photos used to …
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Reflections: Looking back at Sumter's 'skyscraper'
Reflections notes that the building commenced on March 1, 1911, and the first floor was to be occupied by …
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Reflections by Sammy Way: Sumter inventors were creative and numerous
Reflections revisits several of Sumter's inventors and their impact on the growth of our nation. The data …
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Reflections by Sammy Way: A brief review of music within Sumter city schools
Reflections revisits the establishment of music in our city schools by L. C. Moise. This innovative …
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Reflections by Sammy Way: Neill O'Donnell's generosity a boon to hospital
Reflections recalls the contributions made to Tuomey Hospital by Neill O'Donnell. Also, his many …
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Reflections: Memorial Day: Remembering fallen heroes
Reflections recalls that an editorial written by Hubert Osteen, editor of The Sumter Item, on May …
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Reflections by Sammy Way: Neill O'Donnell: Generous contributor to Tuomey Hospital
Reflections recalls the contributions made to Tuomey Hospital by Neill O'Donnell. Also, his many …
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Letter to the editor: 'Good' things will happen after 'evil' settles down
This is for all the people who have told me that they miss my editorials. I am going to give a quick history of the kings of Israel. I find …
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Letter to the editor: Illiteracy in Sumter is connected with crime
How did we get here? What did we do, or didn't do, to have fear for our safety, the safety of our children and communities? Recently, every time …
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Letter to the editor: Confident that Americans will rise to task of protecting our freedom
In 1980, Ronald Reagan ran on a ticket of "Let's make America great again." There are members of Congress in both parties who were children …
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Letter to the editor: Sumter city services provided based on where residents live
The City of Sumter, S.C., exercises a double standard for services provided to its residents. These services are provided based on the location …
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Letter to the editor: The words we pick and choose to assimilate can define our lives
Do you have enough to worry about? Dumb question, I know. Take the Middle East. Just spend a few hours reading even in Wikipedia about Iraq, …
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Letter to the editor: Sumter - A Tale of Two Cities: The rich, the poor
Public comment is a cornerstone of good governance, and I commend The Item for creating a forum where community members can express their …
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