Three cheers for the Class of 2023: Sumter graduating seniors share their plans and advice for underclassmen

Dr. Jayson Leach hands out Crestwood High School-branded bags to his school's 2023 graduating class at their commencement ceremony rehearsal inside the Sumter County Civic Center.
It feels like only yesterday it was August 2019. Bright-eyed freshmen took their first steps into the unfamiliar high school hallways, their first-day jitters heightened by the excitement of what the next four years would entail. New friends, new …
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Arts & Entertainment

Movies with Isaiah: 'Purple Rain' is a cinematic, musical classic

The '80s was an interesting period that ushered in myriad eclectic forms of entertainment related to fashion, product placement, films, TV series and more importantly the artistic medium of music. Our most prominent artists who solidified the …

Nation & World
Senate passes GOP bill overturning student loan cancellation, teeing it up for Biden veto

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Republican measure overturning President Joe Biden's student loan cancellation plan passed the Senate on Thursday and now awaits an expected veto. The vote was 52-46, with …

House OKs debt ceiling bill to avoid default, sends Biden-McCarthy deal to Senate WASHINGTON (AP) — Veering away from a default crisis, the House approved a debt ceiling and budget cuts package late Wednesday, as President Joe Biden and Speaker Kevin McCarthy assembled a …
Gov. McMaster sending troops to U.S. and Mexico border RICHMOND, Va. - The governors of Virginia, West Virginia and South Carolina on Wednesday joined a growing list of Republican leaders sending their state National Guard soldiers or other state law enforcement officers to the U.S. border with …
Earth is 'really quite sick now' and in danger zone in nearly all ecological ways, study says Earth has pushed past seven out of eight scientifically established safety limits and into "the danger zone," not just for an overheating planet that's losing its natural areas, but also for the well-being of people living on it, according to a new …
Former Vice President Mike Pence to launch campaign for president in Iowa June 7 NEW YORK (AP) — Former Vice President Mike Pence will officially launch his widely expected campaign for the Republican nomination for president in Iowa next week, adding another candidate to …
State News
Store owner charged with murder in teen's shooting has shot at suspected shoplifters before

COLUMBIA (AP) — A store owner in South Carolina charged with murder this week after shooting a teen he wrongly thought stole water has shot at suspected shoplifters two other times in the past …

Murdaugh pleads not guilty for now to federal wire fraud, money laundering charges CHARLESTON. (AP) - Alex Murdaugh was arraigned Wednesday on federal money laundering and wire fraud charges for indictments saying he stole money from his clients, and although he pleaded not guilty for now, his lawyer said that might change …
Nikki Haley's husband to deploy with National Guard to Africa as she seeks 2024 GOP nomination COLUMBIA (AP) - Nikki Haley's husband will soon begin a yearlong deployment with the South Carolina Army National Guard to Africa, a mission that will encompass most of the remainder of his wife's campaign for the 2024 Republican presidential …
S.C. Department of Health and Human Services warns of potential Medicaid scams COLUMBIA - After nationwide reports of texts and calls seeking money to obtain or keep Medicaid coverage, the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is warning about current Medicaid renewal scams that may target …
Columbia gas station owner charged with murder in 14-year-old's shooting death COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A South Carolina gas station owner was charged Monday with murder in the death of a 14-year-old boy whom he allegedly chased from the store and shot in the back, the …
Obituaries
CLAREATHA ABRAMS

Clareatha Abrams, 86, died on Saturday, May 27, 2023, at National Healthcare in Sumter. Born in Lynchburg, she was a daughter of the late Arnett Coker Sr. and Hazzel Cousar Coker. Professional services rendered by Palmer Memorial Chapel Inc.

ELLA MARTIN KEELS

Ella Martin Keels, 87, was born on Feb. 22, 1936, in Lynchburg, a daughter of the late Rufus McElveen and Mary Keels. She departed this life on Thursday, May 11, 2023, in Baltimore, Maryland. Public viewing will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. on Friday …

LEO JOSEPH DIAMOND

Leo Joseph Diamond, age 79, beloved husband of Mary L. Diamond, died on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, at MUSC Downtown Columbia. You may go to www.bullockfuneralhome.com and sign the family's guest book. The family has chosen Bullock Funeral Home for …

RICHARD MCCLARY JR.

Richard "Bubba" McClary Jr. departed this life on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, in Columbia. He was born on Aug. 1, 1956, in Sumter County, to the late Richard Sr. and Mary Jane Epps McClary. Funeral services are incomplete and will be announced by …

KOLB

WILLIAM CALVIN KOLB JR.

LAKE WYLIE - William "Billy" Calvin Kolb Jr., 76, husband of Jane Rodgers Kolb, passed away on Monday, May 29, 2023, at home in Lake Wylie. Born on July 1, 1946, in Sumter, he was a son of the late William Calvin and Frances Eargle Kolb. He was a …

Faith
Church News: Friday, May 26, 2023 Allen Chapel AME Church, 471 Lynam Road, announces: * Saturday, June 3 - Fun Day for All will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. featuring fun, food and entertainment. Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church, 3285 Peach Orchard Road, Dalzell, …
Column by Sumter Pastor Clay Smith: Is it luck or God at work? We are told, "Some people have all the luck." The basketball player hits an impossible shot as the buzzer sounds: "What a lucky shot!" Or maybe lots of practice. What about all the times when a player shoots the ball at the buzzer and it bounces off …
Stained glass window shows Jesus Christ with dark skin, stirring questions about race in New England WARREN, R.I. - A nearly 150-year-old stained-glass church window that depicts a dark-skinned Jesus Christ interacting with women in New Testament scenes has stirred up questions about race, Rhode Island's role in the slave trade and the place of …
Church News: Friday, May 19, 2023 Refreshing Springs Kingdom Outreach Ministries, 741 Bultman Drive, Suite 21, announces: * Sunday, May 28 - Pentecost service at 3 p.m. Prophet Eric Olorunsola will speak. * Sunday, June 11 - The 10th church anniversary / 18-year ministerial …
Celebrations
Sapphire Marie Montgomery Nevarone V. Montgomery of Bronx, New York, and Isabell Rodriguez of New York City, New York, announce the birth of a daughter, Sapphire Marie Montgomery, on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, New York. Sapphire weighed …
Larkins celebrate 60 years Charlie and Ernestine Larkin of Sumter celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on Friday, Dec. 23, 2022, with a small, intimate gathering. Their two children are Renee Larkin (Phillip) Washington and Brenda Larkin (Tracy) Chamblee of …
The Sumter Assembly The Sumter Assembly will present three debutantes on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022, at Quixote Club in Sumter. Margaret Pinckney Kilpatrick, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert McCord Kilpatrick, will be presented by her father and escorted by Kyle Brown …
The Lord Clarendon Cotillion MANNING - The Lord Clarendon Cotillion will present three debutantes at its annual ball on Friday, Dec. 16, 2022, at The Matrix Center in Manning. Elloise Troup Bethea, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Partridge Bethea Jr., will be presented by …
Dear Abby
Pets for adoption
Sumter Animal Control's Ivan is as cute as can be

BELOW: Ivan is a smaller fella. He weighs 25 pounds and is 1-3 years old. He came into the shelter very shut down. It took several weeks for the volunteers to gain his trust. Once he decided that it was safe, Ivan made social improvements every day. …

Weddings
Hubbard-Lane CHARLESTON - Kristen Ashleigh Hubbard and Ethan Foster Lane, both of Mount Pleasant, were united in marriage at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022, at St. Luke's Chapel on the campus of the Medical University of South Carolina. The Rev. Joseph …
Engagements
Newman-Linderman Mr. and Mrs. Francis Leverne Newman Jr. of Sumter announce the engagement of their daughter, Dr. Mary Francis Newman of Charleston, to Mr. Garrett Harrison Linderman of James Island, son of Mr. Louis Russell Linderman and Mrs. Connie Louise Taylor, …
Coonce, Koonce Mr. and Mrs. Joe Coonce Sr. of Sumter announce the engagement of their daughter, Melissa LuAnne Coonce of Sumter, to David Edward Koonce II of Florence, son of Mr. and Mrs. David Koonce Sr. of Darlington. A summer wedding is planned.
Geddings-Trageser Mr. and Mrs. William Thomas Geddings Jr. of Manning announce the engagement of their daughter, Mary Elizabeth Geddings of Charleston, to Nicholas Jay Trageser of Summerville, son of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Jay Trageser of Summerville. The …
Graham-Wilder Tad and Lyndy Graham announce the engagement of their daughter, Hannah Griffith Graham, to David Morris Wilder, son of Jay and Heather Wilder, all of Manning. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of …
Reflections

Reflections by Sammy Way -- First Presbyterian Church: Marking its 2nd century of service to the Sumter community, Part II

This is part two of a two-part Reflections series about the 200th anniversary of Sumter's First Presbyterian Church. Read the first part of this series at www.theitem.com/reflections. In 1957, an article appearing in The Item noted that Dr. …

Yesteryear
Yesteryear by Sammy Way: Junior Optimists meet for 1st time; 'God's Trombones' presented 75 YEARS AGO - 1948 Nov. 2 - Nov. 8 - "High-Ways" 1948, the Sumter High School annual, has been awarded both the Medalist honor rating by Columbia University in New York City and the All-American honor rating by the University of Minnesota in …
Yesteryear by Sammy Way: High Hills church celebrates homecoming; Pilot Club adds names to memorial 75 YEARS AGO - 1948 Oct. 26 - 31 - Although there will be no festive parade to mark the occasion, Navy Day will be fittingly observed. All merchants have been requested to display their flags during store hours. A special 10-minute radio …
Yesteryear by Sammy Way: Students' plaque dedicated to WWII heroes; residents reject plane at gardens 75 YEARS AGO - 1948 Oct. 19 - 25 - Kaiser-Frazer Corp. dealers introduced the Frazer and Frazer Manhattan, new models which complete the company's four-door sedan series for 1949. The Kaiser Special and Deluxe, companion models, were announced …
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