Happening Now
U.S. Army Central Chief of Staff Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Van presented Katrin Galeano with the Meritorious Public Service Medal, the third highest honor the Department of the Army can award to a private citizen in front of the USARCENT Headquarters on July 1.
Military spouse at Shaw Air Force Base receives high honor from USARCENT for public service
Statewide group joins suit pressing to ratify women's rights
Donate convalescent COVID-19 blood plasma in Sumter
SUMTER ITEM FILE PHOTOBates Middle School principal Dr. Ayesha Hunter alongside Sumter Career and Technology Center principal Dr. Shirrie Miller speaks to the crowd at a past Bates Middle School's NASA STEM Night.
Bates Middle School to be part of state group focused on graduate profile
Sumter school board to have special called meeting Monday; 2 committee meetings will be later in week

'Battles for the Gospel’: Sumter's Church of the Holy Comforter priest reflects on court decision and ‘journey’ of lessons learned

The Church of the Holy Comforter on Main Street in downtown Sumter is more than 100 years old and was consecrated in 1916.
A recent state circuit court decision on rights to church properties was a major win in the eyes of many for a state church district of about 50 congregations that split from the national Episcopal Church in 2012. As it stands now, those churches …

GOLPHIN
Former Morris student's film looks at pandemic's impact on families
Fourth of July Schedule
SCDNR will hold free boat inspections starting July 4

Saturday-Sunday, July 4-5, 2020

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Studio Sumter

Sumter Today: The Sumter Fire Department gives us fireworks safety tips.

The Fourth of July holiday is upon us, and while there are always pops of fireworks heard throughout neighborhoods this festive weekend, there may be more than usual this year. With COVID-19 …

Sumter P-15's bats quiet in 2-0 loss to Florence
Atlanta Braves' pitcher Cole Hamels works out during practice at Truist Park on Friday in Atlanta on the first day of training for the upcoming baseball season.
Braves' Hamels says shoulder feels strong after long layoff
Members of the South Carolina baseball team begin a dogpile after Whit Merrifield's run-scoring single gave the Gamecocks a 2-1 win over UCLA to the win the championship series of the 2010 College World Series.
Worth the Price: Former USC closer Matt Price remembers magical run to 2010 CWS title
Major League Baseball announced on Friday that the 2020 All-Star Game, which was to be played in Los Angeles at Dodger Stadium, has been cancelled. Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred, right, said that Los Angeles President and CEO Stan Kasten's team will host the game in 2022.
MLB cancels All-Star Game for first time since 1945
Washington Redskins undergoing what the team calls a "thorough review" of the nickname despite owner Dan Snyder, left, has previously not shown interest in the name change.
Redskins to review name amid race debate
Poll of the Week

Cheyene McIntosh gets ready to walk at a socially distanced graduation at Sumter High School on May 27, accompanied by Stacey and Dianna McIntosh, her mother and grandmother.

Should masks be required when in public?

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More local news
Duke Energy Progress customers in South Carolina will see bills go down
Central Carolina Technical College to offer appointments for face-to-face enrollment
Sumter County investigators seek information on non-fatal shooting incident
Name of Shaw pilot who died after F-16 crash on base in Sumter released
Marie Aimone has been the director of Camp Burnt Gin since 1990. This year would have been the camp's 75th anniversary, but the camp was canceled because of COVID-19.
Camp Burnt Gin cancels summer sessions for 1st time in 75-year history

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More Sports
The Sumter P-15's earned their second straight win of the summer on Wednesday.
P-15's earn second straight win
The University of South Carolina Sumter men’s soccer team is set to begin play in August along with the reinstated women’s program despite the issues provided by the coronavirus pandemic.
Women’s soccer reboot still a go at USC Sumter; men’s soccer ready
USC Sumter to add volleyball in 2021
SB Ducum and the Sumter P-15's had their schedule altered after two teams left the South Carolina American League due to not having facilities at which to play.
McMaster misspoke by saying ban on spectator sports not lifted
Evallynn Noel takes a swing during softball camp hosted by the Sumter Recreation & Parks Department on Wednesday.
Sumter Rec & Parks kicks off summer camps

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Panorama

3 money lessons to teach your children

By Rachel Cruze Ramsey Solutions Have you been stressed during budget conversations? Are you anxious at the grocery store checkout when you hear the total? Do you seem to be buying more and more stuff to make yourself feel better about …

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Nation & World
U.S. Customs and Border Protection via AP In this June 29 photo, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection field operations officer inspects a suspect hair accessory at a centralized exam station in Newark, New Jersey. On Wednesday, U.S. Customs and Border Protection detained a shipment of weaves believed to be made in a Chinese detention camp. The shipment is suspected to be human hair.
Hair weaves from Chinese prison camps seized

By MARTHA MENDOZA The Associated Press Federal authorities in New York on Wednesday seized a shipment of weaves and other beauty accessories suspected to be made out of human hair taken from people locked inside a Chinese internment …

Pandemic forces Argentines to develop human foosball PERGAMINO, Argentina (AP) - Soccer-starved Argentines have found a way to play their beloved sport while social distancing, though the rules have been altered and the dazzling end-to-end dashes produced by national legend Diego Maradona are …
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS A man works in an oxygen factory in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Thursday. For seven years, Najibullah Seddiqi's oxygen factory sat idle in Kabul. He shut it down because corruption and power cuts made it impossible to work. But when the novel coronavirus began racing through his country, he opened the factory's dusty gates and went back to work.
COVID-struck Afghans breathe free with reopening of oxygen factory KABUL, Afghanistan - Seven years ago, Najibullah Seddiqi closed his oxygen factory, frustrated with power cuts and with rampant corruption that kept him from getting contracts with hospitals. But as the coronavirus raced through Afghanistan, he …
THE ASSOCIATED PRESSThis aerial drone photo shows the Call Federal Credit Union building, front, on June 16, 2020, in Midlothian, Va. The bank was robbed on May 20, 2019. Police were able to obtain geofence search warrants, a tool being increasingly used by law enforcement. The warrant sought location histories kept by Google of cellphones and other devices used within 500 feet of the bank.
Geofence warrants to be tested in Va. bank robbery case RICHMOND, Va. - It was a terrifying bank robbery: Demanding cash in a handwritten note, a man waved a gun, threatened to kill a teller's family, ordered employees and customers onto the floor and escaped with $195,000. Surveillance video gave …
AP FILE PHOTO In this 2018 photo, a bucket wheel digs for coal near the Hambach Forest near Dueren, Germany. Germany's greenhouse gas emissions fell sharply last year, putting the country's climate goal within reach again.
Germany is 1st major economy to phase out coal and nuclear BERLIN - German lawmakers have finalized the country's long-awaited phase-out of coal as an energy source, backing a plan that environmental groups say isn't ambitious enough and free marketeers criticize as a waste of taxpayers' money. Bills …

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State News
Pandemic makes stay-at-home explosions popular this July 4th

COLUMBIA— Mostly-masked shoppers were selecting their own explosives Friday for stay-at-home fireworks shows this holiday weekend. "This whole COVID thing has been really bad all around," …

BUTTIGIEG
Buttigieg, Columbia city mayor teaming up on COVID-19 effort COLUMBIA - Former South Bend, Indiana, mayor and presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg has teamed up with the mayor of South Carolina's capital city to help municipalities stem the spread of the coronavirus. Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin said …
Charleston's busy maritime trade, as shown here, was disrupted by King George's War.
July 23, 1744 - War declared in Charleston against France On this side of the Atlantic, the War of Austrian Secession was called King George's War and took place between 1744 and 1748. For South Carolinians, who were already concerned with attacks from the Spanish, France's entry into the war as Spain's …
In this March 2020 photo provided by Gilead Sciences, a vial of the drug remdesivir is visually inspected at a Gilead manufacturing site in the United States.
Health care workers find a rhythm (for now) amid pandemic By ISABELLA CUETO The State LEXINGTON - Mid-morning on June 16, Dr. Philip Keith squats by the bedside of one of his severely ill COVID-19 patients, and he is pleased with what he sees. Two days earlier, his patient needed a ventilator to …
Man shot in back of head by S.C. cop sues department COLUMBIA — A Black man who was shot in the back of the head during a traffic stop in South Carolina last fall is suing the Columbia Police Department, the city and the officer. Attorneys for …

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Obituaries
GEORGE WASHINGTON DOUGHTY JR.

WILMINGTON, N.C. - George Washington Doughty Jr., 67, husband of Sarah Ann Brown Doughty, died on Thursday, July 2, 2020, at Accordius Health and Rehab, Wilmington. He was born on Aug. 18, 1952, in Manning, a son of the late George Washington …

ETHEL LEE WALLACE DINGLE

On Wednesday, July 1, 2020, Ethel Lee Wallace Dingle, widow of Emperial Dingle, exchanged her rugged cross for her precious crown at Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital. Born in Clarendon County, she was a daughter of the late Smith Sr. and Robertha …

JACQUELINE HARVIN

Jacqueline Harvin, age 53, departed this life on Monday, June 29, 2020, in Shelby, North Carolina. She was born on April 29, 1967, in Sumter, to the late Henry Sr. and Emma Holiday Harvin. Funeral services are incomplete and will be announced …

BARBARA JEAN L. BRUNSON

Barbara Jean London Brunson, 77, widow of Joseph Lewis "Pete" Brunson Sr., died on Wednesday, July 1, 2020, at Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital. Services will be announced by Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter.

JANIE MOORE

Janie Moore, 62, wife of Jonathan Moore, died on Thursday, July 2, 2020, at Prisma Health Richland Hospital, Columbia. Born on Oct. 29, 1957, in Sumter County, she was a daughter of Joseph and Emma Osborne Sanders. The family is requesting no …

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Celebrations
MR., MRS. ROBERT E. CULBREATH
Culbreaths celebrate 62 years Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Culbreath of Sumter celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary on Tuesday, May 26, 2020, at their home. Their two children and their spouses are: Sabrina and John Budden and Gino and Gwendolyn Culbreath. The couple has …

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Faith
SMITH
Column from Sumter's Rev. Clay Smith: God Bless America Irving Berlin was born into a Russian Jewish family. The family fled Siberia, looking for a better life in the United States. Berlin was five when the family arrived at Ellis Island in New York Harbor. The family did not find instant wealth; what …
Church News: Friday, July 3, 2020 Knitting Hearts Ministry, which meets at Bethesda Church of God, 2730 Broad St., announces: * Saturday, July 11 - Knitting Hearts will meet from 10 a.m. to noon. Speakers will be Jeannie Smith and Marsha Murphy from Myrtle Beach. A love offering …
SMITH
Column from the Rev. Clay Smith: Could our nation's turmoil be a case of dry rot? I was hauling my boat to the lake to meet up with my family. It was just me, pulling the boat up the interstate. About an hour into the trip, I felt a jerk. I looked at my rearview mirrors and saw my boat trailer leaning to the right. Flat …
Church News: Friday, June 26, 2020 Knitting Hearts Ministry, which meets at Bethesda Church of God, 2730 Broad St., announces: * Saturday, July 11 - Knitting Hearts will meet from 10 a.m. to noon. Speakers will be Jeannie Smith and Marsha Murphy from Myrtle Beach. A love offering …
Dear Abby
Pets for adoption
Sweet, playful Caroline is super with children

FAR LEFT: Caroline is a 3-month-old lab mix. She is super with other dogs and children. She is sweet, playful, active and friendly. Caroline is a cuddler and looks forward to being held and given love and attention. She would make a wonderful new …

Weddings
MRS. JAMES ROBINSON
Noonan-Robinson LAKE MARION - Miss Riley Elizabeth Noonan and Mr. James Matthew Robinson, both of Sumter, were united in marriage in a lakeside ceremony at noon Saturday, May 30, 2020, at the Noonan Family Lake Home. The bride is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. …
MR. AND MRS. STEVEN EDWARDS
Jamison-Edwards Deborah Jamison and Steven Edwards, both of Sumter, were united in marriage at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 16, 2020, at St. Anne Catholic Church in Sumter.The bride is the daughter of Brian and Amy Jamison and the granddaughter of Byron and Kitty Jamison …
MR., MRS. GRIFFIN NOLAN MCCABE
Affronti-McCabe Miss Elizabeth Anne Affronti of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Mr. Griffin Nolan McCabe of Manning were united in marriage at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 21, 2020, in a front yard ceremony at 2185 Bethel Church Road. The Rev. Neil DuBose …
MRS. ANTHONY MILES SCOTT
Mayle-Scott Miss Stephanie Nicole Mayle of Sumter and Mr. Anthony Miles Scott of Rembert were united in marriage at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 25, 2020, at Mileston at the Pond. The bride is the daughter of Cheryll Elizabeth Mayle of Lakeland, Florida, and Mr. …

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Engagements
MR. COMPTON, MISS SEWELL
Compton-Sewell Mr. and Mrs. Michael F. Compton of Sumter announce the engagement of their son, Andrew T. Compton of Sumter, to Emily C. Sewell of Alpharetta, Georgia, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. Sewell of Alpharetta. The bride-elect is the granddaughter …
MISS CROMER
Cromer-Josey Mr. and Mrs. James Paul Cromer III of Sumter announce the engagement of their daughter, SaraLouise Cromer of Sumter, to Matthew Samuel Josey of Florence, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Rene Josey of Florence. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Mr. …
MR. GOODSON, MISS SEGARS
Segars-Goodson Mr. and Mrs. Burrell "Billy" Raymie Segars Sr. of Sumter announce the engagement of their daughter, Miss Jane Elizabeth Segars of Sumter, to Mr. James Arthur Goodson IV of Charleston, son of Dr. and Mrs. James Arthur Goodson III of Manning. The …
MR. LOWERY, MISS WILD
Wild-Lowery Robert and Susan Wild announce the engagement of their daughter, Samantha R. Wild, to Michael P. Lowery, son of James Lowery Sr. and Cassandra McLeod, all of Sumter. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of George Reither and the late Marianne …
Reflections
Sumter Female Institute graduating class of 1888 poses for a photo. The boarding school for women was founded in 1868 by Mrs. L.A. Brown and Eliza Cooper. It was on the north corner of Washington and Calhoun streets. The school ended operations at the turn of the century. Those graduating in 1888 were, from left, Fannie McKogen, Verdie Anderson, Catherine McLaurin, Mamie Edmunds, Hannah Fraser and Annie Grahm. museum photo - john poindexter

Reflections by Sammy Way: The history of Sumter-area schools, part II

Reflections remembers the development of Sumter's education system and the construction of numerous schools attended by local students. The author used historic data retrieved from The Sumter Item archives. An article written by John Mitchell in the …

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Yesteryear
SUMTER ITEM FILE PHOTO William Fudger works on staying within the lines as he colors the American flag at Grace Baptist Summer Day Care on July 3, 1995.
Jewish Welfare Fund holds supper at temple; Shaw hosts F-102 Delta Daggers 75 YEARS AGO - 1945 Jan. 25 - 31 - Officers re-elected for an additional one-year term at the annual Sumter County Game and Fish Association barbecue and meeting were B.L. Montague, president; R. T. Brown Sr., secretary-treasurer; George L. …
Bobby Broach, 9, of Lake City sells watermelons from the back of his father's pickup truck at Sumter's Manning Avenue in June 1995. The next day was to be the start of summer, and Bobby hoped for an increase in sales.
Yesteryear by Sammy Way: Egg exports show Sumter ag growth; former POWs invited to berry farm 75 YEARS AGO - 1945 Jan. 17 - 23 - According to J.A. Raffield, city manager, the movement of 50 house-trailers from Oak Ridge, Tennessee, to Sumter will help alleviate the acute housing shortage here. The house-trailers will be located in the …
From left, Selma Tennant, her nephew Shain House and her daughters Heather and Dixie enjoy a day at Santee State Park during a reunion for lung transplant recipients in June 1995. Selma Tennant of Sumter received a lung transplant in May 1994.
Yesteryear by Sammy Way: 'Yanks' supper held at school cafeteria; Jones sees 200th career coaching win 75 YEARS AGO - 1945 Jan. 11 - 16 - A large crowd attended the annual Ladies' Night Banquet of the Sumter Kiwanis Club held at Edmunds High School. Dr. Havilah Babcock, dean of the School of English of the University of South Carolina, was …

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From the opinion pages
Columnists
 Editorial cartoon: Saturday, July 4, 2020
Editorial cartoon: Friday, July 3, 2020
BRADFORD
Opinion: What's often forgotten about 'freedom' of the Fourth
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