Happening Now
Dennis Cyphers, the executive director for Santee-Lynches Regional Council of Governments, opened the workshop with hopes new partnerships and providers will help seniors in Clarendon County.
Santee-Lynches holds workshop in looking for Clarendon senior services provider
Sumter school board to have test scores workshop Monday
Defendant Alex Murdaugh prepares for jury selection to resume during his murder trial at the Colleton County Courthouse in Walterboro on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023.
1st officer on scene says Murdaugh didn't cry over his dead wife and son
Gov. Henry McMaster gives his State of the State address on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023, in Columbia, South Carolina.
S.C. governor renews push for abortion ban in State of State
Members of the South Carolina House Constitutional Laws subcommittee meet to discuss a bill banning abortion from conception on Thursday, Jan. 26, in Columbia.
S.C. abortion ban gets hearing for 1st time this session

Sumter's Quixote Club receives top national ranking; Golf Digest rates multi-million-dollar redevelopment as No. 3 best new private U.S. course

Quixote Club golf course in Sumter had its grand opening celebration in April 2022 after a $13 million renovation. This week, Golf Digest rated Quixote in third place for best new private course in America. Thirty-six panelists rated the course on six criteria.
A local, redeveloped, private golf course with a philanthropic mission has been named one of the best new courses in the nation by the golf industry's top course rater. Golf Digest magazine released this week its best course rankings, and …
Sumter School District Superintendent William Wright Jr. speaks at the Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce's annual retreat in Asheville, North Carolina, on Sunday, Jan. 22.
Sumter School District superintendent shares goals for district at Chamber Retreat
GRATE
Invoice shows Clarendon County Council on Aging owes $6K; former director speaks on his time at senior services agency
A Dunkin' employee makes her way down the line of customers who waited at the store Wednesday morning to win free coffee for a year. To celebrate its grand re-opening and showcase its "next-generation" look, Dunkin' in Sumter gave away free coffee for a year to the first 100 people to get there that day. Patrons arrived as early as 4 a.m.
Sumterites run to (free) Dunkin': Nearly 100 locals line up for free coffee

Friday, Jan. 27, 2023

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Studio Sumter

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Local stories through a local lens.  

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SPORTS
Wilson Hall's Dani Hanley, center, is surrounded by family after signing to play softball at Limestone on Thursday.
Wilson Hall's Hanley signs to play softball at Limestone
Laurence Manning's Josiah Burson (2) scored 21 points in a win over Orangeburg Prep on Wednesday.
Laurence Manning basketball splits with Orangeburg Prep
Lakewood's Josiah Dinkins, center, won the Region VI-3A title at 195 on Wednesday.
Lakewood wrestling wins 3 individual titles as Gators thrive in region meet
The Carolina Panthers hired former Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich as their new head coach on Thursday.
Panthers hire Reich over Wilks as head coach
Former Crestwood star and current Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant, right, drives against Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry in San Francisco on Wednesday.
Poole beats buzzer with layup, lifts Warriors past Grizzlies
National Data Trends
50 movies to get excited about in 2023
MORGAN FREEMAN
Highest-grossing actors over the age of 50
States with the biggest gun industries
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30)
Highest-paid players in the NBA
Most popular boy names in the '90s in South Carolina

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More local news
Sumter School District's general fund is 'healthy,' auditor says
Sumter County Government receives overall clean, unmodified audit report for 2022; 1 'material weakness' finding with library
Keynote speaker David Rendall and Young Professionals of Sumter President Josh Glenn at the Sumter Chamber Retreat in Asheville on Jan. 21, 2023.
51st-annual Chamber Retreat celebrates the 'Best is Yet to Come' for Sumter
Members of the general public look at district-wide rezoning maps at a public information session on Feb. 24, 2022, at Sumter High School. The new school board voted 9-0 Monday to delay the implementation of rezoning school attendance lines for next school year.
Sumter School Board votes to delay rezoning school attendance lines for upcoming year
RIOS-ALICEA
Crestwood's Rios wins January High School Teacher of the Month, presented by Morris College

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More Sports
Sumter High's Rickell Brown averaged 18.5 points in two region wins on her way to Hines Furniture Athlete of the Week honors.
Hines Furniture Athlete of the Week: Sumter High's Brown sparks Lady Gamecock offense in region wins
AREA ROUNDUP: Monarchs stay unbeaten in region as Manning splits with Waccamaw
PHOTOS: Crestwood basketball wins home games with Lake City
Crestwood's Justin Rembert (1) lays in a shot against Lake City on Tuesday.
Knights regain region lead as Crestwood sweeps Lake City
Lakewood's Jayden Jones, right, has his arm raised after a win against Darlington in the Region VI-3A meet on Monday.
Lakewood wrestling finishes second in region, individual meet Wednesday

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Arts & Entertainment
David Phelps will kick-off his After the Downbeat Tour on Friday, Jan. 27, at Patriot Hall.

Grammy-award winning David Phelps to perform at Patriot Hall on Jan. 27

Sumter, get ready to sing your heart out alongside a multi-Grammy award-winning artist.Texas born-and-bred David Phelps will venture to Patriot Hall on Friday, Jan. 27, for his After The Downbeat …

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Nation & World
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks during a meeting with Albanian Defense Minister Niko Peleshi at the Pentagon, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023, in Washington.
U.S. military kills senior Islamic State official in Somalia

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. special operations forces have killed a senior Islamic State group official and 10 other terrorist operatives in remote northern Somalia, the Biden administration …

Messages of support for teacher Abby Zwerner, who was shot by a 6-year-old student, grace the front door of Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia, on Jan. 9.
Lawyer: Administrators were warned 3 times day boy shot teacher NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (AP) - Concerned teachers and employees warned administrators at a Virginia elementary school three times that a 6-year-old boy had a gun and was threatening other students in the hours before he shot and wounded a teacher, "but …
Leaders are meant to keep state secrets, just not at home WASHINGTON - Democrats responded with aggrieved fury when former President Donald Trump was found in possession of classified documents that should have been turned over to the government when he left office. Then disclosures that President Joe …
Donald Trump is reinstated to Facebook after 2-year ban Facebook parent Meta is reinstating former President Donald Trump 's personal account after a two-year suspension following the Jan. 6 insurrection.The company said in a blog post Wednesday it is …
Hawaii man imprisoned for 1991 murder, rape released HONOLULU (AP) — A judge on Tuesday ordered a man released from prison immediately after his attorneys presented new evidence and argued that he didn't commit the crimes he was convicted of and …

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State News
Former Hampton attorney Alex Murdaugh listens at the Colleton County Courthouse during the first day of jury selection in Walterboro, S.C. Monday, Jan. 23, 2023.
How Alex Murdaugh came to face trial for murder of wife, son

Alex Murdaugh is standing trial for the killings of his wife and son at their hunting estate in June 2021 — charges that have led to the unraveling of a prominent South Carolina attorney known …

S.C. committee advances limits to classroom teaching on race COLUMBIA - A bill that would limit certain teachings on race in public schools and allow parents to challenge educational materials is moving through the Republican-controlled South Carolina House of Representatives. The proposal is the latest …
In this April 16, 2018, file photo, a guard tower stands above the Lee Correctional Institution, a maximum security prison in Bishopville, S.C., the morning after seven inmates were killed amid fighting among prisoners. Top state prosecutors are urging Congress to pass legislation allowing state prisons to jam the signals of cellphones smuggled to inmates behind bars. The 22 attorneys general say Wednesday in a letter to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer that the devices allow prisoners to plot violence and carry out crimes.
Prosecutors to Congress: Let state prisons jam cellphones COLUMBIA - Top state prosecutors from across the country are again urging Congress to pass legislation allowing state prisons to jam the signals of cellphones smuggled to inmates, devices the attorneys argue allow prisoners to plot violence and …
Attorney Jim Griffin speaks with Alex Murdaugh tears up after the jury was excused and the defense and prosecution teams discuss how to handle sensitive crime scene photos during his double murder trial at the Colleton County Courthouse in Walterboro, S.C, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023.
Alex Murdaugh's murder trial starts with cellphones, bullets After 19 months of speculation, prosecutors finally laid out their evidence Wednesday that Alex Murdaugh killed his wife and son as they opened the double murder trial for the disgraced South …
Defendant Alex Murdaugh prepares for jury selection to resume during his murder trial at the Colleton County Courthouse in Walterboro on Monday, Jan. 23.
Prosecutors, defense argue guns, bad acts in Murdaugh trial WALTERBORO - Before testimony begins in South Carolina attorney Alex Murdaugh's murder trial, defense lawyers will ask the judge to make a pair of key rulings this week that could strike a massive amount of evidence from the case. Prosecutors …

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Obituaries
BARBARA STANFIELD HODGE

PINEWOOD - Barbara Stanfield Hodge, 80, widow of James R. "Red" Hodge, died on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023, at Prisma Health Richland Hospital. Services will be announced by Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter.

JOHNNY MOSES SR.

BISHOPVILLE - Johnny Moses Sr., of 464 Jamestown Road, Bishopville, entered eternal rest on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, at Myrtle Beach. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Wilson Funeral Home, 403 & 407 S. Main St., …

JOSEPH BRADLEY JR.

Joseph Bradley Jr., 75, widower of Betty Jean Choice Bradley, was born on Oct. 13, 1947, in Sumter, a son of the late Joseph Bradley Sr. and Queen Ethel Branch Bradley. He departed this life on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023, at Prisma Health Richland …

WILLIE DANIEL KING

Willie Daniel King, 76, husband of Willie Mae English King, was born on Sept. 11, 1946, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a son of the late John Wesley King and Vastine Thompson King. He departed this life on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023, at NHC Healthcare …

CYNTHIA JOY LAUMER

SAVANNAH, Georgia - Cynthia Joy Laumer, 70, of Sumter, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023. She survived her husband, Robert, by two months. Cindy is survived by her mother, two sisters, a brother, two stepchildren, grandchildren, …

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Faith
Church News: Friday, Jan. 20, 2023 Jehovah Missionary Baptist Church, 803 S. Harvin St., announces: * Sunday - The internationally-acclaimed African Children's Choir will perform at 5 p.m. The "Just As I Am" tour combines traditional hymns with African cultural sounds with a …
Sumter Pastor Clay Smith: Lost papers... If you no longer follow the news, you may have missed the stories about the lost files of Donald Trump and Joe Biden. The quick summary is this: Top-secret files were found at Mar-a-Lago, President Trump's home in Florida. Weeks later, top-secret …
DURHAM
Sumter Pastor Joey Durham: Nothing can separate believers from Christ Today's devotion asks this question, "Who Can Separate the Saved from the Savior?" My text is Romans 8:35-39, where we read, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or …
African Children's Choir returns to Sumter for 1st time since pandemic Sumterites will get the chance to have their hearts melted by the charming smiles and beautiful voices of the African Children's Choir on Jan. 22. As a nonprofit humanitarian and relief organization, African Children's Choir is dedicated to …
Celebrations
MR., MRS. CHARLIE LARKIN
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 …
MISS KILPATRICK
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 …
MISS ELLOISE BETHEA
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 …
MISS BOYCE
The Carolinian Camellia Ball The Carolinian Camellia Ball of Sumter will present five debutantes on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022, at Quixote Club in Sumter. Mary Kaitlynn Boyce, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Player Boyce Jr., will be presented by her father and escorted by …

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Dear Abby
Pets for adoption
Sumter Animal Control's Johnny and Clyde are adorable

BELOW: Johnny and Clyde are brothers who were surrendered to animal control after their family became displaced due to a fire. They are both adorable and still have some puppy energy. A little leash training may be needed. Johnnie and Clyde weigh 47 …

Weddings
MRS. ETHAN LANE
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 …

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Engagements
WILDER, MISS GRAHAM
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 …
MISS SMITH, MR. HORTON
Smith-Horton Mr. and Mrs. Eric Gant Smith announce the engagement of their daughter, Taylor Danielle Smith, to Joseph Samuel Horton, son of Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Lawrence Horton, all of Sumter. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. C.J. "Buddy" …
MISS MANN, MR. YOUNG
Young-Mann Mr. and Mrs. William Jeffrey Young of Sumter announce the engagement of their son, Greyson Steele Young of Sumter, to Baylin Elise Mann of Pensacola, Florida, daughter of Mr. Tyler Waite Mann and Mrs. Allison Bailey Tarrant, both of …
MR. ROBINSON, MISS HURST
Hurst-Robinson Dr. and Mrs. Russell Charles Hurst Jr. of Sumter announce the engagement of their daughter, Lori Lynne Hurst of Moore to Jeffery Neil Robinson of Moore, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ronnie Houston Robinson of York. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of …
Reflections
Big Jim's offered curb service and was a well-known dine-in restaurant in Sumter owned by Jim Karvelas.

Reflections by Sammy Way: Big Jim's: Sumter's 1st 'big-city dining experience'

Reflections revisits one of Sumter’s most memorable restaurants, Big Jim’s. This culinary magnet is etched in the memories of countless Sumterites who ate at the restaurant or its …

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Yesteryear
Inch by inch, day by day, whisker by whisker - as their beards grow longer, time grows shorter. Clean-shaven Wayne Dalzell, Jaycee co-chairman of the 1973 Iris Festival, measures the full beard of Sam Holladay while bearded Johnny Alford and Austin Floyd look on and listen to the rules of the beard-growing contest slated for the year's festival and find out they have to shave it all off and start over on March 8, 1973.
Yesteryear by Sammy Way: Beard-growing contest added to Iris Festival events; construction company chosen to build Chestnut Oaks 75 YEARS AGO - 1948 July 1 - 6 - A.J. Hatfield of Sumter, B.M. Gibson of Greenville and T. Belk Ingram of Cheraw were installed as the 1948-52 commission members of the South Carolina Employment Security Commission. The commission consists of …
An exhibition of work by the three award winners of the Sumter Artists Guild fall show in 1973 was to open March 4 that year at the Sumter Gallery of Art. The artists from left are Ysleta Meek, Deane Ackerman and Ray Davenport. Ackerman stands behind her sculpture, while the painting on the left is Meek's and the one on the right Davenport's.
Yesteryear by Sammy Way: Sumter teacher practices curtsy to meet queen; parent volunteer program at schools 75 YEARS AGO - 1948 June 22 - 28 - T. Doug Youngblood, general manager of radio station WFIG, was one of the two men to be named to two-year terms on the board of directors of the South Carolina Association of Broadcasters. The association, …
Thomas Sumter's Jeremy Pitts shoots a jump shot between a trio of Wilson Hall defenders on Jan. 3, 1998.
Yesteryear by Sammy Way: YMCA camp ends with candles, cross placed on lake; FBI opens resident agency in Sumter 75 YEARS AGO - 1948 June 15 - 21 - Cadet Ernest Clifton Stroman Jr. and veteran student Nickie Nichols were recipients of the varsity letter awards, a block "C," given at a review at The Citadel recently, for membership on the varsity …

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From the opinion pages
Columnists
BATTEN
Opinion: Sumter County Council has neglected needs of students, district employees for years
HAMILTON
Opinion: A lawmaker's impossible task
Editorial cartoon: Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023
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