Celebrating the Army's 250th birthday in S.C. at Shaw

U.S. Army Central soldiers cut the Army birthday cake with a Patton Saber to kick off the 250th birthday celebration. From left are the youngest soldier present, Pfc. Jacob Herrera; the ARCENT Chief of Staff Col. Sidney Knox; the ARCENT senior enlisted advisor, Sgt. Maj. Eric McCray; and the oldest soldier, Lt. Col. William Doolan. Having the youngest and oldest soldier help cut the cake symbolizes the past and future of our Army.
As part of the nationwide celebration, U.S. Army Central soldiers on Friday, June 13, celebrated the 250th anniversary of the Army's founding with a traditional birthday cake-cutting ceremony at Patton Hall. Using a Patton Saber, ARCENT Chief of …
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SPORTS
Arts & Entertainment

Rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, shows up for Sean 'Diddy' Combs' trial but can't get in

NEW YORK (AP) — Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West, briefly showed up to the New York sex trafficking trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs on Friday to support the hip-hop mogul, a longtime …

Nation & World
Should you let pets sleep next to you? MUSC professor weighs in

It turns out, our furry best friend might be our sleep enemy. Lots of pet owners let their animals sleep on the bed with them, which usually disrupts sleep. But many would say it's worth it. And researchers don't necessarily …

The Latest: Israel hit by missiles as Iran retaliates for strikes on nuclear sites Iranian missiles struck Israel in retaliation for deadly Israeli attacks on nuclear sites and military leaders. The wail of air raid sirens and the rumble of explosions could be heard throughout …
Military commander says 200 Marines moved into Los Angeles to protect federal property and personnel LOS ANGELES (AP) — After a week of tense protests over the federal immigration raids, about 200 Marines have moved into Los Angeles and will protect federal property and personnel, a military …
Israel attacks Iran's nuclear sites and its top military leaders. Iran retaliates with drones DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Israel launched a blistering attack on the heart of Iran's nuclear and military structure Friday, deploying warplanes and drones smuggled into the country to …
House approves Trump's request to cut funding for NPR, PBS and foreign aid WASHINGTON (AP) — The House narrowly voted Thursday to cut about $9.4 billion in spending already approved by Congress as President Donald Trump's administration looks to follow through on work …
State News
South Carolina prepares for its 6th execution in 9 months with a man serving 2 death sentences

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A South Carolina man sent to death row twice for separate murders is scheduled to die Friday by lethal injection in the state's sixth execution in nine months. Stephen …

Republican South Carolina House member charged with distributing child sexual abuse material COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A Republican South Carolina House member who prosecutors say used the screen name "joebidennnn69" has been arrested and charged with 10 counts of distributing sexual abuse …
Judge won't halt execution in South Carolina over lethal injection concerns CHARLESTON (AP) — A federal judge Wednesday told lawyers for a South Carolina inmate scheduled to die in two days that he doesn't plan to stop the execution because they didn't have evidence …
Lawyers for a South Carolina inmate ask a court to stop his execution Lawyers for a South Carolina death row inmate will be in federal court Wednesday trying to convince a judge that the state is not properly carrying out lethal injections or firing squad executions, …
South Carolina senator sues his own legislature over pay raise COLUMBIA - A state senator is suing his fellow lawmakers in the South Carolina General Assembly, saying they are illegally giving themselves what is effectively an $18,000-a-year raise for all members. The increase in the "in-district …
Obituaries
SUSIE BRACEY

Susie Bracey, 89, died Friday, June 13, 2025, at Sumter East Health and Rehab Center, Sumter. Born June 11, 1936, in Sumter, she was the daughter of the late Wigfall Rose Sr. and Wilhelmenia …

DAYQUAN MARKEE ROBINSON

Dayquan Markee Robinson, son of Albert and Charissa Durant Robinson, was born Sept. 24, 1991. Dayquan, affectionately known as “Drop,” entered into eternal rest on Saturday, June 7, 2025. …

ASHLEY MARIE LEONARD

Ashley Marie Leonard, 37, of 7 Cheyenne St., died Monday, June 9, 2025, at Prisma Health Richland. The family is receiving friends at the home, 7 Cheyenne St., Sumter. Services have been …

ESSIE BRISBON

BISHOPVILLE — Essie Brisbon, 78, of 401 E. Church  St., died Thursday, June 12, 2025, at her residence. The family is receiving friends at the home of her daughter Jeanette Bradley, 614 W. …

WELLS

DREYFUS GATRARE WELLS

Dreyfus Gatrare Wells, 42, son of Mary Delores Wells and the late Sam R. Tomlin, was born on Aug. 26, 1982, in Sumter. He departed this life on Friday, June 6, 2025, at Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital, …

Faith
The Rev. Dr. Clay Smith: Our Father... Jesus said when we pray, we are to begin with "Our Father..." This got me thinking, "What if my Heavenly Father lived in my house?" Would he sit down on the edge of my bed in the morning and say, "Time to get up! I have made an amazing day for …
First millennial saint Carlo Acutis will be canonized Sept. 7, the pope says ROME (AP) — Pope Leo XIV on Friday set Sept. 7 as the rescheduled date to canonize the Catholic Church's first millennial-era saint, Carlo Acutis, in what is expected to be Leo's first …
Southern Baptist delegates at national meeting overwhelmingly call for banning same-sex marriage DALLAS (AP) — Southern Baptist delegates at their national meeting overwhelmingly endorsed a ban on same-sex marriage — including a call for a reversal of the U.S. Supreme Court's …
Church news: Wednesday, June 11, 2025 To update your listing or add a listing, please email pressrelease@theitem.com and include Church News in the subject line. LaGree AME Church, 2920 Kolb Road, announces: - A one-night revival will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, June 13. The …
Celebrations
Richardson family's matriarchs, patriarch meet for annual reunion The Richardson family comes together in Sumter, annually in the fall, to celebrate the Richardson reunion. Last fall, in 2024, the family celebrated the 52nd-annual reunion, having missed only two past get-togethers because of COVID-19 …
Sumterite celebrates 100 years of life, love A local woman celebrated her 100th birthday in April as well as the legacy of love her life has been filled with. Elizabeth Burns, of Sumter, celebrated her 100th birthday on Wednesday, April 23, surrounded by family and friends. The wife of …
Dear Abby
Pets for adoption
Daisy is a friendly, cuddly hound puppy

My name is Daisy, and I am a 10-week-old, tan-and-white, female hound and pit mix. I have a sister here with me named Foxy. I am very observant; I love watch what you're doing at all times. I'm …

Engagements
Reflections

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 and photos were taken from The Item archives. The writings of Dr. Anne King Gregorie and Cassie Nicholes were also consulted. An article …

Yesteryear
From the opinion pages
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