Kite flying for a cause

Owen Rusaw, left, 8, runs with his P-51 kite at the festival.
Phase Three Center hosted its second Kite Festival at Patriot Park on Saturday, May 3. The festival was created to raise awareness of National Foster Care Awareness Month and "have a little fun in the meantime," said Elanda Ross, president and …
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Studio Sumter

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Friends to Follow
SPORTS
Arts & Entertainment

Summer Movie Guide 2025: Here's what's coming to theaters and streaming from May to August

Ethan Hunt's last mission? A new Superman? Happy Gilmore as a dad? Three genre-spanning Pedro Pascal movies, including a romance, a superhero movie and an A24 Ari Aster thriller? Hollywood is pulling …

Nation & World
'Don't get in my way,' the new acting head of federal disaster agency warns in call with staff

WASHINGTON (AP) — The new head of the federal agency tasked with responding to disasters across the country warned staff in a meeting Friday not to try to impede upcoming changes, saying that …

Air traffic controllers briefly lose radar access again at Newark airport The air traffic controllers directing planes into the Newark, New Jersey, airport lost their radar Friday morning for the second time in two weeks. The Federal Aviation Administration said the radar …
Trump floats cutting China tariffs to 80% ahead of meeting as he looks to deescalate trade war WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Friday floated cutting tariffs on China from 145% to 80% ahead of a weekend meeting among top U.S. and Chinese trade officials as he looks to …
U.S. will stop tracking the costs of extreme weather fueled by climate change The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will no longer track the cost of climate change-fueled weather disasters, including floods, heat waves, wildfires and more. It is the latest …
China's exports to U.S. sink, offset by trade with other economies, as U.S. tariffs hit global trade China's exports to the United States tumbled in April while its trade with other economies surged, suggesting that President Donald Trump's tariffs offensive is hastening a shakeup in global supply …
State News
South Carolina legislature ends its 2025 session with some wins and some uncertainty

COLUMBIA (AP) — The South Carolina General Assembly wrapped up its regular 2025 session Thursday with a few accomplishments, but a number of things like the fate of the state treasurer and …

Lawyers for man executed by firing squad in South Carolina say bullets mostly missed his heart COLUMBIA (AP) — A man who was put to death last month in South Carolina's second firing squad execution was conscious and likely in extreme pain for as long as a minute after the bullets, meant …
Beached whale is euthanized on South Carolina resort island HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (AP) — A sperm whale that beached itself on a popular South Carolina resort island was euthanized late Sunday after veterinarians determined it was too sick to help. …
DPH observes National Hurricane Preparedness Week COLUMBIA — In advance of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, which officially begins on June 1, the South Carolina Department of Public Health is joining partners in observing National …
Drought expands across S.C. amid dry spring conditions The entire state of South Carolina has entered drought conditions amid below-average rainfall this season. Last week, the S.C. Drought Response Committee met and evaluated drought indicators to …
Obituaries

IVEY

CLIFTON IVEY

Clifton Ivey, 76, died Saturday, May 10, 2025, at his home in Sumter. He was a son of the late Jasper Ivey and Annie Edwards Ivey. He was a retired U.S. Army Vietnam veteran with 22 years …

TIMOTHY BAXTER

Timothy Baxter, 64, son of the late James Ernest Baxter and EllaNora Singleton Baxter, was born on June 27, 1960, in Sumter. He departed this life on Friday, May 9, 2025, at Prisma Health Tuomey, …

KARL ACE JORDAN III

Karl Ace Jordan III, 75, died on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at his residence in Sumter. Services will be announced at a later date. You may go to www.bullockfuneralhome.com to sign the family's …

GENEVA DURANT

Geneva Durant, 60, daughter of the late John Durant and Georgia Mae Jackson Durant, was born on Jan. 1, 1965, in Mayesville. She departed this life on Monday, May 5, 2025, at Prisma Health Tuomey, …

JAMES ARTIS BAUGHMAN SR.

Mr. James Artis Baughman Sr. "Jim," 85, of Loving Road. Morganton, Georgia, passed away peacefully on Wednesday April 30, 2025, following an extended illness. Jim was born on Sept. 11, 1939, in …

Faith
The Rev. Dr. Clay Smith: The next pope... EDITOR'S NOTE: This column was written before Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, was chosen as the new pope on Thursday, May 8. I feel strange writing about who will be the next pope. I'm not a Catholic. But I am not of the tribe of Baptists who …
Robert Prevost, first pope from US in history of the Catholic Church, takes the name Leo XIV VATICAN CITY (AP) — Robert Prevost, the Chicago-born missionary who spent his career ministering in Peru and took over the Vatican's powerful office of bishops, was elected the first pope from …
Church news: Wednesday, May 7, 2025 To update your listing or add a listing, please email pressrelease@theitem.com and include Church News in the subject line. First Baptist Missionary Church, 219 S. Washington St., Sumter, will have a Food Pantry Giveaway on Friday, May 9, at 1 …
The Rev. Billy Holland: Straight is the gate, and narrow is the way I hope you have enjoyed the recent messages about heaven lately, and I appreciate the emails expressing your speculations. My statements are my own opinions and calculations and originate from my fascination about what our future home will be like. …
Celebrations
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
Scooter loves to talk to everyone he meets

My name is Scooter, and I am a 3-year-old Manx who loves to cuddle and chitchat. I've been here for a while, and I'm so ready for my family to come take me home. The Sumter SPCA is located at 1140 S. Guignard Drive, (803) 773-9292, and is …

Engagements
Reflections

Reflections by Sammy Way: Pierce Butler, S.C. signer of U.S. Constitution, honored by Sumterite

Reflections recalls a tribute to Pierce Butler by Albert L. Moise, a native of Sumter and son of Gen. E. W. Moise, who was a prominent member of the Philadelphia bar at that time. Moise was selected as one of 11 speakers in Pennsylvania to dedicate …

Yesteryear
From the opinion pages
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