Happening Now
 More violent crime and crime against property seen in 2020 in Sumter
Various local officials, BD management staff and Hogan Construction officials take part in Wednesday's groundbreaking ceremony for Phase 2 of the local manufacturer's current expansion project.
BD breaks ground on Phase 2 of expansion at Sumter plant
Family, colleagues and athletes said students came first for Ron McBride, who is remembered as a mentor to many in Sumter.
Community remembers Sumter coach, mentor Ron McBride for kids-first mentality
Sumter's Kiara Croskey and the Lady Gamecocks will have to wait a little longer to play in the 5A state title game, as the championship has been postponed due to a Clover High player testing positive for COVID..
Girl's 5A state championship game postponed due to COVID-19
ELIZABETH TODD
Clarendon County juvenile missing

Serving as family: Unclaimed Sumter veteran buried at Fort Jackson with honors

Sumter Mayor David Merchant and his family look on while the casket of Jerry Lynn White is moved before his funeral at Fort Jackson Cemetery on Wednesday.
A small group, including Sumter Mayor David Merchant and his wife and his sons, attended a funeral at Fort Jackson National Cemetery in Columbia on Wednesday to honor Airman Basic Jerry Lynn White. White, a Sumter native, passed away earlier this …

KAYLA GREEN / THE SUMTER ITEM
Nominations open for March's Carolina Grove Teacher of the Month contest
Donors are still able to give blood after they receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
You can donate blood after COVID-19 vaccination
The 40th-Annual Striped Bass Festival in 2019 was the last year the event was held due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Manning's Striped Bass Festival postponed to fall amid continued COVID-19 pandemic

Thursday, March 4, 2021

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Studio Sumter

Sumter Today: South Carolina is moving into Phase 1b of its vaccination rollout

With the announcement from the state yesterday that South Carolina is moving into Phase 1b of its vaccination rollout, teachers, other frontline essential workers, those with high-risk health …

Family, colleagues and athletes said students came first for Ron McBride, who is remembered as a mentor to many in Sumter.
RON McBRIDE • 1971 - 2021
Community remembers Sumter coach, mentor Ron McBride for kids-first mentality
Scott's Branch guard Isaih Washington, center, drives against Southside Christian's Ian Thomson (33) and Jalen Williams (24) during the Eagles' 66-45 loss in the 1A state championship game at USC Aiken Convocation Center on Wednesday.
Scott's Branch falls to Southside Christian in 1A title game 66-45
Sumter's Kiara Croskey and the Lady Gamecocks will have to wait a little longer to play in the 5A state title game, as the championship has been postponed due to a Clover High player testing positive for COVID..
Girl's 5A state championship game postponed due to COVID-19
Wilson Hall's Britton Beasley won the Hines Furniture Athlete of the Week after pitching five innings of 1-hit ball in the Barons' 10-5 win over Porter-Gaud last week. Beasley struck out 10 batters in the Barons' 10-5 victory to open the season.
Wilson Hall's Beasley wins Hines Furniture Athlete of the Week after strong first start
Former Crestwood star and current Memphis guard Ja Morant (12) goes to the the Grizzlies' 125-111 win on Tuesday in Washington.
Morant, Grizzlies pull away early, beat Wizards 125-111
Poll of the Week

Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines were administered to more than 500 first responders and people 65 and older by nurses with McLeod Health Clarendon at the hospital in Manning on a Wednesday in mid-February, with some of the patients receiving their first dose while other received their second, final dose.

Are you in Phase 1B of the COVID-19 vaccine plan?

Have a question you'd like us to ask? Email editor@theitem.com.

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More local news
Prepared COVID-19 Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine syringes are seen at Edward Hospital in Naperville, Illinois, on Dec. 17.
Sumter School District circling back to those who didn't respond to vaccine survey
Neighbors still need help from fund as Sumter weather warms
Col. Timothy Monroe, 25th Attack Group commander, speaks to those in attendance at a groundbreaking Monday. The unit that operates the MQ-9 Reaper from Shaw Air Force Base will have a permanent building for two squadrons and a headquarters building.
Breaking ground on a new home for Shaw Air Force Base's MQ-9 Reaper unit
McLeod Health will hold a mass vaccination clinic at the Darlington Raceway, 1301 Harry Byrd Highway, Darlington, SC 29532, on March 5.
Special exception allows for Phase 1b appointments at mass vaccination clinic in Darlington
DR. WILDER
Summerton residents voice opinions on renaming of St. Paul Elementary School

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More Sports
Scotts Branch lost to Southside Christian in the 1A state title game in Aiken on Wednesday 66-45.
PHOTOS: Scott's Branch falls to Southside Christian in 1A title game
Scott's Branch guard Isiah Washington (3) and the Eagles will face Southside Christian for the SCHSL 1A title on Wednesday at 3 p.m. at USC Aiken Convocation Center.
Scott's Branch inspired by championship loss as they prepare for 1A title game
PHOTOS: Sumter advances to 5A state title game with win over Wando
Sumter wrestling coach Brian Wilson, left, and Davin Jackson pose for a picture after Jackson won the 5A lower state heavyweight title on Saturday.
Sumter's Jackson wins 5A lower state wrestling title with dominant performance
Sumter's Layken Cox (22) and Alicia Spann celebrate the Lady Gamecocks' 34-27 victory over Wando in the 5A lower state championship on Monday.
Lady Gamecocks advance to state championship with win over Wando

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Panorama

Your credit report may be wrong; here's what to do about it

Consumers filed complaints with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in record numbers in 2020, according to a report released Monday by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, a nonprofit …

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Nation & World
GOP state lawmakers seek to nullify federal gun limits

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - With Democrats controlling the presidency and Congress, Republican state lawmakers concerned about the possibility of new federal gun control laws aren't waiting to react. Legislation in at least a dozen states seeks to …

Eager to act, Biden and Democrats leave Republicans behind WASHINGTON - President Joe Biden and Democrats in Congress are jamming their agenda forward with a sense of urgency, an unapologetically partisan approach based on the calculation that it's better to advance the giant COVID-19 rescue package and …
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell
Powell: Higher inflation temporary, no rate hikes in sight WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell suggested Thursday that inflation will pick up in the coming months but that it would likely prove temporary and not enough for the Fed to …
District of Columbia National Guard stand outside the Capitol, Wednesday night, Jan. 6, 2021, after a day of rioting protesters.
Police request 60-day extension of Guard at U.S. Capitol WASHINGTON (AP) — The Capitol Police have requested that members of the National Guard continue to provide security at the U.S. Capitol for another two months, The Associated Press has learned. …
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey
Bucking GOP trend, Alabama governor extends mask order MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Breaking with other Southern GOP governors, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey extended her state's mask order for another month Thursday but said the requirement will end for good …

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State News
SPEARMAN
Spearman against trans sports ban bill

COLUMBIA (AP) - South Carolina's education superintendent made a surprise appearance at a hearing Wednesday to ask House members not to pass a bill that would prevent transgender students from playing on girls sports teams in middle and high …

S.C. Senate adds firing squad to state's execution methods COLUMBIA - South Carolina senators Tuesday added a firing squad to the electric chair as alternatives if the state can't kill condemned inmates with lethal injection. The Senate then approved the bill on a key 32-11 vote with several …
WILSON
Prosecutors seek validation of S.C. abortion ban COLUMBIA - Two of the prosecutors named as defendants in a federal lawsuit challenging South Carolina's new law banning most abortions have argued that a temporary restraining order halting the law from being enacted should be dissolved because the …
Nurse practitioner: 'This guy needs a kidney, I've got two' By MARTHA ROSE BROWN The Times and Democrat HOLLY HILL - Chris Lewis needed a kidney. The Holly Hill 48-year-old father of four needed strength to return to a career he loved as an avionics technician. His dialysis appointments were …
SCOTT
Trump endorses S.C.'s Tim Scott in 2022 Senate reelection bid COLUMBIA (AP) — Former President Donald Trump endorsed U.S. Sen. Tim Scott's 2022 reelection bid Tuesday, continuing to make clear his intent to remain a dominant force in Republican Party …

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Obituaries

DAMERON

HOWARD JOHNSTON DAMERON

Howard Johnston Dameron, age 69, husband of Loretta Gail Dameron, died on Monday, March 1, 2021, at home. Howard was born on July 25, 1951, in Lancaster, and was a son of the late Henry Allen …

HAYWARD OPHELL WILSON SR.

Hayward Ophell Wilson Sr., 65, husband of Edna Cooper Wilson, departed this life on Wednesday, March 3, 2021, at McLeod Hospice House, Florence. He was born on May 19, 1955, in Sumter, a son of the late Edward and Bessie Briggs Wilson. The …

CLINNIE RUTH WILDER

Clinnie Ruth Wilder, age 68, departed this life on Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Sumter. She was born on Aug. 17, 1952, in Sumter, to the late Minnie Lee Reese and Abraham Cocklin. The family is receiving friends at 8 Davis St., Sumter. Please …

MARY CAMERON BIRGERSON

Mary Cameron Birgerson, 79, widow of Alexander O. Birgerson Jr., died on Tuesday, March 2, 2021, at NHC Healthcare. Services will be announced by Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter.

EARNELL MCGHANEY SR.

Earnell McGhaney Sr., 64, of 36 E. Patricia Drive, Sumter, died on Tuesday, March 2, 2021, at Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital. Due to COVID-19, there will be no visitation at the home. Job's Mortuary Inc. is in charge of arrangements.

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Faith
This Sept. 2020 photo provided by Johnson & Johnson shows a clinician preparing to administer the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine.
Abortion concerns prompt archdiocese warning on vaccine NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Roman Catholic leaders in St. Louis and New Orleans are advising Catholics that the COVID-19 vaccine from Johnson & Johnson, newly approved for use in the U.S., is …
United Methodist conservatives detail plans for a breakaway Conservative leaders within the United Methodist Church unveiled plans Monday to form a new denomination, the Global Methodist Church, with a doctrine that does not recognize same-sex marriage. The …
SMITH
The Rev. Dr. Clay Smith: Questions from the children They asked me to meet with the kids at church and answer their questions. No problem. I figure with a college degree and two graduate degrees, I can handle what the kids throw at me. Can anyone see the humble train coming down the track for …
Church News: Friday, Feb. 26, 2021 Freedom Worship Pentecostal Holiness Church, 1490 Florence Highway, announces: * Today-Saturday - Gospel singing at 6 p.m. nightly. Epps Family, Second Chance and Next Chapter will be featured Friday, and Combs Family, The Masters and Next …
Celebrations
MR., MRS. GARY HALL
Mr. and Mrs. Gary Hall of Sumter celebrate 60 years of marriage Mr. and Mrs. Gary Hall, of Sumter, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. They were married on Feb. 25, 1961. The couple's two children are Randy Hall of McDonough, Georgia, and Michelle Cipov of Sumter. The …
MR., MRS. TOM WINSTEAD SR.
Winsteads of Sumter celebrate 71 years of marriage Mr. and Mrs. Tom Winstead Sr. of Sumter celebrated their 71th wedding anniversary on Monday, Feb. 1, 2021. They were married on Feb. 1, 1950, in San Antonio, Texas. The couple's three children are Tom Winstead Jr. of Elkin, North Carolina, Rick …
ELVIE EVANS SCHUMACHER
Schumachers announce birth of a daughter, Elvie Evans Blake Edmund and Sarah Cutler Schumacher of Columbia announce the birth of a daughter, Elvie Evans Schumacher, on Jan. 13, 2021, at Lexington Medical Center, Lexington. Elvie weighed 8 pounds and 3 ounces. She was 19 1/2 inches …
5 generations of the Chandler family Five generations of the Chandler family from left, seated on sofa: Tonya Gainey Casselman, grandmother; Louise Chandler, great-great-grandmother, holding Clinton Casselman, child; Debbie Chandler Gainey, great-grandmother; and seated on floor, Haley …

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Dear Abby
Pets for adoption
Sumter Animal Control's Miles is spunky and friendly

BELOW: Miles is approximately 2-5 years old and weighs 60 pounds. He was found wandering and came to the shelter as a stray. He is beautiful, friendly and spunky. This fella has some demodectic mange around his eyes that we have started treatment …

Weddings
MR., MRS. HERVEY FRIERSON
Hodge-Frierson Faith Hodge and Hervey Richardson Frierson were married on Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021, at the home of the couple in Sumter. The bride is the daughter of the late Mr. Judge Thomas Hodge and the late Mrs. Noonie Lee Frierson Hodge. The bridegroom is …
MR., MRS. SAMUEL L. JOHNSON
Curtis-Johnson LENOIR, North Carolina - Sara Suzanne Curtis of Lenoir, North Carolina, and Samuel Lawrence Johnson of Sumter were united in marriage at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, at Yadkin Valley Baptist Church. The bride is the daughter of Jeff and …
MRS. ZACHARY S. COKER
Lynch-Coker Katherine Lorena Lynch of Alcolu and Zachary Scott Coker of Turbeville were united in marriage at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, at First Baptist Church in Sumter. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Neal C. Lynch of Alcolu and the …
MR. AND MRS. JOHN A. BURR IV
Glaze-Burr CHARLESTON - Sally Glaze and John Aaron Burr IV, both of Myrtle Beach, were united in marriage at 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020, at John Wesley United Methodist Church. The bride is the daughter of Mr. Lee Glaze and Mrs. Frances Glaze of Sumter …

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Engagements
MISS ALLAN
Allan-Miles Mr. and Mrs. Troy William Allan of Summerton announce the engagement of their daughter, Morgan Addison Allan of Summerton, to Mason Hunter Miles of Manning, son of Ms. Stacy Leigh Mosier and Mr. Laurence Wade Andrew McLeod, both of Manning. The …
MR. WINN, MISS MORRIS
Morris-Winn Mike and Tammie Morris announce the engagement of their daughter, Tiffany Alexandria Morris, to Arthur Ryan Winn, son of Arthur and Eileen Winn, all of Sumter. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of the late James and Edna House and Carol Morris …
MR. SOWARDS, MISS COX
Cox-Sowards Richard and Sherry Cox of Dalzell announce the engagement of their daughter, Allison RayAnn Cox of Dalzell, to Garrett Hunter Sowards of Merritt Island, Florida, son of Bradford and Stephanie Sowards of Melbourne, Florida. The bride-elect is the …
Reflections
SUMTER ITEM FILE PHOTOS James H. Aycock erected the Aycock Store and Wedgefield post office in 1879 as the headquarters for his five cotton plantations. Seven clerks lived in the second story. The one-story addition on the right was the early post office. The building stood at the intersection of S.C. 261 and S.C. 763 and was known as "Aycock's Store" by the locals.

Reflections by Item archivist and historian Sammy Way: James H. Aycock, planter and entrepreneur

Reflections recalls a country store once strategically located in Wedgefield, remembered by many as the center of commercial activity in the area. The building was constructed by an entrepreneur, James H. Aycock from North Carolina, who realized its …

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Yesteryear
SUMTER ITEM FILE PHOTO Norman Corbett, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Corbett, who live on the highway between Summerton and Rimini, has a real pal in his pet deer, Lulu Belle, in August 1946. Norman fed the young deer from a baby's milk bottle after he rescued her from being chased by dogs. Lulu Belle at a year old can leap high into the air to get a cracker from his hands.
Yesteryear by Item archivist and historian Sammy Way: Young boxer in beach tournament; octogenarian 1st-time author visits Sumterites 75 YEARS AGO - 1946 Aug. 7 - 11 - South Carolinians were at the polls today in their state Democratic primary to nominate a governor, all state constitutional officers, six congressmen, 147 members of the General Assembly and five solicitors. …
SUMTER ITEM FILE PHOTO New officers installed in April 1971 for the Bland Garden Club for 1971-1972 were: seated is Mrs. Leland E. Brown, president; back row, from left, Mrs. Curtis H. Caulkins, recording secretary; Mrs. James M. Kirby, corresponding secretary; Mrs. W. S. Gardenhire, vice president; and Mrs. John H. Jackson Jr., treasurer.
Yesteryear by Sammy Way: Northrop Black Widow on display at Shaw; former SHS athlete will carry torch 75 YEARS AGO - 1946 July 31 - Aug. 6 - Cotton is already beginning to open in various sections of Sumter County, and, if favorable weather prevails during the next week or 10 days, picking will get underway generally before the middle of the …
SUMTER ITEM FILE PHOTO Sophia Dabbs makes repairs to one of the range houses on her chicken farm at Dabbs Crossroads in July 1946. Rhode Island Reds were grown there under the Record of Production plan. Pullets were taken from the range houses to the laying houses.
Yesteryear by Sammy Way: Sumter police seek Piper cub thief; Sumter Volunteers offers 'shares' 75 YEARS AGO - 1946 July 24 - 30 - Sumter is a good place to live and a good place to work. Most employers pay good wages either because they are fair minded or because, in a competitive sense, they are obliged to do so in order to maintain …

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From the opinion pages
Columnists
DURHAM
Column by Pastor Joey Durham: Jesus will give you the courage you need
Editorial cartoon: Thursday, March 4, 2021
Editorial cartoon: Wednesday, March 3, 2021
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