Superintendent Wright says 'All In' helping move Sumter School District forward

Sumter School District held its State of the District Partnership Breakfast on Thursday, Sept. 26, bringing together district officials and community leaders for food and school updates.
To borrow a phrase from Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney, an "All In" approach has allowed Sumter School District to advance five key pillars of success that are the foundation of its strategic plan. Superintendent William Wright Jr. discussed …
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Friends to Follow
SPORTS
Arts & Entertainment

Kris Kristofferson, singer-songwriter and actor, dies at 88

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kris Kristofferson, a Rhodes scholar with a deft writing style and rough charisma who became a country music superstar and an A-list Hollywood actor, has died. Kristofferson …

Nation & World
Judge strikes down Georgia ban on abortions, allowing them to resume beyond 6 weeks into pregnancy

ATLANTA (AP) — A Georgia judge on Monday struck down the state's abortion law, which took effect in 2022 and effectively prohibited abortions beyond about six weeks of pregnancy. Fulton County …

U.S. port strike by 45,000 dockworkers is all but certain to begin at midnight NEW YORK (AP) — The union representing U.S. dockworkers has signaled that 45,000 members will walk off the job at midnight, kicking off a massive strike likely to shut down ports across the …
U.S. is sending a few thousand more troops to the Middle East to boost security WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. is sending a "few thousand" troops to the Middle East to bolster security and to defend Israel if necessary, the Pentagon said Monday. The announcement follows word …
FBI to pay $22M to settle claims of sexual discrimination at training academy WASHINGTON (AP) — The FBI has agreed to pay more than $22 million to settle a class-action lawsuit alleging female recruits were singled out for dismissal in training and routinely harassed by …
Interstate is closed outside Atlanta as residents evacuate due to a chemical plant fire CONYERS, Ga. (AP) — Some residents east of Atlanta were evacuated while others were told to shelter in place Sunday to avoid contaminants from a chemical plant fire that sent a massive plume of …
State News
Hurricane Helene impacts blood supply: Blood donors needed now

  PIEDMONT – The Blood Connection announced Sunday, Sept. 29, that its blood products inventory is at a critical level in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Though TBC worked …

Secretary of State Mark Hammond urges donors to give smart as the Southeast recovers from Hurricane Helene COLUMBIA -- Today South Carolina Secretary of State Mark Hammond cautioned donors to practice wise charitable giving as the Southeast begins to recover and rebuild from Hurricane Helene.  …
AAA gives insurance advice for Carolinians recovering from Hurricane Helene The Auto Club Group is providing advice to help residents who may have suffered either wind or flood damage from Hurricane Helene.  "Once conditions are safe to do so, begin assessing your …
CAE begins in-terminal phase of checkpoint expansion construction; Passenger flow will be impacted near security screening and exit lanes COLUMBIA – The Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) will soon start the next phase of its multi-million dollar checkpoint expansion project with construction moving inside the terminal. …
DSS working on process to issue replacement benefits for SNAP recipients Due to the impact of Hurricane Helene DSS has received a number of inquiries and concerns from our state’s SNAP recipients on the potential replacement of their SNAP benefits. DSS is diligently …
Obituaries
MAE FRANCES ROBINSON GOODMAN

Mae Frances Robinson Goodman, 79, wife of Grady Goodman and daughter of the late Buster Robinson and Annabell Brown Robinson, was born on July 14, 1948, in Florence County. She departed this life on …

JEANETTE SCARBOROUGH

Jeanette Scarborough passed away on Monday, Sept. 23, 2024, in Columbia at the age of 77. She was born on Nov. 17, 1946, in Sumter to Ernest Sanders Sr. and Dorothy Griffin Porter. Jeanette …

SARA YOUNT NICHOLS

Sara Yount Nichols, 85, widow of Earl Bruce Nichols, died Monday, Sept. 23, 2024. Born in Hollywood, Florida, she was a daughter of the late Noah David Yount and Rena Bertie Simmons Yount. Mrs. …

O'HARA

PATSY (PAT) FAYE BONDS O'HARA

Pat O’Hara passed away peacefully in her sleep on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, at Oaks of Braselton Horizons Memory Care in Hoschton, Georgia. She was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, on May 12, …

DOMINY

AVIS GOODSON DOMINY

Avis Goodson Dominy, 96, widow of Richard Lee Dominy III, died Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, at the home of her daughter. Born in Sumter, she was a daughter of the late Benjamin Hartwell Goodson and …

Faith
Pastor Clay Smith: Dragging the calf... We were working cows down in Florida. We had a bunch of young calves on the ground, some only a few days old. They had made a long trek to the pens with their mamas. Normally, we like to work with calves when they are small, giving them shots, …
You must love God with all that you are In Luke 10:27 and Mark 12:30, we notice that both passages use a fourfold description to explain how we are to love God: Heart, soul, strength and mind. In the Old Testament we find a similar command in Deuteronomy 6:5-6, "And thou shalt love the …
Church news: Sept. 25, 2024 To update your listing or add a listing, please email pressrelease@theitem.com and include Church News in the subject line. Providence Baptist Church, 2445 Old Manning Road, announces: - Sunday, Oct. 6, at 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.; Monday through …
Sumter prays: community, pastors come together to combat violence In an impromptu yet heartfelt gathering, nearly 50 residents from across Sumter County came together for a prayer circle on Wednesday evening before the steps of the old Sumter County Courthouse, determined to push back against the increased gun …
Celebrations
100th birthday celebration for Sumterite Anna Green Sumterite Anna Green celebrates her 100th birthday on Saturday at Saint Mark Four Bridges Baptist Church with family and friends. She is shown here with her niece Gloria McFadden.
Happy 100th birthday, Christine! A century ago, in August 1924, the world was abuzz with change. U.S. Army planes performed the first round-the-world flight, Macy's staged its first Thanksgiving Day parade, and the Roaring '20s were in full swing, bringing jazz and flapper fashion …
Dear Abby
Pets for adoption
This big, sweet boy needs a home without other dogs

Titan is a 3-year-old blue merle-and-white male Great Dane. He is neutered and housebroken and is extremely sweet and affectionate. Titan can be selective about his family and needs a home without other dogs. He can be very picky about who he likes. …

Engagements
Reflections

Dr. E. C. Jones helped found 2nd Black American Legion Post in S.C.

Reflections remembers the beginning of the first Black American Legion Post in Sumter that began addressing the needs of its veteran membership in 1953. This facility became a reality because of the efforts of Edward C. Jones, along with the support …

Yesteryear
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