Happening Now
Sumter Police Department is searching for the driver of a gray Dodge Charger and is offering up to a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest of the person involved in a fatal shooting on April 10 on Boulevard Road.
Sumter police offer $5K reward for information in fatal Boulevard Road shooting
Teachers Ashley Stokes, left, from St. Anthony Catholic School in Florence, and Alicia Timmons from Liberty STEAM Charter School participate in a group activity at Saturday's workshop at Wilson Hall.
Current brain research a focus of teacher workshop in Sumter
3 committee meetings on tap for Sumter school board
Shakemia Road is a Sumter County road that is difficult for residents as well as postage and EMS vehicles to drive on.
Sumter County Council holds to current law that private roads be privately maintained
Check out the inaugural edition of The Sumter Item Impact

Thousands turn up to Sumter's annual Festival on the Avenue over 3 days

Participants make their way down Manning Avenue on Saturday morning during the Festival on the Avenue parade.
There wasn't a square inch of Manning Avenue that didn't see a smiling face or hear an exciting screech as thousands turned out for the annual Festival on Avenue. Launched in 2007, the festival has seen many changes through the years, from more …
Charles Pulcher moved to Sumter in 2022 and has embraced the change and camaraderie of the Sumter and Shaw community.
Sumter's Next Generation, presented by CCTC: Charles Pulcher embraces change, finds camaraderie in Sumter and Shaw community
SINGLETON
Geraldine Singleton to host free clothes drive in Sumter on April 20
Turbeville's annual Puddin Swamp Festival was held on Saturday, April 14.
Puddin Swamp Festival returns for another year to Turbeville
Senior superlative recognized by Sumter School District Board

Wednesday-Friday, April 17-19, 2024

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Studio Sumter

Welcome to Sumter Today!

Local stories through a local lens.  

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Friends to Follow
SPORTS
New Thomas Sumter head football coach Stacy Bell, left, and Head of School Ben Herod are seen after Bell was introduced to the school.
Thomas Sumter hires Bell to take over football program
Thomas Sumter's Lila Kate Stines watches her second home run against Lee Academy go over the wall in left field on Friday.
Bombs away! TSA and Lee combine for 5 HRs as Lady Generals hold on for 11-6 win
Sumter High's Anthony Addison committed to South Carolina on Friday.
Sumter High’s Addison commits to South Carolina
The East Clarendon softball team won Region V-1A with a win over Carvers Bay on Friday.
East Clarendon softball claims region title with wild win over Carvers Bay
Sumter High's Carson Todd threw a complete game against Conway on Monday.
BASEBALL ROUNDUP: Sumter High opens Conway series with win
National Data Trends
Using COVID relief funds, Arizona canceled massive medical debt for one million residents
These countries are among the biggest gold consumers
Counties with the lowest cost of living in South Carolina; Clarendon and Lee made the list
Guns are the leading cause of childhood death in the US. Here are 6 tips to safely store firearms at home
Workplace fatalities on the rise: These are the top 10 most dangerous jobs in America

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More local news
Clarendon County school debt tax topic again after 20 years
Teens encouraged to apply to McLeod Health Clarendon's Junior Volunteer Program
Sumter High drill team wins 1st place
Tracy Huxley will volunteer during the Reading in the Park portion of the Art in the Park event scheduled for Saturday, April 20, at Memorial Park.
Optimist International president to volunteer at Reading in the Park
Church news: Wednesday, April 17, 2024

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More Sports
ADAM FLASH / THE SUMTER ITEM Thomas Sumter Academy beat Laurence Manning Academy 3-2 at home on Wednesday night, April 17.
PHOTOS: Thomas Sumter soccer hosts Laurence Manning
Sumter High's Marion Davis allowed one run over six innings as the Gamecocks beat Conway 6-1 on Wednesday.
Sumter High baseball clinches 1st home playoff game since 2018
Crestwood's Alanna Dixon rounds third against Lakewood on Tuesday.
Crestwood softball wins shootout against Lakewood; Gators breaks away late for victory
The Wilson Hall baseball team celebrates a home run by Clark Kinney (1) against Laurence Manning on Tuesday.
Wilson Hall baseball claims region crown after dominant 11-0 win over rival Laurence Manning
ADAM FLASH / THE SUMTER ITEM Wilson Hall hosted Laurence Manning on Tuesday, April 16, for the first of a two-game series and won 11-0.
PHOTOS: Wilson Hall baseball hosts Laurence Manning

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Arts & Entertainment
This album cover image released by Sandbox Entertainment/Virgin Music shows "Glorious" by Kate Hudson.

Kate Hudson had a lifetime to make a record. The result is 'Glorious,' out in May

NEW YORK (AP) — More than two decades ago, Kate Hudson took on the role of one of the most celebrated music fans to ever hit the silver screen: Penny Lane in "Almost Famous." It is required …

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Nation & World
President Joe Biden reaches to touch the name of his uncle Ambrose J. Finnegan Jr., on a wall at a Scranton war memorial, Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in Scranton, Pennsylvania. His uncle died in WWII.
Biden is off on details of his uncle's WWII death as he calls Trump unfit to lead the military

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Wednesday misstated key details about his uncle's death in World War II as he honored the man's wartime service and said Donald Trump was unworthy of …

The U.S. Treasury Department building is seen from the Washington Monument in Washington.
U.S. and UK issue new sanctions on Iran in response to Tehran's weekend attack on Israel WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. and U.K. on Thursday imposed a new round of sanctions on Iran as concern grows that Tehran's unprecedented attack on Israel could fuel a wider war in the Middle East. …
This image taken Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, and released by the National Transportation Safety Board, shows a section of Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 that is missing a panel on a Boeing 737-9 MAX in Portland, Oregon.
Boeing in the spotlight as Congress calls a whistleblower to testify about defects in planes Boeing will be in the spotlight during back-to-back hearings Wednesday, as Congress examines allegations of major safety failures at the embattled aircraft manufacturer. The first session will …
An anti-U.S. banner is carried on a truck during Army Day parade at a military base in northern Tehran, Iran, Wednesday, April 17, 2024. In the parade, President Ebrahim Raisi warned that the "tiniest invasion" by Israel would bring a "massive and harsh" response, as the region braces for potential Israeli retaliation after Iran's attack over the weekend.
British envoy says Israel is 'making a decision to act' as Iran vows to respond to any incursion JERUSALEM (AP) — British Foreign Secretary David Cameron said Wednesday that Israel "is making a decision to act" in response to Iran's missile and drone attack over the weekend, while Iran …
In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Emergency Service, rescuers work at the site of a Russian missile strike in Chernihiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, April 17, 2024.
Russian missiles slam into a Ukraine city and kill 14 people as the war approaches a critical stage KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Three Russian missiles slammed into a downtown area of the northern Ukrainian city of Chernihiv on Wednesday, hitting an eight-floor apartment building and killing at least …

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State News
South Carolina Sen. Katrina Shealy, R-Lexington, listens to University of South Carolina student Anusha Ghosh testify at a Senate Finance subcommittee hearing on whether to eliminate sales tax on feminine hygiene products on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in Columbia, S.C.
South Carolina making progress to get more women in General Assembly and leadership roles

COLUMBIA (AP) — At first glance, the all-male South Carolina Senate subcommittee deciding whether to approve a proposal to remove the sales tax from feminine hygiene products was a reminder …

South Carolina Treasurer Curtis Loftis turns to his staff during a state Senate hearing into how $1.8 billion ended up in an account without anyone knowing where it came from or where it went on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, in Columbia, S.C.
Treasurer denies South Carolina Senate accusation he risked cyberattack in missing $1.8B case COLUMBIA (AP) — Days after a contentious public hearing with state senators, Treasurer Curtis Loftis nearly put South Carolina's entire financial system at risk of a cyberattack by saying he …
South Carolina Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, R-Edgefield, speaks about a massive energy bill on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, in Columbia, SC.
Senate opposition leaves South Carolina energy bill with listless future COLUMBIA (AP) — Before a bill that supporters said will help South Carolina keep the lights on as the state rapidly grows could get debated on the Senate floor, several senators spoke out …
Boeing employees walk the new Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner down towards the delivery ramp area at the company's facility after conducting its first test flight at Charleston International Airport, Friday, March 31, 2017, in North Charleston, S.C. A Senate subcommittee has opened an investigation into the safety of Boeing jetliners, intensifying safety concerns about the company’s aircraft. The panel has summoned Boeing's CEO, Dave Calhoun, to a hearing next week where a company engineer, Sam Salehpour, is expected to detail safety concerns about the manufacture and assembly of Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner.
Boeing pushes back on whistleblower's allegations and details how airframes are put together Boeing is defending the integrity of the fuselages on two of its largest planes, which have come under criticism from a whistleblower who warns that panels on the outside of one of the planes could …
GRAHAM
Donald Trump and Lindsey Graham are again at odds, now over abortion. The strife could help both men COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The long and occasionally quixotic relationship between Donald Trump and Lindsey Graham has again turned negative after the South Carolina senator criticized the former …

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Obituaries
NOBLE SYLVESTER TIMMONS JR.

GRAYSON, Georgia — Noble Sylvester Timmons Jr., age 93, beloved husband of 40 years to the late Gladys Virginia Thames Timmons, died on Thursday, April 11, 2024, at Benton House Senior Living …

BROWN

VANESSA KARINE FINERSON BROWN

Vanessa Karine Finerson Brown, 68, wife of David Eugene Brown and daughter of the late Willard E. Finerson and Karine Adams Finerson, was born on March 1, 1956, in Norfolk, Virginia. She departed …

FREDDIE JIM SOUTER SR.

Freddie Jim Souter Sr. died on Saturday, April 13, 2024, in Fayette, Georgia. Born in Sumter County, he was the son of the late Malcolm Eugene Souter Sr. and Cornelia Allice Weston Souter. The family …

DAVID GRANBY JR.

David Granby Jr., 79, son of the late David Granby Sr. and Alverta Bonner Granby, was born on June 15, 1944, in Edenton, North Carolina. He departed this life on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at Dorn VA …

ROSE

WENDELL ROSE

Wendell Rose, 43, son of Carrie Rita Mae Green Rose and the late Alfred John Rose, was born on April 8, 1981, in Sumter County. He departed this life on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in Sumter.Public …

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Faith
The Rev. Dr. Clay Smith: Holding on for dear life When I was a little boy, rodeos had calf scrambles. To give the adult cowboys and cowgirls a break, they would call for all the boys to come into the arena for the calf scramble about midway through the rodeo. The boys were paired up, and then about …
Church news, April 10, 2024 Hearts United Women's Ministry (formerly Knitting Hearts), which meets at Bethesda Church of God, 2730 Broad St., announces: - April 13 - Hearts United will meet from 10 a.m. to noon. Celebrating 20 years of ministry, we invite you to join us for …
The prefect of the Vatican's Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez, presents the declaration 'Dignitas Infinita' (Infinite Dignity) during a press conference at the Vatican, Monday, April 8, 2024.
Vatican blasts gender-affirming surgery, surrogacy and gender theory as violations of human dignity VATICAN CITY (AP) — The Vatican on Monday declared gender-affirming surgery and surrogacy as grave violations of human dignity, putting them on par with abortion and euthanasia as practices …
The Rev. Dr. Clay Smith: Should we add anything to the Bible? I have a lot of Bibles. Occupational hazard. I have my "marrying" Bible, which was a gift from my Aunt Faye, Uncle L.M., Aunt Gloria and Uncle Willard. It's the Bible I use when I marry people. I have my "preaching" Bible, the one I use to hold my …
Celebrations

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Dear Abby
Pets for adoption
Tess is waiting for her family at the Sumter SPCA

Tess is a 1-year-old, tan female hound mix. She is very friendly and affectionate and enjoys playing and getting hugs and kisses. Tess has a happy and loving personality and would be perfect for a …

Weddings

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Engagements
BARWICK, MISS WELCH
Welch-Barwick Allison Lynn Welch of Sumter and Stephen Daniel Barwick of Dalzell announce their engagement. The bride-elect is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Johnny Welch and the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. William R. Tschorn Sr. and the late Mr. and Mrs. …
MR. LEWIS, MISS TOWNES
Townes-Lewis Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Mark Townes of Sumter announce the engagement of their daughter, Whitney Elizabeth Townes of Charleston, to Walter Elliot Lewis of Charleston, son of Ms. Karen Lewis of Jackson, Georgia. The bride-elect is the granddaughter …
Reflections
Hollywood directors came to Sumter in 1943 to shoot several scenes for "A Guy Named Joe" with local actors in Wedgefield.

Reflections by Sammy Way: Movie 'A Guy Named Joe' had scenes shot in Sumter in 1943

Reflections recalls the movie "A Guy Named Joe" filmed in 1943 with various scenes being shot in Sumter, South Carolina. Hollywood press noted, "It would be England for most movie goers in the forthcoming MGM production, but for the people of …

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Yesteryear
Rufe Watson of Sumter set a world record in the senior class division at the National Skeet Shooting Association's tournament at Dallas, Texas, on Aug. 8, 1949.
Yesteryear by Sammy Way: Horseshoe pitching tourney scheduled; Crime Stoppers telethon returns 75 YEARS AGO - 1949 Aug. 9 - 15 - Rufe Watson of Sumter set a new world record in the senior division at the National Skeet Shooting Association's tournament at Dallas, Texas, on Sunday. Watson copped the senior title in the all-gauge event by …
Making use of the facilities offered by the Community Cannery at Edmunds High School is Mrs. Charles Windham Jr., left, on Aug. 3, 1949. The cannery was operated under the agriculture and home economic program of the high school to help farm families conserve food.
Yesteryear by Sammy Way: Shaw hosts surplus sale; city's 1st Easter egg hunt a success 75 YEARS AGO - 1949 Aug. 2 - 8 - Rebel third baseman Hal Harrigan last night hit his 29th home run of the season to tie the Tri-State league record set last year by Leon Cross of Florence. It was the only prize Anderson could salvage from a …
Gertie Goose, seen in July 1949 while laying the goose eggs for a visiting team, was to come to Riley Park in late July that year to work for Sumter's Chicks. And judging from the way the Asheville Tourists were knocking over Florence, the Chicks would need the good luck of Gertie. James O. Tice, owner of Gertie, was getting the scoreboard ready for the big night.
Yesteryear by Sammy Way: Train car is named for Sumter County; Lee builds new high school 75 YEARS AGO - 1949 July 26 - Aug. 1 - Sumter County runs from New York City to Florida these days, not as a result of "imperialistic conquest" but because of improved service on the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad. It's a gag, of course. Truth …

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From the opinion pages
Columnists
BARONE
Opinion: A fail-safe society is sure to fail
Opinion: Disorder on the border remains problem for Democrats
Editorial cartoon: Wednesday, April 10, 2024
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