Annual Porches of Sumter welcomes food, community back to the Historic District

Annual Porches of Sumter found its way back to Sumter's Historic District and featured food, family, festive home decor and fun games and tunes for all ages. See more photos from the event on A13.
Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce's annual Porches of Sumter brought together the charm of Sumter's Historic District with the hospitality of new residents. Liz Tindale and husband-wife duo Dion and Pamela Bowen hosted stops on the food tour for the first time. They have owned …
Studio Sumter

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Friends to Follow
SPORTS
Arts & Entertainment

The Grammys' voting body is more diverse, with 66% new members. What does it mean for the awards?

NEW YORK (AP) — For years, the Grammy Awards have been criticized over a lack of diversity — artists of color and women left out of top prizes; rap and contemporary R&B stars ignored …

Nation & World
When will the power return? Weary Carolinas residents long for relief after Helene's fury

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — The weary and worn residents of Julianne Johnson's neighborhood in Asheville have been getting by without electricity since Hurricane Helene tore through the Southeast last …

Dockworkers' union suspend strike until Jan. 15 to allow time to negotiate new contract DETROIT (AP) — The union representing 45,000 striking U.S. dockworkers at East and Gulf coast ports has reached a deal to suspend a three-day strike until Jan. 15 to provide time to negotiate a …
Hurricane Helene's victims include first responders who died helping others Falling trees and raging floods from Hurricane Helene killed more than 150 people when it struck Florida late last week and then plowed through the Southeast as one of the deadliest storms in U.S. …
U.S. school-entry vaccination rates fall as exemptions keep rising NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. kindergarten vaccination rates dipped last year and the proportion of children with exemptions rose to an all-time high, according to federal data posted Wednesday. The …
Amazon, Target and other retailers are ramping up hiring for the holiday shopping season Retailers are ramping up hiring for the holiday season, but fewer seasonal employees are expected to be taken on this year to help customers in stores and assemble online orders in warehouses. …
State News
South Carolina sets Nov. 1 execution as state ramps up use of death chamber

COLUMBIA — South Carolina's high court on Friday set a date of Nov. 1 to put to death a man who killed a store clerk a quarter-century ago, the second of an expected six executions in about six …

Power restoration efforts ongoing in North Carolina mountains and South Carolina upstate; company provides updated information CHARLOTTE, N.C. – More than 21,000 workers continue to make progress restoring power to Duke Energy customers in western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina following Helene’s …
Federal court rejects Murdaugh's appeal that 40 years is too harsh for stealing millions COLUMBIA (AP) — A federal court has rejected Alex Murdaugh's request to throw out his 40-year sentence for stealing from clients and his law firm. The disgraced South Carolina lawyer said his …
Grandparents found hugging each other after fallen tree killed them in their South Carolina home As Hurricane Helene roared outside, the wind howling and branches snapping, John Savage went to his grandparents' bedroom to make sure they were OK. "We heard one snap and I remember going back there …
S.C. electric cooperatives restore power to 75% of statewide system COLUMBIA – South Carolina’s electric cooperatives have now restored power to more than 320,000 consumers statewide, turning the lights back on for more than 75% of the co-op members who …
Obituaries
ASBURY CECIL SMITH

TURBEVILLE — Asbury Cecil Smith, 67, husband of Sandra Kay Smith, died Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, at Prisma Health Tuomey. Born Jan. 1, 1957, in Manning, he was a son of the late David …

CHARLES JOSEPH EVENICH SR.

Charles Joseph Evenich Sr., age 64, beloved husband of 42 years to Jayne Evenich, died on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at McLeod Health Clarendon Hospital. You may go to www.bullockfuneralhome.com and …

BEVERLY ANN WILSON

Beverly Ann Wilson departed this life on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, at Prisma Health Richland, Columbia. Born Aug. 3, 1961, in Sumter County, she was the daughter of the late Mamie Lee Wilson and …

FICKLING

FRANK WALKER FICKLING JR.

Frank Walker “Smokey” Fickling Jr., 95, husband of Hazel Graham Fickling, died Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, at Agape House of Lexington. Born Oct. 20, 1928, in Sumter, he was a son of …

EMMA LOUISE RICHBOW HABERSHAM

Emma “Amy” Louise Richbow Habersham was born May 15, 1928, in Horatio to the late James Elijah and Amelia "Lizzy” Pringle Richbow. She departed this earthly life on Sept. 26, 2024. …

Faith
Rev. Dr. Clay Smith: Don't give up There was a judge in town who was crooked. Most everyone knew it, but no one had ever proved it. If you knew the right people and had the right amount of money, you could win your case, no matter how guilty you were. He was involved in all kinds of …
Church news: Oct. 2, 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 …
There are some things God cannot do When we think about God being The Almighty, we see Him as having infinite power and authority in heaven and earth, and this is certainly true. Remember the passage in Matthew 19:26 where Jesus is explaining to His disciples about how difficult it is …
New First Presbyterian pastor finding his fit; Rawson has been in post since March Seven months into his tenure at First Presbyterian Church and the Rev. Stewart Rawson is pleased with what he has seen so far. Rawson said the congregation has always been committed to serving the local community through various ministry efforts, …
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
Louie loves people and enjoys being a lap buddy

 Louie is a 4-year-old, black-and-white, male American shorthair. He is neutered and housebroken and quite handsome. Louie loves people, even kids! He is wonderful with other cats but prefers a …

Engagements
Reflections

Reflections by Sammy Way: The depot proved important to early Sumter travelers

Reflections remembers the large number of depots found within Sumter County and numerous surrounding communities. The depot is often defined as "a place where buses, trains or other vehicles are housed and maintained and from which they are …

Yesteryear
From the opinion pages
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