Possum Trot Festival returns to Pinewood for 1st time in 30 years
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Local stories through a local lens.
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What to Stream: 'Civil War,' Snow Patrol, 'How to Die Alone,' Sylvester Stallone and 'Uglies'
Hallmark launching a streaming service with two new original series, and Bill Skarsgård out for revenge in "Boy Kills World" are some of the new television, films, music and games headed to a …
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James Earl Jones, acclaimed actor and voice of Darth Vader, dies at 93
NEW YORK (AP) — James Earl Jones, who overcame racial prejudice and a severe stutter to become a …
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Maya Rudolph gets career Emmy No. 6, Angela Basset wins her first at Creative Arts Emmys
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Maya Rudolph won her sixth career Emmy on Saturday night, taking the trophy for …
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'Beetlejuice Beetlejuice' jolts box office with $110 million opening weekend
After 36 years of waiting, the juice is finally loose again in "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice," this time …
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Sumter County Gallery of Art's opening of new exhibits sparks conversation, reflection with artist Kevin Cole
Visiting Sumter County Gallery of Art's newest exhibitions goes beyond an encounter with art but is a …
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Fall is bringing fantasy (and romantasy), literary fiction, politics and Taylor-ed book offerings
NEW YORK (AP) — Brandon Sanderson, whose epic "Wind and Truth" is a highlight of the upcoming …
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Sumter's Patriot Hall begins renovations with $5M in allocated money
Sumter's beloved Patriot Hall is about to get a fresh, new look. After decades of hosting …
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Sumter Little Theatre opens 85th year with hilarious spin on family dynamics
Whether it's the number of licks it takes to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop or the peeling of …
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What to Stream: George Strait, 'Rebel Ridge,' Astro Bot, 'Slow Horses' and Mormon influencers
"The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives," a docuseries following young wives in Utah, and the suspenseful …
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Angelina Jolie dazzles Venice Film Festival with 'Maria,' a biopic about opera legend Maria Callas
VENICE, Italy (AP) — For Angelina Jolie, portraying the famed opera singer Maria Callas meant …
Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. will pay $1.5 million to settle charges that it made inaccurate statements about the recyclability of its K-Cup single use beverage pods, according to the U.S. Securities and …
The 155th South Carolina State Fair will return to Columbia Oct. 9-20 with the theme 46 Reasons to Celebrate South Carolina. "This year's theme allows us to incorporate new exhibits and attractions that highlight and educate …
Roachell Martin Jr. went home to be with the Lord peacefully on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, at Lexington Medical Center, Columbia. He was born on Feb. 9, 1940, to the late Roachell Martin Sr. and Amelia …
Ollie Mae Sharpe Meeks, 99, widow of Richard L. Meeks died Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at her home. Born in Eastover, she was a daughter of the late Benjamin B. Sharpe and Mae Belle McLain Sharpe. Ollie …
Lindsay Monte Thompson, 62, son of the late George Thompson and Lula Gamble Thompson, was born on Dec. 21, 1961, in Clearwater, Florida. He departed this life on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, at his …
Susan Beth Feldsott, 65, passed away on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at her home. The family has chosen Bullock Funeral Home for the arrangements. www.bullockfuneralhome.com
On Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, Ronald James Saunders, "Pops", husband of Marjorie Fleming Saunders, passed away peacefully at Prisma Health Tuomey in Sumter. Born on Tuesday, July 12, 1932, in Youngstown, …
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Dear Abby, Sept. 11, 2024: Woman's unorthodox romance has unintended consequence
DEAR ABBY: A close male friend, "Will," ended our friendship without warning. I didn't know he had such strong feelings about my current …
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Dear Abby, Sept. 10, 2024: Girlfriend rejects proposal offered with one big catch
DEAR ABBY: My boyfriend's mom has dementia. He asked me and my kids to move in with him and said he would marry me. In exchange, he expected me …
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Dear Abby, Sept. 9, 2024: Silence from relatives deepens loss of mother
DEAR ABBY: Two years ago, my mother developed a small nagging cough, and her overall health started to decline. She entered the hospital on a …
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Dear Abby, Sept. 8, 2024: Husbands feel out of place dancing with their wives
DEAR ABBY: I'm married, and in my mid-40s. My wife and I have a robust social life, for which we both feel very lucky and blessed. We have …
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Sage is a 10-month-old, tan-and-white, female German shepherd/Pit mix. She is wise beyond her 10 months and loves to live to the fullest. Sage is the happiest dog you will ever meet. She has a contagious smile that makes you giggle, and she …
Reflections by Sammy Way: Brogdon Station was Southern micro community in Sumter
Reflections remembers two families who settled in the rural areas of Sumter County that became known as Britton Siding and Brogdon Station. These two families played an important role in Sumter's history. This piece will focus on the Brogdons to …
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Reflections by Sammy Way: T. Douglas Youngblood named Sumter's 1950 'Man of The Year'
Reflections remembers Thomas Douglas Youngblood and his tireless dedication to our city's improvement. …
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Reflections by Sammy Way: Ralph Haddon and Don Browning were named Studebaker dealers in Sumter
Reflections remembers the Studebaker automobile and its contributions to the auto industry. According to …
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Many Sumter landmarks have vanished over time
Reflections remembers many of Sumter's landmarks that have been razed or altered to make room for new …
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Reflections by Sammy Way: Clevenger Business College opened in Sumter in 1950
Reflections remembers Clevenger College and its impact on the city of Sumter. The business school was …
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Reflections by Sammy Way: Part II: John Blount Miller, public spirited and advocate of education
This is part two in a two-part series about John Blount Miller and the numerous contributions he …
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Reflections by Sammy Way: John Blount Miller, public spirited and advocate of education
Reflections remembers John Blount Miller and the numerous contributions he made to the development …
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Reflections by Sammy Way: Mount Vernon Motor Court announces formal opening in 1954
Reflections remembers the arrival of one of Sumter's attractive motor inns. The Mount Vernon Motor …
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Reflections by Sammy Way: Sumter's hotels
This edition of Reflections remembers the construction of numerous hotels in downtown Sumter. These …
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Letter to the editor: Great leadership is building consensus among everyone
I continue to wonder how the mayor and county chair sleep at night, knowing the condition of Sumter. Great leaders are able to build consensus …
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Letter to the editor: Delegation violating rights ahead of November election
As we approach the November 2024 election, the Lee County Board of Voter Registration and Elections is vacant at least one member. As prescribed …
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Letter to the editor: All Christians 'hold to' foundational Old Covenant commandments of god
Mark 7:6-8 describes every Trinitarian worldwide, "And he said to them, Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, 'This …
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Letter to the editor: Priceless shotgun was earned through hard work
In 1959, I was 12 years old and wanted to hunt with my friends. My friend, Jimmy Barwick, had a .410 shotgun for sale for $10. I asked my Dad to …
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Letter to the editor: We already pay county, city enough in various taxes
The Sumter Item recently published an article on the proposed Sumter County "Penny for Progress" sales tax increase that will be up for vote in …
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Letter to the editor: Tide is turning drastically against Republicans
I read with amusement the Sellar and Richardson (Bob) attempts to show their MAGA credentials. Totally incoherent ramblings that even Jethro …
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