Education comes to the forefront during annual Sumter Chamber retreat

Sumter School District Superintendent William Wright Jr. makes a presentation on education during the annual Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce retreat at Myrtle Beach last weekend.
Though the Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce has little to do with education (the Chamber's primary goal is to promote Sumter businesses), education snuck its way into its annual retreat on Saturday, Feb. 8, through the retreat's attendees. It …
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Arts & Entertainment

Super Bowl averaged a record 127.7 million U.S. viewers

Despite the game being a blowout, Sunday night's Super Bowl averaged a record 127.7 million U.S. viewers across television and streaming platforms for Philadelphia's 40-22 victory over Kansas City. …

Nation & World
Trump doubles down on plan to empty Gaza. This is what he has said and what's at stake

CAIRO (AP) — Behind U.S. President Donald Trump's vows to turn Gaza into a "Riviera of the Middle East" lies a plan to forcibly drive a population from its land, rights groups say, warning it …

Did prices jump in January? Inflation report will provide latest update on consumer costs WASHINGTON (AP) — Inflation likely stayed elevated last month in the latest sign that consumer price growth has gotten stuck after declining for much of last year. On Wednesday the Labor …
Hegseth makes first visit to NATO with allies impatient to hear about US plans for Ukraine BRUSSELS (AP) — U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday made the first trip to NATO by a member of the new Trump administration, as the allies wait to learn how much military and …
Australian hospital examines patient records after nurse claims to have killed Israelis MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — An Australian hospital is examining patient records after a nurse claimed online to have killed Israelis, officials said Wednesday, stressing that no evidence of …
Bayer backs broadened effort to shield popular weedkiller from claims it failed to warn of cancer DES MOINES, Iowa - A renewed and expanded effort from chemical giant Bayer to shield itself from lawsuits that claim its popular weedkiller Roundup causes cancer brought dozens of protesters to the Iowa Capitol building Monday begging lawmakers to …
State News
When does a heartbeat start? South Carolina Supreme Court again takes up abortion issue

COLUMBIA (AP) — With a heartbeat abortion ban solidly in place in South Carolina, lawyers for the state and Planned Parenthood return to the state's highest court Wednesday to argue how …

Bird-watchers encouraged to take part in annual Baltimore oriole survey S.C. Department of Natural Resources will conduct its annual Baltimore Oriole Winter Survey on Feb. 14-17 in conjunction with the Great Backyard Bird Count. The state natural resources agency is interested in the status and distribution …
Rep. Nancy Mace accuses ex-fiancé, associates of assaulting her, raping others in House speech CHAPIN (AP) — Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina on Monday used a nearly hour-long speech on the U.S. House floor to accuse her ex-fiancé of physically abusing her, recording sex acts …
Remember South Carolina's state forests at tax time The South Carolina Forestry Commission encourages residents to make a charitable contribution to the S.C. State Forests Fund on their tax returns.Taxpayers have the opportunity to support the five state forests - Harbison, Manchester, Poe Creek, …
South Carolina sets next execution date as inmate questions lethal injection doses COLUMBIA (AP) — The South Carolina Supreme Court has set a March 7 date for the latest execution in the state's suddenly busy death chamber. The justices on Friday rejected a request from Brad …
Obituaries
ANNA SCRIVEN GREEN

Anna Scriven Green, daughter of the late Johnston and Fannie Jackson Scriven, was born on Sept. 1, 1924. She departed this life on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025. She attended Sumter County Public Schools …

WILLIAM RANKIN BRUCE JR.

REMBERT — William Rankin Bruce Jr., 77, husband of 52 years to Charlotte “Charlene” Hay Bruce, passed away on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, at MUSC Kershaw Health Medical Center. A …

MITCHUM

ROBERT LEE MITCHUM

Robert Lee Mitchum, 49, husband of 24 years to Donna Mitchum, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025, at MUSC Charleston. Born in Canon City, Colorado, he was the son of Kathleen Ann Martinez Moore and the …

MARCUS ANTONIO FRIERSON

Marcus Antonio Frierson, 45, son of Jennifer Frierson Nelson Gainey and the late Tyrone Walters, was born on March 19, 1979, in Sumter. He departed this life on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, at Prisma …

GREGG

MATTIE LEE GREGG

A public viewing for Mattie Lee Gregg will be held on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the mortuary. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, at noon from Jehovah …

Faith
Living on Purpose: Lord forgive me, and I will be clean God's love and His provision of eternal salvation is the greatest peace and security we could ever hope for. We heard His truth, became convicted, we saw our need for a Savior, and by faith we repented of our sin and cried out for Him to save us. …
Column by the Rev. Dr. Clay Smith: Jesus talks to outsiders; Jesus talks to insiders There are always outsiders who don't quite fit in. Outsiders may be outside by an inch: an odd quirk keeps them out of the inner circle. Outsiders may be outside by a mile: their skin is the wrong color, their religion is wrong, or their culture is …
Trump urges Americans to 'bring God back into our lives' in National Prayer Breakfast speech WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Thursday that his relationship with religion had "changed" after a pair of failed assassination attempts last year, as he advocated at the National …
Living on Purpose: Understanding is not necessary to appreciate The vast complexity of the human mind has fascinated mankind since the beginning. As our divine book of instruction, the Bible says that as a man or woman thinks, so are they. Since we are the accumulation of our thoughts, we cannot overly stress …
Celebrations
John Henry and Kerline Jackson celebrate 70 years of marriage John Henry and Kerline Jackson of Sumter celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2025. The couple, who married on Jan. 12, 1955, celebrated with children and family members at Second Mill Restaurant on Saturday, Jan. 25, …
The Trian Ball of Sumter presents 2 debutantes The Trian Ball of Sumter presented two debutantes on Saturday, Dec. 21, at The Quixote Club. From left are Camryn MacKenzie Bateman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Wilburn Bateman III, escorted by Ashley Hunter Ives Jr. and Cadet …
The Trian Ball The Trian Ball of Sumter will present two debutantes on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, at The Quixote Club. Camryn MacKenzie Bateman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Wilburn Bateman III, will be presented by her father and escorted by Maxwell Alexander …
Les Trente Ball Les Trente Ball of Sumter will present four debutantes on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, at The Quixote Club. Owings Elizabeth Holler, daughter of Mr. David Cornwall Holler and the Rev. Josephine Holler, will be escorted by Greyson Holler and Mason …
Dear Abby
Pets for adoption
Dawn the Lab likes to give big hugs

My name is Dawn, and I am a 2-year-old, blonde, female Labrador retriever. I may be a chunky girl, but my heart is even bigger. I am very treat motivated, but it depends on how tasty it is! I also …

Engagements
Reflections

Reflections by Sammy Way: Julius Rosenwald assisted in building several schools for Black children in Sumter

In observance of Black History month, Reflections focuses on the early development of Black schools in South Carolina during the 1920s and '30s. The author consulted The Sumter Item archives for information and photos as well as Wikipedia …

Yesteryear
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