Arrest made in robbery cases FROM STAFF REPORTS
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Police have charged a man linked to at least four armed robberies in the city of Sumter since April, according to a Saturday news release from Sumter Police Department. Detreion Escanante Tomlin, 19, of Brand Street, is charged with four counts each of armed robbery, possession of a weapon during a violent crime and unlawful carrying of a pistol, the release states. Tomlin was arrested Thursday after an armed robbery in the county and later linked to the crimes in the city, according to the
news release. Sumter Police Department detectives said Tomlin is responsible for several armed robberies in which a man, his face partially covered with a shirt, entered businesses with a handgun and demanded money, the TOMLIN release states. Police responded to the following calls in which Tomlin is thought to have been involved: • April 5 — Rite Aid, 225 Washington St.;
• April 14 — Family Dollar, 338 Manning Ave.; • May 8 — CVS, 41 E. Calhoun St.; and • Aug. 23 — Dollar General, 505 N. Lafayette Drive. Charges also have been filed by Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, the news release states. According to police, Tomlin is being held at Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center. An investigation is continuing. Anyone with information regarding any of these incidents should contact Sumter Police Department at (803) 436-2700.
5 SECTIONS, 38 PAGES | VOL. 121, NO. 265
Games galore at Willow Drive bash
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Alice Drive Middle School cheerleader Audrey Shuping helps Madison Parker, 7, learn the arm movements to go with a cheer during the Aldersgate United Methodist Church’s back-to-school party at Willow Drive Elementary School on Saturday morning.
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Aldersgate United Methodist Church sponsored the 3rd annual event
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A Kissing Booth? Face the Cookie? Toilet Bowl Toss? How about a Lollipop Tree? Kids had a dizzying array of games to partake in at the third annual Willow Drive Elementary School Back-to-School Bash on Saturday at the school. The event is held each year by Aldersgate United Methodist Church to distribute school supplies and to promote education. Lynn Boan, program director at Aldersgate, said between teachers and volunteers it takes about 50 people to put on the event. Fundraising included an auction for bas-
kets and desserts and a spring salad lunch sale, she said. It’s gotten bigger,” she said. “More of the students come out each year.” “We have lots of games; that’s what kids like,” she said. “We have lots of fun and games and a good many families come out,”said Rachel Johnston, a teacher at the school and also a member of Aldersgate UMC. “We call ourselves the school’s faith-based partner,” she said. Church Pastor David Day, who recently came to the church from West Columbia, said it was new to him. “It’s something the church and the community put together to give the children a chance to have some fun
and encourage them to do that in life and get a good education,” he said. It’s a wonderful event,” said Principal Liz Compton. “The church has kind of adopted us,” she said. “It’s a lot of work, and we couldn’t put it on without them. I can’t thank them enough.” She complimented the efforts of Johnston and school guidance counselor Lesa Schuping for putting on the event. “It’s a fun event and we have a good turnout,” she said. “The kids enjoy it, and it lets the families feel like they belong to the school.” And for those who are wondering, the kissing booth has nothing to do with lips. It is a game to guess how many chocolate kisses are in a jar.
Sumter says ‘goodbye’ to dedicated pediatrician BY KONSTANTIN VENGEROWSKY konstantin@theitem.com
PHOTO COURTESY OF JIMMY WOOD PHOTOGRAPHY
Dr. William F. “Ted” Young speaks at Sumter Rotary Club recently. Young has been a pediatrician and humanitarian in the Sumter area for more than 40 years.
A longtime Sumter pediatrician, who led South Carolina's first countywide polio immunization drive, and a local humanitarian is leaving the Sumter area after more than 40 years of serving the community. Dr. William F. "Ted" Young, who started his career with Sumter Pediatrics in 1959 with the late Dr. Charles Robert "Pap" Propst, was described as a man whose life exemplifies the ideals of professional
excellence, dedication and service to the children of South Carolina. Roger Ackerman, a longtime friend, described Young as a community-minded man. "He's treated several generations in the Sumter area," Ackerman said. "He's been very involved in every aspect of the community and has always been a tremendous advocate for children." Bob Smith, who has known Young for about 25 years, described him as someone who truly cares about everyone. "He's always been a true gentle-
man and also a very humble man," Smith said. Dr. John E. Rowe, who recently retired from Sumter Pediatrics, served with Young for about 40 years and described him as a great friend and colleague. "Dr. Young was an excellent pediatrician who was great to work with," Rowe said. "He knew how to listen to people and had a big following in the pediatrics world. He is very well respected by others in the field and will be missed in Sumter."
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