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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013 | SUMTER, SOUTH CAROLINA

VOL. 119, NO. 50 WWW.THEITEM.COM

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Shaw releases Nativity statement Controversy sparks branch-wide review of holiday display protocol

BY RAYTEVIA EVANS revans@theitem.com The removal of a Nativity scene near Memorial Lake at Shaw Air Force Base has prompted bases throughout the military branch to contact headquarters in Washington, D.C., for clarifications on holiday display guidelines.

According to Shaw Public Affairs Officer Lt. Keavy Rake, top Air Force officials took the

time to specify what bases everywhere could do regarding holiday displays. “Our headquarters put together a memo for base chaplains and base legal teams to clarify and make sure everyone is uniform across the board,� Rake said.

In the memo, the Air Force clarified that items such as Nativity scenes and menorahs SEE NATIVITY, PAGE A4

AIRMAN 1ST CLASS JONATHON L. BASS / SPECIAL TO THE ITEM

Airmen string lights on the Shaw holiday tree at Memorial Lake recently at Shaw Air Force Base.

The annual tree-lighting ceremony, hosted by the 20th Fighter Wing Chapel, was held Dec. 6.

Legislators gather for breakfast forum

Pinewood plans special election for mayoral post

Infrastructure top issue at annual meet

BY TYLER SIMPSON tyler@theitem.com

BY BRISTOW MARCHANT bmarchant@theitem.com When county residents went to meet with their legislators on Wednesday, many of them were apparently thinking about the pavement under their feet.

Sumter County’s infrastructure needs took up much of the discussion time at the annual legislative breakfast at Central Carolina Technical College’s Health Sciences Center. Most of the questions submitted by the audience ahead of time focused on roadwork in the county, and members of Sumter’s legislative delegation agreed it’s a major issue.

Road work isn’t just an incon-

PHOTOS BY BRISTOW MARCHANT / THE ITEM

Sumter County legislators had a meal and a cup of coffee Wednesday at the annual legislative breakfast. From left are Reps. David Weeks, Murrell Smith and Grady Brown, Sens. Kevin Johnson and Thomas McElveen and Rep. Robert Ridgeway.

venience for drivers locally; it could also have an impact on the area’s economic development. “521 could be Sumter’s superhighway,� state Sen. Thomas

McElveen, D-Sumter, said of the U.S. highway running between Interstate 95 and Interstate 77, SEE BREAKFAST, PAGE A10

Senator files bill targeting offenders on bond

BY BRISTOW MARCHANT bmarchant@theitem.com Criminals who commit new offenses after making bond on their first charge could face extra time behind bars under a bill slated to be

considered by the S.C. Senate.

State Sen. Thomas McElveen, D-Sumter, has pre-filed a bill for the legislative session beginning in January that would give prosecutors and judges the

Tuomey CEO sees changes ahead.

A10 ability to add time to the sentences of criminals who commit their crimes while on bond.

McElveen’s proposal would allow 40 percent of the maximum sentence for the crime to be added to their time. “We’ve seen recent high-profile cases of

Pinewood Town Council will hold a special election on March 4, which is 13 Tuesdays after council members received a letter of resignation from former Mayor Al Pridgen as required by state law.

According to a letter from Bill Taylor, field services manager for the Municipal Association of South Carolina, the date for the special election should be determined by the date the resignation letter was received, since the letter does not contain an effective resignation date.

Instead, Pridgen’s declaration says it is effective “upon receipt of this letter,� even though the letter is dated Oct. 31, indicating the former mayor had been contemplating resigning for some time. “After prayerful thought, the recent death of my wife, Glady G. Pridgen, the health problems I’m having, and the changes in PRIDGEN my life, I feel I can no longer fulfill the duties of Mayor for the town of Pinewood,� Pridgen’s letter reads.

Under state law, the filing by candidates for the election will be opened at noon on Dec. 20, the third Friday after council received Pridgen’s letter, and will be closed 10 days later.

According to Pinewood Town Clerk Felicia

SEE McELVEEN, PAGE A4 SEE PINEWOOD, PAGE A4

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Connecticut resident with 6,704 ecstasy pills charged

BY TYLER SIMPSON tyler@theitem.com A 27-year-old Connecticut man has been charged with drug trafficking after police discovered 6,704 ecstasy pills in his vehicle.

According to the Sumter County Sheriff’s office, Shane Anthony Cole was parked at a northbound rest area

along Interstate 95 on Tuesday when an officer ran a probable cause COLE search of the vehicle with his drug dog, which led to discovering ecstasy pills inside a white trash bag located in the trunk and a bottle of

pills in Cole’s suitcase.

“It’s not unusual for us to have drug busts along the interstate around the holidays,” said Sumter County Sheriff Anthony Dennis.

“In fact, it’s around the time they most likely occur.”

Cole was arrested and sent to Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center to await trial.

The pills were confiscated and placed into evidence. Several lottery tickets, three cellphones, a Galaxy Note phone, three notebooks and miscellaneous papers were also found in the vehicle.

The arresting officer was patrolling the area on foot when he observed a silver 2012 Volkswagen with heavily

tinted windows. In the driver’s seat was Cole, who told the officer that he was traveling back home to Connecticut from Florida after “hanging out with friends” in Houston, Texas, for a few days.

When asked to provide trip details, Cole could not give a clear explanation, which led the officer to become

suspicious. When the officer asked if he could search the vehicle, Cole denied permission but consented to a free air sniff by the officer’s drug dog.

The car was not registered to Cole, though he told the officer that it belonged to a family friend.

Reach Tyler Simpson at (803) 774-1295.

Cash for tips: Officers ask for donations to keep program going phone number — (803) 436-2718 — or the toll-free number — 1 (888) 274Crime Stoppers doles 6372 — when the individout cash rewards for tips ual thinks he or she has that lead to arrests. information pertaining to But if the nonprofit a crime. does not have the money “A lot of people call the to give out, it can’t func1-888-CRIMESC,” Hodge tion. said. “Someone answers “We’ve been operating that phone pretty much 24 at a deficit for hours a day, several years,” seven days a said Marie WANT TO week. You can Hodge, secreDONATE? remain anonytary for the mous. Most Sumter County Tax-deductible donapeople don’t Crime Stoppers tions may be sent to: want anybody board. “FundSumter County Crime to know they raising has been Stoppers called the tip in. rather slow In care of Greater Sumter They are given a since 2008 Chamber of Commerce code number (when) the 32 E. Calhoun St., Sumter, and instructed economy went SC 29150 to call back in south. We still about a week.” continue to reWANT TO CALL While the ceive tips, and IN A TIP? toll-free number we still pay out goes to Columrewards for sucLocal: (803) 436-2718 bia, volunteers cessful ones.

Toll free: 1-888-CRIMESC there determine We’ll continue (1-888-274-6372) which law-ento do that until forcement we’re out of agency it goes funds.” to. If they have a question That would be a shame, about if it is Clarendon said local law enforceCounty or Sumter County, ment. the volunteers would send “It’s a good tool for us,” it to both counties, Hodge said Lt. Robert Burnish said. with the Sumter County “An interesting tidbit is Sheriff’s Office. “It’s some- that 100 percent of the dothing that we strongly nations collected go back need. I hope it stays into our reward program,” around for a very long Hodge said. “We don’t retime.” ceive any stipend from He has worked with the any government. We are organization for many members of the chamber, years, but it was in the so we pay dues, but we spring of this year that he have no paid employees. became more directly inWe’re all volunteers.” volved, reviewing tips that The rewards given are might fall in the county’s based on factors such as jurisdiction and making type of crime, number of sure the information gets people arrested and recovto the right division, Burered property or narcotics. nish said.

“Serious crimes such as “Crime Stoppers has murder get a higher rebeen a valuable asset to ward,” Hodge said. “If it is law enforcement,” said an arrest on an outstandDeputy Chief Alvin ing warrant, it is more like Holston with the Sumter $100 or $200.”

Police Department. “InBut people don’t always formation provided follow up. through Crime Stoppers “Some people do it just has resulted in the arrests to get a person off the of fugitives and helped to street or help solve a solve numerous crimes. crime,” Hodge said. “We With their assistance, we have that more often than have been able to take you might imagine. some potentially danger“Crime Stoppers has alous criminals off the ways been a great organistreets. Law enforcement’s zation. It’s led to almost $5 job would become signifi- million in recovered propcantly more difficult with- erty and getting narcotics out their help.” off the street since 1981.”

The way it works is a Reach Jade Anderson at person calls the local (803) 774-1250.

BY JADE ANDERSON janderson@theitem.com

BRADEN BUNCH / THE ITEM

The Alice Drive Elementary School Chorus performs at the Sumter School District Board of Trustees meeting their school hosted on Monday. The chorus, consisting of fourth- and fifth-grade students, is conducted by Anne Dupree Davé, the school’s music teacher, who is also a former teacher of the year at the school.

Prevent holiday brain drain this year

BY RAYTEVIA EVANS revans@theitem.com With two full weeks to celebrate the holidays and ring in the new year, students in Sumter County School District will be out of the classroom and without daily instruction until Jan. 6. Although it is encouraged to enjoy their muchneeded winter break, it is just as important to continue with educational activity to keep the mind alert.

During break, parents can help younger children contain information they’ve learned this past fall semester. Delcia Harper-Baxter, principal at Lemira Elementary School, said she has asked her students’ parents to ask three questions every day, and she hopes they continue to engage their children in different ways throughout winter break.

“I tell my parents they should ask three things: What did you learn today? How did you learn it? How can you use what you’ve learned?” HarperBaxter explained. “It’s so important to play with your children and talk to them every day and plan some family time and some educational time.”

For elementary- and middle-school students, parents can involve them in different activities to help sharpen their reading, writing and math skills, according to Dr. Joan Sagona, Sumter School District assistant superintendent of instruction. Some activities Sagona said might be helpful over the two-week break include reading for fun and encouraging relatives to give books as holiday gifts and writing thankyou notes for gifts to help with

writing and spelling skills.

At Pocalla Springs Elementary School, Principal Dr. Laura Brown said teachers send home a weekly newsletter to inform parents about what their children are learning. Parents are encouraged to match some of the students’ activities with the standards they have learned this fall.

“In third grade, students have been talking about how water and other substances change from one state to another (melting, freezing, condensing, boiling, evaporating),” Brown explained in a recent email. “In the kitchen, parents might demonstrate how to melt butter for a recipe or discuss why water forms on the outside of a glass of tea.”

As for gifts, children usually ask for game consoles, handheld video games, music players, cellphones and clothes and other items for the holidays.

However, educational gifts are advised as well to encourage children to keep their skills sharp throughout winter break.

“Read with your kids, or have them read to you. And for the holidays, make sure there’s an educational gift under the tree. An Xbox One is fine as a gift, but they can also always use a book about something that interests them.”

Brown also said a few other activities that are fun and educational for the holiday season include painting or coloring a picture of the family Christmas party, creating a word search using family members’ names and designing and creating ornaments.

High school students can also keep their minds sharp throughout the holiday break.

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KEEP SKILLS SHARP According to Scholastic, families can help their elementary- and middle-school students keep their minds sharp with some of these activities: • Keep measuring skills sharp by inviting your child to help cook a meal or special treat.

• Make the most of car rides by turning the drive into an opportunity to practice letters and numbers.

• Maintain reasonable bedtimes. A few days before school starts up again, ease back into the regular bedtime schedule.

• Let children help with online shopping, which will help enhance computer and research skills.

• Have a family game night. Many board and card games reinforce skills such as counting, reading and drawing.

Yvette Jackson, CEO for the National Urban Alliance, suggests the following activities for high-school students during winter break: • The National Parks Foundation, Ball State University and the Smithsonian Institution all offer virtual field trips that give students a close-up view of popular destinations around the United States and the world. Talk with your child about the experience.

• Visit a museum or art gallery and reflect on what was learned.

• Take this time to learn more about applying for college or explore a future career.

• Encourage children to give back to their community through service projects. Community service looks great on a college application.

Sagona suggests high-school students take time to volunteer, conduct independent research or participate in educational ventures.

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CORRECTIONS: If you see a statement in error, contact the City Desk. Corrections will appear on this page.

LOCAL / STATE

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013

THE ITEM

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SUMTER SCHOOL DISTRICT OFFICE BEAUTIFICATION

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Daniel Atkinson, left, a Sumter High School senior who attends the turf and landscape technology class at Sumter Career and Technology Center, plants flowers along with his instructor, John Weathers, at the Sumter School District Office off Wilson Hall Road. The students grew the pansies in the center’s greenhouse before transplanting them at the district office.

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Lodging revenue, admission taxes up MYRTLE BEACH — There are more signs South Carolina’s tourism industry is continuing its strong recovery from the recession.

The head of the local chamber of commerce told city council Tuesday that admission tax revenue is up 6 percent while lodging revenues are up about 5 percent this year, The Sun News of Myrtle Beach reported.

Chamber President and CEO Brad Dean said the area’s local option 1 percent sales tax has paid for marketing to increase the number of visitors. Dean said 38 percent of those who came to the area last year were first-time visitors, up from 34 percent in 2011.

Belk expanding distribution center COLUMBIA — Belk Inc. is expanding its distribution center in Union County and expects to hire 170 additional people.

The department store announced plans Wednesday to invest an additional $32 million next year to increase the center’s capacity. The company spent $9 million this year on the 500,000-square-foot facility in Jonesville, following a 2012 announcement. The company initially promised 124 jobs.

The facility fulfills customers’ online purchases. The retailer says online sales have increased by more than 50 percent this fiscal year, compared to the same time last year.

Man shot in Greenville apartment found dead GREENVILLE — Authorities said a 21-yearold man has been killed after a shootout inside a Greenville apartment.

Investigators said Denzel Hayden was found dead on the sidewalk, while a second man was wounded inside the apartment.

Witnesses said they saw three other men running away from the apartment after the shooting.

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Beaufort County oak is 2013 Heritage Tree BURTON — An oak tree estimated to be as many as 400 years old has been designated South Carolina’s Heritage Tree for 2013.

The Island Packet of Hilton Head reported the honor went to the Cherry Hill live oak in Burton. The award was presented Tuesday by Trees SC, a nonprofit group that works to preserve South Carolina’s urban and neighborhood forests.

The tree is on a 10acre site owned by an Augusta, Ga., company.

Development plans for the area have not been

mapped out, but the owners say the tree will be protected.

Arizona man pleads guilty in Ponzi case GREENVILLE — A 22-year-old Arizona man has pleaded guilty as part of a multimillion-dollar South Carolina Ponzi scheme.

U.S. Attorney Bill Nettles said Wednesday that Benton T. Hall of Mesa, Ariz., had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to obstruct justice.

Hall was charged as part of the case of Ronnie Wilson, a former Anderson County councilman currently in federal prison after pleading guilty to mail fraud.

Authorities said Wilson took millions of dollars from investors through his business, Atlantic Bullion & Coin, but never actually bought them the silver bullion he promised.

STOLEN PROPERTY:

VANDALISM:

An air-conditioning unit was reportedly stolen from the 700 block of Flamingo Road between Nov. 6 and Dec. 1.

The unit is valued at $4,000.

A refrigerator, a stove and a two-ton air-conditioning unit were reportedly stolen from a home in the first block of Logan Street between 9 p.m. Nov. 25 and noon Tuesday. The items are valued at $1,800.

An electric generator was reportedly shoplifted from the 2700 block of Broad Street between 4:25 p.m. and 4:54 p.m.

The generator is valued at $580.

An iPad was reportedly stolen from a unlocked car in the 300 block of Broad Street between noon and 2 p.m. Tuesday.

The iPad is valued at $619.

A vending machine in the 400 block of North Guignard Drive was reportedly broken into between 5 p.m. Monday and 7:40 a.m.

Tuesday. The door was forced open and an unknown amount of money stolen.

Damage is estimated at $1,500.

EMS CALLS:

On Monday, Sumter County Emergency Medical Services responded to 37 calls.

Thirty-one were medical calls, three were motor-vehicle wrecks, and three were listed as “other trauma.�

On Tuesday, Sumter County EMS responded to 49 calls.

Thirty-nine were medical calls, five were motor-vehicle wrecks, one was a fire standby, and four were listed as “other trauma.�

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NATIVITY from Page A1 can be displayed in holiday representations. Sole displays, however, should be located on chapel grounds to avoid giving the idea that the Air Force excludes service members or others who practice different religions. Rake said the display being arranged at Memorial Lake wasn’t an issue; the problem was that the Nativity scene was the sole religious representation on base.

Shaw removed its Nativity scene about 5 p.m. Friday after receiving a phone call from Mikey Weinstein, the president and founder of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, who said a number of airmen had contacted the organization expressing their concerns about the display. The display was put up by a group of volunteers from Shaw Chapel.

Previously, Rake said Shaw’s legal team received a call from the Air Force headquarters, and they took down the display about an hour before the base hosted its tree-lighting ceremony. Since being notified of the complaints, Rake said they still haven’t received suggestions or offers for other religious representations for the holiday display, and they haven’t heard complaints directly from anyone on base.

The removal of the Nativity scene hit a nerve in the Sumter community, prompting many to speak out. In fact, some community members are organizing a peaceful demonstration in protest of the removal of the Nativity scene from the base. Sumter resident Alice Cato, who has been helping get people together for the protest, said this incident emphasizes how people are attacking Christianity.

“It seems to me that the Christian belief is the religion that is always under attack,” Cato said. “For me personally, if they (Shaw) had a Buddha statue or other religions with it, I wouldn’t mind because

Official statement from Shaw Air Force Base “A group of volunteers set up a nativity scene near Memorial Lake. All faith-based and secular groups were offered an opportunity to put up holiday displays; however, only one group elected to do so resulting in the nativity scene being the sole display.

Based on only one faith group being represented, 20th Fighter Wing officials determined the appropriate course of action was to celebrate the holiday season consistently and elected to remove the nativity scene from Memorial Lake. The eventual status of the lakeside nativity scene is under deliberation.”

Christianity would be represented with the Nativity scene. Everyone has the freedom of expression, and I do respect other people’s beliefs.”

The protest, which Cato said will be peaceful, is planned for 2 p.m. Sunday at Tony’s Gun Shop across from Shaw Air Force Base.

Cato said they have been getting the word out by making phone calls, sending emails and word of mouth. If Shaw puts up the display before Sunday, Cato said she personally believes they should still take a stand and proceed with the demonstration.

At least one announced candidate for public office has decided to make the issue political, as well.

Bill Connor, Republican candidate for U.S. senator, released a statement Wednesday calling on Sen. Lindsey Graham to restore the Nativity scene on Shaw Air Force Base.

“The obligation to ensure that military families serving and working have religious expression rights falls to the members of the House and Senate, not Pentagon bureaucracy or even, for that matter, the president,” Connor said. “I would like to know where Sen. Graham stands on this issue. On this issue involving the military, freedom, the Constitution and his home state, his uncharacteristic silence is puzzling.”

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013

PINEWOOD from Page A1 Benbow, Pridgen’s mayoral term would have ended in November, which means the elected candidate will fill the vacancy for seven months before the next general election. Mayor Pro Tempore Sarah Mathis will serve as acting mayor until March.

Last Tuesday, council received Pridgen’s letter but did not make it known to the public until the following Friday at an emergency meeting. Mathis said that Pridgen told her not to open the letter until Dec. 17, which caused confusion about when the special election should be held.

Taylor said that the confusion regarding the resignation letter probably centered on how Benbow was at Town Hall at the time the letter was received, opened it and did not distribute it immediately to other council members.

“The clerk probably should have immediately shared the letter with all members and understands that, but

McELVEEN from Page A1 horrific crimes committed by offenders who were released on bond,” said McElveen. “By providing our prosecutors a new option to stiffen penalties for those violent criminals who insist on committing additional serious and violent offenses while awaiting trial, we will assist them in ensuring that the folks who truly belong in jail remain incarcerated.”

The senator uses the example of someone on bond for a burglary charge who commits armed robbery, which carries a sentence of 10

there is no harm done in my opinion,” Taylor said.

Mathis, along with council members Leonard Houser and Jackie Spann, went into executive session during an emergency meeting Friday, which she said during Tuesday’s meeting was “illegal and invalid.”

“I was unclear as to why council called an ‘emergency meeting’ and went into executive session regarding this and any other matter,” Taylor said in his letter.

“Houser indicated that there was a discussion about personnel, but it did not sound like the council stated that item specifically as required under (The Freedom of Information Act).”

Mathis said during Tuesday’s meeting that the emergency meeting was held because the situation called for it and she was unsure of what else to do at the time.

“The council needs to be careful in conducting its meetings, as it can be perceived that council is somehow trying to carry on business that warrants public scrutiny behind closed doors,” Taylor said.

Reach Tyler Simpson at (803) 7741295.

to 30 years. If the suspect is also convicted of the armed robbery, he could have an additional 12 years added to his sentence, which could send him to prison for 22 to 42 years.

McElveen cited highprofile offenses allegedly committed by defendants on bond in the past year.

In July, a young mother working in a Columbia bakery was reportedly killed by three men in the course of a robbery, one of whom was on bond for a similar offense. Later, a Greenwood man skipped a court hearing in order to shoot six people and himself at a relative’s house.

The latest proposal is modeled on a bill introduced in the Senate last year, which was ulti-

mately shelved because of due-process concerns. McElveen hopes to avoid that issue by requiring a defendant be convicted of the initial crime first, and making the addition of time more flexible.

“That bill had a mandatory five years if the person was convicted, so it kind of tied the judge’s hands,” McElveen said. “This bill treats it more like an enhancement.”

After speaking with some of his colleagues on the judiciary committee, McElveen thinks it’s likely the bill will at least get a hearing in the coming session.

“I think it’s becoming a serious problem in the state,” he said.

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NATION

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013

THE ITEM

A5

Gene therapy scores big wins against blood cancers

BY MARILYNN MARCHIONE AP Chief Medical Writer In one of the biggest advances against leukemia and other blood cancers in many years, doctors are reporting unprecedented success by using gene therapy to transform patients’ blood cells into soldiers that seek and destroy cancer.

A few patients with one type of leukemia were given this onetime, experimental therapy several years ago, and some remain cancer free today. Now, at least six research groups have treated more than 120 patients with many types of blood and bone marrow cancers, with stunning results. “It’s really exciting,� said Dr. Janis Abkowitz, blood diseases chief at the University of Washington in Seattle and president of the American Society of Hematology. “You can take a cell that belongs to a patient and engineer it to be an attack cell.�

In one study, all five adults and 19 of 22 children with acute lymphocytic leukemia, or ALL, had a complete remission, meaning no cancer could be found after treatment, although a few have relapsed since then.

These were gravely ill patients out of options.

Some had tried multiple bone-marrow transplants and up to 10 types of chemotherapy or other treatments.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Emily Whitehead is checked by pediatric oncologist Dr. Stephan A. Grupp at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in October 2012. In early 2012, she was the first child given gene therapy for acute lymphocytic leukemia and shows no sign of cancer today, nearly 21 months later.

Cancer was so advanced in 8-year-old Emily Whitehead of Philipsburg, Pa., that doctors said her major organs would fail within days. She was the first child given the gene therapy and shows no sign of cancer today, nearly two years later.

Doctors say this has the potential to become the first gene therapy approved in the United States and the first for cancer worldwide. Only one gene therapy is approved in Europe, for a rare metabolic disease.

The treatment involves filtering patients’ blood to remove millions of white blood cells called T-cells, altering them in the lab to contain a gene that tar-

gets cancer, and returning them to the patient in infusions over three days. “What we are giving essentially is a living drug� — permanently altered cells that multiply in the body into an army to fight the cancer, said Dr. David Porter, a University of Pennsylvania scientist who led one study.

Several drug and biotech companies are developing these therapies. Penn has patented its method and licensed it to Switzerland-based Novartis AG. The company is building a research center on the Penn campus in Philadelphia and plans a clinical trial next year that could lead to feder-

2 Christmas Programs Dec. 17th Preschool - 4 grade Dec. 19th 5 - 12 grade th

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al approval of the treatment as soon as 2016.

Talking with the researchers, “there is a sense of making history ... a sense of doing something very unique,â€? said HervĂŠ Hoppenot, president of Novartis Oncology, the division leading the work.

Lee Greenberger, chief scientific officer of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, agreed. “From our vantage point, this looks like a major advance,� he said. “We are seeing powerful responses ... and time will tell how enduring these remissions turn out to be.�

The group has given $15 million to various researchers testing this approach. Nearly 49,000

new cases of leukemia, 70,000 cases of nonHodgkin lymphoma and 22,000 cases of myeloma are expected to be diagnosed in the United States in 2013.

Many patients are successfully treated with chemotherapy or bone marrow or stem cell transplants, but transplants are risky, and donors can’t always be found. So far, gene therapy has been tried on people who were in danger of dying because other treatments failed.

The gene therapy must be made individually for each patient, and lab costs now are about $25,000, without a profit margin. That’s still less than many drugs to treat these diseases and far less than a transplant.

The treatment can cause severe flu-like symptoms and other side effects, but these have been reversible and temporary, doctors say.

Penn doctors have

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treated the most cases so far — 59. Of the first 14 patients with CLL, or chronic lymphocytic leukemia, four had complete remissions, four had partial ones, and the rest did not respond. However, some partial responders continue to see their cancer shrink a year after treatment. “That’s very unique to this kind of therapy� and gives hope the treatment may still purge the cancer, said Porter. An additional 18 CLL patients were treated, and half have responded so far.

Penn doctors also treated 27 ALL patients.

All five adults and 19 of the 22 children had complete remissions, an “extraordinarily high� success rate, said Dr. Stephan Grupp at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Six have since relapsed, though, and doctors are pondering a second gene therapy attempt.

803-713-1003

A6

RELIGION

THE ITEM

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013

Ministry brings Big Daddy Weave to Sumter for youth event The Top Youth Event on Jan. 18, 2014, at Alice Drive Baptist Church, Sometimes it all just 1305 Loring Mill Road. falls in place.

Tickets are $10 and are “Last year the word now available at Badwas ‘Grace,’ and this cock Furniture, 230 N. year, it was ‘Redeemed,’� Bultman Drive, and said Stephanie Dowling, Olive Tree Christian one of the founders of Bookstore, 600 Bultman Mountain Movers MinDrive. They may also be istry, which purchased puts on the WANT TO GO? online at annual Over showclix.

The Top WHAT: Over The Top Youth com.

Youth Event.

Event with Big Daddy Weave Brad Coo“Nobody and Brad Cooper per, student WHEN: 5:30 p.m. Jan. 18; does ‘Repastor with doors open at 5 p.m. deemed’ like New Spring WHERE: Alice Drive Baptist Big Daddy Church, will Church, 1305 Loring Mill Road Weave, so I serve as the COST: $10; Tickets may be said, ‘we’ve speaker this purchased at Badcock Furnigot to try to year. ture, 230 N. Bultman Drive; get them,’ “We’re Olive Tree Christian Bookstore, and we did. real excited,�

600 Bultman Drive; or online It was anothDowling er God wink.� at showclix.com said. “He’s a FYI: Visit overthetopyBig Daddy dynamic outhevent.com Weave, speaker for whose song the Gospel. “Redeemed�

He delivers won Song of the Year at the message with such this year’s K-LOVE Fan power.�

Awards, will perform at The five founding the sixth-annual Over families of Mountain

BY JADE ANDERSON janderson@theitem.com

Big Daddy Weave’s “Redeemed� won Song of the Year at the K-LOVE Awards in June.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Movers Ministry — David and Leanne Lovice, James and Tara Goodson, Greg and Norma Stone, Ray and Andrea High and Chad and Stephanie Dowling — are all from different churches, so until now, they have intentionally held the Over The Top Youth Event at Patriot Hall. “It’s really a beautiful example of many members and one body,�

Stephanie Dowling said. “We didn’t want one church to have owner-

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worked with us behind the scenes last year, and he was able to see our heart in music ministry,â&#x20AC;?

Stephanie Dowling said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And Alice Drive Baptist Church is really known to have a pretty opendoor policy. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s seen as a city-wide church, in my opinion. They have been so gracious and a pleasure to work with.â&#x20AC;?

The idea for the nonprofit started about seven years ago as Chad and Stephanie Dowling were driving back from a big youth

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ship of the event, and Patriot Hall has been wonderful to us. We loved working with them, but this year, we felt it was time to move.â&#x20AC;?

As a founding member of Mountain Movers Ministry, Ray High, a member of Alice Drive Baptist, knew of the ministryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s purpose and need. He and Jock Hendricks, worship pastor at Alice Drive, approached the leadership and then extended the use of the facility. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Jock Hendricks

event in Atlanta. â&#x20AC;&#x153;On the way back, I was half asleep, and he (Chad) was driving,â&#x20AC;?

Stephanie Dowling said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He said â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Sumter really needs something like this. What about the children whose parents donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have the resources, time or desire to take their kids?â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;?

He rallied the other families, and since then, anywhere from 600 to 1,000 people have packed Patriot Hall each year for the annual event.

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RELIGION

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013

THE ITEM

Christ is present during season despite Nativity scene removal

Brian Benenhaley, left, transitional pastor at Long Branch Baptist Church in Dalzell, sits with St. Nick (Rickker M ‘Doc’ Soos) planning Saturday’s Breakfast with Santa. Soos will probably be a magician at the upcoming free event.

T

his week I looked over at my very young son, only to find him trying to chew a plastic rendition of the baby Jesus from our Nativity set. I rescued the baby, hay and manger included, from my child’s gaping maw and returned Jesus to his place in our Nativity scene.

It seems baby Jesus is in the habit of popping up in all sorts of places he doesn’t belong.

Those who believe in the earthly incarnation of Jesus were aghast this week at a decision made by our local military leadership to remove the Nativity scene from a portion of the grounds at Shaw Air Force Base. I know many are preparing their response to the decision by erecting their own front-yard representations. One group even plans to protest the action in a showing just outside the gates of the military installation.

Such a decision is certainly disheartening but not at all surprising given the erosion of the spiritual foundation of the holiday. “Merry Christmas” is often replaced with the more tolerant “Happy Holidays.”

Christmas is shortened to Xmas for those who think that eliminates Christ from the equation. And as the list goes on, the strain of discontent from the Christian camp swells louder and louder. How dare they take away the meaning of Christmas, we say.

I count myself proud to be among that chorus. The history of the Christmas holiday is rooted in the church and spirituality. I think it is immensely shameful that any organization or society would think it acceptable to negate the core meaning of a holiday in an effort to be acceptable to every single person. Further, I think it is ridiculous that the passive presence of a Nativity scene on a patch of grass is perceived as a blatant attack

to those who might not hold that set of beliefs. For those who don’t believe, the Nativity is little more than a barnyard scene inhabited by poor peasants and their baby whom they put in a feeding trough — hardly a pointed attack at unbelievers.

But we all know the point of contention is not the scene itself but the potentially lifealtering theory the story proposes: That an almighty being was sent to redeem us from our shortcomings. Even more offensive is the notion that we have to acquiesce to this savior or face eternal damnation.

I’ve said it once before in this column: The message of faith is offensive by nature because it calls us to a higher standard. It’s no wonder that some people find the Nativity scene unsettling.

The good news for Christians is that, although the scene might not have a physical footprint in the places it was once accepted, God has a habit of showing himself in other ways that make his involvement in this Christmas holiday undeniable. He is not bound by objects or ceremony. It may be difficult given what many see as the inevitable decay of spirituality in our world. Just know that our creator is present during this holiday season. I can’t help but feel that something like this is good for us in a way. It makes us realize that there are people that still need to know the reason behind our faith, even during the Christmas season.

Email Jamie H. Wilson at faithmatterssumter@gmail. com.

A7

JADE ANDERSON / THE ITEM

Church reaches out to community with its new transitional pastor he said. In part, verses 19 and 20 state: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy A few things are changing at Long Spirit and teaching them to obey everyBranch Baptist Church in Dalzell. thing I have commanded you.”

One is the pastor. About three months “So I said, to do that, we have to begin ago, Brian Benenhaley was named the with Acts 1:8, ‘You will be my witnesses in transitional pastor after Jim Allen left.

Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, For him, it was like coming home. and to the ends of the earth,’” Benenhaley “I grew up in this church,” said the 39-year-old. “Six generations of Benenha- said. “We first need to understand who our Jerusalem is. Those are the ones that leys are buried out there (church cemelook like us. Judea is the tery). I know so well the hisones that are close out that tory, personalities and tradi- BREAKFAST WITH SANTA still think similar to us. Sations that an interim would maria were the ones that just be getting familiar with.

WHEN: 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Saturday didn’t look or think like I could come in, put a finger WHERE: Long Branch Baptist Church, him.” on and speak to issues in a So the church has begun 2535 Peach Orchard Road, Dalzell way a stranger couldn’t. offering outreach programs COST: Free Hopefully I will be a blesssuch as monthly free clothes ing to the church. They have DETAILS: Besides breakfast and giveaways and Sunday certainly blessed me.” photos with Santa Claus, there will be school classes for married He prefers the term crafts and a magician at the event. couples. “transitional” pastor over FYI: Call (803) 727-0154. RSVPs “I say ‘love God, love “interim” because while requested but not required as the people and do something both imply that the arrangecongregation plans for food. about it,’” Benenhaley said. ment is temporary, transi“Sometimes people get partional indicates a plan for alyzed because they don’t change, he said.

“It’s important in general, but especial- think they can make a difference, but there is no such thing as an insignificant ly in rural and smaller churches, different person or gift in the Kingdom of God.” studies show 75 to 80 percent of congreFor Christmas, the congregation is putgations have plateaued or are declining,” ting on a free Breakfast with Santa event.

Benenhaley said. “That’s an alarming sta“A lot of people can’t afford to go to the tistic. Now, there are a lot of ways you can mall,” Benenhaley said. “We want to say, look at that, but generally, congregations ‘we love you guys.’ Times are tough. The are resistant to change. ... They become economy is still not where we want it to inwardly focused and traditionally mindbe, and we want to share God’s gift with ed. I want us to reclaim and revitalize our you this season.’” passion for the mission of the Kingdom of He is married to RaNell Benenhaley, God, for the Great Commission.” and the couple has three children ranging The directive is found in Matthew 28, in age from 2 to 6.

BY JADE ANDERSON janderson@theitem.com

CHURCH NEWS EARLY DEADLINE: Deadline for Church News to be published in the Dec. 26 edition of The Item is noon Wednesday, Dec. 18.

Deadline for Church News to be published in the Jan. 2, 2014, edition is noon Monday, Dec. 23.

Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, 4319 Rowe Drive, Summerton, announces: * Saturday, Dec. 21 — Christmas showcase at 6:30 p.m. Requested donation amount is $10.

Canaan Missionary Baptist Church, 774 Douglas Ave., announces: * Sunday — Men of Canaan 2013 gospel singing program at 3:30 p.m. featuring Hosea Sessions and the Messengers as well as the Palmetto Gospel Singers.

Cedar Grove Missionary Baptist Church, 1275 Oswego Highway, announces: * Today — Joy Night service at 7 p.m.

Chapel Hill Baptist Church, 8749 Old Highway Six, Santee, announces: * Today — Christmas program at 7 p.m. * Sunday — The Lord’s Supper will be observed at 10 a.m. Also, a special offering will be received for the Philippines Relief Fund. * Wednesday, Dec. 25 — Christmas Day worship at 10 a.m. Pastor Reverdy Capers, of St. George, will speak. * Tuesday, Dec. 31 — Watch Night worship at 10 p.m.

Church of Christ, 313 Mooneyham Road, announces: * Saturday — Family and friends night at 6:30 p.m.

| The Rev. Tommy L. China will speak.

Clark United Methodist Church, 2980 U.S. 401 N., Oswego Highway, announces: * Sunday, Dec. 22 — Christmas program at 11 a.m.

Concord Baptist Church, 1885 Myrtle Beach Highway, announces: * Sunday — The sanctuary choir will present its Christmas cantata “Glory in the Highest” at 11 a.m. The children will present “The Birth of Jesus” at 6 p.m. * Tuesday, Dec. 31 — Christmas Eve candlelight service at 6 p.m.

Corinth Missionary Baptist Church, 25 Community St., announces: * Sunday, Dec. 15 and Dec. 22 — Non-perishable food drive. Worship begins at 11 a.m. * Sunday, Dec. 29 — Youth Day worship at 10:30 a.m. * Tuesday, Dec. 31 — Watch Night worship at 10:30 p.m. * Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014 — Holy Communion worship at 11 a.m. Preferred attire is white or black.

Faith Presbyterian Church, 65 Lynam Road, announces: * Sunday — Gospel concert at 11 a.m. featuring Dennis Benton.

Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, 182 S. Pike East, announces: * Saturday — Prison ministry outreach. * Friday, Dec. 20 — Praise and deliverance worship at 7 p.m.

Grant Hill Missionary Baptist Church, 5405 Black River Road, Rembert, announces: * Sunday — Praise dance ministry’s anniversary celebration at 2 p.m. * Sunday, Dec. 22 —

Christmas program at 9 a.m. Theme: “There is Room” — Luke 2:7. * Tuesday, Dec. 31 — Watch Night worship service at 10:30 p.m. * Friday-Sunday, Jan. 31-Feb. 2, 2014 — Women’s Conference. To register, call or email Claudette Witherspoon at (803) 5659425, (803) 499-2806 or cwastepabove@yahoo.com.

High Hills Missionary Baptist Church, 6750 Meeting House Road, Dalzell, announces: * Saturday, Dec. 21 — Christmas program and fellowship dinner at noon. * Tuesday, Dec. 31 — Watch Night service at 10:30 p.m.

Hip-Hop Church Experience announces: * Today — Join the movement and the spiritual boot camp at 7:30 p.m. every Thursday at the Econo Lodge conference center, 226 N. Washington St. Call (803) 403-3763.

Jehovah Missionary Baptist Church, 803 S. Harvin St., announces: * The mini-drama “Jesus, the Sacrificial Gift” will be presented at 7:45 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. as follows: Sunday, The Promise Fulfilled; and Sunday, Dec. 22, The Gift. * Wednesday, Dec. 25 — Feeding the hungry on Christmas Day 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at M.H. Newton Family Life Center, 415 Manning Ave. Joshua Baptist Church, 5200 Live Oak Road, Dalzell, announces: * Sunday, Dec. 22 — Christmas program.

Church school at 9 a.m. followed by 10 a.m. worship. * Sunday, Dec. 29 — Youth service. Church school at 9 a.m. followed by 10 a.m. worship. * Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014 — Male chorus anniversary celebration at 4 p.m.

* Sunday, Jan. 12, 2014 — Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during morning worship. * Sunday, Jan. 19, 2014 — Deacon and wives anniversary celebration during morning worship.

Knitting Hearts Ministry, meets at Bethesda Church of God, 2730 Broad St., announces: * Saturday — Knitting Hearts Cafe 10 a.m.-noon.

Tammi Soles will speak.

There will be special music and a praise dance presentation. Knitting Hearts is a communitywide, interdenominational women’s ministry open to all ladies. www. knittingheartsministry.org Land Flowing with Milk & Honey Ministry, 1335 Peach Orchard Road, announces: * Sunday, Dec. 22 — Christmas play at 11 a.m. * Sunday, Dec. 29 — Youth with SWAG at 11 a.m. Eric D. Rufus will speak.

Liberty Hill AME Church, 2310 Liberty Hill Road, Summerton, announces: * Sunday — Christmas concert at 3 p.m. featuring the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office Gospel Choir.

Lord of Lords of Hope Ministries, 305 S. Mill St., Manning, announces: * Friday, Dec. 20 — Deliverance service with Pastors Gerthene and Otis Baxter at 7:30 p.m.

Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 325 Fulton St., announces: * Friday-Saturday, Dec. 20-21 — Annual Christmas basketball tournament sponsored by Mount Zion Enrichment Center. Call Robert Dix at (803) 7733546. * Sunday, Dec. 22 — Annual Christmas program at 4 p.m. sponsored by the church school ministry.

New Fellowship Covenant Ministries, 316 W. Liberty St., announces: * Saturday — Clothes giveaway at 9 a.m. Free snacks also.

New Israel Missionary Baptist Church, 5330 Old Camden Highway, Dalzell, announces: * Sunday — The Lord’s Supper will be observed at 1 p.m. * Sunday, Dec. 29 — There will be no services.

New Testament Lighthouse Church, 1114 Boulevard Road, announces: * Tuesday, Dec. 31 — New Year’s Eve supper and singing. Supper will begin at 8 p.m. with singing from 9 p.m. to midnight featuring His Calling and others.

Oak Grove Baptist Church, 7131 U.S. 301, Alcolu, announces: * Sunday, Dec. 22 — Installation of the Rev. Benny McCants as pastor at 4 p.m. Moderator Jimmy Brockington and the executive board of Jerusalem Baptist Association will conduct the service.

Orangehill Independent Methodist Church, 3005 S. King Highway, Wedgefield, announces: * Sunday — Four Seasons program and dinner at 10 a.m.

Pine Grove AME Church, 41 Pine Grove Road, Rembert, announces: * Sunday — Women’s Day worship at 11 a.m. Ladies are asked to wear red and men are asked to wear red ties. Sharon Boyd will speak. * Sunday, Dec. 22 — Church school Christmas program at 6 p.m. featuring a skit and the mass choir in concert. * Tuesday, Dec. 31 — Watch Night worship at 6 p.m.

featuring singing, prayers and praise. Breakfast will be served.

Pinewood Baptist Church, S.C. 261, Pinewood, announces: * Sunday — The adult choir will perform the musical “The Light of Christmas” at 6 p.m. Refreshments will follow. Call (803) 452-5373 or visit www. pinewoodbaptist.org. * Wednesday, Dec. 18 — Annual Christmas tree gift exchange and a visit from Santa at 7 p.m. * Sunday, Dec. 22 — The adult choir will perform the musical “The Light of Christmas” at 11 a.m. The children’s Christmas program will be presented at 7 p.m. * Sunday, Jan. 12, 2014 — Special worship service to honor retiring pastor the Rev. Bennie T. Barwick Jr. and retiring music director Claudia L. Barwick. Sunday school begins at 10 a.m. followed by 11 a.m. worship. Lunch will be provided following the service. RSVP for luncheon

by Friday, Jan. 3, 2014 as follows: sign-up on the church bulletin board; call (803) 452-5373; or email webmaster@ pinewoodbaptist.org.

Providence Baptist Church, 2445 Old Manning Road, announces: * Monday — Widow’s luncheon at 11 a.m.

Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, 155 Wall St., announces: * Saturday — Caring and sharing event at 11 a.m. * Sunday, Dec. 22 — Community Christmas concert at 5 p.m. * Tuesday, Dec. 31 — New Year’s Eve service at 9:30 p.m.

Walker’s Chapel Freewill Baptist Church, 99 Walter Ave., announces: * Sunday — Hands on Praise puppet ministry at 11 a.m.

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The Sumter Elks Lodge 855 32nd Annual Turkey Shoot will be held 1 p.m.-until sundown each Sunday through Dec. 29 at 1100 W. Liberty St. The Hanging of the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Greensâ&#x20AC;? will be held 3-6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, at the YWCA of the Upper Lowlands Inc., 246 Church St. The NCNW-Sumter Section will meet at 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, at Morris College.

Call (803) 773-1987.

The Sumter SPCA will hold a Santa Paws Dance featuring DJ Grady Brown 7-11 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, at the Elaine D. Korn Memorial Center, 1100 S. Guignard Drive (next to the SPCA). Cost is $15 per person. All proceeds benefit the SPCA. Hors dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;oeuvres will be served. Call (803) 773-9292.

A Make-A-Wish Foundation pancake breakfast fundraiser will be held 8-10 a.m.

Saturday, Dec. 14, at Applebeeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. Santa will be there. A silent auction of items donated by local merchants will also be held. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at Applebeeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, 2497 Broad St. The Civil Air Patrol â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Sumter Composite Squadronâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s seventh annual Wreaths Across America ceremony will be held at noon Saturday, Dec. 14, at Sumter Cemetery, 700 W. Oakland Ave. USARCENT Chaplain Kevin Mateer will speak. Attendees are invited to help hang wreaths along the cemetery fence after the ceremony.

Heartz 2 Soulz Giving Back to the Community Christmas Dinner and Gift-Giving Event for local destitute, homeless, addicts, prostitutes, battered women and runaways will be held 2-6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at the Marvin Hodge Enrichment Center, 609 Miller Road. Donations of coats, hats, scarfs, gloves, clothes, and shoes are being accepted. Call (803) 7735799 or on the day of the event, call (803) 565-5187.

Hillcrest High School Class of 1974 will hold a reunion meeting at 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at Golden Corral. Call (803) 372-6225.

The Sumter Civic Chorale will present its Christmas concert, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow,â&#x20AC;? at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, at Patriot Hall, 135 Haynsworth St. The Westside Neighborhood Association will meet at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 16, at the Birnie HOPE Center, 210 S. Purdy St. Sankofa Connection founder Natalie Williams will conduct a Kwanzaa presentation. Contact Jim McCain at (678) 4298150 or jtmccain@bellsouth.net.

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When not â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;acting your ageâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; nets the best results

BY KEVIN MCDONOUGH Looking for a break from the ho-ho-ho? A chance to exchange evergreen for green â&#x20AC;&#x201D; or even greens? Beginning today, the streaming service Netflix offers â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Short Game,â&#x20AC;? its first foray into original documentary programming. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Short Gameâ&#x20AC;? follows eight of the most competitive golfers on earth as they prepare for a tournament to determine the best in their class. What sets these champions apart?

Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re all 7 years old or younger! â&#x20AC;&#x153;Gameâ&#x20AC;? profiles these hard-driven secondgraders as well as their parents, who have invested countless hours and considerable fortunes in their prodigies. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Gameâ&#x20AC;? sets itself up as a fairly straightforward sports documentary. But the participantsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; youth canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t help but drive the story and pique viewersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; interest. In that way, the film is not unlike the 2007 documentary â&#x20AC;&#x153;Young@Heart,â&#x20AC;? which chronicled a choir of seniors who sang rock, pop and punk songs.

When it comes to documentaries, not â&#x20AC;&#x153;acting your ageâ&#x20AC;? may be the best publicity.

Holiday Highlights and Special Episodes â&#x20AC;˘ Chevy Chase returns for the 1989 comedy â&#x20AC;&#x153;National Lampoonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Christmas Vacationâ&#x20AC;? (7 p.m., ABC Family, TV-PG). â&#x20AC;˘ With Sheldon away for the holidays, everyone reflects on his absence and influence on â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Big Bang Theoryâ&#x20AC;?

(8 p.m., CBS, TV-14). â&#x20AC;˘ A grouch learns his lesson in â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Smurfs: A Christmas Carolâ&#x20AC;? (8

p.m., Cartoon Network, TV-Y7). â&#x20AC;˘ A St. Bernard saves the holiday in the 2011 comedy â&#x20AC;&#x153;Beethovenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Christmas Adventureâ&#x20AC;?

(8 p.m., Disney, TV-G). â&#x20AC;˘ Carolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s visiting parents threaten the holiday spirit on â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Millersâ&#x20AC;?

(8:30 p.m., CBS, TV-14). â&#x20AC;˘ Boris Karloff narrates â&#x20AC;&#x153;How the Grinch Stole Christmasâ&#x20AC;? (8:30 p.m., Cartoon Network, TV-G). â&#x20AC;˘ The kids must choose between glee club practice and Christmas cheer on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Gleeâ&#x20AC;? (9 p.m., Fox, r, TV-14). â&#x20AC;˘ The Robertsons participate in a Nativity scene on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Duck Dynastyâ&#x20AC;? (9 p.m., A&E, r, TVPG). â&#x20AC;˘ A greedy executive (Bill Murray) faces a karmic comeuppance in the comedy â&#x20AC;&#x153;Scroogedâ&#x20AC;? (9 p.m., ABC Family, TV14). â&#x20AC;˘ Alan gets propositioned by his girlfriendâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ex on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Two and a Half

Menâ&#x20AC;? (9:30 p.m., CBS, TV-14). â&#x20AC;˘ Mike has to anchor the Christmas Eve newscast on â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Michael J. Fox Showâ&#x20AC;? (9:30 p.m., NBC, TV-PG).

Tonightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Other Highlights â&#x20AC;˘ Meredith and Cristina feud on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Greyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Anatomyâ&#x20AC;? (9 p.m., ABC, TV14). â&#x20AC;˘ Feeling besieged, townspeople choose sides on â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Returnedâ&#x20AC;?

(9 p.m., Sundance, TVMA). â&#x20AC;˘ Neal and Peter take an unusual assignment from the Museum of Natural History on â&#x20AC;&#x153;White Collarâ&#x20AC;? (9 p.m., USA, TV-PG). â&#x20AC;˘ Murder ends a Ponzi scheme on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Elementaryâ&#x20AC;? (10 p.m., CBS, TV14). â&#x20AC;˘ Amber wants answers from Ryan on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Parenthoodâ&#x20AC;? (10 p.m., NBC, TV-14).

Sumter Civic Dance Company Presents:

Jingle With Â&#x2018; Â&#x2018; The Arts Friday, Saturday, th December 13 December 14th @ 7PM

@ 3PM & 7PM

Tickets on sale at Freed School of Performing Arts and at Seaco Music

Tickets: $10 in Advance $12 at the Door

Patriot Hall 803-773-2847 www.freedschool.com

â&#x20AC;˘ Time to face the music on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Scandalâ&#x20AC;? (10 p.m., ABC, TV-14).

Series Notes Cyrusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; story emerges in flashbacks on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Once Upon a Time in Wonderlandâ&#x20AC;? (8 p.m., ABC, TV-PG) * Damon has a bad feeling about Elena on â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Vampire Diariesâ&#x20AC;? (8 p.m., CW, TV-14) * A clientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s daughter becomes a disruptive intern on â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Crazy Onesâ&#x20AC;? (9 p.m., CBS, TV-14) * Seanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new best friend is a mixed blessing on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sean Saves the Worldâ&#x20AC;? (9 p.m., NBC, TV-14) * Nostradamus sees bad news for Mary on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Reignâ&#x20AC;? (9 p.m., CW, TV-14).

Late Night Evangeline Lilly is booked on â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Daily Show With Jon Stewartâ&#x20AC;?

(11 p.m., Comedy Central) * Adam Levine, Tim Conway and Lee Ranal-

do are on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Conanâ&#x20AC;? (11 p.m., TBS) * Idris Elba, Michael Yo, Claire Titelman and Chris Franjola are on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Chelsea Latelyâ&#x20AC;?

(11 p.m., E!) * George Packer is on â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Colbert Reportâ&#x20AC;? (11:30 p.m., Comedy Central) * Julia Roberts and Glen Hansard appear on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Late Show With David Lettermanâ&#x20AC;? (11:35 p.m., CBS) * Kevin Hart, Brooklyn Decker and Chris Young on â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Tonight Showâ&#x20AC;? (11:35 p.m., NBC) * Carey Mulligan, Scott Foley and Jeff Campbell are on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Jimmy Kimmel Liveâ&#x20AC;? (11:35 p.m., ABC) * Emma Thompson, James Marsden and Kelly Clarkson visit â&#x20AC;&#x153;Late Night With Jimmy Fallonâ&#x20AC;? (12:35 a.m., NBC) * Jason Schwartzman and Alexis Knapp on â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Late Late Showâ&#x20AC;? (12:35 a.m., CBS).

Copyright 2013, United Feature Syndicate

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OPINION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013

THE ITEM

A9

To submit a letter to the editor, e-mail letters@theitem.com

A few errors in justifying Nativity removal The reason given for having the Nativity display removed at Shaw Air Force Base was that “It was very sectarian in nature and a direct violation of the U.S. Constitution as well as a blatant violation of Air Force Instruction 1-1 Section 2.11.”

Since Paul Loebe, the “very concerned” spokesman for the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (which is a misnomer if you think about it) didn’t bother to actually quote these laws and regulations, let’s look at each one: The section of the Constitution being referred to is the First Amendment: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof ...”

Dissecting this statement, it is plain to see that “Congress” made no law requiring that the nativity scene should be set up on Shaw nor were they involved in determining that a “nativity scene” is an “established religion,” so that part was not violated!

Secondly, Congress itself was not involved in prohibiting the free (and voluntary, I might add) exercise of displaying a scene which honors and represents the central figure of Christianity in a once-a-year celebration.

Only the MRFF, whose sole purpose is to eradicate Christianity, did that. Last time I checked, they had no authority to do that either!

AFI 1-1 Section 2.11 calls on officers and supervisors to “avoid the actual or apparent use of their position to promote their personal religious beliefs to their subordinates or to extend preferential treatment for any religion.” So, the question should be, “How does a Nativity Scene, which is what Christmas is celebrating, put up by a group of volunteers in a public location (not workplace, etc) violate this section?” How is this “preferential treatment” when no officer or leader is forcing anyone to go and bow down to the Nativity scene! I would venture to say that most people would drive by it and not even notice, or at most, give a glance.

My last question is, “Who on base is really offended by this?” If someone is truly offended by the display of plastic characters representing a scene that millions around the globe find meaning in, then Heaven help us that we are now being “defended” by such narrowminded and unstable individuals who cannot tolerate the fact that others may have a different belief than they do!

HARRY C. HUTSON Sumter

Some must not know what being ‘offended’ means I heard about this (Removal of Nativity at Shaw Air Force Base at a women’s meeting this morning ... I really don’t understand what exactly is offensive about any religious representation. I’m not offended by Jewish symbols or Kwanzaa ... I’m not sure people understand what the word “offended” really means. You may not want what they are offering, but you can’t be “offended.” Offense implies a personal attack on your beliefs. Someone putting a Star of David

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR in their window in no way diminishes my own Christian beliefs. I try to be respectful of others’ beliefs. I have atheist friends, and Jewish. Never have any expressed a problem with receiving my Christmas card in December.

It’s a sad state of affairs when the expression of someone’s religious beliefs, or any beliefs, for that matter, become “a direct violation of the U.S. Constitution” which, I thought, was supposed to protect individual freedoms. If I can’t express my love for my Savior, my individual freedoms are violated.

I also note that other religions were offered to represent, but did not. And as happens nowadays, it looks like the complainers cowardly went directly to a policing organization instead of standing up and trying to resolve the matter with the local officials.

Don’t use the argument that it was “government property.” So was my house when we lived on a military installation. How much longer before military bases are not allowed to even have chapels of specific denominations? Or base housing members are not allowed to put religious symbols on their lawns at holidays? Is your freedom to not believe what I do violated by me expressing my beliefs? I believe it is not.

LISA TERRY Sumter

Bravo, Belangia!

For shame, MRFF I read the article “Shaw Removes Nativity scene after protests” in Tuesday’s Item with great interest and concern for what is going on with religious freedom in the Armed Forces of the United States of America. I applaud Pastor Webb Belangia of Aldersgate United Methodist Church comment that the removal of the Nativity scene is sad. In case you missed his comment, I want to share it with you now. And I quote, “I think it is a sad state of affairs when we have to remove everything because it may offend someone. If you don’t want to believe in Christmas, that’s fine. But why is it offensive if I believe?” Bravo, Pastor Belangia!

I believe you have stated perfectly what many activeduty retirees, pastors and Christians on and around all military bases in the United States and overseas feel in our hearts. And believe that we are afforded that right under the Constitution of the United States of America by the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.

However, our active duty personnel’s guarantee of religious freedom is being eroded by the likes of Mikey Weinstein with the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF). I was informed that there were 30 protests. I cannot independently verify that but the source is reliable. This organization’s (MRFF) “Mission Statement” states, “The MRFF is dedicated to ensuring that all members of the United States Armed Forces fully receive the Constitutional guarantees of religious freedom to which they and all Americans are entitled by virtue of the Establishment Clause of the First Amend-

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ment.” However, following them over the past few months I see only their involvement in taking religious freedoms away from Christians. Removal of the Nativity scene is one of the latest.

They were involved in removal of Bibles from military Editor’s note: Because this letter exceeded the 350-word length as stated in our Editorial Page Policies which appears regularly on this page, it can be read in its entirety under Opinion on The Item’s website, www.theitem.com. billeting, removal of Bibles from a Christian’s work area and “Mikey’s” statement in an op-ed in the Huffington Post, dated Dec. 5: “It’s the hypocrisy stupid: Fundamentalist Christians Bullies running amok in America’s Military”. I invite everyone to go to the MRFF site on the internet and read the article posted concerning the removal of the Nativity scene from Shaw Air Force Base.

TOMMY McDONALD Pastor Retired USAF E-8 Pastor, Covenant Bible Church Dalzell

Have you forgotten your responsibilities, sir?

It was a privilege to serve God and country for 26 years as a Christian chaplain in the Air Force and be able to care for the spiritual needs of airmen and their families, no matter what faith.

It seems this has been forgotten at Shaw Air Force Base, especially for Christians. Have you forgotten that Christian holy days like Easter and Christmas are huge? Venerable symbols like the Cross and the Nativity are sacred. I am incredulous to learn of recent events in which the Nativity was taken down. Air Force and base leaders, you have not only shown grave disrespect to the faith of the majority of your airmen (check the alpha roster), but you’ve now desecrated one of its holiest symbols by making it a political football and relegating it to the storage room during Advent.

In the spirit of this season, I respectfully ask these things. Chief of Staff, sir, yours is to make sure that the faith of all airmen and their families is provided for. Chief of Chaplains, sir, carry out the mission of the Chaplain Service and actively facilitate the free exercise of religion for everyone, including Christians, especially at this special time of year. Wing Commander, sir, respect the faith of most of your airmen and erect the Nativity scene once again, this time on the chapel lawn, where it is allowed by UCMJ. In addition, either fund or have civil engineering to build and erect a Menorah on the chapel lawn, too. If funds are not available for this, our local churches will provide such in the spirit of Christian love. Chaplains, remember your holy vows of ordination and be faithful to them, no matter what. To all airmen and your families: we welcome you into our local churches. We will take good care of you. And for you faithless few who are so selfish that you cannot bear to see others celebrate their faith without causing a

stink, you are welcome, too.

The Christian community wishes you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

RONALD F. UNDERWOOD Chaplain, Lt. Col. (Ret), USAF Sumter

Where is the “brass” in upper brass?

I hope you have read the article in this morning’s (Dec. 10) The Item: “Shaw removes Nativity scene after protests.” If not, please read it either online or in the paper! According to The Item article, “the base didn’t receive direct complaints about the Nativity scene display from its service members. Officials on base first learned of concerns when they received a phone call from Mikey Weinstein, president and founder of MRFF (Military Religious Freedom Foundation).”

First of all, just who is Mikey Weinstein? Is he a military person? A veteran who has served and fought for this country? Also, for you commanders at Shaw Air Force Base, but especially in the Pentagon, where are all of the “hard-ass” military leaders who used to fight for and defend this great nation? Are you so “panty-waist” and afraid of your job that you give in so easily? Stand up! It is your duty also to defend the rights of the military service members who do believe and desire to have the Nativity displayed during this season.

Maybe I’m just ahead of my time, but I’m used to commanders and leaders who have stood and fought, not only on the front lines, but fought to take care of their troops, too!

To all the troops at Shaw Air Force Base and other bases, you can protest also.

Do so by showing up at some of the churches in your community, wherever you are located. Help them build and display a Nativity scene; take part in a Christmas program; sing Christmas carols, loud and clear!

Go tell it on the mountain; tell the “leaders(?)” in the Pentagon that you don’t have to put up with that “stuff.”

For all veterans and civilians out there, you can protest too! Following is a list of “leaders(?)” in the Pentagon. Write them a short note and tell them to “knock-it-off!” However, they probably won’t recognize “old corps” military language.

TOM WINSTEAD Founder of Christian Golfers’ Association (CGA) Veteran from the Old Corps Sumter

Four questions for those who were upset I am sorely disappointed with the decision to remove the Nativity scene that represents the birth of Christ. The complaints, based on news sources, came from some 40 individuals at Shaw who claimed to be offended by the display. As a Christian that believes God sent His son to live, die, and be resurrected for the purpose of giving us a way, through His grace, to be reconciled to Him … I am offended by the removal.

For those folks that choose to believe differently, do it. Lobby for the displays that represent your belief

N.G. OSTEEN 1843-1936 The Watchman and Southron

H.G. OSTEEN 1870-1955 Founder, The Item

H.D. OSTEEN 1904-1987 The Item

Merry Christmas.

RON ROBERTSON Sumter

The shackles of immorality have conquered you You would think that for all the good our Air Force does, groups such as the MRFF or Military Religious Freedom Foundation could find something else to do besides singling out Jesus in a nativity scene.

The complaint from some airmen was the manger scene left them “emotionally troubled.” What?

Would they be psychologically wounded if it had been a Buddha?

What about a golden calf?

Hurriedly the MRFF made contact with the base and within two hours the “War on Christmas” took another turn. Not only did they remove Baby Jesus and his dangerous sheep, the MRFF thought it was funny how quickly the action occurred.

As you boast in your efforts to threaten the truth, you heighten your mockery to that of fools! Chaining yourselves to those who disguise their manipulative feats as gallant and daring, yet it is done with divine plastic.

The few who seek the professional jargon of the MRFF enlist themselves in the same pit of degeneracy as the nonsense they profess. In other words, the shackles of immorality have conquered you.

What you classify as a “win” has already taken flight into the mouths of other myopic beasts. What you sadistically target will ultimately end in that which you earn.

While you place yourselves behind a podium of threats, what you didn’t count on is the “Army of God” listening and watching.

Hidden from your sight are prayer warriors, worshippers and churches filled with saints equipped with reinforcements. Celestial armor and an offensive campaign of piety stand between wickedness and the opening to every nativity scene, monument or Cross of Christ.

The people of God have been emerging. Your vocal points of noticeable labor are no match for the unknown mysteries of his secret wisdom.

As the MRFF attempts to claim artificial tributes of the redeemer, we have everything to gain.

You see, the real one is risen.

CATHY CRAIG NEIL Sumter

HUBERT D. OSTEEN JR. | EDITOR AND CHAIRMAN

Founded October 15, 1894 20 N. Magnolia St. Sumter, SC 29150

system and put them in places where you can enjoy them; but don’t impose your right to believe differently by removing rights from others.

And for those that want to hop on the current culture bandwagon of Christian bashing without consideration of the belief system, I’d encourage them to examine their worldview and the frame of reference used to make judgment on the world around them with four questions: what is my identity in this world as it relates to the things around me? Why do I exist? What is meant by right and wrong and who has moral authority to determine it? And finally, what will happen to me when I die? The worldview they choose will provide answers to all.

MARGARET W. OSTEEN 1908-1996 The Item

H. GRAHAM OSTEEN II Co-President

KYLE BROWN OSTEEN Co-President

JOHN DUVALL OSTEEN Vice President and Publisher

LARRY MILLER CEO

A10

DAILY PLANNER

THE ITEM

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013

BREAKFAST from Page A1 “and there are 13 miles that are still just two lanes.”

Rep. Grady Brown, DBishopville, has long argued for an increase in the state’s gas tax to fund infrastructure improvements but acknowledged it would be an uphill struggle because of perceived regional favoritism in how highway funds are disbursed. “The only way you could vote for a gas tax is if it goes to more than four or five counties,” he said.

Other representatives at the breakfast gathering echoed that sentiment.

“I’ll never vote for (a gas tax increase) as long as DOT is structured the way it is,” said Rep. Murrell Smith, R-Sumter. “If you want to see where the money’s being spent, see where the DOT commissioners are seated.”

“The Infrastructure Bank works like a shadow government,” McElveen said. “$4.1 billion has gone to 10 counties, and the other 36 have not seen a penny.”

Rep. David Weeks, DSumter, said he has researched other regions of the country where local governments have found ways to work around the state, by adopting “local option road taxes” to fund roadway projects locally.

“I’m not saying we should do that here, but we have to think outside the box to shake down the economic development folks in Columbia,” he said.

Other issues also got a hearing; ethics reform was one of the hot-button issues in last year’s session, and many legislators are likely to try to move a reform measure again this term. There were also issues on which Sumter legislators disagreed with each other.

“Medicaid was one of the big disappointments to me (last year),” state Sen. Kevin Johnson, DManning, said of the legislature’s decision not to accept expanded funding for the health care program under the Affordable Care Act. “You look at how many needs there are; I’m surprised that doesn’t get more attention.”

Smith, the delegation’s lone Republican, later pushed back on an expanded program, which would require state support after the first three years.

“You’re asking for an investment now that we have to pay for later,” Smith said, estimating an expansion of the state’s health program for the poor could cost between $900 million and $1.4 billion. “We can’t sustain it ... The state can’t run a deficit. We have a fiduciary obligation to the taxpayers.”

Rep. Robert Ridgeway, D-Manning, a medical doctor, highlighted other issues facing the health care industry.

“Mental health definitely needs to be addressed,” he said. “We’ve had cases where someone spent almost a month waiting to be admitted (to the psychiatric wing). If there’s no bed, they have to keep them in the emergency room. I hope we can develop more psychiatric beds.”

The panel also discussed legislation some members have pre-filed for the session starting in January. McElveen will seek to enhance prison sentences for criminals who commit offenses while out on bond, and Johnson has filed the suggestion of a thirdgrader in New Zion who asked that South Carolina adopt a state fossil.

Tuomey CEO: Public can expect changes

BY BRADEN BUNCH bbunch@theitem.com Interim CEO Michael Schwartz said the public could expect to see several changes at Tuomey Regional Medical Center over the coming months as the hospital works to reshape its future.

“It’s not going to be right away. It’s going to take months, but we’ll eventually get there,” Schwartz said, without giving away details, during Tuesday morning’s legislative breakfast, sponsored by the local hospital.

The temporary hospital head has only served about a week in his new position, replacing former CEO Jay Cox. The former CEO announced his resignation back in September, four months after a federal jury found Tuomey in violation of Stark Law and the False Claims Act and collecting more than $39.3 million in fraudulent Medicare claims between 2005 and 2009. After fines and penalties, Tuomey currently faces a judgment against them for more than

$237.4 million.

While mediation discussions between the federal government and Tuomey are still said to be ongoing, there have been no announcements of a possible settlement.

“My role is really to bridge whatever exists now until this litigation is settled, the place settles down, and we’re able to move forward in a new direction,” Schwartz said.

For now, Schwartz said he is tackling the position by accessing the assets and needs of the hospital in order to develop an effective strategy for the future. One of the pressing concerns for both Tuomey and health care in Sumter in general, Schwartz said, is its lack of doctors.

“We need, at a minimum, an additional 22 doctors in this community,” Schwartz said. “That’s the gap from what we need and what we have.

And that doesn’t take into consideration the fact that many doctors (in Sumter) are planning to retire.”

Reach Braden Bunch at (803) 774-1201.

PUBLIC AGENDA SUMTER COUNTY LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES Today, 5 p.m., library

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TODAY

TONIGHT

FRIDAY

SATURDAY 63°

53° 50°

795-4257

SUNDAY

MONDAY 55°

64°

25° 39°

54°

35°

34°

Cool with times of clouds and sun

Clear and cold

Partly sunny

Rain and drizzle

Partial sunshine

Plenty of sun

Winds: NNE 6-12 mph

Winds: VAR 2-4 mph

Winds: SE 3-6 mph

Winds: SSE 6-12 mph

Winds: NNW 7-14 mph

Winds: NE 6-12 mph

Chance of rain: 0%

Chance of rain: 0%

Chance of rain: 5%

Chance of rain: 75%

Chance of rain: 20%

Chance of rain: 20%

Full Sumter through 4 p.m. yesterday

Temperature High ............................................... 53° Low ................................................ 27° Normal high ................................... 58° Normal low ..................................... 35° Record high ....................... 80° in 2007 Record low ......................... 20° in 1968

Greenville 48/28

Gaffney 46/22 Spartanburg 48/25

Bishopville 50/24

24 hrs ending 4 p.m. yest. ........... 0.00" Month to date ............................... 1.43" Normal month to date .................. 1.10" Year to date ................................ 47.07" Normal year to date .................. 44.70"

Full 7 a.m. 24-hr pool yest. chg 360 350.00 -0.06 76.8 74.40 +0.03 75.5 73.98 -0.02 100 95.58 -0.28

River Black River Congaree River Lynches River Saluda River Up. Santee River Wateree River

Full pool 12 19 14 14 80 24

City Aiken Asheville Athens Augusta Beaufort Cape Hatteras Charleston Charlotte Clemson Columbia

Today Hi/Lo/W 53/25/s 40/20/s 48/28/s 54/23/s 57/32/pc 48/31/pc 56/30/pc 46/23/s 48/28/s 52/24/s

7 a.m. yest.

6.52 4.10 3.93 5.90 78.31 9.50

24-hr chg +0.09 -0.62 +0.25 +0.46 +0.43 -0.05

Fri. Hi/Lo/W 55/40/pc 46/32/pc 53/38/pc 55/39/pc 59/48/pc 48/41/s 59/45/pc 50/35/pc 51/40/pc 54/37/pc

Columbia 52/24 Today: Mostly sunny and chilly.

Friday: Partly sunny.

Last

Dec. 17 Dec. 25 New First

Jan. 1

Precipitation

Lake Murray Marion Moultrie Wateree

Sunrise today .......................... 7:17 a.m.

Sunset tonight ......................... 5:13 p.m.

Moonrise today ....................... 2:10 p.m.

Moonset today ........................ 2:48 a.m.

Jan. 7

Florence 50/24

Sumter 50/25

Myrtle Beach 51/29

Manning 52/25 Aiken 53/25

Shown is today’s weather.

Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

Charleston 56/30

Today: Times of clouds and sun. High 51 to 58.

Friday: Partly sunny. High 53 to 59.

The following tide table lists times for Myrtle Beach.

Thu.

Forecasts and graphics provided

by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2013

City Darlington Elizabeth City Elizabethtown Fayetteville Florence Gainesville Gastonia Goldsboro Goose Creek Greensboro

Today Hi/Lo/W 49/24/pc 42/22/pc 47/24/pc 46/23/pc 50/24/pc 66/38/pc 47/21/s 46/25/pc 55/29/pc 40/25/s

Fri. Hi/Lo/W 53/36/pc 48/34/s 50/37/pc 51/33/pc 52/38/pc 70/55/pc 51/35/pc 49/34/s 58/45/pc 48/35/pc

Fri.

City Greenville Hickory Hilton Head Jacksonville, FL La Grange Macon Marietta Marion Mount Pleasant Myrtle Beach

Today Hi/Lo/W 48/28/s 44/24/s 58/38/pc 63/40/pc 50/26/s 54/26/s 46/23/s 44/20/s 55/32/pc 51/29/pc

Fri. Hi/Lo/W 51/38/pc 46/33/pc 56/52/pc 65/54/pc 55/43/c 57/41/c 50/38/c 48/34/pc 58/48/pc 53/41/pc

High Ht. Low Ht. 4:56 a.m.....3.1 11:55 a.m.....0.3 5:18 p.m.....2.9 ---..... --5:50 a.m.....3.2 12:03 a.m....-0.1 6:10 p.m.....2.8 12:50 p.m.....0.3

City Orangeburg Port Royal Raleigh Rock Hill Rockingham Savannah Spartanburg Summerville Wilmington Winston-Salem

Today Hi/Lo/W 52/27/pc 58/34/pc 42/22/s 47/20/s 47/19/pc 58/32/pc 48/25/s 58/35/pc 50/25/pc 41/23/s

Fri. Hi/Lo/W 55/42/pc 58/50/pc 49/35/s 51/33/pc 50/31/pc 61/49/pc 51/38/pc 57/50/pc 53/36/s 46/34/pc

Shown are today’s noon positions of weather systems and precipitation. Temperature bands are highs for the day.

-10s -0s 0s 10s 20s 30s 40s 50s 60s 70s 80s 90s 100s 110s Stationary front

Cold front Showers Rain T-storms Snow Flurries

Ice

Warm front

Today Fri. Today Fri. City Hi/Lo/W Hi/Lo/W City Hi/Lo/W Hi/Lo/W Albuquerque 45/30/pc 46/28/s Las Vegas 54/36/s 55/39/s Anchorage 10/6/c 18/15/sn Los Angeles 72/48/s 66/48/s Atlanta 48/27/s 52/41/c Miami 82/71/pc 80/73/pc Baltimore 28/15/s 36/25/pc Minneapolis 18/9/c 18/6/c Boston 29/20/s 34/22/c New Orleans 56/43/pc 64/58/c Charleston, WV 28/18/s 44/31/pc New York 28/18/s 30/24/c Charlotte 46/23/s 50/35/pc Oklahoma City 42/30/s 47/25/r Chicago 19/14/c 29/24/pc Omaha 32/11/s 27/9/c Cincinnati 24/17/s 39/32/pc Philadelphia 27/18/s 33/24/pc Dallas 44/35/pc 53/37/sh Phoenix 68/46/pc 65/47/s Denver 50/22/s 42/21/pc Pittsburgh 19/12/pc 33/26/c Des Moines 28/15/s 30/12/c St. Louis 34/23/s 38/30/sn Detroit 19/13/pc 29/22/c Salt Lake City 31/17/pc 35/21/s Helena 34/20/pc 33/16/c San Francisco 56/42/pc 57/43/s Honolulu 83/69/s 83/68/pc Seattle 44/41/r 48/41/c Indianapolis 22/14/s 34/29/pc Topeka 37/24/s 39/17/c Kansas City 36/22/s 37/16/c Washington, DC 30/23/s 42/32/pc Weather(W): s-sunny, pc-partly cloudy, c-cloudy, sh-showers, t-thunderstorms, r-rain, sf-snow flurries, sn-snow, i-ice

ARIES (March 21-April 19): LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): the last word in astrology Be ready to make lastTravel plans or engaging in minute changes if social events will give you a eugenia LAST necessary. Good fortune chance to interact with will be yours if you’re people from unique astute, articulate and on backgrounds. Avoid a feud top of your game. Keep spending low and your by staying out of a debate between peers or intake high. friends.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Get started early and SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Fix up your place. don’t stop until you’ve completed everything Comfort and practicality will make you feel at on your work list. A chance to look for home and encourage you to entertain more. something that will boost your confidence will Your relationship with friends and relatives will bring about a welcome surprise. improve if you offer hospitality and cheer.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Go where the action SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Make a quick is and welcome any challenge that comes your decision and a fast move. Idle time will be what way. Your persistence and bravado will help leads to trouble. Figure out your strategy and you connect with people who can change your don’t waste time pursuing your goal. future.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Good times are in CANCER (June 21-July 22): Don’t leave work order. Hospitality will show your heart is in the unfinished. Consistency will help secure your right place. Don’t feel you have to make a position. Now’s not the time to slow down, but change because of what others do. Be true to instead is the moment of truth as to what you yourself. have and are willing to offer.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Don’t let money LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Spend what you can slip through your fingers. Impulse purchases afford, nothing more. Take a break from people will lead to the poorhouse. Concentrate on pressuring you. Good friends and ways you can put your talents and skills to entertainment will help turn a demanding day better use. into an eventful evening.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Act on instinct and VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Get out and about. judge others by how consistent and reliable You will find great bargains if you shop and they are. You can expand your plans and interesting information if you research or take explore new endeavors, but you are best not to part in industry events. Romance is on the rise. get involved in a joint venture.

PICK 3 WEDNESDAY: 3-5-8 AND 2-4-5 PICK 4 WEDNESDAY: 4-8-0-9 AND 7-2-4-0 PALMETTO CASH 5 WEDNESDAY: 5-10-11-31-32 POWERUP: 3 MEGAMILLIONS TUESDAY: 5-12-22-41-65 MEGABALL: 13 MEGAPLIER: 2

POWERBALL NUMBERS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AT PRESS TIME.

pictures from the public

Julie Jeffcoat comments on her photo submission, “Kirk, my husband, is the Opera House manager/technical person for the city.

He usually does the dancing lights at Swan Lake. They decided to have him design something for downtown this year. He constructed this tree as the centerpiece and has programmed the light display to ‘dance’ to about a dozen songs.”

Have you visited someplace interesting, exciting, beautiful or historical that you’ve taken some pictures of? Would you like to share those images with your fellow Item readers? E-mail your hi-resolution jpegs to sandrah@theitem.com, or mail to Sandra Holbert c/o The Item, P.O. Box 1677, Sumter, SC 29150. Include clearly printed or typed name of photographer and photo details.

Include self-addressed, stamped envelope for return of your photo.

Amateur photographers only please.

SPORTS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013

THE ITEM

B1

To contact the Sports Department, call (803) 774-1241 or e-mail sports@theitem.com

McDowell earns ACC recognition

BY DENNIS BRUNSON dennisb@theitem.com

MATT WALSH / THE ITEM

Sumter senior cornerback Erick Wright (9) causes a fumble against Dutch Fork junior Matt Colburn (31) during the 4A Division I state championship at Williams-Brice Stadium last week. Wright will play in Saturday’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl at Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium in Myrtle Beach.

Wright place, time

Roderick McDowell had to wait four years to get his chance to start at running back for the Clemson football team, but he’s had a good enough senior season to gain accolades from the Atlantic Coast Conference’s coaches.

McDowell, the former Sumter High School standout, was named third team All-ACC by the 14 conference coaches on Wednesday.

McDowell was one of 10 Tigers named to the three teams. Junior wide receiver Sammy Watkins, junior defensive end Vic Beasley and senior offensive tackle

Brandon Thomas were named to the first team while senior quarterback Tajh Boyd was selected to the second team. Joining McDowell on the third team were senior offensive guard Tyler Shatley, senior linebacker Spencer Shuey, junior linebacker Stephone Anthony, senior placekicker Chandler Catanzaro and junior cornerback Bashaud Breeland.

McDowell waited behind Andre Ellington for three years before finally getting his chance to start this season. He has rushed for 956 yards and five touchdowns on 177 carries, good for third in SEE ACC, PAGE B3

SHS senior DB hopes to shine in N-S game

BY JUSTIN DRIGGERS jdriggers@theitem.com It was sometime at the end of July when Sumter High School cornerback Erick Wright last spent a week without practicing or playing football.

But with his high school career nearing its end, Wright is enjoying every second of his last week of two-adays.

The 6-foot Gamecock standout has been in Myrtle Beach this week as he and the other South AllStars prepare for Saturday’s 2013 Touchstone Energy Coopera-

PREP SCHEDULE TODAY Varsity and JV Basketball Thomas Sumter at Trinity-Byrnes, 4 p.m.

Carolina at Robert E. Lee, 4 p.m.

Clarendon Hall at Dillon Christian, 4 p.m.

Sumter Christian at Marion Christian (No Varsity Girls), 4 p.m.

Junior Varsity Basketball Lee Central at Timmonsville JV and B Team Basketball Sumter at Crestwood (No B Team Girls), 5 p.m.

Middle School Basketball Sneed at Alice Drive, 5 p.m.

Furman at Bates, 5 p.m.

Mayewood at Chestnut Oaks, 5 p.m.

Ebenezer at Hillcrest, 5 p.m.

Manning at Howard, 6 p.m.

Kingstree at Lee Central, 5:30 p.m.

FRIDAY Varsity Basketball

tives Bowl at Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium.

The 66th annual allstar showcase kicks off

Crestwood at Sumter, 6 p.m.

Timmonsville at Lee Central, 6 p.m.

East Clarendon at Lake City, 6 p.m.

Varsity Boys Basketball First Baptist at Wilson Hall, 8:15 p.m.

Laurence Manning vs. Palmetto Christian (at Wilson Hall), 5:15 p.m.

Varsity Girls Basketball First Baptist at Wilson Hall, 5:15 p.m.

Laurence Manning vs. Palmetto Christian (at Wilson Hall), 6:45 p.m.

Varsity and JV Basketball Robert E. Lee at The King’s Academy, 4 p.m.

South Pointe Christian at Sumter Christian, 4 p.m.

JV Boys Basketball First Baptist at Wilson Hall, 4 p.m.

JV Girls Basketball First Baptist at Wilson Hall, 4 p.m.

Varsity Wrestling Sumter in Demon Holiday Classic (at Lugoff-Elgin High), TBA

at 12:30 p.m. and features 44 players on both the North and South squads.

“It’s a great honor to

Badgers excited for challenge against USC

SEE WRIGHT, PAGE B2

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Clemson’s Roderick McDowell (25) earned third team allACC honors on Wednesday as voted on by the conference coaches. The former Sumter High standout helped guide the Tigers to a 10-2 record and Orange Bowl selection.

Ohio State, Clemson together in Orange Bowl once again

BY SANDRA HARWITT The Associated Press

BY WILLIE T. SMITH III Greenville News COLUMBIA — Gary Andersen faced immediate pressure after taking over as Wisconsin’s coach in December of 2012.

The former Utah State coach delivered, ANDERSEN leading the always successful Badgers to a 9-3 record which included a 6-2 mark in the Big Ten. That was good enough to earn a bid to the Capital One Bowl, in Orlando where it will face South Carolina on New Year’s Day. “Obviously, we’re really excited to have the opportunity to compete in this game,” said Andersen. “(We are playing against) just a tremendous, tremendous football team in South Carolina. It’s a great opportunity. I know our kids are unbelievably excited.”

For those who believe the eighth-ranked

be down here with this collection of talent,” Wright said. “It’s a wealth of talent on both sides and I think it’s going to be an exciting game.”

The high level of skill has been obvious in practices Wright said, and the preparation for what amounts to an exhibition game has even surprised him.

“We have two practices a day and they’re pretty intense,” Wright said. “We’re all allstars so we all get after it, too.”

So much so that

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon (25) hopes to lead an aggressive ground attack against South Carolina on New Year’s Day in the Capital One Bowl in Orlando, Fla.

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. — The last time Ohio State and Clemson got together in a bowl game, Buckeyes coach Woody Hayes punched a Tigers player and was fired the next day.

On Wednesday at the Orange Bowl news conference, Ohio State SWINNEY coach Urban Meyer and Clemson counterpart Dabo Swinney traded compliments, praising each other’s teams.

Clemson won the previous meeting, 17-15 in

SEE USC, PAGE B3

SEE ORANGE BOWL, PAGE B3

Big prize still out there in Heisman for NIU’s Lynch

BY ANDREW SELIGMAN The Associated Press

Gamecocks will have an easy time with the No. 19 Badgers, think again.

They will come to Orlando with the usual Midwestern mindset – pound the football on the ground, while resorting to the pass when necessary.

the 1978 Gator Bowl. In that game, Hayes punched Clemson nose guard Charlie Bauman after he intercepted a late pass.

Meyer has led the Buckeyes to a 12-1 record this year, losing to Michigan State 34-24 on Saturday night in the Big Ten championship game.

Clemson lost two games this season, to top-ranked Florida State and the regular- season finale to South Carolina.

“This is a great reward for another excellent season,” Swinney said at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel. “It’s great to be competing against a

DEKALB, Ill. — For Jordan Lynch, one big prize is still out there.

Northern Illinois’ star quarterback will find out Saturday in New York if he’s the Heisman Trophy winner.

Lynch was one of six finalists invited Monday to the ceremony along with overwhelming favorite Jameis Winston of Florida State and last year’s winner Johnny Manziel of Texas A&M.

“I don’t think it will all sink in until I actually give it time to sink in and really look back,” Lynch said. “I don’t think that will happen until after this season and after the last game.”

Lynch led No. 24 Northern Illinois (12-1) to LYNCH within a victory of a second straight BCS berth after making the Orange Bowl last season.

That possibility got doused

with a 20-point loss to Bowling Green in the Mid-American Conference championship game, but the big prize still is out there for a senior who set the major college rushing record for yards rushing by a quarterback.

He found out around 4:45 p.m. Central on Monday that he was a finalist from coach Rod Carey, who asked if he felt like hanging out in New York.

Lynch tweeted the news a few SEE LYNCH, PAGE B3

B2

SPORTS

THE ITEM

SCOREBOARD TV, RADIO TODAY 6:30 a.m. -- Professional Golf: European PGA Tour/Sunshine Tour Nelson Mandela Championship Second Round from Durban, South Africa (GOLF).

1 p.m. -- International Soccer: UEFA Europa League Match from St. Gallen, Switzerland -- Swansea City vs. St. Gallen (FOX SPORTS 1).

3 p.m. -- International Soccer: UEFA Europa League Match from Makhachkala, Russia -Anzhi Makhachkala vs. Tottenham (FOX SPORTS 1).

6 p.m. -- College Football: College Football Awards Red Carpet Show from Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (ESPNU).

6:05 p.m. -- Talk Show: Sports Talk (WPUBFM 102.7, WDXY-FM 105.9, WDXY-AM 1240).

7 p.m. -- College Football: College Football Awards from Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (ESPN).

7 p.m. -- High School Basketball: Whitney Young (Ill.) vs. Apple Valley (Minn.) from Apple Valley, Minn. (ESPN2).

7 p.m. -- College Basketball: Maryland at Boston College (ESPNU).

7 p.m. -- Women’s College Basketball: Kentucky at DePaul (FOX SPORTS 1).

8 p.m. -- NFL Football: San Diego at Denver (NFL NETWORK).

8 p.m. -- NBA Basketball: Los Angeles Clippers at Brooklyn (TNT).

9 p.m. -- NHL Hockey: Carolina at Calgary (FOX SPORTSOUTH).

9 p.m. -- College Basketball: Florida Atlantic at DePaul (FOX SPORTS 1).

10:30 p.m. -- NBA Basketball: Houston at Portland (TNT).

11:30 p.m. -- Professional Golf: Asian Tour Thailand Championship Second Round from Bangkok (GOLF).

Midnight -- NHL Hockey: Dallas at Nashville (FOX SPORTSOUTH).

COLLEGE FOOTBALL The Associated Press Bowl Schedule Saturday, Dec. 21 New Mexico Bowl At Albuquerque Washington State (6-6) vs. Colorado State (7-6), 2 p.m. (ESPN) Las Vegas Bowl Fresno State (11-1) vs. Southern Cal (9-4), 3:30 p.m. (ABC) Famous Idaho Potato Bowl At Boise, Idaho Buffalo (8-4) vs. San Diego State (7-5), 5:30 p.m. (ESPN) New Orleans Bowl Tulane (7-5) vs. Louisiana-Lafayette (8-4), 9 p.m. (ESPN) Monday, Dec. 23 Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl At St. Petersburg, Fla. Ohio (7-5) vs. East Carolina (9-3), 2 p.m.

(ESPN) Tuesday, Dec. 24 Hawaii Bowl At Honolulu Oregon State (6-6) vs. Boise State (8-4), 8 p.m. (ESPN) Thursday, Dec. 26 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl At Detroit Bowling Green (10-3) vs. Pittsburgh (6-6), 6 p.m. (ESPN) Poinsettia Bowl At San Diego Northern Illinois (12-1) vs. Utah State (8-5), 9:30 p.m. (ESPN) Friday, Dec. 27 Military Bowl At Annapolis, Md. Marshall (9-4) vs. Maryland (7-5), 2:30 p.m.

(ESPN) Texas Bowl At Houston Minnesota (8-4) vs. Syracuse (6-6), 6 p.m.

(ESPN) Fight Hunger Bowl At San Francisco BYU (8-4) vs. Washington (8-4), 9:30 p.m.

(ESPN) Saturday, Dec. 28 Pinstripe Bowl At New York Notre Dame (8-4) vs. Rutgers (6-6), Noon (ESPN) Belk Bowl At Charlotte, N.C. Cincinnati (9-3) vs. North Carolina (6-6), 3:20 p.m. (ESPN) Russell Athletic Bowl At Orlando, Fla. Miami (9-3) vs. Louisville (11-1), 6:45 p.m.

(ESPN) Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl At Tempe, Ariz.

Kansas State (7-5) vs. Michigan (7-5), 10:15 p.m. (ESPN)

NBA STANDINGS

By The Associated Press EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division W L Pct GB Boston 10 13 .435 – Toronto 7 13 .350 11/2 Brooklyn 7 14 .333 2 Philadelphia 7 15 .318 21/2 New York 5 15 .250 31/2 Southeast Division W L Pct GB Miami 16 6 .727 – Atlanta 11 11 .500 5 Charlotte 10 11 .476 51/2 Washington 9 11 .450 6 Orlando 6 15 .286 91/2 Central Division W L Pct GB Indiana 19 3 .864 – Detroit 10 12 .455 9 Chicago 8 11 .421 91/2 Cleveland 8 13 .381 101/2 Milwaukee 5 16 .238 131/2 WESTERN CONFERENCE Southwest Division W L Pct GB San Antonio 16 4 .800 – Houston 15 7 .682 2 Dallas 13 9 .591 4 Memphis 10 10 .500 6 New Orleans 9 10 .474 61/2 Northwest Division W L Pct GB Portland 18 4 .818 – Oklahoma City 16 4 .800 1 Denver 13 8 .619 41/2 Minnesota 10 11 .476 71/2 Utah 4 19 .174 141/2 Pacific Division W L Pct GB L.A. Clippers 14 8 .636 – Phoenix 12 9 .571 11/2 Golden State 12 10 .545 2 L.A. Lakers 10 11 .476 31/2 Sacramento 6 13 .316 61/2 Tuesday’s Games Indiana 90, Miami 84 Cleveland 109, New York 94 San Antonio 116, Toronto 103 Brooklyn 104, Boston 96 Oklahoma City 101, Atlanta 92 Minnesota 121, Detroit 94 Milwaukee 78, Chicago 74 Phoenix 114, L.A. Lakers 108 Wednesday’s Games Orlando 92, Charlotte 83 L.A. Clippers 96, Boston 88 Philadelphia at Minnesota, late San Antonio at Milwaukee, late Oklahoma City at Memphis, late Detroit at New Orleans, late Chicago at New York, late Utah at Sacramento, late Dallas at Golden State, late Today’s Games L.A. Clippers at Brooklyn, 8 p.m.

Houston at Portland, 10:30 p.m.

| Friday’s Games Cleveland at Orlando, 7 p.m.

Charlotte at Indiana, 7 p.m.

Philadelphia at Toronto, 7 p.m.

New York at Boston, 7:30 p.m.

Washington at Atlanta, 7:30 p.m.

Brooklyn at Detroit, 7:30 p.m.

L.A. Lakers at Oklahoma City, 8 p.m.

Memphis at New Orleans, 8 p.m.

Chicago at Milwaukee, 8:30 p.m.

Minnesota at San Antonio, 8:30 p.m.

Sacramento at Phoenix, 9 p.m.

Utah at Denver, 9 p.m.

Houston at Golden State, 10:30 p.m.

By The Associated Press AMERICAN CONFERENCE East W L T Pct PF New England 10 3 0 .769 349 Miami 7 6 0 .538 286 N.Y. Jets 6 7 0 .462 226 Buffalo 4 9 0 .308 273 South W L T Pct PF y-Indianapolis 8 5 0 .615 313 Tennessee 5 8 0 .385 292 Jacksonville 4 9 0 .308 201 Houston 2 11 0 .154 250 North W L T Pct PF Cincinnati 9 4 0 .692 334 Baltimore 7 6 0 .538 278 Pittsburgh 5 8 0 .385 291 Cleveland 4 9 0 .308 257 West W L T Pct PF x-Denver 11 2 0 .846 515 Kansas City 10 3 0 .769 343 San Diego 6 7 0 .462 316 Oakland 4 9 0 .308 264 NATIONAL CONFERENCE East W L T Pct PF Philadelphia 8 5 0 .615 334 Dallas 7 6 0 .538 357 N.Y. Giants 5 8 0 .385 251 Washington 3 10 0 .231 279 South W L T Pct PF New Orleans 10 3 0 .769 343 Carolina 9 4 0 .692 298 Tampa Bay 4 9 0 .308 244 Atlanta 3 10 0 .231 282 North W L T Pct PF Detroit 7 6 0 .538 346 Chicago 7 6 0 .538 368 Green Bay 6 6 1 .500 316 Minnesota 3 9 1 .269 315 West W L T Pct PF x-Seattle 11 2 0 .846 357 San Francisco 9 4 0 .692 316 Arizona 8 5 0 .615 305 St. Louis 5 8 0 .385 289 x-clinched playoff spot y-clinched division

Dengokl, Lemon lead LHS past Camden Sonora Dengokl had 18 points and Kamryn Lemon added 14 as the Lakewood varsity girls basketball team improved to 4-1 with a 51-47 victory over Camden on Wednesday at The Swamp.

Lakewood will host Sumter on Saturday.

NFL STANDINGS PA 287 276 337 334 PA 316 318 372 350 PA 244 261 312 324 PA 345 224 291 337 PA 301 348 334 407 PA 243 188 291 362 PA 321 360 326 395 PA 205 214 257 308

TODAY San Diego at Denver, 8:25 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 15 Philadelphia at Minnesota, 1 p.m.

Washington at Atlanta, 1 p.m.

San Francisco at Tampa Bay, 1 p.m.

Seattle at N.Y. Giants, 1 p.m.

Chicago at Cleveland, 1 p.m.

Houston at Indianapolis, 1 p.m.

Buffalo at Jacksonville, 1 p.m.

New England at Miami, 1 p.m.

Kansas City at Oakland, 4:05 p.m.

N.Y. Jets at Carolina, 4:05 p.m.

Arizona at Tennessee, 4:25 p.m.

New Orleans at St. Louis, 4:25 p.m.

Green Bay at Dallas, 4:25 p.m.

Cincinnati at Pittsburgh, 8:30 p.m.

Monday Baltimore at Detroit, 8:40 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 22 Tampa Bay at St. Louis, 1 p.m.

Indianapolis at Kansas City, 1 p.m.

Denver at Houston, 1 p.m.

Miami at Buffalo, 1 p.m.

New Orleans at Carolina, 1 p.m.

Dallas at Washington, 1 p.m.

Cleveland at N.Y. Jets, 1 p.m.

Minnesota at Cincinnati, 1 p.m.

Tennessee at Jacksonville, 1 p.m.

Arizona at Seattle, 4:05 p.m.

N.Y. Giants at Detroit, 4:05 p.m.

Oakland at San Diego, 4:25 p.m.

Pittsburgh at Green Bay, 4:25 p.m.

New England at Baltimore, 4:25 p.m.

Chicago at Philadelphia, 8:30 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 23 Atlanta at San Francisco, 8:40 p.m.

NHL STANDINGS

By The Associated Press EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division GP W L OT Pts GF GA Boston 31 21 8 2 44 86 62 Montreal 32 19 10 3 41 85 71 Detroit 32 15 9 8 38 87 85 Tampa Bay 30 17 10 3 37 85 76 Toronto 31 16 12 3 35 86 87 Ottawa 32 12 14 6 30 92 105 Florida 32 10 17 5 25 73 106 Buffalo 31 7 22 2 16 53 92 Metropolitan Division GP W L OT Pts GF GA Pittsburgh 32 21 10 1 43 98 71 Washington 31 17 12 2 36 98 90 Carolina 32 13 13 6 32 75 91 N.Y. Rangers 32 15 16 1 31 70 84 New Jersey 32 12 14 6 30 73 82 Philadelphia 30 13 14 3 29 68 78 Columbus 31 13 15 3 29 78 86 N.Y. Islanders 32 9 18 5 23 80 111 WESTERN CONFERENCE Central Division GP W L OT Pts GF GA Chicago 33 22 6 5 49 122 91 St. Louis 29 20 6 3 43 100 67 Minnesota 32 18 9 5 41 77 75 Colorado 29 20 9 0 40 83 68 Dallas 29 14 10 5 33 83 86 Winnipeg 32 14 14 4 32 83 90 Nashville 31 14 14 3 31 71 89 Pacific Division GP W L OT Pts GF GA Anaheim 33 21 7 5 47 106 86 San Jose 31 19 6 6 44 103 78 Los Angeles 31 20 7 4 44 85 62 Vancouver 33 18 10 5 41 88 81 Phoenix 30 17 8 5 39 97 94 Calgary 30 11 15 4 26 79 100 Edmonton 32 11 18 3 25 89 109 NOTE: Two points for a win, one point for overtime loss.

Tuesday’s Games Buffalo 2, Ottawa 1, SO Washington 6, Tampa Bay 5, SO Florida 3, Detroit 2, SO N.Y. Islanders 3, San Jose 2, SO Columbus 5, New Jersey 4 Los Angeles 6, Montreal 0 Nashville 4, N.Y. Rangers 1 St. Louis 2, Winnipeg 1 Chicago 6, Dallas 2 Phoenix 3, Colorado 1 Boston 2, Calgary 1 Edmonton 5, Carolina 4, OT Wednesday’s Games Los Angeles at Toronto, late Philadelphia at Chicago, late Minnesota at Anaheim, late Today’s Games Columbus at N.Y. Rangers, 7 p.m.

Montreal at Philadelphia, 7 p.m.

Buffalo at Ottawa, 7:30 p.m.

Detroit at Tampa Bay, 7:30 p.m.

Toronto at St. Louis, 8 p.m.

Dallas at Nashville, 8 p.m.

Colorado at Winnipeg, 8 p.m.

Carolina at Calgary, 9 p.m.

N.Y. Islanders at Phoenix, 9 p.m.

Boston at Edmonton, 9:30 p.m.

Minnesota at San Jose, 10:30 p.m.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013

ORANGEBURG PREP THOMAS SUMTER

49 36

ORANGEBURG – Julia Law led Thomas Sumter Academy with 10 points, but it was not enough as the Lady Generals fell to Orangeburg Prep 49-36 on Tuesday at the OP gymnasium.

Logan Morris and Sydney Long each added eight points for TSA, who fell to 4-2 overall and will travel to

GIRLS AREA ROUNDUP Trinity-Byrnes today.

THOMAS SUMTER Law 10, Morris 8, Long 8, Ross 5, Jenkins 4, Nevels 1.

EMMANUEL CHRISTIAN SUMTER CHRISTIAN

59 46

Susanna Hutson scored 16 points, including five 3-pointers, and Sarah Hutson added 14, but it was not enough as Sumter Christian fell to Emmanuel Christian 59-46 on Tuesday at the SCS gymnasium.

The Lady Bears fell to 2-2 overall and 1-1 in the region and will next play on Saturday at 6 p.m. at home against South Point.

B TEAM BASKETBALL WILSON HALL HAMMOND

32 12

Hayley McCaffrey

|

and Becca Noyse each scored six points as the Wilson Hall B team earned a 32-12 victory over Hammond on Wednesday at Nash Student Center.

JUNIOR VARSITY BASKETBALL CRESTWOOD 40 LAKE CITY 26

LAKE CITY – Crestwood’s JV girls basketball team earned a 40-26 victory over Lake City on Wednesday at the Lake City gymnasium.

SUMTER CHRISTIAN EMMANUEL CHRISTIAN

30 28

Susanna Hutson scored 13 points as Sumter Christian pulled out a 30-28 overtime victory against Emmanuel

Christian on Tuesday at the SCS gymnasium.

Sarah Fraser added 10 points for the Lady Bears, who improved to 2-0 and 1-0 in the region.

SCS plays again today in Marion at 4 p.m.

MIDDLE SCHOOL BASKETBALL CHESTNUT OAKS 33 EBENEZER 14

Keonna McElveen scored 18 points to lead Chestnut Oaks Middle School to its first victory of the season in a 33-14 win over Ebenezer on Monday at the Chestnut Oaks gymnasium.

Savonna Simon added 10 points for the Lady Falcons.

BOYS AREA ROUNDUP

|

Cotton lifts WH B Team past Hammond Jacob Cotton scored eight points as the Wilson Hall B basketball team improved to 4-1 with a 27-24 victory over Hammond on Wednesday at Nash Student Center.

Charlton Commander and Walker Jones each added five points for the Barons with Jones pulling down five rebounds as well. Jake Myers also chimed in with seven rebounds.

Wilson Hall returns to action on Jan. 7 when it hosts Heathwood Hall.

LAKE CITY CRESTWOOD

53 42

LAKE CITY – Tyles Green scored 19 points in a losing effort as the Crestwood B team fell to Lake City 53-42 on Wednesday at the Lake City gymnasium.

LAKEWOOD Johnson 12, White 10, Wactor 6, Grant 4, Wilson 4, Lang 3, Epps 2, Washington 1.

THOMAS SUMTER ORANGEBURG PREP

62 52

ORANGEBURG – Jordan Smith led a trio of Thomas Sumter Academy players in double figures with 24 points as the Generals earned a 62-52 victory over Orangeburg Prep on Tuesday at the OP gymnasium.

Tanner Brunson added 16 points for the Generals followed

by Taylor Roedl with 10.

TSA improves to 4-2 on the season and will travel to TrinityByrnes today.

THOMAS SUMTER Smith 24, Brunson 16, Roedl 10, Robinson 4, Hoge 4, White 2, Dukes 2.

SUMTER CHRISTIAN EMMANUEL CHRISTIAN

VARSITY BASKETBALL CAMDEN LAKEWOOD

for LHS, which fell to 6-2 on the season and will host Sumter on Saturday.

52 42

Jarvis Johnson scored 12 points for Lakewood, but it was not enough as the Gators fell to Camden 52-42 on Wednesday at The Swamp.

Jayln White added 10 points

62 50

Devon Green had 21 points and eight rebounds as Sumter Christian School earned a 62-50 victory over Emmanuel Christian on Tuesday at the SCS gymnasium.

Nick Canty added 13 points and eight rebounds for the

Bears while TJ Barron had 12 points and 10 rebounds.

SCS improved to 5-2 overall and 2-0 in the region and will travel to Marion today for a 6 p.m. game.

JUNIOR VARSITY BASKETBALL SUMTER CHRISTIAN EMMANUEL CHRISTIAN

38 25

Desmond Sigler scored 12 points to help lead Sumter Christian School to a 38-25 victory over Emmanuel Christian on Tuesday at the SCS gymnasium.

Donzell Metz and Grayson Dennis each scored seven points each for SCS. The Bears improved to 5-1 overall and 2-0 in the region and will travel to Marion today for a 5 p.m. game.

MIDDLE SCHOOL BASKETBALL MAYEWOOD BATES

36 35

Mayewood Middle School defeated Bates 46-35 on Monday at the Mayewood gymnasium.

Antonio Anderson and Tavarist Wilson combined for 18 points and 19 rebounds to lead the Vikings.

BASKETBALL ROUNDUP

|

Clippers beat Celtics 96-88 in Rivers’ return BOSTON— Jamal Crawford hit a pair of 3-pointers 23 seconds apart to help the Clippers pull away in the last 3 minutes and former Celtics coach Doc Rivers won his first game back in Boston when Los Angeles beat the Celtics 96-88 Wednesday night.

Crawford came off the bench to score 21 points and Chris Paul had 22 points, nine assists and seven rebounds. Blake Griffin scored 18 points RIVERS for the Clippers, who won for the seventh time in 10 games.

Jeff Green scored 29 points against his former coach, who was traded to Los Angeles last summer for a first-round draft pick. Jordan Crawford had 20 points and nine assists, and Brandon Bass had 17 points and 12 rebounds for the Celtics, who lost their second in a row.

MAGIC BOBCATS

92 83

CHARLOTTE — Jameer Nelson had 12 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter and the Orlando Magic snapped a six-game losing streak with a 92-83 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats on Wednesday.

WRIGHT from Page B1 Wright is actually dealing with a sore hamstring, leaving him at about 90 percent, he said.

“I think the two-adays caught by body off guard a little bit with all the running and things we do,” Wright said.

“But I get treatment after practice and it hasn’t limited me in any way.”

He expects to be a full participant on Saturday, although Wright said he is unsure if he will start or not.

“We have two wellrounded groups on defense that share reps,” he said. “I don’t know if I’ll be in first or not. But it would be a really good experience either way.”

Wright added that

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Los Angeles Clippers’s Jared Dudley (9) tries to go up for a shot against Boston’s Jeff Green (8) during the Clippers’ 96-88 victory in Boston on Wednesday.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL (3) OSU BRYANT

86 48

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Lenzelle Smith Jr. scored 19 points and No. 3 Ohio State pulled away early to beat Bryant 86-48 on Wednesday.

(4) WISCONSIN MILWAUKEE

78 52

MADISON, Wis.— Ben Brust scored 18 points and Frank Kaminsky added 16 as No. 4 Wisconsin remained undefeated with a 78-52 victory over instate rival Milwaukee on Wednesday.

From wire reports

the coaching staff has communicated well what is expected of him in the game, but also has allowed him to be himself.

“They’re a good group; selected just like us,” he said. “They let you know what they want from you, but they also let you continue to do the things that got you to this point, too.”

Wright’s final game will also be his final chance to showcase his

talents for collegiate scouts, although his senior season alone was eye-catching. Wright had 44 total tackles, one for a loss, with 11 interceptions, 17 pass breakups and 1 fumble recovery.

“I think my game has grown throughout my high school career,” he said. “I just have to go out and be myself and try to make a name for myself in terms of recruiting.”

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013

Selection committee talks strength of schedule

BY RALPH D. RUSSO The Associated Press NEW YORK — The members of the College Football Playoff selection committee begin work next season. As for this season, they’ll pass on picking teams.

“None of us have done any work on that,” Clemson athRADAKOVICH letic director Dan Radakovich said.

“We all made an agreement not to answer those questions.”

Radakovich, former Nebraska coach Tom Osborne and former NCAA executive Tom Jernstedt discussed the selection committee and how it

will operate Wednesday at the Intercollegiate Athletic Forum, which is sponsored by IMG and presented by SportsBusiness Daily/Global/Journal.

They did not, however, delve into which teams they would have picked this season if next year’s four-team playoff was in place instead of the Bowl Championship Series. No. 1 Florida State will play No. 2 Auburn on Jan. 6 at the Rose Bowl in the final BCS national championship game.

Strength of schedule was a much discussed topic as the BCS race played out over the last couple weeks of the regular season, with Auburn supporters insisting that even though the Tigers had lost a game they should play for the national title ahead of undefeated Ohio State.

Ultimately, the Buckeyes lost

and cleared the way for Auburn.

How the committee would have sorted through the other playoff candidates this season — such as Michigan State, Baylor, Alabama and Stanford — is unclear, but there is no doubt that who you face is going to play a big role in how football’s final four bracket is filled out.

“If you look back over the last 10-20 years, there’s all kinds of rationale that go into scheduling,” Jernstedt said. “For wins.

For revenue. ... Strength of schedule will become such an important factor that if you want to be under consideration, you need to have a more meaningful schedule than perhaps you’ve had in previous years.”

Osborne said some programs could be in a bind no matter what they do with their nonconference schedule.

2013 ALL-ACC LIST The Associated Press GREENSBORO, N.C. — Voting results for the 2013 all-Atlantic Coast Conference teams and individual award winners, as determined by a vote of the league’s 14 head coaches. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own players.

First Team Offense QB_Jameis Winston, Fr., Florida State (39) RB_Andre Williams, Sr., Boston College (39) RB_Devonte Freeman, Jr., Florida State (28) WR_Sammy Watkins, Jr., Clemson (39) WR_Rashad Greene, Jr., Florida State (31) WR_Jamison Crowder, Jr., Duke (31) TE_Eric Ebron, Jr., North Carolina (38) T_Cameron Erving, Jr., Florida State (31) T_Brandon Thomas, Sr., Clemson (23) G_Laken Tomlinson, Jr., Duke (26) G_Tre’ Jackson, Jr., Florida State (23) C_Bryan Stork, Sr., Florida State (38) PK_Roberto Aguayo, Fr., Florida State (28) Defense DE_Vic Beasley, Jr., Clemson (35) DE_Jeremiah Attaochu, Sr., Georgia Tech (29) DT_Aaron Donald, Sr., Pitt (35) DT_Timmy Jernigan, Jr., Florida State (33) LB_Telvin Smith, Sr., Florida State (37) LB_Denzel Perryman, Jr., Miami (30) LB_Kevin Pierre-Louis, Sr., Boston College (28) CB_Lamarcus Joyner, Sr., Florida State (38) CB_Kyle Fuller, Sr., Virginia Tech (32) S_Terrence Brooks, Sr., Florida State (33) S_Anthony Harris, Jr., Virginia (22) P_Pat O’Donnell, Sr., Miami (31) SP_Jamison Crowder, Jr., Duke (27)

Second Team Offense QB_Tajh Boyd, Sr., Clemson (27) RB_Duke Johnson, So., Miami (27) RB_Kevin Parks, Jr., Virginia (18) WR_Kelvin Benjamin, So., Florida State (22) WR_Michael Campanaro, Sr., Wake Forest (20) WR_Allen Hurns, Sr., Miami (17) TE_Nick O’Leary. Jr., Florida State (27) T_Morgan Moses, Sr., Virginia (22) T (Tie)_Matt Patchan, Sr., Boston College (21) T (Tie)_James Hurst, Sr., North Carolina (21) G_Brandon Linder, Sr., Miami (19) G (Tie)_Josue Matias, Jr., Florida State (15) G (Tie)_Andrew Miller, Sr., Virginia Tech (15) C_Macky MacPherson, Sr., Syracuse (10) PK_Nate Freese, Sr., Boston College (22) Defense DE_Kareem Martin, Sr., North Carolina DE (Tie)_Kenny Anunike, Sr., Duke (15) DE (Tie)_Kasim Edebali, Sr., Boston College (15) DT_Nikita Whitlock, Sr., Wake Forest (30) DT_Derrick Hopkins, Sr., Virginia Tech (16) LB_Christian Jones, Sr., Florida State (26) LB_Jack Tyler, Sr., Virginia Tech (25) LB_Kelby Brown, Jr., Duke (17) CB_Ross Cockrell, Sr., Duke (21) CB_Kendall Fuller, Fr., Virginia Tech (18) S_Jeremy Cash, So., Duke (21) S_Tre Boston, Sr., North Carolina (21) P_A.J. Hughes, So., Virginia Tech (19) SP_Ryan Switzer, Fr., North Carolina (25)

RB_Roderick McDowell, Sr., Clemson (13) WR_Kenny Shaw, Sr., Florida State (16) WR_Tyler Boyd, Fr., Pitt (16) WR_Alex Amidon, Sr., Boston College (14) TE_Braxton Deaver, Jr., Duke (8) T_Seantrel Henderson, Sr., Miami (15) T_Perry Simmons, Sr., Duke (11) G_Tyler Shatley, Sr., Clemson (14) G_Shaquille Mason, Jr., Georgia Tech (13) C_Shane McDermott, Jr., Miami (9) PK_Chandler Catanzaro, Sr., Clemson (15) Defense DE_James Gayle, Sr., Virginia Tech (13) DE_Mario Edwards Jr., So. Florida State (12) DT_Luther Maddy, Jr., Virginia Tech (14) DT_Jay Bromley, Sr., Syracuse (11) LB_Spencer Shuey, Sr., Clemson (12) LB_Stephone Anthony, Jr., Clemson (11) LB_Marquis Spruill, Sr., Syracuse (11) CB_Bashaud Breeland, Jr., Clemson (11) CB_Kevin Johnson, Jr., Wake Forest (9) S_Kyshoen Jarrett, Jr., Virginia Tech (15) S_Durell Eskridge, So., Syracuse (9) P_Will Monday, So., Duke (14) SP_Stacy Coley, Fr., Miami (10) Honorable Mention Offense: RB_David Sims, Sr., Georgia Tech (9); WR_Martavis Bryant, Jr., Clemson (13); WR_Devin Street, Pitt (13); Stefon Diggs, So., Maryland (8); C_David Wang, Jr., Virginia Tech (8); T_Ian White, Sr., Boston College (10); Bobby Hart, Jr., Florida State (8).

Defense: DE--J.R. Collins, Sr., Virginia Tech, (11); Corey Crawford, Jr., Clemson (8); DT_Grady Jarrett, Jr., Clemson (9); LB_Steele Divitto, Sr., Boston College (10); Marcus Whitfield, Sr., Maryland (8); CB_Jabari Price, Sr., North Carolina (8).

Special Teams: PK_Niklas Sade, Jr., NC State (12).

Third Team Offense QB_Stephen Morris, Sr., Miami (11) RB_Jerome Smith, Jr., Syracuse (13)

ACC from Page B1 the conference. He is averaging 5.4 yards a carry and 79.7 a game.

McDowell will need 44 yards rushing against Ohio State in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 3 to break the 1,000-yard mark.

McDowell also proved himself to be a consistent receiver out of the backfield. He had 25 catches — good for fourth on the team — for 167 yards and two more scores.

Watkins ranks 11th in the nation and leads the ACC in receiving yards with 1,237. He also has 10 touchdown receptions on his 85 receptions. He needs just four receptions in Clemson’s bowl game to break Aaron Kelley’s

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd (10) throws to Sammy Watkins during the Tigers; 31-17 loss to South Carolina last month. Both Boyd and Watkins earned first-team ACC honors on Wednesday.

record for most catches in a season.

Watkins is a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, which is given to the outstanding receiver in college football.

Beasley has 12 quarterback sacks to go with 19 tackles for loss and four caused fumbles.

Beasley’s 12 sacks rank third in the nation and is tied for first in the ACC. His 19 tackles for loss rank seventh best in the nation. He is a finalist for the Ted Hendricks Award, which is given to the top defensive end in the nation.

Thomas helped the Clemson offense aver-

ORANGE BOWL from Page B1 great quality opponent like Ohio State.

“I don’t have any doubt that this will be a great matchup.”

Meyer offered similar praise, saying: “Ohio State hasn’t been here in a long time and we have a lot of fans in South Florida. I think Clemson and my good friend Dabo Swinney will be a great opponent and it should be an exciting game.”

At stake for Meyer is a chance to finish a fourth season at 13-1 since 2006. Meyer is the first coach to lead three different teams - Utah, Florida and Ohio State - to a BCS Bowl game.

It’s been a two-year magical run,” Meyer said. “We experienced some incredible success over the last two years and we’re going to try and get our 13th win.

“I can tell you this, every team in America wakes up in August and wants to play in a BCS Bowl game and we’re one of the few teams that get to do that so we’re honored to be here.”

The Buckeyes won their sole Orange Bowl appearance in 1977, beating Colorado.

This is Clemson’s fifth invitation to the Orange Bowl, and second in three years.

The Tigers most recent Orange Bowl outing will not bring back good memories. They allowed West Virginia a BCS-record 70 points in their 70-33 loss.

Ohio State and Clemson come into the Orange Bowl led by star quarterbacks. Both teams have relied heavily on their offense during the season, and both have averaged 40 points per game.

age over 40 points and 500 yards per game. A first-team All-ACC selection last year, Thomas has started 35 consecutive games and has 96 career knockdown blocks.

This is the third consecutive year Boyd has made first or secondteam All-ACC. He is the first quarterback in school history to be named All-ACC three times. So far this year, Boyd has completed 252 of 373 passes for 3,473 yards and 29 touchdowns.

He ranks first in the ACC in total offense with 312.2 yards per game and is second in passing efficiency, passing yards per game and touchdown passes. He is the ACC’s career leader in touchdown passes (102) and touchdown responsibility (127).

The Buckeyes Braxton Miller threw for 1,860 yards and 22 touchdowns, and rushed for 1,033 yards and an additional 10 touchdowns.

“When you can count on one finger how many losses you have as a star quarterback it’s pretty good,” Swinney said about Miller. “He’s a thousand yard rusher and I think he missed three games this year.”

Tajh Boyd passed for 3,473 yards and 29 touchdowns. He rushed for 273 yards and managed an additional nine touchdowns for the Tigers.

“I’ve been watching Tajh Boyd play for many years now and I think he’s transitioned from a good player to a great player,” Meyer said. “He’s a dynamic thrower. And as with most excellent quarterbacks his surrounding cast might be the best in America.”

The Orange Bowl is Jan. 3 at Sun Life Stadium.

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LYNCH from Page B1 minutes before 1996 winner Danny Wuerffel made the announcement. By then, he had already contacted his mom Sheila — or at least made an attempt.

The problem was her phone was dead. She was working at a new job, and Lynch didn’t have her office number. His dad Jim wasn’t answering, either.

“So I call my house phone and try and give everyone the news and I’m still trying my mom, still no pick up,” he said. “She finds out by a family friend or something like that, so it wasn’t me to give her the news.”

There’s been plenty of good news for the Huskies with Lynch leading the way the past two years. Carey knew they were in good hands after a particularly poor practice before last season.

“He pulled up the whole offense when Coach (Dave) Doeren was done talking to the whole team,” said Carey, who rose from line coach at the start of the season to offensive coordinator and head coach before the Orange Bowl. “He got after everybody and didn’t get after them in a way of yelling and screaming. It was an, ‘I’m embarrassed. We have too many seniors we’re playing for.’ It’s one of those times as a coach it sends chills down your spine because you know you have something here that’s pretty special.”

USC from Page B1 Running back Melvin Gordon leads the Badgers with 1,466 rushing yards this season. He scored 12 touchdowns. He was closely followed by James White who ran for 1,337 yards and scored a team-high 13 touchdowns.

If the Gamecocks find a way to stop that duo, quarterback Joel Stave has completed 199 of 323 passes for 2,414 yards and 20 touchdowns. He has suffered 12 interceptions.

Wide receiver Jared Abbrederis is the leading pass catcher with 73 receptions for 1,051 yards and seven touchdowns.

A late season loss to Penn State cost Wisconsin any chance of qualifying for its goal of participating in a BCS Bowl.

That has left the team anxious to redeem itself against the Gamecocks.

“I think we all strived at the beginning of the year and fight through the year to get a BCS game that’s very difficult to do,” said Anderson. “We won a bunch of football games. We’ve got nine wins and now

we’re going to go play a team with 10 wins, it’s a tremendous matchup. Tremendous challenge for both teams.”

The Badgers are scoring 35.8 points per game, while allowing only 14.8. They average 486.8 yards of total offense, while allowing 294.

Leading the way on defense is 2013 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Chris Borland. The linebacker finished the season with 102 tackles, including 8.5 for loss and four sacks.

There has been a defensive weakness, however, as Wisconsin has allowed 192.7 yards per game through the air.

Anderson and company are also anxious to display its ability against South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier.

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OBITUARIES

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SHELBY C. OLIVER MANNING — Shelby Cheek Oliver, 65, wife of Roger Oliver, died Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2013, at Carolinas Hospital System in Florence.

Born in Sumter, she was a daughter of OLIVER the late Roland and Isabelle Costner Cheek. She retired from Tuomey Healthcare System.

Survivors include her husband of 47 years; two children, Tammy Boykin (Harold) and Tony Oliver, both of Manning; four grandchildren, Alex Boykin, Taylor Boykin, Josh Boykin and Jackson Oliver; two sisters, Mary Jo Rich (Carroll) of Lexington and Patty Hodge (Hugh) of Sumter; one brother, Stanley Cheek (Sharon) of Sumter; and a number of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Roger Cheek.

Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. Friday at Concord Baptist Church in Sumter with the Rev. Gene Mosier officiating.

The family will receive friends from 3 to 4 p.m. Friday at Concord Baptist Church.

Memorials may be made to the American Arthritis Foundation, P.O. Box 96280, Washington, DC 20077.

Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of the arrangements.

PAMELA MASI BROWN LEXINGTON – Funeral service for Pamela Masi Brown, 57, of Lexington, will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Thompson Funeral Home, Lexington Chapel, 4720 Augusta Road, Lexington. Fa- BROWN ther Gary Linsky will officiate.

The family will receive friends following the service at the funeral home.

Mrs. Brown passed away Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013.

Born in Sumter, she was a daughter of Peter and Allie Dimos Masi.

She was a graduate of Sumter High School and continued her edu-

cation at University of South Carolina, but was a Clemson enthusiast.

She retired from Bell South after many years of loyal service. Following retirement, she volunteered her time at her daughters’ schools.

Pamela was a loving wife and devoted mother of three girls.

Her marriage of 25 years to Merdick Harmon Brown Jr. was an inspiration for their devotion they shared with one another and family.

Surviving are her daughters, Melissa Nannette McCoy, Kimberly Rose Brown and Angela Christine Brown; sister, Christine Masi Blum (Norman) of Lexington; brothers, Nicolas John Masi, Michael Anthony Masi (Annette) and Vincent Edward Masi, all of Lexington; many loving nieces and nephews; and a large and loving extended family.

She was a special sister and friend; she touched so many lives.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 128 Stonemark Lane, Columbia, SC 29210 or St.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013

Peters Catholic Church General Fund, 1529 Assembly St., Columbia, SC 29201.

Family and friends may sign the online guest book at www. thompsonsfuneral.com.

OLIN ATKINS DUNCAN — Olin Lamar Atkins, 88, of 202 Gap Creek Road, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2013.

He was a son of the late Stanley James and Effie Clara Van Patton Atkins and the widower of Vera Mae Pittman Atkins. He was a member of Duncan First Baptist Church for more than 60 years. He was also a member of the American Legion. Mr. Atkins was in the Navy and a veteran of World War II. Survivors include a son, Lamar Atkins and wife, Karen, of Sumter; a daughter; Rowena Wasson of Atlanta; grandchildren, Amie Wasson, Andrea Myers and husband, Clint, Jennie Atkins, and Erin Schumann and husband, Chris; four greatgrandchildren, Andrew Myers, Brayton Myers, Collin Myers and Harper Schumann.

He was predeceased

by his brothers, Maurice, T.Q. and Bobby Atkins.

Services will be held at 3 p.m. Friday at Duncan First Baptist Church with Pastor Lamar McAbee officiating. Interment will be at Wood Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 3 p.m. prior to the service.

The family is at the home.

Memorials may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, 3343 Peachtree Road, NE No. M20, Atlanta, GA 30326.

Condolences may be made at www.striblingfuneralhome.net.

Stribling Funeral Home of Duncan is in charge of the arrangements.

ALBERTUS JONES Sr. SUMMERTON — Albertus Jones Sr., 62, died Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013, at his residence, 3168 Rowe Drive, Summerton.

He was born Oct. 15, 1951, in Summerton, a son of Sarah Gaymon Jones and the late Walter Jones Sr. The family is receiving friends at the residence.

These services have been entrusted to Samuels Funeral Home LLC of Manning.

ROSALIND HARPER BISHOPVILLE — Rosalind Harper, 51, passed on Dec. 8, 2013, at the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston.

The family will receive friends and relatives at the home of her parents, Julius and Priscilla Mack, 520 Baxley Circle, Bethune.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced

by Square Deal Funeral Home of Bishopville.

BERTHA P. PARROTT Bertha Prescott Parrott, 66, wife of Junior Parrott, died Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013, at McCoy Memorial Nursing Center, Bishopville.

She was born June 15, 1947, in Lee County.

The family will receive friends and relatives at the home of her nephew, Alphonso Jackson, 305 Brown St., Sumter.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced

by Williams Funeral Home Inc. of Sumter.

SPORTS

|

Shanahan sits RG3; Cousins to start for reeling Redskins

BY JOSEPH WHITE The Associated Press ASHBURN, Va. — Mike Shanahan gave Robert Griffin III a rest, and may have turned up the pressure on himself, too.

The Redskins’ coach announced Wednesday that he was benching the star quarterback for the rest of the season. Kirk Cousins will start, and Griffin will be the inactive No. 3 quarterback behind Rex Grossman.

Shanahan said he is benching Griffin to keep the quarterback healthy for the offseason, pointSHANAHAN ing out the 24 sacks and other hits Griffin has taken over the last five games. He said he ran the idea by owner Dan Snyder and general manager Bruce Allen, and GRIFFIN III that both offered their support.

“You’ve got to take a look at the risk and reward,” Shanahan said.

“And with Robert I thought that his hits were piling up on him, giving COUSINS him his toll, and I was afraid that we would set him back.”

Shanahan cited the need for Griffin to have a full offseason of development after missing this year’s workouts while rehabbing from knee surgery. But there’s no certainty that Shanahan will be around to coach in the offseason: The Redskins have lost five straight and are 3-10, their third losing season in Shanahan’s four years in Washington.

“I think anytime you have a year left on your contract and you have three wins, that’s going to be out there,” Shanahan said Griffin was clearly unhappy with

Shanahan’s move.

“I expressed my desire to play,” Griffin said. “Of course I want to be out there and finish the season with my guys, see it through. He explained to me his reasoning, and at the end of the day Coach’s decision is what we go with it.”

Cousins took the first-team snaps as the team worked out in the indoor practice bubble to prepare for Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons. Players say Griffin ran the scout team.

The benching is the latest twist in a Shanahan-Griffin relationship that has been bordering on contentious since a playoff loss to Seattle last season, when Griffin remained in the game even though he was clearly injured. Shanahan conceded for the first time Wednesday that continuing to play Griffin “cost us the game.”

Griffin had reconstructive knee surgery a few days later and missed vital months of developmental work before returning for Week 1 in September, but he hasn’t been the same player that won the league’s Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2012. With defenses taking away the read-option, he has struggled as a dropback passer, ranking 26th in the NFL in passer rating with 16 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

However, while Griffin hasn’t had the same explosiveness, both he and Shanahan have insisted that the quarterback is medically healthy. Until this week, Shanahan publicly quashed any suggestions about a possible switch, saying Griffin needs as much game experience as possible.

Shanahan said Wednesday that he first brought up the idea of benching Griffin last week in a conversation with Snyder, having decided that risk of injury outweighed the reward of experience.

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THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Austin Dillon, left, and team owner Richard Childress, right, pose at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., with one of the cars Dillon will drive in the Sprint Cup Series next year. The late Dale Earnhardt’s famed No. 3 will be back on track with Dillon behind the wheel.

Dillon to bring No. 3 to Sprint Cup Series CONCORD, N.C. — The late Dale Earnhardt’s famed No. 3 will be back on track in the elite Sprint Cup Series next season with Austin Dillon using the number.

The move has been long anticipated because car owner Richard Childress has allowed his grandson to use the No. 3 as he’s moved through NASCAR’s ranks.

The number has not been used since Earnhardt’s death in the 2001 season-opening Daytona 500.

BOISE STATE HIRES HARSIN

BOISE, Idaho — Boise State has hired former player and offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin to be the Broncos next head coach.

Athletic Director Mark Coyle confirmed Wednesday he had

SPORTS ITEMS lured Harsin back to Boise and away from Arkansas State, where Harsin served as head coach for just one season.

SEATTLE ADDS HART, MORRISON

SEATTLE— The Seattle Mariners have added a pair of slugging first baseman-outfielders to go along with Robinson Cano, reaching agreement on a one-year deal with Corey Hart and acquiring Logan Morrison in a trade with the Miami Marlins.

Hart confirmed he had agreed to the deal in a text message to The Associated Press.

Completion of the deal is pending a physical.

Hart missed last season following surgery on his right knee.

| VISTA, Fla. — Oakland sent left-hander Jerry Blevins to the Washington Nationals for minor league outfielder Billy Burns, the Athletics’ fifth trade in 10 days.

Blevins was 5-0 with a 3.15 ERA in a careerhigh 67 games this year and has a 13-6 record with a 3.30 ERA in 281 big league games over seven seasons, all with the Athletics. He’s averaged 8.1 strikeouts per nine innings.

COLON, METS AGREE TO DEAL

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — A person familiar with the deal tells The Associated Press that 18-game winner Bartolo Colon and the New York Mets have agreed to a twoyear, $20 million contract.

A’S DEAL BLEVINS TO NATS

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Common sense, courtesy keep bicyclists safe on road

D

SUDOKU

EAR ABBY — As gal for an adult to bike the education diwithout a helmet. rector of the East You said in your reBay Bicycle Coalition, there sponse that people who are a number of points I cycle at night should avoid would like to address to wearing dark clothes to in“Caring Reader, Sacramen- crease their visibility, but to, Calif.” “Caring” declothes color alone has scribed seeing bicyclists been shown to have little or run stop signs, not wear no effect on visibility in protective gear, texting/ dark conditions. During talking on celllow-light times of phones, and sugday like dawn or gested a greater dusk, wearing bright enforcement of or fluorescent the law. Rolling clothes is a good through stop signs strategy, but at night is, indeed, just as bicyclists should rely illegal as it is while on lights and reflecAbigail driving a vehicle, tors to be seen.

VAN BUREN except in Idaho The law in Caliwhere cyclists may fornia stipulates that treat stop signs as bicyclists must have yields. I encourage all cya white headlight, a red clists and drivers to come rear reflector and yellow or to a complete stop at signs white reflectors on their and signals, even when wheels or spokes as well as turning right. on their pedals, shoes or Talking or texting on a ankles. However, I also reccellphone while biking isn’t ommend adding to these currently illegal in the state required items: a red rear of California. I feel that light, and additional lights using cellphones while bik- and reflectors at the front, ing is an unsafe practice, rear and sides of the bike, and I encourage cyclists (or or on one’s clothing or heldrivers) to simply pull over met. Highlighting one’s silbefore making or taking a houette with lights and recall. flectors, and applying them Helmets are required to moving parts of one’s gear only for bicyclists bike or body, will increase under the age of 18 in Calivisibility substantially after fornia. As an adult, I choose dark. to wear one when I’m bikROBERT PRINZ, OAKing. However, it is not illeLAND, CALIF.

dear abby

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013

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DEADLINE

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ixâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;it the

guide

Buy a new truck from my family!

A Directory of Where to Get Repairs on Just About Everything.

advertising deadline:

HEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S GOT THE BEST DEALS AROUND AND CAN HELP SANTA GET IT DELIVERED FOR CHRISTMAS.

Monday, January 13, 2014

publication date:

Friday, January 31, 2014

PROTHRO CHEVROLET, INC. BUICK - GMC 452 N. BROOKS STREET | MANNING 803-433-2535 OR 1-800-968-9934

WWW.PROTHROCHEVY.COM

CLASSIFIEDS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013

BATH SHEETS $5 EACH

LIGHT WEIGHT BATH TOWELS $2 EACH

Store Hours 0RQ 6DW Â&#x2021; 9:30 - 5:00 Closed Sunday Trucking Opportunities

EMPLOYMENT Help Wanted Full-Time Customer Service Rep needed

by Bishopville Branch of World Acceptance Corporation. Valid drivers license and auto required.

A career opportunity that offers excellent salary and a complete fringe benefit package. No experience necessary. Apply in person at: World Finance, 135 N. Main St. EOE, M//F. Call Kelly Smith at 803-484-6261 SHAMROCK BINGO Runners & Callers needed. 803-905-5545 Golden Corral We are now hiring experienced kitchen managers for our Sumter SC, Charlotte NC, Wilmington NC locations. $35-53K depending on Experience. 5 Day week. Paid PTO every quarter. Health/Life/Vision/Dental Coverage. 401K. Candidates MUST have Restaurant Management Experience. Criminal background checks and drug test required. EEOC Send resume to : jlepper@platinumcorral.com Paralegal Experience required in one or more ares of law including real estate closings, worker's comp., family law and civil litigation.

Excellent pay and benefits. Reply to Box P347 c/o The Item, PO Box 1677 Sumter SC 29151 Assistant Manager needed at People's Finance Company. Valid drivers license and auto required.

A career opportunity that offers excellent salary and a complete fringe benefit package. Promotion to manager possible within 15 months. No experience necessary. Apply in person at: 730B Broad St . EOE, M/F. Ask for Donnie Collins Full time body shop person with professional experience needed at Sumter used car dealership. $400/week.

Call Denis @ 803-454-6815.

Driver Trainees Needed Now! Learn to drive for US Xpress! Earn $800+ per week! No experience needed!

CDL -Trained and Job-Ready in 15 days! 1-888-263-7364

B7

QUALITY SHOP WITH FIRST SLIP COVERS US FOR CHAIR ........... $20 EA. GREAT HOLIDAY LOVESEAT ...... $30 EA. SAVINGS! SOFA ............ $40 EA.

BATH TOWELS $4 EACH

29 Progress St. - Sumter 775-8366 Ext. 37

THE ITEM

REAL ESTATE Homes for Sale

Mopeds / ATVs / Motorcycles

Autos For Sale

2003 Yamaha 125 Dirt Bike $650. Can be seen at Hill Plumbing 438 N Main St Call Frank Hill 491-7226

'00 3500 Chevrolet Dually Ext Cab. 140k mi. Runs great. New tires. $7,500. '04 Ford Taurus. Newly replaced motor, (90 day warranty motor), 77k mi. $3,500. 236-1527 2004 Toyota SR-5 Four Runner.

1 owner, 98k miles. Asking $12,500. Call 803-905-6565

MOVE IN BEFORE CHRISTMAS

RENTALS Unfurnished Apartments Senior Living Apartments for those 62+ (Rent based on income) Shiloh-Randolph Manor 125 W. Bartlette.

775-0575 Studio/1 Bedroom apartments available EHO

With Classiieds!

803-774-1234 1387 Raccoon County)

Rd

(Lee

2BR/2BA very nice large Apt. located in town. $600/mo. No credit check. Call 803-236-5953

Unfurnished Homes 3BR/1BA home. Section 8, $500/mo + dep. Tesco 773-1515

3600 Dallas (Dalzell)

For Rent 3BR 1BA house in Home Branch Paxville area $650 month/deposit (803)473-7577 1 David Ct 2BR 1BA $550 Mo & Dep. Call 803-210-9299 3BR/2BA C/H/A. LR, DR, Kit. $695/mo +$400/dep. Lg front porch. No Pets! Serious inq only 9AM-6PM. 406-6159, 481-4469.

Mobile Home Rentals

411 N. Magnolia St.

Oaklawn MHP: 2 BR M.H.'s, water/sewer/garbage pk-up incl'd.

RV parking avail. Call 494-8350 Singlewide, 2 br, 1 ba, rents $350 mo + $350 dep. Call Live Oak Realty 803-469-8147 3BR/2BA starting at $425-$500 /mo. Nice quiet park conv. Shaw /Sumter 499-9501, 236-1953

Help Wanted Part-Time Medical Receptionist needed Part-time. Ideal candidate must have medical office experience, excellent computer and telephone skills.

Fax resume to 803-433-5637 or deliver in person to Lakeside Orthopaedic Center 50 E. Hospital St. Suite 6, Manning, SC 29102. $$$ AVON $$$ FREE TRAINING! 803-422-5555

STATEBURG COURTYARD 2 & 3 BRs 803-494-4015 Large DW, 4 br, 2 ba, rents $700 mo + $700 dep. Call Live Oak Realty 803-469-8147 Scenic Lake 2Br, 2Ba & 3 Br, 2 Ba. No pets. Call between 9am 5pm ONLY! (803) 499-1500.

AUCTION WOOD WORKING MACHINERY METAL WORKING MACHINERY TOOLS, ACCESSORIES

ne STOP SHOPPING You can ind everything you need for the new house or the new spouse in one convenient placeOUR CLASSIFIEDS! Sporting Goods â&#x20AC;˘ Electronics Appliances â&#x20AC;˘ Furniture â&#x20AC;˘ Cameras Jewelry â&#x20AC;˘ Dishes â&#x20AC;˘ Books PLUS A WHOLE LOT MORE!

ONLINE ONLY!

M.H. Burgess Glen Park.

For more info call 803-775-4391 or 803-464-5960

Manufactured Housing 3 SW Mobile Home Rental Properties for sale. Asking $72,500. At 475,485,495 Pioneer Dr, Sumter. 803-651-8198 3BR D.W. $3,500, Needs Work.

803-983-8084 LOW CREDIT SCORE? Been turned down for bad credit? Come try us, we do our own financing.

We have 2-3-4-5 bedroom homes on our lot. Layaway program available. For more information, call 843-389-4215.

Farms & Acreage FSBO: Land, Small & Large acreage.

Owner financing.

803-427-3888.

BIDDING CLOSES ON DEC. 12, 2013

TRANSPORTATION

DETAILS AND BIDDING AT WWW.JRDIXONAUCTIONS.COM RAFE DIXON, SCAL 4059 (803) 774-6967

Mopeds / ATVs / Motorcycles 2001 Honda ATV 4X4 $1500 OBO. Rob 406-9336

774-1234

C

2008 Yamaha TTR-125 dirt bike 4 stroke , garage kept, low miles $1000 Call 803-983-2683

hristmas

is almost here!

CONTACT YOUR ITEM REPRESENTATIVE OR CALL 803-774-1237 / .BHOPMJB 4USFFU t 4VNUFS 4$ t XXX UIFJUFN DPN

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mayoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;More for your money Christmas Saleâ&#x20AC;?! #VZ 3FHVMBS 1SJDFE 4VJU 3FDFJWF OE 4VJU PG &RVBM 7BMVF FREE! Great Selection & Savings!

4)*354 5*&4 1"/54 48&"5&34 4)0&4 #VZ (FU B OE )"-' 13*$& IN-STORE ALTERATIONS, FOR THOSE LAST MINUTE OCCASIONS

MAYOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S SUIT CITY If your suits arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t becoming to you, Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a good time to be coming to Mayoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s!

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CLASSIFIEDS

THE ITEM

135924A

1999 TOYOTA CAMRY LE

$

NOW

3,995 P7512A

2004 GMC SIERRA SLE NOW

$

9,995

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013

P7505A

135630A

D L SO

D L O

1991 TOYOTA 4RUNNER 4WD NOW

$

4,995

135748A

S

2002 SATURN L SERIES NOW

$

5,995

145834A

2004 FORD EXPLORER 2WD

7,995

$

NOW

135500C

2000 PORSCHE BOXSTER

9,995

$

NOW

2005 GMC YUKON SLE

$

NOW

9,995

145800B

2008 FORD ESCAPE XLT NOW

$

11,995

2012 FORD FUSION (P7514........................... $16,995

2011 FORD RANGER 2WD (P7525).................$21,995

2013 FORD C-MAX HYBRID (P7471)...............$28,995

2012 FORD FUSION (P7501) ..........................$16,995

2010 FORD FLEX 2WD (145800A) ..................$21,995

2011 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER 4WD (135933A).....$29,995

2012 FORD FUSION (P750) ............................$16,995

2010 FORD MUSTANG (145835A) ..................$22,995

2013 FORD EXPLORER 4WD (135839A)..........$29,995

2007 FORD F150 4WD (135428A)..................$17,995

2013 MAZDA CX-5 (135472B) .......................$22,995

2007 FORD MUSTANG (145915A) ..................$29,995

2011 FORD MUSTANG (145856A) ..................$17,995

2010 FORD MUSTANG (135656A) ..................$22,995

2013 FORD EDGE 2WD (145709A)..................$29,995

2012 TOYOTA CAMRY (P7515).......................$18,495

2010 FORD MUSTANG (145767A) ..................$23,995

2005 CHEVY CORVETTE (135907A).................$29,995

2011 CHEVY MALIBU (135819A)....................$18,995

2008 JEEP WRANGLER 4WD (145599A) .........$23,995

2010 FORD EXPEDITION 2WD (145822A) .......$30,995

2013 DODGE DART (145775A) .......................$18,995

2013 FORD ESCAPE 2WD (P7490) ..................$23,995

2012 FORD EXPLORER 2WD (135358A)..........$31,995

2011 FORD ESCAPE 2WD (P7469) ..................$18,995

2012 CHEVY EQUINOX 2WD (145757A) .........$23,995

2011 FORD F150 2WD (145822A)..................$32,995

2011 FORD ESCAPE 2WD (PMCL) ....................$18,995

2012 CHEVY TRAVERSE 2WD (P7455) ............$23,995

2010 FORD F150 4WD (P7527)......................$32,995

2007 CHEVY AVALANCHE 4WD (135907B)......$19,995

2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2WD (P7452)......$24,495

2010 FORD EXPLORER 2WD (135667A)..........$33,995

2012 JEEP COMPASS 4WD (P7437B) ..............$20,995

2010 FORD EDGE AWD (P7478)......................$24,995

2010 FORD F150 2WD (145916B)..................$34,995

2012 FORD ECONOLINE CARGO VAN (P7503) .$20,995

2011 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 2WD (P7523) ...$25,995

2013 FORD EXPLORER 4WD (135682A)..........$35,995

2012 FORD FUSION (145879A) ......................$20,995

2013 FORD F150 2WD (145838A)..................$26,995

2011 FORD F150 2WD (135400A)..................$36,777

2010 FORD F150 2WD (P7522)......................$20,995

2013 FORD TAURUS (P7470)..........................$26,995

2011 FORD F150 4WD (135871A)..................$37,995

2012 CHEVY MALIBU (145845B) ....................$20,995

2013 FORD FLEX 2WD (FRAC9).......................$28,725

2010 TOYOTA RAV4 4WD (P7481) .................$21,995

2011 FORD F150 2WD (125198A)..................$28,995

135892A

145759A

2004 CHEVY TAHOE 4WD NOW

11,995

$

P7475

2012 KIA SOUL NOW

14,995

$

135577A

2010 KIA FORTE NOW

$

13,995

NOW

$

13,995

P7509

P7513

2013 FORD FIESTA NOW

2004 CHEVY SILVERADO 2500 4WD

$

15,995

P7519

2010 FORD FOCUS NOW

$

14,995

P7516

2012 FORD FUSION NOW

15,995

$

2012 FORD FUSION NOW

$

16,495

773-1481

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www.mclaughlinford.com ALL PRICES PLUS TAX & TAGS AND INCLUDES DEALER $249 CLOSING FEE - SEE DEALER FOR DETAILS.