February 18, 2015

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Senators call for landfill hearings

BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com Local state Sens. Thomas McElveen, D-Sumter, and Kevin Johnson, D-Manning, are calling for the South Carolina Senate to initiate a formal inquiry into public concerns surrounding a toxic waste landfill on the shores of Lake Marion, known as the “Pinewood site.”

In a letter hand delivered Tuesday to Sen. MCELVEEN Harvey Peeler Jr., chairman of the Senate Medical Affairs Committee, and Sen. Daniel Verdin III, chairman of the Senate Agriculture and Natural

Resources Committee, McElveen and Johnson ask for hearings to provide “as clear a picture possible of the resources that will be required to contain this public health concern which is endangering some of our state’s most precious natural resources.”

The site, located in Sumter County, contains “million of tons of hazardous waste material,” the letter says. The letter also says the site is “viewed as a bone of conJOHNSON tention and as an imminent threat” by residents of Sumter and Clarendon counties and across South Carolina.

The letter says decisions made years

ago “spawned potentially disastrous consequences which will loom in perpetuity over Lake Marion, the Santee Cooper lake system, the Sparkleberry Swamp and the Santee River.”

The senators say they are “dismayed by the methods which the Department of Health and Environmental Control has chosen to address concerns which we have been raising along with other concerned state legislators.”

Questions about the safety of the site have intensified since October 2014, when the trustee that was charged with maintaining the site, Kestrel Horizons LLC, resigned after a dispute about money spent by the company during operations and the company’s contention that additional

improvements are needed at the site to protect Lake Marion.

Kestrel’s principal owner, William “Bill” Stephens Jr., accused DHEC of ignoring “objective information as well as critical needs for information and analysis and based its judgments on incomplete and inaccurate information derived from incomplete and erroneous technical analysis.”

McElveen and Johnson said the danger created by the Pinewood site goes far beyond Sumter and Clarendon counties.

“In fact, everyone in the state of South Carolina should be wary of the situation in Pinewood — perhaps especially those who find themselves downstream from the Santee Cooper lake system.”

Fun in the mud

Kayla Derk, 10, above, etches a design into the back of her face jug on Saturday during the Sumter County Gallery of Art’s “Second Saturday” workshop.

Cox works with Daniel Braeden on the pottery wheel while the other students await their turns during the workshop this past weekend at the gallery. Daniel won a Second Saturday Scholarship for his entry in the Youth Art exhibition at last year’s Sumter County Fair.

PHOTOS BY KEITH GEDAMKE / THE SUMTER ITEM

Justin Feeney Jr., 6, pokes his finger into the center of a ball of clay to create a face jug with the help of education director Amanda Cox. Face jugs are a traditional ceramic art form that was especially popular in the Edgefield area, a part of S.C. known for its pottery.

The land of ice and snow U.S. blanketed by storm, cold temperatures

BY JONATHAN DREW AND MEREDITH SOMERS The Associated Press DURHAM, N.C. — A powerful winter storm dumped snow from Nashville to Nantucket, and arctic-like temperatures gripped much of the U.S. and hundreds of thousands of people were without power in the South.

While some people shivered, others bundled up and tried to make the best of a frustrating situation. Here’s a look at how people were handling the land of ice, snow

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and subzero temperatures.

ICE BABY Some things just won’t wait, as Jerry Nuesell can attest.

With his wife 33 weeks pregnant, the couple was headed to the doctor’s office when Lisa’s contractions led them to UNC Hospitals for the arrival of their first born, a boy.

“Turned out the little fellow was ready to make an appearance much sooner than we planned,” Nuesell said Tuesday.

He watched his son be born, then drove 30 miles back to Cary, North Carolina, to take care of their dachshund, Schnitzel. Ice covered most of his windshield, and the drive wasn’t easy.

“I had probably a good 6-inch-by-6-inch square that I had to peer through to get the best vision,” he said. “On mul-

tiple occasions, I thought this might not be the best idea.”

ICY ROADS Roads were icy and slushy, making driving difficult in many places and causing at least six traffic fatalities.

There were three deaths in Tennessee, including a mother and son in Williamson County who stopped to help a stranded motorist and were struck by a tractor-trailer.

Two people were killed in Virginia as nearly a foot of snow fell in some places. In North Carolina, a woman died in a two-car crash in the northeastern part of the state.

SPORTS CAR IN THE SNOW? “I’ll just back up and fly out,” is the strategy Brent Seney had for freeing his

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Sumter County escapes worst effects of weather

BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com While Sumter County escaped the effects of freezing rain Monday night, many residents of areas farther north and in the Upstate have experienced power outages after the wintry weather.

Duke Energy Progress reported more than 67,000 customers affected in South Carolina — including 22,000 in Anderson County — and nearly 31,000 affected in North Carolina.

In Lee County, Duke Energy Progress reported 285 of its 5,552 customers were affected, as well as 330 customers in Kershaw County.

More than 4,400 customers were without power in

Darlington County, and more than 6,500 in Chesterfield County lost power, according to the Duke Energy website. Customers calling Black River Electric Co-op. heard a recorded message reporting “numerous disruptions in power due to the ice and freezing rain in Bethune, Camden, Cassatt and surrounding areas. Crews are working to restore service, but there is no estimated time of restoral.”

Sherry Woodward, director of marketing for Black River Electric, said just before noon Tuesday many power lines were down and transformers were blown, especially in Kershaw County.

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015

THE SUMTER ITEM

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Senators hold out hope for ethics bill

LOCAL BRIEFS FROM STAFF REPORTS

Officials investigate weekend shooting

BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com

Joshua Grubb, 27, of Sumter, was arrested Sunday afternoon after reports of a domestic dispute during which he allegedly fired gunshots. He faces charges of criminal domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature, first-degree burglary and discharging firearms into a dwelling.

According to a Sumter County Sheriff’s Office report, the incident unfolded just after 1:30 p.m. near the 1000 block of Mana Drive. Deputies responded and allegedly spotted the suspect standing in the roadway with a gun in his hand. Grubb attempted to run into a nearby yard when he saw authorities arrive but fell down and dropped his gun. Deputies immediately detained the suspect, who appeared to be heavily intoxicated.

The victim told officers she went to her mother’s home and heard her yelling for help. She said Grubb forced his way through the front door and indicated she could see the suspect brandishing his .380-caliber KelTec. The victim stormed in to help her mother, and the two struggled to take the gun from Grubb as he held it against his own head.

As the struggle for the gun moved toward the front door, Grubb fired a round that reportedly ricocheted off a lawn ornament and struck the female victim in the left leg. Officers determined a second round was fired after discovering a bullet in the ceiling.

Ethics reform in the Palmetto State took a blow last week when the South Carolina Senate voted down a bill championed by Judiciary Committee Chairman Larry Martin, R-Perkins, that would have set up an independent committee to investigate ethics complaints.

However, Sen. Thomas McElveen, D-Sumter, said he thinks there still might be a chance for a bill to come out of the chamber.

“I hope it is going to come back up,” McElveen said. “Basically what happened is we had a vote on Wednesday, and it was voted down. I voted for it.

On Thursday, a procedural move for a vote to reconsider was made. That motion was preserved, which means the Senate ethics bill is not dead yet.

“I don’t think the conversation is over,” he said.

He said there is disagreement among senators as to how much independence any ethics panel should have.

“The judiciary committee version, Sen. Martin’s version, had an independent oversight committee that had no

legislative appointees on it at all,” McElveen said. “Sen. Luke Rankin (RConway), who is the chairman of the ethics committee, his (amendment) would have five appointees on that independent oversight committee from the governor and the attorney general, and the other four appointees would be legislators.”

Sen. Kevin Johnson, D-Manning, said he voted for Rankin’s amendment.

“It is a good compromise,” he said.

“While it was not what we thought it would be, it was better than no bill at all,” he said.

He said he didn’t feel having legislators on the oversight committee would weaken it.

“People talk about the fox guarding the henhouse, but any time we have had a problem in the Senate, we have dealt with it,” he said.

“I think some of the people who voted against it will have second thoughts,” he said.

McElveen said he would like to see the two committee chairmen find common ground even if the final result is not perfect.

“In my opinion, those two (Martin and Rankin) need to be together on this, not to try to make everybody happy but to get a bill that can pass.”

McElveen said he favors a more independent oversight panel than Rankin’s amendment proposes.

“I’d prefer to have 100 percent independent oversight, but I voted with the chairman of the ethics committee because something is better than nothing, and I don’t want the bill to die,” he said.

He said he is disappointed the ethics bill has not passed, but that is only part of improving the public’s perception of state government.

“First and foremost, we need to elect ethical people,” he said. “That’s the way we are really going to change public perceptions of government.”

McElveen said he is also disappointed some of the amendments to the bill did not pass.

“I put up what I called the ‘Truth in Reporting Amendment’ that would make us disclose more information about who our donors are,” he said. “I think if you really want to talk about ethics, then people need to see our campaign reports and see exactly where our money is coming from.”

It is time for the Senate to act, McElveen said.

“I think at the end of the day we need to stop talking about transparency and actually do something about it,” he said.

Daddy’s little helper Wilson Hall Coach Kurt Wilson gets some help sweeping the floor from his son Lee Wilson, 3, during halftime of the Wilson Hall and Laurence Manning Academy girls basketball game Friday evening. LMA won the game 53-51.

Police seek 2nd suspect in armed robbery case Sumter police arrested one woman Sunday and are in pursuit of her alleged partner.

Diamond Kennedy, 20, of Sumter, was charged with armed robbery, criminal conspiracy, possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime and child endangerment in connection with the incident.

Police are searching for a second suspect thought to be tied to the robbery.

Anthony Rashod MAJOR Major, 25, of 1146 Boulevard Road, is also being sought on armed robbery charges.

According to a statement from the police department, the victim reported being robbed at gunpoint by an acquaintance for an undetermined amount of money Monday afternoon at his home along Carolina Avenue.

The 22-year-old man indicated he and Major were sitting in his vehicle discussing a loan he’d made to the suspect when the robbery occurred.

Authorities think Kennedy was the driver during the incident. Police found a child in the car with Kennedy when they took her into custody Monday along Boulevard Road. Investigators think the child, who is now in a family member’s custody, was also in the car at the time of the armed robbery.

KEITH GEDAMKE / THE SUMTER ITEM

Hundreds attend meeting on drilling off Carolinas WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, N.C. (AP) — An Obama administration proposal to allow offshore oil and gas exploration drew hundreds of people to North Carolina’s coast Tuesday for two meetings: one where federal officials gathered comments and another where drilling critics rallied to voice their opposition.

“If we have offshore drilling here in our community, it will have a longterm effect,” Jonathan Barfield, chairman of the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners, said at the

rally. He warned that oil spills could jeopardize coastal tourism and the fishing industries.

He led a crowd of about 150 gathered in a motel ballroom in cheers of “Just Say No!” and added, “I guarantee you with that voice, they will just say no as well.”

Down the hall, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management was taking comments on a proposal that could open tracts off the Carolinas to gas and oil exploration later this decade. The

agency will use the comments in developing the areas to be included in environmental studies.

It wasn’t a public hearing where people speak at a microphone giving their views but an information session where people talked to agency officials, learned about what is proposed and then left either written comments or enter comments on a computer.

Almost 400 people signed in. Previous meetings in Washington, D.C., and Norfolk, Virginia, attracted 240 combined.

HOW TO REACH US IS YOUR PAPER MISSING? ANNOUNCEMENT ARE YOU GOING ON Birth, Engagement, Wedding, VACATION? Anniversary, Obituary 20 N. Magnolia St., Sumter, S.C. 29150 (803) 774-1200 Jack Osteen Editor and Publisher jack@theitem.com (803) 774-1238 Rick Carpenter Managing Editor rick@theitem.com (803) 774-1201 Waverly Williams Sales Manager waverly@theitem.com (803) 774-1237

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Legends of gospel coming to Opera House

BY IVY MOORE ivy@theitem.com One of the most celebrated gospel groups to come out of the South, the five-time Grammy Award-winning Blind Boys of Alabama, will perform Friday at Sumter Opera House. It’s their only appearance in South Carolina, offering an unprecedented opportunity to see the legendary vocalists.

Originally from Talledega, Alabama, the group has been performing for more than six decades, with no decline in their sounds. In fact, they may be more popular than ever.

The Blind Boys got their start in 1944 at the Alabama Institute for the Blind when they were pre-teens; calling themselves The Happy Land Jubilee Singers, founding members Clarence Fountain, Jimmy Carter, Johnny Fields, George Scott, Velma Bozman Traylor, Olice Thomas and J.T. Hutton — the only sighted member — sang for soldiers at Army training camps in the South.

By 1945, they were on the gospel music circuit.

Their first recording, “I Can See Everybody’s Mother But Mine,” made in 1948, was a hit and got them started on their nearly seven decade career.

Seth Reimer, cultural manager for the city, said booking the Blind Boys of Alabama was a major coup for the Opera House.

They have performed and recorded albums with dozens of major artists in the music industry, including Stevie Wonder, Timothy B. Schmit of the Eagles, Aaron Neville, Randy Travis, Bonnie Raitt, Kanye West, Willie Nelson, Allan Touissant and Dr. John, Reimer said. Just five years ago, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences awarded the group the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award for its contributions to music.

Booking the Blind Boys, Reimer said, speaks to the quality of the venue and major effort underway to attract these types of national acts.

“This group may hail from

Alabama, but they are international superstars. When you’ve been featured on ‘60 Minutes,’ performed on all of the late night shows, count Lee Ann Womack, Prince and the late Ray Charles amongst your friends and collaborators, you’ve really done the amazing. And the Blind Boys of Alabama have done all of that,” Reimer said.

“I’m so thrilled that Sumter residents and others from all over South Carolina will be able to catch them live in one of the most intimate venues anywhere. Every seat is a front row seat.”

See The Blind Boys of Alabama at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Sumter Opera House, 21 N. Main St. Tickets are $35 for floor and box seats, $28 for balcony seats. For reservations or more information contact the Opera House at (803) 436-2616 or www.sumtersc.gov/the-blind-boys-of-alabama.aspx The Blind Boys of Alabama is one of five concerts remaining in the Sumter Opera House’s 2014-15 season. Still to

Scott’s community office hours postponed CHARLESTON — U.S. Sen. Tim Scott has postponed a series of events to offer South Carolinians ways to get help on federal issues.

Scott’s office said the winter weather across the

state prompted the decision to postpone this week’s events.

The events will be rescheduled.

Scott’s office says the series allows his staff to meet with residents and offer as-

NOW ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS

“Compassionate dental care for the entire family”

sistance with federal issues in their own communities.

Scott said he often hears from people who need help in dealing with federal agencies like Social Security, Medicare and Veterans Affairs.

PHOTO PROVIDED

The legendary Blind Boys of Alabama will present their only 2015 performance in S.C. at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Sumter Opera House. come are: • Comedian Julie Scoggins, March 7; • The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, March 13;

• Galleria Season, March 20 (Sumter-Shaw Community Concert Association event); and • Heritage Blues Band, April 18.

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Federal judge stalls Obama’s executive action on immigration

BY JUAN A. LOZANO The Associated Press HOUSTON — The White House promised an appeal Tuesday after a federal judge in Texas temporarily blocked President Obama’s executive action on immigration and gave a coalition of 26 states time to pursue a lawsuit aiming to permanently stop the orders.

U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen’s decision late Monday puts on hold Obama’s orders that could spare from deportation as many as 5 million people who are in the U.S. illegally.

In a memorandum accompanying his order, Hanen said the lawsuit should go forward and that the states would “suffer irreparable harm in this case” without a preliminary injunction.

“The genie would be impossible to put back into the bottle,” he wrote, adding that he agreed that legalizing the presence of millions of people is a “virtually irreversible” action.

In a statement early Tuesday, the White House defended the executive orders issued in November as within the president’s legal authority, saying the U.S. Supreme Court and Congress have said federal officials can establish priorities in enforcing immigration laws.

The White House said the U.S. Department of Justice will file an appeal, which will be heard by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans.

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said the Justice Department was reviewing the ruling and was confident the matter would ultimately be taken up by a higher court, possibly the U.S. Supreme Court.

The first of Obama’s orders — to expand a program that protects young immigrants from deportation if they were brought to the U.S. illegally as

children — was set to start taking effect today.

The coalition of states, led

by Texas and made up of mostly conservative states in the South and Midwest, argues that Obama has violated the “Take Care Clause” of the U.S. Constitution, which they say limits the scope of presidential power, and that his executive actions would be difficult to undo once immigrants started to apply for deferred action. They also say Obama’s order would force increased investment in law enforcement, health care and education.

House Speaker John Boehner said Monday’s ruling wasn’t a surprise and underscores that Obama acted beyond his authority. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell echoed the sentiments.

Both called on Senate Democrats to relent in their opposition to a Homeland Security Department spending bill that overturns Obama’s action.

The department’s funding expires Feb. 27 and Congress has only a few legislative days to act.

Hanen, who’s been on the federal court since 2002, regularly handles border cases but wasn’t known for being outspoken on immigration until a 2013 case. In that case, Hanen suggested that Homeland Security should be arresting parents living in the U.S. illegally who induce their children to cross the border.

Congressional Republicans have vowed to block Obama’s actions by cutting off Homeland Security Department spending for the program.

Earlier this year, the Republican-controlled House passed a $39.7 billion spending bill to fund the department through the end of the budget year but attached language to undo Obama’s executive actions.

The fate of that House-passed bill is unclear as Republicans in the Senate do not have the 60-vote majority needed to advance most legislation.

Among those supporting Obama’s executive order is a group of 12 mostly liberal states, including Washington and California, as well as the District of Columbia.

They filed a motion with Hanen in support of Obama, arguing the directives will substantially benefit states and will further the public interest.

A group of law enforcement officials, including the Major Cities Chiefs Association and more than 20 police chiefs and sheriffs from across the country, also filed a motion in support, arguing the executive action will improve public safety by encouraging cooperation between police and individuals with concerns about their immigration status.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Salvador Hernandez, front, facing camera, joins other supporters of immigration reforms in waving placards during a news conference in the Denver Public Library on Tuesday.

Major Drug Companies Threatened

by Natural Digestion Remedy New aloe-vera extract can make bouts of heartburn, acid-reflux, constipation, gas, bloating, diarrhea, and other stomach nightmares disappear.

By Damian Wexler, Freelance Health Reporter

R

ecently, medical professionals and alternative medicine experts have taken to the airways to reveal a simple secret that amazed millions who suffer with digestion nightmares. And people haven’t stopped talking about it since.

“I’d give anything to make it stop!”

That’s what most people will tell you when asked about their digestive problems. “It’s just horrible says Ralph Burns, a former digestion victim. I was tortured for years by my Acid-Reflux. Sometimes I’d almost pass out from the pain. My wife suffers with digestion problems too. If she eats one wrong thing, she spends hours stuck in the bathroom dealing with severe bouts of constipation or diarrhea.”

FDA Warns About Popular Antacids A recent FDA warning explained that excessive use of antacids could lead to an increased risk of hip, wrist, and spine fractures. Especially in people over the age of 50.

So when AloeCure® was presented on National TV, you can imagine how thrilled people were to find out they could finally get relief without having to rely on Prevecid®, Nexium®, Prilosec® and other dangerous proton pump inhibitors. But now, according to Wylde, your stomach problems could be over by simply drinking a small amount of a tasty Aloe Vera extract. It’s as simple as that!

Finally There’s Hope...

At first, the thought of drinking aloe vera might make some people back away. But in fact, this delicious “digestion cocktail” is doing amazing things for people who suffer with stomach problems — even if they’ve had them for years.

Here’s how it works…

Free Workshop for Chronic Health Conditions As part of the Affordable Health Care Act, a free workshop is being offered for those with ongoing health conditions: February 21st beginning at 10:00 am at Plaza Church of Christ, 1402 Camden Hwy., Sumter, SC. For more information contact Phoenix Health Education and Wellness Center at 455 Rast Street, Sumter, SC or call (803) 774-2085.

Teva CNS cordially invites Parkinson’s Disease Patients and their Caregivers to an educational program.

Living Well With PD Understanding Parkinson’s Disease and Current Treatments Presented by: John Baker, MD Neurologist Colonial Neurology Sumter, SC On Thursday, March 5, 2015 4:30PM Eastern

At Logan’s Roadhouse 2531 Broad Street Sumter, SC 29150 Your host for this program will be Teva CNS representative Joel Haskins (803) 665-1824 (Please leave only your first name and number of people attending.)

Everyone is thrilled… well, everyone except major drug companies, who apparently may threaten to take appropriate legal action.

Stop Stomach Agony Your stomach naturally produces acid so strong, it can dissolve an aluminum spoon in just 30 minutes! And when excess acid escapes into your esophagus, throat and stomach lining, it unleashes the scorching pain of Acid-Reflux, heartburn, ulcers and more misery. Add the problems of stress, and “all heck breaks loose.”

Dr. Liza Leal, a well known expert on chronic pain management explains... “The AloeCure® can work genuine miracles. It buffers high acid levels with amazing speed. So your stomach feels completely at ease just moments after drinking it.” In fact, it could wipe out stomach pain, discomfort, and frantic runs to the bathroom.

Until Now, Little Could Be Done...

But “AloeCure® can help virtually anyone. Even people with chronic stomach pain can feel better right away,” says Dr. Leal. And what’s really exciting is AloeCure® aids in keeping your digestive tract healthy, so intestinal distress stops coming back.

As Ralph Burns goes on to say, “I know AloeCure® never claimed to be a substitute for drug store products and is only meant to be a helpful supplement. Now though, AloeCure® is the only product I need for all my digestion issues”

Digestion Defender #1: Balances Stomach Acid Your first line of defense is calcium malate. This natural acid buffer instantly sends stomach acid levels plunging.

And holds acid levels down so they don’t return!

Digestion Defender #2: Instant, Soothing Relief AloeCure® is brimming with polysaccharides, a “wonder” compound that gently coats the throat, esophagus and stomach, carrying instant relief to cells scorched by excess acid.

With no sugar, no stimulants, and zero calories, AloeCure® is safe, all-natural and has absolutely no side effects. It’s tasty, drug-free, and simple to use. Just drink two ounces, once in the morning, and once at night, and start enjoying immediate life- changing relief!

Aloecure is doing amazing things for people who suffer with stomach problems — even if they’ve had them for years.

Here’s What Doctors Are Saying!

AloeCure® is backed by important scientific studies that confirm... aloe calms stomach acid and allows your body to heal itself.

Dr. Liza Leal, M.D & Chief Medical Officer at Meridian Medical. says, “That’s why I recommend it to patients who suffer from bouts of heartburn, Acid-Reflux, ulcers, and irritable bowel syndrome...”

Dr. Santiago Rodriguez agrees. “Just two ounces of AloeCure® reduces the acids in your stomach by ten times.”

Francisco DeWeever, a Certified Nutritional Microscopist, “My patients report their IBS, Crohn’s, Colitis, Constipation, Acid-Reflux and a host of other digestive problems have all but disappeared.”

After conducting an unpaid investigation about AloeCure® claims and success stories, Bryce Wylde commented that pure Aloe Vera extract like AloeCure® may be the most important application ever discovered for digestive health.

He stands wholeheartedly behind his study into natural and complementary health and to this day, he receives no compensation from the sale of AloeCure® or any other product.

Real Customer Testimonial: For the better part of my life I purposely avoided a lot of foods.

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NATION

THE SUMTER ITEM

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015

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A5

Growing pains: Oil boom turns school to melting pot WATFORD CITY, N.D. (AP) — Every morning as principal Brad Foss arrives at his school — after just a 60-second commute — he’s reminded of oil’s giant footprint in this town.

There’s the revolving-door student roster that reads like random pages of a school atlas: Jiang from China, Emma from Utah, Jose from Guatemala, Omar from Arizona.

There are the teachers, many of them transplants, including a dedicated Kurdish refugee, Selam Ahmed, who’s helping dozens of students learn English, a job that would never have existed until now.

And there are rows of white trailers, temporary homes for several teachers — and for Foss, who’s just a minute’s walk from his office.

Like the rest of this town, Watford City Elementary School has been transformed by the oil boom.

Families with young kids are constantly moving in. The 700-plus enrollment is more than double that of 2011.

Many newcomers are the offspring of riggers, welders, truck drivers, engineers and others lured from across America — and around the world — by the prospect of good jobs. Their arrival has brought diversity to a school that until recently had virtually none.

“We have a world community within our own little school,” boasts Foss. “The kids here can bring the globe to life, and that’s kind of cool.”

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Selam Ahmed teaches English language learners at Watford City Elementary School in Watford City, North Dakota . Ahmed tries to inspire the kids by telling them about his own difficult childhood. A Kurdish refugee, he was just a boy when his family fled on horseback, then crossed the Turkish border to escape harm during the Gulf War. When his family eventually resettled in North Dakota, Ahmed, then 11, spoke no English, just like some of the frustrated kids he works with each day.

Since 2011, kids from all 50 states and more than 20 countries, including Yemen, Egypt, Pakistan, Mexico and China, have attended the school.

“A community that has been basically stable and white-bread now has every religion, every race, every cultural niche represented,” said Gene Veeder, McKenzie County economic development director. “It’s surprising how quickly it has become the new normal.”

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the reverse is true.”

The town’s population has exploded at the same frantic pace, pushing up housing costs well beyond many educators’ paychecks.

For example, a two-bedroom apartment can go for $2,000$2,500 a month.

Foss will soon be leaving his trailer for a 2,000-square-foot home.

“I feel like I’ve been camping for three years,” he says.

Despite declining oil prices,

That “normal,” though, comes with new strains and growing pains at the school.

On any given day, teachers might find themselves hunting up warm clothes for a child arriving from the South or helping the family of another student whose trailer has frozen water pipes.

“Ten years ago, you wondered what’s going to be here — is it going to be smaller, smaller, smaller?” said Superintendent Steve Holen. “Now

new students are still arriving.

Many folks note that Watford City is in the heart of the most profitable oil-producing area of the Bakken.

That prosperity has been a magnet for many newer teachers.

Melissa Rohrman, a firstgrade teacher, traded the lush greenery of Fort Myers, Florida, for the ice-covered prairie so her husband could eventually start an electrical business.

“I felt like I was coming to the Gold Rush,” she said.

The students are doing the same, but it isn’t easy because of constant turnover.

Some kids leave when their parents are transferred to outof-state oil field jobs, others when a family’s dreams of the good life in the oil patch don’t pan out.

Some kids who do remain struggle after being uprooted from friends. Living conditions can make the adjustment harder if they end up in a crowded trailer with no privacy or place to study.

Watford City Elementary tries to ease the way for new families, offering its showers and laundry room for those without ready access to them in trailer parks. It also provides food packages on Fridays for needy students.

School officials emphasize the local housing shortage is a major hardship for families.

Foss said about 40 percent of the students are living in trailers or other arrangements considered temporary, which a federal law defines as “homeless.”

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A6

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LOCAL | NATION

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015

ICE FROM PAGE A1 black convertible Mazda Miata from the snow in the nation’s capital Tuesday.

Despite the thick blanket of snow along his street, Seney, 60, was confident his sporty ride could handle the roads. In fact, he planned to drive to his boat harbored at James Creek Marina in southwest Washington.

“I’ll shovel the snow off, make sure it’s not frozen too much because the harbor is all frozen in,” Seney said.

TRYING TO FLY

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Trudging along a snowy sidewalk, Robin Winter and her daughter, Melissa, made their way to a Metro station in Washington so Mom could catch her flight home to St. Louis.

Robin Winter, carrying multiple bags and sporting a sock monkey hat, said she’d gotten into town Thursday and had been watching the forecasts as the snow made its way across the country.

“If I would have decided to

Clay Shepherd, 68, shovels his driveway on Tuesday in Durham, North Carolina. A snow and ice storm blasted parts of the Mid-Atlantic and the South on Tuesday, creating treacherous road conditions and leaving hundreds of thousands without power. fly out Sunday night instead, you never know for sure if it’s gonna really happen until it really happens,” she said.

The Winters were optimistic the flight would not be canceled, though they were prepared for a delay. It appeared her flight left on time, but others weren’t so lucky.

THE SUMTER ITEM gear. One wore a ski helmet and goggles, another had on a giraffe costume, and one wore a Captain America shirt and carried a shield.

“It’s not really snowball material. You can kind of get one, but it’s a lot of squeezing,” said Reco Thomas, of Alexandria, Virginia, as she tried to compact fluffy snow.

Rob Grell, a George Washington University medical student dressed as Batman, carried fellow student Shaunak Mulani on his shoulders as people pelted the two of them.

“This is overall just a fine time,” Mulani said as he shook off snow.

FIRST SHOVELER OUT

More than 1,800 flights were canceled at many airports, from Nashville, Tennessee, to the nation’s capital.

SNOWBALL FIGHT Even though the snow in D.C. wasn’t ideal for a fight, people showed up anyway, some in costumes and battle

The sound of 61-year-old Joe Peldunas shoveling his driveway echoed across the otherwise quiet Marywood neighborhood in north Durham, North Carolina, about 8 a.m. Tuesday. No one else on his cul-de-sac was out, and there were few tracks in the layer of snow and ice more than a half inch thick on the road.

COUNTY FROM PAGE A1 She said the company expected to have all customers back on the grid sometime Tuesday.

“Crews from the state’s electric cooperatives are mobilizing this morning across South Carolina to help restore power in areas affected by the overnight ice storm,” reported Mark Quinn of the South Carolina Electric Coops. in an email Tuesday morning.

Widespread outages were reported in North Carolina, with Charlotte reportedly receiving a half-inch of ice topped with snow, while Raleigh apparently escaped with nothing more than sleet.

In South Carolina, six of the state’s 20 electric cooperatives had additional crews working in their areas Tuesday morning, Quinn reported.

Among them, Lynches River Electric Co-op. in Pageland had additional crews from Pee Dee Electric Co-op. in Darlington working to restore power in that service area.

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THE SUMTER ITEM N.G. Osteen 1843-1936 The Watchman and Southron

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COMMENTARY

Moral manipulation

T

oday’s liberals are not racists, but they often behave that way. They would benefit immensely from considering some of the arguments in awardwinning scholar Dr. Shelby Steele’s forthcoming book, “Shame: How America’s Past Sins Have Polarized Our Country.”

Steele, a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, explains that in matters of race, there is an ideological vision that completely ignores truth — a vision he calls “poetic truth.” In literature, poetic license takes liberties with grammatical rules, as well as realities, in order to create a more beautiful or powerful effect than would be otherwise possible. Liberals have a poetic commitment to black victimization as the explanation for the many problems affecting a large segment of Walter the black Williams community. The truth that blacks have now achieved a level of freedom comparable to that of others has to be seen as a lie.

People who accept the truth about that freedom are seen as aligning themselves with America’s terrible history of racism. Accepting that racism is still the greatest barrier to black achievement is the only way liberals can prove themselves innocent of racism. Thus, “modern liberalism is grounded in a paradox: it tries to be ‘progressive’ and forward looking by fixing its gaze backward. It insists that America’s shameful past is the best explanation of its current social problems. It looks at the present, but it sees only the past.”

Liberals believe that black people’s fate is determined by the beneficence of white people and government programs. Steele points out that despite the handicaps of past racism and segregation, our fate was left in our own hands.

In the face of more government opposition than assistance, black Americans created the most articulate and effective movement for human freedom that the world has ever seen — the civil rights movement.

This was done without any government grants and in a society that ran the gamut from a cool indifference toward blacks to murderous terrorism.

Though not politically correct to acknowledge, there are cultural patterns within the black community that keep blacks from achieving true parity with whites. Sociologist Daniel

Patrick Moynihan identified these patterns in his 1965 report, titled “The Negro Family: The Case for National Action.”

Moynihan, who later became a Democratic senator, was condemned as a racist by much of America’s academic establishment for “blaming the victim.” Worse than that, Moynihan’s experience became an object lesson for other social scientists that any research that implies black responsibility for black problems is forbidden.

Moynihan’s conclusions were no less than prophetic. Steele says that family breakdown is the single worst problem black America faces. It spawned countless other problems in black America, including gang violence, drug abuse, low academic achievement, high dropout and unemployment rates, and high crime and incarceration rates.

Liberalism is a moral manipulation that exaggerates inequity and unfairness in American life in order to justify overreaching public policies and programs. Liberalism undermines the spirit of selfhelp and individual responsibility. For liberals in academia, the fact that black college students earn lower grades and have a higher dropout rate than any group besides reservation Indians means that blacks remain stymied and victimized by white racism. Thus, their push for affirmative action and other race-based programs is to assuage their guilt and shame for America’s past by having people around with black skin color. The heck with the human being inside that skin.

Shelby Steele argues that the civil rights movement’s goal was a free society — one not necessarily free of all bigotry but free of illegal discrimination. After that, we minorities should be simply left alone, as opposed to being smothered by the paternalism, inspired by white guilt, that has emerged since the 1960s. On that note, I just cannot resist the temptation to refer readers to my Proclamation of Amnesty and Pardon (http://tinyurl. com/opd8vgd), which grants Americans of European ancestry amnesty and pardon for their own grievances and those of their forebears against my people so that they stop feeling guilty and stop acting like fools in their relationship with Americans of African ancestry.

Walter E. Williams is a professor of economics at George Mason University. © 2015 creators.com

COMMENTARY

America’s Putin paranoia

H

opefully, the shaky truce between Vladimir Putin and Ukraine’s Petro Poroshenko, brokered in Minsk by Angela Merkel, will hold.

For nothing good, but much evil, could come of broadening and lengthening this war that has cost the lives of 5,400 Ukrainians.

The longer it goes on, the greater the casualties, the more land Ukraine will lose, and the greater the likelihood Kiev will end up an amputated and bankrupt republic, a dependency the size of France on the doorstep of Europe.

Had no truce been achieved, 8,000 Ukrainian troops trapped in the Debaltseve pocket could have been forced to surrender or wiped out, causing a regime crisis in Kiev. U.S. weapons could have Patrick begun flowing in, setting the stage for a collision between Buchanan Russia and the United States.

One understands Russia’s vital interest in retaining its Black Sea naval base in Crimea and keeping Ukraine out of NATO. And one sees the vital interest of Ukraine in not losing the Donbas.

But what is America’s vital interest here?

Merkel says a great principle is at stake, that in post-Cold War Europe, borders are not to be changed by force.

That is idealistic, but is it realistic?

At the Cold War’s end, Yugoslavia split into seven nations, the USSR into 15. Croatia, Bosnia, Kosovo, even Slovenia briefly, had to fight to break free. So, too, did the statelets of South Ossetia and Abkhazia in breaking from Georgia, and Transnistria from Moldova.

Inside Russia there are still minorities such as the Chechens who wish to break free. And in many of the new nations like Ukraine, there are ethnic Russians who want to go home.

Indeed, a spirit of secessionism pervades the continent of Europe.

But while London permitted the Scottish secessionists a vote, Madrid refuses to concede that right to the Basques or Catalans. And some of these ethnic minorities may one day fight to break free, as the Irish did a century ago.

Yet of all of the secessionist movements from the Atlantic to the Urals, none imperils a vital interest of the United States. None is really our business. And none justifies a war with Russia.

Indeed, what is it about this generation of Americans that makes us such compulsive meddlers in the affairs of nations we could not find on a map? Consider if you will our particular affliction: Putin paranoia.

Forty years ago, this writer was in Moscow with Richard Nixon on his last summit with Leonid Brezhnev. It was not a contentious affair, though the USSR was then the command center of an immense empire that stretched from Berlin to the Bering Sea.

And when we are warned that Putin wishes to restore that USSR of 1974, and to reassemble that Soviet Empire of yesterday, have we really considered what that would require of him?

To restore the USSR, Putin would have to recapture Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Ukraine, Moldova, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, an area the size of the United States.

To resurrect the Soviet Empire, Putin would have to invade and occupy Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, and then overrun Germany to the Elbe River.

How far along is Putin in re-establishing the empire of the czars and commissars? He has reannexed Crimea, which is roughly the size of Vermont, and which the Romanovs acquired in the 18th century.

Yet almost daily we hear the din from Capitol Hill, “The Russians are coming! The Russians are coming!”

That there is bad blood between America and Putin is undeniable. And, indeed, Putin has his quarrels with us as well.

In his eyes, we took advantage of the dissolution of the USSR to move NATO into Eastern Europe and the Baltic republics. We used our color-coded revolutions to dump over pro-Russian regimes in Serbia, Ukraine, Georgia and Kyrgyzstan.

Yet beyond our mutual distrust, or even contempt, is there not common ground between us?

As the century unfolds, two clear and present dangers threaten U.S. strategic interests: the rising power of a covetous China and the spread of Islamic terrorism.

In dealing with both, Russia is a natural ally.

China sees Siberia and the Russian Far East, with its shrinking population, as a storehouse of the resources Beijing needs.

And against the Taliban in Afghanistan, ISIS in Iraq and Syria, and al-Qaida, Russia, which suffered in Beslan and Moscow what New York, London, Madrid, Paris and Copenhagen have suffered, is on our side.

During the Cold War, Russia was in thrall to an ideology hostile to all we believed in. She had rulers who commanded a world empire.

Yet we had presidents who could do business with Moscow.

If we could negotiate with neo-Stalinists issues as grave as the Berlin Wall, and ballistic missiles in Cuba, why cannot we sit down with Vladimir Putin and discuss less earthshaking matters, such as whose flag should fly over Luhansk and Donetsk?

Patrick J. Buchanan is the author of the new book “The Greatest Comeback: How Richard Nixon Rose From Defeat to Create the New Majority.” © 2015 creators.com

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR PLEASE REMEMBER TO PUT ID TAGS ON YOUR PETS This letter is to all pet owners in Sumter: Please put ID tags with a phone number on the collars of your dogs (and even cats). Sunday morning I had two dogs show up in my front yard — dogs I didn’t recognize from the neighborhood but obviously well-kept and belonging to someone. I was able to check the collar on one — no tags. The other one wouldn’t come to me but was wearing what seemed to be a harness underneath his very long coat. I wasn’t

able to see any tags on him either.

They wouldn’t stay with me and ran off — I can only hope that they made it home. It was very cold and windy, and it hurt my heart that I couldn’t help get them there. And this is not the first time this has happened. I once had a dog show up with a collar and leash attached to it but no tags. In that case, I tried walking him through the neighborhood thinking he just got away from his owner while taking a walk.

But that didn’t work and since I couldn’t call the owner, I had to take

him to the SPCA. Hopefully his owner found him there. I have four dogs of my own and have had two episodes over the years that one was able to get out of the yard. But because all wear ID tags with my phone number, the nice folks who found them were able to call me. So, please, order a tag today and put it on your pet’s collar. It’s only a couple of dollars to do so, and it will save a lot of heartache if your pet goes missing.

PATRICIA S. MCPHILLIPS Sumter

VETO UNWANTED, UNNECESSARY KEYSTONE PIPELINE Congress and the Supreme Court are acting as if they are part of a movement to overthrow the majority of peoples’ wishes to have an honest and transparent national system of governmental processes and equal justice for all the people including the ones against an unwanted, unnecessary Keystone pipeline.

WILLIAM MORANT Manning

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015

FYI The Sumter County YouthBuild 1910.

Program is accepting applicaZumba classes will be held at tions for its February 2015 p.m. on Tuesdays YouthBuild accepting6:30 applications, volun- and enrollment at the South Wednesdays at the Parks opportunities Sumterteer Resource Center, and more and Recreation building on 337 Manning Ave. This proHaynsworth Street. Classes gram is for those 17-24 are $5 each and no registrayears old who have not fintion is required. Contact ished high school. ParticiDeanne Lewis at zumpants will be engaged in badeanne@gmail.com. completing GED/high school The Palmetto Singles Club diploma certification and job training in construction. holds a dance from 7 to 10 p.m. on the first and third Participants will earn an Fridays of each month at Americorps Education the VFW on Gion Street. Call Award to be used for colSarah Shorter at (803) 847lege or trade school. Call 3288.

Mr. Moore at (803) 436-2277 or stop by South Sumter Re- Sumter Area Toastmasters meets at 7 p.m. each Tuessource Center. Deadline for day at the Sumter Mall comapplications is Feb. 23. munity room, 1057 Broad St. The Rembert Area Community The group helps in developCoalition (RACC) is accepting ing speaking and leadership applications for the 2014-15 skills. Call Douglas Wilson after school program. Appliat (803) 778-0197 or Rebecca cations can be obtained at Gonzalez at (803) 565-9271. the main office, 8455 CamNavy and Marine Corps shipden Highway, Rembert, SC mates who served on the 29128. For information, call USS Columbus CA-74/CG-12 (803) 432-2001. from 1944 through 1976 and Having cancer is hard. Finding the USS Columbus (SSN-762) help shouldn’t be. Free help for cancer patients from the past and present, to share memories and camaraderie American Cancer Society. with old friends and make Transportation to treatnew ones, contact Allen R. ment, help for appearance related side effects of treat- Hope, president, 3828 Hobson Road, Fort Wayne, IN ment, nutrition help, one46815-4505; (260) 486-2221 8 on-one breast cancer supa.m.-5 p.m.; fax (260) 492port, free housing away 9771; or email at hope4391@ from home during treatverizon.net. ment, help finding clinical Hospice Care of Sumter LLC is trials, someone to talk to — in need of volunteers in Sumall free from your American ter and surrounding counCancer Society. Call (800) ties. Opportunities available 227-2345. for you to use your time and The Rembert Area Community talents to be of assistance Coalition (RACC) offers a senior citizens program 10 a.m.- include reading, musical talents, companionship, light noon each Monday and housekeeping, etc. Contact Wednesday at 6785 Bradley Joyce Blanding at (803) 883St. (behind community car 5606 or hospicecareofsumwash), Rembert, SC 29128. ter@yahoo.com.

Transportation is available.

Agape Hospice is in need of For details, call (803) 432volunteers. Whether your 2001. passion is baking, knitting, Sumter High School Class of reading, singing, etc., Agape 1975 will hold a 40-year Hospice can find a place for class reunion celebration May 29-31. Send all address- you. Contact Thandi Blanding at (803) 774-1075, (803) es to cindyd27@juno.com.

260-3876 or tblanding@ Are you a breast cancer surviagapsenior.com. vor? Maggie L. Richardson is Hospice Care of South Carolina seeking other survivors to is in need of volunteers in form a music group and give back to the community. Sumter County. Do you have If you are interested in join- one extra hour a week? Opportunities are available for ing, contact her at mlrminpatient/family companionstry2012@gmail.com or ship, administrative sup(803) 236-9086. port, meal preparation, light The Second (Indianhead) Divihousehold projects, student sion Association is searching education and various other for anyone/everyone who tasks. Contact Whitney Rogserved in the 2nd Infantry Divi- ers, regional volunteer coorsion. Visit the website at dinator, at (843) 409-7991 or www.2ida.org or contact whitney.rogers@hospicecMike Davino at MDavino@ are.net. yahoo.com or (919) 498-

DAILY PLANNER

THE SUMTER ITEM

WEATHER

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2015

AccuWeather® five-day forecast for Sumter TODAY

TONIGHT

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Partly sunny and chilly

A starlit sky and very cold

Colder with plenty of sunshine

Times of clouds and sun

Mainly cloudy and warmer

Warmer with occasional rain

50°

19°

32° / 14°

34° / 21°

52° / 41°

68° / 46°

Chance of rain: 15%

Chance of rain: 15%

Chance of rain: 5%

Chance of rain: 0%

Chance of rain: 25%

Chance of rain: 60%

WSW 8-16 mph

WNW 8-16 mph

WNW 8-16 mph

NE 6-12 mph

ENE 6-12 mph

SW 7-14 mph

TODAY’S SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER

Gaffney 38/9 Spartanburg 40/11

Greenville 40/12

Columbia 49/18

Temperatures shown on map are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

IN THE MOUNTAINS

Sumter 50/19

Aiken 49/19

ON THE COAST

Charleston 54/23

Today: Partly sunny, except sunnier in southern parts. High 51 to 55.

Thursday: Sunny and colder. High 32 to 41.

LOCAL ALMANAC

LAKE LEVELS

SUMTER THROUGH 4 P.M. YESTERDAY

Today Hi/Lo/W 42/17/pc 10/-6/pc 59/32/s 19/-3/sf 65/37/s 75/56/pc 59/36/s 32/16/sf 61/37/pc 31/14/sf 80/53/s 64/50/pc 34/15/sf

SUN AND MOON 7 a.m. yest.

357.56 74.73 74.60 96.39

24-hr chg -0.11 +0.03 none -0.15

Sunrise 7:04 a.m.

Moonrise 6:33 a.m.

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

0.56" 2.80" 2.04" 7.60" 5.03" 5.98"

NATIONAL CITIES City Atlanta Chicago Dallas Detroit Houston Los Angeles New Orleans New York Orlando Philadelphia Phoenix San Francisco Wash., DC

Full pool 360 76.8 75.5 100

Lake Murray Marion Moultrie Wateree

38° 31° 59° 35° 82° in 1989 11° in 1958

Precipitation 24 hrs ending 4 p.m. yest.

Month to date Normal month to date Year to date Last year to date Normal year to date

Thu. Hi/Lo/W 32/18/s 5/-8/s 65/51/s 9/-10/sf 66/56/pc 74/56/pc 54/41/s 22/5/sf 54/32/s 21/4/sf 83/56/s 65/50/pc 21/4/pc

Myrtle Beach 52/23

Manning 50/20

Today: Breezy with clouds and sun. Winds west 10-20 mph.

Thursday: Mostly sunny and very cold.

Winds west-northwest 7-14 mph.

Temperature High Low Normal high Normal low Record high Record low

Florence 51/19

Bishopville 48/17

Sunset Moonset

6:08 p.m.

6:07 p.m.

New

First

Full

Last

Feb. 18

Feb. 25

Mar. 5

Mar. 13

TIDES

Flood 7 a.m. 24-hr stage yest. chg 12 7.58 -0.03 19 4.63 -0.39 14 6.72 -0.14 14 2.83 +0.02 80 77.15 +0.07 24 7.61 +0.97

AT MYRTLE BEACH

High 8:22 a.m.

8:35 p.m.

9:13 a.m.

9:27 p.m.

Today Thu.

Ht. 3.6 3.3 3.6 3.4

Low 2:37 a.m.

3:14 p.m.

3:30 a.m.

4:03 p.m.

Ht. -1.0 -1.0 -1.2 -1.1

REGIONAL CITIES City Asheville Athens Augusta Beaufort Cape Hatteras Charleston Charlotte Clemson Columbia Darlington Elizabeth City Elizabethtown Fayetteville

Today Hi/Lo/W 32/3/sf 41/13/pc 51/18/s 55/24/s 38/22/c 54/23/s 38/11/sf 41/13/pc 49/18/pc 48/17/sf 36/13/pc 47/18/pc 45/14/sf

Thu. Hi/Lo/W 17/1/pc 32/15/s 36/16/s 39/22/s 24/12/s 37/18/s 25/4/s 30/14/s 35/16/s 30/12/s 21/1/s 29/11/s 27/6/s

Today City Hi/Lo/W Florence 51/19/pc Gainesville 59/29/s Gastonia 37/7/sf Goldsboro 41/14/sf Goose Creek 54/23/s Greensboro 35/5/sf Greenville 40/12/pc Hickory 35/5/sf Hilton Head 54/29/s Jacksonville, FL 57/29/s La Grange 48/19/s Macon 49/18/s Marietta 41/14/pc

Thu. Hi/Lo/W 33/13/s 50/24/s 25/5/s 23/5/s 37/18/s 18/1/s 28/7/s 21/0/s 40/26/s 46/24/s 40/20/s 39/19/s 29/15/s

Today City Hi/Lo/W Marion 34/4/sf Mt. Pleasant 54/25/s Myrtle Beach 52/23/pc Orangeburg 51/20/s Port Royal 55/26/s Raleigh 36/9/sf Rock Hill 40/7/sf Rockingham 42/14/sf Savannah 56/25/s Spartanburg 40/11/sf Summerville 55/28/s Wilmington 48/20/pc Winston-Salem 34/5/sf

Thu. Hi/Lo/W 20/-1/pc 37/20/s 34/16/s 35/18/s 39/24/s 19/2/s 26/5/s 23/3/s 41/21/s 27/8/s 40/25/s 28/12/s 19/1/s

Weather(W): s–sunny, pc–partly cloudy, c–cloudy, sh–showers, t–thunderstorms, r–rain, sf–snow flurries, sn–snow, i–ice

For Comfort You Can Count On, Better Make It Boykin!

PUBLIC AGENDA CLARENDON SCHOOL DISTRICT 3 Thursday, 7:30 p.m., district office, Turbeville

803-795-4257 www.boykinacs.com License #M4217

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Show off your EUGENIA LAST playful side.

Socialize and get involved in activities that will help you expand your awareness and your physical and mental strength. Set goals and prepare to make positive changes to your attitude, your finances and your health.

The last word in astrology

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Emotional problems will escalate if you disagree with an elder or a superior. Think twice before you take on something that you aren’t prepared to compete with. Focus on honing your skills and don’t waste your energy.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Size up what you want to do and what you must do. Having a clear picture regarding what’s expected of you will help you delegate your time accordingly. Showing your ability to do it all will lead to advancement.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Don’t let anyone dump added responsibilities in your lap.

Uncertainty will result in loss, so if you are questioning a deal, read the fine print before you make a commitment. Put more time and effort into self-improvement instead of trying to change others.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Plan activities that will challenge you mentally and physically. Love and romance are in the stars and will enhance your personal life if you offer affection to someone special.

Your confidence will entice someone to partner with you.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Concentrate on partnerships and network at functions that are geared toward entrepreneurs.

Taking a stance and following through with your plans will attract attention and help to stabilize your position among your peers.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Be careful not to disrupt your relationship with someone you need in your corner. Choose your words wisely and throw in compliments to ensure that you maintain the support you need to follow through with your plans.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Stick close to home and make the changes that will help you fulfill your creative needs. Love, romance and passion should be a top priority. Don’t talk -- take action and show how much you care. A unique lifestyle change will be beneficial.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Put your plans into motion. Say what’s on your mind and follow through. The more concise you are, the easier it will be to avoid being misinterpreted or deceived.

Positive changes at home or to your surroundings will give you fresh vision.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Choose to take a unique route or approach to something you do that can raise your income. It’s how you display and present what you have to offer that will make the difference. An old partner will have something worthwhile to contribute.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Your impulsiveness will put you in an ideal position. A clear-cut view of the possibilities will make it easier for you to jump into action and take over. An important partnership will improve your chance to get ahead.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Don’t leave anything to chance. Secrets will be revealed if you trust someone with personal information. Don’t give anyone a reason to doubt you. Demands will be made if you are too accommodating. Don’t make promises you will regret.

LOTTERY NUMBERS PALMETTO CASH 5 TUESDAY

POWERBALL SATURDAY

MEGAMILLIONS TUESDAY

2-4-17-23-34 PowerUp: 2

1-24-44-45-51 Powerball: 28; Powerplay: 2

numbers unavailable at press time

PICK 3 TUESDAY

PICK 4 TUESDAY

LUCKY FOR LIFE MONDAY

5-3-7 and 0-5-0

1-3-6-3 and 8-0-7-9

14-15-16-22-46; 5

PICTURES FROM THE PUBLIC Lilian Peter comments on her photos: “I took these pictures of two giraffes in Serengeti, Africa. The two giraffes were initially fighting, hitting and biting each other on the neck. Then they stood quietly. Finally they walked away. These two giraffes were majestic animals.”

SECTION

Pitchers, catchers set to report B5

B

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015

Call: (803) 774-1241 | E-mail: sports@theitem.com

AUTO RACING

Keselowski still taking long road toward respect in NASCAR

BY DAN GELSTON The Associated Press DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Brad Keselowski might as well sign up as the next celebrity target at a comedy roast.

His fellow NASCAR drivers already have plenty of practice hurling cutting barbs his way — just minus the rim shot.

Denny Hamlin on Keselowski’s rep: “Nobody wants to be

Brad.’’

Kyle Busch on who young drivers should emulate: “Don’t come in like Brad.’’

For each blunt opinion Keselowski has about the state of NASCAR, drivers seem to have two or three zingers ready to fire right back at Bad Brad. Not even winning the 2012 Sprint Cup championship earned Keselowski his proper place at the big boys’ table.

He’s yet to earn as much re-

spect in the garage as former champs Tony Stewart, Matt Kenseth, Jimmie Johnson and Jeff KESELOWSKI Gordon.

Heck, Keselowski even took the rap for costing Gordon a shot at a fifth title when they tangled in an accident on a late restart at Texas.

Keselowski has accepted the

black hat, better to stir reaction with an outspoken opinion or two than build a career as an irrelevant driver.

If he’s failed to gain many best friends in the sport, it’s a small price to pay for having the type of passion that energizes him to be among NASCAR’s best drivers.

“I know that when I have had whatever run-ins I have had throughout my career, I have had them because I have

done the things that I feel like I need to do to be the best, and that is why I am in this sport,’’ Keselowski said. “That is what drives me.’’

Among his most outspoken moments: • A rant against NASCAR’s move to electronic fuel injection, which led to a $25,000 fine.

• A diatribe about other

SEE KESELOWSKI, PAGE B3

PREP BASKETBALL

Putback in the hunt Robateau’s bucket with 0.9 seconds left lifts Knights into second round

BY DENNIS BRUNSON dennis@theitem.com

BY MICHAEL CHRISTOPHER michaelc@theitem.com Crestwood High School varsity boys basketball head coach Dwayne Edwards watched as his team continued to be out-rebounded by Beaufort High School until it mattered most.

Darnell Robateau made the game-winning putback with 0.9 seconds left to push the Knights to a 71-69 victory over the Eagles on Tuesday at The Castle in the first round of the 3A state playoffs.

“I saw the opportunity to get a bucket so I just took it,” Robateau, who finished with 10 points, said of the winning shot.

The Knights, now 20-5 on the season, will advance to the second round of the playoffs on Friday.

“I think we just didn’t give up,” Edwards said. “We just didn’t control the boards tonight. I think (Beaufort’s Otis McClain) really hurt us on the boards a little bit with too many putbacks.

“It’s the playoffs; I guess that first round can be sometimes very tough,” he said. “You’re trying to get over that hump and you can kind of see where you’re going, so I guess we got all the bugs out, and it’s time to focus on where we really need to be.”

Edwards said he felt like both Robateau and the team needed a confidenceboosting victory to hopefully push them for a deep postseason run.

“He’s been out most of the season and it was an opportunity to put that basket back in,” Edwards said. “I

SEE PUTBACK, PAGE B4

KEITH GEDAMKE / THE SUMTER ITEM

Sumter High’s Kiara Jones (14) puts up a shot between River Bluff’s Kayla Windham (24) and Logan Hinson (5) during the Lady Gamecocks’ 85-25 victory on Tuesday at the SHS gymnasium in the first round of the 4A state playoffs.

LMA boys, WH girls win region tourneys

KEITH GEDAMKE / THE SUMTER ITEM

Crestwood’s Darnell Robateau, center, goes up for a shot while Beaufort’s Tavian Heyward (21) defends during the Knights’ 71-69 victory on Tuesday at The Castle in the first round of the 3A state playoffs. Robateau had the game-winning putback for CHS with 0.9 seconds left.

The brackets held true in both the boys and girls SCISA Region II-3A championship games on Tuesday at Sumter Civic Center, but just barely.

Laurence Manning Academy’s boys basketball team survived a 3-point attempt at the buzzer that hit off the rim to hold on for a 49-47 victory over Wilson Hall.

In the girls game, Wilson Hall’s Hannah Jordan was 11for-11 from the free throw line in RECTOR the fourth quarter, and the Lady Barons needed everyone of them to hold on for a 44-41 victory over Thomas Sumter Academy.

“Hannah wasn’t happy with the way she was shooting free throws earlier in the season,” said Wilson Hall girls head coach Glen Rector, whose team improved to 21-5 on the season. “She started working on it, and she really hit some big ones for us tonight.”

WH led 23-18 entering the final stanza, but it turned into an offensive explosion, supplied mainly by Jordan and TSA’s Taylor Knudson. Jordan had 15 of Wilson Hall’s 21 points and Knudson 16 of the Lady Generals’ 23.

The Lady Barons took their biggest lead when Jordan converted a 3-point play to make it 31-23 with 3:40 left in the game.

Thomas Sumter pulled within three on a couple of occasions, but four straight free throws

by Jordan make it 41-34 with 49 seconds left.

Knudson hit a shot to cut the lead to 41-36 with 43 seconds left. Jordan was fouled and made her only mistake at the free throw line. She

SEE SCISA, PAGE B4

Top-ranked SHS girls crush River Bluff 85-25

BY EDDIE LITAKER Special To The Sumter Item Sumter High School’s varsity girls basketball head coach Jason Loudenslager couldn’t have drawn up a much better result for his 4A No. 1 seeded team in its playoff opener against River Bluff than what happened on Tuesday at the SHS gymnasium.

The Lady Gamecocks came away with a dominant 85-25 thrashing of the Lady Gators that gave their coach an opportunity to rest key players and spread the

wealth statistically as 11 players broke into the scoring column for Sumter.

After notching their 19th consecutive win and improving their record to 23-2, the Lady Gamecocks now face an unusually quick turnaround with a secondround matchup looming on Thursday night. That game is scheduled for a 6 p.m. start, as Tuesday’s game was to have before a 30-minute delay due to late arriving officials, with the opponent being the winner of Tuesday’s game between West Ash-

ley and Ashley Ridge.

“We’re very pleased as coaches. The most important thing, obviously, is to get the win, and winning convincingly is what we were able to do,” Loudenslager said. “We’ve got to move our game up to Thursday night, and by doing so that only gives us one day to rest our legs. That’s the other nice thing about tonight. We got to get some kids playing not as many minutes as they normally do,

SEE SHS, PAGE B4

B2

|

SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015

USC BASKETBALL

Gamecocks hold off Georgia 64-58

BY CHARLES ODUM The Associated Press ATHENS, Ga. — Duane Notice and Tyrone Johnson each scored 17 points and South Carolina recovered after blowing a 21-point lead to beat Georgia 64-58 on Tuesday night.

South Carolina (13-12, 4-9 Southeastern Conference) took its big lead at 34-13 and led 41-23 at NOTICE halftime. The Gamecocks needed a strong finish to complete the season sweep of the Bulldogs, who never led.

Georgia (16-9, 7-6) suffered its second straight home loss to a team with a losing SEC record. Auburn beat the Bulldogs 69-68 on Saturday.

Georgia recovered from the big first-half deficit with a strong comeback and finally pulled even at 51-all on two free throws by Yante Maten.

South Carolina reclaimed the lead with a basket by Mindaugas Kacinas, who had 13 points, and Johnson’s 3-pointer. Following a driving layup

by Charles Mann which cut the Gamecocks’ lead to 58-55, Notice sank another 3.

Before the game, South Carolina coach Frank Martin announced forward Demetrius Henry and guard Shamiek Sheppard were suspended

for the remainder of the regular season for unspecified conduct detrimental to the team. Martin said Henry and Sheppard could be reinstated for the SEC tournament.

Mann led Georgia with 17 points.

After a steal and basket by Georgia’s Kenny Gaines, who had 11 points, South Carolina scored the next 15 points. Laimonas Chatkevicius, a 6-foot-11 junior from Lithuania who averages only 8.3 points, had three of the Gamecocks’ first four baskets — all coming on layups.

South Carolina’s 3-point shooting was an effective complement to the inside power game of Chatkevicius.

The Gamecocks made 7 of 13 3s in the first half, including three by Johnson, and led 41-23 at the break.

Georgia made only one 3-pointer in the first half but found its long-shooting touch in the second half. Nemanja Djurisic, who sat out most of the first half with three fouls, including a technical, hit his first 3-pointer to cut the South Carolina’s lead to 43-33.

Tyler Echols’ 3 cut the deficit to single digits at 45-36.

South Carolina guard Marcus Stroman missed his third straight game with a throat infection. USC, which took a 67-50 home win over Georgia on Jan. 31, won in Athens for the first time since March 7, 2009.

SPORTS ITEMS

Kentucky routs Tennessee 66-48 KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Devin Booker had 18 points and seven rebounds as No. 1 Kentucky picked up its defense in the second half and extended the best start in school history Tuesday night with a 66-48 victory over Tennessee.

Kentucky is 26-0 for the first time, though the Wildcats finished the 195354 season with a 25-0 mark. It also matches the best start for a team coached by John Calipari, who won his first 26 games at Massachusetts in 199596 and was 26-0 at Memphis in 2007-08.

Andrew Harrison scored 14 points and Trey Lyles added 10 for Kentucky (13-0 SEC). Kevin Punter scored 14 and Josh Richardson had 10 for Tennessee (14-11, 6-7).

After shooting 54.2 percent (13 of 24) in the first half, Tennessee shot just 25 percent (8 of 32) in the second.

The Volunteers were 2 of 17 from 3-point range.

points.

Williams scored 15 points and Zach Smith added 10 to lead Texas Tech (12-15, 2-12).

(25) VCU 74 Saint Louis 54 RICHMOND, Va. — Treveon Graham scored 16 points and No. 25 VCU used a 23-5 run spanning halftime to take command and beat Saint Louis 74-54.

Graham seemed to show no signs of the high left ankle sprain that sidelined him for two losses, and with him back on the floor, the Rams (20-6, 10-3 Atlantic 10) cranked back up their defensive pressure against the young Billikens.

VCU, which had backed off some on its 94 feet of pressure with Graham injured, forced 14 turnovers and turned them into 19 points.

Freshman Milik Yarbrough scored 17 to lead Saint Louis. Freshman Michael Gilmore had 10 for VCU.

(10) NOTRE DAME 88

USC BASEBALL TOPS FURMAN 5-2

WAKE FOREST 75

COLUMBIA — Senior outfielder Elliott Caldwell went 4-for-4 with a pair of doubles and a 3-run triple and freshman right-hander Clarke Schmidt worked 4 2/3 scoreless innings of relief to earn his first career win as fifth-ranked South Carolina defeated Furman 5-2 on Tuesday at Carolina Stadium.

The Gamecocks are now 3-1 on the year with Furman falling to 1-3 for the season.

Trailing 2-0, the Gamecocks broke ahead with four runs in the bottom of the third inning. Logan Koch and Jordan Gore each singled to open the frame and Gene Cone was hit by a pitch to load the bases with no outs.

That set the stage for Caldwell, who launched a 1-2 pitch into the gap in right-center for a triple clearing the bases. Kyle Martin added a RBI single to give the Gamecocks a 2-run cushion.

USC plated a run in the fifth on a sac fly by Max Schrock.

The Gamecocks host Northeastern for a 3-game series beginning Friday at 4 p.m. with Saturday’s game at 2 p.m. and Sunday’s series finale scheduled for 1:30 p.m.

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Jerian Grant had 24 points and 10 assists to pace No. 10 Notre Dame to an 88-75 win over Wake Forest.

Pat Connaughton added 13 points for the Irish (23-4, 11-3 ACC) who hit 27-of-28 at the free throw line, including their last 19 in a row.

Devin Thomas, who averaged 20 points and eight rebounds in two Wake Forest wins over the Irish last year, had 26 points and 11 boards for the Demon Deacons (12-15, 4-10 ACC).

Notre Dame, second in the nation in field goal shooting coming in, hit just one of its first 12 attempts after not playing a game in six days. The Irish took a 43-41 lead into halftime after Grant’s drive and layup with three seconds left.

That bucket turned out to be the beginning of a 10-0 Irish run. Grant and Steve Vasturia hit consecutive 3-pointers to help the Irish open up a double-digit lead for the first time, less than two minutes into the second half. Vasturia finished with 12 points.

(20) BAYLOR 54 TEXAS TECH 49 LUBBOCK, Texas — Taurean Prince scored 18 of his 22 points in the first half to lead No. 20 Baylor past Texas Tech 54-49.

Prince was 9 for 14 from the field, including three 3-pointers. He didn’t score in the second half until 8:32 remained.

Lester Medford scored 10 points for the Bears (19-7, 7-6 Big 12).

Royce O’Neale hit a 3-pointer with 4:08 to go to put the Bears up 48-43 after the Red Raiders pulled within two points on a dunk by Keenan Evans.

A 3-pointer by Devaungntah Williams with 13 seconds remaining pull the Red Raiders to 52-49 but they got no closer.

Texas Tech scored 16 points off of 16 turnovers by Baylor and outscored the Bears 12-4 on second-chance

NADAL WINS IN RIO IN FIRST CLAY-COURT MATCH OF SEASON RIO DE JANEIRO — Top-seeded Rafael Nadal defeated Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil at the Rio Open on Tuesday, winning 6-4, 6-1 in his first clay-court match of the season.

The Spaniard has won nine of the last 10 French Opens and uses the clay-court season in Latin America as a tuneup for Roland Garros.

Second-seeded David Ferrer also advanced, defeating Daniel GimenoTraver of Spain 6-4, 6-3. No. 4 Fabio Fognini beat Jiri Vesely of the Czech Republic 6-1, 7-6 (7) to reach the second round.

On the women’s side, No. 1 Sara Errani of Italy defeated Brazilian Teliana Pereira 6-3, 6-3. No. 3 Roberta Vinci of Italy won 7-6 (4), 6-3 against Lucie Hradecka of the Czech Republic.

From wire reports

THE SUMTER ITEM

SCOREBOARD TV, RADIO TODAY

11 a.m. -- Women’s Professional Golf: Ladies European Tour Australian Ladies Masters Final Round from Queensland, Australia (GOLF).

2:30 p.m. -- International Soccer: UEFA Champions League Round-of-16 First Leg Match -Real Madrid vs. Schalke (FOX SPORTS 1).

2:30 p.m. -- NASCAR Racing: Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 Practice from Daytona Beach, Fla. (FOX SPORTS 2).

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

7 p.m. -- College Basketball: Boston University at American (CBS SPORTS NETWORK).

7 p.m. -- College Basketball: Louisville at Syracuse (ESPN).

7 p.m. -- College Basketball: Xavier at Cincinnati (ESPN2).

7 p.m. -- College Basketball: East Carolina at Tulsa (ESPNU).

7 p.m. -- College Basketball: Virginia Tech at Miami (FOX SPORTSOUTH).

7 p.m. -- College Basketball: Vanderbilt at Florida (SEC NETWORK).

7:30 p.m. -- NHL Hockey: Detroit at Chicago (NBC SPORTS NETWORK).

8 p.m. -- International Soccer: UEFA Champions League Round-of-16 First Leg Match -Porto vs. Basel (FOX SPORTS 2).

8 p.m. -- College Basketball: Kansas State at Texas Christian (SPORTSOUTH).

9 p.m. -- College Basketball: North Carolina at Duke (ESPN).

9 p.m. -- College Basketball: UCLA at Arizona State (ESPN2).

9 p.m. -- College Basketball: Iowa State at Oklahoma State (ESPNU).

9:55 p.m. -- International Soccer: Mexican League Match -- Alebrijes de Oaxaca vs.

UNAM (UNIVISION).

10 p.m. -- NHL Hockey: Los Angeles at Colorado (NBC SPORTS NETWORK).

11 p.m. -- College Basketball: Colorado at Oregon (ESPNU).

11 p.m. -- LPGA Golf: Women’s Australian Open First Round from Melbourne, Australia (GOLF).

COLLEGE BASKETBALL SCHEDULE TODAY

EAST Boston U. at American U., 7 p.m.

Vermont at Binghamton, 7 p.m.

Loyola (Md.) at Bucknell, 7 p.m.

Army at Colgate, 7 p.m.

Davidson at George Washington, 7 p.m.

Duquesne at La Salle, 7 p.m.

Holy Cross at Lafayette, 7 p.m.

Maine at Mass.-Lowell, 7 p.m.

Lehigh at Navy, 7 p.m.

William & Mary at Northeastern, 7 p.m.

Wisconsin at Penn St., 7 p.m.

UMass at Rhode Island, 7 p.m.

Richmond at St. Bonaventure, 7 p.m.

Louisville at Syracuse, 7 p.m.

Hofstra at Towson, 7 p.m.

SOUTH Elon at Coll. of Charleston, 7 p.m.

Vanderbilt at Florida, 7 p.m.

Fordham at George Mason, 7 p.m.

Gardner-Webb at High Point, 7 p.m.

Drexel at James Madison, 7 p.m.

Virginia Tech at Miami, 7 p.m.

UNC Asheville at Winthrop, 7 p.m.

Presbyterian at Charleston Southern, 7:30 p.m.

North Carolina at Duke, 9 p.m.

Boston College at Florida St., 9 p.m.

MIDWEST Toledo at Akron, 7 p.m.

Miami (Ohio) at Bowling Green, 7 p.m.

N. Illinois at Cent. Michigan, 7 p.m.

Xavier at Cincinnati, 7 p.m.

Buffalo at E. Michigan, 7 p.m.

Ball St. at Kent St., 7 p.m.

Ohio at W. Michigan, 7 p.m.

Oakland at Wright St., 7 p.m.

Detroit at Green Bay, 8 p.m.

N. Iowa at Loyola of Chicago, 8 p.m.

Indiana St. at Missouri St., 8 p.m.

S. Dakota St. at W. Illinois, 8 p.m.

Illinois St. at Bradley, 9 p.m.

Providence at DePaul, 9 p.m.

Northwestern at Minnesota, 9 p.m.

SOUTHWEST East Carolina at Tulsa, 7 p.m.

Kansas St. at TCU, 8 p.m.

Missouri at Arkansas, 9 p.m.

Iowa St. at Oklahoma St., 9 p.m.

FAR WEST UCLA at Arizona St., 9 p.m.

Colorado St. at Fresno St., 10 p.m.

Utah St. at San Jose St., 10 p.m.

UMKC at Seattle, 10 p.m.

Colorado at Oregon, 11 p.m.

Boise St. at UNLV, 11 p.m.

41 43

.226 .189

24 26

L 11 21 30 30 39

Pct .796 .611 .423 .423 .304

GB – 10 20 20 27

L 20 22 23 33 33

Pct .630 .600 .566 .389 .389

GB – 1 1/2 3 1/2 13 13

WESTERN CONFERENCE SOUTHWEST DIVISION Memphis Houston Dallas San Antonio New Orleans NORTHWEST DIVISION Portland Oklahoma City Denver Utah Minnesota PACIFIC DIVISION Golden State L.A. Clippers Phoenix Sacramento L.A. Lakers

W 39 36 36 34 27

L 14 17 19 19 26

PCT .736 .679 .655 .642 .509

GB – 3 4 5 12

W 36 28 20 19 11

L 17 25 33 34 42

Pct .679 .528 .377 .358 .208

GB – 8 16 17 25

W 42 35 29 18 13

L 9 19 25 34 40

Pct .824 .648 .537 .346 .245

GB – 8 1/2 14 1/2 24 1/2 30

MONDAY’S GAMES

No games scheduled

TUESDAY’S GAMES

No games scheduled

TODAY’S GAMES

No games scheduled

THURSDAY’S GAMES

Dallas at Oklahoma City, 8 p.m.

San Antonio at L.A. Clippers, 10:30 p.m.

NHL STANDINGS

By The Associated Press EASTERN CONFERENCE ATLANTIC DIVISION GP W Montreal 56 37 Tampa Bay 59 35 Detroit 55 31 Boston 56 28 Florida 55 24 Ottawa 55 22 Toronto 57 23 Buffalo 56 16 METROPOLITAN DIVISION GP W N.Y. Islanders 57 37 N.Y. Rangers 55 34 Pittsburgh 56 32 Washington 57 30 Philadelphia 56 24 Columbus 54 24 New Jersey 56 21 Carolina 55 20

L 15 18 14 20 19 23 29 37

OT 4 6 10 8 12 10 5 3

Pts 78 76 72 64 60 54 51 35

GF 150 191 160 147 135 155 160 104

GA 123 159 141 145 153 158 175 193

L OT 19 1 16 5 15 9 17 10 22 10 27 3 26 9 28 7

Pts 75 73 73 70 58 51 51 47

GF 184 174 161 168 151 142 124 126

GA 162 136 141 145 162 170 154 150

Pts 82 78 74 70 63 60 59

GF 170 178 172 165 155 175 149

GA 131 137 131 157 152 179 161

WESTERN CONFERENCE CENTRAL DIVISION GP W L Nashville 56 38 12 St. Louis 56 37 15 Chicago 57 35 18 Winnipeg 59 30 19 Minnesota 56 28 21 Dallas 56 26 22 Colorado 57 24 22 PACIFIC DIVISION GP W L Anaheim 57 35 15 Vancouver 56 32 21 Calgary 57 32 22 San Jose 58 29 21 Los Angeles 56 26 18 Arizona 58 20 31 Edmonton 58 16 32 NOTE: Two points for a overtime loss.

OT 6 4 4 10 7 8 11

OT Pts 7 77 3 67 3 67 8 66 12 64 7 47 10 42 win, one

GF GA 169 160 158 147 166 147 164 165 155 150 131 194 135 196 point for

MONDAY’S GAMES

Winnipeg 5, Edmonton 4, SO N.Y. Rangers 6, N.Y. Islanders 5 Carolina 6, Ottawa 3 Montreal 2, Detroit 0 Colorado 5, Arizona 2 Calgary 4, Boston 3, OT Vancouver 3, Minnesota 2 Los Angeles 3, Tampa Bay 2

TUESDAY’S GAMES

THURSDAY

EAST UNC Wilmington at Delaware, 7 p.m.

Niagara at Fairfield, 7 p.m.

LIU Brooklyn at Mount St. Mary’s, 7 p.m.

Quinnipiac at Rider, 7 p.m.

Robert Morris at Sacred Heart, 7 p.m.

Canisius at Siena, 7 p.m.

Fairleigh Dickinson at St. Francis (NY), 7 p.m.

Monmouth (NJ) at St. Peter’s, 7 p.m.

Bryant at Wagner, 7 p.m.

St. Francis (Pa.) at CCSU, 9 p.m.

SOUTH Southern Miss. at Old Dominion, 5:30 p.m.

Louisiana Tech at Charlotte, 7 p.m.

Mercer at Chattanooga, 7 p.m.

Campbell at Coastal Carolina, 7 p.m.

North Texas at FAU, 7 p.m.

Kennesaw St. at Florida Gulf Coast, 7 p.m.

The Citadel at Furman, 7 p.m.

South Alabama at Georgia St., 7 p.m.

N. Kentucky at Jacksonville, 7 p.m.

Nebraska at Maryland, 7 p.m.

Lipscomb at North Florida, 7 p.m.

SC-Upstate at Stetson, 7 p.m.

UCF at Tulane, 7 p.m.

UNC Greensboro at Wofford, 7 p.m.

Troy at Georgia Southern, 7:30 p.m.

E. Kentucky at Belmont, 8 p.m.

Rice at FIU, 8 p.m.

Marshall at Middle Tennessee, 8 p.m.

Morehead St. at Tennessee St., 8 p.m.

W. Kentucky at UAB, 8 p.m.

Texas St. at Louisiana-Lafayette, 8:15 p.m.

UConn at Memphis, 9 p.m.

Mississippi at Mississippi St., 9 p.m.

MIDWEST Saint Joseph’s at Dayton, 6 p.m.

Purdue at Indiana, 7 p.m.

UT-Martin at E. Illinois, 8 p.m.

Milwaukee at Ill.-Chicago, 8 p.m.

Rutgers at Iowa, 8 p.m.

IUPUI at N. Dakota St., 8 p.m.

Oral Roberts at Nebraska-Omaha, 8 p.m.

SE Missouri at SIU-Edwardsville, 8 p.m.

SOUTHWEST Temple at SMU, 7 p.m.

Appalachian St. at Texas-Arlington, 8:15 p.m.

Arkansas St. at UALR, 8:30 p.m.

FAR WEST Idaho at N. Arizona, 8:30 p.m.

Southern Cal at Arizona, 9 p.m.

IPFW at Denver, 9 p.m.

Texas-Pan American at Grand Canyon, 9 p.m.

Idaho St. at Montana, 9 p.m.

Santa Clara at Pepperdine, 9 p.m.

E. Washington at S. Utah, 9 p.m.

Weber St. at Montana St., 9:05 p.m.

New Mexico St. at Utah Valley, 9:05 p.m.

San Diego at BYU, 10 p.m.

Chicago St. at CS Bakersfield, 10 p.m.

Cal Poly at Cal St.-Fullerton, 10 p.m.

UC Davis at Long Beach St., 10 p.m.

UC Santa Barbara at UC Riverside, 10 p.m.

North Dakota at Portland St., 10:05 p.m.

N. Colorado at Sacramento St., 10:05 p.m.

Hawaii at UC Irvine, 10:30 p.m.

San Francisco at Loyola Marymount, 11 p.m.

Utah at Oregon St., 11 p.m.

Gonzaga at Pacific, 11 p.m.

Portland at Saint Mary’s (Cal), 11 p.m.

FRIDAY

EAST Hartford at Albany (NY), 7 p.m.

Princeton at Dartmouth, 7 p.m.

Penn at Harvard, 7 p.m.

Cornell at Yale, 7 p.m.

Columbia at Brown, 8 p.m.

Iona at Marist, 9 p.m.

MIDWEST Cleveland St. at Green Bay, 7 p.m.

EASTERN CONFERENCE ATLANTIC DIVISION W 36 21 20

L 17 31 31

Pct .679 .404 .392

Columbus at Philadelphia, 7 p.m.

Washington at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m.

N.Y. Islanders at Carolina, 7 p.m.

Buffalo at New Jersey, 7:30 p.m.

Florida at Toronto, 7:30 p.m.

Dallas at St. Louis, 8 p.m.

San Jose at Nashville, 8 p.m.

TODAY’S GAMES

Montreal at Ottawa, 7 p.m.

Detroit at Chicago, 7:30 p.m.

Minnesota at Calgary, 9:30 p.m.

Los Angeles at Colorado, 10 p.m.

Boston at Edmonton, 10 p.m.

Tampa Bay at Anaheim, 10 p.m.

THURSDAY’S GAMES

Nashville at N.Y. Islanders, 7 p.m.

Vancouver at N.Y. Rangers, 7 p.m.

Buffalo at Philadelphia, 7 p.m.

Columbus at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m.

Winnipeg at Washington, 7 p.m.

Florida at Montreal, 7:30 p.m.

San Jose at Dallas, 8:30 p.m.

TRANSACTIONS

By The Associated Press

BASEBALL

American League BALTIMORE ORIOLES _ Named Sean Berry hitting coach of Norfolk (IL); Alan Mills pitching coach, Keith Bodie hitting coach of Bowie (EL); Orlando Gomez manager, Paco Figueroa hitting coach and Chris Poole trainer of Frederick (Carolina); Howie Clark hitting coach of Delmarva (SAL); Luis Pujols manager, Brian Guzman trainer and Kevin Clark strength and conditioning coach of Aberdeen (NYP); and Matt Merullo manager of the GCL Orioles.

National League MIAMI MARLINS _ Agreed to terms with OF Reed Johnson on a minor league contract.

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES _ Promoted Michael Stiles to executive vice president and chief operating officer.

FOOTBALL

National Football League BUFFALO BILLS _ Released LB Keith Rivers.

CAROLINA PANTHERS _ Released S Thomas DeCoud. Re-signed OL Chris Scott to a oneyear contract.

CLEVELAND BROWNS _ Named Kevin O’Connell quarterbacks coach.

DALLAS COWBOYS _ Signed G Ronald Leary and OT Darrion Weems.

DETROIT LIONS _ Named Joe Marciano special teams coordinator.

GREEN BAY PACKERS _ Released TE Brandon Bostick and WR Kevin Dorsey.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS _ Released WR Donnie Avery. Waived WR A.J. Jenkins.

HOCKEY

National Hockey League BUFFALO SABRES _ Reassigned F Justin Kea to Rochester (AHL).

COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS _ Activated F Brian Gibbons from injured reserve and assigned him to Springfield (AHL).

DETROIT RED WINGS _ Recalled RW Teemu Pulkkinen from Grand Rapids (AHL). Assigned G Petr Mrazek to Grand Rapids.

OTTAWA SENATORS _ Recalled G Chris Driedger from Evansville (ECHL).

COLLEGE

NBA STANDINGS

By The Associated Press Toronto Brooklyn Boston

Philadelphia 12 New York 10 SOUTHEAST DIVISION W Atlanta 43 Washington 33 Charlotte 22 Miami 22 Orlando 17 CENTRAL DIVISION W Chicago 34 Cleveland 33 Milwaukee 30 Detroit 21 Indiana 21

GB – 14 1/2 15

BIG TEN CONFERENCE _ Issued a public reprimand of Penn State men’s basketball coach Patrick Chambers and fined Penn State $10,000 for violating the sportsmanship policy following Saturday’s game against Maryland.

EAST CAROLINA _ Named Brad Davis run game coordinator and offensive line coach.

IOWA STATE _ Named Clayton Oyster director of strength and conditioning.

SETON HALL _ Suspended men’s basketball G Sterling Gibbs two games.

THOMAS MORE _ Named Regis Scafe football coach.

AUTO RACING

THE SUMTER ITEM

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015

|

B3

Larson ready to be NASCAR’s new star

BY JENNA FRYER The Associated Press DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — As Jeff Gordon winds down his long career, the kid who grew up idolizing him is just getting started.

Kyle Larson is ready to become NASCAR’s next superstar. His sophomore season in the Sprint Cup Series begins Sunday with the Daytona 500 and there are high expectations for Larson to have a breakout year.

He was decent last season during his run toward rookie of the year honors, but Larson is ready for more. On his list of goals for the year is winning his first Sprint Cup race and making the Chase for the championship.

“Last year, nobody had any expectations for me other than failing,’’ Larson said. “So the expectations are different this year. A little bit more pressure. I think we can run up front every week, hopefully, and be competitive and try and get a couple of wins.’’

The expectation of failure is a bit of an exaggeration by Larson, who has skyrocketed from sprint cars to NASCAR’s top series in just three years.

His first full season in stock cars was in 2013 and many believed team owner Chip Ganassi was rushing Larson when he promoted him to Cup last season. Nobody inside the Ganassi organization felt that way.

Chris Heroy, who worked with Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Mark Martin at Hendrick Motorsports, knew he was being paired with a rare talent when he moved to Ganassi to become Larson’s crew chief.

“I saw Jimmie in his prime, winning all those championships, and I’d put Kyle right there,’’ Heroy said of the six-

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Driver Kyle Larson adjusts his helmet before going out on the track during a practice session for the Daytona 500 on Saturday at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. time Cup champion. “Kyle is a generational talent.’’ The industry sure hopes Heroy and the Ganassi organization are correct.

Gordon, the four-time champion and face of NASCAR for the last two decades, is retiring from full-time competition at the end of the year.

His departure as Larson is taking off almost makes the cycle full circle: Larson grew up a Gordon fan — he periodically posts throwback pictures on social media of him dressed head-to-toe in Gordon’s rainbow-themed gear as

Driver Carl Edwards, right, stands in the garage on Saturday during a practice session for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla.

FROM PAGE B1 teams poaching team owner Roger Penske employees. Penske later said “Brad had some misinformation’’ after rival team owner Rick Hendrick blasted the driver’s claims.

• A strong stance against NASCAR’s requirement that all drivers undergo baseline concussion testing.

“Some of the stuff he says, all of us shrug our shoulders, close our eyes and are like, `I wouldn’t have said that,’’’ 2010 Daytona 500 winner Jamie McMurray said. “But there is normally a little bit of truth in it, as well. He obviously likes attention or he wouldn’t say things like that.’’

Even Keselowski’s detractors can’t deny his talent. He’s coming off a career-best six wins with 17 top-fives driving the No. 2 Ford for Team Penske.

“I feel like I am a top-three driver in the Sprint Cup series,’’ Keselowski said.

He mentioned reigning series champion Kevin Harvick and Carl Edwards as the other two drivers in the gold-silverbronze class.

Keselowski and Edwards feuded for a couple of seasons

who’s been catapulted into this Sprint Cup Series at a high level who have got a lot of talent, you can’t prepare for what it’s like to be famous, to do autographs, to take pictures, to win at the highest level. You don’t know what that’s going to be like.’’

The swell is slowly growing around Larson, who welcomed a son in December with his longtime girlfriend and is balancing fatherhood with his growing popularity.

He’ll be the star of a national commercial for sponsor Target that will debut during the

Daytona 500.

Target reallocated some of its spending on Ganassi’s IndyCar program this season to focus on marketing Larson and three-time IndyCar champion Scott Dixon. In addition to Larson’s commercial, the retailer is launching a TeamTarget.com hub on Sunday that will chronicle the season and host a series of additional videos featuring both drivers.

So as NASCAR begins the transition to the younger drivers who will carry the sport for the next decade, Larson is readying himself for the ride.

After ‘a lot of anxiety,’ Edwards secures spot in Daytona 500

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

KESELOWSKI

a child — and Gordon has spent the last three years praising Larson.

Gordon has given the 22-year-old advice, and he pulled him aside after hard racing in the closing laps at Chicago in September to explain some things Larson could have done differently.

Larson, once Gordon’s biggest fan, now has Gordon as the biggest Larson fan.

“I want Kyle Larson to be exactly who he is now, to never change,’’ Gordon said.

“But that’s going to be hard. I always tell guys like Kyle,

BY MARK LONG The Associated Press DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Carl Edwards walked into the media center, raised both hands over his head and said, “I’m in the show.’’

In NASCAR’s biggest show, to be more precise.

Edwards, who moved from Roush Fenway Racing to Joe Gibbs Racing after last season, locked his No. 19 Toyota into the upcoming Daytona 500 by recording the third-highest speed during pole qualifying Sunday.

It was a huge relief for Edwards, who didn’t have

after they took turns wrecking each other in a March 2010 race at Atlanta. But as one feud faded, another emerged.

Gordon was in position at Texas for an automatic spot in the championship round, racing for the lead on a late restart. His chances ended when Keselowski squeezed between him and Johnson, creating contact that sent Gordon spinning into the wall with a flat tire.

Gordon finished 29th and confronted Keselowski in the pits, leading to a melee between their teams. Gordon seethed because he already knew what the rest of the sport would learn months later — he was ready to call it quits and a sure victory that would have guaranteed him a spot in the finale was gone.

It was one of the rare times Keselowski took personal offense to criticism.

“What bothered me the most were people that felt I cost Jeff a championship last year because I didn’t feel that way at all,’’ Keselowski said.

“I felt like those were people that got caught up in the rhetoric and were just trying to use a line to get readers or clicks or viewers or whatever it is. That bothered me a little bit. I didn’t lose sleep over it,

though.’’

Gordon has mellowed, saying a pit road speeding penalty at Martinsville was more to blame for missing the championship round than Keselowski’s accident.

“That was just racing hard,’’ Gordon said. “I don’t think he really did anything wrong. It’s just the outcome was bad because I got a flat tire and it cost me making it into the final race. I’m just going to race the heck out of him and whatever happens, happens.’’

Keselowski sent a congratulatory olive branch via text when Gordon announced 2015 was his last full season. He said Gordon did not respond.

Gordon is nearly finished, and with Stewart, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and other veterans inching closer toward retirement, Keselowski could earn a greater voice and use his position as a NASCAR champion to grow into an industry leader.

“When you are the champion like he was and win races like he does, you have a voice,’’ two-time Daytona 500 winner Michael Waltrip said.

“Your voice gets listened to and played a lot, and that makes you think you’re even more important.’’

the luxury of falling back on owner points from last year. Edwards finished ninth in points last season, which likely would have made him a lock for “The Great American Race.’’ But switching teams left him needing to get in on speed or by racing his way in during the twin qualifiers Thursday.

“A little nervous, to say the least,’’ Edwards said. “We had not really talked about it much publicly. There were a lot of meetings and a lot of anxiety over the fact that we could possibly miss the Daytona 500. I think we’ve had four or five meetings trying to

come up with a strategy for qualifying.’’

His anxiety level rose after seeing Clint Bowyer, Reed Sorenson, J.J. Yeley and Bobby Labonte wreck their Daytona 500 cars early in the first qualifying round.

By then, Edwards had already turned a lap that averaged 202.315 mph. Only Aric Almirola and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. were faster during the three qualifying rounds.

Jamie McMurray also qualified for the Daytona 500 on speed.

But Edwards was the biggest story since he was the most notable driver without owner points.

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B4

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SCHSL PLAYOFFS BOYS

(4) (3) (4) (3) (4) (3) (4) (3) (4) (3) (4) (3) (4) (3) (4) (3)

PREP SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015

4A Today First Round Upper State Westside at (1) Hillcrest York at (2) Dorman Greenville at (1) Spring Valley Byrnes at (2) Northwestern Spartanburg at (1) Clover Laurens at (2) Blythewood Fort Mill at (1) Wade Hampton Ridge View at (2) Woodmont Lower State Conway at (1) Irmo Summerville at (2) Wando South Aiken at (1) Sumter West Ashley at (2) Bluffton Westwood at (1) James Island White Knoll at (2) West Florence Goose Creek at (1) Fort Dorchester South Florence at (2) North Augusta

3A Tuesday First Round Upper State (4) Wren at (1) A.C. Flora (3) Eastside at (2) Union County (Today) (4) Richland Northeast at (1) Belton-Honea Path (Today) (3) Lancaster at (2) Southside (4) Emerald at (1) South Pointe (3) Walhalla at (2) Dreher (Today) (4) Chester at (1) Travelers Rest (Today) (3) Lower Richland at (2) Seneca (Today) Lower State (4) Stall at (1) Darlington (3) Myrtle Beach at (2) Airport (4) Lakewood at (1) Orangeburg-Wilkinson (3) Aiken at (2) St. James (4) North Myrtle Beach at (1) Midland Valley (3) Beaufort at (2) Crestwood (4) Brookland-Cayce at (1) Wilson (3) Marlboro County at (2) Berkeley 2A Today First Round Upper State (4) Saluda at (1) Blacksburg (3) Columbia at (2) Andrew Jackson (4) Powdersville at (1) Strom Thurmond (3) Indian Land at (2) Fairfield Central (4) Central at (1) Keenan (3) Landrum at (2) Abbeville (4) Mid-Carolina at (1) Cheraw (3) Ninety Six at (2) Chesnee Lower State (4) North Charleston at (1) RidgelandHardeeville (3) Andrews at (2) Dillon (4) Wade Hampton at (1) Battery Creek (3) Waccamaw at (2) Lee Central (4) Aynor at (1) Timberland (3) Woodland at (2) Garrett (4) Kingstree at (1) Mullins (3) Whale Branch at (2) Edisto 1A Tuesday First Round Upper State (4) Greenville Tech at (1) Fox Creek (Today) (3) Great Falls at (2) Williston-Elko (4) Calhoun Falls at (1) Southside Christian (3) North at (2) Lewisville (4) Blackville-Hilda at (1) C.A. Johnson (3) McCormick at (2) Christ Church (Today) (4) Lamar at (1) Calhoun County (3) St. Joseph’s at (2) Dixie (Today) Lower State (4) Charleston Charter at (1) AllendaleFairfax (3) C.E. Murray at (2) Carvers Bay (4) Branchville at (1) Burke (3) Hemingway at (2) Scott’s Branch (4) Creek Bridge at (1) Hannah-Pamplico (3) Bamberg-Ehrhardt at (2) Cross (4) Timmonsville at (1) Latta (3) Baptist Hill at (2) Denmark-Olar

GIRLS

4A Tuesday First Round Upper State (4) Byrnes at (1) Westside (Today) (3) Gaffney at (2) Dorman (Today) (4) Greenwood at (1) Spring Valley (3) Mauldin at (2) Rock Hill (Today) (4) Wade Hampton at (1) Northwestern (Today) (3) Greenville at (2) Dutch Fork (Today) (4) Clover at (1) Spartanburg (Today) (3) Ridge View at (2) Woodmont (Today) Lower State (4) South Florence at (1) Irmo (3) Bluffton at (2) Wando (4) River Bluff at (1) Sumter (3) West Ashley at (2) Ashley Ridge (4) Blythewood at (1) Goose Creek (3) North Augusta at (2) West Florence (4) James Island at (1) Summerville (3) Socastee at (2) White Knoll 3A Monday First Round Upper State (4) Seneca at (1) Dreher (Today) (3) Travelers Rest at (2) South Pointe (Today) (4) Chapin at (1) Belton-Honea Path (Today) (3) Chester at (2) Eastside (Tuesday) (4) Greer at (1) Lancaster (Today) (3) Daniel at (2) Lower Richland (Today) (4) Union County at (1) Southside (Tuesday) (3) A.C. Flora at (2) Wren (Tuesday) Lower State (1) Lakewood 61, (4) Berkeley 23 (3) St. James 40, (2) Airport 37 (1) Orangeburg-Wilkinson 62, (4) Darlington 24 (2) Wilson 54, (3) Midland Valley 36 (1) Aiken 62, (4) North Myrtle Beach 50 (2) Crestwood 67, (3) Hilton Head 37 (1) Myrtle Beach 71, (4) Gilbert 16 (2) Stall 59, (3) Marlboro County 51 Second Round Lower State (3) St. James at (1) Lakewood (2) Wilson at (1) Orangeburg-Wilkinson (2) Crestwood at (1) Aiken (2) Stall at (1) Myrtle Beach 2A Tuesday First Round Upper State (4) Ninety at (1) Pendleton (3) Columbia at (2) Andrew Jackson (Today) (4) Chesnee at (1) Saluda (3) Buford at (2) Keenan (4) Cheraw at (1) Newberry (Today) (3) Landrum at (2) Abbeville (Today) (4) Fairfield Central at (1) Indian Land (Today) (3) Strom Thurmond at (2) Woodruff Lower State (4) Academic Magnet at (1) RidgelandHardeeville (3) Lee Central at (2) Mullins (4) Edisto at (1) Bishop England (3) Waccamaw at (2) Lake Marion (4) Marion at (1) Kingstree (3) Wade Hampton at (2) Whale Branch (4) Andrews at (1) Dillon (3) Battery Creek at (2) Silver Bluff 1A Monday First Round Upper State (4) Greer MC at (1) McCormick (Today) (2) Ridge Spring-Monetta 32, (3) Great Falls 25 (4) Whitmire at (1) Christ Church (Today) (2) Lamar 47, (3) North 30 (4) Hunter-Kinard-Tyler at (1) C.A. Johnson (Tuesday) (3) Dixie at (2) St. Joseph’s (Today) (1) Calhoun County 59, (4) Governor’s School 14 (3) Southside Christian at (2) Calhoun Falls (Today) Lower State (1) Denmark-Olar 54, (4) Burke 27 (2) Latta 68, (3) Scott’s Branch 40 (1) Cross 52 (4) Allendale-Fairfax 31 (2) Hannah-Pamplico 32, (3) Hemingway 30 (1) Timmonsville 52, Green Sea-Floyds 22 (3) Bamberg-Ehrhardt 31, (2) Baptist Hill 30 (1) Carvers Bay 76, C.E. Murray 28 (2) Estill defeated (3) Charleston Charter Second Round Lower State (2) Latta at (1) Denmark-Olar (2) Hannah-Pamplico at (1) Cross (3) Bamberg-Ehrhardt at (1) Timmonsville (2) Estill at (1) Carvers Bay

THE SUMTER ITEM

BOYS AREA ROUNDUP

GIRLS AREA ROUNDUP

Bears advance to SCACS semis

JV Barons cap perfect year with tourney title

Sumter Christian School’s varsity boys basketball team advanced to the semifinals of the SCACS 2A state tournament with a 65-43 quarterfinal victory over Maranatha Christian on Tuesday at the Sumter Christian gymnasium.

The Bears, who improved to 19-2 on the season, will face either Bob Jones or Walnut Grove in a semifinal game on Friday at Grace Christian in West Columbia.

TJ Barron led Sumter Christian with 29 points.

Desmond Sigler added 12 and Donzell Metz had eight.

JEFFERSON DAVIS 68 ST. FRANCIS XAVIER 60

HOLLY HILL — St. Francis Xavier High School saw its season come to an end with a 68-60 loss to Jefferson

Davis Academy in the SCISA Region III-1A tournament on Saturday at the Holly Hill gymnasium.

Dalton Foreman led the Padres, who finish 14-11, with 34 points.

Justin Lyons added 15 for SFX.

VARSITY BASEBALL LAURENCE MANNING 10 HEATHWOOD HALL 0 COLUMBIA — Adam Lowder, Cagney Brunson and Taylor Finley combined to throw a 1-hit shutout in Laurence Manning Academy’s 10-0 victory over Heathwood Hall on Monday in the Norma Derrick Memorial Tournament at the Hammond Field.

J.T. Eppley, Tripp Mason and Davis Martin each had two hits for LMA, which improved to 2-0. Lowder

SHS FROM PAGE B1

stepped on the line for a violation on her first attempt before making the second to make it 42-36 with 38 seconds to go.

Knudson hit a quick basket to make it 42-38 and TSA forced a turnover. However, Knudson was stripped of the ball by Hayley Smoak. She was fouled with 15 seconds left, but missed both free throws. Knudson converted a 3-point play with eight sec-

JV BASKETBALL WILSON HALL 48 LAURENCE MANNING 39 Wilson Hall won the SCISA Region II-3A tournament championship game with a 48-39 victory over Laurence Manning Academy on Tuesday at Sumter Civic Center.

Easton Ward led the Barons, who finished with a 10-10 record, with 19 points.

Grayson Gamble topped LMA with nine points.

Wilson Hall’s junior varsity girls basketball team completed an undefeated season with a 30-16 victory over Thomas Sumter Academy in the championship game of the SCISA Region II-3A tournament on Tuesday at Sumter County Civic Center.

Diamond Crawford led the Lady Barons (17-0) with nine points. Zan Beasley had eight and Courtney Clark six.

Josie Reed led TSA with six points.

WH had its second straight undefeated season and has won 41 in a row.

VARSITY BASKETBALL MARANATHA CHRISTIAN 32 SUMTER CHRISTIAN 30 FLORENCE — Sumter Christian School saw its season come to an end with a 32-30 loss to Marantha Christian in a SCACS 2A state playoffs quarterfinal game on Monday at the Maranatha gymnasium.

Susanna Hutson led the Lady Bears, who finish with a 12-9 record, with 19 points. Sarah Fraser added seven.

PUTBACK

which will hopefully allow us to come back and battle better on Thursday, with only having that one night rest.”

Kyra Wilson gave a hint of things to come by hitting a corner 3-point basket for the game’s first points. By the end of the opening quarter the Lady Gamecocks had four 3s, including two from long range by Cy Cooper and some instant offense off the bench from D’Ericka Hamilton for the final 3 of the period. Jessica Harris and Cooper both had strong opening quarters, with Harris hitting for 10 points and Cooper adding eight.

By halftime, with Sumter leading 45-9, Cooper had joined Harris in double-figure scoring.

Harris had 15 of her team-high 17 and Copper 13 of her 15 points before the break, with Harris hitting her only 3 of the night in the second. Six Lady Gamecocks were in the scoring column in the first half and five more made their way into the scoring column in the second half as the Sumter lead stretched to 67-16 after three.

The final 60-point margin represented the largest lead of the night for the Lady Gamecocks.

“We hit some shots early today, everybody got some confidence up and when the threes are falling like that, everybody is going to feel better about themselves,” Loudenslager said as Sumter closed the night with seven 3s. “We were pretty fortunate to come out shooting the ball great today. It started with Kyra Wilson’s first one in the corner and just kept going from there.”

Wilson ended with 10 points, seven rebounds and four steals, just one of many impressive final lines for Sumter. Cooper and Nijah Davis both finished just short of triple-doubles, with Cooper accumulating 10 rebounds and eight steals in addition to her 15 points and Davis adding 14 points, 11 rebounds and eight blocks. Harris also dished out seven assists.

“For 11 girls to get into the box score in a playoff game, that’s a pretty good team (effort) and a pretty good game in general,” Loudenslager said.

“Again, from top to bottom today I was pleased with everybody, and as coaches we were pleased with everybody. Great team victory.”

Daysia Grady finished with seven to top the Lady Gators, who close their season with a 14-10 record.

SCISA FROM PAGE B1

was the winning pitcher.

On Saturday in Columbia, LMA beat Cardinal Newman 11-1.

Josh Martin had three hits, while Eppley, Davis Martin, Todd Larrimer and Robbie Page had two hits apiece. Matthew Miles was the winning pitcher.

FROM PAGE B1 think that’s a confidence builder for him, and I think his teammates want to see him with more confidence.”

Beaufort senior Adonis Grant, who had missed 17 games with a broken foot, hit two free throws with 10.9 to play to tie the game at 69. Crestwood’s Ja Morant sprinted up the court and drove a crowded lane, putting up a layup that didn’t fall.

Robateau was there to follow the play and ended up being in the right place at the right time.

“Both teams going back and forth made plays,” said Beaufort head coach Nathan Livesay, the former Sumter High head coach. “Our guards and McClain really did a good job of executing and getting the buckets that we needed.

We couldn’t get a stop and couldn’t keep them off the free throw line, and every time we needed a crucial stop they went to the free throw line.”

The Eagles did, however call time as the basket went through, leaving less than a second for one more play. Livesay drew up a designed play in hopes of drawing a foul away from the ball, but it was all for naught as the inbound Hail Mary pass from McClain was intercepted by James Brailsford to seal the victory.

“When you go on the road that’s what you want, you want an opportunity to win,” Livesay said. “Even on the last play, down two with ninetenths of a second left, there’s not a whole lot of things you can do, but I thought we executed our play perfectly.”

Morant was key for Crestwood down the stretch, pitching in 10 of his team-high 20 points in the final stanza. He hit a clutch 3-pointer that gave the Knights a 69-67 lead with 21 seconds remaining just after the Eagles had taken a 67-64 lead.

Brailsford finished with 15 points, Dakota Jennings had 12 and

onds to go to make it 42-41.

Nicollette Fisher connected on two free throws to push the advantage to 44-41 with four seconds to go.

Knudson came up short on a 3-point attempt to end the game.

Jordan, who was 14 of 15 on free throws, led Wilson Hall with 23. Lauren Goodson had eight.

Knudson had 20 for TSA and Logan Morris had six.

In the boys game, LMA led 28-19 at halftime, but fought

KEITH GEDAMKE / THE SUMTER ITEM

Crestwood’s James Brailford (21) tries to get a shot off as Beaufort’s Adonis Grant (2) attempts to block it during the Knights’ 71-69 victory on Tuesday at The Castle in the first round of the 3A state playoffs.

Devin Nelson pitched in seven.

“If you’re going to win championships you’ve got to hit free throws and tonight we didn’t shoot free throws well,” said Edwards, whose team was 13-for-24 from the free throw line. “And when you don’t shoot free throws well you allow people to stay around and give them a chance to win so we’ve got to get better at the free throw line.”

Grant, who was also coming off a recent ankle injury, did all he could to contribute in his final game. He had 14 points and the team was 6-12 without him in the lineup and 6-2 with him in the lineup. McClain led the charge with 25 points for the Eagles.

Crestwood got out to a

off a game Wilson Hall squad down the stretch. The Barons cut the lead to 38-35 entering the fourth quarter and pulled within one on a couple of occasions, the final one coming at 48-47 with 24 seconds remaining.

The Swampcats’ Maliq Cokly hit one of two free throws with 14 seconds remaining to make it 49-47.

The Barons got off a couple of shots before the ball went out of bounds off of LMA under the WH basket with

7-3 lead but found itself in a back-and-forth battle for a 16-12 first quarter lead. The Knights were aggressive to the basket and gave themselves extra opportunities from the charity stripe.

Crestwood used a 9-0 run to go up 23-14 early in the second quarter but the Eagles kept within striking distance thanks to three treys from behind the arc, two coming from Grant and one from Ryle Owens. Missed Crestwood free throws also contributed to the close second quarter where Beaufort held a 21-18 quarter edge.

Owens sparked Beaufort to a quick 33-32 lead on a layup, but Crestwood answered and completed an alley-op to give the Knights a 34-33 halftime edge.

four seconds left.

Brent Carraway inbounded the ball to Sam Watford, who gave Carraway the ball back. He lifted a 3-point shot from the right corner that hit off the rim and fell off to give LMA the win.

Cokly, the tournament most valuable player, scored 16 points to lead 15-12 LMA. Terrell Houston had 12 and Jerrell Kelly nine.

Drew Talley led Wilson Hall with 18 points and John Ballard had 12.

PRO BASEBALL

THE SUMTER ITEM

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015

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A-Rod makes vague apology, turns down news conference

BY RONALD BLUM The Associated Press

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

A Pittsburgh minor leaguer takes batting practice on Monday during an informal spring training workout in Bradenton, Fla. The first official workout for pitchers and catchers is Thursday.

Spring training is in the air Pitchers, catchers report to Florida, Arizona as early as Thursday

BY JAY COHEN The Associated Press Washington’s star-studded rotation reports to Florida. Matt Harvey continues his comeback with the New York Mets. Joe Maddon takes over the Chicago Cubs, and Russell Martin gets a closer look at Toronto’s pitching staff.

While much of the Northeast and Midwest navigates bitter cold and piles of snow, spring training begins in earnest this week when pitchers and catchers file into camps in Florida and Arizona. World Champion San Francisco is one of four National League teams slated to begin on Thursday, and most of the majors’ pitchers and backstops will be in place by this weekend.

Following several massive free-agent deals and blockbuster trades, there are plenty of compelling story lines heading into baseball’s first spring training since Rob Manfred took over as commissioner in January.

The Nationals strengthened their already solid rotation by signing free agent

Max Scherzer to a $210 million, seven-year contract.

Now the pressure is on Scherzer to deliver on that big deal and help the reigning NL East champions advance deep into the playoffs for the first time since the franchise moved to Washington.

While Scherzer will attract plenty of attention this spring, it looks as if Tanner Roark will have to adjust to a bullpen role after he had a breakout season a year ago, winning 15 games with a sparking 2.85 ERA. The right-hander is a nice insurance policy for manager Matt Williams should any of the starters get hurt.

Harvey missed all of last season for his recovery from elbow ligament-replacement surgery, and got an early start on spring training by reporting to New York’s facility about two weeks before the first scheduled workout. He is hoping to be ready for opening day, but the Mets could decide on a slow and steady approach for the ace right-hander.

It’s a brand new day for the Cubs when they report

to Arizona after a banner offseason that included the addition of Maddon, who had a 754-705 record during his successful nine-year run with Tampa Bay. Cubs President Theo Epstein pounced on the quirky skipper after he opted out of his contract with the Rays, dumping Rick Renteria after just one season. Epstein is counting on Maddon to ease the transition of the organization’s impressive stable of prospects to the rigors of the majors.

The Cubs were one of baseball’s most active teams over the winter.

Same goes for Toronto, which is seeking its first playoff appearance since it won the World Series in 1993.

Martin was one of the majors’ most prized free agents over the winter, and he opted for an $82 million, five-year contract with the Blue Jays. The three-time All-Star, who was born in Toronto and raised in Montreal, hit .290 with 11 home runs and 67 RBIs with Pittsburgh last season, helping the Pirates to a second straight playoff berth.

MLB NOTEBOOK

Yanks’ Tanaka throws on level ground TAMPA, Fla. — Masahiro Tanaka threw for 34 minutes on level ground in his first workout of the year at the New York Yankees’ minor league complex.

Tanaka missed 2 1/2 months last TANAKA year while rehabilitating a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, managed to avoid surgery and returned for two late-September starts.

After arriving from Japan, he threw at up to about 200 feet. He ended his session by using his delivery to make 16 level ground pitches at 60 feet.

Tanaka didn’t speak with reporters after the workout.

Signed to a $155 million, seven-year contract, Tanaka went 13-5 with a 2.77 ERA in 20 starts. The Yankees say he has been

throwing as part of his normal conditioning program in Japan.

AP SOURCE: INDIANS, LHP CHEN REACH DEAL CLEVELAND — Bruce Chen is getting a chance to pitch for an 11th team in the majors.

The well-traveled lefthander has agreed to a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Tuesday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the Indians had not announced the deal.

Chen, who spent the past six seasons with Kansas City, will compete for a roster spot at spring training, and if would get a $1 million, one-year contract if he’s added to the 40-man roster plus a chance to earn up to $1 million in performance bonuses based on starts and

$300,000 based on relief appearances.

The 37-year-old has gone 82-80 in 16 major league seasons, pitching with six NL teams and four in the AL. He battled a back injury last season, when he went 2-4 with a 7.45 ERA in 13 games — seven starts.

JOHNSON AGREES TO DEAL WITH MARLINS MIAMI — Outfielder Reed Johnson has agreed to a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins and has been invited to bug league spring training.

Johnson hit .235 in 187 atbats last year, his 12th in the majors and first season with the Marlins. He will compete for a spot as a reserve outfielder.

The agreement was announced Tuesday, three days before Marlins pitchers and catchers report.

From wire reports

NEW YORK — Alex Rodriguez issued a five-paragraph handwritten apology “for the mistakes that led to my suspension’’ on Tuesday without detailing specifics about his use of performance-enhancing drugs.

Ready to report back to the Yankees following a seasonlong suspension for violating baseball’s drug agreement and labor contract, Rodriguez apologized to team officials in person during a meeting at the ballpark on Feb. 10. They suggested he hold a news conference before the start of spring training this Friday and offered the use of Yankee Stadium, but Rodriguez declined.

Rodriguez held an apologetic news conference in 2009 at the team’s facility in Tampa, Florida, after he admitted using banned PEDs while with Texas from 2001-03, before Major League Baseball had a drug agreement with penalties. But he did not want to face questions from media about his latest involvement with PEDs _ although he could be required to testify if his cousin, Yuri Sucart, and former University of Miami pitching coach Lazaro Collazo, go to trial on charges they committed crimes for their involvement with the Biogenesis of America drug clinic.

Rodriguez admitted in court documents he used PEDs. Commissioner Bud Selig suspended Rodriguez for 211 games in August 2013, citing conduct from 2010-12 uncovered during MLB’s investigation of Biogenesis, which was based in Coral Gables, Florida, not far from Rodriguez’s home.

Rodriguez directed the players’ association to file a grievance and filed a lawsuit against the Yankees’ team doctor, accusing him of mishandling his medical care. After a hearing, arbitrator Fredric Horowitz reduced the penalty to the 2014 season, finding “clear and con-

vincing evidence’’ Rodriguez used three banned substances and twice tried to obstruct the baseball’s RODRIGUEZ drug investigation.

All the while proclaiming his innocence, Rodriguez sued MLB and the union in an effort to overturn the penalty, then dropped the litigation and accepted the suspension. He is due to report to the Yankees on Feb. 25 and start workouts the following day.

Rodriguez addressed his statement “to the fans’’ and said “I take full responsibility for the mistakes that led to my suspension for the 2014 season’’ without explaining what those mistakes were.

“I regret that my actions made the situation worse than it needed to be,’’ he said. “To Major League Baseball, the Yankees, the Steinbrenner family, the players’ association and you, the fans, I can only say I’m sorry.’’

Rodriguez said “I accept the fact that many of you will not believe my apology or anything that I say at this point. I understand why, and that’s on me.’’

“It was gracious of the Yankees to offer me the use of Yankee Stadium for this apology but I decided the next time I am in Yankee Stadium, I should be in pinstripes doing my job,’’ he said.

Rodriguez made clear he doesn’t intend to publicly explain why he got involved with Biogenesis.

New York says Rodriguez, who turns 40 in July, has been replaced by Chase Headley at third base and will have to compete for playing time at designated hitter and an infield backup. Rodriguez is owed $61 million over the final three seasons of his contract, and the Yankees say they do not plan to pay five $6 million bonuses detailed in a marketing agreement for historic achievements he may reach.

Former MLB steroid clinic owner sentenced to 4 years

BY CURT ANDERSON The Associated Press MIAMI — The former owner of a Florida medical clinic who posed as a doctor and illegally supplied steroid injections and other performance-enhancing drugs to professional baseball players and even high school athletes was sentenced Tuesday to four years in federal prison.

Anthony Bosch — who choked back tears in court and said the clinic was a legitimate business gone awry — sought a more lenient term because of his cooperation in the investigation, but U.S. District Judge Darrin Gayles refused.

“This defendant was the most culpable in this conspiracy,’’ the judge said.

Prosecutors said Bosch could still get his sentence reduced through further cooperation, including potential trial testimony.

Gayles said Bosch falsely held himself out as a licensed medical doctor at his Biogenesis of America clinic, where he accepted thousands of dollars a month to provide steroid injections to players such as New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez and Ryan Braun of the Milwaukee Brewers. Most troubling, Gayles said, was Bosch’s injections of high school players in the Miami area.

“He was the mastermind,’’ Gayles said. “He was the one who recruited others to assist him.’’

Miami U.S. Attorney Wifredo Ferrer issued a statement saying the message of the case is that “cheating doesn’t pay and individuals like Bosch, who distribute performance enhancing drugs to athletes and, more importantly, to our children, will be held accountable for their actions.’’

Bosch, 51, pleaded guilty in October to conspiracy to distribute testosterone, the sixth person charged in the Biogenesis case to do so. Bosch and Ro-

driguez are expected to testify if the last two defendants — Rodriguez cousin Yuri Sucart and ex-University BOSCH of Miami pitching coach Lazaro Collazo — go to trial as scheduled in early April.

MLB imposed a record season-long suspension last year on Rodriguez, one of 14 players penalized in the scandal. The Yankees say Rodriguez, 39, is no longer their third baseman and will have a chance to earn at-bats as a designated hitter.

MLB spokesman Pat Courtney declined to comment.

A few hours after Bosch’s sentencing, Rodriguez issued a vague handwritten apology to fans saying he wants to “put this chapter behind me and play some ball.’’ Bosch, who has been undergoing treatment for cocaine addiction since his guilty plea, was joined by more than two dozen friends and family members at his sentencing hearing.

“I’m ashamed of myself. I’m remorseful,’’ Bosch said. “I can’t put into words how sorry I am.’’

But Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan said that rather than help people with medical problems, Bosch’s main goal was to rake in money by illegally making the athletes “bigger, stronger and faster ballplayers.’’

Bosch liked to call himself “Dr. T,’’ according to court records.

“He was not a legitimate doctor. He wasn’t treating an illness. He wasn’t treating a disease,’’ Sullivan said.

Bosch lawyer Guy Lewis said that without his cooperation, MLB would not have had sufficient evidence to sustain Rodriguez’s suspension. Lewis said Bosch has met dozens of times with U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents and helped prosecutors pore over thousands of pages of documents.

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SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015

THE SUMTER ITEM

RECRUITING

Gamecocks back in running for A.C. Flora WR T

he University of South Carolina football program has jumped back into the recruiting ring for wide receiver/defensive back Denzel Johnson of A.C. Flora High School in Columbia.

Johnson remains uncommitted and unsigned while awaiting the result of his last ACT test. He’s expecting the score to be reported in about a week and a half. Prior to National Signing Day, Johnson dropped USC because the Gamecocks told him to go to junior college first. However, Johnson said USC recruiter and WR coach Steve Spurrier Jr. recently contacted him and let him know that if he gets the grades and the score, he would like him at USC. Johnson said he now has the Gamecocks back on his list.

“They are in it because I like South Carolina,” Johnson said. “He (Spurrier Jr.) was like once I get my grades right I can come on a visit and see how I like it and then go from there.”

Johnson said if he becomes qualified he would take his official visit to USC before making a final decision. Johnson, of course, nearly committed to Clemson in January after his official visit there, but the grades issue put that on hold.

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney has kept in regular contact and has made it clear to Johnson he’s a take for the Tigers if he qualifies. Johnson also took official visits to Towson, Massachusetts and South Carolina State and is still considering those three.

The original plan for running back Matt Colburn of Dutch Fork High in Irmo was to play in the Atlantic Coast Conference for Louisville. Colburn will play in the ACC, but it won’t be for Louisville.

South Carolina’s Mr. Football for 2014 signed with Wake Forest last week.

WF and Louisville will play on Oct. 30. Colburn committed to Louisville last June and stuck to his side of the bargain. However, just two days before signing day, Louisville recruiter Todd Grantham informed Colburn and Dutch Fork head coach Tom Knotts that the Cardinals did not have room for him in the ‘15 class and wanted him to grayshirt and wait until January of ‘16 to enroll.

That was not an acceptable proposition to Colburn and Knotts and they immediately cut ties with Louisville. Several schools immediately contacted Knotts about his RB and Colburn made official visits to Georgia Southern and WF. He announced for WF at a ceremony at his school and signed his letter of intent.

“It’s been pretty stressful, been under a lot of duress,” Colburn said after the signing. “It’s all paid off.”

In his high school career, Colburn rushed for 5,637 yards and 91 touchdowns and caught 52 passes for 728 yards and three TDs. Knotts has said Louisville

coaches no longer will be welcomed at his school and David Bennett, the head coach at River Bluff High in Lexington, said last week he too is imposing a ban on Louisville recruiters at his school in the wake of the Colburn situation.

USC USC signee defensive end Shamiek Blackshear of Bluffton High faces a March 3 court date after his arrest at school on Friday on a charge of petit larceny.

Blackshear missed most of the last two seasons with injuries, including a torn anterior cruciate ligament in Week 2 of his senior season. Blackshear has had other issues around his school and had fallen out of favor with some school officials to the point where he signed his national letter of intent with USC at his home and not at the school. It’s possible Blackshear will pursue pre-trial intervention if available as a way of getting his record cleared.

JUNIORS USC Defensive lineman Naquan Jones of Evanston, Ill., made an unofficial visit to USC on Friday and picked up an offer from Gamecock DL coach Deke Adams.

Jones said he spent most of his time with Adams and assistant coach Everette Sands.

He did not get a chance to meet new co-defensive coordinators Jon Hoke and Lorenzo Ward because they were tied up in meetings, However, he did talk with head coach Steve Spurrier.

“He was really excited about me,” Jones said. “I loved his personality. He seems like a real generous coach.”

Jones said he heard a lot of positive things from the USC coaches and saw a lot things about the school and the city he liked.

“They said they were impressed with my film,” Jones said. “The defensive line coach was telling me they are putting in a new defense so they will have a for-sure three (technique) and a for-sure head on the nose guard. They are playing a 4-3 defense. He was just saying I would fit perfectly into that three technique spot. He said I was definitely a player who could come there and play right away. I love the fact that he’s fair about playing time and you come in and earn it.”

Jones also has offers from Pittsburgh, Penn State, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan State, Kentucky, Purdue and Eastern Michigan. This visit put the Gamecocks near the top of the list with him.

“It’s high in the rankings,” he said. “I loved it from what I saw today, all the facilities and stuff and talking with the coaches. There’s a lot of money being put into all the

stuff they are getting. I really loved the visit, seeing all the facilities. That’s what I liked most about it, Phil Kornblut all the space.”

Jones said RECRUITING he will take CORNER visits to Illinois, Iowa, Indiana and UK in the coming weeks. He does not plan an early decision.

Defensive back Nick McCloud of South Pointe High in Rock Hill made an unofficial visit to USC on Friday. He has not yet been offered by the Gamecocks, but is drawing interest. He has an offer from Appalachian State.

Offensive lineman Akeem Cooperwood of Georgia Military JC and OL Parker Braun of Orlando, Fla., were offered

by USC. Also getting offers from USC were athlete Levonta Taylor of Virginia Beach, Va., and ‘17 ATH Carlito Gonzales of Stone Mountain, Ga.

CLEMSON Newberry High quarterback Yafari Werts (6 feet, 184 pounds) has not landed any major offers to date, but he is on the boards of some bigtime programs like Clemson and Georgia Tech. He attended Clemson’s junior day last month and will visit GT on Feb. 28.

He does have an offer from Newberry, plus he’s getting interest from App State and Charlotte. Clemson likes Werts as an athlete and after visiting for junior day he feels like the Tigers see him more as a defensive player.

“I talked to (defensive coordinator) Coach (Brent) Venables and (assistant) Coach (Mike) Reed. They like what I do on film. They are really interested. I thought I would leave with an offer.”

Werts said Clemson and GT are showing him the most interest, and the Yellow Jackets do like him as a QB for their option offense. “Quarterback is what I want to play, but I’m not going to limit my options,” Werts said.

Clemson target OL Jack DeFoor of Calhoun, Ga.,picked up an offer from Louisville.

Clemson offered DE Prince Sammons of Cincinnati last week.

DB Brian Edwards of Hollywood, Fla., a ‘17 recruit, is a Louisville commitment, but is also strongly considering Clemson and Miami.

CLEMSON AND USC One of the state’s most versatile prospects in the ‘16 class is ATH Brandon Tillmon (6-1, 205) of River Bluff High. Bennett said Tillmon was used at QB, RB, DE, outside and inside linebacker, cornerback and free safety last season.

“He’s a natural outside linebacker, a nickel back,” Bennett said. “He’s a player, buddy; one of the best I’ve been around. A fierce compet-

itor.

“Coaches ask me ‘Why y’all got that kid at quarterback?’

Because we want him touching the ball on every play. He is blessed with unbelievable talent. He might play that game on Sunday (in the National Football League) one day.”

On top of his football skills, Tillmon also is a baseball standout as a right-handed pitcher. However, what’s truly interesting is he throws a football left-handed.

Tillmon attended USC’s junior day in January, but Bennett said Clemson is the one showing the strongest interest right now of the two major instate programs.

“Venables loves him,” Bennett said. “He could weigh 220 pounds. We timed him at 4.4 (seconds in the 40-yard dash), but he’s 4.5 all day long.”

GT and The Citadel also like Tillmon and see him as an option QB for them. He’s also drawing interest from Georgia Southern, Auburn and WF. Last season, Tillmon rushed for 1269 yards and 16 TDs and threw for 1,478 yards and eight TDs. He would like to play football and baseball in college.

DB Nigel Warrior (6-2, 188) of Atlanta will be heavily recruited in the ‘15 campaign.

He has 24 offers right now, including USC, Clemson, Georgia, Louisville, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Alabama, Ohio State, Nebraska, Minnesota, Penn State and Michigan State.

He doesn’t have any favorites early in the process. Warrior has not been to any junior days yet and hasn’t scheduled any. His only game day trip last season was to Tennessee, and right now he doesn’t have any visits planned for the spring.

“I’m looking for a family and a team where I can make plays,” Warrior said.

Warrior can play safety and CB. Last season, he had 76 tackles and five interceptions, returning one for a TD. LB Tre Lamar (6-4, 240) of Roswell, Ga., is now up to 24 offers, but his top five schools remain the same -- Clemson, USC, Alabama, Tennessee and Mississippi State in no order.

Lamar was one of the top juniors to attend Clemson’s junior day late last month.

That was the latest of several visits he’s made to Clemson.

“This one was a lot more in depth,” Lamar said. “I got to see the moving parts of being a football player at Clemson.

Clemson’s got a great engineering program and that really impressed me because I want to go into civil engineering.”

Lamar spent a lot of time with Venables and that meeting only further enhanced their relationship. “I’m close with Coach Venables and we have a good relationship,” Lamar said. “We talk a lot. I like how he uses his lineback-

ers. He’s aggressive and blitzes them, but will also drop them into coverage. He makes them into well-rounded players.”

Lamar has been to USC twice and has regular contact with recruiter GA Mangus.

“South Carolina has got great facilities,” he said. “The football program is great. Coach Spurrier, (assistant) Coach (Kirk) Botkin and Coach Mangus are great coaches. I’m going to try to get back there at some point.”

Lamar plans to attend a junior day at Alabama on Feb. 28 and will go to one at Auburn on March 7. He does not plan an early decision and will take some official visits.

He’s also considering graduating early.

Lamar had 127 tackles and four QB sacks last season. He has committed to play in the Under Armour All American Game next January.

OTHERS Dillon High QB Avery McCall (6-2, 203) is regarded as the state’s No. 1 QB prospect for ‘16. He will go into his senior season with a chance to become the first 4-time state champion QB. Last season, he passed for nearly 3,000 yards with 36 TDs and two INTs. Despite all of that, McCall has been passed over by USC and Clemson, who have already taken QB commitments for ‘16. “I guess that’s who they wanted,” said McCall, who is now focusing his attention on out-of-state schools. And after attending North Carolina State’s junior day, he calls the Wolfpack his favorite.

“The coaches, and it’s a good environment,” McCall cited as reasons he likes NCSU. “They seem to be real interested. Their offense suits me. It’s some place I could play.”

McCall also has offers from East Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Louisiana State, Ohio State, Duke and Old Dominion. He is planning to attend future junior days at ECU and UNC. McCall said he doesn’t have a timetable on a decision.

He currently is playing basketball for the Wildcats. A former baseball player as a shortstop and pitcher, McCall said he’s also considering returning to that sport this spring.

WR Bryan Edwards of Conway High was offered by California last week.

BASKETBALL USC target 6-10 Levi Cook of Huntington Prep in West Virginia has set official visits with Pitt and Missouri for March.

Clemson offered 6-9 junior Robert Baker of Marietta, Ga., on Saturday when he made an unofficial visit for the Virginia Tech game. His other offers include George Mason, Middle Tennessee State, Richmond, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt, Stanford and WF.

PRO BASKETBALL

Warriors, Hawks on top; LeBron set to chase when NBA resumes

BY BRIAN MAHONEY The Associated Press NEW YORK — LeBron James isn’t used to looking up at so many teams at the AllStar break.

The Golden State Warriors and Atlanta Hawks occupy his former perch atop the standings, and Stephen Curry and Paul Millsap think that’s where their teams belong. The Western Conference is loaded as usual — so good that AllStar Game MVP Russell Westbrook wouldn’t even be in the playoffs if they started now.

There are three teams between the Hawks and fifthplace Cleveland in the East, putting James in the rare position of chaser.

He can’t wait to try.

“I’m excited. I’m excited what our team can accomplish,’’ he said. “We entered the break playing some really, really good basketball; winning 14 of our last 16. I’m going to take these next cou-

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

A At the All-Star break, the NBA is looking up at Andre Iguodala (9) and Golden State in the West and Jeff Teague (0) and Atlanta in the East. ple of days off and get back in the gym on Wednesday a little bit, go hard on Thursday and get ready to play Washington on Friday.’’

The NBA has a longer mid-

season break than usual this season, with play not resuming until Friday. That gives Westbrook extra time to rest after pouring in 41 points Sunday in the West’s 163-158 vic-

tory at Madison Square Garden.

His Oklahoma City Thunder have overcome injuries to he and Kevin Durant to win three straight, but they are still just outside the West’s top eight. No such worries for the Warriors, who rolled into the break with a 42-9 record and an MVP candidate in Curry.

“It’s fun right now. We have a great team that has aspirations this year. I think it’s something that we’re poised to go after,’’ Curry said.

“You want to just embrace the higher expectations that we put on ourselves and that are surrounding our team. We talk about what we’re trying to do this year. We want to back it up.’’

It won’t be easy, with challenges throughout a rugged West where defending champion San Antonio will try to mount a charge from seventh place.

The East was widely ex-

pected to come down to Chicago and Cleveland, and maybe it still will. Besides the Cavaliers’ strong run to the first-half finish, with James looking healthy and Kevin Love appearing more comfortable, the Bulls won their last four to surge into third place.

Neither is likely to catch the Hawks, who rode an undefeated January to a 43-11 record.

Their balanced team play put four players in the All-Star Game, and in two months they can try to prove it would work in the postseason.

“I’m not going to look too far ahead,’’ Millsap said.

“We’re going to try to take care of the regular season first, but we feel like there’s still room for improvement.

We still feel like we haven’t played our best basketball.

It’s shocking to say, but we feel like we can still get better and still have a lot to work on.’’

SPORTS

THE SUMTER ITEM

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015

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PRO FOOTBALL

Video shows former Pats TE dismantling phone day after killing

BY MICHELLE R. SMITH The Associated Press FALL RIVER, Mass. — Jurors in the murder trial of former New England Patriots player Aaron Hernandez on Tuesday were shown surveillance video of him dismantling his phone outside a po-

OBITUARIES PAULA P. SCOTT Paula Marlene Price Scott, 64, beloved wife of Charles Pinkney Scott Jr., lost her battle with breast cancer on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2015, at her home.

Born on July 1, 1950, in Sumter, she was a daughter of the late James DeVan and Lonnie Barbour SCOTT Price. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt. She fought a courageous battle with breast cancer, but she is in her home in heaven. She was the retired owner and operator of The Ultimate Cut Beauty Salon, an avid South Carolina Gamecocks fan and a member of Dalzell Baptist Church.

She is survived by her husband of Sumter; a son, Odie “Lee” Easton Jr. of Baltimore; a daughter, Michelle Kupfer (Michael) of Baltimore; a stepson, Russell Scott (Brandon) of California; three granddaughters, Megan and Madison Kupfer and Zoe Easton, all of Baltimore; a sister, Sandy Thompson (Tommy) of Dalzell; two brothers, James D. Price Jr. (Cheryl) and Steve Price, both of Sumter; a sisterin-law, Rose Ann Gagne (Joe) of Dalzell; a brother-in-law, Jimmie Scott (Jean) of Sumter; several nieces and nephews; and two special nieces, Susan Gregory (Ronnie) of Sumter and Cindy Klein (Rob) of Dallas.

The family would like to thank her dear friend, Susan Parnell. They would also like to thank Santee Oncology, especially Dr. Billy Clowney, Dr. William Kellogg, Kelly and Mary, Hospice Care of S.C. and nurse Carol Hatch for all of their love and care.

A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday in the chapel of Stephens Funeral Home with the Rev. Mark Barnett officiating.

Visitation will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday prior to the service at Stephens Funeral Home and at other times at the residence.

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

Stephens Funeral Home & Crematory, 304 N. Church St., Manning, is in charge of arrangements, (803) 435-2179. www.stephensfuneralhome.org

lice station a day after the killing and making calls on his lawyer’s phone.

Hernandez is accused in the June 17, 2013, killing of Odin Lloyd, who was dating his fiancee’s sister. Lloyd’s body was found in an industrial park not far from Hernandez’s home in North At-

tleborough.

On Tuesday, North Attleborough police Detective Michael Elliott testified that Hernandez came to the station at around 11 p.m. on June 17. Hernandez had been asked to go there by police who went to his home after finding in Lloyd’s pocket a

key to a Chevrolet Suburban that Hernandez had rented.

Elliott testified that Hernandez waited for a while in an interview room, then left the station. Elliott said he then used a surveillance camera in the police station parking lot to videotape Hernandez at

around 2 a.m. on June 18. The video shows Hernandez taking apart his cellphone while sitting in his lawyer’s car, then making calls on the lawyer’s phone.

“He’s using one phone, either texting or calling, and the other one is on his lap, apart,’’ Elliott said.

will follow in Whack Cemetery, Manning.

Mr. Whack will lie in repose one hour prior to funeral time.

The family is receiving friends at his residence, 204 E. Hospital St., Apartment 5-C, Manning.

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

Hospital, Baltimore.

Known by many as “Lucille,” she grew up in the loving, Christian home of her grandparents, Sampson and Lealar Addison, in the Lynchburg and Mayesville communities. She attended school in that area and helped on the family farm.

Early in life, she attended Unionville AME Church. Lucille left the farm along with her son and moved to Gastonia, North Carolina, to find work. After a few years in Gastonia, she resettled in Baltimore, where she later met the late Lester Davis.

They were married on Nov. 23, 1971, and to this union two children were born, Leslie and Karen.

Lucille’s mother and grandparents instilled in her the value of attending church. In Baltimore, Lucille joined First Baptist Church, where she was a member of the Willing Workers Club and Pastor’s Aide Club. She returned to South Carolina for a few years to assist in the care of her mother, and while in Sumter she attended Salem Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. T.O. Everett.

When she returned to Baltimore, she joined First Mt. Olive Freewill Baptist church and attended until her health failed.

Lucille enjoyed traveling and spending time with family and friends. Her granddaughter, Lanesha, was the joy of her life, and this love and affection spread even more with the arrival of her great-grandson, John Zyon.

Lucille maintained a special relationship with many family members. When her immediate family became extended because of marriages and births, she made it a priority to get to know all of the new family members as closely as she could. It was common for her to give gifts and trinkets to her close family members any time she returned from traveling. Lucille was outgoing and easily made friends wherever she went. She was known for her unique sense of style and fashion and her determined spirit. Lucille exuded confidence and a level of energy that prompted smiles from others when she entered a room.

She leaves to cherish fond memories: a loving son, Larry (Dorothy) Addison of Sumter; two daughters, Leslie Davis of Baltimore, who shared a close relationship with her and became the primary caregiver

as Lucille’s health began to decline, and Karen Davis of Baltimore; grandchildren, Lanesha Davis, Angela McLeod and Roderick McLeod; two children she affectionately called her “other grandchildren,” Allison and Leah Brevard; one greatgrandchild, John Zyon Robinson; sisters, Maggie Hardin of Gastonia and Jessie Parker of Baltimore; one brother, Robert (Linda) Addison of Sumter; cousins she considered to be her sisters, Connie McDonald of Baltimore and Maple Rouse of Sumter; stepsisters, Nora (Herbert) Wright of Richmond, Virginia, Maggie Richardson and Dorothy Richardson, both of Baltimore, and Tena Richardson of Sumter; stepbrother, Joe Richardson Jr., of Sumter; half-sisters, Lucile S. Muldrow and Ada S. Ford, both of Sumter, and Luella S. Black and Rosa Scarborough, both of Philadelphia; two aunts, Georgia Commander of Sumter and Corine Bradley of New York; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

In addition to her parents and spouse, she was preceded in death by her stepfather, the Rev. Joe Richardson; and one stepbrother, David Richardson.

Public viewing will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. today at Job’s Mortuary.

Mrs. Addison will be placed in the church at 1 p.m. on Thursday for viewing until the hour of service.

Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday at Unionville AME Church, 2036 Swimming Pen Road, Mayesville, with Pastor Alvin Webb officiating. Interment will follow in Unionville AME Church cemetery.

The family will be receiving friends at 4255 Cobblestone Road, Sumter.

Job’s Mortuary Inc., 312 S. Main St., Sumter, is in charge of arrangements.

Online memorials may be sent to the family at jobsmortuary@sc.rr.com or visit us on the web at www.jobsmortuary. net.

New York, where she attended and graduated from Morris High School in 1956. She was employed by New York City Board of Education. Rosa married James Suber. In January of 1990, she relocated to Rembert. She was employed with Sumter School District, where she retired from Rafting Creek Elementary School.

During March of 1990, she became a member of Rafting Creek Baptist Church, where she joined the senior missionary ministry in June of 1990 and served faithfully. Rosa was a warm and loving individual who was respected and loved immensely by her family.

She leaves behind: her husband, James Suber of Rembert; her mother, Sarah Lance of Bronx; daughters, Leola and Barbara Lance, both of Bronx; sisters, Marthena Lance-Daley (John) of Bronx, Blondell Lucas-Hicks (Darnell) of Rocky Point, North Carolina, Katrina Lucas of Bronx and Theodora Green of Boston, Massachusetts; five grandchildren; 14 greatgrandchildren; four nieces; three nephews; and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her sister, Marie Miriam McKelvey; uncle Samuel Lance; and nephew Quran Lucas.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday at Rafting Creek Baptist Church, 3860 S.C. 261 North, Rembert, with the Rev. Melvin Mack, pastor, the Rev. Lillian Reynolds officiating, eulogist, assisted by Minister Carol Sanders.

The family is receiving family and friends at her residence, 6485 Camden Highway (U.S. 521 North), Rembert.

The remains will be placed in the church at 10 a.m.

The procession will leave at 10:20 a.m. from her residence.

Floral bearers will be senior missionary ministry and friends.

Pallbearers will be the Transit Retirement Club and friends.

Burial will be in the Rafting Creek Baptist Churchyard cemetery.

Online memorial messages may be sent to the family at williamsfuneralhome@sc.rr. com. Visit us on the web at www.williamsfuneralhomeinc. com.

Services directed by the management and staff of Williams Funeral Home Inc., 821 N. Main St., Sumter.

ROGIE COOPER MAYHEW FLORENCE — Rogie Lee Cooper Mayhew, 78, of Florence, passed away on Monday, Feb. 16, 2015.

Mrs. Mayhew was born in Horry County, a daughter of the late Thomas Perlie Cooper and Annie Cannon Cooper.

She was a cosmetologist and a member of Florence Baptist Temple. In her earlier years, Mrs. Mayhew was an active member of Friendship United Methodist Church, where she led youth groups, taught Sunday school classes and participated in the United Methodist Women’s Organization.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Ray and Edward; and her sisters, Carol, Esta Mae and Wilma.

Surviving are her husband, Edwin Earl Mayhew (U.S. Air Force retired); her sons, John T. (Lynn) Edgerton of Austin, Texas and Richard L. (Aline) Edgerton Jr. of Florence; stepchildren, Eddie (Lisa) Coutras and Lillian (Ray) Arnold, both of Tennessee; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and sisters-in-law, Dr. Eugene and Elizabeth Regen of Tennessee, Othelia Mayhew Shellhorse Anderson of Virginia and Sheryl Hatchell of Florence.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday at Stoudenmire-Dowling Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at Florence National Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to McLeod Hospice House, P.O. Box 100551, Florence, SC 29502.

Please sign the tribute wall for Mrs. Mayhew at the obit section of www.stoudenmiredowling.com.

BETTY L. ADDISON Betty Lucille Addison was born on July 8, 1931, in Lee County, a daughter of the late Carrie Addison Richardson and Tom Scarborough.

She entered eternal rest on Feb. 11, 2015, at North West

WILLIE L. WHACK SR. MANNING — Willie L. Whack Sr., 67, died on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2015, at Clarendon Memorial Hospital, Manning.

He was born on Oct. 16, 1948, in the Foreston section of Clarendon County, a son of the late Jack Sr. and Mary McFadWHACK den Whack. He attended the public schools of Clarendon County. He was an independent truck driver. He was a member of the Church of Christ in Manning.

Survivors are five children, Lisa (Glenn) Thames of Manning, Willie (Allison) Whack Jr. of Opelika, Alabama, Johnny Whack of Columbia, Courtney (Tim) Walker of Sumter and Paula Whack of Columbia; three brothers, James Whack, Jack (Mary) Whack and David (Shirley) Whack, all of Manning; and eight grandchildren.

Celebratory services for Mr. Whack will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday at Church of Christ, 311 E. Keitt St., Manning, with Minister Halbert Tucker, pastor, officiating, Minister Melvin Hampton presiding and Minister Melvin Sapp assisting. Burial

ROSA LANCE-SUBER Rosa Estelle Lance-Suber, 76, departed this life on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2015, at her place of residence.

Born on Dec. 25, 1938, in Charleston, she was a daughter of Sarah Elizabeth Lance and the late Theodore Green.

Rosa grew up in Charleston and relocated to the Bronx,

h t u e o r n S B y l p m i S Rotisserie & Grill istro Southern Cooking with a Cajun Kick

Brunch Saturday & Sunday 11AM - 2:30PM Start your day off with a refreshing Mimosa or Cranberry Champagne Cocktail!

• Pork Belly and Waffles • Bacon, Egg and Cheese Croissant • Steak and Eggs

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65 W. Wesmark Blvd (ACROSS FROM BILTON LINCOLN)

803-469-8502

Sun., Mon., Tues. 11:00am-2:30pm Wed. and Thur. Lunch 11:00am-2:30pm • Dinner 5pm - 9pm Fri. and Sat. 11:00am-9:00pm

B8

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Twin .................. $12 each Full/Queen ......... $16 each 29 Progress St. - Sumter King .................. $20 each

775-8366 Ext. 37

NEW ARRIVALS

ASST. SHOWER CURTAINS

Store Hours Mon. - Sat. • 9:30 - 5:00 Closed Sunday

$10 each

LEGAL BUSINESS NOTICES SERVICES Bid Notices BID NOTICE Bethel Baptist Church Is currently accepting bids for Lawn Maintenance. You may stop by the church office at 2401 Bethel Church Road, Sumter, and pick up in application. Deadline for bids is March 4, 2015.

Public Hearing Island Investments of Sumter, LLC Legal Notice Notice of Public Sale of Personal Property Notice is hereby given that the undersigned will sell to satisfy the lien of owner at public sale by competitive bidding on March 13, 2015 personal and/or business property including but not limited furniture, clothing, tools and other household/business items located at the property listed.

The sale will begin at 10:00 AM at 1254 Wilson Hall Road, Sumter, SC 29150.

The personal goods stored therein by below named occupant: Building #3, Storage Unit #26 Belinda Reno also known as Belinda Vrana.

Purchase must be made with cash only and paid for at the time of sale.

All goods are sold as is and must be removed at the time of the sale. Sale is subject to adjournment.

Home Improvements Land Clearing avail. includes: Digging ponds, excavation, and bulldozer work. Call T & N Septic Tank Co. at 803-481-2428 or 803-481-2421

H.L. Boone, Contractor: Remodel paint roofs gutters drywall blown ceilings ect. 773-9904 Vinyl Siding, vinyl windows and seamless gutters by David Brown.

803-236-9296

Lawn Service Four Seasons Lawn Care Serving Sumter for almost 20 yrs!

Free est. 494-9169/468-4008

Legal Service Attorney Timothy L. Griffith 803-607-9087, 360 W. Wesmark.

Criminal, Family, Accident, Injury

Roofing All Types of Roofing & Repairs All work guaranteed. 30 yrs exp. SC lic.

Virgil Bickley 803-316-4734.

Septic Tank Cleaning

ANNOUNCEMENTS Attn: looking for anyone who witnessed wreck Thursday, Feb 5th at stop light of Lafayette & Calhoun Street involving GREEN Ford F-150 pickup. Bobby Sisson 803-464-2730.

Card of Thanks

Septic tank pumping & services. Call Ray Tobias & Company (803) 340-1155.

Tree Service Ricky's Tree Service Tree removal, stump grinding, Lic & ins, free quote, 803-435-2223 or cell 803-460-8747.

Mention this ad & get 10% off.

A Notch Above Tree Care Full quality service low rates, lic./ins., free est BBB accredited 983-9721 Call Carolina Tree Care today to speak to one of our ISA certified arborist. Free est. 1-800-411-1495.

STATE TREE SERVICE Worker's Comp & General liability insurance. Top quality service, lowest prices. 803-494-5175 or 803-491-5154 www.statetree.net

MERCHANDISE Want to Buy The Family of Ms. Brittany C. Barber, Wishes to express their gratitude for the support and many tokens of love during this difficult time. May God continue to bless you. #WeChooseLife.

In Memory

Wanted Washers, Dryers, Stoves, Refrigerators & Stainless Steel Appliances. Working or not. 464-5439 469-7311

Garage, Yard & Estate Sales

Help Wanted Part-Time

Mobile Home Rentals

Land & Lots for Sale

We have 92, 400 watt metal hallide fixtures & 480 volt valance. All operational, $35 each will sell in small lots. Call 843-552-6300

Mature person with book keeping & accounting exp. Hours and salary neg. Must be able to meet a challenge. Local company. Send resume to Box 397 c//o The Item, PO Box 1677 Sumter SC 29151

Near Shaw: 2BR 1BA Part. furn. w /lrg porch $400/mo fenced yard 840-3371 494-3573

Subdivision For Sale Minutes Shaw/Walmart 40 lots, 1+/- acre water, underground electric, Oaks, paved & gutters $160,000 Call 888-774-5720

$$$ AVON $$$ FREE TRAINING! 803-422-5555

2 & 3 BRs 803-494-4015

EMPLOYMENT Help Wanted Full-Time

Morris College, a private four year Liberal Arts College in Sumter, South Carolina is seeking to fill the following position(s):

Submit letter of application, personal resume, three letters of recommendation and official academic transcripts to: Director of Personnel, Morris College, 100 W. College St., Sumter, SC 29150-3599.

Needed Farm Mechanic must be able to maintain, repair, weld and operate farm equip.

Call 803-473-3303 Btwn 8-2 M-F Davis Construction and Utilities.

Looking for a first class line man who can do under ground and over head.

Call 803-410-1342

Split Oak Firewood $65/dumped, $75/stacked.

Newman's Tree Service 316-0128.

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 Downtown apartments 1bd/1 bath $850, 2bd/2 bath $975, rent incl.water & electricity. 803-775-1204 Mon. Fri., 8 am - 5 pm.

Unfurnished Homes 2 & 3BR Apt & houses available in Sumter. No Sec. Dep. required. Call 773-8402 for more info.

Mobile Home Rentals 2, 3 & 4 Bedroom Trailers for rent, Cherryvale & Dogwood Area $250 & up. (803) 651-9926

Early Tax Time Special

Autos For Sale

OPEN

2006 grand Prix. very nice car. looks and drives great. Makes a great school car. $3500 OBO. 803-983-1294

On 88 acres of Farm and wooded land, Monte Carlo Ln., 4BR 2BA, Heat pump, carpet & vinyl floors, Contact: R. Davis 270-839-0459

Manufactured Housing Turn your Tax Refund into your dream home! Low credit score?

Been turned down for bad credit?

Come try us, we do our own financing.We have 2-3-4 bedroom homes. For more information, call 843-389-4215 AND also visit our Face Book page (M & M Mobile Homes).

For Sale Nice 4Br 2Ba DW with large lot 803-983-0408

YOUR AD HERE

Let the

shopping begin!

“Close to Everything” • AC/Heat

Detailer with some light mechanical knowledge for busy car lot. Apply in person at 1282 N Lafayette Dr., Sumter.

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Bring back this ad & receive FREE application fee.

Delivering Great Weekends to Your

DOORSTEP, DESKTOP OR DEVICE Kick off your weekend with conversation starters; restaurant, theater and movie reviews; event listings; games and puzzles; and much, much more!

Call Today to Subscribe 803.774.1258

www.theitem.com

Let your tax refund put you in this 2 BR C/H/A home @ 150 Milton St. on beautiful corner lot. Financing.

803-775-4391 or 464-5960

Why Rent When You Can Own?

Call Now! 469-8515

20 N. Magnolia Street Sumter, SC 29150 803.774.1200

TRANSPORTATION

Ernest Baker Auto Sales & Equip. Located 3349 N. Main St 5.5 miles from 378 overpass at N. Main., on Hwy 15 N. next to Baker Mini Warehouse. Remember Cars are like Eggs, Cheaper in the Country!!! 803-469-9294

No Payment Til March As Low As $175.00 Per Mo. On Site Rent. For A Limited Time Only.

Welders! Welders! Welders!

Must have HS Diploma or GED Work Keys - Math, Observation & Locating. Clean background check and drug screening. Please email your resume to staffing@olsten.com or call 803-773-2700. No walk ins please!

In print, online & mobile!

REAL ESTATE

2BR 2.5 BA 1900 sq ft in Historic Dist. Great area for retiree. Investors welcome. 30 Delorme Ct. $72.900.

Call 803-983-0063

Auto Technician needed at busy car lot. Min. 5 yrs experience. Apply in person, at 1282 N. Lafayette Dr. NO PHONE CALLS!!! Valid Driver's License Req. Must have own tools.

Grave site Evergreen Memorial Park, lot #113, Acacia Section & Perpetual Care agreement, asking $3,978. Original price $5,978. Call 847-573-1651.

Dalzell 16.5+ acres paved, water, electric $1950 ac. 713-870-0216

Boarding house with nice rooms for ladies. Call 803-565-7924.

Full time work at Pilgrims Pride Contact 803-518-2600.

Expert Tech, New & used heat pumps & A/C. Will install/repair, warranty; Compressor & labor $600.

Call 803-968-9549 or 843-992-2364

MIN TO WALMART/SHAW 1 AC +/- Cleared, septic, water, elec. $12,900. 888-774-5720

Homes for Sale

SEEKING A HIGHLY MOTIVATED RESIDENTIAL PLUMBER WITH A STRONG PROFESSIONAL WORK HABIT. Must have at least 5 years of experience and a valid driver's license. HILL PLUMBING offers competitive pay, incentives and health insurance. Come join Sumter's leading plumbing contractor by filling out an application at: 438 N. Main St., Sumter SC

For Sale or Trade

STATEBURG COURTYARD

Rooms for Rent

Secretary; To assist the director in filing and tracking student performance and records, and to render efficient clerical and data collection activities. Applicant must be proficient in computer skills and office automation and must possess a personable attitude and experience to interact with students. Must have an Associate's degree in Office Automation or related field and two years of general office experience.

Effective Immediately.

Open every weekend.

905-4242

Martin's Used Appliance Washers, Dryers, Refrig., Stoves.

Guarantee 464-5439 or 469-7311

RENTALS

Cashier needed. Must have some computer knowledge, be selfmotivated, dependable & energetic.

Apply at Wally's Hardware, 1291 Broad St.

FLEA MARKET BY SHAW AFB

HD Utility Trailers all w/ 3,500 lb axles, extra tongue support - jack gate. 6x10 $1190; 6x12 $1290; 6x16 Tandem $1790; 803-972-0900

We will be happy to change your ad if an error is made; however we are not responsible for errors after the first run day. We shall not be liable for any loss or expense that results from the printing or omission of an advertisement.

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For Sale or Trade

LARGE GARAGE SALE 1st & 3rd Weekend Tables $2

In memory of Neloise Stokes "Mama Nell" Griffin 2/17/1926 - 09/14/2008 We all love and miss you very much. Life is not the same as if you were here with us. You will be in our hearts forever.

Loving you always, Your Family

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11:30 a.m. the day before for Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday edition.

9:30 a.m. Friday for Saturday’s edition 11:30 a.m. Friday for Sunday’s edition.

4 PC. PLACEMAT SETS SHOP WITH US AND SALE.....$3 per set Reg. $5 SAVE ON ALL YOUR TABLE RUNNERS HOUSEHOLD NEEDS... SALE........$2 each Reg. $4 ROUND COTTON SAVE $ SAVE $ SAVE $ SELECTED BRAIDED AREA RUGS ON LOW LOW PRICES 1/2 Off Reg Price

Morris College is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer

Announcements

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015

Clear Credit Now hiring qualified individual for Credit Counselor. Will train.

Must have good credit, phone skills, computer knowledge & filing helpful.

Mail resume to: 210 Broad Street Sumter, SC 29150

MAYO’S “FABULOUS FEBRUARY SALE”

WHERE $1.00 CAN BUY YOU A SUIT!

Choose ONE suit at our REGULAR PRICE Get SECOND suit of equal or less value for ONLY $1.00!

Because it’s FABULOUS FEBRUARY

If your suits aren’t becoming to you, It’s a good time to be coming to Mayo’s!

Wesmark Plaza • 773-2262 • Mon-Sat 10-7 • www.MayosDiscountSuits.com

SECTION

C

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 Call Ivy Moore at: (803) 774-1221 | E-mail: ivy@theitem.com

Matters of the harp Music ministry provides peace and healing

BY IVY MOORE ivy@theitem.com

F

or almost three years, harpist Kipper Ackerman has been playing primarily for hospital patients, residents of assisted living facilities, patients in infusion rooms at cancer treatment centers and other medical sites. Her first such performance was in a patient room at Tuomey Regional Medical Center.

“I noticed it gave such comfort and peace to the patient,” Ackerman said, “and also to her daughter, even the hospital staff.”

She said at the time, “I saw what the Lord was doing through the music, not just for the patients, but it turned out to be a ministry to the staff, the administration, the doctors and myself, too.

“I wanted to take that to the community.”

Ackerman determined to continue to help as many people as she could. It was her brother, Garrett Edens, who suggested she turn her harp ministry into a nonprofit organization. A few months later, in October 2012, Sounds of Grace was born.

The ministry grew to include other musicians, including five young harpists, three of whom still study with Ackerman.

Sounds of Grace has presented two concerts for the public at the Sumter Opera House, where the harpists were joined by other instruments, including drums, trumpet and strings.

She has been playing harp for 27 years, having received her concert grand pedal harp from her grandfather, the late Curt Edens.

“He was completely nonmusical,” Ackerman said, “but he heard a harp and fell in love with it and decided I needed to learn to play. We drove to Columbia and back

every week for a long time so I could take lessons.”

The name Sounds of Grace came to her, she said, “After spending a lot of time in my house playing. It really started to sound like grace to me.”

Ackerman admitted her children have been very patient with their house’s being constantly filled with harp music.

“Once when I was playing for some visitors, one woman remarked ‘That must be what it sounds like in heaven.’ I heard my kids in another room say, ‘Oh no! We’ll have to listen to it there, too?’”

She plays for weddings and private events, in addition to her harp ministry, but in the past three years, Ackerman said, “I have seen a special place for the harp. It’s a very intense experience, just the confirmation of how the harp can be an instrument of peace and healing in a hospital setting.”

Many patients have been surprised to hear a harp in a medical facility, too.

“I sometimes get looks of puzzlement when people see me playing,” Ackerman said, “and a lot of them just assume someone must be dying. But the music is calming for anyone.”

Although she plays for many who are ill, she said she has herself felt blessed by them. And the ministry often provides a laugh or two for her, too. Ackerman said she is often surprised by the attitudes and humor of many who benefit from the ministry.

“I was playing for a woman I thought at first was asleep,” Ackerman said. “She kept her eyes closed the whole time I was playing, and she didn’t respond. I was beginning to worry, and I leaned over to check on her, and she suddenly opened her eyes, pointed her finger at me and

SUMTER ITEM FILE PHOTO

ABOVE: Harpist Kipper Ackerman is joined by David Shoemaker on drums in a past concert by the Sounds of Grace, a music ministry Ackerman founded to provide “peace and healing” through music to those in healthcare facilities. BELOW: Ackerman performed a “mini-concert” for a downtown business last week. said. ‘Gotcha!’”

Ackerman keeps a busy pace playing at medical and long term care facilities, weddings and other special events, lugging her 88-pound harp from place to place in her SUV and on foot using a dolly. She is also the harpist for the Florence Symphony Orchestra.

“I’m energized by the ministry,” she said, “but my harp is very tired. It’s 27 years old, which is very old for a harp, and it gets used a lot more than most.”

That means she has to take it to Atlanta to be “regulated,” a process similar to a major auto tune-up, at least every two years.

“It really needs to be replaced,” Ackerman said, “but good concert harps are very expensive, ranging in price from $18,000 up to about $80,000. I have my eye on a couple that cost much less but still sound good and are durable.”

At 7 p.m. Friday, she will present a free concert for the public at the historic Church of the Holy Cross at

Stateburg.

“I’ll play mostly sacred selections,” Ackerman said, “along with some original compositions.”

She added that there will be “some surprise local musicians, some things you might not expect to hear. We try to shake things up a little. This is our first concert in about a year.”

Admission is free, but those attending will have the opportunity to donate to the ministry and/or the purchase of a new harp for the 501c3 nonprofit Sounds of Grace.

There are two other upcoming concerts in April and June. Dates have not yet been confirmed; however, one will be a concert, while the other will be dinner accompanied by harp music.

Ackerman is also looking for volunteers to join the minis visit patients in healthcare facilities and other places where the soothing music will help heal those who are physically or emotionally stressed.

Contact Ackerman at kipper@thesoundsofgrace.com.

Visit the website www.thesoundsofgrace.com for more information.

Last surviving member of ‘The Honeymooners’ recalls experiences

BY NICK THOMAS Tinseltown Talks

F

rom “I Love Lucy” and “All in the Family” to “Married with Children” and “Seinfeld,” structuring a sitcom around four lead characters has often proved a successful formula.

“It was the perfect format for ‘The Honeymooners,’” said Joyce Randolph, who starred as Trixie in the popular 1950s series based on two tenement-dwelling RANDOLPH couples – the Kramdens and the Nortons.

As the sole surviving member of the original series cast – which included Jackie Gleason, Art Carney and Audrey Meadows – Randolph, who turned 90 last year, continues to be identified with the show.

“I worked mostly in theater and early TV, but people still recognize me as Trixie,” said Randolph. “I’m amazed by the show’s longevity.”

“The Honeymooners” was originally a series of short sketches on the DuMont Network’s “Cavalcade of Stars,” and later featured regularly on “The Jackie Gleason Show” at CBS. “I had done a breath mint commercial and got a call that Jackie wanted ‘that serious actor’ to audition for a skit called ‘The Honeymooners’ and to play the sewer worker’s wife,” recalled Randolph.

“It didn’t pay much, and my character was less developed than the other three, but I was happy to have a job.”

Gleason soon recognized that the chemistry between himself, Carney, Meadows and Randolph had sitcom potential and expanded “The Hon-

PHOTO PROVIDED

The cast of “The Honeymooners” is pictured in a scene from the popular 1950s comedy.

From left, they are Jackie Gleason, Art Carney, Audrey Meadows and Joyce Randolph.

Randoph, who played Trixie, is the only surviving member of the cast. eymooners” into a half-hour series that ran initially for 39 episodes during 1955-1956. The show was filmed with a live audience at the Adelphi Theater in Manhattan, and generally without full rehearsals.

“Jackie hated to rehearse and wanted shows to be spontaneous, so Art, Audrey and me would go over the script together on Saturday mornings,” said Randolph.

“Jackie ran everything and nobody told him what to do. He was extremely talented, and for a big guy was incredibly light on his feet doing physical comedy. For one roller-skating skit, I went with Art and

Audrey to practice at a roller-skating palace here in New York. But we never saw Jackie practice. He just came out on the skates and amazed us.”

Gleason, however, was not the most convivial of coworkers.

“Jackie was a very strange man, not overly friendly and very moody,” said Randolph. “He just never sat around and talked. Andrey was very professional and would have the whole script memorized. If Jackie forgot a line, she got him back on track.

“Art was quiet and it was wellknown he had a long history of

problems with alcohol, but he was always sober at work and was a wonderful and talented guy.”

And while fans like to imagine their sitcom stars from a favorite show paling around after hours, that wasn’t the case with “The Honeymooners” foursome.

“We just didn’t hang out,” said Randolph. “At 9 o’clock, when we finished filming, we all went our own way.”

Randolph continued in the role when it once again became part of a new Jackie Gleason Show. But when Gleason moved to Florida and revived the Honeymooners in several TV movies and in another show from 1966-1970, Randolph wasn’t invited.

“Years later I saw Audrey and she said Jackie had looked for me, but couldn’t find me,” Randolph recalled. “Well, that was a lot of nonsense. Jackie wanted to use his long-time friend Jane Kean to play Trixie, and that’s what he did. But that was fine with me because I wasn’t going to move from New York where my husband had his job and I was happily raising my son.

“When my time with ‘The Honeymooners’ ended, I never saw Jackie again.”

But she does see devoted Honeymooners’ fans whenever out in public.

“Strangers still come up and want to hug and kiss me and tell me how much they love the show,” she said.

“You learn to accept it, but it’s fun and people are nice. The show continues to influence my life.”

Nick Thomas teaches at Auburn University at Montgomery, Ala., and has written features, columns, and interviews for more than 500 magazines and newspapers. Follow on Twitter @TinseltownTalks.

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015

FOOD

THE SUMTER ITEM

For big flavor, little fat, consider powdered peanut butter

BY MELISSA D’ARABIAN The Associated Press Powdered peanut butter sounds, pardon the pun, a bit nuts.

While fitness buffs sang its praises when it first hit the scene a few years ago, I scoffed. But after seeing it take up more and more space on the shelves of my local supermarket, I caved and bought it for the first time. At first I stayed fairly traditional in my usage: I added a scoop to my chocolate or banana morning smoothie, or added it to cookie dough to make a lower calorie peanut butter cookie.

But it grew on me. Soon, I was adding it to curries and sprinkling it on my oatmeal or over frozen yogurt. It really is quite good.

Powdered peanut butter is just what it sounds like — peanut butter that has had all of the moisture and most of the fat removed. You’re left with a fine powder (similar in texture to cocoa powder) that has the flavor of regular peanut butter. It can be used as is or reconstituted. For the latter, you just stir 1 tablespoon of water or other liquid (such as almond milk) into 2 tablespoons of powdered peanut butter until smooth.

One serving (2 tablespoons) of reconstituted peanut butter has a fraction of the fat and calories of traditional peanut butter — 45 calories, 5 grams of protein, 1.5 grams of fat and 1 gram of sugar. Compare that to the 188 calories, 16 grams of fat, 8 grams of protein and 3 grams of sugar in the real deal.

I love the creamy decadence of real peanut butter as much as anyone, but it’s worth considering powdered if there are times when you want the flavor with a leaner profile. Plus, I find powdered peanut butter can be used in ways the regular stuff can’t. For example, this recipe for salty-sweet peanut popcorn. It is awards season, after all. So I figured I’d share my favorite popcorn treat.

The recipe is simple, with just enough sweetness from a hit of honey to balance the salty peanut flavor. Using coconut oil for the popping rounds out the flavor. It’s truly addictive!

SALTY-SWEET PEANUTHONEY POPCORN Prefer the microwave? Use unflavored plain popcorn and pop according to package directions, then transfer to a large bowl and proceed with the recipe starting with the honey.

Start to finish: 10 minutes Servings: 8 1 1/2 tablespoons coconut oil 1/2 cup popcorn kernels 1/4 cup honey 3 tablespoons powdered peanut butter 1/2 teaspoon fine salt In a heavy, large saucepan over medium, heat the coconut oil.

Sprinkle in the popcorn kernels and give a quick stir with a wooden spoon to coat the kernels in oil.

Continue cooking and stirring until the first kernel pops. Once it does, cover the pan and, using oven mitts, grasp the pan by both the handle and the lid, then gently shake the pan (on the heat) to keep the kernels moving as they continue to pop. Do this for about 2 minutes, or until there is a 2-second delay between pops. Remove the pan from the heat and transfer the popcorn to a large bowl. Be very careful; the popcorn will be very hot.

Drizzle the honey over the popcorn, then use wooden spoons to toss to coat evenly. Sprinkle the peanut butter and salt over the popcorn, then toss again to coat.

Nutrition information per serving: 110 calories; 30 calories from fat (27 percent of total calories); 3.5 g fat (2.5 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 0 mg cholesterol; 18 g carbohydrate; 2 g fiber; 9 g sugar; 2 g protein; 160 mg sodium.

Food Network star Melissa d’Arabian is an expert on healthy eating on a budget. She is the author of the cookbook, “Supermarket Healthy.” http:// www.melissadarabian.net

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Peanut Broccoli with Shaved Lemon is a great way to add interest to this versatile vegetable.

Jazz up your healthy broccoli

BY J.M. HIRSCH AP Food Editor

to shave produce paper thin.

And while you can spend a fortune on a fancy one, I’m a fan of the cheap plastic verAnyone else suffering the sions often sold in Asian broccoli blues? markets.

Truth is, it’s such a versaI use mine to shave garlic tile vegetable seemingly unbound by season, it becomes for salads (thinly shaved garlic is a great addition to vina go-to vegetable — particuaigrette) or onions for a delilarly in winter — for the American dinner table. Noth- cate stir-fry. It’s also a great ing wrong with that. It tastes way to prep toppings for pizza. Thinly shaved bell pepgreat, cooks quickly and is pers and mushrooms cook great for you. But it can sometimes feel as though it’s up so much better than large slices (which inevitably reon repeat mode, which is main raw). hard to get excited about.

In this recipe, the manWhich is why I’ve become doline is used to shave a a pro at jazzing up my broclemon — rind and all — into coli. thin rounds which lend a dePeanut broccoli with licious, but not overpowershaved lemon is one of my ing, hit of bright acid to the favorite variations. It does, otherwise heavy flavors of however, require a special broccoli sauteed in sesame tool — a mandoline. Shaped oil and topped with peanuts. like a long, thin board fitted The honey drizzled on at the with a particularly sharp end ties everything together. blade, mandolines are used

PEANUT BROCCOLI WITH SHAVED LEMON Start to finish: 20 minutes Servings: 4 3 tablespoons toasted sesame oil, divided 6 cups chopped broccoli florets and stalks 4 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes Salt and ground black pepper 2 tablespoons honey 1/4 cup roasted and salted peanuts 1 lemon In a large skillet over medium-high, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil. Add the broccoli and saute for 10 minutes, or until just barely starting to brown. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes, then saute for another 5 minutes, or until the broccoli is tender and lightly browned. Season with salt and pepper, then transfer to a serving bowl. Drizzle with the honey and remaining 1 tablespoons of sesame oil, then sprinkle the peanuts evenly over the broccoli.

Using a mandoline, shave thin slices of the lemon over the broccoli, adding as little or as much as desired.

Nutrition information per serving: 220 calories; 140 calories from fat (64 percent of total calories); 16 g fat (2.5 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 0 mg cholesterol; 20 g carbohydrate; 5 g fiber; 11 g sugar; 5 g protein; 190 mg sodium.

If you love pizza and muffaletta, this one is for you

BY ALISON LADMAN The Associated Press We love pizza. We love muffaletta. We decided they probably would be easy to love together.

So we decided to combine them. We start with a red pepper pesto blended from roasted bell peppers, capers and toasted walnuts. We then top that with an olive and cherry pepper blend, then finally sliced salami and provolone cheese.

For a shortcut version, prep the red pepper pesto and olive salad ahead of time. They can be refrigerated for several days. You also could substitute mixed marinated olives from the grocer’s olive bar for the olive salad.

MUFFALETTA FLATBREAD Start to finish: 45 minutes Servings: 6 For the red pepper pesto: 1/2 cup roughly chopped roasted red peppers, drained and patted dry 1 tablespoon capers, rinsed 1 tablespoon olive oil, plus extra 2 tablespoons toasted walnuts For the olive salad: 1/2 cup green olives 1/4 cup black olives 1/4 cup chopped sweet cherry peppers 1/4 cup chopped pickled vegetables 2 cloves garlic, minced 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 teaspoon dried Italian herb blend 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes For the flatbreads: 20-ounce ball pizza dough, room temperature 2 1/2 ounces sliced salami, cut into thin strips 3 ounces sliced provolone cheese, cut into thin strips Heat the oven to 500 F. Lightly coat 2 baking sheets with vegetable oil or cooking spray.

To make the pesto, in a food processor combine the roasted red peppers, capers, olive oil and the walnuts. Pulse until very finely chopped, then transfer to a bowl.

To make the olive salad, in the food processor (no need to clean it) combine both olive varieties, the cherry peppers, pickled vegetables, garlic, pepper, Italian herbs and red pep-

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Muffaletta Flatbread is topped with red pepper pesto and olive salad. per flakes. Pulse until roughly chopped. The pieces should be no bigger than a 1/4 inch.

Divide the dough into 6 pieces. Stretch or roll the dough into long, thin ovals, about 4-by-9 inches. Arrange the dough on the prepared baking sheets and allow to rest for 10 minutes.

If needed, stretch out the dough ovals again. Lightly brush each piece of dough with olive oil. Top each with alternating stripes of

pesto and olive salad across the dough, then top with strips of salami and provolone. Bake for 6 to 8 minutes, or until the dough is crisp and the flatbreads are lightly browned. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.

Nutrition information per serving: 390 calories; 170 calories from fat (44 percent of total calories); 19 g fat (4.5 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 25 mg cholesterol; 45 g carbohydrate; 2 g fiber; 4 g sugar; 13 g protein; 1,120 mg sodium.

FOOD

THE SUMTER ITEM

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015

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C3

Deviled eggs can be elegant

BY SARA MOULTON The Associated Press

white until nicely mounded. Arrange the filled eggs on a platter, then garnish each with chives.

Deviled eggs. Sure they’re a staple at picnics and backyard barbecues, but when it comes to a special occasion, they are so Cinderella before the ball.

But let’s say you want to play fairy godmother and dress them up for a special occasion. You can do it in two simple strokes. First, take care to boil the eggs properly (which can be a revelation for anyone who’s never tasted a properly boiled egg). Second, sparkle up the usual filling with some creme fraiche, Parmesan and good quality truffle oil.

Shazam! You’re looking at a truly dazzling appetizer. And it couldn’t be easier to prepare. And despite the name, they don’t need to be deviled (meaning spicy).

But let’s start with the boiling. It’s only because most of us have never tasted a properly boiled egg that we believe the whites should be chewy.

The problem is that protein always becomes tough when it is boiled. My solution is to boil an egg by not boiling it.

Really.

The trick is to start the eggs in cold water, then pull them off the heat just as soon as the water reaches the boiling point, cover the pot and let them cook in the residual heat of the water. You’ll be amazed at the wonderful tenderness of the finished product.

And by the way, I “cook” the eggs for just 10 minutes, which leaves the centers of the yolks translucent. If you’d prefer a more solid center, let the eggs stay in the hot water for 12 minutes.

How do you avoid one of those famously ugly green lines between the yolk and the white? By chilling the egg in a bowl of ice water as soon as it is finished cooking. Once it is cooled completely, peel and cut the egg in half, then marvel at a flawless yellow yolk, tender white and no green line.

And by the way, this is one of those recipes for which an older egg is better. Eggs that are too fresh are just about impossible to peel.

Nutrition information per serving: 70 calories; 50 calories from fat (71 percent of total calories); 6 g fat (2 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 115 mg cholesterol; 1 g carbohydrate; 0 g fiber; 0 g sugar; 3 g protein; 110 mg sodium.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Sara Moulton was executive chef at Gourmet magazine for nearly 25 years, and spent a decade hosting several Food Network shows. She currently stars in public television’s “Sara’s Weeknight Meals” and has written three cookbooks, including “Sara Moulton’s Everyday Family Dinners.”

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Stuffed Eggs with Truffle Oil show the fancy side of deviled eggs.

STUFFED EGGS WITH TRUFFLE OIL Want to make these even fancier?

Use a pastry bag fitted with a star tip instead of a plastic bag to pipe the yolk filling into the egg whites.

Start to finish: 35 minutes, plus chilling Servings: 12 6 large eggs 2 tablespoons mayonnaise 2 tablespoons creme fraiche 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 2 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan cheese 2 teaspoons truffle oil Salt and ground black pepper Fresh chives, finely chopped Fill a medium bowl with ice and water.

Place the eggs in a small saucepan and add enough cold water to cover by 1 inch. Set the pan over high heat and bring the water to a boil. As soon as the water boils, remove the pan from the heat, cover the pan and set aside for exactly 10 minutes (use a timer). Use a slotted spoon to transfer the eggs to the ice water and let them cool completely.

When the eggs are cool, crack them all over and, starting at the wide end of each egg and making sure to get under the membrane (which makes it easier to get the shell off), peel the eggs while holding them under cold running water. Cut each egg in half lengthwise. Gently remove the yolks and set aside the whites.

Place the egg yolks in a mesh strainer and use a rubber spatula or the back of a spoon to press the yolks through and into a medium bowl. Add the mayonnaise, creme fraiche, mustard, cheese and truffle oil. Mix well, then taste and season with salt and pepper. Spoon the mixture into a zip-close plastic bag.

Cut off one of the lower corners of the bag, then gently squeeze the bag to pipe the yolk mixture evenly into the hollow of each egg

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Texts suggest colleague has more in mind than work DEAR ABBY — My husband is a handsome executive who works out of town. I’m a professional with a reDear Abby sponsible job that limABIGAIL its my abiliVAN BUREN ty to travel.

I needed to borrow his phone recently and noticed that one of his colleagues has been texting him after hours. She asks if he has traveled safely, tells him she misses him, how much she enjoys working with him -- all with romantic emoticons. I’m concerned that the flattery and emoticons indicate she wants

THE SUMTER ITEM

more than a work-based relationship. She’s married with kids. How should I approach this?

Worried in Kentucky DEAR WORRIED WIFE — Because there have been more than one of these flirtatious, unbusinesslike communications, assume that your husband hasn’t discouraged them. Confront him. Tell him you feel what she’s doing is a threat to your marriage, and you want it stopped. But before you do, make copies of the texts so you can confront the woman with them if she doesn’t stop.

DEAR ABBY — Is it OK for a man to talk on his cellphone at the urinal in a public restroom, or for a woman to talk

on the phone while using the toilet in one of the stalls?

Also, please remind everyone to wash their hands after using the restroom.

Russell in Richland, Washington DEAR RUSSELL — I can think of few things more unpleasant than conversing with someone with the sound of “running water” (or worse) in the background and toilets flushing. Why anyone would do this is beyond me.

It’s very rude.

And, while I can remind people about hand-washing until the cows come home, I’ll suggest instead that men and women who use public restrooms not touch the door handle without a paper towel — when available — firmly in hand.

JUMBLE

SUDOKU

THAT SCRAMBLED WORD GAME

By David L. Hoyt and Jeff Knurek

HOW TO PLAY: Each row, column and set of 3-by-3 boxes must contain the numbers 1 through 9 without repetition.

THE DAILY CROSSWORD PUZZLE

ACROSS 1 Recitals showing promise 6 A way off 10 Big name in PCs 14 Braid 15 Where to get a bite on the street 16 Clue weapon 17 Abe’s youngest son 19 Friend on “Friends” 20 West Point newbie 21 Latin phrase usually shortened 23 Old hand 25 Exhortation from Santa, in Moore’s poem 28 Wrestling maneuver 30 Term of respect 31 “Liar!” in a playground 32 Nerdy types 35 Target 37 Shipping wts.

38 Halls product 41 NCR product 44 Reed in a hall 45 Stable rides for kids 49 Whodunit surprise 51 Org. with Eagles 53 Coin with 12 stars on its

reverse side 54 Late-inning substitute 58 Like some grins 59 Crate up 60 Organisms of a region 62 Not fer 63 Gets the unspoken message ... which includes one of five synonyms found in this puzzle’s longest answers 68 53-Across fraction 69 Maui music makers 70 Lingerie fabric 71 Envelopepushing 72 Huff and puff 73 Bard’s “between” DOWN 1 Go (for) 2 __ fran aise 3 Pond juvenile 4 “This Kiss” singer Faith 5 Kept in a pen 6 Tap into 7 __ Schwarz 8 CIO partner 9 Keep up on the issues?

10 Neat arrangements 11 Nuclear reactor need 12 Delta-zeta

connection 13 Seasons a bit more 18 Pistons’ org.

22 Worker who gives people fits?

23 Honorary deg., perhaps 24 Fracas 26 Uppermost 27 Three-time MLB home run king 29 Advent mo.

33 Voting enclosures 34 Deli order 36 Word with modern or cave 39 Mongolian expanse 40 Key lime __ 41 Free from strife 42 Hurt suddenly, as a muscle 43 Preparing

46 47 48 50 52 55 56 57 61 64 65 66 67

garlic, in a way Persian Gulf native Make a faux pas Traditional Asian sauce base Like a string bikini If all goes according to plan Hopping mad Frozen Wasser Holiday entrŽe Turn to slush Letters in a police record Novelist Kesey Eighty-six Explosive stuff

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Wedding bells ring as ‘The Mentalist’ comes to an end

BY KEVIN MCDONOUGH CBS continues its weeklong clearance sale. After Sunday’s “CSI” finale, widely expected to be that series’ last episode, “The Mentalist” (8 p.m. and 9 p.m., TV-14) wraps up its seventh and final season with Lisbon (Robin Tunney) and Jane (Simon Baker) tying the knot, or at least trying, as last-minute efforts to stop a revengehungry killer complicate the usual wedding planning.

Since the final episode is entitled “White Orchids,” you’d be smart to wager that they make it down the aisle. Considering that many thought of it as a variation on “Psych” when it first aired in 2008, “The Mentalist” has had a good, long run.

Still in everything-must-go mode, CBS ends “Two and a Half Men” tomorrow.

• NBC has also made some decisions about the future of its lineup, renewing series “The Blacklist,” “Chicago Fire,” “Chicago P.D.,” “Law & Order: SVU” and “Grimm” for another season. That takes care of two out of its three Wednesday night series. The jury remains out on “The Mysteries of Laura.”

• Like most, I tuned in last week to the Canadian comedy “Schitt’s Creek” (10 p.m., Pop, TV-14) for its pairing of “SCTV” legends Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara. They play Johnny and Moira Rose, spoiled, bankrupt millionaires who return to their only asset, a pathetic little town they bought on a lark in the 1990s.

It’s a place where even the mayor (Chris Elliott) lives in a dirty trailer and wears an everpresent trucker hat.

Sitcoms about tycoons down on their luck are at least as old as “The Pruitts of Southampton,” the 1966 Phyllis Diller series.

What I did not expect is that “Creek,” co-written by Levy with his son, Daniel, would focus so heavily on the Rose children, David (Daniel Levy) and Alexis (Annie Murphy).

“Creek” takes the depiction of boomer parents with their millennial offspring to absurd new extremes.

The portrayal of young people on television is almost always over-the-top. “Creek” goes beyond established stereotypes of bimbos, airheads, brats and dudes to show David

ROBERT VOETS / WARNER BROS. / CBS

After Lisbon (Robin Tunney) accepts Jane’s (Simon Baker) surprise marriage proposal, will a killer’s quest for revenge cost them the happy ending they have worked so hard to achieve? The two-part series finale of “The Mentalist” airs at 8 p.m. today on CBS. and Alexis as hopelessly narcissistic and all but crippled by their addiction to technology, creature comforts and the delusion that the universe continues to spin around their needs and wants.

They appear nearly sociopathic in their indifference to anybody else’s plight or situation, and entirely helpless to recognize, or act upon, their new and entirely squalid circumstances.

Like all farces, “Creek” presents extreme types. But the fact that this was created by a father-and-son team makes it more interesting fodder for columnists trying to figure out the culture of so-called millennials.

• “NOVA” (9 p.m., PBS, TV-PG, check local listings) continues its “Building Wonders” series with “Petra: Lost City of Stone,” an exploration of Jordan’s ancient city, carved into soaring cliffs.

TONIGHT’S OTHER HIGHLIGHTS • Infiltrating an escort racket

on “The Mysteries of Laura” (8 p.m., NBC, TV-14).

• A performance at a franchised music joint on “American Idol” (8 p.m., Fox, TV-PG).

• A case becomes personal for Carisi on “Law & Order: SVU” (9 p.m., NBC, TV-14).

• Lucious courts a family image for the company on “Empire” (8 p.m., Fox, TV-14).

• Nathan Lane and Elizabeth Banks guest-star on “Modern Family” (9 p.m., ABC, TV-14).

• Beth’s old nemesis means business on “Stalker” (10 p.m., CBS, TV-14).

• Burgess and Roman are in a tight spot on “Chicago P.D.” (10 p.m., NBC, TV-14).

• Jeff and Rayna’s corporate war gets very personal on “Nashville” (10 p.m., ABC, TVPG).

• Stan’s new plan may be a game-changer on “The Americans” (10 p.m., FX, TV-MA).

p.m., CW, TV-14) * No more Mr. Nice Guy on “The Goldbergs” (8:30 p.m., ABC, TV-PG) * Lexa’s leadership is questioned on “The 100” (9 p.m., CW, TV14) * Berets and bidets on “black-ish” (9:30 p.m., ABC, TVPG).

CULT CHOICE Gregory Peck stars in the 1962 drama “To Kill a Mockingbird” (10:15 p.m., TCM).

LATE NIGHT Jennifer Aniston is scheduled on “The Daily Show With

Jon Stewart” (11 p.m., Comedy Central, r) * Ashton Kutcher, Jon Cryer, Sage Kotsenburg and Kristian Bush appear on “Conan” (11 p.m., TBS) * Will Smith and Grizfolk appear on “Late Show With David Letterman” (11:35 p.m., CBS) * Jimmy Fallon welcomes Sigourney Weaver, Andy Cohen and Ella Henderson on “The Tonight Show” (11:35 p.m., NBC) * Thomas Lennon guest-hosts Matthew Perry and Nick Kroll on “The Late Late Show” (12:35 a.m., CBS).

Copyright 2015, United Feature Syndicate

SERIES NOTES The answer on “The Middle” (8 p.m., ABC, TV-PG) * Deathstroke returns on “Arrow” (8

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Chef Tyler Williams of Woodfire Grill in Atlanta and Hamptons’ Executive Chef Dall’Erta collaborate on a menu last month during a craft beer dinner at Hamptons.

Culinary adventures without the travel The best of Southern cuisine with guest chef series

T

ravel cannot be truly appreciated without experienc-

ing food.

In fact, food is a great part of why we travel. Pizza in Naples? Absolutley! Niçoise Susan D. salad in the South of France?

Osteen Oui! Shrimp and Grits in Charleston? Yes, ma’am!

But this year Sumterites can enjoy world-class cuisine without the bother of packing a suitcase, booking a ticket or leaving our fine city. Hamptons Restaurant’s 2015 Southern Chef Series brings some of the region’s brightest stars to the Gamecock City.

Every month a new chef will join Hamptons’ Executive Chef Raffaele Dall’Erta for one night to design a memorable menu and dining experience for guests.

“We wanted to create a fun, different rotating dining experience for Sumter that offers a chance for our guests to taste food created by some of the chefs in our neighboring culinary communities without leaving the area,” said Richard Jardin, manager and sommelier at Hamptons Restaurant.

Jardin said inviting chefs into the kitchen not only highlights Dall’Erta’s talents but also allows Hamptons to feature new cuisines, themes and concepts.

The series kicked off in January with Chef Tyler Williams of Woodfire Grill in Atlanta.

The dinner paired the kitchen magic of Tyler and Dall’Erta with craft brews from River Rat Brewery of Columbia, South Carolina. A soldout dining room of 50 patrons enjoyed innovative dishes, including sunchoke chowder with Sapelo Island clams and candied bacon; and pork tenderloin with huckleberry, carrot and fennel; as well as sampling a variety of River Rat Brewery beer.

“Working alongside Chef Williams was a great opportunity to try new dishes for Hamptons’ brewery tasting menu,” said Chef Dall’Erta. “It was fun to bring the two new concepts together for a great event.”

The next dinner in the series brings a touch of Hollywood glamour to Dall’Erta’s kitchen with visiting Chef John Ondo of Lana in Charleston. Ondo, well known in Charleston for his popular Cannonborough neighborhood restaurant, recently starred on the Food Channel’s Cutthroat Kitchen.

The Feb. 24 dinner also features a cooking class. According to promotional material re-

Chef John Ondo of Lana in Charleston will hold a New Southern Cooking Class at Hamptons on Feb. 24.

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leased by Hamptons, “(Ondo) will be doing a cooking demo with a few of the courses that he will serve that evening. This is a wonderful event to watch the chef prepare the dishes we will have in an instructional manner prior to sitting down for dinner. Chef Ondo and Chef (Dall’Erta) will create a multi-course menu that will be paired with wonderful wines throughout the night.”

“Spring Farm Dinner” is the theme for the March 10 event in the series. The chef for the evening is Michael Kramer, executive chef for culinary operations of Table 301 in Greenville, Chef Michael Kramer of Table 301 which owns in Greenville will co-host a “Spring several popu- Farm Dinner” at Hamptons on lar upstate March 10. eateries including SoHamptons’ Executive Chef Raffaele Dall’Erta invites some of the by’s, Soby’s on the Side, The Lazy Goat, NOSE South’s top chefs into his kitchen in 2015.

DIVE, Passerelle Bistro, Papi’s Tacos and Table 301 Catering.

Prior to taking the helm for Table 301, KramHAMPTONS’ 2015 SOUTHERN CHEF SERIES er worked around the country at notable resWHERE: Hamptons, 4 W. Hampton Ave. taurants including Wolfgang Puck’s Spago in WHEN: Dinners begin at 6:30 p.m, feature three to five courses and Los Angeles and the famed Mansion on Turtle include beverage pairings. Seating is limited.

Creek in Dallas under celebrity chef Dean Fearing. After his tenure at the Mansion, Chef COST: Prices vary. To inquire about pricing or to make reservations for Kramer was recruited to be the executive chef the Feb. 24 dinner with Guest Chef John Ondo, the March 10 dinner at McCrady’s in Charleston. There he earned with Guest Chef Michael Kramar, or the April 15 Pahlmeyer wine many accolades, including a AAA 4-Diamond dinner, call Hamptons (803) 774-4400. award, inclusion as one of Esquire Magazine’s FOR MORE INFORMATION: To find out more about upcoming events “Best New Restaurants,” and Charleston Post in this series call the restaurant or visit the website www.hamptonsfood. and Courier’s “Restaurant of the Year.” He com. moved to Houston, Texas as executive chef of Hotel Icon, where he again earned a spot on Esquire Magazine’s “Best New Restaurants” and was also selected as one of Travel and Leisure Magazine’s “50 Best New Restaurants in America.”

According to Jardin, the dinner will be true to its farm-totable theme and utilize South Carolina farms throughout the menu.

The Southern Chef Series continues throughout the year with at least one special event every month. On April 15, a representative from Pahlmeyer winery in Napa, California will be in Sumter to feature wines paired with a tasting menu designed by Chef Dall’Erta.

“It is challenging to mix things up and at the same time not lose our identity,” said Danielle Thompson, co-owner of Hamptons. “Bringing in guest Chef Tyler Williams of Woodfire Grill speaks to guests at Hamptons recently. Executive chefs and other related industry associates has worked out to Chef Dall’Erta, center, invited Williams as part of Hamptons Restaurant’s 2015 Southern Chef Series. be the perfect solution.”

Thompson also said the dinner series may eventually expand to include chefs from other regions.

“As the downtown revitalization efforts continue it will become more viable to reach out further than the South for the chef series,” she said. “Fortunately, the South is filled with many talented chefs.”

Reach Susan D. Osteen at sdosteen@me.com.