GOODWILL TAKEOVER Operation Inasmuch storms Sumter with acts of kindness.
Sumter Police chief: Protect your firearms
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South Aiken defeats Sumter in 4A Lower State playoffs B1 VOL. 118, NO. 168 WWW.THEITEM.COM
SUNDAY, MAY 5, 2013 | SUMTER, SOUTH CAROLINA
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Clarendon courthouse closed to public BY ROBERT J. BAKER bbaker@theitem.com MANNING — The next two terms of general sessions court in Clarendon County have been canceled as the county’s oldest building and the main centerpiece of downtown Manning needs immediate structural repairs. Clerk of Court Beulah RobITEM FILE PHOTO erts said Friday that the ClarThe Clarendon County Courthouse, seen in this artist ren- endon County Courthouse was dering, is a 103-year-old building that has been deemed to cease normal operations on unsafe and is now closed to the public. July 1 as the county began
more than $6 million in renovations on the 103-year-old building. “Planning for renovations has been ongoing by Meadors Inc., architects contracted to oversee the renovations,” Roberts said. “As part of the inspection and due diligence process, ROBERTS James Meadors notified county and local court officials of some structural issues to the trusses of the main
Eagle Scout saves brother’s life
SEE COURTHOUSE, PAGE A5
Runner, Sumter native reflects on tragedy at Boston Marathon
Teen rescues drowning boy from small pond
The following interview with Sumter native Drew Williams is reprinted by permission from the Columbia Running Club Weekly Newsletter. It has been edited for length. Williams, a Sumter native and 1996 graduate of Sumter High School, is the son of Janice and Kenneth “Bo” Williams of Sumter. He received a master’s degree in informational technology from Lander University in 2000 and is now a risk adjustment manager with Medicare Advantage, BlueCross BlueShield of SC. Williams completed the Boston Marathon shortly before the explosions and was not injured. He talks here about the effect the experience had on him and his running goals.
BY ROBERT J. BAKER bbaker@theitem.com Steven Phillips has a lot on his plate for a 19-year-old young man. He’s a committed member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints, has a parttime job and is planning to head off to Brazil in July for two years on his church mission. And in the past two years, he had to earn 21 merit badges to become an Eagle Scout for everything from camping and communications to personal fitness and management. It was his faith and the training in first aid and lifesaving that he used on April 24 to save the life of his 4-year-old brother, Frank. The rambunctious and curious youngster — the youngest of Jeff and Regina Phillips’ 10 children — accidentally fell into the family pond behind their home on Hathaway Drive in Sumter as Steven worked in the family’s backyard garden. “My brother and sisters were out playing,” Steven said. “I was hoeing out some rows, and the little girls were playing in this stream that comes behind the pond. Frank wasn’t with them. Normally it wouldn’t have bothered me, but he goes everywhere
courtroom.” Roberts said Meadors made a presentation on the building Thursday, and the decision was made to cancel general sessions court, which was to begin Monday, and to begin vacating the courthouse as soon as possible. “Designated county employees will continue to work in the courthouse until the move is completed,” she said. Meadors told county officials
BY SARAH ALLER Columbia Running Club Drew Williams’ successful run of the April 15 Boston Marathon stemmed from another success he achieved in 2004. Now 36, he bears little resemblance to the person he was in 2004. Prior to that, he said, “I had never really exercised, weighed in at 210 pounds and was a smoker going on seven years. One day I just decided to quit smoking cold turkey and threw my last pack of cigarettes away. I needed an outlet so I would not start again, and running provided me that outlet because nobody SEE WILLIAMS, PAGE A8
‘Everyone in Boston became a little closer that day, and when all is said and done, walked out stronger, despite a terrorist’s attempt to tear people apart.’
PHOTOS BY ROBERT J. BAKER / THE ITEM
ABOVE: Frank Phillips, 4, said on Monday that he feels “good” after spending a few days in the hospital recently after brother Steven, 19, right, saved him from drowning in his family’s backyard pond on Hathaway Drive in Sumter. BELOW: Regina Phillips said son Frank, 4, is like most boys his age. That young, carefree spirit led to trouble on April 24 when Frank accidentally fell into the family’s backyard pond. He was saved by big brother Steven, 19, an Eagle Scout.
Drew Williams
Runner and Sumter native Drew Williams crosses the finish line at a recent marathon. PHOTO PROVIDED
SEE RESCUE, PAGE A5
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