Knights snap Hartsville’s 21-game winning streak. B1
VOL. 118, NO. 304 WWW.THEITEM.COM
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2013 | SUMTER, SOUTH CAROLINA
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Air Force fires head of nukes BY ROBERT BURNS AP National Security Writer WASHINGTON — The Air Force fired the general in charge of its nuclear missiles Friday, just two days after a Navy admiral with top nuclear weapons responsibilities was
sacked. Both men are caught up in investigations of alleged personal CAREY misconduct, adding to a cascade of turmoil inside the nation’s nuclear
Area donors favoring Haley over Sheheen
weapons force. The Air Force removed Maj. Gen. Michael Carey, a 35-year veteran, from his command of 20th Air Force, responsible for all 450 of the service’s intercontinental ballistic missiles. Carey, who took his post in Wyoming in June
2012, will be reassigned pending the outcome of an investigation into personal misbehavior, the service said. The Air Force would not specify what Carey is alleged to have done wrong, but two officials with knowledge of the investigation indicated
that it was linked to alcohol use. They said it was not related to the performance or combat readiness of ICBM units or to his stewardship of the force. Removing senior officers in the nuclear force is rare but has hap-
pened twice this week. On Wednesday the Navy said Vice Adm. Tim Giardina, the second-in-charge at U.S. Strategic Command, was fired amid an investigation of gambling issues. He was demoted SEE CAREY, PAGE A4
Know the symptoms
BY BRADEN BUNCH bbunch@theitem.com Mirroring the overall fundraising efforts of both candidates, South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley easily raised more money in the tri-county area during the past three months for her re-election bid than her expected challenger, State Sen. Vincent Sheheen, D-Camden. According to the campaign disclosure forms for each candidate, Haley raised HALEY $29,867 from Sumter, Lee and Clarendon county voters and businesses, while Sheheen’s campaign brought in $18,750 from the SHEHEEN three counties during the third quarter of 2013. For Haley, all but $1,020 of her tri-county fundraising dollars came from Sumter County, with the remainder coming from Clarendon County. Sheheen’s local area fundraising was slightly more balanced, with $15,150 coming from Sumter County voters and businesses, $2,500 coming from Clarendon County and $1,100 coming from Lee County. The overall fundraising and current cash-on-hand figures give Haley an even larger advantage at this early point in the election cycle. Overall, Haley raised more than $950,000 during the third quarter of 2013 and now has more than $3.176 million on hand for her re-election bid. Sheheen, who is attempting to earn the Democratic nomination and set up a gubernatorial race rematch in 2014, raised more than $565,000 during the same time period and has
Flu, whooping cough, Lyme disease cases on the rise BY JADE ANDERSON janderson@theitem.com With cooler weather often comes illnesses. October through March is usually considered “flu season” in South Carolina. Whooping cough has made a comeback in the last few years and is of special concern for pregnant women this year. Hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts may also encounter ticks that can spread Lyme disease. While some of the symptoms can overlap, each has its own distinctive characteristics. “During the winter and fall, we have several cases that present to the ER,” said Letitia S. Pringle-Miller, administrative director for Tuomey Healthcare System. “Whooping cough is very, very rare. We had less than four cases of confirmed Pertussis last year. Last year and this year, we’ve had less than five positive tests for Lyme.”
PREVENTION Flu The best way to prevent two of these three illnesses — the flu and whooping cough — is with vaccination. The flu vaccine comes in five forms this year:
• A tri-virulent or three dead viruses solution shot into the muscle; • A quadra-virulent or four dead viruses solution shot into the muscle; • Nasal spray; • One made without egg for those with sensitivity; AND • One injected with a smaller needle into the skin rather than the muscle. Not all solutions are appropriate for all people. For example, the nasal spray is for people under 50, and the smaller needle is mostly for pediatric patients, Pringle-Miller said. People are encouraged to check with their regular health care provider for the best option for them. “Folks have alternatives,” she said. “There is really no excuse not to get a flu vaccine.” All vaccines are not available at all locations either. For example, Tuomey’s Industrial Medicine and Wellness office currently offers only the tri-virulent injection. Besides getting a flu shot, both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control recommend several common-sense practices, such as avoiding contact with sick people, washing hands regularly with soap and water for “as long as it takes to sing the Happy Birthday song twice” and cleaning
and disinfecting items and surfaces that may be contaminated. Whooping Cough Tdap is the common shot that not only protects from pertussis but also diphtheria and tetanus. South Carolina seventh-graders were required to be vaccinated this school year, and according to Pringle-Miller, an adult version was created in 2006. “The hospital has provided our employees and volunteers with Tdap vaccinations,” she said. “Our OB/ GYNs have been making sure parents and grandparents — really anyone that is going to be around infants — knows the need for vaccination.” Besides getting the vaccine and surrounding oneself with other vaccinated individuals, the best prevention is good hand-washing hygiene, she said. Lyme disease While there was once a vaccination for Lyme disease, the illness has become so rare that the production of the vaccine stopped in 2002, PringleMiller said. The CDC had 35 confirmed cases in South Carolina in 2012. The main way to prevent this bacterial disease is to prevent contact SEE ILLNESS, PAGE A8
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