Are Americans growing numb to mass shootings? A7
One-stop shop for local artists SERVING SOUTH CAROLINA SINCE OCTOBER 15, 1894
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One Accord Marketplace offers display, retail space
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IN OUTDOORS: 2015 deer hunting forecast looks good
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Deluge continues
Wells Fargo Bank awards grant to Central Carolina FROM STAFF REPORTS Central Carolina Technical College recently received a $15,000 grant from Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. to support the college’s job training and workforce development initiatives. “Wells Fargo fully believes that supporting education is one of the most important investments we can make in our country’s future,” said Paul Robbins, Wells Fargo Sumter market president and senior business relationship manager in a news release from Central Carolina. The money will be used to purchase equipment for the school’s Advanced Manufacturing Technology Training Center, located at the corner of Broad Street and Bultman Drive, to be used by students enrolled in college’s mechatronics technology, engineering graphics technology and machining and computer
numerical control programs, according to the release. Training equipment for Continental Tire the Americas and other industries and businesses in the community will also be housed at the center. “This funding will be directly tied to workforce development by providing students with quality training and resources required by the new and existing businesses and industries within the college’s fourcounty area,” said Central Carolina President Tim Hardee. A grand opening ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. Oct. 15 at the training facility, 853 Broad St., and tours of the building will be offered afterward. For more information about Central Carolina’s Advanced Manufacturing Technology Training Center, go to www.cctech.edu/ blogs/amttc/
Pets receive blessings BY ADRIENNE SARVIS adrienne@theitem.com
KEITH GEDAMKE / THE SUMTER ITEM
Water pours from a down spout as a car navigates along Hampton Avenue on Saturday afternoon as heavy rains moved into the area.
Officials estimate 8 to 18 inches of rain could fall BY RICK CARPENTER rick@theitem.com By the time heavy downpours hit Sumter on Saturday afternoon, the city had already received close to 4 inches of rain during the previous day.
A meteorologist for the National Weather Service said the city had received 3.54 inches of rain during a 24hour period that ended at 7 a.m. Saturday. It rained all day Saturday. And the heavy rain that sent flash flood warnings
A handful of parishioners made the trip through the rain brought in by hurricane Joaquin to the blessing of the animals at the Church of the Holy Cross in Stateburg on Saturday morning. Father Michael Ridgill said many species of animals have been blessed in the past, including horses, snakes and spiders. He said dogs and cats are the most common animals to receive blessings. Jan Black, a longterm member of the church, brought her newest family member, Doodle Bug, a 1-year-old black and white Chihuahua, to be blessed by Father Ridgill. During the next blessing
ceremony, Black said she plans to bring her other Chihuahuas, Tess and Tippit. Ridgill said the blessings are held in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, known as the patron saint of animals, creator of the Christmas Nativity scene and composer of the “Canticle of the Creatures” that thanks God for entrusting mankind with the care of animals. Many churches in the U.S. host this event annually. The animals bless us with their companionship, so we bless them, Ridgill said. For more information, call the parish office at (803) 494-8101 or visit the website www.holycrossstateburg.com.
across the southeast portion of Sumter County about 3:30 p.m. Saturday was just the beginning of waves of heavy rain that the NWS expects through tonight, said NWS meteorologist Whitney Smith.
SEE WEATHER, PAGE A9
Stop the Violence Rally encourages youth BY ADRIENNE SARVIS adrienne@theitem.com Several families attended the Stop the Violence rally Saturday at 2nd Chance Mentoring program building on South Pike to discuss
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ways to unite the community and encourage local youth to take the right path in life. David Witherspoon, founder of 2nd Chance Mentoring, said the rally is a partnership
SEE RALLY, PAGE A9
DEATHS, A9 and A11 Roy E. Andrews Henry B. Richardson Jr. Sallie C. Boykin Gardenia Ragin-Scott Roy A. Williams
Isaih Miller Sarah W. Sweat Phares E. Chatham Julie T. Baker
KEITH GEDAMKE / THE SUMTER ITEM
Father Michael Ridgill blesses Doodle Bug the dog as his owner, Jan Black, holds him, and Albert Ridgill waits to have Fletcher the cat blessed at the Church of the Holy Cross on Saturday.
WEATHER, A12
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5 SECTIONS, 32 PAGES VOL. 120, NO. 297
Heavy rains with potential for flooding. HIGH 72, LOW 61
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