IN SPORTS: Sumter P-15’s baseball returns to practice A9

LOCAL Deputies seize drugs, $160K 3 traffic stops, motel room search lead to

SERVING SOUTH CAROLINA SINCE OCTOBER 15, 1894 separate arrests A2 THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020 $1.00 House votes Surprise storm by proxy for unloads rain on 1st time in Midlands, coast pandemic BY KAYLA GREEN hurricane season before the sea- [email protected] son has even officially started. It dumped heavy rainfall across the BY LISA MASCARO and ANDREW TAYLOR It may have seemed the on- coast and Midlands with maxi- The Associated Press slaught of rain simply continued mum sustained winds near 50 Wednesday, but it just so hap- miles per hour before quickly WASHINGTON — It’s a day for the pened the drops falling stemmed downgrading to a tropical depres- history books on Capitol Hill: For the from a tropical storm that sion as it headed north toward first time, House lawmakers were voting formed, made landfall and dissi- portions of North Carolina and by proxy, an unprecedented move to NOAA VIA AP pated in the course of a day’s Virginia. avoid the risk of travel to Washington This satellite image taken Wednesday at work. It was named about 8 a.m., during the pandemic. 11:40 a.m. shows Tropical Storm Bertha ap- Bertha became the second To mark Wednesday’s history-making proaching the South Carolina coast. named storm of the 2020 Atlantic SEE BERTHA, PAGE A6 moment, House Republicans sued to stop the majority party from going ahead with the new system. The House, with 432 current members and three vacancies, is trying to strike a balance between working from home Lakewood seniors celebrate achievement during the coronavirus outbreak and honoring the Constitution’s require- ment to be “present” and voting. The House rules change is fast becom- ing a political test on party lines. Dozens of S.C. NEWS Democrats signed up to have colleagues Reopening cast their vote by leader says liability proxy. Twenty Repub- protection for licans joined in the businesses is leaders’ lawsuit key in state against that move, which House GOP A3 leader Kevin McCar- thy of California says is unconstitutional. “It’s a dereliction of duty,” McCarthy said. The House returned to Washington for an abbreviated two-day session as the city remains under stay-home or- ders. Republicans in the Senate, which is on recess after spending much of May in the capital, have knocked the decision

SEE VOTE, PAGE A6

PHOTOS BY MICAH GREEN / THE SUMTER ITEM Keiyon Ny’Quan Spann gets ready to walk across the stage at Lakewood High’s graduation filming on Wednesday. JCPenney oon-to-be Lakewood High School graduates didn’t let Sa pandemic or a surprise reopens in tropical storm stop them from walking across the stage to gath- er their high school diploma on Sumter Mall Wednesday. While the circumstances may be Store has reduced hours; different than what they grew up bankruptcy closures for thinking they would be, Class of 2020 seniors who chose to partici- retailer announced later pate in their school’s virtual grad- BY BRUCE MILLS Shawndell Rouse helps his daughter Tashi- uation ceremony donned their [email protected] ana Rouse with her cap. caps and gowns and crossed the Keiaira Nuasia Spann gets ready to stage in their near-empty audito- JCPenney in the Sumter Mall re- walk across the stage at Lakewood rium. opened Wednesday as the retailer works High School’s graduation. The moment for each senior through the early stages of its federal was filmed by the school district, bankruptcy-protection case. and footage will be compiled with A corporate spokeswoman for the de- partment store chain in Plano, Texas, student speeches and other com- responded to The Sumter Item through mencement moments for a pre-re- email Wednesday. corded presentation that will be The already-struggling retailer closed streamed online next weekend. all its stores across the U.S. in March Students were required to wear amid the coronavirus pandemic. In the masks, and they were allowed to last three weeks, it has been in the pro- bring guests to take their own cess of reopening stores. Descere Summers attends the graduation photos, though there was no con- SEE JCPENNEY, PAGE A6 filming on Wednesday. gregating allowed.

VISIT US ONLINE AT DEATHS, A10 WEATHER, A12 INSIDE Robbie Dean Hodge Castelia Clark Wilson MORE RAIN 1 SECTION, 12 PAGES the .com VOL. 125, NO. 159 Sammie Sharper Jimmy Sherode A shower and storm Mary Ella Scott Cicely Harley Gadson around today; some clouds Classifieds A11 Sports A9 Dan Michael Richardson James Hinkle Jr. and humid tonight Comics A4 Television A8 Bertie Jefferson Marsh HIGH 87, LOW 70 Opinion A7 A2 | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020 THE SUMTER ITEM

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Alex Siebel-Cortopassi, center, was arrested during an Interstate 95 Blood drives coming to traffic stop on May 16, in which approximately $16,000 worth of Bishopville, Manning marijuana was seized.

BY KAYLA GREEN PHOTOS PROVIDED BY SUMTER [email protected] COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE As hospitals begin to ramp back up with non-emergency and elective procedures after putting them on hold to pre- vent the system from being overwhelmed by COVID-19, there is an increasing demand for donated blood. Blood donors are “urgently needed” to prevent another shortage like the one that oc- curred at the onset of the pan- I-95 stops, search at motel demic in March, according to PHOTOS PROVIDED BY THE AMERICAN RED CROSS the American Red Cross. In recent weeks, hospital de- “We’re All in This Together” promo- mand for blood products has tional T-shirts are being given to all result in $160K, drugs seized increased by 30% after sharp- who donate blood or platelets ly declining in April amid this with the Red Cross in May. BY SHELBIE GOULDING On May 19, a deputy seized more than a ki- rapidly changing and complex [email protected] logram of cocaine and $4,733 in cash during a public health crisis. “The Red Cross appreciates traffic stop on I-95 South. At the same time, the agen- the support of those who Sumter County deputies seized more than The driver, 47-year-old Varian Scott, of cy says, blood drives continue rolled up a sleeve to give in re- $160,000 and thousands of grams of drugs in West Palm Beach, Florida, was to be canceled as many busi- cent months, but the need two days of normal operation on May 16 and stopped for having heavily tint- nesses and community orga- doesn’t stop. We need the pub- May 19. ed windows, including the wind- nizations remain closed or are lic’s help to avoid another In total, deputies seized 3,657.735 grams of shield, in violation of state law, running on limited services. blood shortage this summer.” marijuana, 1,022.7 grams of cocaine, 4.1 Sarvis said. To thank those who step up Red blood cells must be grams of crack, 23.25 grams of methamphet- Scott gave the deputy consent to help, those who donate transfused within 42 days of amine and 1 gram of heroin during three to search the vehicle and stated through May 31 will receive a donation, platelets within just traffic stops and the execution of a search he had something in the car free “We’re All in This Togeth- five days, according to the Red warrant, according to Deputy Adrienne Sar- SCOTT that looked like cocaine but was er” Red Cross T-shirt by mail Cross. So, they must constant- vis, public information officer for Sumter not. while supplies last, and those ly be replenished. County Sheriff’s Office. The deputy found approximately 1,018 who donate in June will re- Each Red Cross blood drive On May 16, a deputy seized approximately grams of suspected cocaine wrapped in cello- ceive a $5 Amazon.com gift and donation center follows $16,000 worth of marijuana during a traffic phane and duct tape inside the vehicle, Sarvis card via email. additional precautions in light stop on Interstate 95 South. said. The deputy also found $3,000 rubber Healthy people who are feel- of the pandemic, including After stopping 21-year-old banded together in large increments inside ing well are asked to make an temperature checks, social Alex Siebel-Cortopassi, of the car and an additional $1,733 in cash on appointment by downloading distancing and face coverings Tampa, Florida, for speeding, Scott’s person. the free Red Cross Blood for donors and staff. the deputy reported he recog- Scott was arrested and charged with traf- Donor app, visiting www.Red- Donors must schedule an nized the odor of marijuana ficking cocaine more than 400 grams and is- CrossBlood.org, calling appointment prior to arriving coming from the vehicle. The sued a citation for the window tint violation, 1-800-REDCROSS or enabling and are required to wear a deputy also noticed Siebel-Cor- Sarvis said. the Blood Donor Skill on any face covering or mask. SIEBEL-COR- topassi’s timeline about visiting Investigators also executed a search war- Alexa Echo device. TOPASSI a relative in Boston, who needed rant at a motel room in the 1200 block of “Blood donors have played a UPCOMING AREA BLOOD toilet paper and other essential Camden Highway on that same day, resulting vital role in the lives of pa- DRIVES items, did not add up to how long he had been in the seizure of more than 50 grams of vari- tients who have needed life- Bishopville: Tuesday, June 9, traveling. ous drugs and one arrest. saving transfusions during 11 a.m.-3 p.m., South Carolina The deputy found approximately 8 pounds According to Sarvis, investigators seized 29 this pandemic, and patients Cotton Museum, 121 W. Cedar of marijuana in vacuum-sealed bags in the grams of marijuana, 23.25 grams of metham- continue to depend on donors Lane trunk of the car during a probable cause phetamine, 4.1 grams of crack, 4.7 grams of each and every day,” said Paul Manning: Saturday, June 13, search, Sarvis said. cocaine, 5 grams of unknown white and Sullivan, senior vice president 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Wyboo Planta- Siebel-Cortopassi was arrested and charged brown substances and 1 gram of heroin. of Red Cross Blood Services. tion, 1 Recreation Drive with possession with intent to distribute mar- They also seized one firearm and $591 in ijuana and unlawful carry of a pistol, accord- cash. ing to Sarvis. Deonte Perry, 25, of Gene Drive in Sumter, Poll of the week Deputies also seized $155,000 in cash during the sole occupant in the motel room, was ar- a traffic stop on I-95 on that same day because rested and charged with possession of a Do you agree with Sumter School District’s decision to the driver could not provide documentation, weapon during a violent crime, hold virtual high school graduations? required by law, stating how he obtained a trafficking methamphetamine, Yes. 42% | 241 VOTES large sum of money, Sarvis said. possession with intent to dis- The driver, Darlens Renard, 30, of Boynton tribute marijuana, possession No. There should be in-per- Beach, Florida, gave inconsistent responses with intent to distribute co- son ceremonies. 41% | 235 to the deputies about his travels and was driv- caine, possession with intent to VOTES ing with a suspended license from Florida. distribute crack and possession No, but I am happy they According to Sarvis, a K-9 gave a positive PERRY of a controlled substance, Sar- indication about contraband being inside the vis said. added the option to include vehicle, and the deputy located a safe contain- “These seizures were made cap-and-gown video foot- ing 16 stacks of $100 bills in the rear of the ve- because of the deputies’ experience, training hicle during a probable-cause search. and dedication to what they do,” Sheriff An- age of students. 9% | 54 Renard was issued a citation for speeding thony Dennis said. “Sumter County is well VOTES and was required to wait for a licensed driver taken care of because our deputies know I don’t care. 6% | 36 VOTES to continue his trip, Sarvis said. what to look for.” I don’t know. 1% | 8 VOTES

Next week’s question: How has COVID-19 impacted your summer plans? Trinity Missionary Baptist to host free COVID-19 testing I’ve canceled them completely. BY KAYLA GREEN and on June 2, 4, 9, 11, 16 and 18 between 9:30 I’ve postponed them. [email protected] a.m. and 3:30 p.m. For more information, call I’ve altered them. 1-877-529-4339. I haven’t changed my plans. Free COVID-19 testing will be conducted All DHEC-sanctioned mobile and popup in Sumter County at multiple dates during testing clinics are free. DHEC screening and I didn’t have anything planned in the first place. the next couple weeks. specimen collections are free for anyone and Sandhills Medical Foundation Inc. will be part of the state’s ongoing efforts to increase Have a question you’d like us to ask? Email editor@theit- administering COVID-19 tests at Trinity Mis- testing in underserved and rural communi- sionary Baptist Church, 155 Wall St., today ties across the state. em.com.

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Solomons Home holds a Memorial Day parade for cooped-up residents, families to enjoy some time together while socially distancing.

Reopening leader says liability protection key in S.C. BY JEFFREY COLLINS ing,” said Burns, who plans to present tection, the group needs the General from state Democrats to extend no-ex- The Associated Press Accelerate SC’s final report today to Assembly’s help. cuse absentee voting to November’s Gov. Henry McMaster. State Sen. Tom Davis is leading a Sen- general election. When they filed suit, COLUMBIA — The leader of the On Wednesday, Burns and other ate subcommittee discussing a possible Democrats also wanted an extension governor’s committee studying how to committee members appeared before bill. The Beaufort Republican said it of absentee voting to the June 9 pri- best reopen South Carolina after the the state Senate’s Reopen South Caroli- must pass during the week or two spe- maries, but the General Assembly coronavirus said one of the most criti- na Select Committee to discuss five cial session that is likely in mid-June. changed the law for the primaries be- cal pieces of unfinished business is weeks’ worth of meetings between the With so few days to meet, the bill fore the justices ruled. protecting businesses from lawsuits if government, education and business will likely need to bypass committees More than 10,200 people in South they follow safety recommendations. leaders. in both the House and Senate and Carolina had tested positive for the Freeing businesses and others from They studied how best to reopen come directly before each chamber. coronavirus with at least 440 deaths, worries they could be successfully sued businesses and schools. They studied Any member of the House or Senate the state Department of Health and even if they take precautions against how to spend $1.9 billion in COVID-19 could object to that. Environmental Control said in its COVID-19 might help inject more confi- relief money coming from the federal “There is going to have to be a con- Tuesday update. dence into the economy, said James governments. And they studied how to sensus bill because we do not have The agency also announced it Burns, executive director of the Accel- get more protective equipment for the time,” Davis said. reached its goal of testing 2% of the erate SC reopening committee. state and boost testing. Also on Wednesday, the South Caro- state’s population — or about 110,000 “It came up at virtually every meet- With some things, like liability pro- lina Supreme Court declined a request people — in May.

a sawed-off shotgun at offi- Minneapolis mayor: Officer cers after stabbing two people. Chauvin also shot and wound- ed a man in 2008 during a who put knee on man’s struggle after Chauvin and his partner responded to a re- ported domestic assault. Po- neck should be charged lice did not immediately re- spond to a request for BY AMY FORLITI damaging the building’s win- Chauvin’s service record. and JEFF BAENEN dows and squad cars and In Minneapolis, kneeling on The Associated Press spraying graffiti. Police in riot a suspect’s neck is allowed gear eventually confronted under the department’s use- MINNEAPOLIS — The them with tear gas and pro- of-force policy for officers who mayor of Minneapolis called jectiles. Tense skirmishes have received training in how Wednesday for criminal stretched late into the eve- to compress a neck without charges to be filed against the ning. applying direct pressure to white police officer seen on Bridgett Floyd told NBC’s the airway. It is considered a video kneeling on the neck of “Today” show that the officers “non-deadly force option,” ac- a handcuffed black man dur- involved in her brother’s cording to the department’s ing an arrest, even after the death should be charged with THE ASSOCIATED PRESS policy handbook. man said he couldn’t breathe murder because “that’s exact- People stand near the Minneapolis Police 3rd Precinct and throw their Two use-of-force experts and stopped moving. ly what they did.” She said hands in the air as they chant for George Floyd on Tuesday in Minne- told The Associated Press that Based on the video, Mayor she had not watched the apolis. Floyd died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers the officer clearly restrained Jacob Frey said he thinks offi- video, but she told ABC’s on Memorial Day. A video taken by a bystander shows a Minneapolis the man too long, noting that cer Derek Chauvin should be “Good Morning America” police officer with his knee on Floyd’s neck. The four officers involved the man was under control charged in Monday’s death of that she does not understand have been fired. and no longer fighting. An- George Floyd. Chauvin and “how someone could possibly drew Scott, a former Boca three other officers were fired let an individual go out like The officers in the Minne- cade at a Target store across Raton, Florida, police chief Tuesday. The video recorded that.” apolis case have not been pub- the street from the station. who now testifies as an expert by a bystander shows The FBI and state law en- licly identified, though one de- News accounts show witness in use-of-force cases, Chauvin with his knee on forcement were investigating fense attorney has confirmed Chauvin was one of six offi- called Floyd’s death “a combi- Floyd’s neck for several min- Floyd’s death, which immedi- he is representing Chauvin. cers who fired their weapons nation of not being trained utes as Floyd is on the ground ately drew comparisons to the The attorney, Tom Kelly, de- in the 2006 death of Wayne properly or disregarding their with his face against the pave- case of Eric Garner, an un- clined to comment further. Reyes, who police said pointed training.” ment. armed black man who died in The police union asked the “I’ve wrestled with, more 2014 in New York after he was public to wait for the investi- than anything else over the placed in a chokehold by po- gation to take its course and last 36 hours, one fundamen- lice and pleaded for his life, not to “rush to judgment and Do you know... tal question: Why is the man saying he could not breathe. immediately condemn our of- Newly spread yard chemicals who killed George Floyd not In the Garner case, local ficers.” Messages left with the are dangerous to your pets & in jail?” said Frey, who is prosecutors, the NYPD’s inter- union after the firings were you until they are absorbed. white. nal affairs unit and the Justice not returned. He later added: “I saw no Department all finished inves- During Tuesday’s protests, threat. I saw nothing that tigations into the case before some chanted and carried would signal that this kind of the officer was ultimately banners that read, “I can’t force was necessary.” fired. Garner’s family and ac- breathe” and “Jail killer But despite the officers’ tivists spent years begging for KKKops.” Some stacked shop- swift dismissals, whether the the officer to be removed. ping carts to make a barri- CLARENDON death will be considered a criminal act or something HALL less, like excessive force, is a Cash in a FLASH! more complicated question We Buy: Gold & Silver Jewelry, Silver Coins that will likely take months to & Collections, Sterling/.925, Diamonds, Pocket Watches, Antiques & Estates Now Enrolling investigate. K-3 to 12th Grades Floyd’s death prompted pro- tests Tuesday, with thousands Lafayette Gold Sponsored by: taking to the streets at the in- and Silver Exchange KAT’s Special Kneads (803) 485-3550 tersection where he died. Inside Vestco Properties Many protesters marched 480 E. Liberty St. Sumter, SC 29150 more than 2 miles to the po- (inside Coca-Cola Building) Follow us on lice precinct station in that Mon. - Fri. 8:30 - 5:30 PM • Sat: 8 - 2 PM part of the city, with some 803-773-8022 Sumter, SC CLARENDONHALL.ORG Brown“Where Quality Matters”’s FURNITURE & BEDDING

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Wife can’t shake distrust of husband caught in a lie THE DAILY CROSSWORD PUZZLE

DEAR ABBY He was out of town recently, DEAR HURTING HEART In My husband and I caught him in a lie about light of the way your affair and I are 58 having invited a female former with your husband began, and getting colleague to lunch with him. I he may have lied because ready to cele- was shocked and hurt because he was afraid of upsetting brate our first this is how our relationship you. A way to start this wedding anni- started. He has apologized, but very necessary conversa- versary. We I can’t get over the fact he lied tion would be to tell him knew each to me, and it has caused a rift how shaken you are that he Dear Abby other in col- between us. He has always wasn’t truthful and try to ABIGAIL lege, but were been honest with me, so I won- get him to explain why he VAN BUREN just friends der why he lied about this thought he had to lie. You back then. woman. should also ask if he thinks After college, I know I’m in no position to there is anything awry in we married judge others. I can’t afford your marriage. others and raised children. We counseling, and we don’t be- If he tells you nothing is stayed married to our spouses long to a church for spiritual wrong and there is nothing for close to 30 years. help. I suffer from depression that he would change, be- We reconnected eight years and anxiety (I’m under the care lieve him. However, if after ago, started an affair and di- of a doctor and take medica- that, you are still feeling in- vorced our partners. Neither of tion) but cannot shake the sad- secure, ask the doctor who us is proud of this. My adult ness. How can I ever trust my is treating your depression children have accepted my hus- husband again? and anxiety to suggest some band. His refused to accept me, low-cost mental health / Bruce Haight 5/28/20 and only one of them has a re- Hurting heart in counseling services in your ACROSS 54 Chew out 15 Place for a 40 “Deadwood” 1 Barely enough 55 “Beautiful long winter’s actress Jewell lationship with him. the mountains community. to notice Girls” singer nap 41 12-time NFL 7 Defib expert Kingston 19 Fun time Pro Bowler 10 Monopolizes 56 Pianist Gilels 23 Spotted Junior 14 Like a side 57 Click or cluck pattern 45 Talisman view 64 Fit figure 24 “Midnight 46 Australian isl. JUMBLE SUDOKU PREVIOUS SOLUTION 16 __ cross 65 Semi- Cowboy” state 17 Playing a fifth important hustler 48 Media THAT SCRAMBLED WORD GAME qtr., say part? 25 Once, once attention HOW TO PLAY: 18 Wayward one 66 Cross- 26 “... __ quote:” 49 Pay By David L Hoyt and Je Knurek Each row, column and in Luke reference 27 Pork cuts 50 Spanish set of 3-by-3 boxes 20 Partnership indicator ... 28 Emer. alerts resort for Peace org. and directions 29 One of island must contain the 21 “On the to the link the Minor 51 Green numbers 1 through 9 Waterfront” among the Prophets spaces without repetition. director five longest 32 Makes a 52 Retail statistic Kazan puzzle decent living 53 Get-go 22 Radio tuner answers 33 Close 58 Setting for 24 Origin of new 67 “Now!” proximity some war business, 68 “That’s 34 Played movies, perhaps odd ... ” charades familiarly 28 Open a crack 69 Binge-watch, 36 Add 59 “THINK” 30 California perhaps 37 Part of DOE: sloganeer agricultural Abbr. 60 Crew aid farm name DOWN 38 Tourist city 61 Mod or nod 31 City near 1 Skiing spot about 110 ending Berlin 2 La Brea goo miles from 62 Intel- 35 Exercise 3 Skater Midori New gathering gp. regimen 4 Composer Delhi 63 __ Pérignon complement Rorem Previous Puzzle Solved 36 Bagged 5 Playful leaves? criticism 39 Oscar 6 Birdie topper category 7 Extras on 42 __-mo many Syfy 43 One-named shows supermodel 8 Chinese 44 Flying biter, chairman informally 9 Ahi serving 45 Put forward 10 Bhagavad with Gita confidence believers 47 General vibe 11 Studio sign 48 Hypothetical 12 Did so-so in evolutionary class starting point 13 Took badly? THE SUMTER ITEM NATION THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020 | A5 U.S. virus deaths at 100,000: What does a number mean?

BY TED ANTHONY now, at 100,000, that our empathy has AP National Writer become lower.” BY THE NUMBERS Finally, there are numbers living he fraught, freighted num- within the round 100,000 number that ber of this particular Amer- 106,572 cry out for their own interpretations. Number of people that The disproportionate number of dead ican moment is a round one Beaver Stadium, one of Americans of color, for example. Or the T the country’s largest systematic way the disease is ravaging brimming with zeroes: 100,000. A sports venues, holds places where older Americans live, tak- hundred thousands. A thousand ing them in numbers that — if they hundreds. Five thousand score. 101,860 were dying in mass shootings — might The 2018 estimated provoke a very different kind of reac- More than 8,000 dozen. All dead. population of South tion. This is the week when America’s of- Bend, Indiana Don’t focus so much on the numbers, ficial coronavirus death toll reaches six some admonish. Others criticize offi- digits. One hundred thousand lives 116,000 cial counts, calling them inflated and wiped out by a disease unknown to sci- U.S. deaths — combat inaccurate. More likely, because of and otherwise — for ence a half a year ago. spotty testing and undiagnosed cases, World War I And as the unwanted figure arrives the number 100,000 falls significantly — nearly a third of the global death toll short. in the first five months of a very trying But whether 100,000 has already hap- year — what can looking at that one pened or is yet to come, the meaning of and those five zeroes tell us? What does AP FILE PHOTO this numerical milestone — human-im- any number deployed in momentous Medical workers intake bodies April 6 through a tent before loading them onto a refrig- posed though it may be — raises some times to convey scope and seriousness erated trailer serving as a makeshift morgue at Wyckoff Heights Medical Center in the fundamental questions. and thought really mean? Brooklyn borough of New York. Have we decided to live with death, at “We all want to measure these expe- least to a point? What would it mean if, riences because they’re so shocking, so often on TV as the home to Penn State 50,000 people? And when you get into around Labor Day, we reconvened in overwhelming that we want to bring football and one of the country’s larg- the millions, what do you even do with this space to discuss the 200,000th dead some sense of knowability to the un- est sports venues, holds 106,572 people that?” he says. “It’s so outside of our American? What would that number known,” says Jeffrey Jackson, a histo- when full. The 2018 estimated popula- everyday life that it’s hard to grasp cause us to contemplate? ry professor at Rhodes College in Ten- tion of South Bend, Indiana, was meaning from them.” In the 14th century, the Black Death nessee who teaches about the politics 101,860. About 100,000 people visit the The New York Times tried to address ravaged humanity, taking many mil- of natural disasters. Statue of Liberty every 10 days. that problem Sunday, dedicating its en- lions. No one knows how many died. This is not new. In the mid-1800s, a The total amount of U.S. Civil War tire front page to naming the virus Today, when the dead are counted, new level of numerical precision was deaths — combat and otherwise — was dead — an exercise that, even in a tiny some coherence is reached. The think- emerging in Western society around 655,000. For World War I it was more typeface, only captured 1% of those ing is this: If the virus can’t be stopped, the same time the United States fought than 116,000, for World War II more now gone. “A count,” the newspaper at least it can be quantified by human the Civil War. Facing such massive than 405,000 and for the Korean and said, “reveals only so much.” effort — far more palatable than a soci- death and challenges counting the Vietnam wars more than 36,000 and Adding to the complexity is how dif- ety where we couldn’t even establish dead, Americans started to realize that more than 58,000 respectively. Those ferent coronavirus deaths are from, who was no longer among us. numbers and statistics represented don’t include non-U.S. deaths. say, a 9/11, a mass shooting or a cata- “As humans, we like clean stories,” more than knowledge; they contained Gun violence killed more than 37,000 clysmic natural disaster. Unlike those, says Roland Minton, a mathematics power, according to historian Drew Gil- people a year on average between 2014 the COVID saga is unfolding gradually professor at Roanoke College in Virgin- pin Faust. and 2018 in the United States. And 9/11 over time, growing steadily more se- ia. “And classifying things by number “Their provision of seemingly objec- took exactly 2,996 lives, a figure that the vere, and resists the time-tested Ameri- of digits can be a nice, clear way of tive knowledge promised a foundation U.S. coronavirus tally passed in early can appetite for loud and immediate classifying things.” for control in a reality escaping the April. storylines. So when Whitman wrote of “count- bounds of the imaginable,” Faust wrote At some point with numbers, though, “Each day we’ve become accustomed less graves,” he was not merely being in “This Republic of Suffering,” her ac- things start feeling more abstract and to the new reality that we don’t realize poetic. Then, the idea of uncounted count of how the Civil War changed less comprehensible. This has informed how far we’ve traveled from what nor- dead was more than metaphor; it was a Americans’ relationship with death. the methodology of remembering the mal is,” says Daryl Van Tongeren, an direct description of what had hap- “Numbers,” she wrote, “represented Holocaust by humanizing it: The associate professor of psychology at pened. a means of imposing sense and order deaths of 6 million Jews, after all, Hope College in Michigan who studies Replacing that situation with accu- on what Walt Whitman tellingly depict- among many others, is a figure so enor- how people find meaning in suffering. rate numbers, as society grew more so- ed as the ‘countless graves’ of the ‘infi- mous that it resists comprehension. Our brains, he says, are wired to be phisticated, did not solve everything. nite dead.’” “It’s really hard for people to grasp empathetic to suffering — to a point. But it was something. Just as 100,000 Today’s Americans have precedents statistics when it comes to numbers “With too much suffering over time, means something this week in Ameri- for visualizing and understanding after a certain scale,” says Lorenzo Ser- it’s overwhelming, and we begin to be- can life. Maybe not everything — not a 100,000 people — dead and alive. They vitje, an assistant professor of litera- come callous. And our empathy essen- vaccine, not a treatment — and maybe have numerous comparisons at hand. ture and medicine at Lehigh University. tially runs out,” Van Tongeren says. not clarity, exactly. Not yet. But some- For example: Beaver Stadium, seen “Can you picture 30,000 people or “We’re so accustomed to death right thing. Poll shows half of Americans Huge Washington unemployment fraud is warning to other states SEATTLE (AP) — The first as much money as possible would get a COVID-19 vaccine word Seattle political consul- and say they have blocked tant Dayna Lurie had that hundreds of millions more BY LAURAN NEERGAARD Among Americans who say tect my family.” someone filed for unemploy- from being paid out, but AND HANNAH FINGERHUT they wouldn’t get vaccinated, And about 7 in 10 of those ment benefits in her name Washington’s experience is The Associated Press 7 in 10 worry about safety. who would get vaccinated say was when her boss called. nevertheless a cautionary “I am not an anti-vaxxer,” life won’t go back to normal “Did you quit without tell- tale. Only about half of Ameri- said Melanie Dries, 56, of Col- without a vaccine. A site fore- ing me?” he asked. “We got “Our intel says Washing- cans say they would get a orado Springs, Colorado. But, man for his family’s con- an unemployment form from ton was the first state they COVID-19 vaccine if the sci- “to get a COVID-19 vaccine struction business, Grimes the state of Washington say- went after, but we are seeing entists working furiously to within a year or two ... causes travels from house to house ing you don’t work here any- the number of states being create one succeed, according me to fear that it won’t be interacting with different more.” attacked expand day by day,” to a new poll from The Asso- widely tested as to side ef- crews and said some of his It turned out that, like said Patrick Peterson, chief ciated Press-NORC Center for fects.” coworkers also are looking thousands of Washington executive of the California Public Affairs Research. Dr. Francis Collins, who di- forward to vaccination to state residents, Lurie’s iden- cyber security firm Agari, That’s surprisingly low rects the National Institutes minimize on-the-job risk. tity was used by criminals which has monitored the Ni- considering the effort going of Health, insists safety is the The new coronavirus is seeking to capitalize on a gerian fraud group, dubbed into the global race for a vac- top priority. The NIH is creat- most dangerous to older flood of legitimate unem- Scattered Canary. cine against the coronavirus ing a master plan for testing adults and people of any age ployment claims by sneaking By late last week, attacks that has sparked a pandemic the leading COVID-19 vaccine who have chronic health in fraudulent ones. had been detected in at least since first emerging from candidates in tens of thou- problems such as diabetes or Washington’s race to help nine states. In many cases, China late last year. But more sands of people, to prove if heart disease. The poll found newly laid-off residents as the fraudsters have used people might eventually roll they really work and also if 67% of people 60 and older the coronavirus pandemic identities of people who up their sleeves: The poll, re- they’re safe. say they’d get vaccinated, ravaged the economy left it haven’t lost their jobs — so leased Wednesday, found 31% “I would not want people to compared with 40% who are vulnerable to such scams, they aren’t likely to immedi- simply weren’t sure if they’d think that we’re cutting cor- younger. and last week officials hinted ately notice someone else fil- get vaccinated. Another 1 in 5 ners because that would be a And death counts suggest at the scope of the damage ing in their name. They’ve said they’d refuse. big mistake. I think this is an black and Hispanic Ameri- done: hundreds of millions been able to have the money Health experts already effort to try to achieve effi- cans are more vulnerable to of dollars paid out in fake sent to prepaid debit cards worry about the whiplash if ciencies, but not to sacrifice COVID-19, because of un- claims. Much of it apparent- associated with bank ac- vaccine promises like Presi- rigor,” Collins told the AP equal access to health care ly went to a West African counts, from which they can dent Donald Trump’s goal of earlier this month. and other factors. Yet the poll fraud ring using identities have it transferred interna- a 300 million-dose stockpile “Definitely the worst thing found just 25% of blacks and stolen in prior data breaches. tionally or quickly ex- by January fail. Only time that could happen is if we 37% of Hispanics would get a State and federal authori- changed for bitcoin or gift and science will tell — and rush through a vaccine that vaccine compared to 56% of ties have tried to claw back cards, Peterson said. the new poll shows the public turns out to have significant whites. is indeed skeptical. side effects,” Collins added. Among people who don’t “It’s always better to under- Among those who want a want a vaccine, about 4 in 10 promise and over-deliver,” vaccine, the AP-NORC poll say they’re concerned about said Dr. William Schaffner, found protecting themselves, catching COVID-19 from the an infectious disease special- their family and the commu- shot. But most of the leading ist at Vanderbilt University nity are the top reasons. vaccine candidates don’t con- Medical Center. “I’m definitely going to get tain the coronavirus itself, “The unexpected looms it,” said Brandon Grimes, 35, meaning they can’t cause in- large, and that’s why I think of Austin, Texas. “As a father fection. for any of these vaccines, who takes care of his family, And 3 in 10 who don’t want we’re going to need a large I think ... it’s important for a vaccine don’t fear getting safety database to provide the me to get vaccinated as soon seriously ill from the corona- reassurance,” he added. as it’s available to better pro- virus. PLACE YOUR AD IN GOLD 97 S.C. NEWSPAPERS and reach more than 2.1 million readers PAYING TOP using our small space display ad network DOLLAR Statewide or regional buys available Randall Savely 888.727.7377 scnewspapernetwork.com

South Carolina Newspaper Network A6 | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020 LOCAL | NATION THE SUMTER ITEM

range of 13-19 named storms, mean- BERTHA FROM PAGE A1 ing they have winds of 39 mph or higher. Of those, six to 10 could be- made landfall near Mount Pleasant come hurricanes (winds of 74 mph by 9:30 a.m. and was no longer strong or higher), including three to six enough to be called a tropical storm major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or by 2 p.m. The National Hurricane 5, with winds of 111 mph or high- Center stopped calling it a tropical er). depression at 5 p.m. and stopped issu- According to the agency’s release ing advisories. of the season forecast on May 21, According to The Associated Press, an average hurricane season pro- the state Department of Natural Re- duces 12 named storms, of which sources called it a “sunrise sur- six become hurricanes, including prise.” three that are major hurricanes. The main threat to the area was “As Americans focus their atten- flash flooding, with the ground al- tion on a safe and healthy reopen- ready being saturated and local river ing of our country, it remains criti- levels already high. cally important that we also re- Like during almost all storms member to make the necessary with heavy rain, areas with poor preparations for the upcoming hur- drainage around the coast and Mid- ricane season,” Secretary of Com- lands flooded and ponded, with re- merce Wilbur Ross said in the May ports of more than a foot of water at 21 news release. Several climate the bridge under U.S. 521 in Sumter factors are driving the “strong like- and, according to AP, flooded streets lihood for above-normal activity in in Charleston that do so an average the Atlantic this year.” of more than once a week. There is not expected to be an El Bertha marked the sixth-straight Nino condition to suppress hurri- year that a named storm has devel- cane activity, and above-average MICAH GREEN / THE SUMTER ITEM oped before the season starts on June Sumter High School graduation attendees protect themselves with umbrellas during sea surface temperatures in the 1. tropical Atlantic Ocean and Carib- Tropical Storm Bertha on Wednesday. Earlier this month, Tropical Storm bean Sea, combined with other con- Arthur brought rain to North Caroli- ditions out of the Atlantic and Afri- na before moving out to sea. can waters, are producing similar According to The Associated Press, conditions that have led to more ac- the last time there were two named tive seasons since 1995, according storms before June was in 2016, ac- to NOAA. cording to Phil Klotzbach, a research “Social distancing and other CDC scientist with Colorado State Univer- guidance to keep you safe from sity’s atmospheric science depart- COVID-19 may impact the disaster ment. It also happened in 1887, 1908, preparedness plan you had in place, 1951 and 2012, he said. including what is in your go-kit, “Most of these early season named evacuation routes, shelters and storms form, at least in part, from more. With tornado season at its non-tropical or subtropical processes peak, hurricane season around the and don’t necessarily imply anything corner, and flooding, earthquakes about the remainder of the season,” PHOTOS BY MELANIE SMITH / THE SUMTER ITEM and wildfires a risk year-round, it Klotzbach said in an e-mail to The Heavy rain from Tropical Storm Bertha continued to fall about midday in Sumter, flood- is time to revise and adjust your Associated Press. ing streets. The wheelbarrow was empty about 11 a.m. Wednesday. emergency plan now,” said Carlos Castillo, acting deputy administra- NOAA PREDICTS ABOVE-NORMAL predicting an above-normal 2020 above-normal season, a 30% chance tor for resilience at FEMA. 2020 HURRICANE SEASON Atlantic hurricane season. of a near-normal season and a 10% “Natural disasters won’t wait, so The pre-season may not be a good An outlook from the NOAA Cli- chance of a below-normal season, I encourage you to keep COVID-19 predictor of what will end up hap- mate Prediction Center, a division which runs from June 1 through in mind when revising or making pening, but the National Oceanic of the National Weather Service, is Nov. 30. your plan for you and your loved and Atmospheric Administration is predicting a 60% chance of an The agency is forecasting a likely ones, and don’t forget your pets.”

JCPENNEY FROM PAGE A1

About five weeks ago on when ordering online. April 20, Gov. Henry McMas- JCPenney filed for bank- ter lifted an executive order ruptcy protection May 15 and that had tempo- announced rarily closed then it would department SHOP ONLINE AND be permanently stores and CURBSIDE PICKUP closing 242 of other retailers www.jcp.com its 846 stores, in response to STORE HOURS 29%, in the next COVID-19. year in its ef- Monday-Saturday: Noon-7 p.m. All open fort at financial JCPenney Sunday: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. restructuring. stores are cur- The company rently operating has not re- with reduced hours, corporate leased a closure list as of yet, Communications Manager Bennett said. Kristen Bennett said in her “It’s still early in the pro- email. Those hours are Mon- cess,” she said, “and we don’t day through Saturday from have a list to share of the noon to 7 p.m. and Sunday stores impacted by the re- from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. structuring.” Bennett added that all re- Stores will close in phases opened stores are implement- throughout the bankruptcy ing new safety policies and process, Bennett added, and procedures to safeguard asso- the first phase of closures — ciates and customers. including specific store details Those new features include and timing — will be released curbside pickup outside the in the coming weeks. store when buying online and After the restructuring, the same-day pickup of items al- retailer will have 602 stores ready in stock at the store across the U.S.

work from home, as many VOTE FROM PAGE A1 other Americans are doing. Approved earlier this month, it by top Democrats to largely allows a lawmaker to formally stay out of session during the ask a colleague to vote on his pandemic. or her behalf. A single law- Deadlocked over the next big maker can carry 10 votes. coronavirus relief bill, Con- As voting was underway on gress is shifting its attention to the first bill, the Uighur a more modest overhaul of Human Rights Policy Act of small-business aid in hopes of 2020, some 40 lawmakers rose helping employers reopen to announce the proxy votes shops and survive the pandem- they represented. ic. Lawmakers read out the But the agenda is in flux. names of their colleagues — There were no formal talks be- some representing up to 10 tween congressional leaders representatives, others carry- on the next phase of the feder- ing votes from just one or two. al coronavirus response. Dem- They stated each colleague’s ocrats have pushed a $3 tril- name and the person’s intend- lion-plus measure through the ed vote, as the actions were re- House, but negotiations with corded. the GOP-controlled Senate and Not even during the Civil White House have yet to begin. War or any other emergency “We can’t keep propping up has the House allowed proxy the economy forever,” Senate floor votes. Voting dragged for Majority Leader Mitch McCon- more than an hour, with the nell said Tuesday in Lexing- House already operating under ton, Kentucky. “The ultimate social-distancing rules that solution is to begin to get back complicated proceedings. Only to normal.” limited numbers of lawmak- The day showcased the new ers, many wearing masks, are proxy system. More than 70 allowed in the House chamber lawmakers, all Democrats — at once to vote. The Uighur many from California and sanctions bill was approved. other Western states — sub- Republicans, in filing the mitted formal proxy requests lawsuit Tuesday, said the new to the House clerk as required system threatens the legitima- ahead of the votes. cy of House-passed bills, call- Democrats engineered the ing into question whether they rules change over Republican will stand the constitutional opposition so the House could test. THE SUMTER ITEM THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020 | A7

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COMMENTARY Insane tidbits of news during the pandemic

s it important to have racial or sexual di- versity in our fight against the COVID-19 pandemic? Heather Mac Donald suggests Ithat some think it might be in her City Journal article “Should Identity Politics Dic- tate Vaccine Research?” The funding priorities of the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control suggests that they think diversity is an important input in mak- ing headway in the fight against the coronavi- rus. On April 20, NIH and CDC announced the availability of grants to increase the “diversi- ty” of biomedical research labs. For example, academic virology research- ers studying respiratory fail- ure could receive hundreds of thousands more taxpayer dol- lars if they could find a woman or a minority to add to their project. High school students and college students are eligible for the program Walter even though they cannot con- Williams tribute anything of value. No scientific justification for the new diversity hire is needed. The scientists must promise to mentor the new hire, which will take time away from their COMMENTARY research with no offsetting gain. Mac Donald has written another article on academic insanity, “The Therapeutic Cam- pus,” bearing the subtitle: “Why are college How the coronavirus lockdown looks students seeking mental-health services in re- cord numbers?” Many colleges have created safe spaces where students can be sheltered depends on how you get your bread from reality and not have their feelings hurt by others exercising their free speech rights. Yale University has created a safe space that y wife and I have dom, my paychecks roll in un- care they provide. One of the would be the envy of most other universities. found silver linings abated. If my employer were to prime determinants of individ- They have named it the Good Life Center. Mac in the COVID lock- halt paychecks for three ual health is income, and the Donald says it has “a sandbox, essential oils, Mdown. We’ve baked months, my financial loss laid-off workers and the shat- massage and mental-health workshops” and bread, ordered gourmet foods would be predictable (1/4 my tered business owners will suf- that “the center unites the most powerful forc- online, watched movies, taken annual salary) and, given our fer long-term and sometimes le- es in higher education today: the feminization walks, shared socially distant savings, manageable. thal health consequences. An of the university, therapeutic culture, identity drinks with neighbors. I’m a If you’re a small business economic depression will great- politics and the vast student-services bureau- musician and decided that, in owner or employee, the world ly constrict revenues available cracy.” case the virus sweeps me away, looks very different to you than to federal and state govern- George Mason University has a Center for I would leave a legacy of re- it does to me or the public offi- ments to support health care the Advancement of Well-Being, headed by a cordings for family and friends; cials or pundits. Let’s imagine a and other vital services. chief well-being officer. At George Mason, so I upload one performance a small manufacturer with reve- Every additional day of lock- well-being refers to social justice and “build- night on Face- nues of $2.7 million and costs of down means additional irre- ing a life of vitality, purpose, resilience and book. My artist/ $2.65 million per quarter. Until versible damage to Americans’ engagement,” the center’s chief well-being of- wife, Alanna, early this year, therefore, he wealth and, indirectly, Ameri- ficer told The Chronicle of Higher Education. paints new pocketed $50,000 in quarterly cans’ health. None of this By the way, a George Mason University stu- works. We’re ex- profits — a decent annual in- means that re-opening should dent can minor in well-being as a part of his tremely cau- come of $200,000. Now comes a be done recklessly. My friends, college education. tious about the three-month lockdown. Alex Tabarrok and Puja Ahlu- New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, in justifying virus but hon- Suppose costs are 25 percent walia Ohlhaver, outlined a his draconian coronavirus measures, said dur- estly haven’t labor and 75 percent fixed costs smart re-opening in their Wash- ing a press conference: “This is about saving Robert lost a moment’s — land, building and machin- ington Post piece: “We Could lives. If everything we do saves just one life, Graboyes sleep worrying ery. He lays off his workforce Stop the Pandemic by July 4 if I’ll be happy.” about it. (Our (causing untold misery for em- the Government Took These Cuomo knows that many Americans buy parents trained ployees and their families) but Steps” (By their reckoning, it into such a seemingly caring statement that us well.) still has nearly $2,000,000 in requires a $74 billion invest- would be easily revealed as utter nonsense if Meanwhile, on the quiet costs to cover over the quarter. ment in testing, tracing and iso- one had just a modicum of economic knowl- streets around us, the lockdown For me, three months without lation). edge. If one looked at only the benefits of an obliterates dreams and lives. pay means belt-tightening. For Finally, I’d also recommend action, he would do anything because every- While Alanna and I bake bread, this business owner, it means two more thoughtful articles on thing has a benefit. Prudent decision-making many within walking distance bankruptcy and ruination. The the tradeoffs: Peggy Noonan’s requires one to compare benefits to costs. For struggle to buy bread. Neigh- business is likely gone forever, “Scenes from the Class Struggle example, the National Highway Traffic Safety bors who were happy and pros- and the former employees will in Lockdown” in The Wall Street Administration estimates that in 2019, 36,120 perous in February are among probably hunt through an eco- Journal explains, “Those who people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes. those leading Henry David Tho- nomic wasteland for ways to are anxious to open up the Virtually all those lives could have been saved reau’s “lives of quiet despera- feed their families. economy have led harder lives with a mandated 5 mph speed limit. Those tion.” Or Edward Arlington My wife and I are in the over- than those holding out for safe- saved lives are the benefit. Fortunately, when Robinson’s, “So on we worked, 65, at-risk population. In some ty.” And Conor Friedersdorf’s we consider the costs and inconvenience of set- and waited for the light, and narrow way, the lockdown ben- “Take the Shutdown Skeptics ting a 5 mph speed limit, we rightly conclude went without the meat, and efits us. Lower infection rates Seriously” in The Atlantic re- that saving those 36,120 lives isn’t worth it. cursed the bread.” For many, mean less chance that we’ll en- veals that the human and eco- There are other news tidbits about politi- the lockdown has swept away counter the virus. But as an nomic components of the shut- cians drunk with power that we Americans the work, too. economist, I’m trained to take down aren’t so straightforward. have given them. Chicago Mayor Lori Light- The question of when and the longer view. Continued Stay healthy. foot told city residents who disobeyed her how a state should allow its lockdown can be lethal to Alan- stay-at-home order: “We will arrest you, and businesses to open their doors na and me, as well. Robert Graboyes is a senior re- we will take you to jail. Period. We’re not play- again is perilously complex. With every additional day the search fellow with the Mercatus ing games.” Meanwhile, in violation of her And the truth is, most of the economy is shuttered, more and Center at George Mason Univer- own stay-at-home order, Lightfoot slipped out people making the decisions, more employers pass the point sity, where he focuses on techno- and got her hair done. She explained her deci- and pundits offering solemn ob- of no return. The economics logical innovation in health sion, “I take my personal hygiene very seri- servations, live like me and less that apply to our hypothetical care. He is the author of “For- ously.” like our neighbors who suffo- manufacturer apply as well to tress and Frontier in American Ventura County, California, health director cate beneath the lockdown. clinics and hospitals. When the Health Care” and has taught Dr. Robert Levin said that his department Like the public officials order- lockdown ends, some medical health economics at five univer- would forcibly remove COVID-19 infected peo- ing and enforcing the lockdown, institutions will have vanished, sities. He wrote this for Inside- ple from their own homes and put them “into and the pundits touting its wis- too, along with the life-giving Sources.com. other kinds of housing that we have avail- able.” Facing stiff criticism, Levin later ex- plained: “I either misspoke or it was misinter- EDITORIAL PAGE POLICIES preted. I’ll take the blame of having mis- spoke.” EDITORIALS represent the views of the owners of this newspaper. They should be no more than 350 words and sent The biggest casualty from the COVID-19 newspaper. via e-mail to [email protected], dropped off at The Sumter pandemic has nothing to do with the disease. Item office, 36 W. Liberty St. or mailed to The Sumter Item, P.O. It’s the power we’ve given to politicians and COLUMNS AND COMMENTARY are the personal opinion of bureaucrats. The question is how we recover the writer whose byline appears. Columns from readers should Box 1677, Sumter, S.C. 29151, along with the full name of the our freedoms. be typed, double-spaced and no more than 850 words. Send writer, plus an address and telephone number for verification them to The Sumter Item, Opinion Pages, P.O. Box 1677, Sumter, purposes only. Letters that exceed 350 words will be cut Walter E. Williams is a professor of economics S.C. 29151, or email to [email protected]. accordingly in the print edition, but available in their entirety at at George Mason University. www.theitem.com. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR are written by readers of the © 2020 CREATORS.COM A8 | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020 TELEVISION THE SUMTER ITEM

THURSDAY EVENING MAY 28 SP FT 7 PM 7:30 8 PM 8:30 9 PM 9:30 10 PM 10:30 11 PM 11:30 12 AM LOCAL CHANNELS WIS News 10 at Entertainment Council of Dads “Tradition!” Robin tackles Blindspot “Existential Ennui” An op goes Law & Order: Special Victims Unit WIS News 10 at (:34) The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy WIS * 3 10 7 (N) Tonight (N) the fall holidays bravely. (N) badly for the team. (N) “Murdered at a Bad Address” A teen is 11 (N) Fallon Kevin Hart; Justin Timberlake. (N) assaulted in the projects. News 19 at 7pm (N) Inside Edition (N) Young Sheldon (:31) Man With a (:01) Mom Tammy Broke Jackie’s S.W.A.T. “The LBC” Criminals steal LAPD News 19 at 11pm (:35) The Late Show With Stephen WLTX 3 9 9 (DVS) Plan (N) sees another side ex-husband, Barry, assault rifles. (N) Colbert Actress Thandie Newton; chef of Jill. shows up. (N) Ina Garten. 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The Big Bang The Big Bang Celebrity Watch Party “The One Where Labor of Love “Crazy, Stupid, Bear” A WACH FOX News at 10 (N) (Live) WACH FOX DailyMailTV Small TMZ (N) WACH Y 6 6 Theory Theory Celebrities Watch Friends” Tyra Banks, the camping trip in the woods. (N) News:Coronavirus businesses turn to Osbournes; Joe Buck. (N) Pandemic social media. Last Man Standing Last Man Standing The Doctors Secrets to a long and healthy Judge Jerry Women Judge Jerry Two Law & Order: Criminal Intent “Neighbor- Law & Order: Criminal Intent “Last Rites” The Game Keira and WKTC Ø 4 22 Mike accidentally Vanessa’s sister, life. regret helping friends huskies attack a hood Watch” A mutilated body is found. A 16-year-old homicide. Malik share a tender upstages Vanessa. April, visits. in need. puppy. moment. CABLE CHANNELS The First 48 Murder of a beloved neigh- The First 48 “Best Laid Plans; Burned The First 48 “In a Lonely Place” Murdered The First 48: The Case That Haunts Me The First 48 “Cold Light of Day” A mother The First 48 A&E 46 130 bor; robbery. Alive” A young woman set on fire. woman found in car trunk. A bullied teen is murdered. (N) found burned behind a house. (5:30) ›› “Con Air” (1997, Action) Nico- ›››› “The Shawshank Redemption” (1994, Drama) Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton. An innocent man goes to a (:05) ››› “Erin Brockovich” (2000, Drama) Julia Roberts, AMC 48 180 las Cage, John Cusack. Maine penitentiary for life in 1947. Albert Finney, Aaron Eckhart. ANPL 41 100 Deadliest Catch Deadliest Catch Deadliest Catch Deadliest Catch (N) Deadliest Catch: Bloodline (N) Deadliest Catch (6:30) ›› “This Christmas” (2007, Comedy-Drama) Delroy Lindo, Idris Elba, Loretta ›› “The Best Man Holiday” (2013, Comedy-Drama) Morris Chestnut, Taye Diggs, Regina Hall. Longtime friends reunite over the Martin Martin plots BET 61 162 Devine. A reunion at the holidays tests family ties. Christmas holidays. to woo back Gina. The Real Housewives of New York City The Real Housewives of New York City The Real Housewives of New York City Top Chef “Michael’s Santa Monica” Tom’s The Real Housewives of New York City The Real House- BRAVO 47 181 Tinsley vents to Leah’s boxing coach. Leah arranges a spa day. The ladies have a weekend getaway. (N) Last Chance Kitchen decision. The ladies have a weekend getaway. wives of Atlanta CNBC 35 84 CNBC Special Report Shark Tank Shark Tank (DVS) Shark Tank A hate connection app. Shark Tank Shark Tank CNN 3 80 Erin Burnett OutFront (N) (Live) Coronavirus: Facts and Fears: A CNN Global Town Hall (Live) Cuomo Prime Time (N) (Live) Cuomo Prime Time (N) (Live) Coronavirus The Office “St. The Office “New The Office “Happy The Office “Secre- Chappelle’s Show Chappelle’s Show Chappelle’s Show Chappelle’s Show South Park “Profes- South Park South Park “Cat COM 57 136 Patrick’s Day” Leads” Hour” tary’s Day” sor Chaos” Orgy” (:05) Raven’s Home (:35) Bunk’d Bunk’d (:25) Bunk’d (8:50) Raven’s (:40) Just Roll (:05) Gabby Duran Coop & Cami Ask (10:55) Sydney to (:20) Bunk’d (12:10) Jessie DISN 18 200 Home With It & the Unsittables the World the Max DSC 42 103 Naked and Afraid Pop-Up Edition (N) Naked and Afraid: Uncensored “Chilled to the Bone” Hypothermia threatens a fan survivalist. (N) Naked Castaway “Stranded” Naked and Afraid ESPN 26 35 College Football From Jan. 3, 2003. SportsCenter With Scott Van Pelt (N) SportsCenter ESPN2 27 39 NBA2K League Teams TBA. (N) (Live) Boxing ACL Cornhole FOOD 40 109 Beat Bobby Flay Beat Bobby Flay Beat Bobby Flay Beat Bobby Flay Restaurant: Impossible (N) Questlove’s Potluck Beat Bobby Flay Beat Bobby Flay Restaurant: Im. FOXN 37 90 The Story With Martha MacCallum (N) Tucker Carlson Tonight (N) (Live) Hannity (N) (Live) The Ingraham Angle (N) (Live) Fox News at Night With Shannon Tucker Carlson (5:30) ››› “The › “Grown Ups” (2010, Comedy) Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock. Five friends learn that age and Siren “The Toll of the Sea” The mermaid The 700 Club ›› “Liar Liar” FREE 20 131 Wedding Singer” maturity do not, necessarily, coincide. tribes battle undersea. (1997) FSS 21 47 MLB Baseball From June 19, 2019. P1 AquaX USA 2019 MLB Baseball From June 19, 2019. (6:00) “A Valentine’s Match” (2020, “Good Witch: Spellbound” (2017, Drama) Catherine Bell, Bailee Madison, James The Golden Girls The Golden Girls The Golden Girls The Golden Girls The Golden Girls HALL 52 183 Romance) Mary-Margaret Humes. Denton. The people of Middleton fear that their town is cursed. “Where’s Charlie?” HGTV 39 112 Flip or Flop Flip or Flop Flip or Flop Flip or Flop (N) Flipping 101 Flipping 101 House Hunters (N) Hunters Int’l House Hunters Hunters Int’l Flipping 101 HIST 45 110 Mountain Men (DVS) Mountain Men: Fully Loaded “Surviving the Wild” Morgan battles a bear-infested island. (N) Mnt. Men Chicago P.D. An undercover officer goes Chicago P.D. “Say Her Real Name” The Chicago P.D. “Get Back to Even” Desk Chicago P.D. “The Three Gs” A case hits Chicago P.D. “The Number of Rats” A Chicago P.D. A cafe ION 13 18 missing. team assesses political threats. Sgt. Platt cares for a young girl. close to home with Olinsky. suspect wants a meeting with Lindsay. is bombed. The King of The King of The King of The King of (:03) The King of (:33) The King of (:03) The King of (:33) The King of (:03) The King of (:33) The King of (12:01) The King of LIFE 50 145 Queens Queens Queens Queens Queens Queens Queens Queens Queens Queens Queens MSNBC 36 92 MSNBC Live: Decision 2020 (N) All In With Chris Hayes (N) The Rachel Maddow Show (N) The Last Word The 11th Hour With Brian Williams (N) Rachel Maddow NICK 16 210 SpongeBob SpongeBob ›› “Tooth Fairy” (2010) Dwayne Johnson. A hockey player must serve time as a real tooth fairy. Friends Friends Friends Friends PARMT 64 153 Two and Half Men Two and Half Men ››› “Training Day” (2001, Crime Drama) Denzel Washington, Ethan Hawke, Scott Glenn. ›› “Four Brothers” (2005) Mark Wahlberg, Tyrese Gibson. (6:30) ›› “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island” (2012, Chil- ›› “The Hitman’s Bodyguard” (2017, Action) Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson, Gary Oldman. A body- Vagrant Queen The team arrives on ›› “Dante’s Peak” SYFY 58 152 dren’s) Dwayne Johnson, Michael Caine. (DVS) guard and a hitman must bring down a dictator. (DVS) Arriopa. (N) (1997) The Big Bang The Big Bang The Big Bang The Big Bang The Big Bang The Big Bang The Big Bang The Misery Index Conan “Lin-Manuel The Misery Index Brooklyn Nine-Nine TBS 24 156 Theory Theory Theory Theory Theory Theory Theory (N) Miranda” “The Bet” (6:30) ›› “A Girl in Every Port” (1952, ›› “Our Vines Have Tender Grapes” (1945) Edward G. Robinson, Margaret ››› “The Woman in the Window” (1944, Suspense) Edward (:45) ››› “Scarlet Street” (1945) Ed- TCM 49 186 Comedy) Groucho Marx. O’Brien. Residents of a small Wisconsin town share joys and sorrows. G. Robinson, Joan Bennett, Raymond Massey. ward G. Robinson, Joan Bennett. TLC 43 157 Hoarding: Buried Alive Hoarding: Buried Alive Hoarding: Buried Alive Hoarding: Buried Alive Hoarding: Buried Alive Hoard-Buried Bones Brennan and Booth’s first case ›› “Fast & Furious” (2009, Action) Vin Diesel, Paul Walker. Fugitive Dom Torretto ›› “2 Fast 2 Furious” (2003, Action) Paul Walker, Tyrese, Eva Mendes. Two friends “Fast and Furi- TNT 23 158 together. and Brian O’Conner resume a feud in Los Angeles. (DVS) and a U.S. customs agent try to nail a criminal. (DVS) ous-Drift” TRUTV 38 129 Impractical Jokers Impractical Jokers Impractical Jokers Impractical Jokers Impractical Jokers Impractical Jokers Impractical Jokers Impractical Jokers Impractical Jokers Impractical Jokers Impractical Jokers TV LAND 55 161 Andy Griffith Show Andy Griffith Show Love-Raymond (:45) Everybody Loves Raymond Love-Raymond Two and Half Men Two and Half Men King of Queens King of Queens King of Queens Law & Order: Special Victims Unit A Law & Order: Special Victims Unit A Law & Order: Special Victims Unit A Chicago P.D. “This City” The threat of a Chicago P.D. “What Could Have Been” Chicago P.D. USA 25 132 sergeant’s son is accused of rape. transgender student assaulted. woman is assaulted by a masked man. gang war looms. (DVS) Intelligence investigates a murder. “Sacrifice” WE 68 166 Growing Up Hip Hop Growing Up Hip Hop “The Setup” Growing Up Hip Hop (N) (:14) Untold Stories of Hip Hop (N) (:33) Growing Up Hip Hop WGNA 8 172 How I Met/Mother How I Met/Mother How I Met/Mother How I Met/Mother How I Met/Mother How I Met/Mother How I Met/Mother How I Met/Mother How I Met/Mother How I Met/Mother Married ... With When does a stream become a dribble?

BY KEVIN MCDONOUGH HBO Max hoped to entice aren’t the only ones confused CULT CHOICE CBS, TV-PG) * Hondo’s do’s Is the launch of a new people to pony up the roughly and uncertain about where all Joan Bennett and Edward and don’ts on “S.W.A.T.” (10 streaming service a really big $15 per month fee by arranging of this is heading. Just last G. Robinson co-star in “The p.m., CBS, r, TV-14). deal? Or a tree falling in an a first-ever “Friends” reunion. week, Kevin Mayer, the head of Woman in the Window” (10 p.m., empty forest? But that, like so many great streaming at Disney, left the TCM, TV-G) and “Scarlet LATE NIGHT That noise you may not have plans, has been scuttled by the Magic Kingdom to become Street” (11:45 p.m., TCM, TV- Expect Lin-Manuel Miranda noticed yesterday was the COVID-19 contagion and the CEO of TikTok, the Chinese- PG). Both films are directed on “Conan” (11 p.m., TBS, r) * launch of HBO Max, a premi- shuttering of production stu- owned short viral video app by Fritz Lang and concern a Thandie Newton, Ina Garten um streaming network offering dios. that most of us never heard of naive good man caught up in and John Mulaney are on “The everything from HBO’s past COVID-19 and quarantine a year ago. What’s he know the schemes of a seducer. Late Show With Stephen Colbert” and present catalog as well as a has made people more likely to that we don’t? (11:35 p.m., CBS, r) * Jimmy wealth of Warner product. Like “binge” on lots of TV. But SERIES NOTES Fallon welcomes Kevin Hart, Apple TV+, it promises to gloomy economic prospects TONIGHT’S OTHER HIGHLIGHTS A eureka moment in the Justin Timberlake and Amy launch original shows as well. may also make people less • Tears flow on “Council of dentist’s chair on “Young Shel- Poehler on “The Tonight Show” And like Apple’s products, peo- ready to enter into new sub- Dads” (8 p.m. NBC, TV-PG). don” (8 p.m., CBS, r, TV-PG) * (11:35 p.m., NBC) * Rihanna, ple may or may not notice scriptions. • “Coronavirus: Facts and Fears: Joanna fights for Kodie and Aubrey Plaza, Louie Anderson them. It hasn’t been a good time to A CNN Global Town Hall” (8 custody on “Burden of Truth” (8 and Jessica Burdeaux visit The Disney+ service, which launch new services. Just ask p.m.). p.m., CW, TV-PG) * New “Late Night With Seth Meyers” launched last fall, had the ad- the folks behind Quibi, the new • From here to paternity on friends on “Man With a Plan” (12:35 a.m., NBC, r) * Jay Du- vantage of including Marvel service asking people to sub- “Labor of Love” (9 p.m., Fox, TV- (8:30 p.m., CBS, TV-PG) * Mar- plass, Alexandra Daddario and “Star Wars” content and scribe for roughly $5/month for 14). jorie reaches out on “Mom” (9 and Noah Gardenswartz ap- the family-friendly vault of Dis- a curated service of very short • Maximum interest in min- p.m., CBS, TV-14) * The enemy pear on “The Late Late Show ney and Pixar films. It also had episodes, each ending in a cliff- iature golf on “Holey Moley” (9 within on “Blindspot” (9 p.m., With James Corden” (12:35 a.m., “The Mandalorian,” which be- hanger. As if the world weren’t p.m., ABC, TV-PG). NBC, TV-14) * Murphy is risky CBS, r). came a hit unto itself and a already awash with videos • A housing project horror to the Max on “In the Dark” (9 great hook to attract subscrib- from YouTube and TikTok. on “Law & Order: Special Victims p.m., CW, TV-14) * Ex marks Copyright 2020 ers. Old-fashioned TV viewers Unit” (10 p.m., NBC, r, TV-14). the spot on “Broke” (9:30 p.m., United Feature Syndicate Kirk 2.0: Captain Pike of new ‘Star Trek’ a welcome new icon

BY TED ANTHONY of a father who taught science AND that started it all — Kirk’s original En- AP National Writer comparative religion — an embodiment terprise. of the empiricism-faith equation that And while TV storytelling has come In the beginning, in the “Star Trek” “Star Trek” and its captains have al- many light years since the original se- universe, there was only Captain Kirk. ways espoused. In many ways, in fact — ries’ era, to hear the producers and ac- At least to the general public. even more so than Chris Pine in the tors tell it, “Strange New Worlds’ will When the Starship Enterprise first movie reboots — Pike functions as strive for the sensibility of the original whooshed across American TV screens James T. Kirk 2.0. — a spirit of exploration and optimism, on Sept. 8, 1966, William Shatner’s Both are utterly principled and com- and even nonserialized, single-episode James T. Kirk was the smart leader sit- mitted to their missions. But where arcs. ting in the captain’s chair. He was stout- Kirk could be arrogant, Pike is stead- They’ll also be exploring the rich his- hearted. Eloquent. Curious. Fair. Ken- RUSS MARTIN / CBS fast. Where Kirk was expansive and tory of the original Enterprise itself. nedy-like, even. He was a principled ex- Anson Mount stars as Capt. Christopher welcomed attention, Pike is wary of it Lovingly reconceived to appear in the plorer committed to spreading New Pike in an episode of the CBS All Access — but seamlessly claims center stage second season of “Discovery,” it is sleek Frontier values to the 23rd-century series “Star Trek: Discovery.” when needed. Most of all, where Kirk and moody and rich with the colors and stars. was deeply committed to his responsi- layout that made it so compelling in the And yet: Kirk could also be some- Until now. bility to ship and crew — crippled by it, 1960s — updated for today’s HD audi- thing of an interstellar Don Draper — “Trek” aficionados were thrilled this even — Mount’s Pike adds the view of ences but holding onto the soul of its brooding, arrogant, a top-down manag- month to learn that Pike (now played by himself as a servant-leader who derives low-budget predecessor. er who earned his privilege but also Anson Mount), his first officer “Num- his sense of command not only from And smack in the middle, in a chair often presumed it. Despite being pro- ber One”(Rebecca Romijn) and the still- the success of his mission but directly familiar to generations of fans, will sit gressive for his era, he could be conde- evolving, pre-Kirk version of Spock from the successes of his crew. Christopher Pike, charged with em- scending to anyone but his top right- (Ethan Peck) would be following up This is in line with how the captains bodying everything in a half-century of hand men — and sometimes creepily their season-long stints on “Star Trek: who came after Kirk reframed the no- “Trek” that made captains effective and appreciative of the women he encoun- Discovery” with a brand-new show. tion of command in “Star Trek.” Each memorable. tered. Called “Star Trek: Strange New contained ingredients that, in 55 years, Kirk was a master class in leadership But Kirk had actually been preceded Worlds,” it is set in the decade before led the character of Pike from its 1964 for the 1960s, just as Picard was a as captain of the Enterprise by Christo- Kirk takes command. iteration (“I can’t get used to having a thoughtful, more introspective model pher Pike — a stoic, vague figure played And as played today by Mount, Cap- woman on the bridge”) to the more en- for the carpeted, richly paneled bridge by Jeffrey Hunter in a rejected 1964 tain Pike — now framed through a cre- lightened current version (“Starfleet … of the late-1980s Enterprise-D. But “Trek” pilot who made only a fleeting ative lens that has captured 55 years of is a promise. I give my life for you. You yanking a thinly developed character appearance in the original series — captaining by Kirks, Picards, Siskos, give your life for me. And nobody gets from the beginning of “Star Trek” lore mainly so the pilot footage could be re- Janeways and Archers — may be the left behind.”). and offering him up as a model of lead- cycled. The character reappeared in two finest, most intuitive leader that the Of the many “Star Trek” sequels and ership for the 2020s — well, that’s not an recent movie reboots, portrayed ably by “Star Trek” universe has ever pro- movies that have emerged over the de- easy task. “Star Trek: Strange New Bruce Greenwood, but was never a duced. cades, this will be the first live-action Worlds,” expected in 2021, will be doing foundational fixture of “Star Trek” lore. It’s not accidental that Pike is the son one to take place aboard the starship that every week. SECTION B THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020 Call: (803) 774-1241 | E-mail: [email protected] Baseball’s back P-15’s open up practice amid restrictions preparing for independent league season

BY DENNIS BRUNSON creased it. cage a little bit and throw a lit- [email protected] “I was excited to get back tle bit, not knowing how much with the boys, get ready for the people have been throwing for This is normally the time of season and make a run at it,” the last six weeks,” said P-15’s year when young baseball play- Brennan Jones said. assistant coach Chad Hoshour. ers have completed the transi- “It felt good just to get back “We just wanted to get the tion from the high school sea- out, communicate and talk to arms up a little bit. son to the start of the Ameri- people, just to be back out on “They were just happy to be can Legion season. the field practicing,” Cody out here. We had them run a This spring obviously hasn’t Windham said. little bit today, move around been a normal one. The fact And that is a big step forward some, be around the guys a lit- that the Sumter P-15’s had their from where the sports world tle bit and not be as isolated as first practice of the season on has been due to the coronavi- they have been.” Tuesday, but not for an Ameri- rus pandemic. The first prac- Hoshour pointed out the na- can Legion season, attests to tice at Riley Park on Tuesday ture of baseball itself makes that. was actually split into two practicing under the unusual That, however, did not deter 1-hour sessions with 10 players circumstances brought about from the anticipation of the participating in each session. players. In fact, it may have in- “All we did was hit in the SEE BASEBALL, PAGE A10 The Sumter P-15s returned to practice for the first time dur- ing the coronavirus pandemic on Tuesday. The P-15’s will not play for the American Legion this summer, after the nation- al organization canceled its seasondue to the pandemic. Instead they will play indepen- dently in the South Carolina American League. PHOTOS BY MICAH GREEN / THE SUMTER ITEM

Players call new economic proposal from MLB ‘extremely disappointing’ BY RONALD BLUM The Associated Press

NEW YORK — A rookie at the major league minimum would keep about 47% of his original salary this year while multimillionaire stars Mike Trout and Gerrit Cole would lose more than 77% THE ASSOCIATED PRESS under a sliding-scale propos- Chase Elliott celebrates after winning the NASCAR Truck Series race at al by big league teams that Charlotte Motor Speedway on Tuesday in Concord, North Carolina. players found “extremely dis- appointing.” Major League Baseball Elliott ends Busch’s win streak, made the proposal to the players' union on Tuesday THE ASSOCIATED PRESS during a digital meeting rath- According to Major League Baseball’s most recent proposal, star er than the 50-50 revenue- players like Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman could collects $100,000 bounty sharing plan that owners ini- lose up to 80 percent of their current contracts during a season tially approved for their ne- shortened or canceled by the coronavirus pandemic. BY STEVE REED lems for his No. 51 Toyota all gotiators on May 11, several The Associated Press night long. people familiar with the plan 162-game schedule is played. 20% from $20,000,001 and up. Later, on a Zoom call, he was told The Associated Press. In exchange, players were Each player's figure then CONCORD, N.C. — Chase El- informed about Elliott's bow. The people spoke on condi- guaranteed that if no games would be prorated by the liott gained a measure of re- “Imitation is the strongest tion of anonymity because are played they would receive 82/162 formula agreed to in venge against Kyle Busch on form of flattery or whatever it details were not announced. service time for 2020 match- March, causing a loss of Tuesday night — and then let is. But, hmmm, that’s cute," In addition to its reaction ing what they accrued in 49.4%. him know about it. Busch said sarcastically. on the economics, the union 2019. There would be an addi- Elliott snapped Busch’s sev- “It was a spur of the moment said “the sides also remain MLB has proposed an 82- tional $200 million in postsea- en-race Truck Series winning thing," Elliott said. "I thought far apart on health and safety game schedule and says the son bonus money — $25 mil- streak and collected a $1a00,000 we had so much fun with this protocols” aimed at starting March 26 deal would result in lion for the Division Series, bounty at Charlotte Motor with Kevin (Harvick) putting the pandemic-delayed season huge losses because it did not $50 million for the League Speedway before imitating up the money and Kyle was a around the Fourth of July. necessarily account for a sea- Championship Series and Busch's victory celebration good sport. It’s not a dig at any- The sides have been grap- son with no fans in ballparks. $125 million for the World Se- after the race by bowing to the body. It’s just having fun. It was pling with how to aim for an Under the plan given the ries — that would be given in camera. about beating him and we did opening day originally sched- union Tuesday, a player proportion to the difference “Hopefully nobody gets their and had some fun with it.” uled for March 26 but pushed would keep 90% of his salary in money lost between this feelings hurt over it,” Elliott Harvick pledged before the back because of the new up to the $563,500 big league proposal and the March chuckled. race to donate $50,000 to Covid- coronavirus. minimum, including those agreement. Busch appeared noticeably 19 relief for any full-time Cup “We made a proposal to the with lower salaries while on As a result, a player at the upset after the race, but it had driver who finished ahead of union that is completely con- optional or outright assign- minimum would earn nothing to do with the bow. Busch. Marcus Lemonis, the sistent with the economic re- ments in the minor leagues, $262,217, according to calcula- He cursed in an interview CEO of Gander RV & Outdoors, alities facing our sport,” according to information ob- tions MLB gave the union. A with Fox after the race. which sponsors the Truck Se- MLB said in a statement. tained by the AP. $1 million salary would be The interview wasn't aired ries, agreed to match Harvick’s “We look forward to a re- The amount would de- cut to $434,143, $5 million to live, but Busch said "it sucks pledge, bringing the total to sponsive proposal from the crease to 72.5% from $563,501 $1,642,113, $10 million to when you start the race with $100,000 for pandemic relief. El- MLBPA.” though $1 million, to 50% $2,947,895, $15 million to broken pieces after you've been liott, John Hunter Nemechek Players agreed March 26 to from $1,000,001 through $5 $4,049,497, $20 million to sitting for six months. There's and Brennan Poole were the a deal in which they would million, to 40% from $5,151,099, $25 million to going to be some (expletive) three full-time Cup drivers eli- receive prorated shares of $5,000,001 through $10 mil- $6,048,520, $30 million to talking when I get home.” gible to collect the bounty. their salaries based on what lion, to 30% from $10,000,0001 Busch was upset over a split- percentage of each team’s through $20 million and to SEE MLB, PAGE A10 ter problem that caused prob- SEE NASCAR, PAGE A10 A10 | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020 SPORTS THE SUMTER ITEM A1

used to it at first,” Jones said of missing splitter issues forced him to pit and BASEBALL the Sumter High season. “I’ve been NASCAR dropped him back to 33rd place. But FROM PAGE A9 working, trying to stay in shape at my FROM PAGE A9 the winner of 210 races across NAS- house, trying to get ready for it. It was CAR’s three top series quickly by the pandemic much easier as opposed different not knowing when you’re start- The win comes six days after moved back into contention with a to football, basketball and hockey. ing back or if you’re starting back. It Busch wrecked Elliott in a Cup Se- strong second stage and took the “There was nothing out of the ordi- was hard to stay encouraged getting to- ries race at Darlington and two days lead on lap 69. nary apart from the social distancing, ward the goal.” after Elliott’s costly decision to pit But when Busch pitted with 34 and baseball is perfect for the social dis- Hoshour said he, head coach Robby late in the Coca-Cola 600, opened laps to go it dropped him all the way tancing,” he added. “We did nothing Coker and fellow assistant Jason Stanley the door for Brad Keselowski to back to 23rd and he could never re- around the plate or at first base that will have to go about preparing the play- steal an almost certain win from gain the lead. Busch said the prob- would limit the social distancing.” ers – the pitchers in particular – in a dif- him had the race stayed green. lem involved some front travel lim- “It’s different because you’re not with ferent fashion than normal for the sum- “It doesn’t make up for Sunday iters that prevent the splitter from the whole team,” Jones said. “But I mean mer season. but it was still a really good night,” crashing to the ground. we’re all working toward the same goal “We’ll probably start live bullpens next Elliott said. He said “they just broke. First so it’s OK right now.” week, but it’s kind of like the start of the It was Elliott’s first Truck Series lap.” Of course, the high school spring high school season, trying to get the race since 2017 when he won at Busch called the problems self-in- sports seasons were shut down in the arms in shape, instead of them coming Martinsville. flicted. middle of March at the outset of the out from high school to Legion, where He said he wanted to race at This was Busch’s third race in virus. On the baseball front, that was fol- their arms are already ready,” Hoshour Charlotte just to beat Busch. three nights. He followed up a lowed by the national American Legion said. “It was about beating Kyle and we fourth-place finish in the Coca-Cola canceling its season. Hoshour said he isn’t surprised to have did that so I guess I can quit now,” 600 on Sunday by winning the Xfini- That means the P-15’s will be playing a full roster of players available despite Elliott said. ty Series race on Monday in over- in an independent league – the South there not being an American Legion sea- Zane Smith finished third and time after passing Austin Cindric on Carolina American League – that is being son. He thinks what the independent Brett Moffitt was fourth in the first the final lap. put together by Florence Post 1 head league is doing is playing a part in that. truck race since Feb. 21. For Elliott, the win ended a string coach Derick Urquhart. “They want to play, and something in Busch had won 57 Truck Series of bad luck and should help his con- Jones and Windham are just happy to this league that we chose to do is they put races entering the night, the most fidence heading into the second Cup be preparing for a season after having a playoff into it at the end,” Hoshour said of any driver in history, and ap- race in four days at Charlotte Motor their high school seasons shut down. in regards to determining a state champi- peared to be the favorite. But he Speedway on Wednesday night. “It hurt, missing the high school sea- on. “People want to play for something could never chase down Elliott on a “It was certainly was rewarding,” son,” said Windham, who played at Lake- and putting in that playoff, playing for a long green flag stretch to close the Elliott said. “But it doesn’t fix the wood High School. “But I knew they title, is something that motivates people.” race, getting no closer than 0.3 sec- last two races on the Cup side. were going to end up doing something so “It’s really exciting,” Jones said. “I onds of the leader. Those were really important for we could play again.” can’t wait to get back on the field with Busch started 16th and quickly every day life and this doesn’t fix “It’s been a lot different. I had to get the guys and compete.” made a move to sixth place before that.”

players when talks began the ing to the rosters frozen in six times: AL East vs. NL East, stand and no additional salary MLB FROM PAGE A9 following day. March. for example. should be given up. Tampa During that session, MLB Under MLB’s proposal, the Several governors have said Bay Rays All-Star pitcher $6,945,942 and $35 million to gave the union a presentation playoffs would expand from 10 teams are welcome to play in Blake Snell, the 2018 AL Cy $7,843,363. claiming billions of dollars of teams to 14 and players would their regular-season ballparks Young Award winner, said he Any performance or award anticipated losses and held off get bonus money if a complete but without fans due to the would not take the mound this bonuses earned would be re- making an economic proposal postseason is played. Usually, new coronavirus and man- year if his pay is cut further, ceived at the rate for the in- for two weeks. salaries are earned during the dates for social distancing. proclaiming: “I’m not playing come level they fall in. Salaries in the major leagues regular season only and play- MLB told the union during the unless I get mine.” MLB estimates 2020 player range from the $563,500 mini- ers receive money from the May 12 presentation if teams Teams are worried about salaries would drop from mum to $36 million each for postseason pool, a maximum of paid players prorated salaries being at risk if a second wave roughly $4 billion to $1.23 bil- Trout, the three-time MVP out- about $382,000 last year for a in a 2020 season with no fans of the virus causes cancellation lion, including the postseason fielder on the Los Angeles An- full share on World Series in ballparks, the clubs would of the postseason, which re- bonus pool. gels, and Cole, the pitcher champion Washington. combine to have negative $3.58 sults in MLB receiving $787 The revenue-sharing plan signed by the New York Yan- MLB told the union on May billion earnings before inter- million in broadcast revenue earlier this month was met kees as a free agent this offsea- 12 it hoped to play a season in est, taxes, depreciation and this year. with immediate hostility from son. which teams would face each amortization. There is room for maneuver- the union the day owners gave According to a study by the division rival 13 times and Many players and union ing in the economic negotia- their negotiators the go-ahead. AP, 369 of 899 players have sala- every club in the correspond- leadership have said the tions, but no commitment on That plan was not presented to ries of $600,000 or less, accord- ing division in the other league March 26 agreement would what areas to delve into.

trusted to Summerton Funer- um of Sumter. 2020, at McCoy Memorial OBITUARIES al Home LLC, 23 S. Duke St., Nursing Facility in Bishop- CASTELIA CLARK WILSON ROBBIE DEAN HODGE Summerton. ville. You may view the service As we follow CDC guide- Castelia Clark Wilson, 102, Public viewing will be held Robbie Dean Hodge, age 77, live at www.bullockfuneral- lines, we have limited the widow of Herman Wilson, from 2 to 6 p.m. today at Job’s died on Monday, May 25, 2020, home.com by clicking on the amount of visitors within the died on Friday, May 22, 2020, Mortuary. at Prisma Health Tuomey obituary of Robbie Dean funeral home chapel to five at her home. Funeral services will be Hospital. Hodge. visitors at one time. We ask Born on April 10, 1918, in held at 3 p.m. Friday at Job’s Born in Sumter County, he Donations may be made to that masks be worn while Sumter County, she was a Mortuary parlor, 312 S. Main was a son of the late Allard South Carolina Oncology As- within the funeral home and daughter of the late Robbie St., Sumter, SC 29150. Inter- Cliffton Hodge sociates, 166 Stoneridge Drive, while attending the graveside and Ada Abraham Clark. She ment will follow at Boone and Laura Spign- Columbia, SC 29210. services. was educated in the public Cemetery. er Hodge. At the You may go to www.bullock- schools of Sumter County and The family will receive age of 17, Robbie funeralhome.com and sign the DAN MICHAEL RICHARDSON accepted Christ into her life friends at the home of his enlisted in the family’s guest book online. Dan Michael Richardson, and became a member of niece, 808 Royer Road, Bishop- United States The family has chosen Bull- 61, was born on Jan. 9, 1959, in Mount Moriah United Meth- ville, SC 29010. Navy and served ock Funeral Home of Sumter Sumter County, to the late odist Church. She later left Job’s Mortuary Inc., 312 S. HODGE for more than for the arrangements. Jake and Bessie English Rich- Sumter and pursued a career Main St., Sumter, is in charge three years. ardson. He passed away on in New York City. It was there of arrangements. After his service Thursday, May 21, 2020, at that she met and married the Online memorials may be in the Navy, he spent most of Pruitt Health Facility, Walter- late Herman Wilson and be- sent to the family at jobsmor- his life as a businessman, boro. came a respected soloist for [email protected] or visit us on where he owned and operated Michael received his early the Emanuel AME Church. the web at www.jobsmortuary. several successful businesses childhood education in the After her return to Sumter, net. in Sumter County. Robbie was public schools of Sumter she returned to Mount Mori- an avid golfer and enjoyed County and graduated from ah and began her life’s work CICELY HARLEY GADSON fishing with his daughter and SAMMIE SHARPER Sumter High School Class of for the Lord. She was very in- Cicely Harley Gadson, 95, sisters. One of his favorite 1977. Upon graduation, Mi- spirational there after joining widow of Melvin Gadson, was passions was playing cards A public viewing for Sam- chael joined the United States the senior choir and, soon born on March 17, 1925, in Ja- with his daughter and bud- mie Sharper will be held from Army, where he served his after, started the junior and maica, a daughter of the late dies, especially Texas 2 to 6 p.m. today at the mortu- country for three years. children’s choir. She also was Cicel and Gwendolyn Bettow Hold’em. He even participated ary. Michael leaves to cherish awarded many outstanding Harley. She departed this life in the Jack Binion World Sammie his memories: the mother of rewards in recognition of her on Thursday, May 21, 2020, at Poker Open, where he placed Sharper was his children, Queen Johnson services. her residence. as one of the winners in the born on March Richardson; one son, Quincy She leaves to cherish her Public viewing will be held money round. He is described 27, 1960, in Sum- Johnson (Trina); two daugh- memories: two children, from 2 to 6 p.m. today at Job’s by his family as one of the ter, to the late ters, Danielle and Melissa James (Loretta) Wilson of Mortuary. most caring and giving men Raymond and Richardson; two brothers, Sumter and Catherine (Mike) Mrs. Cicely will be placed in that you would ever meet. He Hattie Mae Amos Jake T. Richardson and Gary Felder of Syracuse, New York; the church at noon on Friday will be remembered as a very SHARPER Sharper. Richardson; two sisters, Jen- two sisters, Lucille Rogers of for viewing until the hour of loving father, life partner, In addition to nifer Kennedy and Sharon Sumter and Lillie Seanna Nel- service. grandfather, brother, uncle his parents, he Aragua (Charles); five grand- son of Brooklyn, New York; Funeral services will be and friend. He will be dearly was preceded in death by a children; a host of aunts, un- seven grandchildren; three held at 1 p.m. on Friday at missed by all who knew him. sister, Frances Nelson. cles, nieces, nephews, other great-grandchildren; a host of Salem Chapel & Heritage Cen- He is survived by a daugh- He departed this life on Sat- relatives and friends. nieces, nephews, other rela- ter, 101 S. Salem Ave., Sumter, ter, Paige Hodge; life partner, urday, May 23, 2020, in Sum- The family is receiving rela- tives and friends. SC 29150. Interment will fol- Sandi White; former wife, Ju- ter. tives and friends at the home, The family is receiving rela- low at Evergreen Memorial dith Parker Hodge; five broth- He leaves to cherish his pre- 6 Bobs Drive, Sumter. tives and friends at the home, Park. ers, John Hodge, Stanley cious memories: two daugh- Memorial services will be 706 Brockenton St., Sumter. Job’s Mortuary Inc., 312 S. Hodge, Jerry Hodge, Don ters, Samantha T. “Sammie” held at 2:30 p.m. today at the Graveside services will be Main St., Sumter, is in charge Hodge and Danny Hodge; two Major and Breanna Sharper; John Wesley Williams Sr. Me- held at noon on Friday at Mt. of arrangements. sisters, Jennifer Hodge and two grandchildren, Kyleigh morial Chapel of Williams Fu- Moriah United Methodist Online memorials may be Nancy Melton and her hus- Savannah Pollard and Gray- neral Home Inc., 821 N. Main Church, 1379 Swimming Pen sent to the family at jobsmor- band, Robbie; a granddaugh- son Lee Major; three brothers; St., Sumter, with the Rev. Jo- Road, Mayesville, with the [email protected] or visit us on ter, Lacie Bramlett; numerous six sisters; and a host of other seph Ricks officiating. Rev. Franklin Garrett, pastor the web at www.jobsmortuary. nieces and nephews; and his relatives and friends. Services are entrusted to of Mt. Moriah United Method- net. longtime business partner Services are entrusted to the management and staff of ist Church, presiding, and the and best friend, Bubba Ward. Whites Mortuary LLC — Min- Williams Funeral Home Inc., Rev. Willie Lawson, eulogist. JAMES HINKLE JR. In addition to his parents, istry in the Market Place. 821 N. Main St., Sumter, SC The procession will leave ST. PAULS, N.C. — James he was predeceased by two 29150. the home at 11:20 a.m. Hinkle Jr., age 89, beloved brothers, Harry Hodge and MARY ELLA SCOTT Online memorial messages Services directed by the husband of the late Nira Rob- Ronnie Hodge. Mary Ella Scott, 74, died on may be sent to the family at management and staff of Wil- erts Hinkle, died on Tuesday, A funeral service will be Sunday, May 24, 2020, at her [email protected]. liams Funeral Home Inc., 821 May 26, 2020, at his residence. held at noon on Saturday in residence in Pinewood. com. N. Main St., Sumter. You may go to www.bullock- the Bullock Funeral Home Born on Dec. 18, 1945, in Visit us on the web at www. Online messages may be funeralhome.com and sign the Chapel with the Rev. Wayne Williamsburg County, she was WilliamsFuneralHomeInc.com. sent to the family at williams- family’s guest book online. McElveen officiating. Inter- a daughter of the late Joe and [email protected]. The family has chosen Bull- ment will follow the service at Mary Shaw Scott. BERTIE JEFFERSON MARSH Visit us on the web at www. ock Funeral Home of Sumter Providence Baptist Church A public viewing will be Bertie Jefferson “Jeff” williamsfuneralhomeinc.com. for the arrangements. Cemetery. held from 4 to 6 p.m. today at Marsh, 95, widower of Sarah The family will receive the funeral home chapel. Rogers Marsh, died on Tues- JIMMY SHERODE friends one hour prior to the Graveside service will be day, May 26, 2020, at a local Jimmy Sherode, 73, was service from 11 a.m. to noon held at 1 p.m. Friday at U.S. 52 nursing facility. born on March 20, 1947, in on Saturday at Bullock Funer- and Randolph Road, King- Services will be announced Bishopville, a son of the late al Home and other times at stree, SC 29556. by Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Isabelle Sherode. He departed the residence. Funeral services are en- Funeral Home and Crematori- this life on Sunday, May 24, THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020 CLASSIFIEDS THE ITEM A11

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COVID 19 RESOURCES Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2020 Colonial Healthcare — https://bit. WEATHER Online resources including ly/2VhA0mB monitoring cases, virtual Dr. Clay Lowder’s (of Colonial ® screenings, finding what has Healthcare) Facebook page — AccuWeather ve-day forecast for Sumter been closed or altered locally https://bit.ly/2XmcC9R and more. Sandhills Medical Foundation is TODAY TONIGHT FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY MONDAY conducting drive-thru testing in GENERAL RESOURCES Camden — http://sandhillsmedi- Centers for Disease Control and cal.org/ Prevention — https://bit. ly/2xRMrNJ JOBLESS BENEFITS AND A shower and Some clouds; humid An afternoon An afternoon Partly sunny with a Mostly sunny and DHEC county-by-county map of RESOURCES t-storm around t-storm in spots thunderstorm t-storm pleasant cases — https://bit.ly/2JHSVkO Information about unemployment 87° 70° 84° / 68° 83° / 65° 80° / 61° 78° / 57° Johns Hopkins University Coronavi- benefits with S.C. Department of rus Resource Center — https:// Employment and Workforce — Chance of rain: 60% Chance of rain: 25% Chance of rain: 45% Chance of rain: 65% Chance of rain: 55% Chance of rain: 10% coronavirus.jhu.edu/ https://dew.sc.gov/covid-hub S 4-8 mph S 3-6 mph S 4-8 mph SSW 4-8 mph NNE 7-14 mph NNE 7-14 mph Johns Hopkins COVID-19 global If you need to sign up for unemploy- cases map — https://bit. ment benefits, start here — Gaff ney ly/2VgHCWc https://bit.ly/2JRNAYt 80/67 The President’s Guidelines for DEW answers questions about filing Spartanburg America — https://bit. for unemployment — https://bit. Greenville 79/66 ly/2wpRmFp TODAY’S ly/2URfB8Q 78/66 Gov. Henry McMaster’s Executive Advice for laid-off workers from SOUTH Orders — https://bit.ly/3bZnajt DEW — https://bit.ly/2xUJPi9 Florence CAROLINA Bishopville Gov. Henry McMaster’s Twitter — EDUCATION 85/72 https://bit.ly/2yLH8jt WEATHER 85/69 Sumter School District resources, U.S. Department of Defense — including Wi-Fi hotspot locations — Temperatures shown on map are Columbia Sumter https://bit.ly/3e5vDne https://bit.ly/3aVz91j today’s highs and tonight’s lows. 84/69 87/70 Myrtle FEMA’s Coronavirus Rumor Control Chromebook tech support — Beach — https://bit.ly/34kQcrb IN THE MOUNTAINS Manning https://bit.ly/2xdOewG 86/71 80/74 Today: A thunderstorm in spots. Winds LOCAL RESOURCES Resources and accounts for parents Aiken with at-home children — https:// east-southeast 4-8 mph. The Sumter Item’s FREE coronavirus bit.ly/2JOJ1Or 85/67 coverage — https://bit. Friday: An afternoon thunderstorm in the ly/3dZzTEy USC updates — https://bit. area. Winds south 4-8 mph. ly/2y8pjuy Contact The Sumter Item’s staff — https://bit.ly/3bY3HiY Morris College calendar — https:// ON THE COAST Charleston www.morris.edu/calendar/? 85/74 Sumter County’s local restaurants Today: A couple of showers and a thunder- offering takeout, curbside, delivery Central Carolina Technical College storm. High 80 to 88. service — https://bit.ly/3aXaBFo FAQ and student resources — Friday: Rather cloudy and humid. High 77 https://bit.ly/34zDe9h Closures, cancellations and chang- to 82. es, updated daily — https://bit. Submit enrollment application for ly/2yLHKFN Central Carolina Technical College — https://bit.ly/2xdjGLu Sumter County government build- ings, services closed — https://bit. MENTAL HEALTH/ LOCAL ALMANAC LAKE LEVELS SUN AND MOON ly/3bXnTBy SUMTER THROUGH 2 P.M. YESTERDAY Full 7 a.m. 24-hr Sunrise 6:13 a.m. Sunset 8:26 p.m. WELLNESS/FITNESS Lake pool yest. chg Sumter County website — https:// Temperature Moonrise 11:31 a.m. Moonset 12:59 a.m. Murray 360 357.73 -0.09 bit.ly/3c3u9be The National Suicide Prevention Ho- High 71° Marion 76.8 75.71 +0.33 First Full Last New tline provides 24/7, free, confi- Low 69° City of Sumter website — https:// Moultrie 75.5 73.76 none dential support for anyone in Normal high 84° bit.ly/2RpCkH0 Wateree 100 101.35 -0.45 distress. The hotline also pro- Normal low 60° May 29 June 5 June 13 June 21 Shaw Air Force Base — https://bit. vides prevention and crisis re- Record high 99° in 2019 ly/34yNpKW sources as well as best practic- Record low 43° in 1961 RIVER STAGES Clarendon County website — es for professionals — https:// suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ Flood 7 a.m. 24-hr TIDES https://bit.ly/34zCqBh Precipitation River stage yest. chg 24 hrs ending 2 p.m. yest. 1.59" AT MYRTLE BEACH Lee County website — http:// Resources from the S.C. Depart- Black River 12 8.06 +0.35 Month to date 7.60" High Ht. Low Ht. leecountysc.org/ ment of Mental Health to help find Congaree River 19 9.53 -1.18 Normal month to date 2.76" Today 1:27 a.m. 3.2 8:45 a.m. 0.3 free potential emotional support Lynches River 14 16.82 +0.67 Year to date 24.75" 2:07 p.m. 2.6 8:51 p.m. 0.3 MEDICAL RESOURCES tools, includes articles about Saluda River 14 7.64 -0.07 Last year to date 12.02" Fri. 2:23 a.m. 3.2 9:40 a.m. 0.2 helping children cope — https:// Up. Santee River 80 82.73 -0.20 What are the symptoms? A guide bit.ly/34oflRC Normal year to date 17.24" 3:08 p.m. 2.7 9:55 p.m. 0.3 from the CDC — https://bit. Wateree River 24 21.96 -1.68 ly/2VfhH10 Managing anxiety during COVID-19 — https://bit.ly/2Rnrdye A list of telehealth options for free virtual screening — https://bit. What you should be buying at the NATIONAL CITIES REGIONAL CITIES ly/39PHnH7 grocery store during the coronavi- rus outbreak — https://bit. Today Fri. Today Fri. Today Fri. Today Fri. Prisma Health — https://bit. ly/2xg449X City Hi/Lo/W Hi/Lo/W City Hi/Lo/W Hi/Lo/W City Hi/Lo/W Hi/Lo/W City Hi/Lo/W Hi/Lo/W ly/2yO3SiV Staying fit at home: Ideas from a Atlanta 82/67/t 84/67/c Asheville 77/60/c 79/59/pc Florence 85/72/t 83/70/c Marion 77/62/c 79/60/c MUSC — https://bit.ly/2VgKdiU Sumter Family YMCA health leader Chicago 78/60/t 73/54/pc Athens 83/67/t 85/66/pc Gainesville 88/71/t 85/69/c Mt. Pleasant 84/75/t 78/71/c McLeod Health — https://bit. — https://bit.ly/34nE3S8 Dallas 82/65/t 86/62/pc Augusta 87/69/t 85/68/c Gastonia 81/68/t 83/66/c Myrtle Beach 80/74/t 80/71/c ly/2XilJZd Detroit 81/63/t 72/52/sh Beaufort 88/74/t 82/72/c Goldsboro 82/72/t 82/69/t Orangeburg 86/69/t 80/66/c Houston 85/68/t 89/68/pc Cape Hatteras 81/71/pc 81/71/pc Goose Creek 85/73/t 79/69/c Port Royal 85/74/t 80/70/c Los Angeles 81/60/pc 75/59/s Charleston 85/74/t 80/72/c Greensboro 80/69/t 82/66/t Raleigh 82/70/t 82/67/t New Orleans 88/72/t 88/74/t Charlotte 80/70/t 83/67/c Greenville 78/66/c 82/65/c Rock Hill 81/68/t 83/65/c New York 73/66/c 79/68/pc Clemson 79/65/t 80/64/t Hickory 79/67/t 82/64/c Rockingham 82/69/t 82/66/t Orlando 91/74/t 90/73/t Columbia 84/69/t 83/68/pc Hilton Head 83/75/t 78/71/c Savannah 89/73/t 83/70/pc Philadelphia 78/69/sh 86/69/t Darlington 85/71/t 82/67/c Jacksonville, FL 89/73/pc 85/71/c Spartanburg 79/66/t 81/64/t PUBLIC AGENDA Phoenix 109/81/s 110/83/s Elizabeth City 83/73/t 82/72/pc La Grange 84/65/t 85/64/pc Summerville 85/72/t 78/67/c San Francisco 74/55/pc 73/57/pc Elizabethtown 82/73/t 79/68/c Macon 87/67/t 86/67/t Wilmington 80/72/t 81/70/c Training Center, 853 Broad St. EDITOR’S NOTE: Please Wash., DC 82/73/t 88/71/pc Fayetteville 83/72/t 81/69/t Marietta 81/65/t 83/63/c Winston-Salem 80/69/t 82/66/t note that due to the ongoing LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS BOARD Weather(W): s–sunny, pc–partly cloudy, c–cloudy, sh–showers, t–thunderstorms, r–rain, sf–snow fl urries, sn–snow, i–ice Monday, 5:30 p.m., Sumter COVID-19 pandemic, some Sheriff’s Office conference room of the following meetings/ events may be cancelled, re- CLARENDON SCHOOL DISTRICT 1 BOARD scheduled or held virtually. Monday, 5:30 p.m., 12 S. Duke St., Summerton, via Zoom conference SUMTER COUNTY DEVELOPMENT call. To join live, call 1-929-205- BOARD 6099, Meeting ID: 540 758 729012. Today, 7:45 a.m., 10 E. Liberty St. SUMTER CITY COUNCIL SANTEE-LYNCHES REGIONAL Tuesday, 1 p.m., Sumter Opera COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS House, 21 N. Main St. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Monday, noon, Central Carolina BISHOPVILLE CITY COUNCIL Technical College Advance Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., Colclough Manufacturing Technology Building

The last word ARIES (March physical fitness and better health. in astrology 21-April 19): LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Take greater Don’t hesitate EUGENIA LAST interest in your creative endeavors. to make a Look for innovative ways to share PICTURES FROM THE PUBLIC change or what you have to offer with others. share your thoughts with a close Technology will play an active role in friend or lover. Set long-term goals the way you use your strengths to get that will give you something to look ahead. Romance and personal growth forward to achieving. Don’t trust are encouraged. someone who has disappointed you. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Take a TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Don’t step back, and observe how others jump into something for the wrong respond. Avoid an emotional situation reason. If emotions are behind your that could cost you if you say or do desire for change, take a step back the wrong thing. Focus on home and and consider what you want. A family and putting everything in its premature move will set you back. place. Protect your possessions and Don’t let your heart rule your head. passwords. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Be Reasonable personal improvements open to suggestions, but don’t be will lift your spirits. A chance to make gullible. Don’t expect everyone to be a change may entice you, but consider your motive or someone beneficial. Paying attention to the way else’s before you set plans in motion. you look and how you take care of Moderation and a strict budget will your health and well-being will make be helpful. a difference. CANCER (June 21-July 22): Consider CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): your options and how you see Consider what you want to achieve yourself moving forward. Paving the and the best way to turn what you way to a better future doesn’t always already have into what you desire. mean more money. Having peace of Discipline and hard work will pay off. mind, doing something you enjoy Avoid situations that are physically and taking better care of your compromising or could hurt your Kathy Stafford shares a photo she took of some beautiful lilies. emotional well-being are priceless. reputation. LEO (July 23-August 22): A change AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Make someone wants you to make will your place comfortable and geared tempt you, but consider what’s toward being more productive. Don’t involved. Choose to bide your time. be fooled by someone’s lavish plan or Look inward, and you’ll discover what persuasive tactics to separate you you can do to improve. Truthfulness from your money. A straightforward HAVE YOU TAKEN PICTURES OF INTERESTING, EXCITING, BEAUTIFUL OR HISTORICAL PLACES? Would you like and being realistic begin within. layout and small expenditure will be to share those images with your fellow Sumter Item readers? E-mail your hi-resolution jpegs to [email protected], or mail to sufficient to satisfy your needs. VIRGO (August 23-September 22): Sandra Holbert c/o The Sumter Item, P.O. Box 1677, Sumter, SC 29150. Include clearly printed or typed name of photographer Avoid getting involved in someone’s PISCES (February 19-March 20): Take and photo details. Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for return of your photo. Amateur photographers only please. problem. If you want to make a on only what’s feasible. Honesty and difference, consider the changes you integrity will be mandatory when Photos of poor reproduction quality may not publish. With the exception of pictures that are of a timely nature, submitted can make to up your game. Learn dealing with others. Problems at photos will publish in the order in which they are received. something new, and expand your home will arise if you can’t get along interests and skills. Apply energy to with someone who lives with you.