Did you turn clocks back and put new batteries in smoke alarms last night? VOTE TUESDAY Archie Parnell US Congress Paid for by Archie Parnell for Congress SERVING SOUTH CAROLINA SINCE OCTOBER 15, 1894 SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2018 $1.75 Complete look at prep football playoffs B1 Ceremony K-9 named after fallen Sumter trooper Parker BY ADRIENNE SARVIS Parker, a Sum- [email protected] ter High School will honor and Citadel grad- Thirteen years after a state uate, worked as a trooper’s death in the line of Sumter County duty, his fellow officers are Sheriff’s deputy continuing to remember him PARKER from 1998 to 2000 13 killed after South Carolina Depart- before graduating ment of Public Safety named from Highway seven of its newest K-9s after Patrol Training School later PHOTO PROVIDED fallen officers, including Sum- that year. He was assigned to K-9 Parker and his handler, Trooper First Class ter native Senior Trooper Jon- in Vietnam J. T. Atwood, are seen recently. athan Wade Parker. SEE PARKER, PAGE 10A Crosses on Clarendon courthouse grounds will be unveiled Nov. 12 BY SHARRON HALEY Special to The Sumter Item MANNING — Twelve Clarendon County sol- diers and one airman who were killed in action during the Vietnam War will be honored for Veterans Day on Monday, Nov. 12, at 11 a.m. when crosses bearing their names will be un- veiled on the Claren- don County Court- house grounds. CLARENDON While other Claren- Homegrown benefits Sounds of Grace don County residents MILITARY were wounded and MEMBERS KILLED died later from their injuries, only these 13 IN VIETNAM veterans were actual- ly killed in action dur- 5 ing the Vietnam War. Manning The first Clarendon County resident to 3 die in the war was Alcolu also the only Claren- don County veteran whose body was 2 never recovered. Air Turbeville Force Capt. George Ivison Mims Jr. of 2 Manning was 25 years Summerton old when his plane was shot down over 1 Hanoi. While his body Davis Station was never recovered, details of the Dec. 20, 1965, plane crash Youngest were confirmed by Herschel Rudolph Ward, 19 prisoners of war, and Mims’ death was offi- Oldest cially declared as Warren Randolph Furse, 34 killed in action (KIA). Clarendon County’s PHOTOS BY CHRIS MOORE / THE SUMTER ITEM second fatality was Branch of military On Thursday, Palmetto Health Tuomey presented Homegrown at the Sumter Opera House. The event, a fundraiser for only 19 years old at with casualties The Sounds of Grace music ministry, featured local musicians who performed a wide variety of music to benefit the the time of his death. Army – 11 nonprofit organization that “seeks to provide peace and healing through music” to those in need of comfort. The con- Army Pvt. First Class cert also honored the memory of Lexie Kinder, who benefited from the music ministry. Kipper Ackerman, harpist and Herschel Rudolph Air Force –1 vocalist who founded the ministry, says its mission is to bring peace and healing by placing musicians in classrooms Ward of Manning was Marine Corps – 1 and hospitals for those with special needs, as well as in other settings where comfort is needed. killed on June 4, 1966. Army Staff Sgt. 12 John Coleman Ardis, Bodies recovered 28, of Manning was George Ivison Mims Jr., the lone killed on Oct. 23, 1966. Clarendon County airman and Army Sgt. Aaron Police say several shootings could be related Blanding, 21, of Man- the first of the 13 of the county’s ning was killed on military to die in Vietnam, was those involved in the sat in his car outside a house on Nov. 13, 1966, just not recovered. $5K offered for info shooting death of a South Salem Street about 10:15 three weeks after 54-year-old man on p.m. He was pronounced dead at Ardis’ death. 896 in drive-by shooting Tuesday and four Palmetto Health Tuomey later Army PFC Jesse Killed in action in other shootings that night. James Pearson, 23, of BY ADRIENNE SARVIS throughout the week. Detectives now think shots South Carolina [email protected] Davis Station was EPPS Marcus Brown was fired at a house on Silver Street killed in action on A reward of up to $5,000 is killed when he was earlier Tuesday night, the drive- 58,193 (8 female) being offered for information that struck by bullets that by shooting of Brown and three SEE VETERANS, Total U.S. casualties could assist Sumter police offi- were fired as a small, gray four- PAGE A10 cers in identifying and arresting door vehicle passed by him as he SEE SHOOTINGS, PAGE A10 VISIT US ONLINE AT DEATHS, B6 WEATHER, A14 INSIDE Bernie Logan Jr. Fleet Cooper Jr. TURNING CLOUDY 4 SECTIONS, 30 PAGES the .com Marcus A. Brown Joseph Branch Nice today, but giving way VOL. 124, NO. 15 Patricia A. Graham Carl M. Hawkins to clouds during the afternoon; Classifieds C6 Reflections C3 Ellen B. Richardson Charles R. Weathersbee tonight, overcast and mild. Comics D1 Sports B1 Willie T. Wilson Robert Lee Opinion A13 Television A12 HIGH 68, LOW 56 Outdoors C5 Yesteryear C4 Panorama A5 Choose The Bank That Works Hard For You It’s a world of difference when you bank with someone who lives and works in your community. When you need a car loan, checking account, credit card, or home mortgage, we speak your language. And we make decisions locally, not in a board room hundreds of miles away. We’re all the bank you’ll ever need. As the bank’s president, I make sure of that every day. Barry Ham Sumter: 803.469.0156 Manning: 803.433.4451 bankofclarendon.com ."//*/(t46.5&3t4"/5&&t46..&350/t8:#00 A2 | SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2018 THE SUMTER ITEM Call: (803) 774-1226 | E-mail: [email protected] Palmetto Health Tuomey named Power Partner BY TRACI QUINN Palmetto Health Tuomey Special to The Sumter Item “Connection is why we’re here. Connection is the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard and valued and when they derive … strength from the relationship.” — Brené Brown, writer / re- searcher Duke Energy champions col- laboration, passion and part- nership. For 25 years, the com- pany has honored businesses and organizations with their Power Partner awards for ex- emplary innovation, commu- nity service, economic devel- opment and sustainability. This year, Palmetto Health PHOTO PROVIDED Tuomey was one of only six Lemira Elementary School teachers surround boxes filled with school supplies. Palmetto Health Tuomey filled every teacher’s wish list. winners from the 4,000 eligible for the prestigious award. The hospital was honored count Executive Dennis Turn- ter’s schools” and “making a Health Tuomey for investing dustry in the local community for Community Excellence for er said the Sumter hospital positive difference for Sum- in the lives of our children. As lead roundtable discussions its work as a partner in a proj- won the award for two prongs ter’s children.” a Power Partner, you are leav- that emphasize the importance ect to develop and implement a of its commitment to educa- “The contributions you have ing a lasting impression on the of education, qualities of a student career forum designed tion: Physician Liaison Les made not only to the Sumter lives you have touched!” good employee, the need for to connect students with busi- Thompson was recognized for community but to our school Michelle Logan-Owens, the good financial habits, traits of nesses in Sumter County. This his “passionate mentorship” system are immeasurable,” chief operating officer of Pal- a lifelong learner and how program has introduced more and his strong determination she said. “You have donated metto Health Tuomey, told the character defines success. than 1,000 middle and high over the years to make the Stu- more than $10,000 worth of group how much Tuomey has Thompson, Turner, Golden school students to 45 area busi- dent Career Leadership Forum school supplies, 200 library enjoyed the collaboration. and other trained facilitators, nesses, sharing with them the a reality. Rauschenbach and books, academic incentives “Each of us bears different including new Education Com- requirements and benefits of a the hospital’s Marketing and and meals for students. Your gifts and talents, but when we mittee Chairman Lefford Fate, wide variety of careers. This Communications team were team members serve as volun- come together around a com- interweave a discussion on program not only helps young honored for their creation of a teers and mentors, members mon purpose — our children eight essential affirmations people understand what it coloring book designed to of the School Improvement — we have our best opportuni- that students can use to help takes to obtain employment in teach young students about Council, Principal for the Day, ty to be positively impactful,” them be successful. Following the local workforce, but it also the many roles — clinical and and they assist with the STEM she said. “This is our commu- the forum, each student has helps address employee re- non-clinical — in a hospital: Club. In addition, 91 second- nity, and we take our role as the opportunity to sign up for cruitment challenges for busi- “The ABCs of Health Care.” A grade students were ecstatic partner very seriously. Influ- a site visit, which provides a nesses in Sumter County. supply drive in which team when Palmetto Health Tuom- encing the lives of our chil- firsthand look into that career. “It’s amazing to sit in a room members collected more than ey unveiled their health care dren is one of our greatest re- Turner said the Chamber of with so many people who care $10,000 worth of items to fill occupations activity book at an sponsibilities.” Commerce believes this pro- so much about building our teachers’ wish lists also was assembly where actual repre- Turner said that when he gram is a model for a partner- community,” said Palmetto cited as evidence of the collab- sentatives featured in the book was first asked to chair the Ed- ship that can be duplicated Health Process Engineer Kim- orative nature of the partner- spoke directly to our students ucation Committee, he was across the state.