CLARENDON SUN Camp Happy Days will be back in June You can donate to help children with cancer enjoy a week of fun SERVING SOUTH CAROLINA SINCE OCTOBER 15, 1894 C1 FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2019 75 CENTS Sumter man faces murder charge after Marshals arrest him in Texas Service located public information officer for man was found dead about Suspect was wanted for questioning in death and arrested him the department. 1:15 p.m. on Feb. 16 after rail- of Columbia man found by Sumter train tracks in Dallas. He has waived extradition way workers discovered his Simmons was and is expected to be returned body down an embankment BY KAYLA ROBINS der charge. wanted by the po- to Sumter to face a first-de- from railroad tracks at Cook [email protected] Matthew Tyrell Simmons, lice department gree assault and battery and South streets in Sumter, 27, was the last person report- SIMMONS for questioning in charge. An additional warrant which is behind a neighbor- A Sumter man wanted for ed to have been seen with Ra- the Bostic case was signed Thursday morn- hood off McCrays Mill Road questioning in the February phel Heywood Bostic before and on assault ing, McGirt said, charging and South Guignard Drive. shooting death of his friend he was shot to death, accord- charges stemming from an Simmons with murder in Bos- His family had reported him was apprehended Wednesday ing to the Sumter Police De- unrelated incident in Sumter, tic’s death. in Texas and now faces a mur- partment. The U.S. Marshals according to Tonyia McGirt, The 29-year-old Columbia SEE SIMMONS, PAGE A7 Sumter clothing ministry County’s seeking helping hands budget 1 vote from approval Includes raises for employees, increase in road user fee BY KAYLA ROBINS [email protected] Sumter County presented a balanced budget Tuesday for fiscal year 2020 that includes no tax increase to obtain a $51.9 million spending plan but leaves out six positions re- quested from county depart- ments. The general fund budget, for which a public hearing was held during the Sumter Coun- ty Council meeting Tuesday and one more reading must be passed before going into effect on July 1, goes through June 30, 2020, and includes a 3% cost-of-living salary increase for county employees and PHOTOS BY MICAH GREEN / THE SUMTER ITEM state-mandated increases to Bill Langford, in-kind coordinator with Sumter United Ministries, shows potential volunteers the new clothing space at the ministry on retirement and insurance, ac- Wednesday. SUM took over the clothing ministry recently but needs help Monday through Thursday to fold, sort and hang the clothes. cording to County Administra- tor Gary Mixon. According to the proposed budget, the county is poised to Sumter United Ministries recently took over operation take in $32.1 million in taxes. BY BRUCE MILLS For fiscal year 2019, the county [email protected] collected $32.5 million in tax revenues. Sumter United Ministries When the budget was dis- took over a long-time cloth- cussed during an April 30 ing ministry about six workshop, there was $941,231 months ago and has had a more in expenditures than great response, but it still revenues. That deficit notched needs help in the daily oper- down to $269,082 for the first ation of the new venture. official public presentation Executive Director Mark and title-only first reading on Champagne and other staff May 14 before being presented members held an open as balanced on May 21 during house Wednesday at its facil- a budget workshop and this ity, 36 S. Artillery Drive, week at council’s regular near the Sumter County meeting. Fairgrounds. An organization table is set up for the clothing section at Sumter United Ministries. An increase in revenue to Churches and individual help reach an equal amount donors have provided for all ages and sorts them for revenues and spending — clothes in numerous shapes NEED FOR WOMEN’S LARGE SIZES by size. $51,908,042 — came from rais- and sizes since the begin- Clothing donations have been good, but Sumter United Ministries does To qualify to receive ing the tax revenue projections ning of the year, and SUM’s have a specific need now for women’s large sizes, such as extra-large, 2X clothes from the ministry, based “upon valuation esti- Clothing Ministry officially and 3X. New packs of underwear and socks are always helpful. individuals must go through mates from the assessor,” a opened in March in the back an interview and show a $31,149 increase in the local area of its main facility. The budget that demonstrates it government fund based on the agency operates the in-kind times, Champagne said. days to help fold, sort and is difficult for them to afford House version of their budget ministry Monday through “We always need volun- hang clothes,” he said. “We clothes, he said. People can and increases in service reve- Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 teers, but this is very labor get that much coming also qualify if they have re- nues and charges, licenses and p.m. but now could use a intensive, and we could use through the door in dona- cently been through a crisis permits and other revenue hand — or a few — distribut- about four volunteers on tions.” ing the clothes during those Mondays through Thurs- The ministry has clothes SEE CLOTHING, PAGE A7 SEE BUDGET, PAGE A7 VISIT US ONLINE AT CONTACT US DEATHS, B4 WEATHER, A10 INSIDE Information: 774-1200 Bernard Lathaniel Brogdon BIT OF A COOLDOWN 3 SECTIONS, 22 PAGES the .com Advertising: 774-1246 Evelyn Solomon Rouse VOL. 124, NO. 158 Classifieds: 774-1200 Partly sunny and warm; Odessa D. Williams mainly clear tonight Clarendon Sun C1 Sports B1 Delivery: 774-1258 Thomas Alvin Parrott Classifieds B5 Opinion A9 News and Sports: 774-1226 Jeston Milton Fisher HIGH 93, LOW 67 Comics A8 Television C3 A2 | FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2019 THE SUMTER ITEM Call: (803) 774-1226 | E-mail: [email protected] Crestwood High junior receives Museum presents national honor bestselling author FROM STAFF REPORTS Crestwood High School junior Tayvon Givens was recently honored with a na- tional award for his leadership and vol- of historical novels unteerism at the National WWII Muse- um in New Orleans. BY IVY MOORE at the Kennedys’ Hyannisport, Mas- Last week, Givens, 17, traveled to “The Features contributor sachusetts, home to work as a maid Big Easy” to receive a 2019 Billy Michal for the family. Student Leadership Award, a national The Sumter County Museum con- She and Jack fall in love, but their honor awarded annually to one student tinues its series of appearances by marriage is forbidden by Kennedy in every state who maintains a strong New York Times bestselling authors patriarch Joseph Kennedy. record of volunteerism, on Monday with a reception, talk Darr leaves Hyannisport for Hol- demonstrates school and and book signing by Michelle Gable. lywood, where she pursues a career community activism, and Like Gable’s “An Apartment in in acting and dates numerous prom- helps implement creative Paris,” her latest novel is based on inent actors and athletes, including PHOTO PROVIDED solutions to problems. actual persons, John F. Kennedy and Gary Cooper and Kirk Douglas. Author Michelle Gable will be at the According to a news re- Alicia Corning Clark. The 6:30 p.m. Publishers Weekly reviewed “The Sumter County Museum at 6:30 p.m. lease, the museum first event at the museum is free to the Summer I Met Jack,” concluding Monday. presented the leadership public. that “while JFK is a perennially fas- GIVENS award in 2017, and it was Gable’s “The Summer I Met Jack” cinating figure, this is Alicia’s story: chelle Gable at her 6:30 p.m. Monday created in honor of Billy was inspired by the author’s exten- a splendid portrait of a spirited sur- talk at the Sumter County Museum, Michal, who was a child living in Louisi- sive research on Alicia Corning vivor thriving in a man’s world, even 122 N. Washington St. ana during World War II. At only 6 years Clark — Darr in the book — and the as memories of Jack, her only true For more information, call the old, Michal helped his one-room school- alleged affair that may have resulted love, linger. This bittersweet tale museum at (803) 775-0908. For more house win a statewide scrap paper-col- in a child. Darr was a Polish immi- will enthrall readers.” on Gable and her previous historic lection contest during the war, proving grant who grew up during World Books will be available for pur- novels, visit her website, https://mi- that every citizen could contribute to War II. In Gable’s book, she arrives chase and signing by author Mi- chellegable.com. victory. The young boy’s achievement demonstrated the positive impact the American spirit could have on the home front war efforts, and Michal continues to inspire students across the U.S., ac- cording to the museum. “During World War II, our country Program seeks donations to give needed everyone to come together for a common goal of securing freedom and democracy around the world,” said Ste- phen Watson, president and CEO of the AC units to area elderly, disabled National World War II Museum. “Much like Billy Michal’s contribution over 70 BY KAYLA ROBINS The program worked last ident, this program will by approved parties of Op- years ago, our student honorees prove [email protected] year with area nonprofits make provisions to expand eration Summer Salvation that their positive actions, no matter and public agencies to urge statewide.” for delivery and installation how big or small, can make a difference Everyone in the South churches, businesses, orga- The goal for 2019 is to for eligible recipients.