White House’s top lawyer is leaving THURSDAY, AUGUST 30, 2018 75 CENTS Trump praises McGahn, who has played key role in many issues SERVING SOUTH CAROLINA SINCE OCTOBER 15, 1894 BY KEN THOMAS and ZEKE MILLER Wednesday. had nothing to do with his inter- McGahn’s exit continues the views with the special counsel in- 3 SECTIONS, 22 PAGES | VOL. 123, NO. 224 The Associated Press churn of top officials as the admin- vestigating possible Trump cam- WASHINGTON — White House istration sets records for turnover paign collusion with Russia in the IN TODAY’S EDITION Counsel Don McGahn, a conse- and the White House struggles to 2016 election. quential insider in President Don- fill key vacancies. Pressed by reporters, Trump ald Trump’s legal storms and suc- Unlike some less-amiable separa- said he had approved the attor- cesses and a key figure in the ad- tions, however, Trump praised Mc- ney’s interviews and was uncon- ministration’s handling of the Rus- Gahn as “a really good guy” who cerned about anything McGahn sia investigation, will be leaving in has done “an excellent job.” the fall, the president announced Trump said McGahn’s departure SEE McGAHN, PAGE A6 LABOR From 8 felonies to successful Sumter DAY 2018 BAIL BONDSMAN ‘I use what I know to help people along the way. All I ask is you show up to court.’ Kudos to those who work hard to better their communities Women in the workplace, reducing stress and more C1 TECHNOLOGY Streaming service offerings keep growing B6 DEATHS, B4 Darwin Wilbern Baird Frances Elizabeth Corbett Baird George Weston Witherspoon Bernard L. Ragins-Christian Jessie Slater PHOTOS BY MICAH GREEN / THE SUMTER ITEM Willie Fleming Jr. Joe Brown has worked as a bail Sam Minarik bondsman in Sumter since 1999 Comilla Jenkins Martin after having his eight felonies par- Khadijah A. Musa doned, going to college. He opened his own business, JoeBrown Bail Bond, in 2005. He’s seen here at his WEATHER, A8 business Wednesday with tools for STAYING HOT apprehending those who don’t make their court dates. Partly sunny today; partly cloudy, humid tonight HIGH 93, LOW 73 Bondsman uses his past to guide defendants INSIDE CONTACT US BY ADRIENNE SARVIS Those who run from bail bonds- the things and people who were [email protected] man Joe Brown find out that 18 keeping him down. Classifieds B7 Info: 774-1200 years in the business is more than You can be part of the problem Comics B5 Advertising: 774-1237 his Labor Day, remember enough time to build up an arsenal or part of the solution, he said. Opinion A7 Classifieds: 774-1200 to thank your bondsman of knowledge and equipment to So Brown sought to have his felo- Sports B1 Delivery: 774-1258 make good on the agreement that nies pardoned and was successful Television B6 News and Sports: and show up to court. the defendant shows up to court. on his first try. T How does someone gain an inter- “I am better than what I put out 774-1226 Though most days may not be est in a job like this? before,” he said. as glamorous as what is shown “I had eight felonies,” Brown Despite people telling him he VISIT US ONLINE AT the .com on TV, the job of bail bonds- said. would never clean up and make Coming up on the South side of something of himself, Brown now man can become action-packed Sumter, he said, there was no one has an Associate Degree in Busi- — knock on wood — if the de- to give direction. ness Administration from Columbia However, Brown decided to fendant decides to run. change his life around and give up SEE BROWN, PAGE A6 Clarendon school leaders preparing to share services Superintendents consolidating services to the next few weeks before the are not limited to, transporta- dents at the county’s F.E. Du- state superintendent of educa- submission deadline. tion, accounting, human re- Bose Career Center in Man- must submit plan to tion by Sept. 21 are already A new state law requires sources, procurement, tech- ning. All three Clarendon dis- engaged in some level of ser- their districts — along with 11 nology and academic offer- tricts — 1, 2 and 3 — share the state under new law vice sharing. other small districts in the ings. career center on U.S. 521 near Now, Clarendon School Dis- state — to consolidate admin- Champagne said Clarendon Alcolu for vocational training. BY BRUCE MILLS trict 1 Superintendent Barba- istrative and professional ser- 1, based in Summerton, al- Champagne said her dis- [email protected] ra Champagne and Clarendon vices with their own neigh- ready shares teachers’ profes- trict is also exploring the op- School District 3 Superinten- boring districts. sional development services tion of sharing instructional The two small school dis- dent Connie Dennis said they The state law details “con- with neighboring districts and offerings for some high tricts in Clarendon County say they may be brainstorm- solidation of administrative career-center services for that must submit plans for ing for some more ideas in the functions” may include, but some of its high school stu- SEE SERVICES, PAGE A6 A2 | THURSDAY, AUGUST 30, 2018 THE SUMTER ITEM Call: (803) 774-1226 | E-mail: [email protected] 22nd Gospel in the Park offers 6 hours of music BY IVY MOORE English said there are two signifi- the Park include Jarell Smalls & Special to The Sumter Item cant changes to the popular outdoor Company from the S.C. Lowcountry; concert. The Dynamic Abraham Brothers; “For the first time ever, all per- John Lakin and BOW; Alfonzo Udell Gospel in the Park returns for its formers hitting the stage come from & Chosen; Kenny Smith and others. 22nd-annual afternoon of live gospel the Palmetto State,” she said. “It’s a “The music will all be gospel, just music on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 3. South Carolina Showcase.” different styles of gospel,” English Shonda English, a gospel singer and In addition, English has an- said. “There won’t be any preaching recording artist, will again host the nounced free admission all afternoon — it will be all music, food and fel- concert. Gospel in the Park is sched- long. Past attendance has been from lowship.” uled for noon until 6 p.m. Monday at 200 to 300, she said, and she is hoping Food sold on site will include hot the Bishop W.T. English Memorial for an even larger turnout with the dogs, barbecue pork, popcorn, cook- Park, 3735 Congruity Road, Sumter. free admission. ies, other snacks, soft drinks, chick- The gospel concert series was found- Headlining the event will be Doc en salad and water. ed by English’s father, the late Bishop McKenzie and the Hi-lites. Sumter’s Smoking and alcohol consumption W.T. English, in 1996. He was also the PHOTO PROVIDED Elijah Bradford will perform with are prohibited, and security will be founder of Greater St. Paul Church Gospel singer Shonda English will host Purpose Driven; both have sung at provided by Sumter law enforce- and an award-winning gospel singer. Gospel in the Park on Monday. Gospel in the Park previously. Also ment. After his death in 2013, Shonda Eng- from Sumter are Minister Lee Bur- The public is invited to Gospel in lish took over producing the afternoon gess and Resurrection, the Greater the Park from noon to 6 p.m. on of gospel. She is an accomplished singer Dorothy Norwood, recognized St. Paul (GSP) Young Adult Choir Labor Day, Sept. 3, at the Bishop singer and songwriter, who is also as one of the greatest contemporary and the W.T. English Youth Choir. W.T. English Memorial Park, 3735 known for her collaborations with the gospel singers. Several newcomers to Gospel in Congruity Road, Sumter. United Way receives Thomas Sumter Academy delegates AmeriCorps funding Will be used for literacy tutoring program BY KAYLA ROBINS ty at five elementary schools, [email protected] at three after-school PERKS sites and at one after-school The governor's lead agency program," Mayberry said. on volunteerism in South "The goal of the program is to Carolina announced $3.2 mil- have all students served lion in grants were allotted through the program reading for AmeriCorps funding for at grade level by the time they the next year, and Sumter's enter the fourth grade." group will receive a portion Mayberry said the funding of that allotment. for Sumter is a continuation Grants secured through the grant. Corporation for National and "They received funding for Community Service, the fed- a three-year cycle. Overall, eral agency for volunteering they've received funding for and service programs, will be five years total. Funding in PHOTOS PROVIDED matched with more than $1 the current cycle has re- million in local money to sup- mained pretty consistent, Members of the Class of 2019 at Thomas Sumter Academy had the opportunity to attend Palmetto port 17 AmeriCorps programs with the change from last State this summer. Girls State delegates, above, were nominated by TSA and sponsored by The Aux- and nearly 500 AmeriCorps year to this year being iliary American Legion: Kenzie MacQueen, Riley Delavan, Emily Jackson and Karin Brannon. The Pal- members serving South Caro- $156,246 to $161,699," she said. metto Boys State delegates, below, were nominated by TSA and sponsored by American Legion lina communities by tackling The total federal invest- Post 175: Ed Lee, Tyler Millwod, Mason Warren and Jarret Butzer. some of the toughest prob- ment includes four new pro- lems in the state, including grams and a planning grant, American Legion Boys State teaches stu- education, disaster response, totaling $3,187,638.