PANORAMA Don’t miss your chance to see The Lettermen WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2018 | Serving South Carolina since October 15, 1894 $1.00 C1 Snow is possible today in Sumter Tri-county could see up to 1 inch through evening BY MELANIE SMITH [email protected] Dig out your snow pants and get a snowman carrot nose ready because the tri-county area could see the first snowfall of the year this afternoon through this evening. “You’re going to be on the edge of this system, so I do think you’re going to get some light snow midday Wednesday, and it should taper off Wednesday eve- ning,” said Brian Edwards, an Accu- Weather meteorologist in State College, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday afternoon. The snow is associated with a winter storm system that will move across coastal South Carolina today. An Ac- cuWeather news release said the BRUCE MILLS / THE SUMTER ITEM storm will spread from northern Flor- The fountain at Beau Graham Square downtown on the corner of North Main and East Liberty streets is seen frozen over at midday ida up the East Coast toward Virginia. Tuesday. Temperatures are expected to remain in the 30s and 40s through Sunday in Sumter, with snow possible today. Edwards said Sumter and Lee coun- ties should be in the zone that could get anywhere from a light coating to Pipes could freeze, burst an inch of snow. According to Weather Underground forecasts, Clarendon BY ADRIENNE SARVIS need to be covered with frost-proof County could also see snow flurries. [email protected] hose bib covers, Hill said. And the He predicted any snow the tri-coun- wind will make pipes freeze much ty sees today will stick and not melt With below-freezing temperatures faster, he said. immediately because recent frigid staying throughout the night, locals Hill Plumbing & Electric received temperatures have made the ground should take care to protect their about 20 calls about burst pipes on cold enough for this to be possible. homes from unwanted water damage Tuesday morning after temperatures Crews across the state are preparing caused by frozen pipes. reached below 20 degrees Fahrenheit for possible winter weather into tonight Homeowners should leave pipes the night before. and warn of potentially dangerous trav- dripping if the temperature will be Depending on where the pipes are el conditions during the next few days. PHOTO PROVIDED BY SCDOT below freezing for a substantial located, damage can be caused to the Department of Transportation work- South Carolina Department of Transporta- amount of time, especially when the flooring, walls and ceiling. ers were pretreating roads and bridges tion crews pre-treat S.C. 170 over the Broad wind is blowing, said Trey Hill, vice Busted pipes can result in thou- across the South Carolina coast on River in Beaufort County on Tuesday. president and service manager at sands of dollars in damage because Tuesday morning and afternoon ahead Hill Plumbing & Electric Co. the moisture can ruin flooring, espe- of the storm, according to a DOT news home if possible. Leave the faucets dripping — cially hardwood, and dry wall will release. Salt in Columbia was being “Avoid traveling (this) afternoon mainly the hot water faucet because soak up the water, Hill said. loaded into trucks bound for the coast. and evening especially, when travel those pipes will freeze faster than the Don’t forget your outside spigots; Crews in the Upstate were preparing conditions are worst,” he said. “If you cold water pipes — to keep pipes disconnect garden hoses. David to help their Lowcountry counterparts have to go out, morning is your best from freezing, he said. Turning on Rourk, owner of Rourk Plumbing and also preparing “to clear roads and bet. If you have to go out during it, both sides would also be good, he Co,. suggests that homeowners leave bridges in the Upstate should the win- allow for some extra travel time. Avoid said. outside water spigots dripping (if ter weather take an unexpected turn traveling east if possible.” You really only need to let one fau- there are no bib covers), and replace in that direction.” Anywhere east, toward Myrtle Beach, cet in the house drip to keep water LED lights inside pump houses with Edwards said the best way for tri- could have the heaviest accumulation of flowing through the pipes, he said. incandescent bulbs. Another tip, he county residents to stay safe during Any exposed pipe needs to be insu- said, is to open cabinet doors under the potential winter weather is to stay SEE SNOW, PAGE A5 lated, or covered, and outside spigots the sinks to let the warm air in. Fund helps temporarily out of work Sumterite BY BRUCE MILLS ment in the Sumter area, and [email protected] many of the ministry’s clients with older homes still have Imagine not having heat large, submarine-style tanks BRUCE MILLS / THE SUMTER ITEM until you can save up to $400 in their yards. Greg Jenkins, center, shares a light moment with personal for a propane delivery, and The difficulty for many low- friends and customers Julia Holley, right, and Genesis Bur- you will identify a common story of a female client in her income families using pro- bridge recently at Scott Will Toyota at 2540 Broad St. plight for some low-income late 50s who initially inter- pane is the large expense for a residents in our area, accord- viewed for help with her elec- fill-up, which can range from ing to Kevin Howell, Crisis Re- tric bill after she lost her job. $300 to $400, Howell said. lief Ministry director at Sum- “The lady works in the “Instead of a regular and Salesman says personal ter United Ministries. home health field and cares consistent monthly bill, a As temperatures dip with for patients who can’t proper- tank needs to be filled as lows in the 20s recently, the ly care for themselves,” How- needed,” Howell said. “Typi- approach can pay off burden of being able to afford ell said. “For her, it’s hard but cally, this expense can ac- adequate heat is felt among fulfilling work. Recently, after count for up to 40 percent of BY BRUCE MILLS most people’s names. some Sumter residents. How- a patient no longer needed the monthly income for some [email protected] He’s not flashy, but in- ell said Fireside Fund dona- her, she was without work. of our clients.” stead many consider him tions allow the Crisis Relief When she discovered that she The ministry was able to He’s not your stereotypi- down to earth and genuine. Ministry to provide assistance could also receive assistance pay a significant portion of cal car salesman and has a It all seems to work well to the ministries’ clients who with her propane delivery, she the lady’s propane delivery, unique meet-and-greet tech- for him as he’s quite possi- are unable to fully afford their was delighted.” and it should last her for nique that helps him build a bly one of Sumter’s most heating needs. According to Howell, pro- personal relationship with Howell recently shared the pane is a common heating ele- SEE FIRESIDE, PAGE A5 customers and remember SEE JENKINS, PAGE A5 VISIT US ONLINE AT DEATHS, B5 WEATHER, A8 INSIDE Mildred Connelly Sara O. Geddings SNOW DAY? 3 SECTIONS, 18 PAGES the .com VOL. 123, NO. 54 Sphinks T. Bryant Jr. Eva M. Lytch Snow or flurries possible; Mildred Johns Ruby Mae Champagne clearing and cold tonight Classifieds B6 Opinion A7 Nettie Mae Coakley Evelyn R. Moore Comics C2 Panorama C1 Walter R. Straw HIGH 35, LOW 23 Food C4 Television C3 A2 | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2018 THE SUMTER ITEM Call: (803) 774-1226 | E-mail: [email protected] Keep on giving with the Grinding of the Greens BY ADRIENNE SARVIS landfills, states a release from public Because yard debris pick-up is only Residents can pick up mulch on a [email protected] works. available in the city, county residents first-come, first-served basis from 7 to Mulch, a multi-purpose product of will have to deliver the trees at the re- 10 a.m. on Jan. 20 at Dillon Park. Resi- Though the season of giving is over, ground trees, can be placed in gardens cycling centers on Rainaire Boulevard, dents should bring containers, tools to there is still another way to give back to conserve moisture, reduce weed Stamey Livestock Road, Cane Savan- pick up the mulch and a method to to the community and help thy neigh- competition, reduce plant stress and nah Road, Pinewood Road, Queen Cha- transport the material. bor by donating real Christmas trees serve as a unifying element in land- pel Road, Bethel Church Road, Alliga- Hyatt said public works employees for the annual Grinding of the Greens scaping. It can also be used in plant tor Branch Road, Pleasant Grove and will be available to help people load at Dillon Park. containers, under bushes or fruit trees Spencer Road, or at Dillon Park. mulch into containers and into vehi- The event that provides free mulch and placed along garden paths and Grinding of the Greens is for live cles, Hyatt said. People can take as for the community will take place on fences. trees only; no wreaths, garlands nor much as they want. Saturday, Jan. 20. Real Christmas trees — without dec- other holiday greenery are accepted. Any left over mulch will be used by In past years, as many as 1,500 trees orations, lights, garlands and tree Real trees dropped off at the recy- the city and county.