IN SPORTS: Wilson Hall baseball travels to face archrival Laurence Manning B1 ROAD TRIP Savannah, Georgia, celebrates St. Patrick all weekend A3 FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016 | Serving South Carolina since October 15, 1894 75 cents House leaders make U-turn on roads passed last year to fund road Lucas had originally been said shortly after the Senate who spent months putting to- GOP leaders will repairs with a gasoline tax in- critical of the Senate bill, call- ended a filibuster and gether the roads plan that crease, but Democrats and ing the plan “deceptive.” passed the plan. “Kicking passed the House during the back Senate plan some Republicans said the “Not only does their plan the can further down the 2015 session. That plan includ- state needs to find a stable mislead the people of South road and into a giant pot- ed a gas tax increase as well BY JIM HILLEY source of funding for infra- Carolina into thinking that hole defies the test of real as an income tax reduction. [email protected] structure. a large pot of general fund leadership.” However, many Republican Republican leaders in the The promise from House money will be available The letter Lucas sent to the legislators balked at voting to South Carolina House prom- Speaker Jay Lucas, R-Darling- every year for roads, it also governor was also signed by raise the gas tax during an ised in a letter to Gov. Nikki ton, means any increase in practices reckless budgeting Majority Leader Bruce Ban- election year after population Haley they won’t insist on the state’s gas tax won’t hap- that jeopardizes the prosper- nister, R-Greenville, and Rep. their version of a roads bill pen this year. ity of our economy,” Lucas Gary Simrill, R-Rock Hill, SEE ROADS, PAGE A6 Farm-to-table dinner Carll Field from John- ny’s Garden Juice Bar serves a Sunset Smoothie to the crowd attending the annual Farm to Table event at Sumter County Civic Center on Thursday. The event is held by Sumter Rotary Club and features locally grown food vendors and raises money for charity. KEITH GEDAMKE / THE SUMTER ITEM Senate panel OKs releasing police shooting dash cam videos COLUMBIA (AP) — Dash- The Pickens Republican de- himself in the dangerous situa- ty case where a man shot a dom of Information Act. board camera video of all po- cided the legislation was nec- tion. Without the video, specu- neighbor as he was calling 911 A prosecutor in Columbia lice shootings in South Caroli- essary after the State Law En- lation spread in the community to report his friend was shot. decided to release stunning na would be released to the forcement Division waited that investigators were trying The gunshot could be heard footage of a state trooper public unless investigators three months to release the to hide something. on the call, along with the vic- shooting a man during a traf- can convince a judge the foot- video of a Seneca officer “This provides an impor- tim’s screams, gasps and fic stop hours after he was age would damage their case shooting and killing 19-year- tant check on law enforce- moans. fired in 2014. or jeopardize police proce- old Zachary Hammond in ment and the system,” Martin The South Carolina Press The State Law Enforce- dure, according to a bill ap- July. said. Association did not oppose ment Division released proved Thursday by a Senate The agency released the Martin also submitted an the amendment and support- dashcam video from a for- subcommittee. video after a prosecutor decid- amendment to the bill that ed the legislation on dash- mer North Charleston offi- If a judge blocks the release, ed the shooting was justified, would allow authorities to de- board camera videos. cer who is charged with the judge must give a reason saying police Lt. Mark Tiller lete the final words of a dying Law enforcement agencies murder in the shooting of and say when it can be re- feared he might be run over victim from a 911 call released use different standards to de- Walter Scott after a traffic leased, said Sen. Larry Mar- even though it appeared Tiller to the public. That was termine if a video should be tin, who pushed for the bill. moved toward the car and put prompted by a Pickens Coun- made public under the Free- SEE VIDEOS, PAGE A6 Smith announces re-election bid Rembert native runs for County Council FROM STAFF REPORTS other initiatives such as BY ADRIENNE SARVIS photography studio. securing the Pinewood [email protected] Kershaw also served Rep. G. Murrell Smith Jr. has an- Landfill Site. He also six years in the U.S. nounced he will be seeking re-election cited his involvement in Rembert native Caleb Kershaw Army as an infantry- in the South Carolina House, repre- the development and made a public announcement Wednes- man and unit supply senting District 67. Smith, a Republi- completion of the new day during an event at Catchall Shaw specialist and is a mem- can, has held the seat since 2001. SMITH Central Carolina Techni- Community Center that he is running KERSHAW ber of Sumter Combat In a news release announcing his cal College Industrial for Sumter County Council District 1. Veteran Group. reelection bid, Smith said he has been Technology Building. Kershaw, 35, works for South Caro- As far as community instrumental in furthering the eco- “Our strong legislative delegation, lina Department of Employment and involvement, Kershaw is an assistant nomic development of Sumter as well Workforce and is the owner of Hard- as supporting education reform and SEE SMITH, PAGE A6 Time Studios, a graphic design and SEE KERSHAW, PAGE A6 VISIT US ONLINE AT DEATHS, B4 and B5 WEATHER, A10 INSIDE the .com Mary Agnes Thomas Tyron Harvin Joan Tipton Annie Murray COOLER WITH SHOWERS 2 SECTIONS, 20 PAGES Carrie Lee Grant Brenda Harrison Jailynn Andrews William McFadden Jr. Cooling off today with VOL. 121, NO. 130 Vara Burns Daniel Kay Hill Sr. David J. Benenhaley Eva Robinson afternoon showers; tonight, Classifieds B6 Ezekiel R. Hastie Joan Fay Matta Thelma J. Hodge Dennis Dupree mostly cloudy with showers. Comics A8 Mary J. Pompey Essie Kennedy Richard G. Barkley Michelle E. Johnson HIGH 71, LOW 52 Sandra W. Dennis Sylvia L. Miott Opinion A9 Television A7 A2 | FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016 THE SUMTER ITEM Call: (803) 774-1226 | E-mail: [email protected] STATE BRIEFS FROM WIRE REPORTS Cinderella Project helps Senate ends week on refugee registry bill dress local girls for prom COLUMBIA — South Caroli- na senators have ended their week debating a bill that would BY IVY MOORE vide outfits so that girls at Lakewood, require refugees to enroll with [email protected] Crestwood and Sumter high schools the state. will be able to attend their proms, con- Senators on Thursday fin- It’s been 15 years since the Presbyte- sidered by many a “rite of passage,” ished a second day talking rian Women of Sumter’s First Presby- even though their families may not be about the bill that would re- terian Church started its annual pro- able to afford the often very expensive quire all refugees to register gram to help local high school girls at- clothing. with the state. The bill would tend their proms dressed in appropri- Moorman said guidance counselors also hold sponsors of refugees ate finery. Their Cinderella Project at the three high schools can refer stu- liable for damages if the people asks local girls to donate their gently dents, or “those girls who feel they they help come to the United used, up-to-date prom dresses and ac- can’t afford prom dresses can just come States commit terrorism. cessories and then offers them at no in on one of our shopping days. They A third requirement that no charge to current students whose fami- can bring their mothers, or a friend, to state money be spent for refu- lies couldn’t afford them otherwise. help them shop, if they like.” gees is a sticking point. Bill “We’re looking for used prom dresses As assistant chairwoman last year, sponsor Republican Sen. Kevin in very good condition, shoes, evening Moorman assisted on the shopping Bryant of Anderson says he’s bags and jewelry,” Moorman said. days; she said, “It’s special to see girls willing to talk about amend- “There are probably lots of people who find a beautiful dress for that special ments to allow children of refu- have them in their closets.” night.” gees to go to public school. The clothing and accessories can be She added that the project especially Bryant says he supports an- dropped off at First Presbyterian needs larger sizes. other amendment that would Church on the corner of Calhoun and The dresses are not available for prevent the list of refugees in North Main streets from 9 a.m. to 5 beauty pageants, just high school the state from being made pub- p.m. Monday through Friday. proms. IVY MOORE / THE SUMTER ITEM lic. Since the program started in 2002, Once the collection period is over Anna Moorman, chairwoman of the Cinder- more than 200 girls have shopped for around April 1, the “dress shop” will ella Project sponsored by the Presbyterian prom outfits through the local Cinder- open in the West Youth Building on the Man points gun at ella Project, started by former church church grounds, 9 West Calhoun St. Women of First Presbyterian Church, puts Wal-Mart customer member Laura Moushey, whose alma Shopping hours are 2 to 4:30 p.m.