Full prep football coverage from Friday B1 REFLECTIONS Part 2 of The Sumter Item’s look back at some of Sumter’s historians C3 SUNDAY, AUGUST 26, 2018 | Serving South Carolina since October 15, 1894 $1.75 State party does not certify candidate Samuels-Cooper filed for coroner special election be placed on the ney, we determined that we — it would have been on ballot, according are unable to certify Ms. La- Tuesday — and Mock will be after disqualification from first, which she won to Trav Robert- Nette Samuels-Cooper as a placed, unopposed, on the son, chairman of candidate due to the August 3, Nov. 6 general election ballot, BY KAYLA ROBINS the candidates. the South Caroli- 2018 Circuit Court Order, as officials with the South [email protected] LaNette Samuels-Cooper, na Democratic which found that she does not Carolina Election Commis- who won the primary in June SAMUELS- Party. meet the statutory qualifica- sion have explained would It appears a new primary but was disqualified after the COOPER “Today, I sub- tions to be coroner,” Robert- happen in this situation. to determine the Democratic incumbent she beat, Bucky mitted the Demo- son said in an emailed state- Mock, who had served as nomination for coroner in Mock, sued her to question cratic Party’s cer- ment Friday. deputy coroner for 21 years, Clarendon County will not whether she had the work ex- tification of candidates for the Because Mock was the only was appointed coroner in Feb- be held after officials from perience required by state law Clarendon County Coroner other person to file to run in ruary by Gov. Henry McMaster the state party announced to be a coroner, filed again for Special Election. After careful the special election, there will they will not certify one of a special primary but will not consultation with our attor- be no need to hold a primary SEE UNCERTIFIED, PAGE A8 Students’ ingenuity uperhero saves takes flight great-grandmother in tiny cubes Bates Middle students’ experiments launched aboard NASA missions BY BRUCE MILLS [email protected] You could describe it as big science in little cubes, but it all equates to engaging more and more young students in the growing career opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. That was on display Friday at Bates Middle School as four students dis- cussed experiments they conducted last spring that were selected for NASA mis- sions. STEM Coordinator Cindy Seckel brought the international competition, called Cubes in Space, to the school last year. The program gives students ages 11 to 18 the opportunity to design and pro- pose experiments to launch into space or a near-space environment on a NASA sounding rocket or zero-pressure scien- tific balloon. The experiments allow students to dis- PHOTOS BY MICAH GREEN / THE SUMTER ITEM cover answers to their own questions Carson Aycock ran for help after his great-grandmother, Hazel Wilson, fell and was injured while they walked from Memorial and also have the purpose of assisting Park to the Wesmark Servicenter on West Liberty Street. astronauts in space. Former Bates eighth-grader Breeana Spires, now a ninth-grader at Sumter 4-year-old runs for help after relative injured after fall High School, proposed whether wax could be used as a material to protect BY ADRIENNE SARVIS and preserve items that travel into outer [email protected] space. After all, it’s used to preserve uperheroes come many items here on Earth and protect them from chipping and cracking in in all sizes and shipping. But could it have the same use ages, such as the in space, or does wax melt up there? The eighth-grade foursome of Adriana 4-year-old who ran McCallister, Aiko Casey, Tylaiah Archie “really really fast” to get and Tanyea Mathis — now all ninth-grad- ers, as well — wanted to know if marsh- help for his 90-year-old great- mallows could be used as an alternative grandmother after she fell dur- packaging material to styrofoam. After all, research shows that styrofoam is not recy- ing a walk on Tuesday. clable and not biodegradable. If marsh- Hazel Wilson fell and hit her mallows could survive a trip to outer head while she and Carson Aycock space — and not expand or melt up there were coming back from a walk to with the temperature changes — then Carson ran “really really fast” to find help for his great-grandmother “because I’m SEE CARSON, PAGE A8 a superhero,” he said. SEE CUBES, PAGE A10 VISIT US ONLINE AT CONTACT US DEATHS, B6 WEATHER, A12 INSIDE Information: 774-1200 Tommy W. Hunter 4 SECTIONS, 28 PAGES BEAUTIFUL SUNDAY VOL. 123, NO. 221 the .com Advertising: 774-1246 Darwin W. Baird Warm and sunny today Classifieds: 774-1200 Margaret F. Kirven and slightly cooler Classifieds C6 Panorama A5 Delivery: 774-1258 Lexie M. Kinder Comics D1 Sports B1 News and Sports: 774-1226 tonight with little James Mack to no chance of rain.. Opinion A11 Reflections C3 Ethel Lee Gavin HIGH 91, LOW 69 Outdoors B5 Yesteryear C4 James Earnest McRoy Now Open At Our New Location! 820 S. PIKE RD. We Have The Come see Sumter’s new gas appliance superstore. Gas Appliances GE Cooktops & Ranges Rinnai Water Heaters That Make Your Palmetto Gas Fireplaces & Gas Logs Mon. - Fri. 8 am - 5 pm Primo Kamado Grills - $797 Life Better. Sat. 9 am - 1 pm HSJMMDZMJOEFSSFàMMT 803-775-4321 A2 | SUNDAY, AUGUST 26, 2018 THE SUMTER ITEM Call: (803) 774-1226 | E-mail: [email protected] ‘Fences’ portrays ’50s but speaks to today BY JANE COLLINS Special to The Sumter Item A REVIEW The setting of August Wilson’s Markelle Roberts ably plays Troy “Fences” may be Pittsburgh in the and Rose’s son, Cory. His body posture 1950s, the characters may be blacks as he lumbers up the steps, shoulders and the issues may include attitudes curved in exasperation, resonates about race; but Wilson’s play projects with teenage angst. He is particularly universal themes, characters and situ- effective in his confrontation with his ations still current today. The Sumter father. Little Theatre production again re- Hugh China, who plays Troy’s veals the competency level of Sum- friend, Bono, establishes a believable ter’s local actors. camaraderie with his friend, adding “Fences” contains many verbal touches of verbal humor and good old zingers and visual nuances. Underly- boy booze sharing. Wilson allows ing the humor, however, are some se- Bono to chastise Troy for his behavior, PHOTOS BY IVY MOORE / SPECIAL TO THE SUMTER ITEM rious issues of trust, familial obliga- explore the relationship Troy has with ABOVE: Troy Maxson (Paul Brown) inter- tion, loyalty, parenting, self-concept Rose, and fill in time lapses with what rupts his wife Rose’s (Gwynette Waters) and religion. The six actors reward has gone on in characters’ lives — laundry day to steal a kiss in a lighter mo- the audience with a variety of note- tasks which China does with a mix- ment from August Wilson’s “Fences.” worthy acting moments. William Paul ture of sentimentality and honesty. Brown plays main character Troy Don Allen Phillips portrays Troy’s RIGHT: Maxson talks about the future with an amazing ability to deliver son by a previous relationship with with his son Cory (Markelle Roberts). mountains of dialogue with varying varying degrees of forcefulness. His temperaments — hostile, volatile, un- scene at the end of the play gives a forgiving, matter of fact, but not really clearer picture of his nature. na Gray’s first directing debut at SLT. apologetic or contrite. It is not in A line from the “Fantastics” states Although there were a few glitches Troy’s nature. Brown is especially “there are no small parts, only small (noticeably someone caught in silhou- powerful in his challenges with the actors.” Well, Eric Bultman certainly ette in the kitchen window during an devil, his jealously and anger with his is not small, and his characterization important scene), for the most part son and the gentle singing and holding of Troy’s brother, Gabriele, who has a the play moved smoothly and effec- of his baby girl. serious head injury incurred in World tively. Kudos to Gray for a good job. Gwynette Waters plays Troy’s wife, War II, turns a relatively small part “Fences” speaks to people today, re- Rose, and endows Wilson’s dialogue into monumental moments of laugh- vealing concerns deeply rooted in with a mixture of gentleness, hope ter, delight and amazement. human nature and in the difficulty of and disgust. Her Act 2 scenes with The stage design is very functional facing challenges in life. Brown reveal the tough decision mak- and the costuming appropriate (I had Sumter Little Theatre, 14 Mood Ave., ing and soul searching she must do. moments of guilt, however, with all presents August Wilson’s Pulitzer for students, seniors and military. Unfortunately, in several of her scenes the well- ironed shirts … but Rose's Prize-winning drama “Fences” Aug. For reservations, call Sumter Little her face is turned sideways to the au- character would want neatness). The 23-26 and Aug. 30-Sept. 2. Sunday per- Theatre at (803) 775-2150 or visit the dience and blocks the impact of her incidental jazz and the varied lighting formances are at 3 p.m., all others at 8 website www.sumterlittletheatre.com. facial features. themes add strength to director Brian- p.m. Prices are $20 for adults and $15 Season tickets are also available. Man charged Preliminary fiscal ’18 report before Sumter School Board with criminal BY BRUCE MILLS Debbie Hamm will provide year, the district began this July 1, 2017, through June [email protected] a student achievement re- school year on Monday 30, 2018.