IN SPORTS: SHS volleyball player, top student earns scholar athlete award B1 Mental health worries linger after killings FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 | Serving South Carolina since October 15, 1894 75 cents A5 FCC votes to end ‘net neutrality’ BY TALI ARBEL and In a straight party-line vote see and do online. On Thurs- “What is the FCC doing overturn the FCC decision. BARBARA ORTUTAY of 3-2, the Republican-con- day, about 60 protesters gath- today?” asked FCC chairman Mark Stanley, a spokesman AP Technology Writer trolled FCC junked the long- ered in the bitter chill in Ajit Pai, a Republican. “Quite for the civil liberties organiza- time principle that said all Washington to protest the simply, we are restoring the tion Demand Progress, said NEW YORK — The Federal web traffic must be treated FCC’s expected decision. light-touch framework that there is a “good chance” Con- Communications Commission equally. The move represents The broadband industry has governed the internet for gress could reverse it. repealed the Obama-era “net a radical departure from a de- has promised that the inter- most of its existence.” “The fact that Chairman neutrality” rules Thursday, cade of federal oversight. net experience for the public The FCC vote is unlikely to Pai went through with this, a giving internet service provid- In recent months, protests isn’t going to change. But its be the last word. Opponents of policy that is so unpopular, is ers such as Verizon, Comcast have erupted online and in companies lobbied hard to the move plan legal challeng- somewhat shocking,” he said. and AT&T a free hand to slow the streets as ordinary Ameri- overturn the rules, contend- es, and some hope to make it “Unfortunately, not surpris- or block websites and apps as cans worry that cable and ing they are too heavy handed an issue in the 2018 midterm ing.” they see fit or charge more for phone companies will now be and are discouraging invest- elections. There is also some faster speeds. able to control what people ment in broadband networks. hope that Congress might SEE NEUTRALITY, PAGE A11 Children perform ‘In Bethlehem’ First Presbyterian Preschool and Kindergarten present- ed its Christmas program, “In Bethlehem,” on Wednes- day. The children, ages 2 to 5, sang “Mary Had a Baby Boy,” “A Christmas Star” and numerous other songs to a packed auditorium. PHOTOS BY RHONDA BARRICK / THE SUMTER ITEM Prep for safe, stress-free Christmas this year BY ADRIENNE SARVIS TRAVEL TIPS thermostat so that the items can keep [email protected] Save electricity while traveling each other cold. If traveling will last • Set the thermostat no lower than more than four weeks, consider com- Preparing for the holidays is al- 55 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent pletely emptying the refrigerator and ready a taxing endeavor without the pipes from freezing. Setting the fan to freezer and unplugging the whole added stress of traveling, caring for “auto” instead of the “on” setting will unit; pets and sending and receiving gifts help reduce energy consumption • Be sure to unplug devices such as through the mail. Though some fami- while away; radios, TVs, coffee makers, cable lies may be moving toward the big • Turn off the electric water heater boxes and computers because each day according to schedule, the follow- if traveling will last a few days. It only device that is left plugged in will con- ing tips may be the early Christmas takes about an hour for the water to sume energy; and gift needed to solidify this year’s place be re-heated for most models; • Turn off any lights or fans before as the best — if not the most energy- • Tightly pack items in the fridge or saving and safest — Christmas yet. freezer before adjusting the internal SEE PREP, PAGE A11 VISIT US ONLINE AT DEATHS, B4 WEATHER, A12 INSIDE Lee R. Pearson Mary Nell Lee Floyd Ida Mae D. Knowles SUNNY FRIDAY 3 SECTIONS, 28 PAGES the .com VOL. 123, NO. 41 Samuel Witherspoon Helen D. Arnemann Willie E. Robinson Partly sunny; partly Joe L. Simon Maxie J. Marshall Paige C. Wright cloudy and cold Classifieds B7 Sports B1 Haulean T. Smith Timothy M. Barkley James D. Burgess Comics C6 Television C4 Barbara Jean Wilder Bonnie Mae Dyke Audrey S. Faust HIGH 59, LOW 30 Bessie S. Joye Margaree W. Whack Rosa Lee James Green Opinion A10 USA Today C1 Alonzo Colclough Charles E. McLeod Explore our stylish collection of stackable rings to create your own look! If you didn’t buy from us, you paid too much! A2 | FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 THE SUMTER ITEM Call: (803) 774-1226 | E-mail: [email protected] Sumter native takes helm of strike group BY PETTY OFFICER 2ND CLASS JESSE MONFORD Special to The Sumter Item SAN DIEGO, California — Rear Adm. Cedric E. Pringle, a Sumter native, re- lieved Rear Adm. Cathal S. O'Connor as commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 3, during a change of command ceremony held on amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) on Dec. 8. O'Connor assumed command of ESG-3 in January 2017, and upon his departure will be assigned as chief of staff, J-5, Joint Staff, in Washington, D.C. Pringle’s most recent assignment was as deputy director, Joint Inter- agency Task Force (JIATF) South. At sea, he previously commanded USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41). During this tour, he participated in humanitar- ian assistance and disaster relief opera- tions in response to Hurricane Katrina in September 2005. He also commanded the Navy’s first hybrid propulsion drive ship, USS Makin Island (LHD 8). Dur- ing his tenure there, Makin Island com- pleted its maiden deployment and achieved numerous successes, includ- ing earning the Battle “E” Award, the Retention Excellence Award, Afloat and Aviation Operational Safety Awards and the President’s Volunteer Service Award for community out- reach. “I am blessed and honored to com- U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST 2ND CLASS JESSE MONFORD mand the men and women of ESG-3,” Rear Adm. Cedric E. Pringle, commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 3, a Sumter native, walks through sideboys during the ESG-3 said Pringle. “Admiral O’Connor and change of command ceremony held onboard amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) on Dec. 8 in San Diego, California. During his staff have prepared our blue /green the ceremony, Rear Adm. Cathal S. O’Connor relinquished command of ESG-3 to Pringle. team to execute the full range of mili- tary operations whenever and wherev- er needed. Our nation has depended on presented O'Connor with a Legion of prepared amphibious units for opera- first ARG F-35B, Joint Strike Fighter this strike group time after time, and I Merit as an end-of-tour award, recog- tions within U.S. 3rd Fleet and for Am- employment and first amphibious ship am humbled to continue that legacy.” nizing him for his exceptional service phibious Ready Group (ARG)/Marine High Mobility Artillery Rocket System ESG-3 comprises three amphibious to the U.S. Navy. Expeditionary Unit (MEU) deploy- operational launch at sea. Implement- squadrons, eight naval support ele- "Cat has taken great pride in ensur- ments worldwide. ing advanced warfighting concepts, he ments and 14 amphibious warships ing that the training of our Sailors and He oversaw the USS Makin Island exercised Littoral Operations in a Con- comprised of nearly 14,000 active-duty Marines is second to none," said Alex- (LHD 8) ARG's successful deployment tested Environment and Expeditionary and reserve Sailors and Marines. The ander. "We owe them everything they to 5th and 7th fleets. Following this, he Advanced Base Operations for the first mission of ESG-3 is to serve as the com- need to fight and win, and that is a tre- was responsible for the execution of time in a live event. mand element for Marine expedition- mendous responsibility. We can't pre- USS America (LHA 6)/15th MEU's pre- O'Connor's initiatives during his ten- ary-brigade-level expeditionary opera- dict what awaits them over the horizon, deployment training cycle, on-time de- ure in command to improve warfight- tions as commander of an amphibious but we can know with great certainty ployment, and demonstrated operation- ing readiness changed the way future task force. that they will be ready to face any al readiness to 5th, 6th and 7th fleets. strike groups will train and operate, Vice Adm. John D. Alexander, Com- threat, because Cat wouldn't let them As commander, Amphibious Task which will deliver the most capable mander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, served as the be out there if they weren't." Force (ATF) during Exercise Dawn ships to geographic combatant com- guest speaker for the event. Alexander As commander, ESG-3, O'Connor Blitz 2017, he seamlessly integrated the manders. been charged. LOCAL & Wilson is a client of Rich- Sumter United Ministries needs ard Quinn, a consultant also STATE BRIEFS indicted. Herlong says Wil- FROM STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS son sought advice from Quinn on how to address volunteers for Christmas project the case publicly, knowing a Herlong calls on state police report tied BY KAYLA ROBINS tive director of the county- Volunteers should park next Wilson to resign Quinn to the overall investi- [email protected] wide nonprofit that also pro- to Sumter United Ministries gation. vides home repair, financial at the American Legion next COLUMBIA — A Repub- Sumter United Ministries assistance, medical care, to the Sumter County Civic lican mounting a primary Local youth to show reaches out to families, the el- emergency shelter and educa- Center on West Liberty Street challenge to South Caroli- talents at event derly and anyone who may tion help to those in need.