NOTICE: The Clarendon Sun will now be published as part of each Friday’s edition SPORTS Tebow starting to feel more at home in pro baseball B1 THURSDAY, MAY 4, 2017 | Serving South Carolina since October 15, 1894 75 cents SUMTER SCHOOL DISTRICT SPECIAL ELECTIONS GOP’s Norman, Celebration of excellence Pope to visit Three finalists named for teacher Sumter today BY JIM HILLEY of the year awards [email protected] BY BRUCE MILLS [email protected] The two candidates who will face off in a run-off election Sumter School District May 16 to be the Republican recognized many of its fin- nominee for South Carolina est educators earlier this 5th Congressional District will week by naming the teach- appear in Sumter tonight, ac- ers of the year for next year cording to Sumter Republican at each of its 28 schools and County Chairman Jason Red- also naming the three final- dick. ists for District Teacher of The local party will have a the Year. The ceremony meet-and-greet event at 7 p.m. Monday night at the Lake- at the Restaurant at Second wood High School Fine Arts Mill, 1100 W. Liberty St., he Center was part of the dis- said, and former state Rep. trict’s Celebration of Excel- Ralph Norman and state lence, hosted by current and House Speaker Pro Tem Rep. immediate-past teachers of Tommy Pope have said they the year at each school cam- will appear. pus, who make up the dis- PHOTO BY SHELLY GALLOWAY / SUMTER SCHOOL DISTRICT The two York County resi- trict’s teacher forum. Wilder Elementary School Principal David Wright, left, shares a hug with Erica Jefferson after she was dents finished first and second Each teacher-of-the-year named one of three finalists for Sumter School District Teacher of the Year for 2017-18 on Monday in Tuesdays primary election winner participated in a pin- night at Lakewood High School. At the ceremony, Jefferson was also named campus teacher of the according to www.scvotes.org, ning ceremony on stage with year for next year for Wilder. with Pope able to claim first- a Sumter Teacher Forum pin place bragging rights by 118 and also received a gift bag. enhance their leadership district personnel. nized the hard work of all votes. The vote totals Wednes- The purpose of the teacher skills throughout the year In naming the three final- the teachers of the year in at- day afternoon showed Pope forum is to recognize the and help them impact the ists for district teacher of the tendance — past and present. with 11,900 votes and Norman teachers of the year and to professional development of year for next year, Superin- with 11,782. offer opportunities to further other teachers, according to tendent Frank Baker recog- SEE DISTRICT, PAGE A5 South Carolina National Guard Commander Tom Mul- likin finished third, with 7,734 votes, and former S.C. Republi- can Party Chairman Chad Grad season officially begins Connelly was fourth with 5,536 votes. Pope, a former prosecutor, said in an emailed statement he has spent his life trying to help people. “I’ve lived my life running towards problems, whether bad guys or bad policies. I’ve worked in the State House to fight for conservative causes like tax reform, the 2nd Amendment, and protecting the unborn.” He also criticized Norman’s record in the General Assem- bly. “My opponent has never got- ten much done in Columbia,” Pope said. “He casts countless strange votes, voting against jobs, farmers, the Port of Charleston, and he even voted against investigating Planned Parenthood’s business practic- es.” At a victory celebration Tuesday night in York County, Norman said the run-off would be a challenge. “This is a tremendous victo- ry in the sense that on March 15, I was behind by 15 points,” he said. “This next two weeks, it’s not going to be easy, it’s not over with.” Norman contrasted his RICK CARPENTER / THE SUMTER ITEM background with that of his Graduation season officially began Wednesday morning when the University of South Carolina Sumter awarded mainly associate de- run-off opponent. grees. Katherine Brinson, right, assists Scheherazade Charles with her mortar board and tassel as they prepare to walk into the Nettles “I am a business guy,” he Building Auditorium to receive their Associate of Arts degrees. said. “I will be running against a trial lawyer. It’s a fundamental difference in phi- losophy. Pope or Norman will face Democratic nominee Archie Public asked to take part in National Police Week Parnell, who lives in Sumter, in the June 20 special election. FROM STAFF REPORTS Sumter CrimeStoppers. The former Goldman Sachs The public is asked to participate tax adviser overwhelmed his Residents will have the opportuni- in the 2017 National Police Week opposition in the Democratic ty to recognize and interact with Golf Tournament at 8 a.m. on May primary, claiming 13,323 votes local law enforcement officers dur- 15 at Sunset Country Club, 1005 out of 18,690 votes cast in the ing National Police Week, May 15-20. Golfcrest Road. primary, for more than 71 per- National Police Week has been The format is four-man captain’s cent. celebrated during the week of May choice. Parnell urged his supporters 15 after President John F. Kennedy Registration for the tournament is to remain active heading into designated May 15 Peace Officers at 8 a.m. and registration fees are the June election. Memorial Day in 1962. $200 per team — fee includes post- “This is just the beginning,” During the week, the public can tournament meal. Beverages will be Parnell said. “If you care get to know the officers in their areas and help raise money for SEE POLICE, PAGE A5 SEE ELECTION, PAGE A5 VISIT US ONLINE AT DEATHS, B5 WEATHER, A10 INSIDE C.L. Williams Ira B. Bradley WARM AND STORMY 2 SECTIONS, 18 PAGES the .com John Harrison Jr. Yvonne McClary A little cooler today with VOL. 122, NO. 144 Ann A. Shorter Reginald A. McDonald good chance of spotty Classifieds B7 Virginia C. Rogerson William E. Johnson afternoon showers; tonight, Comics B6 Ladray Sampson Dan Felder severe weather possible. Opinion A9 HIGH 81, LOW 59 Television A8 A2 | THURSDAY, MAY 4, 2017 THE SUMTER ITEM Call: (803) 774-1226 | E-mail: [email protected] Development Wife of Nigerian archbishop to board hires project manager speak tonight at Holy Cross FROM STAFF REPORTS Gloria Kwashi, right, the wife of Arch- FROM STAFF REPORTS bishop Benjamin Kwashi, left, of Jos in Gloria Kwashi, wife of Archbishop northern Nigeria, will speak at 6 p.m. Jay Schwedler, president and CEO Benjamin Kwashi of the Ecclesiasti- today at the Church of the Holy Cross in of Sumter Economic Development, has cal Province of Jos in the Church of Stateburg. Her recently published book, announced the hiring of Brian Nigeria, will speak at 6 p.m. today in “Gloria! The Archbishop’s Wife,” details Rauschenbach as economic develop- the Parish Hall at the Church of the much of the violence she has endured ment project manager for all SED’s or- Holy Cross in Stateburg. Her recent- in that role. ganizations — Sumter ly published book, “Gloria! The PHOTO PROVIDED Development Board, Archbishop’s Wife,” details her expe- Sumter Smarter Growth riences in that role, which do not re- Initiative and TheLINK, flect the peace and comfort one the regional Economic would ordinarily expect, according to Alliance of Lee and Sum- information release by the church. ter counties. He will be The province of Jos is torn by vi- responsible for business olence between Muslims and and orphans and to support her The public is invited to hear Glo- RAUSCHENBACH retention and expansion Christians, and the Kwashi family husband in his ministry in north- ria Kwashi share her faith in and facilitating workforce had not gone unscathed. ern Nigeria. “Christ, the great life-changer,” the development programs for existing in- Gloria Kwashi has had her house Archbishop Kwashi and his wife topic of her talk, at 6 p.m. today at dustry, according to a news release burned and has endured rape and Gloria continue to live in Jos, Pla- Church of the Holy Cross, 335 N. from the organizaiton. beatings, one of which left her teau State, in Northern Nigeria. Kings Highway. There is no charge Rauschenbach, a Pickens native, has blinded until her sight was restored They have six grown children and for admission, and light refresh- been a resident of Sumter for more through surgery. Undaunted, she more than 30 orphans living with ments will be served. For more in- than 20 years. He is a veteran of the continues to reach out to widows them at Bishopscourt. formation call (803) 494-8101. U.S. Air Force and served as the youth apprenticeship consultant for Appren- ticeship Carolina. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration specializing in technology manage- ment and associate degrees in Applied Sciences specializing in aviation main- tenance technology and Instructor of Technology and Military Sciences from the Community College of the Air Force. “I live in Sumter, and I love Sumter,” Rauschenbach said. “I want my kids to have future opportunities here and for the companies to remain competitive and successful. I am eager to be part of that process.” Schwedler said Rauschenbach has a proven track record in workforce de- velopment and program management experience. PHOTO PROVIDED The Sumter Civic Chorale, directed by Herbert Johnson, will present its spring concert, “Around the World in 60 Minutes,” at 3 LOCAL BRIEF p.m.