FOOD ‘Sinfully rich’ brownies and easy cheesecake SERVING SOUTH CAROLINA SINCE OCTOBER 15, 1894 Do we need to say more? C1 WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2019 $1.00 Tri-county region’s Heat wave should cities, towns flat in Census estimates let up at weekend Closest growth areas in Kershaw, Richland Sumter sees record-tying or breaking temps for 3rd day BY BRUCE MILLS palities, or incorporated plac- BY KAYLA ROBINS of 101 for the area on Tues- day’s record. Friday and [email protected] es, in the 50 states on Thurs- [email protected] day. The hottest it had ever Saturday saw temperatures day. been on any May 28 since at 97 and 100, both one de- The state’s coastal and Up- The City of Sumter — by far Sumter County remains the agency’s record-keeping gree lower than that day’s state cities and towns contin- the largest municipality in the under a hazardous weather began in 1887 was 99 de- record. Saturday’s high of ue to grow with new residents three counties — had a 2018 outlook as temperatures grees in 1914. It is normally 100 tied for a record reached moving in while many areas population estimate of 39,656, notched a third digit for the 87 degrees on this day, with in 1953, and Monday’s 99-de- of the Midlands to include the according to the Census Bu- third time since Saturday. it being 85 on May 28 last gree high tied for a record tri-county region remain flat reau. That’s about a 2% reduc- After only cooling down year. reached in 1916. or are losing population. tion from the city’s 2010 Cen- to a low of 68 degrees over- Tuesday’s record comes The heat will continue to The U.S. Census Bureau re- sus total of 40,524. night, the National Weather after highs over Memorial stifle Sumter for the rest of leased annual population esti- Service in Columbia record- Day weekend were one de- mates for 2018 for all munici- SEE CENSUS, PAGE A8 ed a record-breaking high gree lower or tied with each SEE HEAT, PAGE A8 ‘Sometimes, we take for A night for granted joy things like we all got to go to the prom. So, for most of us, it’s a good memory, but these kids, they didn’t get the chance to do that. And I think it’s important for us to step out of our comfort zone to see a different MICAH GREEN / THE SUMTER ITEM community.’ Joy Prom guests dance and sing during a night of fun and pampering just for them at The O’Donnell House on Saturday. GWEN HEROD rom is a night teenagers have yet to check that box off their bucket list got the chance. The Joy Court liaison for the look forward to, a night 4th-annual Joy Prom lets Prom was their night to shine. Sumter County Sheriff’s to dress up in fancy out- “If you’ve ever seen one, you’d Office, Joy Prom teens, adults with special P want to do it in your town,” said fits, take a limo and dance the Gwen Herod, court liaison for the organizer needs enjoy milestone night away, but children with Sumter County Sheriff’s Office and special needs often miss out on organizer for the now fourth-annu- al event that pampers teens and they may have missed the adventure. adults with special needs by giving them the prom experience, from BY KAYLA ROBINS [email protected] On Saturday at The O’Donnell House in Sumter, those who may SEE JOY, PAGE A7 VISIT US ONLINE AT DEATHS, B4 WEATHER, A10 INSIDE Lurenna Bradshaw Joe Brian Andrew MacCrindle STAY INSIDE 3 SECTIONS, 20 PAGES the .com VOL. 124, NO. 156 Charles Eric Miller Martha Porter Very hot today; mainly clear Anne Prothro Goldsmith Yancy McCray Jr. and warm tonight Classifieds B6 Opinion A9 Wilhemenia Strong-Farmer Freddie Lee Wright HIGH 100, LOW 73 Comics C2 Sports B1 Food C1, C4 Television C3 $PBDI%BE#BOLFS 1VU+PTI.D(SFHPSPOZPVSUFBN Josh is one example of how our bank does business. His career, his work with young people, and his devotion to his family make 4VNUFSt.BOOJOHt4BOUFFt4VNNFSUPOt8ZCPP Josh who he is. 88FTNBSL#MWE 4VNUFS 4$ Just like Josh, our team works hard for our customers everyday. 803 469-0156 CBOLPGDMBSFOEPOCBOL A2 | WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2019 THE SUMTER ITEM Call: (803) 774-1226 | E-mail: [email protected] Late Morris College Review of Lee prison riot president subject probe may of new biography finish soon BY IVY MOORE urrection.” The new president BISHOPVILLE (AP) — Prosecutors Features Contributor faced a college in debt and unac- may be close to completing their re- credited, with a small enrollment. view of an investigation of a riot at a Dr. Luns C. Richardson’s contri- Felder chronicles Richardson’s South Carolina prison that left seven butions to and achievements at successful efforts at resolving inmates dead. Morris College during his 43-year Morris’ debts, including outstand- South Carolina Department of service as college president could ing taxes. He also shows the Corrections spokeswoman Chrysti likely fill several volumes. In his growth of Morris College under Shain told The Greenville News in a latest book, James L. “Jim” Felder Richardson, including the addi- story published Tuesday that the re- sets those achievements in the tion of many new buildings, huge view may finish in a few weeks. No context of Richardson’s life from increase in student enrollment one has been charged so far in the PHOTO PROVIDED his birth in 1928 to his death in and the obtaining of accreditation. April 2018 violence at the Lee Cor- Dr. Luns C. Richardson was the longest 2018, both in his hometown of Felder interviewed 122 individu- rectional Institution in Bishopville. Hartsville. als for his book, all of whom had serving college president in South Car- It was the worst U.S. prison riot in 25 In “The Life and Times of Dr. high praise for Richardson. olina. His many accomplishments dur- years. Luns C. Richardson,” Felder takes Among the adjectives and phrases ing his 43-year tenure at Morris College Corrections Director Bryan Stir- the reader from Richardson’s they used to describe him are is among the topics in James L. Felder’s ling said last month that an investi- childhood on the family’s share- “savior” of Morris College, biography titled “The Life and Times of gation had been completed and cropped farm to his many tri- “straight shooter,” “Renaissance Dr. Luns C. Richardson. would be sent to prosecutors. umphs in education, beginning at Man,” “visionary,” “always fair” Citing records it obtained, the Denmark Technical College, and more. family, his service in the ministry, Greenville News said at least 41 in- which he served for 15 years, and The book is amply illustrated his many contributions outside mates at the prison have been inves- continuing through several other with photographs of significant academia, his triumphs and his tigated on suspicion of homicide. posts, including principal at St. people and events, and there is a frustrations. The newspaper said 12 of them were Helena Island High School in comprehensive timeline of Rich- “The Life and Times of Dr. Luns cleared of wrongdoing. Beaufort and Wilson High in Flor- ardson’s life achievements. C. Richardson” can be purchased ence, followed by service as dean Upon Richardson’s retirement, at Imports Ltd., 9 Main St., and of students and acting president Congressman James E. Clyburn beginning Friday, at Books-A-Mil- at Benedict College in Columbia. spoke to Congress to pay tribute to lion in Sumter Mall. Several book Between 1972 and 1973, Richard- Richardson. His closing attempted signings in Sumter are currently son stabilized Benedict’s ailing fi- to sum up Richardson’s impact: being scheduled for June. ‘I Stop Bullying’ nances and resolved an FBI probe “ … Dr. Luns C. Richardson is a James L. Felder is the author of of the college’s use of federal giant of a man whose impact on “I Buried John F. Kennedy,” “Civil funds. He increased the college’s the countless lives he touched, the Rights in South Carolina” and Awareness Rally real estate holdings, as well, be- City of Sumter, the entire state of “The Making of an AME Bishop.” fore accepting the presidency of South Carolina and indeed the en- He is a member of the South Car- for kids, adults Morris College in 1973. tire nation will be felt throughout olina Black Hall of Fame, a U.S. Chapter 7 of Felder’s nine-chap- the ages.” Army veteran and one of the first BY DANNY KELLY ter biography is dedicated to Rich- Felder’s book fills many of the three black men elected to the [email protected] ardson’s 43-year tenure at Morris gaps not as well known, relating S.C. Legislature since Reconstruc- and is titled “Morris College Res- his relationships with friends and tion. If you want to find out more about how to recognize and stop bullying, consider attending the “I Stop Bully- ing” Awareness Rally, coordinated by CCTC PTK, Biology Club invite public to Community Clean Up Event on Friday Boss Up Enterprise LLC, this Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. at The Executive Building, 410 W. Liberty St. FROM STAFF REPORTS a-Highway project and are inviting the community to The event is free and open to the pub- Central Carolina Technical College’s PTK and Biology participate. If you or someone you know would like to lic.