IN SPORTS: Lakewood hosts A.C. Flora in 3rd round of 4A playoffs B1 NATION Shooting survivors on potential collision course with Trump TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2018 | Serving South Carolina since October 15, 1894 75 cents A5 Girl threatens to ‘shoot school down’ ing school on Monday that she just northeast of the city of Authorities contacted the Chestnut Oaks Middle student, would “shoot the school Sumter saw the writing and girl’s parents, and she was re- down,” according to Ken Bell, reported it to school officials, leased to their custody. 13, petitioned to Family Court public information officer for Bell said, and surveillance Law enforcement and Sumter County Sheriff’s Of- camera video led authorities to school officials stressed no BY KAYLA ROBINS Oaks Middle School in Sum- fice. She reportedly wrote suspect the 13-year-old. students were ever in danger [email protected] ter County, officials said. “10:09 2/20/18 I shoot this “She later reportedly admit- from this threat and that no The girl will be petitioned to school down” on the 7th-grade ted writing the message, al- weapon was located. A 13-year-old student re- Family Court for disturbing girls’ restroom floor. though authorities found no “Although we don’t believe portedly threatened to carry schools after she allegedly Other students attending the credibility to the threat,” Bell out a shooting at Chestnut wrote on a restroom floor dur- school on Oswego Highway said. SEE THREAT, PAGE A7 1 charged Future voters celebrate Presidents Day with parade after fatal, accidental shooting 3 friends reportedly handling rifle when it fired, struck 1 man BY ADRIENNE SARVIS [email protected] A Sumter man was charged with involuntary manslaughter in the shoot- ing death of Karter John- son, also known as Ky- ishawn Archie, who died on Monday. A preliminary investigation conducted by Sumter Police SPAIN Department indi- cates that 20-year-old Johnson was un- intentionally shot while he PHOTOS BY MICAH GREEN / THE SUMTER ITEM and two friends were han- Children at First Presbyterian Church celebrated Presidents Day by attending an annual parade on West Calhoun Street. Children made dling a rifle while at a paper hats and “future voter” buttons and interacted with Sumter High School Junior ROTC Color Guard. To watch yesterday’s episode of Meadow Circle residence Sumter Today about the event, go to theitem.com/studiosumter. about 11:45 p.m. on Sunday. Officers found Johnson, suffering a gunshot wound, and the other two men when they arrived on scene. Johnson was transported by EMS to Palmetto Health Tuomey, where he later died. Rashid Qawiyy Spain, 19, of Meadow Circle, was ar- rested and transported to Sumter-Lee Regional Deten- tion Center. The investigation is ongo- ing. Sumter County Coroner Robbie Baker said Johnson’s next of kin have been noti- fied and that an autopsy will be performed in Newberry at a later date. Sumter residents helped after bills double in January with an SCE&G account for Fireside Fund helps natural gas who heats her home strictly with a natural ‘Let’s treat them like family’ woman after layoff gas furnace, and the expense BY BRUCE MILLS is a large percentage of her BY MARK CHAMPAGNE cold weather [email protected] budget, according to Howell. have not left us The client was a full-time In total, I’ve lived in South yet. We continue The number of clients re- worker until four months ago Carolina for more than 20 to see large questing assistance at Sumter Howell said the Crisis Relief when the company she years, and I don’t remember numbers of peo- United Ministries’ Crisis Re- Ministry continues to inter- worked for laid her off, and us ever having such long ple coming lief Ministry has risen sharp- view as many people as possi- she wasn’t eligible for unem- stretches of cold weather as CHAMPAGNE through our ly in the last week or so as ble, and many Sumterites are ployment benefits, he said. we’ve experienced this year. doors who need final, or disconnect, notices being assisted thanks to dona- As she found a lateral move It’s great to see some relief assistance with now reflect the severe weather tions from The Sumter Item’s to be difficult, she quickly ac- and to feel the warming as unusually large bills. of early January, according to Fireside Fund. cepted a position in the service spring approaches. However, Crisis Relief Ministry Direc- Howell recently shared the the financial effects of the SEE FAMILY, PAGE A7 tor Kevin Howell. story of one client — a lady SEE FIRESIDE, PAGE A7 VISIT US ONLINE AT DEATHS, B4 WEATHER, A10 INSIDE Vivian S. Davis Stephen W. Stamps GONNA BE A WARM ONE 2 SECTIONS, 16 PAGES the .com Johnnie S. Livingston Dorothy Kinsley VOL. 123, NO. 88 Fog is possible this morning; Harriette M. Folkers James E. Bradley Classifieds B6 Sports B1 Cathy L. Sawyer Sarah R. Marsh partly sunny during the Comics A8 Television B5 Jacqueline J. Fulmore Ann King Marsh day and partly cloudy Loniell Pearson and warm tonight Opinion A9 HIGH 81, LOW 64 A2 | TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2018 THE SUMTER ITEM Call: (803) 774-1226 | E-mail: [email protected] LOCAL BRIEFS Newcomers club celebrating 50 years FROM STAFF REPORTS Phone scammers LEFT: Arlene Janis, president of threatening fake fines the Sumter Newcomers Club, accepts the official proclamation of Feb. 28 as Sumter Newcomers Sumter County officials are Club Day from Mayor Joseph T. warning residents of a phone McElveen. McElveen made the scam demanding information proclamation at the club’s and threatening a fine for miss- breakfast at the Spectrum Se- ing jury duty. nior Center. Sumter County Clerk of Court BELOW: Sumter Newcomers Jamie Campbell and Sumter Club Vice President Irma Wolfe County Sheriff Anthony Dennis reads the official document. The said numerous residents have club is celebrating its 50th anni- received recorded phone calls versary this month. from “Sumter County Court Ser- PHOTOS BY KIM DAULT / SPECIAL TO THE SUMTER vices Division” asking for a ITEM name and contact number. The message also threatens to fine residents for missing jury duty. The current scam number is (803) 720-2807, but it could change. “No such organization exists,” Campbell said in a social media post Friday. “If you are selected for jury duty, notifications are always done by mail.” “Sumter County residents should remember that, especial- ly this time of year, there are many types of telephone scams taking place,” Dennis said. Sumter mayor signs proclamation to make “Don’t give out any personal in- formation over the telephone. Never give out your credit or Feb. 28 Sumter Newcomers Club Day debit card numbers.” BY IVY MOORE If you have someone telling Special to The Sumter Item you to pay him or her with iTunes cards, hang up, he said. When Arlene Janis and her husband enjoys the meetings and the games. Residents can call the Clerk of moved to Sumter more than 20 years Members get together several days a Court’s Office at (803) 436-2227 to ago, she knew almost no one here and week for the dice game Bunco and other check if a call for jury duty is le- had no family in the area. Then she read games, such as Quix, Triominos and a gitimate. a listing in the newspaper about activities variety of card games, including bridge, in the area and went to a Sumter New- pinochle and canasta. There are also a comers Club meeting. book club and other activities. City council to discuss The mission of the club, she found, is “We enjoy activities that tax our alcohol sales for ‘18 events “to welcome people to Sumter. … (It is) a brains,” Wolfe said. “We are active, social, nonprofit organization existing alive and well.” under the auspices of the city (since Feb- Many members have become widows Sumter City Council will hold ruary 1968) to assist new residents to be- since joining the club, Wolfe said. ent elements of the theme with local a special-called meeting at 4:30 come acquainted with one another and to “That group has been a blessing to speakers from various backgrounds, in- p.m. today to discuss the 2018 inform them of available activities and me,” she said. “I believe in the club. I cluding published authors. Community Development Enti- services in the community.” thoroughly enjoy the activities.” Janis said the Newcomers Club will tlement Budget. “Annie Epperly invited me to a coffee The Newcomers select a theme each have the main celebration of its 50th an- The council’s regular meeting and to play Bunco,” she said. “I got my year, and Wolfe is in charge of setting niversary with a dinner catered by Lil- will be held at 5:30 p.m. today to husband involved in Bunco groups, and up programs each month, she said. The fred’s restaurant, a program and music consider a resolution to autho- we had socials with couples.” 2018 theme is “People in Our Neighbor- by the Sumter High School String Quar- rize the sale and consumption of Janis soon joined the club and is now hood.” tet on Saturday, Feb. 24, at the Alice beer and wine during multiple its current president. Already this month, the club has had Boyle Garden Center. Most of the club’s annual events throughout the “I’ve made lots of friends in the a breakfast during which Sumter 98 members will be in attendance, includ- year. Council will also consider club,” she said.