SUMTER SCHOOL DISTRICT SLED to investigate Prompted by allegations against school employees in anonymous letter BY BRUCE MILLS That letter claims a district em- Item does not run anonymous let- [email protected] ployee used school district funds ters and will only identify people for multiple personal purchases. mentioned in the letter if charges SUNDAY, JUNE 18, 2017 $1.75 The State Law Enforcement Divi- The letter also accuses an adminis- are made against them. sion confirmed Friday it’s investi- trator of colluding with the person A spokesperson for the Sumter SERVING SOUTH CAROLINA SINCE OCTOBER 15, 1894 gating claims in an anonymous let- with other school district funds. County Sheriff’s Office said Friday ter concerning financial impropri- The letter has been circulating that once the agency became aware eties in Sumter School District. throughout the Sumter community of the letter about a week ago, SLED spokesperson Thom Berry and on social media sites during Sheriff Anthony Dennis immedi- said Friday his agency received a the last few weeks.. At the last ately decided to turn it over to request about a week ago from the board meeting on June 5, one SLED due to potential conflict-of- Sumter County Sheriff’s Office to member of the public was distrib- interest issues for his office. The 4 SECTIONS, 32 PAGES | VOL. 122, NO. 176 conduct an investigation, and the uting copies of the letter to other anonymous letter was included. meeting attendees. The Sumter SEE SLED, PAGE A14 OUTDOORS HAPPY FATHER’S DAY A model of love, character Warm weather brings out snakes Find out what to do to protect yourself from bites C6 SPORTS Di Lorenzo and Lahey set to battle for Palmetto Pro Open singles title B1 PANORAMA REACH arts program RICK CARPENTER / THE SUMTER ITEM showcases students’ Jess, left, and Butch Williams say love and perseverance are key qualities they both share. talent in summer A5 Williamses pass strong qualities from one generation to next USA TODAY BY BRUCE MILLS Why you should scatter [email protected] your bank accounts C1 orman “Butch” Williams and his son, Jess Williams, N have a close father-and-son DEATHS, A14 and A15 relationship. Professionally, Butch started Norman Lucille E. Brown Elreeda M. Blanding Williams and Associates 39 years ago in Julie Ann J. Floyd Marquille K. Miller 1978 with the help of his wife, Gloria. Gwendolyn W. Diaz Jacquemar Fudge-Law Since its start, the business has been a Eugene Fortune Thomas Mahoney Jr. very reputable employment and re- Edward Porter John D. Hudson III cruiting agen- Shirley B. Watkins Willie E. Funchess cy serving Eunice D. Smith Ann W. White DID YOU KNOW? Sumter County James L. Scott The idea of Father’s Day and the sur- was conceived more rounding than a century ago by areas. Jess fol- WEATHER, A16 Sonora Dodd of lowed in his fa- Spokane, Washington, ther’s footsteps MIXED BAG while she listened to a and took over CAITLAN WALZER / THE SUMTER ITEM Humid today with periods of Mother’s Day sermon in the family Bobby Robinson, 71, has been working at Perfection Bakery for 50- sun and clouds, some chance 1909. Dodd wanted a business in plus years and advises new fathers to encourage their children to of rain; tonight, partly special day to honor 1995 after col- work hard and follow their passion. cloudy, humid and warm. her father, William lege. Smart, a widowed Civil HIGH 91, LOW 73 But in sitting War veteran who was down and talk- left to raise his six ing with both, Experienced dads share children on a farm. you discover INSIDE CONTACT US that the busi- Classifieds C7-C8 Info: 774-1200 ness side is their fatherhood tips Comics D1 Advertising: 774-1237 only a small part of a larger and deeper Stocks C3 Classifieds: 774-1200 bond. BY CAITLAN WALZER Opinion A13 Delivery: 774-1258 Jess says he most admires how his fa- [email protected] However, experienced fa- Outdoors C6 News and Sports: ther loved and invested time and ener- thers in Sumter have taken Panorama A5 774-1226 gy with him and his sister, Melonie. First-time fathers have a their time to share father- While growing up, despite everyone’s new essence about their lives hood tips for the new or ex- busy schedules, the family always had as everything that they have pectant dads. dinner together every night. ever known completely chang- Father and son duo, both fa- VISIT US ONLINE AT the .com Jess says Saturdays were always a es with a new life being wel- thers, Harold and Buddy work day around the house, whether it comed. Thompson, believe that the key was he and his sister cutting grass with Babies require around-the- to any working relationship is two push lawn mowers for six hours to clock attention and care, to have steady communication. which is one of the many new SEE WILLIAMSES, PAGE A12 obstacles new fathers face. SEE TIPS, PAGE A12 With BOC Mobile, The Bank of Clarendon Is In Your Pocket. bankofclarendon.com 803.469.0156 A2 | SUNDAY, JUNE 18, 2017 THE SUMTER ITEM Call: (803) 774-1226 | E-mail: [email protected] LOCAL BRIEFS FROM STAFF REPORTS Local races not getting much attention Man faces more charges BY JIM HILLEY and for supporting health care legis- runoff election, Brawley, a publisher in apartment shooting [email protected] lation that could kick millions of peo- and small business owner from Hop- ple off of medical insurance. kins, easily outdistanced over Easto- Sumter Police Department The national media has focused a The Republican candidate has ver farmer H. Heath Hill. has issued more charges lot of attention on the Special Elec- touted his stances opposing abortion The Republican candidate, Bill against Marquis Tyquan tion in Georgia’s 6th Congressional and in support of gun rights, and has Strickland of Sumter, who did not Porcher, 23, who turned him- District. In that Republican leaning criticized Parnell for not voting in have opposition during his primary self in on Tuesday district, Democratic candidate John South Carolina. As the favorite, he campaign, said he is looking forward for firing a weap- Ossoff is leading or tied with Republi- has avoided giving Parnell an oppor- to Tuesday. on at Friendship can Karen Handel in most polls. Be- tunity for a face-to-face debate. “It seems like it’s been a long elec- Apartments on cause of that, pundits are closely Voters in the district will have tion cycle for the Special Election,” May 22. According watching the suburban Atlanta dis- their say on Tuesday. he said Friday. to Tonyia McGirt, trict for signs and portents of a Call it the “quiet campaign.” Strickland, who is retired from the public informa- change in the national electorate. The Special Election for South U.S. Air Force, said he is running in tion officer for the In South Carolina’s 5th Congres- Carolina House District 70 has not the heavily Democratic district to PORCHER police depart- sional District, which tilts heavily garnered a lot of media attention, give people a choice. The election ment, in addition Republican, pundits in the national but Democratic Party candidate has not been contested by a Republi- to attempted murder, Porcher, media have apparently written off Wendy Brawley said a surprising can candidate in several election cy- of 14 Copeland St., is also chances the Democratic nominee, number of voters are aware the elec- cles, he said. charged with unlawful carry- Archie Parnell, can pull off an upset tion is Tuesday. “(Voters) have an opportunity this ing of a weapon and possession over state Rep. Ralph Norman, the After a primary election May 2, time to elect someone with a slightly of a weapon during a violent GOP nominee. and a run-off election two weeks different approach,” he said. “Hope- crime. During the investiga- Both candidates are trying to fill later, a lot has been asked of voters. fully, they will take an opportunity tion, investigators were able to the seat vacated by former U.S. Rep. “Folks have really been dedicated to do,” Strickland said. identify Porcher as a suspect Mick Mulvaney, who now works as coming out so many times to vote, Brawley said she is hoping for a after multiple shots were fired the director of the Office of Man- and I am looking forward to a very good turnout. at the apartment complex agement and Budget in the White good Tuesday,” Brawley said. “I “This particular election has been where a vehicle was struck, House. think people are looking forward to very quiet and we are encouraging McGirt said. She said no inju- Parnell, a former Goldman Sachs having representation in that seat.” people to come back out and not for- ries were reported. Porcher is tax adviser who lives in Sumter, has The seat for House District 70 be- get because they are not hearing as being held at Sumter-Lee Re- run an aggressive campaign, target- came open with the unexpected much about this election,” she said. gional Detention Center. ing Norman in a humorous television death or Rep. Joe Neal in February. Polls in SC House District 70 and advertising campaign, and sharply The district includes parts of Rich- in the U.S. 5th Congressional District CCSD1 trustees set criticizing Norman for voting against land and Sumter counties. will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to meet Monday road funding bills in the SC House In the May 16 Democratic Party Tuesday.