IN SPORTS: Defending champ LMA softball returns plenty of experience for another title run B1 SCIENCE Arctic sea ice records new low for winter A6 FRIDAY, MARCH 24, 2017 | Serving South Carolina since October 15, 1894 75 cents Combating prison cellphones in prison, which corrections missioners how he was shot Ex-corrections directors across the country six times at his home early say is what they need to shut one morning in March 2010. down inmate cellphone use, “My doctor said I should be officer testifies once and for all. dead. ... Last Wednesday, I had But commissioners includ- surgery Number 24, but who’s in front of FCC ing Chairman Ajit Pai said the counting?” step was one that could hope- At the time, Johnson was COLUMBIA (AP) — Federal fully begin to combat the the lead officer tasked with officials took a step Thursday phones that officials say are keeping contraband items like toward increasing safety in the No. 1 safety issue behind tobacco, weapons and cell- prisons by making it easier to bars. phones out of Lee Correction- find and seize cellphones ob- The vote came after power- al Institution, a prison 50 tained illegally by inmates, ful testimony from Robert miles east of Columbia that voting unanimously to ap- Johnson, a former South Car- houses some of the state’s prove rules to streamline the olina corrections officer who most dangerous criminals. process for using technology was nearly killed in a shoot- The items are smuggled in- AP FILE PHOTO to detect and block contra- ing that authorities said was side, tossed over fences or Capt. Robert Johnson is shown in September 2010 outside of the band phones in prisons and the first in the country or- even delivered by drone. guard house at the Lee Correctional Institution in Bishopville. John- jails across the U.S. chestrated by an inmate using Since then, Johnson has be- son, an ex-South Carolina corrections officer who was nearly killed in The 3-0 vote by the Federal an illegal cellphone inside come an advocate on the a hit orchestrated by an inmate using an illegal cellphone, testified Communications Commission prison. Thursday before the Federal Communications Commission about pre- in Washington doesn’t make it “I bled out three times,” venting inmate access to cellphones. legal to jam cellphone signals Johnson recalled, telling com- SEE PRISON, PAGE A4 High flyer Lockheed Martin moving F-16 jet production to S.C. GREENVILLE (AP) — Lockheed Martin is moving production of F-16 fighter jets from Texas to South Carolina. News media outlets report the company is moving production of F-16s to Greenville to make room for expanded production of the newer F-35 jet fighters in Fort Worth, Texas. A company spokeswoman says the move will create about 250 jobs in Greenville. Defense One — www.defenseone.com — re- ports that the United States has not purchased F-16s since 1999, but Lockheed Martin has or- ders from several countries. F-16 fighter jets first entered service in 1979. Lockheed Martin Greenville spokeswoman Leslie Farmer says the last F-16 in Texas should be complete in September. Farmer says it will take about two years to begin production in Greenville. Lockheed Martin currently employs about 500 people in Greenville, providing mainte- U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO BY AIRMAN 1ST CLASS CHRISTOPHER MALDONADO / SPECIAL TO THE SUMTER ITEM nance, repairs and overhauls. An F-16CM Fighting Falcon assigned to the 77th Fighter Squadron flies over Poinsett Electronic Combat Range, Wedgefield. Population estimates show Sumter mostly flat since 2010 BY BRUCE MILLS [email protected] COUNTY POPULATION ESTIMATES The latest U.S. Census Bureau an- 2016 Estimate ...................................................2010 Census..............................................Percent change 2010-16 nual population estimates show Sumter County basically remaining Sumter Co. 107,396 ............................................107,456.................................................................(-0.06 percent) the same in total population since Clarendon Co. 33,951 ..........................................34,971..................................................................(-2.92 percent) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS the last decennial Census in 2010. Lee Co. 17,635 ....................................................19,220...................................................................(-8.25 percent) House Freedom Caucus Chairman Rep. Mark Sumter County’s official Census STATE 4,961,119 ..............................................4,625,364.................................................................+7.26 percent Meadows, R-N.C., reacts to a question Thurs- population estimate for 2016 is day on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. 107,396. The county’s population in Source: U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program the 2010 Census was 107,456, reflect- ing a cumulative decrease of less Decisive vote put off than one-tenth of 1 percent during tional component for immigrants furnished by the Census Bureau on the six-year period. The state, how- and a domestic total for U.S. citi- Thursday; however, the bureau’s ever, fueled by the major metropoli- zens moving into and out of U.S. annual estimates data last decade tan areas of Greenville, Charleston, counties for various reasons, such for Sumter showed the county los- until Friday morning Myrtle Beach and Columbia — and as retirement or employment. To ing people primarily in the work- their respective suburban areas — provide the most accurate popula- ing-age population, 18 to 54 years WASHINGTON (AP) — After seven has grown by 7.3 percent, or 335,755 tion data, the bureau’s estimate to- old, according to research from years of fervent promises to repeal and residents, during the same time tals lag by one year. That’s why the Santee-Lynches Regional Council replace “Obamacare,” President Trump frame. 2016 population estimates were re- of Governments. The COG serves a and GOP congressional leaders buckled at The Census Bureau officially re- leased Thursday. four-county region to include Sum- a moment of truth Thursday, putting off leased year 2016 population esti- Looking inside the bureau’s num- ter and is focused on improving a planned showdown vote in a stinging mates for every county in the U.S. bers, Sumter County had a natural quality of life in the counties. setback for the young administration. on Thursday. The bureau releases increase (births minus deaths) of The most reliable employment The White House insisted the House county population estimates annu- +2,959 since the 2010 census. How- data from the Bureau of Labor Sta- vote would still happen — Friday morn- ally in March, based on individual ever, the net migration total for tistics shows Sumter County gained ing instead — but with opposition flowing county residential data to include Sumter during the time frame was 2,166 jobs from 2010 to 2016 within from both strongly conservative and mod- “natural increase” totals — official -3,103. International net migration the county, according to the Quar- erate-leaning GOP lawmakers, that was births minus deaths data — and was +1,054, but net domestic migra- terly Census of Employment and far from assured. “net migration” totals — or the tion of U.S. residents into and out Wages. QCEW data doesn’t include The delay was announced after Trump, movement of residents into and out of the county was -4,157. Net do- of counties — during the year. Net mestic migration by primary age migration totals include an interna- groups for the county couldn’t be SEE POPULATION, PAGE A4 SEE REPEAL, PAGE A4 VISIT US ONLINE AT CONTACT US DEATHS, B5 WEATHER, A12 INSIDE Information: 774-1200 Grant J. Conyers Joan M. Hitesman A PLEASANT DAY 2 SECTIONS, 24 PAGES the .com Advertising: 774-1246 James K. Rogers Christine McClam VOL. 122, NO. 115 Classifieds: 774-1234 Partly sunny Jacqueline D. Joe Michael Workman and warmer. Classifieds B6 Delivery: 774-1258 Doretha B. Geddie Willie Martin Sr. News and Sports: 774-1226 Tonight, mostly Comics A10 Mattie Clea Willie Tindal cloudy. Sarah L. Miller Larry E. Jennings Sr. Opinion A11 HIGH 74, LOW 51 Television A8, A9 A2 | FRIDAY, MARCH 24, 2017 THE SUMTER ITEM Call: (803) 774-1226 | E-mail: [email protected] Man, woman Ceremony honors 3 Sumter women charged for FROM STAFF REPORTS At left, Edna Davis, seated, was in- troduced as a 2017 addition to the Jan. break-in Three women were honored Tuesday as Outstand- Sumter Volunteers Inc. Women’s ing Women of Sumter County. Edna Louise Davis, Honor Roll of Sumter County. Dor- FROM STAFF REPORTS Annette Hill Matthews and the late Myrtis Baker othy Toney, standing, presented a Logan were added to the Sumter Volunteers Inc. brief overview of Davis’ life of ser- On Monday, Sumter Police Women’s Honor Roll, bringing to 114 the vice. Department issued charges for total number of women so honored dur- a man and woman, captured on ing the past 25 years. surveillance video breaking The Rev. Steve Shumake, chairman of into a local pawn the Sumter Volunteers Inc. board, pre- shop in January, sided, and Director Jo Anne Morris pre- after a two-month sented the honorees following greetings investigation. from Sumter Mayor Joseph T. McElveen While investi- LOGAN and Assistant County Administrator gating the break- Lorraine Dennis, representing Sumter in, officers con- County Council. JONES nected 23-year-old Friends of the honorees gave an overview of the Brandon W. community contributions of each as they were cele- Jones, of 3330 W. brated by the large crowd at the Swan Lake Visitors Cummings Road, Center. Climbing Lady Banksia roses thrive at the Effingham, and Sumter County Civic Center as a living monument to PHOTOS BY IVY MOORE / THE SUMTER ITEM 26-year-old Gayla the 114 members of the Women’s Honor Roll of Sum- Laura Ayers, left, introduced An- E. Feagin, of 730 ter County, and a plaque including their names nette Matthews, right, to the large Rio Drive, Darling- hangs in the foyer of Patriot Hall.