20th SFS honors retiring MWDs Dogs Astra, Marky honored in ceremony BY AIRMAN 1ST CLASS patrol explosive detector military KATHRYN R.C. REAVES SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 2018 $1.75 working dogs, and marked the day 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs they transitioned from service SERVING SOUTH CAROLINA SINCE OCTOBER 15, 1894 members to pets. Standing on a stage in front of “I’ve seen too many memorials their wingmen at Shaw Air Force for K-9s, so I wanted something Base, two 20th Security Forces special that everybody can actually PHOTO PROVIDED Squadron Airmen received recog- see and enjoy,” said Senior Master Astra, retired 20th Security Forces nition for dedicated service to the Sgt. Anthony Wolfe, 20th SFS oper- Squadron Military Working Dog, plays United States Air Force, totaling ations superintendent. “I’ve talked in the grass near Shaw Air Force Base. 5 SECTIONS, 42 PAGES | VOL. 123, NO. 112 nearly 90 percent of their lives, or to handlers that have never seen a Astra, now 11 years old, became a pa- 154 years — dog years, that is. retirement for an MWD, so we tried trol explosive detector dog in 2008 and The March 14 retirement cere- served with the 20th SFS until her re- SPECIAL SECTION mony honored Astra and Marky, SEE RETIREMENT, PAGE A10 tirement March 14. IN TODAY’S EDITION FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 2018 Serving South Carolina since October 15, 1894 2018 Spring Home & Garden Claim a 12 DIY home plot in a hacks that community will make garden your life easier Hundreds Get soil tested before planting season Clean for the mowers before cranking turn out for up this spring local foods Farm to Table hosts 5th event Plan ahead for BY ADRIENNE SARVIS renovations if you live in the historic district [email protected] t least 650 people enjoyed Get your garden locally grown produce and Afresh-picked ingredients ready, organize your combined to make unique and classic dishes during the fifth-an- home and more nual Farm to Table event on Thursday at Sumter County OUTDOORS Civic Center. Hosted by Sumter Rotary Club, the event not only shines a spotlight on Wild turkeys are a prize local farmers and restaurants, but also raises money for charitable organiza- forfor SSouthernouthern hhuntersunte tions that give back to the community. As has been done every year since its start, proceeds from ticket sales will be C3 donated to multiple causes such as Coins for Alzheimer’s Research, 4-H, Sumter United Ministries and the Warm Heart Fund at Shaw Air Force Base. “It was wonderful,” said Jeannie Crotts, special projects director for the Rotary club, about the event. “I think it was the best yet.” Crotts said she received positive feed- back from both the guests and vendors. PHOTOS BY TY CORNETT / THE SUMTER ITEM DEATHS, B5 Kenneth L. Smith Nathan D. Simon Jerry Graham Charles T. Rewis New facility to benefit students, public John C. Perkins Dr. Curtis V. Goings Patriot Park building will open in summer providing an educational sometime this summer. Walter E. Hatcher Jr. facility for students and Originally, the idea was William J. Brewer BY ADRIENNE SARVIS dents who want to learn an events center for the to build an environmen- [email protected] from or just enjoy the na- public. tal center for local stu- ture Sumter has to offer. This has been an ongo- dents, but the plan has Anyone visiting Patriot The construction of Pa- ing project for about 10 since evolved to include a WEATHER, A16 Park in the past few triot Park Pavilion, the years, said Sumter Coun- space for public events, RAINY SUNDAY months may have noticed newest facility at the ty Councilman Charles he said. the construction of a new park, will allow Sumter- Edens, and it’s about to The building is about Cooler today with showers around; facility that will benefit ites to get the most out of come to an end when the tonight, chilly with lingering clouds. local students and resi- the local environment by facility is completed SEE FACILITY, PAGE A14 HIGH 52, LOW 39 INSIDE CONTACT US USA Today C1 Info: 774-1200 Rabon files for District 2 county council seat Classifieds C6 Advertising: 774-1237 Comics D1 Classifieds: 774-1200 BY BRUCE MILLS neighborhood gather- can Superette on U.S. 378 across Outdoors C3 Delivery: 774-1258 [email protected] ing to kickoff his cam- from Shaw Air Force Base, Cher- Opinion A13 News and Sports: paign. ryvale Grocery, East of Chicago Yesteryear C4 774-1226 For the first time since 2010, A lifelong resident Pizza, Batteries Plus and Rabon there will be a June Republican of Sumter County, Construction Co., among other Reflections C5 primary this year for the District 2 Rabon is best known businesses. seat on Sumter County Council. as a builder, developer He also spent almost two decades RABON VISIT US ONLINE AT the .com That’s confirmed after Bubba and small-business developing real estate and commer- Rabon filed recently with Sumter owner. He owns Rabon cial properties in the Myrtle Beach County Election Commission to Properties for housing/apartment area and served for three years on contest incumbent Artie Baker for rentals and co-owns Bubba’s Diner, the board of directors for the the spot on county council. 841 Broad St., with his wife, Cathy. Rabon spoke Thursday at a Previously, Rabon owned Ameri- SEE RABON, PAGE A14 A2 | SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 2018 THE SUMTER ITEM Call: (803) 774-1226 | E-mail: [email protected] Busing, construction renovations highlight 4th session BY BRUCE MILLS moved from the district office to a [email protected] larger site. The school board will meet Monday DALZELL — Busing concerns, hav- at Crestwood High School, 2000 Oswe- ing construction renovations com- go Road, at 6 p.m. pleted on time, and what would hap- A district staff member distributed pen to closed schools were key discus- the agenda for Monday's work session sion items from community members late Thursday. at Thursday's public meeting on a Headlining the board meeting will draft school consolidation proposal be Interim Superintendent Debbie held here at Hillcrest Middle School. Hamm discussing further her draft Thursday's meeting was the fourth school consolidation proposal with in a series of "community conversa- the trustees, and public feedback re- tion sessions" that Sumter School ceived from a series of six "communi- District staff and its board of trustees ty conversation sessions" held since hosted to gather public feedback on the board last met on March 12. Interim Superintendent Debbie The draft proposal from the dis- Hamm's draft proposal to close three trict's administration calls for closing low-enrollment schools and move three low-enrollment schools those students into nearby schools in (Mayewood Middle School, Rafting the county and implement nationally Creek Elementary School in Rembert, recognized magnet programs into and F.J. DeLaine Elementary School BRUCE MILLS / THE SUMTER ITEM them. Hamm has emphasized since in Wedgefield) at the end of this Sumter School District Board of Trustee Johnny Hilton, center, talks with community she first introduced the proposal that school year and moving the students, members during a round table discussion Thursday night at Hillcrest Middle School in it could change based on community teachers and staff to larger nearby Dalzell. feedback. Also, she has said any final schools in the same general areas of decision on a proposal will be made the county. Then, nationally recog- by the school board. and an architect on potential uses for nized magnet programs would be im- Since Thursday's session was at FINAL COMMUNITY the facility, such as a church, commu- plemented next year at the three larg- Hillcrest Middle, most of the commu- CONVERSATION SESSION nity center, assisted living facility or er schools. In the short term and long nity members' concerns and ques- WHEN: 6:30 tonight affordable housing complex. term, Hamm said she hopes the top- tions centered on the part of the pro- WHERE: Rafting Creek Elementary School, Since the school was constructed notch programs can help sustain and posal that calls for closing Rafting cafeteria, 4105 S.C. 261, Rembert with public money, the district would possibly increase enrollment in rural Creek Elementary School in Rembert potentially look to sell the facility at a schools in the county. Enrollment at and moving those students six miles negotiated and reasonable price, she schools in rural areas of the county to Hillcrest Middle as part of a K-8 said. has dropped considerably over time, magnet school. would be to have everything in place About 60 people were in attendance according to district data. In the potential reconfiguration of to have work begin immediately upon at Thursday's meeting. The district Also, on Monday, Hamm is expect- Hillcrest, construction would be nec- school closing in early June for the hosted another session Saturday at ed to present to the board a proposal essary to accommodate elementary summer and to get all work complet- Mayewood Middle, and the final pub- for moving Brewington Academy to school children, including more bath- ed before the August school start lic session will be tonight at Rafting another location. Brewington is now rooms. date. Creek Elementary School, 4105 S.C. located on the Mayewood Middle Community members questioned Several Rembert-area residents 261, in Rembert. campus. If the board ultimately de- whether that construction could be also expressed concern with what cides on closing Mayewood, it would completed by August and the start of would happen to the Rafting Creek MONDAY BOARD MEETING MOVED need another site for Brewington.