School district’s Martin-Knox: reopening model Fall learning not ‘preference’ of state department to be improved BY BRUCE MILLS [email protected] “We’ll just have to wait and see.” Those were the words from Sumter School from spring District attorney Connie Jackson on Wednesday on whether the district’s reopen- ing plan will be approved by the state Department of Education Features will include live, face-to-face since it doesn’t line up with what the agency now is saying instruction and teachers in classroom it’s requiring as far as options. District officials first an- BY BRUCE MILLS MORE ON DISTRICT’S nounced on July 6 that they [email protected] JACKSON planned to start the upcoming THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2020 $1.00 FALL-TERM PLANS school year fully virtual, given SERVING SOUTH CAROLINA SINCE OCTOBER 15, 1894 The new virtual, online in- For detailed information on high rates of COVID-19 and that Sumter is struction this fall in Sumter Sumter School District’s re-entry considered a “high-risk community” for the School District will look plans for the fall semester, go to virus by the state Department of Health 1 SECTION, 12 PAGES | VOL. 125, NO. 199 much different from the on- sumterschools.net and click on the and Environmental Control. line instruction in the spring large Re-entry Plan Updates icon. On Monday, Superintendent Penelope WORLD when the spread of the coro- Martin-Knox and other district administra- navirus forced immediate tors presented the virtual school reopening school closures in mid- district’s Board of Trustees plan to the district’s Board of Trustees. The March. on Monday at the board’s plan stipulates after beginning the year Sumter School District ad- regularly scheduled monthly with online instruction, the district will ministrators detailed several meeting. evaluate every 30 days to see if it can safely aspects of their virtual school reopening plan to the SEE VIRTUAL, PAGE A6 SEE REOPENING, PAGE A6 WHAT YOUR GOVERNMENT IS DOING: SUMTER CITY COUNCIL Public allowed at meeting for 1st time in months Profile of a killer Scientists, researchers trying to unravel COVID-19 A5 SPORTS Former Item employee remembers bond with his late dad formed through love of baseball A8 SHELBIE GOULDING / THE SUMTER ITEM Sumter City Council meets Tuesday with the public in attendance for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic began. DEATHS, A9 Hearings address Alice Drive Baptist expansion, new Dollar R. Powell Black Felicia Whitfield General, proposed church in neighborhood, CARES Act funding Gloria Williams Peterson Yvonne Powell Sigley BY SHELBIE GOULDING the spread of COVID-19 and to miti- cated at 1740 U.S. 15 South, near the William Dean Lucas Sr. [email protected] gate economic impact. intersection of Master Drive and Laura Jean Smith Nacovitch Mayor Joe McElveen said the U.S. 15. Glen Allen Brown Sumter City Council held its first budget is meant to provide help to Alice Drive Baptist Church is meeting open to the public in per- low- to moderate-income areas looking to develop a son Tuesday since the pandemic and individuals, and the CARES 15,000-20,000-square-foot facility and began, where they opened the floor Act funding would be spent in outdoor recreational space on the WEATHER, A12 for comments and held five public those same areas affected by 7.71 acres. The Rev. Clay Smith said WE MIGHT SEE A STORM hearings. COVID-19. the property was “graciously donat- Council had been holding virtual One man spoke during the public ed” to the church, and they plan to A storm possible in late afternoon; meetings the public could hearing, asking if the fund would build in the area as it is lacking a humid with some clouds tonight livestream, but it had to hold Tues- be used to help small businesses in church and outdoor recreation HIGH 93, LOW 73 day’s meeting in person for the pub- Sumter that were affected by the space for children. lic hearings. City projects cannot be coronavirus, and Community De- One concern Councilman Steve approved until a public hearing is velopment Director Clarence Corley had was the large, historic held and community members can Gaines said that was just one way oak trees on the property, saying he INSIDE CONTACT US voice their concerns. the funding could be used. doesn’t want to see them uprooted. Classifieds A11 Info: 774-1200 The meeting was held at the Sum- No action was taken after the Smith reassured him it is his intent Comics A4 Advertising: 774-1237 ter Opera House, with council sit- hearing, as it was only an opportu- to build around the trees. Opinion A7 Classifieds: 774-1200 ting on the stage. nity to receive thoughts from the Even though the location is one Sports A8 Delivery: 774-1258 CITY RECEIVES CARES ACT FUNDING community on how the funding of the remaining large commercial Television A10 News and Sports: could be used. spaces in the area, the planning 774-1226 The first public hearing was ALICE DRIVE BAPTIST CHURCH commission recommended approv- about amending the Community LOOKS TO DEVELOP PROPERTY al of the request. Development Block Grant Entitle- OFF U.S. 15 SOUTH After no one spoke during the ment Budget for the year 2020-21 to public hearing, council unanimous- VISIT US ONLINE AT the .com include $183,595 from the Coronavi- The second public hearing was to ly approved to consider the first rus Aid, Relief and Economic Secu- consider the first reading of a re- reading of the revision request. rity (CARES) Act. quest to amend the existing Pocalla Two readings must be heard and The CARES Act was signed by Springs Planned Development to passed for approval. the president in late March to pro- permit a religious organization in vide measures aimed at reducing the specified commercial area, lo- SEE MEETING, PAGE A6 Judge blocks McMaster’s $32 million plan for private schools BY MICHELLE LIU The restraining order is- and the Palmetto sena Adams who has worked opportunity to choose the ed- AP/Report for America sued by Orangeburg County Promise Institute, for more than 15 years in pub- ucational instruction that best Circuit Court Judge Edgar W. a conservative lic education. suits their child’s needs.” COLUMBIA — A South Dickson follows a lawsuit filed think tank listed McMaster spokesman Brian A spokesman for Palmetto Carolina state judge on Tuesday alleging that the dis- as the owner of Symmes said in a statement Promise declined to comment. Wednesday temporarily tribution of the funds would the online portal that federal coronavirus relief Flanked by school choice blocked a plan announced by go against the South Carolina McMASTER for the grants should not be denied to citi- advocates, McMaster unveiled Gov. Henry McMaster earlier Constitution, which prevents program, as de- zens in need: “Working fami- the plan for Safe Access to this week to direct $32 million public dollars from directly fendants. The lies in South Carolina are Flexible Education, or SAFE, in pandemic relief funds for benefiting religious or other plaintiff is identified as an Or- struggling to make ends meet grants Monday at a religious tuition grants at private private education institutions. angeburg County resident during this pandemic, and schools across the state. The suit names McMaster and taxpayer named Thoma- every parent should have the SEE PLAN, PAGE A6 A2 | THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2020 THE SUMTER ITEM Call: (803) 774-1226 | E-mail: [email protected] Sumter museum offers free admission, Zoom event with 2 best-selling authors BY RHONDA BARRICK Boulevard,” returns its characters to [email protected] Charleston, South Carolina. It is a New York Times Bestseller, USA Today Everyone knows you get what you Bestseller, Southern Indie Bestseller, pay for, right? Not in this case. Publishers Weekly Bestseller and Ama- The Sumter County Museum has zon #1 New Release/Bestseller. plenty to offer, and yet it is offering Booklist had this to free admission until fur- say about the bestseller: ther notice. According to “This is a heartwarming a news release from the story of Lowcountry museum, the decision love, loyalty and long- was made out of service standing friendships. to the community’s edu- Proving that life’s unex- cational and financial MONROE pected curve balls can concerns. Also offered is HARVEY end up launching its free Wi-Fi for museum greatest successes, the guests. Guests are asked resilience of the Rutledge family is to bring mobile devices when visiting stronger than ever. Infusing her to scan QR codes located throughout story with respect for the local flora the Williams-Brice House sending and fauna, Monroe continues her guests to curated supplemental infor- focus on environmental conservation mation in exhibits. in her latest multigenerational story The museum’s facilities at 122 N. of the Rutledge women.” Washington St. include the Williams- Reading enthusiasts are required Brice House, Heritage Education Cen- to register for the virtual event. Only ter and Carolina Backcountry Home- house, consider the museum’s free live women in turmoil, two lives at a cross- 100 spots are available. You must be stead. Hours remain the same for Zoom event featuring award-winning roads. Only Kristy Woodson Harvey registered and in the Zoom meeting these buildings: Thursday-Saturday, novelists Kristy Woodson Harvey and can make sense of the sometimes dev- to participate in the question-and- 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Groups of 10 or more Mary Alice Monroe at 6:30 p.m. Thurs- astating, oftentimes delicious dilem- answer sessions. To register, visit must call for tour reservations to en- day, July 30.