Director says more tech needed for prison safety the signals of contraband cell- rections Director Bryan Stirling on Prisons aim to jam phones used by inmates, but the Thursday told a committee of law- state prison director said he needs makers reviewing spending on per- phones, detect drones more technology than that to keep manent projects that because some FRIDAY, JULY 27, 2018 75 CENTS prisons safe. selected calls can get through, it is SERVING SOUTH CAROLINA SINCE OCTOBER 15, 1894 carrying contraband The jamming device is at Lee an exemption to a federal law that BY JEFFREY COLLINS Correctional Institution, where prohibits blocking signals. seven inmates died in a riot in But the system is also more ex- 3 SECTIONS, 28 PAGES | VOL. 123, NO. 200 The Associated Press April that began as part of a turf pensive and requires more fre- COLUMBIA — Next month, war between gangs over territory, quent updates than devices that CLARENDON SUN South Carolina prison officials will money and contraband items such show off equipment that can jam as drugs and cellphones. State Cor- SEE CONTRABAND, PAGE A11 Lowe’s gives Lemira a new look Volunteers’ summer is life changing for them, others Salkehatchie Summer Service repairs homes for families A7 PIZZA, PLEASE Wood-fired PHOTOS BY MICAH GREEN / THE SUMTER ITEM brick-oven Lowe’s Sumter employee volunteers finish off work in Lemira Elementary School’s front reception area on Thursday. pizza is now 25 store employees volunteer downtown in remodeling project at school A2 BY BRUCE MILLS On Wednesday and [email protected] Thursday, all descended DEATHS, B4 and B5 fter Thursday, upon Lemira Elementa- Lawrence C. Morse Jr. ry School in South Bessie Mae McKnight close to 30 vol- Sumter to renovate a Emma Lee Richardson unteers associ- front reception and Richard Worth Lambert teacher area at the Neta McAlister Bozeman Aated with Lowe’s in John Wesley Lesane school with new floor- James Ethridge Beal Sumter would certain- ing, new bathroom fix- Lowe’s Sumter employee volunteer Scott Christman Corine Toney Carter ly agree with the old tures in a small bath- installs new flooring at Lemira on Thursday. Diane Hilton Aurelus room, a new kitchen Robert Dinkins Jr. adage “helping others sink, new full-size re- Martha Edwards helps yourself.” frigerator, new micro- For two wave oven WEATHER, A12 days this ‘The Lowe’s family, and a fresh coat of IT’S FRIDAY! week, 25 Lowe’s em- we get the blessing paint, An afternoon storm possible; partly among cloudy and humid tonight ployees more than we bless other HIGH 90, LOW 73 and a few of the others with the items. store’s The out- INSIDE CONTACT US contrac- projects. No one in side en- Classifieds B6 Info: 774-1200 tors gave trance area Comics C6 Advertising: 774-1237 up their life can say they to the Opinion A10 Classifieds: 774-1200 free time school also Television C4 Delivery: 774-1258 — and were not impacted got some USA Today C1 News and Sports: some, their much-need- 774-1226 by a teacher.’ money — ed atten- to roll up SAM CORLEY tion with new shrub- VISIT US ONLINE AT the .com their Lowe’s Sumter sleeves and bery and contribute plants. to a community project The project fell under the home improvement to remodel and freshen A Lowe’s employee volunteer paints in the teacher up a local school. SEE LEMIRA, PAGE A6 mailbox area at Lemira on Thursday. What makes Sumter’s parking garage an award winner? “Downtown Sumter has again used Creativity and functionality creativity and functionality to provide of project that gives access to basic quality services, like a parking garage, to its residents and visitors to downtown win recognition bring more people to its downtown,” BY ADRIENNE SARVIS said Jenny Boulware, Main Street SC [email protected] manager. One of the most common complaints The city of Sumter was recognized about most historic downtowns is lim- by Main Street South Carolina this ited parking, but Sumter city officials month for providing more access to its understood that one of the secrets to downtown area with the construction making a city’s downtown a desirable of the Municipal Parking Garage dur- SUMTER ITEM FILE PHOTO destination is making it easy to access, ing the the Municipal Association of The Municipal Parking Garage was still under construction in July 2017. according to the release. South Carolina’s Annual Meeting on So in 2017, the city opened its free, July 21 on Hilton Head Island. Main Street Award which is given to ries of the Main Street Inspiration public parking garage — with about For its accomplishment, downtown municipalities for having the top proj- Awards, according to a release from Sumter received the Excellence on ect among the winners of five catego- the municipal association. SEE GARAGE, PAGE A11 A2 | FRIDAY, JULY 27, 2018 THE SUMTER ITEM Call: (803) 774-1226 | E-mail: [email protected] WHAT YOUR GOVERNMENT IS DOING: SUMTER COUNTY COUNCIL Truck retailer 1 reading from permitted expansion BY ADRIENNE SARVIS The amendment will officially allow the develop the remainder of the 47 acres, she said. residential property owners in the area, such as [email protected] company to expand, though it is currently using A resident of McKeiver Road, who said his himself, if the applicant’s vehicle inventory gets 6 of the 9.95 acres as overflow parking for motor property lines come close to the property line of too close to adjoining property lines. He also On Tuesday, Sumter County Council vehicles and truck parts, according to a report Carolina Truck & Trailer Parts, said he is “totally said the storage of vehicles and parts could approved second reading of a request from Sumter Planning Department. The against” the amendment. He said allowing the decrease property values for residences in the that will allow Carolina Truck & Trail- expansion is currently not permitted because business to expand its operation could bring area. er Parts to expand its storage area the planned development for the 47 acres was more noise and undesirable uses to the area. Cole said trucks are dismantled on company approved for a nursery. after the business began storing its in- Another resident who lives on Mims Road off property at 300 Myrtle Beach Highway and the ventory on adjoining property — also Nearly all of the 47-acre planned development is Myrtle Beach Highway said he was worried 6 acres of the 9.95-acre portion in question are owned by the retailer — that is not identified as a wetland, according to a US Fish & about chemicals and fluids from the trucks used for storage. permitted for that use. Wildlife Wetland Mapper, states the report. getting to the pond on his property. He went on She said the business is also on very good terms Public hearing: Carolina Truck & Trailer Parts has to say the property owner has assured him the with residential neighbors to the east. Reading: Second of three been in business for 10 years and has been on business does not let the chemicals and fluids Councilman Charles Edens said he would like to Agenda item: A request to amend the planned Myrtle Beach Highway for five years, said Kathy fall onto the soil. have the planned development amended to development for a 47-acre parcel at 350 Myrtle Cole, office manager of the company. Nothing Discussion: Sumter Planning Department also include a buffer requirement between the Beach Highway to permit the addition of used has changed in the company’s operations, she Director George McGregor clarified that the applicant’s property and neighboring land. motor vehicle parts on a 9.95-acre portion. said. applicant’s property is being operated as a used Councilman Jimmy Bird made a motion for Background: Carolina Truck & Trailer Parts, 300 The business, which is a licensed 18-wheeler auto and truck parts site and not a salvage yard approval, and councilman Chris Sumpter Myrtle Beach Highway — which is approved for dealership, hauls out “junk trucks” after they have in response to previous questions about the use seconded. the wholesale and retail of used motor vehicle been dismantled, said Cole, who also lives across of the land. parts — purchased the adjacent 47 acres at 350 Vote: Majority vote approval — Baten recused the street from the business. Councilman Gene Baten said he was concerned Myrtle Beach Highway in 2015. himself because he owns property adjacent to She said the business owner also has no plans to about how the expansion would affect the land in question. NOW AVAILABLE DOWNTOWN Rafters now serving brick oven pizza Bar above Hamptons in downtown Sumter expands its Wednesday, Thursday menu Rafters is now serving wood-fired brick-oven pizza on Wednesdays and Thursdays. The cocktail bar above Hamptons — they share the kitchen and talents of Chef Raffaele Dall’Erta — opened in March and added the pizza to its tapas-style appetizer and dessert menu. Where 33 N. Main St., Sumter Hours Wednesday-Saturday Food is served 5 to 9:30 p.m. The bar stays open until midnight if guests are still there. Connect online https://www.facebook.com/Hamptonsfoods VINCE JOHNSON / THE SUMTER ITEM plies for students in kinder- LOCAL BRIEFS garten through 12th grade. Family Medicine will welcome new patients FROM STAFF REPORTS Don’t miss J.D. and the FROM STAFF REPORTS family physician for McLeod Physician Asso- Lee school bashes Breeze this Friday ciates in Bishopville from 1997 to 2018. He is Palmetto Health-USC Medical Group is board certified by the American Board of will be Aug.