South Sumter Library lights up with artwork

Sam Henry Zimpleman, left, Erin Mizelle and Clara Zimpleman make bottle fireflies.
A program on making bottle fireflies was held at South Sumter Library on Friday morning, July 19. The library held its Crafting with the Family as part of its summer reading program.
Studio Sumter

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SPORTS
Arts & Entertainment

Eminem brings Taylor Swift's historic reign at No. 1 to an end, Stevie Wonder's record stays intact

Eminem's 12th studio album, "The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce)," has debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, unseating Taylor Swift's "The Tortured Poets Department" after 12 weeks. …

Nation & World
Republican leaders urge colleagues to steer clear of racist and sexist attacks on Harris

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican leaders are warning party members against using overtly racist and sexist attacks against Vice President Kamala Harris, as they and former President Donald Trump 's …

Trump expected to turn his full focus on Harris at first rally since Biden's exit from 2024 race CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Donald Trump is holding his first public campaign rally since President Joe Biden dropped out of a 2024 matchup that both major parties had spent months preparing for, …
Monday breaks the record for the hottest ever day on Earth Monday was recorded as the hottest day ever globally, beating a record set the day before, as countries around the world from Japan to Bolivia to the United States continue to feel the heat, …
Jon Stewart pushes Biden administration to help vets sickened after post-9/11 exposure to uranium WASHINGTON - Comedian Jon Stewart is pressing the Biden administration to fix a loophole in a massive veterans aid bill that left out some of the first U.S. troops who responded after the Sept. 11 attacks and got sick after deploying to a base …
Data shows hurricanes and earthquakes grab headlines, but inland counties top disaster list Floyd County keeps flooding, and the federal government keeps coming to the rescue. In July 2022, at least 40 people died and 300 homes were damaged when the eastern Kentucky county flooded. It was the 13th time in 12 years that the rural county …
State News
Death row inmate in South Carolina resentenced to life in prison

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A man who spent nearly two decades on South Carolina's death row for killing two people has been granted life in prison without parole two years after a federal court …

IRS warns of new scam targeting clean energy tax credit WASHINGTON - The Internal Revenue Service warns taxpayers not to fall victim to a new emerging scam involving buying clean energy tax credits.In this latest scam, the IRS is seeing instances where unscrupulous tax return preparers are …
He was orphaned in the Holocaust and never met any family. Now he has cousins, thanks to DNA tests NORTH CHARLESTON - Shalom Korai never knew his real name or his birthday. He was saved from the streets of a burning Warsaw neighborhood while he was a toddler during World War II, when the rest of his family was killed by Nazis in …
Help S.C. Highway Patrol win America's Best Looking Cruiser Contest COLUMBIA — The S.C. Highway Patrol introduces an innovative vehicle combination to represent South Carolina in America's Best Looking Cruiser Contest — a 2024 Ford Mustang and a 2023 Ford …
For peach lovers, an abundant year means lots of varieties As we approach mid-July, peach trees across South Carolina are heavy with fruit, and picking crews and packing sheds are running at high volume. For growers and peach eaters alike, the 2024 season is a welcome change from last year. And it offers …
Obituaries

EVANS

THELMA HOWARD EVANS

Thelma Howard Evans, 86, widow of Harvey Evans and daughter of the late Sabie Howard and Mary Vaughn Howard, was born on Jan. 26, 1938, in Sumter. She departed this life on Saturday, July 20, 2024, …

SLOCUM

EMILY ANN SLOCUM

Emily Ann Slocum, 90, wife of retired Army Command Sgt. Maj. Edward A. Slocum Sr., died Sunday, July 21, 2024, at Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital of natural causes. Born Oct. 30, 1933, in Dillon, …

STEWART

STANLEY JULES STEWART

Stanley Jules Stewart, 93, of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, entered into eternal rest Friday, July 19, 2024. A private service will be held by the family at a later date. Arrangements by J. Henry …

CASANDRA CURRAN BILTON

ST. GEORGE — Casandra “Cissy” Curran Bilton, 78, of Sumter entered into eternal rest Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at her residence after an illness. Cissy was born April 9, 1946, in …

EMILY ANN SLOCUM

Emily Ann Slocum, 90, wife of retired Army Command Sgt. Maj. Edward A. Slocum Sr., died Sunday, July 21, 2024, at Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital of natural causes. Born Oct. 30, 1933, in Dillon, …

Faith
Church news: July 24, 2024 Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 325 W. Fulton St., announces: - Wednesday, July 24, annual revival will be held at 7 p.m. Guest preacher is Pastor Denzel Hampton, Olden Chapel UME, Sumter. LaGree AME Church, 2920 Kolb Road, …
He's charted the decline in religion. Now the church he pastors closed its doors They gathered one last time on Sunday - the handful of mostly elderly members of First Baptist Church in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. The members, joined by well-wishers, said the Lord's Prayer, recited the Apostle's Creed and heard a biblical passage …
The Rev. Dr. Clay Smith: Assassinations One of my earliest memories, shortly after my fourth birthday, was being mad that my favorite cartoons were not on TV one Saturday morning. Instead, there were black-and-white images of a horse-drawn caisson with a sober voice saying, "President …
Column: God is an ever-present help in time of need On Sept. 25, 2000, two years after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, 19-year-old Kevin Hines, in a state of chaos and despair, attempted to commit suicide by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge. He fell more than 220 feet to the freezing dark …
Celebrations
Shumperts celebrate 50 years PHOTO PROVIDED Donnie Shumpert and Barbara Smith Shumpert celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on May 16, 2024. Donnie Shumpert from Sumter and Barbara Smith Shumpert from Smoaks met in Sumter while Barbara was living with her sister and her …
Dear Abby
Pets for adoption
Energetic Ramsey is learning commands and loves people and kids

Ramsey is 2-year-old, black-and-white, female pit mix who is going through the basic obedience course at My Buddy K-9 Training. She is working on her basic commands as well as expanded recall. She …

Weddings
Walton-Newman EASTOVER - Corie Lorraine Walton and James Tyler Newman Jr., both of Sumter, were united in marriage at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, May 4, 2024, at Magnolia Way Venue. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Wade Walton Jr., and the …
Engagements
Reflections

Reflections by Sammy Way: Mount Vernon Motor Court announces formal opening in 1954

Reflections remembers the arrival of one of Sumter's attractive motor inns. The Mount Vernon Motor Court, constructed in 1954, continues to function in the city at its original location. The facility was frequented by many of Sumter's visitors who …

Yesteryear
From the opinion pages
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