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sumter

Sumter County School Shines with High Attendance Rates

October 23, 2025

In Sumter County, one school is making waves for all the right reasons. Alice Drive Elementary School has earned the first-ever "Every Day Counts" award from the Sumter School District. This honor comes with a 95. 4% student attendance rate, which is no small feat. The school district has been worki

crime

Midlands Duo Caught in Afternoon Break-In

July 18, 2025

In a small town in South Carolina, two men found themselves in trouble with the law after a reported break-in. The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office shared that Antwine McFadden, 50, and Guy Owens Jr. , 33, were both charged with third-degree burglary. This incident took place on a Wednesday afternoon,

crime

South Carolina Counties Step Up Against Hate Crimes

July 11, 2025

South Carolina is one of only two states in the U. S. without a hate crime law. This is a big problem. But some counties are not waiting for the state to act. They are taking action themselves. Richland County made history last month. It became the first county in South Carolina to pass a hate crime

environment

Sumter's River: A Hidden Danger Lurks Beneath the Surface

June 28, 2025

In a recent study, the Pocotaligo River in Sumter, South Carolina, was found to have the highest levels of PFAS contamination among 22 waterways tested across the United States. PFAS, known as "forever chemicals, " are synthetic substances that persist in the environment and the human body, posing s

crime

Armed Robbery in South Congaree: One Suspect Caught, Another Still on the Run

May 19, 2025

In the small town of South Congaree, a tense situation unfolded recently. A local business was the target of an armed robbery. This event involved multiple victims, including a young mother and her 2-year-old daughter. The two robbers had guns and pointed them at the mother and her child. The So

weather

Schools in South Carolina Delay Opening on Friday

January 24, 2025

Winter weather has caused some schools in South Carolina to adjust their schedules for Friday, January 24. Snow and ice are clearing, but safety remains a priority. Many districts will start classes two hours later than usual. This delay allows roads to be assessed and gives everyone more time to tr

politics

President Carter’s Six-Day Celebration: Events and Community Remembrance

January 4, 2025

From rural Georgia to Washington and back, various events will take place over the next week to honor the life and career of President Jimmy Carter. The celebrations are specially tailored to represent his roots in the small town of Plains, his political journey through Georgia and Washington, and h

weather

School Closures and Virtual Learning Due to Weather

October 7, 2024

With forecasted inclement weather, multiple schools in the area are adjusting their schedules. Midlands Technical College will close early on Thursday and remain closed on Friday, while Morris College in Sumter is closing at 3 p.m. on Thursday with further guidance expected for Friday. Columbia Coll

weather

Tornado Alley: A Wake-Up Call

October 1, 2024

It was a chaotic night when Hurricane Helene hit the Midlands, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The storm brought with it a total of nine tornadoes, which touched down in various parts of the region. The tornadoes were all classified as EF0 or EF1, the lowest levels on the National Weathe

crime

The Rise of Weapons Violations: A Growing Concern in South Carolina

September 22, 2024

The Staggering 620% Increase in Weapons Violations in South Carolina Recent statistics from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) indicate a significant surge in weapons violations across the state. The 620% increase since 1993 is a pressing concern, not limited to one region, but a s