Good morning, Sumter.

The American Red Cross of South Carolina urges residents to prepare for emergencies during National Preparedness Month (beginning in September) by downloading a free app, planning household evacuations, and building supply kits; local groups can also join its Ready Rating Program to boost disaster readiness.

Author Carolyn Hooker will give a talk and book signing on Tuesday, Sept.

1 at 6 p.m. at Heritage Education Center (122 N. Washington St.), hosted by Sumter Museum. Book lovers can meet her and explore her novel, Leaving Edgefield: Carrie Butler's Story.

Morris College hosted its fall convocation on campus on Thursday, Aug.

27 with keynote speaker Melva Wallace (president of Huston-Tillotson University) who encouraged students to push forward in their journey.

Arthur Moore IV, a Cardinal Newman 11th-grader at Shaw Air Force Base, won a $2,000 Exchange gift card through the You Made the Grade program on Aug.

22. He was chosen from over 2,000 entries, and the next drawing will be in December.

Manning Elementary School (Clarendon County) students used Legos and Ozobots to learn coding and robotics skills this week; the hands-on STEM activities boosted creativity and problem-solving in their classroom lessons.

The Crestwood Knights hosted Goose Creek Friday night for their home opener as the community buzzed with excitement, and Morant donated $50,000 to boost local basketball programs in partnership with Nike + Hibbett.

Sumter High football won its first game of the new Marlowe era at a home opener, rallying with a dominant rushing attack (despite missing key players) on Saturday, Aug.

29.

Lee Central football team improved to 2-0 after winning 8-0 over Mullins on Friday night — a second victory that followed an opening 48-0 win against Military Magnet.