Daily editionSunday, September 13th, 2026
Good morning, Sumter.
The 5AM Sumter Team
Here’s your local news at a glance for Sunday, the 13th of September.
Community
Two young girls, Teanna McFadden and Mari'yah Durant, were honored by the local Housing Authority for winning state-level awards in the ‘What Home Means To Me’ poster contest – part of a national art competition featuring children living in affordable housing.
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Military veterans will soon have more food from Hidden Wounds on 21 S. Washington St. after a Sumter Board of Realtors campaign and Advantage Realty Group fundraiser raised $8,024, surpassing its $5,000 goal; the nonprofit still accepts food donations.
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Culture
Sumter will host its (30th annual) Gospel in the Park event at a local park where neighbors can enjoy hotdogs, chicken, gospel music, and fellowship.
The event continues a tradition noted in 2019 and brings the community together.
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Pianists Kay Rasmussen and Mark Burns will present a special lecture-recital titled 'A Musical Stroll Through Europe' on Sunday, Sept. 20 at St. James Lutheran Church in Sumter.
The public is invited to experience a musical journey through European works.
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Education
Sumter First Steps seeks local support to preserve the late Dolly Parton’s literacy legacy by placing literary surprises in mailboxes — an initiative designed to inspire reading across the community.
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Health
School is back and children and adults are spending more time indoors so the YMCA of Sumter (a trusted community resource) advises eating colorful fruits and vegetables, getting regular sleep and exercise, and washing hands often.
These healthy habits help support the immune system's natural ability to respond and recover.
The ItemRead more
Sports
On Saturday, Sept. 12, Crestwood hosted Sumter High in a football game as Sumter High secured the win with a strong defense and a standout performance by Witherspoon.
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On Friday, the East Clarendon football team traveled to Mullins and overcame two losses with a strong second-half drive to win 46-17.
The Wolverines aimed to bounce back after defeats by Laurence Manning and Lamar.
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On Friday, the Scott's Branch Eagles won by a 53 to 13 score at Hannah-Pamplico as senior linebacker Nyren Bowman earned Hines Furniture Athlete of the Week honors with 15 tackles (10 solo), 97 receiving yards and a touchdown; the team now hopes to dominate upcoming 1A contests.
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Wilson Hall football hosted Thomas Sumter on Saturday, Sept. 12 at its home field.
The game (featuring spirited local athletes) drew enthusiastic fans from the community.
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Scott's Branch hosted Lake View in a competitive football game Saturday, Sept. 12 at their school field (photos show local players in action).
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