Daily editionSunday, October 18th, 2026
Good morning, Sumter.
The 5AM Sumter Team
Here’s your local news at a glance for Sunday, the 18th of October.
Community
On Thursday, Oct. 15, The Sumter Item celebrated 132 years by launching the '132, thanks to you!' fundraiser to raise $132,000 for local journalism, ensuring independent reporting stays free and reliable for the community.
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U.S. Army veteran Aimee Capuchina from Greenville will resume work, attend her grandchildren’s sporting events, and reconnect with family after receiving a donated car from Sumter’s Better Collisions partners on Saturday, Oct. 17 — a welcome boost after months without reliable transportation.
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Culture
Sumter native Elijah Bradford will bring his stage play 'Guess Who’s Coming to Mr. Thaddeus’ House' to Florence on Oct. 24—he debuted it last October at Patriot Hall to a sold-out audience.
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Mayesville Presbyterian Church will open its fourth season of the Rejoicings Series with Brass Roots Trio (one of the most unique ensembles) on Oct. 25 in Mayesville.
The performance is expected to offer exceptional musicianship for the local community.
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The Sumter Music Club met on Oct. 8 at 4 p.m. at member Patti Croft’s home as it awarded scholarships for piano, vocal and instrumental studies.
A program featuring local and guest vocalists + a hymn learning session on 'A Mighty Fortress is Our God' rounded out the meeting.
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Sumter Little Theatre is presenting Wiley and the Hairy Man, a play that shows audiences that fear is only as big as you let it be — featuring local talent at the theatre.
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Students from Laurence Manning Academy display their Art II class’s papier-mâché plant and animal creations at Elephant Ear Artisan Gift Market throughout October.
The work brings life to the shop + celebrates local student talent.
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Health
Missy Corrigan from the YMCA of Sumter explained that dietary fats are essential for our health as choosing unsaturated fats from fish, nuts, and olive oil can support heart health while saturated and trans fats may raise bad cholesterol (when eaten too much).
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Sports
Laurence Manning’s football team beat John Paul II 51-19 on Friday as the Swampcats moved the ball with ease on their away trip.
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On Friday, Sumter High played Ridge View for the Region IV-5A title; the team rushed nearly 400 yards but lost (40-35) in a close shootout.
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