The Sumter Item

EDUCATION:
Sumter School District still projects net loss for fiscal 2026 at about $10M.
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ARTS & CULTURE:
Temple Sinai Jewish History Center combines Jewish musical heritage and Anne Frank Exhibition this fall.
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📰 A look at our top headlines for the Weekend edition.

Plus, what’s inside:
🐶 Learn how you can support Bishopville B.A.R.K
🎣 See how YMCA celebrates the great outdoors at Camp Mac Boykin
🗳️Part 2 of the 2026 Vote Guide

And more!

Read more online and in print. Link to the e-edition in the comments. ⬇️

A few more photos from yesterday's massive pileup on the I-95 southbound bridge over Lake Marion at the Clarendon/Orangeburg County line. Over a dozen 18-wheelers and unofficial initial counts of more than 60 total vehicles were involved. A couple serious injuries, but no reports of fatalities.

There was another dense fog advisory in the area this morning, especially near water. The bridge was closed for almost 24 hours and reopened around 6 a.m. Oct. 2.

📸: Abigail Pittman / The Sumter Item

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT:
Sumter Community Concert Band annual fall concert celebrates America250 on Oct.4.
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I-95 UPDATE:
As of 6 a.m., all lanes along I-95 have reopened, SCHP says

UPDATE ON I-95 MULTI-CAR LAKE MARION BRIDGE PILEUP:
As of 8 p.m., wreckers and S.C. Department of Transportation crews have told drivers and their passengers they are about 25% of the way through getting vehicles moved away from the scene and off the bridge. It is possible there were more than a dozen 18-wheelers and more than 60 total vehicles involved. The Sumter Item is on scene to gather information and talk to people first-hand.

Some folks whose cars are drivable have left, while others have been told it could still be hours, though crews are beginning to get through the pileup faster now.

The Santee Welcome Center has stayed open past normal hours to allow drivers a place to wait. Some of those motorists include a mother from New Orleans who picked up family in South Carolina before driving to Florida for her grandchild's birthday, and another woman who is trying to get to her son's wedding in Florida tomorrow.

There are no emergency lanes on the bridge, so wreckers are having to go in order of where they're stalled.

Area hotels are offering discounted rates for stranded motorists, we've been told.

There is a detour at SB Exit 102, but depending on your route it could add at least an hour to your drive, so avoid the area if possible.

Still no official word on injuries, but there was not a coroner's vehicle on scene.

📸&✍ from Alaysha Maple and Abigail Pittman / The Sumter Item

UPDATE:
Northbound lanes of I-95 open, southbound remains closed after multi-car crash, fire near 100-mile marker.
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COMMUNITY:
Sumter Senior Services will host benefit yard sale this Saturday, Oct. 3.
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