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Hi Sumter, we made it to Thursday! In today’s edition: Gold and silver surge, measles outbreak alert, Valentine’s tattoo flash, and more.
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Shaping statewide infrastructure investments: House Speaker G. Murrell Smith Jr. appointed Rep. Fawn Pedalino of District 64, serving Clarendon and parts of Sumter, to the South Carolina Transportation Infrastructure Bank Board, funding transportation projects — get all the details.
Forest fuel reduction strategy: The U.S. Forest Service plans prescribed burns in Sumter and Francis Marion national forests to reduce wildfire risk. Smoke could drift into communities, with schedules posted online — see where to find schedules.
Latest on local roadwork: The Manning Avenue bridge in Sumter remains closed for SCDOT construction, with detours posted and heavier traffic on nearby routes. Expect delays and plan extra time around downtown — read the full story.
Parking garages add safety features: Columbia’s Lady Street parking deck closed for repairs that began Jan. 19, part of a multi-year upgrade. Work will also impact the Taylor, Arsenal Hill, and Sumter Street decks — get all the repair details.
Gold & silver are hot: Last year was gold’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150%… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. Curious about precious metal investing? GoldCo has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with Lemonade.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
Sumter County road update: SCDOT has closed the St. Paul’s Church Road bridge over Cane Savannah Creek for repairs now through February 20, weather permitting. A detour is posted, and St. Paul’s Church Road is open to local traffic only except at the bridge. Get closure dates and details.
Your neighbors are Googling you: It’s uncomfortable but true — employers, new friends, even other parents at school pickup search names all the time. If something negative, outdated, or misleading shows up first, it can shape opinions before you ever meet. BetterReputation helps push down unwanted search results so your first impression actually reflects who you are today. And if it’s someone you care about, you can help them too.
Growing outbreak prompts alert: Health officials confirmed a measles case in Sumter County, first outside the Upstate since the 2025 outbreak began. Three possible exposure sites were identified. Whether it is linked to Spartanburg remains unclear. Officials advise monitoring for symptoms Feb. 13, 14, and 15. The outbreak totals 876 cases after 29 new. See exposure sites and dates.
Gold is having a moment: Between inflation headlines, market swings, and growing global uncertainty, precious metals are (again) in the spotlight. American Hartford is currently offering up to $25,000 in free silver when you open a qualified account. They’ll also help you set up a penalty-free gold IRA with a lowest price guarantee, no buyback fees, and 7-day price protection.
Cat time, no latte: If you’ve been considering a purring roommate, Sumter S.P.C.A.has cats and kittens ready to move in and steal your heart. Think lap-warming pros, inbox supervisors, and snack-time chaperones. Your maybe-new favorite coworker with paws is out there.
A second opinion never hurts: Not every financial advisor is the right fit, and it’s okay to explore your options. Unbiased matches you with an advisor based on your personal situation, giving you a chance to ask questions in a free, no-pressure conversation to see if the fit makes sense. No obligation — just helpful advice.
Rooftop sips, anyone? At Sumter Original Brewery, it’s not only about beer, but also a full bar, good wines, a chill game room, and a breezy rooftop that makes weekdays feel like mini vacations. Downtown feels easy here, with casual bites and relaxed vibes.
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📆 Around town this weekend
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
💅 Be Mines Kids Spa Day @ Spa de la Journi Kids Spa | Friday (2/13) at 11:00 AM – Treat your mini to a legit spa moment, because apparently self-care starts in kindergarten. Polished fingers and toes, a mini hand and foot massage, and an Audri J’s Valentine bag full of goodies. Book ahead, call 803-464-2360 before the glitter dries.
🎣 Fishing Power Hour @ Simpson ACE Hardware & Sports | Friday (2/13) at 1:00 PM – Fishing Power Hour is at Simpson Ace Hardware & Sports in Lake City, with Ronnie McCoy sharing tricks that actually get bites. Bring your questions, stories, and gear, then leave with sharper casts, fewer tall tales, and maybe some bragging rights.
👭 Galentine’s @ Sumter Original Brewery | Friday (2/13) at 6:00 PM – Galentine’s at SOB nails the classy-chaos balance: Pilates to earn your bubbles, then live music from Prettier Than Matt to justify a second round. Local vendors in the mix, familiar faces, and zero tickets, just show up and claim your quality time.
🎣 Fishing Power Hour @ Simpson ACE Hardware & Sports | Saturday (2/14) at 1:00 PM – Take a break from tinkering with the mower and swing by Ace for a Fishing Power Hour with Ronnie McCoy. Get practical tips, ask what you’re too proud to Google, and make your bait irresistible, your stories believable, and your next catch bigger.
🍵 Steeped In Love-A Galentine’s Experience @ Sarah’s Southern Tea Room | Saturday (2/14) at 2:00 PM – Gather your favorite women and swan into Sarah’s Southern Tea Room for a Galentine’s tea that’s more heart-to-heart than Hallmark. Expect specialty brews, dainty bites, real conversation, and a perfectly good reason to wear that chic hat, pearls, and your best stories.
🐦 Lovebirds | Saturday (2/14) at 3:00 PM – Valentine’s at Sip & Gogh means trading the prix fixe circus for paint-splattered aprons. Cozy vibes, step-by-step canvases, and room for your sweetheart or the older kid, if they promise not to heckle. Reserve an easel early, walk-ins are a gamble.
🐶 Read To Me (Therapy Dogs) @ Sumter County Library | Saturday (2/14) at 4:00 PM – Need a low-pressure audience for budding readers? Head to the Downtown Library to read to Sparky, Skipper, and Missy, very good dogs with excellent listening skills, every second Saturday. No shushing required, just wholesome, quietly hilarious fun, and a perfect grandkid outing.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Sumter report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 60°F – Low: 35°F – Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 60. North wind around 3 mph. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. North wind around 2 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 57°F – Low: 34°F – Precip: 3%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 57. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34.
This house is wild
This two-story with double front porches is the only one like it in Beach Forest. A second level brings four bedrooms, three full baths, and a laundry room. The kitchen hosts an elevated breakfast bar, coffee station, and wet bar. A brick-fenced backyard features a covered patio, concrete fireplace, and walkway to fire pit, plus community pool, playground, and fishing.
Take a peek inside →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we genuinely think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week:
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