Wedding & Event Venue Near Sumter, SC.

Sumter (S.C.) Lakewood cornerback Brandon Cisse has committed to NC State.

It was a quick turnaround for the 5-foot-11 1/2, 162-pound Cisse, who was offered by the Wolfpack after a dominant camp showing last Saturday. From testing to drills, the 5-foot-11 1/2, 162-pound Cisse was exceptional. His performance included a 4.45-second 40-yard dash, 9-foot-8 broad jump and 34.9-inch vertical jump.

After being offered by State, Cisse returned to Raleigh with his family 72 hours later, and spent time with the coaching staff. The Lakewood standout's return-trip to State helped seal the deal.

"Them being the first Power Five program to offer was definitely a big deal to me," Cisse said after last Tuesday’s visit. "So, I had to make sure I took another trip back there with my family. It was a mandatory thing. I just wanted to make sure my family saw everything and they really liked it.

"It was actually my third time there because I went to the Syracuse game last fall. I really enjoyed it. I think this time was probably the best, though, because I got to be around the staff a little more and see everything. It went really well."

One week later, Cisse pulled the trigger with a commitment to the Pack. He made the announcement at his high school with a ceremony to honor his commitment.

Defensive back is a major need in this class and the Pack's expected to take five in 2023. With the three-star prospect in the fold, the remaining projection is for the Pack to add another corner (likely from the transfer portal), two safeties and a nickel.

Cisse, who held 20-plus scholarship offers, is the sixth commit in Pack23 and first defensive pledge of the cycle, joining quarterback Lex Thomas, offensive tackles Darion Rivers, Charlie Symonds and Obadiah Obasuyi, and tight end Javonte Vereen,

Stay tuned to Pack Pride for more on this story.

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A teenager caught an enormous 11.34lb pompano dolphinfish on a high-school graduation trip that could smash the current world record.

Charles Noonan, 18, lives in Sumter in South Carolina and was on a charter trip in Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina, when he landed the fish.

Early in the morning of June 8, he and fellow crewmembers came across an abandoned raft about 42 miles off the beach, a North Carolina Environmental Quality press release said.

The crew noticed several dolphinfish around the raft. When they returned to the spot a bit later, Noonan felt something on his rod.

The teen tackled the huge fish onto the boat. Noonan believed it was just a common dolphinfish at first.

There are only two species of dolphinfish, also known as Mahi Mahi. The common dolphinfish are usually large and can weigh 80lb. However the smaller pompano species, usually only weigh, on average, 2lb.

However captain of the charter, Tyler Hailey, started to realize that something wasn't right with the fish.

The charter crew brought the enormous catch to the dock and asked some local experts for their opinion. It was then confirmed that this fish was not a common dolphinfish, but a particularly large pompano dolphinfish.

The fish's weight was confirmed at a certified scale at the Intracoastal Angler in Wilmington, Outdoor life reported. The fish also had a 17.25-inch girth.

The pompano has already set the North Carolina state record, however it was also heavier than the current world record for the species. The current world record was set in 2008, by an 8.8-pound pompano caught in Maryland.

Noonan has gotten in touch with the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) to be considered for a world record, with details of his catch.

Noonan's catch will beat the world record if the paperwork is accepted by the IGFA.

Hailey told one news outlet that the experience of catching a world record fish was "pretty humbling."

Pompano dolphinfish live near the surface of the ocean, in tropical and subtropical waters. They can reach a maximum length of 50 inches, however on average they grown between 20 to 24 inches. Pompano dolphinfish on the heavier side usually only weigh up to 5 pounds, making Noonan's catch particularly unusual.

The fish are not considered particularly important to fisheries, but they are commonly caught as game. Anglers will often catch the fish while looking for other species.

Fishing for this species is particularly popular off North Carolina, the Gulf of Mexico, Florida, and Japan. As the fish have a short lifespan and grow quickly, they are not considered at risk of overfishing.

SUMTER COUNTY, S.C. (WIS/CNN Newsource/WKRC) - Two women, a mother and daughter, are facing charges in South Carolina, accused of assaulting children at a middle school.

"I was so mad and at the moment who would be calm? In a situation like that, who would be calm?" said Kelsey Ellerbe, the mother of a student.

Ellerbe got a call from her daughter saying she'd been attacked at school -- by two adults.

The Sumter County Sheriff's Office says Whitley Smith and Mamie Smith gained entry into a middle school by claiming they had to go to the attendance office. Once inside, they ran down the hallway, pushed a student against a wall and began hitting her and scratching her in the head and face.

Two other students were hurt, one taken by her parents for medical treatment.

"How would y'all feel if that was your kid being attacked by two grown adults, a 32-year-old and 67-year-old woman?" asked Ellerbe. "How would you feel? As a mom, as a single mother, I'm hurt, I'm hurt by that. My daughter is hurt. She's traumatized. We didn't even get sleep."

Ellerbe says her daughter is tough but she broke down in tears last night.

"My baby, she's 12 years old. The other girl... she's 12 years old. These are minors. And ya'll took upon yourselves to react to a situation that could've been resolved any other kind of way," said Ellerbe, who was left with many unanswered questions.

"They need better security. Nobody is allowed to go to the back of the school due to COVID. So how were they able to get to the back of the school? That's my question," said Ellerbe. "How were they able to get past all of that and go down all the hall, all the way down the hall and down some more to kids? I don't get it."

Investigators say the women went to the school because they thought a relative was being bullied, but they attacked the wrong students.

Both women bonded out of jail Thursday evening.

The Sumter School District released a statement saying the incident was "deeply disturbing" and they will continue to revisit safety protocols at schools.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Please note that due to the threat of COVID-19, some of the following events may be cancelled or rescheduled unexpectedly.

Sumter Senior Services and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Sumter are seeking volunteers to support the missions of nonprofit organizations in Sumter County. The RSVP matches the talents and skills of people 55 and older with community nonprofits, organizations and agencies seeking volunteers. RSVP of Sumter has ongoing partnerships and available volunteer opportunities with Christian Charities of Sumter, Community Juvenile Arbitration, National Federation of the Blind: Sumter Chapter, Sumter Senior Services (Meals on Wheels), Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital and Hospice, United Ministries of Sumter and the Veterans Administration Community Based Outpatient Clinic. Volunteer opportunities include delivering meals, sorting nonperishable food donations, mentoring the youth, administrative duties and much more. RSVP volunteers can make a difference by investing a few hours per week. If you are 55 years or older, a Sumter County resident and would like more information, contact Rebecca Sears at (803) 773-5508 or rsears@sumterseniorservices.org.

The Sumter County Recreation Department 2022 Summer Enrichment Program for ages 5 through 12 will be held June 13-July 22 at the following locations: Catchall-Shaw Community Center, Cherryvale Community Center, DeLaine Community Center, Eastern Community Center, Ebenezer Community Center, Rembert-Rafting Creek Community Center and Salterstown Community Center. Cost is $100 per participant. To register or for additional information, contact the community center or call the Recreation Department at (803) 436-2248.

Kidz Kub of Sumter is accepting applications for summer camp at the South HOPE Center. Camp dates will be Monday-Thursday, June 6-30. Cost is $30 per week, and there are some scholarships available. Call Yvonne Pitt-Meyers at (803) 840-2394 for more information.

Marine Corps League Detachment 1202 meets at 6 p.m. on the third Monday of each month at the VFW, 1925 Gion St. All present and former Marines are welcome. Call (803) 972-4555.

American Legion Post 15 meets at 6:30 p.m. on the first Monday of each month at 34 S. Artillery Drive. All veterans, past and present, are welcome. Call (803) 968-5115.

The Civil Air Patrol Sumter Composite Squadron meets from 6:30 to 9 p.m. each Tuesday at 2945 Airport Road. There are cadet programs, aerospace education programs and emergency services programs. Call Lt. Col. George Stanley at (803) 847-7640. Visit www.gocivilairpatrol.com for information.

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 12-1 meets at 7 p.m. on the third Monday of each month at the Summerton Fire Station, North Cantey Street, Summerton. Membership is open to any U.S. citizen age 17 or older. Previous service in the Coast Guard is not required. The auxiliary's main objective is to promote safe recreational boating on Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie by offering safe boating classes, courtesy vessel checks for required safety equipment and patrolling the lakes offering assistance to anyone in need. The auxiliary also stands ready to assist the USCG with their mission along with search and rescue. We encourage anyone interested in participating in our mission to attend a meeting and learn more about the auxiliary.

Temple Sinai Jewish History Center is seeking docents (tour guides). Docents must be 18 years of age or older and willing to attend training prior to starting. This is a volunteer position and you will be asked to commit at least a few hours a month (Thursday or Friday afternoon or Saturday morning). The museum will work with students who want to arrange class credit through their college. The Center covers South Carolina and Sumter Jewish history, the Holocaust and Sumter's ties to the Holocaust. Docents must be friendly and comfortable engaging with both children and adults. Contact Diana Roof at (803) 468-8630 or at droof@sumtercountymuseum.org or Annie Rivers at (803) 775-0908 or at arivers@sumtercountymuseum.org.

Lake Marion VFW Post 11078, Summerton, meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 1 Duke St., Summerton, behind First Citizens Bank. Dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. with the meeting beginning at 7 p.m. All VFW members are encouraged to attend. Call Carl A. Farley at (803) 460-8910.

SUMTER, S.C. — After a two-year pandemic pause, the Sumter Iris Festival returned Thursday.

Celebrating its 80th year, the festival, which attracts tens of thousands to the Gamecock City, opened with a 'Taste at the Gardens,' connecting patrons with food vendors and entertainment.

"We cut the ribbon. We opened the 80th Iris Festival in Sumter, South Carolina. Just a fun night," Mayor David Merchant said. "We crowned our new king and queen of the Iris Festival.... We've got vendors, food, just different things we can do. It's entertainment all weekend."

The free festival will open Friday to Sunday at 10 a.m., closing at 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 5 p.m. on Sunday. Festival vendors will be open all three days.

Visitors can enjoy a pontoon boat ride on Swan Lake. It's the only time these rides are available on the lake.

It's also the only time of year people can purchase Japanese Irises at the Gardens, which will be on sale all three days at the Sumter Master Gardener’s booth.

"I think it's a good thing for the community," Jack Hartzog, who was attending, said. "Obviously, it gets people out and you get to support small businesses that are in the local area."

Mike Nelson, another attendee, agreed, noting the food was a draw.

"Nice weather. The rain didn't show up," Nelson said. "I started off with shrimp and grits. I'm up to strawberry shortcake."

After the festival closes on Friday, the free Forth Friday Concert Series will kick-off on Main Street at 6 p.m. with Too Much Sylvia. Then, the Red Clay Strays will perform at 8 p.m. at the Sumter Opera House.

There’s going to be more to do for kids this year with the addition of a petting zoo, STEM activities, and more all weekend, and on Saturday, an old-fashioned carousel. Sumter’s Iris Festival Shrine Day parade is also happening on Saturday at 10 a.m.

Saturday evening, in celebration of the festival's 80th anniversary, The DeLoreans, an '80s tribute band, will take stage at Sumter Original Brewery. Tickets for the all-ages show are $20 and available online at irisfestival.org. One of the highlights of the evening will be an '80s costume contest.

Santee-Wateree RTA will be providing shuttle service from the Sumter County Civic Center on Saturday and Sunday during festival hours.

"It's a huge boost for the city," Mayor Merchant said. "It just brings us all together and it's like, if people say there's nothing to do in Sumter this weekend, they've got a problem because it is just a fun-filled, action packed weekend. All types of entertainment for families, you know, young, old, single, married, all around. So, we just ask people to come over to Sumter this weekend and just join us in the fun."

The Sumter Iris Festival is located at Swan Lake Iris Gardens at 822 W Liberty St. To find a full list of events scheduled as well as parking information, visit IrisFestival.org.