Driving School in Sumter, SC

A nationwide school bus driver shortage is causing major transportation delays in Sumter County, leaving parents frustrated and students waiting in the cold.

SUMTER, S.C. — A nationwide shortage of school bus drivers is creating challenges for families in Sumter County, leading to late arrivals, long waits and, in some cases, missed classes.

Parents say routes that once ran on schedule are now unpredictable.

One mother of two girls who attend Millwood Elementary said she’s had to rearrange her mornings due to bus delays.

“It's very cold early in the morning and being that the weather has changed outside it's affecting the kids and they just sit at the bus stop waiting for when the bus is going to arrive and sometimes we are out there for over 30 minutes,” she said.

Marlon Dantzler, director of transportation for Sumter School District, said the problem is part of a larger national crisis.

“So we are having some challenges right now with transportation due to driver shortage,” Dantzler said. “Of course since the beginning of the school year we’ve lost seven drivers across the district so that has made a major impact on getting our students back and forth to school.”

Currently, Dantzler said about 150 school staff members are filling in as substitute bus drivers while the district looks to hire 15 full-time drivers.

“We have coaches that still help us drive part time, we have folks that drive activities so we do everything for the district with those same drivers so they are being pulled however, whenever,” he said.

To help families stay informed, the district is encouraging parents to use the “Parent App,” a two-way communication tool that tracks school bus routes in real time.

District officials are asking parents to remain patient as they work to stabilize transportation services.

If you or anyone you know is interested in applying to become a bus driver, visit here, for more information.

SUMTER, S.C. (WIS) - Construction sounds fill the air on Magnolia Street as work continues on a new affordable housing project aimed at addressing South Carolina’s growing housing crisis.

The Magnolia Arbor Apartments will transform what was once an abandoned building into a 50-unit complex featuring one, two and three-bedroom options, along with a ground-floor bakery and other amenities. The more than $16 million development is expected to open in fall 2026.

“That need just keeps growing and growing, and we’re doing the best we can to provide that need,” said Kevin Connelly, the project’s developer.

Rent will range from $115 to $850 per month, depending on the applicant’s income and household size. The lower rates are made possible through state and federal tax credits.

Richard Hutto with South Carolina State Housing said the project uses multiple funding sources to address the statewide housing shortage.

“There was actually the Home Program funds in this property as well which is a federal program, and then the abandoned building credits. It just all came together,” Hutto said. “As we’re looking at creating discounted capital for developers to build, what we’re doing is buying rents down through that discounted capital.”

The apartments will target families below the average income level. Neighbor Reynard Whittleton said the development is needed now more than ever.

“It’s heartbreaking. I just hope the families get the help they need,” Whittleton said.

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Santee Print Works, a longtime Sumter textile plant, will shut down Dec. 20 after 76 years, citing global competition and a shrinking customer base.

SUMTER, S.C. — After more than seven decades in business, a longtime Sumter textile manufacturer is shutting down.

Santee Print Works has been a fixture in the community since the late 1940s. But after more than 76 years, the company says it will close its doors for good this December.

Company officials confirmed to News19 that employees and state labor agencies were notified on Monday, October 20, about the closure, which is set for December 20.

Administrator Everette Harrington said in a statement that the closure was due to global competition and a shrinking customer base.

“A decision to close in the next few months was a hard and disappointing one for ownership to make. Santee has done all they could to keep the plant going," Harrington said. "Due to the textile market, customer base which has not been there for quite a while, this is why the decision to close has been decided.”

Documents filed with the state’s employment agency show that approximately 140 employees will be affected by the closure.

Nearby businesses say they’re shocked by the announcement and concerned about what it means for the workers who will soon be out of a job.

“That is super unfortunate anytime you hear about a business closing. Its not good, especially a staple of Sumter, and its right there at Christmas, so I hope they have something in place for the employees to help them get through the holidays,” said Sumter resident Samantha Geddings.

“Well, I’ve been at Sylvia Jo’s for eight years, and we’ve been next to Santee’s and passed by there since I was a child. I’ve had many family members who’ve worked there come and eat with us and some who retired come eat. It's sad to see another Sumter business close and with the holidays, I feel bad when anyone loses their jobs,” said Amber Spencer, owner of Sylvia Jo’s Diner.

It is unknown at this time what will happen to the Santee Print Works facility following its closure in December.

Sumter (7–1) hosts Ridge View (6–2) Friday night at 7:30 p.m. in Sumter

The Ridge View vs Sumter Live matchup features the Sumter Gamecocks hosting the Ridge View Blazers at Sumter-Memorial Stadium in Sumter, SC. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025, with live streaming and digital tickets available for fans.

The Sumter Gamecocks enter with a 7–1 overall record, including a 4–0 home record, averaging 41.4 points per game while allowing 151 points. Sumter has been dominant offensively in the first half (13.4 points in Q1 and 12.4 points in Q2 on average) and maintains a perfect 4–0 region record, highlighting their top position in South Carolina football.

The Ridge View Blazers come in at 6–2 overall, including a 2–2 away record, averaging 36.3 points per game while conceding 91 points. Ridge View has shown strong scoring in the first two quarters (10.4 points on average each quarter) but will face a tough challenge against Sumter’s balanced scoring and home-field advantage. Their 4–0 region record keeps them competitive in league play.

This matchup features Sumter’s Gamecocks and high-scoring offense against Ridge View’s Blazers, creating a compelling conference contest with playoff implications and district standings on the line.

How to Watch and Get TicketsFans can stream Ridge View @ Sumter Live on NFHS Network, accessible on computers, tablets, and mobile devices starting at 7:30 p.m. for full coverage.

Tickets are available via GoFan—early purchase is recommended for guaranteed entry and smoother stadium access. Don’t miss the chance to see the Gamecocks take on the Blazers in this key South Carolina conference matchup.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in Sumter, SC.

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CHARLESTON — A South Carolina textile company that's been making bolts of woven fabrics shine since the 1940s with colorful dyes and decorative patterns — and is fiercely proud of its "Made-in-America" heritage — is shutting down.

Santee Print Works notified state labor officials this week that it will permanently close its longtime Sumter County plant — once one of the area's single-biggest employers — by Dec. 20.

About 140 workers are expected to lose their jobs before the holidays.

No reason was given. The company and its lawyer did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Oct. 22.

Workers were told about the decision Monday, according to a layoff notification filed with the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce.

"This closure is permanent, and the entire plant will be closed," Columbia employment attorney Reginald Belcher wrote.

A 1949 Charleston newspaper article reported the privately held, family-owned company was issued a charter from the state of South Carolina in July of that year. The founders, two businessmen from New York City, were among a group of investors who had bought Mansfield Mills Inc. in Lumberton N.C., several years earlier

They later relocated their South Carolina textile printing venture to a new Sumter industrial park at the request of local elected officials who were trying to recruit businesses to the site.

"Construction of this manufacturing facility, which is the current location of Santee’s operations, began in the early 1950s with operations first commencing in 1952," according to a 2017 lawsuit the company filed and later settled in state court over a wastewater dispute.

In October 1968, U.S. Sen. Fritz Hollings stopped by the plant to court rural voters while campaigning for re-election.

At the turn of the century a Santee Print Works executive told The Post and Courier that the payroll at the factory had grown to 1,100 workers. He also said the company was bringing in about half of its raw materials through the Port of Charleston.

A year later, Santee Print Works announced it was trimming about 90 jobs, citing competition from cheaper Chinese imports and a weakening economy. More layoffs followed in 2005.

In early 2024, the Sumter Item reported the 1.5 million-square-foot plant on Progress Street would be shutting down for good, prompting the company to issue a written denial.

On its website, Santee Print Works directs business inquiries to its office across from Bryant Park in midtown Manhattan but stressed that its Sumter operation is "where the Magic Happens."

It noted that its Palmetto State-produced handiwork can be found on a near-endless tapestry of products, including flags, bedding materials, apparel and furniture coverings.

"You've see our prints on troops, doctors, in hotels, hospitals, displayed at high-end stores, on television, while window shopping or watching a political debate," the company said.