Alaysha Maple

South Carolina

Multimedia Reporter at The Sumter Item

Journalist at @theitem 🗞 | @CofC Alum 🐯 | She/Her

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Articles

BJs blaze started by accidental welding sparks, firefighters say

3 days ago | theitem.com | Alaysha Maple

Sumter Fire Department crews responded to a fire at BJ’s Wholesale Club construction site at 1475 Alice Drive, just days after officials celebrated the project’s groundbreaking. According to an incident report obtained by The Sumter Item, the call came in at 12:16 p.m. on Saturday, May 10, and firefighters were on scene five minutes later. Upon arrival, they observed heavy black smoke and flames coming from the opening under the construction building.
Sumter High, area public safety agencies bring back 'Prom Promise'

5 days ago | theitem.com | Alaysha Maple

Prom night is a rite of passage for nearly every American teenager. However, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, it's also when law enforcement sees a significant increase in alcohol-related wrecks involving teens. In …
Fire blazing at BJ's Wholesale construction site in Sumter

5 days ago | theitem.com | Alaysha Maple

Posted Saturday, May 10, 2025 1:59 pm Sumter Fire Department and Sumter Police Department crews are on the scene of a fire at the BJ’s Wholesale Club construction site, just days after officials celebrated the project's groundbreaking.
BizTalk: The Juice Box opens its physical location in Sumter, keeps wheels on mobile location

5 days ago | theitem.com | Alaysha Maple

A lot can change in a year. Torrie Chapman knows this firsthand. In May 2024, a then-18-year-old Chapman sat down with The Item to discuss her entrepreneurial journey. In August 2023, just days after her 18th birthday, Chapman bought a cozy …
1 arrested in connection to fatal shooting of 43-year-old Sumter man

1 week ago | theitem.com | Alaysha Maple

A local man is in custody in connection to the death of a 43-year-old man found shot in his home. Michael William Dow, 44, of Sumter, was taken into custody Wednesday afternoon, May 7, and charged in connection to the death of 43-year-old Robert Burleson. Dow was charged with murder, possession of a weapon during a violent crime and first-degree burglary as well as trafficking cocaine, according to Mark Bordeaux, public information officer with Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.
Sumter teacher turns himself in, is charged after allegations of inappropriate comments to student

1 week ago | theitem.com | Alaysha Maple

A now-former high school teacher turned himself in Wednesday morning after allegations that he made inappropriate comments to a student via text messages. Torey A. Shannon, 42, of Sumter, was charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor on May 7, according to Tonyia McGirt, public information officer with Sumter Police Department.
Mary McLeod Section Scholarship awarded to Morris College student

1 week ago | theitem.com | Alaysha Maple

"Invest in the human soul. Who knows, it might be a diamond in the rough."These were words spoken by Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, honored by National Council of Negro Women and lived out through recipients of the scholarship founded in Bethune's …
'The Amen Corner' to bring laughter to Mother's Day weekend in Sumter

1 week ago | theitem.com | Alaysha Maple

Mother's Day is around the corner, and there's no better gift than the gift of laughter - and two locals have enough of it to give. Elijah Bradford and Evangelist Jennifer Johnson Cook will present "The Amen Corner" this Mother's Day …
Sumter's Next Generation, presented by TheLINK: Wilson Hall's Newman, Cseh build resilience in robotics

2 weeks ago | theitem.com | Alaysha Maple

At Wilson Hall, inside a classroom filled with the quiet whir of 3D printers, clacking of computer keyboards and the scattered hum of conversation, something bigger than battle bots and drones is being built. It's here where Robotics 3 students, 18-year-old senior Kadence Newman and 16-year-old junior Andy Cseh, not only learned how to piece together machines, but also how to build grit. How to build trust. How to build a future. But their paths to these life lessons differed.
Kingstree man, 58, charged with voyeurism

2 weeks ago | theitem.com | Alaysha Maple

Sumter Police Department charged a local man after he allegedly was seen looking up a woman's dress while at a Broad Street business in early April. Officers responded after 5:30 p.m. on April 3 to a Broad Street business where 58-year-old Joshua Scott was seen following female customers around.