Gordon Street Bridge to be closed

The Gordon Street Bridge in Camden was scheduled to be shut down Wednesday, after transportation officials found structural problems during a recent inspection.

The Department of Transportation has no plans to replace the 122-foot bridge, because of the $4 million estimated cost and a lack of funds to do it.

Officials say recent traffic counts showed little use by motorists. Traffic will be detoured to nearby Chestnut Street crossing.

The seven-span bridge was constructed in 1960 using treated wood. The wood, according to officials, is now beyond its life expectancy of 40 years, and the timbers in the spans have decayed to the point of needing total replacement.

District honors retiring employees

Altogether they have more than 1,600 years of experience between them. That includes thousands of papers graded, phone calls answered, miles driven or meals served.

Whatever the job, the 57 Kershaw County School District honored at a recent retirement ceremoney said it was worth it.

“We’re grateful for their service and wish them well in their new endeavors,” said Kershaw County School Superintendent Herb Berg.

Following is a list of retirees:

ATEC: Chris Haff; Blaney Elementary School: Joyce Horton, Francine Mauldin and Norma Young

Camden Elementary School: Doris Campbell

Camden High School: Paula Malone

Camden Middle School: Mary Amyette, Jean Holland, Deas Penman, and Johnnie Walker

Continuous Learning Center: Virgil Crenshaw and Loree Paschal

Jackson School: Cheryl Clifton and Cheryl Colvin;

Jackson School/Midway Elementary School: Susie Szasz

District office: Mary Ann Blaskowitz, Cynthia Murray, Mary Ann Pineau, and Mary Young

Lugoff area: James Wright

Lugoff-Elgin High School: Homer Carraway and Evelyn Gibson

Lugoff-Elgin Middle School: Tamara Clyburn, Marilyn Jenkins, and Sue Todd

North Central area: Patsy Gardner

North Central High School: Barbara Boyce

North Central Middle School: Sandra Catoe, Mary Hickman and Chandler Owen

Pine Tree Hill Elementary School: Beverly Hunter, Brenda Owens and Lillie Stradford

Wateree Elementary School: Thomas Haff

School district employees who have completed their TERI are:

ATEC: EJ Ham, Philip McGee, and Allen Teal; Camden Elementary School: Cheryl Black, and Connie Williams

Camden High School: William Ammons, Reggie Dean, Emily Finley, Dale Reeves and Bessie Smith

Camden Middle School: Shirley Halley, Nancy Neal and Robert Springs

Continuous Learning Center: William Ingram

District office: Remond Cooper and Linda Shaylor

Lugoff-Elgin High School: Theresa Muldrow and Teddie Osborne

Lugoff-Elgin Middle School: Nancy Price and John Sanders

North Central High School: Reberta Karesh and Joan Young

Wateree Elementary School: Anne Owens