Read a textbook in 2013?

A couple of months ago, I "rejoined" LinkedIn, the social network for business professionals. I got back in to it because the network was beginning to expand from simply helping people network for that next big job to helping them with their current jobs. A few friends and family members had also joined up at the same time that LinkedIn began adding some more news-oriented and thought-provoking features.

Council tables procurement policy on 3-2 vote

Camden City Council voted Tuesday to table first reading of an ordinance that would reaffirm and amend a procurement policy written into the city's employee handbook. Tuesday night's vote is the latest chapter in a nearly two-year-old struggle over the policy.

The $1 million man

Austin Meyer was driving along I-77 in Columbia a number of years ago, thinking about a design for a single-engine jet plane. Meyer, who's designed airplanes for most of his adult life, figured the new jet could get him -- or anyone else, for that matter, where they were going just a little faster. It would just take a bit of engineering … and a few million dollars. ...

Heavy agendas to greet new council members

Newly elected Camden Mayor Tony Scully and Councilwoman Laurie Parks will be greeted at their first work session and regular meeting with thick agendas Tuesday. Council will not meet again until January.

KershawHealth is Breast Imaging Center of Excellence

"This is a big deal," Dr. Shawn Conwell told the KershawHealth Board of Trustees at its Nov. 26 meeting.

Gang shooting was ‘shock to system’

I shivered slightly when I realized that this Friday night, Dec. 7, is the exact five year anniversary of the night 17-year-old Camden High School student Michael Smith died of a single gunshot blast to the chest, the first and so far only Kershaw County victim of a gang-related shooting.

Emotions run high at last council meeting for Graham, Partin

Some drama, a "sermon" and a tearful good-bye highlighted Mayor Jeffrey Graham and Councilman Pat Partin's last Camden City Council meeting Tuesday night. Emotions ran high during both actual business and in the parting words Partin, leaving council after 12 years, and Graham, as outgoing mayor, spoke at meeting's end.

SC ENT faces no criminal charges

Although the United States government is named on and may benefit from a pending federal whistleblower case filed against a Kershaw County-based ear, nose and throat practice, it is not directly involved in the case. Also, the defendants in that case are not facing any criminal charges.

Healthcare changes sooner than later

In case you haven't noticed, there's something called "Obamacare" that is changing healthcare in the United States. It's been controversial, especially during the recent presidential election.

Sports complex referendum to be acknowledged

In what will be among Jeffrey Graham and Pat Partin's final actions as, respectively, Camden's mayor and a city councilman, Camden City Council will consider a resolution to declare and acknowledge the results of a referendum held during the Nov. 6 general election on the construction of a proposed sports complex. By a 7 percent margin, city voters said "no" to continuing ...

C-I profile: Camden’s new mayor

The nation's capital is the place those with political aspirations usually aim for as an ultimate goal. There's a reason the classic James Stewart movie is called "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington." But what if you were born in Washington, D.C., and your main aspiration was to see your plays produced on stage?

‘Person of Interest’ is food for thought

Today's column did not spring from original thought. I'm not the first person to write about CBS' Person of Interest, now in the middle of its second season on Thursday nights. Specifically, I'm not the first person to write about how the show is actually falls into the science fiction genre rather than strictly police procedural or thriller. Nor am I the first to write about why it's such a good show. ...

Camden begins looking for Bronson’s replacement

Camden City Council gave its approval -- along with that of incoming Mayor-elect Tony Scully and Councilwoman-elect Laurie Parks -- for city staff to begin the search to replace City Manager Kevin Bronson. Bronson recently announced he will resign from the city effective Jan. 3 in order to take a management position with the city of Rock Hill government.

Cushman pleads guilty to contempt of court

Suspended Camden City Attorney Charles Cushman pleaded guilty Thursday afternoon to contempt of court by an attorney and paid a $130 fine. In exchange for the plea, the 5th Circuit Solicitor's Office dismissed misconduct in office charges against Cushman connected to allegations that he dismissed Camden Municipal Court charges against certain defendants in exchange for "donations" to the Camden City Drug Fund. Thursday's ...

More Welsh Street annexations on tap

Three more Welsh Street property owners are asking to come into the city of Camden, some of the last in the Sunnyhill subdivision to request annexation. Camden City Council will consider three separate ordinances accepting the properties into the city at Tuesday's 6:30 p.m. meeting.

Game of Thrones is good, but tough TV

Back in March 2012, I wrote about my newfound love of George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire fantasy series. I mentioned -- almost as a side note -- the brilliant HBO television series based on the books (and named after the first novel) Game of Thrones.

Game of Thrones is good, but tough TV

Back in March 2012, I wrote about my newfound love of George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire fantasy series. I mentioned -- almost as a side note -- the brilliant HBO television series based on the books (and named after the first novel) Game of Thrones.

New shopping center may be built on West DeKalb