Charleston County Government announces lanes closures and traffic shifts for paving and curb and gutter work will continue through mid-May. All work is weather permitting.
 

• The lane closures will occur from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday – Friday and 7 p.m. to 8 a.m. on Saturdayand Sunday.
• Flaggers will be directing traffic safely through the closures.  
• Drivers traveling through the project’s construction zone should be aware of equipment and crews working in the area at all times.
• During this phase, drivers maybe experience traveling over uneven pavement.

 
The widening will help alleviate the afternoon congestion onto Johns Island caused by the merging of the two travel lanes. Bicycle and pedestrian accommodations are also included. The public will see a lot of change on Maybank Highway during the next month.
 
The goal of the project is to improve traffic flow and safety on Maybank Highway and to provide adequate bicycle and pedestrian accommodations. Planning for the projected started in 2007 and construction will be done in three phases.
 
Visit the official website at http://roads.charlestoncounty.org for public meeting notices and up-to-date news and information about all Charleston County Transportation Sales Tax road projects. Anyone with questions about the project can call Charleston County’s Transportation Development Department at (843) 202-6140.

Charleston County Government is accepting applications for the 2018 Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP). The program provides teenagers and young adults who reside in Charleston County an opportunity to develop workplace readiness skills, provide exposure to the work world, and gain experience in the operations of County government.  There are a wide variety of opportunities, including positions with Charleston County Government, the Charleston County Library, and the Charleston Animal Society in office administration, customer service, facilities management, procurement, and finance.
 
Eligible individuals must meet the following criteria:
 

• Be between the ages of 16 – 21 at the time of application submission.
• Be currently enrolled in high school or college.
• Be a resident of Charleston County.

 
The program lasts for six weeks, from June 22 to August 2.  Hours worked are typically 4 hours each day, 5 days a week, 20 hours per week / 120 total hours. The application deadline is April 13 at midnight or until 125 applications have been received, whichever occurs first.
 
To apply, go to Charleston County’s home page and fill out a Summer Youth application.  (Paper applications will not be accepted. Applicants without access to a computer may use the computers in Charleston County's Human Resources Department at 4045 Bridge View Drive, Suite 207 in North Charleston.)

To apply, click here: http://www.charlestoncounty.org/syep/application.php
 
If you have questions, please contact the Human Resources Department at 843-958-4700. 

The deadline to order is Sunday, May 27 at 11:00 p.m. and pick-up at two locations
 
Charleston County Government and the Ashley Cooper Stormwater Education Consortium are offering 100% recycled rain barrels to residents at a discounted price through May 27. It is part of an effort to encourage residents to conserve water resources and protect water quality. The normal retail price is $129, but through a special partnership, they are $68. Water collected by the rain barrels can be used for gardens/lawns and to wash cars.
 
Pick-up locations:
 

• Friday, June 1, 2018

4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Gahagan Park
515 W Boundary Street
Summerville, SC 29485
 

• Saturday, June 2, 2018

9:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Lonnie Hamilton Public Services Building 
4045 Bridge View Dr
North Charleston, SC 29405
 
The rain barrels can be purchased through the program’s website, https://www.rainwatersolutions.com/products/acsec-ivy, using a credit card. There will also be a limited number of rain barrels for sale on pick-up days through a first-come, first-serve basis.
 
Rain barrels capture rainwater from rooftops by connecting to the home’s downspout. This water would typically be sent down the storm drain carrying potential contaminants and contributing to flash flooding.
 
Watch this how to install video.
 
Features of the Ivy rain barrel:

• Made in the U.S.A.
• 100% recycled plastic
• Dimensions 42.5” H x 22” W
• Child proof, bug proof lid
• Best-in-class overflow set up
• 3/4" ball valve easily connects to garden hose
• Three rain barrels easily fit in a midsized sedan
• All parts included and ready to set up
• Gravity fed. No pumps required
• Easy to link two or more Ivy barrels together

 
Ashley Cooper Stormwater Education Consortium:

• The Ashley Cooper Stormwater Education Consortium is a partnership between communities (MS4s), universities, agencies and non-profits working together to implement a regional, watershed-scale stormwater runoff education strategy in the Charleston urbanized area.
• The effort was spearheaded in the Charleston region by Clemson University’s Carolina Clear Program.
• Participating communities include the counties of Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester and the municipalities of Charleston, Folly Beach, Goose Creek, Hanahan, Isle of Palms, James Island, Lincolnville, Mount Pleasant, North Charleston, Sullivan’s Island and Summerville.

 
For more information contact Ashley Cooper Stormwater Education Consortium:
 

• Contact Kim Counts Morganello at 843-730-5212 or kcounts@clemson.edu
• “Like” Ashley Cooper Stormwater Education Consortium on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ashleycooperstormwater