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It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.

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Home Care In Clemson, SC

Home Care Clemson, SC

They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.

However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting Fort Hill: National Historic Landmark in Clemson, SC gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Clemson, SC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Clemson, SC

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

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“ABC helped me take care of my mother in her last few weeks. Trudy the Caregiver was wonderful! Trudy was so gentle with mom, very compassionate and professional. You could tell she loves her job. she started helping in the evenings, then on weekends. Mom's health got really bad and she was hospitalized and Trudy changed her schedule so she could stay up at the hospital all night with my Mom. I never had to worry because I knew mom was in good hands and that Trudy would te… See more”

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“I’ve been a employee for 3 years I love working here”

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“Great Place. Really caring people. would recommend if a friend of family member need non-medical care.”

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What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Clemson, SC?

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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.

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When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

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The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

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At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

 Senior Care Clemson, SC

Types of Elderly Care in Clemson, SC

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal Care Services

If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming

Respite Care Clemson, SC
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.

Common home helper care services include assistance with:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
 Caregivers Clemson, SC
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Jaycee Park in Clemson, SC with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
Home Care Clemson, SC
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Rick Erwin's Clemson or visit Hanover House, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.

At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.

If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.

 In-Home Care Clemson, SC

Benefits of Home Care in Clemson, SC

Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:

Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?

A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.

With the help of elderly care in Clemson, SC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.

Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.

In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

 Elderly Care Clemson, SC

Affordable Care

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your SC's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
 Senior Care Clemson, SC

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Clemson, SC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Assisted Living Referral Services

While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.

Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.


Respite Care Clemson, SC

At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.

Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
 Caregivers Clemson, SC

At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.

Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.

Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:

  • Clemson Heritage Senior Living
  • Dominion Senior Living at Patrick Square
  • Clemson Downs
  • Everlan of Clemson
  • Brookdale Central
  • TheKey - Formerly Home Care Assistance
Home Care Clemson, SC

For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.

 In-Home Care Clemson, SC

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Clemson, SC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

 Elderly Care Clemson, SC

Latest News in Clemson, SC

Transparency Turbulence: Clemson Faces New Questions Over Development Ties

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... The widening controversy over ’s dubious development connections took another dramatic turn this week after Oconee County Council chairman Matthew Durham – who has been spearheading the push for accountability and transparency related to this scandal – dropped another bombshell.On Tuesday afternoon (October 28, 2025), Durham published...

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The widening controversy over ’s dubious development connections took another dramatic turn this week after Oconee County Council chairman Matthew Durham – who has been spearheading the push for accountability and transparency related to this scandal – dropped another bombshell.

On Tuesday afternoon (October 28, 2025), Durham published new information tying Clemson leadership, United Homes Group (UHG) executives and Oconee county officials to a previously undisclosed trip on a private plane — one he said “raises serious questions about public trust.”

In a detailed post entitled Private Jet, Public Trust, and a Change in Oconee Leadership, Durham revealed Clemson University leaders, UHG executives, a county official and several local real estate developers flew together on a private jet registered to the development corporation’s address for a trip to Purdue University on January 18, 2024.

The purpose of the visit, according to Durham, was to tour a university-affiliated research park and mixed-use development model — one participants allegedly hoped to replicate at the controversial 5200-unit Newry Mill development site in Oconee County.

The passenger manifest for the Purdue trip — obtained by Durham through internal communications — reportedly included Clemson University’s chief financial officer Rick Petillo, senior vice president for research Tanju Karanfil, and director of land and capital asset stewardship Laura Stoner. It also included several UHG and Great Southern Homes executives, including company founder Michael Nieri (a Clemson mega-donor), , and John West.

Hart, incidentally, is a former chief operating officer for the NFL’s – and was president of GT Real Estate Holdings, the company behind Panthers’ owner David Tepper’s abandoned bid to bring the team’s headquarters and practice facility to the Palmetto State.

County administrator Amanda Brock was also listed among the passengers, though Durham said she later designated a staff member to attend in her place. He contends council was never informed of the trip — not before, not during, and not after — and that when asked directly about all prior contact between UHG and the county, Brock “failed to disclose key information.”

Durham said he first learned of the flight by chance, during a conversation with a county employee at a local Oktoberfest luncheon earlier this month.

“It’s always been United Homes Group,” he quoted the employee as saying. “That’s who went up there with Clemson University.”

He later obtained text messages and a copy of the flight itinerary, confirming the group flew to West Lafayette, Indiana, to tour Purdue’s — a mixed-use research and development hub often cited as a model for university-driven innovation districts.

“When public institutions appear to align too closely with private developers,” Durham wrote, “it raises fair questions about transparency, accountability, and where the public interest ends and private influence begins.”

The revelation about Brock’s alleged “failure to disclose” follows closely on the heels of her sudden two-week paid administrative leave, which FITSNews reported last week. At the time, Oconee County officials offered no explanation for the move, though multiple closed-door executive sessions hinted at growing internal tensions.

In his post, Durham confirmed that following the discovery of the Purdue trip, Brock and the county mutually agreed “a leadership change was in the best interest of Oconee County.”

According to Durham, Brock told council members she had forgotten about the trip, but text messages reviewed by council appeared to contradict that claim — including a thread which showed she had received thirty photos documenting the visit.

Durham said he had tasked Brock with identifying when UHG first made contact with the county. She reportedly told council that records showed initial communication in October 2024, but the Purdue trip — and an earlier October 2023 site visit to York County involving UHG representatives — appear to predate that timeline by several months.

“We find it difficult to believe that anyone would forget being booked to fly on a private jet with that cast of individuals,” Durham wrote. “Trust has been broken.”

Longtime Parks, Recreation, and Tourism director Phil Shirley has since been named interim county administrator while a full search begins.

The revelation about the Purdue trip comes amid mounting scrutiny over Clemson University’s relationship with UHG, a Columbia-based homebuilding conglomerate now facing shareholder investigations following the mass resignation of its board earlier this month.

As FITSNews previously reported, Clemson president James P. Clements and former governor Nikki Haley — one of the school’s unconstitutional lifetime trustees — both resigned from UHG’s board on October 19, just days before Oconee County sent letters demanding transparency about the Newry development.

Durham’s post draws a direct line between those corporate ties and the local controversy.

“That flight — and who was on that plane — confirms that coordination between Clemson University and United Homes Group has existed from the very beginning of this project,” he wrote.

That stands in direct contravention to Clemson’s carefully worded denials…

In closing, Durham reiterated his call for Senate president Thomas Alexander to refer the matter to the Senate Oversight Committee, saying the public deserves an independent investigation into “the relationships and overlapping interests between Clemson University, United Homes Group, and the development activity surrounding the greater Clemson area.”

As a private investigator turned journalist, Jenn Wood brings a unique skill set to FITSNews as its research director. Known for her meticulous sourcing and victim-centered approach, she helps shape the newsroom’s most complex investigative stories while producing the FITSFiles and Cheer Incorporated podcasts. Jenn lives in South Carolina with her family, where her work continues to spotlight truth, accountability, and justice.

Got something you’d like to say in response to one of our articles? Or an issue you’d like to address proactively? We have an open microphone policy! Submit your letter to the editor (or guest column) via email HERE. Got a tip for a story? CLICK HERE. Got a technical question or a glitch to report? CLICK HERE.

Moving Clemson-Carolina rivalry game to Friday isn't a bad idea

An interesting clause popped up in the media this week inside the contract of the college football rivalry game between Clemson and South Carolina.According to the document, the 2027 meeting at Willians-Brice Stadium in Columbia could be played on either Nov. 26 or Nov. 27. The former is on a Friday.This idea is sure to ruffle some feathers with the fan bases and teams.“I’ve always voted for it on Saturday for a lot of reasons,” Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said on Tuesday. “If they want to mov...

An interesting clause popped up in the media this week inside the contract of the college football rivalry game between Clemson and South Carolina.

According to the document, the 2027 meeting at Willians-Brice Stadium in Columbia could be played on either Nov. 26 or Nov. 27. The former is on a Friday.

This idea is sure to ruffle some feathers with the fan bases and teams.

“I’ve always voted for it on Saturday for a lot of reasons,” Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said on Tuesday. “If they want to move it, it’s up to them.”

This has traditionally been a rivalry saved for the first Saturday after Thanksgiving since 1991. Before 1960, the game was played on “Big Thursday,” a tradition that began in 1896.

Nobody likes change, but Tiger and Gamecock faithful should embrace a move to Black Friday. There are some advantages. It's not all bad.

Buck tradition

College football isn’t what it used to be. We all know it, and as much as it hurts to say, it’s never going to go back to what it was, so rip off the bandaid and abandon everything we know for the sake of other advantages.

Let’s rip the Saturday rivalry apart and do something different, even for the sake of just doing something different.

Maybe this begins a new tradition that your children will embrace…until somebody comes along and takes that one away. Isn’t that just what the sport is now? Live with it and adjust.

Also, nobody’s missing worthy Black Friday sales. Most of that is done online. You’re gonna shop from the couch anyway. Imagine finding a steal at the tailgate site and sharing it with your parking-lot neighbors? That would be a new tradition.

Better exposure

Play this game on a different day and you’ll get the exposure that this rivalry desperately needs. Google “best college football rivalries” and see what shows up. You know which one isn’t on there? Clemson-Carolina.

Why? Because it’s been overlooked nationally, replaced by games in the ever-shifting conference landscape that matter more. Moving to Friday isolates this rivalry. Clemson and South Carolina will get a time slot without anything else taking away attention.

Right now, it’ll get put on during the Michigan-Ohio State noon game, and very few people outside the Palmetto State will even know it’s played. Make it a priority nationally, and the allure of this rivalry grows. People will learn the history of these two schools, both good and bad, of this series, and that matters.

Talk about growing the game, it’s time to grow this rivalry.

Get it over with

How does rolling up to the tailgate with just a day-old leftovers of turkey and dressing sound compared to two-day-old Thanksgiving food? A lot better, right?

How about waking up the next Saturday morning knowing you’ve already beaten your rival and can just sit back and enjoy a stress-free day of other people’s triumph and agony?

There’s something to be said for getting it over with and moving on with your life. It really frees up the rest of the weekend. And by the time you go back to work on Monday, a loss stings less, and your co-workers can’t get to you as much.

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South Carolina vs. Clemson on Black Friday? The potential is there per report

The idea of South Carolina and Clemson playing on Friday instead of Saturday will not go away. And according to one report, it’s at least a potential reality.The most recent contract formalizing the upcoming football games between the two schools includes an option for the 2027 game to be played on either Friday, Nov. 26, or Saturday, Nov. 27, according to a report from The State.The newspaper received the contract, which was signed on Sept. 9, via a FOIA request. It locks in next year’s game at Clemson for Saturday...

The idea of South Carolina and Clemson playing on Friday instead of Saturday will not go away. And according to one report, it’s at least a potential reality.

The most recent contract formalizing the upcoming football games between the two schools includes an option for the 2027 game to be played on either Friday, Nov. 26, or Saturday, Nov. 27, according to a report from The State.

The newspaper received the contract, which was signed on Sept. 9, via a FOIA request. It locks in next year’s game at Clemson for Saturday, November 28, but then lists an “or” between the two dates for the 2027 matchup in Columbia.

While the Palmetto Bowl has traditionally (at least since the 60s) been played on the Saturday before or after Thanksgiving, this is not the first time the thought of playing on a Friday has been broached.

According to a report from TigerNet’s David Hood last summer, citing court documents from Clemson’s lawsuit against the ACC, the school refused a request from the conference and ESPN to move last year’s game in Clemson to Black Friday.

“I was against it for several reasons,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said last year. “I’m happy to do it in Columbia if that’s what they want to do. I don’t think it’s best for this town or this community. The people in this town, they make their hay on Saturdays.”

While it’s uncertain how new athletics director Jeremiah Donati feels about the idea, South Carolina coach Shane Beamer seemed far more open to it than Swinney last season.

“It’s one of the best rivalries in all of the nation,” Beamer said last July. “I like the idea of being able to create even more exposure for it. I can remember the night before we beat Clemson two years ago, sitting at the hotel in Greenville and watching Florida-Florida State play on a Friday night and just thinking to myself, man the whole country is watching this game right now and that’s great exposure for this rivalry.”

There are obviously pros and cons.

Drawbacks, and part of the reason Clemson didn’t want to move the game, are the potential effects on the student section, recruiting lists, and home crowd in general as fans try to get into town a day after a major holiday. Swinney also mentioned a drag on local businesses, which could be affected by the move.

Of course, one major positive is the one Beamer mentioned, the college football spotlight shining on the rivalry matchup.

“I always want to do what’s best for the fans…,” Beamer said last year. “I think there’s some positives to it and some things that aren’t maybe positive about it. We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it… Let’s do what’s best for us to win the game but also for our fans, for sure.”

A move to Friday would draw parallels to the days of “Big Thursday,” when the two teams annually played at the South Carolina State Fair on the third Thursday of October from 1896 to 1959 before it was moved to the end-of-season Saturday slot.

Rivalry games between Ole Miss-Mississippi State, Georgia-Georgia Tech, and Texas-Texas A&M will all be played on Black Friday this year, for example, with kickoff times staggered across the noon, 3:30, and 7:30 TV slates.

Perhaps in two years, that day will feature the Gamecocks and Tigers.

For now, the two teams are set to next match up this year at noon on Saturday, November 29 at Williams-Brice Stadium.

700-plus housing complex set for downtown Clemson

The project would include around 150 public parking spots in a parking garage.CLEMSON, S.C. —Developers are hoping to create an eight-story building along College Avenue and Riggs Drive in Clemson with close to 1,3000 square feet of commercial space.The building would be complete with a 500-space parking garage, 150 spaces of which are set aside for the public, and a total of 260 units with over 700 beds.Developers say 90% of the units will be marketed toward students, with 10% for ...

The project would include around 150 public parking spots in a parking garage.

CLEMSON, S.C. —

Developers are hoping to create an eight-story building along College Avenue and Riggs Drive in Clemson with close to 1,3000 square feet of commercial space.

The building would be complete with a 500-space parking garage, 150 spaces of which are set aside for the public, and a total of 260 units with over 700 beds.

Developers say 90% of the units will be marketed toward students, with 10% for adults.

"We have reallocated, refocused the north parcel to be marketed to beyond just students and be more adult-facing building that will serve not the students, but young professionals, teachers, graduate students," said Mauricio Visbal with LV Collective, the developers on this site.

People living near the proposed project site shared their thoughts during Monday's council meeting.

The preserved creek is our neighborhood storm sewer. It has three speeds: dry as a bone, a little bit of flow, or a raging river like we had not a month ago, when I'm sure their little pretty deck would have lost their furniture," said Allen Hodges, who lives across from the site.

"Every student that lives in walking distance of the university is one less person driving in from Central, Pendleton, Seneca. We need to get more high-density downtown or close-to-university housing with parking. So I'm in favor of it," said Pete Matsko, the owner of Back Street Grill and a member of the architectural review board.

Clemson's city council sent the project to second reading Monday.

"[The] Majority, when I talk [to them], they realize that you can't completely stop housing student housing, however you want to say it. Most understand that this land is going to be developed. It is zoned for housing. And similarly, we need to get the best product possible for our community," said Mayor Robert Halfacre.

Read more from the Planning Commission meeting in May here.

Second reading for the project is set for Oct. 20.

Upstate Administrator Placed on Leave Amid Clemson Development Fallout

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... The fallout surrounding ’s controversial proximity to wealthy developers took another unexpected turn on Tuesday night (October 22, 2025) when the Oconee County council voted in a late-night session to place county administrator Amanda Brock on two weeks of paid administrative leave.The move — made after multiple closed-door executive sessions — came ...

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The fallout surrounding ’s controversial proximity to wealthy developers took another unexpected turn on Tuesday night (October 22, 2025) when the Oconee County council voted in a late-night session to place county administrator Amanda Brock on two weeks of paid administrative leave.

The move — made after multiple closed-door executive sessions — came as county leaders continued to grapple with questions about the 5,200-unit Newry Mill development and United Homes Group (UHG) – the Clemson-linked company whose recent board collapse sent shockwaves across the Upstate.

While it is unknown whether Brock’s leave is directly tied to the Newry dispute, the timing is notable. Brock has been a key figure in the county’s transparency efforts – including sending formal letters to both the South Carolina Senate and Clemson’s Board of Trustees demanding disclosure of communications between university officials and developers affiliated with UHG, Great Southern Homes, and East Shore South LLC, other companies tied to potentially Clemson-linked developments.

According to reports from 107.1 FM WGOG, the council acted “at the urging” of county attorney David Root, in response to an unidentified “need” expressed by Brock herself. The administrator was seen entering and exiting the closed session several times before the vote, WGOG reported.

In Brock’s absence, longtime Parks, Recreation & Tourism director Phil Shirley will serve as acting administrator. The council also voted to hire Andrew Holliday of Seneca, S.C. as outside legal counsel – indicating fresh legal and administrative challenges could be on the horizon.

As of Wednesday morning, no official explanation has been offered for Brock’s administrative leave, with council members remaining tight-lipped about the circumstances behind the decision.

Brock — a career county employee with more than 18 years of service — was unanimously promoted to county administrator in 2022, earning $125,000 per year. At the time, council chairman Julian Davis praised her experience and stability following a period of administrative turnover.

Since taking the helm, Brock has found herself at the center of a widening political and institutional storm. Under her leadership, Oconee County has become ground zero in a fight over Clemson’s influence in regional development and its relationships with politically connected builders and donors.

FITSNews recently reported that both Clemson president James P. Clements and former governor Nikki Haley — one of the university’s unconstitutional lifetime trustees — joined four other directors in resigning from UHG’s board, leaving company founder and Clemson mega-donor Michael Nieri as its only remaining director.

News of those resignations sent UHG’s stock tumbling.

The council’s silence Tuesday night fueled speculation that additional actions may be forthcoming. Members remained behind closed doors well past 10:00 p.m. EDT, even after voting to place Brock on leave and retain outside counsel.

FITSNews reached out to Brock and she indicated she was unable to comment about the matter.

For now, county operations will be overseen by Shirley, a respected department head known for his even-keeled management style. Whether he’ll be steering a temporary transition — or bracing for broader upheaval — remains unclear.

Brock’s situation adds another layer of intrigue to an already volatile landscape. In recent weeks, Oconee County Council chairman Matthew Durham has called for a full state investigation into UHG’s development activities – and has repeatedly accused the company of trying to “bully” local officials into approving its projects.

With Brock — the county’s top administrator — suddenly sidelined, questions are mounting about how the county will continue pursuing oversight and how much outside pressure may be influencing local decision-making.

Whether this late-night personnel decision represents an internal management issue or a ripple effect from the Clemson-UHG development controversy, it’s clear the saga continues to deepen — and Oconee County remains squarely at the center of it.

As a private investigator turned journalist, Jenn Wood brings a unique skill set to FITSNews as its research director. Known for her meticulous sourcing and victim-centered approach, she helps shape the newsroom’s most complex investigative stories while producing the FITSFiles and Cheer Incorporated podcasts. Jenn lives in South Carolina with her family, where her work continues to spotlight truth, accountability, and justice.

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