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Home Care In Norris, SC

Home Care Norris, 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 the historic Rice Grist Mill 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 Norris, SC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

In-Home Care Norris, 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”

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”

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”

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

The best care anyone can offer.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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”

Mary K.
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TESTIMONIALS

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

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

Maryanne B.
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Tasha M.
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“The best care anyone can offer.”

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What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Norris, 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.

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Senior Care Norris, SC

Types of Elderly Care in Norris, 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
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Respite Care Norris, 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
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Caregivers Norris, 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 Norris Dam State Park 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
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Home Care Norris, 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 Margaret's Restaurant or visit W G Lenoir Museum, 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.

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In-Home Care Norris, SC

Benefits of Home Care in Norris, 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 Norris, 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 Norris, 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 Norris, 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 Norris, 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 Norris, 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 Norris, 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:

  • Meadowview Senior Living
  • Norris Post-Acute and Rehabilitation Center
Home Care Norris, 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 Norris, 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 Norris, 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.

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Elderly Care Norris, SC

Latest News in Norris, SC

Laffitte ‘stole’ money from accounts he supervised, says cousin and SC bank board member

The second day of testimony in the trial of former banker and Alex Murdaugh associate Russell Laffitte, a bank executive testified as to how thousands of dollars were “stolen” from accounts Laffitte managed.They included payments made to Laffitte and Murdaugh’s family and to buy a boat for Murdaugh.Laffitte is on trial on federal charges of bank and wire fraud.A dramatic moment came when prosecutor Winston Holliday asked Norris Laffitte, a Palmetto State Bank board of director member and Laffitte’...

The second day of testimony in the trial of former banker and Alex Murdaugh associate Russell Laffitte, a bank executive testified as to how thousands of dollars were “stolen” from accounts Laffitte managed.

They included payments made to Laffitte and Murdaugh’s family and to buy a boat for Murdaugh.

Laffitte is on trial on federal charges of bank and wire fraud.

A dramatic moment came when prosecutor Winston Holliday asked Norris Laffitte, a Palmetto State Bank board of director member and Laffitte’s cousin, how the board finally came to fire Laffitte, the bank’s then-CEO and a favored son of his father, Charlie Laffitte, the chairman of the board

For several minutes, Norris Laffitte — apparently overcome by the memory of having to take drastic action against one of his relatives at the family-owned bank — fought back tears and couldn’t speak. He took a sip of water and continued to be silent.

Finally, Norris Laffitte spoke about the duties of a conservator and how the conservator is responsible to the bank, to the shareholders and “to look after the entities he is responsible for.”

He ticked off a list of more than a dozen checks and payments for more than $1 million total to others that Laffitte had approved out of three conservatorships he was responsible for: Hakeem Pinckney, Malik Williams and Arthur Badger.

“I’m just baffled by all of it,” Norris Laffitte said on the stand at the Charleston federal courthouse. “We had to get rid of him. He lied to the board. We asked, ‘How many times did this happen?’ He said, ‘Once or twice.’

“Golly, you had the two Plyler girls, Malik, Hakeem, Natasha,” Norris Laffitte said. “I don’t know that I still have all of them.”

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Norris Laffitte, a member of the Palmetto State Bank’s board of directors, described a dramatic discovery of missing money from several accounts at the end of 2021 that led to Laffitte’s removal as CEO of Palmetto State Bank.

Shortly before, Laffitte had emailed board directors that, “We have found another two settlements that were stolen.”

“Are you saying other conversions took place along the same lines as Badger?” Norris Laffitte wrote back, referring to a previous case of money that went missing from one of Laffitte’s accounts. “How many more are out there?”

The money Laffitte withdrew from various accounts include $10,000 sent to the account of Maggie Murdaugh, Murdaugh’s late wife. Another $920 was transferred to Murdaugh Charters. Norris Laffitte testified that he believes the money was to pay back a loan Murdaugh took out on a boat.

Murdaugh is now charged with the murders of his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul, as well as various financial schemes he allegedly took part in with Laffitte.

Norris Laffitte testified that another $3,000 was sent to Murdaugh Charters the same day as the other check. Another $100,000 was sent to Charles Laffitte, the board’s chairman and Laffitte’s father. Norris Laffitte testified that Laffitte told him the money, taken from the account he was overseeing for a crash victim, was to repay a loan his father had made to Murdaugh.

Defense attorney Matt Austin argued in his cross-examination that Laffitte was within his rights as the bank CEO and conservator on the accounts to make transactions.

“That is not dependent on anyone else saying it is OK,” Austin said, citing the bank’s own bylaws.

On Jan. 7, 2021, the board of Palmetto State Bank held a special meeting in which it severed its relationship with Laffitte. Only his father, Charles Laffitte, then the board’s chairman, voted against.

Laffitte’s sister abstained, Norris Laffitte testified Tuesday.

‘I enjoyed it all.’ Hall of Fame Midlands basketball coach headed to retirement

Faye Norris, one of the state’s top girls basketball coaches, is retiring after more than 30 years in the sport.Norris has been at Dutch Fork High School since 2008 and led the Silver Foxes to three straight Class 4A state championships from 2012-14. She also coached McDonald’s All-American Alaina Coates, who was part of two o...

Faye Norris, one of the state’s top girls basketball coaches, is retiring after more than 30 years in the sport.

Norris has been at Dutch Fork High School since 2008 and led the Silver Foxes to three straight Class 4A state championships from 2012-14. She also coached McDonald’s All-American Alaina Coates, who was part of two of those championship teams before going to play at South Carolina.

Dutch Fork went 86-10 over those three seasons, including a 29-0 record in 2012-13.

“I enjoyed it all,” Norris told The State. “As a teacher-coach, you touch athletes’ lives and the lives of the students you have taught. I will genuinely miss being at Dutch Fork High School.”

Norris’ teams appeared in seven state semifinal games and won 12 region championships.

Dutch Fork went 14-10 this season and advanced to the second round of the Class 5A playoffs.

Before Dutch Fork, Norris also coached at North Augusta. She still lives in the Augusta area and said driving back and forth to Irmo each day took a toll on her through the years.

“This year I knew it was time to get off the long road,” Norris said. “God has blessed me to travel back and forth for 15 years. I will miss Dutch Fork overall, from my players to the parents, guardians, classroom students to my coworkers, and my administration to the school district.”

“My physical education department friends are phenomenal. I will miss the work we shared. Coaching, we are all coaches in life. Coaching will always be a part of my life. Records are good to know, yet improving lives is the best.”

Norris has won more than 500 games in her career and was inducted into the South Carolina Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame in 2019. She also has been the head coach in the Carolinas Classic and North-South basketball all-star games

As a player, Norris also had a distinguished career at Aiken High and then in college at USC Aiken. She helped the Green Hornets to state championship in 1975 and played at USC Aiken, where she was the school’s first All-American in 1979 and the only women’s basketball player to have her jersey retired.

Dutch Fork is the fifth basketball opening in the Midlands so far. Blythewood and Northside Christian already have filled their girls basketball coaching vacancies.

Boys Basketball

School — Former Coach — New Coach

Heathwood Hall — Jeff Whalen — TBA

Pelion — David Smith — TBA

White Knoll — Darrick Cureton — TBA

Girls Basketball

Blythewood — Steve Inabinet — Emily McElveen

Dutch Fork — Faye Norris — TBA

Northside Christian — Kristen Fortenberry — Jordan Leath

This story was originally published April 6, 2023, 10:04 AM.

Lowcountry booze pop vendor concerned about bill that could complicate alcohol sales

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – A bill that is making its way through the statehouse could threaten the future of some Lowcountry businesses that sell alcohol-infused food, such as alcoholic popsicles. Local business owners say they hope this bill doesn’t pass.“We want to be legislated and regulated, but we are not getting a seat at the table,” says Woody Norris, the Owner of Booze Pops.South Carolina lawmakers are pushing forward a bill they say would close a loophole in state alcohol laws by applying the sam...

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – A bill that is making its way through the statehouse could threaten the future of some Lowcountry businesses that sell alcohol-infused food, such as alcoholic popsicles. Local business owners say they hope this bill doesn’t pass.

“We want to be legislated and regulated, but we are not getting a seat at the table,” says Woody Norris, the Owner of Booze Pops.

South Carolina lawmakers are pushing forward a bill they say would close a loophole in state alcohol laws by applying the same rules to alcohol-infused food.

“The department of revenue and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) has taken the position, our current alcohol laws only apply to beverages. We’re making sure those same rules will apply to them,” says SC Representative Micah Caskey.

This bill has already passed two readings at the statehouse. Norris says if this becomes law, his veteran-owned business that sells alcoholic popsicles and other products out of trucks in Charleston, Columbia and Myrtle Beach would have to shut down.

“I have been following the rules the whole time. We have had zero safety incidents and now we are being shut down. I came home from overseas and now my own state government is coming after us,” says Norris.

Norris started Booze Pops 7 years ago and he says he depends on this company.

“I have four daughters and I have spent 8 years overseas contracting for the Army. I was injured, came home, and started this business. We are going to have to file bankruptcy,” says Norris.

Norris says he has started a website to “Save Booze Pops” and hopes to get support from the community to get this bill stalled.

“We need to fix this. We can’t let this pass. If this can happen to us getting shut down, it can happen to anybody,” says Norris.

The bill will have a third reading on Thursday and then it will be sent to the SC Senate.

Gamecocks well-represented among head coaches in SC basketball title games

The high school basketball state championships won’t be in Columbia this weekend, but there definitely will be a Gamecock feel on the benches.Four former South Carolina basketball players will be head coaches in the championship games, which will be Thursday through Saturday at the USC Aiken Convocation Center.On the boys side, former Gamecocks who are now head coaches are Calhoun County’s Zam Fredrick, York Prep’s Larry Davis and Wilson’s Carlos Powell. For the girls, Natalie Norris has Camden in its fi...

The high school basketball state championships won’t be in Columbia this weekend, but there definitely will be a Gamecock feel on the benches.

Four former South Carolina basketball players will be head coaches in the championship games, which will be Thursday through Saturday at the USC Aiken Convocation Center.

On the boys side, former Gamecocks who are now head coaches are Calhoun County’s Zam Fredrick, York Prep’s Larry Davis and Wilson’s Carlos Powell. For the girls, Natalie Norris has Camden in its first championship game since 1982. The Bulldogs play Keenan in an all-Midlands final matchup.

There also will be three former Gamecock players as assistants in the championship games — Khadijah Sessions at Ridge View, Brandon Wallace at Gray Collegiate and William Gallman at York Prep. Former Gamecock Melvin Watson, a teammate of Davis, won the Class 4A championship last year as head coach of South Pointe in Rock Hill.

It won’t be the first championship appearance for Fredrick or Davis.

Fredrick has built Calhoun County into a powerhouse after a successful playing career at USC and professionally. He led NCAA Division I in scoring during his senior season at USC in 1980-81. His 781 points rank him second all-time behind Grady Wallace’s 906 on USC’s single-season scoring list. The USC Hall of Famer was a third-round draft pick by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1981 and played six seasons overseas before getting into coaching.

Under Fredrick, the Saints have been one of the top programs in the state, winning nine state championships including four in a row from 2006-09. Calhoun was the first school in the modern era to win four in a row.

The Saints still hold the state’s longest winning streak with 78 straight victories from 2005-08.

“My ties at Carolina are very strong and we try to see them play as much as possible,” Fredrick said Tuesday during a state championship press conference. “Columbia is close to Calhoun, so I’m back and forth all the time and it is a big influence on me. … I played at Carolina and back home at Calhoun, and all of it basically like a family.”

Davis has York Prep in its first championship game, and he’s looking for his second title as a coach. He led Class A Lewisville to the 2013 Class A championship.

Davis is a member of USC’s Hall of Fame and played his final two seasons with the Gamecocks after transferring from North Carolina. He led USC in scoring in the 1995-96 season and was part of the Gamecocks’ Southeastern Conference championship team in 1996-97.

“I started as an assistant coach in 2003 when I retired from playing and did it out of fun,” Davis said this week. “The burning desire to want to compete again sent me on my journey as a coach. I feel the game has given me so much. It is my way of giving back to the game.”

Both Powell and Norris are in the championship game for the first time as head coaches, and they’re doing so at their alma maters.

Powell is in his second season as Wilson, where he was an all-state selection before going on to a standout career at USC. Wilson defeated rival West Florence to win the Class 4A Lower State championship on Tuesday and face A.C. Flora in the championship game.

Powell was the MVP when the Gamecocks won the NIT in 2005. He led the Gamecocks in scoring as a sophomore, junior and senior, while also leading the team in rebounds per game his final two campaigns. In 2019, he was honored as one of the conference legends at the SEC tournament.

Powell spent more than a decade playing overseas before getting into coaching. He started training players in Columbia and was an assistant coach on Ridge View’s 2020 Class 4A championship team.

“I thought I was going to hoop forever, but basketball and coaching became a passion,” Powell said. “Seeing kids grow and succeed as individuals is something I enjoy watching.”

Norris was the 1992 South Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year during her senior season at Camden. With the Gamecocks, she was a four-year letterwinner from 1992-96.

Norris’ first head coaching job right out of USC was at Thomas Sumter, a SCISA school. She spent three seasons there before helping out at Camden.

After the birth of daughter Deanna, Norris spent some time away from the game before being named the Camden head coach in 2010. She’s had her ups and downs with the program, but the Bulldogs have won 20 or more games two of the past three seasons and are in the first state championship game since 1982.

The Bulldogs are led by Joyce Edwards, the No. 1 ranked player in the Class 2024 by ESPN, and don’t have a senior on the roster.

“Lot of fun watching these girls for years,” Norris said this week. “We knew they had a chance to be something special, and they have been able to fulfill that.”

Games at USC Aiken Convocation Center

Thursday, March 3

5A Girls: Rock Hill vs. Summerville, 5 p.m.

5A Boys: Ridge View vs. Fort Dorchester, 7 p.m.

Friday, March 4

1A Girls: Military Magnet vs. Denmark-Olar, noon

1A Boys: Calhoun County vs. Scott’s Branch, 2 p.m.

3A Girls: Camden vs. Keenan, 6 p.m.

3A Boys: Blue Ridge vs. Orangeburg-Wilkinson, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 5

2A Girls: Andrew Jackson vs. Christ Church, noon

2A Boys: Gray Collegiate vs. York Prep, 2 p.m.

4A Girls: Westside vs. North Augusta, 6 p.m.

4A Boys: AC Flora vs. Wilson, 7:30 p.m.

This story was originally published March 3, 2022, 7:58 AM.

Pickens County 2019 Elections: Who's running, where and when to vote, what to bring

Update: Polls have closed in Pickens County. We will have updated election results as they become available.Tuesday is Election Day and there are elections in six cities and towns in Pickens County.Here's a rundown on what you need to know to cast your vote for Central, Easley, Liberty, Norris, Pickens and Six Mile elections.Latest...

Update: Polls have closed in Pickens County. We will have updated election results as they become available.

Tuesday is Election Day and there are elections in six cities and towns in Pickens County.

Here's a rundown on what you need to know to cast your vote for Central, Easley, Liberty, Norris, Pickens and Six Mile elections.

Latest results:Municipal races in Pickens County

All polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. As long as you're in line by 7 p.m., you will be allowed to cast a ballot.

If your address does not match voting rolls, you can talk to a poll worker to see if your situation qualifies for a fail safe or provisional ballot, visit here for more information or call the Pickens County Election Commission at 864-898-5948.

All residents of towns and cities in Pickens County have elections on Tuesday, with the exception of Clemson. County residents outside of city and town limits do not have elections.

You will need to bring a valid photo ID, such as:

You can look up your polling place and find a sample ballot by entering your voter information on the South Carolina Election Commission website here.

Call the Pickens County Election Commission at 864-898-5948 if there are any questions about poll locations or requirements or any other problems.

Here are the races and candidates and polling places for each city and town.

Central

Central polling places and addresses

Easley

Candidates

Mayor: Chris Mann, David W. Koster, Butch Womack

Ward 1: Brian Garrison (incumbent, unopposed)

Ward 3: Seth A. Hunter, Patricia Webb, Rick Tate, Ben Massingill

Ward 5: Jerell Williams, Bob Fedder, Nancy Breazeale, Ashley Corso, Elise Ferguson

You can learn more about the candidates and their key issues here

Polling places

Liberty

City Council

At large: Erica Romo Woods

Ward 3: No candidate filed to be on ballot. Joshua David Harrison (incumbent) filed write-in paperwork, name will not be on ballot.

Ward 4: Archie Newberry (incumbent)

Polling places for Liberty:

Norris

Mayor: Odell Williams (incumbent)

Town Council (two seats to fill): Billy Beacham, Roy C. Bryant (incumbent), Kendall Shirley (incumbent), Brian Norris

Polling place for Norris:

Pickens

Mayor: Fletcher Perry, Jeff Derrick

City Council (three seats to fill): Edgar Leese, Lois Porter (incumbent), Jimmy Davis, Isaiah Scipio

You can learn more about the candidates and their key issues here.

Pickens city alcohol sales referendum:

Polling places for Pickens:

Six Mile

Mayor: Roy C. Stoddard (incumbent)

Town council (two seats to fill): David T. Yongue (incumbent), Karen A. Bedenbaugh (incumbent)

Polling places for Six Mile

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