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
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 Lexington County Museum 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 Lexington, SC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 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.
“I engaged Nate as a consultant to search for the right Assisted Living Facility for”
“Very professional and friendly office staff. They are also easy to communicate with. I recommend”
“I am truly grateful for the opportunity to work here at Always Best Care over”
“This is a great company and I would recommended to everyone. I have been with”
“I am a friend or relative of a current/past resident Always Best Care of the Midlands”
“This is a company that truly cares about its employees and the seniors they care”
“Nice people to work with”
“Gina Berry takes time explaining why home care and Always Best Care is the best”
“I am a current client of this provider From a caretakers/daughters point of view: This service”
“Always Best Care is a great company to work for and if you are looking”
“The Staff, the care teams and the owners are one of a kind! They take”
“Nate took the time to meet with me and my family and help make sense”
“Hello to all of my Always Best Care friends, I'd like to wish you and your”
“I am a current client of this provider It is essential to us, he really needs”
“This is one of the best companies I’ve worked for in a long time. The”
“I am a current client of this provider It depends on who they hire for the”
“I am a current client of this provider I would have had to quit my job”
“I am a current client of this provider They have made it positive by being friendly”
“I am a current client of this provider The agency would have to make it a”
“I am a current client of this provider The caregiver has changed a lot for me”
“I engaged Nate as a consultant to search for the right Assisted Living Facility for my mom. This service is no cost to the family. He spent quite some time getting my mom's preferences clarified and then searching for matching AL facilities. All of this was done in less than two days. He and I talked through the options and I relayed the two I felt were best to mom. Nate personally picked mom up from rehab and took her on those tours, which was a godsend because I live in another state. During both tours, he texted me "play by plays" as to how it was going. He helped me and mom choose the right place for her budget and needs - and was very patient with us as my mom took longer than expected to make the final decision. She was talking about needing a new TV and Nate provided her/us with a link to some that were on sale that met her needs. Once the decision was made, Nate accompanied the AL staff member to mom's rehab and sat through the entire long paperwork process to ensure mom understood what she was signing. Again, he kept me in the loop by texting me regularly about how things were going during the meeting. He checked in a couple of times after that and prior to mom's move asking how our prep was going and if we needed anything. On one call, I did ask for a referral to a specific service we needed. He didn't have an established one, so he researched it and got one for me promptly. During and shortly after moving day, Nate checked in again to see how mom was settling in. I've been amazed at the personalized engagement that we received from Nate. Anytime he said he would do something, he did it and he did it promptly. If anything was delayed, he updated me immediately. This is in stark contrast to Tara at Senior Care Authority that provides this service as well. She promised me things during our initial call and didn't follow through on most of them. During our text exchanges, she never answered my specific question - always danced around it. Within a handful of days, I said "nope!", researched more, and came across Nate and this service. Ahhhh, what a breath of fresh air to receive what you asked for. I have no doubt it saved me countless hours glued to my computer, trying to compare facilities. I highly recommend Nate and his consulting service - it was an excellent experience and he was a lifesaver!”
“Very professional and friendly office staff. They are also easy to communicate with. I recommend Always Best Care Senior Services for any senior in need. Also, if you ever need a job, please go and apply. They are always hiring weekly and offer competitive rates.”
“I am truly grateful for the opportunity to work here at Always Best Care over the past six months. Melisa and Nate have been wonderful and thanks for molding me into becoming a great leader. Professionalism is the key to success ????✨⭐️ I am looking forward to many years to come.”
“This is a great company and I would recommended to everyone. I have been with them for 3years Their caregivers are insightful and have so much compassion especially Mariah and Sabrina they are some of there champs they both have great personality and are very Professional. The owners are great and they run a great company.thank you for all that you guys do ????”
“I am a friend or relative of a current/past resident Always Best Care of the Midlands Team ensured that I was well informed, and my loved one received the best care possible. The compassionate care was delivered not only by the care professionals, but by the support team. The owners even checked in with us to offer support and guidance. They exceeded our expectations!”
“This is a company that truly cares about its employees and the seniors they care for! Nate and Melisa offer regular training for caregivers so they they can provide the best care possible!”
“Nice people to work with”
“Gina Berry takes time explaining why home care and Always Best Care is the best choice for your family’s needs. The Team at Always Best is thoughtful and supportive they go out of their way to make you feel heard and understood. They customize the care plan, care team and schedule. I recommend them to anyone considering aging in place.”
“I am a current client of this provider From a caretakers/daughters point of view: This service is a savior for me personally. It relieves me from having to miss a lot of work time to travel to my mothers appt, now I can meet her at the appt. and save this time. The care and service she is getting is TOP NOTCH! From how easy it is for my mother to schedule and the follow through is right on the money. From a person getting the services: Melissa is the best, she calls me weekly to remind me of my appointments coming up. I am very pleased with the services and absolutely pleased with the services provided. I know that this alone helps ease the mind of my daughter. Thank you to the team at Always Best Care!”
“Always Best Care is a great company to work for and if you are looking for care for a loved one, I highly recommend them. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable and supportive. I work in the senior industry and recommend Always Best Care to my clients that need extra support in their home or while family is away. Always Best Care will respond immediately and truly show compassion to others.”
“The Staff, the care teams and the owners are one of a kind! They take the time to ensure your care needs are met. Highly recommend giving them a call if you have senior care or senior living questions or concerns.”
“Nate took the time to meet with me and my family and help make sense of the questions we had when it came to the short and long term care of our loved one. When you have an elderly parent or a loved one with disabilities there are so many questions and so many emotions. It can be so confusing and it was hard for us to find one person or one company that has the knowledge and grasp of this industry that Nate has. We cannot thank him enough for guiding us through this process and his amazing bedside manner!”
“Hello to all of my Always Best Care friends, I'd like to wish you and your families a Merry, Blessed Christmas and a Happy, Prosperous New Year! My brother, my dad, and I really appreciate everything you did for us this year. You're amazing! All the best for the Christmas season and 2023,”
“I am a current client of this provider It is essential to us, he really needs assistance daily, and I work full time. I like their team approach.”
“This is one of the best companies I’ve worked for in a long time. The owners, Nate and Melisa, genuinely care about clients AND staff. They go above and beyond to support, encourage, and help everyone they work with. Their doors are always open, they’re generous with their time, and they truly want their staff to succeed. Donna in the billing department is fabulous, always available to answer questions or help in any way; Katrina in scheduling puts in so much time and effort to accommodate everyone’s needs and it’s amazing how well she handles everything; Angel works diligently on recruiting and training, making sure there’s plenty of staff to provide quality care; and Jackie is an incredible CHAMP, making sure clients are properly reassessed and care givers have the right tools and knowledge to do their job. ABC is a fantastic, compassionate, caring team I’m proud to be a part of, and I’m proud to serve our clients, too.”
“I am a current client of this provider It depends on who they hire for the job. The people they hire can improve.”
“I am a current client of this provider I would have had to quit my job if it wasn't for them and they go grocery shopping. They can have more guidance for the client and what to do for the client.”
“I am a current client of this provider They have made it positive by being friendly and courteous. I like that I do not have to worry about them; they are honest.”
“I am a current client of this provider The agency would have to make it a lot easier for me to find out about the caregiver coming out and having someone on backup. The agency could provide better scheduling and the caregivers would not come in on time.”
“I am a current client of this provider The caregiver has changed a lot for me and has done errands for me. I would tell a friend that Donna is great.”
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.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
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.
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.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home 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:
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:
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 Gibson Pond Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
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 Private Property or visit Laurance Corley 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.
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:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
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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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.
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 Lexington, 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.
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:
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 Lexington, 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.
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.
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:
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:
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.
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
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
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 Lexington, 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.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - A Gilbert man convicted of killing a 6-year-old girl in a DUI crash could be pardoned of his felony charges.He’s expected to appear before the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.Billy Hutto Jr. was convicted back in 2013 ...
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - A Gilbert man convicted of killing a 6-year-old girl in a DUI crash could be pardoned of his felony charges.
He’s expected to appear before the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.
Billy Hutto Jr. was convicted back in 2013 for killing 6-year-old Emma Longstreet and injuring several others in that crash. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison, and according to the Department of Corrections, he was released from prison back in 2019. That crash happened at the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Mallard Drive in Lexington County back in 2012.
WIS News 10 spoke with David Longstreet, Emma’s father, a day before Hutto’s pardon hearing.
He said when it comes to a pardon of any of Hutto’s charges, the answer is simply no.
A pardon for Hutto means his rights before the crash would be restored and his felony DUI would not be counted against him, if he is found drinking and driving again.
Attorney General Alan Wilson wrote a letter to the state’s board asking them to not grant Hutto a pardon on Wednesday.
“As a father, I cannot imagine the pain of losing a child. That’s why I wrote to the SC Parole Board urging them to deny Billy Patrick Hutto Jr.’s pardon,” Wilson said in a post on social media. “His reckless DUI crash took 6-year-old Emma Longstreet’s life. Now he wants a pardon. That is unacceptable.”
As a father, I cannot imagine the pain of losing a child. That’s why I wrote to the SC Parole Board urging them to deny Billy Patrick Hutto Jr.’s pardon. His reckless DUI crash took 6-year-old Emma Longstreet’s life. Justice must prevail. #JusticeForEmma pic.twitter.com/5q9oK7QNOc
— Alan Wilson (@AGAlanWilson) January 28, 2025
Longstreet described the horrific crash. It’s a painful memory that sits at the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Mallard Drive in Lexington.
“It just reminds you constantly special events, birthdays holidays, it never goes away,” Longstreet said.
“We were trying to come this way in the intersection that day, and Billy Patrick Hutto was coming this direction, and he proceeded to run the red light at an excessive rate of speed and he T-boned us at this intersection,” he recounted.
Longstreet said himself, his wife Karen, and their three young sons and Emma were in the car that day on their way to church when the crash happened. They all suffered injuries.
Investigators said Hutto was driving 60 mph in a 35 mph zone. His blood alcohol level at the time was .208, more than twice the legal limit in South Carolina, .08.
“I try to sustain a cross out here for me,” he said. “It’s a reminder for people how dangerous it is out here.”
While Emma lost her life that day, Longstreet said her death has led to new legislation ? Emma’s Law which was passed in 2014.
“Anyone convicted of impaired driving, if they were a repeat offender, they would have to get an ignition interlock device installed in their car,” said Steven Burritt, the regional executive director for Mothers Against Drunk Driving of South Carolina.
An ignition interlock device is an in-car breathalyzer that a driver would have to blow in. If the device determines the driver is not sober, the car will not start.
“And if anyone on their first offense with a BAC of .15 or higher then they would have to get one as well,” said Burritt.
With continued advocacy from the Longstreet family, Emma’s Law was strengthened back in 2023 and went into effect in 2024. Now anyone convicted of DUI would be required to have an ignition interlock device installed in their cars.
“Now the law is even better and even more deserving of her legacy,” said Burritt.
Hutto was convicted of DUI back in 2009, just three years before the deadly crash in Lexington.
WIS News 10 reached out to the Department of Parole Probation and Pardon services earlier on Tuesday. They said Hutto will have the opportunity to choose which of his charges would be considered for pardon.
He could choose all of them to be considered. A board will make the final decision.
The Longstreet family sued several bars that served Hutto just hours before that deadly crash. They were awarded more than $3 million in a settlement back in 2015.
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Kaleb Evans won’t finish this high school season, or his basketball career, at Lexington.The Wildcats’ starting point guard, leading scorer and one of the top seniors in the state is “no longer with the team” at this time, Lexington coach Elliott Pope told The State on Monday night.Evans was not with Lexington for the Wildcats’ home game against Catawba Ridge on Monday. Catawba Ridge defeated the Wildcats, 60-49.“The Evans family informed us that their intentions are to move on from Le...
Kaleb Evans won’t finish this high school season, or his basketball career, at Lexington.
The Wildcats’ starting point guard, leading scorer and one of the top seniors in the state is “no longer with the team” at this time, Lexington coach Elliott Pope told The State on Monday night.
Evans was not with Lexington for the Wildcats’ home game against Catawba Ridge on Monday. Catawba Ridge defeated the Wildcats, 60-49.
“The Evans family informed us that their intentions are to move on from Lexington’s men’s basketball program at this time,” Pope said in a statement. “Lexington basketball wishes Kaleb the best with his future endeavors. As a state champion and thousand point scorer, Kaleb has left a significant impactful on Lexington basketball over the past two seasons. As has his father Kevin, who was a member of the 1996 state championship team, the Evans family tradition runs deep within the Lexington community.”
Evans posted a statement on his X (formerly Twitter) late Monday night.
“At the end of the day I gotta do what’s best for me and family, this life is all about taking risk, no bad blood with lexington or coach pope!!” Evans wrote.
Evans could possibly end up at Moravian Prep in North Carolina, according to Pope.
Moravian Prep is located in Hickory, North Carolina and plays teams from across the Southeast and the played at The Bash at Ridge View High School earlier this year. Moravian features South Carolina signees Eli Ellis and Hayden Assemian. The two future Gamecocks also play with the YNG Dreamerz squad, which is affiliated Overtime Elite basketball league. Evans is listed on the YNG Dreamerz roster as of Tuesday morning.
The YNG Dreamerz played a game in Charlotte Monday night against Blue Checks at Myers Park High School.
Evans is the Wildcats’ leading scorer this season and was all-tournament selection at the Cayce Roundball Classic at Brookland-Cayce last month. He signed with Winthrop in November and was named to 2024-25 S.C. Basketball Coaches Elite Players list.
“Winthrop is receiving a great young man and hard worker from a fantastic family,” Pope said. “Kaleb is and will remain a Wildcat and we hope for nothing but a prosperous career at the collegiate level and for the remainder of his senior season regardless of where it reaches its culmination.”
Evans was a starter on last year’s Wildcats’ state championship team in the backcourt with South Carolina Gatorade Player of Year Cam Scott and the lone starter back from last year’s squad. The Wildcats defeated Byrnes, 67-48, for the program’s first state championship in 24 years.
Evans had 12 points in the championship game and averaged 14.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, four assists and 1.9 steals last season.
Lexington entered Monday’s game with a 4-7 record and will begin region play Friday against Irmo.
There were rumors that Evans could leave in the fall for another school but he decided to stay at Lexington.
“Everybody thought I was going to leave just because we lost Cam and Jaxon (Prunty) and the whole senior class,” Evans said when he signed with Winthrop in November. “That wasn’t a big thing for me so that is why I stayed.”
This story was originally published January 6, 2025 at 9:51 PM.
The State
Lou Bezjak is the High School Sports Prep Coordinator for The (Columbia) State and (Hilton Head) Island Packet. He previously worked at the Florence Morning News and had covered high school sports in South Carolina since 2002. Lou is a two-time South Carolina Sports Writer of the Year by the National Sports Media Association.
All things end. Even in business.The retail and restaurant scene in the Midlands area always ebbs and flows, with new businesses coming along and others exiting the stage. Things were no different in 2024 in that regard.What follows is a look at many of the restaurants, bars, stores and other retail businesses that closed in the Midlands in 2024. To be sure, this is not an exhaustive, comprehensive list of every single business that closed. Rather, it is a sampling of the closings that The State wrote about in the last 12 month...
All things end. Even in business.
The retail and restaurant scene in the Midlands area always ebbs and flows, with new businesses coming along and others exiting the stage. Things were no different in 2024 in that regard.
What follows is a look at many of the restaurants, bars, stores and other retail businesses that closed in the Midlands in 2024. To be sure, this is not an exhaustive, comprehensive list of every single business that closed. Rather, it is a sampling of the closings that The State wrote about in the last 12 months.
The year began with a seismic closing on the Columbia dining scene, when Rockaway Athletic Club on Rosewood Drive closed in January. The bar and grilll, which famously had no sign out front, had been open since 1982. It was famed for its pimento cheeseburgers.
Sorry, salad lovers. Verde, which specializes in salads and wraps, closed its doors on Dec. 15. It was located in Trenholm Plaza in Forest Acres.
After 29 years at 900 Main St. in downtown Columbia, Hunter-Gatherer Brewery & Ale House was scheduled to close Dec. 28. The Hunter-Gatherer Hangar location remains open.
Barrio Tacos + Tequila shuttered its location at 4420 Devine St. in Columbia in December. It had only been open since February. The Barrio location in Lexington remains open.
A fresh Mex offering in the Harbison area bowed out in November when Uberrito at 275 Park Terrace Drive closed. It had been open since 2021. An Asian restaurant called Bibimbox is slated to open in the space in 2025.
Bart’s Crazy Good Coffee closed its shop at 7949 Broad River Road in Irmo. Meanwhile, the Bart’s location at 1311 Dutch Fork Road in the Ballentine area remains open.
A longtime restaurant with vegan dishes bid farewell in October when Good Life Cafe, which was located on Columbia’s Main Street for a number of years and later moved to Taylor Street, closed its doors.
There’s one less bank in downtown Columbia. In October the Wells Fargo branch at 1441 Main St. closed. The company directed customers to the branch at 930 Assembly St.
Angell Bros. 1801 Grille, located in the 700 Lincoln development near the University of South Carolina’s Colonial Life Arena, closed in September. The university replaced it with a new restaurant, The Golden Spur, which opened in December.
Pour one out for those Cheddar Bay biscuits: The Red Lobster at 1270 Knox Abbott Drive in Cayce closed in August. There is one remaining Red Lobster in the Columbia area, on Two Notch Road.
So long, dipped cones and chicken salad sandwiches. The city of Forest Acres announced in December that the Zesto on Forest Drive was set to close its doors before the end of the year. Meanwhile, the Chapin Zesto location closed in May after 18 years. The Zesto locations in West Columbia and on North Main Street in Columbia remain open.
The final pin fell for JC’s Lexington Bowl in July. The bowling alley had been located at 5380 Augusta Road in Lexington since 1989.
The Hooters restaurant at 7711 Two Notch Road in Columbia closed in June. It was long known for, among other things, its chicken wings.
Poogan’s Southern Kitchen closed the doors on its Cardinal Crossing location in Forest Acres in May. “We want to express our heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you for your patronage and support since our opening in 2022,” the company said at the time. “Your presence has made our journey truly special.”
For nearly two years, the Rush’s location at 5101 Sunset Blvd. in Lexington had been listed as temporarily closed. That designation changed in May, when the company threw in the towel and said the location would be permanently closed. A number of Rush’s locations across the Midlands remain open.
Mourn those chicken and dumplings: The Cracker Barrel at 253 Forum Drive, near the Village at Sandhill in northeast Columbia, closed for good in April. Three other Midlands Cracker Barrels remain open.
Carolina Keto Cakes bakery shuttered in March. It was located at 255-B Charter Oak Road in Lexington, north of Lexington High School.
A bar and grill in the Irmo area closed up shop in March. Social Grill was located at 1002 AJ Amick Road for about 10 years. It had been known for sandwiches, seafood, burgers and more.
A Midlands restaurant known for its Southern country cooking closed after nearly a half-century. Compton’s Kitchen, located at 1118 B Ave. in the Triangle City area of West Columbia, shuttered in February after 47 years.
DeLoache Flowers and Branham Florist Supply, which had been in business for nearly 80 years, closed its doors in February. It was located at 2927 Millwood Ave. in Columbia. “It’s just time,” co-owner Jackie Branham said at the time. “We’ve been in business over 70 years. We are ready to retire. ... There’s a season for everything.”
This story was originally published December 23, 2024 at 9:52 AM.
January 17, 2025 10:51 AM
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