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 North Myrtle Beach Area Historical 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 N. Myrtle Beach, 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.
“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 am a current client of this provider They help with his personal care and the”
“I am a current client of this provider I don't have transportation so I rely on”
“I am a current client of this provider They are my mother's means with her transportation. My”
“I am a current client of this provider The help is very welcome and I have”
“I am a current client of this provider They cleaned the kitchen and the bathroom and”
“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.”
“I am a current client of this provider They help with his personal care and the cooking. They're very accommodating and the communication is very good.”
“I am a current client of this provider I don't have transportation so I rely on them to take me to my chance treatment. I like how they take control of who they have.”
“I am a current client of this provider They are my mother's means with her transportation. My mother enjoys her caregiver.”
“I am a current client of this provider The help is very welcome and I have a great caregiver. I don't like that they don't have much staff, but I do like my caregiver.”
“I am a current client of this provider They cleaned the kitchen and the bathroom and all areas and for safety reasons they help with the showering. Some things have improved because at one point they weren't communicating that someone was coming.”
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 McLean 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 SeaBlue Restaurant & Wine Bar or visit Alligator Adventure, 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 N. Myrtle Beach, 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 N. Myrtle Beach, 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 N. Myrtle Beach, 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.
Portuguese men-of-war have made their way up from tropical waters to the South Carolina coast, including the Myrtle Beach area, according to Facebook posts.Men-of-war are siphonophores, a jellyfish-like animal, with long tentacles and painful venom, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said. Over the past week, there have been...
Portuguese men-of-war have made their way up from tropical waters to the South Carolina coast, including the Myrtle Beach area, according to Facebook posts.
Men-of-war are siphonophores, a jellyfish-like animal, with long tentacles and painful venom, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said. Over the past week, there have been reports of men-of-war washing up on Tybee Island in Georgia and Sullivans Island outside Charleston, The Island Packet reported.
On Facebook, people have shared photos of the creatures in Myrtle Beach and Pawleys Island. Others commented saying they’ve seen multiple other men-of-war recently
Men-of-war are not common in the Myrtle Beach area but make their way up north every now and then. In June, there were many man-of-war sightings across the Grand Strand, The Sun News previously reported.
It’s unclear what brought them to South Carolina this fall.
National Weather Service meteorologist Rachel Zouzias said there hasn’t been any storms or winds that would have pushed men-of-war north. There is a tropical storm near Cuba, but it’s in the gulf so it wouldn’t have caused the migration, she said.
Zouzias said the men-of-war likely rode up the Gulf Stream. The top of the animal is filled with air, similar to a balloon, allowing it to float on top of the water and travel with ocean currents.
If there’s a man-of-war along the beach, enjoy its beauty without touching. Its tentacles can continue to sting even weeks after death, according to the NOAA. The tentacles are long so be especially careful if walking the beach barefoot.
If stung, remove any tentacles with tweezers and rinse the area with hot water or seawater for around 20 minutes, Surfer Today recommends. Over the counter medications and hot compresses also can help with the pain. If things escalate, such as having trouble breathing, chest pains, or any other complications, get to a hospital.
John-Paul Miller, the former pastor at Solid Rock Church in Market Common, has applied to start a new ministry in Myrtle Beach.Amid controversy regarding the death of his wife, Mica Miller, John-Paul Miller applied for a business license to start Living Water Church at Market Common Inc. on Oct. 17. The business license for Solid Rock Ministries is still active as of Nov. 6, although the website is no longer active.M...
John-Paul Miller, the former pastor at Solid Rock Church in Market Common, has applied to start a new ministry in Myrtle Beach.
Amid controversy regarding the death of his wife, Mica Miller, John-Paul Miller applied for a business license to start Living Water Church at Market Common Inc. on Oct. 17. The business license for Solid Rock Ministries is still active as of Nov. 6, although the website is no longer active.
Mica Miller committed suicide in April and following her death, John-Paul Miller has been accused of being involved in her death and abusing his wife, as well as contributing to her mental health issues, which Mica Miller had talked about on her Facebook page. He has repeatedly denied abusing or being involved in her death.
Her death has gained national attention.
A group of protesters have gathered outside Solid Rock Church, 803 Howard Ave., every Sunday since May, demanding “justice for Mica” and for John-Paul Miller to be arrested.
On Nov. 5, movers were seen removing items from Solid Rock Church and placing them in moving trucks before driving away. The Solid Rock lettering was also taken off the sign in front of the building.
A business license for Solid Rock Ministries, LLC was first effective in 2006 and the church bought the former Air Force base chapel in 2013, according to land records and South Carolina Secretary of State documents.
When controversy around Mica Miller’s death began in May, the church temporarily took down its website, stopped answering phone calls, deleted John-Paul Miller’s sermons online and stopped allowing people to comment on Facebook posts.
Charles Randall, who oversees the church, did not comment when asked why the church was packing up on Tuesday. A call to Russell Long, John-Paul Miller’s lawyer, was not returned.
Solid Rock bought a piece of land nearby in 2023 with plans to build a larger church. Construction has not begun for the new building. For an address for Living Water Church, John-Paul Miller put down his Cold Water Circle home in the Market Common area.
The move out of Solid Rock comes less than a week after the FBI searched John-Paul Miller’s house. The FBI has not released information on why officers were searching the residential home. The Sun News requested the search warrant and incident report but have not received the documents.
This story was originally published November 6, 2024, 10:42 AM.
North Myrtle Beach City Council gave first reading approval for the annexation of a 58-acre parcel at the intersection of Highways 22 and 31 and a zoning designation to allow residential development.Some residents weren’t happy. The council chambers were full at the Monday, Nov. 4, meeting with Barefoot Resort residents. Many were against the development, voicing concerns about traffic, stormwater and conservation.“Please decide to make a wise decision and choose conservation over development,” said Dennis Sta...
North Myrtle Beach City Council gave first reading approval for the annexation of a 58-acre parcel at the intersection of Highways 22 and 31 and a zoning designation to allow residential development.
Some residents weren’t happy. The council chambers were full at the Monday, Nov. 4, meeting with Barefoot Resort residents. Many were against the development, voicing concerns about traffic, stormwater and conservation.
“Please decide to make a wise decision and choose conservation over development,” said Dennis Stamey, whose land borders the parcel. “Choose resiliency and conservation. I know that’s what is before this board and council. Choose those things. Allow an old man and an old woman to sit on their patio at night looking at the starlit skies and listening to the cries of an owl and a whippoorwill.”
The decision went against the city planning commission’s recommendation. The ordinance describes that the planning commission recommended to deny the change, noting that there was substantial opposition due to concerns about stormwater management, traffic, habitat preservation and “questions regarding the development’s benefits to the community beyond the developer’s interests.”
The land was purchased by Blu Water Investments LLC for $1.2 million in 2022. Blu Water is a corporation registered in Wyoming. Blu Water has ties to Whittier, North Carolina, according to documents submitted to the city. The registered agent for Blu Water is Registered Agents, Inc., a company which markets itself as a business which will set up your company, domain name and website with one service. It also allows anonymity of an LLC.
Shep Guyton, a local attorney representing Blu Water, told My Horry News after the meeting that he had no comment when asked for more information about the developers, saying he doesn’t comment on pending matters with his clients. During the meeting, Guyton told council there could be multiple builders.
“The development agreement requires that we sprinkle every home in this development. That is not a common case here in Horry County. It’s not a common case with any of the national builders. With the lot size, sprinkler requirement and home size, we think now defines this as more of a custom home neighborhood. We don’t believe there is a market for a national builder; it’s not a common case with any of the national builders,” he said. “Originally it was proposed to be another Pulte project. That is not the case today. We believe it’ll all be custom builders. Hopefully local builders that are here and that you’re familiar with.”
Plans submitted to the city call for no more than 59 residential units, about an acre per home. A 125-foot vegetation buffer is required between neighboring units and the proposed development. The developers will also be required to pay $324,500 in impact fees and make improvements to Marsh Glen Drive which will be an access road to the new development.
Concerns about stormwater drainage were addressed by Public Works Director Kevin Blayton who said that Outfall 2, which Blayton said the development’s stormwater would drain into, is designed to accommodate more than 6,000 homes and that currently stormwater from 3,200 homes drains into them.
“If designed properly, it will have a negligible impact,” Blayton told council. Guyton said the development agreement specifies that developers would “reduce stormwater by 20%.”
John Karpovich, a board member of the Barefoot Resort Residential Owners Association shared survey results regarding whether residents support the proposed Blu Water development which respondents overwhelmingly opposed. According to a graph presented to council, 95% of 571 respondents opposed the project.
Mayor Marilyn Hatley asked Karpovich “how did you slant” the questions? She said she had a hard time accepting the poll results because she didn’t know how the questions or information was presented to respondents.
It was a split vote. Mayor Hatley and council members Nikki Fontana said they supported the ordinance because annexing the land would allow the City of North Myrtle Beach to have control over the land as far as how it’s developed. Council Member Hank Thomas said it was a low-density development and that he saw the annexation as filling a donut hole in the city.
Council Members J. Baldwin, Trey Skidmore and Bubba Collins voted against the annexation and rezoning, with the measure passing in a 4-3 vote.
“I think it’s a good project, but due to most of my conversations with the people of Barefoot, it’s the people's will and I vote no,” Collins said.
The ordinance must be approved at one more council meeting to become effective.
Tommy Cardinal is the managing editor of MyHorryNews. Reach him at 843-488-7244 or t[email protected]. Follow him on X @BySTCardinal.
The Barefoot Resort community has a brand new fire engine.“This marks a big occasion for us in the fire department,” North Myrtle Beach Fire Chief Billy Floyd said at the blessing and push-in ceremony for the engine on Monday, Nov. 4.Engine 5, which cost more than $800,000, will replace a ladder truck which was stationed at North Myrtle Beach Fire Station No. 5 in the Barefoot Resort community.“It’s a big investment,” Floyd said. “Our goal, from the fire department side of it, is that ...
The Barefoot Resort community has a brand new fire engine.
“This marks a big occasion for us in the fire department,” North Myrtle Beach Fire Chief Billy Floyd said at the blessing and push-in ceremony for the engine on Monday, Nov. 4.
Engine 5, which cost more than $800,000, will replace a ladder truck which was stationed at North Myrtle Beach Fire Station No. 5 in the Barefoot Resort community.
“It’s a big investment,” Floyd said. “Our goal, from the fire department side of it, is that when these rigs go in service is that we can get 20 years out of it. We take a $1 million apparatus and we get 20 years out of it; that’s a $50,000 investment each year.”
After the retirement of an older ladder truck, the ladder which was previously stationed in Barefoot became one of two in the North Myrtle Beach fleet, meaning it was the only spare ladder truck that could be used in case of mechanical repairs or maintenance of the main ladder truck stationed across from city hall.
“What we were able to do is by putting this one in service in the Barefoot community, we could take the engine that served here that also had a small ladder and we’re able to move it to reserve status to accommodate the need for that reserve ladder that we lost,” Division Chief of Support Services Michael Huber said. “As our city grows, one apparatus as a reserve was not enough.”
The new engine was put into service immediately and is equipped to respond to fires as well as medical emergencies. Mayor Marilyn Hatley called it “a mean machine.”
“This is what we call an engine company. So this is our bread and butter. It’s going to respond to your medical calls in Barefoot Landing. It’s got water on board. It’s got a large pump on board and hose,” Huber said. “We try to keep it simple. For firefighting, this is the core of any fire department is an engine.”
North Myrtle Beach Fire Rescue first responders are EMT trained to respond to medical emergencies, but the city does not have ambulances. Horry County responds to emergencies and transports patients to the hospital when needed. NMB first responders can provide care while Horry County Fire Rescue makes its way to the incident.
The only local ballot measure during this year’s general election in Horry County asked voters if they wanted to tax retail sales and use those funds to pay for roads.On Nov. 5, 2024, Myrtle Beach area voters decided to pass the sales tax again, according to results from the South Carolina Election Commission. This is the fourth time Horry County voters have voted in favor of a small retail tax for roadwork.According to ...
The only local ballot measure during this year’s general election in Horry County asked voters if they wanted to tax retail sales and use those funds to pay for roads.
On Nov. 5, 2024, Myrtle Beach area voters decided to pass the sales tax again, according to results from the South Carolina Election Commission. This is the fourth time Horry County voters have voted in favor of a small retail tax for roadwork.
According to previous reporting, Ride 4 will have an allowable collection period for up to 25 years or until they collect $6,350,000,000, whichever comes first. If passed by voters, the collection will begin on May 1, 2025, following the end of Ride 3 collections on April 30, 2025.
The day after the election, Fix Horry Roads, a nonprofit group that advocated and campaigned for the ballot measure, said in a press release that Ride 4 is expected to generate $6.6 billion from 2025 to 2050.
Previous reporting shows that less than half of the $592 million from the county’s previous penny tax measure for road construction, Ride 3, has been spent as of the beginning of Oct.
According to unofficial voting numbers for Horry County with 125 out of 125 precincts reporting at 12:47 a.m. on Wednesday morning, 57.11%, or 95,175 of voters voted “yes” for the measure, and 42.89%, or 71,490, voted no.
“We are pleased to see the voters of Horry County took action to approve this referendum, understanding that our livelihoods and the livelihoods of future generations count on having safe, accessible and reliable transportation options,” Steve Mays, Chairman of Fix Horry Roads said in a statement sent out on Wednesday. “Thanks to their support, we now have the resources —most of which come from our area’s out-of-town visitors — to enhance connectivity and improve quality of life across our communities.”
Preliminary data from the state’s election commission in the early hours of Wednesday morning showed that Horry County had a 67.03% voter turnout for this election.
In total, the results from the South Carolina Election Commission showed that 60,428 votes were cast during early voting in Horry County.
The first part of the Ride 4 measure included finishing Ride 3.
“Project (1) to commence in Years 1-5 the completion of any Ride III Projects, if any,” the question on this year’s general election ballot says.
If passed, Ride 4 funding will include finishing the unfinished Ride III construction projects for an estimated $150 million, and a list of 22 specific road construction projects, a clause saying they will enhance public transportation and pave unpaved dirt roads.
A full breakdown of how much each Ride 3 project has cost so far, according to numbers from Horry County, can be found here.
Prior to Election Day on Nov. 5, signs and mailers supporting the ballot were scattered across the county. The Sun News found out that these advertisements were paid for by a 501(c)(4) organization, Fix Horry Roads.
Other groups, including the Coastal Conservation League, have sent mailers about Ride 4, but in opposition of the ballot measure.
“As a registered 501(c)(4), the Fix Horry Roads initiative is a community-driven organization focused on educating the public about the upcoming election day referendum, improving transportation infrastructure across Horry County and showcasing the benefits of continuing the county’s RIDE initiative,” Fix Horry Road’s chairman, Steve Mays said in a statement to The Sun News before Election Day.
He said the group’s officers include Mays, Laura Crowther, Ryan Swaim, Shawn Godwin and Benjy Hardee, and that the ads were paid for by contributions from local residents and businesses that have a vested interest in the measure.
This story was originally published November 5, 2024, 7:00 AM.
The Sun News
Elizabeth covers local government and politics in Myrtle Beach and holds truth to power as the accountability reporter. She’s lived in five states and holds a masters degree in Journalism.
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