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 Michael Gaffney Home 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 Gaffney, 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 am a current client of this provider The caregiver is a great communicator with us.”
“I am a current client of this provider I like that come in and do what”
“I am a current client of this provider The first person was kind of young, so”
“I am a current client of this provider The caregiver as a person and who she”
“Phil Davidson and his staff provides the best service around in the York County area...Very”
“Looking for a loving and caring place for a parent, grandparent or any loved one?”
“I am a current client of this provider I have enjoyed working with Always Best. They”
“Always willing to help”
“I have worked for many agencies as a CNA. Always Best Care of Rock Hill,”
“They gave my mother the most wonderful, loving care. They were very accommodating when we”
“New Employee & I’m loving it already”
“I am a current client of this provider I could probably say that I was a”
“Needed care for my mother with dementia, and father with medical issues. The team at”
“Always willing to help”
“I am a current client of this provider We're using Always Best Care for my parents.”
“Excellent care was given to my mother. Thank you for being there when we needed”
“I have had the best support from a caring and supporting staff over the past”
“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care has been providing care givers”
“I am a past client of this provider Always Best Care service was very helpful in”
“I can honestly say that Always Best Care in Rock Hill did a very good”
“Phil, We so love Sara and are very appreciative for the way you run your”
“Dear Phil, "We would like to thank you and your staff for providing such wonderful”
“Phil, We so love Sara and are very appreciative for the way you run your”
“Dear Phil, Thank you and your team for providing the great help and assistance during”
“I am a current client of this provider The caregiver is a great communicator with us. I live out of state and I have a brother who lives near the client, but he has a full-time job. It really takes a village to take care of the clietn now. I just feel like this agency is part of that village. They really have his best interest at heart. They give great care, but they're also super easy to work with and you feel important with them. I have recommended the agency to many people. I like the owner, Phil. He is just a really stand-up guy. He is very knowledgeable and he is very empathetic. You don't get the feeling that he is in the business to make money and provide livelihood. He really cares about people and really wants the clients taken care of well. I think he has a lot of expertise and compassion. Everyone that we have dealt with there has been great. I also like the caregiver that we've had, Fawn. She has been with the client for over 15 months. She is just really great with the client. He is in assisted living now but we choose to have her go in still for more companion care for the client. She is just a really sweet person and helps us with keeping up to date with what the client needs. He just loves having her around.”
“I am a current client of this provider I like that come in and do what they got to do. I like that they are really friendly and nice. They do not talk to him in a sharp way, they are really good with him.”
“I am a current client of this provider The first person was kind of young, so I asked them for someone a bit older, and they did that. I would recommend them because they are prompt, and they have good people.”
“I am a current client of this provider The caregiver as a person and who she is has made this so positive. I like the assistant that they have sent to help my brother.”
“Phil Davidson and his staff provides the best service around in the York County area...Very professional and they truly care about their clients...I highly recommend Always Best Care of Rock Hill”
“Looking for a loving and caring place for a parent, grandparent or any loved one? Look no further than Phil and his team at Always Best Care of Rock Hill!”
“I am a current client of this provider I have enjoyed working with Always Best. They are informative and helpful. When I need to schedule care, they are very responsive. Definitely a good choice in companion care.”
“Always willing to help”
“I have worked for many agencies as a CNA. Always Best Care of Rock Hill, SC is by far the best! They treat their clients and caregivers with generosity and compassion. They go "above and beyond" in every area. You can't go wrong with them.”
“They gave my mother the most wonderful, loving care. They were very accommodating when we needed to make changes in the schedule. After dealing with two other agencies I wish I had gone with them from the start. They deserve a 10!”
“New Employee & I’m loving it already”
“I am a current client of this provider I could probably say that I was a past client of this provider, but because I continue to receive words of encouragement and advise from them, I still claim the current client status. Their help with my mother that was provided while she was at home was fantastic. They also have helped guide us through hospital and rehab stays. I would have to give them a 5 star rating and honestly can not think of one thing that went wrong on their part while we used their care The Caregiver was excellent. I wholeheartedly would recommend Always Best Care to anyone that finds themselves needing a caregiver to come along beside them.”
“Needed care for my mother with dementia, and father with medical issues. The team at Always Best Care were very responsive to our needs for 24/7 care for about 8 weeks. They try hard to have the same caregivers come to the house for continuity of care. The family really appreciated Phil's assistance with placing my parents in Assisted Living. His knowledge of the local York County homes was invaluable to placing my parents in a welcoming environment. I would highly recommend Always Best Care to help with senior care!”
“Always willing to help”
“I am a current client of this provider We're using Always Best Care for my parents. They're fantastic. The caregivers are professional, courteous, entertaining, and accommodating. They mainly provide medication management and companionship. I feel like they give personal touches, and there's a certain professionalism to them that other agencies I contacted didn't have.”
“Excellent care was given to my mother. Thank you for being there when we needed you.”
“I have had the best support from a caring and supporting staff over the past year. The AMAZING part is that I live in CA and they're providing these services in Rock Hill. When I have any questions they are quick to get my answer back in a timely manner.”
“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care has been providing care givers for my 91 year old father for more than 2 years now. I have been happy with their staff. My father is cared for with love and dignity and with their help I've been able to keep him in my home.”
“I am a past client of this provider Always Best Care service was very helpful in locating an assisted living facility for my Mother. Very professional and I would use them again.”
“I can honestly say that Always Best Care in Rock Hill did a very good job with providing home assistance with my mother and I am happy to recommend their services to others. The home care assistantswere friendly, patient, and respectful. Above all, I was extremely pleased with the active role the president, Phil Davidson, took in my mother’s care. He was exceptional at balancing professionalism and personal concern as he took a genuine interest in my mother’s well-being, he checked in periodically to see how the home care was going, and he diligently communicated with both family and staff. Phil’s efforts and those of the ABC staff are very much appreciated.”
“Phil, We so love Sara and are very appreciative for the way you run your business. You really stand out in an industry and a time when people just go through the motions. You are a very special man and I pray that you will be very successful in your business.”
“Dear Phil, "We would like to thank you and your staff for providing such wonderful live-in care for our Grandfather from June through October 2013. Our family found ourselves in the most unimaginable situation when our Grandmother was unexpectedly hospitalized in late May and ultimately passed away in June. As you know, she was the sole caregiver for our Grandfather who has severe Alzheimer's disease. We are so very fortunate that we discovered your agency! You were able to promptly place qualified caregivers in his home and this gave our family immediate peace of mind. The level of care and compassion that you and your caregivers demonstrated toward our Grandfather is more than we ever anticipated and we will be forever grateful. You all walked with him through the terrible tragedy of losing his wife of 67 years. You and your staff provided extraordinary physical and emotional care for him through his grief and made getting him back to a "normal" life your top priority upon her death. In addition to the care you all provided my Grandfather, you were so kind to help educate us on the progression of Alzheimer's. You were a wonderful resource to us on what to expect in the next phases of this disease and help us plan for long-term care for him. While we are very sad to have to place him in a memory care-assisted living facility, we made the decision knowing that this will be the best place for him as he ages and his disease worsens. Your guidance and expertise in helping us choose the right facility for him helped make this daunting task bearable. Thank you again for all that you have done for our grandfather and for our family! We will be forever grateful!”
“Phil, We so love Sara and are very appreciative for the way you run your business. You really stand out in an industry and a time when people just go through the motions. You are a very special man and I pray that you will be very successful in your business.”
“Dear Phil, Thank you and your team for providing the great help and assistance during this summer. The care givers that we had were excellent and very professional. Thanks for being so flexible with the scheduling.”
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 McCluney 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 Best Pizza In Town or visit T-Bridge, 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 Gaffney, 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 Gaffney, 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 Gaffney, 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.
GAFFNEY — Limestone University required students to pre-pay for summer classes. Now that the college has closed for good, some say they’re out thousands of dollars.The school’s initial announcement that the 179-year-old, private college in South Carolina’s Upstate needed to raise $6 million to stay open came as online students faced a deadline.On April 13, school officials told virtual students, including...
GAFFNEY — Limestone University required students to pre-pay for summer classes. Now that the college has closed for good, some say they’re out thousands of dollars.
The school’s initial announcement that the 179-year-old, private college in South Carolina’s Upstate needed to raise $6 million to stay open came as online students faced a deadline.
On April 13, school officials told virtual students, including Mike Thielen, to submit their payments for summer classes within five days, according to emails reviewed by the SC Daily Gazette. The April 16 announcement of potential closure said online classes would continue, suggesting online students need not worry.
But after two weeks of frantic fundraising fell short, the school’s governing board ultimately voted for total closure. Online offerings ended too.
“That blindsided everybody,” Thielen said.
It’s been six weeks since the board vote. Thielen and half a dozen others say the school has still not refunded their money.
Limestone personnel designated as a point of contact after closure have not responded to emails sent by the SC Daily Gazette.
At first, Thielen received email replies from staff saying they were working on returning the $4,000 he paid for two classes.
He followed up several times and received the same response until layoffs became official and people stopped returning messages altogether.
“I don’t know if I’ll ever see my money again,” Thielen said. “Everyone is passing the buck. It’s just really shameful.”
Thielen enrolled in Limestone’s online program while working for a Spartanburg software company, which had a partnership agreement with the school. When he took a new job, he continued studying with Limestone, hoping to become the first person in his family with a master’s degree.
The online Master of Business Administration student, who lives near Fort Worth, Texas, and works as a healthcare recruiter, was just three classes away from finishing his degree. Now he’s left finding a new school — one that may not accept all of his transfer credits. And he’ll have to come up with more money to pay for it, on top of what he lost.
“It was just a total failure of leadership,” he said. “They rushed to shut it down and now they’re hiding.”
The story is similar for South Carolina Army National Guard member Thomas Martin.
The master sergeant from Charleston has worked for the Guard full time for two decades and was pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business on the side. Martin said Limestone’s online program was a popular choice among his fellow guardsmen because they could use federal and state benefits offered to military members to pay for it.
When Limestone’s final spring semester ended, Martin still had about $1,000 in state aid available, which he had hoped to put toward summer classes or textbook costs. The school, which received students’ allotment directly from the state Commission on Higher Education, has yet to credit him for those unused state dollars.
“I had a great experience with Limestone up until this,” he said. “Now they’re not even acknowledging my emails. It’s disappointing.”
Martin said he was repeatedly referred to South Carolina’s higher education agency for help. The commission’s staff told him they would research the matter but weren’t hopeful that the aid dollars would be returned.
Commission spokesman Mark Swart said the agency has not received any official, written complaints against Limestone at this time. He said the agency referred several students to Limestone’s former chief of staff, who the school designated as a point of contact.
Martin told the Gazette he didn’t realize the complaint process existed.
When Limestone announced the final decision to close, laying off 478 people employed by the college, leadership cited enrollment declines impacting colleges nationwide and rising costs as the drivers behind the school’s financial straits.
Limestone’s enrollment fell by half over the past decade, from 3,214 students in fall 2014, according to state higher education data, to 1,600 this semester, including both online and in-person students, according to the university’s announcement.
Auditors reported the school had a $7.6 million operating loss as of June 2024. To make up for losses, the school had borrowed some $22 million from its small endowment, which had a balance of just $9.2 million last June.
The school also faced an additional $30 million in debt, largely from a U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development loan, which Limestone took out in 2018 to construct a new library and student center, purchase a residence hall and refinance previous debt. The school offered campus land and buildings as collateral.
So far, USDA is not calling in that loan.
In a statement, a USDA spokesperson said it “takes its stewardship of taxpayer funds seriously” and “continues to actively engage with the university’s board and leadership to explore all available options to protect the federal investment and ensure the best possible outcome for the community and taxpayers.”
The school also has not filed for federal bankruptcy protections. No liens have been filed against the school in South Carolina district court. Nor are there any small claims filings from students at this time.
Not only does Limestone’s closure impact the college’s students, it also affected college employees and 13 K-12 public charter schools that relied on the college’s associated charter school management operations: Limestone Charter Association.
A former employee has filed suit in federal court alleging the school violated national labor laws when it only gave two weeks’ notice to workers. Federal law requires companies with 100 or more employees to give at least 60 days’ notice for layoffs, though there are some exceptions.
In its notice letter filed with the state employment agency, Limestone claimed the exemption allowed for employers actively seeking funding that an earlier notice could have jeopardized. The school has yet to respond in court filings.
Meanwhile, the state Department of Education is allowing the Limestone Charter Association, which operates as a separate nonprofit with its own staff, to continue operations through the coming school year as the charter schools it serves search for a new authorizer.
According to staff at the K-12 agency, the charter association will continue to receive state funding and act as an authorizer until July 1, 2026. It cannot accept any new schools starting July 1, 2025, and the state Education Department is recommending charter schools apply to a new authorizer by December.
The Limestone Charter Association schools:
Cherokee County is the latest county to announce a deal for a new data center, adding to the growing fleet of the energy gobblers across the Palmetto State.Texas-based Cielo Digital Infrastructure has pledged to invest $2.1 billion in a data center campus with four 400,000-square-foot buildings near Gaffney in South Carolina’s Upstate. The center is expected to open by the end of 2028 and employ 30 people.“This project not only brings cutting-edge technology to our region but also creates high-quality jobs and long-...
Cherokee County is the latest county to announce a deal for a new data center, adding to the growing fleet of the energy gobblers across the Palmetto State.
Texas-based Cielo Digital Infrastructure has pledged to invest $2.1 billion in a data center campus with four 400,000-square-foot buildings near Gaffney in South Carolina’s Upstate. The center is expected to open by the end of 2028 and employ 30 people.
“This project not only brings cutting-edge technology to our region but also creates high-quality jobs and long-term economic growth,” Cherokee County Council Chairman Tim Spencer said in a statement.
The center joins previously announced centers including a $2.8 billion investment by NorthMark Strategies in Spartanburg County, an $800 million center in Aiken being developed by Facebook parent company Meta, a $1 billion QTS data center under development in York County, a pair of Google data centers in the Lowcountry, and four DC Blox data centers — two operating and two under development — around the state.
These centers house rows of computer servers needed to keep ever-advancing artificial intelligence and other technology humming. But they also use vast amounts of energy, with larger centers requiring upwards of 200 megawatts each.
Cielo, on its website, advertises the Gaffney property as having a capacity of up to 300 megawatts.
The company, which bills itself more as an expert in data center development than a center operator, did not respond to questions from the SC Daily Gazette about whether it will retain ownership of the site or build it on behalf of other users.
“We identify and negotiate sites ready for data center development,” the company website reads. Our site selection process includes comprehensive understanding of power flows and fiber access across the U.S.”
Cherokee County Council finalized the deal with Cielo this week, offering tax incentives to entice the company to the area.
But Ken Moon, executive director of the county’s development board, would not provide any details on the size or length of those tax breaks, saying “the paperwork has not been finalized.” He told the Gazette that would not be made public for a few weeks.
GAFFNEY — Peaches and Gaffney have long gone hand in hand.The city uses the South Carolina staple in its logo, and it has the famed water tower shaped like the fruit that's a familiar sight to everyone who travels Interstate 85.It's so central to Gaffney's identity that the South...
GAFFNEY — Peaches and Gaffney have long gone hand in hand.
The city uses the South Carolina staple in its logo, and it has the famed water tower shaped like the fruit that's a familiar sight to everyone who travels Interstate 85.
It's so central to Gaffney's identity that the South Carolina Peach Festival has been rooted in the Upstate city of nearly 13,000 since 1977.
But now the city and festival are pitted against each other over a cost dispute, and the event that attracts 10,000 to 15,000 peach lovers each year is open to finding a new host city for 2026.
The potential loss would be the latest blow to the city, which recently saw Limestone University close, creating a $150 million hole in the local economy.
Attendees at this year's festival, scheduled for July 11-12 and July 19, already won't see the parade in downtown Gaffney. Instead, that part of the event traveled a few miles northeast to Blacksburg.
The parade's new location has created a stir, with some casting blame on why it was moved. It was even a topic of conversation among those at a fireworks show at Hopewell Baptist Church in Blacksburg celebrating July Fourth.
Citing the need to cut expenses, Gaffney City Council opted this year to ask the S.C. Peach Festival Committee to cover the parade's bill of $5,000 — that's how much the city says it would cost to block roads and pay overtime for officers conducting crowd control at the event.
The committee opted to go another direction, moving the parade 9 miles away to downtown Blacksburg.
Dawkins mentioned the city's efforts to trim the budget for fiscal 2025-26, which included using $1.1 million from the reserve fund to balance the budget while having to raise the city's millage rate by 5 mills — about $20 more in annual property taxes for a home with an assessed value of $100,000. That's in addition to Cherokee County Council raising its property taxes by 12 mills.
He said the SC Peach Festival Committee receives annual funding from Gaffney and Cherokee County through accommodation tax revenues. In 2024, the committee received $16,000 from the city in accommodation tax revenues and $24,244 from the county.
These revenues are generated through lodging taxes that are collected and required by state law to be distributed to support tourism-related activities and events.
Dawkins suggested the committee should have used some of its accommodation tax revenue to pay for the parade instead of the city subsidizing the parade, which includes covering overtime for officers working the parade route.
"We decided to cut back," Dawkins said. "While $5,000 may seem insignificant on its own, small expenses quickly add up and can create a substantial impact."
Gaffney City Administrator James Taylor said the city had not previously charged fees to organizations that wanted to block roads for events, including parades. Due to rising overall costs and stagnant city revenues, all of that needed to change, he said.
"We have been able in years past to absorb the costs for some events and decided this year we could no longer cover that," Taylor said. "Persons or organizations wanting to use public roads and right-of-ways are going to have to cover their own costs."
Ronnie Benton, S.C. Peach Festival Committee chairman, told The Post and Courier the city gave the committee too little notice about the change.
"They decided eight days away from the festival to spring the cost on us," Benton said. "We heard about things that were happening and made arrangements to move it to Blacksburg. Blacksburg is excited about getting it. People have been asking us a lot of questions about why it was moved to Blacksburg."
Benton said Blacksburg Town Council did not require the committee to cover the costs of the parade.
Following this year's festival, Benton said the committee will evaluate whether the festival will remain in Cherokee County. He's also tired of the festival's critics saying the festival has lost its luster over the years.
On July 9, Dawkins told The Post and Courier he didn't expect the parade to be moved to Blacksburg despite the city's request for the committee to pay for it. He learned about the committee's decision from news coverage.
"We have no hard feelings. If they want to bring it back to Gaffney next year, that is fine," Dawkins said. "It's not a bad thing it's going to be in Blacksburg. All the other festival events will be in Gaffney."
Dawkins said he hopes the committee keeps the festival in Cherokee County.
"If they decided to move the festival out of Gaffney, that would suck," Dawkins said. "Nobody wants that to happen or is asking that to happen. … We want to work with them to keep it in Cherokee County."
Dawkins suggested the committee also consider making changes for future festivals by booking more diverse musical groups and scaling back the number of events held during the festival.
He suggested the festival committee "go back to the drawing board" and work to rejuvenate the festival, which he believes has been stagnant in recent years and lacks the excitement it once had.
"Times have changed a little bit, and we need to get some different acts that are popular in the moment to draw larger crowds," Dawkins said.
During this year’s festival, several artists are scheduled to perform July 12 at Jolly Park in Gaffney, including ZooHouse, Jazzy, and the Craig Henry Band. The performances continue on July 19 at Lake Welchel, where Dirty Grass Soul, Walker Montgomery, Lanie Garner and 49 Winchester will perform at the Peach Jam Concert.
Down the line, changes could be coming. Benton said the festival could potentially be moved to somewhere else in the state. The committee's bylaws require it to keep the festival in South Carolina.
"When it is all said and done, we will have a post-festival meeting and make our decisions then," Benton said. "We catch a lot of flak from everyone on why we don't do some things. We are just a 15-member volunteer board, and it's like having a second job."
The festival includes a dessert contest, car show, craft zone, wrestling and beauty pageant, but the parade is considered among its most popular events each year.
The parade begins at 10 a.m. July 12 on Cherokee Street in downtown Blacksburg. The route includes Charleston and Academy streets.
"We are excited to have the opportunity to host the parade," Blacksburg Town Administrator Shane Childers said. "The festival is a historic event here in Cherokee County, and portions of it have been held in Blacksburg before."
Childers said food trucks will line the parade route, and he's expecting a large crowd.
Blacksburg's cost will be about $425 to cover overtime costs for officers working at the parade. Volunteer fire departments in Blacksburg will also assist to reduce costs.
The festival draws large crowds to downtown Gaffney's historic business district each year. On July 9, the city's Jolly Park featured live music signaling the start of the festival.
What's orange and can be spotted miles away on I-85?We'll give you a hint: it's a fruit.If you live in South Carolina, the answer to this question is a no-brainer. Gaffney's 135-foot-tall peachoid water tower has caused many drivers to turn their heads during their commute in and out of the state. Those who haven't seen it yet can count on the sight being one that will not easily be forgotten.Thanks to the giant peach, the town of Gaffney was recently listed among ...
What's orange and can be spotted miles away on I-85?
We'll give you a hint: it's a fruit.
If you live in South Carolina, the answer to this question is a no-brainer. Gaffney's 135-foot-tall peachoid water tower has caused many drivers to turn their heads during their commute in and out of the state. Those who haven't seen it yet can count on the sight being one that will not easily be forgotten.
Thanks to the giant peach, the town of Gaffney was recently listed among World Atlas' six most eccentric towns in S.C. Here's what the website had to say about Gaffney, and what other towns made the wacky list.
Gaffney, located in Cherokee County, is known as the "Peach Capital of S.C." In 2023, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population to be around 12,484 people.
In its eccentric towns list, World Atlas mentioned the peachoid landmark, which was constructed in 1981. The water tower can hold up to 1 million gallons of water and is "worth stopping to see its realistic design, which even includes a leaf and stem." Netflix's "House of Cards" series also featured the roadside attraction in Season 1, Episode 3.
And if you think the fruit fun ends with the peachoid, you are mistaken. Things get pretty peachy at Gaffney's S.C. Peach Festival, which is hosted by the town every July, with peach eating and live music abound. Those who want to visit the city without getting caught up in the peach craze can explore Gaffney's history at the Cherokee County Museum, as recommended by World Atlas.
"Located in a former post office built in 1914, this impressive attraction features exhibits on Native American heritage, Revolutionary War battles, and the region's textile industry," said World Atlas.
According to the Society of Architectural Historians, the Gaffney water tower is shaped like a peach to symbolize S.C.'s position as the country's leading peach-producing state. The idea originated in 1974-1975 by the Gaffney Board of Public Works, which was looking for the right landmark to represent the eastern end of the S.C. Scenic Highway 11. The structure would need to hold a symbolic (or advertising) value while also serving a purpose, and at the time, the town was in great need of a water tower. Federal funding was secured to advance the project, and in October 1979, the Board of Public Works enlisted the Chicago Bridge and Iron Company to build the tower.
The South Carolina Peach Festival runs daily through July 19 and includes a dessert contest, a car show, and a Wrestling for Christ event.
The Peach Fest Parade will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday in Blacksburg.
A final night concert will take place on July 19 and feature Dirty Grass Soul, Walker Montgomery, Lanie Gardner, and 49 Winchester.
More: Peach Festival kicks off this week: Does Georgia or SC produce more of the stone fruit?
More: What do you know about peaches? Take our quiz, see our list of where to pick summer fruit
? Bowman
? Bishopville
? Ridgeway
? Yemassee
? Gaffney
? Camden
Nina Tran covers trending topics for The Greenville News. Reach her via email at [email protected].
Last January, quarterback Banks Bouton posted on his X/Twitter account, “Thank you to all my coaches and teammates who helped me during my years in South Carolina. I’m excited to announce I will be finishing my high school career in Marietta, Georgia at Walton High School.”However, he will be on the move again for his...
Last January, quarterback Banks Bouton posted on his X/Twitter account, “Thank you to all my coaches and teammates who helped me during my years in South Carolina. I’m excited to announce I will be finishing my high school career in Marietta, Georgia at Walton High School.”
However, he will be on the move again for his senior high school football season. High School on SI’s Mike Duprez wrote that the 6-foot-2 dual threat QB will be transferring to South Carolina high school football powerhouse Gaffney.
Before his brief stint at Walton, Banks Bouton became the starter for Greenville High School during the 2024-25 season. After seeing spot minutes behind Bryson Drummond during his sophomore season, Bouton had a breakout year with 138 completions for 2,253 passing yards, and 18 touchdowns. He’s also a threat in the running game, as proven by his 441 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Despite his efforts, the Red Raiders finished with a 2-9 record, defeating Woodmont (35-31) and Easley (49-21). Likewise, Bouton-led Greenville lost to Gaffney by 40 points (54-14) on September 6.
Banks Bouton will be joining an Indians team ranked seventh in the South Carolina On3 Composite Team Rankings by the end of their 2024-25 campaign. Gaffney finished the season with a 10-2 record but lost to Northwestern in the South Carolina Class 5A Division 2 state semifinals.
However, Bouton must compete with Jayvon Gilmore for Gaffney’s starting quarterback role. The three-star Arkansas commit transferred from Ben Lippen School to Gaffney for his final high school football season. During his junior season, Gilmore threw for 2,510 yards and 26 touchdowns, making him a strong candidate for the starting role.
Whether it’s Gilmore or Banks Bouton who wins the job, they will be playing with a talented roster that will be among South Carolina’s top contenders.
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