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Senior Medicare Advantage plan insurance in Greenville, SC

Trying to pick a health insurance plan can be a chore for anyone. For many people, just mentioning the word "open enrollment" sends shivers down the spine. It seems like there's always a nagging feeling that you're wasting money, choosing a plan with poor in-network care, or both. One would think that health insurance gets easier as you approach retirement age, but the truth is that picking an initial Medicare coverage plan can be daunting.

Unfortunately, the confusing process of signing up for Medicare causes many seniors to forego healthcare coverage altogether. After all, Medicare enrollment can involve several federal agencies, including the Social Security Administration (or SSA) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (or CMS).

At Senior Medicare Insurance Services, our passion is guiding seniors through the confusion of Medicare. That way, they can enjoy retirement with peace of mind knowing they are protected and ready for life after 65. We work with dozens of insurance companies, giving our clients the chance to choose a plan that best fits their lifestyle.

We choose to design our senior insurance plans with a focus on optimal benefits structure, lower costs, and personalized service. Some independent insurance agencies see their aging customers as nothing more than a financial transaction waiting to happen. In contrast, we treat each of our clients with respect and dignity as we help them navigate the confusing waters of Medicare. Combined with individualized service, we help older Americans make well-informed decisions about insurance. Whether you're in need of senior Medicare Supplement Plan insurance in Greenville or simply have questions about signing up for Medicare, our team is here to help.

Helping Seniors Make Better-Informed Medicare Decisions
What is Medicare?
The amount of money you pay for your health care depends on several factors, including
Senior Medicare Supplement Plan Insurance in Greenville
Important Information About Senior Supplement Plan Insurance
Senior Medicare Advantage Plan Insurance in Greenville, SC
How Medicare Advantage Plans Work
Medicare Advantage Plan Insurance Rules
Paying for Your Senior Medicare Advantage Plan Insurance
The Senior Medicare Insurance Services Commitment

Senior Medicare Advantage Plan Insurance Greenville, SC

Guiding You Through The Confusion of Medicare!

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What is Medicare?

If you're approaching the golden years of your life, it's important you understand what Medicare is if you don't already.

Medicare is a federal health insurance program reserved for people older than 65 who have worked full-time for at least ten years. The Medicare program is paid for by a combination of worker payroll tax, premiums paid by Medicare enrollees, and the U.S. government.

There are four parts of Medicare:

This type of Medicare is free for most U.S. citizens. Medicare Part A helps older adults pay for care in a nursing facility, hospital visits, and some forms of in-home senior care.

This tier costs around $100 per month. It covers different outpatient services like lab tests, preventative care, doctor's visits, mental health care, clinical trials, and some forms of surgery.

This type of Medicare is most often called Medicare Advantage. This tier of Medicare allows seniors to choose health plans provided by insurance companies like Senior Medicare Insurance Services. Individuals who use Medicare Advantage commonly use Medicare supplement plan insurance to help pay for health care costs that Original Medicare won't cover, like coinsurance, deductibles, and copayments.

Sometimes called "PDPs," these plans add drug coverage to standard Medicare, some Medicare Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS), some Medicare Cost Plans, and Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans (MSA).

The amount of money you pay for your health care depends on several factors, including:

What kind of care you need, and how often it is needed.
The type of Medicare coverage you choose.
Whether there are alternative insurance policies that will help fill gaps in your coverage
Whether a doctor agrees to charge you the same amount that Medicare will cover for a medical service

At Senior Medicare Insurance Services, we offer a number of health insurance solutions for seniors. Two of our most used services include Medicare Advantage plan insurance and Medicare supplement plan insurance.

Senior Medicare Supplement Plan Insurance in Greenville

Sometimes called Medigap, the purpose of Medicare Supplement Insurance is to help fill in "gaps" that might not be covered by Original Medicare. You can think of a Medigap policy as a supplement for your Original Medicare benefits.

Private companies like Senior Medicare Insurance Services sell this type of insurance right here in South Carolina. While Original Medicare will pay for much of the cost associated with health care services you need, it may not cover all of your expenses. Generally, Medigap policies do not cover costs stemming from eyeglasses, private-duty nurses, dental care, hearing aids, or long-term care.

Depending on the Medicare Supplement Plan that you choose, it may cover out-of-the-country medical services when you travel abroad. Assuming you have Original Medicare coverage, your policy will cover its share of Medicare-approved health care costs. Once your Original Medicare coverage reaches its limit, your Medigap policy will pay its share of the fees.

Our Medigap policies are drafted to meet your specific needs, and can help cover remaining health care costs such as:

Deductibles

Copayments

Coinsurance

Important Information About Senior Supplement Plan Insurance

To dispel some confusion, you should know that a Medigap policy is not the same as a Medicare Advantage Plan. The latter helps you receive Medicare benefits, while the former supplements the benefits you obtain through your Original Medicare plan. As you begin to explore Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans, keep the following important information in mind:

As you begin to explore Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans, keep the following important information in mind:

To qualify for a Medigap policy, you must first have Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B.
Payments on your Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan will be made to the private insurance company that you choose, like Senior Medicare Insurance Services. These payments are made every month and are paid in addition to the monthly payment you make for Medicare Part B.
If you are the holder of a Medicare Advantage Plan, it is illegal for an insurance company to sell you a senior Medicare Supplement Policy. If you plan on switching back to an Original Medicare plan, you may be able to purchase a Medigap policy.
If you have health problems as you age, your standardized Medigap policy is guaranteed to be renewable. So long as you pay your monthly premium, your insurance provider cannot cancel your policy.

Medigap policies only cover one person. If you have a spouse or family member that would like coverage, they must purchase a separate policy.
You may only buy a Senior Medicare Supplement Plan from an insurance agent that is licensed to sell them in your state. Senior Medicare Insurance Services has been licensed to sell Medigap policies in South Carolina for years. We have helped countless seniors get the Medicare coverage they need and continue to do so to this day.
In the past, Medigap policies were able to cover costs related to prescription drugs. As of January 1st, 2006, prescription drug coverage is not available on Medicare Supplement Plans. The best way to get coverage for your prescription drugs is to join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, often called Part D. Contact our office today to learn more about paying premiums on Medigap and Medicare plans.

For many people, the best time to buy senior Medicare Supplement Plan Insurance in Greenville is during the 7 months Medigap Open Enrollment Period. This period starts the day you turn 65 years old, so long as you hold Medical Insurance (Medicare Part B). Generally, during the enrollment period, you get more policy choices and better pricing. Once the enrollment period is over, you may not be able to purchase a Medigap policy. Contact Senior Medicare Insurance Services today to determine if you qualify for a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan.

Senior Medicare Advantage Plan Insurance in Greenville, SC

A Medicare Advantage Plan is a kind of Medicare health coverage designed to provide seniors with all their Part A and Part B Medicare benefits. Many Medicare Advantage Plans will often include coverage of the following:

Preferred Provider Organizations
Special Needs Plans
Private Fee-for-Service
Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans
Health Maintenance Organizations

In addition, most Medicare Advantage Plans give seniors coverage for their prescription drug needs. When you enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan through Senior Medicare Insurance Services, your Medicare benefits are covered through your plan and will not be paid for by traditional Medicare.

How Medicare Advantage Plans Work

Sometimes called "MA Plans" or "Part C," Medicare Advantage Plans are considered an "all in one" solution to Original Medicare. Senior Medicare Advantage Plans are only offered by private companies that are approved, like Senior Medicare Insurance Services. Seniors who enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan are still on Medicare. However, these individuals enjoy bundled plans that give seniors the benefits of hospital insurance (Medicare Part A), medical insurance (Medicare Part B), and sometimes drug coverage (Part D).

Medicare Advantage Plans are very popular because they cover all Medicare services and make life a little easier for seniors who have trouble understanding the nuances of Medicare.

When you contact Senior Medicare Insurance Services to choose your Medicare Advantage Plan, ask your agent about Medicare prescription drug coverage. Unless you already have drug coverage (Part D), you should seriously consider Part D coverage to help reduce costs associated with prescription drugs. You may also want to consider a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan to help fill gaps in coverage that Original Medicare will not cover.

Medicare Advantage Plan Insurance Rules

Medicare works by paying a set amount of money to the companies that offer senior Medicare Advantage Plan insurance in Greenville. That money is used to pay for the care services that you need. Because Medicare Advantage Plans are different, you should expect out-of-pocket costs to vary depending on the plan you choose.

Different plans have different rules for how you receive services, such as:

If you must go to facilities, suppliers, or doctors that belong to your Advantage Plan for non-urgent and non-emergency care.
Whether you must get a referral to see a specialized doctor

Companies that offer Medicare Advantage Plans must follow strict rules, which are set by Medicare and can change every year.

Paying for Your Senior Medicare Advantage Plan Insurance

How much you pay for your Medicare Advantage Plan varies and depends on a few different factors. In most cases, if you need a kind of medical service, you will need to rely on the doctors and providers in your plan's service area and network to pay the lowest amounts. In some cases, if you choose to use a service outside of your plan's network of coverage, you may have to pay out-of-pocket.

We encourage you to contact our office today to learn more about Medicare Advantage Plans, how they work, what your options are, and how often you will have to pay out-of-pocket, if at all.

The Senior Medicare Insurance Services Commitment

Since our company was founded, we have led the insurance industry by providing our clients with the most valuable, helpful insurance solutions available. We are fully committed to our current and prospective clients by:

Choosing to focus on personalized, one-on-one service. When you work with our team, know that we will always design your health insurance plan with your best interests in mind.
Listening to your specific needs.
Responding to all inquiries and questions promptly and with a friendly attitude.
Providing you with the best customer service in the senior health insurance industry, whether you have questions or are ready to move forward with a Medicare plan.

Our mission is to help give seniors the best Medicare assistance available so that they may understand the Medicare process and make an informed health coverage decision. We have the knowledge, skills, and experience to assist anyone interested in Medicare. Our personal goal is to become a lifetime resource for our clients and give them greater confidence in choosing their insurance plans.

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 8 organizations which offer 82 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.

Weekly events: Time to get outside, see a show and keep the littles entertained

There’s a lot for the littles coming up this week, plus more chances to get outside. Immerse your whole family in art and history and get ready for some mean girls to take the stage (because on Wednesdays, we wear pink). Looking for more? Find Upstate Parent’s full calendar, plus emergency prep tips, law basics for parents and much more at upstateparent.com.To include your organization’s family friendly events in Upstate Par...

To include your organization’s family friendly events in Upstate Parent, email chris@worthyplace.com.

Tutankhamun: His Tomb and His Treasures

opens March 21 at the Amherst at Deerpark Exhibition Center at Biltmore Estate in Asheville. The exhibit continues through Jan. 4, 2026. This exhibition offers an exploration into ancient Egypt and the time of Tutankhamun, featuring a close look at the discovery of King Tut’s tomb and the extraordinary treasures that were found inside, exactly as they were when first discovered by famed archaeologist Howard Carter in 1922. Showcasing the cultural heritage of one of history’s most significant archaeological finds, this exhibition features expert-crafted, true-to-life replicas of artifacts. For tickets and details, visit biltmore.com/things-to-do/events/tut.

Better Together: Bugs & Plants – A Study In Science is 9 a.m. – noon March 21 at TR Makers Co. Recommended for ages 5-12. $48 per session. For more information and registration, visit trmakersco.org/product/msall-s25-k5.

Zookeeping Kids: Conservation, a drop off program for ages 8 – 11, is 10 a.m. – noon March 21 and 22 at the Greenville Zoo. For details and registration, visit greenvillezoo.com.

Friday Garden Foray is 10 – 11:30 a.m. March 21 at the South Carolina Botanical Garden. For full details and registration, visit clemson.edu/scbg/visit/events/index.html.

Food Truck Friday with Vampire Penguin is 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. March 21 at TCMU-Greenville. Visit tcmupstate.org.

Yoga is at 3 p.m. March 21 at TCMU-Greenville. Join in to practice mindfulness, breathing exercises, and stretching. The class is led by a volunteer certified yoga instructor. This Healthy Hustle class is included with admission. Visit tcmupstate.org.

Mauldin Theatre Company presents “Mean Girls Jr.” March 21 – 30 at Mauldin Cultural Center. For tickets and details, visit mauldinculturalcenter.org.

Storytime on the Steps is at 10 a.m. March 22 at M. Judson Booksellers on Main Street in Greenville. Visit for a story time and sweet treat. The event will move indoors to the children’s section if weather requires. Visit mjudsonbooks.com.

An End of Hibernation Hunt is 1 – 2 p.m. March 22 at Conestee Nature Preserve. Geared for ages 7 – 11 but all are welcome. To register, visit tickettailor.com/events/conesteenaturepreserve/1491452 and to learn more, visit conesteepreserve.org.

ImmUnity Play Circle is 5 – 7 p.m. March 23 at Kids Play & Cafe?, Easley. ImmUnity Play Circle is a safe and inclusive event designed for children with rare diseases and complex medical needs, providing them with an accessible space to connect, play, and just be kids. Register at throughevelyseyes.org.

Toddler Story Time is at 10 a.m. March 25 at the Spartanburg Main Library. Best suited for ages 3 and younger. Ask for tickets at the children’s entrance starting at 9:30 a.m. See details at spartanburglibraries.org.

Garden Sprouts is 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. March 25 at the South Carolina Botanical Garden. Preschool children and their caregivers discover the wonders of the Botanical Garden through nature walks, crafts and more. For full details and registration, visit clemson.edu/scbg/visit/events/index.html.

Tell Me About It Tuesday: Harris’s Hawk is at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. March 25 at the Greenville Zoo. Included with admission. For details, visit greenvillezoo.com.

STEM Story Time for ages 5 and younger is at 10 a.m. March 26 at the Spartanburg Science Center. For details, visit spartanburgsciencecenter.org/stem-storytime.

“Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience” and “Beyond Monet: The Immersive Experience” are at the Greenville Convention Center through March 30. This is a family-friendly exhibition with music and more. For details, tickets and schedules, visit beyondexhibitions.com.

Upstate International Month continues through March 31. It is a multi-county collaboration of organizations, partners, sponsors and communities. Welcoming, supporting, celebrating and educating through a variety of internationally themed events, UIM promotes our rich cultural diversity, heritage, and global connections. For events and details, visit upstateinternational.org.

Coming soon:

Drumming Up Awareness – Thrive Upstate, the oldest and largest non-profit organization dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities in Greenville County, invites the community to join Drumming Up Awareness noon – 1 p.m. March 28 at Graham Plaza outside the Peace Center. Join a rhythmic celebration that highlights the hard work and creativity of participants. For details, visit thriveupstate.org.

iMAGINE Upstate STEAM Festival is 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. April 5 in downtown Greenville. The festival is free and includes hands-on STEAM (Science, Technology, Arts, Engineering, and Mathematics) learning for students in pre-K – grade12 and their families. Visit imaginesteamsc.org/upstate.

Is this the ugliest downtown Greenville building? Some in SC say yes, but not for long. Here’s why

Even as Main Street Greenville gussied up all around it, City Tavern remained, well, let’s call it unadorned with its aqua colored metal facade covering the two upper floors and a gray nondescript entrance.The only thing that seemed to change in 20 years was the outside became a bit dingier as business grew every year, attracting an eclectic crowd, from downtown workers to college students looking for slushy alcoholic drinks. Cajun cheesesteaks are a staple.Owner Steve Woods likes to call it arrogantly shabby, a nod to Pa...

The only thing that seemed to change in 20 years was the outside became a bit dingier as business grew every year, attracting an eclectic crowd, from downtown workers to college students looking for slushy alcoholic drinks. Cajun cheesesteaks are a staple.

Owner Steve Woods likes to call it arrogantly shabby, a nod to Pawleys Island, near Myrtle Beach where he grew up.

“I never knew that my building was ugly until I was told it was ugly, it was just my building,” Woods said in a city-produced video.

The city called it one of the boldest buildings on Main.

Greenville Mayor Knox White has encouraged Woods to improve the look of things for years.

The time has come.

City Tavern closed Monday while the facade undergoes a dramatic $700,000 upgrade and the interior gets some improvements as well, including raising the ceiling to 10 feet from 8. It will reopen in May.

One of the unusual details of the current building besides the color are the three square windows on the second floor and one on the third. The new look will have floor-to-ceiling windows on all floors and gray siding.

In the city’s video, White said the location at Main and North streets could not be more conspicuous and is a throw back to what Greenville used to look like before the massive renovations and new building swept through downtown, making Greenville a staple on ‘best of’ lists.

“There were probably 20 buildings that looked like this,” White said in a video as he stood in front of the restaurant.

Owens said in an interview he had been hesitant to make “vanity upgrades,” despite nudges from the city for change. He said White first contacted him about it when he bought the building 20 years ago.

The building was once the Ritz Theater, which burned down and then rebuilt was a stamping and engraving operation. The aqua panels were installed when the building was rebuilt in 1960.

“I didn’t hate it,” Owens said.

He said interior work needed before the facade could be taken down was completed this week with the actual removal expected to begin Monday.

Owens intends to step back a bit from the day-to-day operations now that he has partnered with Jeremy Krauze and Chris Rosensteel in City Tavern. The three own Society Sandwich Bar and Social Club, also in downtown Greenville.

As part of the renovation, the three-story building will house two other restaurant concepts on the upper floors. They are not saying specifically what yet but it will be a year for work to begin on the second floor and two years for the third.

One idea they are considering is a cocktail lounge that serves tapas for the second floor, Rosensteel said.

The project is getting some buy-in from the city’s Facade Improvement Program with a $250,000 grant to redo the exterior.

The bar was formerly Tassie’s Tavern, which Woods renamed City Tavern when it opened in 2005.

Slush drinks were there from the start. And will remain as will the Cajun cheesesteak even as some new items are added.

The restaurant will also begin serving lunch, Owens said.

This story was originally published March 20, 2025 at 6:00 AM.

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South Carolina: Latest updates on Table Rock State Park fire

PICKENS, S.C. —Here you will find the latest updates on the Table Rock State Park fire in Pickens County, South Carolina:Pickens County Officials say aerial and ground operations continue on top of Table Rock. A spot fire has started between Table Rock and the Stool. Additional ground crews will be taking over operations into the evening. Aerial operations will continue until sundown, and enhanced aerial operations will begin tomorrow morning. A fire break has been established at High Low Gap.SCFC ...

PICKENS, S.C. —

Here you will find the latest updates on the Table Rock State Park fire in Pickens County, South Carolina:

Pickens County Officials say aerial and ground operations continue on top of Table Rock. A spot fire has started between Table Rock and the Stool. Additional ground crews will be taking over operations into the evening. Aerial operations will continue until sundown, and enhanced aerial operations will begin tomorrow morning. A fire break has been established at High Low Gap.

SCFC Pilot Lee Berry

White Oak campground bas been evacuated. At this time, there are no other evacuation orders for this area. However, the public is advised to remain prepared in case an evacuation becomes necessary.

Out of an abundance of caution, local fire officials are calling for voluntary evacuations of residents who live on eight roads in close proximity to Table Rock Mountain. Those roads are:

Officials are going door-to-door to make residents aware of the call for voluntary evacuations and also working to establish a nearby evacuation center yet to be determined. Residents on these roads are not in immediate danger, but are being notified of the possibility of the eventual spread of the Table Rock Fire to their vicinity.

SCFC Pilot Lee Berry

The Table Rock Fire, which ignited Friday, is estimated at 35-plus acres and continues to grow.

While more than 30 personnel from the South Carolina Forestry Commission, The Nature Conservancy, Greenville Water, the USDA Forest Service and local fire departments are working to contain the fire, the steep, mountainous terrain is making it difficult for firefighters to access the active fire and establish more effective firebreaks.

Four aircraft have been providing aviation support all day, including one SCFC airplane surveying the fire, two SCFC single-engine air tankers dropping water and one SLED helicopter using a Bambi bucket to drop water. Officials are hoping to add more air resources tomorrow as the situation evolves.

"Greenville Water is closely monitoring the ongoing wildfire originating at Table Rock Park, which has now spread onto the Greenville Water watershed property. Our highest priority remains the safety of the public, emergency personnel, and the protection of our critical source water areas."

"We strongly urge residents and travelers to stay clear of Highways 11 and 276 to ensure emergency responders have unobstructed access to affected areas. It is imperative that these routes remain open and safe for firefighting operations and emergency support services.We are actively collaborating with local, state, and federal emergency management agencies to support firefighting efforts and protect our watershed. Greenville Water has mobilized additional resources to assist emergency teams in managing and containing the fire."

Additionally, Greenville Water emphasizes the importance of complying with the current burn ban. Due to dry conditions, strong winds, and heightened wildfire risks, the burn ban is critical to preventing further spread of fires and protecting both the environment and community safety. "

On Friday March 21, 2025 at approximately 5:45pm, the Pickens County Sheriff's Office Communications Center received a call from Law Enforcement Officers who were searching for Stephanie Womacks, who went missing earlier this month, reporting a fire at Table Rock State Park. The location of the fire trapped the deputies and a number of hikers for a period of time. Fortunately, the presence of emergency personnel with the Sheriff’s Office and Table Rock State Park allowed them to account for and rescue everyone with no injuries.

Search for missing woman in the Upstate suspended, emergency management says

Personnel from Pickens County Emergency Services Fire Division, the SC Forestry Commission, Table Rock State Park and the Pickens County Sheriffs Office responded to the scene to begin fire suppression operations. Air operations were able to make a water drop and begin containing the fire while hand crews began accessing the fire. Crews remained on scene until 2am Saturday March 22.

Red Flag Fire Alert prompts statewide burn ban in South Carolina

Currently, 40 personnel from Pickens County, the SC Forestry Commission, the U.S. Forest Service, Greenville Water System, SC State Fire and the Greenville County Emergency Response Team are on scene beginning day operations which will consist of continued water drops from Forestry Commission air tankers and a helicopter from the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) as well as ground crew operations to construct fire breaks around the fire.

The fire is currently contained to the top of Table Rock and has burned approximately 10 acres. At this time, no evacuations are expected, however; people living in the area should remain vigilant and prepared should they become necessary. Updates will be provided throughout the day as the operations progress.

As a precaution and to allow for fire operations, all trail systems at Table Rock State Park are closed, and the public is asked to avoid the area around Table Rock. Residents may see an increase in smoky conditions in the area throughout the day.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Pickens County Sherriff's Office and the SC Forestry Commission Law Enforcement Division. Four teenagers have been questioned, and charges are pending.

Citizens are reminded that a statewide outdoor burning ban is in effect for the entire state until further notice.

The Pickens County Sheriff says two negligent hikers started a fire his deputies just barely escaped.

That wildfire is burning at Table Rock State Park in Pickens County, South Carolina.

According to the Pickens County Sheriff's Office, deputies were searching for Stephanie Womacks when they were barely able to escape the flames.

Officials say two hikers are accused of starting the fire due to negligence.

Deputies say the hikers have been identified and charges will be announced at a later date.

Madeline Stewart with the South Carolina Forestry Commission said crews are working to gather information on the fire's acreage.

Stewart said she deployed two planes to fly over the area and dump water on the fire.

South Carolina State Parks said in a park advisory that all trails at Table Rock are closed until further notice.

Photo: WYFF News

Officials say the volunteer search for Womacks scheduled for Saturday has been canceled due to the fire.

SC lawmakers, Greenville County talk waste bill compromise; meeting aims to explain dispute

Click here for important updates to our privacy policy.LOCALGreenville News0:001:20This article has been updated.A compromise between state legislators and Greenville County over where a sanitation division operates...

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LOCAL

Greenville News

This article has been updated.

A compromise between state legislators and Greenville County over where a sanitation division operates and collects fees could be close.

State Rep. Mike Burns (R-District 17) said Thursday that sides are working towards an agreement, but the Greater Greenville Sanitation Division's ability to collect property taxes, or millage, remains a sticking point.

“We’re going to sit at the table and see where we land with the millage,” Burns said.

Burns and Rep. Bruce Bannister (R-District 24) co-sponsored two bills in the South Carolina House. H.B. 4002 would dissolve the sanitation division if operations veer outside its designated service area. The other bill, H.B. 4003, allows the division to operate within its boundaries and requires it to charge customers flat fees for waste pick up rather than collect through property taxes. The bills are in the Senate after the House passed both on March 6.

The dispute has caused angst and confusion among sanitation customers. People living within the sanitation division's boundaries pay for waste pickup in a combination of sanitation fees and a millage rate through their annual tax bills. Service clients also pay a millage rate.

State Sen. Karl Allen (D-Greenville) is stepping in to host a town hall meeting at 6 p.m. today at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church to explain the dispute to residents.

Allen said the bills "struck a nerve" as a majority of his District 7 constituents are served by the sanitation district. Most of the complaints he's received have come from elderly residents.

"Senior citizens have enough to worry about. They shouldn’t have to be worried about whether their trash is going to be picked up and whether they can afford it. They need to focus on essential services, not trash," Allen said.

Allen said he hopes all sides can come to an agreement for the betterment of Greenville's residents.

“Let's sit down like reasonable minds and see what needs to be tweaked and come up with a piece of legislation that serves the citizens of Greenville County,” Allen said.

The lawmakers contend the sanitation service oversteps its boundaries and compromises private sanitation businesses with its practices.

Burns' district encompasses the northern part of the county, while Bannister’s district covers the southern portion of Greenville’s city limits and stretches into Mauldin. The districts are outside of the sanitation division's designated service area.

Burns said the division overcharged sanitation for some people within the designated service area while offering cheaper services for people in his area of Traveler’s Rest, which is outside of the service area.

“They came in and offered an unbelievable cut-rate price to get business clients outside their district," Burns said. "They're undercutting to get outside business off the backs of their own people.”

The state of South Carolina created the special service district in 1968 to collect waste in certain areas of Greenville County. According to the commission, the service area includes more than 60,000 people and covers more than 60 square miles.

The legislation dominated, at times, heated discussion during a Greenville County Council meeting Tuesday night. Council members said neither Burns nor Bannister notified them about the bills.

Since the controversy emerged, questions about a possible conflict of interest for Bannister have also surfaced.

Bannister was the attorney for the National Waste and Recycling Association in 2021 when it mounted a court challenge against the Greater Greenville Sanitation's plans to build a new transfer station. The association represented the sanitation company Republic Services, a competitor of the sanitation district.

Greenville County Council chairman Benton Blunt said it’s not a good look.

“When it comes to something as serious as potentially disrupting sanitation service for areas of Greenville County, that, to me, is playing with fire a little too much.”

A Greenville County Circuit Court judge denied the association's challenge in November 2023. The transfer station is set to be located along Highway 124, which is outside of the sanitation district's designated service area.

Bannister did not respond to the Greenville News request for comments, and Burns declined to comment about the previous legal action.

What channel is South Carolina women's basketball vs Tennessee Tech on today? Time, TV schedule to watch March Madness game

South Carolina women's basketball begins March Madness with Friday's first-round matchup against ...

South Carolina women's basketball begins March Madness with Friday's first-round matchup against 16-seed Tennessee Tech in Columbia.

The Gamecocks (30-3) are one of the favorites to win this month's NCAA Tournament with a uncomplicated draw in the region.

Tennessee Tech (26-5) swept the OVC regular season and conference tournament titles to earn an automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament.

Here's how to watch the South Carolina vs Tennessee Tech in March Madness today, including time, TV schedule and streaming information:

What channel is South Carolina women's basketball vs Tennessee Tech in March Madness on today?

South Carolina vs. Tennessee Tech will broadcast nationally on ESPN. Courtney Lyle and Carolyn Peck will call the game at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia. Streaming options for the game include FUBO, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.

South Carolina women's basketball vs Tennessee Tech in March Madness time today

The South Carolina women's basketball vs. Tennessee Tech game starts at 4 p.m. Friday from Colonial Life Arena in Columbia.

South Carolina women's basketball vs Tennessee Tech in March Madness predictions, picks, odds

Greenville News reporter Lulu Kesin's prediction: South Carolina 85, Tennessee Tech 52

It's difficult to bet against the Gamecocks, especially in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Te-Hina Paopao finishes with a team-high in her second to last game at home.

South Carolina women's basketball schedule 2024-2025

Record: 30-3

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