Bob Sutton - Randolph Record

24 Mar

Highway construction begins on major project in Asheboro

Bob SuttonNewsAsheboro, N.C. 220, NCDOT, road construction, U.S. 64

The road widening involving U.S. 64 in Asheboro will mean ongoing construction for several years. ASHEBORO — Work on widening of the bypass from U.S. 64 to N.C. 49 in Asheboro has started and construction on the project is expected to last for several years. “It’s a lot of work,” said Cary Fine, the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s resident engineer for Randolph County. This project will widen U.S. 64 to multi-lanes, from the Asheboro bypass to east of interchange at N.C. 49, replace the low clearance bridge on N.C. 49 that goes over U.S. 64, and modify ramps at…

21 Mar

Trinity wrestler learned to cope with injury on way to state title

Bob SuttonSportsBrandon Coggins, Greensboro, Lawson Coltrane, nchsaa, prep wrestling, state tournament, Trinity Bulldogs

Trinity’s Lawson Coltrane was delighted after winning the Class 2A championship at 165 pounds against Connor Byrd of Bandys. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) TRINITY — By the time the postseason for the high school wrestling season arrived, Trinity senior Lawson Coltrane knew there could be obstacles. He tried not to think about one of the biggest challenges he would face. He suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament during the season. But if he wanted to achieve his goal, he would have to deal with it. “I don’t even know how to explain it,” Coltrane said. “It kind of happened…

20 Mar

‘Ride the Rise’ campaign promotes Randolph County

Bob SuttonNewsrandolph county, Randolph County Economic Development Corporation

ASHEBORO — There’s a concentrated campaign to bring business interests to Randolph County and to attract more residents. This is a targeted effort on social media launched by the Randolph County Economic Development Corporation. This is titled “Ride the Rise,” an effort to showcase the county’s assets and drawn attention to the county. A video touts Randolph County as “the perfect place to live, work and visit.” It’s an effort to highlight growing industries and the need for a larger labor force. “Jobs of the future” are emphasized. “We want to redefine the narrative and showcase all the good happening…

18 Mar

Varner to return to coach Randleman’s girls’ basketball team

Bob SuttonSportsBrandon Varner, nchsaa, piedmont athletic conference, Prep Basketball, Randleman Tigers

After a two-year absence, Brandon Varner will return to a coaching role with the Randleman girls’ basketball team. (Randolph Record file photo) RANDLEMAN — Brandon Varner is returning to the role as girls’ basketball coach at Randleman, appreciating a strong commitment from school officials to the program. “It was their passion about girls’ basketball and they really wanted me to lead that team,” Varner said. “From the get-go (principal Corey Phillips) was pretty passionate about that girls’ basketball team.” Varner stepped away following five seasons directing the Tigers in the spring of 2023. He’ll be the third coach in three…

14 Mar

State basketball finals set for Friday, Saturday in Winston-Salem

Bob SuttonSportsJoel Coliseum, nchsaa, Prep Basketball, Winston-Salem

Here’s a look at the state championship matchups for boys’ and girls’ basketball in the North Carolina High school Athletic Association. State finals will be played Friday and Saturday at Joel Coliseum in Winston-Salem. Friday Class 1A boys: Southern Wake vs. Corvian Community, 1:05 p.m. Class 1A girls: East Bladen vs. Cherokee, 3:35 p.m. Class 3A girls: Western Alamance vs. Cramer, 6:05 p.m. Class 3A boys: Southern Durham vs. Greensboro Smith, 8:35 p.m. Saturday Class 4A girls: Wakefield vs. Lake Norman, 12:05 p.m. Class 4A boys: New Hanover vs. North Mecklenburg, 2:35 p.m. Class 2A girls: Southeast Alamance vs. North…

13 Mar

Lineup of annual concerts set for Asheboro; Mayor’s forum rescheduled

Bob SuttonEntertainment, Events, Government, NewsBicentennial Park, City of Asheboro, David Smith, planning board, summer concert series

ASHEBORO — The lineup of nine free concerts in Asheboro has been announced by the City of Asheboro and Downtown Asheboro Inc. The Rock’n the Park Concert Series is slated for Friday nights at Bicentennial Park and the long-standing Summer Concert Series will have another edition on Sundays. The Friday concerts begin with opening acts at 6:30 p.m. and the tribute band performance at 8 p.m. They are slated for May 30 (Live Wire), June 27 (Fix You), July 25 (Slippery When Wet) and Aug. 15 (Chicago Rewired). “This event not only creates a vibrant atmosphere for our community but…

11 Mar

NCHSAA aims to speed process to set calendar, playoff formats

Bob SuttonSportsnchsaa, Que Tucker, Randolph County School System, realignment, Stephen Gainey

The next step for the North Carolina High School Athletic Association is to set the playing calendar for the 2025-26 school year and devise playoff formats for the new eight-classification set-up. Expect that to be expediated. “If we had it ready, it would be out there,” said NCHSAA president Stephen Gainey, who’s also superintendent of the Randolph County School System. “We know the coaches and the ADs and principals need it.” The NCHAA board of directors completed the conference realignment process last week by approving a final version. Gainey and NCHSAA commissioner Que Tucker answered questions last Thursday. The calendar…

11 Mar

Big companies paid higher wages in Randolph County in 2024

Bob SuttonBusiness, Events, NewsDavid Hursey, Employment, Kevin Franklin, randolph county, Randolph County Economic Development Corporation

ASHEBORO — Large companies tend to offer higher wages for workers in Randolph County based on a survey overseen by the Randolph County Economic Development Corporation. Companies with more than 200 employees paid higher wages than smaller companies in 2024. However, respondents reported that companies with up to 49 employees and those with 50-99 employees paid higher wages than companies with 100-200 employees. The survey was conducted among manufacturing and technical companies. Data came from 33 local companies employing a total of 4,529 workers. “These results confirm Randolph County is home to a robust, competitive job market,” said Kevin Franklin,…

10 Mar

Wheatmore alum Oakley qualifies for NCAAs with new team

Bob SuttonSportsACC Championship, ACC Tournament, College wrestling, Ethan Oakley, NCAA Tournament, North Carolina Tar Heels, Wheatmore Warriors

North Carolina’s Ethan Oakley went 2-1 in the ACC Tournament to advance to the NCAAs. (University of North Carolina photo) DURHAM — It didn’t go exactly how Ethan Oakley planned, but the former Wheatmore wrestler earned a spot back in the NCAA championships. In his first year competing for North Carolina, Oakley placed third in the 133-pound division in Sunday’s Athletic Coast Conference Tournament at Duke’s Cameron Indoor Stadium. “At least I finished strong, so that was good,” Oakley said. After reaching the NCAAs twice while at Appalachian State, Oakley sought a change of scenery and landed in Chapel Hill.…

07 Mar

Prep wrestling notes: Southwestern Randolph’s Flores takes pride in career; Wheatmore senior finds spot on board

Bob SuttonSportsEastern Randolph Wildcats, Jose Flores, Lorenzo Alston, Noah Browning, prep wrestling, Randleman Tigers, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Trinity Bulldogs, Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles, Wheatmore Warriors

Southwestern Randolph’s Jose Flores matches up with Holmes’ Steven Ferebee in the first round of the state tournament. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) GREENSBORO — Southwestern Randolph wrestler Jose Flores found perspective as his high school wrestling career came to close in eerily quiet fashion. He leaves as a one-time state champion, though he couldn’t repeat that in his last two seasons. “Overall, I’m disappointed I couldn’t get first,” Flores after last week’s tournament ended. “I did do better than I did last year. As I looked at it, I placed three seasons.” Flores placed third in Class 2A at…