Bob Sutton - Randolph Record

28 Jun

More poll workers sought for elections in Randolph

Bob SuttonNewselection, needed, poll workers, vote

ASHEBORO — The Randolph County Board of Elections is making a push to replenish its roster of poll workers. Melissa Kirstner, director of the Randolph County Board of Elections, has described an urgent need to secure more workers. “We always really scramble to find people to work,.” Kirstner said. “It’s a long day, and a lot of people can’t make that commitment.” Workers are needed for early voting days as well as Election Day. Kirstner said more than 25 percent – and perhaps up to one-third – of the election workers have dropped off the list in Randolph County in…

28 Jun

Senate resolution honors Tillman’s legacy

Bob SuttonNewsrandolph county, Sen. Jerry Tillman, senate resolution, Senator Tillman

A North Carolina state senate resolution honoring the life and memory of former state Sen. Jerry Tillman passed last week. Tillman spent nine terms in office representing Randolph County before stepping down in 2020. He died Feb. 4 at age 82 in Greensboro. In part, Senate Resolution 753 states: “The Senate wishes to express its highest appreciation of Jerry Wayne Tillman, former State Senator, as a citizen and public servant and extend its sympathy to his family for the loss of its distinguished member.” The resolution’s sponsors included David Craven, who has filled Tillman’s seat. Senior president pro tem Phil…

25 Jun

No speed traps: Cougars’ Cole burns at rapid clip

Bob SuttonSportsAdam Cole, piedmont athletic conference, Prep baseball, prep football, prep track and field, Southwestern Randolph Cougars

Southwestern Randolph’s Adam Cole runs behind teammate Eli Gravely during a 2022 football game. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) Southwestern Randolph product seeks more fast times in football ASHEBORO – Adam Cole figured out pretty early that the best way to make an impression was to do it fast. He sprinted to a special high school career for Southwestern Randolph. It mostly came about through football and baseball, allowing his foot speed to set him apart. By his senior year, he became the face of the football program. “It’s kind of a role I have to take,” he said. “It’s not like…

16 Jun

Post 81 sponsors younger team, skips American Legion season

Bob SuttonSportsAmerican Legion baseball, Eastern Randolph Post 81, Nate Cockman

Eastern Randolph Post 81 pitcher Samuel Asbill throws to a Foothills batter last year. This year, Asbill is on the Randolph County Post 45 roster. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) RAMSEUR – There’s no American Legion baseball season for Eastern Randolph Post 81 this year, but planning for the future is being emphasized. Low player availability surfaced last year. Without a clear remedy for that, organizers opted to focus on younger players who might help revive the program. “We didn’t want to field a team with 11 guys and then not be able to play some nights,” said Nate Cockman, who was…

11 Jun

ZooKeepers take winding path to slow start

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Zookeepers, Coastal Plain League, College baseball, Forest City, McCrary Park, summer college baseball, UNCG

Members of the Asheboro ZooKeepers hang out at the dugout at UNCG. (Photo courtesy of ZooKeepers) GREENSBORO – College baseball players arrived to play a summer season in Asheboro. So far, they’ve played only elsewhere. That’s just part of the rough opening stretch of the season for the Asheboro ZooKeepers. “It’s a little strange,” said third baseman Tanner Thomas, who plays collegiately for Longwood. “We’re very thankful that we have a place like this to play.” He was referring to UNC Greensboro Baseball Stadium. With a renovation project behind schedule at McCrary Park, the ZooKeepers have mostly played road games…

07 Jun

Toyota bolsters plans for battery plant

Bob SuttonNewsauto industry, automotive plant, battery plant, Toyota, toyota usa

LIBERTY — The Toyota manufacturing project at the Greensboro-Randolph megasite keeps getting bigger. Toyota announced last week that the under-construction battery plant at the megasite would receive an additional $2.1 billion investment because of an assembly plant in Kentucky that will build battery electric SUVs. The Kentucky operation will commence in 2025. Toyota’s release said the boost in the North Carolina project comes “to support the company’s drive toward carbon neutrality.” “Toyota’s continued commitment in North Carolina confirms our status as a manufacturing powerhouse,” North Carolina Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger said. “This expansion further cements our thriving partnership,…

07 Jun

Group seeks to aid residents with license restorations

Bob SuttonNewsdrivers license, license restoration clinic, north carolina justice center, pro bono resource center, restoration project

ASHEBORO — A driver’s license restoration clinic is being held Saturday in Asheboro to assist Randolph County residents. Drew Weiner of Gavin & Cox is the president of Randolph County’s chapter of the North Carolina Bar Association. As one of the organizers of the event, which will be held at George Washington Carver Community Center, he said the program is primarily set up to resolve unpaid fines. Nearly two dozen residents have signed up to go through the process. “There’s a form now we can fill out to petition the court to clear up the record,” Weiner said. If that’s…

06 Jun

ZooKeepers, Post 45 wait on McCrary Park

Bob SuttonSportsAmerican Legion baseball, Asheboro Zookeepers, Coastal Plain League, McCrary Park, Randleman High School, Randolph County Post 45, Ronnie Pugh, Tanner Marsh

Randolph County Post 45 shortstop Tanner Marsh makes a tag at second base against Davidson County during an American Legion game last week in Randleman, where the team is playing home games temporarily. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – The Asheboro ZooKeepers and Randolph County Post 45 baseball teams are playing relocated home games for perhaps a few more weeks as the latest renovation project at McCrary Park is keeping the park off limits to spectators. The ZooKeepers, a collegiate summer team, have reworked the early portion of their schedule and already have played road games. The team will play select…

04 Jun

Wheatmore’s streak ends in state final loss

Bob SuttonSportsClass 2-A, Ellie Garrison, Manteo, nchsaa, prep soccer, state champion, Summer Bowman, Wheatmore athletics

Wheatmore’s Natalie Bowman, left, Izabella Ringley and Mikalah Walls head off the field toward coach Ricky Maness after the Class 2-A state final for girls’ soccer Saturday at UNC Greensboro. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) GREENSBORO – It took two years for Wheatmore to build a record-setting streak in girls’ soccer. That was gone in a matter of minutes in Saturday afternoon’s Class 2-A state championship game. Manteo overcame a second-half deficit, scoring four goals in a 13½-minute stretch on the way to dethroning the Warriors in a 5-3 result at UNC Greensboro Soccer Stadium. “My hat is off to them,” Wheatmore…

02 Jun

Wheatmore looks to add to soccer record book in state final

Bob SuttonSportsClass 2-A, Ellie Garrison, nchsaa, prep soccer, Wheatmore athletics

Wheatmore’s Ellie Garrison tries to gain control of the ball in the state playoffs against Shelby earlier this spring. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) TRINITY – Wheatmore has won a state-record 49 consecutive girls’ soccer games. Something bigger is at stake for the Warriors on Saturday afternoon: Two straight Class 2-A state championships. Wheatmore (24-0), looking to repeat, takes on Manteo (24-0-2) in the title game a 2:30 p.m. at UNC Greensboro Soccer Stadium. Repeat winners have been common in Class 2-A. Since there has been four classes for girls’ soccer, there have been 15 state champions in Class 2-A. Those have…