Bob Sutton - Randolph Record

29 May

Post 45 looking to fit parts together as season launches

Bob SuttonSportsAmerican Legion baseball, Austin Lemons, Braxton Walker, Carter Brown, Connor Adams, Drew Harmon, Grat Dalton, Jake Riddle, McCrary Park, Post 45, Randolph County Post 45, Ronnie Pugh, Tanner Marsh

Manager Ronnie Pugh says that pitching could be strong for Randolph County Post 45. (Bob Sutton / Randolph Record) Young team to play for Randolph County ASHEBORO – It’s going to take time for Randolph County Post 45 to put it all together with a more youthful roster than in the past. But the group still intends to be one of the top American Legion baseball teams in the state. A week into the season, Post 45 split its first two outings. “We’re getting some things done,” manager Ronnie Pugh said. “All of the things we’re going to put in,…

28 May

Ross Stores to build distribution center in Randleman

Bob SuttonBusiness, NewsEmployment, jobs, Randleman, Ross Stores

More than 850 new jobs expected by 2026 RANDLEMAN – Ross Stores, a Fortune 500 company, is planning to build a Southeastern region distribution center in Randleman, state officials announced Tuesday. The distribution center will add 852 jobs to Randolph County by late in 2026. It's an investment listed at $450 million. The Randleman site – covering about 330 acres near N.C. 74 in the northwest corner of Randleman – will be the company's ninth distribution center. It will be in a 1.7 million square-foot facility on 330 acres for warehousing, fulfillment, and packing operations. Ross Stores is a $20 billion,…

27 May

Southwestern Randolph to play state softball finals at UNCG; In baseball, UCA goes back to same site as last year

Bob SuttonSportsclass 1-A, Class 2-A, nchsaa, Prep baseball, Prep softball, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles

Southwestern Randolph’s softball team will have to go just one county away to play in the Class 2A state finals this week. The Cougars will take on Midway in the best-of-3 series at UNC Greensboro. The Class 4A series between Garner and Weddington also will be at UNCG. In Class 2A, Game 1 will be at 8 p.m. Friday followed by Game 2 at 2 p.m. Saturday. If a third game is necessary, it’s tentatively set for 8 pm.. Saturday, though it will move to the 5 p.m. slot if a third game isn’t needed in Class 4A. The other…

26 May

New playground coming for Grays Chapel Elementary School

Bob SuttonFeatures, NewsApril Wood, Education, Franklinville, Grays Chapel Elementary School, Randolph County School System

The daughter/father combination of Melanie Neighbors, left, and Lonnie Allred pose with memorabilia during Grays Chapel Elementary School’s 100-year celebration this spring. (Courtesy photo) Funds raised during 100-year celebration aid project FRANKLINVILLE – The 100th anniversary celebration for Grays Chapel Elementary School went so well this spring that a new playground will be installed soon on the rural school’s grounds. “All the funds we raised that day went toward the playground,” said April Wood, a kindergarten teacher and one of the anniversary event organizers. “We raised enough money to pay for the installment and some additional pieces.” The Randolph County…

23 May

Formula works for Faith Christian girls’ soccer program’s first state title

Bob SuttonSportsFaith Christian, North Carolina Christian School Association, prep soccer, state playoffs

Faith Christian’s Caroline Scarlett, left, Karrie Gaines, center, and Kyle Gaines celebrate during the state semifinals. (Courtesy photo) Eagles finally break through for elusive crown RAMSEUR – Faith Christian won a state championship in girls’ soccer for the first time in school history earlier this month. It didn’t occur by accident. “We knew we had the people if everybody did what they were supposed to do and everybody stayed healthy,” Eagles coach Brian Gaines said. Faith Christian topped host Wilson Christian 4-1 in the championship game of the North Carolina Christian School Association’s Class 2-A state tournament. It marked the…

21 May

Post 81 returns to action after one-year hiatus in American Legion baseball

Bob SuttonSportsAmerican Legion baseball, Eastern Randolph, Liberty Post 81, Nate Cockman, Post 81, Providence Grove

RAMSEUR – Baseball is back on the top American Legion level for Post 81. The Liberty Post 81 team began the season last week after a one-year hiatus. “With the community involvement, we were able to make it happen,” said Nate Cockman, the head coach. “We took that summer off to get those young guys ready.” With 18 players on board and potentially a couple of more, it’s a foundation that Cockman said he likes even with about half the players coming off their freshman years of high school. “It’s good for the future,” he said. “It’s going to be…

21 May

Veterans Council gears up for Memorial Day weekend in Randolph County

Bob SuttonEvents, NewsMemorial Day, randolph county, veterans

Here was part of the scene last year during a Memorial Day ceremony in Asheboro. (Randolph Record file photo) ASHEBORO – Placing flags at the graves of veterans is one of the activities taking place in advance of Memorial Day in Randolph County. Rob Wilkins, commander of the Randolph County Veterans Council, said it’s an important undertaking. “We need the public’s help,” Wilkins said. “We provide the flags for them. We want to encourage folks to do this whether they use our flags or purchase their own.” At 9 a.m. Saturday, veterans organizations and volunteers will place American flags on…

20 May

Randleman’s Farlow leaps to state title

Bob SuttonSportsChase Farlow, Class 2-A, Gracie Beane, Greensboro, North Carolina A&T, prep track and field, Randleman athletics, Randleman Tigers, State meet, Zach Hazelwood

Randleman’s Chase Farlow became the Class 2-A state champion in the high jump. (Bob Sutton / Randolph Record) High jumper takes calm approach to victory GREENSBORO – Randleman’s Chase Farlow had a good feeling when he prepared to leave home Friday morning for the Class 2-A state track and field championships. That mood turned to elation by the time the high jump competition concluded. He was a state champion. “You just want to feel it with the big meets,” Farlow said. And he sure did. Farlow’s leap of 6 feet, 8 inches made him a winner at North Carolina A&T’s…

19 May

Prep soccer: Wheatmore’s Garrison puts on show in potential final home game

Bob SuttonSportsClass 2-A, Ellie Garrison, Natalie Bowman, nchsaa, prep soccer, Rick Massey, state playoffs, Wheatmore Warriors

Members of Wheatmore's girls' soccer team pose for a photo after winning a second-round game in the Class 2-A state playoffs. (Bob Sutton / Randolph Record) TRINITY – Ellie Garrison has scored more high school goals than any other player in North Carolina girls’ soccer history, so the second-round game of the Class 2-A state playoffs had fitting elements. It might have been Garrison’s final game on Wheatmore’s field, and she sure made the most of it. Garrison scored five times as the Warriors breezed past Mount Pleasant 9-0 on Thursday night. “It’s a very important game and it just…

12 May

Perfect game marks history for Faith Christian baseball team

Bob SuttonSportsFaith Christian, Mason Taylor, North Carolina Christian School Association, Prep baseball, state playoffs

Faith Christian pitcher Mason Taylor cranked out a perfect game during the state playoffs. (Photo courtesy Faith Christian) RAMSEUR – Mason Taylor made history for Faith Christian’s baseball team by throwing a perfect game. It marked the first such accomplishment in the 60-year history of the school, headmaster Todd Daniel said. For Taylor, a freshman right-hander, it came in the quarterfinals of the North Carolina Christian School Association state playoffs Tuesday. “I feel I’ve definitely improved,” Taylor said. He struck out 12 of 15 Southside Christian batters in the 10-0 home victory. The game ended when the Eagles scored four…