Bob Sutton - Randolph Record

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…

01 Jun

School news: Principals to shift; Gainey honored; Commencement times listed

Bob SuttonNewscommencement, Education, New principal, Randolph County School System, RCSS, Stephen Gainey

ASHEBORO – The Randolph County School System made a few principal appointments for the next school year. Dennis Hamilton is going from his role as principal at Randleman to become principal at neighboring Providence Grove. No replacement for the Randleman position has been named. Corey Culp, an assistant principal at Liberty Elementary and Grays Chapel Elementary School, will be the principal at Liberty Elementary School. Katie Henderson moves from principal at Coleridge Elementary School to become the principal at Franklinville Elementary School. All the appointments are effective July 1. For schools in the Randolph County School System, the last day…

01 Jun

Eagles soar at right time: UCA set for state finals vs. North Moore

Bob SuttonSportsBen Medinger, class 1-A, Jake Hunter, nchsaa, North Moore, Peyton McCollum, Prep baseball, Rob Shore, Troy Carver, Uwharrie Charter Academy athletics

Ben Medinger has been a key hitter for Uwharrie Charter Academy's baseball team this year. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – It wasn’t all great for Uwharrie Charter Academy’s baseball team this season. But the Eagles have good timing. That’s why they still have games to play entering June. UCA will compete for a state championship. “We started out a little slow and we found a rhythm,” senior left fielder Peyton McCollum said. “We felt like we had the potential.” The Eagles (20-10) take on North Moore (22-8) in the best-of-3 Class 1-A state championship series beginning Friday at Ting Stadium…

30 May

Company departs Asheboro for Greensboro site

Bob SuttonBusiness, Government, News

ASHEBORO — Phase Change Solutions, which bills itself as a global leader in temperature control and energy efficient solutions and has been based in Asheboro, is establishing a U.S. headquarters in Greensboro, the company announced last week. Incentives played a role in luring the company to Greensboro for its expansion, according to several reports. Phase Change Solutions has been listed as an Asheboro company with a Pritchard Street address. Company officials didn’t return messages to provide clarity on any future role in Asheboro. Triad Business Journal reported that the company will relocate from Asheboro. Phase Change Solutions hasn’t been a…

28 May

Eagles know site, but not foe for Class 1-A state finals

Bob SuttonSportsclass 1-A, nchsaa, Prep baseball, Rob Shore, Uwharrie Charter Academy athletics

Uwharrie Charter Academy pitcher Brett Smith will be throwing off the Ting Stadium mound in Holly Springs in the Class 1-A state finals. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – The baseball team from Uwharrie Charter Academy knows where it will play its Class 1-A state championship series. The Eagles will have to wait a little longer to learn their opponent. UCA (20-10) wrapped up the West Region title by winning Thursday night at Eastern Randolph to complete a two-game swept of the best-of-3 three regional finals. It’s not so clear in the East Region. North Moore (21-8) and Voyager Academy (22-6)…

26 May

UCA Eagles sweep Eastern Randolph in regional finals

Bob SuttonSportsBen Medinger, Brent Haynes, class 1-A, Eastern Randolph athletics, Jake Hunter, nchsaa, piedmont athletic conference, Pierce Leonard, Prep baseball, Rob Shore, Stratton Barwick, Uwharrie Charter Academy athletics

UCA team members gather after winning the Class 1-A West Region title. Clutch late-inning work boosts UCA’s baseball team RAMSEUR – It was pretty much a matter of Uwharrie Charter Academy’s baseball team making the best of tough situations Thursday night. By doing so, the Eagles are heading to where they want to go. UCA completed a Class 1-A West Regional finals sweep of Eastern Randolph by winning 8-1 in Game 2, scoring all their runs in the last two innings. “It still hasn’t sunk in,” UCA senior Ben Medinger said of the chance to play for a state title.…