Bob Sutton - Randolph Record

23 Apr

Superintendent presents budget for next school year

Bob SuttonNewsbudget, Education, North Carolina Governor's School, Randolph County Board of Education, Randolph County School System, Stephen Gainey

Salary increases make up bulk of expanded RCSS costs ASHEBORO – Stephen Gainey, superintendent of the Randolph County School System, submitted a proposed budget of nearly $27 million for the 2024-25 school year, representing an increase of almost 1.1 percent. The budget as presented last week to the RCSS board of education is listed at $26,846,240. That’s more than a $2 million increase from the proposal for this school year, which checked in at $24,762,040. The increase comes primarily, based on a report from finance officer Marty Trotter, from continuation costs (such as insurance increases, match in retirement increases, charter…

21 Apr

Hitting his Mark: Sprinter gives boosts to Blue Comets

Bob SuttonSportsAdam Cole, Asheboro Blue Comets, Elijah Woodle, Lance Everhart, prep track and field, Randleman athletics, Ty Moton, Valentino Mark, Wheatmore athletics, Zach Hazelwood

Asheboro’s Valentino Mark leads at the beginning of the final leg of the 400-meter relay in the Randolph County Championships. (Bob Sutton/Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – Valentino Mark is in a hurry, and that’s showing. Mark set two personal-best times in a dominating performance in Tuesday’s Randolph County championships. “Time is ticking,” Mark said of his urgency as a senior. Mark, the triple jump champion, won the 100 and 200 meters and anchored the winning 400 relay as part of host Asheboro’s team championship. Teammate Lance Everhart was a four-time winner as the Blue Comets racked up 220 points to runner-up…

20 Apr

Record-setting Asheboro girl moves at fast pace on track

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, Auman Jensen, Gracie Beane, Jalaya Showers, Mirianna Corea, prep track and field, randolph county athletes, Sion Murrain

Jalaya Showers of Asheboro has become a record-setting sprinter. (Bob Sutton/Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – Jalaya Showers has been a headliner for the Asheboro girls’ track and field team. She’s not alone among the Blue Comets. “This team is gunning for all the records,” coach Vincent Cable said. Asheboro set a brisk pace in many events in capturing the Randolph County Championships on Tuesday. Showers, a sophomore who recently became a school record-holder sprinter, won the 100 and 200 meters and participated on two winning relays. Asheboro had an overwhelming edge in points among the seven teams, scoring 184 to runner-up…

19 Apr

Randleman seeks new girls’ basketball coach

Bob SuttonSportsAudra Petty, Brandon Varner, Gracie Beane, piedmont athletic conference, Prep Basketball, Randleman athletics, Steve Rightmyer

Steve Rightmyer had the Randleman girls’ basketball team going in the right direction for much of his one season as coach. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) Rightmyer’s one season produced another title RANDLEMAN – Randleman will be trying to keep a high winning percentage in girls’ basketball next season after another coaching change. Steve Rightmyer stepped away from the position after one season, though the Tigers maintained their perch atop the Piedmont Athletic Conference. He referred to the time commitment as being overwhelming in his situation. “It was a lot,” Rightmyer said. “I knew it would be.” Randleman went 20-7 last season,…

18 Apr

Randleman Tigers conjure more magic for PAC baseball supremacy

Bob SuttonSportsBraxton Walker, Jake Smith, piedmont athletic conference, Prep baseball, Randleman Tigers, Seth Way, Trinity Bulldogs

Randleman’s Braxton Walker had a big impact at the plate and on the mound earlier this week. (Bob Sutton / Randolph Record) RANDLEMAN – Randleman had just enjoyed another one of those defining moments that seem to come so often for the school’s baseball team. There were various assessments of what that meant after Tuesday night’s 6-5, eight-inning victory against visiting Trinity. “We got to get better,” shortstop Jake Riddle said. “We got to.” While it wasn’t the smoothest outing for the Tigers, they again found a way. The result secured another outright Piedmont Athletic Conference regular-season championship and kept…

18 Apr

Southwestern Randolph group performs at St. Patrick’s Cathedral

Bob SuttonFeatures, Newschoral, Education, New York, Southwestern Randolph High School, St. Patrick's Cathedral

Southwestern Randolph High School choral students pose for a photo outside St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York. (Courtesy photo) ASHEBORO – A group of nearly three dozen Southwestern Randolph High School students took part in a special trip to New York during spring break. The concert choir and advanced honors ensemble made up the group. The highlight was performing at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan. That performance of about 40 minutes involved songs specifically for cathedral settings. “It was beautiful,” said Kerri Smith, whose daughter, Skylee, is a member of the honors ensemble. “It was just great.” The group was…

16 Apr

First Zoo City StrEAT Fest set for Asheboro

Bob SuttonEvents, Newsdowntown asheboro, Downtown Asheboro Inc., Downtown Asheboro Social District, North Carolina Zoo, Zoo City StrEAT Fest

ASHEBORO – This weekend’s inaugural Zoo City StrEAT Fest in downtown Asheboro is a celebration of several ventures. Addie Corder, executive director of Downtown Asheboro Inc., said it’s a chance to recognize North Carolina Zoo’s 50th anniversary along with outdoor activities. There will be outdoor dining, a pop-up farmers’ market and themes associated with Earth Day. “We’ve been able to have so many activities associated with this,” Corder said of StrEAT Fest, which runs from 5-8 p.m. Saturday. North Carolina Zoo will provide education and interactive activities connected to conservation and wildlife. Corder said it’s a truly family-oriented event with…

15 Apr

Wheatmore Warriors make most of 14-inning experience

Bob SuttonSportsAyden Byrd, Payton Mooney, piedmont athletic conference, Prep baseball, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Trey Byrd, Wheatmore Warriors

Wheatmore coach Trey Byrd watches a game earlier this month. (PJ Ward Brown/Randolph Record) Games on consecutive nights test endurance TRINITY – Wheatmore catcher Payton Mooney didn’t let the drain of spending 14 innings behind the plate in a baseball game last week get to him. “During the game, with adrenaline going, I felt fine,” Mooney said. “Fourteen innings is a long time.” The Warriors won that game at Southwestern Randolph, then the next night had a rematch at home. Fortunately for Wheatmore, the second game lasted just six innings, but that still meant 20 innings in catching gear across…

15 Apr

Pottery group plans spring event in Seagrove

Bob SuttonEvents, Newspottery, Seagrove, Seagrove Area Potters Association

Here’s some work as provided in this photograph from Whynot Pottery. (Courtesy photo) SEAGROVE – Nearly four dozen pottery shops in the area are participating in this week’s “Celebration of Spring” tours. “It is one of our two main events of the year,” said Kathy Bryant, president of the Seagrove Area Potters Association. “It’s a pretty awesome event. It kicks off the spring season.” The activities are based on self-guided tours at participating shops from April 19-21. Each shop specializes in certain styles. There are more than 50 pottery shops in the Seagrove area, with 44 of them involved in…

11 Apr

Eastern Randolph coach Burton Cates to be enshrined in hometown

Bob SuttonSportsBurton Cates, Eastern Randolph athletics, Graham, Hall of Fame, prep football

Another honor is coming for Eastern Randolph football coach Burton Cates. (Randolph Record file photo) GRAHAM – Eastern Randolph’s Burton Cates, the winningest active high school football coach in North Carolina, is receiving hometown recognition. He’ll be inducted into the Graham Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday night. “Being from Graham all my life, it’s very special recognition,” Cates said. “What I’ve accomplished isn’t about me by any stretch. It’s about the people around me.” Cates, 71, has more than 360 career coaching victories. Eastern Randolph won the Class 3-AA title in 2006. Even when Cates left the Wildcats for…