Bob Sutton - Randolph Record

17 Nov

Eastern Randolph faces reigning state champion next

Bob SuttonSportsEastern Randolph, football, high school football, randolph county sports, state champion

RAMSEUR — The state playoffs sure become interesting in a hurry for Eastern Randolph. The Wildcats opened play in the Class 1-A West Region with a romp past No. 16 seed Draughn on Friday night. That sends Eastern Randolph (10-0), the No. 1 seed, into a third-round matchup this week with visiting Murphy. Murphy (8-4) is the reigning Class 1-A state champion. “We’ll go to work on it,” Eastern Randolph coach Burton said of the assignment. “We just take one game at a time. Everybody says that, but we really do.” Eastern Randolph, which received a bye in the first…

10 Nov

Eastern Randolph primed to begin playoffs

Bob SuttonSportshigh school playoffs, high school sports, playoffs, prep football, prep sports

RAMSEUR — A week off prior to opening the state playoffs might be a good omen for Eastern Randolph’s football team. When that happened during the past spring for the state playoffs, it worked out. “We really played our best game against Clinton,” coach Burton Cates said. “You’ve got to look at the positives.” The situation is different, though, this season. That was an upset victory for the Wildcats several months ago. Now, Eastern Randolph (9-0) opens the postseason as the top-seeded Class 1-A team in the West Region. The Wildcats are set for Friday night’s game against No. 16…

10 Nov

New Asheboro restaurant to aim for vacation vibes

Bob SuttonBusiness, NewsAsheboro, asian food, caribbean food, Chef Ray, Kermit Raymond Mackey, restaurant, the bun hut

ASHEBORO — A chef from New York has come to Asheboro to open a restaurant, hoping to put diners in a resort frame of mind. The Bun Hut NC will open within a month at 132 Sunset Ave., offering food and cocktails. It will specialize in Caribbean-Asian dishes. “When you walk in, we want you to feel like you’re on a Caribbean vacation,” said business owner Kermit Raymond Mackey. The new restaurant’s location will be in the former location of Hamilton’s Steakhouse, which has moved to 328 Sunset Ave. Mackey is referred to as “Chef Ray” and he’ll be doing…

05 Nov

Reid picked for honor at Panthers game

Bob SuttonSportsBryson Reid, carolina panthers, high school athletics, high school football, Southwestern Randolph, Southwestern Randolph Cougars

ASHEBORO – Two members of Southwestern Randolph’s football team will go from the state playoffs to the pros this weekend. That’s because senior receiver Bryson Reid of the Cougars was selected as a recipient of a Carolina Panthers Community Captain Award. As part of the program that honors players who excel in the classroom and the community, Reid has been invited by the Panthers for Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. “My teammates were so excited for me,” Reid said. He selected Cougars quarterback Keaton Reed to be his guest for the…

03 Nov

Football Playoffs: Looking for history

Bob SuttonSports1A playoffs, 2A playoffs, football, Providence Grove, Randleman, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, SWR

Providence Grove coach Calvin Brown throws up 1 finger for the extra point after a touchdown against visiting Jordon-Mathews in a non-league game in Climax on September 3, 2021. PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL Providence Grove, Southwestern Randolph seek playoff breakthroughs ASHEBORO — Three football teams from Randolph County will play in home games to begin the state playoffs, though one of them will have to wait an extra week before playing. Undefeated Eastern Randolph (9-0) is the No. 1 seed for the Class 1-A West Region, receiving a bye to the second week of the playoffs. That’s when the Wildcats…

03 Nov

Staffing shortages, increase in calls strain emergency services

Bob SuttonGovernment, Newsambulances, emrgency services, EMS

ASHEBORO -- A staff shortage is a concern for Randolph County’s emergency services, department director Donovan Davis said. In a report to the county commissioners at the October meeting, Davis provided details on the challenges facing his department, particularly with call loads increasing. EMS staffing has become a concern, with Davis telling the commissioners that staff members are often frustrated and / or exhausted. There are 18 vacancies throughout the department. That includes eight paramedic positions. Because of that, some vacation requests have been denied, adding to declining morale. “The reason is because of our staffing,” he said. At times,…

03 Nov

County schools use federal COVID education funds for bonuses

Bob SuttonGovernment, News, PoliticsCOVID, Education

Randolph County Schools employees will receive $5,000 RALEIGH — Some North Carolina school boards have announced they will use federal COVID-19 relief funds to give bonuses to educators. The Randolph County Public School System will pay every employee a $5,000 bonus, according to a resolution adopted by the school board on Oct. 25. The resolution described the bonuses as “retention” and “premium pay.” Alamance County schools are giving full and part-time employees a $3,000 bonus while Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools employees will get a $1,400 bonus. According to the American Rescue Plan’s ESSER "FAQ," a district can use federal Elementary and…

02 Nov

Early voting draws more to polls

Bob SuttonGovernment, News, Politics2021, election

Candidates and poll workers gather outside the polling place at Sunset Avenue Church of God on Election Day 2021 in Asheboro. (L-R) Justin Lee, Asheboro City School Board candidate Hailey Trollinger Lee, Asheboro city councilman Walker Moffitt, poll worker Laura King, school board member Baxter Hammer, school board member Beth Knott and poll worker Nicki McKenzie (The North State Journal) ASHEBORO — Early voting turnout was higher this year than in recent municipal elections on odd-numbered years in Randolph County. The 13 days of early voting drew a total of 1,288 voters to the Randolph County Board of Elections office…

01 Nov

ER, Providence Grove, SWR to open football playoffs at home

Bob SuttonSportsEastern Randolph, football, Providence Grove, Randleman, Southwestern Randolph, SWR

ASHEBORO — Three football teams from Randolph County will play in home games to begin the state playoffs, though one of them will have to wait an extra week before playing. Undefeated Eastern Randolph (9-0) is the No. 1 seed for the Class 1-A West Region, receiving a bye to the second week of the playoffs. That’s when the Wildcats will be slated for a home game Nov. 12 against the Draughn / Elkin winner. Eighth-seeded Providence Grove (8-2) and 16th-seeded Southwestern Randolph (8-2) will open the Class 2-A states at home Friday night. Providence Grove takes on No. 25…

29 Oct

Four soccer teams to start states at home

Bob SuttonSportsAHS, Asheboro, Eastern Randolph, Education, schools, soccer, Trinity, UCA, Uwharrie Charter

Uwharrie Charter Academy's Max DeNamur takes a shot on goal against Wheatmore during their conference soccer game last month in Asheboro. PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL ASHEBORO — Four boys’ soccer teams from Randolph County schools will open the state playoffs with home games Monday. Asheboro tops the list as a No. 4 seed in the West Region bracket for Class 3-A. The Blue Comets (14-1-3) take on North Lincoln in the first round. Asheboro gained the top spot for seeding out of the Mid-Piedmont Conference after it tied with Ledford in the regular season. Both teams had 8-0-2 records, though…