Bob Sutton - Randolph Record

09 Sep

Chamber chief says finding workers remains a challenge

Bob SuttonBusiness, NewsAsheboro, Chamber of Commerce, COVID, labor

Area businesses try to cash in ASHEBORO – Area businesses have endured countless challenges during the pandemic, but Linda Brown with the Asheboro/Randolph Chamber of Commerce said there are signs of brighter days. “Our organization has done OK. We’ve held our own,” said Brown, the group’s president. “We’re planning on holding our regular events this fall.” Brown said businesses in the region are doing their best under difficult circumstances to make things click. She was on a recent tour of industries with other area leaders and she noted that some of the companies had to turn down sales opportunities because…

08 Sep

Catch him if you can: Southwestern Randolph’s Cole off to blazing start

Bob SuttonSportsAdam Cole, Cougars, football, high school, Southwestern Randolph, SWR

ASHEBORO – Adam Cole doesn’t need an encore, though after a six-touchdown performance in Southwestern Randolph’s most recent game that would be difficult. But the versatile junior has more to accomplish. With the Cougars off to a 2-0 start going into Friday night’s home game against West Davidson, Cole figures to be at the forefront of the game plan. “There’s a decent number (of plays called) for me,” Cole said. Just determining how he might be used could be the tricky part. He’s considered a running back, but his hybrid role often calls for him to be lined up in…

01 Sep

Beloved Asheboro eatery orders final meals

Bob SuttonBusiness, NewsAsheboro, Dixie III, food

After serving for decades, Dixie III to close doors ASHEBORO – On a recent afternoon at Dixie III, Mark Davidson was so busy he had to put off accepting a phone call until he could catch up on a few tasks. That included making cornbread. As owner of the long-time Asheboro diner, there have been countless items on Davidson’s to-do lists. That will suddenly cease this month when the family-owned eatery closes its doors after 39 years at the same location. “It’s definitely bittersweet,” Davidson said. “We’ve been doing this all our lives. We’re just ready to retire.” Davidson, 65,…

01 Sep

Daniel cites conservative values in entering county race

Bob SuttonGovernment, News, PoliticsCounty Commissioners, GOP, Todd Daniel

ASHEBORO – Todd Daniel said he’s concerned about the reduction of certain liberties because of pandemic-related restrictions and that has caused him to enter the 2022 race for a seat among the Randolph County commissioners. “This past spring I’ve had some people ask me to run, representing the values of the county,” Daniel said. Daniel, 51, ran unsuccessfully for a county seat in 2014, part of a three-way race. He’s aiming to take the seat of incumbent David Allen in District 3. “It is time for conservative Americans to rise up and defend the values of our nation and heritage,”…

01 Sep

Wildcats showcase variety of weapons

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro, Blue Comets, Eastern Randolph, Wildcats

Quarterback’s precision adds to firepower for Eastern Randolph's offense ASHEBORO – Eastern Randolph has so many ways to be productive on the football field. With highly recruited playmakers dotting recent rosters for the Wildcats, now it’s clear that it’d be wise not to overlook Stratton Barwick. The junior quarterback is slinging the ball in the right directions these days. “It’s a joy to see the ball going through the air and the crowd cheers,” Barwick said. That happened numerous times last week when visiting Eastern Randolph thumped Asheboro 49-7 on Friday night. “We just came out and played football,” Barwick…

01 Sep

Wheatmore aims to sustain athletics excellence

Bob SuttonSportsArchdale, Trinity, Wheatmore

TRINITY – Wheatmore has set a standard in recent years for overall excellence in its athletics department. Now with a slightly different mix of conference membership, the Warriors want to keep it going. “We’ve been fortunate enough,” athletics director Rick Halo said. “You know this goes in peaks and valleys. When one program is down a little bit, there’s another that comes along and moves up.” Wheatmore was the past school year’s Wells Fargo Conference Cup winner for the PAC-7. It marked the fifth year in a row that the school was atop the Conference Cup standings for its league.…

25 Aug

Callicutt enjoys grand opportunity

Bob SuttonEntertainment, NewsAsheboro, Grand Ole Opry, music, Southwestern Randolph, Trent Callicutt

Asheboro native fulfills dream of playing at Grand Ole Opry ASHEBORO — It was a round-about way, but the destination was what mattered for Trent Callicutt. He performed at the Grand Ole Opry. For a musician, Saturday night’s opportunity became a lifetime achievement in Nashville, Tenn. “It was everything I hoped for and more,” Callicutt said. “The Grand Ole Opry is the pinnacle. I was looking around and trying to take it all in.” The Asheboro native and Southwestern Randolph High School graduate played the banjo for Dailey & Vincent, an American bluegrass music group. Timing was on Callicutt’s side.…

24 Aug

County teams send strong opening messages

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro, Eastern Randolph, football, Providence Grove, Randleman, SWR, Trinity, Wheatmore

ASHEBORO — What an opening week for Randolph County football teams. The seven football-playing schools went a combined 6-1, with the lone loss coming in the only intra-county matchup (Asheboro defeating Randleman). In the other five games, the county teams outscored their opponents by a combined score of 177-31. The most notable might have been Eastern Randolph’s whipping of Eastern Alamance, which has been a Class 3-A power for most of the past decade. And don’t discount what Trinity did, with its decision against Chatham Central marking its first triumph against an opponent other than Jordan-Matthews in its last 24…

24 Aug

Baker sets sights on comeback in Caraway standings

Bob SuttonSportsCaraway, racing, Richard Petty

Area driver aims to move up in points race SOPHIA — Johnny Baker needs a fast finish in a true sense at Caraway Speedway. With the season winding down the Asheboro driver is contending for his third track championship in Mini Stocks. But it’s going to be a challenge. “We’re slowly getting there,” Baker said. “But it’s going to take some good luck.” Baker holds second place in the division, but he has been gaining ground. He has won four of the last five races in a division with diminishing entries. Brandon Collins leads with 1,141 points, while Baker has…

24 Aug

Concerns calmed about Asheboro water

Bob SuttonNewsAsheboro, water

Annual changeover brings unusual volume of questions for city ASHEBORO — There has been plenty of curiosity about the status of City of Asheboro water during the past few weeks, but the good news is that there’s really no new news. “Nothing out of the ordinary,” said Bryan Lanier, manager for the city’s water treatment plant. The city’s annual month-long use of a pure chlorine treatment to help ensure a high level of disinfection in water mains concludes this week – with a return to the standard practices set for Aug. 30. For the other 11 months, a chloramines treatment…