Bob Sutton - Randolph Record

31 Dec

2024 in review: Politics, sadness and projects in Randolph County

Bob SuttonNews2024, 2024 elections, crime, randolph county, Year in Review

ASHEBORO – Politics tended to dominate much of the conversation in Randolph County during 2024. Even the presidential campaign made inroads in the county. There was an August campaign event featuring Donald Trump, who was voted back into office in November. The November results weren’t only favorable for Trump among Republicans. The party maintained its stronghold on local politics. That included the Randolph County Board of Commissioners, who remained dominated by Republicans. Lester Rivenbark was elected to become a newcomer on the board. There were heavy voter turnouts in Randolph County, pretty much mirroring what was happening around the state…

30 Dec

Randleman Tigers build more momentum, take boys’ title in holiday tourney

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, Brayden Chapman, Chase Farlow, holiday tournament, Jireh Price, Osiris Rodriguez, Prep Basketball, Randleman Tigers, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Trinity Bulldogs, Tyshaun Goldston

Randleman’s Tyshaun Goldston goes up for a shot as Asheboro’s Jalial Timmons, left, applies pressure and Randleman’s Chase Farlow and Asheboro’s Zak Blackwell look on. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – As the good times keep rolling for Randleman’s boys’ basketball team, it’s what the Tigers expect. “I’m not really surprised,” senior Tyshaun Goldston said. “We could play a little better, but we should be in the spot we’re in.” After winning last week’s SportsTone.net Christmas Invitational, Randleman has made it almost halfway through the regular season without a loss. “It’s a talented group, a bunch of seniors and…

30 Dec

Downtown Asheboro buzzes during holidays

Bob SuttonBusiness, NewsAsheboro Christmas Parade, City of Asheboro, downtown asheboro

There was a festive atmosphere and several events in downtown Asheboro during the recent holiday season. (Thadd Sanders / Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – Crowds visited downtown Asheboro in big numbers prior to and during the holidays, and that was pleasing to mayor David Smith. Smith said the events that spread across a few weeks provided festive atmospheres. In particular, Smith pointed to the Christmas on Sunset activities that drew a bustling turnout across three hours of activities. “I’d say that is as big as we’ve ever done,” he said. “The streets were full from store to store.” The turnout to…

29 Dec

Southwestern Randolph girls keep adding to special season by winning holiday tournament

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, holiday tournament, Macy Allred, Maddie Strider, Prep Basketball, Randleman Tigers, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Trinity Bulldogs

Southwestern Randolph’s Macy Allred drives against Randleman’s Kadie Green with Cougars coach Seth Baxter looking on during the SportsTone.net Christmas Invitational championship game Saturday night at Asheboro. Southwestern Randolph won to remain undefeated. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – What’s shaping up as a special season for Southwestern Randolph’s girls’ basketball team became even better in the SportsTone.net Christmas Invitational. The Cougars handled three opponents to remain undefeated. “We just enjoy playing with each other,” guard Maddie Strider said. Southwestern Randolph capped the tournament by defeating Piedmont Athletic Conference rival Randleman 42-30 on Saturday night. Strider’s 14 points and…

27 Dec

Two girls’ teams, two boys’ teams from Randolph County win tourney openers in Asheboro

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, Burlington Williams, Chatham Charter, holiday tournament, Lexington Yellowjackets, Prep Basketball, Randleman Tigers, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Thomasville Bulldogs, Trinity Bulldogs

Randleman’s Chenleigh Robinson goes up for a shot against Eastern Guilford’s Mauri Jerman during the opening day of the Sportstone.net Invitational in Asheboro. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – The opening day of the Sportstone.net Invitational lacked late-game drama, but there were a good number of positive developments for Randolph County entrants. The girls’ and boys’ basketball tournament continues Friday and Saturday at Asheboro High School. There were a couple of notable rallies for Randolph County girls’ teams – one that panned out and another that fizzled. Here’s a look at a few of Thursday’s highlights from the eight-game…

26 Dec

NCHSAA’s conference draft could spread out Randolph County schools

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, Eastern Randolph Wildcats, nchsaa, Providence Grove Patriots, Randleman Tigers, realignment, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Trinity Bulldogs, Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles, Wheatmore Warriors

New league alignments within the NCHSAA begin by summer Randolph County schools will be spread out when it comes to conference affiliations based on an initial draft sent to schools from the North Carolina High School Athletic Association. Schools can provide feedback on the drafts before those are finalized, likely in January. The new alignments, which are developed to be in place for four years, begin next summer. The NCHSAA is expanding from four classifications to eight, so there are bound to be different combinations when it comes to conference set-ups. The drafts reveal more split conferences (leagues with schools…

24 Dec

Holiday tourney presents new challenges in Asheboro

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, holiday tournament, Prep Basketball, Randleman Tigers, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Trinity Bulldogs

Southwestern Randolph’s Sara-Kate Marion, left, and Asheboro’s Jalyia Andrews reach for the ball earlier this season. Both teams will be in the holiday tournament at Asheboro. ASHEBORO – The defending champions in the SportsTone.net Christmas Invitational will have different challenges if those basketball teams take paths back to titles this week. Asheboro’s boys and Southwestern Randolph girls will aim to repeat, though the field of teams is different from a season ago. There are eight-team brackets for both the boys and girls. Games will be held Thursday through Saturday at Asheboro High School. New entrants are Burlington Williams, Chatham Charter,…

19 Dec

Participants sought as next edition of Leadership Randolph approaches

Bob SuttonNewsAdam Deathe, Asheboro/Randolph Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Randolph

ASHEBORO – The deadline to apply for the next edition of the Leadership Randolph program is about two weeks away. Adam Deathe, the new president of the Asheboro/Randolph Chamber of Commerce, said applications must be received by Jan. 1 to be considered for the Class of 2025. The 10-month program is designed to have 28 participants. They will tour certain areas of the county and hear from various speakers from a cross-section of leadership roles within the county. “We encourage people to fill in the application as soon as possible as there is typically a rush at the end,” Deathe…

17 Dec

Randleman lineman set for Shrine Bowl, then off to East Carolina

Bob SuttonSportsEast Carolina, Jonathan Stokes, Randleman football, Randleman Tigers, Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas

Jonathan Stokes has been a staple on Randleman’s offensive line. (Randolph Record) RANDLEMAN – Jonathan Stokes of Randleman is on the North Carolina roster for the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas. It’s the offensive lineman’s last scheduled football stop before enrolling at East Carolina. The Shrine Bowl pits top seniors from North Carolina against their counterparts from South Carolina. The game is slated for Saturday afternoon at Spartanburg (S.C.) High School. Players and staff members reported to Spartanburg on Sunday to begin a week of practices and other activities. Stokes is one of eight offensive linemen selected for the North…

16 Dec

Land donation could lead to larger Victory Junction

Bob SuttonNewsRandleman, Richard Petty, Victory Junction

RANDLEMAN – NASCAR legend Richard Petty has donated approximately 403 acres of land to Victory Junction, though there’s no clearly identified plan for expansion of the facility. In making last week’s announcement, it's possible that Victory Junction could grow considerably. The eight parcels of land are adjacent to the camp’s current 140 acres. “As we envision the future of Camp, the land will remain a topic of strategic discussions,” said Mark Curran, board chair of Victory Junction. “We will be sure to use this thoughtful gift in ways that both secure the future of Camp and provide even more life-changing…