Bob Sutton - Randolph Record

29 Sep

Hunting for a career

Bob SuttonBusiness, NewsJordan McDuffie, taxidermy

Asheboro woman turns to taxidermy as an instructor, business owner ASHEBORO — Jordan McDuffie wanted to learn more about taxidermy. Now she’s providing the teaching as well. The Asheboro woman has made a quick rise in the taxidermy field, taking a passion for that and turning it into the foundation for a career. “I’m making a living off it and teaching other people about it,” McDuffie said. She’s the first female instructor in taxidermy at Montgomery Community College in Troy. Meanwhile, she formed her own business – Uwharrie Taxidermy. McDuffie had taken an interest in hunting, so there was a…

29 Sep

Commissioners review infrastructure requests

Bob SuttonBusiness, Government, NewsDarrell Frye, Randy Tedder

Proposed enhancements for water, sewer projects become focus of meeting ASHEBORO — Finding the best way to distribute funds for infrastructure projects was the focus of a special meeting of the Randolph County commissioners this month. Most of the presentations were centered on water and sewer topics. The county will receive $28 million federal funds that will be designated for certain projects. “Now we have more requests than we have monies,” commissioners chairman Darrell Frye said. “Our plan is to take advantage of every dime we can that will build and better secure the future of Randolph County.” Randy Tedder,…

29 Sep

Athlete of the Week: Salem Lee

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, athlete of the week, Salem Lee

SALEM LEE Asheboro High School | Junior | Golf Salem Lee was the medalist in a Mid-Piedmont Conference match at Meadowlands Golf Club. She shot an even-par 36. That gave Lee a third consecutive victory in Mid-Piedmont Conference competition.

27 Sep

A result worth remembering for Cougars

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro High School, Blue Comets, Seth Baxter, Southwestern Randolph

Unbeaten Southwestern Randolph makes history with first win at Asheboro ASHEBORO — Keaton Reed was walking off the Lee J. Stone Stadium field Friday night and he shared a thought with a teammate. “Every time we drive by here, we can say we won here,” the Southwestern Randolph quarterback said. “Somebody is eventually going to do it. Why not us?” Indeed, this edition of the Cougars did it — winning a football game for the first time at Asheboro High School. It was a struggle at times, but Easton Clapp scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns to help Southwestern Randolph pull out…

22 Sep

Asheboro Hall of Fame inductees represent special era

Bob SuttonEntertainment, SportsAsheboro, Blue Comets

New class members hold precious memories ASHEBORO – At the time about 15 years ago, it might not have been clear to a group of Asheboro High School athletes that they were involved in a special era for the school’s athletics department. It might be more apparent now. Three of the newest additions to the school’s Athletics Hall of Fame are from that time frame, with Lindsay Cross from the Class of 2006 and the following year’s graduates Mike Eddy and Neal Pritchard. “Maybe I’m biased, but the period I was going through, there were great athletes,” Eddy said. “It…

22 Sep

County gives go-ahead to explore projects

Bob SuttonBusiness, Government, NewsCounyt Commissioners, Crystal Gettys, economic development, Kenny Kidd

ASHEBORO — The Randolph County commissioners gave the go-ahead for collaboration to pursue projects in three different votes at the September meeting. Crystal Gettys of the Randolph County Economic Development Corporation made presentations for each of the situations. There’s a feasibility study on water and sewer for a site off I-74 and N.C. 311 near Wall Brothers Road. This is a potential industrial park involving about 260,000 acres. Gettys, the business recruitment director for Randolph County EDC, said it’s a marketable site for an industrial park. The $30,000 cost of the study will be split three ways between the City…

22 Sep

Asheboro festival nixed amid pandemic concerns, hospital capacity

Bob SuttonBusiness, Entertainment, Government, NewsFall Festival

Autumn staple taken off slate for second year in a row ASHEBORO — Next weekend’s Asheboro Fall Festival has been called off amid concerns about the coronavirus pandemic. “We critically and thoughtfully made this decision,” said Carolyn Isley, president of the Randolph Arts Guild. “Above all was the health and safety of the Randolph County community.” So it marks the second year in a row that an event that had been a staple in the community for nearly a half-century won’t be held in downtown Asheboro. It had been scheduled for Oct. 2-3. This is an event that had drawn…

15 Sep

Randleman racks up baseball recruits

Bob SuttonSportsbaseball, high schools athletics, Randleman High School, randolph county

RANDLEMAN — As if the past season wasn’t good enough for Randleman’s baseball players, the offseason has been productive in many ways as well. The Tigers, who are fresh off a Class 2-A state championship won in late June, have been racking up college offers and subsequent commitments. “It has been amazing,” catcher Brooks Brannon said. “I don’t think the state championship alone did it. All the guys are grinders. It’s awesome.” Brannon had committed to North Carolina prior to the latest season. Others in the now-senior class have been accepting offers in the weeks since the Tigers won the…

15 Sep

Boutique adds to Ramseur business landscape

Bob SuttonBusiness, Newsboutique, business, downtown, Ramseur, shopping, small business

RAMSEUR — Hannah Harper’s vision for a thriving boutique began to come together even during the challenging days of the pandemic. When she realized that expansion was feasible, she wanted that growth to happen in a place where she’s comfortable. So downtown Ramseur became the destination for Stella Laine Boutique. “We just grew so fast and we were looking for something much bigger,” Harper said. “I was trying to bring something like this here.” A grand opening for the business is scheduled for 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at the Weatherly Square store. Harper, 24, began the business online in 2020.…

15 Sep

Making a connection in Randolph County: Internet access remains major concern

Bob SuttonNewsinternet, internet speed, randolph county, rural internet

ASHEBORO — The need for a stronger internet presence has reached concerning levels in Randolph County, according to a report presented to county commissioners last week. Kenneth Sherin, director of the county’s cooperative extension, said there are too many pockets across the county that aren’t up to speed. “Availability, that’s what we are all concerned about,” Sherin said. “Just being aware and being able to ask the questions and knowing what to look for is a big step forward for Randolph County citizens.” Sherin, whose emphasis in his role is dealing with broadband access and education, said the shortcomings were…