Bob Sutton - Randolph Record

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…

09 Sep

Asheboro freshman kicks in right away

Bob SuttonSportsAHS, Asheboro, soccer

Blue Comets welcome huge contributions from Letterlough ASHEBORO — Cameron Letterlough says one of the best parts about the opening weeks of the season has been forging relationships with his new teammates. He’s a freshman on the Asheboro boys’ soccer team. It seems like he has made quite an introduction on the high school scene. “I’ve just been scoring,” Letterlough said. “My team is really good and I have confidence to know when to shoot and not to shoot.” Letterlough racked up five goals in a 9-0 victory against Randleman. He followed that last week with two more goals in…

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.…