Bob Sutton - Randolph Record

28 Jan

Controlled burn means progress for Randolph CC, training for firefighters in Liberty

Bob SuttonFeatures, NewsLiberty, Randolph Community College, Scott Kidd, Shah Ardalan

Firefighters pose in front of the house in Liberty at Saturday’s controlled burn on Randolph Community College’s new property. (Liberty Fire Department) LIBERTY — A controlled burn of a building on Randolph Community College’s Liberty campus served multiple purposes Saturday. The event marked a step in the plan to further develop RCC’s Liberty property. Shah Ardalan, president of RCC, called the event part of the process in moving toward the college’s mission. “This controlled burn is more than a training exercise,” Ardalan said. “It is a tangible representation of our commitment to Access and Success for Randolph County and beyond.…

25 Jan

Randleman’s new football leader brings deep family coaching roots

Bob SuttonSportsDavid Diamont, piedmont athletic conference, prep football, Randleman Tigers, Shane Timmons

David Diamont says he’ll work to build relationships as Randleman’s new football coach. (Photo courtesy Randleman athletics) RANDLEMAN – David Diamont saw his father lead high school football programs for decades and knew he wanted to do the same. Now he’ll have that chance at Randleman. “This definitely is a dream of mine,” Diamont said. “It’s new territory for me. I’m excited to get to work and learn.” Diamont, 35, had been offensive coordinator at Burns for the past three seasons. He takes over for Shane Timmons, who stepped aside following his fifth season as Randleman’s head coach because of…

24 Jan

Area schools don’t shift in second NCHSAA league draft

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

There were no changes involving Randolph County schools in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s second draft of conference alignments. That revised draft was released this week. “What I gather is our schools are pretty happy where they are,” said Stephen Gainey, superintendent of the Randolph County School System. RCSS has six high schools as part of the NCHSAA. Gainey began a term as NCHSAA president last summer, so has a keen eye on the topic. Appeals and comments from schools regarding the conference make-ups are due Tuesday. The realignment committee is scheduled to meet again Feb. 3-4. “A…

21 Jan

Title chase takes different complexion for PAC girls

Bob SuttonSportsPrep Basketball, Randleman Tigers, Scott Tyson, Seth Baxter, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles

Southwestern Randolph’s Gracie Hodgin creates a defensive presence against Randleman’s Chenleigh Robinson during a holiday tournament game last month. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) Randleman’s girls’ basketball team isn’t much interested in losing the grip it has held on the Piedmont Athletic Conference the past several years. “We’ll see if there’s a changing of the guard,” first-year coach Scott Tyson said. But the Tigers will have work to do to hold ownership of the league championship for a fourth consecutive year. Southwestern Randolph has been a contender in the past and this might be the season that the Cougars take…

20 Jan

Prep wrestling: Busy Trinity team claims tourney title; Others win in Jet Invitational

Bob SuttonSportsAiden Burkholder, Bliss Joyce, Briana Joyce, David Lambright, Eastern Randolph Wildcats, Edgar Vasquez, Lawson Coltrane, Maddox Carson, Mitchell Freeman, prep wrestling, Providence Grove Patriots, Simeon Hammett, Stephen Cross, Trinity Bulldogs, Wheatmore Warriors

Five Trinity wrestlers grabbed individual titles and the Bulldogs were team champions in the Sarah Wilkes Invitational on Saturday in Eden. It was the first of two tournaments in three days that at least some of the Bulldogs participated in. Aiden Burkholder (106 pounds), Stephen Cross (113), Edgar Vasquez (126), Simeon Hammett (132) and Lawson Coltrane (165) were the champs for Trinity, which also had three runners-up. Among 12 teams, Trinity was the champion with 198½ points, with host Eden Morehead the runner-up at 179. Burkholder defeated Southeast Guilford’s Jacob Bone with a 56-second pin in the final. Cross edged…

17 Jan

Asheboro alters traffic at intersection

Bob SuttonNewsCity of Asheboro, traffic, Trevor Nuttall

Here's the intersection of Worth Street and Main Street in Asheboro. (City of Asheboro photo) ASHEBORO — There's a new all-way stop at the intersection of Worth Street and Main Street in Asheboro — and more all-way stops could be on the way. The change is a provisional conversion, according to city officials. It's part of a potential cost-saving switch, assistant city manager Trevor Nuttall said. The city announced the decision to analyze the intersection after reviewing traffic data and assessing the cost to replace an out-of-date signal. A replacement would be estimated to exceed $70,000. "The equipment, which is at least 30 years old,…

16 Jan

New RCEDC official ready to support industry growth

Bob SuttonBusiness, NewsDavid Hursey, randolph county, Randolph County Economic Development Corporation

David Hursey (Courtesy photo) ASHEBORO — David Hursey sees vast possibilities as he takes over as the new Existing Industry Director of the Randolph County Economic Development Corporation. “There’s a lot going on here,” Hursey said. “By and large, the county has been well-led. One of the things I want to do is promote the good things that are happening.” Hursey, who began in the role at the beginning of the year, will lead RCEDC’s Business Retention and Expansion program, addressing industry-specific challenges. He said that’s where most of his energy will be directed, seeking to assist businesses with growth.…

14 Jan

It’s hard to pin down new Asheboro wrestling coach

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, Braxton Walker, Cliff Thompson, Gavin Hardister, prep wrestling, Wes Berrier

Asheboro wrestling coach Cliff Thompson, left, shares a laugh with assistant coach Scott Bainville at a recent meet. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – Cliff Thompson has coached an assortment of area wrestlers in and around Randolph County. So in his role as first-year Asheboro coach, he’s familiar with just about anyone he comes across on the mats. He has been questioned by his wrestlers: “Why everybody talk to you?” It’s because Thompson is well-known in wrestling circles. He said he’s glad he has landed with the Blue Comets. Thompson, a 1998 Randleman graduate, won a state championship as…

13 Jan

RCSS parents go on alert with phone snags

Bob SuttonNewsEducation, Randolph County School System, RCSS, Stephen Gainey

ASHEBORO — Officials with the Randolph County School System are working with a new provider to work out snags that have popped up regarding the district’s alert system. Amber Ward, the public information officer for RCSS, said a couple of phone carriers have blocked the number used for the alerts so that messages haven’t reached all their intended audiences. The situation became heightened last week when there were weather-related delays and closures. Ward said RCSS switched during the summer to a different website provider and, as part of that, it has meant a different process for the phone alert system.…

12 Jan

Asheboro picks next city manager from western North Carolina

Bob SuttonGovernment, NewsCity of Asheboro, David Smith, Donald Duncan, John Ogburn

Donald Duncan (Courtesy photo) ASHEBORO – Donald Duncan, who has been involved in city and county government in the western part of North Carolina, will be the next city manager for Asheboro. Duncan was selected among several dozen applicants. “My family and I are excited to join the Asheboro community,” Duncan said in a statement. “I aspire to live up to the trust placed in me by a wonderful Mayor and dedicated City Council.” Duncan, 47, spent the last three years as Caldwell County manager. Before that, he was city manager in Conover for 15 years. He has bachelor’s degree in…