Ryan Henkel - Randolph Record

09 Aug

Randolph County commissioners approve legislative goals to go before NCACC

Ryan HenkelNewsRandolph County Commissioners, Trinity, Zeb Holden

ASHEBORO – The Randolph County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution Monday to send a list of legislative goals to the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners that will be considered to potentially be presented before the NC General Assembly based on their applicability to all 100 counties. Those legislative goals included, “Seeking legislation amending NCGS §106-740 that defines formal initiation of any action to condemn any interest in qualifying farmland within a voluntary agricultural district by State or local public agencies or governmental units to allow for adequate time to hold a public hearing and to investigate and develop…

03 Jul

RCSS receives two child nutrition grants

Ryan HenkelNewsboard of education, Education, Randolph County School System, RCSS, school nutrition, Stephen Gainey, USDA

ASHEBORO – The Randolph County School System's board of education met last Thursday for a wrap-up at the end of the school year and the acceptance of several grants related to child nutrition. The first was The Dairy Alliance Youth Wellness Program Grant from The Dairy Alliance for cafeteria equipment. The grant provides a refrigerated milk merchandiser for Providence Grove High School and a refrigerated milk dispenser for Uwharrie Ridge Six-Twelve in order to “maximize student access and consumption of cold milk.” The total value of the equipment provided by the grant is just under $8,000 The second grant, at…

25 Jun

Asheboro budget won’t increase property tax

Ryan HenkelNewsAsheboro, Asheboro City Council, property tax, taxes

Water and sewer rates to go up ASHEBORO — The Asheboro City Council has been presented a budget that doesn't recommend a property tax increase. At the board's June meeting, the 2024-25 annual operating budget was set to total $71.5 million. That keeps the tax rate even at $0.71 per $100 valuation. A large portion of the budget — just under $22 million — is set aside for public safety, with Asheboro police getting a $13 million allocation and firefighters nearly $8 million. The budget also includes a 2.5% cost-of-living increase for city employees, funding to implement seven new employees…

18 Jun

Uwharrie-Ridge Six-Twelve to expand career pathway opportunities

Ryan HenkelNewsEducation, Randolph County Board of Education, Randolph County School System, Uwharrie-Ridge

The Randolph County School System's Board of Education provided an updated on the marketing priority regarding Uwharrie-Ridge Six-Twelve during a board meeting earlier this month. “Over 3½ years, I’ve gotten the chance to really be immersed in that culture,” said CTE director David Cross. “I’ve asked a lot of questions, I’ve talked to a lot of staff members, talked to the guidance counselors to try and figure out … Uwharrie-Ridge is a special place. They have a great culture and I want to make sure that as we take our next steps with CTE that we make sure we’re doing what…

13 Jun

Randolph County budget holds property tax rate steady

Ryan HenkelNewsDarrell Frye, randolph county, Randolph County Board of Commissioners, taxes

Despite $3 million shortfall, commissioners won’t raise taxes ASHEBORO — The Randolph County Board of Commissioners plans to hold property tax rates steady, after a series of meetings during the last two weeks brought commissioners to a total budget of just below $192 million. The rate will remain at $0.50 per $100 valuation thanks to growth in the tax base as well as higher than anticipated sales tax collection. The county had to work around a $3.3 million Medicaid Hold-Harmless shortfall from the prior year and, instead of raising taxes, budgeteers aimed to redirect some recurring financial resources to the…

01 Jun

Randolph County School System expands free lunch program

Ryan HenkelNewsboard of education, Education, free lunch, Randolph County School System

All elementary and middle schools will be able to offer free meals Randolph County Schools Board of Education was presented with the list of schools that will be operating under the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) for the 2024-25 school year. “School Nutrition plans to expand the Community Eligibility Provision or CEP program to all middle schools, Uwharrie Ridge 6-12 and Eastern Randolph High School,” Kelly Green, director of school nutrition, said a May meeting. “As you may know, this past school year, we added all elementary schools, Ramseur Elementary has been operating under it since 2015, and Southeastern Randolph Middle.”…

23 May

Asheboro to conduct downtown parking study

Ryan HenkelNewsAsheboro City Council, City of Asheboro, downtown asheboro

(Randolph Record file photo) ASHEBORO – The Asheboro City Council approved a study of parking downtown during its May meeting. “Downtown parking availability and management has been an ongoing issue as our downtown has continued to revitalize,” Community Development director Trevor Nuttall said at the meeting. “We think it’s time to bring in an expert in parking operations to look at our existing inventory, supply and demand and present you with potential changes to regulations and policies and offer strategies to improve the overall parking conditions downtown.” In other business, the council will ask the North Carolina Division of Aviation…

15 May

Holden sworn in as Randolph County manager

Ryan HenkelNewsArchdale, Asheboro City Schools, Darrell Frye, Hal Johnson, Randolph County Commissioners, Zeb Holden

Zeb Holden, left, was sworn in as Randolph County manager earlier this month as county commissioners look on. (Photo courtesy of Randolph County) Zeb Holden was sworn in as Randolph County manager by the Randolph County Board of Commissioners at its May 6 meeting. “We have always promoted a county manager from within,” said board chairman Darrell Frye. “This time, we did a search. This was the first time we’ve ever posted a job and did a search for a county manager.” The county received some 37 applications from more than a half-dozen different states, including from as far away…

17 Apr

Randolph Savings and Loan building named historic landmark

Ryan HenkelNewsAsheboro City Council, City of Asheboro, Randolph Savings and Loan

ASHEBORO – The Asheboro City Council named the Randolph Savings and Loan building at 115 South Fayetteville St. as a local historic landmark. “This is the dominant, iconic building in downtown Asheboro and it’s nominated for designation by the property owner,” said Ross Holt of the Randolph County Historic Landmark Preservation Commission. “The Randolph Savings and Loan Building was built in 1963 and designed by Alvis George for the firm of J. Hyatt Hammond.” The building is mentioned as a contributing resource to the Downtown Asheboro Historic District, itself on the National Register of Historic Places. “The Landmark Designation Report,…

09 Apr

Ramseur water treatment funding approved

Ryan HenkelGovernment, NewsRamseur, Randolph County Board of Commissioners

The Randolph County board of commissioners approved additional funding for the Ramseur water and sewer improvements capital projects at its April 1 meeting, funded through directed grants from the state. The funding will be used to replace the sludge removal system and improve the disinfection system by adding an ammonia-feed system for the creation of chloramines at the town’s water treatment plant. The board also approved the establishment of a new soil and water environmental education coordinator position, as well as the reclassification of the existing soil and water environmental education and support coordinator to environmental education and office administrator.…