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Prep Football Roundup: Wildcats complete unbeaten regular season with blanking of Randleman

Prep Football Roundup: Wildcats complete unbeaten regular season with blanking of Randleman

Na'heim Lilly runs for a touchdown during Eastern Randolph's road victory at Randleman on Friday night. PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL ASHEBORO — Eastern Randolph completed an undefeated regular season by whipping host Randleman 46-0 on Friday night. The Wildcats (9-0 overall, 5-0 Piedmont Athletic Conference) received four touchdowns from Na’heim Lilly and two touchdowns from Elias Alston in securing the outright league title. Lilly’s 34-yard run opened the scoring in the first quarter. He added a 2-yard run in the second quarter. He finished with 174 rushing yards on 20 carries. Alston caught two touchdown passes from Stratton Barwick, the…
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Four soccer teams to start states at home

Four soccer teams to start states at home

Uwharrie Charter Academy's Max DeNamur takes a shot on goal against Wheatmore during their conference soccer game last month in Asheboro. PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL ASHEBORO — Four boys’ soccer teams from Randolph County schools will open the state playoffs with home games Monday. Asheboro tops the list as a No. 4 seed in the West Region bracket for Class 3-A. The Blue Comets (14-1-3) take on North Lincoln in the first round. Asheboro gained the top spot for seeding out of the Mid-Piedmont Conference after it tied with Ledford in the regular season. Both teams had 8-0-2 records, though…
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County schools will hold mask vote Tuesday

County schools will hold mask vote Tuesday

ASHEBORO — The Randolph County Board of Education will meet for a Special Called Meeting on Tuesday, November 2, 2021 at 6:30 pm at the R. Alton Cox Resource Center Auditorium at Randolph Community College. According to a release from the school system, the meeting is for the purpose of discussing the school mask mandate which has been in place since the start of the school year. The school board will hear information from the Randolph County Board of Health which precedes a vote on the system-wide mask policy, according to the announced agenda. The county Board of Health recently…
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Youngkin’s school warnings intensify the GOP’s suburban push

Youngkin’s school warnings intensify the GOP’s suburban push

ASHLAND, Va. — Glenn Youngkin wants voters in Virginia to hear an urgent message: Your children are in danger. In a speech in Northern Virginia’s suburbs last week, the Republican candidate for governor highlighted the murky case of a student who allegedly committed sex crimes in two area schools. He said the incidents, which have sparked community outrage, are the result of failed Democratic leadership. “What other tragedy awaits Virginia’s children?” Youngkin asked from the podium, flanked by a collection of parents and schoolchildren.  On the eve of the Nov. 2 election, Youngkin’s message represents a new front in his…
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BARONE: Republicans gain big in blue-collar elections but narrowly in affluent state legislative elections

BARONE: Republicans gain big in blue-collar elections but narrowly in affluent state legislative elections

State legislative special elections provide an interesting index of partisan sentiment these days. That wasn’t so in the late 20th century, when clever local candidates and notables often got voters to cross party lines. But in this century of increasing partisan polarization and straight-ticket voting, local special elections are a proxy for opinion on national issues. In that light, consider the results of the two special legislative elections that have resulted in a change of parties so far this year.  The first was in Connecticut’s 36th state Senate district on Aug. 17. This is the richest state Senate district in…
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SWR cruises to fourth round of volleyball playoffs

SWR cruises to fourth round of volleyball playoffs

ASHEBORO — The Southwestern Randolph volleyball team is headed into the fourth round of the Class 2-A state playoffs after defeating West Stanly on Thursday night at Jack Castelloe Gymnasium. The Cougars won 25-9, 25-18, 25-19. It was their third sweep in the playoffs. Reagan LeRoy was credited with 39 assists and four aces, Payton Shiflet had 15 kills and 10 digs, Madelyn Smith racked up 10 kills, Carleigh Whitson provided 17 digs, Coley Shiflet made 11 digs and Josie Allred had seven kills and two blocks. Southwestern Randolph (25-5) is home against McMichael (24-6) at 11 a.m. Saturday. Also…
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Uwharrie advances to fourth round in volleyball playoffs

Uwharrie advances to fourth round in volleyball playoffs

ASHEBORO — Uwharrie Charter Academy's volleyball team has advanced to the fourth round of the Class 1-A state playoffs after a 25-21, 25-18, 24-14 victory against visiting Gray Stone Day School on Thursday evening. During the third set, Athlete of the Week Gabi Greene scored six straight points from serve. Greene also had 12 kills, Madi Duval supplied seven kills and two blocks, Bre Brooks posted six kills and two blocks and Dacia Lowery added four kills and two blocks. The Eagles have swept all three playoff matches. UCA (20-5) travels to Murphy (22-2) for Saturday's next round.
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Democrats still critical of Republican redistricting proposals despite increased transparency

Democrats still critical of Republican redistricting proposals despite increased transparency

RALEIGH — A decade ago, North Carolina Republicans redrew their legislative districts to help their party in a way that a federal court ruled illegally deprived black voters of their right to political representation. A partisan state court later struck down Republican-drawn maps as based on pure partisanship.  As the once-a-decade redistricting process kicks into high gear, North Carolina is one of at least three states where Republicans say they are drawing maps without looking at racial and party data. Democrats are incredulous, noting that veteran lawmakers don’t need a spreadsheet to know where voters of various races and different…
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HUDSON: Americans shouldn’t accept the status quo

HUDSON: Americans shouldn’t accept the status quo

On Feb. 2, 1977, President Jimmy Carter addressed the nation from the White House. He had been in office for two weeks and inflation was already beginning to impact American families. Famously wearing a cardigan sweater, he said energy shortages would be permanent while urging Americans to lower their thermostats to 55 degrees and make sacrifices. This address was followed by several years of hyperinflation, gas lines, and as President Carter called it, “a crisis of confidence.” By 1980, America was fed up and sent an eternal optimist and problem solver to the White House. President Ronald Reagan didn’t accept…
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Trick! No White House treats for Halloween this year

Trick! No White House treats for Halloween this year

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Ghosts and goblins can scratch the White House from their trick or treating routes this year. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden will be in Europe on Halloween and won't be at the White House to help hand out candy and other treats. Instead, the Pennsylvania Avenue side of the White House will be lit up in orange light to celebrate the spooky holiday, said the first lady's spokesperson, Michael LaRosa. It's the Bidens' first Halloween at the White House. “The president and first lady will be traveling internationally during the last days of October,…
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