Blog - Randolph Record

11 Aug

Austin, York retire from county jobs

Bob SuttonGovernment, News

ASHEBORO – Two longtime Randolph County employees have retired this summer, diminishing the level of experience in a couple of departments. Melissa Austin retired after 36 years in the tax department. Danny York has stepped away after 26 years in building inspections. “We can’t replace 62 years of experience from our county,” commissioners board chairman Darrell Frye said. Austin began in a part-time role at age 19. She ended her career as the department’s personal property and business property supervisor. “Melissa’s work was always performed at a high level of proficiency and significantly exceeded job requirements,” tax department administrator Debra…

11 Aug

County set to buy emergency equipment

Bob SuttonGovernment, NewsAnn Shaw, Darrell Frye, landfill, Maxton McDowell

ASHEBORO — Randolph County commissioners approved more than $1 million in purchases for the emergency services department at its August meeting. There were unanimous votes for two ambulances at a total of $489,548 and 16 cardiac monitor/ defibrillators at a total of $534,869. Both purchases will come from budgeted funds. The 2021 model ambulances could be in place by December. As for the defibrillators, emergency services chief Donovan Davis said a trade-in of 11 monitors means there’s a savings of about $137,000 that’s calculated into the purchase. Battle joins council Alvin Battle, who was a member of North Carolina State’s…

11 Aug

State superintendent won’t compel employee vaccination, will ask for shot status

A.P. DillonGovernment, StateEducation, schools

RALEIGH — N.C. state superintendent Catherine Truitt won’t force employees at the Department of Public Instruction to get a COVID-19 vaccine shot or compel them to provide proof of vaccination. In an Aug. 3 memo to staff obtained by North State Journal, Truitt outlines masking guidelines and employee attestations of vaccination status. The memo asks that all employees, including contractors, file an attestation form. Any individuals not filing the form will be considered unvaccinated and will be required to wear a mask inside the department offices. “Non-compliance or falsifying proof of a vaccine will subject employees to disciplinary action, up to and…

11 Aug

A step forward: App State hopes for breakthrough season

Shawn Krest | The North State JournalSports, StateAppalachian State

RALEIGH — Appalachian State has quietly built one of the nation’s top programs outside of the Power Five. Now the Mountaineers will look to take the next step. App has gone to six straight bowls, winning them all, sent their last two coaches to ACC and SEC head jobs, respectively, and last year snapped a string of four straight Sun Belt titles. This year, the Mountaineers return 17 starters, add veteran talent and have a schedule that could put them on the national radar, if things go well. Quarterback: Chase Brice arrives after a disappointing year as the Duke starter.…

11 Aug

Asheboro City Schools to make mask decision Thursday

Randolph RecordNewsAsheboro City Schools, Education, schools

ASHEBORO — The August 12 meeting of the Asheboro City School Board will see the elected board decide on mask wearing for the beginning of the 2021-22 school year. The first day of classes for all students is August 24. Randolph County Schools and Uwharrie Charter announced that masks would be optional following July meetings of their school boards. Gov. Roy Cooper eliminated the statewide mask mandate in July but recommended that students in grades K-8 wear masks at school. Contradicting its own mask recommendations from May, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revised its mask guidance saying fully…

11 Aug

Health department pays people to receive vax

Neal RobbinsGovernment, NewsCOVID, public health, vaccines, vax

ASHEBORO — The Randolph County Health Department is offering $100 to anyone 18 or older who receives the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The department is also offering $25 to anyone 18 and older who drives someone to receive the shot. The county’s health department opted into a program launched by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services agency on Aug. 3. The state program offers $100 prepaid cash cards after someone receives their first shot of the vaccine at a participating county health departments during the promotional period. The Summer Card program previously came with a…

04 Aug

Post 45 vies for another regional title

Bob SuttonSportsAmerican Legion, Asheboro, McCrary Park, Post 45

ASHEBORO — It’s a well-rested Randolph County Post 45 baseball team competing in this week’s American Legion postseason games at McCrary Park. Perhaps experience is on Post 45’s side along with homefield advantage for the eight-team Mid-Atlantic Regional. Randolph County begins its quest to make the national tournament by taking on Allentown, N.J., at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. The five-day regional runs through Sunday. The winner advances to the American Legion World Series later this month in Shelby. Also on the opening-day regional docket is Harrisburg (Pa.) Post 370 vs. Wilmington (Del.) Post 1; Ridge (Md.) Post 255 vs. Pottstown, Pa.;…

04 Aug

Junior golf tourney coming this weekend

Randolph RecordSportsAsheboro, Golf

ASHEBORO — Asheboro Municipal Golf Course will hold the Junior Amateur tournament Saturday and Sunday for golfers ages 7-18. Entrants will be split into three age divisions based on number of entrants. Entry fee is $25. Advance registration is required through the Asheboro Cultural & Recreation Services office or online through the department’s website.

04 Aug

Pennsylvania driver nabs spot for Caraway event

Randolph RecordSportsCaraway, racing

SOPHIA — Matt Hirschman, a Pennsylvania driver, became the first driver to secure a spot in November’s 19th annual John Blewett Memorial North-South Shootout at Caraway Speedway. Hirschman did so by winning an open Modified Series event race at Star Speedway in New Hampshire. His $17,322.50 winnings for the result marked the largest payday of his career. There were 41 initial entries in the race. The next scheduled qualifier for automatic entry to the North-South Shootout comes Aug. 21 at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem. On Saturday night, a full card of racing is scheduled at Caraway Speedway. Points races…

04 Aug

Are your chickens cool enough to beat the heat?

Jonas Asbill | For the North State JournalBusiness, Entertainmentagriculture, chickens

ASHEBORO — Summer heat and humidity is upon us and we are all looking for ways to cool off. Your backyard feathered friends are no exception. Chickens are becoming popular as backyard egg producers and pets so owners should be on the lookout for heat stress on members of their flocks as the summer heat reaches its peak. An experienced chicken keeper knows their flock, their personalities and habits. This type of relationship provides you quick insight into changes in flock disposition that can be an early sign that something is a little off. Disease or other stressors can decrease…