Blog - Randolph Record

29 Jul

City explores major McCrary Park renovations

Bob SuttonGovernment, Sports

Ballpark overhaul includes several stages, fundraising needs ASHEBORO -- The Asheboro City Council is looking for a collaborative project involving public and private money for a major renovation of McCrary Park. The city-owned baseball facility attracts thousands of visitors a year and a facelift is in order, council members have said. “We see this investment as a true form of economic development,” mayor David Smith said. “Tournaments and ball games at McCrary Park consistently bring people to Asheboro businesses throughout the spring and summer. These improvements will further strength our partnership with the American Legion baseball program, Copperheads baseball and…

29 Jul

Master Gardeners hosts events to promote horticulture and native plants

Annie Mills | For the Randolph RecordBusiness, NewsCooperative Extension, Master Gardners

ASHEBORO — After a year of coping with a global pandemic, the Randolph County Master Gardner Extension Program is finding new ways to engage citizens with plants and gardening. Volunteers with the Master Gardeners held two programs in June for Randolph County employees and kicked off a gardening program with Alpine Health and Rehabilitation of Asheboro. Research studies show that interaction with nature can positively impact our physical and mental health resulting in increased productivity and satisfaction in the workplace. At a “lunch and learn” event, volunteers and county staff installed North Carolina native pollinator plants in the courtyard of…

28 Jul

City schools announce substitute teacher partnership

Randolph RecordGovernment, NewsEducation, schools

ASHEBORO -- Asheboro City Schools announced a new partnership with ESS who will manage the district’s substitute program. ESS will recruit, screen, train, hire, and manage applicants looking to be part or full-time substitutes in Asheboro City Schools. ESS will place substitute teachers and provide an online substitute management program that allows full-time teachers and staff to log their absences electronically. Those absences are then immediately visible to the substitutes interested in accepting the vacant positions.

28 Jul

Randolph County schools end mask mandate

Bob SuttonNews, PoliticsEducation, randolph county, schools

Deadline to sign up for virtual learning looms ASHEBORO — Cloth face coverings will be optional in the Randolph County School System when classes begin next month, a logical next step in returning closer to normal, district superintendent Steven Gainey said Tuesday. “This is giving people their option,” Gainey said. “The board just felt like it should be the individual decision. … The board and I have been listening to questions about cloth facing coverings for several weeks.” Last week, Gov. Roy Cooper announced the upcoming elimination of many mask mandates. However, he also recommended that students in grades K-8…

28 Jul

Foust continues to shine in showcase event

Bob SuttonSportsProvidence Grove

Basketball player becomes first from Providence Grove as N.C. East-West All-Star ASHEBORO -- When playing for Providence Grove, Jonathan Foust made steady improvements on the basketball court the past couple of seasons. “Once he got comfortable, he did some really good things,” coach Wes Luther said. Much of that could apply to how Foust handled his role last week in the North Carolina East-West All-Star game. “I had a great time,” Foust said. “It was different from what I’m used to.” Luther became the first participant in any sport from Providence Grove to be selected for a North Carolina East-West…

28 Jul

Filings start in Randleman, Trinity

Randolph RecordNews, Politics

ASHEBORO - -Candidates showed interest in mayor positions on the first day of candidate filings for Randleman and Trinity. Alderman Gary Betts has filed to move into the mayor’s position in Randleman when filings began Monday. Also in Randleman, Craig Hancock and Melissa Blalock filed for alderman seats in Ward 2 and Nancy Henderson filed in Ward 3. Blalock and Henderson are incumbents. In Trinity, Richard McNabb is back on the ballot in a bid to remain mayor. The filing period remains open until noon Aug. 13. Other municipalities in Randolph County had filing deadlines earlier this month.

28 Jul

Brinkley sweeps features at Caraway

Bob SuttonSports

SOPHIA – Teenager Blaise Brinkley won twice Saturday night to extend his points lead in the Late Models division at Caraway Speedway as part of the Hot Summer Clash. Brinkley, who’s from Sanford, claimed both features in the class, with JR Goode the runner-up in each of those 35-lap races. Tony Black was in third place both times. There were twin features in three other divisions. In the 602 Modifieds race, Rich Hunter and Jody Utt were winners in 20-lap events. In the Challengers division, Nathan Bess won the first 20-lap feature among 14 entrants. The second feature was captured…

22 Jul

Uwharrie Charter drops mask requirement

Randolph RecordNews, PoliticsEducation, Roy Cooper, schools, Uwharrie Charter

ASHEBORO — Uwharrie Charter Academy will not require mask wearing when schools open in the Fall. The K-12 public charter joins Randolph County Schools in relaxing mask rules. On Monday the Randolph County School Board adopted a resolution ending mask mandates in the county’s largest school system for the 2021-2022 school year. The resolution, adopted unanimously by the board, is effective immediately which allows teachers and students currently in summer school programs to make their own choices regarding mask usage. The new board policy cites CDC guidance and the board’s concern for individuals’ rights to make decisions regarding their own…

22 Jul

RCC pushes for more students as numbers lag

Bob SuttonNewsdecline, enrollment, Randolph Community College, RCC

ASHEBORO — Enrollment at Randolph Community College isn’t likely to bounce back to pre-pandemic levels right away despite a school official pointing out unprecedented financial incentives for potential students. Chad Williams, vice president for student services at RCC, said a decline in high school students in dual enrollment has been the biggest reason for a dip. “Overall, we’re still seeing a decline in enrollment comparing to previous years prior to the pandemic,” Williams said. “I don’t know if we’ll get to numbers we’ve seen in previous fall semesters. … We’re reaching out to every student we can in every way…

21 Jul

Incumbents file in large numbers for municipal elections

Bob SuttonGovernment, News, PoliticsAsheboro City Schools, board of education, city council, election, incumbent, mayor, municipal elections

ASHEBORO — Asheboro mayor David Smith, who first elected to that position in 2009, will run unopposed in November’s election, while there are six candidates for four spots on the city council. Incumbent council members Clark Bell, Walker Moffitt and Katie Snuggs will have challenges from Kelly Heath, William (Bill) McCaskill and Delilah Perkins Warner. Linda Carter isn’t running for re-election for a board spot. For the Asheboro City Schools board of education, there will be seven names on the ballot for four open positions. Vice chair Baxter Hammer and Beth Knott are aiming to remain on the board. Other…