Blog - Randolph Record

29 Aug

Beloved Asheboro eatery to close

Randolph RecordNewsAsheboro, COVID, Dixie III, restaurant

ASHEBORO — A local favorite that specializes in a meat and three vegetables lunch is closing its doors for good in less than two weeks. Dixie III, owned by Mark and Kris Davidson, is closing for good on September 9. In a statement, the restaurant announced its closing. "It saddens us to inform you that Dixie III will be closing the doors on September 9th 2021. First, we want to thank our loyal customers. We greatly appreciate all the years you have allowed us to serve you and be a part of this wonderful community. We also want to thank…

29 Aug

Randolph County Schools reverses course on masks

Randolph RecordGovernment, News

ASHEBORO — Students, teachers and staff in the county school system will be required to wear masks inside school buildings starting Monday, August 30. The Randolph County Board of Education met for a special meeting on Sunday and a divided board voted 4-3 to require mask-wearing at all schools. The change comes after one week of in-person classes and marks a change to the board's policy making masks optional in July. "We have the rules that we have to follow," said superintendent Stephen Gainey. "Last week, we sent 530 children home for exposure to 81 cases ... universal cloth face…

25 Aug

Randolph County school board calls special meeting on COVID

Randolph RecordBusiness, Government, Newsboard of education, Education, schools

ASHEBORO — With eight schools currently affected by COVID-19 quarantine protocols due to contact tracing, The Randolph County Board of Education has called a special meeting for Sunday, August 29 at 2pm In an email to the North State Journal, the county’s largest school system said its leaders would meet at the R. Alton Cox Learning Resources Center Auditorium at Randolph Community College, 629 Industrial Park Avenue, Asheboro, for the purpose of discussing the current status of COVID-19 in the Randolph County School System and COVID-19 protocols. The system said Monday that Southeastern Randolph Middle School, Southwestern Randolph high School, Southwestern Randolph Middle School, Randleman…

25 Aug

Callicutt enjoys grand opportunity

Bob SuttonEntertainment, NewsAsheboro, Grand Ole Opry, music, Southwestern Randolph, Trent Callicutt

Asheboro native fulfills dream of playing at Grand Ole Opry ASHEBORO — It was a round-about way, but the destination was what mattered for Trent Callicutt. He performed at the Grand Ole Opry. For a musician, Saturday night’s opportunity became a lifetime achievement in Nashville, Tenn. “It was everything I hoped for and more,” Callicutt said. “The Grand Ole Opry is the pinnacle. I was looking around and trying to take it all in.” The Asheboro native and Southwestern Randolph High School graduate played the banjo for Dailey & Vincent, an American bluegrass music group. Timing was on Callicutt’s side.…

24 Aug

4-H Livestock show brings regional competitors to Randolph

Allison WalkerBusiness, Newsagriculture, cattle

ASHEBORO — The seventh annual 4-H/FFA Livestock Show was held in Asheboro on August 7. The event featured 68 competitors showing cattle and goats from Randolph, Guilford, Chatham, Stanly, Cabbarus, Johnston, Rockingham, Richmond, Anson, Cumberland, Wake, Person, Moore, Montgomery and Stokes counties. Scarlett Farms in Snow Camp hosted the event. Brandon Hartman served as judge and the Trinity High School FFA served concessions. The competition featured youth competitors in showmanship and a separate competition based on the animal’s characteristics and classification. The youth competitors were judged for showmanship which included handling the animal, eye contact with the judge, setting the…

24 Aug

Apprenticeship Randolph honors first graduates, signs 14 more

Randolph RecordBusiness, NewsAsheboro City Schools, Randolph Community College, Randolph County Schools, RCC

ASHEBORO — Apprenticeship Randolph, a local initiative from local businesses, Randolph Community College, Randolph County Schools and Asheboro City Schools, celebrated its inaugural class of graduates earlier this month. Apprenticeship Randolph began in June 2016 as a collaboration among Randolph Community College, the Randolph County School System, Asheboro City Schools, the Asheboro/Randolph Chamber of Commerce, and local manufacturers. The goal was to bridge both the interest and skill gaps in modern manufacturing and provide a vehicle for expanding the workforce pool for advance manufacturing in the county. The program allows participants a debt-free education. The program is for high school…

24 Aug

Randolph County site selected for Duke economic development program

Randolph RecordBusiness, Newseconomic development, Sophia

ASHEBORO — An industrial site in Sophia could soon be marketed nationally to companies seeking places to expand or relocate. A 170-acre tract on Wall Brothers Rd was selected by Duke Energy for inclusion in the utility company’s annual economic development program. Duke has selected nine properties in eight counties across North Carolina for inclusion in its 2021 Site Readiness Program to enhance the readiness of the sites for business and industrial development. Sites in Catawba, Durham, Guilford, Harnett, Henderson, Jones, Craven, Randolph and Rowan counties were selected. Through the Site Readiness Program, Duke Energy identifies high-potential sites and partners…

24 Aug

State Senate approves sports betting

Randolph RecordNews, Stategambling, Jones & Blount, sports

RALEIGH — Sports gambling would be authorized across N.C., with up to a dozen entities licensed to offer online and in-person betting, in legislation approved last week by the state Senate. The bipartisan measure advances to the House though a majority of Senate Republicans, who control the chamber, voted against the bill. Nine Republicans joined most Democrats attending Thursday’s floor session in approving the measure 26-19. Four GOP senators, including Randolph County’s Sen. Dave Craven, had excused absences and did not vote on the measure.

24 Aug

County COVID cases drop

Randolph RecordNews

ASHEBORO — The number of weekly cases of COVID-19 in Randolph County dropped by 24% versus the prior week. According to CDC data, the county’s number of cases dropped from 426 to 322 between Aug. 15 and Aug. 22. Testing volume was up 12.6% during that same period, which includes testing for mandatory testing for travel or jobs. Four people were hospitalized during the 7-day period prior to Aug. 22. Over 38% of the county’s population over the age of 12 has been fully vaccinated with 65.9% of citizens over 65 years old being fully vaccinated.

24 Aug

RCC cancels live graduation ceremony

Randolph RecordNewsEducation, Randolph Community College, RCC, schools

ASHEBORO — A planned in-person graduation ceremony at Randolph Community College scheduled for Aug. 27 has been cancelled. The event was intended to celebrate students who completed degree programs in Fall 2020, Spring 2021 and Summer 2021. The ceremony was optional for graduates. The school made the cancellation announcement Monday saying they based their decision on “new information.”