Blog - Randolph Record

30 Jun

Water comes under scrutiny at Farmer Elementary School

Bob SuttonNewsdrinking water, Education, Farmer Elementary School, Randolph County School System, RCSS, Stephen Gainey, water

ASHEBORO – Drinking water should be off limits at Farmer Elementary School because of chemicals found in the water supply, Randolph County School System superintendent Stephen Gainey announced last week. Staff members are advised to avoid drinking the water after a report released by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. There are no classes because of summer break and only about a half-dozen staff members are working at the school for the next several weeks. Gainey’s statement said that bottled water is available at the school. Gainey said the goal is to have the situation rectified by the start…

30 Jun

Check on the PAC spring all-conference selections

Randolph RecordSportsAddie Flinchum, Chase Farlow, Dominic Payne, Eastern Randolph Wildcats, Gracie Beane, Jake Riddle, Jake Smith, Jensen Auman, Mollie Bulla, piedmont athletic conference, Providence Grove Patriots, Randleman Tigers, Ryan Marshall, Seth Way, Silas Jessup, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Trinity Bulldogs, Ty Moton, Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles, Wheatmore Warriors, Zach Hazelwood

Addie Flinchum of Eastern Randolph produced a special softball season. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) Piedmont Athletic Conference all-conference Randolph Record Here’s a list of the Piedmont Athletic Conference’s major award winners and all-conference selections for spring sports: Baseball Player of the Year: Seth Way (Randleman) Pitcher of the Year: Jake Riddle (Randleman) Coach of the Year: Jake Smith (Randleman) All-conference Randleman: Tate Andrews, Caden Lasley, Jake Riddle, Braxton Walker, Seth Way. Uwharrie Charter Academy: Tory Carver, Trey Kennedy, Brett Smith, Caleb Stickle. Wheatmore: Caleb Coggins, Clay Hill, Parker Kines. Trinity: Gage Griffiths, Brody Little, Andon Simmons, Ethan Willard Southwestern Randolph: Brady Armfield, Jonah Campbell, Lake Lunsford Providence Grove: Jayten Beasley,…

29 Jun

Randolph County School System superintendent Stephen Gainey set for new NCHSAA role

Bob SuttonSportsEducation, Macie Crutchfield, nchsaa, Randolph County School System, Southwestern Randolph, Stephen Gainey

Stephen Gainey, right, presents an award to Southwestern Randolph pitcher Macie Crutchfield after the Class 2A softball state finals earlier this month in Greensboro. (Jamie Kent / Special to Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – Stephen Gainey has been connected to the North Carolina High School Athletic Association for a long time. Now, there’s something more for the superintendent of the Randolph County School System. He’s the next president of the NCHSAA, which is the governing organization for sports in public schools in the state. He takes that position July 1. “I love the North Carolina High School Athletic Association,” Gainey said.…

28 Jun

Paw-Paw’s Place on Dixie Drive closes in Asheboro

Bob SuttonBusiness, NewsAsheboro, Asheboro restaurants, Dixie III, Paw-Paw's Place, restaurant

Here’s the now-closed location of Paw-Paw’s Place in Asheboro. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – Paw-Paw’s Place has closed one of its two locations in Asheboro after less than three years. The restaurant at 715 East Dixie Drive is no longer operating. Mitchell Simmons, a third-generation owner of Paw-Paw’s Place, said it’s a matter of making it all click. He said Paw-Paw’s Place’s Fayetteville Street location will expand its hours. “It was a lot of things,” he said. “It all worked out in the end.” That leaves the Fayetteville Street location open for breakfast and lunch until evening hours…

28 Jun

Asheboro hires baseball coach from Bunker Hill

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, Brad Rudisell, McCrary Park, Mid-Piedmont Conference, Prep baseball

Brad Rudisell (Courtesy photo) ASHEBORO – Brad Rudisill has been hired as the next baseball coach at Asheboro High School, anxious to reap the benefits of the area’s rich youth baseball environment. Rudisill has been on the Bunker Hill baseball staff for the past three seasons, including the past two as head coach. He said he’s impressed with the commitment and facilities, both on campus and at McCrary Park, connected to Asheboro’s baseball program. “They didn’t leave any stone unturned,” he said. “Just a lot of commitment to excellence. The people were really passionate about Asheboro.” He fills the vacancy…

27 Jun

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Tucker Batten

Randolph RecordSportsathlete of the week, piedmont athletic conference, prep football, Prep tennis, Providence Grove athletics, Tucker Batten

Providence Grove, football / tennis He finished the school year as a multi-sport All-Piedmont Athletic Conference selection for his efforts in football and boys’ tennis. Batten was the kicker for Providence Grove’s football team, connecting for several key kicks during the past couple of seasons. He was on the All-PAC football team as a junior and senior. In tennis, Batten moved up to No. 1 singles for Providence Grove as a senior. ** During the summer, we recognize seniors from the past school year.

26 Jun

Blackledge builds own career with Asheboro ZooKeepers

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Zookeepers, Coastal Plain League, College baseball, Lenoir-Rhyne, Owen Blackledge, summer college baseball

Owen Blackledge has brought energy to the Asheboro ZooKeepers for a second summer. (Courtesy of Asheboro ZooKeepers) Son of former NFL quarterback makes good use of time in Asheboro ASHEBORO – At about this time last year, Owen Blackledge had just left Omaha, Neb., where he was a member of a College World Series team. While some goals and destinations have changed, Blackledge is now in the middle of his second season with the Asheboro ZooKeepers. The rising senior outfielder knows how to make adjustments. He once played collegiately for national power Texas Christian University and now has one year…

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…

25 Jun

Stickle stays in groove with Randolph County Post 45

Bob SuttonSportsAmerican Legion baseball, Caleb Stickle, Grat Dalton, Liberty Post 81, Parker Kines, Post 45, Randolph County Post 45, Ronnie Pugh, Trey Kennedy, Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles

Caleb Stickle, who began the month helping Uwharrie Charter Academy win a state championship, is a key infielder for Randolph County Post 45. (Bob Sutton / Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – Some of the tension might have lessened since the thrilling baseball postseason in high school for Caleb Stickle. But he said he doesn’t want his mindset to change with Randolph County Post 45. Fresh of Uwharrie Charter Academy’s second consecutive Class 1A state championship, he has graduated. Last week, he committed to play for Guilford Tech. “It was getting late,” he said of the desire to lock in a plan.…

24 Jun

Wheatmore distance standout Hazelwood ready to run at different pace

Bob SuttonSportsClass 2-A, nchsaa, prep track and field, Wheatmore athletics, Zach Hazelwood

Zach Hazelwood of Wheatmore relaxes after his final high school race last month in the Class 2A state meet. (Bob Sutton / Randolph Record) GREENSBORO – Zach Hazelwood is looking forward to more relaxing runs after a stellar high school career as the area’s top distance runner. Hazelwood finished his senior year for Wheatmore and figured it’s time to back off from the running pace. “I’m just about ready to be done,” he said following his final high school competition last month at North Carolina A&T’s track in Greensboro. Hazelwood placed 10th in the 3,200 meters in the Class 2A…