Government

Voting turnout strong for primary in Randolph County

Voting turnout strong for primary in Randolph County

ASHEBORO — Voting turnout for next week’s primary appears to be well ahead of the pace for a similar voting cycle in 2018 if Randolph County voters are any indication. In the first seven days of early voting, there were a total of 3,990 voters to turn out among the four voting sites in the county. That left more than a week remaining for voters to cast ballots in advance of the May 17 primary. In 2018, there were 14 days for Randolph County voters to cast ballots in one-stop early voting. Four years ago, 6,376 voters took advantage of…
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Abortion adds to Biden’s stalled to-do list

Abortion adds to Biden’s stalled to-do list

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Joe Biden’s list of impossible tasks keeps getting longer. Despite lofty promises he’s made, from the campaign trail through his first year in office, he has made limited progress to enact his party’s agenda. It’s a disorienting and discouraging state of affairs for Democrats, who control both Congress and the White House for the first time in more than a decade. Biden’s pledge to codify Roe v. Wade into law seems destined for the same rocky shoals where other parts of his agenda, like tax credits for clean energy or legislation that would preempt state voting…
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County board chairman says the restructuring of fire districts is not a tax increase

County board chairman says the restructuring of fire districts is not a tax increase

ASHEBORO – The Randolph County Board of Commissioners met Monday with multiple budget items on the agenda as well as to provide some clarification in regards to the new fire districts. First up, the board of commissioners approved the final design by HH Architecture for the development of the Farm, Food and Family Education Center as well as a budget amendment to reallocate the funds that the county had already set aside for the project.  The plan, which will cost $29,564,000, will have around 44 acres of development with around 60 acres of undeveloped land as a buffer. “There’s a…
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Voters show up for early voting in Randolph County

Voters show up for early voting in Randolph County

ASHEBORO — Turnout has varied at Randolph County’s four locations for early voting during the first few days for the primary. The busiest location has been at the Randolph County Board of Elections on North Fayetteville Street in Asheboro. That site had the largest number of votes in each of the first three days (324, 308, 130). The next most popular early voting site has been Braxton Craven School gym in Trinity, where 142 votes were cast the first day followed by 136 and 58. Franklinville United Methodist Church drew 73, 123 and 64 voters for 260 total. Randleman Civic…
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Community College report shows major economic impact

Community College report shows major economic impact

RALEIGH — A comprehensive new economic impact analysis finds that North Carolina’s 58 Community Colleges have a $19 billion annual impact on the state’s economy and supports more than 320,000 jobs across the state. The economic impact study found for every dollar the state invests in North Carolina’s Community Colleges, the state gains $7.50 in added incomes and social savings. The colleges generate nearly double the revenue from what they take in from the taxpayers. For every $1 the state invests, taxpayers get $1.90 back in added tax revenues and public sector savings, according to the study. “The Community College…
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City council hears public comments on development, alcohol

City council hears public comments on development, alcohol

ASHEBORO — The City of Asheboro Council met last Thursday with hearings for two residential projects and the presentation of the final report on the city’s sewer system on the agenda. While no decision is imminent, the topic of allowing alcoholic beverages to be possessed outside of restaurants and bars was also discussed in the public comments.  Freese and Nichols, Inc. presented their final report and findings for the city’s sanitary sewer collection system before the council. The engineering firm had been commissioned to assess the wastewater collection system and see where the sanitary overflow problem areas were and how…
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Commissioners approve budget amendments, hospital funding

Commissioners approve budget amendments, hospital funding

ASHEBORO — The Randolph County Board of Commissioners held a meeting Monday to vote on multiple budget amendments as well as to approve a funding for new projects.  To kick off the meeting, Lieutenant Reid Linthicum was recognized before the board for 40 years of voluntary service as a Reserve Deputy for Randolph County Sheriff’s Office. “It’s been an honor,” said Sheriff Greg Seabolt on working with Lt. Linthicum. “I’ve been working some more at night and I’ve observed Reid as he’s working with the younger guys. I’ve seen what kind of mentor he is to them. He’s a great…
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Early voting site moves to Trinity

Early voting site moves to Trinity

ASHEBORO — An early voting site for the Archdale and Trinity areas is moving to a new location to help alleviate congestion and create a smoother voting experience, the director of the Randolph County Board of Elections said. The board gave its approval Monday to move the one-stop early voting site to the former Braxton Craven School gym for this spring’s primary. The new location is near Trinity High School. The address is 3037 N.C. Highway 62, Trinity. This is 3.2 miles from the previous location in Archdale. Early voting is scheduled from April 28-May 14. Board director Melissa Johnson…
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Republican candidates debate as primary campaigns kick off

Republican candidates debate as primary campaigns kick off

ASHEBORO — Candidates for Randolph County commissioner and Randolph County sheriff debated Monday night with conservative principles, the role of local leaders and the use of public funds as primary topics. North State Journal editor-in-chief Matt Mercer served as the moderator of the two debates, which featured seven total candidates at the Sunset Avenue Church of God in Asheboro.  Before the debates started, North State Journal publisher Neal Robbins welcomed the crowd of nearly 300 to the first debate sponsored by the newspaper. Sunset Avenue Church of God pastor Boyd Byerly also welcomed the audience and candidates and gave the…
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Gas prices continue to rise

Gas prices continue to rise

Gas prices are advertised at $4.19 per gallon, Monday, March 7, 2022, in downtown Asheboro. (PJ WARD-BROWN/The North State Journal) ASHEBORO — Governors and state lawmakers across the U.S. are scrambling to provide relief from soaring prices at the gas pump. Gas prices were climbing before Russia invaded Ukraine. With Russian crude out of the energy mix in the U.S., fuel prices will likely continue to climb as inflation reaches new high across the U.S. economy. In Asheboro, regular unleaded gasoline topped $4.00 this week with prices as high as $4.19 on Monday. Diesel fuel exceeded $5.00. In announcing a…
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