News - Randolph Record

16 Apr

Public hearing to be held for potential closure of Virtual Academy at Randolph

Ryan HenkelNewsEducation, Randolph County Board of Education, Randolph County School System, RCSS, Stephen Gainey, The Virtual Academy at Randolph

ASHEBORO — The Randolph County School System is looking to close the Virtual Academy at Randolph. At the Randolph County Schools Board of Education’s meeting this month, the board was presented with a study the district had done which focused primarily on the “welfare of the students who are enrolled in the school should the Virtual Academy at Randolph be closed.” “If we sent the students back to their schools that they were assigned to because of the closure of this school, it would not lead to any disruptive enrollment increases in those schools,” said Stephen Gainey, RCSS superintendent. “The closure…

14 Apr

Illegal gambling targeted by Asheboro police

Randolph RecordNewsAsheboro, Asheboro Police Department, crime

Utopia on North Park Street in Asheboro is one of the establishments included in the police department’s investigation. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) ASHEBORO — A crackdown on illegal gambling rooms in Asheboro has resulted in five arrests after an extended operation. The Asheboro Police Department executed search warrants on four locations. The targeted establishments were Oklahoma Games on Zoo Parkway, Utopia on North Park Street, Spin City on South Cox Street and The Room II on White Oak Street. Police seized 314 hard drives, five firearms, four video surveillance systems and almost $70,000 The police department says that detectives found that the establishments…

11 Apr

Randolph Community College hires new academic chief

Randolph RecordNewsLisa Johnson, Randolph Community College

Lisa Johnson (Courtesy photo) ASHEBORO — Lisa Johnson will be Randolph Community College's chief academic officer beginning next month. Johnson has been hired away from Alamance Community College to become RCC's next vice president of learning and workforce development. She has more than 16 years of experience in academic administration, workforce development, and student support in the North Carolina Community College System. “Dr. Johnson is a transformational leader who understands the evolving needs of our students, faculty, and communities,” said Shah Ardalan, RCC's president. “Her personal story — from first-generation college graduate to First Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force to community…

10 Apr

Commissioners approve purchase of property for new Randleman High School

Ryan HenkelNewsDarrell Frye, Education, Randleman High School, Randolph County Board of Commissioners, Randolph County School System

ASHEBORO – Randolph County has moved one step closer toward the construction of a new high school. At this week's meeting, the Randolph County Board of Commissioners approved a budget amendment to allocate $6 million for the purchase of approximately 90 acres of property located on Walker Mill Road intended to be utilized for the site of a new Randleman High School. “Approximately one year ago, this board authorized the Randolph County School System to begin looking for land for future locations for Liberty Elementary School and Randleman High School,” county manager Zeb Holden said. “It took some time, but…

09 Apr

Randleman Chamber receives scholarship

Randolph RecordNewsJeff Freeman, Randleman Chamber of Commerce

RANDLEMAN — The Randleman Chamber was awarded a scholarship for executive director Jeff Freeman to attend a fall management conference in South Carolina. That was announced during the Carolinas Association of Chambers of Commerce Executive last month in Chapel Hill. In all, 35 scholarships were awarded to CACCE members. Chambers receiving scholarships similar to Freeman were representing the Alleghany County Chamber, Anson County Chamber, Greater Topsail Area Chamber and Stanly County Chamber. Also, the Archdale-Trinity Chamber was awarded one of 22 scholarships to assist with registration. The CACCE is a membership organization of chambers of commerce from North Carolina and South Carolina. The annual…

08 Apr

Youth-related Easter events dot schedule around Asheboro

Bob SuttonEvents, NewsAsheboro Easter Eggstravaganza, Bicentennial Park, Easter

ASHEBORO — The Easter Eggstravaganza for area youth is scheduled for Saturday at Bicentennial Park. Presented by the Asheboro Cultural & Recreation Services, this is a free event from 10 a.m.-noon in downtown. “It’s a short and sweet thing we do every year," said Kelli King, program coordinator with the department. Ages 1-10 can participate in the egg hunt, while all participants receive a complimentary goodie bag as they leave. Hunt times are at 10 a.m. for younger groups (up to age 7) and 11 a.m. for older participants. “We do different times just because I don’t want a 4-year-old trying to grant eggs with…

03 Apr

Job fair in Randolph County designed for veterans

Bob SuttonEvents, Newsjob fair, Randolph County Veterans Services

ASHEBORO — A job fair combined with other information for veterans is scheduled for Saturday at South Asheboro Middle School. The Veterans Resource and Job Fair will be held from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at South Asheboro Middle School. The event, which is sponsored and organized by the Randolph County Veterans Services Office, is designed exclusively for veterans, providing valuable resources and opportunities to enhance their lives post-service. Rita Honeycutt, veteran services officer, said this is a first-time event in the county. She said this is an opportunity for interaction and information that might not always be so accessible in rural areas for…

31 Mar

Mayor touts growing pride in Asheboro’s rise

Bob SuttonEvents, Government, NewsAsheboro City Council, City of Asheboro, David Smith, John Ogburn, Randolph Community College

Randolph Community College honored a pair of city leaders during last week’s mayor’s report on campus. Mayor David Smith and former city manager John Ogburn were recognized with gifts. Left to right are RCC board of trustees vice chair James Goudy, RCC president Shah Ardalan, Smith, Ogburn and RCC board chair Reynolds Lisk. (Randolph Community College photo) ASHEBORO — David Smith said he was pleased with how his presentation to the community was received last week. The soon-to-be-retiring mayor of Asheboro gave a report to citizens as his time as elected official has entered its final year. “I just highlighted what we’ve…

27 Mar

Randolph County announces burn ban due to fire risk

Randolph RecordNewsNorth Carolina Forestry Service, randolph county

ASHEBORO — A burn ban is in effect across Randolph County, prohibiting all open burning. Issued by fire marshal Erik Beard on March 21, it aligns with a statewide North Carolina Forestry Service ban. Trash, lumber or tire burning remains illegal. Grills are allowed. Violations may result in a Class 3 misdemeanor with fines of $10 to $50 per day.

26 Mar

RCSS board chair addresses school safety in light of Hopewell Elementary School incident

Ryan HenkelNewsboard of education, Education, Gary Cook, Hopewell Elementary School, Randolph County School System, RCSS, Stephen Gainey

ASHEBORO – The Randolph County Schools Board of Education addressed the incident at Hopewell Elementary School at its March meeting. On Feb. 26, a man entered Hopewell Elementary through a broken door during school hours. While the man didn't seem to have any ill intent nor did he harm anybody in the school, it raised concerns among parents and district staff regarding the safety of the district’s schools. “That should have never happened, but it did happen and we have to learn from that, get better and take steps so that it never happens again,” board chair Gary Cook said.…