News - Randolph Record

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.…

24 Mar

Highway construction begins on major project in Asheboro

Bob SuttonNewsAsheboro, N.C. 220, NCDOT, road construction, U.S. 64

The road widening involving U.S. 64 in Asheboro will mean ongoing construction for several years. ASHEBORO — Work on widening of the bypass from U.S. 64 to N.C. 49 in Asheboro has started and construction on the project is expected to last for several years. “It’s a lot of work,” said Cary Fine, the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s resident engineer for Randolph County. This project will widen U.S. 64 to multi-lanes, from the Asheboro bypass to east of interchange at N.C. 49, replace the low clearance bridge on N.C. 49 that goes over U.S. 64, and modify ramps at…

22 Mar

Asheboro approves multiple rezoning requests for housing, business expansions

Ryan HenkelGovernment, NewsAsheboro City Council, City of Asheboro

ASHEBORO – The Asheboro City Council had a busy agenda at its regular business meeting this month, including a handful of land use hearings. The first hearing the council held was a quasi-judicial hearing for the application of a special use permit for property located at 1730 South Fayetteville St. for the installation of a billboard. The council also held four rezoning requests, including one for approximately 3.7 acres of property located east of Ridgewood Circle for an amended High-Density Residential Conditional Zoning district (RA6-CZ) for a 10-dwelling, townhouse-style, planned residential development. The second rezoning request was for approximately one…

20 Mar

‘Ride the Rise’ campaign promotes Randolph County

Bob SuttonNewsrandolph county, Randolph County Economic Development Corporation

ASHEBORO — There’s a concentrated campaign to bring business interests to Randolph County and to attract more residents. This is a targeted effort on social media launched by the Randolph County Economic Development Corporation. This is titled “Ride the Rise,” an effort to showcase the county’s assets and drawn attention to the county. A video touts Randolph County as “the perfect place to live, work and visit.” It’s an effort to highlight growing industries and the need for a larger labor force. “Jobs of the future” are emphasized. “We want to redefine the narrative and showcase all the good happening…

17 Mar

New Asheboro city manager sworn in

Randolph RecordGovernment, Newscity manager, City of Asheboro, David Smith, Donald Duncan, John Ogburn

Donald Duncan Jr. is sworn in as new manager for the City of Asheboro on Monday. He’s accompanied by his wife, Amanda, center, and daughter, Julianna. (City of Asheboro photo) ASHEBORO — Donald Duncan Jr. became the city manager in Asheboro during an Oath of Office ceremony Monday morning. It’s the first time in nearly a quarter century that there’s a new person in that position. Duncan replaces retiring John Ogburn, who held the position for 24 years. Duncan’s hiring was announced in January. Local elected official and city staff were on hand for the ceremony welcoming Duncan. Duncan had…

13 Mar

Lineup of annual concerts set for Asheboro; Mayor’s forum rescheduled

Bob SuttonEntertainment, Events, Government, NewsBicentennial Park, City of Asheboro, David Smith, planning board, summer concert series

ASHEBORO — The lineup of nine free concerts in Asheboro has been announced by the City of Asheboro and Downtown Asheboro Inc. The Rock’n the Park Concert Series is slated for Friday nights at Bicentennial Park and the long-standing Summer Concert Series will have another edition on Sundays. The Friday concerts begin with opening acts at 6:30 p.m. and the tribute band performance at 8 p.m. They are slated for May 30 (Live Wire), June 27 (Fix You), July 25 (Slippery When Wet) and Aug. 15 (Chicago Rewired). “This event not only creates a vibrant atmosphere for our community but…

12 Mar

County commissioners approve expansion of Employee Wellness Center staffing

Ryan HenkelGovernment, NewsDarrell Frye, randolph county, Randolph County Commissioners, Sam Varner

ASHEBORO – Randolph County employees have enjoyed the Employee Wellness Center – a wellness program aimed to better support and retain county employees and their families – for just more than a year now and they could see even more of it in the coming years. At its meeting Monday, the Randolph County Board of Commissioners approved a new contract with Atrium Health for the expansion of staffing at the Employee Wellness Center in anticipation of increased demand and expanded wellness initiatives. “We’ve had our clinic open for about 14 months and we’ve had tremendous success,” wellness administrator Sam Varner…

11 Mar

Big companies paid higher wages in Randolph County in 2024

Bob SuttonBusiness, Events, NewsDavid Hursey, Employment, Kevin Franklin, randolph county, Randolph County Economic Development Corporation

ASHEBORO — Large companies tend to offer higher wages for workers in Randolph County based on a survey overseen by the Randolph County Economic Development Corporation. Companies with more than 200 employees paid higher wages than smaller companies in 2024. However, respondents reported that companies with up to 49 employees and those with 50-99 employees paid higher wages than companies with 100-200 employees. The survey was conducted among manufacturing and technical companies. Data came from 33 local companies employing a total of 4,529 workers. “These results confirm Randolph County is home to a robust, competitive job market,” said Kevin Franklin,…

06 Mar

Fast food scene grows in Randolph County

Bob SuttonBusiness, NewsArchdale, Randleman, randolph county

This Cook Out in Randleman opened during the winter. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) The fast food restaurant scene has evolved in parts of Randolph County the past few months in a few locations. The opening of Cook Out in Randleman has resulted in a parking lot often close to being filled with automobiles on some evenings. It’s a dine-in restaurant as the chain has evolved in recent years by adding more dine-in locations in addition to the drive-thru sites. Randleman’s Cook Out is located on West Academy Street near Sheets. It’s housed in a former bank building, with hours…