News - Randolph Record

17 Jan

Asheboro alters traffic at intersection

Bob SuttonNewsCity of Asheboro, traffic, Trevor Nuttall

Here's the intersection of Worth Street and Main Street in Asheboro. (City of Asheboro photo) ASHEBORO — There's a new all-way stop at the intersection of Worth Street and Main Street in Asheboro — and more all-way stops could be on the way. The change is a provisional conversion, according to city officials. It's part of a potential cost-saving switch, assistant city manager Trevor Nuttall said. The city announced the decision to analyze the intersection after reviewing traffic data and assessing the cost to replace an out-of-date signal. A replacement would be estimated to exceed $70,000. "The equipment, which is at least 30 years old,…

16 Jan

New RCEDC official ready to support industry growth

Bob SuttonBusiness, NewsDavid Hursey, randolph county, Randolph County Economic Development Corporation

David Hursey (Courtesy photo) ASHEBORO — David Hursey sees vast possibilities as he takes over as the new Existing Industry Director of the Randolph County Economic Development Corporation. “There’s a lot going on here,” Hursey said. “By and large, the county has been well-led. One of the things I want to do is promote the good things that are happening.” Hursey, who began in the role at the beginning of the year, will lead RCEDC’s Business Retention and Expansion program, addressing industry-specific challenges. He said that’s where most of his energy will be directed, seeking to assist businesses with growth.…

15 Jan

Asheboro considers implementation of new fees

Ryan HenkelNewsCity of Asheboro, City of Asheboro Council, Trevor Nuttall

ASHEBORO – The City of Asheboro has enjoyed stable growth as of late, but it may have to start addressing concerns brought about by that growth. At the Asheboro City Council’s Jan. 9 meeting, the council was presented with an initial look at the potential implementation of water and sewer system development fees for the city. “Asheboro’s growing,” said Michael Rhoney, Water Resources director. “Growth is great, but with growth comes capacity issues.” The city does not have water and sewer system development fees, but the implementation of them is structured as to not burden existing customers. “These are charges…

13 Jan

RCSS parents go on alert with phone snags

Bob SuttonNewsEducation, Randolph County School System, RCSS, Stephen Gainey

ASHEBORO — Officials with the Randolph County School System are working with a new provider to work out snags that have popped up regarding the district’s alert system. Amber Ward, the public information officer for RCSS, said a couple of phone carriers have blocked the number used for the alerts so that messages haven’t reached all their intended audiences. The situation became heightened last week when there were weather-related delays and closures. Ward said RCSS switched during the summer to a different website provider and, as part of that, it has meant a different process for the phone alert system.…

12 Jan

Asheboro picks next city manager from western North Carolina

Bob SuttonGovernment, NewsCity of Asheboro, David Smith, Donald Duncan, John Ogburn

Donald Duncan (Courtesy photo) ASHEBORO – Donald Duncan, who has been involved in city and county government in the western part of North Carolina, will be the next city manager for Asheboro. Duncan was selected among several dozen applicants. “My family and I are excited to join the Asheboro community,” Duncan said in a statement. “I aspire to live up to the trust placed in me by a wonderful Mayor and dedicated City Council.” Duncan, 47, spent the last three years as Caldwell County manager. Before that, he was city manager in Conover for 15 years. He has bachelor’s degree in…

09 Jan

Randolph County presented with positive financial reports

Ryan HenkelNewsDarrell Frye, Randolph County Commissioners

ASHEBORO – The Randolph County Board of Commissioners received a positive report on its annual audit during the group's first meeting of the year Monday. “All four of the opinions we rendered are what we call unmodified opinions,” said April Adams, Partner at Cherry Bekaert, the county’s auditing firm. “Those are the best opinions you can get. It’s giving you an indication that your financial statements are free from material misstatement and that’s the highest level of assurance we can give you as an audit firm.” It’s another year of clean audits for the county which has made such accolades…

08 Jan

Asheboro church plans large missions event for weekend

Bob SuttonEvents, NewsFirst Baptist Church of Asheboro, missions, Religion

ASHEBORO -- First Baptist Church of Asheboro has an expanded program coming this weekend as part of a celebration of 25-plus years of mission work. The Church-Wide World Mission Conference on Saturday at the church’s Christian Life Center is open to members and attendees from other churches and the community at-large. The conference kicks off the 2025 mission program for the church. The church's mission team was created in 2000. Jimmy Huffman was a founding member of the church’s “On Mission Team” and he’s helping direct Saturday’s program. “This is a time of celebration and looking forward,” Huffman said. Huffman,…

06 Jan

Dozens of films set for Sunset Film Festival in Asheboro

Randolph RecordEntertainment, NewsSunset Film Festival, Sunset Theater

ASHEBORO -- The second annual “Mightier Than the Sword” awards show will be part of the Sunset Film Festival this week at Sunset Theatre. Organizer Ty Brueilly of Asheboro has lined up a variety of guests to supplement the show. Preliminary activities begin midweek before the main attractions Friday and Saturday. Thursday has been reserved for a variety of North Carolina-based films. In total, at least 75 films will be shown. Most of those fall into the category of short films. Brueilly said shorts, music videos, documentaries and independent and major features will be part of the festival. There are…

01 Jan

Court gives Randleman woman new trial in self-defense case

Associated PressNewscrime, Randleman, randolph county

RALEIGH — A North Carolina appeals court has said for a second time that a woman convicted of killing her lover should receive a new trial, declaring that text messages and photos from her cellphone wrongly presented to the jury likely prevented her acquittal on self-defense grounds. A divided three-judge panel of the intermediate-level Court of Appeals ruled this week that the judge in the 2019 trial of Wendy Dawn Lamb Hicks erred by allowing that evidence from local prosecutors and without instructions to jurors limiting how it should be considered. The jury convicted Hicks of second-degree murder in the…

31 Dec

2024 in review: Politics, sadness and projects in Randolph County

Bob SuttonNews2024, 2024 elections, crime, randolph county, Year in Review

ASHEBORO – Politics tended to dominate much of the conversation in Randolph County during 2024. Even the presidential campaign made inroads in the county. There was an August campaign event featuring Donald Trump, who was voted back into office in November. The November results weren’t only favorable for Trump among Republicans. The party maintained its stronghold on local politics. That included the Randolph County Board of Commissioners, who remained dominated by Republicans. Lester Rivenbark was elected to become a newcomer on the board. There were heavy voter turnouts in Randolph County, pretty much mirroring what was happening around the state…