News - Randolph Record

05 Jun

High schools set to bestow diplomas in Randolph County (updated with RCSS graduation numbers)

Bob SuttonNewsAsheboro City Schools, commencement, Education, Randolph County School System, Stephen Gainey, Uwharrie Charter Academy

Commencements coming up for hundreds of area students Commencements for most high school seniors will be held across the next several nights in Randolph County. Hundreds of students will take part in ceremonies marking the ends of their high school days. Friday night’s ceremony for Asheboro City Schools is set for Lee J. Stone Stadium, where there are expected to be 307 graduates. Asheboro has the largest senior class of any school in the county. Uwharrie Charter Academy’s ceremony will be Friday night in the central gym on campus, with about 150 graduates marking the school’s largest class. Last year,…

03 Jun

Liberty Public Library announces shift in hours

Randolph RecordNewsLiberty, Liberty Public Library, Randolph County Public Libraries

LIBERTY – Hours for the Liberty Public Library are changing as of this week. The adjustments come for Tuesdays and Thursdays, with the library opening at 11 a.m. rather than 9 a.m. In making the announcement on the time shifts, the library pointed out that mornings on Tuesdays and Thursdays were generally the slowest periods in the building. By opening later on those days, the intent is provide staff opportunities for community outreach programs, largely in the local school and preschools. Updated library hours are: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday and Friday, 11…

01 Jun

Randolph County School System expands free lunch program

Ryan HenkelNewsboard of education, Education, free lunch, Randolph County School System

All elementary and middle schools will be able to offer free meals Randolph County Schools Board of Education was presented with the list of schools that will be operating under the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) for the 2024-25 school year. “School Nutrition plans to expand the Community Eligibility Provision or CEP program to all middle schools, Uwharrie Ridge 6-12 and Eastern Randolph High School,” Kelly Green, director of school nutrition, said a May meeting. “As you may know, this past school year, we added all elementary schools, Ramseur Elementary has been operating under it since 2015, and Southeastern Randolph Middle.”…

31 May

Parents of shooting suspect in Asheboro fatality face felony charges

Randolph RecordNewsAsheboro, Asheboro Police Department, crime, shooting, Southwestern Randolph High School

ASHEBORO – The Asheboro Police Department obtained warrants for the parents of a teenage suspect in a fatal shooting earlier this month. They’ve been charged with aiding the suspect in evading arrest. Both the mother, Denisse Vera-Covarrubias, and the father, Alfredo Martinez Ramirez, were placed in Randolph County Jail, the police department said. Pedro Ortiz-Perez died May 14, nearly two weeks after a shooting near North Asheboro Park. Ortiz-Perez, 16, was a member of the high school boys’ soccer team at Southwestern Randolph. Vera-Covarrubias, 43, was taken into custody at her home and transported to the jail with a felony…

30 May

Retired Randolph County deputy, wife die in wreck (updated)

Randolph RecordNews

CHADBOURN – Retired Randolph County deputy John Davie Garner and his wife, Alisha, died as a result of an automobile accident Wednesday in Columbus County. The couple was on the on the way home from a vacation, the Randolph County sheriff’s office announced Thursday. Greg Seabolt, the Randolph County sheriff, said in a statement: “During this time of loss, we are left with an emptiness that cannot be explained. We must hold true to our faith that one day we will see each other again. Rest easy good and faithful servant, we’ll take it from here.” John…

29 May

Randolph County volunteer fire departments receive more than $42K in grants

Randolph RecordNewsfire districts, randolph county, volunteer firefighter

The North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal announced the recipients of the 2024 Volunteer Fire Department Fund, also known as Fire Grant, earlier this month. Three departments in Randolph County received more than $42,000 between them. Farmer Fire was awarded $19,984, New Hope Fire received $11,619 and Ramseur Fire received $10,571. The money will go toward new equipment and must be paired with matching funds. "Fire and rescue organizations protect our communities large and small across North Carolina, but sometimes their budgets don't grow with their responsibilities," Brian Taylor, State Fire Marshal, said in the announcement. "Our emergency service…

28 May

Ross Stores to build distribution center in Randleman

Bob SuttonBusiness, NewsEmployment, jobs, Randleman, Ross Stores

More than 850 new jobs expected by 2026 RANDLEMAN – Ross Stores, a Fortune 500 company, is planning to build a Southeastern region distribution center in Randleman, state officials announced Tuesday. The distribution center will add 852 jobs to Randolph County by late in 2026. It's an investment listed at $450 million. The Randleman site – covering about 330 acres near N.C. 74 in the northwest corner of Randleman – will be the company's ninth distribution center. It will be in a 1.7 million square-foot facility on 330 acres for warehousing, fulfillment, and packing operations. Ross Stores is a $20 billion,…

26 May

New playground coming for Grays Chapel Elementary School

Bob SuttonFeatures, NewsApril Wood, Education, Franklinville, Grays Chapel Elementary School, Randolph County School System

The daughter/father combination of Melanie Neighbors, left, and Lonnie Allred pose with memorabilia during Grays Chapel Elementary School’s 100-year celebration this spring. (Courtesy photo) Funds raised during 100-year celebration aid project FRANKLINVILLE – The 100th anniversary celebration for Grays Chapel Elementary School went so well this spring that a new playground will be installed soon on the rural school’s grounds. “All the funds we raised that day went toward the playground,” said April Wood, a kindergarten teacher and one of the anniversary event organizers. “We raised enough money to pay for the installment and some additional pieces.” The Randolph County…

24 May

U.S. 421 to become I-685 through Randolph County

Jordan Golson and PJ Ward-BrownNewsGreensboro-Randolph megasite, I-685, Liberty, megasite

N.C. Transportation secretary Joey Hopkins, left, and N.C. Transportation board member Lisa Mathis stand next to a Future I-685 sign during Monday's ceremony in Liberty. (P.J. Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) Upgrading the highway to interstate standards will take years LIBERTY — With an interstate cutting through Randolph County, it’s going to contribute to the area’s growth, Darrell Frye said. Frye, chair of the Randolph County commissioners, was among the state and local leaders gathering Monday to celebrate the designation of U.S. Highway 421 as the future Interstate 685. “I think it’s a recognition of what’s happening here in this part…

23 May

Asheboro to conduct downtown parking study

Ryan HenkelNewsAsheboro City Council, City of Asheboro, downtown asheboro

(Randolph Record file photo) ASHEBORO – The Asheboro City Council approved a study of parking downtown during its May meeting. “Downtown parking availability and management has been an ongoing issue as our downtown has continued to revitalize,” Community Development director Trevor Nuttall said at the meeting. “We think it’s time to bring in an expert in parking operations to look at our existing inventory, supply and demand and present you with potential changes to regulations and policies and offer strategies to improve the overall parking conditions downtown.” In other business, the council will ask the North Carolina Division of Aviation…