News - Randolph Record

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…

21 May

Veterans Council gears up for Memorial Day weekend in Randolph County

Bob SuttonEvents, NewsMemorial Day, randolph county, veterans

Here was part of the scene last year during a Memorial Day ceremony in Asheboro. (Randolph Record file photo) ASHEBORO – Placing flags at the graves of veterans is one of the activities taking place in advance of Memorial Day in Randolph County. Rob Wilkins, commander of the Randolph County Veterans Council, said it’s an important undertaking. “We need the public’s help,” Wilkins said. “We provide the flags for them. We want to encourage folks to do this whether they use our flags or purchase their own.” At 9 a.m. Saturday, veterans organizations and volunteers will place American flags on…

20 May

Teen shooting victim’s death mourned at county school

Randolph RecordNewsAsheboro, Asheboro Police Department, death, Randolph Health, shooting, Southwestern Randolph High School

Pedro Ortiz-Perez (Courtesy photo) Southwestern Randolph sophomore played on soccer team ASHEBORO – Southwestern Randolph High School has been mourning the loss of 16-year Pedro Ortiz-Perez, who was the victim of a fatal shooting earlier this month. Ortiz-Perez died May 14 from injuries sustained in the incident near North Asheboro Park, Asheboro police said. Ortiz-Perez was injured in a shooting May 3 and transported to the emergency room at Randolph Hospital by vehicle with a gunshot wound to the jaw and neck. He was later transferred to UNC Medical Center in Chapel Hill, where he had remained in critical condition. Ortiz-Perez…

16 May

Asheboro district shifts principals at several schools

Randolph RecordNewsAsheboro City Schools, Asheboro High School, New principal, principals

Reassignments impact nearly every location in city ASHEBORO – Four elementary schools and South Asheboro Middle Schools will have new principals when the 2024-25 school year begins. The Asheboro City Board of Education approved the changes at last week’s meeting. Balfour Elementary School’s new principal will be Nikia Domally, who moves from that role at Lindley Park Elementary School. She has been with the district since 2004, when she taught Spanish at the high school. She has been principal at Lindley Park since 2016. Lindley Park Elementary School’s new principal will be Keisha Dawalt, who has been North Asheboro…

15 May

Holden sworn in as Randolph County manager

Ryan HenkelNewsArchdale, Asheboro City Schools, Darrell Frye, Hal Johnson, Randolph County Commissioners, Zeb Holden

Zeb Holden, left, was sworn in as Randolph County manager earlier this month as county commissioners look on. (Photo courtesy of Randolph County) Zeb Holden was sworn in as Randolph County manager by the Randolph County Board of Commissioners at its May 6 meeting. “We have always promoted a county manager from within,” said board chairman Darrell Frye. “This time, we did a search. This was the first time we’ve ever posted a job and did a search for a county manager.” The county received some 37 applications from more than a half-dozen different states, including from as far away…

12 May

Early voting wraps up for special second primary

Randolph RecordGovernment, Newsearly voting, randolph county, Republican primary, voting

ASHEBORO – There were 666 ballots cast in early voting in Randolph County for this week’s special second Republican primary. The 13 days of early voting at the county’s Board of Election headquarters had as few as 26 voters on the first day and as many as 87 on Friday. There were 79 voters Saturday on the last day of early voting. On Tuesday, voters are required to cast ballots at their designated precincts. Polls are open from 6:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Republican voters are asked to select candidates in this special run-off election for lieutenant governor (Hal Weatherman and Jim…