News - Randolph Record

30 Apr

Grand opening for sportsplex signals next step for major project

Bob SuttonEvents, News, SportsCity of Asheboro, David Smith, Jonathan Sermon, mayor, Zoo City Sportsplex

Here’s a look at Zoo City Sportsplex, a massive multi-purpose park in Asheboro, from last June. The grand opening is this weekend. (Scott Pelkey/Randolph Record) Largest park in Asheboro will offer various activities ASHEBORO – A years-long process of creating a multi-purpose athletic complex is close to the finishing stage. Zoo City Sportsplex has been part of a vision for many city officials, gradually coming to fruition with about six years of construction. “People have been so excited to see and use the sportsplex and they’ve waited patiently,” Asheboro mayor David Smith said. “It’s time to let everyone enjoy it.”…

25 Apr

Liberty Antiques Festival ready for first go-around in 2024

Randolph RecordEvents, NewsLiberty, Liberty Antiques Festival, randolph county

STALEY – The Liberty Antiques Festival is scheduled from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday and Saturday at 2855 Pike Farm Road. There are 400 dealers from more than 25 states expected to be present. Organizers say that items will include 18th to 20th-century furniture, accessories, pottery, glass, clocks, dolls, toys, military items, advertising memorabilia, decoys, jewelry, quilts, folk art, and “in the rough” country Americana. Admission is $10, with ages 12 and younger free. Parking is also free. The event is held twice a year – normally the last Friday and Saturday of April and the final Friday and Saturday of…

23 Apr

Superintendent presents budget for next school year

Bob SuttonNewsbudget, Education, North Carolina Governor's School, Randolph County Board of Education, Randolph County School System, Stephen Gainey

Salary increases make up bulk of expanded RCSS costs ASHEBORO – Stephen Gainey, superintendent of the Randolph County School System, submitted a proposed budget of nearly $27 million for the 2024-25 school year, representing an increase of almost 1.1 percent. The budget as presented last week to the RCSS board of education is listed at $26,846,240. That’s more than a $2 million increase from the proposal for this school year, which checked in at $24,762,040. The increase comes primarily, based on a report from finance officer Marty Trotter, from continuation costs (such as insurance increases, match in retirement increases, charter…

22 Apr

Downtown Asheboro walk comes with a cause

Randolph RecordEvents, NewsChild Abuse Prevention, downtown asheboro

ASHEBORO – The second annual Child Abuse Prevention walk will be held from 9-11:30 a.m. April 26 in downtown Asheboro. The Randolph County Department of Social Services and partners including Randolph Partnership for Children, Randolph County Emergency Services, Randolph County Public Health, Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, Asheboro Police Department, Emmy's House Children's Advocacy Center, and Randolph County Guardian Ad Litem, are hosts for the event to raise public awareness during National Child Abuse Prevention Month. The event will begin with an opening ceremony, followed by a mile walk that will focus on advocating for prevention, building community capacity, and raising awareness…

18 Apr

Southwestern Randolph group performs at St. Patrick’s Cathedral

Bob SuttonFeatures, Newschoral, Education, New York, Southwestern Randolph High School, St. Patrick's Cathedral

Southwestern Randolph High School choral students pose for a photo outside St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York. (Courtesy photo) ASHEBORO – A group of nearly three dozen Southwestern Randolph High School students took part in a special trip to New York during spring break. The concert choir and advanced honors ensemble made up the group. The highlight was performing at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan. That performance of about 40 minutes involved songs specifically for cathedral settings. “It was beautiful,” said Kerri Smith, whose daughter, Skylee, is a member of the honors ensemble. “It was just great.” The group was…

17 Apr

Randolph Savings and Loan building named historic landmark

Ryan HenkelNewsAsheboro City Council, City of Asheboro, Randolph Savings and Loan

ASHEBORO – The Asheboro City Council named the Randolph Savings and Loan building at 115 South Fayetteville St. as a local historic landmark. “This is the dominant, iconic building in downtown Asheboro and it’s nominated for designation by the property owner,” said Ross Holt of the Randolph County Historic Landmark Preservation Commission. “The Randolph Savings and Loan Building was built in 1963 and designed by Alvis George for the firm of J. Hyatt Hammond.” The building is mentioned as a contributing resource to the Downtown Asheboro Historic District, itself on the National Register of Historic Places. “The Landmark Designation Report,…

16 Apr

First Zoo City StrEAT Fest set for Asheboro

Bob SuttonEvents, Newsdowntown asheboro, Downtown Asheboro Inc., Downtown Asheboro Social District, North Carolina Zoo, Zoo City StrEAT Fest

ASHEBORO – This weekend’s inaugural Zoo City StrEAT Fest in downtown Asheboro is a celebration of several ventures. Addie Corder, executive director of Downtown Asheboro Inc., said it’s a chance to recognize North Carolina Zoo’s 50th anniversary along with outdoor activities. There will be outdoor dining, a pop-up farmers’ market and themes associated with Earth Day. “We’ve been able to have so many activities associated with this,” Corder said of StrEAT Fest, which runs from 5-8 p.m. Saturday. North Carolina Zoo will provide education and interactive activities connected to conservation and wildlife. Corder said it’s a truly family-oriented event with…

15 Apr

Pottery group plans spring event in Seagrove

Bob SuttonEvents, Newspottery, Seagrove, Seagrove Area Potters Association

Here’s some work as provided in this photograph from Whynot Pottery. (Courtesy photo) SEAGROVE – Nearly four dozen pottery shops in the area are participating in this week’s “Celebration of Spring” tours. “It is one of our two main events of the year,” said Kathy Bryant, president of the Seagrove Area Potters Association. “It’s a pretty awesome event. It kicks off the spring season.” The activities are based on self-guided tours at participating shops from April 19-21. Each shop specializes in certain styles. There are more than 50 pottery shops in the Seagrove area, with 44 of them involved in…

12 Apr

Growing state, shrinking farmland: American Farmland Trust experts talk about agriculture

Randolph RecordNews, Stateagriculture, NC Ag Leads

Randolph County's conversion rate projected CARY — Regional and state agricultural leaders gathered recently for NC Ag Leads: Imagine Agriculture Day at the SAS campus in Cary, to talk about agriculture, challenges and how to move the industry forward. Cris Coffin, National Ag Land Network Director and Senior Policy Advisor and Dr. Courtney Owens, Southeast Regional Director, both with American Farmland Trust were among the speakers who engaged participants in a thought-provoking conversation about the shrinking agricultural land base in North Carolina. “We are doing a lot more work in the regenerative agriculture space and keeping farmers on the land…

09 Apr

Ramseur water treatment funding approved

Ryan HenkelGovernment, NewsRamseur, Randolph County Board of Commissioners

The Randolph County board of commissioners approved additional funding for the Ramseur water and sewer improvements capital projects at its April 1 meeting, funded through directed grants from the state. The funding will be used to replace the sludge removal system and improve the disinfection system by adding an ammonia-feed system for the creation of chloramines at the town’s water treatment plant. The board also approved the establishment of a new soil and water environmental education coordinator position, as well as the reclassification of the existing soil and water environmental education and support coordinator to environmental education and office administrator.…