News - Randolph Record

07 Jun

Group seeks to aid residents with license restorations

Bob SuttonNewsdrivers license, license restoration clinic, north carolina justice center, pro bono resource center, restoration project

ASHEBORO — A driver’s license restoration clinic is being held Saturday in Asheboro to assist Randolph County residents. Drew Weiner of Gavin & Cox is the president of Randolph County’s chapter of the North Carolina Bar Association. As one of the organizers of the event, which will be held at George Washington Carver Community Center, he said the program is primarily set up to resolve unpaid fines. Nearly two dozen residents have signed up to go through the process. “There’s a form now we can fill out to petition the court to clear up the record,” Weiner said. If that’s…

01 Jun

School news: Principals to shift; Gainey honored; Commencement times listed

Bob SuttonNewscommencement, Education, New principal, Randolph County School System, RCSS, Stephen Gainey

ASHEBORO – The Randolph County School System made a few principal appointments for the next school year. Dennis Hamilton is going from his role as principal at Randleman to become principal at neighboring Providence Grove. No replacement for the Randleman position has been named. Corey Culp, an assistant principal at Liberty Elementary and Grays Chapel Elementary School, will be the principal at Liberty Elementary School. Katie Henderson moves from principal at Coleridge Elementary School to become the principal at Franklinville Elementary School. All the appointments are effective July 1. For schools in the Randolph County School System, the last day…

30 May

Company departs Asheboro for Greensboro site

Bob SuttonBusiness, Government, News

ASHEBORO — Phase Change Solutions, which bills itself as a global leader in temperature control and energy efficient solutions and has been based in Asheboro, is establishing a U.S. headquarters in Greensboro, the company announced last week. Incentives played a role in luring the company to Greensboro for its expansion, according to several reports. Phase Change Solutions has been listed as an Asheboro company with a Pritchard Street address. Company officials didn’t return messages to provide clarity on any future role in Asheboro. Triad Business Journal reported that the company will relocate from Asheboro. Phase Change Solutions hasn’t been a…

24 May

SECU Foundation donates $2 million for Zoo’s Asia habitat

Randolph RecordNewsanimals, Asia Habitat, donation, NC Zoo, SECU, State Employees Credit Union, zoo

ASHEBORO — Last week, the SECU Foundation gifted $2 million to assist with the North Carolina Zoo’s new Asia habitat expansion, which is currently under construction. Members from the foundation presented the check at a private event held at the newly renovated baboon habitat. “Funding from the foundation will enable the zoo to expand its capacity for education and outreach for both virtual and in-person visits through the SECU Visitor View Pavilion and Classroom in Asia, the centerpiece of the new 10-acre complex,” stated the NC Zoo Society and the SECU Foundation in a joint press release. “The Pavilion and…

24 May

Dog bites students at elementary school

Randolph RecordNewsdog, dog bite, playground safety, school safety, Seagrove Elementary School

SEAGROVE — A dog that made it onto the playground area at Seagrove Elementary School last week created an uncomfortable situation. Four students were bitten by the dog during recess. A message from the school principal Jamie Armfield was issued to parents: “I am calling to inform you about a situation in which a dog came onto the playground on our school’s campus today during third and fourth-grade recess and bit four students. Staff members immediately removed all students from the playground and contacted Randolph County Animal Services and Seagrove Police. All students and staff members returned safely to the…

24 May

RCS to consider closing The Virtual Academy by the 2024-25 school year

Ryan Henkel, North State JournalNewsboard of education, NC schools, Randolph County Schools Board of Education

ASHEBORO — The Randolph County Schools Board of Education met Monday, May 15, with multiple recognitions and presentations on the agenda. The board started off the meeting by recognizing the national qualifiers among the different Career and Technical Student Organizations from the local schools. “Each year, students in Career and Technical Student Organizations, or CTSOs, compete in local, regional, and state events to demonstrate skills that they have acquired through curriculum activities and individual efforts outside of the classroom,” said Public Information Officer Tim Moody. “They compete against students from across our state with the hope of earning a chance…

22 May

Incoming RCC president put new jobs on radar

Bob SuttonNewsRandolph Community College, Shah Ardalan

Shah Ardalan is RCC’s new president. ASHEBORO – Dr. Shah Ardalan has been looking for a new venture in education and he found it with Randolph Community College. He was named as the seventh president of the school earlier this month. Ardalan will come from Lone Star College-University Park in Houston. He has been president there since 2012. But RCC wasn’t his only potential destination. Ardalan has been a finalist for at least two other college presidencies the past several years, including a candidate for a similar position in Wisconsin this spring. About a week prior to visiting Asheboro for…

17 May

Zoo looks to address parking pinch

Randolph RecordNewsNC Zoo, North Carolina Zoo, parking, zoo council

ASHEBORO — High attendance on some spring days has created parking issues for North Carolina Zoo. The NC Zoo Council heard details of the situation during last week’s meeting. Zoo director Pat Simmons said there could be plans to expand parking ahead of opening the new Asia exhibit to relieve some of the parking headaches. The Zoo has issued the following advisory: “For your safety and guest experience, the Zoo may need to limit parking once the lots are full. We typically reopen the parking lots once guests start leaving and spaces open.” Some of the parking pinches have come…

10 May

Asheboro High School unveils new renovations

Scott Pelkey, North State JournalNewsADA compliant, Asheboro High School, board of commissioners, construction, renovations

ASHEBORO — After almost five years of construction, Asheboro High School’s renovations are finally complete. On Wednesday, May 3, Asheboro City Schools held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially unveil the new and improved home of the Blue Comets for a crowd of elected officials, school system leadership and members of the media. “This is a culmination of years of work with partners, with the Randolph County Board of Commissioners, with the City of Asheboro and their City Council members, with the Central Office and their staff, and the staff at Randolph County,” said Michael Smith, Chair of City of Asheboro…

08 May

Verizon operates temporary unit in Asheboro

Randolph RecordBusiness, NewsAsheboro, Verizon

Rescue workers prepare to remove a driver from a vehicle last month in Asheboro. (Scott Pelkey/Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – A Verizon store has wheels – temporarily, anyway. The store on East Dixie Drive in Asheboro was damaged by a vehicle last month. In order to remain in position to serve customers, workers are operating out of a mobile trailer. The April 10 accident occurred in the early evening and resulted in the driver being transported to a hospital in Greensboro with injuries that were described as serious but not life-threatening. Rescue crews had to secure the vehicle in place before…