News - Randolph Record

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…

06 May

Asheboro, county schools take precautions from social media threat

Randolph RecordNewsAsheboro City Schools, Randolph County School System, Randolph County Sheriff's Office, Social Media

ASHEBORO – Schools throughout Randolph County continued with classes Friday with increased law enforcement presence because of threats stemming from social media. The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office deployed extra deputies to all school campuses, according to the department. “As in any instance of a threat, precautions are being taken. Additional law enforcement are present on school campuses in Randolph County," according to a statement from the sheriff’s office. A Snapchat threat was sent throughout the state and to other parts of the country, according to several reports. Asheboro City Schools continued operations, though advisories were sent to parents. As part…

03 May

Commissioners approve construction of onsite medical clinic for employees

Ryan Henkel, North State JournalGovernment, Newsgovernment, local government, meeting, Randolph County Commissioners

ASHEBORO — The Randolph County Board of Commissioners met Monday, May 1, with multiple budgetary requests on the agenda. The board first approved a $10,000 grant for the George Washington Carver College, Inc. after-school program. “What we did was team up with Communities in Schools, Asheboro City Schools and the City of Asheboro,” said George Washington Carver Community Enrichment Center Chairman Clyde Faust. “We got Communities in Schools to go and help us find retired teachers that would help create a foundation for developing those study habits. Some professional teachers who are going to come in and who are going…

02 May

Asheboro Fall Festival returning as one-day event

Randolph RecordEntertainment, Events, NewsAsheboro Fall Festival, Randolph Arts Guild

ASHEBORO — After three years of cancellations, the 48th Fall Festival will be held Saturday, Oct. 7, as a one-day event. The festival will continue to feature arts and craft vendors, musical performances, and food. “While the Fall Festival has historically been held over two days, this year, based on the responses and feedback of vendors, attendees and community members, the Fall Festival will be a one-day event,” said a statement from the Randolph Arts Guild. The Arts Guild release said the event would comply “with the recommendations of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services for guidance…

26 Apr

Asheboro’s Aldi cleared after penalties

Randolph RecordNewsaldi, inspection, penalties, price error

ASHEBORO — The Aldi store in Asheboro passed reinspection after paying nearly $4,500 in penalties for excessive price-scanner errors. The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Standards Division reported last week that the store at 1318 Dixie Dr. had a 0 percent error rate in March’s visit. In December, an initial inspection found an error rate of 6 percent based on three overcharges in a 50-item lot. A follow-up in January showed a 3 percent error rate. The store paid $4,470 in penalties, according to the NCDACS. Also, the Dollar General on South Main Street in High Point…

20 Apr

Randleman’s Petty statue honors driver for many deeds

Scott Pelkey, North State JournalNewsRandleman, Richard Petty

RANDLEMAN – Hundreds of residents and fans gathered Saturday afternoon in Randleman to see the unveiling of a statue of the “King of NASCAR” himself, Richard Petty, at the new Richard Petty Tribute Park. The event was the culmination of five years of planning and fundraising by the Randolph County Tourism Development Authority, which raised the funds for the statue and park, along with a donation from NASCAR. The public ceremony took place on Hilliary Street, behind the police station and next to the library. The opening ceremony drew a crowd estimated of more than 200 people, consisting of the…

20 Apr

Strider family dealership continues legacy

Emmie Brooks, North State JournalNewsHome Plate Motors, strider, Toby Strider

ASHEBORO — A dream that began as a high school boy working at a service station cleaning cars has transformed into a family legacy for the Asheboro community and beyond. Donald and his son, Toby Strider, have long been patrons of the area and have plans to continue their legacy by allowing new ownership of the Strider-Buick-GMC-Subaru dealership and the expansion of their used car dealership Home Plate Motors. “The dream of having a new car dealership just evolved,” Toby said. “He [Donald] went from washing cars to buying and selling a few used cars, to having his own lot.” …