News - Randolph Record

08 Mar

Republican legislators reach Medicaid expansion deal

Associated PressNewsGOP, legislature, medicaid expansion, republican

RALEIGH — North Carolina legislative leaders announced last Thursday an agreement to expand Medicaid to hundreds of thousands of additional low-income adults through the Affordable Care Act. The deal, which likely won’t be voted on until later this month at the earliest, marks a milestone for Republican lawmakers, most of whom opposed expansion for a decade until recently. North Carolina has been one of 11 states that has not adopted Medicaid expansion. If the deal goes through, the state would start providing expansion coverage to people starting next January. “This is something that we can all be very proud of,”…

08 Mar

Archdale lands packaging company

Bob SuttonBusiness, NewsArchdale, business, economy, packaging

ARCHDALE — Archdale has another manufacturing operation coming that should boost jobs in the area. Axium Packaging, a manufacturer of packaging and containers, will create 118 jobs in Randolph County across a three-year period, according to last week’s announcement from Gov. Roy Cooper’s office. The company will invest $32 million to build a manufacturing facility in Archdale. “We’re really happy to see it,” Archdale mayor Lewis Dorsett said. “We’ve been working on getting that site ready for more than a year.” Headquartered in New Albany, Ohio, Axium is a manufacturer of packaging for personal care, household chemical, over-the-counter pharmaceuticals, and…

08 Mar

Board of Commissioners approves Medical Assisted Therapy for addiction issues in Randolph County Detention Center

Ryan Henkel, North State JournalGovernment, Newsaddiction, approval, board of commissioners, funding, medical assisted therapy, substance abuse

ASHEBORO — The Randolph County Board of Commissioners met Monday, March 6, with various funding requests on the agenda for potential action. The board first approved a contract amendment with Mediko for Medical Assisted Therapy in the Randolph County Detention Center. “This is the use of medications in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, which is effective in the treatment of opioid use disorders and can help some people to sustain recovery,” said Chief Deputy Aundrea Azelton. “Funding would provide the service of two MAT nurses to assist in the administration of the program.” The medications included being Suboxone, which…

01 Mar

Randolph Electric Membership Corp. helps purchase new fire engines

Randolph RecordNewsfire engines, funding, Moore County, randolph county, Randolph Electric Membership Corp, REMC, USDA

Last week, Randolph Electric Membership Corporation (REMC) officials presented state and local fire representatives with checks to assist with purchasing new fire engines. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) awarded the REMC grants for each fire truck – $225,000 to Robbins Fire Rescue in Moore County and $360,000 to the Ulah Volunteer Fire Department in Randolph County – through the Rural Economic Development Loan & Grant program. “We are thankful to receive this funding from Randolph EMC,” said Charlotte King, fire chief of Ulah VFD. “This new fire engine will benefit the residents and businesses of southern Randolph County,…

01 Mar

New male lion officially arrives at NC Zoo

Randolph RecordNewsanimals, Haji, lion, NC Zoo, zoo

ASHEBORO — A new lion residing at the North Carolina Zoo is available to be seen by the public as of last week. All 400 pounds of him. The 3-year-old male lion, Haji, came from Audobon Zoo in New Orleans. He’ll be a companion for Mekita, 13. Haji and Mekita are on a rotating schedule where guests can see them in their habitat. Guests should be able to spot Haji by his growing mane, which is mohawk style. His mane will continue to grow and darken as he ages. “We’re excited our guests now get to see Haji more often,”…

22 Feb

Rep. Hudson visits Randolph Emergency Services in Asheboro

Randolph RecordNews911, Asheboro, call center, Richard Hudson, US Representative

U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson (NC-09) made a stop in Asheboro last Thursday with Congress out of session. In a visit to Randolph County’s Emergency Services department, Hudson was able to thank first responders for their work and tour the building. He visited the 911 call center and spoke with county leaders. A day earlier, Hudson opened his new flagship district office in Southern Pines. “As your Congressman, I am committed to delivering results for families throughout our region and providing top-notch customer service from our offices in both Washington, D.C. and North Carolina,” said Hudson at a ribbon-cutting ceremony. “I…

22 Feb

Board of Education accepts grant to help supply new SROs

Ryan Henkel, North State JournalNewsboard of education, bus drivers, randolph county, student resource officers

ASHEBORO — The Randolph County Board of Education met Monday, February 20, with mostly financial updates and dealings on the agenda. Superintendent Stephen Gainey presented to the board a current expense request to be brought before the Randolph Board of Commissioners in May for a supplement increase for classified employees. “The new current expense request will be a supplement increase for classified employees by 1.5%,” Gainey said. “The total cost of this additional current expense request will be $430,000, and if approved, it would take our supplement percentage for classified employees from 3.75% to 5.25%.” “Many times when the state…

16 Feb

Chick-fil-A’s new cauliflower sandwich comes to Asheboro location

Bob SuttonNewsAsheboro restaurants, Cauliflower sandwich

ASHEBORO – Chick-fil-A’s cauliflower sandwich has made its way to Asheboro. The area is one of the test markets for the chicken restaurant chain’s rollout of the new offering. “We’re testing it to see what the reaction is,” said Sam Ramsey, franchisee of two Chick-fil-A locations in Asheboro. “We’re going to see how a plant-based sandwich will go over.” The Triad has been designated as one of the test markets, so that will stretch from Winston-Salem to Mebane and includes Asheboro, Ramsey said. The sandwich became available Monday. So far, Ramsey likes the attention that has come with it. “We’re…

15 Feb

State Health Plan releases all documents related to third-party contract change

A.P. DillonGovernment, NewsAetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield NC, contract change, insurance, state health plan

RALEIGH — All documents related to the change from Blue Cross Blue Shield NC to Aetna as the State Health Plan’s third-party administrative services contract (TPA) are now publicly available. Last week, the State Health Plan (SHP) published all of the materials, including requests for proposals (RFP) and the responses, on a specially created transparency page on its website. “We are the most transparent and open agency in state government,” Treasurer Dale Folwell said in a statement. “I cannot be prouder of the work done by the staff of the State Health Plan and the bipartisan State Health Plan Board…

15 Feb

NC Zoo Council approves ticket price increase

Randolph RecordNewsNC Zoo, North Carolina Zoo, ticket price increase

The N.C. Zoo Council recently voted to approve an increase in the cost of admission to the North Carolina Zoo. The council, which is comprised of 15 members appointed by the governor to oversee the operation and development of the zoo, held a virtual meeting to discuss the matter on February 8. According to Pat Simmons, Director and CEO of the North Carolina Zoo, “zoo funding comes 50% from the State with the other 50% from gate ticket sales,” but the cost of running the zoo has gone up over the years. Revenue from ticket sales has not grown to…