News - Randolph Record

20 Jan

New councilman reconnects Trogdon family to Asheboro city hall

Bob SuttonGovernment, NewsAsheboro City Council, City of Asheboro, Joey Trogdon

Joey Trogdon (Courtesy photo) ASHEBORO – With a family legacy of involvement in City of Asheboro government, Joey Trogdon figured if he was going to participate this might be the last chance. So he ran for a spot on the Asheboro city council and won in November. “I thought about it in the past,” Trogdon said. “Then (around 2008) with the recession it was kind of all hands on deck to keep the business. Now seemed like a good time.” His father, Joe Trogdon, spent about three decades in Asheboro politics, first on the city council and then as mayor.…

17 Jan

County school board approves new leadership team at Randleman Elementary

Randolph RecordNewsRandolph County Board of Education

ASHEBORO — The Randolph County Board of Education, at its regular business meeting Monday, made significant appointments to the leadership of Randleman Elementary School. A new principal, along with two part-time interim assistant principals, received appointments from the board. Shawn Shoptaw, the current Assistant Principal of Randleman Elementary School, was promoted to Principal, effective January 10, 2024. Shoptaw holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Auburn University (1997), a Master's in School Administration from Western Carolina University (2018), an MBA from Texas A&M University (2000) and a certification in Technology Education from N.C. A&T State University (2004). He is…

17 Jan

Asheboro council approves rezoning for 350-unit development

Ryan HenkelNewsasheboro council

ASHEBORO – The Asheboro City Council met on Thursday, Jan. 11, for its first meeting of 2024, with several public hearings and some financial items on the agenda. A rezoning application for a 350-unit residential development on 94 acres west of Zoo Parkway and south of Newbern Avenue was considered, with traffic being the biggest concern. “One of the key elements that has come along with this application is the traffic impact analysis,” said Community Development Director Trevor Nuttall. “That has been completed and submitted to both the city and NCDOT." A private traffic study recommended a new, dedicated left-turn…

10 Jan

Randolph board honors retiring county manager, interim appointed

Ryan Henkel, North State JournalNewsRandolph County Board of Commissioners

ASHEBORO – The Randolph County Board of Commissioners met Tuesday, Jan. 2. To start the meeting, the board recognized the official retirement of long-serving county manager Hal Johnson, who served the county in different positions for 48 years. “Getting ready for today, I just wondered how you sum up in a few minutes, 48 years of a person’s life?” said Chairman Darrell Frye. “And the 48 years of the life that Hal has lived, worked and served among us to the taxpaying citizens of this county. It is something that has never happened before in this county – and I…

09 Jan

Archdale’s new library branch manager makes shift

Bob SuttonFeatures, NewsArchdale Public Library, Ashley Rose, Randolph County Public Libraries

Ashley Rose (Courtesy photo) ARCHDALE – Ashley Rose is the new branch manager of the Archdale Public Library and thankful for the opportunity. “It’s a pretty rare occasion when one of these becomes open,” Rose said last week. Rose replaces retired Matt Shaw, who finished at the end of 2023. He retired after 13 years. “I had been training with Matt in December,” Rose said. “I already worked with the Randolph County Public Libraries, so it was a good transition.” Rose came from the Asheboro Public Library, where she was primarily in the children’s room. The Randolph County library system…

03 Jan

NC Zoo celebrates 1 millionth visitor in 2023

Scott Pelkey, North State JournalNews1 millionth visitor, NC Zoo

With just a few days before the end of the year, the North Carolina Zoo exceeded one million guests in a calendar year for the first time in its history. On Dec. 27, Ran Liu and his family became the one millionth visitor to the North Carolina Zoo in 2023. The previous record for highest attendance in a calendar year was 930,002, set in 2022. “Being recognized as the millionth guest was a pleasant surprise and an honor,” says Liu, a Zoo member according to a press release from the Zoo. “I look forward to the day when [the Zoo]…

03 Jan

Greensboro police sergeant killed in off-duty incident at gas station

Jordan GolsonNewsgreensboro police sergeant, officer death, shooting

GREENSBORO — An off-duty Greensboro Police sergeant was shot and killed by suspects who allegedly stole beer from the Sheetz gas station on Sandy Ridge Road in Colfax Saturday night. Sgt. Philip Dale Nix, a 23-year veteran of the Greensboro Police Department, witnessed individuals stealing beer from the station and was shot after confronting them. Despite immediate aid from another off-duty Greensboro police officer and a Guilford County paramedic, Nix died at a local hospital. "I am angry, and I'm sad," said an emotional Greensboro Mayor Nancy B. Vaughn at a Sunday press conference. "It shows the dedication of our…

27 Dec

Uwharrie Charter Academy PTO treasurer charged with embezzlement

Scott PelkeyNewsarrests

ASHEBORO — The former treasurer of Uwharrie Charter Academy's Elementary School's Parent Teacher Organization has been charged with a felony after investigators say she embezzled tens of thousands of dollars from the organization. According to a press release from the Randolph County Sheriff's Office, on September 18th, 2023, investigators received a report of embezzlement at Uwharrie Charter Elementary School located in Asheboro, NC. School officials reported suspicious activity following an internal audit of the Parent Teacher Organization's (PTO) financial records. The Sheriff's Office says detectives uncovered evidence that substantiated the school's findings and identified Julie W. McNeill, the former treasurer…

27 Dec

NC Zoo mourns giraffe calf Fenn

Randolph RecordNewsbaby giraffe, death, Fenn

ASHEBORO — The North Carolina Zoo announced the untimely death of Fenn, the beloved six-month-old giraffe calf, whose birth and presence at the zoo delighted individuals around the world. A grief counselor was brought in to support staff members as they navigate the emotions associated with the tragic loss. Fenn was nursing when he was startled by another giraffe. He bolted, colliding with a nearby gate and falling to the ground. Unfortunately, Fenn sustained head and neck trauma from the fall and passed away in the late evening on Dec. 13, despite rapid medical intervention from veterinary staff. Fenn was born…

22 Dec

RCSS board incumbent Sink won’t be on ballot

Bob SuttonNews, Politics2024 elections, board of education, Brian Biggs, Dave Craven Jr., Education, Mike Sink, Randolph County School System

Photo: Mike Sink ASHEBORO – There will be at least one new member of the Randolph County School System’s board of education after the 2024 voting with incumbent Mike Sink choosing not to seek re-election. There are four spots on the 2024 ballot for the seven-member board. Board chairman Gary Cook and fellow incumbents Sharon Petty Farlow of Sophia and Tracy Boyles of Denton have filed to keep seats. Farlow is the board’s vice chair. Rana Gantt of Trinity and Todd Cutler of Asheboro are the other candidates to file by last week’s deadline. Sink, who turns 75 in January,…