News - Randolph Record

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…

15 Feb

UCA receives 10-year renewal

Bob SuttonNewscharter school, NC Department of Public Instruction, Randolph County Schools, Schools in Randolph County, UCA, Uwharrie Charter Academy

ASHEBORO — Uwharrie Charter Academy has further confirmation that its long-term future appears bright. Randolph County’s only charter school was notified that the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction has voted to recommend a 10-year renewal for the school, which has grades K-12. “This is our first renewal, and the max you can get is 10 years,” said Sharon Castelli, the school’s superintendent. “Which means we’re going to be around a little longer.” The final stamp of approval should come from the Charter Schools Advisory Board in the spring, something that’s considered just a formality at this point. UCA is…

08 Feb

Rep. Neal Jackson files bill to give Moore and Randolph County Schools more flexibility

Ryan Henkel, North State JournalGovernment, NewsGeneral Assembly, legislation, NC house of reps, NCGA, Representative Neal Jackson

For his first bill filed as a Representative of Moore and Randolph counties, Rep. Neal Jackson is proposing a bill to give public schools greater flexibility with the school year start date. He is pleased to be joined by Speaker Pro Tempore Sarah Stevens, Rep. Donnie Loftis, and Rep. Brian Biggs. The current statute requires schools start no earlier than the Monday closest to August 26. Rep. Jackson’s bill would allow public schools the flexibility to open as early as August 10 each year. This bill would also allow for flexibility with first-semester testing and would align with college schedules…

08 Feb

Board of Commissioners presented with design for Health Department renovations

Ryan Henkel, North State JournalGovernment, Newscommissioners meeting, local government, nc government, randolph county, Randolph County Board of Commissioners

ASHEBORO — The Randolph County Board of Commissioners met Monday, February 6, where they were provided updates on two of the county’s major construction projects. The first item of new business was an update on the Health Department renovations. “Last summer, you awarded a contract to Smith Sinett Architecture to design a renovation to the health department, which is located at the Ira McDowell Center,” said County Engineer Paxton Arthurs. “Since that time, Smith Sinett has worked to finalize the design and put together the bid documents.” The current Health Department space is 16,000 square feet, with 35 offices, two…

08 Feb

Tillman built big influence on state level

Bob SuttonNews, ObitJerry Tillman, NCGA, north carolina general assembly, obituary, state senator

ARCHDALE — Jerry Tillman’s influence on state politics had a long-lasting impact that’s bound to extend well past his death. “He had a huge impact on our area,” state Sen. Dave Craven said. “He was a champion for our community.” Tillman, a longtime state senator from Randolph County, died Saturday at age 82. Tillman, a retired teacher, administrator, and coach in public schools, was first elected to the state Senate in 2002. He resigned from the chamber in 2020. He served a total of nine terms and became one of two majority whips in the Senate. Craven, while in high…

01 Feb

RCSS receives electric bus as part of pilot program

Randolph RecordNewselectric bus, Randolph County School System, Randolph County Schools, RCSS, Stephen Gainey, transportation

The Randolph County School System is the first public school system in the state to receive an electric school bus as part of a pilot program funded by the North Carolina Volkswagen Settlement program. Various school officials and representatives of other groups gathered last week to document the development. In photo, left to right: Phillip Lanier, Randolph County Board of Education member; Michael Trent, Director of Innovative Energy Solutions, Randolph Electric Membership Corp.; Roy Parks, Western Regional Sales Manager, Carolina Thomas; Dr. Stephen Gainey, Superintendent, Randolph County School System; Elizabeth Biser, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality;…

30 Jan

Closed Asheboro daycare fell under scrutiny

Randolph RecordNewsDaycare facility, NC Department of Health and Human Services

ASHEBORO – More details have emerged about the closing of an Asheboro daycare. A string of violations led to Harmony Place shutting its doors in late December. About a month later, documents regarding the situation at Harmony Place, which has been identified as one of the largest daycares in Randolph County, provided more insight into the situation. In late August and early September, cases of children being bitten by other children seem to be at the forefront of the case, according to documents released last week. Much of this stemmed from a Sept. 7 visit from an investigation consultant for…

25 Jan

State and federal officials investigating Randolph County substation damage

A.P. DillonNewsattack, power grid, substations, vandalism

RALEIGH — State and federal law enforcement officials are investigating a gunfire incident at a Randolph County power substation. The incident involved a transformer at an EnergyUnited power substation in Randolph County that sustained damage from gunfire. Investigators believe the incident occurred sometime around 3 a.m. on Jan. 17, according to a statement from the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office. The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office received a call there had been damage to the substation on Post Road in Thomasville that morning. The substation serves around 1,500 customers, however, none of them lost power because the load was transferred to another area substation.…

25 Jan

Cigna and Randolph Health contract impasse causes coverage interruption

A.P. DillonNewscigna, healthcare, insurance, randolph county, Randolph Health

RALEIGH — Cigna insurance plan members received notification that they would no longer be covered at Randolph Health after February 10. A letter from Cigna on “Continuity of Care” obtained by North State Journal indicates the insurer and Randolph Health have been unable to agree on a contract. Cigna’s letter informed members that if hospital stays were approved by February 10, their continued stay would still be covered. For medical care beyond that date, members would have to seek treatment at a different in-network provider. A list of in-network providers offered by Cigna includes Chatham Hospital, Cone Health Wesley Long…

23 Jan

Seabolt’s condition improves as sheriff handles some duties

Bob SuttonGovernment, NewsGregory Seabolt, Randolph County Sheriff, Randolph County Sheriff's Department

ASHEBORO – Randolph County Sheriff Gregory Seabolt remains under medical care, but he has resumed some of his duties remotely. “He’s doing much better,” Amanda Varner, government relations and public affairs director for the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, said Monday. “They’ve got him eating again.” With Seabolt away, there has been a shifting of temporary duties. Col. Aundrea Azelton, chief deputy of the Randolph County Sheriff's Office, is overseeing operations. Last week, the following statement was issued from the Randolph County Sheriff's Office via Deric Skeen on behalf of Seabolt and his family: “Sheriff Seabolt has been hospitalized with an…