News - Randolph Record

19 Jan

Sheriff Seabolt hospitalized; Chief Deputy Azelton to oversee

Randolph RecordNews

With Randolph County Sheriff Gregory Seabolt in the hospital, there has been a shifting of temporary duties. Col. Aundrea Azelton, chief deputy of the Randolph County Sherriff's Office, is overseeing operations. The following is a public statement received from the Randolph County Sheriff's Office: "Sheriff Seabolt has been hospitalized with an illness after first experiencing symptoms shortly after the beginning of this year. As the Sheriff continues improving under medical supervision and treatment, Chief Deputy Azelton is overseeing the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Seabolt appreciates the continued dedication and service of all his deputies and the continued support of…

18 Jan

RPC Awarded grant by Randolph Arts Guild

Randolph RecordNewsart explosion, grant, Randolph Arts Guild, randolph partnership for children, RPC

ASHEBORO — Randolph Partnership for Children (RPC) was awarded a $3000 grant by the Randolph Arts Guild to support early childhood educator training and children’s activities in preparation of Week of the Young Child’s 2023 Art Explosion. “The Randolph Partnership for Children is honored to be the recipient of the Grassroots Grant for the second year in a row! We are so thankful for the opportunity to bring in three Master Artists who can share their Language of Art with our early educators, children, and families in Randolph County, “Early Childhood Specialist Kristy Umfleet said. “Art can unleash creativity and…

18 Jan

Lion adjusts to NC Zoo

Randolph RecordNewsHaji, lion, NC Zoo, North Carolina Zoo, zoo

Haji is settling in at the North Carolina Zoo. Haji, a male lion, came to the zoo in Asheboro in early December. He was designated to be a new companion to a female lion, Mekita. The zoo last week provided information that pointed out that Haji had his first steps in his new habitat. Haji and Meita are alternating schedules in the habitat as they get to know each other. Haji is almost three years old. He was born at Audubon Zoo in New Orleans. Haji means “journey.” Also, the zoo will be closed Jan. 23-27 for staff training and…

18 Jan

Randolph Early College senior recognized before board of education for United States Presidential Scholar selection

Ryan Henkel, North State JournalNewsboard of education, meeting, Randolph County School System, Randolph County Schools

ASHEBORO – The Randolph County Board of Education met Monday, Jan. 9 with recognitions and quarterly updates the only items on the agenda. The board recognized the 2023 United States Presidential Scholar Nominee, Toby Cuna Zamora. “Toby Cuna Zamora, a senior at Randolph Early College High School, has been selected by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) as one of North Carolina’s nominees to apply for the United States Presidential Scholars Program in the General Education category,” said Public Information Officer Tim Moody. “Nineteen nominees were selected from a pool of submissions through an extensive committee review process.…

11 Jan

N.C. Treasurer delivers over half a million in found funds to state education officials

A.P. DillonNewsDale Folwell, Education, NC Treasurer, officials, state funds

RALEIGH — Last week, N.C. State Treasurer Dale Folwell delivered a check for over half a million dollars to State Superintendent Catherine Truitt and N.C. State Board of Education chairman Eric Davis. “At a time when so many schools are in need of money and resources, especially in rural and inner-city districts, every penny found to further North Carolina’s educational mission is a blessing,” Folwell said in a press release. “I see that need not only as a member of SBE, but as chairman of the Local Government Commission, which reviews and approves financing for school projects throughout North Carolina.” …

04 Jan

2023 should bring changes, progress on projects

Bob SuttonEvents, News2023 new year, Education, infrastructure, projects, randolph county

ASHEBORO — There’s plenty to look forward to around Randolph County in 2023. The past year has set some of the foundation for the future. Here’s a sampling: Ongoing megasite impact Certainly, the fallout associated with the Greensboro-Randolph megasite has largely been in its infancy during the past year. With Toyota’s announcement in late 2021 that it’s building a massive battery manufacturing plant at the location, the impact is only going to grow once the facility is up and running. To be known as Toyota Battery Manufacturing-North Carolina, this is plugged as a multi-billion dollar operation. Production is supposed to…

28 Dec

Group files lawsuit against Governor’s School following controversial firing

A.P. DillonNewsAlliance for Defending Freedom, David Phillips, Governor's School, professor firing, staff firing

RALEIGH — A lawsuit has been filed in Wake County against the state’s prestigious Governor’s School by the Alliance for Defending Freedom on behalf of English professor Dr. David Phillips following his “mid-session” termination in 2021. The Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) is a non-profit based in Arizona. ADF describes itself as the “world’s largest legal organization committed to protecting religious freedom, free speech, the sanctity of life, marriage and family, and parental rights.” The North Carolina Governor’s School is a summer residential program lasting four weeks for “gifted and talented high school students, integrating academic disciplines, the arts, and unique…

28 Dec

2022 marked by issues involving jobs, politics, education in Randolph County

Bob SuttonNews2022 politics, 2022 review, economy, festivals, growth, jobs, randolph county, Year in Review

ASHEBORO — Looking for big news in Randolph County this year and it was bound to be mega-sized. As in revolving around the Greensboro-Randolph megasite. While the announcement that Toyota came late in 2021, the real work involving the megasite and all that will be involved with the battery manufacturing plant seemed to pick up real momentum in 2022. This will be Toyota’s newest facility in North America. Toyota has vowed to pour huge investment dollars into the megasite, a move that had the Randolph County Board of Commissioners on board with pushing for the project. For the months that…

21 Dec

New members of Randolph Board of Education sworn in

Ryan Henkel, North State JournalGovernment, NewsBOE, Education, randolph board of education, randolph county

ASHEBORO — The Randolph County Board of Education met on Monday, December 12, to swear in new members and finalize voting for the naming of Trinity High School’s Gymnasium. The meeting opened up with the swearing-in of three members. Current board member Fred Burgess was sworn into a new term, whereas Phillip Lanier and Shannon Whitaker joined the board as new members. The board then unanimously voted to reelect Gary Cook as Board Chair. “Sometimes, especially during COVID, you thought, ‘I don’t know if I want to go back or I could give this up,’” Cook said. “Whether it was…

14 Dec

Manufacturing jobs coming to Archdale

Bob SuttonNewsArchdale, Sumitomo Forestry America

ARCHDALE — Archdale should receive a boost on the jobs front, with Sumitomo Forestry America establishing a manufacturing facility in the city and other businesses also potentially adding to their workforces. The investment of $19.5 million should result in the creation of 129 jobs with Sumitomo Forestry based on an announcement from Gov. Roy Cooper’s office last week. That’s not the only potential boost that could impact the Archdale area. Officials at Thomas Built Buses in Archdale announced earlier this month that 150 new workers might be needed for the company. The uptick at Thomas Built Buses comes as the…