News - Randolph Record

15 Nov

Asheboro City Council approves new ‘quick response’ fire vehicle

Ryan Henkel, North State JournalNewsAsheboro City Council

ASHEBORO – The Asheboro City Council convened on Wednesday, Nov. 8, tackling a series of public hearings and financial decisions aimed at city development and improvements. The purchase of a quick response vehicle was approved, with Fire Chief Willie Summers highlighted the vehicle's benefits. "The quick response vehicle will enhance service delivery, maneuverability, flexibility, and operability,” the chief explained. “Especially during storms when it’s not practical to respond with a ladder truck or an engine truck." The council approved a contract amendment with WK Dickson, extending the contract time and expanding the scope of duties for work at Asheboro Regional…

09 Nov

Municipal elections: Challengers displace two incumbents in Asheboro; New mayor picked in Ramseur

Bob SuttonNews, PoliticsAsheboro City Council, Asheboro City Schools, municipal elections

ASHEBORO – Not all incumbents were re-elected in Asheboro in the municipal elections. Joey Trogdon received the most votes for a City of Asheboro council seat and that means only two of three incumbents will stay on the boards. With three seats open, Trogdon pulled in 1,079 votes. Eddie Burks with 1,049 and Charles Swiers with 977 will keep their seats. But Jane Hughes Redding was knocked off the council by finishing fourth with 924 votes. Harry Okeke had 381. In the race for the Asheboro City Schools board of education, there was a similar pattern. Melissa Calloway received the…

08 Nov

Veterans Treatment Court approved by commissioners

Ryan Henkel, North State JournalNewsRandolph County Board of Commissioners

ASHEBORO — The Randolph County Board of Commissioners, during their meeting on Monday, Nov. 6, approved the Veterans Treatment Court Project and revisited funding for opioid crisis assistance, among other budgetary matters. Sheriff Greg Seabolt highlighted the need for the Veterans Treatment Court Project, noting the growing mental health issues among the county’s estimated 10,000 veterans. The program is tailored for military veterans and service members who have run afoul of the law due to substance use, mental health disorders, or trauma, offering them an alternative to incarceration. The Veterans Treatment Court is structured as a five-phase, 16-24 month program…

08 Nov

Asheboro seeks public input on new greenway project

Abby CavanaughNewsasheboro greenway

ASHEBORO — The City of Asheboro is in the process of gathering public input for a proposed 1.8-mile greenway, envisioned to start at Vision Drive and extend northward along Haskett Creek to West Central Avenue. The project, which has been in development since July, is currently in the feasibility study stage. The proposed route, detailed on the city’s website, aims to utilize existing sewer line easements and incorporate floodplain areas. It is set to cross various types of properties including commercial zones, rural residential lots, and spaces linked to Homeowners Associations and institutional entities. A key aspect of the feasibility…

06 Nov

Several mayor seats on ballot; Asheboro schools, city council races also taking place

Bob SuttonNewselections, municipal elections, Randolph County Board of Elections

ASHEBORO – Mayoral races in Randolph County for this week’s election include incumbents looking to keep their seats. There are mayoral seats on the ballots in Liberty, Ramseur and Staley. High Point, with a few voters living in Randolph County, also has a mayoral contest. Early voting ended Saturday. On Tuesday, voters are required to cast ballots at their designated precincts. Photo identification is required. Here’s an overview of the contests that are on the November ballot: ** There will be five candidates for three spots on the City of Asheboro City Council. Candidates are Eddie Burks, Jane Hughes Redding,…

01 Nov

North Carolina Zoo mourns loss of polar bear Payton

Randolph RecordNewsdeath, NC Zoo, payton, polar bear

The North Carolina Zoo announced the loss of male polar bear Payton on Oct. 25. Payton was being transferred to the Louisville Zoo in Kentucky as part of a polar bear breeding partnership recommended by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). During the transfer, the care team, which accompanied Payton, performed routine checks on the 1,000-pound bear. Less than two hours into the trip, the team found Payton unresponsive. He was immediately transported to a nearby large animal veterinarian, who confirmed Payton had passed. The bear was returned to the North Carolina Zoo, where a necropsy was conducted by…

26 Oct

Asheboro/Randolph Chamber relishes retreat, seeks new leader

Bob SuttonBusiness, NewsAsheboro/Randolph Chamber, Darrell Frye, Linda Brown, Randolph Community College

Linda Brown (Courtesy photo) ASHEBORO – This month’s Asheboro/Randolph Chamber retreat came at a time of transition. President Linda Brown is leaving the group for another job in Randolph County. The annual retreat was held across three days in Myrtle Beach, S.C., dubbed a success with an array of community leaders and a healthy sharing of ideas. There were 93 registered to take part. “A good group of business and community leaders,” Brown said. Three Randolph County commissioners, including longtime attendee and board chair Darrell Frye, took part. State Sen. Dave Craven, City of Asheboro leaders and other elected…

19 Oct

Early voting begins in Randolph County for municipal races

Randolph RecordNews, Politicsearly voting, municipal elections, randolph county, Randolph County Board of Elections

ASHEBORO – In-person early voting begins Thursday (Oct. 19) for next month’s municipal elections. The one-stop early voting period for Nov. 7 elections across North Carolina begins Thursday, Oct. 19. Voters must show identification at polling places this year. On the ballot in Randolph County this year are contests for Asheboro City Schools board of education, Asheboro city council, High Point mayor and city council, City of Randleman aldermen, Thomasville mayor and city council, Franklinville town commissioner, Liberty mayor, Ramseur mayor and town commissioner, Seagrove town commissioner, and Staley mayor and town commissioner. Randolph County’s early in-person voting location is…

18 Oct

Randolph County School Board examines dropout data, low-performing schools

Ryan Henkel, North State JournalNewsboard of education, Randolph County Schools

ASHEBORO — The Randolph County Schools Board of Education met Monday, Oct. 16, with updates on various district items, including new data on dropout rates, a list of underperforming schools, and details on some received grants and a financial audit. RCS had 111 dropouts for the 2021-22 school year, a decrease from the previous year. “We report 7-12 grade dropouts,” said Executive Director of Administrative Services for Students Edwina Ashworth, noting that this data is for the 2021-2022 school year. “The school system as a whole was at 1.5% and the state as a whole was 1.54%.” For the 2008-09…

16 Oct

Paving, other details delay Zoo City Sportsplex’s grand opening in Asheboro

Bob SuttonNewsAsheboro/Randolph Chamber, City of Asheboro, Jonathan Sermon, Zoo City Sportsplex

ASHEBORO – The grand opening for the Zoo City Sportsplex has been postponed because of construction delays. “Anything of this size, you’re going to run into some issues and might have some delays,” said Jonathan Sermon, who’s recreation services director for the City of Asheboro. The grand opening had been scheduled for this week, but that won’t happen based on last week’s announcement from the city. “The project team and the city's contractors have been working diligently to ready the facility for its formal opening,” the city’s statement said. “Unfortunately, labor and material shortages combined with significant construction activity in…