News

Senate resolution honors Tillman’s legacy

Senate resolution honors Tillman’s legacy

A North Carolina state senate resolution honoring the life and memory of former state Sen. Jerry Tillman passed last week. Tillman spent nine terms in office representing Randolph County before stepping down in 2020. He died Feb. 4 at age 82 in Greensboro. In part, Senate Resolution 753 states: “The Senate wishes to express its highest appreciation of Jerry Wayne Tillman, former State Senator, as a citizen and public servant and extend its sympathy to his family for the loss of its distinguished member.” The resolution’s sponsors included David Craven, who has filled Tillman’s seat. Senior president pro tem Phil…
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Petty Foundation assists Camp Albemarle

Petty Foundation assists Camp Albemarle

NEWPORT – Richard Petty and the Petty Family Foundation are part of a joint effort to boost Camp Albermarle. According to a release, Camp Albemarle, a 70-year-old ministry providing summer camps, educational, and recreational programs for children and youth throughout Eastern North Carolina, recently acquired a property, previously known as Camp Sam Hatcher, from the Boy Scouts of America, Eastern Carolina Council. “The Petty Family Foundation has been a long-time supporter of organizations who help children and veterans, so we are pleased to make this gift to Camp Albemarle as they expand their mission to include additional services to young…
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Updated Asheboro ordinance to allow residential developments to request special intensity allocations within Watershed Balance area

Updated Asheboro ordinance to allow residential developments to request special intensity allocations within Watershed Balance area

ASHEBORO — The Asheboro City Council met Thursday, June 8, with multiple legislative hearings regarding land use as well as multiple change orders on existing capital projects. The council began the meeting with four legislative hearings on the agenda. The first hearing was for a request to amend Chapter 5 - Use Regulations and Chapter 10 - Watershed Protection Regulations of the Asheboro Zoning Ordinance to allow residential developments to request a Special Intensity Allocation within the Watershed Balance Area. “This is a request to amend the city’s code of ordinances, specifically the ones including the watershed protection ordinance, to…
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Randolph Electric Membership Corporation holds 85th annual meeting

Randolph Electric Membership Corporation holds 85th annual meeting

ASHEBORO — Randolph Electric Membership Corporation (REMC) celebrated its eighty-fifth annual meeting on Friday at Southwestern Randolph High School in Asheboro. The theme of the meeting was “Past and Future, Always Present.” The event kicked off with entertainment provided by The Harvesters. President Jerry Bowman called the meeting to order, and the cooperative’s general counsel, Aaron M. Christensen, presided over the meeting. Rep. Neal Jackson (R-Randolph) delivered the invocation, and the Southwestern Randolph High School Jr. ROTC presented the colors. Christensen announced there were 1,020 Cooperative members registered, either electronically or in person, which constituted a quorum. The attendance at…
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As United Methodist church splits, local churches welcome like-minded congregants

As United Methodist church splits, local churches welcome like-minded congregants

ASHEBORO — Thousands of United Methodist congregations have been voting on whether to stay or quit one of the nation’s largest denominations amid intractable debates over theology and the role of LGBTQ people. There are stark differences over recognizing same-sex marriage and ordaining LGBTQ clergy. Those who come up on the short end of a disaffiliation vote face the dilemma of whether to stay or go. The splintering — often grievous and tense — has spurred new initiatives to provide havens for the unmoored. Some United Methodist regional conferences have begun designating “Lighthouse” congregations — ones that actively welcome people…
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RCS to change focus surrounding Virtual Academy

RCS to change focus surrounding Virtual Academy

ASHEBORO — The Randolph County Schools Board of Education met Monday, June 5, with presentations on the Virtual Academy and various grants as the main items on the agenda. Following up on a recommendation to consider closing the Virtual Academy made at last month’s board meeting by Superintendent Stephen Gainey, the superintendent instead recommended that RCS change its focus in relation to the school after an uptick in enrollments. “Looking at some of the things we talked about last month and where the school is, there’s been a pretty strong jump in the last couple of weeks,” Gainey said. “So,…
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Toyota bolsters plans for battery plant

Toyota bolsters plans for battery plant

LIBERTY — The Toyota manufacturing project at the Greensboro-Randolph megasite keeps getting bigger. Toyota announced last week that the under-construction battery plant at the megasite would receive an additional $2.1 billion investment because of an assembly plant in Kentucky that will build battery electric SUVs. The Kentucky operation will commence in 2025. Toyota’s release said the boost in the North Carolina project comes “to support the company’s drive toward carbon neutrality.” “Toyota’s continued commitment in North Carolina confirms our status as a manufacturing powerhouse,” North Carolina Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger said. “This expansion further cements our thriving partnership,…
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Group seeks to aid residents with license restorations

Group seeks to aid residents with license restorations

ASHEBORO — A driver’s license restoration clinic is being held Saturday in Asheboro to assist Randolph County residents. Drew Weiner of Gavin & Cox is the president of Randolph County’s chapter of the North Carolina Bar Association. As one of the organizers of the event, which will be held at George Washington Carver Community Center, he said the program is primarily set up to resolve unpaid fines. Nearly two dozen residents have signed up to go through the process. “There’s a form now we can fill out to petition the court to clear up the record,” Weiner said. If that’s…
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School news: Principals to shift; Gainey honored; Commencement times listed

School news: Principals to shift; Gainey honored; Commencement times listed

ASHEBORO – The Randolph County School System made a few principal appointments for the next school year. Dennis Hamilton is going from his role as principal at Randleman to become principal at neighboring Providence Grove. No replacement for the Randleman position has been named. Corey Culp, an assistant principal at Liberty Elementary and Grays Chapel Elementary School, will be the principal at Liberty Elementary School. Katie Henderson moves from principal at Coleridge Elementary School to become the principal at Franklinville Elementary School. All the appointments are effective July 1. For schools in the Randolph County School System, the last day…
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Company departs Asheboro for Greensboro site

Company departs Asheboro for Greensboro site

ASHEBORO — Phase Change Solutions, which bills itself as a global leader in temperature control and energy efficient solutions and has been based in Asheboro, is establishing a U.S. headquarters in Greensboro, the company announced last week. Incentives played a role in luring the company to Greensboro for its expansion, according to several reports. Phase Change Solutions has been listed as an Asheboro company with a Pritchard Street address. Company officials didn’t return messages to provide clarity on any future role in Asheboro. Triad Business Journal reported that the company will relocate from Asheboro. Phase Change Solutions hasn’t been a…
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