News - Randolph Record

06 Jul

Church wall collapse causes commotion in Franklinville

Randolph RecordNewsChurch wall collapse, Franklinville, Randolph County Sheriff's Office

Emergency workers gather at Franklinville United Methodist Church. (Scott Pelkey/Randolph Record) FRANKLINVILLE – A side of Franklinville United Methodist Church collapsed Thursday night, with one wall blown out. There were no injuries and no one was in the building at the time of the incident, according to emergency workers on the scene. The cause of the collapse is unclear and there were a couple of early theories. One, it has been linked to a wall collapse of the brick structure without other factors. The other possible cause was a gas explosion. An initial call to the Franklinville Volunteer Fire Department…

05 Jul

Board expresses concerns over middle school athletics

Ryan Henkel, North State JournalNewsnc education, public schools, Randolph County Schools Board of Education, virtual academy

ASHEBORO — The Randolph County Schools Board of Education met Thursday, June 29, with primarily discussions and presentations on the agenda. The board was given an update on the status of the Randolph Virtual Academy following the decision to emphasize endorsing the school rather than closing it. “Since May 1, enrollment has continued to grow,” said Superintendent Stephen Gainey. “On May 10, it had grown to 59, and it has continued to grow since. [On] May 17, it went to 70. May 24, to 83. June 4, to 86, and the last enrollment number I have for this week is…

03 Jul

Power restored after storms strike Ramseur area

Randolph RecordNewsinclement weather, power outages, Ramseur, randolph county

RAMSEUR – More than 1,000 power outages were reported in Randolph County after severe thunderstorms rolled through late Saturday afternoon. The hardest hit area was in Ramseur, where the total outages exceeded 950. By Sunday afternoon, there were no outages in the county listed on Duke Energy’s “Outages in the Carolinas” map. Flood advisories were also issued by the National Weather Service for parts of Randolph County stemming from the line of storms. Locations in Guilford County and Alamance County also reported power outages.

28 Jun

U.S. Forest Service proposes recreation fee changes for Uwharrie National Forest

Randolph RecordNewsprice increase, U.S. Forest Service, Uwharrie National Forest

The U.S. Forest Service, an agency under the jurisdiction of the Department of Agriculture, is proposing to change recreation fees at two sites in the Uwharrie National Forest. The public has been invited to provide input to these proposed fee changes for 60 days from June 23 until August 22. According to the Forest Service, the goal of these changes is to improve the visitor experience through site upgrades paid for by the collected fees. At this time, the fees are only a proposal. After public comment is received, the Forest Service will assess the comment and concerns of the…

28 Jun

More poll workers sought for elections in Randolph

Bob SuttonNewselection, needed, poll workers, vote

ASHEBORO — The Randolph County Board of Elections is making a push to replenish its roster of poll workers. Melissa Kirstner, director of the Randolph County Board of Elections, has described an urgent need to secure more workers. “We always really scramble to find people to work,.” Kirstner said. “It’s a long day, and a lot of people can’t make that commitment.” Workers are needed for early voting days as well as Election Day. Kirstner said more than 25 percent – and perhaps up to one-third – of the election workers have dropped off the list in Randolph County in…

28 Jun

Senate resolution honors Tillman’s legacy

Bob SuttonNewsrandolph county, Sen. Jerry Tillman, senate resolution, Senator Tillman

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…

21 Jun

Petty Foundation assists Camp Albemarle

Randolph RecordNewsCamp Albemarle, Petty Foundation, Richard Petty

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…

21 Jun

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

Ryan Henkel, North State JournalNewsAsheboro City Council, legislative hearings

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…

21 Jun

Randolph Electric Membership Corporation holds 85th annual meeting

Randolph RecordNewsenergy, Randolph Electric Membership Corporation, Randolph EMC, REMC

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…

14 Jun

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

Randolph RecordNewschurch, split, UMC, United Methodist Church

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…