News - Randolph Record

17 Dec

Feral swine program starting in Randolph County

Blake SzilvayNewsagriculture, feral swine

ASHEBORO — For years, feral swine populations have been growing across the United States and can now be found across North Carolina. Randolph County will play a critical role in helping eliminate feral swine in N.C. thanks to a new program targeting the animals in Randolph and five other counties. The destruction feral swine cause is a significant threat to agriculture and the environment and costs $1.5 billion in damages annually in the U.S. Known as feral swine, feral hogs, or wild hogs — these animals have few natural predators, which allows them to spread unfettered without human intervention. While…

15 Dec

REMC awards $14,000 to teachers for ‘Bright Ideas’

Randolph RecordBusiness, NewsEducation, schools

ASHEBORO — Randolph Electric Membership Corporation recently honored educators by awarding $14,000 in Bright Ideas education grants to twelve local educators. “Randolph EMC is committed to making our communities stronger. One way we accomplish that is by investing in education,” said Nicole Arnold, Communications and Public Affairs Manager for REMC. “For almost 30 years, Randolph Electric has provided grants to local schools. We commend these educators for continually striving to create classrooms conducive to innovation.” Bright Ideas grants, sponsored by Randolph EMC and North Carolina’s electric cooperatives, are available to teachers for hands-on projects that would not otherwise be funded.…

15 Dec

Zoo welcomes new grizzly bear

Randolph RecordFeatures, Newsgrzzly bear, NC Zook

ASHEBORO — After the death of a 31-year-old grizzly named Tommo in July, the N.C. Zoo’s grizzly bear habitat has sat empty awaiting a new resident. That time is over as the zoo welcomed 740-lb Ronan to the zoo this week. The 9-year-old grizzly is being relocated from Reid Park Zoo in Tucson, Arizona, based on a recommendation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Ronan and his twin sister Finley were rescued in 2013 and relocated to the Reid Park Zoo when they were just barely one year old. That decision was made after wildlife officials in Yellowstone deemed…

15 Dec

McNeill won’t run for re-election

Randolph RecordGovernment, News, PoliticsAllen McNeill, government, Neal Jackson, politics

ASHEBORO — Rep. Allen McNeill (R-Randolph) announced last week that he won’t seek re-election for another term in N.C. House in 2022. McNeill is in his fifth full term in the House after replacing long-time Randolph County representative and former Speaker of the House, Harold Brubaker. Neal Jackson, pastor of Beulah Baptist Church in Bennet, announced last week that he would run as a Republican to replace McNeill.

06 Dec

Toyota will bring 1,750 jobs to Randolph County

Randolph RecordBusiness, NewsLiberty, Phil Berger, randolph county, Tim Moore, Toyota

LIBERTY — Toyota Motor North America announced they will build a large-scale battery manufacturing plant in Randolph County, bringing 1,750 jobs to Liberty. Toyota will invest $1.29 billion at the Randolph County Megasite, which will initially produce batteries for Toyota’s hybrid electric vehicles and later produce batteries for battery electric vehicles in the long term. This is the first North American battery manufacturing facility for the world's largest automobile manufacturer. "I am proud of the hard work the General Assembly has done to ensure North Carolina is a state ripe for new business and innovation," said House Speaker Tim Moore…

01 Dec

County museum proposal would convert historic courthouse

Bob SuttonNewscourthouse, historic, museum, randolph county

ASHEBORO — There’s movement toward the creation of a Randolph County museum to be housed on the first floor of the historic courthouse. “Placing a museum on the first floor here is quite feasible and in and of itself not all that costly,” said Ross Holt, the Randolph County Library director who presented a feasibility study on the project to county commissioners. “We are at a decision point.” Much of the cost associated with the museum is connected to renovations to the courthouse, Holt said. He said it’s a two-pronged project. In all, the price tag could be as high…

01 Dec

General Assembly wraps up long session

Randolph RecordGovernment, News, PoliticsGeneral Assembly, long session, NCGA, wrap up

RALEIGH — The North Carolina General Assembly wrapped up late Monday nearly all of its work for the calendar year, although vetoes, redistricting rulings or other items could bring lawmakers back to Raleigh for more activity within weeks. The session, which began the session in January, ended with votes on more than a dozen measures before members of the House and Senate left Raleigh. One bill heading for Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s desk — that sources say he is likely to veto — would prohibit election boards and officials in counties from accepting private money to run elections, which happened…

30 Nov

Five days of Christmas … festivities

Randolph RecordEntertainment, Events, NewsArchdale, Asheboro, Christmas, Liberty, Ramseur, Randleman

ASHEBORO — Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Shop Local Saturday and Cyber Monday are passed. It's parade season in Randolph County. You can attend a Christmas parade in the county four straight days starting Thursday. One the fifth day, you can celebrate with The Embers in Randleman. Here's a look at the upcoming parades in Randleman, Asheboro, Liberty, Ramseur and Archdale plus a beach-music inspired Christmas concert from the Randolph Guide. December 2 Randleman Christmas Parade | 7pm The town’s annual Christmas parade begins at Randleman Elementary School. December 3 Asheboro Christmas Parade | 7pm This year’s Christmas parade will involve cars…

24 Nov

Randolph County DOT projects awarded

Randolph RecordBusiness, News

ASHEBORO — The N.C. DOT announced last week that a $3.8 million contract to mill and resurface roads and grade shoulders in Randolph County had been awarded to the Thompson Arthur Division of APAC Atlantic. The department did not release exact locations but said the project would begin as early as March and included 10 sections of secondary roads totaling 21.4 miles. The projects should be completed by mid-summer 2023.

24 Nov

COVID cases drop for ninth straight week

Randolph RecordNewsCOVID

ASHEBORO — Cases of COVID-19 dropped again this week to 166 new cases. Since a recent high of 847 new cases the week prior to September 17, new reported cases in Randolph County have fallen each week. Following last week, weekly case counts have dropped by over 80%. Randolph County has also experienced nine-straight weeks of lowering test positivity — the percentage of tests taken that are positive. After last week, 5.8% of COVID tests taken were positive. That’s a drop from 13.2% following the week of September 17.