News - Randolph Record

16 Aug

Pipe bombs, fugitive keep sheriff’s department on alert

Randolph RecordNewscrime, Randolph County Sheriff's Department

RANDLEMAN – A couple of notable crime reports came during the past week from the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office. A citizen contacted sheriff’s office communications because of what appeared to be the uncovering of pipe bombs. The sheriff’s office responded to Providence Church Road in Randleman. Deputies on the scene saw pictures taken by the person and confirmed that these were “consistent with the construction of explosive material.” Area residents were asked to evacuate and the Greensboro Police Department Bomb Squad was called in for assistance. Two viable devices and five partially constructed devices were identified and destroyed. The sheriff’s…

16 Aug

Fiber internet expansion coming to Randolph County

Randolph RecordNewsAsheboro, NorthState, randolph county

HIGH POINT – The communities of Asheboro, Franklinville and Ramseur should have about 100% fiber coverage for high-speed internet service through an expansion set in place by NorthState. NorthState announced last week that it will fully fund the project and engineering work is imminent with construction slated to begin later this year. The expansion project for the multi-state high-speed fiber internet service provider also includes parts of Forsyth County, with the company announcing that 683 miles of fiber-optic technology will blanket the region. The company lists the price tag at about $51 million. NorthState says the underserved areas are targeted,…

08 Aug

Rabid foxes create concerns in Archdale

Bob SuttonNewsArchdale, Rabid foxes, Randolph County Public Health, Tara Aker

ARCHDALE – Randolph County officials put out a notice about three rabid foxes in Archdale late last week as a precaution, county health director Tara Aker said. “We don’t know if there’s any relationship with these three cases,” Aker said. “Do we have a group of foxes and they have the same den?” The foxes have been killed after biting people last month in Archdale, according to information from Randolph County Public Health. The people bitten have been treated. The cases stemmed from incidents on Fernwood Drive, Kreamer Drive and West White Drive. Aker said the bites happened within a…

08 Aug

First monkeypox case confirmed in Randolph County

Bob SuttonNewsMonkeypox, randolph county, Randolph County Public Health, Tara Aker

ASHEBORO – Randolph County has its first confirmed case of monkeypox. Tara Aker of Randolph County Public Health said after Monday’s announcement that “so far it’s an isolated case.” The unidentified individual is isolating at home, though no other information will be disclosed, with the health department citing patient privacy. “At this time, the risk of monkeypox transmission remains low,” Aker said, noting that the health department’s communicable disease team is monitoring the situation closely. Monkeypox is an infectious viral disease that can occur in humans and some other animals. It typically involves flu-like symptoms, swelling of the lymph nodes…

03 Aug

Randolph Rep. McNeill receives inaugural “Order of the Keeper of the Public Purse”

A.P. DillonNewsRep. Allen McNeill

RALEIGH — Rep. Allen McNeill (R-Randolph) has been honored as the first recipient of the “Order of the Keeper of the Public Purse,” according to a press statement from N.C. State Treasurer Dale Folwell. Folwell, along with the Boards of Trustees of the Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System, passed a resolution honoring McNeill for his work related to the state’s retirement systems. “It’s hard to say in words the contributions that Rep. McNeill has made to the retirements of those that teach, protect, and otherwise serve the people of North Carolina,” said Folwell in a statement. “But for his…

27 Jul

Asheboro restaurant scene undergoes changes

Bob SuttonBusiness, NewsAsheboro restaurants, Dodge City Steakhouse, Full Moon Oyster Bar, restaurants

Dodge City Steakhouse has closed in Ashesboro. (Randolph Record) ASHEBORO — The restaurant scene in Asheboro is on the move with a couple of notable developments. Dodge City Steakhouse on East Dixie Drive has closed. The Asheboro restaurant had been one of seven Dodge City Steakhouses in the state. Those are part of Hodge Restaurant Group, with corporate headquarters in Asheboro. Other than confirming that the Asheboro location has ceased operations, company officials declined to comment on the situation. “Due to an active lawsuit, we can’t comment at this time,” Amanda Hodge said Monday. “We do want to post (information)…

27 Jul

NC Zoo hits new milestone for attendance

Bob SuttonNews, StateAsheboro/Randolph Chamber of Commerce, attendance, Heart of North Carolina Visitors Bureau, NC Zoo, North Carolina Zoo, Pat Simmons, zoo

Visitors celebrate the 48th birthday of C’sar, an African elephant, on Monday morning at North Carolina Zoo, where officials have reported record attendance during the past year. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) ASHEBORO — The North Carolina Zoo has been busier than ever this past year. The NC Zoo announced for the fiscal year ending June 30 that more than 1 million visitors entered the gates. The previous high for a fiscal year was 879,990 in 2018-19, based on numbers listed in the announcement. “We’re thrilled to welcome so many guests from North Carolina and around the world,” NC Zoo director Pat…

20 Jul

Liberty eateries feed on megasite boost

Bob SuttonBusiness, NewsGreensboro-Randolph megasite, Liberty

LIBERTY — There’s more traffic and business in and around Liberty, and that should mean more dollars spent in the small Randolph County town. This development isn’t unexpected with activity associated with the Greensboro-Randolph megasite. “I’m actually really thankful,” said Susan Aydelette, owner of Hurricane Jane’s restaurant on South Greensboro Street. “I really think it’s going to be a blessing for everyone. I know it may not look like it right now, but you have to have patience. Some people are complaining. Eventually, everything will be settled down.” Toyota is building its first U.S. battery plant for electric vehicles, with…

18 Jul

Randleman’s Brannon: ‘Feels like a dream’ after Red Sox select him in draft

Bob SuttonNews, SportsBaseball amateur draft, Boston Red Sox, Brooks Brannon, Class 2-A, College baseball, nchsaa, Randleman athletics, Randleman baseball, UNC Chapel Hill

Brooks Brannon had an award-winning high school career with Randleman. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) RANDLEMAN – Catcher Brooks Brannon of Randleman was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the ninth round of baseball’s amateur draft Monday. “It felt like a dream come true,” Brannon said Monday night. “Excited isn’t even the word. It was ecstasy.” Brannon, 18, is enrolled at North Carolina, where he’ll play for the Tar Heels if he decides to pass on this pro opportunity. Brannon was selected with the 279th pick overall during the second day of the three-day draft that concludes Tuesday. In that spot,…

18 Jul

Only one contested race for Archdale positions

Randolph RecordNews, PoliticsArchdale, Lewis Dorsett, municipal elections, Randolph County Board of Elections

ARCHDALE – An at-large spot on the city council will be the only contested race in Archdale’s elections in November. Incumbent Lorie McCroskey will have a challenge from Kelly Grooms for that position. McCroskey was appointed to the council last summer when there was reshuffling upon the retirement of long-time mayor Bert Stone. For the other three spots on the ballot, only incumbents entered by the time filing ended Friday. Mayor Lewis Dorsett, Ward 1 councilman Larry Warlick and Ward 4 councilman John Glass are unopposed.