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Asheboro fireman dies after long bout with COVID

Asheboro fireman dies after long bout with COVID

ASHEBORO — A 24-year veteran of the Asheboro Fire Department died Saturday after suffering from COVID-19 and associated lung damage. Battalion Chief Chris Hoover, 47, had been at UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill since November 24, 2021. “It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Battalion Chief Chris Hoover after a hard-fought battle with COVID-19. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Hoover family,” said a statement from the fire department. Following his passing, Hoover was carried home to Randolph County in a procession of emergency and rescue vehicles from Chapel Hill. Local fire departments — including…
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New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has COVID

New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has COVID

WASHINGTON, D.C. — New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has tested positive for COVID-19 and “is experiencing symptoms and recovering at home,” her office said in a statement Sunday evening. The Democratic congresswoman’s office said Ocasio-Cortez received a booster shot last fall. With the nation dealing with another surge of the virus since the emergence of the highly contagious omicron variant, numerous members of Congress have reported breakthrough cases despite being fully vaccinated and boosted.
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‘Full House’ star Bob Saget has died at 65 in Florida

‘Full House’ star Bob Saget has died at 65 in Florida

LOS ANGELES — Bob Saget, a comedian and actor known for his role as a widower raising a trio of daughters in the sitcom “Full House,” has died, according to authorities in Florida. He was 65. The Orange County, Florida, sheriff's office was called Sunday about an “unresponsive man” in a hotel room at the Ritz-Carlton in Orlando, according to a sheriff's statement on Twitter. “The man was identified as Robert Saget" and death was pronounced at the scene, the statement said, adding that detectives found “no signs of foul play or drug use in this case. A “#BobSaget" concluded…
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One dead after shooting in Randleman

One dead after shooting in Randleman

RANDLEMAN — One person is dead after a shooting at a part in Randleman on Saturday night. Just before midnight on Saturday night, the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shooting at a residence on Leonae Drive in Randleman. The victim, Daniel Lopez Vences, 20, had been transported in a private vehicle to Randolph Hospital prior to the arrival of law enforcement. The alleged shooter had also fled the scene. Witnesses at the Leonae address reported they were having a party at the residence. According to a release from the Randolph County Sheriff's Office, at approximately 10:30 pm, an…
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Asheboro blacksmith wins competition on reality show

Asheboro blacksmith wins competition on reality show

ASHEBORO – Chris Moss kept his secret since last spring. When the answer was revealed, it was rewarding for the Asheboro man. Moss was the winner of an episode of “Forged in Fire,” which aired Wednesday night on the History Channel. “I’ve been sitting on it for nine months,” Moss said. “I kind of wish I could have told people. It was a great thing.” In the final challenge for the show, Moss made a two-handed battle sword that was a replica from Southeast Asia. “I had four days to make it,” Moss said of the sword, which was 4…
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Recreation center hopping with activities

Recreation center hopping with activities

High school’s use of gym works well for all parties ASHEBORO — Use of the Asheboro Recreation Center is almost nonstop and that’s expected to continue through the winter. The boost in activity comes for various reasons, largely with Asheboro High School using the venue for basketball and wrestling as the gym on campus is part of a renovation project. “The relationship we have with Parks and Rec and what they’ve really done for us has been great,” Asheboro High School athletics director Steve Luck said. “They’ve just reached out tremendously. The behind-the-scenes things they’ve done have been great.” The…
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County and city schools delayed 3 hours

County and city schools delayed 3 hours

ASHEBORO — After strong winds, snow and power outages caused school cancellations across Randolph County on Monday, the first school of of the new year, the second school day of 2022 will also start with a delay. Randolph County Schools and Asheboro City Schools will both operate on a three-hour delay Tuesday. In a statement announcing the delay, the county school system said the delay was "due to concerns about road conditions in the early morning hours." The city schools said their delay was "out of an abundance of caution." Randolph Community College, which also closed Monday, will delay the…
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Randolph County schools closed due to weather

Randolph County schools closed due to weather

ASHEBORO — As intense weather swept through Randolph County, the Randolph County School System initially delayed the start of school on Monday by two hours. After assessing power outages, fallen trees and high winds, the system decided to cancel classes Monday which were scheduled to restart after the holiday break. In a statement, the system said: “Due to strong winds, power outages, and downed trees throughout the county, all schools in the Randolph County School System will be closed today.” Asheboro City Schools remained on a regular schedule Monday. Randolph Electric and Duke Energy reported thousands were without power across…
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Randolph Crisis Center receives toys donation

Randolph Crisis Center receives toys donation

Mike Allen, Candace Bongiovanni, Executive Director of Randolph County Crisis Center Dare Spicer, and Charlie Glass stand with 2 truck loads of toys from Carolina Classic Cars which held a Toy Drive on Saturday, Dec. 18. (PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL) ASHEBORO — Carolina Classic Cars, a new vintage car dealership west of Asheboro, donated over 200 toys to the Randolph Crisis Center ahead of Christmas. “We are overwhelmed and overjoyed by the generosity shown to our children from the Carolina Classic Car Toy Drive,” said a press release from the Crisis Center. “The children who come to the Family Crisis…
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Franklinville family receives new heating system for Christmas

Franklinville family receives new heating system for Christmas

Triad Heating & Cooling owner Eric Ward presents Lily Barham as she hugs son Steven of Franklinville with a certificate for their annual Publisher Clearing House style free furnace giveaway on Dec. 22, 2021 in Franklinville. (PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL) FRANKLINVILLE — One Franklinville family rested easier over Christmas with a new furnace courtesy of Triad Heating & Cooling. Lily Barham won the heating system after her friends and family nominated her. The surprise was presented by Triad’s owner Eric Ward in a Publisher’s Clearinghouse-style front door presentation last Wednesday. “It makes me feel good that people care that much…
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