News - Randolph Record

21 Jul

Asheboro’s Kidd elevates role with UNCW

Bob SuttonNewsGidget Kidd, UNC Wilmington, UNCW, university

ASHEBORO — Gidget Kidd views her newest assignment with the UNC Wilmington board of trustees as an ideal next step in public education. “I have a passion for public education,” said Kidd. “I think it’s a natural progression. It’s a nice chapter.” Kidd was elected chair of the board this month. Kidd’s involvement has been extensive on the UNCW board, previously holding the position of vice chair and twice serving as secretary. She has chaired all board committees except for one. Although she’s a UNCW graduate from the Class of 1991, much of her role in education stems from time…

21 Jul

County school boards rebel against K-12 mask mandates

A.P. DillonGovernment, News, Politics, StateEducation, K-12, masks, Roy Cooper

RALEIGH — At a meeting on July 12, the Rowan-Salisbury School Board voted to make masks optional for all students, staff and visitors. The measure passed by a 5-2 vote. Chair Kevin Jones, along with members Travis Allen, Susan Cox, Dean Hunter and Brian Hightower voted in favor while Vice-Chair Alisha Byrd-Clark and member Jean Kennedy voted against. “I’m willing to take that opportunity to make an example to the rest of the school boards in the state,” Allen said of the vote to make masks optional. A second motion was passed by the Rowan board in support of the General Assembly’s…

21 Jul

City school system announces administrative leadership changes

Randolph RecordNewsAaron Woody, Asheboro City Schools, Education, schools

ASHEBORO — The Asheboro City Board of Education approved several administrative changes for the 2021-2022 at their regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, July 15. “We’re pleased to announce Ms. Julie Brady will be the new principal at South Asheboro Middle School and Mr. Chris Burian will move into his first principal position at Charles W. McCrary Elementary School,” said Dr. Aaron Woody, Superintendent in a statement released by the school system. “While we are saddened to see the departure of Mr. Ron Dixon, current principal at South Asheboro Middle School, we know he will continue the tremendous ‘heart’ work of…

21 Jul

Hiring issues impact Zoo

Randolph RecordBusiness, Newseconomy, jobs, NC Zoo

ASHEBORO — At the same time the North Carolina Zoo is seeing a huge increase in visitors compared with last year, it's struggling to find staff to keep all of its exhibits open. Most attractions are open, but certain features like an obstacle course and feeding activities have remained closed. Twenty people recently turned out for a job fair with dozens of open positions. Many of the jobs at the zoo are part time, temporary and pay about $10 to $12 per hour.

20 Jul

Randolph County Schools drops mask mandate

Randolph RecordNews, Politics, StateRandolph County Schools

ASHEBORO — The Randolph County School Board adopted a resolution Monday night ending mask mandates in the county’s largest school system for the 2021-2022 school year. The resolution, adopted unanimously by the board, is effective immediately which allows teachers and students currently in summer school programs to make their own choices regarding mask usage. The new board policy cites CDC guidance and the board’s concern for individuals’ rights to make decisions regarding their own personal health in making the change. The resolution also said harassment, discrimination, bullying, or intimidation based a person’s decision to wear or not wear a mask…

19 Jul

Randolph County residents take advantage of property tax discount

Bob SuttonNewsdiscount, property tax, randolph county

ASHEBORO — More than two-thirds of Randolph County property owners benefited from a discount for paying their tax bills early during the past fiscal year. That report from county tax collector Debra Hill came during the first July meeting of county commissioners. “Our citizens do take advantage of this 2 percent discount,” she said. Hill’s numbers show that 68.96 percent of taxpayers took advantage of the discounts. That resulted in a total savings of $1,460,236 for residents on those tax bills. For the fiscal year that just concluded, there were $738,748.83 in delinquent taxes. Hill said Randolph County’s 99.25-percent collection…

19 Jul

Hospital funding becomes complex

Bob SuttonNewshospital funding, patient care, randolph hospital

ASHEBORO — The good news is that Randolph Hospital is operating and patient care is ongoing. But sorting out the financial picture under new ownership remains complex, a task that has been addressed in an ongoing manner by Randolph County commissioners. The State of North Carolina is a lender of a $12 million loan, though it’s up to commissioners to administer that grant. At last week’s monthly board meeting, chairman of the board of commissioners Darrell Frye said there’s still fact-finding taking place with the new owners. “So far, proper documentation requested has not been forthcoming. It’s too early to…

19 Jul

Deadline nears for local election filings

Randolph RecordNewsAsheboro, community report, local election filings, randolph county

ASHEBORO – The filing deadline for municipal elections ends at noon Friday for most of Randolph County communities. By the beginning of this week, 25 people filed as candidates across nine different spots on the ballot. That includes seven within the City of Asheboro (three for the city council, three for the board of education and incumbent mayor David Smith). City council members Clark Bell, Walker Moffitt and Katie Snuggs also filed to keep their seats. Vice chair Baxter Hammer and Beth Knott have their names on the list in bids to stay on the 11-member Asheboro City Schools board…

19 Jul

Judge questions treatment of suspended horse trainer Baffert

Associated PressNewsBob Baffert, horse trainer, Kentucky Derby, Medina Spirit

NEW YORK — A New York judge was sympathetic Monday to horse trainer Bob Baffert’s claims that his May suspension by the New York Racing Association — after Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit failed a postrace drug test — was unconstitutional. U.S. District Judge Carol Bagley Amon at a Brooklyn hearing repeatedly pressed a lawyer for the racing association to explain why the suspension was issued before Baffert was given a chance to defend himself. Henry Greenberg, arguing on behalf of the racing association, said Baffert will get a hearing after the association announces the length of his suspension by…

19 Jul

Digital ambassador will seek to close county’s digital divide

Randolph RecordNewsdigital ambassador, internet, N.C. Cooperative Extensions, randolph county digital ambassador

ASHEBORO — In the coming weeks, you may be hearing from or seeing Randolph County’s Digital Ambassador. The N.C. Cooperative Extension office in Randolph County recently received a grant from the BAND-NC program which will allow the Randolph County Digital Alliance to hire a Digital Ambassador. The Randolph County Digital Alliance is a group who is working to close the digital divide in Randolph County. BAND-NC is a grant program designed to increase the number of people with internet in their homes, with the goal of making the state “first in digital inclusion.” In February of this year, Randolph County…