News - Randolph Record

25 Aug

Callicutt enjoys grand opportunity

Bob SuttonEntertainment, NewsAsheboro, Grand Ole Opry, music, Southwestern Randolph, Trent Callicutt

Asheboro native fulfills dream of playing at Grand Ole Opry ASHEBORO — It was a round-about way, but the destination was what mattered for Trent Callicutt. He performed at the Grand Ole Opry. For a musician, Saturday night’s opportunity became a lifetime achievement in Nashville, Tenn. “It was everything I hoped for and more,” Callicutt said. “The Grand Ole Opry is the pinnacle. I was looking around and trying to take it all in.” The Asheboro native and Southwestern Randolph High School graduate played the banjo for Dailey & Vincent, an American bluegrass music group. Timing was on Callicutt’s side.…

24 Aug

4-H Livestock show brings regional competitors to Randolph

Allison WalkerBusiness, Newsagriculture, cattle

ASHEBORO — The seventh annual 4-H/FFA Livestock Show was held in Asheboro on August 7. The event featured 68 competitors showing cattle and goats from Randolph, Guilford, Chatham, Stanly, Cabbarus, Johnston, Rockingham, Richmond, Anson, Cumberland, Wake, Person, Moore, Montgomery and Stokes counties. Scarlett Farms in Snow Camp hosted the event. Brandon Hartman served as judge and the Trinity High School FFA served concessions. The competition featured youth competitors in showmanship and a separate competition based on the animal’s characteristics and classification. The youth competitors were judged for showmanship which included handling the animal, eye contact with the judge, setting the…

24 Aug

Apprenticeship Randolph honors first graduates, signs 14 more

Randolph RecordBusiness, NewsAsheboro City Schools, Randolph Community College, Randolph County Schools, RCC

ASHEBORO — Apprenticeship Randolph, a local initiative from local businesses, Randolph Community College, Randolph County Schools and Asheboro City Schools, celebrated its inaugural class of graduates earlier this month. Apprenticeship Randolph began in June 2016 as a collaboration among Randolph Community College, the Randolph County School System, Asheboro City Schools, the Asheboro/Randolph Chamber of Commerce, and local manufacturers. The goal was to bridge both the interest and skill gaps in modern manufacturing and provide a vehicle for expanding the workforce pool for advance manufacturing in the county. The program allows participants a debt-free education. The program is for high school…

24 Aug

Randolph County site selected for Duke economic development program

Randolph RecordBusiness, Newseconomic development, Sophia

ASHEBORO — An industrial site in Sophia could soon be marketed nationally to companies seeking places to expand or relocate. A 170-acre tract on Wall Brothers Rd was selected by Duke Energy for inclusion in the utility company’s annual economic development program. Duke has selected nine properties in eight counties across North Carolina for inclusion in its 2021 Site Readiness Program to enhance the readiness of the sites for business and industrial development. Sites in Catawba, Durham, Guilford, Harnett, Henderson, Jones, Craven, Randolph and Rowan counties were selected. Through the Site Readiness Program, Duke Energy identifies high-potential sites and partners…

24 Aug

State Senate approves sports betting

Randolph RecordNews, Stategambling, Jones & Blount, sports

RALEIGH — Sports gambling would be authorized across N.C., with up to a dozen entities licensed to offer online and in-person betting, in legislation approved last week by the state Senate. The bipartisan measure advances to the House though a majority of Senate Republicans, who control the chamber, voted against the bill. Nine Republicans joined most Democrats attending Thursday’s floor session in approving the measure 26-19. Four GOP senators, including Randolph County’s Sen. Dave Craven, had excused absences and did not vote on the measure.

24 Aug

County COVID cases drop

Randolph RecordNews

ASHEBORO — The number of weekly cases of COVID-19 in Randolph County dropped by 24% versus the prior week. According to CDC data, the county’s number of cases dropped from 426 to 322 between Aug. 15 and Aug. 22. Testing volume was up 12.6% during that same period, which includes testing for mandatory testing for travel or jobs. Four people were hospitalized during the 7-day period prior to Aug. 22. Over 38% of the county’s population over the age of 12 has been fully vaccinated with 65.9% of citizens over 65 years old being fully vaccinated.

24 Aug

RCC cancels live graduation ceremony

Randolph RecordNewsEducation, Randolph Community College, RCC, schools

ASHEBORO — A planned in-person graduation ceremony at Randolph Community College scheduled for Aug. 27 has been cancelled. The event was intended to celebrate students who completed degree programs in Fall 2020, Spring 2021 and Summer 2021. The ceremony was optional for graduates. The school made the cancellation announcement Monday saying they based their decision on “new information.”

24 Aug

Concerns calmed about Asheboro water

Bob SuttonNewsAsheboro, water

Annual changeover brings unusual volume of questions for city ASHEBORO — There has been plenty of curiosity about the status of City of Asheboro water during the past few weeks, but the good news is that there’s really no new news. “Nothing out of the ordinary,” said Bryan Lanier, manager for the city’s water treatment plant. The city’s annual month-long use of a pure chlorine treatment to help ensure a high level of disinfection in water mains concludes this week – with a return to the standard practices set for Aug. 30. For the other 11 months, a chloramines treatment…

24 Aug

School’s start with some students and staff under quarantine

Randolph RecordNewsAsheboro, covid-19, Education, schools, Stephen Gainey

ASHEBORO — Schools across Randolph County are back in session this week. Randolph County Schools started Monday and Asheboro City Schools started Tuesday. As of 5 pm Tuesday, Randolph County Schools had 277 students and staff members under COVID-19 quarantine protocols, according to information provided to the North State Journal by the school system. "Our school system uses a Saturday-Friday week for contact tracing with regard to COVID-19 issues. As a result, from Saturday (8/21/21) to this point in the day on Tuesday (8/24/21), a total of 44 positive COVID-19 cases have been associated with the Randolph County School System,"…

20 Aug

Mask wearing is top issue for new school year

Randolph RecordNewsCOVID, Education, schools

ASHEBORO — Gov. Roy Cooper lifted a state requirement for schools to require masks in July, but he is ramping up pressure on local school boards to mandate masks instead. Randolph County Schools was the fifth school system to make masks optional on July 20. Since then, a total of 62 systems voted to make masks optional. In Randolph County, Uwharrie Charter joined the county schools in making masks optional. The Asheboro City Schools held their decision for the school board’s August 12 meeting. Just before the meeting, the school board members received a letter from Cooper urging the school…