News - Randolph Record

20 Aug

Uwharrie Charter Academy lends support to South Sudan

Bob SuttonNewsEducation, schools

Local school digs helping role ASHEBORO — It seems like a world away for Uwharrie Charter Academy seventh graders, but helping people on another continent find fresh water tends to hit home. For the past five years, students in Suzanne Bryant’s classes have raised money in what’s called the Iron Giraffe Challenge to support water for South Sudan. “The students were very interested,” Bryant said. “Probably close to 700 students have been involved.” That’s because members of the first group to take part in the project have just entered their senior year at the school. Because the school has sent…

20 Aug

Two file for mayor’s race in Trinity

Bob SuttonGovernment, Newsgovernment, politics, Trinity

Candidates view dealing with development as key topic ASHEBORO — Two candidates will square off for the mayor’s position in Trinity. Sitting mayor Richard McNabb will be opposed by Veronica (Vickee) Armstrong in the Nov. 2 election. McNabb said he sees unfinished business, while Armstrong said she’ll focus on a long-term vision for the community. McNabb was appointed to the position in February 2020 to fill the unexpired term of late mayor Jesse Hill. Prior to that, McNabb spent about a dozen years on the city’s planning and zoning boards, serving as chairman for about half that time. “Somebody has…

12 Aug

City schools will require masks

Randolph RecordGovernment, News, PoliticsAsheboro, Education, schools

ASHEBORO — Following a last-minute plea from Gov. Roy Cooper, the Asheboro City School Board voted Thursday to require all students within the school system to wear masks as the 2021-22 school year opens. The divided board voted 6-3 to require masks. Board members Ryan Patton, Archie Priest, and Gidget Kidd voted to make mask wearing optional. In a letter to the board dated August 12, 2021, signed by Gov. Roy Cooper, DHHS Sec. Mandy Cohen, and State Health Director Betsey Tilson, state officials urged the board to mandate masks wearing for all students and teachers, regardless of vaccine status.…

12 Aug

Forty years of flowers

Bob SuttonBusiness, NewsAsheboro, Burge Flower Shop, business, retail

Asheboro woman has designs on customer satisfaction for local shop ASHEBORO — For many of the big occasions for residents around Randolph County, Bettina Hunter has been a part of those. Even if she’s not present at a particular function. But it’s her work in floral design that has provided this form of outreach. “We see them from when they’re born and all the big moments – the happy moments, the sad moments,” Hunter said of customers at Burge Flower Shop. The Asheboro woman completed 40 years of employment at the shop in July – and she’s not ready to…

12 Aug

RCC pays off student account balances

Randolph RecordBusiness, Government, NewsEducation, Randolph Community College, RCC, schools

ASHEBORO — Randolph Community College recently paid off outstanding student debt for approximately 200 students. The amount totaled nearly $113,000. Any student who was enrolled at the College between March 13, 2020 — the start of the COVID-19 pandemic — until the end of the Summer 2021 semester was eligible for the assistance. In addition to paying off outstanding student account balances, RCC has provided emergency financial assistance for food, housing, laptops, and internet access.

11 Aug

Future teachers earn scholarships

Randolph RecordBusiness, NewsEducation, schools

Local chapters of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society also helped send students off with a dorm shower ASHEBORO – The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International announced three local scholarship winners this spring. The local Alpha Upsilon and Delta Nu chapters awarded three $1,500 scholarships which are aimed to assist future female educators. Last month, the chapters honored the winners with a “dorm shower” to show their support and encouragement by giving each recipient an array of items useful for college. Jenna Brinkley, a graduate of Asheboro High School, will be attending Appalachian State University. She is the daughter of Dale…

11 Aug

Austin, York retire from county jobs

Bob SuttonGovernment, News

ASHEBORO – Two longtime Randolph County employees have retired this summer, diminishing the level of experience in a couple of departments. Melissa Austin retired after 36 years in the tax department. Danny York has stepped away after 26 years in building inspections. “We can’t replace 62 years of experience from our county,” commissioners board chairman Darrell Frye said. Austin began in a part-time role at age 19. She ended her career as the department’s personal property and business property supervisor. “Melissa’s work was always performed at a high level of proficiency and significantly exceeded job requirements,” tax department administrator Debra…

11 Aug

County set to buy emergency equipment

Bob SuttonGovernment, NewsAnn Shaw, Darrell Frye, landfill, Maxton McDowell

ASHEBORO — Randolph County commissioners approved more than $1 million in purchases for the emergency services department at its August meeting. There were unanimous votes for two ambulances at a total of $489,548 and 16 cardiac monitor/ defibrillators at a total of $534,869. Both purchases will come from budgeted funds. The 2021 model ambulances could be in place by December. As for the defibrillators, emergency services chief Donovan Davis said a trade-in of 11 monitors means there’s a savings of about $137,000 that’s calculated into the purchase. Battle joins council Alvin Battle, who was a member of North Carolina State’s…

11 Aug

Asheboro City Schools to make mask decision Thursday

Randolph RecordNewsAsheboro City Schools, Education, schools

ASHEBORO — The August 12 meeting of the Asheboro City School Board will see the elected board decide on mask wearing for the beginning of the 2021-22 school year. The first day of classes for all students is August 24. Randolph County Schools and Uwharrie Charter announced that masks would be optional following July meetings of their school boards. Gov. Roy Cooper eliminated the statewide mask mandate in July but recommended that students in grades K-8 wear masks at school. Contradicting its own mask recommendations from May, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revised its mask guidance saying fully…

11 Aug

Health department pays people to receive vax

Neal RobbinsGovernment, NewsCOVID, public health, vaccines, vax

ASHEBORO — The Randolph County Health Department is offering $100 to anyone 18 or older who receives the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The department is also offering $25 to anyone 18 and older who drives someone to receive the shot. The county’s health department opted into a program launched by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services agency on Aug. 3. The state program offers $100 prepaid cash cards after someone receives their first shot of the vaccine at a participating county health departments during the promotional period. The Summer Card program previously came with a…