News - Randolph Record

20 Sep

Man charged after Toyota Battery Manufacturing plant bomb threat

Randolph RecordNewsbomb threat, Liberty, Toyota

Here's a photo of the Toyota Battery Manufacturing site from this summer. (Bob Sutton / Randolph Record) LIBERTY – An arrest was made following what was determined to be a false bomb threat directed at the under-construction Toyota Battery Manufacturing plant. Randolph County Sheriff’s Office announced that Michael John Poirier, 38, of Elon is facing felony charges for a false bomb report. The threat came Monday afternoon directed at the facility on Julian Airport Road. Poirier was arrested at his home and he’s being held on a $30,000 bond, the sheriff’s office said. A statement from Toyota said action was…

18 Sep

Contract extended for RCSS superintendent Stephen Gainey

Ryan HenkelNewsEducation, Randolph County School System, RCSS, Stephen Gainey

ASHEBORO – Stephen Gainey, who has been the superintendent of the Randolph County School System since 2013, had his contract extended by the Board of Education for an additional four years with his term now set to end June 30, 2028. “Dr. Gainey continues to lead the Randolph County School System with strategic, long-term thinking and thoughtful attention to the needs of our students and staff,” the board said in a released statement. “Over the last year, Dr. Gainey planned for the future in our county. At the same time, Dr. Gainey elevated the parts of the school system that…

17 Sep

Trinity’s Tillery selected for RCSS teaching honor

Bob SuttonNewsEducation, Elizabeth Tillery, Randolph County School System, RCSS, Teacher of the Year, Trinity High School

Here’s English teacher Elizabeth Tillery in a Trinity classroom earlier this month. (Courtesy of Caiden Brown / Trinity student) TRINITY – Elizabeth Tillery wasn’t all that familiar with Trinity High School when she took her first job out of college. But she was quite certain that teaching was going to be her passion. That hasn’t changed. “I love being a teacher,” she said. “I think it’s very important for teachers to like the job.” Tillery, an English teacher at Trinity, has been named Randolph County School System’s Teach of the Year. She’s in the early stages of her 14th school…

13 Sep

Red Cross schedules September blood drives in Randolph County

Randolph RecordEvents, NewsAmerican Red Cross, blood drives, Red Cross

After a blood shortage this summer, the American Red Cross is holding a number of blood donation events throughout the month of September. While all blood types are needed, there is a particular demand for type O blood donors and those willing to give platelets. Donors from Sept. 16-30 will receive a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of their choice. See RedCrossBlood.org/Fall for more. In Randolph County, there are events scheduled in Asheboro and Liberty during the next few weeks: Sept. 17: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at YMCA Asheboro Randolph, 343 NC Hwy 42 North in Asheboro Sept. 18: 10 a.m.…

11 Sep

Asheboro City Council hears multiple property matters

Ryan HenkelNewsAsheboro City Council, David Smith

ASHEBORO – It was a busy agenda for the Asheboro City Council at its Sept. 5 regular business meeting as the council held five hearings all dealing with zoning or land-use requests. The first was for 0.9 acres of property located at 841 Cross St. to be zoned as an amended B2 (General Commercial) conditional zoning in order to construct a covered seating area, walk-in cooler and outdoor grill at an eating establishment (The Taco Loco). “I’d love to see it go in there, but I personally think they need to show us a little more parking,” council member Joey…

09 Sep

Liberty teen’s death brings protests, charges

Randolph RecordNewscrime, Liberty, N.C. Highway Patrol

GRAHAM – The death of a teenager Daniela Trejo Mendiola near Liberty has led to controversy and then an arrest last week. The accident occurred in rural Alamance County not far from the Randolph County line. Mendiola, 17, was a pedestrian when she was struck after dark on the night of Aug. 20 along Oak Grove Church Road. Despite the identity revealed of the driver of the vehicle involved in the incident, about two weeks passed without further resolution in the case. Last week, demonstrations took place in downtown Graham with protesters demanding justice. Then charges were filed Sept. 4…

08 Sep

Funds tagged for Randleman road upgrades; Group awards scholarships

Bob SuttonNewsGolden LEAF Foundation, Randleman, Ross Stores

ASHEBORO – Funding from the Golden LEAF Foundation in the amount of $400,000 has been designated for Randolph County to aid in roadway improvements associated with the Ross Stores distribution center in Randleman. The money comes in addition to the Golden LEAF Foundation’s $4.4 million distribution connected to 10 projects across the state. The award to Randolph County comes under a separate category for economic catalyst. This spring, Ross Stores announced plans to build a distribution center of about 1.7 million square feet. Public road improvements have been deemed necessary as part of the development of the area. Golden LEAF…

07 Sep

Smith won’t seek another term as Asheboro’s mayor

Bob SuttonGovernment, News, PoliticsAsheboro, Asheboro City Council, David Smith, mayor

David Smith is serving his fourth term as Asheboro's mayor. (Randolph Record file photo) ASHEBORO – David Smith won’t run for re-election as Asheboro’s mayor next year, so that will mark the end of more than a quarter-century of time as an elected city official. Smith said Friday he thought it was important to provide plenty of advance notice. “I wanted to make the announcement far enough out so anyone who wanted to run would be prepared,” he said. Smith, 71, has won four four-year terms as mayor after serving on city council for 12 years. He’ll serve through 2025,…

05 Sep

Girl Scout project leads to special dog park in Archdale

Bob SuttonNewsArchdale, Creekside Park, Girl Scouts, Wheatmore

Norah Parrish stands in front of the entrance to Barkdale Park in Archdale. (Courtesy photo) ARCHDALE – Norah Parrish reached a special achievement in Girl Scouts with a special award after completing project that has enhanced an area for dogs and their owners. But the biggest reward might have come because of the heightened awareness of Barkdale Park. “Seeing all the dogs and their owners using it,” Parrish said. And that was the whole idea. Parrish received the Girl Scout Gold Award for community service project. She addressed the lack of community awareness regarding Barkdale Park, which is part of…

04 Sep

County accepts UCA’s request for part-time SRO officer

Ryan HenkelNewsDarrell Frye, Education, Randolph County Board of Commissioners, Randolph County Sheriff's Department, Uwharrie Charter Academy

ASHEBORO – The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office will be looking to hire a part-time SRO officer following the decision of the Board of Commissioners at the Sept. 3 meeting. The board approved a request made by the Sheriff’s Office on behalf of Uwharrie Charter Academy for the creation of a part-time deputy sheriff SRO position for UCA Elementary School during the 2024-25 school year. The total cost for this new position would be $46,700 with approximately $28,000 going toward the officer’s salary and an additional $19,000 going toward initial costs, program investment fees, operational expenses and equipment, although that cost…