State - Randolph Record

12 Apr

Growing state, shrinking farmland: American Farmland Trust experts talk about agriculture

Randolph RecordNews, Stateagriculture, NC Ag Leads

Randolph County's conversion rate projected CARY — Regional and state agricultural leaders gathered recently for NC Ag Leads: Imagine Agriculture Day at the SAS campus in Cary, to talk about agriculture, challenges and how to move the industry forward. Cris Coffin, National Ag Land Network Director and Senior Policy Advisor and Dr. Courtney Owens, Southeast Regional Director, both with American Farmland Trust were among the speakers who engaged participants in a thought-provoking conversation about the shrinking agricultural land base in North Carolina. “We are doing a lot more work in the regenerative agriculture space and keeping farmers on the land…

19 Aug

North Carolina Zoo takes next steps for Asia exhibit

Randolph RecordNews, StateAsian exhibit, Darrell Frye, North Carolina Zoo, Pat Simmons

NC Zoo director Pat Simmons, center, high-fives state Sen. David Craven Jr., who reaches over Randolph County commissioner Darrell Frye, during Wednesday's groundbreaking. (Scott Pelkey/North State Journal) ASHEBORO – North Carolina Zoo is moving closer to Asia after the groundbreaking for a new exhibit. The 10-acre Asian expansion is a few years away from being opened, but the next steps were evident when regional and state officials gathered Wednesday for the ceremonial start to the process. “Asia has been a long time coming,” said Walker Moffitt, chair of the North Carolina Zoo Council and Asheboro mayor pro tem. This is…

27 Jul

NC Zoo hits new milestone for attendance

Bob SuttonNews, StateAsheboro/Randolph Chamber of Commerce, attendance, Heart of North Carolina Visitors Bureau, NC Zoo, North Carolina Zoo, Pat Simmons, zoo

Visitors celebrate the 48th birthday of C’sar, an African elephant, on Monday morning at North Carolina Zoo, where officials have reported record attendance during the past year. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) ASHEBORO — The North Carolina Zoo has been busier than ever this past year. The NC Zoo announced for the fiscal year ending June 30 that more than 1 million visitors entered the gates. The previous high for a fiscal year was 879,990 in 2018-19, based on numbers listed in the announcement. “We’re thrilled to welcome so many guests from North Carolina and around the world,” NC Zoo director Pat…

05 May

NC judge drops price to cover school plan, omits spend order

Gary D. Robertson, The Associated PressStateDavid Lee, Mike Robinson, NC Supreme Court, Roy Cooper

RALEIGH — A North Carolina judge cut the amount of money needed to comply through the middle of next year with a step-by-step plan to address state educational inequities. But he declined to leave in place the crux of another judge’s order that directed cash from government coffers be sent to state agencies to cover a fiscal gap. Special Superior Court Judge Mike Robinson ruled in long-running public education spending litigation which he began presiding over last month. Judge David Lee had directed in November that $1.75 billion be moved from state coffers to three government agencies to carry out…

27 Apr

Dowless, key figure in NC absentee ballot fraud probe, dies

Gary D. Robertson, The Associated PressStateLeslie Dowless Jr.

RALEIGH — Leslie McCrae Dowless Jr., the key player in a North Carolina absentee ballot fraud probe that led to a do-over congressional election, has died. His daughter, Andrea Dowless Heverly, wrote that her father “passed away peacefully” Sunday morning, according to a social media post. He had been diagnosed with an advanced form of lung cancer and died at his daughter’s home in Bladen County, his friend Jay DeLancy told The Associated Press in a brief interview. Dowless was in his mid-60s. The political operative was set to go on trial this summer on more than a dozen state…

27 Apr

Archdale man claims lottery prize

Randolph RecordStateArchdale, lottery

Malcolm Buchanan of Archdale turned up with the $1 million prize through the North Carolina Lottery. Buchanan became the second winner of the new sweepstakes. The 50X The Cash game launched in February with eight top prizes of $1 million. There are six unclaimed prizes in that mix among the $10 scratch-off tickets. Buchanan purchased his ticket from Speedway on West Fairfield Road in High Point. Upon claiming his prize, he had to choose between an annuity of $50,000 across 20 years or a lump sum of $600,000. He chose the lump sum, and after required state and federal tax…

27 Apr

Zoo closes aviary habitat

Randolph RecordStateaviary habitat, North Carolina Zoo

ASHEBORO — The North Carolina Zoo announced it would permanently close its aviary habitat. First built in the early 1980s, the 40-year-old domed structure requires significant repairs due to the effects of high humidity and wet conditions, according to the NC Zoo. The decision to close and take down the habitat was made by the zoo leadership and the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. “For 40 years, the Zoo’s aviary offered a special place to connect with nature,” NC Zoo director Pat Simmons said. “The free-flying birds and tropical plants served as an oasis for many people –…

27 Apr

Community College report shows major economic impact

Randolph RecordGovernment, Statecommunity college, economy, Education, Randolph Community College, RCC

RALEIGH — A comprehensive new economic impact analysis finds that North Carolina’s 58 Community Colleges have a $19 billion annual impact on the state’s economy and supports more than 320,000 jobs across the state. The economic impact study found for every dollar the state invests in North Carolina’s Community Colleges, the state gains $7.50 in added incomes and social savings. The colleges generate nearly double the revenue from what they take in from the taxpayers. For every $1 the state invests, taxpayers get $1.90 back in added tax revenues and public sector savings, according to the study. “The Community College…

20 Apr

Rural areas aim for expanded internet service

Bob SuttonFeatures, StateAsheboro, Randolph Communications

ASHEBORO — If the need arises and enough interest is generated, Randolph Communications will respond. That’s the message from the telephone cooperative when it comes to providing fiber optics and expanded internet service. “Once we see a high enough interest to make a business commitment, we will try to go to certain areas,” said Stephanie Gee, marketing director for Randolph Communications. “The need is widespread.” The Asheboro-based group, which also has an office in Liberty, is looking for opportunities to increase its footprint, Gee said. Randolph Communications serves parts of eight counties. The key tends to come from community members…

20 Apr

Budd, McCrory still close in NC Senate campaign fundraising

Associated PressPolitics, StatePat McCrory, Ted Budd, U.S. Senate

RALEIGH — North Carolina Republican U.S. Senate candidates Ted Budd and Pat McCrory remained neck-and-neck with their campaigns’ own fundraising entering the final full month before the May 17 primary. Campaign finance reports for the first quarter show McCrory, the former governor, and current U.S. House member Budd collecting essentially the same level of contributions and other funds. But Budd is separately benefiting from a political action committee that has already spent several million dollars on ads and mailers praising Budd and attacking McCrory. A pro-McCrory super PAC is trailing. Budd also has received former President Donald Trump’s endorsement. Looking…