Darrell Frye

Commissioners welcome new member, select Frye to remain as chairman

Commissioners welcome new member, select Frye to remain as chairman

Darrell Frye, center (File photo) ASHEBORO – Darrell Frye will remain chairman of the Randolph County Board of Commissioners after voting during the first meeting of the newly elected board. At its Dec. 2 meeting, the board swore in new commissioner Lester Rivenbark, who replaced Maxton McDowell as the District 5 representative, and re-elected commissioner Kenny Kidd. Frye was selected as chairman of the board and Kidd was elected as vice chairman. “I thank all of you for your support,” Frye said. “I look across this room tonight and I see many faces that have been here and have been…
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County accepts UCA’s request for part-time SRO officer

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

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…
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Archdale location opens for DSS

Archdale location opens for DSS

Here’s the ribbon cutting for the new Archdale location for the Department of Social Service and Public Health. Participants were, left to right, county manager Zeb Holden, county commissioner David Allen, county engineer Paxton Arthurs, Public Health director Tara Aker, Department of Social Services director Tracie Murphy, assistant county manager / finance director Will Massie, county commissioner chairman Darrell Frye, county commissioner Maxton McDowell, and assistant county manager William Johnson. (Randolph County photo) ARCHDALE – Randolph County’s new satellite location for the Department of Social Services and Public Health opened in late July in Archdale. This facility, which is located…
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Randolph County budget holds property tax rate steady

Randolph County budget holds property tax rate steady

Despite $3 million shortfall, commissioners won’t raise taxes ASHEBORO — The Randolph County Board of Commissioners plans to hold property tax rates steady, after a series of meetings during the last two weeks brought commissioners to a total budget of just below $192 million. The rate will remain at $0.50 per $100 valuation thanks to growth in the tax base as well as higher than anticipated sales tax collection. The county had to work around a $3.3 million Medicaid Hold-Harmless shortfall from the prior year and, instead of raising taxes, budgeteers aimed to redirect some recurring financial resources to the…
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Holden sworn in as Randolph County manager

Holden sworn in as Randolph County manager

Zeb Holden, left, was sworn in as Randolph County manager earlier this month as county commissioners look on. (Photo courtesy of Randolph County) Zeb Holden was sworn in as Randolph County manager by the Randolph County Board of Commissioners at its May 6 meeting. “We have always promoted a county manager from within,” said board chairman Darrell Frye. “This time, we did a search. This was the first time we’ve ever posted a job and did a search for a county manager.” The county received some 37 applications from more than a half-dozen different states, including from as far away…
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Randolph Community College gears up for growth with strategic plan

Randolph Community College gears up for growth with strategic plan

Linda Brown of Randolph Community College makes a presentation to Randolph County commissioners, from left, Kenny Kidd, interim county manager Will Massie, chairman Darrell Frye, David Allen and Hope Haywood. (Courtesy photo) ASHEBORO – Randolph Community College could be on the move in a variety of ways. RCC’s strategic plan includes the possibility of an additional campus and offering of emerging programs. “We believe that by aligning our instruction and training with the evolving needs of industries, we can empower our students with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in a rapidly changing job market,” RCC president Shah Ardalan…
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Asheboro/Randolph Chamber relishes retreat, seeks new leader

Asheboro/Randolph Chamber relishes retreat, seeks new leader

Linda Brown (Courtesy photo)   ASHEBORO – This month’s Asheboro/Randolph Chamber retreat came at a time of transition. President Linda Brown is leaving the group for another job in Randolph County. The annual retreat was held across three days in Myrtle Beach, S.C., dubbed a success with an array of community leaders and a healthy sharing of ideas. There were 93 registered to take part. “A good group of business and community leaders,” Brown said. Three Randolph County commissioners, including longtime attendee and board chair Darrell Frye, took part. State Sen. Dave Craven, City of Asheboro leaders and other elected…
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RCC president Ardalan takes part in signing event for AdvanceNC charter

RCC president Ardalan takes part in signing event for AdvanceNC charter

SANFORD – Randolph Community college president Dr. Shah Ardalan took part in last week’s ceremony at Central Carolina Community College in Sanford for a signing event for the AdvanceNC charter. Nine other community colleges are among the partners. Gov. Roy Cooper participated as well. The consortium recently applied for funding and designation of central North Carolina as an Economic Development Administration “Tech Hub.” If successful, the proposed project — known as the Central Carolina Cleantech Hub (C3H) — will strengthen the region’s capacity to manufacture, commercialize, and deploy critical clean energy technologies. Several university and workforce boards are also involved…
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North Carolina Zoo takes next steps for Asia exhibit

North Carolina Zoo takes next steps for Asia exhibit

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…
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