Football Playoffs: Looking for history

Football Playoffs: Looking for history

Providence Grove coach Calvin Brown throws up 1 finger for the extra point after a touchdown against visiting Jordon-Mathews in a non-league game in Climax on September 3, 2021. PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL Providence Grove, Southwestern Randolph seek playoff breakthroughs ASHEBORO — Three football teams from Randolph County will play in home games to begin the state playoffs, though one of them will have to wait an extra week before playing. Undefeated Eastern Randolph (9-0) is the No. 1 seed for the Class 1-A West Region, receiving a bye to the second week of the playoffs. That’s when the Wildcats…
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Staffing shortages, increase in calls strain emergency services

Staffing shortages, increase in calls strain emergency services

ASHEBORO -- A staff shortage is a concern for Randolph County’s emergency services, department director Donovan Davis said. In a report to the county commissioners at the October meeting, Davis provided details on the challenges facing his department, particularly with call loads increasing. EMS staffing has become a concern, with Davis telling the commissioners that staff members are often frustrated and / or exhausted. There are 18 vacancies throughout the department. That includes eight paramedic positions. Because of that, some vacation requests have been denied, adding to declining morale. “The reason is because of our staffing,” he said. At times,…
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County schools use federal COVID education funds for bonuses

County schools use federal COVID education funds for bonuses

Randolph County Schools employees will receive $5,000 RALEIGH — Some North Carolina school boards have announced they will use federal COVID-19 relief funds to give bonuses to educators. The Randolph County Public School System will pay every employee a $5,000 bonus, according to a resolution adopted by the school board on Oct. 25. The resolution described the bonuses as “retention” and “premium pay.” Alamance County schools are giving full and part-time employees a $3,000 bonus while Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools employees will get a $1,400 bonus. According to the American Rescue Plan’s  ESSER "FAQ,"  a district can use federal Elementary and…
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Early voting draws more to polls

Early voting draws more to polls

Candidates and poll workers gather outside the polling place at Sunset Avenue Church of God on Election Day 2021 in Asheboro. (L-R) Justin Lee, Asheboro City School Board candidate Hailey Trollinger Lee, Asheboro city councilman Walker Moffitt, poll worker Laura King, school board member Baxter Hammer, school board member Beth Knott and poll worker Nicki McKenzie (The North State Journal) ASHEBORO — Early voting turnout was higher this year than in recent municipal elections on odd-numbered years in Randolph County. The 13 days of early voting drew a total of 1,288 voters to the Randolph County Board of Elections office…
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ER, Providence Grove, SWR to open football playoffs at home

ER, Providence Grove, SWR to open football playoffs at home

ASHEBORO — Three football teams from Randolph County will play in home games to begin the state playoffs, though one of them will have to wait an extra week before playing. Undefeated Eastern Randolph (9-0) is the No. 1 seed for the Class 1-A West Region, receiving a bye to the second week of the playoffs. That’s when the Wildcats will be slated for a home game Nov. 12 against the Draughn / Elkin winner. Eighth-seeded Providence Grove (8-2) and 16th-seeded Southwestern Randolph (8-2) will open the Class 2-A states at home Friday night. Providence Grove takes on No. 25…
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Four soccer teams to start states at home

Four soccer teams to start states at home

Uwharrie Charter Academy's Max DeNamur takes a shot on goal against Wheatmore during their conference soccer game last month in Asheboro. PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL ASHEBORO — Four boys’ soccer teams from Randolph County schools will open the state playoffs with home games Monday. Asheboro tops the list as a No. 4 seed in the West Region bracket for Class 3-A. The Blue Comets (14-1-3) take on North Lincoln in the first round. Asheboro gained the top spot for seeding out of the Mid-Piedmont Conference after it tied with Ledford in the regular season. Both teams had 8-0-2 records, though…
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Halloween events geared toward youth, adults in Asheboro

Halloween events geared toward youth, adults in Asheboro

City to hold drive-thru, while car club gears up for festive cruising on Saturday, October 30 ASHEBORO — At least two major Halloween-related activities are slated for Asheboro on Saturday, one geared toward youth and the other more oriented toward youth and adults. Either way, the intent is to provide good times for all involved. The 13th annual Trick or Treat in the Park is put on by the City of Asheboro’s Cultural and Recreation Service department. For the second year in a row, it will be a drive-thru event at Bicentennial Park as part of pandemic-based precautions. “Because this…
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Restaurant to open in former Dixie III building

Restaurant to open in former Dixie III building

Paw-Paw’s Place to add location ASHEBORO – Paw-Paw’s Place is expanding, with a second location to fill a void at a recently closed business. The family-style restaurant will take the spot where Dixie III long held a presence on East Dixie Drive in Asheboro. “We’re adding a location,” Paw-Paw’s Place owner Mitchell Simmons said Monday. “I’ve been looking to expand. It was a good fit for us.” Simmons said he’s aiming to open the second location within the next 30 days, hoping to nail down a date within a week or two. “I’m pushing for the next 30 days,” he…
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Patriots primed for crucial busy slate

Patriots primed for crucial busy slate

Providence Grove's Zane Cheek scores a touchdown in the first quarter against Trinity in a 49-14 victory Monday night in Cilmax. PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL   Providence Grove treads through hectic week of games CLIMAX – A schedule packed with critical games is coming fast for Providence Grove’s football team. The importance of each of those continues to be magnified for the Patriots, who’ll play for the third time in eight days Friday night when Southwestern Randolph visits. “I told our guys that as long as I’ve done it, I’ve never done anything like this,” coach Calvin Brown said Monday…
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Quite a Fair growth spurt

Quite a Fair growth spurt

Andrew Vial of Liberty brought the largest watermelon in North Carolina State Fair history (The North State Journal) Liberty man sets mark with large watermelons ASHEBORO — Andrew Vial calls growing big watermelons a hobby. Yet for the Liberty man, it’s truly a passion. He took another watermelon to a big stage and collected another special distinction. His 341-pound watermelon was the largest ever at the North Carolina State Fair in Raleigh. “You just don’t get melons like that every day,” Vial said. Vial, who calls his remodeling carpentry work his full-time job, said he logs 50 to 60 hours…
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