Bob Sutton – Moore County Edition

Aug

20

2021

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By Bob Sutton

Uwharrie Charter Academy lends support to South Sudan

NewsEducation, 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…

Aug

20

2021

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By Bob Sutton

Schools embrace new conferences

Sports

Aside from Asheboro, county schools clustered together ASHEBORO — Randolph County schools largely got what they’ve been hoping for in the latest realignment involving the North Carolina High School Athletic Association. The new sports season begins this week and that means the area teams are clustered together in one conference, with the exception of Asheboro High School. But with seven in-county schools all in the same league, the benefits are numerous. “We have wanted this for a while,” said Charlie Chapman, a longtime athletics administrator and coach in the county. “This worked out real good.” Chapman will be the commissioner…

Aug

20

2021

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By Bob Sutton

Two file for mayor’s race in Trinity

Government, 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…

Aug

19

2021

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By Bob Sutton

New football season begins with chance to upgrade point totals

Sportsfootball, randolph county, sports

Getting the offenses going could be the main mission for Randolph County football teams as the season begins this week. The scheduled openers come Friday night. The 2020 season was wiped out in its traditional manner because of the pandemic. Teams played that season during the spring semester of 2021, so the offseason was shortened. Area teams will hope that was enough to figure out how to crank up the offenses. RANDLEMAN Randleman was an exception to the sluggish offenses for area teams. The Tigers had nine players score at least one touchdown a year ago. Randleman is 32-3 across…

Aug

12

2021

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By Bob Sutton

Forty years of flowers

Business, 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…

Aug

12

2021

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By Bob Sutton

SWR’s Parks picks Tar Heels for baseball

SportsEducation, schools, sports, UNC

ASHEBORO — Tyler Parks says he has lots of things he needs to do regarding baseball across his final two years of high school with Southwestern Randolph. Selecting a college destination isn’t one of them. Parks made a verbal commitment to play for North Carolina, a choice that was solidified Friday. “When they offered, I took it the next day,” Parks said of his goal to play for the Tar Heels. “It has been a dream of mine ever since middle school. I grew up watching Carolina play.” Parks, a member of the Class of 2023, is primarily an infielder.…

Aug

12

2021

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By Bob Sutton

Construction on campus means different venues for Blue Comets

SportsAsheboro High School, Education, schools

ASHEBORO — Many of Asheboro High School’s teams will be on the move this school year, playing at alternate venues while a construction project is ongoing at the school. The changes largely will impact volleyball, basketball and wrestling teams, though some teams that play at outdoor venues also will be affected. “There’s a lot of moving parts right now,” athletics director Steve Luck said. “Everything is going to be OK, but we haven’t started doing anything yet other than practice. … There’s changes just about every moment. I feel like I have my head on a swivel like a linebacker.”…

Aug

12

2021

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By Bob Sutton

Marsh finds value in hometown summer

SportsAsheboro, Coastal Plain League, Copperheads, Education, schools, UNCW, Wilmington

Asheboro grad gives thumbs-up to season with Copperheads ASHEBORO — A summer of baseball in his hometown was just the right thing for Trevor Marsh. Marsh, an Asheboro High School graduate, took advantage of his role with the Asheboro Copperheads. He said it was well worth his time. “It was more than I expected. I didn’t think the experience was going to be as good as it was,” Marsh said. He was a make-up of sorts from last summer, when he was slated to play for the Copperheads before the 2020 season was scrapped because of the pandemic. The Coastal…

Aug

11

2021

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By Bob Sutton

Austin, York retire from county jobs

Government, 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…

Aug

11

2021

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By Bob Sutton

County set to buy emergency equipment

Government, 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…