Blog – Moore County Edition

Nov

02

2021

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By Moore County Staff

Randolph County School Board votes to remove mask requirement

NewsCOVID, Education, masks, masks COVID, schools

ASHEBORO — In a special meeting focused on mask rules, the Randolph County School Board has voted to end mandatory mask wearing. The mandate had been in place since the start of the school year. Prior to the school year starting, the county's largest school system had made masks optional. However, after pressure from Governor Roy Cooper — who had removed a statewide mask mandate for schools — the board reversed course just before students returned. The change at the county's largest school system came on election night where GOP-backed candidates swept the four open seats for the Asheboro City…

Nov

02

2021

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By Moore County Staff

GOP-backed candidates sweep Asheboro School Board

Government, NewsAsheboro City Schools, election 2021

ASHEBORO — In a technically non-partisan race, the Randolph County Republican Party showed the strength of its ground game as the four candidates backed by the GOP swept to victory Tuesday in the race for Asheboro City School Board. In a race that featured seven candidates where voters could pick their top four, the Republican Party backed only four candidates and fielded poll workers who handed out yellow cards with the party's recommendations. With masks mandates, vaccines requirements and critical race theory as key issues, incumbents Baxter Hammer and Beth Knott cruised to victory with newcomers Hailey Trollinger Lee and…

Nov

02

2021

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By Bob Sutton

Early voting draws more to polls

Government, News, Politics2021, election

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…

Nov

01

2021

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By Associated Press

Redistricting debate begins in earnest at NC legislature

Government, News

RALEIGH — The North Carolina General Assembly is starting to debate some redistricting maps drawn by lawmakers for the state's legislative and congressional seats. Senate and House committees were scheduled to meet Monday to consider boundaries redrawn based on 2020 census figures. The Senate panel was likely to advance a Republican-penned map for the U.S. House delegation that redistricting experts estimate would give the GOP a good chance to win 10 of the state's 14 seats. And the House committee was slated Monday to take up a state House map that likely would help Republicans retain their majority in that…

Nov

01

2021

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By Moore County Staff

Around the State: $261 million in bonds on Nov municipal ballots

Stategovernment, taxes

RALEIGH — Seven cities and towns will ask residents to approve bonds in their municipal elections next week. The majority are in Wake County, where Apex, Fuquay-Varina, Garner and Morrisville are asking for a total of 10 bonds for voters to approve. The bonds, if approved, would go towards a variety of street and sidewalk improvements, parks and recreation facilities improvements, public-safety improvements, and stormwater and drainage improvements. Elsewhere, Bald Head Island residents in Brunswick County are asked to approve $54 million in bonds in order to fund public transportation improvements. The Cleveland County city of Shelby is asking voters…

Nov

01

2021

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By Bob Sutton

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

SportsEastern Randolph, football, Providence Grove, Randleman, Southwestern Randolph, SWR

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…

Oct

30

2021

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By Moore County Staff

SWR volleyball team advances to regional finals

SportsSWR Cougars, volleyball

ASHEBORO — Southwestern Randolph dropped its first set of the state playoffs but went on to defeat visiting McMichael in the fourth round in Class 2-A on Saturday. The home-standing Cougars prevailed 22-25, 25-23, 25-23, 25-21. Payton Shiflet had 23 kills, 20 digs and three blocks, Madelyn Smith had 12 kills, Josie Allred had 10 kills and four blocks, Coley Shiflet had 21 digs, Carleigh Whitson had 15 digs and Raegan LeRoy had 46 assists and seven digs. "McMichael beat us early in the season and knowing what they were capable of was helpful at times but also a struggle,"…

Oct

30

2021

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By Moore County Staff

UCA tops Gray Stone to advance in volleyball playoffs

SportsUCA, Uwharrie Charter

Uwharrie Charter Academy's Madi Duvall spikes the ball against Gray Stone Day School's Mandi Stoyanov during Class 1-A state playoffs at Uwharrie Carter Academy in Asheboro on October 28, 2021. PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL ASHEBORO — Uwharrie Charter Academy's volleyball team will face its first road test in the Class 1-A state playoffs after a straight-sets home victory against Gray Stone, a charter school from Stanly County, on Thursday night. The Eagles punched their ticket to the fourth round — and a trip to the mountains during — to face second-seeded Murphy on Saturday. The Eagles are riding a six-match…

Oct

30

2021

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By Moore County Staff

SWR reaches final eight in Class 2-A volleyball playoffs

SportsSouthwestern Randolph, SWR Cougars, volleyball

Southwestern Randolph’s Madelyn Smith spikes the ball against West Stanly’s Addi Barbee during the Class 2-A state playoffs at Southwestern Randolph in Asheboro on October 28, 2021. PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL ASHEBORO — Southwestern Randolph will be home against McMichael in the fourth round of the Class 2A state volleyball playoffs at 11 a.m. Saturday. The Cougars advanced to the regional semifinals with a straight-sets victory against West Stanly on Thursday night. Southwestern Randolph took the three sets 25-9, 25-18, and 25-19 over the visiting Colts.. Payton Shiflet had 15 kills and 10 digs, Madelyn Smith had 10 kills, Josie…

Oct

30

2021

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By Moore County Staff

Prep Football Roundup: Wildcats complete unbeaten regular season with blanking of Randleman

SportsAHS, Asheboro, Blue Commets, Eastern Randolph, ERHS, Providence Grove, Randleman

Na'heim Lilly runs for a touchdown during Eastern Randolph's road victory at Randleman on Friday night. PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL ASHEBORO — Eastern Randolph completed an undefeated regular season by whipping host Randleman 46-0 on Friday night. The Wildcats (9-0 overall, 5-0 Piedmont Athletic Conference) received four touchdowns from Na’heim Lilly and two touchdowns from Elias Alston in securing the outright league title. Lilly’s 34-yard run opened the scoring in the first quarter. He added a 2-yard run in the second quarter. He finished with 174 rushing yards on 20 carries. Alston caught two touchdown passes from Stratton Barwick, the…