General Assembly wraps up long session

General Assembly wraps up long session

RALEIGH — The North Carolina General Assembly wrapped up late Monday nearly all of its work for the calendar year, although vetoes, redistricting rulings or other items could bring lawmakers back to Raleigh for more activity within weeks. The session, which began the session in January, ended with votes on more than a dozen measures before members of the House and Senate left Raleigh.  One bill heading for Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s desk — that sources say he is likely to veto — would prohibit election boards and officials in counties from accepting private money to run elections, which happened…
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Five days of Christmas … festivities

Five days of Christmas … festivities

ASHEBORO — Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Shop Local Saturday and Cyber Monday are passed. It's parade season in Randolph County. You can attend a Christmas parade in the county four straight days starting Thursday. One the fifth day, you can celebrate with The Embers in Randleman. Here's a look at the upcoming parades in Randleman, Asheboro, Liberty, Ramseur and Archdale plus a beach-music inspired Christmas concert from the Randolph Guide. December 2 Randleman Christmas Parade | 7pm The town’s annual Christmas parade begins at Randleman Elementary School. December 3 Asheboro Christmas Parade | 7pm This year’s Christmas parade will involve cars…
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Randolph County DOT projects awarded

Randolph County DOT projects awarded

ASHEBORO — The N.C. DOT announced last week that a $3.8 million contract to mill and resurface roads and grade shoulders in Randolph County had been awarded to the Thompson Arthur Division of APAC Atlantic. The department did not release exact locations but said the project would begin as early as March and included 10 sections of secondary roads totaling 21.4 miles. The projects should be completed by mid-summer 2023.
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COVID cases drop for ninth straight week

COVID cases drop for ninth straight week

ASHEBORO — Cases of COVID-19 dropped again this week to 166 new cases. Since a recent high of 847 new cases the week prior to September 17, new reported cases in Randolph County have fallen each week. Following last week, weekly case counts have dropped by over 80%. Randolph County has also experienced nine-straight weeks of lowering test positivity — the percentage of tests taken that are positive. After last week, 5.8% of COVID tests taken were positive. That’s a drop from 13.2% following the week of September 17.
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Randolph County Schools keep masks optional

Randolph County Schools keep masks optional

ASHEBORO — The Randolph County School Board voted again Monday night to keep masks optional in the county’s largest school system. The vote came two weeks after a special called meeting where the system voted to end mask requirements and to stop contact tracing. Gathered in their regular meeting room, the elected officials were not wearing masks. Superintendent Stephen Gainey, who has worn a mask during recent public meetings when seated with the board, was also not wearing a mask. Following a lengthy closed session where the board consulted with its attorneys, the board retuned to its action item agenda.…
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SERVICE SPOTLIGHT: Asheboro Junior Women’s Club volunteers

SERVICE SPOTLIGHT: Asheboro Junior Women’s Club volunteers

ASHEBORO — The Asheboro Junior Women’s Club supplied volunteers last weekend to support Our Daily Bread Kitchen on East Pritchard Street in Asheboro. The women’s club, whose mission is to support women and children in the community, sponsors monthly service projects in support of local non-profits. Our Daily Bread operates a community kitchen to serve hot meals and dessert to people in need. The group has seen traffic to the kitchen double during the pandemic. The organization also provides toiletries, clothes, coats and other personal items for people who have fallen on hard times. The volunteers from the Junior Women’s…
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Downtown parade honors veterans

Downtown parade honors veterans

Asheboro High school marching band performs on Sunset Street (PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL) ASHEBORO — Bands, tanks, and war heroes were on display in downtown Asheboro last week. In one of the first parades since the pandemic, the town closed its streets and welcomed its residents to celebrate the men and women who have served our country in the armed forces. The Veterans Day parade was held on Thursday, November 11.  
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GOP-backed candidates excel in election

GOP-backed candidates excel in election

ASHEBORO — Municipal races in Randolph County are technically non-partisan races. Yet in this year’s race for Asheboro City School Board, the Randolph County Republican Party endorsed four candidates and sent mailers on behalf of their preferred candidates. Those four candidates — incumbents Baxter Hammer and Beth Knott and newcomers Hailey Trollinger Lee and Adam Hurley — won by wide margins in last week’s election. High turnout -– possibly fueled by the GOP ground game – buoyed certain candidates and pushed victory margins. In the Asheboro City Council race, the lone Republican — incumbent Walker Moffitt — won the most…
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New Asheboro restaurant to aim for vacation vibes

New Asheboro restaurant to aim for vacation vibes

ASHEBORO — A chef from New York has come to Asheboro to open a restaurant, hoping to put diners in a resort frame of mind. The Bun Hut NC will open within a month at 132 Sunset Ave., offering food and cocktails. It will specialize in Caribbean-Asian dishes. “When you walk in, we want you to feel like you’re on a Caribbean vacation,” said business owner Kermit Raymond Mackey. The new restaurant’s location will be in the former location of Hamilton’s Steakhouse, which has moved to 328 Sunset Ave. Mackey is referred to as “Chef Ray” and he’ll be doing…
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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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