Scott Pelkey, | Randolph News Now

Jul202021 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments

Mother & Three Children Located After Amber Alert

News

ASHEBORO NC - A mother and her three children are safe today after being located in Wayne county following a statewide Amber alert. On Monday, July 19, 2021, at just before 4 PM officers from the Asheboro Police Department were dispatched to 2421 North Meadows Loop about a missing person. Olga Diego Hernandez’s family told officers they hadn’t seen her in approximately two months but within the past two days, they and other family members had received text messages from her which caused them to become concerned for her and the three children that were with her. Detectives from the department’s Criminal Investigations Division opened an investigation and learned Olga Diego Hernandez was possibly in Wayne County, NC. An Amber Alert was issued for the thr...

Jul182021 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments

Asheboro Water Switching To Chlorine, What You Need To Know

Government, Health

Photo by Scott Pelkey / Acme News ASHEBORO NC - The City of Asheboro will be switching to chlorine to treat its public water system starting on July 26th, so here's what you need to know. A notice on the city's website says the "change in treatment is necessary to ensure optimum water quality." The city says some customers may initially detect a slight increase in chlorine taste or smell as the switchover in treatment processes occurs. The change won't affect the majority of customers, but some customers that use city drinking water for special purposes (including kidney dialysis) may need to make adjustments. So what is chlorine and is it safe to use to treat public water systems? Chlorine was discovered in 1774 and its use as a disinfection product dates back to the e...

Jul142021 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments

NWS Issues Flash Flood Warning As Water Rescues Underway

Weather

FLASH FLOOD WARNING ASHEBORO NC - The National Weather Service in Raleigh has placed North-west Randolph County under a Flash Flood Warning until at least 8:45 PM. The warning which was issued just before 7 PM came as rescue first responders were involved in two separate rescues of trapped motorist. Weather Service officials said Emergency Management had reported strong thunderstorms producing heavy rain and flooded roadways with reports of between 2.5 and 3.5 inches of rain. The Level Cross Fire Department along with Ash-Rand Rescue were called to Randleman lake after for a boat caught in the storm, began taking on water while stuck on a stump in the lake. Emergency crews were able to tow the boat and its occupants safely back to the marina. At the same time Guil-Rand fire dep...

Jul102021 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments

NC Zoo Lifts Restrictions, Welcomes New Animals

NC Zoo

(Scott Pelkey /Acme News) ASHEBORO NC - You can now visit the NC Zoo without a reservation, and its just in time to catch a glimpse of the Zoo's newest animals. On June 29th the NC Zoo announced they would resume normal operations, with no capacity limits, starting July 1st, 2021. Both the North America and Africa entrances and parking lots will be open daily along with all indoor buildings, which includes habitats, restaurants, and gift shops. The Zoo has dropped it requirement for face coverings, but they are still required on the Giraffe Deck which is back open along with most all of the Zoo's seasonal attractions, including the Carousel, Kaleidoscope Butterfly Garden, Treehouse Trek, and Zoofari. Air Hike which will remain closed until training new staff can be trained. Trams a...

Jun102021 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments

Ever Lopez Receives Diploma, But Situation Puts Spot Light On Immigration

News

ASHEBORO NC - Just after 11 AM on Monday, June 7th, Ever Lopez walked out of a meeting with principal Crooks at Asheboro High School, diploma in hand. Just after 11 AM on Monday, June 7th, Ever Lopez walked out of a meeting with principal Crooks at Asheboro High School, diploma in hand [Scott Pelkey / Acme News] "I'm grateful, I got what I deserved like my mom said, it's not just mine, it's everybody's, the whole community that had my back," said Lopez at a press conference. The diploma was available to be picked up Friday, but the family said they waited as they discussed the option of taking legal action against the school. Ultimately they decided to pick up the diploma Monday, along with the involvement of activists, community advocates, supporters, and members of the press. ...

Jun82021 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments

CHA Set To Hold 4th “Walk a Mile in Our Shoes” Event This Weekend

Events, Health

ASHEBORO NC - Community Hope Alliance (CHA) is set to hold its 4th annual "Walk a Mile in Our Shoes" this weekend. The non-profit harm reduction organization works to save lives by providing resources & promoting substance abuse education, awareness, prevention, and safety.The walk was started in 2017 to promote awareness of the opioid epidemic that was sweeping through Randolph County. "Our shoes, includes loved ones of people who use drugs, people who are in recovery, people who have lost someone to drugs, people who want to save lives and keep people who use drugs alive and healthy," said Kelly Link - Co-founder/Executive Director of CHA. "We try to teach the community to treat drug users as humans, love and respect them cause treating them as worthless only makes them feel wors...

Jun12021 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments

Hurricane Season Is Officially Here

Weather

https://youtu.be/cU0ljJ4v-XA ASHEBORO NC - The start of June marks the official start of the Atlantic hurricane season. With the first storms already brewing weather experts are saying this year's seasons will be another active one. NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center is calling for a 60% chance of an above-normal season and only a 10% chance of a below-normal season. Thankfully, experts do not think we will see the historic level of storm activity we saw in 2020. Forecasters say they expect anywhere from 13 to 20 named storms, of which 6 to 10 could become hurricanes with 3 to 5 of those becoming major hurricanes at Category 3 or higher. Now is the time to prepare "With hurricane season starting on June 1, now is the time to get ready and advance disaster res...

May302021 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments

AHS Student To Attend Harvard University

Local

https://youtu.be/Nggznt6xUJ8 ASHEBORO NC - For the first time since 2008, an Asheboro High School graduate will be moving to Cambridge, MA to attend the prestigious Harvard University. Katherine Esponda wasn't just accepted by Harvard but two other Ivy League schools, Columbia and Yale as well as Duke University. “When I learned I’d been accepted to Harvard, I felt like I was in a dream. It just didn’t seem real,” said Esponda. Esponda's mom recorded her reaction as she learned of her acceptance. “In that moment and now of course, I am so proud that I followed my heart.” She says she wants others to hear her story and to be encouraged. “I’ve worked really hard and I haven’t let fear of the unknown hold me back from pursuing my dreams. My hope is that my story will encourage othe...

May222021 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments

SBI Investigating Campaign Complaint Against Sheriff Seabolt

Government

ASHEBORO NC - Earlier this week the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) confirmed they had opened an investigation into allegations of misconduct made against Randolph County Sheriff Greg Seabolt. The investigation was requested on May 5th by Randolph County District Attorney Andy Gregson. Gregson said he received complaints that Sherriff Seabolt was using a county-issued vehicle to haul campaign signs. One of those complaints was filed by former candidate for Randolph County Sheriff Erick Hicks. The Randolph County Board of Elections confirmed that Mr. Hicks is one of four individuals who have opened candidate committees in preparation for the 2022 Randolph County Sheriff's Office. race Photos shared with Randolph News Now by Mr. Hicks show a county owned vehicle, a...

May192021 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments

Get A Free Ticket To The NC Zoo By Getting Your COVID-19 Vaccine

Health, NC Zoo

Photo by Scott Pelkey / Acme News Archive ASHEBORO NC - The North Carolina Zoo is hosting several COVID-19 vaccine clinics and anyone who receives their free COVID-19 vaccine at one of the zoo's clinics will also get a free ticket to the zoo. The clinics are a collaboration with Randolph County Health Department, Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, and StarMed. Anyone ages 12 and older can get their first or second Pfizer vaccine, and the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is available for those 18 and older. No ID or insurance is required, and there are no out-of-pocket costs. First clinic: Thursday, May 20 - 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.Friday, May 21 - 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.Saturday, May 22 - 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Second Clinic...