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Author: Scott Pelkey

Jun62023 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments
Smoke from Canadian Wildfires Trigger Air Quality Alert

Smoke from Canadian Wildfires Trigger Air Quality Alert

Weather
Smoke from Canadian Wildfires can be seen blanketing Asheboro near the Interstate on June 6th, 2023. (Scott Pelkey / RNN-North State Journal) ASHEBORO N.C. - Smoke from wildfires in eastern Canada has triggered a Code Orange Air Quality alert across much of North Carolina, and tomorrow will be worse with officials already issuing a Code Red Air Quality Alert for Wednesday. Wildfires have burned nearly one million acres over the past two weeks across Western Canada, producing incredibly large plumes of smoke that have stretched across the North American continent, making their way into North Carolina throughout today. The smoke plumes are so large that they were captured on NOAA weather satellite imagery on Monday and can be seen in the video below compiled by the Cooperative Insti...
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May252023 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments
Low Pressure System Promises Rain for Most of Holiday Weekend

Low Pressure System Promises Rain for Most of Holiday Weekend

Weather
ASHEBORO N.C. - After a week of nice weather, a low-pressure system off the coast is promising to bring rain for most of the holiday weekend. According to the National Weather Service Office in Raleigh, an area of low pressure off the Southeast coast will move into the Carolinas over the weekend. Widespread rain, possibly heavy at times, will develop on Saturday and continue into Sunday. This may result in flooding of low lying or poor drainage areas. Additionally, northeasterly winds will gust up to 25 to 35 mph at times on Friday and especially Saturday. Weekend Forecast FridayPartly sunny, with a high near 70. Northeast wind 13 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Friday NightA slight chance of rain after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. Northeast win...
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May242023 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments
NC Zoo – Baboon Habitat Reopens & New Event Premiers This Weekend

NC Zoo – Baboon Habitat Reopens & New Event Premiers This Weekend

NC Zoo
[Scott Pelkey | North State Journal] ASHEBORO N.C. - The Baboons are back with a newly renovated habitat, and this weekend you can check it out yourself along with a brand-new event in 2023. Baboon Habitat Re-Opens In the 45 years the Baboons have been at the Zoo they have become one of the most popular attractions, and the Zoo's troop of twenty-two baboons ranging in age from senior adults to infants, is the largest in the United States (tied with San Diego Zoo). When the Baboons first came to the Zoo in the 19080's, their original habitat, what is now Lemar Island, lasted until 2005 when they were moved to the Africa Pavillion. Old African Pavilion / Acme News Archive In March of 2020, Zoo staff took a final walk through the Africa Pavillion before the iconic building ...
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May182023 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments
SECU Foundation Donates $2 Million to Asia at NC Zoo

SECU Foundation Donates $2 Million to Asia at NC Zoo

NC Zoo
Pat Simmions, Director of the NC Zoo, poses for photos with the leadership of the NC Zoo Society and the SECU Foundation. [Scott Pelkey | North State Journal] ASHEBORO N.C. - On May 17th, 2023, the SECU Foundation gifted $2 million to go towards the new Asia expansion currently under construction. Asia, the NC Zoo’s first new continent since North America in 1994, broke ground on August 17th, 2022, after $46 million in funding from the state budget was allocated to the project. Combined with the approximately $28 million raised through donations by the NC Zoo Society’s capital fundraising campaign brings the approximate total for Asia to around $75 million dollars. At a private event held at the newly renovated baboon habitat on May 17th, 2023, the SECU Foundation presented a che...
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May112023 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments
First Responders Recognize Healthcare Workers with Parade at Randolph Health

First Responders Recognize Healthcare Workers with Parade at Randolph Health

Local
https://youtu.be/-tET22AoHLI ASHEBORO N.C. - This week is both National Hospital Week and National Nurses Week. This afternoon first responders from across Randolph County recognized the arduous work of healthcare workers with a parade around Randolph Health. At 3 p.m. on Thursday May 11th, 2023, first responders from the Asheboro Fire/Rescue Department, Westside Fire Department, Ulah, Fire Department, Randolph County EMS, Asheboro Police Department, and the Randolph County Sheriff's office drove around Randolph Hospital, lights flashing and sirens blaring. The message, thank you for all you do. The parade was part of both National Nurses Week and National Hospital week which run together. "We are very grateful to the City of Asheboro, to Randolph County Sheriff's Departmen...
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May72023 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments
Asheboro Police Confirm Officer Involved in Crash with Child [UPDATED]

Asheboro Police Confirm Officer Involved in Crash with Child [UPDATED]

Breaking News
THIS ARTICLE COVERS BREAKING NEWS AND HAS BEEN UPDATED Click Here or scroll down to see the most recent update. ASHEBORO N.C. - Tonight, the Asheboro Police Department has confirmed an officer was involved in a vehicular crash involving a juvenile earlier this weekend. The crash is being investigated by the NCSHP and no further details are available currently. We are still reaching out to officials for more information and will update this article as more information is made available. UPDATE (5/8/23 1:45 PM) - Today we are learning about a vehicle accident involving a child and an APD officer that occurred over the weekend.  According to information obtained by Randolph News Now on the evening of May 6th an Asheboro Police Officer struck a child crossing the road ne...
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May42023 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments
NC Zoo has Dedicated ‘Quiet Days’ for Guests with Sensory Issues

NC Zoo has Dedicated ‘Quiet Days’ for Guests with Sensory Issues

NC Zoo
Photo provided by NC Zoo ASHEBORO N.C. - The North Carolina Zoo has announced monthly dedicated 'quiet days' for guests with sensory issues. In March of 2019, the NC Zoo announced they had become a 'Certified Sensory Inclusive venue' by KultureCity, a worldwide, leading non-profit recognized for using their resources to revolutionize and effect change in the community for those with sensory needs. “We are very excited to offer this program to enhance our inclusion efforts for all guests,” said the Zoo’s Guest Service Officer Jamie Merchel in a press release announcing the certification. The certification process included training for the Zoo’s staff and volunteers on how to recognize guests with sensory needs and how to handle a sensory overload situation. In an article fo...
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May32023 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments
Asheboro High School Unveils New Renovations – You’re Invited to Check It Out

Asheboro High School Unveils New Renovations – You’re Invited to Check It Out

Local
[Scott Pelkey | Randolph News Now for the North State Journal] ASHEBORO N.C. - After almost 5 years of construction, Asheboro High School's renovations are complete, and now they are inviting the public to an open house to see it for themselves. Wednesday afternoon, May 3rd, 2023, Asheboro City Schools held a ribbon cutting to officially unveil the new and improved home of the Blue Comets to elected officials, school system leadership, and members of the media. Construction of Asheboro High School began in 1949 and opened for students beginning with the 1950-1951 school year. The building has become somewhat of a historical icon in Asheboro. Students from Asheboro High School give a tour to city and county elected officials. In November of 2018, Asheboro City Schools h...
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Apr272023 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments
‘Failure to Yield’ Cited as Cause of Vehicle Crash into Una Mas

‘Failure to Yield’ Cited as Cause of Vehicle Crash into Una Mas

News
[Scott Pelkey | North State Journal] ASHEBORO N.C. - Police say a driver failing to yield was the cause of a vehicle crash Tuesday afternoon when a pick-up crashed into the side of Una Mas restaurant in Asheboro. On April 25th, 2023, at around 6pm, Asheboro Fire/Rescue, Ash-Rand Rescue, and Randolph County EMS were called to ¡UNA MAS! Modern Taqueria-Margaritas at 1337 E Dixie Dr in Asheboro for a report of a vehicle that had crashed into the restaurant. Crews arrived to find a pickup-truck that had crashed into the rear of the building next to the Hwy 42 entrance into the Crossroads Plaza shopping center. An accident report from the Asheboro Police Department indicates that 76-year-old Betty Maness of Asheboro was driving a dark grey in color Dodge pickup and was attempting...
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Apr262023 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments
Teen Driver Charged with Hit & Run after Crashing into Randleman Wendy’s

Teen Driver Charged with Hit & Run after Crashing into Randleman Wendy’s

News
All photos credit - Scott Pelkey | North State Journal ASHEBORO N.C. - A teen driver was charged with hit and run after crashing into the Randleman Wendy's Tuesday afternoon. On April 25th, 2023, at around 3:30 pm, Randleman Fire Department and Randolph County EMS were dispatched to the Wendy's located at 1029 High Point St, in Randleman for a report of a vehicle that had crashed into the building. According to an accident report from the Randleman police department, the driver was attempting to park in front of the restaurant when she accelerated running over the curb and sidewalk and striking the building before driving off. Police say the driver later returned to the scene and was charged with hit and run and violations of their learner's permit. No one was in...
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