Local Archives | Page 15 of 17

Aug22021 by Acme News WireNo Comments

Severe Thunderstorm Leaves Path Of Damage In Randolph County

Weather

Randolph County Emergency Management reported that yesterday crews responded to 15 calls for trees in the roadway, 11 calls for trees down on power lines.(Scott Pelkey / Acme News)A fallen tree on a home on Old Stagecoach Rd left the homeowner displaced until the American Red Cross could arrive to help (Scott Pelkey/Acme News)An area of trees were flattened from a likely either a micro-burst or strong downburst. (Scott Pelkey / Acme News)A fire fighter with the Franklinville Fire Department was on the scene on Old Stagecoach Rd until after 6 PM blocking off an area with a live line down. (Scott Pelkey / Acme News)Two large tree trunks are all that was left after straight line winds tore off the tops of the tree and throwing them in the roadway. (Scott Pelkey / Acme News)A power pole sits s...

Jul282021 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments

Randolph County To Reach Record Highs Temps Rest Of The Week

Weather

Photo provided by National Weather Service - Raleigh ASHEBORO NC - Its going to a hot rest of the week in Randolph County, as forecasts call for the hottest temperatures of the season through the end of the week. The National Weather Service in Raleigh says Today will likely be the hottest of the year over the Piedmont, and the first of three consecutive days with heat index values between 95 and 105 degrees. Forecast Today the forecasts calls for highs around 93 degrees, with almost no wind to help cool things down. Overnight lows dip to around 69 before highs again tomorrow reach 95 degrees with a Southwest wind of 3 to 8 mph. Friday forecasters are calling for a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Light west wind increasing to ...

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 Randolph News NowNo Comments

North Carolina Zoo Mourns the Loss of ‘Amazing, Goofy’ Grizzly Bear

NC Zoo

ASHEBORO NC (NC Zoo Press Release) - The North Carolina Zoo is grieving the loss of Tommo, a beloved grizzly bear who lived at the Zoo for 26 years. The 31-year-old bear's quality of life quickly declined to the point that the Zoo's staff made the difficult decision to euthanize him this week. Tommo arrived at the Zoo in 1995 after being identified as a "nuisance bear" in Yellowstone National Park and relocated twice by the Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks. Nuisance bears have lost their fear of humans because they start to associate people as suppliers of food. This happens when people don’t properly secure their food while out in the wilderness. Though bears like Tommo usually end up being euthanized because they pose a threat to humans, the Zoo was able to provide him a home that a...

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...

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...

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...

May142021 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments

NC Zoo Set To Start On Asia This Fall, Hopefully!?

NC Zoo

Photo by Scott Pelkey / Acme News Archive ASHEBORO NC - The NC Zoo is set to begin work on the new Asia expansion with plans already approved and companies lined up to start construction as early as this fall. That is, provided the N.C. General Assembly passes a budget that includes the funds needed to complete the budget for the project. The originally expected budget for Asia was $65 million, but that estimate had to be increased. “When we did a lot of these estimates, it was several years ago. We’re starting to see inflation in construction costs,” said Diane Villa Director of Communications and Marketing for the NC Zoo. “Right now we’re looking at $75 million for Asia, and our hope is to complete Asia all in one fell swoop rather than phase things.” Gov. Roy Cooper's bu...

Apr292021 by Sky Emerson1 Comment

NC Zoo Welcomes Spring And Future Changes

NC Zoo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqehT8lUkT4 ASHEBORO NC- Just over a year after the NC Zoo was forced to close for several months under the first wave of restrictions amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the NC Zoo is officially open for the spring season. That was the message from Reid Wilson, Secretary of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources last Friday at the North Carolina Zoo. With the official spring opening comes the return of attractions, an announcement of a new animal, an update on Asia, and updates on the proposed increase in admission. Re-Opening The initial phases of the state’s stay-at-home order went into effect between March and June last year, when attendance is typically at its highest. The Zoo reported a record low attendance for 2020 of only 350,039, t...