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Jul142021 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments
NWS Issues Flash Flood Warning As Water Rescues Underway

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 de...
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Jul102021 by Randolph News NowNo Comments
North Carolina Zoo Mourns the Loss of ‘Amazing, Goofy’ Grizzly Bear

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 t...
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Jul102021 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments
NC Zoo Lifts Restrictions, Welcomes New Animals

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 ...
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Jun12021 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments
Hurricane Season Is Officially Here

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 r...
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May302021 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments
AHS Student To Attend Harvard University

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 ot...
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May192021 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments
Get A Free Ticket To The NC Zoo By Getting Your COVID-19 Vaccine

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 Clini...
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May142021 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments
NC Zoo Set To Start On Asia This Fall, Hopefully!?

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 b...
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Apr292021 by Sky Emerson1 Comment
NC Zoo Welcomes Spring And Future Changes

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,...
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Apr182021 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments
Fish Falls From Sky, Hits Truck Windshield In Randleman (Video)

Fish Falls From Sky, Hits Truck Windshield In Randleman (Video)

Local
Screenshot of video posted by Ward Transport on Twitter RANDLEMAN NC- Ward Transport, a trucking company with an office in Charlotte probably had a very strange conversation with their insurance company last week after a fish fell from the sky and smashed into the windshield of one of their trucks. On the afternoon of April 14th, Barry Poff, who has 34 years and more than 3 million miles under his belt had just finished a delivery in Randleman and was heading South on I-73/74 to his next delivery. As he crossed the Randleman Lake bridge a bird flew in front of the truck and dropped a rather large fish which smacked right into the truck's windshield. "I saw the bird carrying the fish and thought wow that's neat, and just then the fish hit the windshield. Said Poff. "It just happen...
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Apr92021 by Randolph News NowNo Comments
Scattered Thunderstorms Forecast For Randolph County

Scattered Thunderstorms Forecast For Randolph County

Weather
ASHEBORO NC - The possibility of strong thunderstorms for Randolph County has prompted the National Weather Service in Raleigh to issues a hazardous weather outlook advisory. According to meteorologists with the NWS there is a strong likelihood of scattered thunderstorms this afternoon through Saturday night capable of producing damaging straight-line wind gusts and quarter size hail. FORCAST Today- A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3 PM. Partly sunny, with a high near 81. Tonight - A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2 AM, then a slight chance of showers between 2 AM and 5 AM. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Saturday - Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 5 PM. Partly sunny, with a high near 78. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance ...
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