2024 Archives | Randolph News Now

May252024 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments

Special discount for Randolph County residents coming to North Carolina Zoo

NC Zoo

[Scott Pelkey | North State Journal] ASHEBORO – Randolph County residents will be able to visit the North Carolina Zoo for just $5 for a limited time later this summer. The NC Zoo turns 50 in August, and as part of the celebration the Zoo will have “Randolph County Days at the Zoo.” From Aug. 5th through the 30th, Randolph County residents, along with up to three guests, can visit the Zoo for $5 each. “This is a program to give back to our community and express our gratitude for 50 Wild Years here in Randolph County,” said Diane Villa, deputy director and chief communications officer at the North Carolina Zoo. Randolph residents will need to make an online reservation to receive the discounted rate. Up to three accompanying guests, who do not need to be from Randolph County,...

May12024 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments

They’re Here: Cicadas re-emerge across North Carolina

Local

Cicada Brood XIX, with their 13-year cycle, have begun to emerge across North Carolina [Scott Pelkey | North State Journal] ASHEBORO — It’s officially May and on top of flowers from April showers, this month will bring forth two broods of cicadas in the U.S. in a phenomenon not seen since the early 1800’s. If you have scrolled news articles or social media in the last few weeks you’ve probably come across headlines telling of a super rare event with “billions” of cicadas emerging this year. So, what’s happening? Periodical cicadas are insects that spend most of their lives living underground feeding off the sap of tree roots. In summer, as the ground warms, cicadas make their way to the surface to transform into adults and mate. Once above ground and transformed into adults, peri...

Apr42024 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments

Everything you need to know about Monday’s total solar eclipse

Local

https://youtu.be/2MJY_ptQW1o Watch the NASA livestream of the eclipse on April 8th from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. EDT ASHEBORO — On Monday, a total solar eclipse will cross North America, and while Randolph County isn’t in the path of totality, it will still be an astronomical event worth witnessing. A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the sun. To fully witness a total solar eclipse, including seeing the “ring of fire,” you’ll need to be within a 115-mile-wide area stretching from Texas to Maine called the path of totality. None of North Carolina is in the path, so no one in the state will see the moon fully cover the sun. In Randolph County, astronomers say the moon will cover around 80% of the sun, maki...

Feb162024 by Randolph News NowNo Comments

Registration for the 2024 Senior Games is Now Open

Events

ASHEBORO, N.C. (City of Asheboro) – Registration is currently underway for the 2024 Randolph County Senior Games. The 2024 Games will be held March 6 – April 17. Randolph County Senior Games is a health and wellness promotion and education program for adult’s age 50 and better. Senior Games not only offers athletic events but the SilverArts, a program for artisans and craftspeople. While some participants are serious competitors, most are more interested in having fun, learning something new, and making new friends. The Randolph County Senior Games truly has “Something for the Artist and Athlete in Everyone”. Applications can filled out online at ncseniorgames.org or a paper form can be mailed by request. Applications with payment must be submitted either online or returned to t...

Feb132024 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments

Vote for the NC Zoo for BEST ZOO in USA Today’s Reader’s Choice Awards

NC Zoo

(Image provided by the N.C. Zoo) ASHEBORO N.C. - The North Carolina Zoo is asking for your vote after being nominated to compete against twenty other zoos for the title of 'Best Zoo' as part of USA Today’s Reader’s Choice Awards for 2024. A panel of experts with USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards nominated their top 20 picks for the best zoos in the United States. Among those picks was the North Carolina Zoo. The nomination coincides with the Zoo's 50th anniversary this year. In a post on social media, the NC Zoo Soceity said that "chosen by industry connoisseurs and USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards editors, we're honored to be among the nominees." Now it's up to the public to vote. You may vote once per day through Monday, March 4 at noon ET. The top The 10 winn...

Dec182023 by Randolph News NowNo Comments

Teen Driver Law Changes Take Effect in the New Year

Government

rocketclips / Adobe Stock ROCKY MOUNT N.C. (NCDOT) – The N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles wants to remind teen drivers and their parents of changes to the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) system made by the legislature that will go into effect in the new year. Beginning Jan 1st, 2024, teen drivers will need to have their Level 1 Limited Learner Permit for nine months instead of the current six months before being able to get their Level 2 Limited Provisional License. DMV Commissioner Wayne Goodwin said, “The law doesn’t allow for grandfathering anyone in, so if someone has their six months of Level 1 in before the end of the year but doesn’t get in to take their road test by Dec. 29, they will have to wait until they hit nine months to take the road test and get their Level 2. Anyo...

Jul212023 by Randolph News NowNo Comments

State Board Approves Student and Public Employee ID Cards in Upcoming Elections

Government

ASHEBORO N.C. — The State Board of Elections has approved almost a hundred student and employee ID cards for use in the upcoming 2023 municipal and 2024 primary and general elections in North Carolina. With the passage of Voter ID laws in North Carolina, voters will be asked to show photo ID when voting in state starting with the municipal elections this fall. While most voters will simply show their driver’s license, for those who don't have a driver's license there are many other acceptable photo IDs, and that list is growing with the approval of ninety-nine student and employee IDs. These newly approved IDs, which can be used to confirm a person’s identity when they check in to vote, include student IDs for all UNC system schools, as well as other public and private colleges a...

Jun62023 by Randolph News NowNo Comments

State Launches Approval Process for Student and Government Employee IDs for Voting

Government

Credit - 24K-Production / Adobe Stock RALEIGH, N.C. (NCSBOE) — The State Board of Elections is encouraging eligible educational institutions and government agencies to apply to have their student and employee photo IDs approved for voting purposes in upcoming elections. Beginning with the 2023 municipal elections, registered voters in North Carolina will be asked to present photo identification to vote. Student identification cards issued by North Carolina public or private universities and colleges, as well as employee identification cards issued by state and local government entities and charter schools, are valid forms of photo ID for voting when approved by the State Board. Many other types of photo ID, including driver’s licenses, also will be accepted for voting. Howeve...