Randolph County Archives | Randolph News Now

May312024 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments

Temporary Closure for U.S. 421 Intersection in Randolph County

Map from DriveNC.gov LIBERTY — The N.C. Department of Transportation (NC DOT) has announced the Julian Airport Road exit on U.S. 421 northbound will be closed due to construction next week. According to a press release, beginning June 4th, crews from Ames Construction will close the northbound exit for Julian Airport Rd on US 421 so they can work on the new interchange. A signed, on-site detour for motorists is as follows: U.S. 421 northbound to N.C. 62 N.C. 62 to Old U.S. 421 Old U.S. 421 to Julian Airport Road NC DOT says additions to the new interchange are scheduled to be completed in the coming weeks and expectes to have an update soon. For a full list of road closures check out our Road Closures / Incidents page or for real-time travel information, visit D...

May312024 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments

North Carolina Zoo welcomes 30 millionth all-time guest

NC Zoo

The North Carolina Zoo recently welcomed Maria Ines Perez, who became the 30 millionth guest since the site opened to the public in August 1974. (Photo Courtesy of the North Carolina Zoo) ASHEBORO — The North Carolina Zoo celebrated a historic milestone this month, welcoming its 30 millionth all-time guest since the site park opened in 1974. Late last year, the Zoo welcomed their one millionth guest for the year, and those attendance numbers are not letting up. In April of this year, the Zoo recorded a record for single-month attendance with 192,000 guests. Now, the world's largest natural habitat Zoo is celebrating another attendance milestone by welcoming their 30 millionth all-time guest since the site park opened just shy of 50 years ago. Maria Ines Perez, the lucky 30 millio...

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,...

May252024 by Randolph News NowNo Comments

Parents of teen shooting suspect charged by police

News

ASHEBORO — Asheboro Police says they have charged both parents of the 16-year-old suspect in the fatal shooting of Pedro Ortiz-Perez with helping the suspect avoid arrest. On May 23rd, the Asheboro Police Department obtained warrants for the mother and father of the 16-year-old suspect in the fatal shooting of Pedro Ortiz-Perez, for aiding the suspect in evading arrest. Pedro Ortiz-Perez, a 16-year-old, who attended Southwest Randolph High School and played on the soccer team, was critically injured in a shooting near North Asheboro Park on May 3rd. He remained in critical condition at UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill until he succumbed to his injuries and passed away on May 15th. In a statement following the shooting, police said they did not believe Ortiz-Perez was the intended target....

May252024 by Randolph News NowNo Comments

No Injuries, One Arrest in Friday night shooting, says Asheboro Police

Crime

ASHEBORO — No one was injured and one person was arrested after shots rang out in an Asheboro neighborhood last night. According to a press release from the Asheboro Police Department, on Friday May 24th, at around 7:50 p.m., officers were dispatched to the area of S. Church St. and W. Wainman Ave. after receiving reports of an armed person and gunshots in the area. 9-1-1 callers and witnesses were able to provide a detailed description and location of the suspect and when officers arrived in the area, they say they observed the suspect running on W. Wainman Ave. behind a business. After a short foot pursuit, officers arrested 18-year-old Kelvin Amad Cook, and recovered a Taurus 9mm handgun, according to the press release. Police also say they located six spent 9 mm shell casings ...

May172024 by Randolph News NowNo Comments

Victim in North Asheboro Park Shooting Dies, According to Police

News

ASHEBORO — The victim of a shooting earlier this month near North Asheboro Park has died, according to police. In a press release earlier today, the Asheboro Police Department said that on May 15th, 2024, the victim,16-year-old Pedro Ortiz-Perez, has passed away. Ortiz-Perez was injured in a shooting on May 3rd near North Asheboro Park and was brought to the Emergency Room at Randolph Hospital by vehicle with a gunshot wound to the jaw/neck. He was later transferred to UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill where he had remained in critical condition. In a statement following the shooting, police said they did not believe Ortiz-Perez was the intended target. The suspect, a 16-year-old whose name cannot be released by police due to privacy laws, was arrested in Statesville, N.C. on May 1...

May102024 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments

What’s New at the Zoo | New animals, Asia, and more!

NC Zoo

Anana, the North Carolina Zoo's female polar bear looks through the glass into the Polar Bear Cave. [Scott Pelkey | North State Journal] ASHEBORO — This year marks the North Carolina Zoo’s 50th anniversary, and while Asia isn’t opening until 2026, 2024 is still a big and busy year for one of the state’s best attractions. Late last year, the Zoo welcomed their 1millionth guest for the year, and those attendance numbers are not letting up. In April, the Zoo recorded a record for single-month attendance with 192,000 guests, and the Zoo says it is approaching 30 million all-time visitors. Whoever it happens to be is going to be in for a surprise. Summer comes to the Zoo Each April, as temperatures and the number of daily guests rise, the Zoo switches into summer mode. The entra...

May102024 by Randolph News NowNo Comments

Mother’s Day Weekend Events in Randolph County

Events

(Nelos / Adobe Stock - Edited) Today starts Mother's Day weekend, and if you are looking for something to do, there is a lot going on across Randolph County. 📅 Friday May 10th Randleman Mother & Son Dance Randleman Parks and Recreation will be holding a mother and son dance for ages 12 & under at the Randleman Civic Center from 6 until 8 p.m. Two tickets are $15 and $5 for each extra ticket and can be purchased at the front desk at the Recreation Center. Food and drinks will be provided. For more information call (336) 495-7525. https://randolphnewsnow.com/calendar/randleman-mother-son-dance/ 📅 Saturday May 11th NC Zoo Plant Sale This weekend is Mother’s Day, and at the Zoo that means only one thing: It’s Plant Sale time. On Saturd...

May102024 by Randolph News NowNo Comments

Suspect Arrested in Connection with Shooting at Asheboro Park

Crime

ASHEBORO N.C. — A suspect has been arrested in connection with a shooting earlier this month a North Asheboro Park that left a 16-year-old in critical condition, according to the Asheboro Police Department. On May 3rd, as officers were responding to a report of shots fired in the area of North Asheboro Park on Canoy Drive, a 16-year-old male with a gunshot wound to the jaw/neck was brought to the Emergency Room at Randolph Hospital by vehicle. An investigation by Detectives identified another 16-year-old male as the suspect, but police were unable to locate that suspect, until today. The Asheboro Police Department says an extensive investigation determined that the suspect was staying at a residence on Gypsy Drive in Statesville, N.C. At around 10:30 a.m. this morning officers with...

May92024 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments

Teachers and Officers faceoff in Kickball Showdown

Events

[Scott Pelkey | North State Journal] ASHEBORO — Earlier this week teachers at Asheboro High School went up against officers from the Asheboro Police Department, in a friendly game of kickball. Inspired by superintendent of Asheboro City Schools Dr. Woody’s emphasis on community engagement, Asheboro High School’s Assistant Principal Brittany Roberts proposed having the police department cook hamburgers and hotdogs for Teacher Appreciation Week.“They suggested the idea of a friendly competition against the police department to add excitement to the week,” said Roberts. Working with the school’s administration team and Officer Cornejo, the School Resource Officer, plans for the first ever ‘Techers vs Cops - Kickball Showdown’ were finalized. On Wednesday May 7th the two sides gat...