Randolph County Archives | Page 9 of 77

Dec292023 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments

North Carolina Zoo Sets Record Attendance After Passing One Million Guests in 2023

NC Zoo

ASHEBORO N.C. – With just a few days before the end of the year, the North Carolina Zoo exceeded one million guests in a calendar year for the first time in its history. On December 27th, 2023, Ran Liu and his family became the one millionth visitor to the North Carolina Zoo for the 2023 calendar year. The previous record for highest attendance in a calendar year was 930,002, set in 2022. The Liu family (Photo provided by NC Zoo) “Being recognized as the millionth guest was a pleasant surprise and an honor,” says Liu, a Zoo member according to a press release from the Zoo. “I look forward to the day when [the Zoo] celebrates two or three million guests in a year,” he explains. “Everyone should experience it for themselves. I encourage others to come, volunteer, or find a way to ge...

Dec232023 by Randolph News NowNo Comments

Man Arrested for using Police Lights to try and Pull Over Driver

Crime

ASHEBORO N.C. - A local man was arrested earlier this week after the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office says he attempted to use flashing red and blue lights to pull over a vehicle in Asheboro. On December 20th, 2023, deputies responded to Meadowbrook Rd. in Asheboro. A caller reported that they had been followed by a vehicle flashing blue and red lights that they did not believe was a law enforcement vehicle. According to a press release from the Sheriff’s Office, deputies located the vehicle and identified the driver as Dennis Charles Richardson. The deputies determined the vehicle was privately owned and Richardson is not a law enforcement officer. Dennis Charles Richardson Richardson was arrested and transported to the Randolph County Jail where the magistrate fou...

Dec212023 by Randolph News NowNo Comments

Construction Suspended for Holiday Travel

Traffic & Roads

Photo by: suwichan / Adobe Stock RALEIGH N.C. (NCDOT) –The N.C. Department of Transportation will suspend most construction activity on major highways to make travel easier during the upcoming holiday season. Most work along interstates, U.S. and key state routes will be suspended starting Friday morning and will resume Jan. 2, 2024. Exceptions include bridges being replaced, long term lane construction that cannot be temporarily removed and highway work that does not impact travel. One such spot is Interstate 40 in Haywood County, where lane closures will stay in place for safety reasons. Before you hit the road, be sure to visit DriveNC.gov for the most up-to-date information.AAA forecasts 3.5 million North Carolinians will travel by automobile this holiday season. These saf...

Dec202023 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments

Asheboro Police Confirm Two Injured in Shooting, One Arrested [UPDATED]

Breaking News

Saray Hernandez Torres via Facebook ARTICLE UPDATEDThis article covers a developing story. Click here to see the latest update. ASHEBORO N.C. - Police have confirmed two people were injured and one arrested after a shooting in Asheboro earlier today. According to the Asheboro Police Department, at approximately 12:50 p.m. Officers responded to Lowe Body and Glass, located at 201 Saunders Drive in Asheboro, for a reported shooting. Arriving officers located two victims at the scene who had suffered gunshot wounds. The officers applied direct pressure and tourniquets on victims at the scene to control bleeding until EMS personnel arrived. According to Asst. Chief of Police Brown, both victims were transported by EMS to out of county medical facilities for advance...

Dec182023 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments

AFRD Responds to House Fires Sunday and Monday

News

ASHEBORO N.C. - The Asheboro Fire Rescue Department responded to two house fires, one on Sunday and another Monday. On Sunday December 17th, 2023, at 3:30 p.m. Asheboro Fire and Rescue Department (AFRD) was dispatched to a structure fire at 430 Glovinia St. AFRD via Facebook AFRD via Facebook Units with C-shift arrived within two minutes to find heavy smoke coming from the residence. An initial and secondary search located no one in the home. Crews reported the scene under control at 3:52 p.m. After the fire the house was turned back over to the occupants. Damage to the structure was estimated to be around $15,000 and the cause of the incident was ruled as unintentional. On Monday December 18th, 2023, at 4:53 a.m. crewed were dispatched to a residential fire at 811 S F...

Dec182023 by Randolph News NowNo Comments

Jingle in the Jungle: The North Carolina Zoo offers $5 Entry Fee Dec. 18-22, 2023

Events

ASHEBORO, N.C. (NC ZOO) — To celebrate the season of giving, the North Carolina Zoo is delighted to announce a December promotion to give back to the community: Jingle in the Jungle! From Dec. 18-22, all general admission is $5 for entry to the North Carolina Zoo. No other discounts apply; in-person sales only (no online reservations). The North Carolina Zoo is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the winter months and is closed to the public on Christmas Day (Monday, Dec. 25). Note that the Africa parking lot and ticket booths are closed for the winter, but guests can visit the entire park by entering through the North America ticket booths. For more information, visit NCZoo.org.

Dec182023 by Randolph News NowNo Comments

UCA Elementary PTO Treasurer Charged with Embezzlement

Crime

Julie W. McNeill (Mugshot provided by Randolph County Sheriff's Office) ASHEBORO N.C. - The former treasurer of Uwharrie Charter Academy's Elementary School's Parent Teacher Organization has been charged with a felony after investigators say she embezzled tens of thousands of dollars from the organization. According to a press release from the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, on September 18th, 2023, investigators received a report of embezzlement at Uwharrie Charter Elementary School located in Asheboro, NC. School officials reported suspicious activity following an internal audit of the Parent Teacher Organization’s (PTO) financial records. The Sheriff’s Office says detectives uncovered evidence that substantiated the school’s findings and identified Julie W. McNeil...

Dec142023 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments

Coastal Low to Bring Heavy Rain and Winds Sunday

Weather

(irontrybex / Adobe Stock) ASHEBORO N.C. - A strong coastal low system will sweep across central North Carolina Sunday bringing torrential rain and strong winds. A coastal low-pressure system will begin to move up from the gulf through the southeast coast of the United States, across Florida and Georgia on Saturday and through South Carolina and North Carolina on Sunday. Impacts According to the National Weather Service Office in Raleigh the storm will bring areas of heavy rainfall with the potential for localized flooding, especially in urban and poor drainage areas. Rainfall amounts of two to three inches are expected from Saturday night through Sunday night. Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around light unsecured objects such as holiday decorations....

Dec132023 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments

Community Rallies to Support Family after Child Seriously Injured in House Fire

Local

(Photo via Facebook) See upcoming events to support the Burroughs family and how you can help out by clicking here. ASHEBORO N.C. - The community is coming together to support a local family after their 10-year-old son was seriously injured in a house fire that destroyed the family home. On December 8th, 2023, at 2:50 a.m. the Burroughs’ family home on Mountain Creek Rd. caught fire. At the time, Kevin and Shauna Burroughs were home asleep with their two children, 15-year-old daughter, Kamdyn and 10-year-old son, Chevy. According to stories shared by family and friends with local media outlets, Shauna was able to pull Kamdyn out through a window. Kevin, the father, was pushed back by heavy smoke and fire trying to reach Chevy and ended up breaking through a wall to ...

Dec132023 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments

No Injuries Reported after Late Night House Fire in Asheboro

News

[Scott Pelkey | North State Journal] ASHEBORO N.C. - No injuries were reported last night after fire crews responded to a fire at a duplex in Asheboro. At 10:16 p.m. on December 12th, 2023, Asheboro Fire and Rescue was dispatched to a reported apartment fire at 617 S Church St. The first unit arrived on scene just two minutes later and found a working fire in a small duplex. Fire fighters located and extinguished a fire in one of the apartments and ventilated the building. The fire was reported under control at 11:29 p.m. No one was located after two searches of the building, and no injuries were reported. [Scott Pelkey | North State Journal] In total 8 units with 21 personnel were on scene from Asheboro Fire and Rescue along with Randolph County EMS an...