Two EV charging spots at library

The Asheboro Public Library is now home to two EV (Electric Vehicle) charging stations. Duke Energy offered them to the City of Asheboro and the city decided to have them installed at the library. They are fast-charging stations that can  accomodate two EVs at once.

According to the Alternative Fuels Data Center (afdc.energy.gov) online map, this will make 12 such charging stations in the Asheboro area: 

— 6 at the NC Zoo.

— 1 at McDonald’s near Asheboro Mall.

— 1 at the Nissan dealership on East Dixie Drive.

 — 2 behind City Hall near the railroad tracks .

— 2 at the library.
 

That loud boom was ...

ASHEBORO — Residents around the county reported hearing a loud boom Sunday. On the Asheboro: Then & Now Facebook page, people reported hearing it from Asheboro, Randleman, Liberty, Climax, Ramseur, Coleridge and more. Some reported hearing one more than once and/or not just on Sunday.

Later Sunday evening, Westside Fire & Rescue posted an answer: “Did you hear the loud boom? Westside units responded to the Dave’s Mountain area in reference to multiple reports of explosions. Units found a citizen on private property that had been shooting tannerite. Thank you to all the reports and for the continued support.”

Tannerite is a type of explosive target available on Amazon and in sporting goods stores that is used for target practice. According to Wikipedia, “Tannerite brand targets explode when shot by a high-velocity bullet. Low-velocity bullets and shotgun ammunition will not initiate a reaction. The explosive reaction, once initiated, occurs at a very high velocity, producing a large vapor cloud and a loud report.”

‘Touch A Truck’ coming this Saturday

The local AMVETS group is hosting a “Touch A Truck” event this Saturday, April 21, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

The event lets children — and anyone of “walking age” — to see, touch and visit with trucks of various sorts, including an ambulance, a fire engine, a school bus, a police car, a dumpster truck, an 18-wheeler and other vehicles.

Admission is $5 with all proceeds going to Lydia's Place, the new women's shelter in Asheboro, and Post 905.  

Lydia's Place was selected as AMVETS is an organization of veterans serving veterans.  According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, women transitioning from the military can face many challenges when returning to civilian life that put them at risk for homelessness.

Founded in 1944 and chartered by an act of Congress, the AMVETS organization has more than 250,000 members nationwide. Membership is open to anyone who honorably served or is currently serving in the U.S. Armed Services, including the National Guard and Reserves. 

AMVETS Post 905 is located at 142 West Academy Street in Asheboro.  

Organizers promise a loud, fun day for children in the community, but for children sensitive to loud noises, there will be a quiet hour from 11 a.m.-noon during which there will be no sirens, horns, alarms or loud music. At other times during the event, children can opt for hearing protection if they are sensitive to loud noises.  

Hot dogs will be available for purchase.

Other tidbits….

— The four-story PNC Bank building at 115 S. Fayetteville Street in Asheboro has been sold to a limited liability corporation. An official with the LLC said plans are to develop the building, but no specific plans are in place. One possibility is to turn the site into a boutique hotel and nice restaurant downtown.

— The shop at 208 South Fayetteville Street, Asheboro, is being renovated as Blake’s Half-Baked Sandwiches. Kirstie and Ed Blake hope to open sometime in May, serving flat-bread sandwiches made with pizza crust. They will also have salads and a variety of soft drinks, tea and coffee. The building was once the location of the Carolina Theatre.

— On Saturday, April 22, Ricky Scaggs, Luke Scaggs, Molly Scaggs and family will be performing a concert at Mill 133 (behind The Table). Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at The Table.

— The old Walker Shoe Company site on Dixie Drive needed a new flagpole, so AmVets Post 905 worked with property owners to replace the flagpole.