I do some of my best thinking when I am out for my walks. Or should I say I do a lot of thinking when I am out for my walks (best may be debatable). Anyways, I decided to combine my love for my community with my love for walking so here's my latest idea. Next Saturday (11/08) I will be leaving black plastic bags on porches in our community along with a flyer attached. The goal is to fill the bag if you are able, to help meet the demand in our area. Neighbors are asked to place the bags back out on their front porch the following Saturday morning (11/15) and I will be back around to pick them up. If you do not receive a bag on your porch or you live outside of the bag delivery area and still would like to contribute, there will be 3-4 public drop off areas announced next weekend when this kicks off. All donations will stay local between the LAC Food Pantry and the elementary school's backpack program. Neighbors helping neighbors is one of the best parts of this town that I am proud to call home. So be on the lookout for the bag and flyer on your porch on Saturday, Nov. 8th. Here's more info so you can start planning ahead.
Shaw Accounting Service
Calling the PGHS Community!!
At PGHS, we strive to make sure each of our students are able to have a great holiday season. We offer our families this opportunity that is only possible with the help of Holiday Sponsors. Without our sponsors, these students would not be able to have the holidays we know they should have. Each sponsor receives a " Needs and Wants list" for a student. We ask the sponsors to provide at least one complete outfit, and at least one item off of the Needs and the Wants list, but you are not limited to that! If you are interested or have any questions about being a sponsor, please contact Mrs. Bolton, our student advocate, at (336) 685-0728 or email her at ebolton@randolph.k12.nc.us. A huge thank you to the PGHS community for all you do for our students!
Randolph County School System
“STAR3 Students” for October 2025
Franklinville Elementary School – Jayden Blankenship
Franklinville Elementary is proud to present Jayden Blankenship as our STAR3 Student. Jayden is a shining example of kindness and respect each day at school. He always treats his classmates and adults with courtesy, setting a positive example for others. Jayden works hard in everything he does and takes pride in giving his best effort. His determination to succeed is matched by his positive attitude in and out of the classroom. We are so proud to recognize Jayden as a Star3 Student!
Grays Chapel Elementary School – Silas Greeson
Silas Greeson is a fifth-grade student at Grays Chapel. He shows respect and is friendly to everyone he meets. He enjoys school and likes helping others in class. In the community, Silas is involved in activities at his church and Boy Scouts. Along with a great attitude, his smile shows humbleness that makes him an excellent overall STAR3 student for Grays Chapel for October.
Liberty Elementary School – Magnolia Kime
Liberty Elementary School is proud to recognize Magnolia Kime as our Star3 Student. Magnolia is an exceptional student, consistently excelling across all academic areas. More importantly, she stands out for her unwavering kindness and character. She is quick to offer help to both her peers and her teachers, always striving to do what is right—and inspiring others to do the same. Her passion for reading is evident, and she approaches every task with dedication and integrity. Magnolia truly embodies what it means to be both a diligent learner and a compassionate human being. She makes our classroom a better place simply by being in it. We have no doubt she will continue to grow into a thoughtful, driven, and inspiring young leader.
Northeastern Randolph Middle School – Landon Macon
Landon Macon is a shining example of what it means to be respectful, responsible, and committed to doing the right thing. He consistently demonstrates kindness and consideration, always holding doors open for students and staff without being asked. His respectful attitude shines through in every interaction—whether he’s speaking with peers or adults, he communicates with politeness and maturity. He takes responsibility for his actions, leads by example, and contributes positively to the school environment. His everyday actions reflect strong character and a genuine desire to make his school a better place for everyone, therefore we are excited and proud to name Landon Macon the Star3 Student for Northeastern Randolph Middle School.
Providence Grove High School – Ruby Caudle
Providence Grove High School proudly recognizes Ruby Caudle as our STAR3 student for exemplifying the values of Patriot Nation. She is a three-sport athlete and also serves in leadership roles with Student Government, Beta Club, and Fellowship of Christian Students. Ruby is active in Unify Club and leads in her yearbook class while also dedicating time to her church. Her teachers describe her as a hardworking student of great character who goes above and beyond expectations. Currently, she is serving as a math intern at NERMS as she pursues her dream of becoming a math teacher.
Ramseur Elementary School – Jacqueline Brower
Ramseur Elementary is proud to recognize Jacqueline Brower, 5th grade student as our STAR3 student for October. Jacqueline is an exemplary student who is always friendly and kind toward her peers and respectful toward her teachers. She completes all her work, and takes initiative in class discussions and projects. She truly tries her best at everything she does, setting a wonderful example for everyone around her. Ramseur is delighted to nominate Jacqueline as our STAR3 Student for October.
Number One Question We Get Asked!!
Where Do We Find The Paper??? Online at
Stores Listed By
Area Below:
Liberty /Staley
ABC Store
Bargain Shop
Bell Mia's 2
Brendas Beauty Shop
Carolyn's
China House
Cut N Up
Earth Visions
Fidelity Bank
Friendly Beauty Shop
Gas N Guns
Hurricane Janes
Kidd's Place
Liberty Oil Office
Liberty Grounds
Liberty Keetle Corn
Liberty Library
Liberty Market Place
Liberty Post Office
Liberty Senior Center
Liberty Tire
Liberty Town Hall
Mark's Barber Shop
Oaks
Peggy Sues Thrift
Store
Quick Check
Quick Stop
Randolph Health
Roos
Sammys Diner
Shadow Box
Sparks
Staley Post Office
Subway
Y'All Come Back
Julian Homeland Creamery
Julian Post Office
Ramseur / Franklinville
Franklinville Library
Franklinville Post Office
Green Box infront
Franklinville Café
Magnolias on Main
Quick Check
Ramseur Library
Ramseur Post Office
Vic's Bakery
Forest Oaks
Bella Mia's
Dr Scott Dentist
Dry Cleaners
Snow Camp
Snow Camp Post Office
Teagues Farm and Market
Climax
Backyard Grill '
Climax Post Office
Crossroads Market
Jam's Fabric & Quilt Shop
Rockin F Farm
For those of you who don’t know, children and teens across the world are repeating the numbers 6..7. along with a hand gesture. It is a meme and comes from a variety of popular online sources. It seems to be only getting more popular. I was looking up the Bible verse that tells us as parents to teach the commandments especially the greatest commandments to our children…. Guess what? It’s Deuteronomy 6:7. Chapter 6 4“Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! 5“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6“These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. 7“You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. 8“You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. 9“You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
I’m going to try every time my own kids say “six seven” to say “Deuteronomy 6:7…..don't forget to love the Lord your God with all your heart.” *I’m honestly shocked my the number of shares of my post. I’ve limited the comments because I can’t keep up and I don’t want to deal with the trolls.
Hey Ramseur! Sneak peeks
We're working hard on getting the new store ready for you More soon! Goodwill
We’ve had a tough but blessed 2025. Let us help you with all your property maintenance needs. Inside or outside, we can help. Contact us today at 336-509-1752. We’re committed to long lasting relationships. We offer:
- Landscape maintenance contracts
- Power washing
- Turf management
- Landscape installation & removal
- Grading and drainage solutions
- Mulch, pine needles, river rock
- Leaf cleanup and removal- curbside pickup available
- Mosquito, flea, tick management
- Tree trimming and removal
- Snow removal
- Handyman services
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving traces its origins to 1621, when Pilgrims in Plymouth Colony and the Wampanoag people shared a three-day feast celebrating the colony's first successful harvest. Though this event is considered the "First Thanksgiving," it was not an annual tradition at the time. Throughout the 1600s and 1700s, various colonies and later states declared days of thanksgiving for different reasons, often with religious overtones. In 1863, during the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of thanksgiving to be observed on the last Thursday in November. This helped establish the modern Thanksgiving holiday. In 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt moved Thanksgiving up one week to extend the holiday shopping season, but the change was controversial. In 1941, Congress passed a law fixing the holiday to the fourth Thursday in November. Traditional Thanksgiving meals often include turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie, symbolizing the harvest and historical roots. While the holiday celebrates gratitude and community, it also sparks reflection on the complex and often painful history between Native Americans and European settlers.
Winter Prep Tips for Guilford & Randolph County Residents
As colder weather settles in, it’s a great time to make sure your home and property are ready for winter. Here are a few helpful tips to keep your season safe and stress-free:
Protect Your Pipes: Insulate exposed pipes to prevent freezing. Disconnect garden hoses and shut off outdoor water valves.
Check Your Heating System: Schedule a maintenance check for your furnace or heat pump. Clean or replace filters to improve efficiency.
Stock Up on Essentials: Keep extra batteries, flashlights, bottled water, and nonperishable food in case of power outages.
Drive Safely: Make sure your vehicle’s tires, brakes, and battery are winter-ready. Keep an emergency kit in your car with blankets, snacks, and a phone charger.
Support Local Services: Many local hardware stores in Liberty, Climax, and surrounding areas offer winter supplies and expert advice—shop local to stay prepared
Liberty Was Named By Soldiers Freed at Our Crossroad
by Warren Dixon, Liberty Heritage Museum
There were errors on the history of Liberty on page 7 and again on page 35 in the October, 2025, issue of The Liberty Leader. The first erroneous statement is one that is often repeated, but false, in that Liberty was named in 1807 “for the plantation of John Leake, Liberty Oak.”
The first mention we find of the name “Liberty” comes in 1809 when Abraham Brower purchased the first lot “in the new town of Liberty”. His lot was across from what is now Grace Lutheran Church.
There is no mention of John Leake in the Randolph County Register of Deeds office. There was a John Leake in Guilford County during the Revolutionary War, but he lived near the Dan River in a part of what was then Guilford, but later become Rockingham County. This John Leake did, however, have some influence on the name of a North Carolina town. In his will, dated 1807, (the same year he supposedly had a plantation in Liberty), he left lots in the town of Leaksville to his wife.
There is a mention of an oak tree near the home of James Washington Brower, under which townspeople met. James Washington Brower was a son of Abraham, and lived in a two-story home near what is now Hurricane Jane’s and Sapphire 24 Fitness. That’s the Liberty Oak on the Liberty Town seal.
At the Liberty Heritage Museum, we subscribe to the legend that Liberty historian Francine Swaim mentioned in her writings. She wrote that during the Revolutionary War, when Patriot troops were released from captivity from the British at these crossroads, they hollered, “Liberty! Liberty!”, thus giving the area its name. We can’t, of course, prove it, but we certainly can disprove the story of John Leake.
Another error in the October issue is an easy one to make, and one that the late Jim Wilson, who owned the Liberty Depot, also made. The Leader stated that the Liberty Depot was built in 1885, a year after the Cape Fear and Yadkin Valley Railroad came through Liberty. But that depot burned on November 19, 1901 according to the Greensboro Patriot. Our depot was built probably in 1902. The Asheboro Courier mentioned in its column “Liberty Items” on January 8, 1903, that “Walter Smith, a son of L.H., came home from Clio, SC, on the 3rd. We all went to the new depot to see him jump off the train.”
We invite you to come by the Liberty Heritage Museum from 11-3:00 on Saturdays or call 336-622-2731 for a tour to learn more of the history of our area.
Notice of Prohibited Signage
In accordance with §154.164 of the Town of Liberty Code of Ordinances, signage shall not be placed outside of required set-back yards or any public right-of-way. Neither shall signage be attached to utility poles, trees, rocks, or other natural objects. Any signage violating this ordinance must be removed no later than November 17th, 2025.
Signage in violation of this ordinance past November 17th, 2025 will be subject to removal by the Town.
We guess it's time to say this again, for the people that have lived here for generations and the new residents (Welcome to town BTW!).
If you see someone trying to break into your (or your neighbors) car, house, or business...immediately CALL 911 ("immediately" in this context means just that....with alacrity....). Please don't wait a couple of days, please don't drive around town to find an officer to tell, please do not send a social media message, please do not call an officers cell phone, and please do not call the PD directly. (What about sending up smoke signals you ask? That may get the fire department... so I guess that is an option?)
Your police department does not have a full time, 24/7 person at the PD to answer your emergency or non emergency calls. If you leave a message in the PD general voice mail box, you should get a response the next business day. If you leave a message for a specific officer at the PD, you will receive a phone call back when that person returns to duty. If you message us on social media, you may not get a response for a few days, only 2 officers have access to the PM's and honestly neither one like social media much... You are probably asking yourself, "Rebecca (or Bob or James etc).... how am I supposed to get a police officer to respond then?" I am glad you asked Rebecca (Bob, James)
We have partnered with other, small municipalities, in the county to pay for a 911 communicator to operate from Randolph County Emergency Services 24/7.
You can call 911 OR (336) 318-3911. They both get you to the same place.
If it is NOT an emergency but you need an officer or fireman to come by, it is OK to call 911 (or 336-318-3911). JUST CALL 911.
If you are in doubt...call 911....
Wednesday October 22, 2025
Halloween Parade with Community Helpers on hand to give out treats. Mayor Filmore York, and employees from Administration and Parks and Recreation were there to greet the kids.
Congratulations to Walker Minton and Callie Lambert for receiving PG’s "Unsung Heroes" Awards!
Tonight, twelfth-grade student-athletes from Asheboro City Schools and the Randolph County School System were honored as "Unsung Heroes" at the Randolph Sports Council Fall Banquet held at Black Powder Smokehouse in Asheboro. The event featured guest speaker Tony Joyce, a resident of Randolph County, former teacher and coach for RCSS, and current Director of Equipment Services with Wake Forest University Baseball. Joyce inspired attendees with his stories of "unsung heroes" who helped form, encourage and change his life in the athletic world and beyond.
Walker Minton and Callie Lambert were honored tonight for PGHS.
Genesis Heating & Cooling, LLC
Safety First
Keep anything that can burn, at least three-feet away from heating equipment, such as the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable space heater
Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
Where does your money go that is given to the Julian Lions Club?
Brighter Visions - Lions Foundation and Camp Dogwood (includes funding a camper)
Local people - assistance with heat & air, purchase generator, Thanksgiving turkeys, Christmas gifts
Boys and Girls home, Howard Coble Center, KidsSight, Youth Focus, Coble's Lutheran Blessing Box, and Kids Path
is a local, family owned and operated, licensed and insured HVAC contractor based in Pleasant Garden, NC. After 30+ years working for others, owner Darryl Wright decided to move away from larger out of state owned companies to focus on providing expert personalized customer service to families in the local communities around the Triad area. After working with his dad during the summer of 2024, Darryl’s son Cooper has also decided to pursue a career in the HVAC industry. He is currently enrolled in classes to receive his associates degree while working with Darryl 3 days a week. Darryl is dedicated to providing honest customer service to those in the area. Genesis Heating and Cooling provides services for residential properties and small commercial businesses, offering maintenance, repairs, installations, maintenance agreements, and financing for customers all around Randolph, Guilford, Chatham, Forsyth, Davidson, and Alamance counties. We look forward to helping the folks in our community and can be reached at 336-355-1201 or info@genesisheatcool.com or check out our website genesisheatcool.com.
Let me let you in a a little secret. But please let this one spread like town gossip - The Liberty
We have been opening on Sundays. With record crowds during the week, we have been here 12-4 on Sunday. Stop in to see us and enjoy a little less people.
I’m going to post more but here are a few things that caught my eye making my morning rounds.
* Call us for mini-storage rentals with "on Site" security. * 6355 Smithwood Rd., Liberty, 31 wooded Acres with several hundred ft. of paved road frontage, with creek, three miles from Toyota Plant Surveyed with new plat, $320,000.00 A big thank-you to our local firefighters for visiting Liberty Elementary during Fire Safety Month! Our Bulldogs loved learning about fire safety and exploring the fire truck up close.
GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH
* Call us for single family rentals in the Liberty area . We currently have two home rentals available.
I am honored to announced that I am now the honorary mayor of Julian!!! Words can’t even express how thankful I am for every single
Growing CommUnity and Inclusion: A Pumpkin Patch Project at Northeastern Randolph Middle School
Randolph County School System
October 27, 2025
Ms. Mac and Ms. York’s class at Northeastern Randolph Middle School have been learning what it means to be a caring and supportive community. Together, they’ve
Jennifer Parham, for working with me to make this a phenomenal fundraising year for the Julian Lions Club. THANK YOU to every single business who donated items for the auction and for our fundraisers. Watching so many local businesses show up to support the Julian Lions and the community was such an amazing thing to be a part of. Lastly, I want to thank my fiance who wiped the tears away when I got overwhelmed and God for helping me through the past few months. All glory goes to Him who strengthens me.
Psalms 34:4
-Meredith Stewart
Realtor at Great State Real Estate
Honorary Mayor of Julian
History Made at Providence Grove!
Words can’t describe how proud I am of this football team and our coaching staff. For the first time in school history, Providence Grove Football Is Central Carolina Conference Champions!
This group of young men has truly set the standard winning 8 games (tying the most in a single season) and doing it the right way every step of the journey. What makes me even prouder is that as a team, they carry a 3.3 GPA, proving that hard work, discipline, and character show up both on and off the field.
To the players, thank you for your commitment, your toughness, and your belief in each other. To the coaching staff your time, effort, and love for these young me make all the difference. To the fans and community, thank you for always supporting and cheering us on! To the coaches wives and my biggest supporter Tiffany Atkins Moran, thank you for allowing your husbands and myself to invest so much time and energy in to this program. You guys are the real MVPs!
This team will forever hold a special place in my heart and Providence Grove!
Also special congratulations to the seniors! A group that has been through more than anyone could imagine, continued to
So Honored to be a part of The MWA organization that celebrates the efforts of local volunteers. Our Liberty Chapter with JB, Micah, Jairus and Amy recognized our recipients of the MW “Home Town Hero” award this morning at the Lion’s Club Breakfast. We had 2 recipients this year in Jimmy and Judy Butler. They are the epitome of giving back to the community through their volunteer efforts.
Fire Prevention Week in Action!
Firefighters from Liberty, Kimesville, Staley, and Julian Fire Departments visited Liberty Elementary giving students and staff a front-row seat to the teamwork, professionalism, and quick action our first responders bring to every call.
This hands-on experience was all about education — helping students understand how our firefighters work together to keep us safe.
A huge THANK YOU to all four departments for not only showing up, but showing our kids what true service and preparedness look like.
Special thanks to our sponsors: Travis Kivett-State Farm Insurance, Liberty Rotary Club & Hardin LLC. Pork Chop Dinner SATURDAY Nov, 15 2025 5:00 to 7:00 PM
2 pork Chops Stewed Potato
Cole Slaw Pinto Beans Roll Dessert
Liberty Fire Department Hosts NC Fire and Rescue Administrative Professionals Quarterly Meeting
We were honored to host the North Carolina Fire and Rescue Administrative Professionals for their quarterly meeting right here at Liberty Fire Department!
The day kicked off with a warm welcome and insightful history of our town shared by Mayor York, setting a great tone for a day of learning, networking, and hands-on experiences. Attendees had the opportunity to participate in Vehicle Extrication and Fire Extinguisher Training, gaining critical work our crews perform every day.
This incredible group is committed to building both professional and personal networks that are informative, productive, and valuable to the support staff behind Fire/Rescue services across North Carolina. Through shared knowledge and networking, they continue to strengthen the backbone of our emergency services.
A special thank you to NAFECO for generously providing lunch for everyone in attendance!
We’re proud to support this mission and the dedicated professionals who keep our departments running smoothly.
Fall Festival
November 8th
Hickory Grove Traditional Methodist Church
10068 Silk Hope Liberty Rd. Hot dog supper-4:30
The Bulldog Run Club
GoFar race! Students and staff worked hard all season for this moment and everyone crossed the nish line. We are so proud of each student for preserving and pushing themselves. Shout out to Ms. Judson and all of the other coaches for a successful season.
Conference champs-5 years and going! Way to win Cats! 49-0 against the Jets!
November 2025 The Liberty Leader Newspaper Volume
8:00- Chat & Coffee Time
9:00- Word Hunt Puzzles
10:00-Moving Exercise
12:00-Hand Embroidery
1:00- Hunting- True or False Game?
8:00- Chat & Coffee Time
9:00- Word Hunt Puzzles
10:00-Moving Exercise
12:00-Hand Embroidery
1:00- Christmas ornaments and decor with Teresa
8:00- Chat & Coffee Time
9:00- Word Hunt Puzzles
10:00-Moving Exercise
12:00-Hand Embroidery
1:00-Liberty Readers Book club with the Library
8:00- Chat & Coffee Time
9:00- Word Hunt Puzzles
10:00-Moving Exercise
12:00-Hand Embroidery
1:00- Christmas ornaments and decor with Teresa
8:00- Chat & Coffee Time
9:00-Crossword Puzzles
10:00- Senior Fitness with Sapphire Studios
12:00- Crochet Club
1:00- Ornament Angels/ Pocket Angels with Pam
8:00- Chat & Coffee Time
9:00-Crossword Puzzles
10:00- Senior Fitness with Sapphire Studios
12:00- Crochet Club
12-30- Book Vase with the Library (Register)
8:00- Chat & Coffee Time
9:00-Crossword Puzzles
10:00- Senior Fitness with Sapphire Studios
12:00- Crochet Club
1:00- Winter Farmhouse painting with Susan
8:00- Chat & Coffee Time
9:30- Diamond Art
10:30- Inspirational Studies
12:00- Christmas ornaments and decor with Teresa
1:00- Turkeys and Chickens Trivia with Teresa
8:00- Chat & Coffee Time
9:30- Diamond Art
10:30- Inspirational Studies
12:00- Ceramic Turkey Trivet dish with Studio 421
1:00- Jeopardy with Teresa
8:00- Chat & Coffee Time
9:30- Diamond Art
10:30- Inspirational Studies
12:00- Fall prevention with Liberty Fire Dept
12:30- Floral arrangement with Liberty Fire Dept
8:00- Chat & Coffee Time
9:30- Diamond Art
10:30- Inspirational Studies
12:00- Christmas Jar Art with Susan
1:00-Random Trivia with Teresa
8:00- Chat & Coffee Time
9:00- Word Hunt Puzzles
10:00- Healthy Eating with Lori
10:30- Board Games
12:00- Parade Practice
2:00-History Hunting with Liberty Heritage Museum
8:00- Chat & Coffee Time
9:00-Word Hunt Puzzles
10:00- Mental Wellness with Michelle
10:30 Board Games
12:00- Parade Practice
9:00- Chat & Coffee Time 9:30- Gentle Movement Exercise
10:00- Monthly Birthday Party
10:30- Bingo 12:00-Quilting Club 1:00- Line Dancing
9:00- Chat & Coffee Time
9:30- Gentle Movement Exercise
10:30- Bingo
12:00-Dessert Social 1:00- Line Dancing
6:00- Intergenerational Movie “Bad Guys 2” (Bring your Grandchild)
8:00- Chat & Coffee Time
9:00-Word Hunt Puzzles
9:30- Breakfast with the Mayor and Town Manager (register)
10:00- Blood Pressure checks with Staley Fire Dept
10:00- Board Games
12:00- Parade Practice
9:00- Chat & Coffee Time 9:30- Gentle Movement Exercise
10:30- Bingo 11:00- Special Thanksgiving meal 1:00- Line Dancing
Liberty Senior Center
239 S. Fayetteville St. Liberty, NC 27298 (336) 622-5844
PREPARED BY PUBLIC SERVICE DIRECTOR - JOSEPH WALSH 10/10/2025
LIMBS- Grapple truck is actively picking up limbs per schedule LEAF- Still gathering bag leaves, Leaf truck is out running the routes
Bulky Item- The Street Department is still currently picking up Bulky Item waste every week with a pretty good collection rate averaging 1.5 tons a week.
WATER- Town has had a couple of water leaks all repaired in house.
Sewer- Multiple meetings with Greensboro staff regarding sewer possibilities.
Sewer rehab well underway with about 4 crews in town working on CCTV, Slip lining, and new laterals and clean outs
Streets- Mowing will begin to slow down and transition to plugging and seeding certain areas.
Drain at farmers market 90% complete. Total cost so far is $16,500.00
Liberty Fire Department
This report covers September 2025
LFD responded to 88 calls during the month of September 2025.
1 structure fire
3 outside fires
1 smoke scare
1 motor vehicle accidents with injuries
1 motor vehicle accidents without injuries 1 sprinkler activation due to malfunction 1 power line down
59 medical calls
2 gas leaks/spills
8 service calls
1 arcing/shorting electrical equipment
8 dispatched & canceled en-route or standby 1 lock out
• On Sept. 2 & 3 Liberty Fire Department hosted Fire Leadership II classes at the fire department.
• Also on Sept. 3 several LFD firefighters attended, and received certifications, at Traffic Incident Management class at Kimesville Fire Depa1iment.
• On September 7, Fire Chief Matt Talbott traveled to Wyattstown Fire Department in Maryland to help inspect a used 3,500 gallon tanker that Kimesville Fire Depa1iment is purchasing.
• Sept. 10 Firefighter Gary Jaggers conducted fire and life safety education at the Liberty Senior Center.
• On Sept. 16, Fire Chief Matt Talbott attended the Guilford County Fire Chief's monthly meeting.
• On September 22, Fire Marshall Jason Coleman conducted fire extinguisher training for kindergarten and pre-k teachers at Liberty Elementary School.
• September 23, 24 &25, all LFD firefighters received instruction from Randolph County Emergency Medical Services on medical practices skills associated with CPR and trauma.
• The Kimeville Fire Department annual h·actor pull fundraiser was September 27. Several LFD firefighters volunteered to help during the event.
• And on September 30, Chief Talbott, Assistant Chief Bret Pedigo and B-shift firefighters participated in a hazardous materials tabletop h·aining at the Toyota Fire Department.
Liberty Parks and Recreation September 2025 Monthly Report
• Our baseball season has started and will now end on October 13th due to rain delays. Overall, it has gone well, and we're looking forward to hosting baseball again in the spring.
• Basketball and Cheerleading registration will open on October 1st. This year, a 1 7U age group will be added for basketball. This group will not participate in the league with Asheboro and Randleman and will be hosted in-house. If there are two teams, they will be formed on game day.
• Our department has started planning for this year's Trunk or Treat event, which will take place on October 25th at Freedom Park fro1n 1 :00 to 3:00 PM.
• The Mayor's Walk will take place on October 25th at Freedom Park, beginning at 9:00 AM.
• Our department has been holding monthly meetings to plan the Fit for Liberty event, which will take place on November 22nd. This year, the event will look slightly different, as we plan to use Liberty Elementary for vendors and classes. The Turkey Trot will still be held in front of the school and will follow the same route as last year.
• After receiving the grant, our department began purchasing the approved items. The grant totaled $8,660. (Pictures Below)
November 2025 The Liberty Leader Newspaper
Town of Liberty
Safety Department Report
September 2025
Employee Safety
There was one reported injury during the month of September. No workdays were missed.
Insurance Training
Annual blood borne pathogens training for town employees that deal with the public or potential hazardous situations will begin in November. This is an OSHA requirement.
Fire Hydrant Claims
We are still working with the NC League of Municipalities to get full reimbursement on the three town fire hydrants damaged by motor vehicles this past 12 months.
New Employee Training
There was one new employee requiring safety training during the month.
Liberty PD Monthly PD Summary
Free Chicken Meal Boxes
Includes: 1 roaster chicken, 2 cans of green beans, 2 cans of corn, 1 box of stuffing, cranberries, gravy, and a brownie mix
Saturday, November 22nd
Liberty Elementary
12:00-2:00 PM
Scan the QR code to register or go to GrowingFaithNC.com for more information
Blessing Box
From Sept 1, 2025 to Sept 31, 2025, The Liberty Police Department had 138 (171 Aug,125 July) traf citations, 184 (223 Aug, 172 July) total charges, and 30 (27 Aug40 July) warnings. The average speeder was 22.4 (23 Aug, 20.4 July) over the posted speed limit. We had 548 (627 Aug, 586 July) daily log entries, 3 (3 Aug 8 July) traffic accidents and 19 (15Aug, 13 July) domestic disturbances.
Assisted in multiple ICAC investigations throughout the month, including computer forensic analysis, K9 "Chip" deployments, and surveillance operations. Also proactive investigations that will lead to arrest. The lnvictus Task Force continues to protect children in our communities and educate our public.
Participated in the search for a missing juvenile in Randolph County. Utilized K9 "Chip" in an effort to locate the juvenile's potentially lost phone.
Assisted in an identity theft and obstruction of justice investigation, which led to the identification of a suspect and the securing of several felony charges.
Aided in the interview and identification of a suspect involved in a vehicle pursuit. The suspect confessed to multiple violations and was subsequently charged.
Provided patrol shift coverage on multiple occasions to assist with staffing needs.
Attended the North Carolina State ICAC Meeting held in Asheville.
Served as an instructor for the NC State ICAC Task Force training held in Charlotte.
Liberty Police Dept Story Continued.
Staffing:
We continue to be short staffed. We have had 2 Deputies express interest in a position with us. Both declined to go further with the hiring process when the Salary range was discussed. Other items of note:
Our homeless population is expanding, and along with this has come more B&E's Currently we have 9 homeless people known to be in Liberty.
Seven of these have a history of narcotics use, 8 users of alcohol and at least 5 with a history of mental illness. These residents present a particularly difficult problem given that several are sustaining their habits with B$E's to cars. Unfortunately citizens often have security camera footage of the suspects attempting to enter cars, but don't call the PD. Instead they post on social media to friends the footage. Eventually we may be made aware of the footage.
To this point, 2 suspects have multiple felony warrants out for them.
Cameron Brown is living in an abandoned, dilapidated house on Kirkman St. This house was turned over to ACE Code Enforcement but it appears no mitigation of the property has occurred. Warrants for Brown B&E to automobiles were issued and while arresting Brown he assaulted officers. Brown has an additional Felony assault on LEO charge. This is Brown's second felonious assault on LEO in the last couple of months.
We responded to a call on S Kirkman St in reference to 2 large groups fighting with firearms displayed. RCSO backed us up and upon arrival the scene was chaotic with no party being truthful or cooperative, It appears the father of a baby took the child from Greensboro to his mothers residence in Liberty. Then the extended family of the mother came to get the child back by force. The second group (Mothers side) was led by Shelina Shoffner Taylor who claimed there were warrants on the father for kidnapping and larceny of auto. But while dealing with noncompliant/hostile/uncommunicative Taylor's group, the suspect that had not yet been identified to us ran away from the crowd. Additionally, no warrants were listed for the father with the warrant repository. One firearm was located, but as the owner was legally allowed to possess the weapon and the other group kept changing the story of the claimed events we returned the firearm to the owner. Cross warrants were advised as Probable Cause could not be reached given the myriad of contradictory statements given. Homeless person Rorie was observed breaking into buildings and seen on security footage breaking into cars. Warrants were secured for Rorie. Rorie fled from law enforcement before we could get close to him and he was last seen in Ramseur. We have had several assaults in Liberty this month. In the early morning hours of Saturday Sept 20th, Reserve Officer Morgan attempted to stop a vehicle for window tint and possible DWI, The suspect fled in a Mercedes at speeds of over 137/mph in a 35 zone. The suspect eventually crashed at 421/49. Ofc Morgan struck the Mercedes. The driver of the Mercedes attempted to flee again, side swiping the patrol car causing further damage. The Mercedes then attempted to pass and cut off Morgan, Morgan having no time to react hit the Mercedes knocking it into the guardrail again. The final contact was Morgan pushing the Mercedes up on the guardrail pinning it from further attempts to flee. The suspect fled on foot leaving a firearm behind. The Randolph County Sheriffs Office County was called for assistance but no one was available. RCSO is very short staffed with command staff, detective, vice and Ramsuer units handling countywide patrol. Dispatch contacted Greensboro PD requesting assistance. Greensboro was unable to provide assistance. Chief Semrad responded from home (bed) as the nearest avail backup. Chief Semrad attended the NCACP debrief of "What we learned from Helene" in Black Mountain. The state and AT&T First Net are making changes in procedure and equipment to help prevent the failures WNC experienced from Helene Michael Coltrane was found deceased. There was no obvious cause of death. The Medical Examiner took custody of his remains. A big THANK YOU to the fire department for letting us use the SCBA to work in the hazardous environment. A DWI arrest was made and the person refused the test. He also gave the name, DOB and address of his cousin (who resemble each other). He was charged, taken before the magistrate and released. It was later determined he did this and multiple felony charges have been obtained. He was arrested by RCSO Lt Scala and Chief Semrad went to Samarcand to set up a training schedule for officers in the virtual firearms trainer. We have set up scenarios for the council memebers to attend to understand some of the challenges officers face. Citizen comments to the PD: Several parties have requested we return and continue our efforts to slow speeders on Hwy 49 and E Dameron. We have had more positive comments about parking enforcement than we have negative comments. Although the negative comments are usually louder and more colorful.
Chief DJ Semrad
Liberty Police Department Liberty, NC
336-622-9053
November 2025
Liberty Public Library Oct Report
September Updates
3,099 Items Were Checked Out in September. Here are some of the Community Savings with those checkouts-
317 Movies - $1,268
895 Adult Books- $15,215
1,609 Children's Books- $25,279 https://ilovelibraries.org/what-libraries do/ calculator/ Funds Received
In September 2025, we received $437.80 for printing services. That totals $989 since July 1, 2025.
Free 24 Hour Free Wifi Use
WiFi had 170 unique users in September. This means that people connected to our free WiFi outside or within our building. Online Resource Use
Our September EBook use was 11, EMagazines was 50, and EAudio use was 43. Programs
The Library held onsite 15 programs with 309 participants. We also provided 2 story time programs to local preschools. Door Count
Our September door count was 3817. This is a 9% increase from the 3,781 in September 2024.
BOOK "TASTING" PROGRAMS A SUCCESS
We concluded our Dollar General Foundation grant program by participating in Liberty Elementary's fifth grade "book tasting" at the beginning of their school year. Ms. Gisela and Ms. Brenda also got to hang out while the students poured over different books, different topics, and different genres, and wrote about what they thought about each book. The library had our "book tasting cafe" in August. We gave kids and teens the opportunity to "taste" or sample different genres and categories of books, then pick out books to take home and keep, and then read books while they snacked on mochi and boba! Several families asked that we do he ro ram a ain next year • an do!
NVISIBLE INK FOR HOMESCHOOL LAB
We had such a great time in our Homeschool Lab in September learning about Ph and acid levels, doing an experiment with "invisible ink" and turmeric. The kids loved it and there's nothing quite like getting a group of young kids jazzed about a Ph scale and getting what it means! SCIENCE!
FUN RAINBOW FOR SEPTEMBER PAINTING PROGRAM
Ms. Melizette created a fun boho rainbow design for the September painting program and had so many creative results
Randolph County School System
October 15, 2025
On October 14, the Providence Grove High School AG Experience hosted a leadership roundtable discussion in the Media Center. Leaders from the surrounding area were invited to participate. Attendees included Dr. Davis and Dr. Mathis from the University of Mount Olive, members of the Randolph County School System Board of Education, Superintendent Dr. Stephen Gainey, Central Office staff, along with administration, teachers, and students from Providence Grove High School. The morning’s discussion was guided by second-year AG Experience students from the school. The leaders shared valuable insights on leadership topics such as what makes a good leader, how to lead effectively, healthy habits of successful leaders, and challenges leaders face. After the Q&A session led by students, the leaders had the opportunity to ask questions to the student panel. Overall, it was a meaningful morning filled with engaging conversation and valuable perspectives.
It is with a huge pile of mixed emotions
that I bring this announcement to y’all. On November 20th Spark’s doors will be closing for the last time. After three wonderful years in such an awesome community it is time to start a new adventure.
The past three years in Liberty at Spark have proven to be some of the best years of my life, and a huge part of that is due each one of you who have ever graced the shop with your presence. Over the next two weeks I would love to see and celebrate life with everyone who has ever been a customer of Spark either as Spark Nutrition or Spark Cup Of Joy. Once the doors are closed on the 20th I will be posting items from the shop that will be for sale.
I will miss Liberty and all the wonderful people who call this town “Home”. And as this new adventure begins I hope to find my way
Due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, the USDA has directed North Carolina to pause the issuance of November 2025 Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) benefits.
While this may cause concern, please know that Randolph County Department of Social Services continues to accept new FNS applications, process recertifications, and respond to changes in household circumstances.
We understand how challenging this situation may be. Fortunately, many local nonpro fi ts and community organizations across Randolph County are available for help.
Please refer to the list for a directory of available community resources. The federal shutdown does not impact the daily operations of our FNS staff, who remain available to assist residents with applications, questions, and support.
Randolph County Department of Social Services is committed to standing by our community during this time.
Announcing the brand new book by Alex McFarland (alexmcfarland.com)
Join us Sundays at Mt. Pleasant Church at 4400 Alamance Church Road, Liberty, NC 27298
Sunday school / Bible study for all ages, 945 AM Worship service, 11:00 AM
