Jan. 25, 2018
* Bojangles Restaurant closed after five years of serving its “famous fried chicken’n biscuits.” BoCo, LLC, comprised of Eve Davis Whitaker and family, had to make the tough economic decision. Update: The former location is now Caffe de Olla on Tallulah Road.
* Coach Dennis Crisp’s undefeated middle school girls basketball team found out how tough the games would be the closer they got to the Smoky Mountain Conference tournament games, as the girls pulled off a 36-29 win over Murphy. Robbinsville’s scoreline broke down as follows: Kennedy Cable, Kandace Holder and Desta Trammell, 8 each; Kelsey Waldroup 6; Kensley Phillips 4; and Halee Anderson 2.
Jan. 25, 2001
* A Robbinsville man, Kenny Gladden, was sentenced to two years in prison upon admitting that he plotted to kill an undercover officer, James Jones of Bryson City, who bought illegal drugs from him. The undercover sting operation ended abruptly when Gladden threatened to have officer Jones killed.
* Polk County couldn’t seem to stop the momentum carried by the Robbinsville wrestling team. On the heels of a big 45-12 win at Hayesville, the Knights conquered Polk County 51-30.
Jan. 25, 1990
* Citizens wasted no time in getting organized to fight against a beer and alcohol referendum in Robbinsville. Actions by the newly-formed organization were pending the setting of an election date. The people spoke, “It’s time for decent citizens to exercise social responsibility. The number one drug in town is alcohol.” Update: The county remained dry until 2021, when beer and wine sales were voted in by Robbinsville residents. The county’s status is now designated as “moist.”
* The Robbinsville Black Knights lit up the scoreboard, thumping Murphy 110-84 and Highlands 104-89. Leading scorers against the Bulldogs were Dennis Williams 25 and David Matheson 21. Against the Highlanders, Stuart Davis led the Knights with 17 points and Matheson dropped 16.
-Compiled by Diane West.