10 years ago
* The 17th Annual Graham County Relay for Life was again a success. “This is one of the best turnouts,” chair Jimmie Holder said. At last count, the event had raised $54,682, but money was still coming in. The special guest speaker was Regina Webster, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2011.
* A motorcycle accident on the Cherohala Skyway took the life of a rider who most likely died from a heart attack. Richard Steldt, 63, lost control of the motorcycle at No Name Gap. “Mr. Steldt did not sustain any injuries from the accident,” said Patrolman Brad Hoxit. The accident was still under investigation. This was the third motorcycle fatality of 2013.
* The coalition for a safe and drug-free Graham County was awarded a second year of funding from the N.C. Coalition Initiative of Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. The N.C. Coalition Initiative sought to reduce substance abuse by implementing evidence-based and environmental strategies. The Graham County Coalition was 1-of-7 to receive a $30,000 award.
25 years ago
* A tribal grant of $35,000 was voted on and approved by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, to finish building Tri-County Community College in Robbinsville. The council’s action came just in time to meet a June 30 deadline. “It’s really a donation worth $70,000,” said Tri-County Community College President Dr. Norman Oglesby. “They really saved the day for us and we are very grateful.”
* Andrea Jakaliosi, Ronn Ginn and Marshall McClung were awarded Stewardship Forest certification for the outstanding management of their Graham County forest land under the N.C. Forest Stewardship program. The program provided landowners free technical advice on land management from many organizations.
* Charles Powell was the big winner of the Kids’ Fishing Derby, with a brook trout over 16 inches long. Stephanie Carpenter came in second with a 16-inch trout and Robert Phillips took third, with a trout over 15 inches. The stream was stocked by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission and officer Kevin Brooks helped throughout the derby.
-Compiled by Diane West