10 years ago
* According to Finance Director Becky Garland, the county had collected $123,667 more in EMS bills in 2012, which were owed from the previous year. The move by the county to outsource billing to a private company was paying off. The cost of billing had been cut by half, when compared to in-house billing.
* There was an emotional tone to the school-board meeting, as the school year came to an end. Superintendent Chip Carringer passed “the bell” to incoming superintendent Angie Knight. “I’m grateful to staff and administrators, as you have provided more than just teaching needs,” said Carringer. The school board presented Carringer with a plaque of appreciation.
* The Mini-Coopers that visit this area yearly gave nearly $7,000 to help feed those in need, in addition to giving numerous boxes of food to the local food bank. The money helped more than 600 people in need, as 38,000 pounds of food was distributed. “We appreciate all of the help the Mini-Coopers have given,” said Vice President, Jerry Ledbetter.
25 years ago
* Thomas Brooks was named valedictorian for the Robbinsville High School Class of 1998. He was awarded a scholarship for $1,600 from the Rodney Orr Memorial Scholarship Fund, and a $1,000 scholarship from J.H. and Clara Moody. The salutatorian was Margy Cacayorin, who received a $40,000 scholarship from the
U.S. Army, as she was active in Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps and planned to join the Army.
* Mountain bikers converged on Fontana Village to race from noon to midnight on a 9-mile course. Nichole Crane, the only woman to ride solo for the 120-person event, battled fatigue and the hot, humid southern air and completed 8 laps in 11.92 hours (58.4 miles).
* A yearly investment of $14,189 from Graham County and the Town of Robbinsville would result in about $94,760 in free labor, according to Magistrate Tommy Holland. The plan that Holland proposed would put inmates, probationers and individuals doing community services and to work for the county.