10 years ago
* Robbinsville cut the ribbon on the town’s $7.4 million wastewater treatment plant, which is expected to serve residential and commercial development in the town and county for years to come. The plant had a capacity to treat 630,000 gallons a day, but was expandable to 850,000 a day.
* The Graham County Athletics Hall of Fame added three more names to a growing list. Pat Lynn Ayers was a prevalent athlete, graduating from Robbinsville High School in 1969. Lucy Perkins Phelps was a 2004 graduate of Robbinsville High. She was one of the most-accomplished and highly-decorated athletes in school’s history. Arnold Wachacha graduated in 1966, also from Robbinsville High. His outstanding efforts in athletics led to the reception of many prestigious awards. More importantly, he later became a decorated veteran of the Vietnam War.
* A third-quarter scoring explosion by Black Knight offense put the game completely out of reach for the Hayesville Yellow Jackets, as Robbinsville rolled to a 48-6 trumping at Big Oaks Stadium. Skyler Matheson led the Knights offense with 148 total yards and three touchdowns. “I think being on (our) home field helped us a lot,” Matheson said. “We were more mentally prepared.” After an illness, Cruz Galaviz was back at almost 100 percent and scored four touchdowns: three rushing and one off a 15-yard pass.
25 years ago
* A record dry spell in Graham and surrounding counties had created an extreme fire danger, with leaves falling on dry ground. With increasing numbers of homes in or near the forest, there was an increasing chance of losing these homes to wildfire. Graham County had only one fire this season, as neighboring counties had more.
* The citizens of Yellow Creek received a gift from Tapoco: a deed to 7.9 acres next to Yellow Creek Baptist Church, to be used for a future volunteer fire department. Residents of the area had given a very positive response as Graham County Planning Director Robin Scroggs and Doug Clement met with them to discuss the need for the fire department in this area. The residents of Yellow Creek were served by the fire departments of Fontana, Santeetlah and Robbinsville. Update: Today, Fontana does not have a fire department; and the nearest fire hall to Yellow Creek is located at Meadow Branch, a stone’s throw from Tapoco.
* Robbinsville hosted Swain County and prevailed, 28-14. The Devils got on the scoreboard early with a 72-yard touchdown and then picked up a fumble and returned it to open a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. After the Knights regrouped in the second quarter, Kaleb Williams ran for a 24-yard touchdown, with Dustin Eller picking up the extra point. The game remained deadlocked at 14-14, but with 23 seconds left in the game, Williams picked up a fumble and soon hit Aaron Gross on a 66-yard touchdown pass, to give the Knights a 21-14 lead. In the waning moments, Jeremy Odom snatched a fumble and ran it back to cement the thrilling finish.
50 years ago
* Vinson Welch, 61, passed away in a Bryson City hospital as a result of a gunshot wound in the head. According to Graham County Sheriff Melvin Howell, the shooting – which occurred in Panther Creek – was the outcome of an argument that happened earlier in the day. Thurman Oakley King of Panther Creek posted a $10,000 bond after being charged with murder.
* Covering several topics, North Carolina Lt. Gov. Jim Hunt (D) spoke to a crowd at the Joyce Kilmer Restaurant. Perhaps most noteworthy was his statement concerning the Watergate scandal, to which Hunt commented, “We cannot take glee in what is happening. It leaves me with a sick feeling.” Update: Hunt went on to be the Governor of North Carolina in two non-concurrent terms: 1977-85, and 1993-2001. He is 86 today. Also, you can dine at the Joyce Kilmer Restaurant to this day – only now, you know it as “Lynn’s Place.”
* The Tri-County Technical Institute’s basketball team, the Roadrunners, started preparations with new team members and new enthusiasm. This year, the Roadrunners expected to post a better record than the 2-11 mark from 1972 – their debut season. “This year, we expect to be vastly improved,” said coach Phil Martin. There were 11 players wearing the green and white uniforms of the Roadrunners and according to Martin, “The Tri-Tech boys are fast and are good shots, although they do not have abundant height.”
-Compiled by Diane West.