10 years ago
* Ella Bird, Snowbird tribal elder of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, was honored with the title of “Beloved Woman,” which is a title awarded to those who live an exemplary life and gives back to the community by preserving the Cherokee Heritage. Bird was honored with a Pendleton Blanket for her designation. This title was not bestowed often, but Bird was beloved in the community long before receiving the title.
* Sugarlands Distilling President Ned Vickers announced that his company would sell “Jim Tom’s Signature Moonshine.” The company also would sell t-shirts, along with other items. The famous Graham County native said that he didn’t want people in the county to think he had forgotten his humble roots. “It doesn’t make me feel a bit bigger than when I was born – eight pounds,” said Jim Tom. Update: Ten years later, Jim Tom Hedrick lost his lengthy battle with cancer at the age of 82. His humbleness, wittiness and love for the mountains of Graham County will always remain in our hearts.
* Robbinsville had beat Hayesville 48-6 during the regular season, but whether the Knights weren’t prepared or overlooking the Yellow Jackets, round two between the teams turned out to be a heartbreaker for the Knights, with a 20-17 halting Robbinsville’s postseason run in the first round. “I wish I could point out something or say, ‘that’s why we lost,’ but I can’t,” said head coach Dee Walsh.
25 years ago
* Attorneys Lenord Hilty and Reid Brown were both appointed to represent Robbinsville resident Jimmy Harris, who is being held and questioned in death of Robbinsville resident Benita Jumper Gregory. No new details were available from the sheriff’s office. Harris was also waiting trial in January for two prior counts of assault.
* If an employee of Graham County operated one of their vehicles, they should be expecting a drug test in the near future. Director of Graham County Department of Transportation Director Roe Ann Jordan stated that new regulations required all employees operating state and county vehicles to be drug tested. She also stated that there would be random drug-testing periodically for all drivers in the future.
* The Knights’ season ended in the first round of the playoffs, with a 38-0 loss at Starmount. A concussion endured by starting quarterback Kaleb Williams – and a broken collarbone for Aaron Gross – helped spell disaster for Robbinsville. The Knights’ 1998 campaign ended with a record of 5-6.
-Compiled by Diane West