10 years ago
* The process of tax revaluation of property in Graham County had begun with a then-value of $1.1 billion. Tax Assessor Erma Phillips said that the state required a revaluation every eight years. The county’s last review was in 2010. Any challenges to new property values would have been heard in 2015. Once complete, the new revaluations were considered in making the 2015-16 county budget. Phillips anticipated property values to come down from 2010 levels.
* The Graham County Heritage Festival was already being planned, along with a wild-game dinner and a car cruise. Coordinator Teresa Garland said that a survey of local businesses showed that owners wanted the town to do more marketing to increase tourism. Mayor Pro Tem Bobby Smith wanted to look into creating “trade days,” so vendors could have open-air markets and yard sales. Garland said that the biggest challenge was finding a suitable location with more space for parking and vendors.
25 years ago
* Sam Lynn, the father of the man accused of murdering Ella Mae Holder, died on Feb. 4, 1998. According to Graham County Chief Deputy Jerry Crisp, Lynn was interviewed the day before in connection with the murder, as was a girlfriend of Shane Lynn. That same evening, paramedics responded to a call at the home of Sam Lynn’s daughter in Robbinsville. Crisp said, “Sam Lynn and Shane’s girlfriend left and were fine after we interviewed them.” Crisp was assisted in the interview by an officer with the state bureau of investigation.
* A massive aerial and foot search continued around the Martins Creek Community of Cherokee County for Eric Robert Rudolph. He was wanted for questioning in connection of the bombing of an Alabama abortion clinic. A Nissan truck registered to Rudolph was found by hunters in a remote area in Martins Creek. As the search began to escalate, so did dozens of heavily armed agents from the FBI, ATF, U.S. Forest Service and the N.C. Wildlife Service. FBI Spokesman Craig Dahle said that the search was being concentrated on Cherokee County, but Rudolph was being sought nationwide. Agents continued their search in the Murphy area, but any help from the public was appreciated.
50 years ago
* John Veach and John V. Veach, Jr., announced the sale of all assets of Bemis Hardwoods Ltd., to Whitewater, Inc., a growing Toledo, Ohio-based forest company. John Veach, Jr. would serve as a Whitewater Vice-President. Locally, E.M. NeSmith continued to serve as general manager and all other personnel retained their positions. The Robbinsville operations would operate as Bemis Hardware, a division of Whitewater, Inc.
* A front-page photo showed Graham County Rescue Squad boats dragging the Appalachia Lake backwaters for the body of a missing Murphy man. According to Cherokee County Sheriff Blaine Stalcup, Roosevelt Hamby, 41, was last seen on the night of Jan. 30. Extensive search efforts – including divers – failed to locate him. His car was found at the overlook at the dam, so search operations centered on the deep Hiawassee Lake side of the dam.
-Compiled by Diane West