Aug. 7, 1986
* The Graham County Board of Commissioners were universally praised with a standing ovation, after voting to create a ½-cent sales tax and agreeing to set aside all revenues for construction of a new high school. Projected to cost $5 million, the new facility was expected to house students in grades 7-12. Update: Robbinsville Middle/High School welcomed its first students off Sweetwater Road in January 1993.
* On the 50th anniversary of its founding, the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest was re-dedicated in a special ceremony. Kilmer's son Kenton and daughter, Sister Michael, unveiled a bronze anniversary plaque at the entrance to the forest. The plaque was designed by sculptor Thomas Rogers, a former New York resident who had moved to Graham County.
Aug. 7, 1980
* Local resident Joe Randall Waldroup drowned in Lake Santeetlah. Witnesses said the 34-year-old Waldroup was wading in shallow water near the Cheoah Ranger Station when he accidentally stepped into a sinkhole, which caused him to go into water that covered him over his head. Individuals watching tried to pull him out, but were unsuccessful. Graham County Rescue Squad members J.C. Payne and Randall Atwell later recovered Waldroup's body.
* Graham County Schools were set to begin the following Monday, but Robbinsville High School was scrambling to determine the cause of a fire that burned down the special education building behind the institution. No further details had been released.
Aug. 7, 1970
* A change to the party-line format became necessary, in order for additional equipment to be placed locally and meet additional demands. Callers were asked to dial "37" before the person's directory number, hang up after hearing a busy signal, wait for the phone to ring and answer after 20 seconds – giving the other party enough time to pick up their end of the line.
* Charlie's Furniture Exchange on Tallulah Road had 8-track tapes for sale at the low cost of either $3.95 or $4.95; it was unclear what made one tape $1 higher than the other. In order to jam to the music, an 8-track player would set you back $39.95.
-Compiled by publisher/editor Kevin Hensley.