Dec. 25, 1997
* Complaints about a directive to not patrol inside Robbinsville’s town limits drew the ire of both residents inside the municipality and its board of aldermen. Graham County Sheriff Melvin Howell was heard on radio traffic telling officers to disregard calls in Robbinsville, despite residents paying a town tax to fund the sheriff’s office. In response, Howell countered by noting that the town had not renewed its contract with the sheriff’s office since its expiration in 1992. The aldermen were discussing the possibility of assembling a town police force.
* A new, $785,000 Snowbird Recreation Center was being constructed. The 7,000 square-foot building would house a regulation gymnasium, bleachers, a fitness center and office space. Update: Much of Snowbird’s operations – including its recreation department – moved into the Jacob Cornsilk Community Complex when it opened in 2022.
Dec. 25, 1986
* Maurina Beasley was appointed as the new Graham County Tax Commissioner, filling a void left by the resignation of Joe Edwards. Blair Stewart was also hired for an office role with the Graham County Register of Deeds. Update: Today, Stewart is chair of the Graham County GOP.
* Computer Circuitry Group – the parent company of American Components, Inc. – announced plans to donate two buildings and 16 ½ acres of land to Robbinsville, following American Components’ decision to cease local operations. Computer Circuitry Group President Peter Meehan and Robbinsville Mayor Frank Rogers also revealed that parts of American Components’ remaining inventory was set to be donated to the Robbinsville High School electronics class.
Dec. 25, 1980
* The Graham County Recreation Department received a $15,000 grant for improvements from the North Carolina Department of Natural Resources and Community Development. Details on what the improvements would be were not cited, but state department secretary Howard N. Lee said the funds were provided for projects that had been planned for years.
* Recent Robbinsville basketball action was recapped against Swain County and Andrews. The Black Knights defeated the Maroon Devils 74-58, but fell 62-48 to Andrews; while the Lady Knights beat the Lady Wildcats 43-33, but dropped a 55-54 heartbreaker to Swain County. Danny Jordan led Robbinsville’s boys in scoring, with respective outings of 29 and 18 points. Lisa Jones (15 points) and Melissa Adams (17) paced the girls’ efforts.
-Compiled by publisher/editor Kevin Hensley.