Jan. 23, 1986
* In a move that would impact the local workforce for decades to come, Stanley Furniture Company announced that it had received approval to buy two plants from United Globe. The plants had recently closed, but were set to re-open Jan. 29, 1986. Around 800 workers were expected to be on the job within two weeks, with the number rising to 900 in a three-week span.
* The hotly-contested 1986 primary grew from 22 in the first two weeks to 30, after eight more candidates qualified for local office. New to the register of deeds race is Kent Williams (R) and Martha Hooper (D). Melvin Howell (R) signed up for the sheriff’s race, while three new names tossed their names in the hat for the board of education: Republican Larry Wiggins, as well as Democrats Amanda Hooper and Winnie Bunch. Rounding out the newcomers to the race were Mack Huffman and Ernest Stiles, both of whom signed on as Democrats in the race for county commissioner.
Jan. 23, 1976
* Diane L. Crisp completed basic training for the U.S. Air Force at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ross Crisp, Diane was set to be stationed at Moody Air Force Base in Georgia for training in the air-control field.
Jan. 23, 1970
* Former California resident Duane Plemmons was arrested in the Deals Gap section of Swain County and charged with marijuana possession. Plemmons was found to be in possession of around 12 ½ ounces of the drug – which was valued at $1,500 – as well as a cigarette roller and a pipe at his residence. Authorities became suspicious of Plemmons during a traffic stop a few days prior to his arrest and put his home under surveillance. Among those apprehending the suspect were Fontana Village Security Officer Neal Webster.
* Directly left of a photo showing children enjoying a day off from school and playing in the snow, The Star ran a short story where Graham County Schools Superintendent Modeal Walsh had to spoil the fun and proclaim that the six missed days in 1970 thus far would either have to be made up on Saturdays or the spring calendar would have to be extended.
-Compiled by publisher/editor Kevin Hensley.