Jan. 30, 1986
* Another five individuals qualified for the 1986 primary – in this instance, exclusively for the Graham County Board of Education race: Republicans Jesse Ralph Jenkins and Tom Holcomb, as well as Democrats Alfred Wiggins, Earl Owens and Jack Jackson. There were just two more days to file for the election.
* The local search for a possible downed plane seized, though the Civil Air Patrol planned to continue its investigation. Graham County Sheriff A.J. Peterson reported that witnesses spotted a plane flying low between Robbinsville and Fontana Lake on Jan. 21, with the air patrol detecting a "weak distress signal" on the ground. The possibility of the plane dropping drugs into the county had also not been ruled out.
Jan. 30, 1976
* Brent Stevens, 20, was charged with DUI and exceeding a safe speed under existing conditions after causing a two-vehicle accident on U.S. 129. While driving a 1976 Chevelle, Stevens hit a delivery truck being operated by Wallace Phillips. Two passengers were in the Chevelle: Homer Colvard – the owner of the car – as well as Jackie Phillips. Colvard and Stevens were transported to District Memorial Hospital in Andrews; Stevens was late transferred to Mission Hospital in Andrews to be treated for his injuries.
* Snowbird Supply's Ronnie Smith won an all expenses-paid trip for he and his wife Debbie to Jamaica, thanks to the store being No. 1 Georgia Pacific account in Western North Carolina in 1975. Georgia Pacific Asheville Sales Representative Joe Turner visited Smith to congratulate him on a job well done.
Jan. 30, 1970
* The 1970 political race was just as exciting, with 13 locals filing for various offices in a single week. Seeking re-election to their post were Democrats Ed Jenkins (accountant) and F.O. Colvard (commissioner). Party members Dillard Jordan and Johnny Collins (sheriff), Roy Jones (commissioner) and Leonard Davis (register of deeds) were newcomers to the mix. Republicans Kay Keener and Charles Williams had filed for commissioner, while Waymon Odom qualified for coroner. Six candidates were up for school board: Earnest Collens, Frank James, Jr., Lloyd Millsaps, Gerald Phillips, Donald Gregory and Joe Collins.
* Graham County Schools' General Supervisor Jack D. Lovin was appointed the statewide Local Coordinator of In-Service by North Carolina Department of Public Instruction Superintendent Craig Phillips. The position was designed to attend regional meetings and provide updates on state-sponsored, in-state education, as well as staff development opportunities.
-Compiled by publisher/editor Kevin Hensley.