July 11, 2013
* Visitors flocked to Fontana Dam to observe the water discharge, which was in excess of 17,000 cubic feet per second. Recent rains had Tennessee Valley Authority officials releasing water from all generators, and the result was a spectacular water flow. A visit to the dam was well worth the trip, due to the rarity of ever releasing so much water. The visitors were flocking to the dam to see the impressive tail-water, which reached 1,200 feet.
* Seven-year old Ryan Sellers was very proud to show off the fish that he caught over the 4th of July weekend with his papaw Andrew. Their fish were caught on Lake Santeetlah. The biggest catfish weighed about three pounds, but a carp weighed about 30 pounds and was almost as big as Ryan; so much so that he needed help from his papaw to reel it in.
July 11, 2002
* Deputy Donnie Burchfield was not surprised as he pulled over a truck belonging to 38-year-old Charles Russell Edwards, as Burchfield knew that Edwards had a warrant for his arrest on charges of felony possession of stolen property. The surprise was what he found in the truck – 36 quarts of moonshine. Edwards was arrested and charged with possession with intent to sell; transporting alcoholic beverages; two counts of possession of stolen goods; and trafficking in opium and heroin.
* The Robbinsville Water Dogs’ swim team was sending two of their own to the All-Stars meet. Julie Findley and Elle Perkins qualified, and made a good showing at their first home swim meet of the year against Waynesville. Findley won the breaststroke and Perkins won the freestyle, to earn their All-Star spots.
July 11, 1991
* Two local men were held in the Blount County, Tenn., jail in lieu of bonds, following their arrests in a wildlife management area by two agents with the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency. Michael DeLozier’s was charged with possession of an illegal firearm, possession of illegal ammunition and possession of big game; Richard Smith was charged with illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition in the wildlife area. The men were arrested in Calderwood.
* The U.S. Wrestling Federation was bringing professional wrestling to Robbinsville. The proceeds would benefit the Stecoah, Graham County, Snowbird and Santeetlah fire departments, to purchase a new air system. Featured were Chief Wahoo McDaniel, the “Russian Bear” Ivan Koloff, the Mod Squad’s Smasher Stone, “Pretty” Bobby Crash and the “Unknown Warrior” Rusty Riddle and many more.
-Compiled by Diane West