July 4, 2013
* The annual heritage festival was ready for residents and visitors. The event kicked off with a visit from stars of “The Moonshiners.” The popular cast enjoyed pictures taken with the visitors. The ”Hot Rod” car made popular by the television show Dukes of Hazzard was also available to enjoy.
* High water levels were making tubing and other activities on area creeks and rivers more dangerous than usual. Rangers in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park rescued six people tubing on Deep Creek and Little River near Townsend, Tenn., just over the Graham County line. A group of six tubers, four adults, a 6-year-old and 2-year-old were rescued after being stranded on the opposite side of the river. The Townsend Fire Department’s swift-water rescue team led recovery efforts to safely bring the group across the river – which was a foot above normal.
July 4, 1996
* More than 100 registered participants braved the heat of the newly-laid asphalt, to drive wagons, horses, buggies and mules across the Cherohala Skyway to celebrate its opening. According to wagon master Kenny Shaw, this was the first and last time the wagon train would travel on blacktop. A formal ceremony was scheduled for dedication of the skyway in October, after the completion of the project.
* Dodging characters from Santa Land and hordes of autograph-seeking children, Robbinsville resident Marshall McClung carried the Olympic Torch proudly through Cherokee. McClung was surprised by all of the attention, as people continued to come out. Several Graham County residents were among the hundreds lining U.S. Hwy. 19, to see the torch move closer to Atlanta and the Olympic Games.
July 4, 1985
* The Graham County Board of Education unanimously approved Joe Ditmore as principal of Stecoah School. He was filling the vacancy of Rick Davis, who took a position as assistant superintendent of Graham County Schools. Ditmore’s position as high school guidance counselor was filled by Nina Yeargin. Chip Carringer was appointed to the elementary school, as assistant principal, vacated by Carl Greene, who requested classroom teaching.
* In a special meeting, county commissioners adopted a $2 million budget for this fiscal year which included a tax increase of 17 cents. Ambulance personnel resigned when commissioners did not assure them of being paid for each hour worked. Six EMS personnel said they work 120 hours per week and get paid for 60, due to being salary. Upon their return, commissioners agreed to pay $3.35 an hour for all hours worked, until a new schedule was worked out. The General Assembly had required paying time-and-a-half for hours worked over 40.
-Compiled by Diane West