This Week in Local History: March 11, 2021

10 years ago * U.S. Census figures show that Graham County grew by 10.9 percent from 2000-2010, up from 7,993 to 8,861 residents. County Planner Josh Carpenter said, “The increase in population shows the need to keep up services for existing residents and newcomers.

This Week in Local History: March 5, 2021

10 years ago * Graham County deputies arrested a 22-year-old Cullowhee woman and charged her with murder in the death of Shannon David Sawyer. Brittany Jade Moose was arrested at a home on Tapoco Road in Robbinsville. Also arrested was Stevie Lee Franklin, 42 of Madisonville, Tenn.

This Week in Local History: Feb. 25, 2021

10 years ago * Graham County Commissioners voted to fire county attorney David Sawyer, in a 3-2 vote. Sawyer was the county attorney for almost four years. Commissioner Raymond Williams asked the attorney to submit all invoices over several months.

This Week in Local History: Feb. 18, 2021

10 years ago * The body of a Graham County man who disappeared in 2009 was discovered buried 35 feet in a sinkhole 75 miles from Robbinsville, in Tennessee. David Sawyer, 37, was found in a 55-gallon barrel during an excavation between Tellico Plains and Madisonville.

This Week in Local History: Feb. 11, 2021

10 years ago * Graham County repealed the Federal Floodplain Ordinance, which was considered by many residents and commissioners as the Federal Government’s confiscation of private land.

This Week in Local History: Feb. 4, 2021

10 years ago * The annual Polar Bear Plunge – held at Lake Santeetlah – raised more than $8,200 dollars. The plunge was coordinated by the Robbinsville High School Crusaders, and the money that was raised was used to sponsor a child from the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

This Week in Local History: Jan. 28, 2021

10 years ago * Robbinsville officials were desperately searching for $3 million, in addition to the $3 million already awarded by the Rural Development division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the new wastewater treatment plant on Sandhole Road.

This Week in Local History: Jan. 21, 2021

10 years ago * The mother and grandmother of a 3-year-old child appeared in court, only to have their case postponed to a later date. Susie Anderson and Vanessa Adams were charged after the child was mauled by five of his grandmothers’ pit bulls while he was playing in the yard.

This Week in Local History: Jan. 14, 2021

10 years ago * Graham County Emergency Officials declared a county “state of emergency,” in the wake of the third major snowstorm to hit Robbinsville. The storm slammed the county with 10-16 inches of snow, forcing businesses, schools and county government to close.

This Week in Local History: Jan. 7, 2021

10 years ago * A brush fire on the heels of the Christmas snowstorm illustrated just how quickly our mountain weather can change. A fire that started from an abandoned campfire burned about five acres. Firefighters left the blaze shortly before nightfall.