It was another year chocked full of news around Graham County.
Though it would be impossible to recap every newsworthy event of 2023, The Graham Star looks back at 10 of the most significant moments.
School wing opens
Robbinsville – Graham County School officials officially unveiled the new Robbinsville Middle School addition Jan. 5, a $4.5 million add-on intended to relieve overcrowding at the high school/middle school complex off Sweetwater Road.
An open house was held Jan. 24 for the new wing, which includes seven classrooms, four offices, a multi-purpose room and a conference room.
SUV crash
Santeetlah – Freddy Romero was the front-seat passenger of a fatal SUV crash Jan. 19. The vehicle ran off the roadway, down an embankment and into the chilly waters of Lake Santeetlah. The driver and a backside passenger – Katie Shea Queen and Israel Cervantes – escaped, but Romero did not.
After a lengthy investigation, Queen was arrested Dec. 15 and charged with felony death by vehicle. She will appear in court March 1.
Shriner gives $1 million
Greenville, S.C. – Robbinsville Shriners Club member Martin Oeheler donated $1 million to the Shriner’s Children Hospital. Additionally, the Robbinsville club was recognized for giving $535,634 to the hospital, which was the highest by any of the members in the organization.
These are the champions
Greensboro – Five of Robbinsville’s finest athletes brought individuals state titles back to Graham County.
Wrestler Koleson Dooley won his first 1A crown in the 220-pound weight class Feb. 18; later in the finals, Alexis Panama secured his second state crown, this time at 113 pounds (he won one at 106 pounds his freshman year). Kage Williams then became a three-time champ, winning his second 182-pound championship after claiming the 195-pound gold in 2022.
Robbinsville’s track & field program laid claim to the rest of the success. Zoie Shuler captured the 1A/2A, indoor track long and triple-jump championships; before collecting three more in outdoor track at the May 19 state meet in the long, high and triple jumps.
Finally, Brock Adams capped his prevalent hurdling career for the Knights by once again sweeping the 110-meter and 300-meter hurdles, to end his run at Robbinsville with a combined five state titles in the sport.
This town slaps
Lake Santeetlah – During a discussion over appointing alternates to the municipality’s planning board, councilwoman Diana Simon slapped mayor Connie Gross during the Town of Lake Santeetlah’s June 8 meeting. Gross filed charges that same evening; Simon was charged with assault. The charges were later upgraded to assault on a government official.
Simon was later re-elected to the council and appointed mayor in November; Gross did not win her bid for re-election. Simon is scheduled to appear in court Jan. 29.
Friday Knight lights
Robbinsville – In just 49 days, two block retaining walls for temporary seating, construction of a cheerleading stand and more was completed at historic Big Oaks Stadium, home of the beloved Black Knights.
The stadium was condemned May 15 after an Asheville-based engineer determined the entire home seating area was on the verge of collapse. Demolition and reconstruction efforts began June 29. Temporary metal bleachers were in place just in time for the opening kickoff of the JV football season Aug. 17.
Urgent care closes
Robbinsville – For the second time in 2023, Graham County Urgent Care & Family Practice closed its doors.
The facility temporarily closed at the end of January after the county evicted the former lessee, Dr. David Castor of Bryson City-based Smoky Mountain Urgent Care.
The center re-opened Valentine’s Day with a minimal crew and had later expanded to a fully-staffed crew by July. However, the new provider – Dr. David Booth – shuttered the facility Aug. 31, citing financial struggles. The building has not been occupied since.
“Jim Tom” passes
Snowbird – Marvin “Jim Tom” Hedrick passed away from kidney cancer Sept. 6 at Graham Healthcare and Rehabilitation, at the age of 82.
Hedrick was known around the county for making and transporting moonshine. His notoriety opened the door for a featured part in a 1999 independent film, “Moonshine.”
Later, Hedrick found his most-widespread fame as a member of the Discovery Channel’s “Moonshiners” television series.
Dadiwonisi graduates
Snowbird – The first graduating class of the Dadiwonisi Adult Language Program embodied the meaning of the program’s name, “we are all going to speak” as they spoke in Cherokee, thanking their community, and accepted their certificates at a Sept. 26 ceremony.
The four graduates were Cailon “Uwodsdi” Garland, Jazlyn “Wadulisi” McEntire, Kirstie “Tsayga” Frady and Gina “Amage” Myers. Each graduate was referred to by their Cherokee name during the ceremony.
Orr pleads guilty
Robbinsville – In a case that has lingered for over five years, Garrel Alvah Orr, 82, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter Nov. 6, in the shooting death of his daughter-in-law, Lora Orr in February 2018.
He was sentenced to serve 70-96 in the state department of corrections in Raleigh.
Garrel claimed self-defense in the incident with 30-year-old Lora, who left behind four young children at the time of her passing.