COVID dominated headlines, but much more occurred
The dawn of the new decade was seemingly dominated by a worldwide pandemic.
And while the coronavirus has certainly made its presence felt in the area, Graham County still had a bevy of impactful events occur within its borders.
Runaway teen
Tallulah – The entire community held its collective breath Feb. 1, when news trickled out about the disappearance of a 17-year-old female.
Adrian Grace Burchfield left her home with a 21-year-old Oklahoma City resident in the wee hours of the morning. The two had met through Xbox Live and prompted by the belief that Burchfield was of legal age, John Wilkerson Wall drove 16 straight hours to pick up the home-schooled child. The two returned to Oklahoma City, but cell phone pings and clues uncovered by family and authorities alike quickly led to Burchfield’s safe discovery the next day.
“Before and after, I knew it was a bad idea,” Burchfield admitted in an exclusive Feb. 10 interview with The Graham Star. “But my attention was on this guy. I knew how I felt about him and I knew my parents wouldn’t approve of me dating online. It was a stupid idea and I should have never done it.
“I’m really glad to be home.”
Great to win state
Greensboro – Robbinsville grapplers Nathan Fisher (138 pounds) and Kyle Fink (195) reached the pinnacle of individual high school competition Feb. 22, winning their respective weight class’ 1A state championships.
A departing senior, Fisher pinned Swain County’s Nathan Brock in the finals of a grueling 2-day event inside the historic Greensboro Coliseum.
“This feels almost unbelievable, but I’ve earned it,” Fisher said moments after his title-clinching victory. “The Lord has given me the energy, focus and determination to pull through.”
Meanwhile, Fink bested Mount Airy’s Jackson Tumbarello in a 1-0 decision to attain his crown.
“This feels awesome. It’s one of the craziest experiences I’ve ever had,” Fink said. “As a sophomore, I have a state championship.”
COVID-19
Store shelves began to empty, in-person school instruction was cancelled and more importantly, the effects of the coronavirus began to sweep across Graham County in mid-March.
County officials enacted a 10 p.m. – 6 a.m. nightly curfew March 20 and closed Graham’s borders March 27, as part of a State of Emergency declared by a newly-formed Emergency Management Committee. Permits were later issued to non-residents that wished to enter the county, but large operating costs of manning all five entry points into Graham led to the border-closure being lifted April 19. The curfew ended after a 46-day stint on May 6, but the county’s first positive COVID-19 was confirmed April 26.
“We knew COVID-19 would eventually find its way into the county,” Graham County Health Director Beth Booth remarked at the time.
The county maintained status as the lowest case-count statewide until an outbreak at Graham Healthcare & Rehabilitation in September caused a spike in the numbers. The long-term care facility has since eliminated the virus from within its walls.
“Ensuring our residents and staff are in a safe and healthy environment has been our primary concern since the onset of this unprecedented pandemic,” read a portion of a statement issued by the facility Sept. 17.
To date, Graham County has had only 12 coronavirus-related deaths.
Fontana debts, lease
Fontana Dam – Though on a repayment plan after falling behind $95,506 in user, water and wastewater fees to the township, Fontana Village Resort and Marina’s board opted to abandon its lease with the Tennessee Valley Authority on June 1.
Initially shuttering its doors due to the forced closure of all county accommodations in March, the popular vacation destination remained closed until Aug. 17, thanks to the efforts of a new lessee, BCS Fontana, LLC. The Town of Fontana Dam eventually settled on the past-due debt carried over by the resort, begrudgingly accepting a $40,000 payment, or 54 percent of the total balance of $74,041.78.
“Has it been all bad? No. Has it been all good? No,” reflected Town of Fontana Dam Mayor Rob Hardy on the strained relationship between the town and the former lessees.
“We all had the best interest at heart and we’re still left cleaning up the mess.”
Sheriff resigns mid-term
Graham County Sheriff Joseph Jones abruptly resigned from his post June 29, citing personal reasons.
“It is with heartbreaking regret that I will not fulfill my term as your sheriff,” a letter from Jones read. “Due to health issues that have further developed due to the stress related to the job, threats against my family and the need to spend more time with my children and my precious granddaughter, I must distance myself from the position as your sheriff.”
Jones, current sheriff Jerry Crisp, the Graham County Sheriff’s Office, Steve Odom and the Graham County Republican Party were each served with lawsuits earlier this month, alleging harassment, retaliation and libel from Jones’ time in office, as well as the immediate aftermath of Crisp’s appointment July 28.
Alcohol on ballot
The Town of Robbinsville elected to allow the sale of malt beverages and unfortified wine to appear on its 2021 ballot during a July 1 Board of Alderman meeting.
The 2-0 decision pushed Graham one step closer to losing its distinction as the only remaining dry county in North Carolina, a status it has maintained since 1948. The county’s Board of Commissioners unanimously decided against allowing the vote to appear on its next election ballot in May.
“The citizens that live inside the city limits have that right – as everybody, everywhere else – to vote on the issue,” said Robbinsville Alderman Brian Johnson. “It’s the people’s decision, not just the board’s.”
Suspicious death
Sweetwater – Graham County authorities are still investigating the death of 24-year-old Thomas Storm Moose, a Robbinsville man who was found deceased off Lower Mountain Creek Road on Aug. 16. Moose had been reported missing Aug. 12.
The condition of the body upon discovery prompted officials to launch an investigation, according to Graham County Sheriff’s Detective JJ. Wooten.
“The cosmos are now his playground, as he watches over us until the day arrives that we are all together in the glory with Jesus,” read a portion of Moose’s obituary.