10 years ago
* Graham County students were headed back to school two weeks earlier than the surrounding counties. The N.C. Department of Public Education issued a state waiver to schools who miss eight or more days during the school year in four consecutive years – within a decade – due to inclement weather. The waiver gave the school more leverage in dealing with weather-related school closures and still allow the school year to end at the end of May. More than 1,200 students were expected to begin school on Aug. 11, 2011.
* The Black Knights’ faithful said that the 2011 Knights were the youngest squad to ever put on the varsity uniforms since anyone can remember. With three freshmen on the team – and a slew of sophomores – it’s easy to see why people were calling the team young. They tested their skills against Tuscola in a three-way scrimmage against the Mountaineers and the Mountain Heritage Cougars: the only opportunity that the Knights had to discover their strengths and weaknesses before the season got underway. Update: Robbinsville participated in a 4-team scrimmage at Tuscola after press time Wednesday.
25 years ago
* Auditors for the Town of Lake Santeetlah suspended their yearly audit, said Mayor Bill Wood. “It’s not audit-able at this time,” he said. With the resignation of Noel Marsh as town clerk, Santeetlah’s problems had just begun. Checks, receipts, bank statements and other records were missing from city hall when Marsh left. He was arrested in Henderson County on Aug. 6, 1996 and charged with embezzling approximately $60,000 – according to the Graham County Sheriff’s Department, which stated, “The investigation was not yet complete and the amount of funds allegedly taken may be higher.”
* The Lady Mints girls softball team, sponsored by Citizens Bank, completed the season with a great record of 12-0. Dale Cable congratulated coaches Lora Bowman and Darrel Crisp, along with teammates Hannah Holder, Kelsey Waters, Charity Crisp, Jessica Carver and Paige Wachacha, at a hotdog roast held on the deck behind the bank. Other team members were Nancy Adams, Michele Carpenter, Carmen Wiggins, Ashton Orr and Chelsie Copos.
50 years ago
* Making a stop in Robbinsville on his tour of the 100 counties of North Carolina, Lt. Governor Pat Taylor had lunch and spoke with several of the leading Democrats and citizens. “I have looked North Carolina over and I believe it’s as nice out here in the mountains as it is anywhere in the state. Anybody that complains out here must be crazy.”
-Diane West