10 years ago
* A ground-breaking was held for Robbinsville’s $7.4 million wastewater treatment plant on Sandhole Road. The emcee for the event was Mayor Pro-Tem Bobby Smith, who said that the groundbreaking was a historic occasion for the town. Smith and the town council praised the efforts of the USDA officials, as well as the town officials for their hard work in getting grants for this project. Alderman Jacky Ayers said the plant would serve many future generations in Graham County. “We did it for our kids and grandkids,” Ayers said. The new plant would provide 630,000 gallons per day treatment capacity and would be expandable to 800,000 gallons per day.
* Carolina standout, record-holder Olympic Gold Medalist and NBA All-Star Phil Ford was asked to the Robbinsville youth basketball camp, and had no problem saying “yes.” As basketball campers came to Robbinsville to learn drills and defense from the legendary player, Ford enjoyed nothing more than teaching the joy of basketball. He was inducted into the N.C. Sports Hall of Fame in 1991 and was named College Player of the Year by the Basketball Writers Association in 1978.
25 years ago
* Max Godfrey resigned from the Robbinsville Board of Aldermen. Only four months away for town elections, the board had to decide whether to appoint an interim or to continue with the remaining two members until elections were completed. Though several individual had filed to run in November, the board agreed with Mayor Bobby Cagle, Jr., that selecting an interim alderman from that pool might be seen as a show of favoritism. Mack Tallant, town attorney, recommended the board appoint a new alderman, but made it clear that he found no law stating a time limit for the board to make such an important decision.
* The new Harrah’s Cherokee Casino, pushing towards a November opening, already had anticipation and excitement stirring around the Great Smoky Mountains. The scope of the project covered 37 acres, extending a mile from end-to-end. The heavily-landscaped drive before arriving to the complex would capture and accentuate a mountain-resort experience and blend with the natural beauty surrounding it.
50 years ago
* Danny Millsaps, 18, lost his life when the vehicle he was driving went out of control on rain-slicked pavement. The vehicle left the highway and stuck a guardrail. A.Z. Phillips, a Highway Patrol sergeant, said the guardrail penetrated the grill and firewall section of the car and struck Millsaps in the chest, killing him instantly. Rickey Millsaps, 17, was released after receiving first aid treatment at an Andrews hospital. Phillips said Millsaps was apparently traveling at a high rate of speed when the accident occurred.
* Centennial President Leonard W. Lloyd directed the Board of Directors, O.W. Hooper, Jr., Harry Hancock, Jr. and Booth Crisp, Jr., to give a check of $2,000 to each of the three Graham County Rescue Squad units. Warner Deyton accepted a check from Harry Hancock, Jr. for the Graham County Rescue Squad; Modeal Walsh accepted a check for the Graham County Rescue Squad Tapoco Unit; and Dale Cable accepted a check for the Stecoah Rescue Squad. The checks were generously distributed to the rescue squads, due to the great success of the Centennial. “No compensation or salary was given for efforts in the support of the Centennial. This was successful due to a joint effort by hundreds of our own people,” said Lloyd.
-Compiled by Diane West