10 years ago
* State public transportation planners predicted that Graham County’s new 2,100-square-foot transit administration building would be completed within 18 months. The headquarters will be at the Fort Hill site, situated on top of the hill. “The building was funded entirely by $560,000 in state and federal money, with no local funds used,” said Juanita Colvard, Graham County’s transit director.
* For the second time in a year, the Black Knights knew what it felt like to have been a 7-time champion. Robbinsville picked up their seventh consecutive conference track title – which tied them with the Knights wrestling team, who also won their seventh conference title earlier that year. Held at Western Carolina University, several Knights won conference champion honors. Senior C.J. Williams also won track MVP for the meet. Other conference champions were Zack Waldroup, Kelby Sherrill and Greg Burchfield.
25 years ago
* Renovation plans began on the new Tri-County Community College Graham County Extension Center. “Our mountain counties are quickly changing, and it is time for us to move ahead and meet these changes by providing educational resources right here in our own county,” said Jan Rogers, board of trustee member. “The potential for this center is far reaching.”
* The Lady Knights continued their winning streak with an 11-7 road victory over Rosman on May 3. The outstanding play of the game was a 3-run homer hit by Crystal Morgan in the third inning. Leading hitters against Rosman were Emily Williams, Pam Beasley, Morgan, Candace Howell and Krissy Williams. Robbinsville was 13-3 for the season and 7-2 in the conference.
50 years ago
* According to Postmaster Edward M. Ingram, increases in most postage rates took effect, as the new U.S. Postal Service brought on its tasks of achieving self-sufficiency, as required by the Postal Reorganization Act. As the general postage rates had not increased since 1967, Ingram explained that the new increases would raise first-class letter rates from six to eight cents an ounce. Gradual increases to different class mail will slowly come into play.
* The Robbinsville baseball team beat the Cherokee Braves to end their losing streak. They also beat Andrews for their fourth and fifth wins of the season. Robbinsville used a 15-hit attack and pitching arm of senior Mark Manuel for a 7-3 win over the Cherokee Braves. Robbinsville tied the game in the second inning, when Mitch Rogers hit his first homer of his career into left field. The Knights scored three runs in the fourth inning to take the lead. Manuel was the winning pitcher, picking up the third win of the season.
-Diane West