10 years ago
* A Tennessee man drowned when his vehicle left U.S. 129 and flipped into a pond near Jutts Creek, south of Robbinsville. Per N.C. trooper Shawn Wilson, James Wade, 36 of Rogersville, Tenn., “apparently fell asleep at the wheel.” Wade crossed the center line, left the roadway and flipped upside down, then submerged into a nearby pond. Wilson also said that the victim was returning from Murphy Medical Center with a “medical condition.” The victim was a contract worker on the Cheoah Dam Project, where many workers pulled long shifts.
* The Lady Knights placed sixth at the 1A state cross-country meet. With only five runners on the team and not a single win, the “Fast Five” won the conference meet and went on to place third in regionals. The girls ran the race of their lives at the state meet in Greensboro, and finished in sixth place as a team. “Not only have they been great to coach, they knocked off some crazy time from the regionals to the state meet,” said coach Rance Shuler. Meanwhile, freshman Frank Cline finished third overall in the boys race.
25 years ago
* Graham County’s first woman driver turned 92 years young. Millie Ona’s first car was a Model-T Ford and because the roads were so bad, she couldn’t drive it far from town. While she was a student in high school, she taught music. After graduation, she went to Cecil’s Business College to prepare for clerical work at the Graham County Courthouse. She later became the owner of The Style Center, a clothing store that she operated until she retired.
* The Black Knights pounded the Avery Vikings, 38-18. The 2-A Vikings came into Big Oaks Stadium to roll over the 1-A Black Knights, but the Knights physically punished Avery on almost every play. By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, Viking head coach Babe Howell was visibly frustrated. The “Prime Time Performance Award” went to both Brian Jumper and Eugene Wachacha. It took four or five of Avery’s defenders to bring down Jumper every time he ran the ball. Wachacha’s punt return touchdown was the nail in Avery’s coffin.
50 years ago
* Members of the Robbinsville Mite and Midget football teams were honored at an awards banquet. It was sponsored by the Black Knight Booster Club and the motto was “Knights of Tomorrow.” Each member of the Mites and Midgets were presented with a trophy, as a memento of their participation in the football program. Guest speaker Ira Rogers spoke briefly on the advantages of football for young men, including developing self-control, discipline, physical fitness and good sportsmanship.
* The Black Knights got off to a good start in the state playoffs, winning over Mars Hill, 40-6. Robbinsville had been the state 1A champions during the prior two years. The Knights sped to two quick touchdowns in the first quarter and ran the count to 20-0 at halftime. Head Coach Bob Colvin said, “Defense has been our strong point most of the year.” He also said that Jacob Jackson and Roger Anderson were the “heart of the defense.” Colvin noted that Dewitt Wachacha – who had come back after an injury – was doing a good job at guard. Robbinsville’s offense had averaged 40 points in the last three games.