10 years ago
* Approximately 30 people joined pastor Daniel Stewart in prayer as one of America’s darkest days was remembered. A special ceremony was held in remembrance of those who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001. “I am thankful for our men and women who defend it for us. Together we stand against anyone who tries to harm us or our children; but make no mistake, we are a blood-bought country,” said Stewart.
* The stage was set for another collision between Murphy and Robbinsville’s junior varsity teams. Both went into the game undefeated. Robbinsville was on a 14-game winning streak and Murphy was looking for revenge after falling to the Knights in 2010.
25 years ago
* According to the Graham County Sheriff’s Office, a Swain County man was the first drowning victim of 1996. William Hess, 41, had been swimming in Fontana Lake with a friend, William Holloway Lovelace of Robbinsville, when he drowned on Sept. 2. Richard Conley of the N.C. Wildlife Division said that Hess “was swimming and didn’t come back up.” The preliminary report said that the drowning appeared to be accidental.
* The Black Knights improved their record to 2-0 on the young season, with a win over 2A Mountain Heritage. Robbinsville broke open a close game by outscoring the Cougars by 25-0 in the fourth quarter. Coy Adams gave the Knights a 7-0 lead on a 65-yard interception return for a touchdown with 2:51 remaining in the first quarter. The final score was 39-7, Knights.
50 years ago
* A front-end loader precariously perched on the side of a ditch on Hwy. 129, just north of Robbinsville. The result was an injury for Johnny Ray McClincy, the operator. McClincy said that when the vehicle started to tumble into the ditch, thinking that he would be crushed between it and the opposite side of the ditch, he decided to jump. He landed in the rocks, 20 feet below. He was hospitalized for several days. The loader was owned by J.C. Phillips, a Robbinsville contractor.
* The Robbinsville Black Knights shut out the Cherokee Braves 20-0. The game gave Robbinsville a record of 2-1. The ball changed hands seven times before Robbinsville scored with 5:22 remaining in the first half. The offense ground out 92 yards for the touchdown in 17 plays. “Our defense was outstanding, as Cherokee had the ball inside our 20 three times in the first four minutes, but we held them,” said coach Bob Colvin.
-Diane West