10 years ago
* Jeffrey Scott Newton was suspected of robbing a bank in Florence County, S.C. Tribal officer DeWitt Chekelelee arrested Newton at the Ingles parking lot in Robbinsville, when a bright yellow sports bike caught his eye. Newton was held in the Graham County jail, but was set to be extradited back to South Carolina on charges of common law robbery, strong arm robbery, larceny, grand larceny of more than $2,000 and less than $10,000.
• The Knights marked their first shutout of the season against Union County, 34-0, during homecoming. With only a 7-0 lead at halftime, the Knights came back to the gridiron to finish the game strong. Meanwhile, the junior varsity Knights caged the Murphy Bulldogs, 35-14, as they continue an undefeated streak.
25 years ago
* The annual Big Sweep was held. Areas of shoreline along Santeetlah Lake and portions of Tallulah Creek and Big Snowbird Creek were cleaned up. These areas produced over two and one-half tons of trash. Participation was considered excellent, as around 100 volunteers were involved. Over 300 bags of trash along with 30 automobile tires, metal barrels and other assorted junk were collected.
* Former Robbinsville Black Knight coach Bob Colvin was inducted into the N.C. High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame. Colvin coached football at Robbinsville for a total of 26 years, five years as an assistant to Modeal Walsh and one year with Pat Patillo. The remaining 20 years were as head coach. He played as an offensive and defensive end during his high school years at Robbinsville, known then as the Blue Devils. His record reflects 16 Smoky Mountain 1A Conference Titles and 11 state championships, including a state record five championships in a row from 1979-83. His induction was set to be held at the Virginia-North Carolina football game at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill.
50 years ago
* Activities for the 1971 campaign of the Graham County United Services were set to begin, with a giant parade at halftime of the Sylva-Robbinsville High School football game. Both the Sylva and Robbinsville band were set to take part in leading the parade around the football field. The previous year, almost 100 attended the dinner.
* The Robbinsville Black Knights slipped by Hayesville 20-6 in Clay County, to win their third-straight Smoky Mountain Conference Class A Championship. The Black Knights scored fast, as they marched 42 yards the first time they had the ball. The score remained 8-0 until the third quarter, when Hayesville moved 49 yards in six plays for the first touchdown scored against the Black Knights in the season.
– Angie and Brittany Davis