Jackson County saw change during 2001 with the arrival of its first full-time appointed county manager and first African-American elected official. History played a part in local events with the celebration of the county's 150th birthday and the publication of the Sesquicentennial Edition of "The History of Jackson County." Tragedy struck nationally with the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, which gave rise to local patriotic vigils and marches, and locally with a drowning and three murders. A sex scandal that rocked Blue Ridge School in June was resolved in November with the sentencing of Joe Brooks and Robbie Hess, but 2001 closed with the arrest on sex charges of Smoky Mountain teacher Nathan Hopper. On a positive note, a SMHS grad competed in the Miss World pageant, and a local educator was a finalist for state Teacher of the Year.
|