Local

Attendees at Saturday's Stecoah 100th Anniversary Celebration gather to re-create the Dedication Day photo that was captured when the former school opened a century ago. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Attendees at Saturday's Stecoah 100th Anniversary Celebration gather to re-create the Dedication Day photo that was captured when the former school opened a century ago. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Stecoah celebrates 100-year anniversary

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Stecoah – Nostalgia filled the air both inside and outdoors Saturday, as friends, family and former school employees gathered to celebrate a century of community.

Town out $200K

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Robbinsville – A pair of unplanned expenditures have befallen the Town of Robbinsville.Mayor Shaun Adams revealed during May 6's board of aldermen meeting that the Local Government Commission will be freezing $83,000 in sales tax revenue, due to payments that have not been made.
The Greener Side Dispensary was 1-of-3 local businesses raided as part of "Operation Dirty Laundry: Phase 1" on Nov. 22. All charges related to the case were dismissed last month. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

The Greener Side Dispensary was 1-of-3 local businesses raided as part of "Operation Dirty Laundry: Phase 1" on Nov. 22. All charges related to the case were dismissed last month. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

'Operation Dirty Laundry' charges dropped

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Robbinsville – The efforts of an 11-month, undercover investigation involving multiple agencies have been cleansed.

Lake Santeetlah feels minor earthquake

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Lake Santeetlah – Nearly one year to the date that Graham County felt a 4.1-magnitude earthquake, another spread tremors throughout one municipality.The United States Geological Survey confirmed that a 2.2-magnitude earthquake was detected around 12:26 a.m.
The campus of the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center will be bustling with activity Saturday, as the former Stecoah School celebrates its 100th year in existence. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

The campus of the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center will be bustling with activity Saturday, as the former Stecoah School celebrates its 100th year in existence. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Centennial celebration

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Stecoah – As over 200 members of the surrounding area stood with their eyes focused on the single object in front of them, a photograph that has stood the test of time was captured.

Opening the doors

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Robbinsville – Russell Moody watched from afar as confidence in the Graham County Sheriff's Office deteriorated.It's no secret that the position is a hot-button topic around the community.
A group of county residents offer feedback at Friday's sanitation budget public hearing. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

A group of county residents offer feedback at Friday's sanitation budget public hearing. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Residents offer up ideas for sanitation grant

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Robbinsville – Following the announcement of a $1.4 million sanitation grant that will benefit Graham County, the board of commissioners welcomed input during a public hearing Friday.

Sheriff's office warns of scam calls

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 7, 2026
A new flurry of scam calls across the region might trip up targets. Graham County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy James Keifer contacted The Graham Star on Friday, asking for the public to be made aware of the approach.
U.S. Forest Service firefighters Heath Emmons, Ben Limes and Forrest Koontz examine the remnants of a brush fire that started Sunday in Lake Santeetlah. Photo courtesy of Tory Lynnes/U.S. Forest Service

U.S. Forest Service firefighters Heath Emmons, Ben Limes and Forrest Koontz examine the remnants of a brush fire that started Sunday in Lake Santeetlah. Photo courtesy of Tory Lynnes/U.S. Forest Service

Arson suspected in house fire

Marshall McClung
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Snowbird – A house fire in the Little Snowbird section of Graham County appears to have been started by an arsonist.The fire was reported to Graham County 911 around 7:30 p.m., Monday.