Local

Interim sheriff files for election

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Robbinsville – It is a move that has drawn mixed reviews since its announcement Monday: interim Graham County Sheriff Russell Moody will be a voting option when the general-election cycle begins later this year.

Local man sentenced for animal neglect

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 30, 2026
Robbinsville – A Stecoah resident has been sentenced on a Class 2 misdemeanor charge of abandonment of an animal.Kevin Allen Dyer, 37 of 136 Locust Cove Road, was found guilty in Graham County District Court on April 20 and ordered to serve 45 days in jail.
Low-income families in Graham County can now register for low-cost spay and neuter options at Logan's Run Rescue in Murphy.

Low-income families in Graham County can now register for low-cost spay and neuter options at Logan's Run Rescue in Murphy.

County joins low-cost spay, neuter program

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 30, 2026
Murphy – A new option to help control the local dog and cat population has just been made available to Graham County residents.
Members of Graham County Fire and Rescue unload a side-by-side to aid in a rescue operation at Stecoah Gap on Saturday. Photo courtesy of Graham County Fire and Rescue

Members of Graham County Fire and Rescue unload a side-by-side to aid in a rescue operation at Stecoah Gap on Saturday. Photo courtesy of Graham County Fire and Rescue

Fire, rescue, forestry, EMS kept busy

Marshall McClung
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
The last week has been busy for emergency personnel.Many of the calls for Graham County Fire and Rescue personnel could have been prevented, as the calls involved people ignoring the burn ban – despite extreme fire danger and a persistent drought.

Hoxit files appeal

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Robbinsville – Exactly two weeks after a judge's order removed Brad Hoxit from office, the former sheriff has appealed the verdict.Filed in the Graham County Clerk of Court's Office at 11:21 a.m.
This vacant home at 3744 Santeetlah Road burned Friday, igniting nearby woods and burning two acres of tribal land. Photo courtesy of Tory Lynnes/U.S. Forest Service

This vacant home at 3744 Santeetlah Road burned Friday, igniting nearby woods and burning two acres of tribal land. Photo courtesy of Tory Lynnes/U.S. Forest Service

Empty home ignites, fire spreads to woods

Marshall McClung
Thursday, April 16, 2026
Santeetlah – Local firefighters were kept busy throughout Friday, battling a house fire and brush fire at the same time.
Graham County is 1-of-15 across North Carolina currently experiencing an “extreme” drought, as shown by this map released last week. Map courtesy of North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council

Graham County is 1-of-15 across North Carolina currently experiencing an “extreme” drought, as shown by this map released last week. Map courtesy of North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council

Statewide burn ban still in effect

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 9, 2026
Despite areas of North Carolina receiving steady rainfall last week, the statewide burn ban issued by the N.C. Forest Service is still in effect. Hazardous conditions inside forests around the state forced the ban to be enacted March 28, according to a press release from the N.C. Forest Service.