Local

These maps illustrate recent data on fatal and serious-injury crashes in Graham County. Maps by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Stats show Cherohala Skyway is Graham County’s deadliest road

Randy Foster

Friday, March 18, 2022

The Tail of the Dragon and Hellbender 28 may be famous for their thrills (and spills), but scenic Cherohala Skyway is the most dangerous of the three major touring routes in Graham County. The trends were revealed by data collected by N.C. Department of Transportation from 2016-20.

A new justice center – which would eliminate the need for occupancy in the aging Graham County Courthouse (pictured) – is just one of several projects in the works for Graham County. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Big projects on the horizon

Randy Foster

Friday, March 18, 2022

Robbinsville – As Graham County gears up for tourist season, a number of major projects and potential projects are on the horizon. Here are some things to watch over the next couple of years.

Man shot while confronting wife

Randy Foster

Friday, March 18, 2022

Robbinsville – A Robbinsville man was shot and wounded in Lincoln County – and is facing felony charges – after he pushed his way into a Lincoln County home to check on his wife, and got into a fight with a man she had been staying with.

In a new filing, Graham County responds to the recent controversy surrounding Smoky Mountain Urgent Care.

County answers Smoky Mountain Urgent Care suit

Randy Foster

Thursday, March 10, 2022

Robbinsville – Graham County and its insurance carrier have asked a judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Smoky Mountain Urgent Care. In turn, the county is making demands of its own.

Candidate filing draws crowd

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, March 10, 2022

Robbinsville – At long last, candidate filing for 2022 elections concluded at noon Friday. Locally, candidates turned out in droves for both the sheriff’s and board of commissioners races. Several filed for the Graham County Board of Education, while a pair of races will go uncontested.

“I Know” – by Robbinsville band director Amber Watkins – was released on iTunes in February.

Band director releases single

Randy Foster

Thursday, March 10, 2022

Robbinsville – Robbinsville High School band and choir director Amber Watkins has released a single called “I Know” that is available on iTunes, Apple Music, Pandora, Amazon and other online venues.

This proposed management plan for the Nantahala National Forest – “Alternative E” – has been presented to the Graham County Board of Commissioners.

Management plan pitched to board of commissioners

Randy Foster

Thursday, March 10, 2022

The National Forest Service is developing plans to restore Graham County woodlands that were clearcut a century or more ago – which might make environmentalists happy, but is not sitting well with many Graham County residents.

James Jay Smith, (center) is flanked by his wife Brenda and defense lawyer Rich Cassady during a courtroom break in Robbinsville on March 3. Smith was acquitted of attempted first-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury the following day. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Jury acquits Smith

Randy Foster

Thursday, March 10, 2022

Robbinsville – There are serious differences between James Smith’s and Joe Shaffer’s accounts of the July 27, 2016 shootout outside Smith’s Fontana Heights house. But in the end, it came down to one thing: Joe Shaffer shot first.

Judge shows mercy on habitual offender

Randy Foster

Thursday, March 3, 2022

Robbinsville – Braxton Sawyer is a habitual offender whose latest charges were both felonies — possession of a firearm by a felon and fleeing/eluding arrest. He faced years of hard time. The 31-year-old Graham County resident pleaded guilty to both charges in Superior Court in Robbinsville on Feb.

Pair of board members resign from Robbinsville Tourism Authority

Koda Moody

Thursday, March 3, 2022

Robbinsville – The Robbinsville Tourism Authority has gone through some major changes over the last month. Director Karen Taylor and board member Teresa Garland have resigned due to personal reasons. Taylor resigned after the Jan. 25 meeting, while Garland resigned at the end of the Feb.