Local

The former location of Oak Valley Hardwood – and before that, Stanley Furniture – has sat vacant since 2019. New Robbinsville Mayor Shaun Adams hopes to change that. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

The former location of Oak Valley Hardwood – and before that, Stanley Furniture – has sat vacant since 2019. New Robbinsville Mayor Shaun Adams hopes to change that. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

New Robbinsville mayor hopes to attract jobs

Randy Foster
Friday, January 7, 2022
Fresh off his November victory over an incumbent, newly elected Robbinsville Mayor Shaun Adams knows what his top priority is. “My main concern is getting jobs,” Mayor Adams said. “People are really suffering.
An avid dog lover, Kortne Waginger lost her longtime battle with cancer on Friday.

An avid dog lover, Kortne Waginger lost her longtime battle with cancer on Friday.

‘Tough as a pine knot’

Kevin Hensley
Friday, January 7, 2022
Tampa – “She certainly left her mark on this Earth; as she not only showed us how to live, but how to die.” That was just a snippet of the announcement made by mother – Robbinsville Middle School principal Tonia Walsh – Friday morning. But just that one sentence encompassed Kortne Waginger.
Ingredients for mixed drinks at the Robbinsville Ingles will soon be conjoined with beer and wine, available for purchase in the coolers at the end of the aisle. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Ingredients for mixed drinks at the Robbinsville Ingles will soon be conjoined with beer and wine, available for purchase in the coolers at the end of the aisle. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Beer, wine sales delayed

Randy Foster
Friday, January 7, 2022
Robbinsville – New Year’s Day came and went over the weekend, but one thing that remained the same is that beer and wine still can’t be sold in Robbinsville. “It’s hard to say a time frame,” said Robbinsville Mayor Shaun Adams, adding that it could take a couple of months.

Masks mandatory once more at schools

Randy Foster
Friday, January 7, 2022
Robbinsville – Graham County Schools resumed mandatory masks on Wednesday, in an effort to avoid widespread quarantines from rising numbers of COVID-19 cases. Students, faculty and staff are required to wear masks for the rest of January.
Coolers have been installed in the former greeting cards section at Ingles in Robbinsville in preparation for beer and wine sales. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Coolers have been installed in the former greeting cards section at Ingles in Robbinsville in preparation for beer and wine sales. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Beer and wine sales in Robbinsville expected; just not as soon as you thought

Randy Foster
Friday, December 31, 2021
Robbinsville — Starting tomorrow, for the first time since the 1940s, it will be legal to buy beer and wine in Robbinsville.  The local Ingles, the only supermarket in the county, geared up for it: Staff trained? Check Greeting cards section moved? Check Coolers installed?
Bobby Kays was accused of using a Graham County Sheriff’s Office vehicle to run through the front of Robbinsville Pharmacy on May 8.

Bobby Kays was accused of using a Graham County Sheriff’s Office vehicle to run through the front of Robbinsville Pharmacy on May 8.

Remembering 2021 in Graham County

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, December 29, 2021
Even as the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic raged on, Graham County – as a whole – continued to experience both positives and negatives in 2021.

Board approves premium pay

Charlie Benton
Wednesday, December 29, 2021
Robbinsville – More Graham County employees will now benefit from premium pay, following a vote at the Graham County Board of Commissioners meeting Dec. 21. The board voted unanimously in favor of $1,500 in premium pay for detention officers employed between Jan. 1, 2020 and Nov.
Dr. Patrick Kelley is selling his Robbinsville dental practice to Dr. Kelsey Cody. Dr. Kelley began his practice in Graham County in 1988. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Dr. Patrick Kelley is selling his Robbinsville dental practice to Dr. Kelsey Cody. Dr. Kelley began his practice in Graham County in 1988. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Longtime Robbinsville dentist, associate to swap roles

Randy Foster
Wednesday, December 29, 2021
Robbinsville – Dr. Patrick Kelley had a mission when he started his dental practice in Robbinsville in August of 1988. The rural town had been without a dentist for more than a year and Dr. Kelley saw an opportunity to provide a vital service for a community in need. “I started from scratch,” Dr.