Local

Graham County Board of Elections Deputy Director Tasha Holder (left) helps incumbent Graham County Clerk of Court Tammy Holloway with the filing process Monday. Holloway was the first candidate to file for any 2022 local election. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Graham County Board of Elections Deputy Director Tasha Holder (left) helps incumbent Graham County Clerk of Court Tammy Holloway with the filing process Monday. Holloway was the first candidate to file for any 2022 local election. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Candidates begin filing for 2022 local elections

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 9, 2021
Robbinsville – After just one day of filing, four sheriff’s candidates had confirmed their 2022 campaigns. Incumbent Jerry Crisp – who took over mid-term for former Graham County Sheriff Joseph Jones in July 2020 – officially filed to run Monday, as did former deputy Dennis Crisp, Leon Allen Jr.
Kelsey Cody (Mary), 7-month-old Nora Grace Cody (Jesus) and Brady Cody (Joseph) as the Holy Family, which will be a part of Robbinsville United Methodist Church’s first-ever Christmas Extravaganza on Sunday. Photo by Charlie Benton/news@grahamstar.com

Kelsey Cody (Mary), 7-month-old Nora Grace Cody (Jesus) and Brady Cody (Joseph) as the Holy Family, which will be a part of Robbinsville United Methodist Church’s first-ever Christmas Extravaganza on Sunday. Photo by Charlie Benton/news@grahamstar.com

Brighter and brighter, He will shine

Charlie Benton
Thursday, December 9, 2021
Fort Hill – One of the community’s houses of worship will hold its first Christmas Extravaganza on Sunday. The event will include performances by church choirs, a live nativity scene and refreshments.
Graham County Clerk of Court Tammy Holloway (right) swears in the new Town of Lake Santeetlah councilmembers Tuesday afternoon (from left): Tina Emerson, Ralph Mitchell and Connie Gross. Recent appeals at both the local and state level have attempted to dispute the legitimacy of Emerson and Gross’ residency, but both challenges have been dismissed. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Graham County Clerk of Court Tammy Holloway (right) swears in the new Town of Lake Santeetlah councilmembers Tuesday afternoon (from left): Tina Emerson, Ralph Mitchell and Connie Gross. Recent appeals at both the local and state level have attempted to dispute the legitimacy of Emerson and Gross’ residency, but both challenges have been dismissed. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Santeetlah appeals dismissed at state level

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 9, 2021
Raleigh – After a pair of local protests were dismissed, another pair of appeals have been thrown out at the state level. Through a public records request, The Graham Star obtained documents containing the official decisions of the N.C.

County Deputy cleared after June shooting

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 9, 2021
Tallulah – A Graham County sheriff’s deputy has been cleared of any wrongdoing in the shooting death of a Dickson, Tenn., resident. Deputy Courtney Heaton fatally shot 31-year-old Mickey Ray Rice on June 20, after officers gave chase when Rice fled from a traffic stop in Robbinsville.

Corbin to seek re-election to state senate seat

Charlie Benton
Thursday, December 2, 2021
Franklin – Someone will represent western North Carolina in the U.S. Congress, but it won’t be Kevin Corbin. Despite originally intending to run for Congress, state Sen. Kevin Corbin, R-Macon, announced on Nov. 22 that he would run for re-election to his seat in the N.C. State Senate instead.

Fontana Dam recognized for water quality

Charlie Benton
Thursday, December 2, 2021
Fontana Dam – Graham County’s smallest municipality has been lauded for the quality of its water, being named as one of 64 North Carolina municipalities to receive optimization awards for 2021. The awards were first announced by the N.C.