Local

Doyle Brock celebrated his 100th birthday in style: flanked by his family for a weekend trip in Pigeon Forge.

100 years of wisdom

Friday, September 19, 2025

Milltown’s Doyle Brock was thrilled to see his 100th birthday cake while celebrating with family the weekend of Sept. 6. Milltown – It has been over 36,525 days – Sept. 8, 1925, to be exact – since Doyle Ruben Brock entered the world.

New county health director announced

Kevin Hensley

Friday, September 19, 2025

Robbinsville – A familiar face has been named the new Graham County Public Health Director. Angie Knight will step into the role Monday, after being hired by a committee. She was formally introduced as the new director at Tuesday's board of commissioners meeting.

Brittney Holder owns B's Pet Grooming, but also works tirelessly to help control the local animal population. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Pressing 'paws' on local animal population

Latresa Phillips

Thursday, September 11, 2025

Mountain Creek – Monday morning started early for Brittney Holder, with the chore of loading up 19 dogs and 11 cats to be transported to Norfolk, Va.'s Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) for rehoming.

Wachacha retains council seat; Smoker elected

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, September 11, 2025

A new face will represent Tutiyi/Tsalagi Gadugi (Snowbird/Cherokee County) on the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians' Tribal Council. Incumbent Adam Wachacha was the top vote-getter for the two local spots in Sept.

Staff and management of Appalachian Mountain Health celebrate a ribbon cutting held Monday outside the Robbinsville office on Tallulah Road. The ceremony recognized a recent batch of upgrades to the facility. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Ribbon cutting ushers in new era for medical facility

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, September 11, 2025

Tallulah – Employees, local management and upper-level representatives crowded outside Appalachian Mountain Health of Robbinsville on Monday, to hold a ribbon cutting signifying the conclusion of $1.3 million in upgrades to the former Tallulah Health Clinic.

Jennifer O'Dell, Gracie Webster, Regina Webster and Dickey Webster (from left) with Sweetgum Baptist Church sing at a recent Celebrate Recovery meeting. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Let's Celebrate Recovery

Latresa Phillips

Thursday, September 4, 2025

Sweetgum – In 1991, John Baker and his wife shared a vision given to John by God for a new Christ-centered ministry where people could find freedom from their hurts, hang-ups and habits. The first night of meeting, 43 people attended and Celebrate Recovery was born.

This map pinpoints the location (circled in red) where an Atlanta man was found after a 12-hour search Aug. 28. Map courtesy of Tory Lynnes/Graham County Fire and Rescue

Rugged search mission lasts 12 hours

Marshall McClung

Thursday, September 4, 2025

Deep Creek – Members of Graham County Fire and Rescue and Stecoah Fire and Rescue were involved in a 12-hour search for a lost hiker in the Deep Creek area of Graham County on Aug. 28. The Graham County 911 Center received a phone call around 5 p.m., Aug. 28 from James Clark.

Kadey Phillips Jones was recently announced as Graham County Schools' 2024-25 District Teacher of the Year.

Jones named Graham County Schools’ Teacher of the Year

Latresa Phillips

Thursday, August 28, 2025

Robbinsville – Graham County Schools has announced third-grade instructor Kadey Phillips Jones as the 2024-25 District Teacher of the Year. Jones began her 10th year as an educator this week.

Crews battle two fires

Marshall McClung

Thursday, August 28, 2025

Even though it is weeks until the usual start of the autumn fire season – and rain has fallen steadily – local crews were dispatched to a pair of separate outbreaks during the last week. Graham County Fire and Rescue – including a Meadow Branch unit – responded to a small brush fire around 1:20 p.

Fire and rescue squad receives $29K grant

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, August 21, 2025

Raleigh – Graham County Fire and Rescue was recently awarded a grant in the amount of $28,694.67 from the office of the state fire marshal. State Fire Marshal Brian Taylor said in a May 15 press release that the grant was through the 2025 Volunteer Fire Grant Fund.