Local

Thanks to the quick work of the National Wild Turkey Federation and C&W Contracting, county residents and visitors now have a safer way to travel the 0.3-mile trail to Yellow Creek Falls. Photo courtesy of Cody Carpenter/Contributing Photographer

Thanks to the quick work of the National Wild Turkey Federation and C&W Contracting, county residents and visitors now have a safer way to travel the 0.3-mile trail to Yellow Creek Falls. Photo courtesy of Cody Carpenter/Contributing Photographer

Yellow Creek Falls trail gets new footbridge

Marshall McClung
Thursday, August 5, 2021
Tapoco – The Yellow Creek Falls Trail now has a new footbridge, which replaced the old one that had fallen into disrepair and had become unsafe.  Hoot Gibbs – who does volunteer maintenance on the trail – had become concerned about the condition of the bridge.

Stolen property, narcotics recovered in recent crime sweep

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 5, 2021
The Graham County Sheriff’s Office has had a busy few weeks. From July 20-30, arrests have been made that resulted in the recovery of stolen property and narcotics.  Tools recovered Officers were dispatched to an ongoing breaking and entering at a residence on Lower Tuskeegee Road on July 20.

Annual fishing derby rescheduled

Koda Moody
Thursday, August 5, 2021
Robbinsville – The Robbinsville Tourism Authority covered several topics at its July 27 meeting, including the postponement of the ever-popular fishing derby. The event – which was penciled in for Saturday, Sept.
A mural in downtown Robbinsville – depicting matriarchs of the Snowbird Community – was dedicated in a ceremony Saturday. Photos by Charlie Benton/news@grahamstar.com

A mural in downtown Robbinsville – depicting matriarchs of the Snowbird Community – was dedicated in a ceremony Saturday. Photos by Charlie Benton/news@grahamstar.com

Mural honoring Snowbird women dedicated

Charlie Benton
Thursday, August 5, 2021
Robbinsville – Graham County’s first inhabitants were honored Saturday, with the dedication of a downtown Robbinsville mural recognizing matriarchs of the Snowbird community. The mural includes several Snowbird Cherokee women, honoring them for their contributions to the community.
Billy Holder shows off a large tomato growing in one of his three gardens on family land in Stecoah. The 87-year-old has gardened his entire life. Photos by Charlie Benton/news@grahamstar.com

Billy Holder shows off a large tomato growing in one of his three gardens on family land in Stecoah. The 87-year-old has gardened his entire life. Photos by Charlie Benton/news@grahamstar.com

Lifetime of growth

Charlie Benton
Thursday, August 5, 2021
* Green Thumbs: Conclusion of a 5-part series Stecoah – Even at 87 years old, Billy Holder hasn’t yet stepped back from tending his gardens throughout the year.
Stecoah Diner was fully engulfed Monday night, shortly after a fire started in the kitchen of the longtime local establishment. Crews deemed the structure a total loss in the wee hours of Tuesday morning. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Stecoah Diner was fully engulfed Monday night, shortly after a fire started in the kitchen of the longtime local establishment. Crews deemed the structure a total loss in the wee hours of Tuesday morning. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Popular restaurant lost to late-night blaze

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 5, 2021
Stecoah – Some 12 hours after a fire drew the attention of a small Graham County community, smoke still lingered in the valley. Stecoah Diner – formerly known as Tooties Cafe at the intersection of U.S.
New Graham County Schools music educator Amber Watkins (right) works one-on-one with freshman tenor saxophonist Ryan Lynn Monday. The band is currently preparing its marching show for the upcoming season. Photo by Charlie Benton/news@grahamstar.com

New Graham County Schools music educator Amber Watkins (right) works one-on-one with freshman tenor saxophonist Ryan Lynn Monday. The band is currently preparing its marching show for the upcoming season. Photo by Charlie Benton/news@grahamstar.com

Putting in the work

Charlie Benton
Thursday, July 29, 2021
Robbinsville – After a turbulent year, the Black Knight Band is gearing up for its 2021-22 marching season as its camp continues through the month of July.