Local

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.

Superintendent discusses adjunct instructor bill

Charlie Benton
Thursday, July 29, 2021
As a bill in the General Assembly allowing for adjunct instructors in public schools becomes law, Graham County Schools Superintendent Angie Knight said she saw some ways that the district could take advantage of the new rules.  Gov. Roy Cooper signed Senate Bill 582 into law on June 21.

Cherokee language program could return

Charlie Benton
Thursday, July 29, 2021
Robbinsville – “Get ‘em young” is a mantra often used to describe instilling positive values into children at a young age. With that sentiment in mind, Graham County students might once again have access to learning the Cherokee language at Robbinsville Elementary School.

Fontana accepts board member’s resignation

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, July 29, 2021
Fontana Dam – In light of recent legal troubles, a town council member has tendered his resignation. Jason Duke’s exit from the board was agreed upon at the town’s July 21 meeting, which came after Duke was arrested on June 11 following an alleged multi-hour incident through the town’s resort.
Robbinsville Elementary School art teacher Lynn Lynn, Robbinsville High School English teacher Brittany Tincher and Robbinsville Middle School science teacher Becky Brock (from left) were named the 2020-21 Graham County Schools’ Teachers of the Year. Photo by Charlie Benton/news@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville Elementary School art teacher Lynn Lynn, Robbinsville High School English teacher Brittany Tincher and Robbinsville Middle School science teacher Becky Brock (from left) were named the 2020-21 Graham County Schools’ Teachers of the Year. Photo by Charlie Benton/news@grahamstar.com

Top of the class

Charlie Benton
Thursday, July 29, 2021
Robbinsville – Three Graham County Schools educators have been named the best of the 2020-21 school year. In June, Graham County Schools announced its three teachers of the year, as picked by their peers and district leadership.
Casey Adam Haney is taken into custody after being found guilty on two counts of indecent liberties with a child, and one count of statutory rape Friday, following a nearly two-week trial. Photo by Charlie Benton/news@grahamstar.com

Casey Adam Haney is taken into custody after being found guilty on two counts of indecent liberties with a child, and one count of statutory rape Friday, following a nearly two-week trial. Photo by Charlie Benton/news@grahamstar.com

Haney guilty on all charges

Charlie Benton
Thursday, July 29, 2021
Robbinsville – An area man will spend up to three decades in prison, after being found guilty of sexually-related crimes.
For the first time in North Carolina history, a pair of siblings have won an individual state championship in both the same sport and the same calendar year. Robbinsville’s Aynsley and Kyle Fink reached the pinnacle in wrestling this season. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

For the first time in North Carolina history, a pair of siblings have won an individual state championship in both the same sport and the same calendar year. Robbinsville’s Aynsley and Kyle Fink reached the pinnacle in wrestling this season. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Wonder twin powers, activate

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, July 22, 2021
Robbinsville – Leave it to “The ‘Ville” to be trendsetters yet again. For the first time in North Carolina history, a pair of siblings have won individual, high-school state titles in not only the same sport, but the same season.