Local

Local squad assists in park rescue

Marshall McClung
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Fontana Dam – Tory Lynnes and Larry Crisp of Graham County Fire and Rescue assisted the Swain County Rescue Squad and National Park Service on a July 20 mission in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Graham County 911 Center received a request from Swain County around 10 p.m.

Former Swain sheriff arrested on rape charge

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Bryson City – More than three weeks after news of his arrest and subsequent retirement shocked western North Carolina, former Swain County sheriff Curtis Abraham Cochran was placed behind bars once more on a new charge last week.
Scott Roper has a long-standing tradition of involving his grandchildren in helping with his garden. Five years ago, he proudly brought along Lennox Burke for a ride on his tractor.

Scott Roper has a long-standing tradition of involving his grandchildren in helping with his garden. Five years ago, he proudly brought along Lennox Burke for a ride on his tractor.

Bountiful harvest

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Scott Roper's garden: a product of hard work and what Roper attributes to help from God. East Buffalo – Sundays and Wednesdays are not the only busy days of the week for Scott Roper, pastor of Lone Oak Baptist Church.
County officials voted Friday to temporarily close the booking office at the Graham County Detention Center, in order to eradicate lead-based paint inside the facility. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

County officials voted Friday to temporarily close the booking office at the Graham County Detention Center, in order to eradicate lead-based paint inside the facility. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Portion of jail to close for repair

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Robbinsville – Though it remains unclear exactly when efforts will begin, the Graham County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Friday to move those employed inside the detention center to a different location inside the courthouse while crews work to remediate lead-based paint in the...
Justin Waldroup assists Kensie Belk, Bella Eddings and Ella Dockery (from left) with a fire hose demonstration during last week's youth fire and rescue academy. Photo courtesy of Graham County Fire and Rescue

Justin Waldroup assists Kensie Belk, Bella Eddings and Ella Dockery (from left) with a fire hose demonstration during last week's youth fire and rescue academy. Photo courtesy of Graham County Fire and Rescue

Youth fire, rescue academy held

Marshall McClung
Thursday, July 24, 2025
The inaugural Graham County Youth Fire and Rescue Academy in Graham County was held last week.  Assistant Fire and Rescue Chief Troy Grindstaff – who is also the training instructor – was the driving force behind setting up the training.

Raleigh hiker rescued on waterfall trip

Marshall McClung
Thursday, July 24, 2025
Tapoco – The heat and humidity may have been too much for 72-year-old Raleigh resident William Barnes, on a hike to Bear Creek Falls on July 14.  Barnes and his wife had left on the hike near Tapoco Lodge sometime before 1 p.m.
Raymond Norton fell in love with farming at an early age. Retirement has only given him more time to work at the hobby he loves. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Raymond Norton fell in love with farming at an early age. Retirement has only given him more time to work at the hobby he loves. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Life on the farm

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, July 24, 2025
* 4th in a 5-part series Mill Creek – If you are a farmer in Graham County, there is a good chance Raymond Norton is a familiar name.  Norton has been farming and helping farmers of Graham County for 55 years, with 30 years spent working for the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Office.

Municipal races finalized

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, July 24, 2025
A total of 20 local residents threw their names in the hat for the 2025 municipal elections.  The filing period closed at noon Friday, with the following candidates emerging as contenders for the Nov. 4 ballot.