Local

Get to know your local candidates

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, October 28, 2020
With the 2020 campaign season entering its final days, The Graham Star reached out to all 12 candidates that are running for Graham County Board of Commissioners and the Graham County Board of Education. Early voting ends Saturday, with the general election being held Tuesday.
Fontana Dam resident Jon Hodgson was all smiles Monday morning, as he trekked up N.C. 28 to begin the second portion of a triathlon. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Fontana Dam resident Jon Hodgson was all smiles Monday morning, as he trekked up N.C. 28 to begin the second portion of a triathlon. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Iron Jon

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, October 28, 2020
Fontana Dam – A 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and 26.2-mile run? In the same day? No sweat for 24-year-old Fontana Dam resident Jon Hodgson.
Due to rain, last year’s Trunk-or-Treat event had to be moved inside the Robbinsville Elementary School gymnasium. Though the 2020 installment will be held outdoors, COVID-19 protocols will see people spread much further apart than last year.

Due to rain, last year’s Trunk-or-Treat event had to be moved inside the Robbinsville Elementary School gymnasium. Though the 2020 installment will be held outdoors, COVID-19 protocols will see people spread much further apart than last year.

A sense of normalcy

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, October 28, 2020
Robbinsville – After going through a proverbial roller-coaster of planning, the annual Trunk-or-Treat event will take place from 3-6 p.m. Saturday at Robbinsville High School.

Potential appeal loss could cost county $500,000

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 22, 2020
Robbinsville – Graham County is exploring its options in the dispute of Brookfield Renewable Partners. At Tuesday’s Board of Commissioners meeting, county manager Becky Garland discussed the latest steps taken in preparation. Garland joined attorneys J.K.
Robbinsville’s Ivy Odom (front) and Kensley Phillips work through a drill at a July 23 workout. Knights volleyball and cross-country will begin their 2020-21 season next month, but COVID-19 restrictions will keep spectators at a minimum. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville’s Ivy Odom (front) and Kensley Phillips work through a drill at a July 23 workout. Knights volleyball and cross-country will begin their 2020-21 season next month, but COVID-19 restrictions will keep spectators at a minimum. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Spectators limited for fall sports

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 22, 2020
Raleigh – An Oct. 15 announcement from the N.C. High School Athletic Association confirmed what many had feared: sports will begin next month, but crowds will be sparse. In the release, the association maintained its desire to mirror both advice from the N.C.

Fontana to operate on $239K budget

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 22, 2020
Fontana Dam – After a slight delay, the town has finally adopted its 2020-21 fiscal year budget. Town Administrator Zelerie Rogers presented a breakdown of the expected $239,169.

Legal costs continue to plague town

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 22, 2020
Lake Santeetlah – Pending litigation continues to force Lake Santeetlah to move money around, to cover costs. During their Oct. 15 meeting over Zoom, council members approved a $58,000 budget amendment, to cover more anticipated legal costs, as well as to increase advertising and promotion.

Cluster identified at school

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 15, 2020
Thirty cases in one week. Fueled by outbreaks at both Graham Healthcare & Rehabilitation and a local church, Graham County’s COVID-19 case count has been on a meteoric rise over the last month. The surge has also forced Graham County Schools to switch to remote learning until Monday, Oct.

Town discusses latest audit

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 15, 2020
Robbinsville – “Good financial position” and “No compliance violations” are just some of the phrases used when the 2019-20 Town of Robbinsville was presented at the Oct. 7 Board of Aldermen meeting.