Local

Legislation re-introduced by U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards would allow a memorial for nine Air Force crew members to be moved from its current location off the Cherohala Skyway to the Stratton Ridge Rest Area. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Legislation re-introduced by U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards would allow a memorial for nine Air Force crew members to be moved from its current location off the Cherohala Skyway to the Stratton Ridge Rest Area. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Air Force Memorial Act re-introduced

Cherohala – U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-N.C. of Hendersonville) recently re-introduced legislation that would move a memorial off of the Cherohala Skyway and closer to the site of a crash that killed nine U.S. Air Force crew members more than 42 years ago.

Hiker rescued after seizure

Santeetlah – Graham County Fire and Rescue members – along with U.S. Forest Service employees – responded to a medical emergency inside the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest around 11:30 a.m., May 20.  Doris Neuman – 67 of Louisville, Ky. – was hiking the Memorial Loop Trail when she suffered a seizure.

Woman killed in crash

Fontana Dam – A Texas woman passed away from injuries sustained in a single-vehicle crash near the Graham/Swain County line May 20.
The Robbinsville High School Class of 2025 unwind at the end of Friday’s commencement exercise. Photos by Lexie Anderson/The Graham Star

The Robbinsville High School Class of 2025 unwind at the end of Friday’s commencement exercise. Photos by Lexie Anderson/The Graham Star

‘This is just the beginning’

Robbinsville – Equipped with endless optimism and universal support for their peers, another line of graduates participated in the annual commencement exercise Friday.

County eyeing $25M budget

Robbinsville – A draft of the much-discussed 2025-26 Graham County budget was presented to the board of commissioners at May 20's meeting. The county is targeting a balance of $25,453,201 for the fiscal year, which begins July 1 and continues through June 30.
Graham County's native flower is in full bloom at the Mill Creek residence of James Crisp.

Graham County's native flower is in full bloom at the Mill Creek residence of James Crisp.

Azalea photo contest underway

Tallulah – For the third consecutive year, The Graham Star has paired with Graham County Travel & Tourism to sponsor an Azalea Photo Contest. Simply snap a photo of the county's native flower and submit to editor@grahamstar.com. Only digital photos will be accepted (limit one per entry).
Anna Wehr and Ryan Lynn will lead the Robbinsville High School Class of 2025 onto the floor Friday as this year’s respective valedictorian and salutatorian. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Anna Wehr and Ryan Lynn will lead the Robbinsville High School Class of 2025 onto the floor Friday as this year’s respective valedictorian and salutatorian. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Wisdom from the top

Robbinsville – Each year, two special students are recognized for not only their academic success but the challenges and personal commitments they have overcome to accept the titles of valedictorian and salutatorian of their graduating class.
Members of the Graham County Fire and Rescue Squad work their way back to shore after rescuing James Vollmer following an accident that sent the area dentist into the Cheoah River on May 13. Photos courtesy of Graham County Fire and Rescue

Members of the Graham County Fire and Rescue Squad work their way back to shore after rescuing James Vollmer following an accident that sent the area dentist into the Cheoah River on May 13. Photos courtesy of Graham County Fire and Rescue

Andrews man rescued from river

Yellow Creek – Graham County Fire and Rescue members and others were called out to perform a swiftwater rescue on the Cheoah River around 7:45 p.m., on May 13, when 911 dispatchers received word of a car in the water roughly three miles south of Tapoco Lodge on U.S. 129.