Local

Date set for graduation

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 28, 2020
Robbinsville – After much anticipation, the Robbinsville High School Class of 2020 can finally rest easy. Graham County Schools announced Tuesday afternoon that a commencement ceremony is set to be held at Modeal Walsh Memorial (Big Oaks) Stadium on Saturday, July 18 at 10 a.m.

Man charged with assault

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 28, 2020
Robbinsville – A four-day saga ended with the arrest of a local man. Michael Shane Allen, 40, of 1361 Old U.S. 129, was still in the Graham County Jail on Tuesday in connection with the kidnapping of a woman on May 16. Capt.
Navy veteran and Graham County resident Jason Marino (right) was recently promoted to Master Chief. Presenting Marino with his Frocking Letter is Commander Henderson.

Navy veteran and Graham County resident Jason Marino (right) was recently promoted to Master Chief. Presenting Marino with his Frocking Letter is Commander Henderson.

Master of his craft

Matthew Miller
Thursday, May 28, 2020
Jason Marino, a 24-year Navy Veteran and Graham County resident, was promoted to Master Chief earlier this month.  A Navy Seabee, Marino traveled to Greenville for a socially-distanced promotion ceremony.
County Clerk Kim Crisp helps customers Lamar Holland (left) and Brandon Barry on Friday. Government offices in Graham County have slowly began reopening to the public, with plenty of precautions in place. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

County Clerk Kim Crisp helps customers Lamar Holland (left) and Brandon Barry on Friday. Government offices in Graham County have slowly began reopening to the public, with plenty of precautions in place. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

County offices begin to reopen

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 28, 2020
As North Carolina embraces Phase 2 of its reopening process, Graham County has initiated its own 3-step plan to welcome the public back into offices. The first phase was completed May 20 and opened the following: * Graham County Dental Office. * Graham County Administration & Community Building.

Future of popular resort uncertain

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 28, 2020
Fontana Dam – The outlook for Fontana Village Resort & Marina looks bleak. The Town of Fontana Dam – which is entering its 10th year of existence – provided little in the way of clarity at its May 20 council meeting, because little is known to even the town about its main revenue source.

Privatizing an American staple? Don’t be hasty

News Staff
Wednesday, May 20, 2020
By Lynne Stevens Special to The Graham Star “Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.” These nostalgic words used to be familiar to Americans, as their cherished post offices delivered the mail.

Joining an elite Pack

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, May 20, 2020
Raleigh – After months of anticipation, N.C. State University named 41 students to its 2024-25 class of Park Scholars.
Sweetgum Baptist Church on Old Tallulah Road has been one of the few in Graham County to continue worship services during the COVID-19 pandemic, but has opted to hold parking lot services. A federal judge ruled Saturday that North Carolina cannot outlaw indoor services and Sweetgum itself opted to not convene in the sanctuary until Sunday, May 24.

Sweetgum Baptist Church on Old Tallulah Road has been one of the few in Graham County to continue worship services during the COVID-19 pandemic, but has opted to hold parking lot services. A federal judge ruled Saturday that North Carolina cannot outlaw indoor services and Sweetgum itself opted to not convene in the sanctuary until Sunday, May 24.

Judge rules against Cooper in worship lawsuit

News Staff
Wednesday, May 20, 2020
By Rick Henderson Carolina Journal News Service Raleigh – The COVID-19 outbreak can’t be an excuse to outlaw most indoor worship services in North Carolina, a federal judge ruled Saturday. U.S.

Numbers skewed

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, May 20, 2020
On paper, it appears that Graham County has North Carolina’s lowest response rate for the 2020 U.S. Census.  A self-response rate chart released May 2 indicated that only 19.8 percent of Graham residents have completed the decennial survey, putting the county dead last in the state.