Local

Downtown revitalization not too far away

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 30, 2020
Robbinsville – Plans to revamp downtown were discussed in the most recent town meeting, which was held via teleconference April 22. Local resident John Colwell – who also works with REVVED UP – was sent by the town to the 40th N.C. Main Street Conference in New Bern from March 10-12.

Stay-at-home order extended

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 30, 2020
While surrounding states are seemingly firing back up for close to business as usual, North Carolina will have to wait a bit longer.  Gov. Roy Cooper extended his Stay-at-Home Order for eight more days, as the restriction is set to be lifted Friday, May 8. The original target date was Wednesday.

County manager clarifies FEMA questions

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 30, 2020
Graham County Manager Becky Garland read a lengthy statement to listeners of the April 21 board of commissioners teleconference, answering several concerns citizens have raised over reimbursement of Federal Emergency Management Agency funds.
Robbinsville High School sat primped and primed for the hopeful return of students, but Friday’s statewide cancellation of the school year dashed the optimism. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville High School sat primped and primed for the hopeful return of students, but Friday’s statewide cancellation of the school year dashed the optimism. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

School's out

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 30, 2020
Robbinsville – The worst fears of faculty and students alike were confirmed Friday, when Gov. Roy Cooper announced the statewide cancellation of the remaining 2019-20 school year. Students were originally set to return to K-12 schools Friday, May 15, which would have ended a two-month closure.

Graham gets 1st confirmed case

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 30, 2020
It’s here. Jade Teesateskie publicly identified herself as the first confirmed COVID-19 case in Graham County in a Facebook post on Monday evening.  “As I’m sure most of you already know ... there has been a confirmed case of COVID-19 in Graham County.
Lilly (left) and Abbie Lancaster work with the N.C. State Extension Office’s Dairy Market Steer Program to care for calves at Double 00 Farms in Tuskegee. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Lilly (left) and Abbie Lancaster work with the N.C. State Extension Office’s Dairy Market Steer Program to care for calves at Double 00 Farms in Tuskegee. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

An udder necessity

Matthew Miller
Thursday, April 23, 2020
Tuskegee – Taking care of any animal can be a huge responsibility, and is not for everyone.  For two Tuskegee girls, however, the challenge is welcomed.  Lilly and Abby Lancaster – both 15 years old – work at Double 00 Farms, taking care of the many animals who call the farm home. Through the N.C.
An unidentified firefighter emerges from the smoke and flames that consumed nearly 400 acres around Fontana Lake last week. Photo courtesy of U.S. Forest Service.

An unidentified firefighter emerges from the smoke and flames that consumed nearly 400 acres around Fontana Lake last week. Photo courtesy of U.S. Forest Service.

Fires burn over 400 acres

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 23, 2020
Almond – A cloud of mystery still lingers over a pair of wildfires that burned more than 400 acres around Fontana Lake last week. Officials first discovered the two blazes late April 14 in both the Wolf Creek and Tsali areas of southeastern Graham County. Both fires were burning on U.S.

DSS covering bases

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 23, 2020
Protocols put in place by the Graham County Department of Social Services are ensuring that the entity can still serve the community’s needs. The department’s board met via teleconference April 14.

Making a mark on history

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 23, 2020
She has beaten cancer twice and lived to see 18 U.S. presidents, just as many recessions and even a World War. Graham County resident Frances Smith Whitehead celebrated her 100th birthday Tuesday.