Local

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

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, May 22, 2025
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

Marshall McClung
Thursday, May 22, 2025
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.
The intersection of Rodney Orr Bypass and Laura Street will be busier than ever next year, thanks to the addition of a 32,000 square-foot retail store that will occupy the space on the left. The upgraded buildings on the right will serve as an annex of the effort. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

The intersection of Rodney Orr Bypass and Laura Street will be busier than ever next year, thanks to the addition of a 32,000 square-foot retail store that will occupy the space on the left. The upgraded buildings on the right will serve as an annex of the effort. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Changes ahead at 'Conley's Corner'

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 15, 2025
Robbinsville – Passers-by have no doubt see the upgraded aesthetics to buildings along the southbound lane of Rodney Orr Bypass, near Laura Street. There's more on the horizon than just a fresh paint job, as local business Lovin Contracting is expanding its footprint.
Randy Martins, Catherine Yost and Jane Kvetko (from left) show off the gift bags that have been put together for Saturday's Women's Health Forum in Andrews.

Randy Martins, Catherine Yost and Jane Kvetko (from left) show off the gift bags that have been put together for Saturday's Women's Health Forum in Andrews.

Women's health forum coming to Andrews

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, May 15, 2025
Andrews – Sixty million women are living with some form of heart disease. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, it is the cause of 1-out-of-4 deaths. Many do not realize that the development of heart disease and its risk factors can vary by gender.
This ShakeMap illustrates the various areas across a four-state region that felt Saturday’s earthquake. The epicenter is marked by a star. Map courtesy of United States Geological Survey

This ShakeMap illustrates the various areas across a four-state region that felt Saturday’s earthquake. The epicenter is marked by a star. Map courtesy of United States Geological Survey

Earthquake shakes Graham County

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 15, 2025
Chilhowee – Residents and visitors alike were stirred from their Saturday morning slumber by an earthquake across state lines. According to the United States Geological Survey's website, a 4.1 magnitude earthquake rumbled to life around 9:04 a.m.
Members of the Stecoah JAM (Junior Appalachian Musicians) program kept attendees entertained at Saturday's SpringFest. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Members of the Stecoah JAM (Junior Appalachian Musicians) program kept attendees entertained at Saturday's SpringFest. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Spring has sprung

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, May 8, 2025
N.C. Forest Service Ranger Frank Cline and Smokey the Bear were on-hand for Saturday's SpringFest. Stecoah – Visitors did not let the rain spoil their plans to attend this year’s Smoky Mountain SpringFest, which was held Saturday at the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center.

Unattended campfire spreads into woods

Marshall McClung
Thursday, May 8, 2025
Milltown – Despite recent rains and a rapid greening of woodlands, the spring fire season is still with us at least for a while. Local firefighters with Graham County Fire and Rescue – as well as the N.C. and U.S. Forest services – responded to a small brush fire around 5:10 p.m., April 30.
Students in the Snowbird N.E.S.T. program perform Cherokee songs for visitors from Oklahoma on April 29. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Students in the Snowbird N.E.S.T. program perform Cherokee songs for visitors from Oklahoma on April 29. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Transcending generations

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, May 8, 2025
Kathy Johnson displays one of the gift baskets afforded to tribal visitors from Oklahoma on April 29. Tallulah – Staff and students of the Snowbird N.E.S.T.