Local

After the fire

Marshall McClung
Friday, May 2, 2025
Graham County has experienced one of its busiest spring fire seasons this year, as firefighters were constantly busy with brush fires in March and April – with several of those threatening structures.

Schools facing budget woes

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Robbinsville – A combination of untimely windfalls has put Graham County Schools into dire financial straits. The federally-backed Secure Rural Schools program was not authorized by Congress before the December 2024 adjournment, even after the U.S.
Robbinsville High School students Melissa Drouin (left) and Myley Hyde launched a project last fall that recently was afforded the Rho Pharmaceuticals Innovator Award at the state science and engineering fair.

Robbinsville High School students Melissa Drouin (left) and Myley Hyde launched a project last fall that recently was afforded the Rho Pharmaceuticals Innovator Award at the state science and engineering fair.

Like peas in a pod

Latresa Phillips
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Robbinsville – The spring planting season began early for two students at Robbinsville High School.
On-ground personnel worked to combat the Haoe Lead Fire inside the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest by creating a burn Monday. The smoke from Monday’s start can be seen in the center of this photo from the Obadiah Overlook on the Cherohala Skyway; to the left is smoke from the original fire, which started April 12. Photo courtesy of Joe Leak/U.S. Forest Service Safety Officer, Southern Area Gray Incident Management Team

On-ground personnel worked to combat the Haoe Lead Fire inside the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest by creating a burn Monday. The smoke from Monday’s start can be seen in the center of this photo from the Obadiah Overlook on the Cherohala Skyway; to the left is smoke from the original fire, which started April 12. Photo courtesy of Joe Leak/U.S. Forest Service Safety Officer, Southern Area Gray Incident Management Team

Fire burns 3,103 acres

Marshall McClung
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Santeetlah – The Haoe Lead Fire started from an April 12 lightning strike, around 4,000 feet in elevation and near the intersection of the Jenkins Meadow and Haoe Lead trails.
Rescuers descend off the Appalachian Trail with an injured hiker at Yellow Creek Gap on Friday.

Rescuers descend off the Appalachian Trail with an injured hiker at Yellow Creek Gap on Friday.

Injured hiker rescued off Appalachian Trail

Marshall McClung
Thursday, April 17, 2025
Yellow Creek – For the second time in a span of 2 1/2 weeks, a hiker had to be rescued from the Appalachian Trail in Graham County. Personnel from Graham County Fire and Rescue, Stecoah Fire and Rescue, and U.S. Forest Service responded to a report of an injured hiker around 5:45 p.m., Friday.
A helicopter flies over the Haoe Lead Fire, preparing to drop water from nearby Lake Santeetlah onto the widespread flames. Photo courtesy of Tory Lynnes/U.S. Forest Service

A helicopter flies over the Haoe Lead Fire, preparing to drop water from nearby Lake Santeetlah onto the widespread flames. Photo courtesy of Tory Lynnes/U.S. Forest Service

Fire consumes 500 acres

Marshall McClung
Thursday, April 17, 2025
Santeetlah – Around 5:30 p.m., Saturday, a hiker reported a fire near the junction of the Jenkins Meadow and Haoe Lead trails, which sit around 4,000 feet in elevation; 3 ½ miles above Maple Springs Road; and inside the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest.  U.S.
Church Mouse Ministries Program Coordinator Erin Emmons (left) and board president Dot Beasley are fully invested in serving the community through the organization’s various programs. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Church Mouse Ministries Program Coordinator Erin Emmons (left) and board president Dot Beasley are fully invested in serving the community through the organization’s various programs. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

‘The reward far outweighs the workload’

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, April 10, 2025
Robbinsville – Church Mouse Ministries, Inc., Board President Dot Beasley, 92, shared her experience of working with the Graham County nonprofit.  “It has been my passion of over 40 years and I feel joy in doing good for people who need it,” Beasley said.

Mayor challenges key policy

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 10, 2025
Robbinsville – Citing a need for immediate access to the office's printer, Mayor Shaun Adams has now openly questioned why he does not have a key to the main lobby of Robbinsville Town Hall.
Local attorney Brady Cody has been hired as the new Graham County Manager.

Local attorney Brady Cody has been hired as the new Graham County Manager.

Cody named new county manager

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 10, 2025
Robbinsville – After a 27-month search, a new Graham County Manager has been hired. Brady Cody was formally introduced as the county's next manager at Tuesday's budget meeting, filling a void that began when commissioners opted not to re-appoint project manager Jason Marino to the dual role Dec.