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Brian Cable, Greg Davidson and Carl Ferguson (from left) unload just a small portion of trash collected during last weekend’s Fontana Lakes’ Clean-Up. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Brian Cable, Greg Davidson and Carl Ferguson (from left) unload just a small portion of trash collected during last weekend’s Fontana Lakes’ Clean-Up. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

3 days of cleaning

Robbi Pounds
Thursday, November 7, 2019
Fontana – “It’s not my trash, but it is my planet,” said Brandon Jones, manager of the Fontana Village Resort and Marina and co-organizer of the the Fontana Lakes’ 2nd Annual Lake-Shore Cleanup.  The clean-up spanned three clear but very crisp days, with volunteers collecting trash from 9 a.m.
Tatham Gap Road was built as part of the Trail of Tears in 1836. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Tatham Gap Road was built as part of the Trail of Tears in 1836. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Rough road, dark history

Robbi Pounds
Thursday, November 7, 2019
Robbinsville – There is an alternative route between Andrews and Robbinsville: one not burdened with traffic, but fraught with history.  Tatham Gap Road, known to sports enthusiasts as the “Gravel Dragon,” is a U.S.
Surrounded by a pack of Wildcats – six to be exact – Robbinsville senior Rylee Anderson trucks ahead during Friday’s 28-7 win over Andrews. Anderson broke the all-time Black Knights rushing record in the fourth quarter of the game. Photo by Byron Housley/The Graham Star

Surrounded by a pack of Wildcats – six to be exact – Robbinsville senior Rylee Anderson trucks ahead during Friday’s 28-7 win over Andrews. Anderson broke the all-time Black Knights rushing record in the fourth quarter of the game. Photo by Byron Housley/The Graham Star

5,614 steps to history

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, November 7, 2019
Robbinsville – Rylee Anderson entered Friday’s regular-season home finale against Andrews just 152 yards shy of rewriting the record books. Anderson broke free on the third Robbinsville snap from scrimmage for a 68-yard rushing touchdown.
Pennsylvania residents Jo and Tony Stefanon (left, center) chat with Texas native Aja Stefanon about the breathtaking views at the Maple Springs Observation Deck. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Pennsylvania residents Jo and Tony Stefanon (left, center) chat with Texas native Aja Stefanon about the breathtaking views at the Maple Springs Observation Deck. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Observe the beauty

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 31, 2019
Cheoah – After a nearly three-year wait, the Maple Springs Observation Deck is back open. Located 6 1/2 miles off the Cherohala Skyway, the scenic views offered by the destination make the site a must-stop for those wanting to take in the beauty of Graham County.

WNC offers admission to community college graduates

Robbi Pounds
Thursday, October 31, 2019
Cullowhee – Western Carolina University Chancellor Kelli R. Brown and Southwestern Community College President Don Tomas established the Catamount Compass Program on Oct. 1, which guarantees admission to Western Carolina for all Southwestern graduates who meet certain criteria.

Road repairs coming soon to 129

Robbi Pounds
Thursday, October 31, 2019
Robbinsville – The Town of Robbinsville continued its Oct. 2 meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 23.  * The board passed a DOT assistance request for $14,795. The request was in regard to the Five Points Intersection repair, as well as patching pavement on Rodney Orr Bypass at El Pacifico restaurant.
Kristie Sluder (far left) poses with her friends at the new Hope Counseling & Recovery Center in Robbinsville.

Kristie Sluder (far left) poses with her friends at the new Hope Counseling & Recovery Center in Robbinsville.

Bringing 'Hope' to addiction

Ana Williams
Thursday, October 31, 2019
Robbinsville – Kristie Sluder, clinical director of Hope Counseling & Recovery Center, Inc., said their new office has a lot of things to be offered for people who lost hope in their lives and wanted to be free from the bondages of addiction.

Governor forms council to expand film industry

Robbi Pounds
Thursday, October 31, 2019
Wilmington – Governor Roy Cooper signed an executive order creating the Governor’s Advisory Council on Film, Television and Digital Streaming on Oct. 22. The 15-person council will spearhead efforts to expand the state’s film industry.
Lilly Lancaster and Charida Willis (front table), as well as Wilhem Crisp, Russell Hooper and Eddie Brooms (back table) persue through some books at Robbinsville High School on Monday. Graham County Schools received a grade of "C" for their literacy levels during the 2018-19 year. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Lilly Lancaster and Charida Willis (front table), as well as Wilhem Crisp, Russell Hooper and Eddie Brooms (back table) persue through some books at Robbinsville High School on Monday. Graham County Schools received a grade of "C" for their literacy levels during the 2018-19 year. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

County schools hoping to improve on grades

Robbi Pounds
Thursday, October 31, 2019
Robbinsville – According to the 2018-2019 school performance grades, all three Graham County schools are operating at a “C” level.  However, as Robbinsville Elementary School Principal Jaime Hooper said, “A child is more than a test score.

Cleaning up the town

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 31, 2019
One month removed from worried citizens strategizing in a public forum with the Graham County Sheriff’s Office on the rampant drug problem plaguing the area, law enforcement officials are holding up their end of the bargain.