Local

Kae (left) and Moe Salah will greet customers at Skyway Convenience, which has re-opened to the public after closing its doors in February 2023. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Kae (left) and Moe Salah will greet customers at Skyway Convenience, which has re-opened to the public after closing its doors in February 2023. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

New outlook, same location

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, March 27, 2025
Santeetlah – Cherohala Skyway Convenience Store re-opened under new owners and management Feb. 19.  Kae and Moe Salah look forward to meeting new friends and serving the community. Although the two men are new to the operation, their partner Imran Alam owns 19 gas stations in North Carolina.
Reality sets in for Taylor Rennoldson as a Taser makes contact at Friday’s certification course. Holding Rennoldson are deputies Logan Howarth (left) and Justin Stewart; chief detective Travis Brooks is in back, moments after deploying the Taser.

Reality sets in for Taylor Rennoldson as a Taser makes contact at Friday’s certification course. Holding Rennoldson are deputies Logan Howarth (left) and Justin Stewart; chief detective Travis Brooks is in back, moments after deploying the Taser.

To protect and serve

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 27, 2025
Robbinsville – When summoned to the witness stand, it is crucial that an officer of the law can confidently state why a particular use of force was deployed in the apprehension a suspect. There is nothing like first-hand experience to back up what is said while the officer is under oath.

Pastell indicted for death by distribution

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 27, 2025
Mountain Creek – Just 2 ½ weeks after the second charge of death by distribution against a local man was dropped, a grand jury indicted the suspect on the same offense. Bobby Huel Pastell, 32, was handed another death by distribution charge Jan. 14, following the Dec.

Fires continue

Marshall McClung
Saturday, March 22, 2025
There was little rest for the weary, as U.S. Forest Service firefighters were atop Graham County’s highest mountain – Big Huckleberry – off the Cherohala Skyway on March 10.  A campfire had escaped into the grassy area and was controlled after burning less than an acre.
Robbinsville High School freshman Nick Wilson has been selected to participate in the Western North Carolina Dairy Beef Feeder Calf Program. He is pictured alongside Robbinsville High agricultural teacher Adrienne Watts. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Robbinsville High School freshman Nick Wilson has been selected to participate in the Western North Carolina Dairy Beef Feeder Calf Program. He is pictured alongside Robbinsville High agricultural teacher Adrienne Watts. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Young cattleman

Latresa Phillips
Saturday, March 22, 2025
Robbinsville – Nick Wilson has been chosen from among 45 applicants to participate in the 2025 Western North Carolina Dairy Beef Feeder Calf Program.
This sharps container at a local playground was allegedly broken into March 9, with used needles from the box left scattered on the ground. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

This sharps container at a local playground was allegedly broken into March 9, with used needles from the box left scattered on the ground. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Local man charged with vandalizing needle box

Kevin Hensley
Saturday, March 22, 2025
Robbinsville – A resident allegedly broke into a sharps container at a local park and left used needles on the ground, leading to his arrest four days after the discovery.

Fontana Ventures responds to council’s allegations

Kevin Hensley
Friday, March 14, 2025
Fontana Dam – Amid rampant speculation that a county municipality could cease to exist in just a few months, the lessee of a popular local resort appeared at a recent council meeting. The first 15 minutes of Feb. 26’s Town of Fontana Dam assembly were arguably the most contentious on record.
As part of a statewide initiative, Robbinsville Elementary School teacher Robin Welker will travel to the Netherlands this summer. Photo courtesy of Latesha Wiggins/Graham County Schools

As part of a statewide initiative, Robbinsville Elementary School teacher Robin Welker will travel to the Netherlands this summer. Photo courtesy of Latesha Wiggins/Graham County Schools

Broad horizons

Latresa Phillips
Friday, March 14, 2025
Robbinsville – Third grade teacher Robin Welker is brushing up on her Dutch.  As one of the Global Leaders recognized by the state of North Carolina, the language will come in handy in June – when she and other Global Leaders across the state will travel to the Netherlands.