Local

Dr. Jaime Hooper’s dissertation was recently selected for publication in a national journal.

Dr. Jaime Hooper’s dissertation was recently selected for publication in a national journal.

Published educator

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, March 6, 2025
As Jaime Hooper entered the last 10-year mark as an educator at Graham County Schools, she challenged herself to finish well. She didn’t want to find herself with regrets. “I didn’t want to leave anything on the table left undone. I didn’t want to grow stagnant,” Hooper explained.
Only one lane of traffic will be the standard pattern for a 12-mile segment of Interstate 40 in North Carolina and Tennessee, as the road was back open for travelers Saturday following a five-month closure. Photos courtesy of Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Only one lane of traffic will be the standard pattern for a 12-mile segment of Interstate 40 in North Carolina and Tennessee, as the road was back open for travelers Saturday following a five-month closure. Photos courtesy of Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Pigeon River Gorge re-opens to travelers

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 6, 2025
Jonathan Creek – It may seem bizarre to navigate a two-lane interstate with the typical speed limit cut in half, but it beats the detour that has become the norm. Closed since Hurricane Helene literally destroyed portions of roadway when passing through the region Sept.
A U.S. Forest Service helicopter drops water on a brush fire off Gunter Gap Road on Saturday. Photo courtesy of Jade Teasdale/U.S. Forest Service

A U.S. Forest Service helicopter drops water on a brush fire off Gunter Gap Road on Saturday. Photo courtesy of Jade Teasdale/U.S. Forest Service

Fires pop up across county

Marshall McClung
Thursday, March 6, 2025
Despite dry, windy conditions and burn bans across the region, debris fires were set in Graham County during the last week – resulting in crews staying more than active.

SROs shift to sheriff’s office

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 6, 2025
Robbinsville – In a complete 180-degree turn from events that transpired just one year ago, Graham County Schools will shift the oversight of its resource officers to the sheriff’s office.

Fire weather returns

Marshall McClung
Thursday, March 6, 2025
Tallulah – After days of on- and off-again snowfall combined with bitter cold, fire weather returned again to Graham County. Fire and Rescue personnel responded around noon Saturday to a small brush fire on Anthony Branch Road in the Tallulah area.

Town’s internet switch reimbursed

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 6, 2025
Lake Santeetlah – As Western North Carolina continues to pursue its quest for widespread, high-speed internet coverage, one local municipality recently changed providers – and even received a reimbursement for its efforts.

Robbinsville flooded with water improvements

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 6, 2025
Robbinsville – Work is in the immediate pipeline to enhance multiple segments of the town’s water and sewer network. How immediate? Dirt will be lifted as soon as Monday, March 10, on an overhaul off Old Sweetwater Road to replace 4,000 lineal feet of 6-inch pipe and 300 feet of 2-inch water lines.

Citizens report unusual activity; visitors arrested

Kevin Hensley
Friday, February 21, 2025
Tuskeegee – In one of the more bizarre apprehensions in recent memory, a concerned resident’s tip to authorities led to the arrests of a registered sex offender from Georgia and an Arkansas resident who initially did not reveal her identity.
Authorities found Carley Walls’ vehicle burning on Tatham Gap Road roughly 12 hours before her body was discovered some 15 miles away. Photo courtesy of Graham County Sheriff's Office

Authorities found Carley Walls’ vehicle burning on Tatham Gap Road roughly 12 hours before her body was discovered some 15 miles away. Photo courtesy of Graham County Sheriff's Office

Local woman’s death still under investigation

Kevin Hensley
Friday, February 21, 2025
Robbinsville – It has been more than two years since the lifeless body of 27-year-old Carley Dunn Walls was discovered around 9 a.m. Feb. 5, 2023.  While no arrests have been made in connection with her death, that does not mean the Graham County Sheriff’s Office has given up.