Local

Pastell charged with death by distribution – again

Kevin Hensley
Friday, January 17, 2025
Mountain Creek – There have been four charges of death by distribution assessed in Graham County since former governor Roy Cooper signed the bill into law six years ago. Locally, Bobby Huel Pastell has been on the docket for the charge 50 percent of the time.
Friendly faces greet those who visit the Reigniting Hope Foundation, which launched last year with an initiative to help those who are homeless or have fallen into the struggles of addiction. From left are Tracey Jones, Shelby Jones, Jessica Jones and Raylon Jones. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Friendly faces greet those who visit the Reigniting Hope Foundation, which launched last year with an initiative to help those who are homeless or have fallen into the struggles of addiction. From left are Tracey Jones, Shelby Jones, Jessica Jones and Raylon Jones. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

New foundation offers ‘hope’ for those in need

Latresa Phillips
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
Robbinsville – As the cold winds of winter usher in snow and bitter cold, many residents of Graham County need a safe, warm place to sleep and a nutritious meal to help them survive the cold.  The Reigniting Hope Foundation provides just that.
The new entrance and instructional wing at Robbinsville Middle School opened in January 2022, making it the newest addition to an institution in Graham County. The school has struggled academically in the last few years, but plans are in motion to address the issue. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

The new entrance and instructional wing at Robbinsville Middle School opened in January 2022, making it the newest addition to an institution in Graham County. The school has struggled academically in the last few years, but plans are in motion to address the issue. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Graham County Schools addressing state grades

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
* Part 1 of a 2-part report Robbinsville – The N.C. Department of Public Instruction has issued its annual school performance grades for each district across the state. Both Robbinsville elementary and high schools received a “C,” while Robbinsville Middle School was scored as an “F.
Kase Brooks passed away from injuries sustained in a side-by-side crash Monday.

Kase Brooks passed away from injuries sustained in a side-by-side crash Monday.

Local man killed in UTV accident

Kevin Hensley
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
West Buffalo – A county resident passed away Monday morning after crashing a UTV (utility terrain vehicle) off Huffman Creek Road. First responders were dispatched to the scene at 9:32 a.m, following the report of an accident involving a “side-by-side.
The popular Bear Creek sanitation center officially re-opened for public use Dec. 21, with more restrictions in place to help combat misuse at what the county identified as its most problematic convenience site. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

The popular Bear Creek sanitation center officially re-opened for public use Dec. 21, with more restrictions in place to help combat misuse at what the county identified as its most problematic convenience site. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Top 10 of 2024: the Year-in-Review

Kevin Hensley
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
For a population of just over 8,000 individuals, Graham County maintains a constant news cycle.  Each year, The Graham Star looks back at the top 10 stories from the recent 12-month cycle; reliving the positives and the negatives of what has recent transpired.

Fire, rescue combine forces

Marshall McClung
Thursday, December 26, 2024
The Graham County Rescue Squad and Graham County Fire Department will soon become a single unit.  Commander Jeff Millsaps announced plans for the merger at the squad’s December meeting.

New bus lift ordered

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 26, 2024
Robbinsville – After 24 years and an innumerable amount of repair work, Graham County Schools has taken steps to replace the transportation department’s bus lift. At Dec. 3’s board of education meeting, transportation director Adam Harkins spoke of a Sept.
Since being appointed as the Graham County Finance Officer on April 18, 2023, Stacy Carpenter has admittedly been navigating a learning curve. She addressed rumors of the county being in fiscal peril at Dec. 17’s board of commissioners meeting. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Since being appointed as the Graham County Finance Officer on April 18, 2023, Stacy Carpenter has admittedly been navigating a learning curve. She addressed rumors of the county being in fiscal peril at Dec. 17’s board of commissioners meeting. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

County answers financial rumors

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 26, 2024
Robbinsville – Amid widespread rumors that Graham County is financially strapped, officials provided a glimpse into the current fiscal situation at Dec. 17’s board of commissioners meeting.
Graham County’s officers took local children to the Murphy Walmart for the annual “Shop with a Cop” on Dec. 11. Here, Robbinsville Elementary School Resource Officer Josh Reap helps a member of the program gather Christmas presents. Photo courtesy of Graham County Sheriff's Office

Graham County’s officers took local children to the Murphy Walmart for the annual “Shop with a Cop” on Dec. 11. Here, Robbinsville Elementary School Resource Officer Josh Reap helps a member of the program gather Christmas presents. Photo courtesy of Graham County Sheriff's Office

Shop till you drop

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, December 19, 2024
Murphy – Both the Graham County Sheriff’s Office and Graham County School Resource officers joined forces for a significant assignment Dec. 11.  These brave officers were responsible for safely delivering 29 students from Graham County Schools to Walmart in Murphy and back.
Graham County Animal Refuge President Brittney Holder addresses the lack of local animal control at Tuesday’s board of commissioners meeting. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Graham County Animal Refuge President Brittney Holder addresses the lack of local animal control at Tuesday’s board of commissioners meeting. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Committee formed to address animal control issues

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 19, 2024
Robbinsville – A groundswell movement to create a sustainable, local solution for quality animal control added multiple layers to its narrative Tuesday.