Local

The teams formed for Nov. 14’s inaugural “Smalltown Cupcake Showdown” flexed their creative muscle, both over a stove and when selecting a name for their ensemble. Pictured are the “Gangster Grinches,” which are comprised of (from left): Alexis Miller, Zeyli Williams, Alyssa Bohn, Dreydon Conley and Bella Coats. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

The teams formed for Nov. 14’s inaugural “Smalltown Cupcake Showdown” flexed their creative muscle, both over a stove and when selecting a name for their ensemble. Pictured are the “Gangster Grinches,” which are comprised of (from left): Alexis Miller, Zeyli Williams, Alyssa Bohn, Dreydon Conley and Bella Coats. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

1, 2, 3, 4: it’s a cupcake war!

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, November 21, 2024
Robbinsville – Nov. 14 marked the inaugural “Smalltown Cupcake Showdown” at Robbinsville High School.  It was a sweet competition between Ms. Lorie Waldroup’s culinary classes and the foods 2 and FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America) Club from Hayesville High School.
Graham County Board of Commissioners Chairman Jacob Nelms (left) shakes hands with departing commissioner Keith Eller on Tuesday. Eller did not seek re-election, which made Tuesday his final meeting. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Graham County Board of Commissioners Chairman Jacob Nelms (left) shakes hands with departing commissioner Keith Eller on Tuesday. Eller did not seek re-election, which made Tuesday his final meeting. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Remodel back to bid

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, November 21, 2024
Robbinsville – In the first two attempts by Graham County to find a contractor willing to made several necessary upgrades to the antiquated detention center, just one bid has been received. The sole bid came in from an unidentified party Oct.

Push for animal officer grows

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, November 21, 2024
A local animal advocate has launched an online petition, which hopes to bring a full-time animal control officer to Graham County. Brittney Holder owns and operates B’s Pet Grooming out of her home.
Jenni Junaluska and Cecilia Arrowood lay the ceremonial wreath on Chief Junaluska’s grave to help memorialize the famed Native American on Nov. 13. Jenni is a sixth-generation descendant of the chief. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Jenni Junaluska and Cecilia Arrowood lay the ceremonial wreath on Chief Junaluska’s grave to help memorialize the famed Native American on Nov. 13. Jenni is a sixth-generation descendant of the chief. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Wrapped in tradition

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, November 21, 2024
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Vice Chief Alan B. Ensley delivers some remarks during Nov. 13’s Junaluska Wreath Laying Ceremony. Robbinsville – He was an unsung hero in one of the greatest Native American battles in the history of the United States.

Final poll numbers unveiled

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, November 21, 2024
Robbinsville – Provisionals and lingering absentees made little impact on a pair of local races in the 2024 general election. Following Nov. 14’s provisional meeting and Friday’s canvassing, the Graham County Board of Elections officially certified the final voting numbers for Nov. 5’s ballot.
This dilapidated motel near the southern outskirts of Robbinsville has received a grant for renovation into a boutique. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

This dilapidated motel near the southern outskirts of Robbinsville has received a grant for renovation into a boutique. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

‘Graham Motel’ set to receive facelift

Kevin Hensley
Monday, November 18, 2024
Robbinsville – The intersection of Five Points Road and U.S. 129 North will soon have a fresh coat of paint. An Oct. 17 announced from the North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority revealed that 22 grant requests had been approved, statewide.
As a mist rises off the water, volunteers sift through garbage strewn about a bank that normally is underwater during warm months on Fontana Lake during last month’s clean-up. Photos courtesy of Brandon Jones/Fontana Village Marina

As a mist rises off the water, volunteers sift through garbage strewn about a bank that normally is underwater during warm months on Fontana Lake during last month’s clean-up. Photos courtesy of Brandon Jones/Fontana Village Marina

Beauty preserved

Latresa Phillips
Monday, November 18, 2024
Fontana – In 2017, community members and volunteers in the Fontana Dam area joined Brandon Jones for the inaugural lake clean-up.  In a day and a half, 12 people had collected 22,000 pounds of garbage.  It was a start.
Amanda Gyongyos and Jim Huffman (front row), plus David Crowe and Sharon Crowe (back) stand to sing The Star-Spangled Banner at Friday’s Robbinsville High School Veterans’ Day program. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Amanda Gyongyos and Jim Huffman (front row), plus David Crowe and Sharon Crowe (back) stand to sing The Star-Spangled Banner at Friday’s Robbinsville High School Veterans’ Day program. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Students thank veterans

Latresa Phillips
Monday, November 18, 2024
Robbinsville – Football wasn’t the only thing on the minds of students at Robbinsville High School on Friday, as the institution hosted its annual “Salute to Our Veterans” program.
Dry conditions have sparked at least four brush fires in Graham County over the last week. The efforts to curb the spread of flames began Tuesday, Nov. 5, when this blaze started off Hoot Owl Hollow. Photo courtesy of Frank Cline/U.S. Forest Service

Dry conditions have sparked at least four brush fires in Graham County over the last week. The efforts to curb the spread of flames began Tuesday, Nov. 5, when this blaze started off Hoot Owl Hollow. Photo courtesy of Frank Cline/U.S. Forest Service

Everything’s on fire

Marshall McClung
Monday, November 18, 2024
If you are a firefighter – or have one in the family – you are subject to being awakened at unearthly hours when normal people are fast asleep. Such was the case Tuesday, Nov. 5, when firefighters rolled out of bed around 5 a.m., to respond to a brush fire in the Atoah Circle area of Graham County.
Graham County Schools will be constructing a new elementary school on this plot of land, which sits adjacent to the current high school baseball field. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Graham County Schools will be constructing a new elementary school on this plot of land, which sits adjacent to the current high school baseball field. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Deal struck for new school property

Kevin Hensley
Monday, November 18, 2024
Robbinsville – With surveys completed, Graham County Schools has announced the price and amount of land to be acquired for a new elementary school. At Nov. 5’s board of education meeting, assistant superintendent/facilities director David Matheson revealed that 6.