Local

Survivors: Jane Ledbetter

It’s been 28 years since Jane Ledbetter received the news that she had breast cancer.  Ledbetter discovered the lump herself the previous December, after her sister Velma Bowers had been diagnosed the previous month.
The bodies of two men were found deceased inside a second-floor apartment attached to this business Monday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

The bodies of two men were found deceased inside a second-floor apartment attached to this business Monday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

2 dead, 2 transported after discovery

Robbinsville – The Graham County Sheriff's Office has called in the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation after a startling find Monday morning. Authorities were dispatched to 44 Tapoco Road around 8:30 a.m., where they found two men dead in a second-floor apartment.
Rep. Karl Gillespie (R-Franklin; second from right) visited Graham County Schools on Friday, to formally present a check in the amount of $42 million from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. The grant money will go toward the construction of a new Robbinsville Elementary School. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Rep. Karl Gillespie (R-Franklin; second from right) visited Graham County Schools on Friday, to formally present a check in the amount of $42 million from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. The grant money will go toward the construction of a new Robbinsville Elementary School. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

State representative presents grant check to school system

Robbinsville – It was more of a formality, but Graham County Schools was presented with a $42 million check Friday, which will go toward the much-needed construction of a new Robbinsville Elementary School. District 120 Rep.
The annual Trail of Tears Walk attracted participants of all ages. Photo courtesy of Angie Knight/SnowbirdNEST

The annual Trail of Tears Walk attracted participants of all ages. Photo courtesy of Angie Knight/SnowbirdNEST

Attendees walk trail ‘where they cried’

Long Creek – It was a nippy morning as hikers hit the trail early Saturday for the annual Trail of Tears Walk, which commemorates the Cherokee Nation’s journey from the mountains they called home to resettle in Oklahoma during one of the darkest times in American History.
Aaron and Abbi Phillips lost their home on Upper  Tuskeegee Road to a fire Saturday night. The couple also has a two-month-old son, Colter.

Aaron and Abbi Phillips lost their home on Upper Tuskeegee Road to a fire Saturday night. The couple also has a two-month-old son, Colter.

GoFundMe set up for young couple

Tuskeegee – Firefighters were unable to salvage a home in the Tuskeegee community, after a blaze quickly engulfed the residence Saturday. Crews were first dispatched to 754 Upper Tuskeegee Road around 9 p.m.
Incumbent commissioner Lynn Cody answers a question during Saturday's candidate forum at Robbinsville High School. Seated with Cody (from left) are incumbent commissioner Connie Orr, Thomas Menard and Meggan Smith. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Incumbent commissioner Lynn Cody answers a question during Saturday's candidate forum at Robbinsville High School. Seated with Cody (from left) are incumbent commissioner Connie Orr, Thomas Menard and Meggan Smith. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Candidates make pitch for vote

Robbinsville – The Graham Star hosted a candidate forum for the upcoming commissioner race Saturday, inside the Robbinsville High School Auditorium.  Even though the turnout was low, the candidates were passionate about the opportunity to share their thoughts and concerns with public attendees.
Joy Stewart successfully battled two cases of breast cancer over a decade ago. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Joy Stewart successfully battled two cases of breast cancer over a decade ago. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Survivors: Joy Stewart

* 2nd in a 4-part series West Buffalo – While each cancer is as unique as the person it affects – and the majority of breast cancer diagnoses come from families with no history of breast cancer – if your mother, sister, daughter, or other relatives were ever diagnosed with either breast cancer or...
This overhead rendering shows the future location of the long-planned Graham County Justice Center, which commissioners selected Tuesday night.

This overhead rendering shows the future location of the long-planned Graham County Justice Center, which commissioners selected Tuesday night.

Knight Street picked for justice center

Members of the public examine the county’s preferred final options for the new justice center at Monday’s hearing. Robbinsville – Less than 24 hours after gauging public opinion, the Graham County Board of Commissioners rendered a vote that was almost eight years in the making.
Amy Rogers (left) said the support of her family helped pull her through a breast cancer diagnosis. She is pictured with her daughter Macy. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Amy Rogers (left) said the support of her family helped pull her through a breast cancer diagnosis. She is pictured with her daughter Macy. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Survivors: Amy Rogers

* 1st in a 4-part series Tallulah – On Aug. 9, 2023, Amy and Randy Rogers began a path of twists and turns that rocked their world in such a way that they could only turn to the Lord. Rogers remembers getting the call that Randy had wrecked his truck.
For the first time in school history, a pair of students will share the title of homecoming queen: Claire Barlow (left) and Jozlyn Garland finished in a tie for the coveted distinction. Photo by Royce Worbington/The Graham Star

For the first time in school history, a pair of students will share the title of homecoming queen: Claire Barlow (left) and Jozlyn Garland finished in a tie for the coveted distinction. Photo by Royce Worbington/The Graham Star

Queens so nice, they were named twice

Robbinsville – Public address announcer Noah Crowe held the most-guarded secret at Big Oaks Stadium on Friday: who would be crowned the 2024-25 homecoming queen.