Local

Death by distribution charges dropped

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 31, 2024
Robbinsville – Citing an inability to locate witnesses, charges that have been on the books against a local man for over three years were dismissed in Graham County Superior Court on Monday.
Hugh Ellis Bennett entertains the masses at Saturday’s Stecoah Harvest Festival. Photo by Royce Worbington/The Graham Star

Hugh Ellis Bennett entertains the masses at Saturday’s Stecoah Harvest Festival. Photo by Royce Worbington/The Graham Star

Harvest festival attracts over 2,000 people

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, October 24, 2024
Stecoah – Fall is the perfect time to celebrate the changing of leaves, pumpkins, hayrides and the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center’s annual harvest festival.
Following the closure of I-40 between North Carolina and Tennessee, tractor-trailers have met numerous warning signs – such as this one, at the intersection of N.C. 28 and N.C. 143 in Stecoah – to provide notice that U.S. 129 in Tennessee (the “Tail of the Dragon”) does not allow commercial vehicles over 30 feet. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Following the closure of I-40 between North Carolina and Tennessee, tractor-trailers have met numerous warning signs – such as this one, at the intersection of N.C. 28 and N.C. 143 in Stecoah – to provide notice that U.S. 129 in Tennessee (the “Tail of the Dragon”) does not allow commercial vehicles over 30 feet. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

I-40 closure impacting local traffic

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 24, 2024
Tatham Gap – An accident inside the Nantahala Gorge on Saturday led to traffic being re-routed through an unusual route: Tatham Gap Road, a single-lane dirt road that serves as an alternate connection between Robbinsville and Andrews.

Survivors: Jane Ledbetter

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, October 24, 2024
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

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 24, 2024
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

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 17, 2024
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’

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, October 17, 2024
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

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 17, 2024
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

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, October 17, 2024
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

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, October 17, 2024
* 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...