Local

Graham County resident Catrina Buchanan was recently appointed to the North Carolina Interagency Coordinating Council for Children from Birth to Five with Disabilities. Buchanan’s son Abel served as her inspiration to join the board. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Graham County resident Catrina Buchanan was recently appointed to the North Carolina Interagency Coordinating Council for Children from Birth to Five with Disabilities. Buchanan’s son Abel served as her inspiration to join the board. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Ready, willing and Abel

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Santeetlah – Catrina Buchanan has two years to make a difference: not just for Graham County, but for others similarly affected in Western North Carolina.
A project to replace aging water lines along this section of Atoah Street is set to begin next month. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

A project to replace aging water lines along this section of Atoah Street is set to begin next month. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Plans revealed for Atoah Street pipe replacement

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Robbinsville – Around 1,600 feet of water lines will be replaced along Atoah Street next month.
Firefighters battle a blaze off Dick Branch Road on March 5. Photo courtesy of Jade Teasdale/N.C. Forest Service

Firefighters battle a blaze off Dick Branch Road on March 5. Photo courtesy of Jade Teasdale/N.C. Forest Service

Brush fires keep personnel busy

Marshall McClung
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Snowbird – Firefighters with Graham County Fire and Rescue – including the Snowbird unit – as well as both the N.C. and U.S. Forest services – responded to a brush fire around 4:30 p.m., March 5, on Dick Branch Road, in the Snowbird section of Graham County.  N.C.

Crews respond to brush fire

Marshall McClung
Monday, March 9, 2026
Santeetlah – Both the Graham County Fire and Rescue and the N.C. Forest Service were dispatched around 9:30 p.m., Saturday to a brush fire burning along N.C. 143, roughly one mile west of the Cherohala Skyway.

School system addresses bomb threats

Kevin Hensley
Monday, March 9, 2026
Robbinsville – Two separate, recent bomb threats at county schools were swiftly addressed over a six-day period. According to a press release from Graham County Schools, around 8:30 a.m., Feb.

Judge's order violated, says new filing

Kevin Hensley
Monday, March 9, 2026
Robbinsville – District Attorney Ashley Welch has filed a second amendment to her petition to have suspended Graham County Sheriff Brad Hoxit removed from office, which includes an allegation that Hoxit violated an order handed down at Feb. 20's pre-trial motion hearing.

Commissioner candidates discuss platforms

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
* Conclusion of a 2-part report Robbinsville – The Graham Star’s Republican Primary Candidate Forum on Feb. 7 served as a vehicle to best introduce voters to the individuals who are on the March ballot for the local commissioner and sheriff races.
Judge William T. Stetzer listens as District Attorney Ashley Welch presents an argument on behalf of the prosecution during Friday's pre-trial motion hearing in State of North Carolina v. Harold Bradford Hoxit. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Judge William T. Stetzer listens as District Attorney Ashley Welch presents an argument on behalf of the prosecution during Friday's pre-trial motion hearing in State of North Carolina v. Harold Bradford Hoxit. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Pre-trial motions denied in Hoxit case

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Robbinsville – Though a motion for continuance was granted Feb. 16, that’s the only win thus far for the defensive team hired by suspended Graham County Sheriff Brad Hoxit. Motions filed by Asheville-based Lindsay Law – the firm representing Hoxit in State of North Carolina v.
Newly-appointed Graham County Sheriff Russell Moody (left) is administered the oath of office by Graham County Clerk of Court Tammy Holloway on Tuesday. Moody was selected Monday by the Graham County Board of Commissioners to temporarily fill the vacancy left by the suspension of Brad Hoxit on Jan. 29. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Newly-appointed Graham County Sheriff Russell Moody (left) is administered the oath of office by Graham County Clerk of Court Tammy Holloway on Tuesday. Moody was selected Monday by the Graham County Board of Commissioners to temporarily fill the vacancy left by the suspension of Brad Hoxit on Jan. 29. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Moody appointed sheriff

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Robbinsville – What started as a continued meeting to swear in a temporary sheriff ended with the chief deputy being led from the Graham County Community Building. Exercising its right under North Carolina General Statute 162-5.