Local

Mary Griffin speaks at a 2019 GREAT meeting in Robbinsville, advocating for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. The beloved face of the Graham County Public Library passed away Aug. 22.

Mary Griffin speaks at a 2019 GREAT meeting in Robbinsville, advocating for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. The beloved face of the Graham County Public Library passed away Aug. 22.

Life well spent

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, August 29, 2024
Robbinsville – As every great story must come to an end, county librarian Mary Griffin’s final chapter concluded Aug. 22.

2 traffic stops, 2 arrests

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 29, 2024
Deputies from the Graham County Sheriff’s Office made a pair of lunch-hour traffic stops on both Aug. 14 and 16, with both resulting in arrests and the seizure of a combined 70 grams of methamphetamine. Kloie Matteanne Cox, 21 of Hayesville and Randy Dale Price, Jr.
Students in Ivy Odom’s first grade class were busy Monday morning, utilizing school supplies that included those donated as part of a district-wide effort. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Students in Ivy Odom’s first grade class were busy Monday morning, utilizing school supplies that included those donated as part of a district-wide effort. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

This year’s on us

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 22, 2024
Robbinsville – Thanks to a collaboration between Smoky Mountain Smiles and Graham County Schools, students district-wide started the 2024-25 year Monday without having to pay for supplies.

Writing on ballots still allowed

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 22, 2024
Amid rumors and widespread social media posts hinting that a poll worker writing on a ballot makes the submission invalid, the N.C. Board of Elections sent out an Aug. 2 release to clear up the misconception. “In North Carolina, this is false,” reads a portion of the release.

Meals, buses and a new school

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 22, 2024
Robbinsville – A funding deficit on free lunches, the need to replace two activity buses and updates about plans to build a new elementary school were all presented in the early portion of Tuesday’s Graham County Board of Commissioners meeting.
Students in Robin Welker’s 3rd grade class authored a book last year, Let the Good Times Roll.

Students in Robin Welker’s 3rd grade class authored a book last year, Let the Good Times Roll.

Roll with the changes

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, August 15, 2024
The back of the book proudly displays those who contributed to the project. Robbinsville – Being a third grader is not easy, but sometimes you have to let the good times roll.  That is exactly what Ms. Welker’s third grade class did throughout the last school year.

Massive Christmas tree coming to Robbinsville

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 15, 2024
Robbinsville – Thanks to a split between the Town of Robbinsville and its tourism authority, residents and tourists alike will enjoy a spectacular display this holiday season. First discussed as a possibility at the July 30’s tourism board meeting, aldermen gave the thumbs-up at the town’s Aug.

Focus on education

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 15, 2024
Robbinsville – New Graham County Schools Superintendent Robert Moody has a lot of goals in mind for his administration, but everything centers around one commonality: the betterment of the district’s students. The first board of education meeting with Moody at the helm took place Aug.
Anna Wehr is not your typical teenage girl: she does not enjoy being the center of attention – unless she’s performing in front of a crowd on behalf of the Stardance Performing Arts dance studio. Here, a lyrical number titled “Dust Bowl” temporarily sees her peers form a semi-circle around Wehr. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Anna Wehr is not your typical teenage girl: she does not enjoy being the center of attention – unless she’s performing in front of a crowd on behalf of the Stardance Performing Arts dance studio. Here, a lyrical number titled “Dust Bowl” temporarily sees her peers form a semi-circle around Wehr. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Stepping into the spotlight

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 15, 2024
Dance has helped define Anna Wehr as a person. Performances even allow Wehr to show the audience glimpses of her personality – such as during a light-hearted jazz routine like “Feeling Good.” Blairsville, Ga.