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Graham County Narcotics K-9 Sam poses with the 2.22 pounds of methamphetamine he discovered during an early-morning traffic stop Aug. 10. Photo courtesy of Graham County Sheriff's Office

Graham County Narcotics K-9 Sam poses with the 2.22 pounds of methamphetamine he discovered during an early-morning traffic stop Aug. 10. Photo courtesy of Graham County Sheriff's Office

Meth bust largest in county history

Tallulah – An early-morning traffic stop Aug. 10 solidified the efforts of a 7-month narcotics investigation by the Graham County Sheriff’s Office. A patrol officer pulled over a vehicle being operated by 36-year-old Christy Lee Lofty around the 900 block of Tallulah Road.
Larry Paige, Billy Cable and Dwight Bradshaw (from left) look at the 1926 dedication photo of Stecoah School inside the auditorium at Saturday’s annual reunion. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Larry Paige, Billy Cable and Dwight Bradshaw (from left) look at the 1926 dedication photo of Stecoah School inside the auditorium at Saturday’s annual reunion. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

'If you only knew’

Stecoah – For years, the graduates and former students of the Stecoah community have been gathering in the hallowed halls of their alma mater to share memories, catch up with friends and remember classmates who have passed away.
Uhura Lim (left) and Journey McEntire perform a skit at Friday’s Snowbird Cherokee Language Summer Graduation. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Uhura Lim (left) and Journey McEntire perform a skit at Friday’s Snowbird Cherokee Language Summer Graduation. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

29 graduate from Cherokee summer camp

Robbinsville – Bear season may be closed for many, but there were several bear sightings in Graham County on Friday. Students, staff and family members of the Snowbird Cherokee Traditions Summer Language Camp attended the annual graduation at Robbinsville High School Auditorium.
Axton Hazel Reap was thrilled to be in his own home again July 31, just a week after a quick slip almost caused severe heartbreak.

Axton Hazel Reap was thrilled to be in his own home again July 31, just a week after a quick slip almost caused severe heartbreak.

Hold to God’s unchanging hand

Tallulah – To look at Axton Hazel Reap today, you would never know that a mere two weeks ago found the two-year-old boy fighting for his life. While attending a local Vacation Bible School on July 24, Reap was sitting near the front of the church.
Robbinsville’s Kyle Jenkins has turned his life around in the span of 12 months – and the hard work is paying off, as the musician released a song in June that has already surpassed 500,000 downloads. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Robbinsville’s Kyle Jenkins has turned his life around in the span of 12 months – and the hard work is paying off, as the musician released a song in June that has already surpassed 500,000 downloads. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

‘Half-Smoked’ leads to full success

Robbinsville – There is a long-standing expression about making the best of what’s in front of you: “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.”  Kyle Jenkins, 21, is enjoying some sweet lemonade right now.
For her tireless work as an advocate for urgent-care availability in Graham County, transit director Juanita Colvard was given her flowers during Tuesday’s AdventHealth open house. Presenting Colvard with the bouquet is AdventHealth Hendersonville Physician Services Director of Operations Kevin Morgan. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

For her tireless work as an advocate for urgent-care availability in Graham County, transit director Juanita Colvard was given her flowers during Tuesday’s AdventHealth open house. Presenting Colvard with the bouquet is AdventHealth Hendersonville Physician Services Director of Operations Kevin Morgan. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Urgent care opening Sept. 16

Robbinsville – The building is the same; yet, the provider’s philosophy is much different.

Trash ordinance to receive overhaul

Robbinsville – “This board has to create an ordinance that it will stand by.” Almost 24 years ago, the Graham County Board of Commissioners made its latest amendment to a detailed breakdown of fees to be assessed for the disposal of solid waste. Dated Dec.
An infant tragically drowned in the Cable Cove section of Fontana Lake on Saturday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

An infant tragically drowned in the Cable Cove section of Fontana Lake on Saturday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Infant drowns in Fontana Lake

Cable Cove – A Swain County family experienced an unimaginable loss Saturday, as a day of fun turned into tragedy. Around 5 p.m., the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission was notified of a distressed vessel near the Cable Cove section of Fontana Lake in Graham County.

Dry conditions stoke fire

Santeetlah – With Graham County in the early stages of a drought, local forest land has become dry enough for brush fires. Local firefighters with the Graham County and Snowbird Fire departments – as well as the U.S.