Local

Teresa and David Widmeyer traded in sandy beaches for the rugged terrain of Graham County – and have not regretted a single moment since. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Teresa and David Widmeyer traded in sandy beaches for the rugged terrain of Graham County – and have not regretted a single moment since. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Fruits, vegetables ... rocks?

Tallulah – David and Teresa Widmeyer thought the beach would be a great place to retire; so as early seniors, they relocated to Brunswick County. It didn’t take them long to realize that as the cost of living increased – and the number of residents began to soar – it was time to move.
On-hand for the launch of the new eCourts system Monday in Graham County were (from left) North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts Director Ryan Boyce; Graham County Clerk of Court Tammy Holloway; North Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul Newby,; and N.C. Administrative Office of the Courts Chief Business Officer Brad Fowler.

On-hand for the launch of the new eCourts system Monday in Graham County were (from left) North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts Director Ryan Boyce; Graham County Clerk of Court Tammy Holloway; North Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul Newby,; and N.C. Administrative Office of the Courts Chief Business Officer Brad Fowler.

eCourts now accessible in Graham County

Robbinsville – There have been plenty of instances through the years where elbows have brushed together inside the Graham County Clerk of Court office, as visitors and employees alike exchange pleasantries inside the cramped quarters.

New industry eyeing county

Robbinsville – What might seem like wishful thinking to some could become a reality to everyone in the next few years. It’s no secret that Graham County’s economy relies heavily on tourism, since industry has all but abandoned the area.
For more than 70 years, Jay Stewart has made sure to not let one piece of produce from his garden go to waste. He sees the ability to give away the majority of his crops as a testimony to the Lord. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

For more than 70 years, Jay Stewart has made sure to not let one piece of produce from his garden go to waste. He sees the ability to give away the majority of his crops as a testimony to the Lord. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Blessed to give

West Fort Hill – He started hoeing in the garden before he began school.  By the age of eight, he could plow with a logging horse behind a No.
Claudia, Adriana and Roman (from left) are students from Spain who spent time in America thanks to the Internal Cultural Exchange Service.

Claudia, Adriana and Roman (from left) are students from Spain who spent time in America thanks to the Internal Cultural Exchange Service.

Building relationships, one student at a time

Franklin – When Donna Bell invited an exchange student into her home years ago, she never dreamed it would make such a lasting impact on her family. She discovered a newfound passion for the exchange program and eventually began to work for the company.

Bear Creek site to re-open

Robbinsville – Plans were set in motion Tuesday night for the county to begin re-opening its closed sanitation centers. For the second time in 2024, the Graham County Board of Commissioners shut down five of the county’s dumpster sites June 15. The first closure occurred Jan.

Man drowns at Cheoah Beach

Lake Santeetlah – A 63-year-old employee working on the Corridor K project in Graham County drowned at Lake Santeetlah’s Cheoah Beach around 6:20 p.m. Saturday. According to three different eyewitness accounts, Chester Coleman became distressed and started yelling for assistance while in the water.
Local beekeeper Allen Wamsley carefully extracted lavender honey from a hive in the Yellow Creek community on July 3. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Local beekeeper Allen Wamsley carefully extracted lavender honey from a hive in the Yellow Creek community on July 3. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Lavender honey harvest draws community colony

It took three years for a combination of factors to sync perfectly at Marie’s Lavender Farm and yield almost 50 pounds of unique lavender honey.