Local

Graham County Schools received the lowest bus inspection rating in Western North Carolina from the N.C. Department of Public Inspection. The district’s transportation department was recognized at June 27’s special-called board of education meeting. From left are Adam Harkins, transportation director; Lisa Ford, transportation administrative assistant; and David Lovingood, transportation mechanic. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Graham County Schools received the lowest bus inspection rating in Western North Carolina from the N.C. Department of Public Inspection. The district’s transportation department was recognized at June 27’s special-called board of education meeting. From left are Adam Harkins, transportation director; Lisa Ford, transportation administrative assistant; and David Lovingood, transportation mechanic. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

School transportation earns regional accolades

Robbinsville – A random April inspection of three standard school buses and one activity bus highly impressed officials from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
The accommodations at K’s Kennels make the visitors jump for joy. Business owner Kensley Phillips looks on as Willow expresses her excitement with the stay. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

The accommodations at K’s Kennels make the visitors jump for joy. Business owner Kensley Phillips looks on as Willow expresses her excitement with the stay. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Pampered pups

Tallulah – All of us have heard the saying, “Find a job you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.”  If you don’t believe it, just ask 19-year-old Kensley Phillips.  Phillips is proof that passion can become profit and loving what you do is just gravy on the dog bone.
A routine probation visit earlier this month ultimately yielded 348 grams of methamphetamine. Photo courtesy of N.C. Department of Adult Correction

A routine probation visit earlier this month ultimately yielded 348 grams of methamphetamine. Photo courtesy of N.C. Department of Adult Correction

Probation visit results in meth bust

Ronnie Ray Underwood, Jr. Sweetgum – Deputies with the Graham County Sheriff’s Office accompanied North Carolina Probation and Parole on a June 4 home visit and left with much more than a check-in from the resident.
Rep. Chuck Edwards listens intently while a member of the audience shares her concerns over the closing of Cable Cove Campground during Edwards’ town hall visit June 20. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Rep. Chuck Edwards listens intently while a member of the audience shares her concerns over the closing of Cable Cove Campground during Edwards’ town hall visit June 20. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Unplugged

Robbinsville – For the better part of 90 minutes, the congressional representative for Western North Carolina both discussed and heard topics weighing heavy on Graham County’s mind. Rep.

Town doubling down on water cutoffs

Robbinsville – Leniency will soon go out the window. While discussing the Town of Robbinsville’s planned 2024-25 fiscal budget at a special-called meeting Tuesday, town clerk Amanda Gyongyos revealed that water/sewer customers in the municipality have a combined $24,000 in past due balances.
With temperatures Monday afternoon in the 90s, participants in this year’s Elder Abuse Awareness Walk called an audible and made laps around the Graham County Community Building’s meeting room, where a corresponding fair had just wrapped up hours earlier. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

With temperatures Monday afternoon in the 90s, participants in this year’s Elder Abuse Awareness Walk called an audible and made laps around the Graham County Community Building’s meeting room, where a corresponding fair had just wrapped up hours earlier. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Walk in their shoes

Robbinsville – Elder abuse is a growing concern as the number of adults over the age of 65 in North Carolina grows.  By 2025, 1-in-5 residents will be over 65. Longevity creates greater opportunity for older adults to experience maltreatment, whether physical, emotional or financial.