Local

District Attorney Ashley Welch (right) questions North Carolina Department of Insurance Special Agent Jasmine Hanline (left, in witness box) during Tuesday's session of a hearing regarding the removal of Graham County Sheriff Brad Hoxit from office. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

District Attorney Ashley Welch (right) questions North Carolina Department of Insurance Special Agent Jasmine Hanline (left, in witness box) during Tuesday's session of a hearing regarding the removal of Graham County Sheriff Brad Hoxit from office. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Sheriff removal hearing begins

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Robbinsville – Tuesday marked the beginning of what is estimated to be a four-day hearing regarding the permanent removal of suspended Graham County Sheriff Brad Hoxit from office.

1st glimpse at justice center on the horizon

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Robbinsville – After securing the property to construct a long-needed justice center, there has not been a lot of news concerning the status of the facility.  That changed at the outset of Graham County Manager Brady Cody's report Tuesday, given during the board of commissioners meeting.
A group of attendees listen intently to a presentation at March 12's Graham County Business Roundtable. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

A group of attendees listen intently to a presentation at March 12's Graham County Business Roundtable. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

'Roundtable' brings local, regional leaders together

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Robbinsville – Playmakers from across the westernmost region of North Carolina braved a wintry mix to converge inside the Graham County Community Building on March 12, for an event branded as the "Graham County Business Roundtable.
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.