Local

Source of town’s water loss narrowed down

Kevin Hensley
Friday, March 8, 2024
Fontana Dam – After years of searching, the source of a substantial water leak in one county municipality may have finally been discovered. At the Feb. 21 Town of Fontana Dam council meeting, the water plant’s ORC (Operator-in-Responsible-Charge) Carrie Stewart briefed the panel on the discovery.
Over 20 participants sprinted full speed into Lake Santeetlah on Saturday, as part of the annual “Polar Plunge.” Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Over 20 participants sprinted full speed into Lake Santeetlah on Saturday, as part of the annual “Polar Plunge.” Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Cooler than the flip side of the pillow

Kevin Hensley
Friday, March 8, 2024
Lake Santeetlah – Like an attempt to sell ice to an eskimo, good luck convincing the participants that Saturday’s “Polar Plunge” might be the warmest one ever held.

Newcomers unseat incumbents

Kevin Hensley
Friday, March 8, 2024
Robbinsville – Entering Tuesday’s primary election, there was just one guarantee at the local level: a new commissioner, with incumbent Keith Eller not seeking re-election this year.

Commissioner, school board candidates greet voters

News Staff
Friday, March 1, 2024
Amid the primary-voting cycle for the 2024 election, The Graham Star offered the 11 local candidates who are on the ballot a chance to greet their constituents and vie for your vote. Local races being contested are three seats each on the Graham County boards of commissioners and education.
Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on Sept. 2, 1940. Students from Robbinsville High School were in attendance. Photo courtesy of National Park Service

Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on Sept. 2, 1940. Students from Robbinsville High School were in attendance. Photo courtesy of National Park Service

Seeing the President at 6,643 feet

Latresa Phillips
Friday, March 1, 2024
Milltown – Not many people living in Graham County can say that they were present at the Sept. 2, 1940 dedication ceremony of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, or that they saw President Franklin D. Roosevelt in person. Doyle Brock can. He remembers the day his agriculture teacher Mr.

Occupancy tax reinstated in Lake Santeetlah

Kevin Hensley
Friday, March 1, 2024
Lake Santeetlah – Thanks to a unanimous vote, one local municipality has reinstated a 3 percent occupancy tax. The Town of Lake Santeetlah council voted at its Feb. 13 meeting to reinstate the collection, which was bumped in a 3-2 vote just two years prior to its resurrection on Feb. 10, 2022.
Supporters of “The Hut” sought the backing of the Graham County Board of Commissioners. Significant progress has recently been made in the effort to preserve the historic cabin, which sits outside of Robbinsville First Baptist Church. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Supporters of “The Hut” sought the backing of the Graham County Board of Commissioners. Significant progress has recently been made in the effort to preserve the historic cabin, which sits outside of Robbinsville First Baptist Church. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

‘The Hut’ could relocate to new site

Kevin Hensley
Friday, March 1, 2024
Robbinsville – Efforts to save a local landmark has received a huge amount of traction in recent weeks. Supporters working to preserve “The Hut” – a log cabin that sits on the same property as Robbinsville First Baptist Church – spoke at the Feb.
A suspected 30 grams of meth was found when officers raided a home in Robbinsville on Friday. Photo courtesy of Graham County Sheriff's Office

A suspected 30 grams of meth was found when officers raided a home in Robbinsville on Friday. Photo courtesy of Graham County Sheriff's Office

30 grams of suspected meth seized in raid

Kevin Hensley
Friday, March 1, 2024
Billy Jack Heinzer Robbinsville – Officers struck paydirt Friday, when a 5-month investigation resulted in a large amount of suspected methamphetamine being discovered at a local residence. Around 8:47 p.m.