Local

A smoky close-up of the Sept. 26 destruction on the Fontana Lake peninsula. Photo courtesy of Great Smoky Mountains National Park

A smoky close-up of the Sept. 26 destruction on the Fontana Lake peninsula. Photo courtesy of Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Wildfire tamed on Fontana Lake

Ruby Annas
Thursday, October 5, 2023
Fontana Dam – A 10-acre forest fire on Fontana Lake is now contained. The fire was reported around 1:30 p.m. Sept. 26, near backcountry campsite 87 on Fontana Lake. The campsite is located on the peninsula closet to the Fontana Dam.
Cindy Cable found out her breast cancer was contained on Valentine’s Day of this year. She volunteers to drive the van for the weekly Celebrate Recovery gathering at Sweetgum Baptist Church. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Cindy Cable found out her breast cancer was contained on Valentine’s Day of this year. She volunteers to drive the van for the weekly Celebrate Recovery gathering at Sweetgum Baptist Church. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Survivors: Cindy Cable

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, October 5, 2023
  *Editor’s note: This is the debut of a 4-part series focusing on Breast Cancer Awareness Month, as those who have underwent the battle – and won – share their experiences. Sweetwater – Cindy Cable is a miracle. Just ask her – she will be glad to share her story with you.

‘Death by Distribution’ changes enacted

Ruby Annas
Thursday, October 5, 2023
Raleigh – The General Assembly passed – and Gov. Roy Cooper recently signed into law – Senate Bill 189, “Fentanyl Drug Offense and Related Changes.” The bill revises North Carolina’s Death by Distribution law, as well as fentanyl crimes.

Department heads call for pay raises

Ruby Annas
Thursday, October 5, 2023
Robbinsville – The Graham County Board of Commissioners heard concerns about pay rates within three departments of the local body during a special-called Friday meeting.

Corridor K worker injured in dozer accident

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 28, 2023
Sweetwater – Details were still sketchy at press time Wednesday, but what was clear was tragedy was narrowly avoided in a Monday-afternoon incident. N.C. Department of Transportation Communications Officer David Uchiyama told The Graham Star on Tuesday that the Sevierville, Tenn.
This drawing shows the new route for the upcoming Robbinsville High School Homecoming Parade on Oct. 13, which will see the route begin and end at the new entrance to the school (Wayne Carringer Blvd., off Rodney Orr Bypass).

This drawing shows the new route for the upcoming Robbinsville High School Homecoming Parade on Oct. 13, which will see the route begin and end at the new entrance to the school (Wayne Carringer Blvd., off Rodney Orr Bypass).

Homecoming Parade set for Oct. 13

News Staff
Thursday, September 28, 2023
Robbinsville – All community members, organizations, businesses, clubs, sports and churches are being called upon by Robbinsville High School, encouraging support and participation in this year’s homecoming parade. The annual extravaganza will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13.
Town of Lake Santeetlah Council Member Ralph Mitchell could not contain his excitement while on Zoom for the Sept. 14 meeting after being presented with a certificate recognizing Mitchell, 94, as the oldest public servant in North Carolina.

Town of Lake Santeetlah Council Member Ralph Mitchell could not contain his excitement while on Zoom for the Sept. 14 meeting after being presented with a certificate recognizing Mitchell, 94, as the oldest public servant in North Carolina.

Mitchell recognized for service

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 28, 2023
Lake Santeetlah – Still sharp as a tack, Ralph Mitchell had one inquisitive comment when asked to speak on his special recognition at the Sept. 14 Lake Santeetlah Town Council meeting. “That I’m old?” Mitchell asked dryly, before laughing.

Driver airlifted after crash

Ruby Annas
Thursday, September 28, 2023
Fontana Dam – At 9:22 p.m. Monday, state troopers Ty Gibbs and Johnathan Jones responded to a crash in the 1500 block of Fontana Dam, on Hwy. 28. The crash involved a 73-year old female, driving a Ford Fiat, who collided into a guardrail, slid across the embankment and overturned.
Dadiwonisi Language Program graduates stand in recognition at the end of Tuesday’s ceremony. From left are Jazlyn “Wadulisi” McEntire, Cailon “Uwodsdi” Garland, Kirstie “Tsayga” Frady and Gina “Amage” Myers. Photo by Ruby Annas/news@grahamstar.com

Dadiwonisi Language Program graduates stand in recognition at the end of Tuesday’s ceremony. From left are Jazlyn “Wadulisi” McEntire, Cailon “Uwodsdi” Garland, Kirstie “Tsayga” Frady and Gina “Amage” Myers. Photo by Ruby Annas/news@grahamstar.com

Dadiwonisi

Ruby Annas
Thursday, September 28, 2023
Snowbird – The first graduating class of the Dadiwonisi Adult Language Program embodied the meaning of the program’s name – “We are all going to speak” – as they spoke in Cherokee, thanking their community and accepted their certificates in a moving ceremony Tuesday.