Local

The Trinity Church Wall Street rings the Bell of Hope at St. Paul’s Chapel each year to remember those who were killed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

The Trinity Church Wall Street rings the Bell of Hope at St. Paul’s Chapel each year to remember those who were killed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

‘Where were you when the world stopped turning?’

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, September 14, 2023
It’s one of those “when Kennedy was assassinated” or “when you found out Elvis died” memories that everyone can relate to if you were alive at the time. Sept. 11, 2001, will forever be embedded in the hearts and minds of every American citizen.
Marvin “Jim Tom” Hedrick became known worldwide for his long run as one of the featured subjects on the Discovery Channel’s show, “Moonshiners.” The Graham County native passed away Sept. 6 and the tributes that poured in painted a universally-beloved picture of “Jim Tom.”

Marvin “Jim Tom” Hedrick became known worldwide for his long run as one of the featured subjects on the Discovery Channel’s show, “Moonshiners.” The Graham County native passed away Sept. 6 and the tributes that poured in painted a universally-beloved picture of “Jim Tom.”

Farewell to a native son

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 14, 2023
“I out-slickered ‘em.” In an interview with The Graham Star in 2013, Marvin “Jim Tom” Hedrick displayed a badge of honor when pointing out he was never arrested for producing moonshine throughout his life. Hedrick passed away Sept.

Stewart named new GOP chair

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 7, 2023
There has been a changing of the guard, so to speak. Blair Stewart was appointed as the Graham County Republican Party’s new chairman at the GOP’s Aug. 26 meeting. He succeeds Steve Odom, who will stay on the local party’s executive committee as vice chair.
Lynn Deeden (left) and Victoria Baker – representing the Daughters of the American Revolution – oversee Robbinsville Mayor Shaun Adams’ signing of the annual Constitutional Week Proclamation at Tuesday’s board of aldermen meeting. This year, the recognition will run from Sunday, Sept. 17 – Saturday, Sept. 23. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Lynn Deeden (left) and Victoria Baker – representing the Daughters of the American Revolution – oversee Robbinsville Mayor Shaun Adams’ signing of the annual Constitutional Week Proclamation at Tuesday’s board of aldermen meeting. This year, the recognition will run from Sunday, Sept. 17 – Saturday, Sept. 23. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Back to the drawing board

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 7, 2023
Robbinsville – After over two hours in closed session, recently-hired town attorney Leo Phillips opened the doors to the mayor’s office at Robbinsville Town Hall, inviting those still lingering in the lobby inside for what promised to be a long-anticipated announcement.

Meth, ‘mash’ seized during raid

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 31, 2023
Tallulah – Proving that you never really know what you are going to find while executing a search raid, members of the Graham County Sheriff’s Office came across a large quantity of suspected mash. Mash, not meth.
A model of a C-141B cargo jet sits on a pedestal amid roses and U.S. flags distributed to surviving family members of the crew of nine Air Force servicemen killed in a crash on Aug. 31, 1982, at a memorial service held on the 40-year anniversary of the tragedy. Coverage of the service received a second-place award at the state level. Photo by Randy Foster/Community Newspapers, Inc.

A model of a C-141B cargo jet sits on a pedestal amid roses and U.S. flags distributed to surviving family members of the crew of nine Air Force servicemen killed in a crash on Aug. 31, 1982, at a memorial service held on the 40-year anniversary of the tragedy. Coverage of the service received a second-place award at the state level. Photo by Randy Foster/Community Newspapers, Inc.

Star wins 11 awards from N.C. Press Association

News Staff
Thursday, August 31, 2023
Tallulah – Since 1955, The Graham Star has proudly served as your award-winning source for all things Graham County, N.C. This year, the N.C.
This image began circulating online late-Monday evening, showing the remnants of a local student’s Chromebook after it caught fire inside the child’s backpack. No one was injured in the incident; Graham County Schools is investigating.

This image began circulating online late-Monday evening, showing the remnants of a local student’s Chromebook after it caught fire inside the child’s backpack. No one was injured in the incident; Graham County Schools is investigating.

Chromebook fire called ‘isolated’

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 31, 2023
It was supposed to be a typical drive home after a pair of Robbinsville Elementary School students were picked up by their grandmother Monday. Midway through the commute, words that terrified Virginia Banks came from the backseat. “The car’s on fire, the car’s on fire!
Paramedic Jay Chastain, EMT Jon Marsh and Graham County EMS Captain/Paramedic Leon Allen (from left) stand with several recent purchases the county has made to better serve first responders when called into service. In totality, the items pictured are worth over $80,000. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Paramedic Jay Chastain, EMT Jon Marsh and Graham County EMS Captain/Paramedic Leon Allen (from left) stand with several recent purchases the county has made to better serve first responders when called into service. In totality, the items pictured are worth over $80,000. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

24 hours of bravery

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 31, 2023
* Editor’s note: Graham County EMS Director Brian Stevens proposed a day of shadowing with those who work to save lives on a daily basis. This is a first-hand account from spending over half of a 24-hour shift with a rotation.

Precinct judges named

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 31, 2023
Robbinsville – Ahead of two municipal contests rapidly approaching in Graham County, the local board of elections announced its selections for officials at the four precincts Monday.
Appalachian Mountain Community Health Center’s Hannah Anderson has not stopped beaming with pride about the clinic’s new x-ray machine, which arrived earlier this month. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Appalachian Mountain Community Health Center’s Hannah Anderson has not stopped beaming with pride about the clinic’s new x-ray machine, which arrived earlier this month. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Seeing the crisis through a different lens

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 31, 2023
Tallulah – It was time to hit the “update” button on the machine. In a manner of speaking.