Local

Blue lights pierced the nighttime sky late Friday, as members of the Graham County Sheriff’s Office executed a pair of search warrants in Robbinsville. All told, seven individuals were arrested from two different homes off Ford Street. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Blue lights pierced the nighttime sky late Friday, as members of the Graham County Sheriff’s Office executed a pair of search warrants in Robbinsville. All told, seven individuals were arrested from two different homes off Ford Street. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Under a cover of darkness

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, August 2, 2023
* Editor’s note: Last week, the Graham County Sheriff’s Office invited The Graham Star on a pair of missions: one staged, one very real. This is a firsthand account.
Robbinsville High School Principal David Matheson, Graham County Project Manager Jason Marino and Brandon Lovin of Lovin Contracting (from left) discuss fencing options while standing above a newly-placed retaining wall at Modeal Walsh Memorial (Big Oaks) Stadium on Monday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville High School Principal David Matheson, Graham County Project Manager Jason Marino and Brandon Lovin of Lovin Contracting (from left) discuss fencing options while standing above a newly-placed retaining wall at Modeal Walsh Memorial (Big Oaks) Stadium on Monday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Too near home to turn back now

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, August 2, 2023
Robbinsville – As officials, administrators and contractors alike stood over the two new retaining walls that have been erected to support new seating at Big Oaks Stadium on Monday, a certain air of confidence lingered in the strategy session.
A group stands in-between two of the three massive generators that power Fontana Dam’s efforts Friday. The Tennessee Valley Authority awarded a limited number of the public and media access to the facility for the first time since the 9/11 attacks in 2001. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

A group stands in-between two of the three massive generators that power Fontana Dam’s efforts Friday. The Tennessee Valley Authority awarded a limited number of the public and media access to the facility for the first time since the 9/11 attacks in 2001. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Open the dam gates!

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, August 2, 2023
Fontana Dam – As the chosen few clamored inside the visitors entrance to the Tennessee Valley Authority’s greatest architectural achievement Friday, a then-unidentified man stepped forward with a tool most today would not recognize, cupped in his right hand. “Anybody know what this is?
The Graham County Board of Elections met for the first time since its unanimous reappointment Monday. From left are Teresa Eller, secretary; Lowell Crisp, member; Billy Ditmore, member; Juanita Colvard, chair; and Keith Rogers, vice chair. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

The Graham County Board of Elections met for the first time since its unanimous reappointment Monday. From left are Teresa Eller, secretary; Lowell Crisp, member; Billy Ditmore, member; Juanita Colvard, chair; and Keith Rogers, vice chair. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Municipal races cemented

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, July 27, 2023
Robbinsville – It has been a very productive stretch recently for the Graham County Board of Elections. Finally cozy in its offices at the Graham County Community Building (196 Knight St.
Stacy Carpenter is the successor to Becky Garland as the Graham County Finance Officer. Carpenter even describes her first 90 days in the role with a Garland-ism: “You’re drinking from a fire hose.” Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Stacy Carpenter is the successor to Becky Garland as the Graham County Finance Officer. Carpenter even describes her first 90 days in the role with a Garland-ism: “You’re drinking from a fire hose.” Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

‘It’s about the people’

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, July 27, 2023
Robbinsville – Becky Garland’s successor has dove in with both feet, accepting the role of Graham County Finance Officer just as budget season kicked off.
After a lot of brainstorming, ground was first broken on the Graham County EMS garden earlier this year. From left are Bob Keber, Travis Chastain, David Maennle, Drew Silvers and Cameron Wiggins. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

After a lot of brainstorming, ground was first broken on the Graham County EMS garden earlier this year. From left are Bob Keber, Travis Chastain, David Maennle, Drew Silvers and Cameron Wiggins. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

New way of delivering aid

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, July 27, 2023
* Conclusion of a 4-part series West Fort Hill – Our gardens are often a place of mediation, therapy or healing. Whether the end results be amazing or disappointing, there are no mistakes, only experiments.
The demolition and renovation of the home bleachers at Big Oaks Stadium is still on track to be completed in time for the upcoming football season. As seen in this Monday photo, a front-retaining wall has been poured and finished; the rear wall was set to begin pouring this week. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The demolition and renovation of the home bleachers at Big Oaks Stadium is still on track to be completed in time for the upcoming football season. As seen in this Monday photo, a front-retaining wall has been poured and finished; the rear wall was set to begin pouring this week. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Right on schedule

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, July 27, 2023
Robbinsville – For a project that has such a narrow window to be completed, everything thus far has been executed like a strategic Black Knights gameplan: to a “T.
Fontana Village Marina Manager Brandon Jones was recently named a recipient of the North Carolina Wildlife Federation’s annual Governor Conservation Achievement Award. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Fontana Village Marina Manager Brandon Jones was recently named a recipient of the North Carolina Wildlife Federation’s annual Governor Conservation Achievement Award. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Jones named Public Lands Conservationist of the Year

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, July 27, 2023
Fontana Dam – The North Carolina Wildlife Federation recently announced the winners of the 59th Annual Governor’s Conservation Achievement Awards.

Man dies in vehicle wreck

Marshall McClung
Monday, July 24, 2023
Fontana – There was a fatal traffic accident on N.C. 28, as a vehicle spun out of control, left the roadway, went down a steep embankment and plunged into Cheoah Lake on Saturday.