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Robbinsville High School senior Skylar Jerkins shows off his debut novel, Yesteryear. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Robbinsville High School senior Skylar Jerkins shows off his debut novel, Yesteryear. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

His story has just begun

Latresa Phillips
Monday, May 15, 2023
Robbinsville – Ask writer Skylar Jerkins what makes a good story, and he will tell you that it takes an unexpected twist.
Sharon and David Crowe (far left) gaze in amazement at their respective Order of the Long Leaf Pine awards, which were presented in a surprise ceremony May 3 at the Jacob Cornsilk Community Center. Standing next to the couple is Order of the Long Leaf Pine Board Member; at the podium is N.C. Bureau of Indian Affairs Executive Director Greg Richardson. Photos courtesy of Maria Shook Photography

Sharon and David Crowe (far left) gaze in amazement at their respective Order of the Long Leaf Pine awards, which were presented in a surprise ceremony May 3 at the Jacob Cornsilk Community Center. Standing next to the couple is Order of the Long Leaf Pine Board Member; at the podium is N.C. Bureau of Indian Affairs Executive Director Greg Richardson. Photos courtesy of Maria Shook Photography

All are welcome in the Crowe’s Nest

News Staff
Monday, May 15, 2023
Snowbird – Their story reads almost like a fairy tale. They were high school sweethearts. He was the quarterback and she helped write the school’s alma mater. He went off to war. She waited … and waited … and waited. He spent two years on an aircraft carrier, while she wrote letters weekly.

Loitering ordinance tabled

Kevin Hensley
Monday, May 15, 2023
Robbinsville – Among civil debate, there was at least one universal consensus that emerged from the April 27 public hearing about a proposed loitering ordinance inside the Robbinsville town limits: there’s a problem, but there has to be a proper way to address it.
Stacy Carpenter was officially appointed as the new Graham County Finance Manager on April 18. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Stacy Carpenter was officially appointed as the new Graham County Finance Manager on April 18. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

New finance officer introduced

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 4, 2023
Robbinsville – The individual who spent just a moment under the learning tree has been officially appointed to become the next finance officer for Graham County.
An Oklahoma man passed away over the weekend from injuries sustained in this recreational vehicle crash in Fontana Dam on April 26. Photo courtesy of Warner Deyton

An Oklahoma man passed away over the weekend from injuries sustained in this recreational vehicle crash in Fontana Dam on April 26. Photo courtesy of Warner Deyton

Oklahoma man killed in RV crash

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 4, 2023
Fontana Dam – Speed is believed to be the contributing factor to a recreational vehicle crashing April 26, just before the border of Graham/Swain counties on N.C. 28 North. Around 6:34 p.m., a 2007 Ford RV operated by 68-year-old Ronnie Edward Grubke of Conneaut, Okla.
The final existence of Smoky Mountain Urgent Care in Graham County was recently erased, as a lawsuit between the county and the facility’s owner has been dismissed. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

The final existence of Smoky Mountain Urgent Care in Graham County was recently erased, as a lawsuit between the county and the facility’s owner has been dismissed. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Urgent care lawsuit dismissed

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 4, 2023
Robbinsville – It’s over. With a favorable outcome looking dim for the defendant, Dr. David Castor – director of Bryson City-based Smoky Mountain Urgent Care – moved to have a longstanding lawsuit between himself and Graham County dismissed on April 4.

Zoning enforcement in township questioned

Kevin Hensley
Monday, May 1, 2023
Lake Santeetlah – It’s only an issue in one of Graham County’s three incorporated areas, but it’s a biggie for residents of Lake Santeetlah: zoning ordinances. In fact, the town is the only one in the county with zoning. Neither Fontana Dam nor Robbinsville have it on the books.
Vicki Walsh had not been retired from the Graham County School System long before she quickly found another calling – tutoring children that need help in certain subject areas. Her tutoring program has grown significantly since its launch.

Vicki Walsh had not been retired from the Graham County School System long before she quickly found another calling – tutoring children that need help in certain subject areas. Her tutoring program has grown significantly since its launch.

Anchored in Hope

Latresa Phillips
Monday, May 1, 2023
Tallulah – What do you get when you take 40 students, 12 tutors and one retired educator with a desire to help children? Mathematically, you could say the answer is 53. However, if you are a resident of Graham County, the real answer is a new tutoring center.

Numbers don’t lie

Kevin Hensley
Monday, May 1, 2023
* Conclusion of a 2-part report Robbinsville – Debra “Hank” Dinschel’s presentation at the March Graham County Board of Education meeting drew the ire of many people in the room, including those who work specifically to improve a child’s quality of life.