Local

Frequent tavelers of both N.C. 143 and N.C. 28 have undoubtedly encountered sights like this one near the Johnson Gap intersection, as crews have been working feverishly to clear trees and other roadside foliage in anticipation of the Corridor K expansion. Complaints about lengthy wait times have steadily increased since clearing began in the fall. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Frequent tavelers of both N.C. 143 and N.C. 28 have undoubtedly encountered sights like this one near the Johnson Gap intersection, as crews have been working feverishly to clear trees and other roadside foliage in anticipation of the Corridor K expansion. Complaints about lengthy wait times have steadily increased since clearing began in the fall. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Tree clearing for Corridor K to cease in May

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 16, 2023
Stecoah – If your daily commute includes a trip across Stecoah Gap, chances are you have learned to insert a 20- to 30-minute buffer for your arrival time. Before earth-moving operations can begin for the long-awaited Corridor K expansion along N.C. 143 (Sweetwater Road) and N.C.

Another vote, another stalemate

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 16, 2023
Lake Santeetlah – The agenda for a local municipality’s March 9 council meeting included several items of interest. One in particular expressed optimism: No. 7, under “Old Business,” which said, “Acceptance of Ralph Mitchell’s request for medical leave of absence.
An aerial view of Robbinsville, after the now-infamous “Blizzard of ‘93” originally dumped well over three feet of snow in Graham County.

An aerial view of Robbinsville, after the now-infamous “Blizzard of ‘93” originally dumped well over three feet of snow in Graham County.

Infamous ‘Blizzard of ’93’ recalled, 30 years later

Marshall McClung
Thursday, March 16, 2023
* Editor’s note: In March 1993, Marshall McClung was working for the U.S. Forest Service when a snowstorm unlike any other seen in the Southeast swept across the region. This is his account of the impact the storm had on Graham County.
Flanked by a documentary team, Burroughs Wellcome Fund Senior Program Officer Alfred Mays greets Robbinsville High School Science Teacher Ben Davis on March 9. Mays and the film crew had traveled from Research Triangle Park to present Davis with a $175,000 check – one of just four awarded statewide. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Flanked by a documentary team, Burroughs Wellcome Fund Senior Program Officer Alfred Mays greets Robbinsville High School Science Teacher Ben Davis on March 9. Mays and the film crew had traveled from Research Triangle Park to present Davis with a $175,000 check – one of just four awarded statewide. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

District STEM teacher receives $175K award

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 16, 2023
Robbinsville – David Matheson had the entire scenario planned to perfection. Representatives from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund arrived right on-schedule, including a two-man film crew.
Graham County resident Aron Wehr has endured an 18-year battle with multiple sclerosis. His latest attempt to curb the disease took him to Mexico, where he underwent stem-cell treatments that included heavy doses of chemotherapy.

Graham County resident Aron Wehr has endured an 18-year battle with multiple sclerosis. His latest attempt to curb the disease took him to Mexico, where he underwent stem-cell treatments that included heavy doses of chemotherapy.

Home is Wehr the Heart is

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, March 16, 2023
Aron Wehr’s 18-year battle with multiple sclerosis may not be over, but there is an 80-percent chance that he has stopped the disease’s progression in its tracks.
Wreckage of Life Force 6 blocks Middle Burningtown Road in Macon County on Friday on the morning following a crash. All four aboard survived. Photo by Mia Overton/The Franklin Press

Wreckage of Life Force 6 blocks Middle Burningtown Road in Macon County on Friday on the morning following a crash. All four aboard survived. Photo by Mia Overton/The Franklin Press

Andrews-based air ambulance crashes in Macon County

News Staff
Friday, March 10, 2023
Franklin – Four people survived when an air ambulance en route from Murphy to Asheville crashed in Macon County about 7 p.m. Thursday. Investigators were on scene Friday following the crash of Life Force 6, a medical helicopter based at Western Carolina Regional Airport near Andrews.
Keith McAlum builds portable chicken coops in shop space off Long Branch Road near Robbinsville. Photo by Randy Foster/Cherokee Scout

Keith McAlum builds portable chicken coops in shop space off Long Branch Road near Robbinsville. Photo by Randy Foster/Cherokee Scout

Business is a drag

Randy Foster
Thursday, March 9, 2023
Tallulah –  Keith McAlum realizes that the fruit of his labor is a drag on his customers, but he’s happy about it – and so are his customers. McAlum is a carpenter who builds chicken coops with a twist: they have wheels on one end and a sturdy handle on the other (or two for the larger versions).
At the outset of Tuesday’s meeting, the Graham County Board of Education recognized Susie Beasley, who retired after 30 years of service to local schools. From left are school board member Pam Knott, board Chair Rodney Nelson, Beasley, school board members Debra Dinschel and Chip Carringer, and Superintendent Angie Knight. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

At the outset of Tuesday’s meeting, the Graham County Board of Education recognized Susie Beasley, who retired after 30 years of service to local schools. From left are school board member Pam Knott, board Chair Rodney Nelson, Beasley, school board members Debra Dinschel and Chip Carringer, and Superintendent Angie Knight. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Graduation date revealed

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 9, 2023
Robbinsville – Attendees of the final senior ceremonies this year will be able to enjoy cooler temperatures.
This Aug. 25 photo shows waters gently flowing through the now-defunct Hunting Boy Trout Farm. More than five years ago, the business found itself embroiled in a dispute with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians – one that has not been fully resolved to this day. Photo by Randy Foster/Cherokee Scout

This Aug. 25 photo shows waters gently flowing through the now-defunct Hunting Boy Trout Farm. More than five years ago, the business found itself embroiled in a dispute with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians – one that has not been fully resolved to this day. Photo by Randy Foster/Cherokee Scout

Hunting Boy settlement at stalemate

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 9, 2023
Snowbird – A local trout farm and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians are struggling to come to an agreement over allegations that the latter destroyed the business with nearby grading. Shortly after The Graham Star published an Oct.
The Polar Plunge returned Feb. 18, the first time the frigid event had been held since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo courtesy of Graham County Schools

The Polar Plunge returned Feb. 18, the first time the frigid event had been held since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo courtesy of Graham County Schools

Quick dip

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 2, 2023
Lake Santeetlah – For the first time since February 2020, the chilly “Polar Plunge” was held. Volunteers were sponsored by area residents and businesses, and tasked with setting aside both personal ego – and all feeling in their extremities – to rush into the cold waters of Lake Santeetlah on Feb.