Local

Crews acted quickly to combat a blaze that burned two acres on Stecoah Mountain on Feb. 22. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Crews acted quickly to combat a blaze that burned two acres on Stecoah Mountain on Feb. 22. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Ring of fire

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 2, 2023
Stecoah – Nighttime travelers on N.C. 143 (Sweetwater Road) have no doubt witnessed roaring blazes on the roadside for the last few months – the remnants of brush, trees and other foliage cleared in preparation for the Corridor K expansion. First seen near the Slaybacon Road/N.C.

Town names finance officer

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 2, 2023
Robbinsville – While officials are still exploring options to replace the county’s finance officer, the Town of Robbinsville is hoping it finally has a candidate for the same vacancy that will stick.

‘I want to end my career well’

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 2, 2023
Robbinsville – Under Becky Garland’s watch, Graham County’s financial woes did a 180-degree turnaround. When Garland accepted the role as the county’s finance officer in 2009, there was $1.9 million in the bank – and just $1 million of that could be used as needed (unrestricted funds).

Fontana council back to full strength

Kevin Hensley
Friday, February 24, 2023
Fontana Dam – It has became a light-hearted question around the small resort town: why the constant turnover on the Fontana Dam council? The question answers itself – it’s literally a one-horse town, with Fontana Village Resort and Marina being the only business within its limits. Residents are 99.

Brush fire follows rain

Marshall McClung
Friday, February 24, 2023
Wolf Creek – In spite of recent heavy rainfall, a few days of wind and sun has dried the woods enough to burn already. The Graham County 911 dispatch received a report of a brush fire out of control around 3:15 p.m. Sunday.
Robbinsville Shriner Martin Oehler is joined by members of the Robbinsville Shriner’s Club, as news of his generous contribution is announced at Oasis Shriners Headquarters in Charlotte on Jan. 6. From left are Robert Britton, Treasurer; Billy Clark, Past President; Jack Long, President; Leon Allen, Secretary; Keith “Beefy” Rogers, Oehler and Jerry Gantt, former CEO of Shriners International and current Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Shriners Children’s. Photo courtesy of Mike Harding/Genesis Photog

Robbinsville Shriner Martin Oehler is joined by members of the Robbinsville Shriner’s Club, as news of his generous contribution is announced at Oasis Shriners Headquarters in Charlotte on Jan. 6. From left are Robert Britton, Treasurer; Billy Clark, Past President; Jack Long, President; Leon Allen, Secretary; Keith “Beefy” Rogers, Oehler and Jerry Gantt, former CEO of Shriners International and current Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Shriners Children’s. Photo courtesy of Mike Harding/Genesis Photog

Giving to those who need it most

Kevin Hensley
Friday, February 24, 2023
Charlotte – To be clear, all the money you have dropped in the bucket outside the Robbinsville Post Office each Friday is going to good use. Many have probably wondered just what the return of investment is on emptying your pockets or billfolds into the Robbinsville Shrine Club’s yellow container.
Dr. David Booth (center) officially cuts the ribbon outside the re-opened urgent-care facility in Robbinsville on Feb. 16. With Booth are (from left) Graham County Board of Commissioners Chairman Jacob Nelms, nurse Dedie Barker, commissioner Connie Orr, receptionist Brianna Elkins, interim county health director and nurse practitioner Meggan Smith, urgent-care advocate Juanita Colvard, commissioner Natasha Williams and interim county manager Kim Crisp. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Dr. David Booth (center) officially cuts the ribbon outside the re-opened urgent-care facility in Robbinsville on Feb. 16. With Booth are (from left) Graham County Board of Commissioners Chairman Jacob Nelms, nurse Dedie Barker, commissioner Connie Orr, receptionist Brianna Elkins, interim county health director and nurse practitioner Meggan Smith, urgent-care advocate Juanita Colvard, commissioner Natasha Williams and interim county manager Kim Crisp. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

‘It’s a win-win’

Kevin Hensley
Friday, February 24, 2023
Robbinsville – With a quick snip, Graham County Urgent Care was deemed officially ready to receive patients. County dignitaries joined staff at the front entrance to the former location of Smoky Mountain Urgent Care (21 S. Main St., Robbinsville) on Feb.

Graham County Schools releases 2023-24 calendar

Kevin Hensley
Friday, February 17, 2023
Robbinsville – Students reporting to Graham County Schools for the 2023-24 year will enjoy 171 days of instruction. The board of education discussed the upcoming calendar at its Feb. 7 meeting, with Superintendent Angie Knight noting that public input was welcomed – but very little was received.

Updated fees coming to Santeetlah

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 16, 2023
Lake Santeetlah – It might not be the most popular decision, but sometimes adding more fees to a utility can help recoup lost costs. As part of a cordial and productive Town of Lake Santeetlah council meeting Feb.