Local

Debra “Hank” Dinschel was once an outspoken critic of the Graham County Board of Education, but won a seat on the council in November, following a narrow run-off. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Debra “Hank” Dinschel was once an outspoken critic of the Graham County Board of Education, but won a seat on the council in November, following a narrow run-off. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

‘God is protecting me’

Randy Foster
Thursday, February 16, 2023
Robbinsville – Hank Dinschel has been a thorn in the side of the Graham County Board of Education for several years, so it probably should have surprised nobody that she would run for a seat on the board.
Urgent-care services reopened for residents Tuesday. Until more staff comes aboard, the crew will be limited to just three on-site personnel: Dedie Barker, Meggan Smith and Emily McKeehan – all Graham County natives. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Urgent-care services reopened for residents Tuesday. Until more staff comes aboard, the crew will be limited to just three on-site personnel: Dedie Barker, Meggan Smith and Emily McKeehan – all Graham County natives. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Urgent care returns

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 16, 2023
Robbinsville – For some, news of urgent care services rebooting in Graham County might have been the greatest Valentine’s Day gift they could have received.

Interim finance director discussed by town

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 9, 2023
Robbinsville – The revolving door of personnel inside Town Hall continues to spin. Alderman Brian “Taco” Johnson resigned last month, releasing a statement that noted the need for several upcoming medical procedures that would leave him unable to fulfill his role.

Local woman found dead; investigation ongoing

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 9, 2023
Robbinsville – An unusual chain of events over the weekend led to officers linking together a burning car and a deceased resident, at two different locations. Late Saturday night, a call was received that a car was burning on Tatham Gap Road.
Natasha Williams began her first stint as an elected official in December. Photo by Randy Foster/The Graham Star

Natasha Williams began her first stint as an elected official in December. Photo by Randy Foster/The Graham Star

‘We hit the ground running’

Randy Foster
Thursday, February 9, 2023
• Second in a 3-part series Robbinsville – Natasha Williams said during a candidate forum in 2022 that having new blood on the Graham County Board of Commissioners wouldn’t be a bad thing. In the May 2022 primary, voters seemed to agree.

Council split on leave request

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 9, 2023
Lake Santeetlah – It was the first time the council had officially met since November. And if the Feb. 2 special called meeting of the Lake Santeetlah Town Council proved anything, it was that even the lengthy layoff could not conjure harmony between members.
Tory Lynnes (left) and Brent Eller faced hazardous weather conditions to rescue a young woman from the Joyce Kilmer Forest last week. Photo courtesy of Kim Hainge

Tory Lynnes (left) and Brent Eller faced hazardous weather conditions to rescue a young woman from the Joyce Kilmer Forest last week. Photo courtesy of Kim Hainge

Weather braved to rescue hiker

Marshall McClung
Thursday, February 2, 2023
Santeetlah – Graham County Rescue Squad members Tory Lynnes and Brent Eller faced some extreme weather in the high mountains of Graham County between the late-night hours of Jan. 24-25, to reach a hiker in the Joyce Kilmer Forest. Graham County 911 received a call from a mother around 6:45 p.m.
An unidentified worker looks over the floor of a bathroom that has been closed for remodeling at the Graham County Community Building. A pipe burst around the remodel overnight Friday, causing the county offices to close. As of Tuesday, the offices have not reopened. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

An unidentified worker looks over the floor of a bathroom that has been closed for remodeling at the Graham County Community Building. A pipe burst around the remodel overnight Friday, causing the county offices to close. As of Tuesday, the offices have not reopened. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Pipe leak floods Graham County offices

Randy Foster
Thursday, February 2, 2023
Robbinsville – A construction error led to a water line break and major flooding Friday at the Graham County Community Building on Knight Street, forcing county offices to close temporarily.
For the second time in a 7-week span, a threat from the student body at Robbinsville High School forced Graham County Schools to alter its schedule. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

For the second time in a 7-week span, a threat from the student body at Robbinsville High School forced Graham County Schools to alter its schedule. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Online threat delays school day

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 2, 2023
Robbinsville – It is becoming a disturbing trend across the country: threats made either by phone or online that endanger local school systems. Sadly, the Graham County School district has recently found susceptible to the issue – twice, in a 7-week span.
This map illustrates the new U.S. Forest Service management plan for a large portion of the Southern Region, as it pertains to Graham County.

This map illustrates the new U.S. Forest Service management plan for a large portion of the Southern Region, as it pertains to Graham County.

Forest Service releases responses to management plans

Randy Foster
Thursday, January 26, 2023
Robbinsville – The U.S. Forest Service issued a Jan. 19 response to objection issues raised for the revised Nantahala and Pisgah forest plan.