Local

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.

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 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

‘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

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.