Local

Unidentified firefighters prepare their gear while fighting a house fire at 1005 Hares Creek Road on Tuesday, Dec. 13. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Unidentified firefighters prepare their gear while fighting a house fire at 1005 Hares Creek Road on Tuesday, Dec. 13. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Family regrouping following house fire

Randy Foster
Thursday, December 22, 2022
Tallulah – Rachel Riddle was busy with chores and a project for the library about 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13, while her husband Bobby was in the basement, puttering at his workbench. About 15 minutes after Rachel put her 22-month-old granddaughter Kenley down for a nap, a smoke alarm went off.
Patrol Deputy Chase Hughes (center) grimaces as he is tased by trainer Travis Brooks, a detective with the Graham County Sheriff’s Office. Hughes was braced by Capt. Joseph Jones (left) and Narcotics Officer Matt Cox. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Patrol Deputy Chase Hughes (center) grimaces as he is tased by trainer Travis Brooks, a detective with the Graham County Sheriff’s Office. Hughes was braced by Capt. Joseph Jones (left) and Narcotics Officer Matt Cox. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Sheriff bolsters taser training

Randy Foster
Thursday, December 22, 2022
Robbinsville – A case of trespassing escalated to a physical fight with a sheriff’s deputy that Sheriff Brad Hoxit said revealed a deficiency in his department – several of his deputies needed tasers. But to do that, they needed qualification training.
Santa Claus greets exuberant Robbinsville Elementary School children after hitching a ride on a helicopter and landing on the 50-yard line at Big Oaks Stadium on Dec. 15. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Santa Claus greets exuberant Robbinsville Elementary School children after hitching a ride on a helicopter and landing on the 50-yard line at Big Oaks Stadium on Dec. 15. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Santa Claus comes to town

Randy Foster
Thursday, December 22, 2022
Robbinsville – Santa Claus carved out time from his busy December schedule to make two appearances in Robbinsville over the past week. Mr. Claus’ visits were facilitated by Bob Keber of Robbinsville.
Phillip Graham of Almond and Destiny Williams of Robbinsville rest on a cemetery bench after their vehicle crashed at Lone Oak Cemetery on Dec. 7. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Phillip Graham of Almond and Destiny Williams of Robbinsville rest on a cemetery bench after their vehicle crashed at Lone Oak Cemetery on Dec. 7. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

2 unhurt when SUV crashes at cemetery

Randy Foster
Thursday, December 22, 2022
Lake Santeetlah – Two people escaped fairly unscathed after their vehicle skidded off the road, crashed through a guard rail and stop sign, ran down an embankment and knocked down gravestones at Lone Oak Cemetery before crashing into a tree.

Vacancies upcoming at Robbinsville Town Hall

Randy Foster
Thursday, December 22, 2022
Robbinsville – The town’s elected leaders are now looking to fill two key positions in Town Hall, with Shari Birchfield – the Town of Robbinsville’s interim finance officer and deputy clerk – set to retire in late January 2023. The Board of Aldermen will hold a special called meeting at 10 a.m.
Dale Wiggins, former county commissioner and chairman of the Graham County Travel and Tourism board of directors, holds a certificate presented to him for his service on the board at the Dec. 1 meeting. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Dale Wiggins, former county commissioner and chairman of the Graham County Travel and Tourism board of directors, holds a certificate presented to him for his service on the board at the Dec. 1 meeting. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Graham County to highlight riches of trails

Randy Foster
Thursday, December 22, 2022
Robbinsville – The Year of the Trail in North Carolina will be in 2023 and Graham County plays a prominent part. Why? Here are some examples: * Appalachian Trail: The trail extends about 2,200 miles from Springer Mountain, Ga., to Mount Katahdin in Maine, of which Graham County has 22 miles.
Graham County resident Brandi Adams addresses the local health board during Nov. 15’s special-called meeting about the controversial “Ella” emergency contraceptive. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Graham County resident Brandi Adams addresses the local health board during Nov. 15’s special-called meeting about the controversial “Ella” emergency contraceptive. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

County not liable for firing

Randy Foster
Thursday, December 22, 2022
Robbinsville – Amid controversy over whether the Graham County Public Health Department should be dispensing emergency contraceptives, another controversy simmers.
A Graham County deputy is shown stationed outside Robbinsville Elementary School on Dec. 7, after a bomb threat was phoned into the district’s tip line earlier that morning. Graham County Schools were shut down for the day as a safety precaution, with both sheriff’s deputies and state troopers protecting entrances to the schools until the situation was investigated. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

A Graham County deputy is shown stationed outside Robbinsville Elementary School on Dec. 7, after a bomb threat was phoned into the district’s tip line earlier that morning. Graham County Schools were shut down for the day as a safety precaution, with both sheriff’s deputies and state troopers protecting entrances to the schools until the situation was investigated. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Bomb threat a hoax

Randy Foster
Thursday, December 22, 2022
Robbinsville – Graham County schools were closed Wednesday, Dec. 7, following a prank bomb threat called into the schools telephone hotline.