Local

Robbinsville Middle School students assigned to the “Amistad” (Red) House gather around the 100-plus cans collected to help combat local hunger. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville Middle School students assigned to the “Amistad” (Red) House gather around the 100-plus cans collected to help combat local hunger. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Friendly competition benefitting local needs

Kevin Hensley
Friday, December 9, 2022
Robbinsville – An innovative idea that is evolving throughout the school year has sparked a bevy of unique ideas on the path to winning a competition.
Clark “Chip” Carringer and Debra “Hank” Dinschel recite oaths of office administered by Graham County Clerk of Court Tammy Holloway at a special-called meeting of the Graham County Board of Education on Tuesday evening. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Clark “Chip” Carringer and Debra “Hank” Dinschel recite oaths of office administered by Graham County Clerk of Court Tammy Holloway at a special-called meeting of the Graham County Board of Education on Tuesday evening. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

New board of education members sworn in

Randy Foster
Friday, December 9, 2022
Robbinsville – The Graham County Board of Education seated newly-elected member Debra “Hank” Dinschel and newly re-elected, two-term member Clark “Chip” Carringer during a special called meeting on Tuesday evening.
Despite rainy, chilly weather, Saturday’s Robbinsville Tree Lighting proved to be a successful endeavor. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Despite rainy, chilly weather, Saturday’s Robbinsville Tree Lighting proved to be a successful endeavor. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Holiday glow

Randy Foster
Friday, December 9, 2022
Robbinsville – The county seat kicked off the Christmas season Saturday with a Christmas tree lighting and other events on Main Street in Robbinsville. Dozens of people showed up for the evening event, which included a live Nativity and Christmas music, with snacks and hot chocolate provided.
The Graham County Board of Elections sifts through ballots from the Nov. 8 election Friday, during a requested hand-to-eye recount in the race for the second seat on the Graham County Board of Education. Clockwise from top are board chair Juanita Colvard; board members Beefy Rogers and Teresa Eller; poll workers Tracy Jenkins and Lorna Sellers, who tallied the recount; local election director Teresa Garland; and board members Billy Ditmore and Lowell Crisp. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

The Graham County Board of Elections sifts through ballots from the Nov. 8 election Friday, during a requested hand-to-eye recount in the race for the second seat on the Graham County Board of Education. Clockwise from top are board chair Juanita Colvard; board members Beefy Rogers and Teresa Eller; poll workers Tracy Jenkins and Lorna Sellers, who tallied the recount; local election director Teresa Garland; and board members Billy Ditmore and Lowell Crisp. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Dinschel officially wins school board seat

Kevin Hensley
Friday, December 9, 2022
Robbinsville – Almost a month after the general election, all of the local races have been officially decided. Who would fill the second seat on the Graham County Board of Education has been in limbo since Nov.

County in search for new manager

Randy Foster
Friday, December 9, 2022
Robbinsville – Jason Marino was not re-appointed county manager during the Graham County Board of Commissioners’s organizational meeting on Monday. He will continue to be the county’s project manager, however.
Graham County Sheriff’s Office Detective Jeff Knight (right) received the Advanced Service Award from the N.C. Sheriffs’ Education and Training Standards Commission. With Knight is Graham County Sheriff Jerry Crisp.

Graham County Sheriff’s Office Detective Jeff Knight (right) received the Advanced Service Award from the N.C. Sheriffs’ Education and Training Standards Commission. With Knight is Graham County Sheriff Jerry Crisp.

Detective receives Advanced Service Award

Kevin Hensley
Friday, December 2, 2022
Robbinsville – A local detective has received a distinguished award from a state-level entity. The N.C. Department of Justice Sheriffs’ Standards Division afforded Graham County Sheriff’s Office Detective Jeff Knight with the Advanced Service Award on June 17.
An unidentified firefighter analyzes a small fire that spread into a wooded area off Eller Branch Road on Nov. 21. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

An unidentified firefighter analyzes a small fire that spread into a wooded area off Eller Branch Road on Nov. 21. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Firefighters quickly contain brush fire

Marshall McClung
Friday, December 2, 2022
Robbinsville – A small brush fire that threatened two structures was reported off Eller Branch Road on Nov. 21. Firefighters with the Graham County Fire Department, N.C. Forest Service and U.S. Forest Service responded to the fire on Carey Drive, which was reported shortly after 4 p.m.
AdventHealth was recently selected to build a 67-bed hospital in the Candler area. Graham was pinpointed as 1-of-4 counties that would be included in the hospital’s coverage area.

AdventHealth was recently selected to build a 67-bed hospital in the Candler area. Graham was pinpointed as 1-of-4 counties that would be included in the hospital’s coverage area.

AdventHealth awarded certificate for 67-bed hospital

Randy Foster
Friday, December 2, 2022
Candler – AdventHealth was chosen over two contenders to build a 67-acute care bed hospital just west of Asheville in Buncombe County, for a hospital service area that includes Graham, Buncombe, Yancey and Madison counties.
This bridge on Lower Mill Creek Road was scheduled for removal, until a Nov. 15 public hearing proved that residents wanted to keep the structure intact. The bridge was constructed in 1964 and has reached its “end-of-service,” according to the N.C. Department of Transportation. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

This bridge on Lower Mill Creek Road was scheduled for removal, until a Nov. 15 public hearing proved that residents wanted to keep the structure intact. The bridge was constructed in 1964 and has reached its “end-of-service,” according to the N.C. Department of Transportation. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Heavy opposition may lead to new bridge plan

Kevin Hensley
Friday, December 2, 2022
West Fort Hill – The idea seemed pretty cut and dry: remove an old bridge and replace it with two dead-end turnarounds. Residents of Lower Mill Creek Road had other ideas. Amid a myriad of theories – which included the fear of increased drug activity – N.C.
Each December, volunteers visit Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, D.C., to wreaths on gravestones. The annual tradition started in 1992 and one local family started participating in the memorial a few years ago.

Each December, volunteers visit Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, D.C., to wreaths on gravestones. The annual tradition started in 1992 and one local family started participating in the memorial a few years ago.

Honoring those who paid the ultimate price

Randy Foster
Friday, December 2, 2022
As president of Townson-Smith Funeral Home in Robbinsville and the third-generation of the Smith family to work in the funeral-service industry, April Smith Gladden has dedicated her professional life to the thoughtful care of the departed.