Local

Dinschel wins recount

Kevin Hensley
Friday, December 2, 2022
Robbinsville – There’s still one step left before the second Graham County Board of Education seat from the Nov. 8 ballot is set in stone. Clark “Chip” Carringer convincingly won the public’s opinion over three weeks ago, as his re-election bid garnered 2,368 votes.
Becky Garland – standing at the podium during a Board of Health meeting on Nov. 21 – is a Cherokee County resident and Graham County Government finance director. She clocked out from her job so that she could argue on behalf of family planning services. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Becky Garland – standing at the podium during a Board of Health meeting on Nov. 21 – is a Cherokee County resident and Graham County Government finance director. She clocked out from her job so that she could argue on behalf of family planning services. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

County combating controversy

Randy Foster
Friday, December 2, 2022
Robbinsville – For Bible Belt county commissioners, few issues weigh more heavily than birth control.

Home destroyed by fire

Marshall McClung
Tuesday, November 22, 2022
Yellow Creek – A home on George Turpin Road was destroyed by fire Saturday afternoon. Several local fire departments and the N.C. Forest Service responded to the call, which came in to the Graham County 911 Center at 5:26 p.m.
This newly-rebuilt section allowed the full Lower Loop Trail at Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest to reopen Saturday. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

This newly-rebuilt section allowed the full Lower Loop Trail at Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest to reopen Saturday. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Repair allows Joyce Kilmer trail to reopen

Randy Foster
Tuesday, November 22, 2022
Santeetlah – Volunteers formally reopened a section of trail at Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest on Saturday, which had been closed several years because of storm damage.
Three waterfalls located short distances from this point on Upper Santeetlah Road have had names proposed for them. The U.S. Board of Geographic Names assigned names to two of the waterfalls, but delayed action on the third. All three are close to the road, but are difficult to see from there. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Three waterfalls located short distances from this point on Upper Santeetlah Road have had names proposed for them. The U.S. Board of Geographic Names assigned names to two of the waterfalls, but delayed action on the third. All three are close to the road, but are difficult to see from there. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Two local waterfalls formally named

Randy Foster
Tuesday, November 22, 2022
Santeetlah – Two waterfalls in the Santeetlah Creek watershed have been formally named, with a decision delayed in naming a third. All three waterfalls are within a short distance of each other, just off of Upper Santeetlah Road.

Bright spots seen in economic future

Randy Foster
Tuesday, November 22, 2022
Robbinsville – Graham County is looking at 93 new jobs created in the area by existing and newly-arrived businesses, according to a report from Mountain West Partnership, a firm contracted to handle economic development for the county.
Director Michelle Shiplet addresses participants in Nov. 17’s meeting of the Graham Revitalization Economic Action Team (GREAT). Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Director Michelle Shiplet addresses participants in Nov. 17’s meeting of the Graham Revitalization Economic Action Team (GREAT). Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

GREAT draws leaders with visions for county

Randy Foster
Tuesday, November 22, 2022
Tapoco – Several dozen community leaders were at Tapoco Lodge for a quarterly, general-membership meeting of the Graham Revitalization Economic Action Team (GREAT) on Nov. 17.
Family members pose with the new street sign for Wayne Carringer Boulevard, during a dedication ceremony at Robbinsville High School on Friday. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Family members pose with the new street sign for Wayne Carringer Boulevard, during a dedication ceremony at Robbinsville High School on Friday. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

‘Freedom is not free’

Randy Foster
Tuesday, November 22, 2022
Robbinsville – In February, the N.C. Board of Transportation unanimously passed a resolution dedicating the new access road between N.C. 129 and Robbinsville High School as Wayne Carringer Boulevard.

Ella to remain

Randy Foster
Tuesday, November 22, 2022
Robbinsville – With a narrow majority, Graham County commissioners on Monday voted that a controversial emergency contraceptive medication will continue to be an option for women who seek family planning care from the Graham County Public Health Department.
Jarrett Wildcatt performs on flute during a wreath-laying ceremony at the Junaluska Memorial and Burial Site in Robbinsvillle on Nov. 16. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Jarrett Wildcatt performs on flute during a wreath-laying ceremony at the Junaluska Memorial and Burial Site in Robbinsvillle on Nov. 16. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Paying homage to a warrior

Randy Foster
Tuesday, November 22, 2022
Robbinsville – Dozens gathered on a chilly day for the mostly-annual, wreath-laying ceremony for Junaluska, a Cherokee leader whose gravesite and memorial overlook downtown Robbinsville. Junaluska is arguably Graham County’s most famous historical leader.