Local

John Emerson briefly applauded after the Graham County Board of Elections dismissed the voter challenge against his wife Tina on Sept. 28. Tina displayed a smile in the moments after the decision. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Voter challenge dismissed

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, October 20, 2022

• Editor's note: This story appeared as a 3-part report in our print edition. Below is the full, uninterrupted report.

Voting begins today

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, October 20, 2022

Robbinsville – It is really no surprise that a lot of eyes are on the Graham County Board of Elections at the moment. The board just struck down the first of eight voter challenges filed by Lake Santeetlah council member Diana Simon.

In what is being touted as the biggest drug bust in Graham County’s history, officers seized 900 grams of liquid methamphetamine during a raid late-Friday. Also recovered was a plethora of cash, drug paraphernalia and firearms. Photo courtesy of Graham County Sheriff's Office

900 grams of meth

Randy Foster

Thursday, October 20, 2022

Mountain Creek – Months of investigations – followed by a traffic stop – resulted in one of Graham County’s largest methamphetamine seizures: over 900 grams of suspected liquid and solid methamphetamine, plus the arrest of what Sheriff Jerry Crisp called one of the county’s biggest drug dealers.

A residence off Beech Creek Road was completely destroyed by an Oct. 16 fire. One of the occupants passed away inside the home. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Fire claims life

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, October 20, 2022

Sweetwater – A residential fire off N.C. 143 early Sunday morning killed a local resident.

Professional group visits to find growth opportunities

Randy Foster

Thursday, October 13, 2022

Robbinsville – REVVED UP, a nonprofit group advocating economic development in Robbinsville, sponsored a fact-finding visit last week by architects, engineers and real-estate developers, to find opportunities and solutions to help the town prosper.

Town events take shape for rest of year

Randy Foster

Thursday, October 13, 2022

Robbinsville – The Robbinsville Tourism Authority was putting finishing touches on events planned for the rest of this year at its Sept. 27 meeting, while also beginning to brainstorm about several events in 2023. The board plans to help out with a Jeep Show being held Oct.

Council members swap out at Fontana

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, October 13, 2022

Fontana Dam – In a span of two minutes, the revolving door of Fontana Dam council members reappeared. Rachael Wachacha was sworn in as the council’s newest member during the latter part of the Sept. 21 town meeting, before Luis Geraldo vacated his seat when the next agenda item was reached.

Back to the drawing board for finance officer

Randy Foster

Thursday, October 13, 2022

Robbinsville – The Robbinsville Board of Aldermen’s pick for finance officer turned down the job offer. The board met in closed session during its Oct. 4 meeting to go over candidates for the job left vacant with the “releasing” of Sonya Webster amid a restructuring of the job in July.

Charges dropped in dog-barking case

Randy Foster

Thursday, October 13, 2022

Robbinsville – Charges were dismissed in the case of a Robbinsville man whose neighbor called the sheriff about his dog’s loud, frequent barking. Michael Eddings was scheduled to appear for trial in Graham County District Court on Monday.

Stranded couple rescued

Marshall McClung

Thursday, October 13, 2022

A local couple was rescued Sept. 27, after their car broke down on a remote mountain road. The Cherokee County 911 Center received a call around 2:30 p.m. from a female, stating she and her boyfriend had their car break down and that they were lost.