Local

Lerew new council member

Kevin Hensley
Friday, December 26, 2025
Fontana Dam – It rarely happens, but in a municipality the size of Fontana Dam even two write-in votes can make all the difference. The Graham Star was able to confirm Dec. 18 that Brooke Lerew was the write-in candidate that was previously unidentified on ballots from Nov. 4's municipal elections.

Filing for 2026 closes

Kevin Hensley
Friday, December 26, 2025
Robbinsville – Thanks to a late rush to the Graham County Board of Elections office, filing for local elections in 2026 closed at noon Friday with 22 candidates officially tossing their names in the hat.
Beloved Woman and native Cherokee language speaker Ella Bird was featured in the PBS-NC documentary A Sacred Thread, which premiered this summer. Bird's on-screen quote is referencing a speech made by then-Chief Richard Sneed, regarding the disappearance of the Cherokee language and its native speakers.

Beloved Woman and native Cherokee language speaker Ella Bird was featured in the PBS-NC documentary A Sacred Thread, which premiered this summer. Bird's on-screen quote is referencing a speech made by then-Chief Richard Sneed, regarding the disappearance of the Cherokee language and its native speakers.

'A Sacred Thread’

News Staff
Friday, December 19, 2025
By Nicole Wright Cherokee Scout Andrews – Many people relate the story of the first Thanksgiving: of how pilgrims and natives gathered to share a meal. Many also hopefully took a chance to celebrate Native American Indian Heritage Month in November.

More file for 2026 race

Kevin Hensley
Friday, December 19, 2025
Robbinsville – While no additional sheriff candidates emerged during the latest stretch of filing for 2026 local elections, three more individuals tossed their names in the hat for the crowded commissioner race.

Town pivots on credit policy

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
Robbinsville – The first regularly-scheduled meeting of the new Town of Robbinsville Board of Aldermen was an eventful one. The main topic of discussion was the existing leak-credit policy.
Robbinsville High School CTE Instructor Megan Williams (left) joins students Ashley Howell (center) and Jazmin Crisp atop Mount LeConte during the program's recent field trip.

Robbinsville High School CTE Instructor Megan Williams (left) joins students Ashley Howell (center) and Jazmin Crisp atop Mount LeConte during the program's recent field trip.

Reaching new heights

Latresa Phillips
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
On Nov. 5, Robbinsville High School Career and Technical Education instructors Rick Parham and Megan Williams took a hike. This was no ordinary hike, however.
An ATV accident Sunday afternoon claimed the life of 70-year-old Charles Andrew Carey. His obituary said that Carey passed away "doing what brought him joy, surrounded by nature near his home."

An ATV accident Sunday afternoon claimed the life of 70-year-old Charles Andrew Carey. His obituary said that Carey passed away "doing what brought him joy, surrounded by nature near his home."

Man killed in ATV wreck

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
Atoah – A county resident died in an ATV (all-terrain vehicle) accident Sunday afternoon. Reports indicate that 70-year-old Charles Andrew Carey departed his home at 1512 Snowbird Road on a four-wheeler around 3:30 p.m.

More file for commissioner, sheriff races

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
Robbinsville – Since press time for The Graham Star's Dec. 4 edition, four additional candidates have joined the expansive line-up for the local 2026 ballot. Incumbents Natasha Williams and Jacob Nelms filed for re-election to the Graham County Board of Commissioners on Dec.

Filing begins for 2026 elections

Kevin Hensley
Friday, December 5, 2025
Robbinsville – At closing time Tuesday, the Graham County Board of Elections office had received paperwork to solidify the entry of 10 different candidates into next year's local races.