Local

One of two dumpsters sits full on the shores of Lake Santeetlah, following an unload of garbage collected during a community clean-up Saturday. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

One of two dumpsters sits full on the shores of Lake Santeetlah, following an unload of garbage collected during a community clean-up Saturday. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Trash by the boatload

Randy Foster
Friday, September 30, 2022
Lake Santeetlah – More than 70 people combed the shores of Lake Santeetlah on Saturday, collecting enough garbage, debris and discards to fill two large industrial garbage containers.

More Santeetlah roads to be repaired

Randy Foster
Thursday, September 22, 2022
Lake Santeetlah – With falling asphalt prices, a road crew already set to do another job and enough time left in the paving season, the Town of Lake Santeetlah added several streets for repairs during a special called Town Council meeting on Monday.
These are among the over-150 hammerhead worms that Kenneth Brooms has found in his garden off Sweetwater Road. Brooms said he started noticing the worms about four months ago. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

These are among the over-150 hammerhead worms that Kenneth Brooms has found in his garden off Sweetwater Road. Brooms said he started noticing the worms about four months ago. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Invasive worm shows up in Graham County

Randy Foster
Thursday, September 22, 2022
Sweetwater – The first sighting of hammerhead worms – an invasive flatworm from Southeast Asia that preys on beneficial earthworms and could be called the kudzu of insects – has been identified in Graham County.
Robbinsville Elementary School Principal Dr. Jaime Hooper address parents and family members of students at the Sept. 13 “Breakfast of Champions,” a one-hour Q&A session with school officials. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville Elementary School Principal Dr. Jaime Hooper address parents and family members of students at the Sept. 13 “Breakfast of Champions,” a one-hour Q&A session with school officials. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

‘Champions’ meal yields fruitful insight from faculty, parents

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 22, 2022
Robbinsville – Officials with Robbinsville Elementary School made one thing abundantly clear Sept. 13: the facility is working every day toward the betterment of each and every pupil.
This photo, edited to omit the remains of dogs that died there around Sept. 10, shows the sludge-filled pit at the old Oak Valley Hardwoods plant off Snowbird Road. Photo courtesy of Donnie Burchfield

This photo, edited to omit the remains of dogs that died there around Sept. 10, shows the sludge-filled pit at the old Oak Valley Hardwoods plant off Snowbird Road. Photo courtesy of Donnie Burchfield

Sludge-filled pit claims two dogs

Randy Foster
Thursday, September 22, 2022
Robbinsville – Two dogs fell into a sludge-filled pit and drowned this month, and the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality has issued a notice of violation to the property owner demanding action be taken.
Graham County Schools Superintendent Angie Knight will be the grand marshal of Friday’s homecoming parade. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Graham County Schools Superintendent Angie Knight will be the grand marshal of Friday’s homecoming parade. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

School superintendent named grand marshal

Randy Foster
Thursday, September 22, 2022
Robbinsville – Graham County Schools Superintendent Angie Knight – recognized by her peers as Superintendent of the Year in the western region earlier this year – has had another honor bestowed upon her.

Town grants easement for future museum

Randy Foster
Thursday, September 15, 2022
Robbinsville – Town aldermen have granted an easement on Snider Hill to the Graham County Historical Association, which has plans to renovate the old Snider Store – but needed access from Snider Hill to add handicap access to the building.
This sketch provides the estimated path of travel for the Town of Lake Santeetlah’s water system. The town is working with Robbinsville to borrow equipment that would provide an exact map – something Lake Santeetlah has never had.

This sketch provides the estimated path of travel for the Town of Lake Santeetlah’s water system. The town is working with Robbinsville to borrow equipment that would provide an exact map – something Lake Santeetlah has never had.

Water issues surface in Lake Santeetlah

Randy Foster
Thursday, September 15, 2022
Lake Santeetlah – Water was the recurring subject at the Town of Lake Santeetlah town council’s first in-person meeting since the COVID-19 pandemic. Two board members were absent from the Sept. 8 meeting – Diana Simon and Jim Hager.
Community leaders and advocates are organizing a cleanup of Lake Santeetlah, to be held next weekend. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Community leaders and advocates are organizing a cleanup of Lake Santeetlah, to be held next weekend. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Cleanup seeks to preserve lake

Randy Foster
Thursday, September 15, 2022
Lake Santeetlah – The community is invited to help keep Lake Santeetlah the pristine marvel that has made it one of Graham County’s crown jewels. A community cleanup of the lake is planned for 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept.

COVID takes toll on test scores

Randy Foster
Thursday, September 15, 2022
Robbinsville – Graham County Schools test scores from the last school year have been released, clearly demonstrating that in terms of education, the pandemic had consequences.