Local

Twenty Robbinsville High School seniors were awarded the Cody Family Scholarship at May 26's academic banquet. All names are listed from left. Front row: Sarah Gibby, Klancy Stevens, Brynn Harn, Patience Frapp, Dana Adams, Dirk Cody, Carson White, Cheyenne Rowland, Jacob Hall and Aidan Farley. Back row: Halee Anderson, Baylee Parham, Yeika Jimenez, Kelsey Waldroup, Reagan Ditmore, Haize Moore, Ivy Odom, Keylie Jordan, Cody Cline, Jaret Panama and Montana Buchanan. Not pictured is Marco Beltran.

Twenty Robbinsville High School seniors were awarded the Cody Family Scholarship at May 26's academic banquet. All names are listed from left. Front row: Sarah Gibby, Klancy Stevens, Brynn Harn, Patience Frapp, Dana Adams, Dirk Cody, Carson White, Cheyenne Rowland, Jacob Hall and Aidan Farley. Back row: Halee Anderson, Baylee Parham, Yeika Jimenez, Kelsey Waldroup, Reagan Ditmore, Haize Moore, Ivy Odom, Keylie Jordan, Cody Cline, Jaret Panama and Montana Buchanan. Not pictured is Marco Beltran.

Over $2 million in scholarships awarded

Robbinsville – It was a night that yielded the largest amount of scholarships ever awarded to a graduating class at Robbinsville High School.
Work is in progress to rename East Main Street in Robbinsville “Veteran Hill.” Here, the street is decked out with U.S. flags and memorials for Memorial Day Weekend. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Work is in progress to rename East Main Street in Robbinsville “Veteran Hill.” Here, the street is decked out with U.S. flags and memorials for Memorial Day Weekend. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Work in progress to rename East Main Street

Robbinsville – East Main Street in Robbinsville could be renamed in honor of Graham County veterans. Debbie Beasley, a Robbinsville alderman and chairman of the Robbinsville Tourism Authority, told the authority’s board on May 31 that work is in progress to rename the street Veteran Hill.

Anniversary celebration planning gains momentum

Robbinsville – Plans are starting to come together for a mid-August celebration of Graham County’s 150th anniversary. Marshall McClung – a Forest Service retiree, with expertise in search and rescue – has been named grand marshal for the celebration.

Town plans $2 million project to replace sewer line

Robbinsville – A nearly $2 million infrastructure project will replace a sewer line on Laura Street and reduce the amount of stormwater leaking into the town’s wastewater treatment plant – without costing the town a penny. The project is 100 percent grant-funded.

County faces tax increase; planning nears end

Robbinsville – Graham County residents and property owners may face higher taxes and service fees, unless county leaders figure out how to close a $1 million gap between costs and revenues. The county must have its 2022-23 budget finalized by the end of the month.
This is all that remains of the house at 1368 Meadow Branch Road, which burned to its foundation early Wednesday, June 1. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

This is all that remains of the house at 1368 Meadow Branch Road, which burned to its foundation early Wednesday, June 1. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Fire destroys Meadow Branch home

Meadow Branch – A Meadow Branch home burned to its foundation early Wednesday morning, June 1. There were no injuries and no one was home, according to the Graham County Fire Department, but the house was a total loss. The cause of the fire is unknown. Firefighters were called out at 6:09 a.m.

Dog owner rejects plea deal

Robbinsville – A Robbinsville couple facing misdemeanor barking dog violations turned down an offer from an assistant district attorney to have charges dropped if they have their dog’s vocal cords removed. Mike Eddings is charged in the misdemeanor case.
Bo Taylor (center) leads a friendship dance following the ribbon cutting at the Jacob Cornsilk Community Center in the Snowbird community on Friday. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Bo Taylor (center) leads a friendship dance following the ribbon cutting at the Jacob Cornsilk Community Center in the Snowbird community on Friday. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Snowbird community complex dedicated

Snowbird – Members of the Snowbird community of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians have long considered themselves an afterthought among the tribe, receiving just scraps and crumbs – compared to money and effort in Cherokee and elsewhere in western North Carolina.
Jayden Nowell (left) and other seniors watch confetti peak and descend during  Friday’s commencement at Modeal Walsh Memorial (Big Oaks) Stadium. Robbinsville High School graduated 86 seniors at the ceremony. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Jayden Nowell (left) and other seniors watch confetti peak and descend during Friday’s commencement at Modeal Walsh Memorial (Big Oaks) Stadium. Robbinsville High School graduated 86 seniors at the ceremony. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Finishing strong

Robbinsville – A graduating class of 86 seniors – their time at Robbinsville High School punctuated by COVID-19 – received their diplomas at Big Oaks Stadium on Friday.