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NC Budget & Tax Center cost-to-live report for Graham County

NC Budget & Tax Center cost-to-live report for Graham County

Earning a living in Graham County

Robbinsville – The cost of living in Graham County is lower than it is for North Carolina as a whole as well as most of the state’s 100 counties, but the fact remains that a basic living wage continues to be out of reach for many Graham County families.
Outland Gas & Groceries at 8185 Tapoco Road has closed and is listed for sale. The store’s roots date back to 1947.

Outland Gas & Groceries at 8185 Tapoco Road has closed and is listed for sale. The store’s roots date back to 1947.

Outland Gas & Groceries closes, owner blames Biden and inflation

Tapoco – A country store that has been a fixture in western Graham County since 1947 has closed and been put up for sale. Outland Gas & Groceries, at 8185 Tapoco Road, has roots dating to 1947.
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.