Local

June 9 showdown set for Santeetlah budget, town zoning

Randy Foster
Thursday, June 2, 2022
Lake Santeetlah – Two public hearings, two days apart last week set the stage for one day – 5:30 p.m. Thursday, June 9, when the Town of Lake Santeetlah Town Council will decide the fate of zoning that controls development of some of the most valuable residential real estate in Graham County.
A ribbon cutting is planned for 1 p.m. Friday at the new Jacob Cornsilk Community Center, which is located in the Snowbird community. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

A ribbon cutting is planned for 1 p.m. Friday at the new Jacob Cornsilk Community Center, which is located in the Snowbird community. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Ribbon cutting planned for new community center

Randy Foster
Thursday, June 2, 2022
Snowbird  – Workers in Graham County on Tuesday were putting the finishing touches on the new Jacob Cornsilk Community Center in the Snowbird community, preparing for a ribbon cutting that is scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday.
Matthew Tooni, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, performs at Saturday’s Fading Voices demonstration on the banks of Little Snowbird Creek in Graham County. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Matthew Tooni, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, performs at Saturday’s Fading Voices demonstration on the banks of Little Snowbird Creek in Graham County. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Snowbird Cherokee share customs, traditions during annual event

Randy Foster
Thursday, June 2, 2022
Snowbird – During the Trail of Tears – when many Snowbird Cherokee in Graham County were forcibly evicted from their land to make way for European settlers, starting in the 1830s – some escaped into the wilds.
Cody Cline (left) and Sarah Gibby proudly represent the Robbinsville High School Class of 2022 as its respective valedictorian and salutatorian. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Cody Cline (left) and Sarah Gibby proudly represent the Robbinsville High School Class of 2022 as its respective valedictorian and salutatorian. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Being the elite

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, June 2, 2022
Robbinsville – So what exactly does it take to become the valedictorian and salutatorian of your peers?
A breakdown of voting throughout the county, organized by precinct. Graphic by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

A breakdown of voting throughout the county, organized by precinct. Graphic by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Williams prevails in commissioner primary

News Staff
Thursday, June 2, 2022
Robbinsville – Every vote counts. In a race that literally went down to the final ballot reviewed, Natasha Williams bested Andy Lynn for the third Republican slot on the November general ballot for Graham County Board of Commissioners, 697-696. Provisional ballots almost mattered.
Graham County Search and Rescue Coordinator Tory Lynnes stands at the fork between Joyce Kilmer Loop Trail (left) and Naked Ground Trail (right). Naked Ground Trail is a difficult trail that does not loop. Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest day hikers sometimes get confused, take the right fork and sometimes have to be rescued. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Graham County Search and Rescue Coordinator Tory Lynnes stands at the fork between Joyce Kilmer Loop Trail (left) and Naked Ground Trail (right). Naked Ground Trail is a difficult trail that does not loop. Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest day hikers sometimes get confused, take the right fork and sometimes have to be rescued. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Officials concerned about rescues on local trail

Randy Foster
Thursday, May 26, 2022
Search and rescue officials are alarmed at the high number of people needing to be rescued after straying off course at Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest. One trail in particular, the Naked Ground Trail, accounts for more rescues than all other Graham County trails.
Michelle Shiplet addresses a group of about 30 local and state leaders at a May 19 “Think Tank,” hoping to identify and solve some of Graham County’s more pressing problems. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Michelle Shiplet addresses a group of about 30 local and state leaders at a May 19 “Think Tank,” hoping to identify and solve some of Graham County’s more pressing problems. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

‘Demo the Silos’ aimed at bridging gaps

Randy Foster
Thursday, May 26, 2022
Robbinsville – When Michelle Shiplet became executive director of Graham Revitalization Economic Action Team (GREAT) in 2019, she found a shelf filled with community improvement plans for Graham County and Robbinsville that – at best – were only partially accomplished.
The Town of Fontana Dam is once again back to five members. From left are Lacie McBee, new council member Luis Geraldo, Brandon Jones, Tiffany Duke and mayor Rob Hardy. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

The Town of Fontana Dam is once again back to five members. From left are Lacie McBee, new council member Luis Geraldo, Brandon Jones, Tiffany Duke and mayor Rob Hardy. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Water leaks continue to consume local township

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 26, 2022
Fontana Dam – When the entire tax base of your town is based around a resort that offers a scenic lake as one of its main draws, you will want to plug any issues that may arise from the water itself.