Local

Taylor Hicks, shown here at an earlier performance, will appear in concert at Big Oaks Stadium in Robbinsville on Saturday. Proceeds from the concert will help pay for new instruments for the Robbinsville High School band. Photo courtesy of Shelley Lehner/Contributing Photographer

Taylor Hicks, shown here at an earlier performance, will appear in concert at Big Oaks Stadium in Robbinsville on Saturday. Proceeds from the concert will help pay for new instruments for the Robbinsville High School band. Photo courtesy of Shelley Lehner/Contributing Photographer

‘American Idol’ winner to highlight big day

Randy Foster
Thursday, May 5, 2022
Robbinsville – Taylor Hicks appears in concert in Robbinsville on Saturday — possibly the biggest name to appear in concert in Robbinsville’s history — and he’s here to help raise money for the Robbinsville High School Band.
N.C. Attorney General Josh Stein addresses county leaders and personnel at the Graham County Community Building on April 28. Stein made the trip to Robbinsville to discuss the recent opioid settlement, as well as discuss the local impact of the crisis. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

N.C. Attorney General Josh Stein addresses county leaders and personnel at the Graham County Community Building on April 28. Stein made the trip to Robbinsville to discuss the recent opioid settlement, as well as discuss the local impact of the crisis. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Good news, bad problem

Randy Foster
Thursday, May 5, 2022
Robbinsville – N.C. Attorney General Josh Stein visited Robbinsville on April 28, formally announcing terms of an opioid settlement with the pharmaceutical industry in a county among the worst in the state affected by illegal narcotics.
The seven Republican primary candidates for Graham County Sheriff – Kevin Guffey, Louanne McMahan, Jerry Crisp, Dennis Crisp, Chase Lancaster, Leon Allen, Jr. and Russell Moody (from left) during their forum April 23. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

The seven Republican primary candidates for Graham County Sheriff – Kevin Guffey, Louanne McMahan, Jerry Crisp, Dennis Crisp, Chase Lancaster, Leon Allen, Jr. and Russell Moody (from left) during their forum April 23. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Sheriff candidates discuss goals at forum

Randy Foster
Thursday, May 5, 2022
Robbinsville – About 75 people showed up to watch a candidate forum on April 23, featuring Republican candidates for Graham County Sheriff, Graham County Board of Commissioners and Graham County Board of Education.

New Fontana ORC appointed

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 28, 2022
Fontana Dam – A local municipality hopes to finally put the kibosh on heavy overturn at its water plant. The Town of Fontana Dam appointed Carrie Stewart as its new ORC (operator-in-responsible charge) in an unanimous council vote at its April 20 meeting.

Graham County gets glowing annual audit

Randy Foster
Thursday, April 28, 2022
Robbinsville – Graham County just received the results from its annual audit and had cause to celebrate. The report came back with no adverse findings, save one: the county missed the deadline to complete the audit.
An Illinois man was killed when his motorcycle collided with this SUV in Robbinsville around 8:21 p.m. April 20.

An Illinois man was killed when his motorcycle collided with this SUV in Robbinsville around 8:21 p.m. April 20.

Illinois man killed after motorcycle/SUV collision

Randy Foster
Thursday, April 28, 2022
Robbinsville – An Illinois man was killed April 20 evening in Robbinsville, when his motorcycle collided with an SUV. The N.C. Highway Patrol identified the man as Nicholas A. Ralph, a 41-year-old resident of Lindenhurst, Ill. The driver of the SUV was Starla D. Powell of Robbinsville.

REVVED UP struggling to find funding, volunteers

Randy Foster
Thursday, April 28, 2022
Robbinsville – REVVED UP is a non-profit dedicated to Robbinsville economic development, but is experiencing cash flow and volunteer shortage problems of its own. REVVED UP is an acronym for “Robbinsville Envisioning Vital Vibrant Economic Development and Urban Prosperity.
A portion of a brochure from Bison EV shows a retrofitted school bus, as well as services and features the company provides.

A portion of a brochure from Bison EV shows a retrofitted school bus, as well as services and features the company provides.

Electric vehicle manufacturer eyes Graham County

Randy Foster
Thursday, April 28, 2022
Robbinsville – An Old Fort-based company that converts gas and diesel-fueled vehicles into electric is considering the old Stanley Furniture Company plant in Robbinsville as a possible location for a retrofit plant.