Local

In a new filing, Graham County responds to the recent controversy surrounding Smoky Mountain Urgent Care.

In a new filing, Graham County responds to the recent controversy surrounding Smoky Mountain Urgent Care.

County answers Smoky Mountain Urgent Care suit

Randy Foster
Thursday, March 10, 2022
Robbinsville – Graham County and its insurance carrier have asked a judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Smoky Mountain Urgent Care. In turn, the county is making demands of its own.

Candidate filing draws crowd

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 10, 2022
Robbinsville – At long last, candidate filing for 2022 elections concluded at noon Friday. Locally, candidates turned out in droves for both the sheriff’s and board of commissioners races. Several filed for the Graham County Board of Education, while a pair of races will go uncontested.
“I Know” – by Robbinsville band director Amber Watkins – was released on iTunes in February.

“I Know” – by Robbinsville band director Amber Watkins – was released on iTunes in February.

Band director releases single

Randy Foster
Thursday, March 10, 2022
Robbinsville – Robbinsville High School band and choir director Amber Watkins has released a single called “I Know” that is available on iTunes, Apple Music, Pandora, Amazon and other online venues.
This proposed management plan for the Nantahala National Forest – “Alternative E” – has been presented to the Graham County Board of Commissioners.

This proposed management plan for the Nantahala National Forest – “Alternative E” – has been presented to the Graham County Board of Commissioners.

Management plan pitched to board of commissioners

Randy Foster
Thursday, March 10, 2022
The National Forest Service is developing plans to restore Graham County woodlands that were clearcut a century or more ago – which might make environmentalists happy, but is not sitting well with many Graham County residents.
James Jay Smith, (center) is flanked by his wife Brenda and defense lawyer Rich Cassady during a courtroom break in Robbinsville on March 3. Smith was acquitted of attempted first-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury the following day. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

James Jay Smith, (center) is flanked by his wife Brenda and defense lawyer Rich Cassady during a courtroom break in Robbinsville on March 3. Smith was acquitted of attempted first-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury the following day. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Jury acquits Smith

Randy Foster
Thursday, March 10, 2022
Robbinsville – There are serious differences between James Smith’s and Joe Shaffer’s accounts of the July 27, 2016 shootout outside Smith’s Fontana Heights house. But in the end, it came down to one thing: Joe Shaffer shot first.

Judge shows mercy on habitual offender

Randy Foster
Thursday, March 3, 2022
Robbinsville – Braxton Sawyer is a habitual offender whose latest charges were both felonies — possession of a firearm by a felon and fleeing/eluding arrest. He faced years of hard time. The 31-year-old Graham County resident pleaded guilty to both charges in Superior Court in Robbinsville on Feb.

Pair of board members resign from Robbinsville Tourism Authority

Koda Moody
Thursday, March 3, 2022
Robbinsville – The Robbinsville Tourism Authority has gone through some major changes over the last month. Director Karen Taylor and board member Teresa Garland have resigned due to personal reasons. Taylor resigned after the Jan. 25 meeting, while Garland resigned at the end of the Feb.

Santeetlah tourism board seeks to spend

Randy Foster
Thursday, March 3, 2022
Lake Santeetlah – Facing the end of its only funding source, the Town of Lake Santeetlah’s Tourism Development Authority board scrambled to spend the $37,000 or so that remains in the authority’s bank account.

Faculty to get $3.9K supplements

Randy Foster
Thursday, March 3, 2022
Robbinsville – Graham County Schools’ officials found themselves in the unusual position of spreading extra money around – including pay supplements of $3,914 for each of 105 teachers in the district. The new funds are the result of the state budget that was passed in November 2021.