News

Water leak a teachable moment for Santeetlah

Randy Foster
Thursday, October 20, 2022
Lake Santeetlah – The town experienced a water line break along Nantahala Terrace over the past month, during which town officials learned about the need to issue “boil water” notifications to water customers affected by the break.
John Emerson briefly applauded after the Graham County Board of Elections dismissed the voter challenge against his wife Tina on Sept. 28. Tina displayed a smile in the moments after the decision. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

John Emerson briefly applauded after the Graham County Board of Elections dismissed the voter challenge against his wife Tina on Sept. 28. Tina displayed a smile in the moments after the decision. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Voter challenge dismissed

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 20, 2022
• Editor's note: This story appeared as a 3-part report in our print edition. Below is the full, uninterrupted report.
The Robbinsville Lady Knights clinched a share of the Smoky Mountain Conference title for the second time in four seasons Oct. 13, sweeping Swain County on senior night. All names are listed from left. Front row: Fala Welch, Claire Barlow, Desta Trammell and Tai Owle. Back row: Assistant coach Dede Brooms, manager Eden Orr, Liz Carpenter, Suri Watty, Delaney Brooms, Aubrie Wachacha, Kensley Phillips, head coach Kadey Phillips and line judge Jade Teesateskie. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The Robbinsville Lady Knights clinched a share of the Smoky Mountain Conference title for the second time in four seasons Oct. 13, sweeping Swain County on senior night. All names are listed from left. Front row: Fala Welch, Claire Barlow, Desta Trammell and Tai Owle. Back row: Assistant coach Dede Brooms, manager Eden Orr, Liz Carpenter, Suri Watty, Delaney Brooms, Aubrie Wachacha, Kensley Phillips, head coach Kadey Phillips and line judge Jade Teesateskie. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Step 1: Complete

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 20, 2022
Robbinsville – Entering the 2022 season, they heard the whispers. The doubts. The naysayers. Then the Robbinsville Lady Knights assessed the circumstances and posted a 15-win campaign, which culminated Oct. 13 with a 14-25, 14-25, 20-25 sweep of Swain County (12-11) on senior night.
In what is being touted as the biggest drug bust in Graham County’s history, officers seized 900 grams of liquid methamphetamine during a raid late-Friday. Also recovered was a plethora of cash, drug paraphernalia and firearms. Photo courtesy of Graham County Sheriff's Office

In what is being touted as the biggest drug bust in Graham County’s history, officers seized 900 grams of liquid methamphetamine during a raid late-Friday. Also recovered was a plethora of cash, drug paraphernalia and firearms. Photo courtesy of Graham County Sheriff's Office

900 grams of meth

Randy Foster
Thursday, October 20, 2022
Mountain Creek – Months of investigations – followed by a traffic stop – resulted in one of Graham County’s largest methamphetamine seizures: over 900 grams of suspected liquid and solid methamphetamine, plus the arrest of what Sheriff Jerry Crisp called one of the county’s biggest drug dealers.
A residence off Beech Creek Road was completely destroyed by an Oct. 16 fire. One of the occupants passed away inside the home. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

A residence off Beech Creek Road was completely destroyed by an Oct. 16 fire. One of the occupants passed away inside the home. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Fire claims life

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 20, 2022
Sweetwater – A residential fire off N.C. 143 early Sunday morning killed a local resident.
The Robbinsville Lady Knights surprised senior Kensley Phillips with gifts immediately after Oct. 6’s home match against Andrews, to help celebrate Phillips surpassing the 1,000-dig threshold. Surrounding Phillips are (back row, from left): Claire Barlow, Liz Carpenter, Aubrie Wachacha and team manager Eden Orr; (front row, from left): Fala Welch, Tai Owle and Olivia Lewis; kneeling in front, Delaney Brooms (left) and Suri Watty.

The Robbinsville Lady Knights surprised senior Kensley Phillips with gifts immediately after Oct. 6’s home match against Andrews, to help celebrate Phillips surpassing the 1,000-dig threshold. Surrounding Phillips are (back row, from left): Claire Barlow, Liz Carpenter, Aubrie Wachacha and team manager Eden Orr; (front row, from left): Fala Welch, Tai Owle and Olivia Lewis; kneeling in front, Delaney Brooms (left) and Suri Watty.

Can you dig it?

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 13, 2022
Robbinsville – Just two days after her older sister hit a coaching milestone, Kensley Phillips found her own way into the annals of Lady Knights volleyball history. Kadey Phillips recorded her 100th career win as head coach of the Lady Knights at Swain County on Sept. 27. Skip ahead to Sept.

Town events take shape for rest of year

Randy Foster
Thursday, October 13, 2022
Robbinsville – The Robbinsville Tourism Authority was putting finishing touches on events planned for the rest of this year at its Sept. 27 meeting, while also beginning to brainstorm about several events in 2023. The board plans to help out with a Jeep Show being held Oct.

Council members swap out at Fontana

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 13, 2022
Fontana Dam – In a span of two minutes, the revolving door of Fontana Dam council members reappeared. Rachael Wachacha was sworn in as the council’s newest member during the latter part of the Sept. 21 town meeting, before Luis Geraldo vacated his seat when the next agenda item was reached.

Back to the drawing board for finance officer

Randy Foster
Thursday, October 13, 2022
Robbinsville – The Robbinsville Board of Aldermen’s pick for finance officer turned down the job offer. The board met in closed session during its Oct. 4 meeting to go over candidates for the job left vacant with the “releasing” of Sonya Webster amid a restructuring of the job in July.

Stranded couple rescued

Marshall McClung
Thursday, October 13, 2022
A local couple was rescued Sept. 27, after their car broke down on a remote mountain road. The Cherokee County 911 Center received a call around 2:30 p.m. from a female, stating she and her boyfriend had their car break down and that they were lost.