News

Cherokee Language Summer Course students recite the Pledge of Allegiance Saturday at the Graham County Heritage Festival. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Cherokee Language Summer Course students recite the Pledge of Allegiance Saturday at the Graham County Heritage Festival. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Festival continues rebound

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, July 7, 2022
Robbinsville – Stop a local on the street and ask how many vendors used to adorn the courthouse square for the Graham County Heritage Festival. In response, their adulation and memories will simply flow.
There is green as far as the eye can see at the Robbinsville Community Garden, which is located behind the Church Mouse thrift store between North Main and Ford streets in Robbinsville. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

There is green as far as the eye can see at the Robbinsville Community Garden, which is located behind the Church Mouse thrift store between North Main and Ford streets in Robbinsville. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

In full bloom

Randy Foster
Thursday, June 30, 2022
Robbinsville – As inflation hits families in the pocketbook, Robbinsville Community Garden offers an inexpensive way to grow your own food, especially if you don’t have gardening space of your own.
Memory Frapp – shown in action at Hiwassee Dam on May 2 – was recently named the 2022 Smoky Mountain Conference Pitcher of the Year. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Memory Frapp – shown in action at Hiwassee Dam on May 2 – was recently named the 2022 Smoky Mountain Conference Pitcher of the Year. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

6 Lady Knights named All-Conference

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, June 30, 2022
With the conclusion of the 2022 spring sports season in the rearview mirror, the All-Smoky Mountain Conference baseball and softball awards were recently announced. The Robbinsville Lady Knights cleaned up, by virtue of their fifth-straight divisional title.
Carlos Wesley (seated, center) signed to wrestle at Lincoln Memorial University on Sunday. Surrounding Wesley are family and friends, including mother Scharlene Hardrick (seated, left) and Vincent Wesley, Bryan Wesley, Jasper Knighton, Staci Knighton, Seth Lawson, Jennifer Wesley, Briley Powers and Steven Hardrick (back row, from left). Photo courtesy of Todd Odom/Contributing Photographer

Carlos Wesley (seated, center) signed to wrestle at Lincoln Memorial University on Sunday. Surrounding Wesley are family and friends, including mother Scharlene Hardrick (seated, left) and Vincent Wesley, Bryan Wesley, Jasper Knighton, Staci Knighton, Seth Lawson, Jennifer Wesley, Briley Powers and Steven Hardrick (back row, from left). Photo courtesy of Todd Odom/Contributing Photographer

No split decision here

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, June 30, 2022
Robbinsville – It was well worth the wait.
Valerie Frapp was recently named the new GM of the historic Tapoco Lodge, ending a 4-month vacancy for the role. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Valerie Frapp was recently named the new GM of the historic Tapoco Lodge, ending a 4-month vacancy for the role. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

‘This will always be home’

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, June 30, 2022
Tapoco – If you spend any time with Valerie Frapp, you will quickly learn just how much she loves Tapoco Lodge.

Schools funding shortage escalates

Randy Foster
Thursday, June 30, 2022
Robbinsville – Graham County Schools are in the red by over $620,000, as costs continue to mount. With school out for the summer, the Graham County Board of Education had an unusual late-month, special-called meeting to tie up loose ends, one of which won’t be resolved any time soon – funding.
Station 3 Fire Chief Brian Johnson is planning construction of a three-bay metal building to supplement the existing structure off Tapoco Road. Station 3 volunteers have been saving up for years for the project, which will cost an estimated $80,000. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Station 3 Fire Chief Brian Johnson is planning construction of a three-bay metal building to supplement the existing structure off Tapoco Road. Station 3 volunteers have been saving up for years for the project, which will cost an estimated $80,000. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

An aging fleet

Randy Foster
Thursday, June 30, 2022
Graham County emergency services have come a long way. A handmade two-wheel cart with fire hose served in lieu of a fire engine in the late 1940s, and a hearse served as the county’s only ambulance until the early 1960s.

County approves $22.8 million budget

Randy Foster
Thursday, June 30, 2022
Robbinsville – Graham County commissioners approved a $22.8 million budget that keeps property taxes unchanged yet also comes to terms with rising costs for nearly everything. The Board of Commissioners held a public hearing on June 21 during which there was no public comment.