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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.
EMT Hamilton Boxberger, sheriff’s Detective Andrew Bennett and Sheriff’s Capt. Jeff Knight (from left) provide information about services their agencies provide during the Adult Services Resource Fair on June 15 in Robbinsville. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

EMT Hamilton Boxberger, sheriff’s Detective Andrew Bennett and Sheriff’s Capt. Jeff Knight (from left) provide information about services their agencies provide during the Adult Services Resource Fair on June 15 in Robbinsville. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Help available for elderly, disabled in Graham County

Randy Foster
Thursday, June 23, 2022
Robbinsville – Older people living on a fixed income have trouble making ends meet under normal circumstances, but with spiking prices for fuel, food and a lot of other things, it is becoming even more difficult.
Daisy rests from exhaustion in the back of a pickup after being rescued from a deep pit filled with greasy water for at least five hours – but as long as 12 hours – between May 29-30.

Daisy rests from exhaustion in the back of a pickup after being rescued from a deep pit filled with greasy water for at least five hours – but as long as 12 hours – between May 29-30.

Dog's best friend

Randy Foster
Thursday, June 23, 2022
Snowbird – Daisy and Ace somehow got past the wireless dog fence that had been keeping them safe at home off Poison Branch Road the night of May 29 and went on an adventure that nearly cost Daisy her life.
Todd Odom (left) – who just retired after coaching the Black Knights for 18 years – pauses with David Haney at a banquet in Asheville. Haney has been named as Odom’s successor, which will be the fourth time Haney has been the head coach of the Robbinsville wrestling program.

Todd Odom (left) – who just retired after coaching the Black Knights for 18 years – pauses with David Haney at a banquet in Asheville. Haney has been named as Odom’s successor, which will be the fourth time Haney has been the head coach of the Robbinsville wrestling program.

Back at the helm: Haney new wrestling coach

Kevin Hensley
Monday, June 20, 2022
Robbinsville – After nearly four months of speculation and uncertainty, Todd Odom’s replacement as Robbinsville High School’s head wrestling coach has been announced. And it is a familiar face. David Haney was selected from a pool of applicants to take over the storied tradition of “The ’Ville.