News

State assembly passes COVID-19 bills

By Lindsay Marchello and Kari Travis Carolina Journal News Service Raleigh – The N.C. General Assembly passed two bills to deal with fallout from COVID-19. The General Assembly’s 2020 COVID-19 Recovery Act was separated into two sections.

Graham confirms 2nd COVID-19 case

Graham County’s COVID-19 case count has doubled. A Saturday press release from the health department confirmed that another resident has tested positive for the coronavirus, becoming just the second case reported in Graham County.
Work is underway to fix an area along U.S. 74 between the Hyatt Creek exit and Bryson City, that has long had cracks in the road and a slow-moving slide. Photo by Terry Greene/Smoky Mountain Times

Work is underway to fix an area along U.S. 74 between the Hyatt Creek exit and Bryson City, that has long had cracks in the road and a slow-moving slide. Photo by Terry Greene/Smoky Mountain Times

Repairs underway on U.S. 74

By Jessica Webb Smoky Mountain Times Bryson City – Repair work now underway on U.S. 74 – between the Hyatt Creek exit and Bryson City – could be compared to making lasagna or a layer cake.

Brush fire consumes 8 acres

Stecoah – Despite greenup being well under way in the woods, the spring fire season still lingers.   Graham County 911 dispatchers received a report of a brush fire at Locust Cove in the Stecoah area Saturday, shortly before 8:30 p.m. Firefighters with the N.C. Forest Service, U.S.
This electronic sign sits in the Quality Inn parking lot and greets visitors as they enter Robbinsville, providing instructions on protocol should visitors wish to stay in Graham County. The sign is 1-of-3 placed throughout the county and was approved by the Graham County Emergency Management Coordination Committee during its teleconference Wednesday, April 22. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

This electronic sign sits in the Quality Inn parking lot and greets visitors as they enter Robbinsville, providing instructions on protocol should visitors wish to stay in Graham County. The sign is 1-of-3 placed throughout the county and was approved by the Graham County Emergency Management Coordination Committee during its teleconference Wednesday, April 22. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Tally for curfew arrests reach 12

A dozen arrests have been made in connection with violating Graham County’s 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew, Sheriff Joseph Jones said during the April 22 Emergency Management Coordination Committee teleconference.

Downtown revitalization not too far away

Robbinsville – Plans to revamp downtown were discussed in the most recent town meeting, which was held via teleconference April 22. Local resident John Colwell – who also works with REVVED UP – was sent by the town to the 40th N.C. Main Street Conference in New Bern from March 10-12.

Stay-at-home order extended

While surrounding states are seemingly firing back up for close to business as usual, North Carolina will have to wait a bit longer.  Gov. Roy Cooper extended his Stay-at-Home Order for eight more days, as the restriction is set to be lifted Friday, May 8. The original target date was Wednesday.

County manager clarifies FEMA questions

Graham County Manager Becky Garland read a lengthy statement to listeners of the April 21 board of commissioners teleconference, answering several concerns citizens have raised over reimbursement of Federal Emergency Management Agency funds.