News

Voice of the voiceless

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 20, 2020
Robbinsville – Now’s the perfect time to “Meet a G.A.L.” But probably not the one that immediately comes to mind. This G.A.L. works for the better good, speaking for those that can’t. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The setup for a Jeff Foxworthy performance in 2020 is very ordinary: a stool, a water bottle and a microphone. A simple set for a simple man. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

The setup for a Jeff Foxworthy performance in 2020 is very ordinary: a stool, a water bottle and a microphone. A simple set for a simple man. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

More than just a redneck

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 20, 2020
Cherokee – It has often been said that comedians get their best material from their everyday lives. Jeff Foxworthy subscribed to that very formula in 1984, and 36 years later the Hapeville, Ga., native is still creating new ways to solicit laughter from his audience.
A computer-generated look at the Lakeside Lodge Condominium at Lake Santeetlah, which received a special zoning-height variance at the Feb. 11 Lake Santeetlah Council meeting. Photo courtesy of TSW Architecture

A computer-generated look at the Lakeside Lodge Condominium at Lake Santeetlah, which received a special zoning-height variance at the Feb. 11 Lake Santeetlah Council meeting. Photo courtesy of TSW Architecture

Condo zoning variance passed

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 20, 2020
Lake Santeetlah – A 2001 brainstorm took a step in the right direction, 19 years after it was initially discussed. After a lengthy public hearing – which included a continued session from January – the Town of Lake Santeetlah voted 4-1 during its Feb.
Cathy Wilde, Jannell Canerday and Lorinda Jones (from left) – better known as Na Skylark – will perform at the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown on Friday, Feb. 21.

Cathy Wilde, Jannell Canerday and Lorinda Jones (from left) – better known as Na Skylark – will perform at the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown on Friday, Feb. 21.

Na Skylark coming to Brasstown

News Staff
Friday, February 14, 2020
Brasstown – Na Skylark will perform a Friday Night Concert at the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, N.C., 7 p.m. on Feb. 21. The show will be held in the Keith House. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.

Joyce Kilmer Memorial Loop Trail Partial Closure

News Staff
Friday, February 14, 2020
Cherohala – The Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest on the Nantahala National Forest, Cheoah Ranger District was impacted by the recent heavy rainfall. The significant rainfall resulted in retaining wall failures and unstable trail conditions.

'Boomers' of a different breed

Robbi Pounds
Wednesday, February 12, 2020
  While the false feud between young millennials and aging boomers continues, western North Carolina has another boomer debate: why do we call the tiny American red squirrels of the mountain “boomers?” And do they really bite bits off of gray squirrels?
“Devil Anse” Hatfield and “Ole Ran’l” McCoy were celebrities in their day.

“Devil Anse” Hatfield and “Ole Ran’l” McCoy were celebrities in their day.

'Hillbilly' stereotype sparked by famous feud

Robbi Pounds
Wednesday, February 12, 2020
Around 300 miles from Graham County, over 150 years ago, a Union Civil War veteran was murdered, triggering a family feud that “yellow journalists” would use to define an entire region and all of its inhabitants.

$35K available for cancer patients

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, February 12, 2020
Robbinsville – Only six applications for financial aid by those going through cancer treatments were received at the beginning of the year. Thus, the Graham Cancer Support Group announced at its Jan. 21 board meeting that $35,000 was in the bank and ready for use.

Changes coming to one-stop voting policy

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, February 12, 2020
Robbinsville – Access to names of one-stop voters by the public will no longer be allowed. Graham County Board of Elections Director Teresa Garland explained the new state law – Senate Bill 683, enacted Jan. 1 – to the Robbinsville Board during Monday’s meeting.
Anna Riddle, Clayson Lane, Keylie Jordan, Nathan Collins and Gabby Hooper (from left) were just some of the students that helped with the Festival. Photos by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Anna Riddle, Clayson Lane, Keylie Jordan, Nathan Collins and Gabby Hooper (from left) were just some of the students that helped with the Festival. Photos by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Happiness that you can eat

News Staff
Wednesday, February 12, 2020
By Matthew Miller The Graham Star Robbinsville – It was a day late, but well worth the wait. The first-ever Chocolate Festival took place at Robbinsville High School on Sunday. Originally planned for Saturday, wintery weather caused the organizers to postpone the festival to the following day.