News

Commissioner, school board candidates greet voters

News Staff

Friday, March 1, 2024

Amid the primary-voting cycle for the 2024 election, The Graham Star offered the 11 local candidates who are on the ballot a chance to greet their constituents and vie for your vote. Local races being contested are three seats each on the Graham County boards of commissioners and education.

Occupancy tax reinstated in Lake Santeetlah

Kevin Hensley

Friday, March 1, 2024

Lake Santeetlah – Thanks to a unanimous vote, one local municipality has reinstated a 3 percent occupancy tax. The Town of Lake Santeetlah council voted at its Feb. 13 meeting to reinstate the collection, which was bumped in a 3-2 vote just two years prior to its resurrection on Feb. 10, 2022.

Supporters of “The Hut” sought the backing of the Graham County Board of Commissioners. Significant progress has recently been made in the effort to preserve the historic cabin, which sits outside of Robbinsville First Baptist Church. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

‘The Hut’ could relocate to new site

Kevin Hensley

Friday, March 1, 2024

Robbinsville – Efforts to save a local landmark has received a huge amount of traction in recent weeks. Supporters working to preserve “The Hut” – a log cabin that sits on the same property as Robbinsville First Baptist Church – spoke at the Feb.

A suspected 30 grams of meth was found when officers raided a home in Robbinsville on Friday. Photo courtesy of Graham County Sheriff's Office

30 grams of suspected meth seized in raid

Kevin Hensley

Friday, March 1, 2024

Billy Jack Heinzer Robbinsville – Officers struck paydirt Friday, when a 5-month investigation resulted in a large amount of suspected methamphetamine being discovered at a local residence. Around 8:47 p.m.

Woman accused of coercing victim

Kevin Hensley

Friday, March 1, 2024

Meadow Branch – A local resident allegedly tried to coerce a victim of sexual abuse during an investigation concerning the crime. Angie Gladden, 55 of a Farley Branch Road address, was arrested shortly after midnight Feb. 13 and charged with one felony count of obstructing justice. Sgt.

Adair Panama, 1A state finalist, 113 pounds. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

9 simple rules for winning a state title

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, February 22, 2024

Greensboro – What does it mean to be a “champion?” Simply defined in the Oxford Dictionary, the term credits an individual as “a person who has defeated or surpassed all rivals in a competition, especially in sports.” Heading into this year’s N.C.

Black Knights senior Donovan Carpenter keys in on a first-half jumper during the regular-season finale Feb. 13 at Cherokee. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Upsets joust Knights

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, February 22, 2024

Cherokee – You never know how the chips may fall once you reach the Smoky Mountain Conference tournament. Both of Robbinsville’s boys teams were afforded the No.

Sophomore guard Suri Watty (right) keeps a watchful eye on the outside antics of Hayesville’s Breanna Abrams during Tuesday’s loss in the semifinals of the conference tournament at Cherokee. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Inconsistency dooms Lady Knights

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, February 22, 2024

Cherokee – If the Lady Knights can get into a full-game groove, look out. Flashes of the potential Robbinsville (No. 3 seed, 16-8) has still yet to tap into were on display in the first quarter of Tuesday’s Smoky Mountain Conference Tournament pairing against Hayesville (No. 2, 20-5).

Free WiFi can be found downtown

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, February 22, 2024

Robbinsville – For years, it has dangled like a carrot. In an effort to connect to a source of internet in downtown Robbinsville, one could easily navigate to their WiFi settings while in the vicinity and see a network deemed “Robbinsville WiFi” readily available.

Andrew Chase Burchfield is quite the entrepreneur, thanks to a hobby he first picked up last year. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Chase’n dreams

Latresa Phillips

Thursday, February 22, 2024

Long Creek – Andrew Chase Burchfield is a diamond in the rough. An avid rock collector, he began making jewelry pieces last year. A friend suggested the hobby as an opportunity to display his rocks in a creative way.