Regional

Dr. Jaime Hooper’s dissertation was recently selected for publication in a national journal.

Dr. Jaime Hooper’s dissertation was recently selected for publication in a national journal.

Published educator

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, March 6, 2025
As Jaime Hooper entered the last 10-year mark as an educator at Graham County Schools, she challenged herself to finish well. She didn’t want to find herself with regrets. “I didn’t want to leave anything on the table left undone. I didn’t want to grow stagnant,” Hooper explained.
Only one lane of traffic will be the standard pattern for a 12-mile segment of Interstate 40 in North Carolina and Tennessee, as the road was back open for travelers Saturday following a five-month closure. Photos courtesy of Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Only one lane of traffic will be the standard pattern for a 12-mile segment of Interstate 40 in North Carolina and Tennessee, as the road was back open for travelers Saturday following a five-month closure. Photos courtesy of Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Pigeon River Gorge re-opens to travelers

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 6, 2025
Jonathan Creek – It may seem bizarre to navigate a two-lane interstate with the typical speed limit cut in half, but it beats the detour that has become the norm. Closed since Hurricane Helene literally destroyed portions of roadway when passing through the region Sept.

Citizens report unusual activity; visitors arrested

Kevin Hensley
Friday, February 21, 2025
Tuskeegee – In one of the more bizarre apprehensions in recent memory, a concerned resident’s tip to authorities led to the arrests of a registered sex offender from Georgia and an Arkansas resident who initially did not reveal her identity.
This outdoor kennel at the Valley River Humane Society was just one of many items that state officials said the 25-year-old facility would have to replace during an inspection last year. With finances in a crunch for both the shelter and Graham County, neither side could come to an agreement to continue its long-time working relationship, which ended Saturday. Photo by Randy Foster/Cherokee Scout

This outdoor kennel at the Valley River Humane Society was just one of many items that state officials said the 25-year-old facility would have to replace during an inspection last year. With finances in a crunch for both the shelter and Graham County, neither side could come to an agreement to continue its long-time working relationship, which ended Saturday. Photo by Randy Foster/Cherokee Scout

Humane society ends agreement with county

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Marble – Saturday’s deadline for Graham County and the Valley River Humane Society to reach a new agreement passed with no action taken, leaving anyone from the county wishing to surrender an animal with even fewer area options.
Three months after opening, AdventHealth Medical Group Multispeciality at Graham County has responded to perceived issues regarding its hours of operation. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Three months after opening, AdventHealth Medical Group Multispeciality at Graham County has responded to perceived issues regarding its hours of operation. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

AdventHealth addresses misleading operating hours

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 23, 2025
Robbinsville – Amid questions brought on by social media and Google searches alike, Graham County’s urgent care provider issued an exclusive statement last week to The Graham Star regarding its hours of operation. Since opening its doors to see patients on Oct.

Animal officer tabled

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 23, 2025
Robbinsville – Despite plans to appoint a new animal control officer at Tuesday’s meeting, the Graham County Board of Commissioners opted to table the discussions until more negotiations could be hammered out.
Robbinsville High School opened to students in January 1993 and has maintained a standard of academic excellence in the 32 years that have followed. The institution is the only one that did not drop a letter grade in the yearly assessment from the state department of public instruction. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville High School opened to students in January 1993 and has maintained a standard of academic excellence in the 32 years that have followed. The institution is the only one that did not drop a letter grade in the yearly assessment from the state department of public instruction. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

High school holds steady; still seeking improvement

Kevin Hensley
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
* Conclusion of a 2-part report Robbinsville – The only institution in the district that has maintained the status quo, Robbinsville High’s new administrators insist that the facility is not going to get complacent.

Pastell charged with death by distribution – again

Kevin Hensley
Friday, January 17, 2025
Mountain Creek – There have been four charges of death by distribution assessed in Graham County since former governor Roy Cooper signed the bill into law six years ago. Locally, Bobby Huel Pastell has been on the docket for the charge 50 percent of the time.