Regional

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.
The new entrance and instructional wing at Robbinsville Middle School opened in January 2022, making it the newest addition to an institution in Graham County. The school has struggled academically in the last few years, but plans are in motion to address the issue. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

The new entrance and instructional wing at Robbinsville Middle School opened in January 2022, making it the newest addition to an institution in Graham County. The school has struggled academically in the last few years, but plans are in motion to address the issue. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Graham County Schools addressing state grades

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
* Part 1 of a 2-part report Robbinsville – The N.C. Department of Public Instruction has issued its annual school performance grades for each district across the state. Both Robbinsville elementary and high schools received a “C,” while Robbinsville Middle School was scored as an “F.
The popular Bear Creek sanitation center officially re-opened for public use Dec. 21, with more restrictions in place to help combat misuse at what the county identified as its most problematic convenience site. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

The popular Bear Creek sanitation center officially re-opened for public use Dec. 21, with more restrictions in place to help combat misuse at what the county identified as its most problematic convenience site. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Top 10 of 2024: the Year-in-Review

Kevin Hensley
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
For a population of just over 8,000 individuals, Graham County maintains a constant news cycle.  Each year, The Graham Star looks back at the top 10 stories from the recent 12-month cycle; reliving the positives and the negatives of what has recent transpired.
Graham County’s officers took local children to the Murphy Walmart for the annual “Shop with a Cop” on Dec. 11. Here, Robbinsville Elementary School Resource Officer Josh Reap helps a member of the program gather Christmas presents. Photo courtesy of Graham County Sheriff's Office

Graham County’s officers took local children to the Murphy Walmart for the annual “Shop with a Cop” on Dec. 11. Here, Robbinsville Elementary School Resource Officer Josh Reap helps a member of the program gather Christmas presents. Photo courtesy of Graham County Sheriff's Office

Shop till you drop

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, December 19, 2024
Murphy – Both the Graham County Sheriff’s Office and Graham County School Resource officers joined forces for a significant assignment Dec. 11.  These brave officers were responsible for safely delivering 29 students from Graham County Schools to Walmart in Murphy and back.