Regional

Push for animal officer grows

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, November 21, 2024
A local animal advocate has launched an online petition, which hopes to bring a full-time animal control officer to Graham County. Brittney Holder owns and operates B’s Pet Grooming out of her home.

Final poll numbers unveiled

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, November 21, 2024
Robbinsville – Provisionals and lingering absentees made little impact on a pair of local races in the 2024 general election. Following Nov. 14’s provisional meeting and Friday’s canvassing, the Graham County Board of Elections officially certified the final voting numbers for Nov. 5’s ballot.
This dilapidated motel near the southern outskirts of Robbinsville has received a grant for renovation into a boutique. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

This dilapidated motel near the southern outskirts of Robbinsville has received a grant for renovation into a boutique. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

‘Graham Motel’ set to receive facelift

Kevin Hensley
Monday, November 18, 2024
Robbinsville – The intersection of Five Points Road and U.S. 129 North will soon have a fresh coat of paint. An Oct. 17 announced from the North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority revealed that 22 grant requests had been approved, statewide.

Tennessee officer dies after accident

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
Cherohala – A Georgia man has passed away from injuries he sustained in a two-vehicle accident on the Cherohala Skyway last month. According to a report from the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, 52-year-old Ringgold resident Enoch Daniel Ian Hurd was traveling east on N.C.
Stephanie Oakey’s Poems of a Southern Nobody was just released as both a hardcover and an e-book.

Stephanie Oakey’s Poems of a Southern Nobody was just released as both a hardcover and an e-book.

60 poems in a book

Latresa Phillips
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
The loss of Sandra Brooms (left) last year inspired her daughter Stephanie Oakey (right) to write poetry. One year later, Poems of a Southern Nobody has been recognized in USA Today.

3 new faces voted into office

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
Robbinsville – In overwhelming fashion, Graham County voters spent the last 2 ½ weeks frequenting the polls. Of 6,262 registered voters in the county, 3,354 cast a ballot during the one-stop (early) period – or 53.6 percent.
Following the closure of I-40 between North Carolina and Tennessee, tractor-trailers have met numerous warning signs – such as this one, at the intersection of N.C. 28 and N.C. 143 in Stecoah – to provide notice that U.S. 129 in Tennessee (the “Tail of the Dragon”) does not allow commercial vehicles over 30 feet. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Following the closure of I-40 between North Carolina and Tennessee, tractor-trailers have met numerous warning signs – such as this one, at the intersection of N.C. 28 and N.C. 143 in Stecoah – to provide notice that U.S. 129 in Tennessee (the “Tail of the Dragon”) does not allow commercial vehicles over 30 feet. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

I-40 closure impacting local traffic

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 24, 2024
Tatham Gap – An accident inside the Nantahala Gorge on Saturday led to traffic being re-routed through an unusual route: Tatham Gap Road, a single-lane dirt road that serves as an alternate connection between Robbinsville and Andrews.
Rep. Karl Gillespie (R-Franklin; second from right) visited Graham County Schools on Friday, to formally present a check in the amount of $42 million from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. The grant money will go toward the construction of a new Robbinsville Elementary School. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Rep. Karl Gillespie (R-Franklin; second from right) visited Graham County Schools on Friday, to formally present a check in the amount of $42 million from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. The grant money will go toward the construction of a new Robbinsville Elementary School. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

State representative presents grant check to school system

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 17, 2024
Robbinsville – It was more of a formality, but Graham County Schools was presented with a $42 million check Friday, which will go toward the much-needed construction of a new Robbinsville Elementary School. District 120 Rep.
The annual Trail of Tears Walk attracted participants of all ages. Photo courtesy of Angie Knight/SnowbirdNEST

The annual Trail of Tears Walk attracted participants of all ages. Photo courtesy of Angie Knight/SnowbirdNEST

Attendees walk trail ‘where they cried’

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, October 17, 2024
Long Creek – It was a nippy morning as hikers hit the trail early Saturday for the annual Trail of Tears Walk, which commemorates the Cherokee Nation’s journey from the mountains they called home to resettle in Oklahoma during one of the darkest times in American History.