Regional

Anna Wehr is not your typical teenage girl: she does not enjoy being the center of attention – unless she’s performing in front of a crowd on behalf of the Stardance Performing Arts dance studio. Here, a lyrical number titled “Dust Bowl” temporarily sees her peers form a semi-circle around Wehr. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Anna Wehr is not your typical teenage girl: she does not enjoy being the center of attention – unless she’s performing in front of a crowd on behalf of the Stardance Performing Arts dance studio. Here, a lyrical number titled “Dust Bowl” temporarily sees her peers form a semi-circle around Wehr. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Stepping into the spotlight

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 15, 2024
Dance has helped define Anna Wehr as a person. Performances even allow Wehr to show the audience glimpses of her personality – such as during a light-hearted jazz routine like “Feeling Good.” Blairsville, Ga.
Axton Hazel Reap was thrilled to be in his own home again July 31, just a week after a quick slip almost caused severe heartbreak.

Axton Hazel Reap was thrilled to be in his own home again July 31, just a week after a quick slip almost caused severe heartbreak.

Hold to God’s unchanging hand

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 8, 2024
Tallulah – To look at Axton Hazel Reap today, you would never know that a mere two weeks ago found the two-year-old boy fighting for his life. While attending a local Vacation Bible School on July 24, Reap was sitting near the front of the church.
Robbinsville’s Kyle Jenkins has turned his life around in the span of 12 months – and the hard work is paying off, as the musician released a song in June that has already surpassed 500,000 downloads. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Robbinsville’s Kyle Jenkins has turned his life around in the span of 12 months – and the hard work is paying off, as the musician released a song in June that has already surpassed 500,000 downloads. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

‘Half-Smoked’ leads to full success

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, August 8, 2024
Robbinsville – There is a long-standing expression about making the best of what’s in front of you: “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.”  Kyle Jenkins, 21, is enjoying some sweet lemonade right now.
An infant tragically drowned in the Cable Cove section of Fontana Lake on Saturday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

An infant tragically drowned in the Cable Cove section of Fontana Lake on Saturday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Infant drowns in Fontana Lake

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 1, 2024
Cable Cove – A Swain County family experienced an unimaginable loss Saturday, as a day of fun turned into tragedy. Around 5 p.m., the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission was notified of a distressed vessel near the Cable Cove section of Fontana Lake in Graham County.
On-hand for the launch of the new eCourts system Monday in Graham County were (from left) North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts Director Ryan Boyce; Graham County Clerk of Court Tammy Holloway; North Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul Newby,; and N.C. Administrative Office of the Courts Chief Business Officer Brad Fowler.

On-hand for the launch of the new eCourts system Monday in Graham County were (from left) North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts Director Ryan Boyce; Graham County Clerk of Court Tammy Holloway; North Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul Newby,; and N.C. Administrative Office of the Courts Chief Business Officer Brad Fowler.

eCourts now accessible in Graham County

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, July 25, 2024
Robbinsville – There have been plenty of instances through the years where elbows have brushed together inside the Graham County Clerk of Court office, as visitors and employees alike exchange pleasantries inside the cramped quarters.
Claudia, Adriana and Roman (from left) are students from Spain who spent time in America thanks to the Internal Cultural Exchange Service.

Claudia, Adriana and Roman (from left) are students from Spain who spent time in America thanks to the Internal Cultural Exchange Service.

Building relationships, one student at a time

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, July 18, 2024
Franklin – When Donna Bell invited an exchange student into her home years ago, she never dreamed it would make such a lasting impact on her family. She discovered a newfound passion for the exchange program and eventually began to work for the company.

Man drowns at Cheoah Beach

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, July 18, 2024
Lake Santeetlah – A 63-year-old employee working on the Corridor K project in Graham County drowned at Lake Santeetlah’s Cheoah Beach around 6:20 p.m. Saturday. According to three different eyewitness accounts, Chester Coleman became distressed and started yelling for assistance while in the water.
Graham County resident Susan Crowe (second from left) was presented with the Lula Owl Gloyne Person of Excellence Award at the June 15 Cherokee Indian Hospital Foundation Gala. Also pictured is Dale Robinson, Jr. (left), chairman of the Cherokee Indian Hospital Foundation; plus Judy Gloyne-Tiger and Jayden Crowe (right), family members of Lula Owl Gloyne.

Graham County resident Susan Crowe (second from left) was presented with the Lula Owl Gloyne Person of Excellence Award at the June 15 Cherokee Indian Hospital Foundation Gala. Also pictured is Dale Robinson, Jr. (left), chairman of the Cherokee Indian Hospital Foundation; plus Judy Gloyne-Tiger and Jayden Crowe (right), family members of Lula Owl Gloyne.

Under her watchful eye

Kevin Hensley
Saturday, July 6, 2024
Cherokee – The groundwork for a local resident to be named this year’s recipient of the Lula Owl Gloyne Person of Excellence Award began 12 years ago. It was the 2012 Cherokee Indian Hospital Foundation Gala.