Regional

A three-year state grant has made sure nurse practitioners’ Norma Burdette (left) and Meggan Smith continue to serve patients at the Graham County Department of Public Health. Photo courtesy of Donna Stephens/Graham County Department of Public Health

A three-year state grant has made sure nurse practitioners’ Norma Burdette (left) and Meggan Smith continue to serve patients at the Graham County Department of Public Health. Photo courtesy of Donna Stephens/Graham County Department of Public Health

Grant retains pair of nurse practitioners

Kevin Hensley
Saturday, July 6, 2024
Tallulah – The Graham County Department of Public Health has ensured non-stop medical care for the next three years. Thanks to a yearly community health grant of $150,000 from the N.C.
Graham County Schools received the lowest bus inspection rating in Western North Carolina from the N.C. Department of Public Inspection. The district’s transportation department was recognized at June 27’s special-called board of education meeting. From left are Adam Harkins, transportation director; Lisa Ford, transportation administrative assistant; and David Lovingood, transportation mechanic. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Graham County Schools received the lowest bus inspection rating in Western North Carolina from the N.C. Department of Public Inspection. The district’s transportation department was recognized at June 27’s special-called board of education meeting. From left are Adam Harkins, transportation director; Lisa Ford, transportation administrative assistant; and David Lovingood, transportation mechanic. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

School transportation earns regional accolades

Kevin Hensley
Saturday, July 6, 2024
Robbinsville – A random April inspection of three standard school buses and one activity bus highly impressed officials from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
Rep. Chuck Edwards listens intently while a member of the audience shares her concerns over the closing of Cable Cove Campground during Edwards’ town hall visit June 20. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Rep. Chuck Edwards listens intently while a member of the audience shares her concerns over the closing of Cable Cove Campground during Edwards’ town hall visit June 20. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Unplugged

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, June 26, 2024
Robbinsville – For the better part of 90 minutes, the congressional representative for Western North Carolina both discussed and heard topics weighing heavy on Graham County’s mind. Rep.
With temperatures Monday afternoon in the 90s, participants in this year’s Elder Abuse Awareness Walk called an audible and made laps around the Graham County Community Building’s meeting room, where a corresponding fair had just wrapped up hours earlier. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

With temperatures Monday afternoon in the 90s, participants in this year’s Elder Abuse Awareness Walk called an audible and made laps around the Graham County Community Building’s meeting room, where a corresponding fair had just wrapped up hours earlier. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Walk in their shoes

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, June 20, 2024
Robbinsville – Elder abuse is a growing concern as the number of adults over the age of 65 in North Carolina grows.  By 2025, 1-in-5 residents will be over 65. Longevity creates greater opportunity for older adults to experience maltreatment, whether physical, emotional or financial.

County participating in World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Latresa Phillips
Friday, June 14, 2024
Robbinsville – June 17 has been designated as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day by the United Nations’ General Assembly. The purpose of the day is to provide communities around the world with an opportunity to gain a better understanding of the abuse and neglect of older persons.

Measuring miracles: one foot at a time

Latresa Phillips
Friday, June 14, 2024
In 1991, Murphy’s Betsy Lane heard a segment on National Public Radio about getting new shoes for needy kids. As a child, she could remember her own need for shoes. She was so touched that she began collecting and donating shoes in Cherokee County.

Snake encounter triggers rescue mission

Marshall McClung
Friday, June 14, 2024
Slickrock – Graham County Rescue Squad members were dispatched around 8:25 p.m., Saturday, in response to a 911 call about a hiker having difficulties. A group of seven individuals – who were members of the Smoky Mountain Hiking Club, from the Knoxville area – had left Big Fat Gap around 10:30 a.m.
The last section of the Corridor K project – much of which includes this strip of North Carolina Highway 28, shown Oct. 19 – has received $20 million in funding, thanks to the work of Congressman Chuck Edwards. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

The last section of the Corridor K project – much of which includes this strip of North Carolina Highway 28, shown Oct. 19 – has received $20 million in funding, thanks to the work of Congressman Chuck Edwards. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Final leg of ‘K’ gets $20 million

Kevin Hensley
Friday, June 14, 2024
Stecoah – As three separate crews progress through the massive undertaking that is the “Corridor K” expansion, the last unfunded section of the current project has received new life. In a May 28 press release, Congressional Rep.
Richard “Dick” Evans (left) was surprised by Heath Emmons with the U.S. Forest Service and the Partners of Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness on Monday with the Region 8 Volunteer of the Year Award. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Richard “Dick” Evans (left) was surprised by Heath Emmons with the U.S. Forest Service and the Partners of Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness on Monday with the Region 8 Volunteer of the Year Award. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

3rd time’s the charm

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, June 6, 2024
There are roughly 3,800 acres of land inside the borders of the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest. Chances are, Dick Evans knows every inch of them like the back of his hand. A volunteer with the U.S.
Graham County residents will only have to wait 2 ½ more months for the return of a local urgent care, which will be housed in this building in downtown Robbinsville. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Graham County residents will only have to wait 2 ½ more months for the return of a local urgent care, which will be housed in this building in downtown Robbinsville. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Urgent care opens Aug. 1

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 23, 2024
Robbinsville – Local residents can finally circle a day on their calendars for the return of urgent-care services to Graham County.