Regional

Participants of the Snowbird Breast Cancer 3K Walk create a ribbon shape inside the Jacob Cornsilk Community Complex on Monday, as an ode to breast-cancer survivors and fighters. Photo by Ruby Annas/news@grahamstar.com

Participants of the Snowbird Breast Cancer 3K Walk create a ribbon shape inside the Jacob Cornsilk Community Complex on Monday, as an ode to breast-cancer survivors and fighters. Photo by Ruby Annas/news@grahamstar.com

Uniting to raise awareness

Ruby Annas
Friday, October 20, 2023
Snowbird – Among the cloudy and cold Monday morning, raindrops fell on pink signs along the road where 100 people walked a mile and a half to shine a light on breast cancer awareness. “I didn’t realize at the time how important support from friends, family, people in the community was.

Four Square receives grant for housing aid

Ruby Annas
Friday, October 13, 2023
Sylva – Four Square Community Action is a 2022 recipient of a combined $120,000 from the Southwestern HOME Consortium. The Home Investment Partnerships Programs consortium awarded a total of $850,000 to four projects in the region that will construct, enhance or assist in housing citizens.

Grades hold steady for district

Ruby Annas
Thursday, October 5, 2023
Robbinsville – The Graham County Board of Education learned about the district’s growth at Tuesday’s meeting. Graham County Schools Accountability Director Kevin White presented the growth and proficiency test rates of Graham County Schools midway through the assembly.
A smoky close-up of the Sept. 26 destruction on the Fontana Lake peninsula. Photo courtesy of Great Smoky Mountains National Park

A smoky close-up of the Sept. 26 destruction on the Fontana Lake peninsula. Photo courtesy of Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Wildfire tamed on Fontana Lake

Ruby Annas
Thursday, October 5, 2023
Fontana Dam – A 10-acre forest fire on Fontana Lake is now contained. The fire was reported around 1:30 p.m. Sept. 26, near backcountry campsite 87 on Fontana Lake. The campsite is located on the peninsula closet to the Fontana Dam.

‘Death by Distribution’ changes enacted

Ruby Annas
Thursday, October 5, 2023
Raleigh – The General Assembly passed – and Gov. Roy Cooper recently signed into law – Senate Bill 189, “Fentanyl Drug Offense and Related Changes.” The bill revises North Carolina’s Death by Distribution law, as well as fentanyl crimes.

Corridor K worker injured in dozer accident

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 28, 2023
Sweetwater – Details were still sketchy at press time Wednesday, but what was clear was tragedy was narrowly avoided in a Monday-afternoon incident. N.C. Department of Transportation Communications Officer David Uchiyama told The Graham Star on Tuesday that the Sevierville, Tenn.
Dadiwonisi Language Program graduates stand in recognition at the end of Tuesday’s ceremony. From left are Jazlyn “Wadulisi” McEntire, Cailon “Uwodsdi” Garland, Kirstie “Tsayga” Frady and Gina “Amage” Myers. Photo by Ruby Annas/news@grahamstar.com

Dadiwonisi Language Program graduates stand in recognition at the end of Tuesday’s ceremony. From left are Jazlyn “Wadulisi” McEntire, Cailon “Uwodsdi” Garland, Kirstie “Tsayga” Frady and Gina “Amage” Myers. Photo by Ruby Annas/news@grahamstar.com

Dadiwonisi

Ruby Annas
Thursday, September 28, 2023
Snowbird – The first graduating class of the Dadiwonisi Adult Language Program embodied the meaning of the program’s name – “We are all going to speak” – as they spoke in Cherokee, thanking their community and accepted their certificates in a moving ceremony Tuesday.

Budget ushers in new county investments

Ruby Annas
Thursday, September 28, 2023
Raleigh – On Friday, the North Carolina General Assembly passed the biennium state budget. The budget provides raises for state employees and teachers, substantial infrastructure funding and more.