Regional

Graham County Transit has once again received a safety award from the state level. From left are Michael Collins, NEMT coordinator; Donna Hill, dispatch schedule operator; Tracy Jenkins, assistant director; and drivers Angie Jenkins, Micheal Badalucca, Tommy Holland and Terry Crawford. Photo by Ruby Annas/news@grahamstar.com

Graham County Transit has once again received a safety award from the state level. From left are Michael Collins, NEMT coordinator; Donna Hill, dispatch schedule operator; Tracy Jenkins, assistant director; and drivers Angie Jenkins, Micheal Badalucca, Tommy Holland and Terry Crawford. Photo by Ruby Annas/news@grahamstar.com

Graham County Transit receives reward … again

Ruby Annas
Friday, September 22, 2023
West Fort Hill – The results speak for themselves: if you want a safe trip, Graham County Transit has you covered. For the fifth time in a six-year span (2018, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023), the department was awarded a safety award from the N.C. Public Transportation Association.

New plan includes return of manned trash sites

Ruby Annas
Friday, September 22, 2023
Robbinsville – After voting last month to explore a reduction in the number of available trash sites across Graham County, the board of commissioners heard a proposal from sanitation director Gavin Colvard at Tuesday’s pre-meeting workshop.
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians member Bo Taylor leads a friendship dance around the mound at the Little Snowbird campground on Sept. 14. The “Earth Keepers” ceremony drew spectators from various countries across society. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians member Bo Taylor leads a friendship dance around the mound at the Little Snowbird campground on Sept. 14. The “Earth Keepers” ceremony drew spectators from various countries across society. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Mound visit

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, September 21, 2023
Eastern Band Elder Alfred Welch began Sept. 14’s “Earth Keepers” mound dance with a traditional Cherokee prayer. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star Snowbird – Imagine a world of beauty, nature and wellness – a world of peace.
The N.C. Department of Transportation recently activated a warning light to alert drivers approaching the busy U.S. 19/74/129 intersection in Topton. Photo by Kelsey Krizsan/The Graham Star

The N.C. Department of Transportation recently activated a warning light to alert drivers approaching the busy U.S. 19/74/129 intersection in Topton. Photo by Kelsey Krizsan/The Graham Star

Topton warning lights activated

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 14, 2023
Topton – It is a meeting point for frequent carpoolers, three counties and all four cardinal directions of travel. It is also in a location with no cell-phone reception, so when an accident occurs, help can often be delayed until a third party can go somewhere to call for emergency assistance.
The Trinity Church Wall Street rings the Bell of Hope at St. Paul’s Chapel each year to remember those who were killed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

The Trinity Church Wall Street rings the Bell of Hope at St. Paul’s Chapel each year to remember those who were killed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

‘Where were you when the world stopped turning?’

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, September 14, 2023
It’s one of those “when Kennedy was assassinated” or “when you found out Elvis died” memories that everyone can relate to if you were alive at the time. Sept. 11, 2001, will forever be embedded in the hearts and minds of every American citizen.
Marvin “Jim Tom” Hedrick became known worldwide for his long run as one of the featured subjects on the Discovery Channel’s show, “Moonshiners.” The Graham County native passed away Sept. 6 and the tributes that poured in painted a universally-beloved picture of “Jim Tom.”

Marvin “Jim Tom” Hedrick became known worldwide for his long run as one of the featured subjects on the Discovery Channel’s show, “Moonshiners.” The Graham County native passed away Sept. 6 and the tributes that poured in painted a universally-beloved picture of “Jim Tom.”

Farewell to a native son

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 14, 2023
“I out-slickered ‘em.” In an interview with The Graham Star in 2013, Marvin “Jim Tom” Hedrick displayed a badge of honor when pointing out he was never arrested for producing moonshine throughout his life. Hedrick passed away Sept.
A model of a C-141B cargo jet sits on a pedestal amid roses and U.S. flags distributed to surviving family members of the crew of nine Air Force servicemen killed in a crash on Aug. 31, 1982, at a memorial service held on the 40-year anniversary of the tragedy. Coverage of the service received a second-place award at the state level. Photo by Randy Foster/Community Newspapers, Inc.

A model of a C-141B cargo jet sits on a pedestal amid roses and U.S. flags distributed to surviving family members of the crew of nine Air Force servicemen killed in a crash on Aug. 31, 1982, at a memorial service held on the 40-year anniversary of the tragedy. Coverage of the service received a second-place award at the state level. Photo by Randy Foster/Community Newspapers, Inc.

Star wins 11 awards from N.C. Press Association

News Staff
Thursday, August 31, 2023
Tallulah – Since 1955, The Graham Star has proudly served as your award-winning source for all things Graham County, N.C. This year, the N.C.
Appalachian Mountain Community Health Center’s Hannah Anderson has not stopped beaming with pride about the clinic’s new x-ray machine, which arrived earlier this month. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Appalachian Mountain Community Health Center’s Hannah Anderson has not stopped beaming with pride about the clinic’s new x-ray machine, which arrived earlier this month. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Seeing the crisis through a different lens

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 31, 2023
Tallulah – It was time to hit the “update” button on the machine. In a manner of speaking.
Nurse practitioners Meggan Smith (left) and Norma Burdette have both joined the staff at the Graham County Department of Public Health. The hires are a resolution to the void that Graham County Urgent Care & Family Practice’s closing could have on local healthcare. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Nurse practitioners Meggan Smith (left) and Norma Burdette have both joined the staff at the Graham County Department of Public Health. The hires are a resolution to the void that Graham County Urgent Care & Family Practice’s closing could have on local healthcare. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

One door closes, another door opens

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 31, 2023
Tallulah – Citing “ongoing unexpected financial issues,” The Graham Star was informed just as the final copies of its Aug. 24 edition rolled off the press that Graham County Urgent Care & Family Practice was closing exactly one week earlier than believed. Dr.
Gloria Struck – a pioneer in the motorcycle world – will be attending this year’s Lace, Grace and Gears rally in Graham County.

Gloria Struck – a pioneer in the motorcycle world – will be attending this year’s Lace, Grace and Gears rally in Graham County.

It takes a Village: ‘Unique’ rally arrives in county

Kevin Hensley
Friday, August 25, 2023
Over a span of four days, attendees will tame the mighty ‘Dragon,’ rumble through Robbinsville and enjoy a plethora of fun activities at Fontana Village Resort.