Regional

Frequent tavelers of both N.C. 143 and N.C. 28 have undoubtedly encountered sights like this one near the Johnson Gap intersection, as crews have been working feverishly to clear trees and other roadside foliage in anticipation of the Corridor K expansion. Complaints about lengthy wait times have steadily increased since clearing began in the fall. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Frequent tavelers of both N.C. 143 and N.C. 28 have undoubtedly encountered sights like this one near the Johnson Gap intersection, as crews have been working feverishly to clear trees and other roadside foliage in anticipation of the Corridor K expansion. Complaints about lengthy wait times have steadily increased since clearing began in the fall. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Tree clearing for Corridor K to cease in May

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 16, 2023
Stecoah – If your daily commute includes a trip across Stecoah Gap, chances are you have learned to insert a 20- to 30-minute buffer for your arrival time. Before earth-moving operations can begin for the long-awaited Corridor K expansion along N.C. 143 (Sweetwater Road) and N.C.
Flanked by a documentary team, Burroughs Wellcome Fund Senior Program Officer Alfred Mays greets Robbinsville High School Science Teacher Ben Davis on March 9. Mays and the film crew had traveled from Research Triangle Park to present Davis with a $175,000 check – one of just four awarded statewide. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Flanked by a documentary team, Burroughs Wellcome Fund Senior Program Officer Alfred Mays greets Robbinsville High School Science Teacher Ben Davis on March 9. Mays and the film crew had traveled from Research Triangle Park to present Davis with a $175,000 check – one of just four awarded statewide. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

District STEM teacher receives $175K award

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 16, 2023
Robbinsville – David Matheson had the entire scenario planned to perfection. Representatives from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund arrived right on-schedule, including a two-man film crew.
Wreckage of Life Force 6 blocks Middle Burningtown Road in Macon County on Friday on the morning following a crash. All four aboard survived. Photo by Mia Overton/The Franklin Press

Wreckage of Life Force 6 blocks Middle Burningtown Road in Macon County on Friday on the morning following a crash. All four aboard survived. Photo by Mia Overton/The Franklin Press

Andrews-based air ambulance crashes in Macon County

News Staff
Friday, March 10, 2023
Franklin – Four people survived when an air ambulance en route from Murphy to Asheville crashed in Macon County about 7 p.m. Thursday. Investigators were on scene Friday following the crash of Life Force 6, a medical helicopter based at Western Carolina Regional Airport near Andrews.
This Aug. 25 photo shows waters gently flowing through the now-defunct Hunting Boy Trout Farm. More than five years ago, the business found itself embroiled in a dispute with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians – one that has not been fully resolved to this day. Photo by Randy Foster/Cherokee Scout

This Aug. 25 photo shows waters gently flowing through the now-defunct Hunting Boy Trout Farm. More than five years ago, the business found itself embroiled in a dispute with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians – one that has not been fully resolved to this day. Photo by Randy Foster/Cherokee Scout

Hunting Boy settlement at stalemate

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 9, 2023
Snowbird – A local trout farm and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians are struggling to come to an agreement over allegations that the latter destroyed the business with nearby grading. Shortly after The Graham Star published an Oct.

Town names finance officer

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 2, 2023
Robbinsville – While officials are still exploring options to replace the county’s finance officer, the Town of Robbinsville is hoping it finally has a candidate for the same vacancy that will stick.

‘I want to end my career well’

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 2, 2023
Robbinsville – Under Becky Garland’s watch, Graham County’s financial woes did a 180-degree turnaround. When Garland accepted the role as the county’s finance officer in 2009, there was $1.9 million in the bank – and just $1 million of that could be used as needed (unrestricted funds).
Robbinsville Shriner Martin Oehler is joined by members of the Robbinsville Shriner’s Club, as news of his generous contribution is announced at Oasis Shriners Headquarters in Charlotte on Jan. 6. From left are Robert Britton, Treasurer; Billy Clark, Past President; Jack Long, President; Leon Allen, Secretary; Keith “Beefy” Rogers, Oehler and Jerry Gantt, former CEO of Shriners International and current Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Shriners Children’s. Photo courtesy of Mike Harding/Genesis Photog

Robbinsville Shriner Martin Oehler is joined by members of the Robbinsville Shriner’s Club, as news of his generous contribution is announced at Oasis Shriners Headquarters in Charlotte on Jan. 6. From left are Robert Britton, Treasurer; Billy Clark, Past President; Jack Long, President; Leon Allen, Secretary; Keith “Beefy” Rogers, Oehler and Jerry Gantt, former CEO of Shriners International and current Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Shriners Children’s. Photo courtesy of Mike Harding/Genesis Photog

Giving to those who need it most

Kevin Hensley
Friday, February 24, 2023
Charlotte – To be clear, all the money you have dropped in the bucket outside the Robbinsville Post Office each Friday is going to good use. Many have probably wondered just what the return of investment is on emptying your pockets or billfolds into the Robbinsville Shrine Club’s yellow container.
This map illustrates the new U.S. Forest Service management plan for a large portion of the Southern Region, as it pertains to Graham County.

This map illustrates the new U.S. Forest Service management plan for a large portion of the Southern Region, as it pertains to Graham County.

Forest Service releases responses to management plans

Randy Foster
Thursday, January 26, 2023
Robbinsville – The U.S. Forest Service issued a Jan. 19 response to objection issues raised for the revised Nantahala and Pisgah forest plan.
Following a public hearing in November, the N.C. Department of Transportation has opted to replace this aging bridge on Lower Mill Creek Road, instead of the original plan to remove the bridge and construct two turnarounds. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Following a public hearing in November, the N.C. Department of Transportation has opted to replace this aging bridge on Lower Mill Creek Road, instead of the original plan to remove the bridge and construct two turnarounds. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Lower Mill Creek Bridge will be replaced

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 26, 2023
Tallulah – They listened. Officials with the N.C. Department of Transportation were greeted by a large turnout of opposition to a Nov.