Regional

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.

County closing in on new urgent care contract

Randy Foster
Thursday, January 26, 2023
Robbinsville – Graham County commissioners were expected to make final decisions after Wednesday’s press deadline on a contract with Dr. David Booth to take over urgent care operations in the county. The board of commissioners were scheduled to meet in closed session at 5 p.m.
Robbinsville Middle School Principal Tonia Walsh (right) leads a tour of officials Tuesday, including county project manager Jason Marino, county finance officer Becky Garland and interim county manager Kim Crisp (from back). Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville Middle School Principal Tonia Walsh (right) leads a tour of officials Tuesday, including county project manager Jason Marino, county finance officer Becky Garland and interim county manager Kim Crisp (from back). Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

$4.5 million well spent

Randy Foster
Thursday, January 26, 2023
Robbinsville – School officials officially unveiled the new Robbinsville Middle School addition Tuesday, a $4.5 million structure intended to relieve overcrowding at the high school/middle school complex off Sweetwater Road.

Smith named interim health director

Randy Foster
Thursday, January 26, 2023
Robbinsville – Graham County commissioners appointed Meggan Smith – a Robbinsville-based family nurse practitioner – to fill in as interim public health director, following Beth Booth’s impending departure from the Public Health Department on Feb. 3. The Board of Commissioner recessed from its Jan.

Big Brothers Big Sisters emerges from pandemic

Randy Foster
Thursday, January 19, 2023
Robbinsville – In Graham County, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina has been in a COVID-19-induced hibernation over the past couple of years. But that’s coming to an end. The organization has a new Graham County program coordinator for the first time in a number of years.
U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards (left) is given a tour of the newly-completed wing at Robbinsville Middle School by Graham County Schools Superintendent Angie Knight (center) and middle school principal Tonia Walsh on Tuesday morning. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards (left) is given a tour of the newly-completed wing at Robbinsville Middle School by Graham County Schools Superintendent Angie Knight (center) and middle school principal Tonia Walsh on Tuesday morning. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Congressman visits new middle school wing

Randy Foster
Thursday, January 19, 2023
Robbinsville – Freshman U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards spent part of Day 2 of his first tour of his sprawling 17-county congressional district with a visit to Robbinsville Middle School on Tuesday.
Graham County acting manager Kim Crisp, commissioners Natasha Williams, Jacob Nelms, Connie Orr (seated), Lynn Cody and Keith Eller (from left) appear with Dr. David Booth and his wife Cora Booth (right), following contract negotiations Monday. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Graham County acting manager Kim Crisp, commissioners Natasha Williams, Jacob Nelms, Connie Orr (seated), Lynn Cody and Keith Eller (from left) appear with Dr. David Booth and his wife Cora Booth (right), following contract negotiations Monday. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Plans for new provider underway

Randy Foster
Thursday, January 12, 2023
Robbinsville – Graham County commissioners are in final negotiations with a physician to take over urgent-care services, after Bryson City-based Smoky Mountain Urgent Care closes its Robbinsville practice at the end of this month.
John Colwell has served as executive director of REVVED UP since August 2020, but recently announced his intent to step down from the post. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

John Colwell has served as executive director of REVVED UP since August 2020, but recently announced his intent to step down from the post. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

REVVED UP starts year surrounded by questions

Randy Foster
Thursday, January 5, 2023
Robbinsville – John Colwell, chairman of the board of REVVED UP, did more than plan the organization’s annual Christmas dinner in December; he was planning his future.