Regional

Roadside clearing for the upcoming Corridor K expansion has progressed quickly on N.C. 143, with crews beginning at the U.S. 129 intersection and already reaching this location near Nathan Garland Road. A local contractor was awarded the third planned segment of the improvements Dec. 20. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Roadside clearing for the upcoming Corridor K expansion has progressed quickly on N.C. 143, with crews beginning at the U.S. 129 intersection and already reaching this location near Nathan Garland Road. A local contractor was awarded the third planned segment of the improvements Dec. 20. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Local company awarded 3rd ‘K’ section

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 29, 2022
Raleigh – Bids for the now-third planned section of Corridor K improvements through Graham County were unsealed Dec. 20. And for the first time since “letting” (awarding of contracts) began Aug. 16, a local contractor is in the mix. Adams Contracting Company, Inc. outbid Sevierville, Tenn.
With a vote in favor of beer and wine sales passing on the 2021 municipial ballot, retailers across Robbinsville have began stocking the beverages – including this corner at the Sunoco station at the intersection of U.S. 129 and Massey Branch Road. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

With a vote in favor of beer and wine sales passing on the 2021 municipial ballot, retailers across Robbinsville have began stocking the beverages – including this corner at the Sunoco station at the intersection of U.S. 129 and Massey Branch Road. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Forward progress

News Staff
Thursday, December 29, 2022
* 2022 Year in Review From the first legal alcohol sales within Robbinsville since 1948, to newly-elected officials; individual state champions to lawsuits with widespread impact, The Graham Star ends 2022 by digging deep into its recent archives and looking back at 10 of the most-significant...

Report provides insight into Ella vote

Randy Foster
Thursday, December 29, 2022
Robbinsville – In November, the Graham County Board of Commissioners was split over whether to continue providing the emergency contraceptive called Ella through the Public Health Department.
Dale Wiggins, former county commissioner and chairman of the Graham County Travel and Tourism board of directors, holds a certificate presented to him for his service on the board at the Dec. 1 meeting. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Dale Wiggins, former county commissioner and chairman of the Graham County Travel and Tourism board of directors, holds a certificate presented to him for his service on the board at the Dec. 1 meeting. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Graham County to highlight riches of trails

Randy Foster
Thursday, December 22, 2022
Robbinsville – The Year of the Trail in North Carolina will be in 2023 and Graham County plays a prominent part. Why? Here are some examples: * Appalachian Trail: The trail extends about 2,200 miles from Springer Mountain, Ga., to Mount Katahdin in Maine, of which Graham County has 22 miles.
Graham County resident Brandi Adams addresses the local health board during Nov. 15’s special-called meeting about the controversial “Ella” emergency contraceptive. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Graham County resident Brandi Adams addresses the local health board during Nov. 15’s special-called meeting about the controversial “Ella” emergency contraceptive. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

County not liable for firing

Randy Foster
Thursday, December 22, 2022
Robbinsville – Amid controversy over whether the Graham County Public Health Department should be dispensing emergency contraceptives, another controversy simmers.
Graham County Sheriff’s Office Detective Jeff Knight (right) received the Advanced Service Award from the N.C. Sheriffs’ Education and Training Standards Commission. With Knight is Graham County Sheriff Jerry Crisp.

Graham County Sheriff’s Office Detective Jeff Knight (right) received the Advanced Service Award from the N.C. Sheriffs’ Education and Training Standards Commission. With Knight is Graham County Sheriff Jerry Crisp.

Detective receives Advanced Service Award

Kevin Hensley
Friday, December 2, 2022
Robbinsville – A local detective has received a distinguished award from a state-level entity. The N.C. Department of Justice Sheriffs’ Standards Division afforded Graham County Sheriff’s Office Detective Jeff Knight with the Advanced Service Award on June 17.
AdventHealth was recently selected to build a 67-bed hospital in the Candler area. Graham was pinpointed as 1-of-4 counties that would be included in the hospital’s coverage area.

AdventHealth was recently selected to build a 67-bed hospital in the Candler area. Graham was pinpointed as 1-of-4 counties that would be included in the hospital’s coverage area.

AdventHealth awarded certificate for 67-bed hospital

Randy Foster
Friday, December 2, 2022
Candler – AdventHealth was chosen over two contenders to build a 67-acute care bed hospital just west of Asheville in Buncombe County, for a hospital service area that includes Graham, Buncombe, Yancey and Madison counties.
Each December, volunteers visit Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, D.C., to wreaths on gravestones. The annual tradition started in 1992 and one local family started participating in the memorial a few years ago.

Each December, volunteers visit Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, D.C., to wreaths on gravestones. The annual tradition started in 1992 and one local family started participating in the memorial a few years ago.

Honoring those who paid the ultimate price

Randy Foster
Friday, December 2, 2022
As president of Townson-Smith Funeral Home in Robbinsville and the third-generation of the Smith family to work in the funeral-service industry, April Smith Gladden has dedicated her professional life to the thoughtful care of the departed.
Becky Garland – standing at the podium during a Board of Health meeting on Nov. 21 – is a Cherokee County resident and Graham County Government finance director. She clocked out from her job so that she could argue on behalf of family planning services. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Becky Garland – standing at the podium during a Board of Health meeting on Nov. 21 – is a Cherokee County resident and Graham County Government finance director. She clocked out from her job so that she could argue on behalf of family planning services. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

County combating controversy

Randy Foster
Friday, December 2, 2022
Robbinsville – For Bible Belt county commissioners, few issues weigh more heavily than birth control.
Three waterfalls located short distances from this point on Upper Santeetlah Road have had names proposed for them. The U.S. Board of Geographic Names assigned names to two of the waterfalls, but delayed action on the third. All three are close to the road, but are difficult to see from there. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Three waterfalls located short distances from this point on Upper Santeetlah Road have had names proposed for them. The U.S. Board of Geographic Names assigned names to two of the waterfalls, but delayed action on the third. All three are close to the road, but are difficult to see from there. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Two local waterfalls formally named

Randy Foster
Tuesday, November 22, 2022
Santeetlah – Two waterfalls in the Santeetlah Creek watershed have been formally named, with a decision delayed in naming a third. All three waterfalls are within a short distance of each other, just off of Upper Santeetlah Road.