Regional

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.
Director Michelle Shiplet addresses participants in Nov. 17’s meeting of the Graham Revitalization Economic Action Team (GREAT). Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Director Michelle Shiplet addresses participants in Nov. 17’s meeting of the Graham Revitalization Economic Action Team (GREAT). Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

GREAT draws leaders with visions for county

Randy Foster
Tuesday, November 22, 2022
Tapoco – Several dozen community leaders were at Tapoco Lodge for a quarterly, general-membership meeting of the Graham Revitalization Economic Action Team (GREAT) on Nov. 17.

Ella to remain

Randy Foster
Tuesday, November 22, 2022
Robbinsville – With a narrow majority, Graham County commissioners on Monday voted that a controversial emergency contraceptive medication will continue to be an option for women who seek family planning care from the Graham County Public Health Department.
Jarrett Wildcatt performs on flute during a wreath-laying ceremony at the Junaluska Memorial and Burial Site in Robbinsvillle on Nov. 16. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Jarrett Wildcatt performs on flute during a wreath-laying ceremony at the Junaluska Memorial and Burial Site in Robbinsvillle on Nov. 16. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Paying homage to a warrior

Randy Foster
Tuesday, November 22, 2022
Robbinsville – Dozens gathered on a chilly day for the mostly-annual, wreath-laying ceremony for Junaluska, a Cherokee leader whose gravesite and memorial overlook downtown Robbinsville. Junaluska is arguably Graham County’s most famous historical leader.
Tri-County Democratic Women member Jane Carver (front, center) had plenty of support when she received the distinguished Trailblazer Award in Greensboro. Front row: Elizabeth Goodwin, Democratic Women of North Carolina President; Carver; and Tri-County Democratic Women President Pat Sherrill. Standing in back are Julia Buckner, a past president of the Democratic Women of North Carolina; and Diane Snyder, Tri-County Democratic Women member.

Tri-County Democratic Women member Jane Carver (front, center) had plenty of support when she received the distinguished Trailblazer Award in Greensboro. Front row: Elizabeth Goodwin, Democratic Women of North Carolina President; Carver; and Tri-County Democratic Women President Pat Sherrill. Standing in back are Julia Buckner, a past president of the Democratic Women of North Carolina; and Diane Snyder, Tri-County Democratic Women member.

Truly a trailblazer

Randy Foster
Thursday, November 17, 2022
Greensboro – Jane Carver, a Cherokee County resident who was a founding member of the Tri-County Democratic Women’s Club, received a statewide honor during the Democratic Women of North Carolina convention, held Sept. 23-24 in Greensboro, where she received the prestigious Trailblazer Award.
Brandi Adams addressed the Graham County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday in opposition of Ella, an emergency contraceptive available through the Graham County Public Health Department. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Brandi Adams addressed the Graham County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday in opposition of Ella, an emergency contraceptive available through the Graham County Public Health Department. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Emergency contraceptive decision delayed

Randy Foster
Thursday, November 17, 2022
Robbinsville – A decision whether the Graham County Public Health Department should distribute a specific type of emergency contraceptive remains in the hands of Graham County commissioners until Monday at the earliest.

District rolls out plan to improve school grades

Randy Foster
Thursday, November 10, 2022
Robbinsville – Graham County Schools, responding to low-performance grades at two of its three schools, has developed plans to bring those grades up. The Graham County Board of Education held a special called meeting Nov. 2, to comply with deadlines to formalize the plans.
Claudine Gibson (center) argues against emergency contraception pills being provided by the Graham County Department of Public Health at Monday’s meeting. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Claudine Gibson (center) argues against emergency contraception pills being provided by the Graham County Department of Public Health at Monday’s meeting. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Commissioners postpone decision about emergency contraception

Randy Foster
Thursday, November 10, 2022
Tallulah – Graham County commissioners faced an issue that pitted their responsibilities as stewards of county government against their religious beliefs, with the hot-button topic of abortion on the agenda — the day before Election Day.