Regional

Graham County Sheriff Brad Hoxit, U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-Hendersonville) and Swain County Sheriff Brian Kirkland (from left) stand inside the $80,000 search and rescue boat that was obtained under the federal Community Project Funding Grant on Aug. 15. The purchase of the boat and the recent acquisition of a $36,000 have both been questioned by the community. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Graham County Sheriff Brad Hoxit, U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-Hendersonville) and Swain County Sheriff Brian Kirkland (from left) stand inside the $80,000 search and rescue boat that was obtained under the federal Community Project Funding Grant on Aug. 15. The purchase of the boat and the recent acquisition of a $36,000 have both been questioned by the community. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Sheriff's office spending addressed

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 29, 2026
Robbinsville – Graham County commission candidate Chase Lancaster had already traded barbs with a pair of his potential fellow board members at the Jan. 20 meeting when the topic of a search-and-rescue boat acquired by the sheriff's office last year was broached.

Teen fugitive arrested in county

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 22, 2026
Snowbird – A tip from 785 miles away led to Graham County deputies arresting a fugitive that had fled custody.  Jacob Hunter James of Atlanta, Texas, was arrested Jan.
Four counties and the Qualla Boundary in western North Carolina were selected to participate in the 2026 U.S. Test Census. This graphic details why the Census Bureau chose the area. Graphics courtesy of U.S. Census Bureau

Four counties and the Qualla Boundary in western North Carolina were selected to participate in the 2026 U.S. Test Census. This graphic details why the Census Bureau chose the area. Graphics courtesy of U.S. Census Bureau

Graham County selected as part of 2026 test census

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 15, 2026
Washington – As part of planned improvements to the 230-year-old process, Graham County has been chosen as one of the locations across the country to participate in the 2026 test census. In a press release about the test run, the U.S.

4 arrests made for fentanyl possession

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 15, 2026
Tallulah – The Graham County Sheriff's Office rang in the New Year by making a positive impact on the local distribution of fentanyl, arresting four individuals for suspected possession of the deadly substance.

Bible Study coming to Shepherd of the Mountains

News Staff
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Murphy – Men, women and teens are invited to participate in a Bible Study based on the book "Exposing the Spiritual Roots of Disease" – plus its study guide, compiled by Dr. Henry W. Wright. The subtitle of both books is “Powerful Answers to your Questions about Healing and Disease Prevention.
AdventHealth – which operates a facility in Robbinsville – implemented visitor restrictions last week.

AdventHealth – which operates a facility in Robbinsville – implemented visitor restrictions last week.

AdventHealth implements temporary visitor restrictions

News Staff
Monday, January 5, 2026
Hendersonville – Due to an increase in respiratory illnesses across the region – including flu, COVID-19 and RSV – AdventHealth is implementing temporary visitor restrictions and safety protocols at its North Carolina facilities, to help protect patients, visitors and team members.