Regional

Dignitaries participate in a ceremonial groundbreaking for the Corridor K highway project in Graham County at Robbinsville High School on Monday. From left are Ronnie Keeter, Wanda Austin, Brian Burch, John Sullivan, Eric Boyette, Chris Peoples, Dirk Cody, Connie Orr and Jacob Nelms. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Dignitaries participate in a ceremonial groundbreaking for the Corridor K highway project in Graham County at Robbinsville High School on Monday. From left are Ronnie Keeter, Wanda Austin, Brian Burch, John Sullivan, Eric Boyette, Chris Peoples, Dirk Cody, Connie Orr and Jacob Nelms. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Corridor K breaks ground

Randy Foster
Thursday, October 6, 2022
Robbinsville – Fifty-seven years in the making, the ceremony to mark the start of the ‘Corridor K’ highway project in Graham County on Monday morning was delayed by another hour and a half.
Graham County Health Director Beth Booth displays her Ron Levine Public Health Award, which was given to all directors in North Carolina. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Graham County Health Director Beth Booth displays her Ron Levine Public Health Award, which was given to all directors in North Carolina. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

‘God put me here’

Kevin Hensley
Friday, September 30, 2022
Tallulah – It is a very distinguished award, but this year’s winners might be the most deserving yet. Helping wade through the murky waters of the COVID-19 pandemic, local health directors – 85 to be exact – across North Carolina were recently presented with the Ron Levine Public Health Award.

Second Corridor K contracts opened

Kevin Hensley
Friday, September 30, 2022
Raleigh – Six companies were in the mix when the first round of Corridor K letting took place Aug. 16. Just two pitches were received for the second segment – and for good reason: it is the most daunting task in the process. At an estimate of $83,824,722.
These are among the over-150 hammerhead worms that Kenneth Brooms has found in his garden off Sweetwater Road. Brooms said he started noticing the worms about four months ago. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

These are among the over-150 hammerhead worms that Kenneth Brooms has found in his garden off Sweetwater Road. Brooms said he started noticing the worms about four months ago. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Invasive worm shows up in Graham County

Randy Foster
Thursday, September 22, 2022
Sweetwater – The first sighting of hammerhead worms – an invasive flatworm from Southeast Asia that preys on beneficial earthworms and could be called the kudzu of insects – has been identified in Graham County.

COVID takes toll on test scores

Randy Foster
Thursday, September 15, 2022
Robbinsville – Graham County Schools test scores from the last school year have been released, clearly demonstrating that in terms of education, the pandemic had consequences.
Plans are in progress to repair a washed-out section of the lower loop trail at Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, which has left half the loop inaccessible off and on for about two years. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Plans are in progress to repair a washed-out section of the lower loop trail at Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, which has left half the loop inaccessible off and on for about two years. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Help is on the way

Randy Foster
Thursday, September 8, 2022
At Nantahala National Forest’s Cheoah District, which encompasses around 2/3 of Graham County, it’s been a rough couple of years.

Leaders hear concerns at special meeting

Randy Foster
Thursday, September 8, 2022
Robbinsville – Graham County’s state legislators were in Robbinsville on Sept. 1, to hear concerns from county government and school officials about funding needs, and the impacts of state legislation on local spending.
A model of a C-141B cargo jet sits on a pedestal amid roses and U.S. flags distributed to surviving family members of the crew of nine Air Force servicemen killed in a crash on Aug. 31, 1982, at a memorial service held on the 40-year anniversary of the tragedy. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

A model of a C-141B cargo jet sits on a pedestal amid roses and U.S. flags distributed to surviving family members of the crew of nine Air Force servicemen killed in a crash on Aug. 31, 1982, at a memorial service held on the 40-year anniversary of the tragedy. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Aug. 31, 1982

Randy Foster
Thursday, September 8, 2022
Cherohala – It was a tragedy that did more than cut short the lives of nine elite U.S.
A life-flight helicopter takes off from the West Buffalo Creek bridge – just below the Cherohala Skyway – on Aug. 23, after a motorcycle crash. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

A life-flight helicopter takes off from the West Buffalo Creek bridge – just below the Cherohala Skyway – on Aug. 23, after a motorcycle crash. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Alabama man life-flighted after Skyway motorcycle crash

Randy Foster
Thursday, September 1, 2022
Cherohala – An Alabama motorcyclist was airlifted for medical treatment after he ran off the road and crashed on Cherohala Skyway on Aug. 23. The crash occurred on a sharp bend of Cherohala Skyway between West Buffalo Road and Santeetlah Road, according to the Highway Patrol report.