Regional

Alyssa Monroe’s detailed facepaint was a hit at the Oct. 31, 2020 Robbinsville High School Trunk-or-Treat. Her cheerful demeanor was enough to convince judges of the 2021 N.C. Press Association News, Editorial and Photojournalism contest that former Graham Star staff photographer Art Miller should receive first place in the Photography, General News competition for capturing Monroe in the moment. Photo by Art Miller/The Graham Star

Alyssa Monroe’s detailed facepaint was a hit at the Oct. 31, 2020 Robbinsville High School Trunk-or-Treat. Her cheerful demeanor was enough to convince judges of the 2021 N.C. Press Association News, Editorial and Photojournalism contest that former Graham Star staff photographer Art Miller should receive first place in the Photography, General News competition for capturing Monroe in the moment. Photo by Art Miller/The Graham Star

Graham Star wins 4 state press awards

News Staff
Thursday, September 1, 2022
Tallulah – Four of the N.C. Press Association’s 2021 awards were clinched by The Graham Star, which has provided unparalleled news coverage from and around Graham County, N.C. since 1955. The Star received one first-place nod, as well as three awards for third place. All winners of the 2021 N.C.
This map from the N.C. Department of Transportation – dated May 23 – shows the path the Corridor K improvements will take through Graham County (green line). Map courtesy of N.C. Department of Transportation

This map from the N.C. Department of Transportation – dated May 23 – shows the path the Corridor K improvements will take through Graham County (green line). Map courtesy of N.C. Department of Transportation

First round of Corridor K bidding concludes

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 25, 2022
Raleigh – The first contracts for the Corridor K expansion in Graham County have been unsealed. The N.C. Department of Transportation closed the “letting” (acceptance of bids) period for the first of three planned roadway improvements Aug.

Louisiana man dies in two-vehicle accident 

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 18, 2022
Santeetlah – A 31-year-old Louisiana man was killed in a two-vehicle accident Friday on U.S. 129.  Lafayette resident James B. Mills II was traveling southbound toward Robbinsville among a string of motorcycles around 3 p.m.
This photo, taken Monday afternoon off Rodney Orr Bypass, shows gas prices of $3.79 per gallon at the Shell (front) and 76 stations. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

This photo, taken Monday afternoon off Rodney Orr Bypass, shows gas prices of $3.79 per gallon at the Shell (front) and 76 stations. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Drivers get relief as gas prices ease

Randy Foster
Thursday, August 18, 2022
If you drive, gas prices have probably been on your mind recently, especially if you live in Robbinsville or are motoring your way through Graham County.
Dave Crouch of Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada, drove for three days to make it to Fontana Village in his 2011 Miata. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Dave Crouch of Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada, drove for three days to make it to Fontana Village in his 2011 Miata. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Alotta Miata!

Randy Foster
Thursday, August 11, 2022
Fontana Dam – Undeterred by waves of heavy rain and a power outage spread over several days, Mazda Miata enthusiasts converged on Graham County for an annual four-day weekend of thrilling drives, camaraderie and opportunities to buy parts for their fiercely-loved, compact sports cars.
Connie Orr, chairman of the Graham County Board of Commissioners, lawyer Dale Curriden and Juanita Colvard, who helped develop the county’s plan for urgent care and imaging services (from left) confer in court Monday, while waiting on a judge’s ruling in a lawsuit filed by Smoky Mountain Urgent Care. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Connie Orr, chairman of the Graham County Board of Commissioners, lawyer Dale Curriden and Juanita Colvard, who helped develop the county’s plan for urgent care and imaging services (from left) confer in court Monday, while waiting on a judge’s ruling in a lawsuit filed by Smoky Mountain Urgent Care. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

County can evict urgent care

Randy Foster
Thursday, August 11, 2022
Robbinsville – A Superior Court judge ruled against Smoky Mountain Urgent Care’s Robbinsville clinic on Monday, saying it was in breach of its contracts with Graham County and that the county is entitled to evict the practice from the county-owned building where the clinic has operated since 2018.
Pictured is a mobile hotspot that Graham County Schools will check out for free use by those without internet. Though 300 are available, only 15 have been checked out. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Pictured is a mobile hotspot that Graham County Schools will check out for free use by those without internet. Though 300 are available, only 15 have been checked out. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Group working to improve county’s digital access

Randy Foster
Wednesday, August 3, 2022
West Fort Hill – The Southwest Commission is researching ways to improve rural internet access – with Dogwood Health Trust grant money available – and is conducting scoping meetings to identify specific needs in North Carolina’s westernmost counties including Graham County.

Settlement reached in land company lawsuit

Randy Foster
Wednesday, August 3, 2022
Tallulah – Two key executives at Graham County Land Company reached settlement agreements with a lender that claimed to be owed millions of dollars by the bankrupted company, and all claims were dismissed against a third company officer.

Slickrock Rescue ends after 18 hours

Marshall McClung
Thursday, July 28, 2022
Getting an injured person out of the woods is never an easy task. This is especially true of the Slickrock area of Graham County. Around 7:23 p.m. July 20, Graham County 911 received a call about a hiker with a fractured ankle, who had been injured six hours earlier.