Regional

Gerry Laschober took a picture of marks left on his wrist after being handcuffed in March 2017. Photo courtesy of Gerry Laschober

Gerry Laschober took a picture of marks left on his wrist after being handcuffed in March 2017. Photo courtesy of Gerry Laschober

Police checkpoint charges dropped 17 months later

Randy Foster
Friday, March 18, 2022
* Fourth in a series Editor’s note: This is a developing story. It is complex and involves numerous incidents, individuals and agencies.
These maps illustrate recent data on fatal and serious-injury crashes in Graham County. Maps by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

These maps illustrate recent data on fatal and serious-injury crashes in Graham County. Maps by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Stats show Cherohala Skyway is Graham County’s deadliest road

Randy Foster
Friday, March 18, 2022
The Tail of the Dragon and Hellbender 28 may be famous for their thrills (and spills), but scenic Cherohala Skyway is the most dangerous of the three major touring routes in Graham County. The trends were revealed by data collected by N.C. Department of Transportation from 2016-20.

Man shot while confronting wife

Randy Foster
Friday, March 18, 2022
Robbinsville – A Robbinsville man was shot and wounded in Lincoln County – and is facing felony charges – after he pushed his way into a Lincoln County home to check on his wife, and got into a fight with a man she had been staying with.
In a new filing, Graham County responds to the recent controversy surrounding Smoky Mountain Urgent Care.

In a new filing, Graham County responds to the recent controversy surrounding Smoky Mountain Urgent Care.

County answers Smoky Mountain Urgent Care suit

Randy Foster
Thursday, March 10, 2022
Robbinsville – Graham County and its insurance carrier have asked a judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Smoky Mountain Urgent Care. In turn, the county is making demands of its own.

Candidate filing draws crowd

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 10, 2022
Robbinsville – At long last, candidate filing for 2022 elections concluded at noon Friday. Locally, candidates turned out in droves for both the sheriff’s and board of commissioners races. Several filed for the Graham County Board of Education, while a pair of races will go uncontested.
“I Know” – by Robbinsville band director Amber Watkins – was released on iTunes in February.

“I Know” – by Robbinsville band director Amber Watkins – was released on iTunes in February.

Band director releases single

Randy Foster
Thursday, March 10, 2022
Robbinsville – Robbinsville High School band and choir director Amber Watkins has released a single called “I Know” that is available on iTunes, Apple Music, Pandora, Amazon and other online venues.
This proposed management plan for the Nantahala National Forest – “Alternative E” – has been presented to the Graham County Board of Commissioners.

This proposed management plan for the Nantahala National Forest – “Alternative E” – has been presented to the Graham County Board of Commissioners.

Management plan pitched to board of commissioners

Randy Foster
Thursday, March 10, 2022
The National Forest Service is developing plans to restore Graham County woodlands that were clearcut a century or more ago – which might make environmentalists happy, but is not sitting well with many Graham County residents.
Gerry Laschober poses at the federal courthouse in Asheville on Monday, when he filed his response to a defendant’s motion to dismiss.

Gerry Laschober poses at the federal courthouse in Asheville on Monday, when he filed his response to a defendant’s motion to dismiss.

Lawsuit followed series of brushes with law

Randy Foster
Thursday, March 3, 2022
* Second in a series Editor’s note: This is the second installment in a multi-part series that is a developing story. It is highly complex and involves numerous incidents, individuals and agencies.
Eric Reece, pastor at Robbinsville United Methodist Church, watches as honorees are named by the Institute for Emerging Issues as “making North Carolina a better place” on Feb. 22. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Eric Reece, pastor at Robbinsville United Methodist Church, watches as honorees are named by the Institute for Emerging Issues as “making North Carolina a better place” on Feb. 22. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

'Making a difference’

Randy Foster
Thursday, March 3, 2022
Fort Hill – To celebrate the unique calendar occasion of 2-22-22 – and to pay tribute to some special people across the state – the Institute for Emerging Issues at N.C. State University recognized 22 people who are making North Carolina “Better 2Gether,” and one of them is from Robbinsville.
Caution tape surrounds The Hub restaurant in Robbinsville. Fire gutted the restaurant early Sunday morning. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Caution tape surrounds The Hub restaurant in Robbinsville. Fire gutted the restaurant early Sunday morning. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

‘Hub’ of Robbinsville lost to blaze

Randy Foster
Thursday, March 3, 2022
Robbinsville – Fire gutted The Hub restaurant on Rodney Orr Bypass early Sunday morning, leaving owners scrambling over what to do next. It was the second fire to destroy a Graham County restaurant since August 2021, when the Stecoah Diner burned to the ground. It has not reopened.