Regional

EcoKing Solutions Chairman Ping Zhang heartedly addresses those on-hand for July 22's press conference at the Graham County Community Building, where it was revealed that the China-based manufacturer will create 300 new jobs in the region during its first phase of operations in Robbinsville. At Zhang's left is EcoKing Solutions Vice President John Lin. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

EcoKing Solutions Chairman Ping Zhang heartedly addresses those on-hand for July 22's press conference at the Graham County Community Building, where it was revealed that the China-based manufacturer will create 300 new jobs in the region during its first phase of operations in Robbinsville. At Zhang's left is EcoKing Solutions Vice President John Lin. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Top stories of 2025

Kevin Hensley
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
From devastating weather events to life-altering judicial decisions; positive economic announcements to another solid presentation in local athletics; the year 2025 in Graham County was chronicled thoroughly within the pages of your hometown newspaper.

Jan. 16 deemed 'Ronnie Milsap Day'

Kevin Hensley
Friday, December 26, 2025
Robbinsville – Graham County's most famous son will soon add another historic piece of recognition to his long-standing legacy. Commissioner Connie Orr presented a proclamation at Dec. 16's board meeting to declare Jan. 16 as "Ronnie Milsap Day.
Beloved Woman and native Cherokee language speaker Ella Bird was featured in the PBS-NC documentary A Sacred Thread, which premiered this summer. Bird's on-screen quote is referencing a speech made by then-Chief Richard Sneed, regarding the disappearance of the Cherokee language and its native speakers.

Beloved Woman and native Cherokee language speaker Ella Bird was featured in the PBS-NC documentary A Sacred Thread, which premiered this summer. Bird's on-screen quote is referencing a speech made by then-Chief Richard Sneed, regarding the disappearance of the Cherokee language and its native speakers.

'A Sacred Thread’

News Staff
Friday, December 19, 2025
By Nicole Wright Cherokee Scout Andrews – Many people relate the story of the first Thanksgiving: of how pilgrims and natives gathered to share a meal. Many also hopefully took a chance to celebrate Native American Indian Heritage Month in November.
Robbinsville High School CTE Instructor Megan Williams (left) joins students Ashley Howell (center) and Jazmin Crisp atop Mount LeConte during the program's recent field trip.

Robbinsville High School CTE Instructor Megan Williams (left) joins students Ashley Howell (center) and Jazmin Crisp atop Mount LeConte during the program's recent field trip.

Reaching new heights

Latresa Phillips
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
On Nov. 5, Robbinsville High School Career and Technical Education instructors Rick Parham and Megan Williams took a hike. This was no ordinary hike, however.
Members of both the Robbinsville United Methodist Church and Bryson City First Baptist Church choirs will hold a Christmas concert entitled “Music in the Mountains” at 3 p.m., Saturday. The groups met for rehearsal Sunday.

Members of both the Robbinsville United Methodist Church and Bryson City First Baptist Church choirs will hold a Christmas concert entitled “Music in the Mountains” at 3 p.m., Saturday. The groups met for rehearsal Sunday.

Combining efforts for a higher cause

Latresa Phillips
Friday, December 5, 2025
West Fort Hill – On Sunday, members of both the Robbinsville United Methodist Church and Bryson City First Baptist Church choirs met together for the first rehearsal of a concert that will take place at 3 p.m., Saturday, at Robbinsville United Methodist Church.
This is all that remains of a 2021 Toyota 4Runner that was involved in a two-vehicle accident Friday on Tallulah Road.

This is all that remains of a 2021 Toyota 4Runner that was involved in a two-vehicle accident Friday on Tallulah Road.

Car crash leaves two injured

Kevin Hensley
Friday, November 28, 2025
Mill Creek – A two-vehicle accident Friday on Tallulah Road resulted in two drivers being transported to area hospitals. Around 3:28 p.m., Anahi Aguilar of Andrews was traveling north on U.S. 129, near the intersection of Lower Mill Creek Road.
Robbinsville native Haylee Van Deusen (seated, center) is shown surrounded by friends and loved ones prior to receiving the NCWorks Governor's Young Adult Award for Distinction at a ceremony in Greensboro last month.

Robbinsville native Haylee Van Deusen (seated, center) is shown surrounded by friends and loved ones prior to receiving the NCWorks Governor's Young Adult Award for Distinction at a ceremony in Greensboro last month.

Resilient character

Latresa Phillips
Friday, November 21, 2025
Greensboro – On Oct. 17, 2025, Josh Stein announced this year's winners of the Governor's NC Works Awards of Distinction.